FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure, in general, relates to a sealing assembly and more
particularly to a sealing assembly for use in automotive vehicle to provide firm
attachment with door jamb opening of the vehicle to prevent water seepage and
entrance of dust through the door jamb openi5 ng.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Background description includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the
information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed
10 invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] Automotive vehicles generally are equipped with a number of courtesy lights
for the convenience of the operator. For instance, automobiles are equipped with a
passenger compartment light to provide courtesy lighting from the roof area via
dome lights or the like which shine downwardly and forwardly or rearwardly over
15 the shoulders of the driver or passengers to enable reading and to light the interior
when entering the vehicle.
[004] The turning on of these light(s) when the door is opened is implemented by
courtesy light switches that are mounted on door jamb of the automotive vehicle.
The automotive vehicles are generally manufactured with openings on every door
20 jamb to house these switches. For example, a four door vehicle will have four door
jamb openings, one each for every door jamb to house these courtesy light switches.
The switches are generally employed based on variant of the vehicle, for example
an entry level variant which has less features in comparison to the higher priced
variant may not have courtesy light switches for the rear doors or front passenger
25 side door. In such variants there lies a problem to cover these openings as leaving
them open could lead to seepage of water and they can also act as a source for
entrance of dust. A change in production facilities to avoid having these openings
3
for the base variant is not a viable option, as any change in production facility will
attract a considerable cost.
[005] A door jamb opening as known in the art consist of a first opening and a
second opening. The first opening is designed to allow fastening screw or bolt,
whereas the second opening is designed to allow courtesy light switch. 5 The
manufactures generally use two sealing caps to seal these first and second openings.
It has been observed that these sealing caps provide an undurable sealing of these
first and second opening and lead to water seepage specially on application of
pressurized water for example during washing.
10 [006] Thus, there is a requirement of a sealing assembly that provides firm
attachment with door jamb opening of an automotive vehicle to prevent seepage of
water and entrance of dust through the door jamb opening.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
[007] It is therefore the object of the invention to overcome the aforementioned and
15 other drawbacks existing in prior systems.
[008] The primary object of the invention is to provide a sealing assembly that
provides a firm attachment with door jamb opening of automotive vehicles.
[009] Another object of the invention is to provide a sealing assembly that prevents
water seepage and entrance of dust inside an automotive vehicle through door jamb
20 opening of the vehicle.
[010] Another object of the invention is to provide a sealing assembly that is
flexible to accommodate welding variations in automotive vehicles.
[011] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a sealing assembly that is
economical in production.
25 [012] Still another object of the invention is to provide a sealing assembly that is
easy to attach.
4
[013] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a
preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIO5 N
[014] The present invention provides for a sealing assembly for use in automotive
vehicles to provide firm attachment with door jamb opening of the vehicle.
[015] In accordance with an embodiment, a sealing assembly for use in automotive
vehicles is provided. The sealing assembly finds use in automotive vehicle
10 comprising door jamb opening. The sealing assembly comprises of a first sealing
member, a second sealing member and a bridge.
[016] In accordance with said embodiment, the first sealing member is adapted to
seal a first opening of the door jamb opening by providing continuous tightness
along edges of the first opening. The second sealing member is adapted to seal a
15 second opening of the door jamb opening by providing continuous tightness along
edges of the second opening.
[017] In accordance with said embodiment, the bridge connects the first sealing
member and the second sealing member. The portion of the bridge from first sealing
member’s side to the second member’s side slants upwards.
20 [018] In accordance with said embodiment, the bridge comprises of a bulge
member.
[019] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject
matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of
preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like
25 numerals represent like components.
5
[020] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure
described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the
aspects and embodiments may be combined to form a further embodiment of the
disclosure.
[021] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in an5 y
way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features
described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent
by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
10 [022] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by
reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals
throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and
simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes
that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
15 Figure 1: illustrates front view of door jamb opening of an automotive vehicle as
known in the art;
Figure 2: illustrates perspective view of door jamb opening of an automotive
vehicle and a sealing assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3: illustrates a side view of a sealing assembly, in accordance with an
20 embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 4: illustrates a top view of a sealing assembly, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
[023] The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration
only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description
25 that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may
6
be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[024] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications
and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have been shown by way 5 of
example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood,
however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms
disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and alterative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
10 [025] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the
meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in"
includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[026] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof used in
15 the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device,
system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those
components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to
the system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system
or device proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints,
20 preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system,
apparatus or device.
[027] Hereinafter, a sealing assembly (10) will be explained in more detail.
[028] Referring to figure 1 which illustrates door jamb opening (20) of an
exemplary automotive vehicle as known in the art. Automotive vehicles are
25 provided with door jamb opening (20) to house a courtesy light switch. The door
jamb opening (20) comprises of a first opening (21) and a second opening (22),
wherein the first opening (21) is adapted to allow fastening screw or bolt to hold
7
courtesy light switch in place and second opening (22) is adapted to allow a
courtesy light switch.
[029] Referring to figure 2 which illustrates perspective view of a sealing assembly
(10) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The sealing
assembly (10) is adapted to seal the door jamb opening (20) in cases when 5 hen a
courtesy light switch and a fastening screw or bolt are not housed in the opening
(20). The sealing assembly (10) provides for a firm attachment with the first
opening (21) and second opening (22) to prevent water seepage and entrance of
dust through the first opening (21) and second opening (22).
10 [030] Referring to figure 3 and 4 that illustrates a side and top view of the sealing
assembly (10) respectively in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The
sealing assembly (10) comprises of a first sealing member (11). The first sealing
member (11) is adapted to seal a first opening (21) of the door jamb opening (20)
by providing continuous tightness along edges of the first opening (21). The sealing
15 assembly (10) further comprises of a second sealing member (12). The second
sealing member (12) is adapted to seal a second opening (22) of the door jamb
opening (20) by providing continuous tightness along edges of the second opening
(22). The shape of the first sealing member (11) is complementary to the shape of
first opening (21). Similarly, the shape of the second sealing member (12) is
20 complementary to the shape of second opening (22).
[031] In accordance with an embodiment, the sealing assembly (10) comprises of a
bridge (13) connecting the first sealing member (11) and the second sealing member
(12).
[032] The distance between the first opening (21) and the second opening (22) may
25 slightly vary from vehicle to vehicle, this slight variation is created due to
manufacturing inaccuracies. In order to tolerate these varying distances, the sealing
assembly comprises of a bulge member (14) in the bridge (13) portion. The bulge
member (14) can expand and contract laterally towards the first sealing member
(11) and second sealing member (12) on application of force. Therefore, in vehicles
8
where the distance between the first opening (21) and the second opening (22) is
slightly more, the bulge member (14) provides expansion to accommodate this
increased distance. Also, in vehicles where the distance between the first opening
(21) and the second opening (22) is slightly less, the bulge member (14) provides
contraction to accommodate this decreased distance. The bulge member (5 14) in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention is arranged in between the first
sealing member (11) and second sealing member (12).
[033] In accordance with an embodiment, the bridge (13) comprises of a slanting
portion (15). The bridge (13) gradually slants upward from the first sealing
10 member’s (11) side to the second member’s (12) side to provide the slanting portion
(15). The slanting portion (15) provides a natural inward pressure on the first
sealing member (11) in sealed position. The sealed position is the position when the
sealing assembly (10) is housed inside the door jamb opening (20).
[034] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for
15 infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various
elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all
references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific
embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the
"invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily
20 all, of the claims.
[035] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed
herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to
and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group
or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included
25 in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When
any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain
the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in
the appended claims.
Advantages of the present disclosure:
9
[036] The present disclosure provides for a sealing assembly which provides firm
attachment with a door jamb opening of an automotive vehicle.
[037] The present disclosure provides for a sealing assembly which prevents water
seepage through a door jamb opening of an automotive vehicle.
[038] The present disclosure provides for a sealing assembly which preven5 ts
passage of dust through the door jamb opening of an automotive vehicle.
[039] The present disclosure provides for a sealing assembly which can seal both
first opening and second opening of a door jamb opening of an automotive vehicle,
thereby reducing assembling time of the vehicle.
10 [040] The present disclosure provides for a sealing assembly which is economical
to manufacture and is easy to attach.
[041] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms
herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular
and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or
15 application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth
herein for sake of clarity.
[042] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein,
and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are
generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted
20 as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having
at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited
to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be
explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent
25 is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims
may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to
introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be
10
construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite
articles, ‘a', or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim
recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same
claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and
indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically 5 be
interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use
of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the
art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at
10 least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other
modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
[043] The above description does not provide specific details of manufacture or
design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such
details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known,
15 related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in
the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.
[044] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It
will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and
20 functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or
applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives,
modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by
those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure
as encompassed by the following claims.
25 [045] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass
variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial
equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that
are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from
applicants/patentees and others.
11
[046] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other
aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various
aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are
not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the
following claims.

We claim:

1. A sealing assembly (10) for use in automotive vehicles comprising a door jamb
opening (20), wherein the sealing assembly comprises of:
 a first sealing member (11) adapted to seal a first opening (21) of the door
jamb opening (20) by providing continuous tightness along edges of the first
opening (21)5 ,
 a second sealing member (12) adapted to seal a second opening (22) of the
door jamb opening (20) by providing continuous tightness along edges of
the second opening (22), and
 a bridge (13) connecting the first sealing member (11) and the second
10 sealing member (12).
2. The sealing assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bridge (13)
comprises of a bulge member (14).
3. The sealing assembly (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bulge member (14)
is adapted to expand and contract laterally towards the first sealing member (11)
15 and second sealing member (12) on application of force.
4. The sealing assembly (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bulge member (14)
is arranged in between the first sealing member (11) and second sealing member
(12).
5. The sealing assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bridge gradually
20 slants upward from the first sealing member’s (11) side to the second member’s
(12) side to provide a slanting portion (15).
6. The sealing assembly (10) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the slanting portion
(15) provides a natural inward pressure on the first sealing member (11) in sealed
position.
13
7. The sealing assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shape of the first
sealing member (11) is complementary to the shape of first opening (21).
8. The sealing assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shape of the second
sealing member (12) is complementary to the shape of second opening (22).