DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to weather strip for a vehicle door and more particularly, to a weather strip assembly for the vehicle door such as tailgate. Further, embodiments herein relate to a method of providing the weather strip assembly in the vehicle door.

BACKGROUND
[002] Weather strips are provided in a vehicle door to protect a vehicle cabin from water intrusion, air intrusion, noise entry and dust intrusion. The vehicle door is mainly categorized into two types, one being side doors and other being rear door(s) (hereinafter called as tailgate). Such, rear door may be separated into two doors, one being a hart top (H) with a glass door (10T) which is hinged to a top frame of the vehicle and adapted to be opened by lifting the door from a vertical position to a horizontal position and the other being a side door (10TS) which is hinged to one of the sides of the vehicle frame and adapted to be opened towards one of the sides of the vehicle.
[003] The weather strip (WS) commonly used at present, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, extends laterally from a bottom portion of the glass door (10T). When the glass door (10T) of the tailgate (T) is to be opened and kept at the horizontal position, the weather strip (WS) needs to surpass a top portion of the side door, when side door is at closed condition. As the weather strip (WS) extends laterally from the bottom portion glass door (10T), it restricts a movement of the glass door (10T) against the side door (10TS). In order to open the glass door (10T), the weather strip (WS) is squeezed and pulled manually to move against the top portion of the side door (10TS). Thus, the squeezing and pulling of the weather strip (WS) results in damage of the weather strip (WS) which is undesirable. Further, continuous squeezing and pulling the weather strip (WS) result in improper functioning of the weather strip (WS), thereby resulting in leakage of water, air or dust into the vehicle cabin which is detrimental to the passengers travelling in the vehicle.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a weather strip assembly for a vehicle door, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks. Further, there exists a need for a method of providing the weather strip assembly in the vehicle door, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of an embodiment herein is to provide a weather strip assembly for a vehicle door such as tailgate.
[006] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a method of providing the weather strip assembly in the vehicle door.
[007] Yet another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a movable weather strip assembly for the vehicle door, wherein the movable weather strip assembly is adapted to facilitate easy opening of a first door (lift up tailgate) relative to a second door (side opening type tailgate) .
[008] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a movable weather strip assembly for the vehicle door which prevents damage to the weather strip assembly while opening and thereby ensuring longer life of the weather strip.
[009] Still another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a weather strip assembly for the vehicle door, which is reliable and restricts entry of air, noise, water and other foreign particles into a vehicle cabin.
[0010] Also, another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a weather strip assembly for the vehicle door, which is durable and provides better access and service.
[0011] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0013] Fig. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of a conventional weather strip and a vehicle door in assembled condition;
[0014] Fig. 2 depicts another cross-sectional view of the conventional weather strip and the vehicle door in assembled condition;
[0015] Fig. 3 depicts perspective view of the conventional weather strip and the vehicle door in assembled condition;
[0016] Fig. 4 depicts a cross sectional view of a weather strip assembly and a vehicle door in assembled condition, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0017] Fig. 5 depicts a cross sectional view of a first weather strip and the vehicle door in assembled condition, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein; and
[0018] Fig. 6 depicts a flowchart indicating a method of providing a weather strip assembly in a vehicle door, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0020] The embodiments herein achieve a weather strip assembly for a vehicle door such as tailgate. Further, the embodiments herein achieve the method of providing a weather strip assembly in a vehicle door. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve the movable weather strip assembly for the vehicle door, wherein the movable weather strip assembly is adapted to facilitate easy opening of a first door (hard top door or lift up tailgate) relative to a second door (side opening type door). Also, the embodiments herein achieve the movable weather strip assembly for the vehicle door which prevents damage to the weather strip assembly while opening the hard top door, thereby ensuring longer life of weather strip assembly. Moreover, the embodiments herein achieve the weather strip assembly for the vehicle door, which is reliable and restricts entry of air, water and other foreign particles into a vehicle cabin. Additionally, the embodiments herein achieve the weather strip assembly for the vehicle door, which is durable and provides better access and service. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 4 through 6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0021] Fig. 4 depicts a cross sectional view of a weather strip assembly (100) and a vehicle door (10F) in assembled condition, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the weather strip assembly (100) includes a first weather strip (102), a second weather strip (104) and a third weather strip (106). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the weather strip assembly (100) is explained herein below with reference to be provided in a vehicle door (10T) such as lift up tailgate. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the weather strip assembly (100) in a side door or drop down tailgate or any other vehicular structure without otherwise deterring the intended function of the weather strip assembly (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. Further, the embodiments herein are explained with reference to a rear vehicle door (tailgate) which is separated into two independent doors, one having a hard top with a glass door (10F), (also referred to as first door or lift up tailgate in this description) which is hinged to a top frame of the vehicle and adapted to be opened by lifting the door from a vertical direction to a horizontal position and the other includes a side door (10S) (also referred to as second door in this description) which is hinged to one of the sides of the vehicle frame and adapted to be opened towards one side of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the weather strip assembly (100) is adapted to be disposed between the first door (10F) hinged to the top frame of the vehicle and the second door (10S) hinged to one of rear side frames of the vehicle.
[0022] Fig. 5 depicts a cross sectional view of a first weather strip (102) and the vehicle door (10F) in assembled condition, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The weather strip assembly (100) includes the first weather strip (102) which is connected to the first door (10F) of the vehicle. The first weather strip (102) is connected to a bottom portion of the first door (10F). The first weather strip (102) extends along a widthwise direction of the first door (10F). The first weather strip (102) defines a first slot (102a) which is adapted to receive the bottom portion of the first door (10F). In an embodiment, the first slot (102a) is a U shaped slot. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any shape for the first slot of the first weather strip (102) without otherwise deterring the intended function of the first weather strip (102) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. Further, the first weather strip (102) defines a curved second slot (102b) which is adapted to receive a portion (104a), (as shown in fig. 4) of the second weather strip (104). The curved second slot (102b) is defined opposite to the first slot (102a). Further, the first weather strip (102) includes a first protrusion (102c) and a second protrusion (102d) which are opposite and provided at an angle to each other. The first protrusion (102c) extends transversely from the first slot (102a), and the second protrusion (102d) extends in a plane parallel to the first slot (102a). Further, the second protrusion (102d) includes an internal surface (not shown) which is provided towards the second weather strip (104) and an external surface (not shown) which is provided away from the second weather strip (104). In an embodiment, the first weather strip (102) is made of plastic material such as polypropylene (PP) plastic. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the first weather strip (102) to be made of any other material.
[0023] The weather strip assembly (100) further includes the second weather strip (104) which is movably connected to the first weather strip (102). The second weather strip (104) extends along widthwise direction of the first door (10F). The second weather strip (104) includes a curved head portion (104a) and a body (104b) which extends below the curved head portion (104a). The curved head portion (104a) of the second weather strip (104) is disposed within the second slot (102b) of the first weather strip (102). Further, the curved head portion (104a) is adapted to be moved within the second slot (102b) of the first weather strip (102) i.e. the curved head portion (104a) is adapted to be moved relative to the first weather strip (102) thereby facilitating movement of the second and third weather strips (104, 106) with respect to the first weather strip (102). In an embodiment, the curved second slot (102b) of the first weather strip (102) and the curved head portion (104a) of the second weather strip (104) are coated with an anti-friction coating to facilitate movement of the second weather strip (104) with respect to the first weather strip (102). In an embodiment, the second weather strip (104) is made of plastic material such as polypropylene (PP) plastic. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the second weather strip (104) to be made of any other material. Further, the body (104b) of the second weather strip (104) defines a third weather strip receiving portion (104c) which is adapted to receive a portion of the third weather strip (106), and a first weather strip engaging portion (104d) which is disposed near the curved head portion (104a). The first weather strip engaging portion (104d) of the second weather strip (104) includes a profile (or shape) which is adapted to engage with the internal surface (slot) of the second protrusion (102d) of the first weather strip (102). The profile is defined in the second weather strip (104) so that it restricts the movement of the second weather strip (104) beyond the second protrusion (102d) of the first weather strip (102). Further, the third weather strip receiving portion (104c) formed in body (104b) of the second weather strip (104) is a depression which is adapted to receive a first face (106a) (as shown in fig. 4) of the third weather strip (106).
[0024] The weather strip assembly (100) further includes the third weather strip (106) which is affixed to the second weather strip (104). In an embodiment, the third weather strip (106) is a hollow flexible member. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of material, fabrication and shape for the third weather strip (106) without otherwise deterring the intended function of the third weather strip (106) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. The third weather strip (106) extends along widthwise direction of the first door (10F). The third weather strip (106) includes the first face (106a) which is defined to have a predetermined profile adapted to be affixed within the depression defined in the body (104b) of the second weather strip (104). Further, the third weather strip (106) includes a second face (106b) which is adapted to engage with a top edge portion of the second door (10S). Further, the third weather strip (106) includes an extended lip portion (106c), (as shown in fig. 4) which is adapted to abut the first protrusion (102c) of the first weather strip (102). In an embodiment, the third weather strip (106) is made of thermoplastic polyester plastic or Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the third weather strip (106) to be made of any other material. The third weather strip (106) which is in contact with the second weather strip (104) is compressed during slam of the second door (10S). In an embodiment, the third weather strip (106) is attached to the second weather strip (104) by at least one of adhesion or tape.
[0025] The movement of the second weather strip (104) relative to first weather strip (102) is explained herein below. The first weather strip (102) is fixedly coupled to the bottom portion of the first door (10F). The head portion (104a) of the second weather strip (104) is moveably disposed within the second slot (102b) of the first weather strip (102) such that the second weather strip (104) moves between a first position and a second position with respect to the first weather strip (102). In the first position, the first weather strip engaging portion (104d) of the second weather strip (104) is in contact with the second protrusion (102d) of the first weather strip (102). In the second position, the first weather strip engaging portion (104d) of the second weather strip (104) is moved away from the second protrusion (102d) of the first weather strip (102) thereby facilitating opening of the first door (10F) and restricting wear and tear of the weather strip assembly (100) against the second door (10S). Further, the third weather strip (106) is affixed to the second weather strip (104) such that when second weather strip (104) moves, the third weather strip (106) also moves along with the second weather strip (104). When the first door (10F) is to be opened, the second weather strip (104) is turned (or rotated) from the first position to the second position to surpass the top edge portion of the second door (10S). The second door (10S) may be held in one of open position and closed position. The first door (10F) surpasses the top edge portion of the second door (10S) and moves to the horizontal position in open condition. When the first door (10F) is held in closed condition, the second and third weather strips (104, 106) returns to its initial position and are not be allowed to rotate beyond the second protrusion (102d) of the first weather strip (102) during slam of the vehicle door. The top edge portion of the second door (10S) is adapted to contact the second face (106b) of the third weather strip (106) when the second door (10S) is closed.
[0026] Fig. 6 depicts a flowchart indicating a method (200) of providing the weather strip assembly (100) in the vehicle door, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the method (200) is explained herein below with reference to providing the weather strip assembly (100) in the vehicle door (10F) such as tailgate. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to practice/implement the entire steps of the method (200) in a same manner or in a different manner or with omission of at least one step to the method (200) or with any addition of at least one step to the method (200) of providing the weather strip assembly (100) in any other type of vehicle doors or drop-down tailgate or any other vehicular structure without otherwise deterring the intended function of the method (200) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, the method (200) includes providing a first weather strip (102) (At step 202). Further, the method (200) includes movably connecting a second weather strip (104) to the first weather strip (102) (At step 204). Furthermore, the method (200) includes coupling a third weather strip (106) to the second weather strip (104) (At step 206).
[0027] Further, the method (200) includes coupling the first weather strip (102) to a bottom portion of the first door (10F).
[0028] Further, the method (200) includes moving the second and third weather strips (104, 106) with respect to the first weather strip (102) thereby facilitating opening of the first door (10F) and restricting wear and tear of the weather strip assembly (100) against the second door (10S).
[0029] The technical advantages of the weather strip assembly (100) are as follows. The movable weather strip assembly (100) facilitates easy opening of the first door (lift up tailgate) relative to the second door (side opening type tailgate). The weather strip assembly (100) prevents damage to the weather strip assembly (100) while opening and thereby ensuring longer life of the weather strip assembly (100). The weather strip assembly (100) is reliable and restricts entry of air, noise, water and other foreign particles into a vehicle cabin. The weather strip assembly (100) is durable and provides better access and service.
[0030] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:We claim,
1. A weather strip assembly (100) for a vehicle door, said weather strip assembly (100) comprising:
a first weather strip (102);
a second weather strip (104) movably connected to said first weather strip (102); and
a third weather strip (106) affixed to said second weather strip (104).
2. The weather strip assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said weather strip assembly (100) is adapted to be disposed between a first door (10F) hinged to a top frame of said vehicle and a second door (10S) hinged to one of rear side frames of said vehicle.
3. The weather strip assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first weather strip (102) defines a first slot (102a), a curved second slot (102b), a first protrusion (102c), and a second protrusion (102d), said first protrusion (102C) extends angularly or transversely to said first slot (102a), said second protrusion (102d) extends in a plane parallel to said first slot (102a).
4. The weather strip assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second weather strip (104) includes a curved head portion (104a) and a body (104b) extending below said curved head portion (104a), wherein said body (104b) defines a third weather strip receiving portion (104c) which is adapted to receive a portion of said third weather strip (106), and a first weather strip engaging portion (104d), said first weather strip engaging portion (104d) is disposed near to said curved head portion (104a).
5. The weather strip assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first slot (102a) of said first weather strip (102) is adapted to receive a bottom edge portion of said first door (10F), wherein said curved second slot (102b) of said first weather strip (102) is adapted to receive said curved head portion (104a) of said second weather strip (104), said curved head portion (104a) is adapted to be moved within said curved second slot (102b).
6. The weather strip assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said curved second slot (102b) of said first weather strip (102) and said curved head portion (104a) of said second weather strip (104) are coated with an anti-friction coating to facilitate movement of said second weather strip (104) with respect to said first weather strip (102).
7. The weather strip assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said second weather strip (104) is adapted to be moved between a first position and a second position relative to said first weather strip (102), wherein at said first position, said first weather strip engaging portion (104d) of said second weather strip (104) is provided in contact with said second protrusion (102d) of said first weather strip (102), and at said second position, said first weather strip engaging portion (104d) of said second weather strip (104) is moved away from said second protrusion (102d) of said first weather strip (102) to facilitate opening of said first door (10F) and to restrict wear and tear of said weather strip assembly (100) against said second door (10S).
8. The weather strip assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said third weather strip (106) includes a first face (106a) and a second face (106b) opposite to said first face (106a), said first face (106a) is adapted to engage (or couple) with an outer surface of said third weather strip receiving portion (104b) defined in said body (104b) of said second weather strip (104), and said second face (106b) is adapted to engage with a top edge portion of said second door (10S), wherein said third weather strip (106) includes an extended lip portion (106c) which is adapted to abut said first protrusion (102c) of said first weather strip (102).
9. The weather strip assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first weather strip engaging portion (104d) of said second weather strip (104) is adapted to contact an inner surface (slot) of said second protrusion (102d) of said first weather strip (102) to restrict movement of said second weather strip (104) beyond said second protrusion (102d) of said first weather strip (102).
10. A method (200) of providing a weather strip assembly (100) for a vehicle door, said method (200) comprising:
providing a first weather strip (102);
movably connecting a second weather strip (104) to said first weather strip (102); and
coupling a third weather strip (106) to said second weather strip (104).
11. The method (200) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said method (200) comprises,
coupling said first weather strip (102) to a bottom portion of a first door (10F); and
moving said second and third weather strips (104, 106) with respect to said first weather strip (102) thereby facilitating opening of the first door (10F) and for restricting wear and tear of said weather strip assembly (100) against said second door (10S),
wherein
said second weather strip (104) is adapted to be moved between a first position and a second position relative to said first weather strip (102), wherein at said first position, said first weather strip engaging portion (104d) of said second weather strip (104) is provided in contact with said second protrusion (102d) of said first weather strip (102) and at said second position, said first weather strip engaging portion (104d) of said second weather strip (104) is moved away from said second protrusion (102d) of said first weather strip (102).