DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to roof ditch seals in vehicles and more particularly, but not exclusively to a roof ditch seal having a mounting bracket and a method for mounting roof ditch seal in vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, a roof ditch seal in a vehicle is used to hide the weld line between a roof and a body side outer (BSO) panel of the vehicle. The roof ditch seal provides corrosion resistance and aesthetics for the vehicle as it is directly visible to the customer. Usually the roof ditch seal is mounted between the roof and the body side outer (BSO) panel. Conventional system and method provides undercut in the roof and body side outer (BSO) panel for mounting the roof ditch seal between the roof and the body side outer (BSO) panel. Though the aforementioned system and method provides mounting of the roof ditch seal, providing undercuts in roof and body side outer (BSO) panel is difficult and is one of the challenges faced by the original equipment manufacturers (OEM). Other conventional systems and methods for mounting the roof ditch seal between the roof and the body side outer (BSO) panel is subjected to high cost, lesser holding strength for the roof ditch seal, increased assembly time due to assembly of various child parts, increased waviness in the seal, increased ditch depth for mounting parts thereby limiting mounting space for other utility purposes and complex assembly due to assembly of various parts thereby resulting in discomfort of operator and the process is tedious.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a roof ditch seal having a mounting bracket and a method for mounting a roof ditch seal in a vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a roof ditch seal for a vehicle.
[005] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a roof ditch seal which is inexpensive.
[006] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a roof ditch seal which is easy to assemble.
[007] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method for mounting a roof ditch seal in a vehicle.
[008] 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
[009] 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:
[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a mounting bracket assembled to a roof and a roof ditch seal, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0011] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a mounting bracket in an assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket, the roof ditch seal, the roof and a body side outer panel in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 4 depicts another cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket, the roof ditch seal, the roof and the body side outer panel in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 5 depicts another cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket, the roof ditch seal, the roof and the body side outer panel in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0015] FIG. 6 depicts another cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket, the roof ditch seal, the roof and the body side outer panel in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0016] FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart of a method for mounting a roof ditch seal in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] 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.
[0018] The embodiments herein achieve a roof ditch seal having a mounting bracket for a vehicle. Further, embodiments herein achieve a method for mounting a roof ditch seal in a vehicle. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 7, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0019] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a mounting bracket assembled to a roof and mould member, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the roof ditch seal 100 includes at least one mounting bracket 102 and at least one mould member 104 attached to the at least one mounting bracket 102, at least one end cap 116 integrally formed in the at least one mould member 104.
[0020] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a mounting bracket in an assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the at least one mounting bracket 102 is mounted on the roof 106 of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the at least one mounting bracket 102 includes, a first horizontal arm 108 mounted on the roof 106, a vertically inclined arm 110 extending from the first horizontal arm 108, and a second horizontal arm 112 extending horizontally from the vertically inclined arm 110.
[0021] In an embodiment, the at least one mounting bracket 102 is affixed to the roof 106 of the vehicle at predetermined position by at least one of spot welding, fastening, bolting, riveting, adhesive bonding, and combination thereof. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of bonding or any other means for connecting the bracket to the roof without otherwise deterring the intended function of the mounting bracket as can be deduced from the description. In an embodiment, the at least one mounting bracket 102 is ‘Z’ shaped.
[0022] FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket, the mould member, the roof and the body side outer panel in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the roof ditch seal 100 includes the at least one mould member 104. In an embodiment, the at least one mould member 104 includes an elongated strip 104a (also referred as body) having an upper surface 104b, and a lower surface 104c, wherein the elongated strip 104a is configured to cover the recess defined between the roof 106 and the body side outer panel 114 of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the body 104a further includes a pair of lips 104d extending laterally from the upper surface 104b of the body 104a. In an embodiment, the pair of lips 104d resiliently abuts against the roof 106 and the body side outer panel 114, respectively.
[0023] In an embodiment, the elongated strip 104a includes a front end 118 and a rear end (not shown). In an embodiment, the at least one mould member 104 includes the at least one end cap 116 integrally formed at the front end 118. In an embodiment, the at least one end cap 116 of the at least one mould member 104 is configured to engage with the at least one mounting bracket 102. In an embodiment, the elongated strip (not shown) is configured to reside in the recess defined between the roof 106 and the body side outer panel 114 of the vehicle.
[0024] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 depict another cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket, the mould member, the roof and the body side outer panel in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the at least one end cap 116 comprises a bend portion 120 which slides below the second horizontal arm 112 of the at least one mounting bracket 102 to engage with the at least one mounting bracket 102. In an embodiment, the at least one end cap 116 locks the roof ditch seal in all the three directions (i.e. X, Y and Z directions).
[0025] In an embodiment, the elongated strip is configured to fixedly couple to the recess by an adhesive tape. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of bonding or any other means for connecting the mould member to the roof without otherwise deterring the intended function of the adhesion as can be deduced from the description. In an embodiment, the adhesive tape is selected at least one of thermal cure tape, and double sided tape.
[0026] FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart of a method for mounting a roof ditch seal in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. A method 700 for mounting a roof ditch seal 100 in a recess defined between a roof 106 and a body side outer panel 114 of a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes mounting at least one mounting bracket 102 on the roof 106 of the vehicle at a predetermined position (step 702) and coupling at least one mould member 104 to the at least one mounting member 102 by pressing and sliding the at least one mould member 104 against the at least one mounting bracket 102 (step 704). The at least one mould member 104 is an elongated strip 104a having a front end 118 and a rear end. The at least one mould member 104 includes at least one end cap 116 integrally formed at the front end 118. The at least one end cap 116 of the at least one mould member 104 is configured to engage with the at least one mounting bracket 102. The elongated strip 104a is configured to reside in the recess defined between the roof 106 and the body side outer panel 114 of the vehicle.
[0027] The technical advantages provided by the embodiments discussed herein are better holding of roof ditch seal thereby removing waviness in the roof ditch seal, easily assembled at TCF assembly line thereby reducing tact time in TCF assembly line, eliminating blind operation in TCF assembly line, assembling with ease of fitment, aesthetic and locking of roof ditch seal assembly at TCF assembly line, style intent intact without additional mass on vehicle, less fatigue of operator due to easier assembly, increased holding area for the roof ditch seal thereby resulting in better holding of the roof ditch seal, inexpensive, high durability of seal. Further the embodiments herein provide a better aesthetics. In an embodiment, very small ditch height of about 8mm height can be sealed thereby providing mounting space for other utility mountings.
[0028] 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 preferred 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.

Referral numerals:
Roof ditch seal 100
Mounting bracket 102
Mould member 104
Elongate strip 104a
Upper surface 104b
Lower surface 104c
Pair of lips 104d
Roof 106
First horizontal arm 108
Vertically inclined arm 110
Second horizontal arm 112
Body side outer panel 114
End cap 116
Front end 118
Bent portion 120

,CLAIMS:STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A roof ditch seal 100 to be secured in a recess defined between a roof 106 and a body side outer panel 114 of a vehicle, comprising:
at least one mounting bracket 102 mounted on the roof 106 of the vehicle at a predetermined position; and
at least one mould member 104 affixed to the at least one mounting bracket 102;
wherein
the at least one mould member 104 is an elongated strip 104a having a front end 118 and a rear end;
the at least one mould member 104 includes at least one end cap 116 integrally formed at the front end 118;
the at least one end cap 116 of the at least one mould member 104 is configured to engage with the at least one mounting bracket 102;
the elongated strip 104a is configured to reside in the recess defined between the roof 106 and the body side outer panel 114 of the vehicle.
2. The roof ditch seal 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one mounting bracket 102 includes:
a first horizontal arm 108 mounted on the roof 106;
a vertically inclined arm 110 extending from the first horizontal arm 108; and
a second horizontal arm 112 extending horizontally from the vertically inclined arm 110.
3. The roof ditch seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one mould member 104 includes:
the elongate strip 104a having an upper surface 104b, and a lower surface 104c, wherein the elongate strip 104a is configured to cover the recess defined between the roof 106 and the body side outer panel 114 of the vehicle;
and
a pair of lips 104d extending laterally from the upper surface 104b of the elongate strip 104a, wherein the pair of lips 104d resiliently abuts against the roof 106 and the body side outer panel 114, respectively.
4. The roof ditch seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one mounting bracket 102 is a ‘Z’ shaped bracket.
5. The roof ditch seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one end cap 116 comprises a bend portion 120 which slides below the second horizontal arm 112 of the at least one mounting bracket 102 to engage with the at least one mounting bracket 102.
6. The roof ditch seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one end cap 116 locks the roof ditch seal in all the three directions (i.e. X, Y and Z directions).
7. The roof ditch seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one mounting bracket 102 is affixed to the roof 106 of the vehicle at predetermined position by at least one of spot welding, fastening, bolting, riveting and combination thereof.
8. The roof ditch seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongated strip 104a is configured to reside inside the recess by an adhesive tape.
9. The roof ditch seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adhesive tape is selected at least one of thermal cure tape, and double sided tape.
10. A method 700 for mounting a roof ditch seal 100 in a recess defined between a roof 106 and a body side outer panel 114 of a vehicle, said method comprising steps of:
mounting at least one mounting bracket 102 on the roof 106 of the vehicle at a predetermined position; and
coupling at least one mould member 104 to the at least one mounting member 102 by pressing and sliding the at least one mould member 104 against the at least one mounting bracket 102;
wherein
the at least one mould member 104 is an elongated strip 104a having a front end 118 and a rear end;
the at least one mould member 104 includes at least one end cap 116 integrally formed at the front end 118;
the at least one end cap 116 of the at least one mould member 104 is configured to engage with the at least one mounting bracket 102;
the elongated strip 104a is configured to reside in the recess defined between the roof 106 and the body side outer panel 114 of the vehicle.

Dated: 1st August 2017 Signature:
Somashekar Ramakrishna