VEHICLE DOOR SEAL APPARATUS, AND METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE THEREOF

摘要

Some embodiments are directed to a seal assembly including a main door seal that extends around a vehicle door interior surface and that is spaced from a door perimeter. A first seal portion extends from an inward end disposed at the main door seal to an outward end disposed at the vehicle door perimeter. The first seal portion forms a barrier vertically above a latch slot, is capable of intercepting substances disposed above and traveling downward toward the latch slot, and facilitates the transport of the intercepted substances to the door perimeter. A second seal portion is disposed between the latch slot and the vehicle door perimeter, and extends downwardly from the outward end of the first seal portion. The second seal portion is configured to impede travel toward the vehicle door interior surface of the intercepted substances that have been transported to the vehicle door perimeter.

主权项

1. A seal assembly for impeding travel of substances relative to a vehicle door, which defines interior and exterior surfaces, and a perimeter extending between the interior and exterior surfaces, the vehicle door including a latch assembly disposed at least in part within a latch slot that is spaced from the vehicle door perimeter, the seal assembly comprising:
a main door seal that extends around the vehicle door interior surface and that is spaced from the perimeter; a first seal portion that extends from an inward end disposed at the main door seal to an outward end disposed at the vehicle door perimeter, and that is configured to form a barrier vertically above the latch slot capable of intercepting the substances disposed above and traveling downward toward the latch slot, and facilitating the transport of the intercepted substances to the vehicle door perimeter; and a second seal portion disposed between the latch slot and the vehicle door perimeter, and extending downwardly from the outward end of the first seal portion, the second seal portion being configured to impede travel toward the vehicle door interior surface of the intercepted substances that have been transported to the vehicle door perimeter.