INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.

BACKGROUND

Field

This disclosure relates generally to a window deflector assembly including a window deflector and mounting clips for securing the same to a window frame of a vehicle.

Description of the Related Art

Window deflectors, such as side window deflectors, have previously been used to keep rain and other elements out of vehicles while the window is open or partially open. Window deflectors are typically installed within window channels housed within window frames of vehicles. Such installation typically utilizes tape to secure the window deflector to the window channel and/or utilizes other mechanical securement techniques to secure the window deflector to the window channel.

SUMMARY

The systems, methods, and devices of this disclosure each have several innovative aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for the desirable attributes disclosed herein.

Disclosed herein is a window deflector assembly for a window frame of a vehicle that can comprise a window deflector and one or more mounting clips. In some embodiments, the window deflector comprises a first section configured to extend upward into the window frame when the window deflector assembly is installed and a second section configured to extend below the window frame when the window deflector assembly is installed. In some embodiments, the first section is integral with the second section. The one or more mounting clips can be configured to secure to a window channel within the window frame. In some embodiments, the one or more mounting clips comprise a top portion, an outer stem, and an inner stem. The top portion can have a first end configured to engage a first side of the window channel and a second end configured to engage a second side of the window channel. The outer stem can extend from the top portion. The inner stem can extend from the top portion and be spaced from the outer stem. In some embodiments, the space between the outer and inner stems is configured to receive and grip a portion of the first section of the window deflector. The inner stem can comprise a first face and a second face opposite the first face, wherein the first face faces and is positioned adjacent to the first section of the window deflector when the window deflector is secured between the outer and inner stems. When the window deflector assembly is installed in the window frame and a window of the vehicle is in a closed position, the second face of the inner stem can face and be positioned proximate to the window.

In some embodiments of the window deflector assembly, the first end of the top portion can comprise a plurality of laterally spaced engagement portions configured to extend outward beyond an end of at least one protrusion on the first side of the window channel. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of laterally spaced engagement portions are tapered from sides of the engagement portions to form a pointed tip. In some embodiments, the second end of the top portion comprises a plurality of laterally spaced engagement portions configured to extend outward beyond an end of at least one protrusion on the second side of the window channel. The window channel can be made of rubber. In some embodiments, the top portion is curved downwardly toward the first end and curved downwardly toward the second end. In some embodiments, the first and second ends of the top portion comprise at least one engagement portion configured to extend outward beyond an end of at least one protrusion on the first and second sides of the window channel and engage the at least one protrusion, wherein the at least one protrusion is angled such that when engaged by the at least one engagement portion, a contacting surface of the at least one protrusion lays adjacent to a contacting surface of the at least one engagement portion.

In some embodiments, the top portion further comprises a body and a tail narrower than the body, wherein the body extends from the second end to a transition region of the top portion and the tail extends from the first end to the transition region, wherein the tail and the outer stem are formed from cutting an inner portion of the inner stem leaving an opening in the inner stem. In some embodiments, the inner stem extends from the transition region of the top portion. In some embodiments, the top portion further comprises a first length from the transition region to the second end and a second length from the transition region to the first end, and wherein the first length is greater than the second length.

In some embodiments, the outer stem of the one or more mounting clips has a cantilevered end which is flared towards the first side of the window channel and is configured to engage a protrusion on the window channel when the mounting clip is installed. In some embodiments, the outer stem comprises one or more engagement portions configured to engage the portion of the first section of the window deflector when the window deflector is secured between the outer and inner stems.

In some embodiments, the portion of the first section of the window deflector defines a recess, and wherein the recess is sized to receive the inner stem of the mounting clip. The thickness of the recess can be substantially equal to a thickness of the inner stem. For example, the thickness of the recess can be within 10% of the thickness of the inner stem, or within 5% of the thickness of the inner stem.

Disclosed herein is a vehicle that can comprise a window frame, a window channel, a window deflector, and a mounting clip. The window frame can comprise an interior side positioned adjacent to an interior of the vehicle and an exterior side opposite the interior side. The window channel can be positioned within the window frame and can comprise an interior side adjacent to the interior side of the window frame and an exterior side adjacent to the exterior side of the window frame. In some embodiments, a window deflector can comprise a first section extending upward into the window frame and a second section extending below the window frame, wherein the first section is integral with the second section. In some embodiments, the mounting clip can be retained within said window channel and can comprise a first portion which engages both the exterior and interior sides of the window channel and a second portion which grips a portion of the first section of the window deflector.

In some embodiments, the portion of the first section of the window deflector can define a recess which receives the inner stem of the mounting clip. In some embodiments, a thickness of the recess is substantially equal to a thickness of the inner stem so that a face of the inner stem and a surface of the first section of the window deflector adjacent to the recess are flush. In some embodiments, the thickness of the recess can be within 10% of the thickness of the inner stem. In some embodiments, the top portion of the mounting clip is curved downwardly toward a first end and curved downwardly toward a second end. In some embodiments, the first and second ends of the first portion of the mounting clip comprise at least one engagement portion which engages the interior and exterior sides of the window channel. The at least one engagement portion can extend outward beyond an end of at least one protrusion on the interior and exterior sides of the window channel and can engage the at least one protrusion, wherein the at least one protrusion is angled such that a contacting surface of the at least one protrusion lays adjacent to a contacting surface of the at least one engagement portion.

Disclosed herein is a method of installing a window deflector in a window frame of vehicle. The method can comprise: inserting a mounting clip into the window frame and securing a first portion of the mounting clip to both an interior side and an exterior side of a window channel positioned within the window frame; and inserting a first section of the window deflector into a second portion of the mounting clip, the second portion of the mounting clip configured to grip the first section of the window deflector within the window frame. The step of inserting the first section of the window deflector into the second portion of the mounting clip can be carried out before the step of inserting the mounting clip into the window frame. In some embodiments, the first portion of the mounting clip comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the first portion is curved downwardly from the first end to the second end. In some embodiments, the second portion of the mounting clip is configured to grip the first section of the window deflector on both sides.

