Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Sara E James

Ronald M Lovasz

Paul Lawrence Lipinski

Craig Pearson

Bing Jiang

Corey A Griewahn

An apparatus and method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, providing a vehicle with a hard top option where a hard top can be attached to the vehicle, a soft top option where a soft top can be attached to the vehicle, and a dual top option where either the hard top or the soft top can be attached to the vehicle. A hard top applique is provided for the hard top and a soft top applique is provided for the soft top, and a common set of fasteners is used to attach the hard top applique and the soft top applique to a pillar as needed to attach the hard top or soft top to the vehicle.

Method and apparatus for fastening hard and soft top appliques

This disclosure details exemplary adjustable glass track systems for vehicles. In some embodiments, the glass track systems may establish a continuous sealing plane relative to a glass pane of a frameless door. In other embodiments, the glass track systems may additionally establish a continuous sealing plane relative to a vehicle roof structure. Exemplary adjustable glass track systems may include, among other features, a tubular frame rail, a channel rail, appliques, and seals.

Adjustable glass track systems for vehicles with frameless doors

An apparatus and method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, providing a vehicle with a hard top option where a hard top can be attached to the vehicle, a soft top option where a soft top can be attached to the vehicle, and a dual top option where either the hard top or the soft top can be attached to the vehicle. A hard top applique is provided for the hard top and a soft top applique is provide for the soft top, and a common set of fasteners is used to attach the hard top applique and the soft top applique to a pillar as needed to attach the hard top or soft top to the vehicle.

An applique assembly for a vehicle door includes a body defining an attachment surface with an edge. The body has a margin extension member coupled with the attachment surface inward of the edge that defines a margin channel open toward the edge. The assembly also includes a margin seal having a first portion receivable within the margin channel with a second portion extending inward over and spaced apart from the margin extension member outside the margin channel.

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Commerce Township, MI, United States of America

Sara E James