Automotive window retention system and retention element therefor

Claim 1

A retention system for an automotive window of the type having a window assembly insertable onto a peripheral flange of a flanged window aperture formed in an automotive vehicle body, said window assembly to be adhesively secured thereto, the window assembly being positioned with respect to the aperture by a plurality of retention elements mounted on the window assembly and operatively disposed between the window assembly and the aperture, said retention system comprising: a suction cup-shaped base portion having an inner side adapted to be fixedly secured to an inner peripheral surface of the window assembly and having a resilient outer side; a generally perpendicular outward extending stem attached at a joint formed between a first end of said stem and said resilient outer side of said cup-shaped base portion, said stem having a free end deflecting toward the interior of the flanged window aperture upon engagement therewith about said joint formed between said first end thereof by outwardly deforming said resilient outer side of said cup-shaped base portion in a direction toward the interior of the window aperture; means integral with said generally perpendicular outwardy extending stem for lockingly engaging the peripheral flange of the flanged window aperture; and curable adhesive means for application to said suction shaped base portion, prior to the placement thereof on said window assembly, said adhesive means allowing movement of said base portion with respect to said window assembly prior to curing, and fixing said base portion with respect to said window assembly after curing.