FR2579153A3 - STRIP STRUCTURE - Google Patents

Abstract

STRIP STRUCTURE WHICH INCLUDES A BODY 1 IN WHICH A REINFORCEMENT ELEMENT 5 IS FLOODED, THE BODY INCLUDING A BASE 2 AND TWO SIDE WALLS 3, 4 DEFINING A GROOVE INTENDED TO BE USED AS HOUSING ON A RIM, THE FIRST WALL 4 INCLUDING AT LEAST A FIRST BULKHEAD 9, 10, THE OTHER WALL 3 INCLUDING TWO SECONDS OR MORE 7, 8 EACH OF WHICH IS A ROLLING BULKHEAD WITH A HEAD 13, 14 AND A NECK 11, 12, THE HEAD BEING BLESSED IN RELATION TO THE NECK AND PRESENT A CURVED SURFACE 15, 16 IN THE PORTION INTENDED TO JOIN THE EDGE AUDIT, THE LAYOUT BEING SUCH THAT, WHEN A EDGE IS LOCKED IN THE GROOVE, AN ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE TAPE STRUCTURE FROM THE EDGE MAKES EACH ROLLING OVERLAY 7 , 8 A TENDENCY TO RIDE IN A POSITION OF LARGER ARC-BOUTEMENT AGAINST THE EDGE, THUS INCREASING THE RESISTANCE TO EDGE REMOVAL.

Description

BAND STRUCTURE.

  The present invention relates to a structure

  in a strip and it relates, more particularly, to a structure

  strip form intended to be fixed to a flange, for example a flange on a motor vehicle. Strip structures of this kind are sometimes called edge trim elements and may optionally have a sealing projection which is intended to abut with a

  other component and establish a seal with it.

  Strip structures in the form of edge finishing elements are well known and generally have a U-shaped body having a base and two opposite side walls, a reinforcing element being embedded in the U-shaped body. Frequently, but not still, it is desirable that the rim finishing element can be fitted onto the rim with relative ease, and that it is much more difficult to remove from the rim the finishing element; this is intended to facilitate the mounting of the elements of

  edge finishing on, for example, motor vehicles

  movable on an assembly line and further minimize the risk of accidental removal of the item

finishing off the ledge.

  In order to increase the resistance to the removal of a finishing element from the edge, while allowing the finishing element to be mounted on the edge without applying

  excessive force, it is known to provide the side walls

  opposite rales of the body of protrusions which extend into the groove between the side walls and which incline away from the open end of the groove towards the base thereof. This arrangement of projections facilitates the mounting of the finishing element on a flange while increasing the resistance to removal of the element

2 2579153

  finish off the rim. The projections used up to

  present for this purpose generally have a trans-

  versale, considered perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip structure, which tapers towards the free end of the protrusions, although certain protrusions, observed again in cross section, have sides to

  roughly parallel on the surfaces leading to the end

free mite.

  Research continues to obtain edge trim elements that are relatively easy to mount on a ledge and also difficult to remove

  of the ledge. In the very different field of sealing strips

  property, where different considerations apply to mounting on a motor vehicle, the Applicant S is the author of an invention covered by British patent application No. 3527/72 (GB patent 1,400,456), an invention which relates to a sealing strip comprising a sealing element and a support element; in which

  the support element, observed in cross section perpen-

  in the longitudinal direction of the strip has an elongated shape comprising two opposite main sides

  intended to be inserted between the opposite walls of an element

  groove ment and subjected to a grip on the part of these walls (the groove being for example metallic); the element

  of support, also observed according to the same cross-section

  dirty, comprises at least one flexible projection which extends from one of the two opposite main sides, ends in a development of this projection, and ends, in the state of relaxation, beyond the plane of this particular side; wherein either the projection extends from the base of a recess in that particular side of the support member, or the projection extends from said side of the support member, and a portion of the projection delimits part of a recess in this particular side of the support element, the recess being able to receive the expansion

3 2579153

  when, by application of force, the projection is curved to take an elongated shape; and in which there is,

  in the support element, a reinforcing core extends

lengthwise.

  The projection shown in the drawings of GB 1 400 456 comprises a flexible rod and a circular cylindrical expansion constituting the termination of the projection; when the support element for the sealing strip of this prior patent is housed for example in a metal groove element, and an attempt is made to remove the sealing strip from the groove element, the reaction between the projection and the groove element will cause the projection to flex and to make the expansion roll

  in a position of greatest bracing against the element

  groove to thereby increase the resistance of the sealing strip to removal from the groove element. The projection used in the sealing strip of the applicant's previous patent can be considered

  like a rolling projection with a locking part

  age and we can consider the concept as that of a

rolling lock.

  It is understood that in the sealing strip covered by patent GB 1 400 456, the rolling projection is oriented outwards from the support element and is

  intended to come into engagement with one of the branches of the

  groove which must hold the sealing strip. Thus, the significant difference between the sealing strip of the earlier patent and the edge finishing elements can

  in general be easily perceived.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a strip structure of the edge finishing element type which is reasonably easy to mount on a ledge and which is however relatively difficult to remove from the ledge, thereby minimizing the risk of removal

accidental.

4 2579153

  According to the present invention there is provided a strip structure intended to be fixed to a flange, strip structure which comprises: a substantially U-shaped profile body, in which a reinforcing element is embedded, the body comprising a base and two side walls opposite defining between them a groove intended to serve as a housing for a rim, the first side wall comprising at least one first projection which advances in the groove and which is inclined towards the base, the other side wall comprising two or more second projections of which each is a rolling projection comprising, when we observe in cross section the strip structure, a free head and a neck, the head being opened out with respect to the neck and the head having a curved surface in the part intended to abut at said audit

  ledge when the latter is housed in the groove, the agency-

  ment being such that, when a flange is housed in the groove, the first and second protrusions abutting on the flange, an attempt to remove the strip structure of the flange causes each second rolling projection tends to roll in a position of larger arch against the ledge, thus increasing the resistance to the removal of the ledge. It is therefore understandable that the present invention resides in that it is realized that the concept of the rolling lock, which is found in the sealing strip of patent 1 400 456,

  is applicable in the field quite different from -

edge finishing elements.

  The operating mode is similar in that

  that there is the desired bracing between the rolling projections

  lantes and, in the case of the present invention, the flange whereas in the previous patent, a comparable bracing was established between the rolling projection and the metal groove element; however, the important difference from the present invention is that

2579153

  each rolling projection is arranged in an internal area of what can be considered as the support part of the strip structure in the form of a finishing element

ledge.

  Preferably, but not necessarily, the first side wall of the body of the strip structure according to the present invention comprises a series of first projections, in general two or three projections. With several projections, the finishing element can be fixed on

  a rim in a stable manner without any lateral floating.

  Preferably, but not necessarily, the or each first projection of the first side wall is of the type whose sides leading to the free end are generally parallel or approach towards

this end.

  Although it is possible to put rolling projections on the two side walls of the body, it is preferred to put two or three rolling projections on said other side wall of the body and relatively rigid projections, of a different configuration, on said first wall lateral of the body. This has the advantage that the non-rolling projections serve as relatively firm points which bear on one face of the flange, while the second rolling projections, with their bracing action, are

  free to act on the other side of the ledge.

  When there are several first protrusions on the first side wall of the body, the first protrusions can be offset from the second protrusions or directly opposite these second protrusions from the other

side wall of the body.

  The strip structure according to the invention may include a sealing part which projects out of the body,

  but this sealing part is optional.

  The exterior of the strip structure can be decorated for aesthetic purposes, or can be covered, at

6 2579153

  less in some areas, with fluff to reduce

  resistance or for aesthetic purposes.

  Other purposes, features and benefits of

  the invention will emerge from the detailed description which

  will follow made with reference to the appended drawings given solely by way of examples and in which: FIG. 1 is a cross-section of an embodiment of the strip structure according to the present invention, ready for use ; and FIG. 2 is a cross section of the same strip structure but in the form obtained immediately after extrusion, before the enlarged groove defined by the separated side walls is reduced to take the

  configuration as seen in Figure 1.

  In the drawings, the strip structure comprises a body bearing the overall reference 1, this body 1 having

  a base 2 and two opposite side walls 3 and 4, extending

  dant in the same direction from the opposite ends of the base 2. A reinforcing element 5 is embedded in the body 1, it is sometimes called a reinforcing core, and it

  can be of traditional manufacture.

  Protruding from the angle between the

  base 2 and side wall 4, there is a part of waterproof

  cheity 6 but, as previously stated, there

  this is an optional feature.

  The side wall 3 has two rolling projections 7 and 8, and the side wall 4 has two non-rolling projections 9 and 10. The projections 9 and 10 on the side wall 4 are oriented towards the side wall 3,

  while the rolling projections 7 and 8 on the side wall

  rale 3 are oriented towards the side wall 4. In the embodiment shown, the projections 7 and 8 are

  offset from projections 9 and 10.

  The projections 7 and 8 have respective necks.

  tifs 11 and 12 which lead to open heads 13 and 14 respectively. The heads 13 and 14 have respective curved surfaces 15 and 16 which may have,

  but it is not compulsory, the form of involants.

  It is these curved surfaces 15 and 16 which, when the strip structure is in service, must abut against a face of a flange (not shown) which is introduced into the groove defined by the base and the side walls 3 and 4. Other surface regions 17 and 18 of the heads 13 and 14 are generally flat, but because these surfaces do not abut

  not against the ledge, their configuration is of no importance

  tance, except that these surface regions 17 and 18 of the heads 13 and 14 must have a configuration which allows the projections 7 and 8 to pivot in the dextrorsum direction (according to Figure 1) around the necks 11 and 12 at the time when the we

  introduces a rim into the above-mentioned groove.

  The external face of the side wall 4 is provided, after extrusion of the strip structure, with an additional layer 19 which may be a layer deposited for aesthetic purposes or a layer having a sealing effect or of low resistance, and suitable parts of the strip structure, especially the sealing part 6, may be provided with a flock layer 20, only part of the flock layer being shown for clarity. To facilitate the manufacture of the strip structure by extrusion, the strip structure is extruded with the side walls 3 and 4 slightly spaced apart

  due to the positioning of the parts of the extrusion orifice

  which are responsible for forming the projections 7, 8, 9 and 10.

  After extrusion and hardening, the strip structure can be passed through a shaping machine which acts

  on the outside of the side walls 3 and 4 to bring them together

  expensive so that they adopt the configuration shown

in figure 1.

Z579153

  In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the entire body and the sealing part (except of course, the metal reinforcing element 5) is formed of the same material, but it would obviously be possible to form the different parts strip structure from materials having different degrees of hardness, which is a well-established practice in this field. It is however obvious that it is easier to form the strip structure from a single material.

  extrudable which can be a rubber or a syn-

  rubber-like design. We got good results

  States using a rubber having a Shore A hardness of - 5, but any other material capable of being satisfactorily extruded can be used, although this material should not be too hard; thus, in general, the material must not have a Shore A hardness

over 80.

  It has been found by tests carried out on a strip structure such as that shown in FIG. 1, that this structure can easily be applied to a flange, but that it cannot be removed from it.

  that at the cost of a considerable effort.

  As regards still the curved faces 15 and 16, these preferably have the form of involutes or a form similar to an involute, and by this, it is made so that the projections 7 and 8 maintain the same contact with the ledge when the strip structure is

mounted on the ledge.

Claims (6)

  1. Strip structure intended to be fixed to a flange, characterized in that it comprises: a body (1) profiled substantially in a U, in which is embedded a reinforcing element (5), the body comprising a base (2 ) and two opposite side walls (3, 4) defining between them a groove intended to serve as a housing for a ledge, the first side wall (4) comprising at least a first projection (9, 10) which advances in the groove and which is inclined towards the base (2), the other side wall (3) comprising two or more second projections (7,) each of which is a rolling projection comprising, when we observe the strip structure in cross section, a free head ( 13, 14) and a neck (11, 12), the head (13, 14) being open with respect to the neck (11, 12) and the head (13, 14) having a curved surface (15, 16) in the part intended to abut on said rim when the latter is housed in the groove, the arrangement being such that, when a rim is housed in the groove, the first and second protrusions (7, 8, 9, 10) leading to the ledge, an attempt to remove the strip structure from the ledge causes each second rolling protrusion (7, 8) to tend to roll into a larger position bracing against the ledge,   thus increasing the resistance to rim removal.   2. Strip structure according to claim 1, characterized in that said first side wall (4) of the body (1) of the structure comprises several first projections (9, 10).   3. Strip structure according to claim 2, characterized in that there are at least two second protrusions - rolling (7, 8) on said other side wall (3) of the body (1) and relatively rigid protrusions (9 , 10) of a different configuration on said first side wall (4) of the body (1).   4. Strip structure according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the curved surface (15, 16) of the head (13, 14) of each second rolling projection (7, 8) is in the form of an involute.   5. Band structure according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that it   also includes a sealing part (6) making protrusion out of the body (1).   6. Strip structure according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that at least   part of the outer surface, of the strip structure is covered with flock (20).