GB1567666A - Weatherstrip with corrugated rigid core - Google Patents

Description

(54) WEATHERSTRIP WITH CORRUGATED RIGID CORE (71) We, THE STANDARD PRODUCTS COMPANY, a Corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Ohio, United States of America of 2401, South Gulley Road, Dearborn, Michigan 48124, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The present invention relates to weatherstrips, and more particularly, to an improved weatherstrip for sealing the space between a stationary closure member and a movable closure member.

Generally, weatherstripping provided in the space between stationary and movable closure members, such as the space between an automobile door and a movable side window, serves to exclude water and dust, to minimize rattling and vibration, and to provide alignment during sliding movement.

Specifications for such weatherstripping normally require that the weatherstrip contain a rigid core to enable the weatherstrip to maintain its shape in installation, to resist the shear forces encountered during sliding movement of the movable closure member, and to provide a means of securing an attachment element which in turn is secured to a structural member.

The cross-sectional configuration of rigid cores heretofore known and used varies greatly with the intended application, but normally consists of a strip formed at both edges so as to maximize the sectional modulus thereof about normally related axes. A typical cross-section would consist of a steel strip an inch or so in width with both edges formed into a circular configuration, such that the centre of each circle lies in the plane of the strip.

In the manufacture of such elastomeric weatherstrips, strip steel is formed into the desired configuration by the use of a series of roll forms. Thus, the number and type of roll forms must vary with each core configuration and core width. For this reason, such known cores result in a relatively expensive facet of the manufacturing operation.

The steel core strip is covered with uncured rubber by extruding the desired configuration of rubber into the alreadyformed steel core. The final configuration of the weatherstrip normally includes an appendage extending from the main body thereof that creates the seal with the movable closure member. The entire assembly is then baked to cure the rubber.

Normally the appendage section of the rubber weatherstrip is covered with flocked fibres using standard flocking techniques.

Typically, the rubber surface is provided with an adhesive coating and fibres of uniform length and diameter are deposited electrostatically on the surface of the body.

Such flocking serves to minimize friction during sliding movement of the movable closure member.

From the foregoing it should be apparent that each time the width of the rigid core is changed, or if the configuration of the rigid core is changed, new roll forms must be set up on the production line causing downtime and resulting economic loss. This has been necessary since no one core configuration is satisfactory for all weatherstrip cross-sections. In addition, the rollforming of complex-shaped steel cores requires a considerable tooling inventory and engineering effort.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a weatherstrip of elastomeric material and having a flexible appendage of the elastomeric material co-extensive in length therewith for sealing the space between a stationary closure member and a relatively mov able closure member with the movable closure member exerting shear forces on the weatherstrip during relative sliding movement between the two members, and a rigid core embedded in said elastomeric material of the weatherstrip and coextensive in length with the weatherstrip and of at least substantially the same width, said core where embedded in the weatherstrip being of corrugated cross-section of a continuously undulatingfonn, the corrugations extending longitudinally of the weatherstrip to stiffen and to resist bending and distortion of said weatherstrip, and said appendange having a base portion fully supported by the core and spanning a substantial proportion of an undulation of the corrugated core with the lateral edges of the core projecting past the lateral extent of said base portion of the appendage. The above problems of forming complex-shaped steel cores are overcome by the use of a corrugated strip which furnishes all of the necessary rigidity for sealing engagement with the movable closure member. Such a corrugated steel core is easily formed by a rolling operation similar to that described earlier, but since a relatively wide core can be easily slit to desired width, the core does not require setting up new roll forms each time a different width core is called for.

The corrugated core enables the weatherstrip to maintain its shape in installation, to resist the shear forces encountered during sliding movement, and to provide a means of securing an attachment element to the weatherstrip and to a stationary member.

In a preferred embodiment, the corrugated core is formed of steel. Near the top of the weatherstrip cross-section is the elastomeric appendage which is formed during the extrusion of the rubber. This elastomeric appendage acts as a flexible member during the sliding movement of the movable closure member and, in effect, forms the seal between the movable dosure member and the stationary closure member.

The present invention will become further apparent from the following description, given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an automobile door provided with a weatherstrip made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the weatherstrip and closure members shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows portions of a stationary closure member 10 and a relatively movable closure member 20 which may, as in this example, be an automobile door and a movable side window respectively. In such an assembly, the door 10 remains stationary, while member 20, the movable side glass, moves in opposite directions as indicated by the double-headed arrow 22. An elastomeric weatherstrip 30 is mounted on the door 10 and is positioned adjacent to and facing the movable side glass 20 for sealing engagement therewith. A similar weatherstrip is often mounted on the other side of the glass 20.

As shown in Figure 2, the elastomeric weatherstrip 30 contains a corrugated steel core 32 of substantially the same width as the weatherstrip and having a continuously undulating form. Near the top of the weatherstrip 30 is an appendage 34 which is extruded during the manufacture of the weatherstrip. In order to minimize friction between the appendage 34 and the movable side glass 20 during sliding movement, the appendage 34 may be covered with flocked fibres 36.

The elastomeric weatherstrip 30 may be attached to the door Rr by means of a clip 40, an end 42 of which is folded to lock the clip 40 to the weatherstrip 30.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the corrugated core 32 of the elastomeric weatherstrip 30 is made from cold rolled steel, preferably electrogalvanized to prevent corrosion. In the alternative, aluminium may be used if corrosion is anticipated, but a thickness adjustment may have to be made in the strip stock to compensate for any loss of rigidity.

It is to be noted that the core 32 extends beyond the appendage 34 and that a transverse undulation of the core 32 extends well into the base of the appendage 34, the base of the appendage spanning a substantial proportion of an undulation.

As shown in Figure 3, in another embodiment of the present invention, an elastomeric weatherstrip 50 contains a corrugated steel core 52 which extends into an upper flange section 54. Said upper flange section 54 is formed at an angle to mate with the particular door it is to be attached to, and is covered by a stainless steel cap 56 which provides some aesthetic quality to this portion of the weatherstrip which is visible after installation.

During the manufacture of the weatherstrip 50, an upper appendage 58, a middle appendage 60, and a lower appendage 62 are extruded and are covered with flocked fibres 64. This plurality of appendages provides extra assurance of both excluding water and dust and minimizing rattling and vibrations.

The elastomer found to present the greatest number of desirable properties, as well as being reasonable in cost is SBR (styrene butadiene rubber) modified for environmental exposure with anti-ozonants and the like.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A weatherstrip of elastomeric material and having a flexible appendage of the elastomeric material coextensive in length therewith for sealing the space between a stationary closure member and a relatively movable closure member with the movable closure member exerting shear forces on the weatherstrip during relative sliding movement between the two members, and a rigid core embedded in said elastomeric material of the weatherstrip and coextensive in length with the weatherstrip and of at least substantially the same width, said core where embedded in the weatherstrip being of corrugated cross-section of a continuously undulating form, (the corrugations extending longitudinally of the weatherstrip to stiffen and to resist bending and distortion of said weatherstrip, and said appendage having a base portion fully supported by the core and spanning a sub stantial;proportion of an undulation of the corrugated core with the lateral edges of the core projecting past the lateral extent of said base portion of the appendage.

2. A weatherstrip according to claim 1 wherein the rigid core is of metal.

3. A weatherstrip according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a lateral undulation of the corrugated core extends into the base of the elastomeric appendage.

4. A weatherstrip according to any preceding claim, wherein there are provided a plurality of elastomeric appendages projecting to the same side of the rigid core.

5. A weatherstrip according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each elastomeric appendage is provided with a flocked surface for engagement with the relatively movable closure member.

6. A weatherstrip constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. well as being reasonable in cost is SBR (styrene butadiene rubber) modified for environmental exposure with anti-ozonants and the like. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A weatherstrip of elastomeric material and having a flexible appendage of the elastomeric material coextensive in length therewith for sealing the space between a stationary closure member and a relatively movable closure member with the movable closure member exerting shear forces on the weatherstrip during relative sliding movement between the two members, and a rigid core embedded in said elastomeric material of the weatherstrip and coextensive in length with the weatherstrip and of at least substantially the same width, said core where embedded in the weatherstrip being of corrugated cross-section of a continuously undulating form, (the corrugations extending longitudinally of the weatherstrip to stiffen and to resist bending and distortion of said weatherstrip, and said appendage having a base portion fully supported by the core and spanning a sub stantial;proportion of an undulation of the corrugated core with the lateral edges of the core projecting past the lateral extent of said base portion of the appendage.

2. A weatherstrip according to claim 1 wherein the rigid core is of metal.

3. A weatherstrip according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a lateral undulation of the corrugated core extends into the base of the elastomeric appendage.

4. A weatherstrip according to any preceding claim, wherein there are provided a plurality of elastomeric appendages projecting to the same side of the rigid core.

5. A weatherstrip according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each elastomeric appendage is provided with a flocked surface for engagement with the relatively movable closure member.

6. A weatherstrip constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.