GB1580500A

GB1580500A - Weather strip for the bottom of a door

Info

Publication number: GB1580500A
Application number: GB53939/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Schlegel GmbH
Current assignee: Schlegel GmbH
Priority date: 1977-01-11
Filing date: 1977-12-28
Publication date: 1980-12-03
Also published as: DE2755265A1; DE2755265C3; BE862781A; FR2376937A1; FR2376937B1; NL7713493A; DE2755265B2; NO770093L

Description

(54) WEATHER STRIP FOR THE BOTTOM OF A DOOR (71) We, SCHLEGEL GmbH, a company organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, of Bredowstrasse 33, 2000 Hamburg 74, Federal Republic of Germany, 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: This invention relates to weather strip for the bottom of a door and a method of manufacture thereof.

It is known to close the crevice between the bottom of a door and the floor by means of a weather strip which is attached to the bottom of the door leaf and which has a flexible portion formed by a brush strip in contact with the floor. The brush strip is retained by a retaining strip provided with a flange which is attached to the door leaf, In known weather strips of this type, the attachment of the brush strip to the retaining strip is not good enough. The object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a weather strip of the above type which has a secure connection between the retaining strip and the brush strip.

According to the invention there is provided a weather strip for the clearance at the bottom of a door, the strip comprising a retaining strip for attachment to the door by means of a flange member the retaining strip having a brush strip with a base member whose profile in the longitudinal direction is not completely uniform, the base member being closely surrounded by a C-shaped profile member on the retaining strip which conforms to the irregularities of the base member. This tight and formfitting grip ensures the C-shaped profile's engagement with the surface irregularities on the base member of the brush strip and thus prevents the brush strip base member from sliding out in the longitudinal direction when subjected to the forces of friction and motion which occur when the door is in use. In addition, the tight and form-fitting grip on the base member secures it very well against the frictional forces affecting the brush member in the plane perpendicular to the door.

An especially preferred base member in this respect has proved to be one which at least in part has a woven surface structure whose irregularities are engaged by the retaining strip's C-shaped profile. The expression "woven" in this connection comprises all possible strip structures which are constructed of threads, irrespective of the method of production and type of weave.

However, a base strip consisting solely of a woven textile would for many applications lack sufficient rigidity. Preferably, the side of the woven strip opposite the brush, is coated with a stiff, thermoplastic substance which gives the base strip the requisite transverse rigidity. The irregularities in the woven strip E, on the side where the brush is remain and these irregularities then coact with the adjacent claw-like portion of the C shaped profile member.

The brush bristles will be subjected to significant bending loads during use. It is therefore preferable that the claws of the Cshaped profile, which surround the base member, be guided in toward the bristles from the sides, in order to give the bristles support against the bending forces affecting them.

It can happen that the flange member is not completely flush with the door leaf. This is not only unattractive, but also disadvantageous, because minor seal failures can occur which can result in localized dust accumulation at the door leaf surface. This is avoided by the upper edge of the retaining strip Range being made as an elastic lip which is curved toward the door leaf surface, so that when the flange is mounted, the lip will lie smoothly against the door surface even if the flange has irregularities. It is practical in this regard to make the upper edge of the flange out of a pliable elastic material, but this is not strictly necessary.

The invention also relates to a method of producing a weather strip for clearance at the bottom of a door, the weather strip comprising a retaining strip for attachment to the door by means of a flange member, and a brush strip arranged thereon, the brush strip having a base member whose profile in the longitudinal direction is not completely uniform and which is engaged by a C-shaped profile member on the retaining strip, the retaining strip being an extrusion with a width of opening for the C-shaped profile larger than the width of the base member on the brush strip, the method comprising guiding the base member on a curved path into the C-shaped profile while the profile, in a heated, plastic state, is guided along an essentially straight path, subsequently compressing the C-shaped profile around the base member of the brush strip to conform to the irregularities on the base member, and cooling the profile. No particularly great force is necessary to accomplish this compression of the C-shaped profile around the base member. It is only necessary to guide the claw-like portions of the C-shaped profile into close contact with the base member. The C-shaped profile will shrink slightly as it cools, thus tightening its grip on the base member. At least during the initial period of cooling, the C-shaped profile must of course be held to the desired shape.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, where Figure 1 shows the weather strip in cross section, Figure 2 is a partial section showing the joining of the retaining strip and brush strip, and Figure 3 is a schematic side view depicting a production method.

The weather strip consists of a retaining strip 1 and a brush strip 2. The retaining strip comprises a flange member 3 with a pliable elastic lip 4 and a C-shaped profile member 5. The C-profile surrounds and grips the base mmeber 6 on the brush strip 2. The bristles 7 are fastened in the base member 6. When the weather strip is mounted on a door 8, it will cover the crevice 9 between the lower edge of the door leaf and the floor 10, the bristles 7 being able to adapt to irregularities in the floor surface. The flange member 3 can be fastened to the door 8, for example, by means of screws. The lip 4, which in the relaxed state curves toward the door leaf 8, will thus lie evenly and flush against the door surface when the retaining strip is mounted, as indicated by the dashed lines.

The claw-like portions 11 extend down around the base member 6 and in toward the bristles 7, as shown on Fig. 1. The bending forces on the bristles thus do not have to be absorbed entirely by the bristles' anchorage in the base member 6, as the claws give them partial support. The brush strip can also be made such that foil strips 12 are arranged between the bristles, as known per se, said foil strips also being anchored in the base member 6 and functioning both to provide a better seal and to effect good mutual support in the bristle region.

The base member 6 consists of two layers, a woven textile layer 13 to which the bristles 7 and optional foil strips 12 are anchored, and a bottom layer 14 which is intimately connected to the woven textile surface. The method of connection that is selected is of no importance per se. However, a fusion of the two layers is preferred, material for the layer 14 being applied in liquid form to the textile layer 13 such that it fills in the pores around the threads in the layer 13 and thus provides a firm attachment. A partial weld could also be used. The material in the layer 14 is selected such that the combination of layers obtained will be so rigid relative to the forces affecting the brush strip that the brush strip will be firmly attached in the C-shaped profile.

The retaining strip is extruded to have a cross section, for example, as suggested on Fig. 2, which has a wide enough opening at the C-shaped profile 5 that the base member 6 for the brush strip can be inserted therein. Subsequently, the two claw-like portions 11, in the heated, plastic state, are pressed around the edges of the base member 6 which project laterally above the bristles 7, such that the shape shown on Fig. 1 is obtained. Having been given this cross section, the parts are guided through a calibrating device in which the desired shape is fixed during cooling.

Figure 3 shows, strictly schematically, the method of production. The retaining strip leaves the extruder 15 with a cross-sectional shape as shown on Fig 2. The brush strip 3 is supplied on a curved path from underneath the retaining strip and its base member is guided into the C-shaped profile on the retaining strip. The two parts travel together through the calibrating device 16, where at the same time the retaining strip is cooled to such a degree that its desired shape is fixed in the product 17 leaving the device.

Profile irregularities in the base member 6, which gives the combination its longitudinal rigidity, are provided primarily by the woven layer 13, both on the side facing the brushes and at the side edges. The layer 14 will also as a rule have some irregularities which assist in giving the desired effect.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A weather strip for the clearance at the bottom of a door, the strip comprising a retaining strip for attachment to the door by means of a flange member, the retaining strip having a brush strip with a base mem

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. the bottom of a door, the weather strip comprising a retaining strip for attachment to the door by means of a flange member, and a brush strip arranged thereon, the brush strip having a base member whose profile in the longitudinal direction is not completely uniform and which is engaged by a C-shaped profile member on the retaining strip, the retaining strip being an extrusion with a width of opening for the C-shaped profile larger than the width of the base member on the brush strip, the method comprising guiding the base member on a curved path into the C-shaped profile while the profile, in a heated, plastic state, is guided along an essentially straight path, subsequently compressing the C-shaped profile around the base member of the brush strip to conform to the irregularities on the base member, and cooling the profile. No particularly great force is necessary to accomplish this compression of the C-shaped profile around the base member. It is only necessary to guide the claw-like portions of the C-shaped profile into close contact with the base member. The C-shaped profile will shrink slightly as it cools, thus tightening its grip on the base member. At least during the initial period of cooling, the C-shaped profile must of course be held to the desired shape. The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, where Figure 1 shows the weather strip in cross section, Figure 2 is a partial section showing the joining of the retaining strip and brush strip, and Figure 3 is a schematic side view depicting a production method. The weather strip consists of a retaining strip 1 and a brush strip 2. The retaining strip comprises a flange member 3 with a pliable elastic lip 4 and a C-shaped profile member 5. The C-profile surrounds and grips the base mmeber 6 on the brush strip 2. The bristles 7 are fastened in the base member 6. When the weather strip is mounted on a door 8, it will cover the crevice 9 between the lower edge of the door leaf and the floor 10, the bristles 7 being able to adapt to irregularities in the floor surface. The flange member 3 can be fastened to the door 8, for example, by means of screws. The lip 4, which in the relaxed state curves toward the door leaf 8, will thus lie evenly and flush against the door surface when the retaining strip is mounted, as indicated by the dashed lines. The claw-like portions 11 extend down around the base member 6 and in toward the bristles 7, as shown on Fig. 1. The bending forces on the bristles thus do not have to be absorbed entirely by the bristles' anchorage in the base member 6, as the claws give them partial support. The brush strip can also be made such that foil strips 12 are arranged between the bristles, as known per se, said foil strips also being anchored in the base member 6 and functioning both to provide a better seal and to effect good mutual support in the bristle region. The base member 6 consists of two layers, a woven textile layer 13 to which the bristles 7 and optional foil strips 12 are anchored, and a bottom layer 14 which is intimately connected to the woven textile surface. The method of connection that is selected is of no importance per se. However, a fusion of the two layers is preferred, material for the layer 14 being applied in liquid form to the textile layer 13 such that it fills in the pores around the threads in the layer 13 and thus provides a firm attachment. A partial weld could also be used. The material in the layer 14 is selected such that the combination of layers obtained will be so rigid relative to the forces affecting the brush strip that the brush strip will be firmly attached in the C-shaped profile. The retaining strip is extruded to have a cross section, for example, as suggested on Fig. 2, which has a wide enough opening at the C-shaped profile 5 that the base member 6 for the brush strip can be inserted therein. Subsequently, the two claw-like portions 11, in the heated, plastic state, are pressed around the edges of the base member 6 which project laterally above the bristles 7, such that the shape shown on Fig. 1 is obtained. Having been given this cross section, the parts are guided through a calibrating device in which the desired shape is fixed during cooling. Figure 3 shows, strictly schematically, the method of production. The retaining strip leaves the extruder 15 with a cross-sectional shape as shown on Fig 2. The brush strip 3 is supplied on a curved path from underneath the retaining strip and its base member is guided into the C-shaped profile on the retaining strip. The two parts travel together through the calibrating device 16, where at the same time the retaining strip is cooled to such a degree that its desired shape is fixed in the product 17 leaving the device. Profile irregularities in the base member 6, which gives the combination its longitudinal rigidity, are provided primarily by the woven layer 13, both on the side facing the brushes and at the side edges. The layer 14 will also as a rule have some irregularities which assist in giving the desired effect. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A weather strip for the clearance at the bottom of a door, the strip comprising a retaining strip for attachment to the door by means of a flange member, the retaining strip having a brush strip with a base mem

ber whose profile in the longitudinal direction is not completely uniform, the base member being closely surrounded by a Cshaped profile member on the retaining strip which conforms to the irregularities on the base member.

2. A weather strip according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the base member on the brush strip have a woven surface structure.

3. A weather strip according to claim 2, wherein the base member consists of a woven textile strip to which bristles are connected, the textile strip being fused to a layer of a rigid thermoplastic material on a side opposite the bristles.

4. A weather strip according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the arms of the C-shaped profile extend towards the bristles from the sides.

5. A weather strip according to claim 1, having the flange member on the retaining strip, on the end opposite the C-shaped profile, the flange member having a lip which curves towards the door leaf surface.

6. A weather strip substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A method of producing a weather strip for the clearance at the bottom of a door, the weather strip comprising a retaining strip for attachment to the door by means of a flange member, and a brush strip arranged thereon, the brush strip having a base member whose profile in the longitudinal direction is not completely uniform and which is engaged by a C-shaped profile member on the retaining strip, the retaining strip being an extrusion with a width of opening for the C-shaped profile larger than the width of the base member on the brush strip, the method comprising guiding the base member on a curved path into the Cshaped profile while the profile, in a heated, plastic state, is guided along an essentially straight path, subsequently compressing the C-shaped profile around the base member of the brush strip to conform to the irregularities on the base member, and cooling the profile.

8. A method of producing a weather strip, the method being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A weather strip produced by a method according to claim 7 or claim 8.