GB1597141A

GB1597141A - Channel-shaped sealing trimming and guiding strips

Info

Publication number: GB1597141A
Application number: GB34055/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Draftex Development AG
Current assignee: Draftex Development AG
Priority date: 1977-08-13
Filing date: 1977-08-13
Publication date: 1981-09-03
Also published as: ES472545A1; FR2406153A1; BR7805117A; JPS6312822B2; IT7809558A0; JPS5434380A; DE2834842C2; IT1103436B; FR2406153B1; DE2834842A1

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO CHANNEL SHAPED SEALING, TRIMMING AND GUIDING STRIPS (71) We, DRAFTEX DEVELOPMENT A.G., ajoint stock company organised under the laws of Switzerland, of Schönbühl 3, 6300 Zug. Switzerland, 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 invention relates to sealing, trimming or finishing or guiding strips of channelshaped cross-section such as. for example. for fitting to flanges surrounding openings in vehicle bodies for trimming, sealing or finishing purposes. and for use as channels for retaining and guiding window glass.

According to the invention, there is provided a sealing, trimming or finishing, or guiding strip of channel-shaped cross-section, comprising carrier means covered with flexible covering material, relatively stiff or semi-rigid lengths of the carrier means being spaced apart along the length of the strip with relatively flexible lengths of the carrier means, the relatively flexible lengths of the carrier means being positioned at predetermined places where curves in the strip are required in use and each such relatively flexible length being shorter than each said relatively stiff or semi-rigid length but sufficiently long to accommodate the respective curve.

According to the invention. there is also provided a sealing. trimming or finishing strip of channel-shaped cross-section and in the form of a closed loop for embracing and fitting onto a flange surrounding an opening, comprising a plurality of relatively stiff or semi-rigid straight lengths of channel-shaped metal carrier means and a plurality of relatively flexible curved lengths of channelshaped metal carrier means, each such relatively flexible length being sufficiently long to accommodate the respective curve, and all the metal carrier means being embedded in flexible covering material.

According to the invention, there is further provided a sealing, trimming or finishing strip of channel-shaped cross-section for embracing and fitting onto a flange surrounding an opening, comprising a length of channel-shaped metal carrier arranged to form a closed loop having straight parts and curved parts and sized and shaped to match the length of the flange, the carrier comprising a series of U-shaped elements and relatively flexible connecting links connecting each element to the two adjacent elements, the U-shaped elements which form the carrier between those parts of the said loop which are curved being additionally connected together by relatively inflexible connecting links which make the carrier relatively stiffer and less compressible over those parts than at the curved parts, and flexible channel-shaped covering material in which the metal carrier is completely embedded.

Channel-shaped strips embodying the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one of the strips; Figure 2 shows, to a reduced scale, the strip of Figure I in the form which it may take in use; Figure 3 is a section on the line III--III of Figure 2 (but to an enlarged scale compared with Figure 2); and Figure 4 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 1 but showing part broken away to reveal one particular form which the internal construction of the strip can take.

As shown in Figure 1, the channel-shaped strip 4 comprises a carrier 5 of resilient metal and of generally channel-shape which is embedded in flexible covering material 6 such as plastics or rubber material. The material 6 is formed to provide gripping lips 8 and 10 which run along the inside walls of the channel. In use, the strip is placed over, and embraces. the flange surrounding an opening in a vehicle body, such as the door opening. When so positioned. the resilience of the carrier 5. together with the gripping ribs X and 10. ensure that the strip is firmly held in place on the flange, and it therefore carries out a trimming and draught or weatherproofing function. For this purpose.

it may advantageously carry a soft sealing section 12 (such as made of soft cellular rubber) running along one outside wall of the channel.

There may be more. less, or no. gripping ribs on one or both inside walls of the channel. and there need not be equal numbers on the two sides.

The gripping ribs 8. 10 need not have the same hardness as each other or as the material 6.

The material 6. together with the material of the gripping ribs 8 and 10, and that of the sealing section 2 if provided. may be extruded, simultaneously, over the metal carrier 5 using known extruding processes.

In order to cope with curves at the corners of the vehicle body opening to which the strip is to be fitted. the strip has to be bent to match the curves. In accordance with a feature now to be described, the strip is made so that the metal carrier 5 is flexible at those positions where bends are required in order to match bends in the mounting flange or the like. but it is elsewhere stiff or semi-rigid.

The strip for a particular vehicle body opening therefore comprises a series of straight or relatively straight lengths or sections in which the metal carrier 5 is relatively stiff or semi-rigid and these sections are interconnected by (generally shorter) lengths or sections in which the metal carrier 5 is made relatively more flexible so as to enable it to be bent by the vehicle body assembler to match the curves in the vehicle body opening.

It will be appreciated that there may be curves in the vehicle body opening flange in more than one dimension and sections in the strip at each of these positions would have a relatively flexible metal carrier 5.

Throughout the length of the strip, whether the carrier 5 is stiff (or semi-rigid) or relatively flexible, it still has sufficient resilience to enable it to help to hold the strip firmly on the flange.

The metal carrier may take any suitable form. For example. along those sections of the strip where it is required to be stiff or semi-rigid, it could consist of a metal channel. The channel could be provided with corrugations as disclosed in the Specification of our British Patent No. 1 513729. In those sections of the strip where the carrier is required to be relatively flexible, it could comprise a series of U-shaped elements arranged side-by-side to form a channel, the elements being either separated from each other or connected to each other by flexible connecting links.

An advantageous form of carrier that could be used is shown in Figure 4 and comprises a series of U-shaped elements 5A arranged side-by-side to form a channel. the elements being connected by short flexible connecting links 5B each of which extends from a point on one leg of an element to a point on the adjacent element but extending therebetween in an inclined direction. In addition, the elements are interconnected by additional connecting links SC disposed at the distal ends (or near to the distal ends) of the legs of the elements. Using such a form of carrier, in those sections of the strips where the carrier is required to be relatively flexible, the additional connecting links SC at or near the distal ends of the legs of the elements could be arranged to be broken (during the manufacturing process), but leaving the inclined links SB unbroken. so as to give the carrier the required flexibility. while in those sections of the strip where the metal carrier is required to be stiff or semi-rigid, all the connections could be left unbroken so as to give the carrier the required characteristic.

It should be understood,'however, that the foregoing are merely examples of various forms which the carrier can take.

Figure 2 shows the strip formed (by the vehicle body assembler) in the required shape and fitted onto a flange 14 around a vehicle door opening 16. Curves occur at regions A and in each of these regions, the metal carrier 5 of the strip would be relatively flexible. In addition, there may be curves out of the plane of the drawing (regions B) and in these regions also the metal carrier would be arranged to be relatively flexible; in all other regions of the strip, however, the carrier would be relatively stiff or semi-rigid. The ends are joined at 18 in the usual manner as by butting together and joining the sealing section by adhesive.

The sections of the strip where the metal carrier is relatively stiff or semi-rigid are advantageous in that the stiffness or semirigidity of the carrier enables it to bridge over defects (such as welds and the like) in the flange so as to give a very neat overall appearance, and a fast assembly.

The sections of the strip where the metal carrier 5 is relatively flexible enables the strip to be compressed or stretched by a slight extent to take up tolerances in the shape of the flange. In addition, if desired, a short length of flexible metal carrier may be introduced for this purpose into one of the relatively straight lengths of the strip where the carrier is otherwise stiff or semi-rigid.

Strips made as disclosed may be packed and despatched to the vehicle body manufacturer in substantially straight lengths and then bent into the required shapes (to fit the intended vehicle body opening) at the positions which are predetermined by the positioning of the relatively flexible lengths of metal carrier. and this is of considerable advantage over forms of construction where the carrier in the entire strip is relatively stiff or semi-rigid so that the strip has to be formed into a closed or open loop frame and despatched in that form.

When the strip is supplied in a completed loop or ring, as shown in Fig. 2, the flexible areas in the loop enable a more compact package for despatch purposes.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A sealing, trimming or finishing, or guiding strip of channel-shaped cross-section, comprising carrier means covered with flexible covering material, relatively stiff or semi-rigid lengths of the carrier means being spaced apart along the length of the strip with relatively flexible lengths of the carrier means, the relatively flexible lengths of the carrier means being positioned at predetermined places where curves in the strip are required in use and each such relatively flexible length being shorter than each said relatively stiff or semi-rigid length but sufficiently long to accommodate the respective curve.

2. A sealing. trimming or finishing strip of channel-shaped cross-section and in the form of a closed loop for embracing and fitting onto a flange surrounding an opening, comprising a plurality of relatively stiff or semi-rigid straight lengths of channel-shaped metal carrier means and a plurality of relatively flexible curved lengths of channelshaped metal carrier means, each such relatively flexible length being sufficiently long to accommodate the respective curve, and all the metal carrier means being embedded in flexible covering material.

3 A strip according to claim 2, in which, between two of the relatively flexible curved lengths of carrier means, there are- two said lengths of relatively stiff or semi-rigid carrier means and one length of relatively flexible carrier means which is also straight but shorter in length than each of the two lengths of stiff or semi-rigid carrier means.

A. A strip according to any preceding claim, in which the flexible covering material is extruded material such as rubber or plastics.

5. A strip according to any preceding claim. in which the flexible covering material defines gripping ribs running along the length of the strip and respectively positioned on the inside facing walls of the strip.

6. A strip according to any preceding claim, in which at least the relatively flexible lengths of the carrier means comprise a series of side-by-side U-shaped metal elements.

7. A strip according to claim 6, in which the elements are interconnected by flexible connecting links.

8. A strip according to claim 6 or 7, in which the relatively stiff or semi-ngid lengths of the carrier means also comprises a series of side-by-side U-shaped metal elements, these elements being relatively rigidly connected together.

9. A sealing, trimming or finishinstrip of channel-shaped cross-section for embracing and fitting onto a flange surrounding an opening, comprising a length of channelshaped metal carrier arranged to form a closed loop having straight parts and curved parts and sized and shaped to match the length of the flange, the carrier comprising a series of U-shaped elements and relatively flexible connecting links connecting each element to the two adjacent elements, the Ushaped elements which form the carrier between those parts of the said loop which are curved being additionally connected together by relatively inflexible connecting links which make the carrier relatively stiffer and less compressible over those parts than at the curved parts, and flexible channel-shaped covering material in which the metal carrier is completely embedded.

10. A strip according to claim 9, in which each relatively inflexible connecting link connects the distal end of one leg of one of the elements to the distal end of the corresponding leg of one of the adjacent elements, and in which each relatively flexible connecting link extends from a point on one leg of one of the elements in a direction inclined to the direction of that leg to a point on the corresponding leg of one of the adjacent elements.

I I. A sealing, trimming or finishing, or guiding strip of channel-shaped cross-section, substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A sealing, trimming or finishing, or guiding strip of channel-shaped cross-section, substantially as described with reference to all the Figures of the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. and despatched to the vehicle body manufacturer in substantially straight lengths and then bent into the required shapes (to fit the intended vehicle body opening) at the positions which are predetermined by the positioning of the relatively flexible lengths of metal carrier. and this is of considerable advantage over forms of construction where the carrier in the entire strip is relatively stiff or semi-rigid so that the strip has to be formed into a closed or open loop frame and despatched in that form. When the strip is supplied in a completed loop or ring, as shown in Fig. 2, the flexible areas in the loop enable a more compact package for despatch purposes. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A sealing, trimming or finishing, or guiding strip of channel-shaped cross-section, comprising carrier means covered with flexible covering material, relatively stiff or semi-rigid lengths of the carrier means being spaced apart along the length of the strip with relatively flexible lengths of the carrier means, the relatively flexible lengths of the carrier means being positioned at predetermined places where curves in the strip are required in use and each such relatively flexible length being shorter than each said relatively stiff or semi-rigid length but sufficiently long to accommodate the respective curve.