GB2077389A - A method of and apparatus for applying decorative strips to vehicle bumpers or fenders and the like elongate receiving members - Google Patents

Abstract

Free ends of a decorative strip 40, which is to be applied to an elongate receiving member 39 such as a vehicle bumper or fender, are securely inserted in respective recesses 42 in said receiving member 39. The remainder of the decorative strip 40 is stretched over a supporting sheet 44 of a transfer arrangement 38 and is brought by means of the transfer arrangement 38 into alignment with a groove in the receiving member 39. The sheet 44 is withdrawn and the strip 40 is kept registered with the groove by an inverted U-shaped strip member 43 so that the decorative strip 40 can be pressed into the groove. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A method of and apparatus for applying decorative strips to vehicle bumpers or fenders and like elongate receiving members This invention relates to a method of an apparatus for applying decorative strips for example to vehicle bumpers or fenders, and like elongate receiving members such as claddings or coverings for such bumpers or fenders and rubbing strips for vehicles.

Hitherto, such decorative strips are applied to bumpers and the like by hand, being set in place in an end region thereof and then being pressed into a groove or recess formed in the bumper. This mode of working is disadvanatgeous, because the pressing-in by hand is time consuming and consequently is an expensive operation.

An object of the invention is to provide for the possibility of pressing such decorative strips into their preformed grooves or recesses more economically than has been possible hitherto and more especially in such a way as to avoid faulty insertion which for example can result in a bulge or prominence in the decorative strip in which case the decorative strip does not engage properly into the groove or recess, so that the additional work of eliminating such bulging is also avoided.

With this object in view the present invention provides a method of applying decorative strips for example to vehicle bumpers and fenders, and like elongate receiving members such as claddings or coverings for such bumpers or fenders and rubbing strips for vehicles, wherein each decorative strip is aligned with a respective groove provided in the receiving member and is thereafter pressed into said groove characterised in that free ends of decorative strip are first inserted into respective recesses in the receiving member and are locked therein by, for example clips, the remainder of the strip is then placed onto a transfer arrangement, disposed laterally of the member, and retained thereon for example by means of clips, pawls or the like, whereupon by means of the transfer arrangement it is uniformly stretched over its length and is brought into a position in register with the groove in the receiving member and this position is removed from the transfer arrangement so that it can be pressed continuously or step-by-step into the groove.

The invention further provides apparatus for carrying out the method in accordance of the invention characterised in that it comprises at least one support and/or holder for an elongate receiving member and at least one tiltable, swingable, and/or raisable and lowerable support or transfer arrangement for at least one decorative strip as well as at least one associated roll-in carriage pressing the decorative strip into a groove in the receiving member.

As a result of the method and apparatus in accordance with the invention, the decorative strips are pressed into the grooves in the receiving member in the shortest possible time without a bulge or curve forming at any point along the strip and without additional operations for example a re-rolling or the like becoming necessary.

The invention will be described further, by example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a part cross-sectional elevation of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention; Fig. 2 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1, but illustrating additional features of the apparatus of the invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of part of the apparatus of the invention which illustrates the positioning of a decorative strip in relation to an elongate receiving member; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3 illustrating the alignment of the decorative strip with the receiving member; and Fig. 5 illustrates the stretching of the decorative strip using the apparatus of the invention.

The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a frame-like structure consisting of a rolling-in carriage 1 4 which is arranged so as to be movable to and fro on a guide member 12, which member 12 is held or guided on guide rollers 1 5 to 1 8.

The to and fro movement of the rolling-in carriage 14 is effected by way of conveying chain 13, which is driven in known manner or by way of annexed drive such as an electro-pneumatic motor.

Of interest here, however, is above all the rolling-in operation, which is effected by pressingin rollers 1, 2. The two pressing-in rollers 1, 2 are equipped with different jacket profiles, which are adapted to the shape of a respective decorative strip. The pressing in rollers 1, 2 each have in the jacket region a covering made from a wearresistant material, for example, a metallic or nonmetallic covering such as plastics material in which respect this covering may be smooth, serrated or grooved. Furthermore, each pressingin roller 1, 2 is heatable.

The drive of the rolling-in carriage 1 4 can be effected by directly flanged drives, such as an electric motor, pneumatic motor or hydraulic motor and so forth. Fig. 1 shows a drive by way of a stationary motor by way of chain pulleys. A chain wheel 1 9 is given its rotary impulse by a chain 37 which is bolted securely to the guide member 12 and is a rack. If the rolling-in carriage 14 is moved, then the chain wheel 1 9 rotates.

Provided at a spacing underneath a shaft 20 is a shaft 38a, on which a toothed wheel 23 is fastened. Toothed wheel 23 meshes with toothed wheel 24. Also fastened on the shaft 38a besides the toothed wheel 23 is a chain wheel 6. An associated chain wheel is fastened on a shaft 4 (this chain wheel is not shown; one must imagine the shaft 4 lengthened and this chain wheel, which is not shown, is fastened on the shaft 4 in alignment the chain wheel 6). The chain wheel which is not shown and the chain wheel 6 are frictionally connected by a chain; when the chain wheel 6 is driven, the shaft 4 receives its rotary impulses and thus the pressing-in roller 1 is driven in the one or other direction, with a peripheral speed greater than the travelling speed of the rolling-in carriage 14.The shaft 4 is mounted in a mounting 8, which mounting is, for example, swingably fastened to the chassis or frame of the rolling-in carriage 14. The pressing-in roller 1 experiences lifting and lowering movements and can thus be superimposed, with a controlled preprogrammed pressure, onto a decorative strip 40.

By superimposing the roller 1 onto the decorative strip 40, said strip 40 is pressed into a groove provided in a vehicle bumper or fender or like elongate receiving member 39 such as cladding or covering for such bumpers or fenders and rubbing strips for vehicles.

On one side of the apparatus is a lifting mechanism 25. This lifting mechanism 25 consists, for example, of a cylinder and a piston.

Fastened to the piston is a piston rod 10, which is conducted to and acts by way of a connecting means, e.g. a strap 9, onto a bearing 7. The strap 9 and the bearing 7 are connected together by welding or can be cast in one part. In this way, the shaft 5 with the pressing-in roller 2 is raised or lowered, in which respect this movement could also be effected by way of a fulcrum. A chain wheel 3 is connected by way of a roller chain to a driven wheel lying therebehind and this later chain wheel since it is iying behind the roller chain and is not perceptible but corresponds to the chain wheel 6.

It is self evident that all the operation which are described here are controllable by way of known control means, for example, electronic circuits and the like and are exactly co-ordinatable to one another. In Fig. 2 which corresponds in principle to Fig. 1 (the pressing-in roller 2a thus corresponds to the roller 2 of Fig. 1), the lifting mechanism 25 is shown in more detail, and particularly the guide mechanism for laterial displacement of shaft 35.

Illustrated in Fig. 2 is a cam 29, on which, upon the moving of the rolling-in carriage 14, a guide roller 28 rolls. The guide roller 28 is connected by way of linkages 32, 33, 34 to the shaft 35, which corresponds to the shaft 4 in Fig. 1. This shaft 35 carries a pressing-in roller 36, which corresponds to the pressing-in roller 1 in Fig. 1.

The cam 29 can control the entire system, namely in such a way that the shaft 35 can make reciprocating movements in accordance with the arrow. Associated with the linkage 32 is a tension spring 30, which presses the linkage 32 against a fixed abutment or pressure nut 31 provided on the frame. In analogous arrangement, the tension spring 30 can be replaced by a compression spring.

A cam 29 can be mounted on both sides so that springs can be abolished. If the cam 29 now shifts the roller 28 to the left, this movement is imparted by way of the linkage arrangement 32 to 34 to the shaft 35 provided in a sliding bearing 49 (tilts about fulcrum 48) and the shaft 35 and therewith the pressing-in roller 36 are shifted to the right. If the cam 29 is appropriately designed having, for example, a recess or is correspondingly placed diverging, then the corresponding opposite movement to that just described is effected because the spring 30 draws the linkage 32 against the abutment 31. Thus the roller 28 is pressed against a depression (not shown) in the cam 29. In other words, irrespective of what shape or position the cam 29 has, the guide roller 28 at all times endeavours to roll along the cam and to impart all guide changes to the shaft 35.

The individual mountings and hinge connections will not be gone into here, because these are selfevident upon the understanding of the operation.

It is clear that the shaft 35 has to be appropriately mounted, namely on the one hand on the linkage 34. Also pressure bearings must be provided and mounted in the frame of the rolling-in carriage 14.

Each pressure bearing is, for example, a sliding bearing 49 or the like.

Illustrated in Fig. 3 is apparatus, hereinafter referred to as transfer arrangement 38, which serves to place the decorative strip 40 into the member 39. For this purpose, free ends of the decorative strip 40 is first pushed into respective pockets or recesses 41 in the receiving member 39. Provided at said free ends of the decorative strip 40 and clips 42. These clips 42 have barbs, so that once the free end of the decorative strips are placed in the recesses 41 they can no longer be withdrawn, except with difficulty, from the recesses 41.

The decorative strip 40 is then placed onto a decorative-strip supporting sheet 44 of the transfer arrangement 38. To prevent any slippage of the strip 40 from the sheet 44, said strip 40 is secured thereto by, for example, clips or sprung pawls. The decorative strip 40 is stretched by a desired or preselected amount by being placed onto the sheet 44. As illustrated more clearly in Fig. 4 the decorative strip 40 is then disposed above a reception groove of the receiving member 39 and the decorative-strip supporting sheet 44 is drawn back (to the right of Fig. 4). However, the decorative strip 40 remains in position above the groove because an inverted U-shaped strip member 43 holds the decorative strip 40 in position. Only when the decorative strip 40 is removed from the strip member 43 does the strip member 43 return into its initial position. The decorative strip 40 can possibly also be applied to an edge 26 of the receiving member 39. Should the distance with regard to the edge 26 of the receiving member 39 be too great, an abutment can be provided. Such an abutment could, for example, be provided in the end region of the decorative-strip supporting sheet 44 and be drawn back or lowered when the stripping operation of the decorative strip 40 begins.

From Fig. 3 it can also be seen that the receiving member 39 can be inserted in a receiving member holder 46 and/or locked by such a holder 46.

The stretching of the strip 40 by the transfer arrangement 38 is shown in Fig. 5. As previously mentioned the transfer arrangement comprises the decorative-strip supporting sheet 44, which consists of two parts 44a and 44b. Two possible stretching directions are shown by the arrows 47 or 45 respectively, although other stretching directions are conceivable. The two parts 44a and 44b can butt flush against one another in their working position as shown by the broken-line extension of the parts 44a and 44b or overlap.

The degree of stretching of the decorative strip 40 is governed by the material from which it is made. It amounts to about 3 percent of the strip 40. In addition to this there is a 1 percent stretching as compensation for the thickness of the decorative-strip supporting sheet 44. Other values are, of course, conceivable.

The insertion of the decorative strip can also be effected using, for example, adhesives.

Associated with the apparatus is an electrical control system with a control panel and selector switches for manual or automatic operation as well as time switches for the pendulum motion of the roll-in carriages 1 4. Mostly work will be effected with two, three or more pressing-in rollers either simultaneously or staggered.

A considerable inventive feature of the present invention is in controlling the driven roller and advancing of the decorative strip 40 so that formation of curves or bulges in the strip 40 can be avoided. The pressing-in rollers 1, 2, 36 are driven with a peripheral speed which is higher, in idle stroke, than the advance speed of the rolling in carriage 14. When the rolling-in rollers 1, 2, 36 are superimposed frictionally onto the decorative strip 40, a deceleration to the advance speed ensues. The force necessary for the decelerating process is taken up by slip clutch 21 and produces a kind of negative rolling effect, i.e. the decorative strip 40 is thus not stretched but pressed downwards. The control can even be undertaken that a withdrawal of the decorative strip is effected upon the pressing-in operation.The latter could however, if it is carried out too severaly, lead to the formation of a bulge in the other direction.

In another method in accordance with the invention, the pressing-in of the decorative strip 40 is undertaken step-by-step, namely in combination with driven or non-driven pressing-in rollers. If the pressing-in of the decorative strip 40 has been effected at specific intervals therealong, for example every 3 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm or 10 cm respectively, then afterwards a continuous rolling operation is applied. This would be in such a way that at one end of the decorative strip 40 or of the receiving member 39 respectively at least one roller or at least one other means begins with the pressing-in of the decorative strip 40, namely at specific intervals, for example, every three, four, five, six and so forth, centimeters. This is effected for up to half the length of the decorative strip 40.

From the other end of the strip another roller does the same. From the centre, both rollers then travel continuously pressing again towards the ends of the decorative strip 40 and roll the rest of the decorative strip 40 into the groove. Since individual points of the strip 40 are previously fixed, the formation of bulges, bending up of the decorative strip 40 or the like is prevented.

The same effect can be achieved by selecting rollers which have for example recesses at intervals so that always only a part of the generated surface of each roller acts, for example, twice, three times or four times, on the strip 40.

Materiai to the invention is furthermore the fact that the afore-described holding back of the driven roller can be intercepted. For example, a clutch 21 is arranged on the shaft 20 and brings about this effect in accordance with the invention.

In addition to the pressing-in rollers, guide rollers can also be used, in order to ensure a good guidance. Such additional guide rollers can also replace the pressing-in rollers, i.e. be provided in their place.

Furthermore the invention provides for several guide and/or pressing-in rollers to be used simultaneously on the apparatus or for several pressing-in rollers acting in one direction of travel at various heights on the decorative strips 40. If, for example, the decorative strip has to be pressed by 10 mm into the groove, then the first roller could undertake a pressing-in operation, for example, by 5 mm. The final pressing-in is then carried out by the second rolier. In this sense, however three or even more rollers can be used.

The effect which is brought about by the "holding back" of the rollers shall be explained once more as follows. Upon the pressing-in of the decorative strips 40, the necessary squeezing pressure of the rollers acts on the decorative strip 40 in such a way that stretching of the decorative strip 40 is brought about, which leads to a lengthening of the strip i.e. after a certain amount of stretching, for example 100 cm, there arises an undesirable bulge, which has to be removed. In accordance with the invention this bulge is to be prevented i.e. the advance effect of the pressing-in roller is to be controlled in such a way that bulging of the strip does not occur.

The apparatus is to be understood in such a way that the insertion of the decorative strip 40 into the receiving member 39 is controlled in the correct sequence to the rolling-in operation as is equally the drawing back of the sheet 44 for the alignment of the decorative strip with the groove whereupon the rolling-in operation follows.

The transfer of the decorative strip 40 to the receiving member 39 can also be effected by hand.

Claims (44)

1. A method of applying decorative strips for example to vehicle bumpers and fenders, and like elongate receiving members such as claddings or coverings for such bumpers or fenders and rubbing strips for vehicles, wherein each decorative strip is aligned with a respective groove provided in the receiving member and is thereafter pressed into said groove characterised in that free ends of decorative strip are first inserted into respective recesses in the receiving member and are locked therein by, for example, clips, the remainder of the strip is then placed onto a transfer arrangement, disposed laterally of the member, and retained thereon for example by means of clips, pawls or the like, whereupon by means of the transfer arrangement it is stretched over its length and is brought into a position in register with the groove in the receiving member and in this position is removed from the transfer arrangement so that it can be pressed continuously or step-by-step into the groove.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the forces bringing about the stretching of the decorative strip become effective for example diagonally at an acute angle to the pre-orientated decorative strip.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said forces are applied in a corner region of the angling of the decorative strip.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 characterised in that the or each decorative strip is shorter in length than the receiving member and is thus placed onto the transfer arrangement.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the stretching of the strip is undertaken in a percentage, in order to compensate for the elasticity of the decorative strip as well as the distance with regard to the bearing surface of the transfer arrangement related to the receiving member, for example, 3 percent to 6 percent depends on the material, room temperature and so forth.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the force, for example that of a roller, bringing about stretching of the decorative strip upon pressing into the groove is reduced in a controlled manner.

7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that pressing-in of the strip is effected continuously or step-by-step.

8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that several decorative strips are pressed-in in one operation e.g. several pressingin rollers are used.

9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that at least one guide roller is associated with the pressing-in roller or rollers.

10. A method of applying decorative strips for example to vehicle bumpers or fenders and like elongate receiving members substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. Apparatus for carrying out the method as claimed in claim 1 to 10, characterised in that it comprises at least one support and/or holder for an elongate receiving member and at least one tiltable, swingable, and/or raisable and lowerable support or transfer arrangement for at least one decorative strip as well as at least one associated roll-in carriage for pressing the decorative strip into a groove in the receiving member.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the support has a continuous bearing surface having a contour approximately in accordance with the contours of the receiving member.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 characterised in that said bearing surface has clamping or locating means for the strip.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, 12 or 13 characterised in that holders are provided at the free ends of the receiving members, for example, for the insertion of said free ends of the receiving members therein with or without additional clamping arrangement such as tong-like locking screws or grippers and so forth.

1 5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim, characterised in that the decorative-strip support transfer arrangement is for example a support sheet or the like which is swingable over the receiving member and lockable in alignment therewith and with which there is associated a controllable inverted U-shaped strip member which can be moved to and fro.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, characterized by the coupling of decorative-strip support with the strip member in such a way that the strip member starts simultaneously with the stripping operation when the decorative strip is in its position to be introduced into the receiving member and therewith simultaneously the drawing-back movement of the decorative-strip support sheet begins.

1 7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim, characterised in that the decorative-strip support sheet is a stretching device.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, characterised in that the decorative-strip support consists of two, in their rest position, overlapping or abutting parts and the stretching thereof is effected in the longitudinal direction of the support, or at an acute angle to the longitudinal direction of from 150 to 750, using known hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical means for example hydraulic cylinders, electrically-driven eccentrics, levers and so forth.

1 9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim characterised by at least one pressing-in roller which stands under pressing-in pressure and which rolls continuously or step-bystep over the entire length of the decorative strip namely beginning from the centre of the decorative strip towards the free ends, that is applying two pressing-in rollers simultaneously or beginning from one free end of the decorative strap towards the other free end of the decorative strip of or beginning from each free end using two pressing-in rollers as far as centre of the decorative strip and back again to the ends.

20. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim characterised in that the pressingin rollers have a generated surface the crosssectional shape of which corresponds to that of the decorative strip.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim characterised in that one pressing-in roller consists of two parts e.g. is split radially.

22. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim characterised in that the pressing in roller has at least in the jacket region a covering made from wear-resistant material for example a metallic or non-metallic covering such as plastics material in which respect this covering may be smooth, serrated or grooved.

23. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim characterised in that the pressingin roller is heatable.

24. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim characterised in that the roller jacket has recesses.

25. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim characterised in that the rollers are settable and adjustable in the angular position.

26. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim characterised in that drive speed of the pressing-in roller is controllable irrespective of the rolling stretch.

27. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 characterised by a coupling, which intercepts the delayed roller rotation.

28. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim characterised in that the pressingin roller is laterally displaceable during the rolling operation that is transversely to the receiving member.

29. Apparatus as claimed in claim 28 characterised in that the displacement if effected by way of at least one exchangeable cam which predetermines the magnitude of the displacement.

30. Apparatus as claimed in claim 28 or 29 characterised by a guide roller which is conducted in spring-loaded manner along the cam and which transmits via linkages the displacement values to a displaceably-guided shaft which carries at least one pressing-in roller.

31. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim, characterised by guide rollers, additionally to the pressing-in rollers or in exchange with at least one prossing-in roller.

32. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim, characterised in that fastened to the free ends of the decorative strip is at least one clip having at least one barb.

33. Apparatus as claimed in claim 32, characterised in that several barbs are provided in the axial and/or radial direction at the same or a different spacing on the clip.

34. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim, characterised in that in the entire or at least partial pressing-in region of the decorative strip an adhesive agent or another adhesive is provided.

35. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim, characterised in that the pressing-in pressure of the pressing-in rollers deviates from the perpendicular direction.

36. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim, characterised in that the transfer arrangement is laterally displaceable or rotatable.

37. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim, characterised in that the transfer arrangement is adjustable in the horizontal direction or along a settable predetermined curve.

38. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the decorativetrip receiver is multipart, i.e. has threepart or moreparts.

39. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim, characterised in that the amount of excess material is predetermined by a material matching of the decorative strip and receiving member.

40. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim, characterised in that a lubricant is used during the work process e.g. on the decorative strip and/or the receiving member.

41. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim, characterised in that the drive of the drive rollers and/or guide rollers is effected by suitable drive means.

42. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim characterised by the use of elements similar to hammers for introducing the decorative strip into its groove.

43. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding apparatus claim, characterised by the use of vibrating elements or the like for introducing the decorative strip into its groove, said elements being driven, for example, by way of pneumaticvibrators electric vibrators and so forth.

44. Apparatus for applying decorative strips to vehicle bumpers or like elongate receiving members substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.