GB2130278A

GB2130278A - Improvements in door seals

Info

Publication number: GB2130278A
Application number: GB08232924A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry Chapman
Original assignee: CMC BODIES Ltd
Current assignee: CMC BODIES Ltd
Priority date: 1982-11-18
Filing date: 1982-11-18
Publication date: 1984-05-31
Also published as: GB2130278B

Abstract

A strip seal has a U-shape form on one side which is in two parts 10, 12 which push-fit together to a variable extent in the transverse direction and lock together against relative separating movement in any chosen transverse dimension of the U-shape. Flexible sealing tongues 28, 30 are provided on the other side 14 of the unit. The strip is used for van doors and a single size of strip may be mounted on a range of door thicknesses. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in door seals This invention relates generally to door seals and more especially but not exclusively to a door seal for the load access doors and door flaps of commercial vehicles such as vans and lorries.

Strip seals are known which on one side have a relatively rigid U-profile for clipping to the edge of a body panel or door, more usually the latter, and on the other side a pair of spaced, curved, flexible tongues which, when the door is shut, respectively seal against a main face and an edge face of the door or body panel, more usually the former.

Such strip seals of the above-described kind commonly consist of an extruded base which, in a longitudinal face opposite the U-clip, has an undercut recess into which is received a lipped projection formed on an extruded flexible sealing strip formed with the two sealing tongues. A tool is employed to force the sealing strip into engagement with the base.

More recently, strip seals of the kind in question have been produced as a dual hardness extrusion, whereby the relatively rigid base with the U-clip on one side and the flexible sealing tongues on the other side are formed as a single element. This is a cheaper manufacturing process, but has the disadvantage that a damaged seal, e.g. broken sealing tongue, is more expensive to replace.

A disadvantage of both the above-described constructions of strip seal is that the thickness of the body panels (or doors) of commercial vehicles vary considerably, and the strip seals therefore have to be produced in a range of sizes, especially in respect of the transverse dimension across the U-clip.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a strip seal which to a substantial extent overcomes the last-described problem.

According to the invention, there is provided a strip seal of the kind having a relatively rigid U-clip on one side and flexible sealing tongues on the other side, wherein the U-clip is formed in two parts which push fit together to a variable extent in the transverse direction and lock together against relative separating movement in any chosen transverse dimension of the U-clip determined by the push fit movement.

In practice, the U-clip is push fitted together around the edge of a body panel (or door) which is to be equipped with the seal. The two parts are pushed together until the U-clip effects a tight grip on the edge of the panel, and automatically lock together against separation in the panel gripping condition.

In a preferred arrangement, the base of one part of the U-clip has a longitudinally extending transverse recess formed with fir-tree type teeth in its top and bottom faces, and the base of the other part of the U-clip is externally formed top and bottom with one or more matching fir-tree type teeth which engage with the toothed recess in the manner of a ratchet. The base of said other part of the Uclip is preferably forked between its top and bottom toothed portions, thereby to form two toothed limbs which push fit into the toothed recess under a degree of compression together.

The flexible sealing tongues are preferably carried by the first part of the U-clip having the transversely recessed base, either as a separate flexible extrusion fitted thereto or being integral therewith as part of a dual hardness extrusion.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1A shows one construction of sealing strip and Figure IB shows the fitted sealing strip in use; and Figure 2A shows a second construction of sealing strip and Figure 2B shows the fitted sealing strip in use.

The sealing strip shown in Fig. 1 A comprises two relatively rigid plastics extrusions 10, 12 and a single extrusion 14 of flexible material such as synthetic rubber.

The two extrusions 10, 12 define two parts of a U-clip 16. The part 10 has a thick base 18 with one limb 20 of the U-clip upstanding therefrom. The base 18 has a longitudinally extending, transverse recess 22 formed top and bottom with fir-tree type teeth 24 and an undercut recess 26 in its bottom face in which is received the conventional flexible extrusion 14 incorporating spaced sealing tongues 28, 30.

The part 12 of the U-clip has a forked base 32 with the other limb 34 of the U-clip upstanding therefrom. The forked base 32 is externally formed top and bottom with fir-tree type teeth 36 for ratchet-type engagement with the teeth 24.

The two parts 10, 12 of the U-clip push fit together around the edge of a vehicle body panel 38, as shown in Fig. 1 B. Having been push fitted together to grip the panel, the cooperating teeth 24, 36 prevent relative separating movement. Tight locking engagement is ensured by the resilience of the forked base 32, which push fits into the recess 22 under compression.

Fig. 1 B also shows the manner in which a seal is effected, in conventional manner, when the vehicle door 40 is closed.

The strip seal can be similarly used to seal closable door flaps as well as conventional hinged doors, and in certain circumstances can be fitted to the door or door flap, thereby to seal against the body panel in the closed condition.

In Fig. 2A and 2B, similar reference numerals are used for similar parts. This embodi ment is similar to that of Figs. 1A and 1 B except that, in a manner known per se for non-adjustable sealing strips, the one part 10 of the U-clip and the flexible sealing tongues 28, 30 are produced as one piece dual hardness extrusion. In this construction, dual hardness extrusions can enable the provision of resilient terminals 42 along the edges of the two limbs 20, 34 of the U-clip.

By virtue of the invention, standard extrusions can be produced to fit a range of thicknesses of body panels (or doors), for example from 14 mm to 24 mm thick.

Claims

1. A strip seal of the kind having a relatively rigid U-clip on one side and flexible sealing tongues on the other side, wherein the U-clip is formed in two parts which push-fit together to a variable extent in the transverse direction and lock together against relative separating movement in any chosen transverse dimension of the U-clip determined by the push-fit movement.

2. A strip seal as claimed in claim 1 when fitted around the edge of a body panel (or door) with the said two parts pushed together so that the U-clip effects a tight grip on the edge of the panel or door.

3. A strip seal as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base of one part of the U-clip has a longitudinally extending transverse recess formed with fir tree-type teeth in its top and bottom faces, and the base of the other part of the U-clip is externally formed top and botton with one or more matching fir tree-type teeth which engage with the toothed recess in the manner of a ratchet.

4. A strip seal as claimed in claim 3 wherein the base of said other part of the Uclip is forked between its top and bottom toothed portions, thereby to form two toothed limbs which push-fit into the toothed recess under a degree of compression together.

5. A strip seal as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the flexible sealing tongues are carried by the first part of the Uclip having the transversely recessed base, either as a separate flexible extrusion fitted thereto or being integral therewith as part of a dual hardness extrusion.

6. A strip seal constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.