GB2138479A

GB2138479A - Mounting sheet material

Info

Publication number: GB2138479A
Application number: GB08310547A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Franklin Eames
Original assignee: BTR PLC
Current assignee: BTR PLC
Priority date: 1983-04-19
Filing date: 1983-04-19
Publication date: 1984-10-24
Also published as: GB8310547D0

Abstract

To mount an insert (11) of sheet material in a frame (14), a bead of elastomeric material (16) is attached around the outside of the insert by adhesion and then the insert with the bead attached is mounted in the frame. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in mounting sheet material The invention relates to a method of mounting sheet material inserts in frames and in particular,though not exclusively, the mounting of fixed glass in automobile bodies.

There are currentlytwo maintechniquesformount- ing fixed glass in automobile bodies. The first uses a rubber section, extruded or moulded with opposing channels to grip the glass on the one hand and the surrounding flange on the automobile body on the other. This method requires a substantial volume of rubber in order that the section has sufficient strength to grip the glass properly. This means thatthere is a relatively large protrusion of rubber around the outer surface of the glass which gives rise to increase aerodynamic drag. The second technique uses a mastic type material which is introduced between the glass and the body and then allowed to set in situ.This presents problems in application to the vehicle and requires a considerable additional quantity of rubber to fill gaps between body and glass to give satisfactory results.

According to the invention there is provided a method of mounting an insert of sheet material in a frame, comprising the steps of: attaching a bead of elastomeric material around the outside ofthe insert, the bead having a channel in which the peripheral portion of the insert is received, the peripheral portion being secured by adhesion along at least part of its length to the bead, and then mounting the insertwith its attached bead in the frame.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which showfour examples of an insert mounted in an aperture or frame using a method according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a typical cross-section through a first embodimentofan insert mounted in an aperture or frame, Figure 2 shows a modification ofthe embodiment of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a typical cross-section through a second embodiment, and Figure 4 shows a typical cross-section through a third embodiment.

In each example,there is a bead 10 of elastomeric material which is attached, either during or after its formation, around the periphery of a sheet insert 11, which may be a sheet of glass. The bead section is such asto form an inner lip 1 2to clamp overthe flange 13 of a surrounding sheet material structure 14, which may be an automobile body, and may also provide a filler and seal between the inserted sheet 11 and the surround structure 14.

The bead is first attached to the insert structure and then the assembly is positioned and fixed in the frame formedbythesheetmatedal.Thefillerportion may itself badeorative or as in the example of Figure 3, may have provision to hold a decirative trim 15.

Inthe example of Figure 1, the outer face 16 of the bead 10 provides a satisfactory aesthetic appearance and is clamped to the structure rebate flange 13 bythe retention lip 12. The primaryweather seal to the structure is provided by the primary sealing lip 17.

Secondary sealing lips 18 are provided as a reserve to the primary seal. In the case where the bead 10 is a preformed element, it is bonded using a suitable adhesive to the sheet insert 11 over as much of the area 19 indicated as may be required by the particular application. In some cases it may be necessaryto bond overthe whole area while in others a bond over only a fraction of the area shown may be adequate.

In the Figure 2 example,the outerface 20 ofthe bead 10may be virtually flush with both the sheet insert 11 and the surrounding structure 14.

In the Figure 3 example, a decorative trim 15 is shown assembled into the bead 10 which may or may not contribute to the method offixing.

In the Figure 4 example, a cavity 21 is provided in the bead 10 to allowfor manufacturing tolerances between the sheet insert 11 and the surrounding structure 14.

Inthecasewheresuch a bead isformedand bonded directly to the sheet insert in one operation, the bead section may be bonded by a variety of methods using combinations of pretreatment of the sheet insert, the application of intermediate bonding layers and the inclusion of bonding agents in the polymeric formula- tion. Alternatively, the bead may be preformed by moulding, or by extrusion, with subsequentjoining either in a directjoin to itselforwith moulded corners.

The preassembled bead is then bonded to the sheet insertwith a suitable adhesive system. The bead may change in cross-section around the aperture according to the requirements ofthe insert and aperture.

The bead 10 may protrude byupto 2mm abovethe level of the sheet insert and may be reduced in area such as to reduce the quantity of rubber required. The bead 10 may be of anysuitableflexible elastomeric material,for example, natural rubber, SBR, neoprene or EPDM rubber based compounds or a combination thereof.

1. Amethodofmounting an insertofsheet material in aframe, comprising the steps of: attaching a bead of elastomeric material around the outside of the insert, the bead having a channel in which the peripheral portion ofthe insert is received, the peripheral portion being secured by adhesion along at least part of its length to the bead, and then mounting the insert with its attached bead in the frame.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 whereinthe bead is secured to the insert by adhesion over a major part of its periphery.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the bead is secured to the insert by adhesion over its entire periphery.

4. A method as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3whereinthe bead is a preformed element and is secured to the insert by means of a bonding agent.

5. A method as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the bead is formed directly on the The drawing(s) originally filed was (were) informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in mounting sheet material The invention relates to a method of mounting sheet material inserts in frames and in particular,though not exclusively, the mounting of fixed glass in automobile bodies. There are currentlytwo maintechniquesformount- ing fixed glass in automobile bodies. The first uses a rubber section, extruded or moulded with opposing channels to grip the glass on the one hand and the surrounding flange on the automobile body on the other. This method requires a substantial volume of rubber in order that the section has sufficient strength to grip the glass properly. This means thatthere is a relatively large protrusion of rubber around the outer surface of the glass which gives rise to increase aerodynamic drag. The second technique uses a mastic type material which is introduced between the glass and the body and then allowed to set in situ.This presents problems in application to the vehicle and requires a considerable additional quantity of rubber to fill gaps between body and glass to give satisfactory results. According to the invention there is provided a method of mounting an insert of sheet material in a frame, comprising the steps of: attaching a bead of elastomeric material around the outside ofthe insert, the bead having a channel in which the peripheral portion of the insert is received, the peripheral portion being secured by adhesion along at least part of its length to the bead, and then mounting the insertwith its attached bead in the frame. The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which showfour examples of an insert mounted in an aperture or frame using a method according to the invention. Figure 1 shows a typical cross-section through a first embodimentofan insert mounted in an aperture or frame, Figure 2 shows a modification ofthe embodiment of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a typical cross-section through a second embodiment, and Figure 4 shows a typical cross-section through a third embodiment. In each example,there is a bead 10 of elastomeric material which is attached, either during or after its formation, around the periphery of a sheet insert 11, which may be a sheet of glass. The bead section is such asto form an inner lip 1 2to clamp overthe flange 13 of a surrounding sheet material structure 14, which may be an automobile body, and may also provide a filler and seal between the inserted sheet 11 and the surround structure 14. The bead is first attached to the insert structure and then the assembly is positioned and fixed in the frame formedbythesheetmatedal.Thefillerportion may itself badeorative or as in the example of Figure 3, may have provision to hold a decirative trim 15. Inthe example of Figure 1, the outer face 16 of the bead 10 provides a satisfactory aesthetic appearance and is clamped to the structure rebate flange 13 bythe retention lip 12. The primaryweather seal to the structure is provided by the primary sealing lip 17. Secondary sealing lips 18 are provided as a reserve to the primary seal. In the case where the bead 10 is a preformed element, it is bonded using a suitable adhesive to the sheet insert 11 over as much of the area 19 indicated as may be required by the particular application. In some cases it may be necessaryto bond overthe whole area while in others a bond over only a fraction of the area shown may be adequate. In the Figure 2 example,the outerface 20 ofthe bead 10may be virtually flush with both the sheet insert 11 and the surrounding structure 14. In the Figure 3 example, a decorative trim 15 is shown assembled into the bead 10 which may or may not contribute to the method offixing. In the Figure 4 example, a cavity 21 is provided in the bead 10 to allowfor manufacturing tolerances between the sheet insert 11 and the surrounding structure 14. Inthecasewheresuch a bead isformedand bonded directly to the sheet insert in one operation, the bead section may be bonded by a variety of methods using combinations of pretreatment of the sheet insert, the application of intermediate bonding layers and the inclusion of bonding agents in the polymeric formula- tion. Alternatively, the bead may be preformed by moulding, or by extrusion, with subsequentjoining either in a directjoin to itselforwith moulded corners. The preassembled bead is then bonded to the sheet insertwith a suitable adhesive system. The bead may change in cross-section around the aperture according to the requirements ofthe insert and aperture. The bead 10 may protrude byupto 2mm abovethe level of the sheet insert and may be reduced in area such as to reduce the quantity of rubber required. The bead 10 may be of anysuitableflexible elastomeric material,for example, natural rubber, SBR, neoprene or EPDM rubber based compounds or a combination thereof. CLAIMS

insert.

6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the insert with its attached bead is retained in position in the frame by means of a mechanical interlock.

7. A method as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the mechanical interlock comprises a further channel on the bead for engaging flange means on the frame.

8. A method of mounting an insert of sheet material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. An insert mounted in a frame using a method as claimed in any preceding claim.

10. A glass insert mounted in an automobile body using a method as claimed in any preceding claim.