GB2388398A

GB2388398A - Corner assembly for sealing or guiding strips

Info

Publication number: GB2388398A
Application number: GB0217182A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Erich Schubert
Original assignee: Gencorp Property Inc
Current assignee: Gencorp Property Inc
Priority date: 2002-02-19
Filing date: 2002-07-24
Publication date: 2003-11-12
Also published as: GB0217182D0; GB0203909D0

Abstract

A sealing or guiding assembly accommodates a sharp corner using two sealing strips which meet at the corner. A generally triangular corner support 80, 82 is welded or preferably snap fitted to a curved frame 20 to define the sharp corner 18. A separate flap of flexible material 120, with a similar shape to the support, is attached to the sealing strips by means of fasteners 202, which may be hooked or interference fit, and may be integrally moulded with the flap 120, bridging the corner. The flap 120 may cover the corner piece 82, at least in part, and may be at least partially concealed by the strips.

Description

SEALING OR GUIDING ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS OF MAKING THEM

f The invention relates to sealing or guiding assemblies and methods of making them.

Embodiments of the invention, to be described in more detail below, are window sealing and guiding strip assemblies for use in motor vehicle body construction and, in particular, for use in window frames conning the upper part of vehicle doors, the sealing or guiding strip assembly being attached to the window frame and supporting the edge of a window pane which can be raised from and lowered into the lower part of the door. However, the invention is not restricted to such applications.

According to the present invention, there is provided a sealing or guiding assembly for sealing or guiding a corner of a closure member for an opening and for attachment to a frame for the opening, comprising strips of flexible material extending towards and meeting at the apex of the corner and shaped to receive the closure member at the corner and adapted to be supported by a corner support which in use forms part of the frame, and a separate flap of flexible material interlocked to the strips of flexible material in the region of the corner and bridging across the corner between the strips.

For a better understanding of the invention, window sealing and guiding strips embodying the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the

( accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: ( Figure I is a side view of a motor vehicle body; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of the window frame shown circled at II in Figure 1 but omitting the window sealing and guiding strip assembly; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a corner support for the sealing and guiding strip assembly; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the frame of Figure 2 but also showing the corner support of Figure 3 in position thereon; Figure 5 is a cross- sectional view of the frame on the line A-A of Figure 4 and also of a sealing and guiding strip used in the assembly; Figure 6 is a cross- sectional view of the frame on the line B-B of Figure 4 and also of the sealing and guiding strip; Figure 7 is an overhead plan view of a cover flap for the corner support;

( 3 Figure 8 is an overhead plan view of the cover flap over the corner support; and ! Figures 9 and l O are cross-sectional views of alternative arrangements to that shown in Figure 5.

Figure 1 shows the side of a motor vehicle body having a door 5 with a lower part 6 carrying a window frame indicated diagrammatically at 8 for a window opening 10. In the usual way, a window glass for the opening 10 can be raised from and lowered into the lower part 6 of the door. The frame 8 carries the sealing and guiding strip (not visible in Figure 1) which will be described in more detail below.

The frame 8 comprises a part 8A along the sloping front of the door which is alongside theso-called "A" pillar of the vehicle body, a generally vertical part 8B alongside the so called "B" pillar 12 of the vehicle body, and a part 8C running along the top of the door.

Where the "B" pillar 12 meets the roof 14 of the vehicle, a sharp angle (substantially 90 ) is formed, at 16. In a manner to be explained below, the sealing and guiding strip assembly to be described combines with the frame 8 to form a corresponding sharp angle 18 of the frame for receiving the matching angle of the window glass.

( The frame 8 carried by the door is (in this example) made of metal, such as extruded aluminium. Figure 2 shows part of the frame 8 at the corner 18 and is an enlarged view of the region II of Figure 1. The sealing and guiding strip assembly is omitted from Figure 2. As indicated in Figure 2, the frame is made of a hollow aluminium extrusion 20 which has a curved portion 22 at the position where the sharp corner 18 will be formed in a manner to be described. As shown in Figure 1, therefore, this curved portion 22 bridges across the position where the sharp corner is to be formed.

Although the embodiment relates to the corner of the "B" pil lar it should be understood that the invention equally applies to any other corner - for example the corner where the "C" pillar meets the roof 14.

Facing outwardly of the vehicle, the aluminium extrusion 20 defines a channel 24 and an outwardly protruding flange 26. However, it will be noted that the flange 26 is interrupted (that is, omitted) over the curved region 22 of the extrusion, so as to form a gap 28. Channel 24 is formed with a narrowed mouth defining shoulders 24A and 24B.

Figure 3 shows a corner support 80 which is separately constructed preferably from metal such as aluminium and, in a manner to be explained, is shaped and sized to fit the gap 28 (Fig. 2) to define the sharp corner 18. The support 80 could alternatively be made from

! 5 hard plastics. The comer support 80 is of simple construction comprising a platform 82 which, on its outside, integrally carries flanges 84^ and 84B of the same general thickness as the flange 26 on the aluminium extrusion 20 (see I.ig. 2) and, on its other side, integrally carries a series of clips 86A and 86B. Clips 86A have hook parts 87A facing outwardly of the sharp corner 18. Clips 86B have hook parts 87B facing inwardly thereof. The corner support 80 is shaped to provide an outside edge 88 which matches the angle of the corner 18. Its opposite edge 90 is curved to match the outside radius of the curved portion 22 (see Fig. 2) of the aluminium extrusion 20. Rather than being located by clips 86A, 86B, the corner support may be welded in position. The clips could then be omitted completely, or could be replaced by a simple rectangular-section member extending into channel 24.

Figure 4 shows how the corner piece 80 fits in position on the aluminium extrusion 20.

The clips 86A and 86B (Fig. 3) of the corner piece 80, if provided, are slotted into the channel 24 over the curved region 28 of the aluminium extrusion 20 (Fig. 2). The hook parts 87A of the clips 86A engage under the shoulder 24A while the hook parts 87B of the clips 86B engage under the shoulder 24B. The flange 84 of the corner piece 80 is thus aligned with the flange 26 of the aluminium extrusion; together, they form a continuous flange having a sharp angle 18 (substantially 90 ) matching the angle shown at 16 in Figure 1. In the manner to be explained, this continuous flange, made up of the separate

flanges 26 and 84, supports a sealing strip.

! Figure 5 shows one form which the sealing strip 91 mounted on the flange 84 can take.

As indicated, it comprises extruded material 92, such as plastics, TPE or rubber material, which defines a channel 93 and incorporates a channelshaped metal carrier 94. The cater 94 may take any suitable form. It may be in the form of a continuous unapertured metal channel. Instead, it may be apertured to increase its flexibility. In another form, it comprises a series of side-by-side generally U-shaped metal elements defining the channel and either entirely disconnected from each other or connected such as by short integral flexible connecting links. In a further form, the carrier comprises looped wire.

Other possible forms of carrier may be used, though. As shown, the carrier 94 has an integral extension 96 which extends at right angles to the channel 93.

The carrier extension 96 reinforces a wall 98 of a window glass receiving channel 100.

The wall 98 is integral with two lips 102, and the opposite wall of the glass-receiving channel 100 is fortned by a lip 104. A web 106 is formed at the base of the channel 100.

As the window glass closes, the glass presses against the web 106 to improve the seal with the glass.

In use, two lengths of the sealing strip 91 are mounted in position on the two flanges ( leading towards and up to the corner 18 (figures 2 to 4) by positioning the strip so that ( the flanges 26, 84 engage in the channel 93. The strip 91 firmly grips the respective flanges, the gripping force being assisted by the resilience of the metal carrier 94 and also by the provision of integral flexible lips 108 which extend inwardly of the channel 93.

The lips 108 may be extruded so as to be of softer material than the remainder of the extruded material 92, to increase their frictional grip. The two strips 91 are mitre-cut and joined at a line extending to corner 18.

In this way, the strips 91 present their glass-receiving channels 100 in the plane of the window opening so that the sliding window glass enters the channel 100. The outwardly facing surfaces of the lips 102 and 104 are coated with flock where they meet the window glass. As shown in Figure 5, which is a section on the line A-A of Figure 4, the sealing strip 91 includes a hollow sealing member I 10 on the outside of the window frame, that is, on the outside edge of the door. This sealing member 110 engages the frame of the door opening when the door is closed, to provide a seal around the edge of the door.

A generally triangular-shaped flexible nap portion 120 (shown in full in Figure 7) is

( formed by a moulding operation. As shown in Figure 7, the flap portion 120 has six generally rectangular apertures 200 formed therein. As shown in l;igure 5, the flap ( portion 120 is attached to the strips 91 by engagement of fixing parts 202 with the apertures 200. Of course, more or fewer than six apertures 200 could be formed.

The fixing parts 202 are provided to engage the edges of each aperture 200. The fixing parts 202 extend from wall 98 and are integrally extruded with the strip 91. Each fixing part 202 is generally hook shaped. The fixing parts 202 are resiliently deformable, and this allows the resilient inward deformation of the parts so that they can pass through apertures 200, "hereafter they spring back outwards and engage the internal edges and underside of the apertures 200. A hollow channel 204 in each fixing part 202 aids deformation. As stated, Figure 5 is a section taken along line A-A of Figure 4. Figure 6 shows a section taken along line B-B of Figure 4. The latter section corresponds to an area of the flap portion 120 when no aperture 200 is provided. At the edge of the flap portion 120 that lies adjacent to the corner piece 80, a recess 210 is formed on each side of each aperture 200 (although of course a recess could be formed on only one side of the aperture). The recesses 210 are formed during the moulding process of the flap portion 120. The recesses 210 are formed to accommodate and engage with correspondingly

positioned tabs 212 formed in the flange 84 of corner piece 80. Each tab 212 is inclined ( with respect to the flange 84 forming a;corner region 214 which abuts a corner portion ( 216 of the strip 91 where the wall 98 meets the channel 93. T he tabs 212 may be formed by making a U-shape cut in the flange 84 and bending the flange material 84 along the line connecting uprights of the U. thereby forming the inclined tab. This leaves a rectangular aperture 218 in the flange 84 (Figure 3). Of coure, different shaped tabs 212 and apertures 218 could be used with the same results.

The flap portion 120 serves to conceal the platform 82, whilst the extruded top parts 1 13 of the sealing strip 91 ensure that any slightly different colour which the flap portion 21 may have is not externally visible. The externally visible portion of the flap portion 120 is designated in Figure 7 and is bounded by dashed lines.

Figure 8 shows the flap portion 120 in position overlying the platform 82 ofthe corner support 80 when in situ.

The corner piece 120 may be formed with a curved-over lip (not shown) which contacts the surface of the aluminium extrusion 20.

Figure 9 shows an alternative to the hook-shaped fixing parts 202 of Figure 5. In Figure

9 the fixing parts 202 are replaced by a single fixing part 220 which is mculded onto the / underside of the wall 98. Of course, more than one fixing part 220 may he provided. A ! stem portion 222 of the fixing part 220 extends from the wall 98 for a distance corresponding approximately to the thickness of the flap portion 120. The stem portion 222 terminates in a head 224 of greater width than the stem 222, and may comprise one or more flange portions 226 for engaging the flap portion 120. The fixing part 220 is of resiliently deformable material. This allows the head to be deformed and pushed through a corresponding aperture 228 in the flap portion, thereafter the connector resiles, clamping the wall 98 against the flap portion 120. The apertures 228 may be formed at positions corresponding to the apertures 200 shown in Figure 7, although the size and configuration of the apertures 228 will be such as to engage with the fixing part 220.

Figure to shows an alternative form of connector 230. The connector 230 has a similar external configuration to fixing part 220. However, connector 230 is integrally extruded with the sealing strip 91. Further' the connector 230 includes a hollow central portion 232. Figures 5, 6, 9 and 10 show an optional ridge 240 (not shown in Figures 3 and 4) formed on the external surface of the flange 84 of the corner support 80. This ridge 240 is for engagement with one of the lips 108 within the channel 93 to assist in locating the

channel 93 and the remainder of the strips 91 on the corner support SO (anti thus to assist in locating the channel 93 and the remainder of the strips 91 on the window frame when the corner support 80 is itself secured to the window frame).

The window frame 8 and corner piece 80 are formed separately. In one embodiment the corner piece 80 is then welded in position on the frame 8. The sealing strips 91 and the flap portion 120 are manufactured separately. As already explained, two lengths of strip 91 are welded together to forth a comer portion ofthe assembly. The previously moulded flap portion 120 is then attached to the strips 91 by engagement of the fixing parts 202, 220 or 230. The assembly of the strips 91 and the flap portion 120 is then fitted over the flange 26.

Alternatively, the corner piece 80 may be mounted on the assembly of the strip 91 and the flap portion 120 by engagement of the flange 84 with the channel 93. These parts are then fitted to the frame 8 by engagement of the channel 93 with the flange 26 of the frame, and engagement of the clips 86A, 86B (preferably provided in this embodiment) with the channel 24 of the frame 8.

Claims

1. A sealing or guiding asssembly for scaling or guiding a corner of a closure member for an opening and for attachment to a frame for the opening, comprising strips of flexible material extending towards and meeting at the apex of the comer and shaped to receive the closure member at the corner and adapted to be supported by a corner support which in use forms part of the frarnc, and a separate flap of flexible material interlocked to the strips of flexible material in the region of the corner and bridging across the corner between the strips.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flap of flexible material is interlocked to the strips of flexible material by fixing means.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein the fixing means is located on one of the flap and strips and engages an aperture on the other of the flap and strips.

4. An assembly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the fixing means comprises a plurality of flexible hook-shaped members.

5. An assembly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the fixing means comprises a plurality of protrusions having an enlarged head portion.

6. An assembly according to claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the fixing means is integrally formed with the flap or strips.

7. An assembly according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the fixing means is moulded onto one of the flaps or strips.

8. An assembly according to any one ofthe preceding claims, in which the flap is at least partly concealed by the strips laid over it and meeting at the corner.

9. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a rigid corner piece mounted on the frame and having an outer profile matching the angle of the corner of the closure member, and a curved inner profile bridging across the comer.

10. An assembly according to claim 9, in which the flap at least partially overlies tlc corner piece.

11. An assembly according to claim 9 or 10, in which the corner piece clippingly engages the frame.

12. An assembly according to claim 9 or 10, in which the corner piece is welded to the frame. 13. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the strips of flexible material include means for lockably mounting them on the frame.

14. An assembly according to claim 13, in which the strips define a slot extending longitudinally along their length for embracingly gripping an edge or flange on the frame at the regions spaced Dom the sharp corner.

15. An assembly according to claim 14 when dependent on claim 9, 10, 11 or 12, in which the comer piece defines an edge or flange which is embracingly gripped by the strips. 16. An assembly according to claim 15, in which the edge or flange of the comer piece is aligned with the edge or flange on the frame.

17. An assembly according to claim 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 or 16, in which the flap includes at least one recess for engaging an extension portion of the comer piece to serve

to locate the flap and corner piece with respect to one another.

I Ss An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the flap is moulded. 19. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separate flap and the strips of flexible material together form a unit.

20. A sealing or guiding assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or substantially as illustrated in any one of or any combination of the accompanying drawings.

21. A method of sealing or guiding a corner of a closure member for an opening having a frame, the method including the steps of arranging strips of flexible material to extend towards and meet at the apex of a corner having a configuration corresponding to said corner, the strips being shaped to receive the closure member at its corner and adapted to be supported by a corner support which in use forms part of the frame, and interlocking a separate flap of flexible material with strips of flexible material in the region of their comer to bridge across the corner between the strips.

22. A method according to claim 21, further including the steps of connecting the corner support to the frame.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the interlocked flap and strips are fitted to the connected corner support and frame.

24. A method according to claim 21, 22 or 23, including welding the strips of material at the apex of a corner prior to interlocking with the flap.

25. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the flap of flexible material is interlocked to the strips of flexible material by fixing means.

26. method according to claim 25, wherein the fixing means is located on one of the flap and strips and engages an aperture on the other of the flap and strips.

27. A method according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the fixing means comprises a plurality of flexible hook-shaped members.

28. A method according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the fixing means comprises a plurality of protrusions having an enlarged head portion.

29. A method according to any one of claims 25 to 28, including integrally forming the fixing means with the flap or strips.

30. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 29, including moulding the fixing means onto one of the flaps or strips.

31. A method according to any one of claims 21 to JO, in which the flap is at least partly concealed by the strips laid over it and meeting at the corner of the strips.

32. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 31, wherein the corner support comprises a rigid corner piece mounted on the frame having an outer profile matching the angle of the corner of the closure member, and a curved inner profile for bridging across the corner.

33. A method according to claim 32, in which the flap is arranged to at least partially overlie the corner piece.

34. A method according to claim 32 or 33, in which the corner piece is clippingly engaged to the frame.

35. A method according to claims 32 or 33, including welding the corner piece to the frame. 36. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, including providing the strips of flexible material with means for lockably mounting them on the frame.

37. A method according to claim 36, in which the strips are formed with a slot extending longitudinally along their length for embracingly gripping an edge or flange on the frame at the regions spaced from the sharp corner.

38. A method according to claim 37 when dependent on claim 32, 33, 34 or 35, in which the strips embracingly grip an edge or flange of the corner piece.

39. A method according to claim 38, including aligning the edge or flange of the corner piece with the edge or flange on the frame.

40. A method according to claim 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38 or 39, including locating the flap and comer piece with respect to one another by engaging an extension portion of the corner piece with at least one recess formed on said flap.

41. The method according to any one of claims 2 1 to 40, including moulding the flap.

42. The method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or substantially as illustrated in any one of or any combination of the accompanying drawings.