Abstract: A flange engaging strip is provided for engaging a vehicle flange, wherein the flange has a varying thickness along a longitudinal dimension. The flange engaging strip has a closed end and projecting limbs and can include a carrier having a corresponding base and projecting legs that define a constant combined cross sectional length, wherein the cross sectional length of the closed end varies corresponding to the thickness of the flange along a longitudinal dimension of the flange engaging strip.

Abstract: A flange engaging strip is provided for engaging a vehicle flange, wherein the flange has a varying thickness along a longitudinal dimension. The flange engaging strip has a closed end and projecting limbs and can include a carrier having a corresponding base and projecting legs that define a constant combined cross sectional length, wherein the cross sectional length of the closed end varies corresponding to the thickness of the flange along a longitudinal dimension of the flange engaging strip.

Abstract: A weatherseal has a backbone, which is curvilinear in cross section to define a flange engaging channel and a window receiving channel, wherein the backbone is free of structural metal. The backbone is sufficiently curvilinear to sufficiently distribute stress loading within the cross section to allow unsupported lengths of the weatherseal to operably retain, locate and direct the glass panel. The flange engaging channel can include an arcuate closed end.

Abstract: An illuminating weatherseal can seal a gap between confronting surfaces and illuminate the adjacent environment. The illuminating weatherseal includes a light emitting line extending along a longitudinal dimension of the weatherseal, wherein the light is emitted from the light emitting line along a path non coincident with the longitudinal dimension. A switch can be incorporated into the illuminating weatherseal for selectively actuating the light emitting line.

Abstract: A flange engaging strip is provided for engaging a vehicle flange, wherein the flange has a varying thickness along a longitudinal dimension. The flange engaging strip has a closed end and projecting limbs and can include a carrier having a corresponding base and projecting legs that define a constant combined cross sectional length, wherein the cross sectional length of the closed end varies corresponding to the thickness of the flange along a longitudinal dimension of the flange engaging strip.

Abstract: A vehicular clamping strip includes a clamping channel and an optical locking cord for disposing the clamping channel in a clamping configuration to secure the clamping channel relative to the vehicle. The optical locking cord is at least one of light emitting, light generating and specularly reflective.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor having a first and a second polymeric conductor are embedded within a non conducting body, wherein the body maintains a fixed separation distance between the first and the second polymeric conductor. The body can include a non conducting web, wherein the web substantially precludes variation in the spacing of the polymeric conductors during use in the intended operating environment.

Abstract: A carrier assembly is provided for reinforcing vehicle flange engaging strip such as a weatherstrip or trim strip. The carrier assembly includes a serpentine frame and a warp interlaced with the frame to form at least one frame-warp aperture. A fused powder bonds to at least one of the serpentine frame and the warp and inhibits movement of the warp relative to the frame, substantially preserving the frame-warp aperture.

Abstract: An illuminating weatherseal can seal a gap between confronting surfaces and illuminate the adjacent environment. The illuminating weatherseal includes a light emitting line extending along a longitudinal dimension of the weatherseal, wherein the light is emitted from the light emitting line along a path non coincident with the longitudinal dimension. A switch can be incorporated into the illuminating weatherseal for selectively actuating the light emitting line.

Abstract: A weatherseal has a backbone, which is curvilinear in cross section to define a flange engaging channel and a window receiving channel, wherein the backbone is free of structural metal. The backbone is sufficiently curvilinear to sufficiently distribute stress loading within the cross section to allow unsupported lengths of the weatherseal to operably retain, locate and direct the glass panel. The flange engaging channel can include an arcuate closed end.

Abstract: A carrier assembly is provided for reinforcing vehicle flange engaging strip such as a weatherstrip or trim strip. The carrier assembly includes a serpentine frame and a warp interlaced with the frame to form at least one frame-warp aperture. A fused powder bonds to at least one of the serpentine frame and the warp and inhibits movement of the warp relative to the frame, substantially preserving the frame-warp aperture.

Abstract: A composite strip having a polymeric body embedding a carrier assembly is provided, wherein the composite strip can be formed into a vehicle flange engaging strip such as a weatherstrip or trim strip. The carrier assembly includes a serpentine frame and a warp interlaced with the frame to form at least one frame-warp aperture. A fused powder bonds to at least one of the serpentine frame and the warp and inhibits movement of the warp relative to the frame, substantially preserving the frame-warp aperture. A polymeric body at least partially embeds the serpentine frame, the warp and the fused powder.

Abstract: An illuminating weatherseal (10) can seal a gap between confronting surfaces and illuminate the adjacent environment. The illuminating weatherseal includes a light emitting line (80) extending along a longitudinal dimension of the weatherseal (10), wherein the light is emitted from the light emitting line (80) along a path non coincident with the longitudinal dimension. A switch can be incorporated into the illuminating weatherseal (10) for selectively actuating the light emitting line (80).

Abstract: A method of forming a division bar assembly having a pocket for receiving a fixed pane, the pocket defined by a pocket closed end and a pair of projecting pocket legs, and a channel for slidably receiving a movable pane, the channel defined by the pocket closed end and a pair of channel legs, wherein at least one of the channel legs is connected to a pocket leg at a transition intermediate the pocket closed end and a free end of the pocket leg, with the at least one channel leg initially diverging from the remaining channel leg. The diverging channel leg is urged toward the remaining channel leg in a downstream post-forming step.

Abstract: A roll-forming tool for deforming a flange cap from a splayed configuration to engage a vehicle flange, the tool includes a polymeric contact surface disposed about a rigid drum. The polymeric contact surface can be in the form of a sleeve and integrally formed to the metal drum, or alternatively, the sleeve can be removeably attached to the drum for allowing replacement. The drums can be metal and configured for eccentric rotation relative to a corresponding drive shaft, thereby accommodating further variations in flange thickness.

Abstract: A vehicular weatherseal includes a weatherseal body having a flange engaging channel, a panel contacting member and a lock strip for securing the channel relative to a flange of the vehicle. The lock strip performs at least one of a sealing function with a panel of the vehicle or a trim function and includes a gap closing lip extending generally laterally from the flange engaging channel. The panel contacting member extends from one of the projecting legs for contacting the vehicle panel at a location transverse to the flange engaging channel.

Abstract: A vehicular weatherseal is provided having a particulated matrix formed of resin matrix including a maleated polyolefin and a plurality of surface roughness forming particles bonded to the resin matrix, wherein the particles are formed of a polar material, such as polysulfone, nylon, and polyester. The maleated polyolefin resin matrix and surface roughness forming particles can be mixed and extruded onto a weatherseal body or substrate.

Abstract: A roll-forming tool for deforming a flange cap from a splayed configuration to engage a vehicle flange, the tool includes a polymeric contact surface disposed about a rigid drum. The polymeric contact surface can be in the form of a sleeve and integrally formed to the metal drum, or alternatively, the sleeve can be removeably attached to the drum for allowing replacement. The drums can be metal and configured for eccentric rotation relative to a corresponding drive shaft, thereby accommodating further variations in flange thickness.

Abstract: A fixed pane window assembly is formed in a multicavity encapsulation method. Discrete and independent components are disposed in separate mold cavities. The mold cavities are filled and connected in sequence to form an intermediate body and subsequently an integral fixed pane window assembly incorporating a header trim strip, a division bar, and an incorporated fixed glass pane for cooperatively engaging a moveable window.

Abstract: A weatherseal having a particulated matrix, wherein different sections of the matrix are subjected to different surface treatments, thereby providing corresponding different characteristics, such as coefficient of friction, texture, surface roughness or appearance.