Abstract: A sealing, trimming or guiding strip 15 for windows of a motor vehicle comprises a loop formed around the fixed quarter light 11 of the vehicle and a further loop formed around the sliding main window 9 of the rear door of the vehicle. This seal comprises an extruded part 19 extending along both loops to provide a pleasing continuous appearance for the exterior of the vehicle: A portion of the extruded material 19 is cut away and replaced by moulded material moulded onto the extruded part 19 for the portion of the strip into which the quarter light 11 is mounted.

Abstract: A two piece outer belt weatherstrip provides a seal between the upper portion of a door and the lower portion a window. The weatherstrip comprises two individual components: a cover and a body. The cover is generally T-shaped and includes a curved outer surface that is visible when assembled and installed and a centrally disposed web. The body is a complex generally S-shaped member having adjacent parallel slots opening in opposite directions. One slot receives the web of the cover and the other receives a vertical flange of the vehicle door and secures the weatherstrip thereon. An S-shaped metal reinforcing member resides with the body and a pair of wiper flanges extending from one face of the body engage the window glass and seal thereagainst. These components are preferably extruded but may be molded depending, inter alia, upon the configurations of their terminal portions.

Abstract: A composite extrusion for an automotive seal strip is formed of an extruded body, and a veneer extruded onto the body. The extruded body is composed of ethylene-propylene diene rubber compound. The veneer is composed of a polymer blend that includes the reaction product of an acrylate polymer and a glycidyl acrylate polymer. The reaction of the acrylate polymer and the glycidyl acrylate polymer improves adhesion and also provides a barrier to inhibit migration of vulcanizing agents from the ethylene-propylene diene rubber body into the veneer that would otherwise cause discoloration during use.

Abstract: Frame for a door and/or window, particularly for a transport vehicle, comprising a seal support, and a seal which seals between at least part of a peripheral edge of the door and/or window and the seal support when the door and/or window is or are in the closed position, and which is in the form of an injection-molded element of elastic nature, characterized in that it further comprises an intermediate element which is equipped with the seal molded onto it and which has the first fixing means, and in that the seal support and second fixing means capable of collaborating with the said first fixing means to fix the intermediate element, equipped with the seal molded onto it, to the seal support.

Abstract: A vehicle door has inner and outer panel parts (5, 6) defining the hollow interior (16) of the door which supports a rigid frame (not shown) for a window glass (18) which slides into and out of the hollow interior (16) through a waist gap (20) formed by the upper marginal edges of the panel parts (5, 6). Inner and outer waist seals (22, 24) are mounted on the inner and outer panel parts (5, 6) for sealing against the window glass (18) along the waist gap (20). The outer waist seal (24) comprises flexible material (44), preferably extruded, which defines first and second channels (46, 48) facing in opposite directions. The first channel (46) embracingly grips the marginal edge of the outer panel part (6) to support the waist seal (24) in position. The second channel (48) embracingly grips interlocking legs of a decorative strip arrangement (56). The decorative strip arrangement (56) may comprise two separate parts (56A and 56B) presenting contrasting decorative appearances.

Abstract: A novel laminate useful for seals particularly for vehicle window seals that are flexible, wear resistant and have a low coefficient of friction, is provided. The laminate comprises a rubber substrate and a polyolefin coating disposed on and adherent to the rubber substrate. The invention also provides novel methods of making laminates, particularly seals. Such method comprises the following steps: providing a rubber substrate; then applying a powdered crystalline polyolefin to the rubber substrate, in an amount sufficient to form a continuous layer when melted; and then melting the powdered crystalline polyolefin to form a continuous polyolefin coating disposed on, and adherent to, the rubber substrate. The invention also relates to seals comprising: an polyolefin rubber body; and a continuous coating of fused polyolefin disposed on and adherent to the rubber seal. Preferably the continuous coating of fused polyolefin is disposed in the glass run channel in the rubber body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining the ends of two profile sections (5, 6) such as two sealing, trimming or finishing strips for use in motor vehicle body construction, is shown. The two profile sections (5, 6) are clamped in respective retaining devices (18, 20) and a length of heat-responsive foil-like material (24) is unwound from a roll (22) into a position between the facing ends of the profile sections. Heaters (26-32) carried by a heater unit (34) are then moved into position between the ends of the profile sections (5, 6) and the foil (24). The outermost heaters (26, 30) heat the ends of the profile sections, and the innermost heaters (28, 32) heat the foil. The heaters (26 to 32) are then withdrawn, and the two retaining devices (18, 20) are then moved towards each other so as to move the ends of the two profile sections into contact with opposite sides of the heated foil (24) which thus heat-bonds the ends of the profile sections together.

Abstract: Two profile sections (5,6), such as two sealing, trimming or finishing strips for use in motor vehicle body construction, are joined together end to end by use of a heat-sensitive foil (24) such as made of thermoplastics material. The profile sections (5, 6) are clamped in respective retaining devices (18, 20) and the foil (24) is unwound from a roll (22) into position between the facing ends of the profile sections. Heaters (26, 28) are moved into position for heating the foil (24) and the ends of the profile sections and are then withdrawn. The two retaining devices (18, 20) are then moved towards each other so as to move the ends of the two profile sections into contact with opposite sides of the heated foil (24) which thus heat-bonds the end of the profile sections together.

Abstract: A portable tool for fitting a channel-shaped sealing, trimming or guiding strip onto a mounting flange comprises a gear box having an input shaft rotated by suitable motor and which drives two rollers in contra-rotating directions about respective axes. When the motor is energized to contra-rotate the rollers, the tool is driven along the strip and the rollers force the sides of the channel of the strip into tight frictional contact with the flange. The axis of one of the rollers is fixed in relation to the tool body. The other roller is mounted on a sub-frame so that its axis can pivot about a pivot axis which intersects with the rotation axis of that roller. The tool also includes a third roller for engaging the outside of the inverted base of the channel.

Abstract: A sealing strip, such as for fitting to the frame of a door opening in a motor vehicle body, comprises a longitudinally extending channel-shaped mounting portion incorporating a channel-shaped reinforcing carrier. The hollow tubular longitudinally extending sealing portion is attached to the outside of the mounting portion. When such a strip is bent to follow curves in the door frame, the increased tension in the mounting portion at the curves can cause the sealing portion to move inwardly of the curve so as partially the bridge across the curve. In order to avoid this, the sealing strip, and particularly the mounting portion are longitudinally compressed at positions corresponding to the positions where curves are to be formed in the strip. This local longitudinal compression helps to maintain the sealing portion in its correct attitude.

Abstract: A sealing, trimming or finishing strip, comprises a channel-shaped gripping portion (5) supporting a soft hollow sealing portion (6). The gripping portion (5) comprises extruded material (8) in which is embedded a resilient reinforcement or carrier (10). The strip may be mounted in position on a mounting flange running around an opening in a motor vehicle body by forming it so that the side walls of the gripping portion (5) are initially splayed apart for ease of mounting on the flange, and are then forced together into gripping engagement with the flange by means of a tool which is externally passed along the length of the gripping portion and applies inwardly directed forces to its side walls (10A, 10B) of the carrier are integrally connected to a central part (10C) in the base of the channel by inclined regions (10D, 10E).

Abstract: A force-responsive sensor is disclosed, such as for incorporation in a safety system for detecting an obstruction in a window opening closable by a motorized slidable window pane. The sensor is mounted within a hollow volume in flexible material running alongside the top frame member of the window opening. The sensor comprises an upper flexible and resilient layer supporting a continuous longitudinally extending conductive strip. This upper layer is spaced from a similar layer supporting a continuous longitudinally extending conductive strip, the two layers being separated from each other by insulating spacers spaced at intervals along the length of the sensor. Any obstruction in the window opening is carried upwardly by the rising window glass and applies a force to the flexible material. A ridge in the lower wall of the hollow chamber responds by causing contact between the two conductive strips to produce a warning signal.

Abstract: A sealing strip (6), such as for a vehicle door frame, comprises a gripping part (10) of channel-shape and a tubular sealing part (8). The sealing part (8) is made of material (16, 16A) at least part (16A) of which is verty soft to improve the sealing properties of the strip and to reduce weight. The hollow interior of the sealing part (8) is divided by an interior wall (28). In order to resist partial collapse or wrinkling of the sealing part (8) when the strip (6) is bent to follow a curve in the door frame, the interior wall (28) incorporates reinforcement (30) which may be metal wire or sheet. This is longitudinally compressible but stiff in the perpendicular direction.

Abstract: A laminate useful for seals particularly for vehicle window seals that are flexible, wear resistant and have a low coefficient of friction, is provided. The laminate has a rubber substrate and a polyolefin coating disposed on and adherent to the rubber substrate. The invention also provides methods of making laminates, particularly seals. Such method includes the steps of providing a rubber substrate; then applying a powdered crystalline polyolefin to the rubber substrate, in an amount sufficient to form a continuous layer when melted; and then melting the powdered crystalline polyolefin to form a continuous polyolefin coating disposed on, and adherent to, the rubber substrate. The invention also relates to seals comprising: an polyolefin rubber body; and a continuous coating of fused polyolefin disposed on and adherent to the rubber seal. Preferably the continuous coating of fused polyolefin is disposed in the glass run channel in the rubber body.

Abstract: An applique article for a “B” pillar or other external surface of a vehicle is composed of integrally bonded cosmetic and functional materials. The applique article includes a thermoplastic base portion, an elastomer or thermoplastic elastomer functional sealing lip portion and a decorative covering portion applied to an exposed surface of the article. At least the functional sealing lip portion and the base portion are integrally bonded together in a mold during a process of manufacturing the article.

Abstract: An embossment for a plastic panel is provided. The embossment projects out from the panel and can secure the panel to an object or support the panel away from the object as a standoff. A plurality of support legs are integrally formed to both the embossment and the panel which separates the embossment from the panel and provides stability to the embossment. While attaching the embossment to the vehicle, such as by rotationally inserting a screw, the support legs prevent the embossment from rotating and/or disconnecting from the panel. In this manner, the panel is maintained in a proper location during installation. The support legs have a reduced contact area with the panel such that abnormalities on the show surface that would be created by the embossment are eliminated.

Abstract: A latex as a binder for nonwoven applications to form a permeable sublayer of personal hygiene articles. The latex is prepared by a process including the steps of (1) polymerizing a monomer mixture comprising styrene, itaconic acid, surfactant and water soluble free radical initiator to form a seed; (2) sequentially adding equal increments of a monomer mixture of styrene, butadiene and acrylic acid to the seed under emulsion polymerization conditions to form a styrene-butadiene-acrylic acid copolymer; and then (3) neutralizing the styrene-butadiene-acrylic acid copolymer to a pH of about 4.5 to 7 to form the latex.

Abstract: A mechanically interlocking belt weatherstrip for a motor vehicle. The weatherstrip is formed by three separate components: a cover, a body and a sealing lip. The weatherstrip may be made from separate, all-extruded components, or may be a made from a combination of molded and extruded components. The weatherstrip is formed by snapping the body and the cover snap together to hold the sealing lip securely in place. Because the cover can be easily interchanged with a different cover, the cover can be made to include properties, such as color and gloss, desired by a particular motor vehicle manufacturer while the remaining components remain unchanged. Thus, the weatherstrip allows versatility of the selection of the separate components to meet the individual style and functional needs of a particular motor vehicle design.

Abstract: A safety system, such as for detecting obstructions in a window opening having a motor-slidable window glass (32) and for arresting the window glass in the presence of such an obstruction, comprises a glass-receiving channel (34). The base (48) defines a hollow chamber (60) incorporating a sensor (62). The sensor supports two substantially parallel longitudinally extending force-responsive sensing units (12, 14) each positioned immediately adjacent to a respective one of the side walls (44, 46) of the channel (34). If an obstruction in the window opening is carried upward by the slidable window pane (32), it will apply a force to the distal edge of one or both of the side walls (44, 46) and this force will be transmitted to the respective sensing unit (12, 14). Electrically conductive strips of the relevant sensing unit (12, 14) move into contact to produce an electrical signal which arrests the window glass.

Abstract: A mechanically interlocked belt type weatherstrip provides a seal between the upper portion of a door and the lower portion a window. The weatherstrip comprises three individual components: a cover, a body and a sealing lip. These components may be either extruded or molded depending particularly upon the configurations of their terminal portions. All of the components may be one of a wide variety of black flexible plastic or elastomeric materials. However, because each of the components is separate, they can be manufactured of different materials and of different colors to provide specifically desired properties. The weatherstrip is formed by snapping the body and the cover together which holds the sealing lip securely in place between the cover and the body. The weatherstrip thus allows versatility of the selection of the separate components to meet the individual style and functional needs of a particular motor vehicle design.