Abstract: A weatherseal for repeatedly and releasably contacting a panel to provide a weather resistant seal therebetween. The weatherseal includes a substrate having a contact layer on the portion of the substrate that contacts the panel. The contact layer includes a multitude of surface treated ultra high molecular weight olefinic particles, such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, in a thermoset material such as cross linkable urethane, wherein some of the embedded particles define the area of contact between the weatherseal and the panel.

Abstract: A trapping protector for a power operated closing device includes a profile strip of elastomer material formed as an extruded member including a touch sensitive profile having a conductive surface portion extending substantially along the length of the profile in the area facing a leading edge of a movable panel in conjunction with which the trapping protector is used, and a touch sensitive detector coupled to the conductive surface for generating a triggering signal when the conductive surface portion is touched, without requiring any significant displacement of the surface portion. Preferably, but not necessarily, the profile strip also includes a sealing profile connected to the touch sensitive profile for sealing the closing device. The sealing profile can be a separately extruded strip if desired. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the conductive surface portion comprises a layer of conductive elastomer and an electrical conductor in ohmic contact with the elastomer.

Abstract: A surface conditioning pad for rotation about an axis is disclosed, wherein the pad includes a resilient foam body having a rear surface and a working surface generally normal to the axis of rotation and a peripheral surface interconnecting the rear surface and the working surface. The peripheral surface includes a plurality of facets which may define an apex for selectively engaging portions of the work piece.

Abstract: A seal for providing a sealed interface between confronting surfaces having a reduced clearance in at least one relative position of the confronting surfaces. The seal is particularly configured for components movable between a first and a second position wherein the components provide relatively low clearances, typically about 6 mm, or less, in the first position.

Abstract: A tool for installing a seal on a flange in a motor vehicle or the like comprises a generally cylindrical housing; a depressible actuator button extending outwardly from the surface of the housing; a sleeve surrounding the housing in rotatable engagement therewith; and a shoulder within the sleeve for engaging the actuator button when the sleeve is moved longitudinally with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A seal for releasably engaging a movable panel such as a glass panel in a motor vehicle is disclosed, the seal has a base with an open celled reservoir layer connected to the base and a contact layer connected to the reservoir layer by an adhesive retained at least partially in the cell structure.

Abstract: A wire carrier for use in the manufacture of weather seals is disclosed comprising a wire folded into a zig-zag configuration and having a plurality of generally parallel limbs for carrying a plurality of polymeric warp threads secured to the wire and at least one ribbon, having stiffening elements along its longitudinal axis, secured to the wire carrier such that the ribbon(s) runs substantially perpendicularly to the limbs of the wire. The ribbon may be secured to the wire by adhesive, by weaving, or by at least one row of warp thread. The resulting wire carrier is prevented from elongating during extrusion and thus a resulting product does not experience shrinkage. Methods for manufacturing the carrier are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a resilient sealing insert with a belt-line extension for a door and window flush glass channel seal is described. The generally U-shaped channel insert includes a base, a first leg and a second leg which is attached to the base along a tearable line of weakness. The legs are separated from the insert into a window run channel portion and an integral belt-line extension.

Abstract: A resilient sealing insert for a door and window flush glass channel seal is described. The generally U-shaped channel insert includes a base, a first leg and a second leg which is attached to the base along a tearable line of weakness for separating the insert into a window run channel portion and an integral belt-line extension. A method for forming a window run channel seal insert having an integral belt-line extension is also described.

Abstract: A combination door and window channel seal for sealing between a motor vehicle door frame and movable window glass panel and a method for forming the same are described. The channel seal is formed from thermoplastic elastomers of at least two different durometer values and has an elastic joint in a window run channel portion of the seal.

Abstract: A rotatable wheeled tool for simultaneously inserting and staking a weatherstrip into a slot, said tool comprising a body having a channel extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, said channel configured to accommodate a length of weatherstrip through the body having sides extending a distance beyond the second end to form two legs and a rotatable wheel having an inserting edge and a staking edge, and mounted axially between said the legs with both the inserting and staking edges extending beyond the legs.

Abstract: A rotatable wheeled tool for simultaneously inserting and staking a weatherstrip into a slot, said tool comprising a body having a channel extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, said channel configured to accommodate a length of weatherstrip through the body having sides extending a distance beyond the second end to form two legs and a rotatable wheel having an inserting edge and a staking edge, and mounted axially between said the legs with both the inserting and staking edges extending beyond the legs.

Abstract: An EMI gasket blocks electromagnetic radiation between electrically conductive bodies, is disposed to occupy an area, and can have openings for conductors or connectors. A resilient core is covered on opposite surfaces with a conductive sheet material such as a metalized polymer fabric that can be woven, nonwoven, knitted, braided, etc., for providing electromagnetic sealing when the gasket is compressed between the bodies. The polymer sheet is coupled through between the opposite faces of the gasket along lengthwise seams that are heat sealed through the core or have conductive thread, yarn, wire or fasteners that extend through the core. Preferably, the gasket is quilted using conductive thread or yarn.

Abstract: An EMI seal or gasket blocks electromagnetic radiation between electrically conductive bodies and encompasses an area using a number of adjacent segments, each generally formed as an elongated seal with a resilient core. An electrically conductive surface bears against the conductive bodies and extends at least partway around the respective segment. The segments are attached to one another along lengthwise seams, preferably using conductive tape on one of the opposite sides of the seal. The conductive surface is preferably provided by a metallized fabric affixed to a resilient foamed polymer core, which can be molded in the fabric or otherwise formed or cut and attached, e.g., adhesively. The conductive fabric or other surface material extending substantially around the segments provides more conducting paths across the gap between the conductive bodies than a non-segmented seal of comparable size, thereby improving shielding efficiency.

Abstract: An EMI gasket blocks electromagnetic radiation between electrically conductive bodies and encompasses an area using a number of adjacent segments, each generally formed as a resilient core section. An electrically conductive surface material bears against the conductive bodies and extends over the segments, the surface material preferably being formed of a metallized polymer sheet. The polymer sheet is coupled through between the opposite faces of the gasket along lengthwise seams where either the sheet is depressed into the seam or coupled by a conductive adhesive, such that the opposite faces of the gasket are electrically coupled between the segments. The conductive material extending through the gasket to couple the opposite faces provides conducting paths that improve shielding efficiency. The seal can be die cut, including cutting through the width of one or more segments, and remains intact, providing many of the benefits of both wide seals or gaskets and elongated narrow seals.

Abstract: An electronic device is shielded against electromagnetic interference using a flexible conductive sheet forming a shield barrier or enclosure. The sheet has electrically insulating polymer material exposed on the surface of at least one face. Conductive material is embedded in or laminated on the sheet so as to be exposed selectively. More particularly, a nonconductive surface area is formed, especially oriented inwardly to avoid electrical shorts, but also exposed inwardly or outwardly where necessary to ground the shield barrier or to engage with another conductive body. The flexible sheet can form a loose envelope with a flange-like gasket at an open end. The gasket can be used to improve physical contact with a conductive body, and preferably also admits I/O connectors that need to traverse the shield barrier, and advantageously have external shielding that is grounded to the shielding barrier for continuing the shielding enclosure.

Abstract: A rotatable foam buff for more efficient application of a finishing liquid to the surface of a workpiece. Excess finishing liquid is precluded from being thrown out from the perimeter of the rotating buff pad, due to centrifugal force, by the configuration of the finishing surface of the pad which includes one or more grooves located wholly within the perimeter of the pad, or, recessed regions that form a groove when pressure is applied to the back of the pad. The groove(s) captures potentially escaping finishing liquid which is then absorbed by the foam pad.

Abstract: A weatherseal includes a supporting carrier, a body of elastomeric material formed on the carrier, a layer of decorative material disposed on a surface of the body, and a backbone of longitudinally incompressible material disposed between the decorative layer and the carrier for reducing wrinkling of the decorative layer when the weatherstrip is bent on a radius with the decorative layer inside. Another strip disposed adjacent to an irregular carrier eliminates irregularities from the surface of a thin portion of the elastomeric body and improves the appearance of the weatherseal.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a portable computer is shielded against electromagnetic interference using a flexible envelope that surrounds a circuit card within the housing of the device. The flexible envelope forms a shielding enclosure and has an electrically insulating flexible sheet, for example of polyethylene, and a sheet of conductive fibers embedded in the flexible sheet so as to leave a nonconductive face oriented toward the circuit card. The conductive fibers can be metallized nylon and are sufficiently dense to obtain a resistivity of 10.sup.-1 to 10.sup.-2 .OMEGA./.quadrature.. The enclosure forms a hollow envelope with the conductive fibers coupled electrically across a seam, for example by cutting the flexible sheet and embedded fibers using heat. For use with a portable computer having a pivoting screen, a neck extension of the enclosure carries conductors through the area of the pivot.

Abstract: A knitted wire carrier for use in the manufacture of weather seals comprising, a wire folded into a zig-zag configuration for carrying a plurality of polymeric warp threads knitted on the wire and at least one meltable filament laid-in into at least two adjacent warp threads, whereby on heating, the melted filament causes the at least two adjacent warp threads to be bonded to the wire and/or to each other. The resulting wire carrier is stabilized against warp drift and is useful in the manufacture of a wire carrier reinforced weather seal. A method of manufacturing the carrier using a modified knitter is provided.