Abstract: A deflatable weatherseal includes a deflatable chamber having a sealing surface for engaging a door or the like, and a relief chamber adjacent to the deflatable chamber for at least partially collapsing when pressure is applied to the sealing surface and the vacuum has not operated to collapse the seal.

Abstract: A flush glass window seal for motor vehicle windows having a substantially rigid, dual durometer thermoplastic elastomer, carrier component and a resilient elastomer, sealing insert which are mechanically locked together. The carrier components are extruded or molded in one piece to conform to the generally U-shaped vehicle opening and the insert is extruded in a generally flat configuration suitable for application of a slip surface thereon, prior to its insertion into the carrier.

Abstract: A laminated groundplane structure for shielding electrical equipment such as printed circuit boards has a conductive sheet sandwiched between a soft foam layer and a rigid foam layer. A connection pin coupled to the printed circuit board or the like pierces the soft foam layer to engage in the conductive sheet. The groundplane can include, in order, laminated layers of soft closed cell foam, an insulating dielectric layer, a conductive fabric defining the conductive sheet, and a relatively rigid foam for maintaining a shape in the groundplane structure. The connection pin includes a conductive post protruding toward the groundplane, and a movable conductive shaft which is spring biased to protrude axially relative to the conductive post for piercing the conductive sheet through the soft foam layer The movable shaft resembles a twist drill with an enlarged or barbed head, which passes through the conductive sheet to engage in filaments of the conductive sheet.

Abstract: A glass guidance component having an injection molded thermoplastic chassis integrally bonded to a fabric interface during the molding process. The chassis is a thermoplastic polymer formed by injecting the thermoplastic into a mold in which the fabric interface is predisposed. During the injection and setting of the thermoplastic chassis, the fabric integrally bonds to the chassis. The fabric interface is disposed at locations which contact a glass panel and may include a pile material.

Abstract: A seal for blocking propagation of electromagnetic energy through a gap between bodies having conductive surfaces at least adjacent the gap includes an elongated core element defining a resiliently compressible cross section which can be molded, extruded or otherwise formed. At least one elongated conductive sheath portion is attached to the core element at a surface of the core element exposed to the conductive surfaces of the bodies. The conductive sheath portion extends only part way around said cross section and defines ends which are spaced on the core element and are non-overlapping. Preferably, at least one additional sheath portion is attached to the core element and extends between the ends of the conductive sheath portions. The conductive sheath can include metal fibers or metallized resin fibers, woven or nonwoven. Preferably, the conductive sheath portion is a metallized fabric and the additional sheath portion is a nonconductive resin suitable for making an environmental seal.

Abstract: A magnetically mounted door sweep having a magnetic coor engaging portion for securing the sweep to the door and an integral seal retaining portion for cooperatively engaging a seal. The door engaging portion of the door sweep includes a substantially planar surface which magnetically attaches to the metallic door. The seal retaining portion is configured to cooperatively engage and retain a seal relative to the door and the threshold.

Abstract: An elastomeric strip of substantially U-shaped cross-section is disclosed which is adapted to be mounted on a flange having longitudinally-spaced curved sections. The elastomeric strip includes a support frame having longitudinally displaceable frame portions that are reinforced with longitudinally extending degradable reinforcing material. The reinforced support frame is advanced through an extrusion die where a coating of an elastomeric material is extruded on the support frame to form an elastomeric strip without degrading the degradable material. Longitudinally-spaced regions of the degradable reinforcing material corresponding to the longitudinally-spaced curved sections of the flange are then degraded, allowing the elastomeric strip to more faithfully follow the curved sections of the flange when the strip is mounted thereon.

Abstract: A shield blocks passage of electromagnetic energy through a seam of indefinite length between conductive elements and is adhesively attached to at least one of the elements. A preferably non-conductive adhesive is disposed on a conductive surface of a seal in a discontinuous pattern along the length of the seam, defining area of 5-40% adhesive for physically attaching the conductive surface, separated by 60-95% exposed areas for direct electrical contact. The seal can include a compressible body or can be defined by a conductive sheet, for example a fabric provided with a plating or other conductive coating. The areas of adhesive preferably define longitudinally non-overlapping inclined lines extending laterally across the seam. A release liner can removably attach to the adhesive. In a preferred embodiment the conductive surface is the surface of a compressible seal body, such as a conductive sheath on a compressible core.

Abstract: An improved weatherstrip includes a longitudinally extending backing strip, having a front surface and a rear surface; a sealing body attached to the front surface of the backing strip; and a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves formed in the rear surface of the backing strip for reducing the frictional forces between the backing strip and a mounting slide, increasing the surface area for speeding the cooling of the backing strip during manufacture, and for aligning the strip during slitting.

Abstract: An apparatus for offsetting a constant force over a range of movement, includes a power spring or clock spring, defined by a length of resilient material wound in a spiral, the opposite ends of which are attached relative to one of the force and a fixed point, and to a pulley. The pulley is substantially coaxial with the spring and has a rounded outer contour defining a progressively varying slope proceeding axially along the pulley. A flexible cord wraps around the pulley and leads to the other of the force and the fixed point. The opposite (inner and outer) ends of the spring can be mounted such that the inner end of the spring is fixed relative to the fixed point and the outer end of the spring is attached to the pulley. The constant force can be the weight of a window sash, movable vertically in a frame.

Abstract: A conductive gasket for sealing facing flange plates against passage of electromagnetic and environmental effets has a conductive sheath, for example supported on a molded, resilient foam core, and structure for affixing the seal to conductive elements to be sealed. A conductive coating having suspended conductive particles in a nonreactive binder is applied externally to the sheath in order to reduce galvanic corrosion by isolating the dissimilar metals contained in the sealed elements and in the conductive sheath. The sheath coating is preferably applied as a colloidal suspension of carbon particles, to the entire outer surface of a metal plated sheath and provides a low resistance, environmentally isolated junction between the sheath and the elements to be sealed, excluding environmental electrolytes, while improving abrasion resistance and flame retardant attributes of the seal.

Abstract: A self-draining hollow threshold for an out-swinging door of an enclosure, such as a room, is disclosed comprising an interior threshold portion extending into the enclosure, and having an upper wall. The interior threshold portion has a drainage system comprising a slot in the upper wall, for draining water that penetrates the plane of the door. Such water flows over the upper wall and through the hollow threshold to the exterior of the door and enclosure.

Abstract: An elastomeric strip of substantially U-shaped cross-section is disclosed which is adapted to be mounted on a flange having longitudinally-spaced curved sections. The elastomeric strip includes a support frame having longitudinally displaceable frame portions that are reinforced with longitudinally extending degradable reinforcing material. The reinforced support frame is advanced through an extrusion die where a coating of an elastomeric material is extruded on the support frame to form an elastomeric strip without degrading the degradable material. Longitudinally-spaced regions of the degradable reinforcing material corresponding to the longitudinally-spaced curved sections of the flange are then degraded, allowing the elastomeric strip to more faithfully follow the curved sections of the flange when the strip is mounted thereon.

Abstract: A retaining catch for a tip-out sash provides an automatically deployed retainer mechanism for a sash slidably captive in a window frame or jamb. The sash can be raised and lowered by sliding it along the jamb. A releasable tenon, for example at the top edge of the sash, allows the user to rotate the sash out of the plane of the jamb, facilitating cleaning of the outside. Releasing the sash from the jamb by releasing the tenon activates a mechanism with a distal hook by which the edge of the sash remains captive and displacement of the edge of the sash from the jamb is limited to the unfolded length of the mechanism. The mechanism can be released fully from the jamb by manual action of the user, whereupon the hook returns under spring bias to reside along the edge of the sash.

Abstract: A jamb liner has an elongated, firm, two sided substrate, at least one resilient, compressible body member attached to each side of the substrate, and an at least relatively low friction surface on at least one of the body members.

Abstract: A compound counterbalance system for window sashes and the like, comprising: a biasing spring for easing operation of a window sash and the like, the biasing spring being movable at an inherently variable rate of force; a first biasing force transmission having a fixed rate of movement transmission part connected to the biasing spring and a variable rate of movement transmission part connected to the window sash and the like, the variable rate of movement transmission part having a variable rate of operation predetermined to automatically compensate for the variability of the biasing spring to provide substantial constancy of the biasing force throughout an operating range; and, a cable for interconnecting the biasing spring, the first biasing force transmission, and the window sash and the like, whereby loading forces on the first biasing force transmission are substantially constant throughout the operating range.

Abstract: A multi-function gasket for electrical apparatus and the like, operation of which tends to generate or be adversely affected by electromagnetic and radio frequency interference (EMI/RFI), comprising: a continuously molded, resilient foam core having a sealed outer boundary layer when cured; a flexible, electrically conductive and substantially abrasion resistant sheath surrounding the foam core and bonded to the boundary layer as the foam expands within and fills the interior of the sheath during the molding; and, mounting structure for affixing the gasket. The apparatus may be sealed against EMI/RFI leakage, noise emission and enviromental infiltration through perimeter gaps of electrically conductive doors, access panels and the like by the actions and interactions of the sheath, the foam core and the boundary layer.

Abstract: A tip-lock shoe for a window sash and the like, comprising: a hollow body adapted to slidably travel in a track; a locking member disposed in the body and movable between a retracted position enabling the body to slide freely in the track and an extended position for engaging the track and preventing movement of the body; a first lock activating member disposed in the body for engaging the window sash and for urging the locking member from the retracted position to the extended position responsive to tilting of the window sash and the like; and, a second lock activating member disposed in the body for engaging a counterbalance system for supporting the body in the track and for urging the locking member from the retracted position to the extended position independently of the first lock activating member and automatically responsive to a loss of counterbalance force, whereby the window sash and the like can be slidably and tiltably operated in normal fashion when the counterbalance system is operating properl

Abstract: An improved self-draining panel threshold combination for a panel such as a door or the like which is of simple design and construction, and passes industry air and water penetration requirements without the use of separate corner seals or door bottom seals. The door threshhold combination comprises weatherseals around the entire periphery of the door lying in a weatherseal plane. An open-ended water trough in the threshold extends from one jamb to the other and lies substantially in the weatherseal plane for catching any water that leaks into and past the weatherseals. The threshold has a weatherseal adjacent the water trough that is adapted when flexed by the closed door to allow entry of water into the open end of the water through, and when unflexed upon movement of the door to its open position to cover the open end to prevent foreign material from entering the trough. A drainage system is provided for draining water entering the water trough out of the threshold.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting sealing strips on motor vehicles and the like comprises: at least one structural member of the vehicle having projecting rivets formed integrally from the member along a gap to be sealed; and, a sealing strip pressably affixed to the projecting rivets along the gap, obviating the need to provide separate studs or rivets for affixing the sealing strip. In a preferred method, at least two structural members of the vehicle are joined to one another by rivets formed integrally from one or both of the members and extending through one of the members, along the gap to be sealed.