Abstract: A weatherstrip assembly for a vehicle. The assembly includes a body having a base and first and second legs which define a channel. The body includes an interior base surface, a first interior leg surface, and a second interior leg surface disposed within the channel. The assembly includes at least one sealing lip having an abutment surface and a wearstrip disposed along at least one of the interior base surface, the first and second interior leg surfaces, and the abutment surface and formed of a thermoplastic polyethylene material. The wearstrip has a plurality of alternating wear sections and gaps that define a series of alternating semi-rigid and flexible sections, respectively, with each wear section having first and second surfaces. The first surface of one of the wear sections and the second surface of an adjacent wear section face each other to define the gap.

Abstract: A weatherstrip assembly for a vehicle. The assembly includes a body having a base and first and second legs which define a channel. The body includes an interior base surface, a first interior leg surface, and a second interior leg surface disposed within the channel. The assembly includes at least one sealing lip having an abutment surface and a wearstrip disposed along at least one of the interior base surface, the first and second interior leg surfaces, and the abutment surface and formed of a thermoplastic polyethylene material. The wearstrip has a plurality of alternating wear sections and gaps that define a series of alternating semi-rigid and flexible sections, respectively, with each wear section having first and second surfaces. The first surface of one of the wear sections and the second surface of an adjacent wear section face each other to define the gap.

Abstract: A weatherstrip assembly for a vehicle. The assembly includes a body having a base and first and second legs which define a channel. The body includes an interior base surface, a first interior leg surface, and a second interior leg surface disposed within the channel. The assembly includes at least one sealing lip having an abutment surface and a wearstrip disposed along at least one of the interior base surface, the first and second interior leg surfaces, and the abutment surface and formed of a thermoplastic polyethylene material. The wearstrip has a plurality of alternating wear sections and gaps that define a series of alternating semi-rigid and flexible sections, respectively, with each wear section having first and second surfaces. The first surface of one of the wear sections and the second surface of an adjacent wear section face each other to define the gap.

Abstract: A weatherstrip assembly for a vehicle. The assembly includes a body having a base and first and second legs which define a channel. The body includes an interior base surface, a first interior leg surface, and a second interior leg surface disposed within the channel. The assembly includes at least one sealing lip having an abutment surface and a wearstrip disposed along at least one of the interior base surface, the first and second interior leg surfaces, and the abutment surface and formed of a thermoplastic polyethylene material. The wearstrip has a plurality of alternating wear sections and gaps that define a series of alternating semi-rigid and flexible sections, respectively, with each wear section having first and second surfaces. The first surface of one of the wear sections and the second surface of an adjacent wear section face each other to define the gap.

Abstract: A weatherstrip assembly for a vehicle. The assembly includes a body having a base and first and second legs which define a channel. The body includes an interior base surface, a first interior leg surface, and a second interior leg surface disposed within the channel. The assembly includes at least one sealing lip having an abutment surface and a wearstrip disposed along at least one of the interior base surface, the first and second interior leg surfaces, and the abutment surface and formed of a thermoplastic polyethylene material. The wearstrip has a plurality of alternating wear sections and gaps that define a series of alternating semi-rigid and flexible sections, respectively, with each wear section having first and second surfaces. The first surface of one of the wear sections and the second surface of an adjacent wear section face each other to define the gap.

Abstract: A method of forming a vehicle component, particularly an elongated impact beam, having an open section structure, in a manner to provide predetermined strategically strengthened portions, comprising the steps of cold forming unhardened steel into a workpiece having mounting surfaces, selectively fixturing the mounting surfaces, static induction heating the workpiece with lengthwise surface eddy currents on selected portions, followed by quenching of the fixtured heated workpiece to form strengthened portions, and unfixturing the resulting component. Also disclosed is apparatus to accomplish this, and the resulting novel vehicle component.

Abstract: A method of forming a vehicle component, particularly an elongated impact beam, having an open section structure, in a manner to provide predetermined strategically strengthened portions, comprising the steps of cold forming unhardened steel into a workpiece having mounting surfaces, selectively fixturing the mounting surfaces, static induction heating the workpiece with lengthwise surface eddy currents on selected portions, followed by quenching of the fixtured heated workpiece to form strengthened portions, and unfixturing the resulting component. Also disclosed is apparatus to accomplish this, and the resulting novel vehicle component.

Abstract: A method of forming a vehicle component, particularly an elongated impact beam, having an open section structure, in a manner to provide predetermined strategically strengthened portions, comprising the steps of cold forming unhardened steel into a workpiece having mounting surfaces, selectively fixturing the mounting surfaces, static induction heating the workpiece with lengthwise surface eddy currents on selected portions, followed by quenching of the fixtured heated workpiece to form strengthened portions, and unfixturing the resulting component. Also disclosed is apparatus to accomplish this, and the resulting novel vehicle component.

Abstract: A method of forming a vehicle component, particularly an elongated impact beam, having an open section structure, in a manner to provide predetermined strategically strengthened portions, comprising the steps of cold forming unhardened steel into a workpiece having mounting surfaces, selectively fixturing the mounting surfaces, static induction heating the workpiece with lengthwise surface eddy currents on selected portions, followed by quenching of the fixtured heated workpiece to form strengthened portions, and unfixturing the resulting component. Also disclosed is apparatus to accomplish this, and the resulting novel vehicle component.

Abstract: A channeled energy absorption unit for a vehicle bumper impact system to absorb impact energy and forestall or minimize damage to vehicle frame rails under impact. The basic embodiment is a tube with one end flared and welded at a hole in one end plate or directly to the vehicle frame rail. When loaded axially, the tube splits, peels and is inverted to absorb impact in a generally square wave energy absorption. Preferred channels in the tube stabilize the failure mode during this process to assure a predetermined energy absorption characteristic.

Abstract: A vehicle door impact beam having an elongated tubular body with a central axis, the end portions of the beam being taper cut to form inner and outer termini and opposite taper surfaces for each end, the included angle at the inner termini being greater than 180 degrees and the outer termini being less than 180 degrees, and the first and second taper surfaces each spiraling from the inner terminus to the outer terminus through an angle of about 90 degrees. The inner termini of both ends are on opposite sides of the beam, and the outer termini of both ends are on the same side of the beam.