Closure Or Weather Strip Seal Patents (Class 277/921)
  • Patent number: 7121046
    Abstract: A sealing gasket for mounting around a motor vehicle door presenting at least one corner of small radius of curvature, the gasket being mounted directly on its support without being subjected to any specific localized treatment operation in a support corner of small radius of curvature, and comprising at least a flexible or semi-rigid fixing portion fixed by adhesive to its support and an elastically-deformable tubular portion for providing sealing, wherein the elastically-deformable portion of the gasket is given a shape extending from its fixing portion that is generally triangular, being defined by two lateral pillars which between them form an angle of about 10° to 80°, and which are united by an arch, said angle being defined using two straight lines passing substantially through the middles of the two lateral pillars at ?ths and at ?ths of the total height of the gasket measured from its fixing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventors: Sylvain Baratin, Bertrand Florentz
  • Patent number: 7097180
    Abstract: A weather strip is attached over the entire surrounding part of a door opening of a vehicle. The weather strip is formed by extrusion-molding, and has a trimming portion having a substantially U-shaped cross section and a hollow seal portion. A first projection portion and a second projection portion are formed on an outer face of an outer side wall part of the trimming portion in such a way as to extend to the outside of the vehicle. The seal portion has an end part connected to a leading end part of the first projection portion, and also has the other end part connected to a leading end part of the second projection portion. The second projection portion is placed at the side of an outer periphery of the weather strip, that is, at the side at which an amount of bending-deformation increases when the corner portion of the weather strip is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kuzuya, Masaki Ohashi
  • Patent number: 7090226
    Abstract: An insert, or gasket, intended to be used at a joint between two panels. The insert is preferably pre-formed into a particular cross-sectional shape such that it can be easily, and securely, installed between two panels. Preferably, the insert is shaped, in cross-section, with one flange on each end, such that upon installation, one flange is seated on the front side of the panels and the other flange is seated on the rear side of the panels. In the preferred embodiment, the first and second flange portions may include a pair of lips, and the lip of the second flange portion is of a thickness that is greater than that of the lip of the first flange portion. Such a configuration facilitates installation. The present invention also relates to a method of installing such an insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignees: Doralco
    Inventors: Edwin J. Trainor, Robert J. Heider
  • Patent number: 7066473
    Abstract: There is provided a glass seal weatherstrip 20 installed to an automobile and having seal lips 22, 23 which does not damage a door glass in particular, does not produce strange noise and prevents seal lips of the weatherstrip from being entangled by the door glass. Each seal lip 22, 23 makes a slide contact with a door glass 60 while the door glass is moving up and down. Each seal lip 22, 23 is formed in a tang shape in section and is projected diagonally upward direction. Each seal lip 22, 23 is provided with a flock 27 on a surface of a top portion thereof at a side of said door glass 60 in an area from a slide contact portion 80 to a downside thereof. The slide contact portion 70 is an area of each seal lip 22, 23 that makes a contact with the door glass 60. Each seal lip 22, 23 is provided with a sliding member 25 on a surface of a top portion thereof at a side of the door glass 60 in an area from the slide contact portion 80 through the upside thereof to a surface at a reversed side of the door glass 60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Arata, Hitoshi Hamanaka
  • Patent number: 7052021
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: GenCorp Property Inc.
    Inventor: Reimund Plottnik
  • Patent number: 7052072
    Abstract: In order to attach a seal on an aperture rim of a motor vehicle body in the space-frame design, wherein said aperture rim is edged by a profile frame and is closable by means of a door or flap, for the purpose of minimising the installation effort as well as the weight, the invention provides for a profile seal (13a, 14a) comprising a lip (13a, 14a) to be jammed between the profile frame (1) and a cover panel (11) which edges the outside of the profile frame (1) and is attached to said profile frame (1), wherein said seal is supported at the rear by the profile frame (1), which is profiled accordingly, so that the closing force which is exerted on said profile seal (13, 14) by the door (T1, T2) or flap can be absorbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Stahl AG
    Inventor: Lothar Patberg
  • Patent number: 7044474
    Abstract: A wiper seal apparatus for forming a weather seal between a vehicle and a loading dock is provided. The wiper seal apparatus includes a seal member which bends toward a support mounted on a warehouse wall when deflected toward the wall, and applies a pressure on the top surface of a parked vehicle to form a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: SPX Dock Products, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Eungard
  • Patent number: 7014195
    Abstract: A sealing profile between the body of a motor vehicle and a moveable window includes a receiving groove into which an edge side of the window, which side interacts with the sealing profile, enters during closure of the window, a profiled section forming the groove being subjected to deformation by the edge side until the sealing profile obtains it final shape. The profiled section has, on a side facing the window edge, a soft elastic sealing layer which is arranged on a harder supporting layer arranged behind it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Thomas Graf
  • Patent number: 6959848
    Abstract: A sealing gasket for sealing gaps adjacent to a pickup truck is provided. In alternate embodiments a combination pickup truck and sealing gasket is also provided. The sealing gasket of the present invention comprises an elongated member made of a deformable and a somewhat resilient polymeric material. The polymeric material is preferably a closed cell sponge material made of one of a number of polymeric materials which are the somewhat flexible, resilient, water resistant and the like. The cross-section of the elongated member, if divided into two parts, includes a generally triangular portion and a generally semi-circular portion which come together to form a teardrop-like shape. The elongated member preferably has a first lumen which is generally circular in shape when the sealing gasket is undeformed, and preferably a second lumen which has two converging tear surfaces which converge to join at one end and join to an arcuate inner surface at the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Patent number: 6948716
    Abstract: An improved waterstop having the important added feature of a hydro expansive compound which expands when subjected to water. By expanding, the hydro expansive compound effectively blocks the passage of water that leaks into the gaps created during the shrinkage of the concrete surrounding the improved waterstop. All that is required are narrow strips of judiciously positioned hydro expansive compound at opposite ends of the improved waterstop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventor: Gérard Drouin
  • Patent number: 6945540
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing connecting element, a sealing end piece and a seal. In practice different seals are known which are produced as three dimensional structures and then given to the customer. The production, wherein profile strips are ready-made by cutting and adhesion to form the three dimensional structures or wherein the three dimensional structure is obtained by means of corner injection molding, is very costly. In order to simplify the production of seals, it is provided in accordance with the invention that sealing connecting elements and/or sealing end pieces are to be produced as separate molded parts made of a thermoplastic elastomer and these molded parts to be connected, shortly before the installation of a seal, to sealing profile strips to form a complete seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Meteor Gummiwerke K.H. Badje GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Josef Bormann, Gero Wedderkopf
  • Patent number: 6942225
    Abstract: A seal to seal a gap between two cooperating components is disclosed. The seal includes a grip rail attachable to the first component. The grip rail has opposite edge portions to which multiple latching regions are attached. A base having opposite sides is positioned adjacent to the grip rail. Multiple counter latching regions that engage with the latching regions are positioned along one side of the base. A sealing profile adapted to engage the second component is mounted on the other side of the base. A first sealing lip is formed along one counter latching region, and a second sealing lip is formed on the sealing profile. Both sealing lips project outwardly for engagement with the first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Meteor Gummiwerke K. H. Badje GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Martin Gentemann, Michael Koch
  • Patent number: 6921089
    Abstract: A gasket sealing system for providing a gasket seal disposed between a lid removably connectable at a receiving module containing electrical circuitry and/or batteries. The lid includes a perimeter surface that is removably insertable against a rim bordering an opening into the module. A gasket is adapted to bond to the perimeter surface of the lid. The gasket includes a first contacting surface having an arcuate shape that deforms upon contact against the module rim. The gasket includes a bonding surface adapted to bond to the shape of the perimeter surface of the lid. The gasket is composed of a resilient material that is self-lubricating. When the lid is removed from the rim of the opening, the deformable gasket is disconnected from sealing against the rim of the module without disruption of the integrity of the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: William S. Groh, Christopher E. Mainini
  • Patent number: 6896268
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shaped seal for sealing a power-operated closing device comprising a jam-protection zone, which has at least two electrically conductive areas, situated at a distance from each other. According to the invention, to save space and reduce weight and cost, the carrier is used as a metallic conductor for the conductive area so as to reduce volume resistance. Alternatively or in addition thereto, a frame can be used to which the shaped seal can be fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Knut Hofmann, Bernd Westerhoff
  • Patent number: 6889985
    Abstract: A core metal insert is provided for reinforcing a weatherseal. The core metal insert has a generally U-channel shaped cross-section and has first and second tines extending from a longitudinally extending backbone strip. The tines are bent to provide the U-channel shaped cross-section. The backbone strip is preferably double-coined to provide first and second grooves, one along each face of the backbone strip. Double coining results in greater length extension of the core metal insert, and also provides for more reliable bending of the tines which are less prone to snap off due to bending stress. Preferably, the backbone strip is provided with a plurality of score marks on both of its opposing faces to facilitate reliable and consistent severance of the backbone strip along the score marks to provide discrete structural staples in the weatherseal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Scovil Hanna Corporation
    Inventor: Roy L. Bonds
  • Patent number: 6802513
    Abstract: A sealing profile serves to seal a casing with respect to a cover disk of a lamp. The sealing profile is inserted into a groove on the casing having a groove base. The sealing profile has a seal section which includes lateral contact surfaces and interacts with the cover disk, a connection section and a foot section which is provided with lateral retaining lips and a retaining groove. The foot section has a strip which interacts sealingly with the groove base. When the sealing profile is in the relaxed state, the strip is disposed entirely within the retaining groove. When inserting the sealing profile into the groove the retaining lips are pivoted towards and pressed against the ribs of the lateral surfaces of the connection section, wherein the strip is pressed with a portion of its cross-sectional surface out of the retaining groove into contact with the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Meteor Gummiwerke K.H. Bädje GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Heiko Ranzau
  • Patent number: 6777068
    Abstract: A door weather strip having an extruded member and a molded corner for connecting ends of the extruded member. The extruded member is composed of a foamed thermoplastic olefin elastomer which has an average cell diameter of 30 to 70 &mgr;m and an expansion ratio of 150 to 250%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsunobu Teramoto, Masanori Aritake, Hitoshi Omori
  • Patent number: 6773019
    Abstract: A sealing gasket for sealing gaps adjacent to a pickup truck is provided. In alternate embodiments a combination pickup truck and sealing gasket is also provided. The sealing gasket of the present invention comprises an elongated member made of a deformable and a somewhat resilient polymeric material. The polymeric material is preferably a closed cell sponge material made of one of a number of polymeric materials which are the somewhat flexible, resilient, water resistant and the like. The cross-section of the elongated member, if divided into two parts, includes a generally triangular portion and a generally semi-circular portion which come together to form a teardrop-like shape. The elongated member preferably has a first lumen which is generally circular in shape when the sealing gasket is undeformed, and preferably a second lumen which has two converging tear surfaces which converge to join at one end and join to an arcuate inner surface at the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Patent number: 6769700
    Abstract: A sealing assembly for vehicle windscreens (10) comprises a profiled element (20) to be attached to a lower marginal area (12) of the windscreen. A spring member (25) serves for sealed locking engagement with a snapper fin (16) of a water box cover (14) and has a sealing lip (30), fitting between the bottom edge (13) of the windscreen and the upper edge (18) of the water box cover (14). The sealing lip 30 is substantially flush with external surfaces A and G and is bonded to, or integral with, an inclined surface (22) that projects outwardly from a supporting or wedge-shaped rib (21) and has a resiliently deformable, preferably wedge-shaped curved element which is clamped between, and supported by, the bottom edge (12) of the windscreen and the fin (16). The profiled element (20) and/or the sealing lip (30) can be composite elements which are soft on the outside and hard on the inside. Stiffeners 26 and 26′ increase the elasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Elkamet Kunststofftechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Ortmüller, Günter Gründel
  • Patent number: 6655698
    Abstract: A sealing member to be attached along a periphery of a door with a continuous good sealing performance against a facing opening portion even in a corner of the periphery of the door. A bar-shaped magnet is provided in a tubular seal portion of the sealing member so as to extend in a longitudinal direction thereof in close contact with an inside surface of a contacting part of a seal wall, which contacts the facing opening portion. The bar-shaped magnet has a cross-sectional shape of which the width gradually decreases from the side of the contacting part of the seal wall inwardly of the tubular seal portion, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the magnet, and enabling the magnet to be readily bent along a corner of the periphery of the door. And the bar-shaped magnet has an outwardly curving contacting surface, which contacts the contacting part of the seal wall, thereby improving contacting properties between the sealing member and a corner of the opening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., Takechi Kogyo Gomu Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Nozaki, Katsunori Kawai
  • Patent number: 6629696
    Abstract: A plastic profile for the gap sealing of two car body parts (28, 30) of vehicles, especially for repair enamelling work on vehicles, with an adhesive agent (42) for the removable attachment of the strip-shaped plastic profile (200; 300; 400; 500; 500′; 500″) to a surface for avoiding an edge development and an enamel accumulation in the edge area due to enamel mist at the contact points between a plastic profile brought in into the gap of two car body parts for repair enamelling on vehicles and the car body parts, the plastic profile (200) is configured as a fat profile with a rectangular or a square cross section, at least one corner area (40) of one of the two sides (14, 15) of the plastic profile (200) running transversely to the profile longitudinal direction being rounded, an adhesive coating (42) being provided for in the rounded profile area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Vosschemie GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus-Wilhelm Voss
  • Patent number: 6623832
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: GenCorp Property, Inc.
    Inventor: Helmut Greven
  • Patent number: 6612585
    Abstract: An elastomeric strand-shaped sealing profile including at least one continuous transverse beam located in a region between the base and rear side surfaces of the profile and having two sidewise projecting cantilever arms, two sealing lips provided on the respective lateral side surfaces of the profile adjacent to the regions of the corners between the base surface and the respective lateral side surfaces and extending sidewise of the base body, two webs extending from corners formed by the rear side surface and respective lateral side surface and toward each other, and forming, together with a rear side surface-forming web, a triangular structure, and a further web extending from a tip of the triangular structure and toward the base surface and forming with the two webs a Y-shaped structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Däwyler AG Schweizerische Kabel - Gummi-und Kunststoffwerke
    Inventor: Werner Grabe
  • Patent number: 6530630
    Abstract: An air handling system containing sections each having a framework made up of tubular structural elements defining each perpendicularly aligned openings each of which shares a common structural element with its neighbors. The openings are closed by panels that are latched into the openings. Said assemblies are installed around the perimeter of each rectangular opening. Each assembly includes a rigid plate having two bulb seals extending along opposite edges of the plate that are coextruded with the plate. The plate is mounted at about a 45° angle along an inside corner edge of each commonly shared structural element so that a seal on one side of the plate services one opening while the other seal services the adjacent opening. The ends of the seals are mitered and the plate is inserted into a slot formed in molded corner retainers that support the structural elements in assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Christian C. Herbeck, Michael W. Austin
  • Patent number: 6527278
    Abstract: A corner mold is provided for use in a seal system which protects the corner of a structure from damage and deterioration and creates a barrier covering the gap between adjacent structures. The corner mold includes two external members distanced apart by an interconnecting spacer sized to match the width of the structure. In addition to the corner mold, the seal system includes two moldings and an adhesive which is placed in joints between the corner mold and moldings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Norris Sales Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen R. Norris
  • Patent number: 6485029
    Abstract: An inflatable sealing device is used to seal a door, such as a shutter door in a submarine, when the door is closed. The inflatable sealing device includes a seal retainer positioned around the opening through a structure, such as a submarine hull or other type of wall. An inflatable seal is positioned with a retainer cavity within the seal retainer. The inflatable seal includes a seal periphery and a seal tip extending from the seal periphery. The seal periphery preferably has an elliptical cross section in a deflated state and a circular cross section in an inflated state such that the seal tip extends into a gap to seal the door when the inflatable seal is pressurized and inflated. The seal tip retracts into the seal retainer when the inflatable seal is deflated. A pressure actuator, such as a bellows, is used to pressurize the inflatable seal using an actuating fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Paul E. Moody, John A. Schwemin, Michael R. Ryerson
  • Patent number: 6478308
    Abstract: Door edge seal and retainer assemblies, particularly adapted for swing doors of motor truck and similar cargo containers, include elongated channel shaped retainer parts adapted to be mounted on the panel edges of the cargo container doors and comprising generally channel shaped members adapted to be secured to the panel edges. One or more elongated seal lip parts are integrally joined to the retainer part and may be cut away to provide access to one or more slots formed on the retainer part to receive flanges of replacement seal lip members for mounting the replacement seal lip members on the retainer parts without removing them from the panel edge in the event of damage to the original seal lip parts. The integral seal lip parts and retainer parts are preferably coextruded of polyvinylchloride wherein the lip parts are more flexible and of a lower hardness than the retainer part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth L. McMillin, Alfred T. Dietrich
  • Patent number: 6474654
    Abstract: A sealing gasket for sealing gaps adjacent to a pickup truck is provided. In alternate embodiments a combination pickup truck and sealing gasket is also provided. The sealing gasket of the present invention comprises an elongated member made of a deformable and a somewhat resilient polymeric material. The polymeric material is preferably a closed cell sponge material made of one of a number of polymeric materials which are the somewhat flexible, resilient, water resistant and the like. The cross-section of the elongated member, if divided into two parts, includes a generally triangular portion and a generally semi-circular portion which come together to form a teardrop-like shape. The elongated member preferably has a first lumen which is generally circular in shape when the sealing gasket is undeformed, and preferably a second lumen which has two converging tear surfaces which converge to join at one end and join to an arcuate inner surface at the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Patent number: 6460861
    Abstract: A flexible elongated seal for use in sealing the interface between a window frame and the corresponding window glass of a vehicle. The flexible elongated seal has a rigid reinforcement embedded within a portion of it and a flexible wire mesh reinforcement embedded within a different portion of it. The portion of the flexible elongated seal that is reinforced by the rigid reinforcement is very stiff which has advantages, but it cannot be bent along its length to conform to curved portions of a perimeter of the window frame. The portion of the flexible elongated seal that is reinforced by the wire mesh reinforcement is slightly less stiff than the portion reinforced by the rigid reinforcement, but it can be bent along its length to enable it to conform to curved portions of the window frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Raymond R Castner
  • Patent number: 6451398
    Abstract: A double-sided self-adhesive reinforced foam tape comprising a release liner having upper and lower surfaces which are release surfaces, a first layer of pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the upper release surface, a layer of flexible polymeric film, preferably polyester film, applied to the first pressure sensitive adhesive layer, a layer of flexible foam, preferably closed cell PVC flexible foam, thermally bonded to the flexible polymeric film layer, and a second layer of pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the flexible foam layer. A length of material for use as a double-sided tape is provided, along with a method of making the length of material. An alternative embodiment, suitable for die-cutting, including a second release liner applied to the second pressure sensitive adhesive layer is provided. The tape may be used in automobiles and other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: Michael S. Sylvester
  • Patent number: 6422571
    Abstract: A weather strip seal for an automotive vehicle is provided including a generally rigid carrier reinforcement for retaining the shape of the weather stripping; a first ionomer material extruded onto or carried by the carrier, the ionomer material having a glossy surface; and a second elastomeric material extruded onto the carrier, the second material being provided for sealing between a first structure the weather stripping is attached to and a second structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Hutchinson Sealing Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Keeney, Charles C. Mayfield, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6418679
    Abstract: An elongate gasket material for sealing a skylight to a curb has a substantially constant cross-sectional shape and dimensions along its length, and one or more compliant members extending therefrom to the skylight and curb. The compliant members are adapted to accommodate a predetermined range of spacings between the skylight and the curb. The compliant members are angled with respect to their points of contact with the skylight and the curb so that wind pressure applied to the compliant members increases the effectiveness of sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Mark E. Widmer
  • Patent number: 6390480
    Abstract: A windshield seal has a base, to be connected to windshield molding. The base is generally parallel to a windshield in a section view. A primary sealing lip is connected at an inboard end of the base, to contact the windshield. A secondary sealing lip is connected to an outboard end of the base, to contact the windshield. The primary sealing lip generally points inboard and toward the windshield and the secondary sealing lip generally points outboard and toward the windshield. An inboard leg is connected to the inboard end of the base, to be positioned outside the windshield molding, the inboard leg being generally perpendicular to the windshield. An outboard leg is connected to the outboard end of the base, to be positioned inside the windshield molding, the outboard leg being generally perpendicular to the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Robert Smith
  • Patent number: 6336300
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a sealing device serve to preclude the passage of water and debris between the conventional gaps in a deck. The water sealing device comprises an elongated member preferably formed of natural rubber with weather and ultraviolet resisting additives, but may be formed alternatively of vinyl or other resilient plastic materials as desired. In each embodiment, the seal has a pair of upwardly extending flanges along the top of each opposed edge. The sealing device fits tightly within the gap between the boards of a deck, preventing the passage of water and/or other debris between the boards. The flanges are biased outwardly, creating a watertight seal between the boards and the sealing device. Further sealing may be provided by the use of an adhesive and/or caulking compound at the time of installation of the seals, as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: Fred M. Babucke
  • Publication number: 20010013206
    Abstract: A curb seal and method. An elongate gasket material for sealing a skylight to a curb has a substantially constant cross-sectional shape and dimensions along its length, and one or more compliant members extending therefrom to the skylight and curb. The compliant members are adapted to accommodate a predetermined range of spacings between the skylight and the curb. The compliant members are angled with respect to their points of contact with the skylight and the curb so that wind pressure applied to the compliant members increases the effectiveness of sealing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventor: MARK E. WIDMER
  • Patent number: 6244601
    Abstract: A sealing system is disclosed having at least one sealing profiled section for the roof frame of the vehicle. The sealing profiled section is formed by a profile strip of at least one elastomer and by a reinforcement. The reinforcement is formed as prefabricated injection-molded plastics material part and, in a molding tool, is provided with the profile strip on at least a part of its external surface. The reinforcement has a substantially U-shaped cross-section over its entire length. The sealing system is three-dimensional and can be fixed to connecting pieces of the roof frame of the vehicle by fastening members. An end cap is formed on at least one end face of each sealing profiled section in the molding tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Meteor Gummiwerke K.H. Badge GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Hans-Volker Buchholz, Jens Anders
  • Patent number: 6116615
    Abstract: A composite gasket for the door of an outdoor, electronic component containing cabinet includes a known type of gasket including an elongated hollow tubing for mounting on a door jamb of the cabinet, and a supplemental gasket of an electrically conductive material fixedly secured to one side of the hollow tubing and coextensive therewith entirely around the periphery of the door jamb. The known gasket provides a weather seal for the door. The supplemental gasket spans the gap between the door and the jamb established by the weather gasket for electrically interconnecting the door to the jamb and for sealing the door joint against electromagnetic radiations. The supplemental gasket is disposed entirely within the weather sealed space of the cabinet when the door is closed, and is so arranged as to provide no interference with the weather seal formed upon closing of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc
    Inventor: Anil K. Trehan
  • Patent number: 6098992
    Abstract: An anti-freezing seal for vehicle compartments, doors, trunks, etc. In cold climates, one of the problems is freezing shut of vehicle doors, for example, due to the moisture which accumulates on the seals during the daytime and then freezes at night. This is a problem for all vehicle compartment lids using seals to prevent leakage of moisture or dust into the compartment and can be resolved by heated or vacuum actuated seals. A heated anti-icing seal may be similar in construction with various existing compartment lid or door seals, which include a bulb or compression section, means for attaching the bulb to a compartment flange, a reflective shield, heat strip, and electrical wires or electric clips adapted to be connected to a DC or AC power supply via, for example, a switch, thermostat, and timer. The attaching means may be an adhesive or a seal setting flange compartment having grippers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventors: Neil G. Long, Scott Clare
  • Patent number: 6073936
    Abstract: A vehicle seal (1) comprises an elastic molded sealing member (19) with holes through which clips (16) on a fastening rail (11) made of plastics material extend into anchoring holes in a vehicle body. The molded sealing member (19) is made in a molding tool (2) by being injected on to and vulcanized to the fastening rail (11) which is laid within the molding tool. The molding tool (2) is divided and includes a molding recess (8) in which the fastening rail (11) is laid. On one mold part (6), for each clip (16), there is provided a cap (9) which sealingly encircles the clip (16) and which extends into the molding recess (8) when the molding tool (2) is closed. Each cap (9), when the molding tool (2) is closed has its free edge (18) pressed into sealing contact with a base (12) of the fastening rail (11) which carries the clips (16). A coupling layer (15) is provided between the fastening rail (11) and the molded seal (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Meteor Gummiwerke K.H. Badje GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Gunter Kirchmann, Hans-Volker Buchholz, Alistair Hill
  • Patent number: 6073935
    Abstract: The leakproof sealing device for the lower arm of a spark erosion machine (also known as an electrical discharge machining (EDM) device) is made to fit a variety of existing spark erosion machines, each having different size windows. A slidable metal band is mounted on the outside of the tank and spans the window. Spring mounted rollers maintain tension on the metal band and allow the metal band to move from side to side across the window. A structural frame mounted external to the tank forms a leaktight seal between the tank and the band. A hole is formed in the metal band through which the lower arm of the erosion machine passes and a semi-leaktight seal is formed between the arm and the metal band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Ona Electro-Erosion, S.A.
    Inventor: Javier Maidagan Larumbe
  • Patent number: 6070363
    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. An assembly jig and method which facilitates assembly of the cover, body and sealing lip are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Gencorp Inc.
    Inventor: James Randall Vance
  • Patent number: 6022028
    Abstract: Gaskets especially for refrigerators are made from a polymeric material consisting of a mixture comprising a-olefin copolymers. The gaskets obtained therefrom are lighter, thinner and have better mechanical characteristics than those of the known art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Industrie Ilpea S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Cittadini, Giancarlo Buzzoni
  • Patent number: 6000292
    Abstract: An actuator which makes it possible to avoid adhesion of dust or the like to a driving force-transmitting member, wipe out the fear of stop or breakage thereof, and avoid leakage of dust or the like to the outside. Fixing blocks 26a, 26b are slidably provided via guide blocks 22a to 22d on guide rails 18a, 18b for constructing an actuator 10. Slits 88a, 88b are defined at gaps between a top cover 84 and side covers 82a, 82b. Seal members 94a, 94b are provided for each of the slits 88a, 88b. A forward end of one of the seal members 94b is engaged with a step section 104a or 104b of the other seal member 94a to close the slit 88a, 88b. The fixing blocks 26a, 26b penetrate and protrude through the slits 88a, 88b. The forward ends of the seal members 94a, 94b abut against wall portions of the fixing blocks 26a, 26b to close the gaps disposed at the passages into the inside of the actuator 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigekazu Nagai, Toru Sugiyama, Hiroyuki Shiomi
  • Patent number: 5979828
    Abstract: An apparatus (30) for eliminating gaps (20) in a door of an airplane has an elastaueric bladder (32) bonding along an edge (24) of a door gap (20). The elastomeric bladder (32) includes a port providing for access to an interior cavity (34). A pneumatic actuator is coupled to the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas
    Inventors: Cynthia Ann Gruensfelder, Micael Watson Geiger, Jack Howard Jacobs, Robert Henry Wille
  • Patent number: 5899463
    Abstract: A kiss seal (42) of C-shaped cross section is provided. The kiss seal (42) includes a first leg (54), a second leg (56), and an arcuate middle portion (46) extending therebetween. The first leg (54) includes a contact surface (24') positioned adjacent a separable flange (28). The second leg (56) is attached to an opposed attachment flange (18) using a face plate (20') and a number of screws (22). The second leg (56) is generally located directly beneath the first leg (54). During sealing use, the arcuate middle portion (46) extends greater-than-180 degrees and is located outboard of one or both flange outboard edges (31). This provides a resultant force vector (58) that acts to enhance sealing. The greater the pressure (P) on the arcuate middle portion (46), the greater the force vector components available to promote sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: William J. Koch