GB1599749A - Channel-shaped strip structures - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO CHANNEL-SHAPED STRIP STRUCTURES (71) We, DRAFTEX DEVELOPMENT A.G., a joint stock company organised under the laws of Switzerland, of Schbnbiihl 3, 6300 Zug, Switzerland, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to flexible channelshaped strip structures, such as for draught excluding or sealing purposes and/or for attachment to edge flanges around door or other openings. Such strip structures may be used, for example, in vehicle body construction.

According to the invention, there is provided a channel-strip structure comprising a channel-shaped core or carrier completely enclosed in flexible covering material, such as plastics or rubber material, substantially all of the material on the inside of the carrier being relatively soft and defining one or more gripping ribs running along the length of the channel and directed inwardly thereof for assisting in retaining the structure on a mounting flange or the like, and substantially all of the covering material on the outside of the carrier being relatively harder.

A channel-shaped strip structure embodying the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one of the strip structures; and Figure 2 is a section on the line II--II of Figure 1.

As shown in the Figures, the strip structure is channel-shaped in cross-section and comprises a reinforcing core or carrier 8, also channel-shaped, which is embedded in flexible covering material 10. The carrier 8 may be of any suitable resilient and reinforcing material, such as metal. It may comprise a series of side-by-side U-shaped elements arranged along the length of the channel and interconnected by short connecting links which are so arranged as to permit the carrier to bend in various directions about its longitudinal axis. Instead, the U-shaped elements may be entirely disconnected from each other.

In another form, the carrier 8 is made of metal wire. However, other forms are also possible.

The flexible covering material 10 comprises relatively soft material 10A, such as plastics material, on the inside of the carrier 8, and a thinner layer of relatively harder material 10B, plastics material again, for example, on the outside of the carrier 8. The materials 10A and 10B may be placed on the carrier 8 simultaneously using a duplex extrusion process, with the aid of a known cross-head extruder.

As illustrated, the carrier 8 divided the relatively soft and relatively harder materials 10A and 10B. However, in practice the carrier 8 may not exactly divide the soft and harder material; for example, during the extrusion process, some of the relatively soft material 10A may come through the interstices in the carrier 8 and form a thin layer on its outside surface-onto which the relatively harder material 10B is formed.

On the inside facing walls of the channel the flexible material 10 carries gripping ribs. As shown in the drawing, there is one relatively large gripping rib 12 on one side of the channel, and two rather smaller gripping ribs 14 on the opposite side. However, other arrangements are possible; there may, for example, be the same number of ribs on each side of the channel (one on each side, for example).

The gripping ribs may be formed intergrally with the material 10A during the extrusion process.

In use, the strip structure may be fitted to the flange around a door or boot opening such as in a vehicle body for example, the structure being mounted by fitting the attachment section 5 over the edge flange which enters the interior of the channel-shape.

The arrangement described results in the gripping ribs 12, 14, being made of relatively soft material, which is found to increase their gripping force on the mounting flange.

On the other hand, the material on the out side of the carrier is relatively harder, giving added strength and protection (nevertheless, of course, although the material 10B is harder than the material 10A, the material 10B is still relatively soft and resilient to provide cushioning, for example, in the event of an impact).

The outside surface of the material 10B can be at least partly covered with flock or textile material or printed with a desired pattern.

If desired, a sealing beading of relatively soft material can be attached to the outside surface of the material 10B so as to run along the length of the strip structure, at a desired position, and to provide a seal against the door or other closure for the opening around which the strip structure is mounted.

The sealing beading may be attached by means of adhesive, for example.

Instead of plastics material, rubber or other suitable material can be used.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A channel-shaped strip, comprising a channel-shaped core or carrier completely enclosed in flexible covering material, such as plastics or rubber material, substantially all of the material on the inside of the carrier being relatively soft and defining one or more gripping ribs running along the length of the channel and directed inwardly thereof for assisting in retaining the structure on a mounting flange or the like, and substantially all of the covering material on the outside of the carrier being relatively harder.

2. A strip according to claim 1, in which a sealing beading of relatively soft material is attached to the outside surface of the relatively harder material so as to run along the length of this strip structure at a desired position.

3. A channel-shaped strip structure, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. side of the carrier is relatively harder, giving added strength and protection (nevertheless, of course, although the material 10B is harder than the material 10A, the material 10B is still relatively soft and resilient to provide cushioning, for example, in the event of an impact). The outside surface of the material 10B can be at least partly covered with flock or textile material or printed with a desired pattern. If desired, a sealing beading of relatively soft material can be attached to the outside surface of the material 10B so as to run along the length of the strip structure, at a desired position, and to provide a seal against the door or other closure for the opening around which the strip structure is mounted. The sealing beading may be attached by means of adhesive, for example. Instead of plastics material, rubber or other suitable material can be used. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A channel-shaped strip, comprising a channel-shaped core or carrier completely enclosed in flexible covering material, such as plastics or rubber material, substantially all of the material on the inside of the carrier being relatively soft and defining one or more gripping ribs running along the length of the channel and directed inwardly thereof for assisting in retaining the structure on a mounting flange or the like, and substantially all of the covering material on the outside of the carrier being relatively harder.

2. A strip according to claim 1, in which a sealing beading of relatively soft material is attached to the outside surface of the relatively harder material so as to run along the length of this strip structure at a desired position.

3. A channel-shaped strip structure, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.