Edge protector trim strip

• US 4,092,813 A
• Filed: 11/01/1976
• Issued: 06/06/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schlegel Corporation (GKN PLC)
• Original Assignee: Schlegel Corporation (GKN PLC)
• Inventors: Eggert, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Ridgill, Jr., James L.
• Application Number:
  US05/737,608
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 52/716, 52/717, 52/395-398, 52/403, 49/490, 49/491
• US Class Current: 52/716.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/16 consisting of two or more plastic materials having different physical or chemical properties B60J10/17 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/17 provided with a low-friction material on the surface
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/33 characterised by the configuration of the retaining lips

Abstract

An edge protector trim strip for application to a flange such as that found around door openings on motor vehicles, the strip having a body of generally U-shaped cross-section formed of rubber or plastics material stiffened by a semi-rigid carrier and having throughout its length at least one gripper fin on the internal face of one of the arms of the U and at least two gripper fins of softer material than said at least one gripper fin on the other arm of the U, in which at least an outer portion of said at least one gripper fin is formed of a softer material than the main part of said fin.

Claims

1. A one-piece edge protector trim strip for application to an applied position on a metal flange or the like such as that found around door openings on motor vehicles, said strip having a body of generally U-shaped cross section, formed of polymeric material, and resiliently deformable gripper fins extending from the arms of said U-shaped body inwardly thereof throughout the length of said strip, wherein said gripper fins comprise a first single deformable gripper fin on one of the arms of said U-shaped body in which the major portion of said first fin is formed of a first deformable material of one hardness, and a plurality of gripper fins of a second deformable material softer than said first deformable material on the other arm of said U-shaped body whereby said plurality of gripper fins are collapsed when said trim strip is in its applied position for accommodating flanges of different thicknesses, preventing ingress of water into said trim strip, and presenting anti-sliding friction surfaces in engagement with the flange for resisting removal of said trim strip from the flange, and wherein a minor surface portion of said first gripper fin facing said plurality of gripper fins is of a third deformable material softer than said first deformable material and cooperates with said collapsed plurality of gripper fins to maximize the frictional forces resisting removal of said trim strip from the flange while minimizing the frictional forces resisting application of said trim strip on the flange.

2. A one-piece edge protector trim strip as claimed in claim 1 wherein said minor surface portion comprises substantially the entire surface of said first gripper fin facing said plurality of gripper fins.

3. A one-piece edge protector trim strip as claimed in claim 1 wherein said minor surface portion of said first gripper fin comprises a thin layer of said softer material extending around the tip of said first gripper fin.