Frame edge flange and sealing strip therefor
First Claim
1. A structural flange having its free end covered by a channel-shaped strip, said channel-shaped strip having a base portion, a flexible diaphragm joined to opposite sides of said base portion and forming an enclosed void with said base portion, said flexible diaphragm engaging said free end of said structural flange, and two leg portions also joined to opposite sides said base portion where said diaphragm is joined to said base portion, said leg portions extending over opposite sides of said flange and away from said base portion and said diaphragm of said channel-shaped strip, characterized by:
- (a) a tab joined to and protruding laterally from each side of said structural flange, said tabs having their free ends pointing away from said free end of said flange;
(b) a locking lip joined to and extending laterally inwardly from each inside surface of each of said leg portions of said channel-shaped strip, said locking lips having their free ends pointing toward said flexible diaphragm of said channel-shaped strip and engaging said tabs on the sides of said tabs facing said structural flange; and
(c) said free end of said structural flange being pressed against the central part of said flexible diaphragm by the engagement of said locking lips with said tabs, so that said diaphragm flexes in the same direction that said free ends of said locking lips are pointing and exerts a force against said free end of said structural flange in the same direction that said free ends of said tabs are pointing.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A structural flange such as that which surrounds an automobile door is covered by a channel-shaped strip that needs no metal carrier to hold it in place on the flange. The channel-shaped strip may serve decorative, protective, or sealing functions, and may be made of either cellular or noncellular rubber, or plastic, or part of the strip may be made of cellular rubber and part of noncellular rubber or plastic. The structural flange has tabs protruding laterally from each of its sides, and the channel-shaped strip has structure that locks the strip in place over these tabs.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A structural flange having its free end covered by a channel-shaped strip, said channel-shaped strip having a base portion, a flexible diaphragm joined to opposite sides of said base portion and forming an enclosed void with said base portion, said flexible diaphragm engaging said free end of said structural flange, and two leg portions also joined to opposite sides said base portion where said diaphragm is joined to said base portion, said leg portions extending over opposite sides of said flange and away from said base portion and said diaphragm of said channel-shaped strip, characterized by:
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(a) a tab joined to and protruding laterally from each side of said structural flange, said tabs having their free ends pointing away from said free end of said flange; (b) a locking lip joined to and extending laterally inwardly from each inside surface of each of said leg portions of said channel-shaped strip, said locking lips having their free ends pointing toward said flexible diaphragm of said channel-shaped strip and engaging said tabs on the sides of said tabs facing said structural flange; and (c) said free end of said structural flange being pressed against the central part of said flexible diaphragm by the engagement of said locking lips with said tabs, so that said diaphragm flexes in the same direction that said free ends of said locking lips are pointing and exerts a force against said free end of said structural flange in the same direction that said free ends of said tabs are pointing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification