Window sealing strip for a convertible

• US 6,435,597 B1
• Filed: 05/16/2001
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Meteor GmbH
• Original Assignee: Meteor Gummiwerke KH Bã¤Dje GmbH & Company KG (Revisions- Und Treuhandgesellschaft Brinkmann & Partner Steuerberatungsges mbH)
• Inventors: Gentemann, Martin, Anders, Jens
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ken
• Application Number:
  US09/856,238
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• Field of Search: 296/107.07, 296/107.05, 296/107.04, 296/146.9, 296/135, 494/901, 494/981
• US Class Current: 296/107.07
• 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 10/18 provided with reinforcements or inserts
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/79 for flush-glass windows, i.e. for windows flush with the vehicle body or the window frame
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/90 specially adapted for non-fixed roofs, e.g. foldable roofs or removable hard-tops

Abstract

A profiled seal for sealing between a vertically sliding window pane and a roof frame of a convertible automobile comprises a length of profiled elastomer which is co- extruded with a metal reinforcement. The profiled seal has a three-dimensional shape and can be fixed to connection parts of the roof frame. A holding section having a U-shaped cross-section is part of the length of profiled elastomer and contains the embedded reinforcement which is likewise U-shaped in cross-section. A sealing section is formed laterally as one on a first limb of the holding section which can be placed in a self-clamping and sealing manner on an attachment flange. A foot formed as one on the first limb comprises on a first longitudinal edge adjacent to a free longitudinal edge of the first limb a longitudinal groove into which a dimensionally stable edge flange of a roof of the convertible engages.

Claims

1. A three-dimensionally shaped profiled seal for providing a sealing arrangement between a vertically sliding window pane and a roof frame of a cabriolet, said profiled seal being fixedly attachable to a connection part of the roof frame which has an attachment flange and an edge flange, said profiled seal comprising:

a length of profiled elastomer co-extruded with a reinforcement embedded within said profiled elastomer, said reinforcement having a U-shaped cross-section;

a holding section having a substantially U-shaped cross-section and a first limb, said holding section being part of said length of profiled elastomer and includes said U-shaped reinforcement, said holding section capable of being placed on the attachment flange of the connection part in a self-clamping manner, said first limb having a free longitudinal edge; and

a sealing section comprising a foot integrally formed onto said first limb, said foot comprising a first longitudinal edge having thereon a longitudinal groove, said first longitudinal edge being adjacent said free longitudinal edge, said edge flange of the roof frame being engageable in said longitudinal groove when the profiled seal is fixedly attached to the connection part.

2. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 1 in combination with said connection part, wherein the edge flange is a component of an outer metal sheet of a roof part of a hard folding roof.

3. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 1 in combination with said connection part, wherein the edge flange is formed on the connection part of the roof frame.

4. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said free longitudinal edge of the first limb is capable of being pressed in cooperation with the edge flange on a sealing surface of the attachment flange.

5. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 2, wherein said free longitudinal edge of the first limb is capable of being pressed in cooperation with the edge flange on a sealing surface of the attachment flange.

6. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 3, wherein said free longitudinal edge of the first limb is capable of being pressed in cooperation with the edge flange on a sealing surface of the attachment flange.

7. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 4, wherein said first limb has a hooked-shaped end lip which protrudes into said longitudinal groove, said end lip positioned to lay prestressed against a supporting surface, facing the sealing surface, of the edge flange when the profiled seal is fixedly attached to the connection part.

8. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 5, wherein said first limb has a hooked-shaped end lip which protrudes into said longitudinal groove, said end lip positioned to lay prestressed against a supporting surface, facing the sealing surface, of the edge flange when the profiled seal is fixedly attached to the connection part.

9. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 6, wherein said first limb has a hooked-shaped end lip which protrudes into said longitudinal groove, said end lip positioned to lay prestressed against a supporting surface, facing the sealing surface, of the edge flange when the profiled seal is fixedly attached to the connection part.

10. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 7, wherein said end lip is configured to engage in a locking manner behind a longitudinal rib of the end flange, which rib extends in a direction of the sealing surface.

11. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 8, wherein said end lip is configured to engage in a locking manner behind a longitudinal rib of the end flange, which rib extends in a direction of the sealing surface.

12. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 9, wherein said end lip is configured to engage in a locking manner behind a longitudinal rib of the end flange, which rib extends in a direction of the sealing surface.

13. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said foot comprises a sealing lip disposed outside said longitudinal groove and which is configured to lay prestressed in a sealing manner against the roof when the profiled seal is fixedly attached to the connection part.

14. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 13 in combination with said connection part and wherein said profiled seal is fixedly attached to the connection part, further comprising a folding roof cover having a cover material which has a longitudinal edge, wherein said sealing lip lies against said longitudinal edge of said cover material.

15. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 13 in combination with said connection part, wherein said profiled seal is fixedly attached to the connection part and the cabriolet has a hard folding roof, wherein said sealing lip lies against an outer metal sheet of a roof part of said hard folding roof.

16. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 1, wherein

said length of profiled elastomer has a limb extending outwards at an angle from a second longitudinal edge, remote from the first longitudinal edge, of said foot, and

said length of profiled elastomer has a membrane attached between a free longitudinal edge of the limb of said length of profiled elastomer and the first longitudinal edge of the foot and defines a hollow cavity in said length of profiled elastomer.

17. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 16, in combination with said connection part, wherein the window pane comes into contact with said membrane when the pane is in the uppermost region of its travel.

18. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 16, wherein said foot and said limb comprise soft rubber and said membrane comprises expanded rubber.

19. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 17, wherein said foot and said limb comprise soft rubber and the membrane comprises expanded rubber.

20. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said reinforcement comprises a metal punched strip.

21. A profiled seal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said reinforcement comprises a twisted metal wire body.