Gasket seal with positioning stops for a fixed window glued to flanges of an opening

• US 7,111,889 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2003
• Issued: 09/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rehau Incorporated (Wagner Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Rehau Incorporated (Wagner Holding AG)
• Inventors: Pennerath, Eddy
• Primary Examiner(s): GUTMAN, HILARY L
• Application Number:
  US10/502,186
• Publication Number:
  US 20050104406A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,344 Days
• Field of Search: 296/93, 296/146.15
• US Class Current: 296/93
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/70 specially adapted for windows or windscreens

Abstract

The invention relates to a gasket seal (1) in the form of a profile comprising a U-shaped groove (23), which is intended to claim the edge (9) of the window (3) and a flexible masking lip (25) which is used to conceal the gap (8) between the window and the body (5). The inventive seal also comprises a longitudinal rib (29) which is provided with local deformations (30) that act as positioners (17). The method of producing the aforementioned gasket seal comprises a step involving the extrusion of a profile which comprises a U-shaped groove, a flexible masking lip and a continuous longitudinal rib and, subsequently, a step whereby said rib is deformed locally in order to form the positioners. During said deformation step, the rib is flattened locally by a crushing or pinching in order to reduce the thickness thereof and increase the height of same in the relevant area. The invention is particularly suitable for manufactures of motor vehicle accessories.

Claims

1. A seal for a fixed window (3) for covering an opening (4), of an automobile, the seal comprising a profile (13) comprising a longitudinal groove (23) with a sidewise U-shaped transverse section for attachment to an edge (9) of the window (3) and a masking lip (25) for covering a space (8) between the edge (9) of the window (3) and an adjacent edge (7) of the opening;

wherein a longitudinal rib (29) is provided on an interior surface of the seal, the longitudinal rib (29) has, only in certain discontinuous localized areas, at least one permanent deformation (30) which constitutes an area on the longitudinal rib having a greater height than a height along a remainder of the rib, thereby forming a projecting portion that serves as a positioning stop (17) for maintaining optimal spacing between the seal (1) and the edge (7) of the opening of the automobile; and

the at least one permanent deformation (30) is a flattened area on the rib (29) constituting the area of thinner and greater height than the remainder of the rib to thereby form the projecting portion that serves as the positioning stop (17).

2. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal rib (29) has a plurality of permanent deformations (30) and each of the plurality of permanent deformations (30) of the longitudinal rib (29) are disposed at precise locations along the seal (1) selected to meet manufacturing standards.

3. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal comprises five deformations (30) which each serve as one of the positioning stops (17).

4. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal surrounds an entire perimeter of the window (3).

5. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal surrounds only a portion of a perimeter of the window (3).

6. The seal according to claim 5, wherein the seal surrounds three sides of the window.

7. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal is formed from several profile elements (14, 15) integrated with one another into a unitary seal.

8. The seal according to claim 7, wherein the profile elements (14, 15) are integrated with one another by securing adjacent extremities (15), previously bisected at 45°

, with one another.

9. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal is formed of a polymer material that is extruded and permanently locally deformed.

10. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal is formed of a plastic material having thermoplastic properties.

11. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal is made of polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

12. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal is used to secure one of a windshield (3), a rear side window and a back window to the opening of the automobile.