GB2130277A

GB2130277A - Seals

Info

Publication number: GB2130277A
Application number: GB08232895A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry Chapman
Original assignee: CMC BODIES Ltd
Current assignee: CMC BODIES Ltd
Priority date: 1982-11-18
Filing date: 1982-11-18
Publication date: 1984-05-31

Abstract

A seal e.g. for a commercial vehicle door has a relatively rigid U-clip 10,12,18 on one side and flexible sealing tongues 28,30 on the other side, the latter formed as a flexible extrusion having a lipped projection 14 which fits into an undercut recess 26 on the underface of the base 18. The undercut recess 26 is completed by a separate, relatively rigid, extruded element 52 which locks the U-clip extrusion and the sealing strip together. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in door seals This invention relates generally to door seals and more especially but not exclusively to a door seal for the load access doors and door flaps of commercial vehicles such as vans and lorries.

Strip seals are known which on one side have a relatively rigid U-profile for clipping to the edge of a body panel or door, more usually the former, and on the other side a pair of spaced, curved, flexible tongues which, when the door is shut, respectively seal against a main face and an edge face of the door or body panel, more usually the former.

Such strip seals of the above-described kind commonly consist of an extruded base which, in a longitudinal face opposite the U-clip has an undercut recess into which is received a lipped projection formed on an extruded flexible sealing strip formed with the two sealing tongues. A tool is employed to force the sealing strip into engagement with the base.

The fitting of the sealing strip to the base is a laborious process even with the aid of the tool, and can easily result in damage to the base extrusion and/or sealing strip. This applies not only when a strip seal is first fitted, but also later if a damaged flexible sealing strip is to be stripped from the base extrusion and replaced by a new one.

It is an object of this invention to provide a strip seal in which the above-described disadvantage is substantially overcome or minimised.

According to the invention, there is provided a strip seal of the kind having a relatively rigid U-clip on one side and flexible sealing tongues on the other side, the latter formed as a flexible extrusion having a lipped projection which fits into an undercut recess on the underface of the base of a relatively rigid extrusion defining the U-clip, wherein the base of the U-clip extrusion is produced with a partially formed undercut recess into which the lipped projection of the extruded flexible sealing strip can readily be inserted, and a separate, relatively rigid, extruded recess-completing element is provided, which locks to the U-clip extrusion to complete the undercut recess after the sealing strip has been inserted.

The recess-completing element is preferably formed with teeth, ribs, beads or other projections or analogous recesses which lock with matching recesses or projections formed on the U-clip extrusion to prevent ready detachment of the element after it has been fitted in position, either as a push fit or as a force fit effected with the aid of an impact tool.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1A shows an embodiment of sealing strip and Figure 1B shows the fitted sealing strip in use.

The drawings show a sealing strip which incorporates not only the present invention but also the invention of our copending Patent Application No. 8232924.

In accordance with the latter invention, a relatively rigid U-clip extrusion is formed in parts 10 and 12 which push fit together to a variable extent in order to define a U-clip of transverse dimension suited to the vehicle body panel (or door) to which the strip seal is fitted.

Conventionally, the base 18 of the U-clip, whether a one part or two part extrusion as illustrated, is formed with an undercut recess 26 on its bottom face in which is received the conventional flexible extrusion 14, e.g. of synthetic rubber, incorporating spaced sealing tongues 28, 30.

In accordance with the present invention, the base 18 of the U-clip extrusion is produced with a partially completed undercut recess 26 into which the lipped projection 50 of the sealing strip 14 can readily be inserted.

In order to fix the sealing strip 14 in position by completing the undercut recess 26, a separate recess-completing, extruded strip 52 is provided, which push fits, snap fits or force fits in the lateral direction to the base 18.

In the example shown, the element 52 is of U-section, with one limb longer than the other. The limb 54 completes the undercut recess 26, and the other limb 56 locks into a longitudinally extending, transverse recess 58 in the base 18 of the U-clip extrusion 10.

Locking is effected by means of matching projections and recesses 60 on the limb 56 and in the recess 58. Fir-tree type teeth can enable locking in the manner of a ratchet when the element 52 is push fitted into position. Other forms of cooperating projections and recesses can enable locking when the element 52 is force fitted, for example with the aid of a hammer or other impact tool.

It should be emphasised that the present invention is also applicable to a U-clip extrusion in which the parts 10 and 12 are integrally formed to define a U-clip of fixed transverse dimension specifically suited to a given thickness of body panel or door.

The invention facilitates the fitting together of the flexible sealing strip 14 to the relatively rigid U-clip extrusion, and enables ready replacement of the former, preferably in conjunction with a replacement recess-completing strip 52.

1. A strip seal of the kind having a relatively rigid U-clip on one side and flexible sealing tongues on the other side, the latter formed as a flexible extrusion having a lipped projection which fits into an undercut recess

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in door seals This invention relates generally to door seals and more especially but not exclusively to a door seal for the load access doors and door flaps of commercial vehicles such as vans and lorries. Strip seals are known which on one side have a relatively rigid U-profile for clipping to the edge of a body panel or door, more usually the former, and on the other side a pair of spaced, curved, flexible tongues which, when the door is shut, respectively seal against a main face and an edge face of the door or body panel, more usually the former. Such strip seals of the above-described kind commonly consist of an extruded base which, in a longitudinal face opposite the U-clip has an undercut recess into which is received a lipped projection formed on an extruded flexible sealing strip formed with the two sealing tongues. A tool is employed to force the sealing strip into engagement with the base. The fitting of the sealing strip to the base is a laborious process even with the aid of the tool, and can easily result in damage to the base extrusion and/or sealing strip. This applies not only when a strip seal is first fitted, but also later if a damaged flexible sealing strip is to be stripped from the base extrusion and replaced by a new one. It is an object of this invention to provide a strip seal in which the above-described disadvantage is substantially overcome or minimised. According to the invention, there is provided a strip seal of the kind having a relatively rigid U-clip on one side and flexible sealing tongues on the other side, the latter formed as a flexible extrusion having a lipped projection which fits into an undercut recess on the underface of the base of a relatively rigid extrusion defining the U-clip, wherein the base of the U-clip extrusion is produced with a partially formed undercut recess into which the lipped projection of the extruded flexible sealing strip can readily be inserted, and a separate, relatively rigid, extruded recess-completing element is provided, which locks to the U-clip extrusion to complete the undercut recess after the sealing strip has been inserted. The recess-completing element is preferably formed with teeth, ribs, beads or other projections or analogous recesses which lock with matching recesses or projections formed on the U-clip extrusion to prevent ready detachment of the element after it has been fitted in position, either as a push fit or as a force fit effected with the aid of an impact tool. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1A shows an embodiment of sealing strip and Figure 1B shows the fitted sealing strip in use. The drawings show a sealing strip which incorporates not only the present invention but also the invention of our copending Patent Application No. 8232924. In accordance with the latter invention, a relatively rigid U-clip extrusion is formed in parts 10 and 12 which push fit together to a variable extent in order to define a U-clip of transverse dimension suited to the vehicle body panel (or door) to which the strip seal is fitted. Conventionally, the base 18 of the U-clip, whether a one part or two part extrusion as illustrated, is formed with an undercut recess 26 on its bottom face in which is received the conventional flexible extrusion 14, e.g. of synthetic rubber, incorporating spaced sealing tongues 28, 30. In accordance with the present invention, the base 18 of the U-clip extrusion is produced with a partially completed undercut recess 26 into which the lipped projection 50 of the sealing strip 14 can readily be inserted. In order to fix the sealing strip 14 in position by completing the undercut recess 26, a separate recess-completing, extruded strip 52 is provided, which push fits, snap fits or force fits in the lateral direction to the base 18. In the example shown, the element 52 is of U-section, with one limb longer than the other. The limb 54 completes the undercut recess 26, and the other limb 56 locks into a longitudinally extending, transverse recess 58 in the base 18 of the U-clip extrusion 10. Locking is effected by means of matching projections and recesses 60 on the limb 56 and in the recess 58. Fir-tree type teeth can enable locking in the manner of a ratchet when the element 52 is push fitted into position. Other forms of cooperating projections and recesses can enable locking when the element 52 is force fitted, for example with the aid of a hammer or other impact tool. It should be emphasised that the present invention is also applicable to a U-clip extrusion in which the parts 10 and 12 are integrally formed to define a U-clip of fixed transverse dimension specifically suited to a given thickness of body panel or door. The invention facilitates the fitting together of the flexible sealing strip 14 to the relatively rigid U-clip extrusion, and enables ready replacement of the former, preferably in conjunction with a replacement recess-completing strip 52. CLAIMS

1. A strip seal of the kind having a relatively rigid U-clip on one side and flexible sealing tongues on the other side, the latter formed as a flexible extrusion having a lipped projection which fits into an undercut recess on the underface of the base of a relatively rigid extrusion defining the U-clip, wherein the base of the U-clip extrusion is produced with a partially formed undercut recess into which the lipped projection of the extruded flexible sealing strip can readily be inserted, and a separate, relatively rigid, extruded recesscompleting element is provided, which locks to the U-clip extrusion to complete the undercut recess after the sealing strip has been inserted.

2. A seal as claimed in claim 1 wherein the recesscompleting element is formed with teeth, ribs, beads or other projections or analogogous recesses which lock with matching recesses or projections formed on the U-clip extrusion to prevent ready detachment of the element after filing.