Abstract:
A seal for an automobile body opening comprising a plastic carrier, an elastomeric bulb operably connected to the plastic carrier, and a plastic clip operably connected to, and extending away from, the plastic carrier for engagement to a flange for retaining the seal to the flange.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to seals for vehicles, and more particularly to flange engaging seals. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Automotive seals are often employed around the perimeter of automobile openings. Such openings typically include a flange that is mounted on both sides by a seal comprising a plurality of ribs. Such seals ( FIG. 1 ) include a hard, usually metal, carrier insert to provide structural rigidity to the seal. Such seals are not-well-suited to account for flange thickness variations that are inherently present during manufacturing processes. 
     Accordingly, an automotive seal is desired having the aforementioned advantages and solving and/or making improvements on the aforementioned disadvantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present invention includes a seal for an automobile body opening comprising a plastic carrier, an elastomeric bulb operably connected to the plastic carrier, and a plastic clip operably connected to, and extending away from, the plastic carrier for engagement to a flange for retaining the seal to the flange. 
     Another aspect of the present invention includes an automobile body opening comprising a flange. Also included is a seal having a plastic carrier, an elastomeric bulb portion operably connected to the plastic carrier, wherein the plastic carrier includes a plastic clip that extends away from the plastic carrier and engages an edge of the flange for retaining the seal to the flange. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a method for sealing a perimeter of an automobile body opening comprising a flange proximate the perimeter of the automobile body opening integrally forming a seal comprising a plastic carrier and an elastomeric bulb portion by a multi-shot injection molding process, wherein the plastic carrier includes a clip and securing the seal to the flange by snap-fitting the clip over an edge of the flange. 
     These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a prior seal having a metal carrier; 
         FIG. 2  is a top, perspective view of an automobile body for receiving a seal of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the seal of the present invention mounted to a flange of the automobile body. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the automobile opening illustrated in  FIG. 2 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     The reference numeral  10  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) generally designates an opening of a vehicle body, such as that of a daylight opening. The opening  10  includes a flange  12  that is typically formed of one or more pieces of sheet metal that extends from the opening  10 . The flange extends around at least part of, but typically around the entire perimeter of the opening, which may be defined by the automobile body and/or various automotive components including, but not limited to, a headliner and interior trim  20 . 
     The flange  12  includes a rib  14  located proximate a distal end  16  of the flange  12 . The rib  14  extends substantially perpendicularly to the general plane of the flange  12  and may have manufacturing thickness variations of approximately six (6) millimeters (mm). The rib  14  is located on the outer panel  18  of the flange  12  and is configured to accommodate a push-on seal  22 . The rib  14  typically juts inboard toward the inner panel  30  of the flange  12 . 
     The seal  22  is a multi-shot injection molded seal that is comprised of a low durometer elastomeric bulb seal  24  bonded to a hard plastic carrier ring  26  that follows the flange  12  and defines the opening  10  for a side door (not illustrated), in one configuration. The plastic carrier ring  26  may be formed of at least one of the materials polypropylene talc-filled (PP-TF20) and a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The elastomeric bulb seal  24  may be formed of a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) having a durometer of approximately 30 Shore A or less. The multi-shot injection molding process of the elastomeric bulb seal  24  and the plastic carrier ring  26  may be a two-shot injection molding process. 
     The seal also includes a plastic clip  32  that is configured to snap-fittingly engage the rib  14  of the flange  12 . The plastic clip may be formed of various geometric configurations, but typically will comprise a hook-like end  34  that surroundingly and engagingly fits around the rib  14  of the flange  12 . This engagement, combined with that of the elastomeric bulb seal  24  to the headliner or interior trim  20  (or other suitable automotive component) facilitates a secure retaining force between the seal  22  and the opening  10  of the automobile. 
     A method of sealing a perimeter of the opening  10  by the seal  22  is also provided, where the seal  22  is snap-fitted to the flange  12  and the headliner or interior trim  20 . 
     It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.