Abstract:
A weatherstrip is provided in which a first component provides for functional sealing. A second component, formed of a different material, is interlocked to the first component. The securing structure is not visible from the exterior and allows the second component to improve the aesthetics, be color-matched with the vehicle, or have an altered geometry as needed for the particular vehicle component.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/703,926, filed Jul. 29, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    This application is directed to a seal strip, weatherseal, or weatherstrip of the type that is typically mounted to a vehicle flange. For example, a U-shaped portion of a weatherstrip body is mounted on a supporting vehicle flange. Such strips are commonly used as outer belt structures along a lower edge of a window opening in a vehicle door to provide a transition between the door body and a window, and provide an effective seal from the weather or environment. The seal strip also finds application in related environments where an ornamental or show surface is desired in combination with the functional sealing aspect. 
         [0003]    The outer belt body typically includes a carrier or core that forms a generally rigid substrate for an extrusion material such as an elastomer (EPDM or the like), over at least selected portions of the core. For example, the core may be a light weight metal or other rigid material that provides the desired strength characteristics. The extruded material includes gripping fins that engage the associated flange of the automotive vehicle and thereby secure the weathestrip in place. In addition, seal lips extend outwardly from the extrusion and preferably include a low-friction material such as a flock or other low-friction material applied on selected regions. As is well-known, the low-friction material is disposed for engagement with the associated vehicle window as it is selectively raised and lowered relative to the door. 
         [0004]    It is important to improve the aesthetics of an outer shoulder or exterior surface of the outer belt. For example, such a show surface may be a separately molded or extruded part, typically referred to as a trim strip, or a decorative strip, that has an outer surface that is more closely controlled during manufacture for aesthetic purposes. This is, the underlying substrate of the core and extruded EPDM is somewhat limited in its show appearance and thus, automotive manufacturers desire a more pleasing appearance along the show surface for these types of weatherstrips. 
         [0005]    In addition, preferably the exterior appearance of the weatherstrip has a narrow width for packaging. This has previously been unattainable at a reasonable cost. Either the weatherstrip undergoes substantial manufacturing operations or prior, known arrangements have used fasteners or clips of a complex arrangement to achieve this objective. 
         [0006]    It is further desirable to limit the manufacturing steps and thus reduce the overall costs of producing the weatherstrip. For example, under one scenario complex fastening shapes must be formed in the separate components in order to join the individual components together. Thus, even if the individual components are extruded, heretofore, expensive post-forming operations have been undertaken in order to secure the individual components. Thus, one effort to reduce overall costs reduces the number of post-forming operations. 
         [0007]    In order to maximize use of the seal and show surface, tt is also helpful if the show component can be applied to a wide array of underlying weatherseal components or underlying configurations of the weatherseal substrate. For example, it would be helpful to have the show surface connect directly to the core, or alternatively to join the show surface to the EPDM, TPV disposed on the core, or secure the show surface at one location to the core itself and at another region to the extruded material on the core. 
         [0008]    One skilled in the art will also appreciate that these features should also be equally applicable to weatherstrip belts, glass runs, appliqués, belt line seals, etc. That is, wherever functional sealing is required in conjunction with a desired exterior appearance having improved color, texture, or capable of a wide variety of geometrical shapes, the need exists for an improved weatherstrip. 
         [0009]    It is further desired that the narrow show surface be easily attached to the underlying component, particularly without showing any of the interlocking features joining the individual components in the final assembly. 
         [0010]    Thus, a need exists for a mechanically interlocked outerbelt application that uses a gripper profile to attach an exterior show surface to an extrusion. Preferably, the design would be one that provides for a narrow packaging space requirement and preferably the attachment features will not be visible from the exterior of the assembly. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]    A weatherstrip is adapted for receipt on an associated vehicle. The weatherstrip includes a first, elongated component having a shoulder along a first end thereof, and longitudinally spaced slots spaced from the edge. A second component, or show surface, is snap-fit to the first component. The second component includes an extending portion that engages the shoulder of the first component and precludes relative movement in a direction generally perpendicular to the elongated axes of the first and second components. Snap-fit fingers are dimensioned in spaced relation along the second component for receipt in the slots of the first component. 
         [0012]    The weatherstrip is adhered to the associated vehicle via a U-shaped cavity which selectively engages an associated flange of the vehicle. Gripping fingers extend into the cavity to secure the weatherstrip to the flange, and at least one sealing fin extends outwardly for sliding engagement with an associated window of a vehicle. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the first component includes a rigid carrier. An elastomeric material may be extruded over at least some portion of the rigid carrier. The slots extend through the rigid carrier in this embodiment to allow the second component to be snap-fit thereto. 
         [0014]    The first component preferably includes an extruded EPDM. 
         [0015]    The second component is preferably a molded plastic providing an aesthetically pleasing show surface. 
         [0016]    A primary advantage associated with this weatherstrip assembly is the ability to securely attach the show component to the underlying weatherstrip component. Another advantage resides in the ability to alter the geometry of the show component without impacting the functionality of the weatherstrip. 
         [0017]    Still another advantage is found in the ease with which the first and second components may be secured together. 
         [0018]    Still other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from reading and understanding the following detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a preferred weatherstrip. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a first component of the weatherstrip of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]      FIG. 1  shows a weatherstrip assembly  20  including a first component or underlying substrate portion  22  and a second component or show surface portion  24 . The weatherstrip assembly may be employed at various locations on a vehicle and, for example in the illustrated embodiment shown here, the weatherstrip assembly is a rear door outer belt. The assembly includes an elongated first portion  26  that extends along the belt line of the rear door and an upturned portion  28  that extends in a generally vertical direction therefrom. 
         [0026]    With continued reference to  FIG. 1  and additional reference to  FIG. 2 , the first component of the assembly is preferably an extruded structure that includes a rigid core  30 . It may also include an extruded portion  32 , such as an EPDM received over at least portions of the carrier or core. This is more apparent from additional reference to  FIGS. 3-5  which illustrate cross-sections through the longitudinal portion  26  at different locations along the length thereof. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the core includes spaced through holes or slots  34  which form a portion of the fastening means for securing the first and second components  22 ,  24  together. More particularly, the core  30  may be a metal, such as lightweight aluminum, or a rigid plastic, that has a generally U-shaped configuration defined by generally parallel legs  36 ,  38  that are joined together by interconnecting wall  40  at one end thereof. Thus, as best seen in  FIG. 3 , the three legs form a generally U-shaped body having an inner cavity  50  dimensioned to receive associated flange  52  of the vehicle (not shown). Preferably, the first leg  36  includes the elongated slots  34  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ), while the second leg  38  does not include such openings. 
         [0027]    As is evident from  FIG. 3 , the first leg extends over the first or outer surface of the vehicle flange  52 , while the second leg  38  is disposed along an inward surface facing toward the interior of the vehicle. Seal lips  54  extend from the second leg  38  and preferably include a low friction coating  56  that is provided along those areas adapted for engagement with the associated vehicle window (not shown). For example, a low-friction flock or low-friction plastic is preferably co-extruded with the seal lips  54 , such as an EPDM, and likewise co-extruded over the core  30 . In addition, at least one gripping finger  58  extends inwardly into the cavity  50  for engagement with the flange  52 . Here, the gripping finger  58  extends from the first leg and secures the weatherstrip from inadvertent removal from the vehicle flange. 
         [0028]    The show surface component  24  in the preferred embodiment is preferably a molded plastic. The show component can be color-matched with the vehicle, may include a textured surface for a pleasing aesthetic appearance, or have a high-gloss exterior surface  70  as desired for certain automotive applications. Extending from a rear surface  72  of the show component is a first or engagement leg  74 , having a tapered shoulder  76  that is dimensioned for snap-fit receipt through the spaced openings or slots  34  of the first leg. The shoulder prevents inadvertent removal of the show surface from the underlying first component once the shoulder has been inserted through the slot. 
         [0029]    In addition to the engagement leg  74 , the second component also includes an inwardly extending leg  76 , located and dimensioned for abutting engagement with shoulder  42  of the interconnecting leg  40 . This arrangement precludes relative movement of the first and second components in a direction generally perpendicular to the elongated axes of the first and the second components. The leg  76  may be intermittently or alternately located along the show component between the slots  34 . In other words, a comparison of  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate that at a longitudinal location along the weatherstrip where a retaining leg  74  is received through a slot  34 , there is no leg  76  at this longitudinal location. Likewise, wherever a leg  76  is provided, there is no corresponding retaining leg  74  at this longitudinal location. 
         [0030]    This arrangement of alternating, intermittent fastening legs  74 ,  76  provides for ease of assembly of the show surface component  24  to the underlying first component  22  of the weatherstrip assembly  20 . The fastening arrangement accurately locates the show surface on the underlying first component and provides a cam lock arrangement. In addition, the first leg portion  80  of the show surface overlies the first leg  36 . A terminal edge  82  engages seal lip  84  formed on a lower edge of the first leg of the first component. Likewise, second leg  86  of the show component is sufficiently elongated to overlie the interconnecting leg  40 , and also preferably engage with a reverse leg portion  88  of the upper seal lip  54 . Further, tapered surface  90  assures that the leg  88  slides beneath the second leg portion  86  of the show surface component. 
         [0031]    As particularly illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the underlying first component does not include the first leg  36  at this longitudinal location. Only second leg  38  is provided in this region of the weatherstrip. As such, the show surface turns the corner into the vertical portion  28 . Thus, along the vertical portion there is no underlying first component required. 
         [0032]    This altering conformation of the first component along the length thereof is further evidenced in  FIG. 6  which shows that in this corner region, the show component includes a second leg portion  100 . Preferably, second leg portion  100  is integrally molded with the remainder of the show component  70 , namely, first leg portion  80  and second leg portion  86 . The show component may also include an underlying foam component  102  on an interior surface of the leg  100 . 
         [0033]    As described above, the first component is preferably an aluminum carrier or core that is coextruded with EPDM portions. The second component is preferably an ASA molded show component. It will be appreciated, however, that this invention is not particularly limited to these materials of construction. For example, the extrusion can be a TPV, or other supported or unsupported (i.e., no rigid core or carrier) material. Likewise, the show surface component can be formed from a wide variety of plastics. 
         [0034]    Still further, although described as a weatherstrip outer belt arrangement, the features of this invention may be useful in other applications such as glass runs, appliqués, lift glass beltline seals, etc. Generally, those applications that require functional sealing (as provided by the first component) and at least one of a multitude of exterior appearance, color, texture, or geometry options (provided by the second component) can find use of the present invention. 
         [0035]    The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. The invention is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.