Patent Publication Number: US-2006000181-A1

Title: Multi-functional lock strip for a weatherseal

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      None.  
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
      Not applicable.  
     REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING” 
      Not applicable.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to vehicular weatherseals and, more particularly, to a vehicular weatherseal including a lock strip for securing a U-shaped flange engaging channel to a vehicle flange and, more particularly, to a lock strip that forms one of a sealing surface or a trim surface.  
      2. Description of Realted Art  
      U.S. Pat. No. 2,637,880 discloses a self-sealing window strip, wherein a mounting strip receives a peripheral edge of two adjacent windows and a locking strip is disposed along a lateral edge of the window strip, between the peripheral edges of the windows, to engage the window strip with the windows.  
      Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 2,492,566 discloses a connector strip for engaging peripheral edges of a pair of windows, wherein the connector strip includes a wedge for engaging a lateral portion of the connector strip.  
      However, these devices are constructed to accommodate glass panes of a known thickness, wherein variation between individual panes is insignificant. The locking strip has also been used in connection with a protection strip for mounting on a flange. These prior devices can accommodate only a predetermined flange thickness and cannot accommodate varying thickness of the flange along a length of the seal. In addition, the prior devices do not provide for a locking strip that cooperates with sealing or trimming functions of the weatherseal.  
      The need exists for a weatherseal that can employ a variable capacity flange engaging channel to operably engage a variety of flange thicknesses. The need also exists for such a weatherseal that can be readily installed. A further need exists for a lock strip actuated weatherseal, wherein the lock strip cooperates with an existing seal or trim portion. A need also exists for a locking strip that can provide a sealing or a trimming function of a vehicular weatherseal.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides a weatherseal that can operably engage a variety of flange thicknesses without requiring additional components or installation procedures.  
      The weatherseal provides a variable “width” flange engaging channel actuated by a lock strip, wherein the lock strip can also function as a sealing surface, such as in a glass run channel or as a trim portion cooperating with the weatherseal or an adjacent portion of the vehicle.  
      The present invention provides a weatherseal body including (i) a flange engaging channel having a first closed end and a pair of projecting legs sized to receive a portion of the flange, an outer surface of the first closed end including a spreader jaw and (ii) a panel contacting member extending a traverse distance from one of the projecting legs for contacting the spaced panel ; and a lock strip forming an exposed surface of the flange engaging channel, the lock strip having (i) a locking tab for cooperatively engaging the spreader jaw to secure the flange engaging channel to the flange and (ii) a gap closing lip extending a distance transverse to one of the projecting legs.  
      In one configuration, the weatherseal is a glass run assembly having a U-shape flange engaging channel and the panel contacting member is an inverted U-shape window receiving channel. A closed end of the flange engaging channel includes a spreader jaw, and the lock strip is hingedly connected to the weatherseal to be moveable between an uninstalled position and a flange engaging-installed position. The lock strip includes a locking tab sized to be received in the spreader jaw to clamp the flange engaging channel to the vehicle flange. The lock strip also includes a sealing lip as the gap closing lip, wherein the sealing lip projects to be at least partially located within the window receiving channel.  
      In an alternate configuration, the weatherseal includes the U-shape flange engaging channel and the panel contacting member, such as a sealing member, projecting from an outside surface of the flange engaging channel. The lock strip is sized to locate the locking tab within the spreader jaw and the gap closing lip terminating at a position spaced from the flange engaging channel. The gap closing lip can also overlie a portion of the sealing member. It is further contemplated the lock strip can be hingedly connected to a portion of the sealing member and the gap closing lip be a trim lip projecting from the flange engaging channel.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a motor vehicle, showing an operable location of the weatherseal.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the glass run configuration of the present invention in an uninstalled configuration.  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the glass run of  FIG. 2  in an installed configuration.  
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative configuration of the lock strip and weatherseal.  
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the further configuration of the lock strip and weatherseal.  
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of another configuration of the lock strip and weatherseal. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , a weatherseal  10  of the present invention can be employed in a motor vehicle  12 . The weatherseal  10  can be used in a variety of locations on the vehicle for releasably and repeatedly engaging a panel  14 . For purposes of description, the weatherseal  10  will be described in conjunction with the motor vehicle  12 . However, it is understood the weatherseal  10  is not limited to this particular application and can be employed as a trim piece or along any interface that requires a resistance to environmental migration.  
      The term weatherseal  10  includes, but is not limited to, extrusions, moldings, trim, trim pieces, edge pieces, weatherseals and seals. In the motor vehicle industry, the weatherseal  10  is suitable for use in many areas including, but not limited to, door seals, roof rails, deck lids, trunk lids, back window seals, belt line seals, fixed window seals, windshields, front hood seals, hood-to-cowl seals, sun roof seals and moveable window seals. In particular, the present weatherseal  10  finds particular application in a glass run assembly, for engaging, guiding and sealing with a panel  14 , or as a vehicle body seal which provides an interior trim function.  
      The panel  14  can be any of a variety of materials and does not limit the present invention. For example, the panel  14  can be glass, metal or a composite, which is painted, surface treated or bare. In the operating environment, the panel  14  can be brought repeatedly into and out of engagement with the weatherseal  10 . The engagement of the panel  14  and the weatherseal  10  can result from motion of the panel relative to the weatherseal. Alternatively, the weatherseal  10  can be moved relative to the panel  14 . It is also contemplated the weatherseal  10  can be located about a fixed panel  14  such as a front or rear window. It is also understood the panel  14  can be a trim piece of the vehicle, such as an interior trim piece.  
      Although not limiting the scope of the invention, it is anticipated the weatherseal  10  can be cooperatively employed with a vehicle  12 , such as a vehicle having a front door and a rear door, wherein a flange  16  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) is adjacent to at least a portion of the intended location of the weatherseal. The flange  16  is a distinct component from the panel  14 . That is, the flange  16  and the panel  14  are typically separate components of the vehicle  12 .  
      The weatherseal  10  includes a weatherseal body  20  and a lock strip  80 . The weatherseal body  20  includes a flange engaging channel  40  and a panel contacting member  25 . The panel contacting member  25  can be a sealing member or a trim member. That is, the panel contacting member  25  can form a sealed interface with the panel  14  or “trim out” a portion of vehicle to provide a finished exposed surface, which does not form a sealed interface. Typically, the panel contacting member  25  is a sealing member such as a bulb or a window receiving channel, and is transversely spaced from the flange engaging channel  40  along a length of the flange engaging channel. It is understood the panel contacting member  25  can be a static seal or a dynamic seal. The weatherseal body  20  can include one, two or more panel contacting members  25 . Thus, each leg of the flange engaging channel  40  can include at least one panel contacting member  25 , wherein the panel contacting members are sealing members, trim members or a combination thereof.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 2-3 , a glass run configuration of the weatherseal  10  is shown. In this configuration, the weatherseal body  20  includes the flange engaging channel  40  and the panel contacting member  25 , wherein the panel contacting member is an inverted window receiving channel  60  (often referred to as a glass run channel) and cooperates with the lock strip  80 . The overall cross-sectional profile of the weatherseal body  20  thus generally defines a curvilinear or segmented S.  
      The flange engaging channel  40 , in cross section, is defined by an interior leg  42 , a flange channel closed end  44  and a transition leg  46  projecting from the closed end  44 . The window receiving channel  60 , forming the panel engaging member  25 , has a cross section defined by the transition leg  46 , a window channel closed end  64  and an exterior leg  62  projecting from the window channel closed end. The window channel closed end  64  provides a connection of the transition leg  46  to the exterior leg  62 . Depending upon the length of the transition leg  46 , the transition leg can form a common leg of the flange engaging channel  40  and the window receiving channel  60  or can define a separate channel forming length corresponding to the respective interior leg  42  or exterior leg  62 . The interior leg  42  includes a free end  41 , and the exterior leg  62  includes a free end  61 .  
      The flange channel closed end  44  connects the interior leg  42  to the transition leg  46  and has a generally curvilinear cross section. However, it is understood the flange channel closed end  44  can be curvilinear or faceted. An outside surface of the flange channel closed end  44  includes a spreader jaw  50  sized to cooperatively engage a locking tab  82  of the lock strip  80 . Generally, the spreader jaw  50  terminates at a hinge  52 . In one configuration, the spreader jaw  50  extends through a substantial thickness of the closed end  44  of the flange engaging channel  40 , such that the hinge  52  is defined by the remaining thickness of the flange channel closed end  44 . The spreader jaw  50  defines a pair of spaced legs moveable between a loaded position retaining the locking tab  82  so as to secure, or clamp the flange engaging channel  40  with the flange  16  and an unloaded position free of the locking tab so as to allow the flange to be inserted within the flange engaging channel. The spreader jaw  50  can be any of a number of cross-sectional profiles including, but not limited to, generally circular, oval, triangular, rectangular, curvilinear or faceted.  
      The flange engaging channel  40  can include one or more gripping fins  48  on an inside surface of the channel for firmly securing the weatherseal  10  to the vehicle  12 , such as the flange  16 . The gripping fins  48  can be formed by the variety of materials known in the art, such as thermosets or thermoplastics, including a sponge or foamed material of reduced density. The number, sizing and spacing of the gripping fins  48  can be selected in view of the anticipated flange thickness and variations to be accommodated. Further, the gripping fins  48  can be of the same, a harder or a softer material than the remainder of the flange engaging channel  40 . It is also contemplated, the gripping fins  48  can include two or more portions of differing durometer materials. The gripping fins  48  are optional and can be eliminated, as the engagement of the lock strip  80  and the flange engaging channel  40  can be selected to operably retain the flange engaging channel on the flange  16  without requiring the gripping fins.  
      In the glass run configuration, the exterior leg  62  of the panel contacting member  25 , can include a sealing lip or fin  68  that projects into the window receiving channel  60  to contact the panel  14  as the panel is located within the window receiving channel. The sealing lip  68  can be any of a variety of polymeric materials including thermoplastics and thermosets. However, to enhance recyclability of the weatherseal  10 , it has been found beneficial to employ a thermoplastic, such as a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV). The sealing lip  68 , gripping fins  48  and surface layer (if employed) can be formed from a softer, more resilient TPE, for example Santoprene®, having a hardness in the range of 40 to 90 and preferably approximately 70 according to the Shore A scale.  
      The weatherseal  10  and preferably the flange engaging channel  40  are formed without structural metal. That is, at least the flange engaging channel  40  does not require a metal carrier or metal reinforcement for providing sufficient rigidity to perform the required functions.  
      It is understood the weatherseal body  20  can include metal in the form of a filler, trace amounts or colorants, and particularly those amounts that do not inhibit subsequent recycling of the polymer material. Such metal is in contrast to the structural metal sufficient to reinforce the flange engaging channel  40  or the window receiving channel  60  or provide structural rigidity or integrity of the channels  40  and  60 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , the flange engaging channel  40  can also include a reinforcing member  45  such as a ribbon, thread, cord, cable, stamped metal, wire carrier or foil, which enhances rigidity or stability in at least a single dimension. As seen in  FIG. 4 , the reinforcing member  45  is a substantially inextendable cord that can provide stability along a longitudinal dimension of the weatherseal  10 , while allowing the material of the weatherseal body  20  to define the rigidity in the transverse dimensions. As seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the reinforcing member  45  is shown as a generally flat ribbon or tape which resists elongation along the longitudinal axis of the weatherseal body  20  as well as resisting bending in a single transverse direction. Such reinforcing member  45  can be located in both legs  42  and  46  as seen in  FIG. 5 , or in a single leg as seen in  FIG. 6 . The reinforcing member can be any of a variety of materials, including but not limited to polymers, metals or fiberglass. The reinforcing member  45  can thereby reduce elongation along a longitudinal dimension, without increasing stability, or rigidity of the weatherseal  10  in one or two transverse dimensions.  
      The lock strip  80  is moveable relative to the flange engaging channel  40  between an open, uninstalled position and a locked (installed) position. Thus, the weatherseal  10  is moveable between an open, uninstalled position and an installed (flange engaging) position.  
      As seen in  FIGS. 2, 3  and  4 , preferably, the lock strip  80  is integrally and hingedly connected to the flange engaging channel  40  at a hinge  88  to be moveable between the unlocked position and the locked (or engaged) position. However, it is understood the lock strip  80  can be separately formed from the weatherseal body  20  and subsequently bonded or engaged with the weatherseal body to form the hinge  88  and be moveable between the uninstalled, open position and the closed (installed) position. The hinge  88  connecting the lock strip  80  to the flange engaging channel  40  can be located along the interior leg  42 , the flange channel closed end  44  or the transition between the interior leg and the closed end. Further, the hinge  88  is preferably constructed to provide a substantially continuous surface across the hinge. Preferably, the hinge  88  does not form a readily perceptible sight line when the lock strip  80  is in the closed position.  
      The lock strip  80  includes the projecting locking tab  82  and a gap closing lip  90 . The gap closing lip  90  can extend from the weatherseal body  20  to provide a sealing surface or a trim surface. For example, in the configuration of FIGS.  2  and  3 , the gap closing lip  90  is configured as sealing lip  84 . The locking tab  82  is sized to be received and retained in the spreader jaw  50 . Preferably, the locking tab  82  corresponds to the shape of the spreader jaw  50  to be operably engaged with the spreader jaw. The locking tab  82  can also include the reinforcing member  45 , as seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . By locating the reinforcing member  45  within the locking tab  82 , the locking tab can be the same material as the remainder of the lock strip  80  (a relatively soft material) yet exert sufficient force within the spreader jaw  50  to clamp the flange engaging channel  40  to the flange  16 . The reinforcing member  45  in the locking tab  82  increases the strength and rigidity of the locking tab without requiring an individualized material for the locking tab.  
      The sealing lip  84  configuration of the gap closing lip  90  terminates at a free end  85 , the free end being sized to be at least partially disposed within the window receiving channel  60 , shown in  FIG. 3 . The sealing lip  84  forms a contact surface  86  for contacting the window panel  14  in the window receiving channel  60 . The contact surface  86  can include a slip or friction reducing coating, such as PTFE, co-extruded HDPE or modified HDPE, PTFE, as well as flock, and spray-on coatings such as urethane. Thus, the sealing lip  84  can releasably and repeatedly contact the moving panel  14  in the window receiving channel  60 . The sealing lip  68  can also include such slip or friction reducing coating for contacting the panel  14  as the panel is received with the window receiving channel  60 .  
      The sealing lip  84  can have a varying cross-sectional thickness, depending upon the material of the lock strip  80  and the intended operating parameters. The location of the free end  85  and the sealing lip  84  within the window receiving channel  60  is at least partially determined by the intended operating configuration of the weatherseal  10 . The lock strip  80  is configured to locate the locking tab  82  intermediate the hinge  88  and the free end  85 .  
      The spreader jaw  50  and the locking tab  82  are sized to move the legs  42  and  46  from a spread (splayed) position ( FIG. 2 ) to a locking (clamping) position ( FIG. 3 ) upon engagement of the locking tab with the spreader jaw. The amount of displacement between the open position and the closed position of the legs  42  and  46  can be controlled by the sizing of the spreader jaw  50  and locking tab  82 . The configuration of the gripping fins  48  can also be controlled to assist in accommodating various flange thicknesses.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , in an alternative configuration, the weatherseal body  20  includes the flange engaging channel  40  formed by the interior leg  42 , the flange channel closed end  44  and the transition leg  46 . The panel contacting member  25  is a sealing member  70 , such as a sealing bulb. In this configuration, the panel contacting member  25 , is integrally connected to an outer surface of one of the legs of the flange engaging channel  40 . The sealing member  70  is formed to be resiliently deformable for repeatedly and releasably engaging a relatively moveable panel in a compression or sliding motion. The sealing member  70  can be formed of a sponge or cellular structure, having open or closed cells.  
      In this configuration, the lock strip  80  is sized to overlie a portion of the sealing member  70  (panel contacting member  25 ) and the closed end  44  of the flange engaging channel  40  and the gap closing lip  90  projects from the transition leg  46 , such that the free end  85  of the gap closing lip and hence lock strip is spaced from the transition leg. Thus, the lock strip  80  includes the gap closing lip  90  functioning as a trim portion, or flap, extending from the flange engaging channel  40  and generally located between ends of the legs of the flange engaging channel. In the construction shown in  FIG. 4 , the lock strip  80  is hingedly connected to a portion of the sealing member  70  (panel contacting member  25 ) to be moveable between the open position and the installed position.  
      The cooperation of the lock strip  80  and the spreader jaw  50  is as set forth in the prior embodiment.  
      Referring to  FIG. 5 , it is also contemplated the lock strip  80  can be a separate component from the flange engaging channel  40 . Thus, entirely independent processing parameters can be employed for formation of the flange engaging channel  40  and the lock strip  80 . The separate processing readily allows for independent coloring of the components. Therefore, the lock strip  80  can exhibit a different color than the flange engaging channel  40 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 6 , it is also contemplated the weatherseal body  20  can include a second panel contacting member  25 ′ in the form of a trim lip  30  integrally connected to and extending from the flange engaging channel  40 . In this configuration, the lock strip  80  is sized to overlie a portion of both panel contacting members  25 ,  25 ′, the sealing member  70  and the trim lip  30 , as well as the closed end of the flange engaging channel  40 . The lock strip  80  can be connected to the channel  40  by a hinge or connected only by engagement of the locking tab  82 . The lock strip  80  can include a first and a second gap closing lip  90 ,  90 ′ wherein the lips can be trim lips, sealing lips or one sealing lip and one trim lip.  
      The lock strip  80  can be hingedly connected to the sealing member  70  (the panel contacting member  25 ). The hinged connection can be formed as an integral connection, wherein the lock strip  80  is formed at least substantially concurrently with the flange engaging channel  40 . Alternatively, the lock strip  80  can be hingedly connected to the flange engaging channel  40  after formation of both the lock strip and the flange engaging channel.  
      The weatherseal body  20  is formed of a polymeric material, and preferably a polymeric material having sufficient rigidity to perform the intended functions. A material that has been found suitable is a structural grade polypropylene. It is understood that comparably rigid thermoset materials can be employed. However, use of thermoset materials requires additional processing steps for recycling of the thermoset materials. In contrast, thermoplastic materials can be readily remelted and reconfigured into subsequent products.  
      The weatherseal body  20  can be formed from a number of different plastic materials, for example, thermoplastics and thermoplastic elastomers TPEs. Depending on the hardness, TPEs are sometimes categorized as thermoplastics and sometimes as elastomers. For purposes of this invention, no such distinction will be made, and hard and soft grades of plastic will all be referred to as TPEs. Preferably, the entire weatherseal body  20  and the lock strip  80  are formed of recyclable materials, thereby permitting the assembly to readily recycled, without requiring separation of components.  
      TPEs are commercially available in several different brands and types. Each type can be obtained in different grades having different properties such as hardness, tensile strength, compression, elongation, thermal stability and colorability. Selection of the appropriate TPE for a particular application depends on a suitable combination for such properties. Types of TPEs that are particularly useful are styrenic block co-polymers, rubber polyolefin blends, elastomeric alloys, thermoplastic alloys, thermoplastic elastomeric alloys, thermoplastic isomers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyvinyl chlorides and blends thereof.  
      Styrenic block copolymers are commercially available in many types and grades within types. For example, Kraton® from Shell Chemical Co. is based on block copolymers of styrene with a diene or an olefin pair, ethylene-butylene. The diene can be isoprene or butadiene.  
      The rubber-polyolefin blends or thermoplastic polyolefins (TPOs) are blends of various polyolefins with ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR) or ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer (EPDM). Suitable polyolefins include polypropylene and various types of polyethylene. Copolymers of propylene and ethylene and blends of TPOs can also be used. TPOs are also useful as modifiers of other TPEs.  
      Alloying is an interactive combination of two or more materials to give a material having better properties than those of the corresponding blend. Thermoplastic alloys are available with properties enabling them to be painted. Thermoplastic elastomeric alloys and elastomeric alloys (EAs) are composed of synergistic mixtures of two or more polymers that have been treated to give them properties different from simple blends of the major constituents. The two types of elastomeric alloys are melt processable rubbers (MPRs) and thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs).  
      EA-MPRs are a category of TPEs made of a highly plasticized, single phase combination of a chlorinated polyolefin, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and an acrylic ester mixture in which the rubber phase is highly crosslinked, for example, Alcryn® from E. I. du Pont Nemours, Inc. EA-TPEs are made of a rubber/plastic polymer mixture in which the rubber phase is fully crosslinked.  
      The plastic phase of a TPV is commonly a polyolefin especially polypropylene, and the rubber phase is often an ethylene-propylene elastomer. A particularly useful TPV, suitable for windows seals, is formed from polypropylene and EPDM rubber and is commercially available in several grades as Santoprene® from Monsanto Chemical Co.  
      Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) are formed by copolymerization of diisocyanates with long-chain diols and short-chain diols. TPUs are available commercially in a number of types and grades, for example, Texin® from Mobay Corporation, Estane® from B. F. Goodrich Co., Pellethane® from Dow Chemical Corp. and Q-Thane® from K. J. Quinn and Co., Inc.  
      Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based TPEs are also suitable for window seals and are available in different grades and blends with other TPEs and rubbers. P-Valloy is one such material available from GBIE (Gerry Bareich Import Export Inc.) of Canada.  
      Thermoplastic ionomers are polymers containing interchain ionic bonding which affords tough, durable, transparent thermoplastics, for example, Surlyn® from E. I. du Pont de Nemours, Inc.  
      The weatherseal body  20  can be formed of a substantially rigid TPE. A rigid TPE, for example a polypropylene, preferably has a hardness in the range of 40 to 85 (preferably 70) Shore D.  
      The weatherseal body  20  can be encompassed, partially covered or encapsulated by an additional polymeric material forming a surface layer. The surface layer can be formed of a variety of materials such as a TPE having a lower hardness than the backbone. However, in view of the benefits of reduced weight, encapsulation by the surface layer is optional.  
      The hard and soft TPEs of the weatherseal body  20  are readily processed and fabricated, for example, by extrusion or molding and are particularly amenable to coextrusion and molding of one or more TPEs of different durometer values. The TPEs are readily colored to match the vehicle either by incorporating pigment or by painting. Directly paintable TPE&#39;s have a high surface energy material blended into the base polymer to accept water based paints without any pretreatment. Various hardnesses of this material are available from Ferro Corporation.  
      The TPEs can be made with a high gloss finish, for example, a Class A finish or a gloss of at least 60 numerical value when measured at a 60° angle with a gloss meter, which is substantially higher than can be obtained with an EPDM rubber seal. It is desirable that the TPE meets the exterior weathering cycle per SAE J1960 with minimum change in color or gloss.  
      In installation of the weatherseal  10 , the lock strip  80  is initially in the open, uninstalled position, such that the interior leg  42  and the transition leg  46  are slightly splayed and the spreader jaw  50  is unloaded. The splayed flange engaging channel  40  is disposed over the flange  16  of the vehicle  12 . The lock strip  80  is moved to the installed position so as to dispose the locking tab  82  in the spreader jaw  50 . As the locking tab  82  is disposed into the spreader jaw  50 , the interior leg  42  is urged towards the transition leg  46  and the gripping fins  48  in the flange engaging channel  40  compress on the flange  16 . A varying thickness of the flange  16  is at least partially accommodated by the sizing of the gripping fins  48 .  
      As the lock strip  80  is disposed in the installed position, the gap closing lip  90  (the sealing lip  84  in this configuration) of the lock strip is located within the window receiving channel  60  (the panel contacting member  25 ). Preferably, the sealing lip  84  of the lock strip  80  is between the exterior leg  62  and the transition leg  46 .  
      In a preferred construction, the splay of the flange engaging channel  40  is independent of the size of the window receiving channel  60 . That is, the relative spacing of the exterior leg  62  and the transition leg  46  is independent of the position of the lock strip  80 . The lock strip  80  thus controls the splay spacing of the interior leg  42  relative to the “fixed” relationship of the transition leg  46  to the window receiving channel closed end  64  and to the exterior leg  62 .  
      Manufacture  
      The weatherseal  10  is formed by extruding lengths of the weatherseal body  20  and the lock strip  80 . For example, in the glass run assembly configuration, the channels  40  and  60 , and the sealing lips  68  (if employed) are simultaneously extruded, coextruded or extruded with the weatherseal body  20  to intimately bond to the weatherseal body and preclude non-destructive separation. While it is preferable that the materials are selected such that sufficient bonding is obtained by the heat during formation, it is understood that adhesives can be used to supplement or augment the construction.  
      While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.