Multi-functional lock strip for a weatherseal
A vehicular weatherseal includes a weatherseal body having a flange engaging channel, a panel contacting member and a lock strip for securing the channel relative to a flange of the vehicle. The lock strip performs at least one of a sealing function with a panel of the vehicle or a trim function and includes a gap closing lip extending generally laterally from the flange engaging channel. The panel contacting member extends from one of the projecting legs for contacting the vehicle panel at a location transverse to the flange engaging channel.
1 . A vehicular weatherseal for a vehicle having a flange and a spaced panel, the vehicular weatherseal comprising:
(a) 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 from one of the projecting legs for contacting the spaced panel at a location transverse to the projecting leg; and
(b) 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.
2 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , wherein the panel contacting member is a trim member.
3 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , wherein the panel contacting member is a sealing member.
4 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , wherein the panel contacting member includes a glass receiving channel having a second closed end extending from one of the projecting legs and a second leg projecting from the second closed end.
5 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 4 , wherein the gap closing lip includes a panel contacting surface within the glass receiving channel.
6 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , wherein the gap closing lip includes a panel contacting surface.
7 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , wherein the lock strip is hingedly connected to one of the flange engaging channel and the panel contacting member.
8 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , wherein the panel contacting member is a bulb.
9 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , wherein the panel contacting member has a cellular structure.
10 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , wherein the lock strip is integrally and hingedly connected to the weatherseal body.
11 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , wherein the gap closing lip overlies a portion of the panel contacting member.
12 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , wherein the gap closing lip forms a sealing surface for contacting the panel.
13 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , wherein the gap closing lip is a different material than the locking tab.
14 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , wherein the gap closing lip is a trim portion forming an exposed surface of the vehicular weatherseal.
15 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , wherein the gap closing lip overlies a portion of the panel contacting member.
16 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcing member in one of the projecting legs.
17 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , further comprising a second panel contacting member extending from the flange engaging channel.
18 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , wherein the panel contacting member is a static seal.
19 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , wherein the panel contacting member is a dynamic seal.
20 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , further comprising a gripping fin extending from one of the projecting legs for contacting the flange.
21 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcing member within the locking tab.
22 . The vehicular weatherseal of claim 1 , wherein the weatherseal body and the lock strip are recyclable.
23 . A method of forming a vehicular weatherseal, comprising:
(a) forming 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 from one of the projecting legs for contacting the spaced panel at a location transverse to the projecting leg; and
(b) forming a lock strip sized to provide 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.
24 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising forming the panel contacting member as a trim member.
25 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising forming the panel contacting member as a sealing member.
26 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising forming the panel contacting member to include a glass receiving channel having a second closed end extending from one of the projecting legs and a second leg projecting from the second closed end.
27 . The method of claim 26 , further comprising forming the gap closing lip to include a panel contacting surface within the glass receiving channel.
28 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising forming the gap closing lip to include a panel contacting surface.
29 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising hingedly connecting the lock strip and the weatherseal body.
30 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising forming the panel contacting member as a bulb.
31 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising forming the panel contacting member to include a cellular structure.
32 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising integrally and hingedly connecting the lock strip to the weatherseal body.
33 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising sizing the gap closing lip to overlie a portion of the panel contacting member.
34 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising forming the gap closing lip to provide a sealing surface for contacting the panel.
35 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising forming the gap closing lip of a different material than the locking tab.
36 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising forming the gap closing lip as a trim portion defining an exposed surface of the vehicular weatherseal.
37 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising sizing the gap closing lip to overlie a portion of the panel contacting member.
38 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising disposing a reinforcing member in one of the projecting legs.
39 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising extruding the weatherseal body and the lock strip.
40 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising forming the panel contacting member as a static seal.
41 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising forming the panel contacting member as a dynamic seal.
42 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising forming a gripping fin extending from one of the projecting legs for contacting the flange.
43 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising disposing a reinforcing member within the locking tab.
44 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising forming the weatherseal body and the lock strip of recyclable material.