GB2273516A - Tools for fitting strips - Google Patents

Abstract

A tool (70) for fitting a window glass guiding and sealing strip (12) into a channel-shaped window frame (8) comprises a member (72) supporting two pairs of rotatable rollers (82, 84; 100, 102). One roller (84) of the first pair (82, 84) is rotatably driven by an air motor (86). The other pair of rollers (100, 102) is mounted on a cradle (96, 98) which is pivotally supported on a plate (94) carried by piston rods (90, 92) of a pneumatic cylinder (88). The strip (12) is first manually inserted into the channel of the frame (8). The tool is then fitted into position so that the rollers (82, 84) of one pair bear against the strip (12), while the rollers of the other pair (100, 102) bear against the outside of the base of the channel of the window frame (8). The air motor (86) is then energised so that the correspondingly driven roller (84) drives the tool along the length of the strip, guided by the fitter using a handle (114). As the tool moves, the fitter adjusts the pressure within the pneumatic cylinder (88) so as to ensure that sufficient pressure is inserted by the rollers (100, 102) to press the strip (12) fully into the channel of the frame (8). <IMAGE>

Description

TOOLS FOR FITTING STRIPS The invention relates to tools and methods for fitting strips. A tool embodying the invention, and to be described in detail below, is for use in fitting window glass guiding and sealing strips in window frames on motor vehicle bodies.

According to the invention, there is provided a tool for fitting a relatively flexible strip into a relatively rigid channel, comprising first and second roller means rotatable about parallel axes and spaced relatively apart so that, in use, the first roller means rollingly contacts the outside of the base of the channel and the second roller means rollingly contacts the strip positioned in the channel, and force-applying means for controllably applying a force tending to move the two roller means towards each other as the roller means rollingly move lengthwise of the channel and the strip therein, so as to press the strip into the channel.

According to the invention, there is also provided a tool for fitting a relatively flexible window glass-guiding and sealing strip into a substantially rigid channel-shaped window frame, comprising a member supporting first and second spaced-apart roller means, the two roller means being rotatable about axes which are parallel to each other and being mounted on the member for bodily movement towards and away from each other in a direction perpendicular to each rotation axis, whereby to enable the frame with the strip inserted in its channel to be positioned between the two roller means such that one makes contact with the strip and the other makes contact with the outside of the base of the channel of the frame, means for applying a controllably variable force tending to move the roller means towards each other so as to press the strip into the channel of the frame, and means for rotatably driving one of the roller means whereby it frictionally drives the tool along the length of the strip and frame.

Tools embodying the invention for fitting window glass guiding and sealing strips in window frames in motor vehicle bodies, will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a vehicle door and window frame and also showing a window guiding and sealing strip ready for fitting to the window frame; Figure 2 is a cross-section taken on the line II-II of Figure 1, but showing the situation after the guiding and sealing strip of Figure 1 has been placed in position in the window frame; Figure 3 is a scrap view corresponding to Figure 2 but showing a modified construction; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the tool; and Figure 5 is a scrap view of the tool taken from the opposite side to that shown in Figure 1 and showing it in position on the guiding and sealing strip of Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 1, the front door 5 of a vehicle comprises a hollow lower part 6 carrying a window frame 8 for a window opening 10. A pane of window glass is slidable in a vertical direction in the frame 8 so as to be lowerable into and raisable from the lower hollow part 6 of the door.

The window frame 8 is channel-shaped in cross-section, presenting the open mouth of the channel outwardly of the door. In a manner to be explained in more detail, the frame receives a guiding and sealing strip indicated diagrammatically at 12 in Figure 1. The strip 12 provides a channel in which the window glass sealingly slides as it is raised from and lowered into the hollow lower part of the door.

Figure 2 shows the guiding and sealing strip 12 in position in the window frame 8.

The window frame 8 is in the form of a metal section 14 in which is welded a second metal section 16 to form flanges at 18 and 20. The metal section 16 thus defines the channel 22 of the window frame which faces outwardly of the door.

The channel 22 has a re-entrant part 23 extending partially across its mouth.

The strip 12 is made of extruded rubber or plastics material 26. This defines a channel 28 which is sized to fit closely on the flange 18, and a protrusion 30 which fits within the channel 22 and has a groove 32 for locking over the re-entrant part 23. In this way, the strip 12 is secured on the frame 8 and this is assisted by metal reinforcement 34 which is embedded in the extruded material and embraces the channel 28.

The reinforcement 34 may be of any suitable form. It may be made of unapertured metal strips. Instead, however, it may incorporate slits or slots to increase its flexibility and could be in the form of completely separate side-by-side metal elements. Instead, it could be made of looped wire.

The extruded plastics or rubber material also extends to define a shoulder 38 which, when the door is closed, seals against a part 39 (shown dotted and omitted from Figure 1) of the vehicle body running alongside the vehicle door opening (in which the door 5 closes). The shoulder 38 is adjacent to a hollow 40 in the extruded material which increases the flexibility of the shoulder 38.

On the outside of the frame, the extruded material extends to form a lip 42 which is one wall of a channel 44 for receiving the window glass 46. The portion of the material defining the lip 42 is reinforced with a metal reinforcing strip 48 which is separate from the metal reinforcement 34.

The channel 44 is also provided with a lip 50 in contact with the edge of the glass 46.

The extruded plastics or rubber material of the strip 12 may be extruded so that it is not of constant hardness/softness throughout. For example, the shoulder 38 and the lips 42 and 50 may be extruded so as to be softer than the remainder of the material. The surfaces of the lips 42 and 50 engaging the window glass 46 may be flocked or otherwise treated to provide relatively low friction.

Figure 2 shows the form which the strip 12 has on the substantially vertical part of the frame 8 (Fig. 1) adjacent the "B" pillar of the vehicle. The metal reinforcement 48 strengthens the lip 42 and enables the lip 42 to be of minimal thickness so as to provide a desirable "flush glass" effect. Along the remaining part of the window frame, however, the strip 12 may be of modified construction, omitting the metal reinforcement 48. The scrap view shown in Figure 3 shows the form which the strip 12 can take over this part of the frame 8. As shown, it not only omits the reinforcement 48 but also incorporates a web 62 in the base of the channel 44, instead of the lip 50. The lip 42 thus provides a relatively wide mouth for receiving the approaching window glass 46, the latter's pressure on the web 62 then pulling the lip 42 into contact with the window glass as shown.

Such a feature is not required for the strip 12 (Fig. 2), in the vertical part of the window frame, because the window glass is continuously in position within its channel 44.

The two slightly different forms of the sealing strip (Figures 2 and 3) are joined together to form a mitred corner, such as by cutting the ends of respective lengths of the two different forms of sealing strip at angles of approximately 45 degrees and then securing them together with adhesive or in a mould. In this way, a single-piece guiding and sealing strip 12 is produced, as shown in Figure 1. This then has to be offered up to the frame 8, as shown in Figure 1, and securely pressed into position within the channel 22 (Fig. 2) so that the material of the strip defining the channel 28 properly embraces the flange 18 and so that the protrusion 30 fits properly into the base of the channel 22 and its groove 32 properly locks over the metal protrusion 23.

To provide additional sealing, a subsidiary sealing strip 52 is provided. Strip 52 is made of extruded plastics or rubber material and is generally channel-shaped so as to be a close fit on the flange 20. One of its walls is extended to provide a flexible lip 54 bearing against the inside face of the window pane 46. The strip 52 incorporates metal reinforcement 58 which may be of the same general type as the metal reinforcement 34.

For a fuller description of the strips 12 and 52, reference is made to United Kingdom Published Patent Specification No. 2233377.

As stated above, it is important to ensure that the strip 12 is properly and securely fitted to the window frame 8.

The tool now to be described is for use in carrying out this fitting process. The tool is not concerned with fitting the subsidiary strip 52.

Figure 4 views the substantially vertical rearward side 8A (Fig. 1) of the frame 8 in the direction of the arrow IV, and shows the strip 12 in position on the lower part of this frame side 8A; in practice, of course, the strip 12 would extend fully over the length of the frame 8, completely up the side 8A and over the remainder of the frame - that is, the seal would have the one-piece form shown in Figure 1. For clarity, however, only part of the seal is shown in Figure 4.

The tool 70 (Figure 4), for use in fitting the strip 12 in the channel 22, comprises a stiff support 72 having a main member 74 from which arms 76 and 78 extend at right angles. As shown in Figure 4, the end of arm 76 carries a plate 80 on which are rotatably supported two rollers 82 and 84. Roller 82 is free-running. Roller 84 is connected to the rotatable output shaft of an air motor 86 and is thus rotatably driven by the air motor through a gearbox 87.

Arm 78 supports a pneumatic cylinder 88 containing a slidable piston having two piston rods 90 and 92 (see Figure 5) which carry a plate 94. Plate 94 in turn carries a cradle made up of two arms 96 and 98 between which are freely rotatably mounted rollers 100 and 102.

The arms 96 and 98 are attached to the plate 94 so as to allow the cradle which they form to pivot.

A wheel 104 is freely rotatably mounted on a boss 106 supported by the casing of the gearbox 87.

The arm 78 carries switches 108 and 110 for respectively energising the air motor 86 to drive in opposite rotary directions. The casing of motor 86 carries a switch 112 by means of which the pressure within the pneumatic cylinder 88 can be varied. The tool has a value and control unit 113.

The arm 76 of the tool carries a handle 114.

In use, the strip 12 is first fitted manually into the window frame 8, that is, by moving it bodily from the position shown in Figure 1 towards and into the frame 8 so that the channel 28 of the strip embraces the flange 18 and so that the protrusion 30 is pressed towards the base of the channel 22. The strip 12 is a relatively tight fit within the channel 22 (to help to ensure a secure fitting). Manual pressure alone may not be sufficient to ensure that the strip is properly locked into the frame and so that the groove 32 locks over the re-entrant part 23 (Fig. 2). It may be difficult to apply sufficient manual pressure without risk of damage to the window frame. It is in order to complete the fitting process that the tool 70 of Figures 4 and 5 is used.

Therefore, after the strip 12 has been manually fitted in position, the tool is offered up to the strip 12 on the frame 8, the tool being moved in the direction of the arrow IV of Figure 1 so that the window frame side 8A, with the strip 12 in position, enters the tool between its arms 76 and 78. Figure 5 shows the tool in this position. In Figure 5, various parts of the tool (in particular, the support 70, the unit 113 and the gearbox 87) are omitted for clarity. As shown in Figure 5 and indicated diagrammatically in Figure 2, the tool 70 fits around the strip 12 and the window frame 8 so that wheel 104 bears against the outside of one side of the frame section 14, rollers 82 and 84 bear against the outside of the base of the channel of the frame section 14, and rollers 100 and 102 bear against the outside of the lip 42 of the strip.The fitting process is carried out before the door is fitted to the vehicle, and the guide wheel 104 will therefore of course not be impeded by the vehicle body part 41.

When the tool is in position, the fitter energises the air motor 86 using the appropriate one of the switches 108,110, so as to drive roller 84. At the same time, the fitter uses lever 112 to apply pneumatic pressure within the cylinder 88 such that piston rods 90,92 cause the rollers 100 and 102 to apply pressure, against the lip 42. The driven roller 84 thus moves the tool along the frame 8. As the tool moves, it is guided on the frame member 12 by the guide wheel 104. The fitter steadies the tool using the handle 114 and maintains sufficient pressure within the pneumatic cylinder 88 to ensure that the resultant force acting between the set of rollers 100,102 and the set of rollers 82,84 forces the seal 12 properly into the base of the channel 22 and, in particular, ensures that the groove 32 engages the re-entrant portion 23 of the frame section 16 (Fig. 2).

The pivotable cradle 96,98 enables the rollers, and thus the tool itself, to follow curves in the frame.

As shown in Figure 1, the depth of the frame member 8A (that is, the dimension corresponding to the thickness of the door) reduces from the bottom towards the top of the window opening. Therefore, as the tool moves along the frame side 8A, the fitter adjusts the air pressure within the pneumatic cylinder 88 accordingly, so as to ensure that a substantially constant and sufficient force is applied by the tool against the strip 12, so as to force it securely into the frame.

In practice, it may be advantageous to start the fitting process at the point A (Fig. 1) of the frame 8. In other words, the tool 70 would be first fitted onto the frame at the point A, then energised in the manner explained so as to cause the tool to be driven along the leading edge and the top of the frame 8 to the corner B, and thence moved downwardly to the point C to complete the fitting operation.

Claims (9)

1. A tool for fitting a relatively flexible strip into a relatively rigid channel, comprising first and second roller means rotatable about parallel axes and spaced relatively apart so that, in use, the first roller means rollingly contacts the outside of the base of the channel and the second roller means rollingly contacts the strip positioned in the channel, and force-applying means for controllably applying a force tending to move the two roller means towards each other as the roller means rollingly move lengthwise of the channel and the strip therein, so as to press the strip into the channel, at least one of the roller means being mounted to be movable in a direction transverse to the said axes so as to enable it to align itself in use.

2. A tool according to claim 1, including means for rotatably driving one of the roller means.

3. A tool according to claim 1 or 2, including guiding means acting transversely to the direction of the said force and contacting the channel for guiding the tool.

4. A tool according to claim 3, in which the guiding means comprises rotatable means contacting the outside of a side wall of the channel.

5. A tool according to any preceding claim, in which the first roller means is supported so as to be bodily movable towards and away from the second roller means, and in which the force-applying means comprises means for moving the first roller means towards and away from the second roller means.

6. A tool according to claim 5, in which the force-applying means comprises controllable pneumatic piston-cylinder means.

7. A tool according to any preceding claim, in which each of the first and second roller means comprises a respective pair of rotatable rollers.

8. A tool according to any preceding claim, in which the said one roller means comprises roller means mounted to rotate within a frame which is itself pivotable in the said transverse direction.

9. A tool for fitting a relatively flexible strip into a relatively rigid channel, substantively as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.