Tri-extruded roof ditch molding with hard and soft components including associated fastener system and method for heat forming the roof ditch molding
US8955896B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 8, 2013 |
| Grant date | Feb 17, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 8, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60J10/36
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tri-extruded molding for mounting within a vehicle roof ditch. The tri-extruded molding is produced as an elongated trim defining component and is constructed of a rigid substrate material, a first UV graded thermoplastic elastomer applied over the exterior of the rigid substrate, with a second thermoplastic elastomer formed as a pair of laterally projecting wings along exterior and outwardly opposite edges of the rigid substrate and in communicating fashion with the jointly extruded edges of the first thermoplastic elastomer. A plurality of fasteners are seated within the track for mounting the molding to the vehicle roof ditch. A single production line process is disclosed for tri-extruding the three components into a roof ditch molding and includes a handling operation with opposing dies surfaces for compressing therebetween an initial straight length of extrusion for forming into a desired final shape.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.