Apparatus and method for mechanically applying a sealing strip

A method for mechanically fitting a channel-shaped sealing strip to a peripheral lip circumferentially surrounding an opening of an automotive vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• providing an open-ended, fixed length of sealing strip to a means for mechanically fitting said strip to said lip;
• guiding said strip through said means to form an open loop of said sealing strip, said loop having a configuration generally similar to the configuration of said opening, each end of said loop being free;
• gripping said free ends of said loop and indenting said ends radially inwardly from the plane of said loop;
• moving said loop of sealing strip into alignment with said lip of said vehicle opening;
• applying a radially acting force against said strip to press said loop onto said lip at a plurality of predefined locations;
• applying a radially acting force against said strip between said predefined locations so that said strip engages said lip;
• moving said free ends of said loop radially outwardly along generally identical arcs of travel with respect to the plane of said loop so that said ends engage said lip;
• and
• applying a force to said ends in a direction normal to said lip so that said ends axially engage said lip and one another in abutting relationship