Exterior gasket for operable windows and doors

Abstract

A gasket for mounting to a pivotably mounted structure such as an operable window or door is disclosed. The gasket comprises a rigid body member comprised of a first material. A flexible hinge is formed integrally with a lower portion of the rigid body member, the flexible hinge being formed of a second material which is less rigid than the first material comprising the rigid body member. A rigid wiper is formed integrally with a lower portion of the flexible hinge and extending downward therefrom, the rigid wiper being formed of a third material which is more rigid than the second material comprising the flexible hinge. The disclosed gasket reduces the amount of drag created as the window or door is operated, thereby facilitating operation of the window or door. The gasket reduces drag in two different respects: first, by minimizing the area of surface contact between the gasket and the adjacent structure; and second, by providing that the element which contacts the adjacent surface have a low coefficient of friction.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.