US 5,489,104 A · Sealing arrangement having inflation and suction chambers

Abstract

A sealing arrangement is shown for providing enhanced sealing for the edge of a window pane for the window opening in the upper part of the door of a vehicle body. In the case where the door carries no frame for the window, the sealing arrangement is carried by the frame of the door opening. The sealing arrangement comprises longitudinally extending lips defining a shallow groove between them, and in the base of which groove are formed apertures. When the window pane is in the closed position, suction is applied to the groove through holes in its base, and ensures that the lips are in enhanced sealing and supporting contact with the periphery of the window glass. The lips and the groove are formed in an outside wall of a chamber to which pressure can be applied so as to force the lips towards the window pane. The pressure in the chamber and the suction in the chamber can be controlled in synchronism with the raising and lowering of the window pane and with the opening and closing of the door.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A sealing arrangement for sealing against a panel slidable in a predetermined path, comprising

support means for positioning at a predetermined distance from the predetermined path,
flexible material defining a sealing area of predetermined shape,
flexible mounting means mounting the flexible material on the support means so that the sealing area is mounted alongside the predetermined path,
the flexible mounting means being responsive to a predetermined change in gaseous pressure applied thereto to exert a force on the flexible material which moves the sealing area closer towards the predetermined path, and
pressure control means comprising pressure applying means operative to apply said predetermined change in pressure to the flexible mounting means to move the sealing area towards the predetermined path and suction means operative to produce reduced ambient pressure over said area and acting between the flexible material and the slidable panel, whereby to provide enhanced sealing contact between the flexible material and the slidable panel, so as to tend to draw them together.

2 more elements

A sealing arrangement for sealing against a slidable window glass pane of a vehicle window, comprising

support means for positioning at a predetermined distance from and alongside the window.
flexible material defining a sealing area of predetermined shape,
flexible mounting means mounting the flexible material on the support means so that the sealing area is mounted to be adjacent at least part of the peripheral edge of the window opening,
the flexible mounting means comprising a resilient and flexible wall defining a hollow chamber, the flexible material defining the sealing area being supported on the outside of the resilient and flexible wall,
pressure applying means for applying a change in gaseous pressure to the interior of the hollow chamber to cause it to expand and move the sealing area towards part of the peripheral edge of the window glass pane when the window is closed, and
suction means connected to reduce the atmospheric pressure between the sealing area and the said part of the periphery of the closed window pane whereby to bring the flexible material and the periphery of the window pane into enhanced sealing contact.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sealing arrangement having inflation and suction chambers

Life of this patent

Sealing arrangement having inflation and suction chambers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16