Weatherstrip assembly with connecting member

Abstract

An apparatus and method for joining the ends of a weatherstrip from inside a channel section of the weatherstrip. A v-shaped fastening clip has a plurality of teeth extending therefrom and the orientation of the teeth can be altered to securely grip both ends of the weatherstrip. The v-shaped clip may also have a structural frame depending from it to define a w-shaped configuration. The w-shaped configuration provides flexural rigidity to the spliced section of the weatherstrip and additional strength and rigidity that is particularly useful for heavy components. The method comprises inserting the fastening clip (either the v-shaped or w-shaped configuration) into the first end of the weatherstrip and then inserting the fastening clip into the second end of the weatherstrip. The teeth of the fastening clip are then re-oriented to mechanically grip the weatherstrip.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.