Ultrafab, Inc.

Larry E Johnson

Peter Galens

Pile weatherstripping having rows of pile and longitudinal fins both within and external to the rows of pile. The heights of the fins with respect to the height of the pile may be independently varied and controlled. A travelling endless band receives a pair of first webs providing internal fins on opposite sides of the band. The first webs are indexed to the edges of the band, which defines the heights of the fins. Each web may be independently indexed. Alignment of the webs on the band is provided either by an aligning fixture or by coining the webs to provide lines of indentations which index the webs at the edges of the band. The yarn which forms the pile is wound around the first webs. Second webs providing the external fins are indexed through the yarn and first webs to the edges of the band and are also aligned by a second aligning fixture or by coining. Backing strips are attached, as by ultrasonic welding, along the edges of the band. Then the yarn is slit without cutting into the webs. Hold-down wires may be used overlying the webs on the surfaces of the bands and below the yarn. These wires may be lifted during slitting to afford clearance of the knives from the band. After slitting there is provided a pair of weatherstrips having rows of pile provided by the slit yarn, at least one internal fin between the rows of pile, and at least one fin external to the rows of pile, the height of each fin being precisely and independently controllable with respect to the height of the pile.

Pile weather stripping having internal and external fins

Pile weatherstripping having internal and external fins

A weatherstrip assembly has a backing strip 30 with one or more local interference members in the form such as of nubbins 40A or alternative nubbins, which frictionally engage a channel or T-slot holding the backing member 30 and thereby restrict movement of the backing member 30 within the channel or T-slot, and especially movement of the weatherstrip along (longitudinally of) the length of the channel. Lateral (side to side) movement of weatherstrip is also restricted.

Weatherstrip assemblies

Pile weatherstripping having rows of pile sandwiching a fin is fabricated so as to precisely locate the height of the fin with respect to the height of the pile. A travelling endless band receives webs providing the fins on opposite sides thereof with the edge of each web, which defines the height of the fin, precisely positioned on a side of the band and the other edge overhanging the edges of the band. Alignment of the webs on the band is provided either by an aligning fixture or by coining the webs to provide lines of indentations which index the webs at the edges of the band. The yarn which forms the pile is wound around the webs and the band and serves to wrap the overhanging portions of the webs around the band, or a guide may be used to facilitate wrapping of the webs around the band, prior to winding of the yarn. Backing strips are attached, as by ultrasonic welding, along the edges of the band. Then the yarn is slit without cutting into the webs. Hold down wires may be used overlying the webs on the surfaces of the bands and below the yarn. These wires are lifted during slitting. After slitting there is provided a pair of weatherstrips having rows of pile provided by the slit yarn, the height of which is precisely located with respect to the height of the fins there between.

Fabrication of pile weatherstripping having fins

A weatherstrip assembly 8 for a window 6 includes a weatherstrip 20 with a backing strip 20 with pile fibers 22. The weatherstrip 20 is retained in a channel 10 of window 6. The channel 10 has a flexible wall 14 that is resilient and temporarily deformable to expand the cross-sectional area of channel 10 while the weatherstrip 20 is inserted into channel 10.

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Victor, NY, United States of America

Larry E Johnson