METAL BAND AS INLAY FOR EDGE-PROTECTION STRIPS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF SAID METAL BAND

Abstract

A metal band as an insert for trim strips, sealing strips, or edge protection strips, in particular for motor vehicles, wherein the surface is profiled at at least one flat side of the band to increase the adhesion between the metal band and a plastic or rubber coating. These metal bands can also be designed with a plurality of openings following one another in the longitudinal direction of the band, in particular cut and roll-stretched or punched slots.

Claims

1-29. (canceled)

30. A metal band as an insert for trim strips, sealing strips, or edge protection strips, wherein a surface of the metal band has a profiling at at least one flat side of the band, wherein the profiling of the surface at at least one flat side of the band is formed by a surface-enlarging grid pattern of a plurality of impressions that are formed such that in each case no stamped portion results at the oppositely disposed flat side.

31. The metal band in accordance with claim 30, wherein the band has a plurality of openings following one another in the longitudinal direction of the band.

32. The metal band in accordance with claim 30, wherein the profiling covers an area at least regionally.

33. The metal band in accordance with claim 30, wherein the surface of the flat side is only regionally provided with the profiling.

34. The metal band in accordance with claim 30, wherein the profiling is only provided in regions with openings.

35. The metal band in accordance with claim 30, wherein the profiling is only provided in regions without openings.

36. The metal band in accordance with claim 30, wherein the total surface of the flat side is profiled.

37. The metal band in accordance with claim 30, wherein the profiling has a pattern that repeats in the longitudinal direction and/or the transverse direction of the band.

38. The metal band in accordance with claim 30, further comprising a plurality of individual impressions arranged closely next to one another.

39. The metal band in accordance with claim 30, wherein the profiling has a density of up to 700 impressions on an area of one square centimeter.

40. The metal band in accordance with claim 30, wherein the impressions have an embossing depth of 0.01 mm to 0.7 mm.

41. The metal band in accordance with claim 30, wherein the band has a greater thickness in the region of the profiling than in a region without a profiling.

42. The metal band in accordance with claim 30, wherein the impressions have a longitudinal extent, with the longitudinal extent of the impressions being oriented at an angle of 0° to 90° to the longitudinal direction of the band.

43. The metal band in accordance with claim 30, wherein the impressions are so-to-say designed point-shaped.

44. The metal band in accordance with claim 43, wherein the impressions have the shape of a three-sided or four-sided pyramid or truncated pyramid, a cone or truncated cone, a dome, a cylinder, a hipped roof, a lens, or a free-form shape.

45. The metal band in accordance with claim 30, wherein a plurality of impressions are arranged in consecutive rows and columns.

46. The metal band in accordance with claim 45, wherein the impressions of columns of impressions following one another in the longitudinal direction of the band are offset from one another in the transverse direction.

47. The metal band in accordance with claim 31, wherein the spacing between the centers of an impression and a directly adjacent impression, viewed in the transverse direction of the band, is less than 1.0 mm.

48. The metal band in accordance with claim 31, wherein the spacing between the centers of an impression and a directly adjacent impression, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the band, is less than 0.7 mm.

49. The metal band in accordance with claim 30, wherein both flat sides of the band have impressions.

50. The metal band in accordance with claim 30, wherein the metal band consists of steel.

51. The metal band in accordance with claim 30, wherein the metal band has a material thickness of 0.25 mm to 1 mm.

52. A trim strip, a sealing strip, or an edge protection strip comprising a metal band, wherein the metal band has a surface that has a profiling at at least one flat side of the band, wherein the profiling of the surface at at least one flat side of the band is formed by a surface-enlarging grid pattern of a plurality of impressions that are formed such that in each case no stamped portion results at the oppositely disposed flat side, and wherein a sealing material at least regionally surrounding the band is applied intimately connected to the surface of the band at least in the region of the profiling.

53. A method of using a metal band as an insert in a trim strip, a sealing strip, or an edge protection strip, wherein a surface of the metal band has a profiling at at least one flat side of the band, wherein the profiling of the surface at at least one flat side of the band is formed by a surface-enlarging grid pattern of a plurality of impressions that are formed such that in each case no stamped portion results at the oppositely disposed flat side.

54. A method of manufacturing a metal band, wherein a surface of the metal band has a profiling at at least one flat side of the band, wherein the profiling of the surface at at least one flat side of the band is formed by a surface-enlarging grid pattern of a plurality of impressions that are formed such that in each case no stamped portion results at the oppositely disposed flat side, wherein the method comprises the following steps: providing a band-like metal sheet, and profiling the surface of at least one flat side of the metal sheet.

55. The method in accordance with claim 54, wherein the profiling of the surface of the flat side takes place before or after the production of openings in the band-like metal sheet.

56. The method in accordance with claim 54, wherein the surface of the flat side is profiled in a rolling embossing process by means of at least one embossing roller.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0046] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0047] Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and will be described in the following. There are shown, in a schematic representation in each case,

[0048] FIG. 1 a plan view of a narrow side of a metal band in accordance with the invention;

[0049] FIG. 2 a plan view of a flat side of the metal band of FIG. 1;

[0050] FIG. 3 a plan view of a flat side of another variant of the metal band in accordance with the invention;

[0051] FIG. 4 a plan view of a flat side of yet another variant of a metal band in accordance with the invention;

[0052] FIG. 5 a plan view of a flat side of a further variant of the metal band in accordance with the invention; and

[0053] FIG. 6 another plan view of a flat side of a metal band in accordance with the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] In the drawings, the Figures show views of different metal bands that are used as an insert in a trim strip, a sealing strip, or an edge protection strip.

[0056] The metal band 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has no slots or openings. However, as can in particular be seen in FIG. 2, the surface of the shown flat side 4 of the metal band 1 is profiled. The flat side 4 is in particular provided with a plurality of impressions 5 that are arranged uniformly distributed over the total surface of this flat side 4. In this respect, the flat side 4 is provided with impressions 5 such that in each case no stamped portion results at the oppositely disposed flat side 4.

[0057] Moreover, it is also possible that both flat sides 4 of the band 1 have impressions.

[0058] Due to the impressions 5, a profiling in the form of a surface-enlarging grid pattern of a plurality of impressions 5 is formed at the correspondingly profiled flat side 4 of the band 1.

[0059] So that a sealing material, such as a rubber material or a flexible plastic material, can adhere particularly well to the metal band 1, as many individual impressions 5 as possible are arranged closely next to one another. The profiling can in this respect have a density of up to 700 impressions 5, preferably up to 800 impressions 5, and particularly preferably of up to 850 impressions 5, on an area of one square centimeter. In the embodiment shown, 833 impressions per square centimeter are provided.

[0060] Between the surface of the flat side 4 and a base of an impression 5, the impression 5 can have an embossing depth of 0.01 mm to 0.7 mm.

[0061] As can be seen from FIGS. 2 to 6, the impressions 5 have a longitudinal extent. The longitudinal extent of the impressions 5 is oriented at an angle of at least approximately 90° with respect to the longitudinal direction I of the band 1 or, in other words, the longitudinal extent of the impressions 5 is aligned at least approximately in parallel with the transverse direction II of the band 1. However, the impressions 5 can also be oriented with their respective longitudinal extent at another angle different from 90° with respect to the longitudinal direction I of the band 1.

[0062] As can likewise be seen from FIGS. 2 to 6, a plurality of impressions 5 are arranged in consecutive rows and columns, wherein the rows extend in the longitudinal direction I of the band 1 and the columns extend in the transverse direction II of the band 1. The plurality of impressions 5 are each arranged behind one another in a column in the longitudinal direction I of the band 1, wherein the columns of the impressions 5 are oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction I of the band 1 in accordance with the longitudinal extent of the impressions 5. In other words, the columns of impressions 5 arranged behind one another are aligned at least approximately in parallel with the transverse direction II of the band 1. It can further be seen from FIGS. 2 to 6 that the impressions 5 of columns of impressions 5 following one another in the longitudinal direction I of the band 1 are offset from one another in the transverse direction II. More specifically, the impressions 5 of columns of impressions 5 following one another in the longitudinal direction of the band are offset from one another by half the longitudinal extent of an impression 5. The impressions 5 in this respect form a pattern that repeats both in the longitudinal direction I and in the transverse direction II of the metal band 1.

[0063] For a particularly dense arrangement of the impressions 5, the spacing between the centers of an impression 5 and a directly adjacent impression 5 in the transverse direction II of the band 1 can be less than 1.0 mm and preferably less than 0.7 mm. In the embodiments, the spacing between two impressions 5 in the transverse direction II of the band 1 is less than 0.4 mm.

[0064] Additionally or alternatively, the spacing between the centers of an impression 5 and a directly adjacent impression 5, viewed in the longitudinal direction I of the band 1, can be less than 0.7 mm and preferably less than 0.5 mm. In the embodiments, the spacing between two adjacent impressions 5, viewed in the longitudinal direction I of the band 1, is less than 0.3 mm. Since the columns of impressions 5 follow one another in longitudinal directions, the spacing between two columns of impressions 5 is consequently likewise less than 0.3 mm.

[0065] The second flat side of the metal band 1 can be profiled or smooth in a corresponding manner. A good adhesion between the metal band and the plastic jacket thereby results even without an adhesive coating and without openings.

[0066] The impressions 5 can also have no longitudinal extent, but can so-to-say be designed point-shaped. In this respect, the impressions 5 can have the shape of a three-sided or four-sided pyramid or truncated pyramid, a cone or truncated cone, a dome, a cylinder, a hipped roof, a lens, transverse grooves or longitudinal grooves, and a free-form shape or combinations thereof. The metal band preferably consists of stainless steel or aluminum and has a material thickness between 0.25 mm and 1 mm. The material thickness preferably amounts to 0.4 to 0.8 mm.

[0067] The embodiment of FIG. 3 agrees in principle with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. In contrast to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the impressions 5 are here, however, only present in a central region 6, viewed over the transverse direction II of the metal band 1. In this central region 6, the metal band 1 has no openings. The marginal regions 7 disposed at both sides from the central region 6 are, in contrast, provided with slots 2 that are guided inwardly from a margin 3 of the metal band 1. In this respect, the band 1 has a plurality of slot-like openings 2 that follow one another in the longitudinal direction I of the band 1. As mentioned, no impressions 5 are present in these two marginal regions 7; the surface of the metal band 1 is therefore not profiled in these regions.

[0068] The embodiment of FIG. 4 in turn largely agrees with the embodiment of FIG. 3. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 3, however, the impressions 5 are here only provided in the two marginal regions 7, while no profiling of the surface of the metal band 1 is present in the central region 6.

[0069] In the metal band of the embodiment of FIG. 5, in addition to the openings 2, which are designed as slots guided inwardly from the two margins 3, isolated openings 8 are also present in the central region 6 of the metal band. Like the marginal slots 2, the isolated openings 8 are provided following one another in the longitudinal direction I of the band, wherein three tracks of isolated openings 8 are present that overlap one another. The total surface of the shown flat side 4 of the metal band 1 is profiled in that impressions 5 are formed in this flat side 4. The oppositely disposed flat side of the metal band can likewise be provided with such or other impressions as a profiling.

[0070] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the metal band 1 in accordance with the invention with an asymmetrical design. Openings 2 are only provided in a region 9 that is extended from a margin 3 of the metal band up to close to its center. No openings are present in the remaining region 10 of the metal band that extends from the other margin 3 of the metal band up to the first region 9. On the other hand, the second region 10 is provided with a profiled surface in that impressions 5 are present in the flat side 4 shown, while no profiling is provided in the first region 9. The profiling is also formed as a repeating pattern here and can also be present at the oppositely disposed flat side of the metal band in this form or another form.

[0071] All the metal bands shown preferably consist of steel, in particular of stainless steel, or aluminum and have a material thickness of preferably between 0.25 mm and 1 mm, in particular between 0.4 mm and 0.8 mm. The impressions 5 of the metal bands shown can each have the shape that was described for the embodiment of FIG. 1. Unlike what is shown, the impressions 5 also cannot follow a pattern, but can be arranged randomly distributed over the surface of the respective flat side 4. The distribution of the profiling to different regions of the metal band 1 can also be selected differently.

[0072] The metal band in accordance with the invention is characterized by good adhesive properties with plastic or rubber. It can therefore be used without a surface coating for trim strips, sealing strips, or edge protection strips, in particular for motor vehicles. The metal bands shown are preferably bent into a U profile and each form a clamping profile.

[0073] A method of manufacturing a metal band is explained below. The method starts with the provision of a band-like metal sheet. Subsequently, consecutive openings 2, 8 are produced in the metal band, for example, by punching and/or cutting the metal sheet. The metal sheet can, if necessary, be pulled apart to increase the opening width of at least some of the openings 2, 8 by stretching the metal sheet. In a subsequent step, the surface of the flat side 4 or both surfaces of the flat side 4 are profiled, in particular embossed, to produce a plurality of impressions 5. Alternatively, the profiling of the surface of the flat side 4 or the surfaces of the flat sides 4 can also take place before the production of the openings 2, 8.

[0074] The profiling of the surface of the or each flat side 4 in this respect takes place in a rolling embossing process by means of at least one embossing roller. For this purpose, the embossing roller has a jacket surface that has a shape designed complementary to the shape of the impressions 5 to be embossed.

[0075] Subsequently, the metal band is at least regionally surrounded by means of a sealing material, such as a rubber material or a flexible plastic material, in order to form a trim strip, a sealing strip, or an edge protection strip with a metal band inserted therein in which the sealing material at least regionally surrounds the band 1 and in which the sealing material is applied intimately connected to the surface of the band in the region of the profiling.

[0076] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.