Illuminating weatherseal

Abstract

An illuminating weatherseal can seal a gap between confronting surfaces and illuminate the adjacent environment. The illuminating weatherseal includes a light emitting line extending along a longitudinal dimension of the weatherseal, wherein the light is emitted from the light emitting line along a path non coincident with the longitudinal dimension. A switch can be incorporated into the illuminating weatherseal for selectively actuating the light emitting line.

1 . An automotive weatherseal intermediate an engine compartment and a hood, the hood moveable between a raised position and a closed position, the weatherseal comprising: 
 (a) an elongate polymeric body attached to one of the hood and the engine compartment; and    (b) a light line connected to the polymeric body.    
     
     
         2 . The automotive weatherseal of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric body includes a sealing portion forming a sealed interface between the hood and the engine compartment in the closed position of the hood.  
     
     
         3 . The automotive weatherseal of  claim 1 , wherein the wherein the light line generates light.  
     
     
         4 . The automotive weatherseal of  claim 1 , wherein the light line emits light.  
     
     
         5 . The automotive weatherseal of  claim 1 , wherein the light line transmits light.  
     
     
         6 . The automotive weatherseal of  claim 1 , further comprising a switch integral with the polymeric body.  
     
     
         7 . The automotive weatherseal of  claim 5 , wherein the switch is one of a pressure sensitive switch, a capacitive switch or a touch sensitive switch.  
     
     
         8 . The automotive weatherseal of  claim 5 , wherein the switch creates a switching signal to control illumination of the light line.  
     
     
         9 . An automotive weatherseal intermediate a trunk and a trunk lid, the trunk lid moveable between an open position and a closed position, the weatherseal comprising: 
 (a) an elongate polymeric body attached to one of the trunk and the trunk lid; and    (b) a light line attached to the polymeric body.    
     
     
         10 . The automotive weatherseal of  claim 9 , wherein the polymeric body includes a sealing portion sealing a gap intermediate the trunk and the trunk lid.  
     
     
         11 . An automotive weatherseal intermediate a glass window and an automotive body, the window moveable between an open position and a closed position, the weatherseal comprising: 
 (a) an elongate polymeric body attached to the automotive body and contacting the window in the closed position of the window; and    (b) a light line attached to the polymeric body.    
     
     
         12 . The automotive weatherseal of  claim 11 , wherein the elongate polymeric body is a glass run channel.  
     
     
         13 . An automotive weatherseal intermediate a hood and a cowl, the hood moveable between an open position and a closed position, the weatherseal comprising: 
 (a) an elongate polymeric body attached to one of the hood and the cowl; and    (b) a light line attached to the polymeric body.    
     
     
         14 . The automotive weatherseal of  claim 13 , wherein the polymeric body includes a sealing portion, and the sealing portion seals a gap between the hood and the cowl.  
     
     
         15 . An automotive weatherseal intermediate a sun roof and an automotive body, the sun roof moveable between an open and a closed position, the weatherseal comprising: 
 (a) an elongate polymeric body attached to one of the sun roof and the automotive body; and    (b) a light line connected to the polymeric body.    
     
     
         16 . The automotive weatherseal of  claim 15 , wherein the polymeric body includes a sealing portion sealing a gap between the sun roof and the automotive body in the closed position of the sun roof.  
     
     
         17 . An automotive weatherseal, comprising 
 (a) an elongate body having a longitudinal axis;    (b) a light line connected to the elongate body along the longitudinal axis; and    (c) a switch integral with the elongate body, the switch being one of a pressure sensitive switch, a capacitive switch or a touch sensitive switch.    
     
     
         18 . The automotive weatherseal of  claim 17 , wherein the elongate body is polymeric and includes a sealing portion.  
     
     
         19 . The automotive weatherseal of  claim 17 , wherein the switch is one of a pressure sensitive switch, a capacitive switch or a touch sensitive switch.  
     
     
         20 . The automotive weatherseal of  claim 17 , wherein the elongate body includes a carrier portion, a trim portion and a sealing portion.  
     
     
         21 . The automotive weatherseal of  claim 17 , wherein the switch extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body.  
     
     
         22 . The automotive weatherseal of  claim 17 , wherein the switch includes a field effect transistor.  
     
     
         23 . The automotive weatherseal of  claim 17 , further comprising a sensing electrode embedded in the elongate body.