Outer door handle gasket for automotive vehicles

Abstract

A gasket is used for sealing an interface between an outer surface of a door and a door handle of an automotive vehicle. The gasket includes opposite inner and outer surfaces, wherein the inner surface of the gasket faces the door and the outer surface of the gasket faces the handle. The gasket also includes a lip that protrudes outwardly relative to the outer surface of the gasket and extends longitudinally along an edge of the gasket to sealingly engage the handle. The lip is embossed so that it is recessed relative to the inner surface of the gasket to accommodate compression of the lip as the handle is displaced toward the door. A flattened portion extends from an end of the lip to dampen noise due to impact between the handle and a door outer panel of the door.

1 . A gasket for sealing an interface between an outer surface of a door and a door handle of an automotive vehicle, said gasket comprising:
 an inner surface that faces the door;   an outer surface that faces the door handle; and   a lip that protrudes outwardly relative to the outer surface of the gasket to sealingly engage the door handle, the lip being embossed so that it is recessed relative to the inner surface of the gasket to accommodate compression of the lip as the door handle is displaced toward the door.   
   
   
       2 . A gasket as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the gasket includes a pair of lips that are positioned on opposite sides of the gasket to engage corresponding opposite sides of the door handle. 
   
   
       3 . A gasket as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein each lip extends longitudinally along the opposite sides of the gasket to form a longitudinally extending seal between the door and the handle. 
   
   
       4 . A gasket as set forth in  claim 3  including an opening disposed between the pair of lips. 
   
   
       5 . A gasket as set forth i  claim 4  including hooked fasteners formed along opposite edges of the opening. 
   
   
       6 . A gasket as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the gasket includes a flattened portion that protrudes outwardly relative to the outer surface of the gasket to dampen noise due to contact between the door handle and the outer surface of the door. 
   
   
       7 . A gasket as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the flattened portion is embossed and recessed relative to the inner surface of the gasket to accommodate displacement of the flattened portion due to contact with the door handle. 
   
   
       8 . A gasket as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the flattened portion is wider than the lip. 
   
   
       9 . A gasket as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the flattened portion forms a portion of the lip. 
   
   
       10 . A gasket for sealing-an interface between an outer surface of a door and a door handle of an automotive vehicle, said gasket comprising:
 an inner surface that faces the door;   an outer surface that faces the door handle;   a lip that extends longitudinally along an edge of the outer surface of tie gasket to sealingly engage the door handle; and   a flattened portion extending from an end of the lip to dampen noise due to contact between the door handle and the outer surface of the door.   
   
   
       11 . A gasket as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein both the lip and the flattened portion are embossed and protrude relative to the outer surface of the gasket to form a seal with the door handle. 
   
   
       12 . A gasket as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein both the lip and the flattened portion are recessed relative to the inner surface of the gasket to accommodate displacement of the lip as the door handle is displaced toward the door. 
   
   
       13 . A gasket as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the flattened portion is wider than the lip. 
   
   
       14 . A gasket as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the flattened portion forms a portion of the lip.