Edge trim and method of fitting.

摘要

An edge trim for fitting to a flange such as is found around a door opening on a car is manufactured in an "open" state so that it can be applied to the flange by a machine such as a robot and then can be crimped from its open condition into a clamping condition in which it clampingly engages the flange. Preferably, the edge trim in its first condition has its two arms extending at about 45 DEG and when it is crimped into its second condition, these are generally parallel so as clampingly to engage the flange. The clamping operation may be undertaken using pairs of crimping rollers (25) which engage either side of the edge trim and deform it into clamping engagement with a flange (7), there being a further roller (27) which holds the open edge trim on the flange and a further roller (26) which guides the edge trim into position, all these rollers being supported on an arm of a robot (21). By crimping the edge trim directly into clamping engagement with the flange it is possible to ensure that the edge trim engages the flange with a uniform gripping or clamping force regardless of the thickness of the flange.