Edge protector trim strip

Claim 1

A one-piece edge protector trim strip for application to an applied position on a metal flange or the like such as that found around door openings on motor vehicles, said strip having a body of generally U-shaped cross section, formed of polymeric material, and resiliently deformable gripper fins extending from the arms of said U-shaped body inwardly thereof throughout the length of said strip, wherein said gripper fins comprise a first single deformable gripper fin on one of the arms of said U-shaped body in which the major portion of said first fin is formed of a first deformable material of one hardness, and a plurality of gripper fins of a second deformable material softer than said first deformable material on the other arm of said U-shaped body whereby said plurality of gripper fins are collapsed when said trim strip is in its applied position for accommodating flanges of different thicknesses, preventing ingress of water into said trim strip, and presenting anti-sliding friction surfaces in engagement with the flange for resisting removal of said trim strip from the flange, and wherein a minor surface portion of said first gripper fin facing said plurality of gripper fins is of a third deformable material softer than said first deformable material and cooperates with said collapsed plurality of gripper fins to maximize the frictional forces resisting removal of said trim strip from the flange while minimizing the frictional forces resisting application of said trim strip on the flange.