Weatherstrip installation apparatus

Claim 1

Apparatus for inserting a weatherstrip into a T-slot in an object to be fitted with said weatherstrip; said weatherstrip being of a type comprising a backing and sealing material upstanding from said backing, secured to said backing and extending longitudinally of said backing at a location spaced inwardly from its side edges so as to define flanges on either side of said sealing material; said T-slot comprising a longitudinally extending groove having a longitudinally extending opening of lesser width than the width of said groove, which opening communicates with said groove so that when said weatherstrip is inserted into said T-slot, said backing is located in said groove and said sealing material protrudes through said opening with said flanges holding said weatherstrip in said groove; said apparatus comprising a member positionable with respect to said object such that said member and said object are movable with respect to each other in a direction along the length of said T-slot, said member including guide means cooperating with said object to inhibit lateral displacement of said member relative to said object during longitudinal relative movement thereof, said member having a guideway for receiving said weatherstrip and delivering said weatherstrip into said T-slot, said guideway being inclined downwardly toward said T-slot when said member is located above said object over said T-slot and terminating in an exit opening in the surface of said member adjacent to said object and said T-slot, said guideway also being angled relative to said T-slot to hold said backing at an angle at which one of said flanges of said backing can move into said groove through said T-slot opening via said exit opening in said member, said member further including means upstream from said exit opening extending into said T-slot through said T-slot opening and engageable with the other of said flanges for moving the other of said flanges into said groove through said T-slot opening.