METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING SLIDING RESISTANCE

A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining sliding resistance between a surface of a portion of a glass section and a surface of a strip of resilient material, such as an elastomeric weatherstrip, which defines a channel having a longitudinal axis. The apparatus includes a plate which is slidably engaged with a platform and structure for rigidly securing at least one strip of weatherstrip to the plate. Further included in the disclosed apparatus is a device for exerting on the glass section a plurality of forces relative to gravity so that the portion of the glass section passes at a selected rate through the channel along the channels longitudinal axis. Friction between the surface of the glass section and surface of the strip of resilient material results in a portion of the exerted force being transmitted to the plate. A force measuring device, which is coupled to the platform, measures the portion of the force exerted on the glass section that is transmitted to the plate. The disclosed method of the invention includes the steps of securing at least one strip of resilient material to a plate so that force exerted on the strip is transmitted to the plate and exerting on a glass section a force so that a portion of the glass section passes at a selected rate through a channel defined by the strip of resilient material. A portion of the force exerted on the glass section which is transmitted to the plate by friction between the surface of the glass section and the surface of the strip of resilient material is measured and represents sliding resistance.