Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Repairing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-14
2001-11-20
Hughes, S. Thomas (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Repairing
C029S402010, C029S402180, C052S514000, C052S027000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06317952
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the sealing and/or repair of holes in a sheet or plate of any materials. In particular it describes a device, and a process for the use of that device in the sealing and/or repair of holes in sheets or plates of any material.
BACKGROUND ART
In the past, the repair of large holes in structures, such as holes in walls, was a time consuming and difficult undertaking. Once complete, the results of the so-called hole repair were often viewed as unsatisfactory. Some of the more common problems associated with the previously available methods of hole repair included sagging and, in particular, difficulties in obtaining a substantially flush finish with the surface of the structure in which the hole had occurred.
Previous devices used to aid in the repair of holes in structures included the use of wire mesh, or its equivalent, as a backing material. However, wire mesh suffered from the disadvantage that it was very difficult to attach the mesh to the rear surface of the structure surrounding the hole. Also, when the mesh was attached to the front surface of the structure surrounding the hole, and suitable filling materials applied, the repaired hole suffered from a unsightly bulge compared to the surrounding structure. Furthermore, when the filling material was applied to the mesh, the mesh was often lacking in material strength and consequently was subject to sagging.
The present invention provides a device where holes in sheets or plates of any material may be filled without encountering the problems of sagging, whilst also obtaining a finish flush with the surface of the structure undergoing repair.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
According to a first embodiment of the invention there is provided a device to assist in filling a hole in a sheet or plate of any material, with a filler compatible with said material, said device comprising:
a flexible plate adapted to be inserted through said hole in a sheet or plate;
a detachable, attachment member adapted to extend generally perpendicularly from a surface of said flexible plate and including means to locate at least one locking member thereto;
said locking member being detachably attachable to said attachment member so as to apply a tensile load on said attachment member thereby causing said flexible plate to bear on and be held adjacent to said hole.
Typically the flexible plate may be adapted to be inserted through a hole in a sheet or plate of any material by a hinged mechanism within the flexible plate.
Preferably the flexible plate may be adapted to be inserted through a hole in a sheet or plate of any material by a concertina mechanism within the flexible plate.
More preferably the flexible plate may be adapted to be inserted through a hole in a sheet or plate of any material by virtue of the flexible plate consisting of a flexible membrane.
Typically the flexible plate consists of a shearable material, allowing the flexible plate to be custom sized to the hole to be repaired.
Typically, the flexible plate is formed of any suitable material, such as timber, fibreglass, rubber, cardboard, or a plastic such as polypropylene.
Typically the flexible plate includes at least one reinforcing rib.
Typically the flexible plate and/or reinforcing rib(s) is comprised of a series of apertures to allow the filler to pass through the flexible plate and/or reinforcing rib(s), thus providing maximal adhesion and permitting the flexible plate to itself become an integral component of the filled surface.
Typically the flexible plate and/or reinforcing rib(s) may have adhesive applied to at least one surface of the flexible plate and/or reinforcing rib(s) to facilitate the attachment of the flexible plate and/or reinforcing rib(s) to the sheet or plate to be repaired, whilst also facilitating the adhesion of the suitable filler material to the flexible plate and/or reinforcing rib(s).
Typically the attachment member is attached to the surface of the flexible plate by a screw mechanism.
More typically the attachment member is attached to surface of the flexible plate by a snap-release mechanism.
Even more typically the attachment member is attached to surface of the flexible plate by a flange release mechanism.
Typically the locking member is attached to attachment member in such a way as to accommodate holes of different thickness within the sheet or plate of any material.
Typically the locking member is attached to attachment member by a screw mechanism.
More typically the locking member is attached to attachment member by a clamping mechanism.
Even more typically the locking member is attached to attachment member by a series of graduated notches into which the attachment member locks in.
According to a second embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for filling a hole in a sheet or plate of any material with a filler compatible with said material, using the device in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention comprising:
attaching attachment member to the flexible plate;
inserting the flexible plate and attached attachment member through the hole in the sheet or plate of any material;
communicating the locking member with the attachment member and surface of the sheet or plate of any material, so as to apply a tensile load on the attachment member thereby securing the flexible plate to rear face of the sheet or plate to substantially cover the hole;
partially filling hole with a filler compatible with the material of the sheet or plate;
allowing the filler to at least partially set;
detaching the attachment member together with the locking member;
filling remainder of hole with the suitable filling material.
Typically, the fillers used in the invention may be organic such as polyester resisn or inorganic such as plaster of paris.
Typically, the fillers used in the present invention include: carbonates, fluorides, hydroxides, metals, oxides, silicates, sulfates, sulfides, celluloses, fatty acids, lignins, polyalkenes, polyamides, polyaromatics, polyesters, proteins, or a combination thereof.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2638774 (1953-05-01), Wieman
patent: 3583122 (1971-06-01), Biegajski
patent: 3690084 (1972-09-01), Leblanc
patent: 3834107 (1974-09-01), Standing
patent: 4075809 (1978-02-01), Sirkin
patent: 4100712 (1978-07-01), Hyman
patent: 4354332 (1982-10-01), Lentz
patent: 4370842 (1983-02-01), Martin et al.
patent: 5033949 (1991-07-01), Jewett
patent: 5058519 (1991-10-01), Collins
Hughes S. Thomas
Jimenez Marc
Ladas and Parry
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