Seal for a joint or juncture – Seal between fixed parts or static contact against... – Contact seal for other than internal combustion engine – or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-15
2001-10-09
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3626)
Seal for a joint or juncture
Seal between fixed parts or static contact against...
Contact seal for other than internal combustion engine, or...
C277S630000, C277S650000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299177
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a plug for closing holes in a vehicles body.
It is known to close so-called paint run-off holes in body parts, such as in the door region or likewise with hole plugs of plastic. In this manner, corrosion from contaminants or moisture penetrating into the inside of the body is prevented. On the other hand, it is disadvantageous that penetrated contaminants such as dust granules, loose particles and also moisture may no longer escape after the sealing of the cavity.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a plug to prevent the penetration of dust and moisture from outside into the body parts of automobiles, but permit the escape of contaminants and collected water. The holes to be closed may have a circular, square or rectangular contour.
The plug according to the invention contains a valve having a valve member that bears under normal against a sealing edge. With a drop in pressure from the body inside to the outside by a predetermined amount, the valve opens so that water may flow out from the inside of the body part. If this has been effected, the valve returns to its closed position and prevents the penetration of dust and moisture.
The valve is located in a plug which is fastened in a hole in a suitable manner. Such plugs are known in a multitude of embodiments. They are normally plastic and are clipped into a hole. With this it is important that accommodation of the plug in the hole is such that an adequate sealing is ensured.
According to one formation of the invention the valve member is formed by a flexible diaphragm. Various possibilities are conceivable for forming the diaphragm or positioning in the plug such that the desired function is guaranteed. One formation of the invention for this envisages the membrane to be biased against a sealing edge of the plug by way of an inherent spring effect.
The diaphragm may be provided as a separate part in the plug arrangement whereupon this will be gone into in more detail further below, or be integrally formed with the valve body which is formed as a hole plug. The valve body is preferably of a relatively hard material and the diaphragm of a relatively soft material. Plastic could methods—two-component manufacture in one tool—are known for the manufacture of integral parts of different materials. Another method permits the molding of the hole plug on the one side and the injection of the diaphragm part to or around the hole plug in a second could on the other side.
According to a further formation of the invention the diaphragm, as already mentioned, is formed separately from the valve body formed as a hole plug. The diaphragm is connected to a shank which may be clipped into a receiving opening of the valve body. The valve body comprises a circumferential sealing edge against which the diaphragm normally bears. If however there occurs a pressure difference at the diaphragm on account of a water column within the body part or also on account of the fact that temporarily with respect to the surroundings, within the automobile an excess pressure is produced, the diaphragm is lifted from the sealing seat to a greater or lesser degree, by which means fluid may be drained and air may escape. Normally however the hole would be closed so that dust or other contaminants may not penetrate into the inside of the body part. The diaphragm is designed such that only slight forces are adequate in order to let it be lifted partly from the sealing seat, and on the other hand it must constantly maintain the sealing. In this context one formation of the invention envisages the diaphragm to be circular and the shank to be mounted eccentrically on the diaphragm, and the receiver opening in the valve body to be arranged correspondingly eccentrically to the annular sealing edge. By way of this the diaphragm towards one side has a relatively large “lever arm” so that already a relatively small weight of the water column or a slight air pressure difference is sufficient in order to slightly deform the diaphragm and to permit the fluid to flow out.
The receiver opening in the valve body is preferably formed in a bottom portion which is located within the hollow valve body and extends radially inwards from the inner side of the valve body. A large part of the “bottom” thus remains free. A large part of the diaphragm lies free and is exposed to the described pressures or pressure differences for the purpose of deformation of the diaphragm and lifting from the sealing edge. A circular arc shaped outer contour of the bottom portion permits a deformation of the diaphragm against a resistance which is not so large.
The shank on the diaphragm is preferably a resilient prong which cooperates with a radial relief of the receiver opening in order to create an orientation of the diaphragm relative to the valve body. The prong is furthermore designed such that it latchingly grips behind the edge of the relief when the shank is completely introduced into the receiver opening.
The shank furthermore comprises a shoulder which grips behind the hole edge when the shank is introduced. Since the outer diameter of the shoulder is larger than the diameter of the receiver opening, the shank on introduction into the receiver opening must be temporarily deformed radially inwards. The shank must therefore according to a further embodiment of the invention be formed hollow but closed towards the free end so that no passage is created between the inside of the body and the outside.
The valve body or the plug comprises, according to another formation of the invention, a sleeve-like portion which on the outside is conical and converges towards the free end. By way of this with a radial deformation of the sleeve-like portion it may be inserted into the hole, wherein then a shoulder grips behind a hole edge. Furthermore there is provided a radial flange which bears sealingly against the outer side of the body when the plug has been completely inserted into the hole. By way of this a sealing arrangement of the plug in the hole is given and a passage of fluid is only possible from the inside to the outside.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3659320 (1972-05-01), Meyer
patent: 4081879 (1978-04-01), Rubright
patent: 4089496 (1978-05-01), Mizusawa
patent: 4647262 (1987-03-01), Yokota
patent: 4878792 (1989-11-01), Frano
patent: 4912287 (1990-03-01), Ono et al.
patent: 5144777 (1992-09-01), Fishel et al.
patent: 5189779 (1993-03-01), Fishel et al.
patent: 5806139 (1998-09-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 1530304 (1978-10-01), None
Rehberg Karsten
Sturies Jens
Weiner Heiko
Browne Lynne H.
ITW-Ateco G.m.b.H.
Lowe Hauptman & Gilman & Berner LLP
Santos Robert G.
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