AU2003203540B2 - An Access Panel - Google Patents

Description

S&F Ref: 631776

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Bullock Mfg Pty Limited 22 Pike Street Rydalmere New South Wales 2116 Australia Roy James Jackson Spruson Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) An Access Panel ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION DETAILS [33] Country [31] Applic. No(s) AU PS2666 [32] Application Date 30 May 2002 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5815c AN ACCESS PANEL Technical Field The present invention relates to access panels.

Background of the Invention Access panels include a frame that surrounds a passage that is closed with a removal panel member. Typically a gasket is located below the panel member and is compressed between the panel member and a lower flange of the frame.

In the above discussed previously known access panels, it can not be guaranteed that the panel member is sealingly mounted in the frame to the extent that a substantially 1o "air tight" seal is formed.

Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention There is disclosed herein an access panel including; a frame surrounding a passage having a longitudinally axis; a removable panel member mounted in the frame so as to close the passage; said frame including a frame wall surrounding the passage and having a direction of extension with a component generally parallel to said access, and a flange extending from the frame wall and inwardly with respect to the passage; said panel member having a periphery portion including a panel wall extending adjacent said frame wall; a gasket located between the panel member and frame to sealingly connect the frame and panel member; and wherein the walls converge towards said flange and said gasket includes a first enlarged portion compressed between the converging walls, and a second enlarged portion compressed between the periphery portion and said flange.

Preferably, said frame wall and flange include an arcuate portion, with said second enlarged portion being compressed between said arcuate portion and said periphery portion.

Preferably, said frame wall is inclined by an acute angle to said access.

Preferably, said panel wall is generally parallel to said access.

[R:\LIBLL] 13117.doc:caa:hxa 2 Preferably, said gasket includes a mounting portion securing the gasket to said panel member.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an access panel; Figure 2 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the access panel of Figure 1 section along the line 2-2.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments In the accompanying drawings there are schematically depicted an access panel The access panel 10 includes a generally rectangular frame 11 that receives a removal panel member 12. The removable panel member 12 closes a passage 13 surrounded by the frame 11. The passage 13 has a central longitudinally axis 14.

The frame 11 includes four keepers 15 that are selectively engaged by four pivotally mounted catches 16. The catches 16 pivot between a lease position enabling removal of the panel member 12, and a securing position at which the catches 16 are engaged with the keepers 15 to secure the panel member 12 fixed to the frame 11. In this position the passage 13 is closed by the panel member 12.

The frame 11 and outer shell 17 of the panel member 12 are formed of pressed galvanised mild steal sheeting. The shell 17 is filled with fibreglass insulation 18.

The frame 11 includes an upper peripheral flange 19 that is generally normal to the longitudinally axis 14. The flange 19 extends from a frame wall 20 that is inclined to the longitudinally axis 14 by an acute angle. However, it should be appreciated that the wall 20 has a direction of extension with a component parallel to the axis 14.

Extending from the wall 20 is a lower flange 21 that is also generally normal to the axis 14. The flange 19, wall 20 and flange 21 surround the passage 13. The wall 20 and flange 21 include an accurate portion 22.

The shell 17 includes an upper wall 23 joined to a lower wall 24 by means of a peripheral portion 25. The peripheral portion 25 includes an outer wall 26 that extends generally parallel to the axis 14, and a generally horizontal wall 27 that is normal to the axis 14. The wall 27 is joined to the wall 25 by means of an inclined wall 28. The shell 23 further includes an inner wall 29.

[R:\LIBLL] 13117.doc:caa:hxa To sealingly connect the panel member 12 with the frame 11 there is provided a gasket 30. The gasket 30 surrounds the passage 13 and sealingly connects the panel member 12 with the frame 11 in an "air-tight" manner.

The gasket 30 includes a stem 31 that is located between the walls 26 and 29 so that the gasket 30 is secured to the panel member 12. The upper end of the stem 31 is provided with a hook 32 to ensure that the gasket 30 remains attached to the panel member 12.

The lower end of the stem 31 is provided with a hollow enlarged portion 33 that is compressed between the flange 21 and panel member 12. More particularly the 1o enlarged portion 33 is compressed between the arcuate portion 22 and shell 23. This occurs when this panel member is closing the flange 13.

Located above the enlarged portion 33 is a further hollow enlarged portion 34.

However it should be appreciated that in transverse cross section the enlarged portion 34 is smaller than the enlarged portion 33. The enlarged portion 34 is compressed between the walls 20 and 26. In this respect it should be appreciated that the walls 20 and 26 converge toward the flange 21, as the wall 26 is generally parallel to the axis 14 and the wall 20 is inclined by an acute angle. The tapered space 35 within which the enlarged portion 34 is located is accurately formed due to the accurate manufacture of the frame 11 and panel member 12.

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Claims (7)

1. An access panel including; a frame surrounding a passage having a longitudinally axis; a removable panel member mounted in the frame so as to close the passage; said frame including a frame wall surrounding the passage and having a direction of extension with a component generally parallel to said access, and a flange extending from the frame wall and inwardly with respect to the passage; said panel member having a periphery portion including a panel wall extending adjacent said frame wall; a gasket located between the panel member and frame to sealingly connect the frame and panel member; and wherein the walls converge towards said flange and said gasket includes a first enlarged portion compressed between the converging walls, and a second enlarged portion compressed between the periphery portion and said flange.

2. The access panel of claim 1 wherein said frame wall and flange include an arcuate portion, with said second enlarged portion being compressed between said arcuate portion and said periphery portion.

3. The access panel of claim 1 or 2 said frame wall is inclined by an acute angle to said access.

4. The access panel of claim 1, 2 or 3 said panel wall is generally parallel to said access.

The access panel of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said gasket includes a mounting portion securing the gasket to said panel member.

6. The access panel of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said first enlarged portion is larger in transverse cross-section than said second enlarged portion.

7. An access panel substantiates hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated 4 April, 2003 Bullock Mfg Pty Limited Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON [R:\LIBLL] 13117.doc:caa:hxa