GB2201130A

GB2201130A - Mechanical and re-usable patch

Info

Publication number: GB2201130A
Application number: GB08703938A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Cato Godfrey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-02-19
Filing date: 1987-02-19
Publication date: 1988-08-24
Anticipated expiration: 2007-02-19
Also published as: GB2201130B; GB8703938D0

Abstract

A mechanical and re-usable patch which enables punctures and tears in inflatables to be repaired in field conditions comprises two clamp members 10, 12, the member 12 being reduced in size to pass through the orifice and returned to full size before the top clamp member 10 is attached thereto by a nut 15. Assembly components - wing ring spanner 16 and 'T' piece 17, Figs 2 and 3, - are then removed. <IMAGE>

Description

MECHANICAL AND RE-USABLE PATCH.

This invention relates to a mechanical and re-usable patch.

The repair of holes or tears in soft sheet material such as rubber coated fabric, plastics, canvas and the like is traditionally carried out using adhesives with soft patches of a suitable material or by vulcanising.

The traditional patching methods, to be effective, require the object to be clean and dry throughout the process, requiring optimum conditions.

According to the present invention there is provided a mechanical and re-usable patch comprising a top clamp and seal, a bottom clamp and seal wherein the bottom clamp is designed to reduce in size for entry into the damaged area and to regain full size after entry into the hole, a means of compressing the top and bottom clamps against each side of the damaged material effecting an air and watertight seal.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Drawing 1/2 Figure 1 shows in perspective the visible parts of the mechanical and re-usable patch in situ, for example, on a section of an inflatable object.

Drawing 1/2 Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the patch assembly.

Drawing 2/2 Figure 3 shows the patch, with bottom clamp folded, being inserted into the hole in the material, Drawing 2/2 Figure 4 shows a section through the patch in situ after the removal of the extension bar and winged ring spanner..

Referring to the drawings, the patch comprises a top clamp 10, a bottom clamp 12, a brace bar with threaded stud 14, a nut 15, a winged ring spanner 16 and a part-threaded extension bar 17. The patch is assembled for use as shown in Drawing 1/2 Figure 2 but with the extension bar 17 screwed into the threaded orifice 23. In the drawings:- 18 is the top clamp seal; 19 is the bottom clamp seal; 26 is one of the bevels to facilitate the brace bar travel; 27 is the surface of the skin being repaired; 28 is the underside of the skin being repaired; 30 are arrows showing the direction and path of the brace bar.

To repair a hole, the bottom clamp 12 is folded in half against the tensioning (not shown) on the hinge 22 with the brace bar 14 lying in the rebate 24 along the hinge and the folded halves are pushed into the tear - Figure 3 - and turned in a manner indicated by the arrow 29.

Once inside the hole, the bottom clamp springs open and using the extension bar 17. the bottom clamp is centralised round the underside of the hole and then pulled up against the material. The extension bar 17 is then turned through 90 degrees which also turns the brace bar 14 through the quadrant marked by dotted arrows 30 until it hits the brace bar stop 20. The top clamp 10 is pushed over the threaded stud and the nut 15 run down and tightened into the recess 25, using the winged ring spanner 16. The extension bar is then unscrewed from the threaded orifice 23 and removed with the winged ring spanner.

To remove the patch, if required, the procedures described above are reversed.

Claims

CLAIMS,

1. A mechanical and re-usable patch comprising, a top clamp and seal, a bottom clamp and seal wherein the bottom clamp is designed to reduce in size for entry into the damaged area and to regain full size after entry into the said hole, a means of compressing the top and bottom clamps against each side of the damaged material to effect an air and watertight seal.

2. A mechanical and re-usable patch as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the top clamp has a fixed rigid sealing ring on the under, or internal facing side, the outer edge of which is inset from the inner edge of the clamp and is parallel to it.

3. A mechanical and re-usable patch as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the bottom clamp has a fixed rigid seal on the upper or internal facing side, the outer edge of which is flush with the outer edge of the clamp.

4. A mechanical and re-usable patch as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the bottom clamp is in two semi-circular halves.

5. A mechanical and re-usable patch as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the two halves of the bottom clamp are joined and hinged by an elastic material such as latex or neoprene or material with similar properties.

6. Amechanical and re-usable patch as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the underside of the bottom clamp has a rebate along both sides of the hinged edge to accept the brace bar when the clamp is folded.

7. A mechanical and re-usable patch as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the underside of the bottom clamp is bevelled where the brace bar travels from the rebate in the hinge to the stop.

7. A mechanical and re-usable#patch as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the underside of the bottom clamp is bevelled where the brace bar travels from the rebate in the hinge to the stop point.

8. A mechanical and re-usable patch as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a brace bar with threaded stud supports the two bottom clamp halves in position.

9. A mechanical and re-usable patch as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the bottom brace threaded stud is drilled and threaded down through the top centre for part of its length, 10. A mechanical and re-usable patch as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein an extension bar is screwed into the internal thread on the brace bar stud to facilitate handling during application.

11. A mechanical and re-usable patch substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 4 of the accompanying drawing.

CLAIMS.

2. A mechanical and re-usable patch as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the top clamp has a seal on the under, internal facing side.

3. A mechanical and re-usable patch as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the bottom clamp has a seal on the upper, internal facing side.