GB2228058A - Gaskets - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides gaskets for securing panels in frames quickly and easily, the gaskets comprising hollow, resiliently deformable and evacuable piping. The panel may be a window frame, windscreen or a container lid. <IMAGE>

Description

GASKETS The present invention relates to gaskets for the sealing and/or securing of panels.

Gaskets frequently tend to comprise rubber flanges which may be fixed around the edge of a panel to be fitted.

One construction has the gasket located, generally by tension, in grooues around the panel which correspond to receiving grooves in a structure of which the panel is intended to form a part. The panel is fixed and/or sealed to the structure by this general method which may, by way of example, be a type of frame system, such as 'curtain walling' or 'cladding' used for the weathersealing of buildings.

Nn alternative prior construction has the gasket being fixed about the edge of a frame system - rather than about the panel itself. This construction requires a receiving grooue for the gasket around the panel periphery to facilitate fixing or sealing.

Neither construction necessarily relies on the gasket being under tension to keep it in place. Mechanical fasteners maybe used as an alternative option, for example, such as push-in tongues to locate the gasket.

Both of the aboue types of structural gasket require manual application and are generally referred to as 'zipper' and 'push-in' gaskets. n push-in gasket which fixes and/or seals a panel will require time and skill in order to remoue/replace/locate and align the panel and this is a major problem.

fi further problem lies in the replacement of the panel, as there is no leuerage to assist remoual.

It has now been found that it is possible to prouide a gasket allowing the same or better securing and sealing qualities as prior art gaskets, but which permits quick and simple fitting, quick release and easy alignment.

Thus there is provided a gasket for securing panels comprising hollow, resilently deformable and evacuable piping. 'Piping' is used interchangeably with 'tubing' herein.

The term 'gasket' is used herein to refer to a layer of material suitable to effect location and/or sealing of a panel within a suitable frame.

The term 'panel' is used herein to denote an article that may be assembled, preferably remouably, within a suitable framework by means of a gasket. Examples include ceiling panels, windscreens and container lids.

Gaskets of the invention preferably simply comprise an endless length of tubing adapted to be evacuated and which will spring back into shape after evacuation. The tubing can typically be positioned around the periphery of a suitable panel, euacuated and, thereby, collapsed, the panel located in the frame and the uacuum (which term includes partial uacuum) released to secure the panel within the frame.

It will be appreciated that there are many possible variants on the invention, including the type of tubing used, means for euacuation, enuironment and the structure to which the gasket is applicable.

Whilst the gaskets of the invention may be simple resilient tubing, they may also be reinforced, for example, by ribbing. Such reinforcement may be formed as part of the tubing, or may be of the same or different material added during manufacture. The main requirement of the tubing is that it be resilient, otherwise any shape is acceptable. fi circular cross-section is frequently desirable for general applicability, but gaskets may equally be shaped in accordance with the panel and framework to which the gasket is to be applied. For example, a window frame may have a square recess and the pane no recess at all.

Thus, the gasket can be shaped to fit the recess of the frame, and to either side of the periphery of the pane.

The gasket is then fitted about the pane, evacuated and the pane placed in the frame. On release of the vacuum, the pane is secured in the frame.

Other suitable configurations of gasket tubing will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and may include such grooues and reinforcements as may be desired. For example, a lengthwise interior groove may be incorporated to ensure correct orientation of collapse.

This effect may also be achieved by other means, such as tube section.

The tubing may also comprise such extensions and indents as may be required for affixing to the frame or panel.

Thus, a beaded flange may serue to cooperate with a corresponding recess in the panel or frame, thereby securing the gasket without need for tension. It will be appreciated that the gasket may merely be positioned in an appropriate location in its evacuated state and then released to secure panel and frame, but this is not generally particularly easy for an individual, and is not a particularly preferred embodiment.

The term 'collapse' is used herein to refer to the evacuated state of the tubing, using partial vacuum or otherwise. There is no particular restriction, provided that there is a difference between resting and euacuated states.

The gaskets of the invention can be used in uirtually any environment, prouided that the tubing can be euacuated and allowed to return to resting. It is envisaged that the gaskets of the invention will most frequently be used with air in the tubing, but other suitable fluids include water, oil, gas and the natural vacuum of space.

The periphery of the panel and receptor unit about which the gasket acts may be of any shape or contour, but where there are grooves specifically intended for the gasket, these should preferably comprise smooth flowing lines rather than sharp changes of angle, in order to ensure that the gasket operates with maximum efficiency when a vacuum is applied to bring about the collapse of the gasket. It is generally preferable to auoid pronounced angles, as the gasket may collapse, even when inflated. However, this problem can be avoided by suitable reinforcement of the gasket.

In particular, it is preferred to achieve a change in direction by a radiused curue (900, 45 , 600, for example), or by mitring the corners of the gasket.

Other suitable constructions for complex systems include networked gaskets which can be so joined as to prouide a uacuum circuit. Such circuits may comprise lengths of tubing and suitable junctions and optionally plugs to close the circuit. Such circuits are of particular use in complex and non-regular situations, where lengths and diameters of tubing can be selected according to need.

It is generally desired to euacuate the tubing through a valve, so that the operation may be more easily controlled. fi simple hole in the tubing may be used, preferably with suitable strengthening, but this can lead to problems with fixing the uacuum source. fi value allows easy fixing (in general) and may also allow determination of the degree of uacuum sustained in the tubing when the vacuum source is removed. This last is generally of little importance, as it is preferred to keep the gasket in its resting state in operation.

Valves for use with the gaskets of the invention may be any valve that is appropriate. The primary requirement of a single value is to allow euacuation and re-filling of the gasket. If two ualves are used, one may be used for euacuation, and one for re-filling. If the gasket is for use in space, for example, one ualue may lead to vacuum, allowing evacuation by simple opening of the valve. Deflation of the gasket in space may be used to allow separation of the two parts of a space craft, for example.

Values may also be constructed in accordance with aesthetic principles. They may be discrete, the valve opening being hidden, or no such consideration may be necessary, so they may be uery obvious to the naked eye. The may also be long tubes, or substantially flush with the gasket. n dust cap or plug is aduantageous to prevent blocking of the ualve(s).

The vacuum force auailable for a particular application may determine the thickness of the gasket to be accommodated: greater wall thickness requires a stronger uacuum force to collapse the gasket. The uacuum force required will also depend on the flexibility or hardness of the material used. Common materials used for gaskets are normally measured for hardness in relation to the Shore Index of Hardness. n relatively soft gasket material will require less force to cause evacuation.

The vacuum used to collapse the gasket may may be generated by any suitable pump and supply line which is capable of meeting the specific task and specifications of the gasket and units. Such pumps may be hand-held, for example, for small jobs, worn ontthe person for relativel heauy duty applications, or industrial size for high strength jobs.

The gasket's wall thickness will also depend on the choice of material in respect of durability, weather resistance, cost of material, availability, choice of colour and the resources and technical ability of the design team and manufacturer of the gasket, as well as the gasket material. Wall thickness will also vary according to any special or particular functional requirements, for example at corners or bends in a gasket system for ease of euacuation.

Choice of material for the manufacture of gaskets will be uery wide-ranging and will depend upon many factors.

Typical choices may be: E.P.D.M., neoprene, silicone, hypalon, vistlon and various other polymers, synthetic rubbers, natural rubbers, and uarious plastics may also be considered suitable. Such materials may, if required, also be reinforced by incorporation of various types of fibres in various patterns and densities.

Suitable structures will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In general, any material may be used for the gaskets of the invention, provided that the necessary resilient properties are realised.

Conueniently, gaskets of the invention will generally comprise an endless length of resilient tubing fixed, by tension, on the panel. n suitable valve allows a suction pump to be attached, the resulting partial uacuum collapsing the gasket. The panel can then be easily located, and release of the vacuum causes the gasket to resume its original shape, sealing, securing and aligning the panel.

The exact nature of the gasket will depend upon the use for which it is intended, but the resulting seal is generally comparable to, or better than, that achieued by a standard gasket.

Gaskets of the present invention may be used whereuer gaskets are required. In addition, gaskets of the invention may also find application in situations not previously considered to be appropriate for gaskets, either because the panel was too delicate to be force-fitted, or because it was not feasible to fit the gasket in the assembled panel/structure, or for any other reason.

Particular situations where gaskets of the invention may be used are exemplified in the accompanying drawings.

Other possible applications include: the fitting of windscreens, and windows in general; wall and ceiling panels, optionally containing a light source; utility panels in general, where it may be desired to change the panel as convenient, and which may simply prouide decoration or may prouide light-fittings, sockets, storage space, such as drawers and shelves; ski boot locks; container lids; and medical equipment.

Gaskets of the invention may further find application in a range of apparatus including household utensils, where they may be used to locate lids or to wedge halves of battery-casings together, for example. Other applications may include incorporation of the gaskets into apparatus for use as shock absorbers.

It will be appreciated that the gaskets of the invention need not be fitted to the panel, but may be located in the receiving structure, either before or during placement of the panel. This may be of use where it is desired to reduce the number of gaskets, or where it is easier to fit the gasket to the structure than to the panel.

fi pneumatic gasket is generally most preferred, but an oil system can provide a more rigid fixture, for example. If a pneumatic gasket system is considered for the fixing and/or sealing of one, two or more units, a suitable uacuum pump is required which can generate sufficient uacuum to cause the collapse of the particular specification of gasket, thereby releasing one unit from another or causing an air-tight seal to be broken, for example.

Due to the nature of this pneumatic gasket, cladding panel applications may, for example, exploit the gasket's ability to enable a panel to be remoued/located from either side of a cladding wall or roof. This is one significant aduantage, other gasket types allowing remoual/location from one side of the cladding only.

Some advantages of a preferred pneumatic embodiment are as follows. The primary advantage is one of speed of fixing of each panel or unit into a frame or any other suitable receptor unit. Panels may be fixed/removed/ interchanged in seconds. Rather than hauing to use bolts or screws or "zipper" gaskets which have to be manually positioned and located into the panel and frame, an air line from a vacuum pump is simply rammed into the evacuation hole on the panel's surface which connects directly to the gasket - the gasket immediately collapses, enabling the panel to be remoued or located into the frame system.

Each panel has its own gasket which is ideally factoryfitted to the panel's periphery. With factory-fitting panel location time is reduced still further. The entire location process takes only a few seconds. fis there are no bolt fixings etc., there are consequently no "point loading - the forces on the panel (wind loading, for example) are spread around the entire periphery of each panel. For example, for a 3 x 1m panel, 50mm diameter gasket and a IOmm joint, there is 2 an area of 1.ism ouer which the force is distributed.

Also, the gasket: is user-friendly (useable by non-skilled persons); automatically aligns the panel horizontally and vertically, normally an extremely time-consuming process; allows the panel to be located from inside or outside of the building's frame system; can accommodate considerable amounts of thermal and structural mouement without affecting the workability or uisual appearance of the system; can act as a weather seal; is highly adaptable and uersatile; and, only minimum maintenance of the system is required, there being so few critical components, no additional site-fitting of gaskets or sealants being necessary.

The pneumatic gasket acts not only structurally (holding the panels within the frame) but also as a weather seal - keeping water and dust out of the structure (e.g.

building). The gasket also has good acoustic properties (by reducing sound transmission) and thermal properties (reducing heat loss through the structure's, for example, building's, fabric).

Types of frame and panel that may be used with the gasket of the invention are greatly uaried. They may be straightforward fits hauing flush surfaces equipped with recesses to retain the gasket. In particular, the recesses should be such that, in its resting state, the gasket presses against the recesses, ensuring a good seal and tight fit. The frame and/or panel may be narrow or wide, the recess(es) may be off-centre, or there may be a plurality of recesses in each. In this case, one or more gaskets may be used in accordance with requirements.

Laps may be prouided on frame and/or panel and secondary gaskets, dust excluders and the like may be employed to supplement the gasket of the invention or to protect it from contamination.

The invention is further illustrated by way of the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows the operation of a gasket of the inuention; Fig. 2 shows uarious forms of gasket of the invention; Fig. 3 shows various panel/framework configurations of the invention; Figs. 4 and shows a specific configuration of , panel/framework; and Fig. 6 shows alternative applications of the inuention.

In Fig. 1, position (1) shows a gasket 1 in deflated position, the air being euacuated uia ualue position 2.

Panel 3 is moued into position on frame 4. In position (2), the air is allowed back into the gasket 1, and holds frame 4 and panel 3 in place. The 'a' shows that there is a gap between panel and frame to allow a good fit of gasket.

Fig. 2 shows uarious possible conformations of gasket, adapted to suit the prevailing situation.

In Fig. 3, the panel 9 has a track 8 beneath its facade, allowing the gasket to describe a curved course to preuent blocking of the air passage.

In Fig. 4, gaskets 1 secure panels 3 to frame 4, while supplementary gaskets lOpreuent rubbing of the panels 3 on frame 4.

Fig. B is similar to Fig. 4 but shows a gasket having grooves 11 to ensure correct collapse of the gasket, while tongue 12 secures the gasket in place when not in use.

In Fig. 6, lamp 13 is secured by gasket 1 in its holder, while car windscreen 14 is retained in frame 15 by gasket 1.

Claims (13)

1. n gasket for securing panels comprising hollow, resilently deformable and evacuable piping.

2. n gasket according to claim 1 for use in securing a panel in a frame.

3. n gasket according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the gasket is in the form of an endless tube.

4. n gasket according to any preceding claim wherein the gasket comprises at least one longitudinal groove to ensure correct collapse.

5. fi gasket according to any preceding claim wherein the gasket comprises at least one longitudinal flange to cooperate with a recess in a panel or frame to retain the gasket when not in use.

6. n gasket according to claim B wherein the flange is beaded.

7. n gasket according to any preceding claim wherein the gasket comprises at least one ualue for evacuation of the gasket.

8. n gasket according to claim 7 wherein the ualue is concealed in a panel.

9. n gasket according to any preceding claim wherein in use recesses with which it is to cooperate are smaller than the circumference of the gasket in toto, thereby to ensure a good fit of panel in frame.

10. n panel and/or frame for use with a gasket according to any preceding claim further comprising supplementary gaskets.

11. n panel and/or frame for use with a gasket according to any preceding claim for use in the construction of a curtain wall.

12. n piping gasket substantially as described herein with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. n panel and/or frame for use with a gasket according to any preceding claim.