GB2274122A

GB2274122A - Seals for guttering

Info

Publication number: GB2274122A
Application number: GB9300215A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Millward
Original assignee: Polypipe PLC
Current assignee: Polypipe PLC
Priority date: 1993-01-07
Filing date: 1993-01-07
Publication date: 1994-07-13
Anticipated expiration: 2013-01-07
Also published as: GB2274122B; GB9300215D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a flexible rubber seal 1 for a guttering system comprising a bodypart 2 and a securing part 3 adapted to secure the seal with a guttering component such as the 90 DEG angle component 4. The seal seats in channel 5, and ends 3 of the seal fit into dovetail notches 13; when another guttering channel is seated in past 4, a clip (not shown) in clipped over it to compress the seal 1. <IMAGE>

Description

SEALS The invention relates to seals, particularly to flexible seals used in guttering systems.

In the past such seals are received in a groove in one guttering component and a second component is nested with the first one at one end and rests on the seal, the two components being secured together by spring bands or clips at or adjacent the position of the seal, which is thereby compressed. The seals are however liable to be dislodged owing say to movement of the guttering with the result that leakage can ensue.

It is an object of the invention to seek to mitigate this disadvantage.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a flexible seal for a guttering system, comprising a body part and a securing part adapted to secure the seal with a guttering component.

The securing part may be integral with the body part. This provides for ease of construction.

Alternatively the securing part may comprise a part which may be secured to the body part by securing means, for example adhesive. This provides another relatively simple construction method.

The securing part may be formed integrally with the body part in a moulding operation. This provides for repeatability of a particular design of seal.

The body part may be elongate and there may be a securing part at or adjacent each end of the body part. This provides for a symmetrical location of the seal in use.

The or each securing part may comprise an extension of the body part. This again provides for simplicity of construction, particularly where the extension may comprise a substantially flat part.

The part may be inclined to the longitudinal axis of the body part, for ease of location.

The part may be inclined at substantially 90" to the longitudinal axis of the body part, and may have tapered sides so that it may be of substantially dove-tail shape in plan. The seal may comprise rubber.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a component for a guttering system, comprising a part for locating a securing part of a flexible seal comprising a body part and the securing part.

The component may comprise a body adapted for cooperation with another guttering component with the seal therebetween and including the locating part.

The locating part may comprise a seat for the securing part, such as a notch in a wall of the body part. This provides for a positive location, particularly where the notch may have tapering side walls.

According to a third aspect of the invention there may be provided a guttering system, comprising a plurality of guttering components, each of which is adapted for receiving another with a similar cross-section and to secure a seal as hereinbefore defined and a plurality of connector bands each of which is adapted to secure two components together with a seal therebetween.

Seals, components and a system embodying the invention are hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figs. 1 and 1A are respectively a plan view and an end view of a flexible seal according to the invention; Figs. 2 and 2A are respectively an underneath view and an end view of the seal of Fig. 1; Fig 3 is a greatly enlarged transverse cross-sectional view of the seal of Figs.

1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a plan view of a guttering component; Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of the component of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of a gutter band or clip; and Fig. 7 is a schematic plan view of a guttering system made up of guttering components including seals of Figs. 1 to 3, a component as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and clips as shown in fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Figs. 1 to 3 a flexible rubber seal 1 for a guttering system (Fig. 7) comprising a body part 2 and a securing part 3 adapted to secure the seal with a guttering component such as the 90" angle component 4 shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 7.

The seal 1 is moulded from rubber in the embodiment, and the body part 2 has a constant cross-section throughout. The securing part 3 of the seal 1 in the embodiment comprises a flat extension at each end of the body part 2.

The extensions 2 each have tapering sides inclined at 15 to provide a substantially dove-tail shape. The extensions 3 lie substantially at 90" to the longitudinal axis of the body part 2 and are flexible too, being formed integrally with the body part 2 during moulding, suitably by injection moulding.

The cross-section of the body part 2 of the seal 1, as shown in Fig. 3, is such as to allow the body part 2 to be received in a groove 5 in a guttering component 4, part 6 of the sealing 1 bearing on the bottom of the groove 5 with inclined sides 7 engaging the sides of the groove 4. The upper (as viewed, Fig. 3) part 8 of the seal has a "W-" like shape and receives the base of a guttering component on rounded lateral support parts 9. There are side grooves or rebates 10 in the seal so that when another guttering component is laid on a first one with the seal 1 between them and the two components are clipped together with a band or clip 11 (Fig. 6), the parts of the seal 1 are compressible to form a firm seal between the groove 5 and the two components 4 without undue stressing of the seal 1, the life of which is thereby enhanced.

The guttering component 4 shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is a right angle bend. It has at each end a groove 5 for receiving a seal 1 and at each side a locating part 12 adapted to receive a respective securing part 3 of the seal 1. The locating part 12 in each case comprises a cut-out or notch 13 of dove-tail configuration tapering towards the interior of the component 4 and located in a part of a boundary wall 14 of the component defining the groove 5, the cut-out or notch 13 being aligned with the groove 5. The end parts of the component containing the groove 5 are slightly lower than the rest of the component 4 as shown by a shoulder 16 so that when another component is laid in the component 4 up to a stop 15, a continuous run of guttering can be obtained with a bottom at the same level for an uninterrupted flow of water.

In use, a seal 1 is laid in the groove 5, the body part 2 of the seal 1 extending over the length of the groove, up to an inner surface of the boundary wall 14.

The extensions 3 are then bent to be forced through the associated cut-out or notch 13 so that they are secured therein by cooperation of the respective dove-tail configurations of the cut-out or notches, and the extensions. The seal 1 is then securely located in the groove 5 without compression of the seal sides to maintain it in the groove.

A guttering component 4 can then be laid in the one 4 containing the seal 1 and held in place by the clip or band 11 which has hooks or clips which clip over the overlapping parts at each side and each end to hold the components together, the seal 1 flexing as described previously to provide a water-tight union.

The union remains good even if the guttering components move relatively to one another in use because the extension parts 3 maintain the seal 1 correctly aligned with and on the groove 5. Moreover, as the seal 1 is not stressed to maintain it on the groove 5 as it would otherwise be, the life of the seal is enhanced as it is not intrinsically stressed to maintain it in place.

It is only under stress as a result of the action of the clip or band 11 for forming the water-tight seal. The hook parts 17 have a flattened surface 18 to provide a full bearing surface on the parts of the components being secured together. This provides a positive pressure over the surface area of contact, so providing a firm, even connection. The upper surface 19 is also flat vertically above the surface to provide a smooth finish of an assembled system.

A guttering system of any desired length and shape can be built up using seals 1, components 4 and clips or bands 11 as described hereinbefore. Fig.

7 shows part of one system 20 comprising a straight run 20, a right angle bend 4, a down pipe component 22 and another right angle bend 4. It will be understood that all the guttering components, including end stop parts (not shown) and gutter brackets or hangers (not shown) have cut-outs or notches 13 in order to receive extensions of flexible seals according to the invention. The details are omitted from Fig. 7 for clarity.

It will be understood that there may be modifications. Thus the extension 3 may initially be separate and may then be secured to the body parts 2 by suitable means such as adhesive. The extension parts may also be made of a different material than that of the body part of the seal. Also, the extensions may not be flexible as such, providing they can have a relatively simple engagement and disengagement with the locating parts of the guttering components. Also, the cut-outs or notches and extensions may have different shapes other than substantially dove-tail, for example the cut-outs or notches may be of keyhole-like configuration and the extensions may be T-shaped or cylindrical for securing therein.

The guttering components may also have any desired cross-section, for example flat-bottomed.

It will be understood that a guttering system can be dismantled by unclipping the clips or bands lifting the components one from another, and removing the seals by unclipping the extensions from the notches or cut-outs.

Claims

1. A flexible seal for a guttering system, comprising a body part and a securing part adapted to secure the seal with a guttering component.

2. A seal according to Claim 1, the securing part being integral with the body part.

3. A seal according to Claim 2, the securing part comprising a part which is secured to the body part by securing means.

4. A seal according to claim 3, the securing means comprising adhesive.

5. A seal according to Claim 2, the securing part being formed integrally with the body part in a moulding operation.

6. A seal according to any preceding claim, the body part being elongate and there being a securing part at or adjacent each end of the body part.

7. A seal according to Claim 6, the or each securing part comprising an extension of the body part.

8. A seal according to Claim 7, the extension comprising a substantially flat part.

9. A seal according to Claim 8, the part being inclined to the longitudinal axis of the body part.

10. A seal according to Claim 9, the part being inclined at substantially 90" to the longitudinal axis of the body part.

11. A seal according to Claim 10, the part having tapered sides.

12. A seal according to Claim 11, the part being of substantially dove-tail shape in plan.

13. A seal according to any preceding claim, comprising rubber.

14. A flexible seal for a guttering system, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A component for a guttering system, comprising a part for locating a securing part of a flexible seal comprising a body part and the securing part.

16. A component according to Claim 15, comprising a body adapted for cooperation with another guttering component with the seal therebetween, and including the locating part.

17. A component according to Claim 16, the locating part comprising a seat for the securing part.

18. A component according to Claim 17, the seat comprising a notch in a wall of the body part.

19. A component according to Claim 18, the notch having tapering side walls.

20. A component for a guttering system, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. A guttering system, comprising a plurality of guttering components, each of which is adapted for receiving another with a similar cross-section, and to secure a seal according to any of Claims 1 to 14, and a plurality of connector bands each of which is adapted to receive two components together with a seal therebetween.

22. A guttering system, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.