GB2281945A - Anchorage member - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to anchorage members for facilitating the formation of joints between the end regions of seals, for instance, for use in attaching the door seals of domestic appliances. The anchorage members are formed with shaped guide portions (5, 6) to guide the seal end regions around a curve and are provided with an attachment portion e.g. TAB (3) for attaching seals and anchorage members to a supporting surface of the domestic appliance. The anchorage members may be provided with one or more barbs (30 - 33) to resist inadvertent removal of seals therefrom. The seal itself may be attached to the anchorage member by pushing onto the member so clip 1 enters clip receiving region 11. <IMAGE>

Description

ANCHORAGE MEMBER The invention relates to anchorage members and particularly, although not exclusively, to members for anchoring or attaching seals to a supporting surface.

Industrial and domestic appliances such as ovens and washing machines require effective door sealing arrangements. In typical applications, door seals need to be resistant to high temperatures and/or severe vibration and problems have arisen in providing effective attachment of the seal to doors and/or openings.

Seals are generally provided in cut lengths and one or more joints will need to be made if a continuous loop seal arrangement, or other arrangement requiring multiple cut-lengths is required. Such joints are often made at corner regions, where the seal ends need to be cut at an angle, by mitre cutting, and subsequently bonded to one another to form the joint.

A first aspect of the invention provides an anchorage member for facilitating the formation of a joint between first and second seal-end regions so as to form a combined anchorage member/seal arrangement, the anchorage member comprising: first and second shaped guide portions for attachment to the respective first and second seal-end regions and for guiding the seal-end regions around a curve; and an attachment portion for attaching the combined arrangement to a supporting surface.

Preferably said first seal-end region comprises one end of a first elongate sealing member and said second seal-end region comprises one end of a second elongate sealing member.

Preferably said first seal-end region comprises one end of an elongate sealing member and said second seal-end region comprises the other end of the sealing member.

Preferably said first and second guide portions are co-planar and together form a continuous length of material having a substantially straight central region and first and second free end portions, the free end portions being disposed at an angle to both the central region and to one another. Preferably in the combined arrangement said first and second seal-end regions abut one another at the central region so as to conceal substantially all of said first and second guide portions.

Preferably the first and second guide portions are adapted for reception within part of the or each sealing member.

Preferably said attachment portion protrudes from the combined arrangement between the first and second abutting seal-end regions.

Preferably the attachment portion is positioned approximately at a mid-point of the central region and the anchorage member is symmetrical about said mid-point.

Preferably the combined arrangement is fixed together with adhesive or other bonding material.

Preferably the anchorage member is formed by a stamping process.

Preferably the guide portions have a strengthening portion formed therein, to provide resistance against bending. The strengthening portion may comprise a ridge or a kink formed in the anchorage member and running along its length.

Preferably the anchorage member is provided with one or more barbs for providing resistance against inadvertent removal of a sealing member therefrom.

preferably a plurality of barbs are provided and such barbs can be situated at any point along the guide portions.

Preferably said barbs are provided upon said substantially straight central region.

Four barbs may be provided, a first two barbs being provided to one side of a mid point of said substantially straight central region and a second two barbs being provided on the other side of said mid point. Preferably providing the anchorage member with said barbs results in said central region having a pair of tapering regions either side of said mid point, said tapering region being wider at points nearer to said mid point and narrower towards said free end portions. Preferably between said two tapering regions, said central region is substantially straight, so as to provide the central region with a waisted appearance.

The or each barb is/are preferably substantially coplanar with a main body portion of said anchorage member.

According to a second aspect there is provided an anchorage member for facilitating the formation of a joint between it and at least a first seal-end region so as to form a combined anchorage member/seal arrangement is provided, the- anchorage member having one or more barbs for providing resistance against inadvertent removal of a sealing member therefrom.

Preferably the anchorage member facilitates the formation of a joint between a first seal end region and a second seal end region so as to form a combined anchorage member/seal arrangement.

The anchorage member of the second aspect may comprise any of the features of the member of the first aspect.

Preferably said anchorage member comprises first and second shaped guide portions linked by a substantially straight central region and a plurality of barbs are provided, such barbs being situated at any point along said guide portions.

Preferably said barbs are provided upon said substantially straight central region.

Four barbs may be provided, a first two barbs being provided to one side of a mid-point of said central region and a second two barbs being provided on the other side of said mid-point.

Preferably providing the anchorage member with said barbs results in said central region having a pair of tapering regions either side of said mid-point, said tapering regions being wider at points nearer to said midpoint and narrower towards said free end portions.

Preferably between said two tapering regions, said central region is substantially straight, so as to provide the central region with a waisted appearance.

the invention includes a sealing member especially adapted for utilisation in combination with an anchorage member according to the first or second aspects.

The invention also includes an enclosure or door including one or more anchorage members in accordance with the first or second aspects.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the present invention may be carried into effect, specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a clip in accordance with the present invention; Figures 2, 3 and 4 are sectional views of the clip of Figure 1 viewed along lines AA, BB and CC of Figure 1; Figures 5, 6 and 7 show three different exemplary applications of the clip of Figures 1 to 4; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing member; and Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of an alternative embodiment of the clip to that shown in Figure 1; Figures 10, 11 and 12 are sectional views of the clip of Figure 9 viewed along lines AA, BB and CC of Figure 9; and Figures 13 to 16 are cross-sectional views of alternative sealing members to that shown in Figure 8; Figures 17 and 18 are, respectively, bottom plan views of clips similar to those shown in Figures 1 and 9 respectively, but featuring seal retaining barbs; and Figures 19 and 20 are, respectively, plan and profile views of a further embodiment of anchorage member; and Figure 21 is a plan view of a barbed end clip.

Referring initially to Figures 1 to 4 the illustrated clip, shown generally at 1, serves as an anchorage member and comprises a main body portion 2 and a protruding tab 3.

The clip 1 is symmetrical about the centre line of the tab 3, line BB. The body portion 2 comprises a central straight region 4 and two angled end portions 5, 6. A strengthening ridge 7 extends along the length of the body portion 2.

Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a seal 8 for use in conjunction with the clip of Figures 1 to 4.

The seal 8 comprises an extruded strip having a hollow portion of circular cross-section 9 which is capable of being deflected and compressed by a door, a pair of diverging legs 10 and a cavity of defining a clip receiving region 11.

In use, a first seal 8 is pushed onto one of the angled ends 5 of the clip 1. The thickness of the material of the clip 1, disregarding the ridge 7, is approximately the same as the depth of the clip receiving region 11 of the seal 8. Therefore, as the seal is pushed onto the clip 1, the clip receiving portion 11 is deformed slightly, by the ridge 7. This deformation aids location of the seal upon the clip so that inadvertent removal of the seal from the clip is resisted.

As the seal is pushed further onto the clip 1, the seal will tend to be guided along the body portion 2, so that the seal curves in accordance with the angle of the end region 5 in relation to the central portion 4. The seal can be pushed further onto the clip until the end of the seal meets the tab 3.

In a similar manner to that described above, a second seal may be pushed onto the other end 6 of the clip 1, until the end of that seal also meets the tab 3.

Because the tab 3 has a thin waist portion 12, the end portions of the two seals will tend to meet approximately along the centre line BB of Figure 1. The seals are formed of flexible elastomeric material.

Adhesive or some alternative form of bonding means (e.g.

welding) may be used so as to join the ends of the seal along the centre line of the clip and to bond the seal to the clip. At this point, the only part of the clip which is visible is the tab 3, which can then be used to attach the jointed seal to a supporting surface, such as an oven door, by passing the tab 3 through a location aperture in the door (not shown) and folding the tab down. When fitting the clip to a supporting surface, the seal is stretched between each clip 1. This stretching enables the seal to take up any subsequent expansion and also helps to hold the completed seal clip assembly in position.

In the manner described above many different types of seal arrangement can be envisaged.

For instance, referring to Figure 5, a continuous loop seal is shown. The loop is made up of 4 cut lengths of seal 13, 14, 15 and 16. The lengths are joined at corner regions 17 to 20 by insertion of clips of the types described in relation to Figures 1 to 4.

It can be seen from Figure 5 that the clip 1 provides a method of joining cut lengths of a seal material together at corner regions without the need for mitre cutting. In other words, the cut lengths require merely a simple straight (right angled) end. Furthermore, clips need only be fitted at corner regions. There is therefore a significant reduction in labour required during assembly and there is also a significant cost reduction over conventional arrangements.

As will be readily apparent, the tabs such as 3 can be used for attaching the continuous loop seal of Figure 5 to a supporting surface, such as an oven door or a washing machine door.

A second example of a seal arrangement is shown in Figure 6. In this Figure, a continuous loop is not required, clips such as the clip 1 being used at corner regions 21, 22 and a different type of clip 23 at the ends of the seal 24, 25.

A third type of seal arrangement is shown in Figure 7. This variation is similar to that shown in Figure 5, except that there is a break in the continuous loop. At the broken region the ends of the seal are secured in place by clips 23.

Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 show an alternative embodiment of anchorage member to that shown in Figures 1 to 4. In Figures 9 to 12 like parts are designated by like reference numerals. As described in connection with Figure 1, the clip of Figures 9 to 12 may be used in seal arrangements as shown in Figures 5 to 7.

Referring now to Figure 17, an alternative embodiment of anchorage member is shown. The embodiment of the Figures, is very similar to that of Figure 1 and like features are designated by like numerals. The embodiment of the Figure differs from that shown in Figure 1 in that a number of barbs 26 to 29 are provided. In use, these barbs act so as to dig into material of the seal so as to inhibit removal of the seal therefrom. The barbs are coplanar with the main body of the anchorage member and may be formed with the rest of the clip, in a single stamping operation.

Figure 18 shows another variant of the anchorage member featuring barbs, and this anchorage member is similar in many respects to that shown in Figure 9.

Again, like parts are designated by like reference numerals. In the same manner as with the embodiment of Figure 17, barbs 30 to 33 are provided, and these also act so as to inhibit removal of the seal therefrom.

Figures 19 and 20 are plan and profile views respectively of a further embodiment of anchorage member.

This anchorage member features barbs which have the same function as those of Figure 17 and Figure 18, but instead of the strengthening ridge 7, the anchorage member is provided with a kink 40 which runs along its length. By providing a kinked anchorage member, the strength of the member is enhanced so that it is much less prone to bending. As with the ridge 7, providing the kink enables thinner grades of sheet steel to be used than might otherwise have been the case, as the kink provides resistance against bending.

Figure 21 shows a barbed end clip which can be used to secure single ends of seal members in place. The end clip features barbs 42 to 49 along a substantially flat piece of metal and a tab 50 used to secure the end clip in place.

Other variations of anchorage member may be easily envisaged which fall within the scope of the present invention. For example clips in the form of a dog leg are included.

It should also be understood that alternative types of seal to that shown in Figure 8 may be used with the clip of the present invention and Figures 13 to 16 show some alternative seal profiles to that of the seal 8 shown in Figure 8.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims (35)

1. An anchorage member for facilitating the formation of a joint between first and second seal-end regions so as to form a combined anchorage member/seal arrangement, the anchorage member comprising: first and second shaped guide portions for attachment to the respective first and second seal-end regions and for guiding the seal-end regions around a curve; and an attachment portion for attaching the combined arrangement to a supporting surface.

2. An anchorage member in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first seal-end region comprises one end of a first elongate sealing member and said second seal-end region comprises one end of a second elongate sealing member.

3. An anchorage member according to claim 1, wherein said first seal-end region comprises one end of an elongate sealing member and said second seal-end region comprises the other end of the sealing member.

4. An anchorage member according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said first and second guide portions are coplanar and together form a continuous length of material having a substantially straight central region and first and second free end portions, the free end portions being disposed at an angle to both the central region and to one another.

5. An anchorage member according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the first and second guide portions are adapted for reception within part of the or each sealing member.

6. An anchorage member according to claim 4, or to claim 5 as dependant upon claim 4, wherein in the combined arrangement said first and second seal-end regions abut one another at the central region so as to conceal substantially all of said first and second guide portions.

7. An anchorage member according to claim 6, wherein said attachment portion protrudes from the combined arrangement between the first and second abutting seal-end regions.

8. An anchorage member according to claim 4, 6 or 7, or claim 5 as dependant upon claim 4, wherein the attachment portion is positioned approximately at a mid-point of the central region and the anchorage member is symmetrical about said mid-point.

9. An anchorage member according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the combined arrangement is fixed together with adhesive or other bonding material.

10. An anchorage member according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the anchorage member is formed by a stamping process.

11. An anchorage member according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the guide portions have a strengthening portion formed therein, to provide resistance against bending.

12. An anchorage member according to claim 11, wherein the strengthening portion comprises a ridge.

13. An anchorage member according to claim 11, wherein the strengthening portion comprises a kink formed in the anchorage member and running along its length.

14. An anchorage member according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the anchorage member is provided with one or more barbs for providing resistance against inadvertent removal of a sealing member therefrom.

15. An anchorage member according to claim 14, wherein a plurality of barbs are provided and such barbs can be situated at any point along the guide portions.

16. An anchorage member according to claim 15, as dependent upon claim 4 or as dependant upon any of claims 5 to 14 as dependent upon claim 4, wherein said barbs are provided upon said substantially straight central region.

17. An anchorage member according to claim 16, wherein four barbs are provided, a first two barbs being provided to one side of a mid point of said substantially straight central region and a second two barbs being provided on the other side of said mid point.

18. An anchorage member according to claim 17, wherein providing the anchorage member with said barbs results in said central region having a pair of tapering regions either side of said mid point, said tapering region being wider at points nearer to said mid point and narrower towards said free end portions.

19. An anchorage member according to claim 18, wherein between said two tapering regions, said central region is substantially straight, so as to provide the central region with a waisted appearance.

20. An anchorage member according to any of claims 14 to 19, wherein the or each barb is/are substantially coplanar with a main body portion of said anchorage member.

21. An anchorage member for facilitating the formation of a joint between it and at least a first seal-end region so as to form a combined anchorage member/seal arrangement is provided, the anchorage member having one or more barbs for providing resistance against inadvertent removal of a sealing member therefrom.

22. An anchorage member according to claim 21, wherein the anchorage member facilitates the formation of a joint between a first seal end region and a second seal end region so as to form a combined anchorage member/seal arrangement.

23. An anchorage member according to claim 22, incorporating any of the features of the anchorage member of claims 1 to 11.

24. An anchorage member according to claim 22 or 23, wherein said anchorage member comprises first and second shaped guide portions linked by a substantially straight central region and a plurality of barbs are provided, such barbs being situated at any point along said guide portions.

25. An anchorage member according to claim 24, wherein said barbs are provided upon said substantially straight central region.

26. An anchorage member according to claims 25, wherein four barbs are provided, a first two barbs being provided to one side of a mid-point of said central region and a second two barbs being provided on the other side of said mid-point.

27. An anchorage member according to claim 26, wherein providing the anchorage member with said barbs results in said central region having a pair of tapering regions either side of said mid-point, said tapering regions being wider at points nearer to said mid-point and narrower towards said free end portions.

28. An anchorage member according to claim 27, wherein between said two tapering regions, said central region is substantially straight, so as to provide the central region with a waisted appearance.

29. An anchorage member substantially as herein described, with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

30. An anchorage member substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 9 to 12.

31. An anchorage member substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 17 and 18.

32. An anchorage member substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 19 and 20.

33. An anchorage member substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 21.

34. A sealing member especially adapted for utilisation in combination with an anchorage member according to any of the preceding claims.

35. An enclosure or door including one or more anchorage members according to any of claims 1 to 33.