GB2297114A

GB2297114A - An assembly for leaktight closure of a door

Info

Publication number: GB2297114A
Application number: GB9601023A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jool Garrec
Original assignee: Direction General pour lArmement DGA; Etat Francais
Current assignee: Direction General pour lArmement DGA; Etat Francais
Priority date: 1995-01-19
Filing date: 1996-01-18
Publication date: 1996-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 2016-01-18
Also published as: ITMI960075A1; FR2729634B1; FR2729634A1; GB9601023D0; GB2297114B; ITMI960075A0; IT1281680B1

Abstract

In an assembly for leaktight closure of a door having two leaves 2 onto a fixed part or coaming 3 having an edging blade member (6, Fig 1), the assembly comprises a peripheral mouldable or moulded seal which is disposed in a groove of trapezoidal or substantially trapezoidal cross-section and which is located peripherally on two horizontal sides and an outer vertical side of each door leaf 2, in continuity with a central moulded seal 5 disposed in a groove of trapezoidal or substantially trapezoidal cross-section on the inner vertical side of each door leaf so that the central moulded seals on the inner vertical sides contact one another when the two leaves are in a closed position; and at least one metallic closure 8 for resisting horizontal forces in the plane of the door leaves and for retaining the door leaves, located on surfaces of the leaves not supporting the seals, the or each metallic closure 8 comprising two parts located on the respective leaves 2 so as to interact with one another. Preferably the central seals are bevel-edged where they contact one another.

Description

AN ASSEMBLY FOR LEAKTIGHT CLOSURE OF A DOOR The invention relates to an assembly for leaktight closure of a door having two leaves, capable of being located on board ship for example. Leaktightness is to be provided on the one hand between peripheral edges of the leaves and a fixed part or coaming, and on the other hand between the two leaves themselves.

Leaktight devices are known constituted by a trimming similar to a pipe having, in inactive position, a gutter-shaped part created essentially by the suction of air. In active position the pipe is inflated by the injection of compressed air, so that the pipe is forced against the appropriate surface of an opening hatch.

Patent FR-2,595,314 describes a leaktight seal for an opening hatch, constituted in a resilient material such as rubber and attached to the edges of the aperture. The seal has two cavities and has to be pressed onto the vertical edge of the hatch or coaming, in closed position of the hatch.

Leaktight devices are also known constituted by a linear seal of constant cross-section mounted peripherally on the coaming. The profile of the seal corresponds to that of a groove of trapezoidal crosssection made in the coaming.

The dispositions of the seal according to the state of the art occasion assembly difficulties in rounded parts of the groove, and it is often necessary to apply spots of glue so as to fix the seal in its groove in order for it to fit the rounded shape of the groove. Moreover, it is necessary to cut and bevel the seal at each change of linearity, in particular at the top and bottom of the leaves, and gluing becomes necessary in order to ensure the continuity of the seal In order to ensure leaktightness, a further rectilinear seal component is mounted on one of the leaves of the door on the line of contact of the two leaves, the other leaf being provided with a knife-edge for contact with the seal.

Leaktightness is obtained upon closure of the leaves.

The door leaf comprising the centre seal is closed first. Its edge comes on three sides into contact with the seal on the coaming. After closure of the other leaf, its edge is also in contact with the centre seal of the first leaf. A locking device is then actuated.

A gripping force on the seal does not improve the airtightness and has the opposite effect, namely an increase in leakage.

Moreover, the peripheral seal is replaceable with difficulty, because it is fitted on the coaming.

According to the present invention there is provided an assembly for leaktight closure of a door having two leaves, onto a fixed part or coaming having an edging blade member, the assembly comprising: a peripheral mouldable or moulded seal which is disposed in a groove of trapezoidal or substantially trapezoidal cross-section and which is located peripherally on two horizontal sides and an outer vertical side of each door leaf, in continuity with a central moulded seal disposed in a groove of trapezoidal or substantially trapezoidal cross-section on the inner vertical side of each door leaf, so that the central moulded seals on the inner vertical sides contact one another when the two leaves are in a closed position; and at least one metallic closure for resisting horizontal forces in the plane of the door leaves and for locking the door leaves, located on surfaces of the leaves not supporting the seals, the or each metallic closure comprising two parts located on the respective leaves so as to interact with one another.

Because of their disposition, the seals can be replaced easily in cases of defectiveness.

The seal being moulded or mouldable, it can fit the shape of the groove in which it is disposed.

In a preferred development, there is provided at least one set of two fittings or tabs for guiding and clamping the edging blade member of the coaming onto the peripheral seals, which fittings or tabs are located face to face on either side of the edging blade member, at the top and bottom of each leaf on the surface of the door supporting the seals.

In a preferred further development, the central closure of the door leaves and the associated central seals are bevel-edged in order to ensure maximal leaktightness.

Advantageously, the cross-section of each peripheral seal may comprise a hollow part.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention can provide an assembly which is leaktight against a jet of water, and also against an air pressure of 100 millibars.

Advantages and features of an embodiment of the present invention will become apparent through reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of a non-limitative illustration, and the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 shows a door having two leaves provided with a leaktight closure assembly according to the invention; Figure 2 shows grooves designed to receive seals; Figure 3 shows the cross-section of a seal located at the periphery of the door leaves; Figure 4 shows in cross-section the junction between the two door leaves; and Figure 5 shows a preferred means of closure according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a leaktight door 1 having two leaves 2 coming into closed position seen on the surface, and supporting a linear leaktight seal 5.

Hinges 4 are grey-tinted and seen by transparency.

The leaves 2 are in contact with a door coaming 3 welded to a bulkhead.

Each leaf 2 has on its periphery a groove 10 designed to receive the linear leaktight seal 5. The groove 10 is visible in Figures 2, 3 and 4. The structure of the groove 10 is different depending on whether it is located peripherally on the two horizontal sides 12 and the outer vertical side 13 of each leaf 2, or on the central vertical sides 14 in interference (i.e. in cooperation or in close fitting relationship) when the leaves 2 are in closed position.

The seal disposed peripherally on the two horizontal sides 12 and the outer vertical side 13 of each leaf 2 is termed "peripheral". The seal disposed on the vertical sides 14 in interference when the leaves 2 are in closed position is termed "central". The peripheral and central seals of each leaf 2 are in continuity with one another.

The leaktight seal is formed either by moulding in a mould corresponding to the definition or dimensions of the door, or directly in the groove 10 of the door leaf 2 from, for example, a two-component product of commercial type such as the Rhone-Poulenc product reference Rhodorsil RTV 147, which has category M1 fire resistance and in particular does not give off emanations of toxic gases in the event of fire. Gluing of the seal into the groove 10 is not necessary.

The process of direct moulding of the seal into the groove 10 designed to receive it makes it possible easily to obtain continuity between peripheral seal and central seal. It also permits the easy replacement of a defective seal.

The coaming 3 is equipped with an edging blade member or knife-edge 6 coming into contact with the peripheral leaktight seals of the two door leaves 2.

The leaves 2 are equipped at the top and at the bottom with fittings or tabs 7 for guiding and for clamping the knife-edge 6 of the coaming 3 onto the peripheral seals 5. These guiding the clamping tabs 7 are associated in pairs so that they are face to face on either side of the knife-edge 6.

The door leaves 2 are formed by bending a metal sheet and fitting reinforcements mechanically or by welding.

On that surface of the door not supporting the linear seal, the leaves 2 are equipped on the one hand with conventional closing and locking components 9 actuated by a centralised control or by manual turnbuckles, and on the other hand with metal locking members 8 which are grey-tinted in Figure 1 because they are seen by transparency. These metallic members 8 are three in number in the example of Figure 1 and their role is to absorb transverse forces in the plane of the door when the closed leaves 2 are subjected to a pressure exerted on one or other surface of the door tending to cause the leaves 2 to open.

In Figure 5, the metallic locking member 8 is in two parts, the first hook-shape being welded onto one of the leaves 2, and the second coming face to face with it on the other leaf 2 and having a shape adapted to clamp the first, so that in closed position the first part can be locked onto the second part.

Figure 3 shows the cross-section of the peripheral seal in the groove 10. The seal 5 fits the trapezoidal or substantially trapezoidal shape of the groove. In the embodiment shown the groove has one corner rounded due to the profile of the door leaf. In order to obtain the required seal hardness of the order of 60 SHORE, the seal may comprise a hollow section 11. The hollow section 11 may be other than circular and may have an oblong shape.

Figure 4 shows the cross-section of the central seals of the two leaves 2 in contact with one another, in closed position of the leaves. The seals are shown spaced-apart, merely for the sake of clarity. The central seals are disposed in their grooves 10. The cross-section of each groove has a trapezoidal or substantially trapezoidal shape with one corner rounded so as to fit the profile of the door leaf. The groove 10 may occupy space in a reinforcement structure 11 of the door.

A bevel-edged closure of the leaves shown in Figure 5 ensures maximal leaktightness and resistance to pressure. The central seals per se are also beveledged, as shown in Figure 4.

Such a disposition is capable of resisting a minimal air pressure of 100 millibars applied on one or other of the two faces of the door.

Airtightness and watertightness are obtained by compression of the seals, the peripheral seal being in contact with the coaming of the door, the central seals of the two leaves being in contact with one another.

The dimensions of the door openings may be defined so as to leave a maximum passage in order to gain access to a space, or in order to pass from one space to another. Doors having two leaves according to the invention may therefore be entirely suited to the use of obstacle-clearing trolleys as defined in patent FR-2,705,939.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An assembly for leaktight closure of a door having two leaves, onto a fixed part or coaming having an edging blade member, the assembly comprising: a peripheral mouldable or moulded seal which is disposed in a groove of trapezoidal or substantially trapezoidal cross-section and which is located peripherally on two horizontal sides and an outer vertical side of each door leaf, in continuity with a central moulded seal disposed in a groove of trapezoidal or substantially trapezoidal cross-section on the inner vertical side of each door leaf, so that the central moulded seals on the inner vertical sides contact one another when the two leaves are in a closed position; and at least one metallic closure for resisting horizontal forces in the plane of the door leaves and for locking the door leaves, located on surfaces of the leaves not supporting the seals, the or each metallic closure comprising two parts located on the respective leaves so as to interact with one another.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the central seals are bevel-edged where they contact one another, so as to confer on the closed door airtightness and watertightness in both directions.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one set of two fittings or tabs for guiding and clamping the edging blade member of the coaming onto the peripheral seals, which fittings or tabs are located face to face on either side of the edging blade member, at the top and bottom of each leaf on the surface of the door supporting the seals.

4. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cross-section of each peripheral seal comprises a hollow part.

5. An assembly for leaktight closure of a door having two leaves, the assembly being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, when securely attached to a bulkhead.

6. A door having two leaves and equipped with a leaktight closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. A door according to claim 6, when securely attached to a bulkhead.

8. Device for leaktight closure of a door having two leaves onto a fixed part securely attached to the bulkhead or coaming having an 'edging blade' or knifeedge, comprising a mouldable seal (5) disposed in a groove (10) of trapezoidal or substantially trapezoidal cross-section, peripherally on two horizontal sides and the outer vertical side of each door leaf (peripheral seal), in continuity with a mouldable seal (5) disposed in a groove (10) of trapezoidal or substantially trapezoidal cross-section on the vertical sides in the interference when the leaves are in closed position (central seal), and at least one metallic piece (8) for the recuperation of horizontal forces in the plane of the doors and the locking the doors, located on the door surface not supporting the seals, and presenting itself or themselves in two parts, each part being located on one leaf and in interaction with the other, characterised in that the central closure of the door leaves and the associated central seals are beveledged, so as to confer on the closed door airtightness and watertightness in both directions.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

1. An assembly for leaktight closure of a door having two leaves, onto a fixed part or coaming having an edging blade member, the assembly comprising: a peripheral mouldable seal which is disposed in a groove of trapezoidal or substantially trapezoidal cross-section and which is located peripherally on two horizontal sides and an outer vertical side of each door leaf, in continuity with a central mouldable seal disposed in a groove of trapezoidal or substantially trapezoidal cross-section on the inner vertical side of each door leaf, so that the central mouldable seals on the inner vertical sides contact one another when the two leaves are in a closed position; and at least one metallic closure for resisting horizontal forces in the plane of the door leaves and for fastening the door leaves, located on surfaces of the leaves not supporting the seals, the or each metallic closure comprising two parts located one on each of the respective leaves so as to interact with one another.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the central seals are bevel-edged where they contact one another, so as to confer on the closed door airtightness and watertightness from outside to inside and vice versa.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one set of two fittings or tabs for guiding and clamping the edging blade member of the fixed part or coaming onto the peripheral seals, which fittings or tabs are located face to face on each side of the edging blade member when the two leaves are in a closed position, at the top and bottom of each leaf on the surface of the door supporting the seals.