GB2337565A

GB2337565A - Sealing member

Info

Publication number: GB2337565A
Application number: GB9810690A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerard Francis Robinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-05-20
Filing date: 1998-05-20
Publication date: 1999-11-24
Also published as: GB9810690D0

Abstract

Sealing member 100 has a first upward limb 1 and a second limb 2. Extending upward from the inside face 12 of the limb 2 is a third limb 3 which is divided into a fourth limb 4 and fifth limb 5. The fourth limb 4 forms cavity 6 with the first limb 1. The fifth limb 5 is flexible and forms a sealant material reservoir 7 with the adjacent wall A. The inside face 14 of limb 5 is ribbed to grip a sealant material 16 and the outside faces 8 and 9 of the limbs 1 and 2 are ribbed to grip wall A and sealant material 17. The continuous passage of sealing materials is accommodated across the joint of two sealing members 100 butt jointed in a straight line or at an angle and onto the boundary of the adjacent wall.

Description

P7592 2337565 1 SEALING MEMBER The present invention relates to a seal for

sealing the joint between two contiguous surfaces disposed at an angle to each other, such as, but not limited to the horizontal joint between a tiled wall and a shower tray or bath.

The main prior art methods of sealing the junction of walls and horizontal surfaces (such as shower trays, baths and worktops) are as follows.

METHOD A: Semi-rigid (typically uPVC) quadrant or scotia type profile sealing strips, with or without additional components, that have soft butyl rubber sealing lips attached to the upper most andlor outer most boundaries, are surface mounted onto, or partially recesses into the wall surface, to form a seal with horizontal surfaces.

is METHOD B: A sealant material (typically silicone, acrylic, or latex based) is extruded into or over the horizontal or vertical joint METHOD C: Quadrant tiles are laid over the horizontal or vertical joint.

METHOD D: The receptacle may have an upstanding flange attached to the outermost boundary that is partially recessed into the wall and tiled over.

METHOD E: A flexible siliconeUpvc based tape has a peel off paper back adhesive strip (typically butyl rubber) attached to the inner face. The tape has a score line indicating the bending location. The peel off paper is removed and laid onto each surface defining the joint.

The main disadvantages of the above arrangements are that in the case of method A, soft lips perish, shrink, harden and leak in shower areas. In the case of B the exposed sealant is unsightly. In the case of A-D the corner details are poor, in some cases the sealing material is just butt jointed with glue rigidly or adhesive, and when differential movement occurs, 2 this joint leaks, and repairs are awkward as existing surfaces are contaminated, and the bonding of additional sealing materials difficult. In the case of E, the strips are generally regarded as having a short lift span.

It is the object of this invention to provide a sealing member that may readily installed, and adapted to overcome or substantially reduce the aforementioned problems.

According to the present invention there is a sealing member comprising of a first substantially upward limb from which lower inside face boundary region there extends a second substantially outward limb, from which outer inside face boundary there extends a third substantially upward and inwardly limb, the uppermost boundary of which divides into a fourth and fifth limb, the fourth limb being connected to the upper inside face boundary of the first limb, to form in part an enclosed lower cavity with and within the inside faces of the first, second and third limbs, the fifth limb extending above the uppermost boundary of the first and fourth limbs to form a sealant reservoir within it's lower face, the upper face of the fourth limb and the adjacent wall, that overlaps the said lower cavity, whereby the outside face of the first upward limb is adapted to be fixed and/or sealed to relatively vertical surface, the outside face of the second outward limb is adapted to be fixed and/or sealed to relatively horizontal surface, the third and fourth limbs form an enclosed lower cavity with the inside faces of the first and second limbs adapted to accommodate the continuous passage of sealing materials and/or components across the joint of two sealing members butt jointed in a straight line or at an angle, and the fourth and fifth limbs form a sealant reservoir with the adjacent wall, overlapping the lower cavity, and adapted firstly to accommodate the continuous passage of sealing materials across the joint of two sealing members butt jointed in a straight line or at an angle, and onto boundary of the adjacent wall, and secondly to drain liquid over the uppermost boundary of the lower cavity.

Preferably there extends below the outside face outer boundary of the second limb, a flexible limb adapted to set a predetermined space between the second limb outside face and the horizontal surface, and assume the profile of the said horizontal surface.

3 Advantageously the inside face of the second limb is adapted to drain off water that may fall there on.

In a preferred embodiment the outside face of the first limb has a plurality of ridges and/or contact points which contact the generally vertical surface, and/or accommodate a fixing/sealing material, and the outside face of second limb is adapted to contact and grip a sealing material.

Preferably the third and fifth limb outer profiles of the sealing member are substantially concave and/or convex.

It should be understood the first limb may be adapted to assist fixing through the provision of holes, and/or pilot holes, and/or a drilling guide line and/or sealant curing holes.

Optionally a flexible limb attaches the lower boundary of the first limb to the adjacent boundary of the second limb and/or in a similar fashion, a flexible limb attaches the outer boundary of the second limb to the adjacent boundary of the third limb allowing differential movement between the first, second and third limbs.

Advantageously one or both of the second limb butt jointed interfaces of connecting members are 'notched' to accommodate the continuous sealing transfer of a sealing material between the outside faces of the second limbs and the generally horizontal surfaces, unifying through these 'notches', and surface adhering over this interface joint on 25 the inner faces of the first and/or second and/or third and/or fourth limbs.

Preferably the uppermost boundary of the sealing member is adapted to sealingly engage the vertical surface typically through the provision of a co-extruded flexible nitrile modified vinyl.

4 Likewise the spacing limb extending below the outside face outer boundary of the second limb is adapted to sealingly engage the horizontal surface typically through the provision of a co-extruded flexible nitrile modified vinyl.

Optionally the uppermost boundary of the sealing member is connected to the uppermost boundary of the first limb.

In a preferred installation method for the sealing member, a sealing material is used consisting of typically though not exclusively, a extrudable flexible self curing silicone type sealing compound and/or a roll of 'tacky' pre-extruded cross linked pliable butyl rubber tape on siliconised paper and/or a pre-extruded highly flexible butyl rubber type material, adapted to seal the sealing member to the vertical and/or horizontal surface, and be installed into the enclosed end cavity or joint cavity of meeting sealing members.

Alternatively, a corner mitre piece component connects two seal members and is installed into each of the enclosed cavities of two butt jointed seal members meeting at an angle to each other.

Likewise a left and/or right end cap/universal end cap component is adapted to sealingly 2o engage the end profile of the sealing member.

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of example only, embodiments of the seal according to the invention, in these drawings -:

Figure 1 and 2 represent sectional views of the sealing member 100, which has a first upward limb 1 from which there extends outward across the lower boundary of it's inside face 11, a second limb 2.

Extending upward from the inside face 12 of this second limb 12 and the along the it's outer boundary there extends upward a third limb 3, which is divided at it's uppermost boundary into a fourth 4 and fifth 5 limb, the fourth 4 being connected to the uppermost boundary 19 of the first limb 1 to form the enclosed cavity 6 of the sealing member, and the fifth limb 5 being a flexible limb that forms sealant material reservoir 7 with the adjacent wall A.

The inside face 14 of limb 5 is suitable ribbed to grip a sealant material 16. Likewise the outside faces of the first 1 and second 2 limbs, 8 and 9 respectively, are ribbed to grip wall A and sealant material 17 respectively. A pre-extruded butyl rubber tape, or sealant (not shown) may be fixed onto the outside face 8 of limb 1 to aid fixing.

The sealing member outer profile faces 10 and 27 comprising substantially of limbs 3 and 5 respectfully may vary as desired. Extending downward from the outside face 9 of limb 2 along the outer boundary extends a flexible spacing limb 15, which may be a butyl rubber compound.

Figure 2 is a mid sectional view detailing a typical seal installation using a silicone type sealant material 16 and 17, to seal sealing member to the vertical and horizontal surfaces respectively.

Figure 3 is a typically mid sectional view detailing an alternative seal member design using a butyl rubber lip along the uppermost boundary.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the sealing member detailing a typical seal installation at a corner location. In this particular sectional detail a silicone sealant 17 is employed between the horizontal surface B and the outside face 9 of the second limb 2 and extends 18 into the enclosed cavity 6 unifying together via the notch 25. In practice the sealant infill 18 is extruded into the enclosed cavities 6 of matching joint faces and bonded together during installation.

Figure 5 represents an end elevation of a left hand end cap 22 installed onto the end of the seal member against a vertical surface A, and over a horizontal surface B. 6 is Figure 6 is a sectional view of the sealing member detailing a typical seal installation at a corner location using a corner mitre piece component 23 inside the enclosed cavity 6 of the seal. The corner mitre piece component comprises of two symmetric arms each of which are installed into the enclosed cavity 6 of each butt jointed seal member. In this particular sectional detail a butyl rubber strip 21 is employed between the horizontal surface B and the outside face 9 of the second limb 2 and extends 24 into the enclosed cavity 6 unifying via the notch 25.

io Figure 7 is an isometric view of the sealing member cut at 90 degrees detailing the notch 25 that accommodates during installation, the continuous sealing transfer of a sealing material between the outside face 9 of the second limb 2 and the generally horizontal surface B, through the notch 25, to enter the enclosed cavity 6 either surfacingly 24 over the interface joint of two meeting sealing members as detailed in figure 6, or alternatively enters the enclosed cavity 6 to join the sealant infill 18 as detailed in figure 4. The same detail is applicable to sealing members cut and butt jointed at any angle.

Figure 8 is another embodiment wherein limbs 1 and 2 are not directly connected but both are attached to a flexible limb 26. Such an embodiment allows a degree of differential movement between limbs 1 and 2. This detail (not shown) may be applied similarly to limbs 2 and 3.

Typical locations for this seal in either recessed, surface mounted or replacement installations are in shower enclosures, wherein the seal is installed longitudinally onto wall over the joint created by the tray or bath.

A typical installation method will now be described, taking by way of a subject, a replacement installation in an existing shower, being a shower tray with a faulty seal installed on three walls. Our installation will incorporate the typical use of the seal member, end caps, sealant mastic.

7 In replacement installations, firstly all the existing seal and sealant materials are cut away so the tiles and tray may be cleaned. The cleaning is done using methylated spirits. We will assume the existing tiles are well bonded, and in sound condition.

Three lengths of seal are required, a first length will have two mitre cuts and be installed between two corners, while a second and third lengths will have one mitre cut each, to complement each end of the first seal length.

If the seal member is not pre-mitred, measure the first length and cut a mitre on each end, measure and cut the second and third lengths, cutting the complementary mitres on one end, and a square cut on the other. Notch the mitred joints if not pre-notched.

Lay the seal members unsealed into their intended position, and fix protective tape onto the wall directly over the uppermost boundary line.

Starting with the double mitred length, extrude sealant onto the vertical and horizontal surfaces about to be sealed, and into the seal member's upper sealant reservoir. Fix seal member into intended location and caulk each end (the enclosed cavities) with sealant.

Carry out the same procedure for the second and third seal members caulking each end, bonding the sealants together at the mitred joints, and the end caps to the caulked ends.

The surplus sealant is removed, and the tape removed off the wall It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

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Claims

CLAIMS:

A sealing member comprising of a first substantially upward limb from which lower inside face boundary region there extends a second substantially outward limb, from which outer inside face boundary there extends a third substantially upward and inwardly limb, the uppermost boundary of which divides into a fourth and fifth limb, the fourth limb being connected to the upper inside face boundary of the first limb, to form in part an enclosed lower cavity with and within the inside faces of the first, second and third limbs, the fifth limb extending above the uppermost boundary of the first and fourth limbs to form a sealant reservoir within it's lower face, the upper face of the fourth limb and the adjacent wall, that overlaps the said lower cavity, whereby the outside face of the first upward limb is adapted to be fixed and/or sealed to relatively vertical surface, the outside face of the second outward limb is adapted to be fixed andlor sealed to relatively horizontal surface, the third and fourth limbs form an enclosed lower cavity with the inside faces of the first and second limbs adapted to accommodate the continuous passage of sealing materials andfor components across the joint of two sealing members butt jointed in a straight line or at an angle, and the fourth and fifth limbs form a sealant reservoir with the adjacent wall, overlapping the lower cavity, and adapted firstly to accommodate the continuous passage of sealing materials across the joint of two sealing members butt jointed in a straight line or at an angle, and onto boundary of the adjacent wall, and secondly to drain liquid over the uppermost boundary of the lower cavity.
2. A sealing member as claimed in claim 1 wherein there extends below the outside face outer boundary of the second limb, a flexible limb adapted to set a predetermined space between the second limb outside face and the horizontal surface, and assume the profile of the said horizontal surface.
3. A sealing member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inside face of the second limb is adapted to drain off water that may fall there on.

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4. A sealing member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outside face of the first limb has a plurality of ridges and/or contact points which contact the generally vertical surface, andlor accommodate a fixing/sealing material, and the outside face of second limb is adapted to contact and grip a sealing material.
5. A sealing member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third and fifth limb outer profiles of the sealing member are substantially concave and/or convex.

i o
6. A sealing member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first limb is adapted to assist fixing through the provision of holes, and/or pilot holes, and/or a drilling guide line andlor sealant curing holes.
7. A sealing member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a flexible is limb attaches the lower boundary of the first limb to the adjacent boundary of the second limb and/or in a similar fashion, a flexible limb attaches the outer boundary of the second limb to the adjacent boundary of the third limb allowing differential movement between the first, second and third limbs.
8. A sealing member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or both of the second limb butt jointed interfaces of connecting members are 'notched' to accommodate the continuous sealing transfer of a sealing material between the outside faces of the second limbs and the generally horizontal surfaces, unifying through these 'notches', and surface adhering over this interface joint onto the inner faces of the first 25 and/or second and/or third and/or fourth limbs.
9. A sealing member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the uppermost boundary of the sealing member is flexible and adapted to sealingly engage the vertical surface typically through the provision of a co-extruded flexible nitrile modified 30 vinyl.
10. A sealing member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the uppermost boundary of the sealing member is connected to the uppermost boundary of the first limb.
11. A sealing member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible spacing limb extending below the outside face outer boundary of the second limb is adapted to sealingly engage the horizontal surface typically through the provision of a co-extruded flexible nitrile modified vinyl.
12. In combination a sealing member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and a sealing/adhesive material consisting of typically though not exclusively, a extrudable flexible self curing silicone type sealing compound and/or a roll of 'tacky' pre-extruded cross linked pliable butyl rubber tape on siliconised paper and/or a pre-extruded highly flexible butyl rubber type material, adapted to seal the sealing member to the vertical and/or horizontal surface, and be installed into the enclosed end cavity or joint cavity of meeting sealing members.
13. In combination with any of the preceding claims, a corner mitre piece component adapted to connect two seal members and be installed into each of the enclosed cavities of two butt jointed seal members meeting at an angle to each other.
14. In combination with any of the preceding claims, a left and/or right end cap/universal end cap component adapted to sealingly engage the end profile of the sealing member.
15. A method of sealing joints between two surfaces disposed at an angle to each other with reference to accompanying drawings.