GB2432617A

GB2432617A - Gasket comprising a hollow tube

Info

Publication number: GB2432617A
Application number: GB0523709A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terrence Bradley
Original assignee: Komfort Office Environments PLC; Komfort Workspace PLC
Current assignee: Komfort Office Environments PLC; Komfort Workspace PLC
Priority date: 2005-11-22
Filing date: 2005-11-22
Publication date: 2007-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-22
Also published as: GB0523709D0; GB2432617B

Abstract

A gasket for providing a seal between two or more glass sheets, the gasket comprising a hollow tube made from a non-rigid material, the hollow tube having a width greater than its thickness. The gasket may be used to act as a link between adjacent glass panes.

Description

A GASKET

The invention relates to a gasket, particularly a gasket for providing a seal between two or more glass sheets.

Glass sheets may be used to provide glass partitions or walls. The glass sheets may be connected together by a wet joint or a dry joint.

:. Silicone is usually used for wet joints. However, a problem with silicone is * that it requires a skilled workman and takes a significant time to apply. In addition, silicone takes a long time to cure (dry). Moreover, it is difficult to *:*. disassemble a silicone joint if the partition or wall is no longer required. *

Some or all of these problems may be overcome by using a dry joint such as a moulding which fits between the glass sheets and is fixed to the sheets by an adhesive or located by some other means. However, a problem with known dry joints is that they have little or no tolerance so that there is limited capacity for adjustment of the joint in the event that the two glass sheets are not perfectly aligned. Moreover, it is often necessary to use different mouldings for straight-line joints and corner joints.

It is an object of the invention to seek to mitigate some or all of these disadvantages.

Accordingly, the invention provides a gasket for providing a seal between two or more glass sheets, the gasket comprising a hollow tube made from a non-rigid material, the hollow tube having a width greater than its thickness.

By this it is meant that, when viewing a cross-section taken across the length of the tube, one dimension (i.e. the width) is greater than the dimension which is perpendicular to that dimension (i.e. the thickness).

Having a gasket which comprises a hollow tube which is made from a non-rigid material and has a width greater than its thickness means that the gasket will give more in one direction than in the other direction. Thus, if the gasket is positioned between two glass sheets such that its width (i.e. its greatest dimension) is aligned with the edges of the two glass sheets which are to be joined together, then the shape of the gasket means that the gasket will have more give in the direction which is perpendicular to the edges of the glass sheets, which will make it easier to adjust the position of the two glass sheets.

The hollow tube may have a substantially rectangular cross-section. * * * S..

*. The two longer sides of the hollow tube may be substantially planar. This : will allow a good fit with the edges of the two glass sheets which are to be joined together which will usually be substantially planar. *

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The two shorter sides of the hollow tube may be curved. This will result in the gasket having greater give in that direction.

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The thickness of each side of the hollow tube may be less than the smallest dimension of the central cavity of the hollow tube. Reducing the thickness of the walls of the hollow tube relative to the size of the cavity will increase the overall flexibility of the tube.

The hollow tube may include one or more projections positioned on the interior of the tube. Each projection may comprise an axially extending rib.

These will assist in manufacture of the tube to prevent the interior surfaces of the tube from sticking together when pressure is applied to the tube during the manufacturing process, for example, where the tube is extruded.

An adhesive may be applied to the exterior of the hollow tube. This will assist in holding the two glass sheets together, particularly where the glass is bowed.

The adhesive may be applied only to the two longer sides of the hollow tube. These will be the sides which form the joint with the glass sheets. If adhesive is applied over the entire surface of the hollow tube, then those parts of the hollow tube which do not form a joint with the glass sheets will gather dust.

The adhesive may be applied in the form of an adhesive strip. This will facilitate manufacture.

The adhesive strip may comprise a peel-back cover tape. This will .., facilitate application of the gasket to a glass sheet. S... * , * S

The hollow tube may be made of any suitable non-rigid material. Usually, .: the hollow tube will comprise a plastics material such as upvc. The plastics *: material may be substantially transparent. e. , * S *

* The gasket may be made by any suitable manufacturing process. For *.. S * example, the gasket may be extruded. Where there is an adhesive strip, the adhesive strip may be co-extruded with the hollow tube.

The invention will now be illustrated by way of example with reference to the following drawings of which: Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a gasket according to the invention in an in-line joint; Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the gasket shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the gasket of Figure 1 in a corner joint; and Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the gasket of Figure 1 in a three-way joint.

The gasket 1 shown in Figures 1-4 comprises a hollow tube 2 having a width a greater than its thickness b. The hollow tube 2 has a substantially rectangular cross-section, the two longer sides 3 of the hollow tube 2 being substantially planar and the two shorter sides 4 of the hollow tube 2 being curved. The thickness c of each side 3, 4 of the hollow tube 2 is less than the smallest dimension d of the central cavity 5 of the hollow tube 2.

Three axially extending ribs 6 are positioned on the interior of the hollow tube 2 on one of the longer sides 3 of the hollow tube 2. * * * ***

Two adhesive strips 7 are attached to the exterior of the hollow tube 2, one on each of the two longer sides 3. S..

The hollow tube 2 is made from clear upvc, a flexible plastics material.

The hollow tube 2 is extruded together with the adhesive strips 7. The axial ribs 6 prevent the sides 3, 4 of the hollow tube 2 from sticking together during extrusion.

In use, for an in-line joint, a first sheet of glass 8 is mounted in position.

The gasket 1 is applied to one edge 9 of that glass sheet 8 so that the adhesive strip 7 on one of the longer sides 3 of the gasket 1 is aligned with the edge 9 of the glass sheet 8. A second glass sheet 10 is then mounted in place such that one edge 11 abuts the adhesive strip 7 on the other of the two longer sides 3 of the gasket 1. The two glass sheets 8, 10 are then adjusted as required, the gasket 1 being squashed or extended to accommodate this adjustment. The glass sheets 8, 10 are typically 10-12mm thick, although the gasket 1 may be used with glass of differing thicknesses.

As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4, the same gasket may be used for corner joints and three way joints.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A gasket for providing a seal between two or more glass sheets, the gasket comprising a hollow tube made from a non-rigid material, the hollow tube having a width greater than its thickness.

2. A gasket according to claim 1, wherein the hollow tube has a substantially rectangular cross-section.

3. A gasket according to claim 2, wherein the two longer sides of the hollow tube are substantially planar.

4. A gasket according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the two shorter sides of the hollow tube are curved. *. S

* 5. A gasket according to any preceding claim, wherein the thickness of each side of the hollow tube is less than the smallest dimension of the central cavity of the hollow tube.

S...., * S 6. A gasket according to any preceding claim, wherein the hollow tube includes one or more projections positioned on the interior of the tube.

7. A gasket according to claim 6, wherein each projection comprises an axially extending rib.

8. A gasket according to any preceding claim, wherein an adhesive is applied to the exterior of the hollow tube.

9. A gasket according to any preceding claim, wherein the adhesive is applied only to the two longer sides of the hollow tube.

10. A gasket according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the adhesive is applied in the form of an adhesive strip.

11. A gasket according to claim 10, wherein the adhesive strip comprises a peel-back cover tape.

12. A gasket according to any preceding claim, wherein the hollow tube comprises a plastics material.

13. A gasket according to claim 12, wherein the plastics material comprises upvc.

14. A gasket according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the gasket is extruded.

15. A gasket for providing a seal between two or more glass sheets substantially as described herein or as shown in the drawings. A. 1u * ... * * a. I * I * 0I a a.. * * I A * I * ..

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