GB2435272A

GB2435272A - Sealing arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2435272A
Application number: GB0603214A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Anthony Whiting
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-02-17
Filing date: 2006-02-17
Publication date: 2007-08-22
Also published as: GB0603214D0

Abstract

A sealing arrangement 18 comprises first and second sealing members 22, 24 which are sealingly engagable with respective first and second surfaces 14, 16, for example provided by a bathroom wall 10 and a bath or shower tray 12. The sealing arrangement 18 includes securing means 30 for securing the first and second sealing members 22, 24 to each other, the securing means 30 being configured to allow movement of the first and second sealing members 22, 24 relative to each other.

Description

SEALING ARRANGEMENT

This invention relates to sealing arrangement. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to sealing arrangements for sealing around the rim of a bath or shower tray.

The installation of a bath or a shower tray requires a bead of sealant to be applied between the bath or shower tray and the wall to prevent leakage down the side of the bath or the shower. However, after the sealant has been applied, there may be movement between the wall and the bath or shower tray such that the sealant no longer provides a complete seal and water can then leak between the bath or shower tray and the wall.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a sealing arrangement comprising first and second sealing members sealingly engageable with respective first and second surfaces, and securing means for securing the first and second sealing members to each other, wherein the securing means is configured to allow movement of the first and second sealing members relative to each other. Thus, in one embodiment, the securing means allows relative movement between the first and second sealing members on movement of the first and second surfaces relative to each other.

In one use of an embodiment of the invention, the first surface may be provided by a wall and the second surface may be provided by a bath or a shower tray. In such a situation, the second surface may move relative to the first surface.

The first and second sealing members may be arranged generally transverse to each other.

In one embodiment, the movement of the first and second sealing members relative to each other may be effected by a pivotal movement of the first and second sealing members relative to the securing means.

The sealing members may be formed of a suitable rigid material, such a PVC material. The PVC material may be a UPVC material.

Each of the first and second sealing members may be elongate. Each of the first and second sealing members may be configured to hold a fixing material to adhere the first and second sealing members to be adhered to the respective first and second surfaces. The fixing material may seal the first and second sealing members to the respective first and second surfaces.

The securing means may be attached to the first and second sealing members at a pivotable joint to allow the aforesaid movement of the first and second sealing members.

The securing means may be attached to the first sealing member by a web of a flexible material. The securing means may be attached to the second sealing member by a web of a flexible material.

The first and second sealing members may comprise respective proximal edges arranged adjacent each other, and respective distal edges space from the respective proximal edges. The securing means may be attached to the distal edge of each of the first and second sealing members.

The securing means may comprise first and second securing members. The first securing member may be attached to the first sealing member. The second securing member may be attached to the second sealing member. The first securing member may be pivotally attached to the first sealing member. The second securing member may be pivotally attached to the second sealing member.

The first and second securing members may be pivotally attached to each other. The first and second securing members may be attached to each other by a web of a flexible material.

The securing members may be formed of a suitable rigid material, such as a PVC material. The PVC material may be a UPVC material. The flexible material may be a flexible plastics or rubber material.

The first and second sealing members may extend generally transverse to each other.

The first and second sealing members and the securing means may together define a cavity. A sealing material, such as a silicone material, may be disposed in the cavity. Conveniently, the sealing material is disposed in 1 5 the cavity at the end regions of the first and second sealing members.

The sealing arrangement may comprise first and second dividing elements to divide the cavity into an upper chamber adjacent to the securing means, and a lower chamber adjacent to the sealing members. Preferably, the dividing elements extend into the cavity at oblique angles to the sealing members. The dividing elements may extend at oblique angles to the sealing members. In one embodiment, the first and second dividing members extend respectively from the first and second sealing members. Conveniently, each dividing member extends from the respective sealing member adjacent to the distal edge thereof.

The sealing arrangement may be movable from a non-deformed condition in which the first and second securing members are generally orthogonal to each other, to a deformed condition in which the first and second securing members are at an obtuse angle to each other.

Conveniently when the securing arrangement is in the non-deformed condition, it has a generally square profile.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 is a sectional end view of a sealing arrangement in situ on first and second surfaces; Fig 2 is a sectional end view of the sealing arrangement shown in Fig 1 after movement of the first and second surfaces; Fig 3 is a part sectional perspective view of the installation of the sealing arrangement shown in Fig 1; Fig 4 is a part sectional perspective view of the sealing arrangement shown in Fig 3 after installation; Fig 5 is a part sectional perspective view of the sealing arrangement shown in Fig 3 after movement of the first and second services.

Referring to Fig 1, there is shown a diagrammatic representation of the junction between a bathroom wall 10 and a bath or shower tray 12. Wall 10 provides a first surface 14, and the bath or shower tray 12 provides a second surface 16. The first and second surfaces 14, 16 are transverse to each other, being substantially orthogonal to each other. It will be appreciated by the skilled person that the wall 10 and the bath or shower tray 12 could be replaced by any other suitable articles that could provide first and second surfaces 14, 16.

The junction between the first and second surfaces 14, 16 is sealed by a sealing arrangement 18 to prevent the leakage into an area 20 adjacent to the first and second surfaces 14, 16.

The sealing arrangement comprises first and second sealing members 22, 24. In Fig 1, the sealing arrangement 18 is a non-deformed condition and the first and second sealing members 22, 24 are disposed generally orthogonal to each other.

Each of the first and second sealing members 22, 24 is an elongate generally flat member and comprises a proximal edge 26 and an additional edge 28. The proximal edges 26 are arranged adjacent each other and the additional edges 28 are spaced from the proximal edges 26.

Securing means 30 is attached to the additional edges 28 of each of the first and second sealing members 22, 24 to secure the first and second sealing members 22, 24 to each other.

The securing means 30 comprises elongate generally flat first and second securing members 32, 34, which in Fig 1, are shown arranged generally orthogonal to each other.

Each of the first and second securing members 32, 34 is pivotally attached to the distal edge 28 of the respective first and second sealing members 22, 24 by webs 36 of a flexible material. The first and second securing members are pivotally attached to each other by a further web 36 of the flexible material. The first and second securing members 32, 34 can pivot relative to each other and to the first and second sealing members 22, 24 about the webs 36 from the condition shown in Fig 1 to the condition shown in Fig 2.

Each of the first and second sealing members has an adhesion face 38 defining a plurality of adhesive holding channels 40 for holding a suitable adhesive 42, such as a silicone material to adhere the first and second sealing members 22, 24 to the first and second surfaces 14, 16.

An elongate cavity 46 is defined between the first and second sealing members 22, 24, and the first and second securing members 32, 34. A pair of dividing elements 48 extend diagonally across the cavity 46 to divide the cavity 46 into an upper chamber 50A adjacent to the first and second securing members 32, 34 and a lower chamber 50B adjacent the first and second sealing members 22, 24. The dividing elements 48 extend from the distal edges 28 of the first and second sealing members 22, 24 at an acute angle of the respective first and second sealing member 22, 24.

In use, as explained below, a sealing material, such as a silicone material is disposed in the upper chamber 50A at the end regions of the sealing arrangement 18. This allows two sections of the sealing arrangement 18 to be sealed to each other at a joint between them (see Figs 3 to 5 and the explanation below).

The dividing members 48 are provided to prevent the sealing material filling the end region of the cavity 46 between the first and second securing members 32, 34 and the first and second sealing members 22, 24. If the sealing arrangement 18 did not have the dividing members 48, the sealing material would seal against the first and second sealing members 22, 24, thereby preventing or inhibiting their movement.

Fig 1 represents the condition of the sealing arrangement 18 after it has just been installed. Over time, the bath or shower tray 12 may have moved downwardly relative to the wall 10. The sealing arrangement 18 can deform from its condition shown in Fig 1 to a deformed condition shown in Fig 2 to maintain the seal between the first and second surfaces 14, 16 during the aforesaid relative movement of the wall 10 or the bath or shower tray 12, thereby preventing leakage of water into the region 20 after the aforesaid relative movement. As can be seen, the proximal edges 26 of the first and second sealing members 22, 24 have moved away from each other.

As can be seen from Fig 2, the first and second securing members 32, 34 have pivoted relative to the first and second sealing members 22, 24 and relative to each other about the webs 36.

Referring to Fig 3, there is shown the installation of the sealing arrangement 1 8. As can be seen, Fig 3 shows the installation of the sealing arrangement 18 at a corner 100, and the sealing arrangement 18 is divided into first and second portion 18A, 18B. The first portion 18A installed on one side of the corner 100, and the second portion 1 8B is about to be installed on 1 0 the other side of the corner 1 00.

The ends of the first and second portions 18A, 18B adjacent to the corner 100 have been mitred to allow the two portions 1 8A, 1 8B to fit together correctly when installed. In order to prevent leakage between the mitred ends of the first and second portions 1 8A, 1 8B, a suitable sealing material 30, such as a silicone material, is disposed in each upper cavity 50A at the end region of the two portions 18A, 18B, as shown in broken lines in the mitred end region of the second portion 1 8B of the sealing arrangement.

Fig 4 shows the arrangement after installation, in which the junction between the first and second surfaces, 14, 16 is sealed. The condition of the sealing arrangement 18 in Fig 4 is the same as in Fig 1.

Fig 5 shows the condition after the bath or shower tray 12 has moved downwardly relative to the wall 10 to cause the proximal edges 26 of the sealing members 22, 24 to move away from each other, thus deforming the sealing arrangement 18 to the condition shown in Fig 5. The construction of the sealing arrangement 18 and the ability for pivotal movement of the securing members 32, 34 about the webs 36 relative to each other and relative to the securing members 22, 24 means that the junction between the wall 10 and the bath or shower tray 12 is still sealed.

The first and second sealing members 22, 24 and the first and second securing members 32, 34 are formed of a rigid material, such as a rigid PVC material. A suitable such material is a rigid UPVC.

There is thus described a simple and effective sealing arrangement to provide a seal in a bathroom, for example between a wall or a shower tray and which can maintain the integrity of the seal even if there is movement between the wall and the bath or shower tray.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, for example, the sealing arrangement could have a different profile in the non-deformed condition.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1. A sealing arrangement comprising first and second sealing

members sealingly engageable with respective first and second surfaces, and securing means for securing the first and second sealing members to each other, wherein the securing means is configured to allow movement of the first and second sealing members relative to each other.

2. A sealing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the securing means allows relative movement between the first and second sealing members on movement of the first and second surfaces relative to each other.

3. A sealing arrangement according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein in use the first surface is provided by a wall and the second surface is provided by a 1 5 bath or a shower tray.

4. A sealing arrangement according to claim 3, wherein in use the second surface is movable relative to the first surface.

5. A sealing arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second sealing members are arranged generally transverse to each other.

6. A sealing arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the movement of the first and second sealing members relative to each other is effected by a pivotal movement of the first and second sealing members relative to the securing means.

7. A sealing arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing members are formed of a rigid material.

8. A sealing arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the sealing members are formed of a PVC material.

9. A sealing arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the first and second sealing members is elongate.

10. A sealing arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the first and second sealing members is configured to hold a fixing material to adhere the first and second sealing members to be adhered to the 1 0 respective first and second surfaces.

11. A sealing arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the fixing material is arranged to seal the first and second sealing members to the respective first and second surfaces.

12. A sealing arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing means is attached to the first and second sealing members at a pivotable joint to allow said movement of the first and second sealing members relative to each other.

13. A sealing arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing means is attached to the first sealing member by a web of a flexible material.

14. A sealing arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing means is attached to the second sealing member by a web of a flexible material.

15. A sealing arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second sealing members comprise respective proximal edges arranged adjacent each other, and respective distal edges spaced from the respective proximal edges 16. A sealing arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the securing means is attached to the distal edge of each of the first and second sealing members.

17. A sealing arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing means comprise first and second securing members.

18. A sealing arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the first securing member is attached to the first sealing member.

19. A sealing arrangement according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the second securing member is attached to the second sealing member.

20. A sealing arrangement according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the first securing member is pivotally attached to the first sealing member.

21. A sealing arrangement according to any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the second securing member is pivotally attached to the second sealing member.

22. A sealing arrangement according to any of claims 17 to 21, wherein the first and second securing members are pivotally attached to each other.

23. A sealing arrangement according to any of claims 17 to 22, wherein the first and second securing members are attached to each other by a web of a flexible material.

24. A sealing arrangement according to any of claims 17 to 23, wherein the securing members are formed of a rigid material.

25. A sealing arrangement according to claim 24, wherein the securing members are formed of a PVC material.

26. A sealing arrangement according to any of claims 23 to 25, wherein the flexible material is a flexible plastics or rubber material.

27. A sealing arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second sealing members extend generally transverse to each other.

28. A sealing arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second sealing members and the securing means together define a 1 0 cavity.

29. A sealing arrangement according to claim 28, wherein a sealing material is disposed in the cavity.

30 A sealing arrangement according to claim 29, wherein the sealing material is disposed in the cavity at end regions of the first and second sealing members.

31. A sealing arrangement according to any of claims 28 to 30, wherein the sealing arrangement comprises first and second dividing elements to divide the cavity into an upper chamber adjacent to the securing means, and a lower chamber adjacent to the sealing members.

32. A sealing arrangement according to claim 31, wherein the dividing elements extend into the cavity at oblique angles to the sealing members.

33. A sealing arrangement according to claim 31 or claim 32, wherein the dividing elements extend at oblique angles to the securing members.

34. A sealing arrangement according to any of claims 31 to 33, wherein the first and second dividing elements extend respectively from the first and second sealing members.

35. A sealing arrangement according to claim 34, wherein each dividing element extends from the respective sealing member adjacent to the distal edge thereof.

36. A sealing arrangement according to any of claims 17 to 35, wherein the sealing arrangement is movable from a non-deformed condition in which the first and second securing members are generally orthogonal to each other, to a deformed condition in which the first and second securing members are at an obtuse angle to each other.

37. A sealing arrangement according to claim 36, wherein when the securing arrangement is in the non-deformed condition, it has a generally square profile.

38. A sealing arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

39. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.