GB2490088A

GB2490088A - Sealing device

Info

Publication number: GB2490088A
Application number: GB201021418A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Darren Cockayne; Cameron Mclellan
Original assignee: Polypipe Ltd
Current assignee: Polypipe Ltd
Priority date: 2010-12-16
Filing date: 2010-12-16
Publication date: 2012-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 2030-12-16
Also published as: GB201021418D0; GB2490088B

Abstract

The device 1, for substantially sealing an aperture in a building member, e.g. wall, plasterboard, comprises a sealing face 6 for sealing across and around an aperture in the building member. The device 1 comprises a plurality of openings 8 through the device within the boundary of the sealing face 6, the openings 8 being provided in a common plane 5 which is substantially perpendicular to the sealing face. The common plane 5 is provided by a single surface. The openings 8 provide access for pipes and/or wires. The sealing face 6 is planar and flush with a surface of the building member. The sealing face 6 has a D-shaped opening with walls extending axially to an end face 7, one of the walls providing the common plane 5.

Description

I

Sealing Device The present invention relates to a sealing device for substantially sealing an aperture in a building member, the device comprising a sealing face for sealing around the aperture or hole in the building member, for example a wall, plasterboard or the like.

In modern plumbing systems, radiators are usually fed with water from a central boiler via water pipes. For aesthetic and practical purposes, these pipes usually pass behind a substrate such as a wall or other building member on which a radiator is mounted.

The pipes pass through the substrate to the front face thereof and are then connected to the radiator. An aperture or hole is normally provided in the substrate for the pipes to pass through.

It is desirable for the pipes to be permitted to pass through the aperture in the wall and the aperture sealed to prevent air flow leakage to comply with building regulations.

The present invention seeks to solve at least one of the problems of the known devices.

According to the present invention there is provided a sealing device for substantially sealing an aperture in a building member, the device comprising a sealing face for sealing around an aperture in a building member, the device comprising a plurality of openings through the device within the boundary of the sealing face, wherein the openings are provided in a common plane angled relative to said sealing face and wherein the common plane is substantially perpendicular to the sealing face. The openings therefore provide an inlet or outlet in a first side of the device to provide a passage through to an opposite side of the device. The openings are preferably provided in an external surface of the device, e.g. an external surface distal the sealing face. Preferably, the openings are formed in a flat face of the device. Each one of the openings may be formed in a separate flat face, each face sharing a common plane.

The term substantially perpendicular is intended to include a small tapering or angle to the perpendicular, for example in order to allow removal of the device from the mould in which it is formed, which might be around 0-5°.

The openings may serve in use to permit an elongate member, for example a pipe, conduit, wire or the like, to pass through an aperture fprmed in a building member for example in a wall or substrate such as plasterboard and then through the device from a first side of the device on the sealing face side of the device to the outer side of the device.

Preferably, the sealing face is substantially planar. In this way, the sealing face may lie flush with the surface of the building member around an aperture formed therein. The sealing face may be flexible to adapt to the form or any slight irregularities in the surface of the building member. Alternatively, the sealing face may be formed with any suitable shape to match a non-planar surface in which an aperture is formed. The device may alternatively be relatively rigid. The device may for example be formed of PVCu, ABS plastic or Polypropylene.

In use, the sealing face may be placed on a wall in which an aperture is formed. The size of the device may be chosen to conceal and/or seal around the aperture in use.

Preferably, the device comprises two openings to permit two separate pipes or other similar members to pass through the device. The openings may be of a size to provide an interference fit with the pipe or other member passing therethrough. Grommets or other sealing members may also be provided in said openings to provide, in use, a substantially air tight seal with the pipe or other member passing therethrough.

Preferably, the device comprises a continuous sealing face such that in use, the device is configured to provide a seal around an aperture in a wall with the sealing face extending over the wall adjacent the aperture in said wall. Preferably, in use, when the pipes or other such members are inserted through the openings in the device, a substantially air-tight seal can be formed. Preferably, the device further includes sealing means to provide, in use, a substantially air-tight seal between the sealing face and the building member. Sealing means such as silicon sealant or panel adhesive may be used to seal the device against the building member, e.g. a wall surface.

Alternatively or additionally a gasket such as a preformed rubber or cellular rubber gasket may be provided on the sealing face to provide a substantially air-tight seal between the wall and the device.

Preferably, the sealing face is formed as a generally annular ring. The surface of the ring around the circumference of the device may lie against the building member in use. Other shapes may also be used depending upon the application, shape and orientation of an aperture over which the device is fitted in use.

Preferably, an internal boundary of the ring defines a D-shaped opening.

Preferably, a wall or walls is/are provided around the ring. Preferably, the wall or walls extend(s) from around the ring. The wall or walls extend(s) substantially perpendicular to the plane of the sealing face. The wall or walls may be provided with a moulding taper, in the present embodiment around 3° in order to facilitate manufacture and removal from a mould. The wall or walls may extend a constant distance from the sealing face along its or their length such that a cavity is formed within the device, in use, opening towards the aperture in the wall. The cavity may be substantially open and free of protrusions such that, in use, a pipe may be positioned anywhere within the cavity of the device. The wall or walls may be of varying height, with the wall or walls being at their highest in the region of the common plane and tapering around each side of the ring to a point on the ring opposite a mid-point of the common plane.

Preferably, the openings are formed in the wall around the ring. Where the internal boundary or inner circumference of the ring defines a D-shaped opening, the openings in the common plane may be formed in a wall which extends from the straight side or edge of the D-shaped opening.

Preferably, an internal boundary of the ring defines a polygonal opening. The opening may include 6 sides. Any number of sides may be provided to the opening.

Preferably, a face, preferably a planar or flat face, is provided atop the wall or walls extending from the internal boundary of the ring. The face may be formed parallel with the sealing face where the walls have a consistent height around the inner boundary of the ring. Alternatively, the face may be inclined relative to the sealing face.

Preferably, the openings in the common plane are formed as circular holes. The openings may be formed in any other suitable size or shape depending on the shape or configuration of the pipe or other such member passing through said opening in use.

The openings in the common plane may be spaced from one another. The openings may permit in use, two or more elongate members to exit the device in parallel alignment.

Preferably, the device further comprises locating means for locating the device in use within the aperture.

The locating means are preferably formed as substantially flat plates which extend from the device beyond the sealing face for insertion into an aperture in a wall. The arrangement and orientation of the locating means may be formed to adapt to a particular shape or size of hole. Three locating means may be provided spaced around the device.

Preferably, the device further includes means for receiving fixing means. The means may include holes for receiving fixing means in the form or nails or screws.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of sealing an aperture, the method comprising the use of a device according to the first aspect of the invention. A pipe may be inserted through each of the openings in the common plane.

Preferably, the method includes providing sealing means between the sealing face and the building member to provide, in use, a substantially air-tight seal between the sealing face and the building member. Preferably, the sealing means include silicon sealant or panel adhesive to seal the device against the building member, e.g. a wall surface. Alternatively or additionally a gasket such as a preformed rubber or cellular rubber gasket may be used and provided on the sealing face to provide a substantially air-tight seal between the wall and the device.

Embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a rear view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a further side view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a rear view of the embodiment of Figure 6; Figure 9 is a further side view of the embodiment of Figure 6; Figure 10 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 6; and Figure 11 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 6.

The figures show specific dimensions of a preferred embodiments. However, the device is not limited to these dimensions. The dimensions shown may however suggest proportional relationships with regard to the features of the device.

Figure 1 to 5 show a device for substantially sealing an aperture in a building member generally at 1 with a sealing face 6 for sealing around the aperture in the building member, for example a wall or the like.

The sealing face 6 is formed as an annular ring which provides a substantially fiat sealing face 6. The inner boundary 13 of the ring defines a D-shaped opening, whilst the outer boundary 12 or circumference is circular. Other shaped openings and boundaries of the ring are also envisaged such as square, semicircular or polygonal.

A wall 4, 5 extends around the inner boundary 13 of the ring and is of a constant height. The wall 4, 5 is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the sealing face 6.

On the straight section or edge of the D-shaped opening, the wall 5 is planar. An end face 7 is provided atop the wall. In the embodiment shown, the end face 7 is parallel to the sealing face, but a curved or sloped end face is also envisaged. The wall 4, 5 is continuous around the inner boundary or circumference 13 of the ring. The wall 4, 5 and the end face 7 form a recess 3 closed at its distal end and open at its end proximate the sealing face 6 which may be located in use over the aperture in the wall.

The sealing face 6 is formed as an annular flange around the edge of the wall 4, 5. The sealing face 6 is planar in order that it may lie flush in use against a planar substrate (not shown). In this way, the device may substantially conceal as well as seal the aperture in use. If necessary, the device is provided with sealing means (not shown) to provide additional sealing between the sealing surface and the wall. Suitable sealing means include a silicon sealant or panel adhesive which used to seal the device against the wall surface. In alternative embodiments (not shown) a gasket such as a preformed rubber or cellular rubber gasket is used to provide, in use, a substantially air-tight seal between the sealing face and the wall against which the device is placed.

The device 1 comprises two openings in the form of two circular holes 8. The openings are provided in a common plane which is substantially perpendicular to said sealing face. The openings 8 are formed in the flat face or waIl 5 which extends from the straight section or edge of the D-shaped inner boundary 13 of the ring. The openings 8 are spaced from one another in the same plane. In use, the openings 8 permit an elongate member, for example a pipe, conduit, a wire or the like to pass from the outer side of the device to an inner side of the device. The pipe may be flexible. In the embodiment shown the elongate members may pass into the recess 3 and out through the plane of the sealing face 6. The size and shape of the openings 8 may be chosen to provide an interference fit with the elongate member. In this way, the device 1 provides a substantially air-tight seal around the openings 8.

The openings 8 are provided in the flat waIl 5 which extends from the straight section or edge of the D-shaped inner boundary of the ring 6. The flat wall 5 is a substantially flat plane angled relative to the sealing face 6. In the embodiment shown, the waIl 5 is substantially perpendicular to the sealing face 6. A mould taper, in the present embodiment of 3°, is provided to facilitate the removal of the device from a mould.

The device comprises locating means 9 for locating the device in use within the aperture.

The locating means are formed as substantially flat plates which extend beyond or away from the sealing face 6. In the embodiment shown, three locating means are provided. Two of the locating means extend from the end face 7 on opposite sides of the recess 3 formed by the wall 4, 5. A further locating means is provided extending from the inner surface of the annular ring, i.e. the surface which lies against the wail in use. The locating means are configured to locate within the aperture of a wall or substrate. In the embodiment shown, the locating means are formed with thickened ends to increase their rigidity. This form is produced by the use of circular ejecting pins to eject these shapes from a mould cavity used to manufacture the device. Other suitable forms of locating means are also envisaged in further embodiments. In this way, the device can be temporarily placed to cover the aperture while it is affixed thereto without the need to hold the device in place during the fixing process (which may be by gluing using silicon sealant or a panel adhesive or the like or screw mounting to the wall for example).

The device further includes means for receiving fixing means (not shown). In the embodiment shown, the means include holes 10 for receiving fixing means in the form or nails or screws.

In the embodiment, the device is formed as a single piece from plastic or any other suitable material. The embodiment shown is injection moulded.

During installation of a heating system, the pipes to a radiator are installed first. An aperture is cut in the wall or substrate. The substrate may be plasterboard for example. A pipe from a heating circuit is fed through the aperture in the wall leaving a loop of pipe extending out of the hole for example a square hole formed in the substrate.

When it is necessary to install the device, the loop of pipe can be cut at its centre with angled cuts to give a gradual lead-in through for the openings in the device.

The pipes in the space behind the wall or substrate, for example between blockwork and plasterboard or within a timber stud wall are passed through the apertures in the wall and into the recess 3 in the device and through the openings 8 in the device 1. The device 1 can then slide up along the pipes to locate the locating means within the aperture in the wall or substrate. As the openings 8 are in the same plane, the pipes passing though the device 1 need only be pulled in one direction for fitting. The locating means 9 can engage the sides of the aperture in the all. The planar sealing face 6 can be rendered or adhesive can be used to seal the device 1 against the surface of the wall. Means such as holes 10 are provided in the embodiment shown to receive fixing means such as screws or nails to provide additional security. The provision of the openings 8 in a planar face facilitates the insertion of the pipes.

Because the pipes exit the device I from a common plane, the pipes may remain in a parallel alignment within the space behind the wall. This avoids a risk that the pipes will cross over each other, with the risk of kinking or damage. This also serves to seek to ensure that the pipes are easier to avoid if holes are drilled in the walls to hang pictures etc. using the usual common-sense rules for electrical cables: i.e. avoid drilling holes vertically above and below a socket.

With the arrangement of the plane in which the openings 8 are formed being angled relate to the sealing face 6, where pipes are pulled though the apertures, depending on the configuration of the building member such the wall through which the pipes pass, the device seeks to allow the pipes to readily pass through the device without undue bending of the pipe such that sharp bends or kinks are only formed on the external side of the device 1. As such, any kinks in the device will be readily apparent to an installer in order that the pipes may be replaced as necessary. The cavity or recess 3 also serves to provide space to prevent kinking. The recess is substantially free from protrusions to avoid any interference with the pipes.

As the pipes exit the openings 8 in the same plane, no additional guiding means or parts are required within the device, reducing material and manufacturing costs.

In use, the pipes above the device are restrained in the narrow space behind the plasterboard and the pipes passing vertically down the outside of the plasterboard wall below the device will be pulled into contact with the outside face of the plasterboard as a reaction to the restraining force. This serves to hold the device against the face of the plasterboard whilst the device is sealed, for example using panel adhesive, for example in a dot and dab wall construction.

Figures 6 to 11 show a further embodiment of a device for substantially seating an aperture in a building member generally at 101 with a sealing face 106 for sealing around the aperture in the building member, for example a wall or the like.

The device shown in Figures 6 to 11 is similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to in that a sealing face 106 is formed as an annular ring which provides a substantially flat sealing face 106. In contrast to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, the inner boundary 113 of the ring defines a polygonal opening comprising six sides. The polygonal opening has first and second sides I 04a, 1 04b which are of equal length and opposed and parallel to one another. A third side 105 extends between the first and second sides perpendicularly thereto. There is a fourth side 104c, which is opposite the third side and parallel thereto and has a length around 40% of the length of the third side. Fifth and sixth sides 104d, 104e of the polygon extend between the first and second sides 1 04a, I 04b respectively and the ends of the fourth side 1 04c of the polygon.

Similarly to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, the outer boundary 112 or circumference is circular.

Planar walls 1104a,b,c,d,e and 1105 extend around the inner boundary 113 of the ring, i.e. from each side 104a,b,c,d,e and 105 of the polygonal opening, and each are of a constant height. The walls I 104a,b,c,d,e and 1105 are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the sealing face 106. On the third side 105 of the polygonal opening, the wall 1105 is planar. An end face 107 is provided atop the walls 1104a,b,c,d,e and 1105. In the embodiment shown, the end face 107 is parallel to the sealing face. The walls are continuous around the inner boundary or circumference 113 of the ring. The walls and the end face 107 form a recess 103 closed at its distal end and open at its end proximate the sealing face 106 which may be located in use over the aperture in the wall. 3D

The sealing face 106 is formed as an annular flange around the edge of the walls. The sealing face 106 is planar in order that it may lie flush in use against a planar substrate (not shown). In this way, the device may substantially conceal as well as seal the aperture in use. If necessary, the device is provided with sealing means (not shown) to provide additional sealing between the sealing surface and the wall. Suitable sealing means include a silicon sealant or panel adhesive which used to seal the device against the wall surface. In alternative embodiments (not shown) a gasket such as a preformed rubber or cellular rubber gasket is used to provide, in use, a substantially air-tight seal between the sealing face and the wall against which the device is placed.

The device 101 comprises two openings in the form of two circular holes 108. The openings are provided in a common plane which is substantially perpendicular to said sealing face. The openings 108 are formed in the flat face or wall 1105 which extends from the third side 105 of the inner boundary 113 of the ring. The openings 108 are spaced from one another in the same plane. In use, the openings 108 permit an elongate member, for example a pipe, conduit, a wire or the like to pass from the outer side of the device to an inner side of the device. The pipe may be flexible. In the embodiment shown the elongate members may pass into the recess 103 and out through the plane of the sealing face 106. In the embodiment, the openings are circular. The size and shape of the openings 108 may be chosen to provide an interference fit with the elongate member. In this way, the device 101 provides a substantially air-tight seal around the openings 108.

The openings 108 are provided in the flat wall 1105 which extends from the third straight side 105 or edge of the inner boundary of the ring 106. The fiat wall 1105 is a substantially fiat plane angled relative to the sealing face 106. In the embodiment shown, the wall 1105 is substantially perpendicular to the sealing face 106. A mould taper, in the present embodiment of 3°, is provided on all the walls to facilitate the removal of the device from a mould.

The device comprises locating means 109 for locating the device in use within the aperture.

The locating means are formed as substantially flat plates which extend beyond or away from the sealing face 106. In the embodiment shown, three locating means are provided. Two of the locating means extend from the end face 107 on opposite sides of the recess 103 formed by the walls. A further locating means is provided extending from the inner surface of the annular ring, i.e. the surface which lies against the wall in use. The locating means are configured to locate within the aperture of a wall or substrate. In the embodiment shown, the locating means are formed with thickened ends 109a,b, to increase their rigidity. In the embodiment, the thickened ends have a substantially square cross-section. This form is produced by the use of ejecting pins to eject these shapes from a mould cavity used to manufacture the device. Other suitable forms of locating means are also envisaged in further embodiments. In this way, the device can be temporarily placed to cover the aperture while it is affixed thereto without the need to hold the device in place during the fixing process (which may be by gluing using silicon sealant or a panel adhesive or the like or screw mounting to the wall for

example).

The device further includes means for receiving fixing means (not shown). In the embodiment shown, the means include holes 110 for receiving fixing means in the form or nails orscrews.

The use of the device is the same as described in relation to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5 and will not be described further here.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A sealing device for substantially sealing an aperture in a building member, the device comprising a sealing face for sealing around an aperture in a building member, the device comprising a plurality of openings through the device within the boundary of the sealing face, wherein the openings are provided in a common plane which is substantially perpendicular to said sealing face.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing face is substantially planar.
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing face is formed as a generally annular ring.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein an internal boundary of the ring defines a D-shaped opening.
5. A device according to claim 3, wherein an internal boundary of the ring defines a polygonal opening.
6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the opening includes 6 sides.
7. A device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a wall or walls is/are provided around the ring.
8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the wall or walls extend(s) from the ring.
9. A device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the openings provided in the common plane are formed in the wall or one of said walls.
10. A device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein a face is provided atop the wall or walls.
11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the openings in the common plane are formed as circular holes.
12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, the device further comprising locating means for locating the device in use within the aperture.
13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the locating means are formed as substantially flat plates which extend away from the sealing face for insertion into an aperture in a wall.
14. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device further includes means for receiving fixing means.
15. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, further including sealing means to provide, in use, a substantially air-tight seal between the sealing face and the building member.
16. A method of sealing an aperture, the method comprising the use of a device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
17. A method of sealing an aperture according to claim 13, the method including providing sealing means between the sealing face and the building member to provide, in use, a substantially air-tight seal between the sealing face and the building member.
18. A device substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
19. A method of sealing an aperture substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.