US3642291A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable seal
Assignee: SMR Acquisition LLC
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Filing: 1970-05-18
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Granted: 1972-02-15
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Expires: 1990-05-18
Abstract
Abstract An annular, inflatable tube for installation between inner and outer members having a joint at which the tube can be split for installation around the inner member where it is difficult to slide a seal over the member. The ends of the tube are closed and beveled to overlap. A stretchable sleeve fits over the ends of the tube at the joint and has circumferential ribs inside the sleeve for engagement with circumferential grooves in the end portions of the tube. Reinforcing cords in the tube wall and in the sleeve are arranged so as to control expansion for sealing the space between the inner and outer members without increasing or decreasing the length of the tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur A Zeffer
- 👤 Harry R Weaver
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:42
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
An inflatable seal comprising an annular tubular body of resilient elastomeric material, said tubular body having a stretchable wall, means for inflating said body to stretch said wall and change the diameter of said body, a joint in said body providing abutting end portions, a sleeve of resilient elastomeric material disposed around said end portions for holding them together and expanding with them as they are inflated, and said sleeve being stretchable with said wall to simultaneously change the diameter of said sleeve and said tubular body whereby a continuous sealing surface is provided around said body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
An inflatable seal comprising an annular tubular body of resilient elastomeric material, said tubular body having a stretchable wall, means for inflating said body to stretch said wall and change the diameter of said body, a joint in said body providing abutting end portions, a sleeve of resilient elastomeric material disposed around said end portions for holding them together and expanding with them as they are inflated, and said sleeve being stretchable with said wall to simultaneously change the diameter of said sleeve and said tubular body whereby a continuous sealing surface is provided around said body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An inflatable seal according to claim 1 wherein the faces of said end portions are beveled to provide overlapping, inflatable end portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
An inflatable seal according to claim 1 wherein reinforcing cords extend around said body and are embedded in and adhered to the elastomeric material of said body foR controlling the expansion thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An inflatable seal according to claim 3 wherein said reinforcing cords are disposed to permit expansion without appreciably increasing or decreasing the length of said body between said end portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An inflatable seal according to claim 4 wherein said reinforcing cords are stretch cords having a core of elastomeric material wrapped in strands of textile material and said cords are woven into a fabric.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An inflatable seal according to claim 5 wherein said fabric is square woven and laid around said body with the cords extending substantially longitudinally and transversely of said body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An inflatable seal according to claim 4 wherein said fabric edges are lap spliced with the splice being located in the radially outer portion of said body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An inflatable seal according to claim 7 wherein mounting elements are secured to said body in the radially outer portion where the maximum thickness of reinforcing cords are located in said splices.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
An inflatable seal according to claim 3 wherein reinforcing cords are embedded in and adhered to the elastomeric material of said sleeve for expansion with the end portions as the other portions of said body expand.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
An inflatable seal according to claim 9 wherein said end portions are beveled to provide overlapping hollow end faces whereby expansion along the length of said joint will take place upon inflation of said body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
121 words
A sealing assembly for a rotatable shaft comprising a housing extending around and spaced from the shaft, an annular tubular body of elastomeric material interposed between said housing and the shaft, said body having a stretchable wall and a joint providing abutting end portions, a sleeve of resilient elastomeric material disposed around said end portions for holding them together and expanding with them as they are inflated, said body being inflatable and having a passage for the supplying of inflating air, and means for supplying air to said body through said passage to inflate said body and stretch said wall whereby the radially inner portion of said body and said sleeve will simultaneously be moved into sealing engagement with the shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
121 words
A sealing assembly for a rotatable shaft comprising a housing extending around and spaced from the shaft, an annular tubular body of elastomeric material interposed between said housing and the shaft, said body having a stretchable wall and a joint providing abutting end portions, a sleeve of resilient elastomeric material disposed around said end portions for holding them together and expanding with them as they are inflated, said body being inflatable and having a passage for the supplying of inflating air, and means for supplying air to said body through said passage to inflate said body and stretch said wall whereby the radially inner portion of said body and said sleeve will simultaneously be moved into sealing engagement with the shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
72 words
A sealing assembly according to claim 11 wherein said annular body has reinforcing cords embedded in and adhered to the elastomeric material of said body, said reinforcing cords being woven in a fabric laid around said body and lap spliced at the radially outer face thereof and mounting elements secured to said body at said radially outer portion for receiving fasteners extending from said housing to hold said body within said housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
87 words
An inflatable seal comprising an annular tubular body of resilient elastomeric material, a joint in said body providing abutting end portions, a sleeve of resilient elastomeric material disposed around said end portions for holding them together and expanding with them as they are inflated, said end portions having a reduced cross section to compensate for the thickness of said sleeve so that the outer dimensions of the seal at said joint will be substantially the same as the outer dimensions of other portions of the tubular body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
87 words
An inflatable seal comprising an annular tubular body of resilient elastomeric material, a joint in said body providing abutting end portions, a sleeve of resilient elastomeric material disposed around said end portions for holding them together and expanding with them as they are inflated, said end portions having a reduced cross section to compensate for the thickness of said sleeve so that the outer dimensions of the seal at said joint will be substantially the same as the outer dimensions of other portions of the tubular body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
An inflatable seal according to claim 13 wherein said sleeve edges are tapered to provide a smooth surface between said sleeve and the outer face of said body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
An inflatable seal comprising an annular tubular body of resilient elastomeric material, a joint in said body providing abutting end portions, a sleeve of resilient elastomeric material disposed around said end portions for holding them together and expanding with them as they are inflated and said end portions and said sleeve having intermeshing, circumferential grooves and ribs for holding said end portions together.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
63 words
An inflatable seal comprising an annular tubular body of resilient elastomeric material, a joint in said body providing abutting end portions, a sleeve of resilient elastomeric material disposed around said end portions for holding them together and expanding with them as they are inflated and said end portions and said sleeve having intermeshing, circumferential grooves and ribs for holding said end portions together.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-14 | 1975-08-16 | 1976-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-14 | 1979-08-16 | 1980-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-14 | 1983-08-16 | 1984-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |