US3649034A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular interwall seal unit
Assignee: Thunderline Corp
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Filing: 1970-09-15
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Granted: 1972-03-14
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Expires: 1990-09-15
Abstract
Abstract An annular shock-absorbing seal assembly, formed from a plurality of interconnected modular seal units; each modular seal unit includes a resilient elastomer seal block and two pressure plates, joined by a bolt that extends through the block, one plate being mounted on each face of the seal block. The seal assembly is initially held together by releasable connector means, independent of the pressure plates and bolts, which may comprise separate connector pins, interfitting lugs and sockets on the seal blocks, or a continuous wire or rope. The assembly can be lengthened to fit a variety of different size conduits by adding additional modular units.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce G Barton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:38
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L5/00; F16L5/02; F16L5/08; H; H01; H01B; H01B17/00; H01B17/26; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/22; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S277/00; Y10S277/919
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
An annular shock-absorbing seal structure comprising a plurality of modular seal units connected together in continuous end-to-end relation to form an annular seal structure, comprising: a plurality of seal blocks of resilient compressible elastomer material of given thickness each having at least one boltreceiving aperture extending through the block from edge to edge; releasable connector means connecting said seal blocks together end-to-end in a ring structure; first and second sets of pressure plate members, disposed on opposite edges of said seal blocks, each plate member having a length slightly smaller than the length of one of said seal blocks and each plate member having at least one bolt-receiving aperture; and a plurality of bolt members, each extending through an aperture in one pressure plate member from one set, through the boltreceiving aperture in one seal block, and into the boltreceiving aperture in a pressure plate member from the other set, said bolts mounting all of said pressure plate members on said blocks so that tightening of the bolt members compresses the widths of the seal blocks to expand the seal blocks in length and thickness and complete an annular seal; said releasable connector means being independent of said pressure plate members and said bolt members, thereby permitting assembly of said seal blocks in a ring structure without displacement of said pressure plate members or said bolt members from said seal blocks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
An annular shock-absorbing seal structure comprising a plurality of modular seal units connected together in continuous end-to-end relation to form an annular seal structure, comprising: a plurality of seal blocks of resilient compressible elastomer material of given thickness each having at least one boltreceiving aperture extending through the block from edge to edge; releasable connector means connecting said seal blocks together end-to-end in a ring structure; first and second sets of pressure plate members, disposed on opposite edges of said seal blocks, each plate member having a length slightly smaller than the length of one of said seal blocks and each plate member having at least one bolt-receiving aperture; and a plurality of bolt members, each extending through an aperture in one pressure plate member from one set, through the boltreceiving aperture in one seal block, and into the boltreceiving aperture in a pressure plate member from the other set, said bolts mounting all of said pressure plate members on said blocks so that tightening of the bolt members compresses the widths of the seal blocks to expand the seal blocks in length and thickness and complete an annular seal; said releasable connector means being independent of said pressure plate members and said bolt members, thereby permitting assembly of said seal blocks in a ring structure without displacement of said pressure plate members or said bolt members from said seal blocks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
An annular seal structure according to claim 1 in which each said seal block is of generally U-shaped configuration with one end portion projecting away from the bight of the U to fit into the central opening of an adjacent seal block, said releasable connector means joining the seal blocks at the point where said one end portion of each block interfits with the two leg portions of the adjacent seal block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
An annular seal structure according to claim 2 in which said releasable connector means comprises a plurality of pins, each inserted into mating pin apertures in said one end portion of a first seal block and in said two leg portions of the adjacent seal block.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
An annular seal structure according to claim 3, in which the pin aperture in at least one leg portion of each seal block extends completely through the leg portion, to permit insertion of a pin after the seal blocks are fitted together.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An annular seal structure according to claim 3, in which said pin is slightly smaller than said apertures to facilitate insertion and removal thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An annular seal structure according to claim 2 in which the mating end and leg portions of said seal blocks include complemental lugs and sockets affording said releasable connector means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
An annular seal structure according to claim 6 in which two lugs are formed integrally with the projecting end portion of each seal block and fit into complemental sockets in the leg portions of tHe adjacent seal block.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
A modular seal unit assembly according to claim 1 in which each seal block presents a projecting cylindrical surface boss at one end of the block and a complementary cylindrical recess at the other end of the block, the projecting cylindrical surface being adapted to fit into the recess in an adjacent seal block.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
An annular seal structure according to claim 1 in which each seal block is of orthogonal Z-shaped configuration and in which the releasable connector means comprises a pin and socket connection between the projecting legs of each pair of adjacent seal blocks.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
An annular seal structure according to claim 1 in which said releasable connector means comprises a continuous flexible connector member threaded through aligned longitudinal apertures in all of the seal blocks and having its ends joined together to complete a continuous connector loop.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An annular seal structure according to claim 10 in which said flexible connector member is a lightweight rope.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
An annular seal structure according to claim 10 in which said flexible connector member is a metal wire.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
An annular seal structure according to claim 10 in which the ends of said flexible connector member are joined by a sleeve crimped to one end of the flexible connector member and affording a socket for receiving the other end thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
An annular seal structure according to claim 1 in which each pressure plate member comprises a metal pressure plate fitted into a pressure plate holder of electrical insulator material that encompasses all but one surface of the metal pressure plate.
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) | 1975-03-14 | 1975-09-13 | 1976-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-14 | 1979-09-13 | 1980-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-14 | 1983-09-13 | 1984-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |