Patent US3788655A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3788655A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Grommet sealing arrangement
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1972-07-10
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1992-07-10
Abstract
Abstract An arrangement for sealing an apertured panel through which a member is inserted utilizes a grommet of a generally flexible material. An annular edge of the panel defines the aperture and the member has an annular outer surface received in spaced relationship to the annular edge of the panel after it is inserted through the circular aperture. The grommet is inserted within the aperture prior to the member and includes a head flange portion integral with sealing and guide portions. The head flange portion has a generally annular configuration with a surface engaging one side of the panel adjacent the annular edge of the circular aperture. The sealing portion is received within the aperture and has a cross section with a thin-walled equilateral polygonal configuration. The totals of the lengths of the inner and outer sides of the sealing portion are respectively substantially equal to the circumferences of the annular outer surface of the member and the annular edge of the panel. Consequently, the junctures of the sides of the sealing portion grip the annular edge of the panel to initially position the grommet, and the sealing portion deforms during insertion of the member to assume an annular configuration sealing against both the member and the panel. The guide portions of the grommet normally extend from the respective sides of the sealing portion with a generally frustoconical configuration pointed away from the head flange portion so as to guide the grommet during insertion within the circular aperture of the panel. The guide portions expand to a split annular configuration during the insertion of the member.
Inventors
- 👤 J Hathaway
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:41
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L5/00; F16L5/02; F16L5/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
The combination comprising, a panel including an annular edge defining a circular aperture of a diameter D1, a member for insertion through the aperture and having an annular outer surface with a diameter D2 received within the aperture in spaced relationship to the annular edge of the panel, D2 being greater than 80 percent of D1, and a generally flexible grommet for insertion within the aperture prior to the insertion of the member and including integral head flange and sealing portions, the head flange portion being engageable with one side of the panel adjacent the annular edge thereof and defining an aperture through which the member is inserted, the sealing portion being received within the aperture in the panel and having a cross section with a thin-walled equilateral polygonal configuration, the totals of the lengths of the inner and outer sides of the sealing portion being respectively substantially equal to the circumferences of the annular outer surface of the member and the annular edge of the panel to allow the junctures of these sides to grip the annular edge of the panel and initially position the grommet prior to the insertion of the member, and the sealing portion being deformed during the insertion of the member to assume an annular configuration in sealing engagement with both the member and the panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
The combination comprising, a panel including an annular edge defining a circular aperture of a diameter D1, a member for insertion through the aperture and having an annular outer surface with a diameter D2 received within the aperture in spaced relationship to the annular edge of the panel, D2 being greater than 80 percent of D1, and a generally flexible grommet for insertion within the aperture prior to the insertion of the member and including integral head flange and sealing portions, the head flange portion being engageable with one side of the panel adjacent the annular edge thereof and defining an aperture through which the member is inserted, the sealing portion being received within the aperture in the panel and having a cross section with a thin-walled equilateral polygonal configuration, the totals of the lengths of the inner and outer sides of the sealing portion being respectively substantially equal to the circumferences of the annular outer surface of the member and the annular edge of the panel to allow the junctures of these sides to grip the annular edge of the panel and initially position the grommet prior to the insertion of the member, and the sealing portion being deformed during the insertion of the member to assume an annular configuration in sealing engagement with both the member and the panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the sealing portion has six to 10 sides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
285 words
The combination comprising, a panel including an annular edge defining a circular aperture of a diameter D1, a member for insertion through the aperture and having an annular outer surface with a diameter D2 received within the aperture in spaced relationship to the annular edge of the panel, D2 being greater than 80 percent of D1, and a generally flexible grommet for insertion within the aperture prior to the member and including a head flange portion integral with a sealing portion and guide portions, the head flange portion having a generally annular configuration with a surface engaging one side of the panel adjacent to the annular edge thereof and defining a central aperture through which the member is inserted, the sealing portion being received within the aperture in the panel and having a cross section with a thin-walled equilateral polygonal configuration, the totals of the lengths of the inner and outer sides of the sealing portion being respectively substantially equal to the circumferences of the annular outer surface of the member and the annular edge of the panel to allow the junctures of these sides to grip the annular edge of the panel and initially position the grommet prior to the insertion of the member, the sealing portion being deformed during the insertion of the member to assume an annular configuration in sealing engagement with both the member and the panel, and the guide portions normally extending from the respective sides of the sealing portion with a frustoconical configuration pointed away from the head flange portion so as to guide the grommet during insertion within the aperture in the panel and to subsequently expand to a split annular configuration during the insertion of the member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
285 words
The combination comprising, a panel including an annular edge defining a circular aperture of a diameter D1, a member for insertion through the aperture and having an annular outer surface with a diameter D2 received within the aperture in spaced relationship to the annular edge of the panel, D2 being greater than 80 percent of D1, and a generally flexible grommet for insertion within the aperture prior to the member and including a head flange portion integral with a sealing portion and guide portions, the head flange portion having a generally annular configuration with a surface engaging one side of the panel adjacent to the annular edge thereof and defining a central aperture through which the member is inserted, the sealing portion being received within the aperture in the panel and having a cross section with a thin-walled equilateral polygonal configuration, the totals of the lengths of the inner and outer sides of the sealing portion being respectively substantially equal to the circumferences of the annular outer surface of the member and the annular edge of the panel to allow the junctures of these sides to grip the annular edge of the panel and initially position the grommet prior to the insertion of the member, the sealing portion being deformed during the insertion of the member to assume an annular configuration in sealing engagement with both the member and the panel, and the guide portions normally extending from the respective sides of the sealing portion with a frustoconical configuration pointed away from the head flange portion so as to guide the grommet during insertion within the aperture in the panel and to subsequently expand to a split annular configuration during the insertion of the member.
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) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |