Sealing washers, and fastener-sealing washer assemblies

Claim 1

A sealing washer for preassembled association with a fastener having a head and a shank, the washer including a body portion having an upper bearing surface and lower bearing surface, the upper bearing surface including an inclined surface portion extending downwardly and outwardly from the inner peripheral margin thereof, a rim portion extending upwardly from the outer marginal region of the inclined surface portion and adapted to surround the perimeter of the fastener head, the rim portion including inwardly extending flange means with the uppermost edge including means permitting the fastener head to be forced inwardly thereof so that the flange means snaps on top of at least a portion of the head means and thereby retaining the washer beneath the head of the fastener, the rim portion including peripherally spaced slots extending downwardly from the uppermost edge thereof to the inclined surface portion to facilitate drainage of water therefrom, a peripheral skirt portion extending downwardly and outwardly of the body of thE washer to sealingly engage a workpiece wherein a joint formed by the fastener with a workpiece is effectively sealed through sealing engagement between the lower bearing surface and the workpiece as well as through sealing engagement between the peripheral skirt portion and the workpiece.