US4091962A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Panel hole closure
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1977-07-20
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Granted: 1978-05-30
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Expires: 1997-07-20
Abstract
Abstract A panel hole closure is composed of a rigid plate having an integral array of resilient fingers projecting from one surface of the plate inboard of the plate rim. A integral stiffener is provided for each finger which stiffens the finger against inward deflection toward the axis of the plate so that once the closure is seated in a panel aperture, it is difficult to dislodge. A plastic sealing ring encircling the plate rim may be melted and flow to provide a fluid-tight seal between the closure plate and panel.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold S. van Buren, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:10
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R1/00; H04R1/02; H04R1/023; B; B62; B62D; B62D25/00; B62D25/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A panel hole closure comprising A. a plate, B. a plurality of flexible, resilient fingers projecting from one surface of the plate, said fingers being distributed about the center of the plate inboard of its rim, C. means associated with each finger for stiffening said finger against inward deflection toward the axis of the plate, and D. a sealing ring extending around the rim of the plate, said sealing ring being made of a plastic material which flows upon being subjected to a selected elevated temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A panel hole closure comprising A. a plate, B. a plurality of flexible, resilient fingers projecting from one surface of the plate, said fingers being distributed about the center of the plate inboard of its rim, C. means associated with each finger for stiffening said finger against inward deflection toward the axis of the plate, and D. a sealing ring extending around the rim of the plate, said sealing ring being made of a plastic material which flows upon being subjected to a selected elevated temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The closure defined in claim 1 wherein the sealing ring includes an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The closure defined in claim 1 wherein the stiffening means comprises one or more struts extending from elevated locations on the finger an appreciable distance from the finger connection to the plate surface toward locations on the plate surface inboard of said connection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
The closure defined in claim 3 wherein A. each finger comprises 1. a flat tab projecting out from the plate surface, and 2. a clip resiliently connected to the free end of the tab, said clip extending outboard of the tab and being arranged to engage behind a wall of a panel aperture through which the fingers are projected as the closure is seated over the panel aperture, and B. the struts comprise generally triangular wings integral with the side edges of the tab and extending to said inboard plate locations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The closure defined in claim 4 wherein each clip has converging edge margins which are bent outwardly away from the axis of the plate so as to present sharp edges which score into the wall of the aperture, when the clips resiliently engage that wall upon the seating of the closure over the aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The closure defined in claim 3 wherein A. each finger comprises 1. a flat tab projecting out from the plate surface, and 2. means defining an outboard projection at an elevated location on the tab, and B. the strut comprises a tab extension extending from the free end of the tab toward a said inboard plate location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The closure defined in claim 6 and further including A. means defining openings in the plate at locations therein opposite each said tab and its extension. B. a sealing ring extending around the rim of the plate and adjacent said plate openings, said ring being made of a material that flows at selected elevated temperatures.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The closure defined in claim 1 wherein the plate, fingers and stiffening means are formed integrally from a single metal stamping.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The closure defined in claim 8 A. further including means defining a depression in the plate surface at the connection of each said finger to the plate surface, and B. wherein each finger is connected to the plate rim by a tab folded against the plate surface in a said depression.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
108 words
A panel hole closure comprising A. a plate, B. a plurality of flexible resilient clips projecting from one surface of the plate, said clips being distributed about the center of the plate inboard of its rim, C. a body of plastic material connected to said plate, said material being flowable at a selected elevated temperature, and D. means for conducting said material, when flowable, to said clips so that when the closure is seated over a panel aperture with said clips resiliently engaging the aperture walls and is heated to the selected temperature, the material flows to and collects adjacent to and on said clips thereby stiffening them.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
108 words
A panel hole closure comprising A. a plate, B. a plurality of flexible resilient clips projecting from one surface of the plate, said clips being distributed about the center of the plate inboard of its rim, C. a body of plastic material connected to said plate, said material being flowable at a selected elevated temperature, and D. means for conducting said material, when flowable, to said clips so that when the closure is seated over a panel aperture with said clips resiliently engaging the aperture walls and is heated to the selected temperature, the material flows to and collects adjacent to and on said clips thereby stiffening them.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
75 words
The closure defined in claim 10 wherein A. the conducting means comprise an opening in the plate adjacent the connection of each clip to the plate, and B. the body comprises a sealing ring extending around the rim of the plate and adjacent each said opening so that, when heated, the material flows through said openings to said clips and also closes said openings and provides a fluid-tight gasket between the plate and the panel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The closure defined in claim 11 wherein each clip comprises a tab that is bent back on itself so as the define a pocket for said ring material opposite the associated plate opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
A panel hole closure comprising A. a plate, B. a plurality of flexible, resilient fingers projecting from one surface of the plate, said fingers being distributed about the center of the plate inboard of its rim, C. means associated with each finger for stiffening said finger against inward deflection toward the axis of the plate, said fingers and stiffening means being formed integrally from a single metal stamping.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
68 words
A panel hole closure comprising A. a plate, B. a plurality of flexible, resilient fingers projecting from one surface of the plate, said fingers being distributed about the center of the plate inboard of its rim, C. means associated with each finger for stiffening said finger against inward deflection toward the axis of the plate, said fingers and stiffening means being formed integrally from a single metal stamping.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3018535A
Cited
US3944107A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-05-29 | 1981-11-28 | 1982-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-29 | 1985-11-28 | 1986-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-29 | 1989-11-28 | 1990-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |