Method and apparatus for installing gel material in architectural barrier breaches

Claim 1

Apparatus for sealing a breach having inner and outer openings formed in an architectural barrier which comprises: a collar having two open ends adapted to be affixed to portions of an architectural barrier adjacent to the breach in said barrier, said collar projecting outwardly therefrom in at least one of the openings; a resilient, flexible, sheet-form member circumferentially wrapped around the collar portion adjacent each outer opening of said collar; means locking said sheet-form member in a sealed-together relationship with adjoining portions of said collar; means maintaining said sheet-form member in a radially inward-extending position to form a bellows-type boot and together with said collar forming an enclosed cavity; and a quantity of gel material disposed within and filling said cavity to form a pocket of the gel, whereby the entire breach is sealed with a flexible barrier providing a deformable seal.

Claim 5

An apparatus for sealing a breach in an architectural barrier which comprises: a joint between at least two architectural barrier members; a collar having two open ends affixed to and projecting perpendicularly from said joint; a resilient, flexible, sheet-form member attached to and enclosing each of said open ends to form a cavity; means locking said sheet-form member in a sealed together relationship with adjoining portions of said collar; and a gel material disposed within and predominantly filling said cavity formed by the collar and sheet-form members, whereby a flexible seal is formed within said joint permitting limited movement of said architectural barrier members.

Claim 6

An apparatus for sealing a breach in an architectural barrier which comprises: a joint between at least two architectural barrier members; a collar having two open ends affixed to and projecting perpendicularly from said joint; a resilient, flexible, sheet-form member attached to and enclosing each of said open ends to form a cavity; means locking said sheet-form member in a sealed together relationship with adjoining portions of said collar; and a gel material disposed within and predominantly filling said cavity formed by the collar and sheet-form members, whereby a flexible seal is formed within said joint permitting limited movement of said architectural barrier members.

Claim 7

An apparatus for sealing a breach formed in an architectural barrier which comprises: a wall with a breach having inner and outer openings and forming a penetration therein; a collar adapted to be affixed to and project from at least one of said openings; a resilient, flexible, sheet-form member for each opening of the penetration, each sheet-form member being circumferentially wrapped around the collar at corresponding ends and having portions extending radially inwardly of said collar to form a boot; means locking said sheet-form member in a sealed-together relationship with adjoining portions of said collar; a member adapted to move in said penetration and extending through said collar, inner ends of said boot being wrapped around said moving member, sealing means locking said boot in sealed-together relationship with said moving member whereby the moving member, the collar, and the boot form a cavity; and a gel material being disposed within and filling said cavity form by the collar in the boot, whereby a pocket of the silicon gel is formed providing a seal while permitting movement of the member.

Claim 8

An apparatus for sealing a breach formed in an architectural barrier which comprises: a wall with a breach having inner and outer openings and forming a penetration therein; a collar adapted to be affixed to and project from at least one of said openings; a resilient, flexible, sheet-form member for each opening of the penetration, each sheet-form member being circumferentially wrapped around the collar at corresponding ends and having portions extending radially inwardly of said collar to form a boot; means locking said sheet-form member in a sealed-together relationship with adjoining portions of said collar; a member adapted to move in said penetration and extending through said collar, inner ends of said boot being wrapped around said moving member, sealing means locking said boot in sealed-together relationship with said moving member whereby the moving member, the collar, and the boot form a cavity; and a gel material being disposed within and filling said cavity form by the collar in the boot, whereby a pocket of the silicon gel is formed providing a seal while permitting movement of the member.

Claim 15

A method of insulating a mechanical penetration in a shielding structure which comprises: securing, on each side of the shielding structure, a resilient and flexible sheet-form member circumferentially to a collar, which projects axially from the penetration, and to the mechanical member, thus sealing the penetration and forming a cavity; providing a pathway for injection and ventilation of the cavity; filling the sealed penetration with silicone gel; and curing the silicone gel, thereby providing a pocket of viscous material which permits movement of the member while maintaining the continuity of insulation provided by the shielding structure.

Claim 16

A method of insulating a mechanical penetration in a shielding structure which comprises: securing, on each side of the shielding structure, a resilient and flexible sheet-form member circumferentially to a collar, which projects axially from the penetration, and to the mechanical member, thus sealing the penetration and forming a cavity; providing a pathway for injection and ventilation of the cavity; filling the sealed penetration with silicone gel; and curing the silicone gel, thereby providing a pocket of viscous material which permits movement of the member while maintaining the continuity of insulation provided by the shielding structure.