Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
287 words
A gasket assembly comprising a gasket member defining an opening therethrough, said gasket member comprising a substantially flat surface portion around said opening, a low extrusion-resistant elastomeric first sealing bead formed in situ on said one flat surface portion of said gasket member and circumscribing said opening, a high extrusion-resistant second bead of sealing material formed in situ on said one flat surface portion of said gasket member circumscribing said opening, and the edge of said second bead lying closely adjacent to the edge of said first sealing bead, and a high extrusion-resistant third bead of sealing material formed in situ on said one flat surface portion of said gasket member circumscribing said opening, and the edge of said third bead lying closely adjacent to the edge of said first sealing bead, said second and third beads straddling said first sealing bead, said first sealing bead having an overall height which is greater than the heights of said second and third beads, and wherein the volumes of the spaces between said first sealing bead and said second and third beads is less than the volume of the first sealing bead which lies above an imaginary line connecting the uppermost edges of the second and third sealing beads, whereby under compression by a compressing surface, the displacement of the first sealing bead is confined by said second and third beads and the first sealing bead material remains as the primary seal against a compressing surface overlapping adjacent surfaces of said second and third sealing beads and substantially eliminating said spaces, whereby when said gasket member is placed under compression, said second and third beads restrict displacement of said first bead to prevent extrusion of said first sealing bead.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
287 words
A gasket assembly comprising a gasket member defining an opening therethrough, said gasket member comprising a substantially flat surface portion around said opening, a low extrusion-resistant elastomeric first sealing bead formed in situ on said one flat surface portion of said gasket member and circumscribing said opening, a high extrusion-resistant second bead of sealing material formed in situ on said one flat surface portion of said gasket member circumscribing said opening, and the edge of said second bead lying closely adjacent to the edge of said first sealing bead, and a high extrusion-resistant third bead of sealing material formed in situ on said one flat surface portion of said gasket member circumscribing said opening, and the edge of said third bead lying closely adjacent to the edge of said first sealing bead, said second and third beads straddling said first sealing bead, said first sealing bead having an overall height which is greater than the heights of said second and third beads, and wherein the volumes of the spaces between said first sealing bead and said second and third beads is less than the volume of the first sealing bead which lies above an imaginary line connecting the uppermost edges of the second and third sealing beads, whereby under compression by a compressing surface, the displacement of the first sealing bead is confined by said second and third beads and the first sealing bead material remains as the primary seal against a compressing surface overlapping adjacent surfaces of said second and third sealing beads and substantially eliminating said spaces, whereby when said gasket member is placed under compression, said second and third beads restrict displacement of said first bead to prevent extrusion of said first sealing bead.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A gasket assembly in accordance with claim 1, and wherein said first sealing bead is of a silicone based elastomer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A gasket assembly in accordance with claim 2, and wherein said second and third beads are of a nitrile based elastomer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A gasket assembly in accordance with claim 1, and wherein at least one of said second and third beads are proportioned to provide a secondary seal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A gasket assembly in accordance with claim 1, and wherein first, second, and third beads are disposed on each side of said flat surface portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A gasket assembly in accordance with claim 1, and wherein the edges of said second and third beads substantially touch the adjacent edges of the first bead.