US5267740A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metal head gasket with integrated sealing aids
Assignee: FEL-PRO INCORPORATED AN IL CORPORATION
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Filing: 1992-02-20
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Granted: 1993-12-07
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Expires: 2012-02-20
Abstract
Abstract A metal head gasket comprising a metal skeleton plate with fire rings in the combustion openings and elastomeric sealing beads around the fluid openings. The fire rings are integrated with the gasket via elastomeric bridges so that they float in the combustion openings and the fluid opening elastomeric seals are molded around those openings and embed struts and fill voids which at least partially surround the openings. The elastomeric bridges and seals are molded in situ and may all be molded with the metal plate in one operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard G. Stritzke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:58
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/02; F16J15/06; F16J15/08; F16J15/0818; F16J15/10; F16J15/12; F16J15/121; F16J15/122; F16J15/123; F16J2015/085; F16J2015/0856; F16J2015/0862
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A head gasket comprising a metallic plate of a first thickness having a skeleton-like configuration and defining a plurality of combustion openings, adjacent pairs of which intersect, each said combustion opening having a metallic fire ring disposed therein and spaced inwardly of its opening, each said fire ring being suspended in the opening via a formed in situ elastomeric bridge disposed between the combustion opening and an adjacent edge of the fire ring, with adjacent elastomeric bridges being integrally formed, said plate having sections integral with other portions of the plate and spaced from said other portions and connected with said other portions by widely spaced, narrow connecting struts of a thickness reduced from said first thickness and defining substantial voids between the struts, said sections defining a plurality of fluid openings, and formed in situ elastomeric sealing beads surrounding a plurality of said fluid openings and embedding said struts and filling said voids, at least some of said sealing beads being integrally formed with said elastomeric bridges, all to form an integrated elastomeric sealing system for said head gasket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A head gasket comprising a metallic plate of a first thickness having a skeleton-like configuration and defining a plurality of combustion openings, adjacent pairs of which intersect, each said combustion opening having a metallic fire ring disposed therein and spaced inwardly of its opening, each said fire ring being suspended in the opening via a formed in situ elastomeric bridge disposed between the combustion opening and an adjacent edge of the fire ring, with adjacent elastomeric bridges being integrally formed, said plate having sections integral with other portions of the plate and spaced from said other portions and connected with said other portions by widely spaced, narrow connecting struts of a thickness reduced from said first thickness and defining substantial voids between the struts, said sections defining a plurality of fluid openings, and formed in situ elastomeric sealing beads surrounding a plurality of said fluid openings and embedding said struts and filling said voids, at least some of said sealing beads being integrally formed with said elastomeric bridges, all to form an integrated elastomeric sealing system for said head gasket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A head gasket in accordance with claim 1, and wherein notches are disposed in said plate adjacent said combustion openings and are filled with elastomer formed in situ with said elastomeric bridges and with said sealing beads.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A head gasket in accordance with claim 1, and wherein each said sealing bead defines at least one projection surrounding a fluid opening and projecting upwardly beyond the surface of the plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A head gasket in accordance with claim 3, and wherein each said sealing bead defines at least two projections surrounding a fluid opening, at least one of said projections projecting outwardly beyond each surface of the plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A head gasket in accordance with claim 1, and wherein at least some of said sealing beads are spaced outwardly of the fluid openings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A head gasket in accordance with claim 5, and wherein at least some of said sealing beads define the fluid opening.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-12-06 | 1997-06-07 | 1997-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-12-06 | 2001-06-07 | 2001-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-12-06 | 2005-06-07 | 2005-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |