Automotive pierce-through aperture seal

• US 5,524,907 A
• Filed: 11/03/1994
• Issued: 06/11/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Walser, Anthony R.
• Primary Examiner(s): DePumpo, Daniel G.
• Application Number:
  US08/333,694
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 277/DIG. 10, 277/166, 277/181, 277/186, 277/188 R, 277/189, 277/26, 277/227, 277/235 R, 277/207 R
• US Class Current: 277/640
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/046 characterised by the fixing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/06 Sealing strips sealing arrangements for vehicle windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors, or similar devices B60J10/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/2072 Floor protection, e.g. from corrosion or scratching floor mats B60N3/04, armour F41H7/042, insulation B60R13/08, streamlining B62D35/02
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 27/04 resilient
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 277/917 Seal including frangible feature

Abstract

A seal for sealing a bore defined by apertures in a pair of automotive components a membrane placed between the components and aligned parallel with a plane perpendicular to an axis through the bore. The membrane has a pierce-through weakened section positioned perpendicular to the axis with a plurality of non-perforating slices which intersect at a point on the membrane to provide a predetermined break force for allowing attachment means to pass therethrough in a predictable manner. A compressible bead attached around the perimeter of the membrane holds the membrane in tension.

Claims

1. A seal insertable between an automotive floor pan and a vehicle component attached thereto, the floor pan and the component each having an aperture therethrough aligned so as to form an attachment receiving bore, the seal comprising:

(1) a membrane placed between the floor pan and the component, and aligned parallel with a plane perpendicular to an axis through the bore, the membrane having;

(a) a plurality of slices, in a section of the membrane perpendicular to the axis, for initiating breakage of the membrane therealong to form resilient wedges in the membrane;

(b) a sealing position wherein the wedges are parallel with a plane perpendicular to an axis through the bore so as to obstruct the bore; and

(c) an open position wherein the wedges yield to an attachment member impinging thereupon with a predetermined force; and

(2) a compressible bead attached around the perimeter of the membrane for holding the membrane in tension, the bead made of a heat reactive sealer which foams to form a compression seal between the floor pan and the component when exposed to high temperatures.

2. A seal according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of slices comprises four slices which intersect at a point in the membrane to form eight resilient wedges.

3. A seal according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of slices comprises two slices which intersect at a point in the membrane to form four resilient wedges.

4. A seal according to claim 2 wherein the membrane is made of a polypropylene material.

5. A seal according to claim 4 wherein the membrane is circular shaped and the bead forms a ring on the circumference of the membrane.