Cavity depth increasing retainer
First Claim
1. A seal retainer for coupling at least one seal thereto, comprising:
- a main layer lying in a plane and having a first thickness with at least one seal receiving aperture formed therein;
at least one resilient retaining element extending inwardly from said main layer into said at least one seal receiving aperture to a free end, said at least one retaining element being resiliently cantilevered relative to said main layer to permit said free end of said retaining element to be resiliently deflected out of said plane of said main layer to engage a cavity of the seal; and
a second layer with a second thickness integrally coupled to said main layer as a one-piece, unitary member and overlapping a portion of said main layer which increases overall thickness of said seal retainer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sealing assembly is disclosed for creating a seal between first and second mating members or components. The sealing assembly basically includes a seal retainer with one or more annular seals coupled thereto. The seal retainer including a substantially flat body portion lying in a plane and with at least one resilient retaining element integrally formed with the body portion as a one-piece, unitary member for engaging the seal or seals to retain the seal or seals thereto. In the preferred embodiment, the seal retainer is folded to form three layers. In particular, the body portion of the seal retainer has a main supporting layer with four tabs foldably coupled thereto.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A seal retainer for coupling at least one seal thereto, comprising:
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a main layer lying in a plane and having a first thickness with at least one seal receiving aperture formed therein; at least one resilient retaining element extending inwardly from said main layer into said at least one seal receiving aperture to a free end, said at least one retaining element being resiliently cantilevered relative to said main layer to permit said free end of said retaining element to be resiliently deflected out of said plane of said main layer to engage a cavity of the seal; and a second layer with a second thickness integrally coupled to said main layer as a one-piece, unitary member and overlapping a portion of said main layer which increases overall thickness of said seal retainer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A seal retainer for coupling at least one seal thereto, comprising:
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a main layer having a first thickness with at least one seal receiving aperture formed therein; at least one resilient retaining element extending inwardly from said main layer into said at least one seal receiving aperture to a free end; and a second layer with a second thickness integrally coupled to said main layer as a one-piece, unitary member and overlapping a portion of said main layer which increases overall thickness of said seal retainer, said main layer, said second layer and said at least one retaining element being constructed of a thin material having a thickness ranging from approximately 0.003 inch to approximately 0.005 inch.
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17. A sealing assembly for creating a seal between first and second members, comprising:
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at least one annular seal with first and second longitudinally facing sealing surfaces and an outwardly facing cavity located between said first and second longitudinally facing sealing surfaces; and a seal retainer including a main layer having a first thickness with at least one seal receiving aperture formed therein, at least one resilient retaining element integrally formed with said main layer for engaging said cavity of said at least one seal to retain said at least one seal thereto, and a second layer having a second thickness integrally coupled to said main layer as a one-piece, unitary member and overlapping a portion of said main layer which increases overall thickness of said seal retainer, said at least one retaining element being resiliently cantilevered relative to said main layer to permit said free end of said retaining element to be resiliently deflected out of said plane of said main layer to engage said cavity of said at least one seal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A sealing assembly for creating a seal between first and second members, comprising:
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at least one annular seal with first and second longitudinally facing sealing surfaces and an outwardly facing cavity located between said first and second longitudinally facing sealing surfaces; and a seal retainer including a main layer having a first thickness with at least one seal receiving aperture formed therein, at least one resilient retaining element internally formed with said main layer for engaging said cavity of said at least one seal to retain said at least one seal thereto, and a second layer having a second thickness integrally coupled to said main layer as a one-piece, unitary member and overlapping a portion of said main layer which increases overall thickness of said seal retainer, said main layer, said second layer and said at least one retaining element being constructed of a thin material having a thickness ranging of approximately 0.003 inch to approximately 0.005 inch.
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Specification