Aperture plugs

• US 4,363,420 A
• Filed: 01/30/1981
• Issued: 12/14/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/1980
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Andrews, Sydney A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hall, George T.
• Application Number:
  US06/229,896
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: 220/307, 220/308, 220/359, 220/352, 220/DIG. 19, 220/364, 215/294, 215/358
• US Class Current: 220/787
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/24 Superstructure sub-units with access or drainage openings having movable or removable closures; Sealing means thereforinlet covers for vehicle fuel tanks B60K15/05
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 13/00 Covers or similar closure members for pressure vessels in general for engines or like cylinders F16J10/00; sealings F16J15/02; covers for box-like containers B65D43/00; devices for securing or retaining closure members B65D45/00; closures for containers not otherwise provided for B65D51/00; manholes, covers for large containers B65D90/10; gates or closures for large containers B65D90/54; for vessels for containing or storing compressed, liquefied or solidified gases F17C13/06; steam boilers F22B
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49876 by snap fit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49885 with coating before or during assembling

Abstract

A plug for sealing an aperture in a panel includes a body portion adapted to close the aperture, a flange portion adapted to overlie an upper surface region adjacent the aperture, one or more insert portions adapted for insertion through the panel in contact or close adjacency to the edge surface of the aperture, and a body of sealant material in the form of a ring in contact with the under surface of the flange portion. The sealant material has the property of flowing when heated to an operating temperature lower than the melting point of the plug material, and the insert portion or portions of the plug and the body of sealant are formed so as to cause at least part of the sealant, upon being heated, to flow and adhere between the edge surface of the panel aperture and at least part of an insert portion.

Claims

1. A plug for an aperture in a panel comprising:

an insert portion adapted for insertion into the aperture,

a flange portion having an under surface adapted to overlie an upper surface region of the panel adjacent the aperture, and

a body of sealant material in contact with said under surface of said flange portion,

said insert portion comprising a plurality of neck portions, and a pluralty of resiliently flexible elements arranged between said neck portions so as to be resiliently flexed during insertion of said insert portion into the aperture and so as, thereafter, to retain said insert portion within the aperture.

2. A plug according to claim 1, wherein said resiliently flexible elements comprise legs each having a retaining projection which is resiliently displaceable to permit insertion of said insert portion into the aperture and which is arranged to engage the panel and retain said insert portion in the aperture after insertion.

3. A plug according to claim 2, wherein each said projection has an inclined upper surface.

4. A plug according to claim 1, wherein said neck portions have projections arranged substantially to close the aperture from below when said insert portion has been inserted in the aperture.

5. A plug according to claim 4, wherein said body of sealant material is adapted to flow, upon being heated to an operating temperature lower than the melting point of the plug material, down said neck portions, whereby in use said projections drop below the panel, and thence over said projections to the under surface of panel.

6. A plug according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said projections have concavely curved upper surfaces.