Automotive pierce-through aperture seal
First Claim
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 Assignments
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Accused Products
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.
37 Citations
5 Claims
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
Specification