EP0263013A1 - Sealing strip - Google Patents

Abstract

Sealing strip made from at least one polymer material which can be deformed between a first element and a second element assembled so that a functional play exists between them, the said seal comprising at least two sealing lips (1, 2) which project from a seal body and which are arranged on the side of one of the said first and second elements, and at least one means for anchoring the seal (20a) on (or against) the other element. The seal comprises at least one core piece (5) for matching variations in play due to manufacturing tolerances, and this core piece can be extracted in order also to match the reductions in play resulting from assembly between the said first and second elements, at least one element of which has a transverse dimension capable of having various values defining smaller amounts of play between the said first and second elements. Application to the building and construction industry in general. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to improvements made to the deformable seals between a first element, in particular in the form of a plate, and a second element, in particular constituted by a support frame for this plate, which seals are intended to be used more particularly but not exclusively in the building sector, in particular to ensure the sealing of glazing.

In the aforementioned field, to which the invention applies more particularly, although not limiting, there is the problem of adapting a given seal - and this within certain limits - to the different clearances existing between a window and a support frame for the latter, which clearances are variable depending on the different constructions or assemblies between frames and panes as well as manufacturing tolerances.

The problem mentioned above has been solved by proposing seals provided with sealing lips projecting from the body of the seal towards the glass, so as to adapt to the different existing clearances (of course within certain limits) between frame and window, by relative spacing of these lips, the effective spacing relative to the rest configuration of the seal being a function of the play actually existing between a frame and the corresponding given window.

As examples of seals already proposed in the prior art, mention may be made of the patent J.J. DI CESARE Jr. et al. US-3,501,884, which is of the so-called "stuffing" type (namely, intended to be mounted after having put the glass in its support frame, for this purpose the seal comprising an anchoring lip intended to s 'apply on or against the frame, see Fig.2 appended to this description). This DI CESARE et al. describes a gasket provided, on the glass side, with two sealing lips spaced in a V.

Another example is constituted by the invention F. JAEGER DE-1 927 005, which describes a joint having three sealing lips. The JAEGER seal has the distinction of being of the so-called "clip-on" type (that is, intended to be mounted before the glass is placed in its support frame, for this purpose being provided with an interlocking projection in a rebate formed in the frame (see FIG. 3 appended to this description), but which also includes an anchoring lip of the aforementioned type, allowing it to become, if necessary, of the aforementioned type "to be stuffed", by separation or removal of said interlocking projection.

For sealing lip seals, means have also been proposed in the prior art for preventing detachment, in particular of the external sealing lip, which could occur by aging of the material, generally elastomer, of which the attached. These means for holding the sealing lips in place are generally in the form of pressure lips for the external sealing lip of the seal. For example, there is known a "captive" pressure lip seal under the corresponding sealing lip (cf. Patent FR-73 35 167) which illustrates another type of seal, called "U", consisting of two symmetrical portions: see also Fig. 4 appended to this description).

The object of the present invention is to provide a compressible seal between a first element, in particular in the form of a plate and a second element, in particular constituted by a support frame for this plate, which better meets the needs of the practice than the seals aimed at the same previously known object, in particular in that it has a character of adaptability to the different clearances existing between said first and second elements, and more particularly but not limited to between a window pane and a support frame for the latter, which extends, for a given joint, to ranges of play values greater than those corresponding to the deformable seals proposed in the prior art, in this sense that the seal according to the invention makes it possible to adapt to the variations in play which come from the manufacture and the assembly between the plate and the frame.

The present invention relates to a seal in at least one deformable polymeric material between a first element and a second element assembled so that a functional clearance exists between them, said seal comprising at least two sealing lips which form projection of a seal body and which are arranged on the side of one of said first and second elements, and at least one means for anchoring the seal on (or against) the other element, which seal is characterized in that it comprises at least one core for adapting to variations in play due to manufacturing tolerances and in that this core is extractable to also adapt to the play reductions resulting from the assembly between said first and second elements, at least of which an element has a transverse dimension capable of having different values (depending on the results sought) and which define sets of lower values between said first and second elements.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the seal according to the invention, the core is full.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the seal according to the invention, the core is hollowed out.

According to an advantageous arrangement of this embodiment, the core has an internal recess, that is to say which does not communicate with the outside.

According to another advantageous arrangement of this embodiment, the core has a recess communicating with the outside.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the seal according to the invention, it comprises means for anchoring the core in the remaining mass of the seal which surrounds the core.

According to an advantageous arrangement of this embodiment, the means for anchoring the core are carried by the remaining mass of the seal which surrounds the core.

According to an advantageous modality of this arrangement, the means for anchoring the core consist of at least one rib carried by the remaining mass of the seal which surrounds the core.

According to an advantageous variant of this modality, the means for anchoring the core consist of at least one lip carried by the remaining mass of the seal which surrounds the core.

According to another advantageous arrangement of this embodiment, the means for anchoring the core are carried by the core itself.

According to an advantageous embodiment of this arrangement, the means for anchoring the core consist of at least one rib carried by the core.

According to an advantageous variant of this modality, the means for anchoring the core consist of at least one lip carried by the core.

According to an advantageous arrangement of this embodiment, the extractable core is provided with an extraction tab.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the seal according to the invention, the core is disposed in said seal body.

According to an advantageous variant of this embodiment, the core is disposed in at least one of the sealing lips.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the seal according to the invention. this comprises a safety lip intended to come into abutment, when the seal is in the deformed state between said first and second elements, against an opposite shoulder formed in the seal so that this shoulder defines the maximum deformation male tolerable so that the seal can effectively and durably exercise its sealing role.

In addition to the foregoing provisions, the invention also comprises other provisions, which will emerge from the description which follows.

• - la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une première configuration d'ensemble du joint selon l'invention,
• - la figure 2 montre le joint illustré à la figure 1, qui est du type dit "ä bourrer", en position de travail comprimé entre une vitre et un cadre de support de celle-ci ;
• - la figure 3 montre le joint illustré à la figure 1 pourvu de moyens d'ancrage, par rapport au cadre de support,qui en font un joint du type dit "ä clipper" ;
• - la figure 4 montre un joint "double" du type "à U" se composant de deux portions symétriques conformes chacune au joint illustré à la figure 1 et reliées entre elles du côté interne ;
• - les figures 5 à 8 sont des vues en coupe d'une deuxième configuration d'ensemble du joint conforme à l'invention ;
• - la figure 9 est une vue on coupe d'une variante de la configuration d'ensemble du joint représenté aux figures 5 à 8 ;
• - la figure 10 est une vue en coupe d'une autre variante par rapport à la configuration d'ensemble du joint représenté aux figures 5 à 8 ;
• - la figure 11 est une vue également en coupe d'une troisième configuration d'ensemble du joint selon l'invention.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the additional description which follows, which refers to the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first overall configuration of the seal according to the invention,
• - Figure 2 shows the seal illustrated in Figure 1, which is of the so-called "stuffing" type, in the compressed working position between a window pane and a support frame thereof;
• - Figure 3 shows the joint illustrated in Figure 1 provided with anchoring means, relative to the support frame, which make a joint of the type called "to clip";
• - Figure 4 shows a "double" joint of the "U" type consisting of two symmetrical portions each conforming to the joint illustrated in Figure 1 and connected together on the internal side;
• - Figures 5 to 8 are sectional views of a second overall configuration of the seal according to the invention;
• - Figure 9 is a sectional view of a variant of the overall configuration of the seal shown in Figures 5 to 8;
• - Figure 10 is a sectional view of another variant with respect to the overall configuration of the seal shown in Figures 5 to 8;
• - Figure 11 is a sectional view of a third overall configuration of the seal according to the invention.

It should be understood, however, that these drawings and the corresponding descriptive parts, are given solely by way of illustration of the subject of the invention, of which they do not in any way constitute a limitation.

Figure 1 shows the preferred configuration of the deformable seal according to the invention, in particular made of a material based on elastomer or plastomer or the like, or in a mixture based on these materials.

This seal comprises two sealing lips 1, 2 intended to come into abutment against a window 3 (cf. FIG. 2) and to allow, in known manner, to adapt the seal to the play existing between this window and its frame. support 4 by relative spacing of the sealing lips.

Apart from the variations in clearance between glass and frame due to thermal variations, this clearance is likely to vary for other reasons, which are specified below, and this is to adapt with a single type of seal to these play variations that the seal according to the invention has been designed.

To better appreciate the contribution of the present invention, it should be noted that in the choice of a glass assembly / support frame for this glass (of course, the glass is a non-limiting example of a filling element of a given frame and can be replaced by any plate) intervene considerations not only of technical but also of economic order, which can lead - sometimes as a last resort, namely at the time of the concrete realization of the assembly - to adopt a wider filling element in the same support frame (for example, double glazing, the thickness of one of the constituents of which is varied, namely the vacuum or the thickness of the ice) or a narrower frame for the same filling element.

In addition, it should be noted that in assemblies of the aforementioned type, the manufacturing tolerances varying within relatively wide limits.

To take account of variations in play between frame and filling element linked to manufacturing tolerances, a range of seals is adopted in the prior art, which are defined in such a way that for each thickness of glazing and its usual tolerances a and only one joint, which inevitably affects the size of the stocks to be expected.

This impact on stocks is even more expensive when we also want to take into account the variations in play linked to modifications of the aforementioned type in the geometry of the assembly, at the time of its realization, based on considerations of aforesaid technical and / or economic nature.

However, in accordance with the invention, the adaptation of the seal to variations in play due to manufacturing tolerances is significantly improved by incorporating in its mass a core (also made of material based on elastomer or plastomer or the like , and in particular in TPE, or in a mixture based on these materials) whose hardness and / or density is less, or equal to or greater than that of the remaining mass (or body) of the joint which surrounds the core.

To also allow the adaptation of the seal according to the invention to the reductions in play between frame and filling element linked to the geometry modifications adopted as a last resort and indicated above, the aforementioned core is made extractable from the mass which surrounds it.

The fact of extracting this core makes it possible to obtain a different joint geometry adapted to the new, weaker games created by a wider filling element in an identical support frame or by a narrower support frame for the same element. filling.

The advantage over the standardization of the seals, and therefore over the storage, made possible by the present invention, meets a certain need, long felt in the technical field targeted by the invention.

This advantage consists in that the user needs to have, for a given application, a single type of seal in accordance with the invention, which can be used either as it is, that is to say with the core incorporated, when it is a question of filling the clearance due to the only variations of tolerances, or without core when it is a question of filling a clearance reduced to a minimum value imposed, for example, by the adoption in last resort of '' double glazing of greater thickness in a given frame, while compensating for variations in play due to manufacturing tolerances.

The core according to the invention can be made extractable in particular by using the teachings of Patent FR-77/12512, also in the name of the Applicant.

In addition, to facilitate the extraction of the core, it can be constituted by at least two distinct portions, in particular when the core is hollowed out (this embodiment not having been shown for reasons of simplification).

The above therefore makes it possible to define an original method of using the seal according to the invention.

The originality essentially lies in the fact that the invention goes against the approach of a person skilled in the art who would never have thought of being able to adapt a joint to a reduction in clearance by simple extraction of a portion of joint (the core), especially when we consider, on the one hand, that the classic tendency in the Art concerned is to insert an additional portion of joint to adapt to a given clearance, rather than removing a seal portion and that, on the other hand, for any variation in play, a different seal is simply used, unlike the solution provided by the present invention.

The aforementioned core can be full, but also and preferably hollowed out, like the core 5 shown in FIG. 1 which includes a recess 9 having no communication with the outside. Although for the configuration illustrated in Figure 1 the recess is formed inside, it is easy to imagine being able to provide a recess opening to the outside.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the connection between the core and the mass which surrounds it is improved by means of anchoring ribs, such as 6 a and 6 b , projecting from the surface of the core towards the mass that surrounds it. The core is preferably obtained by co-extrusion with the remaining mass of the seal which surrounds the core, which makes it possible, also by co-extrusion, to seal lips so that they have a hardness and / or a different density, namely, less, equal or greater than that of the seal body which surrounds the core, to adapt to the different needs of the practice.

It goes without saying that ribs of the aforementioned type can be formed alternatively or cumulatively in the remaining mass of the aforementioned joint which surrounds the core, as well as the mutual anchoring means between this core and the mass which surrounds it. a completely different configuration; for example, they may be in the form of tongues accessible from the outside and carried by one or other of the parts of which the seal according to the invention is made up and intended to ensure a sort of blocking of the core in said mass, the use of tongues being illustrated in the other embodiments which will be described later.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the joint of Figure 1 in the working position and provided with anchoring means 20 a and 20 b (of a type known per se) relative to the support frame 4 which make it a joint of the so-called type "to stuff" and "to clip", respectively, according to terminologies commonly used in the art and the meaning of which has already been given in the part of the description relating to the prior art.

In the application of the seal according to the invention defined by FIGS. 2 and 3, this can make it possible to easily reduce, for example, a clearance of 6 mm to a clearance of 3 mm, while compensating for the manufacturing tolerances in each case.

These anchoring means can be provided with at least a portion (not shown for reasons of simplification of the drawings) of hardness and / or higher density, obtained by co-extrusion, to facilitate anchoring of the joint.

As for FIG. 4, this illustrates the joint of FIG. 1 produced so as to provide an assembly of a type also known, which caused the terminology of joint "U" to be adopted to consist of two portions identical to the joint shown. in FIG. 1 and connected to each other on the internal side by a seal of elastic material 7 against which the glass pits (which, in schematic figures 2 to 4, is supposed to be "double", namely with a space of air 18 comprised between two parallel panes 3 a to increase, in a known manner, the insulating power of the glazed elements of a construction; but it goes without saying that the pane can be as simple.

In the application defined by FIG. 4, the same seal according to the invention can be placed, for example, in a frame having a rebate of 25 mm and fitted with both 18 mm and 20 mm double glazing, while compensating for manufacturing tolerances, for example ± 0.4 mm on the inside rebate of 25 mm and + 1.2 to - 0.7 mm on the total thickness of the double glazing of 18 or 20 mm.

5 shows in solid lines another embodiment of seal assembly according to the invention in the resting state, which differs from the configuration illustrated in Figure 1 for the presence of two anchoring lips or blocking 8a and 8 b of the core 10 a - already provided with anchoring ribs 6 c and 6 d - in the remaining mass of the seal which surrounds it. These anchoring lips 8 a and 8 b are carried by the remaining mass of the seal which surrounds the core 10 a .

The configurations I and II in dotted lines are two extreme configurations in the deformed state of the seal, which correspond to two extreme values of the clearance (of the order of magnitude of several millimeters) existing between glass (not shown) and frame 4, the joint that can occupy continuously any intermediate configuration between the extreme configurations I and II above as a function of the play actually existing between window and frame.

Figures 6 to 8 differ from Figure 5 in that the core, instead of being solid, is hollowed out. More specifically, it can be noted that FIG. 6 shows a core 10 b provided with an internal recess 9 b , while the recess 9 c of the core 10 c in FIG. 7 opens to the outside, in the latter case, the anchoring function played by the lips 8 a and 8 b above being clearly imperative.

As regards FIG. 8, which illustrates a core 10 d provided with a recess 9 d opening to the outside, there is essentially to note that the material constituting the core extends in particular beyond the anchoring lip corresponding to the reference numeral 8 a in FIGS. 5 to 7 and which, in this case, plays more exactly the role of rib anchor 8 * is borne by the remaining mass of the seal which surrounds the core 10 of the extension 6 * d of the core 10 d corresponding to a lip anchoring thereof.

Figure 9 illustrates in solid lines, another overall configuration of the joint according to the invention, which differs from the configuration of the joint of Figure 5 in that the anchoring lip 12 has the core - which, in this case is a solid core denoted by reference numeral 11 - corresponding to the lip 8a of the figures 5 to 8, is thicker.

The configuration in dotted line I * is a configuration in the deformed state of the seal without the core 11.

The seal shown in FIG. 10 is provided with a core 13 whose retention in position is improved by a single anchoring lip 14 which is offset downward relative to the anchoring lip 20 a of the seal on or against the aforementioned support frame, so as to define a shoulder 15 against which a safety lip 16 can abut, the bringing of this lip in the abutment position corresponding to the maximum deformation tolerable by the seal and constituting a visual element allowing establish whether the state of deformation of the joint is acceptable.

FIG. 11 illustrates another overall configuration of the seal according to the invention in which a core 17 - which comprises a single anchoring rib 6 - is formed in one of the sealing lips of the seal, and in particular in the external lip , instead of being formed in the body of the seal (from which the lips project towards the glass). Although in Figures 9 to 11 the core has been shown to be solid, it goes without saying it can also be hollowed out, with or without communicating with the outside. Similarly, in each of the joints of these figures 9 to 11 (as indeed for the joints of Figures 5 to 8) the core can also be extractable: in the case of Figure 11 it is therefore quite obvious that the joint becomes - after the extraction of the core, imposed by the need to adapt the seal to a clearance between glass and exceptionally small frame - a seal having a third intermediate sealing lip 1 a .

As is apparent from the above, the invention is in no way limited to those of its embodiments and of application which have just been described more explicitly; on the contrary, it embraces all the variants which may come to the mind of the technician in the matter, without departing from the framework, or the scope, of the present invention.

Claims (20)

1.- Seal in at least one deformable polymeric material between a first element (3) and a second element (4) assembled so that a functional clearance exists between them, said seal comprising at least two sealing lips (1, 2) which project from a seal body and which are arranged on the side of one (3) of said first and second elements, and at least one means for anchoring the seal (20 a , 20 b ) on (or against) the other element (4), which joint is characterized in that it comprises at least one core (5, 10 a to 10 d , 11, 13, 17) for adapting to variations in play due to manufacturing tolerances and in that this core is extractable to also adapt to the play reductions resulting from the assembly between said first and second elements, at least one element of which has a transverse dimension capable of presenting different values and which define sets of lower values between said first and second elements. 2. A gasket according to claim 1, characterized in that the core (10 a, 11, 13, 17) is full. 3. A seal according to claim 1, characterized in that the core (5, 10 b to 10 d is hollowed out). 4. A seal according to claim 3, characterized in that the core (5, 10 b ) has an internal recess (9, 9 b ), namely which does not communicate with the outside. 5. A seal according to claim 3, characterized in that the core (10 c , 10 d ) has a recess (9 c , 9 d ) communicating with the outside. 6.- joint according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises anchoring means (6 a to 6 d , 6, 8 * a , 8 b , 6 * d , 12 a , 12 b , 14) of the core (5, 10 a to 10 d , 17) in the seal body which surrounds the core. 7. A seal according to claim 6, characterized in that the anchoring means (8 a , 8 b , 8 * a , 12 a , 12 b , 14) of the core (10 a to 10 d , 11, 13) are carried by the seal body which surrounds the core. 8. A seal according to claim 6, characterized in that the anchoring means of the core (10 d ) consist of at least one rib (8 * a ) carried by the seal body which surrounds the core. 9.- joint according to claim 7, characterized in that the anchoring means of the core 10 a to 10 d , 11, 13) consist of at least one lip 8 a , 8 b , 12 a , 12 b , 14 ) carried by the seal body which surrounds the core. 10.- joint according to claim 6, characterized in that the anchoring means (6 a to 6 d , 6 c , 6 * d ) of the core (5, 10 a to 10 d , 17) are carried by the core himself. 11.- joint according to claim 10, characterized in that the core anchoring means (5, 10 a to 10 d , 17) consist of at least one rib (6 a to 6 d , 6) carried by the core. 12.- joint according to claim 10, characterized in that the anchoring means of the core (10 d ) are constituted by at least one lip (6 * d ) carried by the core. 13.- Joint according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the extractable core is provided with an extraction tab. 14.- Joint according to any one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that the hollowed out extractable core consists of at least two separate portions facilitating its extraction. 15.- Seal according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises a safety lip (16) intended to come into abutment, when the joint is in the deformed state between said first (3) and second (4) elements, against an opposite shoulder (15) formed in the joint so that this shoulder defines the maximum tolerable deformation so that the joint can exert effectively and sustainably its sealing role. 16.- seal according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the core (5, 10 a to 10 d , 11, 13) is disposed in said seal body. 17.- Joint according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the core (17) is arranged at least partially in at least one of the sealing lips. 18. A joint according to any one of claims 16 or 17, characterized in that said core has a different hardness and / or density, namely less, equal or greater, relative to that of the joint body or of the sealing lip which surrounds the core. 19. A seal according to claim 16, characterized in that the sealing lips have a different hardness and / or density, namely less, equal or greater, relative to that of the seal body which surrounds the core. 20.- joint according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that it comprises at least one portion with higher hardness and / or density (s) which is embedded in said anchoring means of the joint and which is intended to facilitate its anchoring, the hardness and / or density of this portion being higher (s) compared to that (s) of the mass of the anchoring means which surrounds it.

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