Abstract:
A compartment seal is disposed about an automotive tube or hose at the automotive firewall to prevent leakage of smoke and fumes generally from an engine compartment to an occupant compartment. The compartment seal comprises a rigid washer body member having a plurality of apertures circumferentially arranged around an opening therethrough. The plurality of apertures is receptive to fasteners for attachment of the body member to the automotive firewall to provide a seal between the engine compartment and the occupant compartment. The tube or hose passes through the opening in the body member. The body member includes a seal component within the opening configured to form a seal between a periphery of the tubular structure and the seal component. The seal component is disposed within the opening of the body member. The seal component provides a seal between the tubular structure and the body member and allows significant angular displacement of the tubular structure from the centerline without compromising the integrity of the seal component between the body member and the tubular structure. The component seal comprises a resilient seal bonded to the body member disposed in the opening of the body member. The component seal is nonplanar having an angle configured therein from the body member to a central opening, this central opening being smaller in diameter than the tubular structure passing therethrough to provide the necessary sealing tension.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of prior Application Ser. No. 10/119,569, filed Apr. 10, 2002, in the name of Matczak et al. and entitled “Compartment Seal”. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to seals. More specifically, this invention relates to a compartment seal for use primarily with automotive hoses and tubes extending between two compartments.  
           [0003]    Compartment seals are known in the prior art. Such compartment seals comprise an aperture formed within a wall separating two compartments having a grommet circumferentially lining the aperture and sized to sealably engage the periphery of a hose or tube axially disposed within the grommet to provide a seal between the compartments while having the tube or hose extend in each compartment. Typically, one of the compartments is the engine compartment separated from an occupant compartment by a firewall or dash. It is necessary to prevent fumes and smoke produced in the engine compartment from passing through the firewall into the occupant compartment. Unless effectively sealed, smoke and fumes from the engine compartment invariably migrate into the occupant compartment. A hose or tube passing through the firewall providing fuel or oil to and from the engine compartment poses a threat for such undesirable gases to pass through into the occupant compartment via apertures providing access to both compartments.  
           [0004]    The prior art uses a grommet configured to fit within the aperture formed in the firewall and sized to engage an outer periphery of the fuel or oil hose. However, the fuel and oil hoses have fittings at either end to engage complimentary fittings for coupling the hoses. The opening of the grommet is smaller in diameter than the fittings that are at either end of the hose. The partial resiliency of the grommet material provides limited expansion to allow passage of a fitting through the aperture in the grommet without causing undue stress and wear in an attempt to remove a fuel or oil line having a fitting. Furthermore, passing the larger fittings through the grommet causes undue stress and wear. On the other hand, it is not feasible to pass the hose through the grommet absent the installed fittings because special tooling is needed to remove and reinstall the fittings. The present grommet design may be chamfered at the opening to facilitate and direct the hose to the centerline during assembly. However, this present grommet design is not suitable for off center positioning of the hose, which causes undue stress on both the hose and grommet. Furthermore, during more extreme angular displacements fumes and smoke leaks from the engine compartment out between the grommet and the hose extending into the occupant compartment. Such extreme angular displacements are commonly encountered with automobiles used for racing because of the limited room in both compartments as well as because of the extreme conditions these automobiles are used.  
           [0005]    In addition, the prior art also uses caulking material, such as silicone or RTV, for example, to seal between an exterior hose or tubing and a compartment in which the hose or tubing passes through. In particular, when a “velocity stack” or “air hone” extends from a carburetor or fuel injector into an air box, the interface between an exterior of the air horn and air box into which it extends must be sealed to prevent contaminants from entering through the interface therebetween. A velocity stack or air horn is one way to increase air flow to a carburetor or fuel injector of an internal combustion engine A velocity stack or air horn is a generally cone-shaped tube device that is open to ambient air and directs airflow to the air-fuel system. These devices are more commonly used on engines that are intended for extra power including automobile, motorcycle or power boat engines, especially in racing. In such an instance, silicon or a room-temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone rubber is used to seal the interface and needs time to set up before creating such a seal. Furthermore, such a seal must be broken in order to remove the air horn from the air box. Reworkability of this interface is especially problematic in racing when reduced time and effort is desirable.  
           [0006]    Despite the activity in the prior art in attempt to form a seal within a compartment or between two compartments to eliminate fumes, smoke, and other debris from migrating through a compartment interface, a need remains for simple and inexpensive means by which a compartment of a vehicle can be effectively sealed against the entry of fumes, smoke, and other debris from outside the compartment when a hose or tubing extends into the compartment from outside thereof.  
           [0007]    There is also a need to provide simple and inexpensive seal components which may readily be employed with tubing or wiring with associated fittings, and that for diverse other applications, to afford such protection in a highly convenient manner, which components may in addition afford greatly improved isolation from smoke, fumes, and other environmental elements and debris.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0008]    The above discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art are overcome or alleviated by the compartment seal of the present disclosure. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment a compartment seal comprises a body member having an opening therethrough and a plurality of openings circumferentially arranged around the opening. The body member has a periphery sized larger than an aperture in a wall and the plurality of openings providing a means for attaching the body member to the wall. A seal element secured to the body member and is configured to have an aperture therethrough. The aperture in the seal element is in general alignment with the opening in the body member. The aperture in the seal element has a diameter less than a diameter of the opening in the body member for sealingly engaging tubing passing through the aperture in the seal element. The seal element includes a generally conically shaped portion about the aperture, wherein the generally conical shaped portion is defined at one end thereof with at least one convolute defined by a perimeter smaller than the opening and larger than a largest diameter defining the conically shaped portion, or an annular portion configured to slidably and sealably engage an air horn therethrough.  
           [0009]    In contrast to the prior art, smoke, fumes, or other debris generated in the engine compartment are prevented from leaking through the seal element even during extreme angular displacements of the tubing extending through the seal element, such as encountered with automobiles used for racing, generally circle or oval track racing, during cornering. This is due to the use of a resilient seal and the seal having a central opening that is at least about ten percent smaller in diameter than that of the tubular structure passing therethrough.  
           [0010]    In another embodiment, a method for a compartment seal having a variably sized aperture is disclosed. The method comprises configuring a body member having an opening therethrough and having a plurality of openings circumferentially arranged around the opening, the body member having a periphery sized larger than an aperture in a wall and the plurality of openings providing a means for attaching the body member to the wall. A seal element is configured to have an aperture therethrough being in general alignment with the opening in the body member, the seal element including a generally conically shaped portion defined at one end having at least one convolute defined by a perimeter smaller than the opening and larger than a largest diameter defining the conically shaped portion. The seal element is secured to the body member, and the seal element is cut to form the aperture in said seal element having a diameter less than a diamater of the opening in the body member for sealingly engaging tubing passing through the aperture in the seal element.  
           [0011]    Accordingly, the prior art problem of smoke, fumes, and other debris leaking from the engine compartment into the occupant compartment during more sever angular displacements of the tubing, such as encountered with automobiles used for racing, generally circle or oval track racing, during cornering, is avoided, while allowing such tubing to pass through and be reworkable. The aforementioned prior art seal is not suitable for sufficiently resolving this prior art problem.  
           [0012]    The above discussed and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several FIGURES:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compartment seal disposed in a firewall of a vehicle;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a side view of the compartment seal of FIG. 1 with a hose, partially shown, extending therethrough;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a first end view of the compartment seal of FIG. 1;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a partial view of the compartment seal taken along the line  3 - 3  in FIG. 3;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a partial view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a seal element for the compartment seal of FIG. 4;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pair of air horns extending into an air box and sealed therewith another alternative exemplary embodiment of a compartment seal;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a body member for the compartment seal of FIG. 6; and  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a partial cross section of the compartment seal for one of the air horns of FIG. 6. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0022]    Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a compartment seal in accordance with one embodiment is shown generally at  42 . Compartment seal  42  comprises a rigid annular body member  44  having four apertures  46  circumferentially thereabout. Each aperture  46  is preferably spaced equidistant from one another to provide a manner in which seal  42  may be mounted to an automotive firewall  48  separating an engine compartment  50  from an occupant compartment  52 . Body member  44  is mounted over an opening  53  (FIG. 2) configured in firewall  48 . A diameter  54  of body member  44  is preferably larger than a diameter of the opening  53  configured in firewall  48  for attaching body member  44  to firewall  48  via apertures  46  and fasteners  56  (See FIG. 2). Fasteners  56  include bolts, rivets and the like. Body member  44  is preferably comprised of metal, and more preferably aluminum. An automotive hose or tubing  60  passes through an opening  66  (See FIG. 3) in body member  44 . Hose  60  may be an oil or fuel line providing fluid communication to an engine component in engine compartment  50 . Hose  60  includes a fitting  62  for coupling with a component to provide the fluid communication. Fitting  62  includes flats  64  for engaging with a wrench or pliers to securely engage fitting  62  to another hose or corresponding component. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the pertinent art that an outside diameter of flats  64  is larger than an outside diameter of hose  60 , but smaller than opening  66  formed in body member  44 .  
         [0023]    A seal element  72  is secured within opening  66  of body member  44  by attaching seal element  72  to a first surface  74  and a second surface  76  of a body member  44  secured to surfaces  74 ,  76 , for example, by bonding or other known means (e.g., adhesive bonding, chemical bonding or mechanical means of attachment). In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, body member  44  includes apertures  78  circumferentially disposed proximate opening  66  for allowing seal element to be injection molded to body member  44 . In this manner, when seal element  72  is injection molded, seal element material flows through each aperture  78  connecting portions of seal element  72  depending from first and second surfaces  74 ,  76  of body member  44 , thus providing axial and rotational retention of seal element  72  relative to body member  44 . Seal element  72  is preferably comprised of a polymer such as nitrile or neoprene as well as plastics or other suitable sealing materials (e.g., rubber, preferably a fire retardant rubber).  
         [0024]    Seal element  72  is defined from an outer circumferential edge  84  extending to define a first flat portion  85  disposed on either side of body member  44  by U-shaped portion  86 . An interior portion  88  of U-shaped portion  86  attaches to first and second surfaces  74 ,  76  of body member  44  while an apex  90  of U-shaped portion  86  engages an edge  92  defining opening  66  of body member  44 .  
         [0025]    Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a first side  94  of seal element  72  extends from U-shaped portion  86  on first side  94  forming a V-portion  100  followed by a second flat portion  110 . V-portion  100  is defined by a first edge  102  of a first inclined portion  103  and a second edge  104  of a second opposing inclined portion  105  forming complementary angles of about  30  degrees relative to edge  92  or about  60  degrees relative to second flat portion  110 . First and second edges  102 ,  104  are joined via an intermediary flat portion  106  that is substantially parallel with legs  108  and  109  forming U-shaped portion  86 . Second flat portion  110  is followed by a third inclined portion  112  that extends to a third flat portion  114  that is substantially parallel to second and intermediary flat portions  110 ,  106 . Third inclined portion  112  forms a  30  degree angle relative to second and third flat portions  110 ,  114  joining the same. Third flat portion  114  terminates in a central opening (or aperture)  116 . Opening  116  formed by termination of flat portion  114  is smaller in diameter than a hose or tube passing therethrough by about thirty-five percent. It will be appreciated that the contacting portion of the seal (i.e., portion  114 ) is substantially thinner than the contacting portion of the aforementioned prior art grommet seal, whereby translational and rotational friction between the hose/tube and the seal are significantly reduced. Heretofore it was believed that a thicker and thereby harder seal would provide a better seal. However, when pressure is applied to one side of the prior art grommet the opposing side does not follow due to the thickness and rigidity of such grommets, in addition to preventing passage of installed fittings  62 . The seals of the present invention do not suffer from this problem, since the opposing side of the seal is not required to follow the side of the seal under force in order to maintain the seal.  
         [0026]    Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an opposite side  120  of side  94  of seal element  72  will be described. Leg  109  of U-shaped portion  86  extends to a second V-portion  121 . Second V-portion is defined by a first edge  122  and a second edge  124  joining first and second opposing inclined portions  103  and  105  forming complementary angles of about 45 degrees relative to edges  84 ,  92  and relative to second flat portion  110 . Second V-portion  121  forms a V-channel that is less deep than V-portion  100 . The vertex of each V-portion  100 ,  121  is offset from one another as shown in FIG. 4 and reside on side  120  of seal element  72 . It will be noted that seal element  72  is thinnest proximate the vertex formed by joining edges  122  and  124  along a length defining seal element  72 . Second edge  124  is followed by an edge  134  that is opposite edge  104  defining second opposing inclined portion  105 . Edge  134  extends from second edge  124  and meets with flat portion  110  at an angle of about 40 degrees relative to edges  84 ,  92  or about 50 degrees relative to second flat portion  110 . As edge  134  extends from second edge  124 , seal element thickens until meeting with flat portion  110 . From flat portion  110  to an end of portion  114  defining opening  116 , the thickness of seal element  72  remains substantially the same.  
         [0027]    Referring to FIG. 1, seal element  72  provides for a significant amount of angular displacement of a hose  60  from the center line without loss of the seal established between the seal element  72  and the hose  60 , whereby smoke and fumes are prevented from escaping therethrough. Such extreme angular displacements are commonly encountered with automobiles used for racing where available space is limited and where hoses are generally subjected to vibration and centrifugal forces during cornering that is common at racing speeds.  
         [0028]    The sealing element will usually be fabricated by molding the first flat portion  85  directly upon an edge  92  of the metal body  44 , which will advantageously constitute, or provide, a circumferential flange portion of an interior portion of a washer. To ensure a tight and strong bond with the elastomeric material forming seal element  72 , the edge  92  and surfaces  74 ,  76  proximate edge  92  of the washer or body member  44  will desirably be roughened. In the especially preferred embodiments, moreover, the edge  92  and proximate surfaces  74 ,  76  will carry an agent to increase adhesion, the choice of which will depend upon the composition of the material used to produce the first flat portion  85  itself.  
         [0029]    It will be appreciated that the components of which the assembly of the invention is comprised will normally be made of metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, brass, etc.), except of course for the sealing element. As to the latter, any suitable natural rubber or synthetic polymer may be employed; neoprene rubber, polyurethanes, styrene/butadiene rubbers, nitrile elastomers, and silicone resins might be mentioned as typical, but the selection of a suitable material for any given application will be evident to those skilled in the art. In addition to providing the requisite flexibility, resiliency and durability under the variety of conditions to which the compartment seal might be exposed, the material from which the sealing element is formed must be capable of producing a rubber-tearing bond with the metal element. As indicated above, that may be promoted by the use of an adhesive, a bonding agent, a chemical surface activator, or the like (the choice of which will also be evident to those skilled in the art), as well as by roughening of the surface of the component to which the rubber is to be bonded (e.g., by sand-blasting or the equivalent), or by other means. Normally, the sealing component will be integrally formed by molding of the elastomeric material directly to the metal piece, as by a compression, injection or transfer molding technique; bonding of preformed, separate seal elements may however also be feasible. Furthermore, it will be understood that although the body member  44  and seal element  72  attached to the body member have been illustrated and discussed in a circular configuration, any configuration is contemplated for the body member and seal element attached to the body member as long as the configuration is suitable to cover an opening of a wall and suitable for attaching to the wall.  
         [0030]    Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides simple and inexpensive means by which tubing extending between compartments can be effectively sealed against the entry of foreign matter, such as smoke and fumes. It also provides simple and inexpensive sealing components that are suitable for use in a vehicle firewall or dash assembly, to afford such protection in a convenient and highly effective manner.  
         [0031]    Advantages obtainable by employment of the system embodying the invention are numerous. As used in an automotive engine compartment or fuel and oil lines extending from the engine compartment into the driver&#39;s area, for example, they include: (1) Simpler initial installation. (2) Elimination of specialty tools to install fittings on the end of fuel and oil lines for installation or removal of such lines from the firewall. (3) Freedom to schedule installation or removal of fuel and oil lines, either individually or preferably as an entire sealed system, on a production line before or after the device or devices being operated by the system are installed in place. (4) Time saving when repairs must be made to the fuel and oil line components or the lines themselves. The lines are easily removed with coupling fittings installed without having to disconnect such fittings first and later reinstall the same using expensive tooling when working with components connected to such oil and fuel lines or the lines themselves. In the system of this application, for example, the fuel line from a rear mounted gas tank may be quickly and easily removed by disconnecting it from the rear tank, releasing its mounting means, whether a clip or other means, and drawing it easily through the seal mounted to the firewall and into the engine compartment where it may be readily disconnected, repaired or replaced and reinstalled. (5) It performs more efficiently than other, more complicated seals without the complexity and losses of time, materials and effort of prior designs.  
         [0032]    Similar advantages are present when the system embodying the invention is used with a wiring harness or other electrical wires passing through a firewall or between different compartments in general.  
         [0033]    For example, referring now to FIG. 5, an alternative exemplary embodiment of seal element  72  of FIG. 4 is illustrated with body member  44  generally at  172 . Seal element  172  is secured within opening  66  of body member  44  by attaching seal element  172  to a first surface  74  and a second surface  76  of a body member  44  secured to surfaces  74 ,  76 , for example, by bonding or other known means (e.g., adhesive bonding, chemical bonding or mechanical means of attachment). In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5, body member  44  includes apertures  78  circumferentially disposed proximate opening  66  for allowing seal element to be injection molded to body member  44 . In this manner, when seal element  172  is injection molded, seal element material flows through each aperture  78  connecting portions of seal element  172  depending from first and second surfaces  74 ,  76  of body member  44 , thus providing axial and rotational retention of seal element  172  relative to body member  44 . Seal element  172  is preferably comprised of a polymer such as nitrile or neoprene as well as plastics or other suitable sealing materials (e.g., rubber, preferably a fire retardant rubber).  
         [0034]    Seal element  172 , like seal element  72  in FIG. 4, is defined from an outer circumferential edge  184  extending to define a first flat portion  185  disposed on either side of body member  44  by U-shaped portion  186 . An interior portion  188  of U-shaped portion  186  attaches to first and second surfaces  74 ,  76  of body member  44  while an apex  190  of U-shaped portion  186  engages an edge  92  defining opening  66  of body member  44 .  
         [0035]    Seal element  172  includes a first convolute  200  that extends to a second convolute  202  that in turn extends to a conical member  204  as seal element  172  extends radially inwardly to a centerline  208  coinciding with an axis defining seal element  172 . Seal element  172  extends further out of a plane defining body member  44  as seal element extends toward centerline  208 . More specifically, first convolute  200  is defined by a U-shaped member having a first leg  210  and a second leg  212 , where first leg  210  extends from a first section  214  that extends from U-shaped portion  186  substantially parallel to axis  208 . Second leg  212  extends substantially parallel to axis  208  toward body member  44  and then forms a U-shaped bend  216  to form second convolute  202 .  
         [0036]    Second convolute  202  is defined by a U-shaped member having a third leg  220  and a fourth leg  222 , where third leg  220  extends from a bend  216  substantially parallel to axis  208 . Fourth leg  222  extends substantially parallel to axis  208  toward body member  44  and then forms a partial U-shaped bend  226  to form conical member  204 .  
         [0037]    Seal element  172  and body member  44  resemble a “witches hat” or a cone surrounded by a pair of concentric convolutes where outer convolute  200  is operably coupled to body member  44 .  
         [0038]    Seal element  172  is configured to be cut along a plane  230  substantially parallel with a plane defining body member  44  with a knife, scissors or other cutting apparatus to form an aperture through seal element  172  that is about ten percent smaller in diameter than a diameter of a wire or tube to be disposed therethrough. Plane  230  may be a plane through first, second, third, and fourth legs  210 ,  212 ,  220 , and  222 , respectively, as well as conical member  204 , depending on the desired diameter of a resulting aperture therethrough. For larger diameters, cuts through first or second legs  210 ,  212  would result in larger diameter apertures than cuts through fourth leg  222 , or along a length defining conical member  204 . It will be recognized by one skilled in the pertinent art that a cut along a length of conical member  204  provides a finer selection for smaller diameter apertures, as opposed to cutting either first or second convolutes  200  and  202 .  
         [0039]    In addition, legs  210 ,  212 ,  220 , and  220  may include demarcations indicative of where to cut for a desired diameter. It will also be recognized by one skilled in the art that determining which corresponding pairs of legs  210 ,  212 ,  220 , and  220  to cut through depends on from what direction debris may enter. Furthermore, when it is desired that either of legs  212  or  222  be cut, conical member  204  should be pulled to expose legs  212 ,  222  for cutting therethrough without cutting through legs  210 ,  220 , respectively.  
         [0040]    The compartment seals  42 ,  142  disclosed and claimed provides for greater flexibility of tubing and wiring extending between compartments in minimum space, and the ability to maintain a sealed system without the need to remove and reinstall corresponding fittings on the ends of the tubing or electrical connectors on the ends of electrical wires, and the like.  
         [0041]    Referring now to FIG. 6, another alternative embodiment of the compartment seal of FIGS. 1-4 is illustrated generally at  242 . FIG. 6 illustrates a pair of air horns  250  extending through a seal element  272  extending from a body member  244 . Body member  244  is configured for mounting to an air box shown in phantom generally at  252 , thus sealing against contaminants entering through an interface between the air box and air horns. Each air horn  250  is defined with one end  254  configured to be operably coupled to a fuel injector or carburetor (not shown) and an opposite end  256  having a flared opening in air box  250 . Although compartment seal  242  is shown and described with respect to two separable air horns  250 , it will be recognized that compartment seal  242 , along with compartment seals  42 ,  142 , described above, are optionally configured for single, double, triple, or more air horns  250  or other tubular structure extending therethrough creating a sealed interface therebetween.  
         [0042]    Compartment seal  242  comprises a rigid oval body member  244  having eight apertures  246  circumferentially thereabout. However, it will be recognized that body member  244  may have other geometric shapes including circular or triangular, for example, depending on the number of air horns  250  extending therethrough. Each aperture  246  is preferably spaced equidistant from one another to provide a manner in which seal  242  may be mounted to an automotive air box  252  separating an engine compartment  50  from air box  252 . Body member  244  is mounted over an opening (not shown) configured in air box  252 . A perimeter of body member  244  is preferably larger than a perimeter defining the opening configured in air box  252  for attaching body member  244  thereto via apertures  246  and corresponding fasteners  56  (See FIG. 2). Fasteners  56  include bolts, rivets and the like. Body member  244  is preferably comprised of metal, and more preferably aluminum, such as 0.04 thick 6061-T6 aluminum.  
         [0043]    Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, seal element  272  is secured within opening  266  of body member  244  by attaching seal element  272  to a first surface  274  and a second surface  276  of a body member  244  secured to surfaces  274 ,  276 , for example, by bonding or other known means (e.g., adhesive bonding, chemical bonding or mechanical means of attachment). In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 7, body member  244  includes apertures  278  circumferentially disposed proximate opening  266  for allowing seal element  272  to be injection molded to body member  244 . In this manner, when seal element  272  is injection molded, seal element material flows through each aperture  278  (e.g., eighteen shown) connecting portions of seal element  272  depending from first and second surfaces  274 ,  276  of body member  244 , thus providing axial and rotational retention of seal element  272  relative to body member  244 . Seal element  272  is preferably comprised of a polymer such as nitrile or neoprene as well as plastics or other suitable sealing materials (e.g., rubber, preferably a fire retardant rubber).  
         [0044]    Seal element  272 , like seal element  72  in FIG. 4 and seal element  172  in FIG. 5, is defined from an outer circumferential edge  284  extending to define a first flat portion  285  disposed on either side of body member  244  by U-shaped portion  286 . An interior portion  288  of U-shaped portion  286  attaches to first and second surfaces  274 ,  276  of body member  244  while an apex  290  of U-shaped portion  286  engages an edge  292  defining opening  266  of body member  244 . Seal element  272  includes two frustoconical members  304  as seal element  272  extends radially inwardly to a corresponding centerline  308  (see FIG. 7). Seal element  272  extends further out of a plane defining body member  244  al element  272  extends toward a corresponding centerline  208 .  
         [0045]    Each frustoconical member  304  extends to a substantially annular portion  310  of seal element  272  that is configured to be slidably and sealably engageable with a corresponding one end  254  of a corresponding air horn  250 . Annular portion  310  includes a groove  312  configured in an exterior surface  314  thereof while an interior surface  316  defining portion  310  is chamfered generally shown at  318  to facilitate slidable engagement of a respective air horn  250 . Groove  312  is configured to retain a zip tie or hose clamp therein for securing seal element  272  to air horn  250 .  
         [0046]    Each frustoconical member  304  includes an inner surface  320  and an exterior surface  322 . Inner surface  320  extends from aperture  266  to annular portion  310  at an angle of about 42 degrees relative to centerline  308 . Exterior surface  322  extends from aperture  266  to annular portion  310  at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to centerline  308 . Thus, each frustoconical member  304  tapers in thickness becoming thinner as each extends from aperture  266  toward annular portion  310 .  
         [0047]    While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustrations and not limitation.