Patent GB-607586-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to sealing closures for adjacent margins
IPC: A44B19/32
Filed: 1944-05-05
Abstract: 607,586. Sliding-clasp fasteners. GOODRICH CO., B. F. May 5, 1944, Nos. 8592 and 8693. Convention dates, March 4, 1943, and Nov. 8, 1943. [Class 44] [Also in Group VII] A flexible sealing closure for a slide fastener comprises a pair of overlapping sealing elements 32, 33, Fig. 1, one or both of which tapers to a sharp edge 35 which engages the other element, the parts of the elements adjacent this edge or edges being spaced apart. The elements may be arranged to seal openings under fluid pressure from within or without or at both faces of the wall of an article such as a flying suit, wearing apparel, tent, boat or container. Arrangements for sealing the ends of the openings are shown. In Fig. 1, the margins 30, 31 of an opening are joined by a slide fastener 37 and are sealed by rubber sealing elements 32, 33, the element 33 having a flexible portion 34 tapering to an edge 35 adapted to engage the other element 32 which also has a flexible portion 39 tapering to an edge. The opposed areas of the elements adjacent the edge 35 are maintained in spacedapart relation. In a modified form, the edge of the element 32 is also adapted to engage inside the element 33, thus providing a double seal with the surfaces of the elements between the seals maintained in spaced-apart relation. The sealing elements are also shown with a groove formed in the angle between the base and the tapered portion in order to increase the flexibility of the element. The tapered element immediately adjacent the slide fastener may also be made shorter to avoid the edge being caught in the fastener. In Fig. 31, the fastener elements 317 have recesses 319 defining a groove in which the plate member of the slider is disposed for sliding. This gives a more compact construction. The portions 323 of the sealing elements in the region of the edges 326 have an increased taper to facilitate the sealing. In Fig. 33 one sealing element is formed with a groove 345a adapted to be engaged by a projecting edge on the other sealing element, and the projecting edge 347 engages the other element. In Fig. 2A, the wall is subject to fluid-pressure on both sides and a set of sealing elements is arranged on each side. The pull tab 83b is connected to the runner 83 by a portion 83a arranged at the side of the runner and extending between the sealing elements at such an angle that there is minimum breakage of the seal and minimum resistance to movement of the runner. In a modification for a boot, the sealing elements 32, 33 are on the outside and to facilitate operation, the runner 38, Fig. 10, has a projection 38a extending between the elements and carrying the pull tab 38b. The end of the opening is sealed by a clamp comprising a backing-plate 56 riveted through the material to a bracket 57a on which is pivoted at 60 a bracket 57 carrying a screwclamping element 58, which comprises a boxlike structure adapted to enclose the runner 38 in the closed position of the opening. The clamp is pivoted about the pivot 60 to allow access to the runner 38. This clamp is shown modified for sealing elements arranged on the interior, in which case the clamp engages the runner and grips the sealing elements between the runner and the backing-plate. Modifications are shown for clamping the ends of a opening subject to fluid-pressure on both sides. In one of these, the clamp is a box-like structure made of rubber and having a flange secured to the wall at one end. The flexibility of the rubber allows this clamp to be lifted for access to the runner and also provides the necessary pressure for the clamping action. This pressure may be increased by moulding a strip of steel in the rubber. In another arrangement the runner is arranged outside the sealing elements along the outside of which it runs to close the fastener. Several modifications show the base portions of the sealing elements moulded over part of the fastener elements. At each end of the opening adapted to be closed by the fastener, the sealing elements may be provided with tapered reinforcing shoulders tapered in cross-section, the elements are secured together by an adhesive and covered with impregnated fabric to complete the seal. At one end the sealing elements may comprise a wedge-like part which positions the fasteners and sealing elements along the lines of curvature they tend' to assume during engagement by the runner. The faces of the margins of the article to which the fastener is attached may have a coating of rubber 31a, Fig. 1, or a. rubber-impregnated strip of fabric may be attached in this position by its edges only, to allow flexible movement.