Patent Publication Number: US-2006005472-A1

Title: Rolling seal

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/616,568 filed Jul. 10, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/050,086, filed Jan. 14, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/910,612, filed Aug. 13, 1997, (now abandoned), which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/028,742, filed Oct. 22, 1996. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
      Not Applicable.  
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
      Not Applicable.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates to a seal to inhibit fluid leakage between two relatively moveable surfaces with the seal being attached to one of those surfaces.  
      The invention is a seal which attached to a first surface to seal the space between the first surface and a second surface when there is relative motion of the surfaces, such as with one surface being stationary and the other movable or both surfaces movable, the contact between the second surface and the seal causing the seal to roll and compress. Because the seal rolls between the two surfaces, there is minimum abrasion of the seal as the seal is being compressed by rolling.  
      There are many needs for devices, which seal the interface between a first surface and a second surface. A common example is weather stripping, which is used to keep inside air and outside air from flowing through the interfaces at windows or doors. Several problems must be over come in devising these seals. The surfaces have irregularities at the interfaces, so the seal must be compressible to fit tightly all along the interface, but the seal must not unduly impede relative motion of the surfaces and there must be minimum abrasion of the seal caused by the relative motion of the two surfaces in order to maximize the useful life of the seal.  
      The compression problem is addressed in prior art which shows various forms of seals which are compressed between two surfaces. In U.S. Pat. No. 445,544, Cosper shows a seal which is the lateral surface of a right cylinder which is compressed to an oval cross-section between two surfaces. It does not roll to minimize abrasion as it is compressed. Similar tubular seals with various cross-sections are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,451,450 to Spraragen, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,732,596 and German Patent No. 900,006 boh to Kellner, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,518,793 to Hirtle, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,548 to Gerritsen. These seals do not roll during compression in order to minimize abrasion of the seal by motion of the surfaces.  
      Thus there is a need for a seal that is compressed between two surfaces by rolling so that the rolling minimizes abrasion of the seal by the moving structure.  
      Objects of this invention include providing a seal which can be affixed to a first surface and which will be compressed to seal the interface with a second surface. A further object is to provide a seal structure which allows the seal wall or element to roll when there is relative motion of the first surface with respect to the second surface in order to minimize abrasion of the seal by the motion, which is accomplished by providing a coiled sheet member attached to the seal element. A further object is to control the resistance to roll by varying the material of composition, its thickness or its configuration. Other objects will be comprehended in the drawings and detailed description, which will make additional objects obvious herein to persons skilled in the arts.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention is in general a longitudinally extending seal having a resiliently compressible wall or element contoured into a predetermined shape, for example, a generally right circular cylinder being tubular or solid in cross-section, the element having an arcuate or coiled sheet member having an edge attached longitudinally along the element, with the coiled sheet member being coiled along an arc of the element and joined by another edge to an extension member which is affixed to a first surface, the coiled sheet member allowing the element to roll as it is compressed against a second surface spaced from the first surface in either of two opposing directions. In the passive state, with no pressure applied against the element in either direction, the coiled sheet member remains spaced from the first surface. With pressure applied against the element causing the element to roll in a first direction away from the coiled sheet member, the coiled sheet member adapts to a more planar configuration. When pressure is applied against the element in a second opposite direction causing the element to roll in the second direction toward the coiled sheet member, the coiled sheet member adapts to a more tightly coiled configuration. The degree of resistance or ease of roll is governed by the choice of materials and thickness of the coiled sheet member, such that a thinner or more pliant material will roll more easily than a thicker or more pliant material, as well as by the configuration of the surface of the extension member adjacent the element. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the seal, where the wall or element is tubular;  
       FIG. 2  shows the seal attached to a windowsill with the bottom rail of a window sash just encountering the seal;  
       FIG. 3  shows the seal being unrolled and compressed;  
       FIG. 4  shows the rolling seal attached to a vertical part of a window frame with a vertical part of a window sash rolling and compressing the seal;  
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a seal, where the resilient, compressible wall or element has a solid cross-section;  
       FIG. 6  is an end view of another alternative embodiment of the invention, where the seal wall or element is configured as an O-ring;  
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of  FIG. 6 , showing the seal in relation to a moving shaft;  
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a seal, where the extension member is wedge-shaped;  
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a seal, where the extension member is stepped;  
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a seal, where the arcuate sheet member extends approximately 180 degrees from the attachment edge;  
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a seal, where the seal wall or element is general elliptical in shape;  
       FIG. 12  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a seal, where the seal wall or element is a polygon in the form of a square;  
       FIG. 13  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a seal, where the seal wall or element is a polygon in the form of a rectangle;  
       FIG. 14  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a seal, where the seal wall or element is a polygon in the form of a hexagon;  
       FIG. 15  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a seal, where the seal wall or element is a polygon in the form of a triangle;  
       FIG. 16  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a seal, where the seal wall or element is arcuate and includes a free edge;  
       FIG. 17  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a seal where the seal wall or element is arcuate having relief groves and including a free edge;  
       FIG. 18  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a seal, where the seal wall or element is straight with one relief grove;  
       FIG. 19  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a seal, where the seal wall or element in the passive state is straight with many relief groves; and  
       FIG. 20  is a side view of the seal wall or element of  FIG. 19  where the seal wall in the active state is curved. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Many illustrated embodiments are disclosed herein and reference characters generally referring to similar components will have the same base character, for example,  10 ,  10 A,  10 B, etc.  
      An embodiment of a rolling seal  10  is shown in  FIG. 1  The rolling seal  10  has a wall  11 , which is generally in the form of a right circular cylinder, which may be tubular as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4  or solid as in  FIG. 5 . An arcuate sheet member  12  having an attachment edge  15  is joined longitudinally to the element  11 , either continuously or intermittently, and is curled along an arc of the wall  11  in spatial relation. An extension member  13  is joined to the arcuate sheet member  12 , which is preferably generally planar but may also have other varying configurations, which extends outward from the arcuate sheet member and terminates in a free edge  14 . The extension member  13  is spaced away from attachment edge  15  and extension member  13  is adapted to be attached to a first surface by use of adhesives, mechanical fasteners or other suitable means to secure the rolling seal  10  in proper position during use.  
      The rolling seal  10  is formed of a resilient, compressible material, preferably comprising a rubber, polymer material or polymer foam, such as, for example, silicone, vinyl or the like. Preferably, the rolling seal  10  is formed as an extrusion such that the seal  10  is a unitary piece, although it would be possible to construct the rolling seal  10  from separate components.  
      In the passive state, where no pressure is directed against the wall or element  11 , the arcuate sheet  12  and the extension member  13  reside in a spaced relation to the wall  11 , such that the only contact between the wall  11  and the coiled arcuate sheet  12  occurs along the attachment edge  15 . With the extension member  13  affixed to a first surface, the coiled sheet  12  and wall  11  will be disposed spacedly away from such first surface.  
      In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the extension member  13  only is shown attached to a first surface, which in this case is a windowsill  21 , and the effects of pressure being applied against the wall  11  by sash  22  in a first direction F 1  is shown. Here a second surface, which in this case is a bottom rail of a window sash  22 , is just encountering the wall or element  11 , with the sash  22  shown being moved in a downward direction F 1 , toward the rolling seal  10 . In  FIG. 3  the sash  22  is disposed opposite the sill  21 , i.e., the window is shown in the closed state, and the contact between the sash  22  and the element  11  has unrolled or flattened the curled sheet member  12  in the direction away from the attached extension member  13 , and has simultaneously compressed the element  11  in the interface between the sill  21  and the sash  22 , thereby sealing the interface between the opposed surfaces of the sill  21  and sash  22 . Because of the curl of arcuate sheet member  12 , the element  11  is able to roll or rotate to reduce the abrasive friction effects from contact with the sash  22 .  
      In  FIG. 4 , the extension member  13  is shown attached to a first surface, which in this case is a vertical portion of a window frame  23  having a seal protective cover  25 . Here a second surface  9 , which in this case is the upper portion of a window sash  24 , contacts the seal  10  as the sash  24  is lowered to close the window. This contact with the sash  24  rolls the curled sheet member  12  toward the attached extension member  13  and compresses the element  11  to seal the interface between the frame  23  and the sash  24 . As above, the curled arcuate sheet member  12  allows the wall  11  to roll or rotate to reduce the friction effects.  
      The amount of resistance to roll or rotation of wall or element  11  is controlled by the material chosen for the curled sheet member  12 , with a stiffer material providing more compression than a more pliant material, or by the thickness of the curled sheet member  12 . A thick curled sheet member  12  will provide a more stable passive position for the seal  10 , but will allow for increased pressure being applied to sill  21  and sash  22  by seal wall  11 . With a thinner curled sheet member  12  the resistance of compression of seal wall  11  may also be controlled by varying the configuration of the extension member  13 C or  13 D, such as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . In  FIG. 8  the extension member  13 C is formed in a wedge shape, such that the element  11 C encounters a thicker portion of the extension member  13 C as the element  11 C is rolled in direction F 2  the extension member  12 C, thereby increasing the compression on the element  11 C. In  FIG. 9  the extension member  13 D is formed in a stepped configuration, such as the element  11 D is rolled in direction F 2  the resistance to roll increases incrementally when one of the  13 H steps are encountered.  
      In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the sill  21  and the sash  22  are shown to be generally parallel and both generally planar, and in  FIG. 4 , the jam  23  and the upper sash  24  are shown to be generally parallel and generally perpendicular. Other configurations would be substantially equivalent. The surfaces need not be parallel and they need not be planar. For example, the sill can be angled away from the vertical plane of the sash and could be provided with a lip extending toward the sash in order to minimize the space between the sill and sash when the window is closed.  
      In one embodiment, the curled sheet member  12  is wound around wall  11  over an arc covering at approximately 45 degrees from the attachment edge  15  on wall or element  11 . As shown in  FIG. 10 ; the arc of the curled sheet member  12 E may even comprise up to more than 180 degrees from the attachment edge  15 E.  
      Other equivalent forms for the wall or element  11 , the curled sheet member  12 , and the extension member  13  need only be provided at spaced intervals along the wall or element  11 , the cylinder ends could be joined to form a ring seal as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7  the wall or element  11  could bound a cylinder which is not a circular cylinder, as illustrated in  FIGS. 11-15 . Many variations are possible so long as the seal can be attached to a first surface, unrolled, and rolled, and compressed in the interface with a second surface by relative motion between the first surface and the second surface. An alternative embodiment is shown in  FIG. 11 , where the wall or element  11 F is elliptical in configuration.  FIG. 16 , where the wall or element  11 K is itself coiled with a free edge  35  disposed spacedly from the coiled sheet member  12 K.  
      Although the rolling seal  10  has been described herein in relation to window closures, it is to be understood that rolling seal  10  can be utilized in a multitude of situations where a compressible seal is desired between two relatively movable members or surfaces, such as for example, a doorway.  
      A further alternative embodiment of the seal  10 B in the nature of an o-ring is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . In this embodiment, the wall  11 B is a circular or annular member forming a circular aperture  32 B, and the curled arcuate sheet member  12 B extends outwardly from the aperture  32 B, preferably over the full 360 degrees extent of the aperture  32 B. The extension member  13 B is attached to a first surface, here shown as a housing  31 . A second surface, here shown as a shaft  33 , passes through the aperture  11 B and contacts the seal wall  11 B. In a manner similar to that set forth above, the curled sheet member  12 B allows the element  11 B to rotate or roll in response to movement of shaft  33  relative to housing  31 , thereby reducing the abrasive friction effects. Furthermore, because the sheet member  12 B is formed of a resilient material, the central axis of the aperture  32  can be disposed in any direction perpendicular to the axis, i.e., can be shifted off-center, without causing the element  11 B to lose contact with the shaft  33 .  
      As illustrated in  FIGS. 11-15 , the wall or element  11 F-J may be of any contour that will permit the rolling out or rolling up of the curled arcuate sheet member  12 F-J. Also, a more compressed state of the seal  10 F-J is achievable with less rolling motion than the cylindrical or round embodiments of the rolling seal  10 , and  10 C- 10 E. Pointed corners of element  11 G-J achieve greater pressure per square inch since there is less contact surface when a corner is being compressed than when a flat side or the respective seal is being compressed. The polygons, illustrated in  FIGS. 12-15 , are understood not to be limiting but other cross-sectional shapes such as a pentagon, octagon, etc., are envisioned as well as trapezoids, parallelograms, etc. also, the tubular form of wall or element  11 F- 11 J may be solid, like  11 A in  FIG. 5 , and all corners may be rounded rather than being sharp, as would be understood in the arts.  
      The seal  10 K of  FIG. 16  has an arcuate element  11 K with a free edge  35  that span approximately 45 to 180 degree so that it would roll much more easily and compress more readily. Such an element would be advantageous for windows and doors where only a minimal pressure is required to achieve an adequate seal with minimum adverse effects on normal opening and closing of such windows and doors. Also, if these doors and windows are subject to the environment, the wind will enhance the sealing ability, i.e., the harder the wind blows into the arcuate element  11 K, the greater the sealing pressure of the seal that will be achieved.  
       FIG. 17  demonstrates the seal element  11 L similar to that of  FIG. 16 , with a free edge but having groves  37  formed into the inner wall of element  11 L. The groves make it possible to determine where the element wall  11 L will bend easily and how far the element wall  11 L is allowed to bend easily. When the edges  38  and  39  of grove  37  make contact the effort required for bending increase. The amount of easy bending of element wall  11 L is determined by the space between the edges  38  and  39  of grove  37 . Another controlling factor would be the number and depth of groves  37  in element wall  11 L.  FIG. 18  shows still another seal embodiment where the element  11 M is straight having only one grove  37 .  FIG. 19  demonstrates a straight version of seal element  11 M in the passive state with many groves  37 .  FIG. 20  shows the seal element  11 M in an active condition where the seal element is compressed and forming a curved element wall  11 M. The straight wall  11 M when rolled between two surfaces, the free edge portion of straight wall  11 M becomes curved, as shown in  FIG. 20 . The groves may be round, square, triangular, etc.  
      Other equivalent forms for the wall or element  11  the curled sheet member  12 , and the extension member  13  attaching the rolling seal  10  to a surface will be obvious hereafter to persons skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is not limited to the particular examples shown and described here, but instead the scope and definition of the invention is to be set fourth in the following claims.