Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US8210597?dq=5,581,513
Timestamp: 2014-07-22 23:43:14
Document Index: 433256286

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 102008020085', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'arts 10', 'arts 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'Application No. 102008020085']

Patent US8210597 - Seal for a hole - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsA seal is provided for a hole in a sheet. The clamped hole surface has an articulated line, which divides the hole surface into a first partial surface and a second partial surface inclined relative thereto, exhibiting the following features: a sealing surface for the hole, the geometry of which corresponds...http://www.google.com/patents/US8210597?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8210597 - Seal for a holeAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS8210597 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 12/427,488Publication dateJul 3, 2012Filing dateApr 21, 2009Priority dateApr 22, 2008Also published asCN101566230A, DE102008020085A1, US20090261617Publication number12427488, 427488, US 8210597 B2, US 8210597B2, US-B2-8210597, US8210597 B2, US8210597B2InventorsMichael HORNECKOriginal AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLCExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (26), Non-Patent Citations (1), Classifications (9), Legal Events (7) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetSeal for a holeUS 8210597 B2Abstract A seal is provided for a hole in a sheet. The clamped hole surface has an articulated line, which divides the hole surface into a first partial surface and a second partial surface inclined relative thereto, exhibiting the following features: a sealing surface for the hole, the geometry of which corresponds to the hole geometry; an elastic element secured to the sealing surface; and the elastic element is incorporated into the hole abuts on one side (e.g., interior) of the sheet, pressing the sealing surface against a second side (e.g., exterior) of the sheet.
1. A seal for a hole in a sheet, wherein a clamped hole surface has an articulated line that divides the clamped hole surface into a first partial surface and a second partial surface inclined relative to the first partial surface, the seal comprising:
a sealing surface for the hole having a geometry of which corresponds to a hole geometry of the hole; and
an elastic element secured to the sealing surface and projecting therefrom, the elastic element including a central notch, and a first web extending in a first direction, wherein the elastic element when incorporated into the hole is configured to abut on a first side of the sheet, pressing the sealing surface against a second side of the sheet.
3. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element is configured to encompass at least two crossing webs that project from the sealing surface.
4. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the clamped hole surface of the hole has at least two articulated lines.
5. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the sealing surface is an oblong sealing surface, the first web projects from the oblong sealing surface, and the first direction is along a longitudinal direction of the oblong sealing surface.
6. The seal according to claim 5, further comprising at least two transversely running second webs that abut a segment of the first side of the sheet that borders the second partial surface.
8. A side door for a motor vehicle, exhibiting a hole with a clamped hole surface that has an articulated line, and with a seal incorporated into the hole, the seal comprising:
an elastic element secured to the sealing surface and projecting therefrom, wherein the elastic element when incorporated into the hole is configured to abut on a first side of a sheet, thereby pressing the sealing surface against a second side of the sheet, wherein the elastic element includes a first web that extends in a first direction and a central notch.
9. The side door according to claim 8, wherein the hole is a water discharge hole situated in a lower side door area.
10. The side door according to claim 8, wherein the hole is an upright oriented, oblong water discharge hole.
11. A motor vehicle exhibiting a hole with a clamped hole surface having an articulated line and a seal incorporated into the hole, the seal comprising:
an elastic element secured to the sealing surface and projecting therefrom, wherein the elastic element when incorporated into the hole is configured to abut on a first side of a sheet thereby pressing the sealing surface against a second side of the sheet, wherein the elastic element includes a central notch and a first web extending in a first direction.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 102008020085.9, filed Apr. 22, 2008.
TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a seal for a hole, in particular for a water discharge hole in a motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND The interior of a motor vehicle door is a wet area, so that it is necessary to allow any water that penetrated inside to run off via so-called water discharge holes. Such holes are typically provided with a seal to prevent dust from penetrating. It can here happen that the hole would have to have an articulated line in the lower door area given its location and the door structure, as a rule a horizontal articulated line. In practical instances, such an articulated line is avoided by suitably embossing the door framework.
In view of the foregoing, at least one object of an embodiment of the invention is to provide a seal for a hole, in particular for a water discharge hole of a motor vehicle door, in which the hole has a hole surface with at least one articulated line, so that the hole surface is divided into a first partial surface and a second partial surface inclined relative thereto. In addition, other objects, desirable features, and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent summary and detailed description, and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.
SUMMARY One first embodiment of the invention relates to a hole in a sheet, and the clamped hole surface has at least one articulated line. The articulated line divides the hole surface into a first partial surface and a second partial surface inclined relative thereto. The seal has a sealing surface or flat sealing element for the hole, the geometry of which corresponds to the hole geometry, as well as an elastic element secured to the sealing surface. Once the elastic element is incorporated into the hole, it abuts a first side (i.e., the inside of the sheet), thereby pressing the sealing surface against the second side (i.e., the outside of the sheet).
FIG. 3 shows an oblong seal 9 for the hole 3 in FIG. 2. The rectangular seal 9 has a sealing surface 10 for overlapping and covering the hole 3, which is also divided into three due to the two articulated lines 5 of the hole 3. Part 10 a covers the first partial surface 6, partial 10 b the second partial surface 7, and part 10 c the third partial surface 8. Since part 10 a is pre-stressed relative to the allocated partial surface 6 or the sheet 4, the two parts 10 a and 10 b are inclined relative to each other.
An elastic element 11 is secured to the sealing surface 10. It consists of a web 12 a running in a longitudinal direction, as well as two webs 12 b and 12 c perpendicular thereto. The three webs 12 a, 12 b and 12 c along with the sealing surface 10 are designed as a single unit and made out of plastic.
During assembly, the elastic element 11 is first aligned with the parts 10 b, 10 c of its sealing surface 10 parallel to the second partial surface 7, and then introduced from above through the first partial surface 6 in a longitudinal direction. Due to the pre-stress, part 10 a of the sealing surface 10 ends up covering the first partial surface 6 in a flush manner, and simultaneously presses lower end 15 of the web 12 a against the lower sheet 13, compare FIG. 4. The vertical position of the seal 9 is fixed as a result. To allow the upper end 16 of the vertical webs 12 a to get under the sheet 4 at the same time, the vertical web 12 a has a central incision 14. The latter can be compressed during assembly, so that the upper end of the web 12 a snaps under the sheet 4. As a result, the elastic element 11 introduced into the hole 3 abuts the lateral ends of the webs 12 b, 12 c at the interior 18 of the sheet 4 shown on FIG. 4, and simultaneously presses the sealing surface 10 on the exterior 17 of the sheet 4, which finally yields an axis for the hole 3, the geometry of which corresponds to the hole geometry.
If water streams downwardly during practical usage of the motor vehicle 1 on the inner sheet 4 of the side door 2, the pre-stress of the upper part (part 10 a) of the sealing surface 10 ensures that no water gets into the inside of the side door 2. On the other hand, if water accumulates inside the side door 2, it can exit in the lower area of the seal 9, specifically at about the height of the lower end 15 of the web 12 a. At the same time, dirt is prevented from getting inside the side door 2 from outside.
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German Application No. 102008020085.9, Oct. 5, 2010.Classifications U.S. Classification296/146.9, 220/789, 296/154International ClassificationB60J5/04, B62D25/24Cooperative ClassificationB60J5/0412, B62D25/24European ClassificationB60J5/04D, B62D25/24Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionFeb 10, 2011ASAssignmentEffective date: 20101202Owner name: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, MICHIGANFree format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:025781/0245Nov 8, 2010ASAssignmentFree format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:025324/0555Owner name: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, DELAWAREEffective date: 20101027Nov 5, 2010ASAssignmentEffective date: 20101026Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST;REEL/FRAME:025315/0091Owner name: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., MICHIGANNov 4, 2010ASAssignmentOwner name: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., MICHIGANEffective 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