Patent ID: 7559556

Claim:
A multi-layered steel gasket comprising: a metal layer having an external periphery, an upper surface generally defining a first plane, and a lower surface generally defining a second plane, wherein said first and second planes define a layer thickness of said metal layer therebetween; at least one cylinder aperture formed in said metal layer; a stopper portion formed from a portion of said metal layer adjacent at least a portion of said external periphery, wherein said stopper portion is formed such that at least a portion of said stopper portion extends above said first plane, at least a portion of said stopper portion extends below said second plane, and wherein an average thickness of said stopper portion is less than said layer thickness; and a first sealing layer adjacent said metal layer, wherein said first sealing layer includes a first bead portion adjacent said external periphery, and compression of said first bead portion is selectively limited by said stopper portion, said first sealing layer also comprising a second bead portion separated from said first bead portion by a metal layer contacting portion, said second bead portion having a greater height above said metal layer than said first bead portion.