AU771561B2

AU771561B2 - A seal

Info

Publication number: AU771561B2
Application number: AU72437/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Marco Conelis Faber; Michael Harkins
Original assignee: James Hardie Research Pty Ltd
Current assignee: James Hardie Technology Ltd
Priority date: 1999-12-21
Filing date: 2000-12-20
Publication date: 2004-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 2020-12-20
Also published as: AU7243700A; NZ502003A

Description

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicants Actual Inventor/s: Address for Service: JAMES HARDIE NEW ZEAI=D LIMITED Michael HARKINS and Marco Conelis FABER BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS 60 Margaret Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Invention Title: A SEAL The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- File: 502784-004 JM:SO:AUP1759361

N'

2 A SEAL TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a method and means for sealing a hole engaged with a fixing means and particularly, but not exclusively to a seal for a hole engaged with a screw.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Various fixing means like screws and nails are used widely in the construction industry. Fixing means of this type have a shank which protrudes through an object to be secured and into a frame or other structure, the shank being embedded into the frame to secure the object. One particular application of fixing means of this type is the securing of cladding to a framed structure.

It is often required that the external surface or cladding of a structure prevent the ingress of water. This may be necessary to prevent water entering the structure and damaging the materials forming the structure, or damaging the cladding if it is water resistant on one side only.

External cladding is typically secured to a structure by screws. Each screw 20 protrudes through the external cladding, which is usually pre-drilled to avoid damage to the cladding by the screw, and embedded in the structure. One disadvantage of this S• method of securing cladding is that the holes created to engage with the screw present a potential entry point for water.

The problem of water entering the structure through these holes in the cladding 25 may be compounded by expansion and contraction of the cladding and structure due to temperature changes. This expansion and contraction acts to cause some movement of ""the cladding around the fixing means, which may allow further water to enter the structure.

One known method of providing a seal for a hole engaged with a fixing means like a screw is to provide a washer gasket between the head of the screw and the outer surface of the object to be secured. However, the performance of the gasket is limited by the area of contact between the head of the screw and the outer surface of the object to be secured. Furthermore, movement of the cladding or other object to be secured around the screw caused by expansion and contraction of the object causes stresses to be applied to the gasket. These stresses may shorten the life of the gasket, which will eventually fail.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a seal to overcome or at least alleviate at least some of the above mentioned problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further objects of the present invention may become apparent from the following description given by way of example only.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a seal including a sleeve of resilient material defining an aperture extending between a first end and a second end, wherein at the first end the aperture has a first diameter and at the second end the aperture has a second diameter, larger than the first, the first end adapted, in use, forming a sealing engagement about a shank of a fixing means and wherein the second diameter is greater than the diameter of the shank to create a recess portion between the shank and the sleeve when the seal is located about the shank, so that the second end is deformable radially to words the shank when inserted into a further aperture having a diameter less than the second diameter substantially without 25 compressing the sleeve between the shank of the fixing means and the wall of the further S"aperture.

Preferably, the second end of the seal may include a flange adapted to abut at least a portion of a head of the fixing means in use.

Preferably, the first diameter may be less than the diameter of the shank of the fixing means and the seal constructed from a resilient material selected so that the first end is elastic or deformable radially so as to accommodate the shank in use.

Preferably, the a seal as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wall of the sleeve has a substantially uniform thickness between said first end and said second end.

Preferably, the sleeve may have a substantially conic shape between the first and second diameters, the conic shape deformable radially in use.

Preferably, in use, the first and second diameters may be of magnitude so that the less than approximately 40% of the sleeve forms the sealing engagement with the shank.

Preferably, in use, the first and second diameters are of magnitude so that approximately 30% of the sleeve forms the sealing engagement with the shank in use.

Preferably, the seal may be constructed from a resilient material selected so that the seal is substantially not deformable longitudinally.

15 Preferably, the seal may be constructed from a sufficiently resilient material to S.maintain its integrity when engaged in a hole on the shank of the fixing means.

••Preferably, the seal may be constructed from a resilient plastics material.

o• According to another aspect of the present invention there is a method of sealing a hole defined by an interior wall to be engaged with a shank of a fixing means, the method including: 1* locating the shank of the fixing means through a seal including a sleeve of resilient material defining an aperture extending between a first end and a second end, wherein at lee: the first end the aperture has a first diameter and at the second end the aperture has a •e •second diameter, larger than the first and wherein the second diameter is also greater oooo• 25 than the diameter of the shank of the fixing means to create a recess portion between the shank of the fixing means and the sleeve; and locating the seal about the shank of the fixing means to form a sealing engagement at the first end of the seal with said shank and locating the seal and the shank in the hole so that the second end deforms radially into said recess substantially without compressing the sleeve between the shank of the fixing means and the wall of the hole.

Preferably, the seal may include a flange adjacent to the second end and the method may further include locating the flange between a head of the fixing means and a rim of the hole.

Preferably, the seal may be elastic or deformable radially, wherein the method may further include expanding the first diameter of the seal to accommodate the shank of the screw therein.

Preferably, the seal may be elastic or deformable radially, wherein the method may further include compressing the second diameter to accommodate the seal within the hole.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a fixing means including a seal, the seal including a sleeve of resilient material having a first end forming a sealing engagement about a shank of the fixing means and a second end having a larger diameter than the first end and a larger diameter than the diameter of the shank to create a recess portion between the shank and the sleeve when the seal is i: located about the shank, wherein the second end is elastic or deformable radially towards 0 the shank, in use, when inserted into a further aperture having a diameter less than the 4 20 second diameter substantially without compressing the sleeve between the shank at the S• fixing means and the wall of the further aperture.

o Preferably, the fixing means may be a screw.

Preferably, the second end may be elastic or deformable radially.

.e 25 Preferably, the seal may be substantially not deformable longitudinally.

Preferably, the second end may include a flange.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a seal substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of sealing holes for fixing means substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Further aspects of the present invention may become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

0 o 6 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures 1A, B: show a side view and sectional view respectively of a seal according to one aspect of the present invention.

Figures 2A, B: show a bottom and top view respectively of the seal in Figures 1A,.B.

Figure 3: shows a perspective view of the seal in Figures 1A, B.

Figure 4: shows the seal of Figure 1 engaged with a screw according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring to Figures 1A and 1B of the accompanying drawings, a 15 side view and sectional view respectively of a seal for a hole engaged with a fixing means having a shank is generally referenced by arrow 1. The seal 1 is a substantially conical-shaped sleeve, defining an aperture 2 •o having a first end 3 and a second end 4. The first end 3 has a smaller diameter dl than the diameter d2 of the second end 4. A rim or flange 5 is provided at the second end 4, defining a substantially planar surface 6.

Figures 2A and 2B show a bottom view and top view respectively of the seal 1. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of seal 1.

S* Referring now to Figure 4, a seal 1 is shown engaged with a screw 7. It will be appreciated that the present invention may have application to ooo.

any~other fixing means with a shank, including for example, nails and rivets where they are used with a pre-drilled hole. The following description given in reference to a screw 7 for convenience.

The internal diameter dl of the first end of seal 1 is less than the diameter of the shank of the screw 7, which the seal 1 is designed to receive. Therefore, the seal 1 must be elastic or deformable radially to accommodate the shank of the screw 7. The difference between the diameter of the shank of the screw 7 and diameter dl will therefore at least be at least partly determined by the elastic or deformable resilience of the seal 1 or vice-versa.

The diameter d2 of the second end 4 is greater than the diameter of the shank of the screw 7 with which the seal 1 is to be engaged.

Therefore, at some point, the seal 1 will no longer need to expand to accommodate the shank of the screw 7 within aperture 2. This defines two regions along the seal 1, marked A and B in Figure 3. RegionA is where the seal 1 has had to expand to accommodate the shank of the screw 7 and region B is where the nominal internal diameter of the seal 1 is larger than the diameter of the shank of the screw 7. Additionally at least along a portion of region B, the external diameter of the seal 1 is larger than the diameter of the hole into which the seal and screw 7 are to be engaged in use.

will be appreciated that the size of seal 1 will be directly 20 dependent on the diameter of the fixing means with which the seal 1 is designed to be used. However a single sized seal may find application with a range of sizes of fixing means.

The seal 1 is constructed from any elastic resilient or otherwise deformable material and may be constructed from an elastically resilient plastic or nylon. The material must be sufficiently resilient to allow deformation of aperture 2 at its first end 3 without tearing the seal.

o• Furthermore, the seal must be sufficiently elastically resilient at its second end 4 to be compressible between the hole and the fixing means without splitting or breaking. The seal 1 must also be sufficiently resilient not to 30 fail when being threaded onto a screw. Furthermore, the seal 1 must be sufficiently resilient not deform longitudinally when being engaged with a screw and hole. Particularly, the material of the seal 1 should be 8 sufficiently resilient not to longitudinally deform should the seal 1 catch on the thread of the screw or on the rim of the hole during engagement.

When a screw is to be used as the fixing means, it is preferable for effective sealing that the thread of the screw does not extend fully to the head of the screw. Similarly, for any other fixing means, it is preferable that a substantially smooth surface is provided in the region where the seal is to contact the fixing means. It will be appreciated that the uniform cylinder at the top of screws of the type shown in Figure 4 provide such a smooth surface against which the seal 1 can deform around to create an effective seal.

In region A, the deformation of the seal 1 and the elastic resilience of the seal 1 prevents the ingress of water between the seal and the shank of the fixing means, whereas region B acts to prevent the ingress of water between the seal and the surface of the hole engaged by the screw 7. As the external diameter of the seal in at least region B is larger than the diameter of the hole engaged by screw 7, the seal 1 must be deformed inwardly in order to be accommodated within the hole. Therefore, in use, the seal 1 is compressed at least along a portion of region B due to being engaged into the smaller diameter hole. The elastic resilience of the seal o* S* 20 1 then acts to push the seal 1 against the surface of the hole, sealing the hole against the ingress of water.

The diameter of the shank of the screw 7 or other fixing means is generally precisely defined, smooth and highly resilient, allowing a significant pressure to be applied to the shank due to the elastic resilience of the seal 1 and allowing the ready formation of an effective sealing engagement. However, the surface of the hole may not be so smooth and not as resilient due. Therefore, the creation of a sealing engagement is more difficult as water may travel along small channels, grooves or the like **and the maximum pressure which can be applied against the hole by the S. 30 seal 1 may be limited by the resilience of the material in which the hole is formed. Furthermore, the exact diameter of the hole may not be the same from hole to hole. Therefore, it is preferred that the seal is dimensioned so that in use region B forms a larger portion of the sleeve than region A as shown by way of example in Figure 4. Region A may form between to 40% of the sleeve, preferably forming approximately 30% of the sleeve length. It will be appreciated that the precise dimensions of the seal 1 may be varied in accordance with specific requirements.

Flange 5 and surface 6 provide a resilient surface against which the head 9 of screw 7 can push to engage at least a portion of region B of the seal 1 into the hole. Flange 5 also prevents the ingress of water by functioning substantially equivalently to a traditional gasket, the flange being positioned between the outer surface of the object to be secured and the head 9 of the screw 7. Therefore, effectively two sealing engagements result from the use of the seal 1, resulting in a more effective seal and prolonged useful life.

To engage and position the seal 1 on the screw 7, the seal 1 is placed over the screw tip 8 before the screw 7 is screwed into the object to be secured. Alternatively, the first end 3 may be engaged into the predrilled hole before the screw tip 8 is engaged into the seal 1 (and the hole) through the second end 4. As the screw 7 is screwed into place, the outer surface or rim of the hole of the object to be secured will push the seal 1 !°ooo up the screw 7 until the surface 6 abuts the screw head 9. Alternatively, 20 the seal 1 may be threaded or pushed onto the screw 7 prior to inserting the screw 7 into the object to be secured.

It will be appreciated that screws may be supplied with seals of the invention already engaged and ready for use. It will also be appreciated that screws or other fixing means could be manufactured with integrally formed seals.

Thus, the present invention provides a method and means to seal a hole into which the shank of a fixing means is engaged to restrict or prohibit the ingress of water. The combined functions of the flange 5, and regions A and B of seal 1 provide a reliable and effective seal against the 30 ingress of water or other fluids.

Particular application is envisaged for external cladding of structures where the ingress of water through the holes for the fixing means can damage the structure and/or cladding.

Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

o°° go o* *o

Claims

1. A seal including a sleeve of resilient material defining an aperture extending between a first end and a second end, wherein at the first end the aperture has a first diameter and at the second end the aperture has a second diameter, larger than the first, the first end, in use, forming a sealing engagement about a shank of a fixing means and wherein the second diameter is greater than the diameter of the shank to create a recess portion between the shank and the sleeve when the seal is located about the shank, so that the second end is deformable radially towards the shank when inserted into a further aperture having a diameter less than the second diameter substantially without compressing the sleeve between the shank of the fixing means and the wall of the further aperture.

2. A seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second end of the seal includes a flange adapted to abut at least a portion of a head of the fixing means in use.

3. A seal as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first diameter is less than the diameter of the shank of the fixing means and the seal constructed from a resilient material selected so that the first end is elastic or deformable radially so as to accommodate the shank in use.

S4. A seal as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wall of the sleeve has a substantially uniform thickness between said first end and said second end.

5. A seal as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve has a substantially conic shape between the first and second diameters, the conic shape lly deformable radially in use.

6. A seal as claimed in claim 5, wherein in use, the first and second diameters are of S"magnitude so that the less than approximately 40% of the sleeve forms the sealing 25 engagement with the shank.

7. A seal as claimed in claim 5, wherein in use, the first and second diameters are of magnitude so that approximately 30% of the sleeve forms the sealing engagement with the shank in use. •o.ooi

8. A seal as claimed in any one of the preceding claims constructed from a resilient material selected so that the seal is substantially not deformable longitudinally.

9. A seal as claimed in any one of the preceding claims constructed from a sufficiently resilient material to maintain its integrity when engaged in a hole on the shank of the fixing means.

A seal as claimed in any one of the preceding claims constructed from a resilient plastics material.

11. A method of sealing a hole defined by an interior wall to be engaged with a shank of a fixing means, the method including: locating the shank of the fixing means through a seal including a sleeve of resilient material defining an aperture extending between a first end and a second end, wherein at the first end the aperture has a first diameter and at the second end the aperture has a second diameter, larger than the first and wherein the second diameter is also greater than the diameter of the shank of the fixing means to create a recess portion between the shank of the fixing means and the sleeve; and locating the seal about the shank of the fixing means to form a sealing engagement at the first end of the seal with said shank and locating the seal and the shank in the hole so •that the second end deforms radially into said recess substantially without compressing 20 the sleeve between the shank of the fixing means and the wall of the hole.

12. A method of sealing a hole as claimed in claim 11, wherein the seal includes a flange o* adjacent to the second end and the method further includes locating the flange between a head of the fixing means and a rim of the hole.

13. A method of sealing a hole as claimed in either claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the 25 seal is elastic or deformable radially and wherein the method further includes expanding the first diameter of the seal to accommodate the shank of the screw therein.

14. A method of sealing a hole as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, including using oe a seal with a sleeve having a wall of substantially uniform thickness between said first end and said second end.

15. A fixing means including a seal, the seal including a sleeve of resilient material having a first end forming a sealing engagement about a shank of the fixing means and a second end having a larger diameter than the first end and a larger diameter than the diameter of the shank to create a recess portion between the shank and the sleeve when the seal is located about the shank, wherein the second end is elastic or deformable radially towards the shank, in use, when inserted into a further aperture having a diameter less than the second diameter substantially without compressing the sleeve between the shank at the fixing means and the wall of the further aperture.

16. A fixing means as claimed in claim 15, wherein the wall of the sleeve has a substantially uniform thickness between said first end and said second end.

17. A fixing means as claimed in either claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the seal is substantially not deformable longitudinally.

18. A fixing means as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the second end includes a flange extending therefrom.

19. A fixing means as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the fixing means is a screw.

A fixing means as claimed in claim 19, wherein the screw includes a non-threaded portion adjacent to the head.

21. A seal substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.

22. A method of sealing a hole to be engaged with a shank of a fixing means °substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.

23. A fixing means including a seal substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples. DATED this 16th day of April, 2003 S 25 BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS Attomrneys for: JAMES HARDIE RESEARCH PTY LIMITED ••o °go•.