Having Particular Associated Mounting Or Retaining Feature Patents (Class 277/637)
  • Patent number: 7389992
    Abstract: A gasket structured such that a packing is firmly fixed to one surface of a plate with a predetermined plane arrangement. The structure is made such that the packing is firmly fixed to one surface of the plate with a predetermined plane arrangement. The plate is screwed to an opposing assembly member at a screw fixing portion at a time of assembling. The packing is bent to one side in a width direction by being compressed at a lip portion by the opposing assembly member. A packing extension portion for partly enlarging an adhesive bonding area of the packing to the plate is provided in a position close to the screw fixing portion, an inflection portion or a position close thereto in a plane shape of the packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Isono
  • Patent number: 7383649
    Abstract: A transparent vehicle license plate frame has an elastomeric gasket. The frame includes a periphery and an inner side for disposal adjacent to a license plate. The elastomeric gasket is disposed on the inner side near the periphery of the frame and is injection-molded into an annular frame channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Inventor: David F. MacNeil
  • Publication number: 20080128999
    Abstract: A seal used in a vehicle steering assembly. The seal comprising a first member carried by a steering component, and a second member carried by a vehicle panel. When installing the steering component in the steering assembly, the first member mates with the second member to form at least one seal. A method is also provided for installing the seal in the vehicle steering assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Francisco Arce, Jeffrey Harrell, John W. Joyce
  • Patent number: 7364166
    Abstract: A seal/retainer unit (10) comprising an annular sealing gasket (12) and a plurality of retaining legs (14) extending generally perpendicularly therefrom. The sealing gasket (12) and the retaining legs (14) are formed in one piece (e.g., stamped) from a sealing material and dimensioned to allow nesting of a plurality of seal/retainer units (10) in a stacked arrangement. The retaining legs (14) may each include a rounded distal edge (16) to minimize package-tearing and interpart-marking and/or a break-off notch (18) to allow special customization. A radiused corner (20) between the gasket (12) and the legs (14) assures a gap between nested parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Engineered Surfaces, Inc.
    Inventors: John Arthur Yoakam, Richard Alan Quayle, Dennis Floyd Quayle
  • Publication number: 20080073860
    Abstract: A sealing structure for sealing a gap between a side sill of a vehicle body and a side sill garnish includes a generally tabular lip portion, a connecting portion branching from an intermediate region of a backside of the lip portion, and a fixing portion connecting with a lower end of the connecting portion and extending along the back side of a top end portion of a side sill garnish. The side sill garnish has an upper wall, a lower wall, and a channel on an end face of a top end portion. The upper wall, the lower wall, and the channel extend in the longitudinal direction of the side sill garnish. The lip portion is inserted into the channel and the fixing portion is adhered to the back side of the top end portion by double-sided adhesive tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: MORIROKU COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Takayuki Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20080061517
    Abstract: A one piece flexible sanitary seal 16 of uniform cross-section is provided for over pressure vent structure that protects a confined space meeting hygienic standards. The seal 16 has an elongated body 38 provided with a central section 40, a C-shaped terminal end 42 having a main lug portion 46 and a secondary lug segment 48 that project away from each other with a cavity 50 therebetween, and a long tail portion 44 cooperating with the central section 40 to present a longitudinally extending angular groove 62. The seal 16 is adapted to be mounted between a vent membrane unit 14 and a frame component 18 of the vent structure. Lug portion 46 and lug segment 48 sealingly engage the inner surface of the vent membrane 14 inboard of a line of weakness therein defined by a series of slots. A rectangular projection 52 extends from the central section 40 in disposition to engage the vent membrane unit 14, outboard of the line of weakness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: FIKE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tom Eijkelenberg
  • Publication number: 20080063550
    Abstract: A piston type compressor comprises a cylinder block having a plurality of cylinder bores, a plurality of pistons disposed in the respective cylinder bores for defining compression chambers in the respective cylinder bores, a housing for defining a suction-pressure region and a discharge-pressure region therein, a valve-port assembly provided between the cylinder block and the housing, and a seal member provided between the cylinder block and the housing. The seal member has a first seal portion for preventing the refrigerant from leaking out of the compressor and a second seal portion for preventing the refrigerant from leaking between adjacent refrigerant passages. Each of the first and second seal portions has a bead. The bead of the second seal portion has a height which is smaller than that of the first seal portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Masaki Inoue, Tetsuhiko Fukanuma, Naoya Yokomachi, Fuminobu Enokijima, Shun Sumikawa
  • Patent number: 7341259
    Abstract: This invention provides an air seal system for loudspeakers where it is desirable to reproduce sound accurately and efficiently without loss in sound quality. The air seal system may include a housing, a baffle, and a cord gasket positioned in a gland to form an airtight seal between the baffle board and the housing. The gland may include a break. Secured in the break may be the cord gasket ends. The cord gasket ends also may be secured in a pocket, one or more notches, or in a retaining region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventors: John Slabich, Johnny Lo
  • Patent number: 7341210
    Abstract: A nozzle cap is disclosed which is threadedly engaged with a distal end of a nozzle through which a compressed fluid is passed. The nozzle cap includes a terminal wall opposed to a distal end face of the nozzle axially with respect to the nozzle, a sealing member placed on the terminal wall so as to adhere closely to the distal end of the nozzle thereby to seal an opening of the nozzle, and a holding wall pressing and holding an edge of the sealing member in co-operation with the terminal wall between the walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignees: Pacific Industrial Co., Ltd., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Yamamoto, Hajime Mukawa, Yoshitaka Tomatsu
  • Publication number: 20080012242
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sealing arrangement, especially for sealing window panes (13) of a motor vehicle (10), comprising a weatherstrip (20) that is provided with a sealing section (21) and a fastening section (22), and a trim (40) which is connected in a non-positive manner to the fastener section (22). Said fastener section (22) encompasses a retaining segment (23) which can be pivoted from a first position (I) into a second position (II) so as to fasten the trim strip (40). In order to obtain a flat embodiment of the trim (40) and be able to reliably fix the trim strip (40) to the weatherstrip (20) while using relatively little mounting force, one end of said trim strip (40) is provided with a first hook section (41) while the other end thereof is provided with a second hook section (42). The second hook section (42) rests in a non-positive manner against the retaining segment (23) while the first hook section (41) catches on a first contact area (24) of the fastening section (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Brocke
  • Publication number: 20080012243
    Abstract: A gasket for a drive axle of a vehicle has an inner periphery defining an aperture and an outer periphery having a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion. The second diameter portion is greater than the first diameter portion. The gasket also has an intermediate portion between the peripheries. The intermediate portion has a plurality of apertures defined therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Jason Altwies, Steven G. Slesinski, Leo Wenstrup
  • Patent number: 7241099
    Abstract: A self-retaining O-ring having at least two radial struts connectively extending from inside surfaces to a central sphere-shaped retainer. The top surfaces of the radial struts are formed below the top surfaces of the O-ring. The central sphere-shaped retainer is connectively formed to the radial struts and extending below the bottom surfaces of the struts. A circular recess is provided for containing and supporting the O-ring, its inside surface is dovetailed. The circular recess has a spherical hole disposed on its center for insertion of the sphere-shaped retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Huan-Liang Tzeng, Jeng-Horng Hsieh, Jung-Hsiang Chang
  • Patent number: 7237778
    Abstract: The invention is a shut-off seal assembly for use with the drive assembly of fluid-containing vessels. The shut-off seal assembly first locks the seal carrier of the drive assembly in place so that it may not rotate in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction. The seal carrier includes a pair of notches into which a pawl may be fitted preventing seal carrier rotation. The seal carrier surrounds a sleeve which includes a plurality of slots. A backwards rotation of the drive shaft causes drive pins to slide in the angled slots, thereby causing the seal element to move forward and create a seal between the drive assembly and the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: ProQuip, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Althouse, III
  • Patent number: 7213814
    Abstract: The subject invention discloses a sealing assembly that includes a first component and a second component moveable into and out of mating engagement to form a seal therebetween. The first component has a first sealing surface defining a groove and a sealing bead extends upwardly a predetermined height therefrom. The sealing bead is molded within the groove. The second component has a second sealing surface defining a recess for contacting the sealing bead. When the first and the second components are brought into mating engagement, the sealing bead compresses at most 40% of the predetermined height when the second sealing surface contacts the sealing bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: David J Hurlbert, Hao Shirley Niu, William T Gordon, Robert M Waters
  • Patent number: 7207891
    Abstract: A boot fitting structure is fitted onto an axial component to protect it from a dirty environment including outside dust. The boot has a pair of annular grooves and an annular lip between the pair of annular grooves on an inner surface of the boot. The annular lip does not project from an inner surface toward a centerline of the boot. An annular protuberance is provided between the boot and a clamp, through which clamping force from the clamp is concentrated on the annular lip, so that the annular lip is elastically deformed and pushed toward outside of the axial component. Therefore, the axial component can be inserted into the boot without interference between the annular lip and the axial component. Furthermore, the annular lip is free from damage by interference between the annular lip and the axial component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isashi Kashiwagi, Masahiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7178810
    Abstract: A closure seal for doors, hatches and the like comprising a pneumatically inflatable sealing element of generally known configuration housed in a specially constructed channel-shaped retainer. The sealing element comprises a flat, relatively stiff base portion of predetermined width and a flexible portion comprising spaced apart side walls, joined with the base, and an outer wall joining with the side walls to form a hollow expandable section. The base forms shoulders where it joins with the side walls. A retaining channel, formed of sheet metal and of generally U-shaped cross section, receives the sealing element and is formed with longitudinally spaced apart, opposed, inwardly projecting elements forming longitudinally spaced apart constrictions of slightly less width than the base of the sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: The Presray Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel B. Kuhary
  • Patent number: 7175387
    Abstract: A seal arrangement for reducing the seal gaps within a rotary flow machine, preferably an axial turbomachine, has rotor blades and guide vanes, which are respectively arranged in at least one rotor blade row and guide vane row and have respective blade/vane roots (2,3) which protrude into fastening contours within the rotor blade and guide vane rows. A sealing element (4) of plastically deformable material is provided between at least two adjacent blade/vane roots (2,3) along a rotor blade row or guide vane row or between a blade/vane root (2,3) of a rotor blade or guide vane and a rotary flow machine component directly adjoining the blade/vane root.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Erhard Kreis, Markus Oehl, Ulrich Rathmann
  • Patent number: 7172388
    Abstract: A spring seal for sealing a gap defined between first and second gas turbine engine components. The spring seal has a grasping portion for graspingly receiving a portion of the first component, and a spring loading portion adapted to extend between the first and second gas turbine engine components for spring loading the first and second gas turbine engine components relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Remy Synnott
  • Patent number: 7160393
    Abstract: A vacuum chamber assembly comprises a floor plate, an upper plate, plural props standing on the floor plate to support the upper plate, and side plates closing side opening portions between the props. First connected portions between the floor plate and the props and second connected portions between the upper plate and the props are fixed by screws. Circumferential edge portions of the side opening portions are provided with installation grooves, respectively. A gasket includes side surface sealing portions installed in the installation grooves formed on the circumferential edge portions of the side opening portions, respectively, and connection sealing portions for sealing the first connected portions and the second connected portions. The side plates are fixed to the circumferential edge portions to close the side opening portions via the side surface sealing portions of the gasket, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: CYG Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7124540
    Abstract: A sealing device includes an elongated sealing member and a plurality of fasteners spacedly mounted along the sealing member. The sealing member includes a tubular heat sealing layer and a tubular supporting frame, having a flexible ability, coaxially received in the heat sealing layer and defining a deformable channel within the supporting frame. Each of the fasteners has a retention base disposed within the deformable channel and a engagement head outwardly extended from the retention base through the supporting frame and the heat sealing layer in such a manner that the supporting frame and the heat sealing layer are sandwiched between the retention base of each of the fasteners and the engagement head thereof, so as to retain the supporting frame within the heat sealing layer in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: Mi Qiang
  • Patent number: 7121972
    Abstract: A drive axle assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a support beam member, a differential assembly module secured to the support beam member and a cover member fastened to the support beam member to cover at least a portion the differential assembly module. The cover member includes two spaced access openings with adjustable sealing flange devices for sealing an interior cavity within the cover member between the access openings and corresponding axle shaft members. The sealing flange device is positionally adjustable relative to the cover member. A method for adjusting position of the sealing flange device relative to the cover member comprises the steps of securing the cover member to the axle support member, mounting the sealing flange device to the cover member, adjusting the position of the sealing flange device relative to the cover member and securing the sealing flange device to the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Bernard Allmandinger, Sean Karl Hoefer, Gregory James Maser, Parvinder Singh Nanua, Edward Eugene Stuart, Earl James Irwin
  • Patent number: 7104545
    Abstract: A thermoplastic carrier sheet is die-cut to have a size and shape matching that of a PEM bipolar plate. A plurality of holes are punched in the carrier sheet in the pattern of gasket beading to be formed subsequently. In a mold, liquid gasket resin fills the mold on both sides of the carrier sheet to form the gasket, flowing through the holes in the sheet and thereby causing the gasket to become mechanically attached to the sheet. A carrier element having a flange portion substantially identical with the outer profile of the bipolar plates is laminated to the sheet edge. During assembly of a fuel cell, the carrier element automatically positions the gasket correctly on the plate and prevents the gasket from twisting or shifting. In a currently preferred embodiment, a membrane electrode assembly is attached within an appropriate opening in the carrier sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur R. Williams, Gary J. DeAngelis, Allan R. Wells
  • Patent number: 7093838
    Abstract: A gasket for sealing between a wall and a gasket support surface, such as between an oven housing and an oven door. The gasket includes a clip, the clip typically being made from a single strand of wire. The wire is bent into a head and a base, the base for engaging the gasket and head dimensioned for engagement with a wall for a support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventors: Henry C. Hight, Jr., Sylvia Hight
  • Patent number: 7090224
    Abstract: Primary objective of the present invention is to effect a seal against assembly clearances formed between components which admit flows of high temperature fluids or are subjected to vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Eagle Engineering Aerospace Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Iguchi, Jun Hiromatsu, Toru Kono
  • Patent number: 7090466
    Abstract: A method facilitates assembling a rotor assembly for gas turbine engine. The method comprises providing a first rotor blade that includes an airfoil, a platform, a shank and a dovetail, coupling the first rotor blade to a rotor shaft using the dovetail, and coupling a second rotor blade to the rotor shaft such that a shank cavity is defined between the first and second blades. The method also comprises inserting a seal pin into the horizontal platform seal pin slot such that a gap defined between the first and second rotor blade platforms are substantially sealed wherein the seal pin includes a first end, a second end and a substantially cylindrical body extending therebetween and sized to frictionally engage the slot, wherein at least one of the first and second ends has a cross-sectional area that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Steven Honkomp, Joseph Scott Barrett
  • Patent number: 7086653
    Abstract: The transferrable EMI gasket assembly utilizes a carrier with a pair of arms, each attached to a back panel by a hinged connection and extending in the same direction to overlie one another. The conductive, deformable gasket material is attached to the carrier and positioned adjacent the back panel. The assembly is collapsed for installation with the back panel overlying one of the arms hinged thereto to present a reduced height. The assembly is placed in the operative position by moving one arm relative to the other to pivot the carrier back panel to a near right angle position with respect to the carrier arms. In the operative position, the gasket material is compressed and deformed against the confronting surfaces to effect the EMI seal while the biasing force of the compressed gasket material, in the preferred embodiment, secures the carrier arms together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Charles Gillard, Don Alan Gilliland
  • Patent number: 7070355
    Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint has a housing, a ball pivot (3) mounted pivotably in the housing, and a sealing bellows (1), which is fastened to the housing and is mounted on the ball pivot (3) slidably via a sealing ring (4) provided with two legs (5, 6). A first leg (5) of the two legs (5, 6) is in contact with the ball pivot (3) under tension and the second leg (6) meshes with the wall of the sealing bellows (1). The second leg (6) is, furthermore, fastened in an anchoring ring (7) arranged at least partially in the wall of the sealing bellows (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Olaf Abels, Dieter Gröger
  • Patent number: 7063327
    Abstract: A sealing element, especially a flat seal, consisting of a metal-supported elastomer material, containing sealing profiles that are offset form one another, between which, at given intervals, elements that provide acoustic de-coupling, also made of elastomer material, are located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Federal Mogul Sealing Systems Bretten GmbH & Co.KG
    Inventor: Ralf Salameh
  • Patent number: 7059612
    Abstract: A gasket comprises a ring member made of a metal material, and a covering section composed of an elastic material, wherein the covering section integrally covers side surfaces and an inner circumferential surface of the ring member respectively. First to third protruding sections, which protrude radially inwardly by predetermined lengths and which have linear side sections, are provided on an inner circumference of the covering section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 7059611
    Abstract: In order to improve the fit and the sealing effect of a sealing arrangement which is intended to seal a gap (2) between two components (3, 4), which can be moved relative to each other, and an edge of an opening (5) which is to be closed, wherein a grip rail (10), to which a holding region (14) of a profile (15) can be positively latched, can be fixed to a first one (3) of the components, wherein a sealing region (16) of the profile (15) which cooperates in a sealing manner with a second one (4) of the components is attached to the holding region (14), the said sealing region (16) is disposed laterally offset with respect to the grip rail (10) towards an inner side (7) of the gap, wherein the resultant force (17) of a deformation force which acts upon the sealing region (16) runs at least approximately through the grip rail (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Meteor Gummiwerke K.H. Badje GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Burkhard Ahlers, Michael Koch, Edgar Mumme
  • Patent number: 7056219
    Abstract: In a boot including a larger cylindrical portion having a thick-walled portion and a thin-walled portion continuing smoothly in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface, a ring groove coming full circle on the outer peripheral surface of the larger cylindrical portion is formed. Since shrinkage at the thick-walled portion can be prevented by the ring groove, and the ring groove is formed smoothly over the entire thick-walled portion and the thin-walled portion, there exists no varying point at which a stress generated when fastening with a fastening member suddenly changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mayuki Toriumi, Yuji Furuta, Yoshikazu Mori
  • Patent number: 7044537
    Abstract: A duct assembly for a vehicle. The duct assembly includes a trim panel and an air duct. A seal having multiple seal portions is disposed on the air duct to inhibit air leakage. The seal portions are integrally connected and formed from a common material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Schoemann, John D. Youngs, Glenn A. Cowelchuk, Randy S. Reed
  • Patent number: 7040060
    Abstract: Improved mounting elements, mounting arrangements, and methods of mounting liners to structures, such as stair assemblies, in pools and spas are disclosed. One aspect is a mounting element for retaining at least a portion of a liner to a structure of a spa or pool, the mounting element including a face plate and a gasket mounted to the face plate. Another aspect is a mounting arrangement including a gasketed mounting element comprising a face plate and a gasket mounted to the face plate and means for mounting the gasketed mounting element to a structure wherein the liner is secured. Another aspect is a method of mounting a liner to a structure of a pool or spa. The invention facilitates the assembly of pools and spas by reducing the number of individual parts required and minimizing the potential for damaging the liner compared to prior art arrangements and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Saratoga Spa & Bath, Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley O. Cox
  • Patent number: 7036825
    Abstract: A casing for a HVAC system in an automobile for moving air comprises a plurality of sections, each of which is molded of plastic material. The sections of the casing are connected and sealed to one another at a plurality of joints. The improvement resides in the tongue having a slot extending into the distal end thereof for splitting the tongue into first and second forks in frictional engagement with the side-walls of the groove. The forks are compressed together by the groove to narrow the slot from top to bottom to retain the tongue in the groove and to seal the sections together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Douglas Pettitt, Ronald A. Lemmon
  • Patent number: 7029013
    Abstract: A seal member for a substrate storage container disposed between an opening end portion of a container body and a cover, which container body and cover form the container and which container body has the opening end portion and stores substrates, is disclosed. The seal member comprises a base body section formed of a first material and a covering section formed of a second material and covering at least a part of the base body section, wherein the covering section includes a seal forming portion for forming a seal in contact with one of the container body and the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignees: Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd., Shin-Etsu Handotai Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshitsugu Yajima, Toshiyuki Kamada
  • Patent number: 7025359
    Abstract: The present invention is a gasket comprising a length of rope formed at least substantially by a plurality of interwoven fibrous glass yarns and having at least two ends, and a soft wire mesh termination sleeve placed around and attached to the rope member at the joint that conforms to the shape of the gasket joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Davlyn Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Flasher
  • Patent number: 7021677
    Abstract: An improved seal retainer for an undersea hydraulic coupling member, which utilizes metal seals to maintain fluid integrity, is disclosed. The metal seals of the present invention are designed to either create an absolute barrier to fluid flow, or utilize a press or interference fit to create a barrier to fluid flow to ensure fluid integrity between the undersea hydraulic coupling and the environment outside the hydraulic coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Patent number: 7014195
    Abstract: A sealing profile between the body of a motor vehicle and a moveable window includes a receiving groove into which an edge side of the window, which side interacts with the sealing profile, enters during closure of the window, a profiled section forming the groove being subjected to deformation by the edge side until the sealing profile obtains it final shape. The profiled section has, on a side facing the window edge, a soft elastic sealing layer which is arranged on a harder supporting layer arranged behind it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Thomas Graf
  • Patent number: 7004477
    Abstract: A gasket is adapted to seal between a first member and a second member, and includes a first portion a second portion. The first portion includes a first elastomeric seal portion adapted to be in sealing engagement with the first member. The first portion may also include a clip or a coil spring contained within an elastomeric portion in order to provide a sealing force against the first member. The second portion is preferably molded integral with the first portion and includes a second elastomeric seal portion having a coil spring contained therein. The second portion is adapted to be in sealing engagement with the second member, with the coil spring being compressed in its normal direction when the gasket is assembled between the first member and the second member. The coil spring, then, exerts a sealing force with minimal degradation over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventors: David Sakata, Francis Joseph Walker
  • Patent number: 6994354
    Abstract: A gasket includes a fist sealing portion, a second sealing portion, and an elastic arm sealingly connecting between the two. The first sealing portion sealingly engages a first member and the second sealing portion sealingly engages a second member. The elastic arm is not highly compressed between the members, allowing the gasket to vibrationally decouple the first member from the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: David Sakata
  • Patent number: 6994356
    Abstract: A gasket seal for piping and equipment flanges comprises a sealing ring and a centralization ring, preferably concentric rings made of a metallic alloy. The sealing ring has an outer contour surface having a substantially L-shaped cross-section comprising an innermost portion and an outermost portion extending axially and a radial portion interconnecting the inner and the outer portions. The centralization ring has an inner contour surface defining a central opening, substantially coincident with the innermost portion of the outer contour surface of the sealing ring, so that the latter can be fitted into the opening as far as the radial portion of its outer contour surface. A deformation is made on the innermost portion of the outer contour surface of the sealing ring, forming a projection, whereby the centralization ring can be retained between the projection and radial portion without the centralization ring needing to be separated and then welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Manegro Administracao e Paticipacoes Ltda
    Inventor: José Carlos C. Veiga
  • Patent number: 6971526
    Abstract: A method is provided for fixedly joining a cloth, a cloth-like fabric or a synthetic mesh to a filter plate using a flanged cloth connector ring. The flanged cloth connector ring is attached to the filter cloth around the feed port of the cloth and inserted into a receiving channel in the filter plate. A locking ring or a distribution ring may be inserted into the channel adjacent to the connector ring to retain the connector ring and attached filter cloth in place. Filter cloths may be individually and independently attached to each side of a filter plate using a cloth connector ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Micronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry F. Hibble
  • Patent number: 6962347
    Abstract: A backup metal O-ring seal is retained around the outer diameter of a seal retainer of an undersea hydraulic coupling member to seal a leak path around the seal retainer. The metal O-ring seal may be seated on a shoulder on the seal retainer. The backup metal seal is effective for high temperature and high pressure applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Patent number: 6962351
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint assembly having a cylindrical sealing cap (1) housing (6, 6A) connected to the external case (4) of the joint assembly. The housing (6, 6A) may be comprised of plastic, aluminum, rubber, or other malleable material. The housing (6, 6A) has a ring shape, with a groove molded into the housing's external surface for receiving the larger diameter end of a sealing cap (1), the smaller diameter end of the sealing cap (1) is directly attached to the shaft of the ball and socket joint's spherical pin (2). The preferred embodiment of the housing (6) has a general “L” shape, and an alternative embodiment (6A) has a more linear shape. The sealing cap (1) ensures that the ball and socket are not contaminated during operation of the joint assembly. The ball and socket joint of the invention is primarily designed for motor vehicle applications, specifically, in automotive steering and suspension systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Ademilson Vlademir De Freitas
  • Patent number: 6962338
    Abstract: The invention provides a hermetic seal and a method of making a hermetic seal having the steps of providing a first member of a first material having a flange thereon, providing a second member of a second material having a slot thereon for accommodating the flange in said slot such that there is a gap between the slot and the flange, providing a sealant in the slot, and heating the sealant such that the sealant fills at least a portion of the gap between the flange and the slot for forming a hermetic seal therebetween. Advantageously, the slot and flange design of the inventive hermetic seal produces a three-dimensional compressive state of stress thereby providing a joint design of improved reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Inc.
    Inventor: Abdul Jaleel K. Moidu
  • Patent number: 6953195
    Abstract: A sealing device for a gap between two adjacent machine parts, including at least one inflatable, elastically stretchable tube, which is fitted into a groove in the sidewall of one of the machine parts, and which, when inflated, may, be positioned against a surface of the other machine part, which borders on the gap on the side opposite the groove, at least one end of tube (2) being provided with a circumferential, turned-inward portion (6, 16) that engages its interior, into which a supporting member (5, 15) is inserted on the inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Frimo Group GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Lange
  • Patent number: 6945539
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a seal comprising an annular sealing body comprising a radially outer peripheral groove, an upper load concentrating projection, a lower load concentrating projection, a compression relief region extending from the center of the load concentrating projections to the radially inner edge of the seal, and a compression relief region extending from the center of the load concentrating projections to the radially outer edge of the seal. Additionally, aspects of the present invention relate to a seal retainer comprising a thin metal sheet comprising a seal retaining aperture comprising a reception lobe and a retention lobe; wherein the reception lobe has a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the seal to be retained therein, and the seal retaining aperture has a diameter larger than the minimum diameter of the arch portion of the outer peripheral groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Garlock Sealing Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Mark S. Whitlow, John S. Harr, Ryan D. McCall
  • Patent number: 6942221
    Abstract: A sealed flange includes a seal (203 or 901) and a flange (201 or 801). The outer perimeter of a flange (201 or 801) has tabs (303 or 803) interspaced with notches (601 or 805). The outer perimeter of a seal (203 or 901) has spacers (305 or 903) interspersed with gaps (501 or 909). When the seal (203 or 901) is disposed along the outer perimeter of the flange (201 or 801), the tabs (303 or 803) fit in the gaps (501 or 909) of the seal (203 or 901) while the spacers (305 or 903) fit in the notches (601 or 805) of the flange (201 or 801). The outer perimeter of the sealed flange comprises the outermost edges of the tabs (303 or 803) of the flange (201 or 801) and the outmost edges of the spacers (305 or 903) of the seal (203 or 901).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Philip D. Keeley, John A. Serio
  • Patent number: 6942224
    Abstract: An inflatable seal member for providing a fluid-tight seal. The inflatable seal member is particularly well suited to sealing a processing chamber having pressurized fluids therein. Outward forces (exerted by air pressure) to the inner surfaces of the seal member counteract inward forces (exerted by fluid pressure) to the outer surfaces of the seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Steris Inc.
    Inventors: Karl F. Ludwig, John C. Houston
  • Patent number: 6932354
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a valve seal assembly for use in multi-chamber vacuum devices. The seal assembly comprises a door and a deformable seal ring running along the periphery of the door, wherein the seal ring is held in place by a reversibly mounted securing means such as a disk, ring or clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: DuPont Dow Elastomers, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Robert Kane, Norihisa Minowa, Kohtaro Takahashi