JP2007170563A - Expandable band and seal system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an expandable band used for fixing a sealing element inside a substantially cylindrical structure such as a pipe, a manhole or other round hole.
An expandable band (10) includes a band body (12) having a first band end (14) and a second band end (16). The first band end 14 includes a plurality of slots, and the second band end 16 includes first and second openings. The locking member 24 is a separate element configured to fit into the first and second openings and extends through the second band end 16 into one of the plurality of slots as desired. A first tab for locking the expandable band in diameter and a second tab for engaging the second opening. The second tab is designed not to interfere with the end of the first band when the band is expanded. The locking member 24 may also include at least one rib or protrusion.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

 The present invention relates to an expandable band and a sealing system using such a band. Specifically, an expandable band having a plurality of slots at one end, a locking member that engages one of the slots at the other end and can lock the band at a desired diameter About.

  Expandable bands are commonly used to secure flexible sealing elements or gaskets to the inner surface of pipes, manholes, or other similar structures. The expandable band substantially conforms to the inner annular surface of the sealing element and is expanded to apply pressure to the sealing element. Various types of locking devices are used to lock the band in the extended position relative to the sealing element.

  However, current bands and locking devices have a number of limitations and disadvantages. Many of the current expandable bands can only be expanded to a certain diameter, and therefore the total expansion range is limited. Many of these bands also require many steps to expand and lock the band, and cannot lock the band quickly and securely at any diameter. Furthermore, current bands are not easy to slide and fasten when installed or adjusted. In general, current bands are not useful for the various sizes of sealing required to attach to various sizes of pipes or manholes.

  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an expandable band that is easily adjusted to any diameter within a predetermined range and is securely locked. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an expandable band that is easier to release from the locked position.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to systems or methods that necessarily meet one or more of the aforementioned objects or features of the invention. It should also be noted that the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments, exemplary embodiments, or main embodiments described herein. Modifications and additions by those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the scope of the invention and are not limited except by the following claims.

 The present invention features an expandable band comprising a band body having a first band end and a second band end. A plurality of slots are disposed at the first band end of the band body, and the first and second openings are disposed at the second band end. The locking member includes a first tab (also referred to herein as a latch) and a second tab. The first tab extends through the first opening at the second band end into one of the plurality of slots and is configured to lock the expandable band with a desired diameter. The second tab is configured to engage with the second opening at the end of the second band. The second band end of the band body includes a distal portion that extends beyond the tab of the locking member.

  Preferably, the first and second band ends of the band body overlap to form a substantially annular shape with the second band end. The first tab of the locking member extends inwardly with respect to the band and engages one of the plurality of slots and is obtuse with respect to a surface that is tangential to the second band end of the band body. Is preferably formed. The second tab of the locking member is sized to engage with the second opening at the second band end, but is not sized to interfere with the first band end.

  In certain embodiments, the band body has a generally U-shaped cross section such that the band body includes a base and sides extending from the base. The plurality of slots are disposed at the base of the band body. At least a portion of the first and second band ends also have a substantially U-shaped cross section, and the first band end fits into a U-shaped cross section of the second band end. It is preferable that the width of one band end is narrower than that of the second band end. In the preferred embodiment, the second band end has a U-shaped cross section on each side of the tab.

  The distal portion of the second band end also preferably has an integral flat cross section extending from the second band end portion having a U-shaped cross section. Alternatively, the second band end may comprise another extension member attached to a portion of the second band end having a flat cross section and a U-shaped cross section.

  In a preferred embodiment, the band body has a generally “W” or “Wave” cross section. Since the first and second band ends are “nested” with each other, they need not be “necked down”. The first and second band ends include at least two “V” shaped sides extending from the base.

  In one embodiment, a first band end having a plurality of slots is integral with the band body. In another embodiment, the first band end includes a separate member attached to the band body and having a plurality of slots. In a preferred embodiment, the locking member includes at least one rib or protrusion.

  The preferred embodiment of the expandable band further includes an engagement element disposed on the inner surface of the band body for engaging the band expansion mechanism. In one embodiment, the engagement element includes a block (also referred to as a jack rest) attached to the inner surface of the band body.

  The invention also features a sealing system that includes a resilient seal member and one or more expandable bands for sealing the inner surface of a cylindrical structure.

  The expandable band 10 of FIG. 1 according to the present invention is for fixing a sealing element 2 such as a rubber seal or gasket inside a circular structure 4 such as a pipe, manhole or a round hole through the wall of the structure. Used for. The expandable band 10 extends outward and secures the sealing element 2 against the inner surface 6 of the cylindrical structure 4. The expandable band 10 is locked in a desired expanded position within a predetermined diameter, as described below. Although the exemplary embodiment shows a sealing element 2 and a cylindrical structure 4, the expandable band 10 of the present invention may be used in a variety of other applications with other types of structures having different shapes. .

  The expandable band 10 typically comprises a band body 12 having a first band end 14 and a second band end 16. Preferably, the first and second end portions 14, 16 of the band body 12 overlap to form a substantially annular shaped band. As the band expands, the first and second band ends 14,16 move in opposite directions as indicated by the directions of arrows 18,20. In the preferred embodiment, the expandable band 10 is made of 304 or 316 stainless steel or other suitable material.

  In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of slots 22 of FIG. 2 are formed in the first band end 14 by stamping, grinding, or otherwise. In one example, the slots 22 are preferably approximately rectangular in shape with a semicircle at each end, with a width of about 0.318 cm, a length of about 1.588 cm, and a spacing of about 0.7938 cm. The slot 22 of the present invention may have other shapes and sizes.

  The expandable band of FIG. 1 also includes a locking member 24 (hereinafter also referred to as a tab or latch). The locking member 24 of FIG. 6 is a separate element separated from the band body 12 and includes first and second tabs 26 and 50. The second band end 16 shown in FIG. 7 of the band body 12 has first and second openings 52, which are sized and spaced to receive the first and second tabs 26, 50 of the locking member 24, respectively. 54. Further, the second band end portion 16 extends to the tip of the locking member 24 beyond the tab 26, and the second band end portion 16 overlaps the first end portion 14 and moves at the second band end portion 16. It is preferred to include an end portion 28 that facilitates.

  The first tab 26 in FIG. 6 is disposed at a predetermined angle from the main portion 51, extends substantially inward with respect to the band 10 through the first opening 52 of the second band end portion 16, and the first band end portion. Engage with one of the 14 slots 22. The second tab 50 is disposed at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to the main portion 51 and is adapted to engage with the second opening 54 of the second band end 16. The second tab 50 is preferably sized such that it does not interfere (do not engage) the first band end 14. In a preferred embodiment, the second tab 50 has a length approximately the same as the thickness of the second band end 16 and the second tab 50 extends into the second opening 54 of the second band end 16 ( It does not penetrate completely).

  The tab 24 of FIG. 8 may include rivets, snaps, adhesives, or other means 56 that temporarily secure the tab 24 to the second band end 16 and / or the first band end 14. . Since the tab 24 and the expandable band 10 are configured as a single member, the expandable band 10 can be easily and compactly stored and installed by the rivet 56. The rivet 56 is designed to come off or break when the user installs the expandable band 10 and makes it expandable.

  The lock member 24 shown in FIGS. 8-9 optionally includes at least one rib or projection 44. The ribs 44 increase the rigidity and strength of the lock member 24. The ribs 44 may be formed from or on the locking member 24 by stamping, grinding, pressing, welding, “punching out”, gluing, or other methods.

  For example, the first band end 14 in FIG. 2 is integral with the band body 12. Or you may provide the separate member 30 attached to the band main body 12 by welding, pressure welding, adhesion | attachment, or another method like the 1st band edge part 14 of FIG. The first band end may comprise a substantially rigid and generally flat member (eg, a member having a thickness of about 0.478 cm to 0.635 cm) or other shapes as described below. You may have the cross section which has.

  In one example, the first and / or second band ends 14, 16 of FIG. 4 also have a substantially U-shaped cross section. The first band end 14 includes a base 32 and side portions 34, 36 extending from the base 32 to form a U-shaped cross section. The plurality of slots 22 are arranged in the base portion 32. The first band end 14 is narrower than the second band end 16 so that the first band end 14 fits (or is nested) into the U-shaped cross section of the second band end 16. It is preferable. As best shown in FIG. 2, the first band end 14 is preferably “necked down” from the band body 12 to become narrower. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the width of the separate member 30 attached to the band body 12 in order to form the first band end 14 is narrower.

  In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the first and second band ends 14, 16 of FIG. 5 have a substantially W-shaped or wavy cross-section, and the first and second band ends 14, 16 are Since they are “nested” together, they do not need to be “necked down”. The first and second band ends 14, 16 have at least two V-shaped sides 35, 37 extending from the base 32. The plurality of slots 22 are disposed in the base 32.

  In the embodiment where the expandable band 10 of FIG. 4 has a U-shaped cross section, the size of the “necked down” portion partially limits the functional range of the expandable band 10. This is because the first band end 14 must fit into the U-shaped cross section of the second band end 16. Conversely, in embodiments where the expandable band 10 of FIG. 5 has a W-shaped cross section, the first band end 14 need not fit into the second band end 16. Thus, the expandable band 10 having a W-shaped cross-section can function over a wider range than expandable bands having other known cross-sectional portions. However, the present invention is not limited to U- or W-shaped cross-sections, and band bodies 12 with various types of cross-sections, including but not limited to C-shaped, corrugated, and flat cross-sections, It should be noted that it is applicable to the first and second band ends 14,16.

  The expandable band 10 of FIG. 10 may further include an engagement element 98 attached to the inner surface 97 of the band body 17, such as a block or jack receptacle. In one method of use, a band extension mechanism 99 is used to extend the expandable band 10. The expansion members 100 and 102 of the expansion mechanism 99 are engaged with the engagement element 98 and the end surface 60 of the first band end 14, and the first and second band ends 14 and 16 are moved in the directions of arrows 18 and 20. Let The present invention is also applicable to other types of engagement elements 98, such as holes or openings in the band body 12. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to other types of band expansion mechanisms.

  When the band is expanded, the deformability of the sealing element 2 eliminates the tab 26 of FIG. 12 from the slot 22 of the first band end 14 and without having to “lift” the first band end from engagement with the tab 26, The first and second band end portions 14 and 16 can easily slide in the directions of arrows 18 and 20.

  When expanded to the desired diameter, the first tab 26 of FIG. 13 engages the slot 22a with the desired diameter, and the second tab 50 engages the second opening 54 to provide the first and second The band 10 is locked by preventing relative movement between the band ends 14, 16. Because the first tab 26 is set at an angle α, when the band 10 is expanded, the first tab 26 is easily disengaged from the engagement with the slot 22 and the tab locks in the slot 22a. To make it easier.

The first tab 26 is held in the slot 22a by the pressure applied by the sealing element 2 to the locking member 24 and the second tab 50. By placing the locking member 24 on the outside of the second band end 16 relative to the sealing element 2 having first and second tabs 26, 50 facing generally inward, the sealing element 2 has tabs 26, An elastic or spring biased support for 50 is provided. Such an elastic support allows the ends 14, 16 of the band 10 to slide easily without restraint. Further, since the locking member 24 is a separate element from the band body 12, it is more robust than the expandable band body 12 that needs to be flexible enough to expand the locking member 24 to any diameter within a predetermined range. It can be made of hard material. As a result, the expandable band 10 can provide a tighter seal against the inside of the structure 4. One way to remove the expandable band 10 is to use the tool 62 of FIG. 11 similar to a screwdriver. The flat head 64 of the tool 62 is in the gap 66 in front of the tab 26 (FIG. 10) and between the first band end 14 and the second band end 16, for example between the sides forming a U-shaped cross section. Inserted. The tool is then moved generally in the direction of arrow 68 until the flat head 64 moves from the outer or second band end to the inner or first band end until the first tab 24 is disengaged from the slot 22a. lift. If necessary, additional impact forces may be applied to the tool 62, for example by a hammer.

  Thus, the expandable band 10 of the present invention can be expanded to a wider range of diameters and can be effectively locked. The expandable band 10 of the present invention provides a tighter seal against the inside of the structure 4. Furthermore, the expandable band 10 of the present invention facilitates the release of the expandable band 10 for removal purposes as well as the installation and adjustment of the expandable band 10.

  As described above, the present invention is not limited to one or more systems or methods that necessarily meet one or more of the above-mentioned objects or features of the invention, and the preferred embodiments, exemplary implementations described herein. It should not be limited to examples or major embodiments. The foregoing descriptions of the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been selected and described in order to provide the best description of the principles of the invention and its practical application, so that those skilled in the art can use the invention to specialize in various embodiments. Various modifications have been made to fit and can be used. All such modifications and changes are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, when interpreted in accordance with a certain breadth which is given reasonably and fairly.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of an expandable band according to the present invention installed in a sealing element. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of first and second band ends of an expandable band according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a first band end of an expandable band according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the expandable band of the present invention along the dashed line 4-4 of FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an expandable band of the present invention having a W-shaped cross section. It is a side view of another embodiment of the locking member based on this invention. FIG. 6 is a top view of another embodiment of a band body according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a top view of another embodiment with the first and second band ends of the present invention superimposed. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a semi-rigid strip according to the present invention along the dashed line 7B of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an expandable band and an expansion mechanism used to expand the expandable band, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an expandable band being removed with a tool according to one method of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment with first and second band ends overlapping when the expandable band is expanded according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the first and second band ends of the expandable band overlaid in the locked position according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Expandable band 12 ... Band main body 14 ... 1st band edge part 16 ... 2nd band edge part 22 ... Slot 24 ... Lock member 26 ... 1st tab 30 ... Separate member 50 ... 2nd tab 52 ... 1st opening part 54 ... Second opening 98 ... Engaging element

Claims (27)

A band body having a first band end and a second band end, wherein the first band end and the second band end overlap so as to form a substantially annular shape;
A plurality of continuous slots disposed at a first band end of the band body;
First and second openings disposed at the end of the second band;
A first tab and a second tab disposed proximate to the first and second ends of the locking member, the first tab passing through the first opening of the second band end; A locking member configured to extend into one of the slots to lock the expandable band to a desired diameter, and wherein the second tab secures the locking member to the second band end. When,
And a distal portion disposed proximate to a second band end of the band extending beyond the first tab of the locking member. The expandable band of claim 1, wherein the band body has a generally U-shaped cross section. The first and second band end portions of the band main body have the substantially U-shaped cross section, and the first band end portion of the band main body is fitted to the U-shaped cross section of the second band end portion. The expandable band of claim 2, wherein the first band end is narrower than the second band end. At least the second band end of the band body has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and the first band so that the first band end of the band body fits into the U-shaped cross section of the second band end. 2. The expandable band according to claim 1, wherein the end portion is narrower than the second band end portion. 5. The expandable device according to claim 1, wherein the band body includes a base portion and a side portion extending from the base portion, and the plurality of slots are disposed at the base portion of the band body. band. 6. The expandable band according to claim 1, wherein the first band end includes a separate member attached to the band body and having a plurality of slots. The expandable band according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first tab forms an obtuse angle with respect to a surface in a direction of a tangent to the second band end of the band body. The second band end includes a portion having a U-shaped cross section, and a terminal portion of the second band end extends integrally from a portion of the band body having the U-shaped cross section. The expandable band according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. An expandable band according to any preceding claim, wherein a distal portion of the second band end includes a separate expansion member attached to the second band end of the band body. 10. An expandable band according to any preceding claim, further comprising an engagement element disposed on the inner surface of the band body for engaging a band expansion mechanism. The expandable band according to claim 10, wherein the engagement element includes a block attached to an inner surface of the band body. 12. An expandable band according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the band body has a substantially W-shaped cross section. The expandable band of claim 12, wherein first and second band ends of the band body have the substantially W-shaped cross section. 14. The band main body includes a base and at least two V-shaped side portions extending from the base, and the plurality of slots are disposed at the base of the band main body. Expandable band as described in 15. The expandable band according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the locking member includes at least one rib. 16. The expandable band according to claim 1, wherein the lock member includes at least one convex portion. The expandable band according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the locking member is made of a material that is resistant to bending. An elastic seal member;
An expandable band, wherein the expandable band comprises:
A band body having a first band end and a second band end, wherein the first band end and the second band end overlap so that the expandable band contacts the elastic seal member;
A plurality of slots disposed in the band body proximate to the first band end;
First and second openings disposed at the end of the second band;
A first tab and a second tab disposed proximate to the first and second ends of the locking member, the first tab passing through the first opening of the second band end; Extending into one of the slots to lock the expandable band to a desired diameter with respect to the resilient seal member, and the second tab secures the locking member to the second band end. The elastic seal member is provided with a lock member that provides an elastic support to the lock member;
And a distal portion disposed proximate to a second band end of the band extending beyond the first tab of the locking member. The seal system of claim 18, wherein the band body has a generally U-shaped cross section. The first and second band end portions of the band main body have the substantially U-shaped cross section, and the first band end portion of the band main body is fitted to the U-shaped cross section of the second band end portion. The seal system of claim 19, wherein the first band end is narrower than the second band end. 21. The end portion of the second band end has a substantially flat cross section and extends integrally from the portion of the second band end having a substantially U-shaped cross section. Seal system. 22. A seal system according to any of claims 18 to 21, wherein the band body has a substantially W-shaped cross section. 23. A seal system according to any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein the first and second band ends of the band body have a substantially W-shaped cross section. The band main body and at least two V-shaped side portions extending from the base, and the plurality of slots are disposed at the base of the band main body. The sealing system described. 25. A seal system according to any one of claims 18 to 24, wherein the locking member includes at least one rib. 26. The seal system according to claim 18, wherein the lock member includes at least one convex portion. 27. A seal system according to any of claims 18 to 26, wherein the locking member is made of a material that is resistant to bending.

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