초록 ▼

A multi-ring gasket (140) is for sealing the joint between two flanged general non-metallic pipes. In one embodiment, the gasket has an inner ring (72) an outer ring (132) and a plurality of spokes (77) connecting the inner ring (72) to the outer ring (132). The various gasket embodiments have addit

A multi-ring gasket (140) is for sealing the joint between two flanged general non-metallic pipes. In one embodiment, the gasket has an inner ring (72) an outer ring (132) and a plurality of spokes (77) connecting the inner ring (72) to the outer ring (132). The various gasket embodiments have additional features, including having a substantially in-set outermost ring (132) so that the gasket (140) may be used with a flange having a mating surface interior of the bolts employed to draw the flanges together; having spokes (96) that do not encircle the bolts but that provide for aligning the gasket with respect to the bolts and the flanges; having an outer periphery (102) that is at least partially rectilinear; having one or more peripheral notches (112) for receiving a thickness gauge; and having a tab (144) for manipulating the gasket (140) in the installation thereof.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A gasket for providing a seal at the joint between a pair of pipe flanges for connecting one flange to the other, comprising:a first stip of a material that is adapted for sealing which is formed in a loop and has an outer periphery;a second strip of said sealing material formed in a loop and hav

1. A gasket for providing a seal at the joint between a pair of pipe flanges for connecting one flange to the other, comprising:a first stip of a material that is adapted for sealing which is formed in a loop and has an outer periphery;a second strip of said sealing material formed in a loop and having an inner periphery that is greater than the outer periphery of said first strip; andat least one spoke of said sealing material extending between said first strip and said second strip, wherein the outer periphery of said second strip includes a concave notch adapted for receiving a thickness gauge.2. The gasket of claim 1, wherein the outer periphery of said second strip also includes, adjacent said notch, a corresponding convexity adapted for substantially maintaining the strength of said second strip at the location of said notch.3. The gasket of claim 1, further comprising a reinforcement spoke extending between said first strip and said second strip and connecting to said second strip proximate the location of said notch.4. A gasket for providing a seal at the joint between a pair of pipe flanges for connecting one flange to the other, comprising:a first strip of a material that is adapted for sealing and formed in a loop and having an outer periphery;a second strip of said sealing material formed in a loop and having an inner periphery that is greater than the outer periphery of said first strip; andat least one spoke of said sealing material extending between said first strip and said second strip wherein remaining spaces therebetween are substantially void, wherein said first and said second strips have corresponding inner peripheries, the gasket further comprising a third strip of said sealing material formed in a loop, said third strip having an outer periphery that is less than the inner periphery of said first strip, and at least one inner spoke of said sealing material extending between said third strip and said first strip.5. A gasket for providing a seal at the joint between a pair of pipe flanges for connecting one flange to the other, comprising:a first strip of a material that is adapted for sealing which is formed in a loop has as an outer periphery;a second strip of said sealing material formed in a loop and having an inner periphery that is greater than the outer periphery of said first strip; andat least one spoke of said sealing material extending between said first strip and said second strip, the gasket further comprising an open alignment spoke of said sealing material extending outwardly from said second strip, said open alignment spoke defining an alignment concavity for placement adjacent a fastener.6. The gasket of claim 5, further comprising a centering shelf of said sealing material depending from said open alignment spoke and extending so as to be substantially congruent with the outer periphery of at least one of the flanges.7. The gasket of claim 6, wherein the flanges have corresponding inner and outer peripheries, wherein the outer periphery of one of the flanges is smaller than the outer periphery of the other of the flanges, wherein the outer periphery of said second strip is substantially congruent with the outer periphery of the smaller flange, and wherein said centering shelf extends so as to be substantially congruent with the outer periphery of the larger flange.8. The gasket of claim 5, wherein said first and said second strips have corresponding inner peripheries, the gasket further comprising a third strip of said sealing material formed in a loop, said third strip having an outer periphery that is less than the inner periphery of said first strip, and at least one inner spoke of said sealing material extending between said third strip and said first strip.9. The gasket of claim 5, further comprising a closed alignment spoke of said sealing material extending outwardly from said second strip, wherein said closed alignment spoke includes an aperture therethrough for receiving a bolt.10. The gasket of claim 9, further comprising a centering shelf of said sealing material depending from at least one of said closed alignment spoke and said open alignment spoke and extending so as to be substantially congruent with the outer periphery of at least one of the flanges.11. The gasket of claim 10, wherein the flanges have corresponding inner and outer peripheries, wherein the outer periphery of one of the flanges is smaller than the outer periphery of the other of the flanges, wherein the outer periphery of said second strip is substantially congruent with the outer periphery of the smaller flange, and wherein said centering shelf extends so as to be substantially congruent with the outer periphery of the larger flange.12. The gasket of claim 9, wherein said first and said second strips have corresponding inner peripheries, the gasket further comprising a third strip of said sealing material formed in a loop, said third strip having an outer periphery that is less than the inner periphery of said first strip, and at least one inner spoke of said sealing material extending between said third strip and said first strip.13. The gasket of claim 9, wherein said closed alignment spoke has a tab portion that extends beyond the outer peripheries of the flanges.14. The gasket of claim 13, wherein said tab portion includes identification data.15. A gasket for providing a seal at the joint between a pair of pipe flanges for connecting one flange to the other, comprising:a first strip of a material that is adapted for sealing which is formed in a loop and has an outer periphery;a second strip of said sealing material formed in a loop and having an inner periphery that is greater than the outer periphery of said first strip; andat least one spoke of said sealing material extending between said first strip and said second strip, further comprising an open alignment spoke of said sealing material extending outwardly from said second strip, said open alignment spoke defining an alignment concavity for placement adjacent a fastener, and wherein the outer periphery of said second strip includes a concave notch adapted for receiving a thickness gauge.16. The gasket of claim 15, wherein the outer periphery of said second strip also includes, adjacent said notch, a corresponding convexity adapted for substantially maintaining the strength of said second strip at the location of said notch.17. The gasket of claim 15, further comprising a reinforcement spoke extending between said first strip and said second strip and connecting to said second strip proximate the location of said notch.18. A gasket for providing a seal at the joint between a pair of pipe flanges for connecting one flange to the other, comprising:a first strip of a material that is adapted for sealing which is formed in a loop and has an outer periphery;a second strip of said sealing material formed in a loop and having an inner periphery that is greater than the outer periphery of said first strip; andat least one spoke of said sealing material extending between said first strip and said second strip, the gasket further comprising a closed alignment spoke of said sealing material extending outwardly from said second strip, wherein said closed alignment spoke includes an aperture therethrough for receiving a bolt.19. The gasket of claim 18, further comprising a centering shelf of said sealing material depending from said closed alignment spoke and extending so as to be substantially congruent with the outer periphery of at least one of the flanges.20. The gasket of claim 19, wherein the flanges have corresponding inner and outer peripheries, wherein the outer periphery of one of the flanges is smaller than the outer periphery of the other of the flanges, wherein the outer periphery of said second strip is substantially congruent with the outer periphery of the smaller flange, and wherein said centering shelf extends so as to be substantially congruent with the outer periphery of the larger flange.21. The gasket of claim 18, wherein said first and said second strips have corresponding inner peripheries, the gasket further comprising a third strip of said sealing material formed in a loop, said third strip having an outer periphery that is less than the inner periphery of said first strip, and at least one inner spoke of said sealing material extending between said third strip and said first strip.22. The gasket of claim 18, wherein said closed alignment spoke has a tab portion that extends beyond the outer peripheries of the flanges.23. The gasket of claim 22, wherein said tab portion includes identification data.24. A gasket for providing a seal at the joint between a pair of pipe flanges for connecting one flange to the other, comprising:a first strip of a material that is adapted for sealing which is formed in loop and has an outer periphery;a second strip of said sealing material formed in a loop and having an inner periphery that is greater than the outer periphery of said first strip; andat least one spoke of said sealing material extending between said first strip and said second strip, further comprising a closed alignment spoke of said sealing material extending outwardly from said second strip, wherein said closed alignment spoke includes an aperture therethrough for receiving a bolt, and wherein the outer periphery of said second strip includes a concave notch adapted for receiving a thickness gauge.25. The gasket of claim 24, wherein the outer periphery of said second strip also includes, adjacent said notch, a corresponding convexity adapted for substantially maintaining the strength of said second strip at the location of said notch.26. The gasket of claim 24, further comprising a reinforcement spoke extending between said first strip and said second strip and connecting to said second strip proximate the location of said notch.27. A gasket for providing a seal at the joint between a pair of pipe flanges for connecting one flange to the other, comprising:a first strip of a material that is adapted for sealing which is formed in a loop and has an outer periphery;a second strip of said sealing material formed in a loop and having an inner periphery that is greater than the outer periphery of said first strip; andat least one spoke of said sealing material extending between said first strip and said second strip, further comprising an open alignment spoke of said sealing material extending outwardly from said second strip, said open alignment spoke defining an alignment concavity for placement adjacent a fastener, further comprising a closed alignment spoke of said sealing material extending outwardly from said second strip, wherein said closed alignment spoke includes an aperture therethrough for receiving a bolt, and wherein the outer periphery of said second strip includes a concave notch adapted for receiving a thickness gauge.28. The gasket of claim 27, wherein the outer periphery of said second strip also includes, adjacent said notch, a corresponding convexity adapted for substantially maintaining the strength of said second strip at the location of said notch.29. The gasket of claim 27, further comprising a reinforcement spoke extending between said first strip and said second strip and connecting to said second strip proximate the location of said notch.30. A gasket for providing a seal at the joint between a pair of pipe flanges for connecting one flange to the other, comprising:a first strip of a material adapted for sealing which is formed in a loop and has an outer periphery;a second strip of said sealing material formed in a loop and having an outer periphery and an inner periphery greater than said outer periphery of said first strip; andat least one spoke of said sealing material extending between said first strip and said second strip, and wherein said outer periphery of said first strip is substantially circular and said outer periphery of said second strip is substantially square, wherein said outer periphery of said second strip defines a concavity at a respective corner thereof.31. A gasket for providing a seal at the joint between a pair of pipe flanges for connecting one flange to the other, comprising:a first strip of sealing material adapted for sealing and formed in a loop and having an outer periphery;a second strip of said sealing material formed in a loop and having an outer periphery and an inner periphery greater than said outer periphery of said first strip; andat least one spoke of said sealing material extending between said first strip and said second strip, further comprising at least one closed alignment spoke of said sealing material extending outwardly from said second strip, said alignment spoke including an aperture therethrough for receiving a bolt.32. A gasket for providing a seal at the joint between a pair of pipe flanges for connecting one flange to the other, each flange having an inner periphery and an outer periphery, comprising a single ring of sealing material having an outer periphery that is substantially congruent with the outer periphery of at least one of the flanges and including a concave notch adapted for receiving a thickness gauge.33. The gasket of claim 32, wherein the outer periphery of one of the flanges is greater than the outer periphery of the other of the flanges, and wherein said outer periphery of said sealing material is less than the outer periphery of the one of the flanges that has the greatest outer periphery.34. The gasket of claim 33, wherein said sealing material includes an aperture therethrough for receiving a respective bolt.35. A gasket for providing a seal at the joint between a pair of pipe flanges for connecting one flange to the other, each flange having an inner periphery and an outer periphery, comprising:a first strip of a material adapted for sealing and formed in a loop, said first strip has an outer periphery;a second strip of said sealing material formed in a loop, said second strip having an outer periphery and an inner periphery greater than the outer periphery of said first strip; andat least one spoke of said sealing material extending between said first strip and said second strip at a predetermined location on the inner periphery of said second strip, wherein the outer periphery of said second strip includes a concave notch adapted for receiving a thickness gauge, said notch being disposed proximate said predetermined location.36. A gasket for providing a seal at the joint between a pair of pipe flanges for connecting one flange to the other, each flange having an inner periphery and an outer periphery, comprising:a first strip of a material adapted for sealing and formed in a loop, said first strip having an outer periphery;a second strip of said sealing material formed in a loop, said second strip having an outer periphery and an inner periphery greater than the outer periphery of said first strip; andat least one spoke of said sealing material extending between said first strip and said second strip, wherein the outer periphery of said second strip includes a concave notch adapted for receiving a thickness gauge, and wherein the outer periphery of said second strip also includes, opposite said notch, a corresponding convexity adapted for substantially maintaining the strength of said second strip at the location of said notch.