초록 ▼

The apparatus and method for sealing at least two surfaces includes a sealing member with an attachment portion fixed to one of the surfaces, and a seal portion connected to the attachment portion. The seal portion of the sealing member includes a deformable segment that may be received and retained

The apparatus and method for sealing at least two surfaces includes a sealing member with an attachment portion fixed to one of the surfaces, and a seal portion connected to the attachment portion. The seal portion of the sealing member includes a deformable segment that may be received and retained by a receiving aperture that is defined by at least one of the surfaces. The receiving aperture may further be defined by at least one engagement member extending from at least one of the surfaces. At least one coating, such as paint, may also be located on a side of the sealing member opposite the surfaces. The seal may be engaged and disengaged without requiring reapplication of the coating. Thus, the present invention provides an effective technique for sealing parts of an object, such as sealing a door, panel, cover or the like to a surrounding structure.

대표청구항 ▼

That which is claimed: 1. An apparatus for sealing at least two surfaces, comprising: a sealing member having an attachment portion fixed to one of the surfaces, said sealing member also including a seal portion connected to said attachment portion, wherein the seal portion comprises a deformable s

That which is claimed: 1. An apparatus for sealing at least two surfaces, comprising: a sealing member having an attachment portion fixed to one of the surfaces, said sealing member also including a seal portion connected to said attachment portion, wherein the seal portion comprises a deformable segment that faces the surfaces, wherein the sealing member defines an opening; a receiving aperture defined by at least one of the surfaces, wherein said receiving aperture is adapted to receive and retain the deformable segment of the seal portion of said sealing member; a fastener accessible via the opening in said sealing member and underlying a portion of said sealing member, such that the deformable segment is at least partially and forcibly disengaged from said receiving aperture when said fastener is at least partially loosened without detaching the attachment portion from the respective one of the surfaces; a coating disposed on said sealing member and the at least two surfaces, said coating extending continuously across said sealing member and at least one of the surfaces; and a filler disposed within and filling an area in the receiving aperture, between the deformable segment and the surface to which the sealing member is fixed, wherein the deformable segment is positioned fully within the receiving aperture, wherein the attachment portion is securely fixed by a fastening element to one of the surfaces at a location outside of the receiving aperture, and wherein the fastener is spaced apart from the fastening element along a length of the sealing member. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sealing member is at least partially made of a pliable material, such that the seal portion of said sealing member bends relative to the attachment portion of said sealing member. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attachment portion of said sealing member is made of a material that is less pliable than the seal portion. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deformable segment is comprised of an elastomer sponge material. 5. An apparatus for sealing at least two surfaces, comprising: a sealing member having an attachment portion fixed to one of the surfaces, said sealing member also including a seal portion connected to said attachment portion, wherein the seal portion comprises a deformable segment that faces the surfaces, wherein said sealing member is capable of being positioned such that the deformable segment is inserted into a receiving aperture defined between the at least two surfaces, and wherein said sealing member defines an opening; and a fastener aligned with the opening in said sealing member and underlying a portion of the deformable segment of said sealing member, such that the deformable segment is forcibly disengaged from said receiving aperture when said fastener is at least partially loosened without detaching the attachment portion from the respective one of the surfaces wherein the attachment portion is securely fixed by a fastening element to one of the surfaces at a location outside of the receiving aperture, and wherein the fastener is spaced apart from the fastening element along a length of the sealing member. 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising at least one coating on a side of said sealing member opposite the surfaces. 7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said sealing member is at least partially made of a pliable material, such that the seal portion of said sealing member bends relative to the attachment portion of said sealing member. 8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the deformable segment of said sealing member is made of an elastomer sponge material. 9. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the attachment end of said sealing member is made of a material that is less pliable than the seal portion. 10. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the fastening element comprises a rivet extending through the attachment portion of said sealing member and one of the surfaces to fix said sealing member to one of the surfaces. 11. A method of sealing at least two surfaces with a sealing member having an attachment portion and a seal portion, comprising: fixing the attachment portion of the sealing member to one of the surfaces; applying a release material on at least a portion of a side of the sealing member facing the surfaces; following the applying of the release material, positioning a deformable segment carried by the seal portion of the sealing member within a receiving aperture defined by at least one of the surfaces, wherein positioning the deformable segment comprises placing the deformable segment fully within the receiving aperture; installing a fastener in an aligned relationship with a portion of the deformable segment prior to positioning of the deformable segment within the receiving aperture; filling an area in the receiving aperture, between the deformable segment and the surface to which the sealing member is fixed, with a filler, following positioning of the deformable segment within the receiving aperture; and applying a coating on the sealing member and the at least two surfaces such that the coating extends continuously across the sealing member and at least one of the surfaces. 12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising accessing the fastener via an opening defined by the sealing member, wherein accessing the fastener comprises at least partially loosening the fastener and disengaging the deformable segment from the receiving aperture. 13. A method of sealing at least two surfaces with a sealing member having an attachment portion and a seal portion and defining an opening therethrough, comprising: fixing the attachment portion of the sealing member to one of the surfaces; positioning a deformable segment carried by the seal portion of the sealing member within a receiving aperture defined by at least one of the surfaces so as to overlie a fastener, wherein positioning the deformable segment comprises positioning the sealing member such that the fastener is aligned with the opening defined by the sealing member; applying a coating on the sealing member and the at least two surfaces such that the coating extends continuously across the sealing member and at least one of the surfaces, wherein applying the coating comprises defining a splice in the coating coincident with a distal end of the sealing member, thereby separating the coating that is disposed on the sealing member and one of the surfaces from the coating that is disposed on the other surface; and accessing the fastener via the opening defined by the sealing member, wherein accessing the fastener comprises at least partially loosening the fastener and disengaging the deformable segment from the receiving aperture. 14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising installing the fastener in an aligned relationship with a portion of the deformable segment prior to positioning of the deformable segment within the receiving aperture. 15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising applying a release material on at least a portion of a side of the sealing member facing the surfaces prior to positioning the deformable segment within the receiving aperture, to facilitate removal of the sealing member and release of the deformable segment from the receiving aperture. 16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising filling an area in the receiving aperture, between the deformable segment and the surface to which the sealing member is fixed, with a filler, following positioning of the deformable segment within the receiving aperture.