FR2521608A1 - Flexible seal for e.g. concrete road surfaces - carries clip on lower end which prevents withdrawal - Google Patents

Abstract

A flexible seal esp. for the gap between adjacent concrete blocks e.g. in a road surface has an upper part which is hollow and slightly wider than the maximum width of the gap. The upper part has a central core (3) which extends into a wider intermediate section and an enlarged lower part (9) containing a central channel (10). The upper part carries ridges (5) which seal against the edges of the concrete blocks whilst the lower part (9) locates into a resilient clip (11) which compresses on installation so that its ends (13) bite into the edges of the concrete blocks to prevent withdrawal.

Description

 The present invention relates to a sealing device intended to be introduced into a slot, groove or the like, - for example on motorways or aerodromes, - between two rigid walls, the width of said slot, groove or the like being able to vary slightly with respect to a normal average value, as well as the method of sealing a slit, groove or the like by the introduction of the aforementioned sealing device.

 Devices are already known for sealing a slot or the like, in particular the sealing device deerit in the patent application 81 070 83 filed in FRANCE on April 8, 1981 by the applicant and which relates more particularly to a sealing device intended for be introduced into a slit, groove or the like, between two nigid walls, the width of said slit, groove or the like, which may vary slightly from a normal average value, characterized in that it comprises a flexible and elastic element having a languor greater than that of the maximum possible value of said slot, groove or the like to be sealed, and being provided with a longitudinal central core over its entire length extending towards the engineer of the slot, grooved or the like, this core being provided at its lower end with a widening; a stiffening system being provided over the entire length of said widening, said stiffening system being linked directly or indirectly to at least one spring system arranged at least partially continuously over the entire length of the widening of said core, this spring system being compressed for its introduction into the slot, grooved or the like and serving, during its relaxation, at least partially, to firmly hold the said device in the slot, grooved or the like.

 The longitudinal central core of this sealing device has a uniform thickness over its entire height. This causes an irregular deformation of this core, during the introduction of the sealing device into the slot and, possibly, a lateral displacement, in the slot, of the aforementioned widening, having as a result an asymmetrical action of the spring systems. .

 In addition, sealing devices of this kind are either torn off by the suction exerted on the joint by the suction due to the action of the valleys passing at an often considerable speed above these devices, on aerodromes. , not example, - either expelled due to the pressure of the water which could accumulate under the said devices and mount in the slots. We can then find these devices, in general, with their naidisseurs and metal springs on the traffic lanes, which constitutes a traffic danger.

 The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks.

 Consequently, the present invention relates to a sealing device intended to be introduced into a slot, groove or the like, between two rigid walls, the width of said slot, groove or the like being able to vary slightly from a normal average value; said device comprises a flexible and elastic element whose upper part, partially hollow, has a width greater than that of the maximum possible value of said slot, groove or the like to be sealed and which is provided with a longitudinal central core; this core continuing alone and ending in a widening which constitutes the lower part of said flexible and elastic element, characterized in that, in combination, said sealing device comprises at least one stiffening system disposed at least partially on said widening of said core , this stiffening system being linked to at least one spring system which are tightened or compressed, during the introduction of the device into the slot and which serve, during their relaxation, at least partially, to maintain said device in the slot, bleeding or the like; in that, before the introduction of the sealing device into the slit, grooved or the like, the upper part of the flexible and elastic element comprises at least one passage (channel) extending from each side of the central core over the entire length of the device, these passages (channels) being delimited on each side of said element by a longitudinal side wall provided on its outer face with projections so that fine longitudinal grooves or grooves are formed on the outer faces of said walls ; the lower walls as well as the upper walls of this upper part of the flexible and elastic element being inclined in the direction of the central core; in that the lower part of said flexible and elastic element comprises a central core which is the extension of the central core of the above-mentioned upper part, and the thickness of which is clearly greater than the thickness of the central core of the the top part ; in that the central core of the lower part ends in a widening which is provided with a central passage (channel) extending over the entire length of the device; in that means are provided for firmly holding the stiffener system (s) and the system (s) in place; the section of the flexible element being substantially constant over the entire length of the device.

 The device is further characterized in that the expansion has a substantially circular section whose outside diameter is greater than the thickness of the central core of the lower part of the flexible element, the central passage (channel) of this widening also having a circular section whose diameter is chosen so as to allow the flattening of said widening to facilitate its passage through a narrowing of the stiffening system held in the slot by the spring system, when a stress is exerted on the flexible element of the device.

 The diameter of the canal is at least a third of the diameter of the enlargement.

 Another characteristic of the device according to the invention consists in that the spring system is an integral part of the stiffening system, these two systems being produced in the form of a fastener comprising the naidisseur part, on the one hand, which surrounds said said widening and whose walls are inclined at their top so that the width of the opening thus created knows at least equal to the thickness of the central core of the lower part of the flexible element and, on the other part, of two wings, each of which is inclined upwards of the device on each side of this fastener.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the aforementioned means for holding the fasteners are provided in the form of continuous swellings which are found at very short distance above the widening of the central core of the lower part of the device. sealing, the section of these bulges being triangular, so that a notch is created on each of the side walls of the aforementioned central core, in which is housed the junction between the fastener and the wings.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the above-mentioned upper walls end laterally with borders, so that the total width of said walls and their borders is greater than the width of the upper part of the flexible element of the sealing device.

 Other advantages and characteristics will emerge from the following text, given by way of example, and from the figures relating thereto.

 Figure 1 shows, in section, a sealing device according to the invention before its introduction into a slot, groove or the like, which is indicated in the drawing in broken lines.

 Figure 2 shows, in section, a sealing device according to the invention after its introduction into a slot, groove or the like.

 The sealing device (D) shown in figuse 1 comprises an element (1) made of a waterproof, flexible and elastic material, such as natural or synthetic rubber or any other flexible, elastic and waterproof synthetic material, and an element produced in the form of a stiffening and spring clip (11) which is mounted on the lower end (the one which is arranged most deeply in the slot (f)) of said element (1). the element (1) consists of an upper part (11) whose width is greater than a maximum width (a) of the slot (F). This upper part (11) comprises upper walls (6, 61) provided at their free ends edges (16, 161) which are produced in the form of projections having a substantially conical section; said walls (6, 61) and the bungs (16, 161) together have the maximum width of the device (D) and extend over its entire length.

dont l'angle

est entre 100 - 150 avant l'introduction dudit dispositif (D) dans la fente (F). Sensiblement parallèlement auxdites parois supérieures (6,61), à la limite inférieure de la partie supérieure (11) de l'élément souple (1), des parois inférieures (8,81) sont disposées qui sont également inclinées vers l'âme centrale (3) de la partie supérieure (11) précitée et l'âme centrale (31) de la partie inférieure (12) de l'élément souple (1), l'âme (31) étant la prolongation de l'âme centrale (3) - lesdites âmes (3) (31) étant dans l'axe vertical

dudit dispositif (D).Au moins
une palse de parois intereédiaires (7, 71) peut ètre prévue, ces parois
(7, 71) étant sersiblement parallèles aux parois (6, 61) et (8, 81) et
étant disposées à distances sensiblement égales entre lesdites parais supé
rieures (6, 61) et lesdites parois inférieures (8, 81) de façon à ce que
des passages (ou canaux) (2, 21, 22, 23) soient formés qui s'étendent sur
toute la longueur du dispositif (D). Latéralement, ces passages (2, 21,
22, 23 ) sont limités à l'intérieur par l'âme (3) et à l'extérieur par
des parais (4, 41) qui s'étendent également sur toute la longueur du disposi
tif (D). Les faces extérieures desdites parois (4, 41) montrent des projections (5, 51) qui permettent un excellent accrochage de l'élément (1) aux
parois de la fente (F) lorsque le dispositif (D) est mis en place lvoir
fig. 2).La section de ces projections (5, 51) est, par exemple, sensible
ment triangulaire (voir figure 1), les côtés des triangles nrctangles dirigés
vers le haut étant, par exemple, horizontalement disposés. Il est, toutefois, ,
dans le cadre de l'invention de réaliser des projections (5, 51) ayant des
sections autres que triangulaires. Ces projections (5, 51) s'étendent sur
toute la longueur des parois (4, 41) et done du dispositif (D). L'âme
centrale (30 de la partie supêrieure (11) de l'élément (1) ayant une épais
seur (e) se prolonge vers le bas (sur le dessin) pour constituer une âme
centrale (31) ayant une épaisseur (e1), (e1) étant nécessairement plus
grand que (e). En pratique, (e1) = 1.5 à 2,5 (e), fonction des servi ces demandés au dispositif (D). L'àme centrale (31) pait partie de la partie (12) inférieure (sur le dessin) de l'élément (1).Elle se termine par un élargissement (9) dont la section est, par exemple, circulaire ; le0diamètre (d) de l'élargissement (9) est, de préférence, si[àroeir à l'épaisseur (e1) de l'dme centrale (31). Cet élargissement (9) est nécessairement pourvu d'un canal (ou passage) central (10) qul peut également étre circulaire. Le diamètre de ce canal (voir fig. 1) est de 0,25 à 0,40 du diamètre (d) de l'élargissement (9) précité. Directement au-dessus de l'élargissement (9), l'dme centrale (31) est pourvue des renflements (14, 141) qui s'étendent sur toute la longueur de chaque côté de l'âme (31) et donc du dispositif (D). La section de ce renflement (14, 141) est conique, la largeur totale : âme (31) + renflements (14, 141) étant égale à (e2), où (e2) est égale à 1,25 à 1,55 fois (e1) environ.Une encoche est créée entre lesdits renflements (14, 141) et l'élargissement (9) dans laquelle est logée la jonction entre la partie raidisseur (12) et les ressorts néalisés sous farme d'ailes (13, 131) d'une attache (11). Ces ailes (13, 131) s'écartent en

vers le haut (dans le dessin). La partle raidisseur (12) entoure l'élargissement (9) et se rétrécit à sa partie supérieure (dans le dessin) pour avoir une largeur (l) eu moins sensiblement égale à l'épaisseur (e1) de l'âme centrale (31). L'attache (11) n'est pas continue sur toute la longueur du dispositif (D), mais a une longueur en fonction des dimensions générales de ce dispositif (D). En général, au moins trois attaches (11) sont disposées à des distances sensiblement égales sur une longueur de lml du dispositif (D).Les ailes (13, 131) ont, en génénal, la méme longueur que la partie naidisseur (12) de l'attache (11).the walls (6, 6,) are inclined towards a central core (3) arranged vertically, so as to form a

whose angle

is between 100 - 150 before the introduction of said device (D) into the slot (F). Substantially parallel to said upper walls (6,61), at the lower limit of the upper part (11) of the flexible element (1), lower walls (8,81) are arranged which are also inclined towards the central core (3) of the above-mentioned upper part (11) and the central core (31) of the lower part (12) of the flexible element (1), the core (31) being an extension of the central core ( 3) - said cores (3) (31) being in the vertical axis

of said device (D). At least
a palse of intermediate walls (7, 71) can be provided, these walls
(7, 71) being substantially parallel to the walls (6, 61) and (8, 81) and
being arranged at substantially equal distances between said screens
rieures (6, 61) and said lower walls (8, 81) so that
passages (or channels) (2, 21, 22, 23) are formed which extend over
the entire length of the device (D). Laterally, these passages (2, 21,
22, 23) are limited inside by the core (3) and outside by
partitions (4, 41) which also extend over the entire length of the device
tif (D). The outer faces of said walls (4, 41) show projections (5, 51) which allow excellent attachment of the element (1) to
walls of the slot (F) when the device (D) is in place see
fig. 2) .The section of these projections (5, 51) is, for example, sensitive
triangular (see figure 1), the sides of the triangles nrctangles directed
upwards being, for example, horizontally arranged. It is, however,
in the context of the invention to produce projections (5, 51) having
sections other than triangular. These projections (5, 51) extend over
the entire length of the walls (4, 41) and therefore of the device (D). Blade
central (30 of the upper part (11) of the element (1) having a thick
sister extends downward (in the drawing) to form a soul
central (31) having a thickness (e1), (e1) being necessarily more
great that (e). In practice, (e1) = 1.5 to 2.5 (e), depending on the services requested from the device (D). The central core (31) pays part of the lower part (12) (in the drawing) of the element (1). It ends with an enlargement (9) whose section is, for example, circular; the diameter (d) of the enlargement (9) is, preferably, if [to be reduced to the thickness (e1) of the central dme (31). This enlargement (9) is necessarily provided with a central channel (or passage) (10) which can also be circular. The diameter of this channel (see fig. 1) is 0.25 to 0.40 of the diameter (d) of the above-mentioned enlargement (9). Directly above the widening (9), the central dome (31) is provided with bulges (14, 141) which extend over the entire length of each side of the core (31) and therefore of the device (D). The section of this bulge (14, 141) is conical, the total width: core (31) + bulges (14, 141) being equal to (e2), where (e2) is equal to 1.25 to 1.55 times (e1) approximately. A notch is created between said bulges (14, 141) and the enlargement (9) in which is housed the junction between the stiffener part (12) and the springs produced under a wing strip (13, 131 ) a fastener (11). These wings (13, 131) move apart in

up (in the drawing). The stiffener part (12) surrounds the widening (9) and narrows at its upper part (in the drawing) so as to have a width (l) that is less substantially equal to the thickness (e1) of the central core (31 ). The fastener (11) is not continuous over the entire length of the device (D), but has a length as a function of the general dimensions of this device (D). In general, at least three fasteners (11) are disposed at substantially equal distances over a length of lml of the device (D). The wings (13, 131) are generally the same length as the naidisseur part (12) of the clip (11).

c'st-à-dire que chaque moitié du dispositif (D) occupe une moitié de la fente (F) ayant une largeur de (a/2).Figure 2 shows the sealing device (D) inserted into a slot F whose width (a) is less than the width of the upper part (11) of the flexible element (1) before its introduction into the slot. It can be seen in FIG. 2 that said upper part (11) is compressed. that the projections (5, 51) widen so that they are well attached to the walls of the slot (F); the core (3) thickens without letting it be deformed so that the position of the device (D) is modified relative to the vertical axis

that is to say that each half of the device (D) occupies one half of the slot (F) having a width of (a / 2).

The device (D) therefore remains, in all circumstances, perfectly straight in the slot (F). The central core (31) of the lower part (12) of the element (1) has shortened and thickened considerably. The widening (9) and part of the core (31) are deformed and fill almost all of the space delimited by the stiffening part (12) of the fastener (11).

The wings (13, 131) have tilted upwards (in the drawing) and each bear firmly against the walls of the slot (F). The bulges (14, 141) are applied firmly against the aforementioned wings (13, 131) and therefore exert a force on the latter so that the wings (13,131) are applied more strongly against the walls of the slot (F) for securely holding the device (D). Note that neither the position nor the configuration of the channel (10) has changed. The function of this channel (10) is as follows: when the device (D) is stressed very strongly from above, for example, by suction (passage of the wheels of an airplane, for example, on the slot (F)) or even from below by the push of the water which can, in certain cases, go up in the slot, only the element (1) is expelled from the slot (F), while the fastener (11) remains hooked in the slot; the presence of this element (1) made of a flexible material on a taxiway (road, aerodrome) presents practically no danger, either for vehicles or for passers-by.

In fact, the widening (9), when the device (D) is heavily stressed, flattens thanks to the presence of the channel (10) which then takes an oblong shape in the vertical direction, which allows this widening ( 9) to escape from the stiffening part (12) of the fastener (11), the latter being in the slot (F). It is also noted that the borders (16, 161) are applied to the inclined planes (E1, E2) of the walls (P1, P2) of the slot (F); this arrangement prevents dust, sand and the like from entering between the element (1) and the walls of the slot (F).

 For example, in a device (D), before its introduction into a slot, the total height of the element (1) is 28 mm and its width 16.2 mm (including the two edges (16, 161) of 0.6 mm each); it can be used to seal slots with a width (a) ranging from 8 mm to 14mm. The central core (3) has a thickness of 2 mm, the central core (31) has a thickness of 4 mm, the thickness of each bulge (14 or 141) is approximately 0.5 mm, the widening ( 9) has a diameter of 6 mm and the channel (10) has a diameter of approximately 2 mm.

The fastener (11) is in one piece, made of stainless steel, and comprises the naidisseur part (12) and the spring part (13, 131); its length is 10 mm.

 The sealing device according to the invention makes it possible to provide a perfect solution for the filling of expansion joints and of net bending of aerodrome runways and concrete roads, for example. Sealing, even against dust, is ensured. Its operation guarantees total security, even in the case of tearing under excessive stress, because only the flexible element is ejected from the slot.

The device can be installed in all weathers, just after sawing the slots, if necessary. The device is also suitable for the repair of old seals.

 Many modifications and improvements can be made to the sealing device according to the invention without going beyond the ambit of the invention.

Claims (7)

 1.) - Sealing device intended to be introduced into a slot,  groove or the like, between two rigid walls, the width of said  slit, groove or the like which may vary slightly from a  normal mean value; said device comprises a flexible element and  elastic whose upper part, partially hollow, has a width  greater than that of the maximum possible value of said slot, bleeding  or similar to be sealed and which is provided with a central core longi  tudinal; this soul continuing alone and ending in a widening  ment which constitutes the lower part of said flexible and elastic element,  characterized in that, in combination, said sealing device com  takes at least one stiffening system arranged at least partially on  said enlargement of said soul, this naidisseur system being linked to the  minus a spring system that is tight or compressed, during intro  duction of the device in the slot and which serve, during their relaxation,  at least partial, to maintain said device in the slot, grooved  or similar; in that, before the introduction of the sealing device  (D) in the slit, groove or the like, the upper part (11) of  the flexible and elastic element (1) compost at least one passage (channel)  (2, 21, 22, 23) extending on each side of the central core (3) on  the entire length of the dispostitif, these passages (channels) being delimited  on each side of said element, by a longitudinal side wall (4, 4,)  provided on its outer face with projections (5, 51) so that fine grooves or longitudinal grooves are formed on the  outer faces of said walls; the lower walls (8, 81) as well  that the upper walls (6, 61) of this upper pad (11) of  the flexible and elastic element (1) being inclined towards the core  central (3); in that the lower part (12) of said element (1)  flexible and elastic compost a central core (31) which is the extension  of the central core (3) of the precluded upper part, and whose thick  sor (e1) is significantly larger than the thickness (e) of the central core  (3) from the top; in that the central core (31) of the part  lower (12) ends with a widening (9) which is provided with a  central passage (channel) (10) extending over the entire length of the dis  positive (D); in that means are provided for firmly holding  the stiffener system (s) and the spring system (s);  the section of the flexible element (1) being substantially constant throughout  the length of the device.  2.) - Device according to claim l, characterized in that the elar  sliding (9) has a substantially circular section whose outside diameter is greater than the thickness of the central core (31) of the lower part (12) of the flexible element (1), the central passage (channel) (10) of this enlargement also having a circular section whose diameter is chosen so as to allow the flattening of said enlargement (9) to facilitate its passage through a narrowing of the stiffening system retained in the slot by the spring system when a stress is exerted on the flexible element (1) of the device (D). 3.) - Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the diameter of the channel (10) is at least one third of the diameter of the enlargement (9). 4.) - Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring system is an integral part of the stiffening system, these two systems being produced in the form of a fastener (11) comprising the naidisseur part (12) , on the one hand, which surrounds said widening (9) and whose walls are inclined at the top so that the width (l) of the opening thus created is at least equal to the thickness of the core central (31) of the lower part (12) of the flexible element (1) and, on the other hand, of two wings (13, 131), each of which is inclined towards the top of the device (D) on each side of this fastener (11). 5.) - Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned means for holding the fasteners (11) are provided in the form of continuous bulges (14, 141) which are located very short distance above the enlargement (9) of the central core of the lower part (12) of the sealing device (D), the section of these bulges being triangular, so that a notch is created on each of the walls (15, 151) lateral of the aforementioned central dme (31), in which is housed the junction between the fastener (11) and the wings (13, 131). 6.) - Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the above-mentioned upper walls (6, 61) end laterally by edges (16, 161), so that the total width of said walls (15 , 151) and their edges is greater than the width of the upper part (11) of the flexible element (1) of the sealing device (D). 7.) - Method for sealing a slot, groove or the like, characterized in that a sealing device (D) as described in claims 1 to 6 is introduced into said slot, groove or the like.