US 4,901,395 A · Self-sealing heat activated grommet

Abstract

According to the present invention an elastomeric grommet includes an axial extending central tubular portion of diameter less than the diameter of the compartment wall opening. A flange portion is integral with the central tubular portion and has a diameter greater than the diameter of the compartment wall opening to limit the extent of insertion of the tubular portion into the compartment wall opening. A retention means, such as a flexible annular lip, is integral with the central tubular portion in axial spaced relation from the flange portion and has a free state dimension which is greater than the diameter of the central tubular portion. The integral retention device is yieldable to permit its insertion and the insertion of the tubular central portion through the compartment wall opening and then returns to its free state condition to retain the grommet in loose fitting relation with the compartment wall. An annular ring of heat expanding material is carried by the grommet and expands in response to the occurrence of a predetermined temperature condition to fill the space between the grommet and the compartment wall and thereby seal the compartment wall opening.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A grommet of the type for mounting in an opening in a compartment wall and including an elastomeric body having a passage therethrough for passing an elongated member through the compartment wall, such grommet comprising:

an axially extending central tubular portion of diameter less than the diameter of the compartment wall opening;
a flange portion integral with the central tubular portion and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the compartment wall opening to limit the extent of insertion of the central tubular portion into the compartment wall opening;
a retention means integral with the central tubular portion in axial spaced relation from the flange portion, said retention means having a free state dimension greater than the diameter of the central tubular portion and being yieldable to permit insertion of the tubular portion through the compartment wall opening and then returning to the free state condition to retain the grommet in loose fitting relation with the compartment wall;
and an annular ring of heat expandable material carried by the grommet, said annular ring expanding in response to occurrence of predetermined heat condition to fill the space between the grommet and the compartment wall and thereby seal the compartment wall opening.

1 more element

A grommet of the type for mounting in an opening in a compartment wall and including an elastomeric body having a passage there through for passing an elongated member through the compartment wall, such grommet comprising:

an axially extending central tubular portion of diameter less than the diameter of the compartment wall opening;
means associated with the central tubular portion and effective upon insertion of the central tubular portion of the grommet into the compartment wall opening to loose fittingly and unsealingly retain the grommet in the compartment wall opening;
and an annular ring of heat expandable material carried by the grommet, said annular ring expanding in response to occurrence of predetermined heat condition to fill the spaced between the grommet and the compartment wall and thereby tight fittingly seal the compartment wall opening.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self-sealing heat activated grommet

Life of this patent

Self-sealing heat activated grommet

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims5