Sealing device ensuring lateral tightness of a weir gate

In a sealing device for insuring the closure of a weir gate with respect to lock walls disposed on each side of the weir gate and wherein the weir gate includes a leading face and opposite side faces which are in opposing relationship to the lock walls and wherein the sealing device includes lip members which extend along each of the opposing side faces of the weir gate and extend outwardly therefrom toward the lock walls and wherein an arcuate rib member extends from each of the lip members forwardly thereof so that the leading surface of each arcuate rib is adjacent the leading face of the weir gate, the improvement comprising, an arcuate chamber recessed within each of the lock walls, said arcuate chambers being defined by arcuate peripheral side walls, each of said arcuate ribs having outer portions extending laterally outwardly from the leading surface of the weir gate so as to be partially seated within said chambers and in abutting engagement with said peripheral side walls of said chambers, whereby, said arcuate ribs may expand and contract within said chambers due to temperatures changes while remaining in abutting engagement against said peripheral side walls of said chambers.