Adjustable seal

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12338046-B2
Application number	US-202318295593-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 4, 2023
Priority date	Apr 4, 2023
Publication date	Jun 24, 2025
Grant date	Jun 24, 2025

Abstract

In some implementations, an adjustable seal includes a multi-layer strap having a first end and a second end. A first layer of the multi-layer strap comprises a non-sealing material. A second layer of the multi-layer strap comprises a sealing material. The first end of the multi-layer strap includes a locking mechanism on the first layer of the multi-layer strap. The second end of the multi-layer strap is configured to be inserted through an opening of the locking mechanism to cause the multi-layer strap to form a loop that is to provide a seal. The first layer of the multi-layer strap is to form an external layer of the loop and the second layer of the multi-layer strap is to form an internal layer of the loop.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable seal, comprising:
a multi-layer strap having a first end and a second end, wherein:
a first layer of the multi-layer strap comprises a non-sealing material;
a second layer of the multi-layer strap comprises a sealing material;
the first end of the multi-layer strap includes a locking mechanism on the first layer of the multi-layer strap and a lip extending from an input side of an opening of the locking mechanism; and
the second end of the multi-layer strap is configured to be inserted through the opening of the locking mechanism to cause the multi-layer strap to form a loop that is to provide a seal,
wherein the lip is configured to contact a first portion of the second layer of the multi-layer strap when the second end of the multi-layer strap is inserted through the opening of the locking mechanism to cause the multi-layer strap to form the loop, and
wherein the first layer of the multi-layer strap is to form an external layer of the loop and the second layer of the multi-layer strap is to form an internal layer of the loop.

2. The adjustable seal of claim 1 , wherein the internal layer of the loop is configured to surround an object.

3. The adjustable seal of claim 1 , wherein:
a portion of the first layer of the multi-layer strap includes one or more engagement components; and
the locking mechanism includes a locking component that is configured to engage with the one or more engagement components.

4. The adjustable seal of claim 3 , wherein the locking mechanism is configured to prevent loosening of the loop when the second end of the multi-layer strap is inserted through the opening of the locking mechanism and the locking component is engaged with at least one engagement component of the one or more engagement components.

5. The adjustable seal of claim 1 , wherein the lip comprises the sealing material.

6. The adjustable seal of claim 1 , wherein:
a first section of the multi-layer strap includes a first portion of the first layer of the multi-layer strap disposed on the first portion of the second layer of the multi-layer strap;
a second section of the multi-layer strap includes a second portion of the first layer of the multi-layer strap disposed on a second portion of the second layer of the multi-layer strap; and
a third section of the multi-layer strap includes a third portion of the second layer of the multi-layer strap, upon which no portion of the first layer of the multi-layer strap is disposed,
wherein the third section is disposed between the first section and the second section along a length of the multi-layer strap.

7. The adjustable seal of claim 1 , wherein the non-sealing material includes at least one of:
nylon,
polypropylene,
polyester,
or metal.

8. The adjustable seal of claim 1 , wherein the sealing material includes at least one of:
natural rubber,
silicone rubber,
neoprene rubber,
nitrile rubber,
fluorocarbon rubber,
or polyurethane.

9. An adjustable seal, comprising:
a strap having a first end and a second end, wherein:
a first layer of the strap comprises a non-sealing material;
a second layer of the strap comprises a sealing material;
the first end of the strap includes a locking mechanism on the first layer of the strap and a lip on the first layer of the strap, wherein the lip extends from an input side of an opening of the locking mechanism; and
the second end of the strap is configured to be inserted through the opening of the locking mechanism to cause the strap to form a loop that is to provide a seal,
wherein the lip is configured to contact a first portion of the second layer of the strap when the second end of the strap is inserted through the opening of the locking mechanism to cause the strap to form the loop.

10. The adjustable seal of claim 9 , wherein the first layer of the strap is to form an external layer of the loop and the second layer of the strap is to form an internal layer of the loop.

11. The adjustable seal of claim 9 , wherein the opening of the locking mechanism is aligned with the first layer of the strap at the opening of the locking mechanism.

12. The adjustable seal of claim 9 , wherein:
a portion of the first layer of the strap includes one or more engagement components; and
the locking mechanism includes a locking component that is configured to engage with the one or more engagement components.

13. The adjustable seal of claim 12 , wherein the first layer of the strap includes an indicator that indicates that the locking component is to engage with at least one engagement component of the one or more engagement components.

14. The adjustable seal of claim 9 , wherein a cross-section of the second layer of the strap is at least one of:
circular,
oval,
rectangular, or
polygonal.

15. The adjustable seal of claim 9 , wherein the second layer of the strap includes an indicator that indicates a position along the second layer of the strap at which a second portion of the second layer of the strap is to be removed to facilitate insertion of the second end of the strap through the opening of the locking mechanism to cause the strap to form the loop.

16. An adjustable seal, comprising:
a strap having a first end and a second end, wherein:
a first layer of the strap comprises a non-sealing material;
a second layer of the strap comprises a sealing material;
the first end of the strap includes a locking mechanism and a lip extending from an input side of an opening of the locking mechanism; and
wherein the lip is configured to contact a first portion of the second layer of the strap when the second end of the strap is inserted through the opening of the locking mechanism to cause the strap to form a loop.

17. The adjustable seal of claim 16 , wherein the second layer of the strap forms an internal layer of the loop when the second end of the strap is inserted through the opening of the locking mechanism.

18. The adjustable seal of claim 16 , wherein:
a portion of the first layer of the strap includes one or more engagement components; and
the locking mechanism includes a locking component that is configured to engage with the one or more engagement components.

19. The adjustable seal of claim 16 , wherein the opening of the locking mechanism is aligned with the first layer of the strap at the opening of the locking mechanism.

20. The adjustable seal of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a second non-sealing material that is a same or different material than the non-sealing material of the first layer of the multi-layer strap.

Assignees

• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• Thompson Mark W

Classifications

• B65D2563/101

  Details of non-metallic straps, tapes or bands · CPC title

• F16J15/061

  with positioning means (F16J15/0831 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16J3/042

  Fastening details · CPC title

• B65D2563/107

  having a release mechanism, e.g. reusable bundling straps · CPC title

• B65D63/1063 Primary

  the female locking member being provided with at least one plastic barb · CPC title