The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 07, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 28, 1997
David Carl Geise, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Formica Technology, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to a single-piece seal member that has a substantially rigid portion and a substantially flexible portion. The substantially flexible portion extends from and is connected to the substantially rigid portion in a substantially seamless manner. The substantially flexible portion has a durometer reading less than that of the substantially rigid portion. The substantially rigid portion has a mounting configuration that can comprise an engaging mechanism. The engaging mechanism has a web element, and a first flange and a second flange extending from the web element. The first and second flanges are spaced apart from each other so as to engage a surface of a base structure such as along the deck of a bathtub or a shower base structure. A gripping arrangement is formed when at least one of the first and second flanges is angled relative to the other. In order to engage an angled edge of a base structure, the first and second flanges can have a mitered joint. Further, the present invention is directed to method of forming a secondary seal comprising the steps of fabricating a single-piece seal member, engaging the engaging mechanism onto an edge of a base structure, positioning the seal member against a wall frame, and fastening the substantially flexible portion of the seal member to the wall frame.