A gap seal element adapted to be arranged in a gap, a kit of parts for forming a gap seal adapted to be arranged in a gap and a method for assembling the kit of parts

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a gap seal element adapted to be arranged in a gap, the gap seal element extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end thereof, and comprising: a magnetic carrier strip extending along the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end and having a flat bottom side for attaching the gap seal element to a surface; and a sealing member extending along the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, protruding out from a top side of the magnetic carrier strip and being reversibly deformable; wherein the sealing member comprises a protective barrier member extending along the sealing member, the protective barrier member comprising a flexible wire mesh. The disclosure further relates to a kit of parts for forming a gap seal and a method for assembling the kit of parts.

Description

[0001] A gap seal element adapted to be arranged in a gap, a kit of parts for forming a gap seal adapted to be arranged in a gap and a method for assembling the kit of parts

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to gap seals. In general, a gap seal element adapted to be arranged in a gap, a kit of parts for forming a gap seal adapted to be arranged in a gap and a method for assembling the kit of parts are disclosed. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a gap seal element adapted to be arranged in a gap, a kit of parts for forming a gap seal adapted to be arranged in a gap and a method for assembling the kit of parts as defined in the introductory parts of the independent claims.

[0004] Background art

[0005] Gap seals are used to seal gaps between two adjacent surfaces. The gap seals are generally used within various industries such as construction, automotive, and manufacturing where maintaining a proper sealing may be crucial. A purpose of a gap seal is to prevent the passage of fluids, gases, or other materials through a gap between two surfaces. The presence of a gap seal may prevent or at least mitigate leakage or fluid transfer, for instance water damage due to rain, and the ingress of dust or debris. The gap seals may further reduce heat losses caused by a gap between two surfaces. By way of example, the gap seal may reduce energy transfer and thereby maintain desired temperatures, for example by reducing heat exchange between interior and exterior environments.

[0006] As an example, gap seals may be used to seal gaps associated with loading dock levelers. The loading dock levelers, may, however, have large dimensions, e.g. several meters, making it challenging to mount the gap seals to provide efficient sealing. To this end, a gap seal strip that is magnetic was launched and disclosed in the patent application EP2986544B1. One purpose of that gap seal was to make the mounting of seals for the gap around a loading dock leveler easier. This was achieved by the efficient magnetic mounting.

[0007] A further function of the gap seal is to prevent rodents and other pest to pass through gaps between surface. By way of example, the gap seal should create a pest resilient barrier around the sides and rear hinge of the dock leveler. To this end, the gap seal should prevent pests, e.g. rodents, and contaminants associated therewith from entering into a facility or building, thereby ensuring compliance with safety and hygiene standards in, for example, food manufacturing and warehousing facilities.

[0008] However, rodents and other pests may inflict damage to the gap seal so that they in the end may penetrate the gap seal. There is thus a need for stronger and more robust gap seals that can prevent rodents and other pest to pass through gaps, for instance around a loading dock leveler for trucks, while still providing efficient sealing of a gap.

[0009] Summary

[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art and solve at least the above-mentioned problem.

[0011] According to a first aspect there is provided a gap seal element adapted to be arranged in a gap, the gap seal element extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end thereof, and comprising: a magnetic carrier strip extending along the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end and having a flat bottom side for attaching the gap seal element to a surface; and a sealing member extending along the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, protruding out from a top side of the magnetic carrier strip and being reversibly deformable; wherein the sealing member comprises a protective barrier member extending along the sealing member, the protective barrier member comprising a flexible wire mesh.

[0012] An advantage may be that the protective barrier member reinforces the sealing member. A more efficient physical barrier for pests may thereby be provided while providing efficient sealing of the gap. A more resilient gap seal element may further be provided. Another advantage may be that the gap seal element is easy to attach to a surface. The flexible wire mesh may allow for a physical barrier that is durable and resistant to chewing or gnawing by pests such as rodents. A non-toxic structure for pest control, avoiding the use of chemicals or pesticides may, moreover, be provided by the gap seal element.

[0013] The sealing member may be understood as being flexible. The sealing member may be arranged to conform to irregularities in the surfaces that are to be sealed. The sealing member may ensure a tight seal between two surfaces. The sealing member may comprise or be made of rubber, silicone, or other elastomeric materials. The sealing member may be compressible. The protective barrier member may be in the form of a layer structure.

[0014] An elastomeric material layer may be arranged such that it is on an outside of the protective barrier layer.

[0015] The protective barrier member may be understood to conform to changes in the shape of the sealing member such as bending and / or compressions of to the sealing member.

[0016] The flexible wire mesh may be understood to be bent, twisted, and / or deformed without breaking. Put differently, the flexible wire mesh may retain its structural integrity while offering adaptability to different shapes and contours. The flexible wire meshes may comprise various weave patterns.

[0017] The flexible wire mesh may be formed by a plurality of wires. The wire mesh may have different geometries. The wire mesh may, by way of example, be a plain weave wire mesh, a crimped woven wire mesh, a hexagonal wire mesh, a welded wire mesh.

[0018] The wires being formed by stainless steel.

[0019] The protective barrier member may be formed by the flexible wire mesh.

[0020] The protective barrier member may be formed solely by the flexible wire mesh.

[0021] The sealing member may be formed as a single sheet with a single closed surface extending along the longitudinal axis a. The sealing member may extend between the first end and the second end. The sealing member may form a hollow two-layered sealing.

[0022] The flexible wire mesh may be arranged inside the hollow two-layered sealing. The flexible wire mesh may be attached inside the sealing member by glue and / or stitching. The flexible wire mesh may be arranged to have a size such that it is held in place inside a hollow gap sealing member. The flexible wire mesh may be clamped in place by the inner surfaces of the sealing member forming the channel within the sealing member.

[0023] The surface may be a surface that may be magnetized. The surface may be understood to be a surface to which a magnet may be magnetically attached. Put differently, the magnetic carrier strip may be arranged to attach a gap seal element to a surface being arranged to magnetically connect with the magnetic carrier strip. The surface may comprise one or more layers. The surface may, by way of example, comprise a surface layer and a supporting layer. The surface layer and / or the supporting layer may be arranged to form a magnetic connection with the magnetic carrier strip. The magnetic carrier strip may be understood to exhibit magnetic properties. The magnetic carrier strip may comprise a magnetic metal or metal alloy.

[0024] The surface may comprise a material which can be magnetized. The surface may be of or comprise a metal or an alloy thereof. The surface may by way of example be an iron or steel surface. Alternatively, or in combination, the surface may have magnetic coating applied to it. The surface may be a ferro- or ferrimagnetic metallic surface. The surface may in some examples be referred to as a magnetic surface.

[0025] According to some examples, the sealing member has a U-shape or an Q-shape.

[0026] An advantage may be that the sealing member may provide a larger sealing contact area compared to other seal profiles. This increased contact area may enhance the sealing. The sealing member may thereby increase effectiveness of the seal by reducing the risk of leaks and mitigating passage through the gap.

[0027] The sealing member may provide effective sealing in both directions. The sealing member may provide a sealing which may maintain its effectiveness also in dynamic applications where the direction of flow or passage through the gap may vary.

[0028] According to some examples, the sealing member is made from a laminate, the laminate comprises an elastomeric material layer and the protective barrier member.

[0029] The protective barrier member may be in the form of a layer in the laminate.

[0030] The elastomeric material layer may be arranged such that it is on an outer surface of the protective barrier member. The laminate may comprise rubber or silicone. The elastomeric material layer may be arranged to cover the protective barrier material.

[0031] According to some examples, the sealing member is made of an elastomeric material having the protective barrier member embedded therein. The elastomeric material may be arranged around the protective barrier member.

[0032] According to some examples, the flexible wire mesh comprises wires made of a material selected from a group consisting of stainless steel, galvanized steel, para-aramid, glass fiber, basalt fiber, and carbon fiber.

[0033] According to a second aspect there is provided a kit of parts for forming a gap seal adapted to be arranged in a gap, the kit of parts comprising: a gap seal element extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end thereof; the gap seal element comprising: a magnetic carrier strip extending along the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end and having a flat bottom side for attaching the gap seal element to a surface, and a sealing member extending along the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, protruding out from a top side of the magnetic carrier strip, being reversibly deformable and comprising a channel extending along the sealing member; and a protective barrier member configured to be inserted into the channel along an entire length thereof, the protective barrier member comprising a flexible wire mesh.

[0034] An advantage may be that the disclosed kit of parts is simple to connect at the surface for sealing a gap. A further advantage may be that the protective barrier member may be efficiently inserted into the channel. A post mounting of the protective barrier member may thereby be achieved. A simpler transportation of the kit of parts may be achieved.

[0035] The protective barrier member may be formed by the flexible wire mesh.

[0036] According to some examples, the sealing member has a U-shape or an Q-shape.

[0037] According to some examples, the flexible wire mesh comprises wires made of a material selected from a group consisting of stainless steel, galvanized steel, para-aramid, glass fiber, basalt fiber, and carbon fiber.

[0038] According to some examples, the sealing member is made from an elastomeric material.

[0039] According to some examples, the protective barrier member is in the form of a rectangular wire mesh sheet.

[0040] An advantage may be that the protective barrier member is easy to manufacture.

[0041] According to some examples, the protective barrier member is in the form of a rollable wire mesh sheet.

[0042] An advantage may be that the protective barrier member is easy to transport.

[0043] According to a third aspect there is provided a method for assembling the kit of parts according to the second aspect, the method comprising: attaching the gap seal element to a surface in connection with a gap to be sealed by the kit of parts; and before or after the attaching of the gap seal element to the surface, inserting the protective barrier member into the channel. The protective barrier member may comprise a flexible wire mesh and the inserting may comprise inserting the flexible wire mesh into the channel.

[0044] Effects and features of the second and third aspects are to a large extent analogous to those described above in connection with the first aspect. Examples mentioned in relation to the first aspect are largely compatible with the second and third aspects.

[0045] The present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments of the disclosure by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art understand from guidance in the detailed description that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosure.

[0046] Hence, it is to be understood that the herein disclosed disclosure is not limited to the particular component parts of the device described or steps of the methods described since such device and method may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular examples only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context explicitly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" and similar wordings does not exclude other elements or steps.

[0047] Brief descriptions of the drawings

[0048] The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of examples of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0049] Figures la and lb show a perspective and across-sectional view, respectively, of a gap seal element according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0050] Figures 2a and 2b show a perspective and across-sectional view, respectively, of a gap seal element according to an example of the present disclosure. Figure 3 shows across-sectional view of a gap seal element according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a loading dock with a loading dock leveler having a gap seal element installed on the loading dock leveler.

[0052] Figure 5a and 5b shows a perspective and across-sectional view, respectively, of a kit of parts according to some examples of the present disclosure.

[0053] Figure 6a and 6b shows a perspective and across-sectional view, respectively, of a kit of parts according to some examples of the present disclosure.

[0054] Figure 7 shows schematically a flow chart of a method for assembling the kit of parts according to some examples.

[0055] Detailed description

[0056] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred examples of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the herein disclosed examples. The disclosed examples are provided to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to the skilled person.

[0057] The first aspect of this disclosure shows a gap seal element adapted to be arranged in a gap to form a gap seal. Figure la shows a perspective view of a gap seal element according to an example of the present disclosure. Figure lb shows a cross-sectional view of the gap seal element 1 of Figure la. The gap seal element 1 is adapted to be arranged in a gap to form a gap seal 102. The gap seal element 1 is extending along a longitudinal axis a between a first end 2 and a second end 4 thereof. The gap seal element 1 comprises a magnetic carrier strip 6. The magnetic carrier strip 6 is extending along the longitudinal axis a between the first end 2 and the second end 4. The magnetic carrier strip 6 has a flat bottom side bs for attaching the gap seal element 1 to a surface. The gap seal element 1 further comprises a sealing member 8. The sealing member 8 is extending along the longitudinal axis a between the first end 2 and the second end 4. The sealing member 8 is protruding out from a top side ts of the magnetic carrier strip 6. The sealing member 8 is reversibly deformable. The sealing member 8 is attached to the magnetic strip 6. The attachment may, by way of example, be by glue, stitches or staples. The sealing member 8 may comprise a channel 10. The channel 10 may be a through hole. Put differently, the channel 10 may extend in length along the sealing member 8. The channel 10 may be understood as a through hole along the longitudinal axis, a. Hence, the sealing member 8 may be hollow.

[0058] The sealing member 8 may further comprise a protective barrier member 12 extending along the sealing member 8. The protective barrier member 12 may comprise a flexible wire mesh 13. The protective barrier member 12 is exemplified in Figure la as a rectangular wire mesh sheet 14. The rectangular wire mesh sheet 14 may be reversible deformable. The rectangular wire mesh sheet 14 may be deformable in one or more directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis a. The rectangular flexible wire mesh sheet 14 may be compressible in a direction perpendicular to the top surface ts of the magnetic carrier strip 6. The rectangular flexible wire mesh sheet 14 may be reversible bendable.

[0059] The rectangular wire mesh sheet 14 may comprise the flexible wire mesh 13. The rectangular wire mesh sheet may comprise a frame 15. The frame 15 may be arranged to enclosed the periphery of the flexible wire mesh 13. The frame 15 may be a metallic frame. The frame 15 may provide additional support to the flexible wire mesh 13. The frame 15 may allow for easier handling of the flexible wire mesh. The frame 15 may be a flexible frame.

[0060] The protective barrier member 12 may be formed by the rectangular wire mesh sheet 14.

[0061] The protective member 12 may be formed solely by the rectangular wire mesh sheet 14.

[0062] The protective barrier member 12 may be embedded inside the sealing member 8.

[0063] The sealing member 8 may be formed as a single sheet with a single closed surface extending along the longitudinal axis a. The sealing member 8 may extend between the first end 2 and the second end 4. The sealing member 8 may form a hollow two-layered sealing. The protective barrier member 12 may be arranged inside the hollow two-layered sealing, see for example, Figures la and lb.

[0064] The sealing member 8 may have a U-shape or an Q-shape.

[0065] The flexible wire mesh 13 may comprise wires made of stainless steel. The flexible wire mesh 13 may comprise wires made of galvanized steel. The flexible wire mesh 13 may comprise wires made of a material selected from a group consisting of stainless steel, galvanized steel, para-aramid, glass fiber, basalt fiber, and carbon fiber.

[0066] Figures 2a shows a perspective view of a gap seal element according to another example of the present disclosure. Figure 2b shows a cross-sectional view of the gap seal element 1 of Figure 2a. The gap seal element 1 is adapted to be arranged in a gap to form a gap seal gap seal 102. The gap seal element 1 is extending along a longitudinal axis a between a first end 2 and a second end 4 thereof. The gap seal element 1 comprises a magnetic carrier strip 6 extending along the longitudinal axis a between the first end 2 and the second end 4. The magnetic carrier strip 6 has a flat bottom side bs for attaching the gap seal element 1 to a surface. The gap seal element 1 further comprises a sealing member 8. The sealing member 8 is extending along the longitudinal axis a between the first end 2 and the second end 4. The sealing member 8 is protruding out from a top side ts of the magnetic carrier strip 6. The sealing member 8 is reversibly deformable.

[0067] The sealing member 8 may comprise a channel 10 extending along the sealing member 8. The channel 10 may be understood as a through hole along the longitudinal axis a.

[0068] The sealing member 8 further comprises a protective barrier member 12 extending along the sealing member 8. The protective barrier member 12 is extending in length along the longitudinal axis a. The protective barrier member 12 comprises a flexible wire mesh 13. The protective barrier member 12 is exemplified in Figure 2a as to comprise a rollable wire mesh sheet 16. The rollable wire mesh sheet 16 is exemplified to be bent into a U-shape. The rollable wire mesh sheet 16 may be rolled into other shapes such as oval or circular shapes.

[0069] The rollable wire mesh sheet 16 may be flexible. The rollable wire mesh sheet 16 may be reversible deformable. The rollable wire mesh sheet 16 may be compressible in a direction perpendicular to the top surface ts of the magnetic carrier strip 6. The compression may be reversible. The rollable wire mesh sheet 16 may be reversible bendable.

[0070] The rollable wire mesh sheet 16 may comprise the flexible wire mesh 13.

[0071] The rollable wire mesh sheet may comprise a frame. The frame may be arranged to enclosed the periphery of the rollable wire mesh sheet 16. The frame may be a metallic frame. The frame may provide additional support to the rollable wire mesh sheet 16. The frame may allow for easier handling of the rollable wire mesh sheet 16. The frame may be a flexible frame. The protective barrier member 12 may be formed by rollable wire mesh sheet 16.

[0072] The protective barrier member 12 may be formed solely by rollable wire mesh sheet 16.

[0073] The protective barrier member 12 may be embedded inside the sealing member 8. The protective barrier material 12 may be arranged to follow the contours of the sealing member 8. By way of example, if the sealing member 8 is bent and / or compressed, the protective barrier member may 12 be bent and / or compressed correspondingly.

[0074] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a gap seal element according to a further example of the present disclosure. In Figure 3 it is exemplified that the sealing member 8 may be made from a laminate 11. The laminate 11 may comprise an elastomeric material layer 17 and the protective barrier member 12.

[0075] The protective barrier member 12 may be formed by a layer. The protective barrier member 12may be referred to a protective barrier layer according to some examples. The protective barrier layer may be arranged adjacent to the elastomeric material layer and on a side thereof facing the top side ts of the magnetic carrier strip 6. The layers may form the laminate 11.

[0076] The laminate 11 may comprise another elastomeric material layer 19. The another elastomeric material layer may be adjacent to the protective barrier member 12. The two elastomeric material layers 17, 19 may embed the protective barrier member 12.

[0077] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a loading dock 300 with a loading dock leveler 302 having a gap seal 102 installed on the loading dock leveler 302. In more detail, a gap seal 102 is arranged on the loading dock 302. The gap seal 102 is adapted to be arranged in a gap 304 between a dock leveler 302 and a frame 306 for the dock leveler 302 in the loading dock 300. The gap seal 102 is provided by the gap seal element 1 as described herein.

[0078] The surface 308 of the loading dock leveler 302 may comprise a material which can be magnetized. The surface 308 may be of or comprise a metal or an alloy thereof. The surface 308 may, by way of example, be an iron or steel surface. Alternatively, or in combination, the surface may have magnetic coating applied to it. The surface may be a ferro- or ferrimagnetic metallic surface. The gap seal element 1 may extend across the surface 308 of the dock leveler 302. The second aspect of this disclosure shows kit of parts arranged to form a gap seal 102 adapted to be arranged in a gap. Figure 5a and 5b shows a kit of parts according to some examples of the present disclosure. Figure 5a shows in a perspective view the kit of parts 100 in an unassembled state 103. Figure 5b shows in a cross-sectional view the kit of parts 100 of Figure 5a in an assembled state 105.

[0079] The kit of parts 100 is arranged to form a gap seal 102 adapted to be arranged in a gap, as for example illustrated by the gap 304 in Figure 4. The kit of parts 100 comprises a gap seal element 1 extending along a longitudinal axis a between a first end 2 and a second end 4 thereof. The gap seal element 1 comprises a magnetic carrier strip 6 extending along the longitudinal axis a between the first end 2 and the second end 4. The magnetic carrier strip 6 has a flat bottom side bs for attaching the gap seal element 1 to a surface. The gap seal element 1 further comprises a sealing member 8. The sealing member 8 is extending along the longitudinal axis a between the first end 2 and the second end 4. The sealing member 8 protruding out from a top side ts of the magnetic carrier strip 6. The sealing member 8 being reversibly deformable and comprising a channel 10 extending along the sealing member 8. The kit of parts 100 further comprising a protective barrier member 12. The protective barrier member 12 is configured to be inserted into the channel 10 along an entire length thereof. The protective barrier member 12 comprises a flexible wire mesh 13. The protective barrier member 12 may comprise a frame 15. The frame may surround the flexible wire mesh 13.

[0080] The sealing member 8 may be made from an elastomeric material.

[0081] The sealing member 8 may have a U-shape or an Q-shape.

[0082] The flexible wire mesh 13 may comprise wires made of a material selected from a group consisting of stainless steel, galvanized steel, para-aramid, glass fiber, basalt fiber, and carbon fiber.

[0083] The protective barrier member 12 may be formed by the flexible wire mesh sheet 13.

[0084] The protective barrier member 12 may be in the form of a rectangular wire mesh sheet 14.

[0085] The protective barrier member 12 may be formed solely by the rectangular wire mesh sheet 14. Figure 6a and 6b show a kit of parts according to some examples of the present disclosure. Figure 6a shows in a perspective view the kit of parts 100 in an unassembled state 103. Figure 6b shows in a cross-sectional view the kit of parts 100 of Figure 6a in an assembled state 105.

[0086] The kit of parts 100 is arranged to form a gap seal 102 adapted to be arranged in a gap, as for example illustrated by the gap 304 in Figure 4. The kit of parts 100 comprises a gap seal element 1 extending along a longitudinal axis a between a first end 2 and a second end 4 thereof. The gap seal element 1 comprises: a magnetic carrier strip 6. The magnetic carrier strip 6 is extending along the longitudinal axis a between the first end 2 and the second end 4 and having a flat bottom side bs for attaching the gap seal element 1 to a surface. The gap seal element 1 further comprises a sealing member 8. The sealing member 8 is extending along the longitudinal axis a between the first end 2 and the second end 4. The sealing member 8 is protruding out from a top side ts of the magnetic carrier strip 6. The sealing member 8 is reversibly deformable and comprising a channel 10 extending along the sealing member 8. The kit of parts 100 further comprises a protective barrier member 12. The protective barrier member 12 is configured to be inserted into the channel 10 along an entire length thereof. The protective barrier member 12 comprises a flexible wire mesh 13. The protective barrier member may comprise a frame. The frame may surround the flexible wire mesh 13.

[0087] The protective barrier member 12 may comprise a rollable wire mesh sheet 16.

[0088] The protective barrier member 12 may be in the form of a rollable wire mesh sheet 16.

[0089] The third aspect of this disclosure shows a method for assembling the kit of parts according to the second aspect. The method 200 is illustrated in Figure 7. With reference to Figures 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b and Figure 7, the method 200 comprises attaching SI the gap seal element 1 to a surface 308 in connection with a gap to be sealed by the kit of parts 100. The method 200 further comprises inserting S2 the protective barrier member 12 into the channel 10 before or after the attaching SI of the gap seal element 1 to the surface.

[0090] The protective barrier member 12 may comprise a flexible wire mesh 13. The inserting S2 of the protective barrier member 12 into the channel 10 may comprise inserting the flexible wire mesh 15 into the channel 10.

[0091] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. The person skilled in the art further realizes that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A gap seal element (1) adapted to be arranged in a gap, the gap seal element (1) extending along a longitudinal axis (a) between a first end (2) and a second end (4) thereof, and comprising: a magnetic carrier strip (6) extending along the longitudinal axis (a) between the first end (2) and the second end (4) and having a flat bottom side (bs) for attaching the gap seal element (1) to a surface; and a sealing member (8) extending along the longitudinal axis (a) between the first end (2) and the second end (4), protruding out from a top side (ts) of the magnetic carrier strip (6) and being reversibly deformable; wherein the sealing member (8) comprises a protective barrier member (12) extending along the sealing member (8), the protective barrier member (12) comprising a flexible wire mesh (13).

2. The gap seal according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member (8) has a U-shape or an Q-shape.

3. The gap seal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing member (8) is made from a laminate (11), the laminate (11) comprising an elastomeric material layer and the protective barrier member (12).

4. The gap seal according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member (8) is made of an elastomeric material having the protective barrier member (12) embedded therein.

5. The gap seal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flexible wire mesh (13) comprises wires made of a material selected from a group consisting of stainless steel, galvanized steel, para-aramid, glass fiber, basalt fiber, and carbon fiber.

6. A kit of parts for forming a gap seal (102) adapted to be arranged in a gap (304), the kit of parts (100) comprising: a gap seal element (1) extending along a longitudinal axis (a) between a first end (2) and a second end (4) thereof; the gap seal element (1) comprising: a magnetic carrier strip (6) extending along the longitudinal axis (a) between the first end (2) and the second end (4) and having a flat bottom side (bs) for attaching the gap seal element (1) to a surface, and a sealing member (8) extending along the longitudinal axis (a) between the first end (2) and the second end (4), protruding out from a top side (ts) of the magnetic carrier strip (6), being reversibly deformable and comprising a channel (10) extending along the sealing member (8); and a protective barrier member (12) configured to be inserted into the channel (10) along an entire length thereof, the protective barrier member (12) comprising a flexible wire mesh (13).

7. The kit of parts according to claim 6, wherein the sealing member (8) has a U-shape or an Q-shape.

8. The kit of parts according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein the flexible wire mesh (13) comprises wires made of a material selected from a group consisting of stainless steel, galvanized steel, para-aramid, glass fiber, basalt fiber, and carbon fiber.

9. The kit of parts according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the sealing member (8) is made from an elastomeric material.

10. The kit of parts according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the protective barrier member (12) is in the form of a rectangular wire mesh sheet (14).

11. The kit of parts according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the protective barrier member (12) is in the form of a rollable wire mesh sheet (16).

12. A method for assembling the kit of parts according to any one of claims 6 to 11, the method (200) comprising: attaching (SI) the gap seal element (1) to a surface (308) in connection with a gap to be sealed by the kit of parts (100); and before or after the attaching (SI) of the gap seal element (1) to the surface, inserting (S2) the protective barrier member (12) into the channel (10).

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the protective barrier member (12) comprises a flexible wire mesh (13) and wherein the inserting (S2) comprises inserting the flexible wire mesh (13) into the channel (10).

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