Pipe Trim Assembly With Gasket Sealing and Concealed Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trim devices for pipes extending through walls lack a panel with an integrated gasket and a removable frame to enhance the ornamental appearance, and they do not effectively seal the pipe opening without requiring caulk.
Innovation Solution
A panel with a pipe opening and a gasket that surrounds the pipe, combined with a removable frame to cover connection openings, providing a secure and aesthetically enhancing solution for pipe trimming through a wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional pipe trim device is used, then the pipe opening can be sealed, but the connection openings and fasteners remain exposed which deteriorates the ornamental appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The trim device is divided into separate functional components: a panel for sealing the pipe opening, connection openings for fasteners, and a removable frame for ornamental coverage. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while the frame can be removed or adjusted independently to enhance appearance without compromising the sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable frame acts as an intermediary element between the functional panel (with exposed fasteners) and the aesthetic requirement. The frame conceals the connection openings and fasteners when in place, providing ornamental coverage, but can be removed if adjustment or maintenance is needed, thus mediating between functional and aesthetic demands.
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed gasket size is used, then the manufacturing is simplified, but it cannot accommodate pipes of varying diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is designed with flexible material properties and a configuration that allows it to deform and adapt to pipes of varying diameters. The gasket can be compressed or expanded within certain limits to fit different pipe sizes while maintaining its sealing function, thus providing dynamic adaptability without requiring multiple fixed-size gaskets.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket's physical parameters (such as diameter and cross-sectional area) can be adjusted within a range to accommodate different pipe diameters. This may involve using materials with specific elastic properties or designing the gasket with adjustable features that allow parameter changes while maintaining sealing effectiveness across various pipe sizes.
3Ease of operation
If caulk is used to seal the pipe opening, then the application is simple, but the seal is not secure and may deteriorate over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical/adhesive-based sealing method (caulk) with a mechanical sealing system consisting of a panel with an integrated gasket. The gasket provides a secure, reusable mechanical seal that can be fastened to the wall and pipe assembly, eliminating the need for caulk while providing more reliable and durable sealing that does not deteriorate over time.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe trim assembly for trimming a pipe extending through a wall includes a panel that has a pipe opening extending through the panel for having a pipe extending therethrough. The panel has a plurality of connection openings each extending through the panel. Fasteners can be extended through the connection openings for fastening the panel to an exterior wall of a building through which the pipe extends. A gasket is coupled to the panel and the gasket extends around the pipe opening. Moreover, the gasket surrounds the pipe when the pipe is extended through the pipe opening. A frame is removably attachable to the panel such that the frame covers the plurality of connection openings in the panel to enhance the appearance of the panel.