Baffle equipped with flap assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to an acoustic baffle device for sealing a cavity of a vehicle body at a predetermined cross section of the cavity, comprising a piece of sealing material that is formed in a shape corresponding to but being smaller than the shape of the cross section of the cavity. The acoustic baffle device of the invention is characterized in having a flap assembly having a lower neck defining a passage for a flexible tube or a similar device, said lower neck having a flap secured in closed position by a locking device and being connected preferably to the lower end of the lower neck through means that permit the reversible opening of the above-defined passage. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a flap assembly useful for such an acoustic baffle device, and to a process for sealing a cavity of a vehicle body at a predetermined cross section of the cavity.

1 . An acoustic baffle device for sealing a cavity of a vehicle body at a predetermined cross section of the cavity, comprising a piece of sealing material that is formed in a shape corresponding to but being smaller than the shape of the cross section of the cavity, characterized in having a flap assembly having a lower neck defining a passage for a flexible tube or any similar device, said lower neck having a flap secured in closed position by a locking device and being connected to the lower neck preferably in the range of its lower end through means that permit the opening of the above-defined passage.  
     
     
         2 . An acoustic baffle device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing material is heat expandable.  
     
     
         3 . An acoustic baffle device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing material has an activation temperature corresponding to the expansion temperature of said material, preferably in the range of between 130° C. and 210° C.  
     
     
         4 . An acoustic baffle device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing material is heat expandable, foaming polyethylene and/or Ethyl-Vinylacetat-Copolymer (EVA).  
     
     
         5 . An acoustic baffle device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it is equipped with a support element provided beneath or around or in the piece of sealing material for supporting the same.  
     
     
         6 . An acoustic baffle device according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the support element is based on any heat resistant type of common plastic, preferably polyamide, most preferably polyamide 6, polyamide 6,6, polyamide 11, polyamide 12 or a mixture of themselves.  
     
     
         7 . An acoustic baffle device according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the flap assembly is secured to the support element or co-injected with it.  
     
     
         8 . An acoustic baffle device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the lower neck is positioned at the end of the flap assembly.  
     
     
         9 . An acoustic baffle device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the locking device securing the flap in closed position is a flexible hook.  
     
     
         10 . An acoustic baffle device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the means connecting the flap to the lower neck is a hinge.  
     
     
         11 . An acoustic baffle device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the flap assembly also has an upper neck that guides the introduction of a drain tube or any similar device from a larger distance, preferably without any additional, manual operation.  
     
     
         12 . A flap assembly being preferably useful for an acoustic baffle device for sealing a cavity of a vehicle body at a predetermined cross section of the cavity, having a lower neck defining a passage for a flexible tube or any similar device, said lower neck having a flap secured in closed position by a locking device and being connected to the lower neck preferably in the range of its end through means that permit the opening of the above-defined passage.  
     
     
         13 . A flap assembly according to  claim 12 , characterized in that the flap assembly is secured to the support element of an acoustic baffle device or co-injected with it.  
     
     
         14 . A flap assembly according to  claim 12 , characterized in that the lower neck is positioned at the end of the flap assembly.  
     
     
         15 . A flap assembly according to  claim 12 , characterized in that the locking device securing the flap in closed position is a flexible hook.  
     
     
         16 . A flap assembly according to  claim 12 , characterized in that the means connecting the flap to the lower neck is a hinge.  
     
     
         17 . A flap assembly according to  claim 12 , characterized in that said flap assembly also has an upper neck that guides the introduction of a drain tube or any similar device from a larger distance, preferably without any additional, manual operation.  
     
     
         18 . A flap assembly according to  claim 12 , characterized in that said flap assembly is manufactured by an injection moulding process.  
     
     
         19 . A flap assembly according to  claim 12 , characterized in that said flap assembly is manufactured in the form of one single, moulded piece.  
     
     
         20 . A flap assembly according to  claim 12 , characterized in that said flap assembly is based on any heat resistant type of common plastic, preferably polyamide, most preferably polyamide 6, polyamide 6,6, polyamide 11, polyamide 12 or a mixture of themselves.  
     
     
         21 . Process for sealing a cavity of a vehicle body at a predetermined cross section of the cavity while permitting the reversible opening of a passage for a flexible drain tube or any similar device, comprising a step of introducing an acoustic baffle device in accordance with  claim 1  into at least one of the cavities of a vehicle body, preferably into at least one of the pillar cavities.  
     
     
         22 . A process according to  claim 21 , characterized in that a flap assembly is secured to the support element of the acoustic baffle device or co-injected with it, wherein the flap assembly is preferably useful for an acoustic baffle device for sealing a cavity of a vehicle body at a predetermined cross section of the cavity, having a lower neck defining a passage for a flexible tube or any similar device, said lower neck having a flap secured in closed position by a locking device and being connected to the lower neck preferably in the range of its end through means that permit the opening of the above-defined passage.  
     
     
         23 . (Cancelled)