Method for producing a gasket

Abstract

A method for producing a gasket insert comprising: providing a strip of insert material having a predetermined thickness; providing a pair of rigid parallel surfaces spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to, but greater than, the thickness of the insert material; placing the insert material between the surfaces; and bending the insert material to a desired shape. Also disclosed is a method for producing a gasket comprising: providing a strip of insert material having a predetermined thickness; providing a pair of rigid parallel surfaces spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to, but greater than, thickness of the insert material; placing the insert material between the surfaces; bending the insert material to a desired shape; and molding an elastomeric material to the insert.

1 . A method for producing a gasket insert comprising: 
 providing a strip of insert material having a predetermined thickness;    providing a pair of rigid parallel surfaces above and below the insert material spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to, but greater than, the thickness of the insert material;    placing the insert material between the surfaces; and    bending the insert material to a desired shape; and    wherein the width to height ratio of the insert material is approximately 12.5 to 1.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of bending the insert further comprises: 
 providing a wrap-around piece along a side of the insert material;    pushing or pulling the insert material around the wrap-around piece to bend the insert around the wrap-around piece.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the wrap-around piece is circular.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the wrap-around piece is elliptical.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising joining opposite ends of the insert material to form a contiguous insert.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising stamping bolt holes in the insert material.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing compression limiters in the insert material.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the insert material is metal.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the insert material is steel.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the insert material is aluminum.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the insert material is plastic.  
   
   
       12 . A method for producing a gasket comprising: 
 providing a strip of insert material having a predetermined thickness;    providing a pair of rigid parallel surfaces above and below the insert material spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to, but greater than, the thickness of the insert material;    placing the insert material between the surfaces;    bending the insert material to a desired shape; and    molding an elastomeric material to the insert; and    wherein the width to height ratio of the insert material is approximately 12.5 to 1.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the step of bending the insert further comprises: 
 providing a wrap-around piece along a side of the insert material;    pushing or pulling the insert material around the wrap-around piece to bend the insert around the wrap-around piece.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the wrap-around piece is circular.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the wrap-around piece is elliptical.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising joining opposite ends of the insert material to form a contiguous insert.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising stamping bolt holes in the insert material.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising providing compression limiters in the insert material.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the insert material is metal.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the insert material is steel.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the insert material is aluminum  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the insert material is plastic.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the insert material has a width of approximately 0.5 inches and a thickness of approximately 0.04 inches.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the insert material has a width of approximately 0.5 inches and a thickness of approximately 0.04 inches.  
   
   
       25 . A gasket insert produced according to the process claimed in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       26 . A gasket produced according to the process claimed in  claim 12.