Thomas D Gacioch

US Patent:

56623372, Sep 2, 1997

Filed:

Jul 15, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/683573

Inventors:

Melvin L. Surbrook - Jefferson City TN
Thomas D. Gacioch - Riverview MI

Assignee:

Indian Head Industries, Inc. - Charlotte NC

International Classification:

F16J 1500

US Classification:

277235B

Abstract:

An improved gasket is designed for use on a complex interface surface between an oil pan and an engine. The gasket is formed as a one-piece molded part and is preferably injection molded from a silicone rubber. The gasket incorporates crush limiters at each bolt hole, and dual spaced sealing beads along the sides, with a circular sealing bead surrounding each bolt hole. The crush limiters control the amount of tightening of the bolts, while the sealing beads accommodate warpage of the oil pan, or undertightening of the bolt. In other features, tabs are disposed on each side of the gasket to accommodate an oil dip stick. The user of the gasket merely removes a cutaway portion associated with one of the tabs to provide a space for passage of the oil dip stick on the appropriate side. In this way, a single gasket can be incorporated into engine configurations having dip sticks on either side. In addition, an end tab is formed on one end of the gasket, and provides a saddle to be positioned outwardly of the engine to properly position the gasket.

US Patent:

55360238, Jul 16, 1996

Filed:

Oct 31, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/332484

Inventors:

Melvin L. Surbrook - Jefferson City TN
Thomas D. Gacioch - Riverview MI

Assignee:

Indian Head Industries, Inc. - Charlotte NC

International Classification:

F16J 1500

US Classification:

277235B

Abstract:

An improved gasket is designed for use on a complex interface surface between an oil pan and an engine. The gasket is formed as a one-piece molded part and is preferably injection molded from a silicone rubber. The gasket incorporates crush limiters at each bolt hole, and dual spaced sealing beads along the sides, with a circular sealing bead surrounding each bolt hole. The crush limiters control the amount of tightening of the bolts, while the sealing beads accommodate warpage of the oil pan, or undertightening of the bolt. In other features, tabs are disposed on each side of the gasket to accommodate an oil dip stick. The user of the gasket merely removes a cutaway portion associated with one of the tabs to provide a space for passage of the oil dip stick on the appropriate side. In this way, a single gasket can be incorporated into engine configurations having dip sticks on either side. In addition, an end tab is formed on one end of the gasket, and provides a saddle to be positioned outwardly of the engine to properly position the gasket.