Automatic door sweep - Patent Review 5522180

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An automatically actuated sealing device for sealing a portion of a movable closure member such as a door or window with respect to a surface to be sealed which defines part of an opening closed by the closure member, comprising:

an elongated support element attachable to the closure member;

an elongated seal actuating element;

at least one metal leaf spring extending between and connected at opposite ends to said support element and said seal actuating element, said leaf spring having a central portion extending between said ends thereof, at least one portion of said ends of said leaf spring extending non-parallel to said central portion of said leaf spring, and said support element and said seal actuating element having structure engaging without the use of fasteners said non-parallel portions of respective ends of said leaf spring such that at least one of said ends of said leaf springs is prevented from rotating relative to said support element or said seal actuating element when said seal actuating element is moved laterally relative to said support element;

a sealing element mounted to said device in engagement with said seal actuating element so as to move with movement of said seal actuating element, said sealing element having an exposed end portion positioned facing away from said support element which said actuating element moves towards and away from said support element; and

means for coupling said seal actuating element to a surface defining part of or being adjacent the opening, said coupling means and said leaf spring cooperating to move said seal actuating element relative to said support element between a retracted position in which said sealing element is retracted towards said support element and a projecting position in which said seal actuating element is projected away from said support element in response to movement of the closure member, whereby when said device is mounted to the closure member: in a closed position of the closure member, said seal actuating element positions said sealing element in its projecting position in which said sealing element engages the surface to be sealed; and in a position of the closure member other than the closed position, said seal actuating element positions said sealing element in its retracted position in which said sealing element does not engage the surface to be sealed.

2. An automatically actuated sealing device for sealing a portion of a movable closure member such as a door or window with respect to a surface to be sealed which defines part of an opening closed by the closure member, comprising:

an elongated support element attachable to the closure member;

an elongated seal actuating element;

at least one metal leaf spring extending between and connected at opposite ends to said support element and said seal actuating element, said leaf spring having a straight portion extending between said ends thereof, at least one portion of said ends of said leaf spring extending non-parallel to said straight portion of said leaf spring, and said support element and said seal actuating element having structure engaging without the use of fasteners said non-parallel portions of respective ends of said leaf spring such that at least one of said ends of said leaf spring is prevented from rotating relative to said support element or said seal actuating element when said seal actuating element is moved laterally relative to said support element;

a sealing element mounted to said device in engagement with said seal actuating element so as to move with movement of said seal actuating element, said sealing element having an exposed end portion positioned facing away from said support element, which said actuating element moves towards and away from said support element; and

means for coupling said seal actuating element to a surface defining part of or being adjacent the opening, said coupling means and said leaf spring cooperating to move said seal actuating element relative to said support element between a retracted position in which said sealing element is retracted towards said support element and a projecting position in which said seal actuating element is projected away from said support element in response to movement of the closure member, whereby when said device is mounted to the closure member: in a closed position of the closure member, said seal actuating element positions said sealing element in its projecting position in which said sealing element engages the surface to be sealed; and in a position of the closure member other than the closed position, said seal actuating element positions said sealing element in its retracted position in which said sealing element does not engage the surface to be sealed.

3. The sealing device of claim 2 wherein said leaf spring has a straight portion extending between said ends, and wherein said engaging structure of said leaf spring comprises at least one portion of said ends of said leaf spring extending non-parallel to said straight portion of said leaf spring, and wherein said engaging structures of said support element and said seal actuating element engage non-parallel portions of respective ends of said leaf spring such that at least one of said ends of said leaf spring is prevented from rotating relative to said support element or said seal actuating element when said seal actuating element is moved laterally relative to said support element.

4. The sealing device of claim 3 including a first cap and structures associated with said first cap and said support element for attaching said first cap to said support element over said the leaf spring end engaged by said support element for at least preventing that spring end from being disengaged from said support element.

5. The sealing device of claim 4 including a second cap and structures associated with said second cap and said seal actuating element for attaching said second cap to said seal actuating element over said the leaf spring end engaged by said seal actuating element for at least preventing that spring end from being disengaged from said seal actuating element.

6. The sealing device of claim 2 wherein said leaf spring has a straight portion extending between said ends, and wherein said engaging structure of said leaf spring comprises a first portion of one of said ends of said leaf spring extending transversely from said straight portion of said leaf spring, a central portion extending transversely from said first portion, and a second portion extending transversely from said central portion in a direction back towards said straight portion of said leaf spring, said structure of said support element or said seal actuating element engaging said central portion and each of said first and second end portions of said one end of said leaf spring, whereby said one end of said leaf spring is prevented from rotating relative to the element it is engaged by, said engaging structure of said leaf spring further comprising at least one portion of an opposite end of said leaf spring extending non-parallel to said straight portion of said leaf spring, and wherein said engaging structure of said seal actuating element or said support element, respectively, rotatably engage said non-parallel portions of said opposite end of said leaf spring.

7. The sealing device of claim 6 wherein said central portion is curved and extends over an angle of about 180.degree., and said two spaced apart end portions are linear and extend parallel to each other.

8. The sealing device of claim 6 including a first cap and structures associated with said first cap and said support element for attaching said first cap to said support element over said the leaf spring end engaged by said support element for at least preventing that spring end from being disengaged from said support element.

9. The sealing device of claim 8 including a second cap and structures associated with said second cap and said seal actuating element for attaching said second cap to said seal actuating element over said the leaf spring end engaged by said seal actuating element for at least preventing that spring end from being disengaged from said seal actuating element.

10. An automatically actuated sealing device for sealing a portion of a movable closure member such as a door or window with respect to a surface to be sealed which defines part of an opening closed by the closure member, comprising:

an elongated support element attachable to the closure member;

an elongated seal actuating element;

at least one metal leaf spring and means for connecting without a fastener opposite ends of said metal leaf spring to said support element and to said seal actuating element extending transversely between said support element and said seal actuating element;

at least one flexible plastic strip and means for connecting without a fastener said plastic strip to said support element and to said seal actuating element extending transversely between said support element and said seal actuating element;

a sealing element mounted to said device in engagement with said seal actuating element so as to move with movement of said seal actuating element, said sealing element having an exposed end portion positioned facing away from said support element which said actuating element moves towards and away from said support element; and

means for coupling said seal actuating element to a surface defining part of or being adjacent the opening, said coupling means and at least said metal leaf spring cooperating to move said seal actuating element relative to said support element between a retracted position in which said sealing element is retracted towards said support element and a projecting position in which said seal actuating element is projected away from said support element in response to movement of the closure member, whereby when said device is mounted to the closure member: in a closed position of the closure member, said seal actuating element positions said sealing element in its projecting position in which said sealing element engages the surface to be sealed; and in a position of the closure member other than the closed position, said seal actuating element positions said sealing element in its retracted position in which said sealing element does not engage the surface to be sealed.

11. An automatically actuated sealing device for sealing a portion of a movable closure member such as a door or window with respect to a surface to be sealed which defines part of an opening closed by the closure member, comprising:

an elongated support element attachable to the closure member;

an elongated seal actuating element;

at least one of said support element and said seal actuating element being made of plastic and having a plurality of spaced flexible plastic strips projecting transversely from a same side thereof and forming an integral one-piece member therewith;

means for connecting said plurality of projecting plastic strips to a same side of the other of said support element and said seal actuating element, said support element movably supporting said seal actuating element at least through said plastic strips;

at least one metal spring, opposite ends of which are connected to respective same sides of said support element and said seal actuating element;

a sealing element mounted to said device in engagement with said seal actuating element so as to move with movement of said seal actuating element, said sealing element having an exposed end portion positioned opposite said support element, which said actuating element moves towards and away from said support element; and

means for coupling said seal actuating element to a surface defining part of or being adjacent the opening, said coupling means and at least said metal spring cooperating to move said seal actuating element relative to said support element between a retracted position in which said sealing element is retracted towards said support element and a projecting position in which said seal actuating element is projected away from said support element in response to movement of the closure member, whereby when said device is mounted to the closure member: in a closed position of the closure member, said seal actuating element positions said sealing element in its projecting position in which said sealing element engages the surface to be sealed; and in a position of the closure member other than the closed position, said seal actuating element positions said sealing element in its retracted position in which said sealing element does not engage the surface to be sealed.

12. The sealing device of claim 11 wherein said spring is a leaf spring.

13. An automatically actuated sealing device for sealing a portion of a movable closure member such as a door or window with respect to a surface to be sealed which defines part of an opening closed by the closure member, comprising:

a integral, one-piece plastic member comprising an elongated support element attachable to the closure member, an elongated seal actuating element and a plurality of spaced flexible plastic strips integrally connected at opposite ends to said support element and said seal actuating element and extending transversely therebetween, said support element movably supporting said seal actuating element at least through said flexible plastic strips for movement relative to said support element laterally and towards and away from said support element, lateral movement of said seal actuating element in one direction moving said seal actuating element away from said support element and lateral movement in an opposite direction moving said seal actuating element towards said support element;

at least one metal spring, opposite ends of which are connected to said support element and said seal actuating element extending therebetween;

a sealing element mounted to said device in engagement with said seal actuating element so as to move with movement of said seal actuating element, said sealing element having an exposed end portion positioned opposite said support element, which said actuating element moves towards and away from said support element;

means for coupling said seal actuating element to a surface defining part of or being adjacent the opening, said coupling means and at least said metal spring cooperating to move said seal actuating element relative to said support element between a retracted position in which said sealing element is retracted towards said support element and a projecting position in which said seal actuating element is projected away from said support element in response to movement of the closure member, whereby when said device is mounted to the closure member: in a closed position of the closure member, said seal actuating element positions said sealing element in its projecting position in which said sealing element engages the surface to be sealed; and in a position of the closure member other than the closed position, said seal actuating element positions said sealing element in its retracted position in which said sealing element does not engage the surface to be sealed.

14. The sealing device of claim 13 wherein said spring is a leaf spring.

15. The sealing device of claim 10, 12 or 14 wherein said means for connecting said leaf spring comprise engaging structures associated with said leaf spring, said support element and said seal actuating element.

16. The sealing device of claim 10, 12 or 14 wherein opposite ends of said leaf spring are connected to said support element and said seal actuating element such that lateral movement in one direction of said seal actuating element from the retracted position thereof relative to said support element causes said seal actuating element to move away from said support element, and lateral movement of said seal actuating element from the projecting position thereof in an opposite direction causes said seal actuating element to move towards said support element.

17. The sealing device of claim 16 wherein one of said opposite ends of said leaf spring is prevented from rotating relative to said device when said seal actuating element is moved relative to said support element and the other of said opposite ends of said leaf spring is rotatably engaged, whereby said leaf spring flexes in cantilever fashion with movement of said seal actuating element relative to said support element.

18. The sealing device of claim 17 wherein said leaf spring has a straight portion extending between said ends, and wherein said engaging structure of said leaf spring comprises at least one portion of said ends of said leaf spring extending non-parallel to said straight portion of said leaf spring, and wherein said engaging structures of said support element and said seal actuating element engage non-parallel portions of respective ends of said leaf spring such that at least one of said ends of said leaf spring is prevented from rotating relative to said support element or said seal actuating element when said seal actuating element is moved laterally relative to said support element.

19. The sealing device of claim 18 including a first cap and structures associated with said first cap and said support element for attaching said first cap to said support element over said the leaf spring end engaged by said support element for at least preventing that spring end from being disengaged from said support element.

20. The sealing device of claim 19 including a second cap and structures associated with said second cap and said seal actuating element for attaching said second cap to said seal actuating element over said the leaf spring end engaged by said seal actuating element for at least preventing that spring end from being disengaged from said seal actuating element.

21. The sealing device of claim 17 wherein said leaf spring has a straight portion extending between said ends, and wherein said engaging structure of said leaf spring comprises a first portion of one of said ends of said leaf spring extending transversely from said straight portion of said leaf spring, a central portion extending transversely from said first portion, and a second portion extending transversely from said central portion in a direction back towards said straight portion of said leaf spring, said structure of said support element or said seal actuating element engaging said central portion and each of said first and second end portions of said one end of said leaf spring, whereby said one end of said leaf spring is prevented from rotating relative to the element it is engaged by, said engaging structure of said leaf spring further comprising at least one portion of an opposite end of said leaf spring extending non-parallel to said straight portion of said leaf spring, and wherein said engaging structure of said seal actuating element or said support element, respectively, rotatably engage said non-parallel portions of said opposite end of said leaf spring.

22. The sealing device of claim 21 wherein said central portion is curved and extends over an angle of about 180.degree., and said two spaced apart end portions are linear and extend parallel to each other.

23. The sealing device of claim 21 including a first cap and structures associated with said first cap and said support element for attaching said first cap to said support element over said the leaf spring end engaged by said support element for at least preventing that spring end from being disengaged from said support element.

24. The sealing device of claim 23 including a second cap and structures associated with said second cap and said seal actuating element for attaching said second cap to said seal actuating element over said the leaf spring end engaged by said seal actuating element for at least preventing that spring end from being disengaged from said seal actuating element.

25. The sealing device of claim 16 wherein said means for coupling comprises a projection on said seal actuating element adapted to be engaged by the surface defining part of or being adjacent the opening in the closed position of the closure member to cause said seal actuating element to be laterally moved in one direction into the projecting position thereof, and adapted not to be engaged by that surface when the closure member is moved from the closed position thereof to cause said seal actuating element to be moved in the opposite lateral direction to the retracted position thereof.

26. The sealing device of claim 25 comprising a cam element either on said projection, or coupled to that surface for camming said seal actuating element to progressively move said seal actuating element in the one and opposite lateral directions as the closure member is moved into and out of its closed position.

27. The sealing device of claim 26 wherein said cam element has a surface extending in a first direction so as to cam said seal actuating element laterally and in a second direction so as to cam said seal actuating element towards and away from said support element.

28. The sealing device of claim 25 including means for adjusting the extent to which said projection extends.

29. The sealing device of claim 28 wherein said adjustment means comprises a threaded rod and means threadedly receiving said rod in said seal actuating element to adjustably project therefrom, said projection comprising a projecting portion of said threaded rod.

30. The sealing device of claim 1, 2, 10, 11 or 13 comprising means for attaching said support element externally of said closure member, and a cover covering all of said support element and all or substantially all of said seal actuating element in its retracted position while permitting movement of said seal actuating element, and means for attaching said cover to said closure member.

31. The device of claim 1, 2, 10, 11 or 13 comprising a channel member, means for attaching said channel member internally of said closure member, and means for attaching said support element within said channel member while permitting movement of said seal actuating element between said retracted and projecting positions.

32. The combination of a device attachable to a closure such as a door or window on an exterior side thereof for automatically sealing an edge of the closure to a surface of the opening closed by the closure, and a cover for covering said device,

said device including means for moving a sealing element into contact with the surface of the opening when the closure is moved to close the opening and for moving the sealing element away from the surface when the closure is moved to open the opening;

said cover and said device including cooperating means for attaching said cover to said device on a side of said device facing away from said closure, and means for sealing said cover against said side of said device.

33. The combination of claim 32 wherein said means for attaching said cover to said device comprises means on said cover and said device which engage when said cover is laterally slid onto said device.

34. The combination of claim 33 wherein said attaching means comprises a dove tail like recess in a top of said cover and a dove tail like projection on a top of said device which engage as said cover is slid on said device.

35. The combination of claim 33 wherein said cover has opposed open ends, said combination including caps attachable to said cover, said device or both for closing said open ends.

36. The combination of claim 35 wherein said caps and said device include means for attaching said caps to said device without fasteners.

37. The combination of claim 36 wherein said means for attaching comprise means for snap-fitting said caps to said device.

38. The combination of claim 31 wherein said means for attaching also include means for engaging said cover.

39. The combination of claim 36 wherein said means for moving includes a movable projection extending from an open end of said cover, said projection occupying a portion of that end of said cover and one of said caps closing off the remaining portion of that end of said cover.

40. The combination of claim 32 wherein said means for sealing comprises a ridge projecting inwardly from said cover towards the closure which contacts said device.

41. The combination of a device attachable to a closure such as a door or window on an exterior side thereof for automatically sealing an edge of the closure to a surface of the opening closed by the closure, and a cover for covering said device,

said device including means for moving a sealing element into contact with the surface of the opening when the closure is moved to close the opening and for moving the sealing element away from the surface when the closure is moved to open the opening;

said cover and said device including cooperating means for attaching said cover to said device on a side of said device facing away from said closure, said cover having a top which extends over said device and open ends, caps for closing off said open ends and means for attaching said caps to said cover, said device or both while closing of said open ends.

42. The combination of claim 41 wherein said caps and said device include means for attaching said caps to said device without fasteners.

43. The combination of a device attachable to a closure such as a door or window on an exterior side thereof for automatically sealing an edge of the closure to a surface of the opening closed by the closure, and a cover for covering said device,

said device including a first element attachable to the closure, a second element, a sealing element attached to said second element and means coupling said second element with said first element for movement of said second element away from said first element into a projecting position relative to said cover and towards said first element into a retracted position relative to said cover, said first element of said device including holes for mounting said first element to said closure with screws,

said combination including means for attaching said cover to said first element;

said cover having a first rib extending longitudinally therealong projecting away from said first element adjacent said holes and a second rib spaced below and parallel to said first rib extending longitudinally along said cover projecting away from said device, a first non-projecting portion above said first rib closely adjacent said first element, said ribs being separated by a second non-projecting portion which is closely adjacent a lower portion of said first element, said cover including a third non-projecting portion below said second rib which is closely adjacent said second element in both its projecting and retracted positions, said ribs and said non-projecting portions of said cover improving the resistance of said cover to forces applied to said cover from a side of said cover facing away from said device.

44. The combination of claim 43 wherein said first element has holes therethrough by means of which it is attached to the closure by screws, said first rib being adjacent said holes and providing clearance for the screws

45. The combination of claim 44 wherein said first element includes spaced portions depending from said first element, said second non-projecting portion being closely adjacent said depending portions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein relates to a device attachable to a closure such as a door or window which automatically moves a sealing portion of the device to insulate a gap between the closure and the opening when the closure is moved to close the opening and which automatically moves the sealing portion away from the opening when the closure is moved to open the opening. Such devices when used to seal the gap at the bottom of a door may be referred to as an automatic door sweep or automatic door drop.

The following U.S. patents disclose devices attached to a door which automatically position a sealing portion thereof to contact a surface defining part of the opening closed by the door when the door is closed, and which move the sealing portion away from the surface when the door is opened: U.S. Pat. No. 237,516 (J. E. Gowen); U.S. Pat. No. 483,995 (E. A. Delancy); U. S. Pat. No. 591,809 (D A Brawley et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 639,026 (J. C. Fernald); U.S. Pat. No. 639,831 (G. L. Scoville); U.S. Pat. No. 728,686 (E. Douden et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 746,910 (W. C. Zimmermann); U.S. Pat. No. 1,460,312 (F. Caron); U.S. Pat. No. 1,548,769 (Thompson); U.S. Pat. No. 1,561,195 (A. Szymkowiak); U.S. Pat. No. 1,771,599 (F. C. Wilson); U.S. Pat. No. 1,843,350 (W. Vedder); U.S. Pat. No. 1,978,761 (S. R. Ramsey); U.S. Pat. No. 2,365,403 (E. H. Galford); U.S. Pat. No. 2,422,607 (F. C. Wynne); U.S. Pat. No. 2,848,767 (E. B. Thompson); U.S. Pat. No. 3,054,154 (F. C. Henderson); U.S. Pat. No. 3,072,977 (J. Burda); U.S. Pat. No. 3,281,990 (K. H. Nilsson); U.S. Pat. No. 3,496,676 (E. Halpern); U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,913 (Wright); U.S. Pat. No. 4,320,793 (Lindbergh); U.S. Pat. No. 4,089,136 (Lapinski et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,775 (Einarsson); U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,060 (Dumenil et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,584 (Wexler); U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,691 (K. Takahashi); and Australian Patent No. 115,066; Canadian Patent No. 525,261; Belgian Patent No. 507,977; and French Patent Nos. 664,133 and 841,285. Devices for automatically sealing a door bottom upon closing of the door are currently commercially available from Mackelanberg-Duncan of Oklahoma City, Okla. (as the "Door Sweep") and from Stanely. U.S. Pat. No. 2,587,567 (J. D. Easton) discloses a device for sealing louver blades on a louver window.

While such devices appear to more or less achieve the desired sealing function for the door, there is a need for a sealing device which, among other things, is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install, fits or is adjustable to fit various size openings, may seal against uneven surfaces, is durable and relatively slim, which can be attached to both left and right opening closures (e.g., doors and windows), and which can be mounted to the inside, outside or in an edge of the closure.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention disclosed herein to provide an improved device for automatically sealing a closure such as a door or window against the opening closed by the closure by moving a sealing portion or element of the device against the opening in response to closing of the closure.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and yet performs its sealing function well.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which is durable and will last for hundreds of thousands of openings and closings of the closure.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which is easy to install.

Another object of the invention is to provide such devices attachable either to any side or in any edge of the closure, and which can be used for the after market and the OEM market.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which can accommodate different size openings, for example, a device which may be reduced in length without the use of special tools to fit smaller openings and/or expanded in length without the use of special tools to fit larger openings.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which can accommodate different size gaps between the closure and the opening defining surface that the device seals.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which can operate with different thickness closures and closures made of different materials (wood, metal, etc.)

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which can be mounted to both left-opening and right-opening closures.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which can be mounted to the inside of, the outside of, or in an edge of a closure.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which can seal an opening whether or not it is framed with moldings.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which seals against uneven surfaces of the opening.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which is slim and compact.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which operates with closures that are hinged to the opening or which articulate or slide relative to the opening such as a garage door.

Another object of the invention is to provide an esthetic cover for such a device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover for such a device which cooperates with the device to provide high impact resistance, and which may function as a kick plate.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover for such a device which forms a seal with the device on the inside of the cover to prevent the flow of air around the device and between the cover and the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover with a top which covers the top of the device, and end caps which maybe attached without fasteners to close off the ends of the cover.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device in which a sealing element which seals the closure to the opening is replaceable.

The invention disclosed herein provides an automatically-actuated sealing device for a closure which includes a support element attachable to the closure, a seal actuating element movably supported by the support element, a sealing element moved by the seal actuating element into a sealing position, and a plurality of spring elements which couple the seal actuating element and the support element and in the closed position of the closure urge the seal actuating element towards the opening, thereby urging the sealing element into its sealing position against a portion or surface of the opening to seal the closure and the opening thereat.

Typically there is a gap between a closure and the opening it closes through which weather, dust, insects, etc. may pass. In the specific embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the seal actuating element moves from its sealing position, in which the sealing element is urged into contact with a portion or surface of the opening and closes the gap, to a non-sealing position in which the sealing element does not contact the opening in response to the opening of the closure. Via the spring elements, the support element resiliently supports the seal actuating element for movement relative to the support element towards and away from the support element, and the sealing element is attached to the device in engagement with the seal actuating element so as to move with movement of the seal actuating element. In the preferred embodiments, the seal actuating element is moved from a retracted non-sealing position in which the sealing element is retracted towards the support element and a projecting sealing position in which the seal actuating element is projected away from the support element in response to movement of the closure.

In various embodiments, the sealing device may be mounted to or in any edge of the closure, and to the inside of or the outside of the closure, and the sealing device may be mounted to left- or right-opening hinged closures, or to sliding or articulated closures, and may be provided as an after market or OEM device.

The spring elements are spaced apart and project transversely from a same side of the support element and/or seal actuating element. In various embodiments, the spring elements may be manufactured one-piece and integrally connected to both the support element and the seal actuating element, thereby forming a one-piece sealing device; or the spring elements may be one-piece and integrally connected to either the support element or the seal actuating element and coupled to the seal actuating element or the support element, respectively; or the spring elements may be two-piece, with a different piece being integrally connected to the support element and the seal actuating element and the two separate pieces of the spring elements coupled together; or the spring elements may be one-piece and coupled to both the support element and the seal actuating element. The spring elements may be made of plastic or metal, and a sealing device may have all plastic spring elements, all metal spring elements or both plastic and metal spring elements. When the sealing device includes metal spring elements, the plastic spring elements need not perform the primary spring function, and may simply serve to connect the support element and the seal actuating element. In such embodiments, the plastic spring elements for convenience may still be referred to herein as spring elements, or as strips, etc.

The spring elements not only support the seal actuating element from the support element, they also actively participate in moving the seal actuating element between its sealing and non-sealing positions. The sole coupling between the support element and the seal actuating element is through the spring elements. Use of the spring elements for both support and movement of the seal actuating element simplifies construction of sealing devices according to the invention.

The support element, the seal actuating element and all of the spring elements may be made entirely of plastic material, for example, made by injection molding, or by die cutting pre-formed sheets. In one embodiment,