Hole plug

Abstract

A hole plug includes a housing having first and second ends, a peripheral flange around the housing, an adhesive layer positioned on the peripheral flange, and at least one tab extending from an edge of the peripheral flange proximate the first end. The tab is at least flush with a plane of said adhesive layer. The tab ensures that the adhesive layer does not contact a surface of a panel when the hole plug is being installed into a hole formed through the panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of a hole plug according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric top view of a hole plug according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a channel end view of a hole plug according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a lateral view of a hole plug according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of a panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hole plug comprising: a housing having first and second ends;a peripheral flange around said housing;an adhesive layer positioned on said peripheral flange; andat least one tab extending from an edge of said peripheral flange proximate said first end, said at least one tab being at least flush with a plane of said adhesive layer.

2. The hole plug of claim 1, further comprising at least one lip extending from said housing toward said at least one tab proximate said first end, said at least one tab and said at least one lip cooperating to separate said adhesive layer from a structure until the hole plug is securely installed into an opening of the structure.

3. The hole plug of claim 2, wherein said at least one lip comprises a curved surface configured to engage a panel edge.

4. The hole plug of claim 1, further comprising at least one resilient spring clip extending from said second end of said housing.

5. The hole plug of claim 1, wherein said peripheral flange comprises a plurality of passages configured to allow said adhesive layer to be injected therethrough.

6. The hole plug of claim 1, wherein said housing is semi-cylindrical, wherein a cross section of said first end is smaller than a cross section of said second end.

7. The hole plug of claim 6, wherein a channel is formed through said second end, said channel being in communication with an interior cavity of said housing.

8. A hole plug configured to be positioned within an opening of a panel, the hole plug comprising: a housing having a closed end and a channel end;a flange integrally formed around a base of said housing;an adhesive layer positioned on said flange; anda tab extending from an edge of said flange proximate said closed end, said at tab being at least flush with a plane of said adhesive layer.

9. The hole plug of claim 8, further comprising a lip extending from said housing toward said tab proximate said closed end, said tab and said lip cooperating to separate said adhesive layer from the panel until the hole plug is securely installed into the opening of the structure.

10. The hole plug of claim 9, wherein said lip comprises a curved surface configured to engage a panel edge, wherein the panel edge is positioned between said tab and said lip.

11. The hole plug of claim 8, further comprising at least one resilient spring clip extending from said channel end of said housing.

12. The hole plug of claim 8, wherein said flange comprises a plurality of passages configured to allow said adhesive layer to be injected therethrough.

13. The hole plug of claim 8, wherein said housing is semi-cylindrical, wherein a cross section of said closed end is smaller than a cross section of said channel end.

14. The hole plug of claim 13, wherein a channel is formed through said channel end, said channel being in communication with an interior cavity of said housing.

15. A hole plug configured to be positioned within an opening of a panel, the hole plug comprising: a housing having a closed end and a channel end;a flange integrally formed around a base of said housing;an adhesive layer positioned on said flange;a tab extending from an edge of said flange proximate said closed end, said at tab being at least flush with a plane of said adhesive layer;a lip extending from said housing toward said tab proximate said closed end, said tab and said lip cooperating to separate said adhesive layer from the panel until the hole plug is securely installed into the opening of the structure, said lip comprising a curved surface configured to engage an edge of the panel, wherein the edge of the panel is positioned between said tab and said lip; anda plurality of resilient spring clips extending from said channel end of said housing.

16. The hole plug of claim 15, wherein said flange comprises a plurality of passages configured to allow said adhesive layer to be injected therethrough.

17. The hole plug of claim 15, wherein said housing is semi-cylindrical, wherein a cross section of said closed end is smaller than a cross section of said channel end.

18. The hole plug of claim 17, wherein a channel is formed through said channel end, said channel being in communication with an interior cavity of said housing.

19. The hole plug of claim 15, wherein said adhesive layer is configured to melt when heated.