Joint materials and configurations

Abstract

A method and apparatus for forming a sealed joint comprises a joint member having at least one elongate component that comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, a first component side and a second component side, wherein at least a portion of the top surface has a contour which is curved. In forming a joint a first member is formed on a substrate. The joint member is positioned against the first member. A second member is formed on the substrate immediately adjacent to the joint member. In some embodiments the joint member comprises two components, one of which is removed following formation of the second member.

1 . A joint member suitable for use in forming a sealed joint, the member comprising a plurality of elongate components which include a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side and a second side, at least a portion of the top surface defining a concave surface, at least a portion of the first side and at least a portion of the second side being substantially parallel to one another, at least one of the plurality of elongate components having a bonding agent positioned on at least a portion of at least one of the first side and the second side.  
   
   
       2 . The joint member of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of elongate components comprises a first elongate component and a second elongate component, the second elongate component being a plastic component.  
   
   
       3 . The joint member of  claim 2  wherein the plastic component is a sealant.  
   
   
       4 . The joint member of  claim 3  wherein the sealant is disposed between the first side and the second side of the first elongate component.  
   
   
       5 . The joint member of  claim 4  wherein a removable layer of material is disposed over the sealant.  
   
   
       6 . The joint member of  claim 1  wherein the bonding agent is an adhesive.  
   
   
       7 . The joint member of  claim 1  wherein the bonding agent is a primer.  
   
   
       8 . The joint member of  claim 1  wherein the bottom surface of the second component and the top surface of the first component engage one another.  
   
   
       9 . The joint member of  claim 1  wherein the bottom surface of the second component and the top surface of the first component are adhesively and removably engaged to one another.  
   
   
       10 . The joint member of  claim 1  wherein the at least one component is at least partially constructed from at least one member of the group consisting of: foam-rubber, closed cell polyethylene foam, open cell polyurethane foam and any combination thereof.  
   
   
       11 . A joint member suitable for use in forming a sealed joint, the member comprising a plurality of elongate components which include a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side and a second side, at least a portion of the top surface defining a convex surface, at least a portion of the first side and at least a portion of the second side being substantially parallel to one another, at least one of the plurality of elongate components having a bonding agent positioned on at least a portion of at least one of the first side and the second side.  
   
   
       12 . A method of forming a joint comprising the steps of: 
 forming a first member on a substrate, the first member defining a first side of a joint space, the substrate defining the bottom of the joint space;    positioning a joint member against the first side of the joint space, the joint member comprising: a plurality of elongate components which include a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side and a second side, at least a portion of the top surface defining a curved surface, at least a portion of the first side and at least a portion of the second side being substantially parallel to one another, at least one of the plurality of elongate components having a bonding agent positioned on at least a portion of at least one of the first side and the second side; and    forming a second member on the substrate, the second member defining a second side of the joint space, the second side contacting the second member.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of elongate components include a first component and a second component, the second component being constructed of a plastic material.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the plastic material is a sealant.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the sealant has a removable layer of material disposed thereon, the layer of material removed after the joint is formed.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12  which includes sliding the joint member between the first member and the second member thereby applying the bonding agent to the first member and the second member, the bonding agent encouraging adhesion between a sealant and at least one of the first member and the second member.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein at least one elongate component is removed from the joint space and a sealant is applied into the joint space.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the substrate and the plurality of elongate components are separated from one another.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of elongate components include a first component and a second component, the first component covered by the second component while being disengaged from the second component.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12  wherein at least one of the plurality of elongate components is at least partially constructed from at least one member of the group consisting of: foam-rubber, closed cell polyethylene foam, open cell polyurethane foam and any combination thereof.