Sealing method and apparatus

Abstract

The invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for sealing the joint between two pieces of wood in an airtight manner. A longitudinal grove is created in the face of one of the pieces of wood. The groove has an upper portion and a narrower lower portion. Suitable compressible seal means such as a foam rod is placed in the groove. When the face of the second piece of wood is placed against the first face, the compressible seal means is compressed and forms an airtight seal. The remaining space in the upper groove portion allows longitudinal airflow along the length of the sealing means ameliorating moisture build up problems.

1 . A method of sealing a joint between a face of a first piece of wood and a face of a second piece of wood comprising the steps of:
 (a) making at least one longitudinal groove along the face of the first piece of wood, the groove having a lower groove portion and an upper groove portion, the upper groove portion being wider than the lower groove portion;   (b) inserting elongate compressible seal means into the length of the at least one longitudinal groove such that the compressible seal means protrudes out beyond the face of the first piece of wood when in its uncompressed state; and   (c) placing the face of the second piece of wood against the face of the first piece of wood thereby compressing the compressible seal means and forming an airtight seal between the face of the first piece of wood and the face of the second piece of wood;   whereby the compressed compressible seal means distends filling the lower groove portion while only partially filling the upper groove portion such that a longitudinal channel of space is created in the upper groove portion on each side of the compressible seal means.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the lower groove portion is substantially semicircular and the upper groove portion has beveled walls sloping out and away from the lower groove portion. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the beveled walls of the upper groove portion are sloped at an angle of about 45° relative to the face of the first piece of wood. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the compressible seal means comprises a foam rod. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the compressible seal means comprises a rubber gasket. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein two substantially parallel longitudinal grooves are formed along the face of the first piece of wood. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first piece of wood comprises a foundation ladder and the second piece of wood comprises a rim joist. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first piece of wood comprises a bottom plate of an exterior wall frame and the second piece of wood comprises a subfloor. 
   
   
       9 . A rim joist sealing apparatus comprising:
 (a) a rim joist having a first end face and a second end face;   (b) at least one longitudinal groove along the first end face, the groove having a lower groove portion and an upper groove portion, the upper groove portion being wider than the lower groove portion; and   (c) elongate compressible seal means contained in the at least one longitudinal groove, the compressible seal means extending the length of the groove and the compressible seal means protruding out beyond the first end face of the rim joist when in its uncompressed state;   whereby the compressible seal means when compressed distends filling the lower groove portion while only partially filling the upper groove portion such that a longitudinal channel of space is created in the upper groove portion on each side of the compressible seal means.   
   
   
       10 . The rim joist of  claim 9  further comprising:
 (a) a longitudinal groove along the second end face, the groove having a lower groove portion and an upper groove portion, the upper groove portion being wider than the lower groove portion, the longitudinal groove on the second end face being parallel in orientation the longitudinal groove at the first end face; and   (b) elongate compressible seal means contained in the groove, the compressible seal means extending the length of the groove and the compressible seal means protruding out beyond the second end face of the rim joist when in its uncompressed state;   whereby the compressible seal means when compressed distends filling the lower groove portion while only partially filling the upper groove portion such that a longitudinal channel of space is created in the upper groove portion on each side of the compressible seal means.