# US 2008/0185495 A1 · Sealing Foam Panels with a Compression-Generating Joint > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0185495 A1 - Document ID: US20080185495A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/670,602 - Filed: 2007-02-02 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-02 - Assignees: TCP Reliable, Inc. - Inventors: Michael Goncharko - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080185495A1 ## CPC - F16B 5/01: by means of fastening elements specially adapted for honeycomb panels - F16B 5/02: by means of fastening members using screw-thread ({F16B5/0004 takes precedence}; construction of screw-threaded connections F16B25/00 - F16B39/00) - E04B 1/6116: {by locking means on lateral surfaces} - E04B 2001/6195: {the slabs being connected at an angle, e.g. forming a corner} - Y10T 29/49895: Associating parts by use of aligning means [e.g., use of a drift pin or a "fixture"] - Y10T 29/49947: by applying separate fastener - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A method of joining panels of foam material such that edges are compressed into panel surfaces to provide a secured and effectively sealed structure is disclosed. Panels in an orthogonal relationship to each other, which are made of foam (or other materials not intended to be load bearing) can be joined by compressing the outer side of one of the panels into the edge surface of an adjoining panel. This is done using two plates, one resting on the outer side of the first panel, and one inserted into the side of the second panel, where the plates are connected by a bolt, screw or wire under tension. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of joining panels of foam materials by compression, comprising: placing the panels to be joined in an orthogonal relationship to each other, such that an edge surface of a first panel rests on a first planar surface of a second panel; inserting a first plate, having a first hole through it, into the first panel such that the first plate's planar surface lies parallel to the planar surface of the second panel; placing a second plate having a second hole through it on the planar surface of the second panel which opposes the first planar surface, such that the first and second holes are aligned; joining the first and second plates with a bolt, screw or wire passing through the first and second holes; and tensioning the bolt or wire such that the first and second plates are pulled towards each other and the edge surface of the first panel is pressed into the first planar surface of the second panel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the first hole is threaded and the bolt threads into the threaded first hole to provide tension. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second plates are sheet metal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the panels are made of expanded polystyrene. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further including the step of heating the first plate or the area of the first panel which accommodates the first plate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein the bolt is tensioned such that the edge surface of the first panel mates with the first planar surface of the second panel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 further including providing a template having two orthogonal sides, and having a slot in one side to accommodate the first plate and a template hole in the other side, the slot and the template hole designed such that when the first plate is inserted into the slot, the first hole is aligned with the template hole, and when the second plate is in place, the second hole is also aligned with the template hole. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein the template hole is larger than the diameter of the shaft of the bolt. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein the bolt passes through a hole in an appliance, such that the appliance is held securely in place when the bolt is tensioned. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein the appliance is a hinge, a strap or a bracket. ### Claim 11 A method of forming an insulated container comprising: placing four panels in an orthogonal relationship to a fifth panel, such that an edge surface of each of the four panels rests on a first planar surface of the fifth panel; inserting an insertion plate, having a plate hole through it, into each of the four panels such that the each insertion plate's planar surface lies parallel to the planar surface of the fifth panel; placing one or more plates on the planar surface of the fifth panel which opposes the first planar surface, such that plate holes are aligned with holes in a second plate; joining the insertion plates with the second plates with a bolt, screw or wire passing through an aligned plate hole and a hole in the second plate; and tensioning the bolts or wires such that the insertion plates are pulled towards second plate and the edge surfaces of the four panel are pressed into the first planar surface of the second panel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the plate holes are threaded and the bolts or screws thread into the threaded plate holes to provide tension. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the insertion plates and the second plates are sheet metal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the panels are made of expanded polystyrene. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 further including the step of heating the insertion plates or the area of the four panels which accommodates the insertion plate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein the bolts or screws are tensioned until the edge surfaces of the four panels mate the first planar surface of the second panel with no gaps, and the second plate compresses the expanded polystyrene by approximately the thickness of the second plate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 further including providing a template having an upper side and one or more orthogonal sides, and having a slot in each orthogonal side to accommodate an insertion plate and one or more template holes in the upper side, the slots and the template holes designed such that for each insertion plate inserted into a slot, the plate holes are each aligned with a template hole. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein the template holes are larger than the diameter of the shaft of the bolt. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein the bolt passes through a hole in an appliance, such that the appliance is held securely in place when the bolt is tensioned. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein the appliance is a hinge, a straps or a bracket.