Joint sealing device with flat spring

Abstract

An elastically and resiliently compressible sealing device for imposition between two substrates. using a resiliently compressible base body, a fully-cured sealing body adhered to the resiliently compressible base body, and a flat spring body configured to bow upward when compressed while providing substantial contact to both substrates and fully encapsulating the fully-cured sealing body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable.BACKGROUNDField

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to an elastically and resiliently compressible sealing device for imposition between two substrates. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to a sealing device using a resiliently compressible base body, a fully-cured sealing body adhered to the resiliently compressible base body, and a flat spring body configured to bow upward when compressed while providing substantial contact to both substrates and fully encapsulating the fully-cured sealing body.Description of the Related Art

[0004] Construction panels come in many different sizes and shapes and may be used for various purposes, including roadways, sideways, and pre-cast structures, particularly buildings. Whether formed in place or by use of precast panels, designs generally require forming a lateral gap or joint between adjacent panels to allow for independent movement, such in response to ambient temperature variations within standard operating ranges, building settling or shrinkage and seismic activity. Moreover, these joints are subject to damage over time. Seals between these panels may be intended to preclude foreign bodies from becoming lodged between the panels, to impede water accumulation between the panels, to prevent exposure by subsurface components to chemicals, to prevent air penetration or escape, and to reduce temperature variations at joints. Similarly, these panels themselves may be resiliently-compressible, such as where the panels are imposed on a framework or other support.

[0005] These resiliently-compressible seals generally use a body having one or more vertically-positioned layers, each providing a different function, with an exterior silicone layer provided as a one-part silicone to make use of the moisture in the atmosphere to cure from the outside towards the inside, with cure rates dependent on temperature, humidity, and surface-area-to-volume ratio. The time to cure a one-part silicone layer, while permitting liquid application, becomes environmentally-dependent and therefore varies unless strict environmental controls are employed. As assembly is typically in a warehouse, rather than a clean-room, such strict controls are absent. Moreover, such a silicone layer provides little spring force in a seal, but rather may be designed to compress and expand in a bellows profile, moving in accordance with the lower layer to which the silicone layer is attached. The silicone layer may be intended to provide a water-resistant layer as a coating to a porous but springing material such as open-cell polyurethane foam. This may be acceptable as the silicone layer may be adhered, such as by an adhesive, to the adjacent walls of the substrate and thereby provide a substrate-to-substrate water-resistant layer above the backing material which has a higher resiliency and elasticity to compression.SUMMARY

[0006] The present disclosure therefore meets the above needs and overcomes one or more deficiencies in the prior art by providing a sealing device for sealing a void between two adjacent substrates having a base body, a flat spring body, and internal sealing body, where the base body has a base body first side opposite a base body second side, a base body upper section adjacent a base body top surface, a base body lower section adjacent the base body upper section and opposite the base body top surface from the base body upper section, and where the base body lower section has a base body lower section first side opposite a base body lower section second side, where the flat spring body is a water-resistant flat spring and has a flat spring body first section adjacent a flat spring body second section, a flat spring body second section adjacent a flat spring body third section, the flat spring body third section is adjacent a flat spring body fourth section, and the flat spring body fourth section adjacent a flat spring fifth section, and where the flat spring has a flat spring body top surface and a flat spring body bottom surface opposite the flat spring body top surface, where the flat spring body is bowed away from the base body at the flat spring body third section, the flat spring body first section extends downward away from the flat spring body third section and adjacent the base body lower section, and the flat spring top surface at the flat spring first section is aligned with the base body lower section first side, where the flat spring body fifth section extends downward away from the flat spring body third section and adjacent the base body lower section, where the flat spring top surface at the flat spring fifth section is aligned with the base body lower section second side, and where the flat spring body contains energy, and where the internal sealing body is adhered at the internal sealing body lower surface to the base body upper section at the base body top surface and is adhered at the internal sealing body top surface to the flat spring body at the flat spring body bottom surface at the flat spring body third section, and where the internal sealing body is encapsulated between the base body and the flat spring body.

[0007] The present disclosure further provides a method of assembling a sealing device for sealing a void between two adjacent substrates, which includes providing a base body, the base body having a base body first side opposite a base body second side, a base body upper section adjacent a base body top surface, a base body lower section and adjacent the base body upper section and opposite the base body top surface from the base body upper section, the base body lower section having a base body lower section first side opposite a base body lower section second side, the base body being resiliently-elastically compressible between the base body first side and the base body second side; providing a flat spring body, the flat spring body being a water-resistant flat spring, the flat spring body having a flat spring body first section adjacent a flat spring body second section, the flat spring body second section adjacent a flat spring body third section, the flat spring body third section adjacent a flat spring body fourth section, and the flat spring body fourth section adjacent a flat spring fifth section, the flat spring body having a flat spring body top surface and a flat spring body bottom surface opposite the flat spring body top surface, the flat spring body having a flat spring body first side and a flat spring body second side opposite the flat spring body first side, the flat spring body first section terminating at the flat spring body first side, the flat spring body fifth section terminating at the flat spring body second side, the flat spring body adapted to bow upward when compressed at the flat spring body first side and the flat spring body second side; providing a base of a two-part elastomer; providing a catalyst of the two-part elastomer, one of the base and the catalyst containing a moisture required for crosslinking of the two-part elastomer during curing; combining the base of a two-part elastomer and the catalyst of the two-part elastomer to form the two-part elastomer; providing the two-part elastomer to the base body upper section at the base body top surface to form an internal sealing body, the two-part elastomer forming an internal sealing body having an internal sealing body lower surface to adhere to the base body upper section at the base body top surface, the internal sealing body having an adhesive at an internal sealing body top surface, the internal sealing body adhering to the internal sealing body lower surface to the base body upper section at the base body top surface, positioning the flat spring body atop the internal sealing body to permit the internal sealing body to adhere at an internal sealing body top surface to the flat spring body at the flat spring body bottom surface at the flat spring body third section; compressing laterally the base body, the flat spring body, and the internal sealing body to reduce the distance between the base body first side and the body second side until the flat spring body has bowed upward such that the flat spring body first section extends downward away from the flat spring body third section and adjacent the base body lower section so the flat spring top surface at the flat spring first section is aligned with the base body lower section first side and such that the flat spring body fifth section extends downward away from the flat spring body third section and adjacent the base body lower section so the flat spring top surface at the flat spring fifth section is aligned with the base body lower section second side, and so the flat spring body contains energy due to a flat spring spring force of the flat spring and the compression laterally of the base body and so the internal sealing body is encapsulated between the base body and the flat spring body.

[0008] Additional aspects, advantages, and embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the various embodiments and related drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] So that the manner in which the described features, advantages, and objects of the disclosure, as well as others which will become apparent, are attained and can be understood in detail; more particular description of the disclosure briefly summarized above may be had by referring to the embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the drawings, which drawings form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical preferred embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope as the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0010] In the drawings:

[0011] FIG. 1 provides an end view of the sealing device of the sealing device of present disclosure as assembled for and during installation.

[0012] FIG. 2 provides an end view of the components of sealing device of present disclosure absent compression.

[0013] FIG. 3 provides an expanded perspective view of the components of the sealing device of the present disclosure from below absent compression.

[0014] FIG. 4 provides an end view of the internal sealing body of the sealing device of present disclosure absent compression.

[0015] FIG. 5 provides an end view of the flat spring body of the sealing device of present disclosure absent compression.

[0016] FIG. 6 provides an end view of an alternative flat spring body of the sealing device of present disclosure absent compression.

[0017] FIG. 7 provides an end view of the internal sealing body of the sealing device of present disclosure with a further sealing body and a second body absent compression.

[0018] FIG. 8 provides an end view of an alternative flat spring body of the sealing device of present disclosure having thickened, anchoring sides.

[0019] FIG. 9 provides an end view of the sealing device of the sealing device of present disclosure as installed between substrates.

[0020] FIG. 10 provides a flow chart for the method of assembling a sealing device of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, an end view of the sealing device of the sealing device of present disclosure as assembled for and during installation is provided. The sealing device 100 enables the sealing of a void between two adjacent substrates and includes a base body 102, a flat spring body 116, and an internal sealing body 138. Referring to FIG. 9, an end view of the sealing device of the sealing device of present disclosure as installed between substrates. Because of its unique structure, the sealing device maintains contact with the two substrates 902, 904 when installed so the base body 102 and the flat spring body 116 maintain contact on opposite sides of the sealing device 100 with the sealing device 100 preferably installed so as not to protrude above the top surfaces 906, 908 of the two substrates 902, 904. In operation, when the distance 910 between the two substrates changes, such as in response to environmental conditions, the sealing device 100 can compress to accommodate the reduction in the distance 910 or can expand to accommodate the increase in the distance 910. For example, when heated by sunlight and / or atmosphere, one or more of the substrates 902, 904 may expand, reducing the distance 910. Likewise, when cooled by atmosphere or absence of sunlight, the distance may increase. It is therefore essential that the sealing device 100 expand or accept compression to address the change in the distance 910. The constant contact between the sealing device 100 and the interior walls 912, 914 of the substrates 902, 904 is essential to perform the sealing function, preventing water, liquid contaminants, and solid contaminants from penetrating into the joint between the substrates 902, 904, as such materials could directly damage the substrates and could, in response to environmental changes, expand or contract and thereby cause damage to one or more of the substrates 902, 904. As can be appreciated, the joint 901 has a depth 916, which is greater than the sealing device height 408 measured from the flat spring body top surface 148 at the apex of the flat spring body third section 125 to the most distant portion of the base body bottom surface 172, a sealing device thickness 109, which may be deformed to a curved body. While such damage may, in the instant, the small, in the aggregate such damage can result in failure of the substrate. Because each of the exterior components of the sealing device 100 maintain contact with the interior walls 912, 914 of the substrates 902, 904, this sealing function is maintained, regardless of the use of adhesive intermediate the substrates 902, 904 and the sealing device 100. Each exterior-facing component has a spring force and maintains contact with the substrates 902, 904. The internal sealing body 138 provides a further seal intermediate the base body 102 and the flat spring body 116 and is provided as a two-part elastomer, speeding assembly, rather than a one-part elastomer (typically silicone) coating, which is often used as the exterior seal, which cures by withdrawal of moisture from the atmosphere, which thereby varies due to environmental conditions and requires exposure to atmosphere. The sealing device 100 thus provides elastically and resiliently compressible sealing device for imposition between two substrates 902, 904. To do so, the sealing device 100 use a resiliently elastic and compressible base body 102, a fully-cured sealing body 138 adhered to the resiliently compressible base body, and a flat spring body 116, which may be provided as a water-resistant flexible fully-cured board configured to bow upward when compressed while providing substantial contact to both substrates and fully encapsulating the fully-cured sealing body.

[0022] The sealing device 100, which is provided in lateral compression, may be used in any joint or other interface where air and / or water penetration is undesirable. The sealing device 100 may therefore be considered an interface transition. In operation, the sealing device 100 may be at a width between 10-92% of the original and uncompressed width of the base body 102.

[0023] Referring again to FIG. 1, the base body 102 has a base body first side 106 opposite a base body second side 110, a base body upper section 140 adjacent a base body top surface 104, a base body lower section 142 and adjacent the base body upper section 140 and opposite the base body top surface 104 from the base body upper section 140, the base body lower section 142 having a base body lower section first side 144 opposite a base body lower section second side 146. The base body 102 is provided as elongate body constructed as a generally rectangular prism, with the elongation along its length, with a depth from top, from the perspective of the opening in the joint between the substrates 902, 904, to the bottom, deepest within the joint between the substrates 902, 904, sufficient to remain in place and with a width, measured from side to side, sufficient to fill the distance 910 between the substrates 902, 904. Each of the flat spring body 116 and the internal sealing body 138 is sized for use with the base body 102, particularly connection with width and length. The base body 102 may be an open-celled polyurethane foam or other material. When desired, the base body 102 may be selected to include other performance characteristics, such as fire retardancy, such as by fire retardants or intumescent materials, and as water resistance, such as by hydrophobic characteristics. These may be inherent in the material selected for the base body 102 or may modifications of the base body 102 due to actions including injection, infusion, impregnation or other steps to put any materials into the base body 102 to provide such characteristics.

[0024] The flat spring body 116 may be a water-resistant flat spring which is bowed, i.e. including an arc within its body to temporarily form the flat spring body into an energy-storing concave shape, away from the base body 102 at a flat spring body third section 125 to perform the sealing function, and therefore contains energy. The flat spring body 116 may be a water resistant elastomeric board, sufficiently flexible to complete a 180° change in direction within the joint between the substrates 902, 904. The flat spring body 116 may have multiple sections, including a flat spring body first section 121 adjacent a flat spring body second section 123, the flat spring body second section 123 adjacent the flat spring body third section 125, the flat spring body third section 125 adjacent a flat spring body fourth section 127, and the flat spring body fourth section 127 adjacent a flat spring fifth section 129. Referring to FIG. 5, an end view of the flat spring body 116 of the sealing device of present disclosure absent compression is provided. The flat spring body 116 may have a flat spring body top surface 148 and a flat spring body bottom surface 524 opposite the flat spring body top surface 148. The flat spring body first section 121 extends downward away from the flat spring body third section 125 and adjacent the base body lower section 142. The flat spring top surface 148 at the flat spring first section 121 is aligned with the base body lower section first side 144. Alignment is present when the flat spring top surface 148 at the flat spring first section 121 is substantially in the same plane as the base body lower section first side 144. The flat spring top surface 148 may be substantially parallel to the base body lower section first side 144 and provide a common and adjacent surface when the two are aligned. Alignment of the flat spring top surface 148 and the base body lower section first side 144 provides a generally even surface for contact to a substrate 902. The flat spring body fifth section 129 extends downward away from the flat spring body third section 125 and adjacent the base body lower section 142. The flat spring top surface 148 at the flat spring fifth section 129 aligned with the base body lower section second side 146. Alignment is present when the flat spring top surface 148 at the flat spring fifth section 129 is substantially in the same plane as the base body lower section second side 146. The flat spring top surface 148 may be substantially parallel to the base body lower section second side 145 and provide a common and adjacent surface when the two are aligned. Alignment of the flat spring top surface 148 and the base body lower section second side 146 provides a generally even surface for contact to a substrate 904. As a result, between the flat spring body first section 121 and the flat spring body fifth section 129, i.e. across the flat spring body second section 123, the flat spring body third section 125, and the flat spring body fourth section 127, the flat spring body 116 is bowed upward and connected to provide a 180° change in direction, with at least the flat spring body third section 125 having a pronounced bow. When desired, flat spring body 116 may be selected to include other performance characteristics, such as fire retardancy, such as by fire retardants or intumescent materials. The flat spring body 116 may be a cured-elastomeric extruded sheet, such as of silicone, with adhesive properties, on one or both sides, and therefore adhesive surfaces. The flat spring body 116 may therefore be a double-sided adhesive body and / or may have a surface treatment to enhance any physical properties, such as moisture resistance, flame resistance, and the like.

[0025] The internal sealing body 138 is encapsulated between the base body 102 and the flat spring body 116 to provide an internal sealing layer intermediate the base body 102 and the flat spring body 116. Referring to FIG. 4, an end view of the internal sealing body of the sealing device of present disclosure absent compression is provided. The internal sealing body 138 may have an internal sealing body thickness 408, which may, when desired, range from 0.5 millimeters to 11 millimeters. A larger, or smaller, internal sealing body thickness 408 may be selected based on the properties of the internal sealing body 138. An adhesive, which may be an applied adhesive or a property of the internal sealing body 138, is provided on the internal sealing body 138 at an internal sealing body lower surface 404 and at an internal sealing body top surface 402. Accordingly, referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the internal sealing body 138 is adhered at the internal sealing body lower surface 404 to the base body upper section 140 at the base body top surface 104 and is adhered at the internal sealing body top surface 402 to the flat spring body 116 at the flat spring body bottom surface 524 at the flat spring body third section 125. The adhesion of the internal sealing body 138 to each of the base body 102 and the flat spring body 116 provides an integrated body which can then be compressed for use intermediate the substrates 902, 904. When desired, any applied adhesive may be selected to provide other performance capabilities, including providing a water-resistant barrier and fire retardancy. When desired, the adhesion of the internal sealing body 138 may span the flat spring body bottom surface 524 from the flat spring body first section 121 to the flat spring body fifth section 129. When desired, the base body 102, the flat spring body 116, and the internal sealing body 138 may have a common width prior to any compression.

[0026] The sealing device 100 may include selection of a base body 102 and a flat spring body 116 to further the sealing function. The base body 102 may be resiliently-elastically compressible between the base body first side 106 and the base body second side 110 and have a base body spring force constant. Referring to FIG. 2, an end view of the components of sealing device of present disclosure absent compression is provided. Referring to FIG. 3, an expanded perspective view of the components of the sealing device of the present disclosure from below absent compression is provided. The base body 102 may have a base body second end 312 opposite a base body first end 114 by a base body length 310 and have a base body thickness 108 from a topmost portion 174 of the base body top surface 104 to a base body bottommost portion 176 of the base body bottom surface 172. The base body 102 may be an elongate body where the base body thickness 108 is less than the base body length 310. Likewise, the flat spring body third section 125 may have a flat spring body third section spring force constant at least 10% greater than the base body spring force constant. When relaxed and absent any lateral compression, the base body 102 may have a base body uncompressed thickness of 20-80 mm, but may be considerably thicker as elected.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, when desired, the internal sealing body 138, the flat spring body 116, and the base body 102 may be further defined. The flat spring body 116 may have a flat spring body first side 532 and a flat spring body second side 534 opposite the flat spring body first side 532 where the flat spring body first section 121 terminates at the flat spring body first side 532 and the flat spring body fifth section 129 terminates at the flat spring body second side 534. The internal sealing body 138 may be adhered to the base body upper section 140 from the base body first side 106 to the base body second side 110 between the base body first end 114 and the base body second end 312. The internal sealing body 138 may have a sealing body thickness 107, where the internal sealing body thickness 107 is no more than 20% of the base body thickness 108. Likewise, the flat spring body first side 532 may have a flat spring body maximum thickness 136, where the flat spring body maximum thickness 136 is not more than 25% of the base body thickness 108. As provided above for operation, the base body 102 may be in compression between the base body first side 106 and the base body second side 110 where, as a result of the common exterior sides and the thickness of the internal sealing body 138 and the flat spring body 116, the base body upper section 140 has a base body upper section compression ratio greater than a base body lower section compression ratio of the base body lower section 142, where the compression ratio is the quotient of its uncompressed width divided by its compressed width.

[0028] When desired, the sealing device 100 may have an uncompressed width 280 of the first body 102 from the base body first side 106 to the base body second side 110 less than a width 282 of the flat spring body 116 from the flat spring body first side 532 to the flat spring body second side 534. In some cases, the compression reduces the width of the sealing device 100, as measured from the first body 102 from the base body first side 106, by at least 25% but less than 50%. In other cases, the compression may reduce the width of the sealing device 100, as measured from the first body 102 from the base body first side 106, by as much as 80%. As can be appreciated, the higher compression results in the base body 102 becoming more dense and in increased force applied by the sealing device 100 to the substrates 902, 904. The base body 102 may have a density prior to any compression of 64 kg / m3, or around that value, with an operable installed density from 80 kg / m3 to 200 kg / m3, roughly. In operation, the density of the base body 102 may cycle with a range of as low as 80 kg / m3-120 kg / m3.

[0029] When desired, the internal sealing body 138 may have a Shore A value between 20 and 50 on the ASTM C661 test. The ASTM C661 standard test method for indentation hardness of elastomeric-type sealants measures the hardness of a sealant using a durometer.

[0030] When desired, the flat spring body 116 has a rectangular prism profile. In the profile, the flat spring body 116 is thin when compared to its width. As a result, the flat spring body 116 can be bowed upward and away from the base body 102 in connection with the sealing device 100 without fracturing and is adapted to repeatedly cycle, while maintaining some bowing, between the greatest distance 910 between the substrates 902, 904 and the smallest distance 910 between the substrates 902, 904. Referring to FIG. 6, an end view of an alternative flat spring body 602 of the sealing device of present disclosure absent compression is provided. In an alternative construction, the flat spring body third section 125 may be thicker than the flat spring body first section 121, resulting in a spring force higher in the center of the flat spring body 116 where the spring force is most necessary to drive out of the flat spring body first section 121 and the spring body fifth section 129 toward the substrates 902, 904. The flat spring body 116 may have a flat spring force thickness 538, at its maximum, of 0.5 mm-5.0 mm, though the thickness may be altered based on material section, to provide for a thinner, or thicker flat spring force thickness 538.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 8, an end view of an alternative flat spring body 802 of the sealing device of present disclosure having thickened, anchoring sides is provided. The flat spring body first section 121 may include a portion thicker than the flat spring body second section 123 and the flat spring fifth section 129 may include a portion thicker than the flat spring body fourth section 127. A thicker portion of the flat spring body first section 121 and the flat spring fifth section 129 may provide an increased anchoring of the flat spring body 116 when impressed between the substrate 902, 904 and the first body 102. When desired, the flat spring body 116 may include a downward spike or rail descending downward in the absence of any bowing, to pierce into the first body 102 from each of the base body first side 106 and the base body second side 110 at the transition from the base body upper section 140 and the base body lower section 142.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, the components of the sealing device 100 may be arranged prior to compression as a generally rectangular body, though no specific shape is required for each component and each component may be shaped for performance reasons. For example, the base body 102 may provide chamfered bottom corners for ease of installation and may provide a concave top for additional internal sealing body 138 material, or may be convex to reduce the potential distance between the base body 102 and the underside of the flat spring body third section 125. As arranged prior to compression, the internal sealing body 138 may be adhered atop the base body 102 and the flat spring body 116 may be adhered to the top of the internal sealing body 138. In that arrangement, the base body 102, which is elongate, has a first body uncompressed thickness 208 from the topmost portion 174 of the first body top surface 104 to the first body bottommost portion 176 of the first body bottom surface 172, where the first body uncompressed thickness 208 is less than the first body length 310. The internal sealing body 138 may have an internal sealing body uncompressed thickness 209, which is no more than 20% of the first body uncompressed thickness 208. The flat spring body 432 may have a flat spring unbowed thickness 236 not more than 25% of the first body uncompressed thickness 208.

[0033] To speed production, the internal sealing body 138 may be composed of a two-part elastomer, rather than a one-part atmospheric-curing elastomer (typically silicone), where cure time is dependent on exposure to a moisture-containing atmosphere and where curing is therefore slower, is contingent on humidity, temperature, and other environmental factors, and is from the outside of the sealing body 138 to its interior. The two-part elastomer, which may be a two-part silicone, may be composed of a base and a catalyst, where one of the base and the catalyst contains the moisture required for crosslinking of the two-part elastomer during curing. It is preferred that the mixing ratio of the base and the catalyst is 1:1. Thus, where desired, the internal sealing body (138) may be composed of a two-part silicone, where the two-part silicone is composed of a base and a catalyst, where either of the base or the catalyst contain the moisture required for crosslinking of the two-part silicone during curing and where the base and a catalyst are provided in a mixing ratio of 1:1. A two-part elastomer is used, which may be adhesive at its exterior, and which may be water-proof, gas permeable, and / or flame retardant. The two-part elastomer cures independent on environmental conditions and cures at a common rate throughout. Where desirable, the two-part elastomer may be selected to have a cure time less than the cure time of a like one-part elastomer, such as a two-part silicone when compared to a one-part silicone.

[0034] Historically, two-part elastomers, particularly two-part silicones, have been avoided for use in joint seals as these use a more complicated chemistry, are more expensive to produce, and require an expertise, whereas one-part elastomers, such as one-part silicones, can generally be readily produced at lower cost and employed where straightforward gunning or coating can be used. But, the use of a two-part elastomer for the internal sealing body 138 provides notable benefits, particularly in speed of cure and indifference to environmental factors. A two-part elastomer, properly prepared, can hit a tack in minutes, an enormous benefit as it can then be readily moved, transported, and even installed. One-part elastomers, such as one-part silicones, conversely, take hours to achieve such a tack.

[0035] In a two-part elastomer, the constituents of the formulation such as polymer, crosslinker and catalyst are placed into two separate packages. This requires metering and mixing prior to use, whereas the one-part elastomer, such as a one-part silicone, can directly applied without requiring metering and mixing. As a result of these differences, a disadvantage of the one-part elastomer, such as one-part silicone, is that the cure starts from the surface of the applied coating and progresses inwards to the core. But, for a one-part elastomer, the first step in the curing process is the formation of a skin on the surface. That skin further reduces the cure speed as it acts as a barrier to the moisture, being drawn from the atmosphere, diffusing into the elastomer's coating, resulting in a slow process, which slows the entirety of production.

[0036] The main advantage for a two-part elastomeric adhesive is fast cure that does not rely on ambient moisture. The two-part elastomer starts to cure once the two parts are mixed and dispensed.

[0037] The elastomer cures homogeneously throughout. The advantage of two-part elastomer over a one-part elastomer is that it will shorten process times and increases production rates.

[0038] Thus, the internal sealing body 138 may be composed of a fully-cured water-resistant rapid-cure-on-demand elastomeric adhesive material, such as a fully-cured elastomeric water-resistant rapid-cure-on-demand silicone adhesive material. Because the two parts of the two-part elastomer is combined immediately prior to the institution of curing, additives may be included in the base, the catalyst, or added during mixing. As a result, when desired, the internal sealing body 138 may include a color additive 111 or a fire retardant additive 115. The color additive may be provided as an end-view indicator of some performance metric or intended use. The fire retardant may be beneficial such that, when exposed to fire and upon the failure of the flat spring body 116 to provide any shielding against fire, the fire retardant incorporated in the internal sealing body 138 is activated, slowing or retarding further penetration of the fire.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the sealing device 100 includes the base body upper section 140 becomes compressed and folded against itself as the internal sealing body 138 is deflected by the bowing of the flat spring body 116. Such compression and folding of the base body upper section 140 results in the increased compression within the base body upper section 140 compared to the base body lower section 146. Moreover, such compression results in the internal sealing body being encapsulated within the sealing device 100. When desired, the flat spring body 116 may be provided as having a flat spring body unbowed width 536 than the first body uncompressed width 280 of the uncompressed base body 102 to deform the base body top surface 104 and so the flat spring body first section 121 extend further downward than the curved top of the base body 102 and provide further encapsulation of the internal sealing body 138. Alternatively, the internal sealing body 138 may be further encapsulated by having an internal sealing body uncompressed width 406 less than the first body uncompressed width 280.

[0040] When desired, the sealing device 100 may achieve desired air permeability and moisture infiltration metrics by virtue of the assembly of the base body 102, the internal sealing 138, and the flat spring body 116. The base body 102 may have a base body air permeability, while the internal sealing body 138 has a sealing body air permeability and the flat spring body 116 has a flat spring body air permeability. The combination of the base body permeability, the internal sealing body permeability, and the flat spring body permeability may yield an air leakage rate of no more than 0.04 cfm / ft2 at ±1.57 psf 0.2 L / s⋅m2 at ±75 Pa measured according to ASTM E283-19 through the sealing device 100 from a flat spring body topmost portion 113 of the flat spring body third section 125 to the base body bottommost portion 117 of the base body bottom surface 172. Likewise, the combination of the base body, the internal sealing body, and the flat spring body may prevent a moisture infiltration for 2 hours at 6.24 psf −300 Pa according to ASTM E331-16 into the sealing device 100.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 7, an end view of the internal sealing body of the sealing device of present disclosure with a further sealing body and a second body absent compression is provided. When desired, the sealing device 100 may include a second body 706 and a second internal sealing body 702. The second body 706 may be resiliently-elastically compressible between a second body first side 712 and the second body second side 714 opposite the second body first side. The second internal sealing body 702 may be composed of a two-part elastomner, where the two-part elastomer is composed of a base and a catalyst, where one of the base and the catalyst contains the moisture required for crosslinking of the fully-cured water-resistant rapid-cure-on-demand elastomer adhesive material during curing. The second internal sealing body 702 may adhere to the second body top surface 708 at a second internal sealing body bottom surface 710 from the second body first side 712 to the second body second side 714 and adhere to the base body bottom surface 172 at a second internal sealing body top surface 716 from the base body first side 106 to the base body second side 110. Such an alternative construction may provide a deeper sealing device 100 or a sealing device 100 with greater protection, such as greater water penetration and / or greater fire retardancy and / or further reduced air permeability and / or reduced moisture infiltration.

[0042] In addition to providing a sealing device 100 which provides increasing sealing structures and redundancies, while providing a fully-encapsulated internal sealing body 138, the foregoing structure and selections permit assembly of a sealing device 100 substantially faster than current operations through the avoidance of a like one-part elastomer, such as two-part silicone when compared to a one-part silicone. Referring to FIG. 10, a flow chart for the method of assembling a sealing device of the present disclosure is provided.

[0043] The method of assembling a sealing device 100 for sealing a void between two adjacent substrates commences with a step 1002, wherein a base body 102 is provided. The base body 102 has a base body first side 106 opposite a base body second side 110, a base body upper section 140 adjacent a base body top surface 104, a base body lower section 142 adjacent the base body upper section 140 and opposite the base body top surface 104 from the base body upper section 140, where the base body lower section 142 has a base body lower section first side 144 opposite a base body lower section second side 146, and where the base body 102 is resiliently-elastically compressible between the base body first side 106 and the base body second side 110.

[0044] In step 1004, a flat spring body 116 is provided. The flat spring body 116 is a water-resistant flat spring, and has a flat spring body first section 121 adjacent a flat spring body second section 123, where the flat spring body second section 123 is adjacent a flat spring body third section 125, where the flat spring body third section 125 is adjacent a flat spring body fourth section 127, and where the flat spring body fourth section 127 is adjacent a flat spring fifth section 129. The flat spring body 116 has a flat spring body top surface 148 and a flat spring body bottom surface 524 opposite the flat spring body top surface 148. The flat spring body 116 has a flat spring body first side 532 and a flat spring body second side 534 opposite the flat spring body first side 532, where the flat spring body first section 121 terminates at the flat spring body first side 532 and the flat spring body fifth section 129 terminates at the flat spring body second side 534. The flat spring body 116 is adapted to bow upward when compressed at the flat spring body first side 532 and the flat spring body second side 534.

[0045] In step 1006, a base of a two-part elastomer is provided.

[0046] In step 1008, a catalyst of the two-part elastomer, suitable for use with the base of step 1006, is provided. One of the base and the catalyst contains the entirety of the moisture required for crosslinking of the two-part elastomer during curing.

[0047] When desired, a step 1009 may be included, wherein one of a color additive 111 or a fire-retardant additive 115, or both, is added to one of the base and the catalyst prior to performing the actions of step 1010. Alternatively, the step 1009 may be omitted.

[0048] In step 1010, the base of a two-part elastomer and the catalyst of the two-part elastomer are combined to form the two-part elastomer.

[0049] In step 1012, prior to the full curing of the two-part elastomer, the two-part elastomer is applied to the base body upper section 140 at the base body top surface 104 to form an internal sealing body 138. The two-part elastomer forms an internal sealing body 138 having an internal sealing body lower surface 404 to adhere to the base body upper section 140 at the base body top surface 104. An adhesive, which may be an applied adhesive or a property of the internal sealing body 138, is provided on the internal sealing body 138 at an internal sealing body lower surface 404. The internal sealing body 138 includes an adhesive, applied or as a property of the internal sealing body 139, at an internal sealing body top surface 402 and adheres at the internal sealing body lower surface 404 to the base body upper section 140 at the base body top surface 104.

[0050] In step 1014, the flat spring body 116 is positioned atop the internal sealing body 138 to permit the internal sealing body 138 to adhere at an internal sealing body top surface 402 to the flat spring body 116 at the flat spring body bottom surface 524 at the flat spring body third section 125. This may be performed after the internal sealing body 138 has begun curing, i.e., 0% cured, or later, such as when the internal sealing body 138 is 65% cured, or at other values below or above, through a full cure. Preferably, the two-part elastomer, which provides a demand cure and a two-part composition, achieves greater than 50% curing, and preferably greater than 75% curing, after a working time of 5 -15 minutes.

[0051] In step 1016, the base body 102, the flat spring body 116, and the internal sealing body 138 are compressed laterally to reduce the distance between the base body first side 106 and the body second side 110 until the flat spring body 116 has bowed upward such that the flat spring body first section 121 extends downward away from the flat spring body third section 125 and adjacent the base body lower section 142 so the flat spring top surface 148 at the flat spring first section 121 is aligned with the base body lower section first side 144 and such that the flat spring body fifth section 129 extends downward away from the flat spring body third section 125 and adjacent the base body lower section 142 so the flat spring top surface 148 at the flat spring fifth section 129 is aligned with the base body lower section second side 146, and so the flat spring body 116 contains energy due to a flat spring spring force of the flat spring and the compression laterally of the base body 102 and so the internal sealing body 138 is encapsulated between the base body and the flat spring body.

[0052] The foregoing disclosure and description is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The present disclosure should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0021]Referring to FIG. 1, an end view of the sealing device of the sealing device of present disclosure as assembled for and during installation is provided. The sealing device 100 enables the sealing of a void between two adjacent substrates and includes a base body 102, a flat spring body 116, and an internal sealing body 138. Referring to FIG. 9, an end view of the sealing device of the sealing device of present disclosure as installed between substrates. Because of its unique structure, the sealing device maintains contact with the two substrates 902, 904 when installed so the base body 102 and the flat spring body 116 maintain contact on opposite sides of the sealing device 100 with the sealing device 100 preferably installed so as not to protrude above the top surfaces 906, 908 of the two substrates 902, 904. In operation, when the distance 910 between the two substrates changes, such as in response to environmental conditions, the sealing device 100 can compress to accommoda...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable.BACKGROUNDField

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to an elastically and resiliently compressible sealing device for imposition between two substrates. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to a sealing device using a resiliently compressible base body, a fully-cured sealing body adhered to the resiliently compressible base body, and a flat spring body configured to bow upward when compressed while providing substantial contact to both substrates and fully encapsulating the fully-cured sealing body.Description of the Related Art

[0004] Construction panels come in many different sizes and shapes and may be used for various purposes, including roadways, sideways, and pre-cast structures, particularly buildings. Whether formed in place or by use of precast panels, designs generally require forming a lateral gap or joint between adjacent panels to allow for independent movement, such in response to ambient temperature variations within standard operating ranges, building settling or shrinkage and seismic activity. Moreover, these joints are subject to damage over time. Seals between these panels may be intended to preclude foreign bodies from becoming lodged between the panels, to impede water accumulation between the panels, to prevent exposure by subsurface components to chemicals, to prevent air penetration or escape, and to reduce temperature variations at joints. Similarly, these panels themselves may be resiliently-compressible, such as where the panels are imposed on a framework or other support.

[0005] These resiliently-compressible seals generally use a body having one or more vertically-positioned layers, each providing a different function, with an exterior silicone layer provided as a one-part silicone to make use of the moisture in the atmosphere to cure from the outside towards the inside, with cure rates dependent on temperature, humidity, and surface-area-to-volume ratio. The time to cure a one-part silicone layer, while permitting liquid application, becomes environmentally-dependent and therefore varies unless strict environmental controls are employed. As assembly is typically in a warehouse, rather than a clean-room, such strict controls are absent. Moreover, such a silicone layer provides little spring force in a seal, but rather may be designed to compress and expand in a bellows profile, moving in accordance with the lower layer to which the silicone layer is attached. The silicone layer may be intended to provide a water-resistant layer as a coating to a porous but springing material such as open-cell polyurethane foam. This may be acceptable as the silicone layer may be adhered, such as by an adhesive, to the adjacent walls of the substrate and thereby provide a substrate-to-substrate water-resistant layer above the backing material which has a higher resiliency and elasticity to compression.SUMMARY

[0006] The present disclosure therefore meets the above needs and overcomes one or more deficiencies in the prior art by providing a sealing device for sealing a void between two adjacent substrates having a base body, a flat spring body, and internal sealing body, where the base body has a base body first side opposite a base body second side, a base body upper section adjacent a base body top surface, a base body lower section adjacent the base body upper section and opposite the base body top surface from the base body upper section, and where the base body lower section has a base body lower section first side opposite a base body lower section second side, where the flat spring body is a water-resistant flat spring and has a flat spring body first section adjacent a flat spring body second section, a flat spring body second section adjacent a flat spring body third section, the flat spring body third section is adjacent a flat spring body fourth section, and the flat spring body fourth section adjacent a flat spring fifth section, and where the flat spring has a flat spring body top surface and a flat spring body bottom surface opposite the flat spring body top surface, where the flat spring body is bowed away from the base body at the flat spring body third section, the flat spring body first section extends downward away from the flat spring body third section and adjacent the base body lower section, and the flat spring top surface at the flat spring first section is aligned with the base body lower section first side, where the flat spring body fifth section extends downward away from the flat spring body third section and adjacent the base body lower section, where the flat spring top surface at the flat spring fifth section is aligned with the base body lower section second side, and where the flat spring body contains energy, and where the internal sealing body is adhered at the internal sealing body lower surface to the base body upper section at the base body top surface and is adhered at the internal sealing body top surface to the flat spring body at the flat spring body bottom surface at the flat spring body third section, and where the internal sealing body is encapsulated between the base body and the flat spring body.

[0007] The present disclosure further provides a method of assembling a sealing device for sealing a void between two adjacent substrates, which includes providing a base body, the base body having a base body first side opposite a base body second side, a base body upper section adjacent a base body top surface, a base body lower section and adjacent the base body upper section and opposite the base body top surface from the base body upper section, the base body lower section having a base body lower section first side opposite a base body lower section second side, the base body being resiliently-elastically compressible between the base body first side and the base body second side; providing a flat spring body, the flat spring body being a water-resistant flat spring, the flat spring body having a flat spring body first section adjacent a flat spring body second section, the flat spring body second section adjacent a flat spring body third section, the flat spring body third section adjacent a flat spring body fourth section, and the flat spring body fourth section adjacent a flat spring fifth section, the flat spring body having a flat spring body top surface and a flat spring body bottom surface opposite the flat spring body top surface, the flat spring body having a flat spring body first side and a flat spring body second side opposite the flat spring body first side, the flat spring body first section terminating at the flat spring body first side, the flat spring body fifth section terminating at the flat spring body second side, the flat spring body adapted to bow upward when compressed at the flat spring body first side and the flat spring body second side; providing a base of a two-part elastomer; providing a catalyst of the two-part elastomer, one of the base and the catalyst containing a moisture required for crosslinking of the two-part elastomer during curing; combining the base of a two-part elastomer and the catalyst of the two-part elastomer to form the two-part elastomer; providing the two-part elastomer to the base body upper section at the base body top surface to form an internal sealing body, the two-part elastomer forming an internal sealing body having an internal sealing body lower surface to adhere to the base body upper section at the base body top surface, the internal sealing body having an adhesive at an internal sealing body top surface, the internal sealing body adhering to the internal sealing body lower surface to the base body upper section at the base body top surface, positioning the flat spring body atop the internal sealing body to permit the internal sealing body to adhere at an internal sealing body top surface to the flat spring body at the flat spring body bottom surface at the flat spring body third section; compressing laterally the base body, the flat spring body, and the internal sealing body to reduce the distance between the base body first side and the body second side until the flat spring body has bowed upward such that the flat spring body first section extends downward away from the flat spring body third section and adjacent the base body lower section so the flat spring top surface at the flat spring first section is aligned with the base body lower section first side and such that the flat spring body fifth section extends downward away from the flat spring body third section and adjacent the base body lower section so the flat spring top surface at the flat spring fifth section is aligned with the base body lower section second side, and so the flat spring body contains energy due to a flat spring spring force of the flat spring and the compression laterally of the base body and so the internal sealing body is encapsulated between the base body and the flat spring body.

[0008] Additional aspects, advantages, and embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the various embodiments and related drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] So that the manner in which the described features, advantages, and objects of the disclosure, as well as others which will become apparent, are attained and can be understood in detail; more particular description of the disclosure briefly summarized above may be had by referring to the embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the drawings, which drawings form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical preferred embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope as the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0010] In the drawings:

[0011] FIG. 1 provides an end view of the sealing device of the sealing device of present disclosure as assembled for and during installation.

[0012] FIG. 2 provides an end view of the components of sealing device of present disclosure absent compression.

[0013] FIG. 3 provides an expanded perspective view of the components of the sealing device of the present disclosure from below absent compression.

[0014] FIG. 4 provides an end view of the internal sealing body of the sealing device of present disclosure absent compression.

[0015] FIG. 5 provides an end view of the flat spring body of the sealing device of present disclosure absent compression.

[0016] FIG. 6 provides an end view of an alternative flat spring body of the sealing device of present disclosure absent compression.

[0017] FIG. 7 provides an end view of the internal sealing body of the sealing device of present disclosure with a further sealing body and a second body absent compression.

[0018] FIG. 8 provides an end view of an alternative flat spring body of the sealing device of present disclosure having thickened, anchoring sides.

[0019] FIG. 9 provides an end view of the sealing device of the sealing device of present disclosure as installed between substrates.

[0020] FIG. 10 provides a flow chart for the method of assembling a sealing device of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, an end view of the sealing device of the sealing device of present disclosure as assembled for and during installation is provided. The sealing device 100 enables the sealing of a void between two adjacent substrates and includes a base body 102, a flat spring body 116, and an internal sealing body 138. Referring to FIG. 9, an end view of the sealing device of the sealing device of present disclosure as installed between substrates. Because of its unique structure, the sealing device maintains contact with the two substrates 902, 904 when installed so the base body 102 and the flat spring body 116 maintain contact on opposite sides of the sealing device 100 with the sealing device 100 preferably installed so as not to protrude above the top surfaces 906, 908 of the two substrates 902, 904. In operation, when the distance 910 between the two substrates changes, such as in response to environmental conditions, the sealing device 100 can compress to accommodate the reduction in the distance 910 or can expand to accommodate the increase in the distance 910. For example, when heated by sunlight and / or atmosphere, one or more of the substrates 902, 904 may expand, reducing the distance 910. Likewise, when cooled by atmosphere or absence of sunlight, the distance may increase. It is therefore essential that the sealing device 100 expand or accept compression to address the change in the distance 910. The constant contact between the sealing device 100 and the interior walls 912, 914 of the substrates 902, 904 is essential to perform the sealing function, preventing water, liquid contaminants, and solid contaminants from penetrating into the joint between the substrates 902, 904, as such materials could directly damage the substrates and could, in response to environmental changes, expand or contract and thereby cause damage to one or more of the substrates 902, 904. As can be appreciated, the joint 901 has a depth 916, which is greater than the sealing device height 408 measured from the flat spring body top surface 148 at the apex of the flat spring body third section 125 to the most distant portion of the base body bottom surface 172, a sealing device thickness 109, which may be deformed to a curved body. While such damage may, in the instant, the small, in the aggregate such damage can result in failure of the substrate. Because each of the exterior components of the sealing device 100 maintain contact with the interior walls 912, 914 of the substrates 902, 904, this sealing function is maintained, regardless of the use of adhesive intermediate the substrates 902, 904 and the sealing device 100. Each exterior-facing component has a spring force and maintains contact with the substrates 902, 904. The internal sealing body 138 provides a further seal intermediate the base body 102 and the flat spring body 116 and is provided as a two-part elastomer, speeding assembly, rather than a one-part elastomer (typically silicone) coating, which is often used as the exterior seal, which cures by withdrawal of moisture from the atmosphere, which thereby varies due to environmental conditions and requires exposure to atmosphere. The sealing device 100 thus provides elastically and resiliently compressible sealing device for imposition between two substrates 902, 904. To do so, the sealing device 100 use a resiliently elastic and compressible base body 102, a fully-cured sealing body 138 adhered to the resiliently compressible base body, and a flat spring body 116, which may be provided as a water-resistant flexible fully-cured board configured to bow upward when compressed while providing substantial contact to both substrates and fully encapsulating the fully-cured sealing body.

[0022] The sealing device 100, which is provided in lateral compression, may be used in any joint or other interface where air and / or water penetration is undesirable. The sealing device 100 may therefore be considered an interface transition. In operation, the sealing device 100 may be at a width between 10-92% of the original and uncompressed width of the base body 102.

[0023] Referring again to FIG. 1, the base body 102 has a base body first side 106 opposite a base body second side 110, a base body upper section 140 adjacent a base body top surface 104, a base body lower section 142 and adjacent the base body upper section 140 and opposite the base body top surface 104 from the base body upper section 140, the base body lower section 142 having a base body lower section first side 144 opposite a base body lower section second side 146. The base body 102 is provided as elongate body constructed as a generally rectangular prism, with the elongation along its length, with a depth from top, from the perspective of the opening in the joint between the substrates 902, 904, to the bottom, deepest within the joint between the substrates 902, 904, sufficient to remain in place and with a width, measured from side to side, sufficient to fill the distance 910 between the substrates 902, 904. Each of the flat spring body 116 and the internal sealing body 138 is sized for use with the base body 102, particularly connection with width and length. The base body 102 may be an open-celled polyurethane foam or other material. When desired, the base body 102 may be selected to include other performance characteristics, such as fire retardancy, such as by fire retardants or intumescent materials, and as water resistance, such as by hydrophobic characteristics. These may be inherent in the material selected for the base body 102 or may modifications of the base body 102 due to actions including injection, infusion, impregnation or other steps to put any materials into the base body 102 to provide such characteristics.

[0024] The flat spring body 116 may be a water-resistant flat spring which is bowed, i.e. including an arc within its body to temporarily form the flat spring body into an energy-storing concave shape, away from the base body 102 at a flat spring body third section 125 to perform the sealing function, and therefore contains energy. The flat spring body 116 may be a water resistant elastomeric board, sufficiently flexible to complete a 180° change in direction within the joint between the substrates 902, 904. The flat spring body 116 may have multiple sections, including a flat spring body first section 121 adjacent a flat spring body second section 123, the flat spring body second section 123 adjacent the flat spring body third section 125, the flat spring body third section 125 adjacent a flat spring body fourth section 127, and the flat spring body fourth section 127 adjacent a flat spring fifth section 129. Referring to FIG. 5, an end view of the flat spring body 116 of the sealing device of present disclosure absent compression is provided. The flat spring body 116 may have a flat spring body top surface 148 and a flat spring body bottom surface 524 opposite the flat spring body top surface 148. The flat spring body first section 121 extends downward away from the flat spring body third section 125 and adjacent the base body lower section 142. The flat spring top surface 148 at the flat spring first section 121 is aligned with the base body lower section first side 144. Alignment is present when the flat spring top surface 148 at the flat spring first section 121 is substantially in the same plane as the base body lower section first side 144. The flat spring top surface 148 may be substantially parallel to the base body lower section first side 144 and provide a common and adjacent surface when the two are aligned. Alignment of the flat spring top surface 148 and the base body lower section first side 144 provides a generally even surface for contact to a substrate 902. The flat spring body fifth section 129 extends downward away from the flat spring body third section 125 and adjacent the base body lower section 142. The flat spring top surface 148 at the flat spring fifth section 129 aligned with the base body lower section second side 146. Alignment is present when the flat spring top surface 148 at the flat spring fifth section 129 is substantially in the same plane as the base body lower section second side 146. The flat spring top surface 148 may be substantially parallel to the base body lower section second side 145 and provide a common and adjacent surface when the two are aligned. Alignment of the flat spring top surface 148 and the base body lower section second side 146 provides a generally even surface for contact to a substrate 904. As a result, between the flat spring body first section 121 and the flat spring body fifth section 129, i.e. across the flat spring body second section 123, the flat spring body third section 125, and the flat spring body fourth section 127, the flat spring body 116 is bowed upward and connected to provide a 180° change in direction, with at least the flat spring body third section 125 having a pronounced bow. When desired, flat spring body 116 may be selected to include other performance characteristics, such as fire retardancy, such as by fire retardants or intumescent materials. The flat spring body 116 may be a cured-elastomeric extruded sheet, such as of silicone, with adhesive properties, on one or both sides, and therefore adhesive surfaces. The flat spring body 116 may therefore be a double-sided adhesive body and / or may have a surface treatment to enhance any physical properties, such as moisture resistance, flame resistance, and the like.

[0025] The internal sealing body 138 is encapsulated between the base body 102 and the flat spring body 116 to provide an internal sealing layer intermediate the base body 102 and the flat spring body 116. Referring to FIG. 4, an end view of the internal sealing body of the sealing device of present disclosure absent compression is provided. The internal sealing body 138 may have an internal sealing body thickness 408, which may, when desired, range from 0.5 millimeters to 11 millimeters. A larger, or smaller, internal sealing body thickness 408 may be selected based on the properties of the internal sealing body 138. An adhesive, which may be an applied adhesive or a property of the internal sealing body 138, is provided on the internal sealing body 138 at an internal sealing body lower surface 404 and at an internal sealing body top surface 402. Accordingly, referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the internal sealing body 138 is adhered at the internal sealing body lower surface 404 to the base body upper section 140 at the base body top surface 104 and is adhered at the internal sealing body top surface 402 to the flat spring body 116 at the flat spring body bottom surface 524 at the flat spring body third section 125. The adhesion of the internal sealing body 138 to each of the base body 102 and the flat spring body 116 provides an integrated body which can then be compressed for use intermediate the substrates 902, 904. When desired, any applied adhesive may be selected to provide other performance capabilities, including providing a water-resistant barrier and fire retardancy. When desired, the adhesion of the internal sealing body 138 may span the flat spring body bottom surface 524 from the flat spring body first section 121 to the flat spring body fifth section 129. When desired, the base body 102, the flat spring body 116, and the internal sealing body 138 may have a common width prior to any compression.

[0026] The sealing device 100 may include selection of a base body 102 and a flat spring body 116 to further the sealing function. The base body 102 may be resiliently-elastically compressible between the base body first side 106 and the base body second side 110 and have a base body spring force constant. Referring to FIG. 2, an end view of the components of sealing device of present disclosure absent compression is provided. Referring to FIG. 3, an expanded perspective view of the components of the sealing device of the present disclosure from below absent compression is provided. The base body 102 may have a base body second end 312 opposite a base body first end 114 by a base body length 310 and have a base body thickness 108 from a topmost portion 174 of the base body top surface 104 to a base body bottommost portion 176 of the base body bottom surface 172. The base body 102 may be an elongate body where the base body thickness 108 is less than the base body length 310. Likewise, the flat spring body third section 125 may have a flat spring body third section spring force constant at least 10% greater than the base body spring force constant. When relaxed and absent any lateral compression, the base body 102 may have a base body uncompressed thickness of 20-80 mm, but may be considerably thicker as elected.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, when desired, the internal sealing body 138, the flat spring body 116, and the base body 102 may be further defined. The flat spring body 116 may have a flat spring body first side 532 and a flat spring body second side 534 opposite the flat spring body first side 532 where the flat spring body first section 121 terminates at the flat spring body first side 532 and the flat spring body fifth section 129 terminates at the flat spring body second side 534. The internal sealing body 138 may be adhered to the base body upper section 140 from the base body first side 106 to the base body second side 110 between the base body first end 114 and the base body second end 312. The internal sealing body 138 may have a sealing body thickness 107, where the internal sealing body thickness 107 is no more than 20% of the base body thickness 108. Likewise, the flat spring body first side 532 may have a flat spring body maximum thickness 136, where the flat spring body maximum thickness 136 is not more than 25% of the base body thickness 108. As provided above for operation, the base body 102 may be in compression between the base body first side 106 and the base body second side 110 where, as a result of the common exterior sides and the thickness of the internal sealing body 138 and the flat spring body 116, the base body upper section 140 has a base body upper section compression ratio greater than a base body lower section compression ratio of the base body lower section 142, where the compression ratio is the quotient of its uncompressed width divided by its compressed width.

[0028] When desired, the sealing device 100 may have an uncompressed width 280 of the first body 102 from the base body first side 106 to the base body second side 110 less than a width 282 of the flat spring body 116 from the flat spring body first side 532 to the flat spring body second side 534. In some cases, the compression reduces the width of the sealing device 100, as measured from the first body 102 from the base body first side 106, by at least 25% but less than 50%. In other cases, the compression may reduce the width of the sealing device 100, as measured from the first body 102 from the base body first side 106, by as much as 80%. As can be appreciated, the higher compression results in the base body 102 becoming more dense and in increased force applied by the sealing device 100 to the substrates 902, 904. The base body 102 may have a density prior to any compression of 64 kg / m3, or around that value, with an operable installed density from 80 kg / m3 to 200 kg / m3, roughly. In operation, the density of the base body 102 may cycle with a range of as low as 80 kg / m3-120 kg / m3.

[0029] When desired, the internal sealing body 138 may have a Shore A value between 20 and 50 on the ASTM C661 test. The ASTM C661 standard test method for indentation hardness of elastomeric-type sealants measures the hardness of a sealant using a durometer.

[0030] When desired, the flat spring body 116 has a rectangular prism profile. In the profile, the flat spring body 116 is thin when compared to its width. As a result, the flat spring body 116 can be bowed upward and away from the base body 102 in connection with the sealing device 100 without fracturing and is adapted to repeatedly cycle, while maintaining some bowing, between the greatest distance 910 between the substrates 902, 904 and the smallest distance 910 between the substrates 902, 904. Referring to FIG. 6, an end view of an alternative flat spring body 602 of the sealing device of present disclosure absent compression is provided. In an alternative construction, the flat spring body third section 125 may be thicker than the flat spring body first section 121, resulting in a spring force higher in the center of the flat spring body 116 where the spring force is most necessary to drive out of the flat spring body first section 121 and the spring body fifth section 129 toward the substrates 902, 904. The flat spring body 116 may have a flat spring force thickness 538, at its maximum, of 0.5 mm-5.0 mm, though the thickness may be altered based on material section, to provide for a thinner, or thicker flat spring force thickness 538.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 8, an end view of an alternative flat spring body 802 of the sealing device of present disclosure having thickened, anchoring sides is provided. The flat spring body first section 121 may include a portion thicker than the flat spring body second section 123 and the flat spring fifth section 129 may include a portion thicker than the flat spring body fourth section 127. A thicker portion of the flat spring body first section 121 and the flat spring fifth section 129 may provide an increased anchoring of the flat spring body 116 when impressed between the substrate 902, 904 and the first body 102. When desired, the flat spring body 116 may include a downward spike or rail descending downward in the absence of any bowing, to pierce into the first body 102 from each of the base body first side 106 and the base body second side 110 at the transition from the base body upper section 140 and the base body lower section 142.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, the components of the sealing device 100 may be arranged prior to compression as a generally rectangular body, though no specific shape is required for each component and each component may be shaped for performance reasons. For example, the base body 102 may provide chamfered bottom corners for ease of installation and may provide a concave top for additional internal sealing body 138 material, or may be convex to reduce the potential distance between the base body 102 and the underside of the flat spring body third section 125. As arranged prior to compression, the internal sealing body 138 may be adhered atop the base body 102 and the flat spring body 116 may be adhered to the top of the internal sealing body 138. In that arrangement, the base body 102, which is elongate, has a first body uncompressed thickness 208 from the topmost portion 174 of the first body top surface 104 to the first body bottommost portion 176 of the first body bottom surface 172, where the first body uncompressed thickness 208 is less than the first body length 310. The internal sealing body 138 may have an internal sealing body uncompressed thickness 209, which is no more than 20% of the first body uncompressed thickness 208. The flat spring body 432 may have a flat spring unbowed thickness 236 not more than 25% of the first body uncompressed thickness 208.

[0033] To speed production, the internal sealing body 138 may be composed of a two-part elastomer, rather than a one-part atmospheric-curing elastomer (typically silicone), where cure time is dependent on exposure to a moisture-containing atmosphere and where curing is therefore slower, is contingent on humidity, temperature, and other environmental factors, and is from the outside of the sealing body 138 to its interior. The two-part elastomer, which may be a two-part silicone, may be composed of a base and a catalyst, where one of the base and the catalyst contains the moisture required for crosslinking of the two-part elastomer during curing. It is preferred that the mixing ratio of the base and the catalyst is 1:1. Thus, where desired, the internal sealing body (138) may be composed of a two-part silicone, where the two-part silicone is composed of a base and a catalyst, where either of the base or the catalyst contain the moisture required for crosslinking of the two-part silicone during curing and where the base and a catalyst are provided in a mixing ratio of 1:1. A two-part elastomer is used, which may be adhesive at its exterior, and which may be water-proof, gas permeable, and / or flame retardant. The two-part elastomer cures independent on environmental conditions and cures at a common rate throughout. Where desirable, the two-part elastomer may be selected to have a cure time less than the cure time of a like one-part elastomer, such as a two-part silicone when compared to a one-part silicone.

[0034] Historically, two-part elastomers, particularly two-part silicones, have been avoided for use in joint seals as these use a more complicated chemistry, are more expensive to produce, and require an expertise, whereas one-part elastomers, such as one-part silicones, can generally be readily produced at lower cost and employed where straightforward gunning or coating can be used. But, the use of a two-part elastomer for the internal sealing body 138 provides notable benefits, particularly in speed of cure and indifference to environmental factors. A two-part elastomer, properly prepared, can hit a tack in minutes, an enormous benefit as it can then be readily moved, transported, and even installed. One-part elastomers, such as one-part silicones, conversely, take hours to achieve such a tack.

[0035] In a two-part elastomer, the constituents of the formulation such as polymer, crosslinker and catalyst are placed into two separate packages. This requires metering and mixing prior to use, whereas the one-part elastomer, such as a one-part silicone, can directly applied without requiring metering and mixing. As a result of these differences, a disadvantage of the one-part elastomer, such as one-part silicone, is that the cure starts from the surface of the applied coating and progresses inwards to the core. But, for a one-part elastomer, the first step in the curing process is the formation of a skin on the surface. That skin further reduces the cure speed as it acts as a barrier to the moisture, being drawn from the atmosphere, diffusing into the elastomer's coating, resulting in a slow process, which slows the entirety of production.

[0036] The main advantage for a two-part elastomeric adhesive is fast cure that does not rely on ambient moisture. The two-part elastomer starts to cure once the two parts are mixed and dispensed.

[0037] The elastomer cures homogeneously throughout. The advantage of two-part elastomer over a one-part elastomer is that it will shorten process times and increases production rates.

[0038] Thus, the internal sealing body 138 may be composed of a fully-cured water-resistant rapid-cure-on-demand elastomeric adhesive material, such as a fully-cured elastomeric water-resistant rapid-cure-on-demand silicone adhesive material. Because the two parts of the two-part elastomer is combined immediately prior to the institution of curing, additives may be included in the base, the catalyst, or added during mixing. As a result, when desired, the internal sealing body 138 may include a color additive 111 or a fire retardant additive 115. The color additive may be provided as an end-view indicator of some performance metric or intended use. The fire retardant may be beneficial such that, when exposed to fire and upon the failure of the flat spring body 116 to provide any shielding against fire, the fire retardant incorporated in the internal sealing body 138 is activated, slowing or retarding further penetration of the fire.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the sealing device 100 includes the base body upper section 140 becomes compressed and folded against itself as the internal sealing body 138 is deflected by the bowing of the flat spring body 116. Such compression and folding of the base body upper section 140 results in the increased compression within the base body upper section 140 compared to the base body lower section 146. Moreover, such compression results in the internal sealing body being encapsulated within the sealing device 100. When desired, the flat spring body 116 may be provided as having a flat spring body unbowed width 536 than the first body uncompressed width 280 of the uncompressed base body 102 to deform the base body top surface 104 and so the flat spring body first section 121 extend further downward than the curved top of the base body 102 and provide further encapsulation of the internal sealing body 138. Alternatively, the internal sealing body 138 may be further encapsulated by having an internal sealing body uncompressed width 406 less than the first body uncompressed width 280.

[0040] When desired, the sealing device 100 may achieve desired air permeability and moisture infiltration metrics by virtue of the assembly of the base body 102, the internal sealing 138, and the flat spring body 116. The base body 102 may have a base body air permeability, while the internal sealing body 138 has a sealing body air permeability and the flat spring body 116 has a flat spring body air permeability. The combination of the base body permeability, the internal sealing body permeability, and the flat spring body permeability may yield an air leakage rate of no more than 0.04 cfm / ft2 at ±1.57 psf 0.2 L / s⋅m2 at ±75 Pa measured according to ASTM E283-19 through the sealing device 100 from a flat spring body topmost portion 113 of the flat spring body third section 125 to the base body bottommost portion 117 of the base body bottom surface 172. Likewise, the combination of the base body, the internal sealing body, and the flat spring body may prevent a moisture infiltration for 2 hours at 6.24 psf −300 Pa according to ASTM E331-16 into the sealing device 100.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 7, an end view of the internal sealing body of the sealing device of present disclosure with a further sealing body and a second body absent compression is provided. When desired, the sealing device 100 may include a second body 706 and a second internal sealing body 702. The second body 706 may be resiliently-elastically compressible between a second body first side 712 and the second body second side 714 opposite the second body first side. The second internal sealing body 702 may be composed of a two-part elastomner, where the two-part elastomer is composed of a base and a catalyst, where one of the base and the catalyst contains the moisture required for crosslinking of the fully-cured water-resistant rapid-cure-on-demand elastomer adhesive material during curing. The second internal sealing body 702 may adhere to the second body top surface 708 at a second internal sealing body bottom surface 710 from the second body first side 712 to the second body second side 714 and adhere to the base body bottom surface 172 at a second internal sealing body top surface 716 from the base body first side 106 to the base body second side 110. Such an alternative construction may provide a deeper sealing device 100 or a sealing device 100 with greater protection, such as greater water penetration and / or greater fire retardancy and / or further reduced air permeability and / or reduced moisture infiltration.

[0042] In addition to providing a sealing device 100 which provides increasing sealing structures and redundancies, while providing a fully-encapsulated internal sealing body 138, the foregoing structure and selections permit assembly of a sealing device 100 substantially faster than current operations through the avoidance of a like one-part elastomer, such as two-part silicone when compared to a one-part silicone. Referring to FIG. 10, a flow chart for the method of assembling a sealing device of the present disclosure is provided.

[0043] The method of assembling a sealing device 100 for sealing a void between two adjacent substrates commences with a step 1002, wherein a base body 102 is provided. The base body 102 has a base body first side 106 opposite a base body second side 110, a base body upper section 140 adjacent a base body top surface 104, a base body lower section 142 adjacent the base body upper section 140 and opposite the base body top surface 104 from the base body upper section 140, where the base body lower section 142 has a base body lower section first side 144 opposite a base body lower section second side 146, and where the base body 102 is resiliently-elastically compressible between the base body first side 106 and the base body second side 110.

[0044] In step 1004, a flat spring body 116 is provided. The flat spring body 116 is a water-resistant flat spring, and has a flat spring body first section 121 adjacent a flat spring body second section 123, where the flat spring body second section 123 is adjacent a flat spring body third section 125, where the flat spring body third section 125 is adjacent a flat spring body fourth section 127, and where the flat spring body fourth section 127 is adjacent a flat spring fifth section 129. The flat spring body 116 has a flat spring body top surface 148 and a flat spring body bottom surface 524 opposite the flat spring body top surface 148. The flat spring body 116 has a flat spring body first side 532 and a flat spring body second side 534 opposite the flat spring body first side 532, where the flat spring body first section 121 terminates at the flat spring body first side 532 and the flat spring body fifth section 129 terminates at the flat spring body second side 534. The flat spring body 116 is adapted to bow upward when compressed at the flat spring body first side 532 and the flat spring body second side 534.

[0045] In step 1006, a base of a two-part elastomer is provided.

[0046] In step 1008, a catalyst of the two-part elastomer, suitable for use with the base of step 1006, is provided. One of the base and the catalyst contains the entirety of the moisture required for crosslinking of the two-part elastomer during curing.

[0047] When desired, a step 1009 may be included, wherein one of a color additive 111 or a fire-retardant additive 115, or both, is added to one of the base and the catalyst prior to performing the actions of step 1010. Alternatively, the step 1009 may be omitted.

[0048] In step 1010, the base of a two-part elastomer and the catalyst of the two-part elastomer are combined to form the two-part elastomer.

[0049] In step 1012, prior to the full curing of the two-part elastomer, the two-part elastomer is applied to the base body upper section 140 at the base body top surface 104 to form an internal sealing body 138. The two-part elastomer forms an internal sealing body 138 having an internal sealing body lower surface 404 to adhere to the base body upper section 140 at the base body top surface 104. An adhesive, which may be an applied adhesive or a property of the internal sealing body 138, is provided on the internal sealing body 138 at an internal sealing body lower surface 404. The internal sealing body 138 includes an adhesive, applied or as a property of the internal sealing body 139, at an internal sealing body top surface 402 and adheres at the internal sealing body lower surface 404 to the base body upper section 140 at the base body top surface 104.

[0050] In step 1014, the flat spring body 116 is positioned atop the internal sealing body 138 to permit the internal sealing body 138 to adhere at an internal sealing body top surface 402 to the flat spring body 116 at the flat spring body bottom surface 524 at the flat spring body third section 125. This may be performed after the internal sealing body 138 has begun curing, i.e., 0% cured, or later, such as when the internal sealing body 138 is 65% cured, or at other values below or above, through a full cure. Preferably, the two-part elastomer, which provides a demand cure and a two-part composition, achieves greater than 50% curing, and preferably greater than 75% curing, after a working time of 5 -15 minutes.

[0051] In step 1016, the base body 102, the flat spring body 116, and the internal sealing body 138 are compressed laterally to reduce the distance between the base body first side 106 and the body second side 110 until the flat spring body 116 has bowed upward such that the flat spring body first section 121 extends downward away from the flat spring body third section 125 and adjacent the base body lower section 142 so the flat spring top surface 148 at the flat spring first section 121 is aligned with the base body lower section first side 144 and such that the flat spring body fifth section 129 extends downward away from the flat spring body third section 125 and adjacent the base body lower section 142 so the flat spring top surface 148 at the flat spring fifth section 129 is aligned with the base body lower section second side 146, and so the flat spring body 116 contains energy due to a flat spring spring force of the flat spring and the compression laterally of the base body 102 and so the internal sealing body 138 is encapsulated between the base body and the flat spring body.

[0052] The foregoing disclosure and description is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The present disclosure should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0021]Referring to FIG. 1, an end view of the sealing device of the sealing device of present disclosure as assembled for and during installation is provided. The sealing device 100 enables the sealing of a void between two adjacent substrates and includes a base body 102, a flat spring body 116, and an internal sealing body 138. Referring to FIG. 9, an end view of the sealing device of the sealing device of present disclosure as installed between substrates. Because of its unique structure, the sealing device maintains contact with the two substrates 902, 904 when installed so the base body 102 and the flat spring body 116 maintain contact on opposite sides of the sealing device 100 with the sealing device 100 preferably installed so as not to protrude above the top surfaces 906, 908 of the two substrates 902, 904. In operation, when the distance 910 between the two substrates changes, such as in response to environmental conditions, the sealing device 100 can compress to accommoda...

Claims

1. A sealing device for sealing a void between two adjacent substrates, comprising:a base body,the base body havinga base body first side opposite a base body second side,a base body upper section adjacent a base body top surface,a base body lower section adjacent the base body upper section and opposite the base body top surface from the base body upper section,the base body lower section having a base body lower section first side opposite a base body lower section second side;a flat spring body,the flat spring body being a water-resistant flat spring,the flat spring body havinga flat spring body first section adjacent a flat spring body second section,the flat spring body second section adjacent a flat spring body third section,the flat spring body third section adjacent a flat spring body fourth section, andthe flat spring body fourth section adjacent a flat spring fifth section,the flat spring body having a flat spring body top surface and a flat spring body bottom surface opposite the flat spring body top surface,the flat spring body bowed away from the base body at the flat spring body third section,the flat spring body first section extending downward away from the flat spring body third section and adjacent the base body lower section,the flat spring top surface at the flat spring first section aligned with the base body lower section first side,the flat spring body fifth section extending downward away from the flat spring body third section and adjacent the base body lower section,the flat spring top surface at the flat spring fifth section aligned with the base body lower section second side,the flat spring body containing energy;an internal sealing body,the internal sealing body adhered at the internal sealing body lower surface to the base body upper section at the base body top surface,the internal sealing body adhered at the internal sealing body top surface to the flat spring body at the flat spring body bottom surface at the flat spring body third section,the internal sealing body encapsulated between the base body and the flat spring body.

2. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein the internal sealing body is composed of a two-part elastomer,the two-part elastomer composed of a base and a catalyst, one of the base and the catalyst containing a moisture required for crosslinking of the two-part elastomer during curing.

3. The sealing device of claim 2, further comprising:the base body being resiliently-elastically compressible between the base body first side and the base body second side, andthe base body having a base body spring force constant and a base body second end opposite a base body first end by a base body length; andthe flat spring body third section having a flat spring body third section spring force constant, the flat spring body third section spring force constant being at least 10% greater than the base body spring force constant;the base body has a base body thickness from a topmost portion of the base body top surface to a base body bottommost portion of the base body bottom surface,the base body thickness less than the base body length,the base body being an elongate body.

4. The sealing device of claim 3, further comprising:the internal sealing body adhered to the base body upper section from the base body first side to the base body second side between the base body first end and the base body second end, the flat spring body having a flat spring body first side and a flat spring body second side opposite the flat spring body first side, the flat spring body first section terminating at the flat spring body first side, the flat spring body fifth section terminating at the flat spring body second side,the internal sealing body having a sealing body thickness,the internal sealing body thickness no more than 20% of the base body thickness, the flat spring body first side having a flat spring body maximum thickness,the flat spring body maximum thickness not more than 25% of the base body thickness, the base body in compression between the base body first side and the base body second side, the base body upper section having a base body upper section compression ratio greater than a base body lower section compression ratio of the base body lower section.

5. The sealing device of claim 4, wherein the internal sealing body includes a color additive.

6. The sealing device of claim 4, wherein internal sealing body includes a fire retardant additive.

7. The sealing device of claim 4 wherein the internal sealing body has a Shore A value between 20 and 50 on the ASTM C661 test.

8. The sealing device of claim 4, wherein the flat spring body has a rectangular prism profile.

9. The sealing device of claim 2, wherein a portion of the flat spring body third section is thicker than the flat spring body first section.

10. The sealing device of claim 2, wherein:the base body has a base body air permeability,the internal sealing body has a sealing body air permeability,the flat spring body has a flat spring body air permeability; andwherein, the combination of the base body permeability, the internal sealing body permeability, and the flat spring body permeability yields an air leakage rate of no more than 0.04 cfm / ft2 at ±1.57 psf (0.2 L / (s⋅m2) at ±75 Pa) measured according to ASTM E283-19 through the sealing device from a flat spring body topmost portion of the flat spring body third section to the base body bottommost portion of the base body bottom surface;and wherein, the combination of the base body, the internal sealing body, and the flat spring body prevent a moisture infiltration for 2 hours at 6.24 psf (−300 Pa) according to ASTM E 331-16 into the sealing device.

11. The sealing device of claim 2, further comprising:a second body,the second body being resiliently-elastically compressible between a second body first side and the second body second side opposite the second body first side, anda second internal sealing body,the second internal sealing body composed of a two-part elastomer,the two-part elastomer composed of a base and a catalyst, one of the base and the catalyst containing a moisture required for crosslinking of the fully-cured water-resistant rapid-cure-on-demand elastomeric adhesive material during curing,the second internal sealing body adhering to the second body top surface at a second internal sealing body bottom surface from the second body first side to the second body second side,the second internal sealing body adhering to the base body bottom surface at a second internal sealing body top surface from the base body first side to the base body second side.

12. The sealing device of claim 4, wherein an uncompressed width of the first body from the base body first side to the base body second side is less than a width of the flat spring body from the flat spring body first side to the flat spring body second side.

13. The sealing device of claim 4, wherein the flat spring body first section includes a portion thicker than the flat spring body second section and the flat spring fifth section includes a portion thicker than the flat spring body fourth section.

14. The sealing device of claim 4, wherein the two-part elastomer is a two-part waterproof, flame-retardant, gas-permeable silicone.

15. A method of assembling a sealing device for sealing a void between two adjacent substrates, comprising:providing a base body,the base body havinga base body first side opposite a base body second side,a base body upper section adjacent a base body top surface,a base body lower section and adjacent the base body upper section and opposite the base body top surface from the base body upper section,the base body lower section having a base body lower section first side opposite a base body lower section second side,the base body being resiliently-elastically compressible between the base body first side and the base body second side;providing a flat spring body,the flat spring body being a water-resistant flat spring,the flat spring body havinga flat spring body first section adjacent a flat spring body second section,the flat spring body second section adjacent a flat spring body third section,the flat spring body third section adjacent a flat spring body fourth section, andthe flat spring body fourth section adjacent a flat spring fifth section,the flat spring body having a flat spring body top surface and a flat spring body bottom surface opposite the flat spring body top surface,the flat spring body having a flat spring body first side and a flat spring body second side opposite the flat spring body first side, the flat spring body first section terminating at the flat spring body first side, the flat spring body fifth section terminating at the flat spring body second side,the flat spring body adapted to bow upward when compressed at the flat spring body first side and the flat spring body second side;providing a base of a two-part elastomer;providing a catalyst of the two-part elastomer,one of the base and the catalyst containing a moisture required for crosslinking of the two-part elastomer during curing;combining the base of a two-part elastomer and the catalyst of the two-part elastomer to form the two-part elastomer;providing the two-part elastomer to the base body upper section at the base body top surface to form an internal sealing body,the two-part elastomer forming an internal sealing body having an internal sealing body lower surface to adhere to the base body upper section at the base body top surface,the internal sealing body having an adhesive at an internal sealing body top surface,the internal sealing body adhering to the internal sealing body lower surface to the base body upper section at the base body top surface;positioning the flat spring body atop the internal sealing body to permit the internal sealing body to adhere at an internal sealing body top surface to the flat spring body at the flat spring body bottom surface at the flat spring body third section,compressing laterally the base body, the flat spring body, and the internal sealing body to reduce the distance between the base body first side and the body second side until the flat spring body has bowed upward such that the flat spring body first section extends downward away from the flat spring body third section and adjacent the base body lower section so the flat spring top surface at the flat spring first section is aligned with the base body lower section first side and such that the flat spring body fifth section extends downward away from the flat spring body third section and adjacent the base body lower section so the flat spring top surface at the flat spring fifth section is aligned with the base body lower section second side, and so the flat spring body contains energy due to a flat spring spring force of the flat spring and the compression laterally of the base body and so the internal sealing body is encapsulated between the base body and the flat spring body.

16. The method of assembling a sealing device of claim 13, further comprising:adding a color additive to one of the base and the catalyst prior to combining the base of a two-part elastomer and the catalyst of the two-part elastomer to form the two-part elastomer.

17. The method of assembling a sealing device of claim 13, further comprising:adding a fire-retardant additive to one of the base and the catalyst prior to combining the base of a two-part elastomer and the catalyst of the two-part elastomer to form the two-part elastomer.

18. The sealing device of claim 1,wherein the internal sealing body is composed of a two-part silicone,the two-part silicone composed of a base and a catalyst, either of the base or the catalyst containing a moisture required for crosslinking of the two-part silicone during curing,the base and the catalyst provided in a mixing ratio of 1:1.

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