Richard P Jeffries

US Patent:

6431549, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

Jan 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/489456

Inventors:

James E. Hill - West Linn OR
James L. Brown - Sanger CA
Richard C. Jeffries - Portland OR
Steven W. Hallstrom - Woodland WA
James S. Tregaskis - Vancouver WA

Assignee:

Freightliner LLC - Portland OR

International Classification:

E04B 1682

US Classification:

277316, 277651, 296210, 156 91, 156295

Abstract:

A sealing method and apparatus involves positioning sealant carriers in a gap between first and second components to be sealed. Sealant is applied to a first major surface of the sealant carriers. As the first and second components are tightened together, the carriers are compressed and cause sealant to travel from the first major surface and through the carriers to a second major surface which is opposed to the first major surface. The sealant carriers may be positioned on respective carrier supports while sealant is being applied to the first major surface of the sealant carriers. The supports are used in initially positioning the sealant carriers in place and then are removed prior to tightening the first and second components together. The supports may include alignment mechanisms for use in aligning the sealant carriers with one of the first and second components. The sealant adheres the sealant carriers to such one of the first and second components following removal of the supports.