Enclosure Component Shear Seal Systems

Abstract

A sealing system having a first seal plate with a first interior face and an opposed first exterior face, with the first interior face adapted to be secured to a first enclosure component, and the first exterior face defining an seal slot. The first seal plate is adapted to mate with a planar a second seal plate by lateral movement of a second exterior face of the second seal plate relative to the first exterior face of the first seal plate. A resilient shear seal, positioned in the seal slot, has a hollow seal chamber and comprises a base and first and second seal walls joined to the base and extending away from the base in a diverging relationship. A seal support is joined to an end of the first seal wall distal from the base, a seal closure is joined to an end of the second seal wall distal from the base, and a planar cantilevered seal surface is joined to an end of the seal closure distal from the second seal wall at a shear seal junction. The cantilevered seal surface is oriented at an upward angle relative to the base and terminates at a free end, and an end of the seal support distal from the first seal wall is joined either to the shear seal junction, or to the elongate planar cantilevered seal surface proximate to the shear seal junction, thereby defining the hollow seal chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sealing system for abutting regions of enclosure components for a building structure, comprising:
 (a) a planar elongate first seal plate having a first interior face and an opposed first exterior face, the first interior face being adapted to be secured to a first enclosure component, and the first exterior face defining an elongate seal slot; the first seal plate adapted to mate with a planar elongate second seal plate by lateral movement of a second exterior face of the second seal plate relative to the first exterior face of the first seal plate;   (c) an elongate resilient shear seal positioned in the elongate seal slot, the elongate resilient shear seal having a hollow seal chamber and comprising:   (1) an elongate base;   (2) an elongate first seal wall joined to the base, and an opposed elongate second seal wall joined to the base, the first and second seal walls extending away from the base in a diverging relationship;   (3) an elongate seal support joined to an end of the first seal wall distal from the base;   (4) an elongate planar seal closure joined to an end of the second seal wall distal from the base;   (5) an elongate planar cantilevered seal surface joined to an end of the seal closure distal from the second seal wall at a shear seal junction, the cantilevered seal surface oriented at an upward angle β relative to the base and terminating at a free end; and   (6) an end of the seal support distal from the first seal wall joined either to the shear seal junction, or to the elongate planar cantilevered seal surface proximate to the shear seal junction, thereby defining the hollow seal chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein the base of the shear seal is planar. 
     
     
         3 . The sealing system of  claim 2 , wherein the base has a first end and an opposed second end, and there is an elongate first winglet extending from the first end of the base and an elongate second winglet extending from the second end of the base. 
     
     
         4 . The sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second seal walls extend away from the base at a divergence angle λ, where λ<90°. 
     
     
         5 . The sealing system of  claim 4 , wherein the divergence angle λ is in the range of 40°<λ<50°. 
     
     
         6 . The sealing system of  claim 2 , wherein the seal closure is oriented at an angle of inclination a relative to the planar base. 
     
     
         7 . The sealing system of  claim 6 , wherein β>α. 
     
     
         8 . The sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein the seal slot has an elongate planar floor section with a first end and an opposed second end, a first lateral groove extends away from the first end of the seal slot and a second lateral groove extends away from the second end of the seal slot. 
     
     
         9 . The sealing system of  claim 3 , wherein the seal slot has a elongate planar floor section with a first end and an opposed second end, a first lateral groove extends away from the first end of the seal slot, a second lateral groove extends away from the second end of the seal slot, the first winglet is positioned in the first lateral groove and the second winglet is positioned in the second lateral groove. 
     
     
         10 . The sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein the seal slot has an elongate floor section, and the seal slot is further defined by a first elongate slot wall extending away from the floor section from a first location, a second elongate slot wall extending away from the floor section from an opposed second location, and the first and second slot walls extend away from the floor section in a diverging relationship. 
     
     
         11 . The sealing system of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second slot walls extend away from the floor section at a divergence angle ε, where ε<90°. 
     
     
         12 . The sealing system of  claim 11 , wherein the divergence angle ε is in the range of 40°<ε<50°. 
     
     
         13 . The sealing system of  claim 4 , wherein the seal slot has an elongate floor section, and the seal slot is further defined by a first elongate slot wall extending away from the floor section from a first location, a second elongate slot wall extending away from the floor section from an opposed second location, and the first and second slot walls extend away from the floor section at a divergence angle ε equal to the divergence angle λ. 
     
     
         14 . The sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein the seal plate is foamed polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         15 . An seal component comprising:
 (a) a planar elongate first seal plate having a first interior face, an opposed first exterior face, a first edge and an opposed second edge, the first interior face adapted to be secured to an enclosure component;   (b) an elongate key on the interior face of the seal plate; and   (c) the exterior face being inclined at an angle relative to the interior face.   
     
     
         16 . The seal component of  claim 15 , further comprising an elongate first seal slot defined in the first exterior face of the seal plate proximate the first edge. 
     
     
         17 . The seal component of  claim 16 , further comprising a step-down, in the direction moving from the first edge to the second edge, on the first exterior face between the first seal slot and the second edge. 
     
     
         18 . A seal component comprising:
 (a) a planar elongate first seal plate having a first interior face, an opposed first exterior face, a first edge and an opposed second edge, the first interior face being adapted to be secured to a first enclosure component;   (b) an elongate first seal slot defined in the first exterior face of the seal plate proximate the first edge; and   (c) the first exterior face being inclined at an angle relative to the interior face.   
     
     
         19 . The seal component of  claim 18 , further comprising one of a step-up and a step-down on the first exterior face positioned between the first seal slot and the second edge. 
     
     
         20 . A seal assembly comprising:
 (a) a planar elongate first seal plate having a first interior face, an opposed first exterior face, a first edge, an opposed second edge and a first thickness, the first interior face being adapted to be secured to a first enclosure component;   (b) an elongate first seal slot defined in the first exterior face of the first seal plate proximate the first edge; and   (c) the first exterior face being inclined at an angle γ relative to the first interior face so that the first thickness decreases with increasing distance from the first edge;   (d) a planar elongate second seal plate having a second interior face, an opposed second exterior face, a third edge, an opposed fourth edge and a second thickness, the second interior face being adapted to be secured to a second enclosure component;   (e) an elongate second seal slot defined in the second exterior face of the second seal plate proximate the fourth edge;   (f) the second exterior face being inclined at the angle γ relative to the second interior face so that the second thickness increases with increasing distance from the third edge; and   (g) the first seal plate adapted to mate with the second seal plate by lateral movement of the first exterior face relative to the second exterior face so that when mated the first exterior face is in proximity with the second exterior face, with the first edge proximate to the third edge and the second edge proximate to the fourth edge.   
     
     
         21 . The seal assembly of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 (h) a first shear seal having a hollow seal chamber and a first cantilevered seal surface, the first shear seal positioned in the first seal slot;   (i) a second shear seal having a hollow seal chamber and a second cantilevered seal surface, the second shear seal positioned in the second seal slot; and   (j) the first and second shear seals respectively positioned in the first and second seal slots so that the first and second cantilevered seal surfaces are oppositely oriented away from each other.   
     
     
         22 . The seal assembly of  claim 21 , further comprising a step-down, in the direction moving from the first edge to the second edge, on the first exterior face, in proximity to a step-up, in the direction moving from the third edge to the fourth edge, on the second exterior face. 
     
     
         23 . An enclosure component assembly comprising:
 (a) a first planar laminate having an elongate laminate edge, a first face and an opposed second face;   (b) a planar elongate first seal plate having a first interior face, an opposed first exterior face, a first edge, an opposed second edge and a first thickness;   (c) the first exterior face being inclined at an angle γ relative to the first interior face so that the first thickness increases with increasing distance from the first edge; and   (d) the first interior face of the first seal plate secured to the first face of the planar laminate parallel to the laminate edge, with the second edge proximate to the laminate edge.   
     
     
         24 . The enclosure component assembly of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 (e) a second planar laminate have an elongate edge, a first face and an opposed second face;   (f) a planar elongate second seal plate having a second interior face and an opposed second exterior face, a third edge and an opposed fourth edge, the second interior face secured to the edge of the second planar laminate, the first and second seal plates mated with the first exterior face in proximity with the second exterior face, the first edge proximate the third edge and the second edge proximate the fourth edge; and   (g) the second exterior face being inclined at the angle γ relative to the second interior face so that the second thickness increases with increasing distance from the fourth edge.   
     
     
         25 . The enclosure component assembly of  claim 24 , further comprising flooring having a flooring thickness disposed on the first face of the first planar laminate, and wherein the first seal plate has a thickness at least equal to the flooring thickness. 
     
     
         26 . The enclosure component assembly of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 (g) an elongate first seal slot defined in the first exterior face of the first seal plate proximate the second edge; and   (h) an elongate second seal slot defined in the second exterior face of the second seal plate proximate the third edge.   
     
     
         27 . The enclosure component assembly of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 (i) a first shear seal having a hollow seal chamber and a first cantilevered seal surface, the first shear seal positioned in the first seal slot;   (j) a second shear seal having a hollow seal chamber and a second cantilevered seal surface, the second shear seal positioned in the second seal slot; and   (k) the first and second shear seals respectively positioned in the first and second seal slots so that the first and second cantilevered seal surfaces are oppositely oriented away from each other.   
     
     
         28 . The enclosure component assembly of  claim 27 , having a step-up, in the direction moving from the first edge to the second edge, on the first exterior face in proximity with a step-down on the second exterior face, in the direction moving from the third edge to the fourth edge. 
     
     
         29 . The enclosure component assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the step-up is positioned between the first seal slot and the first edge, and the step-down is positioned between the second seal slot and the fourth edge. 
     
     
         30 . The enclosure component assembly of  claim 24 , wherein either or both of the first and second seal plates is foamed polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         31 . A folded building structure transportable to a site at which the folded building structure is to be erected, comprising:
 a fixed space portion defined by (i) a first floor portion, (ii) a first wall component, (iii) a planar fixed wall portion of a second wall component adjoining the first floor portion and the first wall component, the fixed wall portion having a fixed wall portion top edge, and (iii) a first roof portion adjoining the first wall component and the fixed wall portion;   a second floor portion vertically positioned in a second floor portion folded position opposite to the first wall component and pivotally connected to the first floor portion to permit the second floor portion to pivot, about a horizontal axis relative to the first floor portion, from the second floor portion folded position to a second floor portion unfolded position, the second floor portion having an interior surface and the first and second floor portions defining an exterior floor edge when the second floor portion is in the second floor portion unfolded position;   the second wall component additionally including a planar pivoting wall portion with a pivoting portion bottom edge, the pivoting wall portion (i) disposed in a pivoting portion folded position against the third wall component in the third wall component folded position and (ii) pivotally connected to the fixed wall portion of the second wall component to permit the pivoting wall portion to pivot, about a vertical axis relative to the fixed wall portion of the second wall component, from the pivoting portion folded position to a pivoting portion unfolded position in which at least a segment of the pivoting portion bottom edge is positioned over a select region of the interior surface of the second floor portion proximate to the exterior floor edge when the second floor portion is in the second floor portion unfolded position;   a planar elongate first seal plate having a first interior face, an opposed first exterior face, a first thickness, a first edge and an opposed second edge, with an elongate first seal slot defined in the first exterior face proximate to the first edge;   a planar elongate second seal plate having a second interior face, an opposed second exterior face, a second thickness, a third edge and an opposed fourth edge, with an elongate second seal slot defined in the second exterior face proximate to the fourth edge;   an elongate resilient first shear seal having a hollow seal chamber and an elongate first cantilevered seal surface terminating at a free end, the first shear seal positioned in the first seal slot, with the first cantilevered seal surface oriented toward the first edge, and an elongate resilient second shear seal having a hollow seal chamber and an elongate second cantilevered seal surface terminating at a free end, the second shear seal positioned in the second seal slot, with the second cantilevered seal surface oriented toward the fourth edge;   the second interior face of the second seal plate secured to the select region of the interior surface of the second floor portion, with the fourth edge of the second seal plate proximate to the exterior floor edge when the second floor portion is in the second floor portion unfolded position;   the first interior face of the first seal plate secured to the pivoting portion bottom edge with the second edge proximate to the exterior floor edge when the second floor portion is in the second floor portion unfolded position and the pivoting wall portion is in the pivoting wall portion unfolded position, so that when the second floor portion and the pivoting wall portion are in their respective unfolded positions, the first seal plate mates with the second seal plate, with the first edge being proximate to the third edge, the first cantilevered seal surface in pressing contact with the exterior face of the second seal plate, and the second cantilevered seal surface in pressing contact with the exterior face of the first seal plate.   
     
     
         32 . The folded building structure of  claim 31 , wherein a segment of the pivoting wall portion is positioned over a select region of the interior surface of the first floor portion proximate to the exterior floor edge when the pivoting wall portion is in the pivoting wall portion unfolded position and the second floor portion is in the second floor portion unfolded position, and the folded building structure further comprises:
 a planar elongate third seal plate having a third interior face, an opposed third exterior face, a third thickness, a fifth edge and an opposed sixth edge, with an elongate third seal slot defined in the third exterior face proximate to the sixth edge;   an elongate resilient third shear seal having a hollow seal chamber and a third cantilevered seal surface terminating at a free end, the third shear seal positioned in the third seal slot, with the third cantilevered seal surface oriented toward the sixth edge;   the third interior face of the third seal plate secured to the select region of the interior surface of the first floor portion so that when the pivoting wall portion is in the pivoting wall portion unfolded position, the fifth edge is proximate to the first edge, and the third seal plate mates with the first seal plate, with the third cantilevered seal surface in pressing contact with the first exterior face of the first seal plate.   
     
     
         33 . The folded building structure of  claim 31 , wherein the first exterior face is inclined at an angle γ relative to the first interior face so that the first thickness increases with increasing distance from the first edge, and the second exterior face being inclined at the angle γ relative to the second interior face so that the second thickness decreases with increasing distance from the fourth edge. 
     
     
         34 . The folded building structure of  claim 31 , wherein the first and second cantilevered seal surfaces are each oriented at an upward angle R. 
     
     
         35 . The folded building structure of  claim 32 , wherein the first exterior face is inclined at an angle γ relative to the first interior face so that the first thickness decreases with increasing distance from the first edge, the second exterior face being inclined at the angle γ relative to the second interior face so that the second thickness increases with increasing distance from the third edge, and the third exterior face being inclined at the angle γ relative to the third interior face so that the third thickness increases with increasing distance from the fifth edge. 
     
     
         36 . The folded building structure of  claim 32 , wherein the first and second cantilevered seal surfaces are each oriented at an upward angle R. 
     
     
         37 . The folded building structure of  claim 36 , wherein the third cantilevered seal surface is oriented at the upward angle R. 
     
     
         38 . The folded building structure of  claim 31 , wherein there is a step-down, in the direction moving from the first edge to the second edge, on the first exterior face which is in proximity with a step-up, in the direction moving from the third edge to the fourth edge, on the second exterior face when the pivoting wall portion is in the pivoting portion unfolded position. 
     
     
         39 . A folded building structure transportable to a site at which the folded building structure is to be erected, comprising:
 a fixed space portion defined by (i) a first floor portion, (ii) a first wall component, (iii) a planar fixed wall portion of a second wall component adjoining the first floor portion and the first wall component, and (iii) a roof portion adjoining the first wall component and the fixed wall portion;   a second floor portion vertically positioned in a second floor portion folded position opposite to the first wall component and pivotally connected to the first floor portion to permit the second floor portion to pivot, about a first horizontal axis relative to the first floor portion, from the second floor portion folded position to a second floor portion unfolded position;   a third wall component vertically positioned in a third wall component folded position against the second floor portion, the third wall component pivotally connected to the second floor portion to permit the third wall portion to pivot, about a second horizontal axis relative to the second floor portion, from the third wall component folded position to a third wall component unfolded position, the third wall component having an interior surface and an exterior wall edge;   the second wall component additionally including a planar pivoting wall portion with a pivoting portion vertical edge, the pivoting wall portion (i) disposed in a pivoting portion folded position against the third wall component in the third wall component folded position and (ii) pivotally connected to the fixed wall portion of the second wall component to permit the pivoting wall portion to pivot, about a vertical axis relative to the fixed wall portion of the second wall component, from the pivoting portion folded position to a pivoting portion unfolded position in which the pivoting portion vertical edge is positioned adjacent to a select region of the interior surface of the third wall component proximate to the exterior wall edge when the second floor portion and the third call components are in their unfolded positions;   a planar elongate first seal plate having a first interior face, an opposed first exterior face, a first thickness, a first edge and an opposed second edge, with an elongate first seal slot defined in the first exterior face proximate to the first edge;   a planar elongate second seal plate having a second interior face, an opposed second exterior face, a second thickness, a third edge and an opposed fourth edge, with an elongate second seal slot defined in the second exterior face proximate to the fourth edge;   an elongate resilient first shear seal having a hollow seal chamber and an elongate first cantilevered seal surface terminating at a free end, the first shear seal positioned in the first seal slot, with the first cantilevered seal surface oriented toward the first edge, and an elongate resilient second shear seal having a hollow seal chamber and an elongate second cantilevered seal surface terminating at a free end, the second shear seal positioned in the second seal slot, with the second cantilevered seal surface oriented toward the fourth edge;   the second interior face of the second seal plate secured to the select region of the interior surface of the third wall component, with the fourth edge of the second seal plate proximate to the exterior wall edge of the third wall component;   the first interior face of the first seal plate secured to the pivoting portion vertical edge with the second edge proximate to the exterior wall edge of the third wall component when the second floor portion is in the second floor portion unfolded position, the third wall component is in the third wall component unfolded position and the pivoting wall portion is in the pivoting wall portion unfolded position, so that when the second floor portion, the third wall component and the pivoting wall portion are in their respective unfolded positions, the first seal plate mates with the second seal plate, with the first edge being proximate to the third edge, the first cantilevered seal surface in pressing contact with the exterior face of the second seal plate, and the second cantilevered seal surface in pressing contact with the exterior face of the first seal plate.   
     
     
         40 . The folded building structure of  claim 39 , wherein the first exterior face is inclined at an angle γ relative to the first interior face so that the first thickness increases with increasing distance from the first edge, and the second exterior face being inclined at the angle γ relative to the second interior face so that the second thickness decreases with increasing distance from the fourth edge. 
     
     
         41 . The folded building structure of  claim 39 , wherein the first and second cantilevered seal surfaces are each oriented at an upward angle R. 
     
     
         42 . The folded building structure of  claim 39 , wherein there is a step-down, in the direction moving from the first edge to the second edge, on the first exterior face which is in proximity with a step-up, in the direction moving from the third edge to the fourth edge, on the second exterior face when the pivoting wall portion is in the pivoting portion unfolded position.