Patent ID: 7905005

Claim:
A method of joining panels of foam materials by compression so as to provide a seal at the joints, comprising: placing the panels to be joined in an orthogonal relationship to each other, such that an edge surface of a first panel rests on a first planar surface of a second panel; providing a template having two orthogonal sides, designed such that a first orthogonal side can contact a planar surface of the first panel while the second orthogonal side contacts the planar surface of the second panel which opposes the first planar surface; and wherein the first orthogonal side contains a slot, the slot sized to permit a first plate having a first hole through it to pass through the slot and into the first panel in a position parallel to the second orthogonal side such that the first hole is aligned with a particular spot on the second orthogonal side; inserting the first plate through the slot and into position; removing the template; placing a second plate having a second hole through it on the planar surface of the second panel which opposes the first planar surface in a position such that the first and second holes are aligned; joining the first and second plates with a bolt, screw or wire passing through the first and second holes; and tensioning the bolt or wire such that the first and second plates are pulled towards each other and the edge surface of the first panel is pressed into the first planar surface of the second panel and said surfaces are sealed.