Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Machine or implement
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-27
2003-03-04
Chen, Jose V. (Department: 3637)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Machine or implement
C052S693000, C052S713000, C052S236700, C248S200100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06526723
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
(Not Applicable)
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
(Not Applicable)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a joist system, and more particularly to an improved draft block joist system with a removable insulation member that is specifically sized and configured to prevent an airflow circulation therethrough.
The use of joists to support the weight or loads of structures (e.g., buildings, bridges, residential houses, etc.) is well known. Joists are widely applied in residential and commercial construction industry as well as other industries. More specifically, joists may be defined as any of the lumber or metal beams ranged parallel from wall to wall in a given structure to support a floor or ceiling. For instance, a floor joist generally comprises a piece of lumber used horizontally as support for the floor. Thereafter, a floor sheathing (e.g., plywood) may be nailed on top of the floor joist as a base for the finished floor.
Although joists may be produced from a variety of materials (e.g., steel, concrete, wood, etc.) in order to conform to the structural design, environment, and cost concerns, wooden joists are now primarily used in the residential and commercial construction industry. In addition, increasing costs of lumber have inspired the need for increased efficiency in the design and use of wooden joists. In one response to such problem, wooden joists formed having an “I” shaped configuration (“I-beams”) are now being widely utilized. Such I-beam joists are typically manufactured from a pair of parallel wooden flanges that are secured along their lengths by positioning a reinforcement web member therebetween. The flanges and webs are typically manufactured at off site construction facilities and are subsequently transported and installed upon the construction site.
Although such prior art I-beams have proven superior to conventional lumber joists, an air gap, or air gaps, are created when the I-beams are installed together upon the construction site. Such air gaps allow an air draft, or airflow, to circulate through the joist structure, which detrimentally effects heat loss through the floor or ceiling structure of the building. Therefore, the formation of the air gaps poses negative effects upon the effectiveness of the I-beams.
In order to address the problems posed by the air gaps, caulking has typically been utilized by many users in an attempt to fill in such air gaps of the I-beams. Simply put, the air gaps are blocked by caulking the entrance and exit openings thereof in an attempt to prevent the airflow circulation therethrough. However, such caulking methods are inefficient as to the cost and time and are subject to labor skill in properly filling the entire air gap void.
Thus, there exist a need in the residential and commercial construction industry for a draft block joist system for preventing the airflow circulation from flowing through the air gaps formed thereby. In particular, there is a need for a draft block joist system that prevents such airflow circulation in an efficient manner as to the cost and time so as to be user-friendly in its application.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above referenced deficiencies associated with the use of joist systems of the prior art. In particular, the draft block joist system of the present invention provides differently sized removable pre-formed insulation members that are specifically and correspondingly sized and configured for insertion into such air gaps. More particularly, the insulation members are each preferably fabricated from a fiberglass material to facilitate frictional engagement with the I-beams to immediately and permanently fill the respective air gaps when inserted therein. In this respect, not only does the present invention significantly mitigate the problems posed by the prior art joist systems, but also minimizes labor time and cost in eliminating air gaps, and thus air drafts within the structure.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4195462 (1980-04-01), Keller
patent: 4715162 (1987-12-01), Brightwell
patent: 4947612 (1990-08-01), Taylor
patent: 5214900 (1993-06-01), Folkerts
patent: 5850721 (1998-12-01), Martin
patent: 6170218 (2001-01-01), Shahnazarian
patent: 2052596 (1980-04-01), None
patent: PCT/US93/00271 (1992-06-01), None
Chen José V.
Nguyen Chi Q.
Stetina Brunda Garred & Brucker
Westbay Holdings, LLC
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