Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Exterior-type flashing – Interfitting parts
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-18
2003-12-16
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Exterior-type flashing
Interfitting parts
C052S062000, C052S097000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06662504
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to masonry walls and, more particularly, to a system for facilitating discharge of moisture from internally to externally of the wall and for providing a weep/vent passageway through the wall.
BACKGROUND ART
In constructing masonry walls, provision is generally made to collect and discharge accumulated moisture at the base thereof to the external environment and also to evaporate and discharge internal moisture by inducing air flow in a space, as between a masonry veneer and an external wall. If this moisture is not eliminated, water may accumulate within masonry walls, leading to deterioration of masonry materials or metal embedments, and/or water may cause leakage or moisture problems in the building interior. Many water leakage and moisture problems in buildings are attributable to a failure to adequately discharge moisture from the wall. Even if water does not reach interior spaces, it may account for unwanted internal humidity or may cause structural damage through the promotion of corrosion, rot or mold and mildew.
Weep vents are commonly used and dimensioned to be strategically located between adjacent bricks to provide a path through the masonry wall to promote air circulation. Heretofore, metal, plastic or composite flashings have commonly been used at the base to direct water within the wall back to the exterior. A typical rigid metal flashing section consists of a formed copper, prefinished aluminum, or stainless steel, sheet. A typical plastic or composite flashing consists of a flexible material that conforms to the shape of the supporting elements. The flashing is supported by a foundation, or in the case of masonry above the first floor, by shelf angles or other structural components. The flashing projection may have a downturned lip which directs externally moving water over and past the external face of the masonry wall.
The flashing sections are joined, end-to-end, to form an uninterrupted barrier across the desired wall dimension. Adjacent sections are lapped, one over the other. It is important that this lapped connection be water tight so that moisture does not migrate between the lapped portions and thereby bypass the flashing system. Conventionally, to leakproof this joint, a waterproof adhesive or sealant is utilized. However, this lapped joint arrangement and the use of a waterproof adhesive have a number of drawbacks.
First of all, it is difficult to consistently create watertight flashing joints. Adhesives adhere effectively only to dry and clean surfaces. Accordingly, the surfaces to be adhered may have to be prepared before the application of the adhesive, which represents an inconvenience and added worker time. Also, many of the materials used in conjunction with masonry or other wall systems generate dust. This makes it very difficult to maintain a clean environment for the application of adhesives or sealants.
Still further, the construction may take place in an environment, or on days, where moisture is present, making it all but impossible to properly prepare the mating surfaces for the use of the adhesive. As a consequence, the integrity of the joint between one or more of the sections may be compromised, as a result of which water may leak into the interior or contribute to deterioration of the wall system. Repair of flashing failures may be very expensive because it often involves demolition of all or a part of the masonry wall to repair flashings.
Additionally, the need to apply an adhesive or sealant on site is inherently inconvenient. Supplies of the adhesive or sealant must be kept on hand, usually in sealable containers or in tubes. Most adhesives and sealants have limited shelf life and must be discarded after the expiration date. At the time of the application, the containers must be opened and some applying instrument must be utilized, as in the form of a brush or spreading knife. Aside from this inconvenience, adhesive inevitably detrimentally finds its way onto the workers' hands and clothing and potentially onto exposed portions of the building, which must then be cleaned.
Because the adhesives are not only messy but may be caustic, it is common for workers applying the adhesive to use gloves. With gloves worn, it may be more difficult for the workers to conveniently handle the sections and to effectively apply the adhesive and establish a leakproof joint between adjacent sections.
A second problem can occur when installing short lengths of flashings above openings. These flashings should be constructed with turned up portions at the ends to prevent water from flowing off the ends and remaining within the walls. Installation of these “end dams” can present problems. If the edge of the flashing projects beyond the face of the wall, it can be unsightly. If it does not project fully to the face, water reaching the flashing can flow around the front edge of the end dam and, as a result, remain within the wall.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one form, the invention is directed to the combination of: a) a first water collection section for a masonry wall having a first bottom wall, a first back wall, and a first side wall bounding a first collection space; b) a second water collection section for a masonry wall having a second bottom wall, a second back wall, and a second side wall bounding a second collection space; and c) a first connector for joining the first and second water collection sections to maintain the first and second water collection sections in an operative relationship.
The first connector may be separate from each of the first and second water collection sections.
In one form, the first connector defines a venting passageway.
In one form, with the first and second water collection sections in the operative relationship, the first and second side walls are adjacent to each other. Each of the first and second side walls has an upper edge and the first connector straddles the first and second side wall sections at the upper edges of the first and second side walls.
In one form, the first water collection section is reconfigurable selectively between an operative state and a collapsed state. The first water collection section is reconfigured from the operative state towards the collapsed state by folding the first side wall and first back wall downwardly towards the first bottom wall.
There may be a hinge line between the first side wall and first bottom wall and between the first back wall and first bottom wall to facilitate relative folding between the first bottom wall, the first side wall, and the first back wall.
The combination may further include a diverting connector which extends around the upper edges of the first and second back walls with the first and second water collection sections in the operative relationship and the diverting connector in an operative position.
In one form, the diverting connector has an upwardly facing surface which bridges the first and second side walls with the first and second water collection sections in the operative relationship and the diverting connector in the operative position. The diverting connector diverts downwardly moving water from passage between the first and second side walls.
The combination may further include a sheet layer which depends from a location above the first and second water collection sections and extends in front of the diverting connector to a location below the upper edges of the first and second back walls to direct downwardly moving water towards the first and second water collection sections.
In one form, at least a portion of the sheet layer terminates above the upwardly facing surface of the diverting connector so that downwardly moving water is directed by the sheet layer to against the upwardly facing surface of the diverting connector.
In one form, a portion of the first connector overlies the upwardly facing surface of the diverting connector.
The first connector may have a wall with a solid upwardly facing surface which bridges the upper edges of the first and second side walls to block pass
Friedman Carl D.
Slack Naoko
Wood Phillips Katz Clark & Mortimer
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