Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Machine or implement
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-12
2001-07-17
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Machine or implement
C052S309150, C052S313000, C052S749100, C052SDIG007, C220S796000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260328
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the construction field, particularly to outdoor projects and building components made with wood. Individual wooden structural members of all types and sizes as well as a variety of sheet-type woods and wood products are commonly used to build outdoor projects. These projects may include decks, fencing exterior house trim, stairs and many other items.
The wood in these projects or items is constantly subjected to rain, temperature fluctuations, ultraviolet rays from the sun, airborne fungus and insect infestation. These elements are known to deteriorate the wood. Another major problem that occurs with outdoor wood structures is fading. The sun and the elements of the weather will fade lumber to an unattractive grayish color. A multi-billion dollar industry in sealers, stains, protectorates, preservatives has spawned to help combat all of the above forces with little short-term success and no long-term success. To help prevent these problems, each wooden structural member, such wooden structural members also referred to herein as “lumber”, may be inserted into a plastic sleeve and matching plastic cap according to the present invention to protect the wood from the above-mentioned forces. For example, these sleeves and caps provide the encased lumber with excellent protection from airborne fungus that traditionally infest outdoor wood. If fungus appears on the sleeves and caps, it only needs to be hosed off In general, the protection provided to lumber by the present invention from the ultraviolet rays of the sun, rain and moisture, mildew and fungus, and insect infestation allows projects built using the present invention to have long life with very little maintenance and upkeep.
Another problem in the construction industry deals with the need to protect wood used for trim on outdoors structures. To protect these wood trim members from the harmful elements mentioned earlier, contractors have to wrap aluminum around all of the exposed trim surfaces and edges. Not only is this time consuming, it also requires the use of a large metal-bending machine that has to be transported to the job site. In addition, the wrapping of the wood surfaces is usually done by sub-contracted crews at considerable expense. As described further below, the sleeves and caps described herein are much simpler and more efficient to use than these costly, time-consuming wood protection measures. Therefore, the invention reduces the time and expense associated with constructing wooden structures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a wood protection assembly that allows for long-term deterioration protection of wood that is subjected to such damaging forces as the ultraviolet rays of the Sun, rain and moisture, mildew and fungus, and insect infestation.
It is another object of the invention to provide a wood protection assembly that is available in an assortment of colors for enabling color coordination with existing structures.
It is another object of the invention to provide a wood protection assembly that drastically reduces the time and expense associated with protecting wood trim members of the outside of structures.
It is another object of the invention to provide a wood protection assembly that is low-maintenance wood protection alternative that does not require the use of cleaners, preservatives, sealers and other agents to maintain its appearance and longevity. It is another objective of the invention to provide a wood protection assembly having sleeves and caps with woodgrain markings etched thereon to enhance their appearance. It is another object of the invention to provide a wood protection assembly having sleeves and caps in a wide variety of sizes to accommodate a range of construction needs.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a wood protection assembly including a plastic sleeve having an open end and a closed end, and the sleeve being dimensioned to conform closely to and to receive a wooden structural member of standard dimensions, and a plastic cap formed to slip over and tightly seal the open end of the sleeve. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the main body of the plastic sleeve has a constant cross section along it's entire length from the closed end (bottom), to the open end, (top). Upon the insertion of the wooden structural member in the open end of the sleeve and the sealing of the open end of the sleeve with the cap, the wooden structural member is completely enclosed by the assembly and the wooden structural member and the assembly are in such close relation that the wooden structural member is immobilized within the assembly, whereby the assembly protects the wooden structural member from the elements without compromising the rigid integrity of the wooden structural member.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the wooden structural member is elongate with rectangular or square ends.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the wooden structural member is a plywood sheet.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, woodgrain markings are etched into the sleeve and the cap. According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the sleeve and the cap each have a thickness of from {fraction (1/32)} inch to {fraction (1/16)} inch.
According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, a wood protection assembly provided, the assembly including a polyvinyl sleeve having an open end and closed end, said sleeve being dimensioned to conform closely to and to receive a wooden structural member of standard dimensions, and a polyvinyl cap formed to slip over and tightly seal the open end of the sleeve. Upon the insertion of the wooden structural member in the open end of the sleeve and the sealing of the open end of the sleeve with the cap, the wooden structural member is completely enclosed by the assembly and the wooden structural member and the assembly are in such close relation that the wooden structural member is immobilized within the assembly, and wherein woodgrain markings are etched on the sleeve and the cap, whereby the assembly protects the wooden structural member from the elements without compromising the rigid integrity of the wooden structural member.
According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, a wood protection assembly is provided, the assembly including a polyvinyl sleeve having an open end and a closed end, said sleeve being dimensioned to conform closely to and to receive a wooden structural member of standard dimensions, and a polyvinyl cap formed to slip over and tightly seal the open end of the sleeve. Upon the insertion of the wooden structural member in the open end of the sleeve and the sealing of the open end of the sleeve with the cap, the wooden structural member is completely enclosed by the assembly and the wooden structural member and the assembly are in such close relation that the wooden structural member is immobilized within the assembly, and wherein woodgrain markings are etched on the sleeve and the cap, and the sleeve and the cap each have a thickness of from {fraction (1/32)} inch to {fraction (1/16)} inch, whereby the assembly protects the wooden structural member from the elements without compromising the rigid integrity of the structural member.
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patent: 4885882 (1989-12-01), Forshee
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patent: 5315796 (1994-05-01), Gruhlke
patent: 5326187 (1994-07-01), St. Marie et al.
patent: 5794390 (1998-08-01), Oliveri et al.
Fowler John Harrison
Gaddy Beatrice
Friedman Carl D.
Wilkens Kevin D.
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