U.S. patent application number 09/725920 was filed with the patent office on 2001-04-26 for architectural waterproofing membrane and termite barrier.
Invention is credited to Traxler, Timothy L..
Application Number | 20010000371 09/725920 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46257278 |
Filed Date | 2001-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010000371 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Traxler, Timothy L. |
April 26, 2001 |
Architectural waterproofing membrane and termite barrier
Abstract
A prefabricated barrier for providing protection to subterranean
walls and other structural members against both penetration by
water and by termites, are disclosed. The barrier has a tacky and
waterproof compound, preferably an asphaltic compound, protected by
a release liner which is peeled from the web immediately prior to
installing the web on building surfaces. A layer of stainless steel
mesh is used to inhibit passage of termites. The invention
comprises a protective release liner, a first layer of tacky
compound, a fiber reinforced material (preferably fiberglass), a
second layer of tacky compound, a stainless steel mesh, and a layer
of protective film.
Inventors: |
Traxler, Timothy L.;
(Millfield, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVID L. BANNER
PO Box 2607
Fairfax
VA
22031
US
|
Family ID: |
46257278 |
Appl. No.: |
09/725920 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09725920 |
Nov 30, 2000 |
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08288167 |
Aug 12, 1994 |
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60081021 |
Apr 8, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/169.14 ;
52/101; 52/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 11/10 20130101;
B32B 11/08 20130101; Y10T 442/654 20150401; E02D 27/02 20130101;
B32B 7/12 20130101; Y10T 442/665 20150401; A01M 2200/011 20130101;
Y10T 428/1366 20150115; Y10T 442/659 20150401; A01M 1/24 20130101;
E04B 1/72 20130101; E02D 31/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/169.14 ; 52;
52/292; 52/101 |
International
Class: |
E02D 019/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A waterproofing membrane and termite barrier for protecting an
exterior building surface, said waterproofing membrane and termite
barrier comprising: a protective film; a metal mesh screen
including recesses sized to inhibit the passage of termites
therethrough, said screen being adjacent said protective film; a
first layer of a tacky waterproof compound adjacent said metal mesh
screen and opposite said protective film; a layer of fiber
reinforced material; a second layer of tacky waterproof compound
adjacent to said fiber reinforced material and opposite said first
layer of tacky waterproof compound; and a release liner covering
and protecting said exterior surface of said tacky waterproof
compound prior to applying said barrier to the building surface;
wherein said first layer of tacky waterproof compound fills said
recesses in said screen and contacts said protective film and said
first and second layers of tacky waterproof compound fills voids in
said layer of fiber reinforced material and contact each other to
thereby bind the barrier together.
2. The waterproofing membrane and termite barrier according to
claim 1, wherein said metal mesh screen is made of stainless
steel.
3. The waterproofing membrane and termite barrier according to
claim 1, wherein said protective film is made of polyester.
4. The waterproofing membrane and termite barrier according to
claim 1, wherein said tacky waterproof compound is a rubberized
asphaltic compound.
5. The waterproofing membrane and termite barrier according to
claim 1, wherein said release liner is made of polyethylene.
6. The waterproofing membrane and termite barrier according to
claim 1, wherein said fiber reinforced material is fiberglass.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
1. This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/081,021, filed Apr. 8, 1998, and is a Divisional
Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/288,167, filed
Apr. 8, 1999.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
2. 1. Field of the Invention
3. The present invention relates to protective barriers for
buildings. More particular, the present invention comprises a
unitary barrier serving multiple protective functions for
subterranean building surfaces, including waterproofing and
inhibiting infiltration of termites into a protected space.
4. 2. Description of the Prior Art
5. Buildings having foundations consisting of basements, crawl
spaces, stem walls, grade beams, and other subterranean walls and
other surfaces of occupied or unoccupied spaces are susceptible in
many areas to infiltration of water and by termites. Waterproofing
has been provided to answer the former need. In many cases,
waterproofing is accomplished by coating the exterior surface of
subterranean walls with bitumen and similar water resistant
materials. Stock webs of asphaltic, rubber, plastic, latex, or
acrylic composition reinforced with or without fiberglass (or other
reinforcement materials are known). However, the known products
lack stainless steel mesh for termite control in combination with a
waterproofing barrier with a tacky surface and a release liner for
assisting in installation, as taught by the present invention.
6. U.S. Pat. No. 4,390,585 issued to Holden on Jun. 28, 1983
discloses a durable flexible membrane and method of making same.
This membrane has a dense base or core fabric of multi-filament
synthetic polymer yarns. PVC resin is used to coat the yarns, and
additional coatings of the same composition are applied to both
sides of the material. The resulting membrane is excellent for use
on a roof, but is not designed with a steel mesh for inhibiting
termites, or with a tacky surface for assisting in
installation.
7. An adhesive sheet for preventing aquatic growths and method for
preventing aquatic growths is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,814,227
issued to Maeda et al. on Mar. 21, 1989. This invention uses an
adhesive layer formed on a primer layer in the form of a plate of
copper-nickel alloy. The metal plate reduces the flexibility of the
sheet (as opposed to a steel mesh or screen), making it difficult
to install around sharp corners as is taught by the present
invention. In addition, the adhesive used is primarily for
underwater applications and does not include materials which are
both tacky as well as flowing (for filling in recesses and holes in
the mesh.
8. U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,017 issued to Toutountzis on May 23, 1995 is
directed to termite control using a steel mesh, and is hereby
incorporated by reference. In this patent, it is shown that a
stainless steel mesh can be used as a termite barrier. In addition,
in column 3, lines 35-42, the combining of the mesh into a plastic
sheet for both moisture and termite control is discussed. The
actual method of combining the sheet and mesh is not disclosed, nor
is the use of a waterproof adhesive layer for installation,
especially on vertical wall surfaces. Furthermore, this invention
provides a moisture barrier only, as opposed to the present
invention which includes a waterproof barrier that protects against
water that may collect around the lower exterior walls of
buildings.
9. A flexible protective membrane particularly useful for
waterproofing and protecting reinforced concrete bodies and metal
pipes is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,188 issued to Te'eni on Aug.
6, 1996. The patent discusses the use of bituminous materials to
waterproof concrete structures, but does not disclose or teach
combining a waterproof layer with a steel mesh for termite
control.
10. U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,630 issued to Byrd on Dec. 3, 1996
discusses multi-layer waterproofing articles including a layer of
water-soluble polymer. The water-soluble polymer is used to coat
the adhesive layer to prevent the adhesive from adhering to itself
without the use of a release layer. Asphalt tar and pitch in
addition to other materials, are discussed for use as the adhesive,
however, there is no discussion of steel mesh or termite
control.
11. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly
or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as
claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
12. The present invention provides a prefabricated web for
providing protection to subterranean walls and other structural
members against both penetration by water and by termites.
Protection against two hazards is thus provided by installing a
single member. The novel web may be cut to fit and adhered to
subterranean wall (or any desired) surfaces.
13. Preferably, the subterranean wall surfaces are dry-primed, so
that a tacky surface will adhere thereto. The novel web has a tacky
surface protected by a release liner (preferably of polyethylene
but may be other plastics, latex, acrylic, paper, etc.), which is
peeled from the web immediately prior to installing the web on
building surfaces. The liner preserves the tacky surface from
contamination by dirt and other substances which would cover the
tacky surface, thereby rendering the same less effective for
installation. Some embodiments of the invention may require
adhesive or cement to be applied to the substrate, to the web
itself, or to both.
14. The web has at least one waterproof (as opposed to moisture or
dampness resistant) member, which may or may not have a structural
reinforcing member, and includes a layer of stainless steel mesh.
In one embodiment, the waterproof member is asphaltic, which is
tacky at ordinary ambient temperatures. Of course other materials
could be used, such as rubber, plastic, latex, or acrylic applied
with an adhesive. This waterproof material is covered by a release
liner, so that its tacky properties (and a clean, uncontaminated
surface) are preserved until immediately prior to application. The
stainless steel mesh has openings too small to allow termites to
pass through. Stainless steel is a material which resists attack by
deleterious influences present in the subterranean environment, and
thus will provide a durable barrier to termites.
15. In a preferred embodiment the invention comprises layers
ordered as follows. There is provided, in order, a release liner,
asphalt compound, fiber reinforced material (preferably
fiberglass), asphalt compound, stainless steel mesh, and finally
protective film.
16. In addition to providing barriers to both water and termites,
this constructions is flexible, therefore the resultant barrier is
quite practical to apply to building elements, since it can be
folded around corners and in other situations. The material can be
cut by ordinary tools, yet remains durable after installation and
retains significant tensile strength.
17. Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to
provide an architectural barrier for lining subterranean walls and
other building surfaces that is impenetrable by both water and
termites.
18. It is another object of the invention that the novel barrier be
flexible and capable of being folded.
19. It is a further object of the invention that the novel barrier
be installed using conventional tools and standard installation
techniques.
20. Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel
barrier that will stay attached to a vertical surface during
construction.
21. An additional object of the invention is to enable installation
by adhesion to building surfaces.
22. It is again an object of the invention to preserve adhesive
qualities of the novel barrier prior to installation.
23. Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a
barrier with easy to seal joints and a waterproof layer that
provide durability against the corrosive properties of soil and
other backfill materials.
24. It is yet another object of the invention to provide
waterproofing and termite protection for attachment to a wide range
of subterranean building surfaces, including but not limited to
wood, brick, concrete, concrete block, steel, plastic, and plastic
foam insulation material.
25. It is yet a further object of the invention to insure that the
tacky material of the novel web will not adhere to itself during
manufacture, packaging, storage, transportation and installation,
or be exposed to the elements and construction activity after
installation and during building construction.
26. It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements
and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described
which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in
accomplishing its intended purposes.
27. These and other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
28. Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of
the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the
same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters
designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views,
and wherein:
29. FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of the invention
installed on subterranean building components.
30. FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the invention in a further
stage of construction from that of FIG. 1.
31. FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment
of the novel web, with the various layers broken away progressively
to reveal the internal construction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
32. FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates the invention, as installed
on a foundation footing 2 and subterranean wall 4 of a building
(not shown in its entirety). The novel web is installed in
individual sheets 10, 12, 14 successively adhered to external
surfaces of footing 2 and wall 4. Each sheet 10, 12, or 14 overlaps
its predecessor to assure continuity of the barrier of protection.
Special attention should be given to all seams, edges, overlaps,
corners, patches, and protrusions during installation to maintain
the integrity of both the waterproofing and the termite barrier.
These joints may need crimped edges, heat sealing, compression with
a roller or other tool, caulking, or any combination of these and
other sealing techniques, depending on the application. All
stainless steel mesh joints should maintain the proper distance
required to prevent the passage of a termite.
33. The novel web is flexible, so that sheets 10, 12, 14 may be
folded, as indicated at 10A, 12A, and 14A, to conform closely to
footing 2 and wall 4, as well as to fit around corners of wall 4
and intersecting walls. Surface 4A is preferably dry primed to
enable adhesion by a tacky material. This construction provides a
waterproof barrier that goes beyond a simple dampness or moisture
barrier in protecting the building. The flexibility allows flashing
to be created around corners joints, projections, and dissimilar
materials and surfaces. Once installed, the present invention need
not be installed again as it will not deteriorate over time.
34. FIG. 2 shows a further stage in construction of a building
protected according to the invention. Both interior surfaces 2A, 4A
and exterior surfaces 2B, 4B of footing 2 and wall 4 have been
covered by a novel web 14, 16. A concrete floor 6 is poured in
conventional fashion, trapping web 14 between floor 6, on one side,
and footing 2 and wall 4 on the other side. Above the floor 6, the
web 14 extends along wall 4 as shown by the solid line, or may
extend along the floor 6 as shown by dotted line 20. The barrier
thus formed in the building affords protection from both
penetration of water and by termites. It will be appreciated that
it is a standard building practice that a well designed drainage
system (not shown as not being part of the present invention) be
installed to remove excess water from the footer and wall area. It
will also be appreciated that the potential of hydrostatic pressure
at the exterior of the building may become so great that a drainage
system will be required.
35. FIG. 3 illustrates construction of webs 10, 12, 14, and 16. The
invention is preferably provided as a generally flat web 300 having
nominal thickness, and comprising several strata. Web 300 includes,
in the order illustrated, in the order illustrated, a protective
film 302, a stainless steel mesh screen 304, a first layer 306 of
rubberized asphalt compound (or other waterproof material), a layer
of fiber reinforced material 308, (preferably fiberglass) a second
layer 310 of rubberized asphalt compound (or other waterproof
material), and a release liner 312. The asphalt compound in layers
306 and 310 embed the fiber reinforced material 308 from both
directions, while the asphalt compound in layer 306 fills the
recesses of the mesh screen 304.
36. The screen mesh 304 of FIG. 3 is preferably stainless steel as
is available from building supply and hardware stores. The asphalt
compound acts as a water barrier, with a tacky surface for adhesion
to surfaces while filling small voids in the surfaces, while also
acting as a binder for the other layers. The present invention uses
stock materials to form a novel web that is laminated into an
integral structure using heat and mill forming.
37. Architectural surfaces may require that a primer or adhesive be
applied prior to the installation of the novel barrier. All
surfaces should be dry and clean prior to the installation of the
web. It should be noted, however, that once installed, the
waterproofing (as opposed to a simple barrier to moisture or
dampness) ability of the asphalt compound protects the building
components, even should rain fill the area about the wall prior to
backfilling. It should also be noted that it is standard
construction practice to install a well designed drainage system at
or around building foundation footings to remove excess water and
hydrostatic pressure.
38. It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *