U.S. patent application number 11/251221 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-20 for water intrusion prevention method and apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to T-Stop Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Thomas Bren.
Application Number | 20060080902 11/251221 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36179260 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060080902 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bren; Thomas |
April 20, 2006 |
Water intrusion prevention method and apparatus
Abstract
A method and device are presented that creates a channel
adjacent a nailing flange of a window in between the window and the
rough opening that receives the window. The channel is created by
establishing a barrier that prevents foam insulation inserted into
the space between the window and the rough opening from reaching
the nailing flange. The channel then ensures proper drainage of
water that enters the window cavity down to the window sill. A
gasket is presented that can be attached to the window or the rough
opening to create the barrier. Alternatively, a disintegrating
object or a wicking object can be used to impede the flow of
insulation foam and to create the appropriate channel. The present
invention is equally applicable to doors or other framed objects
received into the exterior shell of a building.
Inventors: |
Bren; Thomas; (Maple Plain,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BECK AND TYSVER P.L.L.C.
2900 THOMAS AVENUE SOUTH
SUITE 100
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55416
US
|
Assignee: |
T-Stop Products, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36179260 |
Appl. No.: |
11/251221 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60619343 |
Oct 15, 2004 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/58 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 2001/628 20130101;
E06B 1/58 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/058 |
International
Class: |
E04D 13/14 20060101
E04D013/14 |
Claims
1. A building comprising: a) a rough opening; b) a framed object
inserted into the rough opening, the framed object having i) at
least one external face, and ii) a nailing flange substantially
around the circumference of the framed object; c) a space between
the rough opening and the external face of the framed object; d) a
barrier that divides the space into an interior space and an
exterior channel; and e) foam material in the interior space but
not extending significantly passed the barrier into the exterior
channel.
2. The building of claim 1, wherein the building has an interior
and an exterior, wherein the framed object further comprises a
nailing flange and the barrier is found between the nailing flange
and the interior of the building.
3. The building of claim 2, wherein the barrier is a flexible
gasket fixedly attached to the framed object.
4. The building of claim 1, wherein the barrier is an outer surface
of a decomposing object, and further wherein the exterior channel
is formed by the decomposing object after decomposing.
5. The building of claim 1, wherein the framed object is a
window.
6. A building comprising: a) a rough opening having a header, two
sides, and a sill; b) a framed object inserted into the rough
opening, the framed object having i) an interior side, an exterior
side, a top face, two side faces, and a sill face, and ii) a
nailing flange running proximal to the exterior side of the framed
object on at least the top face and the two side faces, the nailing
flange being used to attach the framed object to the rough opening;
c) a space between the rough opening and the framed object; d) a
gasket extending between the rough opening and the framed object in
the space along at least one face of the framed object, the
flexible gasket effectively dividing the space into an exterior
channel adjacent the nailing flange and an interior space; and e)
foam material in the interior space but not extending significantly
past the gasket into the exterior channel.
7. The building of claim 6, wherein the gasket is fixedly attached
to one of the rough opening and the framed object, and further
wherein the gasket extends across the space to contact the other of
the rough opening and the framed object.
8. The building of claim 7, wherein the gasket is fixedly attached
to one of the rough opening and the framed object using one of the
following methods: a protrusion in a first surface fitting into a
groove in a second surface, a nail, a staple, adhesive, and
stretching an elastic gasket around the framed object.
9. A window unit for insertion into a rough opening of a building
comprising: a) a window frame surrounding one or more glass
elements, the window frame having an interior side, an exterior
side, a top face, two side faces, and a sill face; b) a flange on
the top face and two side faces, the flange being proximal on the
exterior side; and c) a gasket positioned on at least the top face
and the two side faces running essentially parallel to the nailing
flange on the interior side of the nailing flange.
10. The window unit of claim 9, wherein the gasket is flexible.
11. The window unit of claim 10, wherein the gasket is on all four
faces of the window frame.
12. The window unit of claim 10, wherein the gasket extends
essentially perpendicular away from the face of the window frame on
which the gasket is positioned.
13. The window unit of claim 10, wherein the gasket extends outward
away from the face of the window frame on which the gasket is
placed and curves around back toward the window frame.
14. The window unit of claim 13, wherein the curve of the gasket is
at least two hundred seventy degrees.
15. A method of installing a framed object into a rough opening of
a building comprising: a) inserting the framed object into the
rough opening, thereby creating a space between an exterior face of
the framed object and the rough opening; b) positioning a barrier
in the space thereby dividing the space between an external channel
on the external side of the barrier and an internal space on the
internal side of the barrier; and c) inserting foam into the
internal space up to the barrier, wherein the barrier prevents the
foam from filling the external channel.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of positioning the
barrier is accomplished by affixing the barrier to the framed
object and then inserting the framed object into the rough
opening.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of positioning the
barrier is accomplished by affixing the barrier to the rough
opening and then inserting the framed object into the rough
opening.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the barrier is affixed to the
rough opening by cutting a strip of gasket to an appropriate size,
and then affixing the cut strip of gasket to the rough opening.
19. An window installed into a rough opening of a building having
and interior and an exterior comprising: a) a framed window unit;
b) a space between the framed window unit and the rough opening;
and c) means for excluding foam inserted from the interior of the
building from entering an exterior channel within the space;
thereby allowing moisture that enters the space to drain from the
space without interference from the foam.
20. An window installed into a rough opening of a building having
and interior and an exterior comprising: a) a framed window unit;
b) a space between the framed window unit and the rough opening;
and c) a wicking object in the space adjacent the exterior of the
building, d) foam inserted into the space from the interior of the
building; whereby a surface of the wicking object prevents the foam
from reaching to the exterior of the building, and further whereby
moisture that enters the space will be wicked down to an outlet
from the space without interference from the foam.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/619,343, filed on Oct. 15, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of building
construction. More particularly, the present invention provides a
method and apparatus that prevents water intrusion into the walls
of the building around a window, door, or other framed object.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A typical window 100 of the prior art is shown in FIG. 1.
The window 100 may include one or more panes of glass 110, which
may be embedded in a single sash, or in an upper and lower sash
such as in a double-hung window. The sash is secured in a frame
120, which consists of two side jambs 130, a top jamb 140, and a
sill 150. The window frame 120 is typically made from wood, vinyl,
aluminum, or fiberglass, but may be made from any durable, rigid
material.
[0004] Typically, a window is installed into a rough opening 200 in
a house or building, as shown in FIG. 2. The rough opening 200
forms a window cavity 202 surrounded by a header 210, two sides
220, and a sill 230. The header 210 must be constructed
sufficiently sturdy to support the necessary roof loads, since
these loads cannot be supported by the window unit 100. This is
especially important with large window units 100, or when a "window
wall" is created with multiple windows side-by-side. The rough
opening 200 has an interior side 240 and an exterior side 250
relative to the building itself. The sill 230 is sloped toward the
exterior side 250 to allow water that makes its way to the sill 230
to drain out the exterior of the building. The height and width of
the window cavity 202 is constructed larger than the height and
width of the window frame 120; typically about three-quarters of an
inch (approximately two centimeters) larger in each direction. This
leaves an approximately three-eighth inch space (about one
centimeter) between the window 100 and the rough opening 200 on
each of the four exterior faces 160 (the top 120, sill 150, and
both sides 130) of the window 100.
[0005] To hold the window unit 100 in place, the unit 100 is
generally constructed with a nailing or installation flange 170
near the exterior edge on each of the four faces 160 of the window
frame 120. FIG. 3 shows the window 100 of FIG. 1 sectioned along
line 3-3, and shows the relationship of the nailing flange 170
versus the rest of the window frame 120 and the glass 110. FIG. 4
shows the same section of window 100, this time with the nailing
flange 170 being used to secure the window frame 120 to one of the
sides 220 of the rough opening 200. The window 100 is installed so
that the nailing flange 170 is on the building exterior 250. Nails
300 are then placed through both the flange 170 and the side 220 of
the rough opening 200. These nails 300 are used around the
circumference of the window 100, preferably centering the window
100 in the opening 200.
[0006] Because the opening 200 is deliberately sized larger than
the window 100, a space 310 is created between the opening 200 and
the window. Modern construction techniques involve creating a vapor
barrier between warm moist air inside a house and the outside,
cooler air. To complete the vapor barrier, it is necessary to
extend the vapor barrier from the rough opening 200 of the house
framing to the window 100 itself. To accomplish this, foam 320 is
inserted into space 310 around all four faces 160 of window 100.
This foam 320 also serves to insulate this gap 310. Most window
manufacturers carefully advise the window installers to take steps
to prevent the expanding foam 320 from warping the window frame
120. In most cases, installers are instructed to use low expanding
foam 320. In addition, installers are instructed to begin inserting
the foam 320 at the nailing flange 170, but to avoid filling the
entire space 310 all the way to the interior 240 of the rough
opening 200 and window frame 120. This should allow the expansion
of the foam 320 within space 310 without warping the window frame
120.
[0007] To prevent water leakage under the nailing flange 170,
installers will generally place a sealant between the flange 170
and the exterior surface 250 of the rough opening 200. Sill
flashing is used on the sill 230 to provide a moisture barrier to
prevent water that enters the window cavity 202 after installation
of the window 100 from entering the wall under the sill 230.
Moisture in the window opening 202 will ideally pool on the sill
flashing, where it will generally drain down the non-wood side of
the exterior building paper. Any moisture that does not drain off
the sill will remain on the sill flashing until it evaporates.
Because of this, it is generally encouraged that sealant not be
used on the bottom or sill nailing flange 170, in order to allow
for drainage and evaporation from outside.
[0008] Unfortunately, this prior art technique of window
construction and installation has caused various moisture and mold
problems in today's buildings. What is needed is an improved
construction and installation method for windows the does not cause
these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention prevents moisture that enters the
window opening from entering the interior of the building by
creating a channel behind the nailing flange of the window. Prior
art windows and techniques encouraged foam insulation to be
inserted between the window and the rough opening all the way to
the nailing flange that is used to secure the window. This
insulation prevented moisture from reaching the sill, from which it
could drain or evaporate. Instead, the foam directed the water into
the interior of the building. Alternatively, water that did reach
the sill could become trapped behind the insulation and be
prevented from draining or evaporating. In this case, the water may
cause rotting inside the framing.
[0010] The present invention creates a barrier in the space between
the window and the rough opening that prevents the foam from
reaching the nailing flange. On the interior side of this barrier,
the foam is installed normally. On the exterior side of this
barrier a channel is created. This channel preferably runs around
the circumference of the window. The channel allows water that
enters behind the nailing flange the ability to drain down to the
window sill where it can drain or evaporate.
[0011] To form the barrier, a gasket can be constructed around the
perimeter of the window. This gasket is sized to engage the rough
opening, such that it forms a barrier running from the window to
the rough opening. Alternatively, the gasket can be sized to extend
at least half way into the space between the window and the
opening.
[0012] The gasket can be attached to the window during window
manufacture. Alternatively, the gasket can be sold separately and
attached to the window at the installation site. The gasket may
also be directly attached to the rough opening itself, where it
will then engage the window frame when the window is installed. The
gasket can be relatively straight, extending perpendicularly from
the window or rough opening and then bending during window
installation. Alternatively, the gasket can be curved. The curved
gasket can be sized large enough to span a large space between the
window and the rough opening, and can be compressed easily to span
a much smaller space. If designed to engage the rough opening, the
gasket should be flexible so as to bend during the insertion of the
window. If actual engagement is not anticipated, the gasket can be
rigid. Finally, the barrier can be formed with either a
disintegrating object that disintegrates once the insulation has be
installed, or a wicking objects that remains in the channel and
aids in wicking water to the sill.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art window.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rough opening for a
window.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the window of
FIG. 1 along line 3-3.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the portion of the window
shown in FIG. 3 attached to the rough opening of FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a window of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a portion of the present
invention window of FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the portion of the present
invention window shown in FIG. 6 attached to the rough opening of
FIG. 2.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
present invention detached from a window.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the second embodiment being
used on a window in a rough opening.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the
present invention being used in connection with a window in a rough
opening.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the
present invention in which the gasket has a rounded shape that is
easily compressed.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the
present invention showing a decomposing article being used in
connection with a window in a rough opening.
[0025] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the fourth embodiment after
the decomposing article has decomposed.
[0026] FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a door frame of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the
present invention being used on a window in a rough opening.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Recognition of the Problem
[0028] The inventor of the present invention has discovered a
significant problem with prior art windows and installation
techniques as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 and described
above. As explained above, the current thinking in window and
building construction allows moisture that enters the window cavity
to drain and evaporate at the sill. For this approach to function
adequately, three requirements must be met. The moisture that
enters the window cavity 202 must be able to flow down to the sill
230. The sill 230 must be properly constructed to ensure a
waterproof surface. And, the sill must be able to either drain the
moisture to the outside 250 of the building, or must have enough
ventilation to allow evaporation.
[0029] Unfortunately, the construction technique described above
does not allow the first requirement to be met. Moisture will often
enter into the window cavity 202 at the top 120 and sides 130 of
the window 100. Assuming that there is no failure in the window
itself, the moisture enters at these locations under the nailing
flange 170. While the sealant applied under the flange 170 should
help prevent this, gaps or cracks in the sealant are inevitable.
The moisture that seeps under the nailing flange 170 will enter the
space 310 between the window 100 and the rough opening 200. At this
point, the foam 320 that was installed all the way to the nailing
flange 170 will interfere with the ability of the moisture to find
its way down to the sill 230. The problem is that the foam material
320 is permitted to fill the space 310 all the way to the nailing
flange 170. At some point, the foam 320 will form a blockage
against the nailing flange 170, and prevent any further downward
movement of the moisture toward the sill 230. In addition, since
the foam insulation 320 is never perfectly formed, cracks and gaps
in the foam 320 form passageways that permit the water to move
toward the interior 240 of the rough opening 200. In fact, once the
foam insulation 320 has formed a blockage with the nailing flange
170, the only place for the water to go is toward the interior of
the building. There the water remains, leading to water damage and
molding issues.
First Embodiment of the Solution
[0030] The present invention involves a plurality of techniques to
ensure that the foam material 320 that is applied from the interior
240 of a building in the space 310 between the window 100 and the
rough opening 200 is not allowed to reach the nailing flange 170.
By doing so, a channel or gap is created between the insulation 320
and the flange 170 that allows all moisture that enters anywhere
around the edge of the window 100 to drain properly to the sill
230.
[0031] The first such technique is shown in FIG. 5. There a
standard window 100 with a nailing flange 170 has been fitted with
a gasket 400 around its circumference. This gasket 400 can be
placed on each of the four peripheral faces 160 of the window frame
120, and is positioned between the nailing flange 170 and the
interior surface of the window 100. While installing the gasket 400
around all four faces 160 of the window 100 is preferred, it is
well within the scope of the present invention to install the
gasket 400 on less than all of the circumference of the window. For
instance, an installer or window manufacturer may refrain from
installing the gasket 400 along the sill edge 150 of the window 100
to allow easier drainage at the sill 230 of the opening 200.
However, this is generally not preferred as foam material 320 that
reaches the nailing flange 120 at the sill 230 can also prevent
proper drainage of moisture. Modern building codes require the foam
material 320 to complete the vapor barrier on all sides of a window
100, and therefore the gasket 400 is preferably used on all sides
as well.
[0032] As shown in the cross-sectional view in FIG. 6, gasket 400
projects away from the window frame 120, but does not extend as far
as the nailing flange 170. The purpose of the gasket 400 is to
approach or engage the rough opening 200 when the window 100 is
installed. The flexible gasket 400 can be formed and attached to
the window frame in a variety of ways. In FIG. 6, it is shown that
the gasket 400 is formed with a tongue 410 that fits into a groove
in the window frame 120. This tongue-and-groove connection is
designed to prevent the gasket 400 from moving or otherwise
disengaging with the window frame 120 during the installation of
the window 100. Of course, other protrusion and channel
combinations could be used equally as well as the tongue and groove
shown in FIG. 6, including protrusions on the window frame 120 that
extend into channels or grooves on the gasket 400.
[0033] In a first embodiment 200, the gasket 400 engages and flexes
against the opening 200 when the window 100 is inserted into the
window. To help assist the tongue-and-groove fitting in securing
the gasket 400, the gasket 400 is also formed with a base section
420 that abuts the window frame 200. This base section helps keep
the gasket 400 relatively perpendicular vis a vis the exterior
surface of the window frame 200. When designed to engage the
opening 200, it is important to manufacture the gasket 400 out of a
significantly flexible material to allow the gasket 400 to bend
during insertion.
[0034] One advantage of permanently attaching the gasket 400 on the
peripheral faces 160 of the window 100 is that the gasket 400 can
be added during the construction of the window 100 itself. In this
way, the window manufacturer can be responsible for securely
attaching the gasket 400. The window 100 is then delivered to the
construction site with the gasket attached, where the window
installer can install the window 100 and gasket 400 combination in
much the same as any ordinary window 100. Window manufacturers may
use any known technique to attach the gasket 400 to the window 100,
including protrusions and channels, or by nailing or stapling the
gasket 400 directly to the window frame 120. Alternatively, the
gasket can be formed as an integral part of the window frame 120
itself.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 7, the gasket 400 of this first embodiment
will preferably contact the framing of the rough opening 200, such
as side 220, thereby dividing the space 310 between the window 100
and the opening 200 in two. The portion of the space 310 closest
the interior 240 of the building can be used for the foam material
320. As the foam 320 is installed, it can be installed all the way
up to the gasket 400. This is similar enough to the prior art
technique of installing the foam 320 all the way up to the nailing
flange 170 so as to not require any significant change in foam
installation techniques.
[0036] The other portion of the space 310 divided by the gasket 400
is the gap or channel 500 formed adjacent the nailing flange 170.
Because the gasket 400 is formed on at least the top 140 and sides
130 of the window frame 120, the formed channel 500 is ensured of
existing at these locations as well. In this way, the gasket 400
will allow for any moisture that penetrates the opening around a
window 100 to have the proper channel 500 to continue its movement
down toward the sill 150 and ultimately out to the exterior 250 of
the building. In addition, the gasket 400 itself serves as a
barrier to any water or moisture that enters the channel 500, and
helps to prevent that water from entering into the interior or
framing of the building.
[0037] In this embodiment an entire width of the gasket structure
400 from one side 130 to the other side 130 of the window 100 is
slightly larger than that of the largest recommended rough opening
200, as defined by the window manufacturer. The gasket 400 should
also be large enough to account for a non-centered window 100, so
that the gasket 400 will still engage the opening 200. The gasket
400 should be rigid enough to hold its position in space 310
against insulation 320, yet be flexible enough to handle a small
space 310 that might be created in a non-centered window 100. The
flexibility should also be great enough so as not to hinder the
simple installation of a window. In the preferred embodiment, the
gasket 400 can be constructed of almost any material that can meet
these basic properties, including open or closed cell foam
plastics, natural or synthetic rubber, or the like. If a rigid
gasket 400 is to be used, the choice of materials would be even
broader, including wood, metal, and hard plastics.
[0038] FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the present invention
gasket 410. This gasket 410 can be manufactured in one piece and
sized for a particular window 100. The gasket 410 can then be
applied to the window 100 at the installation site. Preferably, the
gasket 400 is applied over the window frame 120 from the interior
side. As shown in the cross-sectional view in FIG. 9, the window
100 can be formed with a groove 412 for receiving the gasket 410.
Once the gasket 410 is installed in the groove 412, it can either
be nailed or stapled in place by the installer, or the elasticity
of the gasket 410 can be relied to keep it in place. When
installed, this second embodiment of the gasket 410 functions
similar to gasket 400, as can be seen by comparing FIG. 9 with FIG.
7.
[0039] Alternatively, a gasket 420 can be created that is designed
to be installed directly onto the rough opening 200, as shown in
FIG. 10. In this Figure, the gasket 420 has been nailed to the
opening 200 with a plurality of nails 422, only one of which is
shown in FIG. 10. Alternatively, gasket 420 can be attached with
staples or adhesive to the opening 200. This gasket 420 can be
provided to window installers in strips, which can then be cut to
the size of the opening 200. Once the gasket 420 has been attached
to the opening, the window 100 can be inserted. The frame 120 of
the window 100 will then engage the gasket 420, much like the
opening engaged gaskets 410 and 400 during the window insertion
process described above. Like the other embodiments 410, 400,
gasket 420 functions by forming a gap or channel 500 for the
drainage of moisture and water. The gasket 420 further functions to
prevent water from entering the interior of the house, and serves
to prevent the insulation 320 from impeding the flow of moisture in
the channel 500.
[0040] FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of a gasket 430 that can be
used to create channel 500. In this case, the gasket 430 has a
rounded shape that is easily compressed. This allows the gasket to
fill a relatively large space 310 between the window and the rough
opening 200, while still being able to easily be compressed for a
smaller space 310. This shape is called rounded in this invention
description, and is defined by having a gasket that forms at least
270 degrees of a complete circle.
[0041] FIG. 12 shows a fifth embodiment, in which a decomposing
object 440 is placed adjacent to the nailing flange 170 after the
window 100 is installed in the rough opening 200. This object 440
has an interior face 442, which servers to block the foam 320 from
abutting the nailing flange 170 when the foam material 320 is
injected into the space 310 between the window 100 and the rough
opening 200. To form channel 500, the object 440 will then
disintegrate, leaving only the channel 500, as is shown in FIG. 13.
Such an object 440 can be created using an inflatable balloon. The
balloon can be inserted into the space 310 either already inflated
or deflated (which is then inflated in place). The size of the
balloon will easily conform to the shape of the space 310, and can
be pressed to abut the nailing flange 170. When the insulation 320
is injected into space 310, the interior face 442 of the balloon
440 will prevent the foam 320 from reaching the nailing flange 170.
When the foam insulation 320 has firmed up, the balloon can be
deflated using a long thin pin inserted through the insulation 320.
Alternatively, the balloon 440 can be design to deflate over time.
Furthermore, a portion of the balloon 440 can be secured to the
header 210 to prevent the deflated balloon from interfering with
water flow in the channel 500. Other disintegrating objects 440 can
be used, either now known or hereinafter developed. Ideally, the
disintegrating object 440 will have an interior face 442 that can
impede the flow of injected insulation 320, and will disintegrate
completely soon after the insulation 320 has firmed or
solidified.
[0042] Another embodiment of the present invention is to replace
the disintegrating object 440 with a wicking object. The wicking
object would be placed in space 310, and would impede the flow of
the insulation 320, just like the disintegrating object 440 shown
in FIG. 12. However, the wicking object would not disintegrate, but
would be designed to wick moisture around the window frame 120
toward the sill 230 of the rough opening 200. In effect, the entire
channel 500 would remain, but would stay filled with the wicking
object. Rather than impeding the flow of moisture to the sill 230,
however, the wicking object would help wick the moisture to the
sill 230.
[0043] The present invention is not limited to window frames 120,
but would be equally applicable to any framed item that is inserted
into an opening of a building. For instance, FIG. 14 shows a door
600 having a door frame 602. This door 600 is also fitted with a
nailing flange 604, although such a flange would not be necessary
for this invention. The gasket 450 of the present invention is
attached to the periphery of the door frame 602, preferably at
least on the top and side of the door frame. This gasket 450 would
function similar to the gaskets 400-440 applied to window 100 and
described above.
[0044] FIG. 15 shows yet another embodiment of the present
invention in gasket 450. As shown in this figure, gasket 450 does
not completely extend from window 100 to frame 200. Nonetheless,
the gasket 450 serves as a sufficient barrier to foam material 320
so as to create the same gap 500 as was created in the other
embodiments. In this case, the foam material 320 extends somewhat
into the gap, but not significantly. The foam material 320 would be
considered to extend significantly into the gap if the foam 320
came into contact with the nailing flange 170. When the gasket 450
does not engage another surface, it is possible for the gasket 450
to be constructed of a rigid material. Preferably, this gasket 450
will extend at least half way across the space between the window
100 and the frame 200.
[0045] The many features and advantages of the invention are
apparent from the above description. Numerous modifications and
variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Since
such modifications are possible, the invention is not to be limited
to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described.
Rather, the present invention should be limited only by the
following claims.
* * * * *