U.S. patent application number 11/235023 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-29 for apparatus and methods for diverting water from a building.
Invention is credited to Jeffrey A. Grange, Richard Schwass.
Application Number | 20070068093 11/235023 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37892159 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070068093 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grange; Jeffrey A. ; et
al. |
March 29, 2007 |
Apparatus and methods for diverting water from a building
Abstract
A water diverting shield diverts water away from the foundation
of a building and protects the foundation from water damage and
leakage. The water diverting shield can be formed from a rigid or
flexible material, and it can be substantially impermeable to
water. The water diverting shield can include first and second
planar portions which form an angle or bend. The water diverting
shield reduces or eliminates infiltration of water to the
foundation by shielding all or a portion of the foundation wall and
foundation footing. The outward bend diverts water away from the
foundation wall and foundation footing.
Inventors: |
Grange; Jeffrey A.;
(Plainfield, IL) ; Schwass; Richard; (Plainfield,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCANDREWS HELD & MALLOY, LTD
500 WEST MADISON STREET
SUITE 3400
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
37892159 |
Appl. No.: |
11/235023 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/97 ;
52/169.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 31/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/097 ;
052/169.5 |
International
Class: |
E04D 13/00 20060101
E04D013/00; E02D 19/00 20060101 E02D019/00; E04D 15/00 20060101
E04D015/00 |
Claims
1. A water diverting shield for diverting water away from a
building, said water diverting shield comprising a substantially
rigid, water resistant material, wherein the water diverting shield
has a first planar portion and a second planar portion, and wherein
the first planar portion and the second planar portion form an
angle in the range of greater than 90 degrees and less than 180
degrees.
2. The water diverting shield of claim 1 wherein the water
resistant material is substantially impermeable to water.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water resistant material
is polyvinylchloride.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the water resistant material
comprises a third planar portion adapted for attachment to a
building.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the water resistant material
comprises a fourth planar portion that forms an angle with the
second planar portion in the range of greater than 90 degrees and
less than 180 degrees.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second planar
portion form an angle between about 112 and about 135 degrees.
7. The water diverting shield of claim 1, wherein the shield
comprises at least one panel and at least one corner, wherein the
corner is connected to the panel by a water resistant bond.
8. A water diversion system for a building, the system comprising:
a foundation for a building, wherein the foundation is at least
partially underground; and a water diverting shield connected to
the foundation so as to provide a water resistant barrier.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the first planar portion is
substantially parallel with the foundation, and the second planar
portion forms an angle between about 90 degrees and about 180
degrees with the foundation.
10. The system of claim 8 wherein the water diverting shield is
connected to the top of the foundation.
11. The system of claim 8 wherein the water diverting shield is
connected to the top of the foundation by an anchor bolt that
connects a foundation wall and a building wall.
12. A method of shielding a foundation of a building from water,
the method comprising: connecting a water diverting shield to a
building, wherein said water diverting shield is resistant to water
and has a first planar portion and a second planar portion, and
said second planar portion is at an angle from said first planar
portion; extending the first planar portion along at least part of
a wall of the foundation; and extending the second planar portion
out from the foundation wall, wherein the second planar portion is
below the first.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising covering the second
planar portion with particulate matter.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising covering said
particulate matter with landscaping.
15. The method of claim 12 further comprising excavating around the
foundation before connecting the water diverting shield to the
building.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising disposing backfill
under said second planar portion.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the water diverting shield is
essentially impermeable to water.
18. The method of claim 12 wherein the water diverting shield is
connected to the foundation at a location between a foundation wall
and a structural wall of the building.
19. The method of claim 12 wherein said water diverting shield is
attached to an anchor bolt that connects the foundation to a wall
of the building.
20. The method of claim 12 further comprising connecting a
plurality of panels and corners to form the water diverting shield.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for
diverting water away from a building. More particularly, the
methods and apparatus divert water from the foundation of a
building by use of a water resistant shield, thereby reducing or
preventing water damage or leakage into the building.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many buildings have walls of concrete block, poured concrete
or other masonry. In particular, the foundations of buildings are
commonly made from concrete. Concrete and other masonry materials
tend to absorb moisture, and over time, this can adversely affect
their structural integrity. Underground foundation walls are
especially at risk from water damage, particularly in buildings
under construction and in geographic areas of high precipitation or
with inadequate water drainage through ground soil. Water
accumulation on a foundation wall can cause structural damage.
Water below a foundation floor (such as the basement floor of a
home) can also result in structural damage. In some instances water
rises above and flows over the foundation wall into the interior
basement or, more commonly, water seeps through holes and cracks in
the foundation walls and floor. Water seepage through the wall or
floor can cause structural damage to the foundation as to personal
property inside the building. Water may also seep into the interior
basement through an interface between the foundation wall and the
foundation footing which supports the foundation wall. Water can
also seep through other structural interfaces in the foundation,
cracks, tie rod holes, honeycombed concrete, or over the foundation
wall structure.
[0003] There are several existing approaches to preventing water
from seeping into or entering a basement through the foundation.
One approach is to attempt to fill holes in the foundation to
prevent water from seeping through the foundation. Other approaches
involve the use of drain tiles around the base of the foundation
wall. Yet another approach involves the use of waterproofing
compounds such as tars and epoxies to coat the outside or the
inside of the foundation wall.
[0004] The basement waterproofing market currently has a variety of
materials for spraying or coating on the inside or outside
foundation wall and/or foundation footing. Among those materials
are epoxy and polymeric compositions, silicone, styrene polymeric
films, elastomeric coatings, latex, asphalt and glass fiber
insulating boards, plastic films, and plastic sheets. Drainage
systems that can be applied on a basement floor or into the ground
around the foundation for drainage include perforated plastic
tubes, drain tiles, underground drainage tile and pipe systems,
drain line, drain conduit, gutter system, interconnected pipes,
plastic or rubber molding strips. Some of the above materials can
also be applied to foundation cracks.
[0005] One problem with sprayed-on materials or systems is that
they become integrated or connected with the foundation. As a
result, they are liable to shift and crack with the foundation
wall. Another problem with current drainage systems is that they
are usually installed underground, at the foundation footing, which
is approximately eight feet underground. As a result, installation
of these systems requires excavation all the way to the base of the
foundation, making the system undesirable for existing buildings.
Additionally, the drainage systems direct the flow of underground
water around the foundation near the footing, but not at upper
portions of the foundation wall. Furthermore, most of these systems
direct the underground water to a sump. These drainage systems do
not solve the problem of water seeping into the foundation wall
through cracks and holes. Some systems combine waterproofing
materials and drainage systems together, but each of their
independent problems will still be present.
[0006] The existing approaches suffer from one or more
disadvantages, such as being difficult or expensive to install
and/or not being completely effective. Thus, there remains a need
for inexpensive methods and apparatus to effectively prevent water
from leaking into a building through its foundation, including
through the foundation walls, and/or to prevent water from damaging
a foundation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, a water diverting
shield is provided for diverting water away from a building. The
water diverting shield comprises a substantially rigid, water
resistant material. The water diverting shield has a first planar
portion and a second planar portion. The first planar portion and
the second planar portion form an angle that is greater than 90
degrees and less than 180 degrees, alternatively an angle between
about 112 and about 135 degrees. Preferably, the water resistant
material is substantially impermeable to water. For example,
polyvinylchloride is a suitable water resistant material which is
substantially impermeable to water. The water diverting shield can
also include a third planar portion adapted for attachment to a
building, which preferably forms an angel with the first planar
portion that is about 90 degrees. The water diverting shield can
also include a fourth planar portion that forms an angle with the
second planar portion in the range of greater than 90 degrees and
less than 180 degrees.
[0008] A water diverting shield that surrounds a foundation can be
a unitary structure, or it can be formed from at least one panel
and at least one corner, where the corner(s) are connected to the
panel(s) by water resistant bonds.
[0009] In another aspect of the present invention, a water
diversion system is provided for a building. The system comprises a
foundation for a building, wherein the foundation is at least
partially underground, and a water diverting shield connected to
the foundation so as to provide a water resistant barrier. The
first planar portion can be substantially parallel with the
foundation, and the second planar portion can form an angle between
about 90 degrees and about 180 degrees with the foundation.
Preferably, the water diverting shield is connected to the top of
the foundation, such as by an anchor bolt that connects a
foundation wall and a building wall.
[0010] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method is
provided for shielding a foundation of a building from water. The
method comprises connecting a water diverting shield to a building.
The water diverting shield is resistant to water and has a first
planar portion and a second planar portion, and the second planar
portion is at an angle from the first planar portion. The method
also comprises extending the first planar portion along at least
part of a wall of the foundation and extending the second planar
portion out from the foundation wall. The method can also comprise
covering the second planar portion with particulate matter, and
covering the particulate matter with landscaping. The particulate
matter covering the second planar portion can be graded at an angle
that is substantially the same as the angle of the second portion
with the ground. The method can also include excavating around the
foundation before connecting the water diverting shield to the
building, and disposing backfill under the second planar
portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a water diverting shield as installed during
the construction of a new building;
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a water diverting shield as installed to an
existing building;
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a water diverting shield as installed above
ground level to an existing building;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the corners of the water diverting
shield; and
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the water diversion panels
and water diversion corners joined together.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present apparatus and methods divert water away from the
foundation of a building. A water diverting shield of suitable
size, material and installation impedes or prevents water from
reaching the foundation. The water diverting shield can comprise
sheets, films, layers, or other planar barriers that are resistant
to water. The water diverting shield is connected to the foundation
of a building in such a manner as to block water from reaching the
foundation, including the foundation walls. The present apparatus
and methods provide inexpensive yet effective protection against
water damage to the foundation and against seepage of water into a
basement.
[0017] The present apparatus and methods are easier to install than
many existing approaches to waterproofing a basement. Moreover, the
present apparatus and methods can be adapted to different
foundation sizes, structures and layouts. The present apparatus and
methods can be installed together with (at the time of) the
fabrication of the foundation (such as just after the foundation is
poured) to thus prevent water from damaging the structure once
completed. The present apparatus and methods are also capable of
being installed in established homes. Indeed, the present apparatus
and methods provide a marked advantage over existing approaches
with respect to existing buildings, since the present apparatus and
methods can be installed relatively simply and effectively and at a
great savings in cost and labor compared to some of the existing
waterproofing approaches. Moreover, the present apparatus and
methods include a water diverting shield that is not integrated
into the foundation in the way that sealants and other
waterproofing materials are; should the foundation crack or suffer
other structural damage, the present apparatus and methods may
avoid damage and failure to a greater extent than would materials
integral with the foundation.
[0018] One of the major causes of foundation leakage is water
settling next to the foundation wall or foundation footing. Since
the water diverting shield diverts the water away from the
foundation wall and footing, the water diverting shield reduces or
eliminates this cause of foundation leakage. The water diverting
shield diverts water from any source, including heavy rains, snow,
ice and moisture, away from the foundation wall and foundation
footing to eliminate any water from settling next to the foundation
wall or foundation footing. Water includes water mixed with dirt,
soil, sand, grass, mud, leaves, and any other materials. Water
includes any other aqueous mixture that might come in contact with
the foundation.
[0019] The water diverting shield can be securely connected to the
foundation above grade. Grade refers to the ground and its slope. A
shield attached above grade is attached above ground level. The
water diverting shield may be attached to the foundation wall or to
another portion of the building. It may be attached to the top of
the foundation wall, to the side of the foundation wall, to a wood
wall behind siding to a wood sill plate on the foundation wall,
and/or to the building's anchor bolt. Preferably, since the water
diverting shield is not attached to the foundation wall or footing
below grade. This reduces the risk of damage to the water diverting
shield, this allows movement and settling of the foundation without
disturbing the water diverting shield.
[0020] The present apparatus and methods can provide a building
owner (such as a residential home owner) with relatively
inexpensive solutions for preventing water damage or leakage
because the present apparatus and methods can work at different
depths. This provides cost flexibility, since excavation to a
desired depth is a significant cost factor.
[0021] The water diverting shield can cover the foundation wall
above the grade. It has a bend that directs the water flow away
from the foundation wall, it solves waterproofing and water flow
problems. The underground water will not build up against the
foundation wall or footing and seep through.
[0022] The water diverting shield can comprise sheets, films,
layers, or any other barrier significantly longer in two dimensions
(length and width) than in a third dimension (thickness). The water
diverting shield as a whole preferably extends around the entire
circumference of the foundation, although in some circumstances it
may be acceptable to install the water diverting shield on only a
portion of the foundation (for example, along one wall that is
especially susceptible to water damage or leakage. The water
diverting shield may be a unitary device, or the shield can
comprise one or more panels and/or corners joined together.
[0023] The water diverting shield that surrounds a foundation can
be a unitary apparatus, or it can be made up of panels and corners
that are connected together. For example, the water diverting
shield can comprise a plurality of panels and a plurality of
corners around the exterior of the foundation which are connected
together with an adhesive such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) glue or a
tar sealer.
[0024] The water diverting shield preferably comprises preformed
water diversion panels and preformed water diversion corners. The
panels and corners cover all or part of the foundation. Preferably,
a first portion of the water diverting shield is oriented
vertically, and a second portion of the water diverting shield is
oriented at a downward angle from horizontal.
[0025] The panels and corners have a bend at a bottom portion of
the panels and corners, to direct the flow of under ground water
away from the foundation wall and the foundation footing. In this
manner, the water diverting shield protects the wall and the
footing. Because of the bend at the bottom portion of the panels
and corners, the water diverting shield can be installed at variety
of depths.
[0026] The water diverting shield can be a flexible material or a
rigid material. When made from a rigid material, the shield
comprises preformed panels and preformed corners that join together
with an adhesive such as PVC glue or tar adhesive. The water
diverting shield is designed to cover part or all of the outside
foundation wall.
[0027] For example, the water diverting shield can be manufactured
from a water impermeable or water resistant material such as
polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene
terephthalate (PET), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (such as
Teflon.RTM. sheeting), polyurethane, acrylic sheets, acetate films,
clear polyester sheets (such as Mylar.RTM. sheeting), polycarbonate
sheets, or other water resistant polymers. PVC is presently
preferred due to its established durability in outdoor and
underground applications. PVC is substantially rigid and
substantially impermeable to water. Preferably the water resistant
material is substantially impermeable to water. When a
substantially impermeable material is used, water will generally
not pass through the material.
[0028] The water diverting shield will usually include a bend
between a first planar portion and a second planar portion. The
bend can be located either above or below the natural grade of the
surrounding land. For example, the bend can be 12 inches or less,
alternatively 8 inches or less, alternatively 6 inches or less
above the natural grade or above ground. As another example, the
bend can be 2 inches or less, alternatively 6 inches or less,
alternatively 12 inches or less, alternatively 2 feet or less,
alternatively 4 feet or less, alternatively 6 feet or less,
alternatively 8 feet or less, alternatively 12 feet or less below
the natural grade or under ground.
[0029] The first planar portion of the panels and corners can
descend below grade and lie against the outside foundation wall.
When the water resistant material is a rigid and/or preformed
material, the first planar portion(s) will descend below grade to
the predetermined depth. The second planar portion of the panels
and corners will lie below grade at a desired depth and will extend
outward from the foundation wall. The second planar portion can
extend out from the wall, generally at a distance of at least about
one foot and at most about four feet, although longer or shorter
distances may also be employed in some situations.
[0030] The water diverting shield can be installed to any new or
existing home or building foundation. For example, the water
diverting shield can be installed around the foundation of a new
single-family home during its construction. It is particularly
advantageous to install the present apparatus in the course of new
building construction since the area surrounding the foundation
will generally be accessible without excavation. As another
example, the water diverting shield can be installed around the
foundation of a multi-unit residential building, such as an
apartment or a condominium. As yet another example, the water
diverting shield can be installed around the foundation of a
commercial building. In general, any building having a foundation
susceptible to water damage and/or leakage can benefit from the
present apparatus and methods. For existing buildings, installation
will generally include the landscaping and dirt around the
foundation to be excavated around the foundation to a desired
depth. The excavated area preferably ranges in width from 1 foot to
30 feet and in depth from 0 to 16 feet. Because of the bend at the
bottom end of the panels and corners, the water diverting shield
can be installed at variety of depths ranging from ground level to
ten feet, for example, depending on the budget or preference of the
building owner and/or contractor.
[0031] After the panels and corners are joined together and secured
in place, the dirt is then backfilled to cover panels and corners
and will finish securing the water diversion panels and corners. If
new construction, the area around the foundation will have to be
backfilled up to the footing to allow the panels and corners to
rest evenly on the sub-grade.
[0032] Once the water diverting shield is installed to the
foundation, the excavated dirt or backfill can be added to securing
the portion of the shield that will be below grade. Because the
home or building owner has a choice depending on their budget, any
future landscaping will need to be carefully considered because of
roots. The deeper underground the water impermeable diversion
shield is installed, the more efficient the shield will be. If the
water impermeable diversion shield will be slightly exposed above
grade, it can be manufactured in a variety of colors.
[0033] The water diverting shield can be any suitable size. The
water diverting shield will generally range in length from about
one foot to about thirty feet, in width from about one foot to
about 16 feet, and in thickness from about 0.125 inch to about 0.5
inch. The first planar portion will generally range from about 6
inches to about 10 feet in length, alternatively from about 4 feet
to about 6 feet in length. The second planar portion will generally
range from about 1 foot to about 6 feet in length, alternatively
from about 3 feet to about 4 feet in length.
[0034] The water diverting shield can be connected to the building
by any suitable means. For example, the water diverting shield can
be connected to the top or side of a foundation wall by a physical
fastener such as a nail, screw, staple, or bolt. The water
diverting shield can be attached at the junction between a
foundation wall and a wall of the building that rests upon the
foundation wall. Alternatively, where an existing building has
siding that is separable (at least temporarily) from the building,
the water diverting shield can be attached between the siding and a
wall of the building. In some embodiments, the water diverting
shield can be connected to the foundation by being held in place
against the foundation by the weight of the surrounding ground.
[0035] With new construction, a portion of the water diverting
shield is placed over the top of the foundation wall. The water
diverting shield can be disposed between the foundation and the
sill plate (also called a wood sill) disposed on the foundation.
Alternatively or additionally, the water diverting shield can be
attached to the sill plate by any suitable means, including nails,
staples, and the like.
[0036] Preferably, the water diverting shield also includes a third
portion that is adapted for attaching the shield to the foundation.
For example, if the water diverting shield is for new construction,
the top of the panels and corners are also pre-bent to form a third
portion, which can be placed over the top of the foundation. The
third portion is attached to and forms an angle with the first
planar portion. Preferably the first and third poritions for an
angle of about 90 degrees, alternatively from about 80 degrees to
about 100 degrees. In this embodiment, the third portion rests on
the top of the foundation wall, and it may further be connected to
the foundation wall by any suitable means. For example, the tops of
the panels and corners (the third planar portions) can be held in
place by slipping the shield over the concrete anchor bolts atop of
the foundation wall. For example, the water diverting shield can be
attached via an anchor bolt that connects a foundation wall and a
building wall. If the water diverting shield is for existing
construction, the top pre-bent section can be removed (such as by
cutting with a skill saw). Where the building has siding, the
siding can be separated from the building, and the water diverting
shield can be attached to the sill plate or another portion of the
building. In such cases, the first planar portion can be tucked
under the existing exterior siding of the building. If the exterior
wall is masonry, the water diverting shield can be secured to the
foundation top with a tar sealer and/or an adhesive.
[0037] FIG. 1 shows the water diverting shield as installed during
the construction of a new building. FIG. 1 illustrates a water
diversion system 100 that includes a water diverting shield 110 and
a foundation wall 120. Also shown in FIG. 1 is a foundation footing
125, subterranean (basement) floor 130, subterranean floor base
135, a structure wall 140 of the building, and the ground adjacent
to the foundation 150. More particularly, the water diverting
shield 11 comprises a first planar portion 111 that is
substantially parallel to the foundation wall 120, a second planar
portion 112 extending out from the foundation wall 120, a bend 113
between the first and second planar portions, and a foundation
attachment portion 114. A building wall 140 is attached to the
foundation wall 120 by anchor bolt 142 in FIG. 1, though in some
circumstances other attachments are made. In this embodiment, the
water diverting shield 115 is attached to the foundation via the
anchor bolt 142 and is disposed between the foundation wall 120 and
structural wall 140. Ground 150 further comprises existing soil
grade 152, excavated sub-grade level 154 and water diverting shield
backfill 156.
[0038] FIG. 2 shows the water diverting shield as installed to an
existing building. The water diversion system 200 includes water
diverting shield 210, and the foundation wall 220. FIG. 2 also
shows the foundation footing 225, subterranean floor 230,
subterranean floor base 235, structure wall 240, and soil 250. More
particularly, the water diverting shield 210 comprises a first
planar portion 211, a second planar portion 212, a bend 213, a
structure wall attachment portion 216, and a foundation attachment
portion 214. In this embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the water
diverting shield 210 does not include a base planar portion though
such a portion could optionally be included. Structure wall 240 is
attached to the foundation wall 220 by an anchor bolt 242. Also
shown by dotted lines in FIG. 2 are the natural grade 252, the
excavated sub-grade 254 and the new grade 258 after installation of
the water diverting shield.
[0039] Preferably a vertical portion of the water diverting shield
is more than one foot in length, so that the horizontal portion 212
is more than one foot below the ground surface. At depths deeper
than one foot, the home or building owner still has the ability to
plant landscaping in the soil above the water diverting shield
212.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows a water diverting shield as installed above
ground level, which may be particularly useful or desirable for
existing construction. This embodiment provides a solution for
water problems without the effort and expense of excavating around
the foundation. FIG. 3 illustrates a water diversion system 300
according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. The
water diversion system 300 includes water diverting shield 310, and
a foundation wall 320. Also shown in FIG. 3 is a foundation wall
footing 325, subterranean floor 330, subterranean floor base 335,
and structure wall 340. More particularly, the water diverting
shield 310 comprises a first planar portion 311, a second planar
portion 312, a bend 313, a structure wall attachment potion 318,
and a foundation attachment portion 314. Structure wall 340 further
comprises anchor bolt 342. FIG. 3 also shows the natural grade 352
of the ground surrounding the building, backfill 356 to fill the
space between the natural grade 352 and the shield 312 (thereby
creating support for the shield 312), and new soil grade 358. Even
at this depth, it is expected that sod or grass seed can be
deposited and grown upon the shield. Preferably no deep rooted
plants are deposited upon the shield.
[0041] Turning now to FIG. 4 there is shown a top-down view of the
corners for a water diverting shield. FIG. 4 illustrates inside and
outside corners of a water diversion system 400. The water
diversion system 400 includes water diverting shield corner 410A
and 410B, foundation wall 420, foundation wall footing 425, and
subterranean floor 430. The first planar portion is not clearly
visible from the top-down view. Water diversion shield corners 410A
and 410B further comprise first planar portions (not visible in
FIG. 4), second planar portions 412A and 412B, bends 413A and 413B,
attachment portions 414A and 414B, and fourth planar portions 415A
and 415B extending from the second planar portions. The fourth
planar portions 415A and 415B can be essentially parallel with the
grade of the topsoil. The water diversion shield corners also have
corner bends 417A and 417B which can an be tapered as appropriate
or be a triangular section of material rather than a single seam or
joint. The corner bends can be form inside or outside corners, and
can be conforming or conformable to the corners of the
building.
[0042] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a panel and two corners
joined together to form a water diverting shield for two corners
and a wall of a foundation. The water diversion apparatus 500
includes water diverting shield 515 and water diverting shield
corners 510A and 510B. Water diverting shield corner 510A and 510B
further comprises a first planar portion 511A and 511 B, a second
planar portion 512A and 512B, a bend 513A and 513B, an attachment
portion 514A and 514B, and a base planar portion 515A and 515B. The
water diverting shield corners 510A and 510B also have bends that
accommodate the corners of the building. In FIG. 5, the second
planar portion 512B tapers to accommodate the corner and in 510A,
the second planar portion 512A flares to accommodate the corner of
the foundation. More particularly, the water diversion panel 515
comprises a first planar portion 510, a second planar portion 512,
a bend 513, a base planar portion 516, and an attachment portion
514. The water diversion corners have corner bends 517A and 517B.
The panel and corners can be connected by any suitable means that
will not permit water to flow between the connections.
[0043] In the present specification, use of the singular includes
the plural except where ally indicated. In the present
specification, any of the functions recited herein performed by one
or more means for performing such functions.
[0044] All patents, test procedures, and other documents cited
herein are fully incorporated by reference to the extent such
disclosure is not inconsistent with this invention and for all
jurisdictions in which such incorporation is permitted.
[0045] While the present invention has been described and
illustrated by reference to particular embodiments, it will be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
invention lends itself to many different variations not illustrated
herein. For these reasons, then, reference should be made solely to
the appended claims for purposes of determining the true scope of
the present invention.
[0046] Although the dependent claims have single dependencies in
accordance with U.S. patent practice, each of the features in any
of the dependent claims can be combined with each of the features
of other dependent claims or the main claim.
* * * * *