U.S. patent application number 11/675687 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-23 for system and method for finishing basement walls.
Invention is credited to Alan A. Anderson.
Application Number | 20070193151 11/675687 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38426710 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070193151 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anderson; Alan A. |
August 23, 2007 |
System and Method for Finishing Basement Walls
Abstract
Waterproof insulating panels 110 are attached to waterproof
furring strips 112 installed on an interior surface 113 of a
concrete basement wall 800 to create air cavities 150 enclosed
therebetween which are in communication with the upper story of a
house. A heating cable along the base of the air cavities 150 warms
the air therein, such that moist air in the air cavities rises to
the upper story of the house and away from the basement bringing
the moisture with it, keeping the humidity level of the basement
air lower. Finish panels 120 are connected to the insulating
panels.
Inventors: |
Anderson; Alan A.; (Madison,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STIENNON & STIENNON
612 W. MAIN ST., SUITE 201, P.O. BOX 1667
MADISON
WI
53701-1667
US
|
Family ID: |
38426710 |
Appl. No.: |
11/675687 |
Filed: |
February 16, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60775282 |
Feb 21, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/302.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/7675 20130101;
E04B 1/70 20130101; E04B 1/0007 20130101; F24F 2013/221
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/302.3 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/70 20060101
E04B001/70 |
Claims
1. A basement wall assembly comprising: an exterior masonry or
concrete wall having an interior surface; a first panel positioned
with respect to the exterior wall to define an air cavity between
the exterior wall interior surface and the first panel; and a
heated member positioned at the bottom of the air cavity to heat
the air in the air cavity, such that air within the air cavity
travels upwardly.
2. A basement wall assembly of claim 1 wherein a plurality of
furring strips are fastened to the exterior wall at the interior
surface, and wherein the first panel is attached between two of the
plurality of furring strips.
3. The assembly of claim 2 further comprising a trim panel fastened
to the furring strips, such that the first panel is between the
trim panel and the furring strips.
4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the furring strips and the first
panel are waterproof.
5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the heated member comprises a
heating cable.
6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the heating cable is
thermostatically controlled.
7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the heated member extends within
a bed of mortar positioned beneath the air cavity.
8. A basement wall assembly in a house comprising: a concrete
exterior basement wall having an interior surface; a first
waterproof furring strip fastened to the interior surface of the
exterior wall; a second waterproof furring strip fastened to the
interior surface of the exterior wall and spaced along the interior
of the basement wall from the first furring strip; a first panel
fastened to extend between the first furring strip and the second
furring strip so as to create air cavities between the furring
strips, the exterior wall, and the first panel, the air cavities
being in communication with an upper story of the house; and a
heating means positioned at the bottom of the air cavity to heat
the air in the air cavity, such that air within the air cavity
travels upwardly.
9. The assembly of claim 8 further comprising a trim panel fastened
to the furring strips, such that the first panel is between the
trim panel and the furring strips.
10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the first panel is
waterproof.
11. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the heating means comprises a
heating cable.
12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the heating cable is
thermostatically controlled.
13. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the heated means extends within
a bed of mortar positioned beneath the air cavity.
14. A method for finishing a basement wall in a house comprising
the steps of: installing a first waterproof furring strip to an
interior surface of the basement wall; installing a second
waterproof furring strip to the interior surface of the basement
wall to be spaced sidewardly from the first furring strip;
attaching an insulating panel to extend between the first furring
strip and the second furring strip so as to enclose air cavities
between the furring strips, the exterior wall, and the insulating
panel, the air cavities being in communication with an upper story
of the house; installing a heating means along a base of the air
cavity; and activating the heating means to heat air in the air
cavity, such that air within the air cavity travels upwardly.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of activating the
heating means comprises thermostatically controlling the heating
means to generate heat within the air cavity.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional App.
No. 60/775,282, filed Feb. 21, 2006, the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference herein.
STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention is directed to a system and method for
finishing interior basement walls.
[0004] Concrete basement walls tend to allow moisture into a
basement leading to problems with high humidity and mold growth.
The present invention addresses this problem by providing a system
and method for finishing interior basement walls so as to be both
water resistant and to function to dehumidify the basement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In the system of the present invention, waterproof
insulating panels are attached to waterproof furring strips
installed on an interior surface of a concrete basement wall to
create air cavities enclosed therebetween which are in
communication with the upper story of a house. A heating cable
along the base of the air cavities warms the air therein, allowing
the air to rise to the upper story of the house and away from the
basement bringing moisture with it, keeping the humidity level of
the basement air lower. The heat source at the bottom of the wall
induces a convection current, helping moisture transfer from the
basement wall into the upper story. Finish panels are connected to
the insulating panels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The FIGURE is a cutaway isometric view of a portion of the
basement wall system of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0007] Referring now specifically to the FIGURE, a detailed
description of the present invention is given. However, the present
invention can assume numerous other embodiments, as will become
apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0008] In the FIGURE, a cutaway view of one version of the
finishing system 100 of the present invention is depicted. The
finishing system 100 of the present invention generally comprises a
first panel 110, a second panel 120, base trim 130, and a heating
means 140.
[0009] The first panel 110 is attached to furring strips 112
installed on an interior surface 113 of a concrete or masonry
basement wall 800 so as to create air cavities 150 enclosed
therebetween. The air cavities 150 remain in communication with the
upper story of a house.
[0010] The first panel 110 is made of a waterproof and insulating
material such as polystyrene board, such as THERMAX.RTM. one inch
thick panel. The furring strips 112 are likewise made of a
waterproof material (e.g., HDPE recycled plastic) and are attached
to the basement wall 800 by means of screws or the like.
[0011] The air cavities 150 are enclosed between the basement wall
800, the first panel 110 and the furring strips 112. The air
cavities 150 will generally be about 1.5 inches deep (i.e., the
depth of the furring strips 112). Many air cavities 150 are formed
when furring strips 112 are mounted vertically to the basement wall
800 at regularly spaced intervals (e.g., every 16 inches). The
furring strips 112 further provide a mounting surface for the first
panels 110.
[0012] A heating means 140 is installed along the base of the air
cavities 150. The heating means 140 may consist of a 1/4 inch
heating cable in the air cavity or in a bed of mortar 142 as shown,
or other similar devices. The heating means 140 may be
thermostatically controlled and generate, for example, about 15
watts of heat per square foot.
[0013] When activated, the heating means 140 functions to warm the
air in the air cavities 150, so warm air rises up through the air
cavities 150 to the upper story of the house, taking any moisture
along with it. In this way the system 100 of the present invention
serves to dehumidify a basement, prevent the growth of mold and
mildew.
[0014] The second panel 120 is attached to the first pane 110 and
base trim 130 is installed along its lower edge along the basement
floor 810. The second panel 120 thus forms the finished basement
wall and serves to further insulate the basement. The second panel
120 consists of a corrugated tongue and groove panel, approximately
3/8 inch thick and 16 inches wide by 96 inches tall, one section
fitting into another when installed. Other dimensions may be used
and panels 120 may be cut to fit the particular installation. The
corrugation (or, ribbing) may serve to increase the strength of the
second panels 120. The second panel may be a DUMAPLAST.RTM. panel.
Ceiling tile 152 may be attached to the second panel 120.
[0015] The second panel 120 is attached to the first panel 110 by
an attachment means 122 enabling easy removal and re-installation
of the second panels 120. The attachment means 122 may consist of
simple screws, special interlocking mechanisms to enable panels 120
to be snapped in and out of place easily, or the like. Likewise the
base trim 130 is designed to be easily snapped on and off and may
further provide a chase (not shown) for media wiring and the
like.
[0016] As can be seen by the above discussion, the system 100 of
the present invention not only removes moisture from the exterior
basement wall 800, but prevents buildup of moisture between the
panels 110, 120 and the wall 800, thus minimizing the possibility
for growth of mold or mildew. The heating means promotes air
circulation allowing the basement wall 800 to "breath". The air
circulation dissipates moisture that would otherwise build up in
the air cavities 150, thus keeping the basement dry. Furthermore,
because the components of the system 100 are waterproof, there is
no need to replace them should flooding occur-a significant
advantage over drywall or other materials often utilized in
basements.
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