U.S. patent application number 11/846487 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-05 for moisture management systems and methods for building openings.
Invention is credited to James Chun Nam CHAN, Juergen KOESSLER, Boris SIKURA.
Application Number | 20090056241 11/846487 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40385232 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090056241 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KOESSLER; Juergen ; et
al. |
March 5, 2009 |
MOISTURE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BUILDING OPENINGS
Abstract
Moisture management systems and methods are provided for
managing moisture in a vicinity of an opening in a building wall.
Such systems comprise a sill pan mountable in the building wall
atop a horizontally-extending lower frame member of the opening.
The sill pan may include: a base section having an upper surface
which slopes downwardly and outwardly from a location interior to a
lower flange portion of a window frame to an interstitial space
between a sheathing layer of the building wall and an external
building wall layer for directing moisture received thereon toward
the interstitial space; and a plurality of transversely
spaced-apart window-support members having upper surfaces located
above the upper surface of the base section and oriented
substantially horizontally for receiving a lower portion of the
window frame. Such systems also comprise a lower vent mountable in
the building wall outwardly of the sill pan. The lower vent may
include: a vent component which defines a plurality of apertures
that provide fluid communication between an exterior of the
building wall and the interstitial space; and a hood shaped to
extend downwardly and outwardly from a location above the apertures
in the vent component and interior to the exterior building wall
layer to a location external to the building wall.
Inventors: |
KOESSLER; Juergen; (Surrey,
CA) ; CHAN; James Chun Nam; (Richmond, CA) ;
SIKURA; Boris; (New Westminster, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OYEN, WIGGS, GREEN & MUTALA LLP;480 - THE STATION
601 WEST CORDOVA STREET
VANCOUVER
BC
V6B 1G1
CA
|
Family ID: |
40385232 |
Appl. No.: |
11/846487 |
Filed: |
August 28, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/97 ;
52/748.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 2001/628 20130101;
E06B 1/62 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/97 ;
52/748.11 |
International
Class: |
E04D 13/00 20060101
E04D013/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for managing moisture in a vicinity of an opening
in a building wall, the apparatus comprising: a sill pan mountable
in the building wall atop a horizontally-extending lower frame
member of the opening, the sill pan comprising a base section
having an upper surface which slopes downwardly and outwardly from
interior to a sheathing layer of the building wall to an
interstitial space between the sheathing layer and an external
building wall layer for directing moisture received thereon toward
the interstitial space; a lower vent mountable in the building wall
in a vicinity of a lower perimeter of the window opening, the lower
vent comprising: a vent component which defines a plurality of
lower vent apertures that provide fluid communication between an
exterior of the building wall and the interstitial space; and a
hood shaped to extend downwardly and outwardly from above the lower
vent apertures and from interior to the exterior building wall
layer to the exterior of the building wall.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the sill pan comprises
a plurality of transversely spaced-apart window-support members
having upper surfaces located above the upper surface of the base
section and oriented substantially horizontally for receiving a
lower portion of a window frame.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the sill pan comprises
an exterior flange extending downwardly from the base section and
abutting against an exterior surface of the sheathing layer and a
plurality of transversely spaced-apart spacers having exterior
surfaces that are located exterior to an exterior surface of the
exterior flange and wherein at least a portion of the lower flange
portion of the window frame abuts against the exterior surfaces of
the spacers.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the sill pan comprises
a plurality of transversely spaced-apart legs which extend
downwardly from the base section to abut against an upper surface
of the horizontally-extending lower frame member so that portions
of the base section located between the transversely spaced-apart
legs are vertically spaced-apart from the upper surface of the
horizontally-extending lower frame member.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the sill pan comprises
a pair of corner components, each corner component formed from a
monolithic piece of material and each corner component comprising:
a corner base section mountable atop the horizontally-extending
lower frame member of the opening to provide at least a portion of
the base section; one or more corner window-support members having
upper surfaces located above the upper surface of the corner base
section to provide one or more of the window-support members; a
corner exterior flange extending downwardly from the corner base
section and abutting against the exterior surface of the sheathing
layer to provide at least a portion of the exterior flange; one or
more corner spacers having exterior surfaces that are located
exterior to an exterior surface of the corner exterior flange to
provide one or more of the spacers; and one or more corner legs
which extend downwardly from the corner base section to provide one
or more of the legs.
6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein each corner component
comprises: a side flange which extends upwardly from the corner
base section to abut against a corresponding side of a
corresponding vertically-extending frame member of the opening; and
an upwardly-extending exterior flange which extends upwardly and
transversely away from the corner base section to abut against one
of: the exterior surface of the sheathing layer; and a
corresponding exterior surface of the corresponding
vertically-extending frame member.
7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein, for each corner
component, the side flange comprises a portion which extends below
the corner base section to abut against the upper surface of the
horizontally-extending lower frame member.
8. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the sill pan comprises
a connector component for connecting to both of the corner
components, the connector component comprising a connector base
section mountable atop the horizontally-extending lower frame
member of the opening to provide at least a portion of the base
section.
9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the connector
component comprises one or more connector window-support members
having upper surfaces located above the upper surface of the
connector base section to provide one or more of the window-support
members.
10. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the connector
component comprises: a connector exterior flange that extends
downwardly from the connector base section and abuts against the
exterior surface of the sheathing layer; one or more connector
spacers having exterior surfaces that are located exterior to an
exterior surface of the connector exterior flange to provide one or
more of the spacers; and one or more connector legs which extend
downwardly from the corner base section to provide one or more of
the legs.
11. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the connector
component comprises a pair of wings that extend from the connector
base section in transversely opposing directions and each corner
component comprises one or more notches for receiving a
corresponding one of the wings to form a resilient snap-together
coupling between the corresponding one of the wings of the
connector component and the one or more notches of each corner
component.
12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein each of the one or
more notches of each corner component is located in a corresponding
one of the corner window-support members.
13. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the hood comprises:
an upper hood portion that extends outwardly and downwardly from
above the lower vent apertures and from a vertically and
transversely-extending lower window flange on the lower portion of
the window frame located interior to the exterior building wall
layer; and an exterior hood portion that extends outwardly and
downwardly from an outermost extent of the upper hood portion to
the exterior of the building wall and wherein the exterior hood
portion extends more sharply downwardly than the upper hood
portion.
14. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the exterior hood
portion comprises a drip flange at its outermost and lowermost end,
the drip flange also extending downwardly and outwardly and wherein
the drip flange extends downwardly more sharply than the upper hood
portion and less sharply than a remainder of the exterior hood
portion and wherein the lowermost edge of the drip flange is
located below the lower vent apertures.
15. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the vent component
and the hood are integrally formed from a single monolithic piece
of material.
16. An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising an upper vent
mountable in the building wall in a vicinity of an upper perimeter
of the opening, the upper vent comprising an upper vent component
which defines a plurality of upper vent apertures that provide
fluid communication between the exterior of the building wall and
the interstitial space located above the window; and an upper vent
hood shaped to extend downwardly and outwardly from interior to the
exterior building wall layer to the exterior of the building
wall.
17. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the upper vent hood
is located below the upper vent apertures.
18. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the sill pan also
comprises one or more central components, each central component
comprising: a central base section mountable atop the
horizontally-extending lower frame member of the opening to provide
at least a portion of the base section; and one or more central
window-support members having upper surfaces located above the
upper surface of the central base section to provide one or more of
the window-support members.
19. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein each central
component comprises: a central exterior flange extending downwardly
from the central base section and abutting against the exterior
surface of the sheathing layer to provide at least a portion of the
exterior flange; one or more central spacers having exterior
surfaces that are located exterior to an exterior surface of the
central exterior flange to provide one or more of the spacers; and
one or more central legs which extend downwardly from the central
base section to provide one or more of the legs.
20. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the sill pan
comprises a connector component for connecting one of the corner
components to one of the central components, the connector
component comprising a connector base section mountable atop the
horizontally-extending lower frame member of the opening to provide
at least a portion of the base section.
21. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the connector
component comprises A pair of wings that extend from the connector
base section in transversely opposing directions, wherein the one
of the corner components comprises one or more notches in one or
more of their corresponding corner window-support members for
receiving a corresponding one of the wings and forming a resilient
snap-together coupling therebetween and wherein the one of the
central components comprises one or more notches in one or more of
their corresponding central window-support members for receiving a
corresponding one of the wings and forming a resilient
snap-together coupling therebetween.
22. An apparatus for managing moisture in a vicinity of a window
opening in a building wall, the apparatus comprising: a pair of
corner components, each corner component comprising: a corner base
section mountable atop a horizontally-extending lower frame member
of the window opening and having an upper surface which slopes
downwardly and outwardly from interior of a sheathing layer of the
building wall to an interstitial space between the sheathing layer
and an external building wall layer for directing moisture received
thereon toward the interstitial space; a plurality of transversely
spaced-apart corner window support members having upper surfaces
located above the upper surface of the corner base section and
oriented substantially horizontally for receiving a lower portion
of a window frame; a corner exterior flange extending downwardly
from the corner base section and abutting against an exterior
surface of sheathing layer; and a plurality of transversely
spaced-apart corner spacers having exterior surfaces that are
located exterior to an exterior surface of the corner exterior
flange and wherein at least a portion of the window frame abuts
against the exterior surfaces of the corner spacers; and a
connector component for connecting to both of the corner
components, the connector component comprising a connector base
section and a pair of wings that extend from the connector base
section in transversely opposing directions to form snap-together
couplings between a corresponding one of the wings and one or more
notches on each of the corner components.
23. An apparatus according to claim 22 comprising a lower vent
mountable in the building wall in a vicinity of a lower perimeter
of the window opening, the lower vent comprising: a vent component
which defines a plurality of lower vent apertures that provide
fluid communication between an exterior of the building wall and
the interstitial space; and a hood shaped to extend downwardly and
outwardly from above the lower vent apertures and from interior to
the exterior building wall layer to the exterior of the building
wall.
24. A method for managing moisture in a vicinity of a window
opening of a building wall, the method comprising: creating an
interstitial space between a sheathing layer of the building wall
and an external building wall layer; mounting a sill pan in the
building wall atop a horizontally-extending lower frame member of
the window opening, the sill pan comprising: a base section having
an upper surface which slopes downwardly and outwardly from a
location interior to the sheathing layer to the interstitial space
for directing moisture received thereon toward the interstitial
space; and a plurality of transversely spaced-apart window-support
members having substantially horizontally oriented upper surfaces
located above the upper surface of the base section; installing a
window in the window opening such that at least part of lower
portion of the window frame is positioned atop the upper surfaces
of the window-support members; mounting a lower vent in the
building wall in a vicinity of a lower perimeter of the window
opening, the lower vent comprising: a vent component which defines
a plurality of lower vent apertures that provide fluid
communication between an exterior of the building wall and the
interstitial space; and a hood shaped to extend downwardly and
outwardly from above the lower vent apertures and from interior to
the exterior building wall layer to the exterior of the building
wall; and applying the external building wall layer to the building
wall, the external building wall layer overlapping a lower portion
of the vent component below the lower vent apertures.
25. A method according to claim 24 comprising mounting an upper
vent in the building wall in a vicinity of an upper perimeter of
the window opening, the upper vent comprising an upper vent
component which defines a plurality of upper vent apertures that
provide fluid communication between the exterior of the building
wall and the interstitial space located above the window; and an
upper vent hood shaped to extend downwardly and outwardly from
interior to the exterior building wall layer to the exterior of the
building wall.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to moisture management systems for
building openings in walls or the like. Particular embodiments
provide moisture management systems for window openings.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Excess moisture and/or moisture buildup can damage building
walls. These problems are particularly prevalent in humid and/or
damp environments. Openings in building walls, such as window
openings for example, are particularly problematic regions in which
moisture tends to accumulate. Openings in building walls also tend
to provide regions where moisture can enter an interior of building
wall and/or can move from the interior of a building to the
exterior of a building or vice versa.
[0003] There is a general desire to provide systems and methods for
managing moisture in and around openings in building walls.
SUMMARY
[0004] Aspects of the present invention provide apparatus and
methods for managing moisture in a vicinity of an opening in a
building wall.
[0005] One particular aspect of the invention provides an apparatus
for managing moisture in a vicinity of an opening in a building
wall. The apparatus comprises a sill pan and a lower vent for
managing moisture in a vicinity of a lower perimeter of the
opening. The sill pan is mountable in the building wall atop a
horizontally-extending lower frame member of the opening. The
comprises a base section having an upper surface which slopes
downwardly and outwardly from interior to a sheathing layer of the
building wall to an interstitial space between the sheathing layer
and an external building wall layer for directing moisture received
thereon toward the interstitial space. The lower vent is mountable
in the building wall in a vicinity of the lower perimeter of the
window opening. The lower vent comprises: a vent component which
defines a plurality of lower vent apertures that provide fluid
communication between an exterior of the building wall and the
interstitial space; and a hood shaped to extend downwardly and
outwardly from above the lower vent apertures and from interior to
the exterior building wall layer to the exterior of the building
wall.
[0006] Another aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for
managing moisture in a vicinity of a window opening in a building
wall. The apparatus comprises a pair of corner components and a
connector component. Each corner component comprises: a corner base
section mountable atop a horizontally-extending lower frame member
of the opening and having an upper surface which slopes downwardly
and outwardly from interior of a sheathing layer of the building
wall to an interstitial space between the sheathing layer and an
external building wall layer for directing moisture received
thereon toward the interstitial space; a plurality of transversely
spaced-apart corner window support members having upper surfaces
located above the upper surface of the corner base section and
oriented substantially horizontally for receiving a lower portion
of a window frame; a corner exterior flange extending downwardly
from the corner base section and abutting against an exterior
surface of sheathing layer; and a plurality of transversely
spaced-apart corner spacers having exterior surfaces that are
located exterior to an exterior surface of the corner exterior
flange and wherein at least a portion of the window frame abuts
against the exterior surfaces of the corner spacers. The connector
component connects the corner components to one another and
comprises a connector base section and a pair of wings that extend
from the connector base section in transversely opposing directions
to form snap-together couplings between a corresponding one of the
wings and one or more notches on each of the corner components.
[0007] Another aspect of the invention provides a method for
managing moisture in a vicinity of a window opening of a building
wall. The method comprises: creating an interstitial space between
a sheathing layer of the building wall and an external building
wall layer; mounting a sill pan in the building wall atop a
horizontally-extending lower frame member of the window opening,
the sill pan comprising: a base section having an upper surface
which slopes downwardly and outwardly from a location interior to
the sheathing layer to the interstitial space for directing
moisture received thereon toward the interstitial space; and a
plurality of transversely spaced-apart window-support members
having substantially horizontally oriented upper surfaces located
above the upper surface of the base section; installing a window in
the window opening such that at least part of a lower portion of
the window frame is positioned atop the upper surfaces of the
window-support members; mounting a lower vent in the building wall
in a vicinity of a lower perimeter of the window opening, the lower
vent comprising: a vent component which defines a plurality of
lower vent apertures that provide fluid communication between an
exterior of the building wall and the interstitial space; and a
hood shaped to extend downwardly and outwardly from above the lower
vent apertures and from interior to the exterior building wall
layer to the exterior of the building wall; and applying the
external building wall layer to the building wall, the external
building wall layer overlapping a lower portion of the vent
component below the lower vent apertures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] In drawings which depict non-limiting embodiments of the
invention:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away, exterior isometric view of a
sill pan assembly of a moisture management system according to a
particular embodiment of the invention disposed in an opening of a
building wall;
[0010] FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C (collectively, FIG. 2) are isometric
views of a left corner component, a right corner component and a
connector component of the FIG. 1 sill pan assembly;
[0011] FIGS. 3A and 3B (collectively FIG. 3) are partially
cut-away, interior isometric views of the FIG. 1 sill pan disposed
in a window opening of a building wall;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a partially cut-away, exterior isometric view of
the FIG. 1 sill pan assembly without the connector component;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a lower vent assembly of a
moisture management system according to a particular embodiment of
the invention disposed adjacent to the lower perimeter of an
opening in a building wall;
[0014] FIGS. 6A-6C (collectively FIG. 6) are isometric views of the
various components of the FIG. 5 lower vent assembly;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing portions of the
FIG. 5 lower vent assembly and the FIG. 1 sill pan assembly
installed in a building wall;
[0016] FIGS. 8A-8J are isometric views which show a method for
installing the FIG. 1 sill pan assembly, the FIG. 5 lower vent
assembly and the FIG. 9 upper vent assembly into a building wall
around an opening thereof;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a partially cut-away view of an upper vent
assembly of a moisture management system according to a particular
embodiment of the invention installed adjacent to the upper
perimeter of an opening in a building wall;
[0018] FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C (collectively, FIG. 10) are isometric
views of the various components of the FIG. 9 upper vent assembly;
and
[0019] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing portions of the
FIG. 9 upper vent assembly installed in a building wall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Throughout the following description, specific details are
set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the
invention. However, the invention may be practiced without these
particulars. In other instances, well known elements have not been
shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the
invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be
regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.
[0021] Aspects of the invention provide moisture management
apparatus and methods for draining and/or venting moisture away
from window openings. Particular aspect of the invention combine: a
sill pan assembly which protects a window sill by draining moisture
away from the window sill toward an interstitial space between the
sheathing layer and the external layer of a building wall; a lower
vent assembly for providing fluid communication between the
exterior of a building wall and the interstitial space below the
window; and an upper vent assembly for providing fluid
communication between the exterior of the building wall and the
interstitial space above the window.
[0022] FIGS. 1-11 depict various components of a moisture
management system 100 according to a particular embodiment of the
invention. Moisture management system 100 comprises a sill pan
assembly 10 (FIG. 1) which, in the illustrated embodiment, is
disposed on a horizontally-extending lower interior frame member
102 of building opening 104. In the illustrated embodiment,
building opening 104 is a window opening, although the invention
may generally be used in connection with any building opening.
[0023] Typically, window opening 104 is formed in a building wall
106. Horizontally-extending lower interior frame member 102 is
often referred to as window "sill" 102. In the illustrated
embodiment, sill pan assembly 10 comprises a left corner component
11A (FIG. 2A) and a right corner component 11B (FIG. 2B) which are
coupled together by a connector component 30 (FIG. 2C). In
particular embodiments, corner components 11A, 11B (together,
corner components 11) and connector component 30 are fabricated
from plastic or some other moisture-resistant material. Corner
components 11 and connector component 30 may be fabricated by an
injection molding process, for example.
[0024] Left and right corner components 11A, 11B are mirror images
of one another. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, left and right corner
components 11A, 11B respectively comprise: downwardly-extending
exterior flanges 12A, 12B (together downwardly-extending exterior
flanges 12); upwardly-extending exterior flanges 13A, 13B (together
upwardly-extending exterior flanges 13); base sections 14A, 14B
(together, base sections 14); and side flanges 15A, 15B (together
side flanges 15).
[0025] This description employs a number of simplifying directional
conventions. Directions are described in relation to a vertical
building wall (e.g. wall 106 of FIG. 1). Referring to FIG. 1,
directions may be referred to as: "external", "outward" or the like
if they tend toward the exterior 108 of building wall 106;
"internal", "inward" or the like if they tend toward the interior
110 of building wall 106; "upward" or the like if they tend toward
the top (not explicitly enumerated) of building wall 106;
"downward" or the like if they tend toward the bottom (not
explicitly enumerated) of building wall 106; "vertical" or the like
if they tend both upwardly and downwardly; "leftward" or the like
if they tend toward one side of building wall 106; "rightward" or
the like if they tend toward the opposing side of building wall
106; and "sideways", "transverse" or the like if they tend both
leftward and rightward. It will be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that these directional conventions are used for the purpose
of facilitating the description and should not be interpreted in a
literal sense. In particular, the invention may be employed, for
example, in walls 106 that are not strictly vertically
oriented.
[0026] Sill pan assembly 10 may be installed in window opening 104
of wall 106 by positioning corner components 11 on sill 102 such
that side flanges 15 abut against left and right
vertically-extending interior frame members 112A, 112B (together
vertically-extending interior frame members 112) of wall 106 (FIG.
3B). In some applications, the exterior surfaces of frame members
112 may be covered by a sheathing layer 120 as discussed in more
detail below. Sheathing layer 120 may comprise plywood, building
paper (e.g. Tyvek.TM. or the like), other building wrap
material(s), other moisture barrier material(s) and/or the like. In
such applications, upwardly-extending exterior flanges 13 and/or
side flanges 15 may abut against the sheathing material. In other
applications, sheathing layer 120 may not be present or may not
cover the exterior surfaces of frame members 112. In such
applications, upwardly-extending exterior flanges 13 may abut
directly against the exterior surfaces of frame members 112.
[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, upwardly-extending exterior
flanges 13 comprise channels 16A, 16B (together, channels 16--FIGS.
2A, 2B) through which suitable fasteners (e.g. nails, screw or the
like (not explicitly shown)) may project to fasten corner
components 11 to vertically-extending interior frame members 112.
Channels 16 may permit shape changes and/or movement of corner
components 11 and/or wall 106 (e.g. due to aging, temperature
changes, drying of the wooden frame or the like). In some
embodiments, similar channels may be provided on side flanges 15.
Channels 16 are not necessary. In some embodiments, suitable
fasteners (e.g. nails, screws, staples or the like) may project
directly through any of flanges 13, 15 for mounting corner
components 11 to wall 106. In other embodiments, fasteners are not
required and suitable adhesive may be used to mount corner
components 11 to wall 106.
[0028] Side flanges 15 and upwardly-extending exterior flanges 13
combine to abut against the lower corners of window opening 104
with base sections 14 extending leftward or rightward from their
respective side flanges 15 toward a center of window opening 104.
As best seen in FIG. 2B, corner components 11 comprise wedge-shaped
legs 19A, 19B (together, legs 19) which, when corner components 11
are installed, extend downwardly from base sections 14 provide
space between undersurfaces 21A, 21B (together, undersurfaces 21)
of base sections 14 and sill 102. This space between undersurfaces
21 and sill 102 permits moisture to escape from sill 102 (e.g.
natural moisture which may be contained in sill 102 when it is made
of wood). Base sections 14 are integrally formed with side flanges
15 and with upwardly-extending exterior flanges 13 to prevent
moisture seepage in the lower corners of window opening 104 which
may result from any joints therebetween. In the illustrated
embodiment, as shown best in FIG. 2B, side flanges 15 comprise
lower edges 23A, 23B (together, lower edges 23) which extend below
base sections 14 and which have a shape similar to that of legs
19.
[0029] Legs 19 of base sections 14 are wedge-shaped such that when
corner components 11 are set atop window sill 102, the upper
surfaces 17A, 17B (together, upper surfaces 17) of base sections 14
slope downwardly and outwardly to direct moisture received thereon
away from interior 110 of building wall 106. In the illustrated
embodiment, upper surfaces 17 also comprise optional transversely
and vertically-extending steps 18A, 18B (together, steps 18--FIGS.
2A, 2B) which further prevent moisture received on an external side
of steps 18 from moving toward an interior side of steps 18.
[0030] Base sections 14 also comprise pluralities of transversely
spaced apart window-support members 20A, 20B (collectively,
window-support members 20) which extend inwardly/outwardly and
vertically from upper surfaces 17. Window-support members 20
comprise upper surfaces 22A, 22B (collectively, upper surfaces
22--FIGS. 2A, 2B). At least portions of upper surfaces 22 are
shaped to be oriented generally parallel to sill 102 (e.g.
horizontal in the illustrated drawings). Upper surfaces 22 may also
comprise notches 24A, 24B (collectively, notches 24--FIGS. 2A, 2B).
As explained in more detail below, upper surfaces 22 of
window-support members 20 receive a lower window frame portion 101C
and ensure that window 107 is resting on a substantially level
(e.g. horizontal) surface.
[0031] Downwardly-extending exterior flanges 12 extend downwardly
from base sections 14. Preferably, downwardly-extending exterior
flanges 12 are integrally formed with base sections 14 to prevent
moisture seepage in the lower portion of window opening 104 which
may result from any joints therebetween. Downwardly-extending
exterior flanges 12 may abut against window sill 102 and optionally
may extend leftwardly/rightwardly to abut against
vertically-extending interior frame members 112. In applications
where sill 102 and/or frame members 112 are covered by sheathing
layer 120, downwardly-extending exterior flanges 12 may abut
against the sheathing material. The exterior surface of
downwardly-extending exterior flanges 12 comprise a plurality of
transversely spaced apart spacers 26A, 26B (collectively, spacers
26--FIGS. 2A, 2B) which extend outwardly and vertically therefrom.
In the illustrated embodiment, the transverse spacing of spacers 26
is the same as that of window-support members 20, although this is
not necessary. Spacers 26 may extend upwardly to meet
window-support members 20 at the junction between base sections 14
and downwardly-extending exterior flanges 12.
[0032] Corner components 11 may be fabricated in a number of
standard sizes. During installation in window opening 104, corner
components 11 may be cut to appropriate lengths (FIG. 4) such that
after installation of corner components, a space 28 is provided
therebetween. Connector component 30 (FIG. 1C) may then be used to
couple corner components 11 to one another. Connector component 30
incorporates leftwardly and rightwardly extending wing members 31A,
31B (together, wing members 31). Each of left and right wing
members 31A, 31B are respectively sized to matingly fit within
notches 24 in window-support members 20 of left and right corner
components 11A, 11B. In the illustrated embodiment, each of
window-support members 20 comprises a corresponding notch 24. This
is not necessary. In some embodiments, only a subset of
window-support members 20 closest to the center of window opening
104 are provided with notches 24, so that corner components 11 can
be cut to length and may still be coupled to one another by
connector component 30.
[0033] In particular embodiments, wing members 31 fit into notches
24 via "snap-together" coupling. Such snap-together coupling may
involve deformation of wing members 31 and/or notches 24. Although
not explicitly shown in the illustrated embodiments, the surfaces
of wing members 31 and/or notches 24 may be provided with suitable
surface features (e.g. protrusions and/or indents) and/or with
suitable shapes (e.g. angled profiles) which facilitate
snap-together coupling.
[0034] Connector component 30 comprises a base section 32 which
sits atop window sill 102. In the illustrated embodiment, base
section 32 comprises a wedge-shaped leg 33 (FIG. 3) which may fit
in space 28 to abut against window sill 102, such that when
connector component 30 is coupled to corner components 11, an upper
surface 34 of base section 32 slopes downwardly and outwardly to
direct moisture received thereon away from interior 110 of building
wall 106. In the illustrated embodiment, upper surface 34 also
comprises optional transversely and vertically-extending step 36
(FIG. 2C) which further prevents moisture received on an external
side of step 36 from moving toward an interior side of steps
36.
[0035] Connector component 30 may also incorporate one or more
window-support members 38 (FIG. 2C) which extend inwardly/outwardly
and vertically from upper surface 34. Window-support members 38
comprise upper surfaces 40 (FIG. 2C). At least portions of upper
surfaces 40 are shaped to be oriented generally parallel to sill
102 (e.g. horizontal in the illustrated drawings). Preferably,
window-support members 38 are shaped such that, when connector
component 30 is used to coupled corner components 11 to one
another, these generally parallel portions of upper surfaces 40 are
coplanar with the corresponding generally parallel portions of
upper surfaces 22 of window-support members 20. In the illustrated
embodiment, wings 31 are shaped such that when wings 31 are coupled
to corner components 11, the upper surfaces 42A, 42B (together,
upper surfaces 42--FIG. 2C) of wings 31 are substantially coplanar
with the generally parallel portions of the upper surfaces 22, 40
of window-support members 20, 38.
[0036] Connector component 30 also comprises a downwardly-extending
exterior flange 44 which extends downwardly from base section 32.
Preferably, downwardly-extending exterior flange 44 is integrally
formed with base section 32 to prevent moisture seepage in the
lower portion of window opening 104 which may result from any
joints therebetween. Downwardly-extending exterior flange 44 may be
shaped to provide an interior portion (not explicitly shown in the
illustrated views) which abuts against window sill 102 in the
region of space 28. In applications where the exterior side of sill
102 is covered by sheathing layer 120, then the interior portion of
downwardly-extending exterior flange 44 may abut against the
sheathing material. Downwardly-extending exterior flange 44 may be
shaped such that, when connector component 30 couples corner
components 11, an exterior surface 46 of downwardly-extending
exterior flange 44 is substantially coplanar with the exterior
surfaces of spacers 26.
[0037] Moisture management system 100 may also comprise a lower
vent assembly. FIG. 5 shows a lower vent assembly 50 according to a
particular embodiment of the invention disposed adjacent a lower
perimeter of opening 104 in building wall 106. FIGS. 6A-6C depict
the various components of a lower vent assembly 50 according to a
particular embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional
view showing portions of lower vent assembly 50 and sill pan
assembly 10.
[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, lower vent assembly 50
comprises a vent component 52 which extends transversely between
optional left and right side components 54A, 54B (together, side
components 54). In particular embodiments, vent component 52 and
side components 54 are fabricated from plastic or some other
moisture-resistant material. Vent component 52 and side components
54 may be fabricated by an injection molding process, for
example.
[0039] Vent component 52 is preferably a single monolithic
component which extends transversely between side components 54.
Vent component 52 comprises a hood 63. In the illustrated
embodiment, hood 63 incorporates an upper hood portion 56 and an
external hood portion 60. Upper hood portion 56 extends
transversely between side components 54. In the illustrated
embodiment, when lower vent assembly 50 is installed in wall 106,
an interior edge 58 of upper hood portion 56 abuts against lower
window flange 103C of lower window frame 101C. As shown in FIG. 7,
lower window flange 103C of lower window frame 101C may extend
downwardly between interior edge 58 of upper hood portion 56 and
the exterior surfaces of spacers 26. In the illustrated embodiment,
upper hood portion 56 extends outwardly and optionally downwardly
from interior edge 58 to direct moisture received thereon away from
interior 110 of building wall 106.
[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, hood 63 of vent component 52
also comprises an external hood portion 60 which extends
transversely between side components 54. When lower vent assembly
50 is installed in wall 106, external hood portion 60 extends
downwardly and optionally outwardly from upper hood portion 56 to
direct moisture received thereon away from interior 110 of building
wall 106. To the extent that upper hood portion 56 and external
hood portion 60 both extend downwardly and outwardly, external hood
portion 60 extends more sharply downwardly than upper hood portion
56. As shown in FIG. 7, hood 63 may be shaped and/or located such
that a lower-outward edge 65 of hood 63 (i.e. a lower-outward edge
of external hood portion 60) is located further outwardly than
external wall layer 118 (e.g. siding or the like). In some
embodiments, upper hood portion 56 may extend outwardly to a
location outward of external wall layer 118, such that all of
external hood portion 60 is located outwardly of external wall
layer 118. Lower-outward edge 65 of hood 63 may also be located
below venting apertures 72 discussed further below.
[0041] Hood 63 tends to direct moisture, such as from rain or snow,
toward exterior 108 of building wall 106 and to prevent such
moisture from entering interstitial space 116 between external wall
layer 118 and sheathing layer 120 of building wall 106 as explained
in more detail below.
[0042] Hood 63 may also comprise an optional drip flange 62. In the
illustrated embodiment, where hood 63 comprises upper hood portion
56 and external hood portion 60, drip flange 62 extends
transversely between side components 54 at a lowermost end of
external hood portion 60. Drip flange 62 also extends downwardly
and outwardly. To the extent that upper hood portion 56 and
external hood portion 60 both extend downwardly and outwardly,
external hood portion 60 extends more sharply downwardly than drip
flange 62 and drip flange 62 extends more sharply downwardly than
upper hood portion 56.
[0043] Vent component 52 also comprises a vent flange 64 which
depends downwardly from upper hood portion 56 at a location spaced
outwardly from interior edge 58 and which extends transversely
between side components 54. Vent flange 64 comprises a plurality of
apertures 72 which provide fluid communication (e.g. air flow)
between interstitial space 116 and exterior 108 of building wall
106, as explained in more detail below. In the illustrated
embodiment, vent flange 64 comprises an upper venting portion 68
and a lower mounting portion 66. When lower vent assembly 50 is
installed in building wall 106, at least a portion of upper venting
portion 68 is preferably located below window sill 102 and above
the uppermost extent of external wall layer 118 (e.g. siding) below
window opening 104. With this position of lower vent assembly 50,
at least some of apertures 72 in upper venting portion 68 are
located to provide fluid communication between interstitial space
116 and exterior 108 of wall 106.
[0044] Lower mounting portion 66 extends further downwardly from
upper venting portion 68. Lower mounting portion 66 may extend
downwardly on an interior of an uppermost portion of external wall
layer 118 below window opening 104. Lower mounting portion 66 may
comprise apertures 74 through which suitable fasteners (e.g. nails,
screw or the like (not explicitly shown)) may project to fasten
vent component 52 to an exterior lower frame member 134B or to
external wall layer 118. Apertures 74 are not necessary. In some
embodiments, suitable fasteners (e.g. nails, screws, staples or the
like) may project directly through lower mounting portion 66 into
exterior lower frame member 134B or external wall layer 118. In
still other embodiments, fasteners are not required and suitable
adhesive or the like may be used between lower mounting portion 66
and exterior lower frame member 134B or external wall layer
118.
[0045] Vent flange 64 may comprise an optional offset step 70
between lower mounting portion 66 and upper venting portion 68 such
that lower mounting portion 66 is located inwardly from upper
venting portion 68. Optional offset step 70 may help to maintain
the width of interstitial space 116 in the region of sill pan
assembly 10, such that air flow through apertures 72 into and out
of interstitial space 116 is not restricted in this region. As
shown in FIG. 7, offset step 70 may also allow upper venting
portion 68 to be located outwardly of the interior surface of
external building layer 118.
[0046] Lower vent assembly 50 also comprises optional side
components 54. Side components 54 comprise mounting flanges 76A,
76B (together, mounting flanges 76) which may be installed to abut
against exterior vertically-extending frame members 122, as
explained in more detail below. Projections 77A, 77B (together,
projections 77) and projections 79A, 79B (together, projections 79)
project sideways from mounting flanges 76 toward the center of
window opening 104. As shown best in FIG. 6B, projections 77
provide channels 78A, 78B (together, channels 78) which may
respectively receive the left and right ends of hood 63 of vent
component 52. In addition, upper venting portion 68 of vent flange
64 of vent component 52 may abut against an exterior side of
projection 79. In particular embodiments, vent component 52, which
has a uniform cross-section, may be provided in standard lengths
and then cut to an appropriate size for fitting between side
components 54 in wall 106.
[0047] Moisture management system 100 may also comprise an upper
vent assembly. FIGS. 9 and 11 shows an upper vent assembly 200
according to a particular embodiment of the invention disposed
adjacent to an upper perimeter of opening 104 in building wall 106.
FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C show the various components of upper vent
assembly 200. Upper vent assembly 200 comprises a vent component
202 which extends transversely between a pair of optional side
components 216A, 216B (together, side components 216). In
particular embodiments, vent component 202 and side components 216
are fabricated from plastic or some other moisture-resistant
material. Vent component 202 and side components 216 may be
fabricated by an injection molding process, for example. Upper vent
assembly 200 may be installed above window opening 104 for draining
moisture away from the top of window opening 104 and for venting
interstitial space 116 above window opening 104.
[0048] Vent component 202, which is preferably fabricated from a
single monolithic piece of material, comprises hood 203, mounting
flange 205 and vent portion 211 which extend transversely between
side components 216 to provide a substantially uniform
cross-section. When upper vent assembly 200 is installed in
building wall 106 (FIGS. 9 and 11), hood 203 extends outwardly and
downwardly to direct moisture received thereon toward an exterior
108 of building wall 106. Hood 203 protects against the possibility
of moisture, such as from rain or snow, entering building wall 106
at the top of window opening 104. Hood 203 may be shaped and/or
located such that a lower-outward edge 207 of hood 203 (FIG. 9) is
located further outwardly than external wall layer 118. In the
illustrated embodiment, hood 203 comprises a upper hood potion 204
and optional drip flange 206. Upper hood portion 204 extends
outwardly and optionally downwardly while drip flange 206 extends
downwardly and optionally outwardly. To the extent that upper hood
portion 204 and drip flange 206 both extend outwardly and
downwardly, drip flange 206 extends more sharply downwardly than
upper hood portion 204.
[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, mounting flange 205 comprises
an upper flange portion 226 and a lower flange portion 208, both of
which extend vertically and transversely between side components
216. In the illustrated embodiment, mounting flange 205 comprises a
step 212 (FIG. 10B) for offsetting lower flange portion 208
outwardly from upper flange portion 226. Step 212 allows extra
space for window flange 103A of upper window frame 101A to be
located inwardly of lower flange portion 208 (FIG. 11). Step 212 is
not required. In other embodiments, upper flange portion 226 and
lower flange portion 208 may be substantially coplanar.
[0050] Upper flange portion 226 may comprise apertures 214 through
which suitable fasteners (e.g. nails, screw or the like (not
explicitly shown)) may project to fasten vent component 202 to
sheathing layer 120 as explained in more detail below. Apertures
214 are not necessary. In some embodiments, suitable fasteners
(e.g. nails, screws, staples or the like) may project directly
through upper flange portion 226 into sheathing layer 120. In some
embodiments, suitable adhesive may be used to mount vent component
202 to sheathing 120. Lower flange portion 208 may comprise a
stand-off portion 209 which extends below the intersection of hood
203 and flange 205. When upper vent assembly 200 is installed in
window opening 104 (FIG. 11), stand off portion 209 may be placed
on upper window frame 101A and may abut against upper window flange
103A of upper window frame portion 101A. An undersurface of hood
203 may also be placed atop upper window frame 101A to ensure that
hood portion 203 extends downwardly and outwardly for directing
moisture as discussed above.
[0051] Vent portion 211 extends outwardly from flange 205 at a
location above hood 203. Vent portion 211 is penetrated by a
plurality of apertures 210 which, when upper venting assembly 200
is installed in window opening 104, allow air flow to interstitial
space 116 of wall 106 between sheathing layer 120 and external
building layer 118 (FIG. 11). This air flow provides venting which
tends to remove moisture from interstitial space 116 above window
opening 104. In the illustrated embodiment, vent portion 211 also
comprises an optional downwardly extending flange 213. External
building layer 118 may abut against downwardly extending flange 213
when upper venting assembly 200 is installed in window opening
104.
[0052] Upper vent assembly 200 also comprises side components 216
(FIG. 10C). Side components 216 comprise mounting flanges 218A,
218B (together, mounting flanges 218) which may be installed to
abut against exterior vertically-extending frame members 122, as
explained in more detail below. Projections 220A, 220B (together,
projections 220) and projections 224A, 224B (together, projections
224) project sideways from mounting flanges 218 toward the center
of window opening 104. As shown best in FIG. 10C, projections 220,
224 provide channels 222A, 222B (together, channels 222) which may
respectively receive the left and right ends of hood 203. In
addition, flange 205 of vent component 202 may abut against an
interior side of the upwardly extending portion of projection 220.
In particular embodiments, vent component 202, which has a uniform
cross-section, may be provided in standard lengths and then cut to
an appropriate size for fitting between side components 216 in
building wall 106.
[0053] FIGS. 8A-8J depict a method for installation of moisture
management system 100 including sill pan assembly 10, lower vent
assembly 50 and upper vent assembly 200 into building wall 106
according to a particular embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8A
shows horizontally-extending lower interior frame member 102,
vertically-extending interior frame members 112 and
horizontally-extending upper interior frame member 126. Together,
interior frame members 102, 112, 126 define opening 104 in building
wall 106. In the illustrated embodiment, opening 104 is a window
opening.
[0054] Next, as shown in FIG. 8B, sheathing layer 120 is installed
over interior frame members 102, 112, 126. In the illustrated
embodiment, sheathing layer 120 comprises plywood together with a
suitable building paper or building wrap, such as Tyvek.TM.
marketed and sold by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (Dupont),
for example. In other embodiments, different sheathing materials
may be used to form sheathing layer 120 or sheathing layer 120 may
not be present at all. It will be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that wall 106 may contain other materials (e.g. insulation,
vapor barriers or the like) on an interior of sheathing layer 120.
These optional other materials are not discussed herein as they are
not germane to the explanation of the current invention.
[0055] FIG. 8C shows the next step, where corner components 11 of
sill pan assembly 10 are cut to length and installed in window
opening 104 by abutting side flanges 15 against interior vertical
frame members 112, downwardly and upwardly-extending exterior
flanges 12, 13 against sheathing layer 120 and base sections 14
against sill 102. Next, as shown in FIG. 8D, connector component 30
is installed between corner components 11 by snapping wing members
31 into notches 24 as discussed above (see also FIGS. 2, 3 and 4)
to couple corner components 11 to one another and to complete the
installation of sill pan assembly 10.
[0056] After installation of sill pan assembly 10, a window 107 may
be installed in opening 104 as shown in FIG. 8E. In the illustrated
embodiment, window 107 is bordered by a window frame 101 having
upper window frame portion 101A, right side window frame portion
101B, lower window frame portion 101C and left side window frame
portion 101D. Window 107 is installed by placing lower window frame
portion 101C atop upper surfaces 22 of window-support members 20
and atop upper surfaces 40 of window-support members 38. As
discussed above, upper surfaces 22, 40 of window-support members
20, 38 are oriented substantially horizontally, such that window
107 is oriented substantially vertically in window opening 104
despite the downward and outward angle of upper surfaces 17 of base
sections 14 and upper surface 34 of base section 32. Thus, window
107 may be substantially vertically oriented while upper surfaces
17, 34 of base sections 14, 32 are capable of directing moisture
away from interior 110 of building wall 106.
[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, each portion 101A, 101B,
101C, 101D of window frame 101 comprises a corresponding window
flange 103A, 103B, 103C, 103D (together, window flange 103). Window
107 may be installed such that lower window flange portion 103C
abuts against at least a portion of the exterior surfaces of
spacers 26 and against at least a portion of exterior surface 46 of
downwardly-extending exterior Flange 44. Portions of side window
flange portions 103B, 103D and upper flange portion 103A may abut
directly against sheathing layer 120. When window 107 is installed
in window opening 104, spacers 26 provide window 107 with an
orientation where window 107 extends slightly outwardly as it
extends downwardly.
[0058] After installing window 107 (FIG. 8E), upper vent assembly
200 is assembled and installed in wall 106 as shown in FIG. 8F.
More particularly, vent component 202 may be cut to length and
coupled to side components 216 as discussed above and shown in FIG.
10A. Suitable adhesive may be used (e.g. on projections 220, 224
and/or on the sides of hood 203 and/or flange 205) to couple vent
component 202 to side components 216. Upper vent assembly 200 may
then be installed in wall 106 by placing stand off portion 209 of
lower flange portion 208 atop upper window frame portion 101A (FIG.
11) and projecting suitable fasteners (not explicitly shown)
through apertures 214 in upper flange portion 226 of flange 205 and
into sheathing layer 120.
[0059] The next step in the construction of wall 106 is to create
interstitial space 116 between sheathing layer 120 and external
building layer 118. In general, interstitial space 116 need not
necessarily be empty space. The purpose of interstitial space 116
is to allow for flow of air and/or moisture between sheathing layer
120 and external building layer 118 to vent the interior of wall
106. There are a variety of construction techniques used to create
interstitial space 116. In the illustrated embodiment, interstitial
space 116 is created by providing a layer of ventable material 132,
such as (by way of non-limiting example) Home Slicker.TM. marketed
and sold by Bejamin Obdyke Incorporated of Horsham, Pa., Delta
Dry.TM. marketed and sold by Cosella-Dorken Products, Inc. of
Beamsville, Ontario, Canada or the like. Ventable material 132 may
be provided in rolls which are unwound, cut to size and fastened
(e.g. by staples) to sheathing layer 120. In the illustrated
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8G, ventable material 132 is applied
to sheathing layer 120 above window opening 104 (at 132A), on each
side of window opening 104 (at 132B, 132C), below window opening
104 (at 132D) in a narrow swath and below window opening 104 (at
132E) in a full width swath.
[0060] Ventable material 132 applied at sides 132B,132C may abut
against the exterior surfaces of side window flanges 103B, 103D.
Ventable material 132 applied above window opening 104 (at 132A)
may abut against the exterior surface of upper flange portion 226
of mounting flange 205. Ventable material 132 applied below window
opening 104 (at 132D) may abut against the exterior surfaces of
spacers 26 of downwardly-extending exterior flanges 12 and exterior
surface 46 of downwardly-extending exterior flange 44. Ventable
material 132 applied below window opening 104 (at 132E) may abut
directly against sheathing 120. Application of ventable material
132 between sheathing 120 and external building layer 118 provides
interstitial space 116 which allows for the flow of air and
moisture therethrough.
[0061] In other embodiments, different techniques may be used to
create interstitial space 116. Such techniques do not require the
use of ventable material 132. For example, one relatively common
technique involves creating columns or channels of interstitial
space 116 by attaching vertically extending spacers (referred to as
"furring strips" and/or "strapping") to sheathing 120 at
transversely spaced apart locations. These furring strips creates
vertical columns of empty space 116 between sheathing 120 and
external building layer 118. Still other systems for providing
interstitial space 116 are known to those skilled in the art. The
systems and methods of the invention should be understood to be
applicable to any such techniques for creating an interstitial
space 116 which allows for flow of air and moisture between
sheathing layer 120 and external building layer 118.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 8H, the next step of the illustrated
embodiment is to assemble lower vent assembly 50 by cutting vent
component 52 to length and coupling the ends of vent component 52
to side components 54 as discussed above. A suitable adhesive may
be used to help couple the ends of vent component 52 to side
components 54 (e.g. at projections 77, 79 and/or at the ends of
vent component 52). In the illustrated embodiment, the exterior
surface of lower mounting portion 66 of vent flange 64 is mounted
to a horizontally-extending lower exterior frame member 134B (FIG.
8H) prior to installation of lower vent assembly 50. Vent flange 64
may be mounted by projecting suitable fasteners through apertures
74, by projecting suitable fasteners though vent flange 64 and/or
by suitable adhesive as discussed above.
[0063] Next, as shown in FIG. 8I, lower vent assembly 50 and
horizontally-extending lower external frame member 134B (as
assembled in FIG. 8H) are installed below window opening 104. To
mount lower vent assembly 50 in wall 106, lower external
horizontally-extending frame member 134B may be coupled by suitable
fasteners (e.g. nails, screws, staples or the like) which extend
into sheathing 120 through interstitial space 116. In addition or
in the alternative, vertically-extending external frame members
122A, 122B (together, vertically-extending external frame members
122) maybe mounted on wall 106 (e.g. using suitable fasteners which
project into sheathing 120 through interstitial space 116) and
mounting flanges 76 of side components 54 may then abut against
external vertically-extending frame members 122 and may be coupled
thereto by suitable adhesive or fasteners. Horizontally-extending
upper exterior frame member 134A may also be installed at this
time, as shown in FIG. 8I.
[0064] Finally, as shown in FIG. 8J, external building layer 118
(shown as wood siding in the illustrated embodiment) may be applied
over interstitial space 116 (e.g. ventable material 132 in the
illustrated embodiment). In the illustrated embodiment, the
uppermost piece of siding below window 107 may be cut to
accommodate vertically-extending exterior frame members 122 and
horizontally-extending lower exterior frame member 134B. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that many different types of
wall constructions and window constructions are possible and that
the wall construction and window construction shown in FIGS. 8A-8J
and discussed above are merely representative examples of a wall
construction and a window construction used to illustrate a method
for installing moisture management system 100 including sill pan
assembly 10, lower vent assembly 50 and upper vent assembly 200
according to a particular embodiment of the invention.
[0065] Sill pan assembly 10 and lower vent assembly 50 cooperate to
manage moisture that would otherwise tend to accumulate in the
vicinity of the bottom of window opening 104. Operation of sill pan
assembly 10 and lower vent assembly 50 may be best understood with
reference to FIG. 7. Sill pan assembly 10 protects wall 106 and
more particularly, sill 102 by receiving moisture that drains
downwardly from window 107 onto base sections 14 and base section
32. Upper surfaces 17 of base sections 14 and upper surface 34 of
base section 32 are sloped downwardly and outwardly and therefore
direct moisture received thereon away from interior 110 of wall 106
and toward downwardly-extending exterior flanges 12, 44. Moisture
so directed reaches interstitial space 116 between sheathing 120
and external wall layer 118 where it is removed from wall 106 by
the venting action facilitated by lower vent assembly 50.
[0066] Lower vent assembly 50 functions to provide ventilation to
interstitial space 116 (i.e. to remove moisture therefrom), while
simultaneously preventing excess moisture from entering
interstitial space 116 from the exterior 108 of wall 106. Air is
free to travel into and out of interstitial space 116 from the
exterior 108 of wall 106 under hood 63 and through apertures 72.
This air flow ventilates interstitial space 116 and tends to remove
the moisture that is directed to interstitial space 116 by sill pan
assembly 10 or otherwise. Apertures 72 are preferably sufficiently
small to minimize (or at least impair) access to interstitial space
116 by insects or other pests. In addition to venting through
apertures 72, hood 63 prevents excess moisture, such as from rain
or snow, to enter interstitial space 116 through apertures 72. Rain
or snow received on hood 63 is directed downwardly and outwardly
toward an exterior 108 of building wall 106. As discussed above,
the lowermost outer edge 65 hood 63 is exterior to external
building layer 118. Optional drip flange 62 helps to cause moisture
received on hood 63 to pool into drops and to drop away on the
exterior 108 of wall 106.
[0067] The operation of upper vent assembly 200 may best be
understood with reference to FIG. 11. Upper vent assembly 200 and
more particularly apertures 210 of vent portion 211, provide a
venting function for interstitial space 116 above window opening
104. Air flows through apertures 210 and into/out of interstitial
space 116 above window opening 104. This air flow causes moisture
in interstitial space 116 to evaporate and/or otherwise move out of
interstitial space 116. Hood 203 also protects against moisture
penetrating through cracks or the like in window opening 104. More
particularly, hood 203 tends to direct moisture, such as from rain
or snow, toward exterior 108 of building wall 106 to prevent such
moisture from entering window opening 104.
[0068] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light
of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are
possible in the practice of this invention without departing from
the spirit or scope thereof. For example: [0069] In the embodiments
described above, sill pan assembly 10 comprises a pair of corner
components 11 which may be cut to length and coupled to one another
by connector component 30. In other embodiments, sill pan assembly
10 may comprise a pair of corner components 11 and one or more
central components (which may be similar in structure to base
sections 14 and, optionally, downwardly-extending exterior flanges
12 of corner components 11). Such embodiments may also comprise
multiple connector components 30 which join one corner component 11
to a central component or which join a pair of central components
to one another.
* * * * *