U.S. patent application number 12/545182 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-25 for wall structure with moisture diverter and method of making same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Masonry Technology, Inc.. Invention is credited to John H. Koester.
Application Number | 20100043326 12/545182 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41695025 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100043326 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koester; John H. |
February 25, 2010 |
Wall Structure with Moisture Diverter and Method of Making Same
Abstract
System and method for making a wall structure which diverts
moisture from an opening. The wall structure has a structural
member with a horizontal opening. A moisture diverter is secured to
the structural member above the opening, the moisture diverter
having a first end and a second end and a length, with the diverter
length greater than the horizontal opening distance and the first
end positioned relatively higher than the second end. The moisture
diverter is laterally positioned at least partially over the
horizontal opening. The moisture diverter has a first planar
portion and a second planar portion attached to the first planar
portion, forming an acute angle. A moisture barrier is secured to
the structural member, at least in part, within a volume defined by
the first planar portion and the second planar portion. A facade
member is secured to the structural member distal of the moisture
barrier.
Inventors: |
Koester; John H.; (St.
Michael, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IPLM GROUP, P.A.
POST OFFICE BOX 18455
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55418
US
|
Assignee: |
Masonry Technology, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
41695025 |
Appl. No.: |
12/545182 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61090763 |
Aug 21, 2008 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/302.1 ;
52/745.09 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 2001/628 20130101;
E04B 2/707 20130101; E06B 1/62 20130101; E04B 1/70 20130101; E04F
13/06 20130101; E04F 19/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/302.1 ;
52/745.09 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/64 20060101
E04B001/64; E04B 2/02 20060101 E04B002/02 |
Claims
1. A method of making a wall structure formed of a structural
member forming a horizontal opening having a horizontal opening
distance and an opening top, comprising the steps of: securing a
moisture diverter to said structural member above said opening,
said moisture diverter having a first end and a second end and a
diverter length between said first end and said second end, said
diverter length being greater than said horizontal opening
distance, said first end being positioned relatively higher than
said second end, and said moisture diverter being laterally
positioned at least partially over said horizontal opening and
proximate said opening top, said moisture diverter comprising: a
first planar portion; and a second planar portion attached to said
first planar portion and forming an acute angle therewith; said
moisture diverter being impermeable to liquid; and securing a
moisture barrier to said structural member, at least in part,
within a volume defined by said first planar portion and said
second planar portion; and securing a facade member to said
structural member distal of said moisture barrier.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said facade member is positioned,
at least in part, distal of said moisture diverter relative to said
structural member
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said facade member is positioned,
at least in part, within said volume defined by said first planar
portion and said second planar portion.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said securing a moisture diverter
step secures said moisture diverter with said first end being
approximately one-quarter inch higher than said second end for
every foot of length of said diverter length.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said securing a moisture diverter
step secures said moisture diverter with a midpoint of said
moisture diverter being laterally coincident with a midpoint of
said horizontal opening.
6. A wall structure, comprising: a structural member forming an
opening having a horizontal distance and an opening top; a moisture
diverter, impermeable to liquid, secured to said structural member
above said opening and proximate said opening top, said moisture
diverter comprising: a first planar portion; and a second planar
portion attached to said first planar portion and forming an acute
angle therewith; said moisture diverter having a first end and a
second end and a diverter length between said first end and said
second end, said diverter length being greater than said horizontal
opening distance, said first end being positioned relatively higher
than said second end, and said moisture diverter being laterally
positioned at least partially over said horizontal opening; a
moisture barrier secured to said structural member and distal, at
least in part, of said first planar portion relative to said
structural member; a facade member coupled to said structural
member distal of said moisture barrier relative to said structural
member.
7. The wall structure of claim 6 wherein said facade member is
positioned, at least in part, distal of said moisture diverter
relative to said structural member
8. The wall structure of claim 6 wherein said facade member is
positioned, at least in part, within a volume defined by said first
planar portion and said second planar portion.
9. The wall structure of claim 6 wherein said a moisture diverter
is positioned said first end being approximately one-quarter inch
higher than said second end for every foot of length of said
diverter length.
10. The wall structure of claim 6 wherein said moisture diverter is
secured with a midpoint of said moisture diverter being laterally
coincident with midpoint of said horizontal opening.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims prior from provisional U.S. Patent
Application No. 61/090,763, Koester, Moisture Diverter, filed Aug.
21, 2008.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to devices, systems
and methods of making a wall structure, and in particular a wall
structure with a moisture diverter.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Wall structures for many different types of buildings
commonly incorporate two or more layers of materials in order to
achieve the typical goals of providing relative isolation between
the interior of the building and the exterior of the building, of
maintaining the structural integrity of the building, and of
providing decoration. As is typically the case, the basic component
of a wall structure may be a structural member, either load-bearing
or otherwise, onto which other building materials may be secured.
Facade members which may primarily serve a decorative function may
be secured on the outside of the structural member. Facade members
may also provide isolation between the interior of the building and
the exterior of the building, by providing insulation and water
impermeability. Even if the facade member is relatively impermeable
to water, a moisture barrier may commonly be positioned between the
structural member and the facade member in order to prevent
moisture (liquid or vapor) which penetrates the facade member from
coming into contact with the structural member, which may then
prevent rot or mold. Other materials are also commonly utilized in
building wall structures.
[0004] In one sense, it may be preferable to build wall structures
with no interruptions or variations within the structure. By making
wall structures uniform, water which contacts the exterior of the
wall structure may tend to run down the facade member or the
moisture barrier evenly and uniformly. Moreover, without
interruptions, a constant moisture barrier may be effective in
preventing most or all water which contacts the wall structure from
coming into contact with the structural member. In general, the
less water which comes into contact with the structural member, the
less rot or mold the structural member may experience and the
longer the structural member may tend to retain the ability to
support the wall structure as a whole without replacement, which
may be expensive or necessitate replacing the entire wall
structure.
[0005] However, it is often desirable to provide openings in wall
structures for door, windows, ventilation, and other functions.
Such openings create non-uniformities in the wall structure, which
inherently create openings in the moisture barrier. These openings
in the moisture barrier may tend to expose the structural member to
water from outside the building. While various treatments and
articles have been created to mitigate the introduction of water to
the structural member arising from openings on the moisture barrier
from openings in the wall structure, relatively large amounts of
water which contact the wall structure in a short period of time,
such as during rain, may exceed the capacity of the treatments or
articles to prevent undesirable amounts of water contact with the
structural member.
SUMMARY
[0006] A wall structure has been developed which may reduce the
potential for an opening in the wall structure to result in
moisture contact with the structural member. A sloped moisture
diverter may be positioned above the opening, with the facade
member and the moisture barrier positioned outside of the sloped
moisture diverter relative to the structural member. The moisture
diverter may be wider than the opening, such that when moisture
runs down the facade member or the moisture barrier the water
contacts the sloped moisture diverter rather than simply coming
into contact with the opening.
[0007] Because the moisture diverter is sloped and wider than the
opening, the moisture may run down the moisture diverter, exiting
the moisture diverter past the opening. Once the moisture falls off
the moisture diverter it may continue down the wall structure, in
the facade member or in contact with the moisture barrier, without
the structural member being exposed to the moisture. As such,
stress on the treatments or articles protecting the structural
member around the opening may be reduced, and the structural member
may be less prone to rot and decay.
[0008] In an embodiment, a method of making a wall structure formed
of a structural member forming a horizontal opening having a
horizontal opening distance and an opening top is disclosed. A
moisture diverter is secured to the structural member above the
opening, the moisture diverter having a first end and a second end
and a diverter length between the first end and the second end, the
diverter length being greater than the horizontal opening distance,
the first end being positioned relatively higher than the second
end, and the moisture diverter being laterally positioned at least
partially over the horizontal opening and proximate the opening
top. The moisture diverter comprises a first planar portion a
second planar portion attached to the first planar portion and
forming an acute angle therewith. The moisture diverter is
impermeable to liquid. A moisture barrier is secured to the
structural member, at least in part, within a volume defined by the
first planar portion and the second planar portion. A facade member
is secured to the structural member distal of the moisture
barrier.
[0009] In an embodiment, the facade member is positioned, at least
in part, distal of the moisture diverter relative to the structural
member
[0010] In an embodiment, the facade member is positioned, at least
in part, within the volume defined by the first planar portion and
the second planar portion.
[0011] In an embodiment, the moisture diverter is secured with the
first end being approximately one-quarter inch higher than the
second end for every foot of length of the diverter length.
[0012] In an embodiment, the moisture diverter is secured with a
midpoint of the moisture diverter being laterally coincident with a
midpoint of the horizontal opening.
[0013] In an embodiment, a wall structure comprises a structural
member, a moisture diverter, a moisture barrier and a facade
member. The structural member forms an opening having a horizontal
distance and an opening top. The moisture diverter, impermeable to
liquid, is secured to the structural member above the opening and
proximate the opening top. The moisture diverter comprises a first
planar portion and a second planar portion attached to the first
planar portion and forming an acute angle therewith. The moisture
diverter has a first end, a second end and a diverter length
between the first end and the second end, the diverter length being
greater than the horizontal opening distance, the first end being
positioned relatively higher than the second end, and the moisture
diverter being laterally positioned at least partially over the
horizontal opening. The moisture barrier is secured to the
structural member and distal, at least in part, of the first planar
portion relative to the structural member. The facade member is
coupled to the structural member distal of the moisture barrier
relative to the structural member.
DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of a wall structure with a sloped
moisture diverter;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of the moisture diverter of
FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is profile view of the wall structure of FIG. 1;
and
[0017] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for building the wall structure of
FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION
[0018] The entire contents of provisional U.S. Patent Application
No. 61/090,763, Koester, Moisture Diverter, filed Aug. 21, 2008, is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0019] Structural members of wall structures may be relatively
vulnerable to exposure to water, which may create rot or decay.
Moisture barriers have been created to prevent water from coming
into contact with the structural member. Creating openings in wall
structures for doors, windows, ventilation or other functions is
desirable but also creates points of relative weakness where
structural members of the wall may be particular vulnerable to
exposure to water. A wall structure which diverts moisture from
openings in the wall structure has been created, thereby
potentially reducing the amount of moisture which flows to the
opening in the wall structure and reducing the potential exposure
of the structural member to moisture.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of wall structure 10. Structural
member 12, in an embodiment conventional exterior sheathing well
known in the art, is combined with a conventional structural
support, in an embodiment a standard dimensional lumber to a metal
stud, to support, at least in part, wall structure 10. In various
common embodiments, it is impractical, particularly for cost
reasons, to treat structural member 12 such that structural member
is impervious to moisture. As such, the more moisture which comes
into contact with structural member 12, the more likely structural
member may be to rot and decay.
[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, moisture control member 16 is
attached to structural member 12 in order to drain from the wall
structure moisture which may enter the wall structure, for example,
either through condensing water vapor or liquid water. Moisture
control member 16 may be made from several different materials,
including combinations of materials. Moisture control member 16 may
be that member described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,990,775, Koester,
Moisture Draining Product, Wall System Incorporating Such Product
and Method Therefore, which is hereby incorporated by reference in
its entirety. As illustrated in FIG. 1, moisture control member 16
includes two layers of asphalt impregnated construction paper 18
and drainage member 20 of Sure Cavity.TM. drainage material made by
Masonry Technology, Inc. Moisture control member 16 may be
configured such that moisture which comes into contact from the
outside of wall structure 10 may drain from the wall structure by
draining down moisture control member 16 and past structural member
12.
[0022] Facade member 22 may be positioned outside of moisture
control member 16. Facade member 22 may provide both aesthetic
benefits to wall structure 10 as well as moisture control intended
to reduce or prevent liquid water or water vapor from entering the
wall structure from the exterior and provide additional protection
against weathering and other damage. Facade member 22 may be many
different materials commonly known in the art, including wood,
stone, and brick. As illustrated, facade member 22 is primarily
comprised of stucco 24, as illustrated comprising three layers.
Metal lath 26 is secured to structural member 12, whereupon stucco
24 may be applied to lath 26 to secure the stucco to wall structure
10. In the case of stucco, stone or brick, an additional water
impermeable barrier may be used between the stucco, stone or brick
to provide moisture impermeability.
[0023] Opening 28, as illustrated window 30, may be formed in wall
structure 10. Conventionally, opening 28 may be formed simply by
selecting appropriately sized materials for structural member 12,
moisture control member 16 and facade member 22. Alternatively,
opening 28 may be cut into wall structure 10 by cutting through the
various layers 12, 16, 22. As is well known in the art, openings 28
may also be doors, ventilators, or other common openings. Window 30
may conventionally be secured and affixed in wall structure 10 by
securing devices, metal termination 34, caulking 36 and backer rod
38.
[0024] Wall structure 10 further includes sloped moisture diverter
40. Sloped moisture diverter 40 may be made from conventional metal
sheeting, in an embodiment galvanized steel. Sloped moisture
diverter 40 may include first planar portion 42 and second planar
portion 44. Combined, first planar portion and second planar
portion combine to form channel 46. By positioning first planar
portion 42 between moisture control member 16 and structural member
12, moisture which runs down moisture control member 16 may drip
into channel 46 of sloped moisture barrier 40.
[0025] In an embodiment, sloped moisture barrier 40 has first end
48 and second end 50 defining a length of moisture barrier 40. In
an embodiment, opening 28 likewise has a first end 52 and a second
end 54 defining a horizontal width or distance of opening 28. In an
embodiment, sloped moisture diverter 40 may be positioned above and
proximate opening top 29 of opening 28 such that each end 48, 50 of
sloped moisture diverter 40 projects four inches beyond each end
52, 54 of opening 28. In addition, sloped moisture diverter 40 may
be positioned such that for every foot of length of sloped moisture
diverter 40, first end 48 is one-quarter inch higher than second
end 50. In alternative embodiments, second end 50 is positioned
higher than first end 48. As such, sloped moisture diverter 40
length may be selected in order to meet those criteria relative to
the horizontal width or distance of opening 28.
[0026] In alternative embodiments, the four inch projection of ends
48, 50 beyond ends 52, 54, respectively, may be varied, and the
one-quarter inch per foot slope characteristic may be varied,
depending on the particular circumstances, particularly relating to
an amount of moisture which may be expected to contact wall
structure 10 and the conditions in which the moisture may contact
wall structure 10. In circumstances where relatively high winds may
tend to blow large amounts of rain against wall structure 10, it
may be desirable to increase the slope of sloped moisture diverter
40 while increasing the overall length of moisture diverter 40 in
order to divert relatively greater amounts of water away from
opening 28 relatively more quickly.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of sloped moisture diverter
40. In an embodiment, first planar portion 42 is one and
seven-eighths inches tall and second planar portion 44 projects
five-eighths inches beyond first planar portion 42. In an
embodiment, second planar portion 44 is angled at 65 degrees
relative to first planar portion 42. In an embodiment, the material
of sloped moisture diverter 40 may be 0.024 inches thick. In
alternative embodiments, these dimensions may be altered. In
particular, second planar portion 44 may be angled at greater or
lesser angles and may project greater or lesser amounts from first
planar portion 42. Such differing dimensions may be selected on the
basis of the conditions in which sloped moisture diverter 40 are
going to be used. If relatively large amounts of moisture may be
expected to drain into sloped moisture diverter 40 then first
planar portion 42 and second planar portion 44 may be selected such
that channel 46 is relatively larger. If relatively little moisture
is expected then first planar portion 42 and second planar portion
44 may be selected such that channel 46 is relatively smaller.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a side-view of wall structure 10. Moisture control
member 16 and sloped moisture diverter 40 may be affixed to
structural member 12. As illustrated, asphalt impregnated
construction paper 18 may be made in two parts, with first planar
portion 42 positioned between top part 56 and structural member 12,
and bottom part 58 positioned between sloped moisture diverter 40
and structural member 12. As illustrated, drainage member 20 may be
positioned within channel 46. In alternative embodiments, drainage
member 20 may be positioned outside of channel 46, at least in
part.
[0029] As illustrated, facade member 22 is positioned outside of
channel 46. In alternative embodiments, facade member 22 may be
positioned inside of channel 46, at least in part. In an
embodiment, metal lath 26 and at least one layer of stucco 24 may
be positioned within channel 46. In such an embodiment, sloped
moisture diverter 40 may provide structural support to facade
member 22. Such structural support may be improved by increasing
the size of first planar portion 42 and second planar portion 44,
to provide greater contact area with facade member 22 and
structural member 12, thereby potentially improving an ability to
secure sloped moisture diverter 40 to structural member 12 and a
support area with facade member 22.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for creating wall structure 10.
Structural member 12 may be constructed (400). Moisture control
member 16 may be secured (402) to structural member 12 and sloped
moisture diverter 40 may be obtained (404) and secured (406) with
first planar portion 42 to structural member 12 in a manner
consistent with the structure of FIGS. 1 and 3. In an embodiment,
sloped moisture diverter is secured to structural member such that
end 48 is one-quarter inch higher than end 50, and ends 48, 50
extend four inches beyond ends 52, 54 of opening 28.
[0031] Securing (402) moisture control member 16 and securing (406)
sloped moisture diverter 40 may occur concurrently or in sequence.
The steps may occur concurrently particularly to create wall
structure 10 consistent with the embodiment of FIG. 3, in which
case bottom part 58 of moisture control member 16 may be secured to
structural member 12, followed by sloped moisture barrier 40,
followed by top part 56 of moisture barrier.
[0032] Facade member 22 may then be secured (408) to structural
member 12. Optionally, opening 28 may be formed (410) in order to
permit the insertion of window 30. Alternatively, and in an
embodiment preferably, opening 28 is formed during steps (400),
(402), (406) and (408) by selecting building materials such that
opening 28 does not have to be cut in wall member 10.
[0033] Various modifications and alterations of this invention will
be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the
scope and spirit of this invention. It should be understood that
this invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments set
forth above.
* * * * *