HK1098181A - Flashing - Google Patents

Description

Rain-proof plate

Technical Field

The present invention relates to flashing widely used in the construction industry, primarily for covering members such as joists, beams, bearers, bolster plates, rafters and the like.

Background

Flashing is used in the construction industry to provide a barrier against moisture penetrating into and through joists, rafters, beams, bearers, joist boards and the like, particularly where the members are made of a material susceptible to moisture such as wood.

Known flashing includes metal strips or plates containing metal that are cut and positioned according to the means. It is also known to use adhesive tape at the metal flashing.

US 5,148,644 discloses a covering strip of rubber or plastic. In lines 1 and 2 of column 2, it is indicated that the bars are dimensioned such that the distance between the sides substantially corresponds to the width of the wooden member on which the strip is placed.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided flashing comprising an elongate body for overlying a member, and legs extending over at least part of the length of the body and projecting from either side of the body, the flashing having a configuration prior to overlying the member whereby, when positioned on the member, one or all of the legs are biased towards the respective side of the member.

Thereby, the flashing may be provided with an inherent biasing force which allows the flashing to be better clamped and/or positioned on the member on which it is placed. This biasing force can be pre-set within the body of the flashing and then transferred to the legs when the flashing is placed on the member, and/or can be pre-set within any or all of the legs. In one form, both legs may have the biasing force.

Additionally, although the legs may be spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to the width of the member (e.g., the leg spacing of the flashing may correspond to one or more standard member widths), the legs may be spaced apart by a distance greater than or slightly less than the member width in the case of resilient flashing and still be configured to clamp onto the member.

In one form, the body can have a contoured shape. For example, the legs can extend inwardly from the concave surface of the body. In this way, the legs may assume a substantially flat configuration when the flashing is positioned on said member. This contour provides a way to enable the biasing force to be pre-configured within the flashing.

In one form, the flashing is made of a resilient material. The use of resilient material allows for noise reduction (particularly when used on metal members such as metal joists) and enables shock absorption between adjacent members (i.e. between members provided with flashing). In addition, when driving a nail or screw into flashing, the elastic properties cause the elastic material to grip around the nail or screw, thereby preventing the passage of water, moisture, liquids and dust. The use of an elastic material also enhances the inherent biasing force of the flashing or each leg.

The term "elastomeric" is intended to encompass a broad range of polymers having elasticity and/or shape memory and comprising synthetic rubbers such as natural rubber and such as EPDM rubber, polymeric resins having flexibility and elasticity such as ABS resins, as well as other butadiene and styrene polymers and copolymers, nylon, and the like. EPDM rubber is particularly suitable because it has excellent UV, ozone and chemical resistance, and is resistant to aging. In addition, it is resistant to most paints, lacquers, oils, solvents, acids and detergents.

The term "member" as used herein includes joists, beams, supports, bolster plates, rafters, battens, and the like.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides flashing comprising an elongate body for overlying a member, and legs projecting from either side of the body and extending over at least part of the length of the body, wherein one, some or all of the legs are separable from the body along respective cut lines.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides flashing comprising an elongate body for overlying a member, and wings extending laterally from either side of the body and over at least part of the length of the body, wherein one, some or all of the wings are separable from the body along respective cut lines.

By making the legs and wings separable, various flashing shapes can be formed, allowing for accommodation with various other adjacent members that abut or are closely positioned. For example, when all of the legs and wings are removed, the resulting flashing comprises only the elongate body, or, when one leg or one adjacent wing is removed and flashing is applied to the first member, the adjacent second member can be directly abutted against the first member where the legs and wings are removed.

In one form the flashing comprises two legs extending the entire length of the body on opposite sides of the body, but it is also possible to provide discontinuous legs along the entire or part of the length of the body on opposite sides of the body.

In one embodiment, the legs on opposite sides of the body project generally opposite each other prior to positioning the flashing on the member. In this regard, the flashing can be extruded or molded such that the legs in the finished configuration project substantially opposite each other such that the flashing carries an inherent biasing force. Thus, when the legs are on either side of the member, they are biased towards the respective side. This allows the flashing to be clamped to the member, making it easier to use, and attempting to prevent it from accidentally falling out. For example, when flashing is used in an inverted or upright configuration, the legs grip onto the members and prevent the flashing from falling off the members.

In addition, by providing legs that extend the entire length of the body on opposite sides of the body, the flashing can prevent stains from propagating from the sides of the flashing-mounted member (e.g., resin stains, water stains, etc. from or on the wooden member, or resin stains, water stains, etc. that seep out of stacked, abutting, or adjacent members).

In another embodiment, the flashing further comprises wings extending laterally from the body (i.e. wings are provided in addition to the legs) out of the legs. Again, the wings may extend the entire length of the body on opposite sides of the body, but it is also possible to provide discontinuous wings along the entire or part of the length of the body on opposite sides of the body. The wing allows the flashing to be superimposed on adjacent members and also on adjacent flashing to provide a more comprehensive barrier against moisture, dust, noise etc.

A severance line may also be provided along and adjacent to where each wing is connected to the body, thereby allowing removal of the wings. In other words, all or a discrete length of the wings can be removed so that the member can be in close proximity to another member and so that adjacent members can be abutted together.

The wing part may have an elongated rectangular shape and may be respectively coupled to the body part along opposite long sides thereof. In a further variation, each wing tapers from a relatively thick portion where it connects to the body to a relatively thin distal end (i.e., the cross-sectional thickness of the wing tapers toward its distal end). This tapered configuration can reduce variations in the height of flashing in adjacent flashing members when the wing overlies adjacent flashing members (e.g., adjacent members). Such wings can also be fastened directly or indirectly to an adjacent member (e.g., by nails, screws, adhesives, etc.).

In one embodiment, a severance line is provided along and adjacent to the location where each leg is connected to the body, so that all or any leg can be suitably removed from the body, in a manner similar to the removal of the wings. Again, one or more legs are removed so that adjacent members may be positioned closely or abutting each other.

The body may have an elongated rectangular shape such that it may be positioned along a corresponding elongated rectangular face of a member (e.g., an upper surface of a joist, a pedestal, etc.). The legs may also have a long rectangular shape, joined to the body respectively along opposite elongate sides of the body (e.g. such that they can extend along respective rectangular sides of a member such as a joist). Each leg may also taper distally from its connection with the body, or may have a constant thickness.

In a fourth aspect the present invention provides an arrangement between first and second members wherein flashing as defined in the first, second or third aspects is mounted in the upper working surface of each member such that the flashing of one member overlies the flashing of the other member.

In a fourth aspect, selected wings and/or legs of the flashing of each member may be removed to reduce or eliminate the degree of overlap of the flashing.

The arrangement may be defined as a joint (e.g. butt joint) between the first and second members.

Drawings

Although any other form will fall within the scope of the flashing as defined in the summary section, a particular flashing embodiment will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1A, 1B, 1C show top, end, and bottom views, respectively, of one end of a flashing embodiment;

fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the end of the flashing in fig. 1;

fig. 3 shows a side view of the end of the flashing in fig. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged end view similar to FIG. 1B, and showing in detail the cut lines in the flashing;

fig. 5A-5F show end views of various flashing configurations in which components of the flashing have been removed for different applications; and

fig. 6-15 illustrate various configurations of use of the flashing of fig. 1-5.

Detailed Description

Referring first to fig. 1-3, flashing embodiment 10 includes an elongated body 12 having a centerline 14 formed (e.g., depressed or raised) or printed thereon such that the body can be centrally disposed on a member such as a joist or the like. The centerline 14 also provides a guide for precise nailing/threading of overlying components (e.g., decking).

Projecting laterally from the respective longitudinal sides of the body 12 are two wings 16. Each wing portion is attached to the body portion by a respective raised area 18, the raised areas 18 supporting the deflection of the wing portion relative to the body portion.

It can also be seen that each wing tapers in thickness outwardly from the raised area towards the free end. Thus, adjacent its free end, each wing is relatively thin, which allows it to overlie an adjacent flashing (described below). In addition, each wing may extend the entire length of the body portion, or may be provided as a series of discrete wings spaced along the respective longitudinal sides of the body portion. As another alternative, in use, the discrete wings can be cut, torn or severed from the larger wings, again depending on the application.

Extending downwardly from adjacent longitudinal sides of the body are two legs 20. Each leg 20 is connected to the body adjacent a respective raised area 18, each leg 20 being at an acute angle a (fig. 1B) to the body. Thus, prior to positioning the flashing on the member, and as can be seen in fig. 1B, the legs are generally directed towards each other, which provides a pre-application configuration for the flashing such that it can be clamped onto the member, as described below.

Alternatively, one of the legs may extend generally orthogonally from its connection to the body, with the other leg at an acute angle, still providing a pre-application configuration for the flashing such that it can be clipped onto a member.

The thickness of each leg can also taper outwardly from the body to its free edge. This results in the legs having a greater stiffness adjacent the body and a relatively lesser stiffness away from the body. This also helps to keep the legs properly oriented with an inherent bias, as shown in fig. 1B and 2.

Again, each leg can extend the entire length of the body, or can be provided as a series of discrete legs spaced along the entire length of the body. In addition, these discrete legs can be formed by cutting, tearing or severing from the remaining leg length.

As best shown in fig. 1B and 4, the body 12 has an undulating profile. Legs 20 extend inwardly from the concave surface of the body. Then, when flashing 10 is placed on one member, body 12 assumes a generally flat configuration (fig. 7). However, the previously contoured body profile now provides a biasing force that is transmitted to the legs 20 so that the legs clamp onto the sides of the respective member.

In an alternative embodiment, the body 12 can be disposed in a generally flat manner, with one or typically both legs 20 facing substantially toward each other. Thus, when flashing 10 is placed on a member, the biasing force is provided by one or both legs, such that the legs clamp onto the sides of the respective member.

As best shown in fig. 1C and 4, at the location where the wing 16 connects to the raised area 18, a severance line 22 is provided. This allows each wing to be partially or completely cut, severed or torn from the body (e.g., as shown in fig. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5F and 13). Similarly, where each leg is connected to the body 12, a severance line 24 is provided. Again, this allows each leg to be partially or completely cut, severed, or torn from the body (e.g., as shown in fig. 5A, 5D, 5E, 5F, and 14). In addition, the severance lines 22, 24 need not be at the point of connection of the wings/legs to the body, and can be disposed medially along the wings/legs for some applications.

Referring now to fig. 5A to 5F, it can be seen that there are many different ways of removing the wings and legs. Each of these means allows the flashing to be positioned in parallel or various angular relationships with adjacent flashing on an adjacent member and allows the flashing to be positioned in various other ways on the member to which it is mounted.

Referring now to fig. 6, flashing 10 according to the invention is shown positioned on a member in the form of a joist J, the end of which abuts a wall W (which may also be a beam or the like). The joist J is also located on top of the pedestal B. As shown, a portion of each leg 20 is cut or torn away or removed to define an end region 26 of the body 12. This end region, together with the wings 16, overlaps upwardly along the wall W as shown.

This overlap forms a barrier at the junction of the joist J and the wall W to prevent water, moisture, liquids, dust and the like. This end region can also be pressed sealingly against the wall (for example by nailing, screwing, gluing, etc.). In addition, wings 16 overhang either side of the joist laterally at the end regions to provide a masking effect to the connection.

As best shown in fig. 7 and 8, when the flashing 10 is mounted to a joist, the legs 20 are pressed outwardly by the respective side walls of the joist J. Because the flashing opposes this outwardly moving preconfigured internal biasing force, the legs clamp on either side of the joist. This thus makes it possible to arrange on and to arrange stacked members (e.g. slats, decking, etc.) on said joist with less possible misalignment of flashing.

Referring particularly to fig. 7, it can be seen how the flashing 10 shields and protects the top surface of the joist J, with wings depending from both sides of the joist to prevent moisture (e.g., rain, etc.), liquid from leaking to the top and sides of the joist, and dust from falling to the top and sides of the joist. In addition, it can be seen that the legs 20 (which are pressed outwardly by the respective joist sides) clamp onto the joists to hold the flashing securely in place. An adhesive may be applied between the flashing and the joist, if desired.

When a stacking member (e.g., decking, flooring, decking, etc.) is positioned on top of the flashing, nails or screws can be passed through the flashing. If the flashing is made of a resilient or deformable material, it tends to clamp around the nail or screw, thereby also preventing moisture, dust, etc. from passing between the flashing and the nail/screw to reach the joist. Thus, the flashing can be used as a complete water barrier and can prevent rot and warping of the joist, etc. The flashing also prevents moisture from vaporizing between the joist and the flashing, which could otherwise cause blistering, buckling, etc.

Referring now to fig. 8, parallel joists J and J' are shown. In this embodiment, one wing of the left flashing 10 is removed (in the manner shown in fig. 5B) so that the adjacent right flashing 10' overlaps the area indicated by arrow O. As also shown in fig. 8, when the flashing is made of an elastic or deformable material, the legs between adjacent joists can be pressed together.

Because the thickness of the wings tapers distally, the thickness at the overlap also tapers accordingly. This means that for any stacked component (e.g. slat, floor, etc.), in use, no improper or excessively uneven stacking is under that component. For elastic flashing, this smaller overlap thickness also allows for smooth and easy compression in use.

The stacking of adjacent flashing further provides a better seal against moisture, dust and the like passing between adjacent joists, which is highly advantageous. In addition, it provides better support to the stacked members to improve impact resistance, sound absorption, cushioning, and the like.

Referring now to fig. 9, a solution for abutting orthogonal joists J and J' is shown (i.e. a so-called "abutting" connection). In this solution, the joists are connected by screws or nailer plates P. The left joist J is provided with a flashing 10 similar to the flashing in fig. 5B. One wing of the left flashing 10 is removed so that the left joist is positioned in close facing (or abutting) relation to the wall W. The flashing in fig. 5A can also be used in this case.

The flashing 10 'used for the right joist J' is similar in shape to the flashing shown in figure 4. As shown, the wing of the left flashing overlaps the right flashing to provide a barrier to moisture etc. at the junction of the two joists. Thus, the decking member D can be placed over and fastened down onto the two joists (e.g., by nails or screws that may extend through the respective flashing). The cover plate D can also press the overlapping wing part of the left flashing. Again, because of its tapering thickness, the wings can be compressed by the cover D so that adjacent cover members can be flush as shown.

Fig. 10 shows a similar solution for orthogonal joists J and J' as in fig. 9, however, a portion 28 (shown in phantom) of the stacked wings 16 has been cut, torn or separated from the rest of the wings 16 along the severance line 22 (e.g., when wing stacking is not required or necessary). This solution can be used if the ingress of moisture etc. is not of great importance, for example in indoor applications.

Referring now to fig. 11, a solution is shown in which the joists J bear orthogonally against one of the plate members PL. Again, the portion of the leg 20 adjacent to the plate PL has been removed so that the body 12 and the flap 16 can be superposed on the top surface of the plate PL. The decking D can thus be positioned on top of the joist where it meets the plate.

Referring now to fig. 12, the joist J is shown tightly against the wall W and resting on the seat B. The flashing can take a shape similar to that shown in fig. 5B. One of the legs 20 is located between the joist and the wall preventing ingress of moisture, dust etc. at zone E. The overhang of the wing 16 prevents moisture, leakage, etc. from flowing down the sides of the joist J, preventing moisture from falling off the flashing at region G. In addition, the right leg portion is provided to enable the joist to be coated or covered with a protective layer and to prevent any overlying components (such as decking, etc.) from being accidentally painted or otherwise protected. Thus, the bottom end of the leg is provided with an edge I, so that the coating can be interrupted (cutting-in).

As described above, fig. 13 shows the removal (severing, tearing, etc.) of a flap at one severance line 22. Fig. 14 shows the leg removal at two cut lines 24.

Referring now to fig. 15, a flashing 10 similar to that shown in fig. 5E is shown positioned on the joist J. In this application both legs 20 of the flashing have been removed so that the flashing can be placed on top of the joist and so that the wings 16 overhang either side of the joist. This solution can be used if it is not necessary to clamp the flashing on the joist (for example if it is not necessary to center the flashing well at the top of the joist). Alternatively, to maintain centering, the flashing can be secured to the joist with adhesive, nails or screws after the attachment of the stacking members to the joist.

Although flashing has been described in fig. 6-12 and 15 with reference to use on joists, it will be appreciated that flashing can be used on many different forms of member (including beams, bearers, wall panels, rafters, battens, purlins, girts, studs, etc.).

Although the flashing is typically made from an elastomeric polymer, in some applications it may be made from a more rigid polymer or other material. In this way it can be extruded or moulded and easily supplied through a rolling mill.

As mentioned above, flashing provides several important features. The features include:

flashing shields and protects the upper surfaces of joists, beams and other members, particularly wooden joists and beams, from rot, cracking, swelling, staining, discoloration and the like due to moisture and other liquids and dust.

The biasing force inherent in the flashing causes the legs to clamp onto the sides of the member, thereby allowing the flashing to be used in a variety of orientations, including reversible use.

The separability/severability of the flashing legs and wings allows it to be used in a variety of different applications, some of which have been described above with reference to fig. 5-15.

The flashing can grip a nail/screw or the like passing through it, which can be waterproof and prevent moisture, dust and other substances from passing between the flashing and said nail/screw.

Flashing can be compressed so that adjacent flashing can be stacked without affecting the respective flushness of the stacked members (such as decking).

The impact and impact absorbing properties of the flashing, as well as the noise dampening and minimization properties (particularly when the flashing is used with metal and other hard members, including metal decking for formwork and the like).

Flashing prevents ingress of moisture and dirt and is located between joists between the members, and covers or shields the members by providing overhangs on either side thereof (e.g. by overhanging wings 16).

Flashing can be shaped into a variety of different shapes by a cut line (also because it can be easily cut, torn, and shaped).

Although the flashing has been described with reference to a number of preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that the flashing can be used in many other forms.

Claims (26)

1. Flashing comprising an elongate body for overlying a member, and legs extending over at least part of the length of the body and protruding from either side of the body, the flashing having a configuration prior to overlying the member whereby, when positioned at the member, one or all of the legs are biased towards the respective member side.

2. Flashing as claimed in claim 1 comprising two legs extending the full length of the body on opposite sides of the body.

3. Flashing as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the legs on opposite sides of the body project generally opposite each other prior to positioning the flashing on the member.

4. Flashing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a wing extending laterally from the body from the leg.

5. Flashing as claimed in claim 4 wherein the wings extend the full length of the body on opposite sides of the body.

6. Flashing as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein a line of severance is provided along and adjacent the connection of each wing to the body to allow removal of the wing.

7. Flashing as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the wing has an elongate rectangular shape and is correspondingly joined to the body along opposite long sides thereof.

8. Flashing as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein each wing tapers from a relatively thicker portion at its connection to the body to a relatively thinner distal end.

9. Flashing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a line of severance is provided along and adjacent the connection of each leg to the body, thereby to enable the leg to be removed from the body.

10. Flashing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the body has an elongate rectangular shape.

11. Flashing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the leg has an elongate rectangular shape and is joined to the body along opposite long sides of the body.

12. Flashing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each leg tapers or is of constant thickness distally from its connection to the body.

13. Flashing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which is made from a resilient material.

14. Flashing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the member is a joist, beam, stand, joist board, rafter or batten.

15. Flashing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the legs are spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to the width of the member.

16. Flashing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the body has a contoured shape and the legs extend inwardly from a concave surface of the body, whereby the body assumes a substantially flat configuration when the flashing is positioned on the member.

17. Flashing comprising an elongate body for overlying a member, and legs projecting from either side of the body and extending over at least part of the length of the body, wherein one, some or all of the legs are removable from the body along respective cut lines.

18. Flashing comprising an elongate body for overlying a member, and wings extending laterally from either side of the body and extending for at least part of the length of the body, wherein one, some or all of the wings are removable from the body along respective lines of severance.

19. Flashing as claimed in claim 17 and 18 wherein the line of severance is provided along and adjacent to the location where each leg or wing is connected to the body.

20. Flashing as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19 which is also as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16.

21. Flashing substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. An arrangement between first and second members, wherein flashing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims is mounted in the upper working surface of each member such that the flashing of one member overlaps the flashing of the other member.

23. An arrangement according to claim 22 wherein selected wings and/or legs of each member flashing are removed to reduce or eliminate the degree of overlap of the flashing.

24. The arrangement of claim 22 or 23, defining a joint between the first and second members.

25. The arrangement of claim 24 defining an abutting engagement portion.

26. An arrangement between first and second members substantially as herein described with reference to figures 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the accompanying drawings.