Protective covering strip
First Claim
1. A protective strip for covering a top surface of a first wooden member to be joined to a second wooden member overlying the first wooden member, said strip comprising:
- an elongated body of water-impervious material sized to substantially cover the entire upper surface of the first wooden member, said body having a bottom surface contacting the first wooden member and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and
spacing means positioned on said body and projecting from said body to support said second wooden member above the top surface of the strip and for spacing the first and second wooden members apart, thereby permitting air circulation at the joint between the first and the second wooden members;
wherein said strip includes two side portions coupled to said body on opposite sides thereof for overlying the side edges of said first wooden member; and
wherein each of said side portions includes a fixed end coupled to said body and a free end disposed opposite to said fixed end, said free end including a tapered portion to facilitate placement of said strip on the first wooden member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A protective covering strip is constructed of a flexible, waterproof material, such as rubber or a plastic compound, and is configured to fit over the upper and/or side surfaces of an elongated wooden member. The strip is formed as an inverted channel and has a length and width substantially corresponding to the length and width of the wooden member to ensure a snug fit. A plurality of longitudinal ribs are provided along the length of the strip. The side portions of the strip may be beveled outwardly to speed water runoff. In use, in the construction, for example, of a wooden deck, covering strips are secured to the top and/or side surfaces of the posts, joists and girders to separate and prevent any direct contact between the post/girder, girder/joist and joist/wooden flooring joints. The covering strips prevent the collection of water in the joints between the respective wooden members, and also prevent water seepage into nail holes formed during the assembly process. Intervening grooves disposed between the longitudinal ribs and longitudinal spacing or lateral scoring cooperate to facilitate water drainage and air circulation at the joints between the wooden members. This, in turn, prevents the growth of destructive fungus or woodrot which can lead to structural degradation. In another embodiment, the protective covering strip is a two-part member. The covering strip includes a layer of fungicide-saturated material disposed in the inverted channel.
53 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A protective strip for covering a top surface of a first wooden member to be joined to a second wooden member overlying the first wooden member, said strip comprising:
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an elongated body of water-impervious material sized to substantially cover the entire upper surface of the first wooden member, said body having a bottom surface contacting the first wooden member and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and spacing means positioned on said body and projecting from said body to support said second wooden member above the top surface of the strip and for spacing the first and second wooden members apart, thereby permitting air circulation at the joint between the first and the second wooden members; wherein said strip includes two side portions coupled to said body on opposite sides thereof for overlying the side edges of said first wooden member; and wherein each of said side portions includes a fixed end coupled to said body and a free end disposed opposite to said fixed end, said free end including a tapered portion to facilitate placement of said strip on the first wooden member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A protective strip for covering a top surface of a first wooden member to be joined to a second wooden member overlying the first wooden member, said strip comprising:
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a base member disposed along a portion of the top surface of the first wooden member, said base member including a lateral flange extending outwardly from the first wooden member; and at least one cover member detachably securable to said base member, said cover member including an inwardly directed flange for engaging said lateral flange of said base member and thereby securing said cover member thereto and spacing means for spacing the first and the second wooden members apart, thereby permitting air circulation at the joint between the first and the second wooden members. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A covering strip for covering a first surface of a first wooden member to be joined to a second wooden member, said strip comprising:
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an elongated body of water-impervious material sized to substantially cover the first surface of the first wooden member; spacing means positioned on said body and projecting outwardly from said body for maintaining an air space and facilitating air circulation between the first and second wooden members, said spacing means including a plurality of longitudinally disposed ribs; and circulating means associated with said body for permitting fluid circulation at the joint between the first and second wooden members said circulating means including a plurality of intervening grooves, each of said intervening grooves being defined by the space between two adjacent longitudinally disposed ribs. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification