US4359845A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Moisture barrier system for earth-sheltered housing
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-07-25
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Granted: 1982-11-23
•
Expires: 2000-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A moisture barrier system for earth-sheltered housing and similar earth-contacted surfaces includes a laminated construction of "Styrofoam" and polyvinylchloride film which is adhesively joined to all exterior surfaces of the housing which are covered by earth. The polyvinylchloride film is provided in sheet form and adjacent sheets are arranged with an overlapping joint of approximately four inches and adhesive sealant is applied to each surface of the joint. Adhesive sealant is used to mount the "Styrofoam" to the poured concrete walls of the housing structure and a similar sealant is used to apply the polyvinylchloride film to the "Styrofoam". At each entry location of pipes and conduits, a pair of conduit seal assemblies are located. Each seal assembly is arranged into two longitudinally split halves which define a central conduit passageway extending therethrough. The two halves are held together around the corresponding conduit by a steel band clamp. Each seal assembly has an enlarged base portion which is adhesively joined to the polyvinylchloride film and the conduit passageway is similarly coated with adhesive sealant to provide a water-tight construction around the conduit.
Inventors
- 👤 Bill L. Harrison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:15
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02D; E02D31/00; E02D31/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A moisture barrier system for earth-sheltered housing and similar earth-contacted surfaces comprising: a plurality of single layer sheets of plastic film applied to all of the exterior surfaces of said housing that are in contact with earth, said exterior surfaces comprising a floor, ceiling and side walls, adjacent sheets of plastic film being joined to each other at overlapping joints, and a plurality of pairs of conduit seal assemblies, at least one pair being located at each point of entry of conduits into said earth-sheltered housing, each conduit seal assembly of each pair being aligned with the other assembly of that pair each on opposite sides of said sheets of plastic film and being sealingly joined to said sheets of plastic film.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A moisture barrier system for earth-sheltered housing and similar earth-contacted surfaces comprising: a plurality of single layer sheets of plastic film applied to all of the exterior surfaces of said housing that are in contact with earth, said exterior surfaces comprising a floor, ceiling and side walls, adjacent sheets of plastic film being joined to each other at overlapping joints, and a plurality of pairs of conduit seal assemblies, at least one pair being located at each point of entry of conduits into said earth-sheltered housing, each conduit seal assembly of each pair being aligned with the other assembly of that pair each on opposite sides of said sheets of plastic film and being sealingly joined to said sheets of plastic film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The moisture barrier system of claim 1 wherein each of said conduit seal assemblies includes two longitudinally-split halves defining an interior conduit passageway and a band clamp holding said halves together around a corresponding conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The moisture barrier system of claim 1 wherein each sheet of plastic film is fabricated out of a polyvinylchloride material of between 0.030 and 0.050 inches in thickness.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The moisture barrier system of claim 1 wherein each overlapping joint between adjacent sheets of plastic film is at least three inches in overlap dimension and an adhesive sealant is disposed between the overlapping portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The moisture barrier system of claim 1 which further includes a plurality of sheets of rigid cushioning foam disposed between said sheets of plastic film and the earth-sheltered exterior surfaces of said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The moisture barrier system of claim 6 wherein said sheets of rigid cushioning foam are adhesively joined to the earth-sheltered exterior surfaces of said housing and said sheets of plastic film are adhesively joined to said sheets of rigid cushioning foam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
153 words
In combination: an earth-sheltered house including a roof, a floor, a front wall, a back wall and two side walls, said roof, back wall and portions of said side walls being earth-covered; a plurality of single layer sheets of plastic film applied to all of the exterior surfaces of said roof, floor, back wall and side walls which are in contact with earth, said sheets of plastic film being arranged in overlapping side-by-side and end-to-end configurations between said earth sheltered house and said surrounding earth; and a plurality of pairs of conduit seal assemblies, there being at least one pair of conduit seal assemblies located at each point of entry of a conduit into said earth-sheltered housing, each conduit seal assembly of each pair of assemblies being sealingly joined around said entering conduits and sealingly joined to corresponding sheets of plastic film and aligned with the other assembly of that pair of assemblies.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
153 words
In combination: an earth-sheltered house including a roof, a floor, a front wall, a back wall and two side walls, said roof, back wall and portions of said side walls being earth-covered; a plurality of single layer sheets of plastic film applied to all of the exterior surfaces of said roof, floor, back wall and side walls which are in contact with earth, said sheets of plastic film being arranged in overlapping side-by-side and end-to-end configurations between said earth sheltered house and said surrounding earth; and a plurality of pairs of conduit seal assemblies, there being at least one pair of conduit seal assemblies located at each point of entry of a conduit into said earth-sheltered housing, each conduit seal assembly of each pair of assemblies being sealingly joined around said entering conduits and sealingly joined to corresponding sheets of plastic film and aligned with the other assembly of that pair of assemblies.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 7 which further includes a plurality of sheets of rigid cushioning foam disposed between said sheets of plastic film and the earth-sheltered exterior surfaces of said house.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination of claim 8 which further includes a parapet wall located at the front edge of said roof, said parapet wall forming a barrier for the earth on said roof, the earth-covered side of said parapet wall being covered by corresponding sheets of said plastic film.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said floor includes a poured concrete slab and the combination further includes a plurality of leveling devices secured to said sheets of rigid cushioning foam which correspond to said floor, each leveling device being adjustable in height and suitably configured to receive a guide rail for use in concrete leveling of said floor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-11-22 | 1986-05-24 | 1986-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-22 | 1990-05-24 | 1990-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-22 | 1994-05-24 | 1994-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |