US5094045A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Termite barrier
Assignee: University of Hawai'i at Hilo
•
Filing: 1991-02-13
•
Granted: 1992-03-10
•
Expires: 2011-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A termite barrier comprising granular material having granules with sizes ranging from 1.7 millimeters to 2.4 millimeters made of sand, gravel, rock or basalt.
Inventors
- 👤 Minoru Tamashiro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:14
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01M; A01M1/00; A01M1/24; A01M1/245; E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/62; E04B1/72; A01M2200/00; A01M2200/01; A01M2200/011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 69
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A barrier for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, comprising: a layer of granular material deposited between said structure and the ground, wherein between approximately 45% and approximately 65% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
A barrier for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, comprising: a layer of granular material deposited between said structure and the ground, wherein between approximately 45% and approximately 65% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A barrier for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in claim 1, wherein approximately 65% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having diameters between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximatley 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A barrier for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in claim 1, wherein approximately 60% by weight of said graunular material consists essentially of granules having diameters between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A barrier for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in claim 1, wherein approximately 50% by weight of said graunular material consists essentially of granules having diameters between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A barrier for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in claim 1, wherein approximately 45% by weight of said graunular material consists essentially of granules having diameters between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A barrier for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, comprising: a layer of granular material deposited between said structure and the ground, wherein between approximately 60% and approximately 50% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A barrier for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, comprising: a layer of granular material deposited between said structure and the ground, wherein between approximately 60% and approximately 50% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
A barrier for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, consisting essentially of: a layer of granular material deposited between said structure and the ground, wherein between approximately 50% and approximately 60% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
A barrier for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, consisting essentially of: a layer of granular material deposited between said structure and the ground, wherein between approximately 50% and approximately 60% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
A barrier for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, consisting essentially of: a layer of granular material deposited between said structure and the ground, wherein between approximately 45% and approximately 65% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
A barrier for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, consisting essentially of: a layer of granular material deposited between said structure and the ground, wherein between approximately 45% and approximately 65% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
A barrier for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, consisting essentially of: a layer of granular material deposited between said structure and the ground, wherein between 60% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having diameters between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
A barrier for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, consisting essentially of: a layer of granular material deposited between said structure and the ground, wherein between 60% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having diameters between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A barrier for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said granular material is selected from the group consisting of crushed rock, gravel, sand and basalt.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A barrier for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in claim 10, wherein said layer for granular material is compacted.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A barrier for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in claim 11, wherein said compacted layer of granular material has a thickness of approximately 4 inches.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
A barrier for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, comprising: depositing a layer of granular material between said structure and the ground, wherein between approximately 45% and approximately 65% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
A barrier for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, comprising: depositing a layer of granular material between said structure and the ground, wherein between approximately 45% and approximately 65% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in claim 13, wherein between approximatley 50% and approximatley 60% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in claim 13, wherein approximately 60% by weight of said granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in claim 13, wherein approximately 45% by weight of said granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in claim 13, wherein approximately 65% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in claim 13, wherein approximately 50% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein said granular material is selected from the group consisting of crushed rock, gravel, sand and basalt.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in claim 19, further comprising: compacting said layer of granular material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in claim 20, wherein said layer of granular material has a thickness of approximately 4 inches after such compacting.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
72 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites from the ground to a concrete slab that is to be poured into an excavation, comprising: depositing a layer of granular material in said excavation; compacting said layer; and pouring said slab over said layer, wherein between approximatley 45% and approximately 65% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
72 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites from the ground to a concrete slab that is to be poured into an excavation, comprising: depositing a layer of granular material in said excavation; compacting said layer; and pouring said slab over said layer, wherein between approximatley 45% and approximately 65% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
57 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites from the ground to a concrete slab that is to be poured into an excavation, as described in claim 22, wherein between approximatley 50% and approximately 60% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
53 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites from the ground to a conrete slab that is to be poured into an excavation, as described in claim 22, wherein approximately 60% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
53 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites from the ground to a concrete slab that is to be poured into an excavation, as described in claim 22, wherein approximately 45% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
53 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites from the ground to a concrete slab that is to be poured into an excavation, as described in claim 22, wherein approximately 50% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least oen dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
49 words
A process for preventing penetratio of termites from the ground to a concrete slab that is to be poured into an excavation, as described in claim 22, wherein approximately 60% by weight of said granular material consists of granules having diameters between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
48 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites from the ground to a concrete slab that is to be poured into an excavation, as described in any one of claims 22 to 27, wherein said granular material is selected from the group consisting of rock, gravel, sand and basalt.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites to a concrete slab that is to be poured into an excavation, as described in claim 28, wherein said layer has a thickness of approximately 4 inches after such compacting.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
55 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites from the ground to a concrete slab that is to be poured into an excavation, as described in claim 22, wherein approximately 65% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters in diameter.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
72 words
A building construction for preventing penetration of termites, comprising: a compacted layer of granular material having a thickness of approximately 4 inches, wherein between approximately 45% and approximately 65% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters; a vapor barrier placed on top of said layer; and a concrete slab poured on top of said vapor barrier.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
72 words
A building construction for preventing penetration of termites, comprising: a compacted layer of granular material having a thickness of approximately 4 inches, wherein between approximately 45% and approximately 65% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters; a vapor barrier placed on top of said layer; and a concrete slab poured on top of said vapor barrier.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
72 words
A building construction for preventing penetration of termites, comprising: a compacted layer of granular material having a thickness of approximately 4 inches, wherein between approximately 50% and approximately 60% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters; a vapor barrier placed on top of said layer; and a concrete slab poured on top of said vapor barrer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
72 words
A building construction for preventing penetration of termites, comprising: a compacted layer of granular material having a thickness of approximately 4 inches, wherein between approximately 50% and approximately 60% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters; a vapor barrier placed on top of said layer; and a concrete slab poured on top of said vapor barrer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
75 words
A building construction for preventing penetration of termites, comprising: a compacted layer of granular material having a thickness of approximately 4 inches, wherein approximately 60% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having diameters between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters; a vapor barrier placed on top of said layer; and a concrete slab poured on top of said vapor barrier. a concrete slab poured on top of said vapor barrier.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
75 words
A building construction for preventing penetration of termites, comprising: a compacted layer of granular material having a thickness of approximately 4 inches, wherein approximately 60% by weight of said granular material consists essentially of granules having diameters between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters; a vapor barrier placed on top of said layer; and a concrete slab poured on top of said vapor barrier. a concrete slab poured on top of said vapor barrier.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
A building construction for preventing penetration of termites, as described in any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein said granules are selected from the group consisting of sand, gravel, basalt and rock.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
56 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, comprising: depositing a layer of granular material between said structure and the ground, wherein between approximately 45% and approximately 65% by weight of said granular material consists of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters. PG,33
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
56 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, comprising: depositing a layer of granular material between said structure and the ground, wherein between approximately 45% and approximately 65% by weight of said granular material consists of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters. PG,33
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
47 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in claim 35, wherein between approximately 50% and approximately 60% by weight of said granular material consists of granules having at least one dimension between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
43 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in claim 35, wherein approximately 60% by weight of said granular material consists of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
43 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in claim 35, wherein approximately 45% by weight of said granular material consists of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
43 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in claim 35, wherein approximately 65% by weight of said granular material consists of granules having at least one dimension between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
43 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in calim 35, wherein approximately 50% by weight of said granular material consists of granules having at least one dimension between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
43 words
A process for preventing penetration of termites into a structure from the ground, as described in calim 35, wherein approximately 50% by weight of said granular material consists of granules having at least one dimension between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
57 words
A new use for a granular material that includes between approximately 45% and approximately 65% by weight of granules having at least one dimension between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximatley 2.4 millimeters, comprising: depositing a layer of said granular material between a structure and the ground to prevent penetration of termites into said structure from the ground.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
57 words
A new use for a granular material that includes between approximately 45% and approximately 65% by weight of granules having at least one dimension between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximatley 2.4 millimeters, comprising: depositing a layer of said granular material between a structure and the ground to prevent penetration of termites into said structure from the ground.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
57 words
A new use for a granular material that includes between approximately 50% and approximately 60% by weight of granules having at least one dimension between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximatley 2.4 millimeters, comprising: depositing a layer of said granular material between a structure and the ground to prevent penetration of termites into said structure from the ground.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
57 words
A new use for a granular material that includes between approximately 50% and approximately 60% by weight of granules having at least one dimension between approximatley 1.7 millimeters and approximatley 2.4 millimeters, comprising: depositing a layer of said granular material between a structure and the ground to prevent penetration of termites into said structure from the ground.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
53 words
A new use for a granular material that includes approximately 40% by weight of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximatley 2.4 millimeters, comprising: depositing a layer of said granular material between a structure and the ground to prevent penetration of termites into said structure from the ground.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
53 words
A new use for a granular material that includes approximately 40% by weight of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximatley 2.4 millimeters, comprising: depositing a layer of said granular material between a structure and the ground to prevent penetration of termites into said structure from the ground.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
59 words
A new use for a granular material that consists essentially of between approximately 45% and approximately 65% by weight of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters, comprising: depositing a layer of said granular material between a structure and the ground to prevent penetration of termites into said structure from the ground.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
59 words
A new use for a granular material that consists essentially of between approximately 45% and approximately 65% by weight of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters, comprising: depositing a layer of said granular material between a structure and the ground to prevent penetration of termites into said structure from the ground.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
59 words
A new use for a granular material that consists essentially of between approximately 50% and approximately 60% by weight of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters, comprising: depositing a layer of said granular material between a structure and the ground to prevent penetration of termites into said structure from the ground.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
59 words
A new use for a granular material that consists essentially of between approximately 50% and approximately 60% by weight of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters, comprising: depositing a layer of said granular material between a structure and the ground to prevent penetration of termites into said structure from the ground.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
55 words
A new use for a granular material that consists essentially of approximately 60% by weight of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters, comprising: depositing a layer of said granular material between a structure and the ground to prevent penetration of termites into said structure from the ground.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
55 words
A new use for a granular material that consists essentially of approximately 60% by weight of granules having at least one dimension between approximately 1.7 millimeters and approximately 2.4 millimeters, comprising: depositing a layer of said granular material between a structure and the ground to prevent penetration of termites into said structure from the ground.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
31 words
A new use for granular material according to any one of claims 41 to 46, wherein: said granules are selected from the group consisting of crushed rock, gravel, sand and basalt.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
23 words
A new use for a granular material according to any one of claims 41 to 46, wherein: said granuels comprise crushed basaltic rock.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
26 words
A new use for a granular material according to any one of claims 41 or 46, wherein said granules have a specific gravity of approximately 2.9
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
21 words
A new use for a granular material according to any one of claims 41 to 46, wherein: said granules are compacted.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
23 words
A new use for a granular material according to claim 50, wherein: said granules are compacted to a layer approximately 4 inches thick.
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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) | 1995-03-10 | 1995-09-09 | 1996-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-10 | 1999-09-09 | 2000-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-10 | 2003-09-09 | 2004-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |