US5771643A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Concrete slab-wall spacer with water and radon removal features
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-05-10
•
Granted: 1998-06-30
•
Expires: 2015-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A concrete slab and wall spacer with water and radon removal elements. The invention includes a cross-sectionally, L-shaped elongate strip of semi-rigid, nonbiodegradable material. At least halfway up the entire elongate vertical leg of the L-shape is a horizontally disposed projection which is integral with the strip. The spacer projection is placed against a wall, the L base resting on a portion of the footing subtended by the wall in a conventional spacer usage. The underside of the base of the L is generally relieved in order to allow transmigration of water and gaseous substances. Several applications for the strip are disclosed, one being the sealing of the shelf to the abutting wall with placement of a gas impermeable membrane in an overlapping arrangement with the L base so as to form, relative to the strip and the abutted wall, an upper fluid region and a lower gas region. The gas region is vented by a conduit which penetrates the projection, while the water in the upper liquid region is removed by other conventional methods, conceivably by through-the-wall conduits or a sump region built into or adjacent the footing.
Inventors
- 👤 Alton F. Parker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:37
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/62; E04B1/70; E04B1/7023; E02; E02D; E02D27/00; E02D27/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A water seepage control device with radon scavenging aid means comprising: a semi-rigid, nonbiodegradable strip bent lengthwise into an L-shape and having a shelf means projecting orthogonally from a backside of a vertical portion of the strip away from and essentially parallel a base of the strip such that the shelf means partitions the vertical portion into an upper channel and a lower chamber when said shelf means is disposed against a wall and while an underside of the base rests on a footing that supports the wall; a sealing means for closing any spacing between the shelf means and the wall; and a fluid communication means disposed on said underside of the base for effecting a fluid scavenging between the chamber and the underside of the base, and a conduit means penetrating said shelf means from said outside of said lower chamber, wherein said lower chamber, said shelf means, said sealing means, said communication means, and said conduit means proving said radon scavenging aid means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A water seepage control device with radon scavenging aid means comprising: a semi-rigid, nonbiodegradable strip bent lengthwise into an L-shape and having a shelf means projecting orthogonally from a backside of a vertical portion of the strip away from and essentially parallel a base of the strip such that the shelf means partitions the vertical portion into an upper channel and a lower chamber when said shelf means is disposed against a wall and while an underside of the base rests on a footing that supports the wall; a sealing means for closing any spacing between the shelf means and the wall; and a fluid communication means disposed on said underside of the base for effecting a fluid scavenging between the chamber and the underside of the base, and a conduit means penetrating said shelf means from said outside of said lower chamber, wherein said lower chamber, said shelf means, said sealing means, said communication means, and said conduit means proving said radon scavenging aid means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said radon scavenging aid means further comprises a vapor barrier fabric secured to a surface of the base by a capturing means, whereby an area under said fabric communicates through said communication means with the clamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said sealing means is a water impervious adhesive caulk.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said capturing means is a pocket means which is cojoined to the base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a water removal system for floating slabs comprising, in combination: a slab perimeter wall having an interior face; a footing, upon which the slab perimeter wall rests; a water seepage control device, resting on the footing; and a floor slab being disposed on the water seepage control device, an improvement of said water seepage control device comprising: a cross-sectionally L-shaped strip of semi-rigid, nonbiodegradable material having a vertical portion disposed orthogonally with respect to a conterminous horizontal portion, said strip projecting an integral shelf means at least halfway up the vertical portion opposite and lying in a plane essentially parallel to the horizontal portion, said strip further including a liftable flap to attach a gas impermeable barrier to the strip extending substantially parallel to the horizontal portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a water removal system for floating slabs comprising, in combination: a slab perimeter wall having an interior face; a footing, upon which the slab perimeter wall rests; a water seepage control device, resting on the footing; and a floor slab being disposed on the water seepage control device, an improvement of said water seepage control device comprising: a cross-sectionally L-shaped strip of semi-rigid, nonbiodegradable material having a vertical portion disposed orthogonally with respect to a conterminous horizontal portion, said strip projecting an integral shelf means at least halfway up the vertical portion opposite and lying in a plane essentially parallel to the horizontal portion, said strip further including a liftable flap to attach a gas impermeable barrier to the strip extending substantially parallel to the horizontal portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
104 words
3. A slab-wall spacer positionable between a floor slab and a slab perimeter wall having a footing, the slab-wall spacer comprising: an L-shaped strip of semi-rigid, nonbiodegradable material having a vertical portion integrally and orthogonally disposed with respect to a horizontal portion; a shelf extending from at least halfway up the vertical portion in the opposite direction than the horizontal portion, the shelf adapted to nearly abut the slab perimeter wall to form a chamber between the shelf, footing and slab perimeter wall; and at least one conduit extending through at least one vertical slot in the shelf for fluid communication with the chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
104 words
3. A slab-wall spacer positionable between a floor slab and a slab perimeter wall having a footing, the slab-wall spacer comprising: an L-shaped strip of semi-rigid, nonbiodegradable material having a vertical portion integrally and orthogonally disposed with respect to a horizontal portion; a shelf extending from at least halfway up the vertical portion in the opposite direction than the horizontal portion, the shelf adapted to nearly abut the slab perimeter wall to form a chamber between the shelf, footing and slab perimeter wall; and at least one conduit extending through at least one vertical slot in the shelf for fluid communication with the chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The spacer of claim 6, further including means for attaching a gas impermeable barrier to the strip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The spacer of claim 7, wherein the means for attaching is an adhesive.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The spacer of claim 7, wherein the means for attaching is a liftable flap coextensive with and disposed on the horizontal portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The spacer of claim 6, wherein the horizontal portion adapted to rest upon the footing, the horizontal portion including a plurality of corrugations in a bottom surface thereof to form channels between the footing and the horizontal portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The spacer of claim 6, wherein the shelf is adapted to be sealed to the slab perimeter wall by a water impermeable sealant.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
156 words
A water seepage control device for draining a floor slab and slab perimeter wall comprising in combination: a slab perimeter wall, having an interior face; a footing, upon which the slab perimeter wall rests; a floor slab; a cross-sectionally L-shaped strip of semi-rigid, nonbiodegradable material, the strip including: a vertical portion disposed orthogonally with respect to a conterminous horizontal portion, the horizontal portion being on the footing and the floor slab resting on the horizontal portion, an integral shelf extending from at least halfway up the vertical portion in a direction opposite to the horizontal portion, the integral shelf extending toward the interior face of the slab perimeter wall to form a chamber defined by the vertical portion, the footing and the interior face of the slab perimeter wall, the shelf also including at least one vertical slot extending therethrough; and a conduit extending from the chamber through each slot for scavenging radon form said chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
156 words
A water seepage control device for draining a floor slab and slab perimeter wall comprising in combination: a slab perimeter wall, having an interior face; a footing, upon which the slab perimeter wall rests; a floor slab; a cross-sectionally L-shaped strip of semi-rigid, nonbiodegradable material, the strip including: a vertical portion disposed orthogonally with respect to a conterminous horizontal portion, the horizontal portion being on the footing and the floor slab resting on the horizontal portion, an integral shelf extending from at least halfway up the vertical portion in a direction opposite to the horizontal portion, the integral shelf extending toward the interior face of the slab perimeter wall to form a chamber defined by the vertical portion, the footing and the interior face of the slab perimeter wall, the shelf also including at least one vertical slot extending therethrough; and a conduit extending from the chamber through each slot for scavenging radon form said chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 12 further comprising a gas impermeable membrane between said horizontal portion and said footing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 12 wherein said horizontal portion further comprises venting means on an underside thereof, said venting means disposed essentially orthogonal to said vertical portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 14 wherein said venting means is an array of grooves.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 14 wherein said venting means is a corrugated surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 14 wherein said venting means is a relief pattern on said underside.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 12, wherein a sealant is interposed the shelf and the slab perimeter wall to seal the strip against the slab perimeter wall.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
61 words
A slab-wall spacer positionable between a floor slab and a slab perimeter wall having a footing, the slab-wall spacer comprising: an L-shaped strip of semi-rigid, nonbiodegradable material having a vertical portion integrally and orthogonally disposed with respect to a horizontal portion; and a liftable flap extending substantially parallel to the horizontal portion for attaching a gas impermeable barrier to the strip.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
61 words
A slab-wall spacer positionable between a floor slab and a slab perimeter wall having a footing, the slab-wall spacer comprising: an L-shaped strip of semi-rigid, nonbiodegradable material having a vertical portion integrally and orthogonally disposed with respect to a horizontal portion; and a liftable flap extending substantially parallel to the horizontal portion for attaching a gas impermeable barrier to the strip.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
110 words
A radon barrier system for use between a floor slab and a slab perimeter wall having a footing, the radon barrier system comprising: an elongated L-shaped strip of nonbiodegradable material having a vertical portion integrally and orthogonally disposed with respect to a horizontal portion; a shelf extending from and along the length of the vertical portion in a direction opposite the horizontal portion, the shelf adapted to nearly abut a slab perimeter wall; and a plurality of grooves provided in a bottom surface of the horizontal portion, the bottom surface being adapted to rest upon a footing and a radon barrier attached to said horizontal portion of said L-shaped strip.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
110 words
A radon barrier system for use between a floor slab and a slab perimeter wall having a footing, the radon barrier system comprising: an elongated L-shaped strip of nonbiodegradable material having a vertical portion integrally and orthogonally disposed with respect to a horizontal portion; a shelf extending from and along the length of the vertical portion in a direction opposite the horizontal portion, the shelf adapted to nearly abut a slab perimeter wall; and a plurality of grooves provided in a bottom surface of the horizontal portion, the bottom surface being adapted to rest upon a footing and a radon barrier attached to said horizontal portion of said L-shaped strip.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 20, wherein the grooves extend orthogonally to the vertical portion.
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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) | 2001-06-29 | 2001-12-29 | 2002-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-29 | 2005-12-29 | 2006-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-29 | 2009-12-29 | 2010-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |