FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to device designed to prevent moisture penetration into the interior of structures surrounded by masonry walls.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Masonry is used in construction for its strength and durability. Besides for durability, Masonry has superior moisture exclusion properties. However, a water that streaming down a wall can and will penetrate behind a wythe and wall and is then redirected toward the exterior of the façade. While walls constructed out of masonry are improved through the use of the disclosed devices, constructions from wood, metal, glass or a combination of materials will benefit even more, as those materials tend to be more vulnerable water penetration.
To redirect moisture from behind a wythe, builders utilize flashing. The flashing that exists in art is generally two types. The first is a flexible waterproof membrane that is applied behind the wythe and acts to generally protect the interior of the structure from water penetration. The second part of this combination is generally a weep, which is a strip of metal that may, but now always, extend beyond the exterior face of the bricks. A weep is usually installed above and below a wall interruption, such as a window or door.
Another form of flashing consists of a vertical leg that is disposed behind a course of bricks, which is combined with a weep that is placed beneath a row of bricks and which may but need no extend beyond the outer face of the wythe.
The drawback of existing art is twofold. The first is that all existing weeps are substantially flat and are made of iron or steel. In general, a weep runs below a course of bricks and emerges at the exterior portion thereof. Due to the natural phenomenon of adhesion of water, moisture does not leave the exterior edge of the weep right away but accumulates there for some time until surface tension of the water molecules reaches a rupture point. Additionally, the same adhesion often forces the droplets around the exterior edge and toward the course of bricks that is below the weep. Predictably, these downsides lead to rust and erosion of the weep component and the masonry courses around it. If left untreated, adhesion and wrapping will cause deterioration of the component to the point that a penetration occurs of the components require replacement.
The disclosed device resolves the aforementioned problems by providing an additional vertical leg on the outside of the brick face, and by manufacturing flashing out of thermally isolating materials.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED INVENTION
The disclosed devices may be viewed in several parts or used as a combination. A first disclosed embodiment is a lintel flashing element comprising a first vertical leg, a weep extending forwardly from the first vertical leg. A second vertical leg then extends downwardly from the free end of the weep. The second vertical leg is oriented in the direction opposite the first vertical leg, but substantially parallel to the first vertical leg, and in parallel to the exterior of the wythe below the weep. The first surface of the weep configured to support a course of a building material including masonry, whereas the first vertical leg is configured to be parallel to an interior surface of the wythe.
It is preferred that the various disclosed embodiments and variation of the lintel flashing element are preferably constructed from a polymeric composition which is thermally isolating, waterproof, and resists rust and decay. Such polymeric composition is preferably reinforced with fibrous materials for strength and durability.
One of the novel features of the disclosed solution is a weep is comprised of a top section and a bottom section which are joined together. The linkage is achieved with the bottom section having at least one rib, which corresponds to at least one groove in the top section. Each such rib is received within each such groove. It should be noted that the rib may be in the top section, with the bottom section having a groove. The rib and groove may extend the entire length of the top and bottom sections or part of the length thereof.
A combination weep as described above, is suitable for accommodating top and bottom sections that are not equal in dimensions with each other. For example, the bottom section may be wider than the top section and extend beyond the top section. Alternatively, the top section may be wider than the bottom section.
The bottom section preferably comprises a second vertical leg that extends downwardly from the weep. The second vertical leg preferably extends downwardly and at an angle, preferably a right angle, from the free end of the second section. The second vertical leg may extend along the front or the rear of the wythe. Meaning that the second vertical leg may be parallel or co-planar to the first vertical leg.
The free end of the second vertical leg may additionally comprise at least one additional weep element. The at least one additional weep element would run in parallel and set apart configuration to the weep. Preferably the first additional weep would be placed below the course of building material that is below the main weep. Among other benefits, the second weep provides additional drainage for any moisture accumulating at the course of building material, such as masonry, that is below the main weep.
The second half of the disclosed flashing solution discloses a sill drainage element. The disclosed sill flashing element comprises a first section and a second section. The first and said second sections are adjacent to each other, and preferably made of a single continuous piece of material. The first section has a flat top surface, with the top surface of the second section sloping on a downward angle from the top surface of the first section. It is preferably that the sill is made out of a polymeric composition which is preferably thermally isolating, waterproof, and resists rust and decay.
The first and second sections may be at different levels, with a rise separating the top surfaces of first and second sections. Preferably, the sill contains a vertical leg that extends upward from a back end of the top surface of the first section. This vertical leg is configured to be aligned behind a window or door frame on the wall's interior. The first purpose of the vertical leg is to ensure that backflow or overflow of moisture on the sill, which happens to penetrate beneath a frame, will not go further into the interior, but will be dammed behind the frame, and then eventually flow down the top surfaces of the first and second sections and away from the wall. The vertical leg also provides an additional mounting and stiffness point for a window or doorframe being installed over the disclosed sill.
It is preferred that at least one end of the disclosed sill drainage element further comprises a vertical dam section. The vertical dam section may be unitary with the end of the sill or combined with the sill as an additional component during installation. The vertical dam section is configured to create a lip which extends beyond the surfaces of the sill, and which at least extends vertically above each top surface of the first and said second sections.
The end of the sill may further comprise a recess, whereas a vertical sill section may comprise a protruding lug. The protruding lug is then designed to nest within the recess to secure the vertical dam section and to ensure that it is properly aligned with the sill. The protruding lug may be in the shape of a lug or dovetail or any other shape that fits into the recess in a key and key-hole fashion.
The sill component may further comprise a pan section mounting onto a wall below the sill, and which then supports the first and second sections of the sill.
Additional disclosed drainage flashing elements include an element having a first leg, where a second leg extends at an angle, preferably a right angle, from the free end of the first leg. The second leg comprises a plurality of openings for attaching the flashing element and for drainage.
Still another embodiment of the drainage flashing comprises a first leg, where a second leg extends at an angle, preferably a right angle, from the free end of the first leg. A lip extends outward from the surface of the second lea in a direction opposite that of the first lea. The first leg and lip are preferably in a non-overlapping, parallel and offset relation to each other.
Still another embodiment of the drainage flashing comprises a first leg, where a second leg extends at an angle, preferably a right angle, from the free end of the first leg. A lip extends outward from the surface of the second leg in a direction opposite that of the first leg; the lip being in a parallel and set apart configuration with the second leg. In this embodiment, the top surface of the lip and the top surface of the second leg each configured to support a course of building material, such as masonry. In this orientation the courses of building material are stacked into a wythe, with the lip separating one course of building material with the course of building material supported by the second wall.
In yet another embodiment, disclosed is a drainage flashing element comprising at least two L-sections. The first L-section is made of a first leg. A second leg extending at an angle, preferably a right angle, from a free end of the first leg. The first leg of the next L-section extending downwardly from a free end of the second leg of the first L-section. The second leg of the next L-section extending at an angle, preferably a right angle, from a free end of the first leg of the next L-section. The last of the L-sections of the disclosed flashing further contains lip which extends downward and at an anile, preferably a right angle, from the free end of the second leg of the last of the at least two L-sections. This lip is disposed to drape over the exterior surface of the supporting masonry. Such lip is then designed to promote the flow of water flowing down the exterior surface of a wall's façade.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1A-1C demonstrate sideview of the disclosed assembled lintel flashing elements.
FIG. 2 is a contextual representation of the lintel flashing shown in FIG. 1C.
FIGS. 3,4, 5 and 5B are contextual diagrams of the lintel flashing shown in FIGS. 1A-1C.
FIG. 6 shows an exploded diagram of the drainage sill.
FIG. 7 is a diagram of the drainage sill with additional vertical dam elements.
FIG. 7A is a frontal diagram of the preferred embodiment of the disclosed sill device.
FIG. 8 is a diagram of the drainage sill with vertical leg and a mounting pan.
FIG. 9 demonstrates an additional embodiment of the drainage sill with vertical lea and a mounting pan.
FIGS. 9A-9H demonstrate the many variations of the seating lip and groove of the disclosed sill device.
FIG. 10 is a contextual figure showing a drainage sill.
FIG. 11 demonstrates a contextual figure showing the operating of both the lintel flashing and the drainage sill in the context of a window frame.
FIGS. 12-15 demonstrate several alternative embodiments of the drainage flashing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.
Shown in FIGS. 1A-1C is a lintel flashing element 10. The lintel flashing element 10 is comprised of a first vertical leg 30. The first vertical leg 30 extends from the free end 32 and the distal end 33. The distance between the free end 32 and the distal end 33, also known as the height of the first vertical leg 30, is preferably equivalent to a height of one to three courses of masonry assembled in a vvythe. The first vertical leg 30 is configured to mount on the interior side of a wythe and is designed to capture any moisture flowing down the interior side of the wythe and then to channel it toward a weep. It should be appreciated by one skilled in the art, that although the figures demonstrate the disclosed embodiments in the context of walls made out of masonry, other building materials, such as wood paneling, wood logs, metal or glass panels, or a combination of materials and methods, would still benefit from the disclosed invention.
The weep 20 extends forwardly and at an angle, preferably a right angle, from the first end 32 of the first vertical leg 30. The angle 31 may be greater than 90°, if the top surface 22 slopes downward. The weep 22 is intended to direct moisture captured by the first vertical leg 30 toward the exterior end 35, which preferably protrudes from the exterior side of the wythe.
FIGS. 1B and 1C, which are alternatives of the preferred embodiment of the disclosed lintel flashing, demonstrate a second vertical leg 40, which extends downwardly from a free end 44 of the weep 20. The second vertical leg 40 extends downwardly, and at an angle, which may be a right angle or a reflex angle with respect to the weep 20. The second vertical leg 40 is intended to encourage water flow down the exterior side of the wall rather than accumulate through adhesion at the exterior end 35, as is the case with the present state of the art.
FIGS. 1A-1C demonstrate a two-piece assembled weep 20, comprised of a top section 22 and a bottom section 24. The bottom section 24 is shown having at least one rib 26. Preferably, the bottom section 24 has two ribs. The front rib 26a and the back rib 26b. Each rib is preferably made of a first wall 27a, which extends up from the second section 24, and a second wall 27b, which extends perpendicular to the free end of the first wall 27a. The second wall 27b is configured to fit within the grove 28 within the top section 22. The second walls 27b of the front rib 26a and the back rib 26b preferably face each other, with dovetail ends 29 of the top section fitting within the grove created by the rib 26. This interlocking configuration ensures coupling strength and downward structural stiffness of the combined weep 20. Once skilled in the art is able to appreciate that ribs 26 may alternatively issue from the top section 22, with the bottom section 24 having the grooves 28.
In FIG. 1A, the second vertical leg 40 is co-planar with the first vertical leg 30. Issuing from the free end 41 of the second vertical leg 40, is the second weep 50. The second weep 50 is preferably parallel and in set apart configuration with the first weep 30. The distance between the first and second weeps may be on ore more masonry courses, with at least one masonry course configured to fit within the cavity 54 between the first and second weeps, 30 and 50, respectively. The second weep 50 catches and drains any additional moisture which, through adhesion to the exterior end 35 had ran along the bottom surface 25 of the first weep 30. Unlike prior art, where this flow of moisture would end up on the interior side of a wall, and likely causing a moisture penetration thereof, in the methodologies disclosed in the present application, this moisture is captured and redrained. Once skilled in the art would appreciate that additional weeps may be added below the second weep 50.
In FIG. 1B, the width 27 is equal to the width of the top section 22. In FIG. 1C, the width 27 is greater than the width of the top section 22. The extra width creates a ledge 52, which provides an additional overhang for a flat wythe or covers an extruded course of masonry below the weep 20. All components shown in FIGS. 1A— IC may be manufactured from steel or from a thermally isolating and rust resistant material, such as resins, polymer, rubber or treated wood.
One of the practical applications of the lintel flashing 10 is demonstrated in FIG. 2. Shown is a wythe 62. The bottom course 60 is installed over the top surface of the weep 20. In the diagram shown, the weep 20 is narrower than the width of the wythe 62. However, the width of the bottom section 24 is wider than the top section 22, which forms the weep. The ledge 52 is then used to overhang the top section 66 of the window frame 64, with the second vertical leg 40 extending downward along the exterior side 35 of the façade, and in the instant diagram, the window 64. The assembled quality of the disclosed lintel flashing allows the installer to vary the width 27 of the weep 20 to be always greater than the width of the brick course 60 as is recommended by sound construction practices.
Shown in FIG. 3 is a contextual representation of the embodiment described in FIG. 1B. Shown is first vertical wall 30, the weep 20, and the second vertical wall 40. The weep 20 is constructed from the top section 22 and the bottom section 24 that are lined together using ribs 26 interlocking with dovetail ends 29, or described alternatively, as ribs 26 interlocking with grooves 28. In FIG. 27 the width 27 is less than the width of the wythe 62 creating a ledge 54, which may be desired for structural or stylistic considerations.
In FIG. 4, shown is a further contextual representation of the embodiment described in FIG. 1C. Shown is first vertical wall 30, the weep 20, and the second vertical wall 40. The weep 20 is constructed from the top section 22 and the bottom section 24 that are lined together using ribs 26 interlocking with dovetail ends 29, or described alternatively, as ribs 26 interlocking with grooves 28. In FIG. 27 the width 27 is less than the width of the wythe 62. However, the width of the bottom section 24 is equal to that of the wythe 62, which creates an additional overhanging section 52, which leads to the second vertical wall 40.
FIG. 5 demonstrates another usage for the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A. Shown is the lintel flashing 10, having the first vertical leg 30, the weep 22, which is made from the top section 22 and the bottom section 24. The second vertical leg 40 is co-planar with the first vertical leg 30 and is part of the bottom section 24. A second weep 50 extends forwardly from the second vertical leg 40. The second vertical leg 40 is adjacent to or bolted to the recessed structural element 70. In this configuration, the lintel flashing 10 provides drainage to the courses of masonry above the lintel flashing 10 (not shown), while integrating the upper courses with a recessed portion of a wall and ensuring that no drainage gap exists between the two sections.
FIG. 5B is another contextual diagram of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A. Shown is the lintel flashing 10, having the first vertical leg 30, the weep 22, which is made from the top section 22 and the bottom section 24. The second vertical leg 40 is co-planar with the first vertical leg 30 and is part of the bottom section 24. A second weep 50 extends forwardly from the second vertical leg 40. The lintel flashing 10 is shown mounted over a window frame 64, with the second weep 50 supporting a course of masonry directly above the frame 64 and the weep 30 supporting a course of masonry 69. Notably present is the overhanding section 57 extending beyond the second weep 50 and at a lightly reflex angle with respect to the orientation of the second weep 50.
FIG. 6 demonstrates a drainage sill 80, having a first section 82 and a second section 84. The first and second sections 82 and 84 are adjacent to each other. The first section 62 preferably flat, with a top surface 85 configured to support a window frame or another structural element that interrupts a section of a wall. The top surface 87 of the second section 84 preferably slopes on a downward or downward angle or reflex angle with respect to the top surface 85 of the first section 82. The second section 84 is configured to support a course of masonry that is installed just below a windowsill, and which by recommendation of sounding construction practices, or in accordance with applicable construction code is installed sloping downward, and away from the first section 82. The first section 82 is separated from the second section 84 by a rise 86, which is preferably equal to or greater than the height of the masonry installed on the second section 84. The first and second sections 82 and 84, respectively, along with the rise 86 are also intended to contribute to channeling moisture toward the exterior end 88 of the disclosed sill element 80.
Providing a damming function at the ends 90 of the sill 80 is the vertical dam section 100, having the interior surface 104, exterior surface 106 and a positioning lug 102. The edge 108 preferably extends beyond all exterior surfaces of the sill 80 providing a damming lip all around the surfaces 82 and 84. The interior surface 104 may be cast together with the sill 80 or may be a separate component that is glued or welded to at least one end 90 of the sill 80 during installation.
The recess 94 is shown along the bottom surface of the sill 80 but may be placed anywhere along the 2 butt ends 90 of the sill 80. The recess may be utilized as a point of attachment for the barb or lug 102, band can also be used to properly seat the vertical damming section 100 during installation.
FIG. 7 demonstrates a fully assembled drainage sill 80 comprising a vertical dam section 100 at each end 90. The lip 108 extends beyond all surfaces of the sill 80 to capture any moisture that may be flowing along these surfaces. The lip 108 is part of the vertical dam element 100 or may itself be an integral edge feature of the drainage sill 80. The lip 108 blocks the flow of moisture along the length of the first or second sections 82 or 84, respectively, which may penetrate building materials installs to the side of the disclosed sill 80. The joint where the end 90 meets the rest of the wall is usually the most vulnerable location for leaks that the lip 108 is designed to alleviate. It should be noted that the exterior surface 106 of each vertical dam section 100 is attached to masonry other structural elements present on either side of the sill 80.
FIG. 7A demonstrates the preferred embodiment of the sill 80 showing the first section 82, the second section 84, and the vertical dam elements 100 at each end 90. The presence of the vertical leg 110 in the back end 111 of the first section 82 greatly improves the water drainage benefits of the disclosed sill 80. The vertical leg 110 and the lip 108 ensure that the only way the moisture moves is in the direction 112 and over the forward edge 88. This ensures that moisture is flowing along the exterior of a wall and minimizes the possibility of water penetration. Furthermore, the vertical leg 110 increases the cheek portion 109 of the lip 108. The cheek portion 109 is the location where a window frame abuts the lip 108 and the raised lip afforded by the cheek portion 109 helps great deal of runoff caused by rain, or holds all or majority of snow drifts that may be deposited onto the first section 82 during the winter.
FIG. 8 demonstrates an additional important feature of the sill 80. Shown at the vertical leg 110 protruding upward from the back end 111 of the first section 82. The vertical leg 110 is configured to be aligned with the interior side of a window from being installed on the top surface 85. The vertical leg 110 functions as an additional protection against moisture that may penetrate beneath the frame and into the interior of a wall. The vertical leg 110 also ensures proper installation of a frame along the sill 80. While FIG. 8 does not demonstrate the vertical dam elements 100 the vertical leg 110 will not prevent installation of the vertical dam element 100. The vertical dam element 100 and the vertical leg 110 complement each other in restricting the flow of water from penetrating the interior and side surfaces surrounding the sill 80.
Also shown in the FIG. 8 is a mounting pan 120, which is mounted directly onto the wall surface below the disclosed sill 80. The mounting pan 120 is shown having an upper rib 122 which is nested within the recess 94. It should be noted that the recess 94, as well as the upper rib 122 may extend the length of the sill 80 and are used to strengthen the sill 80. The upper rib 122 in combination with the recess 94 also serves to properly seat the sill 80 on top of the mounting pan 120. Shown in FIG. 9 is a further variation of the sill demonstrating the mounting pan 120 having a seating groove 126 for positioning the mounting pan 120 on the supporting wall. The groove 126, when combined with the upper rib 122 doubles as a reinforcement element that improves stiffness of the sill. While the recess 94 and the upper rib 122 are shown at the back portion 111 of the sill 80, this positioning is not mandatory and other location are possible. The mounting pan 120 is preferred for commercial and large-scale uses of the sill 80 where greater weight support is required. It should be noted that while embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 and 7A do not feature mounting pans 120, those embodiments may be used in conjunction with the mounting pan 120.
FIGS. 9A-9E demonstrate the various shapes of the recess 94, the upper rib 122 and the seating groove 126. In FIG. 9A the recess 94 is shown along the bottom surface 96 of the sill 80. In FIG. 9A and in 9B, the recess is square at its cross section or cuboid for its entire length. In FIG. 9C the recess 94 forms a dovetail connection with the upper rib 122. The groove 126 in FIG. 9C is also shown as an isosceles trapezoid. The recess 94 and upper rib 122 are shown rounded in FIG. 9D. FIGS. 9E-9H parallel the shapes of the recess 94, the upper rib 122 and the groove 126 shown in FIGS. 9A-9D, with the important addition of the vertical leg 110 in the back end 111. It should be noted, that while the recess 94 and the groove 126 appear towards the back end 111, both can be placed anywhere along the bottom surfaces of their respective components.
FIGS. 10 and 11 are contextual drawings of the lintel flashing 10 and the sill drainage element 80. FIG. 10 shows a window frame 64 mounted onto the first section 82 of the sill 80. The sill is mounted over a supporting course of masonry 64. The second section 84 overhangs the wythe 62, such that water flowing down the window frame 66, then running off of the sill 80, will not constantly hit the supporting masonry course 64. The lower portion 63 of the frame 64 is mounted just in from of the vertical leg 110.
FIG. 11 demonstrates that the lintel flashing 10 and the drainage element 80 work in combination to channel the flow of moisture such that a) moisture does not penetrate into the interior of the wall and b) that the masonry directly below the sill is not quickly eroded due to ongoing water discharge from the sill 80. Shown is the lintel flashing 10 having the first vertical leg 30, the weep 20, the overhang 52 of the bottom section 24, and the second vertical leg 40 which extends downwardly along the exterior 37 of the window frame 64. Below the window frame 64 is the sill element 80, which is shown having the vertical dam elements 100 at either end 90 of the sill element 80. The disclosed combination of the lintel flashing 10 and the sill drainage 80 act together to channel moisture away from the interior when encountering a window frame 64, or any other form of wall interruption, while the sill 80 with the vertical dam elements 100 services to maintain the flow of water along the exterior of the wall 62.
Shown in FIG. 12 is an additional variation to the disclosed flashing elements. The shown drainage flashing element is comprised of a first leg. Extending at an angle 144, preferably a right angle, from the free end 141 of the first leg 142 is the second leg 146. A plurality of openings 148 through the second leg 146 provide mounting and drainage ports for the flashing element shown.
FIG. 13 shows a drainage flashing element 150 comprising the first leg 152. Extending at an angle 154, preferably a right angle, from a free end 151, is a second leg 156. Extending from the second leg 156 is a lip 158 extending outwardly in an opposite direction from the first leg 152. The first leg 152 and lip 158 are in an offset and parallel relation to each other.
FIG. 14 discloses yet another variation of the drainage flashing, which could serve as another embodiment of the lintel flashing. Shown is the first leg 162. Extending from the free end 161 of the first leg 162, is the second leg 168. The second leg 168 is oriented preferably at a aright angle with respect to the first leg 162. A lip 168 extends perpendicularly from the first leg 162, and along the length of the first leg 162; the lip 168 being in a parallel and spaced apart configuration to the second leg 168. The second leg 168 supporting a first course of masonry 172, with the lip completely or partially supporting a second course of masonry 170, which is above the first course of masonry 172.
1. Still another variation of the lintel drainage element 180 is disclosed in FIG. 15. Shown is a drainage flashing element 180 with at least two L-sections. The first L-section 182 is comprised of the first leg 186. Extending from the free end 187 of the first said first leg 186 is the second leg 188. Notably the second leg 188 is oriented at an angle, preferably a right angle with respect to the first leg 186. Furthermore, the first leg 186 is preferably a vertical leg, with the second leg 188 extending outwardly at substantially a right angle with respect to the first leg 186. Extending downwardly from the second leg 188 of the first L-section 182 is the first leg 190 of the next or second 184 of the at least two L-sections. Extending outwardly from a free end 192 of the first leg 190 of the next L-section 184 is the second leg 194. The second leg 194 of the next L-section 184 is preferably perpendicular to the first leg 192. A lip 196 then extends downwardly from the free end 197 of the second leg 194 of the last L-section 184. Notably, the last L-section shown in FIG. 15 is L-section 184. However, in an embodiment having several L-sections linked together, the lip 196 would extend downward from the last such L-section. The purpose of the lip is to promote the flow of moisture downward and to discourage adhesive accumulation at the free end 197. It should be noted further that embodiments shown in FIGS. 12-15 are preferably manufactured out of thermally isolating and rust resistant materials.
Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventions may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present inventions. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices and components, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on-—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present inventions even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure, however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Parameters identified as “approximate” or “about” a specified value are intended to include both the specified value and values within 10% of the specified value, unless expressly stated otherwise. Further, it is to be understood that the drawings accompanying the present disclosure may, but need not, be to scale, and therefore may be understood as teaching various ratios and proportions evident in the drawings. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention, the inventions instead being set forth in the appended claims, as currently written or as amended or added in the future. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.
Patent Application
20240159045
