Patent Application
20200149287
The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
The present invention relates generally to the field of static structures (e.g., buildings) of existing art and more specifically relates to panels.
Many people in modern society live in dwellings and work in commercial buildings. There are many different finishes on these buildings. The finishes are designed to be esthetic and to protect the building from being degraded by environmental elements such as rain, sun, snow and the like. One such finish is stucco. Stucco is relatively durable and is cost-effective to install. However, many times stucco can be difficult to install on-site especially during hot or cold weather conditions. In situ stucco application can be a labor intensive process that often requires ideal or near-ideal conditions to complete. There is currently no “all season” solution for stucco be it for siding or in-situ applications. A suitable solution is desired.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,835 to Ned Santarossa relates to an exterior insulating finish panel system. The described exterior insulating finish panel system includes a method of cladding a building wall surface with individual prefabricated panels and trim mouldings with any fasteners and joints between the panels and trim being covered on site with a coating of stucco to produce a flush finished stucco surface. Each panel has a uniform transverse cross-sectional profile, and a core of foam material coated with a weatherproof stucco coating on its exterior surface. Tongue and groove joints are disposed along the longitudinal surfaces and a longitudinal recess in the exterior surface adjacent each tongue and groove joint is adapted to receive a layer of joint coating to fill the recess and cover the longitudinal joints flush with the external surface. The wall surface is installed by cutting the elongate cladding panels to the approximate length of the wall and mounting the cladding panels temporarily to the wall substrate, such as plywood for example. The exterior surface of the panels is aligned to a predetermined outside finish datum and fasteners secure the cladding panels to the substrate without creating a thermally conductive bridge between the substrate and the external ambient atmosphere. The openings around doors and windows, vertical corners and other details are finished by cutting, mounting and affixing elongate transverse end trim mouldings to cover the end surfaces of the cladding panels. Installation is completed by applying a joint coating to cover the joints and filling the adjacent recesses flush with the exterior surface of the panels, then applying a final finish coat to the entire wall assembly.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known static structures (e.g., buildings) art, the present disclosure provides a novel panelized EIFS stucco-siding system and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an efficient and effective panelized EIFS stucco-siding system for use in construction projects.
The present invention is a panelized EIFS stucco siding system with a locking edge. The invention is a pre-finished stucco siding panel system that can be installed in any weather condition without extra preparation or consideration. It utilizes a “SL” trim lock system that can be installed by professionals or can be used by the DIY (do-it-yourselfer). It provides a weather tight cladding system that adds aesthetic appeal and insulation value to the building envelope. A joint solution/compound may or may not be used for additional sealing. Additional anchoring may be used down the right side of the panel ensuring joints remain secured.
A panelized EIFS stucco siding system in a preferred embodiment is disclosed herein comprising: at least one pre-finished panel assembly, each at least one pre-finished panel assembly including a body having a front-face comprising a pre-finish-surface, a rear-face, and a thickness, with an integrated drainage system. The panelized EIFS stucco siding system comprises a plurality of the at least one pre-finished panel assemblies installed in functional and locked (interlocked) combination. The body is defined by the front-face, and the rear-face separated by the thickness; the rear-face mounted (fastened via fastening means) adjacent a host-building in-use. The integrated drainage system comprises an exterior channel; wherein the exterior channel is sloped from center to promote drainage and a slight overlap during installation of an upper-panel over a lower-panel sheds liquid from the front-face outwardly. The integrated drainage system further comprises a drainage-channel passing around the perimeter of the body (these are interconnected between panels via locking together, snap-fitting or the like). The body is mountable to the host-building via a nail-anchor-strip and at least one fastener; wherein the nail-anchor-strip further functions as a top-panel-support. The body has at least one tongue and groove profile on a top and bottom of the body. Longitudinal edges and longitudinal edges may be tongue and groove or other suitable recess (female/male coupling means) to connect and lock the panels in functional combination.
The present invention may further comprise a cross-panel-support with nail-anchor mounted on a right-side of the rear-face of the body; wherein the cross-panel-support is an I-channel and is centered on the right-side of the rear-face of the body, and may further comprise a nail-strip; wherein the nail-strip preferably comprises slotted-apertures to allow for expansion and contraction caused by ambient temperatures. The nail-strip comprises perforations to allow flow of liquid (water, condensation, etc.) downwardly.
The drainage-channel mentioned herein is vertically oriented relationally speaking when the panelized EIFS stucco siding system is in use; wherein the drainage-channel is vertically oriented preferably ½ inch deep with a cross-hatch adjacent the front-face of the body. Other dimensionings may be used. At least one pre-finished panel assembly comprises a stucco pre-finish-surface or other such desired finish (e.g. stained concrete or patterned concrete finishes) to provide pleasing and functional aesthetics. As such the integrated drainage system is integrated into each body such that when in combination the panelized EIFS stucco siding system is interlocked between panels, the panels being installed on the host-building, is protected from damage due to environmental elements.
The panelized EIFS stucco siding system may further comprise a set of instructions; wherein the panelized EIFS stucco siding system is arranged as a kit for sale to a DIY (do-it-yourself) or commercial installer.
A method of use/installation for the panelized EIFS stucco siding system is also disclosed herein the method comprising the steps of: providing the panelized EIFS stucco siding system comprising: at least one pre-finished panel assembly, each of the at least one pre-finished panel assembly including, a (substantially 3-D rectangular) body having a front-face comprising a pre-finish-surface, a rear-face, a thickness, and an integrated drainage system; and installing (from left to right) a plurality of the pre-finished panel assemblies in an inter-locked relationship to form a cladding; the front-face comprising the pre-finish-surface outwardly facing and the rear-face adjacent an exterior wall of a host-building such that the host-building is protected from damage due to environmental elements via liquid (rain, condensation, melted snow and ice) being transferred using the integrated drainage system away from the host-building. The method may further comprise the steps of installing the pre-finished panel assemblies as the panelized EIFS stucco siding system over a building wrap, a first-course starter strip perforated for both front and back drainage, the integrated drainage systems to drain the liquid downwardly to the ground and installing a cap to finish a top-course; wherein the panelized EIFS stucco siding system is able to be installed in a range of weather conditions. Trim of various profiles may be used as needed. The present invention is mounted via any suitable fastening means.
For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a panelized EIFS stucco siding system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.
The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to static structures (e.g., buildings) and more particularly to a panelized EIFS stucco siding system as used to improve the ease of installation of stucco finish in panel form on construction projects.
Generally, the prefinished stucco panel system can be installed in virtually any weather without extra preparations or additional considerations. When combined with the “SL” trim lock system the present invention can be installed by professional or the DYI (do-it-yourselfer). The panelized stucco panels comprise a locking edge. The system installs over building wrap and begins with a starter strip along the bottom of the wall or area of wall. All trim is installed prior to installing any panels. Working from left to right each course is started at the left and fitting into the left hand trim (fits under trim). Once a desired height is reached or the wall is completely clad a cap piece is installed to finish the top course.
What the system achieves: a weather tight cladding system that adds beauty and insulation value to the building envelope; an “all season” solution for stucco in a traditional siding application. The present system can be installed as easily as vinyl siding and in all the same conditions, i.e. rain and cold do not affect the ability to install this system. Residential products may have various panel sizes and geometric design possibilities. For commercial jobs the panels may be built to spec in whatever size is required. Residential panels may be re-enforced with vinyl (or similar suitable material) “H” beams (or I-channels) installed horizontally through the panel. Commercial panels may be re-enforced with heavier metal or similar “H” beams to compensate for higher shear strength of winds at height. The system installs like traditional siding systems right over the building wrap (tar paper or TYVEK™).
The present device features: 1. A tongue and groove interlocking edge; 2. An integrated drainage system; 3. Easy installation; 4. Is cost effective; 5. All weather installation; and 6. Manufactured in a controlled environment. Additional benefits would be 1) A dual drainage system; and 2) Integrated support system to prevent the panel(s) from bending/bulging from expansion and contraction (also allows panel to move horizontally); and 3) Additional anchoring down the right side of panel ensuring joints remain secured.
Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in
Referring now to the panel assemblies 110; the body 120 is defined by the front-face 122, the rear-face 126 separated in distance by (and joined by) the thickness 128; the rear-face 126 mounted adjacent a host-building in-use (when installed). The integrated drainage system 130 is integrated into each body 120 of the pre-finished panel assembly 110 such that when in combination the panelized EIFS stucco siding system 100 when installed and locked modularly on the host-building is protected from damage due to environmental elements such as rain, and the like.
According to one embodiment, the panelized EIFS stucco siding system 100 may be arranged as a kit. In particular, the panelized EIFS stucco siding system 100 may further include a set of instructions 155. The instructions 155 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the panelized EIFS stucco siding system 100 such that the panelized EIFS stucco siding system 100 can be installed, used, maintained, un-installed or the like, in a preferred manner.
Referring now to
The integrated drainage system 130 of the panelized EIFS stucco siding system 100 comprises an exterior channel 132; wherein the exterior channel 132 is sloped from center or beveled as shown. The bevel is shown such that the watershed is provided towards the outer edges of the panel. An optional top tongue 140 is shown which may be omitted if a vertically installed panel is of adequate height for capping (i.e. both wall and panel are of same height dimension). This feature is optional for vertical installations as shown in
The body 120 preferably has at least one tongue and groove profile 140 which may be found on one or more side edges (top, bottom, right-side, left-side) such that the panels can be interlocked and effectively seal the host-building from weather. The panelized EIFS stucco siding system 100 may further comprise a cross-panel-support 138 with nail-anchor mounted on a right-side of the rear-face 126 of the body 120; wherein the cross-panel-support 138 is centered on the right-side of the rear-face 126 of the body 120 or as otherwise required for support throughout panel body 120. The panelized EIFS stucco siding system 100, further comprises a nail-strip 144; wherein the nail-strip 144 comprises slotted-apertures 146 to allow for expansion and contraction due to ambient environmental temperatures. In this way the present invention is suitable for installation in a wide range of climates (from extreme hot to extreme cold and in-between). The nail-strip 144 comprises perforations to allow flow of liquid (such as rain water or melting snow and ice) downwardly into and along cross hatch back panel secondary drainage 127 as shown in
If required by building codes or other applications (e.g. certain commercial applications), an additional optional waterproof layer 129 may be applied to the rear face 126 of each panel 110. The integrity of the applied waterproofing is maintained through the use of a waterproof adhesive 133 bonding the panels 110 together to create a waterproof envelope. The waterproof layer 129 may be applied, but is not limited to, a spray-on coating or membrane. The addition of the waterproofing thus enables a complete installation with the EIFS stucco siding system 100 in applications that require it.
Referring now to the drainage-channel 134 of the integrated drainage system 130; the drainage-channel 134 is vertically oriented when the panelized EIFS stucco siding system 100 is in use (installed as shown in
Referring now to
It should be noted that step 503 is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.
