Abstract
A device for insulating the slab foundation of a building, where the device includes: an asymmetric three sided water repellent layer having a sloped portion; an insulating layer, adjacent to and within the water repellent layer; and an insect repellent layer disposed against one side of the insulating layer between the water repellent layer and the insulating layer.
Claims
1. A system for insulating the slab foundation of a building, said system comprising: an asymmetric channel, said channel comprising a vertical side, a sloped top and stepped side wherein said sloped top is disposed between and connects said vertical side and said stepped side; an R-10, insect resistant foam inner layer disposed within said channel.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is prefabricated and comprises a material selected from the group consisting of extruded foam, polyisocyanurate foam, expanded foam, insulated foil bubble wrap, and blown insulation.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the material comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of an insecticide, an herbicide, and a fungicide.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device has an R-value of at least about 5 per inch of material thickness.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0042] The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given hereinafter and from the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. However, the drawings and descriptions herein should not be taken to limit the invention; they are for explanation and understanding only.
[0043] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a typical monolithic building foundation slab with a prior art insulation system.
[0044] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a typical non-monolithic building foundation slab with a prior art insulation system.
[0045] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a slab insulation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a slab insulation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0048] The present invention will be discussed hereinafter in detail in terms of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be obvious, however, to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instance, well-known structures are not shown in detail in order to avoid unnecessary obscuring of the present invention.
[0049] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word exemplary or illustrative means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any implementation described herein as exemplary or illustrative is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.
[0050] All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. In the present description, the terms upper, lower, left, rear, right, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.
[0051] Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a typical monolithic floating slab for the foundation of a residential or commercial building with a prior art insulation system. As shown in FIG. 1, a typical, monolithic, floating slab foundation system comprises a concrete slab; a gravel layer; strength enhancing, preferably steel, reinforcement members within the slab.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, this prior art system may further comprise a rigid insulated sheathing disposed against an exterior edge of the slab and a plastic or rubber gasket membrane disposed on the ground facing, exterior wall of the rigid sheathing. The membrane functions to protect the insulation from damage due to pest infestation or moisture.
[0054] Referring still to FIG. 1, an exterior wall of a residential or commercial building disposed on top of the slab foundation and the membrane is shown. The building wall may have exterior and interior insulated sheathing.
[0055] One problem with the prior art system shown in FIG. 1 is that a break exists between the above ground and below ground exterior insulation. Consequently, significant heat can escape the building through the slab and between the two insulation segments.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a typical non-monolithic floating slab for the foundation of a residential or commercial building with a prior art insulation system. As shown in FIG. 2, a typical, monolithic, floating slab foundation system generally comprises a concrete slab; a gravel layer; and strength enhancing, steel reinforcement members within the slab.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 2, the slab is poured such that it comprises a generally horizontal top and a plurality of vertical walls disposed around the perimeter of the horizontal top. The walls are entrenched in ground, preferably at a depth of about 3 feet. As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the perimeter of the slab rests on a footer. The slab further includes a plurality of reinforcing members disposed vertically within the slab. The reinforcing members are oriented such that they cross from the perimeter walls of the slab into and through the horizontal top portion of the slab.
[0058] Referring again to FIG. 2, the horizontal top of the slab rests atop a layer of gravel. A polymer membrane is disposed atop the layer of gravel, and a horizontal layer of foam insulation is disposed between the polymer membrane and the bottom of the horizontal portion of the slab. The foam insulation provides a thermal break for the slab and functions as a mechanical expansion joint. The polymer membrane prevents moisture from damaging the horizontally disposed foam insulation layer.
[0059] Referring again to FIG. 2, there is shown a frame around the vertical walls of the slab. The frame itself has two vertical walls that sandwich the vertical perimeter walls of the slab as shown in FIG. 2.
[0060] As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the exterior walls of a building rest on the slab such that they are generally collinear with the perimeter walls of the slab. The walls of the building generally comprise an interior drywall layer and an exterior insulated sheathing layer.
[0061] Referring still to FIG. 2, a polymer membrane is disposed between the bottom of the building exterior walls and the top of the horizontal portion of the slab.
[0062] A problem with the prior art systems shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is that the interior flooring in such a system cannot be secured without breaking or coming loose in the corners such that certain desirable floorings, such as tile cannot be used. Past methods such as bringing the interior foam to the top of the slab with a beveled edge on the top of the slab have caused defection between the slab and footer area of slab, separation between slab and footer area of slab due to lack of a monolithic pour with the foam being the barrier.
[0063] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 10000 according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 3, insulation apparatus 10000 comprises a water repelling shield layer 1000. Shield 1000 comprises generally straight vertical components 105 and 110 connected by a sloped horizontal component 115. In one preferred embodiment, vertical component 110 is about 1.5 inches tall, and opposing, vertical component 105 is about 3.5 inches tall. Horizontal component 115 connects to the top of shorter vertical component 105 and preferably slopes at an angle of about 30 degrees until it connects with the opposing (taller) vertical component.
[0064] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, shield 1000 is comprised of a generally water repellent material. As further illustrated in FIG. 3, shield 1000 further comprises a vertical lip 120 by which shield 1000 is attached to the side of a building near the foundation. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, components 150, 110, 115, and 120 of shield layer 1000 are comprised of a single extruded, molded, or machined piece. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate that shield 1000 may comprise multiple pieces connected by welding, adhesion, or other known manufacturing methods.
[0065] Referring still to FIG. 3, shield 3000 is disposed on top of and attached to an insulating layer 3000. Insulating layer 3000 comprises a material selected from the group consisting of extruded foam, polyisocyanurate foam, expanded foam, insulated foil bubble wrap, and blown insulation. Additionally, insulating layer 3000 may comprise additives selected from the group consisting of an insecticide, an herbicide, and a fungicide. Preferably, the material of insulating layer 3000 comprises has an R-value of at least about 5 per inch of material thickness.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 3, insulating layer 3000 comprises a generally cuboid shape that is vertically elongated when viewed from the side. The depth, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a perspective view of apparatus 10000, of insulating layer 3000 may be of any desired length.
[0067] Returning to FIG. 3, apparatus 10000 further comprises an insect repellent and/or moisture repellent barrier 2000 disposed against the out side (opposite building) of insulating layer 3000 between vertical shield member 110 of shield 1000 and insulating layer 3000. In a preferred embodiment, the overall height of apparatus 10000 is about 12 to 14 inches.
[0068] Turning now to FIG. 3 and to FIG. 4 collectively, there is shown apparatus 10000 in use with building having a slab foundation. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, apparatus 10000 has one side that abuts and is attached to a building, such as a house, having a slab foundation. The second side of apparatus 10000 faces away from the building.
[0069] As illustrated in FIG. 4, apparatus 10000 directly abuts the slab foundation of a building and it attached thereto via bonding strip 4000 which is disposed on the house side of apparatus 10000 near the bottom of the same.
[0070] Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, apparatus 10000 further comprises vertical flange 120, which extends vertically up from horizontal member 115 at the intersection of member 115 and 105. Apparatus 10000 is further connected to a building via flange 120. In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, flange 120 is attached to an adjacent building by a plurality of fasteners, specifically nails 10. Apparatus 10000 may further comprise a seal 5000 between flange 120 and the adjacent building. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate that other attachments means could be used, such as adhesives, other mechanical fasteners, snap fit connections or the like. The extruded shield 1000 is overlapped by the siding of the building, and it allows rain to run off the building without affecting apparatus 10000, which stops air infiltration between the slab and ambient conditions.
[0071] The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications, or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. It should be understood, therefore, that the above description is of an exemplary embodiment of the invention and included for illustrative purposes only. The description of the exemplary embodiment is not meant to be limiting of the invention. A person of ordinary skill in the field of the invention or the relevant technical art will understand that variations of the invention are included within the scope of the claims.
