NO347677B1

NO347677B1 - A device and method for wall construction including means for preventing ingress of rodents

Info

Publication number: NO347677B1
Application number: NO20220587A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Knut Erik Kvamme; Fredrik Hvitstein Hansen
Original assignee: Knut Erik Kvamme; Fredrik Hvitstein Hansen
Priority date: 2022-05-18
Filing date: 2022-05-18
Publication date: 2024-02-19
Also published as: WO2023222595A1; NO20220587A1

Description

A DEVICE AND METHOD FOR WALL CONSTRUCTION INCLUDING MEANS FOR PREVENTING INGRESS OF RODENTS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wall construction, more particularly to wall construction including means for preventing ingress of rodents.

BACKGROUND

An important step in constructing virtually all buildings is the construction of walls. It is also known to construct walls in a manner that prevents or hinders the ingress of rodents.

While there exits numerous different building techniques around the world for wall construction , one common technique involves the construction of a wooden frame on top of a stone or concrete foundation, with plaster board, also known as “drywall”, or other plate material such as plywood and the like affixed to the framework. Often an outer façade, for example horizontal paneling, is mounted outside the plaster board.

Figures 1-9 illustrate known prior art steps in a common method for constructing such a wall including means for preventing the ingress of rodents.

Fig 1 shows an exploded view of the components and steps in the known method of constructing a wall. The components are shown with references numbers as follows:

Fig 2 is a close up of prior art rodent strip 12, showing mounting holes 14 and extended, flexible fingers 22.

Fig 3 is useful in illustrating the initial steps of the known construction method. Ground plate 6 is mounted onto the foundation 2 using known techniques such as expansion bolts and the like. Vertical studs 8 are mounted on the ground plate to form framework 4. Thereafter plasterboard sheets 10 are attached to the framework, usually by screws or nails. Plasterboard sheets are heavy, however. It therefore requires two or more builders to install the sheets. One builder will hold the sheet such that the bottom edge is level and flush with the foundation, while another builder affixes the screws. The need for two builders to install the plasterboard is inefficient. Fig 4 shows the installed plasterboard in detail.

Fig 5 shows the step for creating an air seal along the lower edge of the wall, as required by certain building codes. A tape 24 is affixed along one edge the bottom of plasterboard 10 and along another edge to foundation 24. Such tape may over time loosen away from the foundation or plasterboard, thereby losing its effectiveness.

Fig 6 illustrates a step in installing rodent protection means. As shown, rodent strips 12 are attached by screws or nails through holes 20 into ground plate 6, with fingers 22 protruding essentially laterally.

Fig 7 illustrates the next step in the wall construction. Furring strips 14 are affixed to the outside of the plasterboard, typically by nails extending into vertical studs 8. As seen, the furring strips press down the flexible fingers 22 allowing the installation over the rodent strip. The length of fingers 22 is essentially the same as the width of the furring strips, as shown in Fig 8.

Fig 9 illustrates the final step, where paneling 18 is mounted to furring strips 14.

When properly constructed, tape 24 creates an air seal between the plasterboard and the foundation, and fingers 24 prevent rodents from entering into the space between the façade and the plasterboard. The prior art method has its drawbacks, however. It requires two builders to install the plasterboard, and the installation of the rodent strips is cumbersome. The tape 24 may also become loose over time. There is therefore a need for an improved building method and device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, the present invention relates to a device for use in wall construction comprising means for preventing ingress of rodents. The device comprises an elongated profile having a fastening section, a support section for supporting plasterboard or other sheet material and rodent ingress-prevention means, wherein:

• the fastening section extends along the length of the profile, and comprises means for fastening the profile to a ground plate of a framework of a wall,

• the support section extends along the length of the profile, and comprises a slot arranged for receiving and supporting plasterboard or other sheet material intended to be mounted to the framework, and

• the rodent ingress-prevention means comprises a plurality of fingers protruding essentially laterally from the profile, the fingers having a length arranged to extend from the profile to the inside of an exterior façade of the wall and a distance between them arranged to prevent rodents from passing between the fingers.

In one aspect, the fastening sections comprises a plurality of holes for receiving screws or nails for attaching the profile to the ground plate, and further wherein the fastening section comprises a first strip of tape fastened on the back side of the fastening section, the first strip of tape having an adhesive section with sufficient adhesion to temporarily hold the profile in place while a user affixes screws or nails through the holes.

In one aspect, the device is provided with a second strip of tape having a releasable part releasably fastened on a topside of the plurality of fingers and a fixed part being permanently fastened to the support section along the length of the profile, the releasable part having an adhesive surface arranged to adhere to the plaster board or other sheet material.

In one aspect, the device is provided with a third strip of tape having a releasable part releasably fastened on an underside of the plurality of fingers and a fixed part being permanently fastened along the length of the profile, the releasable part having an adhesive surface arranged to adhere to a foundation upon which the ground plate is mounted.

According to another aspect, the present invention also relates to a method for building a wall with rodent-ingress protection, comprising attaching a ground plate along an upper surface of a foundation, creating a framework upon the ground plate, comprising studs vertically mounted to the ground plate, and attaching plaster board or other sheet material to the framework, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the method comprises the steps of

a. providing a mounting device according to the invention,

b. attaching the mounting device along an exterior side of the ground plate,

c. inserting a lower end of the plaster board or sheet material into the slot of the mounting device, such that the weight of the plaster board or sheet material is supported by the profile,

d. attaching the plaster board or sheet material to the framework,

e. constructing a façade about the wall, the distance between the inside surface of the façade and the profile being equal to or less than the length of the fingers of the device.

In one aspect, step “a” comprises temporarily fastening the fastening section of the device to the ground plate by the first strip of tape and then entering screws or nails into the ground plate through the plurality of holes in the fastening section.

In one aspect, the method further comprises fastening the second strip of tape to the sheet material.

In one aspect, the framework is constructed to be substantially flush with a front face of the foundation, and wherein the method further comprises fastening the third strip of tape to the foundation.

In one aspect, the construction of the façade comprises mounting vertical furring strips to the plaster board or sheet material and thereafter mounting horizontal paneling to the furring strips, the width of the furring strips being equal to or less than the length of the fingers of the device.

In one aspect, the fingers of the device have tagged projections to further discourage and prevent rodent ingress.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figs 1-9 illustrate the prior art method of constructing a wall with rodent ingress prevention, as described in the background section of the application.

Fig 10 is a perspective view of a device according to one aspect of the invention.

Fig 11 is a side elevational view of the device from Fig 10.

Fig 12 is a perspective view of a device according to one aspect of the invention comprising strips of tape.

Fig 13 is a perspective view of a device according to one aspect of the invention comprising strips of tape.

Fig 14 is a perspective view of a device according to one aspect of the invention comprising strips of tape.

Fig 15 is a perspective view of a device according to one aspect of the invention comprising strips of tape.

Fig 16 is an exploded view illustrating the components and steps for constructing a wall according to the invention.

Figs 17- 24. are a perspective views illustrating various steps in the method according to the invention and use of the device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figs 10-15 illustrate a device 30 for wall construction according to one aspect of the invention. Device 30 comprises an elongated profile 32. Device 30 is preferably made of metal, for example aluminum or steel. Device 30 further comprises a fastening section 34 having attachment holes 36. Profile 32, as seen from the side in Fig 11, extends downward, protrudes outwardly at the bottom, extends upwards, and terminates with a section comprising laterally extending, flexible fingers 42. Fingers 42 are spaced apart at distance arranged to prevent rodents from passing between the fingers. The shape of profile 32 creates a support section 38 comprising a slot 40. The width of slot 40 is adapted to receive the bottom edge of a plasterboard sheet 60 or other sheet building material such as plywood, fiberboard or the like.

Figs 12-15 illustrate an embodiment of the device having three preinstalled strips of tape, a first strip of tape 44, a second strip of tape 46 and a third strip of tape 48. The strips of tape all have a portion permanently affixed to the profile while second and third strips of tape 46 and 48 have a fixed part 51 and 51’permanently attached to the device and a releasable part 49 and 49’ respectively, the purpose of which is discussed in detail below. All three strips of tape have an adhesive section 45, the purpose of which is discussed in detail below, preferably protected by a removable backing 50, 50’ and 50’’ respectively.

The device of the invention will be further described with reference to Figs 16- 24, which also illustrate a method for wall construction according to another aspect of the invention. The method of the invention can also be compared to Figs 1-9 and the description of the prior art method included in the background section.

Fig 16 shows an exploded view of the components the method of constructing a wall according to the invention. The components are shown with the references numbers as follows:

Fig 17 illustrates a first step in the method according to the invention. A builder takes the device 30 of the invention and attaches it to the ground plate 56, by driving nails or screws through holes 36 in fastening section 34. In a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figs 12-15, the builder first removes backing 50 from first strip of tape 44 and adheres the device temporarily to the ground plate. The adhesive of first strip 44 is strong enough to support the weight of the device 30 temporarily while the builder affixes the screws or nails. This permits a single builder to mount the device 30 to the ground plate 56. Referring to prior art fig 1, one will note that the order of attaching device 30 is earlier than the order of attaching rodent strip 12 according to the prior art. Fig 18 shows the framework 54 with device 30 securely attached with screws or nails.

Fig 19 illustrates next steps in the method. A builder lifts a plasterboard sheet 60 and inserts the bottom edge into slot 40. Since the device is securely attached to the ground plate with screws or nails, the device 30 can support the weight of the plaster board. A single builder can therefore install the plasterboard alone, without the need for another builder to hold and level the sheet while the sheet is attached to the framework. Once the plasterboard is attached to the framework, the releasable part 49 of second tape strip 46 is lifted up from fingers 42. Backing 50’ is removed and the releasable part 49 of second tape strip 46 is adhered to the plasterboard 60. The releasable part 49’ of third tape strip 48 is folded down and attached to foundation 52, after removing backing 50’’. The wall is thus secured against ingress of rodents and the air seal required by various building codes is achieved. The tight fit of the plasterboard in slot 40 prevents rodents from entering between the device and the plasterboard. Second tape strip further prevents ingress of rodents between the plasterboard and the device. The third strip of tape, having its permanently attached part secured to the device and the releasable part adhesively adhered to the foundation, prevents rodents from entering the space between the foundation and the plasterboard. As can be appreciated, one builder can thereby, alone, effectively mount the plasterboard and secure the plasterboard against ingress of rodents, as well as achieved the required air seal, in a simple manner.

Fig. 20 illustrates further steps in the method of the invention. As can be seen, flexible fingers 42 extend essentially laterally outward from device 30. Because the fingers are flexible, a builder can mount furring strips 64 to the outside of plasterboard 60 by pressing the furring strip against the fingers, which are pressed downward behind the furring strip as shown in Fig 21. The furring strip is secured to the framework by screws or nails. As can be further seen in Fig 22, the length of the fingers 42 extend at least the full width of furring strips 64, thereby filling the space between the plasterboard and façade 66, shown in Fig 23 as horizontal paneling 68 attached to furring strips 64. Fig 24 shows the completed wall, secure against ingress from rodents, capable of easily being constructed by a single worker.

Claims

1. A device (30) for use in wall construction comprising means for preventing ingress of rodents, wherein the device comprises an elongated profile (32) comprising a fastening section (34) and rodent ingress-prevention means, wherein:

● the fastening section extends along the length of the profile, and comprises means (36) for fastening the profile to a ground plate (56) of a framework (54) of a wall,

●

● the rodent ingress-prevention means comprises a plurality of fingers (42) protruding essentially laterally from the profile, the fingers having a length arranged to extend from the profile to the inside of an exterior façade (66) of the wall and a distance between them arranged to prevent rodents from passing between the fingers, and

● CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the device further comprises a support section extending along the length of the profile and comprises a slot (40) arranged for receiving and supporting plasterboard or other sheet material intended to be mounted to the framework.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening sections comprises a plurality of holes (36) for receiving screws or nails for attaching the profile to the ground plate, and further wherein the fastening section comprises a first strip of tape (44) fastened on the back side of the fastening section, the first strip of tape having an adhesive section (45) with sufficient adhesion to temporarily hold the profile in place while a user affixes screws or nails though the holes.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein device (30) is provided with a second strip of tape (46) having a releasable part (49) releasably fastened on a topside of the plurality of fingers and a fixed part (51) being permanently fastened to the support section along the length of the profile, the releasable part having an adhesive surface (45) arranged to adhere to the plaster board or other sheet material.

4. A device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a third strip of tape(48) having a releasable part (49’) releasably fastened on an underside of the plurality of fingers and a fixed part (51’) being permanently fastened along the length of the profile, the releasable part having an adhesive surface (45) arranged to adhere to a foundation upon which the ground plate is mounted.

5. A method for building a wall with rodent-ingress protection, comprising attaching a ground plate (56) along an upper surface of a foundation (52), creating a framework (54) upon the ground plate, comprising studs (58) vertically mounted to the ground plate, and attaching plaster board (60) or other sheet material to the framework, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the method comprises the steps of

a. providing a mounting device (30) according to one of claims 1-4, b. attaching the mounting device along an exterior side of the ground plate, c. inserting a lower end of the plaster board or sheet material into the slot (40) of the mounting device, such that the weight of the plaster board or sheet material is supported by the profile,

d. attaching the plaster board or sheet material to the framework,

e. constructing a façade (66) about the wall, the distance between the inside surface of the façade and the profile (32) being equal to or less than the length of the fingers (42) of the device.

6. The method according to claim 5 while also dependent on claim 2, wherein step a comprises temporarily fastening the fastening section (34) of the device to the ground plate by the first strip of tape (44) and then entering screws or nails into the ground plate through the plurality of holes (36) in the fastening section.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6 while also dependent on claim 3, wherein the method further comprises adhering the releasable part (49) of second strip of tape (46) to the plasterboard or sheet material.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5-7 while also dependent on claim 4, wherein the framework is constructed to be substantially flush with a front face of the foundation, and wherein the method further comprises adhering the releasable part (49’) of third strip of tape (48) to the foundation.

9. The method according to any one of claims 5-8, wherein the construction of the façade comprises mounting vertical furring strips (64) to the plaster board or sheet material and thereafter mounting horizontal paneling (68) to the furring strips, the width of the furring strips being equal to or less than the length of the fingers of the device.