Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
FORMING, DRAINAGE AND VENTILATION SYSTEM FOR AGRICULTURE,
IRRIGATION AND ATHLETIC FIELDS
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material, which
is subject to
copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile
reproduction by
anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
United States Patent
and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright
rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a form system used to build structural
components
such as, for example, a footing or foundation for a structure, by retaining a
volume of at least
partially liquid and curable building material, and when cured, the form
system is integral within
the structural component to provide drainage, ventilation and/or mitigation or
remediation of
unhealthily conditions cause by poor air flow, unwanted gases, moisture and
the like, around and
within the structure. In some aspects, the form system, and components
included therein,
provides a conduit or duct that acts as a thermal barrier and/or passage for
air and liquid flow to
improve drainage, insulation and ventilation. In embodiments, the form system
and its
components, used within the form system and as standalone components, provide
forming,
drainage and ventilation in applications that include, for example,
agriculture, irrigation, bridges,
sidewalks, roadways, mining, athletic fields and special purpose landscapes
such as a golf course
or so called "green roofs" for structures that comprise at least partially
vegetation and a growing
medium.
2. Description of Related Art
As noted in commonly owned U.S. Patent No. 7,866,097, commonly owned U.S.
Patent
No. 8,627,615, and commonly owned U.S. Patent No. 9,228,365, conventional form
systems are
known to receive and to maintain a volume of concrete and/or other at least
partially liquid
building material in place while the building material cures over time. Once
cured, the form
system is typically removed from the cured building material to expose the
formed structural
1
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
component for use as, for example, a foundation or portion thereof, supporting
a building or like
structure of interest.
As is generally known in the art of building construction, an area is
excavated and a form
system is assembled therein to match dimensions of a desired foundation or
footing.
.. Conventional forms typically comprise panels constructed of steel, wooden
boards, planks or
sheet material (e.g., plywood) and the like, that are arranged in parallel
side-by-side
configurations to define side walls and a channel between the side walls along
one or more
lengths of the excavated area. The panels are staked or otherwise secured in
place to prohibit
deformation of the side walls as concrete is poured in the channel between the
side walls. As can
be appreciated, dimensions (e.g., height, thickness, length and shape) of
foundations and footings
(and thus the form system) vary depending on the structure being built as well
as applicable
building codes and standards of the industry.
Accordingly, while some aspects of conventional forms and components thereof
can be
standardized, some degree of customization is typically needed to meet the
requirements of the
structure being built and/or the building codes and standards employed at the
particular job or
project site. In addition, some building codes require that a drainage system
be installed around
the formed structural component such as, for example, a foundation for a
structure of interest.
Typically, drainage tiles, gravel, crushed stone, perforated pipe or other
systems or materials are
installed at or below the formed structural component to facilitate discharge
of fluids such as, for
example, ground water, by gravity or mechanical means into an approved
drainage system and
away from the structural component.
Conventional drainage systems are also employed to remove excess ground or
subsurface
water from athletic fields, golf courses, and the like. The fields themselves
may include a crown,
slope or pitch (e.g., one to two percent (1-2%) or more incline) from the
center portion to
.. sideline portions to assist in directing ground water off the field and to
drainage systems at
sidelines thereof In some instances, a crown, slope or pitch can influence
game play, so are not
desirable. In such cases or as an additional feature to crowned fields, the
drainage system may
include additional sub-surface pipes, conduits or drains, below the surface of
the field of play,
that capture, retain, and move ground water below the surface of the field to
the drainage system.
Moreover, it is preferable that areas or fields used for athletic sports have
good footing and
traction to promote performance and safety for athletes. Soil quality (e.g.,
organic matter and
2
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
nutrients) and proper irrigation that promote growth for natural turf, and
drainage for both
natural and synthetic turfs, are important factors in maintaining a good
quality field. A quality
field provides not only for better athletic performance but also lessens
injury and fatigue as the
turf is more impact resistant.
Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas and can cause lung cancer.
The radon
and other gases such as, for example, carbon dioxide, methane, and the like,
can permeate the
soil beneath a formed structural component (e.g., a foundation or footing) and
often enter the
supported building or like structure of interest through cracks in the
foundation, windows, doors,
or the HVAC system itself. The gas can be drawn into the building because the
pressure inside
the building is typically lower than the pressure in the soil around and
beneath the foundation.
Gas mitigation systems can be installed after construction; however, such
systems are often
costly, aesthetically displeasing, cumbersome and difficult to install.
Additionally, if installation
is not properly performed after construction, the installation can compromise
the structure.
In view thereof, the inventor has recognized that a need exists for a
relatively inexpensive
and easily configured form system to build structural components such as, for
example, a
foundation or footing for a building or portions thereof The inventor has
further recognized that
a need exists for a similarly inexpensive and easily configured drainage and
ventilation system,
which can include thermal insulating characteristic, installed around the
formed structural
component of a structure of interest such as a building or portion thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention resides in one aspect in a system for retaining a
flowable and
curable building material such as, for example, concrete, to form a portion of
a foundation of at
least a portion of a structure of interest. The system includes side walls
receiving and retaining
the building material therebetween. The side walls are disposed in a
predetermined
configuration suitable for the portion of the foundation and include a first
side wall and a second
side wall disposed opposite the first side wall and providing a space (e.g.,
distance) therebetween.
At least one of the first side wall and the second side wall is comprised of
at least one component
having an interior cavity. A bracket assembly retains the side walls in the
predetermined
configuration. The bracket assembly includes a first outwardly bounding
reinforcement post
disposed proximate the first side wall, and a second outwardly bounding
reinforcement post
3
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
disposed proximate the second side wall. A separator bar includes a first end,
a second end
opposed from the first end, and a plurality of apertures disposed along a
length of the separator
bar. The plurality of apertures includes a first set of apertures disposed
proximate the first end
and a second set of apertures disposed proximate the second end. The first set
apertures and the
second set of apertures are sized to receive and retain each of the
reinforcement posts at locations
corresponding to nominal widths of the at least one component. A barrier is
disposed between
the outwardly bounding reinforcement post and inwardly bounding reinforcement
post. The
barrier is defined by an inner layer wrapped by an outer layer. The barrier is
permeable by liquid
and/or air or gas (e.g., ground water and/or heated or cooled air, or gas from
soil, gravel or other
fill medium exterior a structural) in at least one direction into and through
the barrier to an
interior channel, and in some embodiments, two directions including into and
through the barrier
to the interior channel, and from the interior channel into and through the
barrier to soil, gravel
or other fill medium. The barrier and the at least one component is retained
in the foundation
after the building material cures, and the barrier prevents backfill (e.g.,
fill medium such as soil,
gravel and the like) from filling a volume between the portion of the
foundation and the
outwardly bounding posts.
The present invention resides in one aspect in a foundation footing drainage
and
ventilation system, the system comprising: a conduit; a first drainage core
having a first end, a
second end, and plurality of passages extending therethrough; a second
drainage core having a
first end, a second end, and plurality of passages extending therethrough; a
fabric wrapped
around each of the conduit, the first drainage core and the second drainage
core; and a drainage
cavity bounded by the conduit and the first and second drainage cores; wherein
the second
drainage core is disposed substantially vertically and proximate a first side
of the conduit, the
second end of the second drainage core being disposed proximate the second end
of the first
drainage core, wherein the first end of the first drainage core is positioned
upwardly from the
second end of the first drainage core and proximate a second side of the
conduit; and wherein the
at least one component is disposed on the first end of each of the first and
second drainage cores.
The present invention resides in one aspect in a foundation footing drainage
and
ventilation system, the system comprising: a conduit; a first drainage core
having a first end, a
second end, a first plurality of passages extending therethrough and a second
plurality of
passages extending therethrough substantially orthogonal to the first
plurality of passages; a
4
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
second drainage core having a first end, a second end, a first plurality of
passages extending
therethrough and a second plurality of passages extending therethrough
substantially orthogonal
to the first plurality of passages; a fabric wrapped around each of the
conduit, the first drainage
core and the second drainage core; wherein the conduit is disposed proximate
the first end of
each of the first and second drainage cores, and the second end of each of the
first and second
drainage cores extends outwardly from the conduit.
The present invention also resides in one aspect in applying the
aforementioned footing
bracket and forming system to provide and to improve drainage, air and gas
barriers, remediation
and improved air flow (into and out of a system), and in some embodiments,
thermal insulating
and fire retardant characteristics, to structural components such as
foundations, slab walls
(interior and exterior), and provides and improves irrigation systems,
drainage, storm water
management, septic leaching fields, and the like, within such applications as,
including but not
limited to, agriculture, athletic fields, golf courses, landscaping soft and
hard scape, and building
structures of a variety of uses including residential, commercial, industrial,
governmental and
.. educational uses, as well as open air structures and environments
including, but not limited to,
driveways, parking lots, bridges, roadways, sidewalks, swales, parking
garages, airport runways,
roofing systems, mining, HVAC, and the like.
As described herein, in applications of use the present invention provides an
open area or
passage within a structure or building envelope that allows convection of air,
liquid and gases
.. passively or in large volumes with mechanical help. The inventor has
discovered that the area or
passage can be employed, and in some embodiments, to increase thermal
conductivity, flow, fire
and impact resistance, insulating and fire retardant characteristics. The
inventors envisions
application within numerous construction-Divisions defined by the Construction
Specifications
Institute (CSI), including uses in foundations, slab walls (interior and
exterior), improved
agriculture and irrigation systems, drainage, storm water management, septic
leaching fields, and
in indoor and outdoor sports fields, golf courses, landscaping soft and hard
scape.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. IA is a perspective view of an inventive form system in accordance with
one
embodiment of the present invention;
5
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an inventive form system in accordance with
another
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of components of the form system in accordance
with one
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the components of FIG. 2, taken along line
3-3;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of components of the form system in accordance
with one
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the components of FIG. 4, taken along line
5-5;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of components of the form system in accordance
with one
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the components of FIG. 6, taken along line
7-7;
FIG. 8A is a plan view and FIG. 8B is a side view, respectively, of a
separator bar in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9A is perspective view and FIG. 9B is a side view, respectively, of a
reinforcement
post in accordance with one embodiment of the present inventinn;
FIGS. 10A to FOE illustrate components of the form system in accordance with
one -
embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 11A to 11D depict uses of the form system of the present invention;
FIG. 12A is a partial plan view of components of the form system in accordance
with one
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the components of FIG. 12A, taken along
line 12B-
12B;
FIG. 12C is partial cross-sectional views of the components of FIG. 12A in
accordance
with one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 12D is a partial cross-sectional view of the components of the form
system in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12E is a partial cross-sectional view of the components of the form
system in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12F is a partial cross-sectional view of the components of the form
system in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
6
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
FIG. 12G is a partial cross-sectional view of the components of the form
system in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12H is a partial cross-sectional view of the components of the form
system of FIG.
12D having a barrier installed therein in accordance with one embodiment of
the present
invention;
FIG. 121 is a partial cross-sectional view of the components of the form
system of FIG.
12E having a barrier installed therein in accordance with one embodiment of
the present
invention;
FIG. 12J is a partial cross-sectional view of the components of the form
system of FIG.
12F having a barrier installed therein in accordance with one embodiment of
the present
invention;
FIG. 12K is a partial cross-sectional view of the components of the form
system of FIG.
12G having a barrier installed therein in accordance with one embodiment of
the present
invention;
FIG. 12L is a partial cross-sectional view of the components of the form,
drainage, gas
remediation, leaching field system, in accordance with embodiments of the
present invention;
FIG. 12M is a detail view of a component of the form system of FIG. 12L;
FIG. 12N is a partial cross-sectional view of the components of the form
system in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 120 is a partial cross-sectional view of the components of the form
system in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12P is a depiction of several components of the form system of FIG. 12N
prior to
assembly for installation in the form system;
FIG. 12Q is a sectional view of a drainage core of the form system of FIG.
12N;
FIG. 13 is a plan view of a separator bar in accordance with one embodiment of
the
present invention;
FIGS. 14A and 14B are an elevation view and a plan view of reinforcement posts
in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 15A is a partial cross-sectional view of a form system having an integral
ventilation
system formed therein in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention form system
in use;
7
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057 PCT/US2018/000367
FIGS. 15B and 15C are partial cross-sectional views of a form system having an
integral
ventilation system formed therein in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention
form system in use;
FIGS. 15D and 15E are partial cross-sectional views of another embodiment of
the form
system of FIG. 15A;
FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of the components of the form system
in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of a foundation footing drainage and
ventilation
system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 18A is detail view of a component of the form system of FIG. 16 and the
foundation
footing drainage and ventilation system of FIG. 17;
FIG. 18B is a depiction of several components of the form system of FIG. 16
and the
foundation footing drainage and ventilation system of FIG. 17 prior to
assembly for installation
in the form system;
FIG. 18C is a chart illustrating example characteristics of components, a
geotextile fabric
and a core, of the form system of FIG. 16 and the foundation footing drainage
and ventilation
system of FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is a depiction of several methods of use of the form system of FIG.
16;
FIG. 20 is an elevation view of a conventional foundation footing and
accompanying
drainage components;
FIG. 21 is an elevation view of a gravel-less foundation footing integrally
formed with a
drainage and ventilation system in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 22 is an elevation view of a bracket assembly in accordance with one
embodiment
of the present invention;
FIGS. 23A and 23B are elevation views of a gravel-less foundation footing and
slab wall
integrally formed with drainage and ventilation systems, configured in
accordance with
embodiments of the present invention;
FIGS. 24A, 24B, 24C and 24D are elevation views of a gravel-less foundation
footing
drainage and ventilation system, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention;
8
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
FIGS. 25A and 25B are a plan view and a detailed elevation view of gravel-less
drainage
and ventilation systems employed within a putting green, in accordance with
embodiments of the
present invention;
FIGS. 26A is an elevation view, FIG. 26B is an end view, FIG. 26C is a cross
section
view and 26D is a detailed elevation view of gravel-less drainage and
ventilation systems
employed within athletic fields, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention;
FIGS. 27A, 27B and 27C are cross section views of gravel-less drainage and
ventilation
systems, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 28A is an elevation view and FIG. 28B is a plan view of a drain member
component
of the drainage and ventilation system of FIG. 26C, in accordance with an
embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 29 is an elevation view of an expansion joint portion of a drainage core,
in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 30 is an elevation view of a joining and restricting member, in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 31 illustrates cross section views of components of drainage and
ventilation systems,
in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
In these figures like structures are assigned like reference numerals, but may
not be
referenced in the description of all figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
General Overview:
As taught and described herein, aspects of present invention include: (1) a
form system
for building structural components, for example, footing, foundations and
portions thereof; (2) an
integral ventilation system included within the form system, which introduces
conditioned air
(e.g., heated, cooled, humidity controlled air) into the system and/or removes
and remediates gas,
moisture, and the like, from the system and soil surrounding the structural
component formed
with the same; (3) an integral drainage system, which in embodiments includes
gravel-less
features, and which captures, retains and directs a flow of liquid, such as
ground and subsurface
water, away from a structure, athletic fields, golf courses, and the like; and
(4) in embodiments,
9
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
one or more of the above described form, ventilation and drainage systems
provides a barrier
including thermal insulating and fire retardant characteristics.
As described herein, the present invention includes improved drainage, air,
gas (radon,
methane and the line) mitigation or remediation systems, promoting thermal
conductivity,
insulation and barrier characteristics. When used in drainage mat
applications, the invention
provides improved impact resistance and soil retainment characteristics, as
described herein.
Form System:
As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, in one embodiment of the present invention, an
inventive form system 100 includes a bracket assembly 120 configured and
operating to retain
side walls 160, for example a first side wall 162 and a second side wall 164,
in a spaced relation
apart from one another over a predetermined configuration (e.g., height H1,
width Wl, length Li
and shape Si) within an excavated area 190. For example, the bracket assembly
120 retains the
first side wall 162 at a configuration that includes a position parallel to
and horizontally spaced
apart from (e.g., distant from) the second side wall 164 along at least a
portion of the length Li
of and/or partially within the excavated area 190. As shown in FIG. 1A, the
bracket assembly
120 and side walls 160 cooperate to define a channel 192 that receives and
retains a flowable and
at least partially liquid building material 196 such as, for example,
concrete, poured into the
channel 192. As described herein, the channel 192 is configured to be of a
predetermined
configuration (e.g., height H1, width W1 , length Li and shape Si) suitable
for a footing and/or
wall of a foundation supporting a structure of interest, or portion thereof.
It should be appreciated that while FIGS. 1 A and 1B illustrate only one
bracket
assembly 120 retaining the side walls 160, it is within the scope of the
present invention to
employ one or more bracket assemblies 120 at varying intervals along the
length Li of and/or the
configuration within the excavated area 190 to keep the side walls 160 from
moving (e.g., being
displaced) by pressure exerted thereon by the flowing concrete 196 introduced
to the channel 192.
It should also be appreciated that the side walls 160 may be constructed from
one single, or two
or more stacked components as needed to form the predetermined configuration.
The
components include a section or sections (e.g., pieces) of elongated building
materials such as,
for example, wooden boards, planks or sheet materials such as plywood, tubular
members such
as round drain or drainage pipe, square or rectangular pipe or conduit,
drainage cores, and the
like, and combinations thereof
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
For example, FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 illustrate two bracket assemblies 120A and 120B
disposed at opposite ends and retaining components of the two side walls 162
and 164 within the
configuration, or portion thereof As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, two stacked
sections of elongated
building material, for example, drain pipe 162A and 162B, comprising the first
side wall 162, are
retained in a vertically stacked orientation and a horizontally distant
relation from two stacked
sections of drain pipes 164A and 164B, comprising the second wall 164 of the
configuration.
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate two bracket assemblies 120A and 120B disposed at
opposite ends and
retaining pieces of elongated wooden planks 162C and 164C, comprising the
first side wall 162
and the second side wall 164, in a vertical orientation and horizontally
distant relation. FIGS. 6,
7 and 12G illustrate two bracket assemblies 120A and 120B disposed at opposite
ends and
retaining two pieces of elongated rectangular conduit 162D and 162E of the
first side wall 162 in
a vertically stacked orientation and a horizontally distant relation from two
pieces of elongated
rectangular conduit 164D and 164E of the second wall 164.
Referring again to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the bracket assembly 120 (e.g.,
each of
bracket assemblies 120A and 120B) includes one or more separator bars 130 and
two or more
reinforcement posts 140, illustrated in greater detail at FIGS. 8, 9A and 9B,
10D and 10E,
respectively. The separator bars 130 and the reinforcement posts 140 cooperate
to retain the side
walls 160, and components 162A-162E and 164A-164E thereof, in the vertical
orientation and
the horizontally spaced apart (e.g., distant) relation of the predetermined
configuration or portion
thereof As shown in FIGS. 1-7, the separator bars 130 and a first pair of
reinforcement posts
140 cooperate to retain a portion of the first side wall 162 in the
substantially vertical orientation
and the horizontally distant relation from the second side wall 164 retained
by the separator bars
130 and a second pair of the reinforcement posts 140.
As illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, in one embodiment, each of the one or more
separator bars 130 include a plurality of apertures 132 and 134 disposed at
predetermined
locations along a length L2 of the separator bar 130. In one embodiment, the
apertures 132 are
disposed at opposing ends 136 and 138 of each of the separator bars 130 and
are sized to receive
a stake or post 158 (FIG. 1A) for securing the bracket assembly 120 at a
location within the
excavated area 190. The apertures 134 are disposed (as described below) at
predetermined
locations along the length L2 of the separator bar 130 and are sized to
receive the reinforcement
posts 140. As illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, in one embodiment each of the
reinforcement
11
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
posts 140 includes serrations 144 disposed along at least a portion of a
length L3 of sides 142 of
the reinforcement post 140. The plurality of apertures 134 of the separator
bars 130 and the
serrations 144 of the reinforcement posts 140 are sized to frictionally engage
one another
whereby placement of a reinforcement bar 140 within an aperture 134 provides
frictional
engagement between the serrations 144 and the separator bar 130 to prevent
displacement. In
one embodiment, the reinforcement posts 140 include apertures 146 through the
sides 142 of the
posts. The apertures 146 provide means whereby a length of line (e.g., a level
line) can be
inserted through one or more reinforcement posts 140 and additional articles
(e.g., rebar, the
separator bars 130) can be tethered to and/or supported by the reinforcement
post 140. In one
embodiment, wire, pins, fasteners may be disposed within the apertures 146 to
support the
separator bar 130 in a vertical orientation between the reinforcement posts
140. In one
embodiment, the separator bar 130 is otherwise clamped, fastened or secured in
the vertical
orientation between the reinforcement posts 140. In one embodiment, the
separator bar 130 may
include a plurality of tabs that are selectively extendable into the apertures
134 to lock the
reinforcement post 140 to the separator 130. Other embodiments of the
separator bar 130 and
reinforcement post 140 are shown in FIG. 1 OD and FIG. 10E, respectively.
In one aspect of the invention, the predetermined locations of the apertures
134 of the
separator bars 130 correspond to nominal widths of elongated building material
required,
recommended or preferred, for use as components to construct the side walls
160. For example,
when a first pair of the reinforcement posts 140 are placed within
corresponding ones of the
apertures 134 proximate end 136 of the separator bar 130 the first side wall
162 is retained in
place between the first pair of posts 140, and when a second pair of the
reinforcement posts 140
are placed within corresponding ones of the apertures 134 proximate the
opposing end 138 of the
separator bar 130 the second side wall 164 is retained in place between the
second pair of posts
140. As shown in FIG. 8, in one embodiment, the separator bar 130 is stamped,
labeled or
otherwise marked with indicia, shown generally at 135, to identify nominal
widths of typical
building materials, required, recommended or preferred, for use as components
to construct the
side walls 160. For example, the separator bar 130 includes such indicia 135
proximate its ends
136 and 138 to correspond to locations to construct each of the side walls. In
one embodiment, a
first set of indicia 135A proximate the end 136 corresponds to the location
for constructing the
12
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
first side wall 162 and a second set of indicia 135B proximate the end 138
corresponds to the
location for constructing the second side wall 164.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, during construction of the first side wall, for
example, a first
post 140A of the first pair of reinforcement posts 140 is placed within an
aperture 134 proximate
the end 136 of the separator bar 130 such that the first reinforcement post
140A is disposed
externally with respect to the channel 192 (e.g., disposed at a location shown
generally at 192A),
and a second post 140B of the first pair of reinforcement posts 140 is placed
within an aperture
134 inwardly from the end 136 such that the second reinforcement post 140B is
disposed
internally with respect to the channel 192 (e.g., disposed at a location shown
generally at 192B)
to externally and internally bound the components used to construct the first
side wall 162
between the first pair of reinforcement posts 140A and 140B. Similarly, during
construction of
the second side wall a first post 140C of the second pair of reinforcement
posts 140 is placed
within an aperture 134 proximate the end 138 of the separator bar 130 such
that the
reinforcement post 140C is disposed externally with respect to the channel 192
(e.g., disposed at
a location shown generally at 192C), and a second post 140D of the second pair
of reinforcement
posts 140 is placed within an aperture 134 inwardly from the end 138 such that
the reinforcement
post 140D is disposed internally with respect to the channel 192 (e.g.,
disposed at about location
192B), to externally and internally bound the components used to construct the
second side wall
164 between the second pair of reinforcement posts 140C and 140D.
In one embodiment, the indicia 135 are comprised of a coding system such as,
for
example, a numeric coding system. For example, a first one of the apertures
134 proximate each
of the ends 136 and 138 of the separator bar 130 is identified by a "1"
marking and a second one
of the apertures 134 disposed inwardly from the first aperture is identified
by a "2" marking,
where the first and second apertures are disposed at locations that correspond
to a nominal width
of a wooden board (e.g., stock "two-by" board materials having a nominal width
of about one
and one half inch (1.5 in.; 3.81 cm)); the first aperture (marked "1") and a
third one of the
apertures 134 inwardly from the second aperture (marked "2") is identified by
a "3" marking,
where the first and third apertures are disposed at locations that correspond
to a nominal width of
a rectangular conduit (e.g., a stock rectangular conduit having a nominal with
of about two
inches (2 in.; 5.08 cm)); and the first aperture (marked "1") and a fourth one
of the apertures 134
inwardly from the third aperture (marked "3") is identified by a "4" marking,
where the first and
13
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
fourth apertures are disposed at locations that correspond to a nominal width
or diameter of a
round drain pipe (e.g., a stock drain pipe having a nominal diameter of about
four inches (4.0 in.;
10.16 cm), six inches (6.0 in.; 15.24) or other dimensions as would be
required, recommended or
preferred by one skilled in the art). While the present invention expressly
discloses a numeric
coding system for the apertures 134, it should be appreciated that it is
within the scope of the
present invention to employ other coding systems including, for example, a
scale illustrating
measurements in English (fraction or inch based), Metric (decimal based) and
other
measurement systems as would be used in the art. While not shown, it should be
appreciated
that spacers or shims may be used to increase or decrease the distance between
two or more of
the apertures 134 for securing building materials of nonstandard widths
between corresponding
pairs of reinforcement posts 140.
In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 10A, a conduit 170 is illustrated for use as
a
component to construct the side walls 160. The conduit 170 includes a
corrugated-shaped wall
172 defining an interior cavity 174. As shown in FIG. 10A, in one embodiment
the conduit 170
includes a male end 176 and a female end 178. The male end 176 and the female
end 178 are
configured to permit an end-to-end coupling of a plurality of the conduits
170. In one
embodiment, underground utilities may be carried within the interior cavity
174. In another
embodiment, plumbing may be carried within the interior cavity 174. As shown
in FIGS. 10B
and 10C, in one embodiment, one or both of a plurality of straps 150 and
spreaders 155 may be
positioned about the side walls 160 and cooperate with the bracket assembly
120 to assist in
retaining the components of the side walls 160 in place as the concrete is
received and cures
within the inventive form system 100.
Ventilation System:
As illustrated in FIGS. IIA to 11D, the inventive form system 100 receives and
retains
concrete 196 being cured for use in constructing a foundation 200 including a
footing 202 and
walls 204 for a structure of interest such as, for example, a residential or
commercial building or
portion thereof For example, a plurality of the bracket assemblies 120 may be
operated to retain
a plurality of the side walls 160 in the predetermined configuration,
including the height 1-I1
(extending in a plane vertically out of the drawing sheet), width WI, length L
1 (including legs
L1A, LIB, L 1 C, etc.) and shape S I within the excavated area 190, to receive
the concrete 196 to
form one or both of the footing 202 and walls 204 of the foundation 200 for
the structure of
14
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
interest. As shown in FIG. 11B, components of the side walls 160 (e.g.,
sections of elongated
building materials such as wooden boards, planks or sheet materials, tubular
members such as
round drain or drainage pipe, square or rectangular pipe or conduit, drainage
core, and the like)
are assembled, interconnected or interlocked in end-to-end fashion by, for
example, one or more
connectors 210, to form walls for retaining the concrete or other building
material 196.
As described in further detail below, when the side walls 160 are comprised of
tubular,
square or rectangular members having interior cavities 166 and 174, such as
pipe or conduit (as
shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7), the assembled, interconnected or interlocked
side wall
components are integrally formed within the structure and cooperate to define
one or more
passages 180 within the side walls 160 for air flow around at least an
exterior (e.g., within area
192A) and interior (e.g., within area 192C) of the formed footing 202 and the
walls 204, and/or
for air flow within the footing 202 or walls 204 themselves (e.g., with area
192B). For example,
the inventor has found that when accessed after construction, the one or more
passages 180 of
the side walls are conducive to providing ventilation for effective and
efficient transfer (e.g.,
removal and/or remediation) of a flow of radon or other unwanted gas such as,
for example,
carbon dioxide, methane, from the structure constructed, and during
construction, one or more
passages 180 are conducive for providing air flow (e.g., conditioned air such
as cool and/or
warm air with or without humidity control, for example) to assist in curing
the building material
196. In still another embodiment, the inventor has discovered that the
passages 180 allow a
transfer of conditioned air, for example, heated or cooled air, naturally by
thermal effects of the
sun on the structural components or soil surrounding the structure or by
mechanical condition (an
HVAC system). The transfer within the system improves environmental, living
conditions
within the building envelope of the structure, and in some cases can minimize
costs of maintain
the environmental conditions.
In one embodiment, the transfer of gas may be aided by an additional volume of
air flow
introduced by, for example, an in-line force air system. In one embodiment the
flow rate is a
minimum of three hundred fifty to four hundred cubic feet per minutes (350-400
cfm) through a
one and a half inch (1/2 in.; 1.27 cm) drainage core described below. Of
course, flow rate may
increase significantly in large systems, e.g., four inch pipes for example. In
one embodiment,
illustrated in FIGS. 1B, 11C and 11D, the inventor has found that the one or
more passages 180
of the side walls may be used to provide heated or cooled air from an air
exchange unit 184, such
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
as for example a heating and/or cooling unit 184A, via passages 186 in
communication with at
least one of the passages 180, to the interior and/or exterior areas about
and/or within the footing
202 and walls, e.g., the aforementioned areas 192A, 192B and 192C, to remove
moisture,
condensation, humidity or the like in the areas, to aid cure time during
construction, to permit
construction in unfavorable weather and/or air or soil conditions (e.g., heat
the building material
and/or surrounding soil to permit construction in cold temperatures by
permitting a passive flow
and/or cure without freezing, and/or vice versa, to cool the building material
and/or the
surrounding soil to permit construction and stable curing during hot weather
conditions), and to
remove moisture that may lead to mold and/or other hazards. It should be
appreciated that the
passage 180 may be continuous, for example, provide for air flow about
substantially all of an
exterior perimeter, interior perimeter or both the exterior and interior
perimeter of the formed
footing 202 and the walls 204 (e.g., areas 192A, 192B and/or 192C).
Alternatively, one or more
portions of the exterior and interior perimeter of the formed footing 202 and
the walls 204 may
include the integrally formed side walls that provide one or more of the
passages 180 that can be
accessed to transfer, e.g., remove and/or remediate radon or other unwanted
gas such as, for
example, carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases, moisture or the like,
and/or introduce heated
and/or cooled conditioned air, from the areas (e.g., areas 192A, 192B, and/or
192C) proximate
the building constructed.
As noted above, the inventive form system 100 may be used to construct the
foundation
200 including one or both of the footing 202 and the walls 204 for the
structure of interest. For
example, a plurality of the bracket assemblies 120 and 220 (described below)
may be operated to
retain a plurality of the side walls 160 and 260, and components thereof, in
the predetermined
configuration to receive the concrete 196 to form one or both of the footing
202 and walls 204 of
the foundation 200 for the structure of interest. When the components used to
construct the side
walls 160 and 260 are comprised of tubular, square or rectangular members
having the interior
cavity 166 and 174, the interior cavities 166 and 174 of the interconnected
components cooperate
to define one or more of the passages 180 within the side walls 160 and 260
for air flow around
at least a portion of an exterior perimeter (e.g., within area 192A) and/or
interior perimeter (e.g.,
within area 192C) of the formed footing 202 and the walls 204. The inventor
has found that
when accessed after construction, the one or more passages 180 are conducive
to providing
ventilation for effective and efficient transfer (e.g., removal and/or
remediation) of radon or other
16
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
unwanted gas such as, for example, carbon dioxide, methane, moisture or the
like, and/or
introduce heated or cooled condition air, from exterior or interior portions
of the structure
constructed. In one embodiment, the additional conditioned air through the
passages 180 may
supplement and enhance the conventional HVAC system and improve its
performance.
Turning now to FIGS. 12A and 12B, in one embodiment the inventive form system
100
includes one or more bracket assemblies 220 disposed at varying intervals
along the length Li of
the predetermined configuration within the excavated area 190 (similar to
bracket assemblies 120)
to keep side walls 260 from moving (e.g., being displaced) by pressure exerted
thereon by the
flowing concrete 196 introduced to the channel 192 formed between the side
walls 260. In one
embodiment, each of the one or more bracket assemblies 220 includes one or
more separator bars
230 and two or more reinforcement posts 240, illustrated in greater detail at
FIGS. 13, 14A and
14B, respectively. As with the separator bars 130 and the reinforcement posts
140 described
above, the separator bars 230 and the reinforcement posts 240 cooperate to
retain the side walls
260, and components thereof (e.g., the aforementioned single or stacked
components of
elongated building materials such as, for example, wooden boards, planks or
sheet materials,
tubular members such as round drain or drainage pipe, square or rectangular
pipe or conduit,
drainage cores, and combinations thereof), in the vertical orientations and
the horizontally spaced
apart (e.g., distant) relation of the predetermined configuration. As
illustrated in FIG. 13, each of
the one or more separator bars 230 include a plurality of apertures 232 and
234 disposed at
predetermined locations along a length L4 of the separator bar 230. In one
embodiment, the
apertures 232 are disposed at opposing ends 236 and 238 of each of the
separator bars 230 and
are sized to receive the stake or post 158 (FIG. 1A) for securing the bracket
assembly 220 at a
location within the excavated area 190. The apertures 234 are disposed (as
described below) at
predetermined locations along the length L4 of the separator bar 230 and are
sized to receive one
or more of the reinforcement posts 240. In one embodiment, the apertures 234
may be used to
support structural members such as, for example, rebar supports 157.
As illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B, in one embodiment each of the
reinforcement posts
240 includes protrusions or serrations 244 disposed along at least a portion
of a length L5 of one
or more sides 242 of the reinforcement post 240. The sides 242 terminate at an
end 246. In one
embodiment, the end 246 is comprised of a foot extending outwardly from the
sides 242. In one
embodiment, the foot may include an aperture for receiving a stake to retain
the reinforcement
17
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
post 240 in position within the excavated area 190. Alternatively, the end 246
is tapered to
conclude at a point or edge to retain the reinforcement post 240 in position.
The plurality of
apertures 234 of the separator bars 230 and the protrusions or serrations 244
of the reinforcement
posts 240 are sized to frictionally engage one another whereby placement of a
reinforcement bar
240 within an aperture 234 provides frictional engagement between the
protrusions or serrations
244 and the separator bar 230 to prevent displacement. In one embodiment, the
separator bar
230 may include a plurality of tabs that are selectively extendable into the
apertures 234 to lock
the reinforcement post 240 to the separator 230.
In one embodiment, the reinforcement posts 240 are comprised of U-shaped or
rectangular tubular members (e.g., polymer U-channel or tubing) having a wall
of a thickness to
provide a relatively rigid structure (e.g., about 0.125 in (3.175 mm)
thickness). In one
embodiment, the reinforcement posts 240 are of uniform sizes and thus, are
selectively
interchangeable with and nestable within one another. For example, as shown in
FIG. 14B, two
posts 240A and 240B of the reinforcement posts 240 may be nested such that the
reinforcement
post 240A is vertically adjustable over a height H2 within the reinforcement
post 240B. As can
be appreciated by one skilled in the art, this vertical adjustment over the
height H2 of the nested
reinforcement posts 240A and 240B provides a leveling feature when the grade
of at least a
portion of the excavated area 190 is uneven. It should also be appreciated
that nested ones of
reinforcement posts 240 provide for a selectively adjustable height as needed
to retain the
separator bars 230 and/or components of the side walls 260 (described below)
within the
predetermined configuration, as the configuration is being constructed. In one
embodiment, the
nested reinforcement posts 240A and 240B include means for securing a relative
vertical relation
between them such as, for example, apertures for receiving a fastener or pin,
a hook and/or
ratchet arrangement, or like coupling mechanism.
In one aspect of the invention, the predetermined locations of the apertures
234 of the
separator bars 230 correspond to nominal widths of elongated building material
required,
recommended or preferred, for use as components to construct the side walls
260 as well as
widths of side walls 260 to be constructed. For example, as with the bracket
assembly 120, when
a first pair of the reinforcement posts 240 of the bracket assembly 220 are
placed within
corresponding ones of the apertures 234 proximate end 236 of the separator bar
230 a first side
wall 262, and components thereof, are retained in place between the first pair
of posts 240, and
18
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
when a second pair of the reinforcement posts 240 are placed within
corresponding ones of the
apertures 234 proximate the opposing end 238 of the separator bar 230 a second
side wall 264,
and components thereof, are retained in place between the second pair of posts
240. Similar to
the separator bar 130, as shown in FIG. 13, in one embodiment the separator
bar 230 is stamped,
labeled or otherwise marked with indicia, shown generally at 235, to identify
nominal widths of
typical building materials, required, recommended or preferred, for use as
components to
construct the side walls 260 and/or of the side walls 260 themselves. For
example, the separator
bar 230 includes such indicia 235 proximate its ends 236 and 238 to correspond
to locations to
construct each of the side walls 160 and 260. For example, a first set of
indicia 235A proximate
the end 236 corresponds to the location for constructing the first side wall
162 or the first side
wall 262, and a second set of indicia 235B proximate the end 238 corresponds
to the location for
constructing the second side wall 164 or the second side wall 264.
In one aspect of the invention, the bracket assembly 220 permits construction
of footings
202 and walls 204 of the foundation 200 having the substantially vertical side
walls 162 and 164
of a generally rectangular or square cross-section (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3
and 6), as well as the
side walls 262 and 264 of a generally trapezoidal cross-section, and/or of
combinations and
variations thereof such as, for example, a footing or wall having a first side
wall (e.g., the walls
262) approximating a leg of a trapezoid (e.g., a trapezoidal cross-section
with an angular incline
of less than ninety degrees (90 )) and a second side wall (e.g., the walls
164) approximating a leg
of a rectangle (e.g., a rectangular cross-section with an angular incline of
ninety degrees (90 ))
as shown in, e.g., FIGS. 12B and 12C. In one embodiment, the bracket assembly
220 includes
one or more spacers 280 that mount over or are coupleable to the reinforcement
posts 240 at a
desired vertical location about the post 240 to permit an offset in the
configuration (e.g., a
horizontal offset HOF1 and a vertical offset VOF1) of one or more components
used to construct
the side walls 260 configured to approximate a leg of a trapezoid (FIG. 12B).
As shown in FIG.
12D, the one or more components used to construct the sidewalls 260 themselves
may be
configured to approximate a leg of a trapezoid by, for example, stacking a
larger diameter
component above a smaller diameter component.
As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, during construction of a first side wall 262,
the first
reinforcement post 240A is nested within the second reinforcement post 240B
and the nested
posts are disposed within an aperture 234 proximate the end 236 of the
separator bar 230 such
19
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
that the nested reinforcement posts 240A and 240B are disposed externally with
respect to the
channel 192 (e.g., disposed at about location 192A). A third post 240C is then
placed within
another aperture 234 inwardly from the end 236 such that the third
reinforcement post 240C is
disposed internally with respect to the channel 192 (e.g., disposed at about
location 192B) to
externally and internally bound a first component 262A and a second component
262B (e.g.,
tubular members) used to construct the first side wall 262 between the nested,
externally
disposed reinforcement posts 240A and 240B and the internally disposed
reinforcement post
240C. As shown in FIG. 12B, a spacer 280A is disposed over the nested,
externally disposed
reinforcement posts 240A and 240B and cooperates with a fourth reinforcement
post 240D to
maintain an offset relation between the first component 262A and the second
component 262B of
the first side wall 262, for example, the horizontal offset HOF1 and the
vertical offset VOF1.
Similarly, during construction of the second side wall 264, a fifth
reinforcement post 240E is
nested within a sixth reinforcement post 240F and the nested posts are
disposed within an
aperture 234 proximate the end 238 of the separator bar 230 such that the
nested reinforcement
posts 240E and 240F are disposed externally with respect to the channel 192
(e.g., disposed at
about location 192C). A seventh reinforcement post 240G is then placed within
an aperture 234
inwardly from the end 238 such that the seventh reinforcement post 240G is
disposed internally
with respect to the channel 192 (e.g., disposed at about location 192B) to
inwardly bound a first
component 264A and a second component 264B (e.g., tubular members) used to
construct the
second side wall 264 between the nested, externally disposed reinforcement
posts 240E and 240F
and the internally disposed reinforcement post 240G. As shown in FIG. 12B, a
spacer 280B is
disposed over the nested, externally disposed reinforcement posts 240E and
240F and cooperates
with an eighth reinforcement post 24014 to maintain an offset relation between
the first
component 264A and the second component 264B of the second side wall 264, for
example, the
horizontal offset HOF1 and the vertical offset VOF1. One skilled in the art,
when viewing FIGS.
12A, 12B and 12D, would appreciate that the illustrated configuration of the
bracket assembly
220 permits construction of side walls 262 and 264 forming a footing or
foundation having
generally trapezoidal cross-section.
It should be appreciated that a plurality of spacers 280 having varying
lengths (distance
as measured from its coupling with a reinforcement post) and a plurality of
reinforcement posts
240 having varying heights may be employed to form footings and/or walls of a
predetermined
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
height and a generally trapezoidal cross-section over at least a portion of
the predetermined
height. For example, as shown in FIG. 12C, a partial cross-sectional view, a
spacer 280C is
disposed over the nested, externally disposed reinforcement posts 240A and
240B and
cooperates with a ninth reinforcement post 2401 to maintain an offset relation
between the first
component 262A, the second component 262B and a third component 262C of the
first side wall
262, for example, the horizontal offset HOF1 and the vertical offset VOF1
between the first
component 262A and the second component 262B, and a horizontal offset HOF2
between the
first component 262A and the third component 262C and a vertical offset VOF2
between the
second component 262B and the third component 262C. In one embodiment, a
plurality of
spacers of similar length as the spacer 280C (e.g., spacers 280C1 and 280C2)
may be employed
to maintain a common offset as fourth and fifth components 262D and 262E are
added to
increase the height of the first side wall 262. Accordingly, the first side
wall 262 of FIG. 12C
includes a lower portion having a generally trapezoidal cross-section, and an
upper portion
having a generally rectangular cross-section.
While FIGS. 12A to 12C illustrate for clarity, relatively similar vertical and
horizontal
offsets (e.g., HOF1, HOF2, VOF1, VOF2) between components (e.g., 262A, 262B,
262C, 264A,
264B, 264C) of the side walls 260, it is within the scope of the present
invention to vary one or
more such offsets as may be required, recommend or preferred to achieve side
walls of various
configurations. As such, the recited offset relation between components of the
side walls 260
should be considered broadly to include various horizontal and vertical
spacing of the
components of the side walls 260. For example, while not illustrated in FIGS.
12A to 12C, it is
also within the scope of the present invention to dispose one or more of the
spacers 280 over one
or more of the internally positioned (with respect to the channel 192)
reinforcement posts 240
such as, for example, the reinforcement post 240C, that inwardly bounds the
components of the
side wall 260 (e.g., the second component 262B). In one embodiment, the
spacers 280 may both
internally and externally offset the components such that a cross section of
the side walls 260 is
configured to approximate a ribbed or corrugated side wall. It should be
appreciated that the
inventor recognizes that the ribbed or corrugated configuration of the side
walls 260 can assist in
the flow of water around the side walls 260 and the structure constructed
thereon and, as such,
may be an integral part of a drainage system or other water remediation system
for the structure.
21
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
It should also be appreciated that as the height H1 of the side walls 162,
164, 262 and 264
increases, two or more of the bracket assemblies 120 and 220 may be stacked
and coupled
together. For example, apertures 134 and 234 may be used to receive posts or
ties for coupling
two or more stacked bracket assemblies 120 and 220. In addition, one or more
of the
reinforcement posts 140 and 240 may be coupled, interconnected or nested, to
support the
stacked arrangement.
It should also be appreciated that while the vertical and horizontal offsets
(e.g., HOF1,
HOF2, VOF1, VOF2) between components (e.g., 262A, 262B, 262C, 264A, 264B,
264C) of the
side walls 260 are described above as being achieved with one or more of a
plurality of spacers
280 coupled to reinforcement posts 240 and having varying lengths, in one
embodiment, the
components themselves may provide one or more of the desired vertical and
horizontal offsets.
For example, as shown in FIG. 12D, large diameter conduits 462B and 464B
(e.g., a six inch (6")
/ (15.24 cm) O.D. pipe) are stacked on top of smaller diameter conduits 462A
and 464A (e.g., a
four inch (4") / (10.16 cm) O.D. pipe), the conduits being held in place
between outwardly
bounding and inwardly bounding reinforcement posts 440A, 440B, 440C and 440D.
In one
embodiment, mating pairs of the reinforcement posts (e.g., outwardly bounding
post 440A and
inwardly bounding post 440B, and outwardly bounding post 440C and inwardly
bounding post
440D) are coupled by respective feet portions, and retained in place by
separator bars 430.
Alternatively, the pairs of reinforcement posts may be formed of a one-piece
construction. In
still another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 12E, the plurality of spacers
280 are replaced with
conventional building materials 450 such as, for example, lumber, elongated
plastics or foam
members, and the like, to provide one or more of the desired vertical and/or
horizontal offsets
between one or more components, such as the conduits 562A and 564A.
Barrier provides Thermal Conductivity, Insulating and/or Fire Resistant
Characteristics
In still another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 12F, a barrier 510 is
disposed between the
outwardly bounding and inwardly bounding posts, e.g., 440A and 440B, and 440C
and 440D, to
support the conduits 462A, 462B, 464A and 464B. For example, in one embodiment
shown in
FIG. 12F, the barrier 510 may be comprised of a foam insulation board 510A
such as a
STYROFOAM brand foam or other polystyrene foam board, or any other suitably
rigid
synthetic or organic material ("Styrofoam" is a registered trademark of Dow
Chemical Company,
Midland, MI USA). As shown in FIG. 12H, the barrier 510 may be comprised of a
fabric or
22
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
sheet material 510B such as a landscape fabric. In one embodiment, the fabric
or sheet material
510B is comprised of or treated to provide fire resistant properties. In one
embodiment, the
fabric 510B is secured to the soil via, for example, stakes 512. In the
embodiment shown in FIG.
12H, the fabric 510 is wrapped around large diameter conduits 462B and 464B
and proximate
smaller diameter conduits 462A and 464A thereby forming the channel 192. In
the embodiment
shown in FIG. 121, the fabric 510B is wrapped around large diameter conduits
462B and 464B
and proximate building materials 450. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 12J,
the foam board
510A and the sheet material 510B cooperate to form a first layer and a second
layer of the barrier
510 wherein the fabric 510B is wrapped around conduits 462A and 462B and
proximate the
foam board 510A. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 12K, the fabric 510B is
wrapped around
conduits 162D and 162E.
It should be appreciated that, in one embodiment, the barrier 510 functions to
prevent
backfill, e.g., gravel, from inadvertently filling the channel 192, as well as
increases an air flow
and/or drainage area in a volume 520 about the conduits 462A, 462B, 464A and
464B (FIG.
12H). For example, the barrier 510 prevents backfill from entering the volume
520 between the
outwardly bounding post (e.g., 140A, 440A) and the inwardly bounding post
(e.g., 140B, 440B).
In one embodiment, the barrier 510 surrounds or envelops the conduits 462A,
462B, 464A and
464B to prevent backfill from entering the volume 520. In one embodiment,
illustrated in FIGS.
12L and 12M, one or more of the conduits 462A, 462B, 464A and 464B may be
comprised in a
gravel-less conduit configuration 652 wherein an outside diameter of the
conduit has protrusions
654 extending therefrom.
As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, sectional views of embodiments of the inventive
form
100 are illustrated for use in forming elements of the foundation 200, namely,
a footing 202A
having a generally rectangular cross-section and a footing 202B having a
generally trapezoidal
.. cross-section. The side walls 160 of the footing 202A are formed of the
spaced apart conduits
170 having the corrugated walls 172 and the interior cavity 174, and the side
walls 260 of the
footing 202B are formed of the stacked, offset conduits (e.g., components
162A, 162B, 164A,
164B, 262A, 262B, 264A and 264B) having the interior cavity 166. One or more
of the plurality
of straps 150 and spreaders 155 are disposed about the side walls 160 and 260
to prevent a
spreading apart of connected conduits as the concrete 196 is being poured.
Once the concrete
196 cures, the straps 150 and the spreaders 155 also assist in maintaining the
integrally formed
23
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
footing 202 and, components thereof, in position. For example, once cured, the
straps 150 and
the spreader 155 can be used in a permanent installation for example, to
support rebar supports
157 placed in the channel 192 prior to pouring the cement.
As noted above, the interior cavity 174 of interconnected conduits 170 and the
interior
cavity 166 of the interconnected components 262A, 262B, 264A and 264B
cooperate to provide
the passage 180 for air flow around the interior and exterior of the footings
202 when the passage
is accessed by means of, for example, another pipe or other conduit 310 either
exteriorly or
interiorly (e.g., through a floor or slab 206) after the structure has been
completed and
unacceptable levels of radon or other gases are detected to vent the radon
laden air or other
unwanted gas such as, for example, carbon dioxide, methane, into the
atmosphere. In one
embodiment, one or both of the conduit 170 and components 262A, 262B, 264A and
264B
include means for receiving gases from the soil 194 within the areas 192A and
192C external and
internal to footing 202 and under the slab 206. For example, the corrugated
walls 172 of the
conduit 170 include apertures or slots 175 to receive gases permeating from
soil 194 within the
areas 192A and 192C external and internal to footing 202 and under the slab
206. Similarly, one
or more of the stacked components 262A, 262B, 264A, 264B include apertures or
slots 168 to
receive the gases permeating from the soil 194 within the areas 192A and 192C
proximate the
footing 202 and under the slab 206.
As shown in FIGS. 15A to 15E, one or more cross-venting pipes or conduits 320
may be
installed during construction communicating between the two corrugated
conduits 170 and/or
components 262A, 262B, 264A, 264B of the footing 202 to provide the passage
180 for air flow
communication between the corresponding conduits 170 and/or components 262A,
262B, 264A,
264B to facilitate venting and/or removal of gases, moisture and the like
(FIGS. 15A, 15B, and
15D) and/or the addition of heated or cooled air within, and when coupled to
conduit 310,
outside the structure (FIGS. 11C, 11D, 15C and 15E). Thus, the cross-venting
pipes or conduits
320 provide for a reverse air flow. Such reverse air flow provides for
directing outside air to an
area under a slab or similar foundation base. As a result, the temperature can
be equalized to
substantially reduce or eliminate condensation and moisture from forming in
the area under a
slab or similar foundation base. Accordingly, mold and other harmful
microorganisms are
prevented from forming. In one embodiment, an in-line force air system 330 is
coupled to the
24
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
pipe 310 to increase the volume of air flow within the passage 180 and
facilitate remediation of
the unwanted gases and/or the addition of desirable air (e.g., heated or
cooled air).
Drainage:
As seen in FIGS. 20 and 21, a conventional foundation footing system 1000
(FIG. 20),
including accompanying drainage components, is compared to a gravel-less
foundation footing
system 10 (FIG. 21) integrally formed with a drainage and ventilation system
in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention. In the conventional system 1000 shown
in FIG. 20,
conventional building forms are installed and a foundation footing 1012 is
formed to support a
wall 1013 and slab 1014 of a structure of interest. After the footing 1012 is
formed, gravel 1016
is used to backfill an excavated area proximate the footing 1012. Gravel is
conventionally used
to promote drainage of liquid, e.g., ground and subsurface water, away from
the foundation.
Typically, a pipe 1018 is installed proximate to and inwardly from the footing
1012 beneath the
slab 1014 to receive, capture and thereby mitigate radon and/or other unwanted
gas (e.g., carbon
dioxide, methane, and the like) from entering the building. Typically, a
drainage pipe 1020 is
installed proximate to and outwardly from the footing 1012 to receive, capture
and thereby drain
water away from the structure. Additional gravel 1016 is used as backfill
around the drainage
pipe 1020 and over the footing 1012 to further promote drainage of water away
from the
foundation. In some cases, a fabric is positioned over the gravel 1016 and
pipe 1020 to prevent
silt and debris from entering and blocking passages through the gravel 1016
and pipe 1020. As
can be appreciated, installing the conventional foundation footing system 1000
including the
accompanying drainage components is a multi-step, time-consuming process that
requires a
variety of building materials, both of which increases the cost of
construction.
Alternatively and as shown in FIG. 21, the foundation footing system 10
integrally
formed with a drainage and ventilation system enables the formation of a
footing 12 to support a
wall 13 and slab 14 of the structure without the need to backfill or place
gravel beneath the slab
14 or around the footing 12 to assist drainage. The foundation footing system
10 is a gravel-less
foundation footing system and includes a first form assembly 16A and a second
form assembly
16B that form sidewalls forming the footing 12, for example by cooperating
with the bracket
system 220 to form the sidewalls 260 of FIGS. 15B and 15C, while integrally
forming a drainage
system 18 and a ventilation system 20 as further described herein below.
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
One embodiment of a gravel-less form system 500 according to the present
invention is
shown in FIGS. 12N and 120 and includes a first form assembly 502 and a second
form
assembly 504 that form sidewalls, for example the sidewalls 260 of FIGS. 15B
and 15C.
Referring first to FIG. 12N, the barrier 510 includes the sheet material 510B
disposed around a
first drainage core 550, a second drainage core 560, and a conduit such as,
for example, conduits
562A and 564A. In one embodiment, conduits 562A and 564A are perforated
conduits such that
a flow of ground or subsurface water can be received therein. In one
embodiment, the sheet
material 510B is formed into a sleeve or pocket 563 thereby eliminating the
need for a conduit
wrapped by a barrier material. Alternatively, conduits 562A and 564A extend
through the sleeve
563. An open volume or drainage cavity 570 is thereby formed bounded by the
first drainage
core 550, the second drainage core 560, and the respective conduit 562A and
564A. In one
embodiment, the first drainage core 550 is a single-drainage core 550A (e.g.,
permits passage of
a flow of liquid through the core in one direction) and the second drainage
core 560 is a dual-
drainage core 560A (e.g., permits passage of liquid through the core in two
directions). Thus, a
passageway is created through the dual-drainage core 560A in the direction
indicated by the
arrows X1 at a penetration point in the foundation wherein the footing
intersects the wall to
advantageously create a flow away from the penetration point into the drainage
cavity 570. As a
result, water (e.g., ground or subsurface water) can enter the drainage cavity
570 via the
respective fabric-wrapped conduit 562A and 564A and the respective dual-
drainage core 560A
and be transferred away from the structure along an perimeter thereof (e.g.,
in a direction into
and out of the drawing sheet). In one embodiment, the first drainage core 550
and the second
drainage core 560 are in fluid communication, or are joined at a connection
point 555, so that
water may pass from one drainage core to the other. The liquid that enters the
drainage cavity
570 may pass to the first drainage core 550 in the direction indicated by
arrows X2 and to the
second drainage core 560 in the direction indicated by arrows X3 and thereby
equalize the
volume of liquid (e.g., ground or subsurface water) in the first and second
drainage cores 550
and 560 and in the drainage cavity 570 flowing along the perimeter of the
structure. In one
embodiment, the second drainage core 560 provides a passageway for seeping air
and other
gases such as, for example, carbon dioxide, radon, methane, and the like, as
well as water.
In one embodiment and as shown in FIG. 120, the first drainage core 550 is
configured
as an extended first drainage core 550B extending to an upper point 550X
proximate the top of
26
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
the respective conduit 562A or 564A. In one embodiment, the second drainage
core 560 is an
extended second drainage core 560B extending to an upper point 560X proximate
the top of the
respective conduit 562A or 564A. In one embodiment, both the extended first
drainage core
550B and the extended second drainage core 560B are employed.
The bottom portion of the illustrated form system defines an overall length
LFORM. A first
length LFORM1 is defined by the combined thicknesses of each of the first
drainage core 550 and
the second drainage core 560. A second length LFORM2 is defined by the
horizontal distance
traversed by the first drainage core 550. A third length LFORM3 is defined by
the distance
between drainage cores assemblies, or from one second length LFORM2 defined by
one first
drainage core 550 to another second length LFORM2 defined by another first
drainage core 550.
Thus, as shown in FIG. 120, the overall length LFORM is a summation of LFORM
I, LFORM2, LFORM3,
LFORM2 and LFORM1. In one embodiment, the overall length LFORM is up to about
thirty-six (36)
inches (91.44 cm). In one embodiment, the overall length LFORM is about twenty-
eight (28)
inches (71.12 cm). In one embodiment, each of the first drainage core 550 and
the second
drainage core 560 define a thickness Ti of about one (1) inch (2.54 cm); thus,
the first length
LFORM1 is about two (2) inches (5.08 cm). In one embodiment, the second length
LFORM2 is about
six (6) inches (15.24 cm). In one embodiment, the third length LFORM3 is about
twelve (12)
inches (30.48 cm).
As shown in FIGS. 12N and 120, the configuration of the first drainage core
550, the
second drainage core 560, and the respective conduit 562A and 564A form a
channel 592 and
provide for the elimination of a dual-reinforcement post configuration. As
shown in FIGS. 12N
and 120, such a configuration includes only outwardly bounding reinforcement
posts 440A and
440D and does not require respectively corresponding inwardly bounding
reinforcement posts
440B and 440C.
However, the use of respectively corresponding inwardly bounding
reinforcement posts 440B and 440C with the configuration of the first drainage
core 550, the
second drainage core 560, and the respective conduit 562A and 564A is another
embodiment of
said configuration and is considered within the scope of the present
invention.
The configuration of the first drainage core 550, the second drainage core
560, and the
respective conduit 562A and 564A further provide for installing said
configuration at varying
height/depth and having varying width/conduit diameter. Thus, effective gravel-
less drainage
can be configured for a wide variety of drainage applications.
27
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
As shown in FIG. 12P, one embodiment of the first drainage core 550, the
second
drainage core 560 and the conduit 564A includes individually wrapping the
components with the
barrier 510 or a sheet material 510C of the fabric 510B and setting the
components in relation to
one another as shown in FIG. 12P, namely, the first drainage core 550 and the
second drainage
core 560 disposed proximate to one another and substantially flat in one plane
(e.g., horizontally
or vertically), and the conduit 564A disposed proximate to the second drainage
core 560 on the
opposite side of the position of the first drainage core 550. The wrapped
first drainage core 550
is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow R from a first position R1
to a second position
R2. The wrapped conduit 564A is moved toward the first and second drainage
cores 550 and
560 in the direction indicated by the arrow Q from a first position Q1 to a
second position Q2.
One embodiment of a drainage core 580 for use as the first and/or second
drainage cores
550 and 560 is shown in FIG. 12Q. The drainage core 580 includes a base 582
and protrusions
584 extending outwardly from at least one side thereof In one embodiment, the
protrusions 584
extend outwardly from both sides thereof In one embodiment, the base 582 is
permeable and
defines one or more apertures 583 extending therethrough for increased
drainage through the
core 580. In one embodiment, one or more of the protrusions 584 includes an
aperture 585
extending therethrough for increased drainage through the core 580. In one
embodiment, the
aperture 585 is in fluid communication with one of the apertures 583 for
increased drainage
through the core 580.
In one embodiment, the core 580 is fabricated from a polyethylene
thermoplastic. In one
embodiment, the core 580 is a structural foam polyethylene. In one embodiment,
the core 580 is
a dimpled polymeric core. In one embodiment, the core 580 is a dimpled high
impact
polystyrene core. In one embodiment, the wrapped first and second drainage
cores 550 and 560
are formed using geocomposite materials such as for example a geotextile-
geonet composite, a
geotextile-geomembrane composite, a geomembrane-geogrid composite, and a
geotextile-
polymer core composite. In one embodiment, the wrapped first and second
drainage cores 550
and 560 are formed using a polystyrene core wrapped by polypropylene filter
fabric.
One embodiment of a gravel-less form system 600 according to the present
invention is
shown in FIG. 16 and includes a first form assembly 602 and a second form
assembly 604 that
form sidewalls, for example the sidewalls 260 of FIGS. 15B and 15C. A barrier
610 includes an
inner layer 611A wrapped by an outer layer 611B. In one embodiment. the inner
layer 611A
28
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
includes a first drainage core 650 and a second drainage core 660. In one
embodiment, the outer
layer 611B is a fabric 610B. The fabric 610B is wrapped around the first
drainage core 650, the
second drainage core 660, and a conduit such as for example conduits 662A and
664A. In one
embodiment, conduits 662A and 664A are perforated conduits. In one embodiment,
the fabric
610B is formed into a sleeve or pocket 663 through which the conduits 662A and
664A extend.
An open volume or drainage cavity 670 is thereby formed bounded by the first
drainage core 650,
the second drainage core 660, and the respective conduit 662A and 664A.
One embodiment of a gravel-less foundation footing drainage and ventilation
system 700,
employable according to aspects of the present invention without the
aforementioned bracket
assemblies 120 and 220, is shown in FIG. 17. A barrier 710 includes an inner
layer 711A
wrapped by an outer layer 711B. In one embodiment, the inner layer 711A
includes a first
drainage core 750 and a second drainage core 760. In one embodiment, the outer
layer 711B is a
fabric 710B. The fabric 710B is wrapped around the first drainage core 750,
the second drainage
core 760, and a conduit 762. In one embodiment, conduit 762 is a perforated
conduit. In one
embodiment, the fabric 710B is formed into a sleeve or pocket 763 through
which the conduit
762 extends. An open volume or drainage cavity 770 is thereby formed bounded
by the first
drainage core 750, the second drainage core 760 and the conduit 762. As
described below, the
inventor has discovered a plurality of innovative uses of the drainage and
ventilation system 700,
and other components described above, in athletic field, golf courses and
other applications, in
.. addition to the uses within and proximate to building structural
components.
In one embodiment and as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, one or both of the first
and second
drainage cores 650, 660 and/or 750, 760 include a plurality of surface
elevations and/or
depressions therein that form a plurality of respective passages 655 and 755
extending vertically
and horizontally through the respective drainage cores. As a result, water
(e.g., ground or sub-
surface water) and seeping air and other gases can enter the drainage cavity
670, 770 via the
respective fabric-wrapped drainage core 650 and/or 660, and 750 and/or 760. In
one
embodiment, one or both of the first and second drainage cores 650, 660 and/or
750, 760 include
one or more apertures extending therethrough for increased drainage through
the core as shown
with respect to the core 580 in FIG. 12Q. FIG. 18A illustrates one embodiment
of a drainage
core 850 for use with any of the systems described herein above. The drainage
core 850 is
comprised of a sheet 852 having a plurality of dimples 854 formed therein, for
example by
29
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
stamping, punching or molding. In one embodiment, the dimples 854 are form in
a row-column
configuration including a first plurality of passages 855A extending in a
first direction through
the core 850 (e.g., along a row of dimples 854), and a second plurality of
passages 855B
extending in a second direction through the core 850 in a substantially
orthogonal orientation to
the first plurality of passages 855A (e.g., along a column of dimples 854). It
should be
appreciated that depending on orientation of the drainage core 850, the
passages 855A and 855B
permit liquid and gas to vertically and horizontally traverse the core 850. In
one embodiment,
each of the dimples 854 extends upwardly from the sheet 852 a height HDIMPLE
of about 0.437
inch (1.110 cm). It should be appreciated that varying (e.g., increasing or
decreasing) the height
HDIMPLE of the dimples 854 typically varies (e.g., proportionally increases or
decrease) the
volume of air, gas and/or liquid captured, retained and moved/carried in the
drainage core 850.
For example, a larger height HDimpLE increases the flow capacity of the
drainage core 850, and a
smaller height HDIMPLE decreases the flow capacity of the drainage core 850.
It should be
appreciated that the present invention is not limited to a specific height
HDIMPLE and that the
height may be varied to accommodate certain drainage design and application
specific
parameters for good water management practices. FIG. 18C shows generally, at
870, various
characteristics of example geotextile fabric and well as various
characteristics, at 880, of
example heights (HDimpLE) referred to as "Cusp Height" and corresponding
liquid flow rates
(gals/min per foot of width).
As shown in FIG. 18B, one embodiment of forming system, the barrier 610, 710
includes
providing a sheet 610C of the fabric 610B integrally formed with the sleeve
663 extending
between portions 610D and 610E of fabric sheet 610C wherein such portions
respectively
envelope or wrap the respective drainage core, for example first drainage
core. In one
embodiment, one of the conduits, for example conduit 662A, is disposed within
the sleeve 663.
In one embodiment. the fabric 610B is a thermally bonded nonwoven geotextile
that exhibits a
high grab tensile strength and elongation as set forth in ASTM D4632, Grab
Breaking Load and
Elongation of Geotextiles. In one embodiment, the fabric 610B exhibits a grab
tensile strength
greater than 100 lbs. and an elongation that is greater than fifty percent
(50%). In one
embodiment, the fabric 610B provides for hydraulic conductivity therethrough
as set forth in
ASTM D4491. Standard Test Methods for Water Permeability of Geotextiles by
Permittivity. In
one embodiment. the fabric 610B exhibits a permittivity greater than Is and a
permeability of at
00
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
least 0.05 cm/s. In one embodiment, the fabric 610A is Typar SF geotextile
commercially
available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. ("Typar" is a registered
trademark of E.
I. du Pont de Nemours and Company).
The inventor has discovered that in some embodiments, the barriers 510, 610
and 710
form a thermal break when disposed as an interface between, for example, a
slab wall or floor
and fill (e.g., vertical and/or horizontal configuration), and/or as a
drainage blanket or mat (e.g.,
horizontal configuration) disposed at or below the surface of backfill. For
example, as shown
FIGS. 18A and 18B, the barriers 610 and 710 are comprised of an inner drainage
cores 650 or
660, and 750 or 760, shown generally at 850, wrapped by an outer fabric 610B
and 710B, shown
generally at 860, such that the fabric 610B and 710B (fabric 860) encloses the
cores 650 or 660
and 750 or 760 (core 850). The inventor has recognized that in this fabric-
core-fabric "layered"
or "sandwich" configuration forms a thermal break between the surfaces that it
is disposed
between. For example, the opposing fabric layers at least partially, if not
fully, isolate
temperature of the abutting materials. On one side, the slab wall or floor,
and on the opposing
side, the fill of gravel or soil. The inner drainage cores 650 or 660, and 750
or 760 (e.g., core
850) permit an air flow that further acts to isolate temperature differentials
between the opposing
fabric layers 610B and 710B (fabric 860) and the abutting materials. The
inventor has also
discovered that this isolation may be further enhanced, supplemented or
controlled as desired by
introducing conditioned air or liquid within the drainage cores 650 or 660 and
750 or 760 (core
850). For example, warm or cool air or liquid may be passed through the
drainage cores 650 or
660 and 750 or 760 to regulate the temperature differential between the
abutting materials.
In one embodiment, the drainage cores 550, 560, 650, 660, 750 and/or 760 are
fabricated
by, for example: (i) continuous thermal forming of the core; (ii) perforating
the core; (iii) cutting
the core to a desired width; and (iv) laminating the fabric 610B, 710B or
fabric sheet 610C to the
.. core in the desired configuration. In one embodiment, an adhesive 673 is
disposed on one or
both outer surfaces 672 and 674 of the respective drainage core 650, 660 prior
to applying the
fabric 610B or fabric sheet 610C. In one embodiment, the adhesive 673 is
compliant with the
composition requirements set forth in 21 C.F.R. 175.105 ("Indirect Food
Additives: Adhesives
and Components of Coatings; Adhesives"). In one embodiment, the adhesive 673
exhibits an
open time (i.e., the time after the adhesive is applied during which a
serviceable bond is made) of
31
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
greater than thirty (30) seconds. In one embodiment, the adhesive 673 is Hot
Melt 1066
commercially available from Tailored Chemical Products, Inc.
FIG. 19 shows a number of methods of use of forming system 600 of FIG. 16 and
the
gravel-less foundation footing, drainage and ventilation system 700 (FIG. 17).
As described
hereinabove, construction of a building or other structure of interest
includes forming a
foundation footing 2 to support foundation walls 4 and a slab 6 extending
therebetween. In one
embodiment, the forming system 600 is employed to form a new foundation
footing 2A having
an integrally formed drainage and ventilation system therein as described
hereinabove. In one
embodiment, one form assembly 602A, configured similarly to form assembly 602,
is employed
to further provide drainage and ventilation capacity beneath the slab 6. In
one embodiment, one
form assembly 602B is configured such that first and second cores 650 and 660
extend
substantially horizontally outwardly from conduit 662A to further provide
drainage and
ventilation capacity beneath the slab 6. In one embodiment, the form
assemblies of the present
invention are employed to provide drainage and ventilation capacity around an
existing
foundation footing 213. In one such embodiment, one form assembly 602C is
positioned on an
inward side 2C of footing 2B; and a second form assembly 602D is positioned on
an outward
side 2D of footing 2B. In one embodiment, first drainage core 650 and second
drainage core 660
can be positioned proximate the existing foundation footing 2B. While FIG. 19
shows a number
of methods of use of the forming system 600 and the ventilation system 700, it
should be
appreciated that all of the embodiments of a forming system in accordance with
the present
invention can be employed as shown in FIG. 19.
As described herein, the present invention provides a concrete forming system
for
building foundations, and portions thereof, wherein walls of the foundation
are constructed using
building material sections that interlock end-to-end to form a passage (e.g.,
the passage 180).
The passage is conducive to provide ventilation for effective and efficient
radon or other
unwanted gas such as, for example, carbon dioxide, methane, mitigation or
remediation from the
structure being constructed. The inventive forming system permits construction
of footings and
walls of the foundation that may have substantially vertical side walls of a
generally rectangular
or square cross-section, side walls of a generally trapezoidal cross-section,
and/or combinations
and variations thereof. The inventor has recognized that the forming system
permits construction
of, for example, a sub-slab depressurization system (e.g., with the
introduction of conditioned air
32
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
and/or removal of air and other gases) with a minimum of about fifty percent
(50%) more
mitigation than is seen with prior art systems.
In one aspect of the present invention, when installing footing forms that
need to be
leveled, the present invention (e.g., the bracket assembly 220) provides a
relatively easy leveling
.. feature to minimize labor needed to level the form prior to use.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, once concrete has cured, there
is no need to
remove components of the forms as the components are integrally formed within
the footings or
walls to provide additional structural support. In one embodiment, self-
leveling reinforcement
posts act as a vertical brace if material is needed to block concrete from
flowing out from under
form.
In yet another aspect, components of the inventive form system are vertically
stackable
and horizontally expandable to accommodate footings and/or walls of various
heights and widths.
Some perceived benefits of constructing footings and/or walls having a
trapezoidal cross
section include, for example:
A. Ineteases bearing with standard footing sizes.
B. Decrease amount of material used with standard footing sizes.
C. The standard footing sizes are reduced, but a same bearing is achieved.
D. Decreasing amount of material in reduced size achieving same bearing.
For example, a typical rectangular footing of dimensions of about twenty four
inches (24
in.; 60.96 cm) in width, twelve inches (12 in.; 30.48 cm) in height and ten
feet (10 ft.; 3.048 m)
in length provides a cubic volume of twenty cubic feet (20 cu. ft.), while a
trapezoidal footing
may be constructed to carry the same bearing by have dimensions of about
sixteen inches (16 in.;
40.64 cm) in upper width and twenty four inches (24 in.; 60.96 cm) in lower
width, twelve
inches (12 in.; 30.48 cm) in height and ten feet (10 ft.; 3.048 in)) in length
provides a cubic
volume of sixteen cubic feet (16 cu. ft.).
The barrier and a form system for forming a foundation footing integrally
formed with a
drainage and ventilation system according to the present invention provides
for retaining a
flowable and curable building material to form a portion of a foundation of at
least a portion of a
structure of interest. The system includes side walls receiving and retaining
the building
materials therebetween. The side walls are disposed in a predetermined
configuration suitable
for the portion of the foundation and include a first side wall and a second
side wall. At least one
33
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
of the first side wall and the second side wall is comprised of at least one
component having an
interior cavity. A bracket assembly retains the side walls in the
predetermined configuration.
The bracket assembly includes a first outwardly bounding reinforcement post
disposed
proximate the first side wall, and a second outwardly bounding reinforcement
post disposed
proximate the second side wall. A separator bar includes a first end, a second
end opposed from
the first end, and a plurality of apertures disposed along a length of the
separator bar. The
plurality of apertures includes a first set of apertures disposed proximate
the first end and a
second set of apertures disposed proximate the second end. The first set
apertures and the
second set of apertures are sized to receive and retain each of the
reinforcement posts at locations
corresponding to nominal widths of the at least one component. A barrier is
disposed between
the outwardly bounding posts. The barrier is defined by an inner layer wrapped
by an outer layer,
and the barrier being permeable. The barrier and the at least one component is
retained in the
foundation after the building material cures, and the barrier prevents
backfill from filling a
volume between the portion of the foundation and the outwardly bounding posts.
In onc cmbodimcnt, tlic baiiiei iinier layer includes a first drainage core
having a first end,
a second end, and a plurality of passages extending therethrough; and a second
drainage core
having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of passages extending
therethrough. In one
embodiment, the system includes a drainage cavity bounded by the at least one
component and
the first and second drainage cores wherein the second drainage core is
disposed substantially
vertically and proximate at least one of the first and second outwardly
bounding reinforcement
posts, the second end of the second drainage core being disposed proximate the
second end of
the first drainage core, and the first end of the first drainage core is
positioned upwardly from the
second end of the first drainage core and inwardly from the at least one of
the first and second
outwardly bounding reinforcement posts, and wherein the at least one component
is disposed on
the first end of each of the first and second drainage cores.
In one embodiment, the barrier outer layer is a fabric. In one embodiment, the
barrier
outer layer is a geotextile exhibiting a grab tensile strength greater than
100 lbs. and an
elongation that is greater than fifty percent (50%). In one embodiment, the
barrier outer layer is
a geotextile exhibiting a permittivity greater than ls-I and a permeability of
at least 0.05 cm/s. In
one embodiment, the barrier further comprises an adhesive disposed between the
barrier inner
34
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
layer and the barrier outer layer. In one embodiment, the at least one
component is a perforated
conduit.
A foundation footing drainage and ventilation system in accordance with the
present
invention includes a conduit, a first drainage core having a first end, a
second end, and plurality
.. of passages extending therethrough; and a second drainage core having a
first end, a second end,
and plurality of passages extending therethrough. A fabric is wrapped around
each of the
conduit, the first drainage core and the second drainage core. A drainage
cavity is bounded by
the conduit and the first and second drainage cores wherein the second
drainage core is disposed
substantially vertically and proximate a first side of the conduit, the second
end of the second
drainage core being disposed proximate the second end of the first drainage
core, wherein the
first end of the first drainage core is positioned upwardly from the second
end of the first
drainage core and proximate a second side of the conduit; and wherein the at
least one
component is disposed on the first end of each of the first and second
drainage cores.
A foundation footing drainage and ventilation system, includes a conduit; a
first drainage
.. core having a first end, a second end, a first plurality of passages
extending therethrough and a
second plurality of passages extending therethrough substantially orthogonal
to the first plurality
of passages; a second drainage core having a first end, a second end, a first
plurality of passages
extending therethrough and a second plurality of passages extending
therethrough substantially
orthogonal to the first plurality of passages; a fabric wrapped around each of
the conduit, the first
drainage core and the second drainage core; wherein the conduit is disposed
proximate the first
end of each of the first and second drainage cores, and the second end of each
of the first and
second drainage cores extends outwardly from the conduit.
In one embodiment, the conduit is perforated. In one embodiment, the first and
second
drainage cores are permeable. In one embodiment, the fabric is permeable. In
one embodiment,
the fabric comprises a geotextile exhibiting a grab tensile strength greater
than 100 lbs. and an
elongation that is greater than fifty percent (50%). In one embodiment, the
fabric comprises a
geotextile exhibiting a permittivity greater than
and a permeability of at least 0.05 cm/s. In
one embodiment, an adhesive is disposed between the fabric and the first and
second drainage
cores.
35
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
Additional Embodiments.
The inventor has discovered that the aforementioned bracket and form system
can be
utilized in novel and non-obvious manners to provide and improve drainage, air
and gas barriers,
as air and thermal insulating sheathing, drywall and ceiling tiles to provide
remediation and
improve air flow (into and out of a system), to provide and improve conditions
within the
building/structure's envelope, irrigation, septic leaching fields, and the
like, some with gravel-
less embodiments. Applications of such systems may include, but are not
limited to, agriculture,
indoor and outdoor athletic sport fields, and building structures of a variety
of uses, as well as
open air structures and environments including, but not limited to, driveways,
parking lots,
sidewalks, parking garages, airport runways, bridges, mining, roofing systems,
and the like.
The inventor has discovered that the aforementioned systems can be used
together, and
individually, in a number of commercial products. For example, the bracket
assembly 220,
including one or more of the separator bars 230 and two or more of the
reinforcement posts 240,
may be purchased under a trademark Dri-Bracket as illustrated generally at
1220 in FIG. 22. As
dcscribcd herein, the Dri-Bracket system 1220 may be used as a form system to
support
components of side walls 262 and 264 (not shown in FIG. 22), as well as rebar
supports 157. As
shown in FIGS. 16, 19 and 21, the Dri-Bracket system 1220 can be used to form
building
structural components such as footings and foundations for a structure of
interest. When used
with components such as conduits 662A and 664A, and drainage cores 650 and
660, the Dri-
Bracket system 1220 provides an integral ventilation and drainage forming
system that may be
purchased under the trademark Dri-Form (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 16 and 19). As
shown in FIG.
17, conduits 762A and drainage cores 750 and 760 provide the standalone
drainage and
ventilation system 700 that may be purchased under a trademark Dri-Drain. Dri-
Bracket, Dri-
Form and Dri-Drain are trademarks of DRFF, LLC, Shelton, CT US.
As shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B, the barriers 610 and 710 including drainage
cores 650,
660, 750, 760, 850 and outer fabric 610B, 710B, 860 (FIGS. 16, 17, 18A and
18B) may be
employed as an interface between a slab wall 1004 or floor 1006 and fill
(e.g., vertical and/or
horizontal, and interior and/or exterior configurations), and/or as a drainage
blanket or mat (e.g.,
horizontal configuration) disposed at or below the surface of backfill or the
footing 12, and
additionally as a ceiling tile, subfloor component, or the like within the
structure. For example,
as shown FIGS. 16. 17. 18A and 18B, the barriers 610 and 710 are comprised of
the inner
36
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
drainage cores 650 or 660, and 750 or 760, 850 wrapped by the outer fabric
610B, 710B and 860
such that the fabric 610B, 710B and 860 encloses the cores 650 or 660, 750 or
760, and 850. As
described above, the inventor has recognized that in this fabric-core-fabric
"layered" or
"sandwich" configuration forms a thermal break between the surfaces that it is
disposed between.
For example, the opposing fabric layers at least partially, if not fully,
isolate temperature of the
abutting materials; on one side, the slab wall or floor, and on the opposing
side, the fill of gravel
or soil. The inner drainage cores 650, 660, 750, 760, 850 permit an air flow
that further acts to
isolate temperature differentials between the opposing fabric layers 610B,
710B, 860 and the
abutting materials. The inventor has also discovered that this isolation may
be further enhanced,
supplemented or controlled as desired by introducing conditioned air or liquid
within the
drainage cores 650 or 660 and 750 or 760. For example, warm or cool air or
liquid may be
passed through the drainage cores 650, 660, 750, 760, 850 to regulate the
temperature differential
between the abutting materials. In one embodiment, where the inventive
"layered" or
"sandwich" configuration is installed from below grade (e.g., as a drainage
mat or footing form)
to a iidge or upper most roof component, the air continuously traversing the
passage formed by
the drainage cores 650, 660, 750, 760, 850 promotes a more healthy environment
with the
structure by moving stagnant air or gas within the building envelope. In
another embodiment,
the fabric 660, 760, 860 is installed only on one side of the layer
configuration, e.g., leaving an
expose surface of the drainage core 650, 750, 850 that can provide an interior
or exterior "lath
system" for applying plaster, stucco (scratch or finish coat), tile, stone,
brick or the line.
In yet another embodiment, the inventor has recognized that liquid, foam or a
fire
suppression chemistry, may be provided from, for example, a sprinkler or other
fire suppression
system disposed within a structure (not shown) such that the barriers 610 and
710 may enhance
fire retardance of the structure to assist in containing a structure fire.
Still further, in one
embodiment, fire retardant materials may be applied to the fabric 610B, 710B,
860 to assist in
the fire retardance of the barriers 610, 710. In still another embodiment, the
barriers 610, 710
may include only one fabric layer 610B, 710B to leave a surface of the
drainage core 650, 660,
750, 760, 850 exposed. In this embodiment, the fabric layer 610B, 710B is
installed facing the
abutting surface, for example an interior or exterior face of the slab wall
1004, to receive a
plaster, stucco or mortar to bond a stone veneer thereto.
37
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
As shown in FIGS. 17 and 19, the conduit 762 and drainage cores 750 and 760
wrapped
in the fabric 710B provide the standalone drainage and ventilation system 700
also referred to as
Dri-Drain. The inventor has discovered that in various configurations
(illustrated in FIGS. 24A
to 24D), the system 700 including substantially flat and/or sloped horizontal
700A and vertical
700B configured fabric-wrapped drainage cores 750, 760 and the conduit 762 may
be employed
in agricultural, athletic field, golf course applications, and the like, to
provide an improved,
integral aeration, irrigation, drainage and ventilation system. In this
standalone embodiment, the
system 700 is offered under the trademark Dri-Turf. For example, in one
embodiment, a putting
green 1100 is illustrated in FIGS. 25A and 25B and includes a subsurface
configuration 1160 of
interconnected drainage and ventilation system 700, a Dri-Turf system (e.g.,
the drainage cores
750 and 760 and conduit 762 wrapped in the fabric 710B). Dri-Turf is a
trademark of DRFF,
LLC, Shelton, CT US. As shown in FIG. 25B, the putting green 1100 includes a
relatively short
(in height) grass or synthetic material top layer 1110, a soil layer 1120 and
the subsurface
drainage and ventilation layer 1130, including the configuration 1160 of
interconnected drainage
and voiltilatiun system 700. As shown in FIG. 2513, various portions of the
subsurface
configuration 1160 of the interconnected drainage and ventilation system 700
can carry a drain
or flow capacity such that the system 700 can capture, retain and move away a
volume of water,
e.g., ground and subsurface water, to an attached drainage system, containment
area, retention
pond or the like (not shown). As shown in FIG. 25B, a point A where the
drainage mat
.. (horizontal) configuration of the drainage cores 750 and 760 meets the
vertical configuration of
the drainage core 750 and 760 has a drain capacity of about twenty to fifty
gallons per minute
(20 to 50 gals./min.; 75.71 to 189.27 liters/min.), the drainage cavity 770
has a drain capacity of
about one hundred twenty to four hundred eighty gallons per minutes (120 to
480 gals./min.;
454.25 to 1817 liters/min.), and the conduit 762 has a drain capacity of about
two hundred forty
.. to nine hundred gallons per minute (240 to 900 gals./min.; 908.50 to
3,406.87 liters/min.).
Similarly, and as shown in FIGS. 26A to 26D, the interconnected drainage and
ventilation system 700, Dri-Turf, may be employed with a plurality of drainage
conduits 1240 in
a subsurface configuration below an athletic field 1200. In one embodiment,
illustrated in FIGS.
26A and 26B, the athletic field 1200 is two hundred twenty feet (220 ft.;
67.06 meters) in width
WHELD from one sideline 1202 to an opposing sideline 1204, and has a
centerline 1201 at one
hundred ten feet (110 ft.; 33.53 meters). The athletic field 1200 further
includes opposing ends
38
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
1206 and 1208 over a length LFIELD of the athletic field 1200. In this
embodiment, the inventor
has discovered that an effective drainage and ventilation system would include
interconnected
runs of the drainage and ventilation system 700, Dri-Turf, arranged at the
opposing ends 1206
and 1208 of the athletic field 1200 and in a plurality of rows 1210 spanning
the length LFIELD and
across its width WFIELD. Each of the systems 700 is coupled to conduits 1242,
within the plurality
of conduits 1240, disposed in a plurality of columns 1220 along the length
LFIELD of the field
1200 from end 1206 to end 1208. At an intersection of each of the respective
rows 1210 and
columns 1220, the drainage and ventilation system 700, Dri-Turf, is arranged
in a stack
configuration as shown in FIG. 26D. In one embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 26A
and 26B, the
.. plurality of rows 1210 of the drainage and ventilation system 700 are
spaced eight feet (8 ft.;
2.44 meters) apart at the centerline 1201 of the athletic field 1200 and then
equally spaced
sixteen feet (16 ft.; 4.88 meters) apart between centerlines of the respective
systems 700
traveling from the centerline 1201 to each of the opposing sidelines 1202 and
1204 of the field
1200. In one embodiment, a last of the rows 1210 proximate to each respective
sideline 1202
and 1204 is six feet (6 ft.; 1.83 meters) from the sideline 1202 or 1204. In
one embodiment, the
plurality of columns 1220 of the conduits 1242 are comprised of, for example,
four to six inch (4
to 6 in.; 10.16 cm to 15.24 cm) solid (non-perforated) pipes, and are spaced
sixty feet (60 ft.;
18.29 meters) apart (centerline of stack to centerline of stack) along the
length LFIELD of the field
1200 from end 1206 to end 1208. In one embodiment, the plurality of conduits
1240 includes at
least one conduit 1244 disposed at one or both of the sidelines 1202 and 1204
and coupled to
each of the plurality of columns 1220 of the conduits 1242. In one embodiment,
the conduit
1244 is comprised of, for example, a twelve inch (12 in.; 30.48 cm) solid (non-
perforated) pipe
that runs along the length LFIELD of the athletic field 1200 to carry or drain
a volume of water,
e.g., ground and subsurface water, the system 700 can capture, retain and move
by the drainage
and ventilation system 700, to an attached drainage system, containment area,
reserve 1246 or
the like.
A cross-section view (along line 26C-26C) of one embodiment of the athletic
field 1200
is illustrated in FIG. 26C. As shown in FIG. 26C, the athletic field 1200
includes a crown or
elevated portion at the centerline 1201 and tapers downwardly from the
centerline 1201 to
respective sidelines 1202 and 1204. As illustrated in FIGS. 26C and 26D, a
stack configuration
of the drainage and ventilation system 700 are disposed at each intersection
of a respective row
09
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
1210 and a column 1220. As shown in FIG. 26D, as with previous embodiments,
the drainage
and ventilation system 700 includes the drainage cores 750 and 760 and conduit
762 wrapped in
the fabric 710B. In one embodiment, each of the stacks includes the system 700
coupled to one
of the conduit 1242 arranged vertically at the intersection of one of the
plurality of rows 1210
and one of the plurality of columns 1220, which is then coupled to one of the
conduits 1242
arranged horizontally and defining one of the plurality of columns 1220. As
shown in FIG. 26A
and 26C, each of the conduits 1242 arranged horizontally within the plurality
of columns 1220 is
coupled to the conduit 1244 at one or both of the sidelines 1202 and 1204
(shown at 1204). As
shown in FIGS. 26C and 26D, the athletic field 1200 includes a top layer 1260
including a sod or
synthetic turf, a soil layer 1270 and a subsurface drainage and ventilation
layer, including the
stack of a respective one of the drainage and ventilation systems 700 and
conduit 1242. As
shown in FIG. 26D, the stacked drainage and ventilation system 700 is disposed
in a trench 1300
forming the rows 1210 in, for example, the compacted soil 1290. In one
embodiment, once the
system 700 is installed, the trench 1300 is backfilled with sand 1280 or other
media to permit, if
needed, subsequent access to the system /00.
FIGS. 27A to 27C illustrated examples of embodiments of the drainage and
ventilation
systems 700 that may be disposed within the trench 1300. In FIG. 27A, for
example, the
drainage and ventilation systems 700 is configured where the conduit 762 is
wrapped about its
circumference by the drainage core 750 and fabric 710B, and where the drainage
core 850 is
disposed in a substantially horizontal drainage mat configuration above the
wrapped conduit 762.
In FIG. 27B, for example, the drainage and ventilation systems 700 is
configured where the
conduit 762 is wrapped about its circumference by the drainage cores 750 and
760, and the fabric
710B, which then extend vertically and upwardly from the conduit 762 toward
the top surface at
a sloped angle. The drainage cores 750 and 760 are then horizontally
configured, in a similar
manner as is illustrated in FIG. 24B. Alternatively, the vertically and
upwardly extending
drainage cores 750 and 760 wrapped in the fabric 710B, terminate at the
drainage core 850 that is
disposed in a substantially horizontal drainage mat configuration above the
wrapped cores 750
and 760. In still another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 27C. for example,
the drainage and
ventilation systems 700 is configured where the conduit 762 is wrapped about
its circumference
by the drainage cores 750 and 760, and the fabric 710B. which then extend
vertically and
upwardly from the conduit 762 toward the top surface parallel to sidewalls of
the trench 1300
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
(e.g., substantially vertical at no angle). A center portion 1302 of the
trench 1300 above the
conduit 762 and between the drainage cores 750 and 760 is then filled with a
side-by-side or
back-to-back arrangement of the drainage cores 750 and 760. The substantially
vertical and
side-by-side or back-to-back arrangements of the drainage cores 750 and 760
wrapped in the
fabric 710B, terminate at the drainage core 850 that is disposed in a
substantially horizontal
drainage mat configuration above the wrapped cores 750 and 760. In one
embodiment, as with
the embodiment of FIG. 26D, once the system 700 is installed in either of the
example
embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 27A to 27C, the trench 1300 is backfilled
with sand 1280 or
other media to permit, if needed, subsequent access to the system 700. The
inventor has
discovered that the example embodiment of FIG. 27C can be particularly useful
for accessing the
drainage and ventilation systems 700 after initial installation, for example,
for maintenance or
repair. The inventor has further discovered that improved drainage,
ventilation, thermal
conductivity and other characteristics can be achieved with one or more
arrangements, e.g., a
side-by-side and/or back-to-back configuration of drainage cores 650, 750, and
850 as illustrated
1S in FIG. 31. In one embodimcnt, the diainage cures 630, 750, 850 include
a flat sheet 1852,
similar to sheet 852 that has the plurality of dimples 854 formed therein,
with no dimples 854
formed therein. The flat sheet 1852 may be fixed to portions of the dimples
854 in the sheet 852
to bound passages formed between the dimples 852. In still another embodiment,
a mesh or grid
sheet 1860 is added to the "layered" or "sandwich" configuration of, for
example, the core 850
and the fabric 860. In one embodiment, the mesh or grid sheet 1860 may be
coupled to a low
voltage source (not shown). The grid sheet 1860 may conduct low voltage across
the sheet in a
row and column manner, for example, and provide a notification system when,
for example, a
change of conductivity and/or impedance is detected at a point (intersection
of a respective row
and column) on the grid sheet 1860. The inventor has recognized that when the
drainage core
650, 750, 850 including the grid sheet 1860 is disposed proximate a slab wall,
for example, the
change in conductivity or impedance can indicate a leak of liquid, e.g.,
ground water, through the
slab wall. In this embodiment, the drainage core acts as a notification and/or
detection system
for a defect in a foundation, for example.
Referring again to FIGS. 26A and 26C, a larger conduit, for example, the
conduit 1244,
may be disposed at one or both of the sidelines 1202 and 1204 of the athletic
field 1200. In one
embodiment, a plurality of drain members 1250 (illustrated in FIG. 28A and
28B) are disposed at
41
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
one or both of the sidelines 1202 and 1204 in a stacked configuration, wherein
one of the
conduits 1242 arranged vertically, couples a respective drain member 1250 to
the conduit 1244.
In one embodiment, the drain member 1250 includes a drain grate or screen 1252
having a
plurality of apertures 1253 and drain containment chamber 1254 to assist in
inhibiting a flow of
debris into the subsurface configuration of drainage systems 700 and drainage
conduits 1240
below the athletic field 1200.
The inventor has discovered that certain environmental conditions, for
example, high
temperature days and colder temperature nights, allows for heat to radiate to
and through the
drainage cores 750, 760, 850 that may lead to thermal expansion of the cores
750, 760 and 850
during heat exposure and subsequent contraction at night when the heat
dissipates. The cycle of
thermal expansion and contraction can buckle or otherwise displace the cores
750, 760 and 850 if
this movement is not otherwise accommodated in the installation of the
drainage and ventilation
system 700. In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 29, an expansion joint 1400
is configured
within the structure of the drainage cores 750, 760 and 850. As illustrated
above with reference
to FIGS 18 A, and 18B, the drainage core 850 is uumplised of the sheet 852
having the plurality
of dimples 854 formed therein, in for example a row-column configuration. As
shown in FIG.
29, a portion 1410 of the sheet 852 includes no dimples 854 and is comprised
of a thinner, more
flexible wall that permits and otherwise accommodates expansion and
contraction by for
example bending or folding inwardly and upwardly in response to expansion. In
one
embodiment, the portion 1410 may include a configuration, pattern or profile
to more readily
accommodate expansion and contraction, for example a series of raised portions
forming a
jagged or zig-zagged cross section.
In one embodiment, one or more of the horizontal drainage mat configured
drainage
cores 750, 760 and 850 are joined or coupled using a joining and restricting
member 1450
illustrated in FIG. 30. In one embodiment, the joining and restricting member
1450 includes an
upper flange 1452 and a lower flange 1454 joined by a central wall 1456 and
defining a first
interior cavity 1458A and a second interior cavity 1458B therebetween. The
interior cavities
1458A ad 1458B of the joining and restricting member 1450 adapted to receive
horizontally
configured drainage cores 850. In one embodiment, the joining and restricting
member 1450
joins adjacent drainage cores 850A and 850B, and restricts a flow of liquid,
air, gas and the like,
42
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057
PCT/US2018/000367
between the cores 850A and 850B. In one aspect of the invention, the joining
and restricting
member 1450 prevents flow across the cores 850 and can be utilized to allow
uniform drainage.
In further embodiments, the inventive drainage and ventilation system is seen
to provide
a rain screen, exterior and interior sheathing, replacement for sheetrock and
ceiling tiles as well.
Installation of the above described Dri-Drain Wall systems is easier and
faster due, in part, to the
relative light weight in comparison to conventional systems. The system is
seen to have a less
environmental impact, provides for shipment of larger quantities per truck
load, with
enhancements to accommodate different building divisions or industries.
Embodiments provided
improved fire resistance, thermal conductivity and/or barrier, improved
ventilation to remove
poor air quality or gases in residential, commercial, industrial applications
of use.
Additionally, in applications involving athletic fields, the present invention
provides for a
decreased impact (G-MAX) on the fields, resulting in less injuries, fatigue
and wear and tear on
an athlete's body, as well as higher drainage flow and a thermal conductivity
and/or barrier to
extend season use of fields. The systems described herein provide an increase
in water
retainment capabilitics, theiiiial cunductivity and/or barrier in irrigation
an agriculture. Solving
many irrigation and environmental issues in agricultural and mining. When used
with a low
voltage applied across the core, can be used as a leak detection system for
below grade
applications. The systems can be used as ceiling tiles, as an
improvement/supplement to HVAC
systems, air remediation and venting systems and the like. The systems
described herein may be
used as interior sheathing or sheetrock having light weight, fast easier to
install, larger quantities
shipped per truckload, environmental friendly. FIVAC air vent, air
remediation, moisture
resistant. The systems may also be used as exterior sheathing and or siding,
lath and rain screen,
each having light weight, thermal conductivity and/or barrier, and moisture
resistant
characteristics.
The terms "first," "second," and the like, herein do not denote any order,
quantity, or
importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. In
addition, the terms
"a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote
the presence of at
least one of the referenced item.
Although the invention has been described with reference to particular
embodiments
thereof, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, upon a
reading and
understanding of the foregoing disclosure, that numerous variations and
alterations to the
4_3
CA 03073273 2020-02-18
WO 2019/036057 PCT/US2018/000367
disclosed embodiments will fall within the spirit and scope of this invention
and of the appended
claims.
44
