L-bead: a leak prevention system for stucco surfaces

Abstract

The L-Bead system is a system for use as a plaster or stucco stop where the plaster or stucco meets a separate surface such as window or door frames or jamb. Typical plaster stop in the stucco masonry industry consists of a perforated strip running parallel to the jamb with a plastic edge acting to contain the applied plaster or stucco surface. Traditional plaster stop is routinely installed approximately ¼-inch away from jamb in order to account for differences in the raised height of the jamb or other surface. The resulting gap or space requires the installation of a backer rod between the plaster stop and the edge of the jamb. This can add considerably to construction time and costs.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0001] This invention was not made, invented or otherwise promoted by any federally sponsored research or development grants, monies or other financial or other support. It was developed in an entirely private fashion by the inventor.

DESCRIPTION

Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to the application of stucco or plaster in homes or other buildings and specifically to the stop system used between the edge of the stucco or plaster surface and the adjoining frame for windows and doors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Stucco and/or plaster are typically used for both interior and exterior surfaces in home or commercial building construction. Stucco or plaster is routinely applied to a galvanized wire mesh over felt paper which has been attached to underlying plywood or other sheathing material. (See FIG. 1.) In order to provide a smooth edge where the stucco or plaster meets a door or window jamb or frame, plastic stop strips are installed along the desired edge of the stucco or plaster to contain it and provide for an even finish.

[0004] The plastic stop often used for this purpose is presented in FIG. 2. The plaster stop generally consists of a perforated plastic strip approximately 2 inches wide with a plastic lip or edge acting to contain the stucco or plaster away from the jamb or frame. The plaster stop is typically installed approximately {fraction (1/4)} inch away from the jamb or frame, leaving a gap between the stop and the backing surface. In order to provide a complete finish, the worker must install a backer rod into the gap and then apply a finishing layer of caulk.

[0005] The extra time and materials necessary for installation of the backer rod and finishing caulk layer can add considerably to the costs and duration of the construction. The L-Bead eliminates the need for installation of a backer rod—saving considerable time and money—and significantly cuts down on the potential for leaks around windows and doors.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention, L-Bead system, provides a system for quick, efficient and lower-cost installation of stucco and or plaster which cuts down on the potential for leaks around windows and doors. The L-Bead is used as a stop between the edge of the stucco or plaster surface and the adjacent jamb or window/door frame. Proper installation of existing plaster stop requires a {fraction (1/4)} inch gap between the stop and the jamb, mandating the installation of a backer rod and supplemental caulking. The L-Bead system eliminates this need by adding an extra plastic strip or “lip” along the edge of existing plaster stop which abuts directly to the jamb, thereby simplifying a smooth finish and minimizing the potential for leaks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0007] FIG. 1

[0008] FIG. 1 shows the typical manner in which stucco or plaster will be applied and installed in homes or other buildings around window or door frames or adjacent to other surfaces such as aluminum siding using the L-Bead system. Such construction occurs in layers, with each layer given a number in order of installation. A wire mesh layer of galvanized wire (#3) is anchored over felt paper (#1) to the backing wall (usually plywood or a similar material). Scratch and finish coats of plaster or stucco (#4 and #5) are applied to the wire layer. Where the stucco or plaster meets a window or door jamb or another surface, plastic L-Bead stopping strips (#2) are nailed to the backing wall behind or adjacent to the galvanized wire layer. The edge of the stop closest to the jamb is raised to contain the stucco or plaster and keep it away from the jamb or frame. The key to the L-bead is the separate backing “lip” along the plastic stop which directly abuts the jamb or other surface. No backing rod is necessary. A final small layer of caulk (#6) is applied to finish the job.

[0009] FIG. 2

[0010] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an enlarged view of existing plaster stop. The perforated portion of the plaster stop is nailed or otherwise attached to the backing wall. The lip on the edge of the plaster stop acts to contain the plaster or stucco and keep it away from the door or window jamb.

[0011] FIG. 3

[0012] FIG. 3 shows the new L-Bead. As with traditional plaster stop, the perforated portion is nailed or otherwise attached to the backing wall. The higher lip part of the stop contains the stucco or plaster. The added backing lip of the L-Bead abuts directly to the jamb and eliminates the need for a backer rod, thereby cutting down on both leaks and installation time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The L-Bead system significantly reduces the time and costs necessary to install smooth finishes where stucco or plaster meets window or door frames or jamb. In ordinary house of building construction, exterior and interior surfaces are often made of stucco or plaster. The method of installation of these materials is generally consistent in the construction business and usually involves the installation of a felt layer over the backing wall (plywood or similar material), a galvanized wire (or lathe) layer, and both scratch and finish coats of stucco or plaster. (See FIG. 1.)

[0014] Leaking and other problems often occur where the stucco or plaster finish aligns with other design constructs of the home or building, such as windows or doors. Stop strips which contain and form the outer boundaries of the stucco or plaster surfaces where they meet window or door jambs have been developed to improve the seal and finishes of these adjacencies. In particular, the use of standard plaster stop strips as shown in FIG. 2 has become standard practice in the stucco and masonry business.

[0015] However, for traditional plaster stop to be properly installed and finished, the worker typically installs the plaster stop {fraction (1/4)} inch from the edge of the door or window jamb. The resulting gap must be filled with a backing rod and properly caulked for the correct finish. Installation of this backing rod and additional caulking costs time and money, particularly where the architectural design calls for numerous windows, doors or other interruptions in stucco or plaster surfaces.

[0016] The inventor has come up with a system which eliminates the need for installation of a backing rod by manufacturing an additional strip of plastic which is bound to the existing plaster stop and abuts directly against the jamb or other surface. The L-Bead system significantly modifies both the existing plaster stop unit itself and the ease of installation.

[0017] Plaster stop strips routinely consists of a thin, 2-inch wide strip of plastic which is perforated throughout its length and which contains an edge strip of plastic approximately {fraction (1/2)} inch high running along one side of the strip. The top {fraction (1/4)} inch of this additional plastic strip is then bent back over the wide, perforated portion strip forming a “lip” which runs along the entire length of the stop. See FIG. 2. When the plaster stop is nailed to the backing wall, it is installed approximately {fraction (1/4)} inch away from the jamb or other surface. The lip side contains and holds the stucco or plaster in place providing a smooth, straight edge.

[0018] Because traditional plaster stop must be installed {fraction (1/4)} inch from the jamb for it to perform properly, there remains a {fraction (1/4)} inch gap running the entire length of the adjacency between the stucco and the door or window jamb. In typical construction, this gap is filled with a backing rod and requires considerable caulking which often leads to leaking or other problems. The L-Bead system eliminates this last step and will greatly improve construction techniques for reducing leaks in windows or doors.

[0019] The L-Bead system alters traditional plaster stop by adding a separate backing strip to the existing plaster stop. The additional length of plastic stripping is attached to the outside of the lip and runs along the entire length of the stop. (See FIG. 3.) Whereas the original plaster stop contained the stucco or plaster, the L-Bead system not only contains the stucco or plaster, but also provides a backing strip which abuts directly against the jamb or other surface and thereby eliminates the need for (and serves the purpose of) a backing rod and additional caulking. Because the additional backing strip is located lower than the lip containing the stucco, it can account for variations in the jamb or other surface. A simple and thin caulking over the L-Bead, where it meets the jamb of other surface, makes for a smooth, leakproof finish.

[0020] L-Bead eliminates the need for backing rods around windows, doors or any other place where stucco or plaster meets a different surface. Given that a typical house design includes numerous windows, doors, garages, or other architectural interruptions in stucco surfaces, the elimination of backer rods and simplified construction associated with the L-Bead system will save millions of dollars in construction costs and will greatly improve such finishes against leaking or other problems.

Claims

1. A new stop system for mounting along the edge of where plaster or stucco material meets a frame or jamb of a window or door. The L-Bead consists of a perforated plastic strip with both a higher lip running along the length of the stop to contain the plaster or stucco material and an additional plastic strip attached to the back of the higher lip which abuts directly to the window or doorjamb, fills in the gap, and eliminates the need for installation of a backer rod thereby cutting down considerably on the potential for leaks.