VAPOR MITIGATION APPRATUS AND METHOD
A vapor mitigation apparatus and method for use with the construction of a building. The apparatus includes a vertical securing piece configured to be affixed to a foundation wall proximate a footing that is supporting the foundation wall. The vertical securing piece has a first end located proximate to a footing and a second end. A horizontal foot is located at the first end of the securing piece and extends away from the securing piece. The horizontal foot is configured to rest against the footing. The apparatus also includes a mechanical clip located at the second end of the vertical securing piece and is configured to secure a piece of plastic sheeting. The method includes securing the apparatus to the foundation wall, securing a plastic sheeting to the mechanical clip and then creating a concrete slab by pouring concrete over the apparatus.
This application does not claim the benefit of any issued U.S. patent or pending application.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention is generally directed toward a vapor mitigation, and more specifically, toward the mitigation of radon vapor in the construction of buildings.
BACKGROUNDRadon is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause lung cancer. Radon gas can move through small spaces in the soil and rock upon which a house is built. It can seep into a home through dirt floors, cracks in concrete walls and floors, sumps, joints, basement drains, under the furnace base, and jack posts if the base is buried in the floor.
The prior art, however, has disadvantages. The footings are purposely poured very rough and porous for proper adhesion of the foundation wall, which is poured on top of the footings. The footings can become soiled with dirt, sand, fine gravel, or other contaminants preventing a proper seal between the footing and membrane.
Further, it is difficult to determine if the plastic sheeting 20 remained in place over the gas permeable layer 12 after the concrete that forms slab 14 is poured thereon, or if the plastic sheeting 20 has moved. If the plastic sheeting 20 remained in place, an airtight seal may be created. However, if there is movement, an airtight seal may not have been created. Due to the sheeting 20 being located under the slab 14, there is no way to make this determination.
Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method to address the issues set out above.
SUMMARYThe present invention is generally directed toward a vapor mitigation, and more specifically, toward the mitigation of radon vapor in the construction of buildings.
In one aspect, a vapor mitigation apparatus for use with the construction of a building is disclosed. The building has a gas permeable layer surround by a foundation wall and footing. A sheet of plastic sheeting is placed between the gas permeable layer and the buildings slab. The term plastic sheeting is used to mean any type of plastic sheet, membrane, film or other continuous polymeric material that is used to separate areas or volume to act as a barrier.
The apparatus includes a vertical securing piece configured to be affixed to the foundation wall by adhesion or other known securing fasteners. The securing piece has a first end located proximate to the footing and a second end. A horizontal foot is located at the first end of the securing piece and extends away from the securing piece. The horizontal foot is configured to rest on the footing that is supporting the foundation wall. A mechanical clip is located at the second end of the securing piece and is configured to secure the piece of plastic sheeting. This creates an airtight seal between the ground below the building and the building.
In some aspects, the mechanical clip includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member that is hinged to the first jaw member. In the locked, or closed, position, the first jaw member and second jaw member are configured to secure the piece of plastic sheeting therebetween.
In some aspects, the mechanical clip includes a base member extending substantially horizontally away from securing piece. The base member has a locking portion at its distal end. The mechanical clip further includes a retention member that configured to be depressed against the locking portion. In the locked, or closed, position the retention member and locking portion are configured to secure the piece of plastic sheeting therebetween.
In one aspect, a method for vapor mitigation in the construction of a building is disclosed. The method includes utilizing a vapor mitigation apparatus having a vertical securing piece having a first end located and a second end, a horizontal foot located at the first end of the securing piece and extending away from the securing piece, and a mechanical clip located at the second end and configured to secure a piece of plastic sheeting. The method includes affixing the vertical securing piece to the circumference of the foundation wall such that the horizontal foot rest on the footing, placing a piece of plastic sheeting over the gas permeable layer, securing the ends of piece of plastic sheeting to mechanical clip thereby creating a vapor barrier over the gas permeable layer, and creating a slab of concrete by pouring a sufficient amount of concrete over the vapor mitigation apparatus and plastic sheeting.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view,
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Apparatus 110 also include a mechanical clip 112 that is configured to secure the plastic sheeting therein. Mechanical clip 112 is shown in an open position, see
Concrete may be poured over apparatus 112 to create the building's slab. Due to the plastic sheeting 106 being secured to mechanical clip 112, the plastic sheeting does not move or otherwise pull away from the foundation wall 104 thereby creating an airtight seal between the ground and base of the house.
To assist with the creation of the slab, the length of securing piece 114 may be dimensioned as a gauge for the needed depth of the concrete. For example, if the concrete slab needs to be four (4) inches deep, the length of securing piece 114 may be four (4) inches.
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In this embodiment, mechanical clip 236 includes a securing bar 242 being held in place by an upper retention member 238 having an upper retention end 239 and a lower retention member 240 having a lower retention end 241. Securing bar 242 is illustrated in a square cross-sectional configuration. This is illustrative and not meant to be limiting. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other cross-sectional configurations, such as rectangular and circular, are within the scope of this disclosure. Securing bar 242 is configured to slide, or otherwise be received between upper retention member 238 and lower retention member 240. Securing bar 242 is locked in place by upper retention end 239 and lower retention end 241.
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While preferred embodiments of the present inventive concept have been shown and disclosed herein, it will be obvious to those persons skilled in the art that such embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not as a limitation to the scope of the inventive concept. Variations, changes, and substitutions may occur or be suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the intent, scope, and totality of this inventive concept. Such variations, changes, and substitutions may involve other features which are already known per se and which may be used instead of, in combination with, or in addition to features already disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is intended that this inventive concept be inclusive of such variations, changes, and substitutions, and by no means limited by the scope of the claims presented herein.
Claims
1. A vapor mitigation apparatus for use with the construction of a building, the building having a foundation wall, a footing and a slab, the apparatus comprising:
- a vertical securing piece configured to be affixed to the foundation wall, the vertical securing piece having a first end located proximate to the footing and a second end;
- a horizontal foot located at the first end of the securing piece and extending away from the securing piece, wherein the horizontal foot is configured to rest upon the footing.; and
- a mechanical clip located at the second end and extending away from the securing piece, the mechanical clip being configured to secure a piece of plastic sheeting.
2. The vapor mitigation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- an adhesion strip affixed to the vertical securing piece and configured to be affixed to the foundation wall.
3. (canceled)
4. The vapor mitigation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mechanical clip comprises:
- a first jaw member; and
- a second jaw member hinged to the first jaw member, the first jaw member and second jaw member configured to secure the piece of plastic sheeting therebetween.
5. The vapor mitigation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mechanical clip comprises:
- a base member extending substantially horizontally away from the securing piece, the base member having a distal end, the base member having a locking portion at the distal end; and
- a retention member extending away from the securing piece and configured to be depressed against the locking portion, the retention member and locking portion configured to secure the piece of plastic sheeting therebetween.
6. The vapor mitigation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a gasket affixed to the vertical securing piece and configured to be affixed to the foundation wall.
7. A vapor mitigation apparatus for use with the construction of a building, the building having a foundation wall and a footing, the apparatus comprising:
- a vertical securing piece configured to be affixed to the foundation wall, the vertical securing piece having a first end located proximate to the footing and a second end;
- a horizontal foot located at the first end of the securing piece and extending away from the securing piece, the horizontal foot is configured to rest upon the footing;
- an adhesion strip affixed to the vertical securing piece and configured to be affixed to a foundation wall;
- a gasket affixed to the vertical securing piece and configured to be affixed to the foundation wall; and
- a mechanical clip located at the second end and configured to secure a piece of plastic sheeting.
8. The vapor mitigation apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mechanical clip comprises:
- a first jaw member; and
- a second jaw member hinged to the first jaw member, the first jaw member and second jaw member configured to secure the piece of plastic sheeting therebetween.
9. The vapor mitigation apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mechanical clip comprises:
- a base member extending substantially horizontally away from securing piece, base member having a distal end, the base member having a locking portion at the distal end; and
- a retention member configured to be depressed against the locking portion, the retention member and locking portion configured to secure the piece of plastic sheeting therebetween.
10. A method for vapor mitigation in the construction of a building, the building having a foundation wall and footing, the foundation wall and footing having a circumference that surrounds a gas permeable layer, and utilizing a vapor mitigation apparatus having a vertical securing piece having a first end located and a second end, a horizontal foot located at the first end of the securing piece and extending away from the securing piece, and a mechanical clip located at the second end and configured to secure a piece of plastic sheeting, the method comprising:
- affixing the vertical securing piece to the circumference of the foundation wall such that the horizontal foot rest on the footing;
- placing a piece of plastic sheeting over the gas permeable layer;
- securing the ends of piece of plastic sheeting to mechanical clip thereby creating a vapor barrier over the gas permeable layer; and
- creating a slab of concrete by pouring a sufficient amount of concrete over the vapor mitigation apparatus and plastic sheeting to encase the vapor mitigation apparatus and cover the plastic sheeting.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 27, 2019
Publication Date: Aug 27, 2020
Inventor: Dave Nowak (Lethbridge)
Application Number: 16/288,034