WATER TABLE WITH IMPROVED INSTALLATION GEOMETRY

Abstract

A water table as a water diverting transition element sloping downward at an approximately 14° angle between a first upper course of material and second lower course of material on a building surface that includes an upper fastening flange and lower fastening flange that enables installation of the water table either before or after installation of the lower course of material.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/004,102, filed Apr. 2, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to water tables in exterior building applications. A water table, sometimes referred to as a drip cap or stone cap, is a projecting architectural feature that deflects water running down the face of a building away from a lower course of materials. Typically, a water table is located as a transition element between materials, such as from wood, metal or polymer siding to stone or stone siding panels, including faux stone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention, a water table with improved installation geometry is transition between polymer siding, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) siding, including cellular PVC siding, and a lower course of panelized or faux stone such as Atlas Stone™ siding (Royal Building Products, Marion, Va.), Versetta Stone® siding (Boral Building Products Inc., Wixom, Mich.), and the like.

In one embodiment of the invention, a water table includes an upper fastening flange for attachment to an underlying building surface, such as wall, column, post and the like, with a fastener, such as a nail or screw, and a lower auxiliary fastening flange for similar attachment to an underlying building surface with a fastener. In one embodiment, the lower auxiliary fastening flange is utilized in installations of the water table before installation of the lower course of materials, such as faux stone (referred to as pre-stone installation). In one embodiment of the invention, the upper fastening flange is utilized in both pre-stone installation and in installations of the water table after the lower course of materials, such as faux stone (referred to as post-stone installation).

A water table in one embodiment of the invention includes a sloped projection that downwardly slopes to divert water from siding, such as PVC siding of an upper course of materials, away from dripping on the lower course of materials, such as faux stone siding. In embodiments of the invention, the projection slopes at slopes between a 10° and 20° angle, preferably between a 12° and 18° angle, and most preferably at an approximately 14° angle below a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical plane of a flat rear planar surface of the water table that abuts the underlying building surface.

In one embodiment, a water table includes a drip edge, or drip notch, that is a groove running lengthwise between sides and underneath and along the forward end of the projection. The drip edge is preferably located forward of the underlying lower course of materials, such as faux stone siding. The drip edge in embodiments preferably operates to ensure that diverted water avoids contacting the underlying course of materials, such as faux stone. Diverted water that might adhere to the water table and continue over the forward end of the projection will reach the drip edge and drip downward from such point forward of the lower course of stone/faux stone siding.

In embodiments of the invention, such as when the upper course of siding comprises cellular PVC siding, a water table comprises polymer material (such as cellular PVC by Celuka processing) and the lower course of siding comprises faux stone, such Atlas Stone™ siding or Versetta Stone® siding, the water table profile has a height of or of about between 1 and 10 inches, preferably between 1 to 5 inches, and most preferably at about 2¾ inches and having a width, as measured projecting horizontally outward from a flat rear planar surface of the water table to a forwardmost front edge of the water table, of or of about between 1 and 10 inches, preferably between 1 to 5 inches, and most preferably at about 2½ inches. A cellular PVC water table according to an embodiment of the invention provides a stronger and more durable structure at more competitive manufacturing costs than typical water tables in the current market. In various embodiments, a water table of the invention may include such other dimensions adapted to the upper course of materials and lower course of materials to provide similar advantages of installation and diverting water forward of the lower course as described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left side elevation view of a water table in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of a water table of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front side elevation view of a water table of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear side elevation view of a water table of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a water table of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of a water table of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view from above of a water table of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view from below of a water table of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a right side elevation view of a flat bottom water table in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a left side elevation view of a flat bottom water table of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a front side elevation view of a flat bottom water table of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a rear side elevation view of a flat bottom water table of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a flat bottom water table of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of a flat bottom water table of FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view from above of a flat bottom water table of FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view from below of a flat bottom water table of FIG. 19.

FIG. 17 is a correspondence diagram of a pre-stone installation of a water table shown in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the finished appearance of a pre-stone installation according to FIG. 17 in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a correspondence diagram of a post-stone installation of a water table shown in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the finished appearance of a post-stone installation according to FIG. 19 in one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a water table 100 including improved installation geometry to act as a transition between a first upper course of material and a second lower course of material. With reference to FIGS. 17-20, in one embodiment, the first upper course 200 includes polymer siding, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) siding, including cellular PVC siding, and the second lower course 600 of panelized stone or faux stone such as Atlas Stone™ siding (Royal Building Products, Marion, Va.), Versetta Stone® siding (Boral Building Products Inc., Wixom, Mich.), and the like.

With further reference to FIGS. 1-8, and continuing reference to FIGS. 17-20, a water table 100 includes an upper fastening flange 110 for attachment to an underlying building surface 500 with a fastener 115, such as a nail or screw, and a lower auxiliary fastening flange 120 for similar attachment to an underlying building surface 500 with a fastener 125.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, In one embodiment the lower auxiliary fastening flange 120 is utilized in installations of the water table 100 before installation of the lower course of materials 600 (FIGS. 19 and 20) on surface area 550, such as faux stone (referred to as pre-stone installation as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18).

With further reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, in some embodiments the upper fastening flange 110 is utilized in both pre-stone installation (FIGS. 17 and 18) and in installations of the water table after the lower course of materials 600, such as faux stone (referred to as post-stone installation shown in FIGS. 19 and 20). It will be appreciated that in certain embodiments of the invention the lower auxiliary fastening flange 120 is not utilized for fastening to the underlying surface in a post-stone installation since the lower faux stone course of materials 600 present an obstacle to such lower flange 120 fastening to surface area 550 when a stone course 600 is already installed. It will be further appreciated that conventional water tables 100 are fastened only at a single upper fastening location, whereas in a pre-stone installation according to the invention there is a new advantage of a water table 100 being able to be fastened at two locations of the upper fastening flange 110 and the lower auxiliary fastening flange 120.

As shown in FIGS. 17-20, it will also be appreciated that the water table 100 (corresponding arrow “D) is installed by fastening the upper fastening flange 110 to the underlying building surface 500 (corresponding arrow “E” in FIG. 17) with a sloped projection 170 (FIGS. 1-16) adjacent the lowest row or edge of the first upper course of material 200 (such as cellular PVC siding) so as to extend outward with a forwardmost edge 130 (FIGS. 1-16) of the projection beyond the second lower course of material 600 (corresponding arrow “E” in FIG. 19) (e.g. faux stone shown in FIG. 20). It will also be appreciated that the projection 170 and water table 100 preferably include a vertical flat rear planar surface 140 that abuts and is attached to the underlying building surface 500. In embodiments of the invention, the forwardmost edge 130 extends horizontally outward from the vertical flat rear planar surface 140 a distance of approximately 2½ inches. The sloped projection 170 downwardly slopes to divert water from the siding, such as cellular PVC siding of the upper course of materials 200, away from dripping on the lower course of materials 600, such as the faux stone siding. In one embodiment, the projection 170 slopes at or at about 14° below a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical flat rear planar surface 140 of the water table 100. In other embodiments projection 170 slopes between a 10° and 20° angle and preferably between a 12° and 18° angle.

As further shown in installation embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 19, the underlying building structure surface 500, is layered with flashing 400 (corresponding arrow “C”) underlying building wrap 300 (corresponding arrow “B”). The first course of materials 200, such as siding (corresponding arrow “A”) overlays the building wrap 300.

With reference to FIGS. 1-16, a water table 100 includes a drip edge, or drip notch 180, that is a groove running lengthwise between sides (right side 160 and left side 150 of the water table 100) and underneath and along the forward end 130 of the projection. The drip edge is preferably located forward of the underlying lower course of materials 600, such as faux stone siding. The drip edge in an embodiment of the invention preferably operates to ensure that diverted water avoids contacting the underlying course of materials 600, such as faux stone. Diverted water that might adhere to the water table 100 and continue over the forward end of the projection 130 will reach the drip edge and drip downward from such point forward of the lower course of the stone/faux stone siding of the lower course 600.

Referring to FIG. 9-16, in one alternative embodiment of the invention a water table 100 includes a flat surface bottom 191 and without a lower auxiliary fastening flange 120 and sloped bottom 190 as compared to the water table 100 of FIGS. 1-7. It will be appreciated that many of the same advantages for installation and diverting of water beyond the second lower course of material 600 (e.g. faux stone) are also provided by the flat bottom water table of FIGS. 9-16.

In one embodiment, a water table 100 according to the invention comprises polymer material, such as PVC, and preferably cellular PVC by Celuka processing. A cellular PVC water table 100 according to an embodiment of the invention exhibits more durability in comparison to conventional stone caps (i.e. stone and faux stone water tables) that are typically heavy and brittle and known by many installers in the relevant field of building exteriors to be susceptible to breaking during installation. In one embodiment, a full cellular PVC Celuka water table according to the invention weighs only 0.88 lb/ft as compared to one commercial manufactured stone-like water table product that weighs 4.7 lb/ft (over 5 times heavier).

Further, a full cellular PVC Celuka water table 100 according to the invention can be manufactured and sold at a retail cost over 9 times less expensive per foot as compared to such commercial manufactured stone-like water table product. Moreover, in comparison to conventional milled PVC water tables that typically have an open cell structure, a full cellular PVC Celuka water table 100 according to the invention has a full skin covering the entirety of the water table structure and is therefore easier to clean and paint since there are no exposed open surfaces to collect dirt, grime, mold, and the like. In one embodiment of the invention, a polymer water table 100, such as preferably a full cellular PVC Celuka water table, is coated with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) (such as Kynar® PVDF from Arkema, Inc. (King of Prussia; PA)) to provide improved protection against weather, sun and other outdoor dements, as well as numerous color selections, as compared to conventional water tables that are not known to include PVDF coating.

Various embodiments of the invention have been described. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth by the claims. This specification is to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims

1. A water table providing a transition on a building surface between a first upper course of material and a second lower course of material comprising:

an upper fastening flange;

a lower fastening flange; and

a sloped projection between the upper fastening flange and the lower fastening flange and sloping downward away from the upper fastening flange to a forwardmost edge of the projection at an approximately 14° angle below a horizontal plane perpendicular to a vertical flat rear planar surface of the water table.

2. The water table of claim 1 further comprising a bottom surface of the projection having a groove running lengthwise between opposite left and right sides of the projection.

3. The water table of claim 2, wherein the groove runs parallel to a forward edge of the projection at the forwardmost end of the projection.

4. The water table of claim 1, wherein the sloped projection extends horizontally outward from the vertical flat planar surface of the to the forwardmost edge of the projection to a distance of approximately 2½ inches.

5. The water table of claim 1, wherein the water table has a profile having a height between 1 and 10 inches and a width between 1 and 10 inches.

6. The water table of claim 1, wherein the water table is fastened between a first upper course of material comprising polymer material and second lower course of material comprising at least one of stone and faux stone.

7. The water table of claim 6, wherein the polymer material includes polyvinyl chloride.

8. The water table of claim 7, wherein the polymer material includes cellular polyvinyl chloride.

9. A water table providing a transition on a building surface between a first upper course of material and a second lower course of material comprising a sloped projection sloping downward away from the upper fastening flange to a forwardmost end of the projection at an approximately 14° angle below a horizontal plane perpendicular to a vertical flat rear planar surface of the water table, wherein the projection further comprises a bottom surface having a groove running lengthwise between opposite left and right sides of the projection.

10. The water table of claim 9, wherein the sloped projection extends horizontally outward from the vertical flat planar surface of the to the forwardmost edge of the projection to a distance of approximately 2½ inches.

11. The water table of claim 10, wherein the water table has a profile having a height of approximately 2¾ inches.

12. The water table of claim 9, wherein the water table has a profile having a height between 1 and 10 inches and a width between 1 and 10 inches.

13. The water table of claim 9, wherein the water table is fastened between a first upper course of material comprising polymer material and second lower course of material comprising at least one of stone and faux stone.

14. The water table of claim 13, wherein the polymer material includes polyvinyl chloride.

15. The water table of claim 14, wherein the polymer material includes cellular polyvinyl chloride.

16. A water table comprising:

a vertical flat rear planar surface;

an upper fastening flange;

a lower fastening flange; and

a sloped projection between the upper fastening flange and the lower fastening flange and sloping downward away from the upper fastening flange to a forwardmost end of the projection, wherein the sloped projection extends horizontally outward from the vertical flat planar surface to the forwardmost edge of the projection to a distance of approximately 2½ inches.

17. The water table of claim 16 further comprising a bottom surface of the projection having a groove running lengthwise between opposite left and right sides of the projection.

18. The water table of claim 17, wherein the groove runs parallel to a forward edge of the projection at the forwardmost end of the projection.

19. The water table of claim 16 wherein the sloped projection slopes between 10° and 20° angle below a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical flat rear planar surface.

20. The water table of claim 19 wherein the sloped projection slopes at an approximately 14° angle below a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical flat rear planar surface of the water table

21. A method for installing a water table, comprising:

installing a first upper course of material on a building surface prior to installing a second bottom course of material on the building surface; and

after installing a lowest edge of the first upper course of material and prior to installing a second bottom course of material, fastening both an upper fastening flange and lower fastening flange of the water table to the building surface with a downward sloping projection of the water table adjacent to the lowest edge of the first upper course of material, wherein a forwardmost edge of the projection slopes downward at an approximately 14° angle below a horizontal plane perpendicular to a vertical flat rear planar surface of the water table.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the first upper course of material comprises polymer material.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the polymer material includes polyvinyl chloride.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the polymer material includes cellular polyvinyl chloride.

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising installing a second lower course of material including at least one of stone and faux stone.

26. The water table of claim 25, wherein the water table comprises full cellular PVC and has an exterior skin resulting from Celuka processing.

27. The water table of claim 26, wherein the water table includes exterior coating comprising polyvinylidene fluoride.