Furring Strip

Abstract

A furring strip includes a corrugated member and an adhesive configured for attachment to a wall surface. The corrugated member is an elongated rectangular structure comprising a plurality of parallel panels separated by circular nubs arranged in a staggered array to define through-channels that permit multidirectional vapor and liquid flow. The circular nubs are interposed between inward surfaces of the panels, while the adhesive is disposed along an outward surface of one panel to bond the strip to a substrate. In some embodiments, the furring strip further includes at least one fastener selected from a staple, screw, or nail. The corrugated member is preferably composed of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with a compressive strength of at least 313 psi and a compression maximum of 18%. The adhesive is preferably a butyl-based adhesive with a tensile strength of at least 26 psi, optionally having a removable backing for installation convenience.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to construction materials. More specifically, the present invention related to adhesive furring strips that are able to withstand exposure to various weather conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Furring strips are widely used in construction to facilitate the installation of wall materials such as drywall, plaster, siding, and paneling. These strips also play a critical role in creating space for insulation and ventilation, thereby improving the overall energy efficiency and indoor air quality of a building. Traditional furring strips are typically attached using mechanical fasteners such as nails or screws, which require tools, experience, and time to install properly. The use of such fasteners often leads to undesirable thermal bridging, as the penetration points compromise the insulation barrier and diminish thermal performance. Furthermore, conventional solid furring strips restrict airflow between the wall and finished surface, which can trap moisture and reduce system ventilation.

To address these limitations, self-adhesive furring strips have been introduced in the prior art. These strips eliminate the need for tools, minimize wall damage, and simplify installation, providing benefits such as reduced labor time and improved energy efficiency. However, existing self-adhesive furring strips exhibit several deficiencies. Many fail to maintain adhesion when exposed to environmental factors such as rain, snow, or direct solar heat. Others are unable to adhere properly to uneven, textured, or exterior surfaces, resulting in detachment and failure over time. Moreover, prior adhesive systems often lack sufficient strength to support heavy finished materials without auxiliary fasteners.

Additionally, known self-adhesive furring strips provide limited or no means for controlled ventilation. Their solid configurations restrict airflow, allowing condensation to form behind wall coverings, which can compromise structural integrity and lead to mold growth.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved self-adhering furring strip capable of maintaining adhesion across a wide range of surface textures and environmental conditions, while also enabling multidirectional air and vapor flow. The present disclosure provides such a solution through a furring strip comprising a corrugated member with staggered circular nubs and through-channels that promote fluid permeability in all directions, combined with a weather-resistant adhesive backing that ensures secure attachment without the need for mechanical fasteners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a furring strip assembly configured for use in construction applications, although the disclosed features may be adapted for other contexts. The furring strip comprises a corrugated member and an adhesive layer coupled to an outward surface of the corrugated member. The adhesive is configured to secure the furring strip to a wall or other substrate, and in some embodiments, the assembly may additionally be fastened using one or more mechanical fasteners such as staples, screws, or nails.

The corrugated member is an elongated structure having a rectangular cross-section defined by a length, width, and height, with the length being the greatest dimension. In preferred embodiments, the corrugated member comprises a plurality of parallel panels spaced apart by a plurality of circular nubs arranged in a staggered array. The circular nubs define through-channels extending along both the width and length of the member, enabling multidirectional airflow and moisture permeability. This configuration promotes ventilation, reduces the risk of condensation, and improves wall system performance.

The corrugated member is preferably composed of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) having a density of approximately 7.75 grams per cubic inch, a compressive strength of at least 313 psi, and a compression maximum of approximately 18%. The adhesive is preferably a weather-resistant butyl adhesive exhibiting a tensile strength of at least 26 psi, and in some embodiments up to 36 psi. The adhesive may include a removable backing that protects the adhesive surface prior to installation, allowing for convenient and tool-free application.

Testing of the disclosed furring strip has demonstrated unexpected results, including an ultimate compressive strength of approximately 2167 psi at 41% compression—three times greater than conventional softwood furring strips. The staggered circular nub configuration further enables uniform vapor and liquid flow, with measured permeability constants (k) in the range of approximately 0.650 to 0.120 ml/mm²-sec. These properties collectively provide enhanced mechanical performance, superior adhesion, and improved moisture management relative to prior art furring strips.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is table of experimental data pertaining to the compressive strength of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a table of experimental data pertaining to the tensile strength of the present invention.

FIG. 6 are a side by side graphs showing the flow rate of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art that the present disclosure has broad utility and application. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the disclosure and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the embodiments of the present disclosure. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Accordingly, while embodiments are described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present disclosure, and are made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded in any claim of a patent issuing here from, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which an ordinary artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the ordinary artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the ordinary artisan should prevail.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.”

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While many embodiments of the disclosure may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims. The present disclosure contains headers. It should be understood that these headers are used as references and are not to be construed as limiting upon the subjected matter disclosed under the header.

Other technical advantages may become readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after review of the following figures and description. It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.

Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this invention. As used in the following description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up”, “down” and the like, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, “radially”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms “inwardly,” “outwardly” and “radially” generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.

The present disclosure includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in the context of a furring strip, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to use only in this context.

As shown in FIG. 1-6, the present invention is a furring strip 1 comprising a corrugated member 2000 and an adhesive 1000. In the context of the present invention, the adhesive 1000 is coupled to an outward surface of the corrugated member 2000. Further, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive 1000 is configured to couple the present invention to a wall surface. In some embodiments of the present invention, the furring strip 1 is further attached to the wall surface using an at least one fastener wherein said fastener is chosen from a staple, a screw, and a nail.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the corrugated member 2000 is an elongated member with a rectangular cross-section, as shown in FIG. 1-3. Additionally, in the context of the present invention, the corrugated member 2000 comprises a length 151, a width 152, and a height 153. In the context of the present invention, the width 152 of the corrugated member 2000 is defined as the lateral dimension, the length 151 of the corrugated member 2000 is defined as the longitudinal dimension, and the height 153 of the corrugated member 2000 is the depth wherein the cross-section is a product of the width 152 and height 153, extending the length 151 of the corrugated member 2000. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the corrugated member 2000 comprises a height of ⅜-inch. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the length 151 of the present invention is the greatest dimension while the height 153 is the smallest dimension.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1-3, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the corrugated member 2000 comprises a plurality of parallel panels 11, a plurality of circular nubs 12, and a plurality of through channels 13. In the context of the present invention, the plurality of circular nubs 12 are interposed between the plurality of parallel panels 11 such that the plurality of through channels 13 extend between the plurality of circular nubs 12. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of circular nubs 12 are arranged in a staggered array spaced along the width 152 and length 151 of the plurality of parallel panels 11. Additionally, in the context of the present invention, plurality of through channels 13 extend through the plurality of circular nubs 12 along the width 152 and the length 151.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of parallel panels 11 comprise a first panel 112 and a second panel 111 wherein said first panel 112 and second panel 111 are both flat rectangular panels, offset a distance from each other, wherein the distance between said plurality of parallel panels composes a channel height 153.

Additionally, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1-3, the first panel 112 comprises an inward surface and an outward surface wherein said inward and outward surfaces of the first panel 112 are opposing surfaces of the first panel 112. Likewise, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second panel 111 comprises an inward surface and an outward surface wherein said inward and outward surfaces of the second panel 111 are opposing surfaces of the second panel 111. In the context of the present invention, the plurality of circular nubs 12 are adjacently interposed between the inward surface of the first panel 111 and the inward surface of the second panel 111. Furthermore, in the context of the present invention, the adhesive 1000 is disposed along the outward surface of the second panel 111.

Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each circular nub of the plurality of circular nubs 12 comprises an irregular truncated conical geometry wherein each circular nub comprises a major diameter 121 and a minor diameter 122. In the context of the present invention, the major diameter 121 is larger than the minor diameter 122. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the major diameter 121 is adjacent the first panel 112 and the minor diameter 122 is adjacent the second panel 111. In some embodiments of the present invention, the major diameter 121 is adjacent the second panel 111 and the minor diameter 122 is adjacent the first panel 112. Further, in the context of the present invention, a cross section of each nub is circular wherein each nub tapers in diameter non-uniformly from the major diameter 121 to the minor diameter 122 along a longitudinal axis 124. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each nub further comprises a neck 123 interposed between the major diameter 121 and the minor diameter 122 wherein the context of the present invention, the neck 123 is defined as the portion of each nub wherein the gradient of each nub changes non-uniformly.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the furring strip is composed of a material 14 wherein said material 14 is high-density polyethylene (HDPE). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the HDPE comprises a density of 7.75 grams/cubic inch. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the furring strip 1 comprises a compressive strength 155 of at least 313 psi. Further, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the furring strip comprises a compression percentage 157 maximum of 18%.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive 1000 is a butyl adhesive. Additionally, in some embodiments of the present invention, the adhesive 1000 further comprises a backing wherein said backing is removably coupled to the adhesive 1000. Further, in the context of the present invention, the butyl adhesive comprises a tensile strength 154 of at least 26 psi. In some embodiments of the present invention, the butyl adhesive comprises a tensile strength 154 of 36 psi.

In developing the present invention, a series of tests were performed to show that the present invention produces unexpected results, as shown in FIGS. 4-6. More specifically, the present invention was subjected to a series of compression tests, a deflection test, an adhesive bond test, and a water flow test. Through testing, the present invention was shown to have an average of 2167 psi ultimate strength at 41% compression which is three times stronger than softwood furring. Likewise, the configuration of the plurality of circular nubs 12, being arranged in a staggered array, enables fluids, both vapor and liquid, to flow equally in all directions. More specifically, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention comprises a permeability constant k value 158 within a range of approximately 0.650 to 0.120 ml/mm²-sec.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A furring strip comprising:

a corrugated member; and

an adhesive;

the corrugated member comprising: a plurality of parallel panels; a plurality of circular nubs; and a plurality of through channels; wherein: the plurality of parallel panels comprises two flat panels, a first panel and a second panel, offset a distance wherein said distance composes a channel height; the plurality of circular nubs interposed between the plurality of parallel panels, arranged in an array wherein said array composes the plurality of through channels extending between the plurality of circular nubs; the plurality of circular nubs comprising an irregular truncated conical geometry comprising a major diameter and a minor diameter, wherein: the major diameter tapers towards the minor diameter along a non-uniform gradient; the plurality of parallel panels extending a length wherein the plurality of circular nubs are configured along the entirety of the length; the adhesive being a butyl adhesive comprising: an adhesive tensile strength; the adhesive tensile strength being at least 26 psi; the adhesive being disposed along an outwardly facing surface of the second panel.

2. The furring strip as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the corrugated member is composed of a high-density polyethylene plastic; and

the corrugated member comprising a compressive strength of at least 313 psi.

3. The furring strip as claimed in claim 2, wherein the corrugated member comprises a height of ⅜-inch.

4. The furring strip as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a density of 7.75 grams per cubic inch.

5. The furring strip as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a width, wherein:

the width is greater than the height; and

the length is greater than the width such that the furring strip is an elongated member.

6. The furring strip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of through channels are air permeable.

7. The furring strip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of through channels are water pervious.

8. The furring strip as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a backing wherein said backing is removably coupled to the adhesive.

9. A furring strip comprising:

a corrugated member;

an adhesive; and

a backing;

the corrugated member comprising: a plurality of parallel panels; a plurality of circular nubs; and a plurality of through channels; wherein: the plurality of parallel panels comprises two flat panels, a first panel and a second panel; the first panel comprising an inward surface and an outward surface; the second panel comprising an inward surface and an outward surface; the plurality of circular nubs being interposed between the inward surface of the first panel and the inward surface of the second panel; the plurality of circular nubs comprising an irregular truncated conical geometry comprising a major diameter and a minor diameter, wherein: the major diameter tapers towards the minor diameter along a non-uniform gradient; the adhesive being disposed along the outward surface of the second panel; the corrugated member further comprising a height, a length, and a width wherein: the plurality of circular nubs are arranged along the width and length of the corrugated member in an array wherein said array composes the plurality of through channels extending between the plurality of circular nubs; each through channel of the plurality of through channels extending the length and the width of the corrugated member; the adhesive being a butyl adhesive comprising: an adhesive tensile strength; the adhesive tensile strength being at least 26 psi; and the backing is removably coupled to the adhesive such that, when coupled, the adhesive is interposed between the backing and the outwardly surface of the second panel.

10. The furring strip as claimed in claim 9, wherein the corrugated member comprises a height of ⅜-inch; and

a density of 7.75 grams per cubic inch.

11. The furring strip as claimed in claim 10, wherein the corrugated member is composed of a high-density polyethylene plastic.

12. The furring strip as claimed in claim 11, wherein the corrugated member comprises a compressive strength of at least 313 psi.

13. The furring strip as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a width, wherein:

the width is greater than the height; and

the length is greater than the width such that the furring strip is an elongated member.

14. A furring strip comprising:

a corrugated member; and

an adhesive;

wherein: the corrugated member comprising a plurality of circular nubs and a plurality of parallel panels; the plurality of circular nubs configured in an array along a width and length of the furring strip; the plurality of circular nubs are interposed between a plurality of parallel panels; the plurality of circular nubs comprising an irregular truncated conical geometry comprising a major diameter and a minor diameter, wherein: the major diameter tapers towards the minor diameter along a non-uniform gradient; the adhesive along an outward surface of the corrugated member; the corrugated member composed of a high density polyethylene comprising a density of 7.75 g/cubic inch; and the corrugated member comprises a compressive strength of at least 313 psi.

15. The furring strip as claimed in claim 14 wherein the corrugated member further comprises a plurality of through channels extending between the plurality of circular nubs.

16. The furring strip as claimed in claim 15, wherein the plurality of through channels are air permeable.

17. The furring strip as claimed in claim 15, wherein the plurality of through channels are water pervious.

18. The furring strip as claimed in claim 15 wherein the adhesive is a butyl adhesive comprising an adhesive tensile strength of at least 26 psi.

19. The furring strip as claimed in claim 18 wherein the plurality of parallel panels comprises two flat panels, a first panel and a second panel such that:

the first panel comprises an inward surface and an outward surface;

the second panel comprises an inward surface and an outward surface; and

the plurality of circular nubs are interposed between the inward surface of the first panel and the inward surface of the second panel.

20. The furring strip as claimed in claim 19 further comprising a backing wherein the backing is removably coupled to the adhesive such that, when coupled, the adhesive is interposed between the backing and the outwardly surface of the second panel.