# US 10,480,180 B2 · Dimensional lumber wrap

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,480,180 B2
- Document ID: US10480180B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/727,076
- Filed: 2017-10-06
- Published: 2018-03-15
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2015-09-24
- Applicants: Aureliano Juan Rios
- Inventors: Aureliano Juan Rios
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480180B2

## CPC

- E04B 1/62: Insulation or other protection; Elements or use of specified material therefor (chemical compositions C01 - C11; implements for applying insulation or sealings E04F21/00; buildings to withstand, or to provide protection against, external undesired influences E04H9/00; sealing pipes in walls or partitions F16L5/02; shielding against dangerous radiation G21F)
- E04B 1/70: Drying or keeping dry, e.g. by air vents ({using damp-proof courses E04B1/644; using sealings, e.g. sealing masses or foils, E04B1/66}; during erection E04G21/28)
- E04B 1/72: Pest control (by keeping dry E04B1/70; impregnation of wood or like materials B27K)
- E04C 2/20: of plastics
- E04C 2/52: with special adaptations for auxiliary purposes, e.g. serving for locating conduits (E04C2/54 takes precedence; block-shaped elements therefor E04C1/39; floor structures incorporating ducts E04B5/48)
- E04F 13/073: for particular building parts, e.g. corners or columns
- E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001})
- E04C: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS (for bridges E01D; specially designed for insulation or other protection E04B; elements used as building aids E04G; for mining E21; for tunnels E21D; structural elements with broader range of application than for building engineering F16, particularly F16S)
- E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B)

## Abstract

A building unit encasement device encapsulates at least one unit of building material that is known in the art for building structures, so as to protect wooden or steel units from moisture and insects that can destroy the building unit. The device provides an elongated, rectangular container that encapsulates lumber. The device provides four walls that form a cavity to receive a wood or steel building unit. At least two of the walls form a hinged relationship that allows air to flow into the cavity for circulation and drying the building unit. A male-female connector is comprised of a cylindrical protrusion having ribs that interact with lips on a receptacle to prevent high winds from removing the cylindrical protrusion from the receptacle.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A building unit encasement device, the device comprising:
a rectangular sheet comprised of four walls;
a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall, a first end wall and a second end wall; wherein each wall has an inner surface and an outer surface, such that when the sheet is encasing a building unit, the outer surface of each wall is visible to a viewer;
a linear hinge edge at a border between each wall such that each wall is rectangular;
an elongated cylindrical protrusion extending along an inner surface of of the first end wall;
the cylindrical protrusion projecting along an axis perpendicular to a first terminal end of the sheet on the inner surface of the first end wall;
the cylindrical protrusion being configured to detachably mate with a receptacle on the inner surface the first lateral wall,
the receptacle projecting along an axis perpendicular to a second terminal end of the sheet on an inner side of the first lateral wall, wherein a first side of the receptacle is in a plane perpendicular to the outer edge of the first lateral wall;
the first side of the receptacle having an opening to receive the cylindrical protrusion; the receptacle being cubicle in shape and extending along a portion of the inner surface of the first lateral wall, thereby creating a space between the first lateral wall and the building unit the space extending along a majority of the first lateral wall when the building unit encasement device is attached to the building unit the space allows a flow of air into the cavity for air circulation and drying the building unit;
the cylindrical protrusion having a spacer and a head, wherein the spacer is rectangular and the head is cylindrical, wherein the head has a diameter greater than the width of the spacer in a lateral direction on the sheet, the cylindrical protrusion being fittable into the receptacle along a connecting direction;
a plurality of ribs completely covering an outer surface of the head of the cylindrical protrusion and being substantially parallel to the connecting direction.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The building unit encasement device of claim 1, wherein the ribs are flexible.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The building unit encasement device of claim 1, wherein the ribs are comprised of vinyl.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The building unit encasement device of claim 1, wherein dimensions of the aperture and cylindrical protrusion are proportioned to allow easy-insertion of cylindrical protrusion into depressed edge receptacle, while preventing wind from pulling the cylindrical protrusion out of the receptacle.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The building unit encasement device of claim 1, wherein an aperture, has a width of approximately ⅛th of an inch, while a diameter of the cylindrical protrusion at its outermost edge of ribs is approximately 3/16th of an inch.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The building unit encasement device of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the width of an aperture to a diameter of the cylindrical protrusion at its outermost edge of the ribs is approximately 2 to 3.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The building unit encasement device of claim 1, further comprising a lip on a depressed edge of a female connection between a spacer and a cylindrical receptacle for interacting with the ribs to prevent removal of the cylindrical protrusion.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The building unit encasement device of claim 1, further comprising a protruding edge wall extension to create a smooth, rectangular surface for a container.

### Claim 9

A method of encasing a building unit, the method comprising:
providing a sheet having an inner surface and an outer surface, further having a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall, a first end wall and a second end wall; wherein each of the walls has an inner surface and an outer surface, such that when the sheet is encasing a building unit, the outer surface of each wall is visible to a viewer;
folding the sheet around the building unit;
providing a cylindrical protrusions projecting perpendicularly from a terminal end of the inner surface of the first end wall, the cylindrical protrusion having a plurality of ribs;
guiding the cylindrical protrusion in a connecting direction to a receptacle projecting perpendicularly from a terminal end of the inner surface of the first lateral wall;
the receptacle forming a space adjacent the receptacle between the inner surface of the first lateral wall and the building unit to allow the building unit to air dry;
inserting, the cylindrical protrusion into the receptacle;
flexing the plurality of ribs during insertion into the receptacle; and
forming a rectangle having a flat exterior around the building unit with the sheet.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising providing evenly spaced ribs circumferentially around a solid core of a cylindrical protrusion.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the ribs are comprised of a flexible material.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the ribs are comprised of vinyl.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising ratcheting of the cylindrical protrusion during application of wind forces to prevent removal of the cylindrical protrusion from the receptacle.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the ribs are formed from concave grooves.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising ratcheting the cylindrical protrusion into place within the receptacle.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising extending a portion of the first end wall to provide a rectangular container having a smooth, continuous surface for the building unit.

### Claim 17 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein each of the ribs contacts the surface of a receptacle.