Structural barrier and related method of use

An elongated structural barrier comprising:

• a base;
• a first panel extending upward from the base toward a horizontal reference line;
• a first sealer wall extending downward and transversely to the base;
• a second panel joined with the first panel and extending upwardly above the horizontal reference line in a curvilinear manner and having a radius of about 0.2 inches to about 0.6 inches, the second panel extending to a wiper end that terminates above the first sealer wall and the horizontal reference line;
• a lower wedge extending upward from the base adjacent the first sealer wall, the wedge including a first wedge wall and a second wedge wall, the second wedge wall facing toward at least one of the first panel and the second panel;
• a core compartment bounded by the lower wedge, the first panel, and the second panel, with an open face defined above the lower wedge and offering a view into the core compartment;
• and
• a core disposed in the core compartment;
• wherein the core is of an elongated construction and extends along a length of the base;
• wherein the core compartment includes a first cavity and a second cavity;
• wherein the lower wedge includes a lower first flange extending toward the first panel;
• wherein the first cavity is below the lower first flange;
• wherein the second cavity is above the lower first flange.

An elongated structural barrier comprising:

• a base;
• a first panel extending upward from the base toward a horizontal reference line;
• a first sealer wall extending downward and transversely to the base;
• a second panel joined with the first panel and extending upwardly above the horizontal reference line in a curvilinear manner and having a radius of about 0.2 inches to about 0.6 inches, the second panel extending to a wiper end that terminates above the first sealer wall and the horizontal reference line;
• a lower wedge extending upward from the base adjacent the first sealer wall, the wedge including a first wedge wall and a second wedge wall, the second wedge wall facing toward at least one of the first panel and the second panel;
• and
• a core compartment bounded by the lower wedge, the first panel, and the second panel, with an open face defined above the lower wedge and offering a view into the core compartment;
• wherein the wiper end includes an upper wedge having an exterior wedge wall extending between an outer edge of the wiper end and an apex of the upper wedge, toward the open face.

An elongated structural barrier comprising:

• a base;
• a first panel extending upward from the base toward a horizontal reference line;
• a first sealer wall extending downward and transversely to the base;
• a second panel joined with the first panel and extending upwardly above the horizontal reference line;
• a first wedge extending upward from the base adjacent the first sealer wall, the first wedge including a first wedge wall and a second wedge wall, the second wedge wall facing toward at least one of the first panel and the second panel;
• and
• a core compartment bounded by the lower wedge, the first panel, and the second panel, with an open face defined above the lower wedge and offering a view into the core compartment,
• wherein the core compartment includes a first cavity that is below a first flange that extends from the first wedge toward the first panel,
• wherein the core compartment includes a second cavity that is above the first flange.

An elongated structural barrier comprising:

• a base;
• a first panel extending upward from the base toward a horizontal reference line;
• a first sealer wall extending downward and transversely to the base;
• a second panel joined with the first panel and extending upwardly above the horizontal reference line;
• a first wedge extending upward from the base adjacent the first sealer wall, the first wedge including a first wedge wall and a second wedge wall, the second wedge wall facing toward at least one of the first panel and the second panel;
• a core compartment bounded by the lower wedge, the first panel, and the second panel, with an open face defined above the lower wedge and offering a view into the core compartment;
• an elongated foam core disposed in the core compartment;
• a lower first flange extending from the first wedge;
• and
• a lower second flange extending from the first panel toward the lower first flange to establish a bloom gap therebetween;
• wherein the core compartment includes a first cavity defined below the lower first flange and the lower second flange, and a second cavity above the lower first flange and the lower second flange;
• wherein the elongated foam core is visible through the open face, and through the bloom gap, when the barrier is installed relative to first and second structural members.

An elongated structural barrier comprising:

• a base;
• a first panel extending upward from the base toward a horizontal reference line;
• a first sealer wall extending downward and transversely to the base;
• a second panel joined with the first panel and extending upwardly above the horizontal reference line;
• a first wedge extending upward from the base adjacent the first sealer wall, the first wedge including a first wedge wall and a second wedge wall, the second wedge wall facing toward at least one of the first panel and the second panel;
• a core compartment bounded by the lower wedge, the first panel, and the second panel, with an open face defined above the lower wedge and offering a view into the core compartment,
• an elongated foam core disposed in the core compartment;
• a lower first flange extending from the first wedge above the base and inward into the core compartment so as to create a first cavity below the first flange and a second cavity above the first flange;
• and
• a lower second flange opposing the lower first flange to create a bloom gap therebetween, the second flange extending inward into the core compartment to create the first cavity below the second flange and the second cavity above the second flange, in cooperation with the first flange;
• wherein the elongated foam core is disposed in the first cavity;
• whereby the elongated foam core is positioned so that when the elongated foam core swells the elongated foam core projects into the second cavity travelling through the bloom gap.

A method of installing an elongated structural barrier, the method comprising:

• placing an elongated structural barrier in a gap between a first surface and a second surface of a building such that a first panel and a second panel are within the gap, with the barrier engaging the first surface and the second panel engaging the second surface above the first surface, and such that a base extends away from the first panel;
• placing a first sealer wall extending downward and transversely from the base against a third surface of the building that is substantially perpendicular to the first surface with the first sealer wall at least impairing the first and second panels from being inserted too far into the gap between the first and second surfaces;
• moving the second panel downward toward the base, with the second panel bending along an arcuate contour toward the base, so that a height of the barrier automatically adjusts to allow the barrier to fit within the gap between the first surface and the second surface;
• and
• applying a wall covering to the first sealer wall so that the first sealer wall melds into the third surface,
• wherein an intumescent core is retained within the first cavity at least partially by the lower flange, and located adjacent the first wedge, the base and the first panel;
• wherein the intumescent core is positioned so that the intumescent core swells upward through a bloom gap adjacent the lower flange when exposed to heat.