Draft block system
AssigneeWestbay Holdings, LLC
InventorFred E. Hovenier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A draft block joist system for preventing an airflow circulation therethrough. The system comprises a first and second elongated I-beams each having continuous upper and lower flange sections with a panel member disposed therebetween. The upper and lower flange sections of the first elongated I-beam are respectively connected with the upper and lower flange sections of the second elongated I-beam. An air gap is formed between the panel members of the first and second elongated I-beams thereby. By forming the air gap, an insulation member is removably insertable therein for preventing the airflow circulation therethrough.
Claims20
A draft block joist system for preventing an airflow circulation therethrough, the system comprising:
- first and second elongated I-beams each having continuous upper and lower flange sections with a panel member disposed therebetween, each of the upper and lower flange sections having a flange length and a centrally extending contact surface for engaging the respective panel member thereto along the flange length, the upper and lower flange sections of the first elongated I-beam being respectively connectable with the upper and lower flange sections of the second elongated I-beam along their respective flange lengths;
- an air gap formed between the panel members of the first and second elongated I-beams when the respective upper and lower flange sections are connected with each other;
- and
- an insulation member removably insertable into the air gap for preventing the airflow circulation therethrough.
A method of utilizing an insulation member for preventing an airflow circulation through a draft block joist system, the joist system comprising first and second elongated I-beams each having continuous upper and lower flange sections with a panel member disposed therebetween, each of the upper and lower flange sections having a flange length and a centrally extending hollow groove for engaging the respective panel member thereto along the flange length, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) respectively connecting the upper and lower flange sections of the first elongated I-beam with the upper and lower flange sections of the second elongated I-beam along their respective flange lengths;
- b) forming an air gap between the panel members of the first and second elongated I-beams when the respective upper and lower flange sections are connected with each other;
- and
- c) removably inserting an insulation member into the air gap for preventing the airflow circulation therethrough.
A method of utilizing an insulation member for preventing an airflow circulation through a draft block joist system, the joist system comprising first and second elongated I-beams each having continuous upper and lower flange sections with a panel member disposed therebetween, each of the upper and lower flange sections having a flange length, an outer surface and a centrally extending hollow groove for engaging the respective panel member thereto along the flange length, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) positioning the first and second elongated I-beams in generally parallel and spaced apart relation;
- b) respectively engaging upper and lower elongated wooden pieces on the outer surfaces of the upper and lower flange sections so as to position the first and second elongated I-beams therebetween;
- c) forming a dilated air gap when the upper and lower elongated wooden pieces position the first and second elongated I-beams therebetween, the dilated air gap laterally extending between the first and second elongated I-beams, the dilated air gap longitudinally extending between the upper and lower elongated wooden pieces;
- and
- d) inserting a dilated insulation member having two opposing sides into the dilated air gap, the dilated insulation member being sized and configured to correspond to the dilated air gap, the dilated insulation member further having two radially extending appendages formed on respective ones of the opposing sides thereof to enhance frictional engagement to the dilated air gap when inserted therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.