Device which secures external walls and components of a room and which has improved drainage capabilities and aesthetics

Abstract

A coupling apparatus includes first, second, and third walls and a drip edge. An interior portion of the apparatus is defined between the first wall and the second wall, and the third wall connects the first wall and the second wall within the interior portion. A hole is contained in the first wall to provide a passageway from the interior portion to an exterior portion of the apparatus. The drip edge is coupled to the first wall in the exterior portion and is disposed below the hole. In a further implementation, the apparatus includes fourth and fifth walls and a cavity. The fifth wall extends inwardly from the fourth wall, and the second wall extends downward from the fifth wall and is laterally offset from the fourth wall. The cavity contains an electrical conduit, is defined between the second wall and a plane containing the fourth wall, and is defined between the fifth wall and a base supporting the apparatus. In an additional implementation, the apparatus includes a sixth wall that extends from the first wall to the second wall and that is disposed below the third wall. Also, the sixth wall includes a gap that separates a first portion of the sixth wall from a second portion of the sixth wall.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A coupling apparatus, comprising: 
 a first wall;    a second wall, wherein an interior portion of the apparatus is defined between the first wall and the second wall;    a third wall at least indirectly connecting the first wall and the second wall within the interior portion;    a hole provided in the first wall to provide a passageway from the interior portion to an exterior portion of the apparatus; and    a drip edge, which is at least indirectly coupled to the first wall in the exterior portion and which is disposed below the hole.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is structured so that liquid that travels from the interior portion to the exterior portion via the hole flows over the drip edge.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus couples a first portion of a room and a second portion of a room, 
 wherein the second portion of the room is disposed below the hole, and    wherein the drip edge diverts the flow of the liquid away from a side of the second portion of the room that is exposed to the exterior portion.    
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first portion of the room is disposed above the third wall and the second portion of the room is disposed below the third wall, and 
 wherein at least some of the interior portion is located between the first and second portion and between the first and second wall.    
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the first portion of the room is a wall of the room and the second portion of the room is a base of the room.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the base is one of a deck and a concrete foundation.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the first portion of the room is one of an upper portion of a wall of the room and a first window, and 
 wherein the second portion of the room is one of a lower portion of the wall and a second window.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the first portion is located between the first and second wall above the third wall, and 
 wherein the second portion is located between the first and second wall below the third wall.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the third wall is sloped with respect to a first plane such that the liquid flows within the interior portion down the slope of the third wall towards the hole.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the third wall intersects the first wall at an intersection.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the intersection of the third wall and the first wall forms a line, and 
 wherein the line is sloped towards the hole with respect to a second plane that is different than the first plane.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the first plane is perpendicular to the second plane.  
     
     
         13 . A connecting system, which comprises a connector, for coupling a first portion of a room with a base, comprising: 
 a first wall;    a second wall separated from the first wall by an interior portion of the connector;    a third wall extending inwardly from the second wall towards the interior portion of the connector, wherein at least some of the first portion of the room is supported by the third wall;    a fourth wall, which extends downward from the third wall and which is laterally offset from the second wall; and    a cavity defined between the fourth wall and a plane containing the second wall and defined between the third wall and the base.    
     
     
         14 . The system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the base comprises one of a deck, a patio, and a concrete foundation.  
     
     
         15 . The system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the base comprises a subsill.  
     
     
         16 . The system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the cavity is adapted to accommodate a conduit containing electrical components for supplying electricity to the room.  
     
     
         17 . The system as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 the conduit disposed in the cavity; and    a cover that is disposed along at least a portion of the second wall and the conduit.    
     
     
         18 . The system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the cover comprises a baseboard for the room.  
     
     
         19 . The system as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a hole provided in the first wall to provide a passageway from the interior portion to an exterior portion of the connector; and    a drip edge, which is at least indirectly coupled to the first wall in the exterior portion and which is disposed below the hole.    
     
     
         20 . The system as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the connector is structured so that liquid that travels from the interior portion to the exterior portion via the hole flows over the drip edge.  
     
     
         21 . The system as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a fifth wall that at least indirectly connects the first wall with the fourth wall; and    a sixth wall, which extends from the first wall to the fourth wall, which is disposed below the fifth wall, and which comprises a gap that separates a first portion of the sixth wall from a second portion of the sixth wall.    
     
     
         22 . The system as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the sixth wall is supported by the base.  
     
     
         23 . The system as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the fifth wall comprises a segment wall portion and a sloped wall portion that is sloped towards the first wall.  
     
     
         24 . The system as claimed in  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 a fastener that passes through the fifth wall and is secured to the base.    
     
     
         25 . The system as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the fastener passes through the gap in the sixth wall.  
     
     
         26 . The system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the gap prevents forces created by securing the fastener to the base from substantially contorting at least one of the first wall, fourth wall, and sixth wall.  
     
     
         27 . A connecting system, which comprises a connector, for coupling a first portion of a room with a base, comprising: 
 a first wall;    a second wall separated from the first wall by an interior portion of the connector;    a third wall that at least indirectly connects the first wall with the second wall; and    a fourth wall, which extends from the first wall to the second wall, which is disposed below the third wall, and which comprises a gap that separates a first portion of the fourth wall from a second portion of the fourth wall.    
     
     
         28 . The system as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the fourth wall is supported by the base.  
     
     
         29 . The system as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the third wall comprises a segment wall portion and a sloped wall portion that is sloped towards the first wall.  
     
     
         30 . The system as claimed in  claim 27 , further comprising: 
 a fastener that passes through the third wall and is secured to the base.    
     
     
         31 . The system as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the fastener passes through the gap in the fourth wall.  
     
     
         32 . The system as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the gap prevents forces created by securing the fastener to the base from substantially contorting at least one of the first wall, second wall, and fourth wall.  
     
     
         33 . The system as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the gap prevents forces created by securing the fastener to the base from substantially contorting the first wall, second wall, and fourth wall.  
     
     
         34 . A connecting system having a connector, comprising: 
 a first wall;    a second wall separated from the first wall by an interior portion of the connector;    a hole formed in the first wall to provide a passageway from the interior portion to an exterior portion of the connector; and    a third wall that is disposed within the interior portion and at least indirectly connects the first wall with the second wall,    wherein the third wall is sloped downwardly from the second wall to the first wall, and    wherein the connector is structured so that liquid contained in the interior portion flows down the third wall towards the first wall and travels from the interior portion to the exterior portion via the hole.    
     
     
         35 . The system as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the third wall intersects the first wall at an intersection, and 
 wherein at least a portion of the intersection is located below the hole.    
     
     
         36 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the intersection of the third wall and the first wall forms a line, and 
 wherein the line is sloped towards the hole with respect to a second plane that is different than the first plane.    
     
     
         37 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the first plane is perpendicular to the second plane.  
     
     
         38 . The system as claimed in  claim 34 , further comprising: 
 a first protruding wall that protrudes inwardly from the first wall towards the interior portion; and    a second protruding wall that protrudes inwardly from the second wall towards the interior portion,    wherein the first protruding wall is disposed above the hole, and    wherein the second protruding wall is disposed below at least a portion of the third wall.    
     
     
         39 . The system as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein a first portion of a room is disposed between the first wall and the second wall above the third wall, 
 wherein a second portion of a room is disposed between the first wall and the second wall below the third wall,    wherein the first protruding wall supports the first portion, and    wherein the second protruding wall supports the second portion.    
     
     
         40 . The system as claimed in  claim 39 , wherein the first portion of the room is one of an upper portion of a wall of the room and a first window, and 
 wherein the second portion of the room is one of a lower portion of the wall and a second window.    
     
     
         41 . The system as claimed in  claim 38 , further comprising: 
 a drip edge, which is at least indirectly coupled to the first wall in the exterior portion and which is disposed below the hole.    
     
     
         42 . The system as claimed in claim  41 , wherein the connector is structured so that the liquid flows from the hole over the drip edge.  
     
     
         43 . The system as claimed in  claim 39 , further comprising: 
 a drip edge, which is at least indirectly coupled to the first wall in the exterior portion and which is disposed below the hole,    wherein the connector is structured so that the liquid flows from the hole over the drip edge, and    wherein the drip edge diverts the flow of the liquid away from a side of the second portion of the room that is exposed to the exterior portion.