Convex profile rot preventer

Abstract

A wood rot preventer for use between two intersecting portions of lumber, and having a preventer for attachment over the upper edge of a lower portion of lumber, the preventer having a web overlying the upper edge of the lumber, and in some cases having side walls, an upper surface of the web having convex profile with a central apex and sloping side portions forming surfaces extending outwardly on each side of the apex. In one embodiment the preventer has continuously curved side edges extending outwardly from the edges of the lumber to a width greater than the width of the lumber to carry moisture away from the lumber and allow it to drip downwardly. In another embodiment the preventer may have side walls extending down partially over each side of the piece of lumber. Also disclosed is a coil of an extended length of the wood rot preventer.

What is claimed is  
     
         1 . A wood rot preventer of elongated channel shape for attachment over the upper edge of a lower portion of lumber, for use between two intersecting portions of lumber, namely an upper portion of lumber and a lower portion of lumber having an upper edge, and comprising; 
 a web for overlying the upper edge of the lower portion of lumber;    side walls for extending partially downward from said web along either side of the lower portion of lumber;    an upper surface of said web defining an upper profile of convex shape defining a central apex, and two side portions extending from said central apex, said side portions having upper surfaces which slope outwardly and downwardly from said central apex, thereby promoting drainage of moisture outwardly and downwardly and permitting airflow to take place along said two side portions of said web and said upper portion of lumber;    and said side walls defining inner surfaces for contacting the sides of said lower portion of lumber.    
     
     
         2 . A wood rot preventer as claimed in  claim 1  and including ridges formed along the underside of the web for contacting the upper edge of the lower portion of lumber, the ridges defining load bearing surfaces for transmitting the load of the upper portions of lumber to the upper edge of the lower portion of lumber, whilst at the same time defining air flow passages between the ridges to permit air flow along the upper edge of the lower portion of lumber.  
     
     
         3 . A wood rot preventer as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said preventer is formed of resilient thermoplastic material and is dimensioned whereby said side walls make a snug friction fit over the upper edge of the lower portion of lumber.  
     
     
         4 . A wood rot preventer as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said preventer is formed by extrusion techniques so that said preventers can be made in extended lengths, at low cost.  
     
     
         5 . A wood rot preventer as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said side walls are formed with a gripper rib on each side, the ribs having a pointed or hook shape so as to partially bite into the sides of the lumber.  
     
     
         6 . A wood rot preventer as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said side walls have drip edges which are spaced away from contact with the wood thereby causing moisture running down the exterior of the side walls to drip off the side walls clear of the sides of the lumber.  
     
     
         7 . A wood rot preventer as claimed in claim in  claim 1  wherein the inner surface of the web of the preventer is formed with parallel grooves, defining load bearing surfaces between the grooves.  
     
     
         8 . A wood rot preventer for use between two intersecting portions of lumber, namely an upper portion of lumber and a lower portion of lumber, and comprising; 
 a generally elongated web strip, having upper and under sides;    said upper side defining a an apex and a continuously curved convex profile, with a median load bearing surface along said apex;    two side portions defining curved surfaces extending downwardly away from said apex, for draining moisture outwardly;    said underside of said preventer having load bearing means for transferring the load of the upper portion of lumber to the lower portion of lumber;    a plurality of air flow grooves formed in said planar under surface to allow air circulation along the upper surface of the edge of the lower portion of lumber; said under surface lying in a generally flat plane whereby said preventer can be rolled into a coil, for application to extended lengths of lumber in continuous strips;    said side edge strips of the rot preventer extending outwardly of the width of said portion of lumber to a width, greater than the actual width of the portion of lumber so as to provide for a drip edge outwardly of the side surfaces of the portion of lumber, allowing moisture to drip down without penetrating the lumber side surfaces.    
     
     
         9 . A wood rot preventer for use between two intersecting portions of lumber, namely an upper portion of lumber and a lower portion of lumber, said lower portion having a predetermined width and comprising; 
 planar strip, having upper and under sides;    said upper side having a median load bearing surface parallel with the plane of the upper surface of said lower portion of lumber;    said upper side defining an apex and a continuously curved convex profile, with a median load bearing surface along said apex;    two side portions defining convex curved surfaces extending downwardly away from said apex, for draining moisture outwardly;    load bearing ridges formed on said under side for transferring load to said lower portion of lumber;    a plurality of air flow grooves formed between said load bearing ridges to allow air circulation along the upper surface of the edge of the lower portion of lumber; and,    said side edge strips of said planar rot preventer extending outwardly of the width of said portion of lumber to a width greater than the actual width of the portion of lumber so as to provide for a drip edge outwardly of the side surfaces of the portion of lumber, allowing moisture to drip down without penetrating the lumber side surfaces.    
     
     
         10  A coiled strip formed of a wood rot preventer for use between two intersecting portions of lumber, namely an upper portion of lumber and a lower portion of lumber, and comprising; 
 a generally elongated web strip, having upper and under sides;  
 said upper side defining a an apex and a continuously curved convex profile, with a median load bearing surface along said apex;  
 two side portions defining curved surfaces extending downwardly away from said apex, for draining moisture outwardly;  
 said underside of said preventer having load bearing means for transferring the load of the upper portion of lumber to the lower portion of lumber;  
 a plurality of air flow grooves formed in said planar under surface to allow air circulation along the upper surface of the edge of the lower portion of lumber;  
 said under surface lying in a generally flat plane whereby said preventer can be rolled into said coil, and from which said preventer can be unwound for application to extended lengths of lumber in continuous strips;  
 said side edge strips of the rot preventer extending outwardly of the width of said portion of lumber to a width, greater than the actual width of the portion of lumber so as to provide for a drip edge outwardly of the side surfaces of the portion of lumber, allowing moisture to drip down without penetrating the lumber side surfaces.