Window buck with retention flange

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for preventing the intrusion of poured concrete into the space defined by a window buck installed between concrete forms. The apparatus, system, and method include a window buck panel incorporating a concrete exclusion barrier comprising a protrusion formed on the body of the window buck panel; a flange affixed to an attachment leg of the window buck panel; or an appropriately shaped leg of a window buck panel. The concrete retention barrier is configured to contact a concrete form under pressure and remain in contact as the form alters shape from the weight of infused concrete. By preventing fluid concrete from entering a defined window cavity during formation of a concrete wall the apparatus, system, and method described eliminate the need to remove hardened concrete from the interior of the cavity before window installation. Use of certain embodiments of the described invention saves time and effort in preparing the window cavity for window installation and also preserves the cleanliness and precise configuration of the window installation surface.

1 . An apparatus to define at least a portion of a window opening within a plurality of concrete forms, the apparatus comprising: 
 a window buck panel having a panel body, the window buck panel configured to be secured between a plurality of concrete forms; and    a concrete retention barrier extending laterally away from the panel and through a plane defining a lateral edge of the panel, the concrete retention barrier configured to contact at least one of the plurality of concrete forms under pressure and to prevent concrete intrusion between the panel body and the at least one concrete form.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the concrete retention barrier is attached to the panel body.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the concrete retention barrier is attached to an attachment surface of the panel body, the attachment surface comprising one of an interior surface and an exterior surface of the panel body.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the attachment surface comprises a flexure groove configured to allow the attachment surface to move laterally under pressure applied to the concrete retention flange.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the concrete retention barrier is attached to an attachment leg, the attachment leg comprising one of an interior leg and an exterior leg connected to the panel body.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the attachment leg is configured to flex and move laterally under pressure applied to the concrete retention barrier.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the attachment leg is configured to flex at a point of junction between the attachment leg and the window buck panel body.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the attachment leg is configured to flex at a point between a a proximal end of the attachment leg and a distal end of the leg.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the attachment leg is configured to flex at a plurality of points on the attachment leg.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the concrete retention barrier comprises a substantially flat, horizontally projecting flange member.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the concrete retention barrier comprises a tapered attachment leg that is wider at the distal end and tapers inward toward the proximate end.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the concrete retention barrier comprises a protrusion.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the concrete retention barrier comprises an angled leg.  
   
   
       14 . A system to prevent intrusion of concrete into a space defined by a plurality of buck panels, the system comprising: 
 a plurality of concrete forms configured to contain concrete during a curing period of the concrete;    at least one buck panel defining a cavity between the concrete forms;    a concrete retention barrier attached to one of the at least one of the buck panels, the concrete retention barrier configured to contact at least one of the plurality of concrete forms under pressure and to prevent concrete intrusion into the cavity.    
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the concrete obstruction barrier is further configured to laterally displace under contact pressure from the concrete forms in the direction of the applied pressure.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the concrete obstruction barrier is further configured to return from a displaced position and maintain contact with at least one of the plurality of concrete forms in response to a lateral displacement of the plurality of concrete forms away from the buck panel.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the concrete retention barrier comprises a shape selected from at least one of a flange, a rounded protrusion, a tapered leg, and an angled leg.  
   
   
       18 . A method for preventing intrusion of concrete into a window cavity defined by a plurality of window buck panels, the method comprising: 
 forming a window buck system and thereby partially defining a window cavity, the window buck system comprising at least one concrete retention barrier and one or more window buck panels;    orienting the window buck system between a plurality of concrete forms and thereby fully defining the window cavity; and    securing the window buck system between a plurality of concrete forms and displacing the at least one concrete retention barrier under pressure from the plurality of concrete forms.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising dispensing fluid concrete between the plurality of concrete forms.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising preventing the fluid concrete from entering the window cavity by maintaining contact between the at least one concrete retention barrier and the plurality of concrete forms.