Corner guard

Abstract

A corner guard system and method for waterproofing or flashing a corner intersection in a window, door or other opening, corner joint or other intersection structure. The corner guard in includes a base and an end piece. The base has first and second members joined along a ridge edge at an angle to substantially conform to the shape of the corner intersection. The end piece is joined along an end piece edge with the base at an angle to substantially conform to the shape of the opening ledge and adjacent opening surface. The present invention provides an economical, simple to install and easy to use corner guard as an alternative to the traditional flashing membrane while demonstrating significant advantages in minimizing drafts and water leaks in residential and commercial construction.

1 . A corner guard for corner joints or intersections in building construction, comprising: 
 a base comprised of first and second members joined together, the base having first and second ends, wherein the first and second members of the base are joined at an angle with respect to each other between the first and second ends; and    an end piece joined at the first end of the base adjacent the first and second members of the base, wherein the end piece and the first and second members of the base are joined at an angle as between the end piece and each member, respectively.    
   
   
       2 . The corner guard of  claim 1 , wherein the angle between the first and second members is substantially between 85 and 135 degrees.  
   
   
       3 . The corner guard of  claim 1 , wherein the angel between the end piece and each member, respectively, is substantially between 85 and 135 degrees.  
   
   
       4 . A system for corner joints or intersections in building construction, comprising: 
 an opening defined by a surface, at least two interior ledges and at least one corner joint at the intersection of the at least two interior ledges, wherein a corner joint angle is defined by the intersection of the at least two interior ledges forming the corner joint and a surface ledge angle is defined by the intersection of at least one of the ledges and the surface; and    a corner guard for waterproofing or flashing the at least one corner intersection, comprising: 
 a base comprised of first and second members joined together, the base having first and second ends, wherein the first and second members of the base are joined between the first and second ends at an angle with respect to each other substantially the same as the corner joint angle; and  
 an end piece joined at the first end of the base adjacent the first and second members of the base, wherein the end piece and the first and second members of the base are joined at an angle as between the end piece and the first member substantially the same as the surface ledge angle.  
   
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein one of the at least two interior ledges of the opening has a depth and the length of at least one of the first and second members of the base is substantially the same as the depth of the one of the at least two interior ledges.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the corner joint angle defined by the intersection of the at least two interior ledges forming the corner joint is substantially between 85 and 135 degrees.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the surface ledge angle is defined by the intersection of at least one of the ledges and the surface is substantially between 85 and 135 degrees.  
   
   
       8 . A system for corner joints or intersections in building construction, comprising: 
 an intersection wherein a first and second surface intersect to form a first joint defining a corner joint angle and the first surface intersects with a third surface to form a second joint defining a surface angle; and    a corner guard for waterproofing or flashing the intersection, comprising: 
 a base comprised of first and second members joined together, the base having first and second ends, wherein the first and second members of the base are joined between the first and second ends at an angle with respect to each other substantially the same as the corner joint angle; and  
 an end piece joined at the first end of the base adjacent the first member of the base, wherein the end piece and the first member of the base are joined at an angle as between the end piece and the first member substantially the same as the surface angle.  
   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8:   wherein the surface intersects with a fourth surface to form a third joint defining a second surface angle; and    further comprising an end piece joined at the first end of the base adjacent the second member of the base, wherein the end piece and the second member of the base are joined at an angle as between the end piece and the second member substantially the same as the second surface angle.    
   
   
       10 . A system for waterproofing or flashing corner intersections in windows, doors or other openings, comprising: 
 an opening defined by a surface, at least two interior ledges and at least one corner joint at the intersection of the at least two interior ledges, wherein a corner joint angle is defined by the intersection of the at least two interior ledges forming the corner joint and a surface ledge angle is defined by the intersection of at least one of the ledges and the surface; and    a first membrane strip;    means for securing the first membrane strip to the surface;    a corner guard for waterproofing or flashing the at least one corner intersection, comprising: 
 a base comprised of first and second members joined together, the base having first and second ends, wherein the first and second members of the base are joined between the first and second ends at an angle with respect to each other substantially the same as the corner joint angle; and  
 an end piece joined at the first end of the base adjacent the first and second members of the base, wherein the end piece and the first and second members of the base are joined at an angle as between the end piece and the first member substantially the same as the surface ledge angle;  
   means for securing the corner guard along the intersection of the at least two interior ledges at the corner joint;    a second membrane strip; and    means for securing the second membrane strip along one of the at least two interior ledges and the surface and overlapping at least part of the base and end piece of the corner guard.    
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein one of the at least two interior ledges of the opening has a depth and the length of at least one of the first and second members of the base is substantially the same as the depth of the one of the at least two interior ledges.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the corner joint angle defined by the intersection of the at least two interior ledges forming the corner joint is substantially between 85 and 135 degrees.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the surface ledge angle is defined by the intersection of at least one of the ledges and the surface is substantially between 85 and 135 degrees.  
   
   
       14 . A method for waterproofing or flashing a corner intersection in a window, door or other opening defined by a surface, at least two interior ledges and at least one corner joint at the intersection of the at least two interior ledges, comprising: 
 placing a first membrane strip against the surface;    securing the membrane strip to the surface;    placing a corner guard along the intersection of the at least two interior ledges at the corner joint, wherein the corner guard comprises: 
 a base comprised of first and second members joined together, the base having first and second ends, wherein the first and second members of the base are joined between the first and second ends at an angle with respect to each other; and  
 an end piece joined at the first end of the base adjacent the first and second members of the base, wherein the end piece and the first and second members of the base are joined at an angle as between the end piece and the first and second members, respectively;  
   securing the corner guard along the corner joint;    placing a second membrane strip along one of the at least two interior ledges and the surface and overlapping at least part of the base and end piece of the corner guard; and    securing the second membrane strip to the at least two interior ledges and the surface.    
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the corner guard is placed along the corner joint such that the first member of the base is adjacent one of the at least two ledges of the opening and the second member of the base is adjacent the other one of the at least two ledges of the opening.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein one of the at least two interior ledges of the opening has a depth and the length of at least one of the first and second members of the base is cut along the edge opposite the end piece to fit the depth of the one of the at least two interior ledges.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second members of the base are joined along a ridge so as to form an angle between the first and second members of substantially between 85 and 135 degrees.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the end piece and the first and second members of the base are joined as between the end piece and each member, respectively, at an angle of substantially between 85 and 135 degrees.  
   
   
       19 . A corner guard for flashing a corner joint or intersection of a building structure, comprising: 
 a first sheet of material;    a second sheet of material fixed to and substantially transversely intersecting the first sheet of material; and    a third sheet of material fixed to and substantially transversely intersecting the first and second sheets of material, wherein the first and second sheets of material do not extend beyond the intersection with the third sheet of material.    
   
   
       20 . The corner guard of  claim 19 , wherein the intersection between the first and second sheets form an angle substantially between 85 and 135 degrees.  
   
   
       21 . The corner guard of  claim 19 , wherein the intersection between each of the first and second sheets and the third sheet, respectively, forms an angle substantially between 85 and 135 degrees.  
   
   
       22 . The corner guard of  claim 19 , wherein the sheets of material are substantially flat.