Modular flashing system

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to modular flashing systems for use in the construction industry. It provides a plurality of modular flashing entities and modular trim flashing elements designed to be used in concert. The articles provide a unitary structure essentially impervious to atmospheric and environmental elements. The invention provides a modular flashing entity including a first surface, a second surface having a proximal edge and a distal edge removed from the proximal edge, as well as a left end and a right end, wherein the first surface joins the second surface along the proximal edge, and a third surface joined to the second surface along the distal edge thereof In many embodiments an additional fourth surface joined to a left end or to a right end of the second surface and further joined to the third surface. These are useful as drip caps and flashing pans when installing items such as doors and windows. The invention also provides a modular trim flashing element including a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is joined to the second surface at a proximal edge thereof and wherein the first surface has a left end and a right end, wherein the first surface may have extension tabs, or not. The invention also provides kits including the items described above for the convenience of the customer. Additionally the invention provides methods of rendering a portal in a building essentially impervious to atmospheric and environmental elements that employ the modular articles provided herein.

1 . A modular flashing entity comprising 
 a) a first surface,    b) a second surface having a proximal edge and a distal edge removed from the proximal edge, wherein the first surface joins the second surface along said proximal edge, the second surface having in addition a left end and a right end, and    c) a third surface joined to said second surface along the distal edge thereof, wherein the first surface extends from the proximal edge of the second surface in a first direction that is generally opposite to a direction that the third surface extends from the distal edge of the second surface, and either 
 i) at least one of a left extension of the first surface extends beyond the left end of the second surface, and a right extension of the first surface extends beyond the right end of the second surface, or  
 ii) the first surface has no extension.  
   
   
   
       2 . The modular flashing entity described in  claim 1  wherein the joined first surface, second surface and third surface form a unitary structure essentially impervious to atmospheric and environmental elements.  
   
   
       3 . The modular flashing entity described in  claim 1  wherein 
 a) the second surface is approximately perpendicular to the first surface, and    b) the third surface is approximately perpendicular to the second surface.    
   
   
       4 . The modular flashing entity described in  claim 1  further comprising a fourth surface joined to an end of the second surface and further joined to the third surface, wherein the fourth surface extends from the end of the second surface in a direction that is generally the same as the direction that the third surface extends from the distal edge of the second surface.  
   
   
       5 . The modular flashing entity described in  claim 4  wherein the joined first surface, second surface, third surface, and fourth surface form a unitary structure essentially impervious to atmospheric and environmental elements.  
   
   
       6 . The modular flashing entity described in  claim 1  wherein the first surface, the second surface, and the third surface are each essentially planar surfaces.  
   
   
       7 . The modular flashing entity described in  claim 1  wherein at least the second surface is nonplanar.  
   
   
       8 . The modular flashing entity described in  claim 7  wherein the second surface is generally concave with respect to a direction established by the first surface.  
   
   
       9 . The modular flashing entity described in  claim 1  wherein each of the first surface, the second surface and the third surface separately comprise a substance chosen from a metal, a plastic, a polymer, a resin, or a combination of two or more of them.  
   
   
       10 . The modular flashing entity described in  claim 4  wherein the first surface, the second surface, the third surface and the fourth surface separately comprise a substance chosen from a metal, a plastic, a polymer, a resin, or a combination of two or more of them.  
   
   
       11 . A modular trim flashing element comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is joined to the second surface at a proximal edge thereof and wherein the first surface has a left end and a right end, wherein either 
 a) a left extension of the first surface extends beyond the left end of the second surface, or a right extension extends beyond the right end of the second surface, or both a left extension of the first surface extends beyond the left end of the second surface and a right extension extends beyond the right end of the second surface; or    b) there is neither a left extension nor a right extension;    wherein the joined first surface and second surface form a unitary structure essentially impervious to atmospheric and environmental elements.    
   
   
       12 . The modular trim flashing element described in  claim 11  wherein the first surface is approximately perpendicular to the second surface.  
   
   
       13 . A kit comprising a plurality of modular flashing entities described in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       14 . The kit described in  claim 13  further comprising at least one modular trim flashing element, wherein the modular trim flashing element comprises a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is joined to the second surface at a proximal edge thereof and having a left end and a right end, wherein either 
 a) a left extension of the first surface extends beyond the left end of the second surface, or a right extension extends beyond the right end of the second surface, or both a left extension of the first surface extends beyond the left end of the second surface and a right extension extends beyond the right end of the second surface; or    b) there is neither a left extension nor a right extension.    
   
   
       15 . A kit comprising a plurality of modular flashing entities described in  claim 4 .  
   
   
       16 . The kit described in  claim 15  further comprising at least one modular trim flashing element, wherein the modular trim flashing element comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is joined to the second surface at a proximal edge thereof and having a left end and a right end, wherein either 
 a) a left extension of the first surface extends beyond the left end of the second surface, or a right extension extends beyond the right end of the second surface, or both a left extension of the first surface extends beyond the left end of the second surface and a right extension extends beyond the right end of the second surface; or    b) there is neither a left extension nor a right extension.    
   
   
       17 . A kit comprising a plurality of modular flashing entities described in  claim 6 .  
   
   
       18 . A kit comprising a plurality of modular flashing entities described in  claim 7 .  
   
   
       19 . A method of sealing a portal and its associated casement trim in a building against atmospheric and environmental elements, the method comprising affixing one or more modular flashing entities described in  claim 1  to the portal such that 
 i) the second surface of the flashing entity contacts a portion of the portal framing, and    ii) the first surface of a flashing entity contacts an exterior face of the building adjacent to the portal.    
   
   
       20 . The method described in  claim 19  wherein the modular flashing entity further comprises a fourth surface joined to an end of the second surface and further joined to the third surface, wherein the fourth surface extends from the end of the second surface in a fourth direction that is generally the same as the direction that the third surface extends from the distal edge of the second surface.  
   
   
       21 . The method described in  claim 19  wherein the one or more modular flashing entities seal a portal that is generally a rectilinear opening.  
   
   
       22 . The method described in  claim 19  further comprising affixing at least one modular trim flashing element to the portal, wherein a modular trim flashing element comprises a first surface having at least one extension, joined to a second surface at a proximal edge thereof and having a left end and a right end, wherein an extension of the first surface extends beyond the left end of the second surface, or beyond the right end of the second surface, or beyond both ends of the second surface.  
   
   
       23 . The method described in  claim 19  wherein the one or more modular flashing entities seal a portal that is at least partly curvilinear.  
   
   
       24 . The method described in  claim 23  wherein the portal includes a circular, elliptical, hyperbolic, parabolic or other curvilinear segment.  
   
   
       25 . The method described in  claim 19  wherein the affixing comprises at least one of gluing, bonding, nailing, screwing, or riveting.  
   
   
       26 . The method described in  claim 19  wherein at least one extension of a first surface of a modular flashing entity or at least one extension of a first surface of a modular trim flashing element overlaps a surface of a neighboring modular flashing entity or modular trim flashing element.