Deck-cap moisture-and-uv barrier

Abstract

The current application is directed to a moisture-and-UV barrier that can be applied to a corner of a deck cap during deck construction or subsequently retrofit to the corner of the deck cap in order to prevent deterioration of the deck cap and of the deck structure below the deck cap. The moisture-and-UV barrier includes a waterproof, UV-resistant, and crack-and-tear resistant top surface that conforms to the top surface of the deck-cap corner as well as vertical sides that together enclose a portion of the deck cap at the deck corner to prevent exposure of the miter joint between deck-cap members at the deck-cap corner to UV radiation, water, and other harmful substances and agents.

1 . A moisture-and-UV barrier comprising:
 a top surface with a first point complementary to an outside corner point of a deck-cap corner, an interior vertex point complementary to an inside corner point of the deck-cap corner, and two wings, each complementary to a top surface of one of two different deck-cap members that meet along a mitered joint at the deck-cap corner, the two wings adjoined along a first line from the first point to the vertex point, the first line corresponding in length and direction to the mitered joint; and   and two pairs of vertical sides, the first pair of vertical sides joined along a line segment extending from the first point in a direction approximately orthogonal to the top surface and complementary to outside surfaces of the deck-cap members that are approximately orthogonal to the top surface of the deck cap and the second pair of vertical sides joined along a line segment extending from the vertex point in a direction approximately orthogonal to the top surface and complementary to inside surfaces of the deck-cap members that are approximately orthogonal to the top surface of the deck cap.   
     
     
         2 . The moisture-and-UV barrier of  claim 1  wherein the moisture-and-UV barrier is molded from a waterproof, UV-resistant, tear-and-crack resistant polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The moisture-and-UV barrier of  claim 1  wherein the moisture-and-UV barrier is molded from a tear-and-crack resistant polymer that can be surface treated to provide a waterproof and UV-resistant external surface. 
     
     
         4 . The moisture-and-UV barrier of  claim 1  wherein the moisture-and-UV barrier is waterproof, UV-resistant, tear-and-crack resistant. 
     
     
         5 . The moisture-and-UV barrier of  claim 1  wherein all external surfaces of the moisture-and-UV barrier are compatible with latex and oil-based paints. 
     
     
         6 . The moisture-and-UV barrier of  claim 1  wherein all internal surfaces of the moisture-and-UV barrier are compatible with waterproof sealants and calking compounds. 
     
     
         7 . The moisture-and-UV barrier of  claim 1  further including molded fasteners that can be driven into the deck cap during installation. 
     
     
         8 . The moisture-and-UV barrier of  claim 1  further including molded fasteners that can be clipped to an underside of the deck cap during installation. 
     
     
         9 . The moisture-and-UV barrier of  claim 1  further including two beads of waterproof sealant or caulking compound parallel to the first line. 
     
     
         10 . A moisture-and-UV barrier for protecting the mitered joint between two deck-cap members at a deck corner, the moisture-and-UV barrier comprising:
 a top surface complementary in shape and size to a top surface of the deck cap that includes the mitered joint; and   two sides approximately orthogonal to the top surface, a first side complementary to the external sides of the two deck-cap members and a second side complementary to the internal sides of the two deck-cap members.   
     
     
         11 . The moisture-and-UV barrier of  claim 10  wherein the moisture-and-UV barrier is molded from a waterproof, UV-resistant, tear-and-crack resistant polymer. 
     
     
         12 . The moisture-and-UV barrier of  claim 10  wherein the moisture-and-UV barrier is molded from a tear-and-crack resistant polymer that can be surface treated to provide a waterproof and UV-resistant external surface. 
     
     
         13 . The moisture-and-UV barrier of  claim 10  wherein the moisture-and-UV barrier is waterproof, UV-resistant, tear-and-crack resistant. 
     
     
         14 . The moisture-and-UV barrier of  claim 10  wherein all external surfaces of the moisture-and-UV barrier are compatible with latex and oil-based paints. 
     
     
         15 . The moisture-and-UV barrier of  claim 10  wherein all internal surfaces of the moisture-and-UV barrier are compatible with waterproof sealants and calking compounds. 
     
     
         16 . The moisture-and-UV barrier of  claim 10  further including molded fasteners that can be driven into the deck cap during installation. 
     
     
         17 . The moisture-and-UV barrier of  claim 10  further including molded fasteners that can be clipped to an underside of the deck cap during installation. 
     
     
         18 . The moisture-and-UV barrier of  claim 10  further including two beads of waterproof sealant or caulking compound parallel to the first line.