Membrane Interface for Building Apertures

Abstract

An expanding seal for preventing water and air intrusion in gaps formed between aperture-engaged components of a wall which are surrounded by stucco or the like is provided. The device is configured to prevent moisture ingress between formed gaps created as stucco surfaces expand and contract over time which can exacerbate gaps. A first side of the body of the device engages the fixture while the opposing side is adapted for an embedded engagement with cured stucco whereby intrusion into gaps is prevented by elastic expansion and contraction of the seal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sealing apparatus for gaps between fixtures mounted in surrounding cementitious material, comprising:
 an elongated body formed of substantially elastic material;   said body having a first side configured for an adhesive engagement with a fixture positioned in a wall to be surrounded by stucco;   said body having a second side edge, opposite said first side edge;   means for anchoring said second side edge, into a layer of said stucco subsequently applied to said wall surrounding said fixture;   said anchoring of said body on said second side edge and said adhesive engagement along said first side edge, and a stretching of said body therebetween, defining an elastic seal over said gap which maintains said seal even during gap enlargements caused by differing expansion rates of said stucco and said fixture during temperature differentials.   
     
     
         2 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 1 , additionally comprising:
 said means for anchoring comprising a plurality of apertures communicating through said body in between said first side and said second side edge.   
     
     
         3 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 said means for anchoring comprising an undulating surface formed adjacent said second side edge having gaps in between projections; and 
 said gaps filled with said stucco providing an anchor of said second sided edge with said stucco. 
 
     
     
         4 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 2 , additionally comprising:
 said body formed by strips of body material configured for an engagement with one side of a corner portion of said body material;   four of said corner portions in a said engagement with four said strips of body material, forming a rectangle body having an interior perimeter and exterior perimeter.   
     
     
         5 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 2 , additionally comprising:
 raised portions projecting along a portion of said body adjacent said first side of said body; and   said raised portions when in operative contact with said stucco defining a torturous path for water or air past said body to said gap.   
     
     
         6 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 1 , additionally comprising:
 said body formed in rectangular configuration;   said first side edge defining a shape and size of an aperture adapted for engagement upon an exterior circumference of a rectangular wall mounted component; and   said second edge defining an exterior perimeter of said body, said body having apertures communicating therethrough adjacent said second edge, said apertures defining means for anchoring said second edge embedded in said stucco.   
     
     
         7 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 6 , additionally comprising:
 said first sided edge defining a round or oval aperture adapted for sealed contact with a wall mounted component having a matching shape.   
     
     
         8 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 6 , additionally comprising:
 said body formed of four elongated members and four corner members each said corner member engaging one end from each of two of said elongated members;   means for fixing said engagement of said ends of said elongated members with said corner members; and   whereby said body can be formed to engage said exterior circumference of said fixture from an assembly of said corner members and said elongated members.   
     
     
         9 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 8 , additionally comprising:
 said means for fixing said engagement comprising a projection communicating from an engagement with a said corner member, through an aperture formed in a said elongated member.   
     
     
         10 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 8 , additionally comprising:
 a pair of overlap section positioned on each said corner member where it engages with one of said one end of said elongated member; and   said overlap sections configured to engage with an area adjacent said one end of said elongated member and thereby form an overlap engagement of said corner member and said one end of said elongated member.   
     
     
         11 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said fixture is one of an electrical box or window. 
     
     
         12 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said fixture is one of an electrical box or window. 
     
     
         13 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 6 , additionally comprising: wherein said body is formed as a unitary structure. 
     
     
         14 . A method for sealing gaps between fixtures communicating through a wall, and surrounding cementitious material, positioned upon said wall, employing an elongated seal having a body adapted on a first side to engage with said fixture, and configured on a second side opposing side to said first side, with one or a plurality of aperturesages communicating through said body of said seal, comprising the steps of:
 engaging a first side of an elongated seal with said fixture positioned in said wall, to position said second side of said extending in a direction away from said fixture;   communicating said wet cementitious material to said wall and concurrently communicating said cementitious material through said one or plurality of apertures; and   allowing time for said cementitious material to dry to a cured state, whereby said cementitious material communicated through said one or plurality of apertures, in said cured state, forms an anchor communicating through said body of said seal adjacent said second side.