Joist shielding system

Abstract

A shielding system for protecting a joist against damage caused by moisture, bugs, and ultraviolet radiation includes a strip having a top side opposite a bottom side. The strip is positionable over the upper edge. A pair of seams extends along the length of the strip. The strip is foldable along the pair of seams and is U-shaped when folded along the pair of seams. The U-shaped strip is couplable to the joist to cover the upper edge. An adhesive covers the bottom side, affixing the strip to the upper edge. The strip inhibits penetration of moisture into the joist when affixed to the upper edge.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A covering system comprising:
 a joist having an upper edge;   a strip having a top side and a bottom side, the strip being positionable over the upper edge;   a pair of seams extending along the length of the strip, the strip being foldable along the pair of seams, the strip being U-shaped when folded along the pair of seams; and   an adhesive covering the bottom side, the adhesive affixing the strip to the upper edge;   wherein the strip prohibits penetration of moisture into the upper edge when the strip is affixed to the upper edge.   
     
     
         2 . The covering system of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of seams are spaced from one another to define a medial section between the pair of seams, each of the pair of seams being spaced from a respective lateral edge of the strip to define outer sections of the strip between each of the pair of seams and the respective lateral edge of the strip, the medial section having a width corresponding to a width of the upper edge. 
     
     
         3 . The covering system of  claim 2 , wherein the medial section has a width corresponding to a width of the upper edge. 
     
     
         4 . The covering system of  claim 3 , wherein the width of the medial section being between 1½ inch and 4½ inches. 
     
     
         5 . The covering system of  claim 2 , wherein each of the outer sections has a width between ½ inch and 1 inch. 
     
     
         6 . The covering system of  claim 1 , the strip further comprising a plastic material, the plastic material inhibiting penetration of moisture into the upper edge when the strip is positioned over the joist. 
     
     
         7 . The covering system of  claim 6 , the plastic material further comprising a composite material including a recycled plastic and a wood fiber, the composite material being configured to repel insects. 
     
     
         8 . The covering system of  claim 6 , the plastic material being coated with an insecticide, the insecticide being configured to repel insects. 
     
     
         9 . The covering system of  claim 6 , the plastic material further comprising a composite material including a recycled plastic, a wood fiber, and an insecticide, the composite material being configured to repel insects. 
     
     
         10 . The covering system of  claim 6 , the plastic material further comprising a composite material including a recycled plastic and an insecticide, the composite material being configured to repel insects. 
     
     
         11 . The covering system of  claim 6 , the plastic material comprising a thermoplastic material being resistant to damage from ultraviolet radiation. 
     
     
         12 . The covering system of  claim 1 , wherein the strip is elongated. 
     
     
         13 . The covering system of  claim 1 , the joist further comprising wood. 
     
     
         14 . The covering system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an end member having a top portion and a bottom portion, the end member being foldable over the joist and the strip when the strip is adhered to the joist, the end member being positioned at an intersection between the joist and a second joist thereby inhibiting penetration of moisture into the intersection.   
     
     
         15 . The covering system of  claim 14 , wherein the adhesive covers the bottom portion, the adhesive affixing the end member to the strip and the joist. 
     
     
         16 . The covering system of  claim 1 , wherein the strip has a thickness of 1/16 inch. 
     
     
         17 . The covering system of  claim 1 , wherein the strip has a length corresponding with a length of the joist. 
     
     
         18 . A moisture shielding system comprising:
 a joist having an upper edge, the joist comprising wood;   a strip being elongated, the strip having a top side opposite a bottom side, the strip being positionable over the upper edge, the strip having a length corresponding with a length of the joist, the strip having a thickness between 1/32 inch and ⅛ inch;   the strip comprising a recycled plastic material, the recycled plastic material inhibiting penetration of moisture into the upper edge when the strip is positioned over the joist, the recycled plastic material comprising a thermoplastic being resistant to damage from ultraviolet radiation;   a coating covering the strip, the coating comprising an insecticide, the insecticide being configured to repel bugs thereby inhibiting damage to the upper edge from the bugs;   a pair of seams extending along the length of the strip, the strip being foldable along the pair of seams, the strip being U-shaped when folded along the pair of seams, the pair of seams being spaced from one another to define a medial section between the pair of seams, each of the pair of seams being spaced from a respective lateral edge of the strip to define outer sections of the strip between each of the pair of seams and the respective lateral edge of the strip, the medial section having a width corresponding to a width of the upper edge, the width of the medial section being between 1½ inch and 4½ inches, each of the outer sections having a width between ½ inch and 1 inch;   an adhesive covering the bottom side, the adhesive affixing the strip to the upper edge;   an end member having a top portion opposite a bottom portion, the end member being foldable over the joist and the strip when the strip is adhered to the joist, the end member being positioned at an intersection between the joist and a second joist thereby inhibiting penetration of moisture into the intersection; and   the adhesive covering the bottom portion, the adhesive affixing the end member to the strip and the joist.   
     
     
         19 . The moisture shielding system of  claim 18 , wherein the coating covers the top side of the strip.