Casing Bead

Abstract

A longitudinally-extending casing bead with a base side and an upwardly extending wall along one edge thereof is described that includes an integrated gap portion that extends outwardly from an outer surface of the upwardly extending wall. Importantly, the gap portion configured to both allow an installer to quickly, easily and accurately position the casing bead a predetermined distance from a window or door frame, and allow for the expansion and contraction of the stucco and framing by controlled flexing to prevent the transfer of excessive damage-inducing forces therebetween.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A longitudinally-extending casing bead comprising:
 a generally flat base side having a first thickness;   an upwardly extending wall having a second thickness, the upwardly-extending wall intersecting with the base side at a common edge; and   a gap portion including, a generally flat gap arm having a third thickness, the gap arm extending outwardly of the upwardly extending wall proximate the common edge, and a living hinge, the living hinge extending longitudinally along a gap arm intersection with the upwardly extending wall proximate the common edge, the living hinge having a fourth thickness;   wherein the fourth thickness is substantially thinner than the third thickness.   
     
     
         2 . The casing bead of  claim 1 , wherein the gap arm extends outwardly from living hinge at an angle of 10-45 degrees relative to the base side. 
     
     
         3 . The casing bead of  claim 1 , wherein the gap arm extends outwardly from living hinge at an angle of 20-35 degrees relative to the base side. 
     
     
         4 . The casing bead of  claim 1 , further comprising a longitudinally-extending cap flange, the cap flange intersecting with an outer edge of the upwardly extending wall and extending inwardly over and generally parallel to the base side. 
     
     
         5 . The casing bead of  claim 1 , further comprising a gap flange, the cap flange intersecting with an outer edge of the gap arm and extending upwardly and generally parallel to the upwardly extending wall. 
     
     
         6 . The casing bead of  claim 1 , wherein the casing bead is comprised of plastic. 
     
     
         7 . The casing bead of  claim 6 , wherein the casing bead is longitudinally extruded as a unitary piece. 
     
     
         8 . The casing bead of  claim 1 , wherein the base side includes a plurality of weep holes spaced and distributed thereon. 
     
     
         9 . The casing bead of  claim 1 , wherein the base side includes a plurality of fastener holes spaced and distributed thereon. 
     
     
         10 . The casing bead of  claim 1 , wherein the first thickness is about 0.05″. 
     
     
         11 . The casing bead of  claim 1 , wherein the second and third thicknesses are about 0.06″. 
     
     
         12 . The casing bead of  claim 11 , wherein the fourth thickness is about 0.03″. 
     
     
         13 . The casing bead of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the gap arm is about 0.4″. 
     
     
         14 . A casing bead assembly comprising the casing bead of  claim 1  in combination with a foam rod, the foam rod being received in the gap portion. 
     
     
         15 . A longitudinally-extending casing bead comprising:
 a generally flat base side having a first thickness;   an upwardly extending wall having a second thickness, the upwardly-extending wall intersecting with the base side at a common edge; and   a gap portion including, a generally flat gap arm having a third thickness, the gap arm extending outwardly from the upwardly extending wall proximate the common edge at a gap arm angle of 10-45 degrees relative to the base side and having a length of about 0.4″, and a living hinge, the living hinge extending longitudinally along a gap arm intersection with the upwardly extending wall proximate the common longitudinally extending edge, the living hinge having a fourth thickness;   wherein the fourth thickness is substantially thinner than the third thickness.   
     
     
         16 . The casing bead of  claim 15 , wherein the thickness of the base side and the gap arm is about 0.06″ and the thickness of the living hinge is about 0.03″. 
     
     
         17 . The casing bead of  claim 15 , wherein the gap arm angle is between 25-35 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The casing bead of  claim 15 , wherein the base side includes a plurality of weep holes and a plurality of fastener holes spaced and distributed thereon. 
     
     
         19 . A casing bead assembly comprising the casing bead of  claim 15  in combination with a foam rod, the foam rod being received in the gap portion. 
     
     
         20 . A building having at least a portion of an exterior surface finished with a stucco layer, the building including at least one window with a frame extending around the window, the building including a plurality of sections of longitudinally-extending casing bead generally surrounding the window frame, the casing bead comprising:
 a generally flat base side having a first thickness;   an upwardly extending wall having a second thickness, the upwardly-extending wall intersecting with the base side at a common edge; and   a gap portion including, a generally flat gap arm having a third thickness, the gap arm extending outwardly of the upwardly extending wall proximate the common edge, and a living hinge, the living hinge extending longitudinally along a gap arm intersection with the upwardly extending wall proximate the common edge, the living hinge having a fourth thickness;   wherein the fourth thickness is substantially thinner than the third thickness.