Patent ID: 7730685
Filing Date: 2010-06-08
Classification: E04B

Abstract:
1. A mortar and debris collection device comprising first and second substantially rigid mat elements connected by a flexible hinge formation that permits the mat elements to be folded into closely overlying relationship for insertion in a hinge-formation-down orientation into lower portions of a cavity between an outer wall structure and an inner wall structure of a masonry cavity wall where the device unfolds to form an upwardly opening generally V-shaped trough for catching mortar droppings and construction debris at locations spaced from where weep vent passages formed through the outer wall structure open into lowermost portions of the cavity, and wherein the mat elements are pervious to moisture and permit moisture to pass downwardly through lower cavity portions toward where the weep vent passages open into the cavity for discharge from the cavity through the weep vent passages; wherein at least one of the mat elements is defined by an open-space defining array of polymer filaments that twist and turn between filament intersections where adjacent ones of the filaments are bonded to each other, the polymer filaments comprising polyolefin filaments or polyamide filaments; wherein the first mat element has a thickness which comes to a pointed upper edge region configured to engage a selected one of the inner and outer wall structures when the device unfolds, the pointed upper edge region of the first mat element being tapered to form an acute angle within the range of about 45 degrees to about 30 degrees; and/or the second mat element has a thickness which comes to a pointed upper edge region configured to engage the other of the inner and outer wall structures when the device unfolds, the pointed upper edge region of the second mat element being tapered to form an acute angle within the range of about 45 degrees to about 30 degrees.