Abstract:
A weep hole insect barrier is provided for existing and new construction that prevents insects from crawling into cavity walls in a typical house through weep holes. For existing construction, the insect barrier has a flap hinged to a frame. The frame is then secured to the outside of an existing weep hole. The flap contains a screen which prevents insects from crawling in while allowing moisture to escape from the cavity walls. For new construction, the insect barrier also has a flap hinged to a frame, but the frame has two portions, a first portion containing having a flap and a second portion containing a fixed screen. In this embodiment the frame can be secured within the weep hole.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of The Invention 
     Applicant&#39;s invention relates to a weep hole insect barrier for existing and new construction that prevents insects and other pests from crawling into cavity walls in a typical house through weep holes. 
     2. Background Information 
     In a typical house, a space, more particularly a cavity wall, exists between an interior wall and an exterior wall. Moisture often collects within this cavity wall so weep holes are often used to let moisture out of the cavity wall. These weep holes are simplysmall vertical openings located at the bottom of the exterior wall. Unfortunately, while the weep hole openings serve the useful purpose of letting moisture out of the cavity wall, they also act as a passageway that allows insects to crawl into the cavity wall. Once insects are in the cavity wall, they climb up to the attic and then into the interior of the home though openings such as electrical outlets, light fixtures, fans, A/C ducts, and adjacent garage spaces. This causes an insect problem for the inhabitants of the house. Applicant&#39;s invention was designed to prevent insects and other pests from crawling into cavity walls in a typical house through weep hole openings while allowing moisture to escape from the cavity walls via the weep holes, adequate ventilation, and access to the cavity wall via the weep holes. 
     There are several inventions known in the prior art that are related to Applicant&#39;s present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 2,530,919 issued to Taylor, provides for a wall vent which is adapted to be attached to a wall structure to permit moisture to escape from inner walls and having a screen that will prevent undesirable foreign substances from entering. U.S. Pat. No. 3,429,084 issued to Brewer, provides for a duct assembly to drain condensation from between walls and to prevent invasion of insects. U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,093 issued to Harris, provides for an insect control system for buildings of masonry construction and the like which is to be used in connection with the weep hole. U.S. Pat. No. 2,905,072 issued to Oswald, discloses a ventilator with a vermin excluding screen used in insulated frame wall structures to prevent accumulation of moisture in the walls. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,145 issued to Allred, a ventilating apparatus for building foundations in both brick and side type structures is disclosed which restricts the passage of objects therethrough. U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,104 issued to Alvarado, provides for a permanent weep hole cover which prevents entrance of insects. 
     The weep hole insect barrier of the present invention provides some advantages over the known prior art. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,429,084, numerous modifications to the weep hole are necessary before the invention is useful. This can be quite expensive and time consuming. Applicant&#39;s present invention is simpler resulting in less time and money exhausted in the project. Second U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,104 requires that the weep hole cover be permanently attached to the weep hole to prevent the insects from coming into the house. Such an invention is impractical because there may be times when access must be made to the cavity wall. Having a permanent cover in place would require the cover to be forcibly removed possibly causing damage to the housing. 
     The remaining prior art inventions disclosed perform the same function as Applicant&#39;s present invention, but they do so in different ways using different configurations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel weep hole insect barrier that allows moisture to escape from cavity walls. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel weep hole insect barrier that not only allows moisture to escape from cavity walls, but provides a barrier that prevents insects and other pests from entering the cavity walls. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a novel weep hole insect barrier that can be used for weep holes of existing as well as new construction. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel weep hole insect barrier that can have a varied frame depending on its use within existing or new construction. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel weep hole insect barrier that uses a flap mechanism which allows entry by a person into the cavity wall through the weep hole if necessary while still acting as a barrier to insect invasion. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel weep hole insect barrier that utilizes a screen to allow for the escape of moisture from the cavity walls. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel weep hole insect barrier that can be put in place without modification to the weep hole. 
     In satisfaction of these and related objectives, Applicant&#39;s present invention provides for a novel weep hole insect barrier which permits its practitioner to utilize all of the benefit of the weep hole to allow the escape of moisture from the cavity wall while preventing insects from crawling into the weep hole and infesting the house. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of the preferred embodiment as shown on an existing brick exterior of a home. 
     FIG. 2 is a cut away side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as it would exist on an existing brick exterior of a home. 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as it would exist in an existing brick exterior of a home. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as it would be used with existing exteriors. 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as would be used with existing exteriors. 
     FIG. 6 is a front view of a second embodiment of the present invention as would be used for new construction. 
     FIG. 7 is a cut away view of the second embodiment of the present invention as would be used for new construction. 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of the second embodiment of the present invention as would be used for new construction. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention as would be used for new construction. 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the present invention as would be used for new construction. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown on an existing brick exterior of a home is shown. While the preferred embodiment speaks to the use on a brick exterior of a home, the preferred embodiment of the present invention can be used on any existing exterior wall that incorporates weep holes. In this view, a flap frame  113  and screen  114  of the insect barrier  102  can be seen on an existing brick exterior  101 . The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be made from any suitable material such as, but not limited to, wood, metal, etc. 
     FIG.  2  and FIG. 3 illustrate a cut away side view and top view, respectively, of the preferred embodiment of the insect barrier  102  of the present invention as it would exist within an existing brick exterior of a home. A back  108  of a frame  106  of the insect barrier  102 , being preferably ¾ inch in width and 3¾ inch length, is shown abutting a weep hole  116  and secured in place with adhesive  115 . The insect barrier  102  has a flap  105  with the flap frame  113  and the screen  114  therein. The flap  105  is preferably ¾ inch in width by 3 inches in length. The screen  114  is preferably centrally located within the flaps  105  having dimensions of preferably ⅜ inch wide and 2⅛ inches long and having its lower edge placed preferably ½ inch from a bottom  103  of the flap  105 , its upper edge placed ⅜ inch below the top  107  of the flap  105 , and its sides located {fraction (3/16)} inch from the frame  113 . The flap frame  113  is connected at its top  107  through an L-shaped portion  107   a  to a hinge  112  by way of a hinge clip portion  112   a . The L-shaped portion  107   a  preferably provides a lip of {fraction (3/6)} inch extended over from the top  107  of the flap  105  by ⅜ inch which can be inserted into the hinge clip portion  112   a . The hinge  112  is adhered to the back  108  of the frame  106 . The back  108  of the frame  106  has a first opening  104  (See FIG. 4) which allows access through the weep hole  116  into the cavity wall (not shown). 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as would be used with existing exteriors. The frame  106 , being preferably approximately ¾ inch wide, 3¾ inches long, and ½ inch deep, is provided which has a bottom  109 , being preferably ¾ inch in width by ¼ inch in depth, a side  111 , being preferably ½ inch width by 3¾ inches in length, a back  108 , being preferably ¾ inch in width and 3¾ inches in length, and a first opening  104  preferably centrally located within the back  108  of the frame  106  and being preferably ⅜ inch in width, 2¼ inch in length, placed ½ inch up from a step  117 , down ⅝ inch from the top  110  of the frame  106 , and over {fraction (3/16)} inch from the sides  111 . The flap  105 , having top  107 , bottom  103 , and frame  113 , is shown in a partially lifted configuration to illustrate the hinging action of the flap  105  and the respective placement of the screen  114 . The step  117 , being preferably ¾ inch wide, ⅜ inch long, and ½ inch deep, is provided for upon which the flap  105  can rest when not in use. 
     In FIG. 5, an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided which would be used with existing exteriors. The frame  106  is provided having the bottom  109 , side  111 , back  108 , and first opening  104 . The flap  105 , having top  107 , bottom  103 , and frame  113  is shown with a screen  114  therein. The L-shaped portion  107   a  of the flap  105  can be seen. This L-shaped portion  107   a  is designed to fit within the hinge  112  by way of the hinge clip portion  112   a . The hinge clip portion  112   a  consists of three adjacent portions, a vertical portion  112   c , a back diagonal portion  112   d , and a front diagonal portion  112   e . The vertical portion  112   c  being preferably ⅝ inch in length and ¾ inch in width is aligned with the back diagonal portion  112   d  at an angle of 45°. The back diagonal portion  112   d  is preferably ⅜ inch in length, ¾ inch in width and is aligned with the front diagonal portion  112   e  at an angle of 90°. The front diagonal portion  112   e  is preferably {fraction (3/16)} inch long and ¾ inch wide. The backside  112   b  of the hinge  112  is designed to be adhered to the back  108  of the frame  106 . The step  117  is provided for upon which the flap  105  can rest when not in use. 
     Once adhered to the existing weep hole  116 , the insect barrier  102  can be put into use. When the flap  105  is in the closed position, the flap  105  of the insect barrier  102  keeps insects and other pests from entering into the cavity walls (not shown) via the weep holes  116  while at the same time the screen  114  acts to allow moisture out of the cavity wall (not shown) by way of the weep holes  116  as well as provide adequate ventilation. When the flap  105  is in the open position the cavity wall (not shown) can be accessed by way of the weep holes  116 . 
     A second embodiment of the present invention can be used in new construction rather than existing construction. FIG. 6 is a front view of the second embodiment of the present invention as shown for new construction. While the second embodiment is illustrated on a brick exterior, this embodiment can be used in any new exterior wall that incorporates weep holes. Here a flap frame  113  and screen  114  of the insect barrier  102  can be seen. The second embodiment of the present invention can be made from any suitable material such as, but not limited to, wood, metal, etc. 
     FIG.  7  and FIG. 8 illustrate a cut away side view and top view, respectively, of the second embodiment of the present invention as it would exist for new construction. Here the second embodiment is recessed within a weep hole  116 . The insect barrier has a flap  105  with a flap frame  113  which extends a partial height of the weep hole  116 . The flap  105  preferably extends 1¼ inches in length from a bottom  109  of a frame  106  and is ⅜ inch in width. The flap frame  113  has an L-shaped portion  107   a  at its top  107  which fits within a hinge  112  by way of a hinge clip portion  112   a . The L-shaped portion  107   a  is a lip of {fraction (3/16)} inch which extends ½ inch from the top of the flap  105 . The hinge  112  is adhered to the back  108  of the frame  106 . The back  108  of the frame  106  has a first opening  104  (See FIG. 10) which allows access through the weep hole  116  into the cavity wall (not shown). Between the top  110  of the frame  106  and the top  107  of the flap frame  113  a screen  114  is extended which is fixed in position. The screen  114  is preferably ⅜ inch wide and 1 inch long. 
     In FIG. 9, a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention is shown as would be used with new construction. The frame  106  of the insect barrier  102 , being preferably approximately 2¼ inches long, ⅜ inch wide, and 1 inch deep, is provided which has a bottom  109 , being preferably ⅜ inch wide and 1 inch deep, top  110 , being preferably ⅜ inch wide and 1 inch deep, and side  111 . The flap  105 , having top  107 , bottom  103 , and frame  113  is shown in a partially lifted configuration to illustrate the hinging action of the flap  105  in relation to the hinge  112 . A step  117 , being preferably ⅜ inch wide and {fraction (3/16)} inch deep, is provided for upon which the flap  105  can rest when not in use. 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the present invention as would be used for new construction. The frame  106  is provided having the bottom  109 , side  111 , top  110 , back  108 , and first opening  104 . The flap  105 , having top  107 , bottom  103 , and frame  113  is shown. The L-shaped portion  107   a  of the top  107  of the flap  105  is designed to fit within the hinge  112  by way of the hinge clip portion  112   a . The hinge clip portion  112   a  consists of three adjacent portions, a vertical portion  112   c , a back diagonal portion  112   d , and a front diagonal portion  112   e . The vertical portion  112   c  being preferably ⅝ inch in length and ⅜ inch in width is aligned with the back diagonal portion  112   d  at an angle of 45°. The back diagonal portion  112   d  is preferably ⅜ inch in length, ⅜ inch in width and is aligned with the front diagonal portion  112   e  at an angle of 90°. The front diagonal portion  112   e  is preferably {fraction (3/16)} inch long and ⅜ inch wide. The backside  112   b  of the hinge  112  is to be adhered to the back  108  of the frame  106 . The step  117  is provided upon which the flap  105  can rest. The screen  114  is extended between the top  110  of the frame  106  and the top  107  of the flap  105 . 
     Once recessed within the weep hole  116 , the insect barrier  102  can be put into use. When the flap  105  is in the closed position the flap  105  of the insect barrier  102  keeps insects and other pests from entering into the cavity wall (not shown) via the weep hole  116 . When the flap  105  is in the open position the cavity wall (not shown) can be accessed by way of the weep hole  116 . At all times the screen  114  is in a fixed position acting to allow moisture out of the cavity wall (not shown) by way of the weep hole and providing adequate ventilation. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.