Patent Publication Number: US-2022220800-A1

Title: Water management system for sill assemblies

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/100,534, filed Nov. 20, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/714,581, filed Dec. 13, 2019 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,844,655), which is a nonprovisional of and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/780,096, filed Dec. 14, 2018, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The field of this disclosure relates generally to sill assemblies for doors and windows, and in particular, to such sill assemblies with water management features for diverting water away from the sill assembly in an effort to prevent water intrusion into the interior of the building or dwelling. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional door systems, such as patio doors, typically include a sill assembly located along the lower portion of the door frame, where the sill assembly provides a transition between the exterior environment and the interior region of a building or dwelling. In some designs, sill assemblies help serve as a weather-proofing barrier for the doorway, where the sill assembly diverts water away from the door and interior of the building to avoid mildew, rot, or other water damage. Many conventional sill assembly designs can adequately handle minimal water and wind loads to minimize or restrict water intrusion. Some sill assemblies are designed with various drainage pathways to help resist water ingress from wind-driven rain and high differential pressures of the kind experienced in many coastal areas during tropical storms, typhoons, and hurricanes. However, many such designs are complex and do not provide optimal performance for extreme weather conditions. In addition, other conventional designs fail to provide proper mechanisms to promote efficient water drainage, thereby resulting in water build-up and eventual water intrusion into the house or building. 
     Accordingly, the present inventors have identified a need for a sill assembly design incorporating a water management system to improve drainage and effectively divert water away from the sill assembly and doorway. The present inventors have also identified a need for such a sill assembly designed to restrict or fully eliminate water intrusion during severe storms that tend to bring large volumes of wind-driven rain. In addition, the present inventors have also identified a need for such a sill assembly having a streamlined design to minimize manufacturing costs and simplify installation. Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of example embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sill assembly including a sill and a pair of corner keys for a fenestration opening in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional detail view of the sill assembly cut along sectioning lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  illustrating details of a mated sill and corner key configuration. 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are perspective views of the corner keys of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the corner key of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a view of the corner key of  FIG. 1  illustrating a pressure gradient reduction passage for improving the water egress rate in accordance with one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the drawings, this section describes embodiments of a sill assembly and its detailed construction and operation. Throughout the specification, reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “some embodiments” means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in at least one embodiment of the sill assembly. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the described features, structures, and characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In view of the disclosure herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, or the like. In some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or not described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments. 
       FIGS. 1-6  collectively illustrate embodiments of a water management system for an assembly  10  that may be used for any suitable fenestration system, such as patio doors, for a building or dwelling. The assembly  10  includes a sill  12  and a pair of corner keys  18 , each corner key  18  being coupled to or affixed to an end of the sill  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 . In a completed fenestration frame assembly (not shown), each corner key  18  is also coupled to and supports an upright jamb member (not shown). As further discussed in detail below, the assembly  10  is designed for diverting water away from an interior of a building or doorway. 
     During extreme weather events, the exterior of the assembly  10  is subjected to air pressure and water concentrations. As these conditions continue for prolonged periods of time, a substantial pressure differential is created between the exterior environment (high pressure region) and interior environment (low pressure region) surrounding the assembly  10 . This pressure differential may result in water being forced through the assembly  10 , such as through small openings or seams at various adjoining surfaces, and into the building or dwelling regardless of the presence of sealing structures or weatherstrips on the assembly  10  designed to restrict such water flow. Because sill systems are not effective at completely sealing all water out, especially during severe storms, a water management system is employed to handle any water that has entered the assembly  10  and allow it to drain away and back to the exterior environment. 
     The following passages provide a brief description of various features of the overall system, followed by a more thorough description of each component and their interoperability to achieve the water management features described above. As further detailed below with reference to the figures, the water management features for the overall door system are primarily built into the corner keys  18  for managing internal/external pressure differentials to maximize water performance of the overall assembly  10  without requiring complex weep designs integrated into the sill or stepped joinery at the jamb-sill intersection of the fenestration structure. Accordingly, this versatility allows for easier installation and simplifies jamb and sill-end work. 
     Briefly, the water management system described herein is designed to store a column of water  48  in a rear reservoir or sill water chamber  32 , where the water  48  builds static head pressure as it accumulates in the water chamber  32 . The water management system then uses this static head pressure built by the column of water  48  to overcome the pressure differential across the sill assembly  10  and drive water out of the assembly  10 . Depending on the amount of static head pressure built in the water chamber  32 , some water may be driven out of the assembly  10  even as water continues flowing in. 
     Briefly, with reference to  FIG. 2 , the corner key  18  includes a first key port  52  and a second key port  50 , where the first key port  52  has a size and dimension equal to or larger than the second key port  50  to promote an adequate water flow rate between the sill chambers  32 ,  34 ,  36  and drive water outwardly toward the exterior environment. The corner key  18  further includes a chimney vent  54  in communication with the second key port  50  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ), where the chimney vent  54  is designed to help relieve the pressure in the sill chambers  34 ,  36 , thereby reducing the overall pressure differential and allowing for higher water flow rate out of the sill  12 . In addition, the corner key  18  further includes a series of baffles  76  positioned along the pressure gradient reduction passageway that together with the side walls of the chimney vent  54  operate to help collect any water droplets carried by the air moving through the chimney vent  54 , thereby minimizing potential infiltration of water droplets into the dwelling interior. Once collected by the side walls of the chimney vent  54  of the baffles  76 , the water droplets may be redirected back toward the water chamber  32  or to the sill chambers  34 ,  36  for removal from the sill  12 . 
     Finally, the corner key  18  includes a degassing arm  66  extending outwardly therefrom and into the water chamber  32  of the sill  12 . With reference to  FIGS. 2-4 , the degassing arm  66  extends over and covers an upper portion  72  and side portion  74  of the first key port  52  to help divert water and air that is moving rearwardly through the first key port  52  and keep it away from the interior of the dwelling. As further detailed below, the degassing arm  66  is designed to manage air ingress and provide additional time for any froth collected at the top of the water chamber  32  to stabilize, thereby reducing droplet concentration and minimizing droplets from being projected into the interior of the building or doorway. Additional details of each of these components and their interoperation in the assembly  10  are described in further detail below with reference to the figures. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an assembly  10  for use in an entryway, such as for patio doors, of a building or dwelling. The assembly  10  includes an elongated sill  12  made of any one of a variety of materials, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), pultruded fiberglass, aluminum or any other suitable materials. The sill  12  includes a seal or weatherstrip  14  extending across some or the entirety of the sill  12 , with the sill  12  sloping generally downwardly from the weatherstrip  14  to a forward edge  16  to help direct water and debris away from the interior of the dwelling. In some embodiments, the seal  14  may be a single unitary structure, but in other embodiments the seal  14  may include two or more structures extending across the sill  12 . Corner keys  18  are coupled to opposite ends of the elongated sill  12 , with the corner keys  18  essentially serving as end caps for the sill  12  and supporting a door jamb (not shown) when assembled into a completed framing structure as noted previously. The corner keys  18  are preferably manufactured as a single, integral structure and may be made of any suitable material, such as an injection molded plastic material. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the assembly  10  cut along sectioning lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  illustrating details of a mated sill and corner key configuration. With reference to  FIG. 2 , the following describes details for securing the corner keys  18  to the sill  12  in accordance with one embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the sill  12  includes a first elongated frame member  20  and a second elongated member  22 , each of which extending along a generally horizontal axis and offset from one another. The sill  12  also includes a plurality of vertical legs  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  extending between the frame members  20 ,  22 , where the legs  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  collectively support the frame members  20 ,  22  to form an overall profile of the sill  12 . As illustrated, in one embodiment, the frame members  20 ,  22  and the legs  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  are arranged to define three distinct hollow chambers  32 ,  34 ,  36  of the sill  12 , where the chambers  32 ,  34 ,  36  each extend along some or the entire length of the sill  12  between the corner keys  18 . The sill  12  further includes a seal housing  33  formed along the first frame member  20 , the seal housing  33  designed to secure a seal  14  that extends upwardly therefrom and across the sill  12  between the corner keys  18  (see  FIG. 1 ) to help divert water and debris away from the interior of the building. Additional details of the chambers  32 ,  34 ,  36  and their functionality are described further with particular reference to  FIGS. 3-5 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , the corner key  18  includes a plurality of mounts  38 ,  40 ,  42  formed thereon as integral components of the corner key  18 , where each of the mounts  38 ,  40 ,  42  protrudes or extends outwardly from a sill-facing side surface  44  of the corner key  18  (see also  FIG. 3 ). When the corner key  18  is coupled to the sill  12 , the mounts  38 ,  40 ,  42  sit against and engage various regions of the sill  12  to help support and stabilize the corner key  18  in position against the sill  12 . For example, with reference to  FIG. 2 , mount  38  rests at the rear junction of the bottom frame member  22  and rear leg  24  of the sill  12  and extends into the rear chamber  32 . Similarly, mount  40  supports the top frame member  20  along a mid-portion thereof and extends into the middle chamber  34  of the sill  12 , and mount  42  sits against the bottom frame member  22  adjacent the front leg  30  and extends into the front chamber  36 . Once the corner key  18  is in position, a plurality of fasteners  46  are used to securely mount the corner key  18  to the sill  12  at various attachment points as illustrated. 
     It should be understood that the particular arrangement of the interior profile of the sill  12  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and the location of the mounts  38 ,  40 ,  42 , is for illustration purposes only and not intended to be limiting. One having ordinary skill in the art may make changes to the sill profile and the corner key  18  without departing from the principles of the disclosed subject matter. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2-5 , the following provides details of the water management features of the assembly  10 , followed by a discussion with reference to  FIG. 6  of how the components of the corner key  18  operate in conjunction with the features of the sill  12  for managing water ingress. 
     Turning to  FIG. 2 , the rear chamber  32  is essentially a water chamber designed to collect and store water  48  entering the sill  12  (e.g., via wind-driven rain or a storm event). As the water  48  collects in the water chamber  32 , it builds head pressure to help equalize and overbalance the pressure differential created by the storm that tends to draw water into the sill  12 , thereby minimizing water intrusion into the dwelling. Accordingly, the water chamber  32  plays a key role in managing the overall performance of the sill  12 , as the selected height of the water chamber  32  determines how much head pressure can be accumulated. If the water chamber  32  is not sufficiently tall, then the water column in the water chamber  32  may not build sufficient head pressure to overcome the air pressure differentials created by the storm event, at which point the water chamber  32  will overflow and allow water  48  to infiltrate the interior of the sill  12  and the building. Accordingly, the height H of the water chamber  32  is preferably selected to allow for water build-up and head pressure to overcome air pressure differentials in a given region. In some embodiments, local weather data may be used to determine anticipated air pressure differentials to calculate an appropriate height for the water chamber  32  to ensure that the water will build sufficient head pressure to avoid water intrusion into the interior of the building or dwelling. 
     In some embodiments, the height H of the water chamber may be designed for specific performance grade (PG) or design pressure (DP) ratings of the door. Generally speaking, the higher the PG or DP rating, the taller the water chamber  32  should be to allow for building of sufficient head pressure in the water chamber  32  to avoid overflow. For example, in some embodiments, the height of the water chamber  32  may range between 0.50 inches to 2.80 inches for DP ratings of 20 to 70, with the height of the water chamber  32  increasing as the DP rating increases. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  collectively illustrate perspective views of the corner key  18 . With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the corner key  18  includes a first key port  52  and a second key port  50  offset from one another, each of the ports  50 ,  52  recessed into a lower portion of the sill-facing side surface  44  of the corner key  18 . In some embodiments, the ports  50 ,  52  may be aligned with one another relative to a horizontal axis such that the horizontal axis crosses both of their respective midpoints. In other embodiments, the ports  50 ,  52  may be slightly offset from the horizontal axis such that the axis still crosses both ports  50 ,  52 , but not at their respective midpoints. In operation, the ports  50 ,  52  collectively function as passageways to allow water  48  to travel between the sill chambers  32 ,  34 ,  36  and out of the assembly  10  (see  FIG. 2 ) as further described in detail below. In some instances, water  48  may be driven rearwardly through the ports  50 ,  52  as well, such as when a high-pressure gradient exists on the exterior of the assembly  10 . Features for minimizing the impact of rearwardly travelling water and air are discussed in detail below with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     Returning to  FIGS. 3-4 , to promote adequate flow of water  48  through the key ports  50 ,  52  and allow water to exit the assembly  10 , the width, height, and depth dimensions of the respective ports  50 ,  52  are selected to provide a sufficiently large pathway as desired. For example, the key ports  50 ,  52  may be designed such that the water passageway of the respective ports  50 ,  52  accommodates water flow at an equal flow rate through each of the key ports  50 ,  52 . In other embodiments, the first key port  52  may have a larger passageway (e.g., a passageway with a larger diameter and larger cross-sectional area) as compared to that of the second key port  50 , wherein water flows at a higher rate through the first key port  52  as compared to the second key port  50 . Preferably, the first key port  52  is not smaller (e.g., has a passageway with a smaller cross-sectional area) as compared to the second key port  50  to avoid having an insufficient water flow between the key ports  50 ,  52  or having the first key port  52  become a bottleneck point that detrimentally impacts sill performance due to it having a slower flower rate than the second key port  50 . 
     For example, in some embodiments, as noted previously, the key ports  50 ,  52  may have a substantially equal cross-sectional area such that water flows at an equal rate through the ports  50 ,  52 . In other embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the first key port  52  may be up to three times larger than the cross-sectional area of the second key port  50  to promote a higher water flow rate at the first key port  52  as compared to the second key port  50 . In some embodiments, the key port  52  may have a height of 0.200 inches±0.125 inches (as measured from a mid-point of the key port  52 ), a width of 1.00 inches±0.50 inches, and recessed at a depth into the sill-facing surface  44  of 0.600 inches±0.250 inches. Key port  50  may have a height of 0.200 inches±0.125 inches (measured at a mid-point of the key port  52 ), a width of 0.680 inches±0.50 inches, and recessed at a depth into the sill-facing surface  44  of 0.600 inches±0.250 inches. As noted previously, additional details regarding an example water flow path between the key ports  50 ,  52  is provided below with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the corner key  18  further includes a chimney vent  54  formed on an interior region of the corner key  18  inward of the sill-facing side surface  44 , where the chimney vent  54  includes a first opening (not shown) in communication with the second key port  50  and a second opening  56  formed along an upper jamb-facing surface  58  of the corner key  18 , where the upper jamb-facing surface  58  is generally orthogonal to the sill-facing surface  44  and is coupled to a jamb (not shown) of the door or window structure in a completed assembly. The chimney vent  54  preferably extends to a sufficient height above the second key port  50  to help produce a desired pressure gradient reduction in the sill chambers  34 ,  36 , and to collect any water droplets carried by the air moving within the assembly  10  as further described in detail below with reference to  FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, the chimney vent  54  may extend to a height of at least 0.25 inches above the second key port  50 . In other embodiments, the chimney vent  54  may range in height between 0.25 inches and 5 inches. In still other embodiments, the chimney vent  54  may extend along the entire interior of the jamb (not shown), and so the chimney vent  54  may have a height equal to the entire height of the jamb. 
     The upper jamb-facing surface  58  of the corner key  18  further includes an air channel  60  formed thereon, the air channel  60  being in communication with the chimney vent  54  and the opening  56 . The air channel  60  is further in communication with a passageway  62  along the upper jamb-facing surface  58  and having an opening  82  on the sill-facing surface  44  of the corner key  18 . When the corner key  18  is mated with the sill  12 , the passageway  62  opens into the water chamber  32  of the sill  12  (see  FIG. 2 ). The passageway  62  also communicates with a rear vent  64  formed adjacent a rear portion of the corner key  18  and along the upper jamb-facing surface  58  to help stabilize the pressure gradient as needed. Preferably, the cross-sectional area of the opening of the passageway  62  (see  FIG. 5 ) is at least ⅛ larger than the corresponding cross-sectional area of the opening of the second key port  50  (as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). As further described in detail below with reference to  FIG. 6 , the chimney vent  54 , air channel  60 , passageway  62 , and rear vent  64  work together to provide a collective pathway that helps reduce the pressure gradient in the sill chambers  34 ,  36 , thereby allowing water to exit the sill chambers  34 ,  36 , and ultimately exit the assembly  10 . The components also work together to create a circuitous path with various walls and hard surfaces designed to help collect any water droplets from the air flowing through the corner key  18  and sill  12  to minimize water infiltration into the building. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the corner key  18  further includes a degassing arm  66  extending outwardly from the sill-facing side surface  44 . The degassing arm  66  may be generally L-shaped, with a horizontal leg  68  and a vertical leg  70  arranged generally orthogonally to one another. The degassing arm  66  is positioned adjacent the first key port  52  of the corner key  18 , with the horizontal leg  68  extending over an upper portion  72  of the first key port  52  and the vertical leg  70  positioned behind a side portion  74  of the first key port  52  (see  FIG. 2 ). With particular reference to  FIG. 2 , when the corner key  18  is assembled with the sill  12 , the horizontal leg  68  abuts against the vertical support leg  26  of the sill  12  to substantially seal off an upper pathway above the first key port  52  from any incoming water or air. In some embodiments, the vertical leg  70  may block most of the side portion  74  of the key port  52 , where the vertical leg  70  is offset from the frame member  22  by a small gap to provide a narrow passageway for water  48  to continue moving outwardly of the water chamber  32  toward the chamber  34  when the pressure differentials are favorable. Preferably, the passageway is sufficiently small to minimize water or air intrusion from flowing back into the water chamber  32 . 
     As described previously, the degassing arm  66  serves to block or impede much of the water  48  and air moving rearwardly from the second sill chamber  34  toward the water chamber  32  through the first key port  52 , while still accommodating flow of the water  48  outwardly from the water chamber  32  when appropriate. While some water and air may penetrate into the water chamber  32  underneath the vertical leg  70 , the length of the degassing arm  66  nonetheless serves to increase the overall distance (and therefore time) that the incoming water/air mixture must travel as it exits the first key port  52  before it can infiltrate the interior of the dwelling. Diverting the water and air also provides additional time for outgassing the water/air mixture while the mixture is contained within the sill  12  and corner key  18 . This outgassing process may help prevent or minimize infiltration of water droplets through the sill  12  and into the interior of the building or dwelling. 
     The length of the degassing arm  66  extending outwardly from the sill-facing side surface  44  of the corner key  18  may vary depending on the features and characteristics of the corner key  18 . Preferably, the length of the degassing arm  66  is greater than the height of the shorter of the two key ports  50 ,  52  (as measured from their respective bottom surfaces to their top surfaces). In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of a cavity  80  (see  FIG. 2 ) bounded between the legs  68 ,  70  of the degassing arm  66 , the frame member  22  of the sill  12 , and the vertical support leg  26  of the sill  12  is preferably at least equal to or greater than ⅛ of the cross-sectional area of the first key port  52 . 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the following provides details of the water management features of the assembly  10  for preventing water from entering into the building or dwelling. As noted previously, the assembly  10  functions as a self-draining system for an exterior door of a building or dwelling. When minimal water enters the sill  12 , the overall slanted profile of the sill  12  is capable of directing the water outwardly to the exterior environment and away from the interior portion of the building. If the water  48  penetrates entirely through to the rear of the sill  12 , the water accumulates in the water chamber  48 . Under normal conditions (e.g., no substantive differential pressure between the interior and exterior portions of the sill assembly  10 ), the accumulated water  48  is directed toward the front of the water chamber  48  adjacent the support leg  26  of the sill  12  (see  FIG. 2 ). The water  48  is then directed toward the first key port  52 , whereat the water travels within the passageway of the first key port  52 , around the support leg  26  of the sill  12 , and into the sill chamber  34 . From the sill chamber  34 , the water moves toward the support leg  28  of the sill  12 , whereat the water travels within the passageway of the second key port  50  and around the support leg  28 , and into the sill chamber  36 . Thereafter, the water exits from the sill chamber  36  into the exterior environment via a drain port  78 . In some embodiments, the drain port  78  has a height that is less than the combined height of the key ports  50 ,  52 . 
     Under extreme weather conditions, however, wind-driven rain against the exterior portion of the sill  12 , may allow water to permeate through the seal  14  or other imperfect seals, such as at the junction of the sill  12  and the corner keys  18 , and enter the sill  12  at an accelerated rate. Moreover, wind forces exerted on the exterior of the sill  12  cause an air pressure differential across the assembly  10 , with higher air pressure exerted on the exterior of the building than on the interior of the building. This pressure differential causes water to move even more rapidly from the exterior to the interior of the building. This water movement continues until the pressure is equalized between the interior and exterior of the building. During these pressure conditions, water  48  cannot effectively drain naturally, and so it accumulates within the sill  12 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the incoming water  48  accumulates in the water chamber  32  at the rear portion of the sill  12 . Over time, the water level in the water chamber  32  rises as water continues moving into the sill  12  due to wind and increasing pressure differentials. As the water column rises in the water chamber  32 , it builds a head pressure that serves to counter the high-pressure areas building in the sill chambers  34 ,  36 . As described previously, the chimney vent  54  serves to temper the high-pressure gradient in the sill chambers  34 ,  36  by directing air flow upwardly through the second key port  50  and into the upper jamb-facing surface  58  of the corner key  18 , whereat the air flows through the channel  60 , the passageway  62 , and through the rear vent  64  (see  FIG. 6 ). This process helps reduce the pressure gradient by connecting the high-pressure regions of the sill  12  to regions with lower pressure, thereby allowing the pressure differential within the sill  12  to quickly stabilize. 
     As the air flows through the pathway, any droplets of water that it may be carrying are trapped and collected either by the walls of the chimney vent  54  or a series of baffles  76  positioned within the channel  60  (or other sections of the pathway), thereby minimizing droplet infiltration into the interior of the dwelling. To further minimize droplet infiltration, any air or water being forced rearwardly through the key ports  50 ,  52  is initially obstructed by the degassing arm  66  formed adjacent the first key port  52  to provide additional time for outgassing of the water/air mixture being driven through the sill  12 . 
     As the water  48  continues to rise in the water chamber  32 , the water column builds head pressure in the water chamber  32  to help equalize, and eventually overbalance the pressure gradient in the sill  12 . Over time, the water column produces head pressure to overcome the air pressure differential between the interior and exterior portions of the assembly  10  and reverse the inward migration of water. As the water  48  accumulates in the water chamber  32 , the chimney vent  54 , channel  60 , the passageway  62  and rear vent  64  collectively operate to reduce the pressure gradient in the sill chambers  32 ,  34  to help ensure that the water  48  can be expelled before the water chamber  32  overfills and moves into the interior of the building or dwelling. 
     It is intended that subject matter disclosed in particular portions herein can be combined with the subject matter of one or more of other portions herein as long as such combinations are not mutually exclusive or inoperable. In addition, many variations, enhancements and modifications of the lighted shelf assembly concepts described herein are possible. 
     The terms and descriptions used above are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations can be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention.