Patent Publication Number: US-2022228362-A1

Title: Device for providing support for the installation of vapour barriers

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure relates to construction materials, specifically to improvements in the installation of vapour barriers in stud wall framing. The present invention provides a more efficient and secure method of installing vapour barriers around electrical boxes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In building constructions such as residential stud wall framing, vapour barriers (also known as vapour retarders) are used to prevent the transfer of moisture from inside the building to the insulation within the structure of the building. In warm climates, moisture in the insulation can lead to mould growth, and in cold climates, vapour barriers prevent ingress and subsequent freezing of any moisture in the insulation installed in the stud wall cavities. The use of vapour barriers is mandated by building codes and requirements throughout North America. 
     Vapour barriers are typically a plastic or foil sheet that is attached to the frame (studs in walls and joists in ceilings of buildings and houses). Vapour barriers must be sealed properly on all sides in order to block out all moisture from entering the wall, floor or ceiling. The most common areas of leakage are around electrical boxes, electrical switches and air vents. To prevent such leakage of moisture, vapour barriers must be installed around these areas and there are commercially available vapour bags that are indented to provide space in walls and ceilings for electrical boxes. 
     Typically, to install such vapour bags for electrical boxes, a construction worker measures distances between structural frames and cuts a scrap piece of wood to fit perpendicularly between the frames. The piece of wood is then attached, using nails or other methods, between the frames to act as backing to which the vapour barrier can adhere. This process is time consuming and inefficient because there may be multiple electrical boxes and switches on each wall or ceiling. 
     The need therefore remains for a more accessible and efficient method of attaching vapour barriers around electrical boxes and electrical switches. 
     Other desirable characters of a vapour barrier backing device are easy installation, low cost, and versatility. Applicant believes there is no invention that provides all of the above-described desirable characteristics and all existing devices have one or more of the above identified limitations. Hence, there is a clear need for such vapour barrier backing device that remedies all of the above limitations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present invention is directed to a vapour barrier backing device for providing physical support during the installation of vapour barriers in construction. 
     In one broad aspect of the invention, a device for providing support for the installation of vapour barriers has a main panel for attaching to framing members and a perpendicular panel for supporting vapour barrier installation. 
     The discussion above may cover only some of the aspects of the invention. Other and sometimes more particular aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the following description of at least one preferred mode for carrying out the invention in terms of one or more examples. The following mode(s) for carrying out the invention are not a definition of the invention itself but are only example(s) that embody the inventive features of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       At least one mode for carrying out the invention in terms of one or more examples will be described by reference to the drawings thereof in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a top perspective view of an embodiment of a device for providing support for the installation of vapour barriers in a residential or commercial structure. 
         FIG. 2  shows a front elevation view of the device in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows a top elevation view of the device in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  shows a side elevation view of the device in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  shows bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a device for providing support for the installation of vapour barriers attached between two framing members. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a device for providing support for the installation of vapour barriers. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , in an embodiment, the device  100  provides support for the installation of vapour barriers and has a main panel  110  and a perpendicular panel  120 . In such embodiment, the main panel  110  has a top surface  150 , bottom surface  510 , two end sections  140   a  and  140   b  and a middle section  160 . The perpendicular panel  120  is attached to the middle section  160  of the main panel  110  such that the perpendicular panel  120  forms a substantially perpendicular angle (e.g., between 80 and 100 degrees) with the top surface  150 . The size of the main panel  110  may be any size as long as it is big enough so that the end sections  140   a  and  140   b  may attach to a framing member. The size of the perpendicular panel  120  may also be any size as long as it provides adequate support for vapour barriers. 
     In another embodiment of the device  100 , the perpendicular panel  120  may be attached to any part of the main panel  110  and the perpendicular panel  120  forms a substantially perpendicular angle with the top surface  150 . 
     In another embodiment of the device  100 , the device  100  also has support brackets  130 . The support brackets  130  are right-angled triangular shaped and provide support for the perpendicular panel  120 . The support brackets  130  are attached on both sides of the perpendicular panel  120 . The device  100 , including all of its components, may be composed of stiff and supportive material including but not limited to plastic or wood. 
     In an embodiment of the device  100 , the device  100  also has one or more attachment apertures  170  on the main panel  110 . The attachment aperture  170  may be any size suitable for allowing a user to easily attach the device  100  onto a frame using common fastener techniques used in building construction, including but not limited to nails, screws or glue. In an embodiment, the device  100  may have a plurality of attachment apertures  170  on both end sections  140   a  and  140   b , allowing a user to easily attach the device  100  onto a frame. Having one or attachment apertures  170  at each end section  140   a  and  140   b  provides greater flexibility and structural security when attaching the device  100  onto a frame. The attachment aperture  170  may be any shape suitable for any common fastener technique used in building constructure and may even be a slit. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the device  100  may be used to provide support for the installation of vapour barrier by placing the device  100  between two framing members  520 . Framing members  520  are fundamental elements of frame building and may be both studs and/or joists. The device  100  is placed onto the framing members  520  such that the top surface  150  comes in direct contact with the framing members  520  and the perpendicular panel  120  protrudes into the plane of the framing members  520 . 
     An example of an application of the device  100  is that the device  100  may be used to attach a vapour barrier for a light fixture on the ceiling of a building construction. For such installation, the vapour barrier has a middle area that indents and forms a recess is for placing an electrical box. The recess protrudes into the space between framing members  520 . The perpendicular panel  130  provides direct support for the vapour barrier by allowing the recess of the vapour barrier to rest on a hard surface. Without the device  100 , the recess of the vapour barrier would have no structural support and could be a source of vapour leakage. To install the device  100  and the vapour barrier, the device  100  is attached between two framing members  520  of the ceiling. One or more devices  100  may be attached between the framing members  520  depending on how much support is needed for the vapour barrier. After the device  100  is attached to the framing members  520 , the vapour barrier may then be installed over the device  100  such that the perpendicular panel  130  provides structural support for the recess of the vapour barrier. 
     In an embodiment, the device  100  also has a wire aperture  180  on the perpendicular panel  120 . The wire aperture  180  may be any size suitable for wires used in residential or commercial construction including but not limited to HVAC systems, electrical wires and communications wires. For example, in the installation of an electrical box, the wire aperture  180  allows electrical wiring to pass through the device  100  when the device  100  used in the installation of vapour barriers for electrical boxes. In such cases, electrical wires must pass through the vapour barrier and there is a slit or a hole on the vapour barrier. When installed without the device  100 , the electrical wires go through the vapour barrier with no additional support, and the slit or hole may get bigger in size over time, leading to additional leakage of vapour. The device  100  further minimizes unnecessary leakage of vapour by providing additional support for electrical wires and preventing the holes in the vapour barrier to get larger over time. 
     In an embodiment, the device  100  also has a soft inner lining on the top surface  150  and the perpendicular panel  120 . At times, the framing members  520  are not perfectly aligned or have uneven surfaces and the soft inner lining provides a flush surface for attachment onto the framing members  520 . 
     In the description above, exemplary modes for carrying out the invention in terms of examples have been described. However, the scope of the claims should not be limited by those examples but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.