AU2002308911B2 - Physical Termite Barrier and Method of Installation of Same - Google Patents

Description

It I t P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Address for service is: TMA Corporation Pty Ltd WRAY ASSOCIATES Level 4, The Quadrant 1 William Street Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "Physical Termite Barrier and Method of Installation of Same" Details of Divisional Application: 76163/98 filed 14 July 1998 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 18.HB.2005 16:24 18. EB. ~O5 6:24 WRAY ASSOCJATES N.24 .62 NO-2741 P. 6/26 -2- 0 Technical Field The present invention relates to the protection of buildings against subterranean termite attack, and more particularly to a physical termite barrier and to a method c-i of installation of such a barrier.

Background of the Invention 00 In our Australian Patent 695436, there is disclosed a physical barrier against the subterranean entry of termites.

N- The termite barrier is installed between a foundation structure such as a concrete slab and an adjacent termite-resistant structure such as a wall. The termite barrier comprises a strip of termite barrier material such as mesh having one longitudinal marginal edge integrally secured to the concrete slab and the opposite longitudinal marginal edge integrally secured to the adjacent structure to establish integrity of the connection between the concrete slab and the adjacent structure against the passage of termnites.

A particularly convenient way of Integrally securing the respective longitudinal marginal edge of the strip of termite barrier material to the concrete slab is to embed the edge into the slab. This procedure does, however, require that the strip be embedded into the slab during pouting of the slab.

As it is not always convenient to attach the strip of termite barrier material to the slab during pouring of the slab, an option Is to Integrally secure the marginal edge of the strip to the slab by bonding it, or mechanically flxing it, to the slab.

The present invention seeks to provide an alternative arrangement for providing a physical termite barrier which does not require a barrier material to be embedded into a concrete slab or other foundation structure during pouring thereof.

COMS ID No:SBMI-01 128073 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:29 Date 2005-02-18 22-FEB-M5 12:56 22. FB. 205 1256 RAY ASSOCIATES ~.25 .1 NO. 2858 P. -3- Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a physical termite barrier for a building structure having first and second sections, the first section having a first face and the second section having a second face, the first and second sections being in spaced apart relationship with a cavity therebetween having a bottom, the physics] termite barrier comprising a termite barrier composition set as a solid mass in the cavity to bond with at least the first face and also the bottom to provide a barrier therebetween against the passage of termites, and a strip extending from the solid mass to the second section at a location away from the solid mass thereby to form a barrier therebetween against the passage of termites, the strip having one longitudinal marginsl edge portion thereof integral with the solid mass and at least the other longitudinal marginal edge portion thereof integrally secured to the second section. the strip being of a termite barrier material other than the composition.

Preferably, the solid mass in the cavity bonds with the entire bottom of the cavity.

Preferably, the strip of termite barrier material is secured to the second section at a location on the second face above the solid mass.

With this arrangement, the solid mass serves to block the entry of termites into the building structure through the cavity from the underside thereof and the strip of termite barrier material serves to block the entry of termites into the cavity through any passages which might exist, or be formed, in the second section in the region thereof below the location at which the termite barrier material Is integrally secured thereto.

The solid rmss may bond with the second face, or a spacer may be positioned between the solid mass and the second face to prevent bonding therebetween and so allow relative movement therebetween. The spacer may also extend between the solid mass and part of the bottom of the cavity.

COMS ID Na:SBMI-DI 1132415 Received by IP Australia: 'rime 15:58 Date 2005-02-22 I -4- The first section may comprise a concrete foundation structure on which the building is erected. In one arrangement, the concrete foundation structure may comprise a concrete slab surrounded by a perimeter footing on which an exterior wall of the building structure is supported. In another arrangement, the concrete foundation structure may comprise a monolithic concrete slab which incorporates a footing structure for supporting an exterior wall of the building structure.

The first face of the first section may comprise a vertical edge face of the concrete slab.

The second section may comprise a wall which can be of any suitable construction, although the termite barrier of the present invention is particularly convenient to install in building structures in which the wall is constructed of brick. The wall is typically an outer wall supported on the foundation structure.

Where the second section comprises a wall constructed of brick, the inner face of the wall may comprise said second face.

The settable composition may be of any suitable form including a settable compound that sets by evaporation of solvents or by chemical reaction (such as polymerisation or other reactions), including more particularly a hydraulic settable composition such as a cement-based composition. A particularly suitable settable composition comprises a mixture of cement and sand with an additive to enhance integral bonding with said first and second faces and to provide elastic properties to absorb differential movement. One such suitable additive may comprise an acrylic polymer.

The settable composition does, of course, need to have properties which are resistant to breakdown in the environment of use and resistant to secretions deposited by termites, as well as being sufficiently hard to not be attacked by termites.

22-FEB-205 12:36 WRAY ASSOCIATES NO. 2358 P. 11 The strip Is also of a material resistant to breakdown in the environment of use and substantially resistant to termite secretions, and is also sufficiently hard not to be attacked by termites.

The termite barrier material may be a discrete strip of any appropriate physical construction such as a strip of plain sheet material or a strip of mesh material. A particularly suitable termite barrier material may comprise a sheet having pores, one such sheet being mesh material having a hardness of not less than about Shore D70 and having pores having a linear dimension in any direction less than the maximum linear dimension of the cross-section of the head of species of termite to be controlled.

The present Invention also provides a method of termite barrier installation in a building structure having first and second sections, the first section having a first face and the second section having a second face, the first and second sections being in spaced apart relationship with a cavity therebetween having a bottom, the method comprising the steps of: pouring a settable termite barrier compound into the cavity to set as a solid mass in bonding contact with at least the first face of the cavity and providing a strip of a termite barrier material with one longitudinal edge thereof integral with the settable mass and at least the opposite longitudinal marginal edge portion of the strip the termite barrier material integral with the second section thereby to form a physical barrier therebetween against the passage of termites, the strip being of a termite barrier material other than the composition.

Where the second section comprises a wall of bricks, the termite barrier can be installed during erection of the wall. In this regard, a first course or first several courses of bricks for the wall may be laid and the barrier material Installed. The settable composition can then subsequently be poured into the cavity.

Alternatively, the settable compound can be poured into the cavity during erection of the wall and the barrier material subsequently installed.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01 132415 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:58 Date 2005-02-22 18-FEB-2005 16:24 18. EB. @05 6:24 WRAY ASSOCJATES N.24 .92 NO-2741 P. 9/26 -6- Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of several specific embodiments thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows diagrammatically the installation of a termite barrier according to a first embodiment in a building structure having a foundation comprising a o0 concrete floor slab surrounded by a perimeter footing; Figure 2 shows diagrammatically the installation of a termite barrier as shown in Cl Figure 1 in a building structure having a foundation in the form of a monolithic slab; Figure 3 shows diagrammatically the installation of a termite barrier according to a second embodiment in a building structure having a foundation comprising a concrete floor slab surrounded by a perimeter footing; Figure 4 shows diagrammatically the Installation of a termnite barrier as shown in Figure 3 in a building structure having a foundation in the form of a monolithic slab.

Figure 5 shows diagrammatically the installaton of a termite barrier according to another embodiment Figure 6 shows diagrammatically the installation of a termite barrier according to yet another embodiment; and Figure 7 shows diagrammatically the Installation of a termite barrier according to yet another embodiment.

COMS ID No: SBM -01128073 Received by IP Australia: Time (Hmn) 19:29 Date 2005-02-18 I L 6 -7- Description of Preferred Embodiments Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a representation of a foundation structure 11 of a building, the foundation structure comprising a concrete slab 13 surrounded by a perimeter footing 15. The foundation structure 11 is constructed first by establishing the concrete footing 15 and thereafter pouring the concrete slab 13, as is conventional practice.

The concrete slab 13 has a side edge 17 which defines a first face 19.

The footing 15 has an upper face 21 on which the periphery of the slab 13 is supported and which extends beyond the peripheral edge 17 in conventional manner.

The building structure includes a perimeter wall 23 supported on the foundation structure 11. The perimeter wall 23 is constructed as a conventional cavity wall comprising two walls, being an exterior wall 25 and an internal wall 27 in spaced apart relationship. The exterior wall is supported on the upper face 21 of the perimeter footing 15, and the internal wall 27 is supported on the concrete slab 13.

In this embodiment, the outer and inner walls are each of brick construction comprising bricks 28 with mortar joints 29 therebetween.

The exterior wall 25 has weep holes (not shown) provided in the bottom region thereof, as is conventional practice. The purpose of the weep holes is to allow any water entering the region between the two walls 25, 27 to drain out through the weep holes.

As can be seen from Figure 1, the inner side 31 of the external wall 25 is spaced from the side edge 17 of the concrete slab 13, thereby to define a cavity 33 therebetween. The cavity 33 has a bottom 35 defined by the upper surface 21 of the perimeter footing 15. The cavity 33 can thus be considered to be between the It I -8first face 19 defined by the side edge 17 of the slab and a second face 37 defined by the inner side 31 of the exterior wall A termite barrier 40 according to the first embodiment is installed in the building structure. The termite barrier 40 comprises a solid mass 42 formed from a suitable composition which has been poured into the cavity 33. The solid mass 42 has an upper surface 43 which is below the top of the weep holes (not shown) in the wall thereby to ensure that the weep holes are not obstructed to an extent which blocks drainage of any water which may enter the region between the two walls.

The settable composition which forms the solid mass 42 is a parge material which bonds to the first face 19, the second face 37, and the bottom 35 of the cavity 33 thereby to form a physical barrier therebetween against the passage of termites.

The settable composition comprises a material which has suitable bonding characteristics for achieving an appropriate bond with the various surfaces with which it is in contact, and suitable elastic properties to absorb differential movement so as to maintain the integrity of the termite barrier that it provides.

In this embodiment, the settable composition comprises a bulk parge material made of a hydrated mixture of about one part portland cement and three parts sand by mass, with an additive in the form of a polymer dispensed therein to provide the necessary bonding characteristics and flexibility. The sand is preferably an aggregate of about AFS30 with low clay or silt content. Such a parge material is termite resistant and has minimal shrinkage on hardening.

Further aggregate material may be incorporated in the hydrated mixture for the purpose of increasing its strength when set and to inhibit shrinkage. The further aggregate material may include fillers such as shreds and/or filaments. The filters may be of any suitable material such as glass fibres or stainless steel. It should, of course, be appreciated that various other suitable settable compositions may be used.

18. FEB. 2005 16:25 WRAY ASSOCIATES NO, 2741 P. 10/26 -8- In 0 The termite barrier 40 further comprises a strip of barrier material 41 extending (N upwardly from the solid mass 42 to the second face 37 at a location above Sground level and also above the weep holes. The strip of barrier material 41 has one longitudinal marginal edge portion 47 integrally attached to the solid mass 42 C( by being embedded therein, and the opposite longitudinal marginal edge portion 49 integrally attached to the second face 37. The opposite longitudinal marginal edge portion 49 is integrally attached to the second face by embedding that edge in the mortarjoint between two courses of bricks in the external wall 00 SIn this embodiment, the barrier material is mesh material of a construction as Sdescribed in Australian Patent 695436.

The termite barrier 40 is installed during the construction of the building, and more particularly during construction of the exterior wall 25. The termite barrier material 41 is positioned in the cavity 33 and embedded in the exterior wall during construction of the exterior wall. Once the termite barrier material 41 is in position, the settable composition can be poured Into the cavity so as to embed the lower marginal edge of the termite barrier material into the settable composition as it sets into the solid mass 42. The lower marginal edge of the termite barrier material may be formed with a kink or may be otherwise configured so as to enhance anchoring of the termite barrier material 41 in the solid mass 42.

The first embodiment provides a termite barrier which protects the building against subterranean termite attack without the need to install barrier material into the concrete slab 13 during pouring thereof, This is advantageous in that it simplifies the installation process of the barrier.

Figure 2 of the drawings shows the termite barrier according to the first embodiment Installed in a building structure having a foundation structure 11 which is in the form of a monolithic slab. The monolithic slab has a peripheral rebate 60 having an upper side edge 61 defining the first face 19 and a lower COMS ID No: SBMI-01128073 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:29 Dale 2005-02-18 I k A cA marginal edge 63 defining the surface 21 on which the exterior wall 25 is supported.

The termite barrier is installed in the building shown in Figure 2 in a similar fashion to the way in which it is installed in the building shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 3 of the drawings, there is shown a termite barrier according to a second embodiment which is similar to the termite barrier shown in the first embodiment with the exception that the lower longitudinal marginal edge portion 47 of the termite barrier material 41 is integrally secured to the solid mass 42 by bonding thereto rather than being embedded therein. In this embodiment, the lower longitudinal marginal edge portion 47 of the termite barrier material 41 is bonded to the upper surface 43 of the solid mass by bonding material 70 such as parge material.

Figure 4 of the drawings illustrates the termite barrier 40 according to the second embodiment installed in a building structure having a foundation structure similar to that shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

Figure 5 illustrates a further embodiment in which the strip of barrier material 41 comprises a strip of sheet material which is not perforated. In this case, the sheet material may, for example, be sheet plastics material, Because the strip 41 is not perforated, it is embedded in the exterior wall 25 at a location below weep holes 71 in the wall.

Figure 6 illustrates a still further embodiment which is somewhat similar to Figure except that a spacer 73 is positioned between the solid mass 42 and both second face 37 and at least part of the bottom 35 of the cavity to allow relative movement therebetween to accommodate expansion and contraction within the building.

The spacer 73 is of angular cross-section, having a vertical web 75 which bears against the second face 37 and a horizontal web 77 which bears against the 18-FEB-2005 16:25 18. EB. 605 6:25 WRAY ASSOCIATESNO242 P1/6 NO-2741 P. 11/26 11 bottom 35. The vertical web 75 in this embodiment extends upwardly to locate o behind the strip 41. The spacer 73 is conveniently formed of a plastics material.

C) Figure 7 illustrates another embodiment which Is somewhat similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 5 with the exception that the strip 41 does not N extend above the solid mass 42 but rather simply sideways into the exterior wall 00 From the foregoing, it is evident that the present invention provides a simple yet highly effective termite barrier which can be installed during construction of a o building in a convenient manner without the need for any preliminary work during 0 pouring of the foundation structure.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the invention need not be limited to the scope of the various embodiments described.

Throughout this specification (including the claims if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

COMS IDWN:SBMl-01128073 Received by IP Australia: Time (H:rn) 19:29 Date 2005-02-18

Claims (1)

1. 22.FE.2005 12:56 WRAY ASSOCIATES KO 2858 P. 12 -12- The claims defining the invention are as follows:- 1. A physical termite barrier for a building structure having first and second sections, the first section having a first face and the second section having a second face, the first and second sections being in spaced apart relationship with a cavity therebetween having a bottom, the physical termite barrier comprising a termite barrier composition set as a solid mass in the cavity to bond with at least the first face and also the bottom to provide a barrier therebetween against the passage of termites, and a strip extending from the solid mass to the second section at a location away from the solid mass thereby to form a barrier therebetween against the passage of termites, the strip having one longitudinal marginal edge portion thereof integral with the solid mass and at least the other longitudinal marginal edge portion thereof integrally secured to the second section, the strip being of a termite barrier material other than the composition. 2. A physical termite barrier according to claim 1 wherein the solid mass in the cavity bonds with the entire bottom of the cavity. 3. A physical termite barrier according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the strip of termite barrier material is secured to the second section at a location on the second face above the solid mass. 4. A physical termite barrier according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the solid mass also bonds with the second face, A physical termite barrier according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein a spacer is positioned between the solid mass and the second face to prevent bonding therebetween and so allow relative movement therebetween. 6. A physical termite barrier according to claim 5 wherein the spacer also extends between the solid mass and part of the bottom of the cavity. 7. A physical termite barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the settable composition comprises a settable compound that sets by evaporation of solvents. COMS ID No: SBMI-01132415 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:58 Date 2005-02-22 22-FEB2005 12:57 WRAY ASSOCIATES NO. 2858 P. 13 -13- 8. A physical termite barrier according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the settable compound comprises a compound that sets by chemical reaction. 9. A physical termite barrier according to claim 8 wherein the settable compound comprises a hydraulic settable compound physical termite barrier according to claim 9 wherein the hydraulic settable compound comprises a cement-based composition. 11.A physical terrifite barrier according to claim 10 wherein the cement-based composition comprises a mixture of cement and sand with an additive to enhance integral bonding with said first face and to provide elastic properties to absorb differential movement. 12.A physical termite barrier according to claim 11 wherein the additive comprises a polymer. 13.A physical termite barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the strip comprises a strip of sheet material. 14.A physical termite barrier according to claim 13 wherein the sheet material comprises a sheet of mesh material. physical termite barrier for a building structure having first and second sections, the first section having a first face, the second section comprising an outer wall having a second face, the first and second sections being in spaced apart relationship with a cavity therebetween having a bottom, the physical termite barrier comprising a termite barrier composition set as a solid mass in the cavity to bond with the first and second faces and also the bottom to provide a barrier therebetween against the passage of termites, and a strip extending from the solid mass to the outer wall at a location away from the solid mass thereby to form a barrier therebetween against the passage of termites, the strip having one longitudinal marginal edge portion thereof integral with the solid mass and at least the other longitudinal marginal edge portion thereof integrally secured to the outer wall, the strip being of a termite barrier material other than the composition. COMS ID No: SBMI-01132415 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:58 Date 2005-02-22 22.FEB2005 12:57 WRAY ASSOCIATES NO. 2858 P. 14 -14- 16.A method of installation of a termite barrier in a building having first and second sections, the first section having a first face and the second section having a second face, the first and second sections being in spaced apart relationship with a cavity therebetween having a bottom, a method comprising the steps of: pouring a settable termite barrier compound into the cavity to set as a solid mass in bonding contact with at least the first face of the cavity and providing a strip of termite barrier material with one longitudinal edge thereof integral with the settable mass and at least the opposite longitudinal marginal portion of the strip of termite barrier material integral with the second section thereby to form a physical barrier against the passage of termites, the strip being of a termite barrier material other than the composition. 17.A method according to claim 16 wherein the strip is provided by installing a strip of discrete material, said one longitudinal edge being integrally secured with the settable mass. 18.A method according to claim 17 wherein said one longitudinal edge is embedded in the settable mass prior to setting thereof. 19.A method of installation of a termite barrier in a building having first and second sections, the first section having a first face, the second section comprising an outer wall having a second face, the first and second sections being in spaced apart relationship with a cavity therebetween having a bottom, a method comprising the steps of: pouring a settable termite barrier compound into the cavity to set as a solid mass in bonding contact with the first and second faces and also the bottom of the cavity to provide a termite barrier therebetween against the passage of termites, and providing a strip of termite barrier material with one longitudinal edge thereof integral with the settable mass and at least the opposite longitudinal marginal portion of the strip of termite barrier material integral with the outer wall thereby to form a physical barrier against the passage of termites, the strip being of a termite barrier material other than the composition. physical termite barrier according to claim 1 or 15 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. COMS ID No: SBMI-01132415 Received by IPAustralia: Time 15:58 Date 2005-02-22 22-FEB2005 12:57 WRAY ASSOCIATES NO. 2358 P. 21.A method of installation of a termite barrier substantially as herein described. Dated this Twenty Second day of February 2005. TMA Corporation Pty Ltd Applicant Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys fdr the Applicant COMS ID No: SBMI-01132415 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:58 Date 2005-02-22