Embedded Reglet Flashing for Watertight Concrete Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flashing systems for buildings with overhangs, balconies, and eyebrows rely on exposed sealants or penetrative fasteners, leading to maintenance issues, aesthetic concerns, and limited waterproofing effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A flashing system with an embedded reglet and counterflashing design that integrates into the concrete structure, using a pre-installed sealant and snap-in components to create a watertight seal without exposed fasteners, ensuring long-lasting protection against water infiltration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If exposed sealants are used to attach flashing to concrete structures, then the flashing can be installed and secured, but the sealants deteriorate rapidly due to exposure to elements requiring frequent expensive repairs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the exposed sealant component from the exterior of the building envelope by routing it entirely within the concrete structure. The reglet is embedded in the concrete during pouring, and all sealing occurs internally, eliminating the portion of the sealing system that is exposed to weathering elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The reglet is installed in the concrete structure before the flashing is applied. By pre-embedding the reglet with its sealing components in place during concrete pouring, the system prepares the sealing path in advance, ensuring that no sealant needs to be exposed or applied to exterior surfaces later.
2Strength
If exposed anchors or penetrative fasteners are used to secure flashing, then the flashing can be attached to the structure, but water intrusion risks increase and aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates penetrative fasteners and exposed anchors from the exterior of the building. Instead, the reglet is embedded within the concrete structure during pouring, and the flashing connects to this internal reglet system, removing all exterior penetration points that could allow water intrusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The reglet acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the concrete structure and the flashing. It provides a secure attachment point within the concrete that transfers loads without requiring exterior penetrations, thus maintaining both structural strength and waterproofing integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional flashing is installed over irregular concrete surfaces, then the flashing can be applied, but oil canning effects occur making sealing difficult and creating more water infiltration areas
Solution Approach 1:
The reglet is embedded in the concrete surface during the pouring process, before the flashing is installed. This preliminary placement ensures that the sealing interface is established on the concrete surface itself, accommodating irregularities without requiring post-pouring adjustments or complex sealing procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a flexible sealing approach where the reglet's internal sealing components can accommodate surface irregularities. The sealing mechanism is designed to conform to the concrete surface topology, eliminating oil canning effects and ensuring continuous water-tight seals despite surface variations.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments provided herein relate to a flashing system. Some embodiments of the flashing system include a reglet that includes a central shaft with a first stem, a second stem, a third stem, a fourth stem, and a parallel extension that extend from the central shaft. In some embodiments, the first stem and the second stem are positioned colinearly and on opposing sides of the central shaft. In some embodiments, the third stem and the fourth stem extend from a common side of the central shaft to define a bituminous water stop. In still some embodiments, the parallel extension includes a connection portion that is coupled to the central shaft, a length portion that is disposed substantially parallel with the central shaft, and a receiver that is coupled to an end of the length portion and disposed toward the central shaft to create an acute angle with the length portion.