US20020139059A1

US20020139059A1 - Device which secures external walls and components of a room and which has improved drainage capabilities and aesthetics

Info

Publication number: US20020139059A1
Application number: US10/096,029
Authority: US
Inventors: David Zimmerman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-03-13
Filing date: 2002-03-12
Publication date: 2002-10-03

Abstract

A coupling apparatus includes first, second, and third walls and a drip edge. An interior portion of the apparatus is defined between the first wall and the second wall, and the third wall connects the first wall and the second wall within the interior portion. A hole is contained in the first wall to provide a passageway from the interior portion to an exterior portion of the apparatus. The drip edge is coupled to the first wall in the exterior portion and is disposed below the hole. In a further implementation, the apparatus includes fourth and fifth walls and a cavity. The fifth wall extends inwardly from the fourth wall, and the second wall extends downward from the fifth wall and is laterally offset from the fourth wall. The cavity contains an electrical conduit, is defined between the second wall and a plane containing the fourth wall, and is defined between the fifth wall and a base supporting the apparatus. In an additional implementation, the apparatus includes a sixth wall that extends from the first wall to the second wall and that is disposed below the third wall. Also, the sixth wall includes a gap that separates a first portion of the sixth wall from a second portion of the sixth wall.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device which secures external walls and components of a room and which has improved drainage capabilities and aesthetics. In a specific embodiment, the device is implemented in a modular sunroom or patio enclosure that is mounted on a wooden deck or concrete foundation, but the present invention is clearly not limited to such an embodiment. Also, the present application is based on Provisional Application No. 60/275,108, which was filed on Mar. 13, 2001, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a hypothetical example of a

sill

110 that secures an external wall 105 of a room (e.g. a sunroom or patio enclosure) to a floor 115 of a wooden deck. As shown in the figure, the sill 110 has

vertical walls

111 and 112 and contains internal protrusions 120, which extend horizontally from the

vertical walls

111 and 112. Also, a bottom wall 113 of the sill 110 is secured to the floor 115 via a screw 125.

The

wall

105 is inserted into the sill 110 between the

vertical walls

111 and 112 such that the bottom edge of the wall 105 rests on the internal protrusions 120. After the wall 105 is inserted, it is secured to the sill 110 via a screw 130.

After securing the

wall

105 to the floor 115 via the sill 110, a baseboard 135 is provided against the interior vertical wall 111 of the sill 110, and an electrical conduit 145 is provided along the baseboard 135. The conduit 145 contains a space 140 for running electrical wiring and/or other devices for providing electricity to various components (i.e. lamps, electrical appliances, etc.) that may be used in the room.

While the

sill

110 described above is capable of securing the wall 105 to the floor 115, it has several disadvantages. For example, rain and other moisture often seep between the wall 105 and the external vertical wall 112 of the sill 110 and enter the interior portion of the sill 110. As the moisture accumulates in the interior portion of the sill 110, it can cause water damage to the wall 105, the floor 115, and/or the actual sill 110. Also, as internal and external temperatures of the room fluctuate, the moisture within the sill 110 may periodically freeze and melt. Repeated freezing and melting may likewise damage the wall 105, the sill 110, and/or the floor 115 and may cause the secure connections among the wall 105, sill 110, and floor 115 to become unstable.

In order to try to remove the moisture from the interior portion of the

sill

110, a hole (not shown) may be formed in the vertical wall 112 near the bottom wall 113. While such a modification may help remove some water from the interior portion of the sill 110, it does not completely solve the water damage problems. For example, as shown in the figure, the bottom wall 113 is flat. Thus, due to the surface tension and other properties of the water and properties of the sill 110 and/or screw 125, some water may still remain in the interior portion of the sill 110, despite the use of the hole (not shown). As a result, water damage would continue to be a potential problem.

Furthermore, when water actually exits the interior portion of the

sill

110 via the hole (not shown), it travels down the external side 150 of the floor 115. As the water travels, it may seep between the bottom wall 113 of the sill 110 and the floor 115. Also, if the side 150 of the floor 115 is porous or water permeable, the water may seep into the side 150 of the floor 115. Thus, the sill 110 and floor 115 may still experience water damage for the reasons described above.

In addition, as noted above, a

conduit

145 containing electrical wiring must be run along the interior of the baseboard 135 within the room to provide electricity to various components in the room. However, providing the conduit 145 within the room is unsightly and detracts from the aesthetics of the room.

Also, as the

screw

125 is tightened against the bottom wall 113 of the sill 110, the torque and pressure from the screw 125 create twisting and other forces on the bottom wall 113. These forces may deform the bottom wall 113, as well as the

side walls

111 and 112 of the sill 110. When the walls 111-113 become deformed, properly inserting and aligning the wall 105 of the room become difficult. Also, the probability of moisture entering the interior portion of the sill 110 increases.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a hypothetical example of an H-mullion or

connector

200 that connects an upper portion 205 of a room with a lower portion 210 of the room. The upper portion 205 may include a window or a portion of a wall of the room, and the lower portion 210 may similarly include a window or a portion of a wall. Thus, the H-connector 200 may connect (1) an upper window with a lower window, (2) an upper window with a lower portion of a wall, (3) an upper portion of a wall with a lower window, or (4) an upper portion of a wall with a lower portion of a wall.

In any event, the H-

connector

200 includes a vertical exterior wall 215, a vertical interior wall 220, and a horizontal wall 230 connecting the two

interior walls

215 and 220. One manner in which the connector 200 connects the upper and

lower portions

205 and 210 is as follows. First, the

vertical walls

215 and 220 are placed around the lower portion 210 so that the upper surface of the portion 210 abuts against the lower surface of the horizontal wall 230. Then, the upper portion 205 is placed between the

vertical walls

215 and 220 so that the lower surface of the portion 205 abuts against the upper surface of the horizontal wall 230. Then, the connector 200 is respectively secured to the upper and

lower portions

205 and 210 via

screws

235 and 240. In some applications, one or both of the

screws

235 and 240 may not be used.

Upon comparing the structure of the

connector

200 with the structure of the sill 110 shown in FIG. 1, the connector 200 suffers from disadvantages that are similar to the disadvantages of the sill 110. For example, water or moisture may seep between the external wall 215 of the connector 200 and the upper portion 205. Thus, the connector 200 and upper portion 205 may suffer from water damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Illustrative, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention overcome the disadvantages described above and other disadvantages. Also, the present invention is not required to overcome the disadvantages described above and the other disadvantages, and an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention may not overcome any of the disadvantages.

One illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention relates to a coupling apparatus. In one example, the apparatus comprises a first wall; a second wall, wherein an interior portion of the apparatus is defined between the first wall and the second wall; a third wall at least indirectly connecting the first wall and the second wall within the interior portion; a hole provided in the first wall to provide a passageway from the interior portion to an exterior portion of the apparatus; and a drip edge, which is at least indirectly coupled to the first wall in the exterior portion and which is disposed below the hole.

Another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention relates to a connecting system. In one example, the connecting system, which comprises a connector, for coupling a first portion of a room with a base, comprises: a first wall; a second wall separated from the first wall by an interior portion of the connector; a third wall extending inwardly from the second wall towards the interior portion of the connector, wherein at least some of the first portion of the room is supported by the third wall; a fourth wall, which extends downward from the third wall and which is laterally offset from the second wall; and a cavity defined between the fourth wall and a plane containing the second wall and defined between the third wall and the base.

Still another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention relates to a connecting system. In one example, the connecting system, which comprises a connector, for coupling a first portion of a room with a base, comprises: a first wall; a second wall separated from the first wall by an interior portion of the connector; a third wall that at least indirectly connects the first wall with the second wall; and a fourth wall, which extends from the first wall to the second wall, which is disposed below the third wall, and which comprises a gap that separates a first portion of the fourth wall from a second portion of the fourth wall.

Yet another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention relates to a connecting system. In one example, the connecting system has a connector and comprises: a first wall; a second wall separated from the first wall by an interior portion of the connector; a hole formed in the first wall to provide a passageway from the interior portion to an exterior portion of the connector; and a third wall that is disposed within the interior portion and at least indirectly connects the first wall with the second wall, wherein the third wall is sloped downwardly from the second wall to the first wall, and wherein the connector is structured so that liquid contained in the interior portion flows down the third wall towards the first wall and travels from the interior portion to the exterior portion via the hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of illustrative, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: [0018]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a hypothetical example of a sill that secures an external wall of a room to a floor of a wooden deck; [0019]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a hypothetical example of an H-mullion or connector that connects an upper portion of a room with a lower portion of the room; [0020]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative non-limiting embodiment of a sill in accordance with the present invention; [0021]
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the sill from the exterior side of the sill shown in FIG. 3; [0022]
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the sill from the interior side of the sill shown in FIG. 3; [0023]
FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which the sill shown in FIG. 3 secures the external wall to a concrete patio or foundation; [0024]
FIG. 7A illustrates a first example of an alternate, non-limiting structure of the sill; [0025]
FIG. 7B illustrates a second example of an alternate, non-limiting structure of the sill; and [0026]
FIG. 8 shows an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of a connector that connects an upper portion of a room with a lower portion of the room.[0027]

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The following description of illustrative non-limiting embodiments of the invention discloses specific configurations and components. However, the embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and thus, the specific features described below are merely used to more easily describe such embodiments and to provide an overall understanding of the present invention. Accordingly, one skilled in the art will readily recognize that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described below. Furthermore, the descriptions of various configurations and components of the present invention that are known to one skilled in the art are omitted for the sake of clarity and brevity. [0028]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative non-limiting embodiment of a [0029] sill 300 in accordance with the present invention. As shown in the figure, the sill 300 secures an external wall 365 of a room (e.g. a sunroom, patio enclosure, etc.) to a floor 370 of a wooden deck. The sill 300 comprises an upper external wall 305, an upper internal wall 310, internal protrusions 315 and 320, a lower external wall 325, and a lower internal wall 330. The internal protrusion 315 extends towards the interior of the sill 300 from the upper external wall 305, and the internal protrusion 320 extends towards the interior of the sill 300 from the upper internal wall 310. In addition, the lower external wall 325 extends downwardly from the internal protrusion 315, and the lower internal wall 330 extends downwardly from the internal protrusion 320.
The [0030] sill 300 further comprises a sloping portion 335, a bottom wall 340, and a thermal breaking portion 341. The thermal breaking portion 341 comprises a first side wall 342, a second side wall 343, an upper wall 344, and a bottom wall 345. Also, the upper wall 344 comprises a gap 360 that separates a left portion of the upper wall 344 from the right portion of the wall 344. Furthermore, and the interior portion of the thermal breaking portion 341 is filled with an acrylic polymer or other thermally insulative material to thermally insulate the left and right portions of the upper wall 343.
The [0031] first side wall 342 of the thermal breaking portion may be disposed adjacent to the lower internal wall 330 of the sill 300 or may be formed from all or a portion of the wall 330. Also, although the upper wall 344 originates below the internal protrusion 320, it may be formed on the same plane as the protrusion 320. In addition, although FIG. 3 only illustrates that the upper wall 344 contains the gap 360, the bottom wall 345 may alternatively or additionally contain a gap (not shown) to thermally insulate left and right portions of the bottom wall 345.
The [0032] bottom wall 340 of the sill 300 extends inwardly from the lower external wall 325 and outwardly from the wall 325. Also, a gap 355 is disposed between the bottom wall 340 and the bottom wall 345 of the thermal breaking portion 341. The configuration of the bottom wall 340 is clearly not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 3. For example, as an alternative implementation, the bottom wall 340 may not extend inwardly from the wall 325 and may only extend outwardly from the wall 325. As yet another illustrative implementation, the wall 340 may not extend outwardly from the wall 325 and may only extend inwardly from the wall 325.
The sloping [0033] portion 335 comprises a horizontal wall 337 and a sloped wall 336. The horizontal wall 337 extends leftward from the upper wall 344 of the thermal breaking portion 341, and in an illustrative implementation, the horizontal wall 337 may be formed of a portion of the upper wall 344. The sloped wall 336 extends from the horizontal wall 344 to the position at which the lower external wall 325 and bottom wall 340 intersect. In an alternative implementation, the sloped wall 336 may not terminate at the intersection of the walls 325 and 340. For example, the sloped wall 335 may intersect the bottom wall 340 at a location that is located to the right of the intersection of the walls 325 and 340. Alternatively, the sloped wall 335 may intersect the lower external wall 325 at a location that is located above the intersection of the walls 325 and 340.
The [0034] sill 300 also comprises a drip edge 350 that is connected to the bottom wall 340. In the present embodiment, the drip edge 350 contains a vertical wall 351, which intersects the bottom wall 340, and a sloped wall 352, which intersects the vertical wall 351. However, the drip edge 350 clearly is not limited to such an arrangement. For instance, the vertical wall 351 may be omitted, and the sloped edge 352 may be connected directly to the bottom wall 340. Also, the sloped edge 352 may not have a planar shape but may be curved or formed of a plurality of segments that are sequentially angled with respect to each other. In any event, the drip edge 350 may have any configuration or shape that, as described in more detail below, prevents water or moisture from travelling down a side wall 372 of the floor 370.
The [0035] sill 300 is secured to the floor 370 via a screw 380. As shown in the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 3, the screw 380 travels through the horizontal wall 337 and is embedded in the floor 370. Also, as the screw 370 is tightened against the wall 337, various torque and other forces are generated. However, since the gap 355 is provided between the bottom wall 340 of the sill 300 and the bottom wall 345 of the thermal breaking portion 341, such forces do not distort the walls 340 and 345, or the remaining walls of the sill 300. As a result, the shape of the sill 300 remains in tact such that the external wall 365 can be properly inserted and aligned within the sill 300 and such that excessive moisture is prevented from entering the sill 300.
In a non-limiting assembly method, after the [0036] sill 300 is secured to the floor 370, the wall 365 is inserted into the sill 300 between the walls 305 and 310 such that the bottom edge of the wall 365 rests on the internal protrusions 315 and 320. After the wall 365 is inserted, it is secured to the sill 300 via a screw 375.
After securing the [0037] wall 365 to the floor 370 via the sill 300, an electrical conduit 385 is provided in the space beneath the protrusion 320 of the sill 300. The conduit 385 contains a space 390 for running electrical wiring and/or other devices for providing electricity to various components (i.e. lamps, electrical appliances, etc.) that may be used in the room. Also, a baseboard 395 is provided along the interior wall 310 and the right side of the conduit 385.
As shown in FIG. 3, the [0038] baseboard 395 covers the unsightly conduit 385 when viewed from the interior of the room. As a result, the aesthetics of the room are greatly enhanced. Also, the conduit 385 conveniently and easily fits in the space beneath the protrusion 320 when the room is being constructed. Accordingly, the installation of the conduit 385 is drastically facilitated.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the [0039] sill 300 from the exterior side of the sill 300, and FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the sill 300 from the interior side of the sill 300. As shown in the figures, a hole 400 is formed in the lower external wall 325 of the sill 300. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, the sloped wall 336 of the sloped portion 335 is angled towards the hole 400 when viewed in the X-Z plane shown in the figures. Also, the line at which the sloped wall 336 intersects the lower external wall 325 may be additionally sloped towards the hole 400 when viewed in the Y-Z plane. (As noted in the figures, the X-Z plane is perpendicular to the Y-Z plane, and the X-Y plane is perpendicular to both the X-Z plane and the Y-Z plane). Also, although FIGS. 4 and 5 show only one hole 400, a plurality of holes may be used.
If moisture seeps between the [0040] external wall 365 of the room and the upper external wall 305 of the sill 300 and travels to the interior of the sill 300, it would accumulate on the sloped wall 336 of the sloped portion 335. Since the sloped wall 336 is angled towards the hole 400, the accumulated moisture is directed to the hole 400 and exits the interior portion of the sill 300 via the hole 400. After travelling through the hole 400, the moisture travels along the drip edge 350 and is directed away from the side wall 372 of the floor 370 via the sloped wall 352.
As described above, moisture does not accumulate in the interior portion of the [0041] sill 300, and thus, it cannot cause water damage to the wall 365, the floor 370, and/or the actual sill 300. Furthermore, since the moisture directed away from the side wall 372 of the floor 370 via the drip edge 350, it cannot seep into the side wall 372, even if the wall 372 is porous or water permeable. Thus, the possibility that the sill 300, wall 365, and/or floor 370 may experience water damage is significantly reduced.
FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which the [0042] sill 300 secures the external wall 365 to a concrete patio or foundation 600. As shown in the figure, a subsill 605 (e.g. a wooden “2×4”) is mounted to the patio or foundation 600 via a screw 610, and the sill 300 is mounted to the subsill 605 in a manner that is similar to the manner described above.
Although FIGS. [0043] 3-6 illustrate various embodiments of the present invention, the specific features, orientations, and arrangements shown in the figures do not limit the scope of the present invention. For example, in the figures, the upper exterior wall 305 and the lower exterior wall 325 are not vertically aligned with each other. However, such walls 305 and 325 could be aligned and considered one exterior wall, and the protrusion 315 could extend inwardly from the single wall.
Examples of alternate, non-limiting structures of the [0044] sill 300 are shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. FIG. 7A shows an example of the sill 300 in which the lower external wall 325 is aligned with the upper external wall 305 to form a single wall 305. Also, the bottom wall 340 of the sill 300 does not extend outwardly from the wall 305, and the vertical wall 351 of the drip edge 350 is eliminated. FIG. 7B shows an example in which the bottom wall 340 of the sill 300 does not extend inwardly from the lower external wall 325, and the upper wall 344 of the thermal breaking portion 341 is aligned with the protrusion 320. Also, the vertical wall 351 of the drip edge 350 is eliminated. As shown in the example of FIGS. 7A and 7B, many of the modifications described above may be selectively combined to produce a large number of non-limiting variations of the sill 300. For instance, in either FIG. 7A and 7B, the bottom wall 340 of the sill may be eliminated entirely.
In addition, the [0045] interior wall 310 may extend all of the way or a portion of the way to the floor 370, and the protrusion 320 may protrude inwardly from a middle portion of the wall 310. If the interior wall 310 extends a substantial amount of the way to the floor 370, the conduit 385 would need to be inserted into the space defined by the lower portion of the wall 310, the protrusion 320, and the lower internal wall 330. Also, the conduit 385 would need to be inserted before the sill 300 is secured to the floor 370.
Also, in the description above, several walls are referred to as “vertical walls”, “horizontal walls”, or walls having a sloped or slanted orientation. However, the present invention is clearly not limited to the vertical, horizontal, or sloped alignments of the walls, and one skilled in the art would realize that the various walls can have different alignments and orientations. In addition, FIGS. 3 and 6 illustrate [0046] screws 375, 380, and 610 that fasten various components to each other. However, other fasteners such as nails, staples, adhesives, bolts, nuts, pins, clamps, clips, rivets, hooks, latches, pegs, welds, and many other fasteners can be used. Also, the points at which the sill 300 and/or subsill 605 is fastened to the wall 365, floor 370, subsill 605, and/or foundation 600 are not limited to the points illustrated in the figures, and one skilled in the art would realized that the various components can be fastened to each other at many different locations.
FIG. 8 shows an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of a [0047] connector 700 that connects an upper portion 705 of a room (e.g. a sunroom, patio enclosure, etc.) with a lower portion 710 of the room. The upper portion 705 may include a window or a portion of a wall of the room, and the lower portion 710 may similarly include a window or a portion of a wall. Thus, the connector 700 may connect (1) an upper window with a lower window, (2) an upper window with a lower portion of a wall, (3) an upper portion of a wall with a lower window, or (4) an upper portion of a wall with a lower portion of a wall.
As shown in the figure, the [0048] connector 700 includes an exterior wall 715, an interior wall 720, and a connecting wall 725. The connecting wall 725 connects the two walls 715 and 720 and is slanted with respect to the exterior wall 715. Also, a protrusion 730 extends inwardly from the exterior wall 715, and a thermal breaking portion 735 is provided beneath the connecting wall 725 and adjacent to the interior wall 725. Furthermore, the interior portion of the thermal breaking portion 341 is filled with an acrylic polymer or other thermally insulative material to thermally insulate the walls 715 and 720 from each other.
An illustrative non-limiting manner in which the [0049] connector 700 connects the upper and lower portions 705 and 710 is as follows. First, the walls 715 and 720 are placed around the lower portion 710 so that the upper surface of the portion 710 abuts against the lower surface of the thermal breaking portion 735. Then, the upper portion 705 is placed between the walls 715 and 720 so that the lower surface of the portion 705 abuts against the upper surface of the protrusion 730. Then, the connector 700 is respectively secured to the upper and lower portions 705 and 710 via screws 740 and 745. In some applications, one or both of the screws 740 and 745 may not be used.
Also, a hole (not shown) is formed in the [0050] exterior wall 715 above and near the intersection of the external wall 715 and the connecting wall 725. Furthermore, the connecting wall 725 is angled towards the hole (not shown) when viewed in the X-Z plane shown in FIG. 7. Also, the line at which the wall 725 intersects the wall 715 may be additionally sloped towards the hole (not shown) when viewed in the Y-Z plane. (As in the embodiment described above, the X-Z plane is perpendicular to the Y-Z plane, and the X-Y plane is perpendicular to both the X-Z plane and the Y-Z plane). Also, a plurality of holes (not shown) may be formed in the external wall 715. Furthermore, in one implementation, the hole (not shown) is similar to the hole 400 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
In light of the configuration shown in FIG. 7, if moisture seeps between the [0051] external wall 715 and the upper portion 705 and travels to the interior of the connector 700, it would accumulate on the connecting wall 725. Since the wall 725 is angled towards the hole (not shown), the accumulated moisture is directed to the hole (not shown) and exits the interior portion of the connector 700.
In addition, although not shown in FIG. 7, the [0052] connector 700 may contain a drip edge (not shown), which is connected to the external wall 715 below the hole (not shown). The drip edge (not shown) may be similar to the drip edge 350, or the variations of the drip edge, described above. If a drip edge (not shown) is attached to the connector 700, the moisture would exit the hole (not shown), travel along the drip edge (not shown), and be diverted away from the side wall of the lower portion 710.
As in the embodiment described above, moisture does not accumulate in the interior portion of the [0053] connector 700, and thus, it cannot cause water damage to the upper portion 705, the lower portion 710, and/or the actual connector 700. Furthermore, if the connector 700 contains a drip edge (not shown) to direct the moisture away from the side wall of the lower portion 710, it cannot seep into the side wall, even if the wall is porous or water permeable. Thus, the possibility of water damage is even further reduced.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. [0054] 3-7B, the sloped wall 336 is angled with respect to the wall 305 or 325. However, the wall 336 does not have to sloped with respect to such wall 305 or 325, as long as it is not perpendicular with respect to the force of gravity. In other words, the wall 336 ideally should be sloped with respect to the force of gravity so that any accumulated water or moisture residing on the wall 336 will flow towards the hole 400 in the wall 305 or 325. A similar caveat applies to the connecting wall 725 shown in FIG. 8.
Also, the embodiments above describe various sills and connectors used in conjunction with a sunroom or patio enclosure. However, the embodiments are not limited to such use and may be incorporated in virtually any type of room or structure. In addition, the above embodiments describe a room that is built on a wooden deck, patio, or concrete foundation. Again, the embodiments are not limited to such use and may be used in a room built on any type of foundation or support. [0055]
The previous description of the preferred embodiments is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. Moreover, various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles and specific examples defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of inventive faculty. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope as defined by the limitations of the claims and equivalents thereof. [0056]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A coupling apparatus, comprising:

a first wall;

a second wall, wherein an interior portion of the apparatus is defined between the first wall and the second wall;

a third wall at least indirectly connecting the first wall and the second wall within the interior portion;

a hole provided in the first wall to provide a passageway from the interior portion to an exterior portion of the apparatus; and

a drip edge, which is at least indirectly coupled to the first wall in the exterior portion and which is disposed below the hole.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is structured so that liquid that travels from the interior portion to the exterior portion via the hole flows over the drip edge.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the apparatus couples a first portion of a room and a second portion of a room,

wherein the second portion of the room is disposed below the hole, and

wherein the drip edge diverts the flow of the liquid away from a side of the second portion of the room that is exposed to the exterior portion.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first portion of the room is disposed above the third wall and the second portion of the room is disposed below the third wall, and

wherein at least some of the interior portion is located between the first and second portion and between the first and second wall.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first portion of the room is a wall of the room and the second portion of the room is a base of the room.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the base is one of a deck and a concrete foundation.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first portion of the room is one of an upper portion of a wall of the room and a first window, and

wherein the second portion of the room is one of a lower portion of the wall and a second window.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first portion is located between the first and second wall above the third wall, and

wherein the second portion is located between the first and second wall below the third wall.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the third wall is sloped with respect to a first plane such that the liquid flows within the interior portion down the slope of the third wall towards the hole.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the third wall intersects the first wall at an intersection.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the intersection of the third wall and the first wall forms a line, and

wherein the line is sloped towards the hole with respect to a second plane that is different than the first plane.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first plane is perpendicular to the second plane.

13. A connecting system, which comprises a connector, for coupling a first portion of a room with a base, comprising:

a first wall;

a second wall separated from the first wall by an interior portion of the connector;

a third wall extending inwardly from the second wall towards the interior portion of the connector, wherein at least some of the first portion of the room is supported by the third wall;

a fourth wall, which extends downward from the third wall and which is laterally offset from the second wall; and

a cavity defined between the fourth wall and a plane containing the second wall and defined between the third wall and the base.

14. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the base comprises one of a deck, a patio, and a concrete foundation.

15. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the base comprises a subsill.

16. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the cavity is adapted to accommodate a conduit containing electrical components for supplying electricity to the room.

17. The system as claimed in claim 16, further comprising:

the conduit disposed in the cavity; and

a cover that is disposed along at least a portion of the second wall and the conduit.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the cover comprises a baseboard for the room.

19. The system as claimed in claim 16, further comprising:

a hole provided in the first wall to provide a passageway from the interior portion to an exterior portion of the connector; and

20. The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the connector is structured so that liquid that travels from the interior portion to the exterior portion via the hole flows over the drip edge.

21. The system as claimed in claim 16, further comprising:

a fifth wall that at least indirectly connects the first wall with the fourth wall; and

a sixth wall, which extends from the first wall to the fourth wall, which is disposed below the fifth wall, and which comprises a gap that separates a first portion of the sixth wall from a second portion of the sixth wall.

22. The system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the sixth wall is supported by the base.

23. The system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the fifth wall comprises a segment wall portion and a sloped wall portion that is sloped towards the first wall.

24. The system as claimed in claim 21, further comprising:

a fastener that passes through the fifth wall and is secured to the base.

25. The system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the fastener passes through the gap in the sixth wall.

26. The system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the gap prevents forces created by securing the fastener to the base from substantially contorting at least one of the first wall, fourth wall, and sixth wall.

27. A connecting system, which comprises a connector, for coupling a first portion of a room with a base, comprising:

a first wall;

a third wall that at least indirectly connects the first wall with the second wall; and

a fourth wall, which extends from the first wall to the second wall, which is disposed below the third wall, and which comprises a gap that separates a first portion of the fourth wall from a second portion of the fourth wall.

28. The system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the fourth wall is supported by the base.

29. The system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the third wall comprises a segment wall portion and a sloped wall portion that is sloped towards the first wall.

30. The system as claimed in claim 27, further comprising:

a fastener that passes through the third wall and is secured to the base.

31. The system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the fastener passes through the gap in the fourth wall.

32. The system as claimed in claim 31, wherein the gap prevents forces created by securing the fastener to the base from substantially contorting at least one of the first wall, second wall, and fourth wall.

33. The system as claimed in claim 32, wherein the gap prevents forces created by securing the fastener to the base from substantially contorting the first wall, second wall, and fourth wall.

34. A connecting system having a connector, comprising:

a first wall;

a hole formed in the first wall to provide a passageway from the interior portion to an exterior portion of the connector; and

a third wall that is disposed within the interior portion and at least indirectly connects the first wall with the second wall,

wherein the third wall is sloped downwardly from the second wall to the first wall, and

wherein the connector is structured so that liquid contained in the interior portion flows down the third wall towards the first wall and travels from the interior portion to the exterior portion via the hole.

35. The system as claimed in claim 34, wherein the third wall intersects the first wall at an intersection, and

wherein at least a portion of the intersection is located below the hole.

36. The apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein the intersection of the third wall and the first wall forms a line, and

37. The apparatus as claimed in claim 36, wherein the first plane is perpendicular to the second plane.

38. The system as claimed in claim 34, further comprising:

a first protruding wall that protrudes inwardly from the first wall towards the interior portion; and

a second protruding wall that protrudes inwardly from the second wall towards the interior portion,

wherein the first protruding wall is disposed above the hole, and

wherein the second protruding wall is disposed below at least a portion of the third wall.

39. The system as claimed in claim 38, wherein a first portion of a room is disposed between the first wall and the second wall above the third wall,

wherein a second portion of a room is disposed between the first wall and the second wall below the third wall,

wherein the first protruding wall supports the first portion, and

wherein the second protruding wall supports the second portion.

40. The system as claimed in claim 39, wherein the first portion of the room is one of an upper portion of a wall of the room and a first window, and

41. The system as claimed in claim 38, further comprising:

42. The system as claimed in claim 41, wherein the connector is structured so that the liquid flows from the hole over the drip edge.

43. The system as claimed in claim 39, further comprising:

a drip edge, which is at least indirectly coupled to the first wall in the exterior portion and which is disposed below the hole,

wherein the connector is structured so that the liquid flows from the hole over the drip edge, and