CARRIER FOR MEMBRANE THERMOWELDING DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a carrier for a device for applying a covering layer to a surface, a combination of the carrier for a device for applying a covering layer to a surface, and a method of applying a covering layer to a surface. The present disclosure more particularly relates to a carrier for a device for applying a thermoweldable construction membrane or sheet to a surface, a combination of the carrier for a device for applying a thermoweldable construction membrane or sheet to a surface, and a method of applying a thermoweldable construction membrane or sheet to a surface.

BACKGROUND

Bituminous membranes are used for covering, sealing, and waterproofing a wide variety of surfaces in the building and construction industry. By way of example, bituminous membranes may be applied to surfaces such as car parks, bridges, overpasses, roofs, sidewalks, streets, walkway, walls, and like surfaces.

The use of bituminous membranes for covering, sealing, and waterproofing roof surfaces, such low slope or zero slope roof surfaces, has gained wide acceptance in the building and construction industry.

The bituminous membranes are typically applied to a target surface, such as a low slope or zero slope roof surface, by thermowelding the bituminous membranes to the underlying roof surface to provide an impermeable covering or seal to the roof surface. The process of thermowelding a bituminous membrane to a surface, such as a low slope or zero slope roof surface, involves heating the underside of a bituminous membrane to a temperature sufficient to at least partially melt or at least partially liquefy the bituminous material to enable good thermowelded adherence or bonding of the bituminous membrane to an underlying roof surface. Overlapping strips of the bituminous membranes can also be heated along borders to a temperature sufficient to at least partially melt or at least partially liquefy the bituminous material to enable good thermowelding of the overlapping adjacent strips to one another.

The process of thermowelding bituminous membranes to an underlying target surface may be carried out by manually unrolling a roll of bituminous membrane across the entire roof surface (or other target surface) to be covered. The underside of the bituminous membrane is manually heated with a flame torch as the roll is unrolled across the surface. Using a flame torch to manually heat the bituminous membrane to apply it to a target surface is labor and time intensive and also presents a human safety risk in connection with using an open flame torch.

Automated devices to apply bituminous membranes have been developed to replace the manual unrolling of rolls of bituminous membranes and the use of manual torch thermowelding application processes. Such devices may be programmed to be self-guided and self-propelled to apply bituminous membranes across the target surface at a desired rate. The use of such automated devices increases the rate of installation of bituminous membranes and promotes more consistent and uniform installation, while also reducing the risk of accidents, human injury, gas consumption, and material handling, as compared to traditional manual thermowelding processes using an open flame torch.

While the use of automated self-guided and self-propelled thermowelding devices results in improvements in the process of heating and laying of bituminous roof membranes on a roof surface, the devices are heavy and difficult to move from one location to another on a roof surface.

SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

According to a first illustrative aspect, disclosed is a carrier for a movable device for applying a covering layer to a surface, the carrier comprising a first base member, a second base member, a set of elongated support members extending between the first base member and the second base member, and at least one wheel movably engaged with each of the first base member and the second base member.

According to another illustrative aspect, disclosed is a carrier for a movable device for applying a covering layer to a surface, the carrier comprising a first base member, a second base member, a first elongated support member extending between the first base member and the second base member, at least one wheel movably engaged with each of the first base member and the second base member, a second elongated support member extending between the first base member and the second base member and mounted forwardly of the first base member and the second base member, a wheel mounted to the second elongated support member, and a pivotable handle mounted to the second elongated support member.

According to another illustrative aspect, disclosed is a combination of a movable device for thermowelding a covering layer to a surface and a carrier, the carrier comprising a first base member, a second base member, a first elongated support member extending between the first base member and the second base member, at least one wheel movably engaged with each of the first base member and the second base member, a second elongated support member extending between the first base member and the second base member and mounted forwardly of the first base member and the second base member, a wheel mounted to the second elongated support member, and a pivotable handle mounted to the second elongated support member.

According to a further illustrative aspect, disclosed is a method for thermowelding a bituminous membrane to a surface, the method comprising engaging a bituminous membrane with a wheeled device configured for thermowelding the bituminous membrane to the surface, thermowelding a first length of the bituminous membrane to the surface with said wheeled device, engaging the device at a location with a carrier after the length of bituminous membrane has been thermowelded to the surface, the carrier comprising a first base member, a second base member, a set of elongated support members extending between the first base member and the second base member, and at least one wheel movably engaged with each of the first base member and the second base member, moving the carrier with the device engaged therewith to a different location, disengaging the device from the carrier, and thermowelding at least one additional length of bituminous membrane to the surface.

According to a further illustrative aspect, disclosed is a method for thermowelding a bituminous membrane to a surface, the method comprising engaging a bituminous membrane with a wheeled device configured for thermowelding the bituminous membrane to the surface, thermowelding a first length of the bituminous membrane to the surface with said wheeled device, engaging the device at a location with a carrier after the length of bituminous membrane has been thermowelded to the surface, the carrier comprising a first base member, a second base member, a first elongated support member extending between the first base member and the second base member, at least one wheel movably engaged with each of the first base member and the second base member, a second elongated support member extending between the first base member and the second base member and mounted forwardly of the first base member and the second base member, a wheel mounted to the second elongated support member, and a pivotable handle mounted to the second elongated support member; moving the carrier with the device engaged therewith to a different location, disengaging the device from the carrier, and thermowelding at least one additional length of bituminous membrane to the surface.

According to a further illustrative embodiment, disclosed is a method of moving a device for thermowelding a construction membrane to a surface from a first location to a second location, the method comprising locating the carrier at a first location on a surface, the carrier comprising a first base member, a second base member, a set of elongated support members extending between the first base member and the second base member, and at least one wheel movably engaged with each of the first base member and the second base member, engaging the device for thermowelding a construction membrane to a surface with the carrier at the first location, and moving carrier with the device engaged therewith to a second location.

According to a further illustrative embodiment, disclosed is a method of moving a device for thermowelding a construction membrane to a surface from a first location to a second location, the method comprising locating the carrier at a first location on a surface, the carrier comprising a first base member, a second base member, a first elongated support member extending between the first base member and the second base member, at least one wheel movably engaged with each of the first base member and the second base member, a second elongated support member extending between the first base member and the second base member and mounted forwardly of the first base member and the second base member, a wheel mounted to the second elongated support member, and a pivotable handle mounted to the second elongated support member; engaging the device for thermowelding a construction membrane to a surface with the carrier at the first location, and moving carrier with the device engaged therewith to a second location.

According to a further illustrative aspect, disclosed is the use of a carrier to move a wheeled device for thermowelding a construction membrane to a surface from a first location to a second location on a surface, the carrier comprising a first base member, a second base member, a first elongated support member extending between the first base member and the second base member, at least one wheel movably engaged with each of the first base member and the second base member, a second elongated support member extending between the first base member and the second base member and mounted forwardly of the first base member and the second base member, a wheel mounted to the second elongated support member, and a pivotable handle mounted to the second elongated support member.

The Summary of Illustrative Embodiments section of the present Specification is intended as a brief introduction to certain illustrative embodiments of the disclosure and should not be considered to limit the scope of the appended claims in any manner whatsoever.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The presently described illustrative embodiments can be more fully understood when the present disclosure is read in view of the accompanying drawing figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an illustrative embodiment of the carrier of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the illustrative embodiment of the carrier shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the illustrative embodiment of the carrier shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an illustrative device for thermowelding bituminous membranes to a roof surface.

FIG. 4B is a side view of the illustrative embodiment of the carrier with the movable wheeled device for thermowelding bituminous membranes to a surface of FIG. 4A engaged with the carrier.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of another illustrative embodiment of the carrier for a device for thermowelding bituminous membranes to a roof surface.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the illustrative embodiment of the carrier for a device for thermowelding bituminous membranes to a roof surface shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the illustrative embodiment of the carrier for a device for thermowelding bituminous membranes to a roof surface shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the illustrative embodiment of the carrier for a device for thermowelding bituminous membranes to a roof surface shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the illustrative embodiment of the carrier for a device for thermowelding bituminous membranes to a roof surface shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed is a carrier for moving a device configured for thermowelding a bituminous membrane to a surface. By way of example, the carrier is used for moving a device configured for themowelding bituminous membranes to a surface, such as car park surfaces, bridges, overpasses, roof surfaces, sidewalks, streets, walkways, and walls. According to certain embodiments, the device configured for thermowelding a bituminous membrane to a surface is a wheeled device. According to certain illustrative embodiments, the device configured for thermowelding a bituminous membrane to a surface is an automated wheeled device. According to certain illustrative embodiments, the device configured for thermowelding a bituminous membrane to a surface is an automated wheeled device that is self-propelled and can be programmed to be self-guided.

According to certain illustrative embodiments, the carrier comprises a first base member, a second base member that is spaced-apart from the first base member, a set of elongated support members that extend between the first base member and the second base member, and at least one wheel that is movably engaged with each of the first base member and second base member.

The first base member of the carrier comprises a top wall having opposite facing first and second surfaces, a first edge (also referred to as the front edge or leading edge), a second edge (also referred to as the rear edge or trailing edge), an outer side edge, and inner side edge. The first base member also includes a side wall extending downwardly from the second surface from the inner side edge of the top wall of the first base member. The side wall includes opposite facing first and second surfaces, a first edge (also referred to as the front edge or leading edge), a second edge (also referred to as the rear edge or trailing edge), and bottom edge.

The second base member of the carrier comprises a top wall having opposite facing first and second surfaces, a first edge (also referred to as the front edge or leading edge), a second edge (also referred to as the rear edge or trailing edge), an outer side edge, and an inner side edge. The second base member also includes a side wall extending downwardly from the second surface of the top wall at the inner side edge of the of top wall of the second base member. The side wall of the second base member includes opposite facing first and second surfaces, a first edge (also referred to as the front edge or leading edge), a second edge (also referred to as the rear edge or trailing edge), and a bottom edge.

The carrier comprises a first elongated support member that has opposite first and second ends and a length defined between the first and second ends. The carrier further includes a second elongated support member having opposite first and second ends and a length defined between the first and second ends.

The first ends of the first and second elongated support members are connected to the second surface of the side wall of the first base member and second ends of the first and second elongated support members are connected to the second surface of the side wall of the second base member. The first and second elongated support members are positioned in a spaced-apart and parallel configuration from one another. According to certain embodiments, the first and second elongated support members are positioned in the same vertical plane and in a spaced-apart and parallel configuration from one another. The first and second elongated support members extend horizontally from the second surface of the side wall of the first base member to the second surface of the side wall of the second base member to provide support for a surface of a wheeled device for thermowelding bituminous membranes to a surface. The first and second elongated support members are connected to the side walls of the first and second base members at a location at or near the bottom edges of the side walls of the first and second base members.

The carrier includes a plurality of braces or gussets for reinforcing the walls of the first and second base members. According to certain embodiments, the carrier includes a first gusset plate connected to the second surface of the top wall of the first base member and the first surface of the side wall of the first base member to reinforce the walls of the first base member and to maintain a configuration. According to certain embodiments, the carrier comprises a second gusset plate connected to the second surface of the top wall of the second base member and the first surface of the side wall of said second base member to reinforce the walls of the second base member and to reinforce a configuration.

The carrier also includes a plurality of bracing members or gusset plates for reinforcing the connection of the first and second elongated support members to the downwardly extending side walls of the first and second base members. According to certain embodiments, the gusset plates for connecting the first and the second elongated support members to the side wall of the first base member and the side wall of the second base member are connected to the second surfaces of the downward extending side walls of the first and second base members.

The carrier also includes a plurality of gusset sets for reinforcing the connection of the first and second elongated support members to the downwardly extending side walls of the first and second base members. Each of the plurality of the gusset sets may comprise two gusset plates that are positioned in a spaced-apart and parallel extending arrangement. The two gusset plates of each set of gusset plates may be of the same geometry. According to certain embodiments, the carrier includes at least one set of spaced-apart gusset plates for reinforcing the connection of the first and second elongated support members to the downwardly extending side walls of the first and second base members. According to certain embodiments, the carrier includes at least two sets of spaced-apart gusset plates for reinforcing the connection of the first and second elongated support members to the downwardly extending side walls of the first and second base members. According to certain embodiments, the carrier includes at least three sets of spaced-apart gusset plates for reinforcing the connection of the first and second elongated support members to the downwardly extending side walls of the first and second base members. According to certain embodiments, the carrier includes at least four sets of spaced-apart gusset plates for reinforcing the connection of the first and second elongated support members to the downwardly extending side walls of the first and second base members.

The gusset plates used for reinforcing the connection of the first and second elongated support members to the downwardly extending side walls of the first and second base members comprise gusset plate side edges, a gusset plate bottom edge, and a bevel edge. The gusset plate side edges of gusset plates of the gusset plate sets are connected to the second surfaces of the side walls of the first and second base member. The sets of gusset plates of the carrier extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the horizontally extending first and second elongated support members.

The first end of the first elongated support member is positioned between the spaced-apart gusset plates of a gusset plate set connected to the second surface of the side wall of the first base member, and the second end of the first elongated support member is positioned between gusset plates of a gusset plate set connected to the second surface of side wall of the second base member. The first end of the second elongated support member is positioned between a second set of the spaced-apart gusset plates of a gusset plate set connected to the second surface of the side wall the of first base member and the second end of the second elongated support member is positioned between the spaced-apart gusset plates of a second set of gusset plates connected to the second surface of the side wall of the second base member.

The carrier further comprises at least one elongated interference or stop member that is mounted on the carrier. According to certain embodiments, at least one elongated interference or stop member is mounted forwardly of the leading edges of the first and second base members of the carrier. According to certain embodiments, the carrier comprises at least one elongated interference or stop member that extends horizontally between the inner surfaces of the first and second side walls of the first and second base members. The at least one interference or stop member is connected to the first and second base members at a location at or near the top edges of the side walls of the first and second base members. According to certain embodiments, first and second elongated support members are connected to the side walls of the first and second base members at a location at or near the bottom edges of the side walls of the first and second base members, and the at least one elongated interference or stop member is connected to the first and second base members at a location at or near the top edges of the side walls of the first and second base members. The elongated interference or stop member provides an interference that prevents the front edge of the thermowelding device from extending beyond the front edge of the carrier and ensures proper engagement and positioning of the thermowelding device within the carrier.

The carrier comprises at least one wheel connected to or engaged with each of the first and second base members of the carrier. According to certain illustrative embodiments, the carrier comprises a set of wheels connected or engaged to each of the first and second base members of the carrier. According to certain illustrative embodiments, the carrier comprises a set of wheels connected or engaged to each of the first and second base members of the carrier wherein each of the sets of wheels comprise two wheels. According to certain illustrative embodiments, the carrier comprises a set of wheels connected or engaged to each of the first and second base members of the carrier wherein each of the sets of wheels comprise two wheels and wherein the two wheels of each set of wheels are aligned along an imaginary longitudinal axis extending in the direction from the front to the rear of the carrier.

According to other illustrative embodiments, the carrier comprises a first base member, a second base member, a first elongated support member extending between the first base member and the second base member, at least one wheel movably engaged with each of the first base member and the second base member, a second elongated support member extending between the first base member and the second base member mounted forwardly of the first base member and the second base member, a wheel mounted to the second elongated support member, and a pivotable handle mounted to the second elongated support member.

The first base member of the carrier comprises a top wall having opposite facing first and second surfaces, a first edge (also referred to as the front edge or leading edge), a second edge (also referred to as the rear edge or trailing edge), an outer side edge, and inner side edge. The first base member also includes a side wall extending downwardly from the second surface from the inner side edge of the top wall of the first base member. The side wall includes opposite facing first and second surfaces, (also referred to as the front edge or leading edge), a second edge (also referred to as the rear edge or trailing edge), and bottom edge.

The carrier comprises a first elongated support member having opposite first and second ends and a length defined between the first and second ends. The first end of the first elongated support member is connected to the second surface of the side wall of the first base member and second end of the first elongated support member is connected to the second surface of the side wall of the second base member. The first elongated support member extends horizontally from the second surface of the side wall of the first base member to the second surface of the side wall of the second base member to provide support for a surface of a wheeled device for thermowelding bituminous membranes to a surface. The first elongated support member is connected to the side walls of the first and second base members at a location at or near the bottom edges of the side walls of the first and second base members.

The carrier includes a plurality of braces or gussets for reinforcing the walls of the first and second base members. According to certain embodiments, the carrier includes a first reinforcing member connected to the second surface of the top wall of the first base member and the first surface of the side wall of the first base member to reinforce the walls of the first base member and to maintain a desired configuration. According to certain embodiments, the carrier comprises a second reinforcing member connected to the second surface of the top wall of the second base member and the first surface of the side wall of said second base member to reinforce the walls of the second base member and to reinforce a desired configuration.

The carrier also includes a plurality of reinforcing members or gusset plates for reinforcing the connection of the first elongated support member to the downwardly extending side walls of the first and second base members. According to certain embodiments, the gusset plates for connecting the first elongated support member to the side wall of the first base member and the side wall of the second base member are connected to the second surfaces of the downward extending side walls of the first and second base members.

According to certain embodiments, the carrier includes a plurality of gusset sets for reinforcing the connection of the first elongated support member to the downwardly extending side walls of the first and second base members. Each of the plurality of the gusset sets may comprise two gusset plates that are positioned in a spaced-apart and parallel extending arrangement. The two gusset plates of each set of gusset plates may be of the same geometry. According to certain embodiments, the carrier comprises at least one set of spaced-apart gusset plates for reinforcing the connection of the first elongated support member to the downwardly extending side walls of the first and second base members. According to certain embodiments, the carrier includes at least two sets of spaced-apart gusset plates for reinforcing the connection of the first elongated support member to the downwardly extending side walls of the first and second base members.

The gusset plates used for reinforcing the connection of the first elongated support member to the downwardly extending side walls of the first and second base members comprise gusset plate side edges, a gusset plate bottom edge, and a bevel edge. The gusset plate side edges of gusset plates of the gusset plate sets are connected to the second surfaces of the side walls of the first and second base member. The sets of gusset plates of the carrier extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the horizontally extending first elongated support member.

According to this alternative embodiment, the carrier further comprises a second elongated support member that is mounted on the carrier. According to certain embodiments, the second elongated support member is mounted forwardly of the leading edges of the first and second base members of the carrier. According to certain embodiments, the second elongated support member that extends horizontally between the first and second side walls of the first and second base members. The second elongated support member is connected to the first and second base members at a location at or near the top edges of the side walls of the first and second base members. The second elongated support member provides a connection or mounting surface for an additional mounting member or plate for mounting at least one of (i) at least one wheel or a (ii) handle. The second elongated support member additionally provides an interference or stop surface that prevents the front edge of the thermowelding device from extending beyond the front edge of the carrier and ensures proper engagement and positioning of the thermowelding device within the carrier.

According to certain embodiments, the carrier includes a pivotable handle mounted to the carrier. The pivotable handle may be pivotably connected or pivotably mounted directly to the second elongated support member of the carrier. According to alternative illustrative embodiments, the pivotable handle may be pivotably connected or mounted to the second elongated support member through an additional mounting member. According to this configuration, the additional mounting member is connected to the second elongated support member of the carrier and the pivotable handle is pivotably connected or mounted to the additional mounting member. According to certain embodiments, the additional mounting member is mounted forwardly of the second elongated support member of the carrier. The additional mounting member may comprise a planar plate member having opposite facing first and second major surfaces and the planar mounting plate is mounted forwardly of the second elongated support member. The pivotable handle is pivotably mounted on the first major surface of the planar mounting plate member. At least one wheel may be mounted downwardly from the second opposite facing major surface of the planar mounting plate member.

According to certain embodiments, the carrier comprises at least one wheel connected to or engaged with each of the first and second base members of the carrier and at least one additional wheel connected to or engaged with the additional mounting member. According to certain illustrative embodiments, the carrier comprises a set of wheels connected or engaged to each of the first and second base members of the carrier and at least one additional wheel connected to or engaged with the additional mounting member. According to certain illustrative embodiments, the carrier comprises a set of wheels connected or engaged to each of the first and second base members of the carrier wherein each of the sets of wheels comprise two wheels, and at least one additional wheel connected to or engaged with the additional mounting member. According to certain illustrative embodiments, the carrier comprises a set of wheels connected or engaged to each of the first and second base members of the carrier wherein each of the sets of wheels comprise two wheels and wherein the two wheels of each set of wheels are aligned along an imaginary longitudinal axis extending in the direction from the front to the rear of the carrier, and at least one additional wheel connected to or engaged with the additional mounting member. According to any of these embodiments, the additional wheel may mounted to the carrier substantially equidistant relative to the wheels connected to the first and second base members of the carrier.

According to further illustrative embodiments, the wheels may comprise caster wheels. The caster wheels comprise a wheel and a fork. According to other embodiments, the caster wheels comprise a wheel, a fork, and a top plate. For embodiments of the caster wheel comprising a top plate, the top plate comprises flat or planar piece of material. The top plate may be used to connect the caster wheel to another object. The top plate may be connected to another object by mechanical fasteners, welding, or any other suitable connection means. According to certain embodiments, the top plate of each of the caster wheels of the first set of two wheels is connected to the second surface of the top wall of the first base member of the carrier and the top plate of each of the caster wheels of the second set of two wheels is connected to the second surface of the top wall of the second base member of the carrier. The fork is attached to the top plate and holds the wheel with an axle passing through the wheel and attaching to each side of the fork.

The casters wheels may be either rigid or swivelable. A rigid caster wheel comprises a wheel that is mounted to a stationary fork. The wheels can only travel in a straight line and do not have the ability to rotate or turn corners as the stationary fork is fixed at the time it is mounted to an object. A swivelable caster wheel includes a wheel, a fork, a swivel connection or joint positions above the fork, and optionally a top plate. The swivel connection or joint permits the fork to rotate or swivel 360º. A swivelable caster wheel is a caster wheel having a fork and wheel that are configured to swivel 360º. According to certain embodiments, the caster wheels of the carrier are swivelable. For any of the above described embodiments of the caster wheels, wheels may be provided in tandem on a common wheel axis connected to a fork. The load of the of the membrane application device may be distributed across the carrier by using wheels having a suitable width.

Additionally disclosed is a combination comprising a device for thermowelding a construction membrane to a surface and a carrier for moving the device from a first location on a surface to a second location on a surface. According to certain embodiments, the carrier broadly comprises a first base membrane, a second base member, a set of elongated support members extending between the first base member and the second base member, and at least one wheel movably engaged with each of the first base member and the second base member. According to other embodiments, the carrier comprises a first base member, a second base member, a first elongated support member extending between the first base member and the second base member, at least one wheel movably engaged with each of the first base member and the second base member, a second elongated support member extending between the first base member and the second base member and mounted forwardly of the first base member and the second base member, a wheel mounted the second elongated support member, and optionally a pivotable handle mounted to the second elongated support member. The carrier of the combination may comprise any of the other illustrative embodiments described hereinabove. According to certain embodiments, the device comprises a device for thermowelding construction membrane to a roof surface. According to other embodiments, the device comprises a device for thermowelding a waterproofing membrane to a surface. According to other embodiments, the device comprises a device for thermowelding a bituminous membrane to a surface. According to certain embodiments, the device comprises a device for thermowelding a bituminous membrane to a roof surface. According to certain embodiments, the device comprises a device for thermowelding a waterproofing and sealing bituminous membrane to a roof surface.

By way of illustration, and not in limitation, the device for thermowelding a construction membrane, such as a bituminous membrane, to a target surface comprises a device emits hot air for heating and thermowelding rolls of bituminous membranes. According to certain illustrative embodiments, the device for thermowelding a bituminous membrane to a target surface comprises a device configured to emit hot air for heating rolls of bituminous membranes to thermoweld such bituminous membranes to a roof surface. The thermowelding device is suitable for thermowelding both base and cap sheets of a roof covering system.

The thermowelding device includes a chassis or base frame to support a housing and a housing supported on the chassis. The chassis includes a set of driven wheels positioned on both sides of the housing which are rotatably engaged with an axle. The chassis also includes a cantilevered plate and pull bar for tilting the thermowelding device rearwardly toward the installer to position the device for thermowelding a length of bituminous membrane or for moving the device from one location to another location. The thermowelding device is automated. The automated thermowelding membrane device may be programmed to be self-guided and self-propelled along a desired path to thermoweld strips of bituminous membrane to a target surface, such as a roof surface. The device may also be programmed to be displaced along a desired path at a suitable velocity to lay strips of heated bituminous membrane to an underlaying target roof surface.

The thermowelding device also includes an air inlet for receiving air into a housing, a combustion chamber located within the housing, a fuel inlet for receiving fuel into the combustion chamber, a hot air outlet in fluid communication with the chamber for expelling hot air from the housing, a nozzle in fluid connection with the hot air outlet to direct hot air onto a roll of bituminous membrane engaged with the device, and a blower for creating and maintaining an airflow from the air inlet to the combustion chamber and out the hot air outlet through the nozzle.

The thermowelding device includes a mounting member for mounting a roll of bituminous membrane to be unrolled and thermowelded to a roof surface. The rolled bituminous membrane is mounted on the roll mount and is unrolled while being applied to the roof surface to be covered. The bituminous membrane is unrolled from the roll mount and hot air is expelled from the hot air outlet of the chamber onto the bituminous membrane to heat the membrane, and then the heated bituminous membrane engages the roof surface as the hot air thermowelding device is displaced along a desired path at a suitable velocity. The thermowelding device may further include a pressure roller for applying pressure to the thermowelded membrane to increase its adherence to the roof surface. By way of illustration, but not in limitation, a suitable device for thermowelding bituminous membranes to a roof surface is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,631,678 and is commercially available under the commercial name MINI MACADEN™ from SOPREMA, Inc. (Wadsworth, Ohio, USA). U.S. Pat. No. 7,631,678 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Additionally disclosed is a method of thermowelding a construction membrane to a surface. According to certain embodiments, the method comprises thermowelding a construction membrane comprising a bituminous membrane to a surface. According to certain illustrative embodiments, the bituminous membrane comprises a roofing membrane. According to certain illustrative embodiments, the bituminous roofing membrane is reinforced with a reinforcement. The reinforcement may be selected from at least one of inorganic fibers and organic fibers. Without limitation, and only by way of illustration, the inorganic fibers comprise fiberglass fibers. The organic fibers may comprise polymer fibers. Without limitation, and only by way of limitation, the organic polymer fibers are selected from polyester fibers and polyolefin fibers. The fiber reinforcement may be provided in the form of chopped fibers or a fiber fabric. The fiber fabric may be provided in the form of a unidirectional, bidirectional, or multidirectional fiber fabric.

According to other illustrative embodiments, the roofing membrane comprises a polymer-modified bituminous membrane. The polymer-modified bituminous membrane may be modified with an organic polymer. The polymer may comprise an elastomeric polymer. Suitable elastomeric polymers for modifying the bituminous membrane include block copolymers include styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) and styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) to provide SBS-modified bituminous membranes or SIS-modified bituminous membranes, respectively. According to certain illustrative embodiments, the polymer-modified bituminous roofing membrane is reinforced with a reinforcement. The reinforcement may be selected from at least one of inorganic fibers and organic fibers. Without limitation, and only by way of illustration, the inorganic fibers comprise fiberglass fibers. The organic fibers may comprise polymer fibers. Without limitation, and only by way of limitation, the organic polymer fibers are selected from polyester fibers and polyolefin fibers. The fiber reinforcement may be provided in the form of chopped fibers or a fiber fabric. The fiber fabric may be provided in the form of a unidirectional, bidirectional, or multidirectional fiber fabric.

The method for thermowelding a bituminous membrane to a surface comprises engaging a roll of bituminous membrane with an automated and programmable wheeled device that is configured for thermowelding the bituminous membrane to a roof surface. The automated and programmable thermowelding device is programmed to lay a first length of the bituminous membrane to the roof surface along a predetermined path of travel along the roof surface and a predetermined distance. The thermowelding device is engaged with the carrier at a location after the length of bituminous membrane has been thermowelded to the roof surface. The carrier with the thermowelding device engaged therewith is moved to a different location. Once the carrier with the thermowelding device is moved to a second location different from the location where it was engaged, the thermowelding device is disengaged from the carrier, and at least one additional length of bituminous membrane is thermowelded to the roof surface in the same or similar manner as the first length of bituminous membrane.

FIG. 1 is a front view of carrier 10. Carrier 10 includes first 11 and second 12 base members. First base member 11 includes a top wall 13 having opposite facing first 14 and second 15 surfaces. Top wall 13 includes first edge 16, second edge 17, outer side edge 18 and inner side edge 19. First base member 11 includes a side wall 20 extending downwardly from the second surface 15 at the inner side edge 19 of the of top wall 13. Side wall 20 includes opposite facing first 21 and second 22 surfaces. Side wall 20 includes first edge 23, second edge 24, and bottom edge 25. Second base member 12 of carrier 10 includes a top wall 26 having opposite facing first 27 and second 28 surfaces. Top wall 26 includes first edge 29, second edge 30, outer side edge 31 and inner side edge 32. Second base member 12 includes a side wall 33 extending downwardly from the second surface 28 at the inner side edge 32 of the of top wall 26. Side wall 33 includes opposite facing first 34 and second 35 surfaces. Side wall 33 includes first edge 36, second edge 37, and bottom edge 38. Gusset plate 11a is connected to second surface 15 of top wall 13 of first base member 11 and first surface 21 of side wall 20 of first base member 11. Gusset plate 12a is connected to second surface 28 of top wall 26 of first base member 12 and first surface 34 of side wall 33 of first base member 12.

Still referring to FIG. 1, carrier 10 further includes first 39 and second 40 elongated support members for supporting the weight of a construction membrane application device. First elongated support member 39 has opposite first 41 and second 42 ends and a length defined between the first 41 and second 42 ends. Second elongated support member 40 includes opposition first 44 and second 45 ends and a length defined between the first 44 and second 45 ends. First end 41 of first elongated support member 39 is connected or engaged to second surface 22 of side wall 20 of first base member 11. Second end 42 of elongated support member 39 is connected or engaged to second surface 35 of side wall 33 of second base member 12. First 39 and second 40 elongated support bars are positioned in the same vertical plane in a spaced-apart and parallel configuration from each other. First 39 and second 40 elongated support members extend horizontally from the second surface 22 of side wall 20 of first base member 11 to the second surface 35 of side wall 33 of second base member 12.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, carrier 10 includes four sets of gusset plates 46-49 for connecting first 39 and second 40 elongated support members to side wall 20 of first base member 11 and side wall 33 of second base member 12. Gusset plate set 46 includes spaced-apart gusset plates 46a, 46b. Gusset plate 46a has gusset plate side edges 46c, 46d, bottom gusset plate edge 46e and bevel edge 46f. Gusset plate 46b has gusset plate side edges 46g, 46h, bottom gusset plate edge 46i and bevel edge 46j. Gusset plate side edge 46c of gusset plate 46a is connected to second surface 22 of side wall 20 of first base member 11. Gusset plate edge side edge 46g of gusset plate 46b is connected to second surface 22 of side wall 20 of first base member 11. Gusset plate set 47 includes spaced-apart gusset plates 47a, 47b. Gusset plate 47a has gusset plate side edges 47c, 47d, bottom gusset plate edge (not shown) and bevel edge 47e. Gusset plate 47b has gusset plate side edges 47g, 47h, bottom gusset plate edge 47i and bevel edge 47j. Gusset plate side edge 47c of gusset plate 47a is connected to second surface 22 of side wall 20 of first base member 11. Gusset plate edge side edge 47g of gusset plate 47b is connected to second surface 22 of side wall 20 of first base member 11.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, gusset plate set 48 includes spaced-apart gusset plates 48a, 48b. Gusset plate 48a has gusset plate side edges 48c, 48d, bottom gusset plate edge 48e and bevel edge 48f. Gusset plate 48b has gusset plate side edges 48g, 48h, bottom gusset plate edge (not shown) and bevel edge 48i. Gusset plate side edge 48c of gusset plate 48a is connected to second surface 35 of side wall 33 of second base member 12. Gusset plate edge side edge 48g of gusset plate 48b is connected to second surface 35 of side wall 33 of second base member 12. Gusset plate set 49 includes spaced-apart gusset plates 49a, 49b. Gusset plate 49a has gusset plate side edges 49c, 49d, bottom gusset plate edge 49e and bevel edge 49f. Gusset plate 49b has gusset plate side edges 49g, 49h, bottom gusset plate edge 49i and bevel edge 49j. Gusset plate side edge 49c of gusset plate 49a is connected to second surface 35 of side wall 33 of second base member 12. Gusset plate edge side edge 49g of gusset plate 49b is connected to second surface 35 of side wall 33 of second base member 12.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, first end 41 of first elongated support member 39 is positioned between gusset plates 46a, 46b of gusset plate set 46 and is connected to second surface 22 of side wall 20 of first base member 11. The opposite second end 42 of first elongated support member 39 is positioned between gusset plates 48a, 48b of gusset plate set 48 and is connected to second surface 35 of side wall 33 of first base member 12. The first end 44 of second elongated support member 40 is positioned between gusset plates 47a, 47b of gusset plate set 47 and is connected to second surface 22 of side wall 20 of first base member 11. The opposite second end 45 of second elongated support member 40 is positioned between gusset plates 49a, 49b of gusset plate set 49 and is connected to second surface 35 of side wall 33 of first base member 12. Elongated interference or stop member 70 is mounted forwardly of first 11 and second 12 base members.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first set of undriven caster wheels 50. Caster wheel set 50 includes wheels, 51, 52, forks 53, 54, and top plates 55, 56. Top plates 55, 56 are connected to the second surface 14 of top wall 13 of first base member 11 of carrier 10 with mechanical fasteners. Wheels 51, 52 of first caster wheel set 50 are aligned along a first imaginary axis. Carrier 10 includes a second set of caster wheels 60. Caster wheel set 60 includes wheels, 61, 62, forks 63, 64, and top plates 65, 66. Top plates 65, 66 are connected to the second surface 28 of top wall 26 of second base member 12 of carrier 10 with mechanical fasteners. Wheels 61, 62 of first caster wheel set 60 are aligned along a second imaginary axis.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a device 100 for thermowelding bituminous membranes to a surface. Device 100 includes a chassis 102. Mounted on chassis 102 of device 100 is a blower 104 and air inlet 106. Mounted on top of chassis 102 is the power unit 108 for the blower 104. Device 100 has a housing 110 that houses a combustion chamber 112. Combustion chamber 112 is in fluid communication with air outlet portion 114. Air outlet portion 114 is supported by support 116. Support 116 also supports roll mount 118 and pressure roller 120. Wheels 122 are mounted on each side of chassis 102 of device 100. Chassis 102 of device 100 also includes pull bar 124 and cantilevered plate 126 that extend rearwardly from chassis 102. FIG. 4A shows a thermowelded membrane 128 applied to a surface.

FIG. 4B shows device 100 for thermowelding bituminous membranes to a roof surface of FIG. 4A engaged with the carrier 10.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show top perspective and top plan views of carrier 200. Carrier 200 includes spaced apart first 201 and second 202 base members. Carrier 200 additionally includes first 203 elongated support member for supporting the weight of a construction membrane application device. First elongated support member 203 has opposite first 204 and second 205 ends and a length defined between the first 204 and second 205 ends. Carrier 200 also includes second elongated support member 206 having opposite first 207 and second 208 ends and a length defined between the first 207 and second 208 ends. First elongated support member 203 extends between first 201 and second 202 base members of carrier 200. Second elongated support member 206 is mounted forwardly of the first 201 and second 202 base members of the carrier 200. Additional mounting member 209 is mounted to the second elongated support member 206 of carrier 200. Pivotable handle 210 is pivotably mounted to second elongated support member 206 of carrier 200 through mounting member 209. Wheel 211 is movably mounted to first base member 201 of carrier 200 in a downward extending direction. Wheel 212 is movably mounted top second base member 202 of carrier 200 in a downward extending direction. Wheel 213 is movably mounted to additional mounting member 209 of carrier 200 in a downward extending direction.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 8, first base member 201 includes top wall 214 having a first edge 215, second edge 216, outer side edge 217 and inner side edge 218. First base member 201 includes a side wall 220 extending downwardly from the top wall 214 at the inner side edge 218 of the of top wall 214. Side wall 220 includes opposite facing first 221 and second 222 surfaces. Base member 202 includes top wall 223 having first edge 224, second edge 225, outer side edge 226 and inner side edge 227. Second base member 202 includes a side wall 228 extending downwardly from the top wall 223 at the inner side edge 227. Side wall 228 includes opposite facing first 229 and second 230 surfaces.

First end 204 of first elongated support member 203 is connected or engaged to second surface 222 of side wall 220 of first base member 201. Second end 205 of elongated support member 203 is connected or engaged to second surface 229 of side wall 228 of second base member 202. First elongated support member 203 extends horizontally from the second surface 222 of side wall 220 of first base member 201 to the second surface 229 of side wall 228 of second base member 202.

Referring to FIG. 8, carrier 200 includes two sets 240, 241 of gusset plates for connecting first elongated support member 203 to side wall 220 of first base member 201 and side wall 229 of second base member 202. Gusset plate set 240 includes spaced-apart gusset plates 242, 243. Gusset plate 242 has gusset plate side edges, bottom gusset plate edge and bevel edge. Gusset plate 243 has gusset plate side edges, bottom gusset plate edge and bevel edge. Gusset plate edge side edge of gusset plate 242 and gusset plate edge side edge of gusset plate 243 are connected to second surface 222 of side wall 220 of first base member 201.

Still referring to FIG. 5, gusset plate set 241 includes spaced-apart gusset plates 244, 245. Gusset plate 244 has gusset plate side edges bottom gusset plate edge and bevel edge. Gusset plate 245 has gusset plate side edge bottom gusset plate edge and bevel edge. Gusset plate edge side edge of gusset plate 244 and gusset plate edge side edge of gusset plate 245 are connected to second surface 229 of side wall 228 of first base member 202.

Still referring to FIG. 5, first end 204 of first elongated support member 203 is positioned between gusset plates 242, 243 of gusset plate set 240 and is connected to second surface 222 of side wall 220 of first base member 201. The opposite second end 205 of first elongated support member 203 is positioned between gusset plates 244, 245 of gusset plate set 241 and is connected to second surface 229 of side wall 228 of second base member 202.

Second elongated support member 206 includes first 207 and second 208 ends and a length extending between the first and second opposite ends. Second elongated support member 206 is mounted to first base member 201 and second 202 base member of carrier 200. First opposite end 207 of second elongated support member 206 is connected to the first edge 215 of first base member 201. Second opposite end 208 of second elongated support member 206 is connected to the first edge 224 of second base member 202. Second elongated support member 206 extends horizontally from first base member 201 to second base member 202 of carrier 200.

Referring to FIGS. 7-9, carrier 200 includes a plurality of caster wheel assemblies. Each caster wheel assembly includes an undriven caster wheel, a fork member, and a plate member for connecting the caster wheel assembly to the first and second base members 201, 202 of the carrier 200. A first caster wheel assembly includes undriven caster wheel 211, fork, and top connecting member. Top connecting member is connected to the second surface of top wall 214 of first base member 201 of carrier 200 with mechanical fasteners. A second caster wheel assembly includes undriven caster wheel 212, fork, and top connecting member. Top connecting member is connected to the second surface of top wall 223 of second base member 202 of carrier 200 with mechanical fasteners. A third caster wheel assembly includes undriven caster wheel 213, fork, and top connecting member. Top connecting member is connected to the second surface of additional mounting member 209 of carrier 200 with mechanical fasteners. Wheels 211, 212 are aligned along an imaginary horizontal axis extending between first and second base member 201, 202.

While illustrative embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiments for performing the same function of the present embodiments without deviating therefrom. Further, all embodiments disclosed are not necessarily in the alternative, as various embodiments of the invention may be combined to provide the desired characteristics. Variations can be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the present embodiments should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the recitation of the attached claims.

	Number	Date	Country
	63585587	Sep 2023	US
	63454880	Mar 2023	US

CARRIER FOR MEMBRANE THERMOWELDING DEVICE

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CPC

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Provisional Applications (2)