Patent Application
20240360685
For years, construction professionals have been called out in emergency situations where a homeowner or business has a skylight that has been damaged by hail, debris, wind, or faulty installation. Most skylights are not readily available to replace on the spot, so the contractor will cut tarp, cut roofing underlayment, or simply board up a skylight that is allowing the outside weather to get into homes and businesses. This is a time-consuming process with collateral damage to the roofing structure if nails or screws are used. The Emergency Skylight Cover fits over damaged skylights and tightens around the base to solve the emergency problem in an expeditious manner.
A device constructed of a polyethylene material that easily slides over the top of damaged skylights to mitigate further damage from storms. Each device is made for standard skylight sizes (16″×16″, 18″×18″, 12″×24″, 24″×48″, 36″×36″, and any custom size required. A polyethylene membrane is constructed in the required length and width with 4″ sides. Grommets are installed ½″ above the bottom hem, spaced at ⅓ intervals (depending on the length and width) and a drawstring is secured through the grommets to end on the front end of device where it is pulled tight around the base of the skylight. The corners are sewn for strength and shape of the skylight. This device will greatly improve the emergency response time in covering damaged skylights that were once covered by cutting, taping, tying, wrapping, or nailing the on-site manufactured cover to the roof. Along with the greatly improved installation time, the safety of the installer is greatly improved with the need of just one device.
Using a 12″×24″ skylight as an example, the cover is shown to have a 4″ hemmed border with metal grommets located ½″ up from the bottom seam and spaced out on ⅓ intervals. A drawstring is secured through grommets. The top of the skylight cover has a slightly higher apex to accommodate domed skylights.
