Patent Grant
11555318
The present invention relates to protective covering of roofs and, more particularly, to the covering of damaged or under construction roofs.
Roofs are susceptible to damage from high winds, rain or hail. Tiled roofs for example may have a considerable area of tiles either damaged from hail impact, or dislodged completely as the result of high intensity storms. Shingled roofs are liable to be similarly damaged, and even metal sheeted roofs may suffer partial or total removal of one or more sheets. Damage to roofs may also be caused by the impact of falling trees or large branches.
Storm or impact damage cannot usually be immediately repaired so that to prevent further or potential damage to the interior of the building, temporary covering must be provided. Typically canvas (or similar material) tarpaulins are placed over the damaged part of the roof and secured to the structure by ropes.
One disadvantage of this method of temporary covering is the difficulty of adequately securing a tarpaulin to the roof so that they remain very vulnerable to dislodgement should high winds prevail or recur and often require continuing attention and adjustment. Moreover, they are heavy and awkward to position, posing occupational health and safety issues. A further disadvantage is that they are expensive to acquire and bulky to store, and if the may many roofs are damaged in one storm event, the number of tarpaulins available may be inadequate.
Buildings under construction, particularly timber framed, brick clad dwellings, are frequently constructed in a sequence where the timber frame, including that of the roof, is completed a considerable time before the roof cladding can be added. A disadvantage of this construction technique is that during this period the timber of the structure, which may even include timber or particle board flooring, is liable to deterioration from water and sun. A further disadvantage of this sequence of construction is that, if rain intervenes at the time further internal work is scheduled, the lack of roof covering may cause considerable delay and financial loss.
It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.
The term “comprising” (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of “having” or “including”, and not in the exclusive sense of “consisting only of”.
The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country.
According to one broad form of the invention, there is provided a roof cover of a building under construction; said cover comprising a heat shrinkable film stretched over the roof framing of said building under construction; said film brought into conformity with said roof framing through application of heat.
Preferably, the heat shrinkable film provides a temporary or permanent waterproofing of said building under construction.
Preferably, the heat shrinkable film is provided with a heat reflecting surface.
Preferably, the heat shrinkable film forms a permanent layer; said layer excluding inclement weather from said building under construction.
Preferably, the heat shrinkable film is retained by mechanical means at edges of damaged or uncompleted roof framing.
Preferably, the mechanical means include a temporary batten affixed under eaves o said roof framing.
Preferably, the heat shrinkable film has a thickness of between 0.6 and 0.7 mm.
Preferably, the heat shrinkable film is a film of low-density polyethylene.
Preferably, the heat shrinkable film includes shrinking resins, UV inhibitors, anti-brittling compounds and strengtheners.
Preferably, the heat shrinkable film is retained as a permanent heat reflecting layer under subsequently applied permanent roof cladding.
According to another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of covering a roof of a building with a film of material; the film comprising an assembly of sheets of polymer film stretched over at least a portion of the roof; the method including the steps of:
Preferably, a portion of a trailing or leading end of the film is wrapped around a film securing batten sufficient to secure the film to the batten.
Preferably, the film securing batten is secured to a surface of the roof by suitable fasteners.
Preferably, application of the covering to an area of tiled roof includes the step of removing selected tiles to install supporting brackets to underlying roof framing.
Preferably, the film securing batten is attached to the supporting brackets.
Preferably, a film securing batten at a leading end of a first film of polymer material is secured together with a film securing batten at a trailing end of a second film of polymer material; the film securing battens place one on top of the other to allow fasteners to secure the battens to the underlying roof framing or to the roof cladding.
According to another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of applying a waterproof film of polymer material to a surface of a roof; the method including the steps of:
Preferably, the polymer material is a heat shrinkable material.
Preferably, in a further step of the method, heat is applied to the sheets to shrink and conform the sheets to the roof surface.
Preferably, edges of sheets along edges of the roof surface may be affixed to the edges of the roof by mechanical means.
Accordingly, in another broad form of the invention, there is provided a roof cover of a building under construction; said cover comprising a heat shrinkable film stretched over the roof framing of said building under construction; said film brought into conformity with said roof framing through application of heat.
Preferably, said heat shrinkable film provides a temporary or permanent waterproofing of said building under construction.
Preferably, said heat shrinkable film is provided with a heat reflecting surface.
Preferably, said heat shrinkable film forms a permanent layer; said layer excluding inclement weather from said building under construction.
Preferably, said heat shrinkable film is retained by mechanical means at edges of damaged or uncompleted roof framing.
Preferably, said mechanical means include a temporary batten affixed under eaves of said roof framing.
Preferably, said heat shrinkable film has a thickness of between 0.6 and 0.7 mm.
Preferably, said heat shrinkable film is a film of low-density polyethylene.
Preferably, said heat shrinkable film includes shrinking resins, UV inhibitors, anti-brittling compounds and strengtheners.
Preferably, said heat shrinkable film is retained as a permanent heat reflecting layer under subsequently applied permanent roof cladding.
In another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of covering a roof of a building with a film of material; the film comprising an assembly of sheets of polymer film stretched over at least a portion of the roof; the method including the steps of:
Preferably, a portion of a trailing or leading end of the film is wrapped around a film securing batten sufficient to secure the film to the batten.
Preferably, the film securing batten is secured to a surface of the roof by suitable fasteners.
Preferably, application of the covering to an area of tiled roof includes the step of removing selected tiles to install supporting brackets to underlying roof framing.
Preferably, the film securing batten is attached to the supporting brackets.
Preferably, a film securing batten at a leading end of a first film of polymer material is secured together with a film securing batten at a trailing end of a second film of polymer material; the film securing battens place one on top of the other to allow fasteners to secure the battens to the underlying roof framing or to the roof cladding.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
The roof cover system of the present invention provides for a system and method for covering a damaged or uncompleted roof of a building. The system uses a heat shrinkable film, preferably a low-density polyethylene containing shrinking resins, UV inhibitors, anti brittling compounds and strengtheners for tear resistance. The film is preferably between 150 and 300 microns in thickness and is provided in rolls of various widths and lengths. In at least one preferred form of the film, it is provided with a heat reflective surface.
With reference now to
If required, sharp edges protruding from the roof surface may first be covered with suitable wadding and adhesive tape to prevent possible tearing of the film during application.
The extent of roof to be covered is measured and the most suitable available width roll of the heat shrinkable film selected. Film is cut to one or more lengths sufficient to extend from one edge of the roof to an opposite edge. With reference to
The leading edge is now passed over the roof to the opposite edge (not shown) of the roof and the leading edge secured to the opposite side eaves in similar manner to that already described. If the outer side edge of the length of film adjoins an edge of the roof, this may be similarly secured under the eaves along that side of the roof. Alternatively, the leading edge may be secured to the barge or fascia boards.
Heat is now applied to the film at the underside of the eaves 24 with a heat gun (not shown) to cause the film 18 to shrink securely around the batten and the undersides of the eaves. The heat gun, now attached to an extension arm (not shown), is then used to apply heat to the entire length of film 18 stretched over the roof surface, causing it to tightly conform to the surface and covering missing or cracked tiles 12.
If the extent of the damage requires, successive lengths of film can be applied side by side with an overlap of preferably 150 mm. Heat is applied along these overlaps to seal the edges of the adjoining lengths together.
Valley areas and other discontinuities in the roof surface can be accommodated by cutting film to suit the are involve and heat sealing to adjoining film length edges. Vertical roof penetrations, such as chimney stacks ventilators and the like, are sealed by preferably a 300 mm rise of film. Edges of riser sections of film can be taped or cable-tied to the penetration.
By the above means, a damaged roof can be rapidly and securely covered to prevent water ingress and damage to the inside of the building. Unlike tarpaulins which are difficult to secure an remain liable to dislodgement in high winds, the heat shrinkable film by conforming closely to the roof surface, provides a secure seal over the damage until permanent repairs can be made.
In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, a heat shrinkable film may be applied to the roof framing of an uncompleted building. In this embodiment as shown in
In this embodiment also, lengths of film are prepared from suitable width rolls sufficient to stretch from one side of the roof to an opposite side. In this case the trailing and leading edges of the length of film are preferably attached by means of battens 20 fixed to the underside of the outer ends 26 of rafters 28, that is between the outer ends of the rafters 28 and the wall frame 30.
The heat shrinkable film 18 in this embodiment, is provided with a heat reflecting upper surface 32 so that the film 18 forms a permanent sarking layer beneath the roofing cladding, either tiles 34, as shown in
The weatherproof nature of the heat shrinkable material applied in this way provides for internal work on the building to continue in the event of inclement weather, thus increasing productivity and economy of construction.
In this further preferred embodiment, with reference now to
In a first step as shown in
The backing material 116 protecting the adhesive layer of the strips 112 is then removed exposing the adhesive as shown in
Turning now to
In this fourth preferred embodiment now with reference to
As shown in
The brackets 210 provided support for lengths of suitable material, for example timber battens. A portion of the trailing (or leading) end of the sheet of film 212 is wrapped around the batten (obscured in
In this further preferred embodiment, with reference now to
The film 302 may be over-wrapped as in the example of
Situations may arise in which the size of available film 302 is insufficient for example where a large area of roof requires protection and heat welding adjoining length of material impractical or undesirable. In that case as shown in
It will be understood, that although it may be necessary on a tiled roof to make use of the underlying battens of the roof framing for securing the film retaining batten by drilling through the tiles, a film securing batten may be secured directly to other roof cladding material such as, for example, metal cladding.
In this further embodiment, sheets of film may be prepared as described in the embodiments above, but in this instance the film of material may be affixed directly to a roof surface by use of double-sided adhesive tape. In a preferred arrangement, strips of the double-sided tape are prepared by removing the protective covering over the adhesive from one side of the tape and the strips placed on the roof surface around the area required to be covered.
The protective covering over the now uppermost sides of the strips of the positioned tape and the film pressed down onto the now exposed adhesive to secure the film in position.
In still a further preferred embodiment and with reference now to
In a preferred procedure, a first sheet 400 of the required number of sheets of heat shrinkable material is laid out on the roof surface 410 to indicate the sheet perimeter, and strips of adhesive 412 applied to at least the roof surface coincident with the sheet edges to be secured. Adhesive can also be applied to the edge or edges of the sheet to be secured.
This first sheet 400 is then brought into alignment with the prepared adhesive 412 on the roof surface 410 and a roller applied over the areas of adhesive to ensure bonding.
Adhesive is now applied to the roof surface for an adjoining second sheet 414, and the adjoining second sheet applied to the prepared adhesive with an overlap 416 over the adjacent edge 418 of the first sheet 400. Heat is then applied to the overlap 416 to heat weld the film of the sheets one to another along the overlap.
Thus, an area of a roof surface can be sequentially provided with a protective film of heat shrinkable material. After the recommended curing time of the adhesive has elapsed, heat is applied to the heat shrinkable material to shrink and closely conform the film to the roof surface.
Preferably, edges of sheets along an edge 420 of the roof, may be secured mechanically, (in addition to, or alternative to, adhesive) by any of the arrangements described above, for example by securing the sheet edge to a batten which may be attached to the edge of the roof by suitable fasteners.
Although in any of the above described embodiments, the preferred film is that of a heat shrinkable material, in at least some situations it may be unnecessary or undesirable to apply heat to the material. In those situations, the strength of the film is sufficient to confer the desired degree of protection to the roof.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008202416 | Jun 2008 | AU | national |
| 2008203409 | Jul 2008 | AU | national |
| 2008101060 | Oct 2008 | AU | national |
| 2009200232 | Jan 2009 | AU | national |
| 2020202535 | Apr 2020 | AU | national |
This patent application is a Continuation-in-Part Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/783,813 filed Oct. 13, 2017, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/995,966 filed May 31, 2011, which claims priority from PCT Patent Application No. PCT/AU2009/000685 filed Jun. 2, 2009, which claims priority from Australian Patent Application No. 2009200232 filed Jan. 22, 2009, Australian Patent Application No. 2008101060 filed Oct. 30, 2008, Australian Patent Application No. 2008203409 filed Jul. 30, 2008, and Australian Patent Application No. 2008202416 filed Jun. 2, 2008 and additionally claims priority from Australian Patent Application No. 2020202535 filed Apr. 15, 2020. Each of these patent applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20210230890 A1 | Jul 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12995966 | US | |
| Child | 15783813 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15783813 | Oct 2017 | US |
| Child | 17231755 | US |
