Patent Application
20230399848
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
The technical field relates generally to the field of residential and commercial structural maintenance and, more specifically, relates to the field of roof maintenance for residential and commercial structures.
Maintenance is the process of ensuring that buildings and structures retain a good appearance and operate at optimum efficiency. Inadequate maintenance can result in decay, degradation and reduced performance and can affect health and threaten the safety of users, occupants, and others in the vicinity. Building structure, and roofs in particular, are regularly subjected to harsh conditions including wind, rain, snow, heat, cold, and storms. Said conditions can cause damage to the roof, as well as the interior of the structure. For these reasons, roofs require regular maintenance to maintain optimum efficiency and continue to accomplish their design goals.
When roofs suffer considerable damage, however, significant construction or refurbishing services may be necessary. This may require an extended period of time to accomplish, as contractors must be found and assigned to the job, permits must be obtained, and money must be allocated and transferred. During this period time, the roof cannot be left unattended, as the roof the contents of the structure may suffer further damage. In these situations, therefore, temporary remedial or protective measures are necessary.
Various approaches to this problem have been proposed. A well-known approach to this problem is to attach a temporary water-impermeable membrane to the exterior of the roof to prevent water from penetrating the roof while it remains damaged, also known as the blue tarp method. These approaches, however, are difficult and time-consuming to implement. The current approaches to the problem of applying a temporary membrane to a damaged roof do not address the issue of properly fitting the membrane to the roof size and shape. The current approaches also do not address the issue of fastening the ends or the perimeter of the membrane to the roof. Improper fitting of the membrane to the size and shape of the roof can result in a membrane that can be removed by intense winds or permit water to enter in between the membrane and the roof. Additionally, improper fastening of the ends, or perimeter of, the membrane, can result in a membrane that is too easily removed and allows water penetration. For these reasons, the current approaches to the problem of applying a temporary membrane to a damaged roof are inadequate.
Additionally, the current approaches to the problem of applying a temporary membrane to a damaged roof, including the blue tarp method, add holes to the top of the roof, which can cause further water leakage into the structure, and only last for up to 90 days. In fact, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, even categorizes the blue tarp method as only a 30-day solution. Therefore, the current approaches to the problem of applying a temporary membrane to a damaged roof are temporary at best.
Furthermore, some of the current approaches to the problem of applying a temporary membrane to a damaged roof includes applying a live flame, via a blow torch, to the membrane so as to shrink it in place (i.e., shrink wrap), which is labor intensive and time consuming. In fact, when applying a live flame to a roof, safety precautions must be taken to prevent fire damage to the structure and prevent injuries to workers, which adds to the cost and complexity of such a method. Therefore, the current approaches to the problem of applying a temporary membrane to a damaged roof can be costly and therefore too expensive for the average consumer.
Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above, and particularly for a more efficient way of applying temporary remedial or protective measures onto a damaged roof.
A temporary elastic roof membrane is provided. This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of disclosed concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description including the drawings provided. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this Summary intended to be used to limit the claimed subject matter's scope.
In one embodiment, a large-width, single-ply temporary membrane for a roof includes a sheet of a linear low density polyetheylene (LLDPE) having a modulus of elasticity of at least 4 megapascals and a stretch percentage of at least 5%, wherein said sheet is self-adhering with a tensile adhesion strength of at least 1 psi when adhered to itself; and wherein said sheet is water impermeable and ultraviolet (UV) light resistant.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various example embodiments. In the drawings:
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While embodiments of the claimed subject matter may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the claimed subject matter. Instead, the proper scope of the claimed subject matter is defined by the appended claims.
The claimed subject matter improves over the prior art by providing an economic, user-friendly, and effective way of temporarily protecting a damaged roof, and the contents of the structure, from further damage. The claimed subject matter is further easy to learn for workers and timesaving to implement. The claimed subject matter further improves over the prior art by properly fitting the membrane to the roof size and shape and properly fastening the ends or the perimeter of the membrane to the roof. Proper fitting of the membrane to the size and shape of the roof results in a membrane that cannot be removed by intense winds or permit water to enter in between the membrane and the roof. Additionally, proper fastening of the ends, or perimeter of, the membrane, results in a membrane that is not easily removed and does not allow water penetration. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter does not introduce additional holes into the damaged roof and is a more than a temporary solution, as it can persist for periods of time longer than 90 days. Also, the claim subject matter provides a simple and easy to use bracket for both attaching the ends of the membrane to construction material and for attaching said construction material wrapped in the impermeable membrane to a roof without requiring any fasteners of any type, thereby resulting in less material used and fewer man hours to accomplish said task. Additionally, the disclosed membrane eliminates the need for applying heat or flame to the membrane, saving labor and time, and eliminating the safety precautions necessary to prevent fire damage to the structure and prevent injuries to workers. Therefore, the disclosed temporary membrane also reduces the complexity of applying the membrane and the costs of applying it, thereby making the process more affordable for the average consumer.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various example embodiments. The claimed system and method for temporary protection of a damaged roof will now be described with respect to
On the proximal side of the central planar element 102 is a lip 104 that extends vertically upwards from the horizontal base planar element 106, such that the lip 104 is perpendicular to the horizontal base planar element 106 and the lip is parallel to the central planar element 102. Note that the lip 104 has a height smaller than the height of the central planar element 102. Note also that the lip 104 may include a slight concave shape, which aids in applying pressure to the material placed within the gap 111, which is explained in greater detail below. The side of the lip 104 that faces outwards away from the device 100 is concave in the sense that is curves inwards and is hollowed out. The side of the lip 104 that faces inwards towards gap 111 is convex in the sense that it curves outwards. The portion of lip 104 that curves outwards towards gap 111 presents a protruding surface (i.e., the inside-facing surface of lip 104) that applies pressure to the material placed within the gap, such as the fascia 1208, as shown in
On the distal side of the central planar element 102 are a pair of arms 120, 122. Each arm comprises extends substantially vertically upwards from the horizontal base planar element 106, such that each arm is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal base planar element 106 and each arm is substantially parallel to the central planar element 102. In another embodiment, each arm extends upwards and deviates about 25 degrees from the vertical or 115 degrees from the horizontal base planar element 106. Note that as shown in
At the top of each arm is a catching tab, which is a short flat planar element that extends inwards (in the proximal direction) such that each catching tab is perpendicular to the corresponding arm. Arm 120 includes a catching tab 120a that extends inwards such that catching tab 120a is perpendicular to the arm 120. Arm 122 includes a catching tab 122a that extends inwards such that catching tab 122a is perpendicular to the arm 122.
On each arm is a pointy protrusion, which is a flat planar element with a point that extends inwards (in the proximal direction) such that each pointy protrusion is perpendicular to the corresponding arm. Arm 120 includes a pointy protrusion 140 that extends inwards such that pointy protrusion 140 is perpendicular to the arm 120. Arm 122 includes a pointy protrusion 142 that extends inwards such that pointy protrusion 142 is perpendicular to the arm 122. Each pointy protrusion points inwards towards the gap 155 and aids in attaching the bracket 100 to a piece of construction material that has been wrapped one or multiple times in a roof cover membrane, as explained in greater detail below. Each pointy protrusion is configured to pierce and couple to construction material that has been wrapped one or multiple times in a roof cover membrane.
On each arm is an orifice cause by the making of the pointy protrusion, since each pointy protrusion is a piece of flat metal that has been stamped out of the corresponding arm. Orifice 120 is made from the making of pointy protrusion 140 in the arm 120. Arm 122 includes orifice 132 made from the making of pointy protrusion 142. Each orifice takes the shape of the pointy protrusion which may be a triangular shape.
The pair of arms 120, 122 are configured to rotate about the vertex where the pair of arms 120, 122 meet the horizontal base planar element 106 when enough force or pressure is place against the pair of arms, such as a hammer blow. This is shown in
The membrane may be a large-width, single-ply temporary membrane comprising a sheet of a linear low density polyetheylene (LLDPE) having a modulus of elasticity of at least 4 megapascals and a stretch percentage of at least 5% (alternatively, 10% and 50%), wherein said sheet is self-adhering with a tensile adhesion strength of at least 1 pound per square inch (psi) when adhered to itself, and wherein said sheet is water impermeable and ultraviolet (UV) light resistant.
An elastic modulus (also known as modulus of elasticity) is the unit of measurement of the membrane's resistance to being deformed elastically (i.e., non-permanently) when a stress is applied to it. Elastic modulus is calculated as stress divided by strain, wherein stress is the force causing the deformation divided by the area to which the force is applied, and strain is the ratio of the change in the length of the membrane caused by the deformation to the original value of the parameter. Since strain is a dimensionless quantity, the units of elastic modulus are the same as the units of stress. Stretch percentage is the percentage the membrane increases in size when stretched to its maximum. Tensile adhesion strength is the ability of a material to resist loads under stress or deformation, without failure. The membrane exhibits elastic memory so its able to stretch to a point for attachment to a structure (see
In one embodiment, the membrane has a thickness of 12 mils and has a coefficient of friction of 0.4. In another embodiment, the membrane has a tear strength of at least 220 grams force per mil and a tensile strength of at least 3100 psi or at least 220 g/mil. Tear strength is defined as the energy required to tear apart a specimen of standard geometry. Tear strength is a measure of how well a material can withstand the effects of tearing. Tensile strength is the maximum stress that a material can withstand while being stretched or pulled before breaking.
In one embodiment, the membrane has a dart impact strength of at least 3100 psi or at least 100 g/mil. Dart impact strength is determined based on conducting a dart impact test performed on films and laminates to determine the effect of free-falling darts on the film or laminate. The energy created by the falling dart causes the film or laminate to fail under some specified conditions. The test is performed to assess the durability and strength of the film or laminate. In another embodiment, the membrane is ultraviolet (UV) light resistant for at least 24 months and is flame retardant, such as Class A ASTM E84 Certification with zero flame spread, which refers to a Flame Spread Index of 0. In yet another embodiment, the membrane is configured to securely attach to an adhesive.
The water impermeable membrane may be provided in rolls 910 of a certain width. In one embodiment, each roll 910 of the water impermeable membrane comprises a width of about 24 to 48 inches, with each roll provided from about 40 feet to about 120 feet of length of the water impermeable membrane.
In one alternative embodiment, strips, or portions of, the rolls 910 are cut from the roll before they are placed on top of the damaged roof 902 of the residential structure 900. In this embodiment, a length of impermeable membrane is cut from the roll, and subsequently placed on top of the damaged roof 902 of the residential structure 900. In this embodiment, workers measure the length of impermeable membrane needed for the roof, and subsequently, said measured length of impermeable membrane is cut from the roll, and then placed on top of the damaged roof 902 of the residential structure 900.
In other embodiments, the construction material 1102 may be other items, such as portions of metal siding, portions of roof tile, etc.
In an alternative embodiment, the construction material 1102 is a flexible piece of plastic strip that is available in a coiled form in 50-foot coils. The plastic, which may be regrind plastic, is uncoiled for use as the construction material for attaching to the roof. The plastic strip may be a flexible, elongated band of material. The plastic strip is wrapped in the end of the unrolled strip 1002 as described above, and the unrolled strip is attached to the plastic strip as described above. Said plastic strip is smaller than wood planks, easier to store, flexible for use in different shapes and allows work crews to work more efficiently. In one alternative embodiment, the plastic strip is not wrapped in the end of the unrolled strip 1002, as described above, rather, the outward edge of the end of the unrolled strip 1002 is attached to the plastic strip either using adhesive tape, adhesive or using a fastener 1109, as described above.
In an alternative embodiment where the construction material 1102 is a flexible piece of plastic strip, the plastic is uncoiled for use as the construction material for attaching to the roof, and the plastic strip is attached to the vertical, outward-facing fascia 1208 of the eaves of the roof as described above.
In one embodiment, the method or process of attaching the ends of the unrolled strip 1004 to the eaves of the damaged roof 902 occurs as follows. A first unrolled strip of the impermeable membrane is draped over the roof 902, wherein the end of the strip overhangs the eaves of the roof. Then, a wood plank is placed horizontally under the end of the strip that overhangs the eaves of the roof, such that the wood plank is placed below the eaves of the roof. The wood plank is placed far enough below the eaves of the roof such that when the wood plank is rolled up in the end of the strip (described below), the wood plank is at the height of the fascia of the eaves of the roof. Next, the left and right sides of the strip are cut vertically such that the strip is coextensive with a length of the wood plank. The end of the strip is also cut horizontally below the wood plank. That is, assuming the wood plank is placed horizontally so that it is parallel with the fascia of the eaves of the roof, a vertical cut is placed in the end of the strip on the left of the wood plank, a vertical cut in placed in the end of the strip on the right of the wood plank, and a horizontal cut is placed in the end of the strip below the wood plank.
In an alternative embodiment where the construction material 1102 is a flexible piece of plastic strip (wherein the plastic is uncoiled for use as the construction material for attaching to the roof, and the plastic strip is attached to the vertical, outward-facing fascia 1208 of the eaves of the roof), the plastic strip is placed horizontally under the end of the membrane strip that overhangs the eaves of the roof, such that the plastic strip is placed below the eaves of the roof. The plastic strip is placed far enough below the eaves of the roof such that when the plastic strip is rolled up in the end of the membrane strip (described below), the plastic strip is at the height of the fascia of the eaves of the roof. The left and right sides of the membrane strip are not necessarily cut vertically. The end of the membrane strip may be cut horizontally below the plastic strip. That is, assuming the plastic strip is placed horizontally so that it is parallel with the eaves of the roof, a horizontal cut is placed in the end of the membrane strip below the plastic strip. There is no need to cut the membrane strip vertically because the plastic strip may be extended beyond the left and right edges of the membrane strip.
In another alternative embodiment where the construction material 1102 is a flexible piece of plastic strip (wherein the plastic is uncoiled for use as the construction material for attaching to the roof, and the plastic strip is attached to the vertical, outward-facing fascia 1208 of the structure), the plastic strip is placed horizontally under the end of the membrane strip. The left and right sides of the membrane strip are not necessarily cut vertically. The end of the membrane strip may be cut horizontally below the plastic strip. That is, assuming the plastic strip is placed horizontally so that it is parallel with the end of the membrane strip, a horizontal cut may or may not be placed in the end of the membrane strip below the plastic strip. There is no need to cut the membrane strip vertically because the plastic strip may be extended beyond the left and right edges of the membrane strip. Then, the end of the membrane strip may be attached to the plastic strip using a fastener, adhesive tape or simply adhesive. Subsequently, the unrolled strip is pulled and stretched so as to place the strip under a tensile load, the construction material 1102 wrapped in membrane is attached to the bracket 100 and the bracket is attached to fascia 408 of the structure (while the strip is still stretched).
Returning to the wood plank embodiment, the wood plank may be fastened to the end of the strip using a plurality of staples. Next, the wood plank is rolled one half turn (180 degree turn), one full turn (360 degrees), two full turns (720 degrees), or three full turns in the end of the strip, such that the wood plank is at a height of the fascia of the eaves of the roof. Then, the unrolled strip is pulled and stretched so as to place the strip under a tensile load, the wood plank that was rolled in the end of the strip is attached to bracket 100 (as shown in
Said process described above for waterproofing a structure can also be used to provide wall insulation for a wall of a structure, to provide dust barriers for a structure, to provide waterproofing of a structure during construction, to provide waterproofing of a structure under construction that is lacking exterior windows, doors, and walls, and for containment of the interior of buildings. Said process described above for waterproofing a structure can also be used to provide a separation in the interior of buildings or warehouses for smaller temporary rooms for security or temperature control.
Note that although
Embodiments may be described above with reference to functions or acts, which comprise methods. The functions/acts noted above may occur out of the order as shown or described. For example, two functions/acts shown or described in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the functions/acts may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. While certain embodiments have been described, other embodiments may exist. Further, the disclosed methods' functions/acts may be modified in any manner, including by reordering functions/acts and/or inserting or deleting functions/acts, without departing from the spirit of the claimed subject matter.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.
Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, utility patent application Ser. No. 17/897,937 filed Aug. 29, 2022 and titled “Bracket and Method for Fastening Membrane to a Roof,” which is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, design patent application number 29/842,386 filed Jun. 13, 2022 and titled “Bracket for Fastening Roof Cover.” The subject matter of application Ser. Nos. 17/897,937 and 29/842,386 are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17897937 | Aug 2022 | US |
| Child | 17898758 | US | |
| Parent | 29842386 | Jun 2022 | US |
| Child | 17897937 | US |
