GB2517208A

GB2517208A - A roofing material dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2517208A
Application number: GB1314697.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Frederick Clothier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-08-16
Filing date: 2013-08-16
Publication date: 2015-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 2033-08-16
Also published as: GB2517208B; GB201314697D0

Abstract

A roofing material dispenser detachably connects a rotatable rolled sheet 1 with its axis of rotation parallel to a roof rafter. The dispenser may comprise a frame detachably connected to the rafter, with the rolled sheet removable from the frame. A spindle, cable or pair of cones may support the rolled sheet through its axis. The spindle, cable and cones may be centrally located, supported and permanently secured to two edges of the frame. One end of the spindle may be displaceable towards the other. The frame may comprise a first strut 5 with two sidebars 2, 3 to form a C-shaped arrangement around the spindle, cable or cone fixed to the strut. The frame may comprise a displaceable second strut 6. The axis of rotation may be supported above the roof rafter. The dispenser may be connected to the rafter by at least two spaced apart brackets 4, 11 or spikes.

Description

A ROOFING MATERIAL DISPENSER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a roofing material dispenser, more particularly but not exclusively a dispenser for aiding in laying felt on a roof.

Background

When roofing there is often a requirement for layers of material to be laid upon the roof structure in order to meet appropriate waterproofing and breathability requirements. Typically such materials are provided on a roll and must be unravelled in order to provide an appropriate length of material. This can be difficult when working on a roof as a user must ensure the material does not fall from the roof and 1 5 the user often has limited space to work in as well as varying roof shape to contend with meaning that material may have to be cut to length in situ to ensure optimal fitting.

* Often the roofing material may be unravelled from the roll whilst on the roof so as to *z:* 20 measure the desired length however, this may require two persons, one holding the roll and another pulling the length to prevent snagging and to ensure it unravels evenly. This may not be possible for a person who works solo on a roof. If the roll is * ..* positioned on a surface and unravelled it may become damage or be liable to falling *r" from the roof and therefore dangerous.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Granted United States patent US 6 705 059 (ROMES) discloses a carriage apparatus for carrying a roll of fabric as the roll of fabric is being dispensed along a wall structure, said carriage apparatus comprising: a first frame member having a first and a second surface; a second frame member extending at a first angle from said first frame member; a rotatable carrying member attached proximal said first surface of said first frame member and being capable of supporting a roll of fabric in a vertical orientation; a first contacting member attached proximal said second surface of said first frame member; a second contacting member attached proximal a first surface of said second frame member; wherein said first and second contacting members, in combination, are capable of cooperating with at least one element of a building structure such that said carriage apparatus will be moveably engaged to the at least one element.

United States patent application US 4 967 535 (ALDERMAN) discloses sheet material dispensing apparatus for use in progressively applying flexible sheet material to parallel mutually spaced purlins in the construction of a roof, said apparatus comprising a carriage for moving along the lengths of adjacent ones of the purlins of a roof structure, said carriage including roll support means for rotatably supporting a roll of flexible sheet material on said carriage for dispensation, guide means for guiding sheet material dispensed from a roll of material supported on said roll support means onto a pair of mutually spaced purlins beneath said carriage, and sheet support means mounted on said carriage for extending beneath and supporting a portion of the flexible sheet material extending from the roll of sheet material and spanning the mutually spaced purlins and extending away from the carriage back * **..* * toward a previously completed segment of the roof structure as additional roofing CC> 20 material is placed upon the purlins and sheet material during roof construction, whereby the sheet material is progressively fed from a roll supported on the carriage beneath the guide means and over the sheet support means in response to the * *** apparatus being moved along the purlins. * *

United States patent application US 4 078 355 (CLEMENSEN) discloses an apparatus mounted on the top of a building structure for applying insulation to a wall of the structure, the apparatus comprising: an angular shaped frame having support means mounted thereon for rotatably supporting a roll of insulating material parallel to the wall, said frame having a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion of said frame disposed parallel and adjacent the top of the wall, the front portion of said frame adjustably mounted to the rear portion of said frame so that the width of said frame can be adjusted to the width between spaced apart support members on the top of the building structure; guide means mounted on the front portion and rear portion of said frame, said guide means disposed on the spaced apart support members of the top of the building structure; and tension means rotatably mounted on the front portion of said frame for receiving one end of the insulating material there through and tightening the insulating material there around, and holding the insulating material in tension against the wall of the structure when one end of the insulating material is secured to the wall of the structure.

Summary of the lnention

According to the present invention there is provided a roofing material dispenser that detachably connects a rotatable rolled sheet with its axis of rotation parallel to a roof rafter.

Advantageously the present invention aids applying sheet suitable for roofing. A person simply pulls the sheet away from the rolled sheet and the sheet pulled off the roll pulls away parallel to the roof.

Preferably the roofing material dispenser comprises a frame wherein the rolled sheet is detachably connectable to the frame and the frame detachably connects to the roof rafter. * . * *

* The axis of rotation is supported above the roof rafter. * * . * .*

Advantageously the frame supports the rolled sheet above the roof rafter when the frame is connected to the roof and the frame is graspable as a handle for carrying the rolled sheet before the frame is attached to the roof. * .

Preferably the rolled sheet is detachably connectable either to the frame or directly to the roof rafter by a spindle, cable, or pair of cones arranged to support the rolled sheet through its axis.

Advantageously the rolled sheet in use spins along this axis. Advantageously by connecting the frame to the roof or by connecting the spindle directly to the roof, the rolled sheet on the spindle is aligned parallel with the roof. This enables a person to easily pull the end of the sheet way from the roll so that the sheet pulled away from the roll is parallel to the roof. Then the sheet easily lies on the roof.

Preferably the frame comprises two edges for receipt and support of the spindle, cable, or pair of cones and thereby supporting the rolled sheet between the edges.

Preferably the roofing material dispenser comprises an elongate spindle of material with two ends; and a frame arranged with an attachment means arranged to provide an elongate area of attachment along a rafter; wherein said means allow temporary attachment of the frame to a rafter, and wherein the spindle of material is arranged parallel to the rafter and centrally located on the frame.

In preferred embodiments the frame is substantially parallel to the rafter in use and extends upwards there from in the same plane.

In preferred embodiments the attachment means comprises at least two brackets, spaced apart on a lower part of the frame. Some further embodiments of the attachment means may comprise an elongate bracket creating an elongate contact area. Yet further embodiments of the frame may comprise rafter contacting areas in addition or the alternative to the brackets, wherein for example the frame or sidebars may comprise an elongate C or H section girder. ** * . .

* In some embodiments the rafter may comprise a steel, purlin or beam. * *

20 Said brackets are used to secure the dispenser to the rafter. The dispenser is * 0.

anchored thereby and a user is advantageously enabled to roll material out from the dispenser in a fixed relationship to the rafter, and preferably over a strip of roof orthogonally extending from the rafter where the dispenser is attached. * *

The material is a roll of material on a spindle. The spindle permits rolling and unrolling of a rolled length of the material. Said spindle may be integral to the roll, or part of the dispenser, for example providing a central rigid core to a roll.

Advantageously the brackets are arranged for temporary anchorage on said rafter.

The user is able to move the dispenser along the rafter as and when required in order to roll material onto further sections of the roof, parallel to the previous section and orthogonal to the rafter.

In preferred embodiments therefore the brackets attachment means permits lateral movement along the rafter, without detachment there from, whilst minimising or preventing movement orthogonal to and ideally pivoted about the rafter.

In preferred embodiments a plurality of variant brackets may be arranged about the frame in order that a plurality of different width rafters may be accommodated. In yet further embodiments the attachment means may comprise adjustment mechanisms for example comprising clamping mechanisms or grub screws.

In preferred embodiments two sets of brackets are spaced apart on opposing edges of the frame with the material intermediately situated between, in order that the material may be unrolled in either direction, and the frame reversed for use of either set of brackets.

The dispenser thereby comprises: a frame which is mountable and remountable along an elongate surface such as a rafter by means of at least two brackets, and a spinthe ideally adjustable in length or more particularly having two ends that may be spaced apart, said spindle or ends for arranging or receiving a roll of roofing material such as felt. Said spindle may be included in the roll at manufacture or purchase. *

In typical embodiments the dispenser is mounted upen a rafter such as a beam or * purlin by means of the brackets on the roof upon which a user is working so that felt or other material can be dispensed from a fixed point by unrolling from the dispenser and laid upon the roof, in addition without risk of the roll falling from the roof or becoming snagged during unravelling. * S.. * . .

Ideally the frame is shaped with two parallel horizontal sidebars joined by at least one vertical strut.

In preferred embodiments a first end is fixed in to a first strut in a fixed arrangement with the sidebars. Said first strut and sidebars may comprise a fixed C shape arrangement, wherein the second strut may be displaceable in order for example to insert a spindle, insert a roll onto a spindle or insert a roll between the ends.

The second end is ideally fixed to a displaceable second strut, which second strut may be wholly or partially displaced from the sidebars and frame. Said second strut may be partial and secured to only one of the sidebars, in order that the opposing sidebar may be in contact with the rafter along a longer length. Such a partial second strut may be displaceable from the sidebar entirely or may be rotatable about the sidebar so as to allow insertion of the material. In some further embodiments the second strut may extend from an inner face of the sidebars in use, so as to minimise interference with the rafter.

Said strut may be hinged onto one of the side bars or may be provided as a plate with at least two Iacunae into which the sidebars, and spindle where present and/or material in use, are inserted so as to form a unitary circular, rectangular or other continuous shape frame with an intermediate intersection.

The plate may be slid onto the sidebars and spindle where present and also serves to stabilise the frame by preventing the sidebars or spindle being twisted in relation other parts in use.

Some further embodiments may comprise a single strut, and an open second end.

Yet further embodiments may comprise a cap as a second end.

Typically the plate is elongate with a plurality of Iacunae which are capable of * supporting the ends, sidebars, material and spindle. Ideally the sidebars and spindle * may be of the same diameter so that all apertures may be of the same size.

Preferably the plate is also formed from metal so as to be strong and durable.

Typically the material is arranged on the frame parallel to the roof and corresponding to where the material is to be laid. ** a a

****.* * * Preferably the frame includes the spindle mounted centrally on the bars so that the frame and spindle are all aligned in the same plane.

Ideally the frame is formed from a strong, durable material such as metal, for example the material dispenser may be formed from steel or aluminium for a lighter weight version.

It may be envisaged that the two sidebars and spindle are all arranged parallel to one another in the same plane.

Typically the material may comprise various materials for use on different types of roof or for different purposes. For example the material may be felt for use in waterproofing, roofing membrane or insulation.

Ideally each end includes or accepts a conical, arcuate, stepped or otherwise progressively narrowing shape that serves to position and limit transverse or lateral movement of the material. Advantageously some such ends may be combined with the spindle, wherein the ends are able to move along the spindle, for example wherein at least one of the ends comprises a truncated cone with the spindle defining a central axis.

The ends are ideally urged towards each other in or before use in order that the material is ideally centred and consequently rolling of the material is regularised.

Only one or both of the ends may be moveable with respect to the frame.

In this way material is positioned centrally on the ends so that the material is paid out in a straight, even fashion and is less likely to become snagged when being unrolled.

It may be envisaged that a tip of the ends is dimensioned to be accepted within the * centre of the roll of material where no central spindle is present. * *. * * * * *.

In some embodiments the ends are sprung biased towards each other. In other embodiments at least one of the ends is displaceable. * * * ** *

Preferably the ends are adjustable in use by the user. For example the ends may be threaded so as to be accepted through a threaded hole in the struts. In this way the length of end passed through said hole can be varied to match the width of the material. Alternatively or additionally the Iacunae in the plate may be threaded so that the second end can also be threaded and adjusted at the opposite end.

Preferably the ends and/or spindle is/are secured into place by addition of a cap that is threaded onto a distal end of the spindle and urges the ends together. Ideally the cap is screwed onto the spindle to urge the end along the spindle towards the other end. In this way the position of the cap can be adjusted to a particular position on the spindle therefore allowing the spindle to accommodate different lengths of roll of material.

In other embodiments the cap may fit by a friction fit or clamping mechanism wherein it can be adjusted incrementally.

In some embodiments the cap may move the second strut along the spindle and/or reduce length of the sidebars for example in embodiments where the sidebars are telescopic or otherwise adjustable in length.

In preferred embodiments at least one of the ends or cap may also comprise a spring which is compressed by the cap to hold the end plate in position against the spindle.

It may be envisaged that in some embodiments the spindle or first end may be arranged higher or lower on the sidebar, therefore adjusting the height of the roll of material in use from the brackets. Ideally the spindle or end(s) may be moveably mounted on the sidebar(s), for example by means of a clamp\. The second end of the spindle is then located in a different lacuna on the plate.

: *** In preferred embodiments each sidebar includes at least one bracket for securing the * frame to a surface such as the rafter. Typically the bracket is U-shaped so as to be * capable of placement over the rafter. * * *

* Advantageously the brackets on each sidebar may be of different sizes so that frame can be flipped over to employ the brackets that best fit the surface on to which the dispenser will be attached. * 0

In some embodiments the bracket may be flat so as to be acOepted on a ledge or wall. For example the bracket may include apertures so as to be secure by means of a screw or bolt. Typically the brackets are also formed from metal and may be welded to the frame.

In preferred embodiments the bracket may include raised and lowered portions or at least one spike located on an inner face for contact with the rafter, said spike arranged to penetrate the rafter temporarily and help prevent movement along the rafter in use.

The roofing material dispenser is further described by the claims.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention in use; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a front view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a view of the second end of embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a view of the first end of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows an isometric exploded view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; And ** * . * * * Figures 7 to 9 show sketches of alternate embodiments. *.*** * *

*.". 20 Detailed Description of Figures * **

With reference to the figures the brackets 4,11 may have a width of 50mm and 32 *?: mm respectively, and depth and length of 100mm and the ends 8,12 taper from *.,..: lOOmmto22.5mm. * S

The roll of material 1 is held either on a spindle 14, wherein the spindle has a screw thread 10, which has a cap 9, wherein said cap 9 moves along the spindle 14 and pushes the second strut 6 along the sidebars 2,3.

The cap pushes against a spring 15. The ends 8,12 hold the roll I in place.

The second strut 6 has a length of 550mm and sidebars 2, 3 1200mm and the second strut has a plurality of holes 7. The frame 2,3,5, is partially or wholly constructed of 32mm steel tube, with a wall thickness of 2mm.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 9 a partial second strut 6 the width of the second strut 6 in contact with end may be 100mm with a central spindle 14 of 19mm.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and *.....

* equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. "a. * . . * .

a.. 4*.

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