US20050279040A1 - Integral roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assembly - Google Patents
Integral roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assembly Download PDFInfo
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- US20050279040A1 US20050279040A1 US10/874,443 US87444304A US2005279040A1 US 20050279040 A1 US20050279040 A1 US 20050279040A1 US 87444304 A US87444304 A US 87444304A US 2005279040 A1 US2005279040 A1 US 2005279040A1
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- roofing membrane
- heat
- side edge
- roofing
- membrane
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04D—ROOF COVERINGS; SKY-LIGHTS; GUTTERS; ROOF-WORKING TOOLS
- E04D5/00—Roof covering by making use of flexible material, e.g. supplied in roll form
- E04D5/12—Roof covering by making use of flexible material, e.g. supplied in roll form specially modified, e.g. perforated, with granulated surface, with attached pads
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04D—ROOF COVERINGS; SKY-LIGHTS; GUTTERS; ROOF-WORKING TOOLS
- E04D5/00—Roof covering by making use of flexible material, e.g. supplied in roll form
- E04D5/14—Fastening means therefor
- E04D5/141—Fastening means therefor characterised by the location of the fastening means
- E04D5/142—Fastening means therefor characterised by the location of the fastening means along the edge of the flexible material
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04D—ROOF COVERINGS; SKY-LIGHTS; GUTTERS; ROOF-WORKING TOOLS
- E04D5/00—Roof covering by making use of flexible material, e.g. supplied in roll form
- E04D5/14—Fastening means therefor
- E04D5/144—Mechanical fastening means
- E04D5/146—Linear fastening means, e.g. strips
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to roofing membrane or flashing assemblies, and more particularly to a new and improved roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assembly, and a method of fabricating the same, wherein the new and improved roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assembly comprises a roofing membrane or flashing member that is fabricated either from polyvinylchloride (PVC), a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), or a flexible thermoplastic polyolefine (FPO) material so as to be heat-weldable or heat-sealable and therefore capable of being heat-welded or heat-sealed, not only to other adjacent and overlapping roofing membranes which are fabricated from the same or similar materials so as to effectively form a composite roofing membrane structure which can be installed over the entire area expanse of a building roof, or at junctions defined between different roofing sections, but in addition, each roofing membrane or flashing member is capable of being heat-welded or heat-sealed to itself such that each roofing membrane or flashing member can have a
- Suitable fasteners can then be inserted through the upper or top side or surface of the roofing membrane or flashing member, through the batten or reinforcement strip, through the lower or bottom side or surface of the roofing membrane or flashing member, and into an underlying roof decking or similar roof substructure so as to fixedly secure the new and improved roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assemblies upon the roof decking or similar roof substructure.
- environmental membranes are usually secured upon roof decking substructures by means of a plurality of roofing seam plates which are disposed within linear arrays that are located adjacent to the edge portions of the environmental membranes which are to be heat-welded or heat-sealed to edge portions of adjacent environmental membranes, and wherein further, the plurality of roofing seam plates are spaced pre-determined distances apart from each other so as to provide the environmental membranes with suitable wind uplift force resistance characteristics.
- roofing seam plates are required in order to properly secure the plurality of environmental membranes onto the underlying roof decking substructure. It is to be further appreciated that in order to in fact properly secure the environmental membranes to the underlying roof decking substructure, the seam plates must be placed at the predetermined locations, and must be installed properly, that is, for example, they cannot be installed upside down. Obviously, the use of such seam plates entails significant costs, such as, for example, the costs to fabricate or manufacture the seam plates. In addition, it is quite time-consuming to have on-site personnel individually install such seam plates onto the underlying roof decking substructure, whereby the entire roofing process is rendered still more costly.
- the pre-assembled roofing element is disclosed at 28 and is seen to comprise an elastomeric membrane 30 to which a plastic batten strip 32 is adhesively bonded as at 34 .
- Fasteners 38 are adapted to be inserted into apertures 36 defined within the batten strip 32 so as to pass through the batten strip 32 and the membrane 30 whereby the same can fixedly secure the composite roofing element 28 to the underlying roof decking substructure 10 .
- the elastomeric membrane 30 is fabricated from an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber material which is not heat-weldable or heat-sealable.
- EPDM ethylene propylene diene monomer
- the membrane 28 cannot, by itself, be welded, sealed, or seamed to an adjacent elastomeric membrane, and accordingly, additional means must be employed in order to effectively overlap or seam adjacent elastomeric membranes together.
- the membrane cannot be welded, sealed, or seamed to itself in order to, for example, secure the batten strips within the composite roofing element 28 . Therefore, again, as has been noted, the batten strip 32 must be secured to the underlying elastomeric membrane 30 by additional means, such as, for example, the adhesive bonding 34 . It will be readily appreciated, however, that such adhesive bonding requires an additional processing or assembly operation which, again, enhances the costs of fabricating the composite roofing element 28 .
- the sheet member 10 is fabricated from a vapor permeable silicone rubber material, and that opposite edge portions 18 , 19 of the sheet member 10 are folded over onto themselves, as at 38 , 39 so as to effectively capture or envelop ductile strips 20 therewithin.
- Screw fasteners 16 are adapted to be inserted through the folded over portions 38 of the sheet member 10 , as well as through the ductile strips 20 , so as to be threadedly engaged within the underlying building structure 12 . It is noted, however, that in view of the fact that the sheet member 10 is fabricated from the aforenoted vapor permeable silicone rubber material, it is likewise not readily heat-weldable or heat-sealable.
- the sheet member 10 which comprises the primary component of the roof flashing structure, is fabricated, in a manner similar to that of the aforenoted membranes disclosed within the Hasan and Rathgeber et al. patents, from an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber material, and that opposite edge portions 12 , 13 of the sheet member 10 comprise thickened regions within which a pair of metal strips 21 , 22 are respectively embedded.
- EPDM ethylene propylene diene monomer
- Screw fasteners 26 are adapted to be inserted through the thickened edge portions 12 , 13 of the sheet member 10 , as well as through the embedded metal strips 21 , 22 , so as to be threadedly engaged within the underlying building structures 23 , 25 . Accordingly, it is to again be appreciated that in view of the fact that the material comprising the sheet member 10 is not heat-weldable or heat-sealable, then when the roof flashing structure is to be sealed, for example, to the roof panel membrane 24 , which is also fabricated from the same ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber material, a separate sealing strip 19 , 20 must be incorporated within the undersurface region of each thickened edge portion 12 , 13 of the sheet member 10 . The incorporation of the sealing strips 19 , 20 within the undersurface regions of the thickened edge portions 12 , 13 of the sheet member 10 again requires an additional processing or assembly operation which, in turn, enhances the costs of fabricating such roof flashing structures.
- EPDM ethylene propylene dien
- the new and improved roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assembly comprises a roofing membrane or flashing member that is fabricated either from polyvinylchloride (PVC), a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), or a flexible thermoplastic polyolefine (FPO) material so as to be heat-weldable or heat-sealable.
- PVC polyvinylchloride
- TPO thermoplastic polyolefin
- FPO flexible thermoplastic polyolefine
- the roofing membrane or flashing member is therefore capable of being heat-welded or heat-sealed, not only to other adjacent and overlapping roofing membranes, that are fabricated from the same or similar materials, so as to effectively form a composite roofing membrane structure which can be installed over the entire area expanse of a building roof, or at junctures defined between different roofing sections, but in addition, each roofing membrane or flashing member is capable of being heat-welded or heat-sealed to itself.
- each roofing membrane or flashing member can have a batten or reinforcement strip integrally incorporated within a central or core region, extending along at least one side edge portion of the roofing membrane or flashing member, without requiring the use of auxiliary bonding means which must be applied thereto by means of auxiliary bonding procedures or operations, and in addition, adjacent roofing membranes or flashing members can likewise be integrally connected to each other so as to cover the entire area expanse of a building roof, or at junctures defined between different roofing sections, without requiring such auxiliary bonding means which must be applied thereto by means of auxiliary bonding procedures or operations.
- the reinforcement battens or strips can be incorporated within the side edge portions of the roofing membranes by folded-over, extrusion, molding, or similar techniques.
- Suitable fasteners can then be inserted through the upper or top side or surface of the roofing membrane or flashing member, through the batten or reinforcement strip, through the lower or bottom side or surface of the roofing membrane or flashing member, and into an underlying roof decking or similar roof substructure so as to fixedly secure the new and improved roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assemblies upon the roof decking or similar roof substructure.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional, PRIOR ART composite, pre-assembled roofing element which comprises an elastomeric membrane to which a plastic batten strip has been adhesively bonded;
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional, PRIOR ART flashing structure wherein opposite edge portions of the sheet member of the flashing structure are folded over upon themselves and bonded together so as to effectively capture ductile strips therewithin;
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional of one of the opposite edge portions of the flashing structure as disclosed within FIG. 2 showing the details of the edge portions of the flashing structure wherein the edge portion of the flashing structure is fixedly secured to the underlying substructure by means of a threaded fastener inserted through the folded over sheet member and one of the ductile strips captured therein;
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a conventional, PRIOR ART flashing structure wherein opposite edge portions of the sheet member have thickened regions in which metal strips are embedded;
- FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional of one of the opposite edge portions of the flashing structure as disclosed within FIG. 4 , as taken along the lines 5 - 5 of FIG. 4 , showing the details of the metal strip being embedded within the thickened edge portion of the sheet member of the flashing structure and the fixation of the thickened edge portion of the flashing structure to the underlying substructure by means of a fastener inserted through the thickened edge portion of the sheet member and the ductile strip embedded therein;
- FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly wherein a flexible batten strip has been integrally incorporated within at least one side edge portion of the roofing membrane;
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly as disclosed within FIG. 6 , and as taken along lines 7 - 7 of FIG. 6 , showing the details of how the side edge portion of the roofing membrane is folded over upon itself and heat-welded or heat-sealed to itself so as to effectively capture and retain the batten or reinforcing strip within a substantially central or core region extending along the side edge portion of the roofing membrane;
- FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a roofing assembly comprising a pair of roofing membranes, one of which has a batten or reinforcement strip integrally incorporated within a side edge portion thereof in accordance with the technique illustrated within FIG. 7 , wherein side edge portions of the roofing membranes are heat-welded or heat-sealed to each other so as to form a seamed interface between the pair of roofing membranes;
- FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 7 but showing an alternative method of integrally incorporating the batten or reinforcement strip within the side edge portion of the roofing membrane;
- FIG. 10 is a top plan view, similar to that of FIG. 6 , showing, however, a new and improved roofing flashing member and batten or reinforcement strip assembly wherein a pair of flexible batten strips have been respectively integrally incorporated within both opposite side edge portions of the roofing flashing member; and
- FIG. 11 is a top plan view showing the use of the new and improved roofing flashing member and batten or reinforcement strip assembly, as disclosed within FIG. 10 , in use as a flashing structure in order to effectively interconnect roofing sections in an environmentally sealed manner.
- FIGS. 6 and 7 a new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly, which has been constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character 110 .
- the new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 110 is seen to comprise a membrane member 112 which is preferably fabricated from a heat-weldable or heat-sealable material such as, for example, polyvinylchloride (PVC), a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), or a flexible thermoplastic polyolefine (FPO), and it is noted that the thickness of the membrane member 112 can be within the range of 0.030-0.070 inches, and preferably within the range of 0.035-0.064 inches.
- a heat-weldable or heat-sealable material such as, for example, polyvinylchloride (PVC), a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), or a flexible thermoplastic polyolefine (FPO)
- PVC polyvinylchloride
- TPO thermoplastic polyolefin
- FPO flexible thermoplastic polyolefine
- At least one longitudinally extending side edge portion 114 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 112 is folded over beneath itself, as can clearly be seen from FIG. 7 , such that the distal edge region 116 of the side edge portion 114 can be heat-welded or heat-sealed to a relatively central region 118 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 112 as at 120 .
- a longitudinally extending tubular region 122 is effectively formed within which a longitudinally extending, flexible batten or reinforcement strip 124 is fixedly enveloped, encased, or encapsulated.
- the side edge portion 114 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 112 is folded over the flexible batten or reinforcement strip 124 and passed through a web feed flame heat welder, or similar welding device or mechanism, so as to fixedly envelop, encase, or encapsulate the flexible batten or reinforcement strip 124 within the folded over side edge portion 114 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 112 .
- the feed rate of the membrane member 112 is predeterminedly adjusted to a particular value as a function of various structural parameters characteristic of the particular membrane member 112 , such as, for example, the specific chemical composition of the membrane member 112 , its thickness dimension, and the like, so as to effectively ensure that proper heat-welding or heat-sealing of the membrane member 112 is in fact achieved while simultaneously preventing any burning of the membrane member 112 so as not to deleteriously affect the structural composition and structural integrity of the membrane member 112 .
- the flexible batten or reinforcement strip 124 may comprise or be fabricated from any one of several different materials, such as, for example, aluminum, lead, steel, a thermoplastic material, or the like, and that while a single batten or reinforcement strip 124 is disclosed within FIGS. 6 and 7 as being integrally incorporated within only one lateral side edge portion 114 of the membrane member 112 , a second batten or reinforcement strip 124 may likewise be integrally incorporated within the opposite lateral side edge portion of the membrane 112 , depending upon the particular application or use of the composite roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 110 .
- a plurality of apertures 126 which may be formed either during the manufacturing or fabrication process of the composite roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 110 , or alternatively, may be formed onsite by roofing installation personnel, are provided within the lateral side edge portion of the composite roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 110 , in a linearly aligned, longitudinally spaced array, so as to extend through the folded-over side edge portion 114 of the membrane member 112 , as well as through the batten or reinforcement strip 124 , whereby a plurality of fasteners, not shown, can be inserted through the apertures 126 for engagement within an underlying roofing substructure to which the composite roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 110 is to be secured.
- the externally disposed regions of the folded-over side edge portion 114 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 112 are readily accessible so as to be capable of being heat-welded or heat-sealed to an overlapping side edge portion 128 of a second heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 130 .
- a sealed interface is effectively defined between the adjacent heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane members 112 , 130 whereby, for example, an entire roofing substructure 132 may be covered by means of the environmental membrane members 112 , 130 .
- FIG. 9 an alternative method of integrally incorporating the batten or reinforcement strip, within the side edge portion of the roofing membrane, so as to form a new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly, which has been constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character 210 .
- those components of the new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 210 which correspond substantially to those components of the new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 110 will be designated by corresponding reference characters except that they will be within the 200 series.
- the new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 210 is seen to comprise a membrane member 212 which is preferably fabricated from a heat-weldable or heat-sealable material such as, for example, polyvinylchloride (PVC), a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), or a flexible thermoplastic polyolefine (FPO), and it is noted that the thickness of the membrane member 212 can be within the range of 0.030-0.070 inches, and preferably within the range of 0.035-0.064 inches. Contrary to the fold-over fabrication techniques disclosed in connection with the manufacture of the new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 110 , however, different fabrication techniques are utilized in connection with the manufacture of the new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 210 .
- PVC polyvinylchloride
- TPO thermoplastic polyolefin
- FPO flexible thermoplastic polyolefine
- the side edge portion 214 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 212 is effectively divided into upper and lower half-sections 214 -U and 214 -L, along a dividing line denoted at 234 , such that the upper and lower half-sections 214 -U, 214 -L of the side edge portion 214 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 212 are effectively maintained separated from each other so as not to be capable of meeting each other at this point in the fabrication process.
- the flexible batten or reinforcement strip 224 is then effectively inserted between the aforenoted upper and lower half-sections 214 -U, 214 -L of the side edge portion 214 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 212 whereupon further downstream feeding of the new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 210 , the fabrication of the new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 210 is completed whereby the flexible batten or reinforcement strip 224 is fixedly embedded within the side edge portion 214 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 212 .
- the flexible batten or reinforcement strip 224 may be embedded, encased, or encapsulated within the side edge portion 214 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 212 by means of suitable extrusion or molding techniques. Regardless of the particular manufacturing technique which is employed, the resulting structure, as illustrated within FIG. 9 , is effectively achieved.
- the flexible batten or reinforcement strip 224 may comprise or be fabricated from any one of several different materials, such as, for example, aluminum, lead, steel, a thermoplastic material, or the like, and still further, while a single batten or reinforcement strip 224 has been disclosed as being integrally incorporated within only one lateral side edge portion 214 of the membrane member 212 , a second batten or reinforcement strip 224 may likewise be integrally incorporated within the opposite lateral side edge portion of the membrane 212 , depending upon the particular application or use of the composite roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 210 .
- a plurality of apertures may be formed either during the manufacturing or fabrication process of the composite roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 210 , or alternatively, may be formed onsite by roofing installation personnel, so as to be provided within the lateral side edge portion of the composite roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 210 , in a linearly aligned, longitudinally spaced array, so as to extend through the side edge portion 214 of the membrane member 212 , as well as through the batten or reinforcement strip 224 , whereby a plurality of fasteners, not shown, can be inserted through the apertures for engagement within an underlying roofing substructure to which the composite roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 210 is to be secured.
- the new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 110 in view of the fact that the side edge portion 214 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 212 completely envelops, encases, or encapsulates the flexible batten or reinforcement strip 224 , the externally disposed regions of the side edge portion 214 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 212 are readily accessible so as to be capable of being heat-welded or heat-sealed to an overlapping side edge portion of a second heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member, as was shown within FIG. 8 in connection with the new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 110 .
- a sealed interface can effectively be readily defined between the adjacent heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane members whereby, for example, an en-tire roofing substructure may be covered by means of the environmental membrane members.
- the new and improved roofing flashing member and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 310 is adapted for use as a flashing structure in order to effectively interconnect roofing sections in an environmentally sealed manner.
- the new and improved roofing flashing member and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 310 is similar in structure to the new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assemblies 110 , 210 , and accordingly, those structural components of the new and improved roofing flashing member and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 310 which correspond substantially to those structural components of the new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assemblies 110 , 210 will be designated by corresponding reference characters except that they will be within the 300 series.
- the new and improved roofing flashing member and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 310 is seen to comprise a membrane member 312 which is preferably fabricated from a heat-weldable or heat-sealable material such as, for example, polyvinylchloride (PVC), a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), or a flexible thermoplastic polyolefine (FPO), and it is noted that the thickness of the membrane member 312 can be within the range of 0.030-0.070 inches, and preferably within the range of 0.035-0.064 inches.
- a membrane member 312 which is preferably fabricated from a heat-weldable or heat-sealable material such as, for example, polyvinylchloride (PVC), a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), or a flexible thermoplastic polyolefine (FPO)
- PVC polyvinylchloride
- TPO thermoplastic polyolefin
- FPO flexible thermoplastic polyolefine
- both of the longitudinally extending side edge portions 314 , 314 of the heat-weldable or heat-seal-able membrane member 312 are adapted to have flexible batten or reinforcement strips 324 , 324 fixedly mounted therewithin, and in connection with the actual formation of the longitudinally extending side edge portions 314 , 314 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 312 , either one of the fabrication techniques, as disclosed, for example, within FIG.
- the flexible battens or reinforcement strips 324 may comprise or be fabricated from any one of several different materials, such as, for example, aluminum, lead, steel, a thermoplastic material, or the like, and a plurality of apertures 326 may be formed either during the manufacturing or fabrication process of the composite roofing flashing member and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 310 , or alternatively, may be formed onsite by roofing installation personnel, so as to be provided within the lateral side edge portions of the composite roofing flashing member and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 310 , in a linearly aligned, longitudinally spaced array so as to extend through the side edge portions 314 , 314 of the membrane member 312 , as well as through the battens or reinforcement strips 324 , 324 whereby a plurality of fasteners, not shown, can be inserted through the apertures for engagement within underlying roof decking substructures 336
- composite roofing flashing member and batten or reinforcement strip assembly 310 and particularly the battens or reinforcement strips 324 , 324 , are sufficiently flexible so as to permit the same to conform to the profiles of the underlying metal roof decking substructures 336 , 336 .
- the new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assemblies 110 , 210 in view of the fact that the side edge portions 314 , 314 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 312 completely envelops, encases, or encapsulates the flexible battens or reinforcement strips 324 , 324 , the externally disposed regions of the side edge portions 314 , 314 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 312 are readily accessible so as to be capable of being heat-welded or heat-sealed to an overlapping side edge portion of an adjacent heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member, as was shown within FIG.
- the new and improved roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assembly comprises a roofing membrane or flashing member that is fabricated either from polyvinylchloride (PVC), a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), or a flexible thermoplastic polyolefine (FPO), material so as to be heat-weldable or heat-sealable.
- PVC polyvinylchloride
- TPO thermoplastic polyolefin
- FPO flexible thermoplastic polyolefine
- the roofing membrane or flashing member is therefore capable of being heat-welded or heat-sealed, not only to other adjacent and overlapping roofing membranes, that are fabricated from the same or similar materials, so as to effectively form a composite roofing membrane structure which can be installed over the entire area expanse of a building roof, or at junctures defined between different roofing sections, but in addition, each roofing membrane or flashing member is capable of being heat-welded or heat-sealed to itself.
- each roofing membrane or flashing member can have a batten or reinforcement strip integrally incorporated within a central or core region, extending along at least one side edge portion of the roofing membrane or flashing member, without requiring the use of auxiliary bonding means which must conventionally be applied thereto by means of auxiliary bonding procedures or operations, and in addition, adjacent roofing membranes or flashing members can likewise be integrally connected to each other so as to cover the entire area expanse of a building roof, or at junctures defined between different roofing sections, without requiring such auxiliary bonding means which must be applied thereto by means of auxiliary bonding procedures or operations.
- the reinforcement battens or strips can be incorporated within the side edge portions of the roofing membranes by folded-over, extrusion, molding, split-membrane, or similar manufacturing or fabrication techniques. Suitable fasteners can then be inserted through the upper or top side or surface of the roofing membrane or flashing member so as to extend through the batten or reinforcement strip, through the lower or bottom side or surface of the roofing membrane or flashing member, and into an underlying roof decking or similar roof substructure so as to fixedly secure the new and improved roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assemblies upon the roof decking or simi-lar roof substructure.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates generally to roofing membrane or flashing assemblies, and more particularly to a new and improved roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assembly, and a method of fabricating the same, wherein the new and improved roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assembly comprises a roofing membrane or flashing member that is fabricated either from polyvinylchloride (PVC), a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), or a flexible thermoplastic polyolefine (FPO) material so as to be heat-weldable or heat-sealable and therefore capable of being heat-welded or heat-sealed, not only to other adjacent and overlapping roofing membranes which are fabricated from the same or similar materials so as to effectively form a composite roofing membrane structure which can be installed over the entire area expanse of a building roof, or at junctions defined between different roofing sections, but in addition, each roofing membrane or flashing member is capable of being heat-welded or heat-sealed to itself such that each roofing membrane or flashing member can have a batten or reinforcement strip integrally incorporated within a central or core region of at least one side edge portion extending along the roofing membrane or flashing member whereby auxiliary bonding means, installed by auxiliary bonding operations or procedures, are rendered unnecessary. Suitable fasteners can then be inserted through the upper or top side or surface of the roofing membrane or flashing member, through the batten or reinforcement strip, through the lower or bottom side or surface of the roofing membrane or flashing member, and into an underlying roof decking or similar roof substructure so as to fixedly secure the new and improved roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assemblies upon the roof decking or similar roof substructure.
- When environmental roofing systems are to be installed upon roof decking substructures, the fabrication costs of such roofing systems, and the time and costs attendant the installation of such roofing system, comprise significant factors in connection with the selection of the particular components comprising the roofing systems. For example, environmental membranes are usually secured upon roof decking substructures by means of a plurality of roofing seam plates which are disposed within linear arrays that are located adjacent to the edge portions of the environmental membranes which are to be heat-welded or heat-sealed to edge portions of adjacent environmental membranes, and wherein further, the plurality of roofing seam plates are spaced pre-determined distances apart from each other so as to provide the environmental membranes with suitable wind uplift force resistance characteristics. As may therefore be readily appreciated, literally thousands of roofing seam plates are required in order to properly secure the plurality of environmental membranes onto the underlying roof decking substructure. It is to be further appreciated that in order to in fact properly secure the environmental membranes to the underlying roof decking substructure, the seam plates must be placed at the predetermined locations, and must be installed properly, that is, for example, they cannot be installed upside down. Obviously, the use of such seam plates entails significant costs, such as, for example, the costs to fabricate or manufacture the seam plates. In addition, it is quite time-consuming to have on-site personnel individually install such seam plates onto the underlying roof decking substructure, whereby the entire roofing process is rendered still more costly.
- Accordingly, in order to address the aforenoted costly fabrication procedures, as well as the costly installation requirements, attendant the use of the multitude of roofing seam plates, other environmental membrane installation and securement systems, techniques, or methods have been developed and implemented commercially. For example, as disclosed within U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,116, which issued to Hasan on Jan. 27, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,671, which issued to Rathgeber et al. on Nov. 28, 1995, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,685, which issued to Rathgeber et al. on May 10, 1994, there have been developed composite, pre-assembled roofing elements which comprise an elastomeric membrane to which a plastic batten strip has been adhesively bonded. With reference being made, for example, to
FIG. 1 , which corresponds substantially toFIG. 2 of any one of the Rathegeber et al. or Hasan patents, the pre-assembled roofing element is disclosed at 28 and is seen to comprise anelastomeric membrane 30 to which aplastic batten strip 32 is adhesively bonded as at 34.Fasteners 38 are adapted to be inserted intoapertures 36 defined within thebatten strip 32 so as to pass through thebatten strip 32 and themembrane 30 whereby the same can fixedly secure thecomposite roofing element 28 to the underlyingroof decking substructure 10. - It can therefore be appreciated that while such composite, pre-assembled
roofing element 28 may have, for example, economic advantages over the aforenoted conventional, PRIOR ART seam plate roofing membrane systems, in that the need to supply and install a multitude of individual seam plates has been obviated, other operational drawbacks or disadvantages, characteristic of such composite, pre-assembledroofing element 28, and theelastomeric membrane 30 comprising an integral component thereof, are nevertheless still present. For example, it is noted that theelastomeric membrane 30 is fabricated from an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber material which is not heat-weldable or heat-sealable. Consequently, themembrane 28 cannot, by itself, be welded, sealed, or seamed to an adjacent elastomeric membrane, and accordingly, additional means must be employed in order to effectively overlap or seam adjacent elastomeric membranes together. In addition, the membrane cannot be welded, sealed, or seamed to itself in order to, for example, secure the batten strips within thecomposite roofing element 28. Therefore, again, as has been noted, thebatten strip 32 must be secured to the underlyingelastomeric membrane 30 by additional means, such as, for example, theadhesive bonding 34. It will be readily appreciated, however, that such adhesive bonding requires an additional processing or assembly operation which, again, enhances the costs of fabricating thecomposite roofing element 28. - In addition to the aforenoted patents which issued to Hasan and Rathgeber et al., and which disclose the aforenoted roofing membrane assemblies, still other structures are known, and have likewise been disclosed within the patent literature, for use in connection with various other roofing applications. For example, as disclosed within U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,009, which issued to DeGraan on Apr. 7, 1987, as well as within U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,190, which issued to Allen on Jul. 31, 1984, different roof flashing structures are disclosed. It is noted, for example, from
FIGS. 2 and 3 , which correspond substantially toFIGS. 3 and 4 of the Allen patent, that thesheet member 10 is fabricated from a vapor permeable silicone rubber material, and thatopposite edge portions sheet member 10 are folded over onto themselves, as at 38,39 so as to effectively capture or envelopductile strips 20 therewithin.Screw fasteners 16 are adapted to be inserted through the folded overportions 38 of thesheet member 10, as well as through theductile strips 20, so as to be threadedly engaged within the underlyingbuilding structure 12. It is noted, however, that in view of the fact that thesheet member 10 is fabricated from the aforenoted vapor permeable silicone rubber material, it is likewise not readily heat-weldable or heat-sealable. Accordingly, it cannot be readily heat-weldable or heat-sealable to itself, and therefore, the folded overedge portions 38 thereof must necessarily be secured to each other by means of a suitable auxiliary bonding material which, again, requires an additional processing or assembly operation that, in turn, enhances the costs of fabricating such roof flashing structures. - In a similar manner, it is noted, for example, from
FIGS. 4 and 5 , which correspond substantially toFIGS. 2 and 3 of the DeGraan patent, that thesheet member 10, which comprises the primary component of the roof flashing structure, is fabricated, in a manner similar to that of the aforenoted membranes disclosed within the Hasan and Rathgeber et al. patents, from an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber material, and thatopposite edge portions sheet member 10 comprise thickened regions within which a pair ofmetal strips Screw fasteners 26 are adapted to be inserted through the thickenededge portions sheet member 10, as well as through the embeddedmetal strips underlying building structures sheet member 10 is not heat-weldable or heat-sealable, then when the roof flashing structure is to be sealed, for example, to theroof panel membrane 24, which is also fabricated from the same ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber material, aseparate sealing strip edge portion sheet member 10. The incorporation of thesealing strips edge portions sheet member 10 again requires an additional processing or assembly operation which, in turn, enhances the costs of fabricating such roof flashing structures. - A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assembly, and a method of fabricating or manufacturing the same, wherein the new and improved roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assembly can be fabricated from a suitable material which is heat-weldable or heat-sealable so as to be heat-welded or heat-sealed, not only to itself such that each roofing membrane or flashing member can have a batten or reinforcement strip integrally incorporated within a central or core region, which extends along at least one side edge portion of the roofing membrane or flashing member, without the need for auxiliary bonding materials, or the performance of auxiliary bonding procedures or operations, in order to secure the batten or reinforcement strips within the roofing membrane or flashing member, whereby the roofing membrane or flashing member can then be fixedly secured to an underlying roof decking or similar roof substructure by suitable fasteners inserted through the roofing membrane or flashing member, and the batten or reinforcement strips, but in addition, the roofing membrane can be heat-welded or heat-sealed to other adjacent or overlapping roofing membranes which are fabricated from the same or similar materials so as to effectively form a composite roofing membrane structure which can be installed over the entire area expanse of a building roof, or between different roofing sections, without the need for auxiliary bonding materials, or the performance of auxiliary bonding procedures or operations, in order to secure the roofing membranes or flashing members to each other.
- The foregoing and other objectives are achieved in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention through the provision of a new and improved roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assembly, and a method of fabricating the same, wherein the new and improved roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assembly comprises a roofing membrane or flashing member that is fabricated either from polyvinylchloride (PVC), a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), or a flexible thermoplastic polyolefine (FPO) material so as to be heat-weldable or heat-sealable. The roofing membrane or flashing member is therefore capable of being heat-welded or heat-sealed, not only to other adjacent and overlapping roofing membranes, that are fabricated from the same or similar materials, so as to effectively form a composite roofing membrane structure which can be installed over the entire area expanse of a building roof, or at junctures defined between different roofing sections, but in addition, each roofing membrane or flashing member is capable of being heat-welded or heat-sealed to itself. In this manner, each roofing membrane or flashing member can have a batten or reinforcement strip integrally incorporated within a central or core region, extending along at least one side edge portion of the roofing membrane or flashing member, without requiring the use of auxiliary bonding means which must be applied thereto by means of auxiliary bonding procedures or operations, and in addition, adjacent roofing membranes or flashing members can likewise be integrally connected to each other so as to cover the entire area expanse of a building roof, or at junctures defined between different roofing sections, without requiring such auxiliary bonding means which must be applied thereto by means of auxiliary bonding procedures or operations. The reinforcement battens or strips can be incorporated within the side edge portions of the roofing membranes by folded-over, extrusion, molding, or similar techniques. Suitable fasteners can then be inserted through the upper or top side or surface of the roofing membrane or flashing member, through the batten or reinforcement strip, through the lower or bottom side or surface of the roofing membrane or flashing member, and into an underlying roof decking or similar roof substructure so as to fixedly secure the new and improved roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assemblies upon the roof decking or similar roof substructure.
- Various other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional, PRIOR ART composite, pre-assembled roofing element which comprises an elastomeric membrane to which a plastic batten strip has been adhesively bonded; -
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional, PRIOR ART flashing structure wherein opposite edge portions of the sheet member of the flashing structure are folded over upon themselves and bonded together so as to effectively capture ductile strips therewithin; -
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional of one of the opposite edge portions of the flashing structure as disclosed withinFIG. 2 showing the details of the edge portions of the flashing structure wherein the edge portion of the flashing structure is fixedly secured to the underlying substructure by means of a threaded fastener inserted through the folded over sheet member and one of the ductile strips captured therein; -
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a conventional, PRIOR ART flashing structure wherein opposite edge portions of the sheet member have thickened regions in which metal strips are embedded; -
FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional of one of the opposite edge portions of the flashing structure as disclosed withinFIG. 4 , as taken along the lines 5-5 of FIG. 4, showing the details of the metal strip being embedded within the thickened edge portion of the sheet member of the flashing structure and the fixation of the thickened edge portion of the flashing structure to the underlying substructure by means of a fastener inserted through the thickened edge portion of the sheet member and the ductile strip embedded therein; -
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly wherein a flexible batten strip has been integrally incorporated within at least one side edge portion of the roofing membrane; -
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly as disclosed withinFIG. 6 , and as taken along lines 7-7 ofFIG. 6 , showing the details of how the side edge portion of the roofing membrane is folded over upon itself and heat-welded or heat-sealed to itself so as to effectively capture and retain the batten or reinforcing strip within a substantially central or core region extending along the side edge portion of the roofing membrane; -
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a roofing assembly comprising a pair of roofing membranes, one of which has a batten or reinforcement strip integrally incorporated within a side edge portion thereof in accordance with the technique illustrated withinFIG. 7 , wherein side edge portions of the roofing membranes are heat-welded or heat-sealed to each other so as to form a seamed interface between the pair of roofing membranes; -
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to that ofFIG. 7 but showing an alternative method of integrally incorporating the batten or reinforcement strip within the side edge portion of the roofing membrane; -
FIG. 10 is a top plan view, similar to that ofFIG. 6 , showing, however, a new and improved roofing flashing member and batten or reinforcement strip assembly wherein a pair of flexible batten strips have been respectively integrally incorporated within both opposite side edge portions of the roofing flashing member; and -
FIG. 11 is a top plan view showing the use of the new and improved roofing flashing member and batten or reinforcement strip assembly, as disclosed withinFIG. 10 , in use as a flashing structure in order to effectively interconnect roofing sections in an environmentally sealed manner. - Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
FIGS. 6 and 7 thereof, a new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly, which has been constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by thereference character 110. More particularly, the new and improved roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 110 is seen to comprise amembrane member 112 which is preferably fabricated from a heat-weldable or heat-sealable material such as, for example, polyvinylchloride (PVC), a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), or a flexible thermoplastic polyolefine (FPO), and it is noted that the thickness of themembrane member 112 can be within the range of 0.030-0.070 inches, and preferably within the range of 0.035-0.064 inches. In accordance with one of the unique and novel characteristics of the present invention, at least one longitudinally extendingside edge portion 114 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 112 is folded over beneath itself, as can clearly be seen fromFIG. 7 , such that thedistal edge region 116 of theside edge portion 114 can be heat-welded or heat-sealed to a relativelycentral region 118 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 112 as at 120. In this manner, a longitudinally extendingtubular region 122 is effectively formed within which a longitudinally extending, flexible batten orreinforcement strip 124 is fixedly enveloped, encased, or encapsulated. - In particular, during the membrane manufacturing web feed process, the
side edge portion 114 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 112 is folded over the flexible batten orreinforcement strip 124 and passed through a web feed flame heat welder, or similar welding device or mechanism, so as to fixedly envelop, encase, or encapsulate the flexible batten orreinforcement strip 124 within the folded overside edge portion 114 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 112. It is to be noted that the feed rate of themembrane member 112 is predeterminedly adjusted to a particular value as a function of various structural parameters characteristic of theparticular membrane member 112, such as, for example, the specific chemical composition of themembrane member 112, its thickness dimension, and the like, so as to effectively ensure that proper heat-welding or heat-sealing of themembrane member 112 is in fact achieved while simultaneously preventing any burning of themembrane member 112 so as not to deleteriously affect the structural composition and structural integrity of themembrane member 112. It is noted that the flexible batten orreinforcement strip 124 may comprise or be fabricated from any one of several different materials, such as, for example, aluminum, lead, steel, a thermoplastic material, or the like, and that while a single batten orreinforcement strip 124 is disclosed withinFIGS. 6 and 7 as being integrally incorporated within only one lateralside edge portion 114 of themembrane member 112, a second batten orreinforcement strip 124 may likewise be integrally incorporated within the opposite lateral side edge portion of themembrane 112, depending upon the particular application or use of the composite roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 110. - It is lastly seen that a plurality of
apertures 126, which may be formed either during the manufacturing or fabrication process of the composite roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 110, or alternatively, may be formed onsite by roofing installation personnel, are provided within the lateral side edge portion of the composite roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 110, in a linearly aligned, longitudinally spaced array, so as to extend through the folded-overside edge portion 114 of themembrane member 112, as well as through the batten orreinforcement strip 124, whereby a plurality of fasteners, not shown, can be inserted through theapertures 126 for engagement within an underlying roofing substructure to which the composite roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 110 is to be secured. It can therefore be readily appreciated from the foregoing discussion that not only do the one or more batten orreinforcement strips 124 therefore effectively take the place of, or obviate the need for, the plurality of conventional, PRIOR ART membrane or roofing seam plates, but in addition, the particular fabrication or manufacturing process or technique likewise eliminates the need for auxiliary bonding processes or steps since the folding over and enveloping, encasing, or encapsulating of the one or more batten orreinforcement strips 124, within the one or moreside edge portions 114 of themembrane member 112, is performed during the membrane manufacturing web feed process. - Still further, as can best be appreciated from
FIG. 8 , in view of the fact that the folded-overside edge portion 114 of the heat-weldable or heat-seal-able membrane member 112 completely envelops, encases, or encapsulates the flexible batten orreinforcement strip 124, the externally disposed regions of the folded-overside edge portion 114 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 112 are readily accessible so as to be capable of being heat-welded or heat-sealed to an overlappingside edge portion 128 of a second heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 130. In this manner, a sealed interface is effectively defined between the adjacent heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane members entire roofing substructure 132 may be covered by means of theenvironmental membrane members - With reference now being made to
FIG. 9 , an alternative method of integrally incorporating the batten or reinforcement strip, within the side edge portion of the roofing membrane, so as to form a new and improved roofing membrane and batten or reinforcement strip assembly, which has been constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by thereference character 210. It is to be noted that those components of the new and improved roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 210 which correspond substantially to those components of the new and improved roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 110 will be designated by corresponding reference characters except that they will be within the 200 series. More particularly, and in a manner similar to the new and improved roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 110, the new and improved roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 210 is seen to comprise amembrane member 212 which is preferably fabricated from a heat-weldable or heat-sealable material such as, for example, polyvinylchloride (PVC), a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), or a flexible thermoplastic polyolefine (FPO), and it is noted that the thickness of themembrane member 212 can be within the range of 0.030-0.070 inches, and preferably within the range of 0.035-0.064 inches. Contrary to the fold-over fabrication techniques disclosed in connection with the manufacture of the new and improved roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 110, however, different fabrication techniques are utilized in connection with the manufacture of the new and improved roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 210. - More particularly, it is noted that during the membrane manufacturing web feed process, the
side edge portion 214 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 212 is effectively divided into upper and lower half-sections 214-U and 214-L, along a dividing line denoted at 234, such that the upper and lower half-sections 214-U,214-L of theside edge portion 214 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 212 are effectively maintained separated from each other so as not to be capable of meeting each other at this point in the fabrication process. The flexible batten orreinforcement strip 224 is then effectively inserted between the aforenoted upper and lower half-sections 214-U,214-L of theside edge portion 214 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 212 whereupon further downstream feeding of the new and improved roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 210, the fabrication of the new and improved roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 210 is completed whereby the flexible batten orreinforcement strip 224 is fixedly embedded within theside edge portion 214 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 212. Still yet further, in lieu of the separation technique as disclosed above in connection with the upper and lower half-sections 214-U,214-L, the flexible batten orreinforcement strip 224 may be embedded, encased, or encapsulated within theside edge portion 214 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 212 by means of suitable extrusion or molding techniques. Regardless of the particular manufacturing technique which is employed, the resulting structure, as illustrated withinFIG. 9 , is effectively achieved. - As was the case with the flexible batten or
reinforcement strip 124 incorporated within the new and improved roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 110, the flexible batten orreinforcement strip 224 may comprise or be fabricated from any one of several different materials, such as, for example, aluminum, lead, steel, a thermoplastic material, or the like, and still further, while a single batten orreinforcement strip 224 has been disclosed as being integrally incorporated within only one lateralside edge portion 214 of themembrane member 212, a second batten orreinforcement strip 224 may likewise be integrally incorporated within the opposite lateral side edge portion of themembrane 212, depending upon the particular application or use of the composite roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 210. Still yet further, it is to be understood that a plurality of apertures, not shown but similar to theapertures 126, may be formed either during the manufacturing or fabrication process of the composite roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 210, or alternatively, may be formed onsite by roofing installation personnel, so as to be provided within the lateral side edge portion of the composite roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 210, in a linearly aligned, longitudinally spaced array, so as to extend through theside edge portion 214 of themembrane member 212, as well as through the batten orreinforcement strip 224, whereby a plurality of fasteners, not shown, can be inserted through the apertures for engagement within an underlying roofing substructure to which the composite roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 210 is to be secured. - Continuing further, it can be readily appreciated from the foregoing discussion that not only do the one or more batten or reinforcement strips 224 therefore effectively take the place of, or obviate the need for, the plurality of conventional, PRIOR ART membrane or roofing seam plates, but in addition, the particular fabrication or manufacturing process or technique likewise eliminates the need for any auxiliary bonding processes or steps since the enveloping, encasing, or encapsulating of the one or more batten or reinforcement strips 224, within the one or more
side edge portions 214 of themembrane member 212, is performed during the membrane manufacturing web feed process. Still further, as was the case with the new and improved roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 110, in view of the fact that theside edge portion 214 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 212 completely envelops, encases, or encapsulates the flexible batten orreinforcement strip 224, the externally disposed regions of theside edge portion 214 of the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member 212 are readily accessible so as to be capable of being heat-welded or heat-sealed to an overlapping side edge portion of a second heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member, as was shown withinFIG. 8 in connection with the new and improved roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 110. In this manner, a sealed interface can effectively be readily defined between the adjacent heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane members whereby, for example, an en-tire roofing substructure may be covered by means of the environmental membrane members. - With reference now being lastly made to
FIGS. 10 and 11 , there is disclosed a new and improved roofing flashing member and batten or reinforcement strip assembly which is generally indicated by thereference character 310. The new and improved roofing flashing member and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 310 is adapted for use as a flashing structure in order to effectively interconnect roofing sections in an environmentally sealed manner. More particularly, it is to be noted that the new and improved roofing flashing member and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 310 is similar in structure to the new and improved roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assemblies reinforcement strip assembly 310 which correspond substantially to those structural components of the new and improved roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assemblies reinforcement strip assembly 310 is seen to comprise amembrane member 312 which is preferably fabricated from a heat-weldable or heat-sealable material such as, for example, polyvinylchloride (PVC), a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), or a flexible thermoplastic polyolefine (FPO), and it is noted that the thickness of themembrane member 312 can be within the range of 0.030-0.070 inches, and preferably within the range of 0.035-0.064 inches. - Still further, it is noted that both of the longitudinally extending
side edge portions able membrane member 312 are adapted to have flexible batten or reinforcement strips 324,324 fixedly mounted therewithin, and in connection with the actual formation of the longitudinally extendingside edge portions sealable membrane member 312, either one of the fabrication techniques, as disclosed, for example, withinFIG. 7 or 9, that is, wherein theside edge portions side edge portions reinforcement strip assemblies apertures 326 may be formed either during the manufacturing or fabrication process of the composite roofing flashing member and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 310, or alternatively, may be formed onsite by roofing installation personnel, so as to be provided within the lateral side edge portions of the composite roofing flashing member and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 310, in a linearly aligned, longitudinally spaced array so as to extend through theside edge portions membrane member 312, as well as through the battens or reinforcement strips 324,324 whereby a plurality of fasteners, not shown, can be inserted through the apertures for engagement within underlyingroof decking substructures reinforcement strip assembly 310 is to be secured. It is noted that the composite roofing flashing member and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 310, and particularly the battens or reinforcement strips 324,324, are sufficiently flexible so as to permit the same to conform to the profiles of the underlying metalroof decking substructures - It can therefore again be readily appreciated from the foregoing discussion that not only do the batten or reinforcement strips 324,324 therefore effectively take the place of, or obviate the need for, the plurality of conventional, PRIOR ART membrane or roofing seam plates, but in addition, the particular fabrication or manufacturing process or technique likewise eliminates the need for any auxiliary bonding processes or steps since the enveloping, encasing, or encapsulating of the batten or reinforcement strips 324,324, within the
side edge portions membrane member 312, is performed during the membrane manufacturing web feed process. Still further, as was the case with the new and improved roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assemblies side edge portions sealable membrane member 312 completely envelops, encases, or encapsulates the flexible battens or reinforcement strips 324,324, the externally disposed regions of theside edge portions sealable membrane member 312 are readily accessible so as to be capable of being heat-welded or heat-sealed to an overlapping side edge portion of an adjacent heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member, as was shown withinFIG. 8 in connection with the new and improved roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 110. In this manner, a sealed interface can effectively be readily defined between the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member of the composite roofing flashing member and batten orreinforcement strip assembly 310 and the heat-weldable or heat-sealable membrane member of an adjacent one of the composite roofing membrane and batten orreinforcement strip assemblies - Thus, it may be seen that in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention, there has been disclosed a new and improved roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assembly, and a method of fabricating the same, wherein the new and improved roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assembly comprises a roofing membrane or flashing member that is fabricated either from polyvinylchloride (PVC), a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), or a flexible thermoplastic polyolefine (FPO), material so as to be heat-weldable or heat-sealable. The roofing membrane or flashing member is therefore capable of being heat-welded or heat-sealed, not only to other adjacent and overlapping roofing membranes, that are fabricated from the same or similar materials, so as to effectively form a composite roofing membrane structure which can be installed over the entire area expanse of a building roof, or at junctures defined between different roofing sections, but in addition, each roofing membrane or flashing member is capable of being heat-welded or heat-sealed to itself.
- In this manner, each roofing membrane or flashing member can have a batten or reinforcement strip integrally incorporated within a central or core region, extending along at least one side edge portion of the roofing membrane or flashing member, without requiring the use of auxiliary bonding means which must conventionally be applied thereto by means of auxiliary bonding procedures or operations, and in addition, adjacent roofing membranes or flashing members can likewise be integrally connected to each other so as to cover the entire area expanse of a building roof, or at junctures defined between different roofing sections, without requiring such auxiliary bonding means which must be applied thereto by means of auxiliary bonding procedures or operations. The reinforcement battens or strips can be incorporated within the side edge portions of the roofing membranes by folded-over, extrusion, molding, split-membrane, or similar manufacturing or fabrication techniques. Suitable fasteners can then be inserted through the upper or top side or surface of the roofing membrane or flashing member so as to extend through the batten or reinforcement strip, through the lower or bottom side or surface of the roofing membrane or flashing member, and into an underlying roof decking or similar roof substructure so as to fixedly secure the new and improved roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assemblies upon the roof decking or simi-lar roof substructure.
- Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
Claims (24)
Priority Applications (2)
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US10/874,443 US20050279040A1 (en) | 2004-06-22 | 2004-06-22 | Integral roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assembly |
CA002508991A CA2508991A1 (en) | 2004-06-22 | 2005-06-01 | Integral roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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US10/874,443 US20050279040A1 (en) | 2004-06-22 | 2004-06-22 | Integral roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assembly |
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US10/874,443 Abandoned US20050279040A1 (en) | 2004-06-22 | 2004-06-22 | Integral roofing membrane, or flashing member, and batten or reinforcement strip assembly |
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Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20070074466A1 (en) * | 2005-10-04 | 2007-04-05 | Quality Edge, Inc. | Drip edge with compliant fastener strip and method |
US20080120935A1 (en) * | 2006-07-31 | 2008-05-29 | Certainteed Corporation | Vapor retarder fastening strip |
US20090087633A1 (en) * | 2007-10-01 | 2009-04-02 | Troy Furgal | Roofing membrane with improved edge flexibility |
US8590245B2 (en) * | 2009-06-04 | 2013-11-26 | Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, Llc | Banded liner system for metal buildings |
US20110061311A1 (en) * | 2009-06-04 | 2011-03-17 | Ying Peng | Banded liner system for metal buildings |
US20110078965A1 (en) * | 2009-08-18 | 2011-04-07 | Terry Umlor | Continuous heat welded flexible pvc membrane with an interlocking vapor barrier system |
US8156700B2 (en) | 2009-08-18 | 2012-04-17 | Terry Umlor | Continuous heat welded flexible PVC membrane with an interlocking vapor barrier system |
US20110056620A1 (en) * | 2009-09-09 | 2011-03-10 | Daniel Leon Barksdale | Thermoplastic flashing laminate |
US9127460B2 (en) * | 2009-09-09 | 2015-09-08 | Firestone Building Products Company, Llc | Thermoplastic flashing laminate |
US9404268B2 (en) * | 2009-09-09 | 2016-08-02 | Firestone Building Products Co., LLC | Thermoplastic flashing laminate |
US20150240497A1 (en) * | 2014-02-21 | 2015-08-27 | Theodore J. Even | Ice Dam Prevention Shield |
US9447582B2 (en) * | 2014-02-21 | 2016-09-20 | Theodore J Even | Ice dam prevention shield |
US10626617B2 (en) | 2018-09-25 | 2020-04-21 | Roofco Llc | Expandable flashing device and system |
US10907357B2 (en) | 2018-09-25 | 2021-02-02 | Roofco Llc | Expandable flashing device and system |
CN114776071A (en) * | 2022-04-29 | 2022-07-22 | 北京首控建设工程有限责任公司 | Waterproof modified structure for old house roof |
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