US3332827A - Method and apparatus for laying elongated mat - Google Patents

Description

July 25, 1967 s. L. GRIFFITH ETAL 3,332,827

METHOD AND AfPARATUS FOR LAYING ELONGATED MAT Filed Aug. 5, 1963 FIG. 5

Fl G. 6 I x INVENTORS 58 GEORGE L. GRIFFITH s4 s2 I V 56 BY JOHN G. KLUCK W, 1 7m ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,332,827 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LAYING ELONGATED MAT George L. Griffith, 11960 SW. Butner Road, Portland,

Greg. 97225, and John G. Kluck, 15209 SW. Quarry Road, Lake Grove, Oreg. 97034 Filed Aug. 5, 1963, Ser. No. 299,917 2 Claims. (Cl. 156-575) This invention relates to improvements in a means and method for laying an elongated ribbon or strip on a surface. The invention has particular utility in connection with, and thus more particularly concerns, the laying of felt or similar material on a roof or other surface, such felt laying comprising one of the steps involved in preparing a waterproof roof of a type widely used today in buildings and other structures.

One form of waterproof roof known today comprises one or more layers of felt applied to a surface and adhered in place by means of an asphaltic composition. The felt comprises an elongated, relatively narrow sheet (or strip), of organic, Fiberglas, or asbestos material, which itself is usually impregnated with asphaltic composition. The felt is delivered to a roofer i-n rolls. In preparing a roof, the impregnated sheet material is pulled off from a roll, and adhered to the roof using an asphaltic composition, which may 'be applied either to the felt or to the surface before the felt is finally laid in place (the asphaltic composition frequently being applied hot to facilitate spreading of the composition).

During the process of laying out strips of felt on a roof, certain conditions often exist which make it difiicult to lay the strips of felt in straight rows, with the laid strips devoid of wrinkles, captured air pockets under the felt (producing a blistering effect), and other imperfections.

Generally, an object of this invention is to provide improved apparatus iand means for laying down material such as felt, whereby neater, more perfect laying jobs are possible, with the expenditure of little, if any, more effort than is necessary using conventional practices.

As already indicated, it is common to use a hot, asphaltic composition as the means for adhering the felt to the supporting surface. Because of the temperature of this material, air currents tend to be produced which rise up under the felt at the same time that the felt is being laid down. Such convection currents may also result from the sun heating the surface being treated. Because of these currents, it is not uncommon for the felt, during the process of laying it down, to collect pockets of air underneath it, with such then being sealed beneath the felt when the felt around the pockets is finally adhered to the supporting surface.

This invention contemplates a method of laying down the felt, wherein the [felt is shaped in a specific manner prior to its application to a surface, whereby the formation of such air pockets may be eliminated. More specifically, a transverse convexity in the lower face of a felt strip is prepared, so that when the felt is lowered down on the supporting surface, air is enabled to escape outwardly around the side margins of the strip. This escape of air may continue until the felt is flattened out and finally in lace.

p By shaping the felt prior to its application, a further advantage is noted, in that gusts of wind over the roof, instead of tending to produce waves in the felt and other air pocket-forming conditions, more readily pass under the felt. It has also been noted that the shaped belt is strengthened so as to better withstand wind gusts, much in the same way that a fold in a piece of paper strengthens the paper whereby greater resistance is offered to bending across the fold.

In laying a strip of felt on a roof, in most instances 3,332,827 Patented July 25, 1967 ideally the strip should be laid in a perfectly straight line. While such is the ideal, in practice this is difficult to accomplish. Usually there is some bending or curvature along the strip of felt after it is laid out. Such bending results in undesirable wrinkles in the margins of the felt. The Wrinkles are formed, because, as in the case of any flat piece, material on the inside of the bend must occupy a smaller area than the same amount of material on the outside of the bend. A further feature and object of the invention comprises preparing the felt prior to laying it down on a supporting surface whereby such wrinkles at a slight bend or curve may be eliminated.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide means and method for laying felt, where the felt is both stretched along a center zone (to have a length along this zone which is greater than the length of the side margins of the felt), and in addition is given a V-shaped transverse profile, so that when the felt is laid down upon a surface, the center zone contacts the surface first (with fair allowed to escape around the margins), the stretching being effective to inhibit wrinkle formation in the margins in the case of an unavoidable slight bend occurring along a row of the felt.

The usual felt of a given dimension comes in rolls which all have approximately the same length (corresponding to the width of the felt strip in the rolls). The lengths of the rolls are not absolutely the same, however. Thus, the rolls when they are mounted on the usual feltlayer are permitted some axial play, to take care of minor variations in length. This has made it more diflicult to lay the felt along :a perfectly straight line, in that upon slight axial shifting Of the roll on a felt layer, the delivery point for the felt to the roof surface changes. A further feature and object of this invention is the provision of means which functions to guide the felt as it leaves the roll, whereby its point of delivery to the roof surface being covered tends to remain more uniform.

Commonly felt is made of asbestos, organic, or Fiberglas material, and a strip of such material stretches somewhat at its margins during the preparation of a roll therefrom. Stretching may also occur when the material is pulled from the roll. The stretching, of course, is greater With some materials than with others. Another object is to provide novel means for laying felt on a roof, whereby wrinkles resulting from such stretching are minimized or eliminated.

Still another object is to provide a means and method for laying felt, where perforations are imparted to the felt prior to its being laid upon a surface, said perforations functioning as vents for captured air under the felt.

These and other objects and advantages are attained by the invention, and the same is described hereinbelow in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view, somewhat exaggerated, illustrating principles of the method of the invention, and showing how a piece of felt (with the felt viewed from one margin thereof) may be formed prior to laying of the felt on a supporting surface;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, further illustrating the forming of the felt.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view, also somewhat exaggerated, illustrating how a strip of felt when formed according to the invention may bend slightlyin the plane of its faces, without such producing wrinkles therein;

FIG. 4 is a view generally along the line 44 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, somewhat simplified of apparatus according to the invention such as may be employed to practice the method of the invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a modified form of apparatus according to the invention. 1

In practicing the method of this invention, as when laying elongated strips of felt on a roof, in the usual instance the initial step to be performed is to deposit a suitable layer of hot asphaltic composition over the surface that is to receive the felt. The strip of felt may then be lowered down against the asphaltic layer to become adhered in place after contacting the layer upon the asphaltic material cooling.

By applying the asphaltic material to the supporting surface, it is a relatively easy matter to control properly the thickness of the layer prepared. In some instances, however, it may be desirable to apply the asphaltic material to the underside of the felt, and then lay the felt in place. Further, it should be noted that hot asphaltic compositions are not always used.

In FIG. 1, a roof surface is indicated at It which has a layer of asphaltic material 12 deposited thereover, A strip of felt in the process of being laid over the asphaltic layer to be be supported by surface lid is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 at 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, the width of the felt strip is indicated at A. By way of illustration, it is not uncommon for strips three feet in width to be used in preparing a roof. The strips are laid out in elongated parallel rows, the particular length of the rows, of course, varying depending upon the area to be covered. Usually the rows have lengths substantially in excess of the width of the strip.

In making a roof according to the invention, after the asphaltic layer has been prepared, ordinarily the next step is to anchor an end of felt strip 14 on the roof surface, by dropping it down on and pressing it against the top of asphaltic layer 12. Thus, in FIG. 1, one end of the strip is shown so anchored in place, such end being indicated at 16. With this end anchored in place, the felt strip may then be unrolled from the usual roll such as roll 19 that contains it, by moving the roll away from the anchored end (or to the left in FIG. 1) to produce an elongated reach of the felt strip suspended over surface It and asphaltic layer 12. Such an elongated reach of felt is indicated in FIG. 1 at 13.

The felt as it is unrolled from the usual roll 19 is flat in a transverse direction, and such is illustrated by flat region in FIGS. 1 and 4. Anchored end 16 is also flat, where it is secured to surface 10. According to this invention, a convexity in the bottom face of the felt is formed in felt reach 18, so that when successive portions of reach 18 of the felt are lowered onto the roof surface, that part of each portion which first comes into contact with the roof surface is the part containing the apex of the convexity formed in the felt.

More specifically, and referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, at 22 is indicated the end of an elongated roller, or feltreceiving means, over which the felt travels on being pulled from the roll 19. Midway between the ends of the roller, the roller has a diameter B, and the roller tapers from this mid-point to smaller diameter ends C. Because of the shape of the roller, more specifically its tapered ends, the felt strip between the roller and its anchored end 16 has a shallow, V-shaped cross-sectional outline, best illustrated in FIG. 2. The apex of the convexity in the bottom face of the felt strip extends along a zone 24 situated approximately midway between the margins of the felt strip.

The felt strip on being pulled from roll 19 subjected to tension and thus undergoes some stretching. Because the felt is fiat at region 20 and flat at its anchored end 16, and because the felt travels over the tapered roller while under tension (the roller constituting guide means guiding the felt strip between roll 19 and the anchored end) the felt is stretched with zone 24 along the reach of felt being stretched to a greater length than the length of the edges or margins of the felt. This is readily illustrated in FIG. 1, where it will be seen that edge 26 of the felt extends over a shorter distance between roll 19 and end 16 than zone 24. This stretching is produced in addition to the fact that the felt has a V-shaped cross-sectional outline, as discussed.

With such stretching and forming of the felt, as more and more felt is pulled off from the roll, as by continued movement of roll 19 to the left in FIG. 1, successive portions of the reach of felt, progressing from the anchored end, eventually are pulled by gravity downwardly and into contact with the asphaltic layer. With each successive portion, it is the center region or part of the felt that first contacts the asphaltic layer, followed by the margins of the felt. In FIG. 1, portion 30 of the felt is shown with its center region only in contact with the asphaltic layer. With portion 32, both the center region and the margins are still out of contact with the asphaltic layer. With more felt unwound from the roll, it should be obvious that eventually both central and marginal regions of portion 30 come into contact with the asphaltic layer, and that as portion 32 lowers, its center region first contacts the asphaltic layer.

Referring to FIG. 2, when the portion of the felt which is located where the cross-sectional view is taken comes into contact with the asphaltic layer, the region which lies in zone 24 first contacts the layer, followed by laterally outward regions progressing towards the margins of the felt. As a result, air under the felt may escape by flowing outwardly and around the margins of the felt, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2. With the felt flat on the asphaltic layer, and using the method of the invention, captured air pockets under the felt are eliminated.

Furthermore, because of the crease that in effect is provided along approximately the center of the felt strip, a rigidity is introduced which stabilizes the felt whereby it better withstands wind gusts over the top of the roof. With the convexity over the lower face of the felt, currents of air pass more freely under the felt without ballooning the felt whereby it could capture pockets of air upon being lowered onto the asphaltic layer.

Referring to FIG. 3, this figure illustrates, diagrammatically, how the felt, because of its stretched condition and the greater stretching applied to the center zone, may bend slightly along a laid out row without such producing wrinkles. In FIG. 3, the center line of the felt strip is indicated at 34. It is this part of each successive portion of felt that first contacts the asphaltic layer. On making a bend, the region between lines as and 38 to the top of line 34 in FIG. 3 contacts the asphaltic layer after the center region does, and after being stretched an additional amount. The region between lines 36, 3:8 and below line 34 also contacts the asphaltic layer after the center region does, but some contraction takes place in this region before contact takes place. As a result, a flat felt layer is produced.

Roller 22 with its tapered ends functions to center the felt strip on the roller as it passes thereover, because of the crown that the tapered ends produce in the roller. This centering function is important in obtaining straight rows of laid down felt, as it means that the felt travels from the roller with a substantially uniform position relative to the roller, irrespective of any axial movement that roll 19 may undergo.

The stretching clone ot the center zone of the felt is important also in eliminating wrinkles in the laid down felt, resulting from the fact that a strip of felt in the process of being handled tends to be stretched along its margins.

FIG. 5 illustrates, in simplified form, felt-laying apparatus such as may be employed to practice the method of the invention. The apparatus includes a tub 40 provided to hold asphaltic material (i.e., liquid binding material for the felt), supported by lateral wheels 42 adjacent the rear end thereof (the near wheel having been removed in FIG. 5), and a wheel 44 adjacent the forward end. Valve or dispensing means 46 is provided to control the flow of asphaltic material from the bottom of the tub onto the surface being covered. A mop is indicated at 50, which distributes the asphaltic material to make a thin layer thereof over a surface when the device is pulled to the left in FIG. 5.

A roll of felt 54 is supported on a shaft 55 extending therethrough. The shaft is craddled at its ends in brackets such as bracket 57. The shaft can rotate within the brackets, although some resistance is offered to such movement. Felt from roll 54 passes from the roll downwardly and over tapered roller 56 and thence to the right. With the apparatus towed to the left in FIG. 4, the felt is stretched, with maximum stretching occurring along a central zone, to produce the novel results noted above.

In FIG. 6, a modified form of the apparatus is illustrated for practicing the invention. Here a spiked roller 58 is provided, which is journaled in the apparatus above the tapered roller and below felt roll 54. Additionally, a bar 60 mounted on the device supports one face of the felt leaving roll 54, and pressing the felt against bar 60 is a roller 62. Roller 62 is spring biased, as by a spring 64 acting on each end, against bar 60. The roller, by pushing the felt against bar 60, serves to brake the movement of the felt toward tapered roller 56. By varying the bias of springs 64, the extent of the braking action provided may be changed. I

With the modified apparatus just described, perforations are made in the felt after the same is pulled from the roll and before the felt is applied to the roof surface. This is done with the felt cold or at atmospheric temperatures, and thus the perforations stay open until the felt is adhered to the roof surface. With such perforations, vents are provided for any air that should inadvertently be captured in pockets under the layer of felt.

From this description it should be obvious that a number of novel features are contemplated, contributing to a better felt-laying operation. Through the process of anchoring one end of the felt, stretching the felt, and properly forming the felt, many of the difliculties are overcome that formerly resulted in inferior jobs. The entire process can be carried on continuously, using the apparatus described, or similar means.

Having described the invention, certain changes and alterations will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. It is desired to cover all modifications and variations that would be apparent to those skilled in the art, and that come within the scope of the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. Apparatus for laying down an elongated strip of felt on a supporting surface comprising a tub for holding liquid binding material for the felt and wheel means mounted on the apparatus adjacent the tub for supporting the tub for movement over said surface,

5 dispensing means adjacent the base of the tub for dispensing liquid binding material from said tub onto said surf-ace,

roll support means for supporting a roll of felt mounted on the apparatus adjacent the tub in an elevated position over such supporting surface, and

felt-receiving means disposed under said roll support means, but elevated above the supporting surface for the apparatus, adapted to receive felt extending from a roll of such felt supported on said roll support means, and to support such felt out of contact with said supporting surface while stretching the felt along the center zone thereof, upon the felt being pulled off to one side of the apparatus from said felt-receiving means,

said felt-receiving means including two conical portions having larger diameter ends joined together providing a guide'surface that guides the felt by defining paths of travel for said center zone of the felt and the felt edges, said center zone of the felt having a path of travel defined therefor to said one side of the apparatus which is of greater length than the paths of travel defined for the felt edges,

said felt-receiving means being located to said one side of apparatus from said dispensing means with its guide surface adapted to pass over liquid binding material dispensed onto a supporting surface from said dispensing means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, which further comprises perforating means mounted on said frame for perforating 35 the felt where it extends from the roll on said roll support means to said felt-receiving means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ALEXANDER WYMAN, Primary Examiner. MORRIS SUSSMAN, W. J. VAN BALEN, Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. APPARATUS FOR LAYING DOWN AN ELONGATED STRIP OF FELT ON A SUPPORTING SURFACE COMPRISING A TUB FOR HOLDING LIQUID BINDING MATERIAL FOR THE FELT AND WHEEL MEANS MOUNTED ON THE APPARATUS ADJACENT THE TUB FOR SUPPORTING THE TUB FOR MOVEMENT OVER SAID SURFACE, DISPENSING MEANS ADJACENT THE BASE OF THE TUB FOR DISPENSING LIQUID BINDING MATERIAL FROM SAID TUB ONTO SAID SURFACE, ROLL SUPPORT MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A ROLL OF FELT MOUNTED ON THE APPARATUS ADJACENT THE TUB IN AN ELEVATED POSITION OVER SUCH SUPPORTING SURFACE, AND FELT-RECEIVING MEANS DISPOSED UNDER SAID ROLL SUPPORT MEANS, BUT ELEVATED ABOVE TO RECEIVE FELT EXTENDING FROM A ROLL OF SUCH FELT SUPPORTED ON SAID ROLL SUPPORT MEANS, AND TO SUPPORT SUCH FELT OUT OF CONTACT WITH SAID SUPPORTING SURFACE WHILE STRETCHING THE FELT ALONG THE CENTER ZONE THEREOF, UPON THE FELT BEING PULLED OFF TO ONE SIDE OF THE APPARATUS FROM SAID FELT-RECEIVING MEANS, SAID FELT-RECEIVING MEANS INCLUDING TWO CONICAL PORTIONS HAVING LARGER DIAMETER ENDS JOINED TOGETHER PROVIDING A GUIDE SURFACE THAT GUIDES THE FELT BY DEFINING PATHS OF TRAVEL FOR SAID CENTER ZONE OF THE FELT AND THE FELT EDGES, SAID CENTER ZONE OF THE FELT HAVING A PATH OF TRAVEL DEFINED THEREFOR TO SAID ONE SIDE OF THE APPARATUS WHICH IS OF GREATER LENGTH THAN THE PATHS OF TRAVEL DEFINED FOR THE FELT EDGES, SAID FELT-RECEIVING MEANS BEING LOCATED TO SAID ONE SIDE OF APPARATUS FROM SAID DISPENSING MEANS WITH ITS GUIDE SURFACE ADAPTED TO PASS OVER LIQUID BINDING MATERIAL DISPENSED ONTO A SUPPORTING SURFACE FROM SAID DISPENSING MEANS.

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