Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Processes – Filling preformed cavity
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-23
2001-10-30
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Processes
Filling preformed cavity
C052S746110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308489
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to apparatus for dispensing a rolled fabric. More particularly, this invention relates to apparatus for dispensing a rolled fabric across the width of at least two longitudinal structural supports.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Metal roof structures are typically comprised of a series of rafters which extend parallel to each other from each side of a building to its roof peak. Longitudinal structural supports (eg. purlins or bar joists) are typically mounted on top of and perpendicular to these rafters in a similarly parallel fashion. In like fashion, the walls of a building may be comprised of a series of vertical studs or columns on which purlins/girts are mounted in a horizontal fashion (perpendicular to the studs or columns). It is noted that purlins, when installed on such a wall structure, are usually referred to as girts. Therefore, for the purposes of this application, the terms purlins and girts may be used interchangeably.
In one manner of constructing such a known metal roof structure (or wall structure) as described, a fabric (eg. polyethylene) is first rolled in sheets over these purlins/girts. These sheets then serve as a vapor barrier for the metal roof structure (or wall structure).
Once the insulation is installed over the sheet of fabric, the insulation is secured in place with hard (typically metal) roof (or wall) sheeting attached to the upper surface or flange of the purlins.
Heretofore, it has been known in the art to install fabric across the top of purlins by hand or by various carriage devices such as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,698. Installation by hand is often quite time consuming and labor intensive and gives rise to certain safety problems particularly during unusual weather conditions such as high winds. Federal and state OSHA regulations have been passed to enhance safety in this regard through the mandated use of fall protection devices. Installation can also be expensive when it requires extensive pre-preparation (i.e. machine setup) because of the large size of certain known devices used to install the rolled fabric. Further, these known devices are often difficult to install, are designed to operate only in one direction along the length of a purlin, or must be detached and reattached through a cumbersome process when the tensioning device (which biases the roofing fabric roll against the purlin) reaches a purlin cross support.
In view of the above, it is apparent that there exists a need in the art for a rolled fabric dispensing apparatus which overcomes the above drawbacks. It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill this need in the art, as well as other needs which will become apparent to the skilled artisan once given the following disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, this invention fulfills the above needs in the art by providing in a rolled fabric dispensing device for applying a sheet of fabric from a roll of fabric across a building structure comprised of at least one pair of two spaced, longitudinally extending substantially parallel structural members at least one of said members being comprised of a first edge and a second edge separated by a web portion, the second edge of at least one of the members having connected thereto a longitudinal flange member extending laterally from the second edge, the flange comprising a first surface and a second surface to which the sheet is applied, the building structure further including at least one laterally extending cross member connected at one end to the web portion of one of the two longitudinal structural members and at the other end to the web portion of the other of the two longitudinal structural members and so located with respect to the first surface of the flange member so as to define a glide space between the cross member and the flange member;
the rolled fabric dispensing device comprising a frame member for contacting the second surface of the flange member, a rolled fabric retention member attached to the frame member for rotatably retaining the fabric roll in contact with the second surface of the flange member and a glide member attached to the frame member and engageable with the first surface of the flange member, the improvement comprising:
wherein the glide member is so constructed as to be of a size and profile which allows the glide member to be unobstructed by said cross member while said glide member is in contact with the first surface of the flange member and is moved through the glide space and the sheet of fabric is dispensed by the device and applied to the second surface of the flange member.
In one embodiment of this invention the glide member includes a glide plate which is connected to the frame member by a mechanism which biases the glide plate against the first surface of the flange member whose second surface is receiving the sheet of fabric during the dispensing operation.
In yet another embodiment of this invention, the biasing mechanism is locatable within the device so as to allow the glide plate to be biased against the first surface of the flange member regardless of which direction, right or left with respect to the dispensing direction, the flange extends from the web portion of the structural member. In this respect the biasing mechanism is so designed that its relevant parts are easily removable and reassembled on the job site to enable the installer to quickly adjust in order to accommodate a right or left extending flange member.
The invention will now be described with respect to certain embodiments thereof as set forth in the accompanying illustrations, wherein:
REFERENCES:
patent: 3698972 (1972-10-01), Lenzner
patent: 4869044 (1989-09-01), Wald
patent: 6195958 (2001-03-01), Neifer et al.
Friedman Carl D.
Guardian Fiberglass, Inc.
Hall Priddy Myers & Vande Sande
Nguyen Chi Q.
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