Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Disparate sheet lamina between exposed surfaces of wall,... – Tie crossing dividing lamina
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-07
2001-10-30
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Disparate sheet lamina between exposed surfaces of wall,...
Tie crossing dividing lamina
C411S387400, C411S387600, C411S387700, C411S383000, C411S910000, C411S531000, C411S533000, C411S520000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308483
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
(Not Applicable)
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
(Not Applicable)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved roofing fastener assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to an assembly which includes a fastener having a stabilizing finger and a barbed washer.
2. Description of The Related Art
In the roofing area, there is a problem with wind uplift. This problem occurs primarily with flat roofs which include a layer of insulation and a waterproof membrane covering the insulation. When the wind blows against such a roof membrane, the membrane tends to shift to some extent, and may billow or otherwise lift from the upper surface of the insulation. When the membrane lifts, forces are applied to the fastener assemblies which fasten the membrane and insulation to the roof deck, thereby loosening the screws. This causes a need to replace the screws which have loosened in order to (1) retain the insulation and membrane securely on the roof deck, (2) maintain the waterproof aspects of the roof, and (3) prevent injury due to heads of screws projecting above the surface of the membrane.
Others have made fastener assemblies which have included some structure which tends to reduce the wind uplift problem to some extent. These structures primarily take the form of some sort of washer mechanism. Structures such as these are disclosed in the patents to Sandqvist, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,074,501; Reinwall, 4,621,963; and Blucher et al., 4,642,012. These patents teach employing a washer structure. However, a number of problems arise, which include the transfer of cold to the interior of the roof, tending to cause condensation.
This type of problem can be corrected, at least in part, by the inclusion of a recess which shields the screw from the exterior, to some extent. Examples of these types of washers are found in the patents to DeCaro, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,361,997; Dewey, 4,380,413 and 4,545,270; Hasan, 4,757,661; Depperman, German Patent No. 2,711,335; and Protan, German Patent No. 3,040,794.
The problems mentioned above were solved in part by the invention disclosed in the patent to Romine, U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,664, and in the advertisement for the RR-
1
insulated screw cap assembly manufactured and sold by the Romine company. This invention is effective to reduce damage caused by wind uplift borne on a membrane fastened with these types of fixtures, particularly while recessing the screw head to prevent the transfer of cold into the interior of a building. However, it has been determined that even this fastener assembly does not sufficiently reduce the damage caused by wind uplift on the membrane, to prevent loosening of the screws and permit billowing of the membrane.
Accordingly, what is needed is a fastener assembly which permits the screw head to be recessed to reduce the transfer of cold. The fastener assembly also should increase the stability of the engagement between the fastener and the insulating and membrane layers of the roof, to reduce the effects of wind uplift on the membrane relative to the fastener assembly. Additionally, the fastener assembly should be preassembled for ease of use. The present invention includes these desirable properties.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a roofing fastener assembly for securing a thermal insulation material and membrane to a roof deck. The assembly includes a T-shaped fastener, a screw, and an annular washer.
The fastener includes a head having a flat face and a tapered face. An elongated, tubular shank extends away from the tapered face and has a free end. An annular shoulder extends inwardly from the inner surface of the shank near its free end. A stabilizing finger is attached to the free end of the shank.
The screw includes a head which engages the fastener shoulder and a shaft which extends away from the head and has threads which engage the stabilizing finger. These parts cooperate to retain the screw in a designated position relative to the fastener.
The fastener assembly preferably also includes an annular washer which has a central aperture configured to surround the shank. The washer includes a first curved surface engaging the tapered face of the fastener and a second, oppositely-disposed curved surface having a plurality of outwardly-projecting barbs. A plurality of notches extend radially from the central aperture. A rim extends outwardly from the first curved surface and, in operative position, surrounds the head to inhibit movement of the fastener with respect to the membrane. The first curved surface is concave and the second curved surface is convex. The second curved surface may preferably include a plurality of concentric grooves.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4074501 (1978-02-01), Sandqvist
patent: 4236555 (1980-12-01), Dewey
patent: 4361997 (1982-12-01), DeCaro
patent: 4380413 (1983-04-01), Dewey
patent: 4517776 (1985-05-01), Barker
patent: 4545270 (1985-10-01), Dewey
patent: 4601625 (1986-07-01), Ernst et al.
patent: 4621963 (1986-11-01), Reinwall
patent: 4642012 (1987-02-01), Blucher et al.
patent: 4655656 (1987-04-01), Jonsson
patent: 4757661 (1988-07-01), Hasan
patent: 4762453 (1988-08-01), DeCaro
patent: 4834600 (1989-05-01), Lemke
patent: 4852323 (1989-08-01), Kartfilt
patent: 4862664 (1989-09-01), Romine
patent: 5069589 (1991-12-01), Lemke
patent: 2711-335 (1977-03-01), None
patent: 3040-794 (1979-11-01), None
The Romine Company, “RR-1 Insulated Screw Cap Assembly”, advertisement.
Foster Jason H.
Friedman Carl D.
Kremblas, Foster Phillips & Pollick
Nguyen Chi
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