Roof Seam Fastener System
A roof seam fastener system including a mechanical fastener member for mechanically attaching a roof membrane to a roof structure. The roof seam fastener system comprises a fastening assembly that creates a seal to either the roof membrane or a roofing substrate located directly below the fastening assembly. This fastening assembly also creates a seal against the mechanical fastener member. This combination results in redundancy which prevents any water penetration into the seam from entering the roofing envelope. The roof seam fastener system improves wind uplift resistance of the roof membrane and minimizes other weather related damage.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a mechanical attachment system for securing roof membranes, and more particularly, to a mechanical attachment system for securing roof membranes wherein a seal is achieved between the mechanical attachment device and the roof membrane and/or material directly below it, minimizing weather related damage.
2. Description of Related Art
Single-ply roofing systems are typically installed using three basic methods: ballasted, fully adhered, and mechanically attached. Mechanically attached single-ply roof membranes are attached to a structure using various types of metal and plastic fasteners which are installed through strips or plates made from metal, plastic or a combination of the two.
One typical installation method is illustrated in
Although this method of attaching a roofing membrane is commonly used, there are several drawbacks to this attachment method. As shown in
In an attempt to overcome the difficulties of this roof membrane attachment method shown in
As illustrated in
As an alternative to the seam overlap attaching methods discussed above, another method for attaching a roofing membrane to a roof membrane substrate is shown in
Another variation of this method is shown in
The roof membrane 38 can also be attached to the structure utilizing a linear fastener assembly 10 that is independent of the seam overlaps as shown in
While all of the methods discussed above and currently in use initially create a watertight system, they do not prevent subsequent damage that may be the result of cyclic loads resulting from wind or damage to the roof membrane due to natural phenomenon or abuse. There is a need in the art for fastening assembly that addresses these issues and prevents moisture or air from moving within the roof assembly, minimizing any weather related damage to the roof membrane substrate and roof decking.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is therefore an object of the invention to provide a mechanical attachment system for securing a roof membrane to a roof structure that creates a watertight system that reduces subsequent wind damage and other weather related abuse. It is a further object of the invention to provide a mechanical attachment system that prevents moisture or air from moving from the roof envelope to the seam channel or from the seam channel to the roof envelope.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a roof seam fastener system, including a mechanical fastener member, for mechanically attaching a roof membrane to a roof structure, wherein the roof seam fastener system comprises a fastening assembly that creates a seal to either the roof membrane or a roofing substrate located directly below the fastening assembly. This fastening assembly also creates a seal against the mechanical fastener member. According to a first embodiment, the fastening assembly comprises a clamping plate having at least one washer laminated on one or both sides thereof. The fastener member includes a shaft extending through the clamping device and the at least one washer. The washer creates a seal with the roofing membrane and/or the roofing substrate as well as the shaft of the fastener member. According to a second embodiment, the fastening assembly comprises a clamping plate and a joining material positioned adjacent to the clamping plate. This joining material can comprise a field applied sealant or adhesive material. According to a third embodiment, the fastening assembly comprises a clamping plate having a washer laminated on one or both sides thereof or washers placed loosely on the top and or bottom of the plate. The fastening assembly may be positioned either above or below the roof membrane.
These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
For purposes of the description hereinafter, spatial or directional terms shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific components illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.
Now reference is made to
The fastening member 54 can comprise a threaded fastener having a shaft 60. The washer 56 can include a preformed first aperture 62. A corresponding or second aperture 64 is also formed in the clamping plate 52. The shaft 60 of the fastening member 54 extends through apertures 62, 64 to secure the fastening system 50 to the roof membrane 58. The first aperture 62 has a first diameter which is smaller in size than a second diameter of second aperture 64. Through this aperture 62, a seal 63 is created between the washer 56 against the fastener shaft 60. As an alternative to the preformed aperture 62 in the washer 56, the washer 56 can be a solid member and the shaft 60 of the fastening member 54 penetrates the solid washer 56 during installation.
A second washer can be applied to a top surface of the clamping plate 52. This second washer allows for additional seaming or sealing against the fastener shaft 60. This second washer is also useful in situations where the roof membrane 58 is positioned above the fastening system 50, such as illustrated in
A second embodiment is illustrated in
A third embodiment is illustrated in
The fastening member 54 may be applied on site or, alternatively, the fastening member 54 may be formed as an integral component with the clamping plate/washer assemblies 57, 74. Also, the fastening member 54 may be any well known type of fastener capable of exerting a clamping force against the washer or sealant material. Some examples of fastening members 54 include threaded fasteners, rivets, expansion bolts or interference fit fasteners that are driven into place. Some types of structural decks may require other specialty fasteners that also meet the clamping criteria.
The use of the above fastening systems 50 and attachment methods used in combination with the roof membranes 58 result in a method that provides a redundant seal around the holes created in the roof membrane 58 by the fastening member 54. This redundant seal, when used in combination with any of the known double seaming, disc or strip fastened systems, as discussed in detail with respect to
The welded, frictional, or adhesive seal of the fastening system 50 to the underlying material of the present invention acts to improve the wind uplift resistance of the total roof system by preventing slipping and/or tearing of the roof membrane 58.
Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of this description. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.
Claims
1. A roof seam fastener system including a fastener member for attaching a roof membrane to a roof structure, said roof seam fastener system comprising:
- a fastening assembly that creates a seal to one of a roof membrane and a substrate located directly below said fastening assembly and wherein said fastening assembly further creates a seal against such fastener member.
2. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said fastening assembly comprises a clamping plate having at least one washer laminated on one or both sides thereof and such fastener member includes a shaft extending through said clamping device and said at least one washer.
3. The system as recited in claim 2 wherein said clamping plate is formed from one of a metal or plastic material and said washer is formed from one of a flexible or compressible material.
4. The system as recited in claim 2 wherein said clamping plate is formed from one of a metal or plastic material and said washer is formed from one of a rubber or plastic washer.
5. The system as recited in claim 2 wherein said washer is laminated onto said clamping plate by one of welding, fusing, brazing, and adhesively bonding.
6. The system as recited in claim 2 wherein said fastening assembly is sealed to a top surface of said roof membrane.
7. The system as recited in claim 2 wherein said fastening assembly is sealed between said substrate and said roof membrane.
8. The system as recited in claim 2 wherein said at least one washer includes an aperture preformed therein for allowing said shaft of said fastening member to extend therethrough.
9. The system as recited in claim 2 wherein said at least one washer comprises a solid member and said shaft of said fastening member penetrates said solid member during installation of said fastening system.
10. The system as recited in claim 2 wherein said at least one washer has a first aperture extending therethrough and having a first diameter and said clamping plate has a second aperture having a second diameter and extending therethrough in alignment with said first aperture, and wherein said first diameter is less than second diameter to facilitate sealing of said at least one washer to said fastening member upon insertion of said fastening member through said first and second apertures.
11. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said fastening assembly comprises a clamping plate and a joining material positioned adjacent to said clamping plate.
12. The system as recited in claim 11 wherein said joining material comprises a field applied sealant or adhesive material.
13. The system as recited in claim 11 wherein said fastening assembly includes a fastening member having a shaft extending through said clamping device and said joining material.
14. The system as recited in claim 2 wherein said fastening assembly comprises a clamping plate having a washer laminated thereto and a joining material positioned adjacent to said washer.
15. The system as recited in claim 14 wherein said joining material comprises a field applied sealant or adhesive material.
16. The system as recited in claim 15 wherein said fastening assembly includes a fastening member having a shaft extending through said clamping device and said joining material.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 5, 2007
Publication Date: Jan 8, 2009
Applicant: SINGLESOURCE ROOFING CORPORATION (Pittsburgh, PA)
Inventor: Gary Kassem (Sewickley, PA)
Application Number: 11/773,754
International Classification: E04D 5/14 (20060101);