WEB OR VAPOR RETARDER WITH TIE-STRAP
A vapor retarder system includes a vapor retarder sheet. At least one and typically a plurality of parallel spaced-apart tie-straps are located adjacent an inner surface of the sheet, and the tie-strap extend across a width of the sheet and are connected to the sheet at multiple connection locations that are spaced from each other along a length of the tie strap. The sheet includes drape regions where the sheet is disconnected from the tie straps between successive connection locations. The tie-straps and drape regions ensure that the vapor retarder sheet is installed over roof purlins with the proper drape between the purlins to obtain the required insulation R-values. A fall-protection net or sheet can also be constructed and/or installed in the same manner.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/511,645 filed Jul. 29, 2009, now assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,438,810, which claims priority from and benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/084,397 filed Jul. 29, 2008, and the entire disclosure of each of said prior applications is hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present specification.
BACKGROUNDIn accordance with one aspect of the present development, a vapor retarder system includes a vapor retarder sheet. At least one tie-strap is located adjacent an inner surface of the sheet, and the tie-strap extends across a width of the sheet and is connected to the sheet at multiple connection locations that are spaced from each other along a length of the tie-strap. The sheet includes drape regions where the sheet is disconnected from the tie-strap between successive connection locations.
In accordance with another aspect of the present development, a roof structure includes a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart purlins, wherein bays are defined between each successive pair of the purlins. The roof structure further includes a vapor retarder system including a vapor retarder sheet draped over a plurality of the purlins so as to span multiple bays. The vapor retarder sheet includes a tie-strap located adjacent an inner surface of the sheet. The tie-strap is connected to the sheet at multiple connection locations that are spaced from each other along a length of the tie-strap. The sheet includes drape regions that are disconnected from the tie-strap between successive connection locations. The tie-strap is extended so that the connection locations are located adjacent respective ones of the purlins and the drape regions are located in respective bays between successive ones of said purlins.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONEach tie-strap T is connected to the inner surface S1′ and/or other part of the sheet S′ at the connection locations C that are spaced from each other at a constant interval N along the length or longitudinal axis of each tie-strap T. Furthermore, each tie-strap T is connected in the same manner and at the same constant interval N so that the respective corresponding connection points C of the straps T are aligned with each other on respective strap-connection axes CX that extend transverse to the longitudinal axes of each tie-strap T. Each tie-strap T is preferably continuous, but those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that each tie-strap T can be replaced by multiple separate tie-straps, each having a length of at least one interval N.
The vapor retarder sheet system 100S can be rolled or folded as desired for storage and transport. When completely unfurled as shown in
Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the presence of the tie-straps T ensures that the vapor retarder sheet S′ is arranged in each bay B with the drape regions DR suspended or “pillowed” in the bays B and exhibiting the select, predetermined drape height DH when the tie-straps T are fully extended. The tie-straps T prevent over-tensioning of the vapor retarder sheet S′ between successive purlins P as described above in relation to
The vapor retarder sheet S′ is a single layer or multiple layer product, e.g., single-layer vinyl film/sheet or other film/sheet, or a laminated composite containing various combinations of aluminum foil, polymeric film/sheet, kraft paper, reinforcing yarns and fabrics. The retarder sheet S′ can vary in strength, color, light reflectivity, ability to retard moisture migration therethrough, and other attributes without departing from the overall scope and intent of the present development.
As shown in
In an alternative embodiment, the vapor retarder sheet S′ is replaced with an alternative sheet or web that can be any desired polymeric sheet/film, fabric, cloth, netting, laminate and/or other flexible material. In one such embodiment, as shown at W in
The development has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that modifications and alterations to the preferred embodiments are possible. The disclosed preferred embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims, which are to be construed as broadly as possible, whether literally or according to the doctrine of equivalents.
Claims
1. A vapor retarder system comprising:
- a vapor retarder sheet;
- at least one tie-strap located adjacent an inner surface of said sheet, said tie-strap extending across a width of said sheet and connected to said sheet at multiple connection locations that are spaced from each other along a length of the tie-strap, wherein the sheet comprises drape regions where the sheet is disconnected from the tie-strap between successive connection locations.
2. The vapor retarder sheet as set forth in claim 1, wherein said drape regions of said sheet define a non-zero drape height between said successive connection locations, wherein said drape height is defined as a maximum distance measured between said inner surface of said sheet and a plane that includes said tie-strap when said tie-strap is fully extended between said successive connection points.
3. The vapor retarder sheet as set forth in claim 2, wherein the drape height is in the range of 3 inches to 18 inches.
4. The vapor retarder system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the distance between said successive connection locations is shorter along a first path that follows said tie-strap as compared to a second path that follows said sheet.
5. The vapor retarder system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said at least one tie-strap comprises a plurality of said tie-straps.
6. The vapor retarder system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said successive connection locations for each of said tie-straps are spaced from each other at a constant interval, and wherein said constant interval is the same for each of said plurality of tie-straps such that corresponding connection locations of the plurality of tie-straps define respective connection axes.
7. The vapor retarder system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said plurality of tie-straps are arranged parallel to each other and said respective connection axes lie parallel to each other and extend perpendicular to said plurality of tie-straps.
8. The vapor retarder system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said tie-straps each comprise a flexible member, and wherein each of said connection locations comprises a sewn connection between said sheet and said tie-strap.
9. The vapor retarder system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said tie-straps each comprise a rigid or semi-rigid member including hinges respectively located adjacent at least some of the connection points such that said tie-strap is able to be pivoted and folded upon itself at each of said hinges.
10. The vapor retarder system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said vapor retarder sheet comprises a single layer or multiple layers of at least one of polymeric film, aluminum foil, kraft paper, reinforcing yarn, reinforcing fabric.
11. A roof structure comprising:
- a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart purlins, wherein bays are defined between each successive pair of said purlins;
- a vapor retarder system comprising:
- a vapor retarder sheet draped over a plurality of said purlins so as to span multiple bays, said vapor retarder sheet comprising a tie-strap located adjacent an inner surface of said sheet, said tie-strap connected to said sheet at multiple connection locations that are spaced from each other along a length of the tie-strap, wherein the sheet comprises drape regions that are disconnected from the tie-strap between successive connection locations, wherein said tie-strap is extended so that said connection locations are located adjacent respective ones of said purlins and said drape regions are located in respective bays between successive ones of said purlins.
12. The roof structure as set forth in claim 11, wherein each drape region of said sheet defines a non-zero drape height between said successive connection locations, wherein said drape height is defined as a maximum distance measured between said inner surface of said sheet and a plane that includes said tie-strap when said tie-strap is fully extended between said successive connection points.
13. The roof structure as set forth in claim 12, wherein the drape height is in the range of 3 inches to 18 inches.
14. The roof structure as set forth in claim 12, comprising a plurality of said tie-straps arranged parallel and spaced-apart relative to each other.
15. The roof structure as set forth in claim 14, wherein said successive connection locations for each of said tie-straps are spaced from each other by a constant interval, and wherein said constant interval is the same for each of said plurality of tie-straps such that corresponding connection locations of the plurality of tie-straps define respective connection axes that extend parallel to and that are aligned with said purlins.
16. The roof structure as set forth in claim 15, wherein said tie-straps each comprise a flexible member, and wherein each of said connection locations comprises a sewn connection between said sheet and said tie-strap.
17. The roof structure as set forth in claim 15, wherein said tie-straps each comprise a rigid or semi-rigid member including hinges respectively located adjacent at least some of the connection points such that said tie-strap is able to be pivoted and folded upon itself at each of said hinges.
18. The roof structure as set forth in claim 11, wherein said vapor retarder sheet comprises a single layer or multiple layers of at least one of polymeric film, aluminum foil, kraft paper, reinforcing yarn, reinforcing fabric.
19. The roof structure as set forth in claim 11, further comprising a roof deck supported on said purlins, wherein said inner surface of said vapor retarder sheet is oriented toward said roof deck.
20. A fall-protection system comprising:
- a fall-protection net or sheet;
- at least one tie-strap located adjacent an inner surface of said fall-protection net or sheet, said tie-strap extending across a width of said net or sheet and connected thereto at multiple connection locations that are spaced from each other along a length of the tie-strap, wherein the net or sheet comprises drape regions where the net or sheet is disconnected from the tie-strap between successive connection locations.
Type: Application
Filed: May 13, 2013
Publication Date: Sep 19, 2013
Applicant: LAMTEC CORPORATION (Mount Bethel, PA)
Inventors: Hal J. Robbins (Langhorne, PA), John A. Post (Tranquility, NJ)
Application Number: 13/892,812
International Classification: E04B 7/00 (20060101);