Abstract: Disclosed herein are photovoltaic building materials and related methods of manufacturing and installing such materials. In one embodiment, a modular roofing structure comprises a photovoltaic shingle panel having a planar lower surface and an upper surface, and a rigid back member having a length the same as or greater than the length of the shingle panel and attached to the planar lower surface of the shingle panel. The roofing structure also includes at least one electrical contact pad on a lower surface of the back member, and at least one electrical conductor electrically coupled to the shingle panel via the lower surface and passing through the back member and out the lower surface. In such embodiments, the electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the at least one contact pad and extends past a front end of the back member sufficient to electrically contact a contact pad on another back member of a separate modular roofing structure couplable to the first.

Abstract: A system and method for cutting shingles according to which a plurality of cutting blades are mounted on the outer circumference of a cutting cylinder, and the cylinder is rotated with the blades engaging the sheet while effecting relative translational movement between the cylinder and the sheet so that shingles are cut from the sheet upon one rotation of the cylinder.

Abstract: A roof having slate attached by battens and hangers. The hangers have a short member and a long member. The long member has a hook on one end and the remaining end is adjacent to a first outward extending arm. The first outward extending arm is adjacent to a central connecting member. The central connecting member is adjacent a second outward extending arm. The second outward extending arm is adjacent to the short member. The first and second outward extending arms are removably secured to the battens. The slate roof is installed by positioning and attaching the battens to a roof deck. The hangers are then secured to the battens by squeezing the short member and long member together and inserting the first and second outward extending arms into the adjacent hanger holders on the batten.

Abstract: A roof having slate attached by battens and hangers. The hangers have a short member and a tong member. The long member has a hook on one end and the remaining end is adjacent to a first outward extending arm. The first outward extending arm is adjacent to a central connecting member. The central connecting member is adjacent a second outward extending arm. The second outward extending arm is adjacent to the short member. The first and second outward extending arms are removeably secured to the battens. The slate roof is installed by positioning and attaching the battens to a roof deck. The hangers are then secured to the battens by squeezing the short member and long member together and inserting the first and second outward extending arms into the adjacent hanger holders on the batten.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a multi-layer nonwoven fiber material, and related methods of manufacturing the material. In one exemplary embodiment, the fiber material includes a first layer of directionally aligned fibers together with a second layer of randomly dispersed fibers dispersed over the first layer. Consistent with one exemplary method for manufacturing a nonwoven fiber material, the method includes dispersing a first plurality of fibers horizontally in one or more predetermined directions, as well as dispersing a second plurality of fibers horizontally in random directions. In such an embodiment, the second plurality of fibers is dispersed over the first plurality of fibers. Moreover, an exemplary embodiment of a roofing shingle employing a nonwoven fiber material as described herein is as disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a multi-layer nonwoven fiber material, and related methods of manufacturing the material. In one exemplary embodiment, the fiber material includes a first layer of directionally aligned fibers together with a second layer of randomly dispersed fibers dispersed over the first layer. Consistent with one exemplary method for manufacturing a nonwoven fiber material, the method includes dispersing a first plurality of fibers horizontally in one or more predetermined directions, as well as dispersing a second plurality of fibers horizontally in random directions. In such an embodiment, the second plurality of fibers is dispersed over the first plurality of fibers. Moreover, an exemplary embodiment of a roofing shingle employing a nonwoven fiber material as described herein is as disclosed.

Abstract: Systems for assembling and supporting roofing members on a roof structure are described. An exemplary system includes at least one batten extending along a portion of the roof structure. The batten includes receiving portions for removably securing hanger devices along the batten. Related methods for support and assembly are also described.

Abstract: A roof having slate attached by battens and hangers. The hangers have a short member and a long member. The long member has a hook on one end and the remaining end is adjacent to a first outward extending arm. The first outward extending arm is adjacent to a central connecting member. The central connecting member is adjacent a second outward extending arm. The second outward extending arm is adjacent to the short member. The first and second outward extending arms are removably secured to the battens. The slate roof is installed by positioning and attaching the battens to a roof deck. The hangers are then secured to the battens by squeezing the short member and long member together and inserting the first and second outward extending arms into the adjacent hanger holders on the batten.

Abstract: A system and method for cutting shingles according to which a plurality of cutting blades are mounted on the outer circumference of a cutting cylinder, and the cylinder is rotated with the blades engaging the sheet while effecting relative translational movement between the cylinder and the sheet so that shingles are cut from the sheet upon one rotation of the cylinder.

Abstract: A fastener is configured to affix a first article such as a picket to a second article such as a rail to form a railing or balustrade. The fastener includes a first engaging surface having a maximum diameter configured to engage an interior surface of an opening in the first article and a mating surface configured to mate with the second article. The first engaging surface can have shape selected from cylindrical, ellipsoidal, conical, elliptic conical frustum, pyramidal frustum, and ball and other shapes having cross-sections of rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal and other regular polygons having at least four sides such that good engagement is obtained and the fastener is hidden from view in the assembled railing.

Abstract: A roofing system having a multiplicity of courses of roofing shingles and interply material having at least one course of interply material overlapping at least about ten percent of a first course of shingles and a second course of shingles overlapping at least a portion of the interply material and the first course of shingles. More than about 40% of the first course of shingles is exposed after installation. The roofing system has a class A fire resistant rating. Roofing shingles having particular utility in the roofing system of the present invention are also disclosed. In preferred embodiments the shingles have an exposure width of at least about 60% of the shingle, more preferably at least about 64% of the width of the shingle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are positioning devices and related methods of positioning a tool in a desired location. In one exemplary embodiment, a positioning device includes a base having a length extending along a first horizontal axis. In addition, the positioning device includes a first arm coupled to the base and extending therefrom along a second horizontal axis perpendicular to the first horizontal axis. The first arm is configured for linear movement across the base along the first horizontal axis. The positioning device also includes a second arm coupled to the first arm carriage and extending therefrom along a vertical axis, where the second arm is configured for linear movement along the second horizontal axis. Moreover, in this embodiment, the second arm is also configured to pivot about a first rotational axis parallel to the first horizontal axis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are rigid solar powered photovoltaic (PV) integrated roofing membrane and related methods of manufacturing such a membrane. The disclosed membrane and methods beneficially provide solar power to structures in either off-grid or on-grid connections. The roofing membrane may comprise multiple membrane strips or members having electrically interconnected photovoltaic solar elements. The membrane members preferably have distinct patterns for the solar elements located thereon that provide for coverage of entire sections, upon installation, as well as accommodate interconnections between the solar elements. Moreover, the membrane will appreciate the numerous types of patterns to achieve such purposed of full coverage and electrical coupling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat reflective coated structural article comprising a heat reflective component and a coated structural article component which comprises a substrate having an ionic charge coated with a coating having essentially the same ionic charge. The coating of the coated structural article consists essentially of a filler material and a binder material wherein the binder material bonds the filler material together and to the substrate and wherein the coating does not bleed through the substrate. Nonlimiting examples of the heat reflective component include, elastomeric coatings, aluminum fiber coatings, acrylic and polyurethane coating systems, ceramic coatings insulating paints, metal pigment paints, metal pigment pastes and aluminum flakes. The heat reflective coated structural article of the present invention may be incorporated into commercial roofing products.

Abstract: A fire resistant fabric material comprising a substrate having an ionic charge which is coated with a coating having essentially the same ionic charge. The coating consists essentially of a filler material comprising clay and a binder material. The substrate is preferably fiberglass, the filler material may further comprise at least one additional filler selected from the group consisting of decabromodiphenyloxide, antimony trioxide, fly ash, charged calcium carbonate, mica, glass microspheres and ceramic microspheres and mixtures thereof and the binder material is preferably acrylic latex.

Abstract: A system and method for cutting shingles according to which a plurality of cutting blades are mounted on the outer circumference of a cutting cylinder, and the cylinder is rotated with the blades engaging the sheet while effecting relative translational movement between the cylinder and the sheet so that eight unique shingles are cut from the sheet upon one rotation of the cylinder.

Abstract: A roofing composite comprising a roofing material and an interply material attached to the roofing material. The interply material is attached adjacent to an edge of the roofing material and is scored to permit a major portion of the interply material to be folded away from the roofing material for application to a roof. The roofing material may be a roofing shingle or roll roofing and the interply material is comprised of a water resistant material.

Abstract: A structural article comprises a substrate having an ionic charge coated on one side with a coating having essentially the same ionic charge and covered on the other side with a water vapor impermeable material selected from the roof consisting essentially of metal foils and preformed plastic films. The coating consists essentially of a filler material and a binder material and the binder material bonds the filler material together and to the substrate. The water vapor impermeable material is attached to the coated substrate with an adhesive. In additional embodiments, the substrate is coated on both sides with a coating having essentially the same ionic charge and the article so coated is then covered on one or both sides with the water vapor impermeable material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to surface covering building materials for roofs, sidewalls and other exterior surfaces exposed tb the weather such as, but not limited to, asphaltic and non-asphaltic roofing materials, wherein said surface covering building materials exhibit long-term resistance to microbial growth-induced staining. The surface covering building materials include a component having antimicrobial potential which consists essentially of (a) a copper component or a tin component and (b) a barium metaborate monohydrate component.

Abstract: There is provided a hip, ridge, or rake shingle, which includes a shingle panel and at least one rigid back member. The shingle panel has a substantially planar lower surface. The at least one rigid back member has a length substantially the same as or greater than the length of the shingle panel. The rigid back member is attached to the substantially planar lower surface of the shingle panel. The rigid back member includes a step in thickness in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the substantially planar lower surface and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rigid back member. In addition, the thickness of the rigid back member at the high level of the step is greater than the thickness of the rigid back member at one of its ends. There is also provided an asphaltic adhesive including from about 62% to about 99% by weight of an asphalt cement; from about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of a first thermoplastic having a glass-transition temperature in the range from about 190° F.