Abstract: A plate advancement mechanism is configured to cooperate with a stack of plates consisting of alternating first and second roofing plates with alternately positioned indexing notches along an indexing edge of the plates. An indexer including at least one indexing tab that projects beneath the indexing edge of the plates reciprocates parallel to the indexing edge of the roofing plates between a first feed position and a second feed position. The indexer first feed position aligns the indexing tab with the indexing notch of the first plates and the indexer second feed position aligns said indexing tab with the indexing notch of the second plates. The indexer first feed position and said second feed position are coordinated with shuttle movement to release the lowermost roofing plate from the stack onto the shuttle by aligning the indexing tab (or tabs) with the indexing notch (or notches) of the lowermost plate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fastener feed device. The device includes a guide tube, a feed tube, a plate feed actuator, a structural member, a slide roller, a latch, an actuation member, a shank stop lever, and a head stop lever. The feed tube receives a fastener. The plate feed actuator is proximate the guide tube. The structural member includes a vertical slot. The slide roller is movable within the vertical slot. The latch is connected to the plate feed actuator. The actuation member includes a head kicker portion, a latch slot, and a lever portion. The head kicker portion is received at the opening. The latch is configured to extend through the latch slot. The lever portion is proximate the slide roller. The shank stop lever is connected to the actuation member. The head kicker portion, the shank stop lever, and the head stop lever interact with the fastener.

Abstract: A fastener identifying unit for use within an installation tool, has one or more movable jaws associated with a barrel. At least one jaw includes an identification member that changes position when the respective jaw moves or is actuated. The jaws are movable relative to the barrel and define a fastener receiving section, which may be an interface between a pair of jaws. The jaws are biased in a relative direction maintaining the identification member in a first position when a fastener is not present in the barrel. When a fastener is inserted into the barrel, the tip is received by the receiving section, which thereby causes the one or more movable jaws to move against the bias and the identification member to shift to a second position. The identification member is viewable by an installer in the second position to notify the installer of the presence of the fastener.

Abstract: A plate advancement mechanism is configured to cooperate with a stack of plates consisting of alternating first and second roofing plates with alternately positioned indexing notches along an indexing edge of the plates. An indexer including at least one indexing tab that projects beneath the indexing edge of the plates reciprocates parallel to the indexing edge of the roofing plates between a first feed position and a second feed position. The indexer first feed position aligns the indexing tab with the indexing notch of the first plates and the indexer second feed position aligns said indexing tab with the indexing notch of the second plates.

Abstract: A portable induction heating tool includes a housing which includes a base having a support surface. The support surface defines a recess facing away from the housing. The recess is at least partially defined by a wall projecting from the support surface. A work coil is within the housing and secured to the base in a location aligned with the recess. The portable induction heating tool includes electronic circuitry which is configured to provide oscillating electrical energy to the work coil, thereby generating an oscillating magnetic field projecting away from the base. The electronic circuitry is also configured to detect a quantity of energy consumed by the work coil and to limit the quantity of energy to a predetermined quantity.

Abstract: An induction heating tool has an induction heating coil configured to generate a magnetic field closely matched to the shape of the anchor plate. The induction heating tool includes a base configured to assist an operator in aligning the coil over each anchor plate. In the disclosed embodiments, the base supports a circular induction coil with a structure that clearly shows the position of the induction coil. In the disclosed embodiments, material surrounding the induction coil is removed or made transparent so the operator can see the roof immediately surrounding the induction coil as an additional aid in positioning the tool over anchor plates.

Abstract: A portable induction heating tool includes a housing which includes a base having a support surface. The support surface defines a recess facing away from the housing. The recess is at least partially defined by a wall projecting from the support surface. A work coil is within the housing and secured to the base in a location aligned with the recess. The portable induction heating tool includes electronic circuitry which is configured to provide oscillating electrical energy to the work coil, thereby generating an oscillating magnetic field projecting away from the base. The electronic circuitry is also configured to detect a quantity of energy consumed by the work coil and to limit the quantity of energy to a predetermined quantity.

Abstract: A tool for marking the location of a bonding plate concealed beneath a roof membrane. The tool has a magnetic attraction to the bonding plate and causes a marking assembly to vertically lower toward the roof membrane and rotate on an axle. Rotation of the marking assembly and vertical lowering causes the marking implement to come into contact with the roof membrane at a location corresponding to the location of the bonding plate beneath the roof membrane. A brake restricts the rotation of the marking assembly on the axle by coming into contact with an inner edge of a chassis. Contact between the marking implement and the roof membrane and the restriction of rotation of the marking assembly by the brake cause the marking implement to create a visible mark at a position corresponding to the location of the bonding plate beneath the roof membrane.

Abstract: A tool for marking the location of a bonding plate concealed beneath a roof membrane. The tool has a magnetic attraction to the bonding plate and causes a marking assembly to vertically lower toward the roof membrane and rotate on an axle. Rotation of the marking assembly and vertical lowering causes the marking implement to come into contact with the roof membrane at a location corresponding to the location of the bonding plate beneath the roof membrane. A brake restricts the rotation of the marking assembly on the axle by coming into contact with an inner edge of a chassis. Contact between the marking implement and the roof membrane and the restriction of rotation of the marking assembly by the brake cause the marking implement to create a visible mark at a position corresponding to the location of the bonding plate beneath the roof membrane.

Abstract: A position sensing construction system according to aspects of the disclosure may include a GPS system arranged to cover a jobsite, a local position sensing system in combination with the GPS system, tools equipped with position/movement sensors and communication capability, and software to record positions of installed building components. Local position sensing systems may utilize one or more known fixed points, the position of which is established by GPS or other techniques, and report the position of building components relative to the fixed positions. Installation tools are configured to deliver a position signal corresponding to the position of a building component after installation is completed. Software facilitates communication between system components, records position and other information from tools and generates maps of tagged locations that can be used during construction and later for repair and maintenance of the completed project. The positions and maps may be in three dimensions.

Abstract: A method for dispensing moisture sensitive materials employs a packaging module comprising an outer carton and an inner flexible enclosure, which is substantially impermeable to moisture and is filled with one part of an adhesive. The enclosed is loaded on a mobile cart and the one part adhesive is supplied to a pump/mixer without exposure to moisture in the atmosphere. The dispensing method can be used in conjunction with mechanized adhesive application equipment for the construction trades.

Abstract: A dispenser system employs a packaging module for use with moisture sensitive materials. The packaging module comprises an outer carton and an inner bladder, which is substantially impermeable to moisture and is filled with one part of an adhesive. The carton is loaded on a mobile cart and the one part adhesive is supplied to a pump/mixer without exposure to moisture in the atmosphere. The packaging and dispensing system can be used in conjunction with mechanized adhesive application equipment for the construction trades.

Abstract: An induction heating tool has an induction heating coil configured to generate a magnetic field closely matched to the shape of the anchor plate. The induction heating tool includes a base configured to assist an operator in aligning the coil over each anchor plate. In the disclosed embodiments, the base supports a circular induction coil with a structure that clearly shows the position of the induction coil. In the disclosed embodiments, material surrounding the induction coil is removed or made transparent so the operator can see the roof immediately surrounding the induction coil as an additional aid in positioning the tool over anchor plates.

Abstract: A portable induction heating tool is provided as a membrane roofing tool for use in sealing anchor plates with a heat-activated adhesive to a membrane roofing member. The tool uses two different audible tones so two tools can be used simultaneously on a single roof, while allowing a user to easily distinguish between the operation of both tools. The main housing containing electronics is weather-tight, and requires no forced-cooling devices. The controller automatically performs data logging functions, such as counting the number of anchor plates per job or per day that have been properly placed, counting the number of activation events for a tool's life, tracking the number of faults which occur as the tool is being used, and the controller can identify the type of fault that occurs during operation of the tool. The controller also stores energy setting changes in memory.

Abstract: A portable induction heating tool is provided as a membrane roofing tool for use in sealing anchor plates with a heat-activated adhesive to a membrane roofing member. The tool uses two different audible tones so two tools can be used simultaneously on a single roof, while allowing a user to easily distinguish between the operation of both tools. The main housing containing electronics is weather-tight, and requires no forced-cooling devices. The controller automatically performs data logging functions, such as counting the number of anchor plates per job or per day that have been properly placed, counting the number of activation events for a tool's life, tracking the number of faults which occur as the tool is being used, and the controller can identify the type of fault that occurs during operation of the tool. The controller also stores energy setting changes in memory.

Abstract: A portable induction heating tool is provided as a membrane roofing tool for use in sealing anchor plates with a heat-activated adhesive to a membrane roofing member. The tool uses two different audible tones so two tools can be used simultaneously on a single roof, while allowing a user to easily distinguish between the operation of both tools. The main housing containing electronics is weather-tight, and requires no forced-cooling devices. The controller automatically performs data logging functions, such as counting the number of anchor plates per job or per day that have been properly placed, counting the number of activation events for a tool's life, tracking the number of faults which occur as the tool is being used, and the controller can identify the type of fault that occurs during operation of the tool. The controller also stores energy setting changes in memory.

Abstract: A dispenser system employs a packaging module for use with moisture sensitive materials. The packaging module comprises an outer carton and an inner bladder, which is substantially impermeable to moisture and is filled with one part of an adhesive. The carton is loaded on a mobile cart and the one part adhesive is supplied to a pump/mixer without exposure to moisture in the atmosphere. The packaging and dispensing system can be used in conjunction with mechanized adhesive application equipment for the construction trades.

Abstract: A portable induction heating tool is provided as a membrane roofing tool for use in sealing anchor plates with a heat-activated adhesive to a membrane roofing member. The tool uses two different audible tones so two tools can be used simultaneously on a single roof, while allowing a user to easily distinguish between the operation of both tools. The main housing containing electronics is weather-tight, and requires no forced-cooling devices. The controller automatically performs data logging functions, such as counting the number of anchor plates per job or per day that have been properly placed, counting the number of activation events for a tool's life, tracking the number of faults which occur as the tool is being used, and the controller can identify the type of fault that occurs during operation of the tool. The controller also stores energy setting changes in memory.

Abstract: A dispenser system employs a packaging module for use with moisture sensitive materials. The packaging module comprises an outer carton and an inner bladder, which is substantially impermeable to moisture and is filled with one part of an adhesive. The carton is loaded on a mobile cart and the one part adhesive is supplied to a pump/mixer without exposure to moisture in the atmosphere. The packaging and dispensing system can be used in conjunction with mechanized adhesive application equipment for the construction trades.

Abstract: A dispenser system employs a packaging module for use with moisture sensitive materials. The packaging module comprises an outer carton and an inner bladder, which is substantially impermeable to moisture and is filled with one part of an adhesive. The carton is loaded on a mobile cart and the one part adhesive is supplied to a pump/mixer without exposure to moisture in the atmosphere. The packaging and dispensing system can be used in conjunction with mechanized adhesive application equipment for the construction trades.