Abstract: Heat insulation is positioned in a building structure that includes radiant heat reflective sheet material that is placed in spaced relationship with respect to an adjacent body, such as fibrous blanket heat insulation material. The reflective sheet is protected from intrusion of dust, fibers, etc. and faces a dead air space.

Abstract: Roof insulation applicator (10) for applying sheet material to the roof of an industrial building includes a carriage (12) for mounting on adjacent purlins (14 and 15) of a partially completed roof. Support roller (40) is applied by the carriage to the upper surfaces of the purlins (14 and 15) and the carriage is tiltable about the support roller (40). The center of gravity of the carriage (12) is applied rearwardly of the support roller (40). Purlin engager (60) is mounted to the front of the carriage and engages under the upper laterally extending flange (22) of the purlin (14) and limits the downward pivoting of the rear end of the carriage applying a lever arm effect by the weight of the rear portion of the structure to the support roller (40). This firmly holds the sheet material in its stretched configuration extending from the roof panel (16) out to the support roller (40), reducing the tendency of the sheet material to sag in between the adjacent purlins.

Abstract: Roof insulation applicator (10) for applying blanket insulation or other sheet material to the roof of an industrial building includes a carriage (12) for mounting on adjacent purlins (14 and 15) of a partially completed roof. Support roller (40) is applied by the carriage to the upper surfaces of the purlins (14 and 15) and the carriage is tiltable about the support roller (40). The center of gravity of the carriage (12) is applied rearwardly of the support roller (40), between the support roller (40) and the rear of the carriage. Purlin engager (60) is mounted to the front of the carriage and engages under the upper laterally extending flange (22) of the purlin (14). The purlin engager at the front of the carriage limits the downward pivoting of the rear end of the carriage so that a lever arm effect is applied by the weight of the rear portion of the structure to the support roller (40).

Abstract: Heat insulating air bags (10) are formed with heat reflective interior surfaces (13) and the bags are filled with gas. In a preferred embodiment, the bags are formed at a forming site adjacent a dwelling, in a continuous manner, and are fed to an air delivery system (56) that blows the bags into the building structure where they are directed to an insulation receiving site, such as the floor of an attic.

Abstract: Heat insulation blanket (10) includes a layer of inner cells (16) containing a phase change material, and opposed outer cells (18 and 19) containing dead air or other undisturbed gas. When placed in an attic or other insulated area, the phase change material changes phase when the outside atmospheric temperature passes the phase change temperature, resulting in a delay in the transfer of heat between the interior space and the atmosphere because of the heat required for or given up by the PCM during its change of phase. The outer plies of sheet material that form the superposed cells of the cell blanket are formed with a coating of heat reflective material that faces the interior of the cell blanket, whereby the reflective surfaces are protected against deterioration and retain their capacity to reflect radiant heat.

Abstract: Heat insulated wall structure includes interior blanket insulation positioned between adjacent ones of studs, interior of the exterior wall board. Reflective sheet material is placed adjacent the blanket insulation, and the interior wall board is applied over the reflective sheet material to the studs. Spacers are applied to the heat reflective sheet material so as to maintain the facing surfaces of the reflective sheet material and the next adjacent surface in spaced relationship, forming a dead air space therebetween. The dead air space adjacent the heat reflective sheet material maintains the high reflectivity properties of the reflective sheet material, giving the enhanced ability to reflect heat away from the interior of the wall structure.

Abstract: Radiant heat reflective cell blanket (10) is formed with superposed support sheets (12 and 13) that form an array of cells thereover. A dead air space is maintained in each cell, and heat reflective sheets (20 and 21) are located within each cell. The reflective sheets (20 and 21) are adhesively connected to the upper and lower support sheets (12 and 13) to maintain a dead air space therebetween. The cells avoid the accumulation of dust, dirt, and fibrous material on the reflective surfaces of the blanket, thereby maintaining the reflectivity of the blanket, and the cells avoid outside contact by other objects that might reduce the reflectivity of the blanket.

Abstract: An inflatable/deflatable heat insulation system for a structure is responsive to changes in atmospheric temperature to change its volume, thereby changing the rate of heat transfer therethrough. A phase change material, a reflective material, and/or a fixed R-value insulation, such as a fiberglass blanket, can be used in combination with the inflatable insulation system.

Abstract: A method of providing a roof structure having a plurality of purlins spaced apart from one another in a parallel arrangement includes the first step of providing a carriage carrying a supply of netting. The carriage is then moved along the length of the purlins in a first direction from a first portion of the roof structure to a second portion of the roof structure, such as for example, one end of the roof structure to the other end. Movement of the carriage dispenses the netting between the first and second portions. A supply of support sheet is then provided. A first section of the roof structure is constructed which includes purlins, the netting, and the support sheet. The carriage is then moved along the length of the purlins in a second direction opposite the first direction and towards the first portion of the roof structure. Movement of the carriage dispenses the support sheet above the netting.

Abstract: A method of dispensing netting on a roof structure to provide fall protection for workers on the roof structure is disclosed herein. The roof structure includes a plurality of purlins spaced apart from one another in a parallel arrangement. A carriage is provided which is moveable in a direction along the length of the purlins. A supply of netting is attached to the carriage. The carriage is then moved along the length of the purlins, wherein movement of the carriage dispenses the netting onto the end of the roof structure.

Abstract: A method of providing a roof structure having a plurality of purlins spaced apart from one another in a parallel arrangement includes the first step of providing a carriage upon which is mounted a supply of support sheet and a supply of netting. A first section of the roof structure is then constructed. The first section includes purlins, the support sheet, and the netting. The carriage is then moved along the length of the purlins in a direction away from the completed first section of the roof structure, wherein movement of the carriage dispenses the support sheet and the netting.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the renewable direct current power source of the present invention includes input terminals which are adapted to receive recharge voltage from a relatively low voltage power source and output terminals which are adapted to provide a battery-output voltage, with the battery-output voltage being higher than the recharge voltage. Preferably, a plurality of rechargeable battery cells are electrically interconnected between the input terminals and the output terminals and are configured to electrically interconnect with each other in series during discharge. A method aspect also is provided.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the electrical power system with relatively-low voltage input includes a power source, i.e. a fuel cell, battery, solar cell, etc, that is configured to provide a first output voltage which is lower than the battery output voltage of a rechargeable battery to be charged. A voltage multiplier circuit is electrically interconnected to the power source and is configured to removably electrically interconnect with the rechargeable battery during charging. The voltage multiplier circuit is configured to receive the first output voltage from the power source, convert the first output voltage to a boosted voltage and provide the boosted voltage to the rechargeable battery. In order to facilitate the recharging of the rechargeable battery, the boosted voltage is provided at a voltage which is at least equal to the battery output voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a carriage along a roof structure of the type having a plurality of purlins spaced apart from one another in a parallel arrangement, and method of using same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a grappling member mounted for movement along the length of a first one of the plurality of purlins. The grappling member is adapted to be temporarily placed into a locked position so that the grappling member is fixed with respect to the first purlin. A tension member operatively connects the grappling member to the carriage. A pulling device is used to pull on the tension member so as to shorten the distance between the grappling member and the carriage, thereby advancing the carriage along the length of the purlins in a direction towards the grappling member when the grappling member is in the locked position.

Abstract: An apparatus for straightening portions of a plurality of purlins of a roof structure which have been moved from an original position to a deformed position and a method of using the same is disclosed. A carriage is provided which is mounted for movement along the length of the purlins in a downstream direction. The carriage has a plurality of guides which are positioned adjacent the plurality of purlins in the deformed position. A purlin straightening device attached to the carriage moves the carriage in a direction lateral to the length of the purlins so that the guides move the portions of the plurality of purlins from the deformed position to the original position.

Abstract: A movable safety barrier for use in constructing a roof structure having purlins spaced apart from one another in a parallel arrangement is disclosed. The barrier extends laterally across a plurality of the purlins. The barrier is mounted for movement along the length of the purlins as the roof structure is constructed. The barrier includes a plurality of runner portions positioned above the purlins. The barrier further includes a plurality of support portions extending between adjacent runner portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for straightening portions of a plurality of purlins of a roof structure which have been moved from an original position to a deformed position and a method of using the same is disclosed. A carriage is provided which is mounted for movement along the length of the purlins in a downstream direction. The carriage has a plurality of guides which are positioned adjacent the plurality of purlins in the deformed position. A purlin straightening device attached to the carriage moves the carriage in a direction lateral to the length of the purlins so that the guides move the portions of the plurality of purlins from the deformed position to the original position.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a roof structure of the type having a plurality of purlins spaced apart from one another in a parallel arrangement is disclosed. The purlins have a generally vertical portion. The space between the vertical portions of adjacent purlins defines an insulation cavity which is generally rectangular in cross-sectional shape. The apparatus includes a carriage which is movable along the length of the purlins for dispensing a support sheet from a roll for support of insulation material. As the carriage travels along the length of the purlins, the support sheet is dispensed so that the support sheet depends from the top portion of adjacent purlins. The apparatus further includes a first bar having a curvilinear shape which is mounted on the carriage and extends across the width of the support sheet. The first bar is positioned so that the support sheet contacts and is guided by the first bar as the support sheet is dispensed.

Abstract: An insulating facing material in accordance with the present invention may include at least two longitudinal sheets formed from a flexible, foldable material that is suitable for coiling for storage purposes. In a preferred embodiment, each sheet includes two substantially parallel longitudinal edges disposed between first and second ends, wherein the longitudinal sheets are arranged on top of one another such that the longitudinal edges of each sheet overlap one another. At least one sheet in the facing material includes at least one fold disposed therein, wherein each fold allows a folded sheet to expand and have a greater area than that of an adjacent sheet, thereby allowing an air gap to form between adjacent sheets. The backing may also include an attaching mechanism for attaching overlapping longitudinal edges of each sheet to one another.

Abstract: A method for providing a roof structure of the type having a plurality of purlins spaced apart from one another in a parallel arrangement is disclosed. A first section of the roof structure, which includes purlins, a support sheet, insulation material, and hard roofing material, is completed. A carriage is then moved in a first direction along the length of the purlins and away from the first section of the roof structure to define a gap between the completed first section and the carriage. The movement of the carriage pays out a support sheet from the carriage so that the support sheet depends from adjacent purlins in the gap. A wind barrier, which is in a generally horizontal position to prevent wind from blowing vertically through the gap, is provided, thereby hindering wind disturbance of the support sheet.