System for protection of buildings and method for same

Abstract

A system and method for protection of buildings are disclosed here. The system may include a plurality of durable recyclable sheets that are capable of displaying media, portions of each sheet may be attached to the other via external fasteners that may be located at interfaces between the sheets. The system may also include top fasteners to fasten portions of the sheets to parts of the building, supporting members, and internal fasteners to fasten the supporting members to portions of the sheets. The method may include the steps of providing durable recyclable sheets capable of displaying media, attaching portion of the sheets to each other, fastening portions of the sheets to the building, disposing supporting members to support portions of the sheets, and attaching the supporting members to portions of the inside surfaces of the sheets.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This invention is generally related to the field of construction. In particular, the invention is directed to system and method for protection of buildings during construction.

2. Background of the Invention

Current systems for protection of buildings under construction use variety of blankets or tarps to cover buildings under construction. One problem with these systems is the use of variety of disposable materials that pose health and environmental hazard. Another problem is that these systems are often difficult to install and don't effectively shield these buildings.

Accordingly, system and method are needed to address these problems with the prior art systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objects mentioned above, as well as other objects, are solved by the present invention, which overcomes disadvantages while providing new advantages not previously obtainable in the prior art.

In a preferred embodiment, the system may include a plurality of sheets that are configured to be disposed around the perimeter of the building. Each sheet have height, width, length, external and internal surfaces. Portions of each sheet may be attached to portions of the other sheet by one or plurality of external fasteners. One or plurality of top fastener may be employed to fasten portions of the sheets to parts of the building.

The system may also include plurality of supporting member spaced apart and positioned on the floor surface to support portions of the sheets. The system may also include plurality of internal fasteners to fasten the supporting members to portions of the sheets.

The top fastener may include a clamp that may include a base member, a first threaded member that may be connected to the base member, and a second member that may be connected to the base member. The clamp may secure portions of the sheets to parts of one or plurality of steel or wood beams.

Portions of the sheets are made of a material configured to be recyclable. Portions of the plurality of sheets are configured to be capable of displaying media advertisement.

The system also includes method for protection of buildings under construction. The method may include the steps of providing a plurality of durable recyclable sheets capable of displaying advertisement, attaching portions of the sheets to each other, and configuring the sheets to be disposed effectively around the perimeter of the building.

The step of configuring the plurality of sheets may include the steps of fastening portions of the sheets to parts of a top surface of the building, disposing a plurality of spaced supporting members to support portions of the sheets, and attaching parts of the plurality of supporting members to portions of the inside surfaces of the plurality of sheets.

The step of fastening portions of the sheets to parts of the top surface of the building may includes the steps of disposing top fasteners at parts of the top surface of the building; and securing portions of the plurality of sheets to parts of the top fasteners.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be, or will become, apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, together with further objects and attendant advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exterior view of a system, in accord with the present invention, to protect buildings under construction;

FIG. 2 is an inside view of the system shown in FIG. 1, in accord with the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in accord with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment in accord with the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of an embodiment in accord with the present invention; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a component of the system in accord with the present invention.

The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Set forth below is a description of what are believed to be the preferred embodiments and/or best examples of the invention claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to this preferred embodiment are contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications, which make insubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure, or in result, are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent.

FIG. 1 shows a system 1, in accord with the present invention, to protect a building 2 under construction from weather element. Building 2 may include top surface 7, floor surface 8, and one or plurality steel or wood beams 5. System 1 may include plurality of sheets 3 that are preferably made of durable and recyclable materials. Portions of sheets 3 may be attached to portions of each other sheet by external fasteners 4, which may be fasteners, such as zippers, Velcro® or the likes, and may be spaced and positioned at interfaces 4A between sheets 3 at predetermined locations.

System 1 may also include one or plurality of top fasteners 6 to fasten potions of sheets 3 to parts of top surface 7. Top fasteners 6 may secure portions of sheets 3 to parts of beams 5.

Sheets 3 or portions are configured to be capable of displaying advertisements or insignias 17. Sheets 3 may be made in white color or any other colors.

FIG. 2 is an interior view of system 1 to protect building 2 from weather element. Plurality of supporting members 10 may be used to back portions of sheets 3. Supporting members 10 may be positioned at predetermined locations, such as every 10 feet and so forth. Supporting members 10 may be 2×4 wedges or other type of supporting elements.

Inside fasteners 9 may be used to fasten portions of sheets 3 to portions of supporting members 10. Fasteners 9 may include any type of fasteners known or used in the construction industry, such as straps and so forth. System 1 effectively seals building 2 with the use of supporting members 10 and fasteners 9. Unlike prior art systems, system 1 is capable of withstanding high speed wind because system 1 is being supported from the inside and the outside.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of another embodiment in accord with the present invention. A system 11 may be deployed to protect buildings under construction. System 11 may include a plurality of sheets 13 made from durable recyclable materials and capable of displaying any type of media. Each sheet 13A may has predetermined heights, width, length, external and internal surfaces, any may vary in dimensions. System 11 may also include a plurality of supporting members, not shown, to support portions of sheets 13A. System 11 may also include plurality and variety of inside fasteners 14 positioned in predetermined different locations of sheet 13A to fasten portions of sheet 13A to supporting members. Inside fasteners 14 may include straps or any other appropriate type of fasteners used in the construction industry. Inside fastener 14 may include straps of variety of sizes, such as 36 or 12 inches or and/or combinations spaced in various locations of sheet 13A to support portions of sheet 13A.

A plurality of grommets 12 or the like may be used in system 11. Grommets 12 may be used to hook top fasteners 6, as also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and described in details in FIGS. 6 and 7, to sheet 13A to provide tight enclosure of the building and to strengthen system 11 to withstand high speed wind and adverse weather.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of system 20 according to the present invention. System 20 may include plurality of fabric materials 19. Fabric materials 19 are preferably durable and capable of being recycled. Materials 19 are capable of displaying variety of media, including paper or electronic types of advertisements, and so forth.

Sheet 19A may include plurality of fasteners 21 disposed longitudinally along a length of sheet 19A to attach portions of sheet 19A to other portions of other sheets. Fasteners 21 may include zippers, straps, Velcro® or other type of fasteners. Sheet 19A may also include plurality of spaced support members, not shown, positioned against sheet 19A to support portions of sheet 19A. A plurality of inside fasteners 23 may be used to attach the support members to portions of sheet 19A. Inside fasteners 23 may be a strap or other type of fastener and may be of any dimension, such as straps approximately 12 inches in length, and so forth. Additional fasteners may also be used, such as cables 26 that may be sewn in to provide support and strength to sheet 19A.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of system 20 according to the present invention. System 20 may be attached to beam 25 by fastener 6. Portions of sheet 19A may be supported by spaced supporting members 24 positioned against portions of sheet 19A. Supporting members 24 may be 2×4 supporting elements or the like. System 20 provides tight enclosure of the building because of the tight support for sheets 19 by the collective support mechanisms of fasteners 6, supporting members 24 and inside fasteners 23.

FIG. 6 shows top fastener 6 in accord with the present invention. Top fastener 6 may include rigid base member 6C that may be shaped like a generally C-shaped clamp or generally rectangular clamp. It was found during tests that the generally rectangular shape provided strength and stiffness to fastener 6 higher than prior art fasteners.

Fastener 6 may include first member 6A that has threaded part 6B, which is selectively moveable inside hole 6D to secure part of a beam, such as 25 shown in previous FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front view of FIG. 6 that shows wing nut 6E that may be threaded down 6D to hold sheets 19 around buildings to secure system 1 around buildings to protect them. Member 6D may be perpendicular to base member 6C.

The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in the following claim that define the invention. For example while preferred embodiments have been described above, persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a variety of other designs still falling within the scope of the following claims may be envisioned and used. It is contemplated that future modifications in structure, function, or result will exist that are not substantial changes and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered by the claims.

Claims

1. A system for protection of buildings, the system comprising:

(a) a plurality of sheets configured to be disposed around the perimeter of the building, each sheet having a height, width, length, external and internal surfaces, portions of each sheet are attached to portions of the other sheet;

(b) at least one top fastener to fasten portions of the plurality of sheets to parts of the buildings;

(c) a plurality of supporting member spaced apart and positioned on the floor surface to support portions of the sheets; and

(d) a plurality of internal fasteners to fasten the supporting members to portions of the sheets.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein portions of the at least one top fastener fastens to parts of beams in the building.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the at least one top fastener comprises a clamp, the clamp comprises a generally rectangular rigid base member, a threaded rod operatively connected to the rigid member, and a lateral threaded member connected to the rigid member for securing portions of the plurality of sheets to parts of the buildings.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein at least portion of the plurality of sheets are made of a material configured to be recyclable.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein portions of the plurality of sheets are capable of displaying media.

7. A method for protection of buildings, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of durable recyclable sheets capable of displaying advertisement, each sheet having height, width, length, external and internal surfaces;

(b) attaching portions of the plurality of sheets to each other; and

(c) configuring the sheets to be disposed around the perimeter of the building to tightly enclose and seal the building.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of attaching portions of the plurality of sheets to each other includes the use of external fasteners disposed at interfaces between portions of the sheets.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of configuring the plurality of sheets includes the steps of

(d) fastening portions of the plurality of sheets to parts of top surfaces of the building;

(e) disposing a plurality of spaced supporting members to support portions of the plurality of sheets; and

(f) attaching portions of the plurality of supporting members to portions of the inside surfaces of the plurality of sheets.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of fastening portions of the plurality of sheets to parts of the top surface of the building includes the steps of:

(g) disposing top fasteners at portions of the top surface of the building; and

(h) securing portions of the plurality of sheets to portions of the top fasteners.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the top fastener comprises a clamp, the clamp comprises a generally rectangular base member, a first threaded member connected to the base member, and a second member connected to the base member.

12. A fastener for fastening portions of a system for protection of building, the fastener comprises a rigid base member, a first threaded member selectively moveable into the base member and adapted to secure parts of the building, and a second member connected to the base member for securing portions of the plurality of sheets to parts of the building.

13. The fastener of claim 12 wherein the base member is generally rectangular shaped.