SEAM SEALING DEVICE FOR ROOFS
20260117526 ยท 2026-04-30
Inventors
Cpc classification
International classification
Abstract
Systems/techniques are provided for facilitating vertical seam sealing devices for metal roofs. In various embodiments, a device can comprise a frame having a handle. In various aspects, the device can comprise one or more carriage guides extending downward from the frame and configured to mate with a vertical seam of a metal roof. In various instances, pushing or pulling on the handle while the one or more carriage guides are mated with the vertical seam can cause the frame to ride along the vertical seam. In various cases, the device can comprise a set of rollers coupled to the frame and configured to dispense sealing material onto the vertical seam as the frame rides along the vertical seam.
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle; one or more carriage guides extending downward from the frame and configured to mate with a vertical seam of a metal roof, wherein pushing or pulling on the handle while the one or more carriage guides are mated with the vertical seam causes the frame to ride along the vertical seam; and a set of rollers coupled to the frame and configured to dispense sealing material onto the vertical seam as the frame rides along the vertical seam.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sealing material comprises a polyester strip whose top and bottom surfaces are coated with a roofing sealant.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the set of rollers comprise: a first roller that is configured to carry an uncoated spool of the polyester strip, wherein the uncoated spool of the polyester strip unspools as the frame rides along the vertical seam.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the set of rollers comprise: one or more second rollers that are configured to be drenched in the roofing sealant and to contact the top and bottom surfaces of the polyester strip as the polyester strip unspools from the first roller, thereby coating the top and bottom surfaces of the polyester strip with the roofing sealant.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a sprayer whose hose runs through, in, or along the handle and that is configured to drench the one or more second rollers with the roofing sealant.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the set of rollers comprise: one or more third rollers that are configured to pinch the polyester strip, after it passes through the one or more second rollers, into a groove of the vertical seam as the frame rides along the vertical seam.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the one or more third rollers are shaped to complement the groove of the vertical seam.
8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first roller is positioned between a front and a rear of the frame, wherein the one or more second rollers are positioned at the front of the frame, and wherein the one or more third rollers are positioned at the rear of the frame.
9. A method, comprising: obtaining a vertical seam of a metal roof; and applying a sealing material to the vertical seam, via a device that comprises: a frame having a handle; one or more carriage guides extending downward from the frame and configured to mate with the vertical seam, wherein pushing or pulling on the handle while the one or more carriage guides are mated with the vertical seam causes the frame to ride along the vertical seam; and a set of rollers coupled to the frame and configured to dispense the sealing material onto the vertical seam as the frame rides along the vertical seam.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the sealing material comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive tape whose top surface is coated with a roofing sealant.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the set of rollers comprise: a first roller that is configured to carry an uncoated spool of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape, wherein the uncoated spool of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape unspools as the frame rides along the vertical seam.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the set of rollers comprise: one or more second rollers that are configured to be drenched in the roofing sealant and to contact the top surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape as the pressure sensitive adhesive tape unspools from the first roller, thereby coating the top surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape with the roofing sealant.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the device further comprises: a sprayer whose hose runs through, in, or along the handle and that is configured to drench the one or more second rollers with the roofing sealant.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the set of rollers comprise: one or more third rollers that are configured to pinch the pressure sensitive adhesive tape, after it passes through the one or more second rollers, into a groove of the vertical seam as the frame rides along the vertical seam.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more third rollers are shaped to complement the groove of the vertical seam.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the first roller is positioned between a front and a rear of the frame, wherein the one or more second rollers are positioned at the front of the frame, and wherein the one or more third rollers are positioned at the rear of the frame.
17. A system, comprising: a frame; one or more motorized actuators coupled to the frame and configured to propel the frame along a vertical seam of a metal roof; and a set of rollers coupled to the frame and configured to dispense sealing material onto the vertical seam as the frame is propelled along the vertical seam.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the sealing material is a polyester strip whose top and bottom surfaces are coated with a roofing sealant, and wherein the set of rollers comprise: a first roller that is configured to carry an uncoated spool of the polyester strip, wherein the uncoated spool of the polyester strip unspools as the frame is propelled along the vertical seam; one or more second rollers that are configured to be drenched in the roofing sealant and to contact the top and bottom surfaces of the polyester strip as the polyester strip unspools from the first roller, thereby coating the top and bottom surfaces of the polyester strip with the roofing sealant; and one or more third rollers that are configured to pinch the polyester strip, after it passes through the one or more second rollers, into a groove of the vertical seam as the frame is propelled along the vertical seam.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein the sealing material is a pressure sensitive adhesive tape whose top surface is coated with a roofing sealant, and wherein the set of rollers comprise: a first roller that is configured to carry an uncoated spool of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape, wherein the uncoated spool of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape unspools as the frame is propelled along the vertical seam; one or more second rollers that are configured to be drenched in the roofing sealant and to contact the top surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape as the pressure sensitive adhesive tape unspools from the first roller, thereby coating the top surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape with the roofing sealant; and one or more third rollers that are configured to pinch the pressure sensitive adhesive tape, after it passes through the one or more second rollers, into a groove of the vertical seam as the frame is propelled along the vertical seam.
20. The system of claim 17, wherein the one or more motorized actuators are motorized wheels.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Various embodiments will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying figures. To facilitate this description, like reference numerals designate like structural elements. Embodiments are illustrated by way of example, not by way of limitation, in the figures. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
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[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The following detailed description is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit embodiments or application/uses of embodiments. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied information presented in the preceding Background or Summary sections, or in the Detailed Description section.
[0015] One or more embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like referenced numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the one or more embodiments. It is evident, however, in various cases, that the one or more embodiments can be practiced without these specific details.
[0016] Various operations can be described as multiple discrete actions or operations in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the subject matter disclosed herein. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations can be performed in an order different from the order of presentation. Operations described can be performed in a different order from the described embodiments. Various additional operations can be performed, or described operations can be omitted in additional embodiments.
[0017] Although some elements may be referred to in the singular (e.g., a processing device), any appropriate elements may be represented by multiple instances of that element, and vice versa. For example, a set of operations described as performed by a processing device may be implemented with different ones of the operations performed by different processing devices. As used herein, the phrase based on should be understood to mean based at least in part on, unless otherwise specified.
[0018] Buildings have roofs. Although residential buildings (e.g., single-family houses) often have roofs that are made up of shingles (e.g., asphalt shingles, wood shingles), commercial or industrial buildings (e.g., office complexes, retail complexes, restaurants, warehouses, manufacturing factories) often have roofs that are instead made up of metal (e.g., galvanized steel roofs, stainless steel roofs, aluminum roofs, zinc roofs, copper roofs). Metal roofs can be preferred for commercial or industrial buildings due to their longevity (e.g., metal roofs can last between 40 and 70 years, notwithstanding being exposed to harsh or inclement weather). In order to achieve or otherwise maximize such longevity, metal roofs should be sealed in order to prevent water intrusion (e.g., leaking during rain or snow). Specifically, a metal roof can be composed of multiple metal panels, where adjacent metal panels are joined via vertical seams (otherwise referred to as standing seams). Vertical seams can be shaped or otherwise constructed with various types of profiles, such as single-lock profiles, double-lock profiles, overlapping profiles, or snap-lock profiles. Regardless of the specific type or shape of profile that is implemented for a given vertical seam, that given vertical seam should, during its initial construction or during its subsequent restorations, be adequately or properly sealed so as to prevent water from permeating the given vertical seam. Indeed, metal roofs can experience significant amounts of thermal expansion-contraction cycles over their useful lifetimes. Such thermal expansion-contraction cycles can tend to unsettle or otherwise open up vertical seams (e.g., metal roofs can experience thermal-induced displacements of as much as inch over 10 feet of panel length). This tendency to significantly thermally expand and contract underscores the importance of ensuring that vertical seams are sealed (e.g., such that no water invades any gaps or crevices that might open up in such vertical seams due to thermal expansion and contraction).
[0019] There are two primary strategies for sealing vertical seams when repairing or restoring a metal roof. A first strategy for sealing vertical seams involves application of pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape. In particular, a strip of PSA tape can be physically pressed onto the top and side surfaces of a vertical seam, thereby functioning as a barrier or membrane than can prevent water from falling into thermally-induced gaps or crevices that open up in the vertical seam. Sometimes, the PSA tape can be reinforced with a topcoat of any suitable roofing sealant (e.g., acrylic sealant, polyurethane sealant). A second strategy for sealing vertical seams involves application of a 3-course polyester treatment. Specifically, the vertical seam can be coated with any suitable roofing sealant (this can be referred to as a first course of a 3-course polyester treatment). Next, a strip of polyester fabric can be physically pressed onto the top and side surfaces of the now-sealant-coated vertical seam (this can be referred to as a second course of a 3-course polyester treatment). Finally, the polyester strip can then be coated with another layer of the roofing sealant (this can be referred to as a third course of a 3-course polyester treatment).
[0020] No matter which of those two sealing strategies is chosen for any given metal roof, existing techniques involve performing or implementing that chosen sealing strategy manually. Indeed, if it is desired to apply PSA tape to a particular metal roof, existing techniques require one or more human roofers to manually press, using their bare fingers, strips of PSA tape onto the vertical seams of the particular metal roof and, if applicable, to manually coat, via a hand-held paint brush, a roofing sealant onto those strips of PSA tape. Likewise, if it is instead desired to apply a 3-course polyester treatment to the particular metal roof, existing techniques require one or more human roofers to: manually coat, via a hand-held paint brush, a roofing sealant onto the vertical seams of the particular metal roof; to manually press, using their bare fingers, strips of polyester onto the sealant-coated vertical seams; and to manually coat, again via the hand-held paint brush, the roofing sealant onto the strips of polyester.
[0021] As the inventors of various embodiments described herein recognized, such existing techniques can be considered as disadvantageous for various reasons. First, existing techniques are excessively time-consuming. Indeed, manual application of PSA tape and manual application of a 3-course polyester treatment each tend to progress no faster than about 200 linear feet of vertical seams per 8-hour workday per roofer. Because a single metal roof can have upwards of 40,000 linear feet of vertical seams, existing techniques consume exorbitant amounts of man-hours. Additionally, existing techniques are prone to quality-control issues. Specifically, human roofers that manually lay PSA tape or polyester strips onto a vertical seam often mistakenly cause misalignment or crimping (e.g., wrinkles) of such PSA tape or polyester strips (e.g., by failing to ensure that the PSA tape or polyester strips are centered or taut as they are being laid down). Such misalignment or crimping can reduce the effectiveness of the PSA tape or polyester strips, thereby commensurately reducing the useful life of the vertical seam (e.g., thereby rendering the vertical seam more vulnerable to premature water intrusion). Furthermore, existing techniques pose various safety hazards to human roofers. After all, human roofers that manually lay PSA tape or polyester strips onto a vertical seam must do so either while on their hands and knees or instead while crouching or hunching over. Because the surface temperature of a metal roof can reach upwards of 160 degrees Fahrenheit on a sunny day at noon, roofers that are on their hands and knees can be at significantly increased risk of suffering from burns. Additionally, crawling on hands and knees can expose roofers to increased risk of cuts, scraps, or other lacerations. Although roofers that instead hunch over to lay PSA tape or polyester strips can be at far less risk of burns or cuts, they can be at significantly higher risk of developing osteoarthritic back or posture injuries (e.g., spending entire 8-hour workdays hunched over is not healthy for the human spine).
[0022] Accordingly, systems or techniques that can address these technical problems can be desirable.
[0023] Various embodiments described herein can address these technical problems. One or more embodiments described herein can include systems, methods, or apparatuses that can facilitate vertical seam sealing devices for metal roofs. In particular, the present inventors created a physical device that can be leveraged or otherwise utilized so as to seal the vertical seams of a metal roof, without suffering from the various disadvantages that plague existing techniques. Experiments conducted by the present inventors have demonstrated that such physical device is able to seal vertical seams nearly ten times faster than existing techniques, without the misalignment or crimping of existing techniques, and without requiring human roofers to be hunched over or crawling on their hands and knees.
[0024] Various embodiments described herein can be considered as a new type of mechanical tool (e.g., any suitable combination of physical hardware) that can facilitate sealing of vertical seams of metal roofs. In various aspects, such mechanical tool can comprise a frame, a handle, carriage guides, or a set of rollers.
[0025] In various embodiments, the frame of the mechanical tool can be any suitable rigid structure that forms or otherwise serves as a base or foundation on which the remaining components of the mechanical tool can be built or attached. In some aspects, the frame can be considered as a skeleton of the mechanical tool. In various instances, the frame can be constructed from any suitable materials, such as metal, plastic, or wood. In various cases, the frame can exhibit any suitable shape, size, or dimensions (e.g., can be a rectilinear boxed frame).
[0026] In various embodiments, the handle of the mechanical tool can be coupled or otherwise affixed to the frame via any suitable mechanical fasteners, such as bolts or rivets. In various aspects, the handle can be any suitable rigid shaft that extends upward or outward from the frame such that a human roofer can physically grasp the handle while the human roofer is in a standing position and while the frame is at foot-level or boot-level with respect to the human roofer. Accordingly, the human roofer can be able to push or pull on the handle while standing. In various instances, the handle can be constructed from any suitable materials, such as metal, plastic, or wood. In various cases, the handle can exhibit any suitable shape, size, or dimensions (e.g., can be straight, curved, or ergonomically-shaped).
[0027] In various embodiments, the carriage guides of the mechanical tool can be coupled or otherwise affixed to the frame via any suitable mechanical fasteners, such as bolts or rivets. In various aspects, the carriage guides can be any suitable rigid/roller shafts, rods, plates, or fins that extend downward from the frame and that are physically oriented with respect to each other so as to be able to sandwich a vertical seam of a metal roof. That is, some of the carriage guides can be physically positioned or oriented on the frame so as to mate with a right side of the vertical seam when the frame is placed atop the vertical seam, and others of the carriage guides can instead be physically positioned or oriented on the frame so as to mate with a left side of the vertical seam when the frame is placed atop the vertical seam. Accordingly, when the frame is placed atop the vertical seam, the carriage guides can be considered as causing the frame to maintain some constant spatial orientation or relationship with the vertical seam (e.g., can cause the frame to be or remain centered on top of the vertical seam). In any case, the carriage guides can be able to roll or slip on the side surfaces of the vertical seam. Thus, pushing or pulling on the handle while the carriage guides are mated with the vertical seam can cause the frame to slide, translate, or otherwise ride along the vertical seam. In other words, the carriage guides can be considered as treating the vertical seam as a train track or monorail for the frame. In various instances, the carriage guides can be constructed from any suitable materials, such as metal, plastic, or wood. In various cases, the carriage guides can exhibit any suitable shapes, sizes, or dimensions (e.g., can be straight or curved). In some aspects, the carriage guides can be stationary. But in other aspects, the carriage guides can be movable or rotatable (e.g., can be equipped with bearings or wheels that roll against the side surfaces of the vertical seam).
[0028] In various embodiments, the set of rollers of the mechanical tool can be coupled or otherwise affixed to the frame via any suitable mechanical fasteners, such as bolts or rivets. In various aspects, the set of rollers can be configured to progressively, continually, or continuously apply sealing material to the vertical seam as the frame rides along the vertical seam. Specifically, the set of rollers can include a first roller, one or more second rollers, and one or more third rollers. In various instances, the first roller can be outfitted or otherwise equipped with a spool of PSA tape or of polyester. Thus, as the first roller spins, that spool can unwind or otherwise become unspooled. In particular, the first roller can spin as the frame rides along the vertical seam, such that a strip of PSA tape or of polyester continuously or continually unwinds from the first roller. As the strip of PSA tape or polyester unwinds, it can pass through (e.g., rub against) the one or more second rollers. In various aspects, the one or more second rollers can be outfitted or otherwise equipped with respective paint roller covers that can be drenched with a roofing sealant (e.g., in some cases, a sealant sprayer can be coupled or affixed to the frame and aimed at the one or more second rollers). So, as the strip of PSA tape or polyester passes through or otherwise comes into physical contact with the one or more second rollers, the one or more second rollers can deposit the roofing sealant onto the strip of PSA tape or polyester. For embodiments where PSA tape is implemented, the one or more second rollers can be spatially arranged so as to physically contact only the top surface of the strip of PSA tape, thereby depositing the roofing sealant only onto the top surface of the strip of PSA tape and not onto the bottom surface of the strip of PSA tape. In contrast, for embodiments where polyester is implemented, the one or more second rollers can be spatially arranged so as to physically contact both the top and bottom surfaces of the strip of polyester, thereby depositing the roofing sealant onto both the top and bottom surfaces of the strip of polyester. In various instances, the strip of PSA tape or of polyester can then pass through (e.g., rub against) the one or more third rollers. In various cases, the one or more third rollers can be outfitted or otherwise equipped with any suitable coverings such that the one or more third rollers are shaped to fill, hug, or otherwise complement the profile of the vertical seam. Thus, as the strip of PSA tape or of polyester passes through or otherwise rubs against the one or more third rollers, the one or more third rollers can mechanically press or pinch the strip of PSA tape or of polyester into whatever profile grooves are possessed by the vertical seam (e.g., the strip of PSA tape or of polyester can be considered as being sandwiched between the vertical seam and the one or more third rollers). Therefore, the vertical seam can be considered as sealed.
[0029] Accordingly, the mechanical tool described herein can be considered as enabling human roofers to quickly or efficiently seal vertical seams of metal roofs. In particular, the initial foot or two of the spool of PSA tape or of polyester that is carried on the first roller can be manually fed through the one or more second rollers and through the one or more third rollers and then manually pressed into or onto the beginning or start of the vertical seam. This short, manually-applied portion of PSA tape or of polyester can be considered as an anchor point. A human roofer can grasp the handle and begin walking along the vertical seam away from that anchor point, thereby causing the frame to slide or translate along the vertical seam in the direction of walking. As the frame slides or translates away from the anchor point, the anchor point can be considered as imparting tension onto the spool of PSA tape or of polyester, thereby causing the first roller to spin so as to unwind that spool. As the human roofer walks, the unwinding spool can be coated in roofing sealant by the one or more second rollers and can be pressed or pinched onto the vertical seam by the one or more third rollers. Thus, the mechanical tool can enable the human roofer to seal the vertical seam using a gentle walking motion. Contrast this with the painstaking crawling or hunching required by existing techniques.
[0030] Various embodiments described herein can be considered as utilization of various pieces of mechanical hardware to solve technical problems that afflict existing techniques of sealing vertical seams of metal roofs. In other words, various embodiments described herein can integrate into a practical application various teachings relating to the field of metal roofs. As explained above, existing techniques for sealing the vertical seams of a metal roof require that human roofers manually (e.g., using their bare fingers) press PSA tape or polyester onto vertical seams and manually (e.g., using hand-held paint brushes) coat that PSA tape or polyester with roofing sealant. As the present inventors recognized, such existing techniques suffer from various disadvantages. Specifically, such existing techniques are excessively time-consuming (e.g., a human roofer can manually seal merely about 200 linear feet of vertical seams per 8-hour workday). Additionally, such existing techniques suffer from quality-control deficiencies (e.g., human roofers are prone to erroneously misaligning or crimping strips of PSA tape or polyester). Furthermore, such existing techniques expose human roofers to various health risks (e.g., crawling on hands and knees on hot metal roofs can cause significant burns or cuts; hunching for long periods of time can cause spinal injuries). So, existing techniques can be considered as suffering from various technical problems.
[0031] Various embodiments described herein can help to ameliorate one or more of these technical problems. In particular, various embodiments described herein involve the construction or formation of a mechanical device or tool that can ease the process of vertical seam sealing for metal roofs. Such mechanical device or tool can be composed of: a frame having a pushable or pullable handle; carriage guides extending downward from the frame and configured to slidably or rotatably mate with a vertical seam, such that pushing or pulling on the handle while the carriage guides are mated to the vertical seam causes the frame to ride along the vertical seam; and a set of rollers that apply sealing material to the vertical seam as the frame rides along the vertical seam. Such mechanical device or tool can be considered as solving or ameliorating the disadvantages that plague existing techniques. Indeed, the present inventors conducted various experiments using the herein-described mechanical device or tool, and such experiments showed that a single human roofer was able to achieve sealing rates between 1700 and 2200 linear feet per 8-hour workday. This is about 10 times faster than the sealing rate of 200 linear feet per 8-hour workday that is achievable by existing techniques. Accordingly, various embodiments described herein can be considered as consuming far less time than existing techniques. Additionally, the present inventors verified during such experiments that such mechanical tool significantly reduced the frequency or occurrence of misalignment or crimping of PSA tape or of polyester. Specifically, the present inventors found that the herein-described carriage guides ensured that the PSA tape or polyester was consistently centered or otherwise aligned about whatever vertical seams were being sealed. Moreover, the present inventors also found that the first roller, particularly when outfitted with a tension spring that resists unspooling, helps to keep the spool of PSA tape or of polyester taut, thereby reducing or eliminating the occurrence of crimping or wrinkling. Lastly, the mechanical device or tool described herein can be operated by a human roofer from a comfortable standing or walking posture. In other words, the mechanical device or tool described herein eliminates the need for the human roofer to crawl on a hot metal roof on hands or knees or to otherwise constantly hunch over to lay down a seal. Thus, the mechanical device or tool described herein can be considered as reducing the risk of human roofers suffering from burns, cuts, or spinal injuries associated with vertical seam sealing. For at least the above reasons, various embodiments described herein can be considered as addressing or ameliorating various problems or disadvantages that afflict existing techniques for facilitating vertical seam sealing of metal roofs. Therefore, various embodiments described herein can be considered as a concrete and tangible technical improvement in the field of metal roofs. Accordingly, various embodiments described herein certainly qualify as useful and practical applications.
[0032]
[0033] First, consider
[0034] Next, consider
[0035]
[0036] No matter what type or shape of profile is exhibited by a vertical seam, it can be desired to seal that vertical seam so as to prevent water intrusion. As explained above, such sealing can be accomplished via either PSA tape or a 3-course polyester treatment.
[0037]
[0038] First, consider
[0039] Next, consider
[0040] Now, consider
[0041] First, such manual application can reduce sealing quality. Indeed, human roofers can be prone to accidentally misaligning, crimping, or wrinkling strips of PSA tape or of polyester during application, and such misalignment, crimping, or wrinkling can lead to premature water penetration.
[0042] Second, such manual application can consume excessively lengthy amounts of time. Indeed, human roofers can manually apply PSA tape or 3-course polyester treatments at a rate of about 200 linear feet of vertical seams per 8-hour workday per roofer. Such an application rate can be considered as painfully slow in view of the fact that metal roofs can have on the order of tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of linear feet of vertical seams.
[0043] Third, such manual application can negatively or adversely affect the health of human roofers. Indeed, human roofers that manually apply PSA tape or 3-course polyester treatments to vertical seams do so either while crawling on their hands and knees for extensive periods of time (e.g., as shown in
[0044] Various embodiments described with reference to the remaining figures can address, resolve, or otherwise ameliorate the disadvantages that plague manual application of PSA tape or of 3-course polyester treatments.
[0045]
[0046] In various embodiments, there can be a metal roof 902. The metal roof 902 can be a roof of or for any suitable building, edifice, or structure. As a non-limiting example, the metal roof 902 can be a roof of or for any suitable type of manufacturing or fabrication facility, such as a factory or foundry. As another non-limiting example, the metal roof 902 can be a roof of or for any suitable type of retail facility, such as a shopping mall, an expo center, or a grocery store. As yet another non-limiting example, the metal roof 902 can be a roof of or for any suitable type of office building. As yet another non-limiting example, the metal roof 902 can be a roof of or for any suitable type of apartment complex.
[0047] In any case, the metal roof 902 can exhibit any suitable size, shape, or dimensions. As a non-limiting example, the metal roof 902 can be substantially flat and unpitched. In other words, the metal roof 902 can made up of straight, uncurved metal panels that are oriented in a horizontal plane or that otherwise exhibit zero slope. As another non-limiting example, the metal roof 902 can instead be substantially flat and pitched. That is, the metal roof 902 can be made up of straight, uncurved metal panels that are oriented in a non-horizontal plane or that otherwise exhibit some non-zero slope. As even another non-limiting example, the metal roof 902 can be not flat. For instance, the metal roof 902 can be made up of curved metal panels that are not oriented in any one plane. In some cases, the metal roof 902 can be made up of any suitable combination of curved, uncurved, pitched, or unpitched metal panels.
[0048] In various aspects, the metal roof 902 can be made up of any suitable number of metal panels, with each metal panel exhibiting any suitable metallic composition. As a non-limiting example, any metal panel of the metal roof 902 can be made up of galvanized steel. As another non-limiting example, any metal panel of the metal roof 902 can be made up of stainless steel. As yet another non-limiting example, any metal panel of the metal roof 902 can be made up of aluminum. As still another non-limiting example, any metal panel of the metal roof 902 can be made up of zinc. As even another non-limiting example, any metal panel of the metal roof 902 can be made up of copper. In various cases, any two metal panels of the metal roof 902 can be made up of the same or different metals as each other.
[0049] In any case, the metal roof 902 can have, possess, or otherwise comprise a plurality of vertical seams 904. In various aspects, the plurality of vertical seams 904 can comprise n seams, for any suitable positive integer n: a vertical seam 904(1) to a vertical seam 904(n). In various instances, each of the plurality of vertical seams 904 can be any suitable standing seam of any suitable size, shape, length, profile, or dimensions that is formed between a respective pair of adjacent or abutting metal panels of the metal roof 902. In some cases, different ones of the plurality of vertical seams 904 can have or exhibit the same size, shape, length, or dimensions as each other. However, in other cases, different ones of the plurality of vertical seams 904 can have or exhibit different sizes, shapes, lengths, profiles, or dimensions than each other.
[0050] It can be desired to seal one or more of the plurality of vertical seams 904. In various aspects, a vertical seam sealing device 906 can facilitate such sealing as described herein.
[0051] In various embodiments, the vertical seam sealing device 906 can comprise, have, or otherwise include a frame 908. In various aspects, the frame 908 can be any suitable physical hardware or structure that forms, serves as, or otherwise functions as a rigid foundation or base that physically carries, physically houses, or otherwise physically supports other components of the vertical seam sealing device 906.
[0052] In various instances, the frame 908 can be made up of any suitable type of material. As a non-limiting example, the frame 908 can be made up of any suitable type or alloy of steel, such as mild steel, galvanized steel, or stainless steel. As another non-limiting example, the frame 908 can be made up of any suitable type or alloy of aluminum, such as aluminum 2024, aluminum 6061, or aluminum 7075. As yet another non-limiting example, the frame 908 can be made up of any suitable type of thermoplastic polymer, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. As even another non-limiting example, the frame 908 can be made up of any suitable type of wood, such as oak or plywood. In some cases, the frame 908 can be made up of any suitable combination of any of the aforementioned materials.
[0053] In various aspects, the frame 908 can exhibit any suitable constant or variable size, shape, dimensions, construction, or design. As a non-limiting example, the frame 908 can be a rectangle formed by two longitudinally-oriented solid bars, structural beams, or hollow tubes that are separated from each other and connected at their ends by two laterally-oriented solid bars, structural beams, or hollow tubes. As another non-limiting example, the frame 908 can be any suitable non-rectilinear shape (e.g., a circle, a triangle, any other polygon, an irregular shape) that is formed by any suitable number of solid bars, structural beams, or hollow tubes that are coupled to each other in any suitable crisscrossing arrangement, layout, or lattice. As yet another non-limiting example, the frame 908 can even be a one-piece structural plate.
[0054] It should be understood or otherwise appreciated that, in situations where the frame 908 is made up of multiple structural beams that are physically affixed together, any suitable mechanical fastening techniques can be implemented to facilitate such physical affixing. As a non-limiting example, any two solid bars, structural beams, or hollow tubes of the frame 908 can be physically affixed together by any suitable bolts, screws, nails, or rivets. As another non-limiting example, any two solid bars, structural beams, or hollow tubes of the frame 908 can be physically affixed together by any suitable clasps, clamps, straps, brackets, or cables. As still another non-limiting example, any two solid bars, structural beams, or hollow tubes of the frame 908 can be physically affixed together by any suitable welds or brazes.
[0055] In any case, the frame 908 can be considered as the main body or skeleton of the vertical seam sealing device 906.
[0056] It should be understood or otherwise appreciated that the frame 908, and thus the vertical seam sealing device 906, can be considered as having a front, a rear, a top, and a bottom. Indeed, the front of the frame 908 can considered as whatever side, portion, part, or section of the frame 908 that faces in a direction along which the vertical seam sealing device 906 is configured to lay down a seal. Conversely, the rear of the frame 908 can be considered as whatever side, portion, part, or section of the frame 908 that faces opposite from (e.g., that is 180 degrees opposed to) the front. In various aspects, the bottom of the frame 908 can be whatever side, portion, part, or section of the frame 908 that faces downward (e.g., toward a vertical seam that is being sealed by the vertical seam sealing device 906). Conversely, the top of the frame 908 can be whatever side, portion, part, or section of the frame 908 that faces upward (e.g., toward the sky or otherwise away from a vertical seam that is being sealed by the vertical seam sealing device 906).
[0057] In various embodiments, the vertical seam sealing device 906 can comprise, have, or otherwise include a handle 910. In various aspects, the handle 910 can be physically affixed to any suitable portion or part of the frame 908 by any suitable mechanical fastening technique (e.g., bolts, screws, nails, rivets, clasps, clamps, brackets, straps, cables, welds, brazes). In some instances, the handle 910 can be physically affixed to the frame 908 so as to be movable, swivelable, or rotatable with respect to the frame 908. As a non-limiting example, the handle 910 can be coupled to the frame 908 via a pin, hinge, or universal joint. In other instances, the handle 910 can instead be physically affixed to the frame 908 so as to be immovable, not swivelable, or not rotatable with respect to the frame 908. As a non-limiting example, the handle 910 can be coupled to the frame 908 via a weld or stationary bracket.
[0058] In various cases, the handle 910 can be any suitable piece of hardware that can protrude at least partially upwards from the top of the frame 908 and that can be physically grasped or held by a human roofer while the human roofer is in a standing position with the frame 908 being at the level of their feet, shoes, or boots. As a non-limiting example, the handle 910 can be a straight or curved solid bar, structural beam, or hollow tube one end of which is fastened to the frame 908 and the other end of which can be grabbed by the hand of a human roofer. In some aspects, the handle 910 can be ergonomically-shaped, so as to be comfortable to hold or grasp (e.g., whichever end or section of the handle 910 that is designed to be grasped by the human hand can be molded to complement or cradle the contours of the human hand). However, in other aspects, the handle 910 need not be ergonomically shaped. In some instances, the handle 910 can have a telescoping construction, such that the handle 910 can be considered as having a variable length (e.g., such that the handle 910 can be extendible or collapsible to accommodate human roofers of different heights). However, in other instances, the handle 910 can have a non-telescoping construction, such that the handle 910 can be considered as having a fixed length. It should be understood or otherwise appreciated that the handle 910 can have or otherwise exhibit any suitable constant or variable size, shape, dimensions, construction, material composition, or design.
[0059] In various embodiments, the vertical seam sealing device 906 can comprise a set of carriage guides 912. In various aspects, the set of carriage guides 912 can comprise any suitable number of carriage guides. In various instances, each of the set of carriage guides 912 can be physically affixed to any suitable portion or part of the frame 908 by any suitable mechanical fastening technique (e.g., bolts, screws, nails, rivets, clasps, clamps, brackets, straps, cables, welds, brazes).
[0060] In various cases, each of the set of carriage guides 912 can be any suitable piece of hardware having or exhibiting any suitable constant or variable size, shape, dimensions, construction, design, or material composition, that can protrude at least partially downwards from the bottom of the frame 908, and that can physically mate with an exterior side surface of any of the plurality of vertical seams 904. As a non-limiting example, any of the set of carriage guides 912 can be any suitable solid or hollow rod whose longitudinal axis points downward with respect to the frame 908. In such case, the exterior surface of such solid or hollow rod can, when placed into contact with a vertical seam, be able to slide against an exterior side surface of the vertical seam. As another non-limiting example, any of the set of carriage guides 912 can be any suitable solid or hollow rod whose longitudinal axis points downward with respect to the frame 908 and around which can be wrapped any suitable number of roller bearings. In such case, the exterior surface of such roller bearings can, when placed into contact with a vertical seam, be able to rotate against an exterior side surface of the vertical seam. As yet another non-limiting example, any of the set of carriage guides 912 can be a structural plate or fin whose normal vector points in a left-right direction of the frame 908. In such case, the exterior surface of such plate or fin can, when placed into contact with a vertical seam, be able to slide against an exterior side surface of the vertical seam. In various instances, different ones of the set of carriage guides 912 can have or otherwise exhibit the same or different sizes, shapes, dimensions, constructions, designs, or material compositions as each other.
[0061] In any case, the set of carriage guides 912 can be spatially arranged along the bottom of the frame 908 so that, when the frame 908 is placed on top of a vertical seam, the set of carriage guides 912 can collectively straddle or sandwich the vertical seam. As a non-limiting example, some of the set of carriage guides 912 can be located on, rooted in, or otherwise biased toward a rightward side of the bottom of the frame 908, whereas others of the set of carriage guides 912 can instead be located on, rooted in, or otherwise biased toward a leftward side of the bottom of the frame 908. Thus, when the frame 908 is placed on top of a vertical seam, whichever of the set of carriage guides 912 that are on the rightward side of the bottom of the frame 908 can be considered as contacting, abutting, mating with, or otherwise being within any suitable threshold proximity of a rightward exterior side surface of the vertical seam, and whichever of the set of carriage guides 912 that are on the leftward side of the bottom of the frame 908 can be considered as contacting, abutting, mating with, or otherwise being within any suitable threshold proximity of a leftward exterior side surface of the vertical seam. In other words, the vertical seam can be considered as being sandwiched or straddled (with any suitable amount of tightness, looseness, clearance, or tolerance) in between the set of carriage guides 912. In such case, the set of carriage guides 912 can allow or permit the frame 908 to slide or otherwise translate forward or backward along the vertical seam, but the set of carriage guides 912 can impede or prevent the frame 908 from translating or yawing rightward or leftward with respect to the vertical seam.
[0062] Thus, when the frame 908 is placed on top of the vertical seam such that the set of carriage guides 912 are mated with or are otherwise within any suitable threshold proximity of the side surfaces of the vertical seam, pulling or pushing by a human roofer on the handle 910 can cause the frame 908 to ride, move, slide, translate, or otherwise be carried forward or backward along the longitudinal axis of the vertical seam. In some cases, the set of carriage guides 912 can be arranged on the bottom of the frame 908, such that, when the set of carriage guides 912 mate with the vertical seam, the frame 908 is laterally centered on or over the vertical seam. Accordingly, the vertical seam can be analogized to a monorail, and the set of carriage guides 912 can be analogized to guidance wheels that are positioned on either side of the monorail so as to keep a train or trolley centered on the monorail.
[0063] In various embodiments, the vertical seam sealing device 906 can comprise, have, or otherwise include a sprayer 914. In various aspects, the sprayer 914 can be physically affixed to any suitable portion or part of the frame 908 by any suitable mechanical fastening technique (e.g., bolts, screws, nails, rivets, clasps, clamps, brackets, straps, cables, welds, brazes). In various instances, the sprayer 914 can be any suitable mechanism for spraying or atomizing any suitable fluids, liquids, foams, gelatins, or aqueous solutions or mixtures. As a non-limiting example, the sprayer 914 can comprise any suitable actuatable fluidic pump (e.g., an electrically-activated or pneumatically activated impeller) that can cause any suitable fluid or fluidic mixture to be transported from any suitable fluid container or repository, into an inlet side of a hose, through the length of the hose, and to an outlet nozzle, such that the fluid or fluidic mixture is propelled outwards in whatever direction that the outlet nozzle is pointing. In some cases, the hose of the sprayer 914 can run or otherwise be routed in or through the handle 910. In other cases, the hose of the sprayer 914 can run or otherwise be routed along an exterior of the handle 910. In yet other cases, the hose of the sprayer 914 can be run or routed in any other suitable fashion. It should be understood or otherwise appreciated that the sprayer 914 can have or otherwise exhibit any suitable constant or variable size, shape, dimensions, construction, material composition, or design.
[0064] In various embodiments, the vertical seam sealing device 906 can comprise a set of rollers 915. As mentioned above, when the frame 908 is placed on top of a vertical seam such that the set of carriage guides 912 are mated with (e.g., straddling) the side surfaces of the vertical seam, and when pulling or pushing is applied to the handle 910, the frame 908 can ride or translate along the vertical seam. In various aspects, when the frame 908 rides or translates along the vertical seam, the set of rollers 915 can physically apply or lay down sealing material 923 onto the vertical seam. In various instances, as shown, the sealing material 923 can comprise a polyester/tape 924 or a roofing sealant 926. In various cases, as also shown, the set of rollers 915 can comprise a spool roller 916, one or more coating rollers 918, one or more pre-coating rollers 920, or one or more pinch rollers 922.
[0065] In some embodiments, the polyester/tape 924 can be any suitable type of pressure sensitive adhesive tape that is used in the metal roofing industry. In other embodiments, the polyester/tape 924 can instead be any suitable type of polyester fabric that is used in the metal roofing industry. It should be understood or otherwise appreciated that the polyester/tape 924 can exhibit any suitable size, shape, dimensions, or material composition.
[0066] In various aspects, the roofing sealant 926 can be any suitable type of liquid, fluid, or aqueous sealant that is used in the metal roofing industry. As a non-limiting example, the roofing sealant 926 can be any suitable type of silicone sealant. As another non-limiting example, the roofing sealant 926 can be any suitable type of polyurethane sealant. As yet another non-limiting example, the roofing sealant 926 can be any suitable type of butyl sealant. As still another non-limiting example, the roofing sealant 926 can be any suitable type of thermoplastic olefin (TPO) sealant. As even another non-limiting example, the roofing sealant 926 can be any suitable type of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) sealant. As another non-limiting example, the roofing sealant 926 can be any suitable type of acrylic sealant. As even another non-limiting example, the roofing sealant 926 can be any suitable type of thermoplastic elastomer sealant.
[0067] In various instances, the spool roller 916 can be physically affixed to any suitable portion or part of the frame 908 by any suitable mechanical fastening technique (e.g., bolts, screws, nails, rivets, clasps, clamps, brackets, straps, cables, welds, brazes). In various cases, the spool roller 916 can be any suitable piece of hardware that can physically carry a spool of the polyester/tape 924 and that can spin or rotate so as to unspool or unwind that spool of the polyester/tape 924. As a non-limiting example, the spool roller 916 can be a straight rod, tube, or shaft at least one end of which is fastened or mounted to the frame 908 by a ball bearing, such that the straight rod, tube, or shaft can spin or rotate about its own longitudinal axis. Accordingly, a spool of the polyester/tape 924 can be wrapped around the straight rod, tube, or shaft, and spinning or rotation of the straight rod, tube, or shaft about its longitudinal axis can cause the spool of the polyester/tape 924 to gradually or incrementally unwrap. In this way, the spool of polyester/tape 924 can be analogized to a toilet paper roll, and the spool roller 916 can be analogized to the rollable dispenser about which the toilet paper roll can be wrapped and subsequently unwound with use.
[0068] It should be understood or otherwise appreciated that the spool roller 916 can exhibit any suitable constant or variable size, shape, dimensions, or material composition. It should further be understood or otherwise appreciated that the spool roller 916 can be physically oriented in any suitable fashion with respect to the frame 908. As a non-limiting example, the spool roller 916 can, in some cases, be oriented such that its longitudinal axis (e.g., its axis of rotation) extends in a left-right direction of the frame 908. As another non-limiting example, the spool roller 916 can, in other cases, be oriented such that its longitudinal axis extends in an up-down direction of the frame 908. In various cases, the spool roller 916 can be located or otherwise positioned on the top of the frame 908, such that the spool roller 916 is in between the front and the rear of the frame 908. In some instances, the spool roller 916 can be outfitted or otherwise equipped with a tension spring that is positioned or oriented so as to resist an unspooling, unwinding, or unwrapping spin or rotation of the spool roller 916.
[0069] In various aspects, the one or more coating rollers 918 can comprise, have, or otherwise include any suitable number of coating rollers. In various instances, the one or more coating rollers 918 can be physically affixed to any suitable portion or part of the frame 908 by any suitable mechanical fastening technique (e.g., bolts, screws, nails, rivets, clasps, clamps, brackets, straps, cables, welds, brazes). In various cases, any of the one or more coating rollers 918 can be any suitable piece of hardware that can become physically drenched or covered in the roofing sealant 926, around which the polyester/tape 924 can turn, slide, slip, rub, or otherwise be conveyed as it unspools or unwinds from the spool roller 916, and that can spin or rotate so as to transfer the roofing sealant 926 onto the unspooling or unwinding polyester/tape 924. As a non-limiting example, any of the one or more coating rollers 918 can be a straight rod, tube, or shaft at least one end of which is fastened or mounted to the frame 908 by a ball bearing, such that the straight rod, tube, or shaft can spin or rotate about its own longitudinal axis. Furthermore, a paint roller cover can be wrapped around or worn by that straight rod, tube, or shaft, and the sprayer 914 can be aimed at that paint roller cover, so as to drench or saturate the paint roller cover with the roofing sealant 926. Accordingly, physical contact between the drenched or saturated paint roller cover and the unspooling or unwinding polyester/tape 924 can cause at least some of the roofing sealant 926 to rub off or otherwise be physically deposited onto the unspooling or unwinding polyester/tape 924 from the drenched or saturated paint roller cover.
[0070] In situations where the polyester/tape 924 comprises PSA tape, the one or more coating rollers 918 can be physically arranged on the frame 908 so as to make physical contact only with a top surface of the polyester/tape 924 (e.g., it can be undesirable to get the roofing sealant 926 on the bottom, adhesive side of PSA tape). On the other hand, in situations where the polyester/tape 924 comprises polyester fabric, the one or more coating rollers 918 can be physically arranged on the frame 908 so as to make physical contact both with a top surface of the polyester/tape 924 and with a bottom surface of the polyester/tape 924 (e.g., whichever of the one or more coating rollers 918 that deposit the roofing sealant 926 onto the bottom surface of the polyester fabric can be considered as facilitating a first course of a 3-course polyester treatment, whereas whichever of the one or more coating rollers 918 that deposit the roofing sealant 926 onto the top surface of the polyester fabric can be considered as facilitating a third course of a 3-course polyester treatment).
[0071] It should be understood or otherwise appreciated that the one or more coating rollers 918 can exhibit any suitable constant or variable sizes, shapes, dimensions, or material compositions (e.g., different ones of the one or more coating rollers 918 can have the same or different sizes, shapes, dimensions, or material compositions as each other). It should further be understood or otherwise appreciated that the one or more coating rollers 918 can be physically oriented in any suitable fashion with respect to the frame 908. As a non-limiting example, various of the one or more coating rollers 918 can be oriented such that their longitudinal axes (e.g., their axes of rotation) extend in a left-right direction of the frame 908. As another non-limiting example, various of the one or more coating rollers 918 can be oriented such that their longitudinal axes instead extend in an up-down direction of the frame 908. In various cases, the one or more coating rollers 918 can be located or otherwise positioned on the top of the frame 908, such that the one or more coating rollers 918 are at or near the front of the frame 908.
[0072] In situations where the polyester/tape 924 comprises polyester, the set of rollers 915 can comprise the one or more pre-coating rollers 920. In various aspects, the one or more pre-coating rollers 920 can comprise, have, or otherwise include any suitable number of pre-coating rollers. In various instances, the one or more pre-coating rollers 920 can be physically affixed to the front of the frame 908 by any suitable mechanical fastening technique (e.g., bolts, screws, nails, rivets, clasps, clamps, brackets, straps, cables, welds, brazes). In various cases, any of the one or more pre-coating rollers 920 can be any suitable piece of hardware that can become physically drenched or covered in the roofing sealant 926, that can come into physical contact with the exterior side of an uncoated or unsealed portion of a vertical seam, and that can spin or rotate so as to transfer the roofing sealant 926 onto that exterior side of the vertical seam. As a non-limiting example, any of the one or more pre-coating rollers 920 can be a wheel which is fastened or mounted to the front of the frame 908 by a pin or ball bearing, such that the longitudinal axis (e.g., the axis of rotation) of the wheel extends in an up-down direction of the frame 908. Furthermore, the sprayer 914 can be aimed at that wheel, so as to drench or saturate the wheel with the roofing sealant 926. Accordingly, physical contact between the drenched or saturated wheel and an exterior side surface of the vertical seam can cause at least some of the roofing sealant 926 to rub off or otherwise be physically deposited onto the exterior side surface of the vertical seam. Thus, the drenched or saturated wheel can be considered as helping or assisting in the performance of a first course of a 3-course polyester treatment. It should be understood or otherwise appreciated that the one or more pre-coating rollers 920 can exhibit any suitable constant or variable sizes, shapes, dimensions, or material compositions (e.g., different ones of the one or more pre-coating rollers 920 can have the same or different sizes, shapes, dimensions, or material compositions as each other). In situations where the polyester/tape 924 comprises PSA tape instead of polyester fabric, the one or more pre-coating rollers 920 can be omitted.
[0073] Note that, in some embodiments, the one or more pre-coating rollers 920 can be considered as assisting the set of carriage guides 912 in keeping the frame 908 centered atop a vertical seam (e.g., two or more pre-coating rollers can sandwich the vertical seam, thereby helping to physically keep the frame 908 riding on or along the vertical seam). Because of this, the one or more pre-coating rollers 920 can, in some cases, be considered as elements or members of the set of carriage guides 912 (e.g., can be considered as belonging to the set of carriage guides 912).
[0074] In various aspects, the one or more pinch rollers 922 can comprise, have, or otherwise include any suitable number of pinch rollers. In various instances, the one or more pinch rollers 922 can be physically affixed to the rear of the frame 908 by any suitable mechanical fastening technique (e.g., bolts, screws, nails, rivets, clasps, clamps, brackets, straps, cables, welds, brazes). In various cases, any of the one or more pinch rollers 922 can be any suitable piece of hardware that can physically press, pinch, or otherwise mold the polyester/tape 924 into the grooves, crevices, or nooks of a vertical seam, after the polyester/tape 924 has been unspooled from the spool roller 916 and after it has been coated in the roofing sealant 926 by the one or more coating rollers 918. As a non-limiting example, any of the one or more pinch rollers 922 can be a straight rod, tube, or shaft at least one end of which is fastened or mounted to the frame 908 by a ball bearing, such that the straight rod, tube, or shaft can spin or rotate about its own longitudinal axis. Furthermore, a paint roller cover that is complementarily contoured to the profile of the vertical seam (e.g., that is shaped so as to snugly hug or fill the empty spaces of the profile of the vertical seam) can be wrapped around or worn by that straight rod, tube, or shaft. Accordingly, physical contact between the groove-contoured paint roller and whatever portion of the polyester/tape 924 has already passed through the one or more coating rollers 918 can cause the unspooled and coated polyester/tape 924 to be tightly or firmly pressed into the grooves of the vertical seam. As another non-limiting example, any of the one or more pinch rollers 922 can be a rotatable or stationary wheel which is fastened or mounted to the rear of the frame 908, such that the longitudinal axis of the wheel extends in an up-down direction of the frame 908, and such that the lateral or circumferential surface of the wheel tightly or snugly presses into a groove of a vertical seam when the set of carriage guides 912 are mated with or otherwise straddle the vertical seam. Accordingly, physical contact between the wheel and an unspooled and saturated portion of the polyester/tape 924 can cause that portion of the polyester/tape 924 to be snugly pressed or pinched into the groove of the vertical seam. In other words, after a strip of the polyester/tape 924 has been unspooled from the spool roller 916 and has passed through the one or more coating rollers 918, that strip of the polyester/tape 924 can become sandwiched in between the one or more pinch rollers 922 and the vertical seam, so as to become tightly pressed or pinched into the vertical seam's nooks. It should be understood or otherwise appreciated that the one or more pinch rollers 922 can exhibit any suitable constant or variable sizes, shapes, dimensions, or material compositions (e.g., different ones of the one or more pinch rollers 922 can have the same or different sizes, shapes, dimensions, or material compositions as each other).
[0075] Accordingly, the vertical seam sealing device 906 can facilitate easy and efficient sealing of any of the plurality of vertical seams 904. As a non-limiting example, consider a given vertical seam. In various aspects, a spool of the polyester/tape 924 can be wrapped around the spool roller 916, and the frame 908 can be positioned on top of the given vertical seam such that the carriage guides 912 are mated with, straddle, or otherwise are within any suitable threshold proximity of the side surfaces of the given vertical seam, and such that the front of the frame 908 faces toward an unsealed length of the given vertical seam. Now, a human roofer can manually unspool a first foot or so of the polyester/tape 924 from the spool roller 916, can manually feed, run, or weave that unspooled portion of the polyester/tape 924 through the one or more coating rollers 918, and can manually put that unspooled and now sealant-coated portion of the polyester/tape 924 in between the vertical seam and the one or more pinch rollers 922. Thus, that portion of the polyester/tape 924 can be considered as an anchor point that is pressed or pinched into the grooves or crevices of the vertical seam. So, the human roofer can then grasp the handle 910 and can begin walking along the given vertical seam in the direction of the unsealed length. Such walking can cause the human roofer to push or pull on the handle 910, such that the frame 908 begins to move, slide, translate, or otherwise ride along the given vertical seam towards the unsealed length. As the frame 908 moves, slides, translates, or otherwise rides along the given vertical seam, the anchor point that was manually laid down by the human roofer can be considered as applying a tension force to the polyester/tape 924. Such tension force can cause the spool roller 916 to incrementally unwind or unspool the polyester/tape 924 (e.g., the tension force can overcome whatever resistive force is exerted by a tension spring that the spool roller 916 is outfitted with). Thus, as the human roofer walks, some new portion of the polyester/tape 924 can pass from the spool roller 916 through the one or more coating rollers 918 and then subsequently through the one or more pinch rollers 922, thereby becoming coated in the roofing sealant 926 and pressed into the grooves of the given vertical seam. This unspooling-coating-pressing cycle can continue for as long as the human roofer continues to walk and for as long as the spool roller 916 has a non-zero amount of polyester/tape 924 to be unspooled. If the one or more pre-coating rollers 920 are implemented, then they can be considered as applying the roofing sealant 926 to upcoming, unsealed portions of the given vertical seam as the human roofer walks. In any case, the human roofer can be considered as sealing the given vertical seam by gently pulling or pushing the vertical seam sealing device 906 along the given vertical seam. Contrast this with existing techniques, which would instead require the human roofer to exhaustingly crawl or hunch for the entire length of the given vertical seam.
[0076]
[0077]
[0078] First, consider
[0079] Next, consider
[0080] Now, consider
[0081] Consider
[0082]
[0083] First, consider
[0084] Next, consider
[0085] Now, consider
[0086] Lastly, consider
[0087]
[0088] In various embodiments, act 2102 can include obtaining a vertical seam (e.g., 904) of a metal roof (e.g., 902).
[0089] In various aspects, act 2104 can include applying a sealing material (e.g., 923) to the vertical seam, via a device (e.g., 906) that comprises: a frame (e.g., 908) having a handle (e.g., 910); one or more carriage guides (e.g., 912) extending downward from the frame and configured to mate with the vertical seam, wherein pushing or pulling on the handle while the one or more carriage guides are mated with the vertical seam can cause the frame to ride along the vertical seam; and a set of rollers (e.g., 915) coupled to the frame and configured to dispense the sealing material onto the vertical seam as the frame rides along the vertical seam.
[0090] Although not explicitly shown in
[0091] Although not explicitly shown in
[0092] Although various embodiments described herein have thus far been described as comprising the handle 910 and the set of carriage guides 912, these are mere non-limiting examples for ease of explanation and illustration. In various other embodiments, the handle 910 can be omitted, and the set of carriage guides 912 can be replaced (or supplemented) with any suitable motorized actuators, such as electrically actuatable wheels or legs. In such cases, the vertical seam sealing device 906 can be self-propelled along a vertical seam, rather than being pushed or pulled by a human roofer. In such situations, it should be understood or otherwise appreciated that the vertical seam sealing device 906 can comprise any suitable computer processor or non-transitory computer-readable memory, which can function so as to control or otherwise operate (e.g., so as to activate, deactivate, speed up, or slow down) the motorized actuators. In some instances, the motorized actuators can be fully autonomous or automatic (e.g., can determine when to start, stop, speed up, or slow down, based on any suitable electronic sensors which may be incorporated into the vertical seam sealing device 906, such as onboard proximity sensors or cameras). In other instances, however, the motorized actuators can be remotely controlled by a human roofer (e.g., the human roofer can utilize a joystick or other remote control interface device so as to start, stop, speed up, or slow down the vertical seam sealing device 906). In some situations where the vertical seam sealing device 906 is motorized in this way, whatever tank or reservoir that holds the roofing sealant 926 can be physically carried on the frame 906.
[0093] Although the herein disclosure has mainly described various embodiments in which the sprayer 914 sprays the roofing sealant 926 onto the polyester/tape 924, onto the one or more coating rollers 918, or onto the one or more pre-coating rollers 920, these are mere non-limiting examples. In some cases, the sprayer 914 can be configured or shaped so as to spray the roofing sealant 926 directly onto whatever portion of a vertical seam lies in front of (e.g., within one or two feet before) the frame 908. In some cases, such spraying directly onto the vertical seam can be considered as a first coarse in a 3-course polyester sealing treatment.
[0094] Although the herein disclosure has mainly described various embodiments in which the sealing material 923 includes the polyester/tape 924, these are mere non-limiting examples. It should be understood or otherwise appreciated that, in various embodiments, the polyester/tape 924 can be replaced with any suitable type of fabric reinforcement. As some non-limiting examples, the polyester/tape 924 can be replaced with: fiberglass; cotton; Kevlar; or any suitable combination of any of the aforementioned.
[0095] Although the herein disclosure has mainly described various embodiments for applying sealing materials to vertical seams of metal roofs, it should be understood or otherwise appreciated that these are mere non-limiting examples. In various aspects, other embodiments can instead be implemented for applying sealing materials to any other suitable types of seams of metal roofs (or even of non-metal roofs, such as TPO roofs or EPDM roofs). As a non-limiting example, a metal roof (or any other type of roof) can implement flat seams instead of, or possibly in addition to, vertical seams. Various embodiments described herein can be readily adapted for use with such flat seams. In particular, by removing the set of carriage guides 912 and by placing, after such removal, the vertical seam sealing device 906 on top of a flat seam, the bottoms of at least one of the one or more coating rollers 918 and of at least one of the one or more pinch rollers 922 can be in physical contact with the flat seam. Accordingly, pushing or pulling on the handle 910 can cause the vertical seam sealing device 906 to roll or slide along the length of the flat seam. Note that, in such embodiments, a human roofer that is pushing or pulling on the handle 910 might need to pay more attention so as to keep the vertical seam sealing device 906 centered or otherwise on top of the flat seam (e.g., the set of carriage guides 912 can keep the vertical seam sealing device 906 centered atop a vertical seam; so, without the set of carriage guides 912, the human roofer might have to actively steer the vertical seam sealing device 906 so as to keep it atop a flat seam).
[0096] It should be understood that the term or is intended to mean an inclusive or rather than an exclusive or. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, X employs A or B is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then X employs A or B is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. As used herein, the term and/or is intended to have the same meaning as or. Moreover, articles a and an as used in the subject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construed to mean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. As used herein, the terms example or exemplary are utilized to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as an example or exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0097] The herein disclosure describes non-limiting examples. For ease of description or explanation, various portions of the herein disclosure utilize the term each, every, or all when discussing various examples. Such usages of the term each, every, or all are non-limiting. In other words, when the herein disclosure provides a description that is applied to each, every, or all of some particular object or component, it should be understood that this is a non-limiting example, and it should be further understood that, in various other examples, it can be the case that such description applies to fewer than each, every, or all of that particular object or component.
[0098] As it is employed in the subject specification, the term processor can refer to substantially any computing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited to, single-core processors; single-processors with software multithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithread execution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Further, processors can exploit nano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing processing units. In this disclosure, terms such as store, storage, data store, data storage, database, and substantially any other information storage component relevant to operation and functionality of a component are utilized to refer to memory components, entities embodied in a memory, or components comprising a memory. It is to be appreciated that memory or memory components described herein can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. By way of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory can include read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, or nonvolatile random access memory (RAM) (e.g., ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM). Volatile memory can include RAM, which can act as external cache memory, for example. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM), direct Rambus dynamic RAM (DRDRAM), and Rambus dynamic RAM (RDRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or computer-implemented methods herein are intended to include, without being limited to including, these and any other suitable types of memory.
[0099] What has been described above include mere examples of various embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to explicitly describe every conceivable embodiment, but many further embodiments, or combinations or permutations of embodiments, are possible based on the herein-described teachings. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms includes, has, possesses, and the like are used in the detailed description, claims, appendices and drawings such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprisingis interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
[0100] The descriptions of the various embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.