US4528789A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Insulated roof system
Assignee: Harold Simpson Inc
•
Filing: 1982-05-14
•
Granted: 1985-07-16
•
Expires: 2002-05-14
Abstract
Abstract An improved insulated roof system for enclosing and insulating a building structure in which a flexible membrane is attached to extend tautly between a first support portion and a second support portion of the building structural assembly. A tertiary structural assembly is connected to the building structural assembly, a portion of the tertiary structural assembly extending from the structural assembly and supporting panel members which are attached thereto. Insulation material is supported by the flexible membrane between the panel member and the underlying building structural assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold G. Simpson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:31
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04C; E04C3/00; E04C3/02; E04C3/04; E04C3/08; E04D; E04D13/00; E04D13/16; E04D13/1606; E04D13/1612; E04D13/1618; E04D3/00; E04D3/36; E04D3/3607; E04D3/3608; F; F16; F16B; F16B35/00; F16B35/04; F16B35/06; E04C2003/0404; E04C2003/0408; E04C2003/0413; E04C2003/0421; E04C2003/0426; E04C2003/043; E04C2003/0434; E04C2003/0443; E04C2003/0447; E04C2003/0452; E04C2003/046; E04C2003/0465; E04C2003/0473; E04C2003/0482; E04C2003/0486; E04C2003/0491; E04C2003/0495; E04D3/361; E04D2003/3615; F16B5/00; F16B5/02; F16B5/0275
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
An improved roof system supported by the building structural assembly of a pre-engineered building having a first support member and a second support member, the roof system comprising: a flexible membrane having a first end, a second end, an insulation support side, a first edge portion along one edge thereof and a second edge portion along the other edge thereof, one section of the flexible membrane being disposed alongside another section of flexible membrane; membrane attaching means for attaching the flexible membrane to the first support member and for attaching the flexible membrane to the second support member so that the flexible membrane extends substantially taut therebetween; edge retaining means for securing the first edge portion of one of the sections of flexible membrane to the second edge portion of the other section of flexible membrane, the first and second edge portions being rolled together and the edge retaining means comprising stapling means for mechanically securing the roll; a tertiary structural assembly connected to the building structural assembly and having a portion extensive from the building structural assembly; a layer of insulation material supported by the insulation support side of the flexible membrane, the layer providing a substantially continuous thermal barrier over the flexible membrane; and roofing means supported by the tertiary structural assembly for at least partially enclosing the building structural assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
An improved roof system supported by the building structural assembly of a pre-engineered building having a first support member and a second support member, the roof system comprising: a flexible membrane having a first end, a second end, an insulation support side, a first edge portion along one edge thereof and a second edge portion along the other edge thereof, one section of the flexible membrane being disposed alongside another section of flexible membrane; membrane attaching means for attaching the flexible membrane to the first support member and for attaching the flexible membrane to the second support member so that the flexible membrane extends substantially taut therebetween; edge retaining means for securing the first edge portion of one of the sections of flexible membrane to the second edge portion of the other section of flexible membrane, the first and second edge portions being rolled together and the edge retaining means comprising stapling means for mechanically securing the roll; a tertiary structural assembly connected to the building structural assembly and having a portion extensive from the building structural assembly; a layer of insulation material supported by the insulation support side of the flexible membrane, the layer providing a substantially continuous thermal barrier over the flexible membrane; and roofing means supported by the tertiary structural assembly for at least partially enclosing the building structural assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
143 words
An improved roof system supported by the building structural assembly of a pre-engineered building having a first support member and a second support member, the roof system comprising: a flexible membrane having a first end and a second end and having an insulation support side; membrane attaching means for attaching the flexible membrane to the first support member and for attaching the flexible membrane to the second support member so that the flexible membrane extends substantially taut therebetween; a tertiary structural assembly connected to the building structural assembly and having a portion extensive from the building structural assembly; a layer of insulation material supported by the insulation support side of the flexible membrane, the layer providing a substantially continuous thermal barrier over the flexible membrane; and roofing means supported by the tertiary structural assembly for at least partially enclosing the building structural assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
143 words
An improved roof system supported by the building structural assembly of a pre-engineered building having a first support member and a second support member, the roof system comprising: a flexible membrane having a first end and a second end and having an insulation support side; membrane attaching means for attaching the flexible membrane to the first support member and for attaching the flexible membrane to the second support member so that the flexible membrane extends substantially taut therebetween; a tertiary structural assembly connected to the building structural assembly and having a portion extensive from the building structural assembly; a layer of insulation material supported by the insulation support side of the flexible membrane, the layer providing a substantially continuous thermal barrier over the flexible membrane; and roofing means supported by the tertiary structural assembly for at least partially enclosing the building structural assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The roof system of claim 2 wherein the insulation layer has a substantially uniform thickness throughout its length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The roof system of claim 2 wherein the membrane attaching means is further characterized as attaching the first end portion of the flexible membrane to the first support member and the second end portion of the flexible membrane to the second support member such that the flexible membrane is substantially uniformly gripped along the width of the flexible membrane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The roof system of claim 4 wherein the membrane attaching means comprises means for accommodating excess length of the membrane so that the length of the membrane can be adjusted to a proper length to extend the membrane tautly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
The roof system of claim 2 wherein the flexible membrane has a first edge portion along one edge thereof and a second edge portion along the other edge thereof and wherein one section of flexible membrane is disposed alongside another section of flexible membrane, the roof system further comprising: edge retaining means for securing the first edge portion of one of the sections of flexible membrane to the second edge portion of the other section of flexible membrane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The roof system of claim 6 wherein the edge retaining means is an adhesive placed between the edge portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The roof system of claim 7 wherein the adhesive is a hot melt adhesive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The roof system of claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 1 wherein at least one of the first and second support members is the upper end portion of a wall of the pre-engineered building.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The roof system of claims 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 wherein an air plenum is provided between the roofing means and the layer of insulation material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
124 words
The roof system of claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein the tertiary structural assembly comprises at least one panel support assembly supported by the building structural assembly, the panel support assembly comprising: a plurality of base clips attached to the building structural assembly and disposed to extend therefrom, the insulation layer disposed about the base clips such that the insulation layer retains substantially uniform heat transfer resistance; and a panel support beam supported by the base clips a predetermined distance from the building structural assembly such that the insulation layer is disposed to extend between the plane of the panel support beam and the flexible membrane in substantial full layer thickness, the panel support beam supporting at least a portion of the roofing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The roof system of claim 11 wherein the panel support beam is comprised of a plurality of beam sections disposed in end-to-end relationship, the sections interlocked and secured to the underlying base clips.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The roof system of claim 11 wherein each base clip has a web portion, the plane of each web portion of the base clips extends normal to the longitudinal axis of the panel support beam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The roof system of claim 11 wherein the roofing means comprises at least one panel member, and wherein the tertiary structural assembly further comprises: at least one panel clip supported by the panel support beam, the panel member attached to the panel clip.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The roof system of claim 14 wherein the base clip has a web portion having flexing capability normal thereto so that expansion of the supported panel member elastically rotates the panel clip web portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The roof system of claim 11 wherein the roofing means comprises a plurality of edge-locking standing seam roof panels, and wherein the tertiary structural assembly further comprises: a plurality of panel clips supported by the panel support beam, the standing seam roof panels attached the panel clips.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The roof system of claim 16 wherein the base clips have web portions having flexing capability normal thereto so that expansion of the supported panel member elastically rotates the base clips' web portions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
71 words
The roof system of claim 2 wherein the pre-engineered building has at least one other support member disposed between the first support member and the second support member, the other support member having a clip support surface, wherein the flexible member extends tautly over the other support member, and wherein the tertiary structural assembly secures the flexible member along its width to the clip support surface of the other support member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
189 words
An improved roof system supported by the building structural assembly of a pre-engineered building having first and second support members and an intermediate support member disposed therebetween, the roof system comprising: a flexible membrane having a first end and a second end, and having an insulation support side; membrane attaching means for attaching the first end of the flexible membrane to the first structural member and for attaching the second end of the first membrane to the second support member so that the flexible membrane extends substantially taut therebetween with the first membrane extensive over the intermediate support member; roofing means for at least partially enclosing the building structural assembly; tertiary structural means for interconnecting the roofing means to the intermediate support member and transferring load therebetween, the tertiary structural means supporting the roofing means a predetermined clearing distance from the intermediate support member; and insulation material supported by the insulation support side of the flexible membrane and disposed to extend between the roofing means and the intermediate support member, the insulation providing a substantially continuous thermal barrier over the flexible membrane between the first and second support members.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
189 words
An improved roof system supported by the building structural assembly of a pre-engineered building having first and second support members and an intermediate support member disposed therebetween, the roof system comprising: a flexible membrane having a first end and a second end, and having an insulation support side; membrane attaching means for attaching the first end of the flexible membrane to the first structural member and for attaching the second end of the first membrane to the second support member so that the flexible membrane extends substantially taut therebetween with the first membrane extensive over the intermediate support member; roofing means for at least partially enclosing the building structural assembly; tertiary structural means for interconnecting the roofing means to the intermediate support member and transferring load therebetween, the tertiary structural means supporting the roofing means a predetermined clearing distance from the intermediate support member; and insulation material supported by the insulation support side of the flexible membrane and disposed to extend between the roofing means and the intermediate support member, the insulation providing a substantially continuous thermal barrier over the flexible membrane between the first and second support members.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
114 words
The roof system of claim 19 wherein the tertiary structural means comprises at least one panel support assembly supported by the intermediate support member, the panel support assembly comprising: at least one base clip attached to the intermediate support member and disposed to extend therefrom, the insulation material disposed about each such base clip such that the insulation material retains substantially uniform heat transfer resistance; and a panel support beam supported by the base clip the predetermined clearing distance from the intermediate support member such that the insulation material is disposed substantially between the panel support beam and the flexible membrane, the panel support beam supporting at least a portion of the roofing means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
The roof system of claim 20 wherein the roofing means comprises at least one panel member, and wherein the tertiary structural assembly further comprises: at least one panel clip supported by the panel support beam, the panel member attached to the panel clip.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The roof system of claim 21 wherein the base clip has a web portion having flexing capability normal thereto so that expansion of the supported panel member elastically rotates the base clip web portion.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
48 words
The roof system of claim 20 wherein the roofing means comprises a plurality of edge-locking standing seam roof panels, and wherein the tertiary structural assembly further comprises: a plurality of panel clips supported by the panel support beam, the standing seam roof panels attached to the panel clips.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The roof system of claim 20 wherein the panel support beam is comprised of a plurality of beam sections disposed in end-to-end relationship, the sections interlocked and secured to the underlying base clips.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The roof system of claim 20 wherein each base clip has a web portion, the plane of each web portion extending normal to the longitudinal axis of the panel support beam.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The roof system of claim 19 wherein at least one of the first and second support members is the upper end portion of a wall of the pre-engineered building.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
The roof system of claims 19, 20, 21, 23, 22, 24, 25 or 26 wherein an air plenum is provided between the roofing means and the layer of insulation material.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of insulating a pre-engineered building having a first structural member and second structural member, comprising the steps of: placing a first flexible membrane over the first structural member and the second structural member, the first flexible membrane having a first end and a second end; securing the first end of the flexible membrane substantially uniformly along the width of the first flexible membrane; positioning the second end of the first flexible membrane to extend the first flexible membrane substantially taut over the first and second structural members while maintaining substantially uniform tension along the width of the first flexible membrane; securing the second end of the first flexible membrane such that substantially uniform tension is maintained in the first flexible membrane; and securing panel members to the underlying structural members so that inwardly directed load is transferable from the panel members to the underlying structural members.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of insulating a pre-engineered building having a first structural member and second structural member, comprising the steps of: placing a first flexible membrane over the first structural member and the second structural member, the first flexible membrane having a first end and a second end; securing the first end of the flexible membrane substantially uniformly along the width of the first flexible membrane; positioning the second end of the first flexible membrane to extend the first flexible membrane substantially taut over the first and second structural members while maintaining substantially uniform tension along the width of the first flexible membrane; securing the second end of the first flexible membrane such that substantially uniform tension is maintained in the first flexible membrane; and securing panel members to the underlying structural members so that inwardly directed load is transferable from the panel members to the underlying structural members.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the panel members are supported a predetermined distance above the structural members so that a plenum space is provided between the flexible membrane and the panel members.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 28 further comprising: disposing insulation material on the first flexible membrane so that the insulation material provides a substantially uniform thermal barrier between the panel members and the first flexible membrane.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the panel members are supported a predetermined distance above the structural members so that a plenum space is provided between the insulation material and the panel members.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
195 words
The method of claim 28 further comprising: placing a second flexible membrane alongside the first flexible membrane and over the first structural member and over the second structural member, the second flexible membrane having a first end and a second end; securing the first end of the second flexible membrane substantially uniformly along the width of the second flexible membrane; positioning the second end of the second flexible membrane to extend the second flexible membrane substantially taut over the first and second structural members while maintaining substantially uniform tension along the width of the second flexible membrane; securing the second end of the second flexible membrane such that substantially uniform tension is maintained in the second flexible membrane; and securing panel members to the underlying structural members in overlying relationship to the second flexible membrane so that inwardly directed load is transferable from the panel members to the underlying structural members, the second flexible membrane disposed to extend beyond the panel members during the securement thereof over the first flexible membrane so that the second flexible membrane serves as a safety restraint during the securement of said panel members disposed over the first flexible membrane.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the panel members are supported a predetermined distance above the structural members so that a plenum space is provided between the flexible membranes and the panel members.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 33 wherein the second flexible membrane overlaps the first flexible membrane, and the method further comprises: sealing the overlapping edges of the first and second membranes to provide a continuous vapor barrier thereby.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 32 further comprising: disposing insulation material on the first and second flexible membranes so that the insulation material provides a substantially uniform thermal barrier between the panel members and the flexible membranes.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 35 wherein the panel members are supported a predetermined distance above the structural members so that a plenum space is provided between the insulation material and the panel members.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
32 words
The method of claims 32, 33, 35 or 36 wherein at least one of the first and second flexible membranes comprises a scrim having the capability of supporting a predetermined tensile load.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of insulating a pre-engineered building having a first structural member and a second structural member, comprising the steps of: placing a first flexible membrane extending between the first and second structural members, the first flexible membrane having an insulation support side; securing the first flexible membrane to the first and second structural members so that the first flexible membrane extends substantially taut therebetween; placing insulation material on the insulation support side of the first flexible membrane so that the insulation provides a substantially continuous thermal barrier over the first flexible membrane; and securing panel members to the structural members to at least partially enclose the building so that inwardly directed load is transferable from the panel members to the underlying structural members, the first flexible membrane disposed to extend along the panel members during securement thereof whereby the first flexible membrane serves as a safety restraint during the securement of the panel members.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of insulating a pre-engineered building having a first structural member and a second structural member, comprising the steps of: placing a first flexible membrane extending between the first and second structural members, the first flexible membrane having an insulation support side; securing the first flexible membrane to the first and second structural members so that the first flexible membrane extends substantially taut therebetween; placing insulation material on the insulation support side of the first flexible membrane so that the insulation provides a substantially continuous thermal barrier over the first flexible membrane; and securing panel members to the structural members to at least partially enclose the building so that inwardly directed load is transferable from the panel members to the underlying structural members, the first flexible membrane disposed to extend along the panel members during securement thereof whereby the first flexible membrane serves as a safety restraint during the securement of the panel members.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of insulating a pre-engineered building having a first structural member and a second structural member, comprising the steps of: placing a first flexible membrane extending between the first and second structural members, the first flexible membrane having an insulation support ride; securing the first flexible membrane to the first and second structural members so that the first flexible membrane extends substantially taut therebetween; placing insulation material on the insulation support side of the first flexible membrane so that the insulation provides a substantially continuous thermal barrier over the first flexible membrane; placing a second flexible membrane alongside the first flexible membrane and extending same between the first and second structural members, the second flexible membrane having an insulation support side; securing the second flexible membrane to the first and second structural members so that the second flexible membrane extends substantially taut therebetween; and securing panel members to the structural members in overlying relationship to the first flexible membrane so that inwardly directed load is transferable from the panel members to the underlying structural members, the second flexible membrane disposed to extend along the panel members during securement thereof whereby the second flexible membrane serves as a safety restraint during the securement of the panel members.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of insulating a pre-engineered building having a first structural member and a second structural member, comprising the steps of: placing a first flexible membrane extending between the first and second structural members, the first flexible membrane having an insulation support ride; securing the first flexible membrane to the first and second structural members so that the first flexible membrane extends substantially taut therebetween; placing insulation material on the insulation support side of the first flexible membrane so that the insulation provides a substantially continuous thermal barrier over the first flexible membrane; placing a second flexible membrane alongside the first flexible membrane and extending same between the first and second structural members, the second flexible membrane having an insulation support side; securing the second flexible membrane to the first and second structural members so that the second flexible membrane extends substantially taut therebetween; and securing panel members to the structural members in overlying relationship to the first flexible membrane so that inwardly directed load is transferable from the panel members to the underlying structural members, the second flexible membrane disposed to extend along the panel members during securement thereof whereby the second flexible membrane serves as a safety restraint during the securement of the panel members.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
27 words
The method of claims 38 or 39 wherein at least one of the flexible membranes comprises a scrim having the capability of supporting a predetermined tensile load.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 39 wherein the second flexible membrane overlaps the first flexible membrane, and the method further comprises: sealing the overlapping edges of the first and second membranes to provide a continuous vapor barrier thereby.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of insulating a pre-engineered building having a first structural member and a second structural member, comprising the steps of: placing a flexible membrane extending between the first and second structural members, the flexible membrane having an insulation support side and comprising a scrim having the capability of supporting a predetermined tensile load; securing the flexible membrane to the first and second structural members so that the flexible membrane extends substantially taut therebetween; and placing insulation material on the insulation support side of the flexible membrane so that the insulation provides a substantially continuous thermal barrier over the flexible membrane.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of insulating a pre-engineered building having a first structural member and a second structural member, comprising the steps of: placing a flexible membrane extending between the first and second structural members, the flexible membrane having an insulation support side and comprising a scrim having the capability of supporting a predetermined tensile load; securing the flexible membrane to the first and second structural members so that the flexible membrane extends substantially taut therebetween; and placing insulation material on the insulation support side of the flexible membrane so that the insulation provides a substantially continuous thermal barrier over the flexible membrane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-07-15 | 1989-01-14 | 1989-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-15 | 1993-01-14 | 1993-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-15 | 1997-01-14 | 1997-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |