Long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound

The long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound may provide a pre-mixed waterproofing compound that eliminates the need for a worker to combine the various elements prior to application. The compound may benefit from the use of long strand fiberglass so as to provide additional strength and resiliency to the compound and may be provided in a container suitable for preventing the compound from drying out before it is applied. The advantages of such a compound include creating a seamless waterproof seal on a surface, as well as adding structural rigidity and strength to the surface, while reducing the amount of time needed to apply the compound. The compound comprises, generally, a waterproofing material combined with a structural lattice in a portable container.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to waterproofing materials, and, more specifically, to a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound.

COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Waterproofing is the technique by which a structure or object is covered in a layer of material that prevents fluid intrusion into the structure or object. Originally, objects were waterproofed by applying a layer of tar or asphalt to the outer surface of the object and allowing it to dry, thus creating a seamless outer layer. More modernly, objects may be waterproofed by applying hydrophobic coatings or by sealing with gaskets. In the construction industry, specifically, buildings may be waterproofed by applying tar or asphalt compositions to an outer surface, often with the tar or asphalt being combined with a structural lattice for providing added strength to the layer.

It is known in the construction industry to apply an asphalt layer to a roof, for example, by combining the asphalt with fiberglass strands on the site, and then either rolling or spraying the material combination onto the roof and allowing it to dry and harden. Such a combination provides an effective layer of waterproofing that also provides additional structural strength to the roof.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,462,764 and 5,468,293, for example, provide a sprayer device that may combine fiberglass strands and asphalt into an emulsion that may be applied directly to the roof surface. Some such devices are able to cut the fiberglass during the spraying action, and may be able to vary the length of the fiberglass strands as desired. As disclosed in these two patents, it is advantageous to use longer fiberglass strands, up to approximately 24 inches in length, because the lattice structure created by these longer strands is stronger and more resilient than the structure created by shorter strands.

The primary issue with using such compounds in the industry is that the components of the compound must be delivered to the work site and then combined prior to or during the application stage. For example, a worker may be required to prepare the asphalt, mix in the fiberglass, and then apply the combination to a roof surface. Automated sprayers, like those described above, may simplify the process by automatically combining the various materials required, though they still require a worker to load the sprayer with the distinct components.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound that may provide a pre-mixed waterproofing compound that eliminates the need for a worker to combine the various elements prior to application. The compound may benefit from the use of long strand fiberglass so as to provide additional strength and resiliency to the compound and may be provided in a container suitable for preventing the compound from drying out before it is applied. It is to these ends that the present invention has been developed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention describes a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound that may comprise a waterproofing material.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound that may comprise an asphalt.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound that may comprise a concrete.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound that may comprise a tar.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound that may comprise a resin.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound that may comprise a silicone.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound that may comprise a two-part epoxy.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound that may comprise a strengthening material.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound that may comprise a structural lattice.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound that may comprise a plurality of fiberglass strands.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound that may comprise a plurality of long strand fiberglass.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound that may comprise a pre-mixed waterproofing compound.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound that may comprise a mobile storage container.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound that may comprise a carriable storage container.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound that may comprise a moisture-retaining container.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound that may comprise an ultraviolet resistant container.

These and other advantages and features of the present invention are described herein with specificity so as to make the present invention understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art, both with respect to how to practice the present invention and how to make the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for reference only and is not limiting. The words “front,” “rear,” “anterior,” “posterior,” “lateral,” “medial,” “upper,” “lower,” “outer,” “inner,” and “interior” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the invention, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

The long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound may provide a pre-mixed waterproofing compound that eliminates the need for a worker to combine the various elements prior to application. The compound may benefit from the use of long strand fiberglass so as to provide additional strength and resiliency to the compound and may be provided in a container suitable for preventing the compound from drying out before it is applied. The advantages of such a compound include creating a seamless waterproof seal on a surface, as well as adding structural rigidity and strength to the surface, while reducing the amount of time needed to apply the compound. The compound comprises, generally, a waterproofing material combined with a structural lattice in a portable container.

The illustrations ofFIGS.1-4illustrate a long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound, as contemplated by the present disclosure. The compound may comprise, generally, a structural lattice100and a binder200that are pre-mixed and may be applied onto a surface. The structural lattice100is intended to provide a strengthening component to the compound, and is usually a fiberglass, though may be any appropriate material such as, for example, polyester, nylon, Kevlar, cotton, or other material. The binder200is intended to provide a waterproof primary component to the compound, and is usually asphalt, though may be any appropriate material such as, for example, tar, concrete, resin, silicone, two-part epoxy, or other material.

The long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound is intended to be applied onto a working surface, such as a building roof or side wall, wherein the compound dries into a solid composition and the structural lattice100forms a three dimensional framework within the binder200. The compound, thus, may further comprise a wetting agent that evaporates out of the compound allowing it to dry and solidify. Such a wetting agent may comprise any appropriate agent such as, for example, water, alcohol, or other similar agent.

The long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound is intended to be applied by any appropriate mechanism known in the art such as, for example, by spreading the compound by hand, by placing the compound and then flattening it with a paint roller, or by spraying the compound from an appropriate sprayer device.

Although the long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound is described as being used on roof or wall, it is to be understood that the present invention may be used to create a waterproofing surface on any structure. By way of example, the compound may by applied to a boat hull, a surfboard, an interior floor, or any other structure.

The illustrations ofFIGS.1and2illustrate embodiments of the present invention. The long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound comprises a structural lattice100embedded in a binder200. In one embodiment the structural lattice100may comprise short strand lattice102that may be all of the same or similar length and approximately three (3) inches long. It has been found that strands of such length will intertwine in an irregular pattern and increase the strength of the resulting composition. The compound may be applied to a surface300and may be smoothed out to form a first waterproof layer104.

In another embodiment the structural lattice100may comprise long strand lattice106that may be all of the same or similar length and approximately twenty-four (24) inches long. It has been found that strands of such length will intertwine in an irregular pattern and more greatly increase the strength of the resulting composition than when using short strand lattice102. The compound may be applied to a surface300and may be smoothed out to form a second waterproof layer108.

In another embodiment, the structural lattice100may comprise both short strand lattice102and long strand lattice106. It has been found that the combination of short strands mixed in with long strands provides a resulting compound that is much stronger than compositions found in the prior art.

The illustration ofFIG.3illustrates that a structural lattice100may be mixed with a binder200into viscous compound202and stored within a container400. The viscous compound202may comprise a combination of water, asphalt, and clay. In one embodiment the emulsion is fifty percent (50%) water, forty-seven percent (47%) asphalt, and three percent (3%) clay by volume. The composition is produced by mechanical mixing and may comprise a ratio of eight (8) pounds of structural lattice100per fifteen (15) gallons of binder200.

In one embodiment the compound may further comprise latex to increase the flexibility of the composition and make the resulting compound more resistant to water intrusion. The addition of latex to the viscous compound202has not been found to trap water during the evaporation cycle of the compound.

In one embodiment the compound may further comprise a metal filling component such as, for example, aluminum, which may provide ultraviolet protection and a reflective surface that reduces the amount of solar heat absorbed by the resulting compound.

The illustration ofFIG.4illustrates the application of the long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound to a surface300. The viscous compound202may first be removed from a container400and placed on a surface300. The viscous compound202may then be spread by hand or by an appropriate tool such that it is evenly spread out with a thickness of approximately one-half (½) inch. Once spread, the viscous compound202may dry to a solid waterproof layer on the surface300.

One or more layers of viscous compound202may be applied to the surface300. In a multiple-layer application, different embodiments of the long strand fiberglass-impregnated waterproofing compound may be selected. By way of example, a first viscous compound202may comprise a latex additive for providing additional flexibility or waterproofing characteristics. A second viscous compound202applied on top of the first may comprise a metal additive for providing ultraviolet protection and left reflecting characteristics.