Patent Publication Number: US-2006010815-A1

Title: Roof repair system and method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates, in general, to roof repairs, and in particular, to a system and method for making temporary repairs to a damaged area of a roof.  
      2. Background Art  
      Roofs, especially typical asphalt shingle roofs, are often damaged by storms, high winds, falling trees, and the like. While such damage may happen to only a small portion of a roof, it is important to repair that damaged portion as soon as possible to prevent water damage through the roof, further damage to the roof, etc. While a permanent repair can be made (e.g, new shingles, etc.), often it is necessary to make some type of temporary repair to protect the roof and building until insurance personnel can review the damage and/or professional roofers can be scheduled to make the permanent repairs, etc.  
      The most common temporary fix or repair is to merely place a tarpaulin over the damaged area of the roof. The tarpaulin is typically a rather large sheet of waterproofed canvas or other material used as a protective covering over the damaged areas of the roof. Such tarpaulins are normally temporally secured to the roof by a plurality of nails around the perimeter of the tarpaulins extending through the tarpaulins into the roof. The temporary tarpaulins are then removed when the permanent roof repairs are made. However, once the permanent repairs to the roof are made, unless each of the nail holes are repaired, leaks are likely to occur through the roof at each unrepaired nail hole.  
      Nothing in the known prior art discloses or suggests the present invention.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention discloses a system and method for making temporary repairs to a damaged area of a roof. The concept of the present invention is to provide a system and method of securing one or more tarpaulins to cover the damaged area of a roof without requiring the tarpaulins to be nailed to the roof.  
      The roof repair system and method of the present invention includes a tarpaulin including a front surface having a perimeter with a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side edge, and a right side edge; and a back surface having a perimeter with a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side edge, and a right side edge; front releasable fastening means attached to the front surface of the tarpaulin about at least a portion of the perimeter of the front surface of the tarpaulin; and back releasable fastening means attached to the back surface of the tarpaulin about at least a portion of the perimeter of the front surface of the tarpaulin, whereby the tarpaulin can be placed over the damaged area of a roof and secured to the roof using the releasable fastening means without requiring nails or the like to be driven into the undamaged area of the roof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a front plan view of a tarpaulin of the roof repair system of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a somewhat diagrammatic sectional view of the tarpaulin of  FIG. 1  as taken on line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a front plan view of an anchor bag of the roof repair system of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the anchor bag of  FIG. 3  as taken on line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 .  
       FIG. 5  is a rear plan view of the anchor bag of  FIG. 3 .  
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of an elongated strap of the roof repair system of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  is a rear or back plan view of the tarpaulin of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 8  is a somewhat diagrammatic view of a roof having a damaged area.  
       FIG. 9  is a somewhat diagrammatic view of the roof of  FIG. 8  but showing the roof repair system of the present invention with portions thereof omitted or broken away for clarity and used to make a temporary repair to the roof.  
       FIG. 10  is a somewhat diagrammatic sectional view of the roof of  FIG. 8  but showing a portion of the roof repair system of the present invention with portions thereof omitted or broken away for clarity and used to make a temporary repair to the roof. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The roof repair system of the present invention is especially designed for making temporary repairs to a damaged area A of a roof R, typically a roof R having shingles S where one or more of the shingles S becomes damaged or missing because of a storm, accident or the like. The roof repair system of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-10 , and identified by the numeral  11 .  
      The roof repair system  11  includes at least one and preferably a plurality of tarpaulins  13  for covering the damaged area A of the roof R. Each tarpaulin  13  may be constructed out of various material such as a sheet of waterproofed canvas or the like commonly used as a protective covering for objects exposed to the weather, and the preferred construction of a single tarpaulin  13  will be described. Thus, the tarpaulin  13  is preferably made of a sheet of waterproof woven nylon or plastic strands, often referred to as “blue tarp” by those skilled in the art. The size and shape of the tarpaulin  13  may vary. In the preferred embodiment, the tarpaulin  13  consists of a rectangle 5 feet (1.52 meters) wide and 6 feet (1.82 meters) tall. However, various other shapes and sizes could also be used in the present invention.  
      The tarpaulin  13  includes a front face or surface  15  having a perimeter with a top edge  17 , a bottom edge  19 , a left side edge  21 , and a right side edge  23 . The tarpaulin  13  includes a back face or surface  25  having a perimeter with a top edge  27 , a bottom edge  29 , a left side edge  31 , and a right side edge  33 .  
      The roof repair system  11  includes front releasable fastening means  35  attached to the front surface  15  of each tarpaulin  13  about at least a portion of the perimeter of the front surface  15  of the tarpaulin  13 . The releasable fastening means  35  may be constructed out of various material such as snaps, buttons, or the like commonly used to releasably secure items together. Preferably, the releasable fastening means  35  consists of one or more elongated strips of loop side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like, sewn, glued or otherwise attached to the front surface  15  of the tarpaulin  13 . The size and shape of the releasable fastening means  35  may vary. In the preferred embodiment, the releasable fastening means  35  includes a pair of 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide, 20 inches (50.8 centimeters) long strips  37  of loop side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like attached to the front surface  15  of the tarpaulin  13  approximately 9 inches (22.86 centimeters) from the top edge  17  to the center of the strips  37 , centered between the left and right side edges  21 ,  23  with a 6 inch (15.24 centimeters) space between them; includes a pair of 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide, 20 inches (50.8 centimeters) long strips  39  of loop side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like attached to the front surface  15  of the tarpaulin  13  approximately 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) from the bottom edge  19  to the center of the strips  39 , centered between the left and right side edges  21 ,  23  with a 6 inch (15.24 centimeters) space between them; includes a single 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide, 5 feet (1.52 meters) long strip  41  of loop side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like attached to the front surface  15  of the tarpaulin  13  approximately 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) from the left side edge  21  to the center of the strip  41 , centered between the top and bottom edges  17 ,  19 ; and includes a pair of 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide, 24 inches (60.96 centimeters) long strips  43  of loop side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like attached to the front surface  15  of the tarpaulin  13  approximately 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) from the right side edge  23  to the center of the strips  43 , centered between the top and bottom edges  17 ,  19 , with a 6 inch (15.24 centimeters) space between them.  
      The roof repair system  11  includes back releasable fastening means  45  attached to the back surface  25  of each tarpaulin  13  about at least a portion of the perimeter of the back surface  25  of the tarpaulin  13 . The releasable fastening means  45  may be constructed out of various material such as snaps, buttons, or the like commonly used to releasably secure items together. Preferably, the releasable fastening means  45  consists of one or more elongated strips of hook side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like, sewn, glued or otherwise attached to the back surface  25  of the tarpaulin  13 . The size and shape of the releasable fastening means  45  may vary. In the preferred embodiment, the releasable fastening means  45  includes a pair of 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide, 20 inches (50.8 centimeters) long strips  49  of loop side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like attached to the back surface  25  of the tarpaulin  13  approximately 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) from the bottom edge  29  to the center of the strips  39 , centered between the left and right side edges  31 ,  33  with a 6 inch (15.24 centimeters) space between them; includes a single 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide, 5 feet (1.52 meters) long strip  51  of loop side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like attached to the back surface  25  of the tarpaulin  13  approximately 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) from the left side edge  31  to the center of the strip  51 , centered between the top and bottom edges  27 ,  29 ; and includes a pair of 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide, 24 inches (60.96 centimeters) long strips  53  of loop side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like attached to the back surface  25  of the tarpaulin  13  approximately 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) from the right side edge  33  to the center of the strips  53 , centered between the top and bottom edges  27 ,  29 , with a 6 inch (15.24 centimeters) space between them.  
      The roof repair system  11  preferably includes a plate member  55  attached to each tarpaulin  13  at the top edge thereof. The plate member  55  may be attached to either the front or back surface  15 ,  25  of the tarpaulin  13  but is shown in the preferred embodiment as being attached adjacent the top edge  27  of the back surface  25  of the tarpaulin  13 . The plate member  55  may be constructed out of various material such as sheet metal or the like. Preferably, the plate member  55  consists of one or more elongated strips of 1/16 inch (0.16 centimeter) thick, stiff plastic or the like, sewn, glued or otherwise attached to the back surface  25  of the tarpaulin  13 . The size and shape of the plate member  55  may vary. In the preferred embodiment, the plate member  55  includes four 4 inch (10.16 centimeters) wide, 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) long strips  49  of thin, substantially stiff plastic or the like made from typical vertical replacement blinds and sewn or otherwise attached to the back surface  25  of the tarpaulin  13  substantially adjacent the top edge  27  of the back surface  25 . The outer ends of the outer two strips  49  are preferably positioned substantially adjacent the respective left and right side edges  31 ,  33 , with the outer ends of the two inner strips  49  positioned approximately 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) from the inner ends of a respective outer strip  49 , leaving an approximately 12 inch (30.48 centimeter) space between the inner ends of the two inner strips  49 .  
      The roof repair system  11  includes at least one and preferably a plurality of anchor bags  59  for anchoring the tarpaulin  13  to the roof R. Each anchor bag  59  may be constructed out of various material such as heavy material that does not retain water and is extremely durable, and the construction of a single anchor bag  59  will be described. Thus, the anchor bag  59  is preferably made of a heavy, porous canvas. The size and shape of the each anchor bag  59  may vary. In the preferred embodiment, each anchor bag  59  consists of an elongated tube-like body  61  having an opened top  63  and closed sides  65  and bottom  67 , with a 7 inch (17.78 centimeters) width and a 24 inch (60.96 centimeters) length. However, various other shapes and sizes could also be used in the present invention.  
      The body  61  can be filled with ballast such as gravel  69  or the like. Each anchor bag  59  preferably includes closure means  71  such as coacting strips of hook and loop Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like, sewn, glued or otherwise attached to opposite lips of the opened top  63  of the body  61  and extending substantially completely across the opened top  63  for securely closing the opened top  63  of the body  61  after the body  61  is filled with gravel  69 .  
      The roof repair system  11  preferably includes releasable fastening means  73  attached to each anchor bag  59  for releasably securing the anchor bag  59  to the front releasable fastening means  35  attached to the front surface  15  of the tarpaulin  13 , etc. The releasable fastening means  73  may include three pieces  75  of 4 inch (10.16 centimeters) long by 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide hook side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like, sewn, glued or otherwise attached to the front surface  77  of the body  61 , mounted transversely across the body  61 . In addition, the releasable fastening means  73  may include one piece  79  of 12 inch (30.48 centimeters) long by 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide hook side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like, sewn, glued or otherwise attached to the rear surface  81  of the body  61 , mounted lengthwise along the body  61 .  
      The roof repair system  11  preferably includes one or more anchor bag handles attached to each anchor bag  59 . Preferably, the roof repair system  11  includes an end anchor bag handle  83  attached to each end of each anchor bag  59 , and a side anchor bag handle  85  attached to each side edge of each anchor bag  59 . Each anchor bag handle  83 ,  85  is preferably made of 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) wide woven nylon tow strap material with the opposite ends thereof sewn, glued or otherwise attached to a respective portion of the body  61  of each anchor bag  59 . The end anchor bag handles  83  preferably have a length of 9 inches (22.86 centimeters), while the side anchor bag handles  85  preferably have a length of 7 inches (17.78 centimeters).  
      The roof repair system  11  may include one or more elongated straps  87  (preferably three per tarpaulin  13 ) for attachment to the anchor bag handles  83 ,  85 . Each strap  87  is preferably made of 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide woven nylon tow strap material having a 20 feet (6.1 meters) length.  
      The roof repair system  11  preferably includes anchor bag handle snap means  89  affixed to the anchor bag handles  83 ,  85 . More specifically, each anchor bag handle  83 ,  85  preferably has a male snap  91  and a female snap  93  attached thereto.  
      The roof repair system  11  preferably includes strap snap means  95  affixed to each strap  87 . More specifically, each strap  87  preferably has alternating male and female snaps  97 ,  99  attached thereto approximately 6 inches (15.24 centimeters) apart. The strap snap means  95  coact with the anchor bag handle snap means  89  to allow the straps  87  to be removably attached to the anchor bag handles  83 ,  85 .  
      The preferred roof repair method of the present invention for making temporary repairs to a damaged area A of a roof R includes the step of first providing the roof repair system  11 . Next, depending on the size of the damaged area A of the roof R, one or more tarpaulins  13  are placed over the damaged area A. If the damaged area A is larger than can be covered by a single tarpaulin  13 , a plurality of tarpaulins  13  can be arranged with the sides thereof overlapping and joined together via the various combinations of the front and back releasable fastening means  35 ,  45  (see  FIG. 9 ) as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. When the roof R has shingles S, it is preferred that the top of the tarpaulin  13  be inserted beneath a row of shingles S directly above the damaged area A of the roof R. This can be easily and quickly done by merely inserting the plate member  55  beneath that row of shingles S. The tarpaulin  13  (or tarpaulins  13 ) is then secured to the roof R using the anchor bags  59  (and straps  87  if necessary or desired) without having to drive any nails into the undamaged section of the roof R, etc. This can be done by filling the body  61  of each desired anchor bag  59  approximately ⅔&#39;s with medium river bed gravel  69  or the like, closing the opened top  63  of the body  61 , and then securing the anchor bags  59  to the tarpaulins  13  (or tarpaulins  13 ). This securing step can be accomplished merely by meshing the loop side Velcro-brand fastening tape of the releasable fastening means  35  on the front surface  15  of the tarpaulin  13  with the hook side Velcro-brand fastening tape of the releasable fastening means  73  on the body  61  of the anchor bags  59 . The size and shape of the anchor bags  59  allows the anchor bags  59  to be placed in a valley of the roof R to secure the tarpaulin  13  over a valley when necessary. Also, if desired or necessary, one or more straps  87  can be used to help secure the tarpaulins  13  by linking all or a plurality of the anchor bags  59  together by snapping various ones of the anchor bag handle snap means  89  and strap snap means  95  together, etc. Alternatively, when the roof R is very steep, one or more straps  87  may be used to counterweight one or more anchor bags  59  by attaching anchor bags  59  to each end of a strap  87 , attaching one or more anchor bags  59  to a tarpaulin  13  and hanging the other anchor bag  59  over the ridge of the roof R on the side of the roof R opposite the tarpaulin  13  (see  FIG. 10 ). As thus installed, the roof repair system  11  will provide a temporary repair of the damaged area A of the roof R until permanent repairs can be made. When it is time to make permanent repairs (e.g., replace shingles S), the tarpaulin  13  (or tarpaulins  13 ) can be easily and quickly removed without further damage to the roof R by merely separating the Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like holding the anchor bags  59  to the tarpaulin  13  (or tarpaulins  13 ), and then, if necessary, sliding the plate member  55  beneath that row of shingles S, and lifting off the tarpaulin  13 , etc.  
      Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment and a preferred use therefor, it is not to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention.