Patent Publication Number: US-9885182-B1

Title: Method of pulling a sheet of flexible material

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to buildings and more specifically to a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material, which is quicker and more economical than that of the prior art. 
     2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
     It appears that the prior art does not teach or suggest a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material. U.S. Pat. No. 1,106,624 to Cadwallader et al. discloses a protective covering for orchards. U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,819 to Wemyss discloses a method and apparatus for anchoring sheet material to a framework. 
     Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material, which is quicker and more economical than that of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material, which is quicker and more economical than that of the prior art. The method of pulling a sheet of flexible material includes forming a row of a plurality of lengthwise slits, near an end of a sheet of material; providing at least one pull device; and providing at least one cable winch. Each slit is substantially parallel to a length of the sheet of material and the row of the plurality of lengthwise slits are substantially perpendicular to a length of the sheet of material. The slits are long enough to allow insertion of a cross section of a tubular pull rod through at least substantially all of a width of the sheet of material. A pull device preferably includes a first pull strap, a second pull strap, a spreader bar and a strap ring. However, other designs of pull devices may also be used. One end of the first and second pull straps is secured to the strap ring. Preferably, a threaded fastener is retained near the other end of the first and second straps. A fastener hole is formed in the other end of the first and second straps. A fastener hole is formed through each end of the spreader bar. The threaded fasteners of the first and second pull straps are inserted through the fastener holes in each end of the spreader bar. The first and second straps are wrapped around the tubular pull rod. The threaded fastener in the first and second straps are inserted through the fastener hole in the other end of the first and second straps. A wing nut or the like is threaded on to the threaded fastener to retain the spreader bar and the other end of the first or second strap. A first pull device is used near a first side of the sheet of material and a second pull device is used near a second side of the sheet of material. 
     The at least one winch is secured to the floor on one side of the building. The sheet of material is laid on the floor at an opposing side of the building. The at least one pull device is secured to the tubular pull rod. An end of the cable from the at least one winch is pulled over an inside corner strut on the one side of the building; over a plurality of support struts; and over an inside corner strut on the opposing side of the building. An end of the cable is secured to the strap loop of the pull device. The at least one winch is rotated to pull the sheet of material over the two inside corner struts and the plurality of support struts. Once the sheet of flexible material is fully pulled over the plurality of struts, preferably a sticky tape is applied to an area of the sheet of flexible material on top of each corner strut. A metal right angle is applied to a top of the sticky tape and the metal right angle is secured to the corner strut with a plurality of self-drilling fasteners. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material, which is quicker and more economical than that of the prior art. 
     These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a sheet of flexible material with two pull devices engaged therewith of a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of a tubular pull rod inserted through slits in a flexible material and a pull strap secured to the tubular pull rod of a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged top view of a sheet of flexible material with a pull device engaged therewith of a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of a winch before thereof is inserted under a base channel of a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an end view of a base plate of a winch retained under a base channel of a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of one side of the building with two winches retained on a floor of a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective side view of a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material with two winches located adjacent one side wall; two cables extending from the two winches over a plurality of struts; and coupled to a sheet of flexible material in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an end view of one end of a sheet of flexible material before temporarily attachment to a base channel of a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 9 a    is a perspective side view of a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material with two winches located adjacent one side wall; two cables extending from the two winches; coupled to a sheet of flexible material; and the sheet of flexible material partially pulled up a side wall in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 9 b    is a perspective view of a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material with two winches located adjacent one side wall; two cables extending from the two winches; coupled to a sheet of flexible material; and an end of the sheet of flexible material located adjacent a middle of a roof in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 9 c    is a perspective view of a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material with two winches located adjacent one side wall; two cables extending from the two winches; coupled to a sheet of flexible material; and the sheet of flexible material pulled adjacent a bottom of a wall on one side of the building in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of a tensioning device with one end secured to a lag bolt and the other end adjacent a tubular pull rod of a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a rod hook of a tensioning device secured to a tubular pull rod of a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is an end view of a sheet of flexible material secured to a inside corner strut with a sticky tape, a metal right angle and a plurality of self-drilling screws of a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is an end view of an end a sheet of flexible material before permanent attachment to a base channel with sticky tape, a metal angle and a plurality of self-drilling screws of a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a top view of a sheet of flexible material  10  with two pull devices  12  engaged therewith of a method of pulling a sheet of flexible material. With reference to  FIGS. 2-6 , the method of pulling a sheet of flexible material preferably includes forming a row of a plurality of lengthwise slits  14 , near an end of the sheet of flexible material  10 ; providing the at least one pull device  12 ; and providing at least one cable winch  16 . Each slit  14  is substantially parallel to a length of the sheet of material  10  and the row of the plurality of lengthwise slits  14  are substantially perpendicular to a length of the sheet of material  10 . Each slit is long enough to allow insertion of a cross section of a tubular pull rod  18  through substantially a width of the sheet of material  10 . The pull device  12  preferably includes a first pull strap  20 , a second pull strap  22 , a spreader bar  24  and a strap ring  26 . One end of the first and second pull straps  20 ,  22  are secured to the strap ring  26 . However, the first pull strap, the second pull strap  22  and the strap ring  26  could be replaced with a single strap or cable, or may be eliminated if the pull cable  34  is coupled directly to the pull rod  18 , but with the results of less control and strength. 
     Preferably, a threaded fastener  28  is retained near the other end of the first and second straps  20 ,  22 . A fastener holes (not shown) are formed in the other ends of the first and second straps  20 ,  22  to receive the threaded fastener  28 . A fastener hole (not shown) is formed through each end of the spreader bar  24  to receive the two threaded fasteners  28 . The two threaded fasteners  28  are inserted in two holes (not shown) formed through distal ends of the first and second pull straps  20 ,  22  and are inserted through the fastener holes in each end of the spreader bar  24 . The one end of the first and second straps are wrapped around the tubular pull rod  18 . The threaded fastener  28  in the first and second straps  20 ,  22  and through the spreader bar are inserted through the fastener holes in the distal end of the first and second straps  20 ,  22 . A wing nut  30  or the like is threaded on to the threaded fastener  28  to secure the spreader bar  24  to the other end of the first or second strap  20 ,  22 . It is possible to pull the sheet of flexible material  10  with only one pull device  12 . However, two spaced apart pull devices  12  allow for directional control, left or right of the sheet of flexible material  10 . Preferably, the first pull device  12  is used near a first side of the sheet of flexible material  10  and the second pull device  12  is used near a second side of the sheet of material  10 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6-8 , a base channel  104  is secured to a floor  102  of a building  100 , adjacent a wall  106  with a plurality of lag bolts  108  or the like. Each winch  16  includes a base plate  32  and a cable  34 . A nut  110  of the lag bolt  108  is loosened to allow the base channel  104  to be lifted to allow insertion of the base plate  32  of the winch  16 , under the base channel  104 . The nut  110  is tightened to secure the winch  16 . The two winches  16  are preferably positioned, such that a middle of each winch  16  is located approximately one-fifth of a width of the sheet of flexible material  10  from an edge of the sheet of flexible material  10 . The sheet of flexible material  10  is laid on the floor  102  at an opposing side of the building  100  from the two cable winches  16 . The at least one pull device  12  is secured to the tubular pull rod  18 . The other end of the flexible sheet of material  10  is temporarily secured to the base channel  104  with a metal angle  36  and a plurality of self-drilling screws  38 . The two cables  34  are pulled over an inside corner strut  112  on a winch side of the building  100 ; over a plurality of support struts  114 ; and over an inside corner strut  112  on the opposing side of the building  100 . An end of the cable  34  is secured to the strap ring loop  26  of the pull device  12 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 9 a -9 c   , the two winches  16  are rotated to pull the sheet of flexible material  10  over the two inside corner struts  112  and the plurality of support struts  114 . The pull device  12  is secured to the tubular pull rod  18  and pulled with the cable  34  by rotating the two winches  16 . The two winches  16  may be used to pull the sheet of flexible material  10  taut, but for more uniform tension it is preferred to use multiple tensioning devices  40 . With reference to  FIG. 9 c   , once the end of the sheet of flexible material  10  is pulled near the floor  102 , at least one tensioning device  40  is used to pull the sheet of flexible material  10  taut. With reference to  FIGS. 10-11 , the tensioning device  40  includes a first end hook  42 , a first line  44 , a ratchet device  46 , a second line  48 , a second end hook  50  and a pull rod hook  52 . A threaded coupler  54  is threaded on to the lag bolt  108 . An eye bolt  56  is threaded into the threaded coupler  54 . One end of the first line  44  is secured to the first end hook  42  and the other end of the first line  44  is secured to one end of the ratchet device  46 . One end of the second line  48  is secured to the other end of the ratchet device  46  and preferably the other end of the second line  48  is secured to the second end hook  50 . The pull rod hook  52  includes an inner width  55 , which is sized to receive a thickness of the tubular pull rod  18 . The second end hook  50  is inserted into a hook hole  57  in a bottom of the pull rod hook  52 . At least one tensioning device  40  is used to pull the sheet of flexible material  10  taut. The first end hook  42  is preferably retained in the eye bolt  56 , but the first line  44  could also be secured to the base channel  104 . The ratchet device  46  of the tensioning device  40  is operated to tension the sheet of flexible material  10  taut. 
     With reference to  FIG. 12 , the sheet of tensioned flexible material  10  is secured to the two inside corner struts  112  with a metal angle  58 , sticky tape  59  and a plurality of self-drilling fasteners  60 . The sticky tape  59  is a double sided tape. The sticky tape  59  is applied to a horizontal surface of the sheet of flexible material  10 , adjacent a corner of the inside corner strut  112  or to a surface of the metal angle  58 . The metal angle  58  includes a first leg  62  and a second leg  64 . The first leg  62  is preferably longer than the second leg  64 . The second leg serves to stiffen the metal angle  58  to attain a generally uniform pressure attachment to the sheet of flexible material  10  along the length of the secured metal angle  58 , however other shapes may be used. An inside surface of the first leg  62  is applied to the sticky tape  59 , while forcing the second leg  64  against a vertical portion of the inside corner strut  112 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 9   c , any suitable insulation  116  may be installed adjacent a plurality of purlins  115  and adjacent to a surface of the taut sheet of flexible material  10  of  FIG. 9 c   . With reference to  FIG. 13 , the insulation  116  may be installed adjacent to a vertical surface of the taut sheet of flexible material  10 . With reference to  FIG. 13 , each end of the sheet of flexible material  10  is secured to one of the base channels  104  with the metal angle  58 , the sticky tape  59  and the plurality of self-taping fasteners  60 . The sticky tape  59  is applied on one of an inside surface of the base channel  104 , an outside surface of the sheet of flexible material  10  and an outside surface of the first leg  62 , adjacent the floor  102 . An outside surface of the first leg  62  is forced against one of the sheet of flexible material  10  and the sticky tape  58 , while the second leg  64  is pushed against the sheet of flexible material  10  lying on the floor. The plurality of self-drilling fasteners  60  are threaded through the first leg  62  and into the base channel  104 . 
     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes, modifications and the order of steps may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.