Roofing system and self-bridging tape for modular building construction roof joints

Abstract

A membrane roofing system for buildings of modular construction includes a reinforced laminate tape that seals the roof joints between adjacent modular building units. The tape includes a tacky elastomeric adhesive layer with a release strip releasably adhered to the underside thereof to expose a tacky underside surface to be adhered to adjacent edges of the membrane sheets of adjacent building modules, a reinforcing scrim embedded in the tacky elastomer layer and bridging across the gap between the adjacent building modules, and a protective layer covering the outer surface of the tacky elastomer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60 / 423,069 filed Nov. 1, 2002, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 701,153 filed Nov. 3, 2003, which is incorporated by reference herein.[0002]Reference to sequence listing, table, or computer program listing appendix submitted on a compact disc: N / A.[0003]Statement regarding federally sponsored research or development: N / A.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]1. Field of Invention[0005]The present invention relates generally to modular building construction materials and techniques.[0006]More particularly, the invention relates to a membrane roofing system for buildings constructed from modular units, and a reinforced laminate tape to bridge and seal the gap at the roof between adjacent modules.[0007]2. Description of Prior Art[0008]One technique for con...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]Another aim of the invention is to provide materials and techniques for bridging and sealing the gaps between roofing membrane sheets of adjacent building modules, without the above-identified drawbacks and disadvantages associated with prior materials and techniques.

[0016]Another important objective of the invention is to provide a roof-joint seal that is less expensive than prior seal arrangements utilizing separate bridging and seal materials.

[0017]Another important objective of the invention is to provide a flexible elastomeric seal that bridges imperfect fitting joints commonly associated with adjacent building modules, without sagging into the gap between the modules.

[0022]According to the invention, there is provided a reinforced, flexible, elastomeric, self-bridging laminate tape to bridge and seal the gap between membrane roof sheets of adjacent building modules, and to complete the roof system of the finished building.

[0024]One preferred roofing system constructed in accordance with the invention includes membrane roofing sheets installed on adjacent building modules, and an elastomeric self-bridging laminate tape pursuant hereto installed across the gap between the roofing sheets of the adjacent modules. The building modules are secured in position adjacent one another, with factory installed membrane roofing sheets covering the modules. Adjacent edge portions of the membrane sheets are cleaned and primed in preparation for installation of the tape. The self-bridging tape is then laid along the roof joint, spanning across the gap and overlapping the adjacent cleaned and primed edge portions of the roof membrane sheets. The tacky side of the tape is adhered to the roof membranes, and the non-tacky protective layer covering the outer surface of the tacky elastomer is exposed to provide an exposed weather resistant roof surface across the gap. The reinforcing laminate is provided with a width that spans across the width of the gap, and is configured to provide sufficient structural transverse stiffness to prevent the tape from sagging into the gap, while maintaining sufficient flexibility to permit expansion and contraction between the building modules, and rolling and unrolling of the tape without development of leaks along the joint.

Problems solved by technology

However, there are drawbacks and disadvantages associated with such prior construction techniques.

In the latter case, the reinforced outer membrane produces a non-conforming joint that can exhibit poor sealing characteristics.

Consequently, that tape does not readily conform to irregular surfaces, and a high percentage of joints develop leaks, resulting from the imperfect-fitting nature of joints between manufactured modules (e.g., as from manufacturing tolerances), and from inherent uneven edge lifting of adjacent building modules as the modules expand and contract over time.

The seal established with the separate bridging material is also a stiff, non-conforming seal that results in the same sealing problems as are experienced with the reinforced outer membrane seal.

Use of the separate bridging material also results in substantial additional cost associated with the additional bridging materials and the additional labor and time required for preparation and installation of the bridging materials.

As a result of the stiff, non-conforming nature, these prior seal arrangements are also difficult to cut through and disassemble or remove in the event that the modules are to be disassembled, or should inspection or repair of the joint or underlying structure become necessary.

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