Roofing Membrane Retainer with Curved Projections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roofing membrane retainers and seam plates face challenges in gripping membranes under significant loading conditions without causing punctures or tears, and they pose hazards to installers due to sharp edges during handling and installation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a cylindrical plate with concentric inner and outer raised reinforcing ribs and scoop-shaped projections that extend downwardly in arrays, providing a secure grip without sharp edges, reducing the risk of membrane puncture and installer injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If sharp prongs or v-shaped projections are used on seam plates to grip membranes, then the ability to retain membranes under wind loading is improved, but the likelihood of membrane puncture or tear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces sharp prongs and v-shaped projections with curved, rounded projections that extend from the seam plate. These curved projections grip the membrane through distributed contact pressure rather than concentrated sharp points, maintaining retention strength while eliminating puncture hazards. The curved geometry allows the projection to engage the membrane surface area rather than penetrating it.
2Strength
If sharp prongs or v-shaped projections are used on seam plates, then membrane gripping capability is improved, but installer safety deteriorates due to cutting and abrading of hands
Solution Approach 1:
All projections on the seam plate are formed with curved, rounded surfaces that eliminate sharp edges and corners. This curvature maintains the mechanical gripping function while removing the cutting and abrading hazards to installer hands during handling and installation operations.
3Strength
If downwardly extending v-shaped projections with sharp corners are used, then membrane retention is improved, but the number of sharp points that can cause injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates all sharp corners and points by forming projections with continuous curved surfaces. Each projection is designed with rounded geometry that provides membrane retention through distributed contact while completely removing sharp features that could cause installer injury.
Data Source
AI summary
A roofing membrane retainer is provided having a cylindrical plate. The cylindrical plate has a central aperture for receiving a fastener. The plate also includes a pair of concentric inner and outer raised reinforcing ribs and a plurality of scoop-shaped projections. The scoop-shaped projections extend downwardly from the plate in concentric inner and outer cylindrical arrays. The inner cylindrical array of projections and the outer cylindrical array of projections are radially outward of the inner rib and the outer rib, respectively. The projections each comprise a scoop with a base periphery having an open mouth edge and a remaining peripheral portion contiguous with the plate. The projections in each array are spaced equidistance about the plate. The mouth edge of adjacent projections are oriented in alternating radial inward and outward directions.