Self-sealing roof fastener

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12024894-B2
Application number	US-202217896674-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 26, 2022
Priority date	Sep 30, 2019
Publication date	Jul 2, 2024
Grant date	Jul 2, 2024

Abstract

A self-sealing fastener for installation of roofing materials for creating a substantially watertight seal around fastener penetrations where roofing materials or panels are affixed to an underlying roof deck by the fasteners. Also disclosed is a method for installing the self-sealing fastener for attachment of roofing materials to an underlying roof deck with the penetrations areas or holes created by the fasteners being substantially sealed against water penetration.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A fastening system, comprising:
a fastener;
a fastener cap having an opening defined therethrough, wherein the opening is configured to receive the fastener therethrough;
wherein the fastener cap comprises a central portion and an outwardly flaring peripheral portion surrounding the central portion;
wherein the opening of the fastener cap is formed through the central portion; and
a sealant material positioned within a space defined below the fastener cap;
wherein the sealant material is adapted to disperse along the fastener plate space below the fastener cap so as to substantially cover and seal the space defined below the fastener cap when the fastener is received through the opening defined in the fastener cap;
wherein the fastener cap is configured to move into contact with the sealant material as the fastener is received through the opening so as to urge the sealant material under pressure from the fastener cap to flow about the space defined below the fastener cap and toward the peripheral portion.

2. The fastening system of claim 1 , further comprising an encapsulate structure configured to contain at least a portion of the sealant material.

3. The fastening system of claim 2 , wherein the encapsulate structure comprises a film material adapted to contain and protect the sealant material from exposure to a surrounding environment until the encapsulate structure is pierced by the fastener.

4. The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the sealant material comprises a liquid or gel adhesive.

5. The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the sealant material comprises a first sealant, and further at least a second sealant positioned within the space, and wherein the first and second sealants are mixed together when the fastener is received through the opening.

6. The fastening system of claim 5 , wherein the first sealant is contained within a first encapsulate structure and the second sealant is contained within a second encapsulate structure, and wherein each of the first encapsulate structure and the second encapsulate structure is adapted to be pierced by the fastener when the fastener is received in the opening to thereby release and facilitate mixing of the first sealant and the second sealant within the space.

7. The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the sealant material comprises a reactive component material, and a catalyst component material, wherein the reactive component material and the catalyst component material are adapted to react when mixed to at least partially cure and create a substantially water-tight seal about the fastener when the fastener is received through the fastener cap.

8. The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the fastener cap further comprises, at least one passage defined therethrough, and adapted to facilitate passage of air through the fastener cap and into contact with the sealant material to promote curing of the sealant material.

9. The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the sealant material comprises a liquid or gel; and wherein the fastener cap is adapted to contact the sealant material, as the fastener is inserted through the fastener cap, causing the sealant material to spread within the space defined below the fastener cap.

10. A roofing system comprising:
a plurality of roof panels;
a plurality of self-sealing fasteners positioned on each roof panel, each self-sealing fastener comprising,
a fastener plate including a fastener and a fastener cap having an opening configured to receive the fastener therethrough; and
a sealant material positioned within a space defined between the fastener plate and the roof panel, wherein the sealant material is dispersed along the roof panel;
wherein the fastener cap further comprises a central portion and an outwardly flaring peripheral portion surrounding the central portion;
wherein the opening of the fastener cap is formed through the central portion; and
wherein the fastener cap is configured to move into contact with the sealant material as the fastener is received through the opening so as to urge the sealant material under pressure from the fastener cap to flow throughout the space defined below the fastener cap, toward the peripheral portion and at least partially into a penetration hole at least partially formed in the roof panel when the fastener penetrates the roof panel.

11. The roofing system of claim 10 , further comprising an encapsulate structure positioned between the fastener cap and the roof panel, wherein the encapsulate structure is configured to contain the sealant material; and wherein the encapsulate structure is adapted to be pierced by the fastener when the fastener is received through the opening to thereby release the sealant material from the encapsulate structure into the space, and at least partially into the penetration hole at least partially formed in the roof panel.

12. The roofing system of claim 10 , further comprising a film or sheet material configured to contain and protect the sealant material from exposure to a surrounding environment until the film or sheet is pierced by the fastener.

13. The roofing system of claim 10 , wherein the sealant material is in the form of a liquid or gel adhesive or sealant that is adapted to spread or flow when the fastener cap is urged toward the roof panel by the fastener.

14. The roofing system of claim 10 , wherein the sealant material comprises a first sealant, and at least a second sealant received within the space, and wherein the first and second sealants are mixed together when the fastener is received through the opening and penetrates the roof panel.

15. The roofing system of claim 10 , wherein the fastener cap further comprises at least one passage defined between the central portion and the peripheral portion of the fastener cap and configured to facilitate passage of air through the fastener cap and into contact with the sealant material to promote curing of the sealant material.

16. The roofing system of claim 10 , further comprising an agitator positioned in the space, the agitator comprising a paddle projecting radially from a central hub, and wherein the fastener is adapted to engage the central hub of the agitator and cause the agitator to engage and stir the sealant material within the space.

17. The roofing system of claim 10 , further comprising at least one spacer extending on the roof panel and supporting the sealant material above the roof panel in the space, with at least a portion of the sealant material positioned between the at least one spacer and the fastener cap.

18. The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the fastener cap further comprises at least one passage defined between the central portion and the peripheral portion of the fastener cap and configured to facilitate passage of air through the fastener cap and into contact with the sealant material to promote curing of the sealant material.

19. A fastening system, comprising:
a fastener;
a fastener cap having an opening, wherein the opening is configured to receive the fastener therethrough;
a sealant material positioned within a space defined below the fastener cap; and
an agitator positioned in the space defined below the fastener cap, the agitator comprising a paddle projecting radially from a central hub;
wherein the fastener is adapted to engage the central hub of the agitator and cause the agitator to engage and stir the sealant material within to disperse the sealant material within the space defined below the fastener plate cap when the fas

Assignees

• Bmic Llc

Inventors

• Zheng Yan
• Chich Adem

Classifications

• F16B43/001

  for sealing or insulation · CPC title

• E04D3/3606

  the fastening means being screws or nails · CPC title

• F16B25/0089

  the screw having wings · CPC title

• F16B25/0094

  the screw being assembled or manufactured from several components, e.g. a tip out of a first material welded to shaft of a second material · CPC title

• F16B25/0015

  the material being a soft organic material, e.g. wood or plastic (F16B25/0031 takes precedence) · CPC title