Tarpaulin for covering building roofs and surfaces
This invention provides a weighted tarpaulin (tarp) that allows for water, as a weight, to be readily introduced to a tarp when installed and distributed effectively around the tarp to ensure it remains securely engaged against the roof or other surface across its entire surface area. The tarp comprises two layers of durable polymer that are welded or otherwise adhered to define a series of interconnected cells in a grid pattern. The cells can be filled with water from a hose, via fittings. The tarp includes an extended material strip that extends beyond perimeter cells so as to provide a surface to receive supplemental/optional fasteners. This strip can include holes/grommets for such fasteners. The cells meet at a series of junctions that provide fluid connection therebetween. One or more cells can include a small valve to allow bleed-off of air and water.
1 . A weighted tarpaulin (tarp) comprising:
at least a top layer and a bottom layer of polymer sheet defining unadhered regions of cells having a length greater than the width and defining a volume that is constructed and arranged to receive a predetermined quantity of water in the volume,
wherein the cells are in fluid communication with each other so as to define a grid;
at least one fill/drain tap, mounted on one of the cells, for receiving water from a pressurized water source; and
junctions defined between the top layer and the bottom layer that interconnect adjacent cells in the grid;
wherein at least some of the junctions each include a weld dot, respectively.
2 . The weighted tarp as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the grid is arranged in a plurality of rows and columns defining central areas between each of the cells.
3 . The weighted tarp as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the tarp is arranged to be centered over a ridge of a pitched roof and central areas overlying the roof extend downwardly on each of opposing sides of the roof.
4 . The weighted tarp as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the fill/drain tap is mounted adjacent the ridge.
5 . The weighted tarp as set forth in claim 4 , further comprising a bleed tab on at least one of the cells.
6 . The weighted tarp as set forth in claim 4 , wherein the bottom layer defines a perimeter that, at some or all portions thereof, extends beyond a perimeter of the top layer so as to define an extension, the extension adapted to receive fasteners therethrough.
7 . The weighted tarp as set forth in claim 6 , wherein at least one portion of the extension extends a greater distance from the top layer than other portions of the extension, sized and arranged to be positioned under roof shingles.
8 . A weighted tarpaulin (tarp) comprising:
at least a top layer and a bottom layer of polymer sheet defining unadhered regions of cells having a length greater than the width and defining a volume that is constructed and arranged to receive a predetermined quantity of water in the volume,
wherein the cells are in fluid communication with each other so as to define a grid;
at least one fill/drain tap, mounted on one of the cells, for receiving water from a pressurized water source; and
junctions defined between the top layer and the bottom layer that interconnect adjacent cells in the grid,
wherein the grid is arranged in a plurality of rows and columns defining central areas between each of the cells,
wherein the tarp is arranged to be centered over a ridge of a pitched roof and central areas overlying the roof extend downwardly on each of opposing sides of the roof,
wherein the fill/drain tap is mounted adjacent the ridge, and
wherein at least some of the junctions each include a weld dot, respectively.
9 . A method for covering at least a portion of a roof with a tarp comprising (a) at least a top layer and a bottom layer of polymer sheet defining unadhered regions of cells having a length greater than the width and defining a volume that is constructed and arranged to receive a predetermined quantity of water in the volume, wherein the cells are in fluid communication with each other so as to define a grid, (b) at least one fill/drain tap, mounted on one of the cells, for receiving water from a pressurized water source, and (c) junctions defined between the top layer and the bottom layer that interconnect adjacent cells in the grid, at least some of the junctions being provided with a weld dot, respectively, the method comprising the steps of:
applying the tarp over the portion; and
subsequently filling the tarp through the tap with water so as to provide holding weight thereto.
10 . The method as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the step of filling includes providing the water to fill the grid in a plurality of rows and columns defining central areas between each of the cells.
11 . The method as set forth in claim 9 , further comprising, centering the tarp over a ridge of a pitched roof and central areas overlying the roof extend downwardly on each of opposing sides of the roof.
12 . The method as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the step of filling includes providing the water to a fill/drain tap mounted adjacent the ridge.
13 . The method as set forth in claim 9 , further comprising, operating a bleed tab on at least one of the cells.
14 . The method as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the bottom layer defines a perimeter that, at some or all portions thereof, extends beyond a perimeter of the top layer so as to define an extension, and directing fasteners through the extension and into the roof.
15 . A method for covering at least a portion of a roof with a tarp comprising (a) at least a top layer and a bottom layer of polymer sheet defining unadhered regions of cells having a length greater than the width and defining a volume that is constructed and arranged to receive a predetermined quantity of water in the volume, wherein the cells are in fluid communication with each other so as to define a grid, (b) at least one fill/drain tap, mounted on one of the cells, for receiving water from a pressurized water source, and (c) junctions defined between the top layer and the bottom layer that interconnect adjacent cells in the grid, wherein the bottom layer defines a perimeter that, at some or all portions thereof, extends beyond a perimeter of the top layer so as to define an extension, and directing fasteners through the extension and into the roof, and wherein at least one portion of the extension extends a greater distance from the top layer than other portions of the extension, sized and positioning the at least one portion of the extension under roof shingles, the method comprising the steps of:
applying the tarp over the portion; and
subsequently filling the tarp through the tap with water so as to provide holding weight thereto.
16 . The method as set forth in claim 9 , further comprising, securing at least a portion of a perimeter of the tarp to the roof using through-fasteners.
17 . The method as set forth in claim 16 , wherein the step of applying includes placing the tarp over each of opposing sides of a ridge of the roof.