US 11,753,828 B2
Methods for rooftop fabric dispensing apparatus
Carl Eric Lewis, Horn Lake, MS (US); Ernest Craig Abney, Pierson, FL (US); Mark Alan Gerard, Deland, FL (US); and David L Tomchak, Fountain Hills, AZ (US)
Assigned to Bay Insulation Contracting, Inc., Green Bay, WI (US)
Filed by Bay Insulation Contracting Inc., Green Bay, WI (US)
Filed on Aug. 16, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/889,286.
Application 17/889,286 is a division of application No. 16/566,637, filed on Sep. 10, 2019, granted, now 11,414,872.
Prior Publication US 2023/0027708 A1, Jan. 26, 2023
Int. Cl. E04D 15/06 (2006.01); B65H 75/24 (2006.01); B65H 75/30 (2006.01); B65H 16/00 (2006.01)
CPC E04D 15/06 (2013.01) [B65H 16/005 (2013.01); B65H 75/2484 (2021.05); B65H 75/30 (2013.01); B65H 2701/1922 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of providing fall protection on a rooftop that includes a plurality of spaced support beams, the method comprising:
providing a roll of fabric, the roll having a first end and a second end;
providing a dispensing apparatus having a frame, a first and second hub attached to the frame, and a hub brake that includes the first hub, the hub brake having a locked position in which the first hub resists rotational motion and an unlocked position in which the first hub freely rotates;
placing the first end of the roll on the first hub and placing the second end of the roll on the second hub;
dispensing a continuous length of the fabric by unwinding the roll, the continuous length including a first portion and a second portion;
securing the first portion of the fabric to the rooftop by sandwiching it between the support beams and one or more roof panels;
positioning the dispensing apparatus on the rooftop such that (i) the dispensing apparatus is disposed atop the support beams in a region devoid of any roof panels and (ii) the second portion of the fabric, disposed between the first portion and the roll, overlays the support beams in a region devoid of any roof panels; and
holding the second portion of the fabric in place at least in part by placing the hub brake in the locked position;
wherein the first hub comprises an expansion hub configured to alternate between a contracted position and an expanded position, the method further comprising simultaneously, when the second portion of the fabric overlays the support beams in the region devoid of any roof panels:
(a) placing the expansion hub in the expanded position and the hub brake in the locked position, and thereby
(b) holding the dispensing apparatus in a substantially fixed position on the support beams.