CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/772,774, filed November 29, 2018, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present technology is generally related to lath dispensers and methods of installing lath on a building.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Developments in the construction of buildings has generally resulted in“tighter” buildings, thus meaning there is less airflow leakage and between the interior and exterior of the building. As a result,“tighter” buildings have an increased risk for moisture and mold problems. Known lath and rainscreen systems reduce the risk of moisture and mold damage by providing an air gap and enabling moisture that has penetrated an exterior siding material to swiftly exit the building envelope.

[0004] The present disclosure addresses problems and limitations associated with the related art.

SUMMARY

[0005] The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to an apparatus for dispensing and installing lath strips. Various embodiments of the disclosure simplify installation as well as reduce labor costs and requirements.

[0006] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a lath dispenser and installation apparatus including a main frame including a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side. The apparatus also includes a fastening device positioned proximal the first end and a reel positioned proximal the second end. The apparatus further includes a plurality of wheels secured to the main frame and a handle bracket secured to the second end. In some

embodiments, a lath strip can be provided as part of the apparatus.

[0007] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of installation including providing a building including a wall supported by a frame having a plurality of beams.

In addition, an apparatus is provided including a main frame having a first frame end, a second frame end, a first side and a second side. The apparatus also includes a fastening device positioned proximal the first frame end and a reel positioned proximal the second frame end. A lath strip having a first strip end and a second strip end is also provided. The first strip end is wound around the reel and the second strip end is positioned proximate the first frame end. The apparatus also includes a plurality of wheels secured to the main frame a handle bracket secured to the second frame end. The apparatus is positioned such that the plurality of wheels contact the wall. Then, the second end of the lath strip is secured to the wall with at least one fastener dispensed from the fastening device. The apparatus is moved along the wall such that a portion of the lath strip moves in a direction of the fastening device and onto the wall. As the lath strip is pulled from the reel, the fastening device is activated to fasten the lath strip to the wall.

[0008] The details of one or more aspects of the disclosure are set forth in the

accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the techniques described in this disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is partial, schematic illustration of a plurality of lath strips secured to a wall of a building.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lath strip suitable for use with aspects of the disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a partial, side view of the lath strip of FIG. 2.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus applying the lath strip of FIGS. 2-

3 to the wall. [0013] FIG. 5 is a partial, perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 4.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a side view of the apparatus of FIGS. 4-5, the opposing side being identically configured.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a top view of the apparatus of FIGS. 4-6.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the apparatus of FIGS. 4-7.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the apparatus of FIGS. 4-8.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a front view of the apparatus of FIGS. 4-9.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a partial, cross-sectional view of section B-B of FIG. 10.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of section A-A of FIG. 7.

[0021] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of section D of FIG. 12.

[0022] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of section C of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Aspects of the disclosure relate to an apparatus 20 (FIGS. 4-14) configured for dispensing and installing lath strips 10 (FIGS. 1-3) to a wall W of a building B (FIGS. 1 and 4). In various embodiments, a plurality of lath strips 10 are applied vertically on the wall W between a water resistant barrier WRB and siding material S. At a vented metal edge V at a bottom of the wall W, one lath strip 10’ is positioned within the vented metal edge V horizontally with respect to the wall W and the vertically aligned lath strips 10. Typically, lath strips are installed by hand. The lath strips are lifted to the wall and arranged/aligned all by hand as well as secured to the wall by hand. Current methods of installing lath strips to a building are time consuming, labor intensive and thus, expensive.

[0024] One illustrative example of lath strip 10, which is suitable for use with an apparatus 20 of the disclosure, is illustrated in FIGS. 2-3. The lath strip 10 is formed of corrugated material. In one embodiment, the lath strip 10 is made of a polystyrene sheet having a width W1 that is 2 inches wide, a thickness T that is 0.023 inches and forms corrugations (i.e. collectively peaks 16 and grooves 18, only one of each is referenced for ease of illustration) spaced 3/16 inches apart (see dimension SP in FIG. 3) and having a desired height H. In one implementation, the height H is 3/16 inch (see FIG. 3). The peaks 16 and grooves 18 can optionally take a rectangular configuration. In one embodiment, the width W1 is 2 inch wide and the thickness T is 0.023-0.024 inches. In one embodiment, the grooves 18 are 3/16 inches wide and the grooves 18 are 3/16 inches deep as is best shown in FIG. 3. The disclosure is not intended to be limited to any particular lath strip 10 configuration or dimensions. The lath strip 10 can be provided in a roll including first and a second ends 12, 14 as well as an intermediate portion 13 between the first end 12 and the second end 14. In various embodiments, the unwound lath strip 10 has a length L. In one embodiment, the length L of the (unrolled) lath strip 10 is at least 50 feet. It is noted that the length L in FIG. 2 is proportionally shown much less than 50 feet for ease of illustration. Other lath strip 10 configurations are envisioned and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to any particular lath strip 10 configuration. It is to be understood that lath strip 10’ of FIG. 1 can be identically configured to the lath strip 10 and varies only in placement on the wall W.

[0025] Figures 4-14 collectively illustrate one embodiment of the lath dispenser and installation apparatus 20, which is believed to greatly reduce the time, labor and expense associated with installing lath strips (e.g., lath strips 10, 10’) to a building or other structure (it is noted that the lath strip 10 is shown schematically in FIGS. 4-14). As can be seen in FIG. 4, the apparatus 20 (schematically shown) is loaded with the lath strip 10 being partially rolled up and stored for dispensing in the apparatus 20 and a portion of the lath strip 10 having been dispensed onto the wall W/weather resistant barrier WRB in a vertical orientation. The apparatus 20 includes a pole 22 (FIG. 4) for a user to grasp and guide the apparatus 20 up or down and along the wall W to apply the lath strip 10, as desired, as the user (not shown) stands on ground G. In one embodiment, the pole 22 is a length of at least 16 feet. The apparatus 20 is configured to both dispense the lath strip 10 and fasteners 43 (FIG. 5) to secure the lath strip 10 onto the wall W/weather resistant barrier WRB. Suitable fasteners include staples, nails, or the like.

[0026] The apparatus 20 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 5-14. The apparatus 20 includes a main frame 24 having a first end 26, a second end 28, a first side 30 and a second side 32. The main frame 24 further includes a carriage 40 supported between the first and second ends 26, 28 and between the first and second sides 30, 32. At the first end 26 of the main frame 24 is a fastening device 42, which stores and dispenses fasteners 43. In one embodiment, the fastening device 42 is mounted to the main frame 24 with a mounting arm 44 secured to the carriage 40 with a mounting plate 45 attached the main frame 24 and a plurality of mechanical fasteners 46a, 46b (e.g., button head cap screws 46a, flat head cap screws 46b). The carriage 40 further supports cylindrical supports 47 through which axels 48 for a plurality of wheels 50 (e.g., four wheels, two wheels 50 on each end 26, 28 of the main frame 24) are housed. The wheels 50 contact the wall W/water resistant barrier WRB during use and make it easier for a user to push and pull the apparatus 20 up and down the wall W to install the lath strip 10.

[0027] At the second end 28, the main frame 24 includes a reel 60 at least partially defined by the first and second sides 30, 32 of the main frame 24 and further including post 74. Also positioned at the second end 28 is a handle bracket 62 connected to a handle arm 64. The handle arm 64 includes an attachment member 66 for releasably securing the handle arm 64 to the pole 22 (FIG. 4). The attachment member 66 can, for example, be configured to receive a fresno-style or bull float handle. The pole 22 can be provided as an integral part of the apparatus 20 or kit including the apparatus 20 or the pole 22 can be provided separately as an attachable accessory to apparatus 20. In some embodiments, the pole 22 has a desired length. Optionally, the pole 22 can be telescoping or otherwise adjustable in length. In various embodiments, the handle arm 64 includes a hinge 68 so that the main frame 24 can pivot relative to the pole 22/attachment member 66 as the apparatus 20 is pushed and pulled up and down the wall W by a user. In various embodiments, the handle arm 64 can also include an angle adapter 69. One suitable angle adapter 69 is the mini rock-it angle adapter part number 16-MR available from Marshalltown Company of Marshalltown, Iowa.

[0028] The handle bracket 62 includes two plates 70, 72 that support a post 74 extending within the reel 60. The roll of lath strip 10 can be wound over the post 74 and secured thereto in a variety of manners including compression, for example. The first end 12 of the lath strip 10 is positioned proximate the post 74 and the second end 14 is positioned proximate the fastening device 42. In this configuration, the fastening device 42 is mounted to hover over the second end 14 of the lath strip 10, outside a perimeter defined by the main frame 24. To make it easier to insert one roll of lath strip 10 to the post 74, the plates 70, 72, reel 60 and post 74 can be configured to receive a hitch pin with lock 76 or the like. Removal of the hitch pin with lock 76 from the reel 60, plates 70, 72 and post 74 allows for these components to be separated so that a new roll of lath strip 10 can be positioned over the post 74 and then reassembled for use to the configuration shown in the Figures. The first and second plates 70, 72 secured to the reel 60 and post 74 with a plurality of spacers 80, carriage bolts 82 positioned in slots 83, locknuts 84 and flat washers 86 (see, in particular, FIG. 10; only one of each component is referenced for ease of illustration, however it will be understood based on the Figures that multiples of these components are present on each side 30, 32).

[0029] A pawl 90 is provided in the carriage 40 and is configured to allow the lath strip 10 to move in a direction from the second end of the main frame 24 to the first end 26 but the pawl 90 will prevent the lath strip 10 from moving in the opposite direction. In this way, once the second end 14 of the lath strip 10 is secured to the wall W/weather resistant barrier WRB with a fastener 43, such as a staple or the like, the apparatus 20 can be pulled along the wall W/weather resistant barrier WRB, thereby unrolling the lath strip 10 from the reel 60 (i.e. dispensing the lath strip 10). In one embodiment, the pawl 90 is pivotally connected to the mounting plate 45 with a socket head cap screw 94 or other mechanical fastener that allows the pawl 90 to pivot with respect to the rack/lath strip 10. To guide the lath strip 10 from the reel 60 to a head 96 of the fastening device 42 through which staples (not shown) will exit, one or more rollers or cylindrical supports 47, 98 can be provided. One or more rollers or cylindrical supports 47, 98 can be positioned at locations where the lath strip 10 is to change direction, for example. In some embodiments, the lath strip 10 is routed to change direction over one of the cylindrical supports 47 at the second end 28 of the main frame 24 as the lath strip 10 extends from the reel 60 to the fastening device 42. The main frame 24 can further include a plurality of guide rails 100 proximate the carriage 40 to support and guide the lath strip 10 as it extends from the reel 60 to the fastening device 42.

[0030] The fastening device 42 and corresponding staples used with the fastening device 42 can be any of the sort suitable for securing the lath strip 10 to a wall W/weather resistant barrier WRB. One suitable example includes a Stanley Bostitch pneumatic plier fastening device, part number SP50-10B, available from Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. of New Britain, Connecticut. Actuation of the fastening device 42 can be triggered via a remote kit with foot pedal or other trigger 102 (schematically shown in FIG. 4) to be pressed by a user when a staple is to be dispensed by the fastening device 42. One suitable remote kit 102 is model number C120140-1 P50 available from Salco, Inc. of East Syracuse, New York. The remote kit 102 enables actuation of the fastening device 42 to be triggered, as desired, without physically contacting the fastening device 42 and, thus, the fastening device 42 can be actuated by a user on the ground or other structure removed from the main frame 24 and fastening device 42.

[0031] Methods of using the apparatus of the disclosure (e.g., apparatus 20 or disclosed variants thereof) include providing the apparatus 20 and securing the lath strip 10 to the reel 60. The lath strip 10 may come in a rolled configuration or can be rolled on the post 74 at the time of securing to the post 74. The first end 12 of the lath strip 10 is secured to the post 74 and the second end 14 is routed from the reel 60 around one or more cylindrical supports 47 and then to the fastening device 42, along the carriage 40. If not already secured, the pole 22 is optionally secured to the arm 64, via attachment member 66 or otherwise. The apparatus 20 is then arranged to contact the wall W/weather resistant barrier WRB such that the wheels 50 contact the wall W/weather resistant barrier WRB and the carriage 40 is generally parallel to the wall W. The apparatus 20 is originally positioned at a first location further from the desired end of the lath strip 10, to be applied such as proximate a top of the wall W. The second end 14 of the lath strip 10 is fastened or secured to the wall W/weather resistant barrier WRB by remotely activating the fastening device 42 with the remote kit 102. Then, the apparatus 20 is moved either up or down the wall W. Since the second end 14 of the lath strip 10 is fixed in position with one or more staples, pulling motion of the apparatus 20

automatically dispenses the lath strip 10 from the reel 60 and the apparatus 20 so that addition length of lath material can exit the apparatus 20 at the first end 26 and be secured to the wall W/weather resistant barrier WRB with the fastening device 42. In one embodiment, vertical lines of lath strip 10 are dispensed along the wall W/water resistant barrier WRB as is generally shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, for example. In some embodiments, one or more horizontal lath strips 10’, oriented about 90 degrees (+/- 5 degrees) from the dispensed lath strips 10, are applied over the wall W/weather resistant barrier WRB and vertical lath strips 10 prior to installation of the vented metal edge (see, FIG. 1). To install the horizontal lath strip 10’, the apparatus 20 can be arranged such that the apparatus 20 and lath strip 10’ are both oriented and pulled/pushed in a direction 90 or -90 degrees (+/- 5 degrees) as compared to the orientation of both the lath strip 10 and apparatus 20 illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0032] It should be understood that various aspects disclosed herein may be combined in different combinations than the combinations specifically presented in the description and accompanying drawings. It should also be understood that, depending on the example, certain acts or events of any of the processes or methods described herein may be performed in a different sequence, may be added, merged, or left out altogether (e.g., all described acts or events may not be necessary to carry out the techniques).