Method and apparatus for reinforcing construction sheeting

Abstract

A reinforced construction sheathing for use in building construction, including a planar sheet, configured to be attached to a building support structure by fasteners installed through the planar sheet and into the support structure. The planar sheet has opposite inner and outer face surfaces. A reinforcing strip is attached to at least one face of the planar sheet around an outer perimeter of the planar sheet and is configured to reinforce the planar sheet to resist fastener tear-through and pull-through in the outer perimeter of the planar sheet. A second reinforcing strip can be attached to an opposite face of the planar sheet around the outer perimeter of the planar sheet. A method of manufacturing a sheathing product used in construction of buildings is also provided and includes the steps of forming a planar sheet from one or more base products, and attaching a reinforcing strip to at least one face of the planar sheet at an outer perimeter of the planar sheet.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A reinforced construction sheathing for use in building construction, comprising: 
 a) a planar sheet, configured to be attached to a building support structure by fasteners installed through the planar sheet and into the support structure, the planar sheet having opposite inner and outer face surfaces; and    b) a reinforcing strip, attached to at least one face of the planar sheet around an outer perimeter of the planar sheet, the reinforcing strip being configured to reinforce the planar sheet to resist fastener tear-through and pull-through in the outer perimeter of the planar sheet.    
     
     
         2 . A device as in  claim 1 , further including a second reinforcing strip attached to an opposite face of the planar sheet around the outer perimeter of the planar sheet.  
     
     
         3 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing strip is at least ¾ of an inch wide.  
     
     
         4 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing strip has a minimum width corresponding to a maximum width of the support structure to which the planar sheet is to be attached.  
     
     
         5 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing strip is bonded to the planar sheet and is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of: fiberglass; composite material; nano-material; plastic; metal; tape; and paper.  
     
     
         6 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the planar sheet is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of: plywood; oriented strand board; flake board; gypsum board; and particle board.  
     
     
         7 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the planar sheet further includes a central, non-reinforced area within the outer perimeter to which the reinforcing strip is not attached.  
     
     
         8 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing strip is further attached to an opposite face of the planar sheet and to an edge of the planar sheet, the reinforcing strip being configured to provide a continuous reinforcing structure beginning on the inner face of the planar sheet, extending around the edge of the planar sheet, and terminating on the outer face of the planar sheet.  
     
     
         9 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing strip increases the capacity of the planar sheet by at least 15%.  
     
     
         10 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the planar sheet is provided in ready-to-use sizes selected from the group consisting of: 4 feet by 8 feet; 2 feet by 8 feet; 4 feet by 10 feet, 4 feet by 12 feet; and 2 feet by 4 feet.  
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing a sheathing product used in construction of buildings, comprising the steps of: 
 a) forming a planar sheet from one or more base products; and    b) attaching a reinforcing strip to at least one face of the planar sheet at an outer perimeter of the planar sheet.    
     
     
         12 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  comprising the further step of attaching a second reinforcing strip to the outer perimeter of the planar sheet on a second, opposite face of the planar sheet.  
     
     
         13 . A method in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the reinforcing strip is bonded to the planar sheet and is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of: fiberglass; composite material; nano-material; plastic; metal; tape; and paper.  
     
     
         14 . A method in accordance with  claim 11 , comprising the further step of attaching the reinforcing strip to an edge of the planar sheet and to a second, opposite face of the planar sheet to provide a continuous reinforcing structure beginning on the at least one face of the planar sheet, extending around the edge of the planar sheet, and terminating on a face opposite the at least one face of the planar sheet.  
     
     
         15 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  comprising the further step of applying the reinforcing strip only to the outer perimeter of the planar sheet and leaving a central area of the planar sheet non-reinforced by the reinforcing strip.  
     
     
         16 . A method in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the step of attaching a reinforcing strip is selected from the group of attachment methods consisting of: taping; spraying; laminating; painting; and bonding.  
     
     
         17 . A method of applying sheathing to a building, comprising the steps of: 
 a) situating a planar sheet adjacent a support structure of the building to which the planar sheet is to be attached; and    b) installing fasteners through a reinforcing strip disposed on a face of an outer perimeter of the planar sheet, through the planar sheet, and into the support structure.    
     
     
         18 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 , further comprising the step of attaching the reinforcing strip to the outer perimeter of the planar sheet prior to installing fasteners through the reinforcing strip, through the planar sheet, and into the support structure.  
     
     
         19 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the step of installing fasteners further includes installing fasteners through another reinforcing strip disposed on an opposite face of the planar sheet.  
     
     
         20 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the reinforcing strip is bonded to the planar sheet and is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of: fiberglass; composite material; nano-material; plastic; metal; tape; and paper.  
     
     
         21 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 , further comprising the step of attaching the reinforcing strip to an edge of the planar sheet and to a second, opposite face of the planar sheet to provide to provide a continuous reinforcing structure beginning on an inner face of the planar sheet, extending around the edge of the planar sheet, and terminating on an outer face of the planar sheet.  
     
     
         22 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the step of situating a planar sheet further includes situating a planar sheet with a central area of the planar sheet non-reinforced by the reinforcing strip.  
     
     
         23 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the step of attaching a reinforcing strip is selected from the group of attachment methods consisting of: taping; spraying; laminating; painting; and bonding.  
     
     
         24 . A method of reinforcing a planar sheet attached to a building, comprising the steps of: 
 a) attaching a reinforcing strip to an outer perimeter of the planar sheet; and    b) installing fasteners through the reinforcing strip, through the planar sheet and into a structure to which the planar sheet is attached.    
     
     
         25 . A method in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein the reinforcing strip is bonded to the planar sheet and is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of: fiberglass; composite material; nano-material; plastic; metal; tape; and paper.  
     
     
         26 . A method in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein the step of attaching a reinforcing strip includes the step of applying the reinforcing strip only to the outer perimeter of the planar sheet and leaving a central area of the planar sheet non-reinforced.  
     
     
         27 . A method in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein the step of attaching a reinforcing strip is selected from the group of attachment methods consisting of: taping; spraying; laminating; painting; and bonding.