Apparatus and method of repairing cracks on a surface

Abstract

An apparatus and method of repair cracks on a surface. The apparatus is a patch having a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is constructed of an elastomeric material and includes an exterior surface and an interior surface having an adhesive portion. The second layer is utilized to cover the interior surface during storage of the patch. The patch is sized to fit over a crack. The second layer is removed from the first layer by applying at least one strip of tape to the exterior surface of the sheet of material and apply a pulling force on the strip of tape, thereby removing the second layer from the first layer. A first half portion of the first layer is applied to one side of the crack. The first layer is then stretched over the crack and affixed on a second opposite side of the crack. The patch is then painted to conceal the patch from view.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A patch for repairing a crack on a surface, said patch comprising: 
 a sheet of material, said sheet constructed of an elastomeric material;    said sheet having an interior surface with an adhesive portion; and    said sheet having an exterior surface;    whereby said sheet is affixed to the surface by applying the interior surface of said sheet to the surface, said sheet covering a crack formed on the surface.    
     
     
         2 . The patch for repairing a crack of  claim 1  wherein the sheet of material includes a perimeter having a serrated edge.  
     
     
         3 . The patch for repairing a crack of  claim 1  wherein paint is applied to said sheet when said sheet is affixed to the surface.  
     
     
         4 . The patch for repairing a crack of  claim 1  further comprising a cover layer removably attached to said sheet of material, said cover layer covering the adhesive portion of said sheet when being stored.  
     
     
         5 . The patch for repairing a crack of  claim 4  wherein said cover layer is removed from said sheet of material by applying at least one strip of tape to the exterior surface, the cover layer being removed by applying a pulling force to the strip of tape.  
     
     
         6 . A method of repairing a crack on a surface, said method comprising the steps of: 
 positioning a sheet of elastomeric material on the crack; and    affixing the sheet of elastomeric material to the surface.    
     
     
         7 . The method of repairing a crack on a surface of  claim 6 , wherein the sheet of elastomeric material includes an interior surface with an adhesive portion and an exterior surface; and further comprising, before the step of positioning a sheet of elastomeric material on the crack, the step of removing a cover layer from the sheet of elastomeric material, the cover layer covering the adhesive portion during storage of the sheet of elastomeric material.  
     
     
         8 . The method of repairing a crack on a surface of  claim 7  wherein the step of affixing the sheet of elastomeric material to the surface includes applying the interior surface with the adhesive portion to the surface.  
     
     
         9 . The method of repairing a crack on a surface of  claim 8  wherein the step of affixing the sheet of elastomeric material to the surface includes: 
 affixing a first half portion to the surface adjacent a first side of the crack; and  
 affixing a second half portion to the surface adjacent a second side opposite the first side of the crack.  
 
     
     
         10 . The method of repairing a crack on a surface of  claim 9  wherein the step of affixing a second half portion to the surface includes stretching the sheet of elastomeric material over the crack.  
     
     
         11 . The method of repairing a crack on a surface of  claim 6 , further comprising, after the step of affixing the sheet of elastomeric material to the surface, the step of applying paint to the sheet of material.  
     
     
         12 . The method of repairing a crack on a surface of  claim 6  further comprising, before the step of positioning a sheet of elastomeric material on the crack, the step of sizing the sheet of elastomeric material to cover the crack on the surface.  
     
     
         13 . The method of repairing a crack on a surface of  claim 12  wherein the step of sizing the sheet of elastomeric material includes cutting a portion of the sheet of elastomeric material to a size to fit over the crack on the surface.  
     
     
         14 . The method of repairing a crack on a surface of  claim 13  wherein the sheet of elastomeric material is cut in a manner providing a serrated perimeter.  
     
     
         15 . A method of repairing a crack on a surface, said method comprising the steps of: 
 removing a cover layer from a sheet of elastomeric material, the sheet of elastomeric material having an interior surface with an adhesive portion and an exterior surface, the cover layer covering the adhesive portion during storage of the sheet of elastomeric material;    positioning the sheet of elastomeric material on the crack;    affixing a first half portion of the sheet of elastomeric material to the surface adjacent a first side of the crack;    stretching the sheet of elastomeric material over the crack;    affixing a second half portion to the surface adjacent a second side opposite the first side of the crack; and    applying paint to the sheet of material.    
     
     
         16 . The method of repairing a crack on a surface of  claim 15  wherein the step of removing a cover layer from a sheet of elastomeric material includes applying at least one strip of tape having an adhesive side to the sheet of material and peeling the cover layer away from the sheet of elastomeric material by pulling the strip of tape away from the sheet of elastomeric material.  
     
     
         17 . The method of repairing a crack on a surface of  claim 16  wherein the step of stretching the sheet of elastomeric material over the crack includes grasping the strip of tape and pulling the tape over the crack.