Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Cover with projecting restrainer; e.g. – snow stop
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-14
2001-05-01
Kent, Christopher T. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Cover with projecting restrainer; e.g., snow stop
C052S025000, C052S042000, C052S044000, C256S012500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223477
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention is directed to a device capable of being secured to a roof. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a device capable of being secured to a roof using a wedge.
The present invention finds particular utility in securing a snow guard to a roof.
2. Background Information
It is often desirable to secure a snow guard to a roof to prevent the snow and ice which accumulates on the roof from falling off, thereby potentially damaging persons and/or property located in the fall path of the snow and ice.
Roofs are well known in the art and include, for example, metal roofs, shingle roofs and membrane roofs. Roofs typically comprise an outer layer, such as metal panels, shingles or a rubber membrane, attached to a substrate layer, such as plywood or particle board.
In a metal roof, the outer layer typical comprises a plurality of metal panels, each running the length of the roof. The panels are laid side by side to cover the width of the roof, and the abutting panels are typically crimped together to form a water-resistant seam. Snow guards are typically attached to a metal roof by placing the snow guard over a portion of the seam and securing the snow guard to the seam, e.g., via set screws.
In a shingle roof, the outer layer typical comprises multiple rows of shingles placed in ascending fashion on the substrate layer, optionally with a layer of tar paper therebetween. Snow guards are typically attached to a shingled roof by placing same on the outer layer of the shingles and driving screws through the snow guard into the substrate layer of the roof.
In a membrane roof, the outer layer typical comprises a rubber membrane which covers the substrate layer of the roof. Snow guards are typically attached to a membrane roof by securing a base of the snow guard to the substrate layer via screws, placing the membrane over the substrate layer and base of the snow guard, removing a portion of the membrane so that a portion of the base is exposed therethrough, and then securing an upper portion of the snow guard to the exposed portion of the base.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The device of the present invention is capable of securing a snow guard to a metal roof having a first roofing panel and a second roofing panel, the first and second roofing panels each having a substantially perpendicular longitudinal edge, the longitudinal edge of the first roofing panel being positioned in close proximity to the longitudinal edge of the second roofing panel and forming a seam therealong.
In the preferred embodiment, the device of the present invention comprises a block having a first and a second exterior side wall, a base and a top. The snow guard is capable of being attached to the block. A groove is located in the base of the block, the groove defining a first and a second interior side wall and a top interior surface. The block is locatable on the metal roof by placement of the groove about a segment of the seam.
A hole is preferably located in the block between the top of the block and the groove, and a locking device is locatable in the hole. Initially locating the locking device into the hole causes the locking device to be positioned between a portion of the seam of the metal roof and a portion of the first interior side wall of the block. Further translocation of the locking device into the hole causes the locking device to engage the portion of the seam of the metal roof and the portion of the first interior side wall of the block, thereby securing the block to the metal roof.
The further translocation of the locking device into the hole also causes the portion of the seam of the metal roof to incline towards the second interior side wall. Thus, the present invention preferably further comprises a cavity located along a portion of the second interior side wall of the block to accommodate the portion of the seam of the metal roof inclined theretowards.
The locking device is preferably tapered along its longitudinal axis, such as a conical structure or a wedge-shaped structure, and can either comprise a rigid material or a compressible material.
In an alternative embodiment, the hole is located on the side of the block, between one of the exterior side walls of the block and the groove. Initially locating the locking device into the side hole causes the locking device to be positioned between a portion of the seam of the metal roof and the top interior surface of the block. Further translocation of locking device into the side hole causes the portion of the seam of the metal roof to be compressed towards the base of the block, causing the locking device to be secured in the resulting compression, thereby preventing longitudinal movement of the block along the seam of the roof.
To prevent the upward movement of the block, relative to the roofing panels, filler blocks are preferably located within the groove, secured to the interior side walls of the block.
In another preferred embodiment, the device of the present invention comprises a mounting bracket having a first and a second plate. The first plate has a base and a top, and the base of the first plate is capable of being secured to the roof. The second plate has a first and a second edge, with the first edge being securely attached to the top of the first plate and substantially perpendicular thereto.
The device also comprises a block having a first and a second exterior side wall, a base and a top. The snow guard is capable of being attached to the block. A groove is located in the base of the block, the groove defining a first and second interior side wall and a top interior surface. The block is locatable on the roof by placement of the groove about the second plate of the mounting bracket.
A hole is preferably located in the block between the top of the block and the groove, and a locking device is locatable in the hole. Initially locating the locking device into the hole causes the locking device to be positioned between a portion of the second plate of the mounting bracket and a portion of the first interior side wall of the block. Further translocation of the locking device into the hole causes the locking device to be secured between the portion of the second plate of the mounting bracket and the portion of the first interior side wall of the block, thereby securing the block to the mounting bracket.
In an alternative embodiment, the hole is located on the side of the block, between the first exterior side wall of the block and the groove. Additionally, a first cavity is located along the second edge of the second plate of the mounting bracket.
Initially locating the locking device into the side hole causes the locking device to be in juxtaposition with a portion of the top interior surface of the block and located within the first cavity of the second plate of the mounting bracket, thereby preventing longitudinal movement of the block along the mounting bracket.
A second cavity is preferably located within a portion of the second interior side wall of the block to accommodate a portion of the locking device.
To prevent the upward movement of the block, relative to the mounting bracket, the mounting bracket preferably further comprises a third plate having a base and a top, the base of the third plate being securely attached to the second edge of the second plate. Additionally, a filler block is preferably secured to an interior side wall of the block below the hole. The filler block and third plate of the mounting bracket are preferably positioned to prevent the vertical movement of the block, relative to the roofing panels.
In lieu of the filler block, the groove is wider near the top interior surface of the block, relative to the width of the groove near the base of the block. The block is locatable on the mounting bracket by sliding the block over a terminal end of the second and third plate of the mounting bracket.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5228248 (1993-07-01), Haddock
patent: 5483772 (1996-01-01), Haddock
patent: 5491931 (1996-02-01), Haddock
patent: 560
Kent Christopher T.
Tager Clifford L.
Thissell Jennifer I.
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