Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-15
2004-04-27
Canfield, Robert (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Miscellaneous
C052S025000, C052S542000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06725623
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a metal roof having interlocking standing seams which can disengage in heavy winds, wherein a transverse bar is provided across the standing seams, the transverse bar being clamped to the standing seams, and the transverse bar having a series of downward extending brackets each of which has a flexible foot to press down on the flat panels of the roof, thereby providing a structural brace to hold the panels down in a heavy wind.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Metal roofs formed by interconnected metal panels can be susceptible to uplift and tearing due to lifting forces caused thereon by blowing winds. Such wind blown metal panels can be hazardous to nearby people and property. For example, during particularly windy conditions, metal panels can detach or tear from the metal roof and injure passers-by. As such, and with the increased use of metal panels in building construction, there has been an increased need to address ways in which to simply and conveniently control the uplift of such metal roofs.
In addition, in various climates it may be desirable to position a snow retention device on a metal roof to control/inhibit/impede the movement of snow and/or ice down the pitch of the roof.
Sliding snow and/or ice from roofs can be hazardous to people, the surrounding landscape, property, and building components. For example, snow or ice sliding from a roof above an entryway may injury passers-by. Similarly, falling snow or ice can be damage to landscape features, such as shrubs, and property or building components, including automobiles or lower roofing portions. In addition, sliding snow or ice can shear off antennas, gutters or other components attached to a building roof or wall, thereby potentially causing a leak. The problem of sliding snow or ice is particularly experienced in connection with metal roofs, including raised seam roofs (e.g. standing seam), where there is relatively little friction between the roof and the snow or ice. As used herein, the term “raised seam roofs” includes roofs formed by a series of panels interconnected to define longitudinal, raised portions. It may, therefore, be desirable to provide a guard suitable for controlling movement of snow and/or ice across/along selected areas of such metal roofs.
The forerunner of the present invention is the snow retention device taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,194 (1993) to Drew.
The device used in the '194 method of preventing sheets of snow from falling from sheet metal roofs comprises a plurality of attachment mechanisms, each capable of supporting a bar which extends perpendicular to the roof seams. The attachment mechanisms are generally U-shaped, with two prongs and an apex. Thus, the attachment mechanisms may fit around a variety of different widths of roof seams. Furthermore, the attachment mechanisms will conveniently fit around roof seams which are broader at one point than another, such as a seam that is broader at the top than at the point of connection to the roof.
To facilitate securing the attachment mechanisms to roof seams, a hole is provided in one or both prongs of each attachment mechanism, for received an attachment screw. The attachment screw has a blunt tip which will not penetrate the roof seam as the attachment screw is tightened to hold the attachment mechanism in place next to the roof seam.
The '194 method of preventing large sheets of snow from falling off roofs involves attaching a plurality of attachment mechanisms to roof seams. It is not essential that every roof seam be fitted with an attachment mechanism, as long as sufficient attachment mechanisms are connected to roof seams to provide support for the bar to be held in place by the attachment mechanisms. The attachment mechanisms should be aligned so that the bar may be placed adjacent to the apex of each attachment mechanism. The next step in the '194 method is to connect the bar to the attachment mechanisms. This may be accomplished by screwing, welding, or otherwise connecting the bar directly to the apex of each attachment mechanism, holding the bar essentially perpendicular to the roof seams and adjacent to said apexes while the connections are being made.
A more convenient method of connecting the attachment mechanisms to the bar may be utilized. In this method, each attachment mechanism is provided with a bar receiving channel, connected to the apex of the attachment mechanism prior to connecting the attachment mechanisms to the roof seams. This channel is designed to snugly receive the bar, so that the bar may be placed into plurality of channels to hold the bar in its desired position with respect to the roof. Thus, once the attachment mechanisms are attached to the roof seams, the bar may be placed into the channels which hold the bar in place.
To further secure the bar in its desired location, a securing screw may be inserted through one or more of the channels into the bar. A hole may be provided in each channel to facilitate placement of the securing screw. The securing screw may be inserted through the channel opposite the connection of the channel to the apex of the U-shaped attachment mechanism. Alternatively, if more convenient, the securing screw may be inserted through the apex of the U-shaped attachment mechanism, through the channel at its point of connection to that apex, and into the bar.
Use of attachment mechanisms with bar receiving channels facilitates installation of this device for preventing sheets of snow from falling in a number of ways. Even when roof seams are spaced with differing distances between adjacent seams, use of separate attachment mechanisms enables the mechanisms to be quickly installed without modification. Then, the bar may be conveniently placed in the channels of each attachment mechanism, again with no modification required to adjust for differing distances between adjacent roof seams. Similarly, the bar may be easily placed into the channels without regard for the size or shape of each individual seam, differences in which are accommodated by placing each U-shaped attachment mechanism over the seam with a prong on either side of the seam.
Another advantage of the '194 invention is that the bar may be easily removed from the attachment mechanisms. If a significant build-up of snow occurs, it may be desirable to push that snow off the roof at a time when the area beneath the roof can be cleared of anyone or anything that might be hurt by the snow. The bar can be removed at such a time, the snow pushed off the roof, and the bar easily reinserted into the channels of the attachment mechanism.
The '194 system has also been improved for snow retention purposes to include a downward depending bracket located between the standing seams and fastened to the transverse bar. In the marketplace this bracket has been called the optional ice stopper. The bottom edge of the optional ice stopper consists of a narrow elongate edge of the metal body of the ice stopper. This narrow elongate edge if used as an anti-lift mechanism for the roof panels would puncture or otherwise damage the thin gauge metal roof panels.
Therefore, what is needed to upgrade the basic structure of the '194 patent with the optional ice stopper is a foot for the downward depending bracket. The foot needs to spread the downward force of the bracket during high winds across a large enough surface area of the roof panel to prevent damage to the roof panel. The present invention teaches several embodiments of an adequate foot design.
The preferred embodiment uses a neoprene pedastal as the foot, wherein the pedastal has a groove to fit under the bracket's lower edge. The resultant device provides structural integrity to the center of the roof panel for prevention of uplift during high winds. A plurality of transverse bars are used across the entire roof for this wind uplift prevention system. In some climates such as Boulder, Colorado the invention serves both as a wind uplift prevention system and a snow retention system.
SUMMARY OF TH
Nagaki Jason T.
Riddell Paul A.
Riddell Richard A.
Sherman Steve S.
Action Manufacturing LLC
Canfield Robert
Patent Law Offices of Rick Martin P.C.
Polson Margaret
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