Roof tie-down support member

{
  "publication_number": "US5983572A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Roof tie-down support member",
  "abstract": "A roof tie-down arrangement for preventing damage to a roof during high wind conditions of the type in which force is applied to hold down the roof via at least one cable and at least one support member. The support member has a pair of support legs for resting upon a roof surface which are connected by a channel-forming portion having a channel which runs lengthwise along the support member. This channel has a diameter that is appreciably greater than the diameter of the cable, has at least a portion which is open from above and is constructed for preventing the cable from lifting out of said the channel.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A roof tie-down arrangement for preventing damage to a roof during high wind conditions, comprising at least one cable strung with rough and at least one support member, said at least one support member comprising a pair of support legs for resting upon a roof surface, said legs being connected by a channel-forming portion having a channel which runs lengthwise along the support member; wherein said channel has a diameter that is appreciably greater than the diameter of said at least one cable, has at least a portion which is open from above and has means for preventing said cable from lifting out of said the channel.",
    "2. A roof tie-down arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the channel has an opening running along the full length of a top side thereof; and wherein said means for preventing the cable from lifting out of said channel comprises the opening having a width which is appreciably smaller than the diameter of said cable.",
    "3. A roof tie-down arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said support member is generally A-shaped, a central portion of an apex of the A-shape being downwardly curved to form the upwardly open portion of said channel; and wherein said means for preventing comprises longitudinal end portions of the A-shape of the support member channel under which the said cable passes into and out of the channel.",
    "4. A roof tie-down arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cable is strung through a plurality of said support members.",
    "5. A roof tie-down arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the channel-forming portion of said support member has a top surface that is nestable within an underside of another like support member so as to enable stacking of a plurality of said support members.",
    "6. A roof tie-down arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the support member has a pair of legs, each of which has a sinusoidally shaped bottom edge for engaging over sinusoidally shaped roof structures.",
    "7. A roof tie-down arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the support member has a pair of legs, each of which has a flat bottom surface portion for engaging on flat roof structures.",
    "8. A roof tie-down arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the support member has a pair of legs, each of which has a bottom portion with a trapezoidal cut out for engaging over a corrugated roof structure.",
    "9. A roof tie-down arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the support member has an A-shape for engaging over the peak of a roof structure."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field of Invention\n\nThe present invention relates to a roof support that protects and preserves the roof of a dwelling, business, garage, etc., during high wind conditions. Specifically, the invention relates to metal cable support member which receives a tie-down member that is strapped across the length and/or breath of a roof of a building structure, applying a downward force to the roof being protected. The cable support member prevents extensive damage to a roof by reducing the likelihood that the roof will be separated from the rest of the building during high wind conditions.\n\n2. Description of Related Art\n\nDuring high wind conditions (i.e. hurricanes, tornados, etc.,) it is possible for all or part of the roof of a building structure to be separated from the rest of the main building due to the lifting effect created as the wind passes over the roof at very high speeds. It has been determined that the most serious damage to a building occurs when the entire roof separates from the building. In geographic areas such as coastal regions where such high winds are a common occurrence, the modern trend has been to use some type of additional roof support besides the typical nail-down method.\n\nAn example of such a technique is demonstrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,786 to Lozier et al. which discloses the use of tie-down straps, and a plurality of anchors to secure the roof of the dwelling. The straps are connected to anchors placed on opposite sides of the building and secured to the foundation.",
  "cpc": [
    "E04H 9/14",
    "E04B 7/02",
    "Y02A 50/00",
    "Y10S 52/11",
    "Y10S 52/12"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "E04B 7/02",
    "E04H 9/14"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Commonwealth of Puerto Rico"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Bernabe Laboy"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1998-10-09",
  "publication_date": "1999-11-16",
  "grant_date": "1999-11-16",
  "priority_date": "1998-10-09",
  "application_number": "US-16856798-A",
  "family_id": "22612030",
  "cited_by_count": 46,
  "citations": [
    "US269018A",
    "US352424A",
    "US777441A",
    "US5388378A",
    "US5537786A",
    "US5522184A",
    "US5623788A"
  ]
}