US20100212251A1

US20100212251A1 - Roof securing system

Info

Publication number: US20100212251A1
Application number: US12/380,441
Authority: US
Inventors: Mario Llorens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-02-26
Filing date: 2009-02-26
Publication date: 2010-08-26

Abstract

A roof securing system for use in the construction of a roof structure having an arrangement of spaced apart, parallel support beams and an arrangement of roof panels disposed in overlying and spanning relation atop at least two adjacently positioned support beams. The securing system includes at least one elongate metal strap with a top side and a bottom side, and including a central zone and a pair of oppositely disposed distal zones. The central zone of the strap is adapted to span at least one of the roof panels and has a spaced arrangement of pointed prongs extending downwardly from the bottom side for fastened attachment into the roof panel by hammering the top side of the strap. The strap is structured and disposed to be fastened at its opposite distal zones to one of the support beams such that the strap and the roof panel become securely anchored to the support beam.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a roof securing system and, more particularly, to a strap for securing a plywood roof panel to an underlying support beam of a roof structure.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
A typical roof structure, particularly in residential home construction, uses a parallel arrangement of trusses that are spaced apart to provide support beams upon which individual plywood roof panels are secured. The trusses, including the support beams, as well as the roofing panels, are usually wood products. For instance, the trusses are constructed of wood beams and the roofing panels typically consist of ¾ inch plywood sheets that have a large surface area and side edges. The plywood sheets are fastened to the support beams with the side edges of the plywood edges disposed in abutting relation to one another. The individual plywood sheets (i.e., roof panels) are secured to the support beams with the use of nails that are hammered through the thickness of the roof panels, near the side edges, and into the underlying support beams.
It has been discovered that the use of nails to secure roof panels to the support beams is not sufficient to withstand the tremendous uplift forces exerted by hurricane strength winds. My prior invention, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,460, provides a roof securing system that includes a plurality of steel straps to securely anchor the roof panels to the underlying support beams. The straps of my prior invention include a central zone that extends over the top surface of the roof panel, and opposite distal zones that are adapted to be wrapped around and nailed to the support beams. The distal end zones of the strap are wrapped around the support beams by bending the strap with the use of a hammer so that each distal end zone of the strap engages the opposite side faces and the bottom face of the support beam. Once the distal end zones of the strap are bent and wrapped around the support beam, the distal end zones of the strap are nailed to the support beam.
While the roof securing system of my prior invention is a significant advancement in the roof construction industry, and provides a highly effective means for anchoring the roof panels to the support beams, a problem arises when attempting to bend the distal end zones of the strap around the beams. Specifically, when hammering the ends of the strap, in order to bend the strap around the support beam, the central zone of the strap tends to slide and move out of proper alignment on the top surface of the roof panel as a result of the force from the hammer. My present invention, as described and claimed herein, provides an improvement to my prior roof securing strap and overcomes the problem of the central zone of the strap moving out of proper alignment when bending the strap ends around the support beam. Specifically, my present invention provides for a plurality of pointed prongs disposed in spaced arrangement along the length of the central zone, and extending downwardly and generally perpendicular from the bottom side of the central zone of the strap. The pointed prongs are specifically structured and disposed to penetrate through the top surface of the underlying roof panel by applying a hammer force to the top side of the central zone when the strap is properly aligned on the roof panel, prior to bending of the distal end zones of the underlying support beam, to thereby attach the straps to the roof panel and hold the strap in the desired proper alignment.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Considering the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved roof securing system that uses one or more straps for securing wood roof panels to underlying support beams, and wherein the straps include a spaced arrangement of pointed prongs for penetrating into the roof panels to increase holding strength.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an improved roof securing system, including the roof securing strap as described above, and wherein the strap is easier to install compared to previously known roof strap devices.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an improved roof securing system including a one or more roof straps, as described above, and wherein the roof straps include a plurality of pointed prongs extending downwardly from a bottom side of the strap, in spaced arrangement, for penetrating attachment into the top surface of wood roof panels to thereby hold the strap in place during installation, while also increasing the overall holding strength of the strap on the roof system under hurricane force winds.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent with reference to the detailed description and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an improved roof securing system for providing increased strength and resistance to wind uplift forces in the construction of a roof structure. The system is intended for use with a roof structure of the type that includes a spaced, parallel arrangement of support beams, each with a top face, a bottom face, and opposite side faces, and an arrangement of roof panels. The roof panels, which are primarily plywood sheets, have a top surface and a bottom surface and are positioned and disposed in overlying, spanning relation along the top face of at least two adjacently positioned support beams, to thereby enclose the roof structure.
The system of the present invention provides at least one strap, having a top side and a bottom side, and a central zone between a pair of oppositely disposed distal zones. In a preferred embodiment, the strap is made of 14 gauge steel for sufficient strength. The central zone of the strap is adapted to span at least one of the roof panels of the roof structure with a bottom side of the strap disposed in mating engagement of the top surface of the roof panel. The central zone of the strap includes a spaced arrangement of pointed prongs that extend downwardly from the bottom side of the strap. The pointed prongs are structured to be fastened into the underlying roof panel by applying a striking force to the top side of the strap with a hammer. This serves to anchor the strap in place on the roof panel so that it does not move from its properly aligned position prior to securing the opposite distal zones of the strap to the underlying support beam. The pointed prongs also reinforce the holding strength of the strap on the roof panel. The distal end zones of the strap extend beyond the ends of the roof panel and are specifically structured and disposed to be fastened to the support beam by nailing the strap to the opposite side faces and the bottom face of the support beam. As a result of the wrap around securing of the distal end zones of the strap about the side faces and bottom face of the support beam, as well as the penetrating attachment of the pointed prongs into the roof panel, the strap and roof panel become securely anchored to the underlying support beam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the strap of the roof securing system;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the strap of the roof securing system;

FIGS. 3-6 illustrate a sequential series, in perspective view, of installation of a distal end zone of the strap to a support beam of the roof structure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the strap of the roof securing system; and

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a roof structure showing an arrangement of parallel support beams and roof panels secured to the support beams and further illustrating the roof securing system of the present invention installed on the roof structure to securely anchor the roof panels to the underlying support beams.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The roof securing system is shown throughout the several views of the drawings and is generally indicated as 10. The roof securing system 10 is specifically structured for use in the construction of a roof having a plurality of support beams 70 and an arrangement of roof panels 80 positioned in adjacent abutting engagement with one another. The roof panels 80 are attached to the beams 70 to provide a roof deck that completely covers the openings between the beams. Each of the support beams 70 has a top face 72, a bottom face 74, and a pair of opposite side faces 76, 78. The top face 72 of the support beam is adapted to receive the roofing panels thereon, so that each roof panel 80 spans between at least two adjacently positioned support beams 70. The roof panels 80 are first attached to the support beams with the use of nails that are hammered through the roof panels 80 and into the underlying beams 70.
The improved roofing system of the present invention provides a reinforced, anchored attachment of the roof panels 80 to the underlying support beams 70. According to a preferred embodiment, the improved roof securing system 10 includes a plurality of elongate straps 20 formed of galvanized steel. The straps 20 are preferably of a strength of at least 14 gauge galvanized steel. Each strap 20 includes a top side 21 and a bottom side 22. Each strap 20 further includes a central zone 24 and a pair of oppositely disposed distal end zones 26 and 28. The central zone 24 of the strap 20 is adapted to span across the top of at least one of the roof panels 80 with the bottom side 22 of the strap disposed in mating, overlying engagement with the top surface 82 of the roof panel 80. The length of the central zone is specifically sized to correspond to the dimension of the roof panel measure perpendicularly between opposite side edges. Accordingly, the central zone of the strap spans across the top surface of the roof panel in perpendicular relation to the opposite side edges 84, 86 of the roof panel. The opposite distal end zones 26 and 28 of the strap are adapted to extend downwardly from the central zone 24 so as to straddle the roof panel along the opposite side edges 84, 86.
The central zone 24 of the strap 20 is provided with a plurality of pointed prongs 30. The pointed prongs 30 are disposed in spaced relation along a length of the central zone and extend downwardly, generally perpendicular to the bottom side 22 of the strap 20. In a preferred embodiment, the pointed prongs 30 are also provided on the distal end zones 23 and 28 and are formed by stamping the central zone and distal end zones of the strap to the cut triangular configurations, as seen in FIG. 2. More specifically, each pointed prong 30 is formed by stamping the strap with two sides 32, 34 of an acute triangular formation with the base 36 of the triangular formation remaining in tact as an integral part of the strap. The pointed prongs 30 are then bent to extend perpendicularly from the bottom side 22 of the strap with the apex 38 of the cut triangular formation directed downwardly relative to the central zone of the strap and inwardly relative to the distal end zones, as seen in FIG. 1, so that the apex 38 defines the point of the prong 30.
The pointed prongs 30 are specifically structured and disposed to be driven into the top side 82 of the roof panel 80 in order to hold the strap 20 in proper alignment prior to bending and securing the distal end zones 26, 28 to the beams 70, as described below. Specifically, with the central zone 24 of the strap properly positioned across the top of the roof panel 80, as seen in FIGS. 3-6, the top side 21 of the central zone 24 is hit with a hammer at the location of each pointed prong 30 to thereby drive the pointed prongs 30 into the top side 82 of the roof panel 80. The opposite distal end zones 26, 28 can then be bent around the beams and nailed thereto without the central zone of the strap moving out of proper alignment on the top of the roof panel.
The distal end zones 26 and 28 of the strap are adapted to be rapidly secured around the underlying support beam 70 so as to anchor the strap 20 to the support beam. More particularly, the distal end zones 26 and 28 include upper segments 40 and lower securing segments 50. In the preferred embodiment, the central zone 23 is properly positioned to be substantially parallel with the underlying support beam 70. As described above, penetration of the pointed prongs 30 into the roof panel helps to maintain the central zone 23 in this desired alignment. The upper segments 40 are provided with a twist 42 that divide the distal end zones into the top portion 40 and the lower securing segment 50. The top portion 40 extends downwardly in a substantially perpendicular orientation from the central zone 23 of the strap 20, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. The twist 42 is adapted to rotate the lower securing segment 50 so that a top side 21 of the lower securing segments engage the exposed faces of the support beam. Specifically referring to FIGS. 3-7, the top side of the lower securing segment 50 easily engages one of the side faces of the support beam. The securing segment is then hammered as shown in FIGS. 4-6, to effectively wrap the lower securing segment 50 of the strap 20 around the bottom face 74 of the support beam and up around the opposite side face 78 of the support beam, with the prongs 30 penetrating the support beam to hold the strap in wrapped engagement about the beam. After being wrapped in place, as seen in FIG. 6, the lower securing segment 50 is more securely fastened to the support beam 70 with the use of nails that are received through the several holes 54 formed along the length of the securing segments 50.
As shown in FIG. 8, the improved roof securing system 10 of the present invention preferably uses a plurality of straps 20 that are secured along the support beams 70 at the location at where the roof panels 80 are secured to the underlying support beams 70. The straps 20 supply a substantial downward anchoring force on each roof panel 80 so as to reinforce the attachment of the roof panel 80 to the support beams 70 in a manner which discourages uplifting and separation from the support beams when exposed to external forces such as hurricane force winds. Additionally, the thickness of the strap 20 serves as a spacer between adjacent plywood roof panels 80 for proper vapor ventilation and to allow for expansion of the roof panels in humid condition. Also, in an alternative embodiment the individual straps 20 may be disposed as to be substantially perpendicular to the support beams 70, thereby eliminating the need for the twist 42, and merely requiring that the bottom side 22 of the strap 20 be wrapped directly about the support beam 70 and fastened thereto with the pointed prongs, as well as nails or other suitable hardware fasteners.
While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims and interpreted under the Doctrine of Equivalents.

Claims

1. A roof securing system for use in the construction of a roof, wherein the roof includes a plurality of support beams, each having a top face, a bottom face, and a pair of opposite side faces, and including a plurality of roof panels, each having a top surface and a bottom surface, and the roof panels disposed in overlying, spanning relation atop the top face of at least two of the support beams, said roof securing system comprising:

at least one elongate steel strap having a top side and a bottom side;

said strap further including a central zone and a pair of oppositely disposed distal end zones extending perpendicularly from said central zone;

a plurality of pointed prongs disposed in a single linear spaced arrangement along said central zone and extending downwardly from said bottom side, each of said plurality of pointed prongs having a triangular configuration with opposite flat faces, two free side edges extending to a pointed distal apex and a base remaining intact as an integral part of said elongate steel strap, and said pointed prongs being structured and disposed to penetrate into at least one of the roof panels for holding said strap in a desired position with said central zone spanning at least one of the panels such that said bottom side of said strap matingly overlies the top surface of the roof panel;

each of said distal end zones including a lower securing segment extending downwardly from said central zone of said strap and each of said distal end zones being structured and disposed to be wrapped about the bottom face and the side faces of the support beam;

a linear spaced arrangement of apertures along said elongate steel strap and disposed in alternating sequence with said plurality of pointed prongs along said central zone, and said apertures being structured and disposed for receiving wood penetrating fasteners therethrough; and

said lower securing segment being structured and disposed to be securely engaged with the opposite side faces and the bottom face of one of the support beams such that said strap and the roof panel become securely anchored to the support beam.

2. (canceled)

3. The roof securing system as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of pointed prongs are disposed in linear spaced arrangement along said distal end zones and extend from said bottom side.

4. (canceled)

5. The roof securing system as recited in claim 3 wherein said linear spaced arrangement of apertures are provided along said distal end zones.