WIND DAMAGE CONTER-MEASURES

Abstract

A wind damage counter-measure system including a breakaway overhang mount such as a breakaway bracket and one or more shear points or pins intended to permit breakaway of a roof overhang in high wind conditions. The breakaway overhang mount may include or engage a hinge plate, for example mounted to a header. The hinge plate may be secured to the header via nails, screws, bolts, adhesive, or some combination thereof and also may be configured to be secured to a structure via a base. The base may include multiple channels for overhang or other structural components. Slots for insertion of one or more side boards may also be included. Additional elements such as side blocking and wings may be included.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/382,166 titled "WIND DAMAGE COUNTER-MEASURES" and filed 31 Aug. 2016 in the name of the same inventor as this non-provisional application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

[0004] The present disclosure generally relates to wind damage counter-measures, for example in the event of high winds, tornados, or hurricanes.

SUMMARY

[0005] Aspects of the subject technology include a wind damage counter-measure system. The system preferably includes a breakaway overhang mount such as a breakaway bracket and one or more shear points or pins intended to permit breakaway of a roof overhang in high wind conditions. The breakaway overhang mount may include or engage a hinge plate, for example mounted to a header. The hinge plate may be secured to the header via nails, screws, bolts, adhesive, or some combination thereof and also may be configured to be secured to a structure via a base. The base may include multiple channels for overhang or other structural components. Slots for insertion of one or more side boards may also be included. Additional elements such as side blocking and wings may be included.

[0006] This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention may be understood quickly. Additional steps and/or different steps than those set forth in this summary may be used. A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained by reference to the following description in connection with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate aspects of a wind damage counter-measure in the form of a truss boot.

[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates aspects of a wind damage counter-measure in the form of a breakaway overhang mount.

[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates aspects of a wind damage counter-measure in the form of a truss boot with a breakaway overhang bracket.

[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates aspects of a wind damage counter-measure in the form of a security plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/382,166 titled "WIND DAMAGE COUNTER-MEASURES" and filed 31 Aug. 2016 in the name of the same inventors as this non-provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

[0012] Briefly, aspects of the subject technology include various counter-measures against "roof lift" and/or other wind damage.

[0013] During a storm, tornado, hurricane, or other high wind condition, wind will often blow against the side of a structure. The wind may then push up against a roof overhang, and if strong enough, push up the truss system supporting the roof overhang and thus the roof.

[0014] When the roof is lifted off, the structure may lose its support to keep vertical walls in place. High wind may also pull up plywood and/or other materials installed on the roof by working loose fasteners. The lifted roof, plywood, degraded structure, and/or other materials may become dangerous flying debris. Aspects of the subject technology are intended to address these dangers.

[0015] FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate aspects of a wind damage counter-measure in the form of a truss boot.

[0016] In many cases, a weak point of a structure is where a truss ties a roof overhang to vertical walls of a structure. Aspects of the subject technology are intended to allow a truss and/or associated roof overhang to be secured while offering an outside breakaway potential to reduce chances of wind damage and/or other wind damage during high wind conditions.

[0017] These figure show truss boot 101 according to aspects of the subject technology that preferably is slid over an end of truss 102. The truss may secure a roof overhang.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, boot 101 may be attached to a structure via nails, screws, bolts, or any other things that pass through optional holes 103. Any number of holes and/or no holes may be used. Other forms of attachment such as adhesive may be used.

[0019] In some aspects, truss 102 secures an overhang of a roof. Thus, in a high wind condition, boot 101 may allow the truss and/or overhang to be released without significantly damaging other parts of the roof. Of course, some damage may occur, but the damage should be less than would occur without use of boot 101.

[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates aspects of a wind damage counter-measure in the form of a breakaway overhang mount. This counter-measure includes one or more shear points or pins that are intended to permit breakaway of a roof overhang in high wind conditions.

[0021] In FIG. 4, hinge plate 401 is mounted to header 402. The hinge plate is secured to the header via nails, screws, bolts, or any other things that pass through optional holes 403. Only some of the holes are identified in FIG. 4. Any number of holes and/or no holes may be used. Other forms of attachment such as adhesive may be used.

[0022] Breakaway bracket 404 is shown via arrows engaging to hinge plate 401. The bracket preferably is configured to hold a support element and/or structure 405 such as a 2.times.4 for a roof overhang. Holes 406 may be provided to enable attachment of the supporting element and/or structure to bracket 404, again via nails, screws, bolts, or any other things. Other mechanisms for attachment such as adhesive may be used.

[0023] In preferred aspects, breakaway bracket 404 is secured to hinge plate 401 via safety pin 407 thought breakaway hinges 408. The pin preferably is held in place by key or cotter pin 409. Other forms of securing the breakaway bracket to the hinge plate may be used.

[0024] In high wind conditions, bracket 404 is intended to break away from hinge plate 401. For example, safety pin 407, hinges 408, and/or pin 409 may break to permit release of an overhang while preferably reducing damage to an associated structure.

[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates aspects of a wind damage counter-measure in the form of a truss boot with a breakaway overhang bracket. The structure shown in FIG. 5 is similar to the one shown in FIG. 4 except that hinge plate 501 is configured differently. Namely, hinge plate 501 is configured to be secured to a structure via base 502 and includes multiple channels 503 and 504 for overhang and/or other structural components.

[0026] In some aspects, one or more slots such as slot 505 may be provided for insertion of one or more side boards into either or both sides of wind damage counter-measures according to aspects of the subject technology. The slot(s) may also run all the way through aspects of the subject technology to permit a side board to pass completely through. Additional slots and/or other features may be provided for insertion and/or attachment of other boards and/or structural elements.

[0027] Side blocking and/or wings 505 may be provided to secure board(s), other roof component(s), and/or other structural element to hinge plate 501. The wings may help keep wind from blowing under a roof between such structural elements. For example, a 2.times.6 or other structure elements may be connected to one or more sides of a hinge plate via side blocks and/or wings 505 according to aspects of the subject technology. The structural element(s) may then extend to side(s) of one or more other hinge plate(s). Plywood or other materials may then be secured to those structural elements. One possible result is that no, little, or less wind may be able to get under the structural elements and/or lift the roof.

[0028] In some aspects, the boot may include such wings on both sides as depicted. Alternatively, a boot according to aspects of the subject technology may include side blocking and/or a wing on only one side, on a front or back, on some other locations. The side blocking and/or wings may also be omitted.

[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates aspects of a wind damage counter-measure in the form of a security plate. Security plate 601 is intended to support truss system 602, for example including plywood or other structural elements. The security plate is intended to enhance structural integrity in support of the other counter-measures discussed above.

[0030] The invention is in no way limited to the specifics of any particular embodiments and/or examples disclosed herein. For example, the terms "aspect," "example," "preferably," "may," and the like denote features that may be preferable but not essential to include in some embodiments of the invention. For another example, "holes" shown in the figure represent optional openings for attachment via nails, screws, bolts, or any other things. Those holes may be omitted, for example if attachment is via adhesive.

[0031] A different number of hole than those depicted may be used. Likewise, all indications of size such as "2.times.4," "2.times.6," and depicted pitches (e.g., angles) are exemplary but not limiting. The subject technology may apply to any size of components and pitches. Other variations in terms of numbers and sizes are within the scope of the invention.

[0032] In addition, details illustrated or disclosed with respect to any one aspect of the invention may be used with other aspects of the invention. Additional elements may be added to various aspects of the invention and/or some disclosed elements may be subtracted from various aspects of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Singular elements imply plural elements and vice versa. Many other variations are possible which remain within the content, scope, and spirit of the invention, and these variations would become clear to those skilled in the art after perusal of this application.

Claims

1. A wind damage counter-measure system comprising: a breakaway overhang mount; and one or more shear points or pins intended to permit breakaway of a roof overhang in high wind conditions.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein the shear points or pins comprise shear points.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein the shear points or pins comprise pins.

4. A system as in claim 1, wherein the breakaway overhang mount further comprises a hinge plate.

5. A system as in claim 4, wherein the hinge plate is mounted to a header.

6. A system as in claim 5, wherein the hinge plate is secured to the header via nails, screws, bolts, adhesive, or some combination thereof.

7. A system as in claim 4, further comprising a base; wherein the hinge plate is configured to be secured to a structure via the base.

8. A system as in claim 7, wherein the base includes multiple channels for overhang or other structural components.

9. A system as in claim 1, further including one or more slots for insertion of one or more side boards.

10. A system as in claim 1, wherein the breakaway overhang mount further comprises a breakaway bracket.

11. A system as in claim 10, wherein the breakaway bracket engages a hinge plate.

12. A system as in claim 10, wherein the breakaway bracket is configured to hold a support element or structure.

13. A system as in claim 12, wherein the support element or structure comprises a 2.times.4 for a roof overhang.

14. A system as in claim 10, wherein the breakaway bracket is configured to hold plural support elements or structures.

15. A system as in claim 1, further comprising side blocking.

16. A system as in claim 1, further comprising wings.