Snow guard for a metal roof

• US 5,613,328 A
• Filed: 02/21/1995
• Issued: 03/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alley F. William
• Original Assignee: Alley F. William
• Inventors: Alley, F. William
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): EDWARDS, WILLIAM GLENN
• Application Number:
  US08/391,726
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 52/24, 52/25, 52/26, 411/432, 411/9.7
• US Class Current: 52/25
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/10 Snow traps ; Removing snow from roofs; Snow melters

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a device capable of being attached to a metal roof comprises a substantially perpendicular seam. The device comprises a block. A groove is located in the base of the block, and the block is locatable on the roof by placement of the groove on the seam. There are two embodiments for securing the block to the seam. In the first embodiment, a threaded hole is located in the block between the first side wall and the groove, and a cavity is located in the groove diametrical to the threaded hole. A set screw is locatable in the threaded hole. The set screw has an opening at its terminal end for receiving an element having a curved surface, the element protruding therefrom and pivotable therewithin. Driving the set screw into the hole causes the curved surface of the element to engage the seam, driving the seam towards the cavity of the groove diametric thereto, thereby forming a pocket in the seam, and securing the block to the seam. In the second embodiment, a chamber is located in the base of the block. A cam is pivotally mounted within the chamber and translocatable within the groove. A cavity is located in the groove opposite the cam. Sliding the block along the seam causes the cam to engage the seam, driving the seam towards the cavity, thereby forming a pocket in the seam. Both embodiments secure the block to the roof without piercing or tearing the seam.

Claims

1. A device capable of being attached 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 thereon, the longitudinal edge of the first roofing panel positioned in close proximity to the longitudinal edge of the second roofing panel forming a seam therealong, said device comprising:

a block having a first and a second side wall, a base and a top;

a groove located in the base of the block, wherein the block is locatable on the metal roof by placement of the groove about a segment of the seam;

a first threaded hole located in the block between the first side wall and the groove;

a first cavity located in the groove diametrical to the first threaded hole;

a first element having a substantially curved surface;

a first set screw translocatable within the first threaded hole, the first set screw having a first terminal end in juxtaposition with the first element such that the curved surface of the first element is diametrical thereto and is pivotable thereabout, the first set screw further having a second terminal end drivable into the first threaded hole;

wherein driving the first set screw into the first threaded hole causes the substantially curved surface of the first element to engage a first portion of the seam of the metal roof, thereby precluding any rotational movement of the curved surface of the first element, relative to the first engaged portion of the seam, thus causing the first set screw to pivot about the curved surface of the first element; and

wherein further driving of the first set screw causes the first engaged portion of the seam to be driven towards the first cavity of the groove diametric thereto, thereby forming a pocket in the first engaged portion of the seam.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a second threaded hole located in the block between the second side wall and the groove;

a second cavity located in the groove diametrical to the second threaded hole;

a second element having a substantially curved surface; and

a second set screw translocatable within the second threaded hole, the second set screw having a first terminal end in juxtaposition with the second element such that the curved surface of the second element is diametrical thereto and is pivotable thereabout, the second set screw further having a second terminal end drivable into the second threaded hole;

wherein driving the second set screw into the second threaded hole causes the substantially curved surface of the second element to engage a second portion of the seam of the metal roof, thereby precluding any rotational movement of the curved surface of the first element, relative to the second engaged portion of the seam, thus causing the second set screw to pivot about the curved surface of the second element; and

wherein further driving of the second set screw causes the second engaged portion of the seam to be driven towards the second cavity of the groove diametric thereto, thereby forming a pocket in the second engaged portion of the seam.

3. The device of claim 2 further comprising:

a third threaded hole located in the block between the first side wall and the groove, the second threaded hole being intermediate between the first and the third threaded hole;

a third cavity located in the groove diametrical to the third threaded hole;

a third element having a substantially curved surface; and

a third set screw translocatable within the third threaded hole, the third set screw having a first terminal end in juxtaposition with the third element such that the curved surface of the third element is diametrical thereto and is pivotable thereabout, the third set screw further having a second terminal end drivable into the third threaded hole;

wherein driving the third set screw into the third threaded hole causes the substantially curved surface of the third element to engage a third portion of the seam of the metal roof, thereby precluding any rotational movement of the curved surface of the third element, relative to the third engaged portion of the seam, thus causing the third set screw to pivot about the curved surface of the third element; and

wherein further driving of the third set screw causes the third engaged portion of the seam to be driven towards the third cavity of the groove diametric thereto, thereby forming a pocket in the third engaged portion of the seam.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first element is a ball bearing.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first set screw comprises an opening at its first terminal end, and wherein the first element comprises:

a plate having a first and a second surface, the first surface being the substantially curved surface, the second surface located in back of the first surface, wherein the width of the first surface is greater than the width of the first set screw; and

a shaft having a first and a second terminal end, the first terminal end coupled to the second surface, the second terminal end capable of being received in the opening located at the first terminal end of the first set screw.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a chamber located in the base of the block, the chamber having a portion thereof in juxtaposition with a portion of the groove;

a cam having a first terminal end pivotally mounted within the chamber, the cam having a second terminal end translocatable within the groove; and

a second cavity located in the groove in a position substantially opposite the cam;

wherein locating the block on the metal roof by placing the groove about a segment of the seam and sliding the block along the seam causes the second terminal end of the cam to engage a second portion of the seam, and wherein further sliding of the block along the seam causes the second engaged portion of the seam to be driven towards the second cavity of the groove, thereby forming a pocket in the second engaged portion of the seam.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the second terminal end of the cam comprises a substantially curved surface.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the second terminal end of the cam further comprises at least one groove located in the curved surface.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein the second terminal end of the cam comprises a grooved surface.

10. The device of claim 6, said device further comprising:

a second threaded hole located in the block between one of the side walls and the chamber; and

a second set screw translocatable within the second threaded hole, wherein driving the second set screw into the second threaded hole causes the cam to travel in a direction towards a second engaged portion of the seam and precludes the cam from traveling in a direction opposite thereto.

11. The device of claim 6, said device further comprising:

a second threaded hole located in the block between one of the side wails and the chamber; and

a second set screw translocatable within the second threaded hole, wherein driving the second set screw into the second threaded hole causes the second terminal end of the cam to travel in a first direction to engage a second portion of the seam, wherein further driving of the second set screw causes the second engaged portion of the seam to be driven towards the second cavity of the groove, thereby forming a pocket in the second engaged portion of the seam, the second set screw also precluding the cam from traveling in a direction opposite to the first direction.

12. A device capable of being attached 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 thereon, the longitudinal edge of the first roofing panel positioned in close proximity to the longitudinal edge of the second roofing panel forming a seam therealong, said device comprising:

a block having a first and a second side wall, a base and a top;

a groove located in the base of the block, wherein the block is locatable on the metal roof by placement of the groove about a segment of the seam;

a chamber located in the base of the block, the chamber having a portion thereof in juxtaposition with a portion of the groove;

a cam having a first terminal end pivotally mounted within the chamber, the cam having a second terminal end translocatable within the groove; and

a first cavity located in the groove in a position substantially opposite the cam;

wherein locating the block on the metal roof by placing the groove about a segment of the seam and sliding the block along the seam causes the second terminal end of the cam to engage a first portion of the seam, and wherein further sliding of the block along the seam causes the first engaged portion of the seam to be driven towards the first cavity of the groove, thereby forming a pocket in the first engaged portion of the seam.

13. The device of claim 12, said device further comprising:

a first threaded hole located in the block between one of the side walls and the chamber; and

a first set screw translocatable within the first threaded hole, wherein driving the first set screw into the first threaded hole causes the cam to travel in a direction towards a first engaged portion of the seam and precludes the cam from traveling in a direction opposite thereto.

14. The device of claim 12, said device further comprising:

a first threaded hole located in the block between one of the side walls and the chamber; and

a first set screw translocatable within the first threaded hole, wherein driving the first set screw into the first threaded hole causes the second terminal end of the cam to travel in a first direction to engage a first portion of the seam, wherein further driving of the first set screw causes the first engaged portion of the seam to be driven towards the first cavity of the groove, thereby forming a pocket in the first engaged portion of the seam, the first set screw also precluding the cam from traveling in a direction opposite to the first direction.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the second terminal end of the cam comprises a substantially curved surface.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the second terminal end of the cam further comprises at least one groove located in the curved surface.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein the second terminal end of the cam comprises a grooved surface.

18. The device of claim 12, said device further comprising:

a first threaded hole located in the block between the first side wall and the groove;

a second cavity located in the groove diametrical to the first threaded hole;

a first element having a substantially curved surface; and

a first set screw translocatable within the first threaded hole, the first set screw having a first terminal end in juxtaposition with the first element such that the curved surface of the first element is diametrical thereto and is pivotable thereabout, the first set screw further having a second terminal end drivable into the first threaded hole;

wherein driving the first set screw into the first threaded hole causes the substantially curved surface of the first element to engage a second portion of the seam of the metal roof, thereby precluding any rotational movement of the curved surface of the first element, relative to the second engaged portion of the seam, thus causing the first set screw to pivot about the curved surface of the first element; and

wherein further driving of the first set screw causes the second engaged portion of the seam to be driven towards the second cavity of the groove diametric thereto, thereby forming a pocket in the second engaged portion of the seam.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the first element is a ball bearing.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the first set screw comprises an opening at its first terminal end, and wherein the first element comprises:

a plate having a first and a second surface, the first surface being the substantially curved surface, the second surface located in back of the first surface, wherein the width of the first surface is greater than the width of the first set screw; and

a shaft having a first and a second terminal end, the first terminal end coupled to the second surface, the second terminal end capable of being received in the opening located at the first terminal end of the first set screw.

21. The device of claim 18, said device further comprising:

a second threaded hole located in the block between the second side wall and the groove;

a third cavity located in the groove diametrical to the second threaded hole;

a second element having a substantially curved surface; and

a second set screw translocatable within the second threaded hole, the second set screw having a first terminal end in juxtaposition with the second element such that the curved surface of the second element is diametrical thereto and is pivotable thereabout, the second set screw further having a second terminal end drivable into the second threaded hole;

wherein driving the second set screw into the second threaded hole causes the substantially curved surface of the second element to engage a third portion of the seam of the metal roof, thereby precluding any rotational movement of the curved surface of the first element, relative to the third engaged portion of the seam, thus causing the second set screw to pivot about the curved surface of the second element; and

wherein further driving of the second set screw causes the third engaged portion of the seam to be driven towards the third cavity of the groove diametric thereto, thereby forming a pocket in the third engaged portion of the seam.

22. The device of claim 21, said device further comprising:

a third threaded hole located in the block between the first side wall and the groove, the second threaded hole being intermediate between the first and the third threaded hole;

a fourth cavity located in the groove diametrical to the third threaded hole;

a third element having a substantially curved surface; and

a third set screw translocatable within the third threaded hole, the third set screw having a first terminal end in juxtaposition with the third element such that the curved surface of the third element is diametrical thereto and is pivotable thereabout, the third set screw further having a second terminal end drivable into the third threaded hole;

wherein driving the third set screw into the third threaded hole causes the substantially curved surface of the third element to engage a fourth portion of the seam of the metal roof, thereby precluding any rotational movement of the curved surface of the third element, relative to the fourth engaged portion of the seam, thus causing the third set screw to pivot about the curved surface of the third element; and

wherein further driving of the third set screw causes the fourth engaged portion of the seam to be driven towards the fourth cavity of the groove diametric thereto, thereby forming a pocket in the fourth engaged portion of the seam.