# US 2020/0230914 A1 · Removable and re-attachable roof system for modular residential construction > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0230914 A1 - Document ID: US20200230914A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/781,420 - Filed: 2020-02-04 - Published: 2020-07-23 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-16 - Assignees: Module Design, Inc. - Applicants: Module Design, Inc. - Inventors: Brian Gaudio; Hallie Dumont - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200230914A1 ## CPC - E04B 1/34315: {characterised by separable parts} - B32B 3/263: {characterised by a layer having non-uniform thickness} - E04B 7/16: Roof structures with movable roof parts (buildings for special purposes E04H) - E04B 7/166: {characterised by a translation movement of the movable roof part, with or without additional movements} - E04D 3/3601: {of roof covering supported by the roof structure with interposition of a insulating layer (E04D3/3607, E04D3/3608, E04D3/361 - E04D3/369 take precedence)} - B32B 7/08: by mechanical means - B32B 2250/03: 3 layers - B32B 2307/304: Insulating - B32B 2307/712: Weather resistant - B32B 2307/7242: Non-permeable - B32B 2307/7246: Water vapor barrier - B32B 2307/732: Dimensional properties - B32B 2419/06: Roofs, roof membranes - E04B 1/34321: {mainly constituted by panels} - E04B 7/22: the slabs having insulating properties, e.g. laminated with layers of insulating material - E04B 7/24: the slabs being collapsible {or retractable}, e.g. for transport - E04H 1/02: Dwelling houses; Buildings for temporary habitation, {e.g. summer houses}(small erections for limited occupation E04H1/12 {; collapsible, erectable or rotatable buildings E04B1/343}) - Y02B 10/10: Photovoltaic [PV] - Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - E04D: ROOF COVERINGS; SKY-LIGHTS; GUTTERS; ROOF-WORKING TOOLS (coverings of outer walls by plaster or other porous material E04F13/00) - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract The present disclosure describes a residential dwelling unit designed for vertical expansion by way of a removable and re-attachable roof system. By removing certain components of the original dwelling unit's roof, that same structure can be converted into the floor of a subsequent vertical addition. Specific components that were removed from the original roof are then re-attached on top of the vertical addition. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-20. (canceled) ### Claim 21 An interchangeable panel system for a roof assembly, wherein the roof assembly comprises a roof substructure and a removable upper roof assembly, wherein the roof substructure comprises a first plurality of rafters forming a framed opening in the roof substructure, wherein the interchangeable panel system comprises: a second plurality of rafters forming a framed panel dimensioned to fit in the framed opening; a staircase comprising an upper portion dimensioned to fit in the framed opening; and a bracket fastened to the first plurality of rafters, wherein the bracket is configured to selectively secure the framed panel in the framed opening, and wherein the bracket is configured to selectively secure the upper portion of the staircase in the framed opening. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The interchangeable panel system of claim 21, wherein the framed panel is configured to be vertically disengaged from the bracket. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The interchangeable panel system of claim 21, wherein the roof substructure comprises a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis that together define a horizontal plane, wherein the support comprises a grooved slot configured to receive at least a portion of the framed panel, and wherein the framed panel is configured to be horizontally disengaged from the grooved slot. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The interchangeable panel system of claim 23, wherein the framed panel further comprises a plurality of castors configured to be received by the grooved slot. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The interchangeable panel system of claim 24, wherein the castors are configured to be horizontally disengaged from the bracket along the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The interchangeable panel system of claim 24, wherein the castors are configured to be horizontally disengaged from the bracket along the transverse axis. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) The interchangeable panel system of claim 21, further comprising a fastener configured to secure the framed panel to the first plurality of rafters. ### Claim 28 (depends on 21) The interchangeable panel system of claim 21, further comprising a second bracket fastened to the first plurality of rafters, wherein the second bracket is configured to selectively secure the framed panel in the framed opening, and wherein the second bracket is configured to selective secure the upper portion of the staircase in the framed opening. ### Claim 29 (depends on 21) The interchangeable panel system of claim 21, further comprising a fastener configured to secure the staircase to the first plurality of rafters. ### Claim 30 (depends on 21) The interchangeable panel system of claim 21, wherein the roof substructure further comprises a first portion of sheathing coupled to at least one rafter of the first plurality of rafters of the roof substructure, and wherein the framed panel further comprises a second portion of sheathing coupled to at least one rafter of the second plurality of rafters. ### Claim 31 (depends on 21) The interchangeable panel system of claim 21, wherein a width of the framed panel is four feet, and a length of the framed panel is greater than or equal to 12 feet and less than or equal to 15 feet. ### Claim 32 (depends on 21) The interchangeable panel system of claim 21, wherein the bracket comprises a joist hanger. ### Claim 33 (depends on 21) The interchangeable panel system of claim 21, wherein the bracket comprises a Z-bracket. ### Claim 34 A removable structural roof panel for use with a roof substructure, wherein the roof substructure comprises a first plurality of rafters forming a framed opening in the roof substructure, wherein the framed opening is dimensioned to fit an upper end of a staircase, and wherein the roof substructure further comprises a plurality of brackets positioned around the perimeter of the framed opening, wherein the removable structural roof panel comprises: a second plurality of rafters forming a framed panel dimensioned to fit within the framed opening and structured for attachment to the brackets; and a portion of sheathing spanning the framed panel; wherein the framed panel and the roof substructure form a contiguous roof support when the framed panel is positioned within the framed opening and attached to the brackets. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The removable structural roof panel of claim 34, further comprising a plurality of castors configured to be received by the brackets, wherein the roof substructure comprises a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis that together define a horizontal plane, and wherein the castors are configured to be horizontally disengaged from the brackets. ### Claim 36 (depends on 34) The removable structural support panel of claim 34, wherein the brackets comprises joist hangers. ### Claim 37 A method for installing a staircase into a roof assembly comprising a roof substructure and a removable upper roof assembly, wherein the staircase comprises an upper portion, wherein the roof substructure comprises a first plurality of rafters forming a framed opening in the roof substructure, wherein a bracket is fastened to the first plurality of rafters, wherein a removable structural roof panel comprises a second plurality of rafters forming a framed panel dimensioned to fit within the framed opening and structured for selective attachment to the bracket, and wherein the framed panel is attached to the first plurality of rafters by at least one fastener, the method comprising: removing the at least one fastener attaching the framed panel to the first plurality of rafters; disengaging the removable structural roof panel from the bracket; removing the removable structural roof panel from the framed opening in the roof substructure; positioning the staircase such that the upper portion of the staircase is positioned within the framed opening of the roof substructure; selectively engaging the upper portion of the staircase with the bracket; and installing at least one fastener to attach the upper portion of the staircase to the first plurality of rafters. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein disengaging the removable structural roof panel from the bracket further comprises lifting the removable structural roof panel vertically off the bracket. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38, wherein lifting the removable structural roof panel vertically from the support further comprises using a crane to lift the removable structural roof panel off the bracket. ### Claim 40 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein the roof substructure comprises a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis that together define a horizontal plane, wherein the bracket comprises a grooved slot, wherein the removable structural roof panel comprises a plurality of castors configured to be received by the grooved slot, and wherein disengaging the removable structural roof panel from the bracket further comprises sliding the removable structural roof panel horizontally along the grooved slot until the castors disengage the grooved slot.