US 5,613,328 AGranted

Snow guard for a metal roof

OwnerF. William Alleyinventor

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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.

Claims22

Dependent claims

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.

6 more elements

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.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.