Adjustable connector for securing a roof to a structure

A connector for securing a first member at a selected angle relative to a second member, the connector comprising:

• a body having a first plate and a second plate, wherein the first plate is adapted for secure engagement with the first member and the second plate is adapted for secure engagement with the second member, and wherein the first plate and the second plate each comprise a connecting edge and a distal edge opposite the connecting edge,
• wherein the connecting edge and the distal edge of first plate are longer than the connecting edge and the distal edge of the second plate, and
• wherein the first plate and the second plate are connected such that the connecting edge of the first plate abuts the connecting edge of the second plate;
• and
• an angular measurement section extending from the connecting edge of the first plate, wherein the angular measurement section is positioned below a lower edge of the second plate, and wherein the angular measurement section comprises a plurality of visible features disposed thereon, wherein each of the visible features corresponds to a selected angular relationship between the first member and the second member,
• and wherein the angular measurement section comprises a wedge shape.

A system for installing a sloped roof at a selected angle, the system comprising:

• a plurality of upright members extending from a horizontal surface, wherein each of the plurality of upright members is disposed in alignment with another of the plurality of upright members;
• a plurality of adjustable connectors, wherein each adjustable connector comprises a body adapted for connection to upright and horizontally extending members and an angular measurement section extending from the body and having a plurality of visible features, wherein each of the visible features corresponds to a selected angular relationship, and wherein the body of each adjustable connector is secured proximate to an upper end of a respective one of the plurality of upright members such that a selected visible feature of each adjustable connector is aligned with the respective one of the plurality of upright members,
• wherein the body further comprises a shorter plate and a longer plate, wherein the shorter plate is connected to an upper side of an edge of the longer plate, and wherein the angular measurement section extends from a lower side of the edge of the longer plate, and wherein the angular measurement section comprises a wedge shape;
• and
• at least one horizontally extending member secured to one or more bodies of one or more of the plurality of adjustable connectors, wherein the alignment between each adjustable connector and the respective one of the plurality of upright members provides said at least one horizontally extending member with the selected angular relationship relative to the plurality of upright members, and wherein said at least one horizontally extending member is adapted to receive and support the sloped roof at the selected angle.

A structure comprising a sloped roof, wherein the sloped roof comprises:

• a plurality of upright members extending from a horizontal surface;
• a plurality of adjustable connectors, wherein each adjustable connector comprises a body adapted for connection to upright and horizontally extending members and an angular measurement section extending from the body and having a plurality of visible features, wherein each of the visible features corresponds to a selected angular relationship, and wherein the body of each adjustable connector is secured proximate to an upper end of a respective one of the plurality of upright members such that a selected visible feature of each adjustable connector is aligned with the respective one of the plurality of upright members,
• wherein the body comprises a first plate and a second plate, wherein the first plate is adapted for engagement with a first member and the second plate is adapted for engagement with a second member,
• wherein the first plate and the second plate each comprise a connecting edge, a distal edge opposite the connecting edge, an upper edge, and a lower edge,
• wherein the connecting edge and the distal edge of first plate are longer than the connecting edge and the distal edge of the second plate,
• wherein the first plate comprises the angular measurement section extending from the connecting edge of the first plate, wherein the angular measurement section comprises a wedge shape, and
• wherein the first plate further comprises holes for connection to upright members, wherein the holes are located on the first plate below the lower edge of the second plate;
• at least one horizontally extending member secured to one or more bodies of one or more of the plurality of adjustable connectors, wherein the alignment between each adjustable connector and the respective one of the plurality of upright members provides said at least one horizontally extending member with the selected angular relationship relative to the plurality of upright members;
• and
• a sloped roof structure disposed on and supported by said at least one horizontally extending member.

A method for securing an upright member of a sloped roof at a selected angle relative to a horizontally extending member of the sloped roof, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a connector comprising:
• a first plate having an upper edge and a lower edge with a first distance therebetween, and a second plate connected to the first plate and having an upper edge and a lower edge with a second distance therebetween, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance;
• providing an angular measurement section along the connecting edge of the first plate and having a wedge shape, wherein the angular measurement section is positioned below the lower edge of the second plate, wherein the angular measurement section comprises a plurality of visible features, and wherein each of the visible features corresponds to a selected angular relationship between the upright member and the horizontally extending member;
• aligning a visible feature with an edge of the upright member, a visible marking on the upright member, or combinations thereof;
• securing the first plate of the connector to the upright member;
• and
• securing the second plate of the connector to the horizontally extending member, wherein the second plate is disposed at an angle relative to the first plate such that the horizontally extending member is angularly disposed relative to the upright member by the selected angular relationship.