Abstract:
An assembly having a longitudinal webbed base plate, upright webbed diverter (e.g. “V”-shaped) and coupling stabilizer and brace arms that assemble to extend from a roof above typical snow cover depths to protect downstream appliances protruding from the roof from snow/ice slide damage. The base plate and/or stabilizer arm includes surfaces shaped to promote the scoring and shearing of a snow/ice slide prior to the sheared sections of the snow/ice being laterally displaced away from a downstream appliance via the upright diverter. Alternative serrated, saw tooth, pointed, spiked and wedged shear surfaces are formed into the base plate and/or a single or multi-section stabilizer arm. An appliance cover piece can be fitted to the upright diverter and suspended above the downstream appliance.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to snow and ice load control devices for roofs and in particular to an assembly attachable to roofs susceptible to ice build-up for protecting protruding plumbing vent pipes, chimneys, HVAC appliances, gutters and the like mounted to project from the roof from damage due to snow and ice slides. 
         [0002]    Roofs found in geographic locales that experience snow and ice conditions are constructed to withstand the added weight of typical snow and ice that can buildup on the roofs during the winter months. For some roofs, the weight of the snow/ice can build over time to damage the building interior from leaks that arise from ice dams and other conditions. For some roofs, sheets of the snow/ice can slide from the roofs and injure nearby persons or damage property affixed to the roof or in close proximity to the building eaves. Metal and fiberglass panel roofs are particularly susceptible to snow/ice slides. 
         [0003]    Metal roofs, such as typically made from steel panels, are frequently found on outbuildings at farms, ranches and in commercial warehouse and office sites. Metal panel roofing is also used with a variety of residential building applications. Such roofing offers durability, cost and installation advantages. Depending upon the climate and especially for sites subject to relatively heavy annual snow falls, the roofs are periodically susceptible to snow removal via snow slides, especially for relatively steeply pitched roofs of 5×12 or greater pitches. The steeper pitch enhances the gravitational effect on the snow/ice upon exposure to sun and wind and the natural inclination of the snow/ice to detach and slide from the roof. Snow/ice loading is thereby alleviated but at the expense of possible damage to structures in the slide path either on the roof or ground. 
         [0004]    The panels can be used with less steeply pitched roofs but associated framing may have to be increased depending upon typical snow/ice loading. Less steeply pitched roofs are particularly common on large buildings. For example, buildings that are 50′ wide by 100′ long may have a 4×12 pitch and buildings 70′ wide by 150′ and longer may have a 3×12 pitch. 
         [0005]    The framing design of buildings and roofs found in snow country typically position chimneys, plumbing vents and other vertically protruding structures relatively high up the roof and close to the peak. Because any vertical protuberance is subject to contact with any snow or ice sliding from the roof a higher mounting limits the volume and weight of snow/ice contacting the appliance during slide or avalanche conditions. It is not however always possible to place the protruding appliance near the peak. Consequently, when large heavy weight slides occur, the protruding appliances can be exposed to high shear stresses that can dislodge, detach or crush the appliance and/or tear a large hole in the roof. 
         [0006]    Depending upon the severity of any damage, leaks can occur at the appliance or in the vicinity of the booted flashings typically used in association with the appliance. The leaks may or may not be readily detected, but will eventually become apparent when water from subsequent snow melt or rain enters the building and drains through lower lying ceilings, walls, fixtures etc. 
         [0007]    A variety of devices have been developed to retain snow to the roof to prevent unwanted slide conditions. Such devices provide surfaces designed to hold the snow to the roof and assume the snow will melt without producing slide or avalanche conditions. 
         [0008]    Other devices have been developed to shear and breakup the sliding snow and ice during slide conditions to protect associated rain gutters. Such devices are designed with relatively shallow height profiles and merely shear the snow/ice slide close to the roof (i.e. 3-4 inches). These devices are typically positioned near the roof edges to breakup the slide front to reduce stresses on gutter systems supported from the roof edges. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,129,833 and 5,044,130 disclose two of such devices. 
         [0009]    As noted from the patent disclosures, multiples of the foregoing devices are typically mounted in a patterned placement between the pitched metal panel seams of the roof being protected, such as in rows and columns. One or more devices can be mounted in each seam space at desired distances from the roof edge. Although the shearing devices may reduce the size and mass of a sliding sheet of ice into multiple layers prior to striking any attached gutter, the upper layer of each sheet of sliding snow/ice can still encounter vertical appliances such as vent pipes and chimneys. The shearing forces placed on the protruding structures can damage the structures, roof and/or any associated scals or flashings. 
         [0010]    The ice and snow diverters of the present invention were developed to provide assemblies specifically intended for mounting upstream of plumbing vent pipes, chimneys, antennas, HVAC structures that protrude through or mount to a roof. The diverters are constructed to mount upstream of each desired protuberance to (1) vertically shear the full height of any snow/ice slide and (2) laterally divert the sheared pieces away from the sides of any downstream vent pipe, chimney or the like. 
         [0011]    The diverter assemblies particularly include a V-shaped diverter plate designed to vertically project above normal snow/ice depths and any downstream protruding structure(s) to protect the protruding structure. Accessory wing pieces can be added to the diverter webs to enhance the lateral and vertical displacement forces of the diverter. 
         [0012]    The diverter assemblies of the invention include serrated stabilizing shear arms constructed to withstand heavy weight. Fasteners and seals secured to a base plate and associated spreader arm(s) secure the diverter assemblies directly to the roof framing members (e.g. trusses and purlins) to prevent damage to the underlying roof panel. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    It is a primary object of the invention to provide a device for protecting vertically protruding plumbing vent pipes, chimneys, antennas, HVAC appliances and the like mounted to project through or above roofs susceptible to ice build-up from damage due to shearing forces that occur with snow and ice slides. 
         [0014]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a diverter device having means that extend above the typical snow cover for shearing or breaking the front face of a snow/ice slide into smaller sections. 
         [0015]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a diverter device having means for laterally diverting sheared sections of a snow/ice slide away from downstream appliances or protuberances that project from or above the roof. 
         [0016]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a diverter device having means for securing the device to roof framing members to withstand the shearing forces of a snow/ice slide and to be able to laterally divert sheared snow/ice away from downstream appliances or protuberances that project from or above the roof. 
         [0017]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a diverter device having a longitudinal stabilizer arm that attaches to a webbed upright diverter (e.g. V-shaped) and includes a serrated or wedged edge surface shaped to promote scoring and shearing a snow/ice slide into smaller sections. 
         [0018]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a diverter device having a longitudinal base plate that attaches to a webbed upright diverter piece (e.g. V-shaped) and wherein the base plate includes a serrated edge surface having a plurality of teeth and/or a wedged edge shaped to promote scoring and shearing a snow/ice slide into smaller sections. 
         [0019]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a diverter having a longitudinal stabilizer arm coupling a base plate to a webbed upright diverter piece which arm may include a serrated or wedge shaped edge surface and/or means to vary the angular orientation of the stabilizer arm relative to the upright diverter. 
         [0020]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a diverter device having accessory wings capable of mounting to the sides or top of upright webs of a V-shaped diverter piece to increase the width and/or height of the webs relative to a protruding downstream appliance. 
         [0021]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a diverter device having a cap or cover piece that mounts to an upright webbed diverter piece and longitudinally extends to cover a downstream open-ended vent or chimney pipe. 
         [0022]    It is a further object of the invention to provide seals to isolate and waterproof fasteners attaching a snow/ice diverter device to a roof. 
         [0023]    The foregoing objects, advantages and distinctions of the invention are obtained in a snow and ice diverter assembly adapted for use with any roof susceptible to snow and ice slides. In one construction, the assembly comprises a longitudinal webbed base plate (e.g. “L” or “T”-shaped) that attaches to a roof. A stabilizer arm is mounted to the base plate and extends at an acute angle to an upright webbed diverter piece. The diverter piece includes intersecting web pieces and exhibits a V-shape or other desired angular orientation between the web pieces to laterally direct snow/ice away from a downstream appliance. The diverter piece exhibits a height accommodating normally anticipated snow depths or substantially the same as a protected appliance. The base plate and/or stabilizer arm includes serrated surfaces shaped to promote shearing a snow/ice slide front prior to the sheared front impinging on the upright diverter piece. The webbed wings of the diverter piece are positioned to laterally direct the severed snow/ice sections away from protruding downstream appliances and limit contact of the snow/ice with the appliance. 
         [0024]    A cap or cover piece can be fitted to the diverter piece and/or an open-ended downstream vent or chimney pipe to overlie the pipe bore. The stabilizer arm can be constructed of one or multiple interconnecting pieces to permit length adjustments and extend between the base plate and diverter piece at a desired angular orientation. The base plate and/or stabilizer arm piece(s) can include surfaces (e.g. serrated, pointed, saw tooth, spiked, wedged etc.) shaped to promote scoring, shearing and separation of any snow/ice encountering the diverter assembly. 
         [0025]    A variety of alternative configurations and combinations of the foregoing features of the inventive snow/ice diverter can be constructed. For example, the base plate can comprise a webbed member that exhibits an “L” or “T”-shaped cross-sectional profile and can include shaped shearing surfaces (e.g. serrated, saw tooth, spiked, wedged etc.). The stabilizer arm can be constructed to be length adjustable and to include shaped shearing surfaces. Accessory wing pieces can be fitted to the diverter plate to increase its height and/or promote a greater lateral separation of sheared ice sections to prevent contact with a protected vertical vent pipe, chimney or other appliance. A cover piece can be mounted to the diverter plate and extend to cover an open bore of a protected vertical appliance (e.g. vent pipe). 
         [0026]    Still other objects, advantages, distinctions, constructions and combinations of individual features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description with respect to the appended drawings. Similar components and assemblies are referred to in the various drawings with similar alphanumeric reference characters. The description to each combination should therefore not be literally construed in limitation of the invention. It is also to be appreciated the singular improvements can be combined in any variety of track assemblies. The invention should therefore be interpreted within the broad scope of the further appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a snow/ice diverter assembly of the invention mounted to a metal roof in the space between panel seams and upstream of a protruding vent pipe that is covered with an accessory cover piece. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective assembly view of the ice diverter of  FIG. 1  depicting the individual piece parts and there assembled orientations to one another. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the ice diverter plate of  FIG. 1  with an attached forward brace member and detachable wing plates that mount to the diverter plate. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the support arm and a serrated or saw tooth ice shearing edge. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of an alternative support arm having a wedge-shaped ice shearing edge. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  shows a cross section view taken along reference lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5  and depicting an enlarged view of wedge-shaped ice shearing edge. 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of an alternative multi-section support arm having a serrated ice shearing edge that permits length adjustment of the arm and relative support angle to the diverter piece and wherein the arm&#39;s aft end section can support an appliance cover. 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of an alternative construction of the snow/ice diverter assembly of the invention mounted to a metal roof in the space between panel seams and upstream of a protruding vent pipe that is covered with an accessory cover piece. 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective assembly view of the ice diverter of  FIG. 7  depicting the individual piece parts and there assembled orientations to one another. 
           [0036]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of the ice diverter plate with detachable wing plates that mount to the webs of the diverter piece. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    With attention to the perspective view of  FIG. 1 , a roof mounted snow/ice diverter assembly  10  of the invention is shown as it appears when mounted to a typical pitched roof  12 . The assembly  10  is typically mounted 24-inches or less upstream of a protruding appliance  14  such as a plumbing vent pipe  14  as (depicted) or antenna, chimney etc. The depicted roof  12  is constructed of a number of overlapping metal panels  16  that exhibit longitudinal seamed ridges  18 . The appliances  14  are normally located to project in the channel space  20  between the ridges  18 . The diverter assembly  10  correspondingly is mounted in the channel space  20  and is nominally positioned upstream and within 24-inches of the appliance  14 . 
         [0038]    A cross piece  22  secures a forward end of a webbed base plate  24  to the roof  12  with several fasteners  26  that are set into a lower lying purlin  28 . An aft end of the base plate  24  is secured to an adjoining purlin  28  with other fasteners  26  fitted through an appropriately located aperture  29 . Suitable compressible washers  30  mount between the cross piece  22  and roof panel  16 . A layer of a compressible seal  32  mounts between a horizontal web  34  of the base plate  24  and roof  12 . The roof  12  is thereby protected from any electrolysis or rust that might discolor the roof  12  or leaks at the fasteners  26 . A variety of types of suitable fasteners  26  can be used to secure the diverter assembly  10  together and to the roof  12 . 
         [0039]    The depicted base plate  24  is constructed from an “L”-shaped aluminum member, nominally 20 to 36-inches in length and having nominal 3-inch horizontal web  34  and a 3-inch upright web  36 . The base plate  24  might alternatively be constructed from a “T”-shaped member  37  shown in partial cutaway at  FIG. 3 . The length of the member and width of the webs  34  and  36  can be varied as desired. A series of serrations, points, spikes or saw teeth  38  are formed into the upright web  36  at progressively increasing heights to present an angularly ramped cutting edge to any sliding snow/ice front that impinges on the diverter assembly  10 . The teeth  38  are shaped to cut and shear the full height of a snow/ice slide prior to reaching the appliance  14 . Although a metal base plate  24  is presently preferred, a variety of other materials (e.g. UHMW plastic, polyethylene, plated or coated materials, etc.) might be used, provided the material is sufficiently slippery and durable to withstand the weight of a sliding snow/ice front and weather and UV conditions to which the material is subjected. 
         [0040]    With additional attention to  FIG. 3 , mounted to the aft or downstream end of the base plate  24  is an upright, webbed diverter  40 . The upright diverter  40  is presently constructed from 3-inch×3-inch aluminum “L”-shaped angle stock. The diverter nominally stands 10 to 20-inches above the base plate  24 , although may include provisions for extending the height with additional extension pieces  41  that fasten to front or rear surfaces of the upper edges of the webs  42  of the diverter piece  40  to accommodate appliances  14  of differing heights and/or snow depths. Preferably the extension pieces  41  attach to the rear surface of the diverter piece  40  and project above any anticipated maximum snow cover. 
         [0041]    The webs and/or wings  42  of the diverter  40  are positioned relative to the base plate  24  to present a plow-like or “V”-shape to the sliding snow/ice front to laterally displace the sections of sheared snow/ice away from the downstream appliance  14 . The upright diverter  40  is particularly secured to the upright web  36  of the base plate  24  with fasteners  26  fitted through an aperture  29  in the upright brace member  44 . The brace member  44  is welded to the project from the upstream intersecting edge of the web or wing pieces  42 . The brace member  44  can include serrations  38 , as desired. It is also to be appreciated the web pieces  42  can be positioned to intersect each other at any desired angle, although an angle in the range of 90° to 120° is presently preferred. 
         [0042]    Also depicted at  FIG. 3  are accessory wing pieces  46  that can be attached to front or rear side surfaces of the webs  42  with suitable fasteners  26  to expand the lateral diverting action of the upright diverter  40 . Preferably the wing pieces  46  attach to the rear surface of the diverter piece  40 . The wing pieces  46  produce greater lateral displacement of snow/ice to accommodate wider width appliances  14  such as larger diameter plumbing vent pipes or chimney pipes (e.g. 6 to 12 inches). Correspondingly as mentioned above and as necessary additional extensions  41  might be added to the diverter  40  to increase its height. 
         [0043]    An upper end of the upright diverter  40  is secured to the base plate  24  via a stabilizer arm  50  that projects from an upstream end of the base plate  24 . The stabilizer arm  50  is secured with fasteners fitted through provided apertures  29 . The length and angular orientation of the stabilizer arm  50  relative to the upright diverter  40  can be adjusted as desired depending upon the apertures  29  selected. The stabilizer arm  50 , like the brace member  44 , strengthens the mounting of the upright diverter  40  and also facilitates the vertical separation of the sheared snow/ice front. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 4 through 7  depict alternative constructions of the stabilizer arm  50 .  FIG. 4  depicts a stabilizer arm  50  constructed with serrated saw tooth-like points  38  formed along the length of the arm  50  to enhance the shearing action of the diverter assembly  10  relative to an impinging snow/ice front.  FIGS. 5 and 6  depict a stabilizer arm  50  constructed with a wedged or knife edge  52  formed along the length of the arm  50  to enhance the shearing action of the diverter assembly  10  relative to an impinging snow/ice front.  FIG. 7  depicts a multi-section, length adjustable stabilizer arm  50  constructed of overlapping pieces  54 . The upstream piece  54  includes serrations  38  to enhance the shearing action of the diverter assembly  10  relative to an impinging snow/ice front. Serrations  38  can be provided at both arm pieces  54 . The pieces  54  can be overlapped as desired to vary the length of the stabilizer arm  50  to accommodate different angular orientations relative to the base plate  24  and diverter  40 . 
         [0045]    Returning attention to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an accessory cover or cap piece  60  is also shown that mounts to the upright diverter  40  and spans between the diverter  40  and appliance  14 . The cover piece  60  is formed from a suitable material (e.g. metal or plastic) and is secured at a upper edges of the upright diverter  40  via flaps  62  that are formed to align with the webs  42 . The cover  60  is sized to extend sufficiently to cover a bore  66  in the appliance  14 . If desired, a band clamp  64  is shown that can be secured to the cover  60  via mating fasteners  26  and apertures  29  an appropriate distance downstream of the diverter  40 . Once mounted to the cover  60 , the clamp  64  is mounted to the appliance  14  to cover the bore  66 . The clamp  64  may or may not be used as desired. 
         [0046]    Turning attention to  FIGS. 8 through 10 , views are shown to a presently preferred alternative construction of a diverter assembly  70  of generally similar construction to the assembly  10 . The assembly  70  provides for a cross piece  22  and a serrated “L”-shaped base plate  24 . A slotted vertical diverter  72  projects from the base plate  24  and a stabilizer arm  74  extends through a slot  78  in the upper end of the diverter  72 . The diverter  72  is secured to the base plate  24  by the stabilizer arm  74 , a brace member  44  and stop members  79  as described below. 
         [0047]    With particular attention to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a slot  73  in the lower end of the diverter  72  mounts over the web  36  of the base plate  24 . The slot  73  is positioned between a forward brace member  44  and a stop member  79 , both of which are secured to the web  36 . The lower end of the diverter member  42  thus has some freedom of movement between the rigidly secured brace member  44  and the stop member  79 . Wing pieces  46  may be mounted to the diverter webs  42  as desired. 
         [0048]    A forward-end of the stabilizer arm  74  mounts to the upright web  36  of the base plate  24  aft of the serrations  38 . A mid-portion of the stabilizer arm  74  is fitted into a slot  78  at the upper end of the diverter  72  between an aperture  29  and a stop member  79  that projects from the stabilizer arm  74 . The stabilizer arm  74  is secured to the upright brace member  44  at the aperture  29 . The brace member  44  is vertically aligned to the intersecting edge of the web pieces  76  of the diverter  72 . An aft end of the stabilizer arm  74  extends through and floats in the upper slot  78  in the diverter  72 . 
         [0049]    The diverter  72  is thus trapped between the base plate  24  and the stabilizer arm  74  via the fastenings at the brace member  44  and the stop members  79 . The diverter  72  has a slight freedom of movement which is desirable during ice/snow slides to promote diverting movement of the ice/snow. The angular orientation of the stabilizer arm  74  relative to the base plate  24  can also be varied depending upon a particular selection of apertures  29  through which the fasteners  26  are mounted. 
         [0050]    Returning attention to  FIG. 8 , a cover piece  80  is shown that can be mounted to the stabilizer arm  74 . The cover piece  80  is secured to an aft end of the stabilizer arm  74  that extends past the diverter  72 . A cover support piece  82  is mounted to depend from a lower surface of the cover  80  and provides apertures  29 ,  FIG. 9 . Depending upon the separation of the appliance from the diverter assembly  70 , the cover  80  is mounted to appropriate apertures  29  to suspend the cover  80  above the open bore  66  of the appliance  14 . 
         [0051]    While the invention has been described with respect to a presently preferred assembly and considered improvements, modifications and/or alternatives thereto, still other assemblies and arrangements may be suggested to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be appreciated that the features of the foregoing diverter assembly can be arranged in different combinations to accommodate a variety of roof constructions and protruding appliances. The foregoing description should therefore be construed to include all those embodiments within the spirit and scope of the following claims.