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FIELD 
       [0001]    The specification relates generally to construction, and specifically to a roof hoist. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The construction of houses and other dwellings is an old and well-known art. The assembly of roofs on such dwellings poses several challenges, however. For instance, the construction of the roof is often delayed until the top story of the dwelling is at least partially completed in order to provide support for the roof. This results in increased construction time, since no progress can be made on the roof until a certain stage of the dwelling construction is reached. Further, building the roof generally requires workers to operate at significant heights, increasing the changes of injury in case of a fall. Compounding the problem, the roof generally begins as little more than a frame, providing scarce and unequal footing during the early stages of its construction. 
         [0003]    It can therefore be desired to build a roof separately from the dwelling and later set it onto the dwelling. U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,504 (Cohen) describes a roof which may be secured to a hook using rope or cable. The roof may then be lifted onto a dwelling. This approach presents the difficulty of fitting the ropes or cables around a roof, as well as the difficulty of removing the ropes or cables once the roof has been set onto the dwelling. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    An aspect of this specification provides an apparatus for lifting a roof, the apparatus having a plurality of hooks, each hook comprising a roof support member having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to extend underneath at least a portion of an edge of the roof, a stem, extending from the second end of the roof support member, the stem including a lift point; each of the hooks being arrangeable at the periphery of the roof to support at least a portion of the roof. 
         [0005]    A further aspect of this specification provides a method for lifting a roof onto a dwelling, comprising positioning a roof hoist over the roof, the roof hoist having a plurality of hooks, each hook comprising a roof support member having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to extend underneath at least a portion of an edge of the roof; and a stem, extending from the second end of the roof support member, the stem including a lift point; engaging each of the plurality of hooks with a portion of the roof, operating the roof hoist to lift the roof via the plurality of hooks coupled thereto; and placing the roof on the dwelling. 
         [0006]    A still further aspect of this specification provides an apparatus for lifting a roof, the apparatus having at least one connector, each connector comprising a first member having at least one wheel; a second member having at least one wheel; the first member being configured to receive a portion of a first beam; the second member being configured to receive a portion of a second beam; and the first member being stackably coupled to the second member, the first member and the second member thereby defining an intersection between the first beam and the second beam, when the first beam and the second beam are received in the first member and the second member respectively, the intersection being moveable along the first beam and the second beam by the at least one wheel of the first member and the at least one wheel of the second member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Embodiments are described with reference to the following figures, in which: 
           [0008]      FIGS. 1-3  depict a hoist according to a non-limiting embodiment, the hoist being positioned over a roof and being used to lift the roof, 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  depicts a hoist according to a non-limiting embodiment lifting a roof; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  depicts an isometric view of the hoist of  FIG. 4 , according to a non-limiting embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 6-7  depict the interaction between a leg of the hoist of  FIG. 4  and the top of the hoist of  FIG. 4 , according to a non-limiting embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 8-9  depict isometric and side views of a hook of the hoist of  FIG. 4 , according to a non-limiting embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 10-11  depict isometric and side views of a tension connector of the hoist of  FIG. 4 , according to a non-limiting embodiment; and 
           [0014]      FIGS. 12-13  depict isometric and side views of a compression connector of the hoist of  FIG. 4 , according to a non-limiting embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]      FIG. 1  depicts a roof hoist, indicated generally at  10 . Roof hoist  10  includes a frame  14 . Frame  14  is moveable along the ground, for example via a plurality of wheels  18 , and may be positioned over a roof  22  as depicted in  FIG. 2 . The positioning of roof hoist  10  over roof  22  may be done after the construction of roof  22  is substantially completed. Roof hoist  10  also includes a plurality of hooks  26 , which will be described in greater detail below, suspended from frame  14  by suspension lines  30 . Suspension lines  30  may be cables, straps, ropes, or any other suitable suspension means. A portion of each hook  26  is slideable underneath roof  22 , thereby engaging a portion of roof  22 . Roof  22  is thus supported by the plurality of hooks  26 . Roof  22  may rest on beams or posts  34 , in order to raise roof  22  slightly from the ground and facilitate the positioning of hooks  26 . 
         [0016]    Roof  22  may then be lifted from the ground, the weight of roof  22  being supported by frame  14  via suspension lines  30  and hooks  26 . As depicted in  FIG. 3 , in some non-limiting embodiments, suspension lines  30  may be connected to roof hoist  10  via winches (not shown) and the like for lifting roof  22  via suspension lines  30 . In other non-limiting embodiments, described in greater detail below, suspension lines  30  may be connected directly to roof hoist  10  without the use of winches. 
         [0017]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , roof hoist  10  lifting roof  22  is depicted according to a non-limiting embodiment. Frame  14  includes a top portion  38  supported by a plurality of legs  42 . The distance between at least one pair of neighboring legs  42  is preferably large enough to allow at least that pair of legs  42  to straddle roof  22 , facilitating the positioning of roof hoist  10  over roof  22 . Hooks  26  are suspended by suspension lines  30  from top portion  38 . Legs  42  support top portion  38 , and therefore suspension lines  30  and hooks  26 , while roof hoist  10  is being positioned over roof  22 . The plurality of wheels  18  on each leg  42  allow roof hoist  10  to be moved as a whole in order to position it correctly over roof  22 . Hooks  26  extend partially underneath roof  22  to support the weight of roof  22 . An overhead lifting mechanism  46 , such as the hook of a gantry crane, is coupled to top portion  38  and lifts top portion  38  from legs  42  once hooks  26  have engaged roof  22  and roof  22  is ready for lifting. Once lifted from either the ground or from beams or posts  34 , roof  22  may then be deposited on a dwelling, and hooks  26  may be removed. Top portion  38  may then be lowered back onto legs  42  by overhead lifting mechanism  46 , in preparation for lifting a further roof  22 . 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , roof hoist  10  is depicted, according to a non-limiting embodiment. Top portion  38  includes a set of three substantially parallel beams  50   a ,  50   b  and  50   c , generically referred to herein as a beam  50 , and collectively, as beams  50 . In some embodiments, top portion  38  also includes a set of three transverse beams  54   a ,  54   b  and  54   c , generically referred to as a transverse beam  54 , and collectively, as transverse beams  54 . Transverse beams  54  are substantially perpendicular to beams  50 . Beams  50  lie substantially in a first plane, and transverse beams  54  lie substantially in a second plane which is parallel to the first plane and at a different elevation than the first plane. In effect, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , beams  50  are arranged to lie on top of transverse beams  54 , although it will be understood that transverse beams  54  could alternatively lie on top of beams  50 . In addition, it will be understood that a higher or lower number of beams  50  are also envisioned, in combination with either a higher or lower number of transverse beams  54 . 
         [0019]    Top portion  38  is supported in some embodiments on legs  42  located near each end of beams  50   a  and  50   c , though it will be noted that top portion  38  may alternatively be supported by legs  42  located near each end of transverse beams  54   a  and  54   c . Additionally, supporting legs  42  may be located at any suitable combination of the ends of beams  50   a  and  50   c  and transverse beams  54   a  and  54   c . In the event that varying numbers of beams  50  and transverse beams  54  are used, legs  42  may be located near the ends of any combination of beams  50  and transverse beams  54  which provides suitably stable support for top portion  38 . 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, overhead lifting mechanism  46  is coupled to beams  50   a  and  50   c  of top portion  38 , though it will be understood that overhead lifting mechanism  46  may also be coupled to transverse beams  54   a  and  54   c , or to any suitable combination of beams  50  and transverse beams  54 . 
         [0021]    Where beams  50  and transverse beams  54  intersect near the periphery of top portion  38 , for example the intersection between beam  50   a  and transverse beam  54   a , beams  50  and transverse beams  54  are coupled to each other by tension connectors  58  or compression connectors  62 . Tension connectors  58  and compression connectors  62  will be described in detail below. Intersections located away from the periphery of top portion  34 , such as the intersection between beam  50   b  and transverse beam  54   b , may not require connectors, but it will be understood that tension connectors  58  or compression connectors  62  could nevertheless be applied in other embodiments. In still other embodiments, tension connectors  58  or compression connectors  62  may not be necessary at all peripheral intersections between beams  50  and transverse beams  54 . Tension connectors  58  or compression connectors  62  may be applied to any combination of intersections which provides sufficient structural integrity to top portion  38 , as will be discussed below. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , tension connectors  58  are used to couple beams  50   a  and  50   c  to each of transverse beams  54 . Thus, transverse beams  54  are supported via tension connectors  58  by beams  50   a  and  50   c , which are in turn supported by legs  42 . Beam  50   b  is not supported by legs  42  and therefore does not support transverse beams  54 . Rather, beam  50   b  is coupled to transverse beams  54   a  and  54   c  by compression connectors  62 , and is therefore supported via compression connectors  62  by transverse beams  54   a  and  54   c . It will be noted that additional beams  50  may be added between beams  50   a  and  50   c  which may be supported via compression connectors  62  by transverse beams  54 . Likewise, additional transverse beams  54  may be added between transverse beams  54   a  and  54   c  which may be supported via tension connectors  58  by beams  50   a  and  50   c . As noted above, any combination of beams  50 , transverse beams  54 , tension connectors  58  and compression connectors  62 , which provides support for all beams  50  and transverse beams  54  via legs  42  or via other beams  50  or transverse beams  54 , may be used for top portion  38 . Additionally, it will be understood that top portion  38  is thus held together by forces of compression and tension, and that no other fastening means are necessary, though fasteners may be used nevertheless. 
         [0023]    Hooks  26  are suspended from beams  50  and transverse beams  54  by suspension lines  30 . It will be understood that other configurations of hooks  26  hanging from top portion  38  may also be used in addition to the configuration depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , each leg  42  includes a centre post  66 , a substantially horizontal cruciform base  70 , and four buttress members  74 . An end of centre post  66  is joined to base  70  near the centre of base  70 . Centre post  66  therefore extends substantially vertically from base  70 . Four buttress members  74  are connected to base  70  and centre post  66 . Each buttress member  74  extends from an extremity of base  70  to a point along the length of centre post  66 . Four wheels  18  are disposed on the underside of base  70 , with one wheel  18  being located on each extremity of base  70 . Wheels  18  may be swivelably mounted on base  70 , allowing leg  42  to be rolled in any direction. It will be understood that in other embodiments, the number of buttress members  74  may be varied, or buttress members  74  may be omitted altogether in further embodiments. Similarly, the dimensions of centre post  66  may be varied, and centre post  66  may also be replaced with a plurality of posts, which may be coupled to each other by base  70  or other connecting means, such as struts. Base  70  may therefore be omitted entirely if centre post  66  or multiple posts provide sufficient surface area to allow for the mounting of wheels  18 . Varying numbers of wheels  18  are also contemplated, insofar as wheels  18  provide a stable base of support for each leg  42 . 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the connection between a portion of beam  50   a  and leg  42  is described. It will be understood that similar connections between legs  42  and other portions of beam  50   a  or other beams  50  or transverse beams  54 , are also contemplated. An end of beam  50   a  is depicted in  FIG. 6 . Beam  50   a , and likewise beams  50  and transverse beams  54 , may have a truss structure as depicted in  FIG. 6 , or any other suitable load-bearing structure, such as a hollow structure of various cross sectional shapes, or a solid structure of various cross sectional shapes, for example an I-shaped structure. In any event, an upper end of leg  42 , depicted in  FIG. 7 , bears a cradle  78  and beam  50   a  is received in cradle  78 . In some embodiments, cradle  78  may have a U-shaped structure, but in other embodiments cradle  78  may also have any suitable structure for receiving a portion of beam  50   a , such as a V-shaped structure or a semi-circular structure. Cradle  78  receives a portion of beam  50   a  and beam  50   a  may be fixed to cradle  78  by a pair of bands  82 . Bands  82  may be nylon ratchet bands which engage holes (not shown) in cradle  78  via a hook (not shown) at each end of each band  82 . Beam  50   a  is thus prevented from moving relative to leg  42 . It will be understood that bands  82  may also be other means suitable for fastening beam  50   a  to cradle  78 , such as U-bolts, rope and the like. Further, in some embodiments where beam  50   a  has a truss structure, bands  82  may be replaced by struts (not shown) extending through beam  50   a  from one side of cradle  78  to another. 
         [0026]    Hook  26  is depicted in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , and includes a roof support member  86 , and a stem  90  which lies in substantially the same plane as roof support member  86 . Stem  90  has a joining section  94  and an inclined section  98 . Joining section  94  extends substantially perpendicularly from an end of roof support member  86 . For the description which follows, positions will be defined in relation to the connection between roof support member  86  and joining section  94 . Where applicable, positions closer to the connection between roof support member  86  and joining section  94  will be referred to as proximal. Positions further from the connection between roof support member  86  and joining section  94  will be referred to as distal. 
         [0027]    Inclined section  98  extends from the distal end of joining section  94  and includes a loop  102  near the distal end of inclined section  98 . Loop  102  may be any suitable connecting structure for receiving a suspension line  30 . Inclined section  98  is angled in relation to joining section  94  in order to extend over roof support member  86 . In some embodiments, as depicted in  FIG. 9 , loop  102  may be substantially in vertical alignment with the distal end of roof support member  86 . The weight of a portion of roof  22  will be transmitted to loop  102  from the distal end of roof support member  86  via roof support member  86  and stem  90 . Therefore, the vertical alignment of loop  102  with the distal end of roof support member  86  prevents the generation of a moment of force on hook  26 , which could result in an undesired rotational movement of hook  26  about loop  102 . 
         [0028]    Hook  26  also includes a roof contact member  106  located near the distal end of roof support member  86 . In some embodiments, as depicted in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , roof contact member  106  may be an elongated L-shaped bar, having a substantially horizontal section  106   a , and a substantially vertical section  106   b  extending from the distal edge of the horizontal section. A portion of horizontal section  106   a  may be connected to the upper surface  110  of roof support member  86 . The connection between horizontal section  106   a  and upper surface  110  may be located near the middle of horizontal section  106   a , such that roof contact member  106  is substantially symmetrical on either side of roof support member  86 . It will be understood that other structures are possible for roof contact member  106 . For example, horizontal section  106   a  may be omitted in other embodiments, and vertical section  106   b  may simply be connected to the distal face  114 , depicted in  FIG. 8 , of roof support member  86 . 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, as depicted in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , roof contact member  106  may include at least one substantially downwardly extending protrusion, for example a pair of posts  118 . Posts  118  are disposed near the ends of roof contact member  106 , and provide a wider base of support for hook  26 . Posts  118  thus allow hook  26  to be placed on the ground underneath a portion of roof  22  without falling or shifting positions. Posts  118  may extend downwardly beyond the underside of roof support member  86  in some embodiments. A foot  122 , depicted in  FIG. 8 , may therefore be provided extending downwardly from the underside of the proximal end of roof support member  86 . The bottom surfaces of posts  118  and foot  122  lie in substantially the same plane, providing a stable, substantially horizontal base of support for hook  26 . Alternatively, as depicted in  FIG. 9 , foot  122  may be omitted, causing hook  26  to rest on the ground at a slight incline. In still further embodiments (not shown), foot  122  may be omitted and the length of posts  118  or the thickness or angle of roof support member  86  may be altered in such a way that the bottom ends of posts  118  line up substantially horizontally with the underside of the proximal end of roof support member  86 . 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, as depicted in  FIG. 8 , vertical section  106   b  of roof contact member  106  includes three lips  126  extending towards stem  90  from the upper edge of vertical section  106   b . Lips  126  are disposed substantially symmetrically along the length of vertical section  106   b . It will be understood, however, that other embodiments may have more or less than three lips  126  extending along varying portions of the length of vertical section  106   b , and that lips  126  need not be symmetrically arranged. Lips  126  contact a structural member  130  of roof  22 , as depicted in  FIG. 9 , thus transferring a portion of the weight of roof  22  to roof support member  86 , through stem  90  and to roof hoist  10  via suspending line  30 . Additionally, a plurality of lag screws (not shown) may extend through a plurality of openings  128  in lips  126  to engage structural member  130  and prevent structural member  130  from shifting on vertical section  106   b . In further embodiments, lips  126  may be omitted and structural member  130  may simply rest on the upper edge of vertical section  106   b.    
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , tension connector  58  of the roof hoist  10  is depicted according to a non-limiting embodiment. Tension connector  58  includes two wheel assemblies  134   a  and  134   b , referred to generically as wheel assembly  134  and collectively as wheel assemblies  134 . Wheel assembly  134   a  includes four wheels  138   a ,  138   b ,  138   c  and  138   d , referred to generically as wheel  138 , and collectively as wheels  138 . Wheels  138   a  and  138   b  are substantially coaxial, as are wheels  138   c  and  138   d . Additionally, wheels  138   a  and  138   c  are substantially parallel, as are wheels  138   b  and  138   d . A pair of tracks  142  extend from wheel assembly  134   a , with one track  142  lying in substantially the same plane as the outside surfaces  146  of wheels  138   a  and  138   c , and the other track  142  lying in substantially the same plane as the outside surfaces (not shown) of wheels  138   b  and  138   d . Tracks  142  define a channel into which a portion of beam  50  is received. In addition, the alignment of wheels  138  as described above defines two lines of contact along a surface of the received beam  50 . Wheel assembly  134   a  is therefore configured to roll along the length of beam  50 , while tracks  142  prevent undesired width-wise motion of wheel assembly  134   a  on beam  50 . 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, as depicted in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , wheel assembly  134   b  is substantially identical to wheel assembly  134   a . Wheel assembly  134   b  includes four wheels  138  having a substantially identical configuration to wheels  138   a ,  138   b ,  138   c  and  138   d  as described with reference to wheel assembly  134   a . Wheel assembly  134   b , however, is inverted and rotated by approximately 90° in relation to wheel assembly  134   a . In other non-limiting embodiments, wheel assembly  134   b  may be rotated by an angle other than approximately 90° relative to wheel assembly  134   a . A portion of transverse beam  54  is received within the channel defined by tracks  142  of wheel assembly  134   b , and wheels  138  of wheel assembly  134   b  allow wheel assembly  134   b  to roll along the length of beam  54 . 
         [0033]    Wheel assemblies  134  are substantially in vertical alignment, as depicted in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , and are coupled to each other by a plurality of posts  150 . Posts  150  are sufficiently distanced to allow beam  50  and transverse beam  54  to pass therebetween. The configuration of wheel assemblies  134  within tension connector  58  allows tension connector  58  to receive both beam  50  and transverse beam  54  between wheel assemblies  134 . Tension connector  58  thus creates an intersection between beam  50  and transverse beam  54 , in which beam  50  and transverse beam  54  are coupled substantially perpendicularly to each other. In other non-limiting embodiments, beam  50  and transverse beam  54  may be coupled in non-perpendicular orientations. Wheel assembly  134   a  rests on the upper surface of beam  50 , while wheel assembly  134   b  is suspended from wheel assembly  134   a  and contacts the lower surface of transverse beam  54 . As was previously discussed with reference to  FIG. 5 , transverse beam  54  is supported by beam  50  via tension connector  58 . The intersection between beam  50  and transverse beam  54  may be moved along the length of beam  50  or transverse beam  54  by rolling wheel assemblies  134  along beam  50  or transverse beam  54 . It will be noted that in other embodiments, variations upon the above-described structure of tension connector  58  may be used. For example, various numbers of wheels  138  may be used in wheel assemblies  134 . Wheel assemblies  134  may be coupled to each other using various numbers of posts  150 , or posts  150  may be replaced by other connecting means suitable for tension loading such as cables or ropes. As was discussed with reference to  FIG. 5 , transverse beam  54  need not be supported by beam  50 . Rather, beam  50  may be supported by transverse beam  54  in an alternative configuration of top portion  38 . 
         [0034]    Compression connector  62  according to a non-limiting embodiment is depicted in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . Compression connector  62 , like tension connector  58 , includes two wheel assemblies  134   a  and  134   b  having the configurations as described above with reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 . Each wheel assembly  134  of compression connector  62  therefore includes four wheels  138 , which are configured as described with reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 . Further, each wheel assembly  134  also includes a pair of tracks  142  which provide channels able to receive portions of beam  50  or transverse beam  54 . Wheel assembly  134   b  of compression connector  62  is substantially identical to wheel assembly  134   a  of compression connector  62 , and is inverted and rotated by approximately 90° as depicted in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . Angles of rotation other than 90° may also be used in other non-limiting embodiments. Wheel assemblies  134  are in substantially vertical alignment, and may be substantially adjacent to each other in some embodiments, as depicted in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . It will be understood, however, that wheel assemblies  134  may also be separated by varying distances. Wheel assemblies  134  may be coupled to each other by one or more plates  154  in some embodiments. Wheel assembly  134   a  receives between tracks  142  a portion of the underside of beam  50 , while wheel assembly  134   b  receives between tracks  142  a portion of the upper side of transverse beam  54 . A cover  158  may be coupled to wheel assembly  134   a  by connectors  162  in order to prevent beam  50  from lifting away from wheel assembly  134   a . Wheel assemblies  134  are thus located adjacent to each other and in between beam  50  and transverse beam  54 . Transverse beam  54  is thus supporting beam  50  via compression connector  62  at a moveable intersection, for example the intersection between beam  50   b  and transverse beam  54   a  as depicted earlier in  FIG. 5 . Beam  50  and transverse beam  54  are coupled substantially perpendicularly to each other at the intersection, although it will be appreciated that non-perpendicular orientations may be used in other non-limiting embodiments. A cover may be coupled to wheel assembly  134   a  by connectors  162  in order to prevent beam  50  from lifting away from wheel assembly  134   a . As with tension connector  58 , it will be understood that transverse beam  54  may alternatively be supported by beam  50 . Additionally, wheel assemblies  134  may include higher or lower numbers of wheels  138  in any suitable arrangement which facilitates the movement of wheel assemblies  134  along the length of beam  50  or transverse beam  54 . 
         [0035]    Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in operation, roof hoist  10  is positioned over a roof  22 . Roof  22  may be substantially completed—including heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), electrical and mechanical installations—or may be at any other desired stage of construction. Once roof hoist  10  is positioned over roof  22 , hooks  26  suspended from beams  50  and transverse beams  54  by suspension lines  30 , are engaged with roof  22  by sliding roof support members  86  underneath portions of roof  22 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 . Roof contact members  106  may also be engaged with structural members  130  of roof  22 , as depicted in  FIG. 9 . With hooks  26  arranged at the perimeter of roof  22  and extending under roof  22 , roof  22  may be lifted by shortening suspension lines  30 , as depicted in  FIG. 3 . Alternatively, bands  82  depicted in  FIG. 7  may be removed to decouple beams  50  from legs  42 . Overhead lifting mechanism  46  may then be used to lift top portion  38 , and roof  22  with it, from legs  42 , as depicted in  FIG. 4 . Roof  22  may then be maneuvered by overhead lifting mechanism  46  to position roof  22  over a dwelling which has reached a desired stage of construction. Roof  22  may be lowered onto the dwelling, and hooks  26  may be removed. Overhead lifting mechanism  46  may then deposit top portion  38  back onto legs  42 , where bands  82  may be used to couple top portion  38  with legs  42 . Roof hoist  10  is then ready to be positioned over a further roof  22 . 
         [0036]    Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modifications possible for implementing the embodiments, and that the above implementations and examples are only illustrations of one or more embodiments. The scope, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto.

Summary:
According to embodiments described in the specification, an apparatus and method for lifting a roof onto a dwelling. A roof hoist with hooks and a frame is provided. Each hook is configured to slide under a portion of a roof and thereby support a portion of the weight of the roof. The frame is provided with locomotion means to facilitate positioning over a roof. A portion of the frame may be removed and lifted with the roof by overhead lifting means. The hooks are attached to the removeable portion of the frame. The roof may be deposited on a dwelling, and the hooks may then be disengaged. The removeable portion of the frame, along with the hooks, may be then be lowered and recoupled with the remainder of the frame.