Abstract:
A building roof tie for attaching roof trusses and rafters to wood top plates in building structures, said roof tie having a sheet metal body with risers and a bridge for overlapping a rafter and flaps for wrapping on the sides of the top plate. The flaps may be configured to penetrate into the top plate for additional stability. Turnbuckles attached to the bridge provide additional hold-down strength against increased uplift forces. Such turnbuckles may include a hinge and pin assembly that can adjust up and down, forward and backwards. The roof ties are pitched to conform to a variety of framing applications. A plurality of apertures is formed in the roof tie to provide openings for fasteners for connecting the tie to the wood top plate and rafter.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Related Application 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending and co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/604,443, entitled “ Tornado and Hurricane Roof Tie” , filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Jul. 22, 2003 by the inventor herein, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending and co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/211,138, entitled “ Tornado and Hurricane Roof Tie” , filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Aug. 2, 2002 U.S. Pat. No. 6,837,019 by the inventor herein, the specifications of which are included herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to building structures with wood roofs, and more particularly to structures exposed to extreme wind conditions, such as Tornadoes and Hurricanes, where building codes dictate that such structures be protected against structural failure to save lives of occupants. In particular, the present invention relates to a roof tie for anchoring a wood frame roof on a block construction building in order to resist uplift forces encountered during a high wind situation. 
   2. Background of the Prior Art 
   It is well known what high winds can do to a building, particularly to a wood frame construction low-rise structure. Generally, uplift forces tending to lift the roof off the structure or the entire structure off its foundation cause much of the damage sustained by the building. 
   Wood structures predominate in residential and light commercial construction, and when wood framing is employed, the structure must be protected from upward loads developed by high wind, which differs with geographical location and is enforced by different building codes for such areas. For example, the Bahamas and Florida, including the Florida Keys are situated in the pathway of the yearly Caribbean hurricane travel course and as such, encounter hurricanes and/or tornadoes from time to time. Houses in the Bahamas are typically constructed of cement block with a wooden top plate fastened to the top of cement block walls, for attaching a wooden roof. In the case of upward loads, the roof is generally tied to the walls using a variety of steel connectors that tie the top plate to the walls. The size and number of these steel connectors vary depending on the severity of the wind conditions in the locality of the building, and the building&#39;s geometry. Due to the house location in a susceptible high wind area, some building codes require that houses built with wooden roof support beams have a “Hurricane Tie” in place on every rafter. 
   “Hurricane Ties” are usually installed during the foundation and framing stages of construction. Carpenters and laborers hired by the framing contractor generally install connectors and sheathing. Correct size, location, and number of fasteners (nails or screws) are critical to sustaining the required load. Commonly, such laborers are inexperienced, which results in improper or inadequate installation. The connectors are usually installed during the framing stage due to related components being placed at the same time. This process slows the foundation and framing stages of construction, which, in turn, increases labor costs. 
   From the foregoing, it is apparent that there is a critical need for a strong roof tie system that provides for uplift loads, which system is cost effective and easy to install. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a solution to the above and other problems by reinforcing and anchoring the roof structure to the building top plate for a wood construction building, wherein a hold down force is applied to the ceiling rafters to counter the uplift and horizontal forces generated by high winds. The present invention can be incorporated during initial construction of a wooden roof structure. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a roof-tie bracket system for a wooden roof structure of a building that reinforces the roof against damage in a high wind situation, such as a hurricane. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a roof-tie bracket system for a wooden roof construction building that provides a downward force around the periphery of the roof, thereby to better resist upward lift imparted to the roof by high winds. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a roof-tie bracket system for a wood frame roof that provides reinforcement to the roof structure, thereby providing greater resistance to damage during high wind conditions. A related object is to increase public safety in structures existing in high wind susceptible areas. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to enable cost effective construction of wooden roof structures while meeting all building code requirements. A related object is to provide a roof-tie bracket system for a low-rise building that complies with the recommendation of all major building codes. 
   This invention relates to a novel roof-tie bracket system for bracing a wood framed roof of a building, e.g., a residential dwelling, having a structure including a foundation upon which rests a wall construction and horizontal ceiling top plates. The structure is reinforced against the destructive forces of the atmosphere by high strength brackets preferably attached to every rafter where it joins the ceiling plates. The roof-tie bracket is connected to the structure by way of a plurality of fasteners, such as nails or screws. 
   The roof-tie bracket disclosed herein offers more body, more nailing surfaces, more wrapping capability, more strength, and more durability to the purchasing public. Such roof-tie brackets may be made from a graduated increase in sheet metal gauges in a variety of straps or ties to fit many framing applications and strength requirements. Moreover, such roof-tie brackets may be pre-pitched to a predetermined angle of a roof, keeping in mind the different sizes of wood that may be used to pitch a roof. Such roof-tie brackets create a solid attachment between a rafter and ceiling top plate. This simple invention enables a family of roof-tie brackets that can be mass-produced and sold for a reasonable price that, in fact, can be made or put in place by any skilled or semi-skilled person. 
   Some of the advantages of this invention include: increase in surface area of a roof-tie bracket, thereby creating more surfaces through which nails could penetrate the substructure; “prepitched” roof-tie brackets that create a snug fit over all substructures and angles, at angles consistent with industry roof pitch standards; a wide aperture that allows fastening of nails through the roof sheaths to the rafter beneath; “plate flaps” that further secures the roof-tie bracket to the top plate; and, in some embodiments, a “U-shaped ceiling joist structure” that provides further for the “strapping” of ceiling joists, all in one simple Hurricane and Tornado Tie. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention are considered in more detail, in relation to the following description of embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  shows an illustration of a roof tie in perspective, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  shows an illustration of an alternate perspective of the roof tie of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  shows an illustration of the roof tie in perspective, with top plate and rafter in phantom; 
       FIG. 4  shows an illustration of an alternate perspective of the roof tie of  FIG. 3 , with a top plate and rafter in phantom; 
       FIG. 5  shows an illustration of a roof tie, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show an illustration of the roof tie in perspective, according to an additional alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  shows an illustration of the roof tie of  FIG. 7 , in perspective, showing a ceiling joist in place; 
       FIG. 9  shows an end view of the roof tie of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 10  shows a close-up view of a portion of  FIG. 6 ; and 
       FIG. 11  shows an illustration of a gable end roof tie according to the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention summarized above and defined by the enumerated claims may be better understood by referring to the following description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers are used for like parts. This description of an embodiment, set out below to enable one to build and use an implementation of the invention, is not intended to limit the enumerated claims, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a roof tie according to the present invention, indicated generally as  10 , is illustrated, comprising a pair of C-shaped tie components  13 ,  15 , a U-shaped ceiling joist seat component  17 , and a bridge component  19 . The U-shaped ceiling joist seat component  17  has an upper portion  21  and a lower portion  24 . The upper portion  21  of such U-shaped ceiling joist seat component  17  comprises a wall  28  having a plurality of apertures  30  and at least one fastener slot, such as  32 . The lower portion  24  of such U-shaped ceiling joist seat component  17  comprises fastener extension  35 , which extends at a right angle from wall  28  and further comprises fixed top plate flap  38 , hinged top plate flap  40 , and short wall  43 . The fixed top plate flap  38  further comprises an appendage  44 , described in further detail below. The short wall  43  is disposed on an outward edge of fastener extension  35  and extends upward, substantially perpendicular to such fastener extension  35 . In general, the short wall  43  is preferably shorter than and substantially parallel to wall  28 . A plurality of apertures  30  for inserting fasteners, such as nails, are disposed on such fastener extension  35 , fixed top plate flap  38 , hinged top plate flap  40 , and short wall  43 . Such plurality of apertures should be disposed in a staggered fashion to prevent splitting of the top plate and rafters when inserting such fasteners. 
   Bridge component  19  presents a wide aperture area  46  to permit fastening decking to a rafter. Such bridge component  19  should be wide enough to conform to the standard thickness of construction materials, such as wooden 2×4s. Bridge component  19  comprises a short riser  48  having a plurality of apertures  30  for fastening such bridge component  19  to a rafter. In some embodiments, bridge component  19  can be counter sunk into the rafter in order to be flush with the top surface of such rafter. Bridge component  19  further comprises an overlap plate  51  disposed away from such bridge component  19  by ledge  53  and having at least one opening, such as  56 . In use, overlap plate  51  at least partly extends over wall  28 . The fastener slots  32  are disposed on wall  28  such that, in use, fasteners inserted in openings  56  in overlap plate  51  can penetrate such fastener slots  32 . By having such overlap, roof tie  10  can adapt to rafters of varying heights for application in a variety of construction scenarios. Fastener slots  32  enable fasteners to be inserted in such a manner to ensure a snug fit for bridge component  19  on the top of a rafter. Overlap plate  51  extends over wall  28 , such that fasteners inserted in openings  56  also enter fastener slots  32  at a variable position depending on the height of the rafter, for attachment to the rafter. 
   Tie components  13 ,  15  present mirror images of each other. Each tie component  13 ,  15  has an upper portion  60  and a lower portion  62 . The upper portion  60  of such tie component comprises a riser  65  having a plurality of apertures  30 . The C-shaped lower portion  62  of such tie component comprises fastener extension  67 , which extends at a right angle from riser  65  and further comprises a top plate flap  70  with an appendage  73 . Appendage  73  extends inwardly at a right angle from top plate flap  70 . Top plate flap  70  is sized and configured such that appendage  73  can fit under a top plate to form a three-sided wrap with fastener extension  67  and top plate flap  70 . In some embodiments, top plate flap  70  is sized and configured such that appendage  73  may be embedded into a side of the top plate. In such an embodiment, appendage  73  should penetrate approximately ¾-inch into the wood top plate; the inner edge  74  of appendage  73  may be sharpened to enable such penetration. (Appendage  44  of the fixed top plate flap  38  of such U-shaped ceiling joist seat component  17  is configured in the same manner.) A plurality of apertures  30  for inserting fasteners, such as nails, are disposed on said fastener extension  67 , and top plate flap  70 . 
   Each tie component  13 ,  15  further comprises a turnbuckle  75  attached to bridge component  19  and fastener extension  67 . Turnbuckle  75  comprises body  78  having a first threaded portion  81  extending out of the top of body  78  and a second threaded portion  83  extending out of the bottom of body  78 . Body  78  is internally threaded for mating with such first and second threaded portions  81 ,  83 . The distal end of such first threaded portion  81  terminates in an eye  86  having an opening for attaching to short riser  48  of bridge component  19 . The eye  86  can be attached to short riser  48  by a suitable fastener, such as a nail or lag bolt. In some embodiments, short riser  48  presents a hook on which such eye  86  can be attached. In an additional embodiment, short riser  48  presents a track  90  in which an adjustable hook or other appropriate fastener can be variably positioned. The distal end of such second threaded portion  83  terminates in an eye or some other fashion for attachment to plate  93  attached to fastener extension  67  by suitable fasteners. 
   The alignment of the threads of such first and second threaded portions  81 ,  83  is configured such that rotation of body  78  in a first direction about its longitudinal axis causes both such first and second threaded portions  81 ,  83  to be drawn into body  78  and rotation of body  78  in a second, opposite direction about its longitudinal axis causes both such first and second threaded portions  81 ,  83  to be forced out of body  78 . The roof tie  10  provides additional reinforcement against uplift forces encountered in a high wind condition, resulting in a sturdier, stronger tie. Such increased strength can be obtained at reduced cost by enabling use of lower galvanized steel gauges for its construction while providing increased hold-down force. 
   Bridge component  19  can be variably pitched and retrofitted to existing roof applications, especially for roof trusses. The turnbuckles can be adjusted, up or down, as necessary to provide sufficient hold down tension and to conform to the pitch of the roof. 
   For heavy-duty applications, or as an optional feature, roof tie  10  may further comprise a reinforcing wing  95  on tie components  13 ,  15 . Such reinforcing wing  95  is generally triangular in shape and extends outward from riser  65  with the lower edge of reinforcing wing  95  attached to the inner edge of fastener extension  67 . Such reinforced roof tie  10  provides vertical reinforcement to prevent balking while enabling increased rigidity to roof tie  10 , resulting in a sturdier, stronger roof tie  10 . The increased strength can be obtained at reduced cost by enabling use of lower galvanized steel gauges for its construction. Balking is caused by misalignment of trusses due to warping of roof timbers or loosening of fastened joints, resulting in roof decking being heaved up along such misaligned roof truss. 
   An application showing use of roof tie  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  presenting roof tie  10  in a position for fastening to top plate  98  and rafter  99 . Fasteners are attached to top plate  98  and rafter  99  through apertures  30 , and through openings  56  in alignment with fastener slots  32 . Using a fastener in each aperture and opening ensures a strong and secure attachment. Additional embodiments using various numbers of holes can be used based on specific engineering requirements as determined by one skilled in the art. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , hinged top plate flap  40  can be rotated into approximately the same plane as fastener extension  35  to enable appendage  44  to be fastened into one side of top plate  98 ; then, hinged top plate flap  40  can be rotated substantially perpendicular to the fastener extension  35  providing a wrap around most of such top plate  98 . Fixed top plate flap  38  and hinged top plate flap  40  are attached to top plate  98  with a plurality of suitable fasteners through apertures  30 . Bridge component  19  straddles rafter  99  and is attached to rafter  99  with a plurality of fasteners, as described above. Wide aperture area  46  is provided to enable fastening of decking material to rafter  99 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , tie components  13 ,  15  are attached to top plate  98  to enable appendage  73  to be fastened into each side of top plate  98 . Turnbuckle  75  is attached to bridge component  19 . Fastener extension  35  and top plate flap  70  are attached to top plate  98  with a plurality of suitable fasteners through apertures  30 . If necessary, turnbuckle  75  can be adjusted to provide sufficient hold down tension. 
   In some embodiments, the length of the forward edge of wall  28  may be longer than the rear edge of wall  28  in order to have bridge component  19  angled to correspond to a selected pitch for a roof. In such cases, the turnbuckles  75  of tie components  13 ,  15  can be adjusted to appropriate lengths to conform to the pitch of the roof. 
     FIG. 5  shows an illustration of an application according to an alternative roof tie embodiment. Roof tie  100  comprises two pair of matching tie components  103 ,  105 ,  107 ,  109  attached to either side of bridge component  112 . Each tie component  103 ,  105 ,  107 ,  109  comprises a riser  115  having a plurality of apertures for inserting fasteners, such as nails therethrough and a fastener extension  117 , which extends at a right angle from riser  115  and further comprises a top plate flap  119  with an appendage  123 . Appendage  123  extends inwardly at a right angle from top plate flap  119 . Top plate flap  119  is sized and configured such that appendage  123  can fit under top plate  125  to form a three-sided wrap with fastener extension  117  and top plate flap  119 . In some embodiments, top plate flap  119  is sized and configured such that appendage  123  may be embedded into a side of the top plate  125 . In such an embodiment, the inner edge  127  of appendage  123  may be sharpened to enable penetration into wooden top plate  125 . A plurality of apertures  130  for inserting fasteners, such as nails are disposed on fastener extension  117  and top plate flap  119 . 
   Each tie component  103 ,  105 ,  107 ,  109  further comprises a turnbuckle  133  attached to bridge component  112  and fastener extension  117 . Turnbuckle  133  comprises a body  138  having a first threaded portion  141  extending out of the top of body  138  and a second threaded portion  143  extending out of the bottom of body  138 . Body  138  is internally threaded for mating with such first and second threaded portions  141 ,  143 . The distal end of such first threaded portion  141  terminates in an eye  146  having an opening for attaching to bridge component  112 . The eye  146  can be attached to bridge component  112  by a suitable fastener, such as a nail or lag bolt. The distal end of such second threaded portion  143  terminates in an eye or some other fashion for attachment to plate  150  attached to fastener extension  117  by suitable fasteners. 
   The alignment of the threads of such first and second threaded portions  141 ,  143  is configured such that rotation of said body  138  in a first direction about its longitudinal axis causes both such first and second threaded portions  141 ,  143  to be drawn into body  138  and rotation of body  138  in a second, opposite direction about its longitudinal axis causes both such first and second threaded portions  141 ,  143  to be forced out of body  138 . Each turnbuckle  133  on tie components  103 ,  105 ,  107 ,  109  is separately adjustable. Such roof tie  100  provides additional reinforcement against uplift forces encountered in a high wind condition, resulting in a sturdier, stronger tie. The increased strength can be obtained at reduced cost by enabling use of lower galvanized steel gauges for its construction while providing increased hold-down force. 
   For heavy-duty applications, or as an optional feature, roof tie  100  may further comprise a reinforcing wing  155  on tie components  103 ,  105 ,  107 ,  109 . The reinforcing wing  155  is generally triangular in shape and extends outward from riser  115  with the lower edge of reinforcing wing  155  attached to an edge of fastener extension  117 . Such reinforced roof tie  100  provides vertical reinforcement to prevent balking while enabling increased rigidity to roof tie  100 , resulting in a sturdier, stronger roof tie  100 . The increased strength can be obtained at reduced cost by enabling use of lower galvanized steel gauges for its construction. Balking is caused by misalignment of trusses due to warping of roof timbers or loosening of fastened joints, resulting in roof decking being heaved up along such misaligned roof truss. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6-9 , an adjustable roof tie  200  is shown. Roof tie  200  comprises a pair of C-shaped tie components  205 ,  207 , of similar construction as described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a bridge component  210 , also of similar construction as described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and a U-shaped ceiling joist seat component  213 . The U-shaped ceiling joist seat component  213  comprises two slidably engaged connector sections  217 ,  219 , each having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion  221  of connector section  217  comprises a wall  224  having a plurality of apertures. The lower portion  226  of connector section  217  comprises fastener extension  229 , which extends at a right angle from wall  224  and further comprises top plate flap  231 . The top plate flap  231  further comprises an appendage  235  that extends inwardly at a right angle from top plate flap  231 . Top plate flap  231  is sized and configured such that appendage  235  can fit under a top plate to form a three-sided wrap with fastener extension  229  and top plate flap  231 . In some embodiments, top plate flap  231  is sized and configured such that appendage  235  may be embedded into a side of the top plate. In such an embodiment, appendage  235  should penetrate approximately ¾-inch into the wood top plate; the inner edge  236  of appendage  235  may be sharpened to enable such penetration. At least one slot, such as  240 , is disposed in fastener extension  229 . 
   Connector section  219  comprises fastener extension  243  having a short wall  246  disposed on an outward edge of fastener extension  243 , which extends upward, substantially perpendicular to such fastener extension  243 . The lower portion  248  of connector section  219  further comprises top plate flap  251 . The top plate flap  251  is configured similar to top plate flap  231  and comprises an appendage that extends inwardly at a right angle from top plate flap  251 . Top plate flap  251  is sized and configured such that the appendage can fit under a top plate to form a three-sided wrap with fastener extension  243  and top plate flap  231 . In some embodiments, top plate flap  251  is sized and configured such that the appendage may be embedded into a side of the top plate. In such an embodiment, the appendage should penetrate approximately ¾-inch into the wood top plate; the inner edge of the appendage may be sharpened to enable such penetration. Fastener extension  243  overlaps fastener extension  229 . A plurality of apertures  255  for inserting fasteners, such as nails, are disposed on such fastener extension  243 , top plate flaps  231 ,  251 , and short wall  246 . Such plurality of apertures should be disposed in a staggered fashion to prevent splitting of the top plate and rafters when inserting such fasteners. Some apertures  255  disposed in fastener extension  243  should align with the at least one slot  240  disposed in fastener extension  229 . By having such overlap, roof tie  200  can adapt to top plates of varying widths for application in a variety of construction scenarios. Fastener slot  240  enable fasteners to be inserted in such a manner to ensure a snug fit for U-shaped ceiling joist seat component  213  on the top plate. Fastener extension  243  extends over fastener extension  229 , such that some fasteners inserted in apertures  255  also enter fastener slots  240  at a variable position depending on the width of the top plate, for attachment to the top plate. When roof tie  200  is attached to top plate  98  and rafter  99 , a ceiling joist  258  can be set in the U-shaped ceiling joist seat component  213 , as shown in FIG.  8 . Fasteners, such as nails or screws can be inserted through apertures  255  to attach roof tie  200  to the ceiling joist  258 . 
   In some embodiments, both the wall  224  and the short wall  246  may be attached to the same fastener extension, such that the remaining slidably engaged connector section comprises only the fastener extension, top plate flap, and the appendage, for adjustable fit on a top plate. 
   Tie components  205 ,  207  present mirror images of each other. Such tie component  205 ,  207  are of similar construction as described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , the C-shaped lower portion of tie components  205 ,  207  comprises fastener extension  208 , a top plate flap  209  with an appendage  211 . Appendage  211  extends inwardly at a right angle from top plate flap  209 . Top plate flap  209  is sized and configured such that appendage  211  can fit under a top plate to form a three-sided wrap with fastener extension  208  and top plate flap  209 . In some embodiments, and as particularly shown in  FIG. 9 , top plate flap  209  is sized and configured such that appendage  211  may be embedded into a side of the top plate. In such an embodiment, appendage  211  should penetrate approximately ¾-inch into the wood top plate; the inner edge  212  of appendage  211  may be sharpened to enable such penetration. 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , each tie component  205 ,  207  is connected to bridge component  210  by a turnbuckle  260 . Turnbuckle  260  comprises body  262  having a pair of threaded portions  265  extending out of the top and bottom of body  262 . Body  262  is internally threaded for mating with such threaded portions  265 . The alignment of the threads of such threaded portions  265  is configured such that rotation of body  262  in a first direction about its longitudinal axis causes both such threaded portions  265  to be drawn into body  262  and rotation of body  262  in a second, opposite direction about its longitudinal axis causes both such threaded portions  265  to be forced out of body  262 . The outer end of each such threaded portion  265  forms a pivotable attachment  268  to a hinge plate  271 . Hinge plate  271  is hingedly attached to bridge component  210  and tie component  205 ,  207  by a hinge and pin assembly  275 . 
   The backside of a gable end roof tie  300  is shown in FIG.  11 . The front side of such gable end roof tie  300  is similar to the roof tie shown and described with reference to FIG.  3 . In some embodiments, such front side will not include short wall  43 . The remaining portion of gable end roof tie  300  comprises a tie plate  303  and a bridge component  305  having a wide aperture area  308  to permit fastening decking to a rafter. Such bridge component  305  should be wide enough to conform to the standard thickness of construction materials, such as wooden 2×4s. Bridge component  305  comprises a short riser  311  having a plurality of apertures  314  for fastening such bridge component  305  to a rafter. 
   Tie plate  303  includes an appendage  317  that extends inwardly at a right angle from tie plate  303 . Appendage  317  may be embedded into the butt end of top plate  320 . The inner edge of appendage  317  may be sharpened to enable penetration into top plate  320 . A plurality of apertures  314  for inserting fasteners, such as nails is disposed on tie plate  303 . Tie plate  303  is connected to bridge component  305  by at least one turnbuckle  260 . Turnbuckle  260  comprises body  262  having a pair of threaded portions  265  extending out of the top and bottom of body  262 . Body  262  is internally threaded for mating with such threaded portions  265 . The alignment of the threads of such threaded portions  265  is configured such that rotation of body  262  in a first direction about its longitudinal axis causes both such threaded portions  265  to be drawn into body  262  and rotation of body  262  in a second, opposite direction about its longitudinal axis causes both such threaded portions  265  to be forced out of body  262 . The outer end of each such threaded portion  265  forms a pivotable attachment  268  to hinge plate  271 . Hinge plate  271  is hingedly attached to the short riser  311  of bridge component  305  and tie plate  303  by a hinge and pin assembly  275 . As shown, the turnbuckles can be adjusted up or down, forward or backwards to enable bridge component  305  to conform to a pitched roof and provide sufficient hold down tension. 
   The invention has been described with references to a preferred embodiment. While specific values, relationships, materials and steps have been set forth for purposes of describing concepts of the invention, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the basic concepts and operating principles of the invention as broadly described. It should be recognized that, in the light of the above teachings, those skilled in the art can modify those specifics without departing from the invention taught herein. Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with such underlying concept. It is intended to include all such modifications, alternatives and other embodiments insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof. It should be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein. Consequently, the present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.