Abstract:
An assembly for reducing ice damming along a roof using solar energy is provided including at least one tabular solar collection panel having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface shaped in a rectangular shape. Each panel includes a plurality of holes extending entirely through the panel. A plurality of pads is attached to the opposing surface of said tabular panel for spacing the entire tabular panel from a substrate such as a roof surface. Each panel further includes a “U” shaped offset member attached to an interconnecting member which in turn is attached to the assembly.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/185,252, filed on Jun. 9, 2009 which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for passively reducing the chance of ice and snow buildup on a structure, more specifically a rooftop, and particularly a roof containing a soffit or eave. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Ice damming on the roofs of homes is often common place. Heat loss from the dwelling passes through the roof and melts snow that has accumulated on the roof. The water from the snowmelt then runs down the roof surface under the snow pack until the water freezes on a part of the roof at ambient temperature. As the process continues, the frozen water builds up creating a dam which contains the incoming snowmelt. This in turn creates a pool of water which penetrates the roofing material and enters the dwelling. 
     Numerous techniques have been devised for preventing ice damming. One old technique involves the physical removal of snow from the lower edge of the roof using a shovel or scoop attached to a long handle. Another method includes placing impenetrable barriers below the roofing material far up the roof slope above where ice damming will occur. Yet another method includes the use of heat tape or wire placed in a pattern along the lower surface of the roof above the eave or soffit so that the temperature is locally raised above the freezing point allowing the snow melt to run off the roof or into a gutter system. 
     A few prior art devices have attempted to use lenses and reflectors to focus solar energy onto a thermally receptive component placed into direct contact with an ice dam. The thermally receptive region is then heated via solar energy melting the snow underneath the contacted region. This is a reactive solution to ice damming which has already occurred and will fail to operate without sunlight. 
     Other devices use angular shaped metallic structures held in direct contact with the roof to absorb solar radiation creating a locally warmed region. These solutions only prevent local ice formations from occurring, leaving the areas in between the collectors unaffected. Further these structures only operate when sunlight is present. This is an inadequate solution to the problem of ice damming, because the amount of sunlight during winter months is at a minimum. These issues can be minimized or eliminated by the use of a new passive assembly for reducing ice damming on roof which operates under a wide variety of conditions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An assembly for reducing ice damming along a roof is provided including at least one tabular panel having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface shaped in a rectangular shape. Each panel includes a plurality of holes extending entirely through the panel. A plurality of pads is attached to the opposing surface of said tabular panel for spacing the tabular panel from a substrate such as a roof surface. 
     Another form of the invention includes at least one tabular panel having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface shaped in a rectangular shape. Each panel includes a plurality of holes arranged in a pattern extending entirely through the panel. A plurality of pads is attached to the opposing surface of said tabular panel for spacing the tabular panel from a substrate such as a roof surface. Each panel further includes a “U” shaped offset member attached to the assembly. 
     In still another form of the invention including at least one tabular panel having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface shaped in a rectangular shape. Each panel includes a plurality of holes extending entirely through the panel. A plurality of pads is attached to the opposing surface of said tabular panel for spacing the tabular panel from a substrate such as a roof surface. Each panel further includes a “U” shaped offset member attached to an interconnecting member which in turn is attached to the assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of the invention deployed on a roof of a house; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation of the invention shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an end elevation of the invention shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of one of the pads shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of a pad taken at section A-A in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of an alternate pad; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of an alternate pad taken at section B-B in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an end view of the invention with alternate pads mounted along a lower portion of a roof; 
         FIG. 11  is an end view of the invention with ground based support structure; 
         FIG. 12  is an end view of the invention with a brace; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the invention deployed on a roof of a house; and 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view of the invention shown in  FIG. 13 ; and 
         FIG. 15  is an oblique view of an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     For purposes of the following description, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives and synonyms thereof shall relate to the invention as displayed in the respective figure referenced in that portion of the detailed description. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the specification and claims expressly state otherwise. As used herein, the term “soffit” describes the underside of any construction component like the underneath of an arch or the underneath of a flight of stairs. When used in association with roofing, a soffit refers to the underside of the ceiling or a roof overhang, cantilever, or mansard. 
     The reader can obtain a better understanding of the invention by reference to the drawing figures, and in particular to  FIGS. 1-10 . The purpose of the invention is to reduce the accumulation of snow along a roof of a dwelling or building where snow melt typically re-freezes resulting in a build-up of ice. All too often, heat loss from the structure causes snow on the roof to melt, allowing the resulting melt water to flow down slope. The snow melt tends to refreeze along this portion of the roof surface because there is no heat loss in the area above the soffit. As more melt water flows onto this ice, an ice sheet begins to form. Over time ice build-up may become substantial, forming large ice stalagmites that cascade over the edge, presenting a hazard to people who walk below. Moreover and not uncommon is that the ice causes a pooling of unfrozen water which migrates up slope beneath any shingling or roof treatment where it penetrates the interior of the dwelling or structure. The instant invention is intended to prevent such from occurring. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a portion of a typical pitched roof  20  having a gutter trough  22  mounted to the fascia board where run-off is collected and diverted to a downspout. Also shown is one embodiment  24  of the invention in the form of an array of panel assemblies  26  placed along the lower portion of the roof  20  nearest the gutter trough  22 . The series of panels assemblies  26  form a covering above and separated from the roof surface  20 . 
     The panels  26  may have any one of a variety of two dimensional forms depending in large part upon the intended area of coverage. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, panels  26  are generally planar in shape each having a length (l) greater than its width (w), and a thickness (t) being a fraction of its width. More specifically panels  26  include an upper surface  28 , an opposite lower surface  30 , and a common peripheral edge  32  that defines the geometric form of the panel. Panel  26  also includes a number of holes or passages  34  formed therein at intervals, and extending completely through the panel  26 . 
     The holes  34  may be in any one of a number of different patterns and orientations depending upon the desires of the manufacturer that are found to be appealing aesthetically. In a preferred embodiment holes  34  may be arranged in rows and columns relative to the panel  26  although it is contemplated that other configurations may be used including chevrons ( FIG. 15 ), herring bone, diamond, or even random patterns. 
     Although the pattern of the holes  34  may be varied, a sufficient number of holes should be placed in the panel  26  to allow water to pass through the panel and onto the roof  20  and to let water vapor pass from beneath the panel  26  and into the ambient air. During warmer periods, these holes  34  allow snow contained on the panel to melt and pass through the panel  26 , onto the roof  20 . During colder periods, such as when snow located on the panel is no longer melting, the holes  34  assist by retaining new snowfall to the panel  26  creating a thermally insulative layer of snow. 
     Additionally, the holes  34  serve to inhibit aerodynamic lift created by airflow across the panel  26  by breaking up the airflow. Optional vortex generators  36  in the form of small tabs may be attached to either or both of the upper or lower surfaces  28 ,  30  to further inhibit the creation of aerodynamic lift or to direct wind currents into desired locations of the panel  26 . These vortex generators  36  further operate to retain snow accumulations on the panel  26 , and break up the snow as it becomes dislodged from the panel preventing large sheets of snow from sliding off the roof  20 . 
     As demonstrated in  FIGS. 1 and 10 , panels  26  are intended to be placed on those portions of the roof where ice damming commonly occurs. These locations may vary depending upon the orientation of the dwelling or structure relative to the prevailing winds of a region and the orientation of the house relative to the sun. The panels  26  include pads  38  attached to the lower surface  30  of the panel  26  which extend away therefrom a predefined distance to space the panel  26  a set distance away from the roof surface  20 . The distance the panel  26  is spaced above the roof may vary depending upon local conditions, but it is anticipated that the pads  38  be at least one inch tall and as much as four inches tall. Depending upon the size of each panel  26 , the number of pads may vary, but it is anticipated that at least four pads  38  will be used. Additional support may be necessary depending upon the anticipated amount of snow accumulation in a geographic area, or to assist in retaining the panel  26  to the roof  20 . 
     Each pad, best shown in  FIGS. 5-8 , may generally be substantially a solid rectangular shape with one edge  40  intended to engage the panel&#39;s  26  lower surface  30  and the opposing edge  32  intended to rest upon the roof surface  20 . It may be desired to modify the edge  42  in a manner that increases the traction of the pad  38  relative to the roof surface  20 . One such option is to provide relief to the edge  42  to form teeth, or serrations that tend to bite into the roof surface  20 . Alternatively it may be desired to fix a polymeric pad or sheet to the edge  42  to create friction with the roof surface. 
     Panel Retention and Orientation 
     Pads  38  are ideally installed along the panel  26  at intervals of 16″ or 24″ or multiples thereof along direction ‘l’ so that the pads may be fastened to the roofs  20  truss structure (not shown) via roof mounting holes  44  which are countersunk into edge  40  of the pad. The pad  38  further contains installation holes  46  which are also placed into edge  40  of the pad. These installation holes  46  correspond to similar hole locations  48  drilled through the panel, allowing the pad&#39;s  38  edge  40  to be fastened to the lower surface  30  of the panel. 
     As reflected in an alternate form of the invention shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , pad  50  may also optionally include a transverse passage  52  extending there through. Optional passage  52  may be of substantially any desired shape albeit a rectangular form is shown in the figures. If optional passage  52  is placed into pad  50 , then the pads  50  should be installed in a registered alignment with one another along the direction ‘w’ of the panel  26  so that the passages  52  are aligned for reasons that will become abundantly clear below. 
     In the form of the invention where pad  50  contains optional passage  52 , an optional connector rod  54  having a length sufficient to extend between adjacent panels  26  may be received in the optional passage holes  52  of pad  50  to assist in keeping the panels  26  together. The dimensions of the optional connector rods  54  are such that they are held within the passage  54  by friction. It is further envisioned that the weight of the connector rods  54  will add to the overall weight of the panel system helping to anchor the panel array  24  to the roof  20  by friction. In areas where the pitch of the roof  20  is substantial, making it difficult to keep the panels in place by friction alone, strapping in the form of webbing or the like (not shown) may have a loop or other form of fastener received along the length of optional connector rod  54  and passed up over the peak of the roof to similar structures located on the opposite side of the house. The offsetting weight of the other structure would balance, keeping the panels from sliding off of the roof surface. 
     Additional hinge based retention methods are also envisioned for retaining the panel assembly  56  on a roof  58 . Several embodiments of these hinged restraints are shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . These embodiments may compliment or replace the anchoring methods associated with pads ( 38 ,  50 ). 
     A first external retention embodiment is shown at  60  in  FIG. 11 . This embodiment is attached to the upper surface  62  of the panel  56  via an attachment plate  64  containing a number of fastener holes  66 . Fasteners are then driven through these holes  66  and into a face of the panel  56  anchoring the plate  64  in position. Plate  64  further contains a hinge  68  hingedly attached to an extension arm  70 . The extension arm is sized in length to extend beyond the edge of the roof  58  and come adjacent to a ground based support structure  72  or pole. The extension arm  70  terminates into a second hinge  74  to which a support plate  76  is hingedly attached. The support plate  76  is then fastened or otherwise secured to the ground based supporting structure or pole  72 . In this manner the two hinges, along with the length of the extension arm  70  and the position of the support plate  76  on the ground based support structure  72  allows the external retention structure to adapt to the angle and position of the panel  56  on the roof  58  during assembly and installation. After installation, the external retention embodiment controls the position of the panel  56 . 
     A second external retention embodiment is shown at  78  in  FIG. 11 . This embodiment may be attached to either the lower  80  or upper surface  62  of the panel  56  via an attachment plate  82  containing a number of fastener holes  84 . Fasteners are then driven through these holes  84  and into a face of the panel  56  anchoring the plate  82  in position. Plate  82  further contains a hinge  86  hingedly attached to a support plate  88  further attached to a ground based support structure  72 , which may be a wooden 4×4 post. 
     A third external retention embodiment is shown at  90  in  FIG. 12 . This embodiment is attached to the upper surface  92  of a panel  94  via an attachment plate  96  containing a number of fastener holes  98 . Fasteners are then driven through these holes  98  and into a face of the panel  94  anchoring the plate  96  in position. Plate  96  further contains a hinge  100  hingedly attached to an extension arm  102 . The extension arm is sized in length to extend beyond the edge of the roof  104  and come adjacent to a brace  106  connected to a wall  108  supporting the roof  104 . The extension arm  102  terminates into a second hinge  110  to which a support plate  112  is hingedly attached. The support plate is then fastened or otherwise secured to a brace  106  extending away from a wall  108  of the structure supporting the roof  104 . 
     A fourth external retention embodiment is shown at  114  in  FIG. 12 . This embodiment may be attached to either the lower  116  or upper surface  92  of the panel  94  via an attachment plate  118  containing a number of fastener holes  120 . Fasteners are then driven through these holes and into a face of the panel  94  anchoring the plate  118  in position. Plate  118  further contains a hinge  122  hingedly attaching a support plate  124 . The support plate is then fastened or otherwise secured to a brace  106  extending away from a wall  108  of the structure supporting the roof  104 . 
     Offset Structure 
     In an additional embodiment of the invention an optional offset structure shown generally at  126  in  FIG. 14  may be affixed to a panel assembly  128  through the use of one or more interconnecting components  130 . The interconnecting components  130  may in turn, be attached to any location on the panel  128 , but are preferably installed onto a lower surface  132  of the panel  128  and preferably oriented to face toward the roof&#39;s peak when the panel  128  is installed. The interconnect  130  is attached to the panel through the use of fasteners which are passed through a set of interconnect mounting holes  134  placed through the panel. The size and thickness of the interconnect  130  and the size and location of the fasteners are selected so that the interconnect is securely retained on the panel  128  when an offset attached member  136  is installed. 
     Attached to the interconnect  130  is an offset member  136 . This member is attached through a set of member mounting holes  138  placed through the offset member  136 . Fasteners are then passed through the member holes  138  and into the interconnect  130  anchoring the two parts together. The offset member  136  is typically aligned to lie parallel with the interconnect component  130 , so that the offset member  136  extends toward the peak of the roof  140  when the panel assembly  128  is installed. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the offset member  136  abuts the panel  128  at its upper edge  142  and extends towards the peak of the roof  140  a distance equivalent to the width (w) of the panel. 
     The offset member  136  may be constructed of any shape and of any material, but in a first preferred embodiment of the offset structure, the offset member  136  is formed into a “U” shaped member as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . The “U” shaped channel is preferably oriented so that the channel&#39;s edges face towards the roof  140 . In this embodiment the “U” shaped offset member  136  is constructed of a material similar to that of the panel  128  itself. A second preferred embodiment also includes a “U” shaped member, however, in this embodiment an optional edge liner  144  (not shown), constructed preferably of felt or rubber, is affixed to the edges of the offset member  136  to protect the roof  140  from damage and wear caused by the offset member. 
     Tongue and Groove 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each panel may have a tongue  146  formed at a first end and a groove  148  formed at an opposite end. Extending through the tongue and the groove ends are threaded edge holes  150 . As the tongue end  152  of one panel is received within the groove end  154  of an adjacent panel  26 , the threaded edge holes  150  are intended to be aligned. To keep the adjoining panels in place, fasteners are received in the edge holes  150  to secure the joint between the adjacent and joined panels  26 . 
     Materials 
     The panel may be formed from a variety of materials including wood, wood composite, plastic or other polymer, and metal. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the panels  26  are made from a semi-transparent to transparent polymer material such as a clear acrylic plastic plate having a dimension of approximately 4 feet long, 2 feet wide, and around one-half inch thick. Each panel  26  may also come in any one of a number of different colors although it is preferred that the color be one that transmits sunlight to the roof surface so as to directly heat the roof surface. This heat radiates upward from the roof structure, but is retained by the panel  26  before reaching the ambient air. This captured heat creates a warmed region beneath the panel assembly  26 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a clear acrylic material is utilized. This material further serves to insulate the warmed region and prevents conductive heat losses through the panel  26 . 
     Alternate embodiments of the panel created from opaque materials or metals may also be utilized, but to a slightly different effect. These opaque structures absorb thermal energy from the sunlight and radiate this energy as heat onto the roof  20 . This warms the area beneath the panel. The panels otherwise operate similarly. 
     Installation of the Panels 
     In operation one or more panel assemblies  26  are installed on areas where ice damming is prone to occur. These panels may be laid along the roof surface and then joined together by the tongue and groove joints held by the fasteners. In a first embodiment, the panels are retained by the weight of the panel itself and the friction of the pads against the roofs  20  covering. In a second embodiment, panel assemblies  26  are fixed to the roof by inserting fasteners through the mounting holes  44  located in the pads  38 , affixing the pad directly to the roofs support structure. In a third embodiment, the panel assemblies are placed onto the roof and connected with optional rods  54  passed through the holes  52  in adjacent pads  50 . Webbing or straps (not shown) may be passed around the optional rods  54  and fixed to the roof  20  itself, or passed over the roof peak (not shown) to be attached to a corresponding panel system on the opposite edge of the roof. A fourth and fifth embodiment of the panel assembly ( 56 ,  94 ) may also be anchored to the roof ( 58 ,  104 ) through the use of one or more external retention features ( 60 ,  78 ,  90 , and  114 ), these external retention controlling the position of the panel assembly ( 56 ,  94 ) on the roof. 
     Operation 
     Once the invention is mounted on the roof  20 , sunlight striking the panel  26  will either pass though the panel, or be absorbed by the panel depending on its opacity. The sunlight reaching the roof  20  is absorbed by the roof  20  warming the roof and its adjacent airspace. This airspace is bounded on one side by the panel&#39;s  26  lower surface  30  which retains the heat in the airgap. Additional sunlight absorbed by the panel  26  in turn warms the panel heating both the lower  30  and upper surfaces  28  melting snowfall landing upon the surface during daylight hours. This sunlight warming action also adds to and retains the heat of the air located beneath the panel  26  melting any snow located thereunder. This further creates a warmed region which inhibits ice formation and prevents ice build up. 
     If any portion of the panel  26  is located over a warmed part of the structure or roof  20 , the heat loss from the structure passing through the roof can also be retained in the air gap located between the panel  26  and the roof  20 . This warmed region is sheltered from snowfall and from winds which would lower the temperatures in this region. The sheltering effect combined with retention of heat lost by the structure further helps to prevent ice damming from occurring by allowing snowmelt to pass through the warmed region underneath the panel  26  preventing it from refreezing. 
     New snow fall may occasionally accumulate on the panel  26 , particularly during evening hours or when the sunlight is obscured. During these periods the passages  34  and vortex generators  36  assist to retain the layer of snow on the upper surface  28  of the panel  26 . As this layer of snow accumulates it acts like a blanket of insulation which helps to retain residual heat located in the air gap beneath the panel  26  and above the roof  20 . The insulative factor of the snow further helps to capture any new heat loss from the structure adding its warmth to the air gap. The panel additionally separates the layer of snow from the snowmelt passing underneath the panel  26  preventing frozen snow from lowering the temperature of the snowmelt. The net effect is that snow accumulating on the upper surface  28  of the panel  26  further assists the retention of heat, lowering the chances of the liquid snowmelt from refreezing on the roof  20 . 
     During the next warming period, the snow accumulated upon the panel will melt passing from the upper surface  28  of the panel  26 , through passages  34 , and onto the roof  20  where it is directed to a gutter  22  if present. Vortex generators  36  further prevent the now melting snow from sliding off the roof in a sheet, as any snow traversing the upper surface of the panel will be broken up or retained by the vortex generators  36 . This prevents injury to persons or property located beneath the roof&#39;s  20  soffit by controlling the release of snow. 
     The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents. The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined below. 
     Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the invention is constructed and operated, the characteristics of the invention, and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations are set forth in the appended claims.