Patent Publication Number: US-2004051017-A1

Title: Roof bracket with air hose clip

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This application relates to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/365,115 entitled “Roof Bracket With Air Hose Clip,” filed Mar. 18, 2002, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The present invention generally relates to improvements in roof brackets and more particularly relates to a roof bracket that includes an air hose clip and/or a level varying angled bracket.  
       [0003] Many buildings, such as residential homes, are constructed such that roofs of the buildings are inclined. The inclined roofs are usually covered with a plurality of overlapping, aligned rows of shingles. The shingles, which are secured to the roof through fasteners, such as nails, screws, or the like, are made of asphalt, wood or other such materials. Typically, shingles are fastened to the roof starting at the bottom, or lower-most edge of the roof.  
       [0004] Often, the incline of the roof is such that a roofer cannot walk up the roof. In order to fasten shingles on the roof at higher levels, the roofer needs to elevate to higher levels, despite the incline of the roof. Many roofers utilize a set of roof brackets in order to assist elevate to higher levels on the roof.  
       [0005] Typically, a first roof bracket is fastened to a portion of the top half of the last layer of shingles that were applied. Also, a second roof bracket is placed a desired distance away from the first roof bracket. The two roof brackets are usually parallel with each other. In order to provide a foothold for the roofer, a plank, such as a 2×4 or 4×6 piece of lumber, is positioned within retaining features of the roof brackets. Thus, the plank provides the roofer with a support, thereby permitting the roofer to stand on the plank. As successive layers of shingles are applied, additional roof brackets are secured to the roof to allow the roofer to elevate even higher, until the entire roof is shingled. As a new set of roof brackets is applied, the roof brackets from the lower levels may be removed; or, the roof brackets may remain on the roof until the entire roof is shingled.  
       [0006] Most shingles are applied to roofs through the use of a pneumatic nail gun. Typical nail guns are attached to an air compressor through long air hoses, such as a ¼″ or ⅜″ diameter air hose. Usually, the air hose is a minimum of fifty feet long and connected to an air compressor that is located on the ground or a lift truck.  
       [0007] As shingles are applied on a steep roof, roofers typically rest the nail gun down on the wood plank in order to align or set a shingle to be nailed. When the nail gun is placed on the wood plank, the force of gravity typically removes all the slack of the air hose. Thus, when the roofer picks up the air hose, the roofer must lift and pull the weight of all of the fifty feet or more of air hose. The repeated lifting of the weight of the air hose may fatigue the roofer. Additionally, the weight of the air hose may cause the nail gun to fall from the plank upon which it initially rests, thereby causing damage to the nail gun as it impacts the ground. Also, a falling nail gun is a serious threat to workers on the ground (if one should be unfortunate enough to be within close proximity of the falling nail gun).  
       [0008] Thus a need exists for a roof bracket apparatus that allows a roofer to work more efficiently and safely. In particular, a need exists for a roof bracket that allows a roofer to more efficiently and safely use a nail gun, such as a pneumatic nail gun.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009] Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved roof bracket configured to retain a support structure, such as a plank, that provides support to a roofer. The improved roof bracket has a main body comprising a toe strap, a roof-abutting member, and an air hose tab.  
       [0010] The toe strap includes a base and is configured to securably retain a portion of the support structure at a first angle with respect to the base. The roof-abutting member is connected to the toe strap. The improved roof bracket is configured to be removably secured to a roof through at least one fastener positioned through the roof-abutting member.  
       [0011] The air hose tab includes a first air hose retention area formed therethrough. The first air hose retention area has a first diameter configured to securably retain an air hose of a pneumatic roofing tool, such as a nail gun. The air hose tab may also include an air hose inlet area that allows an air hose to pass into the air hose tab. The air hose inlet area has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter of the first air hose retention area. The diameter of the air hose inlet is also greater than the diameter of the air hose. The air hose tab may also include a second air hose retention area that has a second diameter that is different from that of the first air hose retention area. In general, the air hose tab may have more than two air hose retention areas, such that each of the air hose retention areas have a diameter that differs from that of another of said air hose retention areas. The air hose tab may extend away from the toe strap and the roof-abutting member. Overall, at least one of the air hose retention areas are configured so that the weight of an air hose does not cause the air hose to slide through the air hose tab. Further, the air hose retention areas are configured to securably retain an air hose of the pneumatic roofing tool so that the weight of the pneumatic roofing tool does not cause the air hose to slide through the air hose tab even when the pneumatic roofing tool is unsupported by the support structure.  
       [0012] The improved roof bracket may also include at least one angled bracket that is removably secured to at least one of the toe strap and the roof-abutting member. The angled bracket is configured to support the support structure at a second angle with respect to the base of the toe strap. Further, the improved roof bracket may include a plurality of angled brackets that are interchangeable and removably secured to at least one of the toe strap and the roof-abutting member. Each of the plurality of angled brackets has an inclined strap that may be oriented at an angle that is different from that of other of the plurality of angled brackets, such that the plurality of angled brackets are configured to support the support structure at varying angles with respect to the base of the toe strap.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0013]FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a roof bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0014]FIG. 2 illustrates a roof bracket secured to a roof according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0015]FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a roof bracket according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     [0016] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the attached drawings.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0017]FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a roof bracket  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The roof bracket  10  may be formed of steel, aluminum, lead, iron, wood, or other such materials that are capable of supporting the weight of a roofer. The roof bracket  10  includes a main body  100  having a roof-abutting member  102  that connects to, or is otherwise formed integral with, a lower strap  106 . The plane of the lower strap  106  may be perpendicular to the plane of the roof-abutting member  102 . That is, the lower strap  106  may connect to, or otherwise be formed integral with, the roof-abutting member  102  at a right angle. Alternatively, the lower strap  106  may connect to, or otherwise be formed integral with, the roof-abutting member  102  at any desired angle.  
     [0018] The lower strap  106  also connects to, or is formed integral with, a support brace  108 . In FIG. 1, the lower strap  106  and the support brace  108  are formed, or connect to each other, such that an obtuse angle θ is formed between the lower strap  106  and the support brace  108  (with respect to an interior cavity  107 ). Alternatively, however, the lower strap  106  and the support brace  108  may connect at other angles.  
     [0019] The support brace  108  is formed integral with (or may otherwise be connected to) a toe support member  109 , which may be, as shown in FIG. 1, parallel with the plane of the lower strap  106 . The toe support member  109  assists in supporting a toe strap  110 , which is positioned within the roof bracket  10 . The toe strap  110  may be oriented in a variety of fixed angles. As shown in FIG. 1, the plane of the toe strap  110  is perpendicular to that of the roof-abutting member  102 . The toe support member  109  may be formed at the same angle as a terminal end  111  of the toe strap  110 . That is, the toe support member  109  may cradle the terminal end of the toe strap  110 . The size of the toe strap member  109  may vary depend on the size of the plank to be used in conjunction with the roof bracket  10 .  
     [0020] The toe support member  109  cradles the toe strap  110  at one terminal end  111  while another terminal end  113  of the toe strap  110  abuts against a front surface  115  of the roof-abutting member  102 . The toe strap  110  may be secured to the front surface  115  of the roof-abutting member  102  and the toe support member  109  through screws, nails, or other such fasteners. Optionally, the toe strap  110  may be welded into place. Alternatively, the toe strap  110  may be formed integral with the rest of the roof bracket  10 .  
     [0021] The toe strap  110  provides a support base for a plank (not shown in FIG. 1). That is, a plank may slidably, or otherwise (such as snapably), engage the toe strap  110 . When two roof brackets  10  are aligned and positioned parallel with each other, a plank may be placed across the toe straps  110  of the roof brackets  110 , such that one roof bracket  10  supports one portion of the plank, while the other roof bracket  10  supports a second portion of the plank. Thus, a level, or otherwise walkable plane, is created by the insertion of a plank into the toe straps  110  of two (or more) roof brackets  10 . As shown in FIG. 1, the toe strap also includes a plank-overlapping member  120  that may overlap a portion of the inserted plank to help ensure that the plank does not become dislodged. The plank-overlapping member may include a fastener through-hole that allows the passage of a fastener, such as a nail, into the plank. Alternatively, the plank-overlapping member  120  may not be included on the toe strap  110 . Optionally, the plank-overlapping member  120  may extend from the toe support member  109  as opposed to the toe strap  110 .  
     [0022] The roof bracket  10  also includes fastener notches  104  formed through an upper end of the roof-abutting member  102 . The roof bracket  10  may be positioned on a roof and secured into place by fasteners, such as nails or screws, which are positioned through the fastener notches  104 . While three fastener notches  104  are shown in FIG. 1, more or less fastener notches  104  may be formed through the roof-abutting member  102 . The weight of the plank, the weight of the roofer standing on the plank, and the orientation of the fastener notches  104  in the direction of line A typically ensures that the roof brackets  10  do not slide away from the fasteners positioned within the fastener notches  104 .  
     [0023] The toe strap member  109  is connected to, or otherwise formed integral with, the air hose tab  112 . The air hose tab  112  extends outwardly from the toe strap member  109  away from toe strap  110 . The plane of the air hose tab  112  may be parallel with the toe strap  110 , or angled upwardly or downwardly therefrom. The air hose tab  112  includes an air hose inlet area  114 , a first air hose retention area  116 , and a second air hose retention area  118 . The first air hose retention area  116  has a first diameter D 1 , while the second air hose retention area  118  has a second diameter D 2 .  
     [0024]FIG. 2 illustrates a roof bracket  10  secured to a roof  130 . As shown in FIG. 2, only one roof bracket  10  is shown, but another roof bracket  10  would support another end of the plank  132 . An air hose  134  of a pneumatic nail gun  136  is inserted into the air hose tab  112  through the air hose inlet area  114 , which is wider than the diameter of the air hose  134 . The diameter of the air hose  134  is slightly greater than the diameter of at least one of the diameters of the first air hose retention area  116  and the second air hose retention area  118 . Because the diameter of the air hose  134  is slightly greater than at least one of the first and second air hose retention areas  116 ,  118 , at least one of the first and second air hose retention areas  116 ,  118  may securably retain the air hose  134 .  
     [0025] While the air hose  134  is secured within at least one of the first and second air hose retention areas  116 ,  118 , the air hose retention area  116  or  118  that secures the air hose  134  does not secure the air hose to the point where air flow within the air hose  134  is substantially constricted. However, one of the air hose retention areas  116  or  118  receives and retains the air hose  134  such that the movement of the air hose  134  through the air hose retention area  116  or  118  is hindered or completely restricted. For example, the air hose retention areas  116  and  118  may be formed such that unless the air hose  134  is removed from the air hose retention area  116  or  118 , the air hose  134  will not slide through the air hose retention area  116  or  118 . Alternatively, the air hose retention areas  116  and  118  may be formed such that a desired force (such as one exerted by a roofer pulling on the air hose  134 ) may be sufficient to slide the air hose  134  through the air hose retention area  116  or  118 . Alternatively, the air hose tab  112  may include more or less than  2  air hose retention areas to accommodate varying sizes of air hoses.  
     [0026] When the air hose  134  is inserted into the air hose retention area  116  or  118 , and the nail gun  136  is set down on the plank  132 , the slack  140  of the air hose  134  does not fall toward the earth. Consequently, when the roofer picks up the nail gun  136 , the roofer does not have to pull the entire weight of the air hose  134 . Additionally, because the air hose retention area  116  or  118  retains the air hose  134 , if the nail gun  136  is accidentally kicked, pushed, or knocked off the plank  132 , the nail gun  136  will not hit the ground. Instead, the nail gun  136  will dangle, or otherwise be suspended, with respect to the air hose tab  112  due to the retention of the air hose  134  within one of the air hose retention areas  116  or  118 . Thus, costly damage to the air gun and/or injury to a worker on the ground is prevented.  
     [0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the plane of the plank  132  in the direction of line E is at a fixed angle with respect to the incline of the roof  130  in the direction of line F. Typically, the plane of the plank  132  in the direction of line E is perpendicular to the incline F of the roof  130 . However, the roof bracket  10  may include one or more variable angled brackets that may be inserted into the toe strap  110 .  
     [0028]FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a roof bracket  10  according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the roof bracket  10  may include an angled bracket  150 . The angled bracket  150  may be clipped or otherwise secured to the toe strap  110  through a securing member  152 , such as a clip or latching member. Further, the angled bracket  150  may be secured to the toe strap  110  and/or the front surface  115  of the roof-abutting member  102  through various fasteners, such as screws, nails and the like. Optionally, the angled bracket  150  may be bonded, or otherwise integrally formed, to the toe strap  110  and/or the front surface  115  of the roof-abutting member  102 . An additional or spare angled bracket  160  may be removably secured to the roof bracket  10  within the interior cavity  107 . The angled bracket  160  may be angled or oriented the same or differently than the angled bracket  150   
     [0029] The angled bracket  150  includes a base  151  formed integrally with an upwardly extending brace  153 . The brace  153  is, in turn, integrally formed with an inclined strap  155 . The base  151  is also integrally formed with an upright member  157 , which may or may not connect to the inclined strap  155 . The plane of the upright member  157  is parallel with the plane of the roof-abutting member  102 , while the plane of the base  151  is parallel with the plane of the toe strap  110 . The base  151  may be secured to the toe strap  110  through securing member  152 .  
     [0030] When the angled bracket  150  is secured to the toe strap  110  as shown in FIG. 2, a plank  170  may be supported by the roof bracket  10  at an angle a, which is the same as the angle between the base  151  and the inclined strap  155 . Thus, a roofer may be supported by a plank that is oriented at an angle other than perpendicular to the incline of the roof. Further, various angled members may be used with the roof bracket  10 . For example, the inclined straps of each angled member may be oriented at different angles with respect to the respective bases. Each angled bracket may be individually inserted into the toe strap  110  (or formed integrally with the toe strap  110 ), and subsequently removed, to enable a plank to be inserted at differing angles according to the preference of a particular roofer.  
     [0031] Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a roof bracket that allows a roofer to work more efficiently and safely. In particular, embodiments of the present invention provide a roof bracket that allows a roofer to more efficiently and safely use a roofing tool, such as a pneumatic nail gun.  
     [0032] While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.