Patent Abstract:
A building roof tie for attaching roof trusses and rafters to wood top plates in building structures, such 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. A generally triangular shaped reinforcing wing provides strength and stability, and can also provide additional hold-down strength, allowing the roof tie to be manufactured from different weights of steel. Turnbuckles attached to the bridge provide additional hold-down strength against increased uplift forces. 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.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of 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 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,837,019 by the inventor herein, the specification of which is included herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF 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. Laborers hired by the framing contractor generally install connectors and sheathing. Correct size, location, and number of fasteners (nails or bolts) are critical to sustaining the required load. Commonly, such laborers are inexperienced which results in improper or inadequate installation. In all structures, locations of connectors mandate their installation 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 is cost effective and easy to install. 
   SUMMARY OF 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, 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 rooftie 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 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 lowrise 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 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 lag bolts. 
   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 prepitched 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 semiskilled 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 “decking window” that allows fastening of nails through the “deck” to the rafter beneath; “plate flaps” that further secures the roof-tie bracket to the top plate; and, in some embodiments, a “ceiling joist and cradle” that provides further for the “strapping” of ceiling joists, all in one simple Hurricane and Tornado Tie. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF 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   a  shows an illustration of a roof tie in perspective according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 1   b  shows an illustration of the roof tie of  FIG. 1   a , with a top plate and rafter in phantom; 
       FIG. 2   a  shows an illustration of a roof tie in perspective having a rigidity reinforcement according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2   b  shows an illustration of the roof tie of  FIG. 2   a , with top plate and gable in phantom; 
       FIG. 3  shows an illustration of a roof tie, according to an alternative to the embodiment in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b ; 
       FIG. 4   a  shows an illustration of a roof tie in perspective having a hold-down reinforcement according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4   b  shows an illustration of the roof tie of  FIG. 4   a , with top plate and gable in phantom; 
       FIG. 5  shows an illustration of a roof tie, according to an alternative to the embodiment in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b ; 
       FIG. 6  shows an illustration of an alternate embodiment of a roof tie, with top plate and gable in phantom, and 
       FIG. 7  shows an illustration of a roof tie, according to an alternative to the embodiment in FIG.  6 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   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  FIG. 1   a , a roof tie according to the present invention, indicated generally as  10 , is illustrated, comprising a tie component  13 , a cradle component  16 , and a bridge component  19 , such tie component  13  having an upper portion  22  and a lower portion  24  and such cradle component  16  having an upper portion  27  and a lower portion  29 . Such upper portion  22  of such tie component  13  comprises a riser  33  having a plurality of apertures  35 . The lower portion  24  of such tie component  13  comprises fastener extension  37 , which extends at a right angle from riser  33  and further comprises top plate flaps  40 ,  41 . A plurality of apertures  35  for inserting fasteners, such as nails are disposed on such fastener extension  37 , and top plate flaps  40 ,  41 . Such upper portion  27  of such cradle component  16  comprises a wall  44  having a plurality of apertures  35  and at least one fastener slot, such as  47 . The lower portion  29  of such cradle component  16  comprises fastener extension  52 , which extends at a right angle from wall  44  and further comprise top plate flaps  55 ,  56  and cradle wall  59 . Cradle wall  59  is disposed on an outward edge of fastener extension  52  and extends upward, substantially perpendicular to such fastener extension  52 . In general, cradle wall  59  is preferably shorter than and substantially parallel to wall  44 . A plurality of apertures  35  for inserting fasteners, such as nails, are disposed on such fastener extension  52 , top plate flaps  55 ,  56 , and cradle wall  59 . 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 large window area  60  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  63  having a plurality of apertures  35  for fastening such bridge component  19  to a rafter. Bridge component  19  further comprises an overlap plate  66  disposed away from such bridge component  19  by ledge  69  and having at least one opening, such as  72 . In use, overlap plate  66  at least partly extends over wall  44 . Such fastener slots  47  are disposed such that, in use, fasteners inserted in openings  72  in overlap plate  66  can penetrate such fastener slots  47 . By having such overlap, roof tie  10  can adapt to rafters of varying heights for application in a variety of construction scenarios. Fastener slots  47  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  66  extends over wall  44  such that fasteners inserted in openings  72  also enter fastener slots  47  at a variable position depending on the height of the rafter for attachment to such rafter. 
   An application showing use of such roof tie  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 1   b  presenting roof tie  10  in a position for fastening to top plate  75  and rafter  78 . Fasteners are attached to top plate  75  and rafter  78  through apertures  35 , and through openings  72  in alignment with fastener slots  47 . Using a fastener in each 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. 1   b , top plate flaps  55 ,  56 , are fastened to the sides of top plate  75 , providing a wrap around most of such top plate  75 . Window area  60  is provided to enable fastening of decking material to rafter  78 . 
   In some embodiments, the length of the forward edge of wall  44  may be longer than the rear edge of such wall  44 , correspondingly, the forward edge of riser  33  may be longer than the rear edge of such riser  33  in order to have bridge component  19  angled to correspond to a selected pitch for a roof. 
     FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  illustrate an alternate embodiment of a roof tie, indicated generally as  82 , according to the present invention. Roof tie  82  comprises a tie component  13 , a cradle component  16 , and bridge component  19 , such tie component  13  having an upper portion  22  and a lower portion  24  and such cradle component  16  having an upper portion  27  and a lower portion  29 . Such upper portion  22  of such tie component  13  comprises a riser  33  having a plurality of apertures  35 . The lower portion  24  of such tie component  13  comprises fastener extension  37 , which extends at a right angle from riser  33  and further comprises top plate flaps  40 ,  41 . A plurality of apertures  35  for inserting fasteners, such as nails are disposed on such fastener extension  37 , and top plate flaps  40 ,  41 . Such upper portion  27  of such cradle component  16  comprises a wall  44  having a plurality of apertures  35  and a plurality of fastener slots  47 . The lower portion  29  of such cradle component  16  comprises fastener extension  52 , which extends at a right angle from wall  44  and further comprise top plate flaps  55 ,  56  and cradle wall  59 . Cradle wall  59  is disposed on an outward edge of fastener extension  52  and extends upward, substantially perpendicular to such fastener extension  52 . In general, cradle wall  59  is preferably shorter than and substantially parallel to wall  44 . A plurality of apertures  35  for inserting fasteners, such as nails, are disposed on such fastener extension  52 , top plate flaps  55 ,  56 , and cradle wall  59 . 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 large window area  60  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  63  having a plurality of apertures  35  for fastening such bridge component  19  to rafter  78 . Bridge component  19  further comprises an overlap plate  66  having openings  72 . In use, overlap plate  66  at least partly extends over wall  44 . Such fastener slots  47  are disposed such that, in use, fasteners inserted in openings  72  in overlap plate  66  can penetrate such fastener slots  47 . 
   For heavy-duty applications, roof tie  82  further comprises a reinforcing wing  85 . Such reinforcing wing  85  is generally triangular in shape and extends outward from a plate  88  that can be attached to riser  33  by sliding plate  88  into tabs  91 ,  92 ,  93 ,  94 . Holes  97  in plate  88  enable attachment of such plate  88  through riser  33  into rafter  78 . The top portion of plate  88  has an extension that can overlap the short riser  63  of bridge component  19  and presents a centrally located elongated opening  100  that aligns with aperture  103  in short riser  63  to attach a fastener into rafter  78 . The lower edge of reinforcing wing  85  has a pair of base flaps  105 ,  106  on each side. Such base flaps  105 ,  106  have apertures  109  for attaching fasteners therethrough into top plate  75 . 
   Such reinforced heavy duty roof tie  82  provides vertical reinforcement to prevent balking while enabling increased rigidity to roof tie  82 , resulting in a sturdier, stronger roof tie  82 . Such 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. 
   In an alternate embodiment, short riser  63  may present a hook in the place of aperture  103 , such that elongated opening  100  can be engaged on the hook while sliding back plate  88  into tabs  91 ,  92 ,  93 ,  94 . Attachment of fasteners to base flaps  105 ,  106  would thereby provide a downward force on such hook and bridge component  19 . 
     FIG. 3  shows an illustration of an application according to an alternative roof tie embodiment. Roof tie  110  comprises a pair of matching tie component sections, having upper portions  112 ,  113  and lower portions  114 ,  115 . Such upper portions  112 ,  113  comprise risers  117 ,  119 , substantially parallel to each other. Bridge  121  presenting a large window area  124  overlaps the top of risers  117 ,  119 . Bridge  121  should conform to the standard thickness of construction materials, such as rafter  78 . The lower portions  114 ,  115  of such roof tie  110  comprise fastener extensions  127 ,  129 , which extend at right angles from risers  117 ,  119 , respectively, each of which fastener extensions  127 ,  129  further comprise top plate flaps  131 ,  132 ,  133  (not shown),  134  (not shown). A plurality of apertures  137  for inserting fasteners, such as nails  138  are disposed on such risers  117 ,  119 , fastener extensions  127 ,  129 , and top plate flaps  131 ,  132 ,  133  (not shown),  134  (not shown). Such plurality of apertures should be disposed in a staggered fashion to prevent splitting of the top plates and rafter when inserting such fasteners. 
   For heavy-duty applications, roof tie  110  further comprises reinforcing wings  140 ,  141 . Such reinforcing wings  140 ,  141  are generally triangular in shape and extend outward from a plate that can be attached to risers  117 ,  119 , respectively. The lower edge of each reinforcing wing  140 ,  141  has a pair of base flaps  145 ,  146  on each side. Such base flaps  145 ,  146  have apertures  149  for attaching fasteners therethrough into top plate  75 . 
   Such reinforced heavy duty roof tie  110  provides vertical reinforcement to prevent balking while enabling increased rigidity to roof tie  110 , resulting in a sturdier, stronger roof tie  110 . Such 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. 
   In some embodiments, the length of the forward edges of risers  117 ,  119  may be longer than the rear edges of such risers  117 ,  119  in order to have bridge  121  angled to correspond to a selected pitch for a roof. 
     FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  illustrate an alternate embodiment of a hold-down roof tie, indicated generally as  153 , according to the present invention. For heavy-duty applications, hold-down roof tie  153  further comprises turnbuckle  157  attached to bridge component  19  and fastener extension  37 . Turnbuckle  157  comprises body  160  having a first threaded portion  163  extending out of the top of such body  160  and a second threaded portion  164  extending out of the bottom of such body  160 . The distal end of such first threaded portion  163  terminates in an eye  167  having an opening for attaching to short riser  63  of bridge component  19 . Such eye  167  can be attached to short riser  63  and rafter  78  by a suitable fastener such as a nail or lag bolt. In some embodiments, short riser  63  presents a hook on which such eye  167  can be attached. 
   The distal end of such second threaded portion  164  terminates in an eye or some other fashion having an opening  170 . A plate  173  is attached to fastener extension  37  and to top plate  75  by suitable fasteners. A U-shaped connector  177  having a pin  180  passing through the open end of such U-shaped connector  177  projects from the top of such plate  173 . The pin  180  passes through the opening  170  on the end of such second threaded portion  164  of such turnbuckle  157 . 
   The alignment of the threads of such first and second threaded portions  163 ,  164  is configured such that rotation of such body  160  in a first direction about its longitudinal axis causes both such first and second threaded portions  163 ,  164  to be drawn into such body  160  and rotation of such body  160  in a second, opposite direction about its longitudinal axis causes both such first and second threaded portions  163 ,  164  to be forced out of such body  160 . Such hold-down roof tie  153  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. 
     FIG. 5  shows an illustration of an application according to an alternative hold-down roof tie embodiment. Roof tie  185  comprises a pair of matching turnbuckles  187 ,  189  attached to either side of bridge  121  and fastener extensions  127 ,  129 . Such fastener extensions  127 ,  129 , extend at right angles from risers  117 ,  119 , respectively, each of which fastener extensions  127 ,  129  further comprise top plate flaps  131 ,  132 ,  133  (not shown),  134  (not shown). A plurality of apertures  137  for inserting fasteners, such as nails  138  are disposed on such risers  117 ,  119 , fastener extensions  127 ,  129 , and top plate flaps  131 ,  132 ,  133  (not shown),  134  (not shown). Such plurality of apertures should be disposed in a staggered fashion to prevent splitting of the top plates and rafter when inserting such fasteners. 
   Each turnbuckle  187 ,  189  comprises a body  190 ,  191  having a first threaded portion  193 ,  194  extending out of the top of such body and a second threaded portion  1960   197  extending out of the bottom of such body. The distal end of such first threaded portion  193 ,  194  terminates in an eye  201 ,  202  having an opening for attaching to a flap  205 ,  206  extending down from bridge  121 . Such eye  201 ,  202  can be attached to flap  205 ,  206  and rafter  78  by a suitable fastener such as a nail or lag bolt. In some embodiments, flap  205 ,  206  presents a hook on which such eye  201 ,  202  can be attached. In a further embodiment, flap  205 ,  206  presents a loop engaged with eye  201 ,  202 , as illustrated in FIG.  7 . 
   The distal end of such second threaded portion  196 ,  197  terminates in an eye or some other fashion having an opening in which a pin  210 ,  211  passes through. A plate  213 ,  214  is attached to fastener extensions  127 ,  129 , respectively and to top plate  75  by suitable fasteners. Pin  210 ,  211  passes through the open end of U-shaped connector  217 ,  218  that projects from the top of such plate  213 ,  214 . 
   The alignment of the threads of such first and second threaded portions is configured such that rotation of such body of such turnbuckle  187 ,  189  in a first direction about its longitudinal axis causes both such first and second threaded portions to be drawn into such body and rotation of such body of such turnbuckle  187 ,  189  in a second, opposite direction about its longitudinal axis causes both such first and second threaded portions to be forced out of such body. Such hold-down roof tie  185  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. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates an alternate embodiment of a holddown roof tie, indicated generally as  225 . Hold-down roof tie  225  further comprises loop  228  rising out of plate  173  for attaching the second threaded extension  164  of turnbuckle  157 . The opening  170  in the distal end of the second threaded extension  164  of turnbuckle  157  may be manufactured around loop  228  for added strength. In an alternate embodiment, loop  228  may be bonded to plate  173  by welding or other appropriate means. 
     FIG. 7  shows an alternate hold-down roof tie configuration. Roof tie  235  comprises a pair of matching turnbuckles  187 ,  189  attached to either side of bridge  121  and fastener extensions  127 ,  129 . Similar to the embodiment described above with regard to  FIG. 6 , a loop  237 ,  239  rises out of fastener extensions  127 ,  129  for attaching the second threaded extension  196 ,  197  of turnbuckle  187 ,  189 . 
   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.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4