Roof anchoring system

Abstract

The instant invention relates to an infinitely adjustable anchoring system for attaching structural members to a support member. The system comprises a continuous, elongated, removable retaining track secured to the outer surface of a support member and configured to receive at least one adjustable connector plate therein. The adjustable connector plates are capable of attaching to structural members having various dimensions and pitches relative to the track. The invention includes a reusable centering bracket assembly used to install a retaining track assembly along an upper portion of a support member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates an adjustable anchoring assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, used to secure structural members to the outer surface of a masonry support wall;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the track, as seen along the lateral axis, wherein the base member is constructed and arranged to receive an anchoring member;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the track member, as seen along the lateral axis, removably attached to the anchoring member secured to a masonry-type support member;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the track member, as seen along the lateral axis, removably attached to the anchoring member and secured to a frame-type support member;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the instant assembly, as seen along the width axis, wherein the structural member is sandwiched by two connector plates with bolts;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the instant assembly, as seen along the lateral axis, wherein the connector plate is capable of fastening to structural members constructed at virtually any pitch;

FIG. 7 a illustrates a front view of one embodiment of a lateral clamping means that can be used in combination with the instant assembly to counteract any lateral motion of the structural member;

FIG. 7 b illustrates a side view of the lateral clamping means shown in FIG. 7a;

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the instant assembly, as seen along the lateral axis, with the lateral clamping means of FIGS. 7a,b attached to either side of the structural member;

FIG. 9 depicts the cross-sectional view of the track, as seen along the lateral axis, with a longitudinal clamping means in place over the track to further reinforce the anchoring assembly from uplift forces as an alternative way of embodiment of securing the track to a wall;

FIG. 10 illustrates an elevated view of the anchoring system of the instant invention used in a hip-roof structure;

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative way to secure the anchoring assembly of the present invention to floor joists;

FIG. 12 a illustrates a side view of a reusable centering bracket assembly for reliably positioning an elongated retaining track along the center of a support member;

FIG. 12 b illustrates an elevated view of the reusable centering bracket assembly of FIG. 12a; and

FIG. 13 illustrates a bottom view of a track indicating preferred track hole placement.

Claims

1. An infinitely adjustable anchoring assembly for attaching at least one structural member to an outer surface of a support member comprising: an elongate retaining track of essentially rectangular cross section, said retaining track having a longitudinal and lateral axis, a base member, and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls defining therebetween an outwardly facing channel with a restricted opening, said restricted opening defined by a pair of coplanar flanges; andat least one anchoring connector plate having an upper portion defining an enlarged head portion, a lower portion defining a nailing plate for securing a structural member thereto and a neck portion defining a relatively narrow strap extending between the head portion and the nailing plate, wherein the head portion is sized to fit within the channel and engage said flanges to adjustably retain said at least one anchoring connector plate at selected longitudinal positions, and the strap is sized to pass between the flanges to position the nailing plate normal to the track;whereby uplift forces exerted upon said structural members are isolated to said flanges, thereby precluding outward deflection of said sidewalls

2. The infinitely adjustable anchoring assembly of claim 1, further including: at least one anchoring member having a first end and second end, each said anchoring member constructed and arranged to removably attach to said base member at said first end and secure to said support member at said second end without said track penetrating said outer surface, wherein said track is capable of being removed from said first end of said anchoring member while said second end remains secured to said support member.

3. The infinitely adjustable anchoring assembly of claim 1, wherein the track has a generally rectangular cross-section.

4. The infinitely adjustable anchoring assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector plates each include a plurality of apertures for fastening the anchor plate to a structural member.

5. The infinitely adjustable anchoring assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor plates are adapted to secure a structural member, for supporting a pitched roof, to the track at selected positions therealong.

6. The infinitely adjustable anchoring assembly of claim 2, wherein said anchoring member is secured to said track at selected positions therealong, wherein said track can be place on top of freshly poured concrete with said anchoring members inserted into said poured concrete for precise positioning of said anchoring members to said track.

7. The infinitely adjustable anchoring assembly of claim 1, wherein the track is securable to a horizontal head rail of a stud wall having a plurality of vertical studs interconnected by the head rail.

8. The infinitely adjustable anchoring assembly of claim 7, wherein the track has a series of apertures therealong for fastening the track to the head rail.

9. The infinitely adjustable anchoring assembly of claim 1, wherein the track is disposed upon the surface of a concrete filled upper region of a masonry wall such that the channel faces upward and out of the concrete.

10. The adjustable anchoring assembly as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a lateral clamping means defined by a flexible material having a first end integrally connected to said upper portion of said connector plate and a second end that frictionally engages said track to reduce motion along said lateral axis.

11. The adjustable anchoring assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said connector plate is capable of attaching to at least one said structural member selected from the group consisting of said trusses, rafters, roof joists, floor joists, beams or the like.

12. The adjustable anchoring assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of connector plates disposed within said track is capable of attaching to at least one side of a structural member located substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis of said track, and another of said plurality of connector plates is capable of attaching to the opposite side of said structural member, whereby multiple connector plates provide improved resistance to uplift forces.

13. The adjustable anchoring assembly as set forth in claim 2, further comprising at least one longitudinal clamping means defined by a rigid planar material constructed and arranged for placement over both said inwardly extending flange members, said longitudinal clamping means adapted to secure to said first end of said anchoring member when said second end is secured to said support member, wherein said longitudinal clamping means acts to further reinforce said track along said longitudinal axis.

14. A reusable centering bracket assembly for installing an elongated retaining a track assembly along an upper portion of a support member, said track having a base member integrally connected to a pair of oppositely spaced sidewall members extending from said base member defining a channel with an opening formed between said sidewalls, said bracket assembly comprising: a support bracket having a first and second planar surface having at least one sidewall extending therebetween and width dimensions greater than that of said support member and at least one central aperture formed therethrough at approximately the center and at least one pair of corresponding centering pin holes formed therethrough located at equal distances on either side of said central aperture;a fastening means having a first end and a second end, said first end including an integrally connected head portion having dimensions greater than said channel opening of said track and constructed and arranged to engage said sidewall members of said track, said second end constructed and arranged to extend through said central aperture to removably attach to said support bracket such that said track is in juxtaposed relation to said second planar surface; andat least two removable centering pins adapted for placement within corresponding said centering pin holes and having sufficient dimension to extend beyond said second planar surface such that upon insertion into said center pin holes that correspond to the width of said support member each centering pin is juxtaposed to the sides of said support member;wherein upon placement of said bracket assembly over said upper portion of said support member said track is positioned at a substantially central location with respect to the width of said support member.

15. The reusable centering assembly as set forth in claim 14, wherein said second planar surface includes a centralized cutout portion constructed and arranged to substantially corresponding to said elongated retaining track to receive at least a portion of said track therein.

16. The reusable centering assembly as set forth in claim 14, wherein said track is sized to provide a moisture barrier between wood structural members and a masonry wall.

17. A method for attaching an elongated retaining track to an upper portion of a support member employing a reusable centering bracket assembly having a support bracket defined by a first and second planar surface having at least one sidewall extending therebetween with at least one central aperture formed therethrough, said central aperture located at approximately the center of said support bracket, and having at least one pair of corresponding centering pin holes located at equal distances on either side of said central aperture, said track having a base member integrally connected to a pair of oppositely spaced sidewall members extending from said base member, comprising the step of: i) securing said track to the central portion of said centering bracket by a fastening means having a first and second end, said first end integrally attached to said sidewall members and said second end extending through said central aperture and removably attached to said support bracket such that said track is in juxtaposed relation to said second planar surface;ii) inserting a plurality of centering pins within appropriate centering pin holes that correspond to the width of said support member;iii) positioning said elongated retaining track on said support bracket;iv) attaching said elongated track to said support bracket; andv) removing said support bracket from said elongated track;wherein said track provides a bearing area for structural members.

18. A method for attaching an elongated retaining track to an outer surface of a masonry support member for attaching at least one structural member thereto, comprising the steps of: forming a retaining track of essentially rectangular cross section having a longitudinal and lateral axis, a base member, and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls defining therebetween an outwardly facing channel with a restricted opening, said restricted opening defined by a pair of coplanar flanges, said base member having spaced apart apertures for receipt of said anchoring members securing thereto and extending outwardly from a lower surface of said base member;securing said retaining track to said masonry support member.

19. The method for attaching an elongated retaining track to an outer surface of a masonry support member for attaching at least one structural member thereto according to claim 18 wherein said step of securing said retaining track to uncured poured concrete masonry support member is further defined by the steps of: attaching a plurality of anchors to said retaining track,inserted said anchors into said uncured poured concrete by positioning said retaining track on top of freshly poured concrete,wherein said anchors are embedded in said concrete.

20. The method for attaching an elongated retaining track to an outer surface of a masonry support member for attaching at least one structural member thereto according to claim 18 wherein said step of securing said retaining track to said masonry support member includes the steps of: inserting anchors into cured concrete;attaching said retaining track to said anchors.