Snow guard for roofs

Abstract

The snow guard for roofs includes a plurality of slotted brackets, which are permanently installed atop the roof structure. A snow fence is removably installed in the slots of the brackets, permitting the user to remove the fence as needed for the deliberate removal of snow from the roof in a safe and predetermined manner. The slots of the brackets extend only partially toward the bottoms of the brackets, thus placing the lower edge of the snow fence elevated above the underlying roof structure. This provides clearance between the snow fence and any strengthening ribs or ridges formed in the roof covering, as are typically provided in sheet metal covered roofs. The brackets are preferably attached along the eaves of the roof outboard of the wall structure to preclude leakage through the mounting holes and water damage to the interior of the structure.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates generally to retaining devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a snow guard for installation on a sloped roof to prevent the sudden and unexpected sliding of snow from the roof. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] The accumulation of snow upon roofs can be a major problem in many areas of the world. Generally, roofs tend to be constructed with steeper pitches in areas with greater snowfall in order to allow the snow to slide from the roof slope to avoid excessive snow loads on the roof structure. Steeper roof pitches are also capable of supporting greater snow loads, as well. [0005] Snow does not typically slide from a sloped structure immediately upon contacting the structure. Rather, the first snow tends to adhere to the underlying structure, with additional snow adhering to the first snow. The buildup continues until a significant amount of snow has a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The snow guard for roofs serves to prevent the accidental or unplanned sliding or avalanching of snow from a gabled roof. The device has a series of slotted brackets, which are permanently attached to the roof, preferably through the eaves thereof outside of the walls of the structure. A single, flat snow fence is removably placed in the slots of the mounting brackets. The slots of the brackets preferably extend only partially from the top of the brackets toward their bases, thus elevating the lower edge of the snow fence component above the surface of the roof. This enables the snow guard to be installed upon metal or other roof surfaces having strengthening ribs or ridges extending from the ridgeline to the eaves, with the lower edge of the snow fence clearing the ribs or ridges to avoid damage thereto.

[0011] The mounting brackets may be secured through the metal (or other) roof covering and underlying sheathing, or may be secured through stringers supporting the overlying metal roof sheathing. The slotted mounting brackets permit the snow fence to be quickly and easily lifted from the brackets whenever desired, thus permitting the user of the device to remove accumulated snow from the roof structure in a deliberate manner when safe, rather than risking random snow slides from an unguarded roof.

Problems solved by technology

The accumulation of snow upon roofs can be a major problem in many areas of the world.

The buildup continues until a significant amount of snow has accumulated on the structure.

This can result in extremely hazardous conditions for anyone immediately beneath the eaves of the roof when the snow slide occurs if sufficient snow has built up, particularly if some melting and refreezing, or freezing rain, has occurred to form large masses of ice.

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