U.S. patent application number 09/853266 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-14 for building tie down kit for securing roofs, doors, and windows against storm wind damage and method of assembly.
Invention is credited to Oviedo-Reyes, Alfonso.
Application Number | 20020166289 09/853266 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25315542 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020166289 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oviedo-Reyes, Alfonso |
November 14, 2002 |
Building tie down kit for securing roofs, doors, and windows
against storm wind damage and method of assembly
Abstract
A chain net tie down kit includes several multilink chain
segments; several chain connecting mechanisms for connecting the
chain segments for forming a chain net matching the size and
dimensions of a particular portion of a building; and several chain
anchoring fasteners for anchoring the chain net over the particular
portion of a building. The several chain anchoring fasteners
preferably include at least one of: a wall anchoring fastener and a
ground anchor. The chain net tie down kit preferably additionally
includes several door anchoring fasteners. The chain net tie down
kit preferably still additionally includes several window frame
anchoring fasteners. The chain segments optionally are of uniform
length. The chain segments alternatively are of varied lengths.
Groups of the several chain segments optionally are provided
pre-assembled into modular net sections for linking together to
construct a composite chain net.
Inventors: |
Oviedo-Reyes, Alfonso;
(Miami, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Frank L. Kubler, Esquire
13261 S.W. 54th Court
Miramar
FL
33027
US
|
Family ID: |
25315542 |
Appl. No.: |
09/853266 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/4 ; 52/23;
52/3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 7/00 20130101; Y02A
50/14 20180101; E04H 9/14 20130101; Y02A 50/00 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/4 ; 52/3;
52/23 |
International
Class: |
E04D 001/34 |
Claims
I claim as my invention:
1. A chain net tie down kit, comprising: a plurality of multilink
chain segments; a plurality of chain connecting mechanisms for
connecting said chain segments for forming a chain net
substantially matching the size and dimensions of a particular
portion of a building; and a plurality of chain anchoring fasteners
for anchoring said chain net over the particular portion of a
building.
2. The chain net tie down kit of claim 1, wherein said plurality of
chain anchoring fasteners comprise at least one of: a wall
anchoring fastener and a ground anchor.
3. The chain net tie down kit of claim 1, additionally comprising a
plurality of door anchoring fasteners.
4. The chain net tie down kit of claim 1, additionally comprising a
plurality of window frame anchoring fasteners.
5. The chain net tie down kit of claim 1, wherein said chain
segments are of uniform length.
6. The chain net tie down kit of claim 1, wherein said chain
segments are of varied lengths.
7. The chain net tie down kit of claim 1, wherein groups of said
plurality of chain segments are provided pre-assembled into modular
net sections for linking together to construct a composite chain
net.
8. The chain net tie down kit of claim 1, additionally comprising a
plurality of vehicle tires; such that said plurality of vehicle
tires can be placed in stacks defining building columns and secured
together with said plurality of chains to form the walls of an
above-ground wind deflecting shelter wherein said chains are
secured to a plurality of said ground anchor.
9. A building roof and chain net assembly, comprising: a building
having a building roof; and chain net formed of multilink chain
segments on top of said building roof which are interlinked by
removable chain connecting mechanisms.
10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said building roof comprises
roofing elements and wherein said chain segments are interlinked in
end-to-end series and are positioned on a building roof with
sufficiently close lateral spacing to define chain net mesh sizes
small enough to substantially obstruct movement of roofing
elements.
11. The assembly of claim 10, additionally comprising anchor means,
wherein at least one of said end-to-end series of chain segments is
extended from the building roof to anchor means.
12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said anchor means comprises
an anchoring structure located on one of: the ground and a building
wall and a building foundation.
13. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said chain segments are
positioned across one of: a building door and a building
window.
14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein said ends of said chain
segments forming said chain net are secured to wall anchoring
fasteners mounted in a building wall.
15. The assembly of claim 14, additionally comprising a door
fastener for securing to a door to anchor said chain segments to
the door.
16. The assembly of claim 14, additionally comprising a window
frame fastener for securing to a window frame to anchor said chain
segments to the window.
17. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said wall anchoring fasteners
comprise hook screws.
18. A chain net kit, comprising: plurality of modular chain net
sections; a plurality of chain connecting mechanisms for connecting
said chain net sections for forming a composite chain net
substantially matching the size and dimensions of a particular
portion of a building; and a plurality of chain anchoring fasteners
for anchoring said chain net over the particular portion of a
building.
19. A method of assembly of a chain net kit comprising a plurality
of multilink chain segments; a plurality of chain connecting
mechanisms for connecting said chain segments for forming a chain
net substantially matching the size and dimensions of a particular
portion of a building; and a plurality of chain anchoring fasteners
for anchoring said chain net over the particular portion of a
building, comprising the steps of: placing some of the chain
segments into a plurality of parallel first end-to-end series;
joining together adjacent ends of the chain segments forming the
first end to end series with some the chain connecting mechanisms;
placing some of the chain segments to extend between and intersect
lateral said several first end-to-end series to form second
end-to-end series and thus to define a chain grid; joining together
adjacent ends of the chain segments forming the second end-to-end
series with some of the chain connecting mechanisms; extending the
first and second end-to-end series to anchor means; connecting the
first and second end-to-end series to the anchor means; and placing
at least one of: the first end-to-end series and second end-to-end
series in tension with tensioning means.
20. The method of claim 19, comprising the additional steps of:
placing a third end-to-end series of chain segments around the
perimeter of the building to define a perimeter loop; and joining
together adjacent ends of the chain segments forming the third
end-to-end series with some of the chain connecting mechanisms.
21. A method of assembly of a chain net kit comprising a plurality
of modular chain net sections; a plurality of chain connecting
mechanisms for connecting said chain net sections for forming a
composite chain net substantially matching the size and dimensions
of a particular portion of a building; and a plurality of chain
anchoring fasteners for anchoring said chain net over the
particular portion of a building, comprising the steps of: placing
some of the modular chain net sections in a substantially
contiguous array onto a building roof; joining together adjacent
modular chain net sections with some the chain connecting
mechanisms to define a composite chain net; and placing the
composite chain net in tension with tensioning means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
devices for securing parts of buildings against displacement and
damage by storm winds. More specifically the present invention
relates to a chain net formed of multilink segments of chain, the
chain segments being interlinked, both laterally and in end-to-end
series, by removable chain connecting mechanisms. The segmented
chains are preferably of a length that makes it manageable for a
single man to handle. The chain net may be assembled in place on a
roof such as the roof of a house. The chain segments are placed
with sufficiently close lateral spacing to define mesh sizes small
enough to substantially obstruct movement of tiles or other roofing
elements. At least some of the end-to-end series of chain segments
are extended from the roof to anchoring points such as on the
building walls, on the building foundation or on the ground, and
these extended end-to-end series of chain segments are then placed
in sufficient tension to secure roofing elements against
dislodgement by high velocity storm winds. Whenever a house or
building is mentioned in this application it also refers to mobile
homes or manufactured homes.
[0003] A chain net of smaller overall dimensions is also preferably
assembled within the building, across the inward faces of exterior
doors such as front doors and garage doors and across the inward
faces of windows. The apparatus is preferably provided as a kit
including a number of multilink chain segments, a number of
removable chain connecting mechanisms, wall anchoring fasteners and
ground anchors, and preferably including door and window anchoring
fasteners for securing doors and windows against outward movement,
and assembly instructions. This kit of inter-linking chains also
serves to create an above the ground wind-deflecting shelter with
the addition of used tires.
[0004] A method of kit assembly on a house roof is provided,
including the steps of placing the chain segments into parallel
first end-to-end series and joining the ends of these segments with
the chain connecting mechanisms; placing lateral spanning segments
between and preferably perpendicular to the several first
end-to-end series to form second end-to-end series across and
between the first end-to-end series to define a chain grid and
joining the ends of these segments with the chain connecting
mechanisms; connecting additional chain segment to the first and
second end-to-end series to extend the first and second end-to-end
series to building anchoring fasteners in the building or to ground
anchors; creating a horizontal perimeter loop of chain segments
around the building and joining the perimeter loop to the added
chain segments with the chain connecting mechanisms; connecting the
extended first and second end-to-end series to the building
anchoring fasteners or to the ground anchors, and placing the
perimeter loop of the composite net in tension with tensioning
means.
[0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0006] There have long been storm shutters for securing building
windows and doors against storm winds. There have also been
mechanisms for securing a roof against wind displacement, one
example of which is disclosed in Oviedo-Reyes, U.S. Pat. No.
5,522,184, issued on Jun. 4, 1996 to the present applicant. The
contents of this prior patent are incorporated by reference.
Oviedo-Reyes teaches an apparatus for strengthening building
structures including a net formed of cables which is secured over
the roof of a house or other building and secured to anchors
embedded in the ground around the building. The cable forming the
net is provided in segments and these segments are interconnected.
While the cable forming the net is flexible and has high tensile
strength, cable by its nature is not readily connected to other
cables at a variety of points along its length, so that apparatus
assembly can be relatively challenging and adaptability of the
apparatus to various types of structures, and to use on doors and
windows, is limited.
[0007] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a
roof, door and window tie down apparatus which is formed of
flexible, segmented elements which do not need to be cut and
specifically of chain segments of convenient lengths for manual
placement made of interlocked chain links which serve as selective
connecting points for other chain segments for assembly on the
building itself into a removable, custom sized and custom shaped
chain net and which includes means for anchoring and tensioning the
chain net against significant movement.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide
such a roof, door and window tie down apparatus which is flexible
and is made up of elements which are easily interconnected at
multiple points, unlike cables, and which is of adequate tensile
strength that it can be placed in sufficient tension to resist
displacement of adjacent building elements under the forces of
storm winds.
[0009] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide such a tie down apparatus which can be distributed to
purchasers in kit form and which is universal because the number
and arrangement of chain segments or pre-assembled modular chain
nets can be selected for a given application, and it is an object
of the present invention to provide a method of assembly of such a
kit into the tie down apparatus.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide such
elements in combination with used old tires that are filled with
dirt and concrete to form an above-ground wind deflecting shelter
which can be distributed to purchasers in a kit form.
[0011] It is finally an object of the present invention to provide
such a cover apparatus and kit which is compact, manually portable,
made up of common and widely available and therefore inexpensive
elements and which produces a sturdy and reliable tie down
structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention accomplishes the above-stated
objectives, as well as others, as may be determined by a fair
reading and interpretation of the entire specification.
[0013] A chain net tie down kit is provided, including several
multilink chain segments; several chain connecting mechanisms for
connecting the chain segments for forming a chain net matching the
size and dimensions of a particular portion of a building; and
several chain anchoring fasteners for anchoring the chain net over
the particular portion of a building. The several chain anchoring
fasteners preferably include at least one of: a wall anchoring
fastener and a ground anchor. The chain net tie down kit preferably
additionally includes several door anchoring fasteners. The chain
net tie down kit preferably still additionally includes at least
one window shutter anchoring fasteners.
[0014] The chain segments optionally are of uniform length. The
chain segments alternatively are of varied lengths. Groups of the
several chain segments optionally are provided pre-assembled into
modular net sections for linking together to construct a composite
chain net.
[0015] A building roof and chain net assembly is provided,
including a building having a building roof; and chain net formed
of multilink chain segments on top of the building roof including
roofing elements which are interlinked by removable chain
connecting mechanisms. The chain segments preferably are
interlinked in end-to-end series and are positioned on a building
roof with sufficiently close lateral spacing to define chain net
mesh sizes small enough to substantially obstruct movement of the
roofing elements. The assembly preferably additionally includes
anchor structures, where at least one of the end-to-end series of
chain segments is extended from the building roof to one of the
anchor structures. The anchor structures are preferably located on
one of: the ground and a building wall and a building foundation.
The chain segments alternatively are positioned across one of: a
building door and a building window. The ends of the chain segments
forming the chain net are secured to wall anchoring fasteners
mounted in a building wall. The assembly optionally additionally
includes a door fastener for securing to a door to anchor the chain
segments to the door. The assembly optionally additionally includes
a window frame fastener for securing to a window frame to anchor
the chain segments to the window. The wall anchoring fasteners
preferably include ring or hook screws.
[0016] A chain net kit is further provided, including several
modular chain net sections; several chain connecting mechanisms for
connecting the chain net sections for forming a composite chain net
matching the size and dimensions of a particular portion of a
building; and several chain anchoring fasteners for anchoring the
chain net over the particular portion of a building.
[0017] Finally, the kit can be used to create a separate and
freestanding storm shelter structure. For this variation, a number
of old used tires are provided which are stacked in vertical tire
columns and series of chain segments are threaded through
individual tire columns and secured with chain connecting
mechanisms to interconnect the columns. The chain segments extend
laterally from columns and are secured to ground anchors extending
into the ground. A roof is formed of a wood or metal frame
structure which can be covered in any suitable roofing material,
whether conventional or non-conventional. A door frame containing a
hinged door is optionally inserted and secured with the chain
segments between laterally spaced apart tire columns.
[0018] A method of assembly of the chain net kit including the
several multilink chain segments; the several chain connecting
mechanisms for connecting the chain segments for forming a chain
net matching the size and dimensions of a particular portion of a
building; and the several chain anchoring fasteners for anchoring
the chain net over the particular portion of a building, including
the steps of placing some of the chain segments into a plurality of
parallel first end-to-end series; joining together adjacent ends of
the chain segments forming the first end-to-end series with some
the chain connecting mechanisms; placing some of the chain segments
to extend between and intersect lateral the several first
end-to-end series to form second end-to-end series and thus to
define a chain grid; joining together adjacent ends of the chain
segments forming the second end-to-end series with some of the
chain connecting mechanisms; extending the first and second
end-to-end series to anchor structures; connecting the first and
second end-to-end series to the anchor structures; and placing at
least one of: the first end-to-end series and second end-to-end
series in tension with a tensioning mechanism. The method
preferably includes the additional steps of placing a third
end-to-end series of chain segments around the perimeter of the
building to define a perimeter loop; and joining together adjacent
ends of the chain segments forming the third end-to-end series with
some of the chain connecting mechanisms.
[0019] A method of assembly of an alternative chain net kit
including several modular chain net sections; several chain
connecting mechanisms for connecting the chain net sections for
forming a composite chain net matching the size and dimensions of a
particular portion of a building; and several chain anchoring
fasteners for anchoring the chain net over the particular portion
of a building, including the steps of placing some of the modular
chain net sections in a substantially contiguous array onto a
building roof; joining together adjacent modular chain net sections
with some the chain connecting mechanisms to define a composite
chain net; and placing the composite chain net in tension with a
tensioning mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Various other objects, advantages, and features of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following discussion taken in conjunction with the following
drawings, in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a house fitted with the
preferred embodiment of the tie down apparatus assembled from the
tie down kit.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a side view of the house of FIG. 1 showing the
ground in cross-section, revealing the installed ground
anchors.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a side view of a turnbuckle tensioning
mechanism.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a side view of the preferred ground anchor, with a
break in its shaft to compress the illustration.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the preferred tie down kit and
various elements making up the kit.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a building door fitted with
a chain net formed from the tie down kit.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a building window fitted
with a chain net formed from the tie down kit.
[0028] FIG. 8 is an upper perspective view of the used tire column
building structure showing a building structure roof frame
superimposed.
[0029] FIG. 9 is a view as in FIG. 8 showing the chain segments
added to hold the tires together in columns, to hold the columns
together and to secure the tire columns to ground anchors.
[0030] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of the building structure of
FIGS. 8 and 9, with the roof omitted.
[0031] FIG. 11 is a side view of the completed building structure
of FIGS. 8-10.
[0032] FIG. 12 is a view as in FIG. 11, with the addition of a door
frame containing a hinged door incorporated between spaced apart
tire columns.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which
may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
[0034] Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like
characteristics and features of the present invention shown in the
various FIGURES are designated by the same reference numerals.
First Preferred Embodiment
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1-12, a building securing apparatus 10 is
disclosed including a chain net 12 formed of multilink chain
segments 20 of metal or plastic which are interlinked with other
chain segments 20, both laterally and end-to-end by removable chain
connecting mechanisms 30. The chain net 12 is preferably assembled
in place on a roof R such as the roof of a house.
[0036] The chain segments 20 are placed with sufficiently close
lateral spacing to define net 12 mesh sizes small enough to
substantially obstruct movement of tiles T or other roofing
elements. Further chain segments 20 are added to at least some of
the end-to-end series of chain segments 20 and are extended from
the roof R to anchor means such as on the building B walls, on the
building foundation F or on the ground G, and these extended
end-to-end series of chain segments 20 are then placed in
sufficient tension to secure outer roofing elements such as tiles T
and underlying roofing elements such as plywood sheets against
dislodgement by high velocity storm winds.
[0037] A chain net 12 of smaller overall dimensions is also
preferably assembled within the building B, across the inward faces
of exterior doors D such as front doors and garage doors and across
the inward faces of windows W. Ends of chain segments 20 forming
the chain net 12 are secured to wall anchoring fasteners 22 mounted
in the surrounding wall, to prevent the door D or window W from
opening inwardly. Door D and window W frame fasteners 24
additionally may be provided on the door or window itself to anchor
net chain segments 20 to the door and window and thus to prevent
the door or window from opening outwardly.
[0038] The preferred wall anchoring fasteners 22 are hook screws of
well known design. The preferred door and window frame fasteners 24
are large eye screws of conventional design. The preferred ground
anchor 26 is illustrated in FIG. 4, and shown installed in FIG. 2.
Suitable chain link and fastener gauges and sizes are selected
according to well known engineering calculations.
[0039] Apparatus 10 is preferably provided as a kit 50 including a
number of multilink chain segments 20, a number of removable chain
connecting mechanisms 30, wall anchoring fasteners 22 and ground
anchors 26, and preferably including door and window frame
anchoring fasteners 24 and assembly instructions. The chain
segments 20 may be of uniform length or of varied lengths.
Alternatively, groups of the chain segments 20 are pre-assembled
and provided in the kit 50 as several modular net sections 120 for
linking edge-to-edge together during on-site assembly with the
chain connecting mechanisms 30 to define a composite net 12
fashioned to match the size and dimensions of a particular roof
R.
[0040] Finally, the kit can be used to create a separate and
freestanding storm shelter structure 80. See FIGS. 8-12. For this
variation, a number of old used tires 82 are provided which are
stacked in vertical tire columns 84 and series of chain segments 20
are threaded through individual tire columns 84 and secured with
chain connecting mechanisms 30 to interconnect tire columns 84.
Chains segments 20 extend from tire columns 84 and are secured to
ground anchors 26 with chain connecting mechanisms 30. A roof is
formed of a wood or metal frame structure 90 which can be covered
in any suitable roofing material, whether conventional or
non-conventional. A door frame 92 containing a hinged door 94 may
be inserted and secured with chain segments 20 between laterally
spaced apart tire columns 84. See FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 12.
Method
[0041] In practicing the invention, the following method may be
used. A method of kit 50 assembly on a house roof R from the
version of the kit 50 including individual chain segments 20 is
provided, including the steps of placing the chain segments 20 into
parallel first end-to-end series 52 and joining the ends of these
segments 20 with the chain connecting mechanisms 30; placing
lateral spanning segments between and preferably perpendicular to
the several first end-to-end series 52 to form second end-to-end
series 54 across and between the first end-to-end series 52 to
define a chain grid and joining the chain second end-to-end series
54 to first end-to-end series 52 with connecting mechanisms 30;
extending the first and second end-to-end series 52 and 54
respectively to building anchoring fasteners 22 or 24 in the
building or to ground anchors 26; connecting the extended first and
second end-to-end series 52 and 54 to the building anchoring
fasteners 22 or 24 or to the ground anchors 26, and placing the
composite net 12 in tension with tensioning means 60. The
tensioning means 60 may be a winch, or a device known as a
COME-ALONG, or a turnbuckle, or a ratchet or a calibrated tensioner
or any device to provide tension to the chains. Preferred
additional steps include placing a third end-to-end series of chain
segments around the perimeter of the building to define a perimeter
loop 70; and joining together adjacent ends of the chain segments
forming the third end-to-end series with some of the chain
connecting mechanisms.
[0042] A further method is provided of assembly of the alternative
kit including the modular chain net sections 120, including the
steps of placing some of the modular chain net sections 120 in a
substantially contiguous array onto a building roof R; joining
together adjacent modular chain net sections 120 with some the
chain connecting mechanisms 30 to define a composite chain net 12;
and placing the composite chain net 12 in tension with tensioning
means 60. The provision of modular chain net sections 120 is
believed to increase speed of composite net 12 assembly.
[0043] While the invention has been described, disclosed,
illustrated and shown in various terms or certain embodiments or
modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the
invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be,
limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may
be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved
especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims
here appended.
* * * * *