Rafter Membrance Hold Down Clip

Abstract

A hold down clip is installed on the rafters or a building to secure a membrane between the rafters before the roof is put on the building. The rafter hold down clip and membrane create an air gap between the rafters, thereby creating an insulation layer beneath the roof. The depth of the air gap is determined by the length of the legs of the rafter hold down clip. In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the legs are about 1.5 inches long, and therefore create an air insulation gap about 1.5 inches deep.

1 . A rafter hold down clip for installation on a rafter of predetermined width, the rafter hold down clip comprising: 
 a substantially flat plate;    a first leg extending from and integrally formed with the flat plate and forming a first shoulder with the flat plate at a first acute angle; and    a second leg extending from and integrally formed with the flat plate and forming a second shoulder with the flat plate at a second acute angle.    
   
   
       2 . The rafter hold down clip of  claim 1 , wherein the plate defines a width which is greater than the width of the rafter.  
   
   
       3 . The rafter hold down clip of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second legs bow toward each other.  
   
   
       4 . The rafter hold down clip of  claim 1 , wherein the first leg defines a first leg end, the second leg defines a second leg end, and the first leg end and the second leg end flare away from each other.  
   
   
       5 . An air gap insulation system between the rafters of a building, the system comprising: 
 a first rafter hold down clip for installation on a first rafter of predetermined width, the first rafter hold down clip comprising a first substantially flat plate and a first pair of legs extending from the first plate, the first pair of legs each defining a length;    a second rafter hold down clip for installation on a second rafter of predetermined width, the second rafter hold down clip comprising a second substantially flat plate and a second pair of legs extending from the second flat plate, the second pair of legs defining the length; and    a wrap material secured to the first rafter by the first rafter hold down clip and to the second rafter by the second rafter hold down clip, thereby forming an insulating air gap between the first and second rafter hold down clips of the wrap material.    
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the length of the legs determines a thickness for the insulating air gap.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first pair of legs bow toward each other.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first pair of legs define ends which flare away from each other.