System and method for decreasing susceptibility of a roof structure to hurricane forces

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for decreasing the susceptibility of a roof structure to extreme weather events, such as the wind related forces generated by a hurricane. In one embodiment, the ability of a roof structure to resist forces generated by extreme weather events may be improved by installing a bracing rod into the interior of a roof structure with the bracing rod positioned through the open spaces of a series of roof trusses, then attaching one end of securing member to the bracing rod. Securing an anchoring device in the ground, and linking a connecting member at one end to the securing member attached to the bracing rod and a second end of the connecting member to the anchoring device secured in the ground.

1 . A system comprising:
 a bracing rod to be installed interior to a roof structure of a building, the bracing rod to be positioned through a plurality of trusses;   a securing member having a first end to be attached to the bracing rod interior to the roof structure and having a second end to be positioned exterior to the building;   an anchoring device to be secured in earth; and   a connecting member having a first linkage to be removably attached with the second end of the securing member and a second linkage to be removably attached with the anchoring device.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bracing rod comprises a metallic bar. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the bracing rod to be positioned through the plurality of trusses comprises the metallic bar to rest above and perpendicular to a plurality of roof joists of the plurality of trusses and to rest beneath a plurality of roof rafters of the plurality of trusses. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the metallic bar to rest in a corner of each of the plurality of trusses where the roof joist and roof rafter of each truss meet. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the securing member having a first end to be attached to the bracing rod comprises a nylon strap to be looped around the bracing rod and fastened to itself. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the nylon strap to be looped around the bracing rod and fastened to itself comprises the nylon strap to be sewn to itself, riveted to itself, bolted to itself, or clamped to itself, to form a loop in the nylon strap and to have the bracing rod pass through the interior of the loop. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the securing member having the second end to be positioned exterior to the building comprises the end of the nylon strap opposite the loop to be positioned beneath the underside of the roof structure and over a supporting exterior wall of the building. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the anchoring device comprises a stainless steel cable having attached thereto an anchoring blade on a first end buried in the earth, and having further attached thereto a metallic ring at a second end above the earth. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first linkage of the connecting member comprises a first hook, the first hook to be removably attached to a metallic ring attached to the second end of the securing member, and wherein the second linkage of the connecting member comprises a second hook, the second hook to be removably attached with the anchoring device via the metallic ring at the second end of the anchoring device. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the connecting member is adjustable in length. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the connecting member comprises one of an adjustable length steel cable, an adjustable length nylon strap, or an adjustable length multi section metallic bar. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the connecting member is adjustable in length via a come along tool, a ratcheting tool, a threaded bolt and nut system, a pulley system, or a lever tensioner. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the bracing rod is between 48 and 144 inches in length and between 0.75 and 2.5 inches in diameter;   the securing member is between 12 and 36 inches in length; and   the anchoring device is between 4 and 8 feet in length, to be secured in earth by burying more than 75% of its length, and no more than 30 degrees off its vertical axis.   
   
   
       14 . A method comprising:
 installing a bracing rod into the interior of a roof structure, the bracing rod positioned through a plurality of trusses within the roof structure;   attaching a first end of a securing member to the bracing rod;   securing an anchoring device in earth; and   linking a second end of the securing member with the anchoring device via a connecting member, the connecting member having a first linkage removably attached with the second end of the securing member and a second linkage removably attached with the anchoring device.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein installing the bracing rod into the interior of a roof structure comprises resting the bracing rod in an inside corner of each of the plurality of trusses where a roof joist and roof rafter of each of the plurality of trusses meet, the bracing rod resting above and perpendicular to each roof joist making up the plurality of trusses and beneath each roof rafter making up the plurality of trusses. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the connecting member comprises an adjustable length strap having a ratchet tool integrated therewith, the method further comprising:
 ratcheting the adjustable length strap via the ratchet tool to decrease the length and increase the tension of the adjustable length strap.   
   
   
       17 . A system comprising:
 means for installing a bracing rod within the interior of a roof structure, the bracing rod positioned through a plurality of trusses within the roof structure;   means for attaching a first end of a securing member to the bracing rod;   means for securing an anchoring device in earth; and   means for linking a second end of the securing member with the anchoring device via a connecting member.   
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 means for distributing loads on the bracing rod across the plurality of trusses.   
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the connecting member comprises a first end having a first hook connected therewith and a second end having a second hook connected therewith;   the second end of the securing member comprises a first connecting ring; and   the anchoring device comprises a second connecting ring.   
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the means for linking the second end of the securing member with the anchoring device via the connecting member comprises:
 means for removably coupling the first hook of the connecting member with the first connecting ring of the securing member;   means for removably coupling the second hook of the connecting member with the second connecting ring of the anchoring device; and wherein the system further comprises:   means for decreasing the length and increasing the tension of the connecting member linking the second end of the securing member with the anchoring device.