Roof hoist

Abstract

According to embodiments described in the specification, an apparatus and method for lifting a roof onto a dwelling. A roof hoist with hooks and a frame is provided. Each hook is configured to slide under a portion of a roof and thereby support a portion of the weight of the roof. The frame is provided with locomotion means to facilitate positioning over a roof. A portion of the frame may be removed and lifted with the roof by overhead lifting means. The hooks are attached to the removeable portion of the frame. The roof may be deposited on a dwelling, and the hooks may then be disengaged. The removeable portion of the frame, along with the hooks, may be then be lowered and recoupled with the remainder of the frame.

1 . An apparatus for lifting a roof, the apparatus having a plurality of hooks, each hook comprising:
 a roof support member having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to extend underneath at least a portion of an edge of the roof;   a stem, extending from the second end of the roof support member, the stem including a lift point;   each of the hooks being arrangeable at the periphery of the roof to support at least a portion of the roof.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lift point is an inverted U-shaped connector. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , each hook further comprising:
 a roof contact member extending from the first end of the roof support member, the roof contact member configured to contact a structural member of the roof.   
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , each hook further comprising:
 the roof contact member having at least one substantially downwardly extending protrusion for supporting the hook.   
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , each hook further comprising:
 at least one substantially downwardly extending foot near the second end of the roof support member, the at least one foot cooperating with the at least one protrusion to support the hook.   
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the lift point is substantially vertically aligned with the roof contact member. 
   
   
       7 . A method for lifting a roof onto a dwelling, comprising:
 positioning a roof hoist over the roof, the roof hoist having a plurality of hooks, each hook comprising a roof support member having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to extend underneath at least a portion of an edge of the roof; and a stem, extending from the second end of the roof support member, the stem including a lift point;   engaging each of the plurality of hooks with a portion of the roof;   operating the roof hoist to lift the roof via the plurality of hooks coupled thereto; and   placing the roof on the dwelling.   
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for lifting a roof, the apparatus having at least one connector, each connector comprising:
 a first member having at least one wheel;   a second member having at least one wheel;   the first member being configured to receive a portion of a first beam;   the second member being configured to receive a portion of a second beam; and   the first member being stackably coupled to the second member, the first member and the second member thereby defining an intersection between the first beam and the second beam, when the first beam and the second beam are received in the first member and the second member respectively, the intersection being moveable along the first beam and the second beam by the at least one wheel of the first member and the at least one wheel of the second member.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein each connector is further configured to receive the first beam and the second beam between the stackably coupled first and second members, such that the second beam is supported on the second member by the first beam, via the first member coupled to the second member. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein each connector is further configured to receive the first beam and the second beam such that the first member and the second member are disposed between the received first beam and the received second beam, and the first beam is supported on the second beam via the first member coupled to the second member. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein each of the first member and the second member comprises a plurality of wheels disposed in a plurality of substantially parallel coaxial pairs. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein each of the first member and the second member comprises at least one track defining a channel for receiving the first beam or the second beam. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the coupled first and second members are configured receive the first beam and the second beam substantially perpendicularly. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , the apparatus comprising an element in a frame, the frame comprising:
 a top portion;   support means for supporting the top portion;   the top portion having a first plurality of substantially coplanar, substantially parallel spaced apart beams, and a second plurality of substantially coplanar, substantially parallel spaced apart beams;   one of the first or second plurality of beams being disposed on top of the other of the first or second plurality of beams, thereby defining a plurality of intersections;   at each intersection, a beam of the first plurality of beams being moveably coupled to a beam of the second plurality of beams by a connector.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the support means comprises a plurality of legs, each leg comprising:
 a base member; and   at least one post extending upwardly to meet the top portion from the base member.   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the frame further comprises locomotion means. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the locomotion means comprises a plurality of wheels connected to said base members of said legs. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the first plurality of beams is substantially perpendicular to the second plurality of beams.