System for protecting a building

Abstract

A system for protecting a building is disclosed. The building may stand on the ground surface, and may have a roof. The system comprises a mesh positionable over the roof of the building. The mesh includes a number of edge portions. A frame is secured to the edge portions of the mesh. The frame is composed of a number of elongate rigid members extending along the edge portions of the mesh. The system further includes a number of connectors. Each connector has a first end portion securable to the frame, and a second end portion removably securable to the ground surface.

1 . A system for protecting a building standing on a ground surface, the building having a roof, the system comprising:
 a) a mesh positionable over the roof of the building, the mesh comprising a plurality of edge portions;   b) a frame secured to the edge portions of the mesh, the frame comprising a plurality of elongate rigid members extending along the edge portions;   c) a plurality of connectors, each connector having a first end portion securable to the frame, and a second end portion removably securable to the ground.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of piles secured in the ground, wherein the connectors are removably secured to the piles. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh comprises steel filaments. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the steel filaments have a filament diameter of 2 mm of greater. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the mesh comprises longitudinal filaments extending in a first direction, and lateral filaments extending in a second direction transverse to the first direction; wherein the longitudinal filaments are spaced apart by a distance of 300 mm or less; wherein the lateral filaments are spaced apart by a distance of 480 mm or less. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the elongate rigid members are rods. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the rods are made from carbon fiber. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of rods have a rod diameter of 2 inches or greater. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rods are made from aluminum galvanized steel. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a) the mesh comprises a first edge portion and an opposed second edge, and a third edge portion and an opposed fourth edge portion; and   b) the frame comprises a first rod and a second rod secured to the first edge portion, a third rod and a fourth rod secured to the second edge portion, a fifth rod secured to the third edge portion, and a sixth rod secured to the fourth edge portion.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh comprises a plurality of mesh loops connected to at least one edge of the mesh, wherein at least a portion of the elongate members are received within the plurality of mesh loops. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connectors comprise cables. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the system comprises ten cables. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein when secured to the frame and the ground, the cables are each at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the cables have a cable diameter of 0.75 inches or less. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the cables comprise steel. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a tightening mechanism operatively connected to at least one of the cables for tightening the cable. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a) at least one tie secured to a pair of adjacent elongate members, and   b) a ring secured to the tie, wherein a first end portion of at least one of the connectors comprises a first loop threaded to the ring, thereby securing the connector to the frame.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the tie defines a passage therethrough, wherein an end of each of the pair of elongate members is received within the passage. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the tie has an angled shape, wherein the pair of elongate members are positioned at an angle to each other. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising a pile secured within the ground surface, the pile comprising a hook projecting from an upper end of the pile, wherein a second end portion of the connector comprises a second loop removably securable to the hook. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the connector comprises a tightening mechanism. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the connector comprises a cable, wherein the tightening mechanism comprises a turnbuckle. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion overhangs the roof. 
     
     
         25 . A system for protecting a building standing on a surface, the building having a roof, the system comprising:
 a) a mesh positionable over the roof of the building, the mesh comprising a plurality of loops along an edge of the mesh;   b) a frame positioned along the edge of the mesh, the frame being secured within the loops of the mesh, the frame comprising a plurality of elongate rigid members;   c) a plurality of anchors securable to the surface;   d) a plurality of cables, each cable comprising a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the first end of each cable is securable to the frame, and the second end of each cable is removably securable to one of the anchors; and   e) a tightening mechanism connected to a least one of the cables, the tightening mechanism being adapted to control tautness of the cable.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the rigid members are rods. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the tightening mechanism is a turnbuckle.