Removable and re-attachable roof system for modular residential construction

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a residential dwelling unit designed for vertical expansion by way of a removable and re-attachable roof system. By removing certain components of the original dwelling unit's roof, that same structure can be converted into the floor of a subsequent vertical addition. Specific components that were removed from the original roof are then re-attached on top of the vertical addition.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An interchangeable panel system for a roof assembly, wherein the roof assembly comprises a roof substructure and a removable upper roof assembly, wherein the roof substructure comprises a first plurality of rafters forming a framed opening in the roof substructure, wherein the interchangeable panel system comprises:
 a second plurality of rafters forming a framed panel dimensioned to fit in the framed opening;   a staircase comprising an upper portion dimensioned to fit in the framed opening; and   a bracket fastened to the first plurality of rafters, wherein the bracket is configured to selectively secure the framed panel in the framed opening, and wherein the bracket is configured to selectively secure the upper portion of the staircase in the framed opening.   
     
     
         22 . The interchangeable panel system of  claim 21 , wherein the framed panel is configured to be vertically disengaged from the bracket. 
     
     
         23 . The interchangeable panel system of  claim 21 , wherein the roof substructure comprises a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis that together define a horizontal plane, wherein the support comprises a grooved slot configured to receive at least a portion of the framed panel, and wherein the framed panel is configured to be horizontally disengaged from the grooved slot. 
     
     
         24 . The interchangeable panel system of  claim 23 , wherein the framed panel further comprises a plurality of castors configured to be received by the grooved slot. 
     
     
         25 . The interchangeable panel system of  claim 24 , wherein the castors are configured to be horizontally disengaged from the bracket along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         26 . The interchangeable panel system of  claim 24 , wherein the castors are configured to be horizontally disengaged from the bracket along the transverse axis. 
     
     
         27 . The interchangeable panel system of  claim 21 , further comprising a fastener configured to secure the framed panel to the first plurality of rafters. 
     
     
         28 . The interchangeable panel system of  claim 21 , further comprising a second bracket fastened to the first plurality of rafters, wherein the second bracket is configured to selectively secure the framed panel in the framed opening, and wherein the second bracket is configured to selective secure the upper portion of the staircase in the framed opening. 
     
     
         29 . The interchangeable panel system of  claim 21 , further comprising a fastener configured to secure the staircase to the first plurality of rafters. 
     
     
         30 . The interchangeable panel system of  claim 21 , wherein the roof substructure further comprises a first portion of sheathing coupled to at least one rafter of the first plurality of rafters of the roof substructure, and wherein the framed panel further comprises a second portion of sheathing coupled to at least one rafter of the second plurality of rafters. 
     
     
         31 . The interchangeable panel system of  claim 21 , wherein a width of the framed panel is four feet, and a length of the framed panel is greater than or equal to 12 feet and less than or equal to 15 feet. 
     
     
         32 . The interchangeable panel system of  claim 21 , wherein the bracket comprises a joist hanger. 
     
     
         33 . The interchangeable panel system of  claim 21 , wherein the bracket comprises a Z-bracket. 
     
     
         34 . A removable structural roof panel for use with a roof substructure, wherein the roof substructure comprises a first plurality of rafters forming a framed opening in the roof substructure, wherein the framed opening is dimensioned to fit an upper end of a staircase, and wherein the roof substructure further comprises a plurality of brackets positioned around the perimeter of the framed opening, wherein the removable structural roof panel comprises:
 a second plurality of rafters forming a framed panel dimensioned to fit within the framed opening and structured for attachment to the brackets; and   a portion of sheathing spanning the framed panel;   wherein the framed panel and the roof substructure form a contiguous roof support when the framed panel is positioned within the framed opening and attached to the brackets.   
     
     
         35 . The removable structural roof panel of  claim 34 , further comprising a plurality of castors configured to be received by the brackets, wherein the roof substructure comprises a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis that together define a horizontal plane, and wherein the castors are configured to be horizontally disengaged from the brackets. 
     
     
         36 . The removable structural support panel of  claim 34 , wherein the brackets comprises joist hangers. 
     
     
         37 . A method for installing a staircase into a roof assembly comprising a roof substructure and a removable upper roof assembly, wherein the staircase comprises an upper portion, wherein the roof substructure comprises a first plurality of rafters forming a framed opening in the roof substructure, wherein a bracket is fastened to the first plurality of rafters, wherein a removable structural roof panel comprises a second plurality of rafters forming a framed panel dimensioned to fit within the framed opening and structured for selective attachment to the bracket, and wherein the framed panel is attached to the first plurality of rafters by at least one fastener, the method comprising:
 removing the at least one fastener attaching the framed panel to the first plurality of rafters;   disengaging the removable structural roof panel from the bracket;   removing the removable structural roof panel from the framed opening in the roof substructure;   positioning the staircase such that the upper portion of the staircase is positioned within the framed opening of the roof substructure;   selectively engaging the upper portion of the staircase with the bracket; and   installing at least one fastener to attach the upper portion of the staircase to the first plurality of rafters.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein disengaging the removable structural roof panel from the bracket further comprises lifting the removable structural roof panel vertically off the bracket. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein lifting the removable structural roof panel vertically from the support further comprises using a crane to lift the removable structural roof panel off the bracket. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the roof substructure comprises a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis that together define a horizontal plane, wherein the bracket comprises a grooved slot, wherein the removable structural roof panel comprises a plurality of castors configured to be received by the grooved slot, and wherein disengaging the removable structural roof panel from the bracket further comprises sliding the removable structural roof panel horizontally along the grooved slot until the castors disengage the grooved slot.