Clay tile roof walkers

Abstract

A method and apparatus for distributing weight on corrugated clay tile roof utilizing a thick piece of sculpted foam attached to a strong stiff material. Used in pairs the roof walker permits a person to travel across a clay tile roof without breaking the fragile tiles.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to clay tile roofs. More specifically, the invention is a device, which is placed on a clay tile roof to protect the tiles from being broken. When used in pairs, this invention allows a person to move around on a clay tile roof without breaking tiles.

People are often faced with the problem of working on their fragile clay tile roof for a variety of reasons. The problem with walking on a clay tile roof is the clay tiles will easily crack or break if placed under stress. The object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for moving over clay tile roof. Clay tile will withstand relatively high static and compressive stresses but little tensile stress.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The clay tile roof walker system is a comprised of a thick piece of sculpted foam attached to a strong stiff material such as plywood. The foam is shaped such that the load on top of the walker is transferred to the valleys of the roof tiles. The walker has handgrips on all four sides and a non-slip surface on the top. A person can stand on one roof walker and then pick up another and place it such that he may travel in any direction across the roof. They also can be used as a platform to which equipment may be attached without harming the clay tiles underneath.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental isometric view illustrating the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1. A portion of the corrugated clay tile roof is shown 10 with the roof walker resting on it. The lower portion of the roof walker is a thick piece of sculpted foam 22. The foam 22 is sculpted such that it only makes contact with the valleys of the clay tile roof 10. The upper portion 20 of the roof walker 20 is a strong and stiff material such as plywood. This upper portion 20 has hand cutouts 24 to permit the walker to be lifted and positioned such that a person may move from one walker to the next. The upper portion 20 of the roof walker has a non-slip surface. The upper portion 20 and lower portion 22 are attached together with an adhesive or other method.

It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for distributing weight on a corrugated clay tile roof utilizing a thick piece of foam attached to stiff material such as plywood.

2. A method for moving about on a corrugated clay tile roof using two or more pieces of thick foam attached to a stiff material such as plywood

3. A method for placing equipment on a corrugated clay tile roof using pieces of thick foam attached to a stiff material such as plywood.