Roof clip

Abstract

A roof clip, including: a straight portion, one or more prongs on a side of the straight portion, and a semi-looped portion adjacent the straight portion. Preferably, the roof clip is 0.75 inches wide, the straight portion is 4 inches long, the prongs are 0.25 inches long, and the semi-looped portion has a diameter of 0.3125 ( 5/16) inches. The semi-looped portion can be curved toward the side that has the prongs or away from the side that has the prongs. The roof clip can have a single semi-looped portion or can also include a second semi-looped portion adjacent the first semi-looped portion. The semi-looped portions preferably are substantially semicircular. The roof clip preferably includes a 0.25 inches wide opening in the semi-looped portion whereby the roof clip can be pried up from a roof in which the prongs are embedded. Also, a method of using the roof clip.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to clips for securing cables or light strings to a roof of a house or other building.

2. Description of the Related Art

Nails or screws are often driven into a roof of a house or other building in order to attach cables or light strings (e.g., Christmas lights) to or near the roof. These nails or screws are often driven through a tar paper layer that underlies shingles on the roof. When this is done, the nails or screws can create a path for water and ice to penetrate the tar paper. This water or ice can then significantly damage the roof and even the entire house or building. Thus, use of nails or screws to attach cables or light strings to or near a roof is unacceptable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention addresses the foregoing problem with a roof clip that includes a straight portion, one or more prongs on a side of the straight portion, and a semi-looped portion adjacent the straight portion. The semi-looped portion can be curved toward the side that has the prongs, for example to clip a cable such as a television antenna cable to a roof. Alternatively, the semi-looped portion can be curved away from the side that has the prongs, for example to clip a light string such as Christmas lights to a roof.

In a preferred embodiment, the roof clip is 0.75 inches wide, the straight portion is 4 inches long, the prongs are 0.25 inches long, and the semi-looped portion has a diameter of 0.3125 ( 5/16) inches. Roof clips having other dimension are also within the scope of the invention.

The semi-looped portion preferably is curved into a semicircle. In some embodiment, a second semi-looped portion is adjacent the semi-looped portion, and both semi-looped portions can be curved into semicircles.

The roof clip preferably includes an opening whereby the roof clip can be pried up from a roof in which the prongs are embedded. This opening can be 0.25 inches wide or it can be another size.

A preferred technique for making the roof clip is to stamp the roof clip from a straight strip of material such as metal. The roof clip preferably is e-coated to be rust resistant.

The invention also encompasses a method of using the roof clips to secure a cable or a string of lights at or near a roof. A preferred method includes the following steps: lifting up shingles and tar paper from the roof, placing the roof clips prong side down on a roofboard or aluminum strip under the tar paper, tamping the roof clips in place, and replacing the tar paper and shingles over the roof clips.

This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained by reference to the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof in connection with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a roof clip according to the invention.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate variations of the roof clip.

FIG. 5 shows one way to use the roof clip.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 2 show top and bottom perspective views of a roof clip according to the invention. In both figures, roof clip 1 according to the invention includes straight portion 2, one or more prongs 3 on a side of the straight portion, and semi-looped portion 4 adjacent the straight portion. The term “semi-looped” indicates that portion 4 is bent or curved back toward the rest of the roof clip so that a cable or light string can be held in the semi-looped portion. The semi-looped portion preferably is curved into a semicircle, although other shapes of semi-looped portions can be used. For example, the semi-looped portion could have a substantially square shape.

Semi-looped portion 4 is shown as curved toward the side of the roof clip that has the prongs. This arrangement is well suited for attaching a cable such as a television antenna cable to a roof. Of course, the roof clip can be used to attach other things to the roof.

In a preferred embodiment, the roof clip is 0.75 inches wide, the straight portion is 4 inches long, the prongs are 0.25 inches long, and the semi-looped portion has a diameter of 0.3125 ( 5/16) inches. Roof clips having other dimension are also within the scope of the invention.

The prongs are preferably spaced 0.50 inches from each other and from the end of the roof clip opposite the semi-looped portion. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment that has a single row of three prongs. Alternatively, more rows of more or less prongs can be used.

Each prong is shown as having a triangular shape. Preferably, this shape has a 60 degree included angle. Other shapes of prongs can be used.

The roof clip preferably includes opening 5 whereby the roof clip can be pried up from a roof in which the prongs are embedded. This opening preferably is a rectangle 0.25 inches wide and 0.40 to 0.50 inches long. (In a preferred embodiment, a 0.25 inches wide by 0.460 inches long opening is used.) The opening can be another size and/or shape.

A preferred technique for making the roof clip is to stamp the roof clip from a straight strip of material such as metal. The prongs can be made by stamping out triangular shaped sections from the metal, with the section still attached and bent at its base.

Metal having a thickness of 0.030 inches has been found to work well for the roof clip. Other thicknesses of material and other materials can be used.

The roof clip preferably is e-coated to be rust resistant. A black coating helps to hide the roof clip. However, the roof clip can be any color.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate variations of the roof clip. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the roof clip in which a second semi-looped portion is adjacent the semi-looped portion. Both semi-looped portions can be curved into semicircles as shown in FIG. 3. In other embodiments, different shaped semi-looped portions can be used. The two adjacent semi-looped portions can have the same or different shapes.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the roof clip in which the semi-looped portion is curved away from the side that has the prongs, for example to clip a light string such as Christmas lights to a roof. This roof clip also can be used to attach other things to the roof.

FIG. 5 shows one way to use the roof clip. A preferred method includes the following steps: lifting up shingles 7 and tar paper 8 from roof 9, placing roof clips 10 prong side down on a roof board or aluminum strip 11 under the tar paper, tamping the roof clips in place, and replacing the tar paper and shingles over the roof clips.

The cable or light string preferably is put in place in the semi-looped portion of each roof clip and stretched taught when the roof clip is tamped into place. This helps to make the cable or light string lie more evenly, which helps to hide the cable or light string. Alternatively, the cable or light string can be put in place after some or all of the roof clips have been installed.

Roof clips preferably are spaced about one foot apart. Different spacings can be used. For example, the roof clips can be spaced closer together if high winds are expected.

Roof clips according to the invention can be used without fear of water or ice damage that can result if the tar paper is penetrated, for example as happens when nails or screws are driven into a roof. However, despite the relatively shallow penetration of the prongs, the number of prongs and/or placement of the roof clip under the tar paper and shingles ensure a secure hold.

The roof clip can be used in different ways than those discussed above without departing from the invention.

Alternative Embodiments

The invention is in no way limited to the specifics of any particular embodiments and examples disclosed herein. For example, the terms “preferably,” “preferred embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “this embodiment,” “alternative embodiment,” “alternatively” and the like denote features that are preferable but not essential to include in embodiments of the invention. Many other variations are possible which remain within the content, scope and spirit of the invention, and these variations would become clear to those skilled in the art after perusal of this application.

Claims

1. A roof clip, comprising:

a straight portion;

one or more prongs on a side of the straight portion; and

a semi-looped portion adjacent the straight portion.

2. A roof clip as in claim 1, wherein the semi-looped portion is curved toward the side that has the prongs, whereby the roof clip is suitable for clipping a cable to a roof.

3. A roof clip as in claim 1, wherein the semi-looped portion is curved away from the side that has the prongs, whereby the roof clip is suitable for clipping a light string to a roof.

4. A roof clip as in claim 1, wherein the roof clip is 0.75 inches wide, the straight portion is 4 inches long, the prongs are 0.25 inches long, and the semi-looped portion has a diameter of 0.3125 inches.

5. A roof clip as in claim 1, wherein the semi-looped portion is curved into a semicircle.

6. A roof clip as in claim 1, further comprising a second semi-looped portion adjacent the semi-looped portion.

7. A roof clip as in claim 1, wherein both the semi-looped portion and the second semi-looped portion are curved into semicircles.

8. A roof clip as in claim 1, further comprising an opening in the semi-looped portion whereby the roof clip can be pried up from a roof in which the prongs are embedded.

9. A roof clip as in claim 8, wherein the opening is 0.25 inches wide

10. A roof clip as in claim 1, wherein the roof clip is stamped from a straight strip of material.

11. A roof clip as in claim 10, wherein the material is metal.

12. A roof clip as in claim 11, wherein the strip is e-coated to be rust resistant.

13. A method of securing a cable or a string of lights at or near a roof using a roof clip, the roof clip including a straight portion, one or more prongs on a side of the straight portion, and a semi-looped portion adjacent the straight portion, the method comprising the steps of:

lifting up shingles and tar paper from the roof;

placing the roof clip prong side down on a roof board or aluminum strip under the tar paper;

tamping the roof clip in place; and

replacing the tar paper and shingles over the roof clip.

14. A method as in claim 13, wherein the roof clip is placed with the cable or light string secured in the semi-looped portion

15. A method as in claim 13, wherein the semi-looped portion is curved toward the side that has the prongs, whereby the roof clip is suitable for clipping a cable to a roof.

16. A method as in claim 13, wherein the semi-looped portion is curved away from the side that has the prongs, whereby the roof clip is suitable for clipping a light string to a roof.

17. A method as in claim 13, wherein the semi-looped portion is curved into a semicircle.

18. A method as in claim 13, wherein the roof clip further includes a second semi-looped portion adjacent the semi-looped portion whereby a second cable can be secured.

19. A method as in claim 18, wherein both the semi-looped portion and the second semi-looped portion are curved into semicircles.

20. A method as in claim 13, wherein the roof clip further comprises an opening in the semi-looped portion, and further comprising the step of prying the roof clip up from a roof in which the prongs are embedded using a tool inserted into the opening.