CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial number 63/311,423, filed on February 17, 2022, titled MODULAR STABILIZING SUPPORT FOR ELEVATED STRUCTURES, which is incorporate herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROU N D

[0002] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0003] Construction and fabrication may involve utilization of support structures. The support structures may be of a variety of shapes, sizes, and orientations. An example of a support structure may be a vertical support structure. The vertical support structure may be utilized to take the load of an object. In construction such as, but not limited to, construction of a house, the vertical support structures may be utilized to help facilitate support of a load of a roof related structure.

[0004] For example, a house may commonly include a roof, and it may be desirable to modify the roof to accommodate various needs. For example, it may be desirable to extend an area covered by a roof to facilitate additional covered area for the house. An example method of adding or modifying a roof may be to add an additional roof over an existing roof, where the additional roof may extend beyond the existing roof to provide coverage over a previously exposed area around the structure. In order to facilitate the addition of an additional roof over an existing roof, various systems may be utilized.

[0005] One example of an additional roof system may involve supports, where the supports may be in the form of vertical struts to help facilitate the bearing of a load of the additional roof. Because of the importance of a roof, the additional roof system may meet various requirements such as, but not limited to, structural, mechanical, and/or environmental requirements. Some examples of mechanical requirements may include, but not limited to, vertical support strength, horizontal support strength, sheer strength, torque strength, and so forth. Some examples of environmental requirements may include, but not limited to, water resistance, corrosion resistance, and so forth. The vertical strut type supports, that may be utilized to facilitate bearing of the load for modifying an existing roof (e.g., a secondary/alternate roof disposed over of an existing roof), may be vertical strut type structures that may facilitate elevating a secondary/alternate roof above an existing roof. Since the strut type structures may support a load associated with secondary/elevated roof, attaching the struts to the existing structure may be a challenging aspect of elevating a secondary/alternate roof.

[0006] In another example, a house may commonly include a roof, and it may be desirable to add a structure over the roof. For example, it may be desirable to add a porch onto a second floor of the house. An example method of adding a porch onto a second floor may be to add a porch structure over an existing roof, where the porch structure may extend over the existing roof. In order to facilitate the addition of the porch structure over an existing roof, various systems may be utilized.

SU M MARY

[0007] Described herein are various illustrative modular stabilizing support structure system and apparatus. Example systems and apparatus may be configured to structurally support a secondary roof over an existing roof. Some example systems and apparatus may be configured to support a porch like structure above an existing roof. The example systems and apparatus may include a riser to facilitate the structural support. The riser may be modular and have two or more components configured to be assembled to structural support of the secondary roof, the porch like structure, or various types of structures. The example system and apparatus may include a stabilizing collar, which may be utilized with the riser to further facilitate structural support. The structural support may include vertical and lateral structural supports.

[0008] This brief summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below. This brief summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRI EF DESCRI PTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 1 illustrates a various components of a modular riser in accordance with various embodiments.

[0011] Figure 2 illustrates a front view of a modular riser in accordance with various embodiments.

[0012] Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view of a modular riser in accordance with various embodiments.

[0013] Figure 4 illustrates a detail view of a sectional view of a first end of a modular riser in accordance with various embodiments.

[0014] Figure 5 illustrates a detail view of a sectional view of a second end of a modular riser in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAI LED DESCRI PTION

[0015] The following description sets forth various examples along with specific details to provide a thorough understanding of claimed subject matter. It will be understood by those skilled in the art after review and understanding of the present disclosure, however, that claimed subject matter may be practiced without some or more of the specific details disclosed herein. Further, in some circumstances, well-known methods, procedures, systems, components and/or circuits have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring claimed subject matter.

[0016] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.

[0017] This disclosure is drawn, inter alia, to apparatus, and systems related to a modular support for elevated structures.

[0018] Prior to turning to the figures, some non-limiting example scenarios may be described to more fully understand the claimed subject matter. For example, some non-limiting example scenarios illustrating the utilization and implementation of the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be described.

[0019] Support structures may be utilized in facilitating remodeling of structures such as, but not limited to, roofs. The support structures may provide the mechanical structural support for a secondary/alternate roof over an existing roof.

[0020] Before turning to the figures, some non-limiting example applications of the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be described.

[0021] In one non-limiting example application, a structure such as, but not limited to, a dwelling (hereon, house) may be utilized. A house may have various components including a roof (e.g., existing roof). The existing roof may be configured to cover the house to a certain point. In the non-limiting example application, a secondary roof may be desired to be placed over the existing roof (i.e., the secondary roof may be supported over the existing roof). The secondary roof may facilitate an extension of coverage over and/or around the house (e.g., extend coverage for a patio adjacent to the house). In order to facilitate support of the secondary roof over the existing roof, the various components of the secondary roof may be supported. For example, the secondary roof may include components such as, but not limited to, a beam, where the beam may be supported by one or more risers.

[0022] Some examples of a riser may include supporting apparatus such as, but not limited to, a support apparatus available from Sky Lift™ Roof Riser Hardware of Salem, Oregon. Accordingly, in this non-limiting example, the support apparatus available from Sky Lift™ may be referred to as a "riser" similar to the apparatus disclosed in US Patent Application 13/399,263, filed February 17, 2012, having the title Elevated Roof and US Patent Application 14/741,353, filed June 16, 2015, having the title Elevated Roof. Both US Patent Applications 13/399,263 and 14/741,353 are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. The riser may be utilized to support a secondary structure over an existing roof. Additionally, the riser may be integrated with the existing roof. [0023] Continuing with the non-limiting example application, a riser may be modular in accordance with various embodiments. The modular riser may be configured to facilitate interchangeability of the components, which may be included as the modular riser. Additionally, the modular riser may be configured to be easily transportable. The modular riser may include three components. In one example, a first component may include a shaft like component (shaft) having a first end and a second end. A second component may include a base like component (base) having a first surface and a second surface. A third component may include a bracket like component (bracket) having a substantially "L" shape.

[0024] The first end and the second end of the shaft may, each include a receiver component (receiver). The base may include an attachment component on the first surface. The bracket may include a hole on the horizontal portion of the L. In one example, the receiver on each end of the shaft may be a threaded hole (e.g., receptacle), and the attachment component may be a threaded stud (e.g., threaded bolt).

[0025] Continuing with the non-limiting example application, the first end of the shaft may be rotated (threaded) on to the threaded stud causing substantial attachment of the shaft on to the base. The horizontal portion of the bracket may be disposed on the second end of the shaft, where a screw or bolt may be placed through the hole and threaded on to the second end of the shaft causing substantial attachment of the bracket on to the second end of the shaft. The riser may be considered to be assembled.

[0026] In the non-limiting example application, the assembled modular riser may be utilized to support various components of a structure (e.g., secondary roof, a porch, and so forth) that may be disposed over an existing roof. For example, the base may be shaped to be substantially similar to a load bearing perimeter structure (e.g., top of a load bearing wall). Accordingly, the shape of the base may be substantially rectangular (e.g., sit on a wooden stud). The second surface of the bracket may be configured to attach to the load bearing perimeter structure. The attachment may be facilitated by a number of holes in the base to accommodate attachment devices (e.g., screws, bolts, and so forth). The bracket may be configured to accommodate a cross beam for the structure to be disposed over the existing roof such as, but not limited to, the secondary roof and/or porch. The bracket may include various holes to facilitate attachment of the cross beam to bracket. Additionally, a structural collar may be utilized to facilitate stabilizing support to the riser similar to the apparatus disclosed in US Patent Application 16/922,938, filed July 07, 2020, having the title STABILIZING SUPPORT STRUCTURAL COLLAR SYSTEM, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. As a result, the structure over the existing roof may be support facilitated by the modular riser in accordance with various embodiments.

[0027] In some various embodiments, the riser may include a second bracket located along the body of the shaft that may be configured to facilitate a lateral support structure providing enhanced lateral support strength (i.e., horizontal direction) to the modular riser. Examples of shafts having second brackets is disclosed in PCT Application PCT/US21/52619, filed September 29, 2021, having the title STABILIZING SUPPORT FOR ELEVATED STRUCTURES, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0028] As a result, the modular riser described in the non-limiting applications above may facilitate interchangeability, replacement, transport, and so forth, while facilitating mechanical support strength in the vertical and horizontal direction. In accordance with the various embodiments of the present disclosure, lateral support strength (i.e., horizontal direction) of a riser like apparatus may be further enhanced.

[0029] Turning now to the Figures, Figure 1 illustrates various components of a modular riser in accordance with various embodiments. In Figure 1, a modular riser 100 may comprise of a first component 102, a second component 104, and a third component 106. In Figure 1, the first component may have a first end 108 and a second end 110. The first end 108 may have a first threaded receptacle 112, and the second end 110 may have a second threaded receptacle (502 shown in detail in Figure 5). The second component 104 may have a first surface 114 and a second surface 116. The first surface 114 may include a threaded protrusion 118. In Figure 1, the threaded protrusion 118 may be configured to thread into the second threaded receptacle 502 located at the second end 110 of the first component 102. Additionally, shown in Figure 1, the second component 104 may have a number of holes 120, where the holes may be configured to facilitate attachment of the second component 104 to a load bearing structure of a primary roof.

[0030] In Figure 1, the third component may have a central hole 122 configured to facilitate attachment of the third component 106 to the first end 108 of the first component 102. The attachment of the third component 106 may be facilitated by a screw (404 shown in Figure 4). The screw may be passed through the hole 122 of the third component 106 and threaded into the first threaded receptacle 112 at the first end 108 of the first component 102. Additionally, the third component 106 may have a number of holes 124, where, in one example, the number of holes 124 may be configured to facilitate attachment of a support beam of a secondary roof.

[0031] Briefly, in one example, the load bearing structure may be peripheral load bearing wall of a house. In another example, the load bearing structure may have a shape substantially to a two by four, where the second component 104 may be shaped to substantially match the load bearing structure.

[0032] As a result, the modular riser 100 may facilitate interchangeability, replacement, transport, and so forth, while facilitating mechanical support strength in the vertical and horizontal direction in accordance with various embodiments.

[0033] Figure 2 illustrates a front view of a modular riser in accordance with various embodiments. In Figure 2, a front view 200 may show various components described with respect to Figure 1. Shown in Figure 2, the front view 200 may include an indication of taking of a cross-section A-A, which may be shown in Figure 4. The second A-A may be a longitudinal cross-section of the front view 200 as shown in Figure 2.

[0034] It should be appreciated that references may be made to Figure 1 for various components of a modular riser in subsequent Figures in accordance with various embodiments. Accordingly, not every component described may be numerically labeled in each Figure, while fully describing the claimed subject matter.

[0035] Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view of a modular riser in accordance with various embodiments. In Figure 3, a sectional view 300. In the sectional view 300 (i.e., section A-A shown in Figure 2), various components described herein with respect to Figure 1 may be illustrated in further detail. For example, the sectional view 300 may include detailed views B and C. Detailed view B may be illustrated in Figure 4, while detailed view C may be illustrated in Figure 4.

[0036] Figure 4 illustrates a detail view of a sectional view of a first end of a modular riser in accordance with various embodiments. In Figure 4, a detailed view B may include a detailed cross sectional view of the first component 102 and the third component 106. For example, in the detailed view B, the first component 102 may include a threaded receptacle 402. In the one example shown in Figure 4, a screw type hardware 404 may be shown to facilitate attachment of the third component 106 with the first component 102. For example, the threaded receptacle 402 may have threads 406 that may substantially match the thread of the screw 404. [0037] Figure 5 illustrates a detail view of a sectional view of a second end of a modular riser in accordance with various embodiments. In Figure 5, a detailed view C may include a detailed cross-sectional view of the first component 102 and the second component 104. For example, in the detailed view C, the first component 102 may include a threaded receptacle 502. In the one example shown in Figure 5, the threaded protrusion 118 may be shown to facilitate attachment of the second component 104 with the first component 102. For example, the threaded receptacle 502 may have threads 504 that may substantially match the thread of the threaded protrusion 118 (i.e., receive a threaded bolt).

[0038] As a result, a modular support riser may be utilized for elevated structures such as, but not limited to, a secondary roof over an existing roof in accordance with various embodiments.

[0039] In some examples, the third component 106 may include various sizes and shapes configured to accommodate a wide variety of sizes and shapes. For example, the third component 106 may be substantially rectangular, L shaped, U shaped, V shaped, etc. The sizes may range from widths of 1 and 1 inches to 8 inches in widths, while heights may range from 3 and 14 inches to over 12 inches.

[0040] It should be appreciated that the material for the first component 102, the second component 104, and the third component 106 may include a wide variety of material such as, but not limited to, metals, composites, plastics, fiber material, high tech materials, and/or any combination thereof. Accordingly, the claim subject matter is not limited in these respects.

[0041] It should be appreciated that the modular riser may include structural material such as, but not limited to, wood, plastic, metal, and any combination thereof. Additionally, the attachment of the various components described herein may include screws, bolts, glue, welds, and any combination thereof. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects. As a result, a modular riser may facilitate interchangeability, replacement, transport, and so forth, while facilitating mechanical support strength in the vertical and horizontal direction.

[0042] Other embodiments include combinations and sub-combinations of features described or shown in the drawings herein, including for example, embodiments that are equivalent to: providing or applying a feature in a different order than in a described embodiment, extracting an individual feature from one embodiment and inserting such feature into another embodiment; removing one or more features from an embodiment; or both removing one or more features from an embodiment and adding one or more features extracted from one or more other embodiments, while providing the advantages of the features incorporated in such combinations and sub-combinations. As used in this paragraph, feature or features can refer to the structures and/or functions of an apparatus, article of manufacture or system, and/or the steps, acts, or modalities of a method.

[0043] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[0044] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

[0045] Reference in the specification to "an implementation," "one implementation," "some implementations," or "other implementations" may mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with one or more implementations may be included in at least some implementations, but not necessarily in all implementations. The various appearances of "an implementation," "one implementation," or "some implementations" in the preceding description are not necessarily all referring to the same implementations.