SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION WITH BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0001] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0002] Generally stated, roof jacks are used on pitched roofs to provide a temporary relatively horizontal platform for standing, placing equipment and supplies, and similar. A prior art roof jack is shown in figure 1, showing part of figure 2 of the drawing figures for patent number 6,715,254. In a typical use case, two or more roof jacks are attached to a pitched roof at substantially the same vertical height; the roof jacks have a horizontal member (relative to the ground), 1.002 in figure 1. A plank is placed between the two horizontal members, forming the generally horizontal platform mentioned above.

[0003] The method of attachment for roof jacks in the prior art is to drive a nail or screw into a rafter (or other suitable underlying structure) through one of the grooves in the roof jack provided for this purpose, such as the groove at 1.001. It is common to place shingles over the top portion of the temporarily installed roof jack (approximately from horizontal member 1.002, upward), covering the nail or screw. It is also common to temporarily install roof jacks beneath existing shingles, which requires bending back the existing shingles and awkward pounding in of the nail. To remove an installed prior art roof jack, the bottom of the roof jack, 1.003, is hit upward with a hammer, pushing the roof jack up, along the path defined by the groove 1.001. Once the nail is free of the groove, then the roof jack may be removed and the nail hammered in. The resulting nail and nail hole compromises the water-sealing integrity of the roof. In addition, it is common for the installation and removal of roof jacks, with bending-back of shingles, hammering of the roof jacks, forceful hammering in (and potential extraction) of nails, and the like to damage shingles, puncture roof membranes, and de-laminate roof components (including shingles, membranes, etc.). In addition, prior art roof jacks are not designed to act as securement points for safety harnesses or lanyards (referred to herein as "lanyards"). When work later needs to be performed on the roof, roof jacks and/or eye-hooks will need to be (re)installed in order to provide a horizontal surface or to provide attachment points for lanyards.

[0004] The art has not demonstrated a satisfactory attachment device for a roof jack, which attachment device reduces or eliminates damage to roof components, to which lanyards may be attached, which allows the roof jack to be removed, and which may be permanently affixed to the roof for future use.

[0005] Generally stated, the disclosed invention is directed to a roof jack and/or associated attachment device which reduces or eliminates damage to roof components, to which lanyards may be attached, which allows the roof jack to be removed, and which may be permanently affixed to the roof for future use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prior art roof jack.

[0007] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a quick connect roof clip

[0008] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a quick connect roof clip.

[0009] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a quick connect roof clip, showing features of a roof.

[0010] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a quick connect roof clip, showing features of a roof.

[0011] Figure 6 is a perspective view from above of a quick connect roof clip, a quick connect attachment head, and a quick connect roof jack.

[0012] Figure 7 is a perspective view from below of a quick connect roof clip, a quick connect attachment head, and a quick connect roof jack.

[0013] Figure 8 is a perspective view from above of a quick connect roof clip, a lanyard attachment, a quick connect attachment head, and a quick connect roof jack.

[0014] Figure 9 is a perspective view from above of a quick connect roof jack.

[0015] Figure 10 is a perspective view from above of a set of quick connect roof jacks spanned by a plank.

[0016] Figure 11 is a perspective view from the side of a set of quick connect roof jacks spanned by a plank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The reference numbers in the drawings follow a pattern of XX.YYYY, where XX is the figure number and YYYY is a number identifying an element in the drawing. The same YYYY numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. Where "XX" is used in the

specification, it refers to the element number as depicted in any of the figures where the element is depicted.

[0018] The following detailed description is for the purpose of illustrating embodiments of the invention only, and other embodiments are possible without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the appended claims. The figures and elements discussed in this specification use terms meant as examples and not as limitations. Functions equivalent to those illustrated in the figures may be provided by other device(s) or structure(s). [0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prior art roof jack, discussed above.

[0020] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a quick connect roof clip 2.004. The quick connect roof clip 2.004comprises a first portion 2.005 with at least one hole or perforation 2.006, a connecting portion 2.007, and a second portion 2.008.

[0021] The second portion 2.008 comprises an opening 2.009. In an alternative

embodiment, the second portion 2.008 may comprise a projection suitable for releasable attachment to a corresponding opening. In an alternative embodiment, the second portion 2.008 may comprise both a projection and an opening, each of which are suitable for releasable attachment to a corresponding opening/projection. In an alternative embodiment, the second portion 2.008 may be a projection received by a corresponding opening. All such cases may be referred to in the claims as "a connector" and shall be understood to be equivalent to "a connector."

[0022] In the clip shown in figure 2, the perforations 2.006 are sized approximately to accommodate 16d framing nails and the connection portion 2.007 is at a 45° angle to both the first 2.005 and second portions 2.008. As used throughout the specification and claims, a clip (or any term including "clip") shall be understood not to include a nail or screw. The angle of the connection portion 2.007, as shown, is suited to shedding debris when/if the connection portion 2.007 is left attached to the roof. In an alternative embodiment, the connecting portion 2.007 may be at a 90° angle or another angle. In an alternative embodiment, the connecting portion 2.007 may be omitted. As shown, the second portion 2.008 is parallel to the first portion 2.005. In an alternative embodiment, the second portion 2.008 may have a different angle relative to the first portion 2.005. In an alternative embodiment, the connecting portion 2.007 may be omitted and the second portion 2.008 may have a 45° angle relative to the first portion 2.005.

[0023] As shown in figure 2, the opening 2.009 comprises a wider portion 2.010 and a narrower portion 2.011 which together form a gravity-locking clip when engaged with a corresponding projection. In other embodiments (not shown), the opening 2.009 may form any of a range of shapes to accommodate corresponding projections. In other embodiments (not shown), the opening 2.009 may form a clip other than a gravity-locking clip, such as a clip with a non-gravity dependent mechanical locking mechanism. All such cases may be referred to in the claims as "a connector" and shall be understood to be equivalent to "a connector."

[0024] As shown in figure 2, the opening 2.009 is sized to accommodate both a

corresponding projection from a roof jack (see figures 6 and 7) and a lanyard attachment (see figure 8). [0025] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a quick connect roof clip comprising a second opening 3.012. As shown, the second opening 3.012 may act as an alternative attachment point for a lanyard attachment or another device or attachment.

[0026] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a quick connect roof clip 4.004, showing features of a roof, including a shingle 4.013, lines 4 .014 where a rafter may lay beneath the quick connect roof clip (to which the quick connect roof clip may be nailed), and a line 4.015 showing where the shingle lays when down on the roof, as shown in figure 5. As used herein, a rafter shall be considered part of a roof.

[0027] Figure 6 is a perspective view from above of a quick connect roof clip 6.004, a quick connect attachment head 6.016, and a quick connect roof jack 6.017. The quick connect attachment head 6.016 is shown as being a separate component from the quick connect roof jack 6.017; in an alternative embodiment, the functions provided by the quick connect attachment head 6.016 may be provided by an element on or of the quick connect roof jack 6.017, such as if the quick connect roof jack 6.017 were to comprise a projection corresponding to the opening 6.009. As shown, the quick connect attachment head 6.016 comprises a projection 6.018 corresponding to the opening 6.009.

[0028] As shown, the quick connect attachment head 6.016 further comprises at least one connector 6.019, connecting the quick connect attachment head 6.016 to the quick connect roof jack 6.017. The connectors 6.019 may be threaded and comprise nuts 6.020. In alternative embodiments, a range of connectors (with or without threads, nuts, cotter pins, other fasteners) may be utilized. Not shown, a washer or other spacer may be interposed between the bottom of the quick connect attachment head 6.016 and the quick connect roof jack 6.017. The washer or other spacer may be a tube, square, rectangle, etc., and may be connected or affixed to the quick connect roof jack 6.017 and/or the quick connect attachment head 6.016. As shown, the quick connect attachment head 6.016 further comprises an optional eye 6.021 suitable for a lanyard attachment (see figure 8)

[0029] Figure 7 is a perspective view from below of a quick connect roof clip 7.004, a quick connect attachment head 7.016, and a quick connect roof jack 7.017. This perspective view shows the projection 7.018 engaged with the opening 7.009. This perspective shows that the projection 7.018 comprises a wider portion 7.022, sized to fit through the wider portion of the opening 7.010 but not through the narrower portion of the opening 7.011. Thus, when gravity pulls down and back (away from the quick connect attachment head 7.016) on the quick connect roof jack 7.017, the projection 7.018 and opening 7.009 together form a gravity-locking connector which prevents the quick connect roof jack 7.017 from disengaging from the quick connect roof clip 7.004, unless a force, such as may be provided by a person, counter-acts the gravitational force. All such cases may be referred to in the claims as "a connector" and shall be understood to be equivalent to "a connector."

[0030] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a quick connect roof clip 8.004, a lanyard attachment 8.023, a quick connect attachment head 8.016, and a quick connect roof jack 8.017. This perspective shows that the opening 8.009 may be large enough to simultaneously

accommodate the projection 8.018 and the lanyard attachment 8.023. Not shown, the opening 8.009 may be large enough to simultaneously accommodate the projection 8.018, the lanyard attachment 8.023, and to allow the quick connect roof jack 8.017 and projection 8.018 to be lifted up and disengaged from the opening 8.009 without removal of the lanyard attachment 8.023. Alternatively, and as discussed in relation to figure 3, a second opening, such as 3.012, may be provided for attachment of the lanyard attachment 8.023. Alternatively, and as discussed in relation to figure 6, an optional eye 8.021 may be provided for attachment of the lanyard attachment 8.023. As shown, the optional eye 8.021 is part of or affixed to a connector 8.019; in alternative embodiments, the eye 8.021 may have a dedicated attachment to the quick connect attachment head 8.016 and/or the quick connect roof jack 8.017; in an alternative embodiment the quick connect attachment head 8.016 may have an opening for attachment of the lanyard attachment 8.023. In alternative embodiments, the quick connect roof jack 8.017 may include a different and/or additional opening or securement point for attachment of a lanyard attachment 8.023. The lanyard attachment 8.023 is shown for simplicities sake without the rope, webbing, cable, cord or similar which may attach the lanyard attachment 8.023 to a worker's safety harness, to another rope, webbing, cable, cord or similar. The lanyard attachment 8.023 may be another shape or structure than as shown, such as a locking or non-locking carabiner, rope, cord, webbing, cable or similar passed through the opening 8.009 and releasably secured. Lanyard attachments XX.023 are understood herein to be releasably attachable.

[0031] Figure 9 is a perspective view from above of a quick connect roof jack 9.017, a quick connect attachment head 9.016, a quick connect roof clip 9.004, and a lanyard attachment 9.023. The quick connect roof jack 9.017 is depicted as comprising a plank-receiving portion 9.024 which may be adjusted to have a generally horizontal angular relationship with the ground or other frame of reference; the plank-receiving portion's 9.024 angular relationship may be adjusted by changing the length of the adjustable-length portion 9.025. The length of the adjustable-length portion 9.025 may be changed by, for example, disengaging retaining clip 9.026 from one side of the pin 9.027, which may allow the pin 9.027 to be withdrawn from the aligned holes 9.028, the relative overlap of the components of the adjustable-length portion 9.025 to then be adjusted, and the pin 9.027 to be inserted into a new set of aligned holes 9.028. Another mechanism may be used to adjust the angular relationship of plank-receiving portion 9.024 to the ground or other frame of reference, such as an adjustable-length portion 9.025 with an outer and an inner portion and a clamp (such as a screw clamp) to clamp the two in a releasable relationship.

[0032] Figure 10 is a perspective view from above of a set of quick connect roof jacks 10.017 spanned by a plank 10.029. Not shown, a screw, bolt, bracket or similar may be utilized to secure the plank 10.029 to one or more of the quick connect roof jacks 10.017. The plank may be wood, metal, composites, a manufactured structure or a mixture thereof.

[0033] Figure 11 is a perspective view from the side of a set of quick connect roof jacks 11.017 spanned by a plank 11.029. Figure 11 is meant to depict the plank 11.029 as having a generally horizontal angular relationship with the ground. As in other of the figures, a shingle is not shown covering much of the first portion of the quick connect roof clip 11.004.

[0034] As shown in the figures and as discussed above, a quick connect roof clip XX.004 is releasably attachable to at least one quick connect roof jack XX.017. As noted, the quick connect roof clip XX.004 is releasable from the quick connect roof jack XX.017 and may be left in place for later use. A structure or element is provided for attachment of a lanyard attachment XX.023. The quick connect roof clip XX.004 and quick connect roof jack XX.017 may be releasably connected by a quick connect attachment head XX.016, though the projection or opening on the attachment head XX.016 corresponding to the opening or projection on the quick connect roof clip XX.004 may be part of or provided by a structure or element on or of the quick connect roof jack XX.017.

[0035] As used herein, "releasably attachable" and "releasably connectable" are understood to be equivalent; "attach" and "connect" (and "attachable" and "connectable") are also understood to be equivalent; and "releasable," "releasably," "releasably attachable," and/or "releasably connectable" are understood to mean being able to be repeatedly

connected/disconnected (or engaged/disengaged) through the use of the hands, feet, or human appendage, with application of human-scale work effort, not generally requiring the use of a tool.

[0036] The components discussed in this specification may be made of or from a wide range of materials non-exclusively including aluminum, steel, iron, copper, tin and alloys between and including these and other materials, as well as and/or including composites such as fiber-glass, aramid, carbon-fiber, an other fibers combined with resin and/or epoxy.