Apparatus for stabilizing a mobile home roof

Claim 2

Apparatus for insuring the integrity of the roof on a mobile home when said roof is subjected to wind loads, comprising: a. a plurality of straps adapted for extending transversely across the roof of a mobile home, with the quantity of said straps being such that they are spaced about four feet apart along the length of the mobile home, and the straps being in contact with the roof along a substantial portion of their length, and the length of said straps being significantly shorter than the width of the mobile home, such that a substantial gap remains between one end of a strap and the adjacent edge of the roof when a strap is layed across the roof in a side-to-side direction; b. bracket means adapted for rigidly connecting respective ends of said straps to structural members along the side edges of the roof; and c. spring means for continuously maintaining a tension of about 30 pounds in said straps between said bracket means, whereby the roof underneath said straps is biased against any upward movement by said tensioned straps.

Claim 3

The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring means for maintaining the straps in tension constitute coil springs having a spring constant of about 2.5 lb/in.

Claim 4

The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said straps constitute braided nylon rope having a diameter of about 1/4 inch and rated at 1200 pound test.

Claim 5

The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring means for maintaining the straps in tension constitutes a plurality of coil springs, each having a formed diameter of about 1/2 inch and a length of about 16 inches, with said springs being formed from wire having a diameter of about 1/32 inch.

Claim 6

The combination comprising: a. a mobile home having a membrane-type roof suspended over a plurality of roofing trusses, and the roof membrane being formed from a series of large panels secured together at their adjacent edges so as to form seams in the roof, and the membrane being secured to the trusses and other structural members with conventional fasteners; b. a plurality of brackets for attachment to the structural members along the edges of the roof, and said brackets having means for engaging the ends of a strap member, and said brackets being spaced approximately four feet apart along the edges of said roof; c. a plurality of flexible but non-stretchable straps extending transversely across the roof of the mobile home, with there being one strap for each pair of brackets on opposite sides of the roof, and the length of said straps being less than the width of the mobile home; and d. a plurality of helical springs including one spring for each strap, and the straps being sized such that a spring which connects one end of a strap to a bracket must be placed in tension in order to permit the opposite end of the strap to be connected with an opposite bracket, with said tensioned springs serving to keep the straps in contact with the membrane-type roof but not connected to same, whereby the roof is restrained by the straps against any upward movement as a result of wind gusts.

Claim 7

The combination comprising: a. a mobile home having a membrane-type roof suspended over a plurality of roofing trusses, and the roof membrane being formed from a series of large panels secured together at their adjacent edges so as to form seams in the roof, and the membrane being secured to the trusses and other structural members with conventional fasteners; b. a plurality of brackets for attachment to the structural members along the edges of the roof, and said brackets having means for engaging the ends of a strap member, and said brackets being spaced approximately four feet apart along the edges of said roof; c. a plurality of flexible but non-stretchable straps extending transversely across the roof of the mobile home, with there being one strap for each pair of brackets on opposite sides of the roof, and the length of said straps being less than the width of the mobile home; and d. a plurality of helical springs including one spring for each strap, and the straps being sized such that a spring which connects one end of a strap to a bracket must be placed in tension in order to permit the opposite end of the strap to be connected with an opposite bracket, with said tensioned springs serving to keep the straps in contact with the membrane-type roof but not connected to same, whereby the roof is restrained by the straps against any upward movement as a result of wind gusts.

Claim 8

The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the spring constant for each of the helical springs is about 2.5 lb/in, and the deflection imparted to said springs so as to put the straps in tension is well below the elastic limit of said springs.

Claim 9

The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the tension established in said straps is about 30 pounds when the wind load on the straps is zero.

Claim 12

The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the straps are oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the mobile home.