Snow Guard for Standing Seam Metal Roof

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing snow guards for standing seam metal roofs either puncture the roof when secured with screws or bolts, compromising the roof's integrity, or use clamps that are unsightly, loose, and unable to support scaffolding, posing aesthetic and structural issues.

Innovation Solution

A snow guard design featuring an upper and lower base plate with flange connections and barrier plates that are bent to form a seamless integration with the standing seam, allowing secure attachment with fasteners without deformation, providing strength for scaffolding and blending aesthetically with the roof.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If snow guards are secured to standing seam metal roofs using screws or bolts, then the attachment strength is improved, but the roof's hermeticity is compromised and fluid leakage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidroof hermeticity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a clamp as an intermediary component that attaches to the standing seam without puncturing it. The clamp engages with the raised seam structure through friction and mechanical interlocking, providing attachment strength while preserving the roof's hermeticity by avoiding direct penetration of the roofing panels or seams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp design incorporates flexible or thin-walled structures that can conform to the standing seam geometry without requiring large fastening holes. This allows the clamp to maintain attachment while minimizing disruption to the roof's fluid-tight barrier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If clamps are designed to attach firmly to the standing seam, then attachment strength is improved, but the standing seam is deformed and aesthetics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidstanding seam continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp applies localized pressure only at specific engagement points on the standing seam rather than along the entire length. This concentrated local force provides sufficient attachment strength while leaving the majority of the standing seam undeformed and visually continuous, preserving aesthetics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp uses just enough clamping force to secure the snow guard firmly without exceeding the threshold that would cause visible deformation of the standing seam. This partial action approach achieves the minimum necessary attachment strength while avoiding aesthetic damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Shape

If clamps are designed to be loose on the standing seam, then aesthetics are improved, but the attachment strength is reduced and scaffolding cannot be supported

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidattachment strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp system is segmented into multiple engagement points along the standing seam. Each segment provides a portion of the total attachment strength, allowing the overall system to support heavy loads like scaffolding while each individual clamp maintains a relatively loose, aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple clamps are combined along the snow guard assembly to distribute the load. This merging of multiple attachment points provides the necessary cumulative strength for scaffolding support while each individual clamp remains visually unobtrusive and aesthetically acceptable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If clamps are used to attach snow guards, then attachment without puncture is achieved, but the clamps are visible and aesthetic appeal is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroof hermeticityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The clamps are designed to match the color and material appearance of the standing seam metal roof. This color matching makes the clamps visually blend into the roof surface, reducing their visibility and preserving the aesthetic appeal while maintaining the functional benefit of non-puncturing attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp material and finish are made homogeneous with the surrounding standing seam metal. This creates a uniform visual appearance where the clamps are indistinguishable from the roof surface, achieving both hermeticity preservation and aesthetic continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentUS10450757B2Snow guard

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 MCINTOSH ANDREW CHRISTIAN

AI summary

A snow guard for a standing seam metal roof, which may impede falling or melting snow and ice and may prevent gutters from being overwhelmed by falling or melting snow and ice. Such a snow guard may be fitted to the standing seams of the roof by screws or similar fasteners. The snow guard may prevent leakage through the holes created by the fasteners, may aesthetically blend into the material of the standing seam metal roof system, and may function as a base for scaffold systems. Such a snow guard may also add strength to the panels on which it is disposed. Finally, such a snow guard may also have the benefit of being easy to install.