Roof Supporting System for a Structure

Abstract

This present application relates to a novel roof supporting system for use with outbuildings, such as gazebos, rotundas, and the like. The roof supporting system of the present invention eliminates the need for unsightly and architecturally limiting internal roof joists to account for the horizontal component of the live and dead roof loads transferred by the roofing rafters, and also eliminates the need for rafter tails to extend over the perimeter joist or wall members to create a roof with a clean edge appearance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An outbuilding comprising:
 a foundation;   a plurality of support posts positioned in spaced apart fashion along a perimeter of the outbuilding, wherein the plurality of support posts are supported by the foundation;   a plurality of rim joists attached to and supported by the plurality of support posts, wherein each of the plurality of rim joists is comprised of an outside surface;   a roof comprised of a plurality of rafters and a roofing material, wherein the plurality of rafters are positioned in spaced apart fashion along, and supported by, the plurality of rim joists; and   at least one supporting band extending around, and positioned adjacent to, the outside surface of the plurality of rim joists to provide a compressive force there against.   
     
     
         2 . The outbuilding as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a second supporting band extending around, and positioned adjacent to, the outside surface of the plurality of rim joists to provide an additional compressive force there against 
     
     
         3 . The outbuilding as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one supporting band is comprised of a metal. 
     
     
         4 . The outbuilding as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a fascia for concealing each of the plurality of rim joists and the at least one supporting band extending around. 
     
     
         5 . The outbuilding as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the fascia is comprised of a wood or a metal. 
     
     
         6 . The outbuilding as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the roofing material is comprised of one or more of a plank, a board, a shingle, a panel, a roll paper, a drip edge, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The outbuilding as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the roof further comprises an opening therein near an apex. 
     
     
         8 . The outbuilding as recited in  claim 1  further comprising an architectural component that extends from each of the plurality of support posts to each of the plurality of rim joists. 
     
     
         9 . The outbuilding as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a shape of the outbuilding is one of a circle, a octagon or a hexagon. 
     
     
         10 . The outbuilding as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one supporting band is a reinforcing rod. 
     
     
         11 . A gazebo comprising:
 a plurality of support posts each having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end terminates at a foundation and the second end terminates at a select one of a plurality of rim joists;   a plurality of roof rafters;   a roofing material covering the plurality of roof rafters to form a roof, wherein the plurality of roof rafters are attached to the plurality of rim joists; and   a plurality of support bands positioned along an outer surface of each of the plurality of rim joists and providing a compressive force there against to counter-balance the weight of the roof.   
     
     
         12 . The gazebo as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of support bands are comprised of one or more of a steel, an aluminum, a plastic, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The gazebo as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the roofing material is comprised of a plurality of inter-locking panels. 
     
     
         14 . The gazebo as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of support bands are concealed from view by a fascia. 
     
     
         15 . The gazebo as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the roof comprises an opening therein near an apex. 
     
     
         16 . The gazebo as recited in  claim 11  further comprising a light. 
     
     
         17 . A roof support system for an outbuilding, the roof support system further comprising:
 a foundation;   a plurality of support columns supported by the foundation;   a plurality of rim joists supported by the plurality of support columns; and   a plurality of support bands applying a compressive force against an outer surface of each of the plurality of rim joists.   
     
     
         18 . The roof support system for an outbuilding as recited in  claim 17  further comprising a fascia for covering the plurality of support bands. 
     
     
         19 . The roof support system for an outbuilding as recited in  claim 17  further comprising an architectural component that extends from each of the plurality of support columns to each of the plurality of rim joists. 
     
     
         20 . The roof support for an outbuilding as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of support bands are comprised of a steel.