The present invention relates generally to a roof clamp and, more specifically, to a plastic clamp that removable secures itself between shingles to attach a holiday decoration to the roof. The present roof clamp comprises a textured, rectangular backplate that is pushed under adjacent shingles. Two prongs extend from a center portion of the backplate such that they travel between the two adjacent shingles. A rectangular front plate is hingedly attached to the back plate along their lower lengths. The two prongs travel through two corresponding apertures on the front plate to lockingly engage the roof clamp in place by means of a catch release. A narrow plastic hook extends from the lower side of the backplate. A gripping prong is hingedly attached to the hook at its terminal end. The gripping prong is capable of rotating such that it can be manipulated to reconcile with and grasp the rigid angle of the decorative element it is holding. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
1. A roof clamp to mount holiday decorations to rooftop shingles, said roof clamp comprises:
a backplate pushed under a pair of adjacent shingles such that it is sandwiched between both said pair of adjacent shingles and a bottom shingle that said pair overlap;
a front plate hingedly attached to said backplate at their lower lengths;
two prongs that extend from a center portion of said backplate;
two apertures that travel through a center of said front plate, said two apertures correspond to said two prongs;
a narrow hook that extends from a lower portion of said backplate; and,
a gripping prong rotatably attached to a bend in said hook.
2. The roof clamp of claim 1 , wherein said backplate is textured to provide said backplate with an extra frictional hold between said shingles.
3. The roof clamp of claim 1 , wherein when said front plate is not hingedly attached to said backplate, said prongs travel between said pair of adjacent shingles such that said backplate is centered directly between the two.
4. The roof clamp of claim 1 , wherein when said front plate is hingedly closed upon said backplate, said two prongs travel through said corresponding apertures on said front plate to lockingly engage said roof clamp in place, the bases of said two prongs essentially engage a top side of said front plate by means of a catch lock release.
5. The roof clamp of claim 4 , wherein a squeeze of said two prongs towards one another releases said catch lock to open said front plate from said backplate.
6. The roof clamp of claim 1 , wherein said hook comprises a straight leg that travels parallel to and adjacent to said bottom shingle.
7. The roof clamp of claim 1 , wherein said gripping prong is capable of rotating such that it can be manipulated to reconcile with and grasp a rigid angle of said decoration it is holding.
8. The roof clamp of claim 1 , wherein said gripping prong comprises two arcuate hands that grab a portion of said decoration, said decoration is namely secured therebetween by means of an interference fit.
9. The roof clamp of claim 1 , wherein said roof clamp is manufactured from a weather-resistant, durable plastic material.
10. The roof clamp of claim 9 , wherein said roof clamp is manufactured in a plurality of colors that blend with and match said shingles so that said roof clamp is not readily noticeable in daylight, said colors are selected from a group that comprises browns, charcoals, greys, greens and black.