According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clip for attaching a replacement slate to a batten, wherein the clip has raised projections for gripping the slate so as to prevent relative rotation between the clip and the slate, and is arranged to be clamped against the batten.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of fitting a replacement slate to a batten, wherein a clip that has raised projections for gripping the slate so as to prevent relative rotation between the clip and the slate, is attached to the underside of the slate, the method including positioning the slate over the batten, and thereafter sliding the slate downwardly such that the slate is clamped against the batten.

Preferably, the clip is arranged to be clamped against the batten by means of a point for biting thereinto.

Advantageously, the clip comprises a substantially planar portion having the raised projections for gripping the slate, and a second substantially planar portion extending at an angle away from the first planar portion, the second planar portion being arranged to be clamped against the batten.

Such clips may be used with replacement slates to facilitate quick and easy replacement of one or more broken or damaged slates on battens, e. g. on existing or new roofs, without the need to remove many slates.

The clips hold the replacement slates in position with a strength which is as good as that of the original nailed fittings. The clips are not visible from the outside of the roof.

The clips are designed to hold the slates firmly in the correct position and to prevent slippage of the slate. The clips also allow for the expansion and contraction of the slates.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 shows a side-sectional view of a roof to which a replacement slate is fitted by means of the clip of the present invention, with the portion A-A shown enlarged; Figure 2 shows, in plan and side views, the clip of the present invention; and Figure 3 shows, in plan from above and side views, a slate having a clip of the present invention attached thereto.

Referring to Figure 1, three slates 3 are shown. The upper and lower slates are attached to underlying battens 4 by nails 5. In this example, the middle slate 3 is a replacement slate. In order to fit this replacement slate, it is seen from A-A of Figure 1 that a clip 1 is attached to the underside of a replacement slate by means of a metal pop-rivet 2.

The clip 1 is shown in greater detail in Figure 2. Here, it will be seen that the clip 1 comprises first and second planar portions 6a, 6b resepectively. The first planar portion 5 has raised projections 7 which are for gripping the slate 3 so as to prevent relative rotation between the clip 1 and the slate 3. The second planar portion 6 extends at an angle away from the first planar portion 5 and terminates with a point 8. In use, this clip point 8 bites into the batten 4 to clamp the clip 1, and therefore the slate 3, to the batten 4.

Referring to Figure 3, it is seen that two spaced-apart clips 1 are attached to the replacement slate 3. Each clip 1 is made from stainless steel or galvanised steel. Each clip 1 is approximately 40mm long and 10mm wide. Each clip 1 is fixed to the slate with a single rivet 2. The positioning of the clips 1 on the slate 3 will vary according to

the size of the slate, but this can be determined from instructions supplied with the clips.

Referring to Figure 1, by way of example it will be appreciated that the replacement slate with the clips attached is simply inserted into the roof by positioning it over the batten, between the upper and lower slates, and thereafter sliding the slate downwards (i. e. in a push up and pull down action) such that the slate is clamped against the batten.

As the clip point bites into the batten to which the original slates are nailed, the slate becomes clamped firmly against the batten.