MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR ROOFS AND THE LIKE

Cross-Reference to Related Application This application is based upon provisional application Serial no. 60/890,029, filed February 15, 2007, all of the details of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

Background o£ the Invention

U.S. application no. 11/560,409 filed November 16, 2006, describes various techniques for mounting panels, such as slate, to different forms of roof structure. One of the techniques involves the use of spacers to create an open area or air layer between vertically adjacent panels.

Summary of the Invention An object of this invention is to provide further techniques for creating an open area or air layers between panels in addition to what is described in the above noted application. The present invention in its broad form utilizes spacers between vertically adjacent panels or slates or other roofing shingles/tiles to create an open area or air layer between the panels. In various practices of this invention the spacers may take different forms. In addition, in a preferred practice of the invention, the techniques are used with double overlap panel arrangements. It is also a preferred practice of this invention

to have the spacers shielded or concealed so as to minimize exposure to weather conditions.

The Drawings :

Figure 1 is a side elevational view partly in section of a portion of a roof in accordance with this invention,-

Figures IA- ID are side elevational and plan views respectively of two variations of the clip shown in Figure 1;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view similar to Figure 1 with a variation in the roof structure; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a roof mounting system utilizing spacers in accordance with a further practice of this invention;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the practice shown in Figure 3 ; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 of yet another practice of this invention;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the practice shown in Figure 5 ;

Figures 7-8 are perspective views similar to Figures 3 and 5 of yet further practices of this invention;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the spacer shown in Figure

8;

Figure 9A is a side elevational view of a modified form of spacer similar to that shown in Figure 9;

Figure 9B Is a top plan view of the spacer shown in Figure 9A;

Figures 10-13 are side elevational views of various forms o£ spacers,- Figure 14 is a side elevational view of yet another form of spacer in accordance with this invention;

Figure 15 is a top plan view of the spacer shown in Figure 14 ; and

Figure 16 is a side elevational view of yet another practice of this invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention is based upon the concept of providing spacers to create an open area or air layer between vertically adjacent panels. The invention could be practiced by the use of separate spacers which could be of any suitable size, shape and material and could be mounted to the panels in any suitable manner. The invention could also be practiced by utilizing the fasteners which mount the panels to the roof to additionally function as spacers. What is important in the broad practice of this invention is that the spacers are located between vertically adjacent panels so as to cause each panel to be spaced away from and out of contact with its vertically adjacent panel and thereby permit the creation of the air layer.

Reference is made to copending application Serial No. 11/560,409 filed November 16, 2006, all of the details of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. In that application a general mounting system in one practice of the invention includes the provision of tracks or pedestals mounted to the roof with fasteners securing the panels, such as slate or other roofing shingles, to the tracks. Figure 1 illustrates such a practice of the invention. As shown therein the mounting structure includes framework which comprises roof joists or rafters 10. A plurality of battens 12 are mounted across the spaced rafters 10. Figure 1 also illustrates a plurality of spaced parallel tracks or pedestals 14 mounted to the battens 12. The individual panels 16 are secured through use of fasteners 18 which engage the panels 16 and the track 14. For example, in the illustrated practice of Figure 1 the tracks 14 are of Z-shape while the fasteners are resilient clips of R-shape. Each panel 16 is provided with slots or kerfs 20 in its side edges. The fastener 18 is inserted into the kerf with the straight leg 17 above the panel and the curved leg 19 is located below the outer upper portion of the track 14. Figure 1 shows the fastener 18 fully engaged in the lower portion of the figure, while the fastener 18 is in the process of being mounted in the upper portion of the figure.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, as described in the

aforenoted application, the fasteners 18 function not only as structure for mounting the panels to the tracks, but also function as spacers where the upper leg 17 is a straight leg of each clip fastener 18 and is of sufficient thickness to space an upper panel 16 from its vertically adjacent lower panel 16.

Where a fastener, such as a generally R-shaped clip, is used, the clip could take various forms including the form shown in Figure 1. A variation would be for the upper or straight upper leg of the clip to be bent slightly up. By bending the clip upwardly the space between the adjacent panels is increased. Accordingly, the clip could fit snugly in the kerf 20 with only the upwardly bent portion extending outwardly from the panel or the entire or most of the free upper leg could extend above the panel . Figures IA-IB illustrate a modified fastener 18A. As best shown in Figure IA the upper leg 17A is not straight, but rather wavy or undulated and terminates in its outer end being bent upwardly. This increases the spacing effect of the upper leg 17A as compared with the straight leg 17 in Figure 1. Figures 1C and ID illustrate a further variation of fastener 18B. As best shown in Figure 1C the upper leg 17B has sets of bumps or dimples 21 which add to the spacing ability of upper leg 17B.

The provision of additional structure on the upper leg, such

as the upward curves of upper leg 17A or the bumps or dimples 21 of upper leg 17B enhances the spacing function of the clip. Where, for example, the upper leg is bent upwardly a dog leg results which departs from the surface of the panel 16. While the addition of such spacing structure, of which upper legs 17A and 17B are examples, may result in only a small departure from a completely straight upper leg, the effect is two- fold. One such effect is to raise beyond the thickness of the clip or fastener itself the overlying panel or slate. This increases the air gap that enhances air circulation and speeds drying. Another effect is to make this separation springy. Non- springy separators could present point loads that could be damaging. In contrast, a spring-like action whereby the clip could be flattened out if subjected to a load would effectively eliminate such point loads. It is to be understood that the illustration of the clip abutting against the intermediate portion of the Z-shaped track 14 is merely for exempliary purposes. The invention could be practiced where a fastener or clip abuts against the upper or lower portions of the track instead of or in addition to abutting against the intermediate portion.

Although Figures 1C- ID illustrate the auxiliary spacing structure to be in the form of bumps or dimples other structure could also be used such as ridges which extend across a longer portion of the upper leg 17B. Such structure could extend

upwardly and/or downwardly from the upper leg.

Figures 1-lD illustrate the lower leg 19,19A,19B of the clip to be a curved ramp. This results in overcoming a problem that might exist with a straight ramp. For example , such resilient clips are intended to handle a range of thicknesses. Thick panels require the clip to open significantly in order to snap onto the track. The significant opening causes the ramp to point downwardly toward the roof structure. The more the clip opens the closer it comes to being perpendicular to the leg of the track onto which the clip is meant to snap. A curved ramp, however, avoids this problem. Instead, a curved ramp presents a gentler slope to the nose of the track thus facilitating and even enabling installation of thick panels or slates.

The invention may also be practiced where the spacers are separate members which may be used with the types of fasteners shown in Figure 1 or may be used in any other type of mounting arrangement. Figure 2, for example, shows a practice of the invention wherein the panels 16 are mounted directly to the battens 12 which are mounted across the rafters 10 without the use of a track/fastener system. (Although such practice could be done in a track/fastener system.) Such mounting could be done in any conventional manner through the use of known fasteners such as nails, screws, staples, etc. The spacing of the panels 16 from each other is accomplished through the use of separate

spacer members 22 which could be of any suitable size, shape and dimension. What is important is that the spacers are sufficiently thick to create the open area or air layer between adjacent panels without being too thick. In the preferred practice of this invention the thickness of the spacers and more particularly the thickness of the open area or air layer between adjacent panels is 10 millimeters or less. More preferred practices would be thicknesses no greater than 8 millimeters or 6 millimeters. An acceptable range of thickness could also be no greater than 4 millimeters.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 2, individual horizontal rows of panels are labeled 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D going from top to bottom. The rows of panels adjacent to each end of the roof might be considered as outer rows while the rows of panels between them might be considered as intermediate rows. The intermediate rows would occupy the major portion of the roof. As illustrated in Figure 2 there is a double overlap in the intermediate rows. In that regard, for example, the panels are arranged to overlap each other in such a manner that the heel of panel 16A is located above an intermediate central portion of panel 16B which in turn is located above the head of panel 16C at the batten labeled as 12A. A similar double overlap results at batten 12B. Except for the most outer rows of panels another characteristic of the mounting arrangement is that the spacers 22

are completely concealed so as not to be exposed to weather conditions.

As is apparent from the drawings, the invention could be practiced with various roof structures such as where the panels are mounted directly on tracks or directly to the battens or against a deck, etc.

Figure 2 illustrates the practice of the invention where a single spacer is provided against each panel. The invention could be practiced where there are a plurality of spacers suitably located at different locations on each panel. For example, the plurality of spacers could be laterally and/or longitudinally aligned or could even be randomly located with respect to each other. Preferably, whatever the location is it should be where the spacers are concealed. It is to be understood, however, that the invention could be broadly practiced where the spacers are not concealed.

The head of the panels could be mounted to a batten, a track, a track segment (pedestal) or a prominence from a deck structure or other form of support and the support near the heel or tail at the bottom end of the panel could be either one or more spacers or one or more fasteners that also function as spacers .

The spacers could take various shapes, such as being C or U shaped which could be snapped onto the upper leg of a track.

This would have the effect of placing spacers are intervals that coincide with the heads of the panels or slates. The result would be an elevation of the panel above the level of the track, acting in effect like a pedestal. The spacers could be either unitary in the sense of one spacer per panel or continuous. A continuous spacer could be, for example, a continuous strip with rises and valleys. This undulating or crenellated strip could be snapped on a track just as a unitary "C" section could be. The apexes of the crenellations or rises could be located to occur one or more times per panel to create the open spaces for air flow.

Unitary and continuous spacers could be made to mount on the track, battens, decking or other support surfaces in a variety of ways. They could be screwed, nailed, stapled, glued, taped or otherwise attached. The spacers could also be laid loosely and held in place by the positioning of the panels or other elements. It is not necessary to surround a track element as would result from a C-shaped spacer.

Figures 3-4 illustrate a practice of the invention wherein there is a double overlap of the intermediate rows of panels 16A- 16D. The spacers 22 are laterally centrally located at the head portion on top of a panel in each row at the location where the juxtaposed panels of the lower row abut. Thus, for example, the spacer on panel 16C would be located at the head of that panel

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along its center line which coincides with the location where two lower panels 16D abut each other. This creates a spacing between the row of panels 16B and 16C. A similar spacing between row of panels 16C and 16D would be created by the spacer 22 at the head of each lower panel 16D. As shown in Figure 4 each spacer is a pad of material which is confined to the head of its panel. Figure 3 shows the spacers to be of generally rectangular shape. It is to be understood that other shapes could also be used. The arrangement of Figures 3-4 could be practiced where there are more than one spacers on each panel or where there is a single spacer that extends the length of the entire row of panels or at least across multiple panels when, for example, the spacer is of undulated shape to create air passageways.

Figures 5-6 show a variation where the spacers 22 are located at each edge of each panel downwardly from the upper edge of the panel head. As illustrated in Figure 5 a pair of spacers is provided on each panel. The invention could be practiced where only a single or more than two spacers are utilized. Where more than one spacer is used it is not necessary that the spacers be aligned with each other.

Figure 7 shows how the spacers 22 could be used in conjunction with known components such as hook 24 as described in U.S. Patent Nos . 5,794,396 and 6,052,961, all of the details of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

The combination hook/spacer shown in Figure 7 has a number of distinct advantages. For example, because the spacer 22 would extend across and below the overlying panels, the spacer interconnects the panels and thereby strengthens the attachment. The spacers separate the panels slightly, breaking capillary action which allows for a greater margin of safety or a reduced headlap. In addition, the spacers free trapped water which reduces aging and prolongs panel or slate life. Further the spacers increase roof breathability and prevent capillary rise along the hook shank.

Figures 8-9 illustrate another practice of the invention wherein the spacer 26 is formed from a U-shaped base 28 having flat wings 30 extending from each side at the top of the U. The base 28 would be snapped between adjacent panels 16 with the wings 30 overlying the panels. The wings would be of sufficient thickness to create the desired spacing.

Figures 9A-9B show a spacer 26A which is a modified form of the spacer shown in Figures 8-9. As illustrated in Figures 9A- 9B the wings 30A additionally include upwardly extending projections 29 and/or downwardly extending projections 31 which could be of any suitable form such as the spaced dimples or bumps illustrated therein. The provision of these projections increases the degree of spacing achieved by spacer 26A. The panels 16 may include recessed holes 33 for receiving the fasteners, such as a nail or

rivet and permitting the head of the fastener to be flush with the outer surface of the panel .

Figures 10-13 illustrate various forms of spacer structure and location. As shown in Figure 10 the spacer 22 is a pad or block which would be mounted directly to one surface of the panel 16 in any suitable manner such as by an intermediate adhesive layer 32.

Figure 11 shows a spacer 34 which is generally U or C-shaped to snap over the head of a panel 16. Figure 12 illustrates a spacer 36 which is of generally L- shape fitting over the head of panel 16, but extending only to the lower surface of panel 16 while the main portion of the spacer is on the upper surface.

Figure 13 illustrates a C or U-shaped spacer 38 which is snapped along the edge of the panel 16.

Figures 14-15 illustrate a form of spacer 40 which is a pad or block having a series of preferably pointed or conical protrusions 42 extending upwardly and protrusions 44 extending downwardly. The spacer 40 could alternatively have either a single set of upwardly extending protrusions 42 or downwardly extending protrusions 44 or a combination of both. Optionally, through holes 46 could be formed through the block or spacer 40 to enhance air flow.

Figure 16 illustrates a practice of the invention where a

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panel 16 is secured to, for example, a batten 12 by any suitable fastener such as a nail 48. In this practice of the invention a spacer in the form of a washer 50 is mounted between the nailhead and the panel 16 to create the space. Alternatively, or in addition, a further washer 52 could be located between the panel 16 and the batten 12. The washer could take any suitable shape. For example, the washer or spacer need not encircle the nail or fastener, but could be arms located at such fastener. What is characteristic of the washer is that it fits at least partially around the fastener 48 so that the fastener 48 functions not only to mount the panel to the roof, but also to hold the spacer in place.

While Figure 16 specifically illustrates the fastener as being in the form of a nail used in connection with at least one washer to achieve the spacing function, other forms of fasteners can be used such as a rivet wherein the rivet head itself could be of sufficient thickness and extend above the panel a sufficient distance to act as a spacer instead of or in addition to one or more washers . While various figures, such as Figures 1C and 9A, illustrate the spacer structure to be in the form of bumps, it is to be understood that other spacers or structures could be used which would provide capillary breaks which could, for example, be molded into manufactured panels or slates. The various drawings

illustrate different locations for the spacer elements. It is to be understood that such locations could include, for example, a spacer that rests beneath the end of a panel or slate or could include a spacer held above the panel or slate being held in place by a conventional hook with the structure being a hook then a spacer then a panel. In addition, the spacer could be above the panel or slate structure that rests in the hooks shank's joint to prevent rotation and dislodging or the spacer could be located above and attached to the hook. Such added elements, such as spacers or hooks could be made of copper or other materials that leach in order to suppress growth on the shingles or panels.

The various forms of spacers described herein could include a bent leg or wing or other structure that rises above the surface or extends below the surface of the leg of the fastener or clip so that there is a compliant or flexing separation which is reduced upon loading.

The invention could be practiced using a spacer which may wrap around the panel or slate by, for example, being at the side edge of the panel or the fit of the spacer may be such that the nature of the engagement creates an elevated spring-like structure such as a U-shaped that does not fully close around the panel or slate.

Advantageously the present invention could be practiced by

providing suitable spacers on new roof construction. In addition, the invention could be practiced for replacement or repair of existing roofs.

As previously noted, while the invention may be practiced with relatively small spacers occupying only a small portion of a panel, the spacers could be of larger form and dimension, such as being a thin, hard sheet with a raised grid with or without perforations. The sheet could be placed under the panels or shingles to facilitate air flow. The sheet could be packaged in roll form and unrolled when it is time to mount the sheet to the roof. Thus, for example, the various spacers shown in Figures 10-12 could be individual discrete spacers of small size where separate spacers are mounted on the panels or could be a continuous sheet which covers a plurality of panels.

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