1

A Roof Ridge End Cap

Field of the invention

[001] This invention relates to an end plate for a roof peak or gable end. Background of the invention

[002] The gable end can present an aperture which permits rain, birds or other unwanted material to enter.

[003] It is known for roofing contractors to cut gable ends to size on the using, for example, galvanized iron sheet. This is a time consuming procedure which can take a skilled tradesman about half an hour to complete a single gable end.

[004] Some buildings have multiple gables, so that several hours may be required to close off all the gable ends.

[005] A prefabricated gable end has not proven satisfactory as the angle of the gable varies between buildings and may also vary between gables on a single building.

[006] According to a first embodiment, this invention provides a prefabricated gable end including: a pair of flaps pivoted about a pivot point and adjustable to fit over a range of gable end angles.

[007] hi a further embodiment of the invention, the gable end includes a body portion and a pair of flaps; the body portion having a first included peak angle; the flaps being pivoted to the body to pivot outwardly to increase the included peak angle to fit over a gable having a second included angle greater than the first included angle.

[008] Any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, at the priority date of this application.

Summary of the invention

[009] A roof end cap including at least first and second adjustable flaps having a profile adapted to close off a gable end, wherein the adjustable flaps are adjustable to fit to different roof angles.

[010] The flaps can be pivoted to swivel to fit the different roof angles.

[011] The flaps can include a rim adapted to cooperate with the edge of the roof.

[012] The end cap can includeg an end plate.

[013] The flaps can be pivoted to the end plate.

[014] The flaps can be hinged.

[015] The end cap can be formed from a unitary piece of material.

[016] The end cap includes a roof ridge extension.

[017] The end cap can include side panels attached to the roof ridge extension.

[018] The invention can also be embodied in a finial attachment assembly including a finial attached to an end cap.

[019] The finial assembly can include a bracing rod fixed in relation to the finial, the bracing rod being adapted to be inserted in a roof ridge.

[020] The side plates can be affixed to the corresponding flaps and can be adjustable to the roof angle.

Brief description of the drawings

[021] An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[022] Figure 1 is a partial view of a roll top roof ridge;

[023] Figure 2 shows an adjustable end cap according to an embodiment of the invention;

[024] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a pivotable flap suitable foe use with the end cap of Figure 2;

[025] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of an end plate suitable for use with the end cap of Figure 2;

[026] Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of a flap;

[027] Figure 6 is a view of the opposite side of the flap of Figure 5;

[028] Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of an end cap;

[029] Figure 8 shows the end cap of Figure 7 in a partially folded configuration;

[030] Figure 9 shows a further alternative embodiment of an end cap.

[031] Figure 10 shows an end cap according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

[032] Figure 11 shows a further embodiment of the invention.

[033] Figure 12 shows a flap suitable for use with the end cap of Figure 11.

[034] Figure 13 shows an end cap according to an embodiment of the invention which incorporates a section of roof capping.

[035] Figure 14 shows an end cap according to an embodiment of the invention combined with a finial.

[036] Figure 15 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention;

[037] Figure 16 shows a further alternative embodiment of the invention;

[038] Figure 17 shows a view of the main body of the embodiment shown in Figure 16;

[039] Figure 18 shows details of the flaps of the embodiments of Figure 16.

Detailed description of the embodiment or embodiments

[040] The invention is suitable for use with the various roof gable ends, and is shown generally in relation to a roll top roof ridge. However, the invention is also applicable to flat folded roof ridges.

[041] Figure 1 shows a partial view of a roll top roof ridge 100 having a pair of flat wings 104, 106 connected to a half-round centrepiece 102. The wings define an angle 2Θ between them which defines the gable end. The angle 2Θ is not standard and can differ between buildings and between gables in a single building. The angle of the roof is usually defined as 90° - θ as this is the angle which a wing 104, 106 makes with the horizontal.

[042] In well made buildings, the gable end is covered with an end plate. Because the roof angle 90° - θ varies for different buildings, the end plates have to be made to fit the different shaped gable ends. This is commonly done by a tradesman cutting the end plate from sheet metal and fitting it over the gable end. This is time consuming as there are often several gable ends to be closed.

[043] Figure 2 shows an adjustable gable end plate 200 having a major face 204 which is substantially triangular in shape and, in the case where it is designed for a roll top ridge, it includes a half round apex to mate with the ridge curve. As shown in Figure 4, an extension flap 406 can be used to provide a substantially weatherproof closure by fitting over or inside the roof ridge.

[044] The adjustable end plate 200 includes a pair of pivotable flaps 208, 210 which are pinned at corresponding pivot points 212, 214. The pivot points may be, for example, rivets. The pivot points 212, 214 are preferably located close to the lower edges of the half-round apex 206.

[045] The faceplate 204 may have one or more fastening holes 216 along each rising edge to secure the corresponding flap 208, 210 to the faceplate 204.

[046] Fastening holes 218 can be provided in the flaps 208, 210 to align with the fastening holes 216 of faceplate 204. the fastening holes 218, 216 can be predrilled or can be drilled on site. As shown in Figure 3, two or more fastening holes 314 can be aligned on an arc 310 from the pivot point 308 to adjust the flaps to the more commonly used roof angles. Similarly holes 316 are aligned on arc 312.

[047] Fixing holes 318 can be provided on the rim 304 of flap 302 to enable the flaps to be fastened to the edge of the roof ridge.

[048] The rim 304 is shown as straight in Figure 3.

[049] In Figure 4, the centre of hole 412 is at a radius 410 from the lower edge 414 of the half-round rim 406. In Figures 4, 5, and 6, the end 508, 606 of the rim 504, 604 extends beyond a radius 410, 510 centred on the pivot point of the rivet and at a radius which permits the end 508, 606 to move under the lower edge of rim 406.

[050] Fastening holes 216, 218, 314, 316 are omitted for clarity from Figures 4, 5, and

6.

[051] Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the end plate which can be manufactured from a single piece. The rim 701, 710, 714 can be formed, for example by pressing sheet material. The angle between the rim edges 708, 710 can be set to correspond with the minimum roof angle. The pivotable flaps 704, 706 can be cut free along lines 718, 720, leaving a "hinge" attachment line such as 712, 716 between rim 710 and half round rim 714 during the manufacturing process. Alternatively, the line cuts 718, 720 can be made on site.

[052] As shown in Figure 8, the flap 704 can then be pivoted around line 712 behind or in front of faceplate 702 to adjust to the desired roof angle. As this is a once-off action, the issue of fatigue along line 712 does not arise. Fastening holes can also be provided for this embodiment.

[053] Figure 9 shows an end plate embodying the invention and including a first unitary portion 901 having a pair of pivotable flaps 902, 904 attached along pivot lines to an arcuate or half round portion 906. The flaps include rims such as 910. The half round portion 906 may

include an optional rim 909. Attachment holes 908 can be provided, for example, in the half round portion 906. The faceplate portion 903 includes a faceplate 912 and a half round portion 914 which may also include fastening holes 916 to cooperate with the holes 908.

[054] Figure 10 shows an end cap 100 having first and second flaps 1002 and 1004, and a ridge curve cover 1006 which is at designed to cover the curved end of the roof ridge. The flaps 1002, 1004 are pivoted on the cover 1006 at 1008.

[055] Figure 11 shows a two piece end cap 1100. This includes first and second flaps

1102, 1104, pivoted together at 1108. Each flap includes an arcuate apex 1106 to cover the rounded end of the roof ridge. As shown in Figure 12, the flaps include a rim 1204 and an acuate rim 1206 on the half round portion. The half round rim of flap 1104 can rotate within the half round rim of flap 1102 as the rims are centred on the pivot point 1108.

[056] Figure 12 shows detail of the flap 1102 of Figure 11. The apex 1106 can include an arcuate rim 1206. A corresponding arcuate rim on flap 1104 can rotate within the rim 1206.

[057] Figure 13 shows an end cap 1308 integrated with a length of ridge capping having a ridge portion 1302 and side panels 1304, 1306. The end cap 1308 includes adjustable flaps 1310, 1312. The adjustable end flaps 1310, 1312 can include rim such as 1320. The flaps 1310, 1312 can be attached to the panels 1304, 1306 , for example by suitable fasteners such as screws or rivets passing through the panel and the rim of the flap. Hole 1314 can be provided in the panel to align with corresponding holes in the rim for this purpose. The panels 1304, 1306 can be flexed together with the corresponding flaps 1310, 1312 to fit to the roof angle. Additional fastening holes 1316 can be provided in suitable locations to hold the capping in place. The combination can be per-fabricated or preassembled.

[058] An advantage of the combination of Figure 13 is that it can be put in place over an existing roof ridge end without the need for the tradesman to work over the edge of the roof to fasten the end plate to the roof ridge.

[059] Figure 14 shows an arrangement with a fϊnial 1400 attached to an end cap arrangement such as that shown in Figure 13. A bracing rod 1414 is attached to the fϊnial 1400 and is adapted to fit inside a rolled roof ridge. The finial and/or the bracing rod are attached to the end cap by any suitable means including screws, rivets, or by welding. A series of attachment holes 1414 can be provided to secure the half-round section 1402 through the rolled roof ridge (not shown). The securing means can fasten the half-round section 1402, the roof ridge and the bracing rod 1414.

[060] Figure 15 shows an embodiment of the invention which has a number of overlapping flaps 1504, 1506, 1508 which are successively overlapped from the top down. Thus flap 1504 overlaps flap 1506. The top flap 1504 has a rim (not shown) as in the earlier described embodiments. The flaps 1504, 1506, 1508 are pivoted at 1510 to allow adjustment of the flaps to the roof angle concertinaing with a substantially horizontal concertina action.

[061] Figure 16 shows a further embodiment in which the flaps 1602, 1604, 1606, 1616 are overlapped to permit the flaps to concertina in a more vertical manner than in the arrangement of Figure 15. The double arrows 1610, 1612, 1614 indicate the edges of flaps 1602, 1604, and 1606 respectively. Thus, in this example, flap 1606 is on top of flap 1604 and 1616 and flaps 1604 and 1616 are on top of the body 1602, 1620.

[062] Figure 17 shows the main body of the arrangement of Figure 16. The two side flaps 1602, 1620 are connected to the half-round top section 1618. these flaps can be connected to the rim (not shown) which extends vertically to the plane of the page.

[063] Pivot hole 1608 is located near the bottom of the half-round section 1618.

[064] Figure 18 shows flaps 1604, 1606, and 1616.

[065] The embodiments of the invention can be made from any suitable materials, for example, sheet metal, fibre glass etc.

[066] Where ever it is used, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open"

Sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of "consisting only of. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear.

[067] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

[068] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.