For many years roof manufacturers have been trying to design an assembly system for their use which eliminates the use of the traditional felt and baton and in so doing removes the need to use nails or some other pin fixing to hold the outer layer in place.

Many new methods have been tried and patented in the past but none of these ideas have survived the test of time. Most of these ideas involved a new type of clipping system which subsequently proved unreliable and difficult to use when incorporated into the house. Some of these difficulties may have been caused by an inbuilt reluctance to change which is found in many trades.

The Guagemaster Roofing System has been designed to provide a complete solution to this problem and has been structured so that it can be used will all existing commercial roof tiles.

The new system uses specially configured galvanised rolled steel battens. Suitable alternative materials may be used if they have similar properties and strengths. Two battens of different height which may be joined or rolled as one section are used each one having a circular grove or a series of grommet holes incorporated in the top edge.

These groves are for locating neoprene cord or rubber or plastic packing grommets during roof assembly. The height of the support batten can be adjusted to suit the particular dimensions of the actual tile being used. Both battens have locking slots along the lower part of each side. These are for firmly attaching the battens to the roof truss using a specially designed galvanised pressed steel fixing bracket. Projecting securing lugs in the wells of the fixing bracket are designed to lock into the side locking slots.

Additional locking pressure is provided by the raised inverted"v"shaping along the centre of each well. This engages into the curved lower edges of each batten forcing the securing lugs more firmly into place. The fixing bracket is attached to the roof truss on top of the waterproof membrane with a frequency and location suitable for the choice of cover being installed. There is a series of slots cut along the top surface and upper sides of the larger batten. These both strengthen the structure and provide a locking position for the holding clips. A weather proof membrane of steel or other suitable material to which has been bonded a layer if insulation material is also attached to the truss. This weather proof layer has been pre formed to suit the truss centres before having insulation attached. The outer layer of cladding or tiles is laid to a new design without any major overlap. The system can be used for all tiles currently on the market. The outer cladding is held in place by a Galvanised pressed steel spring clip locked to these upper slots. The size and construction of these spring clips can be easily adjusted to cater for all existing roof coverings currently on the market. Longer springs can be incorporated into the design to fix larger cladding such as steel or plastic sheeting.

Special clips have been designed for locking of edges and apex.

The accompanying drawings illustrate each of the component parts of the new system.

Figure 1A shows the finished arrangement with outer cover in place: Figure 1B shows the general arrangement of the fixing bracket with location of the fixing lugs and inverted"v"clearly shown: Figure 1C shows a general arrangement of the roof batten: Figure 1D shows a general arrangement of the support batten: Figure 2 shows in more detail the system with the steel membrane and bonded insulation, the fixing bracket attached with this membrane to the roof truss and the two battens in detail as used: Figure 2A shows the detail of the end locking bracket : Figure 3 shows the general arrangement of the tile locking assembly which is produced in a variety of differing configurations to suit the finished structure.

Figure 4 shows the one piece section with packing grommets indicated and roof cladding locked into place with overlapping cover.

Figure 4 A shows batten construction with single tile locked into place.

Figure 4 B shows spring locking clip.

Referring to the drawings the whole GUAGEMASTER system can be constructed by laying in the first case the steel pre-formed membrane with integral insulation on top of the roof trusses. The distances between these trusses are considerably enlarged because of the much stronger materials being used. The fixing brackets are then attached at pre- determined positions and the battens locked into place. The outer layer of tiles or cladding is then positioned and locked into place with the locking clips.

The system benefits by being easy to install using semi-skilled labour, is resistant to damage by extreme weather conditions and replacement of broken tiles can be carried out very quickly without disturbing neighbouring ones.

By using steel battens and membrane the system is extremely well suited for hosting the photovoltaic power generating panels which are in current use without major costs for supply of new steel frame.