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Title:
SECURING AND WEATHERPROOFING ROOF TILES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2000/066853
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A fixing system for securing roof tiles to a roof structure, the system comprising a plurality of elongate Z-shaped roof battens (10) arranged to be secured to the rafters (12) in parallel spaced relationship, laterally spaced parallel weather strips (16) extending between pairs of adjacent battens (10), each weather strip (16) having a length such that it extends beyond the lower batten (10), and retention clips (17) for securing each tile to a batten (10), each clip (17) at one end to engage the lower batten (10) and a clip at the other to engage the tile. The battens (10), weather strips (16) and retention clips (17) are also individually claimed.

Inventors:
HICK ROBERT MAINLAND (AU)
Application Number:
PCT/AU2000/000376
Publication Date:
November 09, 2000
Filing Date:
May 01, 2000
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
NU LOK ROOFING SYSTEMS PTY LTD (AU)
HICK ROBERT MAINLAND (AU)
International Classes:
E04D1/34; E04D1/36; E04D12/00; (IPC1-7): E04D1/34; E04D1/36; E04D12/00
Domestic Patent References:
WO1994024384A11994-10-27
Foreign References:
AU709435A
DE29902345U11999-04-22
AU8834598A1999-04-29
JPH1113216A1999-01-19
AU1645797A1997-09-25
AU6058994A1994-10-27
EP0375362A11990-06-27
GB2213512A1989-08-16
AU5467586A1986-09-18
AU326166A
EP0497690A11992-08-05
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
COLLISON & CO (S.A. 5000, AU)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS
1. 1 A retention means for securing a tile to a roof structure in which the tile extends at least between an upper and a lower batten, the retention means including: a first portion adapted to be mounted to the lower batten of the roof structure, a second portion for engaging the tile and being adapted for at least preventing downward movement of the tile under gravity, and an elongate strip portion between the first portion and the second portion, characterised by the first portion including a hook portion adapted to be engage the lower batten.
2. A retention means as in Claim 1 wherein the second portion is adapted for securing the tile against lifting.
3. A retention means as in Claim 1 wherein the second portion includes an upstanding web against which a lower end of the tile abuts and is supported in use.
4. A retention means as in Claim 1 wherein the second portion is further adapted for receiving and retaining tiles of different thicknesses by means of a substantially Ushaped clip portion at the second end adapted so that the lower edge of the tile is received in the Ushape and a portion of the U shape of the clip bears down on the upper surface of the tile in a resilient manner.
5. A retention means as in Claim 1 wherein the hook has a recess between opposing parts of the hook, so that when the retention means is being mounted onto a lower batten an upper portion of the batten is engaged in the recess.
6. A retention means as in Claim 1 wherein the elongate strip portion between the first portion and the second portion includes an elongate central rib to provide rigidity.
7. A retention means as in Claim 1 wherein the elongate strip portion between the first portion and the second portion includes upturned longitudinal edges to provide rigidity 8 A weather strip adapted to support roof tiles and to extend between adjacent roof battens and to be supported thereby, each weather strip having a length such that in use its lower end portion projects beyond the lower one of the adjacent battens, whereby each tile is supported along its opposite margins by adjacent weather strips with the upper surface of each said strip being in contact with and supporting adjacent marginal edge portions of adjacent tiles positioned in edgetoedge relationship, wherein the weather strip includes at least two longitudinal strips of sealant means in use adapted to seal under the respective side edges of adjacent tiles.
8. weather strip as in claim 8 further including a central sealing broad strip upon which in use the edges of adjacent tiles rest.
9. A weather strip as in claim 8 including longitudinally extending grooves formed in its upper surface to assist the shedding of water therefrom 11 A weather strip as in claim 8 including side tabs in the position of the lower batten in use adapted for use with a roof having timber battens whereby the weather strip may be fastened by nailing or screwing to the battens as required.
10. 12 A weather strip as in claim 8 including engagement means adapted to engage with the lower one of the adjacent battens wherein the engagement means comprises a locating slot adjacent an underside surface of the weather strip near to and opening in the direction of its lower end an upper flange of the lower one of the adjacent battens being received into the locating slot in use.
11. 13 A weather strip as in claim 8 including a downwardly depending tab at the upper end of the weather strip, the tab engaging into a corrugation of a lower flange of a support batten in use.
12. 14 A weather strip as in claim 8 including downwardly depending side flanges on the weather strip, the side flanges being slightly angled outwards to allow for stacking of weather strips.
13. 15 A roof batten adapted to support roofing tiles, the batten being generally Z shaped in cross section, wherein the batten has an upstanding web, an upper flange extending to one side of said web, and a lower flange extending to the other side of said web, the flanges being substantially parallel, and wherein the batten is adapted to be fastened to a roof support structure by a fastener through the lower flange.
14. 16 A roof batten as in Claim 15 wherein the lower flange is longitudinally corrugated and terminates in an upturned lip.
15. 17 A roof batten as in Claim 16 wherein the uppermost corrugation of the lower flange is adapted to receive a tab extending from a weather strip in use.
16. 18 A roof batten as in Claim 15 manufactured from rolled sheet steel.
17. 19 An improved fixing system for securing roof tiles to a roof structure comprising: a plurality of elongate support battens arranged to be secured to the roof structure in spaced apart parallel relationship for supporting rows of tiles with each said tile having an upper end portion supported by or adjacent one support batten and a lower end portion supported by an adjacent lower batten, said lower end portion overlapping the upper end portion of an adjacent lower tile, a plurality of spaced apart parallel weather strips each extending between a pair of adjacent said battens and supported thereby, each said strip having a length such that its lower end portion projects beyond the lower one of the adjacent battens, wherein each tile is supported along its opposite margins by adjacent weather strips with the upper surface of each weather strip being in contact with and supporting adjacent marginal edge portions of adjacent tiles positioned in edgeto edge relationship, and a retention means for securing each tile to a roof structure, the retention means including: a first portion adapted to be mounted to the lower batten of the roof structure, a second portion for engaging the tile and being adapted for at least preventing downward movement of the tile under gravity, and an elongate strip portion between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion including a clip portion adapted to be engage the lower batten.
18. 20 An improved fixing system for securing roof tiles to a roof structure as in Claim 19 wherein the weather strip includes at least two longitudinal strips of sealant means in use adapted to seal one under the side edge of each edge of adjacent tiles.
19. 21 An improved fixing system for securing roof tiles to a roof structure as in Claim 19 wherein each tile support batten has an upstanding web, an upper flange extending to one side of said web, and a lower flange extending to the other side of said web, the flanges being approximately parallel, wherein each of the weather strips has its upper end resting on the upper surface of the lower flange of one batten and a lower end portion thereof supported on the upper surface of the upper flange of an adjacent lower batten.
20. 22 An improved fixing system for securing roof files to a roof structure as in Claim 19 wherein the lower flange is longitudinally corrugated and terminates in an upturned lip.
21. 23 An improved fixing system for securing roof tiles to a roof structure as in Claim 19 wherein each weather strip includes a downwardly depending tab at the upper end of the weather strip, the tab engaging into a corrugation of the lower flange of the support batten in use.
22. 24 An improved fixing system for securing roof tiles to a roof structure as in Claim 19 wherein each weather strip includes a downwardly depending side flanges on the weather strip, the side flanges being slightly angled outwards to allow for stacking of weather strips.
23. 25 An improved fixing system for securing roof tiles to a roof structure as in Claim 19 wherein the second portion of the retention means is adapted for securing the tile against lifting.
24. 26 An improved fixing system for securing roof tiles to a roof structure as in Claim 19 wherein the second portion includes an upstanding web against which a lower end of the file abuts and is supported in use.
25. 27 An improved fixing system for securing roof tiles to a roof structure as in Claim 19 wherein the second portion is further adapted for receiving and retaining tiles of different thicknesses by means of a substantially U shaped clip portion at the second end adapted so that the lower edge of the tile is received in the Ushape and a portion of the Ushape of the clip bears down on the upper surface of the tile in a resilient manner.
26. 28 An improved fixing system for securing roof tiles to a roof structure as in Claim 19 wherein the first portion is a hook that defines a recess between opposing parts of the hook, so that when the retention means is being mounted onto a lower batten an upper portion of the batten is engaged in the recess.
27. 29 An improved fixing system for securing roof tiles to a roof structure as in Claim 19 wherein the weather strip includes longitudinally extending grooves formed in its upper surface to assist the shedding of water therefrom 30 An improved fixing system for securing roof tiles to a roof structure as in Claim 19 wherein the weather strip includes engagement means adapted to engage with the lower one of the adjacent battens wherein the engagement means comprises a locating slot adjacent an underside surface of the weather strip near to and opening in the direction of its lower end an upper flange of the lower one of the adjacent battens being received into the locating slot in use.
28. 31 An improved fixing system for securing roof tiles to a roof structure as in Claim 19 wherein the lower flange of each batten is formed with at least one upstanding rib in the upper surface thereof and extending along the entire length of the batten and preferably the lower flange terminates at its free longitudinal margin in an upturned lip.
Description:
SECURING AND WEATHERPROOFING ROOF TILES Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the securing and weatherproofing of tiles, more preferably flat singles or tiles, to a roof structure. The invention will in part be described in relation to flat type tiles but it should be appreciated that the invention is not so limited. The term tile used herein shall be taken to mean a roof tile or a slate or timber or other material shingle or any similar roofing material.

Background Art Various roofing systems for fixing flat singles or tiles to a roof are known in the prior art.

For example, Australian Patent No. 672286 discloses a tile roofing system in which spaced apart parallel joining strips extend between a pair of adjacent battens and wherein each shingle or tile is supported along its opposite margins by a pair of adjacent said strips. In this Patent specification locking means are provided integrally with a strip for securing the lower end portion of a respective tile against lifting. These strips are known in the art as"weather strips and prevent moisture, dust etc. from passing between tiles and into the roof space. In Patent No.

672286 two forms of the integral locking means are disclosed. In one embodiment, integral tabs are provided at the lower end of each weather strip and are bent over a lower edge of a respective tile or single. In a second embodiment, each weather strip has an upstanding hook generally centrally positioned therein, and this hook projects upwardly to engage the lower end of a shingle or tile in the next uppermost row from the weather strip to prevent lifting of that shingle or tile.

GB Patent Application No. 2160559 shows a weather strip having an upstanding hook like member which engages the lower end of a shingle or tile in the next uppermost shingle or tile row from the weather strip. The arrangement in GB 2160559 is virtually identical to the arrangement disclosed in the Australian Patent No. 672286.

DE 800784 discloses a weather strip which extends between upper and lower battens, and a lower end of the weather strip is provided with tabs which engage with a lower end portion of the respective tile.

In the arrangements shown in the above documents, the various tab and hook type arrangements are provided to restrain the lower end of a respective file to prevent its upward lift, for instance, from strong wind conditions etc.

In practice, however, installations which have used the system disclosed in, for instance, Australian Patent No. 672286 have exhibited poor weather proofing.

While the reasons for this are not entirely clear it appears that the weather strip has not provided a good enough seal with the underneath of the tile so that wind blown water can penetrate below the tile beyond the weather strip.

DE 151738 discloses an arrangement where a type of fastening hook is nailed to an upper batten, and prongs or arms thereof are bent over the top part of a respective pair of adjacent tiles. The arrangements described in DE 151738, however, are peculiar to the curved type tiles employed therein.

It would be advantageous if an alternative retention system for securing tiles, especially flat type tiles or shingles, could be provided.

Summary of the Invention The present invention in a first aspect provides a retention means for securing a tile to a roof structure in which the tile extends at least between an upper and a lower batten, the retention means including: a first portion adapted to be mounted to the lower batten of the roof structure, a second portion for engaging the tile and being adapted for at least preventing downward movement of the tile under gravity, and an elongate strip portion between the first portion and the second portion, characterised by the first portion including a hook portion adapted to be engage the lower batten.

Preferably the second portion is adapted for securing the tile against lifting.

The second portion may include an upstanding web against which a lower end of the tile abuts and is supported in use.

The second portion may be further adapted for receiving and retaining tiles of different thicknesses by means of a substantially U-shaped clip portion at the second end adapted so that the lower edge of the tile is received in the U-shape and a portion of the U-shape of the clip bears down on the upper surface of the tile in a resilient manner. Such a clip portion may be adapted to receive tiles of from 3 mm to 12 mm in thickness.

The hook may have a recess between opposing parts of the hook, so that when the retention means is being mounted onto a lower batten an upper portion of the batten is engaged in the recess.

The elongate strip portion between the first portion and the second portion may include an elongate central rib or ridge to provide rigidity or altematvely the elongate strip portion between the first portion and the second portion may include upturned longitudinal edges to provide rigidity.

In an alternative embodiment the invention may be said to reside in a weather strip adapted to support roof tiles and to extend between adjacent roof battens and to be supported thereby, each weather strip having a length such that in use its lower end portion projects beyond the lower one of the adjacent battens, whereby each tile is supported along its opposite margins by adjacent weather strips with the upper surface of each said strip being in contact with and supporting adjacent marginal edge portions of adjacent tiles positioned in edge-to-edge relationship, wherein the weather strip includes at least two longitudinal strips of sealant means in use adapted to seal under the respective side edges of adjacent tiles.

There may be a central sealing broad strip upon which in use the edges of adjacent tiles rest. There may also be side sealing strips. A pair of longitudinal side sealing strips may extend down substantially the length of the weather strip and be joined by an arcuate portion at the upper end of the weather strip. In use with the edge of a tile supported by the weather strip the sealing strips engage the underside of the tile and provide a seal for wind blown rain which may be driven under the tile.

The weather strip may include including longitudinally extending grooves formed in

its upper surface to assist the shedding of water therefrom. The grooves may be positioned between the central sealing strip and the side sealing strips.

There may be side tabs in the position of the lower batten in use adapted for use with a roof having timber battens whereby the weather strip may be fastened by nailing or screwing to the battens as required.

The weather may include engagement means adapted to engage with the lower one of the adjacent battens wherein the engagement means comprises a locating slot adjacent to an underside surface of the weather strip near to and opening in the direction of its lower end an upper flange of the lower one of the adjacent battens being received into the locating slot in use.

There may be further included a downwardly depending tab at the upper end of the weather strip, the tab engaging into a corrugation, preferably the uppermost of the corrugations, of a lower flange of a support batten in use and downwardly depending side flanges on the weather strip, the side flanges being slightly angled outwards to allow for stacking of weather strips.

In an alternative form the invention may be said to reside in a roof batten adapted to support roofing tiles, the batten being generally Z-shaped in cross section, wherein the batten has an upstanding web, an upper flange extending to one side of said web, and a lower flange extending to the other side of said web, the flanges being substantially parallel, and wherein the batten is adapted to be fastened to a roof support structure by a fastener through the lower flange.

The lower flange may be longitudinally corrugated and terminate in an upturned lip.

The uppermost corrugation of the lower flange may be adapted to receive a tab extending from a weather strip in use.

The roof batten according to this invention may be manufactured from rolled sheet steel.

In an alternative form the invention may be said to reside in a n improved fixing system for securing roof tiles to a roof structure comprising a plurality of elongate support battens arranged to be secured to the roof structure in spaced apart

parallel relationship for supporting rows of tiles with each said ble having an upper end portion supported by or adjacent one support batten and a lower end portion supported by an adjacent lower batten, said lower end portion overlapping the upper end portion of an adjacent lower tile, a plurality of spaced apart parallel weather strips each extending between a pair of adjacent said battens and supported thereby, each said strip having a length such that its lower end portion projects beyond the lower one of the adjacent battens, wherein each tile is supported along its opposite margins by adjacent weather strips with the upper surface of each weather strip being in contact with and supporting adjacent marginal edge portions of adjacent tiles positioned in edge-to-edge relationship, and a retention means for securing each tile to a roof structure, the retention means including a first portion adapted to be mounted to the lower batten of the roof structure, a second portion for engaging the tile and being adapted for at least preventing downward movement of the tile under gravity, and an elongate strip portion between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion including a clip portion adapted to be engage the lower batten.

The retention clip according to this invention may be constructed from any convenient material. The material may be sheet steel such as galvanise steel or pre-painted steel or it may be stainless steel, aluminium or copper. Alternatively the retention clip may be constructed partially or wholly from wire.

The weather strip may be formed from sheet metal such as pre-painted steel, galvanised steel or aluminium.

Brief Description of the Drawings This generally describes the invention but to assist with understanding reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure I shows a roof structure according one embodiment of the invention with tiles shown in dotted lines to enable views of the underlying structure; Figure 2 shows a side cross sectional view of a roof structure of the type shown in Fig 1; Figure 3A to D shows various views of an embodiment of a weather strip

Figure 4 shows one embodiment of the retention clip; Figure 5 shows the mounting of the retention clip to a roof support batten; Figure 6 shows in cross sectional view the mounting of the retention clip to a roof support batten; Figure 7 a cross sectional view of a roof support batten; Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of retention clip according to this invention; and Figure 9 shows a still further alternative embodiment of retention clip according to this invention.

Modes for Carrying out the Invention Now. ooking more closely at the drawings it wiii be seen that the roof structure according to this invention comprises battens 10 mounted to rafters 12 with tiles 14 supported by the battens. Between and underneath adjacent files in each row of tiles there are weather strips 16 and under each tile 14 there are retention clips 17 which fasten to a batten 10 hold the lower edge of each tile 14. Each tile 14 overlaps the next tile lower down the roof structure.

As can be seen in more detail in Figures 2,5,6 and 7 the roof support batten is a Z-shaped batten comprising an upstanding web 20 with an upper flange 22 extending from the upper end of the web 20 and a lower flange 24 extending from the lower end of the web 20. The upper flanges and lower flanges extend in opposite directions but are substantially parallel. The lower flange has longitudinal corrugations and terminates in an upwardly turned lip 28.

As can be seen in cross section in Figure 2 the upper end of the weather strip 16 is supported at its upper end 17 on the lower flange 24 of the Z-shaped batten.

The lower end of the weather strip 16 is supported on the upper flange 22 of the adjacent batten 10.

Figures 3A to 3D show various views of one embodiment of a weather strip

according to this invention. Figure 3A shows a transverse cross sectional view, Figure 3B shows a plan view, Figure 3C shows a side view and Figure 3D shows a perspective view.

In this embodiment the weather strip 16 comprises a substantially U-shaped body along most of its length with longitudinal corrugations or grooves 60 formed along substantially all of the length of the weather strip. These longitudinally extending grooves formed in the upper surface of the weather strip assist the shedding of water therefrom.

A pair of longitudinal sealing strips 61 and 62 extend down substantially the length of the weather strip and are joined by an arcuate portion at the upper end 64. In use with the edge of a tile supported by the weather strip as shown in Figure 2 the sealing strips 61,62 and 64 engage the underside of the tile and provide a seal for wind blown rain which may be driven under the tile. There is also a central broad sealing strip 63 upon which in use the edges of adjacent tiles rest.

At the upper end of the weather strip there is a downwardly depending tab 67 which extends lower than the side flanges 65 and which in use is engaged into the uppermost corrugation 27 (Figure 7) of the lower flange 24 of a support batten 10 to assist with rapid and accurate placement of the weather strip. Side flanges 65 extend down most of the length of the weather strip but at the lower end the weather strip 14 does not have the downward depending side flanges 65 so it can extend over and be supported by a lower roof batten and pass over and hold down the next lower tile. It may be noted particularly in Figure 3A that the side flanges are angled slightly outward to allow for stacking of the weather strips 16 during transport to a work site. The notches 66 in the sides of the weather strip at the lower end of the side flanges 65 are adapted to receive the edge of the upper flange 22 of a support batten to hold the weather strip in place and to assist with holding the upper end of the next lower down tile 14 down by engaging it against the underside of the weather strip and thereby preventing it lifting.

The tile retaining clip 17 which can be seen in Figure 4 comprises an elongate body portion 32 with a lower clip portion 34 and an upper hook portion 36.

The lower clip portion 34 comprises a generally U-shaped portion including an upstanding portion 37 and a free standing leg 38 which is bent back towards the

body 32 and is slightly resilient so that tiles of varying thicknesses can be received inside the U-shaped portion. The tiles may be from 3 to 12 mm in thickness and hence the clip portion may be sized to accommodate such a range. Alternatively there may be two sizes of tile retaining clips.

The hook portion 36 has a stepped down portion 42 and an extension 41 with a turned back end 40. Between the extension 41 and the turned back end 40 there is defined a recess 43.

The mounting of the tile retention clip to the file support batten is shown in Figure 5 and mounting of the tile retention clip and upper end of the weather strip to the tile support batten is shown in Figures 6.

The hook portion 36 is clipped onto the upper flange 22 of the of the batten10 so that the upper flange 22 is received in the recess 43. The down turned portion 42 allows the clip to lie as flat as possible underneath the tle.

The edges of the side flanges 65 of the weather strip 16 rest on the tops of the corrugations of the lower flange 24 of the support batten 10 with the downwardly depending tab 67 at the upper end of the weather strip 16 which extends lower than the side flanges engaged into the uppermost corrugation 27. The upper end of a tile fits into the space between the upper side of the weather strip and the retention clip 17.

The retention clip may be constructed from thin zinc plated or painted steel strip or from stainless steel which will still have the necessary strength and resilience so that one tile may lie very close to the next tile below it.

Figures 8 and 9 show alternative embodiments of retention of the present invention.

In Figure 8 the retention clip has an elongate body portion 70 which has upturned edges 71 to provide rigidity. The raised edges extend up onto the hook portion of the retaining clip. Where tiles used have a recess on the underside then the upturned edges are received in the recess and hence the edges on the clip do not cause any change in the spacing between tiles.

In Figure 9 the retention clip has an elongate body portion 75 which a longitudinal ridge 76 to provide rigidity. The ridge 76 extends unto the hook portion of the retention clip. Where tiles used have a recess on the underside then longitudinal ridge 76 is received in the recess and hence the ridge does not cause any change in the spacing between tiles.

Throughout this specification various indications have been given as to the scope of this invention but the invention is not limited to any one of these but may reside in two or more of these combined together. The examples are given for illustration only and not for limitation.

Throughout this specification and the claims that follow unless the context requires otherwise, the words'comprise'and'include'and variations such as'comprising' and'including'will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.