FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a verge unit for use in weatherproofing and/or otherwise finishing a perimeter of a pitched roof having a plurality of overlapping tiles, and to a system comprising a plurality of such verge units. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a verge unit having at least first and second blades extending laterally from a side wall of the verge unit, which blades are suitable for being disposed beneath different overlapping tiles disposed at the perimeter of the pitched roof for weatherproofing the end edge of the roof. The invention finds advantageous application in dry-roof weatherproofing systems where the use of bedding mortar is avoided and endmost tiles can be securely affixed and an aesthetically pleasing, weatherproof finish can be readily and accurately constructed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Single lapping is an economical form of roofing because there is just one layer of tiles (roof covering elements) over most of the roof and a double layer just where the tiles overlap vertically.

It is well known in the roofing industry to employ interlocking dry verge systems to prevent weather ingress and avoid reliance on mortar at the edge of a roof. Mortar is traditionally used for filling gaps between overlapping tiles and for affixing tiles to one another and to an undercloak of the roof. Dry verge systems use plastic verge units and eliminate the need to use mortar. Existing dry verge systems are designed to minimise water run-off preventing staining on the verge and gable wall and to provide a quicker and more easily installed solution that provides a consistent finish to the ends of roofs. It is well known that such systems are well suited for roofs with single lap interlocking tiles.

The plastic dry verge units currently available may be handed for use on a left-verge and right verge, and once construction of the single lap pitched roof up to the perimeter (roof edge) has been completed, the dry verge systems provide a relatively quick and aesthetically pleasing weatherproofing which protects the roof edge and the adjacent wall.

Existing plastic dry verge systems are available from the applicant, Hambleside Danelaw. Other dry verge systems are disclosed in EP 3,252,248 to Forticrete Limited and US 4,332,117 to Marley Tile.

In US Ί 17 a verge system for a pitched roof is shown which comprises a plurality of overlapping members, which each have a channel adapted to cap upper and lower faces of a single end-most tile, adjacent its free edge. Each overlapping member of the verge system has a longitudinally extending planar portion tapering in height from one end to the other and a pair of longitudinal parallel spaced flanges normal to the planar portion which define the channel. As shown in Figure 2 of US ‘117, the verge protection system is suitable for interlocking tiles arranged in a single lap configuration, with each overlapping member of the system receiving a single tile. The overlapping units may be installed as the endmost tiles are laid.

In EP ‘248 another dry verge system for a pitched roof is shown, the teaching whilst particularly concerned with control of water flow within the verge and managing drainage, nevertheless shows a dry verge system (see Figure 2 of EP ‘248) wherein a channelled unit caps upper and lower faces of a single tile and interlocks to another unit which caps upper and lower faces of a second, successive “up-slope” tile.

These known dry verge systems are useful in weatherproofing roof edges of single lap interlocking plain tile roofs. However, such systems are not suitable for use with double-lap or discontinuous plain tile roofing constructions, where tiles may not interlock.

Double lap plain tile roofing methods are very well known and are one of the oldest forms of roof covering in the UK. The term ‘double lap’ is used because of the manner in which plain tiles are laid onto a roof in order to form an effective waterproof barrier. Plain tiles are uniform in shape and have no side interlocks. When laid side by side a gap exists and water can enter the gaps between the tiles. To drain this water away another tile must be present below each joint. This means that at any tile course, the roof there is at least a double overlapping layer of tiles.

It is desirable to provide a system to prevent weather ingress and reliance on mortar at the edge of a roof that can be utilised with plain tiles that do not interlock and/or roof structures that utilise a double-lap or discontinuous and broken bond roofing style.

The present invention seeks to provide an improvement in the field of dry verge systems that has particular application for double-lap style roofs. The invention may be utilised in applications other than for double-lap style roofs and may not be limited in its application to a specific roof covering type, format or arrangement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention provide a verge unit, a system, and a roof as claimed in the appended claims. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a verge unit for use in weatherproofing a perimeter of a pitched roof having a plurality of overlapping tiles, the verge unit comprises a side wall having an outward facing surface, a roof-facing surface, a first edge, a second edge opposite to said first edge, and a top edge.. The verge unit also comprises a base wall that extends laterally from the roof-facing surface of the side wall. The base wall may provide an undercloak for the verge of the roof and may serve to manage drainage of water. The verge unit may be considered as essentially open-topped, but in some arrangements may be close-topped. The verge unit also has an opening defined by the side wall and base wall, for receiving at the roof-facing side of the verge unit, a section of the roof structure disposed at said perimeter, which section of roof covering is occluded from view by the side wall. Beneficially, the verge unit further comprises at least first and second blades which extend laterally from the roof-facing surface of the side wall. Each of said first and second blades is acutely angled relative to the base wall, whereby the first and second blades are suitable for being disposed beneath different ones of roof covering elements that are disposed at the perimeter of the pitched roof for weatherproofing said perimeter.

By providing two or more, angled blades (which may also be referred to herein as interstitial fins) that can fit into the interstitial gaps (voids) beneath endmost tiles in immediately successive, neighbouring courses, the verge unit provided by the present disclosure is suitable for application to a roof structure comprising (flat), single or double camber plain tiles or slates, laid in a double-lap manner.

Optionally, the first and second blades may be disposed below an adjacent portion of the top edge of the side wall. In this way the side wall extends to an elevation beyond an elevation of an uppermost blade in order to ensure that the interstitial gaps are covered and protected by the side wall. The first and second blades may be disposed at different elevations above the base wall, such that the first and second blades are spaced apart. This enables different ones of the blades to enter and be fitted into different gaps beneath different tiles, thus enabling the verge unit to end-off at least two tiles at a time. Where more than two blades are provided, then a single verge unit may be able to end-off more than two tiles. For manufacturing, handling, and installation purposes, it is considered, but without limitation, that a preferred number of blades may be two blades per unit. The blades may be positioned, arranged and sized relative to each other such that only a portion of the first blade overlaps a portion of the second blade.

Optionally, the top edge of the side wall is an exposed free edge, having no connection to any other aspect of the verge unit. Optionally, the second edge of the side wall has a smaller height than a height of the first edge of the side wall. Beneficially the tapered shape of the side wall allows for a telescopic-style of mechanical interlocking or fitment of adjacent units along the line of the roof edge; and the side wall covers a substantial area of the roof edge for weatherproofing and/or otherwise finishing the roof-edge.

Additionally, or alternatively, the base wall extends longitudinally, substantially between the first edge and the second edge of the side wall.

Optionally, the verge unit comprises three blades. As mentioned above, a unit with three blades may be of a suitable size for handling and for installation, yet be large enough to cover off the ends of three tiles. The third blade may also be: acutely angled relative to the base wall; disposed below the top edge of the side wall; disposed at different elevation above the base wall compared to the first and second blades, such that the third blade is spaced apart from the first and from the second blades; and may be positioned, arranged and sized relative to the first and second blades such that only a portion of the second blade overlaps with a portion of the third blade.

Optionally, the first blade overlaps the second blade, the second blade may overlap the third blade and the end to end length of the first blade may be less than an end to end length of the second and/or third blade.

Each of the first and second blades may have a first, free, side edge at a roof-facing side of the verge unit and a second side edge at the side wall, and a width of said blades may be defined as the distance between the first and second side edges. Optionally, the first and second blades have a similar width.

Each of said at least first and second blades may have a lower surface facing the towards the base wall and an upper surface opposite to the lower surface, and each of said at least first and second blades may have a depth defined as the distance between the upper surface and the lower surface. Optionally, the depth of the first and/or the second blade is at least substantially uniform across the entire area of the first and/or second blade.

Alternatively, the depth of the first and/or second blade may not at least substantially uniform across the entire area of the first and/or second blade. In such an arrangement, the depth of the first and/or second blade may be greatest at its second side edge, closest to the side wall, and wherein the depth of the first and/or second blade is lowest at its first side edge at the roof-facing side of the verge unit, such that the first and/or second blade has a wedge-shape and tapers toward the roof-facing side of the verge unit. Beneficially, this may make installation of the blades into the interstitial gaps easier, with the narrower end of the wedge-shaped fins providing a second edge that is fed into the gap first. Where a verge unit is fitted into two or three separately sized and positioned gaps simultaneously this wedge shaped or tapered arrangement of the interstitial blades (fins) may be very advantageous and may make installation easier.

Optionally, one or more of said at least first and second blades comprises a water directing feature. In such an arrangement, a water directing feature may comprise any one or more or a combination of: a ridge, a rib, a detent, a groove, surface texturing.

The verge unit may comprise means for affixing the verge unit to a structural element disposed at the perimeter of the pitched roof. Such means for affixing the verge unit to a structural element disposed at the perimeter of the pitched roof, may comprise an arrangement of apertures or perforate holes, suitable for receiving an affixing element, such as a nail or screw, therethrough.

The base wall of the verge unit may have a first edge disposed proximate to the first edge of the side wall, and the first edge of the base wall may have a lipped, up-turned or curved-up shape.

Optionally, the top edge of the verge unit, particularly the exposed top edge may have a variety of shapes, including, but not limited to: a curved shape; a straight shape; or a stepped profile which may be similar to the stepped profile of tiles in neighbouring courses.

Optionally, the verge unit may comprise first and second parts of an interlocking mechanism, which first and second parts are configured and arranged such that a first part the interlocking mechanism provided by a first verge unit can interlock with a second part of the interlocking mechanism provided by a second verge unit.

Optionally, the first part of the interlocking mechanism is provided by the side wall and comprises a narrower height interlocking section that has a lower engaging edge; a top edge disposed at a lower elevation compared to the top edge of the rest of the verge unit; and a base wall portion disposed at a higher elevation compared to the base wall of the rest of the verge unit. In such an arrangement the base wall may be considered as having a stepped shape.

The lower engaging edge may extend below the elevation of the base wall portion, whereby the verge unit is suitable for being interlocked within and/or to a second, similar verge unit. Optionally, the second part of the interlocking mechanism comprises a slot formed in one of the first or second blades, into which slot part of an interlocking section of another verge unit can be fitted. Optionally, the second part of the interlocking mechanism also comprises a further slot formed in the base wall, into which further slot, part of the interlocking section of said another verge unit can be fitted.

Optionally, the (exposed) top edge of the verge unit may have a bevelled or lipped finish along a section of the length of the verge unit. The top edge of the interlocking section may have a non-bevelled, blunt finish.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for use in weatherproofing and/or otherwise finishing a perimeter of a pitched roof, the system comprising a plurality of verge units according to any of the relevant preceding paragraphs.

Optionally the system may further comprise one or more of: a starter unit, a ridge cap, a batten end clip, a half-round ridge cap and/or an angle ridge cap.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a pitched roof comprising: a plurality of plain tiles arranged in a double-lap configuration; and a system for weatherproofing an end edge of said roof, the system comprising a plurality of interlocked verge units, wherein each verge unit comprises: a side wall having an outward facing surface, a roof-facing surface, a first edge, a second edge opposite to said first edge, and a top edge; a base wall extending laterally from the roof-facing surface of the side wall and extending longitudinally substantially between the first edge and the second edge of the side wall; an opening defined by the side wall and the base wall, the opening for receiving, at the roof facing side of the verge unit, a section of roof covering disposed at said perimeter, which section of roof covering comprises at least two overlapping tiles; and at least first and second blades extending laterally from the roof-facing surface of the side wall, each of said first and second blades being acutely angled relative to the base wall whereby the first and second blades are suitable for being disposed beneath different ones of said two overlapping tiles disposed at said perimeter of the pitched roof for weatherproofing said perimeter. In this way, each individual blade can act as a retention device to resist wind uplift forces that may act on the tiles. Advantageously where a plurality of blades is provided in a verge unit, once installed, the verge unit and tiles or slates that are interspersed between the blades together may act in concert and synergistically to provide an improvement in wind uplift resistance.

Optionally, said first and second blades are disposed below an adjacent portion of the top edge of the side wall; are disposed at different elevations above the base wall, such that the first and second blades are spaced apart; and are positioned, arranged and sized relative to each other such that only a portion of the first blade overlaps a portion of the second blade.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts, that once assembled and in use forms a verge system for weatherproofing a perimeter of a pitched roof, the kit of parts comprising: a) a plurality of verge units according to any of the relevant preceding paragraphs arranged in a left-handed manner and/or a plurality of verge units according to any of the relevant preceding paragraphs arranged in a right-handed manner; and b) one or more or a combination of: at least one starter unit, a ridge cap, a plurality of batten end clips, a half-round ridge cap and/or an angle ridge cap.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1A is a perspective view from the top, front and gable-wall end of a pitched roof, wherein the roof covering tiles are single camber plain that are being laid in a double-lap configuration; FIGURE 1 B is a perspective view from above of a single camber plain (non-interlocking) tile used in the roof of Figure 1 A, the tile having a hanging nib and nail holes;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view from above of an outward-facing side of a verge unit according to embodiments of the invention, the verge unit for use in weatherproofing a perimeter of the pitched roof shown in Figure 1A;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view from above of a roof-facing side of the verge unit of Figure 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view from above of the roof-facing sides of two adjacent verge units in the process of being interlocked together;

FIGURE 5A shows a perspective view from above of an outward-facing side of section of an installed dry-verge system according to embodiments of the invention, wherein a top exposed edge of each verge unit has a stepped-shaped profile which follows the profile of the tiles on the pitched roof;

FIGURE 5B shows a perspective view from above of an outward-facing side of section of an installed dry-verge system according to embodiments of the invention, wherein a top exposed edge of each verge unit has a straight shaped profile and the exposed top edge is disposed just below the surface of the tiles such that an edge of the endmost tiles is exposed to view;

FIGURE 5C shows a perspective view from above of an outward-facing side of section of an installed dry-verge system according to embodiments of the invention, wherein a top exposed edge of each verge unit has a curved profile.

FIGURE 6 shows a side view of, the roof-facing side of, a dry-verge unit according to embodiments of the invention wherein a top exposed edge has a stepped-shaped profile, similar to the arrangement of Figure 5A and wherein an acutely angled elevation of three staggered and off-set blades, relative to a base wall of the dry-verge unit, is illustrated; and

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view from above of the roof-facing side of a verge unit of Figure 5A, wherein one of the angled blades is provided with water channels arranged to send water off into the internal section of the verge unit, and an other of the angled blades is provided with channels arranged to encourage water to flow in a direction back towards the tiles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the verge units, systems and roofs of the present invention are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. Indeed, it will be understood that the verge units, systems and roofs described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well- known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.

Referring to Figure 1A, there is shown a pitched roof structure 100 wherein plain (non interlocking) tiles 4 are arranged in a double-lap configuration.

Plain tiles 4 used in the roof 100 are well known. A single, non-interlocking plain tile 4 is shown in enlarged view in Figure 1 B. Typically, plain tiles 4 are flat pieces of hand or machine-made clay or concrete into which a slight upwards curve or camber 5 may be introduced. The camber 5 in the arrangement illustrated is a longitudinal camber and the tiles 4 may be referred to as “single camber plain tiles” (see Figures 1A and 1 B). It is also common for machine-made concrete tiles to have an additional upwards transverse camber and these tiles may be referred to as “double camber plain tiles”. The verge units 60, 60a, 60b and systems 70 of the invention (shown in Figures 2 - 4) may be used without limitation, with either double or single camber plain tiles. In the illustrated arrangement, single camber tiles 4 are used. In other embodiments, the verge units of the disclosure may find compatible application with other types of tile or roof covering, and the verge units 60, 60a, 60b and systems 70 disclosed herein are not limited in their application and utility to roofing structures comprising single camber plain tiles.

As shown in Figure 1 B, plain tiles 4 may be provided with hanging nibs 7 and perforated nail holes 8. The nibs 7 allow for easy hanging of the tile 4 onto a batten 3. The holes 8 allow for a mechanical fixing, such as a nail, to be passed through the tiles 4 in order to mechanically affix a tile 4 to the batten 3.

The tiles 4 are installed adjacent to each other along the length of the batten 3 from one edge of the roof 100 to the other. Each line of tiles 4 is called a course (see for example 37, 38 and 39 referenced in Figure 1A). Where a course 37, 38, 39 reaches the edge of the roof 100 it may overhang a wall 50, which may be referred to as a gable wall 50. The junction between the roof edge and the gable wall 50 is typically known as a verge 11 . The verge units 60, 60a, 60b and verge systems 70 of the present disclosure may provide a weatherproof covering for exposed ends 18 of roof battens 3. The verge units 60, 60a, 60b and verge systems 70 of the present disclosure may provide a water drainage system integral to the design of the verge system for run-off water. The integral drainage systems serves to guide that run-off water out from a lowest point of the verge unit 60 and away from the wall 50 thus mitigating against water running onto the wall 50 (which may cause staining and/or damage to the wall 50).

In Figure 1A, only one end of the battens 3, and one perimeter edge of the roof structure 100 is illustrated. It will be recognised that another (non-illustrated) edge of the roof structure may have a similar or different configuration and may also be finished utilising a verge system 70 of the present disclosure.

Returning to Figure 1A. it can be seen that where each plain tile 4 abuts a neighbouring and adjacent tile 4, an open joint 10, 13, 14 exists between the plain-sided, non-interlocking tiles 4. This open joint 10, 13, 14 may be referred to as a “perp joint” or “perpendicular join”. It is critical that the perpendicular joints 10, 13, 14 between neighbouring tiles of one course of tiles 38 are weather-proofed and protected against water ingress by means of tiles 4 positioned in the immediately preceding tile course 37 and by means of tiles 4 positioned in the immediately succeeding tile course 39 and so on.

In a double-lap roofing arrangement, such as that shown in Figure 1 A, a second, succeeding and “up-slope” course 38 of tiles 4 is laid and positioned above a first, preceding, “down-slope” course 37 of tiles 4, such that a perp joint 13 (for example a perp joint 13 located between adjacent tiles 4a, 4b in the second course 38), is disposed above and aligned substantially with a centre portion of a tile 4c in the first course 37 of tiles 4 that is laid below.

This arrangement and manner of tile alignment continues up the roof, as course by course, the locations of the perp joints 10, 13, 14 are off-set; alternating for each course, in a method known as “broken bond”. As can be seen in Figure 1 A, front edges of tiles 4 in the third course 39 extend over, overlap, and are in super-position above top edges of tiles 4c laid in the first course 37. This is done in order to prevent any wind driven rain that enters a perp joint disposed within the third course 39 from being forced over the top of a below tile 4c (of the first course 37) which may cause failure in the weatherproof quality of the roof covering. This method of third course 39 overlapping the first course 37 may be referred to as ‘double lap’ tiling and is usually employed for the installation of plain tiles 4. The extent to which there is a double-lap of tiles between first and third courses 37, 39 may be controlled and adjusted by means of a gauge or spacing 2 between battens 3. A double-overlap or double-lap is indicated by reference 16 in Figure 1 A, where it can be seen that a front edge 15 of a tile 4d in a course 40 is disposed further down-slope than a top edge 41 of a tile 4e disposed in a course 38. The extent to which there is a double-lap of tiles is not necessarily standardised and may vary from roof to roof in dependence upon the gauge 2 between battens 3 and/or in dependence upon the end-to-end length of the tiles 4.

In Figure 1 A it is also illustrated how the act of placing a cambered tile on top of another cambered tile causes the above most tile, (for example 4f), to sit on its front and back edges, thus creating a void 17 beneath the tile 4f. This void or gap may be referred to as an “interstitial gap” 17.

By utilising a double-lap type style of tile installation with cambered tiles 4, rain water that may permeate through a perp joint 10, 13, 14 is expected to be incident upon an upper surface of a tile disposed below and can flow down through an interstitial gap 17 and out from between the layers or course of tiles.

At the verge junction 11 interstitial gaps 17 between the layers of tiles are exposed; interstitial gaps 17 may also expose the end grain 18 of the battens 3. The interstitial gaps 17 must receive some form of weather-proofing protection to mitigate against water ingress and subsequent rot that can cause serious failure in the structural integrity of the roof structure 100. Traditionally, interstitial gaps 17 exposed at a verge 11 , have been filled with a cement tious] mortar mixture and pointed to a neat finish. However, these pointed verges are porous and subject to subject to shrinkage, weathering and settlement fractures and can require maintenance. Their aesthetic quality may also depend heavily upon the skills of a tradesman.

Beneficially and advantageously, the verge units 60, 60a, 60b and verge systems 70 of the present disclosure offer a method of quickly and accurately finishing a roof-edge, thus forming an aesthetically pleasing verge which safeguards against or at least mitigates against weather damage to the roof structure 100 itself and which may provide controlled drainage for run-off water to safeguard against or at least mitigate against damage to and/or staining of the adjacent gable wall 50. Further beneficially the use of machine-made, (optionally) moulded verge units 60, 60a, 60b and verge systems 70 can provide consistency in the appearance of a collection of neighbouring homes. Another advantage is that tiles or slates 4 interspersed between blades 20, 21 , 22 (described below) of the verge units 60a, 60b may act together, in concert i.e. synergistically, to provide an improvement in wind uplift resistance compared to the use of mortar only or compared to the use of dry-verge units of the prior art which do not comprise such innovative blades. Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, there is shown a verge unit 60 for use in weatherproofing a perimeter of a pitched roof 100 having a plurality of overlapping tiles 4. The verge unit 60 comprises a side wall 19. The side wall 19, has an outward facing surface 61 which faces in the direction indicated by arrow Ό’ in Figure 2. The outward facing surface 61 is the surface, that in normal use, will be visible externally.

The side wall 19, has a roof-facing surface 63 which faces inward, in the direction indicated by arrow ‘R’ in Figure 3. The inward facing surface 63 is the surface, that in use, is closest to the roof 100 and will not, in normal use, be visible. The side wall 19 may also be referred to as a face plate 19 and it serves to provide a cover over the end of the roof-edge 11 , which may close-off and cover the interstitial gaps 17 at the face of the verge 11 .

The side wall 19, and as such the verge unit 60, has a first edge 66 and a second edge 64. The first edge 66 is positioned at the opposite end of the side wall 19 to the second edge 64. The side wall 19 may be tapered in shape - in other words the second edge 64 may have a smaller height than the height of the first edge 66. In use, the first edge 66 is disposed further “down-slope and the second edge 64 is disposed further “up-slope”.

The verge unit 60 also has a top edge 66a/66b which may be described as comprising: an exposed top edge 66a and an occluded top edge 66b. The exposed top edge 66a may be visible after installation of the verge unit 60 into a verge system 70, whereas the occluded top edge 66b may be at least partially hidden in part or whole from view and may provide an upper edge 66b of an interlocking section T, which forms part of a first part T, Έ’, of a two-part interlocking mechanism of the verge unit 60.

The exposed top edge 66a of the side wall 19 may be considered as a “free” (top) edge. The verge unit 60 is preferably, albeit optionally, an open-topped structure. In other words, the verge unit 60 of the illustrated arrangement does not comprise a top wall as such and the exposed, free top edge 66a preferably has no direct connection to, and is not contiguous with, any other element of the verge unit 60. Described another way, it is preferable that there is no top plate, no top panel and no top capping portion that would extend laterally from the exposed, free-top edge. Preferably, there is no top component of the verge unit that is laterally extending from the very top of the side wall, out of the roof-facing side 63 of the side wall 19, in parallel relationship to the base wall 24/24b, such that, when installed at a roof-edge the exposed top edge 66a may be visible.

Still referring to Figures 2 and 3, the verge unit 60 comprises a base wall 24/24a. The base wall may also be thought of as a return strip 24/24a. The base wall 24/24a extends laterally from the roof-facing surface 63 of the side wall 19. The base wall 24 extends longitudinally, substantially between the second edge 64 and the first edge 66 of the side wall 19. The base wall 24/24a may or may not be entirely co-extensive with the side wall 19. The base wall 24/24a is provided to return under the battens 3 and may also beneficially act as an undercloak. The base wall 24/24a may optionally also incorporate a water channel ridge 25. The ridge 25 may run at least substantially co-extensively along the full-length of the base wall 24/24b. The ridge 25 may run substantially from the first edge 66 to the second edge 64. In this way the ridge 25 may serve to prevent water from running back under the verge unit 60 thus mitigating against damage which might otherwise be caused to the gable wall 50.

A first end of the base wall 24/24b may be finished with an up-turned lip portion 68. A second end 65 of the base wall 24/24b may be finished with a plain edge 65. The up-turned lip-portion 68 may span a distance from the ridge 25, along the end edge of the base wall 24/24b, and terminate close to, but not at, the side wall 19. It is beneficial that the up-turned lip portion 68 stops short of the side wall 19. As illustrated in Figure 3, the up-turned lip portion 68 has a length “l”. Length “l” is shorter than the width ‘w’ of the base wall 24/24b. A channel 26 or slot 26 is thereby provided. The slot or channel 26 has a width substantially equivalent to the width ‘w’ of the base wall 24/24b minus the length “l” of the up-turned lip portion 68.

A second part 26, ‘S’, of the two-part interlocking mechanism is provided by the channel 26 which facilitates successful operation of the interlocking mechanism by allowing relative movement of the up-turned lip-portion 68 of the base wall 24/24b of the first end of one verge unit 60a and the second end edge 65 of the other verge unit 60b such that the one verge unit 60a is interlocked, mechanically fitted and located into that neighbouring verge unit 60b (see Figure 4). The interlocking mechanism T, Έ’, 26, ‘S’ shown in Figure 4 is described further below and provides for neat, secure, quick and accurate connection of adjacent verge units 60a, 60b. It is envisaged that in other configurations, a verge unit according to the present disclosure may have an alternative interlocking mechanism. Additionally, or alternatively, the first and second edges 66, 64 may not be different heights and in some arrangements may have an equal height.

As can be seen best in Figures 3 and 4, an opening is defined by the side wall 19 and the base wall 24/24b. The opening is for receiving, at the roof-facing side ‘R’ of the verge unit 60, a section of the roof covering disposed at the roof edge.

Extending laterally from the roof-facing surface 63 of the side wall 19, the verge unit 60 is provided with at least two interstitial fins, also referred to as blades 23, 20, 21. In some arrangements two interstitial fins or blades are provided. In the illustrated arrangement, first, second and third (interstitial fins) blades 23, 20, 21 are provided, with each of the first, second and third blades 23, 20, 21 being acutely angled relative to (at least a substantial part of) the base wall 24/24b. An example of a relative acute angle between a portion of a blade 21 and the plane of the base wall 24/24b is indicated by notional dash-dot lines and angle Q in Figure 3. A further example of the relative acute angle Q between a portion of a blade 121 and the plane of a base wall 124/24b is indicated by notional dash-dot lines and angle Q in Figure 6 which illustrates a second embodiment of verge unit 160, which is described in slightly more detail below.

The blades 23, 20, 21 are suitable for being located in an interstitial gap between two overlapping tiles that are disposed in the section of the roof covering that is received within the verge unit 60. In other words, a first blade 20, 21 , 23 is for being located in a void between a first pair of overlapping roof covering elements (tiles); and a second blade is for being located in a second void between a second pair of overlapping tiles; and the first void associated with the first pair of overlapping tiles is adjacent to (i.e. neighbours) the second void (associated with the second pair of overlapping tiles). In this way, the verge unit 60, (in co-operation with an adjacent interlocking verge unit) can be located to cover-off the end of a section of the roof structure 100, which section spans at least two voids between first and second pairs of overlapping and installed tiles.

As can be seen (best in Figures 3 and 4), the first, second and third blades 23, 20, 21 are each disposed below an adjacent portion of the top edge 66a/66b of the side wall 19. The blades 23, 20, 21 are disposed at different elevations above the base wall 24/24b relative to each other, such that the blades 23, 20, 21 are spaced apart from one another and can each be slotted beneath a different tile into a void. The blades 23, 20, 21 are also positioned, arranged and sized relative to each other such that only a portion of the first blade 23 overlaps a portion of the second blade 20, and such that only a portion of the second blade 20 overlaps with a portion of the third blade 21 .

Optionally, an end to end length of the first blade 23 may be less than an end to end length of the second and/or third blade 20, 21. The first, shorter, blade 23 may be formed in an interlocking section T of the verge unit 60 and may co-operate with a blade of an interlocked verge unit in the assembled system.

As shown in Figure 3, each of the blades 23, 20, 21 has a first, free, side edge 73 at the roof facing side R of the verge unit 60 and a second side edge 71 adjoining the roof-facing surface 63 of the side wall 19. Optionally a maximum width ‘w’ of the blades 23, 20, 21 is defined as the maximum distance between the first and second side edges 73, 71 of the blades 23, 20, 21 . This maximum width may be the same as the width ‘w’ of the base wall 24/24b (as indicated on Figure 3). Optionally one or more of the blades 23, 20, 21 - in this arrangement the third blade 21 , optionally has a slot ‘S’ provided proximate to the roof-facing surface 63 of the side wall 19. This slot ‘S’ is used as to facilitate the interlocking engagement between a first and second verge units 60a, 60b as shown in Figure 4.

Each of the blades 23, 20, 21 has a lower surface that faces towards (at least a substantial part of) the base wall 24/24b and an upper surface opposite to the lower surface, that faces upwards. A depth ‘d’ of each blade 23, 20, 21 may be defined as the distance between the upper surface and lower surface. Optionally, and as in the illustrated embodiment, the depth ‘d’ of each of the blades is uniform across the entire area of each blade 23, 20, 21 . The blades 23, 20, 21 are thus planar. In other embodiments, the depth ‘d’ of one or more or all of the blades 23, 20, 21 may not be uniform across the entire area of the blades 23, 20, 21. For example, in some optional arrangements, the depth ‘d’ of one or more or all of the blades 23, 20, 21 may be greatest at the second side edge 71 (closest to the side wall 19), and may narrow or taper towards the first, free, side edge 73 at the roof-facing side R of the verge unit 60. In such an arrangement the blades 23, 20, 21 may be considered as wedge-shaped.

It is an option that in some arrangements, one or more of the blades 23, 20, 21 may comprise a water directing feature on an upper surface for urging water incident on the blade 23, 20, 21 to follow a specified path, directing the water to a preferred drainage outlet integral to the verge unit 60. For example, a water directing feature may comprise any one or more or a combination of: a ridge, a rib, a detent, a groove and/or surface texturing, which may be configured and arranged to urge water to flow towards the base wall 24/24b.

The verge unit 60 seeks to improve upon known plain tile verges by providing a verge unit 60 that can act in conjunction with individual tiles rather than just capping and enveloping around the top and bottom edges of the roof-edge. It will be understood that the verge units 60 of the present disclosure utilise the shaped blades 23, 20, 21 to provide a weathering strip that, unlike conventional existing devices, fits into the interstitial gap 17 underneath a tile and is thus able to accommodate the random (or non-standardised) placement of overlapping tiles, whilst at the same time, preventing water from entering the roof structure 100 and causing damage. The blades 23, 20, 21 are arranged and configured in an overlapping manner such that they can be utilised to provide a secure interlock with a neighbouring device and allow the provided weatherproofing to be continuous and uninterrupted, even at the joint between adjacent units 60a, 60b. Once neighbouring units 60a, 60b are interlocked a blade 21 of one- unit 60a may optionally overlap, i.e. be in superposition above, one or more blades 23, 20 of the other unit 60b. In this way, any water that is stopped or caught by the blades 23, 20, 21 may be directly channelled back onto the roof structure 100, optionally encouraged by the provision of a water directing feature. Furthermore, utilising shaped blades 23, 20, 21 that locate in the interstitial gap 17 underneath successive tiles may provide a significant improvement in resistance against wind uplift, thus advantageously providing a potential improvement in the overall roof structure, possibly making it longer-lasting and more hard- wearing.

As illustrated, the verge units 60, 60a, 60b are each provided with means 31 for affixing the verge unit 60, 60a, 60b to a structural element disposed at the perimeter of the pitched roof. Optionally, the verge unit 60, 60a, 60b is affixed to one or more battens 3. A range of suitable solutions may be incorporated into the verge unit 60, 60a, 60b for enabling the verge unit 60, 60a, 60b to be affixed to the roof structure 100. Optionally, the means 31 for affixing the verge unit 60, 60a, 60b to a structural element may comprise an arrangement of apertures suitable for receiving an affixing element, such as a nail or screw, therethrough.

The verge units 60, 60a, 60b are each preferably provided with co-operative parts of a two- part interlocking mechanism T for enabling the location and secure joining of neighbouring verge units 60a, 60b (see Figure 4). Optionally, an interlocking section may be defined by a narrower height region of the side wall, proximate to the second end portion 64. The interlocking section T may be defined by an (occluded) top edge 66b disposed at a lower elevation compared to the (exposed) top edge 66a of the rest of the verge unit 60 and a stepped-up section 24b of the base wall 24/24b which is disposed at a higher elevation compared to the base wall 24 of the rest of the verge unit 60. Additionally, an engaging lip Έ’ (also referred to herein as engaging edge Έ’), of the interlocking section T extends below the stepped-up section 24b of the base wall 24/24b. The interlocking section T enables one verge unit 60b to interlocked, connected to, located or otherwise attached within and/or to a second, similar verge unit 60a. The slot ‘S’ and channel 26 at the first end of the verge unit permits for the sliding-location of an interlocking section T, Έ’ of a first verge unit 60b into a second verge unit 60a.

In some arrangements, the exposed top edge 66a of the verge unit 60 may have a bevelled or lipped finish. The occluded top edge 66b of the interlocking section T may have a non- bevelled, blunt finish.

The side wall or face plate 19 is aesthetically pleasing and to some extent may be considered to replicate a traditional pointed verge in appearance. The verge unit 60 not only provides weatherproofing and drainage, but may also prevent the ingress of insects and vermin.

For the purpose of manufacture a single embodiment of the device is ideally suited to cover the edge of two or three tile courses. Flowever, this does not restrict the application of the device and it can be used to apply to a single or any suitable number of tiles and or natural stone slates or natural shale stone roofing.

Turning now to the construction of a verge system 70 to a roof structure 100, it is envisaged that left-handed and right-handed verge units may be provided, and that a verge system 70 may comprise a plurality of both left and right - handed verge units. It is also expected that the verge units can be assembled by a series of sequential interlocking and affixing operations in a continuous stretch along the roof edge so that a complete verge is assembled without significant modification of the verge units being required. The installation process is not limited to that described and may be altered according to particular manufacturing, installation and construction design requirements. In other configurations a verge unit according to the present disclosure may not be handed and may be considered as ambidextrous and as such suitable for use on either left or right-hand sides of a roof verge.

The roof structure 100 should be installed. Typically, a roofing membrane and battens are also installed. The amount the verge 11 will overhang the gable wall 50 is decided and the battens 3 cut to follow the line of the gable wall 50. The tiles 4 are installed in a double-lap configuration as described above and hung onto and affixed to the battens 3 in any suitable manner. Optionally, the verge system 70 may comprise a starting unit which should be installed to ensure that a lower, first, front edge of a first verge unit 60b is securely fixed in place. A second verge unit 60a is then pushed onto the roof-edge and slid, clipped or otherwise manipulated into interlocking engagement (and thereby coupled to) the first, already installed verge unit 60b. The means 31 is deployed for installing a fixing through the predisposed perforations or apertures 31 and into the end of a batten 3. The process is repeated along the whole length of the roof-edge verge. The system 70 may also include a cap which can be installed at the upper point of the apex of the roof 100, known as the ‘ridge’, to close off the open end of a ridge tile.

Referring now to Figures 5A/6; 5B; and 5C/7 there are shown further embodiments of the present invention. In the second, third and fourth illustrated embodiments, like numerals have, where possible, been used to denote like parts, albeit with the addition of the prefix “100”, “200” and “300” to indicate that these features belong to the second, third and fourth embodiments respectively. The additional embodiments share many common features with the first embodiment and therefore only the differences from the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 will be described in detail. Figure 5A shows a perspective view from above of an outward-facing side of section of an installed dry-verge system 170 according to various embodiments of the invention. In this arrangement, the top exposed edge 166a of each verge unit 160 has a stepped-shaped profile which follows the profile of the tiles 4 on the pitched roof 100 along the verge 11 . Also, in this arrangement, a bottom exposed edge 169 of each verge unit 160 has a straight-shaped profile which may partially follow, match or aesthetically “tie-in” to a line of the verge 11 .

Figure 6 provides a side view of the inside of a verge unit 160 according to this illustrated embodiment, wherein it can be seen that all blades 123, 120, 121 are disposed below the top edge 166a/166b of the verge unit 160; and that the blades 123, 120, 121 are arranged in parallel, partially overlapping spaced relationship to one another; at different elevations above the base wall 125; and at acute angles Q relative to the base wall 125.

Figure 5B shows a perspective view from above of an outward-facing side of section of an installed dry-verge system 270 according to various embodiments of the invention. In this arrangement the top exposed edge 266a of each verge unit 260 has a straight shaped profile and the exposed top edge 266a is disposed just below the surface of the tiles 4 such that an edge of the endmost tiles 4 is exposed to view. Also, in this arrangement, a bottom exposed edge 269 of each verge unit 260 has a straight-shaped profile. The top edge 266a and bottom edge 269 may be parallel to one another; and/or may be parallel to a line associated with a verge 11 .

Figure 5C shows a perspective view from above of an outward-facing side of section of an installed dry-verge system 370 according to embodiments of the invention, wherein a top exposed edge 366a of each verge unit 360 has a curved profile. Also, in this arrangement, a bottom exposed edge 369 of each verge unit 360 has a straight-shaped profile. The exposed top edge 366a is disposed just above the surface of the endmost tiles 4 such that an edge of the endmost tiles 4 is not exposed to view.

Figure 7 provides a perspective view from above of the roof-facing side 363 of the verge unit 360 shown in Figure 5C. It can be seen that one of the angled blades 321 is provided with water channels 387 arranged to send water off into the internal section of the verge unit 360, and that another of the angled blades 323 is provided with channels 385 arranged to encourage water to flow in a direction back towards the tiles. Furthermore, another optional feature that may be incorporated in isolation of or in conjunction with the water directing features 385, 387, there is provided an upstanding portion 369. The upstanding portion 369 may also be referred to as a lipped portion and is optionally provided as an integrally moulded formation. The lip 369 upstands along the edge of the slot S along the edge of the blade 321 where the interlocking slot S is provided. In use, when one unit 360 is interlocked with an adjacent unit 360, the back-side of the upstanding lip 369 (not visible in the view of Figure 7) is disposed against an interlocking portion T of the other interlocked unit 360.

In the embodiments detailed herein, the terms verge unit, and verge device refer, for the non limiting purpose of illustrating the various features of the invention, to a component for facing- off a roof-edge. It is contemplated that the teachings of the invention can be applied to various sloping or pitched roof structures covered by a variety of sizes and types of tile.

In the exemplary embodiment, the verge unit is configured to form a weatherproofing cover for a double-lap, single camber plain tile roof, wherein blades within the verge unit can fit into interstitial gaps beneath tiles. In a first illustrated exemplary embodiment, the verge unit arrangement is such that three blades are provided for fitting beneath three tiles, the blades being arranged in a staggered and only partially overlapping arrangement. The verge unit can be alternatively configured to form a cover for weatherproofing a verge or roof-edge comprising other types, number and size of roof tile and/or having tiles laid in a different arrangement or configuration to that shown.

It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention. It will be recognised that the verge units and systems disclosed herein are not necessarily limited in their application to plain tiles, camber tiles, tiles with hanging nibs and/or tiles with nail holes. Indeed, it is envisaged that the verge units and systems disclosed herein may have beneficial application and utility with a wide range of styles, sizes and types of roof structure and tile and is not necessarily limited to that shown and described herein.

For example, one or more or all of the blades in a verge unit may have a substantially planar shape and may have a uniform or non-uniform thickness and additionally may optionally have a slight curvature along their length.

Additionally, whereas the illustrated and described tile is a machine made, concrete tile, the verge units and systems disclosed herein may have beneficial application and utility with tiles formed in a wide range of manners, including for example, handmade, concrete, clay, stone, slate, combinations of tiles of different materials, composite tiles, natural tiles synthetic tiles, plastic tiles, as mere examples.

It is envisaged that the verge units and systems disclosed herein may have beneficial application and utility with a wide range of styles, sizes and types of roof structure and tile that may be flat or planar, such as slate type products, and not necessarily single or double cambered.

It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not necessarily limit the respective components to such orientation, but may merely serve to distinguish components from one another.