The present invention relates to a bird comb configured for being inserted into a gap between two opposite objects, such as for a roof construction, wherein the bird comb is configured to not only prevent birds and similar large objects from entering the roof construction, but also to prevent e.g. snow from entering the roof construction, while at the same time allowing air to pass through the bird comb to maintain ventilation of the roof construction and allowing unwanted water below the upper covering of the roof construction to exit to the surroundings .

There are many different types of roof constructions, which has an upper covering supported by an underlying framework, where the upper covering can be made of roof tiles, roof slates or stone-coated metal, or is a sheet decking. The underlying framework for supporting the upper covering is typically made of battens and rafters, where the upper covering is installed on top of the battens, or a roof decking or plank decking can be provided between the battens and the upper covering. The upper covering is often provided with openings for e.g. highlight windows or chimneys.

The edge of a roof construction is often provided with a gap between the upper covering and the underlying framework, such as at the eaves of the roof, and/or at other edges of the upper covering, where the purpose of such one or more gaps is to provide ventilation of the roof construction. Such ventilation is important to allow unwanted water below the upper covering to exit to the surroundings. The unwanted water may come from moist hot air from inside the building that condensates at the cold upper covering and/or the cold underlying framework during the winter, or from rainwater leaking downward through e.g. cracks in the upper covering. The bird comb of the present invention is configured for being installed in the gap between the upper covering of a roof construction and the underlying framework that supports the upper covering. However, the bird comb of the present invention may be useful in other applications where a gap between opposite objects must be protected from entrance of unwanted objects while still facilitating ventilation and drain of moisture and water through the gap.

It is known from UK patent publ . no. 2477941A to mount a bird comb at the eaves of a roof to prevent birds from entering the roof construction through the gap between roof tiles and the roof underlay, where the bird comb has a row of flexible comblike fingers, which are spaced apart and thus allow ventilation through the row of fingers. However, the interspace between the fingers provides a direct passage for e.g. snow to enter into the roof through the bird comb, which especially is a problem with powdery snow as it is so light that the wind easily can whirl the snow between the fingers of such a bird comb.

It is also known to install a corrugated foam strip at the eaves of a roof to prevent birds from entering the roof construction. Such a foam strip is however preformed with a specific corrugation so that it only fits under tiles having a matching corrugation. Also, wear and tear due to aging and changing weather conditions cause the foam material to crumble over time so that unwanted openings arises in the foam strip, which means that the foam strip has to be replaced rather frequently to maintain an adequately closure of the gap.

Japanese patent no. 6508757 Bl discloses a bird comb having elongated finger-shaped elements on a wide support. The elongated finger-shaped elements are arranged in row behind one another offset the central longitudinal axis of the wide support to provide sufficient solid material for securing lengths of bird combs in extension of each other. The elongated finger-shaped elements are offset relative to one another in the transverse direction to prevent the ingress of small animals, and allow inflow of air. One longitudinal side of a bird comb has a lengthwise extending rim, whereby this bird comb has just one specific, correct position of use, and lacks versatility. The short opposite ends of the wide support has co-operating respective, mating female engagement means and male engagement means limited to lengthwise combining shorter lengths of bird comb. Assembling of corners are not foreseen.

It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a bird comb to be used in a roof construction where there is a gap between the upper covering and the underlying framework supporting the upper covering, where the bird comb is configured for being mounted/installed in the gap to prevent or at least hinder birds, leaves, snow and similar unwanted objects from passing though the gap while allowing ventilation through the bird comb.

It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide a bird comb that has a versatile use and versatile application.

It is a third aspect of the present invention to provide a bird comb that fits in gaps of different heights and/or different shapes, as well as in a gap where the height of the gap varies along the length of the gap.

These and other aspects of the present invention are achieved by providing a bird comb for a roof construction, wherein the bird comb comprises:

- an elongated mounting part adapted to be secured to the roof construction;

- a plurality of elongated flexible members extending upwards in relation to the elongated mounting part, and adapted to be bend in a mounted state of the bird comb; - the plurality of elongated flexible members are arranged in at least two lines extending in the longitudinal direction of the elongated mounting part, where the neighbouring elongated flexible members within each line are at least partly spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the elongated mounting part by a first interspace, and

- the at least two lines of elongated flexible members are spaced apart in the transverse direction of the elongated mounting part by a second interspace.

In the context of the present invention, the term "mounted state" is when the bird comb is installed in the gap between two opposite objects, e.g. the upper covering and the underlying framework of a roof; and the term "unmounted state" is when the bird comb is standing freely on a horizontal surface with the plurality of elongated flexible members extending vertically upwards without being in contact with each other. Unless stated otherwise, the bird comb or parts thereof, are described in the unmounted state.

In the mounted state, the bird comb can preferably be mounted e.g. to the underlying framework directly below the upper covering of a roof construction so that the plurality of elongated flexible members extend upwards towards the underside of said upper covering. Alternatively, e.g. if the underside of the upper covering is flat, the bird comb of the present invention can be installed by securing the elongated mounting part to the underside of the upper covering so that the plurality of elongated flexible members, in the mounted state, extend downwards towards the underlying framework. Unless stated otherwise, the bird comb is described as being or intended to be secured to the underlying framework.

The elongated mounting part may have an upper surface wherefrom the plurality of elongated flexible members protrude, a lower surface, a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side between which the plurality of elongated flexible members are delimited, and a first end and a second end opposite the first end, which first end and second end define the length of the bird comb. The lower surface of the elongated mounting part is advantageously flat in order to facilitate mounting of the bird comb to a flat surface of e.g. a roof construction, such as a batten.

The bird comb of the present invention is adapted to close off a gap between two opposite objects, e.g. the upper covering and the underlying framework of a roof, such as along the eaves, the barge boards, the roof ridge or the valley of a roof, or along a roof edge at a skylight flashing or a chimney, or along other edges of the upper covering. Within the context of the present application the term "the gap is closed off" is used in the sense that the bird comb prevents or at least hinders birds, leaves, snow and similar unwanted objects from passing through the gap, while allowing ventilation through the bird comb and drainage from the construction via the gap. When the bird comb is mounted at the eaves of a roof, the bird comb may advantageously be mounted to the lowest longitudinal roof batten that supports the roof tiles, so that the bird comb is close to the lower edge of the upper covering.

The bird comb of the present invention can be manufactured as an "endless" structure, as shorter sections or be manufactured customized to length for a specific use and application .

As an example, the bird comb can be manufactured with a length that matches the length of the edge of the roof under which the bird comb is to be mounted. Another example of use of the bird comb of the present invention is the application around the four roof edges of a highlight window. Alternatively, two or more bird combs can be mounted end-to-end, e.g. along the roof edge, such as along the eaves of the roof, where the bird combs in combination extend along the length of the gap at the roof edge, in which case it might be necessary to adapt the length of at least one of the bird combs (such as by cutting off a part thereof) so that the combined length of the bird combs matches the length of the gap.

The plurality of elongated flexible members may be individually attached to the elongated mounting part. In the alternative, the plurality of elongated flexible members and the elongated mounting part may be formed (e.g. moulded in plastic) as one integrated unit. Alternatively, the proximal end of the elongated flexible members within each of the at least two lines of the plurality of elongated flexible members may be interconnected via a horizontally extending connection part, which is attached to the elongated mounting part. In yet an alternative, the proximal end of all elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members may be interconnected via a single connection part, which is attached to the elongated mounting part. It may be preferred that at least the distal end of all elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members are spaced apart from each other. A preferred manufacturing method may be injection molding .

The elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members are flexible in the sense that they are able to bend and maintain a bent state without breaking. The material, shape and dimensions of the elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members are preferably selected and/or adapted so that they can assume and maintain a bent state.

The elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members, the elongated mounting part, and/or the connection part (s) are preferably made of a material having a high tensile strength and being very flexible under stress, such as a plastic material with these properties. The material is preferably also capable of withstanding changing weather conditions and aging, such as a temperature varying between -20°C and +80°C. A preferred material is linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) , which is inexpensive as well as durable.

Suitable materials may also include but are not limited to other durable, weather resistant plastic materials, such as artificial or natural rubbers, PVCs or fluoropolymers, however any material being able of being is within the scope of the present invention. The elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members may e.g. be bent up to an extent where their distal end is at the same level as that of their proximal end (i.e. where the elongated flexible members are bent into a mainly U-shaped form) . The elongated flexible members are intended to be able to bend during the installation of the bird comb and to assume a bent state once the bird comb has been installed.

The bird comb is preferably dimensioned so that all elongated flexible members of the plurality of flexible members can be bend when engaging an upper covering in the mounted state, i.e. where the elongated flexible members are bent and held in a bent state between the upper covering and the underlying framework. In order for the elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members to be bend in this way, the total height of the bird comb (i.e. the distance from the lower surface of the elongated mounting part to the distal end of the elongated flexible members) in the unmounted state must be adapted to be larger than the height of the gap into which the bird comb is to be installed.

The flexibility of the elongated flexible members allows a bird comb according to the present invention to fit in a gap having a varying height along the length of the gap, and in different gaps having different heights. If all elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members of the bird comb have substantially the same height, and the bird comb is installed in a gap with a height that varies along the length of the gap, the degree of bending of the elongated flexible members of the bird comb varies along the length of the gap. An upper covering made of corrugated roof tiles is an example of an upper covering where the height of the gap between the lower surface of the roof tile and the upper surface of the underlying framework varies along the eaves of the roof and along the top of the roof.

As commercially available corrugated roof tiles typically have dimensions ranging from a height of 36 mm and a profile thickness of 6 mm to a height of 57 mm and a profile thickness of 6.5 mm .

It may be preferred that the bird comb of the present invention has a total height in the unmounted state of about 6.5 cm so that all elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members are bent in the mounted state when the bird comb is used with such tiles. The total height of the bird comb can be smaller or larger than 6.5 cm (e.g. between 5 - 10 cm) in the unmounted state if more appropriate for the gap into which the bird comb is to be installed. It is preferred that the height of the elongated mounting part below the elongated flexible members is low, preferably between 1 - 10 mm, and preferably between 2 - 3 mm, so that the mounting part in itself does not take up much space, when inserted into the gap, and is easy to penetrate when the bird comb is secured to a relevant subjacent surface, e.g. by means of screws through said elongate mounting part.

The width of the second interspace between neighbouring lines of elongated flexible members is preferably chosen so that all (or at least some) elongated flexible members in the mounted state are bent into contact with at least one elongated flexible member of a neighbouring line of elongated flexible members. It is preferred that the width of the second interspace is between 3 - 20 mm, such as 5 mm or 10 mm.

With respect to snowflakes being whirled towards the bird comb of the present invention, the extent by which the snowflakes are stopped by the outer line of elongated flexible members depends primarily on the width of the first interspace between neighbouring elongated flexible members in the outer line of elongated flexible members. If some snowflakes get past the outer line of elongated flexible members, additional snowflakes are stopped by the next line of elongated flexible members, and so forth if the bird comb has more than two lines of elongated flexible members. Having at least two lines of elongated flexible members is also advantageous as the force of the wind hitting the bird comb is reduced each time it passes a line of elongated flexible members, which e.g. makes it less likely for snow to be whirled past the second line of elongated flexible members than the outer first line of elongated flexible members. In the context of the present invention, the term "outer line" is the line of elongated flexible members that in the mounted state of the bird comb is closest to the upper covering edge at which the bird comb is mounted.

It is preferred that at least some, optionally each, of the elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members is shaped as a flat strip, which preferably is arranged with its two opposite flat sides facing in the transverse direction of the elongated mounting part, in which case the elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members tend to be bend mainly in the transverse direction of the elongated mounting part during the installation of the bird comb. When shaped as flat strips, it may be preferred that the distal end of the elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members is rounded in the longitudinal direction of the elongated mounting part. Alternatively, the elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members may be shaped with any other cross-section, e.g. circular, triangular, square, ellipsoidal, hexagonal or similar. This list of cross-sections should not be construed as limiting the intended selection of possible cross-sections. It is preferred that the elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members are solid, but they may be hollow to reduce material costs.

It is preferred that the at least two lines of elongated flexible members are straight lines that are parallel with the longitudinal axis of the elongated mounting part. Alternatively the at least two lines may have a sine wave shape or a triangular wave shape in horizontal cross-section, and extend in the longitudinal direction of the elongated mounting part. It may be preferred that the at least two lines of elongated flexible members, when seen in the transverse direction of the elongated mounting part, are centered at a lower middle part of said elongated mounting part between the first side and the second side of said elongated mounting part.

In a preferred embodiment that each of the at least two lines of elongated flexible members can extend along the entire or substantially entire longitudinal length of the elongated mounting part between the first end and the second end of the elongated mounting part.

In a simple and cost efficient embodiment, the elongated flexible members are substantially identical, and/or all of the first interspaces have a substantial identical width.

Alternatively, the width of the elongated flexible members and/or the width of the first interspaces may be different for the different lines of elongated flexible members; or the elongated flexible members within one or more of the at least two lines of elongated flexible members may have different widths .

If just a part of a snowflake being whirled towards the bird comb hits an elongated flexible member, the snowflake will "stick" to the elongated flexible member to at least some extent, and thereby being prevented or hindered from getting past the line of elongated flexible members in question. The diameter of snowflakes can be as low as 1 mm, but the diameter of the vast majority of snowflakes is 5 mm or higher, which means that for a bird comb where neighbouring elongated flexible members within each line of elongated flexible members are spaced apart by 4 mm or less, almost all showflakes being whirled towards such of line of elongated flexible members are stopped by the elongated flexible members of that line.

It may be preferred that the width of the first interspaces between neighbouring elongated flexible members is in the range of 1 - 4 mm, more preferably substantial 3 mm, and most preferably substantial 2 mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the elongated flexible members have a width (i.e. the extent in the longitudinal direction of the elongated mounting part) of substantially 10 mm, and/or a depth (i.e. the extent in the transverse direction of the elongated mounting part) of substantially 1.5 mm.

An advantage of having at least two lines of elongated flexible members is that it is more difficult for unwanted objects to get through the bird comb than in known bird combs with only one row of elongated flexible members. As the bird comb of the present invention has at least two lines of elongated flexible members, a bird trying to force itself in a lateral direction through the bird comb will have to bend about twice as many elongated flexible members than if there were only one line, i.e. it would require at least twice as much force to get through the bird comb, and the bird will immediately give up its attempt to force its way through the bird comb due to this increased obstruction.

It is preferred that the height of the elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members and the transverse distance between adjacent lines of elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members are adapted, depending on the gap into which the bird comb is to be mounted, so that the bird comb can be mounted in a way where the elongated flexible members are bent to such an extent that an upper part of all elongated flexible members is in contact with at least one elongated flexible member of an adjacent line of elongated flexible members.

It is preferred that the elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members of the bird comb are arranged so that all of the first interspaces within each of the at least two lines of elongated flexible members are at least partly covered, when seen in the transverse direction of the elongated mounting part, by the elongated flexible members of the adjacent line (s) of elongated flexible members.

This is e.g. achieved in embodiments where all elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members are substantially identical, and/or the width of all of the first interspaces is substantially identical, and/or by the elongated flexible members of each line being offset in the longitudinal direction of the elongated mounting part compared to the elongated flexible members of the adjacent line (s) . In the current context, the term "offset" means that the position of the elongated flexible members within each line are shifted in the longitudinal direction compared to the position of the elongated flexible members of the adjacent line (s) . In a preferred embodiment, the elongated flexible members can be arranged so that the first interspaces within each line of elongated flexible members is fully covered, when seen in the transverse direction of the elongated mounting part, by the elongated flexible members of the adjacent line (s) of elongated flexible members. This is e.g. achieved in embodiments where all elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members are substantially identical, and/or the at least two lines of elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members are straight lines that are parallel with the longitudinal axis of the elongated mounting part, and/or the width of all of the first interspaces is substantially identical and equal to or smaller than the width of the elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members, and/or by the elongated flexible members of each line being offset in the longitudinal direction of the elongated mounting part compared to the elongated flexible members of the adjacent line (s) , and/or by half of the sum of the width of the first interspaces combined with the width of the elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members, because the elongated flexible members of each line are then, when seen in the transverse direction, in the middle of the first interspace between neighbouring elongated flexible members of the adjacent line (s) .

Arranging the elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members so that the interspace between all neighbouring elongated flexible members are fully covered by the elongated flexible members of the adjacent line (s) of elongated flexible members, makes it especially difficult for birds, snow and other unwanted objects to pass through the bird comb in the mounted state, as there is no passage in a straight transverse direction through the lines of elongated flexible members. As an example, if a very small snowflake carried by the wind somehow gets through an interspace between neighbouring elongated flexible members in the outer line of elongated flexible members and continues in the transverse direction towards the next line of elongated flexible members, the snowflake would hit an elongated flexible member of the next line of elongated flexible members, and thereby being prevented from getting past the bird comb.

Naturally, even if only some of the first interspaces are partly or fully covered, and/or if only the first interspaces within some of the at least two lines of elongated flexible members are partly or fully covered, the bird comb will still be more difficult for birds, snow etc. to pass through than if none of the first interspaces were partly/fully covered.

As most roof edges are straight, it may be preferred that a first end and an opposite second end of the elongated mounting part are complementarily shaped in order to facilitate that two or more bird combs can be positioned end-to-end in a straight row along the roof edge with substantially complete contact between the bordering ends of the elongated mounting part of neighbouring bird combs. The two complementary shaped first end and second end of the elongated mounting part may simply be flat as the elongated mounting part itself. The two complementary ends of the elongated mounting part may be V- shaped or U-shaped in horizontal cross-section with one end being convex and the other end being concave, or they may have a key and slot shape (e.g. a dovetail joint) , or one end may have at least one notch and the other end at least one matching protrusion, in which cases the first end of a bird comb can be interlocked with the second end of a neighbouring bird comb. The two complementary ends may be configured with locking means, e.g. configured for dove tail end-to-end assembling, so that the two assembled lengths of bird combs do not dislocate when the assembler manipulate them during installation.

The two complementary ends may also be configured to assembling two bird combs of the present invention at an angle to each other to obtain a corner, e.g. with a substantially right angle .

The first end may thus be configured to mate into the second end, preferably intimately, to make any imaginable outline of assembled bird combs.

The first end and the second end can e.g. be configured with mating lap joints designs, that faciliates assembling both end- to-end to achieve lenghtwise assembling of lengths of bird combs, as well as to end-to-end assembling to achieve corner. Should a rabbit joint be expedient any of the first end and second end can simple be cut off. To fit a length of bird comb to a given structure, said bird comb can be cut to size.

Advantageously the elongated flexible members of the bird comb according to the present invention can be arranged so that when two or more bird combs are positioned end-to-end in a straight row in a mounted state, birds, snow and similar unwanted objects are prevented from passing through the adjoining bird combs also at the border and at any transition between all such neighbouring bird combs. This can be achieved in several ways, such as in a preferred embodiment of the bird comb where (i) the first end and the second end of the elongated mounting part are complementarily shaped; and/or (ii) the at least two lines of elongated flexible members are straight lines that are parallel with the longitudinal axis of the elongated mounting part; and/or (iii) the width of the first interspaces within each line of elongated flexible members is substantial identical; and/or (iv) for each of the at least two lines of elongated flexible members, the elongated flexible member at both ends of the line of elongated flexible members is spaced apart from the respective end of the elongated mounting part by substantially half of the width of the first interspaces within that line of elongated flexible members, or combinations of any of the afore-mentioned listed options of features. When two or more of such a preferred bird comb are positioned end-to-end in a straight row in a mounted state, the at least two lines of elongated flexible members of the respective bird combs form the same number of lines of elongated flexible members spanning along the combined length of the adjoining bird combs, where the distance, in the longitudinal direction of the elongated mounting part, between all neighbouring elongated flexible members within each of the spanning lines advantageously is substantially the same (including across the border between neighbouring bird combs) .

When the first end and the second end of the elongated mounting part are complementarily shaped, said first end and said second end may comprise a first end face extending from the first longitudinal side towards the second longitudinal side, a second end face extending from the second longitudinal side toward the first longitudinal side, and a third end face extending between the first end face and the second end face and in a substantially longitudinal direction of the elongated mounting part, where the first end face and the second end face extend in the transverse direction of the elongated mounting part, and the third end face extends in the longitudinal direction of the elongated mounting part.

In a simple embodiment of configurations of the first end face, the second end face and the third end face, all said three end faces may have substantially the same length. Accordingly, such bird combs can be positioned and connected both end-to-end in a straight row, or at right angle. E.g. if two such bird combs are laterally inverted, they can be positioned end-to-end at a 90° angle (such as at a corner of a skylight window) . In both cases, whether it being a straight line or at an angle, complete tight contact between the bordering ends, a first end and a mating second end, of the bird combs can be achieved. In a preferred embodiment, the elongated mounting part may comprise at least one reservoir for temporarily accommodating water/ snow .

The bird comb may in this way be adapted for, in a mounted state of the bird comb, allowing water/snow that hits the elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members, as well as moisture condensation, to run down along the elongated flexible members and into the at least one reservoir from where it may evaporate, and thereby being prevented from damaging the underlying roof construction.

The at least one reservoir may be in the form of at least one cavity provided on the upper surface of e.g. a base of the elongated mounting part, or a groove or channel provided on the upper surface of the elongated mounting part and extending between the first end and second end of the elongated mounting part. The at least one cavity or groove may preferably be positioned next, thus adjacent, to the at least two lines of elongated flexible members, in which case the bird comb can be mounted with the at least two lines of elongated flexible members closer to the interior of the roof construction than the at least one cavity or groove.

The at least one reservoir may constitute at least one lenghtwise extending channel that accommodates the plurality of elongated flexible members, that in the pre-use condition protrude upright from the base, e.g. from a lower middle part, of the elongated mounting part, whereby the at least one reservoir can receive its content along the entire assembly of bird combs .

It may be preferred that the at least one reservoir is provided by the elongated mounting part having a substantially U-shaped or V-shaped transverse cross-section. The lower middle part from which the elongated flexible members extends and protrude may advantageously serve as the base, thus a mounting base, for said plurality of elongated flexible members that are arranged in at least two spaced apart lengthwise extending lines.

A first rim may be provided at the first longitudinal side of the elongated mounting part to expediently serve as a backstop for moisture to prevent dripping from the construction on which the bird comb is used, e.g. a roof construction. The first rim may be configured as a lengthwise extending upright wall of the at least one reservoir.

A second rim may be provided at the second longitudinal side of the elongated mounting part to thereby further delimiting the reservoir. The opposite first rim and second of the present invention also provide a channel that controls diverting, guiding and draining off water, e.g. water when snow melts.

The first rim and/or the second rim may be configured as lengthwise extending walls or webs. Said rims can be provided in the same molding process as the other components of the bird comb .

By structuring the bird comb of the present invention with both a first rim and a second rim folding, bending and collapse of the plurality of upwards extending elongated flexible members in response to one or more of incoming snow, rain, birds, leaves and any other objects that may pass into the gap between the upper covering and the underlying framework supporting the upper covering of a roof construction can expediently be parried and/or mitigated.

A further advantage of the second rim may be that said second rim confers a substantial structural stability that during mounting helps the fitter to avoid that the bird comb dislocate/displace from the intended location of use. Due to the second rim, the bird comb of the present invention is not floppy. Thus the fitter need not fumble with it to arrange and hold it correctly in the proper aligned position, e.g. using temporary clamps, as when mounting conventional floppy bird combs. The bird comb of the present invention can be mounted by one fitter single-handed, and without clamping tools.

Yet a huge advantage, that cannot be provided by the bird combs of the prior art, is that due to the bird comb of the present invention having opposite rims along the opposite first longitudinal side and second longitudinal side, the lowest of the roof tiles of a roof construction can kept in the same inclination as the upper roof tiles placed higher up than the lowest roof tile. Thus, the lowest roof tile can be kept in the same inclination as all other roof tiles because the second rim lifts said lowest roof tile.

The lower middle part, which may serve as the base for emanating of the plurality of elongated flexible members, may be provided between the first rim and the second rim and may extend between the first end and the second end of the elongated mounting part.

The first rim and the second rim may extend upwards from said lower middle part, so that the space between said rims that constitutes the reservoir. In some embodiments, the lower middle part may extend exterior to one or both of the first rim and second rim, to offer an increased attachment surface.

The first rim and/or the second rim may protrude from the lower middle part at an expedient angle, including right angle, obtuse angle or blunt angle. The first rim and the second rim may protrude at the same angle or at different angle from the lower middle part. The first rim and/or the second rim may converge, diverge or be parallel. The height of the first rim and the second rim may also restricts the extent to which contact of the plurality of elongated flexible members with the upper covering is able to bend the said elongated flexible members of said plurality of elongated flexible members, in a mounted state, as the maximum bending of the elongated flexible members is when the upper covering rests on top of the first rim and/or the second rim, i.e. with a distance between the upper covering and the lower middle part of the elongated mounting part. Such a restricted bending ensures that the proximal end of the elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members has sufficient strength to prevent the elongated flexible members from breaking off the elongated mounting part.

It may be preferred that the height of each or any of the first rim and the second rim is substantially the same along the entire length of the elongated mounting part, and it may be even more preferred that both said rims have substantially the same height. The upper end of said rims is preferably rounded in the lateral direction of the elongated mounting part.

Another advantage of an embodiment of an elongated mounting part, which is substantially U-shaped of V-shaped, is that when an upper covering is made of staggered roof tiles, and the height of the first rim and/or second rim is adapted to be substantially the same as the thickness of the roof tiles, it enables a simple roof construction.

The bird comb may be secured directly to the lowest horizontally extending batten and the lower part of the roof tiles of the lowest row of staggered roof tiles rest directly on the rim(s) of the elongated mounting part of the bird comb, thereby due to the innermost rim of the first rim and second rim ensuring that the roof tiles of the lowest row of roof tiles have substantially the same inclination as the other roof tiles. In other words, the rims of the bird comb ensures the correct inclination of the lowest row of roof tiles in such a roof construction. It is normally preferred that all of the staggered roof tiles have substantially the same inclination to provide a water-proof upper covering. The thickness of typical roof tiles is 6 mm, which is the reason why the height of the rim(s) of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is 6 mm .

For inclining roofs where the underlying framework surface to which the bird comb is secured/mounted also incline, any excess water/snow entering the at least one reservoir will run away from the interior of the roof construction (e.g. via the at least one reservoir into the gutter or directly into the gutter) and thereby being prevented from damaging the underlying roof construction.

The elongated mounting part may comprise at least one through- going hole in order for a user to secure said elongated mounting part to e.g. a roof construction by means of a fastening element, such as a screw or a nail. It is preferred that the elongated mounting part comprises at least one such through-going hole at each of the first end and second end of the elongated mounting part.

The elongated mounting part may also comprise one or more such through-going holes distributed along the length of the elongated mounting part. The at least one through-going hole can be located between the at least two lines of elongated flexible members, and/or at the longitudinal sides of the elongated mounting part. If the base of the mounting part extends beyond the first rim and/or the second rim, such at least one through-going hole can in the alternative or additionally be located be located in such an extending part of said base. Other ways of securing the bird comb to a roof construction are also contemplated within the scope of the present invention. For instance, the lower surface of the elongated mounting part can be provided with an adhesive layer covered by a release liner adapted to be removed by a user prior to securing the bird comb to a roof construction, where the adhesive layer enables the bird comb to be secured to the roof construction without having to use screws or nails. Such an embodiment does not need the at least one through-going hole.

Alternatively, the elongated mounting part can be provided with the above-mentioned at least one through-going hole for a fastening element as well as the above-mentioned adhesive layer and release liner, in which case the adhesive also facilitates in keeping the bird comb in the desired position while the user further fastens the bird comb by means of a fastening element extending through the at least one through-going hole.

The elongated mounting part is preferably configured to be able to bend in the vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of the elongated mounting part, which means that the elongated mounting part may assume a straight elongated shape (without being bent) , or it may bend into a convex shape (where the elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members within each of the at least two lines are bend slightly away from each other) or into a concave shape (where the elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members in each of the at least two lines are bend slightly towards each other) , and maintain such a convex or concave shape in a mounted state of the bird comb. Such a bendable elongated mounting part may be advantageous in some constructions, as it allows the bird comb to be secured/mounted to a roof construction surface that is not completely flat, as the elongated mounting part can be bend to, at least to some extent, to follow, or substantially follow, the contours of the subjacent construction surface e . g . a roof construction surface .

The elongated mounting part may simply be a substantial flat plate or strip, which may be bendable in the traverse direction, as described above, or rigid in the traverse direction .

In a preferred embodiment, the elongated mounting part has a transverse cross-section that is substantially U-shaped as described above, and is bendable in the traverse directions, this bendable in the vertical plane that contains the longitudinal axis of the elongated mounting part as described above .

Long lengths of the bird combs according to the present invention may be stored as rolls. Shorter lenghts of the bird combs according to the present invention may be stored in bundles or in any other convenient manner.

The bird comb of the present invention may advant ageouly provide a grid in a gap, e.g. a gap between the upper covering and the underlying framework of a roof construction.

The present invention also relates to a method of mounting one or more of the bird combs according to the present invention, and described above, to a roof construction.

The method comprises securing one or more bird combs to the underlying framework of a roof construction at an edge of the roof construction, and then mounting the upper covering of the roof construction, or at least the part of the upper covering that is above the bird comb (s) , where the bird comb (s) is/are configured so that some or all of the elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members are bend between the upper covering and the underlying framework so that the upper covering contacts the plurality of elongated flexible members and close off ingress of undesired matter through the gap between the upper covering and the underlying framework while at the same time allowing exits of water and moisture. It is preferred that the bird comb is mounted in a way where the elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members are bend mainly in the same direction, such as either towards or away from the interior of the roof construction .

The method may further comprise mounting two or more bird combs end-to-end in a straight row along the roof edge, where the at least two lines of elongated flexible members of the bird combs are posit ioned/arranged so that, when the bird combs are mounted end-to-end.

An end-to-end configuration may imply that the lines of elongated flexible members of each bird comb are aligned with the corresponding lines of elongated flexible members of the other bird comb (s) so that at least two lines of elongated flexible members spanning along the combined length of the adjoining bird combs are formed.

However, an end-to-end configuration may also provide a corner assembling of two lengths of bird comb.

Further details and advantages of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which show an exemplary embodiment of a bird comb according to the present invention, where

Fig. 1 shows a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the bird comb according the invention, in an unmounted state

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of a cut-out of fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows a vertical sectional view taken along the line III-III of fig. 1,

Fig. 4 shows a partial side elevational view of the bird comb of fig . 1 ,

Fig. 5 shows a partial top view of two end-to-end positioned bird combs of fig. 1,

Fig. 6 illustrates the bird comb of fig. 1 in a mounted state under a corrugated roof tile,

Fig. 7 illustrates a roof construction with staggered roof tiles and the bird comb of fig. 1,

Fig. 8 shows two bird combs according to another embodiment of the present invention that are positioned end-to-end at a 90° angle, and

Fig. 9 shows an enlarged view of a cut-out of fig. 8, where the two bird combs have been moved away from each other for illustrative purposes.

The bird combs 1, 1' shown in figs. 1 - 9 are possible embodiments of the present invention, which e.g. means that the shown shapes of the elongated mounting part, the shape of the elongated flexible members of the plurality of elongated flexible members, and the number of lines of elongated flexible members are not essential for the invention.

The bird comb 1 has an elongated mounting part 2, and a plurality of elongated flexible members 3 extending upwards from the elongated mounting part 2. The elongated mounting part 2 has an upper surface 4 from which the elongated flexible members 3 extend in a perpendicular direction in the unmounted state, and a lower surface 5. The elongated flexible members 3 are arranged in a first line 6 and a second line 7, which are straight and parallel with the longitudinal axis X of the elongated mounting part 2, and extend between the first end 8 and the opposite second end 9 of the elongated mounting part 2. All elongated flexible members 3 are substantial identical, and the width Wi of the first interspace 10 between neighbouring pairs of elongated flexible members 3 within each of the lines 6, 7 are substantial identical. The first 6 and second line 7 are spaced apart by a distance B in the transverse direction of the elongated mounting part 2. Each of the elongated flexible members 3 has the shape of a flat strip with a first flat side 11, an opposite second flat side 12, and a rounded distal end 13, where the flat sides 11, 12 are facing in the transverse direction of the elongated mounting part 2.

The elongated mounting part 2 has a first longitudinal side 14 and a second longitudinal side 15, a first rim 16 at the first side 14 and a second rim 17 at the second side 15, and a lower middle part 18 there between. The rims 16, 17 extend upwards and along the entire longitudinal length of the elongated mounting part 2. As best shown in fig. 3, the elongated mounting part 2 has a substantially U-shaped transverse crosssection. When seen in the transverse direction, the two lines 6, 7 of elongated flexible members 3 are centred between the longitudinal sides 14, 15.

Fig. 5 illustrates two or more bird combs 1 positioned end-to- end in a straight row, where the respective first lines 6 of elongated flexible members 3 of the adjoining bird combs 1 form a line spanning along the combined length of the adjoining bird combs 1, and the respective second lines 7 of elongated flexible members 3 of the adjoining bird combs 1 also form a line spanning along the combined length of the adjoining bird combs 1. As best shown in fig. 5, the elongated flexible members 3 are positioned so that the elongated flexible members of the first line 6 are offset, in the longitudinal direction, compared to the elongated flexible members of the adjacent second line 7 by half of the sum of the width W ₂ of the first interspace 10 between neighbouring elongated flexible members in a line combined with the width W ₂ of the elongated flexible members 3. In other words, the elongated flexible members 3 of the line 6 are of f set /shifted by a distance D in the longitudinal direction of the elongated mounting part 2, where D = (W ₂ + W ₂ ) /2. When seen in the transverse direction of the elongated mounting part 2, the elongated flexible members 3 in line 6 fully "cover" the first interspace 10 between the neighbouring elongated flexible members 3 in line 7, and vice versa .

The elongated mounting part 2 has a number of through-going holes 19 (only shown in figure 4) for securing the bird comb 1 to a roof constructions by means of fastening elements, where the holes 19 are located between the two lines 6, 7 of elongated flexible members 3 and are distributed evenly along the length of the elongated mounting part 2.

Each of the complementary opposite ends 8, 9 of the elongated mounting part 2 has a first end face 23 extending from the first longitudinal side 14 towards the second longitudinal side 15, a second end face 24 extending from the second longitudinal side 15 toward the first longitudinal side 14, and a third end face 25 extending between the first 23 and second end face 24 and in the longitudinal direction of the elongated mounting part 2, where the first 23 and second end face 24 extend in the transverse direction of the elongated mounting part 2, and the length L of the third end face 25 is substantially the same as the above-mentioned distance D by which the elongated flexible members 3 of the two lines 6, 7 are mutually of f set /shifted in the longitudinal direction.

The elongated flexible member at both ends of each of the lines 6, 7 of the elongated flexible members 3 are spaced apart from the respective ends 8, 9 by a distance that is half of the width which means that when two or more bird combs 1 are positioned end-to-end in a straight row, the first interspace 10 between all neighbouring elongated flexible members 3 within the two lines of elongated flexible members spanning along the combined length of the adjoining bird combs 1 is substantial identical (including across the border between neighbouring bird combs 1) .

Fig. 6 shows a mounted state of the bird comb 1 under a single corrugated roof tile 20 for illustrative purposes, and illustrates that the bird comb 1 can be installed in the gap between the corrugated roof tile 20 and the underlying framework (not shown) , where the height of the gap varies along the length of the roof tile 20. The elongated flexible members 3 extend towards the underside of the roof tile 20, and the elongated flexible members 3 are bend to a varying degree depending on which part of the roof tile 20 they are under. The elongated flexible members 3 are bend in an inwards direction in fig. 6, but the bird comb 1 could might as well have been installed in a way where the elongated flexible members 3 instead were bending in an outwards direction.

Fig. 7 illustrates a roof construction where the upper covering is made of corrugated roof tiles 21 that are staggered on top of horizontally extending battens 22, and where the bird comb 1 is secured between the lowest batten 22 and the lower part of the lowest roof tile 21. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the bottom of one of the valleys of the corrugations of the roof tiles 21, and illustrates that because the height of the rims 15, 16 of the elongated mounting part 2 of the bird comb 1 is substantially the same as the thickness of the roof tiles 21, the lowest of the shown roof tiles 21 has substantially the same inclination as the other roof tiles 21.

Fig. 8 shows two bird combs 1' according to the present invention where the same/similar parts to those of the bird comb 1 are shown with the same numerals and the detailed description thereof is omitted for simplicity. The bird comb 1' differs from the bird comb 1 shown in figs. 1 - 7 in that the transverse width of the rims 16, 17 and the transverse width of the lower middle part 18 are smaller. The two bird combs 1' are positioned end-to-end at a 90° angle where there is complete contact between the complementary ends 8, 9 of the elongated mounting part 2. Each of the ends 8, 9 has a first end face 23' extending from the first longitudinal side 14 towards the second longitudinal side 15, a second end face 24' extending from the second longitudinal side 15 toward the first longitudinal side 14, and a third end face 25' extending between the first 23' and second end face 24' and in the longitudinal direction of the elongated mounting part 2, where the first 23' and second end face 24' extend in the transverse direction of the elongated mounting part 2, the third end face 25' extends in the longitudinal direction of the elongated mounting part 2, and all three end faces 23' , 24' , 25' have substantially the same length.

Fig. 9 shows an exploded view of a cut-out of fig. 8, where the adjoined ends 8, 9 of two bird combs 1' have been moved away from each other to more clearly show the first 23' , second 24' and third end faces 25' thereof.