Various capping systems are known for capping the joint between adjacent metal roof tiles at a ridge or hip in a roof structure. One of the problems with such conventional capping systems is that they are typically supplied only to suit one roof pitch. This leads to ill fitting ridges on any roofs that are not built at the set pitch. To improve on this position with the current manufacturing technology would involve significant costs. This is undesirable because of expense, inventory requirements and the risk that an unsuitable capping will be used leading to possible leakage and other problems.

Another problem of many of the existing solutions is their aesthetic appearance.

Since they require a flange on the edge to enable them to be fixed and sealed to the roof, they do not closely resemble the traditional clay tiles they are designed to mimic. An additional problem is that their complex shape makes it difficult to prepare and seal angled and intersecting junctions on site, and the prefabricated junctions generally available suffer the same limitations as the sections themselves.

This invention is directed towards providing a roof capping which will address these problems.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided a roof capping comprising an internal capping member for placement over a gap between roof tiles or panels and an

external cap for placement over the internal capping member, wherein the internal capping member is adapted to be supported on roof tiles and to support the external cap.

In one embodiment the internal capping member has support legs for engagement with a roof tile or panel.

In another embodiment the support legs have external cap engagement means.

In a further embodiment the external cap engagement means is provided by an upstand.

In one embodiment the upstand extends substantially the length of the support leg.

In another embodiment the upstand is integrally formed with the support leg.

In a further embodiment the internal capping member comprises an apex portion and a pair of side portions extending from the apex portion.

In one embodiment the side portions define the support legs.

In another embodiment the internal capping of generally inverted V-shape in cross section.

In a further embodiment the internal capping member has a substantially truncated cross-section.

In one embodiment the angle between the side portions at the peak is at least 90°.

In another embodiment the roof tiles or panels are arranged at a roof pitch and the angle between the support legs is defined according to the roof pitch.

In a further embodiment the support legs are configured such that in use each support leg lies in contact with and substantially parallel the supporting roof tiles or panels over at least portion of the length of the support leg.

In one embodiment upstands are located at marginal edges of the support legs.

In another embodiment the upstands provide locators for the external cap.

In a further embodiment the external cap has engagement portions for engaging with the internal capping member.

In one embodiment the internal capping member has a cap engagement means provided by upstands and the upstands are configured to align with the engagement portions of the external cap.

In another embodiment the upstands are substantially parallel to the engagement portions of the external cap.

In a further embodiment the upstands are configured to be substantially received inside the external cap when the external cap is placed thereon In one embodiment the upstands are arranged at an acute angle relative to the support legs.

In another embodiment the engagement portions of the external cap are provided at end edges of the external cap.

In a further embodiment the external cap is reinforced at the engagement portions.

In one embodiment the engagement portions are provided at end edges of the external cap and the end edges are folded over to provide the reinforcement.

In another embodiment the external cap has a curved arcuate or substantially inverted U-shape form.

In a further embodiment wherein the external cap comprises transversely extending strengthening means.

In one embodiment the strengthening means comprise strengthening ribs.

In another embodiment the strengthening ribs are formed in the external cap.

In a further embodiment the strengthening ribs provide a protruding rib on the exterior of the external cap and a corresponding recess on the interior of the external cap.

In one embodiment the strengthening ribs are uniformly spaced apart.

In another embodiment a first external cap is configured to enable overlapping connection with an adjacent second external cap, and wherein a protruding rib of a lower first external cap is received in a corresponding recess of an adjacent upper second external cap.

In a further embodiment the roof tile or panel has a profiled external surface and the capping comprises a barrier between the profiled surface and an exposed end edge of the roof tile or panel.

In one embodiment the barrier has a profile to substantially match that of the profiled external surface of the roof tile or panel.

In another embodiment the barrier comprises a barrier member.

In a further embodiment the barrier member has barrier connection means for mounting the barrier member to the internal capping member.

In one embodiment the barrier connection means comprises a hook for connection to an upstand of the internal capping member.

In another embodiment the hook is integrally formed with the barrier member.

In a further embodiment the barrier comprises a scalloped portion.

In one embodiment the scalloped portion has a profile complementary to the profile of the roof tiles or panels.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a roof system comprising a roof capping of the invention In one embodiment the roof system comrpises a plurality of roof tiles or panels.

In another embodiment the roof tile panel comprises a substantially flat backing sheet, a profiled external roof sheet, and a body of insulating foam between the sheets.

In a further embodiment the backing sheet and external sheet are of metal material.

In one embodiment the internal capping member is placed over a gap between the tiles or panels at a roof ridge or hip, and supported by the roof tiles or panels on either side of the gap.

In another embodiment the internal capping member is connected to the roof tiles or panels on either side of the gap.

In a further embodiment the external cap is connected to the internal capping member.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a roof system comprising a number of roof tiles or panels, a gap being defined between the tiles or panels at a ridge or hip in a roof, an internal capping member for placement over the gap, and an external cap for placement over the internal capping member, wherein the internal capping member is adapted to be supported on roof tiles or panels and to support the external cap.

Brief Description of Drawings The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a roof assembly and capping of the invention; Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the ridge of a roof of the invention; Fig. 3 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the connection between an external cap and an internal member of a roof capping according to an embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 3 (b) is an enlarged, partially cut-away cross-sectional view of a joint part of the capping of Fig. 3 (a); Fig. 4 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the connection between an external cap and internal member of a roof capping of another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 4 (b)

and 4 (c) are enlarged, partially cut-away cross-sectional views of joint parts of the capping of Fig. 4 (a); and Fig. 5 is perspective view of a sealing member of a roof capping of the invention.

Detailed Description Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a roof capping of the invention comprising an elongate internal capping member 1 for placement over a gap 2 between roof tiles or roof panels 3,4 at a ridge or hip and an external cap 5 for placement over the internal capping member 1.

In this case the roof tiles or roof panels 3,4 are of the type described in our WO 03/062553A, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Each roof tile or panel comprises a substantially flat backing sheet 10, a profiled external roof sheet 11, and a body of insulating foam 12 between the sheets 10,11.

Both the backing sheet 10 and external sheet 11 are typically of metal, especially steel. The insulating foam 12 is of polyurethane, phenolic or polyisocyanurate or any similar suitable material to provide desired insulating and structural properties.

In this case the internal capping member 1 is supported on the roof panels or tiles 3, 4 and the external cap 5 is in turn supported on the internal capping member 1.

The internal capping member 1 is typically of thin gauge metal such as galvanised steel or aluminium and is of generally inverted v-shaped cross section having a peak 20 and side portions or support legs 21 extending from the peak. The angle between the support legs 21 at the peak can be varied according to the pitch of the roof and the size of gap to be bridged and is typically greater than 90°. The angle between the support legs 21 is such that sections especially ends of the support legs 21 extend in use substantially parallel to and in contact to the supporting roof tile or panel. This

enables the internal capping to be readily connected to the supporting tiles or panels by stitching or other suitable means. A plastic or foam filler, for example a profiled plastic or foam filler (not shown) is typically inserted between the roof tiles or panels 3,4 and the internal capping member 1 to fill any spaces therebetween.

The support legs 21 have an upstand 22 at each marginal edge thereof. The side portions or support legs 21 and upstand 22 are integrally formed, for example by bending and extend along the length of the internal capping member 1.

The upstand 22 is arranged at an acute angle to the side portions 21. The angle between the support legs and upstands can be varied according to the angle between the support legs of the internal capping member. The upstands 22 facilitate mounting of the external cap 5 providing both locators and engagement means for engaging the external cap 5 to the internal capping member. It is important that the upstands lie at a suitable angle relative to the external cap. The upstands also reinforce the internal capping member.

The external cap 5 comprises a curved substantially arcuate or inverted u-shaped form. The length of the radius of external cap may be varied for correspondence with the internal capping member. The external cap 5 is configured for connection to the internal capping member 1.

The external cap 5 comprises longitudinal free ends 6, and front and back lateral ends 9. The longitudinal free ends 6 are reinforced by a stiffener 26 formed by folding over the edges of the cap 5 on themselves. The edges are folded inwards in the embodiment shown. This provides a non sharp safe edge and also provides enhanced stiffness to assist in maintaining a straight ridge.

The external cap 5 is profiled to enable overlapping of adjacent external caps as required. The external cap 5 comprises strengthening ribs 7 extending transversely between opposite free ends 6. The strengthening ribs 7 comprise a protruding rib on

the external side and a corresponding recess 8 on the internal side. The strengthening ribs 7 are uniformly spaced apart and set back from the front and back ends 9 of the external cap. The external cap 5 is configured such that when adjacent external caps 5 are overlapped a protruding rib 7 of the lower external cap is received in a recess 8 of the adjacent upper external cap. The ribs 7 are typically formed by pressing the external capping.

Referring to Figs. 3 (a) and (3b) in use the external cap 5 is placed over the internal capping 1 which is substantially received therein. The free ends 6 of the external cap 5 overlap the upstands 22. The external cap 5 is connected at the free ends 6 to the internal capping 1 at the upstands 22 by riveting or by other suitable fixing means.

In the upstands 22 of the internal capping member lie substantially parallel to the free ends of the external cap 5 to facilitate connection.

Referring to Figs 4 (a), (b) and (c) and Fig. 5 a ridge scallop 23 may be hung in place from the upstand 22. The ridge scallop 23 comprises a depending front barrier member 25 having a profile which corresponds to the profile of the roof tiles or panels 3,4 and a back connector 24. The scallop 23 is configured for engagement the internal capping member. In this case the back connector 24 is engaged over the upstand 22. The barrier member 25 and back connector 24 define a recess 27 therebetween for receiving the upstand 22 of the internal capping member 1.

The barrier member 25 has a profile corresponding to that of the roof tiles or panels.

The roof tiles or panels and the barrier have a corrugated profile of peaks and troughs. The barrier thus to provides an enhanced barrier against water ingress and to prevent access to the internal foam filling or the roof panels or to the plastic or foam profile filler inserted between the roof panels and the internal capping member.

The barrier being arranged between the profiled surface and exposed end edge of the roof tile or panel.

Referring to Figs. 4 (a) and 4 (b) the ridge scallop 23 is shown connected to the upstand 22 of the internal capping member 1. The external cap 5 is placed over both the upstand 22 and the scallop 23, and as described previously connected to the internal capping at the free ends thereof.

The internal capping member 1 is suitable for both ridge and hip roofs and provides an internal aesthetic appearance, a location and support for the outer cap 5 and weather resistance that can easily be achieved at junctions and intersections.

The internal capping member 1 is adapted to be supported on roof tiles or panels and is connected to the roof tiles or panels by stitching. As the internal capping is supported on the underlying roof tiles or panels there is no requirement for a support at the peak of the internal capping member.

The external cap 5 and internal capping member are configured to contact each other and for connection at their marginal longitudinal ends only. By virtue of their configuration a gap is maintained between the support legs of the internal member and the curved external cap.

The connection of the reinforced side edges 26 of the external capping 5 to the upstands 22 of the internal capping member 1 constitutes a strong and reinforced joint. The roof capping is thus securely connected to the roof and the strengthened sides enable the ridge capping to be held in the correct alignment and provide for a straight ridge.

The roof capping device of the invention has the further advantage that it is easy to install. The internal capping member varies according to roof pitch and can be installed on hips or ridges and the external capping is then fitted readily onto the internal capping member.

The roof capping device of the invention has the advantages that the external cap can be used for a plurality of roof pitches. A separate internal capping member is fitted below the external cap to support it.

The internal capping member has a simple form which can be readily and cheaply manufactured. A number of different internal capping members may be readily manufactured, for use with roof tiles or panels which are arranged at different pitches. The external cap has a more complex form. In use the external cap is connected to the internal capping member. While the angle between the support legs of the internal capping members may be varied according to the roof pitch, the form of the engagement means for engaging the external cap is the same to facilitate fitting of the external cap to a plurality of internal capping members. Alternatively a small range of external caps of different radius may be provided for different situations.

The device of the invention provides a roofing system where all connections between capping members are made at the sides thereof. No additional supports are required as the capping device is simply supported on the roof tiles or panels.

The roof capping provides the user with increased flexibility on site to cope with a range of gap sizes and also because the external cap and internal capping members are designed to interconnect the ease of installation is increased. The internal capping members have locators for the external cap which facilitates correct fitting and fixing of the cap thus ensuring that the capping is in the correct alignment and straight.

In the embodiment described the internal capping member has a substantially inverted V-form. This has the advantages of being a simple form which can be readily and cheaply manufactured however, it will be appreciated that the internal capping member may be of truncated cross section with a top which may be flat or any other suitable form.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in detail.