The present invention relates to roofing components. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is increasing interest in the provision of solar panels on rooftops, particularly on tiled rooftops of house and other buildings. Tiled rooftops are very common and are constructed using a number of elongate roof timbers, which form a grid onto which tiles are secured. The tiles are often arranged in overlapping rows, with an upper tile overlapping a lower tile for the sake of preventing water ingress. In order to secure a solar panel to a tiled rooftop, it is often necessary to install a hook or other bracket directly to one or more of the roof timbers. It is often necessary to remove one or more of the tiles in order for the bracket to be installed.

Due to the overlapping nature of the tiled rooftop, the bracket very often rest upon a lower tile, and this can cause cracking and/or breakage of that tile. Furthermore, the roof may be prone to leakage due to the removal of a tile. It is therefore desirable to provide a roofing component that can serve to address the issues associated with the fitting of solar panels to tiles rooftops.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a roofing component for installation in place of a roof tile on a roof, the component comprising a main body of a resilient material and having a main substantially planar face which extends between a first end face and a second end face of the component, the main body having a first portion extending from a first region of the main face from the first end face to a transition region, and a second portion extending from the main face from the transition region to the second end face, wherein the first portion is of greater depth than the second portion, such that the first end face is of greater height than the second end face.

In one example, the first end face extends substantially perpendicularly to the main face. In one example, the second end face extends substantially perpendicularly to the main face.

In one example, the transition region is defined by a transition face that extends between the first and second portions. In one example, the first portion has a substantially constant thickness.

In one example, the first portion increases in thickness in a direction from the first end face to the transition region. In one example, the first portion decreases in thickness in a direction from the first end face to the transition region.

In one example, the second portion has a substantially constant thickness.

In one example, the second portion decreases in thickness in a direction from the transition region towards the second end face In one example, the transition region defines a transition face.

In one example, the transition face extends substantially perpendicularly to the main face.

In one example, the transition face is inclined with respect to the main face.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure l is a schematic perspective view of a roofing component embodying the present invention; and

Figures 2 to 8 are side views of respective roofing components embodying the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 illustrates a roofing component 1 embodying the present invention. The component 1 comprises a main body 2 which defines a main face 4. The main face 4 is substantially planar. From a first end of the main body 2 extends a first end face 6, and from a second end of the main body 2 extends a second end face 8. In one example, such as that shown in Figure 1 , the first and second end faces 6 and 8 extend substantially perpendicularly to the main face 4. The main body 2 comprises a first portion 10 which extends away from the main face 4, between the first end face 6 and a transition region 14. The main body 2 also comprises a second portion 12 which extends away from the main face 4 from the transition region 14 to the second end face 8. The first and second portions 10 and 12 are contiguous and form the main body 2.

Figure 2 shows a side view of a first example roofing component having the general configuration as described with reference to Figure 1. In this example, the first portion 10 is of substantially constant thickness from the first end face 6 to the transition region 14, and the second portion 12 is of substantially constant thickness from the transition region 14 to the second end face 8. In such an example, the first portion 10 defines a first rear face 16 that extends substantially parallel to the main face 4, and the second portion 12 defines a second rear face 18 which also extends substantially parallel to the main face 4.

In the example of Figure 2, the first portion 10 has greater thickness than the second portion 12, such that the transition region 14 is defined by a transition face 20 that extends substantially perpendicularly to the main face 4. The Figure 2 example can be described as "stepped" when viewed from the side. Figure 3 shows a side view of a second example roofing component having the general configuration as described with reference to Figure 1. In this example, the first portion 10 increases in thickness from the first end face 6 to the transition region 14, and the second portion 12 is of substantially constant thickness from the transition region 14 to the second end face 8. In such an example, the first rear face 16 diverges in the direction from the main face 4 from the first end face 6 to the transition region 14, and the second portion 12 defines a second rear face 18 which extends substantially parallel to the main face 4.

In the example of Figure 3, the first portion 10 has greater thickness than the second portion 12, such that the transition region 14 is defined by a transition face 20 that extends substantially perpendicularly to the main face 4. The Figure 3 example can also be described as "stepped" when viewed from the side.

Figure 4 shows a side view of a third example roofing component having the general configuration as described with reference to Figure 1. In this example, the first portion 10 decreases in thickness from the first end face 6 to the transition region 14, and the second portion 12 is of substantially constant thickness from the transition region 14 to the second end face 8. In such an example, the first rear face 16 converges with the main face 4 in the direction from the first end face 6 to the transition region 14, and the second portion 12 defines a second rear face 18 which extends substantially parallel to the main face 4. In the example of Figure 4, the first portion 10 has a thickness at the transition region 14 substantially equal to that of the second portion 12 such that the transition region 14 is defined by an intersection of the first and second rear faces 16 and 18.

Figure 5 shows a side view of a fourth example roofing component having the general configuration as described with reference to Figure 1. In this example, the first portion 10 decreases in thickness from the first end face 6 to the transition region 14, and the second portion 12 also decreases in thickness from the transition region 14 to the second end face 8. In such an example, the first portion defines a first rear face 16 which converges with the main face 4 in the direction from the first end face 6 to the transition region 14, and the second portion 12 defines a second rear face 18 which converges with the main face 4 in the direction from the transition region 14 to the second end face 8.

In the example of Figure 5, the first portion 10 has a thickness at the transition region 14 substantially equal to that of the second portion 12 such that first and second rear faces 16 and 18 effectively form a single rear face of the component. The Figure 5 example may be described as "tapered".

Figure 6 shows a side view of a fifth example roofing component having the general configuration as described with reference to Figure 1. In this example, the first portion 10 is of substantially constant thickness from the first end face 6 to the transition region 14, and the second portion 12 is of substantially constant thickness from the transition region 14 to the second end face 8. In such an example, the first portion 10 defines a first rear face 16 that extends substantially parallel to the main face 4, and the second portion 12 defines a second rear face 18 which also extends substantially parallel to the main face 4.

In the example of Figure 6, the first portion 10 has greater thickness than the second portion 12, and the transition region 14 is defined by a transition face 20 that extends between the first and second rear faces 16 and 18 at an incline to the main face 4.

Figure 7 shows a side view of a fifth example roofing component having the general configuration as described with reference to Figure 1. In this example, the first portion 10 increases in thickness from the first end face 6 to the transition region 14, and the second portion 12 is of substantially constant thickness from the transition region 14 to the second end face 8. In such an example, the first rear face 16 diverges in the direction from the main face 4 from the first end face 6 to the transition region 14, and the second portion 12 defines a second rear face 18 which extends substantially parallel to the main face 4. In the example of Figure 7, the first portion 10 has greater thickness than the second portion 12, and the transition region 14 is defined by a transition face 20 that extends between the first and second rear faces 16 and 18 at an incline to the main face 4.

Figure 8 shows a side view of a fifth example roofing component having the general configuration as described with reference to Figure 1. In this example, the first portion 10 decreases in thickness from the first end face 6 to the transition region 14, and the second portion 12 is of substantially constant thickness from the transition region 14 to the second end face 8. In such an example, the first rear face 16 converges with the main face 4 in the direction from the first end face 6 to the transition region 14, and the second portion 12 defines a second rear face 18 which extends substantially parallel to the main face 4.

In the example of Figure 8, although the first portion 10 tapers, it still has greater thickness than the second portion 12, and the transition region 14 is defined by a transition face 20 that extends between the first and second rear faces 16 and 18 at an incline to the main face 4. A roofing component embodying the present invention is made of a resilient material, for example a rubber material. In one example, the component is manufactured from primarily recycled automotive tyres, for example from trucks and cars. The component is

manufactured in mould using compression and heating to form the final shape.

In use, a roofing component embodying the present invention is placed and secured in the void left by the removal of a tile to enable the positioning of the panel bracket. Typically, the component 1 will be secured by an appropriate securing component (for example a screw, nail or staple) which extends through the second portion 12 into a roof timber. The first portion 10 extends down the roof, and overlaps with one or more tiles in the row below that where the component is located. In such a way, the roof can be weather proofed, and damage to other tiles by the bracket can be minimised or prevented altogether.