AU2005211560A1 - Roof Support System and Installation Method - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant(s): Actual Inventor(s): HAYCOLM ENTERPRISES PTY LTD Darren Stuart CROWLEY Peter Stanley DOHERTY Gregory Malcolm HAY Grant ISON Address for Service: Invention Title: Details of Associated Provisional Applications: FRASER OLD SOHN Patent Attorneys Level 6, 118 Alfred Street MILSONS POINT NSW 2061 ROOF SUPPORT SYSTEM AND INSTALLATION METHOD Australian Patent Application No. 2004 905 385 Filed 17 September 2004 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 5086B-AU 2 The present invention relates to tiled hipped roofs and, in particular, to the ridge capping of such roofs.

Most homes have tiled roofs. Almost without exception, these roofs are not single gable roofs but instead have one or more hips. Each hip is constructed with a hip rafter and a number of jack rafters which extend in parallel fashion between a fascia board and the hip rafter. Running across the jack rafters are battens which support tiles. Two fascia boards come together to form a 900 angle and this is the corner where the hip rafter commences. Normally a gutter is attached to the fascia boards. The tiled roof has a lowermost course of tiles. The penultimate tile of the lowermost course extends between the corresponding fascia board and the adjacent lowermost batten and has a corner cut from the tile. The next (or last) tile in the lowermost course of tiles is a small cut triangular tile which has an insufficient extent in the slope direction of the roof to span the distance between the corresponding fascia board and lowermost batten.

The two lowermost courses of the roof which meet at the corner where the hip rafter commences, each have one of the abovementioned cut triangular tiles. Thus there are a pair of these cut triangular tiles at the corner. These small cut triangular tiles are normally balanced on the upper edge of the fascia board, then coloured cement is applied to the upper surfaces of these tiles, and then the starter ridge tile of the ridge capping is secured in place by being placed on the cement.

The abovementioned commencement of the ridge capping is a relatively difficult task since the pair of cut triangular tiles are not adequately supported. It is quite common for them to tip either inwardly into the roof cavity, or outwardly into the gutter, thereby creating a gap under the starter ridge tile. In addition, it is difficult to adequately apply the cement (turned "mud" by tilers) and much cement is often dropped into the gutter, and generally not cleaned out subsequently.

These inadequate arrangements at the lowermost end of the ridge capping mean that an opening in the roof interior is often present at this lowermost end. Such openings are utilised by vermin including possums, birds, rodents and the like, to gain entry into the roof space which is a dry and sheltered place to make a home. The 5086B-AU genesis of the present invention is directed towards substantially overcoming, or at least ameliorating, the abovementioned difficulties.

In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a method of installing a pair of cut triangular tiles and the starter ridge tile of tiled ridge capping on a tiled hip roof, said tiled roof having a foundation and two lowermost courses of tiles each supported between a corresponding fascia board and an adjacent lowermost batten, said pair of cut triangular tiles each having an extent in the slope direction of said roof insufficient to span the distance between the corresponding fascia board and batten, said method comprising the steps of: if necessary, preparing a supply of flowable, hardenable, cementitious substance, (ii) fixing a support device to the roof foundation, said device having a substantially L or V-shaped support surface and being fixed to locate said support surface at the intersection between the prolongation of each of said lowermost course of tiles, (iii) positioning said pair of cut triangular tiles on said support surface, (iv) locating a first amount of said cementitious substance on said positioned pair of cut tiles, and positioning said starter ridge tile on said first amount of cementitious substance.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a method of refurbishing the tiled ridge capping on a tiled hip roof having a foundation, and two lowermost courses of tiles each supported between a corresponding fascia board and an adjacent lowermost batten, said ridge capping including a starter ridge tile, and a pair of cut triangular tiles each having an extent in the slope direction of said roof insufficient to span the distance between the corresponding fascia board and batten, said method comprising the steps of: if necessary, removing and/or cleaning the starter ridge tile and pair of cut triangular tiles, (ii) if necessary, preparing a supply of flowable, hardenable, cementitious substance, (iii) fixing a support device to the roof foundation, said device having a 5086B-AU substantially L or V-shaped support surface and being fixed to locate said support surface at the intersection between the prolongation of each of said lowermost course of tiles, (iv) positioning said pair of cut triangular tiles on said located surface, locating a first amount of said cementitious substance on said positioned pair of cut tiles, and (vi) positioning said starter ridge tile on said first amount of said cementitious substance.

In accordance with the third aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a support device for use with the starter ridge tile of tiled ridge capping on a tiled hip roof, said tiled roof having a foundation, two lowermost courses of tiles each supported between a corresponding fascia board and an adjacent lowermost batten, and a pair of cut triangular tiles each having an extent in the slope direction of said roof insufficient to span the distance between said fascia board and batten, said support device comprising a generally L or V-shaped support surface and fixing means to fix said support device to the roof foundation, said support device being dimensioned to extend under, and support, said pair of cut triangular tiles.

Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of the ridge of a hip roof, prior to the application of the ridge capping, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the support device of the first embodiment, Fig. 3 is a plan view of the support device of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the roof prior to positioning the tiles and showing the support device of Figs. 2 and 3 installed, Fig. 5 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the installation of the cut triangular tiles on the lowermost course of tiles, Fig. 6 is a vertical cross section through the ridge capping showing the completed installation, Fig. 7 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 5 and showing the completed installation, Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a support device of a second embodiment, 5086B-AU ttn Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a support device of a third embodiment, Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a support device of a fourth embodiment, and Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a support device of a fifth embodiment.

d) ND 5 A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 1-7. In Figs. 2 and 3 a generally L or V-shaped support device 1 is Sillustrated having an L shaped shelf 2 with an upturned rim 3 on the exterior side of t the device 1. On the interior side of the device 1 is located an L-shaped fixing flange 4 having a series of spaced apart apertures 6.

Fig. 1 illustrates the conventional ridge 10 of a hip roof 11 having a hip rafter 12, battens 13 and fascia boards 14. Conventional courses of tiles 15 are laid on the supporting framework formed by the battens 13 with only the lowermost course 17 and penultimate course 18 being illustrated. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that since the tiles 15 are not square relative to the ridge 10, the tiles adjacent the ridge 10 must be cut to shape. As best seen in Fig. 5, the lowermost course 17 is completed by means of two cut triangular tiles 25 which have an insufficient extent in the slope direction of the roof to span the distance between the fascia board 14 and the adjacent batten 13. Lying next to the tiles 25 is an adjacent tile 27 where the corner has been cut off, however, this tile does have an extent sufficient to span the distance between the fascia board 14 and the batten 13.

As best seen in Fig. 4, the support device 1 is fixed to the corner formed by the two fascia boards 14 by means such as galvanised nails 21. This fixing action can take place either before most of the tiles 15 are positioned, or afterwards, if preferred.

As best seen in Figs. 4 and 6, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the framework which supports the roof 11 is entirely conventional. The studs 31, top plate 32, eave joist 33, eave 34 and jack rafter 35 are all entirely conventional. So too is the gutter 36.

As best seen in Fig. 6, the lowermost edge 26 of the tiles 25 is supported by the shelf 2 of the support device 1. As a consequence, the tiles 25 are adequately supported in their desired final position, prior to application of cement 40, or an equivalent substance (and generally termed "mud" by tilers). The completed 5086B-AU arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 7 from which it will be appreciated that a starter ridge tile 28 having a nose 29 is laid first and then the subsequent ridge tiles 30 are laid in succession.

A number of various substantial advantages flow from the above described arrangement. Firstly, without the support device 1, the cut triangular tiles 25 often topple from the fascia board 14 either falling inwardly onto the eave 34 or falling outwardly into the gutter 36. This can happen before the cement 40 has set with the consequence that a hole is created alongside the adjacent tile 27. The possibility of such a vermin access allowing hole being created is overcome in accordance with the preferred embodiment.

Secondly, the nose 29 of the starter ridge tile can be fully packed with cement in order to completely close off the lower end of the ridge Thirdly, the extra time (and minimal expense) involved in installing (and buying) the support device 1, is more than compensated for by a substantially saving in time and a reduction in the degree of skill required to lay the starter ridge tile 28.

Fourthly, there is less likelihood of any of the cement 40 falling into the gutter 36, thereby reducing the need to clean up at the completion of the installation.

Turning now to Fig. 8, a second embodiment of the support device 100 is illustrated having a generally arrow head shaped configuration with the L-shaped shelf 2 being substantially as before. A fixing arm 104 enables the support device 100 to be fixed directly to the hip rafter 12. The support device 100 is also able to be used at locations along the hip rafter 12 other than at the lower extremity of the hip rafter 12. That is, the support device 100 can be used to support the pair of cut tiles 125 in Fig. Fig. 9 illustrates a third embodiment of the support device 200 in which the Lshaped shelf 2 is as before, however, the fixing flange 4 of Figs. 2 and 3 has been reduced to two separate L-shaped fixing arms 204.

5086B-AU Fig. 10 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a support device 300 in which the fixing flange 4 has been cut in two parts 304 by means of a generally V-shaped cut 301 which facilitates stamping of the support device 300 from a single sheet of metal, preferably galvanised steel.

Finally, Fig. 11 shows a fifth embodiment of a support device 400 which is injection moulded from plastic material. The shelf 402 is provided with a series of criss-cross ridges 420 which provide good keying with the cement or "mud". The support device 400 is also provided with a central groove 440 which enables the device 400 to be broken in half and used in other situations such as where a sloping tiled roof meets a vertical wall.

The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the lower edge 26 of each cut triangular tile 25 can be directly supported on the support shelf 2 as illustrated, or cement 40 can be located on the shelf 2 and the edge 25 engaged with this cement.

Similarly, the present invention is not limited to the installation of new roofs but can also be put into practice with the refurbishment of old roofs.

The term "comprising" (and its grammatical variations) as used herein is used in the inclusive sense of "including" or "having" and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of'.

5086B-AU

Claims (24)

1. A method of installing a pair of cut triangular tiles and the starter ridge tile of tiled ridge capping on a tiled hip roof, said tiled roof having a foundation and two lowermost courses of tiles each supported between a corresponding fascia board and an adjacent lowermost batten, said pair of cut triangular tiles each having an extent in the slope direction of said roof insufficient to span the distance between the corresponding fascia board and batten, said method comprising the steps of: if necessary, preparing a supply of flowable, hardenable, cementitious substance, (ii) fixing a support device to the roof foundation, said device having a substantially L or V-shaped support surface and being fixed to locate said support surface at the intersection between the prolongation of each of said lowermost course of tiles, (iii) positioning said pair of cut triangular tiles on said support surface, (iv) locating a first amount of said cementitious substance on said positioned pair of cut tiles, and positioning said starter ridge tile on said first amount of cementitious substance.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 including the further step of: (vi) locating a second amount of said cementitious substance on said support surface prior to locating said pair of cut tiles.

3. The method as defined in claim 1 or 2 including the further step of: (vii) fixing said support device to at least one of said fascia boards.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 or 2 including the further step of: (viii) fixing said support device to the hip rafter of said hip roof.

The method as defined in any one of claims 1-4 including the further step of: (ix) fixing said support device by driving fasteners therethrough.

6. The method as defined in any one of claims 1-5 wherein said roof is provided with a gutter, said method including the step of: fixing said support surface with its extremities interior of the outer edge of said gutter. 5086B-AU

7. A method of installing a pair of cut triangular tiles and the starter ridge tile of tiled ridge capping on a tiled hip roof, said method being substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

8. A method of refurbishing the tiled ridge capping on a tiled hip roof having a foundation, and two lowermost courses of tiles each supported between a corresponding fascia board and an adjacent lowermost batten, said ridge capping including a starter ridge tile, and a pair of cut triangular tiles each having an extent in the slope direction of said roof insufficient to span the distance between the corresponding fascia board and batten, said method comprising the steps of: if necessary, removing and/or cleaning the starter ridge tile and pair of cut triangular tiles, (ii) if necessary, preparing a supply of flowable, hardenable, cementitious substance, (iii) fixing a support device to the roof foundation, said device having a substantially L or V-shaped support surface and being fixed to locate said support surface at the intersection between the prolongation of each of said lowermost course of tiles, (iv) positioning said pair of cut triangular tiles on said located surface, locating a first amount of said cementitious substance on said positioned pair of cut tiles, and (vi) positioning said starter ridge tile on said first amount of said cementitious substance.

9. The method as defined in claim 8 including the further step of: (vii) locating a second amount of said cementitious substance on said support surface prior to locating said pair of cut tiles.

The method as defined in claim 8 or 9 including the further step of: (viii) fixing said support device to at least one of said fascia boards.

11. The method as defined in claim 8 or 9 including the further step of: (ix) fixing said support device to the hip rafter of said hip roof.

12. The method as defined in any one of claims 8-11 including the further step of: fixing said support device by driving fasteners therethrough.

13. The method as defined in any one of claims 8-12 wherein said roof is provided with a gutter, said method including the step of: 5086B-AU (xi) fixing said support surface with its extremities interior of the outer edge of said gutter.

14. A method of refurbishing tiled ridge capping, said method being substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

A support device for use with the starter ridge tile of tiled ridge capping on a tiled hip roof, said tiled roof having a foundation, two lowermost courses of tiles each supported between a corresponding fascia board and an adjacent lowermost batten, and a pair of cut triangular tiles each having an extent in the slope direction of said roof insufficient to span the distance between said fascia board and batten, said support device comprising a generally L or V- shaped support surface and fixing means to fix said support device to the roof foundation, said support device being dimensioned to extend under, and support, said pair of cut triangular tiles.

16. The device as defined by claim 15 wherein said fixing means comprises a strip dimensioned to be secured to at least one of said fascia boards.

17. The device as defined by claim 16 wherein said fixing strip is substantially L or V-shaped and substantially nested interior of said L or V-shaped support surface.

18. The device as defined in claim 17 wherein said L or V-shaped fixing strip is stepped relative to L or V-shaped support surface.

19. The device as defined by claim 15 wherein said fixing means comprises a strip dimensioned to be secured to the hip rafter of said hip roof.

The device as defined by claim 19 wherein said fixing strip extends into the corner of said L or V-shaped support surface.

21. The device as defined by claim 20 and having an arrow head and shaft configuration.

22. The device as defined in any one of claims 15-21 and fabricated from sheet material.

23. The device as defined in claim 22 wherein said sheet material is sheet steel.

24. A support device substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 4 or Fig. 8 or Fig. 9 or Fig. 10 or Fig. 11 of the drawings. 5086B-AU Dated this 13 th day of September 2005 a d) VI) \O \O HAYCOLM ENTERPRISES PTY LTD By FRASER OLD SOHN Patent Attorneys for the Applicants 5086B-AU