AU2003200063B2 - A Chine Beam and a Roof Assembly Containing a Chine Beam - Google Patents

Description

A CHINE BEAM AND A ROOF ASSEMBLY CONTAINING A CHINE BEAM FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to a chine beam which is typically an extruded metal beam and which has a special design to allow it to connect two inclined roof panels together. The beam finds particular use with a veranda/patio assembly of the type which comprises only metal members.

BACKGROUND

ART

Roofing assemblies comprising only metal members are becoming quite popular, as the assemblies are extremely strong, lightweight, impervious to termites, rot, twisting or warping, as is the case with roofing assemblies where the beams/rafters etc are made of wood.

However, as metal members such as extruded aluminium beams/rafters cannot be readily shaped, it is necessary to ensure that all parts and components fit together properly.

While this is usually relatively straightforward when coupling or connecting metal members together in a straight line, there are special considerations and difficulties when connecting metal members at an angle relative to each other.

One type of angle connection is where two roof panels are connected relative to each other at an angle to form a "gable roof'. Such roofs are extremely popular and can provide a spectacular look to outdoor patios and verandas.

Typically, each roof panel comprises one or more metal sheets which are attached to inclined metal rafters beams. At the apex of the gable roof is a horizontal metal ridge beam. The roof panels and/or the rafter beams are attached to the ridge beam.

The present invention is directed to a chine beam which has a particular design to facilitate attachment of the roof panels/rafter beams relative to the ridge beam.

Conventionally, the attachment of the rafter beams and roof panels to the ridge beam has been quite a finicky and difficult process.

The ridge beam typically comprises an extruded (typically aluminium) metal beam. The metal ridge beam is typically substantially rectangular in cross-section and has a flat top wall, a flat bottom wall, and a pair of opposed flat sidewalls. When the ridge beam is in position, the side walls are generally vertical. This makes it more difficult to attach the angled rafter beams and roof panels to the ridge beam.

To date, it is necessary to provide an elongate channel shaped metal flashing which is screwed or otherwise fastened to each side wall of the ridge beam. The metal flashing is usually bent into a substantially C-shaped configuration. As the side wall of the beam is generally vertical, the side walls of the metal flashing are bent downwardly to try to align with the angle of the rafter beam/roof panel. There is however no guarantee that this can be done accurately and consistently. Great care must also be taken to ensure that the metal flashing channel is properly attached along the ridge beam in a generally horizontal manner, and this can be quite a finicky process.

Moreover, the elongate channel functions to support the roof panel and the channel must therefore have a channel width which is sufficient to allow the profiled edge of the roof panel to pass into the channel. This raises an additional difficulty with respect to fastening the roof panel to the channel. The roof panel typically needs to be fastened to the bottom wall of the C-shaped channel. Fixing through the bottom wall of the C-shaped channel is almost impossible as there is not enough room to pass a drill etc between the ridge beam and the bottom of the channel. Thus, there is the temptation to only lightly fasten the roof panels to the C-shaped section which is not desirable.

The present invention is directed to a chine beam that is typically formed of extruded metal and which can more easily fix roof panels/rafters to the ridge beam.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a chine beam, typically formed of extruded metal such as aluminium and which can be attached to the top of the ridge beam and which has a particular shape to facilitate attachment of inclined roof panels relative to the ridge beam or at least overcome some of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the public with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form the invention resides in a chine beam for attachment to a ridge beam of a roof comprising at least one shoulder portion providing a land for supporting a roof panel adjacent an apex of the roof and a dependent flange portion for attachment to a sidewall of said ridge beam.

The chine beam therefore has a configuration which allows it to be fastened over the top of a ridge beam and the shape of the chine beam presents surfaces for ready attachment of inclined roof panels thereto.

Advantageously, it is no longer necessary to provide metal flashing attached to each side wall of the rafter beam. We have also found that the chine beam can improve weatherproofing of this apex portion of the roof for reasons which will be described in greater detail below.

The at least one shoulder portion for providing a land for supporting a roof panel typically extends from adjacent the apex of the roof and typically over the top of the ridge beam in use. In one embodiment, the chine beam may suitably have a first inclined shoulder portion and a second inclined shoulder portion. Each shoulder portion extends from adjacent the apex of the roof and typically over the top of the ridge beam in use. Each shoulder portion is typically substantially planar but is inclined to the same angle as the inclined roof panel such that the roof panel can slide over and be attached to the chine beam via the shoulder portion. The width of each shoulder portion can be of any convenient size. Typically, the width is between 20-100 mm. The shoulder portions typically extend away from each other to allow two roof panels to be attached to the same chine beam.

The chine beam has a dependent flange for attachment to a sidewall of a ridge beam. Preferably the chine beam has two opposed flanges for attachment to opposed sidewalls of the ridge beam. The two flanges may suitably be spaced apart so as to closely receive the ridge beam therebetween.

The attachment flanges are provided to locate the chine beam on the top of the ridge beam. Suitably, the attachment flanges comprise a substantially vertical (in use) flange that forms an extension of the edge of one of the shoulder portions. By having these attachment flange portions formed integrally with the chine beam, they can be made precisely, so that when the chine beam is attached to the ridge beam an interference fit is obtained with the ridge beam. Various other methods may.be used to secure the chine beam to the ridge beam including snap fitting and ratchet teeth on each flange to engage with enlarged ridges on the ridge beam.

In a preferred embodiment, the chine beam may further comprise a head portion at the apex of the roof for separating and supporting respective roofing panels. The head portion may preferably include a ridge cap support. The head portion in section may be substantially diamond shaped. The diamond shaped head portion may suitably comprise a first upper side face, a second upper side face, a first lower side face and a second lower side face. The first upper side face and the second upper side face are typically substantially planar but diverge away from each other. The first lower side face and the second lower side face converge towards each other and are positioned below the first upper side face and the second upper side face.

The chine beam is typically formed of extruded aluminium and can be extruded to any convenient length and cut to a desired length. The chine beam typically has a wall thickness of between 1 to 5 mm although this can vary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1. Illustrates a close-up view of a chine beam attached to a ridge beam and allowing inclined roof panels to be attached relative to the ridge beam.

Figure 2. Illustrates a roof assembly containing the chine beam and other components.

BEST MODE Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 2 there is illustrated an overall roof assembly. Briefly, the roof assembly according to the embodiment illustrated in figure 2 comprises a ridge cap 10, roof panels 11, a chine beam 12, (forming part of the present invention) a ridge beam 13, a saddle bracket 14, a gable beam connector 15, a rafter beam 16, a barge 17, a splicing channel 18, a valley beam 19, a barge beam 20, a receiver beam 21, a beam bracket 22, a beam end cap, a facia beam 24, a column bracket 25, a column 26, a gutter 27 and a gutter stop end 28. An optional king post 60 and a king post bracket 61 is illustrated.

Referring to Figure 1 there is illustrated the chine beam 12 in greater detail. Chine beam 12 is an extruded aluminium section and can therefore be made extremely accurately and precisely. Beam 12 sits on top of the rectangular extruded metal ridge beam 13. The chine beam has a head portion 30, which contains a first lower side face 31 and a second lower side face 32. The first lower side face 31 diverges away from the second lower side face 32 towards the uppermost portion of the head portion. Each side face is planar and has a width of between 20-100 mm. In the embodiment, head portion 30 additionally contains a first upper side face 34 and a second upper side face 35 which converge towards each other to the uppermost portion of the head portion. Thus, the head portion approximates a diamond shape.

Below the head portion 30 are a pair of outwardly and downwardly inclined shoulder portions which comprises a first inclined shoulder portion 36 and a second inclined shoulder portion 37. Each shoulder portion is planar and has a width of between 20-100 mm.

The otherwise free edge of each shoulder portion 36, 37 is provided with a downwardly extending flange which forms an attachment flange portion 38, 39 (flange portion 39 not being visible in figure These flange portions 38, 39 are attached to side walls of ridge beam 13 and can be screwed, riveted or otherwise fastened to the side walls of ridge beam 13.

Once the chine beam is fastened to the ridge beam, it can be seen that the inclined shoulder portions 36, 37 provide inclined surfaces to the inclined roof panels 40, 41 which can be simply placed on top of each shoulder portion and then screwed or otherwise fastened to the shoulder portion. Furthermore, the inclined roof panels can be pushed hard up against the first lower side face 31 and the second lower side face 32 of the head portion to provide improved weather resistance. If desired, a strip of sealing material can be attached to each side face 31, 32 to provide further weatherproofing.

The ridge cap 10 can then be simply placed over the top of chine beam 12 and fastened in place. The ridge cap is fastened to the first upper face 35 and the second upper face 34 of the upper portion 30 and it can now be seen why these faces 35, 34 are also inclined.

Referring again to Figure 2 there is also illustrated a barge beam Barge beam 20, allows the other end of rafter beam 16 to be supported.

Barge beam 20 fits onto side beam 62 and a gutter 63 can be attached to the front substantially vertical side wall 64 of barge beam 20. Barge beam 20 is also an extruded aluminium beam and has internal strengthening struts which can be viewed in figure 2. The rafter beam 16 is attached to the rear side wall of the barge beam via a splicing channel 18. Barge beam 20 is similar to receiving beam 21 in that it also has an inclined top wall 65 to allow the inclined roof panel 11 to be attached to top wall 65. However, barge beam does not have the receiving channel, as it does not attached to a flat roof panel.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (7)

1. A chine beam for attachment to a ridge beam of a roof 0 Z comprising at least one shoulder portion providing a land for supporting a roof panel adjacent an apex of the roof and a dependent flange portion for attachment to a sidewall of said ridge beam, and wherein said chine beam further comprises a head portion at the apex of the roof for separating and IND Ssupporting respective roof panels, said head portion including a ridge cap 0 support.

2. A chine beam according to claim 1 wherein the at least one shoulder portion for providing a land for supporting a roof panel typically extends from adjacent the apex of the roof and over the top of the ridge beam in use.

3. A chine beam according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the chine beam has a first inclined shoulder portion and a second inclined shoulder portion wherein each shoulder portion extends from adjacent the apex of the roof.

4. A chine beam according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the chine beam has two opposed flanges for attachment to opposed sidewalls of the ridge beam.

5. A chine beam according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the head portion and ridge cap support are formed integrally with the chine beam, and wherein said head portion and ridge cap support extend at least partially above the roof panels.

6. A chine beam according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the head portion in section is substantially diamond shaped and wherein the diamond shaped head portion comprises a first upper side face, a second upper side face, a first lower side face and a second lower side face, the first upper side face and the second upper side face are substantially planar and diverge away from each other and wherein the first lower side face and the second lower side face converge towards each other and are positioned below the first upper side face and the second upper side face.

7. A chine beam substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. r8 Dated this 14 th day of November 2007 O 2 Metroll Queensland Pty Ltd By their Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.