AU2004205128A1 - Roofing Tile - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor Address for service is: Per Moritz Rose Per Moritz Rose WRAY ASSOCIATES Level 4, The Quadrant 1 William Street Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "Roofing Tile" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -2- "Roofing Tile" Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a roofing tile or a like element which can be used in roof cladding.

Throughout the specification the term tile shall be taken as panel which can be incorporated into the cladding of a roof to cooperate with the existing cladding to close the roof and shall include conventional tiles which are used in association with other tiles of a similar form and/or may comprises a panel which can be incorporated with forms of cladding other than tiles, such as metal sheet.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Background In almost every instance, a roof will need to accommodate duct to provide ventilation of the roof space and/or the building. Examples of such ducts comprise chimneys, exhaust fan flues from bathrooms and/or kitchens that are required to ventilate steam and/or kitchen, sewer vents and the like. For the purposes of the specification the term "duct" will be used to describe collectively all of the above forms of communication that are generally required to pass through the roof of a building.

Traditionally, allowances for the ducts through a roof composed of roofing conventional roofing tiles is made by removing and/or cutting or breaking one or more roofing tiles to create an opening through the roof, mounting and securing the duct in the opening and then sealing the junction between the duct and the roof by flashing or the like. In some cases tiles are preformed with holes or -3openings which are intended to receive the duct but again flashing is required to seal the junction between the duct and the tile.

Disclosure of the Invention Accordingly, the invention resides in a tile comprising a tile portion having an upper face and a lower face and adapted to be engageable with adjacent tiles of a tiled roof. an aperture in the tile to provide communication between the faces, a pipe portion adapted to be connected to the aperture to extend generally upwardly from the tile portion and a cover provided at the upper end of the pipe portion.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the cover is formed integrally with the pipe portion. According to an alternative preferred feature of the invention, the cover is separable from the pipe portion. According to one embodiment the cover is formed as a separate element and is capable of being releasably engaged with the upper end of the pipe portion.

In addition the pitch of one roof will vary from another and where it is necessary to provide for a duct through a roof it is generally appropriate if not desirable the duct extending upwardly from the roof be vertical.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the mounting between the tile portion and the pipe portion is effected by an adjustment portion adapted to enable the angular orientation of the pipe portion relative to upper surface of the tile to be varied. According to a further preferred feature of the invention, the adjustment portion comprises a tubular elbow having two end faces wherein arcuate extent of the elbow between the end faces can be varied, and as a result of such variation a variation in the relative angular displacement between the end faces can be achieved. According to one embodiment the exterior surface of the elbow is formed with a series of circumferential markings and/or formations at spaced locations along the arcuate extent of the elbow, where the plane of each marking and/or formation corresponds with the diametric plane of the elbow at -4the respective location and the variation in length is effected by severing the elbow at the location.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the elbow is integral with the pipe portion.

According to an alternative preferred feature of the invention, the elbow is a separate element and is engageable at one end with the aperture and at the other end with the pipe portion.

According to another alternative preferred feature of the invention, the elbow is integral with upper surface of the tile.

According to a preferred feature of the invention of the invention the aperture is defined by a skirt extending from the upper face.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the lower end portion of the pipe portion is configured to be concentrically received around the elbow portion and the lower end of the pipe portion has a curvature along its length corresponding to the curvature of the elbow portion.

According to a preferred feature of the invention wherein the skirt is configured to be concentrically received within the elbow portion and has an arcuate extent complementary to the elbow portion.

According to a preferred feature of the invention wherein the concentric interengaging surfaces of the adjustment portion with the aperture and/or the pipe portion are provided with a seal. According to a preferred feature of the invention the seal comprises the concentric inter-engaging surfaces being configured to at least limit capillary flow. According to a preferred feature of the invention the seal includes an annular recess on at least one the concentric inter-engaging surfaces. According to a preferred feature of the invention the seal includes an O-ring between the concentric inter-engaging surfaces.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the aperture is associated with a lower skirt extending from the lower face.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the tile is adapted to be incorporated into a roof clad by roofing tiles. According to a preferred feature of the invention the tile has a downwardly depending flange along its edge which in use is to be lowermost and wherein said flange is able to be configured to the profile of the upper surface of the adjacent lowermost tile when in position.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the lower face of the tile is formed with protrusions which can be removed and or varied in shape or configuration to engage the roof battens or like support which in use are intended to support the tile.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the tile is adapted to be incorporated into a roof clad by sheet material.

The invention will be more fully understood in the light of the following description of several specific embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is an exploded side elevation of a roofing tile according to the first embodiment; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the assembled roofing tile according to the first embodiment; Figure 3 is an upper isometric view of the roofing tile according to the first embodiment; and Figure 4 is a upper isometric view of the roofing tile according to the first embodiment.

-6- Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments The first embodiment as shown at Figures 1 to 4 comprises a roofing tile which is to cooperate with the conventional roofing tiles of a tiled roof to close a space which is intended to accommodate the roofing tile 10. The roofing tile is formed of a plastics material and comprises a tile portion 12 having an upper face 14, a lower face 16 and aperture 18 providing communication between the faces 14 and 16. The roofing tile 10 further comprises a separate pipe portion adapted to be connected to the aperture 18 to extend generally upwardly from the tile portion 12. The roofing tile 10 also has a cover 22, formed as a separate element, as shown in Figure 1 and which is adapted to be fixed to the upper end 24 of the pipe portion The cover has a substantially frusto-conical configuration to provide an inclined side wall 30 and also has a cylindrical skirt around the lower end of the inclined side wall. The upper end 24 of the pipe member 20 is provided with a plurality of upstanding abutments 26 equally spaced around its circumference. Each abutment 26 has a wedge shaped cross section to provide with an abutting face 28 against which the inclined wall 30 of the cover 22 can be secured by conventional fasteners to fix the cover 22 to the pipe portion 20. The cover 22 is thus capable of being releasably engaged with the upper end 24 of the pipe portion The mounting between the tile portion 12 and the pipe portion 20 is effected by an adjustment portion which is formed as an integral part of the pipe portion at its lower end. The adjustment portion enables a variation in the angular orientation of the lower end face 34 of the pipe portion 20 relative to the central axis of the upper portion of the pipe portion and thus relative to the plane of the tile portion 12. The adjustment portion comprises a tubular elbow 32 having a length which can be varied to vary the angular displacement between the lower end face 34 relative to the central axis of the upper portion of the pipe portion. To this end the exterior surface of the elbow 32 is formed with a series of circumferential grooves 38 at angularly spaced locations around the elbow 32. The plane of -7each formation 38 corresponds with the angle of displacement of the diametric plane of the elbow 32 about the centre of curvature of the elbow, at the respective location. The variation in length is effected by cutting the elbow 32 at the location which will enable the pipe portion to be substantially upright when installed on a tile portion 12 located on a roof.

The aperture 18 is defined by a skirt 40 provided on the upper face 14 of the tile portion 12. The lower end of the pipe portion 20, which is defined by the lower end face 34 of the elbow 32, is engageable over the skirt 40. The outer portion at least of the skirt 40 is configured to be concentrically received within the lower end of the elbow 32 and has a curvature along its length corresponding to the curvature of the lower portion of the elbow 32 engaged thereby.

The outer portion of the skirt 40 and the lower portion of the elbow 32 engaged thereby are provided with a seal for preventing or impairing the passage of water into the aperture 18. The seal comprises an annular recess 42 provided on the outer face of the outer portion of the skirt 40. The annular recess 42 is capable of at least limiting capillary flow of liquid. The annular recess 42 may, optionally, receive an O-ring 44 (shown in broken lines) adapted to engage the outer portion of the skirt 40 and the lower portion of the elbow 32 to create a seal therebetween.

The aperture 18 is associated with a lower skirt 46 extending from the lower face 16 to facilitate communication with the ventilation means.

It will be seen from the above description that the present invention provides a roofing tile which is attractive, which avoids the need for unsightly flashing or the like, and which also avoids the need for full tiles to be cut or broken to provide apertures therethrough. In addition the invention provides a roofing tile which may be adapted for installation in sections of roof of differing pitch whereby the pipe portion extending upwardly from the roof can be positioned vertically by varying the length of the adjustment portion.

-8- According to a second embodiment, the cover 22 is formed integrally with the pipe portion According to a third embodiment, the elbow 32 is formed integrally with the aperture 18. In that embodiment, the lower end portion of the pipe portion 20 is configured to be concentrically received around the upper end 36 of the elbow portion 32 and the lower end portion of the pipe portion 20 has a curvature along its length corresponding to the curvature of the elbow portion 32.

According to a fourth embodiment, the elbow 32 is provided as a separate element engageable at one end with the aperture 18 and at the other end with the pipe portion According to an embodiment which is variation of each of the above embodiments the tile portion can be configured to correspond with the particular form of conventional tile with which it is to installed on a roof.

According to an embodiment which is variation of each of the first, second, third and fourth embodiments the tile portion can be configured to generally conform to the configuration of a range of types, styles or brands of conventional roofing tile but is configured such that it can be varied by a tradesman to be incorporated into a roof having any tiles one of the range of types, styles or brands of conventional roofing tile. As a result the downwardly depending flange which is conventionally provide at the lower edge of the tile can be formed of a width corresponding to or greater than the largest lower flange provided in the range of types, styles or brands of conventional roofing tile. In addition the tile may be provided with template which can be used to cut the required profile on the lower edge. Alternatively the lower flange or may be formed or marked with a set of markings according to the various profiles which can be used cut the required profile on the lower edge. In addition the tile may be formed of a length which is the greatest length of the range of types, styles or brands of conventional roofing tile and the underneath of the tile can incorporate severable lugs or the like which can be removed or changed in shape and size to be incorporated into a roof incorporating convention a tiles selected from the range of types, styles or -9brands of conventional roofing tile in order to accommodate for the differing batten spacings and spaces between tiles.

It will be appreciated that there may be other improvements and modifications to the configurations described above that are also within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (24)

1. A tile comprising a tile portion having an upper face and a lower face and adapted to be engageable with adjacent tiles of a tiled roof, an aperture in the tile to provide communication between the faces, a pipe portion adapted to be connected to the aperture to extend generally upwardly from the tile portion and a cover provided at the upper end of the pipe portion.

2. A tile as claimed at claim 1 wherein the cover is formed integrally with the pipe portion.

3. A tile as claimed at claim 1 or 2 wherein of the invention, the cover is separable from the pipe portion.

4. A tile as claimed at claim 1 wherein the cover is formed as a separate element and is capable of being releasably engaged with the upper end of the pipe portion.

A tile as claimed at any one of the preceding claims 1 wherein the mounting between the tile portion and the pipe portion is effected by an adjustment portion adapted to enable the angular orientation of the pipe portion relative to upper surface of the tile to be varied.

6. A tile as claimed at claim 5 wherein the adjustment portion comprises a tubular elbow having two end faces wherein arcuate extent of the elbow between the end faces can be varied, and as a result of such variation a variation in the relative angular displacement between the end faces can be achieved.

7. A tile as claimed at claim 6 wherein the exterior surface of the elbow is formed with a series of circumferential markings and/or formations at spaced locations along the arcuate extent of the elbow, where the plane of each marking and/or formation corresponds with the diametric plane of the -11 elbow at the respective location and the variation in length is effected by severing the elbow at the location.

8. A tile as claimed at claim 6 or 7 wherein the elbow is integral with the pipe portion.

9. A tile as claimed at claim 6 or 7 wherein the elbow is a separate element and is engageable at one end with the aperture and at the other end with the pipe portion.

A tile as claimed at claim 6 or 7 wherein the elbow is integral with upper surface of the tile.

11. A tile as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the aperture is defined by a skirt extending from the upper face.

12. A tile as claimed at claim 11 as dependant from claim 10 wherein the elbow is defined by the skirt.

13. A tile as claimed at claim 10 or 12 wherein the lower end portion of the pipe portion is configured to be concentrically received around the elbow portion and the lower end of the pipe portion has a curvature along its length corresponding to the curvature of the elbow portion.

14. A tile as claimed at claim 11 as dependant from any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the skirt is configured to be concentrically received within the elbow portion and has an arcuate extent complementary to the elbow portion.

A tile as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the concentric inter-engaging surfaces of the adjustment portion with the aperture and/or the pipe portion are provided with a seal.

16. A tile as claimed at claim 15 the seal comprises the concentric inter- engaging surfaces being configured to at least limit capillary flow. -12-

17. A tile as claimed at claim 15 or 16 wherein the seal includes an annular recess on at least one the concentric inter-engaging surfaces.

18. A tile as claimed at claim 15 or 16 orl7 wherein the seal includes an O-ring between the concentric inter-engaging surfaces.

19. A tile as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein, the aperture is associated with a lower skirt extending from the lower face.

A tile as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the tile is adapted to be incorporated into a roof clad by roofing tiles.

21. A tile as claimed at claim 20 wherein the tile has a downwardly depending flange along its edge which in use is to be lowermost and wherein said flange is able to be configured to the profile of the upper surface of the adjacent lowermost tile when in position.

22. A tile as claimed at claim 20 or 21 wherein the lower face of the tile is formed with protrusions which can be removed and or varied in shape or configuration to engage the roof battens or like support which in use are intended to support the tile.

23. A tile as claimed at any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein the tile is adapted to be incorporated into a roof clad by sheet material.

24. A roofing tile substantially as herein described. Dated this twentieth day of August 2004. PER MORITZ ROSE Applicant Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant