1 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 LEAF N EMBER INVESTMENTS PTY LTD COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Method and tools for fitting mesh to metallic and tiled roofing The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- 2 Method and Tools for Fitting Mesh to Metallic and Tiled Roofing Field of the Invention 5 This invention relates to the application of protective mesh for the guttering regions of the roof to buildings and in particular to the application of such known protective meshes to profiled roofing. Background to the Invention 10 The protection of gutters from the accumulation of debris is a problem constantly under address in domestic and commercial situations on both metallic and tiled roofing. One solution provided to address these issues is the fitting of a fine aperture woven self adhesive mesh designed for application along the edge of a gutter and extending over to cover the open gutter for self adhesion to the adjacent roof 15 structure. The adhesion is provided by a bonding strip formed along each edge of the mesh. To date such meshes have been applied with the application of adhesive products with some success. However, whilst such products behave generally satisfactorily, increasing demands are being made on the performance of these type of products, particularly performance in fire prone zones where the protection of gutters 20 not only from accumulation of debris inhibiting free water flow; but, in particular the accumulation of debris representing a fire hazard. Such demands include not only intrinsic performance of such protective meshing, but also various building codes which require certain standards of performance to be met in order to comply with flammability ratings. 25 These increased demands include not only the improved performance of such protective meshing, but also complete product compliance with flammability ratings and other performance standards Some of the problems associated with the prior art products include the ability to reliably adhere the woven mesh to the profiled roof, particularly in the valley regions 30 of profiled roofing of the type commonly found in corrugated iron. An additional problem involves the differential application rates for alternate sides of the mesh where one side is adhered t6 a straight piece of guttering and the other side is adhered to a profiled or corrugated roof thereby using greater lengths of mesh to cover a given linear distance. One effect of this problem is the tendency for the mesh to lift up from the 3 valley regions of corrugated iron due to the inability of the mesh to properly stretch so as to accommodate the valley and crest or ridge regions of profile roofing. One approach to address this problem includes the provision of a small slit or split to the mesh along the edge applied to the roofing at the crest or ridge regions thereby 5 allowing the mesh to be distorted so as to accommodate the valley regions of the roof profile. Nevertheless, such modifications still provide less than optimal fixing of the screening mesh to the profiled roof and in particular prevent such meshes from complying and achieving an appropriate flammability rating. Furthermore, the fixing materials and materials for such meshes must also meet flammability standards. 10 Whilst the mesh itself may have a suitable flammability rating, the adhesive mechanism may not comply to the required standard, nor with other requirements of the Building Codes of Australia (BCA). There are other methods of fixing mesh screening to gutters which do not have the limitations of the adhesive method. In particular, it is possible to fix mesh to the bead of the 15 gutter using an angle metal trim. However, these have other disadvantages. Firstly, it is difficult to hold the mesh in place while the trim is being fitted; secondly, the fitting of the trim may produce an area of obstruction, thus allowing debris to build up. Tiled roofs: 20 Problems associated with the fitting of finely woven mesh to the bead of the gutter by an adhesive method relate equally to tiled roofs. As no adhesive is required to fix the mesh to the tiles, the problems associated with this particular aspect of profiled roofing does not apply to tiled roofing. It will be highly desirable to improve the methods and manner in which this 25 highly successful and protective mesh product is applied to gutter regions so as to allow such products to achieve an appropriate flammability rating. One object of the invention is to provide an improved method of applying protective screening mesh to a gutter and adjacent roofing materials and fixings. Another object of the invention is to provide a range of accessories for use in the 30 method. Summary of the Invention In one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of fixing screening mesh to a contoured roof comprising the steps of: a) applying a first edge of said mesh to a length m:\soecifications\500000\504000\504309caomaw.doc 4 of said roof; b) placing a plastically compliant fixing strip to said first edge of said mesh; c) conforming said strip to the contour of said roof over a portion thereof, thereby sandwiching the first edge of said mesh between said roof and said strip; and d) fastening said strip to said roof. 5 The mesh may be provided with transverse slits corresponding to the crest regions of the roof contour. The mesh may be provided with an adhesive at said first edge for chemical adhesion of the mesh to the roof. The compliant strip is preferably of metallic composition and not reactive with the mesh or the roofing material. The strip may be 10 applied progressively with the aid of a tool ensuring the strip draws the mesh into continuous intimate contact with the roof, particularly in the valley regions of the roof contour. The strips may be physically fastened at the crest region of the roof contour to ensure rigid fitting and sealing of the mesh to the roof. 15 In another aspect the invention provides a fixing strip as previously described. In another aspect the invention provides a tool comprising a base plate having the underside thereof shaped to conform to the shape of said contoured roof, a handle fitted to said base adapted to facilitate the application of force by a user to press said tool down onto said fixing strip and cause said fixing strip to conform to the shape of 20 said contoured roof, and apertures traversing said base so as to allow access for fastening said strip to said roof whilst the tool maintains said pressing force. Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of 25 any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority 30 date of each claim of this application. Brief Description of the Drawings One embodiment of the invention could now be described with reference to the following figures and legend: 619071_1 4a Figure I shows the protective mesh applied to a roof prior to fitting of the fixing strip; Figure 2 shows a cross section through A-A where the fixing strip is applied to the mesh; 5 Figure 3 shows a tool for fitting of the fixing strip and mesh to a roof; and Figure 4 shows a plan view of the tool; Figure 5 shows the protective mesh fitted with the fixing strip. Legend 619071_1 5 1. Screening Mesh 2. Roof 3. Gutter 5 4. First edge 5. Fixing strip 6. Fastener 7. Gap 8. Slits 10 9. Adhesive (optional) 10. Crest/Ridge 11. Valley 12. Base Plate 13. Handle 15 14. Aperture Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Referring firstly to Figure 1, a perspective view of a profiled roof incorporating a gutter covered by a mesh screen is shown where the mesh 1 has been adhered to the 20 roof sheeting 2, at a first edge 4 and at a second edge to the gutter 3. The problems experienced in fixing such a mesh to a typically contoured roof, is shown whereby the stretching of the mesh at the first edge 4, so as to accommodate the profile of the roofing, renders application of the mesh by adhesion alone difficult such that small splits or incisions 8 must be applied at the crest or ridge position of the roof sheeting 2 25 in order to allow the mesh to be confidently applied to the valley 11 of the roof sheeting 2. The valley region is of course important to receive snug and sealed fitting of the mesh in order to prevent flammable materials, and other debris, traversing underneath the mesh along the valley and into the gutter 3. Referring now to Figure 2 the invention provides a method of fixing screening 30 mesh 1, to a contoured roof 2, whereby the mesh 1 is unrolled and applied to the edge of the gutter 3, and at the same time applied to a length of roof sheeting 2. In order to best accommodate the differential linear distances of the first edge 4 and the edge applied to the gutter, the screen can be provided with ridge slits 8, so as to assist in the accommodation of the mesh in particular to the valley region of the roof shed in profile 6 2. On top of the first edge 4, of the mesh 1, is then applied a fixing strip 5, taking the form of an elongate metallic strip capable of compliant forming and non-elastic or plastic deformation. The fixing strip 5, is first fastened to the beginning of the first edge 4, of the protective mesh and progressively drawn down and conformed to the 5 contour of the roof over the edge 4 of the mesh, so as to sandwich the mesh snugly to the contour of the roof sheeting 2. The fixing strip 5, can be applied most preferably with use in a forming tool 12 (see figures 3 and 4), which ensures the progressive drawing down and snug engagement of the fixing strip to the profile of the roof sheeting 2. In the process of drawing down and deforming the fixing strip 5, the valley 10 region in particular, along with the other regions of the mesh 1, are caused to be snugly sandwiched between the fixing strip and the roof sheeting 2. As the strip is progressively moved along the length of the first edge 4, of the mesh 1, it can be physically fastened by way of a fastener 6, at regular intervals to the crest or ridge regions of the profiled roof sheeting. In this manner, the fixing strip serves to 15 positively locate the first edge 4 of the mesh to the roof sheeting thereby preventing the mesh from lifting or being disturbed from sound engagement with the roofing material. Whilst the fixing strip can be readily fitted as previously described an optional step of adhering the strip to the mesh and roof can be used to assist in the alignment and holding of the various components during fitting. 20 Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 the invention provides a dedicated tool to assist in the application of the fixing strip to the roof where the tool takes the form of a profiled pressing means to assist in drawing the fixing strip into close alignment with the roofing profile. The tool comprises a base plate 12 having the underside thereof configured to substantially conform to the shape of the profile roof in question. The top side of the base 25 plate incorporates a handle 13 conveniently positioned and dimensioned to allow a user to apply force to the base plate. The base plate incorporates apertures 14 allowing access to the fixing strip so as to apply the fastener 6 whilst the tool is snugly engaged and holding the fixing strip to the roof profile. 30 1. The gutter A sequence of crescent shaped rigid strips, slightly more tightly curved than the bead of the gutter, are placed on top of the mesh at the gutter edge. The mesh is "sandwiched" between the gutter edge and the strip. These strips would preferably be m:\soecifications\500000\504000\504309caomaw.doc 7 metal or other non-combustible material, and not be reactive to the mesh or gutter materials. The strips are mechanically fixed to the bead of the gutter at intervals with a fastening mechanism such as a threaded fixing "screw" or "pop rivet" type product. 5 The crescent shaped capping achieves two advantages over other known methods of capping used to fix a screen or mesh to the gutter. Firstly; stability of the shaped strips while being secured is achieved by the crescent shape following the rounded edge form of the gutter. Secondly; the resultant close contact between the longitudinal edges of the crescent shaped strips to the adjoining material provides little opportunity for debris to 10 intrude under the strip edge. The result is more likely to remain free of debris. The crescent shaped rigid strip may take the form of spring clips as shown in Figures 1 and 5. 2. The roof sheeting 15 Transverse slits are made into the mesh at the top of each ridge of the roof sheeting to allow the mesh to extend and follow the exact profile of the roof sheeting. A pliable metal strip is placed along the edge of the mesh. The mesh is compressed into each valley profile of the sheeting by applying the tool of the invention to the fixing strip. 20 A water seal may be placed at the point at which the fixing mechanism is secured. The fixing strip is then fixed at the top of each ridge of the roof sheeting. The strength of the resultant inverted arch produced by the strip will hold the mesh firmly to the profile of the roof surface. 25 This mechanism provides no opportunity for the mesh to lift, or debris to penetrate between the mesh and roofing material. The method of the invention can be further improved by the placement of a dedicated water seal at the top of the crystal ridge in combination with the fastener 6 if deemed necessary. 30 The invention provides a first time improved method of application of woven mesh to the gutter regions of structures so as to improve the performance of such mesh to flammability rating standards. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific 8 embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. m:\snecifications\500000\504000\504309canmaw doc