AU2007202037A1

AU2007202037A1 - A roof membrane

Info

Publication number: AU2007202037A1
Application number: AU2007202037A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Sistu Zammit
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-05-09
Filing date: 2007-05-08
Publication date: 2007-11-29

Description

8- 5-07; 2:42PM;PETER MAXWELL ;612 92479945 5/ 21 00 0 Regulation 3.2 Revised 2/98

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act, 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION TO BE COMPLETED BY THE APPLICA' NAME OF APPLICANT: ACTUAL INVENTOR: ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: INVENTION TITLE: DETAILS OF ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO: Sistu Zammit Sistu Zammit Peter Maxwell and Associates Level 6 Pitt Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 A ROOF MEMBRANE 2006 902 427 9 May 2006 Australia The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me:m:\docs\20071014\119808.doc COMS ID No: SBMI-07289948 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:53 Date 2007-05-08 8- 5-07; 2:42PM;PETER MAXWELL ;612 92479945 6/ 21 o 2 SFIELD OF THE INVENTION oO The present invention relates to a roof membrane that defines a single 0 batten which, in combination with other such roof membranes, forms a partially overlapping, load bearing, roof membrane assembly adapted to lay on the en 5 rafters of an inclined roof for supporting a plurality of uniform tiles of any ci Oselected length, as well as for protecting against fire penetration and r- unauthorised entry into the roof.

O BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is common in a conventional inclined roof for tiles to be laid directly upon parallel spaced apart battens extending horizontally between sloping rafters of the roof.

As the battens of a conventional inclined roof are a fixed distance apart, the roof is adapted to support tiles of one length only over a predetermined number of tile courses. It is not possible to select a tile for the roof having a different length to that which suits the fixed distance between the battens.

There may be circumstances where it is desired to vary the distance or gauge between the battens to support a plurality of uniform tiles of a selected length so as to, say, minimise the number of tile courses required on the roof.

Also, in circumstances of, say, a bushfire, burning embers or the like may penetrate the small gaps between the tiles of a conventional inclined roof and ignite the battens and other timber structural components of the roof.

Furthermore, a conventional inclined roof may present an easy point of access into the building for thieves or other unauthorised persons, who may lift the tiles to reveal a gap between the structural components through which access may then be gained.

07/05/07 COMS ID No: SBMI-07289948 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:53 Date 2007-05-08 8- 5-07; 2:42PM:PETER MAXWELL :612 92479945 7/ 21 0 o 3 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 00 It has been found by the present inventor that a means for supporting a 0 plurality of uniform tiles of any selected length, as well as an effective protective barrier to fire and unauthorised entry into an inclined tiled roof, may en 5 be provided by a roof membrane that defines a single batten which, in ci O combination with other such roof membranes, forms a partially overlapping, load bearing, roof membrane assembly which is laid upon the rafters and O supports the tiles.

Such a roof membrane assembly is unlike the traditional sarking used in the rooves of homes in high fire risk areas as it has, unlike sarking, load bearing characteristics that can stably support the tiles and is sufficiently resilient so as not to flap in high winds.

It has also been found by the present inventor that for such a roof membrane assembly to support a plurality of uniform tiles of any selected length and to provide load bearing characteristics necessary to stably support the tiles, each roof membrane forming the assembly must have two rib sections extending thereacross at opposite ends of the membrane, a first rib section being wider than a second rib section so that a first rib section of a first membrane can overlap a second rib section of a second membrane to form a partially overlapping, load bearing, roof membrane assembly, whereby the roof membrane assembly defines an array of reinforced battens formed by the overlapped rib sections, the distance between which reinforced battens can be varied by varying the relative positions of the overlapped rib sections.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a roof membrane and a roof membrane assembly formed by partial overlapping of such membranes that achieve the aforementioned advantages over conventional inclined rooves.

07/05/07 COMS ID No: SBMI-07289948 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:53 Date 2007-05-08 8- 5-07; 2:42PM;PETER MAXWELL ;612 92479945 8/ 21 CS 4 According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a roof 00 membrane which, in combination with another such roof membrane, forms a partially overlapping, load bearing, roof membrane assembly adapted to lay on the rafters of an inclined roof for supporting a plurality of uniform tiles of any selected length, the roof membrane including a sheet of resilient material having a planar portion and first and second rib sections extending thereacross at opposite ends of the membrane, the first rib section being wider than the second rib section so that a first rib section of a first membrane can overlap a second rib section of a second membrane to form a partially overlapping, load bearing, roof membrane assembly, whereby the roof membrane assembly defines an array of reinforced battens formed by the overlapped rib sections, the distance between which reinforced battens can be varied by varying the relative positions of the overlapped rib sections, each rib section being defined by a region of the sheet which is elevated from the planar portion and which has a profile that confers load bearing characteristics to the sheet.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a partially overlapping, load bearing, roof membrane assembly adapted to lay on the rafters of an inclined roof for supporting a plurality of uniform tiles of any selected length, the roof membrane assembly including at least two roof membranes, each roof membrane including a sheet of resilient material having a planar portion and first and second rib sections extending thereacross at opposite ends of the membrane, the first rib section being wider than the second rib section so that a first rib section of a first membrane can overlap a second rib section of a second membrane to form a partially overlapping, load bearing, roof membrane assembly, whereby the roof membrane assembly defines an array of reinforced battens formed by the overlapped rib sections, the distance between which reinforced battens can be varied by varying the 07/05/07 COMS ID No: SBMI-07289948 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:53 Date 2007-05-08 8- 5-07; 2:42PM;PETER MAXWELL :612 9247SS45 9/ 21 0 Srelative positions of the overlapped rib sections, each rib section being defined 00 by a region of the sheet which is elevated from the planar portion and which 0 has a profile that confers load bearing characteristics to the sheet.

Preferably, the planar portion includes drainage holes located adjacent en to the first rib section.

oIt is preferred that the profile of each rib section is rectangular, having first and second side walls extending from the planar portion and joined by a Scross wall.

Preferably, the roof membrane includes a third rib section intermediate the first and second drib sections, the third rib section being lower in height that the first and second rib sections.

In a preferred form, the first and second side walls include corrugated regions for preventing deflection of the said side walls in a lateral direction upon the imposition of a load on the rib sections.

SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a side view of a first preferred roof membrane of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a side view of a second preferred roof membrane of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a cut-away side portion of the roof membrane of Fig 1, Fig. 4 is an isolated and enlarged view of one of the oval shaped drainage holes formed in the roof membrane shown in Fig 3, Fig. 5 is an isolated and enlarged view of a slit shaped drainage hole that may be formed in a roof membrane according to the present invention, 07/05/07 COMS ID No: SBMI-07289948 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:53 Date 2007-05-08 8- 5-07; 2:42PM;PETER MAXWELL ;612 92479945 10/ 21 0 0 6 E Fig. 6 is an isolated and enlarged view of a diamond shaped drainage 00 hole that may be formed in a roof membrane according to the present invention, Fig. 7 is an isolated and enlarged view of a rectangular shaped drainage hole that may be formed in a roof membrane according to the present invention, SFig. 8 is an isolated and enlarged side view of a first alternative shaped Ci third rib section to that shown in Figs. 1 and 3, Fig. 9 is an isolated and enlarged side view of a second alternative shaped third rib section to that shown in Figs. 1 and 3, Fig. 10 is an isolated and enlarged side view of a third alternative shaped third rib section to that shown in Figs. 1 and 3, Fig. 11 is an isolated and enlarged side view of a fourth alternative shaped third rib section to that shown in Figs. 1 and 3, Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a cut-away side portion of a roof membrane assembly formed by partially overlapping first and second rib sections of two roof membranes of the kind shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the roof membrane assembly of Fig 12 laid upon, and secured by bolts to, rafters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The roof membranes 10, 12 shown in the drawings may be made by break pressing or roll forming a sheet (having, say, an initial length of 940mm) of resiliently rigid material, such as Zincalume®, Zincform® and Zinc Hi-Ten® (supplied by BlueScope Steel Limited), or any equivalent product, each material being metallic coated and having a yield strength of, say, 300 MPa 07/05/07 COMS ID No: SBMI-07289948 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:53 Date 2007-05-08 8- 5-07; 2:42PM;PETER MAXWELL ;612 92479945 11/ 21 7 Swith a thickness of from 0.55mm to 0.75mm, or 550 MPa with a thickness of 00 from 0.30mm to 0.42mm, preferably 0.35mm.

Alternatively, the resilient sheet material may be uncoated steel, plastic, zinc, copper, aluminium, or composites of one or more resilient materials.

The sheet of the roof membrane 10 shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 12 has a Splanar portion 14 and first and second rib sections 16, 17 extending Sthereacross at opposite ends of the membrane 10. As shown, each rib section 16, 17 is defined by a region of the sheet which is elevated from the planar portion 14, and which has a rectangular profile or cross sectional shape that confers load bearing characteristics to the sheet.

Each of the first and second rib sections 16, 17 has a first vertical side wall 18 and a second vertical side wall 20 extending upwardly from the planar portion 14, the first and second vertical side walls being joined by a cross wall 22 that is parallel to the planar portion 14 and about 25 mm above the planar portion 14. The cross wall 22 of the first rib section 16 is about 38 mm wide, and the cross wall 22 of the second rib section 17 is about 5.3 mm wide.

As the first rib section 16 is wider than the second rib section 17, and as the first and second rib sections are located at opposite ends of the membrane, in use, a first rib section of a first membrane overlaps a second rib section of a second membrane to form a partially overlapping, load bearing, roof membrane assembly (see Fig. 12) which is so laid upon the sloping rafters of an inclined roof that the second rib section 17 is located above the first rib section 16 in any one membrane of the assembly.

The roof membrane assembly thus defines an array of reinforced battens formed by the overlapped rib sections. The distance between each reinforced batten of the array can be varied by varying the relative positions of the overlapped rib sections during the process of laying roof membranes 07/05/07 COMS ID No: SBMI-07289948 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:53 Date 2007-05-08 5-07; 2:42PM:PETER MAXWELL :1 2795$1/2 ;612 92479945 12/ 21 0 8 overlappingly adjacent each other up the inclined roof. For example, with 00 reference to Fig 12, reinforced battens suited to supporting longer tiles can be created by locating the second rib section 17 of the lower membrane at a position furthest to the left side (with reference to Fig 12) or lowermost underneath the first rib section 16 of the upper membrane. In the embodiment o shown in Fig 12, the extent of possible variation in the overlapping positions of the first and second rib sections 16, 17 allows about a 32 mm range of variation in the distance between the reinforced battens of the array.

Tiles are supported upon the roof membrane assembly in a conventional manner of tile interengagement, the overlapping rib sections 16, 17 acting as a preformed array of reinforced battens for the tiles.

The first and second vertical side walls 18, 20 may include corrugated regions for preventing bending or deflection of the vertical side walls 18, 20 in a lateral direction upon the imposition of a load on the rib sections 16, 17.

The sheet of the roof membrane 10 also includes a central or third rib section 27 intermediate the first and second rib sections 16, 17. The third rib section 27 is lower in height than the rib sections 16, 17 and is specially profiled to allow water to flow thereover and towards the lowermost end of the membrane when in use. The third rib section 27 will also assist in limiting "oil canning" of that area of the sheet, and in tracking the sheet through a roll forming machine.

As shown in Figs. 8 to 11, the shape, size and distribution of the third rib section that may be used in the present invention can vary.

The planar portion 14 of the roof membrane 10 includes drainage holes 42 located adjacent the first rib section 16. As shown in Figs. 4 to 7, the shape, size and distribution of drainage holes that may be used in the present invention can vary. Examples of such shapes include oval (see Fig. 4),slit 07/05107 COMS ID No: SBMI-07289948 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:53 Date 2007-05-08 8- 5-07;.2:42PM:PETER MAXWELL .1 2795#1/2 ;612 92479945 13/ 21 0 9 (see Fig. diamond (see Fig. and rectangle (see Fig. The drainage 00 holes allow any water, or moisture generally, on top of the membrane to escape to underneath the membrane and onto any sarking thereunder, from 1 where it can be drained away to the roof gutter.

The roof membrane 12 shown in Fig. 2 differs from the roof membrane o 10 in the relative heights and widths of its first and second rib sections 16,17, in its overall length, and in the structure of its central or third rib section 27, but 0 is otherwise similar to the roof membrane 10 shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 12.

Therefore, like features have been identified by like numerals in the drawings of both embodiments of roof membrane 10, 12.

Once installed in a root, the roof membrane assembly of the present invention is able to support tiles or other type of roof covering, such as corrugated panels or roof sheets, and act as a protective barrier against fire penetration and unauthorised entry into the roof.

It is yet another advantage of the present invention that the space between the roof covering and the planar portion of the sheet allows improved circulation of air and insulating properties that reduce the sun's radiation entering the roof cavity. The sheet may also assist in reflecting the sun's radiation. Still another advantage is that rafters may be spaced further apart (say, 1200mm apart) when the roof membrane assembly of the invention is to be used than is presently the case where rafters are spaced 600mm apart.

Still further advantages stem from the ability of the roof membrane to be used as a part of a solar water heating system, in which water to be heated flows through pipes located within and along the rib sections 16, 17. The roof membrane has efficient thermal absorption properties In which heat is conducted to the connected underlying pipes and increases the temperature of 07/05/07 COMS ID No: SBMI-0728994 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:53 Date 2007-05-08 8- 5-07; 2:42PM;PETER MAXWELL :61 2 92479945 14/ 21 Sthe water circulating therethrough for the purpose of domestic use, such as in 00 floor heating and the like.

0 It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in details of design and construction of the roof membrane assembly described herein without departing from the scope and ambit of the invention.

07/05/07 COMS ID No: SBMI-07289948 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:53 Date 2007-05-08

Claims

8- 5-07; 2:42PM:PETER MAXWELL ;612 92479945 15/ 21 o 11 0 STHE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 00 0 1. A roof membrane which, in combination with another such roof membrane, forms a partially overlapping, load bearing, roof membrane en o assembly adapted to lay on the rafters of an inclined roof for supporting a o plurality of uniform tiles of any selected length, the roof membrane including a osheet of resilient material having a planar portion and first and second rib 0sections extending thereacross at opposite ends of the membrane, the first rib section being wider than the second rib section so that a first rib section of a first membrane can overlap a second rib section of a second membrane to form a partially overlapping, load bearing, roof membrane assembly, whereby the roof membrane assembly defines an array of reinforced battens formed by the overlapped rib sections, the distance between which reinforced battens can be varied by varying the relative positions of the overlapped rib sections, each rib section being defined by a region of the sheet which is elevated from the planar portion and which has a profile that confers load bearing characteristics to the sheet. 2. The roof membrane of claim 1 wherein the planar portion includes drainage holes located adjacent to the first rib section. 3. The roof membrane of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the profile of each rib section is rectangular, having first and second side walls extending from the planar portion and joined by a cross wall. 4. The roof membrane of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the roof membrane includes a third rib section intermediate the first and second rib 07/05/07 COMS ID No: SBMI-07289948 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:53 Date 2007-05-08 8- 5-07; 2:42PM;PETER MAXWELL ;612 92479945 16/ 21 o 12 tq Ssections, the third rib section being lower in height that the first and second rib 00 sections. 0 5. The roof membrane of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the first and en o second side walls include corrugated regions for preventing deflection of the said side walls in a lateral direction upon the imposition of a load on the rib sections. 6. A partially overlapping, load bearing, roof membrane assembly adapted to lay on the rafters of an inclined roof for supporting a plurality of uniform tiles of any selected length, the roof membrane assembly including at least two roof membranes, each roof membrane including a sheet of resilient material having a planar portion and first and second rib sections extending thereacross at opposite ends of the membrane, the first rib section being wider than the second rib section so that a first rib section of a first membrane can overlap a second rib section of a second membrane to form a partially overlapping, load bearing, roof membrane assembly, whereby the roof membrane assembly defines an array of reinforced battens formed by the overlapped rib sections, the distance between which reinforced battens can be varied by varying the relative positions of the overlapped rib sections, each rib section being defined by a region of the sheet which is elevated from the planar portion and which has a profile that confers load bearing characteristics to the sheet. 7. A roof membrane substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 07/05/07 COMS ID No: SBMI-07289948 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:53 Date 2007-05-08 8- 5-07; 2:42PM;PETER MAXWELL ;612 92479945 17/ 21 r- o 13 0 ct 8. A roof membrane assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with 00 reference to the accompanying drawings. 0 Dated this 7 day of May 2007 SSistu Zammit SPatent Attorneys for the Applicant SPETER MAXWELL AND ASSOCIATES 07/05/07 COMS ID No: SBMI-07289948 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:53 Date 2007-05-08