AU2008202416B1

AU2008202416B1 - Roof Cover System

Info

Publication number: AU2008202416B1
Application number: AU2008202416A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Rodney Burge; Adam Farrow; Matthew Lennox
Original assignee: System Stormseal Pty Ltd
Current assignee: System Stormseal Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-06-02
Filing date: 2008-06-02
Publication date: 2008-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 2028-06-02
Also published as: AU2008203409A1; AU2008203409B2; AU2009200232A1

Description

2.Jun. 2008 13:35 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 4678 F. P/00009 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: ROOF COVER SYSTEM The invention is described in the following statement, including the best means of performing the invention known to us: Our Ref: 082024 COMS ID No: ARCS-192763 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:40 Date 2008-06-02 2. Jun. 2 0 08 13 3 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 467 8 F. 6 2 00 SROOF COVER SYSTEM ci SThe present invention relates to protective covering C of roofs and, more particularly, to the covering of damaged or under construction roofs.

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BACKGROUND

Ci Roofs are susceptible to damage from high winds, rain 00 or hail. Tiled roofs for example may have a considerable area of tiles either damaged from hail impact, or dislodged completely as the result of high intensity storms. Shingled roofs are liable to be similarly damaged, and even metal sheeted roofs may suffer partial or total removal of one or more sheets. Damage to roofs may also be caused by the impact of falling trees or large branches.

Storm or impact damage cannot usually be immediately repaired so that to prevent further or potential damage to the interior of the building, temporary covering must be provided. Typically canvas (or similar material) tarpaulins are placed over the damaged part of the roof and secured to the structure by ropes.

One disadvantage of this method of temporary covering is the difficulty of adequately securing a tarpaulin to the roof so that they remain very vulnerable to dislodgement should high winds prevail or recur and often require continuing attention and adjustment. Moreover, they are COMS ID No: ARCS-192763 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:40 Date 2008-06-02 2. Jun. 2 0 08 13 3 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 46118 P.

3 00 o heavy and awkward to position, posing occupational health c and safety issues. A further disadvantage is that they are ;Z expensive to acquire and bulky to store, and if the many Sroofs are damaged in one storm event, the number of tarpaulins available may be inadequate.

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Buildings under construction, particularly timber Sframed, brick clad dwellings, are frequently constructed in ci 00 a sequence where the timber frame, including that of the 0, roof, is completed a considerable time before the roof cladding can be added. A disadvantage of this construction technique is that during this period the timber of the structure, which may even include timber or particle board flooring, is liable to deterioration from water and sun. A further disadvantage of this sequence of construction is that, if rain intervenes at the time further internal work is scheduled, the lack of roof covering may cause considerable delay and financial loss.

It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.

Notes 1. The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of".

2. The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any COMS ID No: ARCS-192763 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:40 Date 2008-06-02 4, Aug. 2008 15:04 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 5432 P. 4 oO 00 4 0 information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the Sart in any country.

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C BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 00 o Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention, there is provided a roof cover of a building under construction; said cover comprising a heat shrinkable film stretched over the roof framing of said building under construction; said film brought into conformity with said roof framing through application of heat.

Preferably, said heat shrinkable film provides a temporary or permanent waterproofing of said building under construction.

Preferably, said heat shrinkable film is provided with a heat reflecting surface.

Preferably, said heat shrinkable film forms a permanent layer; said layer excluding inclement weather from said building under construction.

COMS ID No: ARCS-200802 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:08 Date 2008-08-04 4,Aug, 2008 15:04 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 5432 P. 0 0 oO 0 0 0i Preferably, said heat shrinkable film is retained by mechanical means at edges of a said damaged or uncompleted roof framing.

Preferably, said mechanical means include a temporary batten affixed under eaves of said roof framing.

Preferably, said heat shrinkable film has a thickness of between 0.6 and 0.7mm.

Preferably, said heat shrinkable film is a film of lowdensity polyethylene.

Preferably, said heat shrinkable film includes shrinking resins, UV inhibitors, anti-brittling compounds and strengtheners.

Preferably, said heat shrinkable film is retained as a permanent heat reflecting layer under subsequently applied permanent roof cladding.

COMS ID No: ARCS-200802 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:08 Date 2008-08-04 4.Aug. 2008 15:04 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 5432 P. 6 oO 00 0 0 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a building of which the roof has sustained damage, COMS ID No: ARCS-200802 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:08 Date 2008-08-04 2.Jun. 2008 13:315 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 4678 P. I I 7 O0 o Figure 2 is a side sectioned view of a portion of a (C building and existing roof structure to which has been Sapplied a roof cover system according to the invention, Figure 3 is a side sectioned view of a portion of a S partly completed building showing the application of a roof

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cover system of the invention to unclad roof framing, C' Figure 4 is a further side sectioned view of the 00 building of Figure 3 showing the roof cover system of the o invention functioning as a permanent sarking layer, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The roof cover system of the present invention provides for a system and method for covering a damaged or uncompleted roof of a building. The system uses a heat shrinkable film, preferably a low-density polyethylene containing shrinking resins, UV inhibitors, anti brittling compounds and strengtheners for tear resistance. The film is preferably between 0.6 and 0.7mm in thickness and is provided in rolls of various widths and lengths. In at least one preferred form of the film, it is provided with a heat reflective surface.

First Preferred Embodiment With reference now to Figure 1, typical damage to a tiled roof 10 of a building 12 may include the loss of a number of tiles 12 due to a high wind shear event, leaving the building 14 open to the ingress of water. Water ingress COMS ID No: ARCS-192763 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:40 Date 2008-06-02 2.Jun. 2008 13:36 WALLINGTON-DLMMER No. 4678 P. 12 8 o may also occur if tiles are cracked for example from heavy (C hail impact or falling trees or branches. Emergency Stemporary repair is provided by the roof cover system of (C the invention by applying the above described film over that portion of the roof which has sustained damage.

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If required, sharp edges protruding from the roof (C surface may first be covered with suitable wadding and 00 adhesive tape to prevent possible tearing of the film 0 o during application.

The extent of roof to be covered is measured and the most suitable available width roll of the heat shrinkable film selected. Film is cut to one or more lengths sufficient to extend from one edge of the roof to an opposite edge. With reference to Figure 2, a trailing edge of a length of film is mechanically attached at the first edge 16 of the roof 10. In one preferred method as shown in Figure 2, the trailing edge 15 of the film 18 is wrapped once around a length of batten 18, preferably as long as the width of the film, and the batten 20 mechanically fixed to the underside 22 of the eaves 24 at the first edge of the roof The leading edge is now passed over the roof to the opposite edge (not shown) of the roof and the leading edge secured to the opposite side eaves in similar manner to that already described. If the outer side edge of the length of film adjoins an edge of the roof, this may be COMS ID No: ARCS-192763 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:40 Date 2008-06-02 2. Jun. 2008 13:36 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 4678 P. 13 9o similarly secured under the eaves along that side of the C<N roof. Alternatively, the leading edge may be secured to the Sbarge or fascia boards.

C' Heat is now applied to the film at the underside of the eaves 24 with a heat gun (not shown) to cause the film

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18 to shrink securely around the batten and the undersides

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of the eaves. The heat gun, now attached to an extension 00 arm (not shown), is then used to apply heat to the entire o length of film 18 stretched over the roof surface, causing it to tightly conform to the surface and covering missing or cracked tiles 12.

If the extent of the damage requires, successive lengths of film can be applied side by side with an overlap of preferably 300mm. Heat is applied along these overlaps to seal the edges of the adjoining lengths together.

Valley areas and other discontinuities in the roof surface can be accommodated by cutting film to suit the are involve and heat sealing to adjoining film length edges.

Vertical roof penetrations, such as chimney stacks ventilators and the like, are sealed by preferably a 300mm rise of film. Edges of riser sections of film can be taped or cable-tied to the penetration.

By the above means, a damaged roof can.be rapidly and securely covered to prevent water ingress and damage to the inside of the building. Unlike tarpaulins which are difficult to secure an remain liable to dislodgement in COMS ID No: ARCS-192763 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:40 Date 2008-06-02 2. Jun. 2008 13:36 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 4678 P. 14 10 0o high winds, the heat shrinkable film by conforming closely 0 Ci to the roof surface, provides a secure seal over the damage Suntil permanent repairs can be made.

C l Second Preferred Embodiment In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, a

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heat shrinkable film may be applied to the roof framing of C' an uncompleted building. In this embodiment as shown in 00 Figure 3, the heat shrinkable film 18 is applied after the 00 o roof framing is complete but preferably prior to the attachment of facia boards.

In this embodiment also, lengths of film are prepared from suitable width rolls sufficient to stretch from one side of the roof to an opposite side. In this case the trailing and leading edges of the length of film are preferably attached by means of battens 20 fixed to the underside of the outer ends 26 of rafters 28, that is between the outer ends of the rafters 28 and the wall frame The heat shrinkable film 18 in this embodiment, is provided with a heat reflecting upper surface 32 so that the film 18 forms a permanent sarking layer beneath the roofing cladding, either tiles 34, as shown in Figure 4, or metal sheeting. Thus in this embodiment the heat shrinkable film of the invention act both to protect the timberwork of a building under construction and provides a replacement for conventional reflective sarking.

COMS ID No: ARCS-192763 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:40 Date 2008-06-02 2. Jun. 2008 13:36 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 4678 P. 11 O0 The weatherproof nature of the heat shrinkable Ci material applied in this way provides for internal work on Sthe building to continue in the event of inclement weather, qN thus increasing productivity and economy of construction.

The above describes only some embodiments of the CN present invention and modifications, obvious to those 00 skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing 0 0 from the scope of the present invention.

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COMS ID No: ARCS-192763 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:40 Date 2008-06-02

Claims

4. Aug. 2008 15:04 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No,5432 P. 00 CLAIMS 1. A roof cover of a building under construction; said cover o comprising a heat shrinkable film stretched over the roof framing of said building under construction; said film IO brought into conformity with said roof framing through C2 application of heat. 00 2. The roof cover of claim I wherein said heat shrinkable 0 Sfilm provides a temporary or permanent waterproofing of said building under construction. 3. The roof cover of claim 1 wherein said heat shrinkable film is provided with a heat reflecting surface. 4. The roof cover of claim 3 wherein said heat shrinkable film forms a permanent layer; said layer excluding inclement weather from said building under construction.
5. The roof cover of any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein said heat shrinkable film is retained by mechanical means at edges of a said damaged or uncompleted roof framing.
6. The roof cover of claim 6 wherein said mechanical means include a temporary batten affixed under eaves of said roof framing.
7. The roof cover of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said heat shrinkable film has a thickness of between 0.6 and 0.7mm. COMS ID No: ARCS-200802 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:08 Date 2008-08-04 4, Aug. 2008 15:05 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 5432 P. 8 00 0 13 3j 8. The roof cover of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said heat shrinkable film is a film of low-density Spolyethylene.
9. The roof cover o.ytem of claim 8 wherein said heat VO shrinkable film includes shrinking resins, UV inhibitors, anti-brittling compounds and strengtheners. 00 10. The roof cover of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said o heat shrinkable film is retained as a permanent heat reflecting layer under subsequently applied permanent roof cladding. COMS ID No: ARCS-200802 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:08 Date 2008-08-04