AU2009200831A1

AU2009200831A1 - Weatherproof Roof Fixing System

Info

Publication number: AU2009200831A1
Application number: AU2009200831A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Sittichai Niemcharoen
Original assignee: SCG Building Materials Co Ltd
Current assignee: SCG Building Materials Co Ltd
Priority date: 2008-03-03
Filing date: 2009-03-03
Publication date: 2009-09-17
Also published as: AU2015249111A1; AU2015249111B2

Description

P100/01 1 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: SCG Building Materials Co., Ltd Actual Inventor Sittichai Niemcharoen Address for service is: WRAYS Ground Floor, 56 Ord Street West Perth WA 6005 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: Weatherproof Roof Fixing System The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 -2 Weatherproof Roof Fixing System Field of the Invention The present invention is related to a roof-fixing system; more particularly, a 5 weatherproof roofing system with single lap weatherproof tiles or flat shingles. Background Art The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material 10 referred to was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application. Various roof-fixing systems with flat shingles or tiles are known. These systems incorporate different modes of securing the various designs of flat shingles or tiles to a roof structure. These systems employ the use of "weather strips" to provide 15 weatherproofing features. For example, International Patent Application No. PCT/AUOO/00376 disclosed a fixing system for securing roof tiles to a roof structure using retention means to secure the tiles against lifting. Also disclosed in this application is a weather strip which includes two longitudinal strips of sealant means adapted to seal under the 20 side edges of the tiles (which are laid in a side-to-side relationship) or to engage with the underside of the tiles to provide a seal for wind-blown rain which may be driven under the tile. It would be desirable to provide an alternative system to enhance the weatherproofing characteristics of a roof-fixing system. International Patent Application No. PCT/AU01/01 122 disclosed a weather strip for 25 supporting tiles on battens on a roof wherein the weather strip includes side flanges and a retention means defined as a wire clip engaged to each of the side flanges. Each leg forms into a hook to engage to the lower end of a tile. The disadvantage -3 of the invention is that the wire clip projects beyond the lower end of the tile which is unsightly. Accordingly, an alternative roof-fixing system which could provide effective weatherproofing is desirable. 5 Summary of the Invention An object of this invention is to provide an alternative roofing system with enhanced weatherproofing ability even under extreme tropical weather conditions such as heavy rain and tropical storms. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved roofing system whereby 10 the tiles or shingles, particularly the flat type, are arranged to be secured to the roof structure without having a tile clip or retention means protruding from the lower end of the tile so as to reduce problems associated with corrosion. The weather proofing features are presented in the roofing material, the weather strip, and the method of roof fixing, which can be collectively referred to as a 15 system. The roofing system according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises: a plurality of elongated roofing material support battens arranged to be secured to the roof structure in a spaced-apart, parallel relationship. The battens 20 provide support for the roofing materials which are arranged in rows whereby the upper-end portion is supported by one batten and the lower-end portion is supported by the next lower batten. The lower-end portion of the upper row roofing material overlaps with the upper portion of the lower row of the roofing material on the lower adjacent batten; 25 a plurality of spaced-apart, parallel weather strips each extending between a pair of adjacent battens. The weather strips on the next rows are positioned in an -4 alternating pattern with the previous row. The weather strip has a length that is substantially equal to the distance between the adjacent pairs of battens, but preferably shorter than the length of the tiles to be supported thereby. The weather strip is provided with tabs adapted to engage with the upper batten securing the 5 weather strip thereon. The weather strip is also provided with an integrally-formed tile clip positioned on the top portion between the tabs. The clip will clip the top portion of the roofing material at which the edges of the pair of adjacent tiles, which are arranged in a side-to-side manner, meet. The weather strips also include side flanges to provide structural rigidity. The flanges are bent downwardly and 10 extended along the length of the weather strip, but truncated before the lower portion of the roofing material at the position at which the side flanges meet the lower batten. Ridges to allow shedding of water are prepared on the surface of the weather strip; and a plurality of roofing materials are arranged to be secured to the battens and 15 to be supported by the weather strips at which the edges of the pair of adjacent pieces of roofing materials, which are arranged in a side-to-side manner, meet. The roofing materials are constructed such that the roofing material interaction with the weather strips and the adjacent roofing material form a weatherproof system of roof fixing according to the invention. 20 According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a weatherproof enhanced roofing system comprising: a plurality of elongated roofing material support battens arranged to be secured to the roof structure in spaced-apart, parallel relationship, whereby roofing materials are arranged in rows having their upper-end portion supported by one 25 batten and their lower-end portion supported by the next lower batten; a plurality of spaced-apart, parallel weather strips to be engaged with the roofing materials secured onto the batten; whereby each weather strip extends between a pair of adjacent battens; said weather strips are arranged in rows wherein the next row is positioned in an alternate manner with the previous row; -5 a plurality of roofing materials arranged to be secured to the battens and to be supported by the weather strips at which the edges of the pair of adjacent pieces of roofing material, which are arranged in a side-to-side manner, meet, wherein the lower-end portion of the upper row roofing material overlaps with the upper portion 5 of the lower row of the roofing material on the lower adjacent batten; characterized in that the construction of the weather strips and the roofing material; and the arrangement of the said weather strips and roofing material to the batten forms a connected under-pathway allowing water/moisture which may have seeped through the gap between two edges of roofing material which are arranged 10 in a side-to-side manner to be directed off the roof; and the engagement between roofing material on the upper row and the lower row forms a means to minimize wind-blown water entering the roof through the overlapped portion of the roofing material. Brief Description of the Drawings 15 To assist with understanding of the principles of the invention to be described herein, the description will be made in reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a weatherproof roof-fixing system according to present invention. Fig. 2 shows an example of the embodiment of a weather strip according to the 20 invention. Fig. 3 shows an example of the embodiment of a tile which forms part of the system according to the invention. Fig. 4 shows an example of the underside arrangement of the tile of Fig. 3 Fig. 5 shows a top view arrangement of the tiles of Fig. 3 and the weather strip of 25 Fig. 2 -6 Fig. 6 shows a see-through view of the arrangement of the tiles and the weather strip of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 shows a closer view of Fig.1 displaying the arrangement of the battens, the tiles, and the weather strips to form the roof system according to the present 5 invention. Fig. 8 shows a side view of the relationship between the weather strip and the tile. Fig. 9 shows a side view of the arrangement of the batten, weather strips, and tiles of the roof system according to the present invention. 10 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment of the Invention The terms "upper" and "lower' in the following description and claims are used relative to the position of the tile and weather strip when used on a pitched roof. In addition, the term "tile" is used in reference to roofing materials, in particular flat-type 15 roof tiles/shingles which possess features and characteristics under the principles as described herewith. The present invention provides a weatherproof roof-fixing system wherein the weather-proofing features are presented in the tile (100), the weather strip (200), and the method of roof fixing, which collectively referred to as a system. 20 As shown in Fig.1, the roofing system according to the invention comprises a plurality of elongated tile support battens (10) arranged to be secured to the roof structure in spaced-apart, parallel relationship. Preferably, the batten (10) is made of durable materials as well known in the art. The batten (10) provides support for tiles (100) which are arranged in rows whereby the upper-end portion is supported 25 by one batten (10) and the lower-end portion is supported by the next lower batten (10). The lower-end portion of the upper row tile (100) overlaps with the upper portion of the tile (100) on the lower row tile (100) positioned on the lower adjacent batten (10). In the present invention, an embodiment of the batten (10) is shown in -7 Fig. 9. In this embodiment, a cross-sectional profile of the batten (10) is substantially inverted in a U-shape. The batten (10) has a surface (15) or means to allow engagement of the weather strip (200) to the batten (10) securing the batten (10) in position. 5 The weather strips (200) as shown in Fig. 2 are then extended between a pair of adjacent battens (10). Each weather strip (200) is spaced apart in parallel at an interval corresponding to the size of the tiles (100). Preferably, the weather strip (200) should be positioned on the center at which the edges of the pair of adjacent tiles (100), which are arranged in a side-to-side manner, meet. Preferably, the size 10 (the width) of the weather strip (200) should be at least 15% of the size (the width) of the tile (100). The weather strips (200) on the next rows are positioned in an alternating pattern with the previous row. The weather strip (200) has a length that is substantially equal to the distance between the adjacent pairs of battens (10) and preferably shorter than the length of the tiles (200). The weather strip (200) is 15 provided with means adapted to engage with the upper batten (10) securing the weather strip (200) thereon. In the embodiment as shown in Fig. 2, the said means is defined as bend-down tabs (205) positioned at the top portion of the weather strip (200). The tabs (205) are used to cling onto the batten (10) securing the weather strip (200) in position. The means for securing the weather strip (200) could be in 20 the form of a hook or the like enabling the weather strip (200) to be secured to the batten (10) or the weather strip (200) may be directly fastened to the batten (10) using nails or screws. The weather strip (200) may be prepared without the tabs (205) and can be directly positioned in place to the batten (10) by using nails or screws or any other suitable 25 fastening device. However, using the weather strip (200) with tabs (205) is more convenient for easy and fast installation and/or rearranging the position. The weather strip (200) is also provided with an integrally-formed tile clip (210) positioned on the top portion of the weather strip (200), preferably between the tabs (205). The clip (210) is used to clip the top portion of the tiles (100) at which the 30 edges of the pair of adjacent tiles (100), which are arranged in a side-to-side -8 manner, meet as shown in Fig. 7. However, it is possible to use the weather strip (200) without the clip (210). The weather strip (200) also includes side flanges (215) to provide structural rigidity to the weather strip (200) itself. The flanges (215) are bent downwardly and 5 extended along the length of the weather strip (200), and truncated before the lower portion of the tile (100) at the position at which the side flange (215) meets the adjacent lower batten (10). As the water may seep through the gap between the edges of the two tiles (100) which are laid in an edge-to-edge manner, the weather strip (200) is prepared with ridges (220) (lengthwise to the weather strip (200)) to 10 allow downward shedding of water to the lower tile (100). The pattern and location of the ridges (220) correspond with the pattern and location of the ribs (115) on the underside of the tile (100) which will be further described in the subsequent paragraphs. As mentioned, the weather strip (200) is prepared with ridges (220), and the pattern 15 and location of each of the said ridges (220) should correspond to the ridges formed of the underside of the tile (100), particularly at the portion which comes in contact with the weather strip (200). Accordingly, when the said ridges (220) face the underside of the tile (100), channels which allow downward shedding of water are formed. 20 Referring to Fig. 4, the tile (100) according to the principle described herein can be made from any durable materials which can withstand exposure to climate conditions; for example, ceramic, concrete, composite metals, or polymers. At the top portion away from the edge, the tile (100) is provided with at least one flow retarding channel (105) to direct water (which has seeped through and flowed from 25 the weather strips (200) on the upper row) to flow to the sides of the tile (100) and subsequently onto the weather strip (200) and then to the flow-retarding channel (105) on the lower tile (100) and to the weather strip (200) and so forth channeling the water off the roof. The flow-retarding channel (105) is defined as a groove set across the width of the tile (100). The depth of the groove should not be greater 30 than 50% of the tile thickness to avoid breakage.

-9 As shown in Fig. 4, next and parallel to the flow-retarding channel (105), the tile (100) is provided with at least one wind bunker (110). The wind bunker (110) is defined as a ridge protruded from the surface of the tile (100) and is set across the width of the tile (100). In extreme weather conditions, such as strong wind or 5 tropical storms, the water or fine droplets of water may be blown under the overlapping tile, thus causing leakage. The wind bunker (110) helps to reduce such problem as its protruding feature in combination with the weather ribs (115) on the underside of the tile (100) (which will be further described) of the upper row will block such water or fine droplets of water from entering. Even if the water seep 10 passes the wind bunker (110), it will be collected in the flow retarding channel (105) and will be channeled back down by the weather strips (200). As mentioned, the underside of the tile (100) possesses a ridge pattern corresponding to the pattern of the ridge (220) on the top surface of the weather strip (200) such that the ridge on the underside of the tile (100) (within the area 15 which will come in contact with the weather strip) will lie alongside each other The ridge on the underside of the tile must not be laid directly on top of the ridge (220) on the weather strip (200) to avoid lifting of the tile and causing leakage. The ridge pattern may be straight and parallel as shown in Fig. 4, or it can be zigzag or wavy. The tile (100) is provided with spaced-apart through holes (120) at the top portion of 20 the tile (100) above the flow-retarding channel (105) to enable fastening of the tile (100) to the batten (10). According to the principles described herein, the construction and the arrangement of the batten, weather strip, and the tile are arranged to form a connected under pathway to direct water off the roof. In addition, the construction and the 25 arrangement of the tiles provide a means to minimize wind-blown water entering the roof, thus reducing leakage. In order to enhance the weatherproof abilities of the roof, the arrangement between the weather strip (200) with the adjacent tiles (100) and the arrangement between the wind bunkers (110) on the top portion (of the upper tile (100)) and the weather ribs (115) on the lower portion (of the lower tile 30 (100)) should ideally provide the closest possible contact between the upper and -10 lower row tiles and the weather strip beneath said tiles to form a closed lock. Accordingly, when assembled as shown in Fig. 9, the height of the wind bunker (110) and the height of the weather rib (115) should complement each other, preferably being of the same height such that once the tile is overlapped, the 5 overlapping portion of both tiles (100) completely face each other. More preferably, the height of the wind bunker (100) should be greater than the height of the weather rib (115) and the height of the ridges (220) on the weather strip (200) should also be taller than the height of the weather ribs (115) so as to ensure the closest possible contact and avoid lifting. Consequently, to achieve such result, the thickness of the 10 weather strip (200) should be equal to or less than the height of the wind bunker (110) so that it will not hinder the described locking arrangement. When assembled, the weather rib (115) closer to the lower edge of the tile (100) of the upper tile should be aligned with the last wind bunker (110) from the uppermost edge of the tile (100) of the lower tile. To avoid unnecessary overlap of the tile (and 15 thus save cost and reduce weight of the tile) the area from the uppermost edge of the tile, including the area taken by the flow-retarding channel (105), until the last wind bunker (110) should consume about 15 percent of the length of the tile (100). However, in climate conditions where there is increased likelihood of tile lifting, the overlapping area of the tile (100) may be increased proportionately and the area 20 from the uppermost edge of the tile (100), including the area taken by the flow retarding channel (105), until the last wind bunker may consume up to 50 percent of the length of the tile (100). As it is apparent, the roofing system according to the invention is achieved by: arranging and securing a plurality of elongated tile support battens (10) to the 25 roof structure in a spaced-apart, parallel relationship. The battens (10) are arranged in rows whereby the upper-end portion of a tile (100) is supported by one batten (10) and the lower-end portion is supported by the next lower batten (10). The lower-end portion of the upper row tile (10) overlaps with the upper portion of the lower row tile (10) on the lower adjacent batten (10); -11 arranging and securing a plurality of spaced-apart, parallel weather strips (200), each of which is extended between a pair of adjacent battens (10). The weather strips (200) on the next rows are positioned in an alternate manner with the previous row. The weather strip (200) has a length that is substantially equal to the 5 distance between the adjacent pairs of battens (10), but preferably shorter than the length of the tiles (100) to be supported thereby. The distance between each of the weather strips (200) on the same row should correspond with the width of the tile (100) such that once the tiles are arranged onto it, each weather strip (200) should be positioned in the center at which the edges of the pair of adjacent tiles (100), 10 which are arranged in a side-to-side manner, meet. The weather strip (200) is secured in position to the batten (10) by using the tabs (205) to grasp onto the batten (10). roof tiles (100) are then arranged to be secured to the batten (10) and to be supported by the weather strips (200) at which the edges of the pair of adjacent tiles 15 (100), which are arranged in a side-to-side manner, meet. The tiles are arranged first from the lowest battens (10). The top portion of the tile (100) at which the edges of the pair of adjacent tiles (100), which are arranged in a side-to-side manner, meet is inserted into the tile clip (210) of the weather strip (200). The arrangement between the weather strip (200) with the adjacent tiles (100) and the 20 arrangement between the wind bunkers (110) on the top portion (of the upper tile (100)) and the weather ribs (115) on the lower portion (of the lower tile (100)) should form a closed lock wherein the weather rib (115) closer to the lower edge of the tile (100) of the upper tile (100) should align closely to the wind bunker (110) of which being the last wind bunker (110) from the uppermost edge of the tile (100) of the 25 lower tile. The tiles (100) are then fastened to the batten (10) through the holes prepared on the top portion of the tiles (100) using suitable fastening elements. Accordingly, water which seeps through the gap at which the edges of the pair of adjacent tiles (100), which are arranged in a side-to-side manner, meet will be channeling off the roof through the weather strips into the flow-retarding channel 30 (105). The ridges (220) present on the surface of the weather strip in combination with the ridges on the underside of the tile (on the area at which the tile (100) comes -12 into contact with the weather strip (200)) will reduce the chance of flowing to the sides of the tile and direct the water downward. The water from the upper tile (100) will flow into the flow-retarding channels (105) and subsequently into the weather strip (200). This chain reaction is repeated until the water is shed off the roof. The 5 presence of the weather ribs (100) and the wind bunker (110) will also reduce the chance of water or droplets of water being blown under the tile and causing leakage. The roofing system according to the principles described herein not only reduces the chance of wind-blown water getting under the roof, it also helps to direct water which has seeped through the joint off the roof. Consequently, an enhanced 10 weatherproof roof-fixing system is achieved. Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood 15 to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

1. A weatherproof enhanced roofing system comprising: a plurality of elongated roofing material support battens arranged to be secured to the roof structure in spaced-apart, parallel relationship, whereby roofing 5 materials are arranged in rows having their upper-end portion supported by one batten and their lower-end portion supported by the next lower batten; a plurality of spaced-apart, parallel weather strips to be engaged with the roofing materials secured onto the batten; whereby each weather strip extends between a pair of adjacent battens; said weather strips are arranged in rows 10 wherein the next row is positioned in an alternate manner with the previous row; a plurality of roofing materials arranged to be secured to the battens and to be supported by the weather strips at which the edges of the pair of adjacent pieces of roofing material, which are arranged in a side-to-side manner, meet, wherein the lower-end portion of the upper row roofing material overlaps with the upper portion 15 of the lower row of the roofing material on the lower adjacent batten; characterized in that the construction of the weather strips and the roofing material; and the arrangement of the said weather strips and roofing material to the batten forms a connected under-pathway allowing water/moisture which may have seeped through the gap between two edges of roofing material which are arranged 20 in a side-to-side manner to be directed off the roof; and the engagement between roofing material on the upper row and the lower row forms a means to minimize wind-blown water entering the roof through the overlapped portion of the roofing material.

2. The roofing system according to claim 1 wherein the construction and the 25 arrangement of the batten, weather strip, and the roofing material to form a connected under-pathway to direct water off the roof and means to minimize wind blown water entering the roof comprising the following steps: -14 -arranging and securing a plurality of elongated tile support battens to the roof structure in a spaced-apart, parallel relationship; -securing weather strips, having ridges running the entire length and on the top surface of the weather strip, to the batten, each weather strip extends 5 between a pair of adjacent battens; -laying roofing materials on top of the weather strip whereby each weather strip supports edges of two adjacent pieces of roofing materials, said roofing materials are being laid in rows in a side-to-side manner, said roofing materials are prepared with 10 flow retarding channels and wind bunkers on the top portion of the roofing material; ridges on the underside having the pattern corresponding to the ridges on the top surface of the weather strip; and weather ribs on the underside of the lower portion, 15 wherein the ridges on the weather strip meet the ridges on the underside of the two pieces of roofing materials, the lower edge of the weather strip meets the flow-retarding channel of the roofing material of the next lower row, the weather rib on the underside of the tile on the upper row aligns closely with wind bunker of roofing material on the lower row; and 20 -securing said roofing material to the batten.

3. The roofing system according to claim 1 wherein the said weather strip has a length that is substantially equal to the distance between the adjacent pair of battens and should be shorter than the roofing material to be supported thereby; and is prepared with a means adapted to engage with the batten, said means is 25 defined as bend down tabs and/or hooks or the like. -15

4. The roofing system according to claim 3 wherein the said weather strip further includes an integrally-formed tile clip positioned next to the tabs, said clip clips the top portion of the roofing material at which the edges of the pair of adjacent roofing materials, which are arranged in a side-to-side manner, meet.

5 5. The roofing system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the weather strip includes at least a pair of lengthwise ridges formed on the surface of the weather strip, the pattern and location of each of the said ridges correspond to the ridges formed of the underside of the roofing material, at the portion which comes in contact with the weather strip, whereby when the said ridges face the 10 underside of the roofing material, channels which allow downward shedding of water are formed.

6. The roofing system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the weather strip includes side flanges bent downward; said flanges run along the length of the weather strip and terminate when meeting with the batten. 15

7. The roofing system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the weather strip has a width that amounts to at least 15 percent of the width of the roofing material.

8. The roofing system according to claim 1 wherein the roofing material is prepared with at least one flow-retarding channel having a depth of up to 50 percent 20 of the tile's thickness, said flow-retarding channel is set across the width of the roofing material, and is located on the upper portion of the roofing material, starting at least from the position where the weather strip on the upper row ends so as to anticipate receipt of water from the weather strip on the upper row.

9. The roofing system according to claim 1 wherein the roofing material includes 25 at least one wind bunker defined as a ridge protruding from the surface at the top portion of the roofing material, positioned next and parallel to the flow-retarding channel. - 16

10. The roofing system according to claim 1 wherein the roofing material features an area from the uppermost edge of the tile, including the area taken by the flow retarding channels and the wind bunkers consuming 15-50 percent of the length of the roofing material. 5

11. The roofing system according to claim 1 wherein the roofing material features an area from the lowest edge of the roofing material, including the area taken by the weather rib consuming 15-50 percent of the length of the roofing material

12. The roofing system according to claim 1 or 9 wherein the said roofing material, in particular, on the underside of the said roofing material at the location 10 corresponding to the position of the wind bunker on the surface of the roofing material, is provided with at least one rib protruding from the underside of the tile wherein once the lower portion of the roofing material on the upper row overlaps with upper portion of the roofing material on the lower row, the rib of the roofing material on the upper row is aligned next to the wind bunker of the roofing material 15 on the lower row, forming a closed lock restricting wind and water from passing through.

13. The roofing system according to any one of claim 1, 9, or 10 wherein the said roofing material, in particular, on the underside of the said roofing material at the position which will face the weather strip, is prepared with a pattern corresponding 20 to the ridges pattern prepared on the weather strip.

14. The roofing system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the said roofing material is prepared with through holes located on the top portion of the roofing material permitting the roofing material to be fastened to the batten.

15. The roofing system according to any of the preceding claims wherein the 25 height of the weather rib is equal to or less than the height of wind bunker and the thickness of the weather strip is equal to or less than the height of the wind bunker, permitting the overlapping portion between the roofing material on the upper row and the roofing material on the lower row to completely face each other forming a closed locking arrangement. -17

16. The roofing system according to any of the preceding claims wherein the said roofing material is a flat-type roofing material, which includes but is not limited to roof tiles and shingles.

17. A weatherproof enhanced roofing system substantially as herein described 5 with reference to the accompanying drawings.