AU2012209031A1 - Improvements in/or relating to roof supports - Google Patents

Abstract

773154 DSC5S8713AUPR 29 Disclosed is a mid-span roofing support bracket. The bracket has a concave support portion adapted to engage over or under a first roofing member, and a hollow support 5 portion, depending from the concave support portion. The concave support portions can receive therein a first end of a roofing support member. The hollow support portion has at least one receiving aperture at an end distal from the concave support portion to receive and engage the first end of the first roofing member. The mid-span roofing support bracket when engaged at least with the first roofing member (and preferably 10 with the first end), at least in part provides support for a flexible intermediate roofing panel or similar that may lie at least in part in an aperture defined between the first roofing member and a second the roofing member. (NJo Er 7 iE

Description

73154 DSC508713AUPR I IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO ROOF SUPPORTS TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to roof supports. In particular, though not solely, the present invention is directed to a bracket for a mid-span roof support. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Typical roof construction support beams as the primary support of the roof. Such 10 beams are referred to as rafters, or when part of a roofing truss, the top chord. These are normally spaced at parallel intervals to each other. Typically, though not always they run in the direction of the roofing sheets, for example long run roofing extrusions. Running at ninety degrees to the rafters or top chords at equal spacing to each other are smaller sized beams called purlins. These normally lie on top of the rafters or top 15 chords. Typically the roofing sheets are attached to these purlins and or the rafters or top chords. The rafters or top chords and purlins are spaced to meet the engineering requirements of the roofing sheets, to meet their snow, rain and wind loading. 20 It is often desired to have clear or translucent panels intermediate of the roofing sheets to provide light through the roof. The spanning capabilities of clear and translucent roof sheets are not as great as steel 25 roofing sheet span capabilities. This is because the clear and translucent roof sheets are more flexible than the steel roofing sheets they may lie intermediate of. Depending on the clear roofing sheet manufacturer's specifications often the clear sheeting is not able to span the distance between purlins, as the steel sheets do, without extra support. To provide this additional support a mid-span support bar is required to 30 provide the necessary support to the clear roofing sheet between purlins. Clear sheeting also requires fixing between the purlins to prevent wind uplift and rain driving in underneath the clear sheeting. This wind uplift can also cause over-flexing which can cause the clear sheet to split where it is fastened to the purlins. The use of a 73154 DSC508713AUPR 2 mid-span support bar protects the clear sheet from damage caused by this over flexing. Current solutions to provide a mid-span support bar are made from one piece of metal 5 which usually has seven folds made to it to customise the fit and length required for the necessary roof profile, and rafter or top chord spacing. The problem with the current mid-span support bars is the amount of time required to produce them. They are labour intensive and each one must be folded by hand on site 10 or manually on a machine, usually up to seven folds per bar. This method can cause delays to progress as they take a long time to produce. When folded on site by the installers they are often produced to an inadequate standard. The process used to fold the bars is also often inaccurate and inefficient. They are 15 inflexible and when they don't fit properly the consequent deflections cause damage and rubbing to clear sheeting. The current metal bars have sharp edges and can have burs which when coming into contact with clear sheeting can cause damage. The current bars are sharp so they 20 also pose a risk of injury to those installing them. Often the current metal product will not fit the roof profile correctly so the installer must make adjustments to the metal roofing to allow for the bar to fit - This is time consuming and labour intensive and may compromise the weather tightness of the roof 25 or surrounding structure. In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically 30 stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

73154 DSC508713AUPR 3 It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved roof support or to overcome the above shortcomings or address the above desiderata, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice. 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect the present invention may be said to broadly consist in a mid-span roofing support bracket comprising or including, a concave support portion adapted to engage over or under a first roofing 10 member, and a hollow support portion, depending from said concave support portion, adapted to receive therein a first end of a roofing support member, said hollow support portion has at least one receiving aperture at an end distal from said concave support portion to receive and engage said first end of said first roofing member 15 wherein said mid-span roofing support bracket when engaged at least with said first roofing member (and preferably with said first end), at least in part provides support for a flexible intermediate roofing panel or similar that may lie at least in part in an aperture defined between said first roofing member and a second said roofing member. 20 Preferably said first or second roofing member is any one or more of * a top chord, * rafter, or * roofing panel. 25 Preferably said concave support portion is formed with a downwardly opening concavity adapted to fit and engage with said first or second roofing member. Preferably said concave support portion in use extends upwards initially and away from 30 said hollow support portion and then curves downwardly again to form said downwardly opening concavity. Preferably said roofing support bracket is at least in part held in place by its shaped engagement to said roofing member. 35 73154 DSC508713AUPR 4 Additionally said mid-span roofing support bracket is held in place by any one or more of the following, * sandwiching between roofing members (for example between a roofing sheet or flexible intermediate roofing panel above and a roofing sheet or top chord or 5 rafter below), * penetrative fastening (for example nailing, screwing or bolting), and * adhesive fastening. Preferably said mid-span roofing support bracket is formed from a resilient material. 10 Preferably said mid-span roofing support bracket is formed from a plastics material, at least in part, such as, but not limited to * Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene ("ABS") * Acrylonitrile Ethylene Styrene ("AES"), and 15 a Glass Reinforced Plastics ("GRP"). Preferably said mid-span roofing support member is contoured to fit under a long run roofing panel and or said flexible intermediate roofing panel. 20 Preferably said mid-span roofing support member is contoured to fit under a rib of a long run roofing panel and said flexible intermediate roofing panel. Preferably said concave support portion in side profile is substantially trapezoidal to conform to said rib. 25 Preferably in use upwardly presenting surfaces of said hollow support portion are substantially planar to lie under, and at least in part support, said flexible intermediate roofing panel. 30 Preferably on an interior of said hollow support portion there at least one engagement portion to aid engagement and retention of said first end. Preferably there are two said engagement portions on a lower interior surface of said 35 hollow support portion.

73154 DSC508713AUPR 5 Preferably there is a third said engagement portion on an upper interior surface of said hollow support portion. 5 Preferably there is at least one viewing aperture in or on said hollow support portion to at least in part aid engagement and visually confirm correct engagement of said first end. Preferably said hollow support portion has a second receiving aperture, intermediate of 10 said at least one receiving aperture and said concave support portion. Preferably, if desired, said mid-span roofing support bracket can slide along said roofing support member if necessary to provide length adjustability. 15 Preferably said first end can if necessary pass out through said hollow receiving portion and out said second receiving aperture to provide length adjustability. Preferably said roofing support member is of a hollow or substantially hollow form. 20 Preferably said roofing support member is of a inverted channel cross-section. Preferably a second end of said roofing support member is held by a second said mid span roofing support bracket engaged on or under said second roofing member. 25 Preferably said roofing support member together with said first and second mid-span roofing support acts as a mid-span support for said flexible intermediate roofing panel. Preferably said flexible intermediate roofing panel is a resilient plastics material. 30 Preferably said flexible intermediate roofing panel is a transparent, clear or opaque roofing panel. Preferably said first and second roofing member run parallel to each other, and lie in the same plane. 35 73154DSC508713AUPR 6 In a further aspect the present invention consists in a mid-span roofing support adapted to support a flexible intermediate roofing panel located intermediate of two spaced apart first and second roofing members, comprising or including, a first mid-span roofing support bracket and a second mid-span roofing support 5 bracket, each said first and second mid-span roofing support brackets having a concave support portion adapted to engage over or under a first and second roofing member respectively, and a hollow support portion, depending from said concave support portion, adapted to receive therein a first end and second end respectively of an elongate roofing 10 support member, wherein said mid-span roofing support when engaged between said first and second roofing members provides support for said flexible intermediate roofing panel or similar that may lie at least in part in an aperture defined between said first roofing member and said second roofing member. 15 Preferably said first or second roofing member is any one or more of " a top chord, " rafter, or * roofing panel. 20 Preferably said concave support portion is formed with a downwardly opening concavity adapted to fit and engage with a roofing member. Preferably said concave support portion in use extends upwards initially and away from 25 said hollow support portion and then curves downwardly again to form said downwardly opening concavity. Preferably said first and second mid-span roofing support brackets are at least in part held in place by its shaped engagement to said first and second roofing member 30 respectively. Additionally at least one of said mid-span roofing support brackets is held in place by any one or more of the following, 73154 DSC508713AUPR 7 * sandwiching between said roofing members (for example between a roofing sheet or flexible intermediate roofing panel above and a roofing sheet or top chord or rafter below), " penetrative fastening (for example nailing, screwing or bolting) through and/or 5 to said roofing members, and * adhesive fastening to said roofing members. Preferably at least one of said mid-span roofing support brackets is formed from a resilient material. 10 Preferably at least one of said mid-span roofing support brackets is formed from a plastics material, at least in part, such as, but not limited to * Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene ("ABS") " Acrylonitrile Ethylene Styrene ("AES"), and 15 a Glass Reinforced Plastics ("GRP"). Preferably at least one of said mid-span roofing support brackets is contoured to fit under a long run roofing panel and or said flexible intermediate roofing panel. 20 Preferably at least one of said mid-span roofing support brackets is contoured to fit under or over a rib of a long run roofing panel and said flexible intermediate roofing panel. Preferably said concave support portion in side profile is substantially trapezoidal to 25 conform to said rib. Preferably in use upwardly presenting surfaces of said hollow support portion are substantially planar to lie under, and at least in part support, said flexible intermediate roofing panel. 30 Preferably said hollow support portion has at least one receiving aperture at an end distal from said concave support portion to receive and engage a first end of said first roofing member.

73154 DSCS08713AUPR 8 Preferably on an interior of said hollow support portion there at least one engagement portion to aid engagement and retention of said first end. Preferably there are two said engagement portions on a lower interior surface of said 5 hollow support portion. Preferably there is a third said engagement portion on an upper interior surface of said hollow support portion. 10 Preferably there is at least one viewing aperture in or on said hollow support portion to at least in part aid engagement and visually confirm correct engagement of said first end. Preferably said hollow support portion has a second receiving aperture, intermediate of 15 said at least one receiving aperture and said concave support portion. Preferably, if desired, said first end can pass out through said hollow receiving portion via second receiving aperture to provide length adjustability, 20 Preferably said roofing support member is of a hollow or substantially hollow form. Preferably said roofing support member is of a inverted channel cross-section. Preferably said flexible intermediate roofing panel is a resilient plastics material. 25 Preferably said flexible intermediate roofing panel is a transparent, clear or opaque roofing panel. Preferably said first and second roofing member run parallel to each other, and lie in 30 the same plane. In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of providing a mid span roofing support for a flexible intermediate roofing panel or the like, comprising or including the steps of 35 providing an elongate roofing support member to substantially span an aperture 73154DSC508713AUPR 9 between a first and second roofing members, providing on a first and second end thereof a first and second mid-span support bracket, each said mid-span roofing support bracket having a concave support portion adapted to engage over or under said first 5 and second roofing members respectively, and a hollow support portion, depending from said concave support portion, adapted to receive therein said first end and second end respectively of said elongate roofing support member, locating and engaging the resulting mid-span roofing support of said first and 10 second mid-span support brackets at first and second ends of said elongate roofing member to said first and second roofing members, and thereafter locating said flexible intermediate roofing panel or the like onto said mid-span roofing support. 15 Preferably at least one of said mid-span support brackets is at least in part held in place by its shaped engagement to its respective roofing member. Additionally at least one of said mid-span roofing support brackets is held in place by any one or more of the following, 20 0 sandwiching between roofing members (for example between a roofing sheet or flexible intermediate roofing panel above and a roofing sheet or top chord or rafter below), * penetrative fastening (for example nailing, screwing or bolting), and e adhesive fastening. 25 Preferably at least one of said mid-span roofing support brackets is formed from a resilient material. Preferably at least one of said mid-span roofing support brackets is formed from a 30 plastics material, at least in part, such as, but not limited to * Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene ("ABS") * Acrylonitrile Ethylene Styrene ("AES"), and * Glass Reinforced Plastics ("GRP").

73154 DSC508713AUPR 10 Preferably said mid-span roofing support is adjustable in length by sliding said first and or second end of said elongate roofing member in or out of said first or /and second mid-span support bracket. 5 Preferably said elongate roofing member is provided in lengths to fit the mid-span distance between said first and second roofing members. Alternatively said elongate roofing member is provided in substantially continuous or long lengths and is cut to suit the mid-span distance between said first and second 10 roofing members. In yet an other aspect the present invention consists in a kit of parts to provide a mid-span roofing support, said kit comprising or including, at least one mid-span roofing support bracket, comprising or including, 15 a concave support portion adapted to engage over or under a first roofing member, and a hollow support portion, depending from said concave support portion, adapted to receive therein a first end of a roofing support member, wherein said kit is adapted to at least in part provide support, when assembled 20 for a flexible intermediate roofing panel or similar that may lie at least in part in an aperture defined between said first roofing member and a second said roofing member. Preferably said kit includes a second said mid-span roofing support bracket. 25 Preferably said kit includes fastenings or adhesives to attach said first and or second mid-span roofing support bracket to said first and or second roofing members. In yet a further aspect the present invention consist in a building or construction that includes at least one mid-span support bracket to at least in part support a flexible 30 intermediate roofing panel, said mid-span support bracket comprising or including, a concave support portion adapted to engage over or under a first roofing member, and a hollow support portion, depending from said concave support portion, adapted to receive therein a first end of a roofing support member, 73154DSC508713AUPR 11 wherein said mid-span roofing support bracket when engaged at least with said first roofing member (and preferably with said first end), at least in part provides support for said flexible intermediate roofing panel or similar that may lie at least in part in an aperture defined between said first roofing member and a second said roofing 5 member. In yet a further aspect the present invention consist in a roof for a building or construction that includes at least one mid-span support bracket to at least in part support a flexible intermediate roofing panel, said mid-span support bracket comprising 10 or including, a concave support portion adapted to engage over or under a first roofing member, and a hollow support portion, depending from said concave support portion, adapted to receive therein a first end of a roofing support member, 15 wherein said mid-span roofing support bracket when engaged at least with said first roofing member (and preferably with said first end), at least in part provides support for said flexible intermediate roofing panel or similar that may lie at least in part in an aperture defined between said first roofing member and a second said roofing member. 20 In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a mid-span roofing support bracket as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. 25 in yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a mid-span roofing support as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of providing a mid span roofing support as herein described with reference to any one or more of the 30 accompanying drawings. In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a kit of parts to provide a mid-span roofing support as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. 35 3154 DSC508713AUPR 12 In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a building or construction as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a roof for a building or 5 construction as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both. 10 As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun. The term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in pat of". When interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the 15 features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present, but other features can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in the same manner. It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 20 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7). The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited above and 25 below, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference. To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and application of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the 30 appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying 35 drawings.

73154 DSC508713AUPR 13 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with reference to the 5 accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 shows a number of views of one embodiment of the present invention. In particular Figure Ia shows a left or right hand side view of the mid span roofing support bracket, Figure 1 b shows a front view of the mid span 10 roofing support bracket, Figure Ic shows a plan view of mid span roofing support bracket, and Figure Id shows a top isometric view of the mid span roofing support bracket, Figure 2 shows one embodiment of a possible sandwich incorporating the present 15 invention showing a mid span roofing support bracket and part of a roofing support member extending therefrom sandwiched between a first and second roofing members, in this case the roofing members are a flexible immediate roofing panel, and a roofing panel such as a long run roofing panel, 20 Figure 3 shows a vertical cross section through the assembly of Figure 2 showing an optional penetrative fastening to retain the assembly and a rafter or top chord that may support the roof, 25 Figure 4 shows an extended view of Figure 2 showing a complete mid span roofing support, the flexible immediate roofing panel that may lay above it and the roofing panel that lies below it, Figure 5 shows a side view of a construction utilising the present invention and also 30 a roof using the present invention, Figure 6 shows at (A), (B) and (C) end views of a further embodiment of the present, where the concave section varies in size, and 73154 DSC508713AUPR 14 Figure 7 shows at (A) a cross section of Figure 6(A) along line A-A, (B) a cross section of Figure 6(B) along line B-B, and (C) a cross section of Figure 6(C) along line C-C showing the variation of Figure 6 where the side walls of the hollow support portion towards the second receiving aperture are 5 extended toward the concave support portion, and varying sizes of the concave support portion are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 10 Preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to Figures 1 through 7. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 1 which shows a mid span roofing support bracket 1. The mid span roofing support bracket 1 has a concave support portion 2 and distal from this concave support portion 2 is a hollow 15 support portion 4. The concave portion 2 has a downwardly opening concavity 12. In a preferred form this downwardly opening cavity 12 is of a partial trapezoid in cross section in which the wider part of the trapezoid is at or towards the lower portion and the narrow part is at the upper portion. 20 As shown in Figure 1 the concave support portion 2 extends upwardly at an angle and away from the hollow support portion 4 and in the embodiment shown then extends substantially parallel to the upwardly presenting surfaces 16 of the hollow support portion 4 and then angles downwards and away from the hollow support portion 4. In this preferred embodiment the concave support portion 2 is contoured in this way so as 25 to follow the contour of a rib 15 which is commonly present in long run roofing panels 11 and may also be present in the flexible immediate roofing panel 7 which it is to support. It can be seen the mid span roofing support bracket 1 in Figures 2 and 3 and 4 is slightly different to that shown in Figure 1. The preferred embodiment is that shown in Figure 1 in that there is an extension present between the concave support 30 portion 2 and the hollow support portion 4 this is to accommodate any return 27 shown in Figure 3 that may be present on the roofing panel 11 engaged therewith. The upwardly presenting surfaces of the mid span roofing support bracket 1 a conform to the underside profile of the for example roofing panel 11 or flexible immediate 35 roofing panel 7, or rib 15 thereof, it is engaged to and supports.

'3154 DSC508713AUPR 15 The concave support portion 2 may be contoured in any necessary way to fit the roofing panel 11 profile it is to engage with and so therefore is not limited to the shape shown. In one example such as shown in Figure 3 the concave support portion 2 may 5 be shaped to fit on a top chord or rafter 10 whether or not there is an immediate panel such as shown in Figure 3. Therefore the mid span roofing support bracket 1 can be used in a variety of installations and installation methods and this will be described further below. 10 As a further example differing sizes of concave support portion 2 are shown in Figures 6(A)-(C) and Figure 7(A) - (C). The hollow support portion 4 depends lies substantially below the upwardly presently surfaces 16. The hollow support portion 4 has a first aperture 17 into the hollow 15 portion. In the preferred embodiment the hollow portion 4 also has an exit which is a second receiving aperture 21 which can allow the end of roofing support member 6 to at least in part pass through the hollow support portion 4. This will be further described below. 20 In other embodiments the mid span roofing support bracket 1 can be slid along the end of the roofing support member it is engaged to even if at least at part of the end of the roofing support member 6 passes through and out the second receiving aperture 21. The hollow support portion 4 also has at least one viewing aperture 20 as shown in 25 Figure 1. In the embodiment shown there are two such viewing apertures 20, one seen above in Figure 1c and one directly below it. The viewing aperture 20 allows a visual inspection to be done of the engagement of the roofing support member 6 with the hollow support portion 4 of the mid span roofing support bracket 1. This allows an installer to ensure there is correct and proper engagement of the two parts. It also 30 allows subsequent inspection to be carried out for example after installation or immediately prior to installation. In some embodiments there is present also in the hollow support portion 4 and on the interior thereof is at least one or two, engagement portions 18. In the embodiment shown these are elongate ribs on the lower interior surfaces of the hollow portion 4 and extend along the hollow portion. Their function is 73154 DSC508713AUPR 16 to guide and support the engagement of the roofing support member 6 with the mid span roofing support bracket 1. This can be understood when it is seen that in the preferred embodiment the first 5 roofing member 3 is an inverted channel shape or "n" shape such as shown in Figure 2 and the lower extremities of the roofing support member 6 in one embodiment engage initially with the engagement portions 18 as the roofing support member 6 is slid into the first receiving aperture 17 and optionally may slide at least in part through and out the second receiving aperture 21. It will be understood the lower extremities of the 10 roofing support member 6 would then lie sandwiched between the engagement portion 18 and the interior surface of the closest side wall 24. The engagement portions 18 provide in the preferred embodiment a frictional engagement at least in part with the roofing support member 6 and also in part reinforce it so that under bending loads there is reduced chance of collapse of the roofing support member 6. 15 In other embodiments there is a third engagement portion 19 which can be seen in Figure 1 e and the purpose of this is to act as a positive stop for the end 5 or 22 within the hollow support portion 4. Thus a roofer can know with certainty when the end of the roofing support member 6 is sufficiently and correctly engaged with the mid span 20 roofing support bracket 1. It is to be understood the hollow support portion 4 may vary in its internal shape and therefore possibly also its external shape to accommodate varying forms of roofing support member 6. 25 In the embodiment shown in Figures 7(A) through (C) the side walls 24 have been extended towards the concave support portion as shown. This provides full coverage of the roofing support member 6 (when not inserted past the third engagement portion 19). One advantage of this is not sharp edges of the roofing support portion 6 extend 30 past the second receiving aperture 21. When installing or after installation this provides added safety, for example the sharp edges will not slide past the installers fingers in the area of the second receiving aperture 21, or protrude past then after installation.

73154DSC508713AUPR~ 17 The mid span roofing support bracket 1A can be assembled together with a second mid span roofing support bracket 1 B on a first end 5 and a second end 22 of the roofing support member 6 respectively. This is achieved by pushing the desired end 5 or 22 of the roofing support member 6 into the mid span roofing support bracket, 5 preferably into the first receiving aperture 17. The resulting assembly is a mid span support 23 and can be used as is described below. An aperture can be formed in the construction of a roof 25 between a first roofing member 3 and a second roofing member 9. Preferably the first roofing member 3 and 10 the second roofing member 9 lie in the same plane, that is the plane of the roof and lie parallel to each other to produce the aperture 8. Typically this aperture 8 is prepared so it can receive a light transmitting flexible immediate roofing panel 7. Panel 7 may be opaque, clear, translucent or otherwise. In other embodiments the panel may not necessarily be for light transmission but may have some other function but still the 15 panel 7 may require some mid-span support in addition to the normal purlins that run in a roof. The first and second roofing members 3 and 9 respectively may be spaced apart roofing panels 11 or may be other roofing support members such as a top chord or 20 rafter 10 or other forms within the roof that support the roof or its materials. The mid span support 23 is adjusted in size to run between and engage with the first roofing member 3 and second roofing member 9. The adjustment of the mid span support 23 can be achieved by several different methods. The preferred method is the 25 roofing support member 6 is either supplied to the correct dimension between the first roofing member 3 and second roofing member 9, or it is cut to the required dimension. Such cutting can be from continuous or substantially continuous lengths of roofing support member 6. It is possible also that such roofing support members 6 could be continuously formed on site and then cut to the desired length. 30 In the preferred embodiment the mid span roofing support bracket I is manufactured from a resilient material such as a plastic and preferably is of an AES (Acrylonitrile Ethylene Styrene), ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) or other such plastics material as is needed. The preferred option of AES is due to its resilience and long 35 term UV and thermal stability. Similarly the roofing support member 6 may be made 73154 DSC508713AOPR 18 from AES, ABS or other resilient material or plastics material. Alternatively, it may made from a metallic material such as an extrusion roll formed or folded based product. In other embodiments the mid span roofing support bracket may be made from a 5 composite material such as glass reinforced plastics or may have a metallic or otherwise material component on to which plastics materials are co-moulded or similar to create a composite product. In the preferred embodiment the mid span roofing support bracket is injection moulded 10 of the required material. Shown in Figures 3 and 4 is the order in which the mid span roofing support bracket 1 is located. Whether or not an additional roofing support member such as a top chord or rafter 10 is present a roofing panel 11 is shown at present over which the concave 15 support portion 2 of the mid span roofing support bracket is laid. Over the top of this the flexible immediate roofing panel 7 is located. The resulting assembly may be fixed by penetrative fastening 13 or by adhesive (not shown) or by other means. The assembly shown in Figure 3 is that which is created at the right hand end of Figure 4. Depending upon the construction method the left hand end sandwich 26 of Figure 4 20 may be the same order i.e. from top to bottom - flexible immediate roofing panel 7, mid span roofing support bracket 1b, roofing support member 6 and/or any additional reference support such as top chords or rafters 10. Alternatively it may follow the order as reversed such that the roofing panel 11 b lies over top of the mid span roofing support bracket 1a which in turn lies on top of the flexible immediate roofing panel 7. 25 In an optional embodiment, shown in Figure 4 depending upon on the mid span distance, the flexible immediate roofing panel 7 may be fastened to the mid-span support 23, by for example penetrative fastenings 13 down through the flexible intermediate roofing panel 7 and on to the roofing support member 6. In other 30 embodiments this may be achieved by adhesives or clips or other means. The resulting assembly provides mid span support in addition to any purlins support for flexible intermediate roofing panels. The support takes the static loading of the flexible immediate roofing panel 7 but also the dynamic loading due to wind and other external load factors such as rain or snow. 35 73154 DSC5&08713AUPR 19 The result is a roof that is strong easy to manufacture and can accommodate variations in panel types within the roof structure. The support for these panel types is easily dimensioned and located and can adjust due to thermal contraction and expansion of the roof and it can also be easily inspected prior to installation and post installation to 5 ensure proper engagement of the roofing support member 6 and the mid span roofing support bracket 1. The invention may also be supplied as a kit of parts such as for example at least one but preferably two mid span roofing support brackets I and a cut to length roofing 10 support member 6. Optionally and in addition there may be supplied penetrative fastenings 13 and possibly even a flexible immediate roofing panel 7. This would allow kits to be provided for roofs or constructions in place and also allow the retrofitting of a panel for a roof already in place. 15 The mid-span roofing support bracket is customised to fit specific roof panel profiles. The resulting mid-span support is superior to current product and is able to provide support to clear roof sheeting for a minimum of 15 years. This method provides a consistent product with a highly accurate fit to the specified 20 roof profile. The invention is faster and more economical to produce and eliminates the need for any on- site adjustments or fabrication by the installers. The fact they are faster to produce and easy to hold in stock allows for less delay in getting them to site ready for installation. 25 The invention is faster to install as the product has been designed to fit accurately and therefore no adjustments to the metal roofing is required, which often is the case with the current metal bars. The invention is also lighter and safer to use, as sharp burs and corners are minimised. 30 It also eliminates any risk of damage to the clear sheeting as they have no sharp corners or edges making contact. The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred forms thereof. Modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (54)

1. A mid-span roofing support bracket comprising or including, a concave support portion adapted to engage over or under a first roofing 5 member, and a hollow support portion, depending from said concave support portion, adapted to receive therein a first end of a roofing support member, said hollow support portion has at least one receiving aperture, at an end distal from said concave support portion, to receive and engage said first end of said roofing support member, 10 wherein said mid-span roofing support bracket when engaged at least with said first roofing member and said roofing support member, at least in part provides support for a flexible intermediate roofing panel or similar that may lie at least in part in an aperture defined between said first roofing member and a second said roofing member. 15

2. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in claim I wherein said first or second roofing member is any one or more of 0 a top chord, a rafter, or a roofing panel. 20

3. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in either of claims I or 2 wherein said concave support portion is formed with a downwardly opening concavity adapted to fit and engage with said first or second roofing member. 25

4. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in claim 3 wherein said concave support portion in use extends upwards initially and away from said hollow support portion and then curves downwardly again to form said downwardly opening concavity. 30

5. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said roofing support bracket is at least in part held in place by its shaped engagement to said roofing member. '73154DSC508713AUPR 21

6. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in any one or more of claims I to 5 wherein said mid-span roofing support bracket is held in place by any one or more of the following, 0 sandwiching between roofing members, 5 * penetrative fastening, and * adhesive fastening.

7. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said mid-span roofing support bracket is formed from a resilient material. 10

8. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said mid-span roofing support bracket is formed at least in part from any one or more of the following plastics materials, , such as, a Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene ("ABS") 15 * Acrylonitrile Ethylene Styrene ("AES"), * Glass Reinforced Plastics ("GRP"), and * Other plastics material.

9. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein 20 said mid-span roofing support member is contoured to fit under a long run roofing panel and or said flexible intermediate roofing panel.

10. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in any one of claims I to 9 wherein said mid-span roofing support member is contoured to fit under a rib of a long run 25 roofing panel and said flexible intermediate roofing panel.

11. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in 10 wherein said concave support portion in side profile is substantially trapezoidal to conform to said rib. 30

12. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to II wherein in use upwardly presenting surfaces of said hollow support portion are substantially planar to lie under, and at least in part support, said flexible intermediate roofing panel. 35 773154 DSC508713AUPR 22

13. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein on an interior of said hollow support portion there is at least one engagement portion to aid engagement and retention of said first end. 5

14. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in claim 13 wherein there are two said engagement portions on a lower interior surface of said hollow support portion.

15. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in claim 14 wherein there is a third said engagement portion on an upper interior surface of said hollow support 10 portion.

16. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein there is at least one viewing aperture in or on said hollow support portion to at least in part aid engagement and visually confirm correct engagement of said first end. 15

17. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein said hollow support portion has a second receiving aperture, intermediate of said at least one receiving aperture and said concave support portion. 20

18. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in claim 17 wherein said mid-span roofing support bracket can slide along said roofing support member if necessary to provide length adjustability.

19. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in either of claims 17 or 18 wherein 25 said first end can pass out through said hollow receiving portion and out said second receiving aperture to provide length adjustability.

20. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein said roofing support member is of a hollow or substantially hollow form. 30

21. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20 wherein said roofing support member is of an inverted channel cross-section. 73154 DSC5087I3AUPR 23

22. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21 wherein a second end of said roofing support member is held by a second said mid-span roofing support bracket engaged on or under said second roofing member. 5

23, A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in claim 22 wherein said roofing support member together with said first and second mid-span roofing support acts as a mid-span support for said flexible intermediate roofing panel.

24. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23 wherein 10 said flexible intermediate roofing panel is a resilient plastics material.

25. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24 wherein said flexible intermediate roofing panel is a transparent, clear or opaque roofing panel. 15

26. A mid-span roofing support bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 25 wherein said first and second roofing member run parallel to each other, and lie in the same plane. 20

27. A mid-span roofing support adapted to support a flexible intermediate roofing panel located intermediate of two spaced apart first and second roofing members, comprising or including, a first mid-span roofing support bracket and a second mid-span roofing support bracket, each said first and second mid-span roofing support brackets having 25 a concave support portion adapted to engage over or under a first and second roofing member respectively, and a hollow support portion, depending from said concave support portion, adapted to receive therein a first end and second end respectively of an elongate roofing support member, and 30 a said elongate roofing member received in and spanning between said first mid-span roofing support bracket and said second mid-span roofing support bracket, wherein said mid-span roofing support when engaged between said first and second roofing members provides support for said flexible intermediate roofing panel or similar that may lie at least in part in an aperture defined between said first roofing 35 member and said second roofing member. 773154 DSC508713AUPR 24

28. A mid-span roofing support as claimed in claim 27 wherein said first or second roofing member is any one or more of * a top chord, 5 a rafter, or * roofing panel.

29. A mid-span roofing support as claimed in either of claims 27 or 28 wherein said concave support portion is formed with a downwardly opening concavity adapted to 10 fit and engage with a roofing member.

30. A mid-span roofing support as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 29 wherein at least one of said mid-span roofing support brackets is held in place by any one or more of the following, 15 e sandwiching between said roofing members, a penetrative fastening, and a adhesive fastening to said roofing members.

31. A mid-span roofing support as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 30 wherein at 20 least one of said mid-span roofing support brackets is formed from a resilient material.

32. A mid-span roofing support as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 31 wherein at least one of said mid-span roofing support brackets is contoured to fit under a long 25 run roofing panel and or said flexible intermediate roofing panel.

33. A mid-span roofing support as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 32 wherein at least one of said mid-span roofing support brackets is contoured to fit under or over a rib of a long run roofing panel and said flexible intermediate roofing panel. 30

34. A mid-span roofing support as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 33 wherein said roofing support member is of a inverted channel cross-section.

35. A mid-span roofing support as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 34 wherein said 35 flexible intermediate roofing panel is a resilient plastics material. '73154 DSC508713AUPR 25

36. A mid-span roofing support as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 35 wherein said flexible intermediate roofing panel is a transparent, clear or opaque roofing panel. 5

37. A method of providing a mid-span roofing support for a flexible intermediate roofing panel or the like, comprising or including the steps of providing an elongate roofing support member to substantially span an aperture between a first and second roofing members, providing on a first and second end thereof a first and second mid-span support 10 bracket, each said mid-span roofing support bracket having a concave support portion adapted to engage over or under said first and second roofing members respectively, and a hollow support portion, depending from said concave support portion, adapted to receive therein said first end and second end respectively of said 15 elongate roofing support member, locating and engaging the resulting mid-span roofing support of said first and second mid-span support brackets at first and second ends of said elongate roofing member to said first and second roofing members, and thereafter locating said flexible intermediate roofing panel or the like onto said 20 mid-span roofing support.

38. A method as claimed in claim 37 wherein at least one of said mid-span support brackets is at least in part held in place by its shaped engagement to its respective roofing member. 25

39. A method as claimed in either of claims 37 or 38 wherein said mid-span roofing support brackets is held in place by any one or more of the following, * sandwiching between roofing members (for example between a roofing sheet or flexible intermediate roofing panel above and a roofing sheet or top chord or 30 rafter below), * penetrative fastening (for example nailing, screwing or bolting), and * adhesive fastening.

40. A method as claimed in any one of claims 37 to 39 wherein at least one of said 35 mid-span roofing support brackets is formed from a resilient material. 73154 DSC508713AUPR 26

41. A method as claimed in any one of claims 37 to 40 wherein said mid-span roofing support is adjustable in length by sliding said first and or second end of said elongate roofing member in or out of said first or /and second mid-span support 5 bracket.

42. A method as claimed in any one of claims 37 to 41 wherein said elongate roofing member is provided in lengths to fit the mid-span distance between said first and second roofing members. 10

43. A method as claimed in any one of claims 37 to 42 wherein said elongate roofing member is provided in substantially continuous or long lengths and is cut to suit the mid-span distance between said first and second roofing members. 15

44. A kit of parts to provide a mid-span roofing support, said kit comprising or including, at least one mid-span roofing support bracket, comprising or including, a concave support portion adapted to engage over or under a first roofing member, and 20 a hollow support portion, depending from said concave support portion, adapted to receive therein a first end of a roofing support member, wherein said kit is adapted to at least in part provide support, when assembled, for a flexible intermediate roofing panel or similar that may lie at least in part in an aperture defined between said first roofing member and a second said roofing member. 25

45. A kit as claimed in claim 44 wherein said kit includes a second said mid-span roofing support bracket.

46. A kit as claimed in either of claims 44 or 45 wherein said kit includes fastenings or 30 adhesives to attach said first and or second mid-span roofing support bracket to said first and or second roofing members.

47. A building or construction that includes at least one mid-span support bracket to at least in part support a flexible intermediate roofing panel, said mid-span support 35 bracket comprising or including, 73154 DSC508713AUPR 27 a concave support portion adapted to engage over or under a first roofing member, and a hollow support portion, depending from said concave support portion, adapted to receive therein a first end of a roofing support member, 5 wherein said mid-span roofing support bracket when engaged at least with said first roofing member and said roofing support member, at least in part provides support for said flexible intermediate roofing panel or similar that may lie at least in part in an aperture defined between said first roofing member and a second said roofing member. 10

48. A roof for a building or construction that includes at least one mid-span support bracket to at least in part support a flexible intermediate roofing panel, said mid span support bracket comprising or including, a concave support portion adapted to engage over or under a first roofing member, and 15 a hollow support portion, depending from said concave support portion, adapted to receive therein a first end of a roofing support member, wherein said mid-span roofing support bracket when engaged at least with said first roofing member and with said roofing support member, at least in part provides support for said flexible intermediate roofing panel or similar that may lie at least in part 20 in an aperture defined between said first roofing member and a second said roofing member.

49. A mid-span roofing support bracket as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. 25

50. A mid-span roofing support as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

51. A method of providing a mid-span roofing support as herein described with 30 reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

52. A kit of parts to provide a mid-span roofing support as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. 35

53. A building or construction as herein described with reference to any one or more 73154DSC508713AUPR 28 of the accompanying drawings.

54. A roof for a building or construction as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. 5