AU2016102417A6

AU2016102417A6 - Improved fascia panel

Info

Publication number: AU2016102417A6
Application number: AU2016102417A
Authority: AU
Inventors: James Matthew Jansen
Original assignee: Stratco Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Stratco Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2015-12-03
Filing date: 2016-11-29
Publication date: 2019-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2024-11-29
Also published as: AU2016102417A4; AU2016265990A1

Abstract

Abstract The present invention relates to a metal fascia panel 100. The panel 100 has a length direction and a width direction and includes an outer face 112 and at least two stand-offs 120 located on the outer face 112. The stand-offs 120 are spaced apart with respect to the length direction of the fascia panel 100 and are configured so that when a length of guttering G is secured to the fascia panel 100 a spacing S is established between adjacent stand-offs 120, the outer face 112 of the fascia panel 100 and a rear face of the guttering G. The spacing S provides an overflow path to convey water overflowing from the rear face of the guttering G between the guttering G and the fascia panel 100.

Description

Improved Fascia Panel

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to an improved form of metal fascia panel. The fascia panel is of the type which is intended for use with external guttering.

Background of Invention [0002] Guttering used on buildings may adopt many different forms. However, one form that is particularly popular is known as “high-front” guttering. As the name implies, the front face of the guttering has a top edge that is higher than the top edge of the rear face of the guttering. Such guttering may have a variety of different crosssectional shapes, common examples of which are “quad” guttering and “square” guttering.

[0003] High-front guttering is popular because the high front face hides the ends of the tiles or roofing material used on the roof of the building. These ends are often uneven and hence such high-front guttering improves the overall aesthetic appeal of the building.

[0004] High-front guttering has also been extremely popular with builders because of the ease in which it can be attached to the metal fascia panel of a building using spring clips. Various different forms of spring clips have been developed and one of such clips 10 is shown in Figure 1. As shown, the metal suspension clip 10 clips onto the fascia panel 12 and hooks onto the guttering 14. The guttering 14 is suspended from the clip 10 by virtue of a locking engagement between the guttering 14 and various locking points on the suspension clip 10. A gutter strap (not shown) is then connected between the front face of the guttering 14 and the fascia panel 12 to further secure the section of guttering 14 to the fascia panel 12. Multiple suspension clips 10 and gutter straps are used along the length of the fascia panel 12.

2016102417 17 Jun2019 [0005] The Australian Standard relating to eaves and box gutters (see AS/NZS 3500.3:2003) indicates that one method for installing high front gutters requires the rear face of the guttering to be set at height h_f below the top of the fascia and with a minimum spacing of 10 mm between the fascia panel and the rear face of the section of guttering. The 10 mm spacing between the fascia panel and the rear face of the guttering provides an overflow path to convey water overflowing from the guttering away from the building, avoiding entry of water into the building that may otherwise cause damage. Although the Standard states a flow path spacing of 10 mm width, there is considerable industry debate about whether the 10 mm spacing is actually necessary, with lower spacing dimensions being identified as appropriate.

[0006] Accessory stand-off clips have been developed to establish the required spacing between the fascia panel and the rear face of the guttering. However, they can be relatively complicated and expensive to manufacture and also increase overall guttering installation costs. Accordingly, the present invention seeks to provide a simple and cost effective way of establishing a required overflow path between a fascia panel and its associated guttering.

[0007] The discussion of the background to the invention herein is included to explain the context of the invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of this application.

Summary of Invention [0008] According to the present invention there is provided a metal fascia panel having a length direction and a width direction, said fascia panel including an outer face and at least two stand-offs located on the outer face which are spaced apart with respect to the length direction of the fascia panel, said stand-offs configured so that when a length of guttering is secured to the fascia panel a spacing is established between adjacent stand-offs, the outer face of the fascia panel and a rear face of the guttering, the spacing providing an overflow path to convey water overflowing from the rear face of the guttering between the guttering and the fascia panel wherein each stand-off includes a contact surface against which a part of the rear face of the

2016102417 17 Jun2019 guttering is located when the guttering is secured to the fascia panel and wherein the contact surface is spaced from the outer face of the fascia panel so that the spacing has a width dimension of between 2mm and 10mm.

[0009] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, each stand-off includes a contact surface against which a part of the rear face of the guttering is located when the guttering is secured to the fascia panel. The contact surface is spaced from the outer face of the fascia panel so that the spacing has a width dimension (i.e. the dimension between the outer face of the fascia panel and the rear face of the guttering) of between about 2 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between about 3 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between about 4 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between about 5 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between about 6 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between about 7 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between about 8 mm and 10 mm, and more preferably between about 9 mm and 10 mm.

[0010] Each spacing formed along the length direction of the fascia panel when the guttering is attached thereto will have a length dimension equal to the distance between adjacent stand-offs along the length direction of the fascia panel. A preferred distance between adjacent stand-offs is between about 100 and 600 mm, more preferably between about 150 and 600 mm, more preferably between about 200 and 600 mm, and more preferably about 250 mm.

[0011] Preferably, a plurality of stand-offs are located at spaced locations along the length of the fascia panel. The distance between adjacent stand-offs is preferably consistent along the length of the fascia panel. According to a particular embodiment, the contact surfaces are spaced from the outer face of the fascia panel by an equal amount so that the outer face of the facia panel and the rear face of the guttering are approximately parallel when the guttering is secured to the fascia panel.

[0012] The stand-offs may adopt different forms. For example, each stand-off may include one or more outwardly extending dimples forming an array. Each dimple of a particular array is preferably spaced from one another so as to be located in a line extending substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the fascia panel (i.e. across the width direction of the fascia panel). Alternatively, each stand-off may

2016102417 17 Jun2019 include one or more generally elongate protrusions forming an array. Each protrusion having a length preferably extending substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the fascia panel (i.e. across the width direction of the fascia panel). According to a particular embodiment, the stand-offs may comprise outwardly extending dimples forming an array and wherein the array has a triangular configuration.

[0013] Embodiments of the invention when in use establish an overflow path for water that overflows from the rear face of the guttering. The overflow path allows that overflowing water to readily pass between the outer face of the fascia panel and the rear face of the guttering. The water thus can flow towards the ground and preferably generally away from the structure to which the fascia panel is attached. In this way, the risk of such water causing damage to the structure due to overflow back into the roof or wall space is substantially reduced, if not eliminated.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0014] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0015] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a prior art fascia panel with a section of guttering connected thereto using a prior art spring clip;

[0016] Figure 2 is an isometric view of a fascia panel in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

[0017] Figure 2A is an enlarged view of the circled portion shown in Figure 2;

[0018] Figure 3 is an isometric view of a fascia panel in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

[0019] Figure 3A is an enlarged view of the circled portion shown in Figure 3;

[0020] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional end view of a quad guttering connected to a fascia panel in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention;

4a

2016102417 17 Jun2019 [0021] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional end view of a square guttering connected to a fascia panel in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention; and [0022] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional end view of a square guttering connected to a fascia panel in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description [0023] Illustrated in Figures 2 and 2A, is a metal fascia panel 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in these Figures, the fascia panel 100 is elongate and has an outer face 112 which is the face that is exposed when the fascia panel 100 is connected to a structure (not shown). The fascia panel 100 may be formed of any appropriate length. The length of the fascia panel 100 is typically selected to eliminate or reduce the number of joins required along a particular length of a structure.

2016102417 29 Nov 2016 [0024] The fascia panel 100 as illustrated in Figures 2 and 2A has a generally planar outer face 112 without an elongated ridges/bends extending in the length direction. However, it should be recognised that the outer face 112 may include one or more ridges/bends or valleys extending parallel to the length direction of the fascia panel 100 as per, for example, fascia panels 100A, 100B shown in Figures 4 to 6. Such ridges/bends provide strength and rigidity to the fascia panel 100. As discussed previously, Figure 1 illustrates a prior art fascia panel 10 and that panel 10 is shown with ridges/bends 16 and a valley 18 that each extend in the length direction of the panel 100.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the fascia panel 100 includes a number of stand-offs 120 spaced apart along its length direction. The distance between adjacent standoffs 120 along the length direction of the fascia panel 100 may vary. However, a preferred distance between adjacent stand-offs 120 is between about 100 and 600 mm, more preferably between about 150 and 600 mm, and more preferably between about 200 and 600 mm.

[0026] The stand-offs 120 are located on the outer face 112 of the fascia panel 100 so as to extend outwardly thereof (i.e. to stand-off) and to establish a contact surface CS against which a part of the rear face of a length of guttering G can be later installed. As will be described below, the stand-offs 120 may adopt different forms but whatever form they adopt they are arranged to establishing a gap or spacing S between adjacent stand-offs 120, the outer face 112 of the fascia panel 100 and the rear face of the guttering G when the guttering G is secured to the fascia panel 100. The spacing provides an overflow path to convey water overflowing from the rear face of the guttering G away from the building, avoiding entry of water into the building that may otherwise cause damage.

[0027] The stand-offs 120 are preferably integrally formed with the outer face 112 or are attached thereto at the time of manufacture of the fascia panel 100.

[0028] The stand-offs 120 are preferably sized to establish a spacing S having a width dimension (i.e. the dimension between the outer face 112 of the fascia panel 100 and the rear face of the guttering G) of between about 2 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between about 3 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between about 4 mm

2016102417 29 Nov 2016 and 10 mm, more preferably between about 5 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between about 6 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between about 7 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between about 8 mm and 10 mm, and more preferably between about 9 mm and 10 mm. The width direction of the spacing S is shown, for example, in Figure 4. Each spacing S formed along the length of the fascia panel when the guttering G is attached thereto will have a length dimension equal to the distance between adjacent stand-offs 120 along the length direction of the fascia panel 100.

[0029] In Figures 2 and 2A, each stand-off 120 is established by an array of three dimples which are spaced from one another so as to be located in a line extending substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the fascia panel 100. The dimples may be formed by stamping, rotary pressing, or any other suitable method. As shown, the vertical spacing between the centre of each dimple (i.e. centre-to centre spacing) is about 25mm and each dimple has a height of about 5mm to thereby establish a spacing S with width dimension of about 5mm. The term “height” refers to the minimum distance between the outer face 112 of the fascia panel 100 and the contact surface CS.

[0030] Although each stand-off 120 in Figures 2 and 2A is shown as including an array of three dimples, one or more dimples may be used. Although each dimple of the array of dimples is shown located on a line extending substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the fascia panel 100, this need not necessarily be the case. The dimples of each respective stand-off 120 may be formed to adopt another shape or pattern, for example a triangular pattern.

[0031] In Figures 3 and 3A, each stand-off 120 is established by a single elongate protrusion of a height above the outer face 112 of about 5mm. Typically the protrusion would be formed in the metal fascia panel 100 by swaging. The protrusion extends substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the fascia panel 100.

The protrusion is shaped so that the contact surface S is generally rectangular in shape and is illustrated as having a length at the contact surface CS of about 100mm. Although each stand-off 120 is shown as including a single elongate protrusion, one or more protrusions forming an array of protrusions may be used. Again, although it is preferable for the single or multiple protrusions to be located on a line extending substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the fascia panel 100, this need

2016102417 29 Nov 2016 not necessarily be the case. The protrusion or protrusions of each respective standoff 120 may be formed to adopt any other suitable shape or pattern.

[0032] Each stand-off 120 may also be formed using a combination of dimples and protrusions. The protrusions and dimples may adopt different shapes to that illustrated and described herein.

[0033] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional end view of a fascia panel 100A in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and with a quad guttering G attached thereto. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional end view of the fascia panel 100A with a square guttering G attached thereto. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional end view of a fascia panel 100B in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with a square guttering G attached thereto. As shown in each of Figures 4 to 6, the rear face of the guttering G is located against the contact surface CS of the stand-off 120 of the fascia panel 100A, 100B. In Figure 4, the rear face of the guttering G is located against the contact surface CS of the two uppermost dimples included in the array of dimples forming each stand-off 120. In contrast, as shown in Figure 5, the rear face of the guttering G is located against the contact surface CS of the two lowermost dimples included in the array of dimples forming each stand-off 120. In Figure 6, the rear face of the guttering G is located against an elongate portion of the contact surface CS of the single protrusion forming each stand-off 120.

[0034] It will be appreciated that the length of the stand-off 120 in the vertical direction (i.e. perpendicular to the length direction of the fascia panel 100) may be varied to accommodate different depths of guttering G. Further, for aesthetic reasons it may be desirable for the length of the stand-off 120 to be set so that it is not visible below the guttering G when the guttering G is installed on the fascia panel 100.

[0035] Although not illustrated, it is envisaged that a fascia panel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may further include one or more ridges/bends and/or valleys that each extend in the length direction of the fascia panel.

[0036] As clearly illustrated in Figures 4 to 6, the guttering G can be easily secured to the fascia panel 100 using a retainer clip 200. Gutter straps 240 are used to hold up the front face of the guttering G. Typically, each gutter strap 240 is secured to the fascia panel 100 adjacent to the retainer clip 200 by bending the rear

2016102417 29 Nov 2016 tabs over the fascia panel 100. Other means for securing the gutter straps 240 are envisaged.

[0037] Embodiments of the invention provide a very simple and reliable mechanism to ensure the establishment of a spacing S between the outer face 112 of the fascia panel 100 and the rear face of the guttering G.

[0038] The embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention are envisaged.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS

1. A metal fascia panel having a length direction and a width direction, said fascia panel including an outer face and at least two stand-offs located on the outer face which are spaced apart with respect to the length direction of the fascia panel, said stand-offs configured so that when a length of guttering is secured to the fascia panel a spacing is established between adjacent stand-offs, the outer face of the fascia panel and a rear face of the guttering, the spacing providing an overflow path to convey water overflowing from the rear face of the guttering between the guttering and the fascia panel wherein each stand-off includes a contact surface against which a part of the rear face of the guttering is located when the guttering is secured to the fascia panel and wherein the contact surface is spaced from the outer face of the fascia panel so that the spacing has a width dimension of between 2mm and 10mm.
2. A metal fascia panel according to claim 1 wherein the contact surfaces are spaced from the outer face of the fascia panel by an equal amount so that the outer face of the facia panel and the rear face of the guttering are approximately parallel when the guttering is secured to the fascia panel.
3. A metal fascia panel according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the stand-offs comprises outwardly extending dimples forming an array and wherein the array has a triangular configuration.
4. A metal fascia panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each spacing formed along the length direction of the fascia panel when the guttering is attached thereto will has a length dimension equal to about 100 and 600mm, or about 150 and 600mm, or about 200 and 600mm.
5. A metal fascia panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer face of the fascia panel includes one or more ridges, bend or valleys that each extend in the length direction of the fascia panel.