AU2016269574A1

AU2016269574A1 - Drainage channel for roof valleys

Info

Publication number: AU2016269574A1
Application number: AU2016269574A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andrew David Prowse SMITH; Michael David Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-12-10
Filing date: 2016-12-11
Publication date: 2017-06-29
Also published as: AU2016102477A4

Abstract

-10 Abstract A drainage channel (10) for a roof valley, comprising a gutter channel (12) and at least two roof mounts (14). At least one of the at least two roof mounts (14) are integrally attached to either side of the gutter channel (12). The gutter channel (12) is able to be positioned above a first rafter such that the installation of roof elements over the top of the two roof mounts (14) operate to secure the drainage channel (10) in the roof valley. Figure 2 k--I

Description

Ό Ο (Ν Ο (υ Q r- σ^ Ό (Ν Ό Ο (Ν -1- “DRAINAGE CHANNEL FOR ROOF VALLEYS”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a drainage channel for roof valleys.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction as at the priority date of the application.

[0003] Drainage of fluid from roof structures is a necessary function of all buildings. A failure to remove or control such fluid can result in fluid entering the roof cavity. If fluid is able to enter the roof cavity, the internal structure of the building (such as internal walls, panels and ceiling) can be damaged as well as possible damage to electrical wiring.

[0004] The most common way of addressing the issue of drainage in a residential building is to slant the roof in a manner such that fluid is directed to a drainage channel located in a valley. The drainage channel then channels the water towards a gutter.

[0005] The current preferred design for a drainage channel comprises a gutter, a valley boards, and two battens (otherwise referred to as a purlin). The valley boards are arranged in a “V” configuration in combination with a valley rafter to support the gutter. The valley rafter forms the point of connection of the “V”. The battens are positioned at each valley board’s open end (i.e. the end not affixed to the valley rafter). Roof sheeting or tiles are then affixed to the battens and in doing so form an enclosure that ensures the gutter remains in its intended position.

[0006] Examples of such designs are shown in Figures 1 a and 1 b.

[0007] The problem with these designs is that by relying on the roof sheeting or tiles to retain the gutter in its intended position, if something happens to compromise their secure connection to the battens, the gutter may not be able to facilitate proper drainage of the roof structure. This is a particular concern in situations where there is a combination of high winds and rain, such as storms or cyclones.

ο (Ν Ο <υ Q ο σ^ (Ν Ο (Ν [0008] As would be readily apparent to the person skilled in the art, a further problem with this design is that the services of three skilled tradesman are required to ensure its proper positioning - namely, a roof carpenter to ensure the proper positioning of the battens and the base boards, a roof plumber to ensure the proper position of the gutter and a roof tiler to ensure the proper positioning of the tiles or roof sheeting. If any of these trades does not properly position their respective component, the effectiveness of the drainage channel can be seriously compromised. Furthermore, the need for three skilled tradesman to ensure proper positioning means that the installation of roof drainage is costly and inefficient.

[0009] The present invention therefore seeks to provide a drainage channel that ameliorates, at least in part, one or more of the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Throughout this document, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the terms “comprising”, “consisting of”, and the like, are to be construed as non-exhaustive, or in other words, as meaning “including, but not limited to”.

[0011] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is a drainage channel for a roof valley, comprising: a gutter channel; and at least two roof mounts, where at least one of the at least two roof mounts are integrally attached to either side of the gutter channel, the gutter channel operable to be positioned above a first rafter and where the installation of roof elements over the top of the two roof mounts operate to secure the drainage channel in the roof valley.

[0012] The drainage channel may further comprise at least one rafter flange, each rafter flange attached to one of the at least two roof mounts and where installation of a roof batten over the top of a rafter flange further operates to secure the drainage channel in the roof valley.

[0013] A fastener is preferably used to connect at least one of the following: a roof element to a roof mount; a rafter flange to a second rafter. The fastener may be a tek screw.

ο (Ν Ο (υ Q σ^ Ό (Ν Ό Ο (Ν [0014] Preferably, the gutter channel comprises a pair of base segments angled relative to each other, the point of connection between the base segments that is positioned so as to substantially align with the first rafter. The point of connection between the base segment ideally forms a line of symmetry for the drainage channel.

[0015] The gutter channel may have a first end having a male element of a mating system and the gutter channel has a second end having a female element of the mating system, the male and female elements operable, when connected, to secure a first drainage channel to a second drainage channel. In its preferred form, the gutter channel has a length greater than the at least two roof mounts so as to form a male element in the form of a tongue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1a and 1b are illustrative cross-sectional views of drainage channels for roof valleys according to the prior art.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a drainage channel according to a first aspect of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a top isometric view of a drainage channel according to a second aspect of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a side isometric view of the drainage channel shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the drainage channel as shown in Figure 3 as installed in a roof valley.

Figure 6 is a top isometric view of the mating arrangement of the drainage channels shown in Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a top isometric view of the mating arrangement of drainage channels according to a third aspect of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of a fourth aspect of the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Ό Ο (Ν Ο (υ Q r- σ^ Ό (Ν Ό Ο (Ν -4- [0017] Specific embodiments of the present invention are now described in detail. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0018] In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention there is a drainage channel 10 for roof valleys 1. The drainage channel 10 is of unitary construction, but comprises the following portions: • a gutter channel 12; • a pair of roof mounts 14; and • a pair of rafter flanges 16.

[0019] The gutter channel 12 has two base segments 18 and two side walls 20. The base segments 18 are connected to each other to form a central symmetry plane X-X. The base segments 18 are angled relative to each other about central symmetry plane X-X. Each side wall 20 is connected at a first end 22 to a base segment 18 such that the side wall 20 is substantially perpendicular to the base segment 18 to which it is connected.

[0020JA roof mount 14 is connected to a second end 24 of each side wall 20. Each roof mount 14 comprises a mounting side 26 and a return side 28. The mounting side 26, return side 28 and their respective side wall 20 are arranged and connected such that they form a shape similar to an inverted “U” in cross section as shown in Figure 2, with the mounting side 26 forming the base of the “U”.

[0021 ]A rafter flange 16 is connected at a first end 30 to each return side 28 such that the rafter flange 16 is substantially perpendicular to the return side 28 to which it is connected.

[0022] According to such a construction, the drainage channel 10 is symmetrical about the central symmetry plane X-X.

[0023] It is to be noted that this arrangement also results in the base segment 18 and rafter flange 16 arranged to each side of the central symmetry plane X-X being either in the same plane. At the same time, the mounting sides 26 are each arranged to be in a plane parallel to the plane in which their associated base segment 18 and rafter flange 16 resides.

Ό Ο (Ν Ο ω Q r- σ^ Ό (Ν Ό Ο (Ν -5- [0024] The invention the subject of this embodiment will now be described in the context of its intended use.

[0025] A user (not shown) locates a valley rafter 2 upon which the drainage channel 10 is to be installed. Once located, the user manipulates the drainage channel 10 such that the central symmetry plane X-X is aligned with the lengthwise axis Z-Z of the valley rafter 2.

[0026] The user then bends the base segments 18 about the central symmetry plane X-X until such time as the angle between the base segments 18 matches the angles of the roof rafters 3 which join to the valley rafter 2.

[0027] By bending the base segments 18 to match the angle of the roof rafters 3, the rafter flanges 16 are also aligned with the roof rafters 3. The drainage channel 10 can therefore be secured in place by inserting an appropriate fastener, such as Tek screw 32, through the rafter flange 16 and into the roof rafter 3.

[0028] With the drainage channel 10 now properly secured to the roof rafters 3, roof battens 4 can then be affixed to the roof rafter 3. Ideally, prior to affixing the roof battens 4 to the roof rafter 3, the roof batten 4 is manipulated such that an end 32 thereof overlays the rafter flange 16.

[0029] It is to be noted that the height of the affixed roof rafters 3 must be substantially the same height as the distance between the mounting side 26 and the roof rafter 3. This is required so that top side 7 of the roof batten 4 and the mounting side 26 are in linear alignment with one another so as to facilitate proper placement of tiles and or roof sheeting 5. This is illustrated in more detail in Figure 5.

[0030] To provide further structural integrity to the roof and the drainage channel 10, another Tek screw 32 can be used to fasten the roof sheeting 5 to the mounting side 26.

[0031] With the drainage channel 10 now installed, whenever the roof receives rain, the water flows along the roof sheeting 5 towards the gutter channel 12. In situations of hard rain, the gutter channel 12 will eventually fill up. However, the side walls 20 prevent the water from entering into the roof cavity (not shown).

ο (Ν Ο ω Q σ^ Ό (Ν Ό Ο (Ν -6- [0032] In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the drainage channel 10 is of identical construction to the first embodiment, but with the gutter channel 12 having a length greater than the lengths of the roof mounts 14 and rafter flanges 16. The greater length of the gutter channel 12 is biased to one end 100 so as to form a tongue 102.

[0033] The invention the subject of this embodiment will now be described in the context of its intended use.

[0034] The user installs the drainage channel 10 in a manner identical to that described in the first embodiment, but starting from the point of connection of the valley rafter 2 to the peripheral gutters. Additionally, the drainage channels 10 are installed such that the tongue 102 faces in the direction of the peripheral gutter.

[0035] With the first drainage channel 10 so installed, the user can then install further drainage channels 10 as required to create a drainage channel of equal length to the valley rafter 2. Each subsequently installed drainage channel 10 is aligned such that its tongue 102 faces in the direction of the previously installed drainage channel 10 (and by extension of the peripheral gutter). In doing so, the roof mounts 14 and rafter flanges 16 abut against the roof mounts 14 and rafter flanges 16 of the previously installed drainage channel 10.

[0036] The described arrangement of the installation of multiple drainage channels 10 is important. With the tongue 102 overlaying part of the gutter channel 12 of the previously installed drainage channel 10, any water flowing down a first drainage channel 10 enters the next drainage channel 10 at a significant distance from its distal end 104. With such a large area of overlap, even if the water is able to enter into the space between the tongue 102 and the gutter channel 12 of the first drainage channel 10, it is unlikely that it will be able to travel back along the gutter channel 12 and thereby enter the roof cavity.

[0037] In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, where like numerals reference like parts, there is a drainage channel 200 of substantially identical construction to drainage channel 10. The difference in drainage channel 200, however, is that side wall 20 is of reduced height, while return wall 28 remains of

ο (Ν Ο (υ Q r- σ^ Ό (Ν Ό Ο (Ν the same height. This results in the rafter flanges 16 being substantially than first end 22 when viewed in cross-section.

[0038] The advantage of this embodiment of the invention is that it is compatible for use with the applicant's earlier invention as described in Australian Patent 2014202141 titled "External Gutter System".

[0039] It should be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the above invention is not limited to the embodiment described. In particular, the following modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention: • [0040] While the invention has been described in the context of affixing to a valley rafter (and thereby be placed at an angel relative to the rest of the structure), this need not occur. The invention is also suitable for attaching to horizontal rafters. • [0041] The rafter flange 16 may be omitted in favour of other arrangements for securing the drainage channel 10 to the roof rafters 3. For instance, Tek screws 32 may be used to secure the base segments 18 to the roof rafters 3 at a position close to side walls 20. It is to be appreciated that as this may compromise the weather seal of the gutter, a further liner, or other sealing means may then need to be placed in the gutter channel to prevent ingress of water into the roof cavity. • [0042] Fasteners other than Tek screws 32 may be used to affix the drainage channel 10 to the roof rafters 3. • [0043] While it is preferable that the drainage channel 10 be symmetrical about the central symmetry plane X-X, this need not be the case. For instance, in situations where the drainage channel 10 must allow for the positioning of other structural elements, cut-outs may be made. Furthermore, elements such as rafter flange 16 may be provided on one side only. • [0044]The mounting side 26 need not be arranged in parallel to its respective base segment 18 and rafter flange 16. This is particularly suitable to situations where the building seeks to incorporate steep valleys. • [0045]The roof mount 14 and rafter flange 16 may be terminated at an angle relative to each other and to the gutter channel 12 as shown in Figure 8. This

Ό Ο (Ν Ο ω Q ο σ^ Ό (Ν Ό Ο (Ν -8- arrangement is preferable to prevent potential injury during installation of the drainage channel 10.

[0046] With reference to the second embodiment of the invention, other mating systems may be employed to facilitate connection of multiple drainage channels 10. These may include male and female arrangements that create a positive, secure, connection between the drainage channels 10. Alternatively, the arrangements may be more passive and rely on gravity or positioning to facilitate connection between the drainage channels 10.

[0047] To ensure that multiple drainage channels 10 are able to match the length of a valley rafter 2, the drainage channels 10 may be supplied in varying lengths. Alternatively, the drainage channel 10 may be made from a material that facilitates cutting of the drainage channel 10 to desired lengths.

[0048] While the first embodiment describes a situation where the base segments 18 are bent by the user about the central symmetry plane X-X to match the angles of the roof rafters 3, the base segments 18 may arrive prebent. This is a preferable situation so as to further reduce the time needed by the user in installing the drainage channel 10 when it is known that roofs are generally designed to meet one of a small number of preferred angles.

[0049] It should be further appreciated that even more embodiments of the invention incorporating one or more of the aforementioned features, where such features are not mutually exclusive, can be created without departing from the invention’s scope.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A drainage channel for a roof valley, comprising: a gutter channel; and at least two roof mounts, where at least one of the at least two roof mounts are integrally attached to either side of the gutter channel, the gutter channel operable to be positioned above a first rafter and where the installation of roof elements over the top of the two roof mounts operate to secure the drainage channel in the roof valley.
2. A drainage channel according to claim 1, further comprising at least one rafter flange, each rafter flange attached to one of the at least two roof mounts and where installation of a roof batten over the top of a rafter flange further operates to secure the drainage channel in the roof valley.
3. A drainage channel according to claim 2, where a fastener is used to connect at least one of the following: a roof element to a roof mount; a rafter flange to a second rafter.
4. A drainage channel according to claim 3, where the fastener is a tek screw.
5. A drainage channel according to any preceding claim, where the gutter channel comprises a pair of base segments angled relative to each other, the point of connection between the base segments positioned so as to substantially align with the first rafter.
6. A drainage channel according to claim 5, where the point of connection between the base segment forms a line of symmetry for the drainage channel.
7. A drainage channel according to any preceding claim, where the gutter channel has a first end having a male element of a mating system and the gutter channel has a second end having a female element of the mating system, the male and female elements operable, when connected, to secure a first drainage channel to a second drainage channel.
8. A drainage channel according to claim 7, where the gutter channel has a length greater than the at least two roof mounts so as to form a male element in the form of a tongue.