AU2018101085A4 - Roofing system and bracket thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Roofing systems and gutter brackets for an industrial building are provided. The roofing system includes a gutter retaining portion, configured to receive and retain a gutter, and a spacing portion, configured to space the gutter retaining portion from an edge of the building to enable a wall panel to be installed therein. 800 - Figure 8 0" 10 *-,430 1-35 Figure 9

Description

ROOFING SYSTEM AND BRACKET THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to roofing, and in particular to brackets for metal roofing.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] It is common for commercial and industrial buildings, such as factories, warehouses and the like, to be constructed of a metal frame, on which metal roof and wall panels are installed. In many cases these buildings are large, and may have a roof area of 10,000m2 or more.

[0003] During construction, rain is generally problematic. In particular, the roof is typically installed before the walls, and the walls are typically installed before the gutters, as the gutters are attached to the side of the building (and through the walls). As the roof areas may be very large, large amounts of water may be collected on the roof in a rain event, and in the period between the roof being installed and the gutter being installed, will simply run onto the ground adjacent to the building.

[0004] This generally causes all sorts of problems, including making the task of accessing a side of the building problematic if the soil there is waterlogged and muddy. This may then delay construction, and cause additional cost. As such, coordination of roofing, installation of wall panels and gutter installation is generally very important, and desirably done in short succession.

[0005] The problem is, however, further exacerbated when the building is particularly large, as the task of installing roofing, wall panels and gutters are in themselves large, and cannot be easily coordinated easily. Furthermore, as the roof area is very large in large buildings, the amount of rain gathered is also very large. As such, even with careful coordination of tradespeople, problems can still be caused.

[0006] As such, there is clearly a need for an improved roofing system.

[0007] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is directed to a roofing systems and brackets thereof, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

[0009] With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in a roofing system for an industrial building, the roofing system including a gutter retaining portion, configured to receive and retain a gutter, and a spacing portion, configured to space the gutter retaining portion from an edge of the building to enable a wall panel to be installed therein.

[0010] Advantageously, the roofing system enables the wall panels to be installed after the gutter has been installed, thus enabling the gutter to be installed early in the construction process. This may prevent an amount of water running off the roof in an uncontrolled manner.

[0011] Preferably, the roofing system includes a gutter bracket.

[0012] Preferably, the gutter bracket includes a mounting portion, for mounting the bracket to a structural member of the building. The structural member may comprise a purlin, such as a c-purlin.

[0013] Preferably, the spacing portion extends outwardly from the mounting portion to the gutter retaining portion.

[0014] Preferably, the gutter retaining portion includes an inner edge, that extends downwardly from an outer edge of the spacing portion. The gutter retaining portion may include a base that extends outwardly from a lower end of the inner edge. The gutter retaining portion may include an outer edge that extends upwardly from an outer edge of the base.

[0015] The inner edge, the base and the outer edge may each be substantially linear.

The inner edge, the base and the lower edge may form substantially right-angled (90 degree) edges relative to each other.

[0016] The gutter retaining portion may be substantially c-shaped in cross section.

[0017] An outer edge of the gutter retaining portion may be substantially vertical. The outer edge may be configured to receive a support member of a safety barrier.

[0018] The support member of the safety barrier may be received in an end of the outer edge of the gutter retaining portion. The support member may extend upwardly therefrom.

[0019] Preferably, an inner edge of the gutter retaining portion is spaced from a wall of the building in use. Preferably, the bracket is configured such that the wall is positioned below the mounting portion, and adjacent to the gutter retaining portion.

[0020] The bracket may be configured to have an eave trim received at least partially between the bracket and the structural member, the eave trim extending downwardly therefrom and extending at least partly over an upper edge of a wall panel in use.

[0021] Preferably, the mounting portion is substantially planar, and is configured to be bolted or screwed to the structural member. The mounting portion may include apertures through which the one or more bolts or screws extend.

[0022] An upper end of the wall panel and the mounting portion may be attached to the same structural member.

[0023] The spacing portion may comprise a spacing member that extends outwardly from the mounting portion. The spacing member may extend outwardly from the mounting portion such that mounting portion and the spacing member substantially form a right angle with respect to each other.

[0024] The spacing portion may comprise first and second spacing members, coupled to opposing sides of the gutter retaining member.

[0025] The system may include a gutter positioned in the gutter retaining member. The gutter may be of substantially the same cross section as an inside edge of the gutter retaining member.

[0026] The system may include a plurality of gutter retaining members, extending along the edge of a building, and configured to support the gutter.

[0027] The gutter retaining portion may be formed of a plurality of segments of box steel. The segments may be square, or substantially square, in cross section. The plurality of segments may be welded to form the gutter retaining portion.

[0028] In another form, the invention resides broadly in a gutter bracket including a gutter retaining portion, configured to receive and retain a gutter, and a spacing portion, configured to space the gutter retaining portion from an edge of the building to enable a wall panel to be installed therein.

[0029] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[0030] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: [0032] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a gutter bracket for use on an industrial building, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0033] Figure 2 illustrated a front view of the gutter bracket of Figure 1; [0034] Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the gutter bracket of Figure 1; [0035] Figure 4 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an edge of a roof portion of a steel framed industrial building, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0036] Figure 5 illustrates the side cross-sectional view of an edge of the roof portion with the gutter bracket 100 installed thereon; [0037] Figure 6 illustrates the side cross-sectional view of an edge of the roof portion with a gutter 425 and safety barrier installed; [0038] Figure 7 illustrates the side cross-sectional view of an edge of the roof portion with the wall installed in association therewith; [0039] Figure 8 illustrates an upper right perspective view of a roofing system installed on an industrial building, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and [0040] Figure 9 illustrates a left perspective view of the roofing system on the industrial building 805.

[0041] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0042] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a gutter bracket 100 for use on an industrial building, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 illustrated a front view of the gutter bracket 100, and Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the gutter bracket 100.

[0043] The gutter bracket 100 is configured to support a gutter, and is able to be installed on an industrial building prior to wall panels being installed. As such, gutter may be installed as, or shortly after, the roof is installed, thus reducing the time in which water runs off the roof in an uncontrolled manner. This in turn reduces the likelihood of problems adjacent to the building caused by waterlogged soil.

[0044] The gutter bracket 100 includes a mounting portion 105, for mounting the bracket 100 to a structural member of the building, such as a purlin, and gutter retaining portion 110. The gutter retaining portion 110 is configured to receive and retain the gutter, which runs along a edge of the building to catch rainwater running therefrom.

[0045] The gutter bracket 100 includes a spacing portion 115 comprising spacing members 115’, configured to space an inside of the gutter retaining portion 110 from a wall area to enable a wall panel to be installed therein. In particular, the spacing members 115’ extend outwardly from mounting plates 120 of the mounting portion 105 to the gutter retaining portion 110 such that in use, the wall panel can be received in a space defined behind the gutter retaining portion 110. The spacing members 115’ extend outwardly from the mounting portion such that mounting plate 120 and the spacing members 115’ form right angles with respect to each other.

[0046] The gutter retaining portion 110 includes an inner edge member 110a, that extends downwardly from an outer end of the spacing portion 115, a base 110b that extends outwardly from a lower end of the inner edge member 110a, and an outer edge member 110c that extends upwardly from an outer edge of the base 110b.

[0047] The inner edge member 110a, the base member 110b and the outer edge member 110c are each substantially linear and are formed of segments of box steel that are welded at right-angles (90 degrees) to each other such that the gutter retaining portion 110 is c-shaped in cross section. The segments are square in cross section. The steel is coated (e.g. painted) to prevent corrosion.

[0048] The mounting plates 120 are planar and are configured to be bolted or screwed to the support member using apertures 125 through which the one or more bolts or screws extend.

[0049] An exemplary installation of the gutter bracket 100 on a steel framed industrial building is illustrated with reference to Figures 4-7 below.

[0050] Figure 4 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an edge of a roof portion of a steel framed industrial building, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] The steel framed building is constructed of posts and beams (not illustrated), upon which c-purlins 405 are supported at spaced intervals. Sheet roofing 410 is installed on the c-purlins 405 and extends over an edge of the outer c-purlin 405 to provide overhang.

[0052] Eave trim 415 is installed against an outer edge of the c-purlin 405, which extends downwardly from the roofing 410 and a lower edge 415’ thereof extends outwardly then downwardly to define a channel 420 which may receive an upper wall panel. As such, in use, lower edge 415’ of the eave trim 415 extends over an upper edge of the wall panel.

[0053] Figure 5 illustrates the side cross-sectional view of an edge of the roof portion with the gutter bracket 100 installed thereon.

[0054] In particular, the mounting portion 105 of the gutter bracket 100 is installed against the c-purlin 405 with the eave trim 415 therebetween, such that a lower edge of the mounting portion 105 sits flush with the lower edge 415’ of the eave trim 415. Screws or bolts (not illustrated) extend through the apertures, through the eave trim 415 and into the c-purlin 405 to thereby retain the gutter bracket 100 thereto.

[0055] Figure 6 illustrates the side cross-sectional view of an edge of the roof portion with a gutter 425 and safety barrier installed.

[0056] In particular, the gutter 425 is of substantially the same cross section as an inside edge of the gutter retaining member 110 (i.e. c-shaped and of about the same size) and is thus received snugly therein. Furthermore, a support member 430 of a safety barrier is received in the outer edge member 110c, and extends upwardly therefrom in a substantially vertical direction.

[0057] As can be seen from Figure 6, the gutter 425 and safety barrier including the support member 430 can be installed shortly after the roofing 410 is installed (or even simultaneously), and without requiring that any wall panels are first installed.

[0058] Finally, Figure 7 illustrates the side cross-sectional view of an edge of the roof portion with the wall installed in association therewith. In particular, a wall panel 435 is installed such that it extends behind the gutter bracket 100 and up and under the channel 420 defined by the lower edge 415’ of the eave trim 415.

[0059] The gutter bracket 100 is attached to the c-purlin 405 and extends down below a lower edge of the c-purlin to provide depth to the gutter 425. However, due to the spacing of the gutter support from the purlin 405, the wall panel 435 can extend behind the gutter and up to the c-purlin, and thus be attached thereto. The inner edge member 110a of the gutter retaining portion 110 is also spaced from the wall panel 435 in use, and the wall panel 435 is positioned below the mounting portion 105 and the spacing portion and adjacent to the gutter retaining portion 110.

[0060] Multiple gutter brackets 100 would generally be installed along an edge of a building, and support a gutter that extends along the edge.

[0061] Figure 8 illustrates an upper right perspective view of a roofing system 800 installed on an industrial building 805, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 illustrates a left perspective view of the roofing system 800 on the industrial building 805. Both figures 8 and 9 are partially cutaway views, where components of the system 800 are partially removed so as to illustrate the layering of components in the system 800.

[0062] The roofing system 800 includes a plurality of gutter brackets 100 extending along a length of the edge of the building 805 and supporting a gutter 425. A plurality of support members 430 extend upwardly from the outer edge member 110c of the gutter retaining portion 110, and define a safety barrier.

[0063] The wall panel 435 extends along an edge of the building 805, and multiple panels 435 may define an uninterrupted wall. Similarly, the eave trim 415, or multiple eave trims 415, extend along an upper edge of the building 805, to continuously shield an upper portion of the wall panels 435, and prevent ingress of water into the building 805.

[0064] Finally, the roof panels 410 are ribbed, and are installed such that water is guided towards the gutter 425 by the ribs.

[0065] Advantageously, the roofing bracket and systems described above enable the wall panels to be installed after the gutter has been installed, thus enabling the gutter to be installed early in the construction process. This may prevent an amount of water running off the roof in an uncontrolled manner.

[0066] Furthermore, the roofing bracket provides an efficient means of installing a safety barrier around the roof, which again may be installed prior to the walls being installed.

[0067] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0068] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0069] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (5)

1. A roofing system for an industrial building, the roofing system including a gutter retaining portion, configured to receive and retain a gutter, and a spacing portion, configured to space the gutter retaining portion from an edge of the building to enable a wall panel to be installed therein.

2. The roofing system of claim 1 comprising a gutter bracket including a mounting portion, for mounting the bracket to a structural member of the building, the spacing portion extends outwardly from the mounting portion to the gutter retaining portion.

3. The roofing system of claim 2, including eave trim received at least partially between the bracket and the structural member, the eave trim extending downwardly therefrom and extending at least partly over an upper edge of a wall panel.

4. The roofing system of and one of claims 1 to 3, configured to receive a support member of a safety barrier received in an outer edge of the gutter retaining portion such that the support member extends upwardly therefrom.

5. A gutter bracket including a gutter retaining portion, configured to receive and retain a gutter, and a spacing portion, configured to space the gutter retaining portion from an edge of the building to enable a wall panel to be installed therein.