AU784984B2

AU784984B2 - Soffit lining assembly

Info

Publication number: AU784984B2
Application number: AU54465/01A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Rodney John Gallaty; Campbell John Seccombe
Original assignee: BlueScope Steel Ltd
Current assignee: BlueScope Steel Ltd
Priority date: 2000-07-19
Filing date: 2001-07-18
Publication date: 2006-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 2021-07-18
Also published as: AU5446501A; AUPQ886700A0; AU2008264209B2; AU2006236062B2; AU2008264209A1; AU2006236062A1; AU2011201108A1

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): (1 A.C.N. 000 011 058 Invention Title: SOFFIT LINING ASSEMBLY The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:

S.

S

2 SOFFIT LINING ASSEMBLY FILED OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a support bracket and a gutter for a soffit lining. The invention further relates to a soffit lining assembly and a method of erecting a soffit lining.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a support bracket for a soffit lining, said bracket comprising: an affixture portion being adapted to fix to an underside of a roof structure; and a soffit support portion connected to the affixture portion, said support portion including a recess being adapted to receive and support an edge of the soffit lining, part of the periphery of the recess being defined by a deformable element which can be bent to support the 20 edge of the soffit lining in the recess.

:.".Preferably the deformable element is in the form of a tab which is fabricated integral with the support portion.

More preferably the deformable tab is designed to be bent about an imaginary fold line to allow passage of the edge of the soffit lining into the recess, the tab then being bent back to retain and support the soffit lining.

S.Preferably the support bracket is fabricated from sheet steel and the affixture and support portions are as- **"manufactured co-planar. More preferably the support 30 portion is integral with and deformable relative to the affixture portion such that the support portion can be bent out of the plane of the affixture portion into a support position. In one embodiment the support portion is bent about another imaginary fold line into the support position.

Preferably the fold lines are each defined by one or more apertures in the bracket. More preferably said one 42845 or more apertures are each in the form of an elongate slot aligned with the imaginary fold line.

Preferably the affixture portion of the bracket is adapted to fix to a rafter or roof truss via one or more fasteners. Alternatively the affixture portion is fastened to a roofing beam such as a ceiling joist.

Generally the bracket is cold roll formed from relatively light gauge steel strip.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a soffit lining assembly comprising: one or more support brackets each being adapted to fix to a roof structure and being in accordance with any form described above; and 15 a reinforcing strip being adapted to locate about an edge of a soffit lining, said reinforcing strip together with the edge of the soffit lining being received in a recess in one of the brackets whereby the reinforcing strip together with the brackets provides support and 20 rigidity for the soffit lining.

Preferably the reinforcing strip includes an edge trim portion formed continuous with a wall trim portion.

More preferably the edge trim portion is shaped complementary to and adapted to fit over the edge of the soffit lining whereas the wall trim portion is designed to cover an opening between a wall and the soffit lining.

ooeo Preferably the edge trim portion is in the form of a channel-shaped member including a web and a pair of opposing flanges, the wall trim portion including a cover plate formed continuous with and extending at an obtuse angle relative to a free edge portion of one of the flanges. More preferably the cover plate includes a return edge portion which is partly folded back on the cover plate and adapted to bear against the wall.

Preferably the reinforcing strip is cold roll formed from light gauge steel.

According to yet another aspect of the present -4invention there is provided a method of erecting a soffit lining, said method comprising the steps of: fixing one or more support brackets to an underside of a roof structure, each of said brackets including a recess being adapted to receive and support an edge of the soffit lining; locating an opposite edge of the soffit lining within *e e *e .e e 5 another recess in a fascia element and said edge in the recess of the respective bracket; and bending the support bracket wherein said edge is retained in the bracket and thus the soffit lining supported by the bracket and the fascia element.

Preferably said method involves bending a support portion of the bracket to further expose the recess to allow location of said edge of the soffit lining within said recess.

Preferably said method initially involves bending of the bracket whereupon it can then be affixed to the roof structure with the recess presented to the soffit lining.

Generally the light gauge steel of the brackets, gutter, and/or reinforcing strip is commercially available in Australia under the trade mark ZINCALUME or COLORBOND.

*BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to facilitate a better understanding of the nature of the present invention preferred embodiments of 20 the various aspects of the soffit lining assembly will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view taken through a soffit lining assembly installed on a roof structure; Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the support bracket and reinforcing strip of the assembly of Figure 1; *Figure 3 is a plan view of the support bracket of Figures 1 and 2 in the as-manufactured condition; Figure 4 is an end elevational view of the reinforcement strip of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the gutter taken from the assembly of Figure 1; and Figure 6 is an end elevational view of the gutter strap taken from Figures 1 and 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in Figure 1 there is a soffit lining 42845 6 assembly shown generally as 10 which is adapted to be installed on a roof structure 12. In this embodiment the roof structure 12 is a modular roof system constructed in accordance with the specifications of the applicant's Australian complete patent application Nos 44884/99 and 44886/99. The disclosure of these specifications is included herein by way of reference. The pitched roofing structure 12 includes a plurality of roof modules such as 14 which are each generally constructed from a plurality of spaced-apart steel ribs 16 interconnected at opposing ends with a channel-section steel beam 18. The roof module 14 is clad over one entire face with a timber panel The roof module 14 also includes a locating beam 22 fixed and arranged transverse to the ribs 16. The locating beam 22 rests upon a horizontal frame element 24 of a wall frame shown generally as 26 which includes external cladding 28.

S. The soffit lining assembly 10 of this embodiment comprises a soffit lining 30, a plurality of support 20 brackets such as 32, a reinforcement strip 34, a gutter and a gutter overstrap 38. The soffit lining 30 is typically elongate having opposing longitudinal edges fitted to and supported by one or more of the brackets 32 [.and the gutter 36. The reinforcement strip 34 fits about one of the longitudinal edges of the soffit lining 30 and locates within the bracket 32 which is fixed to the reinforcing rib or rafter 16. In this embodiment the bracket 32 is fastened to the rafter 16 via a pair of machine screws such as 40. An opposite edge of the soffit lining 30 in this example nests within the gutter 36 which is fastened to the channel-section beam 18 which functions as an end cap for adjacent of the rafters 16. In this example a plurality of the gutter overstraps such as 38 are spaced along the gutter 36 and at opposing ends fitted to the gutter 36 and fastened to the channel-section beam 18 through an inner wall of the gutter 36. The gutter overstrap such as 38 thus provide support for the gutter 42845 7 36 in a conventional manner.

As best shown in Figure 2 the support brackets such as 32 each comprise an affixture portion 42 fabricated integral with a support portion 44. In use, the support portion 44 is arranged substantially at right angles to the affixture portion 42 which is adapted to fix to one of the rafters such as 16. The soffit support portion 44 includes a recess 46 which is adapted to receive and support an edge of the soffit lining 30. The support portion 44 of the support bracket 32 includes a deformable tab shown generally as 48 which is integral with the remainder of the support portion 44 and defines part of the periphery of the recess 46. The deformable tab 48 is designed to be bent about an imaginary fold line shown by the broken line 50. In this embodiment the deformable tab 48 is bent out of the plane of the support portion 44 to further expose the recess 46 to allow entry of the longitudinal edge of the soffit lining 30. The deformable .eeo tab 48 is then bent back to retain and support the soffit 20 lining The reinforcing strip 34 of this embodiment both fits about the longitudinal edge of the soffit lining 30 and extends across an opening 52 between the wall cladding 28 and the soffit lining 30. The reinforcing strip 34 protects the edge of the soffit lining 30 and provides additional rigidity to the soffit lining 30 which may for example be constructed of a relatively light gauge cold roll formed steel. Therefore, the brackets such as 32 together with the reinforcing strip 34 provide adequate 30 support for the soffit lining Figure 3 depicts the soffit support bracket 32 in its as-manufactured condition. The support bracket 32 is in this example cold roll formed and punched from relatively light gauge steel. The affixture portion 42 includes a pair of holes such as 54 for receipt of the fastening such as the machine screw 40. The support portion 44 includes the recess 46 which about its perimeter is generally U- 42845 8 shaped. The deformable tab 48 defines one side of the Ushaped recess 46. The deformable tab 48 is designed to be bent about the fold line which is generally defined by an elongate slot 56 formed in the support portion 44 and aligned with a base of the U-shaped recess 46. The support portion 44 is, prior to installation, designed to be bent relative to the affixture portion 42 about another fold line shown generally by the broken line 58. The other fold line 58 is aligned with another elongate slot 60 which extends transversely across part of the width of the support bracket 32.

Figure 4 illustrates the reinforcing strip 34 of Figures 1 and 2. The reinforcing strip 34 is in this embodiment cold roll formed from light gauge steel strip and includes an edge trim portion 62 formed continuous with a wall trim portion 64. The edge trim portion 62 is a channel-shaped member shaped complementary to and thus designed to slip over the longitudinal edge of the soffit lining 30. The edge trim portion 62 includes a web 66 and a pair of opposing flanges 68 and 70 one of which is .formed continuous with and extends at an obtuse angle to the wall trim portion 64. The wall trim portion 64 includes a cover plate 72 formed integral with a free edge portion of one of the flanges 70. A return edge portion 74 of the cover plate 72 is partly folded back onto the cover plate 72 and designed to bear against the wall cladding 28.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the gutter 36 taken from Figure 1. The gutter 36 is in this embodiment cold roll formed from light gauge strip steel and functions both as a gutter and a fascia. The fascia gutter 36 includes a gutter portion 76 which defines an elongate trough 78 of a U-shaped cross section. A soffit support portion 80 is formed integral and contiguous with the gutter portion 76 and includes a recess 82 in the form of an elongate channel. The elongate channel 82 is shaped complementary to the opposing longitudinal edge of the 42845 9 soffit lining 30. The elongate channel 82 is oriented so that in cross-section it is aligned with the soffit lining when installed. The fascia gutter 36 also includes a restraining portion 84 formed integral and contiguous with the soffit support portion 80 and an inner wall 86 of the gutter portion 76. The restraining portion 84 is in cross-section shaped complementary to the channel-section beam 18 which extends along an end of the rafters such as 16. The restraining portion 84 has an acute included angle which nests about a corner edge of the beam 18.

Thus, when the fascia gutter 36 is secured to the beam 18 the restraining portion 84 prevents lateral movement of the fascia gutter 36 away from the roof structure 12.

The gutter overstrap 38 is shown in Figure 6 together with a fixing screw 88. The strap 38 includes a C-shaped end portion 90 designed to clip into a free end of the fascia gutter 36, an intermediate portion 92 and a fixing portion 94 through which the fastening screw 88 passes.

The intermediate portion 92 is bow-shaped and includes a 20 stiffening rib 96 which provides additional support to the fascia gutter 36.

Installation of the soffit lining assembly described in the preceding paragraphs will now be explained according to the following general steps: the fascia gutter 36 is fitted to the beam 18 the roof structure 12; (ii) the soffit support bracket 32 is bent into its right-angle configuration and mounted to the underside of the rafter such as 16; 30 (iii) the reinforcing strip 34 is placed over the longitudinal edge of the soffit lining (iv) the deformable tab 48 of the support bracket 32 is bent out of the plane of the support portion 44 to open up the recess 46; the opposite longitudinal edge of the soffit lining 30 is seated within the elongate channel 82 of the fascia gutter 36 and the longitudinal edge together with 42845 10 the reinforcing strip 34 raised into the recess 46 of the support bracket 32; and (vi) the deformable tab 48 is bent back to be coplanar with the support portion 44 wherein the longitudinal edge of the soffit lining 30 together with the reinforcing strip 34 are retained by the support bracket 32.

The fascia gutter 36 of this embodiment nests against the beam 18 of the roofing structure 12 so that it is restrained from moving laterally away from the roofing structure 12 during installation of the soffit lining Therefore, minimal fixing of the fascia gutter 36 to the channel-shaped beam 18 is required. Furthermore, fitting of the opposing longitudinal edges of the soffit lining in the respective recesses of the fascia gutter 36 and support bracket 32 do not in this embodiment require fastenings. Further, folding of portions of the bracket about the imaginary foldlines is preferably performed manually. More preferably the portions may be bent by S 20 hand without the aid of tools. This design is both :aesthetically pleasing and relatively quick to install without requiring any particular trade expertise.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described.

For example, the soffit lining may be installed in a S"horizontal rather than an inclined plane as described and the various components modified to suit. The fascia S" gutter in this alternative embodiment may include a longitudinal recess which nests or locates against a protrusion provided on a roof beam or other roofing member. Although the embodiments described are fabricated from steel strip it will be appreciated that other materials such as plastics may be appropriate.

All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the ambit of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing 42845 -11description.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

e

Claims

1. A support bracket for a soffit lining, said bracket comprising: an affixture portion being adapted to fix to an underside of a roof structure; and a soffit support portion connected to the affixture portion, said support portion including a recess being adapted to receive and support an edge of the soffit lining, part of the periphery of the recess being defined by a deformable element which can be bent to support the edge of the soffit lining in the recess.

2. A support bracket as defined in claim 1 wherein the deformable element is in the form of a tab which is fabricated integral with the support portion.

3. A support bracket as defined in claim 2 wherein the ".deformable tab is designed to be bent about an imaginary fold line to allow passage of the edge of the soffit lining into the recess, the tab then being bent back to 20 retain and support the soffit lining.

4. A support bracket as defined in any one of the preceding claims being fabricated from sheet steel and the affixture and support portions are as-manufactured co- planar.

5. A support bracket as defined in claim 4 wherein the support portion is integral with and deformable relative to the affixture portion such that the support portion can be bent out of the plane of the affixture portion into a support position. 30

6. A support bracket as defined in claim 5 wherein the support portion is bent about another imaginary fold line into the support position.

7. A support bracket as defined in claim 6 wherein the fold lines are each defined by one or more apertures in the bracket.

8. A support bracket as defined in claim 7 wherein said one or more apertures are each in the form of an elongate 42845 -13- slot aligned with the imaginary fold line.

9. A support bracket as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the affixture portion of the bracket is adapted to fix to a rafter or roof truss via one or more fasteners.

A support bracket as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the affixture portion is fastened to a roofing beam such as a ceiling joist.

11. A support bracket as defined in any one of the preceding claims and being cold roll formed from relatively light gauge steel strip.

12. A soffit lining assembly comprising: one or more support brackets each being adapted to fix to a roof structure and being in accordance with any 15 one of claims 1 to 11; and a reinforcing strip being adapted to locate about an edge of a soffit lining, said reinforcing strip together with the edge of the soffit lining being received in the recess in one of the brackets whereby the reinforcing 20 strip together with the brackets provides support and rigidity for the soffit lining.

13. A soffit lining assembly as defined in claim 12 wherein the reinforcing strip includes an edge trim 0**0 portion formed continuous with a wall trim portion.

14. A soffit lining assembly as defined in claim 13 wherein the edge trim portion is shaped complementary to and adapted to fit over the edge of the soffit lining whereas the wall trim portion is designed to cover an opening between a wall and the soffit lining.

15. A soffit lining assembly as defined in claim 14 wherein the edge trim portion is in the form of a channel- shaped member including a web and a part of opposing flanges, the wall trim portion including a cover plate formed continuous with and extending at an obtuse angle relative to a free edge portion of one of the flanges.

16. A soffit lining assembly as defined in claim 14 or wherein return edge portion which is partly folded back on -14- the cover plate and adapted to bear against the wall.

17. A soffit lining assembly as defined in any one of claims 20 to 24 wherein the reinforcing strip is cold roll formed from light gauge steel.

18. A method of erecting a soffit lining, said method comprising the steps of: fixing one or mor e support brackets to an underside of a roof structure, each of said brackets including a recess being adapted to receive and support an edge of the soffit lining; locating an opposite edge of the soffit lining within another recess in a fascia element an d said edge in the recess of the respective bracket; and bending the support bracket wherein said edge is retained in the bracket and thus the soffit lining supported by the bracket and the fascia element.

19. A method of erecting a soffit lining as defined in claim 18 also comprising the step of bending a support portion of the bracket to further expose the recess to 20 allow location of said edge of the soffit lining within said recess.

A method of erecting a soffit lining as defined in claims 18 or 19 initially involving the step of bending of the bracket whereupon it can then be affixed to the roof structure with the recess presented to the soffit lining.

21. A support bracket substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. oooo

22. A soffit lining assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. .i 30

23. A method of erecting a soffit lining, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 24th day of May 2006 BHP STEEL (JLA) PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK