DK181376B1

DK181376B1 - Bird comb

Info

Publication number: DK181376B1
Application number: DKPA202270261A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Toftemann Thomsen Thomas
Original assignee: T&T Teknik Aps
Priority date: 2022-05-17
Filing date: 2022-05-17
Publication date: 2023-09-15
Also published as: WO2023222662A1; DK202270261A1

Abstract

Bird comb (1; 1’) for a roof construction, where the bird comb (1; 1’) comprises an elongated mounting part (2) adapted to be secured to the roof construction; a plurality of elongated flexible members (3) extending upwards in relation to the mounting part (2), and adapted to be bend in a mounted state of the bird comb (1; 1’); the flexible members (3) are arranged in at least two lines (6, 7) extending in the longitudinal direction of the mounting part (2), where neighbouring flexible members (3) within each line (6, 7) are at least partly spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the mounting part (2) by a first interspace (10); and the at least two lines (6, 7) of flexible members (3) are spaced apart in the transverse direction of the mounting part (2) by a second interspace.

Description

. DK 181376 B1

The present invention relates to a bird comb for a roof construction, where the bird comb is configured to not only prevent birds and similar large objects from entering the roof construction, but also to prevent snow from entering the roof construction, while at the same time allowing air to pass through the bird comb to maintain ventilation of the roof construction.

In particular the present invention relates to a bird comb for a roof construction of the kind where the bird comb comprises: - an elongated mounting part adapted to be secured to the roof construction, - a plurality of elongated flexible members extending upwards in relation to the mounting part, and adapted to be bend in a mounted state of the bird comb, - the flexible members are arranged in at least two lines extending in the longitudinal direction of the mounting part, where the neighbouring flexible members within each line are at least partly spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the mounting part by a first interspace, - the at least two lines of flexible members are spaced apart in the transverse direction of the mounting part by a second interspace, - the elongated mounting part has a first longitudinal side with an upwards extending first rim and an opposite second longitudinal side, and - a middle part between said first longitudinal side and said second longitudinal side.

There are many different types of roof constructions, which has an upper covering supported by an underlying framework, where the upper covering can be made of roof tiles, roof slates or stone-coated metal, or is a sheet decking. The underlying framework for supporting the upper covering is typically made of battens and rafters, where the upper covering is installed on top of the battens, or a roof decking or plank decking can

, DK 181376 B1 be provided between the battens and the upper covering. The upper covering 1s often provided with openings for e.g. highlight windows or chimneys.

The edge of a roof construction is often provided with a gap between the upper covering and the underlying framework, such as at the eaves of the roof, and/or at other edges of the upper covering, where the purpose of such one or more gaps is to provide ventilation of the roof construction. Such ventilation is important to allow unwanted water below the upper covering to exit to the surroundings. The unwanted water may come from moist hot air from inside the building that condensates at the cold upper covering and/or the cold underlying framework during the winter, or from rainwater leaking downward through e.g. cracks in the upper covering.

The bird comb of the present invention is configured for being installed in the gap between the upper covering of a roof construction and the underlying framework that supports the upper covering.

It is known from UK patent publ. no. 2477941A to mount a bird comb at the eaves of a roof to prevent birds from entering the roof construction through the gap between roof tiles and the roof underlay, where the bird comb has a row of flexible comb- like fingers, which are spaced apart and thus allow ventilation through the row of fingers. However, the interspace between the fingers provides a direct passage for e.g. snow to enter into the roof through the bird comb, which especially is a problem with powdery snow as it is so light that the wind easily can whirl the snow between the fingers of such a bird comb.

German patent no. 4429540 discloses a bird comb of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph.

2 DK 181376 B1

It is also known to install a corrugated foam strip at the eaves of a roof to prevent birds from entering the roof construction. Such a foam strip is however preformed with a specific corrugation so that it only fits under tiles having a matching corrugation. Also, wear and tear due to aging and changing weather conditions cause the foam material to crumble over time so that unwanted openings arises in the foam strip, which means that the foam strip has to be replaced rather frequently to maintain an adequately closure of the gap.

It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a bird comb to be used in a roof construction where there is a gap between the upper covering and the underlying framework supporting the upper covering, where the bird comb is configured for being mounted/installed in the gap to prevent or at least hinder birds, leaves, snow and similar unwanted objects from passing though the gap while allowing ventilation through the bird comb.

It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide a bird comb that is versatile, as it fits in gaps of different heights and/or different shapes, as well as in a gap where the height of the gap varies along the length of the gap.

These and other aspects of the present invention are achieved in that the second longitudinal side has an upwards extending second rim.

In the context of the present invention, the term “mounted state” is when the bird comb is installed in the gap between the upper covering and the underlying framework of a roof; and the term “unmounted state” is when the bird comb is standing freely on a horizontal surface with the flexible members extending vertically upwards without being in contact with each other. Unless stated otherwise, the bird comb or parts thereof, are described in the unmounted state.

2 DK 181376 B1

In the mounted state, the bird comb is preferably mounted to the underlying framework directly below the upper covering so that the flexible members extend upwards towards the underside of the upper covering. Alternatively, e.g. if the underside of the upper covering is flat, the bird comb of the present invention can be installed by securing the mounting part to the underside of the upper covering so that the flexible members, in the mounted state, extend downwards towards the underlying framework. Unless stated otherwise, the bird comb is described as being or intended to be secured to the underlying framework.

The elongated mounting part has an upper surface, a lower surface, a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side, and a first end and a second end. The lower surface of the mounting part is advantageously flat in order to facilitate mounting of the bird comb to a flat surface of a roof construction, such as a batten.

The bird comb of the present invention is adapted to close off a gap between the upper covering and the underlying framework of a roof, such as along the eaves, the barge boards, the roof ridge or the valley of a roof, or along a roof edge at a skylight flashing or a chimney, or along other edges of the upper covering; where the gap is closed off in the sense that the bird comb prevents or at least hinders birds, leaves, snow and similar unwanted objects from passing through the gap, while allowing ventilation through the bird comb. When the bird comb is mounted at the eaves of a roof, the bird comb may advantageously be mounted to the lowest longitudinal roof batten that supports the roof tiles, so that the bird comb is close to the lower edge of the upper covering.

The bird comb of the present invention can be manufactured with a length that matches the length of the edge of the roof under which the bird comb is to be mounted, such as the four roof

. DK 181376 B1 edges around a highlight window. Alternatively, two or more bird combs can be mounted end-to-end along the roof edge, such as along the eaves of the roof, where the bird combs in combination extend along the length of the gap at the roof edge, in which case it might be necessary to adapt the length of at least one of the bird combs (such as by cutting off a part thereof) so that the combined length of the bird combs matches the length of the gap.

The flexible members may be individually attached to the mounting part, or the flexible members and the mounting part may be formed (e.g. moulded in plastic) as one integrated unit.

Alternatively, the proximal end of the flexible members within each of the at least two lines of flexible members may be interconnected via a horizontally extending connection part, which is attached to the mounting part; or the proximal end of all flexible members may be interconnected via a single connection part, which is attached to the mounting part. It is preferred that at least the distal end of all flexible members are spaced apart from each other.

The flexible members are flexible in the sense that they are able to bend and maintain a bent state without breaking. The material, shape and dimensions of the flexible members are preferably adapted so that they can maintain a bent state, where they are bent up to an extent where their distal end is at the same level as that of their proximal end (i.e. where the flexible members are bent into a mainly U-shaped form). The flexible members are intended to be bend during the installation of the bird comb and to assume a bent state once the bird comb has been installed.

The flexible members, mounting part, and/or connection part(s) are preferably made of a material having a high tensile strength and being very flexible under stress, such as a plastic material with these properties. The material is

DK 181376 B1 preferably also capable of withstanding changing weather conditions and aging, such as a temperature varying between -20 °C and +80 °C. The most preferably material is linear low- density polyethylene (LLDPE). 5

The bird comb is preferably dimensioned so that all flexible members are bend by the upper covering in the mounted state, i.e. where the flexible members are bent and held in a bent state between the upper covering and the underlying framework.

In order for the flexible members to be bend in this way, the total height of the bird comb (i.e. the distance from the lower surface of the mounting part to the distal end of the flexible members) in the unmounted state must be adapted to be larger than the height of the gap into which the bird comb is to be installed.

The flexibility of the flexible members allows a bird comb according to the present invention to fit in a gap having a varying height along the length of the gap, and in different gaps having different heights. If all flexible members of the bird comb have substantially the same height, and the bird comb is installed in a gap with a height that varies along the length of the gap, the degree of bending of the flexible members of the bird comb varies along the length of the gap. An upper covering made of corrugated roof tiles is an example of an upper covering where the height of the gap between the lower surface of the roof tile and the upper surface of the underlying framework varies along the eaves of the roof and along the top of the roof.

As commercially available corrugated roof tiles typically have dimensions ranging from a height of 36 mm and a profile thickness of 6 mm to a height of 57 mm and a profile thickness of 6.5 mm, it is preferred that the bird comb of the present invention has a total height in the unmounted state of about 6.5 cm so that all flexible members are bent in the mounted

; DK 181376 B1 state when the bird comb is used with such tiles. The total height of the bird comb can be smaller or larger than 6.5 cm (e.g. between 5 —- 10 cm) in the unmounted state if more appropriate for the gap into which the bird comb is to be installed. It is preferred that the height of the mounting part below the flexible members is low, preferably between 1 — 10 mm, and preferably between 2 — 3 mm.

The width of the second interspace between neighbouring lines of flexible members is preferably chosen so that all (or at least some) flexible members in the mounted state are bent into contact with at least one flexible member of a neighbouring line of flexible members. It is preferred that the width of the second interspace is between 3 - 20 mm, such as 5 mm or 10 mm.

With respect to snowflakes being whirled towards the bird comb of the present invention, the extent by which the snowflakes are stopped by the outer line of flexible members depends primarily on the width of the first interspace between neighbouring flexible members in the outer line of flexible members; and if some snowflakes get past the outer line, additional snowflakes are stopped by the next line of flexible members, and so forth if the bird comb has more than two lines of flexible members. Having at least two lines of flexible members is also advantageous as the force of the wind hitting the bird comb is reduced each time it passes a line of flexible members, which e.g. makes it less likely for snow to be whirled past the second line than the outer first line. In the context of the present invention, the term “outer line” is the line of flexible members that in the mounted state of the bird comb is closest to the upper covering edge at which the bird comb in mounted.

It is preferred that each of the flexible members is shaped as a flat strip, which preferably is arranged with the two opposite flat sides of the strip facing in the transverse

2 DK 181376 B1 direction of the mounting part, in which case the flexible members tend to be bend mainly in the transverse direction of the mounting part during the installation of the bird comb.

When shaped as flat strips, it is preferred that the distal end of the flexible members is rounded in the longitudinal direction of the mounting part. Alternatively, the flexible members may be shaped with a cross-section that is circular, ellipsoidal, hexagonal or similar. It is preferred that the flexible members are solid, but they may be hollow to reduce production costs.

It is preferred that the at least two lines of flexible members are straight lines that are parallel with the longitudinal axis of the mounting part. Alternatively the at least two lines may have a sine wave shape or a triangular wave shape in horizontal cross-section, and extend in the longitudinal direction of the mounting part. It is preferred that the at least two lines of flexible members, when seen in the transverse direction of the mounting part, are centred between the first and second side of the mounting part.

It is preferred that each of the at least two lines of flexible members extends along the entire or substantially entire longitudinal length of the mounting part between the first and second end of the mounting part.

It is preferred that the flexible members are substantially identical, and/or that all of the first interspaces have a substantial identical width. Alternatively, the width of the flexible members and/or the width of the first interspaces may be different for the different lines of flexible members; or the flexible members within one or more of the at least two lines of flexible members may have different widths.

If just a part of a snowflake being whirled towards the bird comb hits a flexible member, the snowflake will "stick” to the

2 DK 181376 B1 flexible member by at least some extent, and thereby being prevented or hindered from getting past the line of flexible members in question. The diameter of snowflakes can be as low as 1 mm, but the diameter of the vast majority of snowflakes is 5 mm or higher, which means that for a bird comb where neighbouring flexible members within each line of flexible members are spaced apart by 4 mm or less, almost all showflakes being whirled towards such of line of flexible members are stopped by the flexible members of that line.

It is preferred that the width of the first interspaces between neighbouring flexible members is in the range of 1 — 4 mm, more preferably substantial 3 mm, and most preferably substantial 2 mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the flexible members have a width (1.e. the extend in the longitudinal direction of the mounting part) of substantially 10 mm, and/or a depth (i.e. the extend in the transverse direction of the mounting part) of substantially 1.5 mm.

An advantage of having at least two lines of flexible members is that it is more difficult for unwanted objects to get through the bird comb than in known bird combs with only one row of flexible members. If the bird comb of the present invention has two lines of flexible members and a bird tries to force itself in a lateral direction through the bird comb, the bird would have to bend about twice as many flexible members than if there were only one line, i.e. it would require about twice as much force to get through the bird comb.

It is preferred that the height of the flexible members and the transverse distance between adjacent lines of flexible members are adapted, depending on the gap into which the bird comb is to be mounted, so that the bird comb can be mounted in a way where the flexible members are bent to such an extent that an

10 DK 181376 B1 upper part of all flexible members is in contact with at least one flexible member of an adjacent line of flexible members.

It is preferred that the flexible members of the bird comb are arranged so that all of the first interspaces within each of the at least two lines of flexible members are at least partly covered, when seen in the transverse direction of the mounting part, by the flexible members of the adjacent line(s) of flexible members.

This is e.g. achieved in embodiments where all flexible members are substantially identical, and the width of all of the first interspaces is substantially identical, by the flexible members of each line being offset in the longitudinal direction of the mounting part compared to the flexible members of the adjacent line(s), where the term "offset” means that the position of the flexible members within each line are shifted in the longitudinal direction compared to the position of the flexible members of the adjacent line(s).

It is most preferred that the flexible members are arranged so that the first interspaces within each line of flexible members is fully covered, when seen in the transverse direction of the mounting part, by the flexible members of the adjacent line(s) of flexible members. This is e.g. achieved in embodiments where all flexible members are substantially identical, the at least two lines of flexible members are straight lines that are parallel with the longitudinal axis of the mounting part, and the width of all of the first interspaces is substantially identical and equal to or smaller than the width of the flexible members, by the flexible members of each line being offset, in the longitudinal direction of the mounting part, compared to the flexible members of the adjacent line(s), by half of the sum of the width of the first interspaces combined with the width of the flexible members, because the flexible members of each line are then, when seen in the transverse

11 DK 181376 B1 direction, in the middle of the first interspace between neighbouring flexible members of the adjacent line(s).

Arranging the flexible members so that the interspace between all neighbouring flexible members are fully covered by the flexible members of the adjacent line(s) of flexible members, makes it especially difficult for birds, snow and other unwanted objects to pass through the bird comb in the mounted state, as there is no passage in a straight transverse direction through the lines of flexible members. As an example, if a very small snowflake carried by the wind somehow gets through an interspace between neighbouring flexible members in the outer line of flexible members and continues in the transverse direction towards the next line of flexible members, the snowflake would hit a flexible member of the next line of flexible members, and thereby being prevented from getting past the bird comb.

Naturally, even if only some of the first interspaces are partly or fully covered, and/or if only the first interspaces within some of the at least two lines of flexible members are partly or fully covered, the bird comb will still be more difficult for birds, snow etc. to pass through than if none of the first interspaces were partly/fully covered.

As most roof edges are straight, it is preferred that the first and second end of the mounting part are complementarily shaped in order to facilitate that two or more bird combs can be positioned end-to-end in a straight row along the roof edge with substantial complete contact between the bordering ends of the mounting part of neighbouring bird combs. The two complementary ends of the mounting part may simply be flat, in which case each end may be in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mounting part. Alternatively, the two complementary ends of the mounting part may be V-shaped or

U-shaped in horizontal cross-section with one end being convex

DK 181376 B1 and the other end being concave, or they may have a key and slot shape (e.g. a dovetail joint), or one end may have at least one notch and the other end at least one matching protrusion, in which cases the first end of a bird comb can be interlocked with the second end of a neighbouring bird comb.

It is preferred that the flexible members are arranged so that when two or more bird combs are positioned end-to-end in a straight row in a mounted state, birds, snow and similar unwanted objects are prevented from passing through the adjoining bird combs also at the border between all such neighbouring bird combs. This can be achieved in several ways, such as in a preferred embodiment of the bird comb where (i) the first and second end of the mounting part are complementarily shaped; (ii) the at least two lines of flexible members are straight lines that are parallel with the longitudinal axis of the mounting part; (iii) the width of the first interspaces within each line of flexible members is substantial identical; and (iv) for each of the at least two lines of flexible members, the flexible member at both ends of the line of flexible members is spaced apart from the respective end of the mounting part by substantially half of the width of the first interspaces within that line of flexible members. When two or more of such a preferred bird comb are positioned end-to-end in a straight row in a mounted state, the at least two lines of flexible members of the respective bird combs form the same number of lines of flexible members spanning along the combined length of the adjoining bird combs, where the distance, in the longitudinal direction of the mounting part, between all neighbouring flexible members within each of the spanning lines advantageously is substantially the same (including across the border between neighbouring bird combs).

In a preferred embodiment, the first and second end of the mounting part are complementarily shaped, and each of the first

13 DK 181376 B1 and second end comprises a first end face extending from the first longitudinal side towards the second longitudinal side, a second end face extending from the second longitudinal side toward the first longitudinal side, and a third end face extending between the first and second end face and in a substantially longitudinal direction of the mounting part, where the first and second end face extend in the transverse direction of the mounting part, the third end face extends in the longitudinal direction of the mounting part, and it is most preferred that all three end faces have substantially the same length, because such bird combs can be positioned end-to-end in a straight row, and 1if two such bird combs are laterally inverted, they can be positioned end-to-end at a 90% angle (such as at a corner of a skylight window), where there in both cases is complete contact between the bordering ends of the bird combs.

In a preferred embodiment, the mounting part comprises at least one reservoir for temporary accommodating water/snow, and the bird comb is adapted for allowing water/snow that hits the flexible members, in a mounted state of the bird comb, to run down along the flexible members and into the reservoir from where it may evaporate, and thereby being prevented from damaging the underlying roof construction. The at least one reservoir may be in the form of at least one cavity provide on the upper surface of the mounting part, or a groove provided on the upper surface of the mounting part and extending between the first and second end of the mounting part. The at least one cavity or groove is preferably positioned next to the at least two lines of flexible members, in which case the bird comb is intended to be mounted with the at least two lines of flexible members being closer to the interior of the roof construction than the at least one cavity or groove.

It is preferred that the at least one reservoir is provided by the mounting part having a substantially U-shaped transverse

14 DK 181376 B1 cross-section with a lower middle part from which the flexible members extend, a first and second rim at the first and second longitudinal side of the mounting part, respectively, where the lower middle part, first rim, and second rim extend between the first and second end of the mounting part, and where the first and second rim extend upwards from the lower middle part, and where it is the space between the rims that constitutes the reservoir.

The height of the first and second rim restricts the extent to which the upper covering may bend the flexible members, in a mounted state, as the maximum bending of the flexible members is when the upper covering rests on top of the first and/or second rim, i.e. with a distance between the upper covering and the lower middle part of the U-shaped mounting part. Such a restricted bending ensures that the proximal end of the flexible members has sufficient strength to prevent the flexible members from breaking off the mounting part.

It is preferred that the height of each rim is substantially the same along the entire length of the mounting part, and it is even more preferred that both rims have substantially the same height. The upper end of the rims is preferably rounded in the lateral direction of the mounting part.

Yet another advantage of the mounting part being substantially

U-shaped is when the upper covering is made of staggered roof tiles, and the height of the first and/or second rim is adapted to be substantially the same as the thickness of the roof tiles, because it enable a simple roof construction where the bird comb is secured directly to the lowest horizontally extending batten and the lower part of the roof tiles of the lowest row of staggered roof tiles rest directly on the rim(s) of the mounting part of the bird comb, which thereby ensures that the roof tiles of the lowest row of roof tiles have substantially the same inclination as the other roof tiles. In

15 DK 181376 B1 other words, the bird comb ensures the correct inclination of the lowest row of roof tiles in such a roof construction. It is normally preferred that all of the staggered roof tiles have substantially the same inclination to provide a water-proof upper covering. The thickness of typical roof tiles is 6 mm, which is the reason why the height of the rim(s) of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is 6 mm.

For inclining roofs where the underlying framework surface to which the bird comb is secured/mounted also incline, any excess water/snow entering the at least one reservoir will run away from the interior of the roof construction (e.g. into the gutter) and thereby being prevented from damaging the underlying roof construction.

The mounting part may comprise at least one through-going hole in order for a user to secure the mounting part to a roof construction by means of a fastening element (not part of the invention), such as a screw or a nail. It is preferred that the mounting part comprises at least one such through-going hole at each of the first and second end of the mounting part; and it is most preferred that the mounting part also comprises one or more such through-going holes distributed along the length of the mounting part. The at least one through-going hole can be located between the at least two lines of flexible members, and/or at the longitudinal sides of the mounting part.

Other ways of securing the bird comb to a roof construction are also contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

For instance, the lower surface of the mounting part can be provided with an adhesive layer covered by a release liner adapted to be removed by a user prior to securing the bird comb to a roof construction, where the adhesive layer enables the bird comb to be secured to the roof construction without having to use screws or nails. Alternatively, the mounting part can be provided with the above-mentioned at least one through-going

16 DK 181376 B1 hole for a fastening element as well as the above-mentioned adhesive layer and release liner, in which case the adhesive also facilitates in keeping the bird comb in the desired position while the user further fastens the bird comb by means of a fastening element extending through the at least one through-going hole.

The elongated mounting part is preferably configured to be able to bend in the vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of the mounting part, which means that the mounting part may assume a straight elongated shape (without being bent), or it may bend into a convex shape (where the flexible members within each of the at least two lines are bend slightly away from each other) or into a concave shape (where the flexible members in each of the at least two lines are bend slightly towards each other), and maintain such a convex or concave shape in a mounted state of the bird comb. Such a bendable mounting part is advantageous, as it allows the bird comb to be secured/mounted to a roof construction surface that is not completely flat, where the mounting part, at least to some extent, follows, or substantially follows, the contours of the roof construction surface.

The mounting part may simply be a substantial flat plate, which may be bendable as described above, or rigid. It is however preferred that the mounting part has a transverse cross-section that is substantially U-shaped as described above, and is bendable in the vertical plane that contains the longitudinal axis of the mounting part as described above.

The present invention also relates to a method of mounting one or more of the bird combs according to the present invention to a roof construction, where the method comprises securing one or more bird combs to the underlying framework of a roof construction at an edge of the roof construction, and then mounting the upper covering of the roof construction, or at least the part of the upper covering that is above the bird comb (s), where the bird comb(s) is/are configured so that some or all flexible members are bend between the upper covering and the underlying framework. It is preferred that the bird comb is mounted in a way where the flexible members are bend mainly in the same direction, such as either towards or away from the interior of the roof construction.

The method may further comprise mounting two or more bird combs end-to-end in a straight row along the roof edge, where the at least two lines of flexible members of the bird combs are positioned/arranged so that, when the bird combs are mounted end-to-end, the lines of flexible members of each bird comb are aligned with the corresponding lines of flexible members of the other bird comb(s) so that at least two lines of flexible members spanning along the combined length of the adjoining bird combs are formed.

Further details and advantages of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which show an exemplary embodiment of a bird comb according to the present invention, where

Fig. 1 shows a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the bird comb according the invention, in an unmounted state

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of a cut-out of fig. 1,

Fig. 3 shows a vertical sectional view taken along the line

III-III of fig. 1,

Fig. 4 shows a partial side elevational view of the bird comb of fig. 1,

Fig. 5 shows a partial top view of two end-to-end positioned bird combs of fig. 1,

10 DK 181376 B1

Fig. 6 illustrates the bird comb of fig. 1 in a mounted state under a corrugated roof tile,

Fig. 7 illustrates a roof construction with staggered roof tiles and the bird comb of fig. 1,

Fig. 8 shows two bird combs according to another embodiment of the present invention that are positioned end-to-end at a 90° angle, and

Fig. 9 shows an enlarged view of a cut-out of fig. 8, where the two bird combs have been moved away from each other for illustrative purposes.

The bird combs 1, 1’ shown in figs. 1 - 9 are possible embodiments of the present invention, which e.g. means that the shown shapes of the mounting part, shape of the flexible members, and number of lines of flexible members are not essential for the invention.

The bird comb 1 has a mounting part 2, and a plurality of flexible members 3 extending upwards from the mounting part 2.

The mounting part 2 has an upper surface 4 from which the flexible members 3 extend in a perpendicular direction in the unmounted state, and a lower surface 5.

The flexible members 3 are arranged in a first line 6 and a second line 7, which are straight and parallel with the longitudinal axis X of the mounting part 2, and extend between the first end 8 and the opposite second end 9 of the mounting part 2. All flexible members 3 are substantial identical, and the width W, of the first interspace 10 between neighbouring pairs of flexible members 3 within each of the lines 6, 7 are substantial identical. The first 6 and second line 7 are spaced apart by a distance B in the transverse direction of the

19 DK 181376 B1 mounting part 2. Each of the flexible members 3 has the shape of a flat strip with a first flat side 11, an opposite second flat side 12, and a rounded distal end 13, where the flat sides 11, 12 are facing in the transverse direction of the mounting part 2.

The mounting part 2 has a first longitudinal side 14 and a second longitudinal side 15, a first rim 16 at the first side 14 and a second rim 17 at the second side 15, and a middle part 18 there between. The rims 16, 17 extend upwards and along the entire longitudinal length of the mounting part 2. As best shown in fig. 3, the mounting part has a substantially U-shaped transverse cross-section. When seen in the transverse direction, the two lines 6, 7 of flexible members 3 are centred between the longitudinal sides 14, 15.

Fig. 5 illustrates two or more bird combs 1 positioned end-to- end in a straight row, where the respective first lines 6 of flexible members 3 of the adjoining bird combs 1 form a line spanning along the combined length of the adjoining bird combs 1, and the respective second lines 7 of flexible members 3 of the adjoining bird combs 1 also form a line spanning along the combined length of the adjoining bird combs 1.

As best shown in fig. 5, the flexible members 3 are positioned so that the flexible members of the first line 6 are offset, in the longitudinal direction, compared to the flexible members of the adjacent second line 7 by half of the sum of the width W, of the first interspace 10 between neighbouring flexible members in a line combined with the width W, of the flexible members 3. In other words, the flexible members 3 of the line 6 are offset/shifted by a distance D din the longitudinal direction of the mounting part 2, where D = (W, + W,)/2. When seen in the transverse direction of the mounting part 2, the flexible members 3 in line 6 fully "cover” the first interspace

20 DK 181376 B1 10 between the neighbouring flexible members 3 in line 7, and vice versa.

The mounting part 2 has a number of through-going holes 19 (only shown in figure 4) for securing the bird comb 1 to a roof constructions by means of fastening elements, where the holes 19 are located between the two lines 6, 7 of flexible members 3 and are distributed evenly along the length of the mounting part 2.

Fach of the complementary opposite ends 8, 9 of the mounting part 2 has a first end face 23 extending from the first longitudinal side 14 towards the second longitudinal side 15, a second end face 24 extending from the second longitudinal side 15 toward the first longitudinal side 14, and a third end face 25 extending between the first 23 and second end face 24 and in the longitudinal direction of the mounting part 2, where the first 23 and second end face 24 extend in the transverse direction of the mounting part 2, and the length L of the third end face 25 is substantially the same as the above-mentioned distance D by which the flexible members 3 of the two lines 6, 7 are mutually offset/shifted in the longitudinal direction.

The flexible member at both ends of each of the lines 6, 7 of the flexible members 3 are spaced apart from the respective ends 8, 9 by a distance that is half of the width W,; which means that when two or more bird combs 1 are positioned end-to- end in a straight row, the first interspace 10 between all neighbouring flexible members 3 within the two lines of flexible members spanning along the combined length of the adjoining bird combs 1 is substantial identical (including across the border between neighbouring bird combs 1).

Fig. 6 shows a mounted state of the bird comb 1 under a single corrugated roof tile 20 for illustrative purposes, and illustrates that the bird comb 1 can be installed in the gap

1 DK 181376 B1 between the corrugated roof tile 20 and the underlying framework (not shown), where the height of the gap varies along the length of the roof tile 20. The flexible members 3 extend towards the underside of the roof tile 20, and the flexible members 3 are bend to a varying degree depending on which part of the roof tile 20 they are under. The flexible members 3 are bend in an inwards direction in fig. 6, but the bird comb 1 could might as well have been installed in a way where the flexible members 3 instead were bending in an outwards direction.

Fig. 7 illustrates a roof construction where the upper covering is made of corrugated roof tiles 21 that are staggered on top of horizontally extending battens 22, and where the bird comb 1 is secured between the lowest batten 22 and the lower part of the lowest roof tile 21. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the bottom of one of the valleys of the corrugations of the roof tiles 21, and illustrates that because the height of the rims 15, 16 of the mounting part 2 of the bird comb 1 is substantially the same as the thickness of the roof tiles 21, the lowest of the shown roof tiles 21 has substantially the same inclination as the other roof tiles 21.

Fig. 8 shows two bird combs 1’ according to the present invention where the same/similar parts to those of the bird comb 1 are shown with the same numerals and the detailed description thereof is omitted for simplicity. The bird comb 1° differs from the bird comb 1 shown in figs. 1 - 7 in that the transverse width of the rims 16, 17 and the transverse width of the lower middle part 18 are smaller. The two bird combs 1” are positioned end-to-end at a 90° angle where there is complete contact between the complementary ends 8, 9 of the mounting part 2. Each of the ends 8, 9 has a first end face 23’ extending from the first longitudinal side 14 towards the second longitudinal side 15, a second end face 24’ extending from the second longitudinal side 15 toward the first

> DK 181376 B1 longitudinal side 14, and a third end face 25’ extending between the first 23’ and second end face 24’ and in the longitudinal direction of the mounting part 2, where the first 23" and second end face 24/' extend in the transverse direction of the mounting part 2, the third end face 25’ extends in the longitudinal direction of the mounting part 2, and all three end faces 237, 247, 25’ have substantially the same length.

Fig. 9 shows an exploded view of a cut-out of fig. 8, where the adjoined ends 8, 9 of two bird combs 1’ have been moved away from each other to more clearly show the first 23’, second 24' and third end faces 25’ thereof.

Claims

52 DK 181376 B1 Patent claim i. Bird grid {1; 17) to is a roof structure, in which the bird grid (1; 1/7) comprises: - an elongated mounting part (2) which is designed to be attached to the roof structure, - several elongated flexible elements (3) which extend upwards in the to the mounting part {2}, and are arranged to be bent in a mounted state by the bird grid fl; 17), - the flexible elements (3) are arranged in at least two rows (8, 7) which extend in the longitudinal direction of the elongated mounting part (2), where flexible elements (3), which within each row (68, 7 ) are neighbors, 1 is at least partially spaced from each other with a first gap (10) in the longitudinal direction of the elongated mounting part (2), - the at least two rows (8, 7) of flexible elements (3) are spaced from the other with a second membranous space 1 transverse direction of the mounting part (2), - the elongated mounting part {2} has a first longitudinal side {14} with a first edge (16) which extends upwards and an opposite second longitudinal side (18) , and a middle part (18) between said first longitudinal side (low) and said second longitudinal side (15), characterized in that the second longitudinal side (15) has a second edge (17) which extends upwards.

2. Frglegitter (fl; 179) according to claim 1, in which the flexible elements (3) are arranged so that some or all of the first spaces {10} within at least one of the at least ten rows (68, 7) of flexible elements {3} is 1 the least partially covered, when seen 1 the transverse direction of the elongated mounting part (2), of the flexible

>4 DK 181376 B1 elements (3) in the adjacent row(s) lr) (6,7) of flexible elements (3).

3. Bird net (1; 17) according to claims 1 or 2, in which all flexible elements (3) are essentially identical and/or the width (W,) of all the first gaps (10) are essentially identical.

4. Bird net (1; 17) according to claim 3, in which the flexible elements (3) are arranged so that the flexible elements (3) 1 each row (6, 7) are offset in the longitudinal direction compared to the flexible elements ( 3) 1 the adjacent row(s) (6, 7), preferably where all of the first spaces (10) are completely covered, when viewed in the transverse direction of the elongated mounting part (2), by the flexible elements (3) 1 the adjacent row(s) (6, 7) of flexible elements (3).

5. Bird screen (1; 17) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a first end (8) and an opposite second end (9) of the elongate mounting part (2) are of complementary design.

A birdcage (1; 17) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two rows (6, 7) of flexible elements (3) are straight rows parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the elongate mounting part (2); and/or the width (W,) of the first spaces (10) within each of the two rows (6, 7) is essentially identical, and the flexible element (3) at both ends of each of the at least two rows ( 6, 7) are spaced from the respective ends (8, 9) of the elongate mounting part (2) by half the width (W,) of the first gap (10) within that row (6, 7).

7. Bird net (1; 17) according to any of the preceding claims, in which a first end (8) and an opposite second end (9) of

J DK 181376 B1 the elongate mounting part (2) is of complementary design and each comprises a first end surface (23; 237) which extends from the first longitudinal side (14) towards the second longitudinal side (153), a second end surface ( 24; 247) which extends from the second longitudinal side (15) towards the first longitudinal side (14), and a third end surface (25; 257) which extends between the first and second end surfaces and in a substantially longitudinal direction of the elongated mounting part (2), where the first (23; 237) and second end surfaces (24; 247) extend in the transverse direction of the elongated mounting part (2) and the third end surface (25; 25') extends 1 the longitudinal direction of the elongated mounting part (2); and most preferably where all three end surfaces (237, 24', 257) have essentially the same length.

Bird cage (1; 1/7) according to any preceding claim, comprising at least one reservoir for temporarily holding water/snow.

9. Bird grid (1; 17) according to claim 8, where the bird grid is arranged to allow water/snow, which hits the flexible elements (3), to run down along the flexible elements (3) and into the at least one reservoir.

Bird screen (1; 1/7) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate mounting part (2) has a substantially U-shaped transverse cross-section with the central part (18) from which the flexible elements (3) extend, the central part (18), the first (16) and second edges (17) extend between the first (8) and second ends (9) of the mounting part (2), and where the first and second edges extend upwards from the central part (18), where the distance between the first (16) and second edge (17) constitutes a reservoir for temporarily holding water/snow.

ae DK 181376 B1

11. Bird net (1; 17) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first spaces (10) has substantially the same or a varying width (W,) along the length of the flexible elements (3); and the maximum width (W,) of each of the first gaps (10) is substantially 4 mm, more preferably substantially 3 mm, and most preferably substantially 2 mm; and/or in which the total height of the bird grid (1; 17) is 5 - 10 cm, and most preferably around 6.5 cm.

12. Method for mounting one or more bird grids (1; 17) according to any one of claims 1 - 11 to a roof structure, in which the method comprises mounting one or more of the bird grids (1; 17) to the underlying skeleton of a roof structure at an edge on the roof structure, and then to mount the part of the upper cover of the roof structure which, in the assembled state, is above the bird grid(s) (1; 17), where the bird grid(s) (1; 17) is/are configured such that some or all flexible elements (3) are bent between the upper cover and the underlying skeleton.

13. Method according to claim 12 comprising mounting two or more of the bird grids (1; 1/7) end-to-end in a straight row at the edge of the roof structure, in which the at least two rows (6, 7) of the bird grids (1; 17 ) flexible elements (3) are arranged so that when the bird grids (1; 17) are mounted end-to-end, the rows (6, 7) of flexible elements (3) in each bird grid (1; 17) are arranged with the corresponding rows (6, 7) of flexible elements (3) 1 the other bird grid(s) (1; 17), so that at least two rows of flexible elements (3) are formed which span along the adjacent bird grids ( 1; 17) combined length.