GB2167787A

GB2167787A - Roof structure and a roof tile therefor

Info

Publication number: GB2167787A
Application number: GB08529317A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Frederick Gibson; David Bottomore
Original assignee: Glidevale Building and Products Ltd
Current assignee: Glidevale Building and Products Ltd
Priority date: 1984-12-01
Filing date: 1985-11-28
Publication date: 1986-06-04
Also published as: GB8529317D0; GB2167787B

Abstract

A roof tile comprising a panel having retaining means 16 and 17 which is adapted to engage at least one adjacent tile to restrict movement of the panel relative to the adjacent tile. The roof tiles are juxtaposed in a plurality of rows. The retaining means prevents the tiles lifting relative to one another. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Roof structure and a roof tile therefor This invention relates to a roof structure and to a a roof tile therefor.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a roof tile comprising a panel having retaining means, said retaining means being adapted to engage at least one adjacent roof tile in order to restrict movement of the panel relative to the or each adjacent tile.

A particular advantage of this roof tile is that no modification or adaptation is required to the adjacent roof tile in order to provide the restricted movement.

Advantageously, the retaining means is adapted to engage two adjacent tiles. This is especially useful because it locks the tiles securely in the roof structure.

Preferably the retaining means is adapted to prevent the or each adjacent tile from lifting relative to the panel. The retaining means may permit sliding movement between the panel and adjacent tile in a direction substantially parallel with the plane of the panel.

When the retaining means engages two adjacent tiles the retaining means may permit sliding movement relative to one adjacent tile in a first direction, but restrict sliding movement in a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction. Furthermore the retaining means may permit sliding movement of the other adjacent tile in the second direction, but restrict sliding movement in the first direction. This is useful because it enables the roof tile to be slid into position in the roof structure, but locks the tile securely in position once the correct position has been established.

Desirably the retaining means comprises at least one formation defining a recess receiving the adjacent tile, or extending into a recess of the adjacent tile, to restrict movement relative to the adjacent tile. Desirably also, two of said formations are provided, each formation restricting movement relative to a respective adjacent tile.

One of the formations preferably comprises a first portion extending outwardly of the tile, and a second portion extending from the first portion substantially transverse to said first portion, and substantially parallel to the plane of the panel. Preferably, a lower face of the panel is adapted to engage an upper face of the adjacent tile, and at least said second portion of the formation is adapted to engage a lower face of the adjacent tile.

Another of the formations preferably comprises a side edge of the panel cooperating with a projection extending outwardly of the panel. Preferably the side edge is adapted to engage an upper face of the adjacent tile, and the projection is adapted to engage a lower face of the adjacent tile.

The roof tile may include top and bottom substantially parallel edges, and opposed side edges which are substantially parallel.

The roof tile may be secured to a batten of a roof structure in the region of the top edge; the bottom edge of the roof tile may overlie an adjacent roof tile.

A lower face of the panel may be provided with a sealing formation. This sealing formation may engage an upper face of an adjacent roof tile in order to provide a seal between the roof tile and the adjacent roof tile; this prevents water and dust entering between the two tiles.

The sealing formation may comprise a substantially continuous strip. Two further sealing formations may be provided to provide a seal between the roof tile and two other adjacent roof tiles.

The region of the roof tile near the top edge may be provided with one or more apertures through which screws or nails can be passed in order to secure the roof tile to the batten. Preferably a locating member is provided near the top edge of the roof tile, which extends substantially transverse to the panel and which assists in locating and holding the panel in position on the batten.

The roof tile may conveniently comprise a plastics material, reinforced cement or metal and may be pressed or moulded from the raw material state and processed to provide a weatherproof finish.

It is preferred that the retaining means is integral with the panel.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a roof structure comprising a plurality of roof tiles juxtaposed in a plurality of rows so that the tiles of adjacent rows overlap, each roof tile comprising a panel having retaining means thereon which engages at least one adjacent roof tile in order to restrict movement of the panel relative to the or each adjacent tile.

Advantageously each roof tile has the features of the roof tile as described above.

As explained above, it is particularly advantageous that the retaining means engages at least two adjacent roof tiles. Thus, the retaining means can engage an adjacent tile in the same row and an adjacent tile in an adjacent row, so that movement between tiles in the same row and in an adjacent row is restricted.

The roof structure may include a plurality of battens, each batten supporting one row of the roof tiles, and the rows may extend susbtantially transverse to the battens.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of part of a roof structure according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of part of a roof structure according to the invention; Figure 3 is a plan view of a roof tile according to the invention; Figure 4 is an underside view of a roof tile according to the invention; and Figure 5 is a side elevation of a roof tile according to the invention.

In Fig. 1 a roof structure is shown which comprises a plurality of roof tiles 101 to 112 which are of identical construction. The roof tiles 101 to 112 are juxtaposed in a plurality of rows: tiles 101 and 102 are arranged in a row 2; tiles 103 to 106 are arranged in a row 3; tiles 107 to 109 are arranged in a row 4; and tiles 110 and 112 are arranged in a row 5.

Each tile includes top and bottom edges 201 and 202 respectively between which opposed side walls 203 and 204 extend.

An end of the roof tiles 103 to 106 in the region of the top edge 201 is secured to a batten 7 by nails 6 which extend through apertures 10 (see Figs. 3 and 4) of each roof tile.

The bottom edge 202 of the roof tiles 103 to 105 overlies the top edge 201 of the roof tiles 107 to 109; the tiles 107 to 109 are attached to a batten 8 in the region of the top edge 201 by nails 6.

Similarly, the bottom edge 202 of the roof tiles 107 to 109 overlies the top edge 201 of roof tiles 110 to 112; each of the tiles 110 to 112 is secured to a batten 9 in the region of the top edge 201 by nails 6.

The bottom edge 202 of the roof tiles 101 and 102 overlies the top edge 201 of the roof tiles 103 to 105.

The tiles of the rows 2 to 5 are arranged so that the tiles of alternate rows are directly in line with one another. Thus, for example, the tile 101 is in line with the tile 107 and the tile 104 is in line with the tile 111.

The tiles of adjacent rows are arranged so that they are out of line with one another by a distance equal to half a tile width W (see Fig.

3). In this way two tiles of one row overlie a single tile of the next row. For example, tiles 107 and 108 both overlie tile 111.

Each tile 101 to 112 comprises a panel 11 having an upper face 1 lea and a lower face 11 b. This is most clearly shown in Figs. 2 to 5 which shows the tile 105 in greater detail.

As explained above, the other tiles 101 to 104 and 106 to 112 are all of identical construction to tile 105. In Fig. 2, the tiles 102, 104 and 109 have been omitted for greater clarity.

The panel 11 is of generally rectangular configuration. The panel 11 includes a substantially planar portion 12 which extends to the top edge 201 of the tile 105 and which has the apertures 10 therein. The portion 12 is adapted to engage the batten 7 of the roof structure.

The portion 12 is provided with depressions 12b and 12c in which the apertures 10 are formed and which engage the batten 7.

Locating members in the form of two flanges 13 are provided which extend from the top edge 201 in a direction substantially transverse to the plane of the portion 12. The flanges 13 assist in locating the roof tile 105 in position on the batten 7. The flanges 13 also enable the tile 105 to remain in place on the batten 7 before it is secured with nails 6.

The panel 11 also includes a substantially planar portion 14, which is substantially parallel to the portion 12 and which extends to the bottom edge 202 of the tile 105. In addition, the panel 11 includes a substantially planar portion 15 which interconnects the portions 12 and 14. The plane of the portion 15 lies at an angle to the plane of the portions 12 and 14. This arrangement is provided so that the plane of the portion 14 is spaced from the plane of the portion 12 which enables the portion 14 to overlie the portion 12 on the tiles 108 and 109 of the row 4.

The two opposite edges 203 and 204 extend transverse to the longitudinal axis of the batten 7.

The edge 204 is provided with a female section, and the edge 203 is provided with a male section. When the tiles 101 to 112 are juxtaposed in each row, the male and female edge sections 204 and 203 of adjacent tiles interlock in order to hold adjacent tiles together. Thus the male edge section 203 of the tile 105 interlocks with the female edge section 204 of the tile 104. The male and female sections 203 and 204 act as sealing members to provide a seal between the tile 105 and the adjacent tiles in the row 3.

Retaining means in the form of a formation 16 is attached to the lower face 11 b of the panel 11 underneath the female section of the edge 204. The formation 16 extends outwardly from the edge 204 of the panel 11.

An upper surface 16a of the formation 16 is adapted to engage the lower surface 1 1b of the tile 109 in the row 4. The formation 16 includes two mutually perpendicular portions 16b and 16c.

The upper surface 1 6a of the formation 16 is spaced from the lower surface 11 b of the panel 11, underneath the female section of the edge 204, by a distance designated A (see Fig. 5). This distance A is slightly greater than the thickness of each panel 11 so that the portion 12 of the tile 109 in the row 4 can be received in the recess 205 defined between the upper surface 16a and the lower surface 1 1b of the tile 105.

The retaining means includes an additional formation 17 in cooperation with the edge 203. The additional formation 17 is attached to the lower surface 1 1b and extends outwardly from the edge 203 substantially transverse thereto. An upper surface 1 7a of the additional formation 17 is adapted to engage the lower surface 1 1b of the tile 104 which is juxtaposed adjacent the tile 105 in the row 3. The additional formation 17 acts in cooperation with the edge 203 to restrict movement between the tiles 104 and 105.

A sealing member 18 extends along the lower surface 1 1b of the panel 11, substantially transverse to the batten 7. The sealing member 18 is adapted to engage the upper surface 11 a of the portion 12 of the tiles 108 and 109.

One way of constructing the roof structure according to the invention is as follows.

Firstly, the tiles 110 to 112 of the row 5 are secured to the batten 9, so that the female and male edge sections 203 and 204 of adjacent tiles interlock. In addition, the formation 1 7 of the tile 112 engages the lower face 1 ib of the tile 111, and the formation 17 of the tile 111 engages the lower face 11 b of the tile 110. It should be noted that the formations 17 and the edges 203 permit the tiles 110 to 112 to slide relative to one another in a direction substantially transverse to the row axis.

The tiles 107 to 109 of the row 4 are then arranged so that the bottom edges 202 of these tiles overlie the top edges 201 of the tiles 110 to 112 of the row 5, and so that the portions 12 of the tiles 110 to 112 are received in the recesses 205 between the formations 16 and the lower faces 11 b of the tiles 107 to 109. It should be noted that formations 16 permit the tiles 107 to 109 to slide relative to the tiles 110 to 112 in a direction substantially parallel to the row axis.

The tiles 107 to 109 are then secured to the batten 8 with nails 6.

The tiles 103 to 106 of row 3 and then the tiles 101 and 102 of the row 2 are fixed to the roof structure in a similar way.

The roof structure of the present invention is very rigid and secure, and the tiles can be iightweight which results in a light roof structure.

The formation 16 restricts relative movement between tiles of adjacent rows. The additional formations 17 together with the side edge 203 restrict relative movement between adjacent tiles in the same row.

When the roof structure is complete adjacent tiles in the same row cannot lift relative to one another by virtue of the formation 17 and the edge 203, and adjacent tiles in adjacent rows cannot lift relative to one another by virtue of the formation 16.

This arrangement prevents the tiles from being lifted during severe weather conditions such as high winds.

Furthermore the roof structure is completely sealed against the ingress of water.

Moreover, the roof structure according to the invention is simple to assemble without the need of special skills or the provision of additional parts. The roof structure can be provided on existing buildings after they have been constructed, or during construction.

Claims

1. A roof tile comprising a panel having retaining means, said retaining means being adapted to engage at least one adjacent tile to restrict movement of the panel relative to the or each adjacent tile.

2. A roof tile according to Claim 1 in which the retaining means is adapted to engage at least two adjacent tiles.

3. A roof tile according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the retaining means is adapted to prevent the or each adjacent tile from lifting relative to the panel.

4. A roof tile according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the retaining means comprises at least one formation defining a recess receiving the adjacent tile, or extending into a recess of the adjacent tile, to restrict movement relative to the adjacent tile.

5. A roof tile according to Claim 4 in which two of said formations are provided, each formation restricting movement relative to a respective adjacent tile.

6. A roof tile according to Claim 4 or 5 in which one said formation comprises a first portion extending outwardly of the tile, and a second portion extending from the first portion substantially transverse to said first portion, and substantially parallel to the plane of the panel.

7. A roof tile according to Claim 6 in which a lower face of the panel is adapted to engage an upper face of the adjacent tile, and at least said second portion of the formation is adapted to engage a lower face of the adjacent tile.

8. A roof tile according to any of Claims 4 to 7 in which one said formation comprises a side edge of the panel cooperating with a projection extending outwardly of the panel.

9. A roof tile according to Claim 8 in which the side edge is adapted to engage an upper face of the adjacent tile, and the projection is adapted to engage a lower face of the adjacent tile.

10. A roof tile according to any preceding claim in which the panel includes top and bottom edges and opposed side edges extending therebetween.

11. A roof tile according to Claim 10 in which the top and bottom edges are substantially parallel, and the opposed side edges are substantially parallel.

12. A roof tile according to Claim 10 or 11 in which one said formation extends outwardly of one of the side walls and another said formation extends outwardly of the other side wail.

13. A roof tile according to any preceding claim in which the panel is provided with a sealing formation adapted to engage an upper face of the adjacent tile to provide a seal between the panel and the adjacent tile.

14. A roof tile according to Claim 13 in which the sealing formation comprises a substantially continuous strip.

15. A roof tile according to any preceding claim in which three sealing formations are provided each adapted to engage a respective adjacent tile.

16. A roof tile substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

17. A roof structure comprising a plurality of roof tiles juxtaposed in a plurality of rows so that the tiles of adjacent rows overlap, each roof tile comprising a panel having retaining means thereon which engages at least one adjacent roof tile in order to restrict movement of the panel relative to the or each adjacent tile.

18. A roof structure according to Claim 17 in which the retaining means engages at least two adjacent tiles.

19. A roof structure according to Claim 17 or 18 in which the retaining means engages an adjacent roof tile in an adjacent row and an adjacent roof tile in the same row.

20. A roof structure according to Claim 17, 18 or 19 in which the retaining means prevents the or each adjacent roof tile from lifting relative to the panel.

21. A roof structure according to Claim 17, 18, 19 or 20 in which the retaining means comprises at least one formation defining a recess receiving the adjacent tile, or extending into a recess of the adjacent tile, to restrict movement relative to the adjacent tile.

22. A roof structure according to Claim 21 in which two of said formations are provided, each formation restricting movement relative to a respective adjacent tile.

23. A roof structure according to Claim 21 or 22 in which one said formation comprises a first portion extending outwardly of the tile, and a second portion extending from the first portion substantially transverse to said first portion, and substantially parallel to the plane of the panel.

24. A roof structure according to Claim 23 in which a lower face of the panel engages an upper face of an adjacent tile in an adjacent row, and at least said second portion of the formation engages a lower face of the adjacent tile in the adjacent row.

25. A roof structure according to any of Claims 21 to 24 in which one said formation comprises a side edge of the panel cooperating with a projection extending outwardly of the panel.

26. A roof structure according to Claim 25 in which the side edge engages an upper face of an adjacent tile in the same row, and the projection engages a lower face of the adjacent tile in the same row.

27. A roof structure according to any of Claims 17 to 26 in which a lower face of the panel is provided with a sealing formation which engages an upper face of an adjacent roof tile in an adjacent row in order to provide a seal between the panel and the adjacent tile.

28. A roof structure according to Claim 27 in which the sealing formation comprises a substantially continuous strip.

29. A roof structure according to any of Claim 17 to 28 in which the panel is provided with two further sealing formations each of which engages a respective adjacent tile in the same row to provide a seal between the panel and the respective adjacent tile.

30. A roof structure substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.