GB2185504A

GB2185504A - Living space in roof supports

Info

Publication number: GB2185504A
Application number: GB08700953A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Robert Crook Marshall; Maurice Woodcroft
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-01-18
Filing date: 1987-01-16
Publication date: 1987-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2007-01-16
Also published as: GB8601205D0; GB8700953D0; GB2185504B

Abstract

A roof support is provided such that when a plurality of similar roof supports are arranged in use to support a roof, a usable space is defined within the supports sufficient to provide, for example, a substantial living area (10 Fig. 2). The support may comprise a horizontal floor supporting member 1 and two sloping roof members 2 which together form a triangular structure. There may also be a horizontal ceiling support member 7. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Roof supports The invention relates to roof supports.

Known roofing systems are available in the form of prefabricated units, which provide limited use of the internal space within the units when erected. There are also more traditional site-built constructions which are efficient in the utilisation of internal space but are expensive in terms of time and materials.

The invention seeks to provide a roof support which enables roof structures to be constructed quickly and inexpensively whilst providing maximum use of the space within the roof structure.

According to the invention there is provided a roof support arranged such that when a plurality of similar supports are arranged in use to support a roof, a usable space is defined within the supports sufficient to provide, for example, a substantial living area.

Preferably the roof support is triangular, there being first support means positioned at the base of the triangle to support a floor.

Preferably the roof space has second support means positioned above the first support means to support a ceiling.

While the roof support may be pre-manufactured, it is preferred that it is assembled on site, at the point of use.

The roof support may comprise members bolted, bracketed, cleated or otherwise secured together.

The invention includes a plurality of supports according to the invention, fixed alongside each other on supporting elements and braced to provide a stable overall structure within which there is formed an internal space which can be utilised as required.

The supporting elements may comprise wall plates positioned on the outer leaf of a multileaf wall.

The ends of the roof supports may overhang the supporting elements by three to five feet (e.g. four feet).

Dormers or roof lights may be formed in the stable overall structure by making suitable provisions.

By way of example, a specific embodiment of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an elevation of a triangular roof support according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing several of the roof supports positioned to define a usable space; Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of a completed building; and Figure 4 is a sectional view showing the construction of a wall of the building.

The triangular roof support shown in Fig. 1 comprises a horizontal tie/floor member 1 fixed by bolts, brackets, cleats or similar means 3 to two sloping roof members 2 which in turn are fixed by bolts, brackets, cleats or similar means (not shown) to each other at the apex 4 of the triangle.

In use a plurality of such supports will be arranged on supporting walls or wall plates 5.

There may also be intermediate supporting walls, beams or similar members, for example shown at 6. A horizontal ceiling support member 7 is fixed by bolts, brackets, cleats or similar means (not shown) to the sloping roof members 2.

As shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of the supports, each illustrated by the reference numeral 8, are secured alongside one another in use, spaced slightly apart from one another, to form an overall structure. The supports are secured together by roof member bracings 9 and it will be seen from the projected section 10 that there is a substantial internal usable space.

The overall structure is of course covered with roofing material as required.

Conventional triangular roof supports generally define merely a small loft area. However the roof supports according to the invention are of such dimensions and proportions that it is possible to accommodate an entire upstairs living area within the space 10. The supports have not only means 7 to support a ceiling, but also means 1 to support a substantial floor such as is required in a living space.

Fig. 3 shows in more detail how the roof supports are used in practice. The wall plates 5 are mounted on top of lintels 11 positioned at the upper edges of the outer leaves 12 of a twin leaf wall. The construction of the wall is shown in more detail in Fig. 4.

The roof supports are of substantial size, in order to provide the substantial living space 10. Thus the ends 13 of the roof supports overhang the walls by a substantial amount, namely four feet in this particular embodiment.

This makes it possible to position the wall plates 5 on the outer leaves 12 of the walls, while still providing the wall plates with adequate protection from the weather. This in turn gives rise to a further important advantage in that it is possible to make the outer leaf 12 both the weatherproofing leaf and the load bearing leaf.

It can also be seen from Fig. 3 that the roof members 2 are provided with additional support in the form of vertical structural members 14 extending between the roof members 2 and the floor supporting member 1.

Dormer windows 15 are also accommodated in the overall structure.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment.

1. A roof support arranged such that when a plurality of similar supports are arranged in

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Roof supports The invention relates to roof supports. Known roofing systems are available in the form of prefabricated units, which provide limited use of the internal space within the units when erected. There are also more traditional site-built constructions which are efficient in the utilisation of internal space but are expensive in terms of time and materials. The invention seeks to provide a roof support which enables roof structures to be constructed quickly and inexpensively whilst providing maximum use of the space within the roof structure. According to the invention there is provided a roof support arranged such that when a plurality of similar supports are arranged in use to support a roof, a usable space is defined within the supports sufficient to provide, for example, a substantial living area. Preferably the roof support is triangular, there being first support means positioned at the base of the triangle to support a floor. Preferably the roof space has second support means positioned above the first support means to support a ceiling. While the roof support may be pre-manufactured, it is preferred that it is assembled on site, at the point of use. The roof support may comprise members bolted, bracketed, cleated or otherwise secured together. The invention includes a plurality of supports according to the invention, fixed alongside each other on supporting elements and braced to provide a stable overall structure within which there is formed an internal space which can be utilised as required. The supporting elements may comprise wall plates positioned on the outer leaf of a multileaf wall. The ends of the roof supports may overhang the supporting elements by three to five feet (e.g. four feet). Dormers or roof lights may be formed in the stable overall structure by making suitable provisions. By way of example, a specific embodiment of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an elevation of a triangular roof support according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing several of the roof supports positioned to define a usable space; Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of a completed building; and Figure 4 is a sectional view showing the construction of a wall of the building. The triangular roof support shown in Fig. 1 comprises a horizontal tie/floor member 1 fixed by bolts, brackets, cleats or similar means 3 to two sloping roof members 2 which in turn are fixed by bolts, brackets, cleats or similar means (not shown) to each other at the apex 4 of the triangle. In use a plurality of such supports will be arranged on supporting walls or wall plates 5. There may also be intermediate supporting walls, beams or similar members, for example shown at 6. A horizontal ceiling support member 7 is fixed by bolts, brackets, cleats or similar means (not shown) to the sloping roof members 2. As shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of the supports, each illustrated by the reference numeral 8, are secured alongside one another in use, spaced slightly apart from one another, to form an overall structure. The supports are secured together by roof member bracings 9 and it will be seen from the projected section 10 that there is a substantial internal usable space. The overall structure is of course covered with roofing material as required. Conventional triangular roof supports generally define merely a small loft area. However the roof supports according to the invention are of such dimensions and proportions that it is possible to accommodate an entire upstairs living area within the space 10. The supports have not only means 7 to support a ceiling, but also means 1 to support a substantial floor such as is required in a living space. Fig. 3 shows in more detail how the roof supports are used in practice. The wall plates 5 are mounted on top of lintels 11 positioned at the upper edges of the outer leaves 12 of a twin leaf wall. The construction of the wall is shown in more detail in Fig. 4. The roof supports are of substantial size, in order to provide the substantial living space 10. Thus the ends 13 of the roof supports overhang the walls by a substantial amount, namely four feet in this particular embodiment. This makes it possible to position the wall plates 5 on the outer leaves 12 of the walls, while still providing the wall plates with adequate protection from the weather. This in turn gives rise to a further important advantage in that it is possible to make the outer leaf 12 both the weatherproofing leaf and the load bearing leaf. It can also be seen from Fig. 3 that the roof members 2 are provided with additional support in the form of vertical structural members 14 extending between the roof members 2 and the floor supporting member 1. Dormer windows 15 are also accommodated in the overall structure. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment. CLAIMS

1. A roof support arranged such that when a plurality of similar supports are arranged in use to support a roof, a usable space is defined within the supports sufficient to provide, for example, a substantial living area.

2. A roof support as claimed in Claim 1 which is triangular, there being first support means positioned at the base of the triangle to support a floor.

3. A roof support as claimed in Claim 2, in which there is second support means positioned above the first support means to support a ceiling.

4. A roof support as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, assembled on site.

5. A plurality of roof supports as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, fixed alongside each other on supporting elements and braced to provide a stable or wall structure within which there is formed an internal space which can be utilised as required.

6. A plurality of roof supports as claimed in Claim 5, in which the supporting elements comprise wall plates positioned on the outer leaf of a multi-leaf wall.

7. A plurality of roof supports as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, in which the ends of the roof supports overhang the supporting elements by three to five feet.

8. A roof support constructed and arranged substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.