GB2204340A

GB2204340A - Closure devices in a roof space

Info

Publication number: GB2204340A
Application number: GB08810516A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Reginald John Serpell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-05-07
Filing date: 1988-05-04
Publication date: 1988-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 2008-05-04
Also published as: GB8810516D0; GB8710749D0; GB2204340B

Abstract

A multiplicity of closure devices comprising panels 11 are employed to span adjacent areas between rafters 13 of a roof space thereby to provide means for supporting thermally insulative material 17. Each panel 11 has a central body portion (19 Fig 6) and resilient side portions 23 operative to engage portions of adjacent rafters and to support the panel with respect to the rafters. In a modification illustrated by Figure 8, the rafters 13 are engaged by resilient support clips 101 of wire which have bent portions (102 Fig 8) which make positive engagement with the upper surfaces of the rafters 13. The panels may be of unitary construction of plastic or of compressed cellulosic fibre, paper board or paper pulp material. <IMAGE>

Description

Closure Devices This invention relates to closure devices and, more particularly, to the thermal insulation of roof spaces utilising closure devices in accordance with the invention.

According to the invention, a closure device comprises a bend resistant panel having first and second parallel boundaries; and means operative when the said panel is applied substantially to span an area between adjacent rafters, or other appropriately spaced beam members, to engage the said spaced members and to support the said panel with respect to the spaced members, so engaged.

The member engaging means may be adapted to make positive engagement with the said spaced members.

A preferred such member engagement means comprises a first multiplicity of clip elements adapted to engage one of the said spaced members from positions spaced apart at intervals along the said first panel boundary, and a second multiplicity of clip elements adapted to engage the other of the said spaced members from positions spaced apart at intervals along the said second panel boundary.

The said clip elements may each comprise a length of wire formed with an abutment portion adapted to engage the upper surface of a spaced member by contact with the said upper surface.

Conveniently, the panel has opposed upstanding walls one at each said boundary, a multiplicity of protruberances project inwardly at intervals along the said walls; and the said wire clips have formations respectively adapted to engage the said protruberances.

The panel may be of moulded plastic. Conveniently, however, the panel may be of moulded compressed cellulosic fibre, paper board or paper pulp.

The member engaging means may, alternatively, be adapted to engage the said spaced members by frictional contact therewith.

Preferably a panel has a rectangular substantially rigid central body portion and, at each of first and second parallel boundaries of the said central portion, marginal transversely resilient portions, the structural properties of the said central and marginal portions of the panel being such that, when the panel is inserted to span an area between adjacent rafters or other appropriately spaced like members, frictional forces are developed between the said marginal portions and opposed surfaces of the said members as a result of compression of the marginal portions between the said opposed surfaces and the boundaries of the central body portion, the said frictional forces so developed having a magnitude capable of supporting not less than the weight of the panel.

Preferably, the said marginal portions each have at least one fold extending in the direction of length parallel to the direction of the adjacent said boundary.

The panel, preferably, is a unitary sheet.

The central body portion may be given a substantial rigidity by elongate upset formations in the central body portion of the panel.

In both of the aforementioned basic forms of the closure device the panel may have at each end transverse lip portions the panel being thereby given a tray-like form.

The foregoing and other features of the closure devices in accordance with the invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 depicts, schematically, a portion of the underside of a roof showing, more specifically, two rafters and a panel therebetween; Fig. 2 is a view of the underside of a roof but showing schematically two panels between adjacent rafters.

Fig. 3 represents a cross-section showing a panel and thermal insulation in relation to the rafters; Fig. 4 depicts a modified panel; Fig. 5 depicts a variant; Figure 6 is a pictorial diagram illustrating inverted a panel and a panel linking member in position with respect to the panel; and Figure 7 illustrates another modified panel; Figure 8 depicts a cross-section through a closure member of alternative form; Figure 9 is a pictorial view of a portion of the closure member of Figure 8; and Figure 10 illustrates another modification.

In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like components and/or features.

Closure devices comprising bend resistant panels 11 are positioned so as each to substantially span an area between ad;)acet rafters 13.

between the panels 11 and the battens 15 of the roof there is thermal insulative material such, for example, as fibreglass or rockwool mat 17.

The thermal insulative material 17 is held against movement down the panels 11 under gravity. The material 17 may for example be adherent to the panels but as will be clear other means may serve so as to retain the material.

The panels 11 of this example comprise moulded plastic components each having a rectangular central body portion 19 and, at each of two parallel boundaries 21 of the central portion 19, upstanding marginal portions 23.

The plastic sheet material of which the panel 11 is composed is of uniform thickness throughout. There may be a single V-fold (Fig. 3) at each marginal portion 23 or there may be a plurality of such folds as sho..n in Fig. 5 where each marginal portion 23 has two V-folds.

Thy virtue of the thickness of the plastic material of which the panel 11 is composed and because of the folded form given to the marginal portions 23 the said marginal portions are transversely flexible and resilient.

On the other hand the central body. portion 19 is substantially rigid. To provide the otherwise flexible central body portion 19 with such rigidity it is formed, during the moulding process, with a pattern of elongate offset prominences 27. And whilst its pattern may take a variety of different forms the prominences 27 are, conveniently, in the form of raised ribs extending transversely with respect to the boundaries 21.

Panels 11 constituted as aforedescribed may be made selfsupporting.

As shown in Fig. 6, the resilient portions 23 are formed with outwardly extending flanges 33 of castellated form, the openings 34 of which are pitched to correspond with the usual spacing of tile battens 15. When the panel 11 is in place, the flanges 33 are supported by the roof rafters, and the openings 34 allow the panel to clear the tile battens.

The prominences 27 of Figs. 1 to 6 are formed, not only to provide reinforcement, but also to deflect in a downwards direction, draughts of air entering the spaces between the panels 11 and the roof structure 30 (Fig. 3). Furthermore by making the "pockets" formed by the prominences 27 selfdraining, avoidance of the collection of moisture.

In use when tile panel 11 is inserted between adjacent rafters 13, the folded resilient marginal portions 23 are deflected or compressed inwardly between the opposed surfaces 29 of the rafters 13 and the boundaries 21 of the rigid central body portion 19. The friction forces developed between the marginal portions 23 and the surfaces 29 of the rafters 13 are of a magnitude to support not only the weight of the panel 11 but also the weight of the thermal insulation loading on the panel.

As previously mentioned the thermal insulation 17 may be glass fibre or rockwool mat. The mat may be adherent to the surface of the panel. To assist the positional stability of the thermal insulation 17 particularly in circumstances where the insulative material 17 is loosely laid upon the panels, the panels 11, may be formed, at the time of moulding, with lip portions 37 one at each end of the panel. Panels, so provided, have a tray-like form (Fig. 4), glass fibre mat, or indeed other forms of thermal insulative material, being received, with at least part of its depth, within the tray, the lip portions 37 impeding movement of the insulative material under gravity.

Fig. 7 illustrates a panel lla wherein the body portion 19a is positioned so as to allow the placing of thermal insulation material of substantial thickness, (for example, 80 =n) behind the panel.

In practice it may be and generally is inconvenient to produce single panels 11 extending the full length of the space between the rafters 13. Conveniently two or more easily producible panels 11 of more manageable dimensions are inserted end to end to fill the space (Fig. 2).

In order to ensure that the panels 11 lie in substantially the same plane, the ends of the resilient portions 23 may be stepped so that adjacent panels interfit with each other.

The panels 11, lla may be manufactured by vacuum forming techniques.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9 the alternative closure device llb there illustrated, relies on a more positive engagement with the rafters 13.

The bend resistant panel of the device has a central body portion 119 and marginal portions 123 and transveraebj extending spaced ribs 127.

The marginal portions 123 comprise walls which extend the full length of the central body portion 119 and which have, at longitudinally spaced intervals along each wall, correspondingly located, inwardly extending, protruberances 100.

The closure device is constructed as a unitary member conveniently in the form of compressed cellulosic fibre material, paper board or paper pulp.

The closure device in the embodiment of Figs. 8 and 9 comprises not only the panel but also resilient support clips of wire. The clip means 101 may comprise a first multiplicity of clips adapted to engage one of the said spaced members from positions spaced apart at intervals along the said first panel boundary, and a second multiplicity of clips adapted to engage the other of the said spaced members from positions spaced apart at intervals along the said second panel boundary. The wire clip elements 101 each have an abutment or rafter-engaging bent end portion 102, formed at the upper ends of side portions 103, a lateral or middle portion 104 interconnecting the side portions 103, and a formation, specifically a U-bend portion 105. The portions 105 form parts of the side portions 103.

The wire clips 101 have their U-bend portions 105 respectively in engagement with the protruberances 100, the U-bend portions being of a size and form such that they are in an expanded strained condition thereby to resiliently respectively to grip the protruberances 100o The hook-like bent end portions 102 of the wire clips 101 engage the upper surfaces 108 of the rafters 13. As a result the panel llb is securely positively supported with respect to the rafters.

As with the first described embodiment the panels llb may be provided with transverse lips (not shorn in Figs. 8 and 9) so that the panel may resemble a tray.

The panels llb may be shallow channel-form as illustrated with the ends of the channels provided with complementary formations (not shown) such for example as transverse end marginal corrugations whereby adjacent panels may interfit with each other.

The panels llb may be supplied as flat sheets provided, however, with longitudinal crease lines 109. The marginal surfaces of the sheets constitute, when folded about the crease lines 109, the side walls (portions 123) of the panels, which preferably are then made to upstand at right angles to the floor or body portion 119.

Fig. 10 illustrates a modification wherein resilient support clips 101c ha.ve middle or lateral portions 104c which are angular, extending across the bods portion 119c of a panel llc in a convergent mainer. This arrangement improves contact between the marginal portions 1230 of the panel and the rafters 13. The panel llc illustrated has a central, longitudinally extending prominence 12tea and the central part of the wire clip lOlc is formed so as to extend over this. more than one prominence 127c may be provided if desired, extending substantially parallel to each other.

'.ililst the panels lla, llb and llc are conveniently of paper board or paper pulp construction, it will be understood that other constructions and materials, notably plastics, may be employed.

Claims

1. A closure device which comprises: a bend resistant panel having first and second parallel boundaries; and means operative when the said panel is applied substantially to span an area between adjacent rafters, or other appropriately spaced beam members, to engage the said spaced members and to support the said panel with respect to the spaced members, so engaged.

2. A closure device as claimed in claim 1 in which the said member engaging means is adapted to make positive engagement with the said spaced members.

3. A closure device as claimed in claim 1 in which the said member engaging means is adapted to engage the said members by frictional contact therewith.

4. A closure device as claimed in claim 2 in which the said member engaging means comprises resilient support clip means.

5. A closure device as claimed in claim 4 in which the clip means comprises a first multiplicity of clip elements adapted to engage one of the said spaced members from positions spaced apart at intervals along the said first panel boundary, and a second multiplicity of clip elements adapted to engage the other of the said spaced members from positions spaced apart at intervals along the said second panel boundary.

6. A closure device as claimed in claim 5 in which the clip elements each comprise a length of wire formed with an abutment portion adapted to engage the upper surface of a spaced member by contact with the said upper surface.

7. A closure device as claimed in claim 6 in which the said panel has protruberances at intervals along the said parallel boundaries; and the wire clip elements have a formation adapted to engage a said protruberance.

8. A closure device as claimed in claim 7 in which the panel. has upstanding opposed lateral parts; and the protruberances are protruberant from the said lateral parts.

9. A closure device as claimed in claim 7 in which the protruberances are protruberant inwardly of the said lateral parts.

10. A closure device as claimed in claim 8 or 9 in which the upstanding opposed lateral parts are walls upstanding on the panel from the margins thereof.

11. A closure device as claimed in claim 10 in which the panel has at least one upstanding wall at right angles to the said walls upstanding at the said first and second boundaries.

12. A closure device as claimed in claim 11 in which the panel and the upstanding walls and the protruberances constitute parts of a unitary construction.

13. A closure device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the material and thickness of the panel is such that when in the form of a flat sheet the sheet is relatively flexible; and in which the panel has upset formations giving the panel a substantial rigidity.

14. A closure device as claimed in claim 13 in which the upset formations comprise ribs.

15. A closure device as claimed in claim 3 in which the panel has a central body portion and, at each of first and second parallel boundaries of the said central portion, marginal transversely resilient portions1 the structural properties of the said central and marginal portions of the panel being such that, when the panel is inserted to span an area between adjacent rafters or other appropriately spaced like members, frictional forces are developed between the said marginal portions and opposed surfaces of the said members as a result of compression of the marginal portions between the said opposed surfaces and the boundaries of the central body portion, the said frictional forces so developed having a magnitude capable of supporting not less than the weight of the panel.

16. A closure device as claimed in claim 15 in which the said marginal portions each have at least one fold extending in the direction of length parallel to the direction of the adjacent said boundary.

17. A closure device as claimed in claim 16 in which each such marginal portion extends substantially the full length of the adjacent boundary of the central body portion.

18. A closure device as claimed in any of claims 14 to 17 in which the panel is a unitary sheet of moulded plastic material.

19. A closure device as claimed in claim 18 in which the plastic sheet material is of uniform thickness; and the central body portion is given a substantial rigidity by elongate upset formations in the sheet material.

20. A closure device as claimed in claim 19 in which the said elongate formations may be rib-like prominences extending transversely with respect to the said boundaries of the central body portion.

21. A closure device as claimed in Claim 12 or any claim dependant thereon in which the said unitary construction is plastic moulding.

22. A closure device as claimed in Claim 12 or any claim dependant thereon in which the said unitary construction is of compressed cellulosic fibre material.

23. A closure device as claimed in Claim 12 or any claim dependant thereon in which the said unitary construction is of paper board material.

24. A closure device as claimed in Claim 12 or any claim dependant thereon in which the said unitary construction is of paper pulp material.

25. A closure device as claimed in any preceding claim and including a body of thermal insulative material carried by the said bend resistant panel.

26. A closure device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7.

27. A closure device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9.

28. A closure device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 10.