GB2279974A

GB2279974A - Roofing unit for artificial thatch

Info

Publication number: GB2279974A
Application number: GB9314427A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon North
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-07-13
Filing date: 1993-07-13
Publication date: 1995-01-18
Anticipated expiration: 2013-07-13
Also published as: GB2279974B; GB9314427D0

Abstract

A roofing unit 1 comprises an array of straws or straw-like members 2, each straw or straw-like member 2 being linked to a common linking member 3, the linking member having means enabling it to be secured to a roof support structure. A method of forming a roof having a general appearance of a thatched roof comprises fixing to a roof support structure, a plurality of the aforesaid roofing units. Members 2 may be straw, or plastics, treated to be fire proof; member 3 may be wood, metal or plastics, tapered as shown. <IMAGE>

Description

ROOFING UNIT The present invention relates to a roofing unit intended to simulate the effect and function of a thatched roof.

More particularly, in one aspect, the invention provides a roofing unit comprising an array of straws or straw-like members, each straw or straw-like member being linked to a common linking member, the linking member having means enabling it to be secured a roof support structure.

In another aspect, the invention provides a roofing unit comprising an array of straws or straw-like members, the straws or straw-like members being arranged in a sideby-side manner and having aligned ends, each straw or straw-like member being linked at a point remote from the aligned ends to a common linking member, the linking member having means enabling it to be secured to a roof support structure.

The straws or straw-like members typically are arranged to form two or more layers, one on top of another; the term "one on top of another" as used herein referring to the disposition of the layers when the roofing units are installed to form a roof.

The straws or straw-like members may be formed of natural straw, e.g. of the type conventionally used to thatch roofs, but preferably they are formed from a plastics material.

Preferably the straws or straw-like members are hollow or are constructed having internal voids.

Where there are two or more layers, an upper layer may be arranged such that the aligned ends of the straws or straw-like members are set back from the ends of the straws or straw-like members of the lower layer. For example, the straws or straw-like members of the upper layer may be shorter than those of the layer underneath.

The straws or straw-like members are most preferably formed of either a fire-resistant material, or are treated to make them fire-resistant in accordance with known methods.

Where there are two layers, or multiples of two layers, an adjacent pair of layers can be formed by means of straws or straw-like members which are folded near a mid-point thereof and are secured to the linking member in the region of the fold.

The linking member is preferably formed of a stiff material and can take the form of a bar, batten or rod.

The linking member can be formed of wood, metal or plastics, but preferably is formed of plastics.

In a preferred embodiment, the linking member is a batten having a wedge-shaped cross-section, the tapering edge of the wedge being oriented away from the ends of the straws or straw-like members.

The linking member, e.g. a batten, is provided with means enabling it to be secured to a roof support structure, e.g. the battens normally fixed to a roof to support tiles. Such means can take the form of holes for the insertion therethrough of screws or nails.

Alternatively, the linking member may be provided with a clip, bracket or like fastening means for fastening to the roof support structure.

The roofing unit advantageously is presented in a generally rectangular form, and may be of the approximate size and shape as a roof tile. Such a roofing unit can be fixed to a roof in the same manner as a roof tile.

The straws or straw-like members will generally be of a colour similar to that of natural straw.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of forming a roof having the general appearance of a thatched roof, which process comprises of fixing to a roof support structure, a plurality of roofing units as hereinbefore defined.

In a still further aspect, the invention provides a roof prepared in accordance with a method as hereinbefore defined.

The invention will now be illustrated by way of example by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a roofing unit according to one embodiment of the invention; and Figures 2A to 2C illustrate the part construction of the roofing unit of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings, it can be seen that in one embodiment, the roofing unit can take the form of a tile-like element 1, comprising a plurality of straws 2 affixed to a batten 3. Straws 2 are formed of a fireresistant plastics material and are hollow. Straws 2 are folded near their mid-point at a point 5 and are secured to the batten 3 at location 4 by means of adhesive, welding or heat sealing. Welding or heat sealing is preferred. The straws 2 are folded such that an upper strand 6 is shorter in length than a lower strand 7. The respective two ends of the straw can be cut at an angle as shown.

In this embodiment, the batten 4, which is formed of a plastics material, is of wedge-shaped cross-section, the tapering end of the wedge being oriented away from the ends of the straw. The batten 3 is provided with holes 8 which enable the roofing unit or tile to be fastened by means of nails or screws to the wooden battens on a roof support structure, in a similar manner to conventional tiles.

In order to ensure a waterproof roof, the roofing units of the invention would be fixed to the roof support structure in a pattern resembling that of conventional tiles, i.e. the roofing units would be affixed in a staggered pattern, and the ends of the straws or straw-like members of one tile would overhang the batten end of the tile beneath it.

An advantage of the roofing units of the present invention is that the appearance and effect of a thatched roof can be created without the need to employ skilled specialists in thatched roof construction. By using hollow straws or straw-like members, a roof is constructed which is not only light in weight, but also has good thermal insulation properties, as does a conventional thatched roof.

It will readily be apparent that numerous alterations and modifications could be made to the embodiments illustrated above, without departing from the principles underlying the invention, and all such amendments and modifications are within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A roofing unit comprising an array of straws or straw like members, each straw or straw-like member being linked to a common linking member, the linking member having means enabling it to be secured to a roof support structure.

2. A roofing unit comprising an array of straws or straw like members, the straws or straw-like members being arranged in a side by side manner and have aligned ends, each straw or straw-like member being linked at a point remote from the aligned ends to a common linking member, the linking member having means enabling it to be secured to a roof support structure.

3. A roofing unit according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the straws or straw-like members are arranged to form two or more layers, one on top of another.

4. A roofing unit according to any one of the priding Claims wherein the straws or straw-like members are formed of natural straw.

5. A roofing unit according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the straws or straw-like members are formed from a plastics material.

6. A roofing unit according to Claim 5 wherein the straws or straw-like members are hollow or are constructed having internal voids.

7. A roofing unit according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein there are two or more layers, an upper layer being arranged such that the aligned ends of the straws or straw-like members are set back from the ends of the straws or straw-like members of a lower layer.

8. A roofing unit according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein there are present two layers, or multiples of two layers, of straws or straw-like members, an adjacent pair of layers being formed by means of straws or straw-like members which are folded near a mid-point thereof and are secured to the linking member in the region of the fold.

9. A roofing unit according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the straws or straw-like members are formed of either a fire-resistant material, or are treated to make them fire-resistant.

10. A roofing unit according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the linking member is formed of a stiff material and takes the form of a bar, batten or rod.

11. A roofing unit according to Claim 10 wherein the linking member is formed of wood, metal or plastics.

12. A roofing unit according to Claim 10 or Claim 11 wherein the linking member is a batten having a wedge shaped cross-section, the tapering edge of the wedge being oriented away from the ends of the straws or straw-like members.

13. A roofing unit according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the means enabling the linking member to be secured to a roof support structure take the form of holes for the insertion therethrough of screws or nails.

14. A roofing unit according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 wherein the linking member is provided with a clip, bracket or like fastening means for fastening to the roof support structure.

15. A roofing unit according to any one of the preceding Claims having a generally rectangular form and being of the approximate size and shape as a roof tile.

16. A roofing unit substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. A method of forming a roof having the general appearance of a thatched roof, which process comprises fixing to a roof support structure, a plurality of roofing units as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 16.

18. A roof prepared in accordance with the method of Claim 17.