GB2370051A

GB2370051A - Metallic roof coping cover

Info

Publication number: GB2370051A
Application number: GB0127992A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Colin Hamilton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-11-24
Filing date: 2001-11-22
Publication date: 2002-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2021-11-22
Also published as: GB0127992D0; GB2370051B; GB0028657D0

Abstract

A cover 1 for a roof coping which comprises a metallic ion releasing material, preferably copper, which can be detachably affixed to the coping component using a fixing plate 3, typically made of copper also. The fixing plate is placed over the gap 30 formed between two covers, and is held in place by stainless steel screw fasteners. The coping cover 1 can be arcuate or fashioned to compliment a more complex coping shape. Rainwater releases the metallic ions from the cover, e.g. as copper sulphate, which progresses down the sloping roof with a biocidal action towards moss.

Description

Roof Coping

The present invention relates to a method for cleaning the sloping surface of a roof of a building having a roof coping and to apparatus for use in said method.

It is well known that the exterior of a building can often become dirty over time. To maintain the aesthetic appearance of the buildings exterior, its walls may be sand-blasted or more usually simply coated with fresh paint. However, to clean the surface of a sloping roof of a building is often a very difficult, arduous and dangerous task.

Generally, the roof is only accessible by ladder and requires a person to mount the roof with cleaning implements. Another ladder is usually placed in the centre of the roof to aid the person's navigation about the roof. This method is clearly not desirable as there is a significant risk that one may fall from

the roof. It is also very likely that fixing a ladder to the roof and having a person walking thereon may cause damage to the slating of the roof and to the structure of the roof itself. For these reasons, cleaning the roof is often neglected. This leads to a very dirty and unattractive roof, the dirt from which can also block the guttering of the building.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for cleaning the sloping surface of a roof of a building having a roof coping comprising: an ion releasing material shaped to substantially encompass the surface of the coping to form a coping cover; and means for releasably fixing the coping cover to the coping.

Ideally, the ion releasing coping cover is of a metallic material, for example, copper.

Typically, the coping cover is in the form of individual lengths of copper for placement along the coping so as to substantially cover the surface of the coping.

Preferably, the coping cover is in lengths of between 1 and 4 meters. More preferably, the coping cover is in lengths of between 1.0 and 2.0 meters.

The coping cover may be coated in a porous paint material of a colour selected to provide the desired coloured finish. For example, it may be required to match the colour of existing tiles. The porous paint allows ions to be released under the action of rain water.

In one preferred embodiment, the fixing means is in the form of an arcuate sleeve member having an upper and lower portion, the sleeve substantially encompassing the surface of the coping in a transverse direction.

Preferably, the sleeve has recesses along its length intermediate the upper and lower portions which are adapted to receive an end of adjacent lengths of the coping cover.

Preferably, the sleeve is adapted to be releasably fixed to the coping of the roof.

Preferably, the sleeve has an abutment member extending between the upper and lower portions against which an end of a pair of adjacent lengths of the coping cover butt.

Optionally, the sleeve has a pair of abutment members extending between the upper and lower portions, spaced apart and parallel to each other.

The sleeve may engage with the coping covers by way of a snap fit arrangement.

Optionally, ends of the sleeve are releasably fixed to the coping, by way of conventional screws for example, thereby releasably securing the coping cover to the coping.

Preferably, the sleeve is copper. Optionally, the sleeve may be of a plastics material. Preferably, the sleeve is a strip between 50 and 150 mm wide, most preferrably about 75 mm wide.

In another preferred embodiment, the fixing means is in the form of a fixing plate which is fixed over the two adjoining and abutting ends of adjacent coping covers. Preferably the fixing plate has a crosssectional shape similar to that of the coping covers, such that the fixing plate fits snugly over the coping covers.

Preferably the fixing plate is provided with a plurality of fixing means. Preferably the fixing means comprise apertures arranged on a transverse centre line of the plate and adapted to accommodate fasteners. The fixing plate may be releasably fixed to the coping, by way of conventional screws or other fasteners for example, thereby releasably securing the fixing plate to the coping. The fasteners may pass through the coping covers, but are preferably provided within a small gap between two adjacent

coping covers. Preferably three fasteners are provided, one at the apex of the coping and one on each of the lower sides of the fixing plate.

Preferably the fasteners are stainless steel.

Preferably, the fixing plate is copper. Optionally, the sleeve may be of a plastics material. Preferably the fixing plate is a strip between 50 and 150 mm wide, most preferably about 75 mm wide.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for cleaning the sloping surface of a roof of a building having a roof coping comprising the steps of: releasably fixing an ion releasing material to the coping of the roof to form a coping cover such that the material substantially covers the coping; and allowing the ions released from the material to progress down the sloping surface of the roof.

Ideally, the ion releasing material is a metallic material, for example, copper.

Rainwater generally removes the copper ions from the copper in the form of copper sulphate which progresses down the roof of the building removing dirt, such as moss for example.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a roof of a building comprising: a coping; at least one sloping surface; an ion releasing coping cover substantially covering the surface of the coping; and means for releasably fixing the coping cover to the coping.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view from the side and above of a length of the coping cover of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a sleeve for removeably attaching lengths of the coping cover of Fig. 1 to the coping of a roof; Fig. 3 is a side view in the direction of Arrow B of the sleeve of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the sleeve of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a fixing plate for removeably attaching lengths of the coping cover of Fig. 1 to the coping of a roof; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view from the side and above of an alternative embodiment of a length of the coping cover having a different shape.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 4 there is shown a length of a coping cover 1 and a releasably securing sleeve 2 according to the present invention for cleaning the sloping surface of a roof of a building (not shown).

Conventional tiled pitched roofs have coping tiles on the roof ridge, usually of the same material as the tiles and are typically of concrete or clay. The coping tiles abut end to end to form a roof coping (now shown). Roof copings come in a variety of shapes, but the simplest is an arcuate shape which sits over the ridge.

The coping cover 1 is shaped to encompass the surface of the roof coping in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof (not shown) so that an inner surface 4 of the coping cover 1 lies adjacent the surface of the roof coping. In this embodiment, the coping cover 1 is an arcuate shape similar to the roof coping and is of a copper material having a length of 1.5 meters in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roof coping.

The sleeve 2 has upper and lower portions 6 and 8 respectively and is shaped in a similar fashion to the coping cover 1 such that it encompasses the

surface of the roof coping in a similar transverse direction so that the lower portion 8 fits snugly against the surface of the roof coping.

The sleeve 2 has first and second arcuate shaped recesses 10 and 12 on opposite sides thereof intermediate the upper and lower portions 6 and 8.

The recesses 10 and 12 run substantially along the entire length of the sleeve 2 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the roof coping.

The recesses 10 and 12 have abutment walls 14 and 16 which extend between the upper and lower portions 6 and 8 of the sleeve 2. The walls 14 and 16 are spaced apart and parallel to each other and run in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the roof coping.

In use, a first sleeve 2 is placed at one end of the coping of a sloping roof of a building. Ends 18 and 20 of the first sleeve 2 are attached to opposite sides of the coping of the roof. This may be done by drilling a hole in the ends 18 and 20 of the first sleeve 2, drilling corresponding holes on both sides of the coping of the roof and attaching the ends 18 and 20 of the first sleeve 2 to the coping of the roof using conventional screws.

A first length of coping cover 1 is placed on the coping of the roof and a first arcuate shaped end 22

of the first length of coping cover 1 is inserted into the recess 12 of the first sleeve 2, such that the end 22 butts against the wall 16. A second sleeve 2 is then positioned on the coping a distance from the first sleeve 2 so that a second arcuate shaped end 24 of the first length of coping cover 1 slots into the recess 10 of the second sleeve 2. The second sleeve 2 is then slid in the direction of the first sleeve 2 until the second end 24 of the first length of coping cover 1 butts against the wall 14.

The second sleeve 2 is then secured to the coping of the roof in the same manner as described above for the first sleeve 2.

This process is repeated with further lengths of coping cover 1 and sleeves 2 until the coping of the roof is covered. Naturally, the length of the coping cover 1 should be chosen so that when the process is finished, the coping of the roof is completely covered. Shorter or longer lengths of coping cover 1 may be used for this purpose.

The copper coping cover 1 on contact with rainwater releases copper ions in the form of copper sulphate which is washed down the sloping surface of the roof by the rainwater. The copper sulphate prevents the growth of moss, kills existing growth and also removes dirt from the surface of the roof.

The coping cover 1 has the added advantage of protecting the coping of the roof and adding strength thereto.

Fig. 5 indicates an alternative method of securing coping covers to the roof coping. In this method the coping covers 1 are laid end to end just short of touching to form a gap 30 and a fixing plate 3 whose cross-sectional shape is such that it fits snugly over the coping covers 1 and is placed over the gap 30 formed between two adjacent coping covers 1.

Stainless steel screw fasteners 32 are driven through apertures in the fixing plate 3, between the gap 30 and into the coping (not shown) to hold the fixing plate and coping covers 1 in place. Typically the fixing plate 3 is of the same material as the coping covers 1. In practice a 5 mm thick copper fixing plate has been found to work well.

Fig. 6 indicates an alternative embodiment of the invention showing a coping cover la having a different shape. The coping cover la is formed from a continuous sheet of copper material shaped to form an arcuate apex portion 34 and straight portions 36 and 38 depending at an angle from longitudinal ends of the arcuate apex portion 34. The sleeve or fixing plate (not shown) used for fixing this coping cover la will preferably be of the same shape as the coping cover la.

It will be appreciated that the lengths of coping cover 1 may be colour coated. This may be done by coating the coping cover 1 with a porous colour paint, to match the required roof colour. The porosity of the paint allows the ions to be released from the coping cover 1 under the action of rainwater.

It will also be appreciated that the coping cover 1 may be formed in any appropriate length.

It will be further appreciated that the sleeve 2 may operate by way of a snap fit arrangement so that holes do not have to be drilled in the coping cover 1 or the coping of the roof.

It is envisaged that the coping cover 1 may be of any suitable shape and not necessarily the shape of the coping of the roof. For example an inverted V-shape may be used.

It will be appreciated that the coping cover 1 may be of any suitable ion releasing material. The sleeve 2 or fixing plate 3 should generally be of the same material as that of the coping cover 1.

It will also be appreciated that the sleeve 2 or fixing plate 3 may be of a plastics material.

The embodiments hereinbefore described are not limited but may be varied within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus for cleaning the sloping surface of a roof of a building having a roof coping comprising an ion releasing material shaped to substantially encompass the surface of the coping to form a coping cover and means for releasably fixing the coping cover to the coping.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the ion releasing coping cover is of a metallic material, preferably copper.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the coping cover is in the form of individual lengths for placement along the coping so as to substantially cover the surface of the coping.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the coping cover is in lengths of between 1 and 4 metres or more preferably, the coping cover is in lengths of between 1 and 2 metres.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the coping over is coated in a porous paint material which allows ions to be released from the coping cover under the action of rainwater.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fixing means is in the form of an arcuate sleeve member having an upper and lower

portion, the sleeve substantially encompassing the surface of the coping in a traverse direction.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the sleeve has recesses along its length intermediate the upper and lower portions which are adapted to receive an end of adjacent lengths of the coping cover.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein the sleeve is adapted to be releasably fixed to the coping of the roof.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 8, wherein the sleeve has at least one abutment member extending between the upper and lower portions against which an end of a pair of adjacent lengths of the coping cover butt.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 9, wherein the sleeve has a pair of abutment members extending between the upper and lower portions, spaced apart and parallel to each other.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 10, wherein the sleeve engages the coping covers by way of a snap fit arrangement.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the fixing means is in the form of a plate which is fixed over two ends of adjacent coping covers.

13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the fixing plate has a cross-sectional shape similar to that of the coping cover, such that the fixing plate fits snugly over the coping covers.

14. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 or 13, wherein the fixing plate is provided with apertures arranged on a transverse centre line of the plate to accommodate conventional screws or fasteners for releasably fixing the plate to the coping.

15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the conventional screws or fasteners pass through the coping covers or pass through a small gap provided between each two adjacent coping covers.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the fixing means is of copper or of a plastics material.

17. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the fixing means is a strip of copper or plastics material between 50 and 150mm wide, preferably 75mm wide.

18. A method for cleaning the sloping surface of a roof of a building having a roof coping comprising the steps of: releasably fixing an ion releasing material to the coping of the roof to form a coping cover such that the material substantially covers the coping;

and allowing the ions released from the material to progress down the sloping surface of the roof.

19. A method as claimed in Claim 18, wherein rainwater releases the ions from the ion releasing material in the form of a sulphate which progresses down the roof of the building.

20. A roof of a building comprising a coping, at least one sloping surface, an ion releasing coping cover substantially covering the surface of the coping, and means for releasably fixing the coping cover to the coping.

21. Apparatus for cleaning the sloping surface of a roof of a building having a roof coping substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

22. A method for cleaning the sloping surface of a roof of a building having a roof coping substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

23. A roof of a building substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.