GB2385335A

GB2385335A - Sealing strip for a roof ridge

Info

Publication number: GB2385335A
Application number: GB0203686A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dirk Johannes Van Schellebeek; Maximus Gerardus Maria Korput
Original assignee: Ubbink Nederland BV
Current assignee: Ubbink Nederland BV
Priority date: 2002-02-15
Filing date: 2002-02-15
Publication date: 2003-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 2022-02-15
Also published as: GB2385335B; GB0203686D0

Abstract

A sealing strip 1 is provided for sealing the gap between the edges of adjacent ridge tiles 20. The sealing strip is made of a stretchable material, which may be a thermoplastic elastomer. The ends of the sealing strip are provided with engagement means, such as a U-shaped clamp 4, which engage with the longitudinal edges 10 of the ridge tiles. A support member 6 may be attached to the clamp 4 and serves to support the ridge tile on the roofing tiles 15 and to provide a gap. The support member 6 may be detachable by means of a tear connection 5. The sealing strip may be wider at its intermediate portion than at its ends, and may also include protruding ribs (8, 9, Fig 1B) on its lower surface. Also disclosed is a water intercepting strip (30, Fig 4) which sits below the gap between the ridge tiles and has means for diverting water towards the ends of the strip.

Description

Strip for ridge tiles.

The invention relates to strips for use in the area of transition between two ridge tiles arranged on a ridge of a roof.

It is common practice to arrange ridge tiles on the ridge of a roof covered 5 with roofing tiles to screen off the space below the ridge and the roofing tiles from rain, snow, hail, etcetera, In open types of such roof systems, it is desired to combine this screening-off function with sufficient ventilation of said space.

10 Usually, the ridge tiles are placed on the ridge with their end edges ad jacent or against each other. The joint between the adjacent ridge tile end edges provides a passage for precipitation to migrate from the outside of the roof to the space below the ridge. The ridge tiles can have a cross section that is a circle-segment, an inverted-V, possibly with buckled legs, 15 or other forms.

Several arrangements have been developed in order to solve this problem.

In one solution, use is being made of a preformed, rigid H-shaped profile.

20 The adjacent ridge tile end edges are inserted into the receiving spaces of the H-shaped profile and the profile is nailed to the ridge beam. A draw back of this profile is that the profile has to be shaped according to the tile cross-section, so that several profile shapes have to kept available in stock.

25 In another solution, use is being made of an assembly comprising a ben dable lower plate having a length more or less corresponding to the length

of the ridge tile end edges, provided with a nailing hole and at its lower surface attached to a body of synthetic foam, and possibly a small upper plate, dedicated to the type and dimensions of the ridge tiles in question.

The lower plate -after having been cut to size- is arranged on the ridge 5 beam, the ridge tiles are placed such that the lower plate is located below the ridge tile joint, and the upper plate is positioned on the outer side of the joint, and a nail is driven through upper plate -if such a plate is used-, lower plate, foam and into the ridge beam. This assembly is complex and therefore relatively expensive.

It is an object of the invention to improve on this.

To that end, from one aspect, the invention provides a sealing strip for sealing the transition area between the end edges of ridge tiles that are 15 placed adjacent to one another, said ridge tiles having longitudinal edges extending between its end edges, said sealing strip being made of a compliant and stretchable material and being provided at its ends with means for engaging about the longitudinal edges of the ridge tiles.

20 The sealing strip according to the invention is simple and easy to apply to seal the joint between the ridge tiles at its outside. In addition, the ridge sealing strip is universal and can be used with various types and sizes of ridge tiles. The ridge sealing strip according to the invention facilitates installation and makes the keeping of stock easier.

In a preferred embodiment, said means for engaging about the longitudinal tile edges are generally U-shaped and have dimensions so as to fit about the longitudinal tile edges. This facilitates the application of the sealing strip onto the ridge tiles. The one U-shaped member can be fitted about 30 one of the longitudinal edges, the sealing strip can be pulled along and over the end area of the tile(s) in question, and then the other U-shaped member can be fitted about the other longitudinal edge, while tensioning the sealing strip to ensure a tight engagement of the sealing strip with the outer

À 3 surfaces of the ridge tiles.

Preferably, said ends of said sealing strip are provided with means for supporting said ridge tile on roofing tiles located adjacent a ridge, so that 5 the stability of the ridge tiles is improved. In a further development, said supporting means comprise spacer means for providing a gap between said ridge tiles and said adjacent roofing tiles. In this way a ventilation passage of sufficient size will be realized in case the adjacent roofing tiles are flat tiles -in contrast to corrugated roofing tiles, where there will always be a 10 ventilation passage left between the ridge tiles and the roofing tiles-.

Preferably, said spacer means are connected to said tile edge engaging means by means of a separable connection. This allows for the sealing strip to be used in combination with flat roofing tiles or corrugated roofing 15 tiles. In a preferred embodiment, said separable connection is a tear connection, which permits an easy separation of the spacer means, when required. Said separable connection may be designed to permit being cut through. 20 In a further development the sealing strip has longitudinal edges and has a lower side facing said ridge tiles, said lower side at its longitudinal edges being provided with at least one downwardly protruding rib. The rib provides for an increased contact pressure against the upper surface of the ridge tiles. As a result, the sealing strip will be effective against rain and 25 moisture even in case of large pressure differences over the ridge tiles, that is to say between the outside (relatively high pressure) and the space below the ridge tiles, for instance as large as 80 Pa.

Preferably, the sealing strip lower side at its longitudinal edges is provided 30 with at least two downwardly protruding ribs that are parallel to one another and spaced from one another, so as to provide an additional barrier for rain and moisture.

- 4 In a further preferred embodiment, the sealing strip is designed so as to have a larger width in its centre portion than at both its ends when in unloaded condition. In this way, the narrowing of the centre section resulting from stretching is anticipated on so that the sealing function will 5 be substantially evenly distributed along the ridge tile end edges.

Preferably, the sealing strip is made of elastomer material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer material, for instance EPDM.

10 The invention further provides a roof comprising a series of ridge tiles and a series of sealing strips according to the invention, as described above, the sealing strips being applied to cover the transition areas between the ridge tiles on the outside of the ridge.

15 A further object of the invention is to provide a suitable alternative and simple means for preventing water entering the space below the ridge beam. According to another aspect, the invention provides a water intercepting 20 strip for placement below the transition area between the end edges of ridge tiles that are placed adjacent to one another, said strip being made of a bendable material and being provided with means for guiding the inter cepted water towards the ends of the strip. Thus the water that may have slipped through the joint between two adjacent ridge tiles is intercepted 25 and guided away towards the outer surface of the adjacent roofing tiles.

Preferably, said intercepting strip is made of a nailable material so that it can easily be secured to the ridge beam.

30 Preferably, said intercepting strip is provided with raised longitudinal edges forming said guiding means so that it is prevented that water can flow sidewards off from the strip.

- 5 Transverse rigidity of the intercepting strip is increased while maintaining the water discharging properties if said strip is provided with steps for forming a cascade.

5 Preferably, at its ends said intercepting strip is provided with means for supporting said ridge tile on roofing tiles located adjacent a ridge, so that the stability of the ridge tiles is improved. In a further development, said supporting means comprise spacer means for providing a gap between said ridge tiles and said adjacent roofing tiles. In this way a ventilation passage 10 of sufficient size will be realized in case the adjacent roofing tiles are flat tiles -in contrast to corrugated roofing tiles, where there will be always a ventilation passage left between the ridge tiles and the roofing tiles-.

Preferably, said spacer means are connected to said strip ends by means of 15 at least one hinge connection so that they can easily be turned from an active position to an inactive position and vice versa. Preferably, said hinge connection is a living hinge.

In a further development, said hinge connection is designed to permit being 20 cut through.

From a further aspect the invention provides a roof comprising a series of ridge tiles and a series of water intercepting strips according to the inven tion as described above, the strips being fastened to the ridge beam to 25 extend transverse to said ridge and just below the transition areas between the ridge tiles, the ends of the strip being supported on the roofing tiles ad jacent said ridge tiles, said strip being bent to discharge water moving downwards between adjacent ridge tile end edges towards the roofing tiles. Below, the invention will be elucidated on the basis of a description of

several exemplary embodiments referring to the accompanying drawings, in

- 6 which: Figure 1A shows a preferred embodiment of a ridge sealing strip according to the invention for placement on the outer side of the joint between two 5 ridge tiles, figure 1 B shows a cross-section of the strip of figure 1 A according to line IB and figure 1C shows a detail of a connection in the sealing strip of figure 1A; Figure 2A en 2B show two subsequent steps in the arrangement of the 10 ridge sealing strip of figure 1, adapted to a roof having corrugated roofing tiles; Figure 3 shows the ridge sealing strip of figure 1 arranged on a roof having flat roofing tiles; Figure 4 shows a preferred embodiment of a water intercepting strip according to the invention; and Figure 5 shows the water intercepting strip of figure 4 during arrangement 20 on a roof having flat roofing tiles.

The sealing strip 1 depicted in figures 1A and 1B comprises a compliant thermoplastic elastomer (for instance EPDM) strip 2 which can be stretched in the directions A for about 15-25% of its length in unloaded condition 25 and is somewhat wider in its centre area than at its ends. At its ends the strip 2 is provided with a bead 3 which is fixedly retained in a groove 18 of a U-shaped clamp 4, vice figure 1C. The clamp 4 is made of a shape retaining thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or of a metal. Each U-shaped clamp 4 is connected to a U-shaped support 30 member 6 by hinge 5. U-shaped clamp 4 and U-shaped member 6 have been made of the same material. Hinge 5 may have been made from the same material also, preferably defines a living hinge. Support member 6 is

- 7 depicted as being hollow, U-shaped, but can alternatively be formed as a solid support block.

The sealing strip 1 can be made as a whole by injection moulding or by die 5 casting. In doing this, the parts formed by clamps 4 and support members 6 may have been formed first and then serve as a part of the moulding cavity for the strip 2.

At its lower side (vice figure 1B) near its longitudinal edges the strip 2 is 10 provided with two ribs 8 and 9 integrally formed therewith which run parallel to each other.

In figure 2A the ridge area of a roof is shown schematically. The ridge area comprises a roof sheeting 16, tile battens 1 1, ridge beam 21, part 15 cylindrical ridge tiles 20 having end edges 12 and corrugated roofing tiles 15. The ridge tiles 20 are positioned edge-to-edge and are secured to the ridge beam 21 by means of a fastening plate 13 which is screwed or nailed to the ridge beam by means of a screw 14 extending through the joint between the two adjacent ridge tiles 20. It is to be noted that for reasons 20 of clarity only one ridge tile has been illustrated.

For the arrangement with corrugated roofing tiles 15 the sealing strip 1 is first cut off at the hinges 5, so that the clamps 4 form the outer ends of the sealing strip 1. Next, the sealing strip 1 is positioned with one of the 25 clamps 4 about the longitudinal edges 10 of both ridge tiles 20, in the area of the joint which is to be sealed off. The longitudinal edges 10 are fittingly received in the space 7 of the clamp 4. The sealing strip is then bent in the direction B towards the opposite longitudinal edges 10 while being stretched in the direction A and while being applied to the upper surfaces 30 of the adjoining ridge tiles 20 (which then serve as guiding surfaces) to cover the joint between their end edges 12. The free clamp 4 is then hooked about the other longitudinal edges 10 so as to receive these edges

- 8 10 in its space 7 and to secure the sealing strip to both adjoining ridge tiles 20. The sealing strip 1 now covers and seals the joint between the ridge tiles 5 20. The ribs 8 and 9 provide a tight contact of the strip 2 to the upper surface of the ridge tiles 20, so that passage of water due to large pres sure differences over the tile joint is prevented.

Due to the corrugated shape of the roofing tiles 15 a ventilation passage 10 remains between the longitudinal edges 10 of the ridge tiles 20 and the roofing tiles 15.

Alternatively, the sealing strip 1 may be applied with bathe clamps 4 on a ridge tile, which is then placed on the ridge. The adjacent ridge tile is slid 15 into place while inserting the ends of its longitudinal edges into the free halves of the clamps 4. Next, the center portion of the resilient- sealing strip is bend away to some extent, to expose the upper portion of the joint between the ridge tiles so that the fastening plate 13 can be nailed or screwed to the ridge beam to secure both ridge tiles. Finally, the sealing 20 strip is moved back over the fastening plate 13.

In case the roofing tiles are flat, such as the roofing tiles 17 shown in figure 3, the support members 6 are not severed from the sealing strip 1.

As can be seen in figure 3, the support members act as spacers to keep 25 the longitudinal edges 10 at a distance from the upper surface of the roofing tiles 17 so as to leave a ventilation passage. For the remainder, the application of the sealing strip 1 of figure 3 is similar to that of figures 2A and 2B.

30 The water intercepting strip 30 has been made of a thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene, and is bendable in the directions D. It can be made by injection moulding. It comprises a centre section 31 having a hole 39.

- 9 - Two upstanding longitudinal edges are provided for some stiffness and they also function as water retaining walls. To both sides, the centre section 31 merges into a plurality of steps 33 having upper surfaces 34.

The steps section merges into flat end sections 35. The end sections 35 5 are connected to support blocks 37 by means of two hinges 36 and 38 which are parallel to each other and spaced from each other. The strip 30 may have been made as a whole, in which the hinges 36 and 38 form living hinges. The hinges 36 and 38 may be cut through so as to severe the support blocks 37, if desired.

In figure 5 a ridge area like the ridge area of figure 3 is illustrated. In use, the water intercepting strip 30 is applied to one of the ridge tiles 20, by bending it against the lower side of that tile, and inserting the screw or nail 14 through the hole 39. In case of flat roofing tiles 17, the support blocks 15 37 are turned in the direction C about the hinges 38 or 36, so as to form a downwardly projecting support for the strip 30 on the roofing tiles 17.

Then, the tile 20 with strip 30 clamped thereon is placed on the ridge beam and secured thereto by screwing the screw 14 into the ridge beam.

Next, the adjoining ridge tile 20 is placed with its edge 12 on the portion of 20 the strip 30 that projects from the edge 12 of the first ridge tile 20 and is also secured by tightening the screw 14.

The steps 33 have been shaped such that in use the upper surfaces slant outwardly so that a kind of cascade is formed for water entering the joint 25 between the ridge tile edges 12, to dewater in the directions E. The support blocks 37 provide a ventilation passage between the ridge tiles 20 and the upper surface of the flat roofing tiles 17. In case the roofing tiles are corrugated, the support blocks 37 may easily be cut off at 30 hinge 36 or 38, depending on the size of the cross section of the ridge tiles.

- 10 (octrooi\165416\dss AF 2571)

Claims

rl Claims

1. Sealing strip for sealing the transition area between the end edges of ridge tiles that are placed adjacent to one another, said ridge tiles having longitudinal edges extending between its end edges, said sealing strip being made of a compliant and stretchable material and being provided at its ends with means for engaging about the longitudinal edges of the ridge tiles.

2. Sealing strip according to claim 1, wherein said means for engaging about the longitudinal tile edges are generally Ushaped and have dimen-

sions so as to fit about the longitudinal tile edges.

3. Sealing strip according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said ends of said strip are provided with means for supporting said ridge tile on roofing tiles located adjacent a ridge.

4. Sealing strip according to claim 3, wherein said supporting means comprise spacer means for providing a gap between said ridge tiles and said adjacent roofing tiles.

5. Sealing strip according to claim 4, wherein said spacer means are connected to said tile edge engaging means by means of a separable connection.

6. Sealing strip according to claim 5, wherein said separable connection is a tear connection.

- 12

7. Sealing strip according to claim 5, wherein said separable connection is designed to permit being cut through.

8. Sealing strip according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said strip has longitudinal edges and has a lower side facing said ridge tiles, said lower side at its longitudinal edges being provided with at least one downwardly protruding rib.

9. Sealing strip according to claim 8, said lower side at its longitudinal edges being provided with at least two downwardly protruding ribs which are parallel to one another and spaced from one another.

10. Sealing strip according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said strip is designed so as to have a larger width in its centre portion than at both its ends when in unloaded condition.

11. Sealing strip according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said strip is made of elastomer material.

12. Sealing strip according to claim 11, wherein said strip is made of a thermoplastic elastomer material.

13. Sealing strip according to claim 12, wherein said strip is made of EPDM.

14. Roof comprising a series of ridge tiles and a series of sealing strips according to any one of the preceding claims, the sealing strips being applied to cover the transition areas between the ridge tiles on the outside of the ridge.

15. Water intercepting strip for placement below the transition area between the end edges of ridge tiles that are placed adjacent to one

- 13 another, said strip being made of a bendable material and being provided with means for guiding the intercepted water towards the ends of the strip.

16. Strip according to claim 15, wherein said strip is made of a nailable material.

17. Strip according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said strip is provided with raised longitudinal edges forming said guiding means.

18. Strip according to claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein said strip is provided with steps for forming a cascade.

19. Strip according to any one of the claims 15-18, wherein at its ends said strip is provided with means for supporting said ridge tile on roofing tiles located adjacent a ridge.

20. Sealing strip according to claim 19, wherein said supporting means comprise spacer means for providing a gap between said ridge tiles and said adjacent roofing tiles.

21. Sealing strip according to claim 20, wherein said spacer means are connected to said strip ends by means of at least one hinge connection.

22. Sealing strip according to claim 21, wherein said hinge connection is a living hinge.

23. Sealing strip according to claim 21 or 22, wherein said hinge connec-

tion is designed to permit being cut through.

24. Roof comprising a series of ridge tiles and a series of water intercep-

ting strips according to any one of the claims 14-23, the strips being fastened to the ridge beam to extend transverse to said ridge and just

- 14 below the transition areas between the ridge tiles, the ends of the strip being supported on the roofing tiles adjacent said ridge tiles, said strip being bent to discharge water moving downwards between adjacent ridge tile end edges towards the roofing tiles.

25. Sealing strip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in figures 1A and 1 B of the accompanying drawings.

26. Water intercepting strip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

27. Roof substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in figure 2B of the accompanying drawings.

28. Roof substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

29. Roof substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.