GB2432854A

GB2432854A - Protective apparatus for preventing weather damage to a newly constructed roof ridge

Info

Publication number: GB2432854A
Application number: GB0524744A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Hall
Original assignee: HALLCLIP Ltd
Current assignee: HALLCLIP Ltd
Priority date: 2005-12-05
Filing date: 2005-12-05
Publication date: 2007-06-06
Also published as: GB0524744D0

Abstract

A protective apparatus comprises a waterproof sheet element 16 and first and second container elements 12, 14. Each container element is filled with a volume of material for ballast, where the first and second container elements are spaced apart with the sheet element located therebetween. The apparatus is configured to prevent rain and moisture from damaging a newly constructed roof ridge 18. The apparatus may be secured to another such apparatus at the periphery of the sheet element 16 using fasteners such as hook and loop or press stud type 20, 22.

Description

PROTECTION APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to protection apparatus and a method of protecting an area and more specifically relates to protection apparatus for a part of a building and a method of protecting a building area.

Background to the Invention

Buildings are generally open to the elements during construction and adverse weather conditions can mean that the builders and other workers are not able to work on the building. Accordingly, this delays the building and also, therefore, increases the costs of the building. In particular builders working on the roof and specifically on the ridge of the roof need to use sand and cement to construct the ridge. If it rains once the ridge has just been constructed or during construction then this washes the new sand and cement away. This will therefore need to be replaced. In addition the sand and cement may be washed down the new tiles staining the roof. This will then need a special cleaner in order to be removed and, therefore, again increases the costs and causes a further delay.

At present, roofers will await a very clear day where no rain is likely to occur. However, this may cause a delay and also it can never be guaranteed not to rain. Some builders may cover a newly constructed ridge with a plastic sheet. However, these sheets are likely to be blown off in wind and are, therefore, hazardous.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with the prior art whether referred to herein or otherwise.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided protection apparatus for shielding a construction area, the apparatus comprising a screen, the apparatus further comprising a first enclosure which is arranged, in use, to enclose a volume of material and second enclosure which is arranged, in use, to enclose a volume of a material wherein the first enclosure and the second enclosure are laterally spaced apart and the screen locates therebetween.

Preferably the screen comprises a flexible screen.

Preferably the first enclosure locates along the left side (and more preferably the left edge) of the screen.

Preferably the second enclosure locates along the right e..

side (and more preferably the right edge) of the screen. *1 *

Preferably the first enclosure is arranged to contain a ballast. Preferably the first enclosure is arranged to contain a volume of sand or the like. The first enclosure may contain an amount of silicone.

Preferably the second enclosure is arranged to contain a ballast. Preferably the second enclosure is arranged to contain a volume of sand.' The second enclosure may contain an amount of silicone.

The first enclosure may comprise an opening in order for material to be placed in or removed from the enclosure.

Preferably the opening is sealable and preferably is resealable.

The second enclosure may comprise an opening in order for material to be placed in or removed from the enclosure.

Preferably the opening is sealable and preferably is resealable.

Preferably the protection apparatus comprises securement means in order to enable the protection apparatus to be secured to an adjacent protection apparatus. The securement means may locate at one end of the protection apparatus. The protection apparatus may comprise first securement means located at one end thereof to secure the protection apparatus to a first adjacent protection apparatus and second securement means located at the second end thereof to secure to protection apparatus to a second adjacent protection apparatus. * S..

The or each securement means may comprise part of a press stud arrangement.

The or each securement means may comprise part of a Velcro securement arrangement. * * , **

A first part of securement means may locate on a first (inner) surface of the screen located towards a first end of the protection apparatus and a second part of securement means may locate on a second (outer) surface of the screen located towards a second end of the protection apparatus.

Preferably the first enclosure is arranged, in use to locate on a first side of a roof and the second enclosure is arranged, in use to locate on a second side of a roof in order for the screen to locate over the top (and preferably the ridge or hip) of the roof.

Preferably the screen comprises a water proof material.

Preferably the screen comprises a textile.

Preferably the protection apparatus is formed from a single sheet material and the enclosure and screen may be formed from the single sheet, preferably by sewing the sheet.

The first enclosure may be a linear enclosure and preferably is substantially cylindrical in use.

The second enclosure may be linear and preferably is substantially cylindrical in use.

* The first enclosure may be substantially parallel to the : 30 second enclosure on the protection apparatus. 0*

Preferably the volume of the first enclosure is substantially the same as the volume of the second enclosure.

The protective apparatus may comprise a third enclosure which may locate at one end thereof.

Preferably the first enclosure is integral with the screen. Preferably the second enclosure is integral with the screen.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly comprising a first protection apparatus and a second protection apparatus wherein the first protection apparatus is secured to the second protection apparatus and each protection apparatus is in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of protecting a construction area comprising placing protection apparatus over at least a part of the area and wherein the protection apparatus is in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention. * S * S*. * *5. * S ha..

Brief Description of the Drawings * a.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the drawings that follow, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of protection apparatus.

Figure 2 is a cross section of a preferred embodiment of protection apparatus protecting a construction area.

Figure 3 is another perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a protection apparatus.

Figure 4 is an assembly comprising a plurality of protection apparatus.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of protection apparatus.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

As shown in Figure 1, the protection apparatus 10 comprise a shielding or screen 16 and two enclosures 12, 14 laterally spaced apart on either side of the shielding member.

The enclosures 12, 14 are laterally spaced apart and in the preferred embodiment the first enclosure 12 locates along the left edge of the apparatus 10 and the second enclosure 14 locates along the right edge of the apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 comprises a shield or screening * portion 16 which extends between the two enclosures 12, 14.

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In use, the apparatus 10 is arranged to screen and shield a construction area and, in particular, is arranged to prevent rain and moisture contacting a recently constructed roof ridge 18, as shown in Figure 2. This therefore enables the roofers to construct and complete the roof and to allow the cement mixture to cure and harden without water penetration.

The enclosures 12, 14 provide ballasts for the apparatus 10. The enclosures 12, 14 are filled with a suitable material and preferably are filled with dry sand. Once filled the enclosures 12, 14 are sealed to contain the sand. If necessary a further filling material can be used. For example, if a damp material (for example damp sand) is used, then this may reduce in volume as the material dries. Accordingly a further material, for example a silicone filler, may be injected into the enclosures to fill the enclosures 12, 14. Any suitable means may be used to close the enclosures 12, 14.

One enclosure 12, 14 is placed on one side of the construction area (roof) whilst the other enclosure 12, 14 is placed on the other side of the construction area (roof) . The screen shield portion 16 therefore locates over the construction area (roof ridge) and protects the construction area (roof ridge) . The enclosures 12, 14 therefore act as ballasts and secure the shield 16 over the construction area (roof ridge) . The apparatus 10 will be prevented from being blown away with the wind due to . : the ballasts and the screen will prevent rain contacting * the new or recent construction and the rain will run off the protection apparatus and down the tiles as usual. * S

The protection apparatus 10 comprises securement means 20 in order for the protection apparatus to be secured to an adjacent protection apparatus 10. Accordingly, identical protection apparatus 10 are secured together to form a line of protection apparatus extending the full longitudinal length of the construction area (roof ridge) as shown in Figure 4. The securement means comprises a Velcro securement arrangement with one part of the Velcro 20, 22 secured adjacent to one end of the protection apparatus 10 and the other respective part of the Velcro 22 secured to the other end of the protection apparatus 10, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3. Accordingly, the protection apparatus can be quickly and easily secured together to form an assembly of appropriate length. In addition one part of the Velcro 20 locates at the inside of the screen portion 16 and the other part of the Velcro 22 locates on the outside of the screen. This creates an overlap which further prevents water penetration. The strips of Velcro 20, 22 may extend for the complete lateral width of the protection apparatus 10 in order to form a seal across the width to further prevent water penetration. In another embodiment the securement means may comprise a press stud arrangement although any suitable securement means could be used.

The protection apparatus 10 located at either end of the line comprises an end protection apparatus. The end protection apparatus comprises an auxiliary or third *55 is enclosure 24. The third enclosure 24 locates at one end of the end protection apparatus 10 and acts as a further ballast to keep the end of the assembly of protection apparatus 10 secured to the roof. Accordingly all of the edges of the assembly comprise a ballast which prevents or inhibits wind from blowing the assembly from the roof ridge. If there is a very strong wind then the ballasts will prevent or inhibit the assembly being blown freely through the air and will, at worst, cause the assembly to slide down the roof which will keep the assembly within the protected construction site.

The enclosures 12, 14 are substantially cylindrical pockets when filled and the first and second enclosures 12, 14 are arranged to be substantially parallel along either edge of the screen portion 16. The enclosures 12, 14 may extend for the full length of the protection apparatus 10. The length of the protection apparatus 10 may be selected. For example, the protection apparatus 10 may be a half sized or one third sized or two thirds sized. This enables the full length of the assembly to be selected and adjusted depending upon the length of the area to be protected. The length of a full sized protection apparatus may be one metre.

The screen portion 16 is continuous and comprises a flexible material which is waterproof. The screen portion 16 may comprise a textile which is stitched to form the protection apparatus. In particular the protection apparatus may comprise a single sheet of material which is used to form the screen 16 and the enclosures 12, 14.

The enclosures 12, 14 are provided with a single open end I...

which enables a roofer to fill the enclosures with any suitable and convenient filling material. In particular, the filling is sand which is generally readily available S. on construction sites. The enclosures 12, 14 are then closed by any suitable means, for example a flap may be folded over and secured in order to contain the filling and prevent leaks.

The screen 16 is readily flexible and in use, may rest against the construction area being protected. The screen 16 does not have any reinforcing means to help the screen 16 retain a particular shape. This helps to prevent the protection apparatus 10 from being blown away. The protection apparatus 10 can be quickly and easily secured over any construction area (preferably an elongated construction area, for example a ridge or hip of a roof) Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, * * equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated * otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. ** S

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The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. a. * . a *s4 a.. * . * a.. *4 I a a * * as I..

*151S4 * 5 5* a * as

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Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An apparatus for shielding a construction area, the

apparatus comprising a screen, the apparatus further comprising a first enclosure which is arranged, in use, to enclose a volume of material and a second enclosure which is arranged, in use, to enclose a volume of a material wherein the first enclosure and the second enclosure are laterally spaced apart and the screen locates therebetween.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 whereby the screen comprises a flexible screen.

3. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the first enclosure locates along the left side of the screen.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the first enclosure locates along the left edge of the screen.

5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the second enclosure locates along the right side of the screen.

6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the second enclosure locates along the right edge of the screen.

7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the first enclosure is arranged to contain a ballast.

8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the first enclosure is arranged to contain a volume of sand or the like.

9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the first enclosure contains an amount of silicone.

10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the second enclosure is arranged to contain a ballast.

11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the second enclosure is arranged to contain a volume of sand.

12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the second enclosure contains an amount of silicone.

13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the first enclosure comprises an opening in order for material to be placed in or removed from the enclosure.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13 whereby the opening is sealable.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14 whereby the opening is resealable.

16. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the second enclosure comprises an opening in order for material to be placed in or removed from the enclosure.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16 whereby the opening is sealable.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17 whereby the opening is resealable.

19. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the apparatus comprises securement means in order to enable the apparatus to be secured to an adjacent apparatus.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19 whereby the securement means locates at one end of the apparatus.

21. An apparatus according to claim 19 whereby the apparatus comprises first securement means located at one end thereof to secure the apparatus to a first adjacent apparatus and second securement means located at the second end thereof to secure the apparatus to a second adjacent apparatus.

22. An apparatus according to claims 19 to 21 whereby the or each securement means comprises part of a press stud arrangement.

23. An apparatus according to claims 19 to 21 whereby the or each securement means comprises part of a Velcro securement arrangement.

24. An apparatus according to claims 19 to 23 whereby a first part of the securement means locates on a first (inner) surface of the screen located towards a first end of the apparatus and a second part of the securement means locates on a second (outer) surface of the screen located towards a second end of the apparatus.

25. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the first enclosure is arranged, in use to locate on a first side of a roof and the second enclosure is arranged, in use to locate on a second side of a roof in order for the screen to locate over the top, ridge or hip of the roof.

26. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the screen comprises a water proof material.

27. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the screen comprises a textile.

28. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the protection apparatus is formed from a single sheet material and the enclosure and screen are formed from the single sheet.

29. An apparatus according to claim 28 whereby the enclosure and screen are formed by sewing the sheet.

30. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby at least one of the enclosures is linear.

31. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby at least one enclosure is substantially cylindrical in use.

32. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the first enclosure is substantially parallel to the second enclosure.

33. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the volume of the first enclosure is substantially the same as the volume of the second is enclosure.

34. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the apparatus comprises a third enclosure which locates at one end thereof.

35. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the first enclosure is integral with the screen.

36. An apparatus according to any preceding claim whereby the second enclosure is integral with the screen.

37. An assembly comprising a first protection apparatus and a second protection apparatus wherein the first apparatus is secured to the second apparatus and each apparatus is in accordance with claims any of 1 to 36.

38. A method of protecting a construction area using protection apparatus wherein the apparatus is as claimed in any of claims 1 to 36 comprising placing apparatus over at least a part of the area and causing the screen to shield the area wherein the shield locates between the two enclosures and the method comprises causing the first enclosure, which is arranged, in use, to enclose a volume of material, to locate on one side of the area and causing the second enclosure, which is arranged, in use, to enclose a volume of material, to locate on the other side of the area.

39. An apparatus for shielding a construction area substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

40. A method of protecting a construction area substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.