GB2444111A

GB2444111A - Cover member for the edge of a roof

Info

Publication number: GB2444111A
Application number: GB0623296A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Cameron Challinor; Ranulph Robert Pack
Original assignee: Manthorpe Building Products Ltd
Current assignee: Manthorpe Building Products Ltd
Priority date: 2006-11-23
Filing date: 2006-11-23
Publication date: 2008-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-23
Also published as: GB0623296D0; GB2444111B

Abstract

The invention relates to a cover member 10 for the edge of a roof e.g. verge capping. The cover member 10 comprises first 12 and second 14 parts defining a channel 20, wherein the first part 12 receives the second part of an adjacent cover member. The cover member 10 is substantially constant in cross-section along its length. The cover member 10 may comprise retaining formations (40, 41 and 42, 43 figures 2 and 3) to retain the cover in an engaged position with an adjacent cover member 10. The cover member 10 may comprise alignment means 30 and (32 figure 2) at opposite ends of the first part 12, for aligning adjacent cover members. A later embodiment relates to a method of using said cover member 10.

Description

Cover Member The present invention relates to cover members,

particularly but not exclusively cover members for covering the edge of a roof.

Traditionally, a roof comprises a plurality of roof tiles which are fixed to wooden battens, which in turn are supported by rafters. The edges of the roof are traditionally sealed by mortar, and these exposed edges are subject to weather. The effect of weather over a period of time can degrade the mortar, leading to loose tiles and possible wind and rain penetration.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cover member for covering the edge of a roof, the cover member including a first part defining a channel and a second part, the first part being arranged to receive in use a second part of an adjacent, substantially similar, cover member in an engaged condition, the channel defined by the first part being substantially constant in cross section along its length.

Possibly, the second part extends from the first part, and may extend longitudinally from the first part. Possibly the second part substantially corresponds in cross section with the channel defined by the first part.

Possibly, in the engaged condition, the first part abuts a first part of the adjacent cover member. Possibly in the engaged condition, the first parts of the cover member and the adjacent cover member appear to be substantially continuous.

Possibly the first part includes a first body, and may include a pair of spaced first arms, which may extend from the first body. Possibly the channel is defined between the first arms.

Possibly the second part includes a second body, and may include a pair of spaced second arms, which may extend from the second body.

Possibly a second channel is defined between the second arms.

Possibly the cover member includes retaining means for retaining in use the cover member in the engaged condition with the adjacent cover member. Possibly the retaining means include first and second retaining formations.

Possibly, the first part includes the first retaining formation. Possibly the second part includes the second retaining formation. Possibly in the engaged condition the first retaining formation of one cover member engage the second retaining formation of the other cover member.

1 5 Possibly the cover member includes biasing means to bias the first and second formations into the engaged condition. Possibly the cover member includes a resiliently flexible material, which may form the biasing means.

Possibly the cover member is formed integrally, and may be formed by moulding, and may be formed of a plastics material, which may be a resiliently flexible material.

Possibly the cover member includes alignment means for aligning adjacent cover members. Possibly the alignment means include first and second alignment faces, which may be located at opposite ends of the first part. Possibly, in the engaged condition the first alignment face of the cover member abuts the second alignment face of the adjacent cover member.

Possibly the first alignment face forms an oblique angle with the longitudinal axis of the cover member, and/or the plane of the outer surface of the first body.

Possibly the alignment means include a guide formation, which may project from the second part. Possibly the guide formation tapers in a direction extending away from the first part. Possibly the alignment means include a plurality of spaced guide formations.

Possibly the cover member includes fixing means. Possibly the fixing means includes a nail hole defined by the second part, and may include a plurality of nail holes defined by the second part.

Jo According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of use of a cover member, the cover member including a first part defining a channel and a second part, the first part being arranged to receive in use a second part of an adjacent, substantially similar, cover member in an engaged condition, the channel defined by the first part being substantially 1 5 constant in cross section along its length, the method including the steps of determining the length of cover member required and adjusting the length of the first part of the cover member to suit the length required.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cover member according to the invention; Fig. 2 is an end view of the cover member of Fig. I as indicated by arrow II showing, for simplicity, a first part only of the cover member; Fig. 3 is an end view of the cover member of Fig. I as indicated by arrow Ill showing, for simplicity, a second part of the cover member only; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of cover members in use; Fig. 5 is a view of cover members in use: Fig. 6 is an end sectional view of a cover member in use; Fig. 7 is another end sectional view of a cover member in use; Fig. 8 is a side sectional view of parts of a pair of cover members; and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a securing clip for cover members.

Fig. I shows a cover member 10 according to the invention, the cover member 10 including a first part 12 and a second part 14. The first part 12 includes a first body 16, a pair of first arms 18 extending from opposite edges of the first body 16, a first channel 20 being defined between the first arms 18.

One of the first arms 18 is longer than the other.

The second part 14 extends from one end of the first part 12 and includes a second body 22. A pair of spaced second arms 24 extend from opposite edges of the second body 22. A second channel 26 is defined between the second arms 24. One of the second arms 24 is longer than the other.

The cover member 10 includes retaining means, the retaining means including first retaining formations including first projections 40 and first inner recesses 41, one first projection 40 extending inwardly into the first channel from each of the first arms 18, each first inner recess 41 being defined between one of the first projections 40 and the first body 16. An outer recess 44 corresponding with each of the projections 40 is formed in the outer face of each of the first arms 18.

The cross section thickness of each of the first body 16 and first arms 18 is substantially the same, arid the cross section shape and thickness is substantially constant along the length of the first part 12, so that the first channel 20 is also constant in cross section size and shape along the length of the first part 12.

The advantage this provides is that in use, the first part 20 can be trimmed to length as required. Also, different units can be provided having different lengths of the first part 12 for greater economy of manufacture and installation.

As shown in Fig. 3, the retaining means include second retaining formations in the form of second projections 43 and second recesses 42, one second recess 42 being defined by each of the second arms 24 and one of the second projections 43. The second projections 43 are formed by the projecting edges of the second body 22. The cross section thickness of the 1 5 second body 22 and second arms 24 is substantially the same, and is substantially constant in shape and thickness along the length of the second part 14.

The second part 14 is somewhat smaller in size than the first part 12, so that in use the second part of one cover member 10 is receivable within the first.channel 20 of another cover member 10 as will be described below.

The cover member 10 includes alignment means, the alignment means including a first alignment face 30 as shown in Figs. 1 and 8 which is formed at one end of the first part 12 between the first part 12 and second part 14.

The first alignment face 30 forms an oblique angle with the outer surface of the first body 16 and with the longitudinal axis of the cover member 10. The alignment means include a second alignment face 32 formed on the free end of the second body 22 of the second part 14, the second alignment face 32 being angled to substantially correspond with the first alignment face 30.

The alignment means include a pair of spaced guide projections 36 which extend substantially along the length of the outer face of the second body 22 to the first alignment face 30 of the first part 12. The guide projections 36 taper in a direction away from the first body 16.

The cover member 10 includes fixing means in the form of a plurality of nail holes 34 (only a few of which are labelled) defined by the second body 22.

The cover member 10 is formed integrally, of a resiliently flexible plastics material, and is formed by injection moulding. The resiliently flexible properties of the material permit the first arms 18 to flex towards and away from each other in use.

Figs. 4 -7 illustrate the cover member 10 in use. As shown most cleaily in Figs. 6 and 7, roof tiles 62 and roof battens 64 form a protruding roof edge 82 over a wall 70 and/or a fasóia board 72 (as shown in Fig. 7). A wall batten 66 is fixed below the protruding roof edge 82 to the wall 70 or fascia board 72. Although these figures show a protruding roof edge 82, in other examples the roof edge 82 may be flush with the wall 70, and the installation detail is adapted as required.

A first cover member 1OA is located over the protruding roof edge 82 so that the roof edge 82 is received within the first channel 20 and second channel 26. The longer of the first and second arms 18, 24 locate on top of the tiles 62 and the shorter of the first and second arms 18, 24, locate against the wall 70 or fascia board 72.

A fastener, which could, for example, be a nail 68, is located through a convenient nail hole 34 into the wall batten 66 to hold the cover member 1OA in position. The plurality of nail holes 34 permits a convenient nail hole 34 to be found easily.

A second cover member lOB is then located as shown in Fig. 4 so that the free end of the first part 12B locates over the second part 14A of the first cover member bA. The first part 126 of the second cover member lOB is pushed into position so that the first arms 18B flex outwardly, permitting the first projections 40 of the second cover member lOB to pass over the second projections 43 so that the first projections 40 locate in the second recesses 42 of the first cover member 1 OA and the second projections 43 of the first cover member IOA locate in the first recesses 41 of the second cover member lOB.

The resilient property of the material biases the first projections 40 into the second recesses 42. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the first retaining projections and the second recesses 42 are asymmetric and correspond in shape, easing location into an engaged condition and retaining the first part 12B of the second cover member lOB in the engaged condition on the second part 14A of the first cover member 1OA.

The cross section of the second part 14 is arranged to be a sliding fit within the cross section of the first part 12, so that if convenient the second cover member lOB can be slid into the engaged condition on the first cover member 1 OA.

The second cover member 106 is adjusted by sliding so that the second alignment face 32 of the second cover member lOB abuts the first alignment face 30 of the first cover member bA. As the second cover lOB moves into this abutting position, the tapered guide projections 36 act to align the outer faces of the first body parts 16A and 16B so that in the abutting position these faces are held substantially flush with each other and in this position, the second cover member lOB is held relatively tightly and securely to the first cover member bOA, substantially preventing movement of the second cover member lOB relative to the first cover member 1OA in use. This is important, as any movement in use, for example, caused by wind, could cause a rattling sound which may be unsatisfactory for the occupier of the building, and could also lead to damage.

The abutting angled first and second alignment faces 30, 32 prevent any sagging of the first body 1 6B of the second cover member I OB relative to the first body 16A of the first cover member 1OA. In the engaged condition in the abutting position, the adjacent first parts 12A, 12B give the appearance of a substantially continuous surface, as shown in Fig. 5.

With the free end of the first part 12B of the second cover member lOB located in position, the second part 14 of the second cover member 108 is fixed in position by locating a nail 68 through the nail holes 34 as described previously for the first cover member bA. Installation of further cover members is carried out in a similar fashion, until the protruding edges 82 of the roof are covered.

At the ridge of the roof, an end cap cover (not shown) can be provided.

Similarly at the eaves, an accessory unit comprising of a second part only (not shown) can be provided to locate and fix the free end of the end most cover member 10.

The outer corresponding recess 44 as shown in Fig. 6 forms a drip strip for the shedding of rain water.

The cover members of the present invention provide an economical and simple solution to the protection of the exposed edges of roofs. The cover members 10 could be provided in varying lengths to extend over a plurality of roof tiles 62, and the lengths can be adjusted to fit in accordance with the requirements of the installation. For example, a hacksaw or other similar fine toothed saw could be used to adjust the first part 12 of a cover member 10 to a required size.

Fig. 9 shows an accessory clip 74 which can be used to secure two abutting first parts 12 of adjacent cover members 10 together. The clip 74 has a cross section shape which is similar to, although slightly larger than the cross section shape of the first part 12 of the cover member 10. The ctip 74 includes a clip body 86, a pair of spaced clip arms 88 extending from opposite edges of the clip body 86, the clip 74 including retaining formations in the form of projections 78 which project inwardly into a channel 90 defined between the clip arms 88. The' clip 74 is formed of a flexible, resilient material, which permits the clip arms 88 to flex towards and away from each other. One of 1 0 the arms 88 is longer than the other, and includes a hook formation 76 at the free edge.

In use, the clip 74 is positioned over the free ends of adjacent first parts 1 2A, 1 2B of cover members 1 OA, 1 OB. The hook formation 76 hooks over the 1 5 free edges of the longer of the first arms 18, and the clip 74 is pushed into position so that the clip retaining projections 78 locate in the outer corresponding recesses 44.

Various other modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The cover member could be of any suitable size and shape, and could be formed of any suitable material, by any suitable method.

In one embodiment, the second parts could be provided separately to the first parts. In another embodiment, the cover member could also include other parts not described above. The second part could be of different shape and configuration. For example the second part could comprise the second body only, the second retaining formation comprising only the second projections 43.

There is thus provided a cover member which protects the exposed edges of roofs. The cover member can be easily manufactured, is easy to install and is easy to trim to size. The cover member can be used with any design of tile, and provides a neat finished appearance which is retained securely to the roof to provide a weather proof installation.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1. A cover member for covering the edge of a roof, the cover

member including a first part defining a channel and a second part, the first part being arranged to receive in use a second part of an adjacent, substantially similar, cover member in an engaged condition, the channel defined by the first part being substantially constant in cross section along its length.
2. A cover member according to claim 1, in which the second part extends from the first part.
3. A cover member according to claim 2, in which the second part extends longitudinally from the first part.
4. A cover member according to any of the preceding claims, in which the second part substantially corresponds in cross section with the channel defined by the first part.
5. A cover member according to any of the preceding claims, in which in the engaged condition, the first part abuts a first part of the adjacent cover member.
6. A cover member according to claim 5, in which in the engaged condition, the first parts of the cover member and the adjacent cover member appear to be substantially continuous.
7. A cover member according to any of the preceding claims, in which the first part includes a first body.
8. A cover member according to claim 7, in which the first part includes a pair of spaced first arms, which extend from the first body.
9. A cover member according to claim 8, in which the channel is defined between the first arms.
10. A cover member according to any of the preceding claims, in which the second part includes a second body.
11. A cover member according to claim 10, in which the second part includes a pair of spaced second arms, which extend from the second body.
12. A cover member according to claim 11, in which a second channel is defined between the second arms.
13. A cover member according to any of the preceding claims, in which the cover member includes retaining means for retaining in use the cover member in the engaged condition with the adjacent cover member.
14. A cover member according to claim 13, in which the retaining means include first and second retaining formations.
15. A cover member according to claim 14, in which the first part includes the first retaining formation, and the second part includes the second retaining formation.
16. A cover member according to claims 14 or 15, in which in the engaged condition the first retaining formation of one cover member engages the second retaining formation of the other cover member.
17. A cover member according to claim 16, in which the cover member includes biasing means to bias the first and second formations into the engaged condition.
18. A cover member according to claim 17, in which the cover member includes a resiliently flexible material, which forms the biasing means.
19. A cover member according to any of the preceding claims, in which the cover member is formed integrally.
20. A cover member according to any of the preceding claims, in which the cover member includes alignment means for aligning adjacent cover members.
21. A cover member according to claim 20, in which the alignment means include first and second alignment faces, which are located at opposite ends of the first part.
22. A cover member according to claim 21, in which in the engaged condition the first alignment face of the cover member abuts the second alignment face of the adjacent cover member.
23. A cover member according to any of claims 20 to 22, in which the first alignment face forms an oblique angle with the longitudinal axis of the cover member, and/or the plane of the outer surface of the first body.
24. A cover member according to any of claims 20 to 23, in which the alignment means include a guide formation.
25. A cover member according to claim 24, in which the guide formation projects from the second part.
26. A cover member according to claims 24 or 25, in which the guide formation tapers in a direction extending away from the first part.
27. A cover member according to any of claims 24 to 26, in which the alignment means include a plurality of spaced guide formations.
28. A cover member according to any of the preceding claims, in which the cover member includes fixing means.
29. A cover member according to claim 28, in which the fixing means includes one or more nail holes defined by the second part.
30. A method of use of a cover member, the cover member including a first part defining a channel and a second part, the first part being arranged to receive in use a second part of an adjacent, substantially similar, cover member in an engaged condition, the channel defined by the first part being substantially constant in cross section along its length, the method including the steps of determining the length of cover member required and adjusting the length of the first part of the cover member to suit the length required.
31. A cover member substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
32. A method substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
33. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.