GB2501960A

GB2501960A - Thatch fixing device

Info

Publication number: GB2501960A
Application number: GB201223498A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Iain Gillies Cottrell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-12-30
Filing date: 2012-12-30
Publication date: 2013-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 2032-12-30
Also published as: GB2501960B; GB201223498D0

Abstract

This invention relates to a fixing device for attaching the first layer of thatch material to a roof structure. It consists of two separate components; a head which has a hole and a downward curved hook and a long screw with a wide head. The screw may have an inch thread. The screw is inserted into the hole in the separate head. The curve hook of the head provides a means for holding a bar in place over the thatch material and the screw provides a secure fixing point to the roof. The use of a screw causes less damage to roof structures than traditional fixing methods. It is designed to be used in conjunction with hazel bar, which overcomes the issues posed by modern fixing methods. It enables the thatch to be stripped off quickly in the event of a fire, unlike modern methods that use metal and wire.

Description

Thatch fixing method This invention relates to a method for fixing the first layer of thatch material to a roof structure When thatching the first layer of a roof the thatch material is rested vertically on top of the wooden battens (that run horizontally) and rafters (that run vertically), which make up a roof structure. A bar is then placed horizontally over the thatch material. A fixing means is then placed over this bar, and goes through the thatch into the rafter, which then pulls the bar down tight over the thatch material, securing it to the roof However, the traditional and modem fixing means available pose a number of problems.

The traditional fixing method uses a hazel bar, which is laid horizontally on top of the thatch and secured with a crook. The crook is like a large nail with the top bent over at an angle to form a type of hook, the hook end goes over the hazel bar. The crook is placed through the thatch and is then hammered into the wooden rafters, securing the thatch to the roof When these wooden rafters are old, the process of hammering the crook can cause the rafters to split, therefore damaging the roof structure. This means that there are a limited number of times that old rafters can be crooked onto.

Additionally, when rooms are located in the roof space the process of hammering can crack and cause damage to the ceiling and wall finishing's.

Modem fixing methods use a metal bar, which is laid on top of the thatch material and secured using a screw fixing. A screw fixing is a small screw approximately 40 mm long that has a long piece of wire wrapped around the head of the screw and bent upwards. The screw is pushed through the thatch and then screwed into the wooden rafters or battens, allowing the wire to protrude through the thatch; the wire is then twisted around the metal bar which pulls the metal bar down tight over the thatch material securing it to the roof Screwing causes less damage to the old rafters and battens; however, this fixing method causes a problem in the event of a fire. With the traditional method, firemen can locate an area on the roof between the rafters, which are spaced approximately 14-16 inches apart, where they can make a firebreak. They then break through the hazel bars with an axe or saw, this then allows them to strip off a section of thatch, which creates a firebreak and stops the fire from spreading. The modern method uses metal and wires which are fixed into the rafters and battens, which unlike the hazel cannot be easily broken. The metal and wires make it more difficult and a lot slower for the fire brigade to strip off a section of the roof Additionally, over time the wire can begin to unravel, which causes the thatch material to become loose and insecure. Because of the insecurity of the screw fixing, the battens as well as the rafters are often screwed into. This causes further difficulties for the fire brigade in the event of a fire because they do not know where to make a fire break or how many fixing points they will need to break through.

To overcome the issues posed by current available fixing methods, this present invention proposes a fixing method, which consists of two separate components. The first is a flat head with a hole in one end and a downward curve in the other. The second is a long screw, which can be varied in length and has a wide head and an inch thread; this screw is placed through the hole of the head. The head acts as a mean to hold a bar in place over the thatch material whilst the screw provides a secure fixing point to the roof This invcntion is designed to bc used in conjunction with hazel bars and is screwed into the rafters. The use of hazel allows the thatch material to be removed easily by the fire brigade in the event of a fire. By screwing into the rafters that are evenly spaced the fire brigade will know where to cut the hazel to make the fire break.

The process of fixing by screwing will not damage rafters therefore it can be used on old roofs as well as new. Because the screw is long enough to protrude through the thatch it can be easily located and removed if screwed in at the wrong angle or into the wrong area without causing damage to the rafters and roof structure below.

The head is separate to the screw, which allows the screw to rotate freely whilst the head stays fixed in position over the hazel bar, which pulls the thatch material down as it is screwed in.

The thickness of thatch required on a roof is typically between 12 and 14 inches. The head of this invention is separate to the screw, which means it can be used interchangeably with screws of different lengths, normally between 7 and 10 inches long, depending on the area of roof being thatched and the thickness of thatch required. This enables the Thatcher to gage the correct thickness of the thatch material being laid on the roof and allows them to maintain a consistent and even thickness across the roof.

This method is more sympathetic to older roof structures than traditional methods and more accurate and reliable than modern methods. The process of screwing causes less damage to the rafters and the length of the screw provides a solid fixing point that will not become loose over time.

This invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a screw, Figure 2 shows a head, Figure 3 shows how a screw fits into a head, and Figure 4 shows the invention in use.

Figure 1 depicts a long screw A that has a wide head B and an inch thread C. The body D of the screw will vary in length depending on the length of screw A being used.

Figure 2 depicts the head F that has a flat base F with a downward curve 0. The top of the head F has a hole El.

Figure 3 depicts how the screw A attaches to the head E to make a fixing method I. The screw A is placed through the hole H of the head E, with the curve G facing downward.

Figure 4 depicts the fixing method Tin use. The screw A is placed through the hole H of the head E, this makes the fixing method I. The hazel bar J is placed horizontally on top of the thatch material L. The curve G is placed over the hazel bar J with the thread C of the screw A resting on the rafter K. The screw A is then drilled into the rafter K. During this process the screw A is allowed to freely rotate whilst the head E remains in a fixed position over the hazel bar J which pulls the hazel bar J down tightly over the thatch material L. This process is then repeated on all the rafters K along the roof, which secures the thatch material L to the roof.