GB2564464B

GB2564464B - Rafter fitting for supporting a batten at a hip joint

Info

Publication number: GB2564464B
Application number: GB1711241.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Turnbull Lewis
Original assignee: Home Building Supplies Ltd
Current assignee: Home Building Supplies Ltd
Priority date: 2017-07-12
Filing date: 2017-07-12
Publication date: 2019-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-12
Also published as: GB201711241D0; GB2564464A

Description

Rafter Fitting for Supporting a Batten at a Hip Joint

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a rafter fitting for a pitched roof structure, which may in particular be a fitting for use at a hip joint of a roof. The invention further relates to a pitched roof structure including a rafter fitting.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The primary function of a roof structure is to protect a lower space below the roof structure from external elements such as wind and precipitation. A typical pitched roof structure 10 illustrated in Figure 1, includes a plurality of parallel load-bearing rafters 14 that slope from a ridge 18 at the top of the roof structure 10 to an eave 19 at a lowermost edge of the roof structure 10, and a plurality of parallel battens 16 disposed on top of, and extending orthogonally with respect to, the rafters 14. Roof tiles, not shown in Figure 1, are affixed to the battens in parallel courses.

The roof structure 10 of Figure 1 includes a hip joint 20, defined where two planes of the roof meet. A hip rafter 22 runs along the length of the hip joint 20. The battens 16 of the roof structure 10 truncate at the hip joint 20, and may overhang the hip rafter 22.

As shown in Figure 2, to accommodate tiling at the hip joint 20 roof tiles 15 are arranged on the parallel battens 16 and are cut so as to truncate at the hip joint 20. Cut edges of the tiles 15 are covered by hip tiles 24 that extend along the hip joint 20. The hip tiles 24 must sit over the top of the tiles 15, and hence must be spaced some distance away from the underlying hip rafter 22. To accommodate this spacing, a hip batten 26 is arranged to overlie the hip rafter 22, and the hip tiles 24 are secured to the hip batten 26.

However, this arrangement can be problematic. Firstly, the battens 16 will most likely have been cut by hand, and hence unevenly, such that the battens 16 will extend over the hip rafter 22 to varying extents. As a result, it is likely that the hip batten 26 will not be able to lay flat on the hip rafter 22, such that it will be mounted to the hip rafter 22 at an offset angle, as shown in Figure 2. Such an offset angle makes it more difficult to secure the hip batten 26 to the hip rafter 22, since any fasteners 28 used in the securing process are likely to enter the hip batten 26 and/or hip rafter 22 at an angle. The offset angle can also lead to misalignment of the hip tiles 24, which may compromise leak-resistance of the roof, and/or result in a more cumbersome process of arranging and aligning the hip tiles 24, which increases tiling time.

Secondly, in this arrangement the hip rafter 22 may not be arranged at the correct height for affixing the hip tiles 24. In particular, if the roof incorporates rolled or profiled tiles 15a, as shown in Figure 3, the hip tiles 24 must sit higher above the hip rafter 22. In these circumstances, a roofer will often stack standard tiling battens 26 on top of the hip rafter 22 parallel to the hip joint 20 to provide a greater spacing, thereby using battens 26 as spacers. However, battens 26 are used only because of their convenient availability at the roofing site and not because of their suitability for the job; in practice they are unlikely to be of suitable dimensions, and the most appropriate spacing may still not be achieved.

Furthermore, the problem of the battens 26 lying on top of the hip rafter 22 being forced into an offset orientation by overhanging battens 16 is exacerbated as battens 26 are stacked on top of one another. Additional fasteners 28 may be required to secure the additional hip battens 26, and the fasteners 28 are likely to be arranged at off-set angles, which can lead to interference of the fasteners 28. The stack of hip battens 26 is also more prone to instability, which can reduce the security of the hip tile fixings.

It is an object of the invention to address at least one of the problems associated with the above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, a first aspect of the invention provides a rafter fitting for a pitched roof structure, the roof structure comprising a rafter arranged along a joint between two adjacent faces of the roof structure, and a tile-supporting batten substantially overlaying the rafter. The rafter fitting comprises: a batten support for supporting a batten; and a riser connected to the batten support, wherein the riser defines a rafter facing surface for resting on a rafter to elevate the batten above the rafter, in use; wherein the riser comprises a first riser portion defining at least a portion of a first rafter facing surface and a second riser portion defining at least a portion of a second rafter-facing surface, the first and second riser portions being hingedly connected; wherein the riser is adjustable between a low-rise configuration in which the first rafter-facing surface rests on the rafter, in use, and the riser defines a first height between the first rafter facing surface and the batten support, and a high-rise configuration in which the second rafter-facing surface rests on the rafter, in use, and the riser defines a second height between the second rafter facing surface and the batten support, the second height being greater than the first height.

The construction of the riser being reconfigurable between low-rise and high-rise configurations such that it can be used to define two different riser heights hi, h2, allows a user to alter the riser height quickly and easily according to need, using only a single riser component. As a result, the roof structure can be assembled more quickly and easily, irrespective of the type of tiles used, with more accurate and appropriate placing of the hip tiles.

Furthermore, the predetermined heights hi, h2, can be specifically selected to provide an appropriate batten height for hip tiles that must cover plain or cambered tiles in the case of the first height hi, or rolled tiles in the case of the second height h2. By setting the appropriate height, the hip tiles can be easily placed over the hip batten at an appropriate height and in good alignment with the roof tiles.

Furthermore, the hip tiles 24 can be easily and conveniently secured to the hip batten. This improves tile alignment, and hence the resistance of the tiled roof to water ingress, and also decreases the time required to arrange and secure the hip tiles.

The hinge may be defined by a deformable member. The deformable member may be defined by a region of material that is thinner than the first or second riser-portions. The connector may be contiguous with the first and second riser portions.

When the riser is arranged in the second configuration, the first riser portion may be stacked on top of the second riser portion, such that the riser defines a height that may be at least equal to the sum of the height of the first riser portion and the height of the second riser portion.

When the riser is arranged in the first configuration, the second riser portion may lie adjacent to the first riser portion such that the riser defines a height that is equal to the height of the first riser portion.

The first height may be between 40mm and 60mm and may in particular be approximately 50mm.

The second height may be between 70mm and 90mm and may in particular be approximately 80mm.

To further facilitate fitting to the roof structure, the riser may comprise a guiding means for guiding a fastener through the riser to secure the rafter fitting to the rafter. The guiding means may comprise a first opening in the first riser-portion through which a securing member can pass when the riser is arranged in the first configuration. The guiding means may comprise a second opening in the second riser-portion through which the securing member can pass when the riser is arranged in the second configuration. The first and second openings may be configured to align when the riser is arranged in the second configuration. The guiding means may comprise an opening in the batten support through which the securing member can pass.

The batten support may comprise a batten-supporting surface configured to support the batten when the rafter fitting is in use.

The riser may be narrower than the batten support in at least one dimension. The rafter fitting may have a substantially T-shaped cross section.

The rafter fitting may be formed from an injection-moulded plastics material. A second aspect of the invention provides a pitched roof structure having two adjacent faces, a rafter arranged along a join between the faces, a tile-supporting batten overlying the batten, and a rafter fitting according to the first aspect being positioned between the rafter and the batten.

In cases where the batten supports at least one plain or cambered tile, the riser may be arranged in the low-rise configuration. In cases where the batten supports at least one profiled tile, the riser may be arranged in the high-rise configuration.

The batten may support at least one hip tile. The join may be a hip and the rafter may defines a hip board that slopes from a ridge to an eave of the pitched roof structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1 to 3 have already been described above by way of background to the invention. So that the invention may be more readily understood, the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the remainder of the drawings in which:

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a rafter fitting according to an embodiment of the invention with a riser of the fitting in a first or low-rise configuration;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the rafter fitting of Figure 4 with the riser of the fitting in a second or high-rise configuration;

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are top, bottom and front view respectively of the rafter fitting of Figure 4;

Figures 9 and 10 are perspective views of the rafter fitting being fitted to a roof structure in the low-rise configuration;

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the rafter fitting incorporated into the roof structure in the low-rise configuration with plain tiles in place on the roof structure;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the rafter fitting being fitted to a roof structure in the high-rise configuration; and

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the rafter fitting incorporated into the roof structure in the high-rise configuration with profiled tiles in place on the roof structure.

Throughout this specification, terms such as ‘upper’ and ‘lower;’ are used with reference to the orientation of a roof structure and to the orientation of a rafter fitting in situ within such a roof structure, as shown for example in Figures 12 and 13 of the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION A rafter fitting for a pitched roof structure according to an embodiment of the invention is exemplified in the foregoing description as a hip joint bracket for use at the hip joint of a roof structure. Such a hip joint is illustrated in Figure 1, and comprises a rafter that extends along the hip joint and a tile-supporting batten that overlies the rafter. It will be appreciated, however, that other rafter fittings are envisaged that may be for used at any suitable joint defined by between two adjacent faces of a roof structure.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the bracket 30 comprises a batten support 50 for supporting a batten (not visible in Figures 4 and 5), and a riser 70 connected to the batten support 50. The riser 70 is configured to rest on a hip rafter 22 to elevate the batten above the hip rafter 22 when the bracket 30 is in use in the roof structure.

The riser 70 is reconfigurable between a low-rise configuration, shown in Figure 4, and a high-rise configuration shown in Figure 5.

In the low-rise configuration, a first rafter-facing surface 72 of the riser 70 is downward facing to rest on the hip rafter 22. In this low-rise configuration, the riser 70 defines a first height hi.

In the high-rise configuration a second rafter-facing surface 74 of the riser 70 is downwardfacing to rest on the hip rafter 22. In this high-rise configuration, the riser 70 defines a second height h2, the second height h2 being greater than the first height hi.

Referring to Figures 4 to 8, the riser 70 comprises first and second riser portions 76, 78.

The first riser portion 76 is defined by a moulded body 82. As best seen in Figure 7, which shows an underside of the bracket 30 when in the low-rise configuration, the body 82 defines a lower face 76a that is closest to the second riser portion 78 and that, in use, will define a part of the first rafter-facing surface 72. As best shown in Figure 8, at an upper end 76b of the first riser portion 76, opposite to the lower face 76a, the first riser portion 76 transitions into the batten support 50 that will be described later.

Referring to Figure 4, the second riser portion 78 has the form of a substantially cuboidal block. The second riser portion 78 defines opposite faces 78a, 78b, a first face 78a, best seen in Figure 7, being closest to the connection with the first riser portion 76 and the second face 78b, best seen in Figure 6, being furthest from the connection with the first riser portion 76.

The riser portions 76, 78 are connected together by a connector 80 in the form of a thin piece of material, best seen in Figures 5, 6 and 7. The thinness of the connector 80 allows for flexible movement such that the connector 80 defines a deformable member that provides a hinged connection between the first and second portions 76, 78. In this way, the second riser portion 78 can be moved relative to the first riser portion 76 by pivoting the second riser portion 78 about the hinge of the connector 80 to move the riser 70 between the low-rise and high-rise configurations.

Considering the first riser portion 76 in more detail, as best seen in Figures 5 and 8, the body 82 of the first riser portion 76 comprises left and right side walls 86, 88 that transition into the batten support 50. At a lower end, the left and right side walls 86, 88 are contiguous with a base plate 90, the underside of which base plate 90 defines the lower face 76a of the first riser portion 76.

The height of the side walls 86, 88 defines the spacing between the lower face 76a of the first riser portion 76 and the batten support 50. In this way, the height of the side walls 86, 88 defines the height hi of the first riser portion 76. This height hi is chosen to be approximately equal to the height that a plain or cambered tile would need to be raised above a hip joint rafter in a finished roof. For example, hi may be approximately 40mm to 60mm, and is preferably approximately 50mm.

Extending upwardly from the base plate 90 between the left and right side walls 86, 88 is a guiding means 92 for guiding a fastener through the first riser portion 76. The guiding means 92 takes the form of a central wall 94 having a bore 96 therethrough. The bore 96 is reinforced by a surrounding wall 98, best seen in Figure 8.

Considering now the second riser portion 78 in more detail, and referring in particular to Figure 5, a spacing between the first and second faces 78a, 78b of the second riser portion 78 defines a height h3 of the second riser portion 78. This height h3 is chosen such that a total height h2 of the first and second riser portions 76, 78, (i.e. hi + h3) is approximately equal to the height that a rolled tile would need to be raised above a hip rafter in a finished roof. Said another way, the height h3 is approximately equal to the difference in height between a plain or cambered tile and a rolled or profiled tile. For example, h3 may be approximately 20mm to 40mm, and is preferably approximately 30mm, such that h2 is approximately 70mm to 90mm, and is preferably approximately 80mm.

As best seen in Figure 7, the block that defines the second riser portion 78 may be substantially hollow, such that it is defined by an outer shell 100 having the form of an open box, with internal reinforcing walls 102. The reinforcing walls 102 take the form of two diagonal cross walls 102a, 102b. In this case, the first face 78a of the second riser portion 78 is defined by surfaces of the shell 100 and the cross walls 102a, 102b, and the second face 78b of the second riser portion 78 is defined by an outer face of the shell 100.

The second riser portion 78 comprises a guiding means in the form of a bore 104 extending through the block. In particular, the bore 104 extends through the block at a central point, where the diagonal cross walls 102a, 102b intersect with one another. In use, the guiding means guides a fastener through the second riser portion 78.

Turning now to the batten support 50, as best shown in Figure 8 the batten support 50 comprises left and right side walls 52, 54 and a base 56 that together define a substantially U-shaped cross section. The base 56 comprises left and right base portions 58, 60 defined by base walls that extend outwardly from the respective upper ends of the left and right side walls 86, 88 of the first riser portion 76.

Upper surfaces 58a, 60a of the left and right base portions 58, 60 define batten-facing surfaces that support a batten when the bracket 30 is in use. Between the left and right base portions 58a, 60a is an opening 62, through which a fastener can pass when the bracket 30 is in use.

Because the left and right base portions 58, 60 project outwardly from the left and right side walls 86, 88 of the first riser portion 76, the width of the batten support 50 is greater than the width of the riser 70. In particular, the batten support 50 has a width of approximately 50mm, and the riser 70 has a width of approximately 30mm. In this way, the batten support 50 and the riser 70 together define a T shape.

The bracket 30 shown in Figures 4 to 8 is made of a single injection-moulded body. In this way, the second riser portion 78, connector 80, first riser portion 76 and batten support 50 are all contiguous with one another.

Referring back to Figure 4 and 5, the high-rise and low-rise configurations of the bracket 30 will now be described in more detail.

In the low-rise configuration shown in Figure 4, the second riser portion 78 is arranged next to the first riser portion 76. The lower face 76a of the first riser portion 76 and the first face 78a of the second riser portion 78 are each arranged to lie against the hip rafter 22. In this way, the lower face 76a of the first riser portion 76 and the first face 78a of the second riser portion 78 together define the first rafter-facing surface 72. It will be appreciated, however, that the lower face 76a of the first riser portion 76 provides the main stabilising function to support the bracket 30 on the hip rafter 22, and the first face 78a of the second riser portion 78 need not necessarily sit against the hip rafter 22 when the bracket 30 is in the low-rise configuration.

In the low-rise configuration, the spacing between the hip rafter 22 and the batten support 50 (and hence a batten supported by the batten support 50) is defined by the height hi of the first riser portion 76.

In the high-rise configuration shown in Figure 5, the second riser portion 78 is arranged beneath the first riser portion 76, such that the first and second riser portions 76, 78 are stacked one on top of the other. The lower face 76a of the first riser portion 76 and the first face 78a of the second riser portion 78 lie against one another. The second face 78b of the second riser portion 78 is arranged to lie against the hip rafter 22 to define the second rafterfacing surface 74.

When the first and second riser portions 76, 78 are stacked on top of one another, the bores 96, 104 that define respective guiding means are aligned with one another. In this way, the bores 96, 104 together define a single fastener guide that can guide a fastener through both first and second riser portions 76, 78 of the riser 70 to engage with the hip rafter 22 below.

In the high-rise configuration, the batten support 50 (and hence a batten supported by the batten support 50) is spaced apart from the hip rafter 22 by a height h2 which is equal to a sum of the height hi of the first riser portion 76 and the height h3 of the second riser portion 78.

The use of the bracket 30 in a roof structure will now be explained with reference to Figures 9 to 13.

First, the user determines whether the bracket 30 is to be used in the high-rise or low-rise configuration. For example, if the roof is to be tiled with plain or cambered tiles, the hip tiles of the hip joint will be able to sit lower with respect to the hip rafter, and the low-rise configuration may be appropriate. By contrast, if the roof is to be tiled with rolled or profiled tiles, the hip tiles of the hip joint will need to sit higher with respect to the hip-rafter to accommodate the greater height of the tiles, and the high-rise configuration may be more appropriate.

Referring to Figure 9, if the user has selected the low-rise configuration, the user moves the second riser portion 78 relative to the first riser portion 76 about the hinge of the connector 80 so that the first and second riser portions 76, 78 are arranged next to one another. The user then places the bracket 30 on the hip rafter 22, with the lower face 76a of the first riser portion 76 and the first face 78a of the second riser portion 78 lying against the hip rafter 22.

Because the riser 70 of the bracket 30 is relatively narrow, and in particular narrower than the width of a typical batten 16, the riser 70 can be easily accommodated on the hip rafter 22 between any overlapping battens 16 without any offset, as can be clearly seen in Figure 11. A plurality of such brackets 30 are affixed in place at intervals along the length of the hip rafter 22, with all brackets 30 being arranged in the low-rise configuration. By virtue of the fixed heights hi of the brackets 30, the batten supports 50 of the brackets 30 are all arranged at the same fixed height hi above the hip rafter 22.

Next, as shown in Figure 10, a hip batten 26 is lowered onto the batten supports 50 of the brackets 30 so that the hip batten 26 overlies the hip rafter 22. By virtue of the fixed heights of the batten supports 50, the hip batten 26 is spaced apart from the hip rafter 22 by the predetermined height hi. A fastener 40, which may be a screw or nail, is then passed through the hip batten 26, into the bore 96 of the first riser portion 76 (see Figure 11), where it is guided into engagement with the hip rafter 22 below. In this way, the hip batten 26 is secured to the hip rafter 22 via the bracket 30, and the bore 96 guides the fastener to ensure effective engagement.

As shown in Figure 11, with the hip batten 26 in place, the roof is tiled with the plain or cambered tiles 15. Hip tiles 24 are then arranged over the hip batten 26 along the hip joint 20 to cover the edges of the plain or cambered tiles 15. The hip tiles 24 are secured to the hip batten 26 using a fixing means (not shown) such as a screw or nail.

Because the hip batten 26 is arranged at the predetermined height hi, which is specifically selected to provide an appropriate batten height for hip tiles 24 that must cover plain or cambered tiles 15, the hip tiles 24 can be easily placed over the hip batten 26 at an appropriate height and in good alignment with the roof tiles 15. Furthermore, the hip tiles 24 can be easily and conveniently secured to the hip batten 26. This improves tile alignment, and hence the resistance of the tiled roof to water ingress, and also decreases the time required to arrange and secure the hip tiles 24.

Referring to Figure 12, if the user has selected the high-rise configuration, the user moves the second riser portion 78 relative to the first riser portion 76 about the hinge of the connector 80 so that the first riser portion 76 is arranged on top of the second riser portion 78, with the lower face 76a of the first riser portion 76 and the first face 78a of the second riser portion 78 lying against one another.

The user then places the bracket 30 on the hip rafter 22, with the second face 78b of the second riser portion 78 lying against the hip rafter 22. A plurality of such brackets 30 are affixed in place at intervals along the length of the hip rafter 22, with all brackets 30 being arranged in the high-rise configuration. By virtue of the fixed heights h2 of the brackets 30, the batten supports 50 of the brackets 30 are all arranged at the same fixed height h2 above the hip rafter 22.

Next, as shown in Figure 12, a hip batten 26 is lowered onto the batten supports 50 of the brackets 30 so that the hip batten 26 overlies the hip rafter 22. By virtue of the fixed heights of the batten supports 50, the hip batten 26 is spaced apart from the hip rafter 22 by the predetermined height h2.

As shown in Figure 13, with the hip batten 26 in place, a fastener 40, which may be a screw or nail, is then passed through the hip batten 26, into the bore 96 of the first riser portion 76 and the bore 104 of the second riser portion 78, where it is guided into engagement with the hip rafter 22 below. In this way, the hip batten 26 is secured to the hip rafter 22 via the bracket 30, and the bores 96, 104 ensure effective engagement.

With the hip batten 26 in place, the roof is tiled with rolled or profiled tiles 15a. Hip tiles 24 are then arranged over the hip batten 26 along the hip joint 20 to cover the edges of the rolled or profiled tiles 15a. The hip tiles 24 are secured to the hip batten 26 using a fastener (not shown) such as a screw or nail.

Because the hip batten 26 is arranged at the predetermined height h2, which is specifically selected to provide an appropriate batten height for hip tiles 24 that must cover rolled or profiled tiles 15a, the hip tiles 24 can be easily placed over the hip batten 22 at an appropriate height and in good alignment with the roof tiles. Furthermore, the hip tiles 24 can be easily and conveniently secured to the hip batten 22. This improves tile alignment, and hence the resistance of the tiled roof to water ingress, and also decreases the time required to arrange and secure the hip tiles 24.

The construction of the riser 70, with connected first and second riser portions 76, 78 that can be used to define two different riser heights hi, h2, allows a user to alter the riser height quickly and easily according to need, using only a single bracket component. To switch between the high-rise and low-rise configuration, the user need only move the second riser portion 78 relative to the first riser portion 76, or vice-versa. As a result, the roof structure can be assembled more quickly and easily, irrespective of the type of tiles used, with more accurate and appropriate placing of the hip tiles 24.

The bracket need not be formed as a single body, but may be formed as separate pieces that are joined together. The body need not be injection moulded from plastics but may be made from any suitable material and by any suitable method.

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the invention could be modified to take many alternative forms without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A rafter fitting for a pitched roof structure, the roof structure comprising a rafter arranged along a joint between two adjacent faces of the roof structure, and a tile-supporting batten substantially overlaying the rafter, wherein the rafter fitting comprises: a batten support for supporting a batten; and a riser connected to the batten support, wherein the riser defines a rafter facing surface for resting on a rafter to elevate the batten above the rafter, in use; wherein the riser comprises a first riser portion defining at least a portion of a first rafter facing surface and a second riser portion defining at least a portion of a second rafterfacing surface, the first and second riser portions being hingedly connected; wherein the riser is adjustable between a low-rise configuration in which the first rafter-facing surface rests on the rafter, in use, and the riser defines a first height between the first rafter facing surface and the batten support, and a high-rise configuration in which the second rafter-facing surface rests on the rafter, in use, and the riser defines a second height between the second rafter facing surface and the batten support, the second height being greater than the first height.

2. The rafter fitting of claim 1, wherein the hinge is defined by a deformable member.

3. The rafter fitting of claim 2, wherein the deformable member is defined by a region of material that is thinner than the first or second riser-portions.

4. The rafter fitting of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connector is contiguous with the first and second riser portions.

5. The rafter fitting of any preceding claim, wherein when the riser is arranged in the second configuration, the first riser portion is stacked on top of the second riser portion, such that the riser defines a height that is at least equal to the sum of the height of the first riser portion and the height of the second riser portion.

6. The rafter fitting of any preceding claim, wherein when the riser is arranged in the first configuration, the second riser portion lies adjacent to the first riser portion such that the riser defines a height that is equal to the height of the first riser portion.

7. The rafter fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the first height is between 40mm and 60mm.

8. The rafter fitting of claim 7, wherein the first height is approximately 50mm.

9. The rafter fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the second height is between 70mm and 90mm.

10. The rafter fitting of claim 9, wherein the second height is approximately 80mm.

11. A rafter fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the riser comprises a guiding means for guiding a fastener through the riser to secure the rafter fitting to the rafter.

12. The rafter fitting of claim 11, wherein the guiding means comprises a first opening in the first riser-portion through which a securing member can pass when the riser is in the first configuration.

13. The rafter fitting of claim 12, wherein the guiding means comprises a second opening in the second riser-portion through which the securing member can pass when the riser is in the second configuration.

14. The rafter fitting of claim 13, wherein the first and second openings are arranged to align when the riser is in the second configuration.

15. The rafter fitting of any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the guiding means further comprises an opening in the batten support through which the securing member can pass.

16. The rafter fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the batten support comprises a batten-supporting surface configured to support the batten when the rafter fitting is in use.

17. The rafter fitting according to claim 16, wherein the riser is narrower than the batten support in at least one dimension.

18. The rafter fitting of claim 17, wherein the rafter fitting has a substantially T-shaped cross section.

19. The rafter fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the rafter fitting is formed from a plastics material.

20. A pitched roof structure having two adjacent faces, a rafter arranged along a join between the faces, a tile-supporting batten overlying the batten, and a rafter fitting according to any preceding claim positioned between the rafter and the batten.

21. The pitched roof structure of claim 20, wherein the batten supports at least one plain or cambered tile, and the riser is arranged in the low-rise configuration.

22. The pitched roof structure of claim 20, wherein the batten supports at least one profiled tile, and the riser is arranged in the high-rise configuration.

23. The pitched roof structure of any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the batten supports at least one hip tile.

24. The pitched roof structure of any of claims 20 to 23, wherein the join is a hip and the rafter defines a hip board that slopes from a ridge to an eave of the pitched roof structure.