US2976648A - Metal roof construction - Google Patents

Description

March 28, 1961 R. c. LlNcK 2,976,648

METAL ROOF CONSTRUCTION Filed July 5. 1,957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 vIN VEN TOR.

FIG. 6 ROBE/er C. L/NcK March 28', 1961 R. c. LlNcK METAL ROOF CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 3, 1957 w. m w. m

Rogner C. L/fvcx TDRNEY March 28, 1961 R. c. LlNcK METAL RooF CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 3. 1957 IN VEN TOR. @neural/cx TORAEY METAL RF CONSTRUCTION Robert C. Linck, Mount Pleasant and Panorama Roads, Villanova, Pa.

Filed duly 3, 1957, Ser. No. 669,'805

2 Claims. (Cl. Sil-211) This invention relates to improvements `in metal vroof constructions and more particularly, it pertains to metal roofs utilizing parallel battens between which sheets of roofing metal extend and to which the opposite edges of said rooting metal sheets are attached.

lt has been common practice for many years to apply metal sheets to roofs by means of the use of battens of various kinds. Such roofs, incidentally, usually are applied to buildings of substantial size such as institutions, public buildings of various kinds, ofce buildings, churches, and the like, lbut also may be applied to individual houses used yfor residential purposes. Roofs of the type to which the present invention pertain are more expensive to construct and apply than the roofs commonly used on residences. Further, roofs of this type such as are used on institutions and other similar types of buildings are very durable and usually are installed for purposes of lasting many years without repair or attention of any kind.

Batten type roofs used heretofore and also as presently constructed embody various types of battens which are fastened to the roof sheathing in parallel relationship to each other, usually being positioned within parallel planes perpendicular to the ridge of the roof. Under some circumstances, the battens are formed wood stock and are of the order of two inches square in cross-section. Such battens are nailed or bolted directly to the roofsheathing. The sheet metal rooting sheets are disposed at against the roof sheathing and the opposite edges or `the roof .sheets adjacent the battens are bent lupwardly to provide vertical anges which are positioned adjacent the vertical `walls of the battens and a variety of different means are available and used to cover the upper surfaces of the battens and also cverlie 'the edge flanges of the roof sheets to prevent leakage.

In more recent years, the 'battens have been formed from bent or extruded structural metallic members of various shapes in cross-section, such battens also being fastened directly to the roof sheathing, by nails or screws, and the roof sheets are disposed between the battens similarly to the arrangement employed in regard to that described above in connection with wooden battens. The use of metal battens however presents problems relative to connecting covering and clamp-ing members to the battens and little if any possibility of adjustability between the 'battens and the securing means has been provided.

lt is the principal object of the present invention to provide a metallic roof construction which includes the use of channel shaped battens of indelinite length which -are fastened directly to roof sheathing in spaced parallel ly upward from the sheathing. The principal kimprovement afforded by the present invention is that means are provided which are longitudinally adjustable vrelative to the battens, whereby elongated, channel shaped hatten Z,9?6,643 atentecl Main 28, i961 covers may be disp'osedover the battens and the upstanding edge flanges of the roof sheets, and clamping comprising part of the longitudinally adjustable means conneeted to the battens so as to secure the batten covers in operative position to alford a'water-tight roof which is capable of many years of trouble-free service.

Another object of the present invention is to provide clamping and securing means for the batten covers which are not only movable longitudinally along the battens so as to dispose them at any desired position therealong, but said clamping 7and securing means are relatively inexpensive and are simple to install and operate, due primarily to the fact that such clamping and securing means are connected to vand adjustable along the battens only, as distinguished from being connected to the .roof sheathing as is common practice at present.

Still another object of the invention is to provide finishing elements of several different kinds which are utilized in the metallic roof comprising the present invention, particularly fo-r vpurposes of facilitating the Vapplication of ridge caps in an attractive and water-tight manner, as well as closing the ends of the channel shaped battens -in an effective manner.

Details of the foregoing objects and `of the invention, as well as other objects thereof, `are set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprising a partthereof.

ln the drawings:

Fig. l is a vertical -transverse sectional `view through an exemplary roof embodying the present invention Iand showing details of a hatten, clamp-ing means, batten cover, and adjacent edges of roof sheets connected to the hatten, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional Vertical 'elevation taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the construction shown in Fig. l but illustrating the hatten and part of the clamping means incident to being installed upon the roof sheathing.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an anchor clip per se, made in accordance with the principles of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the preferred method of connecting roof sheets to the -batten and the relative position of the clamping means to the roof sheets and the batten, prior to the application of the' batten cover thereon.

Fig. k6 is a-perspective lview of a saddle member which cooperates with the anchor clip shown in Fig. 4 to comprise the principal elements yof the clamping means.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary section of hatten cover of the type illustrated in Figs. l and 2.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the lower end of a fragmentary portion of a roof and hatten assembly employing the principles of the invention and also showing the application of a cover element for .the end of the hatten.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a cover element for the lower end of a batten as illustrated in the assembly shown in Fig. 8. i

Fig. l0 is an exemplary illustration of two adjoining sections of a peaked roof, illustrated fragmentarily, formed in accordance with the invention and also illustrating a hip angle, the hip cover and ridge or peak cover basically, being similar in construction.

Fig. ll is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken on the line 11'-1 of Fig. l0 and -illustrated on a larger scale to show details of finishing means employedni-n connection with the peak and hip'covers shown perspectively in Fig. 10.

An exemplary application of a metal roof construction in accordance with the principles of the present invention is illustrated in the drawings, it being understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the specific details and proportions shown in the various figures. Referring to Figs. l and 2, it will be seen that the fragmentary portion of the roof illustrated therein comprisessheathing material specifically shown as boards 10 which are supported by suitable rafters, purlins, or the like, not shown. Board-type sheathing is highly suitable as a supporting surface for the various elements of the roof embodying the present invention, principally because nails or screws can be utilized to secure the battens directly to the board sheathing 10. Other types of sheathing or supporting base may be used.

Referring particularly to Fig. l, it will be seen that the roof comprises a plurality of channel shaped battens 12 which may be formed either by bending sheet metal, such as aluminum, or extruding aluminum or other similar material to provide the desired shape. The battens 12 preferably are formed with a central raised portion 14 in the base thereof to provide a pair of gutters 16 on opposite sides of the raised portion 14.

At regular spaced intervals along the raised portion 14,

holes 18 are provided for purposes of receiving attaching means such as wood screws 20 in order to secure the battens 12 to the sheathing 10. It will be understood of course that nails or any other suitable securing means may be used in lieu of the screws 20. The holes 18 preferably are elongated to permit expansion and contraction. v

A roof.of this type preferably is applicable to a building requiring a sloping roof. When first applying the roof structure, the battens 12 are attached initially to the sheathing 10 by extending up the slope of the sheathing of the roof so as to be within parallel planes which are spaced apart and vertical to the ridge of the roof. It is essential lthatthe battens 12 be quite accurately parallel to each other in order that the metallic roofing sheets 22 may, for example, be selected from standard widths of stock material such as stock aluminum, copper, or the like, and the edges 24 thereof are bent more or less vertically to the plane of the sheets 22, as shown in Figs. l and particularly. It is preferred however that the edges 24 not be exactly vertical in order to provide clearance spaces 26 between the inner surfaces of said edges and the outer surfaces of the sides 28 of the battens 12. Said sides 28 preferably are substantially parallel to each other so as to be vertical to the plane of the sheathing 10.

The upper ends of the sides 28 of battens 12 also are provided with terminal anges 30 which extend inwardly toward each other and preferably downwardly at an angle as clearly shown in Figs. l and 3, for purposes to be described. Also the terminal edges 32 of the roofing sheets are bent relative to the edge portions 24 thereof so as to overlie the terminal anges 30 of the battens approximately as shown in Fig. l, primarily for purposes of providing seating of the terminal edges 32 against the upper edges of the battens. Such arrangement also affords water-tightness. The spaces 26 also aord latitude for expansion and contraction of the roofing sheets 22.

By mounting the battens 12 in parallel relationship, it is possible to prepare the edges of the rooting sheets 22 in a factory, contractors shop, or the like prior to moving the .same to the building where they are to be installed. After the battens 12 have been positioned on the sheathing by screws 20 and the roofing sheets 22 with the pre-formed edges 24 and 32 thereon have been placed upon the sheathing 10 between the battens, whereby the terminal edges 32 of the rooting sheets overlie the terminal edges 30 of the battens as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, a plurality of anchor clips 34 are inserted within the battens between the terminal flanges 30 thereof. Without limitation thereto, it has been found practical to form the -battens 12 so as to be approximately two inches wide 4 and two inches high. Such arrangement will afford ample space between the terminal flanges 30 thereof for insertion of the anchor clips 34 from the top of the battens. Where the clips 34 are to be mounted near either end of the batten however, said clips may be inserted from the open ends of the battens.

Preferably, the anchor clips 34 are provided with a central recess 36 and, intermediately of the ends of said recess, a hole 38 is provided. The hole 38 receives a clamping bolt 40, the head of which is received somewhat snugly within the recess 36 and opposite sides of the head of the bolt 40 engage the sides of the channels 36 to prevent the bolt from rotating when a nut is threaded thereonto. Also, if desired, the head of the bolt 40 may be staked or otherwise affixed to the clip 34 within the elongated recess 36 so that the two comprise an operable unit. Also, the opposite edges of the clip 34 extend oppositely and upwardly to provide clamping flanges 42 which preferably are complementary to the inner surfaces of the terminal flanges 30 of battens 12 so as to engage the same firmly when mounted in operative position. The clips 34 readily may be moved longitudinally along the battens 12 so as to be disposed at any desired longitudinally spaced position thcrealong. After the clips 34 have been positioned approximately as desired within the battens, a saddle member 44, shown in detail in Fig. 6, which is provided with a central bolt receiving hole 46 is disposed so as to overlie the clip 34 with the bolt 4t) projecting through the hole 45. Further, opposite edges of the saddle member 44 are bent downwardly to provide ears 48 which overlie the edges 24 of the roofing sheet and accurately hold the same positioned relative to the upper edges of the battens 12, as clearly shown particularly in Fig. l. The saddle members 44 are secured in anchoring position by nuts 50. The nut initially is only loosely threaded onto the bolt 40 so that the' assembled clips 34 and saddle members 44 may be longitudinally moved relative to the battens 12 as desired. Then, when the bolts 40 supported by said clamping means comprising the clips 34 and saddle members 44 have been spaced longitudinally and preferably accurate even distances apart, the nuts 50 may be tightened.

The clamping means just described comprising the clips 34 and saddle members 44 comprise the principal means for clamping the edges 24 of the rooting sheets 22 to the battens 12. However, in order to close the top of the batten and provide a generally water-tight arrangement for the assembly, a U-shaped batten cover S2, formed either by bending from sheet metal stock or by extrusion, is mounted over the assembly previously described, as shown in Fig. 1. An exemplary perspective view of the batten cover member Ais shown in Fig. 7. It will be seen that said cover is provided with opposite substantially parallel sides 54 and the central portion between the sides is provided medially with a plurality of preferably evenly spaced holes 56 through which the bolt 40 projects. By mounting the clamping means and bolts 40 even distances along the battens 12 as described above, in accordance with the spacing of the holes 56 in cover 52, it will be seen that the cover 52 accurately may be disposed over the assembly and the upper ends of the bolts 40 will project through the holes 56, whereby preferably rustproof thumb nuts 58 are threaded onto projecting ends of the bolts to secure the batten cover S2 in position wherein the lower edges thereof preferably firmly engage the outer surfaces of sides 24 of roong sheets l22 as shown in Fig. 1,'thereby forming a water-tight roof arrangement. In the preferred construction, thumb nuts 58 are the cap type having a closed top which prevents the entrance of moisture.

The principal invention of the construction described hereinabove and particularly with regard to the longitudinal adjustability of the clamping means comprising clips 34 and saddle members 44 is that holes S6 may be provided wherever desired in the batten cover 52 and the clamping means may be moved longitudinally along the `hatten to conform to the holes 56 in the cover. Further, -it is desirable that such clamping-means be disposed adjacent opposite ends of the battens 12 in order to provide means for securing finishing elements to be described hereinafter. It-is simply necessary to drill the holes 56 and no threading or other finishing thereof is necessary, as distinguished from prior constructions, wherein the clamping means have not been adjustable longitudinally along the battens.

It will be understood that the battens 12 may be formed in conventional stock lengths of 20 feet or so and, particularly in lroofs which extend .upwardly a :greater distance than the stock lengths of the battens, said battens may he mounted in end-to-end relationship so as to extend the -same indefinitely. If preferred however, one end of each section of hatten 12may be swaged or otherwise bent so as'to be contracted and thereby telescopically iit into Vthe normal end of an adjacent section of batten in longitudinal alignment therewith, thus providing continuvous battens and gutters for the entire vertical dimension of the roof. YConcerning the batten covers 52, the material from which the same are formed usually is sufficiently `thin and flexible that adjoining ends of the batten covers may be disposed in overlapping relationship, shinglefashion, so as to provide water-tight connections between adjacent ends of stock lengths of batten covers for example.

Referring to Figs. and 1l, wherein exemplary illustrations of portions of a complete roof are illustrated in accordance with the invention, it will be seen that the ridge of the roof is provided with aridge cap 60, angularly related flanges 62 of which are formed at an angle to each other corresponding to the angle of the ridge of the roof. The upper ends of the battens 12 extend substantially into meeeting engagement with each other as shown in Fig. 11. The flanges 60 overlie the batten covers 52. In order to close the space between the sides of the hatten covers, said space being substantially equal to the width of the roofing sheets 22, the present invention contemplates the use of a finishing closure plate 64, shown in cross-section in Fig. 11. Said closure plate is sufficiently long to extend between adjacent batten covers and is disposed beneath the anges 62 of cap 60, the height of the closure plate 64 being equal to the space between the inner surface of the lianges 62 and the upper surface of the roof sheets 22. Closure plate 64 preferably is Z- shaped and has an outwardly directed upper ange 66 and an inwardly directed lower flange 68. The lower terminal edge 70 of ridge cap 60 is bent around the flange 66 as shown in Fig. ll, while the upper end 72 of the roof sheets 22 are bent outwardly and downwardly over the lower flange 68 of closure plate 64, thereby making a water-tight joint as well as blocking ingress to birds and insects.

When the terminal edges 70 of cap 60 and upper ends 72 of roof sheets 22 have been bent as described above, there is no need otherwise to anchor the closure plate 64 relative to the roof. Such anchoring prevents upward or downward movement of the closure plate. Otherwise, it is only necessary to provide a securing unit comprising clip 34 and saddle member 44 adjacent the upper end of each hatten in order that holes may be formed in the ridge cap 60 to receive the bolts 40 to which the thumb nuts 58 may be connected to secure the ridge cap 60 rmly in operative position upon the roof.

Under circumstances where it is necessary to provide a ridge cap at a hip corner of the roof as shown in Fig. 10, a hip cap 74 may be used which is similar to the ridge caps 60 and the hip cap is connected to the roof by overlying the upper ends of the batten covers 52 similarly to the manner in which the ridge caps 60 overlie the same. Also, a closure plate 64 will extend at an angle between adjacent batteri covers 52 and be connected to the assembly in the same manner as the closure plate 64. It will be understood that lthe 1"thumb nuts 581will secure thefhip cap '74 rmly in operative position and the-upperend of the hip cap 74 preferably will lunderlie'the lowerredgs of the ridge caps 60.

A roof of the type'described usually will ybe finished suitably at the lower edge thereof by appropriate metallic gutter, coping or molding 76 which is mounted over wooden sheathing and framing 78 or otherwise. The upper edge of the molding or coping 76 preferably will underlie the lower edges of the roofing sheets 22 as shown in Fig. l() and securing units including the bolts 40'will be mounted, preferably evenly spaced fromthelower ends ofthe battens 12 .as shown in Fig. 10. Thebolts in these lower securing means not only will hold the batten covers 52 in operative position but the same also conveniently are utilized to secure cover members 80 .over the lower ends of the battens 12, as best shown in Fig.8. A typical cover member .80, constructed as contemplated in'accord- .ance with the invention, is shown in perspective in Fig. 9.

The plate 80 inV provided with side wings'82 which respec- .tively overlie the upturned edges 24 of the roong'sheets 22. The lower edge is provided with an outwardly extending flange 84 which will overlie either the roofing sheets or coping 76. Also, a strap.86 having an'aperture 88 therein will extend inwardly between'the saddle member 44 and the cover member 52 in order that the hole 88 in strap 86 may receive bolt 40 and thereby hold the cover member 80 in operative position within the end of the batten assembly.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides a highly durable and effective roof formed preferably from non-corrosive metal which is capable of long years of use without attention. Due particularly to the longitudinal adjustability of the securing means, comprising anchor clips 34 and saddle members 44 and bolts 40, relative to the battens 12, much more latitude and mobility is provided than is available in existing structures for disposing such securing means wherever desired along the battens 12. The particular design ofthe securing means and particularly of the anchor clips 34 provides highly effective means for retaining the roofing sheets assembled on the sheathing of a roof without necessitating the use of any nails or screws through the rooting sheets. The only outwardly exposed holes in the entire assembly are the holes 56 in the batten covers 52 and these effectively are covered by thumb nuts 58. If preferred, rubber or resin washers 90, see Figs. 1 and 2, may be disposed between the outer surface of the batten covers 52 and the undersurface of nuts 58 to insure absolute water-tightness.

Should it ever be necessary to replace any of the roofing sheets for example, it is only required that the thumb nuts 58 be removed from the batten covers 52 which are involved, following which the required saddle members 44 may be removed to permit the rooting sheets 22 which are to be replaced to be removed from the roof.

It will be understood that conventional means are employed for connecting upper and lower edges of adjacent roong sheets 22 to each other in accordance with ordinary practice.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in its several preferred embodiments, and has included certain details, it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and described since the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. A sheet metal roof construction to be applied to roof sheathing and comprising in combination, elongated metallic channel-shaped battens having substantially parallel planar sides terminating at the outer edges thereof in terminal fianges coextensive in length therewith and extending inward and downward therefrom, the bases of said battens being attachable to the roof sheathing in spaced parallel relationship to each other and said planar sides extending substantially vertically from said bases when in use, whereby the terminal flanges are uppermost, anchor clips positionable selectively in longitudinally spaced positions along said battens and engaging the terminal anges thereof, a saddle member for each anchor clip extending across and having opposite down-turned edges respectively overlying the upper edges of said battensto secure said anchor clips adjustably to said battens, metallic roof sheets extending between said spaced battens and the terminal edges thereof being flanged upwardly and overlying the sides of said battens, elongated channel-shaped batten covers disposed in inverted position over said battens and lthe sides of said covers extending downwardly over said terminal edges of said roof sheets i in close engagement to render the engagement of said roof sheets with said battens water-tight, single bolts extending through each of said anchor clips and saddle members and extending above the same and through holes in said hatten covers, a nut on each bolt engaging said saddle member to secure the same to said anchor clip and clamp said clip securely against the flanges of said battens, and a cap nut secured to the outer end of each bolt against the outer surface of the batten covers to secure said covers to said battens.

2. The sheet metal roof construction set forth in claim 1 further characterized bysaid anchor clips having opposed spaced walls intermediately of the sides thereof and substantially parallel to the sides of said batten, and said bolts having heads thereon provided with opposed side surfaces complementary in cross-section to said opposed walls of said anchor clips, whereby said bolt heads 4are positionable between and engageable with said opposed walls of said anchor clips to hold said bolts against rotation when threading the nuts thereon incident to assembling the saddle members to the clips and cap nuts against the batten covers.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS France May 20, 1957

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