US3735596A

US3735596A - Valley closure for a roof construction

Info

Publication number: US3735596A
Application number: US00164803A
Authority: US
Inventors: F Stephenson
Original assignee: Butler Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Butler Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1971-07-26
Filing date: 1971-07-26
Publication date: 1973-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 1990-05-29

Abstract

A valley closure for a roof construction for covering the valley formed where two adjacent sloped roof buildings drain toward one another, including interconnected valley covering panel members and opposite valley closing end members, the panel members are elongated and have upstanding protuberances arranged in sets at regularly longitudinally spaced locations along the panel members with such protruberances having such extent transversely of and longitudinally of the panel members as to enhance the structural strength thereof and to constitute a series of effective expansion joints at such locations to relieve internal stresses in the material of the panels caused by thermal expansion and contraction of the panel material. Each set of protruberances includes portions spaced apart sufficiently to provide an adequate drain passage along the valley closure. The panel and end closure members can be of molded plastic materials.

Description

May29,1973

United States Patent 1 91 Stephenson VALLEY CLOSURE FOR A ROOF FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS CONSTRUCTION 841,369 7/1960 GreatBritain.......1............. ...52/l6 1,134,402

[75] Inventor: Fred J. Stephenson, Lawrence, 11/1968 GreatBritain...........................

Kans.

Primary Examiner-Frank L. Abbott [73] Asslgnee' 2:2" x Company Assistant Examiner-Leslie A. Braun Sas 1 Attorney- Luke A. Mattare, James W. Dent and July 26, 1971 John F. Smith [22] Filed:

[21] Appl. No.: 164,803 ABSTRACT A valley closure for a roof construction for covering the valley formed where two adjacent sloped roof 521 user 52/630 buildings drain toward one another, including inter- .E04d 13/06 [51] Int. connected valley covering panel members and op- [58] Field of Search..............................52/l l-l6, posite valley closing end members, the panel members are elongated and have upstanding protuberances arranged in sets at regularly longitudinally spaced locations along the panel members with such 'protruberances having such extent transversely of and longitudinally of the panel members as to enhance the structural strength thereof and to constitute a series of effective expansion joints at such locations to relieve internal stresses in the material of the panels caused by thermal expansion and contraction of the panel material. Each set of protruberances includes portions spaced apart sufficiently to provide an adequate drain passage along the valley closure. The panel and end closure members can be of molded plastic materials.

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SHEET 1 OF 7 INVENTOR FRED J. STEPHENSON ATTORNEYS PAIENIEMA Z 3,735,596

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"IHIIIHI' 0 HE ATTORNEY 5 PATENTEL MAY 2 91975 SHEET 5 OF 7 SC NE 6 INVENTOR L RED J. STE PHE NSON ATTORNEYS PATENTEL MY 2 91975 SHEET 8 0F 7 INVENTOR FRED J. STEPHEN SON ATTDRNEYS PATENTEL Iii-X2 91975 SHEET 7 BF 7 INVENTOR FRED J. STEPHENSON M6 mm ATTORNEYS '1 VALLEY CLOSURE FOR A ROOF CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates broadly to the art of building construction. More particularly, the invention relates to building roof construction.

. Specifically, this invention relates to what is known in the art as a valleyclosure or gutter.

A valley closure or gutter is a drainage trough or gutter located in the valley where two adjacent sloped roof buildings drain toward each other.

A valley closure, gutter or trough should be of such construction as to resist stresses caused by thermal expansion and contraction over the length of the material of the gutter. Ruptures caused by these stresses have been the primary cause for gutter failure. The provision of normal expansion joints is costly and consequently they are rarely placed close enough together longitudinally of the gutter to relieve all internal stresses in the gutter material.

Additionally, where gutters are used in the valley in the interior of a building where two adjacent sloped roof buildings drain toward each other, a problem arises upon the formation of condensation on the interior face of the gutter material and the dripping of this condensation into the space below. Thermal insulation STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION The valley closure or gutter of the present invention is of general trough shape in transverse cross section and is provided with integral configurations which provide for added strength and also provide an accordian" action for expansion and contraction especially longitudinally of the valley closure;

Particularly, the valley closure or gutter of the invention is an elongated generally trough shaped body having integrally formed configurations or bulges at regular intervals longitudinally of the valley closure.

Further, and more particularly in accordance with the invention, the valley closure or gutter comprises a molded body having an acrylic resin weathering surface layer and a reinforcing backing layer of a synthetic resin impregnated glass fiber mat or synthetic resin reinforced with glass fibers, embedded metal reinforcing strapsare located at fastener receiving apertures and bulges or protruberances are integrally formed at spaced intervals along the length of the valley closure.

1 Specifically, these bulges or protruberances constitute expansion points, they are so shaped that all water is allowed to pass so that no ponding is allowed, and they also strengthen the structure.

The valley closure construction of the invention includes shaped end closure members and elongated shaped panel members. Provision is made for obtaining an effective sealing of the valley closure relative to the roof construction. In utilizing the invention, two end closure members are required on each end of the total length of the valley to be closed and the required numher of panel members again depending upon thetotal length of the valley. The elongate panel members are initially approximately 20 feet long and where necessary they can be field cut or severed to provide for the precise total valley length.

The valley closure of the invention is applied over the truss purlins of the adjacent roof sections, starting from one end of the valley between adjacent roofs to be closed or covered by installing an end closing member. Then elongated shaped panel members are successively applied. The last one, where necessary, is field cut or trimmed to the proper length and the opposite end closure is applied. A suitable drain construction is supplied by the building erector, the base of the valley closure having an opening cut therein to accommodate the same.

In the valley closure panel member of the invention, the upstanding bulges or protruberances have such an extent transversely of the panel member and such a height above the plane of such member that at each location they provide an expansion joint as well as providing for improved transverse structural rigidity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further and more specific objects and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view partially broken away and illustrating an elongated valley closure panel member in accordance with one form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged scale cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1. V

FIG. 3 is an enlarged scale-cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1. 4

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the panel member of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are views similar to FIGS. 1 and 4 and illustrating another form of an elongated valley closure panel member in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a valley closure end closure member according to the invention.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the end closure member shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are enlarged scale cross-sectional viewstaken along lines 10-10 and 1l11, respectively, of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic top plan view, partially broken away and illustrating an assembly of valley closure panel members and end members.

FIG. 13 is a transverse cross-sectional view illustrating the installation of the valley closure of the invention to a roof structure.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view, partially broken away, illustrating the erection or installation of a valley closure of the invention.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged scale fragmentary perspective view illustrating a detail of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16--16 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 14 and illustrating the application of roof panels to the valley closure of the invention.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are enlarged scale fragmentary perspective views illustrating details of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The valley closure of the present invention is for use in building roof constructions to cover the valley between two adjacent sloped roof buildings that drain toward one another.

Basically, the valley closure is comprised of shaped elongate panel members such as A and shaped end closure members B. The panel members A are approximately 20 feet long and 33 to 35 inches in width. The end closure members have the same width as the panel members but are short sections about 1 foot in length longitudinally of the valley. The number of panel members required depends upon the overall length of the valley to be closed and where necessary one end panel member is field cut or trimmed.

According to one form of the invention, each panel member A and end closure member B are shaped to cooperate with a roof arrangement in which troughed roofing panels having upstanding side walls are applied over the opposite sides of the panel and closure members and such roofing panels extend transversely of the longitudinal axis of the valley to be closed or covered.

Each elongated panel member A, FIGS. 1 to 4 is of a generally trough shaped configuration and includes a base 1, upwardly extending and outwardly sloping side walls 2 and opposite marginal laterally extending shaped and flanged top walls or wings 3. One end 4 of the panel member is straight, while the other end 5 is notched at 6 at opposite corners to provide a longitudinal extension 7 of reduced width and offset relation that forms the under member of an overlapping end splice with the end 4 of next adjacent panel member A. Each wing 3 includes a first horizontal flange portion 8, a depending side wall portion 9, a second horizontal flange portion 10 to be attached to a trough shaped truss purlin and a further depending side wall portion 11. The panel member is a molded structure and comprises an upper weathering surface layer 12 of an acrylic synthetic resin such as American Cyanamide, white XTR RIGIDITE and a backing or reinforcing layer 13 of glass fiber reinforced polyester resin such as American Cyanamide RIGIDITE Resin 110. The base and side walls are approximately of 0. 1 56 to 0.188 inch thickness, the top wall portions 8 and the longitudinal extension 7 are approximately 0.312 to 0.375 inch thickness and the depending side wall portion 9 is approximately 0.250 to 0.312 inch thick. During manufacture of the panel member, a sealant material recess or groove is formed in the upper surface of each top wall portion 8 at 14 and at 15 in the end extension 7. This, in effect, continuous recess is approximately onesixteenth inch deep and about l-l/l6 inches wide. Fastener receiving apertures 16 are provided at spaced intervals along the recesses and metal reinforcing straps or elements are embedded in the base layer during manufacture. For each panel member, a pair of 1-1/2 by l-l/2 inch elements 17 are provided at the corners of the top wall portion of extension 7, a single 1-1/2 by 13 inch strap 18 is provided in the base portion of the extension, four l-1/2 by 7 inch straps 19 are provided to underlie the two end most apertures at the respective opposite ends of the panel and nine l-l/2 by 19 inch straps 20 are arranged along each top wall portion 8 between the bulges or protruberances described hereinafter.

The salient aspect of this invention resides in the provision, during manufacture, of sets of upstanding bulges, protuberances or corrugations that provide expansion joints and also cooperate with roofing panels.

These protruberances, which are also strengthening ribs are arranged at regular intervals longitudinally of the panel. In this embodiment they are spaced so that the distance X between the traverse center lines of adjacent sets of protruberances is approximately 24 inches. From FIGS. 1 and 4 it will be clear that each set of protruberances includes two oppositely facing trans versely spaced, shaped portions 21. These portions appear to be spear or arrowhead shape in plan and include diverging marginal portions 22 in the base of the panel, and portion 23 extending above the upper surface of top wall portion 8. The sealant receiving recess is provided in the top and sloping sides of each bulge portion 23. In the central area of the panel base a pair of generally triangular shaped protruberances or bulges 25 are formed with apexes facing one another in spaced relation, and their side or marginal portions 26 equispaced from the adjacent diverging marginal portions 22 of the shaped protruberant portions 21. This spacing provides an integrally formed trough drain or passage so that ponding of water between the sets of bulges or protruberances can not occur.

The portions 21 are curved upwardly from their lateral margins to a generally flat central area and the height of which above the base and side and top walls varies from the end to be approximately, respectively in inches, fifteen-sixteenths, 1-5/8, 2-1/16 and 2.094 high at respective locations denoted as R R R and R FIG. 2.

The triangular shaped bulges have rounded corners and upper surfaces the height of which varies from zero at the lateral margins to about seven-eighths of an inch at the longitudinal center line of the panel as denoted at F It is to be pointed out that the shape of the bulges or protruberances can be varied so long as there is a substantial transverse extent thereof and a drain passage exists between oppositely extending bulges. Thus, FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a modification in which at each of the regular spaced intervals along the panel, the transversely extending shaped bulges are arranged in pairs of what could be termed offset arrowhead configurations. These bulges 26 have inclined marginal portions 27 that are spaced to provide an integral drain passage 28 to prevent ponding.

Further, the shaped upstanding bulge portions above marginal top wall portion 8 of the panel can have varying shapes to cooperate with shapes of roofing panels different from the one described hereinafter.

Further, the various dimensions and thicknesses set forth above are exemplary and can be varied to suit requirements. Generally speaking, the longitudinal extension 7 at one end of each panel and the horizontal marginal top wall portion 8 should be thicker than the base and side walls of the panel so as to accommodate the sealant material recess and the metal aperture reinforcing straps.

The other unit of the valley closure of the invention is what is termed an end closure B, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 11. This end closure is trough shaped transversely the same as the panel and includes a base 29, side walls 30, marginal top wall portions 31, and a longitudinal extension 32, similar to extension 7. The top wall portions 31, extension 32 and upstanding end wall portion 33 are provided with sealant material receiving recesses and the fastener receiving apertures on the extension 32 and top walls are reinforced by embedded metal strap elements as at 34, 35 and 36.

FIGS. 12 to 20 illustrate the installation of a valley closure of the invention and the cooperation thereof with oppositely sloping roofing panels.

FIG. 12 diagrammatically shows that the valley closure is erected from one end of the valley between adjacent oppositely sloping roof sections toward the other by installing an end closure B, splicing a panel A thereto as at 37 and splicing other panels A in succession, as at 38 and 39, trimming the last panel as required and splicing another end closure B as at 40.

FIG. 13 illustrates the transversely spaced roof truss purlins 41 that are trough shaped in transverse cross section so that the horizontal top wall portions 8 of the panel members A and the similar portions of the end closures B can overlie and be fastened thereto. Where the valley closure is to be insulated, a four inch thick continuous blanket 42 of insulation material is applied underneath the end closure and panel members. The left hand side of FIG. 13 illustrates the use of board in- Sulation 43 while the right hand side thereof illustrates the use of blanket insulation 44 held in place by an insulation retainer 45 fastened to the truss purlin flange by lock nuts 46.

FIG. 14 illustrates an end closure B applied with the left hand end of a panel A spliced thereto. This splice being effected by overlapping the panel end over the extension of the end closure and bolting a metal reinforcing strap 47 over the overlap joint by bolts 48. The strap 47, before installation, has adhesive backed corkneoprene washers 49 applied to the underside around each bolt hole therethrough. Prior to overlapping, sealant material such as a butyl based elastomeric material, is provided in the recesses in the extension of the end closure in the form of a continuous strip of one-eighth inch thick by 1 inch wide. Further, a inch diameter head of sealant is gun applied over the sealant strip.

FIG. 15 illustrates a typical sealant application to under member or extension of each splice joint. Each longitudinal extension 32 of either the end closures B or 7 of panel members A has a strip 50 of the first mentioned sealant material laid in the recess and a bead 51 of the second sealant material applied thereover as shown. The application and bolting of the reinforcing strap 47 splices the panel to the end closure. Further, panels A are spliced for the required length. Usually the end panel A has to be field cut and have three inch diameter holes 52 drilled therein. The middle hole is centered on the longitudinal center line of the panel and the end holes are drilled with their centers 6 inches from the center of the middle hole to correspond with the location of the holes in the extension 32 of the other valley end closure member B.

After the valley closure has been installed, the roof panels and end wall trims and trim covers are applied. The roof panels illustrated are of the type to have upstanding seams. Each panel 53 includes a base 54, upstanding shaped marginal side walls 55, a marginal top wall 56, a vertical rib 57 having a downtumed overlapping seaming flap 58 extends upwardly from one marginal top wall and a straight vertical rib 59 extends upwardly from the other marginal top wall.

Before applying the roof panels, a strip 60 of the first mentioned sealant material is laid in the recesses extending along the marginal top walls 8 of the panel members A, and the end and marginal

top walls

33, 31,

respectively, of the end closures B, see FIGS. 18 and 19. A inch diameter bead 61 is gun applied over the sealant material strip over the upstanding bulge or cor-.

rugation portions 23, FIG. 18, and a further and similar bead 62 is applied over the sealant material strip at the corners and across the end of the end closure member B. If necessary or desirable, the bead 62 can extend along the marginal top walls of the end closure.

The roof panels are laid in succession from one end of the valley closure to the other. A first panel 53 is laid down and bolted to the top wall of the underlying end closure member by a screw bolt 63, known in the trade as a scrubolt, at the center hole of a row of five holes in the base of the roof panel. Another panel 53 is applied with its flap 58 overlapping the rib 59 of the first laid roof panel. A seaming machine is run longitudinally along the overlapped flaps and ribs to effect a longitudinal seaming of adjacent panels. It is to be noted that a vertically extending 54 inch diameter bead 64 of sealing material is applied to the sealing rib 57 to enhance the seal. A shaped panel retaining strap 65 is bolted in place by screw bolts 66 to secure the roof panels to the valley closure members and the valley closure members to the roof truss purlins. The end wall trim 67 is applied over the end wall after its upstanding leg 68 has been field cut the full width of the valley, and a trim cover 69 is applied over the end of the valley. The trim cover is further sealed by an interior bead 70 of sealant material extending across the full width of the valley, i.e., the opening between the facing ends of the oppositely sloping roof panels, see FIG. 20. The end wall trim and trim cover are fastened to the end wall of an end valley closure B by lock rivets 71.

An appropriate down drain arrangement, not shown, is provided for the valley closure by cutting a square or round hole such as diagrammatically shown at 72 in FIG. 12 between adjacent sets of protruberances in the base of a valley closure panel. The down drain hole can be square to receive a sheet metal roof drop box that has a horizontal upper flange and a bottom with a hole therein. A strip of sealant material is applied around the margin of the hole on the valley closure panel base and a square reinforcing plate is applied beneath the valley closure panel. Screw bolts secure these components in place with the drop box sealed relative to the base of the valley closure panel.

Another type drain includes a rounded bottom outlet beneath the valley closure panel and having a horizontal extended flange to receive a bead of sealant material, a round flashing clamp and a dome. The flashing clamp is applied to the top of the closure panel bolt connected to the flanged rim of the bottom outlet, it being understood that the inside hole edge of the round flashing clamp is used as a template to mark and cut out the opening in the base of a valley closure panel member. The dome is appropriately connected to the flashing clamp.

Any drain installation known in the art can be utilized.

The invention is not to be limited to the illustrated plan and cross-sectional shapes of the bulges or protruberances or the contours of the roof panels. The upstanding protruberances or corrugations along the upper marginal top walls of the valley closure panel members can be of any desired cross-sectional configuration to conform to any desired or utilized roofing panel configuration. However, the general arrangement of FIGS. and 6 not only provides an expansion joint and enhances transverse structural strength, but the single diagonally extending straight drain passage 28 between adjacent protruberances also functions to minimize any dirt build up in the base of the panel members.

Further, the roofing panels can be of aluminum or of galvanized steel.

Additionally, the valley closure panel members and end closure members can be formed of metal as well as structurally suitable synthetic resin or plastic materials other than mentioned herein.

While the invention is particularly applicable for valley drainage on prefabricated metal buildings, its characteristics can be utilized on any roof drainage where the roof configuration allowed the incorporation of gutter expansion joints.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents, are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A valley closure for a roof construction for covering the valley formed where two adjacent sloped roof buildings drain toward one another comprising interconnected elongate valley covering panel members of trough shaped configuration, and opposite valley closing end members, said panel members each having a base, opposite upstanding side walls and laterally directed flanged wings on the upper edges of said side walls, said panel members being deformed at regularly longitudinally spaced locations along the length thereof to define a plurality of regularly spaced sets of reinforcing and expansion joint means each comprising upstanding protruberant means in said panel members extending transversely across said laterally directed wings, down said side walls and at least partially across said base and spaced apart at adjacent edges thereof to define drain passages therebetween, said protruberances having such extent transversely of and longitudinally of the panel members as to enhance the structural strength thereof, and at the same time to constitute a series of effective expansion joints at such locations to relieve internal stresses in the panel material caused by thermal expansion and contraction of the panel material, sealant receiving channel means extending longitudinally along said flanged wings and in said upstanding protruberant means on said flanged wings, and fastener receiving apertures through said flanged wings in said sealant channels.

2. A valley closure as claimed in claim 1 and said panel members and valley closing end members being formed of synthetic plastic material.

3. A valley closure as claimed in claim 2 and said synthetic plastic material comprising an acrylic resin weathering surface layer and an underlying fiberglass reinforced backing layer.

4. A valley closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of each panel is straight and coextensive in width with the width of said panel, the other end of each panel being notched at the opposite marginal comers of said top wall portions to define a longitudinally directed trough shaped extension having a width less than that of said panel.

5. A valley closure as claimed in claim 4, and each said extension being offset relative to the remainder of each panel to facilitate overlapping of the said one end of next adjacent panel.

6. A valley closure as claimed in claim 4, and said valley closing end members having the same transverse trough shaped configuration as said panels and including a base, side walls, an end wall at one end and longitudinal and transverse marginal top walls, each end member having an extension at the other end the same as said extensions of said panel members and said extension of said end member and said marginal top walls of said end member having a sealant material recess therein.

7. A valley closure for a roof construction for covering the valley formed where two adjacent sloped roof buildings drain toward one another comprising interconnected elongate valley covering panel members of trough shaped configuration, and opposite valley closing end members, said panel members each having a base, opposite upstanding side walls and laterally outwardly directed flanged wings on the upper edges of said side walls, said flanged wings including a first horizontal flange portion extending outwardly from the upper edge of each side wall, a depending wall portion extending downwardly from each horizontal flange portion and having a vertical extent substantially less than the height of said side walls, and a second horizontal flange portion extending laterally outwardly from each depending wall portion, said panel members being deformed at regularly longitudinally spaced locations along the length thereof to define a plurality of regularly spaced sets of reinforcing and expansion joint means each comprising upstanding protruberant means in said panel members spaced apart at adjacent edges thereof to define drain passages therebetween, said protruberances having such extent transversely of and longitudinally of the panel members as to enhance the structural strength thereof, and at the same time to constitute a series of effective expansion joints at such locations to relieve internal stresses in the panel material caused by thermal expansion and contraction of the panel material, sealant receiving channel means in said first horizontal flange portion, and fastener receiving apertures in said sealant channel.

8. In a valley closure as claimed in claim 7 and said end closure member having opposite ends including a trough shaped portion having at one end the same configuration as said panel member, an end wall structure extending across and closing the other end of said trough shaped portion of the closure member, a horizontal flange portion extending outwardly of said end wall structure and a depending portion extending downwardly from said horizontal portion.

9. In a valley closure as claimed in claim 7 and one end of said panel member being straight and extending the full width of the panel member, the other end of said panel member having notched out corners defining an extension of said trough shaped configuration extending beyond said base, side walls and first mentioned horizontal flange portions, the upper surface of said extension having a sealant material receiving recess extending transversely thereof and communicating at its opposite ends with said first mentioned and longitudinally extending recesses in said flanged wings.

10. In a valley closure as claimed in claim 9 in which said panel member is formed of plastic material and including a weathering surface layer and a fiberglass reinforced backing layer, at least both said horizontal flange portions and said extension having greater thickness than the thickness of said base and side walls, and said extension having its upper surface ofiset below the upper surface of the adjacent panel base, side walls and horizontal flange portions to facilitate splicing between adjacent panels with the one end of an adjacent panel overlapping said extension.

11. In a valley closure as claimed in claim 10 in which said horizontal flange portions and extension have apertured metal reinforcing strap means embedded in said panel member with the apertures thereof coincident with the apertures in said flange portions and extension.

12. In a valley closure as claimed in claim 11 and said valley end closure means being of the same plastic material construction as said panel member and including a portion of trough shaped configuration having a base, opposite side walls, and an end wall closing one end of the trough shaped portion and protruding above said side walls, marginal wings extending laterally outwards of each side wall and each including a first horizontal flange portion, a depending portion extending downwardly therefrom and a second horizontal flange portion extending laterally outwardly of said depending portion, an end wing extending outwards of said end wall and including a horizontal flange portion and a depending portion extending downwardly thereof, said end closure means having at its other end an extension the same as the extension at the other end of said panel member, said extension of said end closure means, the first mentioned horizontal flange portions of said marginal wings and the horizontal flange portions of said end wing having a continuous sealant material recess therein, said horizontal flange portion of said end closure marginal wings and said extension of said end closure means having a series of fastener receiving aperr tures therethrough, apertured metal reinforcing strap means embedded in said end closure means with the apertures thereof coincident with said last mentioned series of fastener receiving apertures, roof truss purlin means underlying both said second mentioned horizontal flange portions of said lateral marginal wings of said member and of said end closure means, a series of roofing panels having end portions overlying both said marginal first mentioned horizontal flange portions of said lateral marginal wings of said panel member and of said end closure means, said roofing panels being at least between the protruberances that project upwardly from said first mentioned horizontal flanges of said lateral marginal wings of said panel member and the adjacent said upwardly protruding end wall of said end closure means and means securing the end closure means to the panel member, said roof panels to said panel member and end closure means and said end closure means and said panel member to said truss purlin means.

13. A valley closure for a roof construction for covering the valley formed where two adjacent sloped roof buildings drain toward one another comprising interconnected, synthetic plastic valley covering panel members, and opposite, synthetic plastic valley closing end members, said panel members and said end members each comprising an acrylic resin weathering surface layer and an underlying fiberglass reinforced backing layer, said panel members being elongated and deformed to define upstanding protruberances arranged in sets at regularly longitudinally spaced locations along the panel members, said protruberances having such extent transversely of and longitudinally of the panel members as to enhance the structural strength thereof, and to constitute a series of effective expansion joints at such locations to relieve internal stresses in the panel material caused by thermal expansion and contraction of the panel material.

14. A valley closure for a roof construction for covering the valley formed where two adjacent sloped roof buildings drain toward one another comprising interconnected elongate valley covering panel members of trough shaped configuration, and opposite valley closing end members, said panel members each having a base, opposite upstanding side walls, laterally directed flanged wings on the upper edges of said side walls and one end of each panel notched at the opposite marginal corners of said flanged wings to define a longitudinally directed trough shaped extension having a width less than that of said panel, said panel members being deformed at regularly longitudinally spaced locations along the length thereof to define a plurality of regularly spaced sets of reinforcing and expansion joint means each comprising upstanding protruberant means in said panel members spaced apart at adjacent edges thereof to define drain passages therebetween, said protruberances having such extent transversely of and longitudinally of the panel members as to enhance the structural strength thereof, and at the same time to constitute a series of effective expansion joints at such locations to relieve internal stresses in the panel material caused by thermal expansion and contraction of the panel material, and said flanged wings and said extension having a greater thickness than the thickness of said base and side walls.

Claims

1. A valley closure for a roof construction for covering the valley formed where two adjacent sloped roof buildings drain toward one another comprising interconnected elongate valley covering panel members of trough shaped configuration, and opposite valley closing end members, said panel members each having a base, opposite upstanding side walls and laterally directed flanged wings on the upper edges of said side walls, said panel members being deformed at regularly longitudinally spaced locations along the length thereof to define a plurality of regularly spaced sets of reinforcing and expansion joint means each comprising upstanding protruberant means in said panel members extending transversely across said laterally directed wings, down said side walls and at least partially across said base and spaced apart at adjacent edges thereof to define drain passages therebetween, said protruberances having such extent transversely of and longitudinally of the panel members as to enhance the structural strength thereof, and at the same time to constitute a series of effective expansion joints at such locations to relieve internal stresses in the panel material caused by thermal expansion and contraction of the panel material, sealant receiving channel means extending longitudinally along said flanged wings and in said upstanding protruberant means on said flanged wings, and fastener receiving apertures through said flanged wings in said sealant channels.

4. A valley closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of each panel is straight and coextensive in width with the width of said panel, the other end of each panel being notched at the opposite marginal corners of said top wall portions to define a longitudinally directed trough shaped extension having a width less than that of said panel.

10. In a valley closure as claimed in claim 9 in which said panel member is formed of plastic material and including a weathering surface layer and a fiberglass reinforced backing layer, at least both said horizontal flange portions and said extension having greater thickness than the thickness of said base and side walls, and said extension having its upper surface offset below the upper surface of the adjacent panel base, side walls and horizontal flange portions to facilitate splicing between adjacent panels with the one end of an adjacent panel overlapping said extension.

12. In a valley closure as claimed in claim 11 and said valley end closure means being of the same plastic material construction as said panel member and including a portion of trough shaped configuration having a base, opposite side walls, and an end wall closing one end of the trough shaped portion and protruding above said side walls, marginal wings extending laterally outwards of each side wall and each including a first horizontal flange portion, a depending portion extending downwardly therefrom and a second horizontal flange portion extending laterally outwardly of said depending portion, an end wing extending outwards of said end wall and including a horizontal flange portion and a depending portion extending downwardly thereof, said end closure means having at its other end an extension the same as the extension at the other end of said panel member, said extension of said end closure means, the first mentioned horizontal flange portions of said marginal wings and the horizontal flange portions of said end wing having a continuous sealant material recess therein, said horizontal flange portion of said end closure marginal wings and said extension of said end closure means having a series of fastener receiving apertures therethrough, apertured metal reinforcing strap means embedded in said end closure means with the apertures thereof coincident with said last mentioned series of fastener receiving apertures, roof truss purlin means underlying both said second mentioned horizontal flange portions of said lateral marginal wIngs of said member and of said end closure means, a series of roofing panels having end portions overlying both said marginal first mentioned horizontal flange portions of said lateral marginal wings of said panel member and of said end closure means, said roofing panels being at least between the protruberances that project upwardly from said first mentioned horizontal flanges of said lateral marginal wings of said panel member and the adjacent said upwardly protruding end wall of said end closure means and means securing the end closure means to the panel member, said roof panels to said panel member and end closure means and said end closure means and said panel member to said truss purlin means.