WO2000022256A1

WO2000022256A1 - A tile, a securing and weatherproofing means and a roofing system

Info

Publication number: WO2000022256A1
Application number: PCT/AU1999/000856
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roger Francis Jeeves
Original assignee: Jeeves, Alice, May; Metz, Evert, George; Spong, Maurice, Philip
Priority date: 1998-10-09
Filing date: 1999-10-07
Publication date: 2000-04-20
Also published as: AUPP645698A0

Abstract

A roofing system comprising a plurality of tiles and a plurality of securing and waterproofing means for securing tiles to a roof structure. The tile comprises a first portion for mounting to an upper batten of a roof structure, a second portion to extend between the upper batten and a lower batten of the roof structure, and a receiving means. The securing and weatherproofing means comprises a first portion for mounting to the upper batten of the roof structure, a second portion arranged, in use, to be disposed under adjacent tile side edges, and a third portion for interconnecting adjacent tiles in a row, arranged, in use, to engage with the receiving means of the tile.

Description

TITLE

"A TILE, A SECURING AND WEATHERPROOFING MEANS

AND A ROOFING SYSTEM"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a tile, a securing and weatherproofing means and a roofing system and in particular to a roofing system for securing together adjacent novel shingles/tiles with a novel securing and weatherproofing means to provide a shingled roof

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known to provide a roofing system for a shingled roof wherein flat slate shingles are overlapped in such a way that a lower end portion of the shingle overlaps an upper end portion of an adjacent shingle in a lower row Flat slate shingles do not have a surface topology which encourages collection and controlled divergence of rain water away from the inner surface of the roof and repeated overlap of shingles is required to ensure waterproofing The degree of overlap is extensive, and under traditional methods 2 4m² of shingles are required to cover lm² of roof

The cost of installation of a slate shingled roof is high as a result of the enormous volume of slate shingles required for total roof coverage Furthermore, traditional roofing systems for a shingled roof are labour intensive as each slate is individually fixed to a roof batten by at least two nails

Several roofing systems have been developed in order to reduce the number of shingles used to cover the roof, thereby reducing costs of installation One system includes installation of a waterproof membrane such as malthoid underneath a roof structure of overlapping shingles, which allows the number of tiles required to ensure waterproofing of the roof structure to be reduced to 1.6m² of shingles per 1 m² roof surface. Over prolonged periods of time, however, leaks begin to appear due to deterioration of the membrane from exposure to UV radiation. Another common system, versions of which are disclosed in AU-B-24553/77, AU486397, AU588926 and AU-A-54675/86, includes the use of a retention means or tile clip for securing each tile to a roof structure. Typically, the slate shingle is disposed between an upper and lower batten of a roof structure. The tile clip is generally provided with an upper portion which is hooked onto or mounted onto a lower batten of the roof structure, and a lower portion which engages a lower portion of the tile and is adapted to prevent slippage of the tile and secure the tile against lifting.

In addition, waterproofing of the roof structure is enhanced in these latter systems by provision of a simple weather strip under adjacent tile side edges for a row of tiles extending between the same upper and lower battens. Adjacent rows of tiles are offset such that the weather strips in adjacent rows are not aligned to further enhance the effectiveness of the weather strip.

The above mentioned prior art systems are applicable to the installation of roofs with shingles and tiles of traditional materials, preferably slate, timber and clay. It is also known to provide vitrified stoneware tiles and shingles which have the superficial appearance of slate but may be manufactured with apertures in the upper portion of the tile to facilitate securing the tile with screws or hooks to a roof batten. An underside of the vitrified stoneware tile may be moulded to include gutters and wind protection edges to ensure waterproofing of the roof structure. Although the volume of tiles required to install the prior art roofing systems is reduced from that of traditional means, the installation of corresponding securing clips and weather strips for each tile remains labour intensive. The present invention seeks to overcome at least in part some of the aforementioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a roofing system including a plurality of tiles and a plurality of securing and waterproofing means for securing tiles to a roof structure, in which adjacent tiles extend between upper and lower battens in a row and a lower portion of a row of tiles overlaps an upper portion of an adjacent lower row of tiles, wherein the tile includes a first portion for mounting to an upper batten of the roof structure, a second portion arranged, in use, to extend between upper and lower battens and a receiving means, and the securing and waterproofing means includes a first portion for mounting to an upper batten of the roof structure, a second portion, arranged, in use, to be disposed under adjacent tile side edges, and a third portion for interconnecting adjacent tiles in a row, arranged, in use, to engage with the receiving means of the tile. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a tile, wherein the tile includes a first portion for mounting to an upper batten of a roof structure, a second portion arranged, in use, to extend between upper and lower battens, and a receiving means arranged, in use, to receive a portion of a securing and weatherproofing means for interconnecting adjacent tiles in a row. In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a securing and weatherproofing means, wherein the securing and weatherproofing means includes a first portion for mounting to an upper batten of a roof structure, a second portion, arranged, in use, to be disposed under adjacent tile side edges, and a third portion for interconnecting adjacent tiles in a row, arranged, in use, to engage with the receiving means of each adjacent tile. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show, respectively, rear plan, side and perspective views of the preferred tile in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4 shows a lower perspective view of the securing and waterproofing means in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 5 shows an exploded perspective view of a plurality of tiles of Figures 1 to 3 associated with a plurality of securing and waterproofing means of Figure 4 in relation to an upper and lower batten of a roof structure in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 6 shows a detail of a roof structure in perspective view in accordance with the present invention.

In Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings there is shown a tile 10 in accordance with the present invention. The tile 10 is arranged to extend between an upper batten 36 of a roof structure and a corresponding lower batten 38 extending parallel to the upper batten 36 (as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The tile 10 has a substantially planar member 12, preferably of rectangular configuration. An upper edge of the planar member 12 is provided with a downwardly depending first member 14 disposed parallel to and adjacent with the upper edge of the planar member 12. The first member 14 is arranged, in use, to be mounted over an upper batten 36 of a roof structure (as shown in Figure 5).

A lower portion of the planar member 12 is provided with a plurality of downwardly depending lugs 16, preferably of rectangular configuration. The lug 16 is disposed proximal to a side edge 37 of the tile 10.

The planar member 12 is further provided with a receiving means 11. The receiving means 11 includes a downwardly depending second member 18 disposed intermediate the first member 14 and the lugs 16. The second member 18 is disposed parallel to the first member 14. Each end of the second member 18 is provided with a respective outwardly extending flange 19 which is spaced from and disposed parallel to the planar member 12. Thus, there is a gap between the flange 19 and the planar member 12.

Typically the tile 10 is formed from a material which facilitates manufacture of the tile 10, preferably vitreous stoneware. In Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings there is shown a securing and waterproofing means 20 in accordance with the present invention. The securing and waterproofing means 20 includes a substantially planar elongate member 22. Preferably, the planar elongate member 22 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending channels 28, which are arranged, in use, to direct a flow of water onto a tile 10 of a lower adjacent row. An upper edge of the elongate member 22 is provided with a downwardly depending member 24 disposed substantially perpendicular in relation to the elongate member 22. The member 24 is arranged, in use, to be mounted over an upper batten 36 of a roof structure (as shown in Figure 5). A lower portion of each side edge of the elongate member 22 is provided with a respective outwardly extending planar member 26. Each planar member 26 is arranged, in use, to engage with the respective receiving means 11 of a respective tile 10. Thus, two adjacent tiles extending between an upper and a lower batten 36, 38 of a roof structure are laterally interconnected (as shown in Figure 5). Preferably, the outwardly extending planar member 26 is provided with a longitudinally extending indentation 27 disposed parallel and spaced apart from a side edge of the outwardly extending planar member 26. The indentation 27 is arranged to receive attachment means, such as screws or nails, for securing the securing and weatherproofing means to a lower batten 36 or an upper portion of a tile 10 in a lower adjacent row of tiles. It is also envisaged that the outwardly extending planar member 26 may incorporate at least one strengthening rib.

It will be understood that, alternatively, the outwardly extending planar member 26 is not limited to the lower portion of the elongate member 22 but extends from the whole length of the elongate member 22. Typically, the securing and waterproofing means 20 is of substantially similar length in relation to the tile 10.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings there is shown a detail of an overall roof structure 30. The roof structure 30 includes a plurality of horizontally extending battens 36 and 38 disposed parallel in relation to one another on an inclination.

A plurality of tiles 10 and a plurality of securing and weatherproofing means 20 are shown mounted in a first row 34 and a second row 35. In the first row 34, the tiles 10 and the securing and weatherproofing means 20 extend between an upper batten 36 and a lower batten 38. The battens 36 and 38 are spaced such that a lower portion of a tile 10 overlays an upper portion of a tile 10 in a lower second row 35. The first and second rows of tiles 34, 35 are mounted such that a seam 31 between side edges 37 of adjacent tiles 10 in the first row 34 are not aligned with a seam 33 between side edges 37 of adjacent tiles 10 in the second row 35. Each side edge 37 of a tile 10 overlays a securing and weatherproofing means 20.

It will be appreciated that the lower batten 38 for a first row 34 is the upper batten 36 of the lower second row 35, and so on.

In use, two adjacent tiles 10 in the same row are interconnected by the securing and weatherproofing means 20. The planar member 26 outwardly extending from the lower portion of the securing and waterproofing means 20 is threaded through the gap between the planar member 12 and the flange 19 of the tile 10. The lug 16, proximal to the side edge 37 of the tile 10 is spaced at a distance from the side edge 37 to accommodate the planar member 26, and to prevent lateral movement of the securing and waterproofing means 20 when buffeted by strong winds. The planar member 26 may be secured to an upper surface of the lower batten 38 by screws or nails positioned in the indentation 27, as shown in Figure 6. Alternatively, the planar member 26 may be secured to an upper portion of the tile 10 in a lower second row which overlays an upper batten 36 of the lower second row 35 by screws or nails positioned in the indentation 27. Under normal circumstances of installation of shingled roofs a reduced degree of overlap and consequent lightness of construction results in movement of the lower portion of the tile, more commonly known as "roof chattering". In the present invention, despite a reduced overlap of tiles, interconnection of two adjacent tiles 10 with the securing and weatherproofing means 20 prevents each tile 10 from being lifted upwardly by strong winds and movement of other tiles 10. Furthermore, in contrast to prior art systems where tiles 10 are secured at a lower end to a lower batten with clips, the tile 10 and the securing and weatherproofing means 20 of the present invention are secured to an upper batten 36 to prevent slippage of either the tiles 10 or the securing and weatherproofing means 20. The tile 10 is secured to an upper batten 36 by mounting an inner surface 41 of the first member 14 thereof contiguously onto a distal surface 43 of an upper batten. The securing and weatherproofing means 20 is secured to an upper batten 36 by mounting an inner surface 45 of the member 24 thereof contiguously onto a distal surface 43 of an upper batten.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tile, characterised in that the tile comprises a first portion for mounting to an upper batten of a roof structure, a second portion arranged, in use, to extend between upper and lower battens, and a receiving means arranged, in use, to receive a portion of a securing and weatherproofing means for interconnecting adjacent tiles in a row.

2. A tile according to claim 1, characterised in that the tile is provided with a downwardly depending member for mounting the tile to the upper batten of the roof structure, said member being disposed parallel to and adjacent with an upper edge of the tile.

3. A tile according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the tile is provided with a plurality of lugs, each lug being disposed proximal to and spaced from a side edge of the tile so as to accommodate the securing and weatherproofing means extending between the lugs of adjacent tiles in a row.

4. A tile according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the receiving means comprises a downwardly depending member disposed parallel to and spaced from the upper edge of the tile, wherein each end of said member is provided with a respective outwardly extending flange which is spaced from and disposed parallel to the tile, thereby forming a gap between the tile and the flange, a portion of the securing and weathering means being arranged, in use, to be disposed within the gap and intermediate the tile and the flange.

5. A securing and weatherproofing means for interconnecting adjacent tiles in a row, characterised in that the securing and weatherproofing means comprises a first portion for mounting to an upper batten of a roof structure, a second portion arranged, in use, to be disposed under adjacent tile side edges, and a third portion for interconnecting adjacent tiles in a row arranged, in use, to engage with a receiving means of each adjacent tile.

6. A securing and weatherproofing means according to claim 5, characterised in that the securing and weatherproofing means is a substantially planar elongate member.

7. A securing and weatherproofing means according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterised in that the securing and weatherproofing means is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending channels, said channels being arranged, in use, to direct a flow of water onto the adjacent lower row of tiles.

8. A securing and weatherproofing means according to claim 7, characterised in that the securing and weatherproofing means is provided with at least one indentation for receiving means to attach the securing and weatherproofing means to the adjacent lower row of tiles.

9. A securing and weatherproofing means according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that the securing and weatherproofing means is provided with a downwardly depending member for mounting the securing and weatherproofing means to the upper batten of the roof structure, said member being disposed parallel to and adjacent with an upper edge of the securing and weatherproofing means.

10. A roofing system characterised in that the roofing system comprises a plurality of tiles in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4, and a plurality of securing and waterproofing means in accordance with any one of claims 5 to 9, for securing tiles to a roof structure, in which adjacent tiles extend between upper and lower battens in a row and a lower portion of a row of tiles overlaps an upper portion of an adjacent lower row of tiles, wherein the tile comprises a first portion for mounting to an upper batten of a roof structure, a second portion arranged, in use, to extend between upper and lower battens and a receiving means, and the securing and waterproofing means comprises a first portion for mounting to an upper batten of the roof structure, a second portion arranged, in use, to be disposed under adjacent tile side edges, and a third portion for interconnecting adjacent tiles in a row arranged, in use, to engage with the receiving means of the tile.