Roofing Products And Methods And Apparatus Thereof
A roof flashing for or suitable for flashing a “ridgeline” as herein defined, the flashing being of multiple materials and being at least in part laminated and comprising or including a “ridge” overlying region to overlie the actual or phantom “ridge” to be flashed, the ridge being as herein defined, a first flanking region extending from the ridge overlying region, and a second flanking region extending from the ridge overlying region, wherein the ridge overlying region is conformed to a retainable three dimensional form and/or is conformable and can retain to a three dimensional form, and wherein the first and second flanking regions extend from the ridge overlying region so as to flank the actual or phantom “ridge” to be flashed by the flashing, and wherein there is a weathering surface of one or more weathering material(s) and at least one of the flanking regions has at least a partial underlying support of the weathering material(s).
The present invention relates to a flashing suitable for flashing, for example but not limited to, the roof of a building.
BACKGROUNDMany forms of flashing are known. Traditionally flashings were formed from sheets of lead and were conformed on site to shapes required. Lead is both heavy and expensive and requires a lot of labour. It is also difficult to have it satisfactorily retain a painted surface.
Other methods of flashing a roof, such as a ridge of a roof with ridge caps or tiles requires pointing or rendering in the form of cement or mortar, which over time breaks down and cannot move with the expansion and contraction of the building. The application and maintenance of such constructions is time consuming and expensive and may account for a large percentage cost of the final roof structure.
The present invention recognises the prospect of providing lightweight roof flashings that are versatile as to their use (even though they may be pre-shaped for convenience) and demand little in the way of skill in their use. It is to this that the present invention is directed.
I have determined that an effective conformable region of a flashing structure can be prepared by associating a conformable yet shape retaining layer having a mesh, perforate or other “open” character (e.g.; partially expanded sheet aluminium of a “mesh” character) using an appropriate adhesive bonding with a flexible weathering layer and thereafter relying on a tack retaining adhesive surface (whether simply “show through” adhesive or adhesive in addition) for associating such a conformable region to a surface of a region to be flashed.
There are instances however where it is desirable to have part of a roof flashing underlying a ridge cap, tile or member. Nevertheless there is a need, since it is the transition of a roof (whether a ridge, valley or other transition) that is to be flashed, for there to be continuity in the weathering surface. Other instances exist where no ridge cap, tile or member is utilised and the flashing therefore forms the complete ridgeline.
The object of the present invention is to provide a roof flashing for a ridge, valley or otherwise that goes someway to meeting the above desiderata, or at least provides the public with a useful choice.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect the present invention may be said to broadly consist in a roof flashing for or suitable for flashing a “ridgeline”, said flashing comprising or including:
a) a “ridge” overlying region to overlie the actual or phantom “ridge” to be flashed,
b) a first flanking region extending from the ridge overlying region, and
c) a second flanking region extending from the ridge overlying region,
wherein the ridge overlying region is conformed to a three dimensional form and/or is conformable to a three dimensional form,
and wherein the first and second flanking regions extend from the ridge overlying region so as to flank the actual or phantom “ridge” to be flashed by the flashing,
and wherein the flashing is at least in part laminated so as to have a weathering surface of one or more material(s) and having in at least one of the flanking regions at least a partial underlying support of the weathering material(s).
In one embodiment each of the flanking regions has at least a partial underlying support of the weathering material(s).
Preferably said first and second flanking regions depend from a first zone of articulation immediately adjacent said ridge overlying region.
Preferably at least one of the flanking regions is at least conformed to a three dimensional form, is conformable to a retained or retainable three dimensional form or has a distal extremity greater in extent than the proximal extent of that flanking region to said ridge overlying region.
Preferably the roof flashing includes preferably by removal of a release sheet or release sheets to reveal an adhesive or other tack providing surface to allow at least part of at least one of the flanking regions to be adhesively attached to a support surface e.g. of a roofing material to be flashed.
In some options one or more materials e.g. as a laminate, provide the ridge overlying region whilst in other forms the ridge overlying region can be at least in part, primarily or wholly of the one or more material(s) providing a weathering surface notwithstanding the fact that the flashing is at least in part laminated (e.g. whether solely in one or both of the flanking regions or otherwise).
Preferably the distal ends of one or each of said first and second flanking regions distal from said “ridge” overlying region is conformed into a three dimensional region to allow (by conformity or material thus made available) association with undulating or otherwise three dimensional roofing materials, to be flashed, flanking said “ridge” or “ridgeline”.
Preferably said three dimensional region is at least in part held in its three dimensional form by said partial underlying support.
Preferably said partial underlying support is a conformable yet shape retaining three dimensionally conformed material.
Preferably said three dimensionally conformed material underlies said weathering layer.
Preferably there is sufficient tack retaining adhesive on the non-weathering side of at least part of one or both said first and second flanking regions and/or said three dimensionally to associate said flanking regions to said roofing materials.
Preferably said tack retaining adhesive lies between said weathering layer and said dimensionally conformed material.
Alternatively said dimensionally conformed material lies between said weathering layer and said tack retaining adhesive.
Preferably said three dimensionally conformed material is a metal. Said metal can be sheet aluminium (and optionally may be wholly or in part be able to be expanded).
In one embodiment said three dimensional region is configured so as to exhibit a substantially sinusoidal section when being viewed in section towards said distal ends.
Preferably said three dimensionally conformed material is a perforate or expanded sheet of a suitable metal.
Preferably said three dimensionally conformed material is only partially expanded prior to application of said flashing.
Preferably said three dimensional region can expand and contract in directions parallel and transverse to said “ridgeline” which said flashing is to flash to further engage and conform to said roofing materials.
Preferably a suitable natural or synthetic rubber material or plastics material provides said exterior flexible weathering surface.
Preferably said suitable natural or synthetic rubber material or plastics material is selected from the Desmopan® range of thermoplastic polyurethane materials.
Preferably said “ridge” overlying region is conformed, as part of said lamination to a substantially rigid section underlying said weathering layer.
Preferably said substantially rigid section is of substantially complimentary configuration conforming to said “ridge” beam or beams, or structure defining said “ridgeline”.
Preferably said flashing has differing degrees of flexibility of the lamination over its cross section.
Preferably said differing degree of flexibility is at least in part due to differing flexibility of said weathering later.
Alternatively said differing degree of flexibility of said weathering layer is due to differing thickness and/or differing material properties (such as density, flexural strength, Shore hardness etc) of said weathering layer.
Preferably said weathering layer over said rigid section is between 100 and 600 microns thick.
Preferably said weathering layer over said rigid section is 200 microns thick.
Preferably said three dimensionally conformed material is mould embedded at least in part in another material, said another material being flexible but not necessarily being said flexible material(s) providing the exterior weathering surface.
Preferably wherein a release sheet is associated with said tack retaining adhesive.
Preferably said “ridge” overlying region includes a number of openings therethrough to allow penetrative fixers to affix the same to a “ridge” beam or beams.
Preferably said flashing is to underlie a ridge cap or ridge tile.
Preferably said flashing has, at said distal ends further extensions (“flank returns”) which have a third zone of articulation from said distal end to be articulated to engage with the under side of said ridge capping(s) or tile(s) to form a further water and weather proofing of said ridge.
Preferably said zone of articulation runs parallel to said ridge overlying region.
Preferably said flank returns are separable into portions by lines of separation running substantially perpendicular to said line of articulation.
Preferably said flank returns further have zones of adhesion to engage with the underside of said ridge capping(s) or tile(s).
Alternatively said flashing may form the ridgeline without reliance upon a ridge cap or ridge tile.
Preferably said flashing is coloured to match the roofing material or tiles to which it is applied.
Alternatively said flashing may be coloured in a form as desired by the end user.
In a second aspect the present invention consists in a method of flashing a roof with a flashing as herein before described, wherein the ridge overlying region is applied to an actual or phantom “ridge” to be flashed, first and second flanking regions extending from said ridge overlying region are located to lie upon and confirm to roofing material(s) either side of said ridge to form with said roofing material(s) a continuous weathering surface.
Preferably each of the flanking regions has at least a partial underlying support of the weathering material(s).
Preferably at least one of the flanking regions is at least conformed to a three dimensional form, and is conformable to a retained or retainable three dimensional form or has a distal extremity greater in extent than the proximal extent of that flanking region to said ridge overlying region.
Preferably the roof flashing includes preferably by removal of a release sheet or release sheets to reveal an adhesive or other tack providing surface to allow at least part of at least one of the flanking regions to be adhesively attached to a support surface e.g. of a roofing material(s) to be flashed.
Preferably some options one or more materials e.g. as a laminate, provide the ridge overlying region whilst in other forms the ridge overlying region can be at least in part, primarily or wholly of the one or more material(s) providing a weathering surface notwithstanding the fact that the flashing is at least in part laminated (e.g. whether solely in one or both of the flanking regions or otherwise).
Preferably said three dimensional region is at least in part held in its three dimensional form by said partial underlying support.
Preferably said three dimensionally conformed material is a metal.
Preferably said three dimensional region is configured so as to exhibit a substantially sinusoidal section when being viewed in section towards said distal ends.
Preferably said ridge overlying region includes a number of openings therethrough to allow penetrative fixers to affix the same to a “ridge” beam or beams.
Preferably said flashing is to underlie a ridge cap or ridge tile.
Preferably said flashing may form the ridgeline without reliance upon a ridge cap or ridge tile.
Preferably said flashing is coloured to match the roofing material or tiles to which it is applied.
Preferably said flashing may be coloured in a form as desired by the end user.
In another aspect the present invention consists in a flashing as herein described when of a form and/or structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one or more of the accompany drawings.
In a further aspect the present invention consists in the use or methods of use of a flashing or flashing structure of any of the kinds as herein described.
In yet another aspect the present invention consists in a structure flashed by a flashing or flashing structure of any one of claims as herein described.
As used herein the term “ridgeline” refers to a line in a roof (such as at the apex or valley of a ridge) whether defined by a join or any region that requires a flashing or sealing, whether that line, whether phantom or actual, is linear, curvilinear or otherwise.
As used herein the term “ridge” has the corresponding meaning to provide itself or with the flashing of the invention an appropriate ridgeline.
As used herein the term “phantom” in respect of a ridge refers to a region that might accommodate an actual ridge but instead can be flashed without the flashing covering an underlying ridge defining member thereby to provide the appearance of a transition substantially in a form of. a ridge irrespective of whether or not there is actually a ridge formed or present.
As used herein at least one weathering material includes preferably a single material providing a continuous weathering surface but may include some fabrication of that single material or several materials alongside one another but with some overlapping or some overlying of one material on another etc.
As used herein the term “(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular form of that noun.
As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or where the context allows both.
As used herein the term “weathering layer” includes any single material or multiple materials, whether laminated, mixed or otherwise, to provide a layer (not necessarily planar nor of constant thickness) of which an outer surface is to act as the weathering surface and another surface of which can act as a surface to be bonded by said adhesive matrix to said conformable layer.
As used herein the term “conformable yet shape retaining layer” includes metal (eg; aluminium) expanded sheet into a perforate “mesh-like” form but is not confined thereto. It can include perforated or non perforated metal (eg; lead or aluminium) or other sheeting (eg; steel wire mesh or zinc) and irrespective, if perforate, whether sheet-wise expandable or not.
To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSPreferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
With reference to
Shown on the first flanking region 5 at its distal end 8 is the perforate or expanded metal sheeting (for example of aluminium), the dimensionally conformed material 13 being only partially expanded prior to its application to roofing or tile materials 10. A further material of the lamination, being a tack retaining adhesive 14, lies either over (in which case show through of the adhesive occurs through the dimensionally conformed material) or under the dimensionally conformed material to adhere the distal end of the flashing and further part of the flashing to the roofing or tile materials 10.
The flashing 1 has as a nature of its construction (for example, but not limited to, by moulding or extrusion) the distal end 8 being of greater length in plan form than the proximal end at the zone of articulation 7 and thus forms the three dimensional region 9. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the three dimensional region 9 is of a sinusoidal or wave form.
Through the ridge overlying region 3 there are available apertures 15 which allow the flashing to be nailed, or fastened to the underlying ridge defining member 2. The flashing 1 is of a natural rubber or synthetic rubber or plastics material such as the Desmopan® range of thermoplastic polyurethanes, which extends from the distal end 8 of one flanking region to the distal end 8 of the other flanking region. This formation forms a continuous weathering surface which provides a water and weatherproof flashing to that structure which it is applied to.
In an alternative embodiment of that shown in
In this embodiment the flanking regions 5 and 6 run out to the roofing or tile materials 10 to be flashed and the three dimensional region 9 of the distal end 8 then may fold through a further zone of articulation 16 onto the roofing or tile materials to be flashed 10. In a similar way to that embodiment shown in
With reference to
Shown in
Shown in
Claims
1. A roof flashing for or suitable for flashing a “ridgeline” as herein defined, said flashing being of multiple materials and being at least in part laminated and comprising or including:
- a) a “ridge” overlying region to overlie the actual or phantom “ridge” to be flashed, the ridge being as herein defined,
- b) a first flanking region extending from the ridge overlying region, and
- c) a second flanking region extending from the ridge overlying region,
- wherein the ridge overlying region is conformed to a retainable three dimensional form and/or is conformable and can retain to a three dimensional form,
- and wherein the first and second flanking regions extend from the ridge overlying region so as to flank the actual or phantom “ridge” to be flashed by the flashing,
- and wherein there is a weathering surface of one or more weathering material(s) and at least one of the flanking regions has at least a partial underlying support of the weathering material(s), and at least one of said flanking regions is at least conformed to a three dimensional form, and is conformable to a retained or retainable three dimensional form or has a distal extremity greater in extent than the proximal extent of that flanking region to said ridge overlying region.
2. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the flanking regions has at least a partial underlying support of the weathering material(s).
3. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second flanking regions depend from a first zone of articulation immediately adjacent said ridge overlying region.
4. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein the roof flashing includes preferably by removal of a release sheet or release sheets to reveal an adhesive or other tack providing surface to allow at least part of at least one of the flanking regions to be adhesively attached to a support surface e.g. of a roofing material to be flashed.
5. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein in some options one or more materials e.g. as a laminate, provide the ridge overlying region whilst in other forms the ridge overlying region can be at least in part, primarily or wholly of the one or more material(s) providing a weathering surface notwithstanding the fact that the flashing is at least in part laminated (e.g. whether solely in one or both of the flanking regions or otherwise).
6. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein the distal ends of one or each of said first and second flanking regions distal from said “ridge” overlying region is conformed into a three dimensional region to allow (by conformity or material thus made available) association with undulating or otherwise three dimensional roofing materials, to be flashed, flanking said “ridge” or “ridgeline”.
7. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 2 wherein said three dimensional region is at least in part held in its three dimensional form by said partial underlying support.
8. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 2 wherein said partial underlying support is a conformable yet shape retaining three dimensionally conformed material.
9. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said three dimensionally conformed material underlies said weathering layer.
10. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is sufficient tack retaining adhesive on the non-weathering side of at least part of one or both said first and second flanking regions and/or said three dimensionally to associate said flanking regions to said roofing materials.
11. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tack retaining adhesive lies between said weathering layer and said dimensionally conformed material.
12. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dimensionally conformed material lies between said weathering layer and said tack retaining adhesive.
13. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said three dimensionally conformed material is a metal.
14. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said metal can be sheet aluminium (and optionally may be wholly or in part be able to be expanded).
15. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said three dimensional region is configured so as to exhibit a substantially sinusoidal section when being viewed in section towards said distal ends.
16. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said three dimensionally conformed material is a perforate or expanded sheet of a suitable metal.
17. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said three dimensionally conformed material is only partially expanded prior to application of said flashing.
18. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said three dimensional region can expand and contract in directions parallel and transverse to said “ridgeline” which said flashing is to flash to further engage and conform to said roofing materials.
19. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein a suitable natural or synthetic rubber material or plastics material provides said exterior flexible weathering surface.
20. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 19 wherein said suitable natural or synthetic rubber material or plastics material is selected from the Desmopan® range of thermoplastic polyurethane materials.
21. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said “ridge” overlying region is conformed, as part of said lamination to a substantially rigid section underlying said weathering layer.
22. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 21 wherein said substantially rigid section is of substantially complimentary configuration conforming to said “ridge” beam or beams, or structure defining said “ridgeline”.
23. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flashing has differing degrees of flexibility of the lamination over its cross section.
24. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 23 wherein said differing degree of flexibility is at least in part due to differing flexibility of said weathering later.
25. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 23 wherein said differing degree of flexibility of said weathering layer is due to differing thickness and/or differing material properties (such as density, flexural strength, Shore hardness etc) of said weathering layer.
26. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 21 wherein said weathering layer over said rigid section is between 100 and 600 microns thick.
27. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 21 wherein said weathering layer over said rigid section is 200 microns thick.
28. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said three dimensionally conformed material is mould embedded at least in part in another material, said another material being flexible but not necessarily being said flexible material(s) providing the exterior weathering surface.
29. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 4 wherein a release sheet is associated with said tack retaining adhesive.
30. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said “ridge” overlying region includes a number of openings therethrough to allow penetrative fixers to affix the same to a “ridge” beam or beams.
31. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flashing is to underlie a ridge cap or ridge tile.
32. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flashing has, at said distal ends further extensions (“flank returns”) which have a third zone of articulation from said distal end to be articulated to engage with the under side of said ridge capping(s) or tile(s) to form a further water and weather proofing of said ridge.
33. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 32 wherein said zone of articulation runs parallel to said ridge overlying region.
34. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 32 wherein said flank returns are separable into portions by lines of separation running substantially perpendicular to said line of articulation.
35. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 32 wherein said flank returns further have zones of adhesion to engage with the underside of said ridge capping(s) or tile(s).
36. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flashing may form the ridgeline without reliance upon a ridge cap or ridge tile.
37. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flashing is coloured to match the roofing material or tiles to which it is applied.
38. The roof flashing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flashing may be coloured in a form as desired by the end user.
39. A method of flashing a roof with a flashing as herein before described, wherein the ridge overlying region is applied to an actual or phantom “ridge” to be flashed,
- first and second flanking regions extending from said ridge overlying region are located to lie upon and confirm to roofing material(s) either side of said ridge with at least one of the flanking regions is at least conformed to a three dimensional form, and is conformable to a retained or retainable three dimensional form or has a distal extremity greater in extent than the proximal extent of that flanking region to said ridge overlying region to conform with said roofing material(s) and thus to form with said roofing material(s) a continuous weathering surface.
40. The method as claimed in claim 39 wherein each of the flanking regions has at least a partial underlying support of the weathering material(s).
41. The method as claimed in claim 39 wherein the roof flashing includes preferably by removal of a release sheet or release sheets to reveal an adhesive or other tack providing surface to allow at least part of at least one of the flanking regions to be adhesively attached to a support surface e.g. of a roofing material(s) to be flashed.
42. The method as claimed in claim 39 wherein in some options one or more materials e.g. as a laminate, provide the ridge overlying region whilst in other forms the ridge overlying region can be at least in part, primarily or wholly of the one or more material(s) providing a weathering surface notwithstanding the fact that the flashing is at least in part laminated (e.g. whether solely in one or both of the flanking regions or otherwise).
43. The method as claimed in claim 39 wherein said three dimensional region is at least in part held in its three dimensional form by said partial underlying support.
44. The method as claimed in claim 40 wherein said three dimensionally conformed material is a metal.
45. The method as claimed in claim 40 wherein said three dimensional region is configured so as to exhibit a substantially sinusoidal section when being viewed in section towards said distal ends.
46. The method as claimed in claim 39 wherein said ridge overlying region includes a number of openings therethrough to allow penetrative fixers to affix the same to a “ridge” beam or beams.
47. The method as claimed in claim 39 wherein said flashing is to underlie a ridge cap or ridge tile.
48. The method as claimed in claim 39 wherein said flashing may form the ridgeline without reliance upon a ridge cap or ridge tile.
49. The method as claimed in claim 39 wherein said flashing is coloured to match the roofing material or tiles to which it is applied.
50. The method as claimed in claim 39 wherein said flashing may be coloured in a form as desired by the end user.
51. (canceled)
52. The use or methods of use of a flashing or flashing structure of claim 1.
53. The structure flashed by a flashing or flashing structure of claim 1.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 17, 2004
Publication Date: Aug 30, 2007
Inventors: Andrew Haynes (New Zealand), Christopher Nicholls (New Zealand), Gabriel Giroiu (New Zealand), Samuel Buckingham (New Zealand)
Application Number: 10/572,685
International Classification: E04D 13/14 (20060101);