GB2127874A

GB2127874A - Adjustable slate retainer, e.g. for securing replaced slates

Info

Publication number: GB2127874A
Application number: GB08226557A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Howard Joyce
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-09-17
Filing date: 1982-09-17
Publication date: 1984-04-18
Also published as: GB2127874B

Abstract

The retainer 10 comprises a strip member 11 having at one end 13 engagement means 14 for attachment to a fixed structure and a support member 12 slidable along the strip member 11 and retainable by means 16 at a plurality of parts therealong. The support member 12 has abutment means 20 for receiving and supporting a slate. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A slate retainer This invention relates to a slate retainer for constructing or repairing slate roofs. In this specification, the word slate is to be deemed to included not just natural slates, but all other rigid sheet members of limited extent used for roofing, of whatever material, including clay tiles, asbestos tiles and slate substitutes.

It is a common problem with slate roofs that individual slates become dislodged or break, and have to be replaced. Since it is not possible to replace a single slate by refixing a nail or screw through the new slate into a battern, an abutment for the bottom edge of the new slate is usually formed by attaching a strip e.g. of lead or copper to the batten. The new slat is slid upwards over the strip into position, and the bottom length of the strip is then bent up and over onto the top surface of the slate. As is also well known, this abutment can prove weak, particularly if old material is used for the strip, and can be destroyed by snow sliding down the roof.

Accordingly, the invention provides a slate retainer comprising a strip member having at one end engagement means for attachment to a fixed structure, and a support member slidable along the strip member and retainable at a plurality of points therealong, the support member having abutment means for receiving and supporting a slate.

Such a slate retainer can be made of a material which cannot be deformed by a slide of snow, and in use can be adjusted to slates of different size.

In order that the invention shall be clearly understood, an exemplary embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a slate retainer according to the invention in perspective view; Fig, 2 shows a side view of the support members; and Fig. 3 shows a side view of the retainer in position holding a slate.

The slate retainer 10 has a flexible strip member 11 along which is slidable a support member 12.

One end of the member 11 has an enlarged head 13 with a countersunk hole 1 4 to receive a screw; the other end of 1 5 is tapered to allow it to pass easily through the member 12. Member 11 is between 1 5 and 30 cms long normally, though any desired length may be used. Along most of its length, it is formed with a series of ratchet teeth 1 6 which allow the member 12 to be moved towards the head 1 3 but not back again.

The support member 12 has a body 2Q, with a slot 21 through which member 11 can pass, and a clip portion 22. This is of somewhat aerofoil section in side view (Fig. 2), and its 'trailing edge' 23 curves gently so that when in position it touches the surface of the strip. The dimension a is approximately 4 mm. The slot 21 has within it a spring or resilient abutment (not shown) which engages the ratchet teeth 1 6. The portion 22 is approximately 3 cms square.

Both parts of the retainer may be made of any suitable material, which must be resistant to the effects of heat, cold, and atmospheric corrosion.

Most suitable would be various plastics materials.

In use, (Fig. 3), each slate 30, 33, 32 overlies two battens 31, and is attached by one or more nails A to the topmost one. If the middle slate 33 is to be replaced, that battern and its nail B cannot be reaches. So the strip 11 is attached instead by a screw to the lower batten which is accessible through the vertical gap between adjacent abutting slates in row with 32. A new slate 33 to replace an intermediate missing one can now be slid up below the bottom edge of slate 30 until it is in the desired position (as shown). The support member 12 can now be slid onto the strip 11 and along it until it reaches the lower edge of slate 33.

The edge 23 of the clip portion must then be sprung upwards to allow the member 12 to be pushed further up the strip 11 until the body 20 abut the slate 33. The slate 33 is then supported in its correct position. Member 12 cannot slip back because of the one-way ratchet.

The projecting length of strip 11 can be cut off.

The edge 23 lies tight against the other surface of slate 33 so that any snow will slide smoothly over it.

Claims (Filed on 13/9/83) 1. A slate retainer comprising a strip member having at one end engagement means for attachment to a fixed structure and a support member slidable along the strip member and retainable at a plurality of points therealong, the support member having abutment means for receiving and supporting a slate.

2. A retainer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the -support member has a slot through which the strip member passes.

3. A retainer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the strip member has a series of ratchet teeth formed therein engageable with an abutment on the support member the teeth being so arranged as to permit the support member to be moved towards the engagement means but to restrain it from moving in the opposite direction.

4. A retainer as claimed in claim 3, wherein the abutment and/or the teeth are resilient.

5. A retainer as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the abutment is provided within the slot.

6. A retainer as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the support member comprises a body in which the slot is formed and a head extending beyond the body to receive a slate between the extended part of the head and the strip.

7. A retainer as claimed in claim 6, wherein the head has a curved upper surface of generally aerofoil shape.

8. A retainer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the strip is apertured at one end to receive a fixing means.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A slate retainer This invention relates to a slate retainer for constructing or repairing slate roofs. In this specification, the word slate is to be deemed to included not just natural slates, but all other rigid sheet members of limited extent used for roofing, of whatever material, including clay tiles, asbestos tiles and slate substitutes. It is a common problem with slate roofs that individual slates become dislodged or break, and have to be replaced. Since it is not possible to replace a single slate by refixing a nail or screw through the new slate into a battern, an abutment for the bottom edge of the new slate is usually formed by attaching a strip e.g. of lead or copper to the batten. The new slat is slid upwards over the strip into position, and the bottom length of the strip is then bent up and over onto the top surface of the slate. As is also well known, this abutment can prove weak, particularly if old material is used for the strip, and can be destroyed by snow sliding down the roof. Accordingly, the invention provides a slate retainer comprising a strip member having at one end engagement means for attachment to a fixed structure, and a support member slidable along the strip member and retainable at a plurality of points therealong, the support member having abutment means for receiving and supporting a slate. Such a slate retainer can be made of a material which cannot be deformed by a slide of snow, and in use can be adjusted to slates of different size. In order that the invention shall be clearly understood, an exemplary embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a slate retainer according to the invention in perspective view; Fig, 2 shows a side view of the support members; and Fig. 3 shows a side view of the retainer in position holding a slate. The slate retainer 10 has a flexible strip member 11 along which is slidable a support member 12. One end of the member 11 has an enlarged head 13 with a countersunk hole 1 4 to receive a screw; the other end of 1 5 is tapered to allow it to pass easily through the member 12. Member 11 is between 1 5 and 30 cms long normally, though any desired length may be used. Along most of its length, it is formed with a series of ratchet teeth 1 6 which allow the member 12 to be moved towards the head 1 3 but not back again. The support member 12 has a body 2Q, with a slot 21 through which member 11 can pass, and a clip portion 22. This is of somewhat aerofoil section in side view (Fig. 2), and its 'trailing edge' 23 curves gently so that when in position it touches the surface of the strip. The dimension a is approximately 4 mm. The slot 21 has within it a spring or resilient abutment (not shown) which engages the ratchet teeth 1 6. The portion 22 is approximately 3 cms square. Both parts of the retainer may be made of any suitable material, which must be resistant to the effects of heat, cold, and atmospheric corrosion. Most suitable would be various plastics materials. In use, (Fig. 3), each slate 30, 33, 32 overlies two battens 31, and is attached by one or more nails A to the topmost one. If the middle slate 33 is to be replaced, that battern and its nail B cannot be reaches. So the strip 11 is attached instead by a screw to the lower batten which is accessible through the vertical gap between adjacent abutting slates in row with 32. A new slate 33 to replace an intermediate missing one can now be slid up below the bottom edge of slate 30 until it is in the desired position (as shown). The support member 12 can now be slid onto the strip 11 and along it until it reaches the lower edge of slate 33. The edge 23 of the clip portion must then be sprung upwards to allow the member 12 to be pushed further up the strip 11 until the body 20 abut the slate 33. The slate 33 is then supported in its correct position. Member 12 cannot slip back because of the one-way ratchet. The projecting length of strip 11 can be cut off. The edge 23 lies tight against the other surface of slate 33 so that any snow will slide smoothly over it. Claims (Filed on 13/9/83)

1. A slate retainer comprising a strip member having at one end engagement means for attachment to a fixed structure and a support member slidable along the strip member and retainable at a plurality of points therealong, the support member having abutment means for receiving and supporting a slate.

9. A retainer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the strip is flexible.

10. A slate retainer substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.