GB2383806A

GB2383806A - Roof trim accessory to secure roofing elements at exposed edge of roof

Info

Publication number: GB2383806A
Application number: GB0200236A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gonzalo Duboy; Cahal Gallagher
Original assignee: D & G Products Ltd
Current assignee: D & G Products Ltd
Priority date: 2002-01-07
Filing date: 2002-01-07
Publication date: 2003-07-09
Anticipated expiration: 2022-01-07
Also published as: GB2383806B; GB0517324D0; GB0200236D0; GB2415715B; GB2415716B; GB2415716A; GB2415715A; GB0517325D0

Abstract

An accessory 1 for protecting roof elements 36, 37 from wind and rain, comprises an elongate planar member with a seating portion 3 and an upwardly extending engaging portion 10 for holding one or more roofing elements 36, 37 in position. The engaging portion 10 extends perpendicularly upwards from the planar member when in use towards a top portion 12 which extends in parallel with and projecting over the seating portion 3, forming a c-shape retainer. The engaging portion 10 of the accessory is made from resiliently deformable material such as polyvinyl chloride in order to provide a secure grip upon the roofing elements held therein. The seating portion 3 has a channel 15 to allow rainwater to drain away. Other embodiments included preformed rainwater drainage holes 41 in the upwardly extending engaging portion 11 (see Fig. 10), also a continuous upraised ridge 17 along the planar member (see Fig. 9) and a vertical leg portion 61 depending from the planar member (see Fig. 13).

Description

Title Accessories for use with Roofing Elements Field of the Invention The present invention is concerned in general with accessories of the type for use with roofing elements for the roofs of buildings. In particular the accessories of interest are those which are used along a line of roofing elements such as at an end or side of a roof (or part of a roof) or for example the type of accessory used at the border between regions of roofing elements. A border of roofing elements may be formed for example between regions of roofing elements which meet such as for example a junction where a front roof portion meets a side roof portion, or an area between roofing elements and another part of a building such as a gable or other such side wall. The accessories of interest may bridge a space between areas covered by roofing elements and as such are normally designed to prevent rain water coming through the area bridged.

The accessory may be an element designed to deflect rain water onto roofing elements, to form a run-off guide for the rainwater (normally by providing a run-off channel), or may be designed to protect against rainwater entering underneath the roofing elements at a side thereof (e. g. to prevent wind driven rain water from being blown underneath the roof at a gable end of a house). One particular aspect of the accessories of the invention is to support and/or protect roofing elements at an exposed edge. The accessories of the invention thus help to secure in particular the edge rows of roofing elements against

movement under force of wind such as during a storm.

C > The accessories of the invention are often referred to in the trade as roofing"trims".

The accessories of interest are particularly those designed to be fastened to a roof structure such as to rafters or other elements forming part of the roof supporting structure for example battens.

The accessories of interest are particularly those of the type designed to engage with the roofing elements such as for example to engage with one or more slates.

Background to the Invention Many of the known roofing accessories are constructed of aluminium and they are susceptible to being damaged quite easily during transport or handling. Damage normally occurs where the roofing accessory is inadvertently bent/dented or scraped causing damage to the shape of the accessory. Such damaged pieces are often discarded as scrap as they are not suitable for use on a roof. If the piece is used, the damaged area may be more susceptible to corrosion.

Certain of the roofing accessories that are known-in particular those which fit to the end of an array of roofing elements, such as for example at one side, or the front end or rear end of, the roof may incorporate an elongate element which extends to mate with a fascia board or to form a fascia for example against a side-wall of the structure. Certain constructions of these elements have proved unsatisfactory. The unsatisfactory nature has stemmed from the fact that the elongate element is often moveable under the force of a wind and may produce undesirable noise due to such movement as a result of contact with the wall surface.

Another drawback of certain types of known accessory is that they often collect rainwater-an undesirable effect. To counteract this, persons fitting the accessories to a roof often puncture holes in the accessory to allow draining to take place. On the known aluminium accessories the puncturing (for example by drilling one or more apertures) reduces the resistance of the piece to corrosion (usually by damaging a protective coating) thus compromising the useful life of the piece.

The problem of collection of rainwater in parts of the pieces used, stems at least in part from the fact that the known accessories may allow ingress of relatively small amounts of rain water underneath the roofing element. It is desirable that the ingress of water beneath the accessory is minimised and as far as possible prevented, as it is prone to

collecting within the roofing accessory with resultant damage to the accessory itself or the roofing structure to which it is attached.

Obiect of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide roofing accessories for use with roofing elements that provide a solution to at least one of the problems set out above.

Summary of the Invention The present invention provides an accessory for roofing elements comprising: an elongate substantially planar member having: (i) a roofing member seating portion on which one or more roofing elements may be seated; (ii) a roofing element engaging portion for said one or more roofing elements extending upwardly (upwardly of the top side of the planar member) comprising: (a) an upstanding portion formed on (and by) a first end of the planar member and arranged substantially perpendicular to the planar member (and integrally formed therewith), and (b) a top portion on the upstanding portion formed on (and by) a first end of the planar member and arranged (inturned) to project over the planar member, the roofing element engaging portion arranged together with the roofing member seating portion so as to receive and engage with said one or more roofing elements; at least the roofing element engaging portion of the accessory being constructed of a resiliently deformable material.

The present invention provides an alternative accessory for roofing elements comprising : an elongate substantially planar member having: (i) a roofing member seating portion on which one or more roofing elements may be seated;

(ii) a roofing element engaging portion for said one or more roofing elements t > ZD extending upwardly (upwardly of the top side of the planar member) comprising: (a) an upstanding portion formed on (and by) a first end of the planar member and arranged substantially perpendicular to the planar member (and integrally formed therewith), the upstanding portion having pre- formed therein at least two drainage holes for allowing rainwater to pass from the seating portion to the exterior of the accessory, and (b) a top portion on the upstanding portion formed on (and by) a first end of the planar member and arranged (inturned) to project over the planar member, the roofing element engaging portion arranged together with the roofing member seating portion so as to receive and engage with said one or more roofing elements.

The drainage holes can be formed during extrusion when the product is made by extruding PVC.

The present invention further provides an accessory for roofing elements comprising: an elongate substantially planar member having: (i) a roofing member seating portion on which said one or more roofing elements may be seated and having defined therein at least one continuous upraised surface running longitudinally across the accessory for preventing the ingress of water beneath said one or more roofing elements; (ii) a roofing element engaging portion for said one or more roofing elements extending upwardly (upwardly of the top side of the planar member) comprising: (a) an upstanding portion formed on (and by) a first end of the planar member and arranged substantially perpendicular to the planar member (and integrally formed therewith), and (b) a top portion on the upstanding portion formed on (and by) a first end of the planar member and arranged (intumed) to project over the planar member,

the roofing element engaging portion arranged together with the roofing member seating portion so as to receive and engage with said one or more roofing C > elements.

The present invention further provides an accessory for roofing elements comprising : an elongate substantially planar member having : (i) a roofing member seating portion on which said one or more roofing elements may be seated ; (ii) a roofing element engaging portion for said one or more roofing elements extending upwardly (upwardly of the top side of the planar member) comprising : (a) an upstanding portion formed on (and by) a first end of the planar member and arranged substantially perpendicular to the planar member (and integrally formed therewith), and (b) a top portion on the upstanding portion formed on (and by) a first end of the planar member and arranged (intumed) to project over the planar member ; and (iii) a substantially planar elongate leg portion having a first end and a second free end, the first end being attached to (and integrally formed with) the underside of the planar member so that the leg portion depends therefrom at an angle of less than 90 thereto and arranged, so that in use, at least the free end of the leg portion is engageable with a surface of a structure on which the accessory is mountable so that the leg resiliently deforms on mounting of the accessory to the structure, the roofing element engaging portion arranged together with the roofing member seating portion so as to receive and engage with said one or more roofing elements.

While the features which distinguish the accessories of the invention above, one from another namely : construction of at least the roofing element engaging portion, and desirably the entire accessory, from a resiliently deformable material for example a plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride ;

the upstanding portion having pre-formed therein at least two drainage holes for allowing rainwater to pass from the seating portion to the exterior of the accessory; the seat having defined therein at least one continuous upraised surface running longitudinally across the accessory for preventing the ingress of water beneath said one or more roofing elements; and the substantially planar elongate leg portion a first end and a second free end, the first end being attached to (and integrally formed with) the underside of the planar member so that the leg portion depends therefrom at an angle of less than 90 thereto and arranged, so that in use, at least the free end of the leg portion is engageable with a surface of a structure on which the accessory is mountable so that the leg resiliently deforms on mounting of the accessory to the structure, are described independently of each other it is desirable that they be used in the various combinations possible and in certain embodiments all of these features will be incorporated.

Desirably the top portion is substantially parallel, or inclined to, the planar member.

In particular the roofing element engaging portion is resiliently deformable and arranged so as to resiliently grip the roofing element (s). An open mouth of the roofing element gripping portion, between the top portion, and the seating portion resiliently opens against insertion of one or more roofing elements. A grip between a top surface and an underneath surface of the roofing element (s) is thus achieved.

The grip provided by the accessories of the invention on roofing elements is very positive, and is particularly marked where the accessory is provided at the edge of a line of elements such as slates. The grip of the accessory on the slates is quite strong with the resilient bias of the gripping portion holding the slates tightly.

The accessory of the invention engages with said one or more roofing elements by engagement of the roofing element engaging portion to an end of said one or more

roofing elements. At least a part of said one or more roofing elements is seated in the roofing element seating portion.

Desirably the accessory further comprises at an end thereof distal the roofing element engaging portion an inturned (turned in upon itself) end portion for preventing the ingress of rainwater past that end. Desirably said intumed end is a small curved intum.

In one embodiment at least one transverse drainage channel is provided in the roofing p member seating portion so as to drain rainwater from the accessory. Drainage of rainwater takes place across (in the in-situ configuration on a roof structure, down, ) the accessory. The channel desirably runs longitudinally along the entire length of the accessory.

In the present application the accessory will generally be described as having two opposing sides and two opposing ends. Generally the two opposed sides will respectively have the roofing element engaging portion and the inturned end portion, while the seating portion extends between these two sides (and indeed between the ends). The axis of the accessory running along a line through said two opposed sides from one to the other will be referred to as the transverse axis for convenience, as, in most embodiments (though not all) the distance between these sides (between which the seating portion runs) will in general be shorter than the distance between the other two ends. The axis of the accessory running perpendicular to the transverse axis running from one end to the other, and usually bisecting the accessory along a line midway between the two sides will be referred to as the longitudinal axis.

Desirably at least two longitudinal drainage channels are provided in the roofing member seating portion so as to drain rainwater from the accessory. In one embodiment one channel is provided proximate the roofing element engaging portion. For certain constructions it is desirable to provide a second channel proximate the end of the accessory distal to the roofing element engaging portion.

Desirably where two channels are provided they run parallel and longitudinally along the accessory. Desirably the, or each, channel is/are formed by a curved depression (curved depressions) in the seating portion.

In one embodiment the depending leg portion depends from the underside of the seating portion of the planar member, and for particular types of accessory, at a generally centrally located position thereon. In this construction it is desirable that at least one (longitudinal) drainage channel is provided in the seating portion at a position between the roofing element engaging portion and the depending leg portion. In one preferred construction at least one (longitudinal) drainage channel is provided between the depending leg portion and the side of the device distal the roofing element engaging portion. In one construction it is desirable to provide at least two drainage channels so that at least one channel is provided at each of said positions.

In an alternative construction of an accessory of the invention the depending leg portion is formed by the side of the planar member distal the roofing element engaging portion.

In this construction also it is desirable that at least one drainage channel is provided in the seating portion at a position between the roofing element engaging portion and the depending leg portion.

In a preferred embodiment at least one continuous upraised surface running longitudinally across (the seating portion of) the accessory is provided. Such an upraised surface is in general formed so as to engage with the underside of said roofing element (s) so as to provide a further barrier to the ingress of rain water. The upraised surface preferably is in the form of a ridge and desirably one which has a curved surface for abutting the underside (s) of the roofing element (s).

The roofing accessories of the invention are desirably constructed by extruding PVC in particular uPVC. The term PVC as used herein refers to polyvinyl chloride and uPVC refers to unplasticised polyvinyl chloride.

Accessories of the present invention constructed of these materials show stability and durability with in particular great weathering characteristics. They are rigid and strong with resilient deformability. The material of the accessories will not crack or chip when being installed or transported or otherwise handled. Colour stability of the products has been proven under accelerated weathering tests. In general the products of interest for extrusions are resins which incorporate UV Filter/Anti-UV additives, stabilisers against degradation (prior to and post fitting) and high quality pigments, in particular those which avoid the usage of carbon-based pigmentation systems.

Accessories of the invention have shown extremely positive results when using PVC forming compositions which include calcium zinc based compounds (see below).

The draining channel (s) provide better drainage for any rainwater which might find its way into the accessory. This feature is particularly useful for Northern European weather which tends to be relatively rainy.

The addition of drain holes in particular to the type of trim known as a valley trim is a great improvement over existing constructions as the user is not required to puncture holes to allow for drainage.

In this respect it is desirable that the accessory is provided with drainage holes (preferably evenly) spaced apart. Desirably the drainage holes are of a circular shape.

The diameter of the drainage holes is desirably about 8 mm. Spacing of the drainage holes is desirably at about 50 mm intervals. At least two drainage holes would normally be provided though preferably for certain constructions at least three drainage holes are provided and in preferred embodiments of the accessories of the invention multiple drainage holes are provided. For example, a minimum of about 8 or 10 where the length of the accessory so permits.

Providing an accessory with a depending"leg"or member which is angled can prevent rattling against the side of the structure to which it is attached. This also ensures a tight fit of the accessory to the structure (e. g. fascia) to which it is fitted. In its mounted

configuration the leg of the accessory will normally abut a wall to form a fascia type t-I 1=1 protective surface for the junction between the wall and the roof, or if a fascia is already present, will abut the fascia, again protecting the junction between the fascia and the roofing elements.

The products of the invention are robust in handling as compared to the aluminium trims and ensure that they fit well even after mishandling of the type which would damage an aluminium piece. Sharp edges and acute corners have been eliminated from the products of the invention. This provides also additional strength to the accessories in addition to improving handling qualities and increasing the aesthetic appeal of the accessories.

The products of the invention are easy to handle with excellent tensile strength. The number of pieces which would have to be discarded due to handling damage is significantly reduced.

It is also believed that potential compensation claims and high insurance rates because of the dangers associated with aluminium products is also eliminated.

Desirably the base material for the formation of the products of the invention is a calcium-zinc formulation. Tin or lead based formulation are employable as well. Lead based materials are employable but are less attractive for the end purchaser of the products of the present invention as they are found to discolour more rapidly than the calcium-zinc based materials.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure I is a perspective view of an accessory of the present invention of a typical length to be used for a roofing construction; Figure 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the accessory of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the accessory of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing in particular the roofing element engaging portion of the accessory of Figure 1 ; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic representation of the position (at the edge of a row of aligned slates) at which the accessory of Figure I is fitted to a roofing structure; Figure 6 is a perspective, part-sectional, partial view of the accessory of Figure 1 fitted to a roofing structure and incorporating, an enlarged view thereof ; Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternative accessory of the present invention of a typical length to be used for a roofing construction; Figure 8 shows a partial perspective view of an accessory of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the accessory of Figure 7 ; , Figure 10 shows a partial perspective view of the accessory of Figure 7 from one side thereof ; Figure 11 is a diagrammatic representation of where the accessory of Figure 7 is fitted to a roofing structure; Figure 12 is a perspective partial view (also part-sectional) of the accessory of Figure 7 fitted to a roofing structure ; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a further alternative accessory of the present invention with typical length to be used for a roofing construction; Figure 14 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the accessory of Figure 13; Figure 15 is an enlarged partial side elevation of the accessory of Figure 13;

Figure 16 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing in particular the roofing element engaging portion of the accessory of Figure 13; Figure 17 is a diagrammatic representation of the position at which the accessory of Figure 13 is fitted to a roofing structure; Figure 18 is a perspective, part-sectional, partial view of the accessory of Figure 13

fitted to a roofing structure and incorporating, an enlarged view thereof ; C > Figure 19 is a perspective view of a yet further accessory of the present invention of a typical length to be used for a roofing construction; Figure 20 is an enlarged a partial perspective view of the accessory of Figure 19; Figure 21 shows an enlarged side elevation of the accessory of Figure 19;

f Figure 22 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing in particular the roofing element engaging portion of the accessory of Figure 19; Figure 23 is a diagrammatic representation of the position at which the accessory of Figure 19 is fitted to a roofing structure; Figure 24 is a perspective, part-sectional, view of the accessory of Figure 19 fitted to a roofing structure and incorporating, an enlarged view thereof.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Figure I shows an accessory 1. The accessory I comprises of a substantially planar member 2. A seating portion 3 is provided on the upper surface 4 of the planar member 2. The underside of the planar member 2 has been labelled 5. The seating portion 3, in

the embodiment shown, is of sufficient length to provide a seat in which multiple roofing elements (in particular slates) may be (at least partially) seated.

The accessory I comprises a roofing element engaging portion given the general reference 10 which extends upwardly (above the upper surface 4 of the planar member).

The roofing element engaging portion 10 has an upstanding portion 11. The upstanding portion 11 is formed on and by an end of the planar member and is arranged substantially perpendicular to the planar member 2. In all the embodiments described with reference to the Figures herein, each of the accessories is constructed of PVC in particular uPVC and all features of the accessories are unitary (being integrally formed by extrusion) to form the body of the accessory. A top portion 12 is provided on the upstanding portion 11. As can be seen from Figure 1 the top portion faces or is turned back (inturned) to extend a short distance across the seating portion 3 so as to form (with the member 2) a grip or receiver for one or more roofing elements, as will be described in more detail below. It is inclined at an angle to the seating portion so as to

form a grip for roofing elements. f A (longitudinal) drainage channel 15 is provided in the seating portion 3. The drainage channel 15 is provided so as to drain rainwater from the accessory and is formed by a curved depression in the planar member 2. The drainage channel 15 is proximate the roof element engaging portion 10. A second drainage channel 16 (again formed by a curved depression in the planar member 2) is indicated in dashed outline as for the particular end use application of the accessory I (and also for the accessories of Figures 7-18 below) the drainage channel 16 is preferably present.

Further provided is a continuous upraised surface in the form of a ridge 17 which runs parallel to (and between) the channels 15 and 16. The drainage channels (in particular the underside thereof) may form a collection (focus) point for rainwater so that rainwater would tend to collect on the underside thereof and drip off. Also provided at the end distal the roofing engaging portion 10 is an intumed end portion 12 again for assisting in the prevention of the ingress of water past the accessory underneath the roofing element (s). The top portion 12 is substantially parallel to the planar member 2 but being

inclined thereto at a small angle for assisting with providing a better grip on the roofing elements (s). Certain of these features are best seen in the views of Figures 2-4. It should be noted that the features described above of the accessory I run along the entire body of the accessory 1 and are continuous.

Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic representation of the location at which the accessory 1 fits to a house structure 30 having a roof structure 31. The house 30 comprises a structure of overlaid roofing elements in the form of slates 32. A linear border 33 of the slates 32 is formed at one end of the roof structure 31 approximate gable end wall 34.

The roof structure is provided with a fascia 35.

Figure 6 shows a diagrammatic (part sectional) of the accessory 1 fitted to the roof structure a border 33 of slates. In particular accessory 1 accommodates the line of (overlapping) slates along the border 33. It will be appreciated that slates are fitted to roof structures so as to overlie each other in a conventional matter to ensure no water escapes downward between the slates. Accordingly, the accessory I is shown partially accommodating two slates numbered 36 and 37. It will be noted that the roofing element engaging portion 10 engages the two slates 36 and 37 and that each slate 36 and 37 extends across the seating portion 3 and also indeed across the intumed end 20.

In a normal construction of the roof the accessory I would be fitted to the roof prior to the laying down of the roofing elements (slates). In particular the accessory 1 may be fastened to a roofing support member 38 such as a rafter or batten.

Figure 7 shows an alternative accessory 40 to that of Figure 1 to which it is generally similar. For Figure 7 (and indeed all embodiments described herein) the same reference numerals are used for the features of the accessories which are common. In this instance, it will be appreciated that Figure 7 shows an accessory 40 of slightly larger dimension than that Figure I having in particular an extended seating portion 3. The accessory 40 is

generally otherwise similar to the accessory of Figure 1 though it will be noted that apertures 41 are formed in the upstanding portion 11. The apertures 41 are best seen from the view of Figure 10. The apertures allow for drainage from the device.

The accessory 40 is shown again in Figure 11 which illustrates how the accessory fits to a roofing structure. In the detailed drawing of Figure 12 the accessory 40 is shown fitted to two spaced apart borders 45,46 formed by a border of slates 45 on a roof section 47 formed on a dormer-style window extension and the border 46 being formed where the slates on the main roof 48 meet the structure of the extension. The accessory 40 shown in position in Figure 12 on opposing sides of a v-shaped channel 50. As before slates 32 are at least partially seated in the accessory 40. The accessory 40 is fixed to a roofing support member 38.

A further accessory 60 of the present invention is shown in Figure 13 and again the same reference numerals as used in earlier figures are used where appropriate. The accessory 60 of Figure 13 is in general similar in dimension to that of Figure 1. The accessory 60 of Figure 13 is additionally provided with a substantially planar elongated leg portion 61 which is attached at a first end 62 (and is indeed integrally formed with) the planar member 2. It will be noted that the ridge 17 has been omitted from the embodiment of Figures 13-18 but it can be incorporated as desired.

As best seen from Figures 14-18 the leg portion 61 depends from the planar member 2 at an angle of less than 900 thereto. In particular the angle marked a in the drawing is less than 90 so that the leg portion 61 is inclined at an angle to the planar portion 2 and (in use) is inclined toward the structure to which it is fitted (in general in the same direction as the open mouth of the engaging portion 10). In the embodiment, and as is generally desirable the angle is 87 . Conventionally in roof trims such a depending leg would be arranged orthogonally to the planar member 2. When the angle a is less than 90 at least the free end 63 of the leg portion (abuts with) is engageable with a surface of a structure on which the accessory is mountable. The leg is resiliently deformable under such mounting pressure (as is required to put the accessory in place) against the surface on which it is placed and this helps to provide a tight fit of the leg portion 61 against the structure on which it is placed. Typically the angle a is a small number of degrees less than 90 . Typically the angle a is less than or equal to 88 or less than or equal to 87 .

Suitably the angle a is no less than about 80 .

In the embodiment it would be noted that the accessory 60 is to be fitted to a border 66 of slates 32.

Figure 18 shows a view similar to Figure 6 though of course in the embodiment of Figure 18 the accessory 60 of Figure 13 is employed. In Figure 18 the accessory 60 is shown applied to a roofing support member 38 and engaging slates 36 and 37 as previously described. The leg 61 extends downwardly to protect the junction between the roof and the building wall. In particular the leg 61 abuts a fascia element 67 to provide said protection.

Figure 19 shows a further accessory 70 of the present invention. The accessory 70 is similar to the accessory 60 of Figure 13 in that a leg portion 61 is provided. However it will be noted that the planar member 2 does not extend either side of the depending leg 61 in contrast to the accessory of Figure 13. In the embodiment of Figure 19 the depending leg portion 61 is a continuation of the planar member 2 which turns to form the leg portion at the side thereof distal the roofing element engaging portion. The drainage channel 15 is present and it is at a position between the roofing element engaging portion 10 and the depending leg portion 61. Again an angle a (see Figures 21 and 22) are desirably less than 90 , though as the planar member 2 does not extend beyond the leg portion 61 one could in the alternative consider the angle ss shown on Figures 21 and 22 as an obtuse angle which, being greater than 90 , provides an alternative way of measuring the inclination of the leg portion 61 towards a surface of a structure on which the accessory is mountable. The leg portion 61 will also resiliently deform in this embodiment when mounted.

Figure 23 shows the position on a housing structure 30 on which one might place the accessory 70. In particular the accessory 70 is used as a trim for border 73 of aligned slates 32 above a gable wall 71 to at least part protect or form a fascia element 72.

As best seen from Figure 24 the accessory 70 is mountable so as to protect the junction between the roof and the supporting structure. The accessory 70 is normally fitted to the roof structure by a fastener, such as for example by nailing.

In addition it has been desirable to use a generous wall thickness for the accessories of the present invention. The accessory of Figure 1 has a wall thickness of 1. 4mm while the alternative accessories shown in the Figures generally have wall thickness of 1.6mm.

Certain known aluminium products are formed by rolling/pressing processes and also require gluing of components together in certain instances. On the other hand, the products of the present invention can advantageously be extruded using in particular, PVC extrusion methods. Suitable compositions for extrusion will be known to those skilled in the art.

Where appropriate a fascia/soffit board etc may be fitted over the accessories of the invention (when in place on a roofing structure) so as to hide at least part of the accessory from view.

Typical dimensions of the accessories are as follows:

Transverse Longitudinal dimension (mm) dimension (mm) Figure ! : 91.0 3,000 Figure 7: 222. 0 3,000 Figure 13 : 91. 0 3,000 Figure 19: 41. 0 3,000 (length of leg 53. 0mm) The mouth of the roofing engaging portion is typically about 15. 5mm opening to about 19mm.

The words"comprises/comprising"and the words"having/including"when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

Claims 1. An accessory for roofing elements comprising: an elongate substantially planar member having: (i) a roofing member seating portion on which one or more roofing elements may be seated; (ii) a roofing element engaging portion for said one or more roofing elements extending upwardly comprising: (a) an upstanding portion formed on a first end of the planar member and arranged substantially perpendicular to the planar member, and (b) a top portion on the upstanding portion formed on the first end of the planar member and arranged to project over the planar member, the roofing element engaging portion arranged together with the roofing member seating portion so as to receive and engage with said one or more roofing elements and at least the roofing element engaging portion of the accessory being constructed of a resiliently deformable material.

2. An accessory for roofing elements comprising: an elongate substantially planar member having: (i) a roofing member seating portion on which one or more roofing elements may be seated; (ii) a roofing element engaging portion for said one or more roofing elements extending upwardly comprising : (a) an upstanding portion formed on a first end of the planar member and arranged substantially perpendicular to the planar member, the upstanding portion having pre-formed therein at least two drainage holes for allowing rainwater to pass from the seating portion to the exterior of the accessory, and (b) a top portion on the upstanding portion formed on the first end of the planar member and arranged to project over the planar member,

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the roofing element engaging portion arranged together with the roofing member tD seating portion so as to receive and engage with said one or more roofing tD elements.

3. An accessory for roofing elements comprising: an elongate substantially planar member having: (i) a roofing member seating portion on which said one or more roofing elements may be seated and having defined therein at least one continuous upraised surface running longitudinally across the accessory for preventing the ingress of water beneath said one or more roofing elements; (ii) a roofing element engaging portion for said one or more roofing elements extending upwardly comprising: (a) an upstanding portion formed on a first end of the planar member and arranged substantially perpendicular to the planar member, and (b) a top portion on the upstanding portion formed on the first end of the planar member and arranged to project over the planar member, the roofing element engaging portion arranged together with the roofing member seating portion so as to receive and engage with said one or more roofing elements.

4. An accessory for roofing elements comprising: an elongate substantially planar member having : (i) a roofing member seating portion in which said one or more roofing elements may be seated; (ii) a roofing element engaging portion for said one or more roofing elements extending upwardly comprising: (a) an upstanding portion formed on a first end of the planar member and arranged substantially perpendicular to the planar member, and (b) a top portion on the upstanding portion formed on the first end of the planar member and arranged to project over the planar member; and (iii) a substantially planar elongate leg portion having a first end and a second free end, the first end being attached to the underside of the planar member so

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that the leg portion depends therefrom at an angle of less than 90 thereto and arranged, so that in use, at least the free end of the leg portion is engageable with a surface of a structure on which the accessory is mountable so that the leg resiliently deforms on mounting of the accessory to the structure, the roofing element engaging portion arranged together with the roofing member seating portion so as to receive and engage with said one or more roofing elements.

5. An accessory according to any one of claims I to 4 formed of polyvinyl chloride.

6. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one transverse drainage channel is provided in the roofing member seating portion so as to drain rainwater from the accessory.

7. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims where at least two transverse drainage channels are provided in the roofing member seating portion so as to drain rainwater from the accessory.

8. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the depending leg portion is formed by the side of the planar member distal the roofing element engaging portion.

9. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one continuous upraised surface running longitudinally across the accessory is provided.

10 An accessory substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures I to 6.

! i. An accessory substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 7 to 12.

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12. An accessory substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 13 to 18.

13. An accessory substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 19 to 24.

Tomkins & Co.