AU2007202222A1 - Roof gap sealing method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Names of Applicants: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Invention title: McKERRELL ASSOCIATES NOMINEES PTY LTD ACN 083 287 941 PAUL RONALD MORGAN JOHN R.G. GARDNER Suite 398 Albert AVENUE BROADBEACH QLD 4218 ROOF GAP SEALING METHOD AND APPARATUS Details of Associated Provisional Application No: 2006902691 filed 19 May 2006 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 2 ROOF GAP SEALING METHOD AND APPARATUS Technical Field This invention relates to a roof gap sealing mrnethod and apparatus and in 00 particular to a method and apparatus for sealing a gap at the end of a hip roof of a building for the purposes of preventing, or minimizing the risk of, entry of embers, birds or other animals or vermnnin into the roof space of a building.

SBackground Art A hip roof for a building comprises a roof which has a sloping end roof section and at least one sloping side roof section which meet at a junction known as the hip or ridge which extends along the junction between the sloping end and side roof sections from the top ridge of the roof to a corner of the building. At the corner of the building, fascia members are usually provided which are secured to the end of the roof rafters and which extend along respective adjacent sides of the building, the fascia members meeting at the building corner. The fascia members usually extend from the building comer at right angles to each other but may be at different angles to each other if the adjacent sides of the building are not at right angles.

In a hip roof having metal roofing sheets as the roof cladding, the sheets in the adjacent sloping side and end roof sections of the roof on opposite side of a roof ridge or hip have angled edges extending along the hip or ridge. The gap between the edges is covered by an elongated ridge cap which has a pair of opposite side flanges which overlie the roof sheets on opposite sides of the hip or ridge. The ridge cap often has a central section between the opposite side flanges which is of a curved or domed configuration in cross section. Thus at the corner of the building where the ridge cap terminates, the curved or domed central section of the ridge cap defines a gap or opening which can allow the entry of embers, birds, possums and vennin into the roof space of the building.

To overcome this problem, the end of the ridge cap is usually rolled or bent over in an attempt to close the gap or opening defined by the central section of the ridge cap and this often requires the ridge cap to be cut at multiple positions into a series of flaps which are then bent over. This as well as being difficult and time consumrning is only partly effective as an entry point still remains for vennin, animals or the like into the channel defined by the central section of the ridge cap from the underside of the ridge cap. Furthennore, this does not provide a neat finish to the end of the ridge cap.

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oO 3 A similar problem arises where the roof cladding is not metal roofing sheets such as where the roof cladding comprises tiles, for example concrete or terracotta tiles. In this case, the ridge cap is formed by a series of aligned ridge cap tiles extending along the hip of the roof, the ridge cap tiles nornnally comprising obtusely angled side flanges.

The ends of the ridge cap tiles at a corner of a building are usually attempted to be sealed with mortar or the like which is no always effective. Thus a gap often remains which allows the entry of vennin or other animals such as birds and also the entry of embers into the passage beneath the ridge cap tiles and into the building.

Summary of the Invention The present invention aims to overcome or at least alleviate the above disadvantages by providing a method of sealing or substantially closing the end of a hip roof adjacent a corner thereof and in particular to a method of sealing or substantially closing the end gap or opening defined by the ridge cap of the roof The present invention also aims to provide a gap sealing device for sealing or substantially sealing or closing the gap or opening in the ridge cap of a hip roof adjacent a corner thereof. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

The present invention thus provides in a first preferred aspect, a method of sealing or substantially closing the end of a hip roof of a building adjacent a corner thereof, said hip roof including a ridge cap extending along the hip of said roof and overlying roof cladding on opposite sides of said hip, and fascia members extending to opposite sides of said corner, said method including the steps of securing a sealing device to said respective fascia members, said sealing device having a portion adapted to cooperate with at least portion of the underside of or end of said ridge cap whereby to substantially seal or close entry into said building beneath said ridge cap.

The ridge cap may comprise an elongated ridge cap member such as in the case where the roof cladding comprises roofing sheets for example corrugated metal roofing sheets. Alternatively, the ridge cap may be defined by a plurality of ridge tiles laid along the roof hip.

Preferably the sealing device includes a pair of opposite side flanges and the method includes the step of securing the side flanges to the respective fascia members.

Where the roof cladding comprises roofing sheets, and to enable the gap sealing device to be positioned relative to the ridge cap, slits or slots suitably are fonned in the 00

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4 roofing sheets which extend over the fascia members, the slits suitably lying parallel to the outer faces of the respective fascia member such that the respective flanges of the gap sealing device may project at least partially through the slits for cooperation with the ridge cap.

Where the ridge cap comprises a plurality of ridge tiles, the sealing device is secured to the fascia members such that the portion thereof cooperates with the underside of or end of the lowenrmost ridge tile.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a gap sealing device for use with a hip roof of a building adjacent a corner thereof, said hip roof including a ridge cap extending along the hip of said roof and overlying roof cladding on opposite sides of said hip, and fascia members extending to opposite sides of said corner, said gap sealing device including first and second parts adapted to be secured to the respective said fascia members at said corner, said sealing device having a portion adapted to cooperate in use with at least portion of the underside of or end of said ridge cap to thereby substantially close or seal entry into said building beneath said ridge cap.

Preferably the first and second parts of the gap sealing device comprise side flanges which are adapted to be juxtaposed with and be secured to the respective fascia members, the flanges being angled to each other to lie along the respective fascia members. The flanges may have one or more apertures to accept one or more fasteners to secure the flanges and thus the device to the fascia members. Alternatively the flanges may be secured by adhesives to the fascia members.

The sealing device in one aspect may have an upper profile defined by the portion of the sealing device which cooperates in use with the ridge cap. The upper profile is suitably defined by upper edges of the flanges of the sealing device. At least adjacent inner portions of the upper edges of the flanges are adapted to mate or substantially mate with the underside of at least portion of the ridge cap.

The sealing device may also include means for securing the device to a hip rafter of the roof. The securing means may for this purpose comprise a rearwardly extending flange or other member adapted to be fixed to the hip rafter by cleats. Tek screws or other fasteners. The rearwardly extending flange or other member is suitably located between the side flanges of the sealing device. The rearwardly extending flange may be fixed to the rear of the side flanges or formed integrally therewith.

Flap or lip-like flanges may be provided at the upper edges of the respective side

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O flanges to lie in use against the underside of the ridge cap. Fasteners for example rivets or Tek screws may be provided to secure the central section of the ridge cap to the respective flap or lip-like flanges. Alternatively a sealant or adhesive may be provided 0between the flap-like flanges and the underside of the ridge cap.

In another embodiment where the roof cladding comprises roof tiles and where the ridge cap is defined by a plurality of ridge tiles, the sealing device includes end flanges adapted to cooperate with an end of a lowermost ridge tile. Preferably the end flanges are arranged symmetrically relative to the corner of the building and angled to each other and the end of the lowermost ridge tile has correspondingly angled end faces adapted to mate with the end flanges respectively. A sealant such as a silicon sealant may be provided between the end faces and end flanges. Preferably the angled end flanges extend upwardly from a base flange which is adapted to extend outwardly from the corner of the building. The base flange is suitably fixed to the side flanges of the sealing device.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a hip roof of a building including a ridge cap extending along the hip of said roof and overlying roof cladding on opposite sides of said hip and terminating at a corner of said building, and fascia members extending to opposite sides of said corner, and a gap sealing device for sealing or substantially closing an opening into said building beneath said ridge cap, said gap sealing device including first and second parts secured to the respective said fascia members at or adjacent said corner, said sealing device having a portion cooperating with at least a portion of the underside of or end of said ridge cap to at least substantially close said opening.

The portion of the sealing device may comprise an upper edge portion with a profile substantially complementary to at least portion of the underside of the ridge cap.

Preferably the roof cladding where comprised of roof sheeting is slit or slotted on opposite sides of the corner and the respective parts of the gap sealing device project through the slits so that at least the upper edge portion of the device is located above the roof cladding to cooperate with the ridge cap. Preferably the parts of the sealing device comprise flanges and the roof sheeting is slit or slotted in alignment with the outer faces of the fascia members.

Where the roof cladding comprise roof tiles and the ridge hip comprises a plurality of ridge tiles, the sealing device may include means for securing the device to 6 the hip roof rafter. The sealing device in this application cooperates with the underside Cl of a lowermost ridge tile or an end face ofa lowermnost ridge tile.

00 Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a 'q preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein Fig. 1 illustrates part of the corner of a conventional building having a hip roof and showing a typical ridge cap overlying roof sheets on opposite sides of the ridge cap; Fig. 2 illustrates a sealing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in different perspective views; Figs. 3 and 4 are a side and end view respectively of the sealing device of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the sealing device of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a view fromn the top of portion of a hip roof adjacent a corner thereof with the ridge cap removed and prepared for use with the sealing device of Figs. 2 to Fig. 7 illustrates the sealing device installed prior to application of the ridge cap; Fig. 8 illustrates the sealing device installed in the roof and prior to gutter installation; Fig. 9 illustrates a sealing device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention in different perspective views and adapted for use with a tiled roof, Figs. 10 is an outer side view of the sealing device of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a plan view of the sealing device of Fig. 9; Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the sealing device along line A-A of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 illustrates the sealing device of Figs. 9 to 12 installed prior to gutter installation; Fig. 14 and 15 are perspective views from above and below of a further sealing device according to the invention; Fig. 16 is a view from above of the sealing device of Figs. 14 and 15 showing its manner of installation on a tile roof; and Figs. 17 and 18 are views fromrn above and below of the sealing device of Figs. 14 and 15 installed on the tile roof.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings and firstly to Fig. 1, there is illustrated portion of a 7 conventional hip roof 10 of a building at a corner 11 thereof comprising corrugated metal roof sheets or cladding 12 and 13 on opposite sides of the roof hip 14 and a ridge cap 15 which extends along the hip 14, the ridge cap 15 having opposite flanges 16 and 00 17 which overlie the respective roof sheeting 12 and 13 and a central roll top section 18 of a domed configuration between the flanges 16 and 17 and formed integrally therewith.

Fascia members 19 and 20 are provided as conventional at the end of the roof rafters and Sextend along opposite sides of the building from the comer 11.

It will be apparent that at the comrner 11 the central section 18 of the ridge cap defines a gap 21 leading into a channel on the underside of the ridge cap 15 which provides an entry point for animals such as birds or possums and vermin into the roof space of the building. This also provides an entry point for burning embers in the case of a bushfire and therefore substantially increases the risk of the building being destroyed or damaged by fire. Whilst the outer end of the ridge cap 15 including the domed section 18 is usually bent over as illustrated in dotted outline in an attempt to block the gap 21 defining an entry point into the building, the channel of the central section 18 on the underside of the ridge cap 15 still remains open to the entry of animals or embers.

In accordance with the present invention, a gap sealing device 22, an embodiment of which is illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5, is used to close or substantially close the gap 21. The device 22 comprises a pair of planar flanges 23 which are a mirror image of each other and which in the embodiment illustrated extend at right angles to each other from a corner 24 where they are interconnected but may be angled other than at right angles depending upon the configuration of the building comer to which the device 22 is to be applied. Each flange 23 has an upper edge 25 comprising an inner portion 26 adjacent the corner 24 which is shaped to mnate with the underside of the central section 18 of the ridge cap 15, the inner portion 26 being stepped in a curved manner upwardly fromrn an outer edge portion 27 of a flange 23. The flanges 23 have one or more fixing apertures 28 through which fasteners may be driven to secure the device to fascia members 19 and 20 on opposite sides of the building comrner I 1.

Extending from the upper edge portion 26 of each flange 23 and adjacent the comer 24 of the sealing device are integrally formed flange-like flaps 29, the flaps 29 in this embodiment being directed outwardly of the corner 24 relative to the direction of the flanges 23.

The flanges 23 have along an outer edge graduation marks 30 positioned to 8 correspond to roofs of different pitches, in this case 18", 20", 22", 240 and 26 A graduation mark 30 is adapted to be aligned with the top edge of a fascia member 19 or to locate the sealing device 22 on the fascia members 19 and 20 at the correct position 00 in accordance with the pitch of the roof.

For installation and as shown in Fig. 6, the metal roofing sheets 12 and 13 of a hip roof are shown at the corner 11 of a building and on opposite sides of the hip 14 of a building with the fascia members 19 and 20 extending from the corner 11 along opposite Ssides of the building. Adjacent edges 31 and 32 of the roofing sheets 12 and 13 which extend along the hip 14 are spaced apart with the gap 33 therebetween being covered by 1 0 a ridge cap as described further below.

To prepare the roof sheets 12 and 13 for use with the sealing device 22, the respective sheets 12 and 13 are slit as at 34 and 35 for example by cutting with a hacksaw from the respective edges 31 and 32 along lines aligned with the outer faces of the respective fascia members 19 and The sealing device 22 is then installed as shown in Fig. 7 with respective flanges 23 extending through the respective slits 34 and 35 and lying against the faces of the respective fascia members 19 and 20. The sealing device 22 is then height positioned by aligning one of the graduation marks 30 (depending upon the roof pitch) in alignment with the upper edges of the fascia members 19 and 20. In this position, the inner edge portions 26 project above the roof sheets 12 and 13. When correctly positioned, fasteners such as screws or clouts 36 are driven through the apertures 28 in the respective flanges 23 into the respective fascia members 19 and 20 to secure the device 22 in position.

The ridge cap 15 is now ready to install however to ensure proper sealing to the inner edge portions 26 of the edge 24 of the device 22, a sealant such as a silicon sealant is applied to the edge portions 26. The ridge cap 15 is now installed as shown in Fig. 8 with the inner portions 26 of the edge 25 of the device 22 mating or substantially mating with the underside of the central section 18 of the ridge cap 15 with an effective seal being maintained by the sealant between the inner edge portions 26 and the channel in the ridge cap 15 defined by the underside of the central section 18. Part of the outer edge portions 27 projecting above the roof sheeting 12 and 13 may also mate with the ridge cap 15 on opposite sides of the central section 18.

The flaps 29 also are juxtaposed with the undersurface of the central section 18 I I 9 of the ridge cap 15 and to secure the ridge cap 15 positively to the sealing device 22, fasteners such as rivets or Tek screws 37 may be passed through the central ridge cap section 18 into the flaps 29.

00 It will be noted in Fig. 8 that the sealing device 22 closes off the gap 21 defined by the central section 18 of the ridge cap 15. Thus animals or vennin will be blocked from entering the building through the channel in the ridge cap 15. In addition, burning Cl embers will not be able to enter the building in this region.

CIn the embodiment illustrated and described, the fascia members 19 and 20 are formed of timber. The fascia members 19 and 20 however may be metallic fascia members such as aluminium fascia members in which case the sealing device 22 may be secured in position by rivets or Tek screws through the apertures 28.

The embodiment of gap sealing device 22 described above is designed for use with a ridge cap 15 having a central roll top section 18 and conventional corrugated roof sheeting 12 and 13. The design of the device 22 however may be varied to suit different roof profiles and ridge cap profiles. Thus if the central section 18 of the ridge cap 15 is of a peaked configuration, the top edge portions 26 may be correspondingly varied in design to mate with the underside of the peak when the device 22 is installed.

Whilst the flanges 23 of the gap sealing device 22 are shown in the embodiment to extend at right angles to each other, it will be appreciate that the flanges 23 may extend at greater or less than ninety degrees to each other depending upon the angle between the fascia members 19 and Referring now to Figs. 9 to 12, there is illustrated a gap sealing device according to a further embodiment of the invention adapted for use with a tile roof. The device 40 comprises a pair of planar flanges 41 which are a mirror imrnage of each other and which in the embodiment illustrated extend at right angles to each other from a comer 42 where they are interconnected but may be angled other that at right angles depending upon the configuration of the building corner to which the device 40 is to be applied. Each flange 41 has an inclined linear upper edge 43 with the edges 43 meeting at an apex 44 and being shaped to mate with the underside of the opposite flanges of a ridge tile. The flanges 41 have one or more fixing apertures 45 through which fasteners may be driven to secure the device 40 to fascia members on opposite sides of a building comer.

Extending from the upper edges 43 of each flange 41 are integrally formed I0 flange-like flaps 46, the flaps 46 in this embodiment being directed outwardly of the flanges 41. A further mounting flange 47 is located centrally on the inside of the flanges 41 and spans the inner side of the corner 42, the flange 47 extending in an upward 00 inclination from the comer 42. The flange 47 is fixed at its inner end to, or formed integrally with, the respective flanges 41 on opposite sides of the corner 42 along edges 48 and tapers in width outwardly from the corner 42. The mounting flange 47 is adapted to be secured to a hip rafter and for this purpose includes centrally located apertures 49 through which fasteners such as cleats or Tek screws may be driven into the hip rafter.

The angle of inclination of the mounting flange 47 may be varied to suit the pitch of the roof to which the device 40 is to be mounted.

The flanges 41 have along an outer edge graduation marks 50 positioned to correspond to roofs of different pitches, in this case 18", 20", 22", 24" and 26". A graduation mark 50 is adapted to be aligned with the top edge of a fascia member to locate the sealing device 40 on the fascia members at the correct position in accordance with the pitch of the roof.

As shown in Fig. 13, the sealing device 40 is designed for use with a hip roof 51 having a hip rafter 52 extending along the hip and roofing tiles 53 on opposite sides of the hip rafter 52. The inner edges 54 of the tiles 53 are cut at an angle to lie generally parallel to the hip rafter 52 and the tiles 53 are overlain by a series of ridge tiles 55 (the outermost or lowermost one of which is shown in dotted outline) to cover the gap between the inner edges 54 of the tiles 53 and seal the roof 51 along the hip rafter 52.

Fascia members 56 and 57 extend from the corner 58 of the building having the roof 51 along opposite sides of the building.

The sealing device 40 is installed prior to application of the ridge tiles 55 with respective flanges 41 lying against the faces of the respective fascia members 56 and 57.

The sealing device 42 is then height positioned by aligning one of the graduation marks (depending upon the roof pitch) with the upper edges of the fascia members 56 and 57. When correctly positioned, fasteners such as screws or clouts 59 are driven through the apertures 45 in the respective flanges 41 into the respective fascia members 56 and 57 to secure the device 40 in position. In addition, the mounting flange 47 (shown in dotted outline) is secured to the hip rafter 52 by screws or clouts The ridge tiles 55 are now ready to install however to ensure proper sealing of the sealing device 40 to the outermost tile 55, a sealant such as a silicon sealant is 00 oO

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applied to the edge 43 and/or flaps 46. The ridge tiles 55 are now installed with the upper edges 43 and flaps 46 mating or substantially mating with the underside of the outennost ridge tile The sealing device 40 closes off the gap on the underside of the ridge tile 55 and thus animals or vermin will be blocked from entering the building through the channel in the underside of the ridge tile 55. In addition, burning embers will not be able to enter the building in this region.

As in the embodiment of Figs. 6 to 8, the fascia members 56 and 57 are fonned of timber. The fascia members 56 and 57 however may be metallic fascia members such as aluminium fascia members in which case the sealing device 40 may be secured in position by rivets or Tck screws through the apertures 45. The hip rafter 52 may also be timber or metal.

After installation of the sealing devices 22 or 40 as described above, a gutter may be secured in conventional manner to the fascia members 19 and 20, or 56 and 57 with the flanges 23 or 41 of the sealing devices 22 or 40 sandwiched between the rear flange of the gutter and the fascia members 19 and 20, or 56 and 57.

In an alternative manner of installation, the device 22 or 40 may be fitted on the inside of the gutter however it is preferred that it be fitted externally of a gutter so that it does not interfere with efficient operation of the gutter for examnple by collecting twigs or the like which may impede water flow to the spouting.

It will be appreciated that the upper edges 43 of the flanges 41 may be at different angles to match the underside of a ridge tile 55. The edges 43 may be other than linear edges to match the ridge tile 55 with which the sealing device 40 is to be used. Thus it may be curved or serpentine fornn. Furthermnore, the flap-like flanges 46 may not be necessary in all embodiments.

Referring now to Figs. 14 and 15, there is illustrated an alternative sealing device according to the invention again for use with tile roofs, the device 60 comprising a mounting part 61 and a sealing part 62 connected to the mounting part 61. The mounting part 61 however may be formed integrally with the sealing part 62. The mounting part 61 includes a generally rectangular planar panel 63 and a pair of downwardly depending attachment flanges 64 extending along adjacent side edges of the panel, the flanges 64 extending substantially at right angles to each other.

The sealing part 62 includes a base flange 65 extending along the diagonal of the 12 panel 63 between the flanges 64 and secured to the top member 63 by rivets 66 or other fasteners. The base flange 65 extends outwardly of the comer of the panel 63 between the flanges 64 and terminates in a pair of upwardly extending flanges 68 which join each 00 other at a central corner 69 and which are angled to each other to extend from the corner 69 in the direction of the respective flanges 64 of the mounting part 61. A water drainage hole 70 is provided in the base flange 65 adjacent the corner 69.

The device 60 is designed for use with a hip roof 51 of a building shown in Figs.

16 and 17 which is similar to the roof of Fig. 13 with tiles 53 supported by the hip rafter 52 along the hip of the roof overlain by a series of ridge tiles 66 with the lowermost tiles 53 on opposite sides of the ridge overlying the fascia members 56 and 57 which extend from the corner 58 of the building. The lowermost ridge tile 66' shown separate from the roof 5 1 in Fig. 16 is cut back at its free end to define end faces or edges 71 and 72 angled to each at an angle similar to the angle between the flanges 68.

The device 60 is positioned such that the respective flanges 64 extend along and are in face to face contact with the respective fascia members 56 and 57 as shown more clearly in Fig. 18 and are secured thereto by cleats 73 driven through the flanges 64 into the respective fascia members 56 and 57. The top panel 63 seats on the upper edges of the fascia members 56 and 57 to be supported thereby and by the hip rafter 52. The top panel 63 may be secured to the fascia members 56 and 57 and/or hip rafter 52 by suitably fasteners. In the installed position, the base flange 65 extends outwardly of the junction between the fascia members 56 and 57 and the comer 69 between the flanges 68 is substantially aligned with the hip rafter 52 The device 60 is installed prior to mounting of gutters to the fascia members 56 and 57 and also prior to the installation of the lowermost ridge tile 66'. After installation of the device 60, the lowermost ridge tile 66' is installed so as to be overlapped by the adjacent ridge tile 66 and such that the end edges or faces 71 and 72 thereof mate with and abut the respective flanges 68. The flanges 68 act as a stop to prevent the tile 66' slipping outwardly of the ridge. A sealant such as a silicon sealant may be applied between the edges or faces 71 and 72 and flanges 68 to seal the ridge tile 66' to the flanges 68. Any water passing between the tile 66' and device 60 however will be drained through the drain hole It will be appreciated that the flanges 68 close off the end of the lowennost ridge tile 66' and other openings or gaps between the tiles 51 and 66 and device 60 may be 13 sealed with a suitable sealant. Thus openings into the roof cavity of the building will be blocked to prevent entry of vermin, burning embers etc.

The sealing devices 22, 40 and 60 are most preferably constructed of sheet metal 00 such as Colourbond (RTM). The sealing devices 22, 40 and 60 however may also be constructed of plastics for use for example in regions where bush fires are unlikely to be encountered.

Cl N- Whilst the gap sealing device has been described for use with a metal and tile roof, it may be used with roofs having roof cladding of other materials.

The termnns "comprising" or "comprises" as used throughout the specification and claims are taken to specify the presence of the stated features, integers and components referred to but not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature/s, integer/s, component/s or group thereof.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the invention, all such variations and modifications thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. A method of sealing or substantially closing the end of a hip roof of a building adjacent a comer thereof, said hip roof including a ridge cap extending along the hip of said roof and overlying roof cladding on opposite sides of said hip, and fascia members extending to opposite sides of said comer, said mrnethod including the steps of securing a Csealing device to said respective fascia members, said sealing device having a portion C adapted to cooperate with at least portion of the underside of or end of said ridge cap C whereby to substantially seal or close entry into said building beneath said ridge cap.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said roof cladding comprises roofing sheets and wherein in said ridge cap comprises an elongated ridge cap member.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sealing device includes a pair of opposite side flanges, and wherein the method includes the step of securing said side flanges to the respective fascia members.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 and including the step of fonning slits or slots in said roofing sheets adjacent said fascia members, said slits or slots lying substantially parallel to the outer faces of the respective fascia member such that the respective flanges of the gap sealing device project at least partially through the slits for cooperation with the ridge cap A method as claimed in claim I wherein said ridge cap comprises a plurality of ridge tiles and wherein said sealing device is secured to said fascia members such that said portion thereof cooperates with the underside of or end of the lowermost ridge tile.

6. A gap sealing device for use with a hip roof of a building adjacent a comer thereof, said hip roof including a ridge cap extending along the hip of said roof and overlying roof cladding on opposite sides of said hip, and fascia members extending to opposite sides of said comer, said gap scaling device including first and second parts adapted to be secured to the respective said fascia members at said corner, said sealing device having a portion adapted to cooperate with at least portion of the underside of or end of said ridge cap to thereby substantially close or seal entry into said building beneath said ridge cap. 00 7. A gap sealing device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said first and second parts of the gap sealing device comprise opposite side flanges which are adapted to be juxtaposed with and secured to the respective fascia members.

8. A gap sealing device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said flanges have one or more apertures to accept one or more fasteners to secure the flanges and thus the device to the fascia members.

9. A gap sealing device as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said sealing device has an upper profile defined by upper edges of the flanges of the sealing device, said upper profile having a portion adapted to mate with the underside of at least portion of said ridge cap. A gap sealing device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said roof cladding comprises roof sheets and wherein said side flanges are adapted to extend through slots in said roof sheets for cooperation with said ridge cap.

11. A gap sealing device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said side flanges are provided with flaps adapted to be secured or sealed to said ridge cap.

12. A gap sealing device as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said roof cladding comprises roof tiles and wherein said ridge cap is defined by a plurality of ridge tiles, and wherein said side flanges have upper edges adapted to cooperate with the underside of a lowermost ridge tile.

13. A gap sealing device as claimed in claim 12 wherein said upper edges are provided with flaps adapted to lie in use against the underside of said lowermost ridge tile.

14. A gap sealing device as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13 wherein said sealing 16 device includes a rearwardly extending flange or member adapted to be fixed to the hip rafter of said roof. 00 15. A gap sealing device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said rearwardly extending flange or other member is located between the side flanges of the sealing device.

16. A gap sealing device as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said roof cladding comprises roof tiles and wherein said ridge cap is defined by a plurality of ridge tiles, C"l and wherein said sealing device includes end flanges adapted to cooperate with an end of a lowermost ridge tile C"l

17. A gap sealing device as claimed in claim 16 wherein said end flanges are angled symmetrically to each other relative to the corner of the building and said end of said lowermost ridge tile includes correspondingly angled end faces adapted to mate with said end flanges respectively.

18. A hip roof of a building including a ridge cap extending along the hip of said roof and overlying roof cladding on opposite sides of said hip and tenninating at a corner of said building, and fascia members extending to opposite sides of said corner, and a gap sealing device for sealing or substantially closing an opening into said building beneath said ridge cap, said gap sealing device including first and second parts secured to the respective said fascia members at or adjacent said corner, said sealing device having a portion cooperating with at least portion of the underside of or end of said ridge cap to at least substantially close said opening.

19. A hip roof of a building as claimed in claim 18 wherein said portion of said sealing device comprises an upper edge portion with a profile substantially complementary to at least portion of the underside of said ridge cap.

20. A hip roof as claimed in claim 19 wherein said roof cladding comprises roof sheeting, said roof sheeting being slit or slotted on opposite sides of said building comer and wherein the respective parts of the gap sealing device project through the slits so that at least the upper edge portion of the device is located above the roof cladding to t1' 17 cooperate with the ridge cap.

21. A hip roof as claimed in claim 20 wherein said parts of the sealing device 00 comprise flanges and wherein said roof sheeting is slit or slotted in alignment with the outer faces of the fascia members to receive said flanges. S22. A hip roof as claimed in claim 20 wherein said roof cladding comprises roof tiles Sand wherein said ridge cap comprises a plurality of ridge tiles and wherein said sealing device cooperates with the underside of a lowermost ridge tile.

23. A hip roof as claimed in claim 20 wherein said roof cladding comprise roof tiles and wherein said ridge hip comprises a plurality of ridge tiles and wherein said sealing device cooperates with an end face of a lowermost ridge tile.

24. A method of sealing or substantially closing the end of a hip roof of a building substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. I to 8, 9 to 13 or 14 to 18 of the accompanying drawings. A gap sealing device for the hip roof of a building substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. I to 8, 9 to 13 or 14 to 18 of the accompanying drawings.

26. A hip roof of a building provided with a gap sealing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8, 9 to 13 or 14 to 18 of the accompanying drawings. Dated this seventeenth day of May 2007 McKERRELL ASSOCIATES NOMINEES PTY LTD By Their Patent Attorney JOHN R G GARDNER JOHN R GGARDNER