GB2368354A

GB2368354A - Protective cover for end of rafter

Info

Publication number: GB2368354A
Application number: GB0023030A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ken Simpson
Original assignee: SBP Ltd; Newmond Building Products Ltd
Current assignee: SBP Ltd; Newmond Building Products Ltd
Priority date: 2000-09-20
Filing date: 2000-09-20
Publication date: 2002-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2020-09-20
Also published as: GB0023030D0; GB2368354B

Abstract

A cover for a rafter end comprises a main portion (1), of one or more pieces, including a base (3) and two sides (2, 2') which form a U shaped section, and an end portion (4). The main portion and end portion may be integral or separate and the end portion may be formed at an angle to the base. Preferably an inner surface of the main portion is ribbed (5, 5') and the main portion is provided with water drainage slots. The covers may further include an integral undercloaking board (Figure 6) or be provided with a channel( 29, 29', Figure 5), formed between first and second outwardly extending lips, on each side of the U section into which an undercloaking board may be received.

Description

COVER SYSTEM FOR RAFTERS

The present invention relates to a cover system designed for use with rafters, particularly exposed rafter end portions in open eaves roof constructions.

In roof constructions it is known to provide fascia boards and soffit boards around the exposed rafter end portions to create a box like appearance. However it is now becoming more popular to leave the roof construction as open eaves construction rather than covering it with soffit and fascia boards.

The exposed rafter ends are elongate with a generally rectangular section.

The upper surface of the rafter end is secured to the underside of the roof construction leaving two side faces, a bottom face and a front face exposed, beneath the roof construction and outside the exterior wall of the building.

The end portions of the rafters exposed to view in an open eaves construction are subject to weathering and must therefore be maintained by painting or similar treatments at regular intervals. Omission of the aforementioned treatments can result in the exposed rafter end portions rotting.

The present invention therefore aims to provide a solution to the above problems by providing a low maintenance and long lasting open eaves roof construction.

Accordingly the present invention provides a cover for an exposed rafter end portion of a roof construction comprising an elongate main portion for receipt of the rafter end, the main portion being made up of one or

more parts and having two side faces, a base portion and a generally U-shaped section, and an end portion attached to a front edge of the main portion.

The main portion and the end portion may be integral with each other forming a one-piece rafter end cover.

The end portion of the rafter end cover is preferably formed at an angle to the base portion of the main portion. The angle will depend on the elevation of the roof construction, which determines the angle of the front face of the rafter end to the bottom face of the rafter end. The one-piece rafter end cover is preferably manufactured in a variety of sizes and with a variety of angles between the end portion and the base portion of the main portion The one-piece rafter end cover is advantageous as it is made to fit a particular rafter end and can therefore be easily and quickly fitted on site.

Alternatively the main portion and the end portion may be separate components giving rise to a two piece rafter end cover. The main portion of the two-piece cover preferably has an open front edge to which the end portion can be attached. The open front edge is preferably cut by the installer to an angle dependent on the elevation of the roof construction.

The two piece construction of the cover of the present invention is advantageous as it can be used on a variety of roof constructions and rafter sizes. The elongate main portion can be cut to fit over the two side faces and the bottom face of the rafter end by adjustment of the depth and length of the elongate portion. The angle of the open front edge of the elongate portion can also be cut to match the angle of the front face of the

rafter end to the bottom face of the rafter end before the end portion of the cover is fitted. In the one-piece and the two-piece cover the main portion preferably has ribs on an inside surface of one or more of the two side faces and the base portion. The ribs preferably extend along the length of one or both of the side faces and/or base portion of the elongate main portion, most preferably at an angle, such as a right angle, to the side faces and/or base portion from which they extend.

The ribs space the rafter end cover from the exposed rafter end portion allowing the circulation of air around the rafter end portion. The ribs also allow any water entering the rafter end cover to drain away from the rafter. The base portion of the main portion may be provided with drainage slots for water to exit the rafter end cover. The improved drainage and air circulation help prevent rotting of the rafter.

The ribs can also be of sufficient length to create channels between the rafter and the rafter end cover along which cables can be passed, for example, for television, telephone and external lighting.

In the two-piece rafter end cover the main portion may be extruded, moulded or thermo-formed as a one-piece construction or alternatively the main portion may be made from three separate pieces. The three pieces preferably comprise two elongate side faces, each having a generally L-shaped section and an elongate, base portion. The side faces preferably each have a vertical face and a first horizontal face extending inwardly from the bottom of the vertical face. A second horizontal face is preferably provided above and parallel to the first horizontal face and is spaced apart therefrom, creating a channel between the first and second

horizontal faces. The second horizontal face is preferably longer than the first horizontal face. The three piece main portion is preferably formed by placing the elongate base portion in the channel between the first and second horizontal portions of the two side faces when the side faces are positioned facing each other with the horizontal portions facing inwards. The main portion can be secured in place by nails passing through the second horizontal face of the side faces into the rafter end. The nails are concealed from view by the base portion being received in the channel between the first and second horizontal portions.

The use of the three-piece construction allows the width of the rafter end cover to be varied, by the use of different width base portions, as well as the length, depth and angle of the front face.

In a further embodiment the main portion of the one-piece or two-piece rafter end cover may be provided with a first outwardly extending lip on an upper edge of each side face, a further outwardly extending lip may be provided below the first lip on each side face forming a channel between the lips. An undercloaking board may be received by the channel and may extend between two adjacent main portions to form a main portionundercloaking board system, which can extend along the underside of the roof construction to give a tidy finish to the roof construction. The first outwardly extending lip can be made longer than the second to provide a location for fixings to secure the main portion to the underside of the roof. These fixings are then conceded by the undercloaking board.

Alternatively an upper face of one side face of the main portion may be provided with an outwardly extending, integral undercloaking board. The undercloaking board preferably extends at right angles to the side face.

The undercloaking board preferably has a lip depending from its free edge. The lip of the undercloaking board preferably engages an upper edge of the opposite side face of an adjacent main portion to form a system of inter-engaging main portions and undercloaking boards. The result is a tidy roof construction that is easy to fit and maintain.

In the two-piece rafter end cover the end portion of the rafter end cover is preferably rectangular in shape with side portions extending rearwardly from the long sides and a bottom portion extending rearwardly from the bottom side. The end portion is preferably sized such that the side portions contact outer surfaces of the side faces of the main portion. The bottom portion is preferably at an angle of greater than 900 to a rear surface of the end portion to allow a space between the rafter and the end portion for drainage of any water out of the rafter cover.

The end portion is preferably provided with one or more wings extending rearwardly from the rear surface of the end portion, spaced apart from and parallel to the side portions. The channels between the side portions and the wings preferably receive portions of the open front edge of the main portion thus accurately locating the end portion on the main portion.

The portions of the rafter end cover may be made by extruding, moulding, vacuum forming or thermo-forming from a suitable plastics material, such as PVC, ABS or another plastics material suitable for external use.

The front face of the end portion of either type of rafter end cover may include a number of spaced apart markings to aid the fixing of a gutter to the end portion. The markings preferably form a graduated scale aiding the correct fall of the gutter to be achieved along its length.

The end portion of either type of rafter end cover may include a bracket for fixing a gutter thereto as an integral part. The rafter end cover can be provided with a decorative finish, for example a coloured or woodgrain finish. The decorative finish is provided by laminating a suitable plastics film material having the decorative finish applied thereto to the material to be used to make the rafter cover before the cover is formed. The cover is preferably formed using vacuum forming techniques.

A number of embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by means of example only, with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a main portion of a first embodiment of the rafter end cover of the present invention ; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the rear face of an end portion of the rafter end cover of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the rear face of the end portion of Figure 2 with ventilation/drainage slots therein; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the main portion of Figure 1 and the end portion of Figure 2 secured together to give a rafter end cover of a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a main portion of a second embodiment of the rafter end cover of the present invention; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a main portion of a third embodiment of the rafter end cover of the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a main portion of a fourth embodiment of the rafter end cover of the present invention ; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a main portion of any of the four embodiments revised to carry cables; and Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a one-piece rafter end cover according to the present invention.

The main portion 1 of the rafter end cover shown in figure 1 is generally U-shaped in section, having side faces 2,2'and a base portion 3. The main portion 1 is formed by extruding a plastics material such as PVC.

The main portion can be cut to fit the rafter, for example by decreasing its depth or length or by cutting the front edge 2a, 2a', 3a to give the required angle for the front edge relative to the angle of the roof.

When used on rafters on existing buildings the main portion usually extends from the front face of the rafter end as far as the exterior wall of the building. However, if the rafter end cover is fitted to the rafter before the rafter is used in roof construction, the rafter end cover can extend as far along the rafter as desired.

The main portion 1 is provided with ribs 5,5'extending inwardly at right angles to the side faces 2, 2' and ribs 6 extending upwardly at right angles to the base portion 3. The ribs 5, 5'and 6 extend from the front edges 2a, 2a'and 3a of the side faces 2,2'and base portion 3 respectively along the length of the main portion 1. The ribs 5,5'and 6 space the main portion 1 from the rafter to allow the circulation of air around the rafter and the escape of any water trapped between the rafter and the main portion 1.

The main portion 1 is sized such that it fits closely around the rafter with the ribs 5, 5'and 6 contacting the rafter and holding the main portion 1 in place. The main portion is secured to the rafter by screws or nails passing through the side 2, 2' or the base portion 3 into the rafter. The screws or nails are provided with heads designed to match the colour of the main portion.

The end portion 4 of the rafter end cover is shown in Figure 2. The end portion 4 has a rectangular front face 7 having side portions 8,8' extending rearwardly from the long sides at right angles to the front face 7. The rear of the front face 7 is also provided with six rearwardly extending wings 9; three parallel to each of the side portions 8,8'and slightly spaced apart therefrom. The wings 9 and the side portions 8,8' create channels 10,10'between them for receipt of the front edges 2a, 2a'of the side faces 2,2'of the main portion 1.

The end portion 4 also has a bottom side 11 extending rearwardly from the bottom side of the front face 7. The bottom side 11 extends from the rear of the front face 7 at an angle of greater than 900 thereto. There is therefore a space between the bottom side 11 and the rafter end allowing for the circulation of air and the drainage of any water. The bottom side 11 also includes drainage holes 13. The end portion is also made from PVC.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the end portion 4 of the rafter end cover shown in Figure 2 wherein like numbers indicate like parts. The end portion of Figure 3 is provided with slots 12 in the front face 7 which increase air circulation and drainage around the rafter.

Figure 4 shows the main portion 1 and the end portion 4 secured together to provide a rafter end cover. In use the main portion 1 is pushed onto the rafter from the bottom until it contacts the underside of the roof construction, the side portions 2,2'can be cut to the desired depth. The main portion 1 is then secured in position by screws or nails passing into the rafter. The front edges 2a, 2a'and 3a are cut to the same angle as that of the front face of the rafter to its base portion.

The end portion 4 is then located on the front edges 2a, 2a'of the main portion 1 by engagement of the front edges 2a, 2a'in the channels 10,10' formed by side portions 8,8'and wings 9. The end portion 4 can be secured to the rafter by the use of screws or nails. The ribs 5,5'and 6 and the angled bottom side 11 of the end portion 4 allow for air circulation and drainage of water.

The main portion can be modified as shown in Figure 5 where the main portion 21 has side faces 22,22'and a base portion 23. Ribs 25,25'and 26 are provided on the inside of side faces 22,22'and base portion 23 respectively. The top edges 22b, 22b'of the side faces 22,22'are provided with outwardly extending lips 27,27'that extend at right angles to the side faces 22,22'.

Further lips 28,28'are provided beneath lips 27,27'parallel thereto. The lips 27,27'and 28,28'are spaced apart from one another forming channels 29,29'for the receipt of an undercloaking board (not shown), which conceals and supports the roofing felt generally used in roof construction and provides a decorative finish to the roof construction. The lips 27,27'are provided with apertures 30 for the receipt of screws or nails (not shown) to hold the undercloaking board in place. The main portion 21 is used with the end portion 4 as described above.

A further embodiment of the main portion is shown in Figure 6. There are two main portions 31 each having side faces 32, 32'and base portion 33. Ribs (not shown) are provided on the inside of the side faces 32,32' and the base portion 33. The top edge 32b of the right hand side face 32 is provided with an integral undercloaking board 37 extending therefrom at right angles to the side face 32. The free edge 37a of the integral undercloaking board 37 is provided with a downwardly extending lip 38 which engages the top edge 32b'of the left hand side face 32'of an adjacent main portion 31 to form a main portion-undercloaking board system. The main portion 31 is used with the end portion 4 of Figure 2 or 3.

A further design of main portion is shown in Figure 7. The main portion 41 is made up of two side faces 42 and 44 and a base portion 43. The side faces 42 and 44 are generally L-shaped in cross section having a vertical portion 42c, 44c and a first horizontal portion 42d, 44d extending at right angles inwardly from the bottom edge of the vertical portions.

Further horizontal portions 45,46 are positioned above and parallel to the first horizontal portions 42d, 44d, spaced apart therefrom to give rise to channels 47,47'.

The base portion 43 is received within the channels 47,47'when the side faces 42,44 are positioned to face each other. The further horizontal portions 45,46 are provided with apertures for the receipt of nails securing main portion 41 to the rafter. The base portion 43 conceals the nails holding the main portion 41 in place. The main portion 41 is used with the end portion 4 as shown in Figure 2 or 3.

Figure 8 shows the way in which the ribs on the inside of the side faces and base portion of any of the main portions 1,21, 31 or 41 can be sized to create channels 50 along which cables 51 can be passed from inside the

roof along the rafter 52 to the outside of the roof. The cables can, for example, be lighting cables, telephone or television cables. Figure 9 shows a one-piece rafter end cover 61 comprising an integral main portion 62 and end portion 63. The main portion 62 has a generally U-shaped section and comprises side faces 64,64'and a base portion 65.

The end portion 63 is rectangular in shape and is formed integrally with the main portion 62 by moulding or thermo-forming.

The side faces 64,64'are provided with ribs 66, 66'on their inner surfaces extending at right angles thereto. The base portion 65 is provided with ribs 67 on its inner surface extending at right angles thereto.

Claims

1. A cover for an exposed rafter end portion of a roof construction comprising an elongate main portion for receipt of the rafter end, the main portion being made up of one or more parts and having two side faces, a base portion and a generally U-shaped section, and an end portion attached to a front edge of the main portion.

2. A cover according to Claim 1 wherein the main portion and the end portion are integral with each other forming a one-piece rafter end cover.

3. A cover according to Claim 2 wherein the end portion of the rafter end cover is formed at an angle to the base portion of the main portion of the rafter end cover.

4. A cover according to Claim 1 wherein the main portion and the end portion are separate components giving rise to a two piece rafter end cover.

5. A cover according to Claim 4 wherein the main portion component of the two-piece cover has an open front edge to which the end portion can be attached.

6. A cover according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the main portion is extruded, moulded or thermo-formed as a one-piece construction.

7. A cover according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the main portion is made from three separate pieces.

8. A cover according to Claim 7 wherein the three pieces comprise two elongate side faces, each having a generally L-shaped section and an elongate, base portion.

9. A cover according to Claim 8 wherein each L-shaped side face has a vertical faoekand a first horizontal face extending inwardly from the bottom of the vertical face.

10. A cover according to Claim 9 wherein a second horizontal face is provided above and parallel to the first horizontal face and is spaced apart therefrom, creating a channel between the first and second horizontal faces.

11. A cover according to Claim 10 wherein the second horizontal face is longer than the first horizontal face.

12. A cover according to Claim 10 or Claim 11 wherein the three piece main portion is formed by placing the elongate base portion on the channel between the first and second horizontal portions of the two side faces when the side faces are positioned facing each other with the horizontal portions facing inwards.

13. A cover according to any one of Claims 4 to 12 wherein the end portion of the rafter end cover is preferably rectangular in shape with side portions extending rearwardly from the long sides and a bottom portion extending rearwardly from the bottom side.

14. A cover according to Claim 13 wherein the end portion is sized such that the side portions contact outer surfaces of the side faces of the main portion.

15. A cover according to Claim 13 or Claim 14 wherein the bottom portion is at an angle of greater than 90 to a rear surface of the end portion.

16. A cover according to any one of Claims 13 to 15 wherein the end portion is provided with one or more wings extending rearwardly from the rear surface of the end portion, spaced apart from and parallel to the side portions.

17. A cover according to any preceding claim wherein the main portion has ribs on an inside surface of one or more of the two side faces and the base portion.

18. A cover according to Claim 17 wherein the ribs extend along the length of one or both of the side faces and/or base portion of the elongate main portion.

19. A cover according to any preceding claim wherein the base portion of the main portion is provided with drainage slots for water to exit the rafter end cover.

20. A cover according to any preceding claim further provided with a first outwardly extending lip on an upper edge of each side face.

21. A cover according to Claim 20 wherein a further outwardly extending lip is provided below the first lip on each side face forming a channel between the first and further lips.

22. A cover according to Claim 21 wherein an undercloaking board is received by the channel and extends between two adjacent main portions

of the rafter end cover to form a main portion-undercloaking board system.

23. A cover according to any one of Claims 1 to 19 wherein an upper face edge of one side face of the main portion may be provided with an outwardly extending, integral undercloaking board.

24. A cover according to Claim 23 wherein the undercloaking board extends at right angles to the side face.

25. A cover according to Claim 24 wherein the undercloaking board has a lip depending from its free edge.

26. A cover according to Claim 25 wherein the lip of the undercloaking board engages an upper edge of the opposite face of an adjacent main portion to form a system of inter-engaging main portions and undercloaking boards.

27. A cover according to any preceding claim wherein the front face of the end portion of the rafter end cover includes a number of spaced apart markings to aid the fixing of a gutter to the end portion.

28. A cover according to any preceding claim wherein the end portion includes a bracket for fixing a gutter thereto as an integral part.

29. A cover for an exposed rafter end portion of a roof construction substantially as described herein and with reference to the drawings.