Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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IMPROVED FASCIA ASSEMBLY
The present invention relates to a roofing structure for a building or the like
and more particularly relates to an improved fascia assembly and to means for
5 fixing the fascia assembly to the roofing structure.
A conventional roofing structure for a building includes a plurality of rafter
beams for supporting a roof covering such as tiles. A fascia board or panel is
typically positioned along the ends of the rafter beams and an eaves soffit panel
extends between the fascia board/panel and the exterior wall of the building. The
10 gutter is then attached to the exterior surface of the fascia board/panel so that
rainwater flowing from the roof covering can be directed to a stormwater drain. In
the case of a gable roof structure a barge board/panel is typically attached to an
outer rafter beam. The outer rafter beam usually extends beyond the gable wall
of the building and is typically attached to an end rafter beam via cantilever rafters
15 or so called out ridges.
Problems have been encountered with the fitting of prior art fascias such
as fascia panels of the kind disclosed in AU646940. The prior art panels
incorporate a plurality of mounting brackets which are secured individually to
respective rafter beams of a roofing structure. It can be a difficult and time
20 consuming exercise to secure the mounting brackets to individual rafter beamsuniformly and in a straight line. Typically a chalk line is used to mark positions of
the mounting brackets. However, this can be difficult to keep straight in practice
particularly when conditions are less than ideal, such as on a windy day. Non-
uniform fixing of the mounting brackets causes undulations in the fascia panel
25 which is attached to the mounting brackets. This is not only unacceptable from a
cosmetic point of view, but also creates hills and valleys in the gutter which is
attached to the fascia panel, giving rise to various problems including poor
drainage and premature deterioration of the gutter and/or fascia panel.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved assembly for
30 mounting a fascia to a building or to at least provide the public with a choice.
According to the present invention there is provided an improved assembly
for mounting a fascia to a structure such as a building or the like, said assembly
including:
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an elongate rail element for fixing to said structure, said rail element having
fastening means distributed along its length; and
a plurality of bracket elements, each bracket element having means for
cooperating with said fastening means to effect securement of said each bracket
5 element to said rail element and further having means for engaging said fascia.
The assembly may include an elongate fascia panel for mounting to said structurevia said engaging means.
Where the structure includes a gable roof, reference herein to a fascia
panel may include reference to a barge panel, and reference to rafter beams may
10 include reference to cantilever beams or out ridges.
The rail element may include a first substantially planar portion. The first
portion may extend substantially vertically when secured to a roof structure. The
rail element may include a second portion extending at an angle relative to saidfirst portion for supporting a roof covering such as tiles. The rail element may15 include a third portion extending at an angle relative to the second portion for
directing rainwater to a gutter associated with the roof structure. The second and
third portions may be substantially planar. In some embodiments the second and
third portions may be integrated. The second and third portions may be upwardly
convex or substantially convex for supporting the roof covering and for directing
20 rainwater to the gutter.
The rail element preferably is formed from galvanized metal strip. The rail
element may be roll formed or extruded on site in continuous lengths. However,
the rail element may also be formed from other suitable materials and may be
stamped or otherwise worked into a desired shape. The gauge of the rail element
25 may be chosen according to the application. The gauge of the rail element maybe relatively heavy where it is to be secured to a roof structure having relatively
wide spacings between rafter beams. In one form the rail element may be 1.4
mm gauge where the rafter beams are spaced on 600mm centres. Where the
rafter beams are spaced on 450mm or 900mm centres, the rail element may be
30 1.2mm or 1.6mm gauge respectively.
The rail element may be fixed to ends of rafter beams or it may be
mounted directly to the face of a solid surface such as a timber beam or brick
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wall. The rail element may be fixed in any suitable manner and by any suitable
fixing means such as by means such as nails, bolts, screws or the like. The railelement may include preformed openings therein for receiving the fixing means.
The openings may be preformed in groups or gangs. The groups or gangs of
openings may be spaced apart to facilitate fixing of the rail element to rafter
beams which are spaced on 450mm, 600mm or 900mm centres. In one form the
groups or gangs of openings may be spaced apart on 450mm centres to facilitate
fixing the rail element to rafter beams which are spaced on 450mm or 900mm
centres. In another form the groups or gangs of openings may be spaced apart
on 600mm centres to facilitate fixing the rail element to rafter beams which arespaced on 600mm centres. In a still further form, the above mentioned groups or
gangs of openings may be superimposed to facilitate fixing the rail element to
rafter beams which are spaced on 450mm, 600mm or 900mm respectively. In the
latter case it will be appreciated that the pattern of groups or gangs of openings
will repeat every 1800mm.
The groups or gangs of openings may be formed in the first portion of the
rail element in any suitable manner and by any suitable means such as by means
of drilling, punching or the like.
The bracket fastening means may be distributed along the length of the rail
element. Where the rail element is to be secured to the ends of rafter beams, the
fastening means may be provided along the first portion of the rail element. Thelocations of the fastening means along the length of the first portion may define
the positions of and distances between successive bracket elements which may
be secured to the rail element.
Each fastening means may include a fastening aperture or apertures for
receiving the cooperating means of a bracket element. The cooperating means
of the bracket element may include a key like formation or formations on the-
bracket element suitable for coupling with a respective fastening aperture or
apertures in the rail element. The coupling between the fastening and
cooperating means may conveniently be provided in the form of an 'insert and
turn' arrangement. The profile of the cooperating means may be such that it may
be inserted into and removed from a fastening aperture(s) only when it adopts a
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predetermined angular orientation relative to the fastening aperture(s), but cannot
be removed from the fastening aperture(s) after it is turned wherein it adopts adifferent angular orientation relative to the fastening aperture(s).
In one form each fastening aperture may include a keyhole formation. The
5 keyholes may be formed in the first portion of the rail element in any suitable
manner and by any suitable means such as by means of drilling, punching,
stamping or the like. The keyholes may be spaced on 850mm centres along the
first portion of the rail element. The keyholes preferably are spaced along the
length of the rail element intermediate the abovementioned groups or gangs of
1 0 openings.
In one form each keyhole formation may include a slot like portion
superimposed over a substantially circular portion. The slot like portion may belonger than the diameter of the circular portion. In another form each keyhole
may include a pair of diametrically opposed semi annular portions and a short slot
15 like portion attached to each semi annular portion. The semi annular portions may be formed about a common centre.
The cooperating means may be formed on each bracket element in any
suitable manner and by any suitable means. The cooperating means may be
formed separately from and attached to the bracket element or it may be formed
20 integrally with the bracket element. Where the fastening apertures includes
keyholes, the or each cooperating means may include a keylike formation for
mating with a respective keyhole such as by means an "insert and turn" coupling
or arrangement as described above. The keylike formation may include a stem
portion and a pair of blade portions projecting therefrom. The profile of the stem
25 portion may substantially match the circular portion of the keyhole formation. The
profile of the blade portions may substantially match the slot like portion of the
keyhole formation.
The blade portions may be interrupted adjacent the bracket element to
allow the bracket element and keylike formation to be turned or rotated after
30 insertion of the latter into a keyhole.
Where the fastening aperture includes a pair of semi annular portions with
attached short slot like portions, the cooperating means may include
corresponding pairs of key like formations.
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According to a still further form of the present invention each fastening
aperture may be elongate and may have a relatively long dimension and a
relatively short dimension such as substantially rectangular. The or each
cooperating means may include a correspondingly shaped projection such as
5 substantially rectangular prism and may have corresponding long and short
dimensions. The cross-sectional profile of the substantially rectangular prism
may substantially match the shape of the substantially rectangular fastening
aperture. The rectangular prism may include a region which is undercut in the
direction of its long dimensions inwardly towards its central axis. The extent of
10 the undercut region of each bracket element may be such so as to leave a
connecting part, the dimensions and strength of which should be at least
sufficient to collectively carry the weight of the fascia panel and/or gutter
assembly.
The undercut region and the previously mentioned interruption in the blade
15 portions may be located in a portion of the bracket element which abuts the rail
element. The depth of the undercut region or interruption in the blade portion
preferably is no greater than the thickness or gauge of the rail element. The depth
of the undercut region or interruption may be a little less than the thickness or
gauge of the rail element so as to promote a tighter fit between the fastening and
20 cooperating means. Tighter fit between the fastening and cooperating means
may also be provided by including one or more lugs projecting into the mentionedinterruption or the undercut region.
Where the rail element is to be mounted directly to the face of a solid
surface such as a brick wall or timber beam, an altemative means for fastening
25 the bracket elements may be provided. In one form the fastening means may be
provided by turning the longitudinal edges of the rail element away from the face
of the solid surface such that they at least partly overlie the first planar portion of
the rail element. The turned edges of the rail element may be formed in any
suitable manner and by any suitable means such as by means of roll forming,
30 continuous extrusion or the like. The upper edge of the rail element may be
substantially upwardly convex or substantially convex, as described on page 4
herein, for supporting the roof covering and for directing rainwater to the gutter.
The lower edge of the rail element may be similarly formed and may have a
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similar shape in cross section to the upper edge of the rail element or it may have
a different shape. In one form the rail element may be substantially C shaped incross section.
Where the means for fastening the bracket element is modified as
5 described in the preceding paragraph, the cooper,ating means formed on each
bracket element may be modified to facilitate securement of each bracket elementto the rail element. In one form the cooperating means may be shaped to key
between the turned edges of the rail element. The cooperating means may be a
key like formation not unlike that described in the first paragraph on page 6 herein
10 and wherein the long dimension of the rectangular prism is sufficient to fit snugly
between the turned edges of the rail element. Alternatively the cooperating
means may comprise the entire rear portion of the bracket which abuts the rail
element. Where the bracket element is in the shape of a 'H' or a 'U', the
cooperating means may comprise one leg of the 'H' or of the 'U'.
The means for engaging the fascia panel provided on each bracket
element may include one or more formations over which said fascia panel may
engage. The fascia panel may be retained by being located over the engaging
formations in a resiliently snap fitting fashion although alternative means of
retaining the fascia panel are within the scope of the present invention. For
example, the fascia panel may be retained by means of screws, rivets or a
bonding agent. In one form each bracket element may include upper and lower
engaging formations for engaging upper and lower ends or portions respectively
of the fascia panel. Each engaging formation may be in the form of a knob. One
knob formation may be directed generally upwardly for engaging an upper end or
portion of the fascia panel. The other knob formation may be directed generally
downwardly for engaging a lower end or portion of the fascia panel. Each knob
may include an outwardly convex portion and a base portion. The base portion
may be narrowed relative to the convex portion to provide a recess to assist
retaining the fascia panel.
The upper and lower engaging formations may be joined to each other and
to the cooperating means of the bracket element in any suitable manner and by
any suitable means. The two engaging formations may be joined to each other
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via a first web portion. The first web portion may be joined to the cooperating
means via a second web portion.
In one form each bracket element may be substantially in the shape of a
'H' with one leg of the H representing the first web portion and the horizontal link
5 between the legs of the 'H' representing the second web portion. The other leg of
the H represents a portion of the bracket element which abuts the rail element.
The cooperating means of the bracket element may be attached to or formed
integrally with the portion of the bracket element which abuts the rail element.In another form each bracket element may be substantially in the shape of
10 a 'U' with one leg of the U representing the first web portion and the bight of the U
representing the second web portion. As in the above example, the other leg of
the U may represent the portion of the bracket element which abuts the rail
element.
In the latter example the first web portion may be sufficiently spaced from
15 the rail abutting portion to receive or cradle a concealed gutter therebetween.
The gutter may be of conventional form and may rest directly on the second web
-portion. Alternatively the gutter may be positioned away from the second web
portion such as raised therefrom via a suitable riser element or elements. To
facilitate imparting a run off to the gutter, the position of the riser element(s) may
20 be adjustable vertically relative to the bracket element such as relative to the
second web portion.
An advantage of being able to adjust the position of the gutter such as its
height relative to the bracket elements is that the bracket elements and fascia
panel may be run substantially or truly horizontal with gutter run off being
25 adjustable substantially independent of the position and/or orientation of the
bracket elements and/or fascia panel.
Each bracket element may include means for locating a soffit panel. The
soffit panel locating means may include a recess for receiving the soffit panel. In
one form the soffit panel locating means may be adjacent the lower fascia panel
30 engaging formation or means. The soffit panel may locate directly into the
receiving recess or it may locate into the lower end or portion of the fascia panel,
which lower end or portion may in turn locate into the soffit panel receiving
recess.
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The bracket elements may be formed in any suitable manner and by any
suitable means. In one form each bracket element may be molded integrally in
any suitable material such as impact resistant ABS plastics, aluminum or the like.
In another form the bracket elements may be extruded continuously from any
5 suitable material such as plastics, aluminum, etc. and cut into individual bracket
slices as required. In one form the extruded material may be cut into bracket
slices approximately 15mm thick.
The fascia panel may include a major surface portion. The major surface
portion may extend substantially in a vertical plane when secured to a structure.
10 In some embodiments the major surface portion may be installed at an angle
relative to the vertical plane. This may be achieved by orienting the first web
portion of each bracket element at a desired angle relative to the vertical plane.
The major surface portion may be substantially planar. The major surface portionmay include decorative ribbing and/or other features or embellishments
15 embossed or otherwise formed therein. The ribbing and/or other features may
also act to enhance torsional rigidity of the fascia panel.
The abovementioned upper and lower ends or portions of the fascia panel
may be formed integrally with the major surface portion thereof or they may be
formed separately therefrom and attached thereto in any suitable manner and by
20 any suitable means. In one form the upper and lower ends or portions may be
formed by turning the longitudinal edges of the major surface portion so as to
conform to and substantially overlie the engaging formations of the bracket
elements. In another form the upper and lower ends or portions of the fascia
panel may be attached to the major surface portion via an interfitting bead and
25 recess or similar arrangement. The major portion may have a beaded end and
the upper/lower portion may have a corresponding recess for receiving the
beaded end or vice versa. The upper and lower ends or portions may include or
consist of outwardly convex portions.
The fascia panel may be formed from any suitable material and by any
30 suitable means. The fascia panel preferably is formed from a resilient material
and the engaging means of the bracket elements arranged so that the fascia
panel can be snap fitted into position over the engaging means. The fascia panelmay be roll formed or continuously extruded on site. The fascia panel may be
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formed from and finished with materials generally used for guttering such as
galvanized steel, colorbond aluminum, powder coated Zincalum, etc.
The major portion of the fascia panel may be formed from the same
material as the upper and lower ends or portions or it may be formed from a
5 different material. For example, the major portion may be formed from rolled steel
and the upper and lower portions may be formed from extruded aluminium.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:-
Fig. 1 shows one form of rail element according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 shows a further form of rail element according to the present
invention;
Flg. 3 shows the manner of attaching the rail element to a typical roofing
structure;
Fig. 4 shows one form of fascia and gutter assembly according to the
present invention;
Figs. 5, 5A and 5B show in cross section a further form of fascia and gutter
assembly according to the present invention;
Fig. 6 shows in cross section a further form of fascia and gutter assembly
according to the present invention; and
Fig. 7 shows in cross section one form of fascia assembly according to the
present invention.
Referring to Fig. 1, rail element 10 comprises roll formed galvanized metal
strip and includes a first portion 11, a second portion 12 extending at an anglerelative to first portion 11 and a third portion 13 extending at an angle relative to
second portion 12. The first and second portions and second and third portions
are interconnected via intermediate portions 14 and 15 respectively. However, insome embodiments intermediate portions 14 and 15 may be omitted. The height
A of first portion 11 is approximately 120mm. First portion 11 includes preformed
openings 16 as shown to facilitate fixing thereof to the ends 41 of rafter beams 42
(a representative of which is shown in Fig. 4) via nails 17 or screws. Openings 16
are grouped in gangs. The spacing B between gangs of openings 16 is 450mm
or 600mm to facilitate fixing of rail element 10 to rafter beams 42 which are
spaced on 450mm/9OOmm or 600mm centres respectively.
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First portion 11 includes fastening means in the form of keyholes 18 for
receiving cooperating formations on respective bracket elements. Each keyhole
18 includes a circular portion 19 and a slot portion 20. The spacing C between
fastening keyholes 18 is approximately 850mm.
Further apertures 21 are provided adjacent each keyhole 18 for locating
the bracket elements. Each bracket element includes projections or lugs which
locate into apertures 21 when they are correctly oriented with respect to rail
element 10.
The distance D associated with second portion 12 is approximately 20mm
for supporting the perimetric roof tiles or other coverings. Second and third
portions 12, 13 and intermediate portions 14, 15 are arranged and dimensioned
to direct rain water to a gutter (not shown) associated with the roof structure.Fig. 2 shows a rail element 22 suitable for fixing directly to the face of a
solid surface and includes a modified form of fastening means. Rail element 22
includes a first portion 23 and upper and lower fastening portions 24, 25.
Fastening portions 24, 25 are formed by turning the longitudinal edges of the rail
element on itself so that stop portions 26, 27 overlie first portion 23. Fastening
portions 24, 25 are adapted to receive cooperating formations on respective
bracket elements between stop portions 26, 27 and first portion 23. Fastening
portion 24 is substantially upwardly concave and additionally performs a function
similar to that described with reference to portions 12-15 in Fig.1 i.e., it directs
rain water to a gutter associated with the roof structure. Openings 28 perform afunction similar to that described with reference to openings 16 in Fig.1.
Fig. 3 shows rail elements 30, 31, 32 fixed to the side and gable of a
roofing structure. Side rail element 30 is fixed to the ends of rafter beams 33 and
gable rail elements 31, 32 are fixed to cantilever beams 34 via nails or the like. In
this embodiment each rail element 30-32 is of the kind shown in Fig.1.
Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a fascia and gutter assembly according
to the present invention. The assembly includes a rail element 40 fixed to end 41
of rafter beam 42 via nails 43. Rail element 40 includes a keyhole 44 which
secures bracket element 45 thereto. Keyhole 44 includes a circular portion and aslot portion not unlike circular portion 19 and slot portion 20 in Fig. 1. Bracket
element 45 comprises a 15mm thick slice cut from a length of extruded plastics or
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aluminium. Alternatively bracket element 45 may be injection molded. Bracket
element 45 is generally U-shaped in cross section and includes a rear leg portion
46, a front leg portion 47 and a connecting web portion 48. Rear leg portion 46
includes a key formation 49 integrally formed with rail abutting rear surface 46a
5 thereof. Bracket element 45 is secured to rail element 40 by rotating it to a
horizontal position wherein the free arms 49a, 49b of key formation 49 are
received into the slot portion of keyhole 44 in rail element 40. Bracket element 45
is then rotated 90 whereupon arms 49a, 49b move to the positions shown in Fig.
4.
A conventional gutter 50 is adapted to nest between leg portions 46, 47 of
bracket element 45. Gutter 50 rests on a riser element 51. Riser element 51
includes a bow shaped upper part 52 with horizontal arms 53, 54 each of which
engages in one of opposing holes 55, 56 formed in leg portions 46, 47
respectively. Riser element 51 includes a U-shaped lower part 57 with arm 58
15 which engages in one of holes 59 formed in web portion 48 of bracket element
45. The height of gutter 50 relative to bracket element 45 and rail element 40
may be adjusted by positioning riser element 51 in holes 55, 56, 59 as required.A fascia panel 60 is adapted to engage leg portion 47 of bracket element
45. Fascia panel 60 includes major surface portion 61 and upper and lower
20 portions 62, 63 respectively. Upper portion 62 is outwardly concave and includes
an inwardly turned lip portion 64. Leg portion 47 includes an outwardly convex
upper knob 47a with a shoulder 65. Upper portion 62 is formed from a resilient
material and fits over upper knob 47a such that lip portion 64 of upper portion 62
engages over shoulder 65 of knob 47a. Upper portion 62 is retained in place by
25 virtue of it resilience whereby upper portion 62 is distorted outwardly as lip portion
64 rides over shoulder 65 and then returns substantially to its undistorted state
over knob 47a.
Lower portion 63 of fascia panel 60 is adapted to engage over lower knob
47b of leg portion 47 is a similar manner. Lower knob 47b of leg portion 47
30 includes a recess 66 for performing a function similar to that described withreference to shoulder 65. In addition recess 66 is adapted to receive a soffit
panel (not shown) therein.
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Fig. 5 shows in cross section rail element 67 fixed to rafter beam 68. Also
shown in cross section is bracket element 69 secured to rail element 67. Bracketelement 69 comprises a 1 5mm thick slice cut from a length of extruded
aluminium. Bracket element 69 is generally U-shaped in cross section and
includes a rear leg portion 70, a front leg portion 71 and a connecting web portion
72. Rear leg portion 70 includes a pair of L-shaped formations 73, 73a integrally
formed with rail abutting rear surface 69a thereof. Bracket element 69 is secured
to rail element 67 by locating the free ends of L-shaped formations 73, 73a intoslot portion 74 associated with keyhole 75 in rail element 67 (refer Fig. 5A).
Bracket element 69 is then rotated 90 to a vertical position as shown in Fig. 5whereupon L-shaped formations 73, 73a engage rail element 67.
A conventional or substantially conventional gutter 76 nests between leg
portions 70, 71 of bracket element 69. Gutter 76 rests on a riser element 77.
Riser element 77 includes a bow shaped upper part 78 with arms 79, 80 each of
which engages in one of opposing slots 81, 82 formed in leg portions 70, 71
respectively. Riser element 77 includes a U-shaped lower part 83. The bight 84
of lower part 83 rests on a plate element 85 inserted into one of slots 86 formed in
web portion 72 of bracket element 69. The height of gutter 76 relative to bracket
element 68 and rail element 67 may be adjusted by locating riser element 77 in
slots 81, 82, 86 as required.
Also shown in cross section is fascia panel 87 engaged over leg portion 71
of bracket element 69. Fascia panel 87 includes major surface portion 88 and
upper and lower portions 89, 90 respectively. As shown more clearly in Fig. 5B
upper portion 89 is outwardly concave. Upper portion 89 includes an inwardly
turned lip portion 91. Leg portion 71 includes an outwardly convex top end 71a
with a shoulder 92. Upper portion 89 is formed from a resilient material and is
fitted over top end 71a such that lip portion 91 of upper portion 89 engages over
shoulder 92 of top end 71a. Upper portion 89 is retained in place by virtue of it
resilience whereby upper portion 89 is distorted outwardly as lip portion 91 rides
over shoulder 92 and then returns substantially to its undistorted state over top
end 71a.
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Major surface portion 88 of fascia panel 87 includes a beaded edge 93.
Beaded edge 93 is captured in a corresponding recess 93a formed in upper
portion 89.
Lower portion 90 of fascia panel 87 is retained over lower end 71b of leg
5 portion 71 is a similar manner and will not be described in detail. Lower end 71 b
of leg portion 71 includes a recess 94 for performing a function similar to thatdescribed with reference to shoulder 92. In addition recess 94 is adapted to
receive soffit panel 95 therein.
Lower portion 90 is joined to fascia panel 87 via a beaded edge and recess
10 similar to that described with reference to beaded edge 93 and recess 93a.
Fig. 6 shows in cross section rail element 96 fixed to the face of a timber
beam 97 via screws 98. Rail element 96 includes a major portion 99 and upper
and lower fastening portions 100, 101 respectively formed by turning the
longitudinal edges of rail element 96 on itself so that stop portions 102, 103
overlie major portion 99. Rear leg portion 104 of bracket element 105 is received
behind stop portions 102, 103 thereby effecting securement of bracket element
105 to rail element 96. A gutter 106 rests on web portion 107 between rear leg
portion 104 and front leg portion 108 of bracket element 105. Gutter 106 may be
raised above the upper level of web 107 by means of raiser element 109. Raiser
20 element 109 is shown received in respective ones of apertures 110, 111, 112
formed in rear leg 104, web 107 and front leg 108 respectively of bracket element
105. Adjustment of gutter height is achieved by repositioning raiser element 109into apertures 110-112 as appropriate. A perforated leaf strainer 113 is
supported on ridges 106a-106b formed on sidewalls of gutter 106.
Fascia panel 115 is engaged over front leg portion 108. Fascia panel 115
includes a major portion 116 formed integrally with upper and lower portions
116a, 116b. Major portion 116 includes a plurality of longitudinal ribs to improve
aesthetic appearance and enhance torsional rigidity thereof.
Bracket element 104 is injection molded from a high impact resistant
plastics material. Gutter 106, strainer 113 and fascia panel 115 are roll formedfrom aluminium. Riser element 108 is formed from galvanized wire by bending.
The shape of riser element 108 is similar to that of element 51 described with
reference to Fig. 4.
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Fig. 7 shows in cross section rail element 117 fixed to cantilever beam 118.
Also shown in cross section is bracket element 119 secured to rail element 117.
Bracket element 119 is formed and secured to rail element 117 in a manner
similar to that described with reference to bracket element 69 and rail element 67
5 inFig.5.
Bracket element 119 in Fig. 7 differs from bracket element 69 in Fig. 5 inter
alia in that the horizontal web portion 120 is shorter because it is not required to
cradle a concealed gutter. Fascia panel 121 differs from fascia panel 87 in Fig. 5
in that major portion 122 thereof is formed integrally with upper and lower portions
122a, 122b. A plurality of longitudinal ribs is formed in major portion 122 to
improve the aesthetic appearance and enhance torsional rigidity thereof.
A top piece 123 including a barge gutter 124 and top gable dry capping
125 are secured over upper portion 122a as shown. Barge gutter 124 rests on
gable batten 126. Top piece 123 provides a run off for water from peripheral
15 gable tile 127.
Bracket element 119 is molded from a high impact resistant plastics
material.
Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or
additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts
20 previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.
MJP ~'. " . ~ARIE`.Ot.F \FF2B~78 DOC
