Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02941076 2016-09-06
ROOF GROWTH INHIBITING METAL STRIP
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application relates to metal strips used to inhibit growths on roofs such
as
moss, algae, lichens, mold, mildew, etc. which have a tendency to occur on
roofs. These
growths are unsightly and also have a tendency to reduce the life of a roof.
This because water is retained by such growths delaying complete dry out of
the
roof after a rain, the resulting prolonged contact with moisture contributing
to wear out of
the roof covering.
It has long been known that strips of metals such as copper or zinc installed
on the
roof will deter such growths.
A metal strip (preferably of copper) shown and claimed in U.S. patent no.
9,103,124 is designed primarily for use on asphalt shingled roofs.
The roof growth problems are also encountered to an extent on tile roofs but
heretofore such metal strips have not been adapted for use on tile roofs,
since not being
able to be attached securely.
Another problem is encountered with asphalt shingles in which the heads of
nails
used to secure the strips on asphalt shingled roofs are sometimes exposed when
predrilled
holes are provided for such nails. This is because such predrilled holes will
line up with
slots occurring along said shingles.
That is, since the strips have predrilled holes for receiving nails, exposure
of the
nail heads sometimes will occur since the holes randomly align with one of
those slots
formed along the length of a shingle.
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It is an object of the present invention to provide such a metal strip which
is
configured for universal use, i.e., for asphalt shingle roofs or with tile or
slate roofs.
It is another object to provide such a metal strip with predrilled nails holes
for
installation on a shingled roof in which the possibility of an exposed nail
head is avoided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above recited objects and other objects which will be understood by one
skilled in the art are achieved by providing a series of tabs along the upper
side of the
strip, each tab formed by pairs of spaced apart slots.
The tabs are bent up or down when the strip is being used on a tile roof as by
use
of so called "duckbill" pliers, the tabs having a crease to be easily folded
straight along
the width.
The tabs can be bent partially or completely up or down or at any angle (such
as
at a 450 angle) or bent over past 900 in either direction to be oriented to be
engaged when
a tile is installed so as to effectively engage the undersurface of a ridge
tile to retain the
strip beneath the ridge tile.
That is, the bent up tabs are sure to engage the undersurface of tiles
installed
along the ridge line and thereby be retained beneath the tiles.
In addition, sets of three predrilled nail holes are provided to eliminate the
possibility of a nail head from being exposed by lining up with a shingle slot
when
installed using a predrilled nail hole.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Figure 1 is a pictorial view of a growth inhibiting metal strip installed on
pitched
roofs.
Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary pictorial view of a segment of the strip
shown
in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the segment of the strip shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 4 is an end view of the strip shown in Figures 1 through 3.
Figure 5 is an end view of the strip shown in Figure 4 showing varying bent
over
positions of a retention tab included in the roofing strip according to the
invention.
Figure 6 is a sectional view of a metal strip installed on a shingled roof
shown in
fragmentary form.
Figure 7 is a pictorial view of a shingled roof section with a corner of a
section of
a shingle pulled open to show an installed nail.
Figure 8 is a sectional view of the crest of a tiled roof with a strip
according to the
invention installed thereon.
Figure 9 is a sectional view of the crest of another type of tile roof with a
strip
according to the invention installed thereon.
Figure 9A is an enlarged sectional view of alternative engagement of a tab
tile
undersurface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following detailed description, certain specific terminology will be
employed for the sake of clarity and a particular embodiment described in
accordance
with the requirements of 35 USC 112, but it is to be understood that the same
is not
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intended to be limiting and should not be so construed inasmuch as the
invention is
capable of taking many forms and variations within the scope of the appended
claims.
Referring to the drawings and particularly Figures 1-4, the present invention
comprises elongated roofing strips of sheet metal 10, preferably constructed
of copper,
but alternatively able to constructed of other active metals such as zinc. As
described in
U.S. patent 9,103,124 incorporated herein by reference, such strips inhibit
growths on
roofs due to the release of ions into the rainwater running down the roof, the
presence of
such ions in the rainwater runoff inhibiting the development of growths such
as moss,
mildew, algae, mold lichens, etc.
The strip 10 may be about 36 inches long and for ease in handling and
installing
on a roof are made thick enough to be self supporting when stiffened by a
lengthwise
raised feature stiffening the strip 10.
In order to intensify the extent that such metallic ions are released into
rainwater
runoff, offset lengthwise aligned rows of elongated depressions 12 are formed
into the
metal, as described in U.S. patent 9,103,124. The depressions capture
rainwater therein
increasing the residence time that rainwater is held in contact with the
copper or other
metal strip surfaces, and thus creating more ions released into the rainwater
runoff.
The depressions 12 have slits 13 at the bottom allowing some of the captured
rainwater to percolate through the strips 10 which then seeps beneath the
strips 10 to
thereby be brought into contact with the underside thereof to further
intensify the release
of ions into the rainwater runoff. This is described in U.S. patent no.
9,103,124.
The raised lengthwise feature 14 also temporarily impounds the water to also
contribute to the release of ions by increasing the residence time of the
rainwater in
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contact with the metal as well as stiffens the strip 10 for ease in handling
when installing
the same.
According to the present invention, the strip 10 is widened somewhat over the
prior version such as to a width on the around 4'/2 inches, adding a half of
an inch or more
to the top side of the strip 10. This creates a nailing and tab flange 16
which has sets of
three predrilled holes 18 distributed along the length thereof for a purpose
to be described
hereinafter.
The uppermost section 20 of the strip 10 has a series of rectangular tabs 22
each
formed by spaced apart pairs of slots 24 connected by a crease 26 to make
easier
straighter bending of the tabs 22 up or down from the general plane of the
strip 10 and
either back up or down from the remaining portions of the strips 10 as seen in
Figure 5.
The tabs 22 are used when the strips 10 are installed on tile roofs to be
engaged
and secured thereto.
The strips 10 are designed to be used with any type of pitched roof, i.e. with
either
asphalt shingled roofs or with any of the various types of tile roofs.
Figure 6 shows a strip 10 installed on asphalt shingled roof in which asphalt
shingles 28 are lapped over each other in an upward projection in the well
known
manner.
Referring to Figure 7, the upper nailing flange 16 is nailed through the upper
part
of a shingle 28A which in turn is lapped over the next shingle 28B.
The nails 30 should be located so as to be covered by the lower part of the
shingle
28B. However, asphalt shingles a usually slotted which randomly forms
recurring slots
30.
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The strips 10 are formed with the sets of predrilled or punched holes 18 in
order
to be easier to install as the nails do not have to be forced through the
thickness of the
strips 10. However, it may sometimes happen that single nail holes 18A may be
aligned
with the slotted opening 30.
The provision of three holes 18A, 18B, 18C allows an installer to use another
of
the three holes 18B or C to locate the nail head so as to be covered by the
shingle 28B as
shown in Figure 7.
Figure 8 shows the use on the tabs 22 with a tile roof in which a course of
ridge
tiles 32 shaped as a partial circle overlay flat field tiles 34. In this case,
the tabs 22 may
be reversely bent back over the remaining portions of the strip 10. This
engages in inner
surface of the ridge tiles 32 to securely resist being pulled out. Suitable
caulk can also be
used beneath the strips 10 to further improve retention.
In a tile roof, the strips 10 are limited to a single course just below the
ridge as
shown.
Figure 9 shows installation of the strips with a tile roof in which a flat
angled
ridge tiles 36 overlie partially circularly shaped field tiles 38. Such field
tiles 38 leave
gaps which are often filled with mass of a suitable mortar 40.
In this case, the tabs 22 can be bent down into the mortar if wet as shown, to
create a very secure retention of the strips 10.
In the case where the mortar has set, the tabs 22 can be bent up at an angle
(Figure
9A) before the installation of the ridge tiles 36 as shown in broken lines in
Figure 9A.
The field tiles 36 are then installed over the strips 10, tending to bend down
the
tabs 22 to a flattened state. This accommodates varying sized gaps with the
undersurface
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of the ridge tiles 36 and insuring a tight frictional engagement between the
tabs 22 and
the undersurface of the ridge tiles 36.
Many other generally similar roof tile installations can have strips according
to
the invention bent at various angles to be sure of engaging with the tiles.
Accordingly, the strips 10 according to the invention can be installed for
most
shingled and tile roof installations.
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