U.S. patent application number 09/726254 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-30 for batten elements for securing tiles to a roof and method of making the battens.
Invention is credited to Goettl, George M., Koble, Danny L., Koble, Robert L. JR..
Application Number | 20020062621 09/726254 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24917818 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020062621 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goettl, George M. ; et
al. |
May 30, 2002 |
BATTEN ELEMENTS FOR SECURING TILES TO A ROOF AND METHOD OF MAKING
THE BATTENS
Abstract
Batten elements are made of plastic or metal, such as galvanized
steel, galvalume, or aluminum. Several alternate embodiments of
battens are shown, along with a schematic illustration of a punch
process for making the metal battens of the present invention. The
batten elements all include holes or tunnels for the drainage of
water through the batten elements. The alternate embodiments are
shown in cross section or end view.
Inventors: |
Goettl, George M.; (Paradise
Valley, AZ) ; Koble, Danny L.; (Phoenix, AZ) ;
Koble, Robert L. JR.; (Camp Verde, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
H. GORDON SHIELDS
7830 N. 23RD AVENUE
PHOENIX
AZ
85021
US
|
Family ID: |
24917818 |
Appl. No.: |
09/726254 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/846 ;
52/302.1; 52/478 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 12/004 20130101;
B21D 13/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/733.2 ;
52/302.1; 52/478 |
International
Class: |
E04C 003/30 |
Claims
What we claim is:
1. A batten article for securing tiles to a roof comprising in
combination: a first flange; a first arm extending upwardly from
the first flange at an obtuse angle; a second flange; a second arm
extending upwardly from the second flange at nearly a right angle
and to the first arm, the juncture of the first and second arms
defining a ridge; and means for draining water through the first
flange and first arm and through the second flange and second
arm.
2. The batten article of claim 1 in which the means for draining
water includes a first drain hole in the first flange and first arm
and a second drain hole in the second flange and second arm.
3. The batten article of claim 2 in which the first and second
drain holes are aligned with each other.
4. The batten article of claim 1 in which means for draining water
includes a first tunnel formed in the first flange and first arm
and a second tunnel formed in the second flange and second arm.
5. The batten article of claim 4 in which the first and second
tunnels are aligned with each other.
6. The batten article of claim 1 in which the ridge is generally
pointed.
7. The batten article of claim 1 in which the ridge is generally
flat.
8. The batten article of claim 1 in which the first flange includes
a ripple which defines a trough between the ripple and the first
arm for catching a nail.
9. The batten article of claim 1 in which the batten is made of
metal.
10. The batten article of claim 9 in which the metal has a stucco
finish.
11. The batten article of claim 1 in which the batten is made of
plastic.
12. A method of making a batten article for securing tiles to a
roof comprising in combination the steps of: providing a quantity
of metal; providing a press for sequentially punching drain holes
in the metal, and forming a generally inverted vee configuration
having a first arm and a second arm in the metal between the drain
holes; and cutting the metal at a predetermined location so as to
provide a first flange adjacent to the first arm.
13. The method of claim 12 in which the step of providing a
quantity of metal includes the step of providing a relatively
continuous quantity of metal so as to form a plurality of batten
articles sequentially, with a second flange of a second batten
provided by the cutting of the metal at the predetermined
location.
14. The method of claim 13 in which the step of providing a
relatively continuous quantity of metal includes the further step
of providing a coil of metal.
15. The method of claim 12 in which the step of forming a generally
inverted vee configuration includes the step of forming a generally
pointed ridge at the first and second arms.
16. The method of claim 12 in which the step of forming a generally
inverted vee configuration includes the step of forming a generally
flat ridge at the juncture of the first and second arms.
17. The method of claim 12 in which the step of forming of a
generally inverted vee configuration having a first arm and a
second arm provides one of the drain holes at the juncture of the
first arm and the first flange.
18. The method of claim 17 in which the step of forming a generally
inverted vee configuration having a first arm and a second arm
provides another drain hole at the juncture of the second arm and
the second flange.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to batten elements secured to a roof
and which in turn are used to secure tiles to a roof and, more
particularly, to batten elements made of metal or plastic and to a
method of making the battens.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 1,163,034 (Phippen) discloses binding strips
for roofs. While the binding strips perform a different function
from battens currently used on tile roofs, they disclose a cross
section or configuration with channels on the bottom of the strips
to provide for the runoff or draining of water.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,283 (Benoit) discloses a single ply
roofing system which includes the use of rectangular battens. Such
rectangular battens are typical of the prior art.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,306 (Schauffele) discloses a roofing
system in which a plastic bar, or batten, with a curved top portion
is used to help hold a flexible waterproof membrane in place on a
roof.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,141 (Miko) discloses a roofing system
which utilizes a rectangular, wooden lattice (batten) to help
secure concrete roofing panels to a roof.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,211 (Russell & Tubbesing) discloses
a plastic batten to help secure a membrane to a roof.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,445 (Jong) discloses a roofing system
which employs wooden batten elements having a generally rectangular
cross sectional configuration, typical of the prior art.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,342 (Hasan et al) discloses the use of
plastic batten strips having a generally rectangular cross
sectional configuration in a membrane-based roofing system.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,252 (Tiscareno) discloses the use of
extender elements with typical rectangular wooden battens of the
prior art for a tile roof.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,807 (Vasquez) discloses roof battens for
tile roofs, and the battens have grooves in their bottom side to
allow water to drain through the battens. The batten of the '807
patent may be made of plastic or wood, and their cross sectional
configuration is generally rectangular.
[0013] Roof battens in contemporary use are typically scrap lumber
1" by 2" elements. The manufacturers of the batten elements
typically do not take time to place grooves on the underneath side
for the draining of water. Neither do the roofers, who apply the
battens and use them for fastening tiles, take the time to put the
grooves on the bottom. Accordingly, water that gets behind the
battens collects and eventually rots the tar paper/felt and wooden
battens. This in turn leads to leaky roofs.
[0014] The wooden battens of the prior art, and also plastic
battens of the prior art, both having a generally rectangular
configuration, have an obvious problem of being difficult to store
in quantities since their cross sectional configuration prevents
nesting. They are accordingly simply stacked like lumber is
stacked.
[0015] The battens of the present invention are stackable or
nestable and thus conserve space and are easily transported. The
battens of the present invention are primarily illustrated as being
made of metal, but they also may be made of plastic, or the like.
Holes are punched through them for water drainage. Since they are
not made of wood, there is no warpage, curling, splitting,
expanding, contracting, etc., and they are made of recyclable
material. They are essentially waterproof, will not rot, mildew, or
gain weight by absorbing water. They are easily secured to a roof
and receive tile elements easily and conveniently.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The invention described and claimed herein comprises batten
elements for securing roof tiles to a roof. The batten elements
have a cross sectional configuration which may be described as a
generally inverted vee having a pair of outwardly extending
flanges. The flanges are disposed on the roof. Holes extend through
the flanges and adjacent portions of the inverted vee portions to
allow for the draining of water. Different cross sectional
configurations are illustrated, and an embossed or "stucco" finish
is also illustrated. The "stucco" embossment helps to prevent
nails, used to secure the tiles to the battens and to the roof,
from wandering. Moreover, the "stucco" embossment strengthens the
steel to the equivalent one gauge in thickness. For manufacturing
battens made of steel, a punch process is disclosed. The punch or
die and press process may be used for manufacturing the battens
from coils or sheets of galvanized steel, galvalume, aluminum, or
other appropriate metal, or the battens, if made of a plastic
material, may be appropriately molded.
[0017] Among the objects of the present invention are the
following:
[0018] To provide new and useful batten strips;
[0019] To provide new and useful batten strips made of metal;
[0020] To provide new and useful batten elements having a generally
inverted vee configuration with outwardly extending flanges;
[0021] To provide new and useful battens made by a punch
process;
[0022] To provide a new and useful method of making a metal
batten;
[0023] To provide new and useful battens made of a plastic
material; and
[0024] To provide new and useful batten strips having elements
formed therein to prevent nails from wandering as tiles are secured
to the batten strips and to a roof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roof showing battens of
the present invention disposed thereon.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a view in partial section of a batten of the
present invention.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a view in partial section of an alternate
embodiment of a batten of FIG. 2.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a view in partial section showing another cross
sectional configuration of the battens of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 5 is an end view of another batten of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a view in partial section of another batten
configuration of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration showing a batten of the
present invention in its use environment.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a punch process used
to manufacture some of the battens of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roof 10 showing a
plurality of battens 20 secured thereto. The roof and battens are
now ready for tiles to be secured to the battens 20 and to the roof
10. Note that, for purposes of clarity, tar paper, or "felt" or
other water proofing membrane, etc., has been omitted from FIGS. 1
and 7.
[0034] Also shown in FIG. 1 are water drain holes 32, discussed
below, and nail holes 36 and 38. The nail holes 36 and 38 may be
used to secure a batten 29 to the roof 10. The nail holes 36 and 38
are staggered from the drain holes 32, shown in FIG. 1, and the
drain holes 32 and 34, shown in FIG. 2.
[0035] FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 illustrate various configurations of
the battens of the present invention. The drawing figures will be
discussed sequentially.
[0036] FIG. 2 is a view in partial section of a batten 20. The
batten 20 includes a pair of outwardly extending flanges 22 and 30,
with a pair of generally inverted vee shaped arms 24 and 28
disposed between the flanges 22 and 30. The arm 24 extends upwardly
from the flange 22 to which it is secured to a ridge 26. Arm 28
extends downwardly from the ridge 26 to the flange 30. The angle
between the arm 26 and the flange 28 is substantially a right
angle, while the angle between the flange 22 and the arm 24 is an
obtuse angle, and substantially acute from the vertical.
[0037] For allowing water to drain through the batten 20, there are
a plurality of aligned holes, including holes 32 and 34. The hole
32 is disposed at the juncture of the flange 22 and the arm 24, and
the hole 34 is disposed at the juncture of the flange 30 and the
arm 28. This is also shown in FIG. 1.
[0038] As stated above, the nail holes 36 and 38 are staggered from
the nail holes 32 and 34, as shown in FIG. 1. The nail holes 36 and
38 extend through the flanges 22 and 30, and are shown in FIG.
1.
[0039] The batten 20 may be made of metal or a relatively hard
plastic, as convenient. While the cross hatching in FIG. 2
illustrates metal, the cross hatching in FIG. 3 indicates plastic.
FIG. 3 is a view in partial section of another batten 40. The cross
sectional configuration of the batten 40 is slightly different from
the cross sectional configuration of the batten 20.
[0040] The batten 40 includes a flange 42 extending outwardly from
an arm 44. Another flange 50 extends outwardly from an arm 48. The
angular orientations between the flange 42 and the arm 44 and the
flange 50 and the arm 48 are substantially the same as discussed
above in conjunction with the batten of FIG. 2 and its
corresponding elements. However, where the batten 20 includes a
relatively sharp top ridge 26 at the juncture of the arms 24 and
28, the batten 40 includes a relatively flat top portion 46.
[0041] The arms 44 and 48 extend downwardly from the generally flat
top portion 46.
[0042] Two water drain holes 52 and 54 are illustrated in FIG. 3.
The drain hole 52 is at the juncture of the flange 42 and the arm
44, and the drain hole 54, aligned with the drain hole 52, is
disposed at the juncture of the arm 48 and the flange 50. It will
be noted that the aligned drain holes in both the batten 20 and the
batten 40 extend onto both the flanges and their adjacent arms to
assure complete water drainage.
[0043] A batten 60 is shown in cross section in FIG. 4. The batten
60 has a slightly different cross sectional configuration from the
battens 20 and 40 of FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively.
[0044] The batten 60 includes a flange 62 and an arm 68, with a
ripple 64 at the adjacent to, or between, the flange 62 and the arm
68. The ripple 64 defines a nail retaining trough 66. The trough 66
insures that a nail driven downwardly and contacting the arm 68
will not move or veer away from the batten 60, but will then
penetrate the trough 66 in order to secure a tile to the batten 60
and to the roof on which the batten 60 is disposed.
[0045] The arm 68 extends upwardly from the flange 62 and trough 66
to a ridge 70, and an arm 72 extends downwardly from the ridge 70
to a flange 74. Once again, the flanges 62 and 74 extend outwardly
aligned with each other, as with the other battens discussed above.
The angular orientations between the flange 62 and the arm 68 and
the flange 74 and the arm 72 are fundamentally the same as
described above and as illustrated for the battens 20 and 40 of
FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively.
[0046] It will be noted that drain holes for the batten 60 are not
illustrated in FIG. 4 in order to show the ripple 64 and the trough
66. However, it will be understood that the batten 60 also includes
a plurality of aligned drainage holes, such as discussed above for
the battens 20 and 40 of FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively. The drainage
holes may also penetrate the ripple 64 and the trough 66 in order
to assure proper water drainage.
[0047] FIG. 5 is an end view of a batten 80 which has what is
referred to as a stucco finish, as opposed to the generally smooth
finishes illustrated for the battens 20, 40 and 60 of FIG. 2, 3,
and 4, respectively. The batten 80 includes a pair of outwardly
extending and aligned flanges 82 and 94. The flanges 82 and 94
extend outwardly from a pair of arms 86 and 90, respectively. At
the juncture of the arms 86 and 90 is a ridge 88. In the end view
of the batten 80, drain holes are not illustrated, but, as with the
other battens discussed above, the batten 80 also includes a
plurality of aligned drainage holes.
[0048] The purpose of the "stucco" finish of the metal out of which
the batten 80 is made is for essentially the same purpose as the
ripple 64 and trough 66 of the batten 60, namely to insure that a
nail impinging on the arm 86 will move downwardly and get caught in
one of the pockets of the stucco finish and will accordingly be
driven through the batten 80, and preferably close to the juncture
of the flange 82 and the arm 86. This insures a clean and proper
securement of a tile to the roof on which the batten 80 is
disposed.
[0049] Again, the angular orientations of the arms and flanges are
the same as discussed above, and also the same as for the battens
discussed below.
[0050] Still another batten embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 6.
FIG. 6 is a view in partial section through a batten 100
illustrating an alternate type of drainage structure. Rather than
the holes, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the batten 100 of FIG.
6 includes what are essentially tunnels extending through flanges.
The batten 100 includes a flange 102 which extends outwardly from
an arm 106. A tunnel 104 is formed in the flange 102 and in the
adjacent portion of the arm 106. The arm 106 extends upwardly to a
ridge 108, and an arm 110 extends downwardly from the ridge 108.
The arm 110 extends to a flange 114. A tunnel 112 extends through
the flange 114 and through the adjacent portion of the flange 114.
It will be noted, as indicated, that the tunnels 104 and 112 extend
through the adjacent portions of the arms 106 and 110, as well as
through the flanges 102 and 114.
[0051] A plurality of aligned tunnels will extend through the
flanges and adjacent arms, just as a plurality of aligned holes
extend through the battens 20 and 40, as illustrated, and as will
also be understood to extend through the battens 60 and 80.
[0052] The ripple and trough 64, 66 configuration of FIG. 4 lends
itself better to drainage holes than to the tunnel configuration
illustrated in FIG. 6, but the tunnel drainage may also be used.
Moreover, the stucco finish of the batten 80 of FIG. 5 may include
either holes or tunnels, as desired, but may preferably include
holes.
[0053] The employment of the battens of the present invention are
illustrated in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a view in partial section through
the roof 10 showing a batten 20 secured thereto. The batten 20 is
appropriately secured to the roof 10 by fasteners, such as nails or
staples, not shown, and a tile 120 is illustrated as disposed over
the batten 20. The tile 120 includes a lip 122 which is disposed
over the ridge 26. The lip 122 extends downwardly and outwardly
from a main portion 124 of the tile 120. A nail hole 126 extends
through the main body portion 124, and a nail 130 is shown
extending through the nail hole 126 and through the flange 122 of
the batten 20 and into the roof 10. The nail 130 accordingly
secures the tile 120 to the batten 20 and to the roof 10.
[0054] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a method used to
manufacture the battens of the present invention. The process may
be referred to as a punch process in which battens are sequentially
formed from either sheets of material or coils of material. The
punch process is, of course, primarily applicable to the use of
metal for the battens, such as steel or aluminum, or the like.
Battens made of plastic will be appropriately molded, or the like.
For the following discussion, attention will be directed primarily
to FIG. 8
[0055] Raw material, such as galvanized steel, as from a sheet, or
preferably from a coil, is fed into press apparatus 150. The raw
material is indicated in FIG. 8 by reference numeral 140. Since the
punch process is a continuous one, three battens are schematically
shown in FIG. 8, moving from left to right in the Figure.
[0056] The press apparatus 150 includes a press plate 152, with a
boss 153 extending downwardly from the plate 152. Adjacent to the
boss 153 is a bore 154 through which the upper portion of a spring
pin 156 extends. Below the plate 152, and disposed about the pin
156, is a compression spring 158.
[0057] The lower portion of the pin 158 is secured to a stripper
plate 160. The stripper plate 160 includes a pair of bores through
which extend a pair of hole punches 166 and 168. The punches 166
and 168 are secured to a punch plate 170. The boss 153 contacts the
plate 170 as the press plate 152 moves downwardly.
[0058] A female punch plate 172 is disposed beneath the stripper
plate 160 and beneath the material 140. The plate 172 includes a
pair of bore which receive the pins 166 and 168. The holes punched
in the material 140 are, of course, the drain holes for a finished
batten.
[0059] Aligned with the pin 156 and its spring 158 is a spring
plate 180 with a pin 182 secured thereto. A compression spring 184
is disposed about the pin 182. The spring pins and their
compression springs help to move the respective elements back to
their positions indicated in FIG. 8 after a punch stroke has been
made.
[0060] While the drain holes are being punched in the material for
the first batten, the second batten is having its flanges and arms
formed by a pair of dies. Secured to the plate 152, adjacent to the
bore 154, is a female forming die 200. The die 200 includes a
profile 202 for the batten arms and ridge. Beneath the material
strip 140 is a male forming die 210. The forming die 210 includes a
mating profile form 212 that matches the profile 202 of the die
200. The die 210 moves by appropriate cam action of the die 200 to
the left in FIG. 8, as indicated by the large arrow, and it may
also pivot somewhat by the same cam action. This pivoting is
indicated by the large curved arrow adjacent to the die 210. In the
alternative, the bottom die 210 may be disposed directly beneath
the upper forming die 200 and accordingly may not need to move.
[0061] The spacing or location of the dies 200 and 210 is
determined by the placement of the drain holes so that the drain
holes will be located at the junctures of the flanges and the arms,
as discussed above and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and as may also
be appropriate for the other embodiments. The employment of the
tunnel drainage configuration of FIG. 6 eliminates the need for the
drain hole punches 166 and 168, but the drain tunnels will, of
course, be located at the junctures of the flanges and arms, as
shown in FIG. 6.
[0062] While the drain holes are being punched for the first
batten, and the second batten receives its profile, a third batten
has been completed and is cut from the continuous roll or sheet of
material 140. This cutting or shearing is accomplished by a shear
blank 220 and a shear knife 222. The shear knife is also secured to
the plate 152 appropriately spaced apart from the forming die 200.
The shearing blank 220 is disposed beneath the material 140 and is
in an appropriate offset alignment for the shearing or cutting
stroke by the knife 222.
[0063] Beneath the material 140 and adjacent to the blank 220 is
another spring plate 190 and its pin 192 and spring 194. The plate
190 helps to support the material 140 as the knife 222 moves
downwardly for the cutting stroke. The location of the cut in the
material 140 is indicated by reference numeral 142.
[0064] With the completion of the cutting stroke, a finished or
completed batten 230 is separated from the material 140. The batten
230 includes a flange 232, an arm 236, with a drain hole 234 at the
juncture of the flange and the arm, a flat top ridge 238 and an arm
240. At the juncture of the arm 240 and a flange 244 is a drain
hole 242.
[0065] It will be understood, of course, that an entire batten, for
example, forty eight inches long, with a plurality of aligned drain
holes spaced apart along the length of the batten, will be formed
substantially simultaneously, and a single cutting or shearing
takes place to cut the finished batten from the material. While the
forms 200 and 210 are continuous for the length of a batten, and
also the shear blank 220 and the shear knife 22 are also
continuous, the hole punches, such as the punches 166 and 168, will
be appropriately spaced apart along the length of the material 140
and thus along the length of what will become a finished batten
upon the completion of the process.
[0066] Note that the batten 230 has the profile of the plastic
batten 40 of FIG. 3. Obviously, any profile may be made by the
simple expediency of changing the dies 200 and 210 to provide the
desired profile.
[0067] While the principles of the invention have been made clear
in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to
those skilled in the art many modifications of structure,
arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components
used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are
particularly adapted to specific environments and operative
requirements without departing from those principles. The appended
claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such
modifications, within the limits only of the true spirit and scope
of the invention.
* * * * *