Roof assembly

Abstract

The invention provides a roof assembly ( 2 ) comprising an outer roof component ( 4, 104, 204 ) that is arranged, in use, to be mutually interlocked with an inner roof component ( 6, 106, 206 ). The outer roof component ( 4, 104,204 ) comprises a depending key element ( 14 ) that is a snap-fit in an upwardly facing dovetail slot ( 36 ) provided in the inner roof component ( 6, 106, 206 ). Embodiments of the invention enable roofs of various pitches to be assembled, the components ( 204, 206 ) having mutually inter-engaging bulbous configurations for this purpose. The key element ( 14 ) and the inner roof component ( 6, 106, 206 ) are molded from foamed polystyrene. The invention also provides a method of forming a roof using the roof assembly ( 2 ).

1 . A roof assembly comprising an outer roof component configured for mutual interlocking engagement, in use, with an inner roof component, which is adapted to be supported in a roof structure, wherein said inner roof component comprises an aperture for receiving, in use, a depending key element of an outer roof component and wherein said outer roof component comprises a separately formed said key element. 
   
   
       2 . The roof assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said key element of said outer roof component is a snap fit, when in use, in said aperture of said inner roof component. 
   
   
       3 . The roof assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said key element of said outer roof component is configured with a shaped protrusion to facilitate the retention thereof in said aperture of said inner roof component, which aperture is configured to be of a shape corresponding to that of said key element. 
   
   
       4 . The roof assembly according  claim 1 , wherein said outer roof component comprises a ridge or hip tile including a filler element and side seals to prevent, in use, the ingress of driving rain or snow. 
   
   
       5 . The roof assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein said filler element is of a webbed comb-like configuration. 
   
   
       6 . The roof assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner roof component is in the form of a prefabricated insulated roof panel, the panel being pre-tiled except along at least one side edge, and the outer roof component is in the form of a separate roof tile, adapted to be positioned in use over the non-tiled side edge. 
   
   
       7 . The combination of the roof assembly according to  claim 1  with a roof structure, wherein said inner roof component comprises a molding configured to be retained and supported in complementary configurations formed in said roof structure. 
   
   
       8 . The combination the roof assembly according to  claim 1  with a roof structure, wherein said inner roof component is retained and supported by elements of said roof structure, which elements are provided with the complementary configurations for facilitating, in use, the retention and support of said inner roof component in said roof structure. 
   
   
       9 . The combination according to  claim 8 , wherein said roof assembly is a ridge assembly and said complementary configurations of said elements are formed to facilitate the construction of roofs with various pitches. 
   
   
       10 . A roof assembly comprising an outer roof component configured for mutual interlocking engagement, in use, with an inner roof component, which is adapted to be supported in a roof structure, wherein the inner roof component is in the form of an insulated roof panel comprising an aperture for receiving, in use, a depending key element of said outer roof component. 
   
   
       11 . The roof assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said key element of said outer roof component is a snap fit, when in use, in said aperture of said inner roof component. 
   
   
       12 . The roof assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said key element of said outer roof component is configured with a shaped protrusion to facilitate the retention thereof in said aperture of said inner roof component, which aperture is configured to be of a shape corresponding to that of said key element. 
   
   
       13 . The roof assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said outer roof component comprises a separately formed said key element. 
   
   
       14 . The roof assembly according  claim 10 , wherein said outer roof component is made as a unitary component. 
   
   
       15 . The roof assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner roof component is in the form of a prefabricated insulated roof panel, the panel being pre-tiled except along at least one side edge, and the outer roof component is in the form of a separate roof tile, adapted to be positioned in use over the non-tiled side edge. 
   
   
       16 . A method of forming a roof comprising the steps of:—
 a) providing a roof structure having provision for the retention and support of a series of inner roof components there-along;   b) installing a series of inner roof components along said roof structure; and,   c) securing a series of outer roof components in mutual engagement with said inner roof components along said roof structure, thereby to form a roof assembly,   
     wherein each said inner roof component comprises an aperture for receiving, in use, a depending key element of a said outer roof component and wherein each said outer roof component comprises a separately formed said key element. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the roof assembly comprises an outer roof component configured for mutual interlocking engagement, in use, with an inner roof component, which is adapted to be supported in a roof structure, wherein said inner roof component comprises an aperture for receiving, in use, a depending key element of an outer roof component and wherein said outer roof component comprises a separately formed said key element. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said series of inner roof components are offered up seriatim at one end of said roof structure and moved there-along to create a continuous line thereof along said roof structure to thereafter enable said series of outer roof components to be secured in mutual engagement therewith to form the roof. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said series of inner roof components are positioned in a continuous line thereof, each inner roof component being supported between an associated pair of retaining hangers to thereby provide support for said series of outer roof components arranged in a continuous line thereof, each of which is located in mutual interlocking engagement with an associated said inner roof component to thereby form a roof. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said inner roof components are each in the form of a pre-tiled insulated roof panel and are laid side by side from ridge to eaves, which thereafter enable said series of outer roof components to be secured in mutual engagement therewith to form the roof. 
   
   
       21 . A method of forming a roof comprising the steps of:—
 a) providing a roof structure having provision for the retention and support of a series of inner roof components there-along;   b) installing a series of inner roof components along said roof structure; and,   c) securing a series of outer roof components in mutual engagement with said inner roof components along said roof structure, thereby to form a roof assembly,   
     wherein each said inner roof component is in the form of an insulated roof panel comprising an aperture for receiving, in use, a depending key element of a said outer roof component. 
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the roof assembly comprises an outer roof component configured for mutual interlocking engagement, in use, with an inner roof component, which is adapted to be supported in a roof structure, wherein the inner roof component is in the form of an insulated roof panel comprising an aperture for receiving, in use, a depending key element of said outer roof component. 
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the said inner roof components are each in the form of a pre-tiled insulated roof panel and are laid side by side from ridge to eaves, which thereafter enable said series of outer roof components to be secured in mutual engagement therewith to form the roof.