Roof Flashing Connections

Abstract

A roof-penetrating structure for incorporating into a roof, the structure including a portion extending along one or more sides of the roof-penetrating structure for receiving an edge section of one or more sheets of flashing to provide a weather-proof connection therebetween; said portion including one or more resilient members such that, in use, the insertion of flashing into said portion automatically forces at least one of said one or more resilient members into a configuration in which they are biased against the flashing.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . A roof-penetrating structure for incorporating into a roof, the structure including a portion extending along one or more sides of the roof-penetrating structure for receiving an edge section of one or more sheets of flashing to provide a weather-proof connection therebetween; said portion including one or more resilient members such that, in use, the insertion of flashing into said portion automatically forces at least one of said one or more resilient members into a configuration in which they are biased against the flashing. 
   
   
       21 . A roof-penetrating structure according to  claim 20 , wherein the resilient member(s) comprise at least one pair of resilient flap members extending from opposing sides of said portion. 
   
   
       22 . A roof-penetrating structure according to  claim 21 , wherein said pair of resilient flap members overlap with each other in their relaxed configuration. 
   
   
       23 . A roof-penetrating structure according to  claim 21 , including a plurality of said pairs of resilient flap members positioned at increasing distances in the direction of insertion of the flashing. 
   
   
       24 . A roof-penetrating structure according to  claim 21 , wherein the resilient flap members partially point in the direction of insertion of the flashing in their relaxed configuration. 
   
   
       25 . A roof-penetrating structure according to  claim 20 , wherein said portion is a component fitted into a recess in a base structure of said roof-penetrating structure. 
   
   
       26 . A roof-penetrating structure according to  claim 25 , wherein said component is provided with barbs which act to resist its removal from said recess. 
   
   
       27 . A roof-penetrating structure according to  claim 25 , wherein said recess extends continuously around the roof-penetrating structure, and said portion is a continuous component fitted about said base structure and into said recess. 
   
   
       28 . A roof-penetrating structure according to  claim 25 , wherein said component is an extruded component. 
   
   
       29 . A roof-penetrating structure according to  claim 20 , wherein the resilient member(s) comprises bristles extending from opposing sides of said portion. 
   
   
       30 . A roof-penetrating structure according to  claim 20 , wherein said portion defines a resilient convex end-stop, which, in use, partially inverts when the edge of the flashing is forced against it. 
   
   
       31 . A roof-penetrating structure according to  claim 20 , which is a solar panel or a roof window. 
   
   
       32 . A roof-penetrating structure according to  claim 20 , which is incorporated into a roof by inserting the edge of at least one sheet of flashing into said portion, and creating a weather-proof connection between said sheet of flashing and said roof. 
   
   
       33 . A kit comprising a roof-penetrating structure for incorporating into a roof and one or more sheets of flashing, the structure including a portion extending along one or more sides of the roof-penetrating structure for receiving an edge section of said one or more sheets of flashing to provide a weather-proof connection therebetween; said portion including one or more resilient members such that, in use, the insertion of flashing into said portion automatically forces at least one of said one or more resilient members into a configuration in which they are biased against the flashing. 
   
   
       34 . A sheet of flashing for incorporating a roof-penetrating structure in a roof, said sheet of flashing including an edge section for inserting into a receiving portion of a roof-penetrating structure to provide a weather-proof connection therebetween; said edge section of said sheet of flashing being provided with one or more resilient members such that, in use, the insertion of the sheet of flashing into said receiving portion of said roof-penetrating structure automatically forces at least one of said one or more resilient members into a configuration in which they are biased against the receiving portion. 
   
   
       35 . A sheet of flashing according to  claim 34 , which is used to incorporate a roof-penetrating structure into a roof by inserting said edge section into a receiving portion of a roof-penetrating structure, and creating a weather-proof connection between said sheet of flashing and said roof. 
   
   
       36 . A kit comprising a roof penetrating structure and one or more sheets of flashing for incorporating said roof-penetrating structure in a roof, said one or more sheets of flashing including an edge section for inserting into a receiving portion of a roof-penetrating structure to provide a weather-proof connection therebetween; said edge section being provided with one or more resilient members such that, in use, the insertion of said one or more sheets of flashing into said receiving portion of said roof-penetrating structure automatically forces at least one of said one or more resilient members into a configuration in which they are biased against the receiving portion.