Roof structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a roof structure. The structure comprises support members defining openings. Bridge members extend between the support members. End portions of the bridge members are able to be received by the openings in the support members such that the end portions can be inhibited from being withdrawn from the openings. A safety barrier is supported by the bridge members. The structure also comprises an insulating layer including insulation pockets and being supported by the safety barrier.

The claims defining the invention are as follows: 
     
         1 . A roof structure comprising:
 support members defining openings;   bridge members extending between the support members, end portions of the bridge members able to be received by the openings in the support members such that the end portions can be inhibited from being withdrawn from the openings;   a safety barrier supported by the bridge members; and   an insulating layer including insulation pockets and being supported by the safety barrier.   
     
     
         2 . A roof structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the insulation pockets are arranged in a cellular array between a pair of sheets. 
     
     
         3 . A roof structure as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the sheets are metallic foil sheets. 
     
     
         4 . A roof structure as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the sheets include reflective aluminium foil. 
     
     
         5 . A roof structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the insulation pockets are sealed air or foam pockets. 
     
     
         6 . A roof structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the insulating layer rests directly on the safety barrier. 
     
     
         7 . A roof structure as claimed in  claim 6 , further including a roofing layer being supported by the support members, the roofing layer and the insulating layer being separated from each other by an air gap. 
     
     
         8 . A roof structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each bridge member is substantially rigid and comprises an intermediate portion, and a pair of end portions located at opposite ends of the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         9 . A roof structure as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein each of the end portions includes a neck portion which extends from the intermediate portion and can receive a support member, and a head portion which extends from the neck portion and which is wider than the neck portion to inhibit withdrawal of the end portion from an opening. 
     
     
         10 . A roof structure as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the intermediate portion includes a main panel, and a pair of side panels extending from opposite sides of the main panel, the end portions being coplanar with the main panel. 
     
     
         11 . A roof structure as claimed in any one of  claims 8 , wherein the intermediate portion is generally C-shaped. 
     
     
         12 . A roof structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each opening includes a first portion which allows the end portions of the bridge members to be inserted into and removed from the opening, and a second narrower portion which adjoins the first portion and which is able to inhibit the end portions from being withdrawn from the opening. 
     
     
         13 . A roof structure as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the openings of the support members are T-shaped and the support member is either a purl in or a rafter. 
     
     
         14 . A roof structure as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the profile of the support member includes a lower panel and an upper panel which are co-parallel, and an intermediate panel extending perpendicularly between the lower panel and the upper panel. 
     
     
         15 . A roof structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the bridge members supporting the safety barrier extend between lower portions of the support members;   each support member is a purlin, and the purlins can be pulled toward each other by the bridge members if sufficient downward force is applied to bend the bridge members;   each bridge member is telescopic so that its length can be varied; or   the end portions of the bridge members are T-shaped.   
     
     
         16 . A method of building a roof structure, the structure having bridge members extending between support members such that end portions of the bridge members are received by openings in the support members and the end portions can be inhibited from being withdrawn from the openings, the bridge members supporting a safety barrier, the method comprising the step of:
 providing an insulating layer defining insulation pockets on the safety barrier.   
     
     
         17 . A method of building a roof structure, the method comprising the steps of:
 extending a plurality of bridge members laterally between a plurality of adjacent support members such that end portions of the bridge members are received by openings in the support members and the end portions can be inhibited from being withdrawn from the openings;   supporting a safety barrier with the bridge members; and   supporting an insulating layer defining insulation pockets with the safety barrier.   
     
     
         18 . A method of building a roof structure as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the insulating layer includes a pair of metallic sheets between which the insulation pockets are located. 
     
     
         19 . A method of building a roof structure as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising the step of:
 supporting a roofing layer with the support members such that the roofing layer and the insulating layer are separated from each other by an air gap.   
     
     
         20 . A method of building a roof structure as claimed in any one of  claim 16 , wherein:
 each bridge member is substantially rigid and comprises an intermediate portion, and a pair of end portions located at opposite ends of the intermediate portion, each end portion being adapted to be received by an opening in a support member of the roof structure such that the end portion can be inhibited from being withdrawn from the opening; and   each support member comprising a plurality of openings that are each adapted to receive an end portion of a bridge member such that the end portion of the bridge member can be inhibited from being withdrawn from the opening.