Roofing batten

Abstract

A batten for use in roofing applications is defined by an upside-down U-shaped channel with outwardly projecting horizontal flanges. In certain versions, the legs forming the sides of the channel are asymmetrical to allow vertical orientation of at least one of the legs when installed on an angled roof. This improves strength and load bearing of the installed member, and allows it to provide a fall barrier for roof installers. In certain versions, one of the flanges has a ribbed impact reduction zone. This zone deforms when a building anchor, such as a nail, passes through it to anchor the member to a roof. The deformation prevents anchors fired from conventional equipment from passing completely through the member and holds the anchors more securely in place.

1 . A batten including:
 a. a channel having a cross-section including:
 (1) a top surface extending:
 i. along a top surface plane, and 
 ii. between a first top surface edge and a second top surface edge, 
 
 (2) a first leg descending at a first internal angle from the first top surface edge to a first leg lower edge, 
 (3) a second leg descending at a second internal angle from the second top surface edge to a second leg lower edge, 
   b. a first flange extending outwardly from the channel:
 (1) from the first leg lower edge to a first flange free end, and 
 (2) along a plane parallel to the top surface plane; 
   c. a second flange extending outwardly from the channel:
 (1) from the second leg lower edge to a second flange free end, and 
 (2) along a plane parallel to the top surface plane. 
   
     
     
         2 . The batten of  claim 1  wherein
 a. the first internal angle is:
 (1) greater than 90 degrees, but 
 (2) more perpendicular with respect to the top surface than parallel, 
 
 b. the second internal angle is:
 (1) approximately perpendicular with respect to the top surface, and 
 (2) less than the first internal angle. 
 
 
     
     
         3 . The batten of  claim 2  wherein the distance from the horizontal top to the first leg lower edge is greater than distance between the horizontal top to the second leg lower edge. 
     
     
         4 . The batten of  claim 3  wherein the first and second flanges extend along a common plane. 
     
     
         5 . The batten of  claim 4  wherein the common plane is parallel to the top surface plane. 
     
     
         6 . The batten of  claim 3  wherein the first flange has deformable ribs thereon. 
     
     
         7 . The batten of  claim 6  wherein the distance from the first leg lower edge to the first flange free end is greater than the distance from the second leg lower edge to the second flange free end. 
     
     
         8 . The batten of  claim 1  wherein the channel is asymmetrical about an axis perpendicularly bisecting the top surface plane. 
     
     
         9 . The batten of  claim 8  wherein the first flange includes ribs thereon, the ribs being defined by upward and downward bends in the first flange as the first flange extends outwardly from the channel. 
     
     
         10 . The batten of  claim 9  wherein the distance from the first leg lower edge to the first flange free end is greater than the distance from the second leg lower edge to the second flange free end. 
     
     
         10 . The batten of  claim 11  wherein the first and second flanges extend along a common plane. 
     
     
         11 . The batten of  claim 1  wherein:
 a, the first internal angle is at least 105°, 
 b. the second internal angle is at least 92°, 
 c. the first and second flanges extend along a common plane oriented parallel to the top surface plane. 
 
     
     
         12 . The batten of  claim 11  wherein the first flange has deformable ribs thereon, the deformable ribs being defined by zig-zagging bends in the first flange. 
     
     
         13 . The batten of  claim 12  wherein:
 a. the first flange has a turn up of at least 90° at its first flange free end, and 
 b. the second flange has a turn up of at least 90° at its second flange free end. 
 
     
     
         14 . The batten of  claim 1  wherein the batten is integrally formed as a unitary piece of sheet steel having 24 gauge or less. 
     
     
         15 . A batten including:
 a. a channel having an upside-down U-shaped cross-section, the channel including:
 (1) a horizontal top surface, 
 (2) a first leg descending at a first internal angle from the horizontal top to a first leg lower edge, and 
 (3) a second leg descending at a second internal angle from the horizontal top to a second leg lower edge, wherein:
 i. the second internal angle is less than the first internal angle, and 
 ii. the distance between the horizontal top to the second leg lower edge is less than the distance from the horizontal top to the first leg lower edge; 
 
   b. a first flange extending horizontally outwardly from the first leg lower edge, the first flange having multiple deformable ribs thereon; and   c. a second flange extending horizontally outwardly from the second leg lower edge.   
     
     
         16 . The batten of  claim 15  wherein the channel is asymmetrical about a vertical axis bisecting the top surface. 
     
     
         17 . The batten of  claim 15  wherein the first and second flanges extend along a common horizontal plane. 
     
     
         18 . The batten of  claim 15  wherein the first and second flanges include turn-ups at their free edges. 
     
     
         19 . A batten including:
 a. a channel having an upside-down U-shaped cross-section, the channel including:
 (1) a horizontal top surface, 
 (2) a first leg descending at a first internal angle from the horizontal top to a first leg lower edge, and 
 (3) a second leg descending at a second internal angle from the horizontal top to a second leg lower edge, wherein the second internal angle is:
 i. at least 92°, and 
 ii. less than the first internal angle; 
 
   b. a first flange extending horizontally outwardly from the first leg lower edge; and   c. a second flange extending horizontally outwardly from the second leg lower edge,   wherein the first and second flange extend along a common horizontal plane.   
     
     
         20 . The batten of  claim 19  wherein the first flange has deformable ribs thereon, the deformable ribs being defined by zig-zagging bends in the first flange.