Improvements in Metallic Roofing:
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Apr., 1895-Accepted, 24th May; 1895
Improvements in Metallic Roofing: •
I LOUIS SPENCER FLATAU, Manufacturer of Dallas, Texas, U.S.A. do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and' by the
following statement:
My invention relates to improvements in metallic roofing and its object is to
provide an improved means for securing the adjoining edges of the metallic strips
together whereby a tight waterproof joint is produced, and the metallic strips or
sheets securely attached to the sheathing of the roof..
The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts
hereinafter fully described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawing:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a section of a roof, constructed in accordance
with my invention;
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same;
Figs. 3 and 4 are detail' sectional views, showing, different steps in forming the
joints or seats;
Fig. 5 is 'a détail perspective view, partly, broken away, showing the seam before
being flattened or pressed down..
In the said drawing, the reference-numeral 1 designates the sheathing of a roof,
which may be of any ordinary or suitable construction. The numeral 2 designates
the metallic roofing or covering sheets, laid side by side, as usual, and extending
from the eaves to the upper end of the roof. The adjoining edges of these sheets
are turned upwardly and backwardly, forming, wings 3, between which is inserted
a rope 4, preferably tarred, for a purpose hereafter described. The numeral 5
designates a'cover, or covers, consisting of a metallic plate having its edges bent
downwardly and inwardly, forming flanges 6, which engage under the wings 3, of
the covering sheets. At suitable points along the length of these covers, nails 7 arè
driven, which pass therethrough, and through the rope packing interposed between
the edges of the sheets, into the sheathing beneath. Protecting caps 8, consisting
of sheet-metal plates, having their edges bent downwardly and inwardly, forming
flanges 9, are then placed over the covers 5, the said flanges engaging under the
flanges 6, covering and projecting the nails 7, and preventing entrance of water
through the apertures througli which they pass: They also serve to stiffen and
strengthen the seam or joint.
The ends of these caps 8, at the ridge and eaves of the roof, are bent downwardly
at an angle, and secured to the sheathing or rafters, by means of nails or spikes 10,
thus forming additional meaus for securing the covering sheets in place. In
constructing a roof, according to my invention, the metallic sheets are laid on the
sheathing, extending from the ridge to the eave, or from eave to eave, where the
roof is an oval one, and the adjoining edges turned over forming the wings 6.
The tarred rope is then inserted between the said sheets, the covers 5 engaged with
the said wings, and the nails 7 driven through the covers and rope. The caps 8 are
then placed in position and the seam thus formed is flattened by means of rollers
pressed thereon, or by hammering, and finally, the ends of the caps are bent down-
wardly, and nailed to the sheathing or rafters. The tarred rope 4 may be dispensed
with, if desired, it being intended more especially for use in roofs which are
subjected to frequent and severe snow storms, to prevent the possibility of leakage
of the joints or seams.

page_text: My invention is applicable for use on buildings generally, but is more especially
designed for roofing box and other cars, the seam in this case, running over the
center of the car from end to end thereof. In case of an oval roof, there need be
no center seam.
The invention can also be used as a wall or weather boarding for buildings, by
setting the sheets vertically, and securing them by means of the seams described to
suitable studding.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. Ir a metallic roof the combination with the covering sheets having their
adjoining edges turned upwardly and backwardly, forming wings, the covers
consisting of metal plates having their edges bent downwardly and inwardly,
forming flanges engaging under said wings and the nails passing through apertures
in said covers and between said sheets into the sheathing, of the caps consisting of
the metal plates having their edges bent downwardly and inwardly and engaging
under the flanges of the covers, and the seam thus formed flattened or pressed
down to drive the nails into the roof and make a water-tight joint, and the ends
of the caps bent downwardly and secured to the roof, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
2. In a metallic roof, the combination with the covering sheets having their
adjoining edges turned upwardly and backwardly forming wings, the packing rope
inserted between said sheets, the cover consisting of metal plates having their
edges turned upwardly and backwardly and engaging under said wings, and the
nails passing through said covers and ropes into the sheathing, of the caps consisting
of the metal plates having their edges turned downwardly and inwardly and
engaging under the flanges of said covers and their ends bent downwardly and
secured to the roof, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
3. The method herein described of constructing metallic roofs, consisting in the
following steps, viz., first turning the adjoining edges of the covering sheets upwardly
and backwardly, then engaging the covers therewith and nailing the same to the
sheathing, then applying the protecting caps, then flattening or pressing down the
seam thus formed to drive the nails home and make a water-tight joint, and finally
bending the ends of said caps downwardly and nailing to the roof substantially as
specified.
Dated this 16th day of April 1895.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.