Insulation fixing

Abstract

The apparatus 200 is for fixing an insulation block in the internal eave space of a roof. The apparatus includes a first elongate portion 202 defining a first longitudinal axis, a second elongate port

Description

The present invention relates to the installation of solid insulation in the roof space of building and in particular, but not exclusively, to apparatus for efficiently fixing solid 5 insulation into the eaves of a roof, and to a system including the apparatus. It is known to insulate the roof of a building with a variety of different insulation materials and techniques. Typically, rolls of insulation wool are cut to size and unrolled between the joists of the roof space floor and supported on the ceiling of the io room below. A further layer of insulation wool may be located on top of the first layer and oriented perpendicularly to the first layer. Alternatively, solid insulation panels or boarding may be fixed to the joists and on top of the insulation wool located between the joists. Solid or wool insulation may also be located between the rafters forming the roof and foil-backed boarding may be fixed on to the rafters. However, whilst a 15 typical roof pitch is around 45 degrees, other roof pitches can be around 30 degrees making it particularly difficult to install conventional roof insulation due to the restricted space. Furthermore, the insulation is prone to moving from between the rafters, e.g. by draughts or wind effects through the roof and / or cavity walls, and in turn create a gap for heat to escape. A significant amount of heat is lost in the eave 20 space and thermal bridging can occur between conventional roof insulation and the building walls. It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a bracket for efficiently fixing solid portions of insulation to the joists in the roof space of a building, 25 wherein the solid portions are wedge-shaped portions of solid insulation for efficiently insulating the eaves of the roof space. It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a system for efficiently insulating the eaves of a roof space, wherein the system comprises a so plurality of wedge-shaped portions of solid insulation and a plurality of said brackets for fixing the insulation portions to the joists in the roof space. 29 01 24 According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for fixing an insulation block in the internal eave space of a roof, comprising: a first elongate portion defining a first longitudinal axis; a second elongate portion defining a second longitudinal axis, wherein the 5 first longitudinal axis is oriented substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis, and wherein an inner surface of the first elongate portion is angled with respect to an inner surface of the second elongate portion; at least one first projection extending from the inner surface of the first elongate portion; io at least one second projection extending downwardly from an outer surface of the second elongate portion opposed to the inner surface of the second elongate portion; and at least one third projection extending upwardly from the inner surface of the second elongate portion, 15 wherein the at least one first and third projections each comprise an elongate stem region and a barbed end region. Optionally, the barbed end region comprises a pair of opposed barbs. 20 Optionally, the at least one second projection comprises a barbless spike. Optionally, the inner surface of the first elongate portion is oriented substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the second elongate portion. 25 Optionally, the first elongate portion is coupled to the second elongate portion at a fold line. Optionally, the second elongate portion extends from a longitudinal edge of the first elongate portion and substantially midway along its length 30 Optionally, the second elongate portion extends from a longitudinal edge of the first elongate portion and proximal to an end region thereof. 29 01 24 According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for insulating the internal eave space of a roof, comprising a plurality of apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, and a plurality of wedge-shaped insulation blocks for locating in the internal eave space of the roof. 5 According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a building comprising a system according to the second aspect of the present invention installed in the internal eave space of a roof of the building. io According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of insulating the internal eave space of a roof, comprising: locating a first wedge-shaped main insulation block between a first pair of joists such that an angled front surface of the first main insulation block is located proximal to a lining of the roof; 15 locating the second elongate portion of a first apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention on an upper surface of one of the joists and adjacent to the first main insulation block; urging the first projections extending inwardly from the first elongate portion of the first apparatus into the first main insulation block; and 20 urging the second projections extending downwardly from the second elongate portion of the first apparatus into the joist. Optionally, the method further comprises: locating a second wedge-shaped main insulation block between a second 25 pair of joists adjacent to the first pair of joists such that an angled front surface of the second main insulation block is located proximal to the lining of the roof; locating the second elongate portion of a second apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention on an upper surface of one of the joists adjacent to the second main insulation block; 30 urging the first projections extending inwardly from the first elongate portion of the second apparatus into the second main insulation block; and urging the second projections extending downwardly from the second elongate portion of the second apparatus into the joist. 29 01 24 Optionally, the method further comprises: prior to locating the second elongate portion of the first apparatus on the upper surface of one of the joists and adjacent to the first main insulation block, locating a second wedge-shaped main insulation block between a second pair of 5 joists and adjacent to the first main insulation block such that an angled front surface of the second main insulation block is located proximal to the lining of the roof, and wherein the second elongate portion is located between the first and second main insulation blocks and respective end regions of the first elongate portion are urged towards the rear faces of the first and second main insulation blocks such that the io first projections thereof are urged into the first and second main insulation blocks to couple the same together. Optionally, the method further comprises: locating a filler insulation block in a gap defined by the joist located between 15 the first and second main insulation blocks; and urging the filler insulation block downwardly and on to the third projections extending upwardly from the second elongate portion of the first apparatus. Optionally, the method further comprises: 20 laying a first layer of insulation wool between adjacent pairs of joists and up to a rear face of the main insulation blocks and the filler insulation blocks forming a row of insulation blocks along the internal eave space of the roof; and laying a second layer of insulation wool on the first layer of insulation wool and optionally in a direction perpendicular to a direction of the first layer of insulation 25 wool. Description of the Drawings Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference 30 to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates an insulation system according to certain embodiments of the present invention; 29 01 24 Figure 2 illustrates a first type of bracket according to certain embodiments of the present invention which is used in the system; and Figure 3 illustrates a second type of bracket according to certain embodiments of the 5 present invention which is used in the system. Detailed Description As illustrated in Figure 1, a system 100 according to certain embodiments of the io present invention for efficiently insulating the eave space in a roof includes a plurality of preformed, e.g. cut, wedge-shaped solid insulation blocks 102 which are shaped and sized to locate snuggly in the eaves of a roof space defined between the roof rafters 104 and the ceiling 106 of the room below. Each block 102 is located between adjacent joists 108 supporting the ceiling. The insulation blocks are aptly 15 polyurethane (PUR), polyisocyan urate (PIR) or extruded polystyrene (XPS) and may be foil-backed for reflecting heat radiation. Each block 102 has a flat rear face 110 for a fixing bracket 200 according to certain embodiments of the present invention to engage with and fix the block with respect to an adjacent joist, as described further below. Each block 102 also has an angled front face 112 substantially 20 corresponding to the angle of the eave space to allow each block to be located snuggly into the eave space for efficiently and substantially completely insulating the roof space, whilst aptly leaving a gap of around 40-50mm between the block and the roof lining, e.g. felt, to thereby avoid compromising airflow and in turn condensation issues or the like within the roof space. 25 As illustrated in Figure 2, a first bracket 200 according to certain embodiments of the present invention includes a first elongate and plate-like portion 202 oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to a second elongate and plate-like portion 204. Plate-like has been used to define each portion as being relatively thin so compared to its length and width, and elongate describes how its length is substantially greater than its width, i.e. each portion could also be described as striplike. Each portion also has opposed major surfaces. The longitudinal axes of the first and second portions 202,204 are oriented perpendicularly to each other and the second portion 204 extends from around midway along the first portion 202 such that 29 01 24 when the bracket is in an unfolded and flat state the bracket is substantially T-shaped. However, when the first and second portions 202,204 are folded by around ninety degrees with respect to each other about a fold line 206, an inner surface of the first portion 202 is oriented substantially perpendicularly to an inner surface of 5 the second portion 204. The second portion 204 is oriented length-wise substantially horizontally for engagement with the flat upper surface of a joist and the first portion 202 is oriented width-wise substantially vertically for engagement with the flat rear face 110 of a respective block 102. io The first portion 202 of the bracket 200 includes at least one inwardly extending first projection 208, and preferably a plurality of spaced apart first projections each located in a respective half of the first portion (as illustrated), for locating into the rear face 110 of a respective insulation block 102 when the same are in situ in the eave space. The first portion 202 of the bracket 200 is configured to span across and is engage the rear faces of a pair of adjacent insulation blocks located between adjacent joists and bridges the gap between the adjacent blocks. Aptly, each of the first projections 208 is substantially barbed to securely anchor the projection in the insulation material and to at least minimise the chance of pull-out when in situ. Preferably, each first projection 208 is substantially arrow-shaped to provide a 20 double-barbed end region. The first projections 208 are aptly punched out of the first portion 202 and folded out along a respective fold line to be substantially perpendicular to the first portion and to leave an arrow-shaped aperture therein. The second portion 204 of the bracket 200 includes at least one downwardly 25 extending second projection 210, and preferably a plurality of spaced apart second projections located along its length, for locating into the timber joist when the second portion is pressed or impacted, such as by a hammer, towards the joist to fix the bracket thereto. Aptly, the second projections 210 are substantially teeth-like spikes having a point for penetrating the timber joist when pressed or hammered thereinto so and are barbless. Aptly, the second projections 210 are substantially perpendicular to the second portion and a correspondingly shaped aperture is defined in the second portion 204 after the / each second projection is folded downwardly about a respective fold line. 29 01 24 The second portion 204 of the bracket 200 also includes at least one upwardly extending third projection 212, and preferably a plurality of spaced apart third projections located along its length wherein each third projection is located between an adjacent pair of the second projections 210, for locating into the underside face of 5 a relatively thin filler block (not shown) used to fill and insulate the gap between the adjacent main insulation blocks 102. Aptly, the or each third projection 212 is substantially barbed to securely anchor the projection in the insulation material like the first projection / s 208. The second projections 212 are aptly punched out of the second portion 204 and folded out along a respective fold line to be substantially io perpendicular to the second portion and to leave an arrow-shaped aperture therein. As illustrated in Figure 3, a second bracket 300 according to certain embodiments of the present invention includes a first elongate and plate-like portion 302 oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to a second elongate and plate-like portion 15 304. The longitudinal axes of the first and second portions 302,304 are oriented perpendicularly to each other and the second portion 304 extends from an end region of the first portion 302 such that when the bracket is in an unfolded and flat state the bracket is substantially L-shaped. However, when the first and second portions 302,304 are folded by around ninety degrees with respect to each other 20 about a fold line 306, the first portion 302 is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the second portion 304. The second portion 304 is oriented length-wise substantially horizontally for engagement with the flat upper surface of a joist and the first portion 302 is oriented width-wise substantially vertically for engagement with the flat rear face 110 of a respective insulation block 102. 25 The first portion 302 of the bracket 300 includes at least one inwardly extending first projection 308 for locating into the rear face 110 of a respective insulation block 102 when the same is in situ in the eave space. Aptly, the first projection 308 is substantially barbed to securely anchor the projection in the insulation material and 30 to at least minimise the chance of pull-out when in situ. Preferably, the first projection 308 is substantially arrow-shaped to provide a double-barbed end region. The second portion 304 of the bracket 300 includes at least one downwardly extending second projection 310, and preferably a plurality of spaced apart second 29 01 24 projections located along its length, for locating into the timber joist when the second portion is pressed or impacted, such as by a hammer, towards the joist to fix the bracket thereto. Aptly, the second projections 310 are substantially teeth-like spikes having a point for penetrating the timber joist when pressed or hammered thereinto 5 and are barbless. The second portion 304 of the bracket 300 also includes at least one upwardly extending third projection 312, and preferably a plurality of spaced apart third projections located along its length wherein each third projection is located between io an adjacent pair of the second projections 310, for locating into the underside face of a relatively thin filler block (not shown) used to fill and insulate the gap between the adjacent main insulation blocks 102. Aptly, the or each third projection 312 is substantially barbed to securely anchor the projection in the insulation material like the first projection / s 308. 15 Aptly, each of the first, second and third projections 208,210,212,308,310,312 of the first and second brackets 200,300 is formed by punching and folding or the like. Alternatively, the projections may be partly formed during manufacture, e.g. by punching but not folding out, and may be urged out from the respective portion of the 20 bracket by the installer when the bracket is to be installed. A frangible portion / s may hold the projection in a retracted position before the installer urges it towards the deployed position by fracturing the frangible portion / s. This may desirably allow the brackets to be efficiently transported and stored in a stack until needed. Aptly, the brackets are made of a metal material, such as stainless steel or aluminium or the 25 like, but may be formed from a plastics material by, for example, injection moulding or the like. Alternatively, the brackets may be a composite / hybrid construction of metal and plastic, such as a plastic-coated metal bracket or bracket comprising a plurality of metal wires embedded in a plastic substrate wherein some of the wires may extend out of the substrate at desired locations to provide the projections. 30 A method of installing the system 100 in a roof space will now be described. The main insulation blocks 102 are cut on site, such by a hot wire foam cutter, or preformed, to be sized and shaped to fit snuggly in the eaves of a roof space defined between the roof rafters 104 and the ceiling 106 of the room below. The main 29 01 24 insulation blocks 102 are located in the eaves between the joists such that the angled surface of each block is proximal to the roof felt of the existing roof, whilst aptly leaving a gap of around 40-50mm between the block and the roof lining, e.g. felt, to thereby avoid compromising airflow and in turn condensation issues or the 5 like within the roof space. Each block may engage under a respective roof truss or may be cut or preformed to accommodate a truss and therefore be located further into the eave space and closer to the roof felt than conventional roof insulation whilst aptly defining a gap between the main insulation blocks and the roof lining. As each main block is located in situ, the L-shaped bracket 300 may be used to attach the io main block to the timber joist by sliding the bracket into position such that the barbed projections 308 extending inwardly from the first portion 302 of the bracket are urged into the rear face of the respective insulation block and the second portion 304 of the bracket is located on top of the adjacent joist. The installer can then apply a downward force on the second portion 304 to urge the teeth-like projections 310 into 15 the timber joist. The downward force may be provided by pressing down on the second portion 304 or by hammering or the like. The next insulation block can then be located in position and another L-shaped bracket 300 can be used to securely attach that block in situ to the next timber joist, and so on. Alternatively, the T-shaped bracket 200 may be used to couple adjacent insulation blocks together and 20 securely attach each adjacent pair of blocks to a timber joist located in between. Desirably, the brackets secure the blocks in position and ensure an optional gap defined between each block and the roof lining is maintained. Filler blocks of insulation are then cut or preformed to fit in between adjacent main blocks to provide a continuous insulation barrier along the length of the eave space and to insulate the 25 timber joist. Each filler block is urged downwardly on to the barbed projections 212,312 extending upwardly from the second portion 204,304 of the bracket 200,300 to secure the filler block in position. Each filler block is aptly also spaced away from the roof lining by around 40-50mm to prevent compromising airflow between the insulation and the roof lining. A first layer 400 of conventional insulation wool can so then be laid between the joists and up against the rear face of the installed insulation blocks, followed by a second layer 402 of the insulation wool on top of the first layer and preferably in a perpendicular direction with respect to the first layer of insulation wool. 29 01 24 Certain embodiments of the present invention therefore provide a bracket for fixing a block of insulation to a timber joist and optionally coupling adjacent blocks of insulation together. The bracket is non-complex to manufacture and use and speeds up the insulating process which in turn results in less manual labour in the roof space 5 which can be undesirably uncomfortable, particularly in dusty and / or warm conditions. The bracket does not require separate fixings, such as staples, nails or screws, to fix it to the timber joists or insulation blocks. The insulation system provides an efficient means of insulating the roof of a building, particularly the eave space thereof, to further reduce heat loss from the building and in turn reduce the io amount of energy used to heat the building, whilst also reducing if not eliminating thermal bridging effects between the conventional roof insulation and the building walls. The insulation system according to certain embodiments of the present invention also reduces the amount of material used and wasted during the insulating process which is also environmentally friendly, and aptly also acts to space the 15 conventional wool insulation away from the walls and roof, and in turn any air flow effects, to thereby prevent the same becoming damaged and its integrity compromised over time. 29 01 24

Claims

1. Apparatus for fixing an insulation block in the internal eave space of a roof, comprising:5 a first elongate portion defining a first longitudinal axis;a second elongate portion defining a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first longitudinal axis is oriented substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis, and wherein an inner surface of the first elongate portion is angled with respect to an inner surface of the second elongate portion;io at least one first projection extending from the inner surface of the firstelongate portion;at least one second projection extending downwardly from an outer surface of the second elongate portion opposed to the inner surface of the second elongate portion; and15 at least one third projection extending upwardly from the inner surfaceof the second elongate portion,wherein the at least one first and third projections each comprise an elongate stem region and a barbed end region.20 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the barbed end region comprises a pair of opposed barbs.

3. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one second projection comprises a barbless spike.

254. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner surface of the first elongate portion is oriented substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the second elongate portion.30 5. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first elongateportion is coupled to the second elongate portion at a fold line.

6. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the second elongate portion extends from a longitudinal edge of the first elongate portion and substantially midway along its length7. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second elongate portion extends from a longitudinal edge of the first elongate portion and proximal to an end region thereof.

8. A system for insulating the internal eave space of a roof, comprising a plurality of apparatus according to any preceding claim, and a plurality of wedge-shaped insulation blocks for locating in the internal eave space of the roof.

9. A building comprising a system according to claim 8 installed in the internal eave space of a roof of the building.

10. A method of insulating the internal eave space of a roof, comprising: locating a first wedge-shaped main insulation block between a first pair of joists such that an angled front surface of the first main insulation block is located proximal to a lining of the roof;locating the second elongate portion of a first apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7 on an upper surface of one of the joists and adjacent to the first main insulation block;urging the first projections extending inwardly from the first elongate portion of the first apparatus into the first main insulation block; andurging the second projections extending downwardly from the second elongate portion of the first apparatus into the joist.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: locating a second wedge-shaped main insulation block between a second pair of joists adjacent to the first pair of joists such that an angled front surface of the second main insulation block is located proximal to the lining of the roof;locating the second elongate portion of a second apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7 on an upper surface of one of the joists adjacent to the second main insulation block;urging the first projections extending inwardly from the first elongate portion of the second apparatus into the second main insulation block; andurging the second projections extending downwardly from the second elongate portion of the second apparatus into the joist.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:prior to locating the second elongate portion of the first apparatus on the upper surface of one of the joists and adjacent to the first main insulation block, locating a second wedge-shaped main insulation block between a second pair of joists and adjacent to the first main insulation block such that an angled front surface of the second main insulation block is located proximal to the lining of the roof, and wherein the second elongate portion is located between the first and second main insulation blocks and respective end regions of the first elongate portion are urged towards the rear faces of the first and second main insulation blocks such that the first projections thereof are urged into the first and second main insulation blocks to couple the same together.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising:locating a filler insulation block in a gap defined by the joist located between the first and second main insulation blocks; andurging the filler insulation block downwardly and on to the third projections extending upwardly from the second elongate portion of the first apparatus.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:laying a first layer of insulation wool between adjacent pairs of joists and up to a rear face of the main insulation blocks and the filler insulation blocks forming a row of insulation blocks along the internal eave space of the roof; andlaying a second layer of insulation wool on the first layer of insulation wool and optionally in a direction perpendicular to a direction of the first layer of insulation wool.29 01 24

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