Roof sheet roller and roller system

Abstract

A roof sheet roller and roof sheet roller system are provided that allow large roof sheets to be transported on a roof in a safe and reliable manner. The roof sheet roller comprises: a body, including an elongate support surface, on which a plurality of roof sheets may be laterally positioned, and a retainer at a first end thereof; one or more rollers, coupled to the body, configured to roll the roof sheet roller on a support surface; and a handle, extending upwardly and outwardly from a second end of the body. The elongate support surface is bound by the retainer at the first end and the handle at the second end to thereby prevent the plurality of roof sheets from sliding off the elongate support surface at the first and second ends.

Description

ROOF SHEET ROLLER AND ROLLER SYSTEMTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to roofing tools, and in particular, although not exclusively, to roofing rollers, for moving sheets of roofing on a roof for installation.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In commercial construction, a common form of roof installation is metal sheeting installed onto purlins (e.g. Z-purlins or C-purlins). In such case, metal sheets are lifted into position onto the purlins, and secured into place, e.g. using screws.

[0003] Traditionally, cranes have been used to lift the metal sheets into place, upon which they are secured. This process is repeated until the entire roof is installed.

[0004] A problem with such roof installation is that it is quite costly. As an illustrative example, crane time is high in such installations, and crane time is very expensive, particularly for cranes that are able to position sheets on a large building.

[0005] Several attempts have been made to enable roofing to be installed while minimising crane time and / or minimising the requirements of the crane. This has included lifting metal sheets onto an edge of the roof and distributing the sheets on the roof manually.

[0006] It is not, however, practical to use small sheets on large buildings, and as such, the sheets are heavy. This requires the use of trolleys or similar to move the sheets around the roof. A problem with trolleys of the prior art is that they are dangerous in roofing scenarios. In particular, sheeting may slide off the trolleys and causing injury to workers, and / or damage to the building.

[0007] As such, there is clearly a need for improved roofing tools, and in particular roofing tools that enable crane time to be reduced and / or minimise the requirements on the crane being used.

[0008] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.SUMMARY

[0009] The present disclosure relates to roof sheet rollers, which may at least partiallyovercome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

[0010] With the foregoing in view, the present disclosure in one form, resides broadly in a roof sheet roller comprising: a body, including an elongate support surface, on which a plurality of roof sheets may be laterally positioned, and a retainer at a first end thereof; one or more rollers, coupled to the body, configured to roll the roof sheet roller on a support surface, such as a purlin; a handle, extending upwardly and outwardly from a second end of the body, wherein the elongate support surface is bound by the retainer at the first end and the handle at a second end to thereby prevent the plurality of roof sheets from sliding off the elongate support surface at the first and second ends.

[0011] Advantageously, the roof sheet rollers allow large roof sheets to be transported, e.g. on a roof, in a safe and reliable manner. In particular, the elongate support surface enables roof sheets may be laterally positioned such that they extend between adjacent like roof sheet rollers, which enables large sheets to be transported. The sheets may comprise structural steel sheets installed over the top of safety wire. The handle and retaining member at the first and second ends prevent the roof sheets from sliding forward or backwards.

[0012] Preferably, the one or more rollers are configured to support the roof sheet roller from below.

[0013] Preferably, the one or more rollers comprise a plurality of rollers.

[0014] Preferably, the one or more rollers each extend across a width of the body. Preferably, each of the rollers is configured to rotate around an axis perpendicular to a length of the elongate support surface.

[0015] Preferably, the one or more rollers comprise two rollers. The two rollers may be positioned at or near the first and second ends of the body.

[0016] Preferably, each of the one or more rollers comprises a cylindrical body, with flanges on opposing sides thereof.

[0017] The flanges may be radial flanges. The flanges may lie in planes perpendicular to an axis of the roller.

[0018] Preferably, each of the rollers is substantially spool or reel shaped.

[0019] Preferably, the flanges are configured to guide the rollers along a purlin on a roof. A spacing of the flanges may correspond approximately to a width of a purlin.

[0020] Preferably, the roof sheet roller comprise a brake.

[0021] The brake may be configured to brake at least one of the one or more rollers.

[0022] The brake may be selectively engageable by a user, e.g. using a handle or similar.Such configuration enables the user to lock the roof sheet roller at a desired location.

[0023] The one or more rollers may comprise a plurality of rollers, wherein the brake is configured to brake a forward roller of the plurality of rollers. Such configuration may assist the user in pivoting the roof sheet roller around an axis of the forward roller. This may simplify unloading when the device is tilted, as the brake may stop the roof sheet roller from rolling forward when lifted, but instead tilting around the locked forward wheel.

[0024] The brake may include a locking pin. The brake may be biased in a locked position.

[0025] The brake may be coupled to a lever. The lever may be associated with the handle.The lever may be provided at or adjacent to an upper end of the handle. The ability to lock the brake from the handle is beneficial when the trolley is loaded, as access to the wheels may be difficult.

[0026] Preferably, the rollers comprise locking portions, with which a corresponding locking portion of or associated with the body may engage to lock the rollers. The locking portion may comprise a locking pin. The locking portions may lock the wheels, and thus prevent the roller from rolling, much like a brake on the wheels of a vehicle.

[0027] Preferably, the rollers include apertures spaced around a periphery thereof, with which a locking member of the body may engage to prevent rotation of the wheel.

[0028] Preferably, the bottom roller comprises a metal core, with a polyurethane outer shell.

[0029] Preferably, the retainer comprises a retaining member. Preferably, the retaining member extends across a width of the body.

[0030] Preferably, the retaining member comprises a sloped member extending upwardly from an end of the support surface. The sloped member may be configured to allow the roof sheets to slide off from the support surface when the support surface is tilted, while retaining the roof sheets when the support surface is not tilted.

[0031] Preferably, the retaining member comprise an upwardly extending planar portion, followed by a downwardly extending planar portion.

[0032] The retaining member may also function as a handle.

[0033] Preferably, the retaining member extends about 20-40mm above the support surface. Preferably, the retaining member extends upwardly at an angle of around 20 degrees relative to the support surface.

[0034] Preferably, the support surface includes at least one top roller. The at least one top roller may be configured to assist in rolling the plurality of roof sheets from the support surface.

[0035] Preferably, the support surface includes a plurality of top rollers.

[0036] Preferably, the top rollers each extend across a width of the support surface.Preferably, each of the rollers is configured to rotate around an axis perpendicular to a length of the elongate support surface.

[0037] Preferably, each of the top rollers is spaced along a length of the support surface.

[0038] Preferably, each of the top rollers is substantially cylindrical in shape.

[0039] The retainer may comprise a sloped member sloping upwardly from an end of the support surface, and wherein the at least one top roller is configured to assist the sheets in sliding off from the support surface and over the sloped member when the roof sheet roller is tilted.

[0040] As such, the upwardly sloped retainer may retain the sheets when the sheets are moved around, but allow the sheets to slide off (together with help from the rollers) when tilted, without needing to be reconfigured or removed. This may greatly simplify unloading of the sheets.

[0041] Preferably, the top rollers are about 70mm in diameter.

[0042] Preferably, the handle comprises first and second elongate portions, extending from either side of the support surface, and a third portion extending between ends of the first and second elongate portions.

[0043] The first, second and third portions may each be substantially linear.

[0044] The third portion may extend across a width of the support surface.

[0045] The handle may comprise an open loop.

[0046] Such configuration generally provides more control than a single arm extending upwardly and outwardly from the body.

[0047] Preferably, the body is about 700mm-1300mm long. More preferably, the body is about 1000mm long.

[0048] Preferably, the body is about 140mm-200mm wide. More preferably, the body is about 170mm wide.

[0049] The support surface may about 600mm-1200mm long. More preferably, the support surface is about 820mm long.

[0050] A width of the support surface may be substantially the same as a width of the body.

[0051] The first and second ends may be opposing ends.

[0052] Preferably, the body includes a lifting handle on a side thereof.

[0053] Preferably, the roof sheet roller is formed primarily of steel plate. More preferably, the roof sheet roller is formed primarily of about 3-5mm steel plate.

[0054] Preferably, the roof sheet roller is engineered according to one or more standards or guidelines, such as Australian standards.

[0055] According to another embodiment, the disclosure resides broadly in a roof sheet roller system comprising a plurality of roof sheet rollers, arranged such that a plurality of roof sheets extend across the plurality of roof sheet rollers, such that the plurality of roof sheet rollers together support the plurality of roof sheets.

[0056] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[0057] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0058] Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0059] Figure 1 illustrates an upper perspective view of a roof sheet roller, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Figure 2 illustrates another upper perspective view of the roof sheet roller, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the roof sheet roller, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the roof sheet roller, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Figure 5 illustrates a rear view of the roof sheet roller, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a roller of the roof sheet roller, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] Figure 7 illustrates a rear view of a roof sheet roller system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Figure 3 illustrates a side view of a roof sheet roller, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Exemplary features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0068] Embodiments of roof sheet rollers and roof sheet roller systems are described below that allow large roof sheets to be transported, e.g. on a roof, in a safe and reliable manner. In particular, the elongate support surface enables roof sheets may be laterally positioned such that they extend between adjacent like roof sheet rollers, which enables large sheets to be transported. The handle and retaining member at the first and second ends prevent the roof sheets from sliding forward or backwards.

[0069] Figure 1 illustrates an upper perspective view of a roof sheet roller 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates another upper perspective view, Figure 3 illustrates a side view, Figure 4 illustrates a top view, and Figure 5 illustrates a rear viewof the roof sheet roller 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] The roof sheet roller 100 includes a body 105, including an elongate support surface 110 thereon. The elongate support surface 110 is configured to receive and support a plurality of roof sheets (not shown). The plurality of roof sheets are generally sheet metal roof sheets that are stacked as a group, and are laterally positioned, such that they extend outwardly from the sides of the body 105 / support surface 110.

[0071] The roof sheet roller 100 further includes a retainer in the form of a sloped retaining member 115, that extends upwardly from an end of the support surface 110, and functions to prevent the plurality of roof sheets from sliding forward off the support surface 110. The sloped retaining member 115 also functions to allow the sheets to slide from the support surface 110, when the roof sheet roller 100 is tilted, as outlined below.

[0072] A handle 120 extends upwardly and outwardly from a second end of the body 105, and is for operating the roof sheet roller 100. In particular, a worker will use the handle 120 to push / move the roof sheet roller 100 on a roof. The handle 120 comprises first and second elongate portions 120a, extending from either side of the support surface, and a third portion 120b extending between ends of the first and second elongate portions.

[0073] The first and second portions 120a and the third portion 120b are each be substantially linear, and the handle 120 comprises an open loop therebetween. Such configuration provides more control than a single arm extending upwardly and outwardly from the body 105, and simplifies the process of lifting the end. In particular, the user is able to lift the third portion 120b from below, and thereby tilt the entire roof sheet roller 100 to unload the roof sheets therefrom, as outlined below.

[0074] The handle 120, and the third portion 120b, extend across a width of the support surface 110. This provides a handle 120 that is wide, and therefore ergonomic, without being clunky.

[0075] The elongate support surface 110 is bound by the sloped retaining member 115 at a first end of the roof sheet roller 100, and by the handle 120 at a second end of the roller. This ensures that the plurality of roof sheets positioned on the support surface 110 to not slide off from the support surface 110 forwards or backwards. This simplifies the process of moving the sheets, and increases safety. Furthermore, by providing a sloped retaining member 115 in such manner enables the plurality of roof sheets to be easily slid from the support surface 110 (forwards) by lifting the handle 120 (and thus rear of the body 105).

[0076] The roof sheet roller 100 includes first and second rollers 125, coupled to the body 105, and are configured to roll the roof sheet roller 100 on a support surface, such as a purlin. In particular, the rollers 125 rotate relative to the body 105, which enables the support surface 110 to easily move relative to the purlin, without requiring a worker to drag the item or similar.

[0077] The rollers 125 are partially enclosed by the body 105, but extend downward from a lower surface thereof. The rollers 125 each extend across a width of the body, and are configured to rotate around an axis perpendicular to a length of the elongate support surface 110. This enables the roof sheet roller 100 to roll back and forward, while preventing the roof sheet roller 100 from moving side to side.

[0078] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a roller 125 of the roof sheet roller 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] The roller 125 comprises a cylindrical body 605, with flanges 610 on opposing sides thereof. The flanges 610 comprise radial flanges, that lie substantially in planes perpendicular to an axis of the roller 125. As a result, the roller 125 is substantially spool or reel shaped.

[0080] The flanges 610 are configured to guide the roller 125 along a purlin on a roof. In particular, purlins are elongate and may have an upper surface having a width of about 100- 120mm. A spacing of the flanges may correspond approximately to, or be slightly larger than, a width of the purlin. As a result, the flanges 610 extend partially down sides of the purlin, and function as guides to prevent the roller 125 from rolling off the purlin.

[0081] The rollers 125 include a metal (aluminium) core 615, with a polyurethane outer shell620. The outer shell 620 extends across the entire core 615, including the cylindrical body 605.

[0082] The core 615 includes a central aperture 625, which functions as a bearing, around which the roller 125 may rotate. In particular, a pin may extend from the body 105 through the aperture 625 to retain the roller 125 in position.

[0083] The core 615 further includes locking portions in the form of apertures 630, with which a corresponding a locking portion, in the form of a locking pin 130, may engage to lock the rollers 125. In particular, the locking pin 130 is fixed to a side of the body 105, and is configured to extend therefrom into the aperture 630. This prevents the roller 125 from rotating. The locking pin 130 may be spring loaded.

[0084] The apertures 630 are spaced around a periphery of the core 615 (and thereby roller 125). This enables the roller 125 to be locked into position without needing to carefully position the roller 125 relative to the body 105.

[0085] The support surface 110 includes a plurality of top rollers 135, extending upwardly from the surface. The top rollers 135 are spaced along the length of the support surface 110 and function to assist unrolling of roof sheets from the support surface 110 as outlined below.

[0086] Each of the top rollers 135 extends across a width of the support surface 110, and is configured to rotate around an axis perpendicular to a length of the elongate support surface 110. This assists in helping the roof sheets roll on / off the support surface 110 along a direction of its length.

[0087] Each of the top rollers 135 is substantially cylindrical in shape and approximately 70mm in diameter.

[0088] Finally, the body 105 includes a side handle 140, extending from a side of the body 105. The side handle 140 is useful when the roof sheet roller 100 is transported, etc, as it enables a worker to lift or manipulate the roof sheet roller 100 in an area close to its centre of mass. The sloped retaining member 115 may similarly function as a handle, e.g. though an opening associated therewith. The skilled addressee will, however, readily appreciate that any suitable arrangement of handles, anchor points or the like may be used.

[0089] In use, a plurality of roof sheet rollers 100 are lifted onto a roof portion of a building where roofing is to be installed. The roof sheet rollers 100 are positioned in a line on purlins, near an edge of the building, and in a direction away from the edge of the building.

[0090] A plurality of stacked roof sheets are then lifted onto the roof portion, e.g. by a crane, and placed across the support surfaces 110 of the roof sheet rollers 100.

[0091] Figure 7 illustrates a rear view of a plurality of roof sheet rollers 100, positioned on respective purlins 705 of a roof portion of a building.

[0092] The purlins 705 are z-purlins, but the skilled addressee will readily appreciate that any suitable purlin type or roof structure may be used. Similarly, Figure 7 schematically illustrates the concept of a plurality of roof rollers transporting roof sheets 710, but is not drawn to scale.

[0093] The roof sheets 710 are stacked and extend across and between the support surfaces 110.

[0094] Workers may then push the sheet rollers 100 to move the sheets 710 into position. This is done using the handle 120, which enables the workers to get their weight behind the sheet rollers 100.

[0095] When in position, the workers may lift the handles 120, to thereby lift a rear of the sheet rollers 100. This causes the roof sheets to roll / slide from the support surface 1 10, over the sloped retaining member 1 15 and onto the purlins 705. The roof sheets may then be installed, as it known in the art.

[0096] The sloped retaining member 1 15 extends about 20-40mm above the support surface and at an angle of around 20 degrees relative to the support surface. Such configuration is useful in that it prevents the sheets from sliding off from the support surface 110 when the sheet rollers are pushed, but also does not inhibit unloading of the sheets when the sheet rollers are lifted / tilted forwards.

[0097] The roof sheet roller is formed primarily of steel plate (e.g. 3mm-5mm) that is welded together. In particular, the sides of the body 105, the support surface 1 10 and the sloped retaining member 115 are all formed of steel plate.

[0098] The body 105 may have any suitable size, but is generally about 700mm-1300mm long (preferably about 1000mm long), and about 140mm-200mm wide (preferably about 170mm wide).

[0099] Similarly, the support surface may have any suitable size, but is generally about 600mm-1200mm long (preferably about 820mm long) and about the same width as the body (i.e. it extends across an entire front surface of the body).

[0100] While the above embodiment describes a roller with a locking pin 130, which may be engaged and disengaged manually, the skilled addressee will readily appreciate that other locking mechanisms may also be used.

[0101] Figure 8 illustrates a side view of a roof sheet roller 800, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The roof sheet roller 800 is similar to the roller 100, but includes a levered brake.

[0102] In particular, a spring-loaded locking pin 830 engages with apertures 630 of the core 615. The spring-loaded locking pin 830 is coupled to a lever 835 on the handle 120 by a wire 840 such that rotation of the lever causes the spring-loaded locking pin 830 to engage and disengage.

[0103] Such configuration is particularly useful as it enables the brake to be engaged and / or disengaged while holding on to the handle, and without requiring the operator to bend down to the locking pin. This simplifies use of the roof sheet roller 800 while sheets are on the roller, which may make access to the locking pin difficult.

[0104] While the pin is engaged with a simple lever in Figure 8, in other embodiments, the lever may be replaced by a lever that must be squeezed against the handle to disengage the brake. Such lever may be biased to an open (locked) position, thereby functioning like a dead man switch, so that if the operator loses grip of the handle, the wheels will automatically lock.

[0105] While a locking pin is used on the above embodiments, any sort of braking mechanism may be used, including a friction based locking mechanism, e.g. similar to a drum or disc brake.

[0106] The handle 120 is hingedly attached to the body 105 using a lockable hinge 850. This enables the handle 120 to fold down over the elongate support surface 110, and thus provides a compact configuration of the roof sheet roller 800 for transportation. The lockable hinge 850 is lockable in a number of configurations, including a transport configuration (to prevent the handle 120 inadvertently folding open), and a use configuration (to prevent the handle 120 from folding down).

[0107] Advantageously, the roof sheet rollers allow large roof sheets to be transported, e.g. on a roof, in a safe and reliable manner. In particular, the elongate support surface enables roof sheets may be laterally positioned such that they extend between adjacent like roof sheet rollers, which enables large sheets to be transported. The handle and retaining member at the first and second ends prevent the roof sheets from sliding forward or backwards.

[0108] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[0109] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.[001 10] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.[001 11 ] In compliance with the statute, the disclosure has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the disclosure isnot limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the disclosure into effect. The disclosure is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A roof sheet roller comprising: a body, including an elongate support surface, on which a plurality of roof sheets may be laterally positioned, and a retainer at a first end thereof; one or more rollers, coupled to the body, configured to roll the roof sheet roller on a support surface; a handle, extending upwardly and outwardly from a second end of the body wherein the elongate support surface is bound by the retainer at the first end and the handle at the second end to thereby prevent the plurality of roof sheets from sliding off the elongate support surface at the first and second ends.

2. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein the one or more rollers are configured to support the roof sheet roller from below.

3. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein the one or more rollers comprise a plurality of rollers.

4. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein the one or more rollers each extend across a width of the body.

5. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more rollers is configured to rotate around an axis perpendicular to a length of the elongate support surface.

6. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein the one or more rollers comprise two rollers.

7. The roof sheet roller of claim 6, wherein the two rollers are positioned at or near the first and second ends of the body, respectively.

8. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more rollers comprises a cylindrical body, with flanges on opposing sides thereof.

9. The roof sheet roller of claim 8, wherein the flanges comprise radial flanges.

10. The roof sheet roller of claim 9, wherein the flanges lie in planes perpendicular to an axis of the roller.1 1 . The roof sheet roller of claim 8, wherein each of the rollers is substantially spool or reelshaped.

12. The roof sheet roller of claim 8, wherein the flanges are configured to guide the rollers along a purlin on a roof.

13. The roof sheet roller of claim 8, wherein a spacing of the flanges corresponds approximately to a width of a purlin on which the roof sheet roller is configured to operate.

14. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , further comprising a brake, configured to brake at least one of the one or more rollers, wherein the brake is selectively engageable by a user.

15. The roof sheet roller of claim 14, wherein the one or more rollers comprise a plurality of rollers, and wherein the brake is configured to brake a forward roller of the plurality of rollers, to assist the user in pivoting the roof sheet roller around an axis of the forward roller.

16. The roof sheet roller of claim 14, wherein the brake is coupled to a lever that is associated with an upper end of the handle.

17. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein the one or more rollers comprises a metal core, with a polyurethane outer shell.

18. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein the retainer comprises a retaining member that extends across a width of the body.

19. The roof sheet roller of claim 18, wherein the retaining member comprises a sloped member extending upwardly from an end of the support surface.

20. The roof sheet roller of claim 19, wherein the sloped member is configured to allow the roof sheets to slide off from the support surface when the support surface is tilted, while retaining the roof sheets when the support surface is not tilted.

21. The roof sheet roller of claim 18, wherein the retaining member comprise an upwardly extending planar portion, followed by a downwardly extending planar portion.

22. The roof sheet roller of claim 18, wherein the retaining member also defines a handle.

23. The roof sheet roller of claim 18, wherein the retaining member extends about 20-40mm above the support surface.

24. The roof sheet roller of claim 18, wherein the retaining member extends upwardly at an angle of around 20 degrees relative to the support surface.

25. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein the support surface includes at least one top roller.

26. The roof sheet roller of claim 25, wherein the at least one top roller is configured to assist in rolling the plurality of roof sheets from the support surface.

27. The roof sheet roller of claim 25, wherein the support surface includes a plurality of top rollers.

28. The roof sheet roller of claim 25, wherein the top rollers each extend across a width of the support surface.

29. The roof sheet roller of claim 25, wherein each of the top rollers is configured to rotate around an axis perpendicular to a length of the elongate support surface.

30. The roof sheet roller of claim 25, wherein each of the top rollers is spaced along a length of the support surface.31 . The roof sheet roller of claim 25, wherein each of the top rollers is substantially cylindrical in shape.

32. The roof sheet roller of claim 25, wherein the retainer comprises a sloped member sloping upwardly from an end of the support surface, and wherein the at least one top roller is configured to assist the sheets in sliding off from the support surface and over the sloped member when the roof sheet roller is tilted.

33. The roof sheet roller of claim 25, wherein the top rollers are about 70mm in diameter.

34. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises first and second elongate portions, extending from either side of the support surface, and a third portion extending between ends of the first and second elongate portions.

35. The roof sheet roller of claim 34, wherein the first, second and third portions are each substantially linear.

36. The roof sheet roller of claim 34, wherein the third portion extends across a width of the support surface.

37. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises an open loop.

38. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein the body is about 700mm-1300mm long.

39. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein the body is about 1000mm long.

40. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein the body is about 140mm-200mm wide.41 . The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein the body is about 170mm wide.

42. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein the support surface is about 600mm-1200mm long.

43. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein the support surface is about 820mm long.

44. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein a width of the support surface is substantially the same as a width of the body.

45. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein the first and second ends are opposing ends.

46. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein the body includes a lifting handle on a side thereof.

47. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein the roof sheet roller is formed primarily of steel plate.

48. The roof sheet roller of claim 1 , wherein the roof sheet roller is formed primarily of steel plate having a thickness of about 3-5mm.

49. A roof sheet roller system comprising a plurality of roof sheet rollers according to claim 1 , arranged such that a plurality of roof sheets extend across the plurality of roof sheet rollers, such that the plurality of roof sheet rollers together support the plurality of roof sheets.

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