OBSTRUCTION FOR PREVENTING ENTRY OF ANIMALS IN AN OPENING DEFINED BY A CURVED ROOF TILE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] None

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0002] The present technology relates to obstructions for preventing entry of animals in an opening defined by a curved roof tile

BACKGROUND

[0003] Many roofs use roof tiles, such as some types of clay roof tiles, that have a curved profile. Although such roof tiles offer many advantages, one of the disadvantages of such roof tiles is due to its curved profile. These curved roof tiles will define openings along the edge of the roof. Although small, these openings are large enough to permit the entry of small animals such as rodents and birds.

[0004] In order to prevent the entry of animals through these opening, different devices exist that can be used to at least partially obstruct the openings.

[0005] Continued on Page 1A.

[0006] One such device consists in a plate that is placed in an opening and is held in place by fastening the plate to a fascia of the roof. However, this is not always possible. For example, a gutter could interfere with the installation of such a plate.

[0007] European patent publication EP 0 340 856 A2, published November 8, 1989 describes a roof ventilator unit for attachment to a fascia board includes an elongate profiled member for attachment to the fascia board with a ventilation gap therebetween, filter means which extend across the gap and upstanding tooth elements to engage the underside of tiles or other external roof covering. The unit may also include an integral anti-ponding strip and drip skirt. Tiles may be retained in position by means of a tile-engaging clip which is anchorable on a selected tooth element.

[0008] French Patent Publication FR 3 017 632, published August 21, 2015, describes a device for obstructing an opening delimited by a curved tile of a roof in order to prevent the entry of an animal under the tile. The device has an obstruction plate obstructing the opening, and a hooking tab removably connected to the obstruction plate. The hooking tab defines a hook adapted to hook on the tile. However, attaching the hooking tab to the obstruction plate can be time consuming. Furthermore, the manner in which the tiles are installed and/or the distance between the edge of a tile and the fascia of the roof where the obstruction plate needs to be positioned can vary from one roof to another, or even from one tile to another on the same roof. The hooking tab only provides limited adjustment for properly positioning the obstruction plate in the opening.

[0009] Continued on Page 2.

[0010] There is therefore a device for a for preventing entry of animals in an opening defined by a curved roof tile that allows for various distances between an edge of the roof tile and a fascia of the roof.

SUMMARY

[0011] It is an object of the present technology to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences present in the prior art.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present technology, there is provided an obstruction for preventing entry of animals in an opening defined by a curved roof tile, according to claim 1. The obstruction has an obstruction plate for at least partially obstructing the opening; a bendable leg extending outwardly from an upper edge of the obstruction plate, the bendable leg being integral with the obstruction plate and extending in the plane of the obstruction plate when not bent; and a clip defining an aperture. The bendable leg passes through the aperture. The clip is selectively slidable along the bendable leg. The clip is configured for clipping onto the curved roof tile.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present technology, the bendable leg has a plurality of graduations thereon for determining a position of the clip along the bendable leg.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present technology, the obstruction plate defines a plurality of ventilation apertures.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present technology, an outward portion of the bendable leg is bent to prevent the clip from sliding off of the bendable leg.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present technology, a plurality of fingers extends outwardly from the obstruction plate.

[0017] In some embodiments of the present technology, the fingers of the plurality of fingers are bendable fingers.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present technology, the fingers of the plurality of fingers are integral with the obstruction plate.

[0019] Continued on page 2A

[0020] In some embodiments of the present technology, an imaginary line passing through outward ends of the fingers of the plurality of fingers is at least partially curved.

[0021] Continued on page 3

[0022] In some embodiments of the present technology, the obstruction plate defines a recess configured for receiving a portion of an adjacent roof tile.

[0023] In some embodiments of the present technology, a plurality of recess fingers extends from at least one edge of the obstruction plate defining the recess.

[0024] In some embodiments of the present technology, the recess fingers of the plurality of recess fingers are bendable recess fingers and are integral with the obstruction plate.

[0025] In some embodiments of the present technology, the obstruction plate defines at least one fastener aperture near a lower edge of the obstruction plate configured to receive a fastener for fastening the obstruction plate to a fascia of a roof having the curved roof tile.

[0026] In some embodiments of the present technology, the clip has a front wall defining the aperture; a first leg extending from the front wall; and a second leg extending from the front wall. The aperture is closer to the second leg than to the first leg. When the clip is connected to the curved roof tile: the roof tile is received between the first and second legs; and the bendable leg extends between the curved roof tile and one of the first and second legs.

[0027] In some embodiments of the present technology, a distance from the front wall of the clip to a tip of the second leg of the clip is greater than a distance from the front wall of the clip to a tip of the first leg; and the first leg defines at least one bend.

[0028] In some embodiments of the present technology, the bendable leg is more flexible than the clip.

[0029] Embodiments of the present technology each have at least one of the above-mentioned object and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them, while they all comprise the features of claim 1. It should be understood that some aspects of the present technology that have resulted from attempting to attain the above-mentioned object may not satisfy this object and/or may satisfy other objects not specifically recited herein.

[0030] Additional and/or alternative features, aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present technology will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as other aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an obstruction for preventing entry of animals connected to a curved roof tile;

Figure 2A is a perspective view of the obstruction of Figure 1, with the roof tile removed;

Figure 2B is a perspective view of the obstruction of Figure 2A, with an end of a leg of the obstruction unbent;

Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the obstruction body of the obstruction of Figure 2A prior to installation;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the clip of the obstruction of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a front view of the obstruction of Figure 2A connected to a roof tile and showing adjacent roof tiles; and

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the elements of Figure 5 taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figure 1 shows an obstruction 10 according to the present technology connected to a curved roof tile 12. As would be understood, since the curved roof tile 12 has a curved profile, the curved roof tile 12 defines an opening through which animals could enter, but which is prevented by the presence of the obstruction 10. More specifically, the undersurface of the curved roof tile 12 and the portion of the roof on which the curved roof tile 12 sits define the opening therebetween.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2A, the obstruction 10 has an obstruction body 14 and a clip 16. Returning to Figure 1, to install the obstruction 10 so as partially obstruct the opening defined by the curved roof tile 12, the obstruction body 14 is partially bent and placed over the opening and the clip 16 is clipped onto the curved roof tile 12 such that the clip 16 is disposed over the front edge 18 of the curved roof tile 12. The installation of the obstruction 10 will be described in more detail below.

[0034] With reference to Figures 2A to 4, the obstruction 10 will be described in more detail. As described above, the obstruction 10 has two main parts: the obstruction body 14 and the clip 16. The obstruction body 14 includes an obstruction plate 20, a bendable leg 22, a plurality of fingers 24, a plurality of fingers 26 and a plurality of fingers 28. The bendable leg 22 and the fingers 24, 26 and 28 are integral with the obstruction plate 20. In the present embodiment, the obstruction body 14 is made from aluminum, but other materials are contemplated. As can be seen in Figure 3, prior to installation, the obstruction body 14 is flat, thus making storage of the obstruction body 14 easy.

[0035] As best seen in Figure 3, the obstruction plate 20 has a straight lower edge 30 and a curved upper edge 32. The obstruction plate 20 also defines a recess 34 on one side thereof. More specifically, the recess 34 is defined by edges 36, 38, 40 of the obstruction plate 20. The obstruction plate 20 also defines a plurality of ventilation apertures 42 to allow for proper ventilation of the roof. The obstruction plate 20 also defines two fastener apertures 44 near its lower edge 30. The fastener apertures 44 can optionally be used to received fasteners, such as nails or screws, to fasten the obstruction body 14 to a fascia of the roof having the curved roof tile 12 in addition to or instead of connecting the obstruction 10 to the curved roof tile 12 with the clip 16. It is contemplated that there could be only one or more than two fastener apertures 44. It is also contemplated that the fastener apertures 44 could be omitted.

[0036] The bendable leg 22 extends from a top of the obstruction plate 20 and extends along a lateral center of the obstruction body 14. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2A, the bendable leg 22 can be bent near the obstruction plate 20 to allow attachment of the clip 16 to the curved roof tile 12. The bendable leg 22 is longer than half the overall height of the obstruction body 14. In the present embodiment, the bendable leg 22 has a plurality of graduations 46 of a front thereof. In some embodiments, the graduations 46 correspond to units of measurement such as centimeters or inches. The graduations 46 are used during the installation of the obstruction 10 to properly position and retain the clip 16 on the bendable leg 22 as will be explained in more detail below. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, graduations 46 could be provided on both sides of the bendable leg 22. As can be seen in Figure 2A, once the position of the clip 16 along the bendable leg 22 is determined, the outward portion of the bendable leg 22 (i.e. the portion of the bendable leg 22 between this position and the free end of the bendable leg 22) is bent down and then bent under the clip 16 to prevent the clip 16 from moving along the bendable leg 22. As shown in Figure 2B, it is contemplated that the outward portion of the bendable leg 22 does not have to be bent under the clip 16. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the graduations 46 could be omitted.

[0037] The fingers 24 extend outwardly from the upper edge 32 of the obstruction plate 20. As shown in Figure 3, an imaginary line 48 passing through the outward ends of the fingers 24 curved. By extending this line 48 on the other side of the obstruction body 14, it can be seen the contour of the obstruction body 14, excluding the bendable leg 22, has a generally curved profile so as to generally conform to a shape of the undersurface of the curved roof tile 12. The fingers 24 are bendable fingers. By bending one or more of the fingers 24, the obstruction body 14 can be used with a curved roof tile where the profile of the undersurface of the curved roof tile does not exactly correspond to the shape defined by the line 48, and/or with a curved roof tile that has projections on its undersurface. As a result, the obstruction 10 can be used with many different roof tiles without requiring a large inventory of different shapes and sizes of obstructions bodies. It is contemplated that the fingers 24 could be replaced by bendable tabs or other features permitting proper fitting of the obstruction body. It is contemplated that in some embodiments the fingers 24 could be omitted, in which case the obstruction plate 20 would have to be shaped and sized for a particular type of roof tiles with which the obstruction 10 is to be used.

[0038] The recess 34 allows the obstruction body 14 to be used with a curved roof tile where an adjacent roof tile protrudes inside the opening defined by the curved roof tile, as in Figure 5 for example. The portion of the adjacent roof tile that protrudes in the opening is received at least in part in the recess 34. The obstruction body 14 can be flipped over should the portion of the adjacent roof tile that protrudes in the opening be on the other side. The fingers 26 and 28 prevent the entry of animals through the recess 34. As they extend in the recess 34, the fingers 26, 28 are referred to as recess fingers 26, 28. The recess fingers 26 and 28 are bendable fingers and can be bent to adapt to the portion of the adjacent roof tile that is received in the recess 34 as needed. The recess fingers 26 extend horizontally from the vertical edge 38 and the recess fingers 28 extend vertically upward from the horizontal edge 40. It is contemplated that the recess fingers 28 could be omitted and that more recess fingers 26 could be provided. It is contemplated that at least some of the recess fingers 26 could be omitted and that some of the fingers 28 could be longer than illustrated. It is also contemplated that recess fingers could be provided that extend vertically downward from the horizontal edge 36. Other configurations of recess fingers extending in the recess 34 are also contemplated. It is also contemplated that in some embodiments where the obstruction 10 is to be used on a roof where no portion of an adjacent roof tile could interfere with the obstruction plate 20, that the recess 34, and therefore the recess fingers 26, 28, could be omitted. It is also contemplated that, instead of being asymmetric as shown, the obstruction body 14 could have recesses 34 with corresponding recess fingers 26, 28 on both sides therefore.

[0039] With reference to Figure 4, the clip 16 will now be described in more detail. The clip 16 has a front wall 60, an upper leg 62 and a lower leg 64. In the present embodiment, the clip 16 is made from a single piece of metal that is bent into the shape of the clip 16. More specifically, in the present embodiment the clip 16 is made from spring grade stainless steel. It is contemplated that other materials, such as plastic, could be used for making the clip 16. In embodiments of the present technology, the material used for making the obstruction body 14 is more flexible than the material used for making the clip 16. As such, the bendable leg 22 is more flexible than the clip 16.

[0040] The front wall 60 is curved. Both legs 62, 64 extend in a same direction from the front wall 60. The upper leg 62 has a first portion 66 that extends from the front wall 60 to a bend 68 defined by the upper leg 62. The first portion 66 of the upper leg 62 is curved and extends toward the lower leg 64 as it extends away from the front wall 60. The upper leg 62 has a second portion 70 that extends from the bend 68 to a tip 72 of the upper leg 62. The second portion 70 of the upper leg 62 is generally straight and extends away from the lower leg 64 as it extends away from the front wall 60. The lower leg 64 is slightly curved and is generally perpendicular to the front wall 60. A distance L1 from the front wall 60 to the tip 74 of the of the lower leg 64 is greater than a distance L2 from the front wall 60 to the tip 72 of the upper leg 62.

[0041] Due to its shape, the clip 16 can be clipped onto the curved roof tile 12 by simply pushing the clip 16 against the edge 18 of the curved roof tile 12. As the clip 16 moves toward the edge 18 of the curved roof tile 12, the second portion 70 of the upper leg 62 is deflected upward. When the front wall 60 abuts the edge 18 of the curved roof tile 12, the bend 68 is in contact with the top of the curved roof tile 12 and the curved roof tile 12 is received between the upper and lower legs 62, 64 of the clip 16 as seen in Figure 1. It is contemplated that the clip 16 could have a different shape.

[0042] The clip 16 defines an aperture 76 sized to receive the bendable leg 22 therethrough. The aperture 76 is rectangular in shape. The aperture 76 is closer to the lower leg 64 than to the upper leg 62. In the present embodiment, the aperture 76 is at the lower edge of the front wall 60. The bendable leg 22 passes through the aperture 76. The clip 16 is oriented such that the lower leg 64 faces the front of the bendable leg 22 (i.e. the side of the bendable leg 22 having the graduations 46). As can be seen in Figure 1, when the obstruction 10 is installed on the curved roof tile 12, the bendable leg 22 extends between the lower leg 64 of the clip 16 and the curved roof tile 12.

[0043] After the clip 16 has been slid over the bendable leg 22, a boss 78 is formed near the tip of the bendable leg 22. This boss 78 prevents the clip 16 from sliding off of the bendable leg 22. As a result, the obstruction 10 comes pre-assembled with the clip 16 on the bendable leg 22. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the boss 78 could be omitted, in which case the clip 16 and the obstruction body 14 would be provided separately prior to installation.

[0044] Turning now to Figures 5 and 6, the installation of the obstruction 10 onto a roof having curved roof tile 100 will be described. Each curved roof tile 100 has a curved portion 102. An opening 104 is defined between the curved portion 102 of and the fascia 106 of the roof for each curved roof tile 100. Each curved roof tile 100 also has a leg 108 that passes under one end of the curved roof tile 100 adjacent to it and that extends in the opening 104 defined by the curved roof tile 100 adjacent to it.

[0045] The distance L3 from a front edge 110 of the curved roof tile 100 to the front fascia 106 is first measured. With the clip 16 slid over the bendable leg 22 as described above, the bendable leg 22 is then bent at the position corresponding to the distance L3. The graduations 46 assists in determining the correct position of the bend. It is contemplated that the bendable leg 22 could be bent only once the obstruction body 14 is in position and the clip 16 is clipped is clipped to the tile 1002. The clip 16 is then slid along the bendable leg 22 to abut the bent portion of the bendable leg 22 and the bendable leg 22 is bent again as shown in Figure 6 such that the outward portion of the bendable leg 22 extends under the lower leg 64 of the clip 16 once installed. The obstruction body 14 is then inserted under the curved roof tile 12 to be placed over the opening 104. As a result, the bendable leg 22 bends near the obstruction plate 20 as can be seen in Figure 6. This bend in the bendable leg 22 biases the obstruction plate 20 against the fascia 106 of the roof. The clip 16 is pushed against the front edge 110 of the curved roof tile 100 to clip the obstruction body 14 to the curved roof tile 12. As indicated above, fasteners can optionally be inserted through the fastener apertures. It is contemplated that is some embodiment, the outward end of the bendable leg 22 does not need to be bent under the lower leg 64 of the clip 16 once installed as the force applied by the clip 16 is sufficient to prevent the clip 16 from sliding off the bendable leg 22 and for maintaining the bendable leg 22 in position. Additionally, in some embodiments the graduations 46 are made by indentations in the bendable leg 22, which increases friction between the clip 16 and the bendable leg 22. It is also contemplated that the clip 16 could be installed such that the leg 62 of the clip 16 is under the tile 12 and the leg 64 of the clip 16 is over the tile 12.

[0046] In the present embodiment, as can be seen in Figure 5, none of the fingers 24 are bent as the opening 104 is sufficiently large. However, should the opening 104, or should the curved roof tile 100 have projections on its undersurface, the finger 24 could be bent to allow the obstruction body 14 to properly fit in under the curved roof tile 100. Similarly, none of the fingers 26, 28 as the leg 108 of the adjacent curved roof tile 100 does not extend far enough into the recess 34 of the obstruction plate 20. However, should the leg 108 of the adjacent curved roof tile 100 extend more into the recess 34, one or more of the fingers 26, 28 could be bent to accommodate the leg 108. It is contemplated that in embodiments where the leg 108 is on the side opposite to what is illustrated in Figure 5 the obstruction body 14 could be flipped over such that the recess 34 is on the side opposite to what is illustrated in Figure 5.

[0047] As can be seen in Figure 5, there are some spaces between the obstruction body 14 and the curved roof tile 100, however these are too small to allow an animal to enter the roof via the opening 104. The spaces between the fingers 24, 26, 28 are too small to allow an animal to enter the roof via these spaces. The spaces around the obstruction body 14, the spaces between the fingers 24, 26, 28 and the ventilation aperture 42 help ensure that the roof remains well ventilated.

[0048] Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the present technology may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the present technology is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An obstruction (10) for preventing entry of animals in an opening (104) defined by a curved roof tile (12, 100), the obstruction (10) comprising:

an obstruction plate (20) for at least partially obstructing the opening (104);

a bendable leg (22) extending outwardly from an upper edge (32) of the obstruction plate (20), the bendable leg (22) being integral with the obstruction plate (20) and extending in the plane of the obstruction plate (20) when not bent; and

a clip (16) defining an aperture (76), the bendable leg (22) passing through the aperture (76), the clip (16) being selectively slidable along the bendable leg (22), the clip (16) being configured for clipping onto the curved roof tile (12, 100).

2. The obstruction (10) of claim 1, wherein the bendable leg (22) has a plurality of graduations (46) thereon for determining a position of the clip (16) along the bendable leg (22).

3. The obstruction (10) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the obstruction plate (20) defines a plurality of ventilation apertures (42).

4. The obstruction (10) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an outward portion of the bendable leg (22) is bent to prevent the clip (16) from sliding off of the bendable leg (22).

5. The obstruction (10) of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a plurality of fingers (24) extending outwardly from the obstruction plate (20).

6. The obstruction (10) of claim 5, wherein the fingers (24) of the plurality of fingers (24) are bendable fingers.

7. The obstruction (10) of claim 5 or 6, wherein the fingers (24) of the plurality of fingers (24) are integral with the obstruction plate (20).

8. The obstruction (10) of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein an imaginary line (48) passing through outward ends of the fingers (24) of the plurality of fingers (24) is at least partially curved.

9. The obstruction (10) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the obstruction plate (20) defines a recess (34) configured for receiving a portion of an adjacent roof tile (12, 100).

10. The obstruction (10) of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of recess fingers (26, 28) extending from at least one edge (36, 38, 40) of the obstruction plate (20) defining the recess (34).

11. The obstruction (10) of claim 10, wherein the recess fingers (26, 28) of the plurality of recess fingers (26, 28) are bendable recess fingers and are integral with the obstruction plate (20).

12. The obstruction (10) of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the obstruction plate (20) defines at least one fastener aperture (44) near a lower edge (30) of the obstruction plate (20) configured to receive a fastener for fastening the obstruction plate (20) to a fascia (106) of a roof having the curved roof tile (12, 100).

13. The obstruction (10) of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein:

the clip (16) comprises:

a front wall (60) defining the aperture (76);

a first leg (62) extending from the front wall (70); and

a second leg (64) extending from the front wall (60), the aperture (76) being closer to the second leg (64) than to the first leg (62); and

when the clip (16) is connected to the curved roof tile (12, 100):

the roof tile (12, 100) is received between the first and second legs (62, 64); and

the bendable leg (22) extends between the curved roof tile (12, 100) and one of the first and second legs (62, 64).

14. The obstruction (10) of claim 13, wherein:

a distance from the front wall (60) of the clip (16) to a tip (74) of the second leg (64) of the clip (16) is greater than a distance from the front wall (60) of the clip (16) to a tip (72) of the first leg (62); and

the first leg (62) defines at least one bend (68).

15. The obstruction (10) of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the bendable leg (22) is more flexible than the clip (16).

Ansprüche

1. Blockierung (10) zur Verhinderung des Eindringens von Tieren in eine durch einen gebogenen Dachziegel (12, 100) definierte Öffnung (104), wobei die Blockierung (10) Folgendes umfasst:

eine Blockierplatte (20) zum mindestens teilweisen Blockieren der Öffnung (104);

einen biegsamen Schenkel (22), der sich von einer oberen Kante (32) der Blockierplatte (20) nach außen erstreckt, wobei der biegsame Schenkel (22) einstückig mit der Blockierplatte (20) ist und sich auf der Ebene der Blockierplatte (20) erstreckt, wenn er nicht gebogen ist; und

einen Clip (16), der einen Durchlass (76) definiert, wobei der biegsame Schenkel (22) durch den Durchlass (76) verläuft, wobei der Clip (16) selektiv entlang des biegsamen Schenkels (22) verschiebbar ist, wobei der Clip (16) dazu konfiguriert ist, auf den gebogenen Dachziegel (12, 100) aufgeklipst zu werden.

2. Blockierung (10) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der biegsame Schenkel (22) eine Vielzahl von Abstufungen (46) aufweist, um eine Position des Clips (16) entlang des biegsamen Schenkels (22) zu bestimmen.

3. Blockierung (10) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Blockierplatte (20) eine Vielzahl von Belüftungsdurchlässen (42) definiert.

4. Blockierung (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei ein Außenabschnitt des biegsamen Schenkels (22) gebogen ist, um zu verhindern, dass der Clip (16) von dem biegsamen Schenkel (22) abrutscht.

5. Blockierung (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, ferner umfassend eine Vielzahl von Fingern (24), die sich von der Blockierplatte (20) nach außen erstreckt.

6. Blockierung (10) nach Anspruch 5, wobei die Finger (24) der Vielzahl von Fingern (24) biegsame Finger sind.

7. Blockierung (10) nach Anspruch 5 oder 6, wobei die Finger (24) der Vielzahl von Fingern (24) einstückig mit der Blockierplatte (20) sind.

8. Blockierung (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 7, wobei eine imaginäre Linie (48), die durch äußere Enden der Finger (24) der Vielzahl von Fingern (24) verläuft, mindestens teilweise gebogen ist.

9. Blockierung (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, wobei die Blockierplatte (20) eine Aussparung (34) definiert, die zum Aufnehmen eines Abschnitts eines benachbarten Dachziegels (12, 100) konfiguriert ist.

10. Blockierung (10) nach Anspruch 9, ferner umfassend eine Vielzahl von Aussparungsfingern (26, 28), die sich von mindestens einer Kante (36, 38, 40) der Blockierplatte (20) erstreckt, die die Aussparung (34) definiert.

11. Blockierung (10) nach Anspruch 10, wobei die Aussparungsfinger (26, 28) der Vielzahl von Aussparungsfingern (26, 28) biegbare Aussparungsfinger sind und mit der Blockierplatte (20) einstückig sind.

12. Blockierung (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11, wobei die Blockierplatte (20) mindestens einen Befestigungsdurchlass (44) in der Nähe einer Unterkante (30) der Blockierplatte (20) definiert, der zum Aufnehmen eines Befestigungselements konfiguriert ist, um die Blockierplatte (20) an einer Dacheinfassung (106) eines Dachs zu befestigen, das den gebogenen Dachziegel (12, 100) aufweist.

13. Blockierung (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12, wobei:
der Clip (16) Folgendes umfasst:

eine Vorderwand (60), die den Durchlass (76) definiert;

einen ersten Schenkel (62), der sich von der Vorderwand (70) erstreckt; und

einen zweiten Schenkel (64), der sich von der Vorderwand (60) erstreckt, wobei der Durchlass (76) näher an dem zweiten Schenkel (64) als an dem ersten Schenkel (62) liegt; und

wenn der Clip (16) mit dem gebogenen Dachziegel (12, 100) verbunden ist:

der Dachziegel (12, 100) zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Schenkel (62, 64) aufgenommen wird; und

der biegsame Schenkel (22) sich zwischen dem gebogenen Dachziegel (12, 100) und einem von dem ersten und zweiten Schenkel (62, 64) erstreckt.

14. Blockierung (10) nach Anspruch 13, wobei:

ein Abstand von der Vorderwand (60) des Clips (16) zu einer Spitze (74) des zweiten Schenkels (64) des Clips (16) größer ist als ein Abstand von der Vorderwand (60) des Clips (16) an einer Spitze (72) des ersten Schenkels (62); und

der erste Schenkel (62) mindestens eine Biegung (68) definiert.

15. Blockierung (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 14, wobei der biegsame Schenkel (22) flexibler ist als der Clip (16).

Revendications

1. Obstruction (10) pour empêcher l'entrée d'animaux dans une ouverture (104) définie par une tuile de toit courbée (12, 100), l'obstruction (10) comprenant :

une plaque d'obstruction (20) pour obstruer au moins partiellement l'ouverture (104) ;

une patte pliable (22) s'étendant vers l'extérieur depuis un bord supérieur (32) de la plaque d'obstruction (20), la patte pliable (22) étant solidaire de la plaque d'obstruction (20) et s'étendant dans le plan de la plaque d'obstruction (20) lorsqu'elle n'est pas pliée ; et

une attache (16) définissant un orifice (76), la patte pliable (22) passant à travers l'orifice (76), l'attache (16) pouvant coulisser sélectivement le long de la patte pliable (22), l'attache (16) étant conçue pour s'accrocher à la tuile de toit courbée (12, 100).

2. Obstruction (10) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle la patte pliable (22) comporte une pluralité de graduations (46) pour déterminer une position de l'attache (16) le long de la patte pliable (22).

3. Obstruction (10) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle la plaque d'obstruction (20) définit une pluralité d'orifices de ventilation (42).

4. Obstruction (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans laquelle une partie extérieure de la patte pliable (22) est pliée pour empêcher l'attache (16) de glisser de la patte pliable (22).

5. Obstruction (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, comprenant en outre une pluralité de bandes (24) s'étendant vers l'extérieur depuis la plaque d'obstruction (20).

6. Obstruction (10) selon la revendication 5, dans laquelle les bandes (24) de la pluralité de bandes (24) sont des bandes pliables.

7. Obstruction (10) selon la revendication 5 ou 6, dans laquelle les bandes (24) de la pluralité de bandes (24) sont solidaires de la plaque d'obstruction (20).

8. Obstruction (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 7, dans laquelle une ligne imaginaire (48) passant par des extrémités extérieures des bandes (24) de la pluralité de bandes (24) est au moins partiellement courbée.

9. Obstruction (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, dans laquelle la plaque d'obstruction (20) définit un évidement (34) conçu pour recevoir une partie d'une tuile de toit adjacente (12, 100).

10. Obstruction (10) selon la revendication 9, comprenant en outre une pluralité de bandes d'évidement (26, 28) s'étendant depuis au moins un bord (36, 38, 40) de la plaque d'obstruction (20) définissant l'évidement (34).

11. Obstruction (10) selon la revendication 10, dans laquelle les bandes d'évidement (26, 28) de la pluralité de bandes d'évidement (26, 28) sont des bandes d'évidement pliables et sont solidaires de la plaque d'obstruction (20).

12. Obstruction (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11, dans laquelle la plaque d'obstruction (20) définit au moins un orifice d'élément de fixation (44) à proximité d'un bord inférieur (30) de la plaque d'obstruction (20) conçu pour recevoir un élément de fixation pour fixer la plaque d'obstruction (20) à une façade (106) d'un toit comportant la tuile de toit courbée (12, 100).

13. Obstruction (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 12, dans laquelle :

l'attache(16) comprend :

une paroi avant (60) définissant l'orifice (76) ;

une première patte (62) s'étendant depuis la paroi avant (70) ; et

une seconde patte (64) s'étendant depuis la paroi avant (60), l'orifice (76) étant plus proche de la seconde patte (64) que de la première patte (62) ; et

lorsque l'attache (16) est reliée à la tuile de toit courbée (12, 100) :

la tuile de toit (12, 100) est reçue entre les première et seconde pattes (62, 64) ; et

la patte pliable (22) s'étend entre la tuile de toit courbée (12, 100) et l'une des première et seconde pattes (62, 64).

14. Obstruction (10) selon la revendication 13, dans laquelle :

une distance entre la paroi avant (60) de l'attache (16) et une pointe (74) de la seconde patte (64) de l'attache (16) est supérieure à une distance entre la paroi avant (60) de l'attache (16) et une pointe (72) de la première patte (62) ; et

la première patte (62) définit au moins un coude (68).

15. Obstruction (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 14, dans laquelle la patte pliable (22) est plus flexible que l'attache (16).

Drawing