U.S. patent application number 10/213578 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-19 for roofing for buildings, with synthetic resin molded components.
Invention is credited to Iole, Baldini, Mariagrazia, Mazzoli.
Application Number | 20020189188 10/213578 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11352384 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020189188 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Iole, Baldini ; et
al. |
December 19, 2002 |
Roofing for buildings, with synthetic resin molded components
Abstract
A tile made of stiff molded synthetic resin having edges which
overlap when a plurality of tiles are assembled upon a roof and an
upper continuous contoured ridge along the upper edge and a lower
continuous contoured ridge along the lower edge. The upper and
lower ridges being stepped shape to engage with horizontal
continuity when a plurality of tiles are assembled upon a roof. A
through hole is provided in the lower ridge which aligns with a
slot in the upper ridge to allow a screw to pass therethrough
fastening two contiguous rows of tiles to a supporting
structure.
Inventors: |
Iole, Baldini; (Firenze,
IT) ; Mariagrazia, Mazzoli; (Firenze, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
McGLEW AND TUTTLE
John James McGlew
Scarborough Station
Scarborough
NY
10510-0827
US
|
Family ID: |
11352384 |
Appl. No.: |
10/213578 |
Filed: |
August 7, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10213578 |
Aug 7, 2002 |
|
|
|
09601991 |
Aug 9, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/536 ; 52/519;
52/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 1/08 20130101; E04D
1/2949 20190801; E04D 1/30 20130101; E04D 2001/305 20130101; E04D
1/2916 20190801; E04D 1/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/536 ; 52/519;
52/57 |
International
Class: |
E04D 001/30; E04D
003/40; E04B 007/00; E04D 013/00; E04D 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 10, 1998 |
IT |
FI98A000030 |
Claims
1. A roofing for buildings, the roofing comprising: a plurality of
tiles each having a first and second side and having an upstream
edge and downstream edge, said each tile also having first and
second side edges; an upstream ridge extending from said first side
along said upstream edge of said each tile; a downstream ridge
extending from said second side along said downstream edge of said
each tile, wherein each said downstream ridge is step shaped to
engage with said upstream ridge of another said tile; contours
contained in a first and a second side edges of said each tile
which are complimentary in a partial overlap of said first and
second side edges of adjacent said tiles, said contours forming
seals that carry off water; said downstream ridge of said each tile
defining a hole through a respective said tile; said upstream ridge
of said each tile defining a slot through a respective said tile; a
plurality of anchoring devices, each of said slots and said holes
being arranged on said tiles to have each of said slots be
receivable of one of said anchoring devices passed through a
corresponding said hole in an adjacent said tile, said tiles being
arranged on a supporting structure and each of said plurality of
anchoring devices connecting two adjacent said tiles directly to
said supporting structure.
2. A roofing in accordance with claim 1, wherein: each of said
holes and said slots extend through a respective said tile from
said first side to said second side; said anchoring devices include
screws with heads sealable against said tiles.
3. A roofing in accordance with claim 2, wherein: said screws are
applicable by screwing and unscrewing repetitively, said screws
include heads acting against the tiles as a seal against rain.
4. Roofing according to claim 1, wherein the holes are formed next
to said downstream edge in which the downstream ridge overlaps the
upstream ridge of a said tile below, provided with said slots.
5. Roofing according to claim 1, wherein the slots are formed in
corresponding enlargements of the upstream ridges on the upstream
edge.
6. Roofing according to claim 1, wherein: one of said contours ends
downstream with a stepped recess to facilitate water carry-off.
7. Roofing according to claim 1, wherein a plate of the tile forms
a bent tile contour with an external and an internal arched
terminal edges which engage, when laid, with those of the plates of
contiguous rows.
8. Roofing according to claim 1, wherein some said tiles are
manufactured from a clear material.
9. Roofing according to claim 1, wherein the tiles contain linear
ridges on said second side at said downstream and upstream edge to
rest on the supporting structure.
10. Roofing according to claim 1, wherein said tiles are made of
stiff, molded, synthetic resin.
11. Roofing according to claim 1, wherein said tiles are
manufactured from polycarbonate.
12. Roofing for buildings including tiles and devices for anchoring
said tiles to a supporting structure, said tiles including, along
an upper and lower edge which, when laid, are substantially
perpendicular to a maximum slope line, an upper continuous
contoured ridge along the upper edge and a lower continuous
contoured ridge along the lower edge, and along a first and a
second edge which, when laid, are substantially parallel to the
maximum slope line, labyrinth contours which are complementary in a
partial overlap between said first and second edges of contiguous
tiles to make labyrinth seals which will carry off rain water
towards the tiles of the row below, said ridges being step-shaped
to engage, when laid, with horizontal continuity, a row of said
tiles below to the row of said tiles above, wherein anchoring
devices include on the tiles a through hole along the lower ridge
and a slot along the upper ridge to fasten two said tiles from
contiguous rows that partially overlap along the ridges, to said
supporting structure, said anchoring device being accessible and
said first and second edges overlapping each other; said anchoring
devices include screws or nails that are accessible from above
which pass through the through hole of the overlapping tile and the
slot of the lower tile and which are fastened to the supporting
structure, so that said anchoring device simultaneously connects
the edge of the upper tile, the edge of the lower tile and the
supporting structure, said anchoring means being accessible from
above perpendicularly to the roofing.
13. A roofing in accordance with claim 12, wherein: said screws are
applicable by screwing and unscrewing repetitively, said screws
include heads acting against the tiles as a seal against rain.
14. A roofing for buildings, the roofing comprising: a plurality of
tiles each having a first and second side and having an upstream
edge and downstream edge, said each tile also having first and
second side edges; an upstream ridge extending from said first side
along said upstream edge of said each tile; a downstream ridge
extending from said second side along said downstream edge of said
each tile, wherein each said downstream ridge is step shaped to
engage with said upstream ridge of another said tile; contours
contained in a first and a second side edges of said each tile
which are complimentary in a partial overlap of said first and
second side edges of adjacent said tiles, said contours forming
seals that carry off water; said downstream ridge of said each tile
defining a hole through a respective said tile; said upstream ridge
of said each tile defining a slot through a respective said tile; a
plurality of anchoring devices, each of said slots and said holes
being arranged on said tiles to have each of said slots be
receivable of one of said anchoring devices passed through a
corresponding said hole in an adjacent said tile, said slots are
elongated and have a size greater than said anchoring devices; said
holes are circular and approximately the same size as said
anchoring devices.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a roofing, for flat or arched
roofs, made with molded synthetic-resin components shaped so as to
permit rapid and stable assembly, effective protection from the
infiltration of rain water, thermal and acoustic insulation and
other purposes and advantages, which will be clear from the
following text. It is also important to note that--among other
things--the covering hereof is particularly resistant over time to
weather and other conditions, offers substantial chromatic
stability (for aesthetic or other purposes) and is
environmentally-friendly, as the roofing is made of entirely
recyclable material. The tiles removed from demolished buildings
can also be easily used again.
[0002] The roofing includes tiles and devices for fastening said
tiles to a block or beam and batten frame supporting structure.
[0003] The tiles can be made of stiff, molded synthetic resin and
comprise:
[0004] along the edges which, when laid, are essentially
perpendicular to the maximum slope line, an upper continuous
contoured ridge along the upper edge and a lower continuous
contoured ridge along the lower edge; and along the edges which,
when laid, are essentially parallel to the maximum slope line,
contours which are complementary in the partial overlap between
said edges of contiguous tiles to make labyrinth seals which will
carry off rain water towards the tiles of the row below.
[0005] According to this invention, said ridges are step-shaped to
engage, when laid, with horizontal continuity, a row of tiles below
with the row of tiles above. Furthermore, said anchoring devices
include a through hole in one of the ridges and a slot in the other
ridge to fasten two tiles from contiguous rows that partially
overlap along the ridges to an underlying supporting structure with
a screw device.
[0006] Advantageously, said continuous ridges are square
step-shaped, which also allows limited relative sloping by limited
relative play.
[0007] The screw holes are formed next to the lower edge whose
lower ridge overlaps the upper ridge of a tile below presenting two
slots. Said slots can be formed in enlargements of the ridge of
said upper edge.
[0008] That one of the aforesaid complementary labyrinth contours,
which is underneath the other when laid, and forms ducts on the
upper, i.e. dorsal, surface, can end--downstream--with a stepped
recess to facilitate water carry-off onto the tile below.
[0009] The roofing can include ridge caps shaped like inverted
gutters which can present overlapping profiles to form carry-off
duct labyrinths and, along each of the longitudinal edges, a
flexible lip suitable for adapting to the slope of the
corresponding roof pitch and for being anchored to the tiles on
which it rests when laid.
[0010] The roofing can include half tiles for completing each
horizontal row of adjacent tiles, to be arranged alternately at one
end and at the opposite end in contiguous rows of tiles, so that
the tiles of one row are staggered with respect to those of the
contiguous row; which half tiles can also be produced by cutting a
tile.
[0011] In a possible configuration, the plate of the tile forms a
"bent tile" contour with external and internal arched terminal
edges which engage, when laid, with those of the plates of
contiguous rows.
[0012] Some tiles can be made of clear material, such as
polycarbonate or similar, to create skylights simply by fitting the
clear tiles in specific areas of the roof.
[0013] The invention will be better understood with the following
description and accompanying drawing, illustrating a practical,
nonrestrictive example of the invention, where:
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a roofing, with
parts removed;
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a set of tiles, of which only one is in
solid lines, to illustrate rows of staggered tiles on a
roofing;
[0016] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate perspective views of a tile, from
above and from below;
[0017] FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate local sections marked V-V, VI-VI
and VII-VII in FIG. 2;
[0018] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate local sections, marked VIII-VIII
and IX-IX in FIG. 2;
[0019] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate local sections marked X-X and
XI-XI in FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 12 illustrates a partial perspective view of a tile
along the side forming the labyrinth;
[0021] FIG. 13 illustrates a plan view of a portion of FIG. 12 and
of a contiguous, partially sectioned tile;
[0022] FIGS. 14, 15, 16 and 17 illustrate elements for forming a
ridge between two pitches, in views and sections marked XIV-XIV in
FIG. 1, XV-XV in FIG. 16, XVI-XVI and XVII-XVII in FIG. 14, on
various scales;
[0023] FIGS. 18, 19, and 20 illustrate tiles of reduced dimensions
in views from above and from below and in cross section according
to line XX-XX in FIG. 19; and
[0024] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of
the tile.
[0025] As illustrated in the accompanying drawing, the tile 1
consists of a plate 3, with relatively limited thickness and a
substantially rectangular shape, presenting an upper edge 3A and
lower edge 3B when laid with the inclination due to the slope of
the roof. 3C and 3E, on the other hand, indicate the edges parallel
to the maximum slope line. Plate 3 is relatively thin and
reinforced by means of a ribbing parallel to edges 3C and 3E, which
forms channels 3F on the dorsal, i.e. the external, surface when
laid. The channels start at a limited distance from upper edge 3A
and drain along lower edge 3B to eliminate rain water onto the
dorsal surface of the tiles below, i.e. downstream with respect to
the maximum slope and direction of rain water flow shown by arrows
f1. A continuous upper step-shaped contoured ridge 5 is Formed on
the surface of the tile along the upper edge 3A. Ridge 5 can form
an approximate right angle. A lower continuous downward ridge 7 is
formed along the lower edge 3B and extends towards the lower, or
palmar, surface of the tile, with a profile substantially
complementary to that of ridge 5. The two ridges 5 and 7 engage and
couple as illustrated, in particular, in FIGS. 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11,
with limited play to allow, if required, limited angular adaptation
between successive tiles along the maximum slope line. This ensures
easy coupling between successive tiles along the maximum slope line
and also makes it possible to follow any curves in the roofing.
[0026] Edges 3C and 3E, which once laid slope with the maximum roof
slope, present complementary contours which--in the partial
overlapping between said edges 3C and 3E of contiguous tiles of a
horizontal row of tiles--form labyrinth seals which will carry off
water towards the tiles of the row below. For this purpose, edge 3C
of the tile which is designed to remain underneath in the
overlapping between contiguous tiles, presents two longitudinal
ridges 3G and 3H defining two ducts, while the edge 3E, above in
the overlapping between contiguous tiles, presents two longitudinal
ridges 3K and 3L which interpose between the two ridges 3G and 3H,
forming the aforesaid labyrinth (see, in particular, FIGS. 6 and
7). The edge 3E of each tile may be completed with a limited ridge
3E1 which covers the connection between the two tiles, for nearly
the entire connection, with the exception of a small section
towards the upper edge 3A and ridge 5. The continuous ridge 5
presents a notch 9 at the corner between edge 3C and edge 3A, which
reduces the step profile. A recess 11 is provided in ridge 7 at the
corner between edge 3C and edge 3B, where the ducts formed by
longitudinal ridges 3G and 3H lead. This step-shaped recess 11
facilitates rain water downflow along the ducts formed by said
ridges 3G and 3H. Furthermore, a step 13 is created at edge 3E (see
specifically FIGS. 2, 3 and 4); the step is shaped to house the
residual part 9 of the contoured ridge 5 where step 9 is created on
the contiguous tile. An indent 15, on the other hand, is formed in
the convergence between edge 3E and edge 3B to allow edges 3C and
3E of contiguous tiles to overlap and maintain continuity between
contoured ridges 7 of the contiguous tile in a row. This ensures
that, during assembly, an adequate passage is created between
recess 11 and indent 15 for draining water from the ducts formed by
ridges 3G and 3H to the tiles on the row below. An angular
projection 11A on recess 11 stabilises the position between tiles
where recess 15 is arranged (see specifically FIGS. 12 and 13).
[0027] Tiles 1 are made of injection molded thermoplastic resin.
The resin may be either coloured or clear (e.g. for manufacturing
fixed skylights). These materials are totally recoverable and even
repeatedly recyclable.
[0028] Anchoring of tiles to the roofing support structure S is
done along horizontal edge 3A of plate 3 of tile 1.
[0029] The support structure S can consist of a block or a beam and
rafter structure--with battens, where required--or other equivalent
structures for this purpose, on which to arrange and anchor
profiles 30. These profiles can consist of wooden laths 18
horizontally anchored to structure S. Said laths 18 can take wood
screws or similar.
[0030] The tiles 1 present linear ridges 20 and 20A--on the lower
face and along a lower reinforcement 5A on ridge 5--which are
designed to rest on the horizontal laths 18 (or other supporting
structure) so as to maintain an air circulation gap between tiles
and laths 118. Along side 3A, the ridge 5 and the respective
enlargement 5A present enlargements 5B, where through slots 24,
parallel to edge 3A, are formed (also see FIG. 10). A hole 26--with
upper enlargement 26A--is formed in each tile 1 next to ridge 7 and
to lower edge 3B. When assembled, a large screw 28 can be inserted
in hole 26, 26A of one tile and in slot 24 of the tile below to be
fastened to lath 18. This fastens the tiles 1 to laths 18. A seal
is placed under the head of screw 28 to prevent the infiltration of
water.
[0031] Ridge 5 along edge 3A of the tile presents two narrower
areas 5E for molding reasons.
[0032] Special linear ridges 30 can be formed on the upper face of
each tile and along the reliefs to provide adequate resistance to
prevent the feet of people accessing the roof for inspections, or
other purposes, from slipping.
[0033] The roofing assembly is started from the eaves tiles which
are arranged on the supporting structure and anchored with screws
28 to lath 18 near the eaves. The next row of tiles 1 is then laid
over the first row of eaves tiles, engaging the two rows of tiles
by coupling ridges 5 of the tiles of the row above with ridges 7 of
the tiles of the first row, and so on. A slight slope variation can
be attained between the tiles of one row and those of the
contiguous row. With a single screw 28 for each tile the entire
roofing can be secured. Interventions which may be required in time
after assembly--for replacements or other purposes--are possible by
removing a very limited number of screws 28. The assembly operation
is continued all the way to the ridge.
[0034] The tiles of the various successive rows can be staggered
with respect to each other. Tiles presenting a horizontal dimension
(i.e. distance between an edge corresponding to 3C and an edge
corresponding to 3E) smaller than regular tiles can be used
alternatively at the ends of successive rows. When tiles are
arranged in a staggered fashion with respect to those of adjacent
rows, tiles presenting a size equal to half the distance between
edges 3C and 3E--as illustrated in FIGS. 18-20--can be used.
Alternatively, regular tiles can be cut in half along a middle line
between edges 3C and 3E to obtain two "complementary" half tiles.
An even roof covering will be produced, including along the maximum
slope line at the ends of the roofing, by arranging the half tiles
alternately at one end of one row and at the opposite end of a
contiguous row.
[0035] The same tiles can be manufactured with inert filling
material, selected to offer thermal and acoustic insulation.
Furthermore, by using laths 18 of suitable height, the space
between structure S and the tiles can be used to accommodate
thermal and/or acoustic insulation material and/or channels or the
like.
[0036] Ridge caps, generically indicated as 34 (see FIGS. 14-17),
can be used to complete the roof along a ridge, specifically
between opposite pitches presenting equal or different slopes.
These ridge caps form an inverted "gutter" once fitted and are
mutually engaged by the partially overlapping ends, due to the
presence of arched edges 34A which are inserted into arched ducts
34B of the contiguous ridge cap, as clearly shown in the drawing.
Ridge caps 34 are suitable for covering the tiles of the last upper
row of each pitch by containing the upper ridges 5 of the tiles of
said last rows, as shown by the section view in FIG. 14. The ridge
caps 34 are anchored by the longitudinal corners of caps 34
extending for al least the main portion of their development to
form lips 36, which are flexible, i.e. can be slanted variably by
the reduction in thickness of fitting 38 between the sides of the
ridge caps 34 and the lips 36. As a result, the lips 36 can be
adapted to practically any maximum slope line of roofing pitches
and can be fastened to the tiles by means of rivets, screws,
nailing or other. These lips 36 ensure the anchoring of ridge caps
34 without the risk of Infiltration of rain water. Tightness can be
ensured by the adherence of lips 36 to the tile, by the virtually
waterproof nature of rivets 40, or equivalent fasteners, and due to
the fact that the ridges 5 of the tiles are contained inside the
ridge caps. At the end, or at both ends, of the roof ridge, special
ridge caps with ends such as 34E, finished with a partition,
instead of a simple side, form a duct such as 34B. A similar side
can be used also for all the other ridge caps. Ridge caps can be
sawed like tiles.
[0037] FIG. 21 illustrates a modified tile for making roofs similar
to those traditionally made with flat plain tiles and inverted-duct
arched bent tiles. Part 101, unique in this case, is similar to the
tile described above but plate 103 of said tile is modified
centrally to form "bent" contour 203, with arched terminal edge 205
projected outwards at the end corresponding to ridge 105, and
arched terminal edge 207 projected inwards, at the end which
corresponds to ridge 107. When laid, edge 205 of the part 101 below
is contained by edge 207 of the part 101 above. This forms "bent
tile" contour lines 203 along the maximum slope lines. The
contiguous parts 101 of successive rows are, in this configuration,
aligned, rather than, as in the successive rows of tiles of the
configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, staggered. The bent tiles 101
can similarly be laid with a limited curvature of the maximum slope
line.
[0038] It will be understood that the drawing only illustrates an
example provided for practical demonstration purposes of this
invention only, as its forms and configurations can be modified
without departing from the scope of the concept on which this
invention is based. Any reference numbers included in the
accompanying claims have the purpose of facilitating reading the
claims with reference to the description and the drawing and does
not limit the scope of protection represented by the claims.
[0039] It is worth noting that the tile material can be coloured as
required for aesthetic purposes. Clear material--such as
polycarbonate--can be used for roofing which allows natural
lighting of the interior.
* * * * *