U.S. patent application number 10/354996 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-05 for louvered roof assembly.
Invention is credited to Pertile, Lawrence.
Application Number | 20040148899 10/354996 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32770452 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040148899 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pertile, Lawrence |
August 5, 2004 |
Louvered roof assembly
Abstract
The invention comprises a roof assembly, comprised of a frame
and a plurality of louvers rotatably mounted within the frame, each
louver having a channel running along its longitudinal axis. The
assembly may also include a gutter located at one end of the frame
below the louvers and running perpendicular to the longitudinal
axes of the louvers. Also, the assembly further includes a
mechanism for rotating the louvers from an open position to a
closed position. The result is that liquid can flow along the
channels in the louvers and into the gutter.
Inventors: |
Pertile, Lawrence; (North
Vancouver, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Clifford W. Vermette
Granville Square
200 Granville Street, Suite 230
Box 40
Vancouver
BC
V6C 1S4
CA
|
Family ID: |
32770452 |
Appl. No.: |
10/354996 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/581 ;
52/588.1; 52/783.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 7/086 20130101;
E04F 10/10 20130101; E04B 7/163 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/581 ;
052/588.1; 052/783.1 |
International
Class: |
E04C 003/00; E04C
003/30 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A roof assembly, comprising: a) a frame; b) a plurality of
louvers mounted for rotation in unison within said frame, each
louver of said plurality of louvers having a longitudinally
extending channel proximate one elongated edge of said each louver;
and c) a second edge of each louver of said plurality of louvers
positioned to extend over said one elongated edge of an adjacent
louver to overlap said channel of said adjacent louver with an
upper surface sloped to drain rain water into said channel of said
adjacent louver, wherein when each louver of said plurality of
louvers is in water-resistant contact with an adjacent one of said
plurality of louvers.
2. A roof assembly according to claim 1, further including a gutter
located at one end of said plurality of louvers extending
transversely to and below said plurality of louvers.
3. A roof assembly according to claim 1, further including a
mechanism for rotating said plurality of louvers from an open
position to a closed position.
4. A roof assembly according to claim 1, wherein said
longitudinally extending channel is inclined in a longitudinal
direction.
5. A roof assembly according to claim 1, wherein said mechanism is
a user-operated hand crank.
6. A roof assembly according to claim 1, wherein said mechanism is
remotely operated electromechanical actuator.
7. A roof assembly according to claim 1, wherein said each louver
has a convex upper surface.
8. A louver for use in a roof assembly, comprising a longitudinally
extending channel proximate one elongated edge of said louver and a
second edge of said louver positioned to extend over an elongated
edge of an adjacent louver to a channel of said adjacent louver,
said louver having an upper surface sloped to drain rain water into
said channel of said adjacent louver.
9. A louver according to claim 8, wherein said longitudinally
extending channel is inclined in a longitudinal direction.
10. A louver according to claim 8, wherein said louver has a convex
upper surface.
11. A louver according to claim 8, wherein said louver is formed
from two identical pieces, each identical piece being one half of a
louver.
12. A method of making a louver for use in a roof assembly,
comprising the steps of: (a) making two identical pieces, each
piece having a longitudinally extending channel proximate one
elongated edge and an attachment means on an opposite elongated
edge; and (b) joining said two identical pieces via said attachment
means to form said louver, wherein said louver has a longitudinally
extending channel proximate one elongated edge of said louver and a
second edge of said louver positioned to extend over an elongated
edge of an adjacent louver to a channel of said adjacent louver,
said louver having an upper surface sloped to drain rain water into
said channel of said adjacent louver.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a louvered roof assembly and in
particular to a specific design of louver to be used in a louvered
roof assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There are numerous applications where it is desirable to
have a roof, such as a canopy or awning, which can be removed to
expose the area beneath to sunshine and be put back in place to
protect the area from rain. However, given the rapid weather
transitions in many locales, traditional canopies and awnings,
which require some time to set up, are not always the best
available option.
[0003] One alternative is to have a permanent or semi-permanent
roof structure that can be opened and closed as desired. While
retractable canvas awnings and the like are often used, another
method is to assemble the roof using a series of louvers that pivot
between an open and a closed position.
[0004] A problem with using a louvered roof is ensuring that the
roof does not allow water to leak through when closed while
retaining the louver action for opening and closing. One attempt to
address this problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,507 issued
to Edwards. The louvers in Edwards have an up-turned lip along one
edge and a down-turned lip on the other edge. When the louvers are
closed, the up-turned lip on one louver overlaps the down-turned
lip of an adjacent louver to produce a theoretically watertight
seal. However, Edwards uses a rubber coating to create the seal
between the lips, and the rubber can be subject to deterioration
from sun and cold, reducing the effectiveness of the seal over
time.
[0005] Also, while Edwards attempts to address one problem with
louvered roof assemblies, that of making the louvers watertight
when closed, a second problem remains. During heavy rains, water
can accumulate on the roof and leak through the closed louvers, as
the louvers do not provide any guttering effect to channel the
water flow, either on the main structure or using the louvers
themselves. Even worse, if the roof is flat, water can pool on the
closed louvers, spilling into the roof-covered area when the
louvers are opened.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a louvered roof assembly
that provides channels for water flow to prevent water leakage
during heavy rainfall. Additionally, there is a need for a louvered
roof assembly that can be flat and still allow water to flow off
the louvers and the roof.
[0007] It is an object of this invention to provide a louvered roof
assembly with channels for water to flow off the louvers. It is
also an object of this invention to provide a roof assembly that
allows water to flow off the louvers even when the roof is
flat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention comprises a roof assembly, comprised of a
frame and a plurality of louvers rotatably mounted within the
frame, each louver having a channel running along its longitudinal
axis. The assembly may also include a gutter located at one end of
the frame below the louvers and running perpendicular to the
longitudinal axes of the louvers. Also, the assembly further
includes a mechanism for rotating the louvers from an open position
to a closed position. The result is that rain can flow along the
channels in the louvers and into the gutter.
[0009] The invention further comprises a louver for use in a roof
assembly. The louver is comprised of a longitudinally extending
channel proximate one elongated edge of the louver and a second
elongated edge, positioned to extend over the channel of an
adjacent louver.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention itself both as to organization and method of
operation, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof,
will become readily apparent from the following detailed
description when read in connection with the accompanying
drawings:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a top view of a roof assembly with the louvers in
a fully open position;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an individual louver;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a pair of louvers in a closed
position;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top view of a roof assembly with the louvers in
a fully closed position;
[0015] FIG. 5 is an end view of the roof assembly of FIG. 4;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a roof assembly installed
over a patio deck;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an individual louver with an
inclined channel;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an alternative form of one
half of an individual louver; and
[0019] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of two halves of FIG. 8 joined
together to form a single louver.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the invention consists of a roof
assembly 10, comprised of a number of louvers 12 that can be moved
between an open and a closed position (see FIG. 3) and various
intermediate positions by rotation about rods 24. At one end of the
roof assembly 10 is a gutter 14 that runs along the length of roof
assembly 10 below the louvers 12. The louvers 12 are connected to a
mechanism 18 that allows the louvers to synchronously pivot between
open and closed positions. The mechanism 18 can be controlled by
any means suitable to the application of the roof assembly, ranging
from a basic hand crank to a remote electronic switch used to
operate an electromechanical actuator.
[0021] Each louver 12, as shown in FIG. 2, has flanges 20 and 22
along respective opposite longitudinal edges and a channel 16 to
allow water to flow along the length of the louver 12. The louver
12 and channel 16 are preferably shaped so that the edge 28 of
flange 22 defines a top edge of channel 16 when in the closed
position. As a result, when water accumulates on the roof assembly
10, it flows along the louver channels 16 into the gutter 14,
preventing water from leaking though the louvers 12.
[0022] Near an end of each louver 12 opposite the channels 16 and
on the underside is a notch 26 which prevents water from flowing
around edge 28 and up the underside of louver 12. Profile 29 on the
underside of the louver 12 matches the curvature of rounded edge 28
forming a water-resistant seal when the two surfaces abut.
[0023] The opening 11 between the edge of the roof assembly 10 and
the louvers 12 that allows water to flow into the gutter 14 is more
clearly shown in FIG. 4. The water flow into the gutter 14 through
the opening 11 also helps prevent water from interfering with the
opening/closing mechanism 18. FIG. 5 shows the vertical positioning
of gutter 14 relative to mechanism 18. A standard downspout (not
shown) carries water in the gutter 14 to a drain (not shown).
[0024] FIG. 6 shows a roof assembly 10 installed over a patio deck
attached to a house. The roof assembly 10 is inclined so the water
can flow along the louvers 12 via the channels 16 and into the
gutter 14 (not shown). A hand crank 30 located on one of the roof
assembly supports 32 controls the opening and closing of the
louvers 12.
[0025] While the roof assembly 10 shown in FIG. 6 is inclined such
that water can flow freely along the louver channels 16, this
inclined roof may not always be possible or desirable. Therefore,
the louvers 12 can alternatively have the channels 16 shaped as
shown in FIG. 7 so as to be inclined along the longitudinal axis to
allow water to flow freely into the gutter 14 even if the roof
assembly 10 is flat.
[0026] An alternative form of the louver 12 can be formed from two
identical halves 38 as shown in FIG. 8. Each half 38 has a channel
16 with flange 22 defining the outer edge. Flange 22 has a profile
29 to allow water to flow off the top surface and inhibit water
flow along the underside of the louver 12. The opposite end has
joint pieces 40 and 42 for attachment to like joint pieces 40 and
42 of a second louver half 38. The joined halves 38 are shown
forming a complete louver 12 in FIG. 9.
[0027] Accordingly, while this invention has been described with
reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not
intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications
of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of
the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon
reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that
the appended claims will cover any such modifications or
embodiments as fall within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *