DE29521738U1 - Component for sealing a hole in a film of a sub-roof - Google Patents

Abstract

A building element (210) for sealing a hole of a foil (96) of an underroof of a roof structure through which hole access is established from the surroundings into the interior space defined below the roof structure, comprises a rim part (216) defining a central aperture of a configuration and a perimeter substantially corresponding to the configuration and perimeter of the hole, and a collar part (218) integrally connected to and extending substantially perpendicularly from the rim part and circumferentially encircling the aperture. The rim part (216) and the collar part (218) are made from weather-proof materials and the rim part (216) is adapted to be arranged in substantially co-planar relationship relative to and in facial contact with the foil of the underroof so as to arrange the central aperture of the rim part (322) in registration with the hole of the foil of the underroof and so as to arrange the collar part (218) extending upwardly from the rim part (216). The building element (210) further comprises a collar element (214) to be fixated within the collar part (218) for sandwiching the foil (96) of the underroof between the collar part (218) and the collar element (214). The rim part (322), the collar part (324) and the collar element (314) are preferably integrally cast from weather-proof plastic materials, e.g. high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene or the like, or alternatively made from corrosion-resistant metal, such as aluminium, or combinations thereof. <IMAGE>

Description

11 March 1998
TH/pl 96732G

Construction element for sealing a hole in a foil of a sub-roof

The present invention relates to a construction element for sealing a hole in a foil of a sub-roof of a roof covering, whereby the hole forms an access from the environment into the interior space delimited below the roof covering.

In a modern building, the roof is often constructed of a load-bearing wooden roof structure with rafters and battens to which roof tiles or sheets are attached. For hermetically sealing the interior space defined below the roof covering, i.e. under the roof tiles or sheets, a so-called under-roof or interlayer consisting of a hermetically sealing and waterproof sheet, often a plastic sheet, is used. The roof tiles may be made of clay or concrete material and may be corrugated tiles, and the roof sheets may be made of slate, clay, concrete or metal material such as steel, copper or aluminum sheet. If a hermetic seal is obtained and maintained by the under-roof, rain, snow and moisture are prevented from coming into contact with and damaging the load-bearing wooden roof structure. Serious problems arise, however, when holes have to be made in the under-roof, such as holes for chimneys, windows, ventilation ducts, installation lines, etc.

since in most cases a hermetic seal around the hole in question is difficult to achieve and requires specialist knowledge.

In connection with window frames for use in roof coverings, certain technical solutions have been described, such as in published Danish patent application No. 1232/92, which include special sealing plates arranged above and below the hole in the sub-roof in question. The technical solutions, which also include the technical solution proposed in the above-mentioned published Danish patent application, are, however, not entirely satisfactory for a number of reasons, since, firstly, a reliable and long-lasting sealing cannot be achieved by known techniques, and, secondly, the application of the known techniques requires a great deal of labour and expertise and is in many cases extremely difficult to carry out. Various other techniques for sealing round chimneys etc. and for sealing roofs are known and described in DE 34 42 2 76, DE 30 32 037, DE 33 21 101, DE 39 22 624, FI 87.250 and US 3,098,663, which are incorporated herein by reference and which US patent is cited in the present specification for the purpose of reference.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to create a novel technique which enables a hole in a foil of a roof sub-roof to be made in a simple and reliable manner by a building element

to seal, eliminating the need for the use of a skilled worker.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel technique for sealing a hole in a membrane of a roof underlay, which technique enables the provision of a long-lasting seal through a simple unitary construction.

The above objects and numerous other objects, features and advantages which will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention are achieved according to the invention by a structural element for sealing a hole in a foil of a sub-roof of a roof covering, wherein through the hole an access from the environment into the interior space delimited below the roof covering is formed, comprising:

a rim portion defining a central opening having a configuration and perimeter substantially corresponding to the configuration and perimeter of the hole, and

a surround member integrally connected to and extending substantially perpendicularly from the edge member and enclosing the peripheral opening, the edge member and the surround member being made of weatherproof materials, and the edge member being adapted to be in substantially coplanar relationship

to be arranged in frontal contact with the foil of the sub-roof, to arrange said central opening of the edge part in registration with said hole in the foil of the sub-roof and to arrange the edging part projecting upwards from the edge part,

wherein the edge part and the edging part are made of flexible and preferably foldable film material.

The building element according to the present invention is a unitary construction comprising only two parts, namely the edge part and the surround part, which are integrally connected at the opening of the edge part. The building element according to the present invention enables the sealing of the hole in the sheet of the sub-roof by simply positioning the edge part in coplanar relation to and in front contact with the sheet of the sub-roof and arranging the central opening of the edge part in registration with the hole in the sheet. If the hole is a hole through which boards such as boards to which a window frame is to be fastened pass, the surround part of the building element is easily fastened in relation to the boards of the roof covering and if the hole is of a certain size, it is preferably fastened in a close fit relative to the boards passing through the hole in the sub-roof, e.g. by clamps, nails, screws or the like. The coplanar relationship in which the edge part of the building element is arranged in relation to the foil of the sub-roof can determine the arrangement of the

edge part in an overlying or underlying relationship with respect to the membrane of the sub-roof or a combination of arrangements with an overlying and underlying arrangement. If the roof construction is a sloping roof construction, the uppermost membrane element preferably lies above the edge part and the edge part overlaps the lowermost membrane element so that rain, snow or moisture is guaranteed to run down simply by gravity along the continuous surface defined by the roof membrane and the edge part of the building element. The upwardly projecting or reaching edging part prevents snow or rain from being forced into the opening of the edge part, since the edging part itself represents an upwardly projecting part of the building element and since the edging part is preferably attached with respect to the boards of the roof construction which extend through the hole in the sub-roof to which the edging part is attached.

The components or parts of the building element are, as previously mentioned, formed from weatherproof materials which may be different, since the building element may consist of two separate parts which are joined together in a manufacturing process to form a unitary building element construction. Thus, one of the parts of the building element may consist of one material such as a plastic material or metal material, while the other part may consist of a different material such as another plastic material or metal material. According to the presently preferred

However, in an embodiment of the structural element according to the present invention, the edge part and the enclosure part are made of the same material as a weatherproof plastic material, e.g. hard polyethylene, soft polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene or the like, or corrosion-resistant metal such as aluminum or combinations thereof.

The building element can be manufactured from weldable and castable materials using other manufacturing techniques. According to a first embodiment of the building element, the edge part and the edging part are cast from a castable material such as a plastic material. According to an alternative or second embodiment of the building element according to the present invention, the edge part and the edging part are formed from foil materials which are welded together. The bendable and in particular foldable material enables the building element to be manufactured as an element with a circumference of several meters and still allows the building element to be stored in a small plastic bag which can be easily stored, shipped and later transported by the construction workers to the roof where the building element is mounted on the supporting roof structure after being unfolded.

Depending on the actual application of the building element and in particular the actual shape of the hole and the components to be fixed in the hole through the roof sub-roof, the central opening of the edge part can be rectangular, triangular, circular,

elliptical or polygonal in shape. In most cases, however, the component according to the present invention has a shape in which the opening of the edge part represents a rectangular opening. Likewise, depending on the actual application of the component, the edge part can define an outer edge with a rectangular, triangular, circular, elliptical or polygonal shape.

In order to ensure that the edging part can be fixed in a tight fit enclosing the boards extending through the hole in the sub-roof, according to a further advantageous embodiment of the building element according to the present invention, the edging part can taper from the edge part to the outer open end of the edging part.

Depending on the actual application of the building element, the edging part can, in accordance with the structural requirements, slope down with respect to a plane defined by the edge part and thus represent, for example, a building element that forms a connection with respect to, for example, a chimney, a vertical ventilation duct passing through a sloping roof or the like.

According to the currently preferred embodiment of the construction element according to the present invention, the construction element is designed to be used for sealing a hole in a sub-roof, in which hole wooden boards for supporting a window frame are

rectangular hole since the boards are fixed substantially perpendicular to the surface defined by the sheet of the sub-roof. Consequently, the edging part of the building element according to the present invention preferably extends perpendicular to the edge part and preferably consists of segments of planar elements defining segments arranged in tight front contact with the wooden boards of the roof structure.

In order to prevent rain or snow from moving downwards on the upper side of the sub-roof on which the building element according to the present invention is arranged according to the teachings of the present invention, i.e. with the edge part arranged in a substantially coplanar relationship with and in front-side contact with the sheet of the sub-roof, the building element according to the present invention is preferably further provided in accordance with an advantageous embodiment with a substantially triangularly shaped transition part connecting the edge part to the edging part at the intermediate transition, which is arranged at the upper edge of the building element with respect to the sub-roof and extends upwards from the edge part, forming a rain and snow gutter. The rain and snow gutter thus directs rain and snow moving downwards on the top of the sub-roof to either side of the opening defined in the structural element and prevents snow or rain from falling through the opening of the structural element, the opening being defined by the edge part of the structural element

and the opening is surrounded at the periphery by the surround part.

According to a further alternative embodiment of the building element according to the present invention, the building element being a universally applicable building element that can be adapted to certain predetermined dimensions of the hole in the sub-roof, the building element is assembled from two halves that together define the building element, comprising the edge part and the surround part. When the building element is assembled from two halves according to the advantageous embodiment described above, the two halves are arranged in an overlapping relationship to prevent rain, snow or moisture from seeping through between the two halves, which are assembled into a unitary construction that surrounds the hole in the sub-roof at the perimeter.

According to a further alternative embodiment of the construction element according to the present invention, the construction element comprises a fastening means for fixing the edge part in relation to a construction element of the roof construction. The fastening means can be a plate segment which is fastened to the construction element of the roof construction, e.g. by a nail, a screw or a similar fastening element, or alternatively can be formed by a hook-shaped fastening means for gripping around the construction element of the roof construction.

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According to a further alternative embodiment of the structural element, the structural element further comprises a edging element which is fastened within the edging part or enclosing the periphery of the edging part, wherein the foil of the sub-roof is arranged between the edging part and the edging element, and thus the structural element comprising the separate edging element represents an arrangement by which the hole in the sub-roof is sealed by the cooperation of the edging part and the separate edging element between which the foil lies. To further improve the sealing around the hole in the sub-roof, where the foil lies between the edging part and the edging element, the structural element may further comprise a sealing O-ring to be received and fixed between the edging part and the edging element.

According to one embodiment, the separate edging element can be provided with inwardly directed and detachable webs that form cutting guide means.

According to an alternative embodiment of the component, the O-ring can be received within a circumferential recess of the enclosure part or the edge part or, alternatively, can be received in a circumferential recess of the enclosure element.

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According to a further embodiment, the edge part can be provided with deformable strip-like elements for attaching the edge part to a batten, in that the strip-like elements are deformable out of the plane of the edge part. The edge part can preferably be provided with openings through which a part of the strip-like element is passed. The edge part can be provided with first and second flange elements, wherein the strip-like element is connected to the second flange by a hinge-like connection.

The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a perspective and schematic view of a first and presently preferred embodiment of a unitary enclosure or connector element according to the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a perspective and schematic view similar to the view of Fig. 1 of a second embodiment of the element according to the present invention,

Fig. 3 is a perspective, schematic view, partly in cross-section, showing a technique for installing the first embodiment of the element according to the present invention, shown in Fig. 1, on a roof covering in which the element is arranged with respect to a

Intermediate layer of roof covering is fixed and sealed,

Fig. 4 is a perspective and schematic view similar to the view of Fig. 3, showing the technique for installing a third embodiment of the element according to the present invention on a roof covering,

Fig. 5 is a perspective and schematic view similar to the views of Figs. 3 and 4, showing a fourth embodiment of the element according to the present invention, which is similar to the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and showing a technique for trimming the element at an installation location,

Fig. 6 is a perspective and schematic view showing a technique for installing a fifth embodiment of the unitary enclosure or connection element according to the present invention in a chimney extending through the roof of a building structure,

Fig. 7 is a schematic and sectional view of a roof covering in which tiles are attached to supporting roof cross beams and in which a sixth embodiment of the unitary edging or connection element according to the

present invention is used to seal the intermediate layer of the roof construction so that a tubular ventilation element can extend through the intermediate layer and a tile of the roof construction,

Fig. 8 is a schematic and sectional view similar to that of Fig. 7, showing a slightly modified mounting of the element shown in Fig. 7,

Fig. 9 is a perspective and schematic sectional view showing the installation of the element shown in Figs. 7 and 8 and in particular the fastening of the element shown in Figs. 7 and 8 with respect to the supporting roof structure for sealing the intermediate layer of the roof structure,

Fig. 10 is a perspective and schematic view of a seventh embodiment of the unitary enclosure or connector element according to the present invention,

Fig. 11

and Figure 12 is perspective and schematic views of a first part of the seventh embodiment of the unitary enclosure or connector element according to the present invention shown in Figure 10,

Fig. 13 is a perspective and schematic view showing a first step of installing the seventh embodiment of the unitary flashing or connector element in a roof covering for sealing the intermediate layer of the roof covering so that a tubular vent element can extend through the intermediate layer and through the unitary flashing or connector element,

Fig. 14 is a perspective and schematic sectional view showing an outer edge portion of the seventh embodiment of the unitary enclosure or connector element shown in Fig. 10 and disclosing an adjustment feature of the unitary enclosure or connector element,

Fig. 15 is a perspective and schematic view showing a second step of installing the seventh embodiment of the unitary flashing or connection element according to the present invention shown in Fig. 10 in the roof covering,

Fig. 16 is a perspective and schematic view similar to the view of Fig. 15, showing a final installation step of the seventh embodiment of the unitary enclosure or connection element shown in Fig. 10

according to the present invention in the roof covering,

Fig. 17 is a perspective and schematic top view of an eighth embodiment of the unitary enclosure or connector element according to the present invention, which is a slightly modified embodiment compared to the first and presently preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 18 is a perspective and schematic bottom plan view of the eighth embodiment of the unitary enclosure or connector element shown in Fig. 17.

In Fig. 1 there is shown a first and presently preferred embodiment of a unitary enclosure or connector element according to the present invention, which is designated as a whole by the reference numeral 10. The element 10 consists of a heat-sealable film material such as polyethylene, e.g. hard or soft polyethylene, or any other weatherproof material, e.g. aluminum foil, polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene film, or combinations of these materials. The element 10 consists of a total of four film segments 12, 14, 16 and 18, which form two pairs of film elements, a first pair comprising the film segments 12 and 16 and a second pair comprising the film segments 14 and 18. The film elements 12 and 16 of the first pair

of foil elements are arranged symmetrically with respect to an imaginary central axis 20 of the element 10, and the foil elements 14 and 18 of the second pair of foil elements are also arranged symmetrically with respect to the imaginary central axis 20. The elements 12 and 14 are welded to one another by a weld seam 13. Similarly, the foil elements 14 and 16, the foil elements 16 and 18 and the foil elements 12 and are welded to one another by a weld seam 15, 17 and 19, respectively.

The element 10 has an overall structure which comprises a substantially planar, circumferential edge part which consists of the main parts of the foil segments 12, 14, 16 and 18 and defines a single plane to which the imaginary central axis is perpendicular. The overall structure of the element 10 further comprises a border part which is formed by upwardly bent parts of the foil segments 12, 14, 16 and 18 and defines a central, substantially rectangular opening through the element 10 in which opening the imaginary central axis 20 is centrally located. In Fig. 1, the edge part and the border part of the element 10 are designated by the reference numerals 22 and 24 respectively.

The element 10, as previously mentioned, is preferably formed from a film material such as a plastic film material which can be heat shrunk into the overall configuration of the element or, alternatively, can be made in a combined heat shrink and welding process from four separate film elements which can be welded together in the combined shrink and

welding process, shrunk to the overall configuration of the element 10 and further cut along an outer edge 26 of the element, which represents an overall rectangular outer boundary, and along an upper edge 28 of the bezel part.

The element 10 shown in Fig. 1 is used, as will be described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 3, to form an opening in an intermediate layer of a roof covering, which opening can be used for fastening e.g. a window frame, a chimney, a ventilation duct element, etc.

In Fig. 2 there is shown an alternative or second embodiment of the unitary enclosure or connector element according to the present invention, which is designated as a whole by the reference numeral 30. The second embodiment 30 differs from the first embodiment 10 described above in that the element is manufactured as a unitary cast element, for example made of high density polyethylene or a similar plastic material or a suitable metal material such as aluminum, which defines an outer edge part 32 and an enclosure part 34 similar to the edge part 22 and the enclosure part 24 of the element 10 described above with reference to Fig. 1. The edge part 32, like the edge part 22 described above, defines an outer edge 36 with a substantially rectangular shape. The edge part 32 has a basically flat

Structure from which the edging member 34 extends substantially vertically upwards and defines an upper edge 38 having a substantially rectangular shape. The edging member 34 and the edge member 32 are connected along a substantially rectangular joint 40 which, apart from a slight deviation which enables removal of the member 30 from a casting matrix, corresponds to the rectangular shape of the upper edge 38 of the edging member 34. The second embodiment 30 can be modified as in the first embodiment 10 described above, for example by providing the edging member 34 and also the edging member 24 as an inwardly sloping edging member which defines a reduced upper edge perimeter compared to the perimeter of the joint 40. Likewise, the edge portion 32 may be manufactured in any other suitable shape, such as a square shape, a circular shape, a triangular shape or even a curved shape, to adapt the element to a particular application which requires the provision of an element with a particular shape other than the shapes shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Various applications of the unitary edging or flashing element are shown in Fig. 3-6, which also show alternative embodiments of the element. In Fig. 3, the first embodiment of the unitary edging or flashing element 10 is attached to a roof structure comprising two vertically extending or sloping slate roofing and

Tile roof battens 50 and 52, to the top of which is attached an intermediate layer or so-called under-roof. The intermediate layer comprises three intermediate layer panels 54, 56 and 58 arranged in abutting relationship substantially horizontally with respect to the roof structure, the lowermost edge portion of the intermediate layer panel 54, which is arranged above the intermediate layer panels 56 and 58, being arranged in abutting relationship with respect to the adjacent intermediate layer panel 56, the lowermost edge portion of which is arranged in a similar arrangement in abutting relationship with respect to the adjacent intermediate layer panel 58. Between the roof battens 50 and 52 there is arranged a timber frame support structure comprising four substantially vertically extending boards 60, 62, 64 and 66. The boards 60, 62, and 66 pass through the interlayer sheet 66 and form an opening therein, in which opening a window frame structure or, for example, a chimney, a vent duct or the like is to extend. In the primary intended use of the first embodiment 10 of the unitary edging or connecting element according to the present invention, a window frame is to be secured to the wooden frame support structure comprising the boards 60, 62, 64 and 66. The element 10 serves to form a hermetic seal along the wooden frame support structure comprising the boards 60, 62, and 66 with respect to the interlayer comprising the interlayer sheets 54, 56 and 58 to prevent rain, snow or moisture from entering the roof structure comprising the roof battens 50 and 52.

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is transported or can penetrate along the edges of the boards 60, 62, 64 and .66, which can lead to rot or fungal attack in the wooden elements of the roof structure, e.g. roof battens 50

and 52. . '

As can be seen from Fig. 3, the upper part of the element 10, i.e. the film segment 18 under the interlayer film 54, is arranged lying, while the film segment 14 of the element 10 is arranged lying on the interlayer film 58, so that a lying relationship is created between the element 10 and the interlayer which, like the interlayer itself, enables rain, moisture or snow to be conveyed downwards along the upper side of the interlayer from the uppermost interlayer film 54 to the adjacent interlayer film 56 and further along the interlayer without penetrating the interlayer. When the element 10 is to be used in connection with a window frame, which often has a certain predetermined shape defining particular predetermined dimensions, the element 10 is adapted to the shape and dimensions of the window frame in question. Consequently, the outer perimeter of the upper edge 28 of the edging portion 24 of the element 10 corresponds to the outer perimeter of the wooden frame support structure comprising the boards 60, 62, and 66. Alternatively and preferably, the element 10 has a slightly reduced dimension compared to the outer perimeter of the wood frame support structure so that a hermetic seal is formed between the outer sides of the boards 60, 62, and 64 and the inner side of the

The problem of the edge portion 24 of the element 10 arises because the element 10 must be secured in a tight fit enclosing the boards 60, 62, 64 and 66, the film segments 12, 14, 16 and 18 of the element being slightly deformed by the tight fit, thereby increasing the circumference along the upper edge 28 of the edge portion 24 of the element 10. The edge portion 24 of the element 10 is preferably secured to the boards 60, 62, 64 and 66 by nails, stitches, bolts, adhesive, etc.

Alternatively, the film material of the element 10 may be heat shrinkable, in which case the element 10 is secured to the boards 60, 62, 64 and 66 by shrinking or so-called re-forming the edging portion 24 of the element 10 by the application of heat generated by a gas combustion unit, an electric heater fan, etc., as is well known in the art of heat insulating hoses, pipes, etc. The outer peripheral edge portion 22 of the element 10 may optionally be adhered to the interlayer films 54, 56 and 58 by an adhesive tape, an adhesive.

In Fig. 3, two frame elements of the window frame construction are shown, one of which is designated by the reference numeral 68 and the other by the reference numeral 70. The frame elements 68 and 70 both have a substantially rectangular shape and consist of L-shaped profile plate elements such as extruded aluminum profile elements. The frame element 68 represents an inner sealing

framing member secured, for example, with nails or screws, to the outside of the boards 60, 62, 64 and 66, with the sheet of the flashing portion 24 of the member 10 interposed between the framing member 68 and the boards. The framing member 70 is secured in overlapping relation with respect to the framing member 68 as shown in Fig. 3, while the framing member is secured to the upper edges of the boards 60, 62, 64 and 66 with screws, nails or the like. Of course, alternative framing member structures may be used in conjunction with the unitary flashing or flashing member of the present invention to provide sealing of, for example, a window frame with respect to the member 10 and also the interlayer of the roof covering.

In Fig. 4, the battens 50 and 52, the interlayer sheets 54, 56 and 58 and also the boards 60, 62, 64 and 66 are further shown together with a slightly modified or third embodiment of the unitary edging or flashing element according to the present invention, the alternative or third embodiment being a modification of the previously described second embodiment 30 shown in Fig. 2. The third embodiment is designated as a whole by the reference numeral 30' and is in principle formed by cutting the second embodiment 30' into two parts of substantially identical shape so that the element 30' can be adapted to certain length requirements determined by the length of the boards 60 and 64. The two

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Parts of the element 30' are designated by the reference numerals 31' and 33'. When assembling the two parts 31' and 33' of the element 30', the part 31" must be arranged in an overlapping relationship with respect to the part 33', since the part 33' is fastened before the fastening of the part 31', as can be seen from Fig. 3. The two parts 31' and 33' of the third embodiment 30' can preferably be fastened by nails or screws, as previously discussed with reference to Fig. 3, in order to fix the element 30' with respect to the boards 60, 62, 64 and 66 to which, for example, a window frame construction is fastened.

In Fig. 5 there is shown a slightly modified embodiment or fourth embodiment of the unitary enclosure or connector element according to the present invention, the alternative embodiment being a modification of the previously described first and presently preferred embodiment 10. The alternative or fourth embodiment shown in Fig. 5 is generally designated by the reference numeral 10'. The element 10' is formed from a sheet material, such as a flexible sheet material, e.g. polyethylene, like the previously described first and presently preferred embodiment 10, but differs from the previously described first and presently preferred embodiment 10 in that the element 10' has an overall enlarged shape. In Fig. 5, elements or components of the embodiment 10' are provided with the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1, but with the additional numeral ' added.

The alternative embodiment 10' differs from the previously described first and presently preferred embodiment 10 in that the edge portion 22' and the surround portion 24' are enlarged relative to the corresponding elements or parts of the first and presently preferred embodiment 10 so that the edge portion 22' and the surround portion 24' can be trimmed by cutting away excess film material from the edge portion and surround portion 22" and 24' respectively, as illustrated by strips 21' and 23' cut or severed from the edge portion 22' or similarly by strips 25' and 27' cut or severed from the surround portion 24' of the element 10'. The slightly enlarged edge and surround portions 22' and 24' of the element 10' allow the element to be trimmed or 10' to a specific application. The element 10' is advantageously made of a heat-shrinkable film which allows complete adaptation of the element 10 to a specific application, whereby the element 10' is shrunk to a perfect conformity with the supporting boards 60, 62, 64 and 66 and then the excess material is trimmed off from the edge and surround parts 22' and 24', respectively, as shown in Fig. 5.

In Fig. 6 an alternative application of a further or fifth embodiment of the unitary enclosure or connection element according to the present invention is shown. In Fig. 6 the fifth embodiment of the element according to the present invention is designated overall by the reference numeral 80.

and is used to seal the junction between a chimney 90 and a sub-roof of a roof surface 92 comprising a plurality of corrugated tiles arranged in a conventional manner in a laid or overlapping relationship. The element 80 has in principle a similar construction to the construction of the second embodiment 30 described above with reference to Fig. 2 and is preferably formed as a molded plastic product, e.g. molded from high-density polyethylene, and comprises an edge part 82 similar to the edge part 32 of the previously described element 30 and a border part 84 similar to the border part 34 of the previously described element 30. While the border part 34 of the element 30 extends substantially vertically or perpendicularly upwards from the edge part 32, the border part 84 of the element 80 defines an angle other than 90° with respect to the substantially flat edge part 82. The angle defined between the border part 84 and the edge part 82 is determined by the inclination of the roof surface 92 in order to ensure a perfect sealing contact between the edging part 84 and the outer side surface of the chimney 90 and also to obtain a perfect sealing contact between the lower side surface of the edge part 82 and the upper side surface of the under-roof of the roof surface 92. To seal the connection point between the upper edge of the edging part 84 and the outer surface of the chimney 90, plate elements 86 and 88 are attached to the outer surface of the chimney 90 and in

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an overlapping relationship with respect to the bezel portion 84 of the element 80.

While the previously described first, second, third, fourth and fifth embodiments of the unitary edging or flashing element according to the present invention comprise a single element comprising exclusively an edge part and an edging part, a further or sixth embodiment of the unitary edging or flashing element according to the present invention, described below with reference to Figs. 7-9, comprises additional sealing elements in connection with the edging or flashing element providing a sealing arrangement. In Figs. 7 and 8, vertical sectional views of a roof construction show two alternative applications of the edging or flashing element or arrangement in connection with a roof comprising corrugated, individually arranged tiles or roofing panels, such as tiles, e.g. fired tiles or tiles formed from concrete or a similar material.

In Fig. 7 and 8, reference numeral 94 designates a rafter of a roof structure, on the top of which an intermediate layer is applied. The foil of the intermediate layer is designated by reference numeral 96. On the top of the rafter 94 and also on the same rafters of the roof structure, battens are attached, which extend parallel and transversely with respect to the rafter 94. Reference numeral 98 designates a batten which extends parallel to the rafter 94, and reference numerals 100 and

·

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102 denote battens extending transversely to the rafter 94 and also to the batten 98, i.e. horizontally with respect to the roof structure. The battens 100 and 102 are spaced apart from one another and serve primarily the purpose of holding corrugated tiles in a resting relationship as shown by a total of three tiles 104, 106 and 108 shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The tiles 104, 106 and 108 are provided with an upper fixing edge like conventional tiles by which they rest on a supporting batten such as the battens 100 and 102.

Also shown in Figs. 7 and 8 is a unitary flashing or connector member or assembly, designated by the reference numeral 110, for providing a hermetically sealed opening through the liner 96 so that a duct, such as a vent duct, can pass from the interior of the building, e.g. from a vent system located beneath the roof structure of the building, to the environment or outside through the opening provided in the roof covering. The duct extending through the roof covering is designated by the reference numeral 140. In Fig. 7, the channel 140 extends substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the roof defined by the tiles 104, 106 and 108, while in Fig. 8 the channel 140 extends substantially vertically through the opening in the roof and at an angle other than 90° with respect to the outer surface of the roof covering as previously defined. Adjusting the angular position of the channel 140 with respect to the vertical direction and with respect to the

outer surface of the roof is achieved simply by shifting the position of the assembly 110 from the position shown in Fig. 7 to the position shown in Fig. 8, the positions differing in that in Fig. 7 the assembly 110 is secured to the upper edge of the batten 102 by an edge portion of the assembly which will be described in more detail below, while in Fig. 8 the assembly 110 is secured to the lower edge of the batten 102 by the above-mentioned edge portion. The position of the assembly 110 can, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, be improved and adjusted if necessary simply by arranging a particular batten parallel to the battens 100 and 108 and securing the assembly 110 to the batten. The construction of the element or assembly 110 will now be described in more detail with reference primarily to Fig. 9, which shows the assembly 110 positioned with respect to the spacer 96 and secured to the lower edge of the batten 102 as shown in Fig. 8.

The unitary enclosure and connector element or assembly 110 essentially comprises two parts or elements 112 and 114 which are arranged on and under the intermediate layer 96, respectively. The element or part 112 has in principle a similar construction to the construction of the previously described embodiments of the unitary enclosure and connector element of the present invention and comprises a peripheral edge part 116 and an enclosure part 118. The edge part 116 is located at the uppermost end of the assembly 110 and

the element 112 is provided with a plate element 120 from which two additional plate elements 122 and 124 extend upwards. The plate elements 122 and 124 define a height corresponding to the height of the battens on which the brick-supporting battens 100 and 102 are held, i.e. the height of the batten 98. From the plate elements 122 and 124 two triangular shaped plate elements 126 and 128 extend parallel to the plate element 120 to two fastening plate elements which form the above-mentioned edge part and are designated by the reference numerals 130 and 132 respectively, by which the arrangement 110 is fastened to the upper or lower edge of the batten 102 by e.g. nails or screws. In Figs. 7 and 8, a single nail is shown, designated by the reference numeral 134, which is fastened in a conventional manner with a hammer, and extends through one of the holes passing through the plate members 130 and 132. In addition to acting as spacers to hold the plate member 120 at a certain distance below the plate members 126 and 128, the plate members 122 and 124 serve the additional purpose of providing a rain or snow gutter which prevents rain or snow carried down the top of the spacer 96 from falling through the opening defined by the assembly 110, but instead runs around the opening on either side thereof.

The edge portion 116 and the surround portion 118 of the element 112 are connected to one another at a joint which defines a circumferential recess in which a sealing O-ring is received. The

The bezel portion 118 of the member 112 is further provided with through openings, one of which is designated by the reference numeral 138, which serve to cooperate with snap-fit or bayonet fitting elements of the lower member or part 114 of the assembly 100 to lock or secure the two members or parts 112 and 114 in a sealed or locked position or construction. The member or part 114 has a construction which is also similar to the construction of the bezel or connector element according to the present invention, previously described with reference to Figs. 1-6, and includes a peripheral edge portion 142 and a peripheral bezel portion 144 extending upwardly from the edge portion 142. The enclosure part is, as previously mentioned, provided with snap-lock or bayonet locking elements which cooperate with the openings 138 of the enclosure part 118 of the part or element 112, the snap-lock or bayonet locking elements being designated by the reference numerals 14.

The assembly 110 is secured in a particular position in the following manner. First, the upper part or element 112 is positioned in the predetermined position relative to the roof structure and then relative to the spacer 96 and secured relative to the batten 102 with nails or screws as previously discussed. The upper element or part 112 is, as will be apparent, positioned in a central position relative to the unsupported spacer 96 while the previously described unitary edging or

Connecting elements described with reference to Fig. 1-6 are positioned fully supported by the roof structure, such as the roof battens 50 and 52 shown in Fig. 3 and 4. Once the upper part or element 112 is positioned and secured, a hole is cut through the spacer 96 through the central opening defined in the bezel part 118 of the element 112, after which the lower part or element 114 is inserted through the hole of the spacer 96 from above, rotated and raised into contact with the lower side of the spacer 96 and snapped and locked in position with respect to the upper part or element 112 by cooperation between the openings 138 of the bezel part 118 of the upper element or part 112 and the snap or bayonet locking elements 146 of the bezel part 144 of the lower element or part 114 as previously described. Once the lower member or part 114 is snapped into position, the foil of the spacer 96 lies between the edge and surround portion of the upper and lower members or parts 112 and 114, and further sealing is achieved by the sealing O-ring 136. Thereafter, any excess foil material protruding upward from the assembly can simply be trimmed away, thereby creating an overall perfect looking and hermetic seal of the holes in the spacer, which hole is further impermeable to water and snow due to the inclined plate members 122 and 124 previously described. Hermetic sealing of the channel, such as the channel 140 shown in Figs. 7 and 8, with respect to the assembly 110 can easily be achieved if desired.

by, for example, gaskets, sealing films and tapes, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. In many applications, however, a hermetic seal between the element extending through the assembly 110, such as the channel 140 shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and the assembly 110 is not necessary and is thus omitted.

In Fig. 10, a unitary enclosure or terminal element or assembly which is a seventh embodiment of the unitary enclosure or terminal element of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 210. The element or assembly 210 serves to form a hermetically sealed opening through a spacer so that a duct such as a vent duct can pass from the interior of the building to the environment or outside through the opening provided in the roof structure. In principle, the assembly 210 represents an alternative embodiment compared to the unitary enclosure or terminal element or assembly 110 previously described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. The arrangement 210, like the previously described arrangement 110, comprises two separate parts or elements 213 and 214. The part or element 212 forms an upper part and serves in principle the same purpose as the previously described element or part 112. Likewise, the element 214 forms a lower part similar to the previously described lower part or element 114 of the sixth embodiment of the previously unitary enclosure or connection element 110, which was described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8.

ft ft ft ·· · ····

- 33 -

Thus, the element or part 212 comprises a peripheral edge part 216 and a surround part 218. From the surround part 218 two flange parts 217 and 219 extend in opposite directions to the upper end and the lower end of the assembly respectively. The edge part 216 is provided at its uppermost end of the assembly 210 and the element 212 with a plate element 220 from which two additional plate elements 222 and 224 extend upwards. The plate elements 220 and 224 form similar elements to the elements 122 and 124 of the previously described assembly 110 and are connected to two basically triangular shaped plate elements 226 and 228 which extend parallel to the edge part 216. Similar to elements 122, 124, 126 and 128 of assembly 119, elements 222, 224, 226 and 228 serve the primary purpose of forming a rain or snow gutter to prevent rain or snow from falling through the opening defined by the through opening of enclosure portion 218 of assembly 210.

However, the arrangement 210 differs from the previously described element 110 in that the arrangement 210 has a construction which enables the arrangement to be easily used in connection with roof structures of different dimensions and in particular in connection with roof structures of different distances between the battens of the roof structure, such as the battens which extend substantially horizontally in the roof structure, similar to the batten 102 shown in Fig. 9. To form these adaptation features, the element 212 is provided with two additional flange elements

- 34 -

which extend parallel to the flange element 217 and 219 from the outer edge of the edge part 216 to a height above the edge part 216 which is identical to the height defined by the flange elements 217 and 219. From the flange elements 230 and 232, which in principle form vertically extending flange elements, two additional flange elements 234 and 236 extend outwardly from the outside of the flange element 230 and 232, respectively, the flange elements 234 and 236 being arranged parallel to the edge part 216 and further above the edge part 216, as shown in Fig. 10. The flange elements 234 and 236 each contain through openings which are designated by the reference numerals 238 and 240, respectively. The assembly 210 further includes two elongate plate members 242 and 244 connected to the outwardly projecting flange members 234 and 236, respectively, by hinges 246 and 248, respectively. The elongate plate members 242 and 244 are provided with through holes 250 and 252, respectively, for receiving a nail or screw for securing the member or element 212 with respect to the roof structure, as will be described in more detail below.

In Figs. 11 and 12, the lower element or part 214 of the unitary enclosure or connection element or assembly 210 is shown in greater detail. The element or part 214 consists basically of two parts, namely an edge part 260 and an enclosure part 262. The enclosure part 262 defines a through opening in which four detachable webs 264 extend inwardly in the plane defined by the edge part 260 and define an opening 268. The webs 264

represent cutting guide means, as will become apparent from the following description. A plurality of locking elements 266 extend outwardly from the upper edge of the enclosure part 262, the locking elements 266 serving to lock the element or part 214 in position with respect to the part or element 212 when the part or element 214 is received by the part or element 212 in the unitary enclosure or connector assembly 210, as shown in Fig. 10.

13 and 14, two steps are shown for installing the unitary flashing or connector member or assembly 210. In the first step of installing the assembly 210, the member or element 214 is placed in the intended location relative to the spacer plate 96 as shown in Fig. 13. A knife 280 or similar cutting means is then used to cut a hole in the sub-roof along a cutting line 282, the line being located along the inner edge defined by the webs 264 of the edge portion 260 of the member or element 214. As shown in Fig. 13, the portion of the sub-roof that is severed from the main portion of the sub-roof by the knife 210 is designated by the reference numeral 284. It will be appreciated that the webs 264, which form an integral part of the overall assembly, ensure that the opening formed or in most cases cut in the sub-roof is cut or formed accurately. After the opening has been cut in the sub-roof 96, the webs 264 are separated from the main body of the

Element 214 is separated by simply breaking the webs away from the main body of element 214 along separation lines shown in Figs. 11 and 12 which allow the webs 264 to be easily broken or separated from the main body of element 214.

After the step illustrated in Fig. 13, the upper part 212 of the assembly 210 is adapted to the particular application in a step illustrated schematically in Fig. 14. The elongated plate members 214 are bent downwardly from the part or member 212 and the outer edges of the elongated plate members 214 and 244 are inserted through corresponding openings of the flange members 234 and 236, respectively. In the phase of inserting and receiving the outer ends of the elongate panel members into corresponding openings in the panel members 234 and 236, respectively, the member or part 212 is aligned or matched to the location of the opening in the sub-roof 96, which is created as previously described with reference to Fig. 13, with respect to the position of the battens of the roof structure and is also aligned or matched to the spacing between the battens of the roof structure, as shown in Fig. 15, in which the batten 102 is shown together with the batten 100 shown in phantom. When the elongated plate elements 242 and 244 are bent downward from the outwardly projecting flange elements 234 and 236, respectively, and when the outer ends of the elongated plate elements 242 and 244 are inserted through certain openings of the flange elements 234 and 236, a total of four fastening flanges are created. The

- 37 -

Mounting flanges formed from the elongated plate member 244 are designated by reference numerals 254 and 256, while the mounting flanges formed from the elongated plate member 242 are designated by reference numerals 255 and 257.

After adjusting or fitting the element 210 to the roof structure and the opening of the sub-roof 96, the element 212 is attached to the roof structure as shown in Fig. 15 by inserting nails or screws through one or more holes of the fastening flanges 256 and 257 and fastening it to the adjacent batten 102. In Fig. 15, two nails are designated by the reference numerals 258 and 259, which serve to fasten the fastening flanges 256 and 257, respectively. Likewise, the fastening flanges 254 and 255 are attached to the batten 100 by additional nails, screws or similar means.

As can be seen from Fig. 15, the underroof 96 forms a circumferential band 286 which is initially created when the hole in the underroof is cut as previously described with reference to Fig. 13 along the inner edge of the separable webs 264 of the element 214. Thus, the circumferential band 286 is precisely dimensioned with respect to the through opening defined by the edging part 218 of the element 212 and also correctly positioned with respect to the opening defined by the edging part 218 when the element 212 is adjusted or fitted to the dimensions of the underroof and correctly positioned with respect to the underroof

- 38 -

positioned as previously described with reference to Figs. 14 and 15.

Finally, the element 214 is inserted from the interior of the roof and pushed outward through the opening defined in the edging portion 218 of the element 212, as shown in Fig. 16. During the phase of inserting the element 214 into the through opening defined by the edging portion 218 of the element 212, the peripheral band 286 lies between the edging portions 262 and 218 of the elements 214 and 212, respectively, and forms a ceiling of the sub-roof 96 with respect to the assembly 210. During the phase of securing the element 214 with respect to the element 212, the locking elements 266 lock the element 214 to the element 210 with a snap or bayonet lock to secure and hold the element 214 in position with respect to the element 212 of the unitary edging or connector assembly 210, as shown in Figs. 10 and 16.

In Fig. 17 and 18 an eighth and particularly advantageous embodiment of the unitary enclosure or connection element according to the present invention is shown, which is designated overall by the reference numeral 310. In principle, the eighth embodiment 310 is a modified embodiment compared to the first and second embodiments shown previously in Fig. 1 and 2, which further includes features of the seventh and eighth embodiments shown in Fig. 7-9 and 10-16.

- 39 -

The eighth embodiment 310 is a unitary cast member, made, for example, from high density polyethylene or a similar plastic material or a suitable metal material such as aluminum. The member 310 includes a plurality of foil sections, namely four foil segments 312, 314, 316 and 318, which are integrally cast foil sections similar to the four foil segments 12, 14, 16 and 18 of the member 10 previously described with reference to Figure 1. The foil sections 312 and 316 form lateral sections, while the foil sections 314 and 318 form lower and upper sections, respectively, the terms "lower", "upper" and "lateral" referring to the intended orientation of the member 310. The element 310 further includes two end foil sections 315 and 319 which are integrally connected to the adjacent lower and upper foil sections 314 and 318, respectively, by thinned or hinged elements 313 and 317, respectively, so that the end foil sections 315 and 319 can be bent or severed from the adjacent lower and upper foil sections 314 and 318, respectively, to adapt the overall length of the element 310 to a particular application. When the end foil sections 315 and 319 are bent with respect to the lower and upper foil sections 314 and 318, respectively, the end foil sections 315 and 319 can be used to attach the element 310 to the battens of a roof, such as the batten 102 shown in Figs. 7 and 8, e.g., by screws, nails or the like.

The previously described film sections 312, 314, 316 and 318 define a one-piece edge part 322 of the

unitary flashing or connector member 310 from which an integrally molded flashing member 322 projects upwardly defining an edge portion which is secured to a wood plank structure of the roof to form a seal around the wood plank structure as previously described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The flashing member 324 defines an upper or outer peripheral edge 326 having a generally rectangular configuration.

While the previously described first and second embodiments 10 and 30, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, have an overall symmetrical configuration, the eighth embodiment 310, as previously mentioned, includes lower and upper foil portions 314 and 318, respectively, which form a structure with a predetermined intended orientation. Thus, while the lower sheet portion 314 has a generally planar structure, the upper sheet portion 318 includes a raised portion having an overall triangular configuration defined by upwardly projecting plate members 332, 334 and a planar, triangular-shaped upper member 330. The members 330, 332 and 334 serve essentially the same purpose as the plate members 122 and 124 of the unitary flashing or flashing member 110 previously described with reference to Figs. 7-9, i.e., the purpose of providing a rain or snow gutter.

In Fig. 17, the unitary enclosure or connection element 310 is shown from the top,

- 41 -

while in Fig. 18, the unitary edging or connector element 310 is shown from the underside showing a recess 328 defining the previously described triangular shaped rain or snow gutter formed by the plate elements 330, 332 and 334 and intended to prevent snow or rain running down the top of an underlying liner such as the liners 56 and 58 shown in Figs. 3 and 4 from falling through the opening defined by the upwardly projecting edging portion 324 of the unitary edging or connector element 310 but instead being directed around the opening on either side thereof.

example 1

A prototype version of the previously described first and presently preferred embodiment of the unitary edging or connector element 10 previously described with reference to Fig. 1 was formed from four 0.5 mm thick soft polyethylene film segments representing the previously described film segments 12, 14, 16 and 18 welded together along welds representing the previously described welds 13, 15, 17 and 19 and defining an overall rectangular outer edge measuring 176 cm x 12 9 cm. The film segments were formed in the welding process into the shape shown in Fig. 1, defining an upstanding edging member having a height of 16 cm defining a central 98 cm x 80 cm opening in the upper edge of the edge member. The opening of the element

- 42 -

was centered with respect to the outer edge of the element.

Example 2

A prototype version of the second embodiment of the unitary enclosure or connector element 30 described above with reference to Figure 1 was molded from low density polyethylene. The element defined a configuration similar to that shown in Figure 2 and defined an outer edge measuring 117 cm x 95 cm corresponding to the outer edge defined by the edge 36. In the center of the plate-shaped edge portion of the element there was a 98 cm x 78 cm opening and an enclosure member similar to the previously described enclosure member 34 projected upwardly substantially perpendicular to the planar surface defined by the edge portion of the element to a height of 8 cm above the upper surface of the edge portion of the element.

Example 3

A prototype version of the eighth embodiment of the unitary enclosure or termination element 310 described above with reference to Figs. 17 and 18 was molded from high density polyethylene. The element defined a configuration as shown in Figs. 17 and 18 and defined an outer edge of 1950 mm x 1178 mm. The foil sections 319 and 320 were each 1178 mm x 150 mm. At the center of the edge portion 322 of the unitary molded or

·

- 43 -

unitary edging or connector element 310, a 13 98 mm x 778 mm opening was defined which was defined by the outer edge 326 of the edging part 324. The height of the snow gutter defined by the plate elements 330, 332 and 334, i.e., the height of the triangular shaped snow gutter from the upwardly projecting edging part 324 was 70 mm, and the triangular shaped plate element 330 was raised 2 0 mm above the plane defined by the upper film portion 318 of the edge part 322.

While the present invention has been described above with reference to numerous and advantageous embodiments, numerous modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and are to be considered part of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Although the invention has been described with reference to openings having a generally rectangular configuration, since the trim portions of the unitary trim or flashing elements described above have been described with respect to rectangular openings, such as rectangular openings defined by window frames to be attached to the roof, the unitary trim or flashing elements according to the present invention are by no means limited to forming a seal with respect to rectangular openings, since the trim portion of the unitary trim or flashing element made according to the teachings of the present invention can be made in any configuration that meets certain requirements, i.e., in a circular,

- 44 -

rectangular, triangular, square, elliptical configuration or any configuration comprising linear and curved segments or combinations of the above geometric shapes.

Claims (23)

TH/pl 96732G 16 March 1998 Protection claims: 1. Construction element (10, 10', 30, 30', 80, 110, 210) for sealing a hole in a foil of a sub-roof of a roof covering, whereby the hole forms an access from the environment into the interior space delimited beneath the roof covering, comprising: an edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) which delimits a central opening with a configuration and a circumference which essentially correspond to the configuration and circumference of the hole, and a surround member (24, 24', 34, 84, 118, 218) integrally connected to and extending substantially perpendicularly from the edge member (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) and enclosing said peripheral opening, the edge member (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) and the surround member (24, 24', 34, 84, 118, 218) being made of weatherproof materials, and the edge member (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) being adapted to be disposed in substantially coplanar relation to and in front contact with said sheet of the subroof to enclose said central opening of the edge member (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) to be arranged in alignment with the said hole in the foil of the sub-roof and to push the edging part (24, 24', 34, 84, 118, 218) upwards to be arranged protruding from the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216), wherein the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) and the edging part (24, 24', 34, 84, 118, 218) are made of bendable and preferably foldable film material. 2. Construction element according to claim 1, wherein the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) and the enclosure part (24, 24', 34, 84, 118, 218) are made of identical materials, such as weather-resistant plastic materials, e.g. hard polyethylene, soft polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene or the like, or corrosion-resistant metal, such as aluminum, or combinations thereof. 3. A component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) and the edging part (24, 24', 34, 84, 118, 218) are cast from a castable material. 4. A structural element according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) and the edging part (24, 24', 34, 84, 118, 218) are made of foil materials which are welded together. 5. Component according to one of claims 1-4, wherein the central opening of the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) is rectangular, triangular, circular, elliptical or polygonal. 6. Component according to one of claims 1-5, wherein the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) defines an outer edge of rectangular, triangular, circular, elliptical or polygonal configuration. 7. Component according to one of claims 1-6, wherein the enclosure part (24, 24', 34, 84, 118, 218) tapers from the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) towards its outer open end. 8. A component according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) defines a plane and the enclosure part (24, 24', 34, 84, 118, 218) slopes with respect to the plane defined by the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216). 9. A component according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the edging part (24, 24', 34, 84, 118, 218) extends perpendicularly from the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216). 10. A structural element according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the enclosing part (24, 24', 34, 84, 118, 218) is composed of segments of planar elements. 11. Construction element according to one of claims 1-10, further comprising a substantially triangularly shaped transition part (126, 128) which is interposed between the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) and the edging part (24, 24', 34, 84, 118, 218) at their transition and forms a rain or snow gutter above from the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216). 12. A component according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the component is composed of two component-defining halves (112, 114) comprising the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) and the enclosure part (24, 24', 34, 84, 118, 218). 13. A construction element according to any one of claims 1-12, further comprising a fastening means for fixing the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) with respect to a component of said roof covering. 14. Construction element according to claim 13, wherein the fastening means is formed by a plate segment (130, 132) which extends perpendicularly from the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) and has a through hole for receiving a nail (134), a screw or a similar fastening element for fixing the plate element (130, 132) to the component of the roof covering. 15. Construction element according to claim 13, wherein the fastening means is formed by a hook-shaped fastening means for gripping the component of the roof covering. 16. A component according to claim 13, wherein the edge part comprises a strip-like element forming the fastening means, wherein the strip-like element is arranged on one side of the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) and can be deformable to extend outwardly from the plane of the edge portion (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216). 17. A structural element according to claim 16, wherein the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) is provided with openings for receiving the deformed, strip-like element. 18. A structural element according to claim 16, wherein the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) comprises a vertically arranged first flange element (230, 232) extending along one side of the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216), wherein the first flange element (230, 232) is provided with a second flange element (234, 236) extending parallel to the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216) and having openings (238, 240), and wherein the second flange element (234, 236) is provided with a hinge (246, 248) connecting the strip-like element. 19. Construction element according to one of claims 13-15, further comprising a separate edging element (214) which is to be fixed within the edging part (24, 24', 34, 84, 118, 218) or enclosing the periphery of the edging part (24, 24', 34, 84, 118, 218) for interposing the film of the sub-roof between the edging part (24, 24', 34, 84, 118, 218) and the edging element (214). 20. Component according to claim 19, wherein the separate enclosure element (214) with detachable webs (264) which extend inwardly into the plane defined by the edge part (260). 21. A component according to claim 19 or 20, further comprising a sealing O-ring (13 6) to be received and fixed between the enclosure part (24, 24', 34, 84, 118, 218) and the enclosure element. 22. Component according to claim 21, wherein the O-ring (136) is received within a circumferential recess of the enclosure part (24, 24', 34, 84, 118, 218) or the edge part (22, 22', 32, 82, 116, 216). 23. Component according to claim 21, wherein the sealing O-ring (136) is received within a circumferential recess of the enclosing element.