DE9316604U1 - Translucent roof construction - Google Patents

Description

K 39 283/8

TRANSLUCENT ROOF CONSTRUCTION

The subject of the invention is a translucent roof construction, characterized by

(a) a number of substantially parallel, elongated metal rungs;

(b) a number of translucent plastic cover plates supported on the rungs;

(c) a number of elongate fixing rails, each associated with and fixed to a rung, and extending outwardly from the cover plates;

(d) the rungs and the fastening rails are curved when viewed from the side and the cover plates are correspondingly curved.

The roof construction according to the invention is characterized by a simple structure, lightweight construction and statically favorable conditions. The rungs supporting the cover plates are statically stressed favorably due to their curved shape. Cover plates made of plastic are inherently lighter than glass panes, which reduces the forces absorbed by the rungs. Roof constructions according to the invention can easily be designed in such a way that a span (chord direction of the curved rungs) of more than 4 m or even 5 m can be bridged.

The roof construction according to the invention can be used to create large-area light strips on flat or slightly sloping building roofs. In this case, the roof construction according to the invention spans a correspondingly large opening in the actual roof of the building. However, entire roofs or larger roof areas can also be created with the roof construction according to the invention, whereby several of the mentioned rows of rungs can be present next to one another. Another

One possibility is to cover access paths, terraces, outdoor seating areas of restaurants or the like.

Preferably, the rungs and/or the fastening rails are made of aluminum, whereby this term naturally includes aluminum alloys. However, other light metals, alternatively steel, can also be considered. Rungs and fastening rails made of aluminum can be manufactured particularly efficiently and have a low dead weight. As a result, the supports on which the rungs rest only have to bear lower loads.

This advantage has a particularly large impact when converting existing roofs with relatively low load-bearing capacity.

The rungs are preferably designed as hollow profiles. Hollow profiles have a particularly high load-bearing capacity relative to their weight and have a more aesthetic appearance than rungs with other cross-sections. Hollow profiles can be produced efficiently, e.g. by extrusion, particularly from aluminum. The cover rails also preferably have a cross-section with one or more longitudinal hollow channels.

Preferably, the fastening rails are attached to the rung ends of the associated rung, particularly advantageously only to the rung ends and not in the area between the rung ends. This results in a particularly simple assembly of the roof structure on site.

It is preferable to attach the fastening rails to the corresponding rung with longitudinal pre-tension. In combination with the curved shape of the rungs, this results in the cover plates being pressed against the rungs in a position-fixing manner. Even in the event of temperature changes, the cover plates remain fixed.

Preferably, the fastening connection between the respective rung and the respective fastening rail is made at one end or at both ends by means of a fastening intermediate part. The

The intermediate fastening part can be designed particularly advantageously as a fastening plate. The fastening plate can be provided with its plate plane at right angles to the relevant front end surface of the rung. The intermediate fastening part or the fastening plate can be screwed to the associated rung, in particular to its front end surface. The intermediate fastening part can cover the end, in particular the hollow profile end, of the relevant rung.

Preferably, the respective fastening rail is attached to the fastening intermediate part by means of a screw connection on the front side. This screw connection enables the relevant cover rail to be installed in a particularly simple manner with a longitudinal pre-stress of a defined, predetermined size. The installation of the fastening rail with longitudinal pre-stress also means that the fastening rail presses against the relevant cover plate practically evenly over its entire length.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, thermal insulation, preferably in the form of an insulating plate, e.g. made of plastic, is provided between the respective intermediate fastening part and the respective rung end. This thermal insulation creates a thermal decoupling between the intermediate fastening part, which is normally assigned to the outside of the roof structure, and the rung assigned to the inside of the roof structure. In winter, heat loss at these points is reduced, thus counteracting the formation of condensation.

It is preferable to provide inner intermediate layers between the rungs and the cover plates and/or outer intermediate layers between the cover plates and the fastening rails, whereby the intermediate layers consist of rubber or plastic and whereby the outer intermediate layers preferably form sealing strips. These intermediate layers provide a support for the cover plates and a pressing of the cover rails with a certain elasticity, so that manufacturing tolerances are compensated and dimensional changes are absorbed when the temperature changes. In particular, the inner

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Intermediate layers do not necessarily have to be present continuously along the length of the rungs, although they preferably are.

Preferably, the intermediate layers are attached to the rungs or the fastening rails. This is convenient for assembling the roof structure. The fastening can be carried out in a form-fitting manner. The intermediate layers can, for example, be inserted in the longitudinal direction of the rungs or the fastening rails or snapped in at right angles to this longitudinal direction.

It is preferred that the transitions between two adjacent cover plates are located on a rung and are covered by a fastening rail. However, it should be noted that a transition between two cover plates is not necessarily provided on every rung. Rather, cover plates can also bridge two rung spacings or even more rung spacings.

It is preferred that on those rungs where there is a transition between adjacent cover plates, the associated fastening rail is supported on the rung via a spacer element which is arranged between the adjacent cover plates. The spacer element preferably extends in one piece or in several sections over the entire or almost the entire length of the rung or the fastening rail. Due to the spacer elements, the cover plates can be positioned particularly easily with regard to the direction running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the rungs, even if - as is preferred - a certain amount of play remains between the spacer elements and the edges of the cover plates there.

Preferably, the respective spacer element is fixed in a form-fitting manner to the rung and - in the fully assembled state of the roof structure - to the fastening rail in terms of the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rung and fastening rail. In this way, the fastening rails are secured during assembly of the

Roof construction a location in the direction mentioned. It is preferred if the respective spacer element is attached to the rung or to the fastening rail before the fastening rails are installed. A positive fastening is preferred, in particular created by snapping in.

The rungs can be attached to a support with bearing blocks, preferably a little way from their ends. In the case of roof openings, the support can be a frame made of masonry, concrete or metal. The support can also be implemented by beams, in particular metal beams, which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the rungs. The beams can in turn rest on vertical supports or support columns.

It is advantageous to connect the rungs to the bearing blocks using cross bolts, whereby this connection can be designed in such a way that a slight rotation of the rungs relative to the bearing blocks is possible. It is also advantageous if the rungs are connected to the associated bearing block in a longitudinally movable manner, preferably at one end. "Longitudinally movable" means that a movement of the relevant rung in a direction that essentially corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the rung or essentially to the chord direction of the rung or in between is possible relative to the bearing block. It is particularly preferred that only vertical forces are applied to the bearing blocks due to the longitudinal mobility.

Changes in the dimension of the rung, whether due to temperature changes or load changes, do not lead to constraining forces on the bearing blocks.

The roof structure preferably has a cover plate on one or both sides, which runs over the front ends of several rungs and covers the edge of one or more cover plates. In this way, a clean end finish of the cover plates is achieved. The cover plate can be bent at the top to form an overlapping edge and extend with the overlapping edge a little way onto the top of the relevant cover plate. The relevant cover plate can be secured by means of a,

preferably a spring-loaded pressure element is pressed from below against the overlapping edge of the cover plate.

Preferably, an eaves sheet is provided on one or both sides, which runs over the front ends of several rungs and is preferably bent slightly at the bottom towards under the rungs. The eaves sheet creates a clean finish in this area and keeps the weather out, especially rain. The eaves sheet and the cover sheet mentioned above can be made from one and the same sheet. It is advantageous to attach this sheet or these sheets to the roof structure using the intermediate fastening parts mentioned above.

In some installation situations of the roof construction according to the invention, especially when installed as a light strip on a flat roof, it is advantageous

if one provides gable plates at one or both ends, which run essentially parallel to the rung planes. Preferred design features for these end areas are given in claims 25 to 27.
20

The roof construction according to the invention can preferably have one or more flaps, in particular for ventilation and/or for smoke and heat extraction in the event of a fire. The flap in question can be opened by an electric motor or pneumatically. A roof cutout frame can be provided for the flap in question, which is attached to rungs with two opposite frame sides and to which the flap is articulated by means of a hinge or several hinges.

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The invention and embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below using a preferred embodiment shown in the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a roof construction;

Fig. 2 in cross section a rung with attached

Mounting rail and with a part of two

Cover plates, the scale being larger than in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 the end area of a rung with attached

Mounting rail in side view, whereby the scale

corresponds to the scale of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 in a cross section like Fig. 2 the last rung on a

Gable side of the roof structure and a vertically cut gable plate, the scale corresponding to the scale of Fig. 2.

Fig. 1 shows the main components of the roof structure, namely a number of parallel rungs 2, a number of translucent cover plates 4 made of plastic which are supported on the rungs 2, and a number of fastening rails 6. The roof structure is curved as a whole, in the case of the illustrated embodiment, with a constant radius. It should be noted that the number of fastening rails 6 does not necessarily have to correspond to the number of rungs 2, but rather, for example, individual rungs 2 can be provided as cover plate supports without an associated fastening rail, and that the number of cover plates 4 does not necessarily have to correspond to the number of rungs 2 reduced by one, but cover plates 4 can also cover the gaps between more than two rungs 2, as can be seen in the foreground of Fig.

1 as an example.

Fig. 2 illustrates the support and fastening of the cover plates 4 on the rung 2 shown, using the example of a rung 2, where there is a transition between two adjacent cover plates 4. The rung 2 has essentially a square

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Hollow profile cross-section, with several extensions provided on the top side, which run continuously along the rung 2. In the left end area and in the right end area of the top side of the rung cross-section, two extensions 8 each form an upwardly open, undercut, U-shaped channel. The foot area of a strip-shaped, first intermediate layer 10 made of rubber is accommodated in each of these two channels. The right end area of a cover plate 4 on the left in Fig . 2 rests on the top side of the first intermediate layer 10 on the left in Fig . 2. The left end area of a cover plate 4 on the right in Fig. 2 rests on the first intermediate layer 10 on the right in Fig. 2.

In the middle area of the rung 2, two extensions 12 protrude upwards, which are angled outwards at their upper end. The reference number 14 designates a spacer element which extends in one piece along the length of the rung 2. The spacer element 14 has a U-shaped cross-section that is open at the bottom with two legs 16 and a central rib 18 that protrudes upwards on the top. The legs 16 have longitudinal grooves in the lower end area, with which the legs 16 and thus the entire spacer element 14 are snapped onto the extensions 12 and thereby attached to the rung 2.

The cover rail 6 has - seen as a whole and very roughly speaking in the cross-section shown - the shape of a flat, horizontal rectangle. In the left end area and in the right end area of the fastening rail 6, a channel 20 runs in the longitudinal direction, which is open downwards via a slot, whereby an undercut is formed on both sides by the slot. A second intermediate layer 22 made of rubber is snapped into each of the two channels 20 from below, which sits in a form-fitting manner in the relevant channel 20 with a widened, upper foot. The end area of every second intermediate layer 22 pointing away from the side of the fastening rail 6 is designed as an elastic sealing lip 24, which rests sealingly on the top side of the relevant cover plate 4.

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On its underside, the fastening rail 6 has a groove in the middle which, in the illustrated, assembled state of the fastening rail 6, receives the rib 18 of the spacer element 14 with play in the vertical direction.
5

Both rung 2 and mounting rail 6 are extruded aluminium profiles.

Near the two lower corners of the rung cross-section, two screw channels 26 with a star-shaped cross-section can be seen. The

Fastening rail 6 has, a little way from the left and right ends, two screw channels 28 with a star-shaped cross-section. The function of the screw channels 26, 28 is described below.
15

In the fully assembled state (see description below), the end areas of the two cover plates 4 are elastically locked between the top sides of the first intermediate layers 10 and the bottom sides of the second intermediate layers 22. The position of the fastening rail 6 in the lateral direction relative to the rung 2 is defined and fixed by means of the spacer element 14, although there is always a clearance between the edge of the cover plate and the spacer element 14.

The cover plates 4 in the illustrated example consist of so-called double-walled polycarbonate panels. The

Double-web panels have an upper wall that is smooth on the outside, a lower wall that is smooth on the inside and a series of spaced webs 30 in between that extend parallel to the direction of extension of the rung 2.
30

In Fig. 3 it can be seen that a fastening plate 36 is screwed to the front end of rung 2, between a heat-insulating plate 32 and a sheet metal 34, which will be described in more detail below. This screwing is done using two screws 38, which are screwed into the screw channels 26. The fastening plate 36 has a plate plane, which

runs at right angles to the longitudinal axis of rung 2. The fastening plate 36 is essentially rectangular and extends upwards beyond rung 2. In the area of this upper projection, two screws 40 are screwed through corresponding holes in the fastening plate 36 into the screw-in channels 28 of the fastening rail 6 described above.

It can be seen that the fastening rail 6 does not quite reach the fastening plate 36 at the front. The fastening rail 6 can therefore be tightened with a defined longitudinal pre-tension. The fastening rail 6 consequently exerts a practically uniform pressing effect on the two cover plates 4 concerned over its length. Except at its two ends, the fastening rail 6 is not directly attached to the rung 2.

The sheet metal 34, which has already been mentioned briefly, extends in one piece or in several sections along the roof structure, covering the front sides of the rungs 2. In its middle cross-section area, the sheet metal 34 runs parallel to the fastening plate 36 and lies between the fastening plate 36 and the heat-insulating plate 32.

In the upper area of the cross-section, the sheet metal 34 is bent at a right angle and rests with an overlapping edge 42 formed in this way on the top of the cover plate 4, whereby the upper intermediate layers 22 of the fastening rail 6 are compressed somewhat more to create space for the overlapping edge 42. In the lower cross-section area, the sheet metal 34 is bent away from the fastening plate 36 at a right angle, for example. In the area of the bend corner, there are water drainage holes 44 distributed along the sheet metal. The sheet metal 34 or a series of adjacent sheets 34 thus represents a perfect eaves finish for the roof structure. This finish also covers the edges 46 of the cover plates there, so that the ingress of dirt and moisture into the interior of the double-webbed plate is largely prevented.

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Fig. 3 also shows how the end area of the rung 2 shown is attached to a support 50 by means of a bearing block 48. The bearing block is U-shaped and open at the top in the direction of view in Fig. 4 and is screwed with its horizontal base on top of the support 50, e.g. with screws. On top of the support 50, as in the case of a support made of concrete shown, a sheet 52 extending at right angles to the plane of the drawing in Fig. 3 can be arranged, which extends on the left in Fig. 3 into the space between the lower bend 54 of the sheet 34 and the rung 2. This achieves very good weather protection here. The sheet 5 can be one piece or made up of several sections.

The bearing block 48 has a horizontally extending slot 56 in each of its legs. Perpendicular to the drawing plane of Fig.

3, a round bolt 58 is inserted through corresponding holes in the rung 2, which is secured against axial movement on the outside of the legs of the bearing block 48. In Fig. 3, securing by means of a clamping piece 60 attached there is shown, while Fig. 4 shows a variant with securing by means of split pins.

Due to the elongated holes 56, the round bolt 58 and thus the entire end area of the rung 2 can make a horizontal movement by a certain distance. Reduced or increased deflections of the rung 2 or changes in the length of the rung 2 therefore do not lead to constraining forces on the bearing block 48. Only vertical forces must be diverted to the support 50. Twisting of the rung 2 around the axis of the round bolt 58 is possible.

It should be noted that an otherwise corresponding bearing block is provided for the other end area of rung 2, but with round holes instead of the elongated holes 56.

If one initially ignores the left side in Fig. 4, Fig. 4 illustrates how a cover plate 4 running through it is clamped between the rung 2 and the fastening rail 6.

Because of the passage of the cover plate 4, there is no spacer element 14 present here. Otherwise, the clamping situation is the same as in Fig. 2.

The left side of Fig. 4 illustrates how the gable end of the roof structure is constructed. The gable end is formed by a translucent plastic plate, also designed as a double-web plate, which is essentially circular in shape overall. The gable plate 62 rests at the bottom in a sheet metal profile 64, which has a U-shaped cross-section that is open at the top and has a longer leg on the inside. At the top of the fastening rail 6 that is assigned to the rung 2 closest to the gable plate 62, several brackets 66 are screwed in place along the fastening rail 6. The brackets 66 extend over the upper end area of the gable plate 62.

Furthermore, Fig. 4 shows a bridging strip 68 made of plastic or rubber with a specific cross-sectional profile. The bridging strip 68 has - in the cross-section of Fig. 4 - a first cross-sectional part in the form of a U that is open and points to the right (roughly speaking) and a second cross-sectional part in the form of a U that is open and points downwards (roughly speaking). The end area of the curved cover plate 4 there is enclosed by the first cross-sectional part; the upper end area of the gable plate 62 is enclosed by the left cross-sectional part. The retaining brackets 66 overlap the bridging strip 68 with a leg that projects downwards. On the right in Fig. 4, the upper horizontal leg - instead of an upper intermediate layer 22 - is snapped into the left channel 20 of the fastening rail 6.

At the bottom, the gable plate 62 is screwed to the inner leg of the sheet metal profile 64.

In Fig. 1 it can be seen that a two-layered upper covering 70 of the flat roof, in which the roof structure is installed, with upwardly drawn edge areas up to the previously described

Sheets 52 on the top of the support 50 are sufficient. The end of the covering 70 there is thus protected by the sheets 52 and 54 against rain, snow and the like.

In addition, a flap 71 of the roof construction is shown in Fig. 1.

A roof cutout of the roof structure is surrounded by a roof cutout frame 72, which is curved in accordance with the curvature of the roof structure as a whole. The two curved sides of the frame 72 are each attached to a rung 2. The flap 71 has a sash frame 74, which is hinged to the roof cutout frame 72 by means of hinges 76. Pneumatic cylinders 78 are used to open the flap 70.

It can be seen that the flap 71 is essentially as wide as two rung spacings. It is also possible to provide flaps 71 which are essentially as wide as one rung spacing.

With reference to Fig. 3, it is now described that in the area between two adjacent rungs 2, a pressing element 80 in the form of a sheet metal strip extending at right angles to the plane of the drawing in Fig. 3 is provided. The sheet metal strip 80 is fastened to the described sheet metal 34 in the area between two adjacent fastening plates 36 and presses resiliently from below against the relevant cover plate 4. In this way, the cover plate 4 is pressed from below against the overlapping edge 42 of the sheet metal 34. This results in an overall stiffening support of this end area of the cover plate 4, even in the space between adjacent rungs 2.

Claims (30)

Expectations 1. Translucent roof construction,
marked by (a) a number of substantially parallel, elongated rungs (2) made of metal; (b) a number of translucent cover plates (4) made of plastic, which are supported on the rungs (2); (c) a number of elongated fastening rails (6), which are each assigned to a rung (2) and fastened thereto and which extend outside of the cover plates (4);
(d) wherein the rungs (2) and the fastening rails (6) are curved when viewed from the side and the Cover plates (4) are curved accordingly. 2. Roof construction according to claim 1,
characterized, that the rungs (2) and/or the fastening rails (6) are made of aluminium. 3. Roof construction according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized, that the rungs (2) are designed as hollow profiles. 4. Roof construction according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized, that the fastening rails (6) are each fastened to the rung ends of the associated rung (2). 5. Roof construction according to claim 4,
characterized, that the fastening rails (6) are each only attached to the associated rung (2) at the rung ends. 6. Roof construction according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that that the fastening rails (6) are each attached to the associated rung (2) with longitudinal pre-tension. 5 7. Roof construction according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the fastening connection between the respective rung (2) and the respective fastening rail (6) is made at one end or at both ends by means of an intermediate fastening part (36), preferably a fastening plate. 8. Roof construction according to claim 7,
characterized, that the respective intermediate fastening part (36) is screwed to the associated rung (2). 9. Roof construction according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the respective fastening rail is fastened to the fastening intermediate part (36) by means of a front-side screw connection (40). 10. Roof construction according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that a thermal insulation (32) is provided between the respective intermediate fastening part (36) and the respective rung end. 11. Roof construction according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that that between the rungs (2) and the cover plates (4) inner intermediate layers (10) and/or between the cover plates (4) and the fastening rails (6) outer intermediate layers (22) are provided, wherein the intermediate layers (10; 22) consist of rubber or plastic and the outer ₇ intermediate layers (22) preferably form sealing strips. · - 16- 12. Roof construction according to claim 11,
characterized, that the intermediate layers (10;22) are fastened to the rungs (2) or the fastening rails (6). 13. Roof construction according to claim 12,
characterized , that the intermediate layers (10; 22) are attached to the rungs (2) or the fastening rails (6) by means of a positive connection. 14. Roof construction according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the transitions between two adjacent cover plates (4) are each located on a rung (2) and are covered by a fastening rail (6). 15. Roof construction according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that that on those rungs (2) where there is a transition between adjacent cover plates (4), a spacer element (14) is arranged between the adjacent cover plates (4).
25 16. Roof construction according to claim 15,
characterized , that the respective spacer element (14) is fixed in a form-fitting manner to the rung (2) and to the fastening rail (6) with respect to the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rung (2) and fastening rail (6). 17. Roof construction according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that that the respective spacer element: (14) is attached to the rung (2) or the mounting rail (6). 18. Roof construction according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that that the rungs (2) are fastened to a support (50) with bearing blocks (48). 19. Roof construction according to claim 18,
characterized , that the rungs (2) are connected to the bearing blocks (48) by means of cross bolts (58). 20. Roof construction according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that that the rungs (2), preferably at one end, are each longitudinally movable with the associated bearing block (48). 21. Roof construction according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that that a cover plate (34) is provided which runs over the front ends of several rungs and covers the edge of at least one cover plate (4). 22. Roof construction according to claim 21,
characterized , that the cover plate (34) is bent at the top to form an overlapping edge (42) and extends with the overlapping edge (42) to the top of the relevant cover plate (4). 23. Roof construction according to claim 22,
characterized, that the respective cover plate (4) is pressed from below against the overlapping edge (42) of the cover plate (34) by means of a preferably resilient pressing element (80). 24. Roof construction according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that that an eaves sheet (34) is provided which runs over the front ends of several rungs (2) and is preferably bent downwards in the direction underneath the rungs (2). 25. Roof construction according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that that a front and/or a rear gable plate (62) made of plastic is provided which is substantially parallel to the planes of the rungs (2).
10 26. Roof construction according to claim 25,
characterized, that the gable plate (62) is supported at its lower end and is held at the top by holding elements (66) which are fastened to a fastening rail (6). 27. Roof construction according to claim 25 or 26, characterized by an upper bridging strip (68) which leads from the upper edge of the gable plate (62) to the adjacent cover plate (4). 28. Roof construction according to claim 27,
characterized , that the bridging strip (68) encloses the upper edge of the gable plate (62) and the adjacent edge of the cover plate (4) in a U-shape. 29. Roof construction according to one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that that a flap (71) which can be opened, preferably by electric motor or pneumatically, is provided. 30. Roof construction according to claim 29,
characterized, that a roof cut-out frame (72) is provided for the flap (71), which is connected to rungs (2) on two opposite frame sides - 19- and to which the flap (71) is hinged by means of a hinge (76).