EP0956404B1

EP0956404B1 - Roof panel

Info

Publication number: EP0956404B1
Application number: EP97950517A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Johan Bloemen
Original assignee: De Horsten Beheer BV; HORSTEN BEHEER DE BV
Current assignee: Uniq Beheer Bv
Priority date: 1996-12-24
Filing date: 1997-12-24
Publication date: 2003-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 2017-12-24
Also published as: DE69721826T2; NL1004895C2; ATE239837T1; EP0956404A1; ES2193415T3; WO1998028504A1; DE69721826D1; AU5349398A; PT956404E

Abstract

The present invention relates to a roof panel for placing integrally on supports of a roof supporting construction, wherein the roof panel comprises: at least two transverse profiles (2); at least one longitudinal profile (3, 4) which is connected to the transverse profiles in order to form in co-action therewith a substantially flat framework having a height corresponding with a thickness of the transverse profiles and the longitudinal profile; a bottom plate (7) which is arranged on the framework at least close to the underside; a cover plate (9) arranged on the framework; and insulating material (6) between the bottom plate and the cover plate. The roof panel is closed along the whole periphery thereof by the transverse profiles and the longitudinal profile, wherein a sealing strip of flexible material is arranged between mutually abutting longitudinal profiles and between mutually abutting transverse profiles of separate roof panels in assembled situation on the supports, wherein connecting means engage the mutually abutting transverse profiles and mutually abutting longitudinal profiles.

Description

The present invention relates to a roof panel for placing integrally on supports of a roof supporting construction, wherein the roof panel comprises:

at least two transverse profiles;
two longitudinal profiles connected to the transverse profiles in order to form in co-action therewith a substantially flat framework surrounding the roof panel;
a bottom plate which is arranged on the framework at least close to the underside;
a cover plate arranged on the framework; and
insulating material between the bottom plate and the cover plate, where a sealing strip of flexible material is arranged between mutually abutting longitudinal profiles and between mutually abutting transverse profiles of separate roof panels in assembled situation on the supports, wherein connecting means engage the mutually abutting transverse profiles and mutually abutting longitudinal profiles.

Such a roof panel is known from the International patent application WO-A-85/03,540, where the frame is rectangular. Along the long side of the frame with the transverse profiles, the transverse profiles are formed from a Z-profile and a C-profile, which is suitable to hook in the Z-profile in assembling neighboring panels. Along the short side of the rectangular frame the longitudinal profiles are formed by Z-profiles to be hooked into each other, where a Z-profile of one of the panels is placed on a carrier and extends below the bottom surface of the roof panels, and where said Z-shaped longitudinal profile of the roof panel, which is to abut in assembly, rests on the Z-shaped longitudinal profile, which is connected to the carrier, of the neighboring roof panel.

A roof panel according to the known art has for a disadvantage, that in the configuration of a roof to be assembled from the roof panels according to prior art a wind bracing is necessary to withstand forces acting on the roof panels. Furthermore parts of profiles of the roof to be assembled extend below the bottom surface thereof, especially the Z-shaped transverse profiles, which hinders finish of the roof after assembly thereof. Further the longitudinal profiles rest on the carrier with a part of the longitudinal profiles extending below the bottom surface of the roof panels, where the bottom surface of the roof panels and therefore of the roof to be assembled are arranged there above. As a result thereof strong forces act on these parts of the Z-shaped longitudinal profile extending below the bottom surface of the roof to be assembled, where the entire weight of the roof rests thereupon. As a result these profiles are necessarily extremely robust, which increases costs and hinders assembly, because attachment thereof to the carriers with for example screws therethrough is achieved, where the robustness of the profiles e.g. in terms of stiffness, thickness, etc. hinders arrangement of the screw in assembly.

The present invention is aimed at providing an improved roof panel, which is distinguished in that the mutually abutting longitudinal profiles of separate roof panels in assembled state comprise respectively a Z-profile and an L-profile, wherein the horizontally oriented leg of the L-profile is located at the top of the roof panel and faces away from the Z-profile, and that the Z-profile has a smaller height than the thickness of the roof panel.

With a roof panel according to the present invention it is possible to have the bottom surface of the roof panel rest on the carriers and still attachment of the Z-shaped longitudinal profile therein to the carrier is accomplished, without forming a hindrance for the neighboring, in assembly connectable L-shaped longitudinal profiles of the neighboring roof panel. In this manner a more favorable and efficient distribution of forces is achieved and relatively light longitudinal profiles can be employed. Furthermore no parts of the longitudinal profiles extend below the bottom surface of the roof to be assembled, which provides a considerable simplification in relation to finishing the roof.

In addition, as a result of sliding action of roof panels according to the invention in the assembled state, no horizontal wind bracing is required, which decreases cost and complexity of assembly.

In a second embodiment a roof panel according to the present invention includes the measure that mutually abutting transverse profiles of separate roof panels each comprise C-profiles, wherein the legs of the C-profiles are directed away from each other. The mutually abutting, substantially C-profiles can be fixed to each other in simple manner, wherein a desired positioning of the roof panels mutually abutting along the transverse profiles can be maintained. In addition, a considerable simplification is obtained with such C-profiles relative to a roof panel of the prior art, wherein the transverse profiles of roof panels mutually abutting along the transverse profiles comprise respectively a C-profile and a Z-profile, wherein the C-profile must be nested in the Z-profile and wherein an L-profile is further mounted on the Z-profile in order to support thereon the bottom plate of the relevant roof panel. The configuration of the transverse profiles according to the present invention therefore provides roof panels, the transverse profiles of which ensure a higher degree of structural integrity and which are simpler and therefore less expensive to produce, whereby cheaper roof panels are obtained having at least the same degree of strength.

Preferably arranged in this embodiment between the transverse profiles is at least one additional longitudinal profile which serves as reinforcing rib with a comparatively short distance and therefore greater effectiveness than the reinforcing rib in a roof panel of the prior art which is arranged between the longitudinal profiles of a roof panel. The distance to be spanned by the reinforcing rib in the known roof panel is greater than in the case of a roof panel according to the present invention, so that the structural integrity of a roof panel according to the present invention is notably increased in this embodiment.

In a third embodiment of the present invention a roof panel includes the measure that the connecting means comprise tightenable engaging members, such as engaging bolts and nuts co-acting therewith or rivets or pop rivets. It is not necessary herein to weld the profiles, which are normally manufactured from galvanized iron, as in the case of a roof panel according to the prior art, wherein toxic gases and other vapours with an environmental impact are released.

The invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow with reference to an embodiment thereof. In the drawing:

fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a disassembled roof panel according to the present invention;

fig. 2 is another perspective view of the roof panel shown in fig. 1, likewise in disassembled state;

fig. 3 is a perspective view of partly cut-away roof panels in the situation during assembly; and

fig. 4 shows a detail of fig. 3.

In the figures the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

The embodiment of a roof panel according to the present invention shown in fig. 1 comprises: a bottom plate in the form of a corrugated sheet 7; transverse profiles in the form of C-profiles 2; a first longitudinal profile in the form of a Z-profile 4; a second longitudinal profile in the form of an L-profile 3; insulation material in the form of insulating plate 6; and a cover plate in the form of woodchip board 9, and a moisture-inhibiting layer 15.

The C-profiles 2 are connected to the L-profile 3 and Z-profile 4 such that together with corrugated sheet 7, which also forms the ceiling board, they form a tray-like configuration. Construction hereof is shown schematically in fig. 2 from a perspective other than that of fig. 1.

The C-profiles 2 are mutually connected by means of ribs 5 which are arranged parallel to L-profile 3 and Z-profile 4. Ribs 5 are per se C-shaped and therefore display a high degree of stiffness against bending load under the influence of the weight of the roof panel when L-profile 3 and Z-profile 4 rest on a support of a roof-bearing construction. The assembly of C-profiles 2, corrugated sheet 7, L-profile 3 and Z-profile 4 is so strong and rigid that a span of at least 15 metres can be realized with a roof panel according to the present invention.

The insulation plate 6 herein comes to rest on corrugated sheet 7 in order to obtain the desired insulating properties of the roof panel. This insulation plate 6 must preferably connect close-fittingly to the assembly of C-profiles 2, L-profile 3 and Z-profile 4 enclosing it, wherein the moisture-inhibiting layer 15 is arranged between insulation plate 6 and corrugated sheet 7. This layer 15 comprises for instance PVC foil or a like material.

The cover plate takes the form of woodchip board 9, in contrast to roof panels of the prior art, where use is normally made of for instance chipboard, wherein it is noted that the woodchip board 9 further improves the already enhanced structural integrity of the roof panel according to the invention. Woodchip board also provides better holding for connecting means for mounting of the woodchip board 9 on any of the profiles, such as rivets or nails which are driven in with a pneumatic tool. The woodchip board 9 also provides a very good hold for mechanical mounting of the roof covering 8 thereon. The woodchip board 9 has dimensions corresponding with the dimensions of the assembly of the C-profiles 2, L-profile 3 and Z-profile 4. As will be further described below, this woodchip board 9 is shifted parallel to the length direction of the C-profiles 2 and parallel to the length direction of both the L-profile 3 and the Z-profile 4, and mounted to protrude over two edges of the assembly of said profiles. The object here is that the roof panel shown in fig. 1 and 2 with the woodchip board 9 can be shifted in overlapping manner over connecting roof panels in order to mount the connecting roof panels protruding under the woodchip board 9 thereon during construction of the roof. After construction of the roof by connecting and fixing adjacent roof panels a roof covering 8 such as bitumen or bitumen felt rolls is arranged over the thus formed surface of the roof. This construction will be further described hereinbelow with reference to fig. 3 and 4. Alternatively, and in preference, the roof covering, which can also be formed from rubber or plastic, can be arranged per roof panel during construction thereof. Covers or strips, which are per se known in the art, can be arranged over the seams between mutually abutting panels for sealing thereof.

Shown in fig. 3 and 4 are roof panels according to the present invention which are placed on supports 10 of a roof supporting construction to form together a closed roof. As described above, the roof panels according to the present invention have a strength and rigidity such that a span of at least 15 metres is possible between the supports 10 of the roof supporting construction.

In the mounted situation the longitudinal profiles, namely L-profile 3 and Z-profile 4, are placed on supports 10 of the roof supporting construction. The transverse profiles, namely C-profiles 2, bridge the distance between supports 10, wherein the distance between supports 10 determines the length of C-profiles 2. The length of roof panels according to the present invention can be varied in simple manner by using C-profiles 2 corresponding with this length in the roof panels.

In placing of the roof panels according to the present invention the following procedure is preferably employed. The roof panels are arranged successively in the direction from top to bottom in both fig. 3 and fig. 4. From top right to bottom left an L-profile connects in each case as second longitudinal profile of a roof panel for placing to a Z-profile as first longitudinal profile of an already placed roof panel. The woodchip board 9 of the roof panel for placing herein falls on the Z-profile 4 of the already placed roof panel. The L-profile 3 and the Z-profile 4 are then fixed to each other using hardened steel nails, screws, bolts and nuts, pop rivets or other such fixing means, but not a weld joint which is detrimental to the environment as a result of the release of harmful vapour during the welding of galvanized iron, from which L-profile 3, Z-profile 4 and C-profiles 2 are manufactured. For mutual fixing of the L-profile 3 and the Z-profile 4 a strip of insulation material in the form of self-adhesive foam profile 11, for instance of the type known as "compriband", is arranged therebetween as sealing strip of flexible material which is clamped between L-profile 3 and Z-profile 4 when these are fixed to each other. The dimensions thereof can amount to about 1.5 x 2-3 cm. Thus is ensured that no warm, moist air can flow along this route through the seams between the mutually abutting roof panels to the underside of the cold woodchip board, whereby condensation would occur here. The strip of insulation material 11 can comprise for instance a strip of rubber or another heat-insulating and air flow-insulating material.

The foregoing concerning assembly of the roof panels according to the present invention related to connection of the longitudinal profiles of the roof panel in the form of L-profile 3 and Z-profile 4, but the C-profiles 2 as transverse profiles of the roof panel are fixed to each other in substantially the same manner, wherein however the C-profile 2 of an already placed roof panel is not mounted on a support 10 prior to placing of a roof panel for arranging, such as is the case for the Z-profile 4 of an initially placed roof panel. This mounting of Z-profile 4 on support 10 likewise preferably takes place with means other than a weld in order to prevent the occurrence of harmful vapours, for instance using hardened steel rivets, self-tapping screws or the like.

When the roof panels according to the present invention are placed in the above described manner, the woodchip boards, which extend outside the form defined by the longitudinal profiles and transverse profiles of a roof panel, are fixed to the longitudinal profiles and the transverse profiles of other roof panels which connect onto the relevant roof panel and of which a transverse profile and/or longitudinal profile extends below the relevant woodchip board 9.

In the factory a length of for instance 1.50 m wide roof-covering is arranged on the panels in the middle by for instance stapling or adhering it to the woodchip board. This middle length with an extra length of ± 10 cm is arranged such that at both ends of the roof panel an overhang is formed which preferably amounts to at least 5 cm. Sealed with hot air or glued to the edges of this middle length are strips of a width such that they protrude ± 5 cm over the edges of the panel such that the roof-covering 5 overhangs the panel 5 cm all round. Thus is achieved that the panels can also be held in stock for a longer period in the open air without a covering being necessary, since in this manner the panels are each watertight in themselves. After mounting of the roof panels on the supports the seams of the roof-covering between the roof panels are sealed by hot air sealing or glueing to each other the overlaps of the roof-covering created by means of the above specified method.

Claims

Roof panel (1) for placing integrally on supports of a roof supporting construction (10), wherein the roof panel (1) comprises:

at least two transverse profiles (2);

two longitudinal profiles (3,4) connected to the transverse profiles (2) in order to form in co-action therewith a substantially flat framework surrounding the roof panel;

a bottom plate (7) which is arranged on the framework at least close to the underside;

a cover plate (9) arranged on the framework; and

insulating material (6) between the bottom plate (7) and the cover plate (9), where a sealing strip (11) of flexible material is arranged between mutually abutting longitudinal profiles (3, 4) and between mutually abutting transverse profiles (2) of separate roof panels in assembled situation on the supports (10), wherein connecting means engage the mutually abutting transverse profiles (2) and mutually abutting longitudinal profiles (3,4),

characterized in that the mutually abutting longitudinal profiles (3,4) of separate roof panels in assembled state comprise respectively a Z-profile (4) and an L-profile (3), wherein the horizontally oriented leg of the L-profile (3) is located at the top of the roof panel (1) and faces away from the Z-profile (4), and that the Z-profile (4) has a smaller height than the thickness of the roof panel (1).
Roof panel as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the mutually abutting transverse profiles (2) of separate roof panels each comprise C-profiles, wherein the legs of the C-profiles are directed away from each other.
Roof panel as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that at least one additional longitudinal profile (5) is arranged between the transverse profiles (2).
Roof panel as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the connecting means comprise tight enable engaging members.
Roof panel as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the engaging members comprise bolts and nuts coacting therewith.
Roof panel as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the engaging members comprise rivets or pop rivets.
Roof panel as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the sealing strip (11) comprises compriband.
Roof panel as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the cover plate (9) comprises a wood chip board.