EP2792809B1

EP2792809B1 - Clip for clamping the circumference of a roofing or wall covering element

Info

Publication number: EP2792809B1
Application number: EP14164657.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Albert Häckl; Florian Hartmann; Uwe Hühnerkopf; Sven Stumpe
Original assignee: Eternit AG
Current assignee: Eternit AG
Priority date: 2013-04-17
Filing date: 2014-04-14
Publication date: 2016-07-13
Anticipated expiration: 2034-04-14
Also published as: PL2792809T3; PT2792809T; DK2792809T3; HRP20160942T1; PT2792808T; RS55283B1; EP2792809A1; DK2792808T3; SI2792809T1; DE102013006616A1; HUE029310T2; EP2792808A1; EP2792808B1; PL2792808T3; SI2792808T1; ES2597781T3; RS54949B1; ES2585113T3; LT2792809T; HRP20161327T1

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to roofing or wall covering elements for laying in an overlapping manner with other roofing or wall covering elements, to clamps for camping roofing or wall covering elements to underlying roof or wall substructures, to kits of parts comprising such roofing or wall covering elements and clips, to roofing and wall coverings and to methods to provide roofing and wall coverings.

Background of the invention

Roofing covering elements may be laid on roofs of buildings in a partially overlapping manner with other identical or similar roofing covering elements and form a roofing covering. In a similar way, wall covering elements may be mounted to buildings in a partially overlapping manner with other identical or similar wall covering elements and form a wall covering
In particular for roof covering, wind suction protection or storm protection of the roofing covering is appropriate, required or even stipulated by building code, depending on different wind zones, depending on the position of the building, the height of the building, the construction of the building and the roof shape as well as the roof substrate and the geographic building location.
Up to now, the wind suction protection has been carried out by way of what are known as storm clips which are firstly hooked in the main batten of a roof substructure and are secondly hooked into a side fold of the roofing covering elements. As an alternative, roofing covering elements are also secured by way of storm clips of the type which are hooked into the side or head fold of the roofing covering element and are driven into the main batten of the roof substructure.
One disadvantage of the wind suction protection of roofing covering elements in the known way using storm clips is that the laying is complicated because as a rule two workers are required for laying: one for attaching the roofing covering elements and a second for fastening the storm clips.
Moreover, it occurs increasingly frequently that a photovoltaic or solar thermal system has to be mounted retrospectively on existing roofs or defective roofing covering elements have to be replaced during roof inspections. If, however, roofing covering elements of this type are secured in the known way using storm clips for hooking or for driving into the roof substructure, subsequent release of this connection is possible only with great difficulty . It may be necessary for the roofing covering elements which are secured in this way to be broken up, at least some of these elements, in order to release the clipped connection.
Clips for fastening roofing covering elements are described, for example, in DE 3509077 A1 and in DE 20 2008 015 113 U1 .
EP 2363547 A1 has also disclosed a steep-roof covering system for storm-proof fastening, in which flexible hook-and-loop fastener strips are fastened to the underside of roofing covering elements so as to hang down loosely, and, after the laying of the roofing covering elements on the roof battens, the hook-and-loop fastener is guided in each case to a roof batten which adjoins underneath in the roof pitch direction and is fastened releasably to the said roof batten by way of a fitting hook-and-loop element which is fastened to the underside of the roof batten. In this system, the hook-and-loop fastener strips which hang down loosely can be damaged or torn off easily. Moreover, the hook-and-loop fastener strips generally have to be of long configuration as a precaution and then possibly have to be cut off with acceptance of waste and additional work, or they are too short under some circumstances and the wind suction protection cannot be established. Finally, it is also very difficult and labour-intensive in practice to attach the hook-and-loop elements to the underside of the roof battens on site at the construction site or on the roof. Attachment to the roof battens in advance on the ground is likewise scarcely practicable because they can be contaminated or damaged easily because it cannot be predicted at which points the hook-and-loop connecting element is required, with the result that hook-and-loop connecting elements in practice have to be provided on the entire underside, and because the usability of the roof battens, in particular the fastening position on the principal rafter, then has to be complied with precisely.
US3807112 discloses a partition assembly of structural members arranged to form a framework, and panels overlying that framework to form a partition facing. The assembly is adapted for quick assembly and disassembly, with the framework members being assembled to each other by release clamp means, and the panels being secured to the framework by separable hook-and-loop fasteners interposed between the panels and the framework.
DE29902345U1 described a C-shaped storm fixing clamp for clamping roof covering elements to the underlying roof substructure.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a roofing or wall covering element which eliminates at least some of the abovementioned disadvantages, in particular can be mounted quickly during first laying in a roofing or wall covering, can be dismantled simply during retrospective modifications and provides reliable wind suction protection or storm protection.
A roofing or wall covering element for laying in an overlapping manner with other roofing or wall covering elements is provided. The roofing or wall covering element comprises

A first surface for providing outer surface of the roof or wall covering;
A second surface for facing the roof or wall substructure, this second surface having a first zone for overlapping with other roofing or wall covering elements, a third zone for contacting the underlying roof or wall substructure, and a second zone adjacent to and separating the first and third zone;
A first hook-and-loop connecting element fixed to the second zone thereby providing a hook-and-loop surfaced area.

The second surface is the surface opposite to the first surface.
The second surface is also referred to as the underside of the roofing or wall covering element.
A hook-and-loop surfaced area of the second surface of the roofing or wall covering element means that this area of the surface is provided as a hook-and-loop surface.
As such this hook-an-loop area, being a fastening element, can interact with a complementary fastening element which has a complementary, second , hook-and-loop connecting element. This complementary fastening element may be attached to the roof or wall substructure, in order to secure the roofing or wall covering element mechanically in a reversible detachable manner to the roof or wall substructure, and/or may be attached to the underlying roof or wall covering element, in order to secure the roofing or wall covering element mechanically in a reversible detachable manner to the underlying covering element.
The roofing or wall covering element may e.g. be a saddle stone, a roofing tile, a roof or wall panel, a clapboard, or a moulded brick.
With "roof or wall substructure" is understood the elements providing the roof or wall construction, such as, but not limited to studs, battens, rafters roof trusses, joists, and alike, located underneath the roofing or wall covering element once installed.
This first hook-and-loop connecting element may connected in a positively locking and/or non-positive manner to the roofing or wall covering element. This first hook-and-loop connecting element may connected adhesively bonded or fastened mechanically to the roofing or wall covering element. It may be provided during forming of the roofing or wall covering element.
The first hook-and-loop connecting element may be a barb/loop hook-and-loop fastening principle connecting element or a mushroom head hook-and-loop fastening principle connecting element.
The barb/loop hook-and-loop fastening principle connecting element may be a Velcro element.
The first hook-and-loop connecting element may be either the hook- or barb-part or the loop-part of such barb/loop hook-and-loop fastening principle connecting element.
The first and the second, cooperating, hook-and-loop connecting elements typically are both elements which can be hooked mechanically to one another, in accordance with the barb/loop hook-and-loop fastening principle, or in accordance with the mushroom head hook-and-loop fastening principle, also referred to as the mushroom head/mushroom head hook-and-loop fastening principle.
The first hook-and-loop connecting element may be formed from metal or plastic.
The first and the second, cooperating, hook-and-loop connecting element may be provided of formed from metal or plastic, such as polyamide (Nylon) or polyester.
The element may be produced from cement-bonded material, from ceramic material, from plastic material, from metal, from natural stone, in particular slate, or from wood as basic material.
More preferred, the roofing or wall covering element is a roofing element, being a roof tile, such as a tile made from clay or concrete. Alternatively it may be a slate or shingle, either from natural stone, e.g. rock, or provided from fiber reinforced cementitious material, such as cellulose and/or organic synthetic (polypropylene or polyvinyl alcohol) fiber reinforced air cured or autoclave cured cementitious material.
This roofing or wall covering element may be arranged to cooperate with the roof or wall substructure, which substructure comprises a clip, preferably made from metal or from a plastic material, on which the second, cooperating hook-and-loop connecting element is fastened or formed integrally. According to the present invention, this clip has an h-shape cross section, as viewed from the side.
Most preferably the roofing or wall covering element is a roofing element, also referred to as roofing covering element.
The roofing covering element is distinguished substantially by the fact that a hook-and-loop connecting element is arranged and fastened on the roofing covering element, preferably flatly, thereby providing a hook-and-loop surfaced area, in such a way that, it can likewise interact with a matching hook-and-loop connecting element by way of a complementary fastening element which is to be attached on a roof substructure, in order to secure the roofing covering element on the roof substructure by way of the production of a reversibly releasable mechanical hook-and-loop connection between said two elements.
The roofing covering elements have the advantage that they can be laid quickly by a single person, because the roofing covering elements are merely laid in a manner which is known per se on the roof substructure. The corresponding fastening elements, having a cooperating hook-and-loop connecting element, being approximately h-shaped clips, are pushed firstly onto the roof substructure. The roofing covering elements are laid onto the top side of the respective roofing covering element, while the two corresponding hook-and-loop fastening elements contact each other and anchor one to the other. This mounting operation can be implemented in a considerably simpler and quicker manner than the hooking and driving in of previous wind suction securing means.
The roofing covering elements which are laid on top are merely placed in a partially overlapping manner onto the fastening elements which are respectively situated below. The mechanical interaction occurs as a result of the alignment of the hook-and-loop connecting elements on the roofing covering elements and the fastening elements. The mechanical hooking-in operation fastens the roofing covering element which respectively lies above to the fastening element, and secures it via the fastening element on the roofing covering element which lies underneath or the roof substructure.
In particular in the case of retrospective modifications of the laid roofing covering, for example in order to mount photovoltaic systems or other installations in the roof panel, the relevant roofing covering elements can simply be displaced upwards in the plane of the roof panel. The force which is required for this purpose is merely that which is required to overcome the friction between the fastening element and the roof substructure or the roofing covering element which lies underneath, as the fastening element remains connected via the hook-and-loop connection to the roofing covering element which is to be displaced. As an alternative, the mechanical retaining force of the hook-and-loop connection would have to be overcome if the roofing covering element were to be removed without the fastening element.
The particular advantage results, in particular, in the case of small-format roofing covering elements which are laid in an overlapping manner and in which the outlay for attaching conventional wind suction securing means is comparatively high.
One particularly advantage for the hook-and-loop connecting elements being mushroom head/mushroom head hook-and-loop fastening principle, is that only one type of hook-and-loop connecting element is required to be used. These connecting elements have a defined pressure point, which is particularly helpful during mounting on the roof, in order to ensure the connection, and that they can be loaded with tensile and shear forces.
A further particularly advantage for the hook-and-loop connecting element being barb/loop hook-and-loop fastening principle, in particular connecting elements of the type which are produced from metal or plastic, is that they are durable, and have high adhesion and a very high resistance to thermal and chemical influences. Connecting elements of this type are known, for example, under the name "Metaklett" connectors or "Velcro".
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a clip having an h-shape cross section for clamping the circumference of a roofing or wall covering element to the underlying roofing or wall covering element or roof or wall substructure is provided. The clip has a first limb which is to be secured on the roof or wall substructure and/or the underlying roofing or wall covering element, a second limb which, in the installed state, acts on the edge of the roofing or wall covering element and engages over part of the top side thereof, and a web portion coupling a first and second limb. The first and second limb extend to a first side of the web portion. The clip comprises a third limb which, in the installed state, extends to the second side of the web portion. The third limb comprises a hook-and-loop connecting element providing a hook-and-loop surfaced area facing away from the first limb.
According to embodiments, the second limb may comprise a hook-and-loop connecting element providing a hook-and-loop surfaced area facing away from the first limb. So according to embodiments, the second and the third limb comprises a hook-and-loop connecting element providing a hook-and-loop surfaced area facing away from the first limb.
This clip hence may have a first limb which may be secured on the roof or wall substructure and/or the underlying roofing or wall covering element, and a second limb which, in the installed state, acts on the edge of the roofing or wall covering element and engages over part of the top side thereof.
In case the second limb comprising a hook-and-loop connecting element providing a hook-and-loop surfaced area facing away from the first limb, this hook-and-loop surfaced area may be the complementary, second, hook-and-loop connecting element cooperating with a first hook-and-loop surfaced area provided to the lower side of a roofing or wall covering element laying in an overlapping manner with the roofing or wall covering element clamped by the clip. In this case the roofing or wall covering element has a second surface opposite to the first surface for facing the roof or wall substructure, the second surface having a first zone for overlapping with other roofing or wall covering elements , the first hook-and-loop connecting element is to be fixed to this first zone for providing a hoop-and-loop surfaced area.
The clip in this case may have an h-shape cross section. The third limb comprises a hook-and-loop connecting element providing a hook-and-loop surfaced area facing away from the second limb, this hook-and-loop surfaced area is the complementary, second , hook-and-loop connecting element cooperating with a first hook-and-loop surfaced area provided to the lower side of a roofing or wall covering element laying in an overlapping manner with the roofing or wall covering element clamped by the clip.
The clip may be provided from metal, plastic (such as polyamide or polyester) or any other suitable material.
According to some embodiments, the third limb may be elevated, as viewed from the side, over a plane which is defined by the second limb.
Hence the clip may have a section which is, so-to-say, recessed from the first and second limbs. The third limb hence may be elevated, as viewed from the side, over a plane which is defined by the second limb, as well as it is elevated, as viewed from the side, over a plane which is defined by the first limb.
This third limb may be coupled to the first and second limb, and the web coupling these first and second limbs, in an elastically resilient configuration.
According to some embodiments, the second limb of the clip may be configured in such a way that, in the installed state, it protrudes out of the overlap region of roofing or wall covering elements which lie one above the other, and has a projection which projects upward beyond the top side of the roofing or wall covering element on which it rests, which projection may serve as a snow guard.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a kit of parts for providing a roof or wall covering, the kit comprises

o A roofing or wall covering element for laying in an overlapping manner with other roofing or wall covering elements, said roofing or wall covering element comprises
- ▪ A first surface for providing outer surface of said roof or wall covering;
- ▪ A second surface opposite to the first surface for facing the roof or wall substructure, said second surface having a first zone for overlapping with other roofing or wall covering elements , a third zone for contacting the underlying roof or wall substructure, and a second zone adjacent to and separating the first and third zone;
- ▪ A first hook-and-loop connecting element fixed to said first and/or second zone thereby providing a first hook-and-loop surfaced area;
o a clip according to the first aspect of the invention.

The clip comprises a third limb, the third limb comprising a hook-and-loop connecting element providing the second hook-and-loop surfaced area facing away from the first limb, the first hook-and-loop connecting element being fixed to the second zone of the second surface of the roofing or wall covering element.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, a roofing or wall covering, having a plurality of rows of roofing or wall covering elements which adjoin one another and are laid in an overlapping manner, at least some of the roofing or wall covering elements being fastened or being capable of being fastened mechanically in a reversibly releasable manner to the roof or wall substructure by way of the respective complementary fastening element which is attached or can be attached to a roof or wall substructure and/or the underlying roofing or wall covering element, the complementary fastening elements being provided by a clip according to the first aspect of the present invention.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention a method for laying roofing or wall covering elements for producing a roofing or wall covering, having the following steps:

laying of roofing or wall covering elements next to one another in a first row and fastening of selected ones of the roofing or wall covering elements to a roof or wall substructure by means of a clip according to the first aspect of the present invention , and
laying of roofing or wall covering elements next to one another in a second row, which roofing or wall covering elements partially overlap the roofing or wall covering elements of the first row, and being arranged in such a way that the hook-and-loop connecting elements which are provided on them are aligned substantially and interact with first hook-and-loop connecting elements which are provided on the fastening elements of the first row, in order to fasten the roofing or wall covering elements mechanically in a reversibly releasable manner to the roof or wall substructure .

Hence also a method for producing a roofing or wall covering element in particular saddle stone, roofing tile, roof or wall panel, clapboard, or moulded brick is provided. These roofing or wall covering elements are fit for laying in an overlapping manner. The laying can take place in an offset manner or in a non-offset manner.
A first hook-and-loop connecting element is arranged and fastened on the roofing or wall covering element in such a way that it can interact by way of a second hook-and-loop connecting element with a complementary fastening element which is to be attached to a roof or wall substructure, in order to fasten the roofing or wall covering element mechanically in a reversibly releasable manner to the roof or wall substructure.
This first hook-and-loop connecting element is arranged at the second surface opposite to the first surface (which first surface is to provide the outer surface of the roof or wall covering), the second surface is facing the roof or wall structure. This second surface has a first zone for overlapping with other roofing or wall covering elements , a third zone for contacting the underlying roof or wall substructure, and a second zone adjacent to and separating the first and third zone, this first hook-and-loop connecting element fixed to said second zone thereby providing a hook-and-loop surfaced area.
The independent and dependent claims set out particular and preferred features of the invention.
The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 a schematically shows a plan view of an arrangement according to the invention which is laid in a non-offset manner of roofing covering elements.,
Fig. 1 b shows schematically a plan view of an arrangement according to the invention which is laid in an offset manner of roofing covering elements,.
Fig. 2 shows schematically a side view in section along the line I-I from Figs 1a and 1b with a fastening element not forming part of the invention
Fig. 3 shows schematically a modification of the embodiment from Fig. 2 in a side view with a modified fastening element not forming part of the invention
Fig. 4 shows schematically a further modification of the embodiment from Fig. 2 in a side view with a modified fastening element in two variants, both variants forming part of the invention.

The same reference signs refer to the same, similar or analogous elements in the different figures.

Description of illustrative embodiments

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments. It is to be noticed that the term "comprising", used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.
Throughout this specification, reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" are made. Such references indicate that a particular feature, described in relation to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, though they could.
In order to simplify the terminology, reference will be made only to roofing covering elements in the following description. However, the features may also applying to wall covering elements correspondingly.
A fastening elements in the form of a first clip 3 is shown in figures 1 a, 1 b, 2 and 3.
The arrangements shown diagrammatically in Figures 1 a and 1 b of roofing covering elements 1 comprise the roofing covering elements which are mount, according to the invention, with the hook-and-loop connecting elements 2 at every second position in a row. As an alternative, every roofing covering element or any desired elements within an arrangement of this type can be provided with the hook-and-loop connecting elements. The fastening elements in the form of an approximately C-shaped clip 3 in a side view which are complementary to the respective roofing covering elements 1 with hook-and-loop connecting element 2 and are likewise provided with the hook-and-loop connecting element are denoted by 3 and will be described in detail further below and are shown in two variants in Figures 2 and 3. The roof substructure is shown in the form of battens 4. Here, only the embodiment is shown and described, in which the hook-and-loop connecting element 2 is fastened to the roofing covering element 1 and the complementary hook-and-loop connecting element is provided on the fastening element or is formed by the latter in itself, for example by the barbs being formed integrally or from the same material. In this method and embodiment, the roofing covering element 1 is provided with a hook-and-loop connecting element fixed to the zone of the roofing covering element, and providing a hook-and-loop surfaced area in this zone, which zone is to be positioned in overlap with the underlying roofing covering element.
The hook-and-loop connecting elements frequently comprise an element which has barbs and an element which interacts therewith and has loops, for example in the form of a velour tape, a fleece tape or a felt tape, this also including metallic knitted fabrics or relatively rigid loops of every shape which are punched and formed from metal sheet. The element with the loops is fastened preferably flatly to the roofing covering element because it is flatter as a rule and is less bulky. The element which is provided with barbs is then attached to the fastening element or is formed integrally on the latter, which can be realized relatively simply and inexpensively there by way of metal and plastic materials. The arrangement of the hook-and-loop connecting elements can also be swapped however. In this case, the element which is provided with barbs is, for example, a metal or plastic part which is fastened to the roofing covering element or is integrated therein, whereas the element which is provided with loops is fastened to the fastening element, for example the clip, or is likewise configured integrally or from the same material thereon.
The respective hook-and-loop connecting element 2 can be connected in a positively locking and/or non-positive manner to the roofing covering element. In one particularly preferred refinement, the hook-and-loop connecting element is fastened to the underside of the roofing covering element 1 by way of adhesive bonding, in particular by way of a two-component adhesive, but can also already be formed integrally or from the same material in the respective roofing covering element or can be fastened mechanically during the production of the said respective roofing covering element.
The shape of the hook-and-loop connecting elements is arbitrary per se; the size and area is usually defined by the retaining forces which are required.
The fastening element 3 is preferably a clip, preferably a metal clip, for example made from galvanized steel or stainless steel. The fastening element or the fastening clip can also be produced substantially from plastic, for example a recycled plastic material, and, as has already been described, the hook-and-loop connecting element can be machined integrally into the clip or can be fastened thereto in another way (for example, by way of positively locking and/or non-positive connection, by way of adhesive bonding or mechanical fastening elements).
The fastening clip 3 has a C-shape, the first limb 3b of which is to be fastened to the roof substructure, for example a transverse batten 4, and the second limb 3a of which, in the installed state, acts on the edge of the roofing covering element and engages over part of the top side of the latter, as shown in Fig. 2. These two limbs are coupled to each other by a web. Here, the position is selected in such a way that the clip or at least the region thereof which acts as hook-and-loop connecting element is aligned with the position of the hook-and-loop connecting element 2 on the underside of the roofing covering element which is laid in an overlapping manner on top thereof, in order that a maximum mechanical retaining force between them is achieved.
As an alternative, the fastening clip can also be designed in such a way that it acts only on the roofing covering element and not also on the roof substructure. This variant is shown in Fig. 3. In this case, one limb 3a of the clip engages over the upper region of the roofing covering element and arranges the hook-and-loop connecting element there in the desired position and the other limb 3b engages around the edge of the roofing covering element, with the result that the clip is fastened overall only to the roofing covering element. In this variant, the roofing covering elements which are laid in an overlapping manner are fastened to one another via the reversibly releasable mechanical retaining force of the hook-and-loop connecting elements. To this extent, wind suction protection takes place by way of the mass of the assembly. Depending on the application, it is also possible to use both types of fastening clips within one roofing covering.
Moreover, the fastening clips which are described and shown represent only one basic shape of suitable clips. Further modifications are possible, as long as the function according to the invention is ensured.
Another modification of the fastening clip is indicated in the top region of Fig. 1 a in the form of the clip 5, and it consists in that the clip 5 is of wider configuration at least in the region of the limb which lies on the top side of the roofing covering elements, and engages over a plurality of roofing covering elements. Here, the hook-and-loop connecting element can be provided in a continuous or regional manner.
The clip 6, 9 according to the invention, which is shown schematically in Fig. 4 once again in two variants, being h-shaped, has a section 6c, 9c which is recessed from the first and second limbs 6a, 6b, 9a, 9b and has a fastening face 6b, 9b, on which the hook-and-loop connecting element 2 is provided on a third limb which, as viewed from the side in the illustration of Figure 4, is elevated above a plane which is defined by the first limb 6a, 9a. To this end, the recessed section 6c, 9c encompasses the web of the clip, extending integrally from the second limb 6b, 9b first of all upwards as far as a rear edge of a roofing covering element, to which the clip is to be fastened, and then obliquely upwards away from the rear edge. The recessed section 6c, 9c then extends back to the first limb 6a, 9a, thereby providing a third limb, and in the process forms the fastening face 6e, 9e which is elevated by a step with respect to the plane of the first limb 6a, 9a. The recessed section 6c, 9c can compensate for shaped-out formations and height differences between the top side and the underside of roofing covering elements which are laid one above another, optionally with consideration of the thickness of the hook-and-loop connecting elements 2. Moreover, the recessed section 6c, 9c can preferably be of elastically resilient configuration overall on account of its shaping, with the result that it is deformed elastically when a roofing covering element is placed onto it, damps a jolt in the process and, on account of the elasticity, contributes to bringing the hook-and-loop connecting elements into engagement reliably and holding them. Moreover, it is possible to hold the clip fixedly on the recessed section 6c, 9c by hand, if the roofing covering element which is connected to it via the hook-and-loop connection is to be raised up. As a result, dismantling is facilitated and deformation of the clip and/or damage of the roofing covering element are avoided. In this embodiment, the roofing covering element comprises a first surface for providing outer surface of said roof or wall covering and a second surface for facing the roof or wall substructure. The second surface, in figure 4 oriented downwards towards the drawn battens 4, has a first zone for overlapping with other roofing or wall covering elements and having a notch-like profiled cross section, a third zone for contacting the underlying roof or wall substructure, here the batten, and a second zone between the first and third zone. The first hook-and-loop connecting element 2 is fixed to this second zone thereby providing a hook-and-loop surfaced area to this second zone, for cooperating with the hook-and-loop surfaced areas of the clips.
In a further variant which is illustrated using the clip 6, the limb 6a of the clip 6 is configured in such a way that, in the installed state, it protrudes out of the overlap region of roofing covering elements 1 which lie on top of one another and has a projection 6d which projects upwards beyond the top side of the roofing covering element, on which it rests, and serves as a snow guard. The said projection can be formed integrally on the limb 6a, by the latter being bent to form a triangle if it is formed, for example, from a flat, strip-like tape. As an alternative, however, the projection can also be fastened as a separate element to the limb, for example by way of a mechanical connection such as screwing, riveting or the like or by way of soldering, welding, adhesive bonding or corresponding connection techniques. The height of the projection 6d is, for example, approximately from 5 to 10 cm, both the height and the shape being arbitrary per se, as long as the function as a snow guard is ensured.
The length of the limb 6a or the position of the projection which serves as snow guard is preferably selected in such a way that the pressure point lies above the roof batten 4, in order to prevent damage to the roofing covering elements as a result of a load. Since snow guards are not required at all positions of the clips, different variants of the clip can be used in one roofing covering.
In a further refinement (not shown), the hook-and-loop connecting element is configured as a flat textile, plastic or metal tape. This embodiment has the advantage that the tape can be fastened flatly in a simple manner to the underside of the roofing covering element or the top side of the fastening clip and is only slightly bulky in the vertical direction. In these particular embodiments, previous roofing covering elements with a predefined profile can be retained in a substantially unmodified manner and can be retrofitted to the roofing covering element according to the invention. As a result of the lower height, this variant is particularly suitable for flat and small-format elements such as roof and wall panels, clapboards and panels made from metal.
The expression "hook-and-loop connecting element" which is used in this description is intended to denote in each case both elements of a hook-and-loop connection which, according to the above description, can be different or, for example in the case of the "mushroom head principle", can also be identical, but in every case are complementary for the purpose of the production of the reversibly releasable mechanical engagement connection.
A roofing covering element which is produced in a conventional way and shape or profile, for example a saddle stone or a roof panel or a roofing tile or moulded brick, can be provided retrospectively with a hook-and-loop connecting element. To this end, it can be necessary to remove a part region, for example at a base rib, on the rear side of the roofing covering element at the desired position which, in the laid state, overlaps with a roofing covering element of the same type which lies below it, in order to provide an installation with consideration of the height of the hook-and-loop connecting element. Regional depressions can also be formed into the customary shapes of the roofing covering elements in a very simple manner at a defined point, however. The hook-and-loop connecting elements are then adhesively bonded as desired into the depressed region which has already been predefined, by way of an adhesive, preferably a two-component epoxy adhesive. It goes without saying that these operations can also be automated completely or partially.
The respective fastening faces for the hook-and-loop connecting elements on the roofing covering elements do not have to be flat, but rather can also be curved or serrated or toothed. If the fastening elements then have a complementary curved fastening face, an additional positively locking connection is achieved to the reversibly releasable mechanical connection of the hook-and-loop connecting elements.
If possible, the connection of the hook-and-loop connecting element to the respective roofing covering element can already be achieved within the context of the production of the roofing covering element from the respective starting material, that is to say, for example, clay, concrete, fibre cement, plastic and the like. In the case of elements made from natural stone such as slate, from metal or from wood, or in the case of elements which are prefabricated in some other way (for example, fired elements), subsequent fastening may be suitable in some circumstances. The element is particularly preferably produced from cement-bonded material, from ceramic material, from plastic material, from metal, from natural stone, in particular slate, or from wood as basic material. If metal or plastic is used, the loops or barbs or mushroom heads can also be formed integrally during the production process.
The solution according to the invention is particularly advantageous in the case of tiles, such as clay or concrete tiles, which usually have complex contours or shapes and cannot be secured, or can be secured only insufficiently. In the case of the roofing covering element cooperating with clips according to the invention, merely a certain overlap region with a roofing covering element which lies underneath may be required; the pairing of the complementary hook-and-loop connecting elements on roofing covering elements and fastening elements may be provided in this overlap region, or in the alternative, the clip and the roofing covering element may have pairing of the complementary hook-and-loop connecting elements in the zone of the roofing covering element adjacent to the overlap region.
One advantage of this refinement is that the storm protection cannot be seen from the outer side of the roof panel, because the hook-and-loop connecting element is provided on the underside of the roofing covering element and the fastening element in the form of the clip can be dimensioned in such a way that it does not project beyond the overlap region. Moreover, the rainproof function of the roofing covering is fulfilled completely here, because the elements in no way impair the discharge of rainwater.
The invention also relates to a roofing covering or, correspondingly, to a wall covering having a plurality of rows of roofing covering elements which are laid next to one another, the roofing covering elements of adjacent rows overlapping partially, and at least some, but optionally also all, roofing covering elements in the arrangement being configured in the above-described way. The said roofing covering elements are fastened or are to be fastened in the described way to a roof substructure by way of a reversibly releasable mechanical connection in the arrangement with the respective complementary fastening element which is attached or is to be attached to the roof substructure.
However, the invention also relates to a method for laying roofing covering elements for producing a roofing covering or wall covering, such as shown in figures 1 a and 1 b. First of all a first row of roofing covering elements is laid next to one another and selected roofing covering elements being secured by means of a fastening element in the above-described way, that is to say by means of a fastening clip with a hook-and-loop connecting element on the upper edge region on the roof substructure. A second row of roofing covering elements are then laid next to one another in such a way that they overlap the roofing covering elements of the first row at least partially in the upper region. Here, either for all or at least for some of the roofing covering elements of the second row, those are selected which have the complementary hook-and-loop connecting element on their underside, and they are arranged in such a way that they are aligned substantially with the hook-and-loop connecting element which is provided on the associated fastening element of the first row and interact with the said hook-and-loop connecting element, in order to fasten the roofing covering elements to the roof substructure by way of the reversibly releasable mechanical connection via the fastening clips. Further rows are laid correspondingly.
Depending on the requirement of wind suction protection, all the roofing covering elements of an assembly can be configured with the reversibly releasable mechanical wind suction protection on the basis of the hook-and-loop connection. As an alternative, certain roofing covering elements can be selected, that is to say, for example, every second, every third, or any desired selection of the said roofing covering elements.
It is to be understood that although preferred embodiments and/or materials have been discussed for providing embodiments according to the present invention, various modifications or changes may be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

A clip (6, 9) having an h-shape cross section for clamping the circumference of a roofing or wall covering element (1) to the underlying roofing or wall covering element or roof or wall substructure, said clip having a first limb (6b, 9b) which is to be secured on the roof or wall substructure and/or the underlying roofing or wall covering element, a second limb (6a, 9a) which, in the installed state, acts on the edge of the roofing or wall covering element and engages over part of the top side thereof, a web portion coupling first and second limb, the first and second limb extending to a first side of the web portion, the clip comprising a third limb (6e, 9e) which, in the installed state, extends to the second side of the web portion, wherein the third limb comprising a hook-and-loop connecting element (2) providing a hook-and-loop surfaced area facing away from the first limb.
A clip (6, 9) according to claim 1, said third limb is elevated, as viewed from the side, over a plane which is defined by the second limb.
A clip (6) according to any one of the claims 1 to 2, the second limb (6a) of the clip being configured in such a way that, in the installed state, it protrudes out of the overlap region of roofing or wall covering elements which lie one above the other, and has a projection (6d) which projects upward beyond the top side of the roofing or wall covering element on which it rests, which projection may serve as a snow guard.
A clip (6) according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein said hook-and-loop connecting element (2) is formed from metal.
A clip (6) according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein said hook-and-loop connecting element (2) is formed from plastic.
A clip (6) according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein said clip is formed from metal.
A clip (6) according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein said clip is formed from plastic.
A clip (6) according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the second limb comprises a hook-and-loop connecting element providing a hook-and-loop surfaced area facing away from the first limb.
A kit of parts for providing a roof or wall covering, said kit comprises
o A roofing or wall covering element (1) for laying in an overlapping manner with other roofing or wall covering elements, said roofing or wall covering element comprises
▪ A first surface for providing outer surface of said roof or wall covering;

▪ A second surface opposite to the first surface for facing the roof or wall substructure, said second surface having a first zone for overlapping with other roofing or wall covering elements , a third zone for contacting the underlying roof or wall substructure, and a second zone adjacent to and separating the first and third zone;

▪ A first hook-and-loop connecting element (2) fixed to said second zone thereby providing a first hook-and-loop surfaced area;

o a clip according to any one of the claims 1 to 8.
A kit of parts according to claim 9, wherein said roofing or wall covering element is a roof covering element.
Roofing or wall covering having a plurality of rows of roofing or wall covering elements (1) which adjoin one another and are laid in an overlapping manner, at least some of the roofing or wall covering elements being fastened or being capable of being fastened mechanically in a reversibly releasable manner to the roof or wall substructure (4) by way of the respective complementary fastening element (6, 9) which is attached or can be attached to a roof or wall substructure and/or the underlying roofing or wall covering element, said at least some of the roofing or wall covering elements being a roofing or wall covering element for laying in an overlapping manner with other roofing or wall covering elements, said roofing or wall covering element comprises
o a first surface for providing outer surface of said roof or wall covering;

o a second surface for facing the roof or wall substructure, said second surface having a first zone for overlapping with other roofing or wall covering elements , a third zone for contacting the underlying roof or wall substructure, and a second zone adjacent to and separating the first and third zone;

o a first hook-and-loop connecting element (2) fixed to said second zone thereby providing a hook-and-loop surfaced area;
the complementary fastening elements being provided by a clip (6, 9) according to any one of the claims 1 to 8.
Roofing or wall covering according to claim 11, wherein said roofing or wall covering is a roof covering.
Method for laying roofing or wall covering elements (1) for producing a roofing or wall covering, having the following steps:
• laying of roofing or wall covering elements (1) next to one another in a first row and fastening of selected ones of the roofing or wall covering elements to a roof or wall substructure (4) by means of a clip (6, 9) according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, and

• laying of roofing or wall covering elements (1) next to one another in a second row, which roofing or wall covering elements partially overlap the roofing or wall covering elements of the first row, and being arranged in such a way that the hook-and-loop connecting elements (2) which are provided on them are aligned substantially and interact with first hook-and-loop connecting elements (2) which are provided on the fastening elements of the first row, in order to fasten the roofing or wall covering elements mechanically in a reversibly releasable manner to the roof or wall substructure, said roofing or wall covering elements comprising
o a first surface for providing outer surface of said roof or wall covering;

o a second surface for facing the roof or wall substructure, said second surface having a first zone for overlapping with other roofing or wall covering elements , a third zone for contacting the underlying roof or wall substructure, and a second zone adjacent to and separating the first and third zone;

o a first hook-and-loop connecting element fixed to said second zone thereby providing a hook-and-loop surfaced area.
A method according to claim 13, wherein said method is a method for laying roofing elements (1) for producing a roofing covering.