GB2321489A

GB2321489A - A weatherproof roller shutter for roofs

Info

Publication number: GB2321489A
Application number: GB9701669A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Richard Curtis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-01-28
Filing date: 1997-01-28
Publication date: 1998-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 2017-01-28
Also published as: GB2359324B; GB2321489B; GB9701669D0; GB0107252D0; GB2359324A

Abstract

A roller shutter for use in roofs such as those of swimming pools or conservatories, which is movable between an open position and a closed position, the shutter comprising a plurality of slats 1 arranged in side-by-side relation, adjacent slats being hingedly joined along the longitudinal edges of the slats. In the closed position, the slats form a planar array, and in the open position are in a folded, retracted position, and housed in a housing 15. The joints between adjacent slats are provided with sealing elements 2 to prevent ingress of water when the roof is in the closed position. The structure includes guides 13 for supporting the shutter, a drip profile 10 for collecting water and debris which may run off the edge of the shutter during opening, and means 11 for clearing debris of the shutter as it is opened.

Description

ROOF STRUCTURE This invention relates to roof structures, and particularly concerns an openable and closeable roof structure suitable for sunrooms, pool enclosures, or for permanent buildings.

Roller shutters are known for example for loading bay openings in vertical walls. barrel vaults and roofs made up from sliding sections are also known for providing increased ventilation, but such roofs are expensive and cumbersome to produce, imposing many limitations in their application.

Conventional roller shutters are well suited to their purpose, but are unable to prevent water ingress when displaced from the vertical plane, and thus cannot ensure weather integrity when used in horizontally extending orientations.

An objective of the invention is to provide a foldable roof structure which is weatherproof, light in weight, and simple to manufacture. The structure may provide an entire roof, for example over a conservatory, or may be incorporated into a fixed roof structure to provide an opening section.

According to the present invention, a roof structure comprises a plurality of elongate elements arranged in side-by-side relation and hingedly joined together for relative rotation about pivot axes extending along their longitudinal edges, the elements pivotable between a first position wherein they form a substantially planar parallel array, and a second position wherein each element is angled relative to its adjacent elements to form a spiral roll, and sealing means being active at the joints to prevent the passage of moisture through the joints when the elements are arranged in their first position to form a roof panel Adjacent elements may be directly attached to one another, or may be joined by means of an intermediate component pivotally attached to one or both of the elements.

When connected together, the elements can be rolled around one or more shafts, or drawn into a dead space area, providing an opening aperture.

Each hinged joint is impervious to water when the elements are in their first or deployed position. While it is not necessary for the joints to be weathertight when the elements are in the second, or rolled position, joint seals may be envisaged that will accomplish this. Gaskets, suitable sealant or waterproof lubricating grease, or combinations thereof, may be used.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, show cross sectional views of alternative embodiments of roof elements.

Figs 5 and 6 are cross sectional views showing embodiments wherein separate pivot components join adjacent pairs of roof elements.

Fig 7 shows a perspective view of a first roof structure according to the invention.

Fig 8 shows a cross section of the roof seen in fig 7, taken transversely to the length of the roof elements.

Fig 9 shows a cross sectional view of an end rafter incorporating a thermal break.

Fig 10 shows a perspective view of a second roof structure, wherein two arrays of roof elements are used.

Fig 11 shows a cross section view of a gutter and guide beam for use with the second roof structure.

Fig 12 illustrates the use of end caps for the roof elements.

Referring now to the drawings, the roof elements or slats (1) are preferably be made from a translucent material such as extruded polywarbonate. If a translucent material is not used then provision for a glazed portion to each slat would preferably be made to allow for light transmission where possible.

Pivot components joining adjacent pairs of roof elements may also be made from a translucent material, or may have provision for glazed portions.

Figs 1 to 4 show alternative designs for roof elements 1 wherein complementary male and female formations extend along opposite longitudinal edges of each element, the male formation of a first element being cpoperable with the female formation of an adjacent second element to form a pivoting joint. Gaskets or sealing lips 2, preferably co-extruded with the element 1, engage the face of the adjacent element when the roof is deployed to provide watertightness. Reinforcement may be provided by rods 3 of metal or other strong material, to enhance the rigidity of the elements 1. A lubricant and or sealing material 4 may be applied between the cooperating formations. In the embodiments shown, a central void 5 extends along the join between each pair of elements 1 and serves as a drainage channel to discharge any water penetrating past the gasket 2.

Figure 5 shows an alternative design in which each roof element has a rib extending along its edge, the ribs cooperating with respective undercut slots formed in the central part of a generally 'T'-section joining component. The crosspiece of the T has sealing lips 4 at its ends to engage the surfaces of the roof elements when the elements are in a coplanar array. A reinforcing beam 3 extends within the joint component, to stiffen the structure.

Figure 6 shows a further alternative, wherein each roof element is made of a roofing panel strip, to the respective longitudinal edges of which are attached jointing strips having cooperable male and female pivot joint parts. The male strip of a first element cooperates with the female strip of the adjacent element to provide a hinge joint between the elements.

Each roof element or joint component preferably incorporates a drainage channel 5 running along its length, and where possible provision would also be made for reinforcement 3 to each roof element or joint component.

Each joint being hinged and moving, may require lubricating with a suitable grease 4 and with the seals or gaskets positioned in such a way as to contain the grease in its working area. The grease 4 may also help to prevent water penetration, possibly in conjunction with gaskets 3.

At each end of the roof elements 1 or joint components 6 an end closer (8) may be required, this can serve to close the ends of the roof elements 1 and as a guide, the end cap either fitting into a running channel or having wheels, skids or rollers to reduce friction and aid in the smooth operation of the roof. When the roof elements are connected together in series, initial, secondary, or final drive means can be attached either directly to the roof elements, to the end caps, or to a shaft about which the elements are rolled.

The slats can be rolled or drawn into a dead space, either above or below the plane of the deployed roof. The roof may comprise two sections as shown in figure 10, or more. As is clear from Figures 7 and 10, the individual roof elements 1 may extend either across the roof, as in Figure 7, or from top to bottom of the roof, as in Figure 10. In roofs (Figure 7) where the elements are deployed from the highest edge of the roof, with the ends of each element being level, the lowermost or leading edge of the lowermost roof element 1 will have a drip profile 10 (seen in Figure 8) fitted to enable residual surface water to be channelled to its ends when opening, to prevent water or debris over-running the edge of the roof opening. It is also envisaged that the arrangement of Figure 7 may be reversed, with the receiver 15 at the lowermost edge of the roof.

To allow the use of longer roof elements, to span larger areas, purlins can be used The purlins are preferably removable, with suitable attachments, and may be either telescopic or may fold away when the roof is opened. with integral reinforcing the number and size of any purlins used could be minimised, so allowing a larger area to be open.

The drive means for opening and closing the roof may be provided by manual, mechanical, sprung or counter weight devices, or a combination thereof, but would be preferably be by means of an electric motor. The drive can be transmitted directly to the roof elements or joint components by a chain, wire or the like attached either centrally or at their ends, or to the shaft or shafts on which the slats are rolled.

Each roof element would preferably use its joint to push or pull the next, but a secondary drive could equally be employed to aid the operation using any of the above methods of drive.

The shaft 14 and its housing 15 into which the slats could be rolled can be placed above or below the plane of the roof, or to the sides of the structure, but would ideally be built into a wall cavity with new build projects. With the'dead space' design, wherein the roof elements are not rolled round a shaft but are received in a suitably dimensioned cavity, it may be possible to accommodate the roof elements in the wall cavity when the roof is open.

Each housing or cavity which receives the roof elements should have the facility to accept a means for the removal of debris and to prevent moisture from contaminating the internal surface. This could be achieved by means of a series of fibre brush seals, or gaskets 11, as seen in figures 8 and 10. A removal filter 16 would preferably be incorporated into each housing to removethe collected debris as shown in fig 8.

Guide rafters (13) positioned at each end or side of the roof structure, to receive respective ends of the roof elements, may be of a simple 'C' section design, and are preferably from thermally broken extruded aluminium with internal drainage and a provision to put the gaskets and guide running railssuch as shown in sectional view in figure 9.

Claims

1. A roof structure including a roof panel movable between an open position and a closed position, the panel comprising a plurality of elongate elements arranged in side-by-side relation, adjacent elements being hingedly joined together at a joint for relative pivotal rotation about axes extending along the longitudinal edges of the elements, the elements being pivotable between a first position in which the roof panel is in the closed position wherein the elements form a substantially planar parallel array, and a second position in which the roof panel is in the open position wherein each element is angled relative to its adjacent elements such that the planar array is retracted into a compact structure, and sealing means provided at the joints to prevent the passage of liquid through the joints when the roof panel is in the closed position.

2. A roof structure according to claim 1 wherein the elongate elements are made from a translucent material.

3. A roof structure according to claim 1 wherein the elongate elements include a glazed portion to allow light transmission through the roof panel.

4. A roof structure according to any preceding claim wherein the roof structure further includes a reinforcing element provided at each joint.

5. A roof structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the structure is provided with drainage means at the joint for draining any liquid penetrating past the sealing means.

6. A roof structure according to any preceding claims, wherein adjacent elements are directly coupled to one another.

7. A roof structure according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the reinforcing element is provided within one of the adjacent elements.

8. A roof structure according to any of claim 4 or claim 7, wherein the draining means is provided on the element.

9. A roof structure according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the structure further includes additional sealing means provided on the elements.

10. A roof structure according to claim 9, wherein the additional sealing means, defines, with a surface of one of the adjacent elements, the draining means.

11. A roof structure according to claims 1 to 5, wherein the adjacent elements are coupled to each other, at the joint, by means of an intermediate coupling component provided between adjacent elements.

12. A roof structure according to claim 11, wherein the intermediate coupling component is pivotally attached to both adjacent elements.

13. A roof structure according to claim 11, wherein the intermediate coupling component comprises a first portion joined to one element and a second portion joined to the adjacent element, the first and second portions being pivotally connected to each other.

14. A roof structure according to claim 11 to 13, when dependant upon claim 4, wherein the reinforcing element is provided within the intermediate coupling component.

15. A roof structure according to claims 11 to 14, when dependant upon claim S, wherein the draining means is provided in the intermediate coupling means.

16. A roof structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the joint is provided with lubrication means between co-operating formations of the jointS.

17. A roof structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof structure includes a housing for housing the retracted planar array when the roof panel is in the open position, and first and second guide means for receiving the ends of each element so as to support the elements when the roof panel is in the closed position and to guide the elements when being moved into the second position when the roof panel is in the open position.

18. A roof structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof panel comprises first and second sections, the first and second sections being in an abutting relationship when the roof panel is in the closed position but being moved away from each other, in opposite directions, to move the roof panel to the open position.

19. A roof structure according to claim 18, when dependant on claim 17, wherein the roof structure further comprises a second housing with the guide means running between the first and second housing, the first housing being adapted to receive the first section when the roof panel is in the open position, and the second housing being adapted to receive the second portion when the roof panel is in the open position.

20. A roof structure according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the elements are provided with end closing means at each end of an element, the closing means being adapted to be received in the guide means.

21. A roof structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof structure includes drive means for moving the elements between the first position to the second position so as to move the roof panel between the closed and open positions.

22. A roof structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the compact structure is a spiral roll.

23. A roof structure according to claim 22, wherein the spiral roll is supported on a shaft.

24. A roof structure according to claim 23, when dependant on claim 21, wherein the drive means is coupled to the shaft.

25. A roof structure according to claim 21, wherein the drive means is coupled directly to the elements.

26. A roof structure according to any of claims 21 to 25, wherein the structure further includes a second drive means to aid the moving of the roof panel between the open and closed positions

27. A roof structure according to any of claims 17 to 26, wherein the housing includes debris removal means for removing debris from the elements and to prevent liquid contamination.

28. A roof structure according to claim 27, wherein the housing includes a removable filter for removing the debris removed from the elements.

29. A roof structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the lowermost element is provided with means for preventing residual liquid or debris from dripping of the roof panel as it is being moved from its closed position to its open position.

30. A roof structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof structure is provided with purlins.

3 1. A roof structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the joint is provided with further sealing means between co-operating formations of the joints.

32. A roof structure according to any of claims 17 to 3 1, wherein at least a housing is provided at the top end of the roof structure.

33. A roof structure according to any of claims 17 to 31, wherein the housing is provided at the bottom end of the roof structure.

34. A roof structure according to an preceding claim, wherein the retracted, compact structure may be stored in a cavity provided in the structure to which the roof structure is attached.

35. A roof structure as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.