US3664254A - Modular roof system - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular system for providing a roof structure for new and old buildings and designed for the containment of air curtain door systems, heating, cooling, ventilating and make-up air equipment and the like, and adapted for universality of application in various styles of building architecture.

Description

United States Patent Henson [54] MODULAR ROOF SYSTEM [72] inventor: Ariel R. Henson, Birmingham, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Disco Engineering, Inc., Detroit, Mich,

[22] Filed: Nov. 26, 1969 [2]] Appl. No.: 880,330

[52] U.S. Cl ..98/36, 52/199, 52/302, 52/303, 62/263, 165/53 [51] Int. Cl ..F24f 9/00 [58] FleldofSearch ..98/31,32, 33,33 A, 36, 38, 98/43; 62/263, 449, 450; 165/53; 52/95, 96, 173, 199, 302, 303, 473

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,051,071 8/1962 Leigh ..98/37 E 1 May 23, 1972 3,111,720 11/1963 Sherron ..52/199 X 3,115,819 12/1963 Mahlmeister et al. ..98/3l X 3,220,71 l 1 1/1965 Leppard et a1 62/263 UX 3,308,740 3/1967 Henson et a1 ..98/36 3,324,782 6/ 1967 Norris et al. ..98/33 Primary Examiner-Meyer Perlin Assistant ExaminerP. D. Ferguson Attorney-Harness, Dickey & Pierce ABSTRACT A modular system for providing a roof structure for new and old buildings and designed for the containment of air curtain door systems, heating, cooling, ventilating and make-up air equipment and the like, and adapted for universality of application in various styles of building architecture.

21 Chins, 13 Drawing Figures Patented May 23, 1972 3,664,254

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 i j; ff JA 2 7 ji 4,; /4 [/74 I Q! 1/ INVENTOR.

Patented May 23, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet LE;

Patented May 23, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

Wig

MODULAR noor SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Generally speaking, the present invention relates to a modular system for industrial buildings, garages, car washing facilities and the like, which is adapted to serve the two-fold function of providing a roof structure for such buildings and containing the heating, cooling, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment for the buildings, as well as any air curtain door systems which may be utilized therein. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a new and improved modular roof system consisting of a series or plurality of individual roof modules which preferably, although not necessarily, extend transversely or laterally of an associated building and are arranged in edge to edge abutting relationship so as to provide a complete roof structure for the building, with those modules which are oriented adjacent the access doors or openings of the building being particularly adapted for the containment of air curtain door systems, while other of the modules, which are typically located intermediate the ends of the building, are

for occupants of the associated building, yet allow for uninterrupted vehicular travel into and out of the building.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved modular roof system, as above described, which, together with being adapted for the containment of air curtain door systems, may contain make-up air, heating, air conditioning and air exhaust equipment.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a modular roof system which will find universality of application since the various modular units thereof may be of varying size and be selectively arranged along a building commensurate with the intended use of the building.

particularly adapted for the containment of ventilating and/or 7 air exhaust equipment which cooperates with the air curtain systems in environmental control of the temperature, humidify and air circulation within the building.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention,

.the above described modular system is adapted for various styles of building architecture, with the subject system finding particularly useful application in the well known hip roof, mansard roof, flat roof, and peak or gable roof architectural styles. Accordingly, the present invention provides a modular roof structure that is both extremely functional inoperation and asthetically appealing. I

A particular feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the various modules constituting the roof structure of a building may be arranged along the length of a building so as to best adapt a particular building structure for its intended use. For example, in a car washing facility, where a building would typically include a vehicular ingress door at one end thereof and an egress door at the opposite end thereof, with the interior of the building constituting a washing area and a drying area, the roof modules could be arranged such that the roof units disposed directly adjacent the vehicular ingress and egress openings would serve for the containment of suitable air curtain equipment, while other modular units which would be located immediate the ends of the building could contain, for example, an air exhaust mechanism or fan and an additional air curtain mechanism or blower for separating the washing and drying areas of the building and providing for environmental air circulation therebetween, as will hereinafter be described in detail.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to modular building structures and, more particularly, to modular roof structures for new and old buildings and adapted for the containment of air curtain door systems, heating, ventilating and make-up air equipment.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved combination modular roof and air conditioning system.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a new and improved modular system of the described type which is adapted for various styles of building architecture.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved modular system of the above described type which is adapted for both new and old buildings.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved modular system of the above described type which will find particularly useful application in the containment of air curtain door systems which obviate the need for movable overhead doors and functions to properly condition outside air to create a comfortable working environment It is another object of the present'invention to provide a new and improved modular roof system wherein the various air conditioning equipment associated with the modules may be mounted so as to provide for air ingress and egress from the building through suitable access openings that are located, for example, under the caves of the buildings or through suitable louvered openings in the roof surface, for example, such as might be found in a mansard roof design.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical building having the modular roof system of the present invention in operatively association therewith;

FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of the building illustrated in FIG. 1, and shows the various modular units of the roof system of the present invention in a partially exploded configuration;

FIG. 3 is an elevated perspective view of an exemplary air curtain door system which is'intended to find operative association with the modular roof system of the present inven tion;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the internal operating mechanism associated with the air curtain door system shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevated perspective view of a modular roof system in accordance with the present invention and shows an exemplary construction for mounting air egress or exhaust equipment in one of the modular units of said system;

FIG. 6 is an elevated perspective view of the structure shown in FIG. 5, as seen in the direction of the arrow 6 therein;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a building having the modular roof system of the present invention in operative association therewith, with the modular system constituting a plurality of modular units of a hip roof architectural style;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a building having the modular roof system of the present invention in operative association therewith, with the modular system constituting a plurality of modular units of a mansard roof architectural style;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a building having a modular roof system of the present invention in operatively association therewith, with the system constituting a plurality of modular units, each of which is of a peak or gable roof architectural style, with the peak of each modular unit extending generally transversely or laterally of the building;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIGS. 7 through 9,'and illustrates the modular system of the present invention as comprising a series of modular units defining a common peak roof extending longitudinally of the building;

FIG. 11 is an elevated perspective view, partially broken away, of a modular unit of the present invention having in operative association therewith, an exemplary air exhaust fan or blower mechanism;

FIG. 12 is an elevated perspective view of a modular roof system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the ends of the individual modular units are provided with a series of similar appearing louvers through DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For purposes of clarity of description, the term conditioning of air" or air conditioning" or derivatives thereof, as used herein, will have reference to any type of apparatus or system which functions to perform an operation on fresh atmospheric air at ambient temperature to filter, purify, change the temperature thereof and/or moisture content (humidity) preparatory to utilizing said air for some predetermined purpose. Additionally, the term make-up air" as used herein will have reference to the use of fresh outside ambient air which is used for ventilating, forced air heating or cooling and more than makeup for exhausted air for the purpose of pressurizing the interior of a building or the like in order to minimize drafts and provide for preselected control of internal air circulation within the building.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, a modular system for providing a roof structure for a building structure is designated by the numeral and is shown as comprising a series or plurality of cooperable individual modular units, generally designated 12, which may or may not be of substantially identical construction, depending upon the intended use of the building with which the modular system of the present invention is to be operatively associated, as will hereinafter be described. By way ofexample, the modular system 10 is shown in operative association in FIGS. 1 and 2 with a generally elongated building structure 14 comprising a pair of longitudinally extending, spaced parallel side walls 16 an 18 that terminate at the'opposite ends thereof in a pair of laterally extending end Walls, one of which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is designated by the numeral 20.

Generally speaking, the plurality of modular units 12 are adapted to serve the two-fold purpose of providing a roof or overhead enclosure for the interior of the associated building 14 and for the containment of air conditioning equipment which is intended to function in receiving fresh atmospheric air at ambient temperatures and in performing an operation on said air, for example, either heating or cooling said air, preparatory to communicating said air interiorly of the building where this air is used for heating, cooling, ventilating or any 'other desired purpose. Each of the modular units 12 generally comprises an upper and outer section which, as illustrated in FIG. 3, may consist of an upper panel or member 22 and a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending side panels or members 24 and 26 that function together to protect the area inside the building from undesirable environmental elements, such as rain, snow or other types of inclement weather conditions. Additionally, each of the modular units 12 comprises a lower section which, for example, may consist of a generally flat or horizontally extending panel 28 (see FIG. 3) that is adapted to operatively engage the uppermost marginal portions of side walls 16 and 18 and be fixedly secured thereto for securing the associated unit 12 to the building structure 14. Each of the units 12 also preferably comprises a pair of end wall members or panels 30 and 32 which extend laterally between the side members 24 and 26 at the longitudinally opposite ends of each of the modular units 12.

The members 2232 of each of the modular units 12 may be fabricated of any suitable material and be operatively connected in any manner well known in the art, whereby to provide substantially closed parallelepiped shaped units which may be arranged in edge to edge abutting relationship along the entire length of the associated building structure 14 so as to provide an effective, weatherproof roof or overhead enclosure therefor. By way of example, the members 22-32 may be fabricated of a suitable gage sheet metal and be connected to one another at their respective marginal edges by suitable screws, bolts or the like and/or welding, with the interior of the various units 12 being provided with internal reinforcing means in the form of reinforcing channels, angle irons or the like, representatively designated in FIGS. 3 and 4 by the numeral 34. Alternatively, of course, the members 2232 may be fabricated of wood or other suitable building materials, with the members 22-26 being provided with weather protective coverings in the form of any suitable waterproof and weatherproof roofing materials or the like, as is well known in the art.

For purposes of illustration of an exemplary application of the modular system 10 of the present invention, the building structure 14 may comprise an automobile washing facility through which successive automobiles, such as the vehicle 36 illustrated herein, may traverse for purposes of having a washing or cleaning operation performed thereon. The building structure 14 is accordingly provided with a pair of vehicular access openings, generally designated 38, in the end walls thereof, through which vehicles may travel into and out of the structure 14, as will be apparent and is well known in the art. It will be appreciated, of course, that although the modular roof system 10 of the present invention is illustrated herein in operative association with an automobile washing facility or other building structures which may be typically used for vehicular storage, repair or the like, said system is not in any way intended to be limited to such applications, since the principles of the present invention may find wide and varied use in many additional types of building structures.

As previously mentioned, the various modular units 12 constituting the modular roof system 10 of the present invention are adapted for the containment of air conditioning equipment, and as such, render the system 10 particularly applicable for automobile washing facilities, since the modular units 12 may be provided for heating and ventilating equipment as is commonly needed in such facilities, and more importantly, may be provided with air curtain door systems for obviating the need for movable overhead doors and thus allowing for uninterrupted vehicular travel without detracting from comfortable working conditions within the associated building structure 14. In such an application, the modular units 12 disposed adjacent the access openings 38 are provided with suitable air curtain door systems which receive fresh air from the exterior of the structure 14 and, after heating or otherwise conditioning such air, force the same across the openings 38 to provide the desired air curtain effect. Additionally, other of the modular units 12 located intermediate the ends of the structure 14 may be provided with suitable air passage defining means and blower or fan means for communicating air out of the interior of the structure 14 so as to provide an air exhaust function which is desirable with air curtain systems in general and particularly with air curtain systems provided in an automobile washing facilities, automobile dealerships, industrial plants, etc.

FIGS. 2 through 5 illustrate an exemplary air curtain door system which may be provided in the modular units 12 located at the ends of the building structure 14, with such an air curtain system typically consisting of a suitable electrically energized drive motor 40 which is adapted to drive a pair of blower assemblies 42 and 44, for example, through a drive belt 46 and coupling 48. A suitable heater or burner unit 50 is provided and is connected through conduit means 52 and valving 54 with a source of fuel and is adapted to heat the air circulated by the assemblies 42, 44. It will be appreciated, of course, that the burner unit 50 may be replaced by a hot water heater, steam coils, etc., or by a suitable air cooling or refrigerator unit for lowering the temperature of the air circulated by the blower assemblies 42, 44 instead of heating said air, depending upon the ambient temperature conditions and desired environment within the interior of the building structure 14. Air which is heated (or cooled) by the unit 50 is adapted to be communicated through a suitable housing 56 with a pair of laterally spaced plenum- like ducts 58 and 60 which project downwardly from the lower side of the module units 12 with which the air curtain systems is associated, with the ducts 58, 60 upon operatively mounting the module units 12 located at each end of the structure 14, extending downwardly into the structure 14 and being oriented adjacent the opposite sides of the access openings 38 thereof. The ducts 58, 60, which may be of either one or multiple-piece (section) construction, are provided with suitable nozzle means, representatively designated by the numeral 61, which function to direct air communicated thereto across the openings 38 to provide the desired air curtain at each of the openings 38 of the building structure 14, as is well known in the art. A more detailed description of the construction and operation of an air curtain system which will find highly satisfactory operation in association with the principles of the present invention is found in US. Pat. No. 3,308,740, issued Mar. 14, I967, assigned to the assignee of the present application, and which patent is incorporated by reference herein in the descriptive portion of this specification. It will be appreciated, of course, that various other types of air curtain systems may be used, such as those which discharge air downwardly from a single overhead plenum, instead of from a pair of laterally spaced plenums as illustrated herein. Also, the end module units, together with serving to operatively contain air curtain systems, may function in supporting an overhead closure door or the like.

A particularly important feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the modular roof system may be designed to compliment a wide variety of different styles of architecture, whereby to render the associated building structure aesthetically attractive in carrying out the continuity of architectural styling in virtually all municipal and geographical locations. By way of example, the modular roof system 10 of the present invention may be designed so that the associated building structure appears to have a relatively flat roof, as is indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2, with such a roof construction resulting from having each of the modular units 12 being of a generally uniform size parallelepiped configuration. That is, a flat roof is achieved by having all of the modular units 12 of a uniform height, whereby the upper members or panels 22 thereof, as well as the side members or panels 24, 26, are arranged in generally coplanar relation with one another. Alternatively, and as best illustrated in FIG. 7, the modular roof system 10 of the present invention may be designed so as to depict and provide a hip roof architectural style. More particularly, the modular roof system 10 illustrated in FIG. 7 is shown as comprising a plurality of adjacently oriented individual roof modular units 12a which are similar in size and construction to the aforementioned units 12, with the exception that the laterally extending front and rear sides or panels 30a and 32a thereof are inclined upwardly and longitudinally toward one another, with the result that each of the modular units 12a is of generally trapzoidal-shape in longitudinal cross section. FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention wherein the modular roof system 10 provides or depicts a mansard roof architectural style which is achieved through the provision of a plurality of substantially identical individual modular units 12b that have the side members or panels 24b and 26b thereof inclined upwardly and laterally inwardly at some preselected angle. Additionally, the end members or panels 30b, 32b, which are exposed to the longitudinally opposite ends of the associated building structure on the end module units 12b thereof, are inclined upwardly and longitudinally at preferably the same angle as the side members 24b, 26b, whereby to provide for continuity of design, as will be apparent.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate two additional embodiments of the present invention wherein the modular roof system 10 is provided with a generally triangular or pyramid shaped units which achieve different architectural styles of what is commonly referred to as a peak or gable roof. More particularly, the modular roof system illustrated in FIG. 9 comprises a plurality of modular units which have the respective front and rear side members 300 and 32c thereof inclined longitudinally toward one another so as to define a series of longitudinally spaced, laterally extending peaks, generally designated by the numeral 62. In FIG. 10, on the other hand, a modular roof system is shown as comprising a plurality of modular units 12d which have the respective side members or panels 24d and 26d thereof inclined laterally toward one another so as to define a common longitudinally extending peak 64.

It will be appreciated, of course, that the module units 12 incorporated in the present invention may be of various alternative architectural styles other than those illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10 without departing from the scope or fair meaning of the present invention. For example, the modular units 12 may assume a generally curvalinear or dome-shaped configuration or virtually any other shape without departing from the basic concept of providing a series of individual modular units which are adapted to be mounted upon a suitable support structure, such as the side walls of a building, and serve the two-fold purpose of providing an overhead roof for the building and containing the air conditioning equipment or apparatus used for supplying the air which is conditioned and circulated within the building. Accordingly, the present invention is in no way intended to be limited to the specific architectural styles herein above described. It is contemplated, additionally, that a basic parallelepiped shaped module could be constructed and used on fiat roof buildings, with this basic unit being modified to depict a mansard roof, for example, by adding a triangular shaped edge or side sections along the laterally opposite sides thereof.

The air conditioning equipment associated with each of the individual modular units 12 of the various above described modular roof systems 10 of necessity require some type of means for supplying fresh atmospheric air thereto and for circulating said air between such equipment and the interior and the exterior of the associated building structure. Another particularly important feature of the present invention resides in the wide variety of different ways in which such air may be supplied to the building and exhausted therefrom through the module units 12, with such air supplying, circulating, exhausting, and generally environmental air control means or apparatus being completely self-contained within the units 12. By way of example, when the associated building structure, such as the building 14, is intended to serve as an automobile washing facility and is provided with an air curtain system at each end thereof, it is necessary to provide a source of fresh ambient air for each of the air curtain systems, as well as to provide for some type of exhaust fan or blower arrangement for removing, for example, high moisture laden air from the building. In accordance with the present invention, the source of fresh ambient air may be provided in the form of suitable openings in the longitudinally opposite side members or panels 30 or 32 of the end modular units 12, with such openings being provided with suitable grill or louver means, as indicated at 69 in FIG. 10. Alternatively, and as best illustrated in FIG. 7, a suitable fresh air intake opening may be provided in the underside or eave portion of the modular unit 12 within which the air curtain door equipment is operatively disposed, whereby fresh ambient air could enter such system by flowing in the direction of the arrows 68 in FIG. 7. Of

course, various other ways of supplying air to such air curtain systems will be readily apparent to the skilled artisan and a detailed description of additional ways of providing the same will be omitted herein in order to simplify the present disclosure.

With regard to exhausting air from the interior of the building structure, it is highly desirable that an exhaust fan or blower be located at some position intermediate the ends of the building. Accordingly, one or more of the intermediate module units of the system 10 may be designed for the containment of such exhaust equipment, which may be in the form, for example, of suitable blower or fan assemblies 70 and 72 that are adapted to be communicable with the interior of the associated building structure and exhaust air therein through suitable under the eave mounted grill structures or the like, as indicated at 74 in FIG. 6. Such exhaust fan or blower assemblies may be communicable with the interior of the building through any suitable air ducting arrangement that is located interiorly of the associated modular units 12. Alternatively, an arrangement such as is shown in FIG. 11 may be used where the height of the modular units 12 is relatively small so that there is no great amount of dead air space therein. In FIG. 11, a mansard roof type modular unit 12b is shown as being mounted upon a pair of spaced side walls 16b and 18b and provided with a pair of suitable exhaust fan or blower mechanisms 76 and 78 which are disposed in the laterally outermost portions of the unit 12b and adapted to exhaust air downwardly through the eaves of the roof system, i.e., exteriorly of the walls 16b, 18b, respectively. The underside of panel 28b of the modular unit 12b shown in FIG. 11 may be provided with a suitable grill or other opening, as designated at 80, through which air that is contained within the building structure may pass to the blower mechanisms 76, 78, whereby to provide for air circulation in the manner illustrated by the phantom arrows in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein a modular roof system is shown as comprising a plurality of units 12e, which are similar to the units 12a illustrated in FIG. 7, with the exception that the side members 24, 26 thereof are replaced by uniformly appearing grilllike panels, generally designated 82, which constitute the laterally opposite ends of each of the modular units l2e. Such grill panels 82 are adapted to provide for air communication between the exterior of the associated building and the interior of the units 122, with one of the units 122 being provided, for example, with a pair of exhaust fan or blower assemblies 84 and 86 which are adapted to exhaust air communicated to the interior of said unit l2e through a suitable ventilator grill or the like 88, as indicated by the arrows 90. In another of the modular units 12e, the grill panels 82 thereof are adapted to act as fresh air inlets, whereby fresh atmospheric air may be communicated interiorly of said unit 12c, as indicated by the arrows 92, for purposes of ventilation, providing make-up air for the interior of the associated building structure or for any air curtain system that may be provided thereon. In a situation where air communication is not desired through one or more of the module units l2e, the panels 82 associated therewith could be designed so as to be imperforate, thereby being completely closed (i.e., imperforate), but having an appearance similar to the other grill panels 82, thus preserving the aesthetic continuity of the building.

It will be appreciated, of course, that the module units 12 of the modular roof system 10 of the present invention may be secured in any one of a number of satisfactory ways to the associated building structure and that suitable sealing means well known in the art may be provided interjacent the confronting edges of the various module units 12 in order to provide for a positive moisture proof and weather-tight seal therebetween. Of course, the units 12 may be suitably reinforced to provide for snow loading and the like and may be provided for eave troughing when necessary. Additionally, the various modular units may be provided with access doors, such as is indicated at 94 and 96 in FIG. 4, in order to provide for access to the air conditioning equipment contained therein or for any other purpose, furthermore, the units may be provided with the necessary electrical, and light equipment required in the associated building, whereby to optimize preassembly or prefabrication thereof.

FIG. 13 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention and also indicates the mode of operation of a typical application thereof in a car washing facility. More particularly, FIG. 13 illustrates a building or structure 98 which is provided with a modular roof system 100 consisting of a plurality of individual module units 102, 104, 106, 108, and 110 which are designed so as to provide the building 98 with a peak roof architectural style, similar to the roof style shown and described in connection with FIG. 10. The module units 102 and l 10, which are located at the longitudinally opposite ends of the building 98, are provided with longitudinally outwardly extending overhang or eave portions 112 and 114, respectively, beneath which fresh atmospheric air may pass in traveling to laterally extending grill assemblies 116 and 118 that are communicable with air curtain systems, generally designated 120 and 122, which are operatively mounted within the units 102 and 110, respectively. The module units 104 and 108 although serving to provide a roof or enclosure for the building 98, do not contain any air conditioning equipment per se in the illustrated embodiment; however, the modular unit 106 disposed interjacent the units 104 and 108 is provided with a suitable exhaust or blower mechanism 124 which is adapted to exhaust air within the building 98 upwardly and outwardly through a suitable exhaust grill which may be concealed, for aesthetic or appearance reasons, by means of a cupola 126 mounted on the top of the module unit 106.

The vehicle washing facility contained within the building 98 may be assumed to be divided into two areas, namely, a vehicle washing area and vehicle drying area, and in operation of the facility, the air curtain systems 120 and 122, which consist of suitable blower and sir heating equipment, receive outside ambient air through the grills I16 and 1 18 and simultaneously force such air, after the same has been properly conditioned, across the doorways located at the ends of the building 98 to provide an effective air door curtains. The forced air provided the air curtains may also be used for pressurization of the building interior and therefore serve to more evenly heat the building and reinforce the air curtains against momentary strong winds and thereby effectively resist drafts and undesirable air circulation within the building 98. The air which is forced out of the systems 120, 122 into the interior of the building 98 will circulate upwardly in the direction of the arrows shown therein toward the exhaust mechanism 124, with such air flow carrying the water vapor, excess moisture and undesirable noxious gases, such as CO (carbon monoxide), hydro-carbons etc., up and out of the building in a controlled manner. If desired, a suitable blower may be provided within the interior of the building 98 to supplement the action of the exhaust mechanism 124 and operate so as to cause the warm dry air from the drying area to be circulated toward the washing area and thereafter flow upwardly toward the mechanism 124, whereby to assist the mechanism 124 in removing the excess moisture and vapor from within the building 98.

It is to be noted that the modular roof system 10 of the present invention may be operatively associated, not only with new buildings, but also in the renovation of existing building structures. Additionally, it is contemplated that the module units 12 of the system 10 may be utilized in providing an overhead roof or enclosure for areas which, instead of being provided with enclosed side walls, are merely provided with vertically disposed support structures, such as spaced support columns or the like. Such an application might be found in gasoline service stations where it would be desired to provide an overhead roof for a service island where the gasoline pumps are located, with one or more of the modular units 12 serving the dual function of providing a roof over the service island and conditioning the air located in the area therebelow, for example, by heating or cooling the air and providing one or more air curtain systems to protect service attendants and/or vehicles from inclement weather conditions.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the present invention provides a new and improved modular roof system which is adapted to serve the two-fold function of providing an overhead roof or enclosure and contain air conditioning equipment such as air heating, cooling and ventilating apparatus, as well as air curtain door systems which are to be utilized for example, in protecting the interior of a building structure from ambient weather conditions prevailing outside of a normally open access door or opening. The present invention will be seen to be universally applicable in a wide variety of different types of building structures and may be designed so as to be compatible with any desired architecture style. The modular system of the present invention may also be used in existing buildings or in new buildings and be provided, as desired, with air conditioning equipment for heating, cooling or providing make-up air for the interior of a building, so as to provide for the maximum universality of application.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments illustrated herein are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a building having a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending support walls or the like, the improvement comprising a modular roof structure for covering and providing a permanent roof over an area between the support walls,

said roof structure comprising a plurality of co-operative,

interconnected, laterally extending modular units arranged in side by side relationship and being supported in a relatively elevated position above the area between the support walls, said roof structure including means coextensive of the upper sides of said units and means adjacent the mutually confronting portions thereof protecting said units and the area covered thereby from outside environmental elements,

at least one of said modular units including heat exchange means and first air flow passage means for communicating fresh outside air from the exterior of the building to said heat exchange means and second air flow passage means for communicating conditioned air downwardly from said heat exchange means toward the area.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes means within said one unit for pressurizing the area below the roof structure, and wherein said one unit includes passage defining means for communicating make-up air to said pressurizing means.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one modular unit comprises passage defining means for exhausting air from said area to the exterior of said modular roof system.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heat exchange means includes means for heating air and for thereafter circulating the heated air to the area.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heat exchange means includes means for cooling air and for thereafter circulating the cooled air to the area.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein one of said modular units comprises passage defining means for circulating air from within the building to the exterior ofthe building.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said air flow passage means includes means for communicating air downwardly away from one of said units along two laterally spaced flow paths and for directing the air communicated along said paths laterally across the building.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said air flow passage means includes means for communicating air from one of said units laterally of the support walls and thereby provide an air curtain within the building.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes means for communicating air from one of said units downwardly along the interior of the support walls and for thereafter directing the air laterally toward the center of the building.

10. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said modular units extend generally transversely of the support walls and are arranged in edge to edge abutting relationship and are supported adjacent the opposite ends thereof by the uppermost marginal portions of the walls.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of modular units are of a generally hip roof style architecture.

12. The lnventlon as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of modular units are of a generally flat roof style architecture.

13. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of modular units are of a generally mansard roof style architecture.

14. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of modular units are of a generally peak roof style architecture.

15. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes cupola means for at least partially concealing said air flow passage means.

16. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the ends of said modular units project laterally outwardly from the support walls and define therewith an cave, and which includes air circulating means adjacent said eave for communicating air between the outside of the building and the area defined between the support walls and the roof structure.

17. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one modular unit comprises a fresh air inlet exposed to the exterior of the building for communicating air between the exterior of the building and the interior of the said one unit, and

wherein said one unit further includes a conditioned air outlet exposed to the interior of the building for communicating conditioned air between the interior of said one unit. and the area defined between the support walls.

18. The invention as set forth in claim 17 wherein said air outlet is adapted to direct air downwardly from said one unit and to thereafter communicate said air laterally inwardly of the building.

19. The invention as set forth in claim 18 which includes a pair of laterally spaced air outlets for directing air from one of said units downwardly and laterally inwardly from the opposite sides of the building to provide an air curtain therewithin.

20. In the method of constructing a building having a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending side walls or the like, the steps which include,

providing the building with a modular roof structure for covering and providing a permanent roof over an area between the support walls,

mounting the roof structure on the support walls by placing a plurality of cooperable, interconnected, laterally extending modular units in side by side relationship at a relatively elevated position above the area between the support walls and thereby providing an exteriorly exposed weather resistant roof for protecting the area from outside environmental elements, and

simultaneously providing the building with heat exchange means and with first air flow passage means for communicating fresh outside air from the exterior of the building to the heat exchange means and second air flow passage means for communicating air from the heat exchanger toward the area below the roof structure.

21. The method as set forth in claim 20 which includes the step of exhausting air from the interior of said area to the exterior of said building through said passage defining means.

Claims (21)

1. In a building having a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending support walls or the like, the improvement comprising a modular roof structure for covering and providing a permanent roof over an area between the support walls, said roof strUcture comprising a plurality of co-operative, interconnected, laterally extending modular units arranged in side by side relationship and being supported in a relatively elevated position above the area between the support walls, said roof structure including means coextensive of the upper sides of said units and means adjacent the mutually confronting portions thereof protecting said units and the area covered thereby from outside environmental elements, at least one of said modular units including heat exchange means and first air flow passage means for communicating fresh outside air from the exterior of the building to said heat exchange means and second air flow passage means for communicating conditioned air downwardly from said heat exchange means toward the area.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes means within said one unit for pressurizing the area below the roof structure, and wherein said one unit includes passage defining means for communicating make-up air to said pressurizing means.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one modular unit comprises passage defining means for exhausting air from said area to the exterior of said modular roof system.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heat exchange means includes means for heating air and for thereafter circulating the heated air to the area.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heat exchange means includes means for cooling air and for thereafter circulating the cooled air to the area.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein one of said modular units comprises passage defining means for circulating air from within the building to the exterior of the building.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said air flow passage means includes means for communicating air downwardly away from one of said units along two laterally spaced flow paths and for directing the air communicated along said paths laterally across the building.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said air flow passage means includes means for communicating air from one of said units laterally of the support walls and thereby provide an air curtain within the building.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes means for communicating air from one of said units downwardly along the interior of the support walls and for thereafter directing the air laterally toward the center of the building.

10. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said modular units extend generally transversely of the support walls and are arranged in edge to edge abutting relationship and are supported adjacent the opposite ends thereof by the uppermost marginal portions of the walls.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of modular units are of a generally hip roof style architecture.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of modular units are of a generally flat roof style architecture.

13. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of modular units are of a generally mansard roof style architecture.

14. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of modular units are of a generally peak roof style architecture.

15. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes cupola means for at least partially concealing said air flow passage means.

16. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the ends of said modular units project laterally outwardly from the support walls and define therewith an eave, and which includes air circulating means adjacent said eave for communicating air between the outside of the building and the area defined between the support walls and the roof structure.

17. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one modular unit comprises a fresh air inlet exposed to the exterior of the building for communicating air between the exterior of the building and the interior of the said one unit, and wherein said one unit further includes a conditioned air outlet exposed to the interior of the building for communicating conditioned air between the interior of said one unit. and the area defined between the support walls.

18. The invention as set forth in claim 17 wherein said air outlet is adapted to direct air downwardly from said one unit and to thereafter communicate said air laterally inwardly of the building.

19. The invention as set forth in claim 18 which includes a pair of laterally spaced air outlets for directing air from one of said units downwardly and laterally inwardly from the opposite sides of the building to provide an air curtain therewithin.

20. In the method of constructing a building having a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending side walls or the like, the steps which include, providing the building with a modular roof structure for covering and providing a permanent roof over an area between the support walls, mounting the roof structure on the support walls by placing a plurality of cooperable, interconnected, laterally extending modular units in side by side relationship at a relatively elevated position above the area between the support walls and thereby providing an exteriorly exposed weather resistant roof for protecting the area from outside environmental elements, and simultaneously providing the building with heat exchange means and with first air flow passage means for communicating fresh outside air from the exterior of the building to the heat exchange means and second air flow passage means for communicating air from the heat exchanger toward the area below the roof structure.

21. The method as set forth in claim 20 which includes the step of exhausting air from the interior of said area to the exterior of said building through said passage defining means.

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