WO2004111364A1

WO2004111364A1 - An under-tile panel, for different roof tile pitches

Info

Publication number: WO2004111364A1
Application number: PCT/IT2004/000326
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio Maraglino
Original assignee: Polibeck, S.P.A.
Priority date: 2003-06-13
Filing date: 2004-06-03
Publication date: 2004-12-23
Also published as: ITRM20030295A1; ITRM20030295A0; WO2004111364B1

Abstract

An under-tile panel (1;1’;1’’) including a portion (2) for adjusting the degree of superposition of the panels in the “vertical” direction, in order to adapt the same to different roof tile pitches or different bent tile sizes, a portion (3) having means (4, 5) for obtaining a rapid drainage of water towards the gutter, means (21) for the interengagement of the panels in the horizontal direction, and means (6, 7, 8, 9) to carry out the fixing of each panel to the floor. Channels are also provided, to insure an adequate ventilation in the space between the roof tiles (or bent tiles) and the panels, besides means (13; 18) for receiving and fixing the roof tiles (or bent tiles) on the panels.

Description

An under-tile panel, for different roof tile pitches

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the building sector, and in particular to the sector of roofing and insulation systems for saddle roofs, and even more specifically it concerns an "under-tile" panel, that is, a panel which may be fixed in combination with other identical panels, to the roof or floor of a building, in order to insure insulation and — in most cases — to support the roof tiles or the bent tiles (imbrexes).

Background Art

Insulating panels for saddle roofs are already known in the art, and these panels have specific forms and dimensions and are suited to perfectly prevent small water amounts (e.g. condensate or meteoric water) from reaching the roof or floor below.

However, in the event of a break in one or more roof tiles, or bent tiles, these conventional panels do not insure a perfect insulation in case of downpours.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have at one's disposal an efficient system for conveying the meteoric water towards the gutter, wherein this system would be formed by the very configuration of the panels themselves.

A further disadvantage of traditional panels lies in the fact that they are designed for roof tiles or bent tiles of given sizes.

Therefore, when switching from a certain type of roof tile, or bent tile, to another type, it is necessary to use other panels, in spite of all problems deriving from this choice, that adversely affects the production organisation, the transport, the handling of the panels, etc.

Consequently, a first object of the present invention concerns the realisation of a panel to be mounted below the tiles, which can readily adapt itself to different kinds of roof tiles or bent tiles, having different pitches. This renders superfluous the preparation of various moulds for the manufacture of panels corresponding to all possible pitches of the roof tiles and bent tiles available nowadays. A further object of the present invention consists in providing a panel which besides the normal features of a traditional panel, also has a configuration allowing for the rapid downflow of water towards the gutter, in all possible circumstances, even in the • event of a break of the roof tiles, or of the bent tiles. In a particular configuration of the panel, which will be called hereinafter the "basic model Sl" (Fig. 1), the downflow of water and the roof insulation are insured even in absence of (covering) roof tiles or bent tiles.

An essential advantage of the present invention is that it allows direct installation of the "under-tile panels" on the roof or floor, even without the previous application of an impermeable coating on said roof or floor.

Disclosure of Invention

The above objects are attained by means of a panel used as an insulating cover for saddle roofs in combination with several other identical panels, said panel having a substantially rectangular form, an upper panel face and a lower panel face, two opposite longitudinal edges and two opposite transversal edges, and being characterised in that it comprises a portion for adjusting the degree of superposition between the panels, and a portion presenting means to cause the downflow of water, the latter means forming projecting elements as well as small drain channels.

Brief Description of Drawings The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to some of its preferred embodiments, which are only illustrative but not limitative or binding, and which are shown in the following drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a so-called under-tile panel, according to the present invention (model Sl);

Fig. 2 is a sectional view along line B-B in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along line A-A in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, corresponding to that of Fig. 2, but of two identical panels in their mutual mounting position, and showing the innovative "sliding-engagement- system"; ^•

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a panel to be installed below the tiles, according to the present invention (model S2);

Fig. 6 is a sectional view along line B-B in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view along line A-A in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an under-tile panel according to the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view along line B-B in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view along line A-A in Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a cross-section showing a plurality of panels corresponding to the second embodiment, mounted on a saddle roof of a building, together with respective covering roof tiles; Fig. 12 is a cross-section showing a plurality of panels corresponding to the third embodiment, mounted on a saddle roof, together with respective covering bent tiles.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

The present invention will be more fully described with reference to three particular embodiments thereof. Each embodiment forms a particular "model" of "under-tile panel". The expression "under-tile" does not necessarily mean that the respective panel will really be arranged below the tiles of a building; in fact, whilst the panel of the third embodiment (Fig. 8) is designed to be mounted on the roof below the bent tiles, the first kind or model of the panel (Fig. 1) will remain totally visible after installation, being neither covered by roof tiles nor by bent tiles, thereby conferring a particular configuration to the roof; the latter panel could be subjected to a specific ^■ treatment (a particular coating). In any case, all three embodiments of the panel accomplish the same task of providing an insulation, and they all have the essential features of the invention allowing to attain the mentioned purposes.

Referring first of all to the first embodiment (see Figs. 1 to 4), it can be noted that the insulating panel 1 in its basic configuration (basic model "Sl") has a substantially flat and rectangular shape, with a smooth portion 2, which we shall also call sliding strip or sliding portion, and with a portion 3 presenting projecting parts, the latter being formed in the present case by arched projections 4 (five in number in this example). By a rapid comparison with the sectional views of Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 it can be seen that the smooth portion 2 forms the upper strip of panel 1, that is, the strip directed towards the roof peak after installation. This means that Figs. 1, 5, and 8 show the panels in the "capsized" position with respect to their real position after installation. Turning our attention again to Figs. 1 to 4, showing the basic model Sl (which differs from the models of Figs. 5 and 8 only in respect of some details), we note that the arched projecting elements 4 all have the same shape and are separated by small drain channels 5 for the drainage of the water, in order to assist water canalisation towards the gutter, as will be clarified later. Moreover, on the right and left sides of the panel 1 shown in Fig. 1, there are provided respective elements for realising a joint (which are integrally formed on the panel 1). Specifically, as may also be seen from the enlarged details shown in Fig. 1, the two elements for realising a joint form respective male-female joints 21, 21, allowing to fix to each other the panels of a single "horizontal row". It should be noted that at the location of these joints 21, 21 water could in fact infiltrate and reach the roof or the floor of the building. To prevent this to occur, it is preferable to apply silicone or a specific glue along the joint 21. From tests it has been shown that it is advisable to do so when the slope (of the floor) is less or equal to about 12 degrees. For greater slopes, water does not stagnate in sufficient amounts on the panels, to run the risk of adversely affecting the insulation of the roof, in absence of glue or silicone, with respect to infiltration of water and condensate. Referring in particular to Fig. 3, showing the section A-A of the rectangular panel 1 of Fig. 1, when a single panel is to be applied to the roof or floor of a building, the following fixing procedures, that are by no means limitative or binding, may be used either individually or in combination:

- (i) application of the panel on the roof or floor, using a mortar or a bonding agent which are spread on the roof or floor and which penetrate into the lower toothed portions 6 of panel 1, so as to "lock it" in position;

- (ii) insertion of a screw anchor (not shown) through the through hole 8, this screw anchor projecting beyond the rectangular groove 9 at the base of the panel 1, and being inserted orthogonally into the surface of the floor, in an apposite hole;

- (iii) preliminary fixing on the floor or roof, of e.g. a spline having a complementary shape to that of the groove 9; in this case the spline or the like could be continuous and extend itself horizontally from one edge to the other edge of one of the roof pitches; this spline or the like would be associated to a respective horizontal row of panels, the latter being joined together (by means of the joints 21) and inserted on the spline by using their lower grooves 9; then, in order to secure all this in position, a screw would be introduced through said hole 8 and into a threaded hole realised in the spline coaxially to the respective hole 8, at the mounting position of the panel 1. In Fig. 3 reference numeral 7 denotes a flat washer which cooperates with the screw (not shown). Preferably, each panel 1 has two holes 8, one being associated with the arched element 4 located rightmost, and the other being associated with the arched element located leftmost in Fig. 1; each of these holes being arranged along the longitudinal symmetry axis of the respective arched projecting element 4. It should be noted that the procedure (i) for fixing the panels 1 to the floor or roof could be used either in combination with the procedure (ii) or with the procedure (iii), and that, furthermore, each of the procedures (i) - (iii) could also be used alone. Moreover, it must be emphasised that the above described fixing procedures for securing the panels to the floor or roof are not binding at all, because other fixing means could be envisaged, although in general they may be preferred. After having described how individual panels may be secured to the floor, and how they .can be assembled to each other in the horizontal direction, we will next describe the method of "sliding superposition" of the panels with regard to the "vertical" direction (parallel to the surface of the roof).

As shown in the cross sections of Figs. 4, 11 and 12 (Figs. 11 and 12 referring to the other embodiments of the panel but the description of the following feature holding in general), each panel has a longitudinal and straight upper projection 10 (which is directed upwards in the mounting position) and a longitudinal and straight lower projection 11 which is directed downwards when the panel is in the mounting position. The two projections 10 and 11 are formed on opposite longitudinal edges of the panel.

Note, by the way, that in order to avoid a procedure according to which the fixing of the panels to the underlying roof, and of the tiles to the panel, occurs in two different steps and times, it could be envisaged to directly incorporate (during manufacturing) the spline of wood or plastics or aluminium in the body of the panel itself, below the ridges 13, instead of introducing it inside the groove 9 - as previously described -. This allows to simultaneously fix the tile and the panel to the underlying roof by means of a single connecting element passing through the four elements in question: the tile, the panel, the spline, and the roof. The time required for the laying, according to this method, is reduced in comparison with the more "traditional" methods indicated above by (i), (ii), and (iii).

After having mounted on the roof a first — lower — row of panels (corresponding to the row nearest to the gutter), by advancing from right to left and by using the male- female joints 21 as well as the above described means, the next row of insulating • under-tile panels is applied. The present innovative system of "sliding superposition" of the panels allows to mount this second row of panels in the manner shown in Fig. 4, according to a mechanism that could be called a "sliding joint", although this word may seem improper. The projections 10 of the lower row of panels are received inside corresponding lower recesses 12 of the second (or successive) row of panels. The second (or successive) row of panels is again secured to the roof with the aid of the above described means, by proceeding from right to left (and making use of the joints 21 for mutual connection of the panels belonging to the same row); this is done after a previous adjustment of the degree of superposition of the panels belonging to these two different rows. In other words, depending on the pitch of the roof tiles, or on the bent tiles being employed (that is according to whether one uses the panels 1 ' of Fig. 5 or 1" of Fig. 8J, or generally according to the needs (in the event that one uses the panels 1 of Fig. 1), it will be possible to move the projection 10 belonging to one row of panels (towards the right or left in Fig. 4) within the recess 12 of the next row of panels, and thereafter fix each panel of this next row of panels in the desired position. This further 'degree of freedom' provided by this particular "sliding" method allows to adapt the under-tile panels of the present invention to different roof tile or bent tile pitches, without resorting in each case to panels of different sizes. Moreover, the two projections 10 and 11 form barriers against infiltration of water that nonetheless tends to flow downwards due to the natural slope of the roof. The "under-tile" panel 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 4 corresponds to the first embodiment of the invention ("model Sl"). It remains uncovered on the building's roof, that is, it is not covered with tiles. Its surface is subjected to a special treatment, using insulating varnishes or paints, and/or scales of slate of various colours.

The above described features, that is the sliding joint, the fixing procedures for securing the rectangular panels to the roof or floor, the male-female joint for the connection in the horizontal direction, and the basic configuration of the arched projecting elements 4 used for the canalisation of water (meteoric water or condensate), are common to all embodiments of the rectangular panel of the present invention, so that the description of these features will not be repeated now for the second embodiment (Fig. 5, "model S2") and for the third embodiment (Fig. 8, "model S3") of the innovative panel. Referring now to Figs. 5, 6, 7 we will describe the details that distinguish the panels 1' (model S2) of the second embodiment, from the details of the first embodiment or basic model (Sl).

A panel 1' (S2) has several prismatic elements 13 (only some of which are numbered in Fig. 5 for clarity). These prismatic elements 13 are used for securing the roof tiles (and for the application of mortar), the lower protrusion 14 of each roof tile 16 (see Fig. 11) being inserted in a respective slot 15 formed between the prismatic elements 13 (note that only some slots 15 have been numbered in order to simplify Fig. 5). In the example represented in the drawing, the prismatic elements 13 belonging to each arched projecting element 4 are arranged in three rows, each of them including two such elements. The ventilation grooves 17 allow the passage of air and its circulation below the roof tiles 16.

As concerns the third embodiment, or "model S3", which is shown in Figs. 8, 9, and

10, panel 1" differs from the basic panel 1 (model Sl) in that it has - on each arched projecting element 4 - two concave-convex shaped elements 18 forming seats for the bent tiles 19 that are not shown in Fig. 8.

The relative arrangement of the bent tiles 19 and panels 1", or respectively of the roof tiles 16 and panels 1', is that shown in Figs. 12 and 11. From these figures it may be understood that water flowing along the small drain channels 5 of a row of panels (1, 1' or 1"), will flow downwards towards the panels (1, Y or 1") of a row of panels located immediately below, and so on, until this water reaches the gutter located at the edge of the roof.

The channels 20 formed between two respective concave-convex elements 18, 18, in the third embodiment, insure the ventilation of the space between the bent tiles and the panels 1", in the same way as the grooves 17 (Fig. 5) are used for the ventilation of the space formed between the roof tiles 16 and the panels 1' of the second embodiment.

The preferred material employed in the manufacture of the panels of the present invention is sintered moulded polystyrene foam. The roof tiles or the bent tiles are either fixed with mortar to the underlying panels, or by means of screws which pass through (the tiles) and reach the floor.

Note that the comb-like structure (or notched structure) formed by the prismatic elements 13 and by the corresponding slots 15, used to fix the roof tiles and to apply a layer of mortar, could also be present on the concave parts of the concave-convex elements 18 (although this variant is not shown in Fig. 8). In this way the bent tiles

(in the third embodiment of the panel of the invention) could be firmly anchored to the respective panel, thereby insuring the complete reliability of the system, without resorting to fixing screws and in perfect analogy with Fig. 5. One of the several advantages of the present invention is the possibility of adaptation to different kinds of roof tiles or bent tiles, corresponding to various pitches and sizes. A class of panels manufactured by the applicant allows a relative "vertical sliding" (i.e. adjustment), of the panels, up to a value of 8 cm, permitting an adjustment in case of roof tiles having pitches comprised in the interval between 31.0 and 39.0 cm. However, it should be born in mind that these figures are only illustrative and non-limitative. Other embodiments could allow greater or lower values of "sliding".

The following are some of the advantages provided by the present panel: - it can be secured on roofs made of concrete, wood, tile, metal, belonging to newly constructed buildings, or alternatively, to renovated buildings;

- it insures an optimum ventilation, a good resistance to compression forces, and the downflow and canalisation of water;

- it insures a high level of heat insulation (energy saving); - it insures sound proofing;

- it is made of a material of reduced permeability with regard to steam, and which is totally impermeable to water;

- it is made of a recyclable and fire retardant material (class 1), and it insures a reduced laying time; - it is made of a weatherproof material that does not rot;

- it has dimensional stability under any kind of thermal stress.

The present invention has been disclosed in an illustrative way only, referring to some particular embodiments thereof; it goes without saying that a person skilled in the art could partly modify the form of the above described panels without departing from the scope and inventive concept underlying the present invention. It is for instance clear that the projecting elements 4 do not need to have a semicircular shape in order to allow the downflow (defluxion) of water, but could instead have a half- elliptical shape, a half-oval shape, a triangular shape, etc; moreover, the seat for the bent tiles 19, which is defined by the elements 18, must not necessarily exactly correspond to the curvature of the bent tiles.

Claims

1. A panel (1 ; 1 ' ; 1 ") used as an insulating cover for saddle roofs in combination with several other identical panels, said panel having a substantially rectangular form, with an upper panel face and a lower panel face, two opposite longitudinal edges and two opposite transversal edges, characterised in that it comprises a portion (2) for adjusting the degree of superposition between the panels, and a portion (3) presenting means (4, 5) to cause the downflow of water, the latter means forming projecting elements (4) as well as small drain channels (5).

2. A panel (1 ; 1 ' ; 1 ") according to claim 1 , wherein said portion (2) terminates on one side forming a first longitudinal projection (10) on the upper panel face, along one of its longitudinal edges, and is bounded on the other side by said portion (3) presenting said means (4, 5) for the downflow of water.

3. A panel (1; 1'; 1") according to claim 2, wherein on the longitudinal edge of the panel opposite to said first longitudinal projection (10), there is provided a second longitudinal projection (11) on said lower panel face.

4. A panel (1; V; 1") according to claim 3, wherein the lower panel face presents a recess (12) adjacent said second longitudinal projection (11), in order to receive the first longitudinal projection (10) of another panel, said recess determining also the distance for the adjustment of the amount of superposition between the panels.

5. A panel ( 1 ; 1 ' ; 1") according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein said means (4,5) for the downflow of water form a row of contiguous projecting elements (4) having an upper surface, and wherein each pair of contiguous projecting elements (4) is separated by a small drain channel (5) for the drainage of water.

6. A panel (1; V; 1") according to claim 5, wherein said upper surface of the contiguous projecting elements (4) is substantially parallel to the surface of the lower panel face, while the bottom of the small drain channels (5) is slightly inclined with respect to the upper surface of the projecting elements (4).

7. A panel (1'; 1") according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein on the upper surface of the projecting elements (4) and in proximity of the longitudinal panel's edge where said second longitudinal projection (11) of the panel is located, there are formed, preferably integral with the panel body, means (13; 18) for receiving and fixing roof tiles (16) or bent tiles (19).

8. A panel (1'; 1") according to claim 7, wherein said means (13; 18) for receiving and fixing the tiles form between them channels or grooves (17; 20), allowing the passage of ventilation air, and moreover, they include a comb-like structure for engaging a roof tile or a bent tile and for the application of mortar or of a bonding agent.

9. A panel (1; 1'; 1") according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein male- female-type joints (21) are formed on the opposite transversal edges of the panel, a male-type-joint being formed on a first transversal edge of the panel, and a female- type-joint being formed on the opposite transversal edge.

10. A panel (1 : 1': 1") according to anyone of the preceding claims, formed preferably of sintered and moulded polystyrene foam, and including means (6, 7, 8, 9) for securing the panel to a roof or floor.