WO2007093951A1

WO2007093951A1 - Modular roof structure for buildings

Info

Publication number: WO2007093951A1
Application number: PCT/IB2007/050454
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mauro Menegoli
Original assignee: Iscom Spa
Priority date: 2006-02-14
Filing date: 2007-02-12
Publication date: 2007-08-23
Also published as: DE602007001788D1; EP1989366A1; ES2329844T3; EP1989366B1; ATE437998T1; ITVI20060046A1

Abstract

A roof structure for buildings comprises a plurality of roof panels (2; 2') to be anchored to a roof slab (T) or the like by means of suitable brackets (3; 3'). Each panel has a substantially flat middle portion (4; 4') with an upwardly facing outer side (5; 5') and a downwardly facing inner side (6; 6') and two non adjacent edge portions (7, 8; 7', 8'). One of the edge portions (7, 8) is suitably shaped to allow it to partly overlap and be stably connected with the other of the edge portions (7', 8') of an adjacent panel (2'). The non adjacent edge portions (7, 8; T, 8') extend transverse to the middle portion (4, 4') in the downward direction only, so that the outer side (5; 5') is only visible from the outside with no upward unevenness or protrusion being exposed.

Description

MODULAR ROOF STRUCTURE FOR BUILDINGS

Field of the invention

The present invention finds application in the field of building and particularly relates to a modular roof structure according to the preamble of claim 1.

Background of the invention

Modular roofing systems are known to be increasingly used for protection of buildings or other load-bearing structures, for both residential and industrial use, which systems are made of metal sheets having specially profiled edges, and are either pre-assembled or directly mounted to the roofing.

These particular roofing structure have a much lighter weight than conventional solutions, and further assure enhanced versatility.

European patent EP-B1-0964114 discloses a roof structure comprising a plurality of roofing panels to be anchored to the surface of a roof by means of suitable brackets. Each panel has a substantially planar middle portion and edge portions that can overlap and be stably sealably connected to edge portions of at least one adjacent panel to define a substantially continuous roofing.

One problem of such prior art solution is that the structure, once assembled, has a plurality of aesthetically unpleasant protrusions and unevennesses. The need has been long felt for wholly planar modular roof structures, having no protrusion or irregularity.

Summary of the invention

One object of the present invention is to overcome the above drawbacks, by providing a roof structure that is highly efficient and relatively cost-effective. A particular object is to provide a substantially flat roof structure, i.e. having no surface protrusion or unevenness.

A further object is to provide a roof structure that allows to effectively drain water from its outer surface.

These and other objects, as better explained hereafter, are fulfilled by a roof structure for buildings which, as defined in claim 1 , comprises a plurality of roof panels to be anchored to a roof slab or the like by means of suitable brackets, each panel having a substantially planar middle portion with an upwardly facing outer side and a downwardly facing inner side and two non adjacent edge portions, one of said edge portions being suitably shaped to allow to partly overlap and be stably connected with the other of said edge portions of an adjacent panel, characterized in that said non adjacent edge portions extend transversly to said middle portion exclusively downwardly thereof, so that said outer side is solely visible from the outside in absence of any upwardly directed unevenness or protrusion.

Thanks to this particular configuration, the roof structure according to the present invention appears as a substantially continuous roof having no external unevenness or protrusion.

Advantageously, the edge portions may be elastically deformable for snap fitting together and to the brackets.

Conveniently, at least one deformable wall of an edge portion of a panel comprises at least one second protrusion which is designed for snap engagement into a corresponding recess or receptacle in the facing side wall of the other edge portion of an adjacent panel.

Thanks to this configuration, the structure of the invention allows quick and effective connection of the panels with one another and with the brackets.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent upon reading the detailed description of a few preferred, non-exclusive embodiments of a roof structure according to the invention, which is described as a non-limiting example with the help of the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the roof structure according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a few details of the roof structure of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a panel forming part of the roof structure of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged view of certain details of FIG. 1; FIGS. 5 to 9 are schematic views of the roof structure embodiment of FIG. 1 in various operating steps;

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of the roof structure according to the invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a panel forming part of the roof structure of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a few details of the roof structure of FIG. 10; FIG. 13 is a schematic enlarged view of certain details of FIG. 10; FIGS. 14 to 19 are schematic views of the roof structure embodiment of FIG. 10 in various operating steps.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

Referring to the above figures, the roof structure according to the invention, which is generally designated by numeral 1 , is particularly suitable as a roofing for both residential and industrial buildings.

Two embodiments of the invention will be described hereinbelow without limitation. The first embodiment is shown in Figures 1 to 9, and the second embodiment is shown in Figures 10 to 19.

As shown in Figures 1 and 10, structure 1 comprises a plurality of roofing panels 2, generally made of metal, to be anchored to the surface of a roof T by means of suitable brackets 3.

Panels 2 are substantially identical, except for any possible variation in length and/or width, wherefore they will be described hereinbelow with reference to one of them, there being understood that the same parts are present in all panels. For convenience, adjacent panel elements will be designated by primed numerals 2, 2', 2" etc., and adjacent brackets will also be designated as 3, 3', 3". Unless otherwise stated, one of such parts may be only mentioned, by its unprimed numeral, there being understood that its designation and reference also extends to all corresponding parts.

As shown in Figures 3 and 11 , each panel 2 is formed of a substantially planar middle portion 4 with an upwardly facing outer side 5 and a downwardly facing inner side 6 and two edge portions, preferably provided at the longitudinal ends, which are generally designated by numerals 7, 8.

According to the invention, the edge portions 7, 8 of each panel 2 extend transversly to the middle portion 4 only from the inner side 6, i.e. the one facing toward the roof T.

In operation, the edge portion 7 of one panel 2 can overlap and be stably connected with the edge portion 8' of the adjacent panel 2' to define a substantially continuous roofing surface, as viewed from the outside, i.e. on the side 5.

Suitably, as shown, for example in Figures 2 and 12, the end portions 7, 8 may have complementary shapes to be snap fitted together and with the brackets 3, to provide stable anchorage and high wheatherproofness, such as rain water or the like, to prevent dangerous leakages into the building.

As shown in the annexed figures, the panels 2, 2', 2" may only contact the brackets 3, 3', 3" at the end edge portions 7, 7'; 8, 8'.

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 10, the structure 1 may be solely composed of the panels 2, 2' and 2" and the brackets 3, 3', 3", with no additional elements, e.g. with no element interposed therebetween or with no element above the panels 2, 2', 2".

Advantageously, as shown in Figures 4 and 14, one of the edge portions 8, 8' has a larger internal size than the other of the edge portions 7, T for accommodating the latter therein.

Conveniently, as shown in such Figures 4 and 13, the larger edge portion 8 has a free transverse margin 40 that is higher than the free transverse margin 41 of the other edge portion T.

Also, for enhanced snap fit and tightness, each of the edge portions 7, T, 8, 8' of each panel 2, 2' may have snap engagement means 45 for easier and firmer connection.

The snap engagement means 45 may be defined by deformable walls 9, 10; 12, 13 of each of the edge portions 7, 7', 8, 8'. Upon connection between the panels 2, 2' and/or between the latter and the brackets 3, the deformable walls 9, 10; 12, 13 will be deformed in response to a load stress P exerted on the panel, for optimized tightness. Nevertheless, it will be understood that only one of the deformable walls 9, 10; 12, 13 may be formed of a deformable material, without departure from the scope defined by the annexed claims.

In the areas of connection 90, 91 with their respective middle portions 4, 4', the edge portions 7, 8 may have first protrusions 43, 43 which are designed to be mutually opposed when the adjacent panels 2, 2' are connected to each other and to their respective bracket 3, as shown in Figures 4 and 13.

Suitably, the structure 1 may include guide means 27 for guiding the mutual connection of the edge portions 7, T, 8, 8' of adjacent panels 2, 2' and facilitating fixation thereof to the brackets 3.

As particularly shown in Figures 2 and 12, the guide means 27 may comprise a guide element 28 to be connected to an edge portion of a panel 2 and to a guide groove 30 in a corresponding bracket 3, and forming a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical axial plane π.

Conveniently, the guide element 28 may have a substantially T-shaped cross section, with a transverse part 29 adapted to be slideably introduced in the guide groove 30 and a horizontal part 42. Advantageously, the latter may have a specially shaped step 32 for engaging a corresponding receptacle 33 formed at a first protrusion 43 of the edge portion 7', to have a retaining action thereon.

Advantageously, the bracket 3 may include a prismatic member 50 having a base 51 and an inner axial cavity 25 which is designed to receive one of the edge portions 8, 8' of a panel 2, 2' for insertion and snap fit of the other smaller edge portion 7, T therein.

Conveniently, the inner cavity 25 has side walls 23, 24 and a bottom wall 26 which are substantially symmetrical with respect to a vertical axial plane π, as shown in Figures 4 and 13, and two upper edges 55, 56 as high as h-i, h₂.

Bracket 3 may further have an upper protrusion 52 which is adapted to cooperate with a corresponding receptacle 53 formed in each panel 2 at the edge portion 8.

In a first embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figures 1 to 9, each of the edge portions 7, 8 may be substantially U-shaped. Particularly, as shown in FIG. 3, the edge portion 7 may have side walls 9, 10 joined by a bottom portion 11 , and the edge portion 8 may have side walls 12, 13 joined by a bottom portion 14.

Suitably, the side walls 9', 10' of the edge portion 7' of the panel 2' may have second transverse protrusions 15, 16 which are designed to stably cooperate with corresponding receptacles 17, 18 on the facing side walls 12, 13 of the edge portion 8 of the adjacent panel 2.

Likewise, the side walls 12, 13 of the edge portion 8 of the panel 2 may have a further pair of second transverse protrusions 19, 20 which are designed to stably cooperate with corresponding receptacles 21 , 22 on the facing side walls 23, 24 of a complementary cavity 25 formed in the bracket 3.

While the protrusions 19, 20 and the receptacles 17, 18 are actually coincident in the configuration as shown in Figures 1 to 9, and formed by suitable modeling of the edge portion 8, it will be understood that, in practice, they may be also separate, i.e. one above the other, and the shapes and/or positions of the first and second protrusions, with their respective first and second receptacles, may be also different, even from each other, without departure from the scope as defined in the annexed claims.

For optimized drainage of rain water or similar agents, the bottom portions 11' and 14 and their respective side walls may define channels 60, 61 for drainage of liquids from the outer surface of the panels 2, 2' or liquids overflowing the edges 40, 41 thereof. Furthermore, for optimized water drainage, the side walls 21 , 22 and the bottom wall 26 of the cavity 25 may define a third drainage channel 62 for "capturing" water overflowing the first two channels.

The collection capacity of the first channel 60 is determined by the height h₂ of the edge 41 , and the capacity of the second channel 61 is determined by the height hi of the edge 40. Conveniently, the outer surface of the second protrusions 15', 16' may contact the inner surface of the first transverse recesses 17, 18 to define a sealing arrangement between the first channel 60 and the second channel 61.

In a second embodiment, as shown in Figures 10 to 19, the edge portion 8 may be U-shaped, with the side walls 12 and 13 being joined together by the bottom portion 14, and the edge portion 7 may be J-shaped, with the side wall 10 being joined to the bottom wall.

Suitably, the side wall 10' of the edge portion T of the panel 2' may have a second transverse protrusion 65 which is designed to stably cooperate with a corresponding receptacle 66, which is formed on the side wall 13 of the edge portion 8 of the adjacent panel 2 by inward folding of the free edge 40. Also, the bottom wall 9 is suitably shaped to stably cooperate with a corresponding receptacle 67 formed at the bottom portion 14 of the edge portion 8.

Also, in this second embodiment, bracket 3 may have an upper protrusion 52 which is adapted to cooperate with a corresponding receptacle 53 formed in each panel 2 at the edge portion 8, for the panel to be firmly held in position.

For drainage of rain water or similar agents, the bottom portion 14 of the edge portion 8 has an underlying recess 70 which, in combination with the side walls 12 and 13, will define channels 71 , 72 for drainage of liquids from the outer surface of the panels 2, 2' or liquids overflowing the edges 40, 41 thereof. The channels 71 and 72 are in communication with each other for better rain water drainage, and their collection capacity is defined by the height hi₂ of the free edge 41.

Furthermore, for better rain water drainage, the recess 70 defines with the bottom wall 26 of the cavity 25 of the bracket 3, a third channel 73, whose collection capacity is defined by the height hi of the free edge 40.

Conveniently, the outer surface of the bottom wall 9 may substantially contact the side wall 12 at the receptacle 67 to define a sealing arrangement between the first channel 72 and the second channel 71. Likewise, the inner surface of the receptacle 66 of the edge portion 7 may substantially contact the outer surface of the protrusion 65 of the edge portion 8 to define a further sealing arrangement between the first and/or the second channel 71 , 72 and the third channel 73.

In this second embodiment of the inventive roof structure, the upper protrusion 52 of the bracket 3 (and the corresponding receptacle 53) and the specially shaped step 32 of the horizontal part 42 of the guide element 28 (and the corresponding receptacle 33) will be so dimensioned as to allow the protrusions 43', 44 of the portions T and 8 of adjacent panels 2, 2' to be in mutual contact, to define a further sealing arrangement designed to prevent any leakage of rain water or similar agents into the underlying area.

The roof structure of the invention may be assembled by the operating steps that are shown in Figures 5 to 8 and 14 to 19, relating to the first and second embodiments respectively.

In the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 8, as a first step the bracket 3 is fixed to the roof, then the edge portion 8 of the panel 2 is anchored in the cavity 25 of the bracket 3, by exerting a substantially downwardly directed pressure P on the outer surface of the panel 2, preferably at the portion 8, until the walls 12, 13 coincide with the walls 23, 24, while stably connecting the protrusions 19, 20 to their respective receptacles 21 , 22.

Then, the guide element 28 is fixed to the panel 2', by securing its end portion 32 in the corresponding receptacle 33 formed in the edge portion T of the panel 2'.

Next, the transverse part 29 is introduced in the groove 30 and the pressure P' is exerted on the panel 2', to first deform the wall 9', as shown in FIG. 6, and then deform the wall 10', as shown in FIG. 7, until the panels 2 and 2' are stably connected. In this position, the walls 9', 10' and the walls 12 and 13 of the panels 2 and 71 respectively coincide, and the protrusions 15, 16 stably fit in the receptacles 17, 18. Also, in this position the bottom portions 11' and 14 lie over each other.

The structure may be disassembled by executing the above steps in the reverse order. The tool 34 as schematically shown in FIG. 9 may be used to facilitate disassembly. It comprises an L-shaped arm 35, which pivots at Ai on a support element 36, and has a hook-like member 37 at its end, which is adapted to fit below the protrusion 33 to release the protrusions 15, 16 from the receptacles 17, 18 and disconnect the panel 2' from the panel 2.

In operation, a force Fi has to be exerted on the arm 35, as shown in FIG. 9, so that the hook 37 translates upwards, in the direction of arrow F₂ so as to move with it the portion T of the panel 2', together with the plate 28.

Figures 14 to 19 show various operating steps for assembling the second embodiment of the inventive roof structure.

Once the bracket 3 has been anchored to the slab of the roof T by suitable fastening means, such as rivets, nails or the like, the panel 2 will be fixed to the bracket 3, and the edge portion 8 will be simultaneously introduced in the cavity

25. For this purpose, a pressure P needs simply be exerted on the outer side 5 of the panel, while causing the deformation of the walls 12 and/or 13 until the upper protrusion 52 of the bracket 3 fits in its respective receptacle 53, as shown in Figures 14 and 15. In this position, the wall 12 of the edge portion 8 of the panel 2 will contact the side wall 23 of the cavity 25 of the bracket 3, the wall 13 will contact the lower portion of the wall 24 and the bottom portion 14 will face toward the bottom portion 26 of the bracket 3. The recess 70 of the bottom portion 14 and the bottom wall 26 of the bracket 3 will define the channel 73. The same recess 70 and the side wall 13 of the edge portion 8 will define the drainage channel 71.

As shown in the figures, the wall 24 may have an inclined upper portion to define a lead-in surface for the side wall 13 of the edge portion 8 and help it to fit into the cavity 25.

Once the panel 2 is positioned with the edge portion 8 in the cavity 25, the guide element 28 will have to be positioned with the part 29 in the groove 30.

Advantageously, the transverse part 29 may have a cog 75 at its bottom, which is designed to fit in a corresponding counter-shaped receptacle 76. Thus, the element 28 may be held in position with the part 42 in a substantially horizontal orientation and at a predetermined height, to facilitate later fixation of the panel 2'. The latter will be fixed to the element 28 with the step 32 fitting in the receptacle

33' and the edge portion T of the panel 2' also fitting in the cavity 25, as shown in

Figures 17 and 18.

Now, a pressure P' need simply be exerted on the outer side 5' of the panel 2', to cause the wall/s 9' and/or 10' to be deformed and translated downwards, to the final position as shown in Figure 19. In this position, the bottom wall 9 of the edge portion T of the panel 2' will be introduced in the receptacle 67 until it coincides with the wall 12 and defines the channel 72, whereas the protrusion 65' of the side wall 10' will fit in the corresponding receptacle 66. The bottom wall 95 of the transverse part 29 contacts an abutment step 96 of the groove 30, which stops its downward translation. Also, in this position the protrusions 43' and 44 are in contact with each other, and thereby prevent atmospheric agent leakages.

As described above, this second embodiment has various sealing arrangements against leakages of rain water or similar agents. In addition to a first sealing arrangement 100 defined by the contacting protrusions 43' and 44, a second sealing arrangement 101 is defined by the bottom wall 9' of the edge portion T of the panel 2' and the wall 12 of the edge portion 8 of the panel 2 and a third sealing arrangement 102 is defined between the protrusion 65' of the edge portion T and the side wall 13 of the edge portion 8. Thus, rain water or similar agents are effectively hindered from leaking beneath the panels 2. This provides optimized tightness for the underlying roof and building. In extremely bad weather conditions, if rain water leaks through the first sealing arrangement 100, it will be drained away through the first channel 72.

If water is in such amount that the head of water is higher than h₂, with water leaking through the second sealing arrangement 101 , the second channel 71 will cooperate with the first channel 72 for water drainage.

Then, if water is in such amount that the head of water is higher than h-i, with water leaking through the third sealing arrangement 102, the third channel 73 will cooperate with the first and the second channels 71 , 72 for water drainage, thereby making it actually impossible for water to contact the slab of the roof T. In this regard, appropriate shaping of the upper portion 97 of wall 24 is highly important, to provide an inclined surface for water to be conveyed into the third channel 73 and prevent it from contacting the roof T.

From the foregoing description, it clearly appears that the roof structure of the invention fulfills the intended objects and particularly meets the requirement of providing a substantially flat roof structure, i.e. having no surface protrusion or unevenness.

By providing edge portions 7, 8 that extend transversly to the middle portion 4 only from the inner side 6 of the panel 2, the roofing has a substantially continuous appearance, having no external unevenness or protrusion, and further allows quick and effective assembly of the structure.

By shaping the edge portions 7, 8 in such a manner that, with adjacent panels in operating positions and their edge portions in mutual contact, they can define drainage channels and sealing points, the structure is waterproofed in a highly reliable and effective manner.

The structure of the invention is susceptible of a number of changes and variants, within the inventive concept disclosed in the appended claims. All the details thereof may be replaced by other technically equivalent parts, and the materials may vary depending on different needs, without departure from the scope of the invention.

While the structure has been described with particular reference to the accompanying figures, the numerals referred to in the disclosure and claims are only used for the sake of a better intelligibility of the invention and shall not be intended to limit the claimed scope in any manner.

Claims

1. A roof structure for buildings comprising a plurality of roof panels (2; 2') to be anchored to the slab of a roof (T) or the like by means of suitable brackets (3; 3'), each panel having a substantially planar middle portion (4; 4') with an upwardly facing outer side (5; 5') and a downwardly facing inner side (6; 6') and two non adjacent edge portions (7, 8; 7', 8'), one of said edge portions (7, 7') being suitably shaped to allow to partly overlap and be stably connected with the other of said edge portions (8, 8') of an adjacent panel (2'), characterized in that said non- adjacent edge portions (7, 8; 7', 8') extend transverse to said middle portion (4, 4^!) exclusively downwardly thereof, so that said outer side (5, 5') is solely visible from the outside in absence of any upwardly directed unevenness or protrusion.

2. Structure as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said edge portions (7, 8; T, 8') are elastically deformable for snap fitting together and to said brackets (3;

3').

3. Structure as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that one of said edge portions (8, 8') has a larger internal size than the other of said edge portions (7, T) for accommodating the latter therein.

4. Structure as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said larger edge portion (8; 8') has a free transverse margin (40) that is higher than the free transverse margin (41 ) of the other edge portion (7, T).

5. Structure as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that, in the areas of connection (90, 91 ; 90', 91') with their respective middle portions (4, 4'), the edge portions (7, 8; T, 8') have first protrusions (43, 44) which are designed to be mutually opposed when said adjacent panels (2, 2') are connected to each other and to their respective bracket (3).

6. Structure as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said bracket (3) includes a prismatic member (50) having a base (51) and an inner axial cavity (25) which is designed to receive one of the edge portions (8, 8') of a panel (2, 2') for insertion and snap fit of the other smaller edge portion (7, 7') therein.

7. Structure as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that said inner cavity has side walls (23, 24) and a bottom wall (26) which are substantially symmetrical with respect to a vertical axial plane (π).

8. Structure as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that said bracket (3) has an upper protrusion (52) which is adapted to cooperate with a corresponding receptacle (53) defined by one of said first protrusions (44) of an edge portion (8) of said panel (2).

9. Structure as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it includes guide means (27) for guiding the mutual connection of said edge portions (7, T, 8, 8') of adjacent panels (2, 2') and facilitating fixation thereof to said brackets (3).

10. Structure as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that said guide means (27) comprise a guide element (28) to be connected to an edge portion of a panel (2) and to a guide groove (30) in said bracket (3).

11. Structure as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that said guide element (28) has a substantially T-shaped cross section, with an inclined part (29) adapted to be slideably introduced in said guide groove (30) and a horizontal part (42) which has a specially shaped step (32) adapted to be introduced in a corresponding receptacle (33) which is defined by the other of said first protrusions (43) of an edge portion (7) of said panel (2) to exert a retaining action thereon.

12. Structure as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that each panel comprises means (45) for snap engagement thereof with an adjacent panel, said snap engagement means (45) being defined by at least one deformable wall (9, 10; 12, 13) of each of said edge portions (7, 7'; 8, 8').

13. Structure as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that said at least one deformable wall (9, 10; 12, 13) of an edge portion (7, 8) of a panel (2) comprises at least one second protrusion (15, 16, 65) which is designed for snap engagement into a corresponding recess or receptacle (17, 18, 66) in the facing side wall (9, 10; 12, 13) of the other edge portion (7'; 8') of an adjacent panel (2').

14. Structure as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said edge portions (7, 8; T, 8') of each panel (2; 2') have a substantially complementary U-shape with side walls (9, 10; 9', 10'; 12, 13,; 12', 13') joined by a bottom wall (11 , 14; 11\ 14').

15. Structure as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that said snap engagement means (45) comprise a pair of second transverse protrusions (15, 16; 15', 16') which are formed at said side walls (9, 10; 9', 10') of said smaller edge portion (7, T), which are adapted for snap engagement with corresponding first transverse recesses (17, 18; 17', 18') formed at said side walls (12, 13, 12', 13') of said larger edge portion (8, 8').

16. Structure as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that said snap engagement means (45) comprise a pair of third transverse protrusions (19, 20; 19', 20') which are formed in said side walls (12, 13; 12', 13') of the larger edge portion (8, 8') designed for snap engagement with corresponding receptacles (21 , 22, 21', 22') formed in said bracket (3).

17. Structure as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a first of said edge portions (8) is substantially U-shaped, with side walls (12, 13) joined together by a bottom portion (14), the second edge portion (7) being J- shaped, with a side wall (10) joined to a bottom wall (9).

18. Structure as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the side wall (10') of said second edge portion (7') of a panel (2') has said second transverse protrusion (65'), the facing side wall (13) of the first edge portion (8) of the adjacent panel (2) having said corresponding receptacle (66).

19. Structure as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the bottom wall (9') of said second edge portion (7') of a panel (2') is suitably shaped to stably cooperate with a corresponding receptacle (67) formed at the bottom portion (14) of the first edge portion (8) of the adjacent panel (2).

20. Structure as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the bottom portion (14) of the first edge portion (8) has a recess (70) to define, with said side edges (12, 13), a first and second channels (72, 71) for drainage of rain water or similar agents.

21. Structure as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that said recess (70) further defines a third drainage channel (73) with the bottom wall (26) of the cavity (25) of the bracket (3).

22. Structure as claimed in one or more of claims 17 to 21 , characterized in that the upper protrusion (52) of the bracket (3) and the specially shaped step (32) of the horizontal part (42) of the guide element (28) are configured in such a manner that the first protrusions (43', 44) of the edge portions (7', 8) of adjacent panels (2, 2') are in mutual contact, to define a further sealing arrangement (100) designed to prevent any leakage of rain water or similar agents into the underlying area.

23. Structure as claimed in one or more of claims 17 to 22, characterized in that the second edge portion (7') of a panel and the first edge portion (8) of an adjacent panel are configured in such a manner that the bottom wall (9') of said second edge portion (7') and the side wall (12) of said first edge portion (8) are substantially in contact with each other at the corresponding receptacle (67) to form a second sealing arrangement (101) to prevent rain water or similar agents from leaking into the underlying area.

24. Structure as claimed in one or more of claims 17 to 22, characterized in that the second edge portion (7') of a panel and the first edge portion (8) of an adjacent panel are configured in such a manner that the second protrusion (65') of said second edge portion (7') and the side wall (13) of said first edge portion (8) are substantially in contact with each other at the corresponding receptacle (66) to form a third sealing arrangement (102) to prevent rain water or similar agents from leaking into the underlying area.