WO2014125252A1

WO2014125252A1 - Light directing system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2014125252A1
Application number: PCT/GB2014/050293
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tony Skuse
Original assignee: Liteforme Limited
Priority date: 2013-02-12
Filing date: 2014-02-03
Publication date: 2014-08-21
Also published as: GB201302464D0; GB2510646A; GB2510646B

Abstract

The invention provides a system and corresponding method for directing light from the outside of a building through a roof into the interior of the building. The system comprises a light transmissive element (skylight); a light directing duct; and a light transmissive panel. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of skylights are used, forming a relatively large light inlet through the roof covering. The light transmissive panel sits on top of the roof structure (e.g. rafters) intermediate the skylight and the duct. The panel forms a barrier through which light can pass from the skylight into the duct (and thus the interior of the building) but moisture, dirt etc. is kept out. This arrangement provides the installer with much more flexibility as to the size of the duct and the position where it is installed in comparison with prior art arrangements.

Description

Light Directing System And Method

This invention relates generally to illuminating apparatus, and more particularly to roof lights and light directing ducts. The invention is particularly suited for use in enabling light to be directed from the exterior of a building into a living or working space through the roof.

Light directing ducts are widely used to bring natural light into a living or working space. The duct is a tube which runs from a light transmissive element (sky light) provided in the roof of a building to the ceiling of the living or working space. The inside surface of the duct is made from a light reflective material. The mouth of the duct connects with the skylight by friction fit.

Commonly known light ducts are straight tubes, running from roof to ceiling, so that the light inlet must be positioned directly above the light outlet. This necessitates the tube being cut down to fit against the slope of a roof, and means that the location one can choose to have a natural light opening in their living or work space is limited by where it is possible to make the light inlet in the roof. However, a duct arrangement is disclosed in GB 2408522 which addresses this problem. The duct comprises first and second end portions interconnected by a hinge across one side of the duct. The second end portion comprises a flexible tongue which extends into the first portion so that it can bend as the first end portion rotates relative to the second end portion. Accordingly, the duct can be angled along its length to provide a bent or angled duct which provides greater flexibility when one is choosing where to place the light inlet in the roof.

However, the installer must still consider carefully the location of the skylight, as constraints such as roof rafters may influence the suitability of a given site for the skylight and duct arrangement. Another common problem with sky lights is that they can often be considered to be unsightly when viewed from the outside of the building, and are aesthetically intrusive. This is often because they stand proud of the roof surface and do not 'blend in' with the profile of the roof covering.

US Patent Application No. 10/619753 discloses an illumination apparatus which seeks to address this problem. The apparatus comprises a light transmissive element (a sky light) which is in fluid communication with a light directing duct to bring light from outside the building into a living, storage or working area within the building. The apparatus passes through a portion of the roof, such as an underlay layer, so that a light conduit is provided into the building.

The sky light has an upper surface which is substantially identical in shape to an upper surface of a roof covering and lies in the plane of said covering. The covering could be a roof tile, shingle, slate, roofing sheet or other similar item. An advantage of this disclosed arrangement is that it enables the interior space to be illuminated whilst maintaining the aesthetically pleasing appearance of the roof when viewed from the outside. As the skylight is located within a tile or artificial tile, it does not project above the upper, outer surface of the roof.

Thus, the duct and illuminating apparatus disclosed in these references provide advantages over their respective prior art.

However, a problem with the known illuminating arrangements is that the amount of light which may be directed into the building is dependent upon the size (interior volume) of the duct. If a greater degree of illumination is required within the building it is essential to increase the interior volume of the duct so that more light can be channeled through it.

One may mistakenly assume that the solution to this would be to simply increase the size of the skylight to which the duct connects, thus allowing for a larger duct to be connected. However, this is not possible because the roof structure (e.g. rafters) would form intermittent barriers preventing the duct from connecting directly to the underside of the sky light. Cutting into the roof timbers to accommodate the illumination apparatus is not desirable due to a) the risk of compromising the structural integrity of the roof support structure and b) the amount of effort and time required to perform such an operation. In prior art arrangements, the duct is dimensioned to fit the cooperating skylight. This is typically achieved by providing a projection on the underside of the skylight. The projection runs around the perimeter of the skylight such that the projection friction fits into the duct. An example of this is shown in figure 1 of US 2004/0057231 which shows a cylindrical housing 2 projecting from the bottom of the skylight and 'closely received' within an end of the light directing duct 12. Attention is drawn to paragraph [0034] of the disclosure which explains that other mechanisms can be employed but the intention and purpose is to 'interconnect' the skylight and the duct to form an integrated, continuous conduit. Therefore, with known systems the duct is dimensioned according to the dimensions of the skylight. This not only restricts the size of the duct that can be used, but it also means that the end of the duct must be positioned directly below and in substantially exact alignment with the skylight. This interconnection of the skylight and duct restricts where within the roof the arrangement can be installed; but without that interconnection a gap would be formed between the underside of the skylight and the duct. This gap would let some light escape (thus reducing the interior illumination) and would allow the ingress of moisture, debris and dirt etc. from the outside to the inside of the building.

Therefore, a solution is required which:

· enables a larger duct to be used than is possible with prior art arrangements

• maintains the integrity of the roof s weather-proofing capabilities;

• provides a greater degree of flexibility when choosing where to position the mouth of the duct in relation to the light inlet;

• avoids cutting of the roof support structure (e.g. rafters);

· is easy and swift to install; and/or

• is inexpensive to manufacture and install. A solution which could address this problem and provide the above advantages has been sought within the field for some time.

Such an improved solution has now been devised.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention there is provided a system and

corresponding method as defined in the appended claims.

Therefore, in accordance with the invention there is provided a system and method according to the appended claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a light directing system comprising:

a light transmissive element;

a light directing duct;

a light transmissive panel.

The light transmissive element may be termed a 'skylight' . The skylight is configured to serve as an inlet for light from outside a building through the roof to the interior.

In some embodiments, a plurality of light transmissive elements is provided. By using a plurality of individual skylights, a larger light inlet can be formed relative to the size of the inlets used in the prior art. Any number of skylights can be combined to provide a light inlet of the desired size. Thus, the installer is provided with a greater degree of freedom, flexibility and choice in respect of the position and size of the light inlet.

The individual skylights may be formed so as to co-operate and mate with one another such that they form a weather-proof surface for the roof covering. Preferably, the light transmissive panel is provided between the skylight and the duct. After instalment in a roof structure, the panel may serve as a weather proofing element which keeps moisture, dirt etc. out but allows light to pass through from the skylight into the duct, and thus into the room. In use it may sit intermediate the skylight and the mouth of the duct.

The panel may be a clear plastic sheet or plate. It may be transparent or substantially transparent. It may be flexible, rigid or substantially rigid. The panel may have a smooth surface, or a textured surface, or an undulating surface.

The panel may be larger in area and/or dimensions than (one of) the skylights. The panel may be provided with means for attaching it to a structural roof element, such as a rafter or truss. The attachment means may be eyes, apertures or other connection means to facilitate instalment of the panel.

Preferably, the transmissive element is configured for instalment within a roof covering such that it lies within the plane of the roof covering. Thus, the skylight may be substantially inconspicuous from the outside of the building, or its presence may be at least camouflaged to some extent.

The duct and the light transmissive panel may not be attached to each other. Thus, they may be distinct, separate entities at least prior to instalment in a roof. Alternatively, the duct may connect to the panel either before and/or after instalment. The connection between the panel and the duct may be permanent or temporary so that the connection can be broken. In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of directing light from the outside of a building into an interior space, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a light transmissive element within the covering of a roof;

providing a light directing duct on the interior side of the roof;

providing a light transmissive panel between the light transmissive element and the duct. The transmissive element (skylight), panel and/or duct may be as described in the first aspect of the invention.

A plurality of light transmissive panels may be provided.

The light transmissive element may lie within the plane of the roof covering.

The light transmissive element and the light directing duct may be provided on opposite sides of the panel.

The duct may be attached to the panel or to the roof structure. The duct and the light transmissive panel may or may not be attached to each other.

The duct may comprise at least one end which may be referred to as mouth. The mouth may be attached to the panel. It may be attached to a face or side of the panel. It may be attached to the side of the panel which, in use, faces the interior of the building. This may be referred to as the underside of the panel.

Alternatively, the duct may be attached to the roof structure e.g. supporting rafters. The mouth and/or at least one side of the duct may be attached to the roof structure.

The light transmissive element may be provided on the exterior side of the panel.

Additionally or alternatively, the duct may be provided on the interior side of the panel. The terms 'exterior' and 'interior' are used in reference to the exterior/interior of the building.

Preferably, the panel is secured to at least one structural roof element. The roof element may be a rafter or truss. Preferably, the panel is provided such that it contacts a roofing membrane. The roofing membrane may be a felt-type material. The felt may be a weatherproofing barrier. Preferably, the light transmissive element, the panel and the duct are provided and positioned such that light from outside a building passes through the element, then through the panel, then into the duct, and then into a living or storage space within the building. Also according to the present invention, there is provided a light directing duct comprising at least one end cap such that the duct forms a sealed unit. The ends of the duct may be referred to as mouths. Two end caps may be provided. One or more of the end caps may sit over a mouth of the duct like a cover plate, or it may extend down the exterior side of the duct like a cap or lid, or may project at least partially into the interior of the duct to form a plug. The end cap may be provided entirely within the interior space of the duct.

Preferably, the at least one end cap is light transmissive to allow light to pass into or out of the duct. The end cap may also be referred to as a plug or covering. The end cap closes off the end of the duct so that moisture, fluid, dirt etc is prevented from passing through the closed end of the duct. A light transmissive panel as described above may form one of the end caps.

Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts comprising one or more light transmissive elements as described above, and a light directing duct as described above. At least one end cap may also be provided for sealing the duct at or towards an end of the duct. The kit may also comprise a light transmissive panel as described above. Therefore, the present invention provides at least the following advantages:

• the size of the duct can be increased, thus allowing more light to be directed into the building;

• the duct can be positioned below the sky light at any convenient and appropriate location, thus providing a greater degree of flexibility over the prior art solutions, wherein the duct is conjoined to the underside of the sky light

• the light transmissive panel maintains a weather proof shield which protects the interior of the building from the ingress of moisture or debris; • the invention can be easily retro-fitted to an existing roof or installed within a new roof during construction;

• the invention can be installed without requiring structural timbers to be cut, thus saving time, effort and costs during instalment;

· the aesthetic appearance of the roof, when viewed from outside the building, is not degraded.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to, the embodiment described herein. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompany drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention after instalment in a roof. Figure 2 shows a sealed duct having at least one end cap, in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

The following embodiment illustrates how the present invention may be used in conjunction with one or other or both of the arrangements disclosed in US application 10/619, 753 and GB 2408522. However, the invention is not intended to be limited in respect to the type of skylight that can be used, or the type of duct. The skilled person will understand that other suitable duct and illuminating apparatus may be used with the invention to the same purpose, thus falling within the scope of the present invention. A typical roof is constructed as follows. Wooden rafters 5 (or 'trusses') are provided to form a series of inverted Vs. The free ends of the Vs sit at spaced intervals on the top edges of the building walls. A layer of weather-proofing membrane ('felt') is laid over the rafters. Laterally-oriented supports 2 ('batons') are fixed in series to the rafters, thus pinning the felt to the rafters 5 and providing a support structure for the roof covering. The roof covering elements (e.g. tiles, shingles etc) are then placed on the roof, being supported by the batons 2. If more light is required within the building, an illuminating arrangement in accordance with the invention can then be installed, as shown in Figure 1.

To install the system in an existing roof, a sufficient number of tiles are removed according to the size of the desired light-inlet area. This exposes the batons 2 and underlying felt 6.

The batons 2 can be removed as desired, according to the size of light inlet required. The felt 6 can be cut to form an aperture through which light can pass. A light transmissive panel 3 or sheet of the desired dimensions is then placed onto the rafters. It can be fixed to the rafters 5. The panel 3 can comprise a clear plastic or any suitable material which will allow the light to travel through it. It could be flexible or rigid, textured or smooth. To facilitate attachment to the roof structure, the panel 3 can have apertures, eyes, hooks or any other type of mechanism which enables the panel to be secured to the roof 5.

The panel 3 is placed on the rafters 5 such that the top edge of the panel 3 is tucked under the felt 6 (the top edge of the panel being that which is closest to the apex of the V-shaped rafters 5). The bottom edge of the panel 3 lies on top of the felt 6 (the bottom edge of the panel being that which is closest to the top edge of the building wall).

This arrangement ensures that any moisture running down the roof flows down over the felt 6 onto the panel 3 and onto the felt 6 again without entering the interior of the roof space 7.

The batons 2 are then replaced onto the rafters 5, thus securing the panel 3 and felt 6 in situ.

A plurality of light transmissive elements 1 (sky lights) is then provided on top of the batons 2 in place of the original tiles so as to form a light inlet within the roof. Ideally, the sky light 1 is formed in accordance with US patent application 10/619,753 although not necessarily so. The roof tiles (not shown) surrounding the light inlet are made good. A duct 4 can now be installed within the interior space 7. The duct 4 can be positioned wherever it needs to be as long as light from the inlet 1 can pass into the duct 4. The mouth or upper portion of the duct 4 may be attached to the underside of the panel 3 or may be attached to the supporting rafters 5. Thus, the panel and duct may or may not be attached to each other, depending upon installation requirements or constraints.

The advantage of this arrangement is that the installer is granted a much greater degree of flexibility when choosing where to position the mouth of the duct. As the panel 3 on top of the rafters 5 provides a shield from the weather and environmental factors, the duct 4 does not contact the panel 3 or the sky light 1. This contrasts with the prior art arrangements wherein the mouth of the duct is required to seal against or with the underside of the sky light so as to prevent rain etc. entering the interior space, meaning that the position and size of the skylight dictates the position and size of the co-operating duct.

As shown in Figure 2, an end cap may be fitted over one or both of duct ends so that it becomes a sealed unit. The end cap may extend over the exterior sides of the duct, like a lid, or may fit inside the body (interior space) of the duct. Alternatively, the end cap may be a plate or other component configured to fit within the body of the duct at or towards the end (mouth).

The end cap(s) prevent any moisture, dust, dirt etc. within the roof space from passing into the interior space. The end caps can also assist in preventing heat loss. The end caps are light transmissive so that light can still pass into and out of the duct. If the duct is used with the light transmissive panel as described above and the mouth or upper portion of the duct 4 may be attached to the underside of the panel 3, such that panel 3 is able to serve as an end cap to seal the upper end of the duct in use. In such an arrangement, the lower end of the duct (i.e. the end facing into the room in use) is closed off with a cover of end cap 8a to provide the desired sealing of the duct 4. Alternatively, if the duct does not connect to the underside of the panel 3, an additional end cap 8b is provided to close off the upper end of the duct. This sealed duct provides a significant benefit over the prior art arrangements wherein at least one of the ends of the duct is open, thus requiring the duct to be cleaned from time to time. It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be capable of designing many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed in parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" and "comprises", and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. In the present specification, "comprises" means "includes or consists of and "comprising" means "including or consisting of. The singular reference of an element does not exclude the plural reference of such elements and vice- versa. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A light directing system comprising:

a light transmissive element;

a light directing duct;

a light transmissive panel.

2. A system according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of light transmissive elements.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the light transmissive panel is provided between the transmissive element and the duct.

4. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the transmissive element is

configured for instalment within a roof covering, preferably such that it lies within the plane of the roof covering.

5. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the duct and the light transmissive panel:

i) are not attached to each other;

ii) are attached to each other.

6. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the light transmissive panel is a transparent sheet.

7. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the light transmissive panel has a smooth surface, or a textured surface, or an undulating surface.

8. A system according to any preceding claims wherein the light transmissive panel is provided with means for attaching it to a structural roof element.

9. A method of directing light from the outside of a building into an interior space, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a light transmissive element within the covering of a roof; providing a light directing duct on the interior side of the roof;

providing a light transmissive panel between the light transmissive element and the duct.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein a plurality of light transmissive panels is

provided.

11. A method according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the light transmissive element lies within the plane of the roof covering.

12. A method according to claims 9 to 11 wherein the light transmissive element and the light directing duct are provided on opposite sides of the panel.

13. A method according to claims 9 to 12 wherein the light transmissive element is

provided on the exterior side of the panel and/or the duct is provided on the interior side of the panel.

14. A method according to claims 9 to 13 wherein the panel is secured to at least one

structural roof element.

15. A method according to claims 9 to 14 wherein the panel is provided such that it

contacts a roofing membrane.

16. A method according to claims 9 to 15 wherein the light transmisive element, the panel and the duct are provided and positioned such that light from outside a building passes through the element, then through the panel, then into the duct, and then into a living or storage space within the building.

17. A light directing duct comprising at least one end cap such that the duct forms a sealed unit.

18. A light directing duct according to claim 17 wherein the at least one end cap is light transmissive to allow light to pass into or out of the duct.

19. A light directing duct according to claim 17 or 18 wherein the end cap is provided at least partially inside the duct, or forms a cover over an end of the duct.

20. A kit of parts comprising:

i) one or more light transmissive elements;

ii) a light directing duct; and

iii) at least one end cap for sealing the duct at or towards an end of the duct.