Roofing device with improved assembly

Abstract

A roofing device (10) with at least one superstructure (12) equipped with at least one water drainage element (19), with several first cover elements (14) attached to this superstructure (12) to define its spaces (18), and several second cover elements (15) movable relative to these first cover elements (14) between at least one operating condition of the cover or opening, in which they prevent or define direct or indirect passages of light and / or air or other weather influences, characterized in that this water drainage element (19) comprises at least one retaining edge strip (25) equipped with a mounting edge (26) designed to define at least several first sections (27) that functionally interact with corresponding lower surfaces (21) of these first cover elements (14), and several second sections (28).which are offset from these first segments (27) and extend into the interior of the corresponding spaces (18).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a sun protection device, such as a pergola or other structure for outdoor use, with possible covering and protective function also on the sides, which is intended for mainly supplementary civil use of residential areas, but also for commercial, exhibition or public purposes.

[0002] The pergola is equipped with a superstructure with which cover elements interact, generally creating an intended direct or indirect irradiation or selective passage of air, light and water in the area under the superstructure.

[0003] The pergola can also be fitted with possibly sliding side covers such as curtains, panels or glazing, which allow for closure and thus insulation from the outside environment. STATE OF THE ART

[0004] It is known that a pergola-type roofing structure typically comprises a lower support structure consisting of several vertical support elements, also called posts, designed to support a superstructure at a certain height above the ground. This superstructure is in the form of a rectangular frame. It usually consists of support elements, typically horizontal or inclined at an angle of 5°–20° to the ground, which are also referred to as beams. In some cases, one side of the aforementioned frame may be omitted, resulting in the upper support structure essentially being U-shaped. Alternatively, the supporting superstructure may also be partially attached to fixed support elements, such as one or more walls of a building.

[0005] In any case, the superstructure is provided with functional cover elements or louvers that are movable relative to each other and create at least one closed state corresponding to a roof, essentially adjoining each other and forming a proper "roof" for the structure, as well as enabling several opening states corresponding to the respective exposure states, depending on the distance between them, in order to create corresponding, more or less large passage areas for light and / or air or other weather influences.

[0006] These solutions allow the regulation of the intensity and power of the light and / or air that is to enter the pergola.

[0007] Among the various solutions for the reciprocal movement of the louvers, for example, those are known in which several fixed louvers are provided that interact laterally with the drip edges, and several movable louvers are provided by a sliding movement profile above the drip edges to create an essentially offset covering and a partially layered light and air passage.

[0008] In these solutions, depending on the depth of the superstructure, i.e., the size along which the louvers are distributed, a specific distance is provided between the fixed louvers at certain times, creating corresponding openings for the normal passage of direct or indirect light or air. These openings can be selectively closed by the controlled movement of the movable louvers.

[0009] One of the main difficulties in installation is ensuring correct and repeatable positioning of the fixed louvers, meaning that they are all equidistant from the main structure. This need for precise positioning arises from the fact that any change in the mounting distance of the fixed louvers during the opening and closing phases can lead to inconsistent light transmission between different louvers in the system, potentially even resulting in the cover not closing completely.

[0010] Furthermore, to ensure proper rainwater drainage, the fixed louvers extend their ends into the drip edges, allowing the collected water to flow directly into the drip edge. For both aesthetic and functional reasons, these solutions ensure that the underside of the fixed louvers rests against an upper edge of the drip edge to prevent accidental water spillage and create a clean, aesthetically pleasing effect, where only the edge of the joint between the visible surfaces remains visible, similar to the joint between a wall and a ceiling.

[0011] However, since the fixed louvers are mounted at a distance from each other, this type of installation creates an opening in the spaces between the louvers, extending vertically at least to the plane of movement of the movable louvers. This opening partially negates the hydraulic mounting provisions of the fixed louvers with regard to the drip edge and can lead to accidental water splashing in the covered area of ​​the pergola.

[0012] Therefore, there is a need to further develop a roofing device that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the known technology.

[0013] In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to create a roofing device that is capable of enabling a wide range of control over the modification of the light and / or air passage, both directly and indirectly, while ensuring both correct and easier assembly of the fixed louvers and effective hydraulic sealing, especially when the cover elements are in the covered state.

[0014] Another purpose of the present invention is to develop a roofing device that is simple and inexpensive to implement and does not alter the aesthetic effect of the roofing device.

[0015] In order to overcome the disadvantages of the known technology and to achieve these and other purposes and advantages, the applicant has investigated, tested and implemented the present invention. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention is expressed and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe further features of the present invention or variations of the main concept.

[0017] In accordance with the above-mentioned purposes, a roofing device according to the present invention is of a type comprising at least one superstructure which is supported by several support elements or posts in order to hold it at a desired height from the bearing surface.

[0018] The superstructure is equipped with at least one water drainage element or drip edge, several cover elements or fixed louvers mounted at specific intervals to define their spacing and lateral alignment with the drip edge, and a corresponding number of secondary cover elements or movable louvers, each of which is connected at least at one end to a movement profile. This movement profile is slidable relative to the drip edge to allow for the selective movement of the movable louvers in relation to the fixed louvers.

[0019] In particular, this selective movement allows for different reciprocal positioning between the fixed and movable louvers, thus defining at least one opening state in which desired direct or indirect light and / or air passages through the superstructure are determined, and a covering state in which each movable louver is offset from each fixed louver and is characterized by at least one overlapping section with at least one of the adjacent fixed louvers. In this covering state, the reciprocal positioning of the fixed and movable louvers, as described, essentially prevents the passage of light and / or air through the superstructure.

[0020] More generally, reciprocal positioning means that each cover element or slat, both individually and in groups, assumes different positions relative to the others; likewise, this element can remain stationary or move at different speeds relative to the others to determine the aforementioned opening or covering state.

[0021] One example is that the first and second groups move in a coordinated manner, precisely to define the aforementioned conditions of mutual positioning.

[0022] This group can also be defined by a single cover element. In another example, at least one cover element remains in a covered or open position, while at least one other cover element changes its covered or open state, or vice versa.

[0023] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the drip edge comprises at least one drip edge strip provided with a mounting edge, on which the fixed slats rest and which in turn is designed to define at least several first segments. The latter are functionally in a cooperative state with corresponding lower surfaces of the fixed slats.

[0024] Furthermore, the configuration of the mounting edge according to the present invention defines several second sections which are offset from the first sections and extend over the corresponding gaps between the fixed slats.

[0025] With the solution according to the present invention, the drip edge retaining strip is shaped essentially according to the positions provided for the first slats and the corresponding gaps. This shape essentially serves as a guide or template for mounting the first slats, which can be placed on the mounting edge according to the corresponding positions of the first and second sections.

[0026] In this way, one of the main difficulties in assembly is essentially solved, as it is possible to ensure correct and repeatable reciprocal positioning of the fixed slats, i.e., all at the same distance in relation to the superstructure, by simply following the first and second sections as provided on the mounting edge.

[0027] This aspect of the solution according to the present invention essentially makes it possible to prevent an accidental change in the mounting distance of the fixed louvers, thereby avoiding undesirable, inconsistent light transmission and possible incomplete closure of the roof.

[0028] According to one aspect of the present invention, each first section is designed to cooperate with two third sections, for example those provided laterally, to determine at least one mounting point for positioning a corresponding fixed lamella.

[0029] This advantageous solution further simplifies the assembly and positioning of the fixed slats in relation to the drip edge.

[0030] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the mounting edge comprises at least several third sections which functionally interact with corresponding side surfaces of the fixed lamellae.

[0031] In this way, each of the fixed slats is essentially surrounded in its lower area by the first and third sections of the mounting edge, which further facilitates the unambiguous and repeatable identification of the correct position of the fixed slats in relation to the drip edge.

[0032] Another advantageous aspect of the present invention is a first length L1 of the first section which essentially corresponds to a cross-sectional width TW of each of the fixed lamellae, so that each first section interacts essentially with the entire underside of the respective fixed lamella.

[0033] According to a further aspect of the present invention, each of the aforementioned second sections has a second length L2, which essentially corresponds to the lateral dimension LD of each gap, so that the drip edge strip covers essentially the entire gap. In this way, it is essentially prevented from accidentally splashing water into the area covered by the roofing device.

[0034] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the second sections are functionally in a state of interaction with the undersides of the movable slats, at least when these are in the operating state of the roof, in contrast to the fixed slats.

[0035] According to another aspect of the present invention, the first and third sections are mutually inclined and essentially continuous with each other, and again the second and third sections are mutually inclined and essentially continuous with each other to define a broken line.

[0036] In an advantageous solution of the present invention, the third section is essentially orthogonal with respect to both the first section and the second section in order to define an essentially wave-shaped profile of the mounting edge.

[0037] According to a further aspect of the solution according to the present invention, the retaining edge strip is visibly arranged and comprises a lower area which is bounded at the top by the first part of the mounting edge, and an upper area which is in continuity with the lower area and is bounded at the top by the second part and laterally by two opposing third parts. ILLUSTRATION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention are illustrated by the following description of embodiments, which are provided as examples, but not limited to, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: - Fig. Figure 1 shows the axonometric view of a roofing device according to the present invention in a first operating state; - Fig. Figure 2 shows an axonometric view of the roofing device of Fig. 1 in a second operating state; - Fig. Figure 3 shows an enlarged and partially cross-sectional detailed view of the device of Fig. 1 in an intermediate operating state; - Fig. Figure 4 shows the enlarged and partial cross-section in frontal view of the detail of Fig. 3; - Fig. Figure 5 shows a cross-section along line VV of Fig. 4 and - Fig. Figure 6 shows a cross-section along line VI-VI of Fig. 4.

[0039] For ease of understanding, identical reference numbers have been used wherever possible to identify elements that are identical in the figures. It is understood that elements and features of one embodiment can expediently be combined or integrated into other embodiments without further specification. DESCRIPTION OF A FORM OF EXECUTION

[0040] The possible embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, one or more of which are illustrated by way of example, but not exclusively, in the accompanying figures. The content and terminology used here also serve as examples and are not intended to be limiting.

[0041] The attached figures refer to a roofing device, in this case a pergola 10 for outdoor use.

[0042] The pergola 10 typically consists of four vertical posts 11 shaped in such a way as to hold an upper frame 12, which essentially consists of four horizontal beams 13, in a desired lifting position.

[0043] This upper frame 12 is designed to support several fixed louvers 14 relative to the upper frame 12 and a corresponding number of movable louvers 15 relative to the fixed louvers 14, which are arranged essentially parallel to each other to fill the interior space. Furthermore, as we shall see, the movable louvers 15 always remain at a higher level than the fixed louvers 14.

[0044] It is possible that, according to variants not shown, the movable louvers 15 may be located at a lower level than the fixed louvers 14, meaning that under certain operating conditions they may come into a state of substantial coplanarity with the fixed louvers 14. Furthermore, it is possible that the two louvers 14 and 15 may be moved, for example, in opposite directions, at different speeds, or under different and combined movement conditions, always with the aim of defining the desired covering and opening conditions to prevent or control direct or indirect light and / or air passages.

[0045] Referring to the accompanying figures, each of the fixed lamellae 14 advantageously comprises a lower surface 21 with a cross-sectional width TW and two side surfaces 22, which determine its lateral space requirement. In the present case, each fixed lamella 14 comprises two elongated drainage elements 16 at the top, which facilitate the handling and drainage of water.

[0046] Each of the movable louvers 15 includes a subsurface 23, which is visible in the roofed state, and above it in a longitudinal direction a pair of storage places 17 for the temporary absorption of rainwater.

[0047] As can easily be seen from the preferred solution shown in the accompanying figures, the fixed lamellae 14 have a different shape and size than the movable lamellae 15; however, it is not excluded that the lamellae may have the same shape and size as well as different shapes and dimensions than those specifically shown and described, without thereby going beyond the scope of the present invention.

[0048] In particular, each fixed louver 14 is longitudinally attached to opposing supports 13 of the frame 12 by means of a respective fastening profile 24 and is mounted transversely at a specific distance from an adjacent fixed louver 14. This distance between the fixed louvers 14 defines corresponding gaps 18 for the normal passage of direct or indirect light or air through the frame 12.

[0049] The design of the fastening profile 24 and its installation position on the support 13 is such that the fixed lamellae 14 are arranged in lateral overlap with the respective drip edges 19, each of which is arranged on opposite longitudinal edges of the frame 12 below the fastening profile 24 and is open upwards.

[0050] The drip edges 19 are hydraulically connected to the corresponding rain gutters (not shown) and advantageously integrated into the supports 11 to drain the water onto the ground.

[0051] Each movable slat 15 is linearly attached to opposing movement profiles 20, which are slidably arranged and substantially parallel to the mounting profiles 24 to which the fixed slats 14 are attached. In this way, the slats 14 and 15 lie substantially parallel to each other.

[0052] The motion profiles 20 are connected to a linear drive of the essentially known type not shown in the figures, which determines their selective movement in one direction or the other with respect to the supports 13 to which they are assigned.

[0053] Each of the movable louvers 15 is also mounted perpendicular to an adjacent movable louver 15 at a specific distance. This distance does not necessarily correspond to the distance between the fixed louvers 14 and is specifically selected during the design phase to fulfill the various control functions of light modification and water drainage.

[0054] Although not explained and described in detail, both the fixed louvers 14 and the movable louvers 15 each include two seals made of silicone material, which are advantageously arranged along the longitudinal edges and face the movable louver 15 or the fixed louver 14 to prevent accidental seepage of water between the two louvers 14 and 15.

[0055] In the illustrated solution, each drip edge 19 comprises at least one drip edge strip 25, which is visible during operation and arranged substantially vertically in conjunction with the fixed slats 14. In particular, the drip edge strip 25 defines a mounting edge 26 which, in the assembled state, at least partially contacts the bottom and side surfaces 21 and 22 of the fixed slats 14.

[0056] The mounting edge 26 has a substantially wave-like profile, consisting of several first segments 27, second segments 28, and third segments 29, which in this case are essentially continuous with one another. As can be seen from the accompanying figures, the first segments 27, the second segments 28, and the third segments 29 are mutually orthogonal to each other.

[0057] In the solution shown, each of the first segments 27 works functionally together with the lower surface 21 of the corresponding fixed lamella 14 and has a first length L1 which essentially corresponds to a cross-sectional width TW of each fixed lamella 14.

[0058] The second sections 28 are offset in height relative to the first sections 27 in relation to the attached figures and extend within the spaces 18. In the solution shown, the second sections 28 extend essentially to the upper edge of the fixed lamellae 14, although it is not excluded that they may remain below this shown boundary and extend into the interaction with the undersides 23 of the movable lamellae 15.

[0059] In addition, each of the second segments 28 has a second length L2, which essentially corresponds to the lateral dimension LD of each gap 18.

[0060] Every third section 29 is provided in connection between the first section 27 and the second section 28 and functionally interacts with the corresponding side surfaces 22 of the fixed lamellae 14.

[0061] With this configuration, each first section 27, in cooperation with two adjacent third sections 29, defines at least one mounting position 30 in which the corresponding fixed lamella 14 can be accommodated.

[0062] The resulting drip edge strip 25 comprises a lower area 31 which extends longitudinally over the entire drip edge 19 and which is delimited upwards by the first sections 27 of the mounting edge 25 in order to create both an effective water containment and an aesthetic mounting condition with the fixed slats 14.

[0063] The retaining edge strip 25 further comprises an upper area 32, which is provided in continuity with the lower area 31 and is bounded at the top by the second section 28 and laterally by two opposing third sections 29 in order to completely cover the space 18.

[0064] Obviously, changes and / or additions to components can be made to the roofing device described above without going beyond the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

[0065] Although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, it is also obvious that a person skilled in the industry can manufacture other equivalent forms of roofing devices with improved assembly which have the properties expressed in the claims and therefore all fall within the scope of protection defined by these properties.

[0066] In the following claims, the references in parentheses serve only for better readability and are not to be regarded as limiting factors with regard to the scope of protection underlying the respective claims.

Claims

[1] Roofing device (10) comprising at least one upper structure (12) provided with at least one water drainage element (19), a plurality of first covering elements (14) fixed to said upper structure (12) to define its interstices (18), and a plurality of second covering elements (15) movable relative to said first covering elements (14) between at least one operating condition of the covering or opening in which they prevent or determine direct or indirect passages of light and / or air or other atmospheric agents, characterized byis that this water drainage element (19) comprises at least one collecting edge strip (25) equipped with a mounting edge (26) designed to define at least a plurality of first portions (27) which functionally cooperate with corresponding lower surfaces (21) of these first covering elements (14), and a plurality of second portions (28) which are offset from these first portions (27) and extend into the interior of the corresponding interstices (18). [2] Roofing device (10) as in claim 1, characterized by is that this mounting edge (26) comprises at least several functionally cooperating third sections (29) with corresponding side surfaces (22) of said first cover elements (14). [3] Roofing device (10) as in one or other of the preceding claims, characterized byis that each of these first sections (27) is designed to cooperate with two of these third sections (29) in order to determine at least one mounting seat (30) for a corresponding one of these first cover elements (14). [4] Roofing device (10) as in one or other of the preceding claims, characterized by is that this first portion (27) has a first length (L1) which substantially corresponds to a cross-sectional width (TW) of each of said first cover elements (14). [5] Roofing device (10) as in one or other of the preceding claims, characterized by is that each of said second portions (28) has a second length (L2) which substantially corresponds to the side size (LD) of each of said spaces (18). [6] Roofing device (10) as in one or other of the preceding claims, characterized byis that the first section (27) and the third section (29) are mutually inclined to each other and are substantially continuous with each other to determine a broken line course. [7] Roofing device (10) as in one or other of the preceding claims, characterized by is that the second section (28) and the third section (29) are mutually inclined to each other and are substantially continuous with each other to determine a broken line course. [8] Roofing device (10) as in claim 6, characterized by that this third section (29) is substantially orthogonal to this first section (27). [9] Roofing device (10) as in claim 7, characterized by is that this third portion (29) is substantially orthogonal to this second portion (28). [10] Roofing device (10) as in one or the other of the preceding claims from 2, characterized by in that this collecting edge strip (25) comprises a lower region (31) which is delimited at the top by this first portion (27) of said mounting edge (26), and an upper region (32) which is provided in continuity with this lower region (31) and is delimited at the top by this second portion (28) and laterally by two opposite third portions (29).

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