Flat roof duct connector system with fixedly mountable baseplate member and sealingly clampable roofing material disc around a water barrier wall

Abstract

A flat roof duct connector system comprises a baseplate member (BM) and a roofing material disc (D). The baseplate member is equipped with a plurality of mounting openings divided that are configured for mounting elements, in particular screws, to project through for fixedly mounting the baseplate member to a flat roof, as well as with a plurality of first connectors (FC). The system further comprises an upper sealing ring (USR), a clamping ring (CR) and a plurality of second connectors (SCa, SCb) that are complementary with the first connectors. In a clamped state, the roofing material disc and the upper sealing ring lying on top of it are sealingly clampable between the baseplate member and the clamping ring by means of the second connectors getting tightened with the first connectors while projecting through respective holes in the rings and disc.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a flat roof duct connector system for mounting on top of a flat roof of a building above a duct opening that has been provided in the roof. Such a flat roof duct connector system may for example be used as air vent with an upwardly projecting channel member that has an air ventilation cap member mounted on top of it for connecting it to an internal air ventilation system, or as cable / hose guider with an upwardly projecting channel member with a cable / hose guiding cap mounted on top of it for connecting it to an internal electricity / heating system.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Flat building roofs may be fully horizontal or angled, and are frequently covered with a layer of roofing material, in particular rolled or membrane roofing material, for example rubber, EPDM, TPO, bitumen, asphalt or the like. If an air vent or cable / hose guider needs to be provided on top of the roof, a flat roof duct conductor system is used to make a watertight connection with the layer of roofing material roof. It is then important that condensation of water against the flat roof duct connector system due to temperature differences is prevented as much as possible. Furthermore it is important that it can be guaranteed over long periods of time that rain water and any such condensation water is unable to start penetrating into the roof construction or rest of the building via the flat roof duct connector system.

[0003] For that known flat roof conductor systems comprise a so-called bonding plate that forms an integral part of an upwardly projecting tubular wall. The bonding plate is configured to be placed on top of a flat roof with a central axis of the tubular wall substantially in line with a duct opening that is provided in the flat roof. The known systems furthermore comprise a roofing material disc, in particular of a same type of roofing material with which the flat roof is already covered. The roofing material disc has a central cut-out with which it fits over and around the tubular wall to come to lie on top of the bonding plate. The disc is made such large that it projects radially outward passed by the bonding plate such that it can be bonded both with the bonding plate as well as with the layer of roofing material that lies around the duct opening on the roof.

[0004] For example NL-1004795 discloses a modular flat roof duct connector system for an air vent that comprises an upwardly projecting inner plastic pipe member and an outer aluminum hood. A free space between the outer hood and the inner pipe member gets filled with polyurethane foam as insulation layer. The aluminum hood is manufactured by deep drawing in such a way that it has a large flange at the bottom that projects radially outwardly and that forms a bonding plate. The lower side of the aluminum flange is destined to be supported on top of the flat roof at a position around the ventilation duct opening and around the inner pipe member. The upper side of the aluminum flange is destined to get a roofing material disc bonded thereto. It is then preferred that this disc is made out of the same type of rolled or membrane roofing material with which the flat roof is already covered. For that the disc for example may get manually cut on site by a roofer out of a piece of roofing material. The roofer needs to cut the disc with outer dimensions that are substantially larger than the ones of the bonding plate, such that a radially outer part gets to overlap with the layer of roofing material with which the flat roof is already covered. The roofer further needs to make a central cut-out in the roofing material disc with which it can be lowered over the hood until it comes to rest upon the bonding flange.

[0005] After the flat roof duct conductor system is placed upon the roof, the roofing material disc must be bonded on the one hand with a radial inner part to the bonding plate and on the other hand with a radial outer part to the layer of roofing material. This can be through a burning technique with flames, a melting technique with hot air, a cold gluing technique, or the like, which is typically to be executed by a professional roofer.

[0006] A disadvantage hereof is that the user-friendliness during mounting and the watertightness of the flat roof duct connector system over time leave to be improved.

[0007] In particular it can be said that the bonding of the roofing material disc on top of the aluminum material of the bonding plate of the hood is difficult, even for a professional roofer. Aluminum and roofing material are truly different types of materials which stands in the way of being able to obtain a reliable and strong bond with a long lifespan between them during which watertightness can be guaranteed. This is even worsened because the hood is prone to undergo all kinds of forces during use, like tipping forces during heavy storms. Those tipping forces then may lead to pulling forces getting exerted on the bonded roofing material disc. Furthermore, the bonds have to suffer from differing thermal expansions / shrinkages of the aluminum and the roofing material during warm / cold days.

[0008] Also it is noted that there are many possible roofing materials that are used nowadays on flat roofs, and all bring along their own specific demands. If for example the roofing material on the flat roof is PVC, then it is necessary that the aluminum bonding plate first gets provided with a PVC coating in order to create better adhesion with a disc of PVC roofing material. If on the other hand the roofing material on the flat roof is TPO, then a disc of TPO can not even be applied at all to the aluminum bonding plate because there are no resources available for this. In that case it is necessary to make the hood out of another material, for example plastic or to use a disc of another roofing material. This last option however immediately has a negative effect on its bond with the layer of TPO roofing material.

[0009] It is noted that it is possible for the roofer to forcedly apply an additional inner sealant joint along the central cut-out of the roofing material disc and the bonding plate, as well as an additional outer sealant joint along the outer edge of the roofing material disc and the layer of roofing material on the flat roof. This sealant joint however increase the amount of work for the roofer and also remains vulnerable to temperature changes and tipping forces.

[0010] Finally it is noted that the aluminum bonding plate coming to rest upon the flat roof may lead to condensation problems by itself which may lead to leakage problems inside the building.

[0011] DE-20.2005.012054-U discloses a flat roof duct connector system according to the preamble of claim 1, of which the leak-proofness leaves to be improved.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention aims to overcome those disadvantages at least partly or to provide a usable alternative. In particular the present invention aims to provide a truly reliable strong and watertight connection around a duct opening upon a flat roof that is quick and easy to install both by professional roofers as well as less experienced people.

[0013] According to the present invention this aim is achieved by a flat roof duct connector system for mounting on top of a flat roof of a building above a duct opening, which flat roof is covered with a layer of roofing material, in particular rolled or membrane roofing material. The system according to claim 1 comprises: a baseplate member with a central opening and an upwardly projecting tubular barrier wall circumventing the central opening, and configured to be placed on top of the flat roof with its central opening in line with the duct opening; and a roofing material disc, in particular of a same type of roofing material with which the flat roof is covered, that is configured to fit with a central cut-out around the barrier wall, and to project radially outward towards larger cross-sectional dimensions than the baseplate member such that it is bondable with the layer of roofing material that covers the flat roof around the baseplate member.

[0014] According to the inventive thought, the baseplate member is equipped with a plurality of mounting openings divided around the central opening that are configured for mounting elements, in particular screws, to project through for fixedly mounting the baseplate member to the flat roof, as well as with a plurality of first connectors divided around the central opening, wherein the roofing material disc has a plurality of holes at positions corresponding to the first connectors, wherein the system further comprises: at least an upper sealing ring that is configured to fit around the barrier wall and that has a plurality of holes at positions corresponding to the first connectors; a clamping ring that is configured to fit around the barrier wall and that has a plurality of holes at positions corresponding to the first connectors; and a plurality of second connectors complementary with the first connectors, wherein, in a clamped state, the roofing material disc and the upper sealing ring lying on top of it are sealingly clampable between the baseplate member and the clamping ring by means of the second connectors getting tightened with the first connectors while projecting through the respective holes.

[0015] Thus advantageously an improved flat roof duct connector system is provided of which the strength and watertightness can be guaranteed for long periods of time. The system is easy and quick to install by a professional roofer as well as by less experienced people. The baseplate itself now can get truly reliably mounted to the flat roof in a fixed manner by means of strong mounting elements, like screws. This means that from then on the system is well able to deal with all kinds of weather conditions, wind forces and temperature changes, without leading to excessive forces getting exerted on the roofing material disc nor its bond with the layer of roofing material. Furthermore, the clamping of a radial inner part of the disc by means of the tightening of the connectors while exerting a downwards directed clamping force upon both the sealing ring and clamping ring, shall always be able to result in a watertight seal between the disc and the baseplate around its entire barrier wall.

[0016] The watertight seal can always be obtained independent of the type of roofing material the disc is made from. This means that whatever layer of roofing material the flat roof is already covered with, it can always be matched by the material the roofing material disc is made of. This in turn makes it possible to always be able to obtain a perfect bond between a radial outer part of the roofing material disc and the layer of roofing material already lying on the roof. A warranty for the flat roof duct connector system may now advantageously be included in an insurance warranty for the entire flat roof.

[0017] The first and second connectors can be of various types as long as they are complementary with each other and can be tightened. In a preferred embodiment the first and second connectors can be formed by complementary threaded male and female connector parts. In particular, lower female connector parts thereof then can be fixated with the baseplate member by means of co-moulding. For example, the first connectors may be formed by internally threaded bushings, like messing inserts, that have been fixated with the baseplate member, for example directly during injection-moulding of the baseplate member.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment the plurality of first connectors can be provided divided around the central opening along a flat-faced ring-shaped inner portion of the baseplate member that lies directly adjacent around the barrier wall. The flat-faced ring-shaped inner portion of the baseplate forms a good anvil for the clamping forces to be exerted against, particularly if the disc, the sealing ring and the clamping ring are flat-faced as well. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the first connectors as well as the respective holes in the disc, sealing ring and clamping ring to be aligned therewith, all lie neatly divided around and close to the barrier wall, because this positioning helps to equally distribute the clamping forces all around there where it most counts, that is to say there where rain and condense are most likely to start flowing down from upper members of the system that are to be placed over the barrier wall and connected to the baseplate member.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment the plurality of mounting openings can be provided divided around the central opening along a downwardly angled outer portion of the baseplate member directly adjacent the flat-faced ring-shaped inner portion where the first connectors are provided. The downwardly angled outer portion helps rain and condensation water to quickly drain away to the flat roof. Due to the mounting openings lying radial outward of the first connectors, they can easily be reached even when the disc has already been sealingly clamped against the baseplate member in a factory or the like. It is then still possible to temporarily locally lift the radial outer part of the disc and insert a mounting element through its respective mounting opening and fixate it to the flat roof, and repeat this until all mounting elements are inserted through their mounting openings and fixated to the flat roof.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment the system further may comprise a distinctive channel member that is configured to be placed with a lower tubular portion over the barrier wall of the baseplate member, wherein this lower tubular portion comprises a radially outwardly projecting ring-shaped clamping flange that is configured to fit around the barrier wall, and which clamping flange has a plurality of holes at positions corresponding to the first connectors. In a first variant, in the clamped state, the clamping ring may come to lie on top of the clamping flange. In a second variant, the clamping ring may be formed by the ring-shaped clamping flange itself, such that a distinctive clamping ring is no longer necessary. Thus the modular flat roof connector system has become truly flexible in that it can be extended with various kinds and types of channel members. At the same time such an channel member then may get truly reliably and fixedly connected to the baseplate member due to the connectors also getting to extend through the holes in the clamping flange of the channel member. Furthermore, in the first variant, the clamping ring then may cooperate with this flange of the channel member to even more strongly and equally distribute the clamping forces over the entire circumference of the radial inner part of the disc and upper sealing ring lying on top thereof, whereas in the second variant, the ring-shaped clamping flange itself can be configured to all by itself, that is to say without having to use a separate distinctive clamping ring, also be able to strongly and equally distribute the clamping forces over the entire circumference of the radial inner part of the disc and upper sealing ring lying on top thereof. For this second variant, the ring-shaped clamping flange for example can be strengthened with reinforcement ribs and / or be made out of a strong material, like fibre-reinforced plastic, in particular polyamide (PA).

[0021] In a further embodiment the channel member may have an upper tubular portion that is equipped with coupling means for coupling a cover member on top of the channel member, in particular an air ventilation cap member or cable / hose guider member. This makes the flat roof duct connector system even more flexible in that it can advantageously be quickly and easily be adapted to all kinds of different purposes, whether it is ventilation of air, or guiding of cables / hoses of solar panels, water heaters, or heat pumps, that may also be placed upon the flat roof, from the outside to within the building.

[0022] In a further embodiment or in the alternative the barrier wall of the baseplate member and the lower tubular portion of the channel member can be equipped with complementary alignment means, in particular grooves and ribs, that are configured to fit with a sliding form fit into each other during assembly while aligning the holes of the channel member above the first connectors of the baseplate member. Thus a rotational fixation gets achieved between the baseplate member and the channel member, in which at a same time the connectors and the respective holes in the clamping flange automatically get to lie in line with each other.

[0023] In a further embodiment or in the alternative the clamping flange of the channel member can be provided at its lower side with a radial inner and / or radial outer downwardly projecting circumferential sealing edge that is configured to be pressed into the upper sealing ring in the clamped state. Thus a further improved watertight clamped sealing can be obtained between the clamping flange and the upper sealing ring. Preferably both a radial inner and outer downwardly projecting circumferential sealing edge are provided at such positions that the holes for the connectors to pass through lie at a radius in between them. In that way an additional watertightness is obtained for water that tries try to leak away downwards via the holes and connectors.

[0024] In a further embodiment or in the alternative the system further may comprise an inner adapter member with a gradually widening upper portion configured to come to lie against an inner circumferential wall of the channel member and / or barrier wall of the baseplate member, and with a downwardly projecting lower portion configured to project into the duct opening. Thus the adapter member may form a gradually upwardly widening transition from a relative narrow duct opening towards a relative large channel member. When used as an air vent, the ventilation air may easily expand inside the channel member, helping to more easily and quickly vent out air. On the other hand the adapter member may form a gradually downwardly narrowing transition from a relative wide channel member towards a relative narrow duct opening. When used as a cable / hose guider, the cables / hoses can more easily and quickly be smoothly guided to be pushed via the duct opening to enter into the building. Furthermore, a set of adapter members can be provided with different dimensions of its downwardly projecting lower portion, such that the system can easily and quickly be adapted to different types and measures of duct openings cq standpipes.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment the baseplate member and / or the channel member and / or the cap member can be made of plastic. This makes them economic and easy to manufacture. Furthermore, it helps to minimize condensation problems against them.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment the clamping ring can be flat-faced and for example made of stainless steel. This makes it strong, durable and resistant against all weather conditions. In the alternative the clamping ring can also be made of plastic, in particular of fibre-reinforced plastic. This is cost saving, in particular in an embodiment in which the clamping ring is formed by the ring-shaped clamping flange of the channel member.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment the sealing ring can be flat-faced and for example made of rubber. This makes it flexible and complementary with the other flat-faced components of the system where the clamping needs to take place.

[0028] In a further preferred embodiment the system may also comprise a lower sealing ring, preferably also one that is flat-faced and for example made out of rubber, that is configured to fit around the barrier wall and that has a plurality of holes at positions corresponding to the first connectors, wherein, in the clamped state, the lower sealing ring lies on top of the baseplate member underneath the roofing material disc. Thus the sealing clamping of the disc gets further improved, while at a same time being able to deal with any irregularities at the lower side of the disc or on top of the baseplate.

[0029] The invention also relates to an installation method according to claim 14.

[0030] Further preferred embodiments of the invention are stated in the dependent subclaims.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The invention shall now be explained in more detail below by means of describing some exemplary embodiments in a non-limiting way with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a flat roof duct connector system according to the invention with a cable / hose roof guider as upper member; Fig. 2a-c show a perspective top, cross-sectional and perspective bottom view of the baseplate member in fig. 1; Fig. 3a-c show a perspective top, cross-sectional and perspective bottom view of the channel member in fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of the baseplate and channel member above each other; Fig. 5a-b show a perspective top and cross-sectional view of the adapter member in fig. 1; Fig. 6 shows an exploded view of the two-parts of the cable / hose roof guider member in fig. 1; Fig. 7a-cshow a perspective top, cross-sectional and an enlarged partial view of the coupling part of the cable / hose roof guider member in fig. 1 and 6; Fig. 8a-b show a bottom and perspective top view of the cap part of the cable / hose roof guider member in fig. 1 and 6; Fig. 9a-bshow a perspective top and cross-sectional view of the system in a pre-assembled state freely placed upon a flat roof; Fig. 10 shows another cross-sectional view of the system of fig. 9 with the baseplate member fixedly mounted to the flat roof; Fig. 11 shows a perspective top view of the system of fig. 10 with the roofing material disc bonded to the flat roof; Fig. 12a-c shows a variant with a two-part air ventilation cap member to be placed on top of the channel member; and Fig. 13a-b show a perspective top and perspective bottom view of a variant of the channel member of which the clamping flange has been constructed such reinforced that it is able to make the distinctive clamping ring as shown in fig. 1 and 9-12 superfluous.

[0032] In the exploded view of fig. 1 the modular flat roof duct connector system comprises from bottom to top the following distinctive main components: an adapter member AM, a baseplate member BM, a channel member CM and a two-part guider member GM. All those main components preferably are made out of plastic. Furthermore, it can be seen that the system also comprises a lower sealing ring LSR, a roofing material disc D, an upper sealing ring USR and a clamping ring CR. The sealing rings LSR and USR preferably are made out of rubber. The clamping ring CR preferably is made out of stainless steel. Finally it is noted that the system also comprises internally threaded metal bushings as first connectors FC that are integrally fixated with the baseplate member BM during moulding thereof, as well as externally threaded pins and nuts as second connectors SCa, SCb that are to be connected with respectively tightened upon the first connectors FC.

[0033] The baseplate member BM is shown in more detail in fig. 2a-c and comprises a support plate 1 with an upwardly projecting tubular barrier wall 2 circumventing a central opening 3. The support plate 1 has a radial outer circumferential mounting portion 1a that angles downwards. A plurality, here five, of mounting openings 4 lie equally divided around the circumference of the angled mounting portion 1a. The angled mounting portion 1a connects at its highest level to a radial inner circumferential connecting / clamping portion 1b that is flat-faced. A plurality, here five, of the first connectors FC lie equally divided around the circumference of the flat-faced connecting / clamping portion 1b. It can be seen here that the internally threaded bushings of the first connectors FC have been fixated with the baseplate member BM. The tubular barrier wall 2 at its outer side is equipped with vertically extending alignment grooves 5 that slightly widen towards the top. Strengthening ribs 6 are provided at the lower side of the baseplate member BM.

[0034] The channel member CM is shown in more detail in fig. 3a-cand comprises a radially outwardly projecting ring-shaped flat-faced clamping flange 10, a lower tubular portion 11, an intermediate tubular portion 12 and an upper tubular portion 13.

[0035] The clamping flange 10 is flat-faced, and is dimensioned complementary to the flat-faced connecting / clamping portion 1b. Furthermore it has holes 14 lie equally divided around the circumference of the clamping flange 10 at positions corresponding to the first connectors FC. At its lower side, the clamping flange 10 is provided with downwardly projecting circumferential sealing edges 15i, 15o, one at a position radial inwards of the holes 14, and one at a position radial outwards of the holes 14.

[0036] The clamping flange 10 connects to a lower edge of the lower tubular portion 11. The lower tubular portion 11 is dimensioned to fit with a sliding form-fit over and around the barrier wall 2 of the baseplate member BM. The lower tubular portion 11 at its inner side is equipped with vertically extending alignment ribs 16 at positions corresponding to the alignment grooves 5 in the barrier wall 2 of the baseplate member BM.

[0037] The lower tubular portion 11 connects with an angled step to the slightly narrower dimensioned intermediate tubular portion 12, that in turn connects with an angled step to the slightly narrower dimensioned upper tubular portion 13. The upper tubular portion 13 is equipped with outwardly projecting click-fit coupling means 17.

[0038] The lower and upper sealing rings LSR, USR as shown in fig. 1 are alike, are both flat-faced and are both dimensioned complementary to the flat-faced connecting / clamping portion 1b of the baseplate member MB respectively the flat-faced clamping flange 10 of the channel member CM. Furthermore, they both have holes that lie equally divided around the circumference of the sealing rings LSR, USR at positions corresponding to the first connectors FC in the baseplate member BM respectively the holes 14 in the channel member CM.

[0039] The roofing material disc D as shown in fig. 1 is flat-faced, has a central cut-out that is dimensioned to fit with a sliding form-fit over and around the barrier wall 2 of the baseplate member BM. The disc D is dimensioned with larger outer cross-sectional dimensions than the support plate 1 of the baseplate member (BM), in particular at least 50% larger. Furthermore, it has holes that lie equally divided around the circumference of the disc D at positions corresponding to the first connectors FC in the baseplate member BM respectively to the holes 14 in the channel member CM respectively the holes in the sealing rings LSR, USR.

[0040] The clamping ring CR as shown in fig. 1 is flat-faced and is dimensioned complementary to the flat-faced clamping flange 10 of the channel member CM. Furthermore, it has holes that lie equally divided around the circumference of the clamping ring CR at positions corresponding to the first connectors FC in the baseplate member BM respectively to the holes 14 in the channel member CM respectively the holes in the sealing rings LSR, USR respectively the holes in the disc D.

[0041] The adapter member AM is shown in more detail in fig. 5a-b and comprises a funnel-shaped upper portion 20 and a tube-shaped lower portion 21. The funnel-shaped upper portion 20 gradually widens upwards to a dimension in which it fits with a sliding form-fit inside the lower tubular portion 11 of the channel member CM. The tube-shaped lower portion 21 is dimensioned to fit inside a duct, in particular a standpipe of a building. Around its outer circumferential wall, the tube-shaped lower portion 21 is provided with radially outwardly projecting flexible sealing lips 22. Furthermore, the adapter member AM is equipped with a bottom plate 23 at the level of the transition between its funnel-shaped upper portion 20 and its tube-shaped lower portion 21. This bottom plate 23 is dimensioned to come to lie against a bottom edge of the barrier wall 2 and thus, close off the space inside the barrier wall 2 around the tube-shaped lower portion 21 in that direction. Strengthening ribs 24 are provided between the funnel-shaped upper portion 20 and the bottom plate 23.

[0042] The two parts of the guider member GM are shown in more detail in fig. 6-8 and comprise a lower coupling-guider part GMI and an upper cap part GMu. The coupling-guider part GMI is equipped with a double-walled tubular coupling portion 31CP that at its radial inner side has a tubular inner portion 31CPi that is dimensioned to fit inside the upper tubular portion 13 of the channel member CM. Furthermore, the tubular coupling portion 31CP has a stepped tubular outer portion, of which a relative wide tubular outer portion 31CPow is dimensioned to fit with a sliding form fit over the intermediate tubular portion 12 of the channel member CM, and of which a relative small tubular outer portion 31CPos is dimensioned to fit with a click-fit over the outwardly projecting click-fit coupling means 17 on the upper tubular portion 13 of the channel member CM. Furthermore, the coupling-guider part GMI is equipped with an upwardly open sideways directed guider portion 31GP. The cap part GMu is downwardly open and fits by means of a sliding form-fit over the coupling-guider part GMI while together enclosing a 'swan neck'-type 180 degrees guiding space for cables, hoses or the like. The cap part GMu advantageously covers the guiding space against rain, wind and the like to enter, whereas cables, hoses or the like can be smoothly guided through the guiding space without getting kinked, blocked or obstructed whatsoever.

[0043] Fig. 9a-b schematically show a flat roof FR that is covered with a layer of roofing material LRM and that has a duct opening DO provided therein. A standpipe SP extends from this duct opening DO downwards into a building. In fig. 9 the main components of the flat roof duct connector system have already been pre-assembled together, that is to say the disc D has already been sealing clamped between the baseplate member BM and the channel member CM.

[0044] In this pre-assembled state the adapter member AM has been inserted partly through the central opening 3 of the baseplate member BM, such that an upper edge of its funnel-shaped upper portion 20 has come to lie upon an upper edge of the barrier wall 2 of the baseplate member BM, whereas an outer edge of its bottom plate 23 has come to lie against a bottom edge of the barrier wall 2 of the baseplate member BM.

[0045] Furthermore, in this pre-assembled state, the channel member CM is placed with its lower tubular portion 11 over and around the barrier wall 2 of the baseplate member BM with the alignment ribs gripping into the alignment grooves 5. The lower sealing ring LSR, the roofing material disc D, and the upper sealing ring USR lie locked up between the clamping flange 10 of the channel member CM and the flat-faced connecting / clamping portion 1b of the baseplate member BM. The clamping ring CR lies on top of the clamping flange 10. The externally threaded pins SCa are screwed into the first connectors FC, extend through the respective holes in the lower sealing ring LSR, the disc D, the upper sealing ring USR, the clamping flange 10 and the clamping ring CR. The nuts SCb are tightened upon the threaded pins SCa such that the disc D has gotten tightly clamped in a watertight manner between the sealing rings LSR, USR. The guider member GM is clicked onto the channel member CM.

[0046] Fig. 9a-bshows that the pre-assembled flat roof duct connector system has been loosely placed upon the flat roof FR. The lower side of the baseplate member BM and the bottom plate 23 of the adapter member AM rest freely upon the flat roof FR. The tube-shaped lower portion 21 of the adapter member AM already extends through the duct opening DO and fits sealing inside the standpipe SP of the building. This automatically centers the entire system relative to the standpipe SP in the duct opening DO. The channel member CM projects upwardly such that the guider member GM lies spaced above the flat roof FR.

[0047] Subsequently, the disc D can each time be carefully bend upwards at a location of one of the mounting openings 4, such that a screw S can be positioned there and screwed into the flat roof FR. See fig. 10. After all screws S are fixated, the entire pre-assembled system is immediately fully fixated to the flat roof FR at its correct position. The only thing that then needs to be done is to bond the disc D to the layer of roofing material LRM that covers the flat roof FR.

[0048] Fig. 11 shows the situation after the disc D has been bonded to the layer of roofing material LRM. It can be seen there that the disc D starting at its clamped radial inner part nicely follows the angled mounting portion 1a of the baseplate member BM with a radial middle part Dm down to the level of the flat roof FR to there come to lie flat on top of the layer of roofing material with a radial outer part Do. If desired the disc D can also be bonded with its middle part Dm to this angled mounting portion 1a during its bonding to the layer of roofing material LRM.

[0049] Instead of the guider member GM being placed on top, it is also possible to couple other types of cover members to the channel member CM. Fig. 12a-cshow a two-part air ventilation cap member VCM to be coupled to the channel member CM.

[0050] The two parts of the ventilation cap member VCM comprise a lower coupling part VCMI and an upper cap part VCMu. As can be seen in fig. 12a, the coupling part VCMI is equipped with a tube-shaped inner portion 31t that is dimensioned to fit inside the upper tubular portion 13 of the channel member CM. Furthermore, the coupling part VCMI is equipped with a double set of tube-shaped outer portions 31, of which a relative wide portion 31w is dimensioned to fit with a sliding form fit over the intermediate tubular portion 12 of the channel member CM, and of which a relative small portion 31s is dimensioned to fit with a click-fit over the outwardly projecting click-fit coupling means 17 on the upper tubular portion 13 of the channel member CM. The cap part VCMu is configured to be connected with a click-fit over an upper portion 31u of the coupling part VCMI. For that the upper portion 31u of the coupling part VCMI and the cap part VCMu are provided with complementary male and female click-fit coupling means 31cfm respectively 32cff. Thus the cap part VCMu covers ventilation openings 31vo, that are provided in the coupling part VCMI, against rain, wind and the like to enter, whereas air can freely flow in and out.

[0051] Fig. 13 shows a variant for the channel member in which same parts have been given same reference numerals and letters. This variant mainly differs in that the channel member CM now comprises a profiled clamping flange 10 / CR instead of a flat-faced one. The profiled clamping flange 10 / CR still projects radially outwardly, and when seen from below is dimensioned complementary to the flat-faced connecting / clamping portion 1b. Furthermore it still has holes 14 that lie equally divided around the circumference of the clamping flange 10 / CR at positions corresponding to the first connectors FC. At its lower side, the profiled clamping flange 10 / CR is equipped with a pattern of reinforcement ribs, as well as with downwardly projecting circumferential inner and outer sealing edges 15i, 15o, one at a position radial inwards of the holes 14, and one at a position radial outwards of the holes 14. At its upper side, the profiled clamping flange 10 / CR is equipped with a profile of lower flat-faced indent sections 10 / CRIo at the position of the holes 14 that are alternated with raised strengthening sections 10 / CRhi.

[0052] In order to further strengthen the channel member CM with its profiled clamping flange 10 / CR, it is advantageously foreseen to be injection moulded out of fibre-reinforced polyamide. Together with reinforcement ribs, this choice of material has proven strong enough to substantially equally exert a same downwards pressure onto the upper sealing ring USR in the pre-assembled clamped state.

[0053] In such a pre-assembled state, this variant embodiment of the channel member CM can still be placed with its lower tubular portion 11 over and around the barrier wall 2 of the baseplate member BM with the alignment ribs 16 gripping into the alignment grooves 5. The lower sealing ring LSR, the roofing material disc D, and the upper sealing ring USR then lie locked up between the clamping flange 10 / CR of the channel member CM and the flat-faced connecting / clamping portion 1b of the baseplate member BM. The externally threaded pins SCa can be screwed into the first connectors FC, extend through the respective holes in the lower sealing ring LSR, the disc D, the upper sealing ring USR and the clamping flange 10 / CR. The nuts SCb can be tightened upon the threaded pins SCa such that the disc D has gotten tightly clamped in a watertight manner between the sealing rings LSR, USR, without having to make use of an expensive distinctive stainless steel clamping ring.

[0054] Besides the shown and described embodiments, numerous variants are possible. For example the dimensions and shapes of the various parts can be altered. Also it is possible to make combinations between advantageous aspects of the shown embodiments. Instead of using plastic for the baseplate, channel, adapter and / or cover members other kinds of materials can be used, like for example aluminum.

[0055] Thus an adaptable modular flat roof duct connector system is invented that is well able to make air- and watertight connections with and around duct openings in flat roofs, for all kinds of purposes, like air vents and cable / hose guiders. The new sustainable model duct connector system for flat roofs consists of several distinctive parts that all can be made out a of a same material and connected together in a modular manner, with the great result that every make and type of roof material disc with a radial inner part can be sealingly clamped and with a radial outer part can be bonded, guaranteeing to be waterproof for every type of roof covering such as EPDM, PVC, TPO, all other types of plastic roofing available on the market, and bitumen roofing. No type or make of roof covering needs to be excluded for the duct connector system according to the invention. The roofer / end user only needs to connect a completely factory made pre-assembled system, already equipped with a disc of the correct type and make of roofing material, fully complementary to the already present layer of roofing material. In the alternative it is however also possible for the roofer / end user to start with a kit of parts that has not been pre-assembled yet. The roofer / end user then simply may start with fixedly mounting the baseplate member to the roof, and to then on site start assembling the rest of the system on top of that fixedly mounted baseplate member.

[0056] It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and therefore will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Flat roof duct connector system for mounting on top of a flat roof (FR) of a building above a duct opening (DO), which flat roof (FR) is covered with a layer of roofing material (LRM), in particular rolled or membrane roofing material, the system comprising: • a baseplate member (BM) with a central opening (3) and an upwardly projecting tubular barrier wall (2) circumventing the central opening (3), and configured to be placed on top of the flat roof (FR) with its central opening (3) in line with the duct opening (DO); and • a roofing material disc (D), in particular of a same type of roofing material with which the flat roof (FR) is covered, that is configured to fit with a central cut-out around the barrier wall (2), and to project radially outward towards larger cross-sectional dimensions than the baseplate member (BM) such that it is bondable with the layer of roofing material (LRM) that covers the flat roof (FR) around the baseplate member (BM), characterized in that, the baseplate member (BM) is equipped with a plurality of mounting openings (4) divided around the central opening (3) that are configured for mounting elements, in particular screws (S), to project through for fixedly mounting the baseplate member (BM) to the flat roof (FR), as well as with a plurality of first connectors (FC) divided around the central opening (3), wherein the roofing material disc (D) has a plurality of holes at positions corresponding to the first connectors (FC), wherein the system further comprises: • at least an upper sealing ring (USR) that is configured to fit around the barrier wall (2) and that has a plurality of holes at positions corresponding to the first connectors (FC); • a clamping ring (CR) that is configured to fit around the barrier wall (2) and that has a plurality of holes at positions corresponding to the first connectors (FC); and • a plurality of second connectors (SCa, SCb) that are complementary with the first connectors (FC), wherein, in a clamped state, the roofing material disc (D) and the upper sealing ring (USR) lying on top of it are sealingly clampable between the baseplate member (BM) and the clamping ring (CR) by means of the second connectors (SCa, SCb) getting tightened with the first connectors (FC) while projecting through the respective holes.

2. Flat roof duct connector system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first connectors (FC) are provided divided around the central opening (3) along a flat-faced ring-shaped inner portion (1b) of the baseplate member (BM) directly adjacent the barrier wall (2).

3. Flat roof duct connector system according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of mounting openings (4) are provided divided around the central opening (3) along a downwardly angled outer portion (1a) of the baseplate member (BM) directly adjacent the flat-faced ring-shaped inner portion (1b).

4. Flat roof duct connector system according to one of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein the system further comprises: • a channel member (CM) that is configured to be placed with a lower tubular portion (11) over the barrier wall (2) of the baseplate member (BM), wherein the lower tubular portion (11) comprises a radially outwardly projecting ring-shaped clamping flange (10) that is configured to fit around the barrier wall (2) and that has a plurality of holes (14) at positions corresponding to the first connectors (FC), and wherein, in the clamped state, the clamping ring (CR) lies on top of the clamping flange (10).

5. Flat roof duct connector system according to one of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein the system further comprises: • a channel member (CM) that is configured to be placed with a lower tubular portion (11) over the barrier wall (2) of the baseplate member (BM), wherein the lower tubular portion (11) comprises a radially outwardly projecting ring-shaped clamping flange (10) that is configured to fit around the barrier wall (2) and that has a plurality of holes (14) at positions corresponding to the first connectors (FC), and wherein the clamping ring (CR) is formed by the ring-shaped clamping flange (10).

6. Flat roof duct connector system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the channel member (CM) further has an upper tubular portion (13) that is that is equipped with coupling means (17) for coupling a cover member on top of the channel member, in particular an air ventilation cap member (VCM) or cable / hose guider member (GM).

7. Flat roof duct connector system according to one of the preceding claims 4-6, wherein the barrier wall (2) of the baseplate member (BM) and the lower tubular portion (11) of the channel member (CM) are equipped with complementary alignment means (5, 16), in particular grooves and ribs, that are configured to fit with a sliding form fit into each other during assembly while aligning the holes (14) of the channel member (CM) above the first connectors (FC) of the baseplate member (BM).

8. Flat roof duct connector system according to one of the preceding claims 4-7, wherein the clamping flange (10) of the channel member (CM) is provided at its lower side with a radial inner and / or radial outer downwardly projecting circumferential sealing edge (15i, 15o) that is configured to be pressed into the upper sealing ring (USR).

9. Flat roof duct connector system according to one of the preceding claims 4-8, wherein the system further comprises: • an inner adapter member (AM) with a gradually widening upper portion (20) that is configured to come to lie against an inner circumferential wall of the channel member (CM) and / or barrier wall (2) of the baseplate member (BM), and with a downwardly projecting lower portion (21) that is configured to project into the duct opening (DO).

10. Flat roof duct connector system according to one of the preceding claims 4-9, wherein the channel member (CM) is made of plastic.

11. Flat roof duct connector system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the baseplate member (BM) is made of plastic.

12. Flat roof duct connector system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping ring (CR) is made of stainless steel or of plastic, in particular of fibre-reinforced plastic.

13. Flat roof duct connector system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second connectors (FC, SCa, SCb) are formed by complementary threaded male and female connector parts, in particular wherein the first connector parts (FC) are fixated with the baseplate member (BM) by means of co-moulding.

14. Flat roof duct connector system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system further comprises: • a lower sealing ring (LSR) that is configured to fit around the barrier wall (2) and that has a plurality of holes at positions corresponding to the first connectors (FC), wherein, in the clamped state, the lower sealing ring (LSR) lies on top of the baseplate member (BM) underneath the roofing material disc (D).

15. Method for mounting a flat roof duct connector system according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps: - positioning the baseplate member (BM) on a flat roof (FR) of a building above a duct opening (DO); - fixedly mounting the baseplate member (BM) to the flat roof (FR) with mounting elements, in particular screws (S), that project through the mounting openings (4); - sealingly clamping the roofing material disc (D) and at least the upper sealing ring (USR) lying on top of it, between the baseplate member (BM) and the clamping ring (CR) by means of tightening the second connectors (SCa, SCb) with the first connectors while projecting through the respective holes; and - bonding a radial outer part (Do) of the roofing material disc (D) to the layer of roofing material that covers the flat roof (FR) around the baseplate member (BM).

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