Roofing kit for covering the roof of a first building module.

Abstract

A roof assembly (1) for covering at least one first building module (10) having a roof (10a), the roof assembly (1) comprising: - a first photovoltaic panel (Pv1) for capturing solar energy; - a first support (S1) for the first photovoltaic panel (Pv1), the first panel (Pv1) defining a portion of a roof area above the roof (10a). The first support (S1) comprises a plurality of posts (S1a, S1b, S1c, S1d) for supporting the first panel (Pv1), a guardrail (G) supported by at least some of the posts (S1a, S1b, S1c, S1d) has a top rail (G1) defining a peripheral boundary of a central energy-capturing zone (Zc) where the first photovoltaic panel (Pv1) is located. (Figure from the summary: Fig. 1a)

Description

Title of the invention: Covering assembly for covering the roof of a first building module.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of roofing assemblies for covering at least one roof of a first building module, the roofing assembly comprising at least one first photovoltaic panel.

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Prefabricated building modules are known which are transportable and which are used to form modular buildings offering premises for different uses (professional premises or housing or other).

[0004] In order to produce electricity on the site of the construction comprising one or more construction modules, it is known to install photovoltaic panels on the roof of these modules.

[0005] Installing panels on a roof is particularly complex and dangerous due to the height of the roof and the risk of falls by workers.

[0006] There is therefore a need to facilitate the installation of such photovoltaic panels.

[0007] SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An object of the invention is to provide a covering assembly to cover at least a first building module having a roof and resolving all or part of the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0009] To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a roofing assembly for covering at least a first building module having a roof, the roofing assembly comprising:

[0010] - at least one first photovoltaic panel to capture solar energy and generate electricity;

[0011] - a first support for said at least a first photovoltaic panel, said to less a first photovoltaic panel defining a part of a covering surface to extend above the roof of the first building module.

[0012] The roof assembly is essentially characterized in that the first support comprises a plurality of posts to support said at least one first panel, the roof assembly comprising a guardrail carried at least in part by some at least of the posts of the plurality of posts of the first support, said guardrail having a top rail defining a peripheral limit of a central solar energy capture zone in which said at least one first photovoltaic panel is located.

[0013] The cover assembly according to this first aspect of the invention allows: - to form a cover intended to extend over the roof of at least one first construction module (this cover forming a solar protection over the construction module to limit its exposure to weathering and to the heating of the construction module under the effect of solar exposure; - to support one or more photovoltaic panels above the building module in order to capture solar energy; and - to form a safe circulation zone between the roof of the construction module and the roofing, the posts allowing both to keep the roofing away from the roof and to support a peripheral guardrail of the central energy capture zone.

[0014] Furthermore, the posts of the first support allow both to support said at least one first panel and to carry, at least in part, the guardrail whose upper rail defines the peripheral limit of the central solar energy capture zone.

[0015] Thus, the posts of the roof assembly have several functions, such as: - to support the weight of said at least one first photovoltaic panel; - precisely position the top rail of the guardrail in relation to the central solar collection zone where at least one photovoltaic panel is located; and - support at least part of the weight of the guardrail, which limits the need to fix the guardrail directly to the building module covered by the roof assembly.

[0016] The roof assembly according to the invention allows for greater modularity of construction since the guardrail is not directly attached to the construction module but is attached to the posts of the first support which carry the first photovoltaic panel.

[0017] The roof assembly according to the invention can be pre-assembled on the ground with at least part of its guardrail and with at least part of the photovoltaic panel(s) before being installed on the roof of the building module.

[0018] The mounting of photovoltaic panels on the construction module is thus secured: - either because these panels can be assembled on the roof assembly still on the ground before moving it onto the roof of the construction module; - either because the assembly / installation of the panels can be carried out directly on the roof of the construction module already secured by the guardrail of the roof assembly.

[0019] Compared to the specific case of the prior art where a guardrail must be assembled, part by part, by a worker located on the roof, the roof assembly according to the invention offers an additional advantage since it can be: - pre-assembled on the ground, with at least a portion of its guardrail supported by panel support posts; then be - moved (with this at least part of the guardrail) and put in place on the roof.

[0020] Compared to this particular case of the prior art, the cover assembly according to the invention provides ease and safety of assembly, the operator no longer being obliged to work at height, in an unsecured space.

[0021] The presence of all or part of the guardrail on the first panel support(s) is particularly safe.

[0022] The term guardrail refers to a set of elements forming a protective barrier extending all around the central area of ​​solar energy capture, where said at least one first photovoltaic panel is located.

[0023] The guardrail is arranged to prevent a person working at the central zone from falling into the void, beyond the peripheral limit defined by the guardrail and its upper rail.

[0024] The guardrail is a collective protective device.

[0025] Collective protection, as opposed to individual protection, makes it possible to protect any participant without having to equip them with personal protective equipment.

[0026] Unlike collective protective equipment, personal protective equipment only protects the person who is equipped with it.

[0027] Personal protective equipment is, for example, a harness associated with a strap or rope attached to a fixed point or to a lifeline or to a reel / a fall arrest system forming a brake and possibly associated with a shock absorber in case of a fall.

[0028] In this respect, the use of a guardrail is safer and less restrictive, and moreover should be preferred according to the labor code.

[0029] In addition, unlike the guardrail which preserves the mobility of the worker on the roof, wearing a harness associated with a strap can constitute a hindrance to mobility.

[0030] Thanks to the invention, the operator can safely access the central solar energy capture zone, for example to carry out maintenance operations on said at least one first photovoltaic panel or any other roof equipment or the roof itself, while moving under the cover delimited by the photovoltaic panel(s) of the roof assembly, at the level of said central energy capture zone.

[0031] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a construction comprising: - at least one first building module having a flat upper surface forming said roof of the first building module; and - a roofing assembly according to any one of the embodiments of the roofing assembly of the invention, the first support being placed above the roof of the first building module and being carried by said first building module.

[0032] The construction according to this second aspect of the invention presents the same advantages as those described above with regard to the cover assembly according to the first aspect of the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0033] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description, which is by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] [Fig. la] la [Fig.la] is a perspective view of a roof assembly 1 according to the invention (with 5 PVl photovoltaic panels carried by the first support SI) before its assembly on the flat roof 10a of a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped construction module 10;

[0035] [Fig. 1b] [Fig. 1b] is a perspective view from above of the construction formed by the assembly of said cover assembly 1 and construction module 10 of [Fig.1a];

[0036] [Fig. le] [Fig. le] is a perspective view from one side of the construction illustrated in [Fig.lb];

[0037] [Fig.2a] [Fig.2a] is a perspective view from the top of the cover assembly 1 of the invention, the cover assembly being here in maintenance configuration with its first PVL panel pivoted to free up a passage space through the cover Zx (to simplify the figure, the photovoltaic panels are here shown in transparency and only schematically represented by their respective peripheral limits);

[0038] [Fig.2b] [Fig.2b] is a cross-sectional view along plane AA of part of the cover assembly 1 of [Fig.2a];

[0039] [Fig. 3a] [Fig. 3a] is a top perspective view of a roof assembly 1 according to the invention in an embodiment where it is configured to cover a set of six building modules 10, 102. The building assembly 1 is shown here before being placed on the six coplanar flat roofs of the six modules in order to cover them. The building assembly 1 comprises six photovoltaic panel supports S1, S2, each having a projected area in a horizontal plane. identical, in shape and dimensions, to the surface area of ​​a building module roof projected in this horizontal plane or less than the surface area of ​​a module roof (the module roofs are flat and preferably identical to each other in shape, dimensions, and surface area);

[0040] [Fig.3b] [Fig.3b] is a top perspective view of construction 0 according to the invention formed by the roof assembly 1 carried by the roofs of the six construction modules illustrated in [Fig.3a];

[0041] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is another front perspective view of the construction 0 illustrated in Figures 1b and 1a (in this embodiment, the structure comprises only one building module and the roof assembly comprises only one photovoltaic panel support carrying 5 panels at the central zone Zc and several peripheral photovoltaic panels outside the central zone Zc). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] With reference to figures 1a to 4, the invention essentially relates to a construction 0 comprising: - at least one first building module 10 having a flat upper face forming said roof 10a of the first building module 10; and - a roof assembly 0 according to the invention having at least one first support SI placed above the roof 10a of the first construction module 10 and exclusively carried by said first construction module 10.

[0043] As will be seen later, the construction 0 can comprise several construction modules, the number of these construction modules 10, 102 being able to vary according to the architecture chosen for the construction, these modules preferably having the same external rectangular parallelepiped shape so as to have the same height, the same length and the same width, their respective flat roofs being preferably identical to each other to allow modularity of assembly of these modules, their respective roofs being coplanar to each other to facilitate the implantation of the roof assembly 1 according to the invention on their roofs 10a.

[0044] By flat roof, we mean any roof whose slope(s) is / are strictly less than 6%.

[0045] As can be seen from each of Figures 1 to 4, the roof assembly 1 according to the invention makes it possible to cover at least one first building module 10 having a roof 10a, the roof assembly 1 comprising:

[0046] - at least one first PVL photovoltaic panel to capture solar energy and generate electricity; and

[0047] - a first SI support of said at least a first PVl photovoltaic panel.

[0048] Said at least one first PVL photovoltaic panel defines a part of a covering surface to extend over the roof 10a of the first building module 10.

[0049] By definition, a photovoltaic panel captures solar energy and generates electricity from that solar energy. The panels of the roof assembly 1 are electrically connected via connectors and cables to an electrical cabinet.

[0050] These electrical connections from the panels to the electrical cabinet are made in a known manner and, for reasons of clarity, are not shown in the figures.

[0051] The first support SI comprises a plurality of posts Sla, Slb, Sic, Sld (here at least 4 posts per support, but the number could vary) to support said at least one first Pvl panel.

[0052] The cover assembly 1 also includes a guardrail G supported at least in part by at least some of the posts Sla, Slb, Sic, Sld of the plurality of posts of the first support.

[0053] This guardrail G includes a top rail G1 which defines a peripheral limit of a central zone Zc of solar energy capture in which is said at least one first photovoltaic panel Pvl.

[0054] The construction according to the invention may comprise a single module 10, as in Figures 1a to 1a and 4 or several modules, as in Figures 3a and 3b, these construction modules 10, 102 being covered by the same covering assembly 1 according to the invention.

[0055] The construction illustrated in Figures 3a, 3b shows an example of a construction with six modules 10, 102 (for clarity only two of these six modules are referenced). Each of the modules has the same external rectangular parallelepiped shape and a flat roof, these modules being adjacent to each other.

[0056] The number and arrangement of these modules 10, 102 may vary while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

[0057] When it comprises several modules, the construction 0 is such that the entirety of the first support SI is exclusively placed vertically on the roof 10a of the first construction module 10 (to prevent this first support SI from butting against another of the supports of the construction).

[0058] The construction 0 comprising at least one second construction module 102 having a flat upper face forming a roof of the second construction module 102.

[0059] In general, a given construction module has a general rectangular parallelepiped shape, the upper face of which is flat to form a flat and rectangular roof of the given module.

[0060] The roofs of the first and second building modules 10, 102 are coplanar with each other, a straight edge of the roof of the first module 10 being adjacent to a straight edge of the roof of the second building module 102. Preferably, these straight edges of the roofs are adjacent along their entire lengths; however, since each given support carried by a given module is exclusively positioned above the roof of that given module, it could be envisaged that the adjacent edges of the roofs be offset longitudinally without any risk of conflict between the supports. With this feature, there is freedom of choice in the general shape of the building, which can, for example, consist of a single alignment of modules or modules grouped in a rectangle, an L-shape, or a U-shape when viewed from above.

[0061] The roof assembly 1 of a multi-module structure comprises:

[0062] - a second group of photovoltaic panels for capturing solar energy and generate electricity; and - a second support S2 of said second group of photovoltaic panels, said second group of photovoltaic panels defining a part of a cover surface extending exclusively above the roof of the second building module 102.

[0063] The second support S2 comprises a plurality of posts to support said second group Gp2 of photovoltaic panels.

[0064] Finally, said guardrail G is supported, on the one hand, by some of said posts of the first support SI and on the other hand, at least in part, by at least some of the posts of the plurality of posts of the second support S2.

[0065] The second group of photovoltaic panels is located in said central solar energy capture zone Zc delimited by the upper rail G1 of the guardrail G.

[0066] In this way: - the first construction module 10 carries the first SI support of the first photovoltaic panel and more particularly the first group of photovoltaic panels to which the said first PVl photovoltaic panel belongs; - the second building module 102 carries the second support S2 of the second group of photovoltaic panels; and - the peripheral guardrail G of the central zone Zc in which the first and second groups of photovoltaic panels are located is supported at least by posts of the first support SI and by posts of the second support S2.

[0067] It follows that: - on the one hand, each construction module 10, 102 carries by itself a single support for a given group of photovoltaic panels corresponding to it, without needing to use another construction module to support this given group of photovoltaic panels (this facilitates the modularity of assembly of the construction modules and the groups of photovoltaic panels); and - on the other hand, the guardrail G is adapted to the shape of the construction 0 (depending on the number and arrangement of the modules) and is supported at least by the first support SI and at least by the second support S2.

[0068] In this way, there is a great deal of freedom in assembling the construction modules and groups of photovoltaic panels without compromising the strength of the guardrail G which forms an indirect mechanical link between the different supports of the photovoltaic panels.

[0069] Thanks to the guardrail carried by the roof assembly, the roof of the module can be used as a protected traffic route around the perimeter by guardrail assembled on the support but not on the construction module (it is therefore not necessary to equip each module with its own guardrail, which would impose a risky intervention of assembling guardrails directly on the roof).

[0070] Ideally, the guardrail is exclusively supported by support posts for panels of the roof assembly according to the invention.

[0071] We will now present other advantageous features of the cover assembly 1 according to the invention. In this case, we will describe the first support SI and the photovoltaic panels it carries, this description being applicable, unless otherwise stated, to any of the other panel supports of the cover assembly and to any of the panels and means of their assembly to the corresponding panel support.

[0072] The first support SI has a plurality of axial stops which together define a support plane of the first support Px on which the first support can rest when it is carried by the corresponding construction module.

[0073] Thanks to the axial stops of the first support SI which together define the support plane of the first support Px, the first support SI can be exclusively supported by the axial stops resting on a load-bearing base (for example a load-bearing plane constituted by the flat roof).

[0074] In this case, the load-bearing base is a main structure of said first construction module, this main structure defining the rigid edges of the rectangular parallelepiped shape of module 10. The main structure is, for example, made up of straight profiles connected to each other in pairs at their respective ends (these connections are typically made by welds and / or bolted assemblies, and these profiles are preferably tubes). (preferably rectangular cross-section). The structure of the construction module has a flat upper face forming the roof of the first module, this roof being for example made by a rigid sheet welded and / or bolted and / or screwed and / or riveted on at least 4 of the profiles of the structure which together form a frame defining the external edges of the rectangular flat roof of the module.

[0075] Each given column Sla, Slb, Sic, Sld of the plurality of columns of the first support SI extends along a longitudinal direction X of the given column which is secant with the support plane Px of the first support.

[0076] A minimum angle between the longitudinal direction X of the given post and the support plane Px is generally between 40° and 90°.

[0077] In the embodiments of the illustrated assembly 1, the longitudinal directions X of each of the posts of the first support SI are preferably parallel to each other and consequently perpendicular to said support plane Px.

[0078] The cover assembly 1 has a total surface covered, at least in part, by a plurality of photovoltaic panels which includes said at least one first photovoltaic panel and which is located in the central zone Zc.

[0079] The total covered surface is preferably shaped so that it prohibits any passage of a sphere with a diameter greater than or equal to 30 cm through the total covered surface and between said total covered surface and said guardrail G.

[0080] Preferably the total covered area covers at least 90%, preferably 100% of the area of ​​each given roof of a building module.

[0081] The upper rail G1 of the guardrail G has an upper peripheral surface, that is to say an upper surface of the guardrail which is continuous to define a peripheral handrail of the central collection zone Zc.

[0082] This upper rail G1 is entirely disposed between 400 mm and 1500 mm, preferably between 1000 mm and 1100 mm in height relative to said support plane Px of the first support.

[0083] By fixing the distance between the upper peripheral surface of the upper rail G1 with respect to the support plane Px, the vertical position of the guardrail relative to the roof 10a of the first building module 10 is determined in a very simple and precise way, this roof 10a thus forming a protected circulation level on the first building module 10.

[0084] Indeed, since the roof assembly 1 according to the invention is placed on the construction module 10, the support plane Px of the roof assembly is then disposed on the construction module 10, substantially at the level of the upper plane of its roof 10a which then forms a secure circulation level.

[0085] In this respect, the roof assembly according to the invention makes it possible to transform a flat roof 10a of a building module 10 into a solar energy capture space with a safe circulation level.

[0086] The distance of 400 mm is a minimum height to be able to move around on the roof of the module where the roof assembly 1 is located while moving between the roof and the total surface covered by photovoltaic panel(s), the photovoltaic panels preventing the operator from standing up and consequently from passing over the guardrail at the risk of falling.

[0087] By installing the roof assembly 1 according to the invention on a flat roof construction module, in the case where the upper limit of the top rail is between 1000 and 1100 mm above the circulation level Px, we then obtain a guardrail which, with respect to the plane of the roof, conforms, with regard to the height of the guardrail only, to any of the standards NF E 85-015 of July 2019 and SN EN ISO 14122-3 (according to these standards the upper limit of the top rail must be between 1000 and 1100 mm above the circulation level as long as the worker can move around without anything preventing him from passing over the plane in which the upper surface of the top rail extends (the plane in which the upper surface of the top rail extends corresponds to the plane Py illustrated in the figures).

[0088] As previously indicated, it is however conceivable that the distance (height) between the upper peripheral surface of the upper rail G1 and the support plane Px may be between 400 and 1000 mm, i.e. may be less than the minimum value of 1000 mm prescribed by the said standards.

[0089] This possibility is only offered in the aforementioned embodiment where the total surface covered by panel(s) is shaped to prohibit the passage of a sphere with a diameter greater than or equal to 30 cm through the total surface covered and between said total surface covered and said guardrail.

[0090] Indeed, since this characteristic of the total covered area allows us to define a containment zone for the worker under the covered area, a guardrail height of less than 1000 mm in relation to the traffic plane Px is then accepted.

[0091] Preferably, the upper rail G1 forms a handrail which must be adapted for handling by an operator.

[0092] To this end, in accordance with the aforementioned standards relating to guardrails, the upper rail Gl, when observed in cross-section, has a total area preferably between 490 mm2 and 1963 mm2.

[0093] Thus, when observed in cross-section, the upper rail Gl can preferably be a circular profile with an external diameter between 25 mm (which corresponds to the minimum area of ​​490 mm2) and 50 mm (which corresponds to the maximum area of ​​1963 mm2).

[0094] The upper rail G1 is preferably free of any obstacle at a distance of at least 100 mm along its entire length.

[0095] The upper rail G1 of the guardrail G forms a rectangular upper frame Cl extending in a plane Py of the upper frame CL

[0096] Each post Sla, Slb, Sic, Sld of the plurality of posts of the first support S1 has its own longitudinal direction X which forms with respect to the plane Py of the upper frame Cl an angle between 40° and 90°.

[0097] The upper rectangular frame Cl is inherently continuous, which provides overall rigidity and mechanical strength to the support SI and to the guardrail G, which is supported by at least some of its posts. The sides of this rectangular frame Cl each extend in the plane Py.

[0098] Preferably, the longitudinal directions X of the posts are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the plane Py of the upper frame Cl (each longitudinal direction X of a given post forms an angle of 90° with respect to the plane Py).

[0099] Preferably, the guardrail G has at least one first gate Gx movable relative to the upper frame Cl between a closed position and an open position. The first gate Gx in the open position provides a passage through the guardrail G with a width between 750 mm and 1200 mm.

[0100] Preferably, each side of the cover assembly 1 is equipped with a gate similar to said first gate Gx.

[0101] Preferably each gate is associated with an automatic gate return device to its closed position.

[0102] The automatic gate return device to its closed position may include an elastic return means and / or a counterweight system.

[0103] Such a gate Gx allows secure access through the guardrail G.

[0104] Preferably, the gate is opened by pushing the gate towards the area delimited and surrounded by the guardrail G.

[0105] Thus, the person pushing the gate to open it is encouraged to go towards the secure area, the automatic closing of the gate preventing a fall via the passage through the guardrail G.

[0106] As the passage through the guardrail G extends under the upper rectangular frame Cl which is continuous all around the central collection area Zc, the rigidity of the cover assembly 1 is not compromised by the presence of gates.

[0107] The maximum width of the passage freed by the gate in the open position is less than 1200 mm in order to comply with the standards NF E 85-015 of July 2019 and SN EN ISO 14122-3 which impose a passage distance through the guardrail of between 750 and 1200 mm.

[0108] Access by a worker to the roof of the first SI construction module can only be done via this passage secured by gate Gx.

[0109] Preferably, the guardrail (G) comprises one or more intermediate rails G2, G3, each extending between the upper rail G1 and the bearing plane Px of the first support SI to have a distance between rails of less than 500 mm.

[0110] In this case, in each of the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the guardrail G comprises a first intermediate rail G2 extending between the top rail G1 and the bearing plane Px of the first support SI, and a second intermediate rail G3 parallel to the first intermediate rail and extending between the first intermediate rail G2 and the bearing plane Px of the first support SL

[0111] Preferably, the guardrail G is shaped so that the space between the top rail G1 and the first intermediate rail G2 is strictly less than 500 mm.

[0112] Preferably, the guardrail G is shaped so that the space between the first intermediate rail G2 and the second intermediate rail G3 is strictly less than 500 mm (These values ​​of 500 mm are in accordance with the aforementioned standards relating to guardrails).

[0113] Preferably, the first support SI comprises a rigid rectangular lower frame C2, the lower frame C2 comprising said plurality of axial stops which together define said support plane of the first support Px. Each given column Sla, Slb, Sic, Sld of the plurality of columns of the first support SI is fixedly connected to the lower frame C2.

[0114] This lower frame C2 is rigid and forms, on its lower face, a continuous support surface.

[0115] This lower frame C2 is useful with the upper frame Cl, which is parallel to frame C2, to stiffen the support SL.

[0116] Thanks to these two rigid frames Cl and C2 connected to each other, rigidly, by the plurality of posts Sla, Slb, Sic, Sld, the support SI can be moved as a single unit with the entire guardrail (in the case where the roof assembly is shaped to cover only one of the modules) or with only part of the guardrail in the case where the roof assembly 1 has several independent supports SI, S2 each of which must be placed on one of the construction modules which corresponds to it.

[0117] Thanks to the C2 frame, the mass of the first SI support is distributed over the entire lower face of the C2 frame, which allows its positioning on any complementary flat surface (for example, the ground, during storage, or the flat roof of the construction module).

[0118] Preferably, the lower frame C2 has a height of at least 100 mm, which allows for the formation of a toe board of a height conforming to the aforementioned standards for guardrails. The toe board is useful for preventing tools from falling from the roof of the module.

[0119] As can be seen from the various figures, the first PVL photovoltaic panel belongs to a first group of LPG photovoltaic panels which are exclusively supported by the first SI support. Each support carries a single group of panels corresponding to it.

[0120] The cover assembly 1 is arranged to selectively adopt a solar energy harvesting configuration and a maintenance configuration.

[0121] In the capture configuration (see for example Figures 1a, 1b, 1e, 3a and 4), the panels of the first group of LPG panels are arranged so that any two given panels of the first group adjacent to each other are spaced apart by a spacing distance less than a predetermined value (in this case the predetermined value is for example chosen to be less than 20 cm, preferably less than 10 cm, preferably less than 5 cm, so as to maximize the solar capture area by the panels of the group of panels).

[0122] In the maintenance configuration (see, for example, Figures 2a, 2b, and 3b), the spacing between two adjacent panels is strictly greater than the predetermined value and is at least 35 cm, preferably at least 50 cm, preferably at least 65 cm, so as to provide a passage space Zx between the two panels. A worker moving on the roof 10a of module 10 can thus access the upper surface of the roof via the passage space Zx while moving on the roof 10a.

[0123] This access to the upper surface of the panels in the first group is secured because the guardrail surrounds the passage space Zx. The maintenance configuration is thus chosen to maintain / clean all or part of the upper surface of the cover.

[0124] More particularly, as illustrated in Figures 2a, 2b, 3b, at least the first Pvl panel is mounted pivotally, vis-à-vis the first support SI, around a pivot with axis X0 which corresponds to it.

[0125] It is also conceivable that other panels of the first group may also be mounted pivoting with respect to the first support by means of other pivots with horizontal axes parallel to said axis X0.

[0126] Pivoting a panel allows both to clear a passage Zx through the cover while facilitating access to both sides of the pivoted panel.

[0127] In the particular case illustrated in the figures, the pivot of axis X0 passes through parts fixed with respect to the posts Sla, Slb, Sic, Sld of the first support so that the first Pvl panel is exclusively supported by the first support SI which allows the dismantling of all or part of the guardrail G without having to dismantle the panels.

[0128] In the example of [Fig. 1a] to 2b and 4, the guardrail G is exclusively fixed to the posts of the single first support SI which is arranged to cover a single building module 10, the guardrail G overhanging each of the four walls of the module 10 which is of rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0129] In the example of figures 3a, 3b, the guardrail G is exclusively fixed on posts belonging to several supports SI, S2, S3, S4 which are adjacent to each other and which respectively cover several construction modules also adjacent to each other.

[0130] In these figures 3a, 3b, the guardrail G only overhangs the walls of the modules which are located at the periphery of the group of modules thus covered (each module thus covered has a general rectangular parallelepiped shape, identical for each module).

[0131] In embodiments where the first PV1 panel is mounted pivotally, the axis X0 around which the first PV1 panel pivots preferably passes through parallel stringers L1, L2 which belong to the first support SI.

[0132] In the case where one of said stringers L1, L2 is located on the outer edge of the central zone Zc of solar energy capture, it is then possible to ensure that this stringer also constitutes a portion of said upper frame Cl of the guardrail.

[0133] As the top rail of the guardrail extends all around the Zc area where the panels of the first group are located, the worker is perfectly safe even when assembly 1 is in maintenance configuration.

[0134] As illustrated by figures 2a, 2b, the longitudinal members L1, L2 of the first support SI are connected to each other by cross members T1, T2 which are here perpendicular to the longitudinal members L1, L2.

[0135] Each cross member Tl, T2 can carry stops, for example angle brackets, to limit the rotation capacity of the photovoltaic panel Pvl adjacent to these cross members Tl, T2 and thus define a single panel position adopted in energy capture configuration.

[0136] Locking means for the first panel (here bolts clamping the first panel against said angle brackets) are also used to selectively prevent the rotation of the first panel at least when assembly 1 is in capture configuration.

[0137] It should be noted that in embodiments such as those in Figures 3a, 3b, where the cover assembly 1 includes several photovoltaic panel supports SI, S2, S3, S4, these supports are of identical shape and construction to said first support SI, only the position of the guardrail G varies to extend to the periphery of the group formed by these supports.

[0138] The photovoltaic panels of these other supports S2, S3, S4 are also preferentially orientable in the same way as said first PVL panel.

[0139] In a non-preferred embodiment, as an alternative to pivoting the first panel relative to the frame Cl, it could be envisaged that the first panel be mounted sliding relative to the frame Cl by means of a slide.

[0140] Preferably, as illustrated in the figures, the passage space Zx through the cover is located directly opposite said at least one gate Gx in the closed position.

[0141] In this way, an operator accessing the roof via the passage selectively closed by the gate Gx finds, when the roof assembly 1 is in maintenance configuration, direct access through the plane Py via the passage space Zx.

[0142] Preferably, as illustrated in the various figures, the cover assembly 1 comprises at least a first lateral structure 20a disposed at the outer periphery of the guardrail G, the first lateral structure 20a carrying a plurality of peripheral photovoltaic panels Pvx.

[0143] Each peripheral photovoltaic panel Pvx is at least partly arranged opposite an external side of the guardrail G while preferentially extending along a downward slope away from said guardrail G.

[0144] In this way, each peripheral PVX photovoltaic panel provides additional shading to the periphery of the building module 10 covered by the cover assembly.

[0145] The peripheral photovoltaic panels Pvx also make it possible to increase the surface area of ​​solar energy capture at the periphery of the building module(s), i.e. outside the central capture zone Zc.

[0146] Finally, depending on their slopes, the peripheral panels promote rainwater runoff away from the building module(s) 10, which helps to preserve them.

[0147] As can be seen in the figures, the roof assembly comprises several lateral structures 20a, in this case four lateral structures (at least one per external face of the guardrail G).

[0148] Each given lateral structure carries its own peripheral photovoltaic panels Pvx and is fixed and supported by at least one pair of said posts corresponding to it.

[0149] Each given lateral structure 20a is also supported by at least one corresponding peripheral strut 30. Each peripheral strut 30 has an upper end hinged to the lateral structure it supports and a lower end hinged to a fixed point opposite said posts.

[0150] In a preferred embodiment, the slope specific to each given lateral structure 20a can be adjusted by varying the corresponding leg length(s) 30.

[0151] The orientation of the peripheral Pvx panels can thus be adjusted to adjust energy production or vary the shading or the overall size of the cover assembly 1.

[0152] For example, means for adjusting the slope of peripheral panels arranged to selectively position at least one of the peripheral panels Pvx in a vertical plane, a horizontal plane or a plane inclined inwards or outwards from the central zone Zc.

[0153] It should be noted that each given panel support SI, S2, S3, S4 of the cover assembly 1 according to the invention may also include one or more fixing devices to secure it with the construction module on which it is placed.

[0154] A fastening device may include lateral stops to define a translational stopping position for the roof assembly in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the covered roof. Such lateral stops are particularly useful for securing the mechanical connection between the roof assembly and the building module, the building having increased resistance against lateral impacts or vibrations (e.g., vibrations from a construction site or a seismic zone).

[0155] For example, each building module may include lifting rings fixed to its structure and accessible from the roof. A fastening device may, for example, include complementary parts of a lifting ring, a bracket, a plate, an indexing pin fixed to the building module, and a tensioning means to exert a compressive force on the roof assembly on the building module(s). These fastening devices are preferably distributed at the four corners of the lower frame C2 to prevent relative movement between the roof assembly and the building module(s).

Claims

Demands

1. Cover assembly (1) to cover at least one first building module (10) having a roof (10a), the cover assembly (1) comprising: - at least one first photovoltaic (Pvl) panel to capture solar energy and generate electricity;- a first support (SI) of said at least one first photovoltaic panel (Pvl), said at least one first photovoltaic panel (Pvl) defining a part of a roofing surface to extend over the roof (10a) of the first building module (10), characterized in that the first support (SI) comprises a plurality of posts (Sla, Slb, Sic, Sld) to support said at least one first panel (Pvl), the roofing assembly (1) comprising a guardrail (G) supported at least in part by some at least of the posts (Sla, Slb, Sic, Sld) of the plurality of posts of the first support, said guardrail (G) having a top rail (Gl) defining a peripheral limit of a central zone (Zc) of solar energy capture in which said at least one first photovoltaic panel (Pvl) is located.;

2. A roof assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first support (SI) has a plurality of axial stops together defining a support plane of the first support (Px), each given post (Sla, Slb, Sic, Sld) of the plurality of posts of the first support (SI) extends along a longitudinal direction (X) of the given post which is secant with the support plane (Px) of the first support, a minimum angle between the longitudinal direction (X) of the given post and the support plane (Px) being between 40° and 90°.

3. Cover assembly according to claim 2, wherein the cover assembly has a total surface area covered by a plurality of photovoltaic panels which includes said at least one first photovoltaic panel, the total covered surface area being shaped so as to prohibit any passage of a sphere of diameter greater than or equal to 30 cm through the total covered surface area and between said total covered surface area and said guardrail.

4. A roof assembly according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the top rail (Gl) has a surface upper peripheral which is entirely disposed between 400 mm and 1500 mm, preferably between 1000 mm and 1100 mm in height relative to said support plane (Px) of the first support.

5. Cover assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the top rail (Gl) of the guardrail (G) forms a rectangular top frame (Cl) extending in a plane (Py) of the top frame (Cl), each post (Sla, Slb, Sic, Sld) of the plurality of posts of the first support (SI) having its own longitudinal direction (X) which forms with respect to the plane (Py) of the top frame (Cl) an angle between 40° and 90°.

6. Cover assembly (1) according to claims 4 and 5 combined, wherein the guardrail (G) has a first gate (Gx) movable relative to the upper frame (Cl) between a closed position and an open position, said first gate (Gx) in the open position providing a passage through the guardrail (G) with a width between 750 mm and 1200 mm.

7. Cover assembly (1) according to claim 6, further comprising an automatic gate return device to its closed position.

8. Cover assembly (1) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the guardrail (G) comprises one or more intermediate rails (G2, G3) each extending between the top rail (G1) and the bearing plane (Px) of the first support (SI) to have a distance between rails of less than 500 mm.

9. Cover assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 combined with claim 2, wherein the first support (SI) comprises a rectangular and rigid lower frame (C2), the lower frame (C2) comprising said plurality of axial stops defining together said support plane of the first support (Px), each given post (Sla, Slb, Sic, Sld) of the plurality of posts of the first support (SI) being fixedly connected to the lower frame (C2).

10. A roof assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said first photovoltaic panel (Pvl) belongs to a first group of photovoltaic panels (Gpl), the photovoltaic panels of the first group being exclusively supported by the first support (SI), the roof assembly being arranged to selectively adopt a capture configuration of solar energy and a maintenance configuration, in the capture configuration the panels of the first group of panels are arranged so that two given panels of the first group adjacent to each other are spaced apart by a spacing distance less than a predetermined value, in the maintenance configuration, the spacing distance between the two given adjacent panels is strictly greater than said predetermined value and is at least 35 cm, preferably at least 50 cm, preferably at least 65 cm, so as to free up a passage space (Zx) between the two given panels.

11. Cover assembly (1) according to claim 10 combined with claim 6, wherein the passage space (Zx) is opposite said at least one gate (Gx) in the closed position.

12. Cover assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising at least a first lateral structure (20a) disposed on the outer periphery of the guardrail (G), the first lateral structure (20a) carrying a plurality of peripheral photovoltaic panels (Pvx), each peripheral photovoltaic panel (Pvx) being at least partly disposed opposite an outer side of the guardrail (G) while extending in a downward slope away from said guardrail (G).

13. Construction (0) comprising: - a first construction module (10) having a flat upper face forming said roof (10a) of the first construction module (10); and - a roof assembly (0) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the first support (SI) being placed above the roof (10a) of the first construction module (10) and being carried by said first construction module (10).

14. Construction (0) according to claim 13, wherein the entirety of the first support (SI) is vertical to the roof (10a) of the first construction module (10), construction (0) comprising a second construction module (102) having a flat upper face forming a roof of the second construction module (102), the roofs of the first and second construction modules (10, 102) being coplanar with each other, a straight edge of the roof of the first module (10) being adjacent to a straight edge of the roof of the second building module (102), the roof assembly (1) being arranged to cover the first and second building modules (10, 102), the roof assembly (1) comprising: - a second group of photovoltaic panels to capture solar energy and generate electricity; and - a second support (S2) of said second group of photovoltaic panels, said second group of photovoltaic panels defining a part of a cover area extending exclusively over the roof of the second building module (102), the second support (S2) comprising a plurality of posts to support said second group of photovoltaic panels, said guardrail (G) being supported at least in part by at least some of the posts of the plurality of posts of the second support (S2), the second group of photovoltaic panels being located in said central zone (Zc) of solar energy capture delimited by the upper rail (Gl) of the guardrail (G).

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