ROOFING DEVICE AND ROOFING INCLUDING SUCH A DEVICE

Abstract

ROOFING DEVICE AND ROOFING COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE The invention relates to a roofing device for a building, said roofing device comprising: - a container (20) having an upper face (21) having at least one inlet orifice (23) through which water can enter, - a covering element (10, 11) adapted to cover said container (20), said covering element extending substantially along a principal plane, characterized in that: - each covering element (10, 11) includes a water inlet opening (12) having an edge having at least one convex curved surface portion, - it has at least one concavity (22) configured to collect the water from said water inlet opening (12) and direct it at least partially towards said inlet orifice (23) of said container. Figure for the abstract: Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: ROOFING DEVICE AND ROOFING COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a roofing device. In particular, the invention relates to a roofing device comprising a container for collecting rainwater flowing from the roof. The invention also relates to a roof of a building comprising such roofing devices.

[0002] Rainwater harvesting and management, particularly in urban areas due to soil sealing, contribute to climate change adaptation. Rainwater can have numerous uses, especially in homes, both indoors and outdoors. Technological background

[0003] A roofing element for collecting rainwater, comprising a container held in place within a receptacle, is already known from document WO 2023 / 067080A1. Each container has at least one water inlet and at least one connector to another container to allow water to circulate between them.

[0004] Rainfall conditions are variable and influence the volume of rainwater collected through the surface of a roof equipped with such a roofing element. The inventor sought to improve this efficiency in order to optimize water recovery and its usefulness, even in geographical areas where rainfall is infrequent and low.

[0005] Throughout the text, the terms upstream and downstream are used in reference to the direction of rainwater flow by gravity on the surface of a roof, taking into account its orientation (or inclination). Objectives of the invention

[0006] The invention aims to provide a roofing device and a roofing system that allows for the collection of a maximum amount of rainwater in a simple and efficient manner, regardless of rainfall conditions and roof slope.

[0007] The invention also aims to provide a roofing device and a roofing to reduce the impact of flooding.

[0008] The invention also aims to provide a roofing device and a roofing system that allows for the replacement of an existing roof without requiring significant modification or reinforcement of the framework of the building concerned.

[0009] The invention also aims to provide a reliable, modular and easy-to-install roofing device. Description of the invention

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a roofing device for a building, said roofing device comprising:

[0011] - a container comprising an upper face having at least one inlet opening through which water can enter,

[0012] - a cover element adapted to be able to cover said container, said a roofing element extending substantially along a main plane,

[0013] characterized in that:

[0014] - each cover element includes a water inlet including a edge having at least one portion of convex curved surface,

[0015] - said roofing device has at least one concavity configured so as to be able to to collect the water from said water inlet and to be able to direct it at least in part towards said inlet orifice of said container.

[0016] A roofing device according to the invention therefore makes it possible to offer a device which not only collects and stores rainwater on the roof without requiring an additional tank or reservoir in the attic or on the ground, but also optimizes the volume of water collected in each container while avoiding the clogging of said water inlet vents.

[0017] This is achieved by combining a convex water inlet in the roofing element with a concavity that collects the water before it enters the container. The concavity may be provided in a wall of the container and / or form part of a portion of the roofing element. Each water inlet has a curved edge that deflects the water flowing upstream of it towards the concavity and the container located under each roofing element of the roofing system. This property of deflecting a fluid from its upstream trajectory is partly explained by an effect known as the "Coanda effect." Only the water thus deflected by the curved edge of the water inlet is directed through the water inlet.This also has the advantage of limiting, or even eliminating, the simultaneous entry of leaves or other undesirable solid elements that could be carried by the flow of water running over the surface of the roofing element.

[0018] In particular, each water inlet of said roofing element is not located in the same plane as the principal plane along which each roofing element extends. Advantageously, and according to the invention, each water inlet of said roofing element extends substantially in a plane that is neither parallel to nor coincident with said principal plane of said roofing element. Thus, the water inlet can be oriented distinctly from the surface of the element. The roofing element must be positioned upstream of the inlet without preventing rainwater that could flow across its surface from entering the inlet via the convex curved edge of the inlet. This convex curved edge of the inlet must extend at least from a surface of the roofing element configured to be positioned upstream of the inlet to the free end of the edge of the inlet (i.e., to the opening forming the inlet). Specifically, it is sufficient that only the edge (or at least a portion thereof) directly downstream of the surface of the roofing element from which the runoff water could originate before entering the inlet must be convex.

[0019] To achieve this, a portion of the inclined surface of said roofing element can be provided upstream of said inlet and configured so as to locally reduce the slope of said roofing element relative to its principal plane. Such a portion of the inclined surface has the effect of slowing the flow velocity of rainwater from the surface of the roofing element upstream of it. Thus, advantageously and according to the invention, said edge of the water inlet of said roofing element, comprising at least one portion of a convex curved surface, is disposed at the end of a portion of the surface of said roofing element inclined relative to said principal plane of said roofing element. Said edge of each inlet is thus disposed to project from the principal plane along which the roofing element extends.

[0020] Each roofing element can have variable dimensions and shapes. Each roofing element can have a general polygonal shape, in particular a rectangular one. Each roofing element can have any desired appearance, including that of tiles (flat, curved, etc.), slates, or even include at least one photovoltaic panel, or a vegetated support. Advantageously, and according to the invention, said roofing element has the appearance of tiles.

[0021] Advantageously, and according to the invention, each water inlet of said roofing element extends over a length at least equal to half the width of said roofing device. Advantageously, and according to the invention, each water inlet of said roofing element has an elongated, slot-like shape, the length of which extends substantially horizontally and has a relatively small opening width (in a direction orthogonal to the direction along which the length of the slot extends). In particular, each water inlet of said roofing element extends primarily in a direction substantially orthogonal to a vertical direction (along the direction of gravity).

[0022] To prevent objects such as leaves or animals such as birds or insects from passing through the opening formed by said inlet, the inlet may be fitted with a mesh. Advantageously, according to the invention, each water inlet of said cover element is equipped with a grid. This may also consist of rods or thin bars added inside the opening of each inlet.

[0023] In particular, advantageously and according to the invention, said concavity is provided in said upper face of said container so as to form an intermediate receptacle for the water from said water inlet mouth, said inlet orifice being disposed within said concavity.

[0024] Advantageously and according to the invention, each cover element includes a collector having said concavity configured to be able to collect the water from said inlet mouth and direct it, at least in part, towards said inlet orifice of said container.

[0025] Each cover element may be composed of two separate parts: for example, a main cover element and a secondary cover element, the secondary cover element having said water inlet and being able to be positioned above the main cover element. The main cover element may itself include said collector, opposite said inlet of said secondary cover element.

[0026] In particular, advantageously and according to the invention, said intermediate receptacle and said collector have conjugate shapes such that said intermediate receptacle of said container is configured to receive said collector of said cover element. Thus, if the cover element has such a collector and if the container has such an intermediate receptacle, the collector can be housed, at least partially, within said intermediate receptacle.

[0027] The container can have various shapes. Each container preferably has a small thickness (compared to its largest dimension) and an external appearance similar to a plate or panel. Advantageously, according to the invention, said container has an upper face adapted to extend primarily parallel to a slope of said roof. Advantageously, according to the invention, said container has an upper face that is at least partially flat. Advantageously, according to the invention, said container has two principal faces (an upper face and a lower face) that are substantially parallel to each other. Advantageously, according to the invention, said container has a generally polyhedral shape, in particular a generally parallelepiped shape.

[0028] Each water inlet of each container is adapted to allow rainwater falling and running off the surface of the roof to enter the container. Each water inlet can be of various shapes. For example, it can be circular. The number of water inlets per container, their distribution, and their shape can vary.

[0029] Advantageously, and according to the invention, each inlet of said container is equipped with a non-return valve so as to allow water to enter said container and to prevent water from escaping said container. Each inlet of said container may also be equipped with a filter to prevent dust and mosquitoes (or larvae) from entering said container.

[0030] A plurality of roofing devices according to the invention can be juxtaposed to cover at least part of a building's roof structure. The containers of each of the roofing devices can then be connected to each other in order to better distribute the water over the roof and allow its drainage via at least one outlet or collection point without needing to connect this point to each container. Thus, advantageously and according to the invention, each container includes at least one connector adapted to be connected to at least one connector of a separate container of a separate roofing device so as to allow water to circulate between said containers.The fact that each container has at least one connector that can be linked to a separate container allows for the distribution of the stored water across the entire roof, the distribution of the loads on said roof, and in particular, easier recovery and use of the available water. A single connector can, for example, be used as the outlet for the water stored in said roof.

[0031] Each container can have a variable number of connectors. It is possible, for example, to distribute a plurality of connectors in different places on the container, for example at least one on each side (i.e. at least four connectors in the case of a parallelepiped container, for example).

[0032] Each container and / or each cover element can be made of at least one material chosen from the group consisting of polymer materials (in particular polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyvinyl chlorides (PVC), polyethylene terephthalates (PET), polyoxymethylenes (POM)...), polymer matrix composite materials, metals, metal alloys and metal matrix composites.

[0033] The invention also relates to a roof of a building comprising at least one roofing device according to the invention, said roof comprising at least one slope exhibiting an inclination of between 20° and 60° with respect to a horizontal direction of said building.

[0034] The invention also relates to a roof of a building, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of roofing devices according to the invention.

[0035] A roof according to the invention can be entirely formed from a plurality of juxtaposed roofing devices according to the invention. The roofing devices according to the invention can also be only partially integrated within a so-called conventional roof such as a traditional slate roof, a flat tile roof, or even a roof of the type of batten roofs in the style of Parisian zinc roofs.

[0036] The invention also relates to a method of installing a roof comprising at least one roofing device according to the invention.

[0037] The invention also relates to a roofing device, a roof and a method for installing such a roof, characterized in combination by all or part of the characteristics mentioned above or below. List of figures

[0038] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example only, and which refers to the accompanying figures in which:

[0039] [Fig. 1] is a schematic front perspective view of a roof according to the invention,

[0040] [Fig.2] is a schematic side view of a roofing device according to the invention,

[0041] [Fig.3] is a schematic exploded side view of a roofing device according to the invention,

[0042] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective view of part of a roofing device according to the invention.

[0043] Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[0044] In the figures, the scales and proportions are not strictly respected for the purposes of illustration and clarity.

[0045] In addition, identical, similar or analogous devices are designated by the same references in all figures.

[0046] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a roofing device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 illustrates a roof 60, or the slope of a roof, comprising a set of roofing devices 1 placed regularly side by side.

[0047] The roofing device 1 60 shown in Figures 2 and 3 comprises a container 20 disposed below a roofing element 10, 11 which extends substantially along a principal plane. Each roofing element 10, 11 may be formed from a single piece or from several pieces that can be joined together. In the embodiment As illustrated, each cover element comprises a main cover element 11 and a secondary cover element 10 that can be fitted onto the main cover element 11. Each cover element 10, 11 includes a water inlet 12 having an edge 19 with a convex curved surface. Each container 20 includes an upper face 21 having at least one inlet orifice 23 through which water can enter an internal volume of the container. The upper face 21 of each container 20 has a concavity 22 configured to form an intermediate receptacle for water from the water inlet orifice 12. The inlet orifice 23 is disposed within the concavity 22.

[0048] Like overlapping Roman tiles, each roofing element 10, 11 has a general rectangular shape. The roofing element 10, 11 can have any desired shape, including that of tiles (flat, channel, etc.), slates, or even include at least one photovoltaic panel or a vegetated support (a support that can be vegetated or a support that is already vegetated).

[0049] The water inlet 12 of the roofing element extends substantially in a plane not coinciding with the principal plane of the roofing element, but in a plane forming an angle of at least 30°, and less than or equal to 60°, with the principal plane of the roofing element. The edge 19 of the water inlet 12 of the roofing element 10, 11, having a convex curved surface portion, is located at the end of a surface portion 14 inclined with respect to the principal plane of the roofing element. The edge 19 of the inlet 12 is therefore projecting from the rest of the roofing element. The secondary roofing element 10 comprises the inclined surface portion 14 and the inlet 12. The inclined surface portion 14 is configured to allow for a local decrease in the roof slope.This inclined surface area therefore makes it possible in practice to slow down the flow of water running along the roof in order to optimize the deflection of the water by convex curved surface area from the edge 19 of the water inlet 12 of the roofing element 10, 11 towards the container.

[0050] The main cover element 11 and the secondary cover element 10 can also be formed from a single piece, in one piece.

[0051] The secondary cover element 10 has two raised and curved lateral wings 16, each of which can be fixed to the main cover element 11, for example by screwing or bolting at points 18.

[0052] Each water inlet 12 of each cover element 10, 11 has, for example, a length of approximately 25 cm to 80 cm and a width of approximately 2 cm to 7 cm.

[0053] Each cover element 10, 11 includes a collector 15 configured to be able to collect water from the inlet mouth 12 and direct it, at least in part, towards the inlet orifice 23 of the container 20. The collector has the shape of an oblique truncated cone extending to an opening 17 configured to be able to open around the inlet orifice 23 of the container 20.

[0054] The concavity 22 of the intermediate receptacle and the collector 15 have conjugate shapes so that the concavity 22 of the intermediate receptacle of the container 20 is configured to be able to receive the collector 15 of the cover element 10, 11.

[0055] Such a roofing device 1 allows for a significant increase in the volume of water collected in each container while preventing clogging of the water inlets. Each convex edge of a water inlet diverts the water flowing upstream of it towards the intermediate receptacle of the container located under each roofing element of the roofing device. This fluid deflection property is known as the "Coanda effect." Each water inlet has a curved edge configured to divert the water flowing upstream of it towards the concavity and the interior of the container located under each roofing element of the roofing device.

[0056] As can be seen in [Fig. 1], each roofing element 10, 11 can also have a non-planar surface 30 in a hollow upstream of each water inlet 12, allowing the orientation of the water flowing over the roof to be further improved.

[0057] As can be seen in [Fig.4], each water inlet 12 of the cover element is equipped with a grid 34 having two rows of oblong openings 35.

[0058] Furthermore, each inlet 23 of a container is fitted with a check valve 40 so as to allow water to enter the container but prevent it from escaping. This may, for example, be a ball check valve, for instance, a check valve comprising a polystyrene ball. As can be seen in [Fig. 3], the check valve 40 comprises a support 41 containing a ball 42 forming a float whose position can vary vertically within the support 41 depending on the water level. A filter 43 may be positioned above the ball 42 inside an O-ring 44.

[0059] In an example of an embodiment according to the invention, each roofing device 1 measures approximately 500 mm to 1600 mm on each side, with a thickness of approximately 50 mm to 100 mm.

[0060] A roofing device according to the invention can be installed on a wide range of roofs and buildings, including roofs whose slopes have inclinations of less than 60°, and in particular can vary between 20° and 60° with respect to a horizontal direction of said building.

[0061] Furthermore, each roofing device 1 according to the invention can, for example, be fixed to the framework of a building by means of rails or battens (not shown).

[0062] A roof equipped with a roofing device according to the invention is therefore not only particularly effective at collecting as much rainwater as possible, both during heavy and light rainfall, but also drastically limits the penetration of unwanted solid elements (such as leaves, insects, etc.) carried by the flow of water running across the surface of the roofing element into the cavity and the container. This thus reduces the need for human intervention to clean the water inlet openings of each container.

Claims

Demands

1. A roofing device (1) (60) for a building, said roofing device comprising: - a container (20) having an upper face (21) having at least one inlet orifice (23) through which water can enter, - a covering element (10, 11) adapted to cover said container (20), said covering element extending substantially along a principal plane, characterized in that: - said covering element (10, 11) includes a water inlet mouth (12) comprising an edge (19) having at least one portion of a convex curved surface, - said roofing device has at least one concavity (22) configured to collect water from said water inlet mouth (12) and to direct it at least in part towards said inlet orifice (23) of said container.

2. Roofing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said water inlet (12) of said roofing element (10, 11) extends substantially in a plane not parallel to said principal plane of said roofing element (10, 11).

3. Roofing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said edge (19) of the water inlet mouth (12) of said roofing element (10, 11) having at least one convex curved surface portion is disposed at the end of a surface portion (14) of said roofing element (10, 11) inclined with respect to said principal plane of said roofing element.

4. Roofing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said water inlet (12) of said roofing element extends over a length at least equal to half the width of said roofing device (1).

5. Roofing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said water inlet (12) of said roofing element is equipped with a grid (34).

6. A roofing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said concavity (22) is provided in said upper face (21) of said container (20) so as to form a receptacle intermediate for water from said water inlet mouth (12), said inlet orifice (23) being disposed within said concavity (22).

7. Roofing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said roofing element (10, 11) comprises a collector (15) having said concavity (22) configured to be able to collect water from said inlet mouth (12) and direct it, at least in part, towards said inlet orifice (23) of said container (20).

8. Roofing device according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that said intermediate receptacle and said collector (15) have conjugate shapes such that said intermediate receptacle of said container (20) is configured to be able to receive said collector (15) of said roofing element (10, 11).

9. Roofing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each inlet orifice (23) of said container is provided with a check valve so as to allow water to be introduced into said container and to prevent water from exiting said container.

10. Roofing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said container (20) comprises at least one connector adapted to be able to be connected to at least one connector of a separate container of a separate roofing device so as to allow water to circulate between said containers.

11. Roof (60) of a building, characterized in that it comprises at least one roofing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, said roof comprising at least one slope having an inclination between 20° and 60° with respect to a horizontal direction of said building.

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