Temporary covering structure, e.g. for roofs of building under renovation, sports field or covered area for events

Abstract

A temporary covering structure (1), for example for the roof of a building being renovated, sports field or covered event area comprising: a plurality of V-shaped trusses (3) and a covering cloth that can be rested on the trusses (3) to create a covering of the roof / sports field or area against the weather. A first upper rectilinear member (12) realizes a first rectilinear guide (12-a) along which a first perimeter side portion (17-a) of an upper flexible covering element made from a sheet (17) is slidable, the element being provided with a second perimeter side portion (17-b) slidable along a first rectilinear guide (12-b) realized or provided on the upper rectilinear member (12) of a lattice beam (4, 5) of a second truss (3-2) adjacent to the first (3-1); the upper covering element (17) is movable under the thrust of actuator means along the guides (12-a) between a closed position in which the upper covering element (17) extends substantially over the entire length of the upper members (12) of the first and second truss covering the space between the adjacent trusses (3-1 and 3-2), and an open position in which the covering element (17) only extends for a section of the upper members (12) of the first and second truss, realizing an opening between the adjacent trusses.

Description

[0001] "TEMPORARY COVERING STRUCTURE , E . G . FOR ROOFS OF BUILDING UNDER RENOVATION , SPORTS FIELD OR COVERED AREA FOR EVENTS"

[0002] Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0003] This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102024000003148 filed on February 14 , 2024 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

[0004] Field of the invention

[0005] This invention relates to a temporary covering structure , for example for roofs of buildings under renovation, sports fields or covered areas for events .

[0006] Background of the invention

[0007] During the renovation of building roofs , it is necessary to provide temporary coverings to protect the top of the building from the weather while the work is being carried out .

[0008] Such temporary covering structures comprise multiple V- shaped trusses each comprising a first lattice beam and a second lattice beam extending on opposite sides of a central ridge element j oining the first and second lattice beams . Each lattice beam has a free lower end portion shaped to be attachable to a scaf fold installed at the building under renovation . The number of trusses used depends on the length of the longest side of the building ' s roof area and the chosen spacing between two adj acent trusses . The trusses are arranged spaced apart along a longitudinal direction and are covered with a single covering cloth that can be placed over the trusses to provide a weatherproof covering of the roof . The covering cloth provides good protection from the weather but does not allow for ventilation of the roof area where the renovators are working .

[0009] In addition, the covering cloth generally weighs a lot and, therefore , the operation of transporting the cloth from the construction site base to the top of the scaf fold (normally carried out by means of a crane ) i s a complex and essentially costly operation . Furthermore , the cloth is normally transported folded or rolled up, and the operation of unwinding the cloth and arranging it on the trusses is also not easy .

[0010] Temporary coverings of the above type can also be used to cover a sports field or events area, in which case the free lower end portion is shaped to be attachable to a support structure mounted in the sports field or events area .

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems of known types of covering structures by providing a covering that is easily installed and provides , when necessary, ventilation of the space below the trusses .

[0012] Prior art

[0013] US 11 111 670 B2 SE 2 250 629 Al

[0014] KR 100 845 461 Bl

[0015] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment thereof in which :

[0017] - Figure 1 illustrates , in a simpli fied side view, a temporary covering structure , for example for the roof of a building under renovation, sports field or covered area for events , made in accordance with the dictates of this invention arranged in a first operating position;

[0018] - Figure 2 illustrates , in a simpli fied view from above , the temporary covering structure arranged in the first operating position; - Figure 3 illustrates , in a simpli fied side view, the temporary covering structure arranged in a second operating position;

[0019] - Figure 4 illustrates , in a simpli fied view from above , the temporary covering structure arranged in the second operating position;

[0020] - Figure 5 illustrates , in a side view on an enlarged scale , a detail of the covering structure ; and

[0021] - Figure 6 illustrates in perspective view a temporary covering structure made according to the dictates of this invention mounted on a scaf fold surrounding a building . Preferred Embodiment

[0022] With reference to Figure 1 , a temporary covering structure 1 is illustrated, for example for the roof of a building being renovated, sports field or covered events area . In the example illustrated, without loss of generality, the temporary covering structure 1 is used to protect a roof of a building under renovation ( the building under renovation is schematically illustrated in Figure 6 ) .

[0023] The structure 1 comprises multiple trusses 3 ( 3- 1 , 3-2 , 3-3 and 3-4 ; in the example of Figure 6 , four trusses are illustrated but their number may obviously be di f ferent ) shaped in a V-shape and each comprising a first lattice beam 4 and a second lattice beam 5 extending on opposite sides of a central ridge element 6 j oining the first and second lattice beams 4 , 5 .

[0024] The number of trusses 3 used depends on the length of the longest side of the roof area of the building / sports field / events area and the chosen spacing between two adj acent trusses 3 . The trusses 3 are spaced apart along a longitudinal direction D .

[0025] Each lattice beam 4 , 5 is provided with a free lower end portion 4-a, 5-a shaped to be attachable to a scaf fold 10 ( see Figure 6 and Figures 1 and 3 where the upper portion of the scaf fold 10 is schematically illustrated) or to a generic support structure installed at the building under renovation or the sports field or events area.

[0026] The first and second lattice beams 4 and 5 are manufactured using known technologies.

[0027] The free lower end portions 4-a, 5-a are also provided with known coupling devices to achieve a firm connection with the tubes of the scaffold 10 or support structure.

[0028] According to this invention, in a first truss (e.g., 3-1) , each lattice beam 4, 5 comprises an upper rectilinear member 12 and a lower rectilinear member 13 facing each other and interconnected by a core 14 formed from linear elements 15 comprising, for example, uprights and diagonals.

[0029] The first upper rectilinear member 12 makes (or is provided with) a rectilinear guide 12-a along which a first perimeter side portion 17-a of an upper flexible covering element made from a rectangular sheet 17 is slidable, the element being provided with a second perimeter side portion 17-b slidable along a rectilinear guide 12-b made (or provided) on the upper rectilinear member 12 of a lattice beam 4, 5 of a second truss (e.g. 3-2) adjacent to the first truss (3-1 in the example) .

[0030] The upper flexible covering element made from a rectangular sheet 17 is movable along the guides 12-a between a closed position (Figures 1 and 2, first operating position) in which it extends along the whole length of the upper members 12 of the first and second trusses covering the whole space between the adj acent trusses ( in the example 3- 1 and 3-2 ) and an open position ( Figures 3 and 4 , right side , second operating position) in which it only extends over a section of the upper members 12 of the first and second trusses , creating an opening between the adj acent trusses . The closed position ensures complete weather protection of the roof / sports field or events area while the open position ensures ventilation of the area below .

[0031] The movement of the flexible covering element 17 along the guides 12-a is carried out by a ( known and therefore not illustrated) electric actuator . A support device is also provided to enable the supply of the covering element during movement from the open to the closed position and the storage of the covering element during movement from the closed to the open position .

[0032] The second lower rectilinear member 13 makes a rectilinear guide 13-a along which a perimeter side portion 18-b of a lower flexible covering element in a rectangular sheet 18 is slidable , the element being provided with a second perimeter side portion 18-b slidable along a rectilinear guide 13-b made on the lower rectilinear member 13 of a lattice beam 4 , 5 of a second truss ( e . g . 3-2 ) adj acent to the f irst truss ( 3- 1 in the example ) . The lower flexible covering element in a rectangular sheet 18 is movable along the guides 13-a between a closed position ( Figures 1 and 2 ) in which it extends along the whole length of the lower members 13 of the first and second trusses covering the whole space between the adj acent trusses ( in the example 3- 1 and 3-2 ) and an open position ( Figures 3 and 4 , right side ) in which it only extends over a section of the lower members 13 of the first and second trusses , creating an opening between the adj acent trusses .

[0033] The movement of the flexible covering element 18 along the guides 13-a is carried out by a ( known and therefore not illustrated) electric actuator . A support device is also provided to enable the supply of the covering element 18 during movement from the open to the closed position and the storage of the covering element during movement from the closed to the open position .

[0034] A preferred embodiment includes ( see Figures 1 and 3 ) : a first infill wall 20 that extends in a longitudinal direction between a pair of trusses 3 and is configured to close the longitudinal space arranged between the upper members 12 and the lower members 13 and turned towards the central ridge . a second infill wall 22 that extends in a longitudinal direction between one pair of trus ses 3 and is conf igured to close the longitudinal space arranged between the upper members 12 and the lower members 13 and turned towards the free lower end portion 4-a, 5-a of the lattice beams 4 , 5 . Conveniently, but not exclusively, the infill walls 20 and 22 can be made from rectangular cloths .

[0035] When both the covering elements 17 and 18 are arranged in the closed position, they delimit above and below a chamber 24 that i s also delimited, on opposite sides , by the first infill wall 20 and by the second infill wall 22 ; the chamber 24 creates a thermal barrier between the external environment and the portion of the building / sports field / events area that is below the covering structure 1 . The central ridge element 6 ( Figure 5 ) comprises a frame that has an isosceles trapezoidal shape in side view and comprises a lower tubular element with a larger base 30 , an upper tubular element with a smaller base 31 and two tubular side elements ( 32-a 32-b ) with an oblique side that are interconnected respectively with the first and second beams 4 and 5 .

[0036] The upper tubular element with a smaller base 31 supports a curved rest element 34 that is spaced from the upper tubular element with a smaller base 31 by two spacer elements 35 that have the same length .

[0037] The curved rest elements 34 of the various trusses 4 are arranged spaced apart along the longitudinal direction and support a cloth 37 in use that extends longitudinally covering all the ridges 6 and the area of the covering structure 1 arranged between two adj acent ridge elements 6 . The cloth 37 is arranged spaced apart with respect to the levels where the first members 12 lie and the rectangular sheet 17 arranged in the closed position creating a ventilation duct 40 that communicates , on one side , with the outside of the covering structure 1 and, on the other side , with the inside o f the covering structure 1 thus al lowing a ventilation flow from and towards the portion of the building / sports field / events area covered by the covering structure 1 and the external environment . The presence of the ventilation duct 40 prevents condensation from forming on the upper flexible covering element in a rectangular sheet 18 when the covering elements are arranged in the closed position .

[0038] Conveniently, the infill cloths 20 are attached to the side tubular elements 32 -a 32-b in such a way that the elements 20 delimit part of the ventilation duct 40 .

Claims

CLAIMS1.- A temporary covering structure (1) , for example for the roof of a building being renovated, sports field or covered event area comprising: a plurality of V-shaped trusses (3) each comprising a first lattice beam (4) and a second lattice beam (5) which extend from opposite sides of a central ridge element (6) that joins the first and the second lattice beam (4,5) ; each lattice beam (4,5) being provided with a free lower end portion (4- a, 5-a) shaped to be attachable to a support structure, characterized in that each lattice beam (4, 5) comprises an upper rectilinear member (12) and a lower rectilinear member (13) facing each other and interconnected by a core (14) formed by linear elements (15) ; the first upper rectilinear member (12) realizes / is provided with a first rectilinear guide (12-a) along which a first perimeter side portion (17-a) of an upper flexible covering element made from a rectangular sheet (17) is slidable, the element being provided with a second perimeter side portion (17-b) slidable along a first rectilinear guide (12-b) realized or provided on the upper rectilinear member (12) of a lattice beam (4, 5) of a second truss (3-2) adjacent to the first (3-1) ; the upper flexible covering element made from a rectangular sheet (17) is movable under the thrust of actuator means along the guides (12-a) between a closedposition (figures 1 and 2) in which the upper flexible covering element made from a rectangular sheet (17) extends substantially over the entire length of the upper members(12) of the first and second truss covering the space between the adjacent trusses (3-1 and 3-2) and an open position (figures 3 and 4 right side) in which the upper flexible covering element made from a rectangular sheet (17) extends only for a section of the upper members (12) of the first and second truss, realizing an opening between the adjacent trusses (3-1 and 3-2) .2.- The temporary covering structure (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second lower rectilinear member (13) realizes / is provided with a second rectilinear guide (13-a) along which a perimeter side portion (18-b) of a flexible lower covering element (18) made from a rectangular sheet is slidable, the element being provided with a second perimeter side portion (18-b) slidable along a second rectilinear guide (13-b) realized on the lower rectilinear member of a lattice beam (4, 5) of a second truss (3-2) adjacent to the first (3-1) ; the lower flexible covering element made from a rectangular sheet (18) is movable along the thrust of actuator means along the second guides (13-a) between a closed position (figures 1 and 2) in which it extends substantially for the entire length of the lower membersthe adjacent trusses (3-1 and 3-2) and an open position (figures 3 and 4 right side) in which it extends only for a section of the lower members (13) of the first and second truss realizing an opening between the adjacent trusses.3.- The temporary covering structure (1) according to claim 2, wherein a first elongated infill wall (20) is provided that extends along said longitudinal direction (D) between at least one pair of trusses (3) and is configured to close the longitudinal space arranged between the upper members (12) and the lower members (13) and turned towards the central ridge element (6) ; wherein a second elongated infill wall (22) is also provided that extends in longitudinal direction between one pair of trusses (3) and is configured to close the longitudinal space arranged between the upper members (12) and the lower members (13) and turned towards the free lower end portion (4-a, 5- a) of the lattice beams; when both the upper and lower covering elements (17 and 18) are arranged in the closed position, they delimit a chamber (24) above and below that is also delimited, on opposite sides, by the first infill wall (20) and by the second infill wall (22) ; the chamber (24) is configured to realize a thermal barrier between the external environment and the portion of the building / sports field / event area thatis below the covering structure (1) .4.- The temporary covering structure (1) according to claim 3, wherein the first and second infill wall (20 and 22) are made of rectangular cloths.5.- The covering structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ridge element comprises a support frame that connects the first lattice beam (4) with the second lattice beam (5) and carries a rest element (34) which is spaced with respect to the frame; the rest elements (34) of the various trusses (4) are arranged spaced along the longitudinal direction and support a cloth (37) , during use, that extends longitudinally covering the ridge elements (6) and the zone of the covering structure (1) arranged between two adjacent ridge elements (6) ; the cloth (37) is arranged spaced with respect to the levels where the first members (12) lie and the rectangular sheet (17) arranged in the closed position realizing a ventilation duct (40) that communicates, on one side, with the outside of the covering structure (1) and on the other side with the inside of the covering structure (1) thus allowing a ventilation flow from and towards the portion of the building covered by the covering structure (1) , the sports field or the event area and the external environment.6.- The temporary covering structure (1) according toclaim 5, wherein said frame has an isosceles trapezoidal shape in side view and comprises a lower element with a larger base (30) , an upper element with a smaller base (31) and two tubular side elements (32-a 32-b) with an oblique side which are interconnected respectively with the first and second beam (4 and 5) .

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