Technical field The present invention relates to a roof arrangement for a terrace canopy. The pre sent invention also relates to a kit of parts for building the roof arrangement and a terrace canopy comprising the roof arrangement.

State of the art Terrace canopies are usually arranged to screen off or, on the contrary, to clear an outdoor area. For instance, such terrace canopies are often arranged near houses, restau rants, shops, etc. to screen off an outdoor terrace or the like from sunlight, precipitation and/or wind, or on the contrary, to temporarily allow in sunlight. These terrace canopies can be implemented, for example, in the form of an awning, a pergola, a veranda, a car- port, a pavilion, etc.

Such a terrace canopy typically comprises a roof arrangement that is at least par tially supported by columns. Exceptionally, the roof arrangement may also be supported by another roof construction. The roof arrangement is generally constructed of several beams that are composed into one or more frames into which a roof infill can be attached. The beams themselves are often a composition of a plurality of individual profiles. Such a roof arrangement is typically supported by four (or more) columns between which a wall infill may be provided. Likewise, less columns may be used in case the roof arrangement is supported by other structures, such as a wall of an already existing structure.

In the context of a roof arrangement for terrace canopies, there are typically four orientations (namely above, below, outside and inside) for the frame of the roof arrange ment. In this context, "above" refers to the portion of the roof arrangement that is or will be oriented towards the top surface (i.e. the sky, e.g. the open air), "below" to the part of the roof arrangement that is or will be oriented towards the base surface (i.e. the ground, e.g. the terrace floor), "outside" to the portion of the roof arrangement that is or will be oriented away from the roof (i.e. away from the roof infill) and "inside" to the portion of the roof arrangement that is or will be oriented towards the inside of the roof (i.e. facing the roof infill).

A known roof infill is formed by a roll-in and roll-out screen. However, this has a risk of water pockets and cannot handle a snow load. A relatively large slope is required for water drainage (i.e. at least 8°). The screen also gets dirty easily.

Another known roof infill takes the form of rotatable and/or slide-open slats. How ever, these are typically not translucent. Although glass slats are translucent, there is a limitation on the number of pieces that are possible in a roof arrangement due to the additional weight.

Another well-known roof infill is a slidable panel roof. However, this typically suf fers from problems related to slope and curvature. A further problem is often the stacking height of the panels and in particular that the panels, in their stacked position, protrude relative to the top side of the frame of the roof arrangement. Often, there are also prob lems with the rigidity of the panels, especially if the panels have a considerable length (for example 3-4 metres), which typically results in thick panels, which further increases the stack height.

The roof infill according to the present invention is of the type formed by a plurality of mutually parallel panels positioned on the inside of the frame and slidable between a distributed position and a stacked position. The panels are typically (partly) made of metal, such as aluminium, (laminated) glass or plastic, such as polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

GR 1006387 B discloses a roof arrangement with an inclined positioned frame in which 3 panels are mounted, the top panel (i.e. the nearest panel to the upper transverse beam) of which is fixed and the two bottom panels are slidable. The panels have an up wardly directed L-shaped reinforcing rib on their one transverse side and a downwardly directed L-shaped reinforcing rib on their other transverse side, that together increase the strength of the panels and prevent bending. Each rib has one and the same height such that the sum of two corresponding ribs is constant. The upper reinforcing ribs are provided with openings to allow drainage of precipitation due to the slope of the roof arrangement.

A drawback of this known roof arrangement is the stacking height of the panels. This is namely the sum of the thickness of all panels together and in addition the height of the upper reinforcing rib (present on the upper platform) and the lower reinforcing rib (present on the lower platform). Based on the figures of the known roof arrangement, this amounts to a stack height of 8-10 times the thickness of one panel and this for only 3 panels. Furthermore, a lot of dirt (such as leaves and/or branches) can remain on the roof arrangement. This is because dirt will typically not flow through the openings in the ribs and will thus remain on a panel whereby it will be visible from the bottom side of the roof arrangement, which is not desirable.

In addition, nowadays there is a great demand for a flat roof arrangement, i.e. no sloped positioned roof arrangement. Such flat roof arrangements are known. For exam ple, DE 197 11469 A1 discloses a roof arrangement with a horizontally positioned frame, wherein each panel has an upwardly directed coupling rib on its one transverse side and a downwardly directed coupling rib on its other transverse side. The coupling ribs of ad jacent panels have corresponding sloped surfaces on the outside of the panels, such that the panels lie together in one and the same horizontal plane.

A drawback of this known roof arrangement is the stacking and sliding out of the panels. This requires a complex system with a spring system to lift the panels sufficiently such that they can slide out. This leads to an extremely thick roof frame in which all panels are stacked and the spring system is incorporated.

Description of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a flat roof arrangement with a stacking height of the panels that is as limited as possible.

This object is achieved by a roof arrangement comprising a frame and a panel ar rangement attached to the frame, which frame comprises a transverse direction, a longi tudinal direction, a top side, a bottom side and at least one transverse beam extending in the transverse direction. The panel arrangement comprises: N panels slidable in the lon gitudinal direction between a distributed position and a stacked position, wherein N is a natural number larger than one, wherein a 1 ^st panel of said N panels is, in the distributed position, nearest at said transverse beam in the longitudinal direction, and wherein an N ^th panel of said N panels is, in the distributed position, furthest away from said transverse beam in the longitudinal direction, wherein each panel has a frame having a nearest beam and a farthest beam which are mutually substantially parallel and extend in the transverse direction, which nearest beam of a frame is nearer to said transverse beam than the far thest beam of said frame; and (N-l) pairs of reinforcing ribs each comprising an upper and a lower reinforcing rib, wherein an i ^th panel of the N panels is provided at its farthest beam with the one reinforcing rib of a pair of reinforcing ribs of said (N-l) pairs of reinforcing ribs and an (i+l) ^th panel of the N panels is provided at its nearest beam with the other reinforcing rib of said pair of reinforcing ribs for any natural number i between 0 and N, wherein the sum of the heights of the upper and lower reinforcing ribs of each pair of reinforcing ribs is substantially the same, wherein, in the distributed position of the pan els, the frames of any two adjacent panels of said N panels extend in a different substan tially horizontal plane, and wherein, in the distributed position of the panels, the bottom sides of all lower reinforcing ribs are in a first substantially horizontal plane and the top sides of all upper reinforcing ribs are in a second substantially horizontal plane, which first plane is substantially parallel to the second plane.

By providing the frames of adjacent panels in different planes and the mutual ar rangement of the reinforcing ribs, it is possible to partially (or completely) slide these ad jacent panels over each other without increasing the height. This limits the stack height. It should be understood that the lengths of the upper and lower reinforcing ribs should vary with adjacent panels due to the different plane of the frames and the requirement that the upper and lower ends of the reinforcing ribs lie in one and the same plane.

In addition, the reinforcing ribs contribute to the strength of the individual panels. In particular, they prevent bending of the panels in the transverse direction or at least limit the bending. In addition, all upper ends of the upper reinforcing ribs are located in one and the same plane and the same applies for the lower ends of the lower reinforcing ribs. In this way, both the top side and the bottom side of the panel arrangement are neatly finished without a noticeable difference in height between the ribs.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the bottom side of the frame is in the first plane and/or the top side of the frame is in the second plane. In other words, the panels do not protrude from the bottom side and/or the top side of the frame of the roof arrangement in the distributed position and the roof arrangement thus has a taut and uniform appearance.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the panels slide between their stacked position and their distributed position via a substantially horizontal translation movement. Preferably, the bottom sides of all lower reinforcing ribs are in the first plane and the top sides of all upper reinforcing ribs are in the second plane for each position of the panels during the horizontal translation movement.

A horizontal translation movement is easy to perform such that also the design of the necessary guides for the panels can be simple without the need for complex stacking and/or sliding mechanisms. In addition, the panels never protrude relative to the roof frame in any position, such that the roof arrangement has a taut and uniform appearance in every panel position.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the panel arrangement further com prises a guide system for guiding the panels between their stacked position and their dis tributed position, which guide system preferably is provided with tracks with each panel in a corresponding track, wherein more preferably the tracks are substantially parallel to the first plane. The use of 1 track per panel (i.e. a multi-track system) simplifies the move ment of the panels as they do not have to cross each other's tracks.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the frame comprises two beams each extending in the longitudinal direction and between which the panels are connected, wherein the guide system is integrated in said two beams. Preferably, each of the N tracks comprises a first rail in the first beam and a second rail in the second beam, wherein each frame is guided on either side in a corresponding one of the rails. The inte gration of the guide system in the frame results in a compact roof arrangement. In addi tion, the panels are guided in a track on both longitudinal sides, which improves the sta bility and operation.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the roof arrange ment further comprises a gutter for collecting precipitation discharged from the panels, which gutter is integrated in the first beam below the guide system. The gutter contrib utes to the drainage of water from the panel arrangement to the frame and can thus be hidden from view.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the upper and lower reinforcing ribs of each pair of reinforcing ribs have substantially the same rigidity. This means that the farthest beam of frame i and the nearest beam of frame (i+1) have the same rigidity. Firstly, this ensures that the beams look visually similar in the sense that these beams have the same bending. In addition, this also ensures that the beams can hook into each other correctly.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the lower reinforcing ribs of adjacent panels are provided with mutually cooperating engagement elements which, in the stacked position of the panels, engage each other to mutually align the bottom sides of the lower reinforcing ribs and/or the upper reinforcing ribs of adjacent panels provided with mutually cooperating engaging elements which, in the stacked position of the panels, engage one another for mutually aligning the top sides of the upper reinforcing ribs. Pref erably, the engaging elements are formed by a notch on one reinforcing rib and a bulge on another reinforcing rib. A rib and bulge are easy to manufacture during an extrusion process, which is typically the manufacturing method of the reinforcing ribs, such that additional production steps are avoided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the roof arrangement further com prises a screen arrangement comprising at least one screen located below the panels and movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the screen, in its closed position, extends in a third substantially horizontal plane and substantially completely co vers the panels.

Such an embodiment has an increased number of possible configurations with re gard to light transmission and/or watertightness and combines in particular the ad vantages of a panel arrangement and a screen arrangement. Specifically, the following configurations are possible:

Both the panel arrangement and the screen arrangement are open, such that the roof arrangement is maximally open. A large incidence of light is possible and there is also sufficient ventilation.

The panel arrangement is closed and the screen arrangement is open. The roof design is watertight and determines in itself the light transmission. In the case of a glass panel arrangement, there is sufficient incidence of light since the screen arrangement is still open.

The panel arrangement is open and the screen arrangement is closed. The screen arrangement then serves as sun protection, while there is still sufficient ventilation in view of the open position of the panel arrangement.

Both the panel arrangement and the screen arrangement are closed, such that the roof arrangement is both watertight and sun-resistant.

Optionally, the roof arrangement also allows for further positions in which the panel arrangement and/or the screen arrangement are located between their open and closed positions. This again increases the options to obtain the desired light transmission and/or watertightness.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the third plane is sub stantially parallel to the first plane and/or, in the distributed position of the panels and in the closed position of the screen, the vertical distance between the screen and the bot tom side of the lower reinforcing ribs is substantially constant. In this way the screen is parallel to the bottom side of the reinforcing ribs for a roof arrangement that is as com pact as possible.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the screen arrangement comprises a screen guide for guiding the screen between its open and closed position, which screen guide preferably extends in the third plane. Preferably, the frame comprises two beams each extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the screen guide is inte grated in said two beams and wherein, more preferably, the screen guide comprises a first guide in the first beam and a second guide in the second beam and the screen is guided on either side in a corresponding one of the guides. The integration of the screen guide into the frame results in a compact roof arrangement. In addition, the screen is guided on both longitudinal sides in a guide, which improves stability and operation.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the roof arrange ment further comprises a gutter for collecting precipitation discharged from the panels, which gutter is integrated in the first beam above the screen guide. Preferably, the panel arrangement further comprises a guide system integrated in the beams for guiding the panels between their stacked position and their distributed position, which guide system is preferably provided with tracks with each panel in a corresponding track, more prefer ably wherein the tracks are substantially parallel to the first plane, wherein the gutter is located between the screen guide and the guide system. The placement of the gutter (i.e. below the panels and above the screen) serves to divert falling precipitation to the frame without landing on the screen arrangement, which could possibly cause damage, for in stance damp spots.

In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one reinforcing rib, in particular a lower reinforcing rib, comprises a rigid portion and a modular portion, wherein the ri gidity of said reinforcing rib is substantially determined by its rigid portion. Preferably, at least one of: a finish, a lighting module, in particular an LED lighting, a heating module, a ventilation module, an audio module, a communication module, in particular WiFi or Blue tooth, a sensor module, in particular a rain sensor, a wind sensor and/or a light sensor, and a power generating module, in particular a solar cell, is integrated into the modular portion. The modular portion allows to provide additional functionality in the reinforcing ribs. In one embodiment of the present invention, in the distributed position of the pan els, adjacent panels are at least partially hooked together to form a substantially water tight roof infill.

In one embodiment of the present invention, each panel comprises one upper re inforcing rib and one lower reinforcing rib. More of these panels can be stacked on top of each other in a limited height compared to, for example, U-shaped panels which thus have two upper or two lower reinforcing ribs.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, each panel has substan tially the same thickness. The thickness should here be seen as the vertical distance meas ured between the upper end of the upper reinforcing rib and the lower end of the lower reinforcing rib. That way all panels have a uniform view seen from a distance and the frame can also have a uniform thickness.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, at least one panel is pro vided with two upper or two lower reinforcing ribs. Such panels offer more flexibility in designing roof arrangement, especially if only a limited number (e.g. 2-3) panels are re quired.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the roof arrangement comprises a fur ther panel arrangement attached to the frame and identical to said panel arrangement, wherein the frame comprises at least two transverse beams extending in the transverse direction and facing each other, wherein the panel arrangement is located adjacent to a first of the two transverse beams is in its stacked position, wherein the further panel ar rangement is adjacent to a second of the two transverse beams in its stacked position and wherein the panel arrangements together in their distributed position form a substan tially watertight roof. This makes it possible to provide two stacks of panels (preferably symmetrical to each other) to span a longer roof while still limiting the stack height.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the N ^th panel of the panel arrangement is provided at its farthest beam with one of: an upper reinforcing rib and a lower reinforcing rib, and the N ^th panel of the further panel arrangement is provided at its farthest beam with the other of: an upper reinforcing rib and a lower reinforcing rib. In this way, the middle panels together also have a pair of reinforcing ribs with one and the same height as the other pairs.

The abovementioned advantages are also achieved with a kit of parts for building a roof arrangement as described above, wherein the set comprising the frame, the N panels and the (N-l) pairs of reinforcing ribs, which reinforcing ribs are preferably already at tached to the panels.

The advantages described above are also achieved with a terrace canopy compris ing a roof arrangement as described above.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be explained in further detail below with reference to the follow ing description and the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a schematic image of a known terrace canopy.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a known terrace canopy with a panel roof in the distributed position.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a known terrace canopy with a panel roof in the distributed position and with a partially extended screen.

Figures 4A and 4B show a detail of the known terrace canopy of Figure 3 with the panels in their stacked and distributed position, respectively.

Figures 5A and 5B show a schematic representation of a roof arrangement accord ing to the present invention in the stacked and distributed position, respectively.

Figures 6A and 6B show a schematic representation of a roof arrangement accord ing to the present invention in the stacked and distributed position, respectively.

Figures 7A and 7B show a schematic representation of a roof arrangement accord ing to the present invention in the stacked and distributed position, respectively.

Figures 8A and 8B show a schematic representation of a roof arrangement accord ing to the present invention in the stacked and distributed position, respectively.

Figures 9A and 9B show a schematic representation of a roof arrangement accord ing to the present invention in the stacked and distributed position, respectively.

Figures 10A to IOC show a schematic representation of the tracks for the panel ar rangement of Figures 8A, 7A and 9A, respectively.

Figure 11 shows a detail of the coupling between two panels.

Figures 12A and 12B show a schematic representation of a roof arrangement ac cording to the present invention in the stacked and distributed position, respectively.

Figures 13A and 13B show a schematic representation of a roof arrangement ac cording to the present invention in the stacked and distributed position, respectively. Figures 14A and 14B show a schematic representation of a roof arrangement ac cording to the present invention in the stacked and distributed position, respectively.

Embodiments of the invention

The present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to particular em bodiments and with reference to certain drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto and is defined only by the claims. The drawings shown herein are only schematic repre sentations and are not limiting. In the drawings, the dimensions of certain components may be enlarged, meaning that the components in question are not shown to scale, for illustrative purposes only. The dimensions and relative dimensions do not necessarily cor respond to actual practical embodiments of the invention.

In addition, terms such as "first", "second", "third", and the like in the description and in the claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and not necessarily to indicate a sequential or chronological order. The terms in question are interchangeable in appropriate circumstances, and the embodiments of the invention may operate in orders other than those described or illustrated herein.

The term "comprising" and derivative terms, as used in the claims, should not be construed as being limited to the means set forth in each case thereafter; the term does not exclude other elements or steps. The term should be interpreted as a specification of the stated properties, integers, steps, or components referred to, without however ex cluding the presence or addition of one or more additional properties, integers, steps, or components, or groups thereof. The scope of an expression such as "a device comprising the means A and B" is therefore not limited only to devices consisting purely of compo nents A and B. What is meant, on the contrary, is that, for the purpose of the present invention, the only relevant components are A and B.

The term "substantially" includes variations of +/-S% or less, preferably +/-3% or less, more preferably +/-!% or less, and more preferably +/-0.1% or less, of the specified state, in so far the variations are applicable to function in the present invention. It is to be understood that the term "substantially A" is intended to also include "A".

Figure 1 illustrates a terrace canopy 1 for a ground surface, for example a terrace or garden. The terrace canopy comprises a plurality of columns 2 supporting different beams 3, 4, 5. The columns and beams together form frames to which wall infills 6 and/or roof coverings 7 can be attached, as described hereafter. The terrace canopy 1 comprises three types of beams 3, 4, 5, namely:

- a beam 3 serving as an external pivot beam 3 on the outside of the terrace canopy 1;

- a beam 4 serving centrally in the terrace canopy 1 as a central pivot beam 4; and

- a beam 5 serving as tension beam 5.

It will also be appreciated that the beams 3, 4, 5 can be attached to other structures, for example a wall or facade, instead of solely supporting on columns 2 as shown in Fig ure 1. In such a way the terrace canopy 1 can be used in general for shielding an outdoor space as well as an indoor space.

The roof frame typically has a substantially quadrangular, preferably rectangular, shape. The frame can be formed by a single frame profile, bent several times. However, it is easier and more efficient to produce multiple frame profiles and then link them to gether to form the frame. The panel frame (also referred to as the frame of a panel) will typically comprise four profiles; in particular two main profiles which are typically ar ranged at the front and back side of the roof panel and thereby forming the front and back wall, and two side profiles which are typically arranged at the end face of the roof panel and thereby forming the side walls. The front and back side of the roof panel will typically be formed by the long sides of the roof panel and the end face by the short sides. The skilled person understands that, depending on the desired embodiment of the roof panel, this can also be the other way around, namely that the front and back side of the roof panel will be formed by the long sides of the roof panel and the end face by the short sides.

The panel infill will typically form the top side of the roof panel and, when mounted in a roof arrangement, also the top side of the roof. The panel infill will provide the wa tertight shielding of the roof. The panel infill is made of a watertight material which is preferably mounted or is mountable in the panel frame under a slope and/or with a spe cific convex bending. As a result, the water that ends up on the roof panel will be able to drain along the sides of the roof frame, without landing on the screen arrangement lo cated thereunder which could possibly leave markings, damage or permanent traces.

The panel infill will typically be a sheet which fills in the space of the panel frame; preferably the entire space between the main profiles of the panel frame. The panel infill can be manufactured from different materials or even combinations of materials. The choice of materials can be adapted to, among other things, the size of the roof (rigidity), the application of the roof arrangement (translucent or light-blocking), the climate in which the construction is placed (mainly sun, rain or snow), and so on. By way of example, the panel infill can be made of metal (e.g. aluminium), plastic (e.g. PC, PMMA, PVC), (laminated) glass, etc., and/or combinations of different types of material. Option ally, the panel infill can be coated, for example with a water-repellent coating. The ad vantages and disadvantages of the different types of materials and coatings are assumed to be known to the skilled person. In particular, the panel infill may be made of a layered structure whose layers, especially transparent layers, may contain the same or a different material. The advantage of such a layered structure is the structural reinforcement of the panel infill for the same or more limited height, such that external loads, such as snow, are better supported with limited and/or permanent bending. An example is the use of laminated glass, where the glass panels have a thickness of 3 mm and the plastic interme diate layer has a thickness of 0.2 mm.

The panel infill can be light-blocking, translucent or optically transparent. Light blocking is understood to mean that the panel infill blocks the visible light substantially completely; for example, transmits at most 5% of visible light; preferably at most 3%; more preferably at most 1%. Translucent is understood to mean that the panel infill par tially transmits visible light, but also partially blocks and/or scatters it; for example trans mits at least 10% of the visible light or, for example, scatters at least 90% of the visible light; for example transmits at most 90% of the visible light or, for example, scatters at least 10% of the visible light. Optically transparent is understood to mean that the panel infill allows the visible light to pass substantially completely; for example, transmits at least 90% of the visible light or scatters at most 10% of the visible light; preferably trans mits at least 95% of the visible light or scatters at most 5% of the visible light; more pref erably transmits at least 98% of the visible light or scatters at most 2% of the visible light; more preferably transmits at least 99% of the visible light or scatters at most 1% of the visible light. It is also possible to apply patterns, logos, motifs, etc. to the panel infill by manufacturing the panel infill from light-blocking, translucent and/or optically transpar ent zones.

A surface of the panel infill may be curved. Preferably, the surface of the panel infill will be convex. Convex, as used herein, means that the surface is curved outwardly. The convex surface will typically form the top of the roof panel. The convex shape has the advantage that the rain and/or snow water will drain towards the side profiles ofthe panel for improved water drainage. If desired, it is also possible for the side profiles of the panel to have a corresponding curvature, although flat side profiles are preferred because of their simple manufacture, for example via an extrusion process.

The convex surface may be arc-shaped. Arc-shaped, as used herein, means that the surface of the panel infill is curved outwardly like the perimeter of a circle. The convex surface may be circular or spherical. Spherical, as used herein, means that the surface of the panel infill is curved outwardly like the perimeter of a sphere. An arc-shaped or spher ical surface will provide improved water drainage. The curve of the convex surface may optionally deviate partially or completely; for example to form an elliptical or oval-shaped surface.

The top of the curved panel infill can be at least 10 mm to at most 50 mm higher than an end of the panel infill at the end face sides of the roof panel. The top is preferably at least 10 mm to at most 45 mm higher; more preferably 10 mm to 40 mm; more pref erably 15 mm to 35 mm; more preferably 20 mm to 30 mm; for example 25 mm.

A surface of the panel infill may be sloped. The slope has the advantage that the rain and/or snow water will drain towards the side profiles of the panel for improved wa ter drainage. Preferably, the surface of the panel infill will form a gable roof. The term "gable roof", as used herein, means that the panel infill consists of at least two inclined panel infill components placed against each other and intersecting in a ridge. The compo nents are preferably coupled together in the ridge to obtain a stable structure. The sloped panel infill components are preferably of equal length; in other words, the panel infill forms a symmetrical saddleback roof. Alternatively, a single panel infill can form a gable roof by being bent on at least one point; the inflection point will form the ridge. Option ally, the top of the ridge can be internally supported or provided. The saddle roof shape has the advantage that the rain and/or snow water will drain towards the side profiles of the panel for improved water drainage.

The slope of the panel infill may have a slope degree of at least 0.5° to 5.0° from the ridge to an end of the panel infill at the end face sides of the roof panel. The slope degree is preferably at least 1.0° to at most 3.0°; more preferably 1.0° to 2.5°; more pref erably 1.0° to 2.0°; more preferably about 1.5°; for example 1.3°.

The ridge of the curved panel infill can be at least 10 mm to at most 50 mm higher than an end of the panel infill at the end face sides of the roof panel. The top is preferably at least 10 mm to at most 45 mm higher; more preferably 10 mm to 40 mm; more pref erably 15 mm to 35 mm; more preferably 20 mm to 30 mm; for example 25 mm. The panel infill is preferably attached to the panel frame by clamping the body of the panel infill through the frame profiles. The frame can thereby form a space suitable for receiving the panel infill. Preferably, the panel infill will be clamped along at least a top side and a bottom side. An edge, preferably all edges, of a top surface and/or bottom surface of the panel infill can be partially, preferably completely covered by the frame profiles. Alternatively or additionally, the panel infill can be clamped along the sides. Pref erably, the sides of the panel infill will be completely covered by the frame profiles.

The clamping of the panel infill can be achieved by providing the main profiles and/or side profiles with a U-profile (also known as C-profile), whereby the distance be tween the upright walls of the U-profile (also known as the height) substantially corre sponds to the thickness of the panel infill. By sliding the panel infill between the upright walls, it will remain clamped after connecting adjacent profiles.

The clamping of the panel infill can be realized by providing the main profiles and/or side profiles with two clamping profiles, wherein a clamping profile will make contact with a top side of the panel infill and a second clamping profile will make contact with a bottom side of the panel infill. The clamping profiles can then be coupled to an upright side wall of the main profiles and/or side profiles to clamp the panel infill.

The panel infill can be attached to the panel frame with a leak-proof seal. Prefera bly, when clamping the panel infill, the seal will close all free spaces and thereby prevent potential leaks of rain and snow water. The seal can be placed between the frame and the panel infill. The seal can also be placed between individual frame profiles. The seal is typ ically made of a compressible material. This can be, for example, plastic or rubber. Alter natively, the seal can be realized by curable materials such as silicone.

The panel frame may further include a drainage slot for downward drainage of rain or snow water that preferably runs off laterally from the top of a panel infill. A drainage slot can be formed by producing the length of the panel infill less long than the corre sponding length of the main profiles of the panel frame against which the panel infill will be attached. This creates an elongated opening during assembly between a side of the panel infill and a side profile of the panel frame along which the water can drain. A down wardly directed drip-nose profile can be attached to the side of the panel infill, which can contribute to shielding the underlying screen arrangement against downwardly running water. In an advantageous embodiment, both lateral profiles will form a drainage slot on both sides of the roof panel, preferably with a drip-nose profile attached to both sides of the panel infill.

Optionally, when mounting the roof panel in a roof arrangement, the drainage slot can be placed above a roof frame gutter of the roof arrangement or roof construction for improved water drainage to prevent leaks on the base surface of the roof arrangement such as the terrace. By keeping the width of the drainage slot smaller than the gutter width of the roof frame gutter, the water seal can be hidden from view.

The panel frame may further comprise a roof panel gutter for lateral drainage of rain or snow water, which preferably runs off laterally from the top of a main profile. A roof panel gutter can be formed by providing a main profile with a sloping structure at an end of the main profile. When the roof panels are mounted in a roof arrangement, this creates a roof panel gutter between two adjacent roof panels, in particular between two adjacent main profiles of two adjacent roof panels, i.e. between a front main profile of a first roof panel and a back main profile of a second roof panel. The laterally draining water can then drain downwardly via the above-described drip nose, preferably along the above-described drainage slot, or a separate drainage opening can be provided on the side of the main profile.

The terrace canopy 1 shown in Figures 2 and 3 comprises four support columns 2 which support a roof arrangement 10. The roof arrangement 10 comprises a frame, also called a roof frame. The frame is formed from two transverse beams 11 (for example ex ternal pivot beams 3) and two longitudinal girders 12 (for example tension beams 5) be tween which a roof covering is provided. Optionally, a wall infill can be provided between two support columns 2 and a pivot beam 3 or tension beam 5.

Wall infills are typically intended to screen off openings under the terrace canopy 1 between the columns 2. The wall infills 6 can be fixed or movable. Movable side walls comprise, for example, roll-in and roll-out screens and/or wall elements that are slidably arranged relative to each other, etc. Fixed side walls can be manufactured from different materials, such as plastic, glass, metal, textile, wood, etc. Combinations of different wall infills are also possible.

In the embodiment shown, the roof infill is formed by a panel arrangement 13 and a screen arrangement 14. Figure 2 shows a configuration in which the roof arrangement 10 forms a watertight roof because the panel arrangement 13 is closed, but in which the translucency is not or hardly reduced since the panel arrangement 14 uses glass panels. Figure 3 shows a configuration wherein the screen arrangement 14 is partially closed and the panel arrangement 13 is completely closed. In this way, the roof arrangement 10 is watertight and the light incidence is partially limited. Of course, other positions are pos sible, such as a completely open position with the panel arrangement 13 and the screen arrangement 14 open or a completely closed position with the panel arrangement 13 and the screen arrangement 14 closed, such that the roof arrangement 10 is watertight and not translucent.

Figures 4A and 4B show more details of the panel arrangement 13 and the screen arrangement 14 in the stacked position of the panels (Figure 4A) and the distributed po sition of the panels (Figure 4B). The panel arrangement 13 comprises a plurality of panels 15, three in the embodiment shown, which in their open position (Figure 4a) are stacked one above the other and in their closed position (Figure 4b) are side by side in a plane. Preferably, the bottom panel 15 is fixedly connected to the transverse beam 11, which benefits the watertightness of the panel arrangement 13. The longitudinal beam 12 is provided with a rail system (not shown) for guiding the panels 15. Below the panel ar rangement 13 a screen arrangement 14 comprising a screen 16, also referred to as a cloth, is provided. The screen 16 can be rolled-in and rolled-out and, in its rolled-in condition, is located in a housing 17 which is fixedly attached to the transverse beam 11. The longitu dinal beams 12 are also provided with a screen guide 18 (with a screen guide unit 19) which is also part of the screen arrangement 14. The top side of the screen guide 18 can also serve as gutter 20 for collecting precipitation discharged from the panel arrangement 13 (i.e. the panels 15 have such a shape that these discharge precipitation in the trans verse direction). In this way, the gutter 20 is situated between the guide of the panels 15 and the screen guide 18 and no precipitation can end up on the cloth 16.

It will be appreciated that the screen 16 can also be moved to any position between its open and closed position as shown in Figure 4A where the screen 16 is not completely rolled-in such that the panels 15 are not visible in their stacked position. Due to the use of the frame for mounting both the panel arrangement 13 and the screen arrangement 12, the roof arrangement is relatively compact, in particular the arrangement has a limited height, since both arrangements 11, 12 are integrated together in a single roof arrange ment 10.

The panel arrangement 13 shown in Figures 2 to 4B does not form part of the in vention and is only intended to describe cooperation with an underlying screen arrange ment 14. The panel arrangement of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5A to 14B. It should be understood that the panel arrangement 13 may be re placed by that of Figures 5A to 14B and that the advantages of an underlying screen ar rangement 14 thus also apply to a panel arrangement according to the present invention.

Figures 5A and 5B show a first embodiment of a roof arrangement 10 with a panel arrangement 21. The panel arrangement 21 comprises three panels 22i _, 22 _2, 22 ₃ which are slidable between a stacked position (Figure 5A) and a distributed position (Figure 5B) be tween two transverse beams Hi, ll ₂ via a horizontal translation movement. Each panel 22 has a flat frame 23 with a nearest beam 23a and a farthest beam 23b. The terms "near" and "far" are relative to the transverse beam Hi against which panel 22i is fixedly at tached. The frames 23 of adjacent panels 22 are located in different horizontal planes.

The panel arrangement 21 further comprises two pairs of reinforcing ribs each com prising an upper reinforcing rib 24 and a lower reinforcing rib 25. More specifically, the first panel 22i has a far lower reinforcing rib 24i _, the second panel 22 ₂ has a near upper reinforcing rib 25i and a far lower reinforcing rib 24 _2, and the third panel 22 ₃ has a far upper reinforcing rib 25 ₂ . Each pair of reinforcing ribs 24, 25 together has the same height d, although the mutual relationship between the length of the lower reinforcing ribs 24 and the upper reinforcing rib 25 varies between pairs.

As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the bottom sides of the lower reinforcing ribs 24 are located in one and the same horizontal plane a, in which also the bottom side of the frame (i.e. the beams 11, 12) is located. Also the top sides of the upper reinforcing ribs 25 are located in one and the same horizontal plane b in which also the top sides of the frame (i.e. the beams 11, 12) are located, and this for every possible position of the panels 22. The stacking height of the panels 22 is thus limited to the height of the frame, which is advantageous, and the bottom side of the roof arrangement 10 is tautly finished in one and the same plane a.

Preferably, the reinforcing ribs 24, 25 of one pair have the same rigidity such that hooking is easier. The hooking of two adjacent panels 22 is best shown in Figure 11. The upper frame 23, is provided on its farthest beam on the bottom side with a first gripping means 26 and the lower panel 23j _+i is provided on its near beam on the top side with a corresponding second engaging means 27. The engaging means 26, 27 are formed by pro files with a corresponding hook shape. It is therefore advantageous that these profiles have substantially one and the same bending in order to simplify the engagement. Such engagement means 26, 27 result in a substantially watertight closure of the panels 22 in their distributed position.

As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the third panel 223 is also provided with a farthest reinforcing rib 28. This contributes to preventing the bending of this panel. But this is not essential as this could also be accommodated by providing the necessary support on the transverse beam II2 _. This is also done at the first panel 22i where a nearest reinforcing rib 31 is provided. For a uniform appearance, the transverse beam lli at the first panel 22i is also provided with a finish 29 (or a support) which preferably has the same appear ance as a reinforcing rib 25. This also applies to the transverse beam II2 where on the top a finish 30 is provided.

A variation is shown in Figures 12A and 12B where the reinforcing ribs 24, 25 are provided with mutually cooperating engagement members 32, 33 which, in the stacked position of the panels 22, engage one another to mutually align the bottom sides of the lower reinforcing ribs 24, and for mutually aligning the top sides of the upper reinforcing ribs 25. The engaging elements are formed by a notch (e.g. a slot) 32 on one reinforcing rib and a bulge 33 on another reinforcing rib.

The panels 22 in Figures 5A and 5B are generally Z-shaped. In other words, each panel 22 has a flat frame 23 with a lower reinforcing rib 24 on the far transverse side and an upper reinforcing rib 25 on the near transverse side. Of course, the reverse is also pos sible (i.e. a lower reinforcing rib 24 on the near transverse side and an upper reinforcing rib 25 on the far transverse side) as schematically shown in Figures 8A and 8B. Such panels 22 are maximally stackable in a limited height with a minimal ground surface because there are no sides where two lower or upper reinforcing ribs rest against each other.

Figure 10A illustrates the guide for a panel arrangement of Figure 5 or Figure 8. In particular, one rail 34 is provided in the longitudinal beams 12, in which a longitudinal side of a panel 22 is guided. Since there are two longitudinal beams 12 in the terrace canopy, preferably, there is also a corresponding rail (not shown) in the other longitudinal beam. The two rails 34 then together form a track along which a panel 22 is guided. In this way, there are thus as many (or 1 less) tracks than there are panels 22.

Figures 13A and 13B show a variation of the embodiment shown in Figures 5A and 5B. In this variation, the lower reinforcing ribs 24 are formed by a rigid portion 24a and a modular portion 24b located below the rigid portion 24a. The rigid portion 24a mainly determines the strength of the lower reinforcing rib 24. It is also possible to apply the same to the upper reinforcing ribs 25. The modular portion can be used for the integration of different modules to increase the functionality of the roof arrangement 10. Examples of possible modules and/or functionality are a different finish (e.g. a wood structure), lighting (e.g. LED lighting), a heating module, a ventilation module, an audio module, a communication module ( e.g. WiFi or Bluetooth), a sensor module ( e.g. a rain sensor, a wind sensor and/or a light sensor), a power generation module ( e.g. a solar cell).

Of course, other possible configurations of panels are possible. More specifically, there are also U-shaped panels which thus have two lower reinforcing ribs 24 or two up per reinforcing ribs 25. A first example is shown in Figures 6A and 6B with two U-shaped panels 22i _, 22 ₂ on the first transverse beam Hi and two U-shaped panels 22i _, 22 ₂ on the second transverse beam II2 _. Each set of panels also has 1 pair of reinforcing ribs 24, 25. A pair of reinforcing ribs 35, 36 is also provided for the connection between the two sec ond panels. The panels 22 can be guided in two tracks 34 (see Figure 10B). A similar ar rangement is shown in Figures 7A and 7B where there are a total of 6 U-shaped panels guided in two tracks 34 (see Figure 10B).

The advantage of U-shaped panels is that fewer different panels 22 have to be man ufactured compared to Z-shaped panels since there are fewer different reinforcing ribs. On the other hand, the stacking surface is larger or the number of panels (and therefore the size) is limited. A further advantage is that the height difference between the frame of the 1 ^st panel and the last panel is independent of the number of panels, while with Z- shaped panels this only increases as the number of panels increases.

A combination of U-shaped and Z-shaped panels is also possible as shown in Fig ures 9A and 9B. A schematic view of the tracks 34 for this embodiment is shown in Fig ure IOC.

A further variation is shown in Figures 14A and 14B. In this embodiment, each panel 22 comprises reinforcing ribs 24, 25 which are not limited to only one side of the frame 23. This is especially advantageous if the panel infill placed in the frame 23 is convex. Such panel infill is advantageous in terms of water drainage, as already described. Flowever, the disadvantage of a convex panel infill is that it can protrude from the top side of the frame 23 or that a relatively high frame 23 is to be provided, as a result of which material and/or production costs can increase. Because the reinforcing ribs 24, 25 are located on either side of the frame 23, a vertical space is created between the frames 23 of adjacent panels 22 in the stacked position of the panels 22 (see Figure 14A). The convex panel infill may be located at least partially in this vertical space. The crucial aspect that returns in each of the panel arrangements 21 according to the present invention as described above is that adjacent panels together have one pair of reinforcing ribs 24, 25 which together have a uniform height and that the frames 23 of adjacent panels are located in a different horizontal plane. This allows to limit the stack height and to use a simple horizontal translation movement to move the panels 22, keep ing the panels 22 at all times within the lower and upper limits of the frame of the roof arrangement 10.

The panel arrangement 21 according to the present invention as described above is therefore also particularly advantageous for cooperation with a screen arrangement (as in Figures 2-4) because the bottom side of the panel arrangement 21 is located in a hori zontal plane a, such that a screen 16 can be placed just below this plane a. In terms of integration, it is possible, for example, to provide the housing 17 with a finish 29.

While certain aspects of the present invention have been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is to be understood that these aspects may be implemented in other forms within the scope of protection as defined by the claims.