Conventional corrugated plates are well suited for roofs on sheds and the like, but are dependent on the underlying support structure, often wooden joists, has suffi¬ cient drop to guide away rainwater. In addition, corrugated plates are not conside¬ red to be aesthetic according to today's taste, this resulting in that other inferior solutions oftentimes are chosen instead of corrugated plates.

The present invention aims at providing sheet elements that are not burdened with the abovementioned defects. This aim is reached by means of a sheet element that is characterized in the features indicated in the characterizing clause of claim 1. Further advantageous features and preferred embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

What follows is a detailed description of preferred embodiments, under reference to the attached drawings, where:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a sheet element according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a section of the embodiment of a sheet element shown in fig. 1 along A-A;

Fig. 3-4 shows alternative profiles of the sheet elements according to the present invention;

Fig. 5a shows two adjacent sheet elements according to the present invention, the edges of which overlap over a crossbeam; Fig. 5b shows the same as fig. 5a along B-B; and

Fig. 6 shows a detail from fig. 5b.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a sheet element 1 that can be arranged on top of a horizontal layer of joists 2, and still provide a sufficient drop to permit water to be guided away. The sheet element 1 comprises supporting flanks 3 that fit toget¬ her with and rests on top of the horizontal layer of joists, the sheet element 1 com¬ prising a sloping surface 4 between the supporting flanks 3, the sloping surface providing a predetermined drop, e.g. 1 to 3 cm drop per horizontal meter.

The sheet elements 1 may be manufactured in any preferred width and length, the width quite possibly being adapted to a standard joist spacing of 60 cm, and a typical length of 1 m, dependent on the area of application. Alternatively, it is possible to use narrower sheet elements if they are to endure larger loads over time, e.g. large amounts of snow. It is also possible to increase the thickness of the sheet element.

The sheet elements 1 may furthermore be manufactured as gradually deeper "chute", thereby making it possible to arrange more sheet elements after one another. In this case, the sheet elements 1 must be manufactured with varying depths, the various sheet elements 1 fitting together, end to end.

Figs. 2 - 4 show alternative section shapes and designs of the sheet elements 1. The optimal shape or design may be chosen in regard to manufacture, application or aesthetics, or a combination of all.

The support flanks 3 should have a shape that does not allow water to penetrate through the joints, e.g. by "bending" 5 the profile over each joist. This is shown on fig. 5. The sheet elements 1 may be fixed to the joists 2 by driving nails or screws through the parts of the sheet elements 1 that rest on top of the joists. Further¬ more, it would be an advantage to use some sort of gasket when fixing the sheet elements 1 , e.g. in the form of rubber washers between the head of the nail or screw, and the sheet elements 1 , in order to prevent the penetration of humidity that eventually may result in humidity damage in wooden materials, or a leaking roof. It is understood that other means for fixing the sheet elements 1 to the joists may be envisioned, e.g. fixing brackets, fixings rails etc.

The supporting flanks 3 of the sheet element 1 are shaped such that two adjacent sheet elements 1 can be placed on to of each other in the same manner as when roofing tiles are placed, in regard to the overlapping of adjacent sheet elements.

The sheet elements 1 are preferably manufactured of a metal material, e.g. light metal alloy material. The light metal alloy material is preferably corrosion resistant and/or easily be surface coated, and in a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the sheet element 1 is coated with plastic laminate of a perse know kind. This plastic coating must be weatherproof, resistant to UVR, endure great variations in temperature, and not fade easily. Alternatively, the sheet elements can be manufactured of a plastic material, e.g. polyethylene or other plastic mate¬ rials that can endure wind, weather, and relatively large loads such as a thick layer of snow.

One of the advantageous features of the sheet element 1 according to the present invention is that the sheet elements 1 may be arranged on top of a horizontal layer of joists 2. This gives a number of benefits. One aspect is that the construction of sheds, carports, annexes, etc becomes much simpler. Considerations of the pitch of the roof are avoided, as it is not necessary to deal with anything other than straight angles. Another and equally advantageous aspect according to the pre¬ sent invention is that the sheet elements 1 may be used in conjunction with patios, balconies, etc, in which it is required or desirable to arrange a impermeable layer or membrane under for instance a lath flooring. The sheet elements 1 according to the present invention ensure that water is guided away from underneath the lath flooring, and does not result in damage caused by water. The joists supporting the lath flooring may be arranged perfectly horizontal, as the sheet elements 1 accord¬ ing to the present invention ensure that there is sufficient drop for the water to be swiftly and effectively guided away from underneath the lath flooring, and especi¬ ally away from walls and corners, places where water oftentimes has a tendency to collect and cause great damage.

In an other embodiment of the present invention, the sheet elements 1 are not supposed to carry almost any loads as regards to snow, ice, body weight or the like, as the lath flooring both contribute to the fixation of the sheet elements 1 to the joists and to relieving the sheet elements 1 from the major part of any load, as the sheet elements 1 in this embodiment only guide away water from underneath the lath flooring. Furthermore, the lath flooring will press downwards against the supporting flanks 3 of the sheet elements 1 , and thereby contribute towards a wat¬ ertight result.

The present invention contributes towards an increase of utilization potential, as further examples of uses are houses with flat roofs wherein the space on top of the roof easily may be used as an outdoor area, detached or attached garages with an outdoor area or patio on top of the roof etc.