As far as walls are concerned, these coverings have been carried out for long with plasters that, depending on their composition, are more or less waterproof, with the consequence that they do not ensure proper transpiration or that after a short period the walls are subject to soaking, which cancels any insulating action. These coverings for walls have also been carried out with tiles, enamelled hollow tiles, clinkers, resin-plastic treatments and other waterproofing products that, though reaching acceptable results from the aesthetic point of view, do not guarantee the wholesomeness of the walls and inner rooms due to the heat conductivity of the coverings themselves, to their waterproofing and to the resulting lack of transpiration.

Another solution adopted for the heat insulation of the walls consists in the glueing with resins of a coat of insulating panels, polystyrene-stirodur or other synthetic products. This solution, however, presents the drawback that it does not permit the transpiration of the wall.

The ventilation of roofs or walls is seldom carried out by using various types of panels, even made of insulating materials, that are positioned above the wall and properly spaced from it: though creating a ventilation space, this solution is very expensive and binding:

In order to eliminate the drawbacks presented by the above mentioned solutions and at the same time to obtain a protective and decorative covering that ensures soundproofing, insulation and self-ventilation of walls and roofs according to the rules of bioecological architecture and without the use of synthetic materials, a new insulating system has been designed, which is constituted by new, wedge- shaped modular elements (tiles made of baked clay, ceramic, greys, majolica, cement, glass, solid or rolled metal, or other materials) that are monocolour or multicolour according to the materials used, have pentagonal shape, are truncated at the top and similar to a drop (or other suitable shape).

These modular tiles can have any size; they generally respect the following proportions: width equal to two thirds of the length and maximum thickness equal to 3.5 times the minimum thickness; the maximum thickness can be measured in correspondence with the central nib, that serves as separator of the laterally overlapping tiles, and is slightly inferior to the final thickness of the assembled covering.

Said nib or protrusion, which in its upper part presents a depression for the insertion of the upper modular elements, is provided with a hole with countersink for the insertion of the screw or of another system for the fastening of the tile to the horizontal support frame.

The upper part of the rear surface is provided with a groove with the above mentioned through hole and with two small depressions (or notches) having precise dimensions and serving as base for the corresponding spacing protrusions.

Upon installation, the position of flat area represented by the lower side of the tile destined to be exposed is parallel to the wall to be covered and coplanar to each one of the exposed areas of the assembled tiles.

The depressed areas at the sides and at the top of the nib are the seats that will house - through overlapping - the exposed areas of the upper elements; the side

areas are provided with two small spacing protrusions. In the assembly phase said protrusions coincide with the notches made on the rear surface of the overlaid tile.

The shape of the modular elements with suitable inclinations and properly bevelled corners, together with the different types of materials, colours and surface treatments, makes it possible to create a protective covering characterized by considerable weight and stratified structure, said covering having also aesthetic- decorative functions, due to the geometrical shapes of the tiles and to the different colours used.

The correct assembly of the tiles and the mosaic of the exposed parts create a flat surface that has a pleasant aspect and at the same time ensures protection against water infiltrations and any other weather agent, owing to the arrangement of a system of channels that are always directed downwards and are suitable for ensuring the flow of water from the upper to the lower tiles, with no possibility of infiltration, until the water is definitively drained.

The system comprises a horizontal frame properly fixed to the longitudinal frame, constituted by profiles made of wood and/or metal and/or other material and having shape and consistency suitable for the fastening of the tiles with screws or other accessories. It also comprises a longitudinal frame constituted by profiles made of metal, wood or other material, whose shape is suitable for the anchoring to the wall, for the fastening of the horizontal frame and for the creation of a chamber suitable for the ascent of the ventilation air produced by the stack effect.

The system is completed through the application of facing profiles for the upper corner of the covering and for the side corners, and of gutters for the collection and downflow of water, with the relevant support and fastening accessories.

The upper part of the rear surface is provided with a protrusion with a thicker area on the upper edge. At the sides of the front nib this protrusion is provided with two vertical slits that cross the protrusion itself and are aligned with the rest of the tile rear surface. The distance between the two slits and between each slit and the side

edge of the tile are such that all the slits of the laid tiles are equidistant from one another, this characteristic being considered as a safety feature against the coming off of the tiles.

The depressed areas at the sides and at the top of the nib are the seats that will house - through overlapping - the exposed areas of the overlaid upper tiles; said lateral depressed areas are provided with two small spacing protrusions.

Said depressed areas are also destined for the collection of the water coming from the upper tiles; for this purpose, they are surrounded by a raised edge that prevents the outflow and the ascent of water even in case of extraordinary events, ice or snow and guarantees its drainage; furthermore, said edges contribute to the structural reinforcement of the element.

The tiles described above are applied to the surfaces to be covered by means of a suitable frame made up of rods and cross members, sized in such a way as to create a chamber suitable for the ascent of the ventilation air produced by the stack effect.

Said frame can be made of metal, wood or other suitable materials; a metal frame is described here below.

The cross member section has the generic shape of an overturned Y, with the vertex of the Y considerably shifted towards one side.

Thin protrusions are provided at regular intervals in correspondence with said vertex of the Y, said protrusions having dimensions compatible with the tile slits and facing the same direction as the bent edge and the shifted vertex of the Y- shaped cross member.

The cross members are positioned on the wall to be covered, between the tiles and the rods, with horizontal arrangement and are preferably obtained through the die cutting and bending of rolled metal sections.

The rods have U-shaped, or omega-shaped or equivalent profile, with the ends bent outwards and are provided with shaped notches positioned on the U-shaped part, said notches being suitable for housing and supporting said cross members.

In particular, the notches are of two different, alternating types; one of them is linear and houses the lower edge of the Y-shaped section of the cross member, while the other is angular, so that it can house the upper bent edge of the Y-shaped section of the cross member.

The rods are applied to the surface to be covered in suitable number and are parallel to one another, so that the notches of the various rods housing the cross members are aligned. The rods are preferably obtained through the die cutting and bending of rolled metal sections.

Upon installation, the rods and cross members are applied to the surface to be covered so that the thin protrusions are directed towards the upper part of the surface to be covered.

The covering tiles are applied to the cross members so that the tile slits fit on thin protrusions of the cross members. The back of the tile is provided with a hook wich fasten the tile to the lower cross member.

In this position, the rear protrusion of the tiles rests on the cross members, while the remaining rear flat surface of the tiles rests on the protrusions of the depressed areas of the underlying tiles. It can be observed that even in case of covering of a vertical wall, owing to the misalignment between the exposed flat surface and the rear supporting protrusion, each element exerts a pressure directed towards the wall on the lower elements, thus ensuring the stability of the covering and its resistance to the wind.

To achieve a secure fastening, a screw or nail or block can be introduced in the hole provided on the nib of each tile, in such a way as to fix it stably to the frame or directly to the covered surface.

In addition to the main element, that is, the tile, the range of elements that constitute the wall and roof covering system comprises the following finishing elements: corners, ridges and other elements, all carried out according to fundamental principles, overlapping with mutual fixing, coplanarity with the covering, absence of rough parts and dents, homogeneity of the material on the exposed surfaces according to the need.

The system is completed through the application of facing profiles for the upper corner of the covering and of gutters for the collection and downflow of water, with the relevant support and fastening accessories.

The following is just an example among many of a practical application of the invention in question.

Figure 1 shows the wedge-shaped modular element (A) with the central raised part (A2) (nib), the upper part (Al) with screw hole (A5) and the spacing protrusion/s (A8); beside the nib (A2) there are the depressed areas (A4) on which the lower parts (A3) of the right and left side elements rest, and finally the lower part (A3) that rests on and covers the lower parts (A4) of the underlying elements (A), in correspondence with the notches (A9) and the spacing protrusions (A8).

Figure 2 shows a section of the element (A), in which it is possible to observe its wedge shape with the central nib (A2) and the side depressions (A4), and the thinner lower part (A3).

Figure 3 shows all the components of the invention, properly assembled and constituting the covering: the modular tiles (A) properly assembled and coupled to the profiles of the horizontal frame (B), the screws or other snapping accessory (C) for the fastening of the tiles on the horizontal frame and the profiles (D) constituting the longitudinal (vertical) frame that, besides supporting the horizontal frame, creates an air space in which, due to the stack effect, an induced ventilation will be naturally produced and will keep the wall to be covered, the covering and all its components constantly dry. The lower surface (not exposed) of the element

(A) is substantially flat, excepting a tooth (A6) provided in its upper part for the coupling to the frame (B) and the notches (A9) corresponding to the protrusions (A8) of the lower elements, which together serve to guarantee the constant thickness of the covering, its stratified structure and the stable position of the overlaid tiles even in case of installation of the covering in areas particularly exposed to the wind and/or to sun radiation.

Figure 4 shows two sections of the covering carried out in correspondence with the fastening screws (x-y-axes).

Figure 4, therefore, is a side view of the covering, in which it is possible to observe: - the wedge-shaped tile assembled through overlapping and fixing; - the side and upper depressions suitable for housing the exposed parts of the upper tiles; - the perfect coupling to the horizontal frame owing to the toothed fixing element, to the fastening screw and to the hook.

Figure 5 is a prospect view of the element (A).

The figures indicate the side depressions (A4) in which the two side tiles are housed, the lower flat area (A3) that in this case has the shape of a drop and, together with part of the nib (A2), represents the exposed part of the tile on the wall covering; the whole substantially constitutes a single plane parallel to the underlying wall with evident outlines and the corners for the drainage of water towards the channels (A7) that ensure the flow of the water downwards and outwards.

In case of installation of the covering in areas that are particularly exposed to the wind or to sun radiation, one or more protrusions (A8) can be provided in correspondence with the depressed parts (A4 and Al), so that the bottom of the upper element rests on said protrusions of the lower element.

Figure 6 shows the wedge-shaped modular element (A) with the central raised part (A2) (nib), the upper part (Al) with screw hole (A5) and the spacing protrusion/s (A8); beside the nib (A2) there are the depressed areas (A4) on which the lower parts (A3) of the side elements rest, and finally the lower part (A3) the rests on and covers the lower parts (A4) of the underlying elements (A).

It is possible to observe the raised edges (A9) that surround the depressed side areas (A4) and prevent the outflow and the ascent of the collected water coming from the overlying tiles (A), together with the slits (A10) for the fastening to the frame.

Figure 7 shows a side view of the wedge-shaped element (A) in which it is possible to observe its shape with the central protrusion (A2), the side depressions (A4), the thinner lower part (A3) and the hook (A12).

Figure 8 (a, b, c) shows the two elements constituting the frame on which the tiles (A) are placed and fixed.

The cross members (B) have a generic C-shaped section with thin protrusions (B3) and the dimensions of said edges and protrusions are compatible with the slits (A10) of the tile (A).

The rods (C) have U-shaped or omega-shaped profile with the ends (C1) bent outwards and shaped notches (C2-a, C2-b) positioned on the U-shaped part and suitable for housing and supporting the cross members (B).

In particular, the notches (C2-a, C2-b) can be of two equivalent types having the same function.

Figure 9 shows two rods ( C), a cross member (B) and a tile (A) in their correct position. The connection of the rods (C) to the cross member (B), and of the tile (A) to the cross member (B), with particular attention to the thin protrusions (B3) of the cross member and the slits (A10) of the tile (A) is clearly visible.

Figure 10 shows a series of tiles (A), rods (C) and cross members (B) coupled and laid in such a way as to carry out the covering.

Figures 11, 12, 13, 14 are schematic views of other variants of the wall covering, characterized by all the fundamental features of the invention, that is, the coplanarity of the exposed parts and their parallelism to the wall, the misalignment of the elements between the exposed area and the support base, the stability of the covering, due to the force of gravity, the optimal resistance to the wind, the protection against the coming away of the tiles obtained through the protrusions in the slots, wherein the exposed parts can also reproduce the ribs of the wood exposed to weather agents (A31).

The above are the basic outlines of the invention, on the basis of which the technician will be able to provide for implementation; any change which may be necessary upon implementation is to be regarded as completely protected by the present invention, provided that it is based on the innovative concept described herein.

Therefore, with reference to the above description and to the attached drawings, the following claims are put forth.