Technical field

The present invention relates to a slatted roof. The present invention also relates to a kit of parts and a method for assembling such a slatted roof. The present invention further relates to a terrace canopy comprising such a slatted roof.

State of the art

Slatted roofs are usually installed to screen off or, on the contrary, to clear an outside area. For example, such terrace canopies are often arranged at houses, restaurants, shops, etc. in order to screen an outdoor terrace or the like from sun rays, precipitation and/or wind or, alternatively, to temporarily let in sun rays. These canopies can be designed, for example, in the form of an awning, a pergola, a veranda, a carport, a pavilion, etc.

In the context of a slatted roof, there are typically four orientations (namely, top, bottom, outside and inside) for the slatted roof frame. Herein, “above” refers to the portion of the slatted roof that is or will be oriented towards the top surface (i.e. the sky, e.g. the open air), “below” to the portion of the slatted roof that is or will be oriented towards the ground plane (i.e. the earth, e.g. the terrace floor), “outside” to the portion of the slatted roof that is or will be oriented away from the roof (i.e. away from the slats) and “inside” to the portion of the roof arrangement that is or will be oriented towards the inside of the slatted roof (i.e. facing the slats).

A slatted roof typically comprises a frame comprising at least two beams which extend mutually parallel and to which a plurality of slats are pivotally connected between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, there is a gap between the slats and in the closed position the slats together form a continuous cover. By rotating the slats between these positions, the incidence of light, radiant heat and ventilation to the space below the slats can be controlled. For example, by directing the slats, the sun and/or wind can be shielded off or can be allowed to pass. In other words, the slatted roof serves as protection against the sun, precipitation, wind, etc. for a space located below. In addition, in their open position, the slats can optionally be provided slidably in the slatted roof, in which case they are typically slidable between a position in which they are distributed over the slatted roof and a position in which they are arranged substantially on one side of the slatted roof. In addition to rotatable slats, it is also possible to include one or more fixed slats in the slatted roof. A fixed slat is understood to mean a slat that is fixedly connected to the beams and is therefore neither rotatable nor slidable.

A problem with such a slatted roof is the integration or attachment of various components in or to slats that influence the deflection of the slats. An example of such integration is disclosed in WO 2021/048773 A1 wherein a slat is disclosed with an integrated heating element therein. In fact, by integrating an additional element into a slat, an extra weight is added to the slat compared to the other slats in the slatted roof. Adding this additional weight then affects the deflection of the slat and typically causes the slat with the integrated component to have a higher deflection than the adjacent slats.

A related problem with such a slatted roof is the manufacturing tolerance of the individual slats. The allowed manufacturing tolerance for aluminium extrusion profiles (typically, a slat is a profile extruded from aluminium or an alloy thereof) is laid down in NBN EN 12020-2:2017. The allowed manufacturing tolerance regarding the straightness of an extrusion profile is a deflection of maximum 3 mm for a profile with a length between 5 and 6 m. In other words, the maximum manufacturing tolerance allows for a deflection difference of 6 mm between adjacent slats. In addition, higher manufacturing tolerances may even be used for profiles with a complex design.

Irrespective of the reason for the different deflections (e.g. an integrated component or manufacturing tolerance), these differences, especially in the closed position of the slats, are undesirable. First of all, this is visually disturbing because the underside of the closed slatted roof does not have a uniformly flat appearance. In addition, this has a negative influence on the watertightness of the slatted roof. The waterproofing between two slats is typically based on hooking and/or fitting parts of the adjacent slats together. However, this hooking and/or fitting is made more difficult if the deflection is too different. Description of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a slatted roof wherein a difference in deflection between adjacent slats can be minimized in the presence of one or more integrated components in one of the two adjacent slats.

This object is achieved by a slatted roof for a terrace canopy, wherein the slatted roof is provided with a frame and a set of mutually parallel slats attached to the frame, wherein the slats extend in a longitudinal direction, wherein a first slat of said set of slats has a first bending resistance, and a second slat of said set of slats has a second bending resistance which is smaller than the first bending resistance, which first and second slats are adjacent to each other, and wherein the first slat is provided with an additional load such that a deflection of the first slat and the second slat are substantially equal.

The present invention is based on the finding that a more rigid slat (i.e. the first slat having a higher bending resistance) has a lower deflection than a less rigid slat (i.e. the second slat). The deflection of a slat depends on, among other things, the design and the material of the slat. In particular, the deflection is inversely proportional to the moment of inertia of the cross-section of the slat and to the elastic modulus of the material from which the slat is manufactured. The present inventors have realized that a rigid slat can be used to support (e.g. integrated therein or attached thereto) one or more desired components in such a way that these components then exert an additional load on the more rigid slat such that the first slat and the second slat have substantially the same deflection. In other words, by deliberately making the first slat more rigid than the second slat, an additional load can be applied to the first slat in order to obtain a substantially equal deflection at each of the slats. In this way, functional elements can be attached to a slat of the slatted roof without obtaining a slat with deviating deflection.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the additional load is formed by a functional component and/or a weight element, wherein the functional component is selected from a plurality of mutually different functional components.

The weight element is advantageous to compensate for the different loads exerted by each of the mutually different functional components. In other words, an end user has the choice to select one or more from a predetermined set of mutually different functional components for his slatted roof. Depending on the choice of the user, an additional weight element is then added such that the total load (i.e. the sum of the load of the selected functional components and the weight element) is sufficient to obtain the desired deflection of the more rigid (i.e. first) slat. A weight element is also not necessary. In fact, there is a maximum load that can be carried by the first slat, which depends on how much more rigid this slat is. If the user selects functional components that together exert the maximum load, no additional weight element is required. The reverse situation, i.e. only a weight element, is also possible. This is the case, for example, if the user currently does not desire any functional components, but he does desire the option to add them later and therefore already includes a more rigid slat in the slatted roof.

In a first alternative embodiment, the weight element has a mass that is dependent on a mass of the functional component, wherein, preferably, the sum of the masses of the weight element and the functional component is constant. Preferably, the weight element has a fixed location in the slat which is independent of the mass of the functional component. More preferably, this placement is substantially in the middle of the slat viewed in the longitudinal direction.

This first alternative embodiment uses a variable weight element depending on the weight of the functional components selected by the end user. In this way, the load exerted by the weight element in addition to the load exerted by the selected functional components varies so as to exert the desired load together in order to provide the rigid slat with the same deflection as the less rigid slat. Preferably, the total mass of the weight element and the selected functional components is constant. This is advantageous since the total mass has a direct influence on the load, such that a constant mass thus more easily gives rise to the desired constant load. Preferably, the location of the weight element is fixed. This allows to provide predetermined fixing elements within the slat for holding the weight element. Preferably, this placement is in the centre of gravity of the slat such that torsional forces are avoided or at least reduced. Also, torsional forces can be avoided or at least reduced by providing two (or more) weight elements which are substantially at the same distance from the centre of gravity in the transverse direction of the slat.

In a second alternative embodiment, the weight element has a position in the longitudinal direction of the slat which is dependent on a mass of the functional component. Preferably, the weight element has a fixed mass that is independent of the mass of the functional component. Preferably, displacing means are provided for displacing the weight element relative to the slat in the longitudinal direction of the slat. Alternatively, the first slat can be provided with a removable part (e.g. a removable top wall) which allows the weight element to be displaced from the top of the slat. Preferably, the location of the weight element in the width direction is fixed and preferably in the centre of gravity of the slat such that torsional forces are avoided or at least reduced. Also, torsional forces can be avoided or at least reduced by providing two (or more) weight elements which are substantially at the same distance from the centre of gravity in the transverse direction of the slat.

This second alternative embodiment uses a variably positioned weight element depending on the weight of the functional components selected by the end user. More specifically, the higher the mass of the selected functional components, the less centrally the weight element should be placed in the longitudinal direction of the slat. The use of a weight element with a fixed mass is advantageous because tin that case, only one element has to be provided. The provision of weight element displacing means is advantageous for the correct placement of the weight element and prevents them from having to be displaced by hand into a slat which may have a length of 2 to more than 5 m.

Briefly, both alternative embodiments provide the desired load to obtain the desired deflection. The first embodiment does this by varying the load via the mass of the weight element located in a fixed location. The second embodiment does this by varying the load by providing a constant mass of the weight element but varying its location along the slat. The second embodiment has the added advantage that the control of the deflection of the rigid slat can accurately be done because the position can typically be adjusted substantially continuously, while the addition and/or removal of weight (i.e. the first embodiment) is done in discrete steps.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the weight element is removably attached to the slat. This allows to remove the weight element again later. This is advantageous for optional repairs, but is especially useful if the end user wishes to change his chosen functional components.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the first slat is provided with a cavity, wherein the weight element is located in said cavity. In this way, the weight element is protected against weather influences and is also hidden from view.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the weight element is located substantially in the centre of gravity of the slat viewed in a width direction of the slat. This avoids or reduces torsional forces on the slat around the axis of rotation. Also, torsional forces can be avoided or at least reduced by providing two (or more) weight elements which are at substantially the same distance from the centre of gravity in the transverse direction of the slat. In other words, the weight element is preferably equally distributed with respect to the centre of gravity in the width direction of the slat.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the functional component comprises one or more of: a heating element, lighting, such as LED lighting, an audio element, such as a loudspeaker, an imaging element, such as a screen and/or a projector, communication means, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, a sensor, such as a rain sensor, wind sensor, or a light incidence sensor, a power generating means, such as a solar cell, a ventilation element, such as a fan. This increases the available options an end user can apply in his slatted roof.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a difference in deflection between the first and the second slat is at most 10 mm, preferably at most 6 mm, more preferably at most 4 mm and most preferably at most 2 mm, wherein the deflection in particular is measured substantially in the middle of the slat when viewed in the longitudinal direction. The lower this difference, the easier it is to make the slatted roof watertight in its closed position and the tighter the appearance of the underside of the slatted roof.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first slat has a first moment of inertia and the second slat has a second moment of inertia, the first moment of inertia being at least 25 %, preferably at least 75 % and more preferably at least 100 %, higher than the second moment of inertia.

Increasing the moment of inertia is one way to increase the bending resistance of a slat, as the deflection is typically inversely proportional to the moment of inertia. It has been found that an increased moment of inertia of at least 25 % allows to make the deflection of the first slat with additional load substantially equal to that of the second slat. Of course, there are still other ways to increase the bending resistance of the first slat, such as the choice of material, in particular to use a material with a higher modulus of elasticity, or by decreasing the self-loading of the first slat.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a slatted roof wherein a difference in deflection between adjacent slats can be minimized in the presence of manufacturing tolerances.

This further object is realized by a slatted roof for a terrace canopy, wherein the slatted roof is provided with a frame and a set of mutually parallel slats attached to the frame, wherein the slats extend in a longitudinal direction, wherein each slat has a deflection, wherein there is at least one slat having the highest deflection and wherein each slat (or each slat except the one with the highest deflection) is provided with an additional load such that the deflection of each slat is substantially equal.

By adding an additional load in each slat, it is possible to deflect each slat until it is substantially equal to the most deflected slat(s) (i.e. the slat or slats with the highest deflection). In this way, manufacturing tolerances can be accommodated without the need to dispose of manufactured slats in the waste. The additional load can be formed by a weight element with a fixed or a variable mass and with a fixed or variable placement as already described above for the alternative embodiments.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a difference in deflection between adjacent slats is at most 10 mm, preferably at most 6 mm, more preferably at most 4 mm and most preferably at most 2 mm, wherein the deflection in particular is measured substantially in the middle of the slat seen in the longitudinal direction. The lower this difference, the easier it is to make the slatted roof watertight in its closed position and the tighter the appearance of the underside of the slatted roof. The advantages described above are also achieved with a terrace canopy comprising a slatted roof as described above.

The advantages described above are also achieved with a kit of parts for assembling a slatted roof as described above, the kit comprising the frame, the set of slats and an additional load formed by one or more of a plurality of mutually different functional components and /or a weight element.

The above-described advantages are also achieved with a method for assembling a slatted roof as described above, the method comprising: providing the above-described kit of parts; placing the one or more functional components in the first slat; placing the weight element in the first slat; and placing the set of slats in the frame.

Brief description of the drawings

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

Figure 1 shows a schematic image of a canopy.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the canopy in more detail.

Figures 3A and 3B show a perspective view of the top and bottom respectively, of a slatted roof not according to the invention, wherein an additional load is exerted on the central slat.

Figures 4A and 4B show a section through planes A and B indicated in Figure 3A.

Figures 5A and 5B show a perspective view of the top and bottom, respectively, of a first embodiment of a slatted roof according to the present invention.

Figures 6A and 6B show a section through planes A and B indicated in Figure 5A.

Figures 7A and 7B show a perspective view of the top and bottom, respectively, of a second embodiment of a slatted roof according to the present invention.

Figures 8A and 8B show a section through planes A and B indicated in Figure 7. Figure 9 shows the same cross-section as Figures 6B and 8B with no additional load being exerted on the central slat.

Embodiments of the invention

The present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to particular embodiments 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 representations and are not limiting. In the drawings, the dimensions of certain parts may be enlarged, meaning that the parts in question are not shown to scale, for illustrative purposes only. The dimensions and relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to actual practical embodiments of the invention.

In addition, terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, and the like are used in the description and in the claims 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.

In addition, terms such as "top", "bottom", "above", "below", and the like are used in the description and in the claims for descriptive purposes. The terms so used are interchangeable in appropriate circumstances, and the embodiments of the invention may operate in orientations other than those described or illustrated herein.

The term "comprising" and derivative terms, as used in the claims, should or 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 shall be interpreted as a specification of the stated properties, integers, steps, or components referred to, without however excluding 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 components A and B. What is meant, on the contrary, is that, for the purposes of the present invention, the only relevant components are A and B.

The term "substantially" includes variations of +/-10% or less, preferably +/-5% or less, more preferably +/-1% or less, and more preferably +/- 0.1% or less, of the specified condition, as far as 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 canopy 1 for a ground surface, for instance a terrace or garden. The 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 canopy 1 comprises three types of beams 3, 4, 5, namely: a beam 3 serving on the outside of the canopy 1 as an external pivot beam 3; a beam 4 serving centrally in the roof 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 resting solely on columns 2 as shown in Figure 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 1 shown in Figure 2 comprises four support columns 2 which support a frame, also called a roof frame. The frame is formed from two external pivot beams 3 and two tension beams 5 between which a terrace canopy 7 is provided. Between two support columns 2 and a pivot beam 3 or tension beam 5, a wall infill 6 can optionally be provided.

Wall infills 6 are typically intended to shield openings under the canopy 1 between the columns 2. The wall infills 6 can be stationary or movable. Movable side walls include, for example, roll-in and roll-out screens and/or wall elements that are slidably arranged relative to each other, etc. Stationary side walls can be manufactured from different materials, such as plastic, glass, metal, textile, wood, etc. Combinations of different wall infills 6 are also possible. Figure 2 illustrates a wall infill in the form of a roll-in and roll-out screen 6. The screen 6 extends between two adjacent columns 2 and can be rolled out from the external pivot beam 3. The screen 6 mainly serves as a wind and/or sun screen.

In one embodiment, the terrace canopy 7 is formed by slats which are rotatably attached at their front ends to the pivot beams 3. The slats are rotatable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, there is an intermediate space between the slats through which, for example, air can be introduced into the underlying space or can leave this underlying space. In the closed position, the slats form a closed roof with which the underlying space can be shielded from, for example, wind and/or precipitation, such as rain, hail or snow. With regards to the discharge of precipitation, the slats are typically inclined towards one of the two pivot beams 3. In addition, it is also possible for one or more of the slats to be fixedly (i.e. not rotatably) attached to the pivot beams 3. Figure 2 illustrates the closed position wherein the slats 7 together form a substantially continuous cover. In the open position (not shown) a gap is present between the slats 7.

As further used herein, the term "longitudinal direction of the slatted roof" means the direction along which the beams 3 extend as indicated by arrow 8 in Figure 2.

As further used herein, the term "transverse direction of the slatted roof" means the direction along which the slats 7 extend as indicated by arrow 9 in Figure 2. The longitudinal direction and the transverse direction of the slatted roof are substantially perpendicular to each other.

As used further herein, the term "longitudinal direction of a slat" is intended to mean the direction along which the slats 7 extend as indicated by arrow 36 in Figure 3A.

As used further herein, the term "transverse direction of a slat" is intended to mean the direction which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a slat as indicated by arrow 37 in Figure 3A.

The slats are typically manufactured from a rigid material. This can be aluminium, for example. Aluminium has many advantages as a material because it is robust and light at the same time, resistant to adverse weather conditions and requires little maintenance. However, other materials are also suitable and their advantages or disadvantages are believed to be known to the skilled person. A slat can be produced using different techniques depending on the material, including extrusion, milling, setting, casting, welding, and so on. The appropriate manufacturing technique is believed to be known to the skilled person. Preferably, the slats are manufactured by means of an extrusion process. Optionally, infill elements of, for example, polycarbonate, glass, wood, etc., can be used to at least partially fill the hollow slats, for instance to obtain a different appearance of the slat, in particular if the slat is manufactured from a transparent material, like glass.

By rotating the slats 7 between the open position and the closed position, light incidence, radiant heat and ventilation to the space below the slats can be controlled. In the open position, there is an intermediate space between the slats 7 through which, for instance, air can be introduced into the underlying space or can leave this underlying space. In the closed position, the slats 7 form a closed roof with which the underlying space can be shielded from, for instance, wind and/or precipitation, such as rain, hail or snow. With regard to the discharge of precipitation, the slats 7 are typically inclined towards one of the two pivot beams 3.

Details regarding the attachment of a slat 7 to the pivot beams 3 are known to a person skilled in the art. Details can be found, for example, in patent application BE 2016/5365. The attachment typically uses a shaft which passes through the slat 7 and connects to an end piece having a slat shaft which engages an opening in the pivot beams 5, which opening is typically provided with a bearing. It will be obvious that other connections, for instance without an end piece in which case the slate is present directly on the slat, are also possible.

With regard to the figures, any reference to an orientation of the beams will be interpreted with reference to the position when mounted in the terrace canopy. In this way, there are four orientations, namely above, below, outside and inside. Here, “above” refers to the portion of the beam that is or will be oriented towards the top surface (the sky, e.g. the open air), “below” refers to the portion of the beam that is or will be oriented towards the ground plane (the earth, e.g. the terrace floor), “outside” to the portion of the beam that is or will be oriented away from the roof, i.e. away from the roof infill and “inside” to the portion of the beam that is or will be oriented towards the inside of the roof, i.e. facing the roof infill.

The present reference relates generally to the deflection of the slats 7 and to ways of ensuring that the deflection between adjacent slats 7, especially in the closed position of the slats, is substantially the same. It is therefore instructive to introduce some concepts.

In general, each slat 7 is fitted into the roof frame according to the principle of double support. In other words, each slat 7 is connected at both ends to the roof frame. This can be a fixed or a movable, in particular rotatable, connection. The length L of a slat 7 is defined as the distance between its ends viewed in the longitudinal direction 36 of the slat 7.

Different types of loads are possible on a slat 7. Firstly, there is the load due to the weight of the slat 7. Such a load results in a deflection f which can be calculated via:

5 * Q * L f = - - - ⁴

’ 384 * £ * I wherein Q is the evenly distributed load as a result of the weight expressed in E is the elastic modulus of the material from which the slat is made (e.g. 70 GPa for aluminium) and I is the moment of inertia of the slat determined by the shape of the slat, in particular due to the shape of the crosssection. The skilled person is familiar with ways of calculating the moment of inertia. The product of E*/ is also referred to as the bending resistance.

A next type of load is a point load in the middle of the slat 7 viewed in its longitudinal direction. Such a load results in a deflection /which can be calculated via: wherein P is the point load expressed in N. Other locations for the point load (e.g. not in the middle of the slat) are also possible and the skilled person is believed to be able to calculate the resulting deflection f.

The object of the present invention is to provide a slatted roof wherein a difference in deflection between adjacent slats can be minimized in the presence of one or more integrated and/or attached components in and/or to one of the two adjacent slats. In the Figures 3A to 9, in each case, three adjacent slats 7 are shown. In each case, it is the central slat on which an additional load is exerted by the integrated and/or attached components mentioned above. For the sake of clarity, the slat to be loaded will be indicated by reference numeral 7' to distinguish it from the rest of the slats 7. It will be readily appreciated that the slat 7' can be either a fixedly arranged slat or a rotatably attached slat.

Figures 3A to 4B illustrate the problems encountered when integrating and/or attaching additional components in a slat 7. In Figures 3A through 4B, each of the slats 7, T is identical to each other. By integrating and/or attaching one or more components to slat 7', this slat 7' is subject to an additional point load. Due to this additional point load, there is also an additional deflection (additional to the normal deflection as a result of its own weight) of the central slat 7', as a result of which the central slat 7' deflects more than the adjacent slats 7. This is indicated in Figure 3B with reference numeral 11 and is also clearly shown in Figure 4B where the central slat T is markedly lower than the adjacent slats 7. As shown in Figures 3A to 4B, the deflection problem is most visible in the middle of the slat 7' in its longitudinal direction 36 while typically no different deflection is visible near the ends of the slat 7'.

The present invention, as shown in Figures 5A to 9, is based on providing a more rigid slat 7' as compared to the adjacent slats 7. The higher bending resistance of slat 7' can be achieved in various ways, e.g. a modified configuration, such that the moment of inertia increases and/or another choice of material with a higher modulus of elasticity and/or an adapted, in particular lower, weight such that the deflection due to its own load is lower. Due to the higher bending resistance of slat 7’, this slat will bend less than the adjacent slats 7, without additional load, as shown in Figure 9. In this embodiment, the higher bending resistance of slat 7' is partly the result of its modified design.

By way of illustration, in a specific example, both the rigid slat 7' and the ordinary slate 7 are manufactured from aluminium with a modulus of elasticity of 70 GPa. The ordinary slat 7 has a moment of inertia of 385000 mm ⁴ and a weight of 3.1 kg/m. The rigid slat 7' has a moment of inertia of 850000 mm4 and a weight of 5 kg/m. In this example, both slats 7, 7' are 4.4 m long. In this way, the ordinary slat 7 has a theoretical deflection (in the middle of the slat) of 5.51 mm, while the rigid slat 7' has a theoretical deflection of 4.02 mm.

The present invention is further based on the additional loading of the rigid slat 7' such that the deflection of the rigid slat 7' is substantially the same as that of the adjacent slats 7. This additional load typically consists of a sum of two groups of loads, namely one or more point loads as a result of the integration of functional components in the slat 7' and one or more point loads as a result of applying a non-functional weight. Since the slat 7' has a predetermined bending resistance, there is a maximum theoretical load which causes the slat 7' to have the same deflection as the adjacent slats 7. The idea is that the sum of the two groups of loads together results in obtaining the maximum theoretical load.

More specifically, an end user has the choice to select one or more from a predetermined set of mutually different functional components for his slatted roof. Each component has its own weight and placement in or on the slat 7' and therefore exerts an additional point load which causes an additional deflection of the slat 7'. If this load/deflection is even lower than desired, an additional nonfunctional weight 10 is provided in the slat 7'. A weight element 10 is not necessary if the user selects functional components that together exert the maximum load. The reverse situation, i.e. only a weight element 10, is also possible. This is the case, for example, if the end user currently does not desire any functional components, but he does desire the option to add them later and therefor already includes a more rigid slat 7' in the slatted roof.

A number of possible functional components are: a heating element, lighting, such as LED lighting, an audio element, such as a loudspeaker, an imaging element, such as a screen and/or a projector, communication means, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, a sensor, such as a rain sensor, wind sensor, or a light incidence sensor, a power generating means, such as a solar cell, a ventilation element, such as a fan, etc.

Figures 5A to 8B illustrate two different embodiments for placing a weight element 10 in the slat 7' to obtain the desired deflection.

In the embodiment of Figures 5A to 6B, use is made of a weight element 10 with a fixed location in the slat 7' but with a variable mass. The placement is preferably centrally in the slat 7' and this preferably in the longitudinal direction 36 and/or in the centre of gravity in the transverse direction 37 or evenly distributed at a substantially equal distance from the centre of gravity in the transverse direction 37. In the longitudinal direction 36, this is advantageous because the influence on the deflection is then maximum and in the transverse direction 37, this is advantageous for avoiding torsional effects on the slat 7'. By adding more or less mass to the weight element 10, the deflection increases or decreases. In other words, depending on the functional components chosen by the end user, more or less mass is added to the weight element 10 until the desired deflection is obtained.

In the embodiment of Figures 7A to 8B, use is made of two weight elements 10 with a variable placement in the longitudinal direction 36 in the slat 7' but with a fixed mass. In the transverse direction 37, the weight elements 10 are preferably located substantially in the centre of gravity or substantially evenly distributed at substantially equal distance from the centre of gravity in the transverse direction 37 to avoid torsional effects on the slat 7'. By placing the weight elements 10 more towards the middle of the slat 7' in the longitudinal direction 36, the deflection increases and vice versa when moving the weight elements 10 towards the ends of the slat 7'. In the embodiment shown, there are two symmetrically (relative to the middle of the slat 7' in the longitudinal direction 36) placed weight elements 10. This contributes to a symmetrical deflection of the slat 7' around the middle thereof in the longitudinal direction 36. However, it will be readily appreciated that only one movable weight element 10 is also possible or that more than two weight elements 10 can be provided.

Of course, a combination of both embodiments is also possible. Furthermore, the invention can also be applied to a slat that is asymmetrically loaded by several functional components, which asymmetrical loading gives rise to torsional forces around the unloaded centre of gravity (in the transverse direction) of the slat. This is because the weight element can be divided into several individual elements, which in turn are arranged asymmetrically to compensate for the torsional forces caused by the functional components. Hence, the invention allows to load the slat 7' additionally (i.e. additionally to the load caused by the functional components) to ensure that the slat T has the desired deflection (i.e. the same as the adjacent slats) and to ensure that no (or little) torsional forces act on the slat 7' in the transverse direction of the slat.

The use of several (movable) weight elements 10 is advantageous because it has more degrees of freedom (e.g. the placement in the longitudinal direction of the slat, the placement in the transverse direction of the slat and/or the mass of each weight element) and thus allows a finer adjustment. For example, when using several functional components at different locations in the slat, several weight elements 10 allow to compensate for the necessary deflection, while the influence on the centre of gravity of the slat (both in the transverse and longitudinal direction) can be reduced to a minimum.

In an example, an overview is available wherein, for each possible combination of functional components, it is indicated how much mass should be used in the weight element 10 (embodiment of Figures 5A to 6B) and/or where the weight elements 10 should be placed (embodiment of Figures 7A to 8B).

In the shown embodiments of Figures 5A to 8B, the central slat 7' is still open at its top. This opening allows to weigh down and/or move the weight element 10. However, it is preferable to close off this opening at the end of the assembly, e.g. by means of a finishing profile, in order to protect the internal components in the slat 7' against external influences, e.g. the weather conditions.

The present inventors have also realized that the weight element described above can also be used to accommodate manufacturing tolerances of the slats 7. In particular, a weight element can be placed in each slat 7 until the deflection of each slat 7 in the slatted roof is substantially the same. For this purpose, both the placement and/or the mass of the weight element can be adjusted.

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.