TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a rooftop covering structure for self-ventilated roofs.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a rooftop covering structure for self-ventilated roofs with slanted pitches; use to which the following discussion will make explicit reference without implying any loss of generality. BACKGROUND ART

As known, roofs with slanted pitches are composed of two or more slanted pitches that are juxtaposed in such a way as to form a longitudinal groove extending horizontally, at the maximum height from the ground, and is usually called rooftop or rooftop line. The side edges of the slanted pitches that, on opposite sides of the rooftop, are the minimum height from the ground are instead called roof eave lines. Each pitch of the roof is usually formed by support beams that rest on the supporting structures of the building; boarding placed to cover the support beams; and a series of imbrices, tegulae or roofing tiles in impermeable material that completely cover the boarding so as to form an impermeable covering that allows rainwater to flow freely on the upper face of the pitch to the eaves of the roof, without reaching the underlying boarding and beams.

In self-ventilated type roofs with slanted pitches, the support beams, the boarding and/or the impermeable coverings are structured in such a way so as to form a series of cavities or ventilation ducts that extend within the pitch, from the eave lines to the rooftop of the roof, and are open at both ends so as to allow air to penetrate below the impermeable coverings at the side edge of the pitch which forms the eave line, returning along the slanted pitch up to the rooftop line, and finally exiting from the lateral edge of the pitch forming the rooftop of the roof.

The self-ventilated roofs with slanted pitches are also provided with an additional covering structure, which is arranged astride the two pitches, at the rooftop line of the roof and for the entire length of the same line, and is structured in such a way to prevent rain water from reaching the side edges of the pitches forming the rooftop, and from there penetrating below the impermeable coverings of the pitches damaging the boarding and support beams; and a row of tegulae or rooftop roofing tiles arranged astride the two roof pitches, covering and protecting the rooftop covering structure .

More specifically, the rooftop covering structure is structured so as to allow free air circulation, and prevent rainwater from reaching the pitches lateral edges forming the rooftop of the roof.

In most of the currently known self-ventilated roofs, the rooftop covering structure is composed of a succession of rectilinear metal section-bars with a substantially inverted U- or Ω-shaped (omega) cross-section, which are positioned within the longitudinal groove or rooftop of the roof, aligned one after the other for the entire length of the latter. Each rectilinear metal section-bar is placed astride the line of junction between the boarding of two slanted pitches of the roof, so as to surface from the longitudinal groove delimited by impermeable coverings of the pitches, and has the two major side edges substantially L folded so that each of said edges can stably rest on the boarding of a respective slanted pitch, below the impermeable coverings of the pitch, and therein be rigidly and immovably anchored.

The central band that forms the top of the metal section-bar and the lateral sides of the same section-bar are conveniently perforated in such a way so as to allow the passage of air, while the row of tegulae or rooftop tiles is arranged astride the impermeable coverings of the two roof pitches, covering the crest or top of the metal section-bar with an inverted U- shaped cross section.

Even though working excellently, the above-described rooftop covering structure has shown certain sealing limitations when, in addition to rainfall, strong intensity winds with speeds above 60-80 kilometers per hour are added. In these extreme weather conditions, in fact, the water droplets nebulize due to the impact on the impermeable coverings of the pitch, and the wind can push the nebulized water inside the rectilinear metal section-bar with a substantially inverted U- or Ω-shaped (omega) cross-section where the water condenses back into liquid form and can reach and irreparably damage the boarding. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Aim of the present invention is to create a rooftop covering structure for self-ventilated roofs able to obviate to the drawback referred above, and which is furthermore cost effective to manufacture and install.

In compliance with the above aims, according to the present invention there is provided a rooftop covering structure for self-ventilated roofs as specified in Claim 1 and preferably, though not necessarily, in any one of the dependant claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 schematically shows a sectional view of a self- ventilated roof with slanted pitches provided with a rooftop covering structure realized in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the rooftop covering structure shown in Figure 1; whereas

- Figure 3 is a front view of the rooftop covering structure shown in Figure 2.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, referral number 1 indicates as a whole a rooftop covering structure which is specifically made to cover the rooftop of a self-ventilated roof 2 composed of at least two slanted pitched 3 that are juxtaposed so as to form/define a longitudinal groove 4 that extends along a preferably, though not necessarily horizontal directrix, at the maximum height from the ground, and is usually called rooftop 4 or rooftop line. The side edges (not shown) of slanted pitches 3 which, on opposite bands of the rooftop 4, are at the minimum height from the ground are instead called eave lines of the roof.

In the example shown, each slanted pitch 3 of the roof is preferably, though not necessarily, formed by support beams 5 resting on the support structures of the building (not shown) ; and by two intermediate boarding 6 that are placed to cover the beams 5, one above the other with the interposition of appropriate spacers, so as to form a series of crossed cavities or ventilation ducts that extend within the pitch, from the eave lines to the rooftop 4; and by a series of imbrices, tegulae or roofing tiles 7 in impermeable materials that completely cover the boarding so as to form a coat of impermeable covering 7, which allows rainwater to flow freely on the upper surface of the slanted pitch 3 towards the eave lines of the roof, without reaching the boarding 6 and the beams 5 below.

The series of cavities or ventilation ducts 6a delimited by the two boardings 6 are open at both ends so as to allow an air-flow f to penetrate below the impermeable coverings 7 of the rooftop corresponding to the side edge (not shown) of the slanted pitch 3 that forms the eave line, returning along the slanted pitch 3 to the rooftop line, and finally exiting from the lateral edge of the rooftop that defines the longitudinal groove or rooftop 4. With reference to Figure 1, the rooftop covering structure 1 is positioned astride the two slanted pitches 3, within the longitudinal groove 4 which defines the rooftop line, so as to engage said longitudinal groove 4 for its entire length, and is structured in such a way so as to prevent rainwater from reaching the lateral edge of the slanted pitch 3 that borders the rooftop 4, and from there flowing below the impermeable coverings 7 damaging the boarding 6 and the support beams 5.

Above the covering structure 1, the self-ventilated roof 2 then comprises a further row of tegulae or roof-tiles 8 which are arranged astride the two slanted pitches 3 of the roof covering and protecting the rooftop covering structure 1.

With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the rooftop covering structure 1 is basically composed of a succession of rectilinear section-bars 9 in metal or plastic material and with inverted U- or Ω-shaped (omega) cross-section, that are positioned in the longitudinal groove 4, aligned one after the other for the entire length of the latter. Each rectilinear section-bar 9 is arranged astride the two slanted pitches 3 so as to surface externally from the longitudinal groove 4 between the impermeable coverings 7 of the two pitches, and has the two major side edges 9a substantially L folded so that each of said side edges can stably rest on the boarding 6 of a respective slanted pitch 3, and therein be immovably anchored to said slanted pitch 3.

From opposite bands of each rectilinear section-bar 9, the rooftop covering structure 1 also comprises a pair of wings or longitudinal flat shelves 10, traditionally called "straps" which are fixed sideways onto a respective lateral side 9b of the rectilinear section-bar 9, at a predetermined distance from the major side edge 9a. Each longitudinal flat shelf 10 has preferably, though not necessarily, a length substantially equal to the nominal length of the rectilinear section-bar 9, and extends astride from the lateral side 9b of the section- bar so as to be locally substantially parallel to the underlying major side edge 9a of the rectilinear section-bar, and in order to extend above the impermeable covering 7 of the slanted pitches 3 immediately facing the same lateral side 9b of the section-bar, remaining locally tangent to said substantially impermeable covering 7.

The two longitudinal flat shelves 10 serve to prevent the rain from falling directly onto the lateral sides 9b of the rectilinear section-bar 9, and then infiltrate within the section-bar; and the tegulae or rooftop tiles 8 are arranged on either side of the rectilinear section-bar 9, preferably but not necessarily, resting on two longitudinal flat shelves 10.

With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, unlike the rooftop covering structures currently known, each lateral side 9b of the rectilinear section-bar 9 presents, along the longitudinal plane which is laterally bound by the longitudinal flat shelf 10 and by the side edge 9a where the boarding 6 rests, a series of through-slots 11 of a preferably, though not necessarily, oblong shape, which are aligned one after the other so as to form a number of longitudinal rows which are parallel and side by side to one another and preferably, though not necessarily, also parallel to the underneath part of the major side edge 9a of the section-bar.

The slots 11 have preferably, though not necessarily, each a passage section greater than 0.25 square centimetres.

Correspondingly each slot 11, the rectilinear section-bar 9 also comprises a respective protective hood 12 protruding astride from the outer surface of the section-bar lateral side 9b immediately above the upper longitudinal edge of the slot 11, for the entire length of the said edge, and then is lowered to substantially the height of the lower longitudinal edge of the slot 11, at a predetermined distance d from said lower longitudinal edge, so as to form a protective canopy shaped in such a way so as to prevent a perpendicularly directed air flow to the outer surface of the lateral side 9b to directly reach the slot 11 and then penetrate within the rectilinear section-bar 9.

In the example shown, the protective hoods 12 have preferably, though not necessarily, a substantially semicylindrical shell- shaped profile, and are preferably, though not necessarily, made of one piece with the rest of the body of the rectilinear section-bar 9.

Each longitudinal flat shelf 10 of the covering structure 1, therefore, extends astride from the corresponding lateral side 9b of the rectilinear section-bar 9, immediately above the slots 11 and the protective hoods 12 on the section-bar, locally remaining substantially parallel to the major side edge 9a of the section-bar and locally substantially tangent to the impermeable covering 7 of the slanted pitch 3 immediately facing the same lateral side 9b of the section- bar.

With reference to Figure 2, the central band 9c of the rectilinear section-bar 9 which forms the crest of the section-bar and is bound by the two longitudinal flat shelves 10, is instead provided with a large quantity of ventilating through-holes of a shape preferably, though not necessarily, circular, which are substantially evenly distributed upon the surface of the section-bar, and have a nominal passage section lesser than that of the slots 11. With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, in the example shown, in particular, the rectilinear section-bar 9 is formed by two flat sheets 13 of an elongated rectangular shape, distinct and separated from one another, which are substantially S-folded parallelly to the their major side edges; are suited to be placed one in front of the other in a reciprocally specular position; and are finally suited ^' to be fixed side-by-side to one another coinciding with one of the major side edges of the sheet, hereinafter called longitudinal coupling edge 13a.

Each plate 13 has an upper longitudinal bar 13' which ends in the longitudinal coupling edge 13a of the sheet, and a lower longitudinal bar 13" which ends in the major side edge 9a of the rectilinear section-bar 9. The slots 11 and the corresponding protective hoods 12 are appropriately distributed along the lower longitudinal bar 13 of the sheet 13, while the upper longitudinal bar 13' is provided with a large quantity of ventilating through-holes of a shape preferably, though not necessarily, circular, which have a nominal passage section lesser than that of the slots 11, and are substantially evenly distributed upon the surface of the sheet . Along its longitudinal coupling edge 13a, each sheet 13 also has anchoring members 14, which are structured so as to be suited to be hooked to the anchoring members 14 of the other sheet 13 preferably, though not necessarily with a snap- locking system, fixing the two sheets 13 one beside the other in a rigid and stable, though easily releasable manner. Preferably, though not necessarily, the anchoring members 14 are also structured so as to form a kind of hinge that allows the two sheets 13 to rotate one with respect to the other like the wings of a butterfly, around a common reference axis which is locally substantially parallel to the longitudinal coupling edge 13a. In other words, the two flat sheets 13 are adapted for being fixed one beside the other in a stable, though easily releasable manner, by way of anchoring members 14 with a snap- locking system, which are structured so as to also form a connecting hinge between the major side edge 13a of the two flat sheets 13.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, in the example illustrated, in particular, each of the two sheets 13 is provided with a series of hooking fins 14 protruding astride from the longitudinal coupling edge 13a, i.e. from the major side edge 13a of the sheet; at a predetermined distance from each other, and are substantially L-shaped, so as to allow cross attachment of each one to respective hooking fins 14 of the other sheet 13, so as to stably fix the two flat plates 13 one to the other, while simultaneously allowing the two sheets 13 to rotate with respect to each other with a butterfly wing movement .

Similarly to the projecting protective hoods 12, also the hooking fins 14 may be made in one piece with the respective flat sheets 13. In the example shown, in particular, the flat sheets 13 forming the rectilinear section-bar 9 are made of metal or plastic material, via a cold-pressing process (in the they are made of metal material) or injection moulding (in the case they are made of plastic material), so as to achieve the various hoods or protective caps 12 and protruding hooking fins 14 together with the rest of the sheet 13.

Regarding however the wings or longitudinal flat shelves 10, each consists of a flat sheet 10 of an elongated rectangular shape having a major side edge 10a substantially L folded, which is suited to rest on the flat sheet 13, roughly corresponding to the boundary line between the upper longitudinal band 13' and the lower longitudinal band 13", and to be permanently fixed to the body of the sheet 13 by bolts, rivets, spot welds or other fixing systems.

Similar to the flat sheets 13, also the longitudinal flat shelves 10 can be made of metal or plastic material, preferably but not necessarily, by a cold-pressing or injection moulding process.

The operation of the rooftop covering structure 1 is readily apparent from that described above, and therefore does not require further explanation. If not to specify that the projecting protective hoods or caps 12 arranged to cover the slots 11, prevent the entry of nebulized water inside the rectilinear section-bar 9 in the presence of winds with speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour, without hindering the free circulation of air. The advantages deriving from the particular structure of the rectilinear section-bar 9 are significant.

First, the presence of protective hoods or caps 12 completely eliminates the risk that wind driven nebulized water may penetrate within the rectilinear section-bar 9.

In addition, the rectilinear section-bars 9 that form the covering structure 1 are suitable to be assembled directly in the place of use, including all the advantages in terms of cost reduction of packaging and transportation that this implies .

In addition, the coupling fins 14 which serve to attach the two flat sheets 13 to each other, can be placed on the major side edge 13a of the two flat sheets 13 so as to obtain two perfectly identical products, with the drastic reduction of costs production that this implies.

Finally, it appears clear that to the rooftop covering structure 1 changes and variations can be made without going beyond the scope of the present invention.

For example, elongated through holes 11 and relative projecting hoods or protective caps 12 may be made on only one lateral side 9b of the rectilinear section-bar 9.