Abstract:
The invention is a flat-faced, or planar-clad, corrugated panel with an interface at opposing side-edges. The interface has an extended-crescent and a planar-member extension making an interface such that a plurality of panels are joined and taken apart from below generally without the use of tools. The aesthetically a uniform and finished appearance of the panels is affected. The upper-surface, having corrugations, sheds water, generally without leaking. A plurality of joined panels can be supported by a grid below.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/696,908 filed Jun. 30, 2005. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to the field of an overhead apparatus for shedding water and debris. Moreover it pertains specifically to such apparatus for shedding rainwater under decks. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention generally comprises a planar-member-clad panel with corrugations, the panel having an interface at its opposing side-edges. The interface comprises extended-crescents, or corrugations, and extended planar-members. The panels are joined together at the interfaces by aligning and pushing the panels together whereby the extended-crescent of one panel is disposed over or under the extended crescent of another panel. The upper-face of the extended-planar member of one panel, having the extended-crescent disposed above, interfaces with the lower-face of the extended-crescent of the other panel, keeping the first panel from lifting up and out of position. The panels can most expediently be taken apart by pushing up at the interface and pulling apart. The joined panels create and upper surface that generally sheds water without leaking. The panels can be installed, joined and taken apart from below, and can be supported from below by a grid or stable apparatus. 
         [0004]    The foregoing has outlined, in general, the physical aspects of the invention and is to serve as an aid to better understanding the more complete detailed description which is to follow. In reference to such, there is to be a clear understanding that the present invention is not limited to the method or detail of construction, fabrication, material, or application of use described and illustrated herein. Any other variation of fabrication, use, or application should be considered apparent as an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Accordingly several advantages and objects of the present invention are: 
         [0006]    An object of the present invention is to provide an elegant, aesthetically pleasing, functional, efficient-to-make and easy-to-install panel that will overcome the aesthetic deficiencies of plain corrugated panels without adding a lot of weight. 
         [0007]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a panel with a side-edge interface that will generally keep enjoined panels from blowing out of place with high-winds. 
         [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar-clad panel which is stronger than a corrugated panel and can breach greater unsupported spans. 
         [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a panel with a covering having low-flame spread characteristic. 
         [0010]    It is intended that any other advantages and objects of the present invention that become apparent or obvious from the detailed description or illustrations contained herein are within the scope of the present invention. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       [0011]    The following drawings further describe by illustration the advantages and objects of the present invention. Each drawing is referenced by corresponding figure reference characters within the “DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION” section to follow. 
     
     
       LIST OF FIGURES 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a profile of a planar-member-clad panel or flat-face panel. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows a profile of two flat-faced panels interfacing. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a method of fixing a planar-member of the invention to a corrugated panel. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows a profile of two flat-faced panels disposed over members of a grid support structure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  shows a profile of two flat-faced panels disposed over members of a grid support structure, the panels being fitted together 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  shows a profile of two flat-faced panels disposed over members of a grid support structure, the panels being fitted together while slanting. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  shows a profile of a flat-faced panel with a configuration designed for ease of manufacturing. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  shows a profile of a flat-faced panel disposed over members of Burkart&#39;s grid structure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  shows a profile of the interface of two flat-faced panels disposed over members of Burkart&#39;s grid structure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  shows a profile of two joined flat-faced panels disposed over members of Burkart&#39;s grid support structure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  shows a profile of the interface of two flat-faced panels with single corrugation at edges disposed over members of Burkart&#39;s grid support structure, the crescents having a triangular configuration. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  shows a profile of two flat-faced panels with single corrugation at edges interfacing and disposed over members of Burkart&#39;s grid support structure, the corrugations having a triangular configuration, where the projection member of the cross-member and the filler of the cross-member are replaced by a stiff-facing. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  shows a profile of two corrugated panels interfacing and disposed over members of Burkart&#39;s grid structure, the corrugations having a wave configuration. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  shows a profile of two flat-faced panels interfacing and disposed over members of Burkart&#39;s grid structure, the corrugations having a wave configuration. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  shows a profile of a panel having a wave profile. 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  shows a profile of a panel having a wave profile and fragmented to illustrate crescent and near portions. 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  show the interface of two flat-faced panels where the variance space is masked by trim. 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  shows the interface of two flat-faced panels where the planar members are thick. 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  shows a top view of an embodiment of Burkart&#39;s grid structure. 
       
    
    
     LIST OF PARTS 
       [0000]    
       
           3 —Corrugated panel with planar-face or a planar-clad corrugated panel 
           3   ab —Corrugated panel 
           3   a —Crescent portion of corrugated panel 
           3   a   1 —Extended corrugation at panel edge, or lapping corrugation 
           3   a   1   a —Extended corrugation at panel edge, disposed above 
           3   a   1   b —Extended corrugation at panel edge, disposed below 
           3   a   1   r —Rise of crescent 
           3   a   1   z —Zenith of crescent 
           3   a   1   f —Fall of crescent 
           3   b —Near portion of corrugated panel 
           3   b   6   bc —Stiff planar-member 
           3   c —Planar-member 
           3   c   1 —Extended planar-member at panel&#39;s edge. 
           3   d —Affixing means between planar-member and near portion of corrugated panel 
           3   d   1 —Adhesive caulk as an elastic affixing means 
           3   d   2 —Adhesive/primer for ABS 
           4 —Overlapping crescents 
           5 —Tolerance space between planar-faces 
           6 —Cross-member 
           6   a —Cross-member slat 
           6   a   1 —End portion of cross-member slat 
           6   b —Projection of cross-member 
           6   bc —Projection-filler of cross-member 
           6   b   1 —Hollow of cross-member projection 
           6   c —Cross-member filler 
           7 —Spacer 
           7   a —Spacer-slat 
           7   b —Spacer-filler 
           7   c —Spacer screw 
           9 —Rafter-member 
           9   a —Rafter 
           9   b —Projection from rafter 
           10 —Grid support member 
           11 —high-side ledger 
           11   a —horizontal-member of high-side ledger with upward-face 
           11   b —vertical member of high-side ledger with upstanding-face 
           12 —low-side ledger 
           12   a —horizontal-member of low-side ledger with upward-face 
           12   b —vertical member of low-side ledger with upstanding-face 
           13 —Panel clip 
           13   a —Panel clip fastening means 
           14 —Trim 
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0073]    The present invention as shown in  FIG. 1 , generally has a planar-member  3   c  affixed to a panel having corrugations, or a corrugated-panel  3   ab,  making a flat-faced corrugated-panel or planar-member-clad corrugated panel  3 . Planar-member thickness varies from thin, such as 1/16-inch ABS, or thick such as a 1½-inch thick block panel. The corrugated panel  3   ab  has two defined portions, a crescent portion, or a crescent,  3   a,  and a near portion  3   b.  A near portion generally is that potion of a corrugated panel that is adjacent to, or touching or almost touching, to within about ⅛″ from a planar-member, such that a near portion  3   b  can be glued, welded, adhered, fixed or otherwise attached to a planar-member  3   c.  A crescent portion  3   a  generally forms a crescent, having a rise  3   ar,  a zenith  3   az  and a fall  3   af.    FIG. 16  illustrates crescent and near portions by fragmenting a panel having a wave or sinuous profile,  FIG. 15 . 
         [0074]    The corrugated panels as defined herein generally have at least one near portion  3   b,  and at least two crescents  3   a,  of which two crescents  3   a   1  are disposed one at each of the two opposing side-edges of a panel. These are termed extended-crescents  3   a   1 . The panel in  FIG. 1  has six distinct crescent portions  3   a  and five distinct near portions  3   b,  the crescents at the two extreme edges being extended-crescents  3   a   1 . Correspondingly, disposed below the extended-crescents  3   a   1  are extended planar-members  3   c   1 . 
         [0075]    In  FIG. 2 , there are two flat-faced corrugated-panels  3 , which are enjoined by disposing the extended-crescent  3   a   1   a  of one panel over the extended-crescent of the other panel  3   a   1   b.  Planar-members  3   c  of the two flat-faced corrugated-panels are substantially in the same plane and are separated by a small tolerance-space  5 , approximately ⅛-inch.  FIG. 4  shows a profile of two flat-face corrugated-panels joined together and supported on a grid support system  10 . 
         [0076]      FIG. 5  shows two panels that are pre-disposed to being joined together. The planar-member  3   c  provides an obstacle to joining the panels together The enjoining is most easily accomplished if the panel edges are aligned substantially parallel and shimmered into position. In many situations it is best to elevate the panel edges when joining as is shown in  FIG. 6 . By elevating the edges, usually by pushing from below, one can take out and install panels, even if the panels are installed in the middle of a set of enjoined and contained panels. 
         [0077]    Corrugated panels  3   ab  for domestic purchase are widely available at home stores and lumber stores and are generally manufactured in lengths of 8-ft, 10-ft and 12-ft and widths of about 25½-inches. The shapes of corrugations are typically sinuous, or wave-like  FIG. 13  or trapezoidal  FIG. 1  or triangular  FIG. 8 . Panels made of vinyl, fiberglass, polycarbonate and sheet metal are generally available. Panels in many varieties of widths, lengths, configurations and composition are manufactured for commercial consumption. Metal panels sometimes have a single crescent at each edge. Corrugated panels are available in a variety of materials: plastics such as fiberglass, polycarbonate and vinyl; metals such as aluminum, copper and steel. 
         [0078]    Planar-members  3   c  generally can be made of a great variety of materials such as vinyl, ABS surfacing, fiberglass, metals, woods, canes/reeds and stiffened fabrics. Planar-members  3   c  can be affixed to the corrugated-panels  3   ab  by various fastening means  3   d  such as glues or adhesives, screws, rivets, caulk, welding. The preferred method depends on the material properties and configuration of the subject planar-member and the corrugated-panel. The inventor has found domestically available fiberglass and polycarbonate panels to be sufficient. Vinyl panels are unstable with heat and are more likely to warp. Panel widths generally are about 25.5 inches. When panels are set at 24 inches on center the panels overlap one corrugation, or crescent, at their edges, as in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0079]    The Inventor has found a commercially viable and a suitably durable embodiment of the invention, by affixing ABS sheets to corrugated fiberglass panels using a combination of ABS adhesive and polyurethane sealant caulk  FIG. 3 . An ABS adhesive is applied as spots  3   d   2  of approximately 1¼-inch diameter, on the back of 1/16-inch ABS sheeting. Polyurethane sealant caulk is applied, as approximately 1-inch diameter by ¼-inch high blobs  3   d   1  on the spots  3   d   2  while they are still wet. A continuously corrugated fiberglass panel is then placed upon the ABS sheet whereupon corresponding proximate-portions  3   b  of the continually corrugated panel interfaces with the blobs of polyurethane. After curing the result is a flexible, durable, strong affixation of an ABS planar-member  3   c  to a fiberglass corrugated panel  3   ab.    
         [0080]    Enjoined sheet-clad corrugated-panels can be supported by the grid-system, which is described by Burkart in the patent application US 2004/0232260 A1, and the Patent No. U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,271 B1. Components of the system are demonstrated in  FIGS. 8-14  and  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 19  shows a grid section made up of rafter-members  9 , cross-members  6 , a high-side ledger  11  and spacers  7 . The rafter members run parallel and under the overlapping corrugations  3   a   1  of panels. The cross-members run substantially perpendicular to and are supported by the rafter members. The cross-members attach to or interface with the rafter-members to make a stable grid. Panels then are supported by the grid. Side views of cross-member to rafter-member connections are shown in  FIGS. 8-14 . The cross-member has a projected portion  6   b,  and an end-portion  6   a   1 , which interface with the rafters. The thickness of the projected portions  6   b  can cause a panel to droop in the mid-span of a cross-member. This is more noticeable in a flat surface of the flat-faced corrugated panel. A solution is shown in  FIG. 8 . A filler  6   c,  with a thickness of about 3/16-inch on is attached to the top of each cross-member. The effect is a relatively uniform look with somewhat of a shadow effect. As is shown in  FIG. 9 , the filler and the projecting portion of the cross-member could be combined into a single physical piece  6 bc. For example, if a ⅛-inch thick pvc strip were used for the bracketed  6   b,  it simply could be elongated to replace the filler. 
         [0081]      FIG. 12  shows an embodiment in which the flat-facing  3   c  or the planar-member  3   c   6   bc  replaces the bracket and the filler. A ⅛-inch thick ABS sheet would be strong and stout enough for this task. 
         [0082]    The corrugation of the panel is can be rounded, square, or various other configurations. The overlapping of the panels  3   a   1 , as shown in  FIGS. 8-14 , provide a fixing-means between the panels, not requiring an adhering means between the panels, such as screws or glues. Many panels can be attached in succession. A plurality of panels generally are disposed over and supported by the grid. 
         [0083]    It is further intended that any other embodiments of the present invention that result from any changes in application or method of use or operation, method of manufacture, shape, size, or material which are not specified within the detailed written description or illustrations contained herein yet are considered apparent or obvious to one skilled in the art are within the scope of the present invention.