Abstract:
A patio-style roof system and method. The roof system utilizes a trusses, to which are coupled a plurality of louver panels. To facilitate such coupling, the trusses may have notched louver panel supports, to which the louver panels may be attached in a preferably tools-free manner. The trusses may be coupled to a structure utilizing upper and lower truss attachment brackets.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to patio roofing systems and, more particularly, to a louver style roof for a patio. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Patio roofs come in several styles. Where there is a desire to permit some sunlight to pass through the roof, a slat system will be employed. In this system, typically, a plurality of slats are secured, in parallel rows, to a series of beams projecting at a ninety degree angle from the side a house or other structure. Some spacing is provided between each slat, to provide the desired opening for sunlight. 
   There are several limitations or drawbacks with systems of this type. Installation is generally labor-intensive, with each slat needing to be affixed in place with nails or wood screws. Achieving proper spacing between slats can be difficult, with the result that truly accurate and consistent spacing may not always be achieved. In addition, the replacement of individual slats can be time-consuming and relatively inconvenient. 
   The present invention is directed to a roof system for a patio or the like which is relatively simply to install, which eliminates much of the hardware required for prior art systems, that facilitates replacement of individual “slats,” and that provides other, related, advantages. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a patio-style roof system is disclosed. The system comprises, in combination: at least two trusses; means for securing the at least two trusses to a structure; louver panel supports projecting from the trusses; and a plurality of louver panels detachably coupled to the louver panel supports. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a patio-style roof system is disclosed. The system comprises, in combination: at least two trusses; wherein each of the at least two trusses comprises a truss body and a series of spaced louver panel supports projecting upward therefrom; wherein the spaced louver panel supports have a notch in an upper, side portion thereof; wherein the panel supports are coupled at acute angles to the truss body; means for securing the at least two trusses to a structure; wherein the securing means comprise an upper truss attachment bracket and a lower truss attachment bracket; a plurality of louver panels detachably coupled to the louver panel supports; a louver panel receiver at an end of each the at least two trusses; wherein the louver panels comprise an upper horizontal section, a lower horizontal section, and an angled section therebetween; wherein the upper horizontal section terminates in a downward protruding tab, and wherein the downward protruding tab is dimensioned to be inserted into the notch; wherein the lower horizontal section terminates in an upward protruding tab, and wherein the upward protruding tab is dimensioned to be inserted into the receiver. 
   In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a method of installing a patio style roof is disclosed. The method comprises: securing at least two trusses to a structure; wherein each of the at least two trusses comprises a truss body, a series of spaced louver panel supports projecting upward therefrom, and a louver panel receiver at end thereof; wherein the spaced louver panel supports have a notch in an upper, side portion thereof; wherein the panel supports are coupled at acute angles to the truss body; detachably coupling a plurality of louver panels to the louver panel supports; wherein the louver panels comprise an upper horizontal section, a lower horizontal section, and an angled section therebetween; wherein the upper horizontal section terminates in a downward protruding tab; wherein the lower horizontal section terminates in an upward protruding tab; wherein said coupling step comprises inserting the downward protruding tab into the notch and at least one upward protruding tab into the receiver. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of a section of a louver style roof system, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of a section of a louver style roof system, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of a section of a louver style roof system, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, shown coupled to a structure. 
       FIG. 4  is a side, cross-sectional view of the louver style roof system of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a louver panel component of a louver style roof system, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a truss component of a louver style roof system, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7   a  is a side view of an upper truss attachment bracket component of a louver style roof system, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7   b  is a top view of an upper truss attachment bracket component of a louver style roof system, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8   a  is a side view of a lower truss attachment bracket component of a louver style roof system, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8   b  is a top view of a lower truss attachment bracket component of a louver style roof system, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring first to  FIGS. 1-4 , a truss system  10  consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the main components of the system  10  are trusses  12 , lower truss attachment brackets  14 , upper truss attachment brackets  16 , and louver panels  18 . The purpose of each component and their relationship with each other will now be described in more detail. 
   Referring first to  FIG. 6 , a truss  12  is illustrated. The truss  12 , in this embodiment, comprises a truss body  20 , and a series of spaced louver panel supports  22  projecting upward therefrom. The panel supports  22  preferably have a notch  24  in an upper, side portion thereof. As will be discussed in more detail below, the notch  24  receives an upper portion of a louver panel  18 . Preferably, as best seen in  FIGS. 3-4  and  6 , the panel supports  22  are coupled at a slightly acute angle to the truss body  20 . 
   At one end of the truss body  20 , a louver panel receiver  26  is provided. The receiver  26 , as described in more detail below, receives a lower portion of a louver panel  18 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3-4  and  7   a - b , the truss supports  20  may be coupled to a wood panel  28  or other desired structure utilizing upper truss attachment brackets  16 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7   a - b , the upper truss attachment bracket  16  has a base plate  30 , which is preferably provided with a plurality of openings  33  therein, to facilitate the securing thereof to the wood panel  28  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 3-4 ). The upper truss attachment bracket  16  further includes two arms  32  projecting from the base  30 . The arms  32  are spaced sufficiently far apart to permit the insertion therebetween of an end of a truss body  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 3-4 . Securing of the end of the truss body  20  to the arms  32  may be accomplished by, for example, the securing of bolts  35  through mating openings in the truss body  20  and arms  32 . 
   It should be noted that there are myriad ways in which coupling of the truss body  20  to a wood panel  28  or other structure could be accomplished, and the method described herein is intended to be exemplary only. For example, the upper truss attachment bracket  16  could be integrated into the truss body  20 , instead of providing them as separate components. If they are to be separate components, the mechanics of coupling and attachment between them can be accomplished in any of a number of ways known in the art generally. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3-4  and  8   a - b , the truss supports  20  may be coupled to a wood beam  38  or other desired structure utilizing lower truss attachment brackets  14 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8   a - b , the lower truss attachment bracket  14  has a base plate  40 , which is preferably provided with a plurality of openings  43  therein to facilitate the securing thereof to the wood beam  38  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 3-4 ). The lower truss attachment bracket  14  further includes two arms  42  projecting from the base  40 . The arms  42  are spaced sufficiently far apart to permit the insertion therebetween of portion of the truss body  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 3-4 . Securing of the truss body  20  to the arms  42  may be accomplished by, for example, the securing of bolts  45  through mating openings in the truss body  20  and arms  42 . 
   As noted above with respect to the upper truss support attachment bracket  16 , it should be noted that there are myriad ways in which coupling of the truss body  20  to a wood beam  38  or other structure could be accomplished, and the method described herein is intended to be exemplary only. For example, the lower truss attachment bracket  14  could be integrated into the truss body  20 , instead of providing them as separate components. If they are to be separate components, the mechanics of coupling and attachment between them can be accomplished in any of a number of ways known in the art generally. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a louver panel  18  is shown. Preferably, the louver panel  18  is shaped to have an upper horizontal section  50 , a lower horizontal section  52 , and an angled section  54  therebetween. The upper horizontal section  50 , in this embodiment, terminates in a downward protruding tab  56 . The lower horizontal section  52 , in this embodiment, terminates in an upward protruding tab  58 . 
   The louver panels  18  are preferably formed form sheet metal, though plastic or other desired materials may be utilized. Preferably, to facilitate the coupling and de-coupling of the louver panels  18  to the truss supports  20  as herein described, it may be preferred to form the louver panels  18  from a material having some flexibility. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , coupling of the louver panels  18  to the truss body  20  is described. As best seen in  FIGS. 2-4 , the louver panel  18  which is coupled at the end of the truss body  20  that has the receiver  26  thereon is positioned to that the upward protruding tab  58  is inserted into the receiver  26 . The downward protruding tab  56  of the same louver panel  18  is inserted into notch  24  of the most proximate panel supports  22 . Secure coupling of the louver panel  18  may require some bending or flexing of the louver panel  18  during the coupling process. It can be seen that, as described herein, louver panels  18  may, in this embodiment, be attached to the truss supports  20  without any additional hardware. 
   For the next louver panel  18 , it is positioned so that its upward protruding tab  58  abuts the rear side of the support  22  which has received on an opposite side thereof the upward protruding tab  56  of the end louver panel  18 . The downward protruding tab  56  of the second louver panel  18  is inserted into notch  24  of the next set of panel supports  22 . The process continues, until the desired number of louver panels  18  has been installed. 
   As best seen in  FIG. 1 , when the louver panels  18  are in position, there remains a gap  60  between each succeeding pair of louver panels  18 . During the part of the day when the sun is relatively low over the horizon, the suns rays enter through gap  60 . When the sun is more directly above the roof, the rays will contact the upper portion of the lover panels  18 , and will be substantially blocked from entering the gap  60 —reducing heat below the roof as compared to prior art, slat systems.