Roof

Abstract: A wide lower width adjusting section (139) is defined at the lateral lower portion of each of connecting members (A, A′) disposed at a proper interval, while a wide intermediate width adjusting section (147) is defined at the intermediate portion of the side of the connecting member. The lower portion of the side edge of a lighting frame (B) serving as a roofing member is inserted into the intermediate width adjusting section (147), and the side edge of a water proof sheet (5) laid below the lighting frame (B) is received inside the lower width adjusting section (139). When the total width of the roofing member is greater than the backing width of the roof, the side edge of the lighting frame (B) and that of the water proof sheet (5) are located in positions close to the center of the connecting member (A, A′). On the other hand, when the total width of the roofing member is smaller than the backing width of the roof, the side edge of the lighting frame (B) and that of the water proof sheet (5) are located in positions close to the outer side of the connecting member (A, A′).

Description: Field of the Invention: This invention relates to a roof and, more particularly, to a roof for the use of collection of solar energy. Description of the Prior Art: As a roof for the use of collection of solar energy, a roof, in which a heating medium sealed in a transparent roof sheet is heated by means of solar energy to make use of the resultant heat, and another roof, in which a solar energy collector made of amorphous silicon or crystalline silicon is mounted on the back surface of a transparent roof sheet, are heretofore well known. However, since each of these conventional roofs is complicated in structure, and includes a large number of members, the execution of works of such the conventional roofs is troublesome, and further the operation of adjusting the error in dimension of a roof when produced is troublesome, so that it has been impossible to provide a roof with a large-scale roof surface for the use of collection of solar energy. GB patent specification no. 2 000 860 A relates to a solar connector comprising the features defined in the pre-characterising part of Claim 1. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a roof, which permits the absorption of an error in dimension of a roof and an error in dimension of a roof member due to thermal expansion, and which is simple in execution of works to be easily capable of providing a large-scale roof. According to the present invention, there is provided a connecting frame for supporting panels above a roof, the connecting frame comprising: an elongate fixing rail having a fixing portion for attachment to the roof such that its longitudinal direction lies parallel to a line connecting the eaves and the ridge of the roof, and an overhang portion extending from at least one side of the fixed portion along the length of the elongate fixing rail so as to overhang the roof and define an adjustment zone between the overhang portion with a downwardly curved outer end and the roof; a water-proof sheet having side edges for disposal on the roof between adjacent elongate fixing rails, said edges being suitable for positioning under respective overhang portions in respective adjustment zones to permit adjustment of the relative position between the water-proof sheet and said adjacent elongate fixing rails; an elongate intermediate element for mounting on the elongate fixing rail, and comprising support means along at least one side thereof for supporting a side edge of the panel, whereby the panel can be supported between the adjacent elongate intermediate elements; characterised in that: the panel has a vertical insertion wall at the lower end of two sash members at respective edges of the panel; the support means comprises an intermediate width adjustment section opening upward and taking the shape of a channel; said vertical insertion wall is inserted into and supported within said intermediate width adjustment section so as to be movable in lateral direction, thereby providing for adjustment of the total finished width of the connecting frame for a given width of panel, and to allow adjustments to be made after installation of the connecting frame to compensate for the effects of expansion and contraction. In embodiments of the present invention, the total finished width of the roof may be easily changed by sliding the side edge of the water proof sheet and that of the panel toward the center of the side edge of the connecting member within the adjustment zone, so that the dimensional error of the backing of the roof may be absorbed. Further even if a change in temperature occurs after the execution of works to expand or contract the roofing member in the width direction, the side edge of the panel and that of the water proof sheet may be respectively moved within the adjustment zone to adjust the width of the roofing member, so that there is nopossibility of occurrence of distortion. Furthermore, since the curved portion is provided at the tip of the overhang portion, it is possible to lay the water proof sheet by making use of the curvature of the curved portion after mounting the connecting members on the backing through distribution of the connecting member intervals corresponding to the backing width, so that the dimensional error in execution of works may be reduced a small as possible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a roof for the use of collection of solar energy according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a general perspective view showing the roof for the use of collection of solar energy according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the roof for the use of collection of solar energy according to the present invention; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a lower connecting member; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the lower connecting member when fixed; Fig. 6 is an enlarged-scale sectional view of a portion of the lower connecting member shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing a portion of the lower connecting member, through which a connection bolt is inserted; Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the lower connecting member and a fiting for fixing the lower connecting member when separated from each other; Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the lower connecting member and the fitting for fixing the lower connecting member when incorporated with each other; Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the lower connecting member prior to fixing; Fig. 11 is a plan view showing the mounting of the lower connecting member which is in an expanded state; Fig. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lower connecting member shown in Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a plan view showing the lower connecting member which is normally mounted; Fig. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the lower connecting member shown in Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a plan view showing the mounting of the lower connecting member which is in a contracted state; Fig. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lower connecting member shown in Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing an upper connecting member; Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate connecting member cover; Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view showing an intermediate connecting member; Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing the intermediate connecting member, in which the upper connecting member is fixed to the lower connecting member; Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing an eaves portion before a dust proof cap is mounted thereon; Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing an eaves portion after the dust proof cap is mounted thereon; Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing a side lower connecting member; Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing a side upper connecting member; Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing a side connecting member cover; Fig. 26 is a plan view showing an eaves water proof sheet; Fig. 27 is a side view showing the eaves water proof sheet; Fig. 28 is a front view showing the eaves water proof sheet; Fig. 29 is a plan view showing an intermediate water proof sheet; Fig. 30 is a side view showing the intermediate water proof sheet; Fig. 31 is a front view showing the intermediate water proof sheet; Fig. 32 is a plan view showing a ridge water proof sheet; Fig. 33 is a side view showing the ridge water proof sheet; Fig. 34 is a front view showing the ridge water proof sheet; Fig. 35 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the eaves water proof sheet and the intermediate water proof sheet; Fig. 36 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the water proof sheet after laid; Fig. 37 is an enlarged-scale sectional view showing a portion of the water proof sheet shown in Fig. 36; Figs. 38 through 41 are cross-sectional views showing steps of laying the water proof sheet, respectively; Fig. 42 is a cross-sectional view showing a lighting frame; Fig. 43 is a plan view showing the lighting frame; Fig. 44 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the lighting frame; Fig. 45 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view showing the lighting frame; Fig. 46 is a perspective view, partly broken-away, showing the assembled lighting frame; Fig. 47 is a cross-sectional view showing a ridge-side lighting frame; Fig. 48 is a plan view showing the ridge-side lighting frame; Fig. 49 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the ridge-side lighting frame; Fig. 50 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the first stage of mounting a lighting glass window frame; Fig. 51 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the second stage of mounting the lighting glass window frame; Fig. 52 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the final stage of mounting the lighting glass window frame; Fig. 53 is a perspective view showing a lower horizontal sash member; Fig. 54 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the longitudinal connection of the lighting frames; Fig. 55 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the intermediate connecting member when the minus adjustment in width is done; Fig. 56 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the intermediate connecting member when the width adjustment is normal; Fig. 57 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the intermediate connecting member when the plus adjustment in width is done in the connection. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a complete roof for the use of collection of solar energy. In Fig. 2, reference symbol A designates an intermediate connecting member provided on the roof except either side thereof, and B a lighting frame mounted between the adjacent intermediate connecting members A, A to serve as a roofing member of the roof. A photoelectric generating element for transducing solar energy into electric energy is provided under the lighting frame. Further, the lighting frame B is composed of an eaves-side frame B1 provided at the eaves of the roof, an intermediate frame B2 provided between the eaves and the ridge of the roof, and a ridge-side frame B3 provided at the ridge of the roof. Reference symbol A′ designates a side connecting member provided at either side of the roof, and on one side of the side connecting member A′ is mounted a lateral front base member C, instead of the lighting frame B. Reference symbol D designates an intermediate connecting member cover, and D′ a side connecting member cover. Each of these covers D, D′ is approximately equal in length with the lighting frame B. Reference symbol E designates a dust proof cap, F a decorative cover mounted in the lower corner of the side of the roof, G an eaves cover used for dust proof and inspection of a wiring, and H an eaves intake port provided in the eaves cover G. Further, reference symbol I designates a ridge cap, J a ridge side member provided at the ridge, L an eaves front member provided at the edge of the eaves, M a ridge cap connecting member for connecting the ridge caps I with each other, and N a ridge mounting member. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the solar energy collecting roof according to the present invention. In Fig. 3, reference numeral 2 designates battens, which are laid on rafters 1 (see Fig. 1). The batten 2 is covered with a building paper 3, and a plurality of crosspieces 4 extending in parallel with a line of the eaves are disposed on the building paper 3 at proper intervals. On these crosspieces, a plurality of water proof sheets 5 are mounted between the eaves and the ridge of the roof to be successively connected with each other in the lateral direction by the use of the respective intermediate connecting members A, as shown in Fig. 2. An upright engaging water proof wall 503 is provided at either side of each water proof sheet 5, and a downwardly bent throating portion 51 is provided at an eaves portion of the water proof sheet 5. A heat insulating material 7 (glass wool, foaming resin or the like) is filled in a portion between the adjacent crosspieces 4 at the underside of each water proof sheet 5. The eaves cover G, the eaves-side lighting frame B1, the intermediate lighting frame B2, and the ridge-side lighting frame B3 are interconnected successively from the eaves side toward the ridge on a plurality of water proof sheets 5, which are successively connected with each other in the lateral direction by the use of the respective intermediate connecting members A. The dust proof cap E closes each eaves edge portion of the connecting members A, A′. Reference symbol K designates a sprinkling pipe connected with a cleaning device Q used for melting snow. Reference numeral 8 designates a roof sheet such as a metal sheet and a slate sheet, which covers the other inclination surface of the roof. A ridge member support bed 9 is mounted to an end of the roof sheet 8 on the ridge side, and the ridge side member J is brought into engagement with the upper surface of the ridge member support bed 9. Then, the ridge cap I is provided astride an upper end of the ridge side member J brought into engagement with the ridge member support bed 9 and an upper end of another ridge side member J mounted to an end of the ridge-side lighting frame B3 located at the side close to the ridge. Reference numeral 10 designates a partition sheet, which is mounted on the upper surface of the ridge-side lighting frame B3 at a ridge-side end, thereof, and on which the sprinkling pipe K is placed. Reference numeral 11 designates a ridge side connecting member for closing the connection of the adjacent ridge side members J, and brought into engagement with the ridge cap connecting member M, and 12 a ridge water proof sheet. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a roof, which has the wide backing, and the backing of a lateral front portion of this roof is covered with the wide lateral front base member C. Further, each intermediate connecting member A consists of a lower connecting member 13 for interconnecting the water proof sheets 5 and an upper connecting member 14 for interconnecting the lighting frames B. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the lower connecting member 13 has a horizontal fixing portion 130, and a pair of vertical walls 131 are respectively provided at opposite ends of the horizontal fixing portion 130 so as to extend from the horizontal fixing portion 130 upward and downward, so that a recess 138 is defined by both vertical walls 131 and the upper surface of the horizontal fixing portion 130. Further, a pair of overhang portions 132 are respectively provided so as to outwardly project from the respective upper ends of the vertical walls 131 rightward and leftward, respectively. The tip of each overhang portion 132 is curved downward to form a curved portion 132′, and the lower surface of each overhang portion 132 is provided with a suspending piece 133 as being widely spaced apart from the curved portion 132′, so that a lower width adjusting section 139 is defined by the outer surface of each suspending piece 133 and the lower surface of each overhang portion 132. Two contact pieces 137 to be mounted on the upper surface of a fitting 15 for fixing the lower connecting member 13 as shown in Fig. 6 are formed on the lower surface of the horizontal fixing portion 130 in the longitudinal direction. A connection bolt 136 is inserted through the lower connecting member 13 upward from the lower surface of the horizontal fixing portion 130 to be fixed to the lower connecting member 13 by the use of a nut 137′ such that the head of the connection bolt 136 is fitted between the contact pieces 137, 137 and an external thread portion 136′ projects upward from the horizontal fixing portion 130, as shown in Fig. 9. A circular hole for the use in fixing of the lower connecting member 13 is bored in the substantially longitudinal center of the horizontal fixing portion 130, and a plurality of elongate holes 135, each of which has a long axis extending in parallel with a line connecting the eaves and the ridge and is also used in fixing of the lower connecting member 13, are also bored at intervals in the horizontal fixing portion 130 such as to be located respectively at the ridge side and the eaves side of the circular hole 134. Among the plurality of elongate holes 135, an elongate hole 135′ closest to the ridge is formed to be longer in long axis than the other elongate holes 135. (see Fig. 10) As shown in Fig. 8, the fitting 15 for fixing the lower connecting member 13 consists of an upwardly protuberant portion 150 and a pair of tongue-like portions 151 outwardly extending respectively from both lower ends of the protuberant portion 150 leftward and rightward. The head of a bolt 153 having the external thread portion is fitted to the lower surface of the protuberant portion 150 through a sliding shaft portion 153, and the external thread portion of the bolt 153 projects from the upper surface of the protuberant portion 150. The ridge-side edge of each tongue-like portion 151 is bent downward to form a hitch portion 152 engaging the ridge-side front of the crosspiece 4. The fittings 15 are fixed to each crosspiece 4 at proper intervals with the respective tongue-like portions 151, and each lower connecting member 13 is mounted to these fittings 15 so as to be in parallel with a line connecting the eaves and the ridge. Then, the bolts 153 of these fittings 15 are respectively inserted into the circular hole 134 and elongate holes 135 of the lower connecting member 13 to be fastened by the use of nuts, so that the lower connecting member 13 is fixed by the fittings 15, as shown in Fig. 9. The lower connecting member 13 is so structured that the thermal expansion is absorbed by the elongate holes 135 and the sliding shaft portion 153. When the lower connecting member 13 is normally mounted, the bolt 153 of each fitting 15 is located in the center of each elongate hole 135 of the lower connecting member 13, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, and the opposite ends of the lower connecting member 13 are aligned with the opposite ends of the batten to be located at the fixed positions, respectively. When the lower connecting member 13 is expanded due to thermal expansion to provide a plus extended portion, in comparison with the normal state, the bolt 153 of each fitting 15 is located close to the longitudinal center of the lower connecting member 13 relative to each elongate hole 135 as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, and the opposite ends of the lower connecting member 13 project from the opposite ends of the batten to result in the plus sliding mounting. Further, when the lower connecting member 13 is contracted to provide a minus reduced portion, in comparison with the normal state, the bolt 153 of each fitting 15 is located close to the end of the lower connecting member 13 relative to each elongate hole 135, as shown in Figs. 15 and 16, and the opposite ends of the batten project from the opposite ends of the lower connecting member 13 to result in the minus sliding mounting. As shown in Fig. 17, the upper connecting member 14 has a horizontal base portion 140, and the lower surface of the horizontal base portion 140 is provided with a pair of suspending walls 141 inserted into the recess 138 of the lower connecting member 13. A lower end of each suspending wall 141 is inwardly inclined, and a horizontal contact piece 142 mounted on the overhang portion 132 of the lower connecting member 13 outwardly projects from the outer surface of each suspending wall 141. A pair of vertical pieces 143 are respectively provided in the substantial center of the upper surface of the horizontal base portion 140 at an interval, and a pair of end rising walls 144 are respectively provided at opposite edges of the horizontal base portion 140. An intermediate rising wall 145 is provided between the vertical wall 143 and the end rising wall 144, and an outer projection 146 and an inner projection 146′, which inwardly confront each other, are respectively formed at an upper end of each end rising wall 144 and an upper end of each intermediate rising wall 145. The outer projection 146 and the inner projection 146′ are widely spaced apart from each other to define an intermediate width adjusting section 147 by each intermediate rising wall 145 and each end rising wall 144. Further, the intermediate width adjusting section 147 takes the shape of a channel, and supports the lighting frame B to serve as a drain groove. A horizontal receiver piece 148 is provided so as to be laid across both the upper ends of the vertical pieces 143, and an engaging projection piece 154 having an engaging projection 149 formed on its inner surface near the tip is provided at each of the opposite ends of the horizontal receiver piece 148, so that an upward opening 155 is defined by the horizontal receiver piece 148 and both engaging projection pieces 154. As shown in Fig. 18, the intermediate connecting member cover D has a horizontal cover 160, which is provided at each of the opposite ends with a downwardly bent engaging piece 160′ and on the lower surface near the center with two engaging legs 161 spaced apart from each other and inserted into the upward opening 155 of the upper connecting member 14. The tip of each engaging leg 161 is slightly bent inward, and an engaging portion 162 engaging the engaging projection 149 of the upper connecting member 14 is formed on the outer surface of each engaging leg 161. The horizontal cover 160 is provided at a portion near each of the opposite ends with a throating suspending pieces 163 having a plurality of throating projections 164 formed on the inner surface of each throating suspending piece 163. Further, the engaging leg 161 and the throating suspending piece 163 are widely spaced apart from each other to define an upper width adjusting section 164′ therebetween. As shown in Figs. 20 and 21, a fastening insertion notch 165 is longitudinally formed in the horizontal cover portion 160 at the end close to the ridge, and a longitudinally slidable cover 166 is fitted on the upper surface of the horizontal cover 160 at the end close to the eaves. The upper connecting member 14 is mounted on the upper surface of the lower connecting member 13 by the steps of inserting the suspending pieces 141 of the upper connecting member 14 into the recess 138 of the lower connecting member 14, then respectively inserting the connection bolts 136 of the lower connecting member 13 through the holes bored in the horizontal base portion 410 and the horizontal receiver piece 148 of the upper connecting member 14 and also through the notch 165, and then fastening the connection bolts 136 by the use of nuts within the upper opening 155 to thereby fix the upper connecting member 14 to the lower connecting member 13. An eaves-side fit member 17 is mounted on the upper surface of the upper connecting member 14 at the eaves-side end. In this case, a recessed groove 170 projecting downward in the center of the eaves-side fitting member 17 is fitted into the upward opening 155 of the upper connecting member 14, and then the connection bolt 136 is inserted into an elongate hole 171 bored in the bottom of the recessed groove 170. Referring to Fig. 21, the dust proof cap E is provided with a dust proof sheet 180 for closing the front surface of each of the connecting members A, A′ on the eaves side. A mounting projection piece 181 projects from the upper portion of the back surface of the dust proof sheet 180 toward the ridge, and an elongate insertion notch 182 is provided in the center of the tip of the mounting projection piece 181, and an upward bent portion 183 is provided at each of the opposite sides of the insertion notch 182. A cavity 184, into which the tip of the slidable cover 166 on the eaves side is fitted, is formed above the mounting projection 181 provided on the back surface of the dust proof sheet 180, and a wide side wall 185 is provided at each of the upper opposite sides of the back surface of the dust proof sheet 180, while a narrow side wall 186 slightly narrower in width than the side wall 185 is provided below each wide side wall 185 so as to be continuous with the wide side wall 185. A bent edge 187 is provided so as to project from the lower edge of the back surface of the dust proof sheet 180 toward the ridge, and a recess 188, into which the lower edge of the eaves cover G is fitted, is defined between the bent edge 187 and the lower end of each narrow side wall 186. The tip of the connection bolt 136 projecting from the upper surface of the eaves-side fit member 17 is inserted into the notch 182 of the dust proof cap E, and this connection bolt 136 is fastened by the use of a nut to thereby mount the dust proof cap E on each front surface of the connecting members A, A′ on the eaves side, as shown in Fig. 22. Next, the slidable cover 166 of the connecting member cover D is slidably moved along a pair of horizontal wing pieces 172 outwardly projecting from the upper opposite ends of the recessed groove 170 of the eaves-side fit member 17, so that the upper portion of the eaves-side fit member 17 is covered with the slidable cover 166. At this time, the end of the slidable cover 166 at the eaves side is fitted into the cavity 184 of the dust proof cap E. Accordingly, the eaves members are unified to provide a reinforced structure resistant to wind pressure, and the mounting of the eaves members may be simply and easily done. In addition, since any bolt is out of sight, the eaves members are excellent in external appearance. Next will be explained the side connecting member A′ with reference to the accompanying drawings Figs. 23 through 25. The side connecting member A′ consists of a lower side connecting member 13′ and an upper side connecting member 14′. Since one half part of the side connecting member A′ is so structured to be identical with that of the intermediate connecting member A, the description thereof will be omitted by designating the corresponding portions with the same reference numerals. The lighting frame B and the water proof sheet 5 are not mounted to the other half part of the side connecting member A′. Therefore, the lower side connecting member 13′ on the side corresponding to the other half part of the side connecting member A′ is provided, instead of the suspending piece 133, with an outer suspending leg piece 190 formed by suspending the end of the overhang portion 132 and brought into contact with the upper surface of the lateral front base member C. The suspending leg piece 190 and the vertical wall 131 provided at the other half of the lower side connecting member 13′ are widely spaced apart from each other to define a lower side width adjusting section 191 therebetween. A plurality of throating projections 363 are formed on the inner wall of the suspending leg piece 190 in the longitudinal direction. Further, the upper side connecting member 14′ on the side corresponding to the other half part of the lower side connecting member 13′ is provided, instead of the vertical piece 143, with a lower connecting member contact piece 200 formed at a slightly downward position of the horizontal base portion 140 and mounted on the upper surface of the overhang portion 132 of the lower side connecting member 13′. The horizontal receiver piece 148 is outwardly extended to be formed into a horizontal extending portion 201. And, a lateral front vertical wall 202 is provided so as to upwardly extend from the tip of the lower connecting member contact piece 200 through the tip of the horizontal extending portion 201. The lateral front vertical wall 202 has an engaging projection 201′ formed by outwardly bending the upper end of the vertical wall 202 and a suspending projection piece 200′ formed at the lower end of the vertical wall 202 and engaging the suspending leg piece 190 of the lower side connecting member 13′. The side connecting member cover D′ corresponds in structure to the side connecting member A′. The side connecting member cover D′ on the side corresponding to the horizontal extending portion 201 is not provided with the throating suspending piece 163. However, the horizontal cover 160 slightly extends to cover the upper portion of the horizontal extending portion 201 of the upper side connecting member 14′, and the engaging piece 160′ of the horizontal cover 160 is brought into engagement with the engaging projection 201′. Figs. 26 through 35 show the structure of the water proof sheet 5, respectively. The water proof sheet is made of metal, synthetic resin or the like, and has an eaves throating portion 501 formed by upwardly bending the tip of the water proof sheet on the eaves side toward the ridge, and a flashing engagement wall 502 formed by bending the other end of the water proof sheet 5 toward the upper eaves, as shown in Figs. 26 through 28. An engaging water proof wall 503, which is a rise portion inserted into the lower width adjusting section 139 of the lower connecting member 13, is provided at each of the opposite sides of the water proof sheet 5. After the engaging water proof wall 503 is bent outwardly upward, the intermediate portion thereof is bent inwardly upward and the tip thereof is folded back outward. Referring to Figs. 29 through 31, an intermediate water proof sheet 51 is provided at the eaves-side tip with a throating portion 511 engaging the flashing engagement wall 502, at the other end with a flashing engagement wall 512, and at opposite sides with engaging water proof walls 503 similar to the case of the eaves water proof sheet 50. A downwardly extending crosspiece engaging member 504 is mounted on each of the eaves water proof sheet 50 and the intermediate water proof sheet 51 on the ridge side so as to extend along the edge thereof. A proper number of caulking portions 505 formed at the upper end of the engaging member 504 are fastened to both flashing engagement walls 502, 512 to be mounted thereon, as shown in Fig. 35. Referring to Figs. 32 through 34, a ridge water proof sheet 52 is provided at the eaves-side tip with an engagement throating portion 521 engaging the flashing engagement wall 512 of the intermediate water proof sheet 51, at the other end with an upwardly vertically bent water proof wall 522, and at opposite sides with engaging water proof walls 503, each of which is a rise portion. Figs. 36 and 37 show the connection of respective water proof sheets 5. The eaves throating portion 501 of the eaves water proof sheet 50 is mounted on the backing of the roof toward the eaves, and the edge of the intermediate water proof sheet 51 at the side of the throating portion 511 is overlapped with the edge of the eaves water proof sheet 50 at the side of the flashing engagement wall 502. When overlapping the intermediate water proof sheet 51 with the eaves water proof sheet 51, the flashing engagement wall 502 is widely spaced apart from the throating portion 511 to form a space which defines a length adjusting section 502′. Further, the edge of the intermediate water proof sheet 51 is similarly overlapped with that of the ridge water proof sheet 52 to form a space which defines a length adjusting section 502′, so that the length adjusting section 502′ facilitates the adjustment of error in length of the backing of the roof to thereby simplify the mounting of the water proof sheets. Then, the edge of the ridge water proof sheet 52 at the side of the throating portion 521 is overlapped with the edge of the intermediate water proof sheet 51 at the side of the flashing engagement wall 512 to be connected with each other. When connecting the intermediate water proof sheet 51 with the ridge water proof sheet 52, the crosspiece engaging member 504 of each of the eaves water proof sheet 50 and the intermediate water proof sheet 51 is fastened to the upper end of the crosspiece 4 to thereby prevent the eaves water proof sheet 50 and the intermediate water proof sheet 51 from sliding down. Figs. 39 through 41 show the steps of mounting the water proof sheet 5 to the lower connecting member 13, respectively. First, the water proof sheet 5 is inclined as shown in Fig. 38, and then the lower engaging water proof wall 503 is inserted into the lower adjusting section 139 by making use of the function of the curved portion 132′ of the lower connecting member 13. Next, as shown in Fig. 39, when the end of the water proof sheet 5 near the opposite engaging water proof wall 503 is downwardly pressed, the opposite engaging water proof wall 503 is fitted into the corresponding lower adjusting section 139 along the outer curved surface of the curved portion 132′, and then the water proof sheet 5 becomes horizontal, as shown in Fig. 40. Finally, as shown by an arrow in Fig. 41, the water proof sheet 5 is moved in the lateral direction to be adjusted the position of the water proof sheet 5. Of course, the water proof sheet 5 is possible to mount on the crosspiece prior to the mounting of the lower connecting member 13. In addition, the water proof sheet 5 is easily mounted by making use of the adjusting function of adjusting plus or minus the error in length and width of the backing of the roof to provide a water proof sheet of a complete flashing structure. Next will be explained the lighting frame B. The lighting frame B has opposite vertical sash members 21, an upper horizontal sash membe 22, a lower horizontal sash member 23, and a transparent sheet 24 made of glass, plastic or the like and fitted to the inside of a square frame constituted by the above sash members. As shown in Fig. 42, the vertical sash member 21 is provided at the lower end with a vertical insertion wall 210 inserted into the groove 147 of the upper connecting member 14. The vertical insertion wall 210 is provided at the upper end with an upper horizontal wing piece 211 extending leftward and rightward, and at the intermediate portion with a lower horizontal wing piece 212, respectively. An inwardly bent projection 213 provided at the tip of the upper horizontal wing piece 211 and another inwardly bent projection 213 provided at the tip of the lower horizontal wing piece 212 are faced to each other. A transparent sheet insertion groove 214 is defined by the vertical insertion wall 210, an inner portion of the upper horizontal wing piece 211, and an inner portion of the lower horizontal wing piece 212. A vertical fit piece 215 fitted to the lower surface of the connecting member cover D is provided to upwardly extend from the outer end of the upper horizontal wing piece 211, and a plurality of throating projections 216 are formed on the inner side of the vertical fit piece 215 in the longitudinal direction. As shown in Fig. 45, a through hole 217 is bored in the vertical insertion wall 210 near the end of a portion of the transparent sheet insertion groove 214 on the ridge side and the eaves side, and a notch 218 (see Fig. 47), which is fitted to a later described lighting frame fastener 25 to serve as a side air outlet, is formed in the lower end of the vertical insertion wall 210 on the ridge side. Instead of the bent projection 213, a horizontal sash member fitting portion 219 is formed at the tip of the vertical sash member 21 on the ridge side and the eaves side. As shown in Fig. 44, the upper horizontal sash member 22 has a wing piece 220 for mounting the upper horizontal sash member 22 thereon, and a transparent sheet keep piece 221 provided on an upper portion of the wing piece 220. The wing piece 220 and the keep piece 221 are connected with each other through an upper horizontal sash member connecting wall 222 extending in parallel with the edge of the transparent sheet 24 at the ridge side, and a transparent sheet insertion groove 223 is defined by the wing piece 220, a portion of the keep piece 221 on the eaves side and the connecting wall 222. The upper horizontal sash member connecting wall 222 is provided with a longitudinal hollow curved portion 224 having a groove formed on the ridge side. The edge of the transparent sheet keep piece 221 near the ridge is first upwardly bent and then bent toward the ridge to be formed into an engaging bent portion 225. A fastener engaging piece 226 is provided on the lower surface of the wing piece 220 such that the engaging piece 226 extends downwardly from the lower surace of the wing piece 220 and is further upwardly bent. The lower horizontal sash member 23 has a wing piece 230 for mounting the lower horizontal sash member 23 thereon and a transparent sheet keep piece 231 provided on the wing piece 230 so as to be in parallel with the wing piece 230. The wing piece 230 and the transparent sheet keep piece 231 are connected with each other through a lower horizontal sash member connecting wall 232 extending in parallel with the transparent sheet 24 on the eaves side, and a tansparent sheet insertion groove 233 is defined by the wing piece 230, a portion of the transparent sheet keep piece 231 on the ridge side and the lower horizontal sash member connecting wall 232. The lower horizontal sash member connecting wall 232 is provided with a longitudinal hollow curved portion 234 having a groove formed on the ridge side, and a downwardly curved water proof gutter 235 is provided at the edge of the wing piece 230 on the eaves side. A cover portion 236 for covering the upper horizontal sash member 22 of the lighting frame B adjacent to the eaves from above is provided on the edge of the transparent sheet keep piece 231 on the eaves side, and a throating projection 237 is formed on the lower surface of the cover portion 236. Referring to Figs. 45 and 46, reference numeral 26 designates a lighting frame fitting for connecting the vertical sash member 21 with the lower horizontal sash member 23. The fitting 26 has a closing plate portion 260 provided in parallel with the vertical fit piece 215 of the vertical sash member 21 and having a portion overlapped with the inner surface of the end of the vertical fit piece 215. The closing plate portion 260 is provided at the intermediate portion on the outer surface with a contact projection 264 brought into contact with the eaves-side front surface of the vertical fit piece 215 of the vertical sash member 21, and at the eaves-side lower portion with a projecting fit portion 261 projecting toward the lower horizontal sash member 23 to fit to the lower surface of the end of the cover portion 236 of the lower horizontal sash member 23 at the side of the vertical sash member. The projection fit portion 261 on the ridge side is integrally provided with projection piece 262 inserted into the end of the transparent sheet insertion groove 214 of the vertical sash member 23 near the eaves, and a through hole 263 is bored in the projection piece 262 at a position corresponding to the through hole 217 of the vertical sash member 21. Next will be explained the connection of the vertical sash member 21 and the lower horizontal sash member 23. First, the end of the closing plate portion 260 of the lighting frame fitting 26 near the ridge is overlapped with the inner surface of the eaves end of the vertical fit piece 215 of the vertical sash member 21, then the projection piece 262 is inserted into the transparent sheet insertion groove 214 of the vertical sash member 21 to be overlapped with the vertical insertion wall 210, and then the end of the wing piece 230 and that of the transparent sheet keep piece 231 of the lower horizontal sash member 23 are fitted to the horizontal sash member fitting portion 219 of the vertical sash member 21 to thereby fit the projecting fit portion 261 of the fitting 26 into the lower surface of the cover portion 236 of the lower horizontal sash member 23. Then, a tapping screw 27 having the tip formed with a small-diameter portion 270 is inserted into the through hole 217 of the vertical sash member 21, the through hole 263 of the fitting 26, and the hollow curved portion 234 of the lower horizontal sash member 23, so that the vertical sash member 21 and the lower horizontal sash member 23 are incorporated with each other, as shown in Fig. 46. The vertical sash member 21 and the upper horizontal sash member 22 are connected with each other through the tapping screw 27 inserted into the through hole (not shown) of the vertical sash member 21 on the ridge side and the hollow curved portion 224 of the upper horizontal sash member 22. As a result, the left and right vertical sash members 21,21, the upper horizontal sash member 23 and the lower horizontal sash member 24 are assembled into the shape of a quadrilateral with the respective transparent sheet insertion grooves directed toward an inner periphery, as shown in Fig. 43. A packing 241 taking the form of a groove in section and having an edge formed with an outward flange 240 is fitted to a peripheral edge of the transparent sheet 24. A portion of the transparent sheet 24 fitted to the packing 241 is inserted into each of the transparent sheet insertion grooves 214, 223 and 233 of the respective sash members, and the flange 240 is brought into contact with an end of each opening of the transparent sheet insertion grooves 214, 223 and 233. Figs. 47 through 49 show the ridge-side lighting frame B3, respectively. In the ridge-side lighting frame B3, instead of the upper horizontal sash member 22, a metal or plastic sheet 28 laid under the ridge and having the same width as the transparent sheet 24 is mounted to the edge of the transparent sheet 24 near the ridge. A transparent sheet insertion groove 280 opening toward the eaves is formed at the edge of the laying sheet 28 on the eaves side. A hollow curved portion 282 having the groove on the eaves side is longitudinally provided in the center of a side wall 281 of the transparent sheet insertion groove 280, and a fastener engaging piece 283 having a lower end bending toward the eaves is provided so as to project from the lower portion of the side wall 281. A pair of vertical upper walls 284, 284 extending in parallel with each other at an interval are provided at the edge of the laying sheet 28 on the ridge side, and an inwardly bent portion 285 is provided at each tip of the vertical upper walls 284 to confront each other. A fastener sliding engagement groove 286 is defined between a pair of vertical upper walls 284. A vertical lower wall 287 is provided at a lower portion of the edge of the laying sheet 28 on the ridge side. The tip of the vertical lower wall 287 is bent toward the ridge, and a hollow curved portion 288 having the groove is longitudinally formed in the center of the vertical lower wall 287. An intermediate suspending wall 289 provided with a hollow curved portion 290 having the groove is provided between the fastener engaging piece 283 and the vertical lower wall 287 on the lower surface of the laying sheet 28. The vertical sash member 21′ of the ridge-side lighting frame B3 has the length equal with the sum of the length of the transparent sheet 24 and that of the laying sheet 28. The vertical sash member 21′ has a through hole formed in the tip of the side wall of the transparent sheet insertion groove 214 of the vertical sash member 21 on the eaves side, and a through hole formed in a position corresponding to each of the hollow curved portions 282, 290 and 288 of the laying sheet 28, respectively. The tapping screw 27 inserted into each through hole is screwed into each of the hollow curved portions 282, 290 and 288 of the laying sheet 28 and the hollow curved portion 234 of the lower horizontal sash member 23 to thereby assemble the ridge-side lighting frame B3, as shown in Fig. 48. The other portion of the ridge-side lighting frame B3 is similarly structured to the above described lighting frame B. Referring to Figs. 50 through 52, reference numeral 25 designates a lighting frame fitting. The lighting frame fitting 25 is mounted so as to cover the groove 147 of the upper connecting member 14, as shown in Figs. 19 and 20, and fixed in position by means of the bolt 250 and the nut by making use of the groove 147. This fitting 25 is provided at its upper portion on the ridge side with an engaging step portion 251 extending toward the ridge. When fixing the lighting frame B, first, the lighting frame B is inclined such that the end of the frame B on the ridge side is placed down, as shown in Fig. 50. Then, the fastener engaging piece 226 of the upper horizontal sash member 22 is located below the engaging step portion 251 of the fitting 25, as shown in Fig. 51. Next, the lower horizontal sash member 23 is downwardly pressed, and then the curved water proof gutter 235 of the lower horizontal sash member 23 is brought into engagement with the lower surface of the wing piece 220 of the upper horizontal sash member 22 of the other lighting frame B adjacent to the lighting frame B closer to the eaves. Since a plurality of drain holes 238 are bored in the lower portion of the lower horizontal sash member connection wall 232 at intervals as shown in Fig. 53, rain water flowing down along the upper surface of the transparent sheet 24 flows into the transparent sheet insertion groove 233 of the lower horizontal sash member 23, when roofing the lighting frame B. Then, the rain water flows into the curved water proof gutter 235 through each drain hole 238 to be further drained toward the eaves through the groove 147 of the upper connecting member 14, as shown in Fig. 54. Further, since the cover portion 236 of the lower horizontal sash member 23 of the lighting frame B on the ridge side covers the upper portion of the upper horizontal sash member 22 of the lighting frame B on the eaves side, it is possible to prevent the flood of rain water flowing through the interconnection between the lighting frames B. Even if the flood of rain water occurs due to a spout of rain water, the flood water from the upper end of the wing piece 220 of the upper horizontal sash member drops down into the curved water proof gutter 235 to be drained toward the eaves similarly to the case as noted above. Each of the lighting frames B1, B2 and B3 is respectively formed by the opposite vertical sash members 21, the lower horizontal sash member 23, the upper horizontal sash member 22, the transparent sheet 24, and the fitting 26 into the quadrilateral frame, and the rain water is drained toward the eaves by the use of the drain hole 338 and the curved water proof gutter 235. In addition, each of the lighting frames B1, B2 and B3 has the lower and upper horizontal sash members 23, 22 formed into the trebly and quadruplexly engaging water-proof structure, and is mounted on the upper connecting member 14 only through the engagement with the fitting 25 of the upper connecting member 14 to thereby absorb the vibration shocks, thermal expansion and elongation and contraction, so that the lighting frame having complete flashing structure may be mass-produced with simple manufacturing processes. Next will be explained the horizontal connection of the lighting frames B. As shown in Fig. 54, the lower end of the vertical insertion wall 210 of the vertical sash member 21 of the lighting frame B is inserted into the intermediate width adjusting section 147 defined by the outer confronting projection 146 and the inner confronting projection 146′ of the upper connecting member 14, and then the upper end of the vertical fit piece 215 is inserted into the upper width adjusting section 164′ defined by the throating suspending piece 163 of the connecting member cover D and the engaging projection piece 154 of the upper connecting member 14. At this time, since the actual backing width of the roof varies depending upon the structure of a building, a lot area, and a regional building structure difference, the adjusting function such as the normal mounting, plus mounting and minus mounting, which facilitates the absorption of the error in the backing width, is necessary to easily execute the connection of the roof. Next will be explained the structure of the width adjusting function. A width adjusting method of the intermediate width adjusting section 147 is as follows. In the case where the backing is normal in width to be free from any adjustment as shown in Fig. 56, the vertical insertion wall 210 of the vertical sash member 21 of the lighting frame B is inserted into the central position of the intermediate width adjusting section 147 of the upper connecting member 14 to be mounted thereon, and then fixed in position to provide the normal mounting of the lighting frame. In the case where the minus adjustment is done when the backing is narrower than a normal state as shown in Fig. 55, the vertical insertion wall 210 of the vertical sash member 21 of the lighting frame B is inserted into the intermediate width adjusting section 147 in close proximity to the inner confronting projection 146′ thereof to be mounted thereon, and then fixed in position to provide the minus adjusted mounting of the lighting frame B. In the case where the plus adjustment is done when the backing is wider than the normal state as shown in Fig. 57, the vertical insertion wall 210 of the vertical sash member 21 of the lighting frame B is inserted into the intermediate width adjusting section 147 in close proximity to the outer confronting projection 146 thereof to be mounted thereon, and then fixed in position to provide the plus adjusted mounting of the lighting frame B. A width adjusting method of the upper width adjusting section 164′ is as follows. In the case where the backing is normal in width to be free from any adjustment as shown in Fig. 56, the vertical fit piece 215 of the vertical sash member 21 of the lighting frame B is inserted into the central position of the upper width adjusting section 164′ defined by the engaging projection piece 154 of the upper connecting member 14 and the throating suspension piece 163 of the intermediate connecting member cover D to provide the normal mounting of the lighting frame. In the case where the minus adjustment is done when the backing is narrower than the normal state as shown in Fig. 55, the vertical fit piece 215 of the vertical sash member 21 of the lighting frame B is inserted into the upper width adjusting section 164′ in close proximity to the inner engaging projection piece 154 thereof to provide the minus adjusted mounting of the lighting frame. In the case where the plus adjustment is done when the backing is wider than the normal state as shown in Fig. 57, the vertical fit piece 215 of the vertical sash member 21 of the lighting frame B is inserted into the upper width adjusting section 164′ in close proximity to the outer throating suspension piece 163 thereof to provide the plus adjusted mounting of the lighting frame. Hereinafter will be explained the width adjusting method by the use of a numerical formula. The width of the backing is defined as U, the width of the lighting frame as w, the width of the connecting member as b, and the adjustable dimension as y, whereby p obtained by adding the width w of the lighting frame, the width b of the connecting member and the adjustable dimension y together, that is, (w+b+y)=p , is defined as a reference pitch. First, the width U of the backing divided by the reference pitch p gives a , which is the number of longitudinal rows of the lighting frames B, with remainder c, as follows: U ÷ p = a with remainder c When the remainder c is equal with 0, that is, c = 0, the lighting frames B and connecting members A, A′ are received in their fixed positions relative to each other as shown in Fig. 56. When the remainder c is less than the half of the reference pitch p (c < p/2), this case is referred to as the plus adjustment, while when the remainder c is larger than the half of the reference pitch p (c > p/2), this case is referred to as the minus adjustment. An individual width adjusting method employs for each case of plus adjustment and minus adjustment. Plus adjustment The width U of the backing divided by the reference pitch p gives a with remainder c, as follows: U ÷ p = a with remainder c (c < p/2) Then the remainder c divided by a gives α, as follows : c ÷ a = α The resultant value α comes to a necessary adjusting amount per one row of the lighting frames. Accordingly, the value α is added to the reference pitch p to thereby obtain the pitch of the lighting frames B. (Example) When the width U of the backing is equal with 9210, the width W of the lighting frame is equal with 566, the width b of the connecting member is equal with 30 and the adjustable dimension is equal with 10, the following formula will be obtained. p = w + b + y = 606 9210 ÷ 606 = 15 with remainder 120 Since the remainder 120 is less than the half of the reference pitch, that is, 606/2, the plus adjustment is done. The adjusting amount α per one row of the lighting frames will be obtained as follows : α = 120 ÷ 15 = 8 The pitch of the lighting frames B will be obtained as follows : 606 + 8 = 614 whereby the pitch of the lighting frame B results in 614, and the number of rows a of the lighting frames B results in 15. Minus adjustment The width U of the backing divided by the reference pitch P gives a with remainder c, as follows: U ÷ p = a with remainder c (c > p/2) A difference between the reference pitch p and the remainder c divided by a value obtained by adding 1 to the number of rows a of the lighting frames gives α, as follows: (p - c) ÷ (a + 1) = α The calculated numerical value α results in the necessary adjusting amount per one row of the lighting frames, and then subtracting this value α from the reference pitch p gives the pitch of the lighting frames B. (Example 2) When the width U of the backing is equal with 7852, the reference pitch p is equal with 606, the adjustable dimension y is equal with 10, the following formula will be obtained. 7852 ÷ 606 = 12 with remainder 580 Since the remainder 580 is larger than the half of the reference pitch, that is, 606/2, the minus adjustment is done. The necessary adjusting amount α will be obtained as follows: α = (606-580) ÷ (12 + 1) = 2 606 - 2 = 604 whereby the pitch of the lighting frames B results in 604, and the number of rows a of the lighting frames B results in 13. The above formulae are applied to the width adjustment with reference to the specific examples. Next will be explained the horizontal connection of the water proof sheets 5. As shown in Figs. 55 through 57, the engaging water proof wall 503 of the water proof sheet 5 is inserted into the lower width adjusting section 139 defined by the outer curved portion 132′ and the inner suspending piece 133 of the lower connecting member 13 as being widely spaced apart from each other to be mounted in the lower width adjusting section 139. Further, the water proof sheet 5 has a width adjusting function capable of normal mounting, plus-adjusted mounting and minus-adjusted mounting corresponding to the error of the width dimension of the backing similarly to the above case. Next will be explained the structure of the width adjusting function of the water proof sheet 5. The width adjusting method of the water proof sheet 5 is identical with that of the lighting frame B as noted above, so that the water proof sheets 5 are adjustably connected with each other in cooperation with the lighting frames B. The width adjusting method of the lower width adjusting section 139 is as follows. In the case where the width of the backing is normal to be free from any adjustment as shown in Fig. 56, the engaging water proof wall 503 of the water proof sheet 5 is inserted into the center of the lower width adjusting section 139 of the lower connecting member 13 and then mounted in the center thereof to provide the normal mounting. In the case where the minus adjustment is done when the width of the backing is narrower than a normal state as shown in Fig. 55, the engaging water proof wall 503 of the water proof sheet 5 is inserted into the lower width adjusting section 139 of the lower connecting member 13 in close proximity to the inner suspending piece 133 thereof to provide the minus adjusted mounting. In the case where the plus adjustment is done when the width of the backing is wider than the normal state as shown in Fig. 57, the engaging water proof wall 503 of the water proof sheet 5 is inserted into the lower width adjusting section 139 of the lower connecting member 13 in close proximity to the outer curved portion 132' thereof to provide the plus adjusted mounting.

Claims: A connecting frame (13, 14, 15) for supporting panels (B) above a roof, the connecting frame comprising: an elongate fixing rail (13) having a fixing portion (130) for attachment to the roof such that its longitudinal direction lies parallel to a line connecting the eaves and the ridge of the roof, and an overhang portion (132) extending from at least one side of the fixed portion (130) along the length of the elongate fixing rail so as to overhang the roof and define an adjustment zone (139) between the overhang portion (132) with a downwardly curved outer end (132') and the roof; a water-proof sheet having side edges for disposal on the roof between adjacent elongate fixing rails, said edges being suitable for positioning under respective overhang portions in respective adjustment zones (139) to permit adjustment of the relative position between the water-proof sheet and said adjacent elongate fixing rails; an elongate intermediate element (14) for mounting on the elongate fixing rail (13), and comprising support means (147) along at least one side thereof for supporting a side edge of the panel (B), whereby the panel can be supported between the adjacent elongate intermediate elements; characterised in that: the panel (B) has a vertical insertion wall (210) at the lower end of two sash members (21, 21) at respective edges of the panel (B); the support means comprises an intermediate width adjustment section opening upward and taking the shape of a channel; said vertical insertion wall (210) is inserted into and supported within said intermediate width adjustment section so as to be movable in lateral direction, thereby providing for adjustment of the total finished width of the connecting frame for a given width of panel, and to allow adjustments to be made after installation of the connecting frame to compensate for the effects of expansion and contraction. A connecting frame according to Claim 1, further comprising: a cover (D) for mounting on the elongate intermediate element (14) remote from the elongate fixing rail (13), the cover being provided with width adjustment means (164') for cooperating with the support means (210) within the range of adjustment provided for by the width adjustment means.

Inventors: HIRAI TAKASHI, KANEKO YOSHIO, HIRAI, TAKASHI, KANEKO, YOSHIO
Applicants: HIRAI ENG CORP, HIRAI ENGINEERING CORPORATION
Application year: 1989
Main classification: E04D13
IPC codes: E04D13, F24J2