Tile covering structure

Abstract: The tile covering structure comprises a frame (4) which can be associated with a base panel (5) and which includes a plurality of modular elements (6,7) preferably made of plastic material which can be mutually associated in a snap-together manner. Each modular element is alternatively provided with first means (16) for supporting, ventilating and aligning gutter tiles (3) and with second means (17) for ventilating the roofing panel and for engaging and supporting covering tiles (2). The second means interact with locking means (23-26) suitable for locking the covering tile. The structure allows to achieve optimum and easy installation of the roof in a short time.

Description: The present invention relates to a tile covering structure. The problems which arise in manufacturing roof coverings essentially consist in the need to optimally meet various specific requirements, such as: short laying times, impermeableness to water, thermal insulation, resistance to mechanical stresses, and ventilation of the roofing panel. Currently it is known to use, as roof covering materials, roofing tiles which have a characteristic curved shape, which taper at one end and which are also known as bent roofing tiles. Laying said roofing tiles at the slopes of the roof entails, if said slopes are constituted by a concrete roofing panel, the application thereon of a corrugated panel whose profile is similar in width and shape to that of the roofing tile. The operator subsequently lays the roofing tiles on the corrugated panel, arranging the gutter tiles so that the tapered end of one rests on the wider end of the subsequent gutter tile starting from the ridge. A row of covering tiles is then superimposed between two flanking rows of gutter tiles; their tapered end is directed toward the ridge and their perimetric edges rest on those of the two underlying gutter tiles. In this case also, the wider end overlaps the tapered one of the subsequent covering tile. The disadvantage which can be observed in this type of covering structure is constituted by the fact that, since the roofing tile is in contact with the corrugated panel, condensation forms between the surfaces thereof and is absorbed by the tile. Therefore, if weather conditions occur which facilitate the forming of ice, the tile consequently cracks. Furthermore, in summer periods, when the temperature rises considerably, the tar of the corrugated panel liquifies and welds said panel to the tile, thus aggravating the above described problem. If instead the corrugated panel is not used, in order to perform correct laying, i.e. an optimum alignment of the gutter tiles, the tile layer must use for example wires stretched along the slope of the roof so as to have a precise and exact guide for laying. Besides the problem due to the considerable time used in providing this alignment, the layer furthermore uses mortar arranged at the sides of the gutter tile in order to fix the tile itself to the roofing panel. This arrangement furthermore prevents the tile from wobbling, since it has a curved shape, and from slipping. The problem related to the use of mortar consists in the fact that said mortar, while drying, tends to separate from the roofing tile, since the two materials are not mutually compatible so as to allow mutual adhesion. Since the tile furthermore rapidly absorbs moisture, breakages in the manners described earlier are possible at the point of contact with the mortar. If instead the slope of the roof is constituted by a wood panel provided with a plurality of mutually parallel longitudinal strips, the layer must be provided with cross-members at preset distances in order to allow the support of the gutter and covering tiles, which are only rested and are therefore subject to absorptions which can create unprotected regions in the covering and thus allow infiltration for example of water. Known from EP-A-0,316,474, filed November 19, 1987 by the same Applicant, is a tile covering structure as defined in the preamble of claim 1. EP-A-0,316,474 partially solves the above problems by providing a covering for tiled roofs which essentially comprises a frame associable with a roofing panel and on which a plurality of seats suitable for the alignment of the gutter tiles is provided, a supporting element for the tapered end of a covering tile being provided in the interspace between said seats, said covering tile being provided with a through hole for mutually connecting said tile and said frame by means of a locking element. Although this covering is undoubtedly valid, it has some disadvantages: first of all the transportation and storage of the cross-members which constitute the frame is not easy, since they must have a considerable longitudinal extension in order to avoid forcing the installer to mutually connect a plurality of segments during laying on the roof. It is furthermore sometimes necessary to mutually connect the cross-members if the length of the roof is greater than the standard length of the cross-member, which must in any case be modest in view of its transportation and laying. Furthermore, since the cross-members are made of wood, they are subject to deterioration in the course of time, since they tend to rot if they make direct contact with water. It has furthermore been observed that the ventilation of the garret is achieved essentially at the covering tiles, since the gutter tiles rest at counter-shaped seats defined on the cross-members of the frame. This resting can furthermore be a cause of moisture absorption in the tile. The aim of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the disadvantages described above in known types by providing a covering structure which allows to achieve an optimum, easy and rapid installation of the covering and gutter tiles, containing the bulk of the components as regards their storage, transportation and installation. Within the scope of the above aim, an important object is to provide a covering structure which can be applied rapidly and easily to roofs having various longitudinal extensions. Another important object is to provide a covering structure which allows to achieve an optimum ventilation of the entire garret region. Another object is to provide a covering structure which allows to rapidly associate the covering tiles in perfect alignment. Another object is to provide a covering structure which allows to achieve considerable resistance to external stresses. Another important object is to provide a covering structure which allows an installation which can be performed even by non-skilled personnel, by virtue of interconnection means suitable for the easy coupling of modular elements. Another important object is to provide a covering structure which is not subjected to deterioration due to the inclemency of the weather. Another important object is to provide a covering structure which is structurally simple and easy to industrialize. Not least object is to provide a covering structure which is reliable and safe in use and has modest manufacturing costs. This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a tile covering structure as defined in the appended claims. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of a particular embodiment, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a lateral perspective view of two elements which constitute the covering structure; figure 2 is a first top view of the mutually temporarily associable ends of two elements which constitute the structure, arranged adjacent to one another; figure 3 is a second top view of the mutually temporarily associable ends of two other elements which constitute the structure, arranged adjacent to one another; figure 4 is a side view of the ends of the elements of figure 2 connected to one another; figure 5 is a view, similar to the preceding one, of the ends of the elements of figure 3 connected to one another; figure 6 is a partially sectional view of the structure, illustrating the arrangement of the individual components; figure 7 is a sectional view of the structure, taken along the plane VII-VII of figure 6. With reference to the above figures, the covering structure, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, can be used particularly for supporting covering tiles and gutter tiles, respectively designated by the numerals 2 and 3. Said covering structure 1 comprises a frame 4 which is associable with the upper surface of a roofing panel 5 which comprises a plurality of first and second modular elements which are respectively designated by the numerals 6 and 7. Said first and second modular elements, which are preferably made of plastic material and have a body which has an essentially longitudinal extension, have first and second devices for mutual snap-together connection defined at the ends 8a and 8b of the first elements 6 and at the counter-shaped ends 9a and 9b defined on the second elements 7. Said first devices are constituted by a dovetail groove 10 which is defined on the end 8a and is suitable for temporarily connecting to a counter-shaped first protrusion 11 defined on the end 9a. The second devices are constituted by a first recess 12, defined above the end 8b of the first element 6, from which a pin 13 protrudes upward at right angles; said pin is suitable for temporarily connecting in a counter-shaped seat 14 defined below a second recess 15 defined at end 9b. Each of said first and second modular elements 6 and 7 is provided with first mutually equidistant means 16 for supporting, ventilating and aligning gutter tiles 3 which are alternated with second mutually equidistant means 17 for ventilating the roofing panel 5 and for engaging and supporting the covering tiles 2. Each of said first means 16 is constituted by a seat for the gutter tile, which has a central concave region 18 in which a first through hole 19 is centrally defined for screws 20 which are suitable for associating said first and second modular elements with the roofing panel 5. The corresponding central part of the gutter tile 3 rests on said central region 18 and aligns said tile; one or more mutually identical steps 21 are provided laterally to said central region and are suitable for allowing localized support for the remaining part of the gutter tile 3 and ventilation of the covering structure 1. The corners of the steps are naturally arranged approximately at the curve which passes through the central region 18 and which is defined by the outer surface of the gutter tile 3. Each of said second means 17 is constituted by a bridge 22 which links the mutually adjacent steps 21 of two adjacent central seats 18; a through cavity 29 is defined below said bridge and is suitable for allowing the passage of a stream of air for the optimum ventilation of the entire roofing panel 5. A frustum-shaped protrusion 23 protrudes above each bridge 22; the covering tile 2 can be arranged on a partially hollow free end 24 of said protrusion at an adapted hole 25 defined on said tile. The structure furthermore comprises third means for locking said covering tile, which are constituted by adapted pins 26 whose stem 27 can be inserted by pressing within the second hole 25 defined on the covering tile and whose head 28 abuts on said covering tile. The use of the covering structure 1 is thus as follows: once the respective snap-together ends of the first and second modular elements 6 and 7 have been mutually connected, the members thus obtained are placed on the roofing panel 5 at regular intervals, starting from the gutter line up to the ridge line. At this stage, said members are fixed to the roofing panel 5 by means of the screws 20 which pass within the first holes 19. The gutter tiles 3 are subsequently arranged at the central seat 18, aligning them automatically. After laying all the gutter tiles 3, the covering tiles 2 are laid and are aligned at the second means 17; in detail, the laying of a covering tile is performed by inserting the free end 24 of the frustum-shaped protrusion 23 at the hole 25 defined on the covering tile 2. Finally, said covering tile is locked to said frustum-shaped protrusion by inserting the pins 26 in the free end 24. It is thus possible to achieve an optimum securing of the tiles to the structure and at the same time an optimum ventilation of the roofing panel is obtained, both by virtue of the presence of the steps 21 and by virtue of the presence of the cavity 29 which belongs to the second means 17. It has thus been observed that the covering structure has achieved the above described aim and objects, a structure having been provided which allows to achieve optimum and easy installation of modular elements which constitute a tile supporting frame in a reduced amount of time. The structure furthermore allows to achieve an optimum ventilation of the entire roof slope region and is at the same time not subject to deterioration due to the inclemency of the weather, and the surface of contact with the gutter tiles is limited. The materials and the dimensions of the individual elements which constitute the structure may naturally be the most appropriate according to the specific requirements. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims: Tile covering structure comprising a frame (4) associable with a roofing panel (5) and a plurality of covering tiles (2), said frame comprising a plurality of modular elements (6,7), each of which is alternatively provided with first means (16) for supporting, ventilating and aligning gutter tiles (3) and with second means (17) for ventilating said roofing panel (5) and for engaging and supporting covering tiles (2), said structure further comprising locking means (23-26) for locking the covering tiles (2) to said second means (17), each of said first means comprising a gutter tile seat (16) having a concave region (18) for supporting, aligning and ventilating gutter tiles (3), characterized in that each of said second means comprises at least one step (21) arranged laterally with respect to said concave region (18) and a bridge (22) defining a cavity (29) below said bridge linking mutually adjacent steps (21) of two adjacent seats (16) for engaging and supporting covering tiles (2) and ventilating said roofing panel. Structure according to claim 1, characterized in that said concave region (18) is located centrally on said gutter tile seat (16) and provided with connection means (19, 20) for connecting said modular elements (6, 7) to said roofing panel (5) comprising a first through hole (19) provided centrally in said concave region (18) and accommodating a screw (20) for connecting said modular elements (6, 7) to said roofing panel (5). Structure according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said second means is constituted by a bridge (22) linking said mutually adjacent steps (21) of two adjacent gutter tile seats (16), a through cavity (29) being defined below said bridge (22) for ventilation of all of said roofing panel (5). Structure according to claim 1, characterized in that said modular elements (6, 7) are preferably made of plastic material and have a body which extends substantially longitudinally, said modular elements (6, 7) each having a first engagement device (10,11) located at one end (8a, 9a) thereof, and a second engagement device (12, 13,14) located at another end (8b, 9b) thereof, for mutual snap-together connection. Structure according to claim 4, characterized in that the first engagement devices (10, 11) are constituted by a dovetail groove (10) which is defined on a first end (8a) of one of said modular elements (6) and is suitable for temporarily connecting to a counter-shaped first protrusion (11) defined on a second end (9a) of another one of said modular elements (7). Structure according to claim 4, characterized in that said second engagement devices (12, 13, 14) are each constituted by a first recess (12) defined above an end (8b) of one of said modular elements (6) and a pin (13) protruding perpendicularly upwardly from said recess (12) for engaging a counter-shaped seat (14) defined below a second recess (15) defined at an end (9b) of another one of said modular elements (7). Structure according to claim 2, characterized in that a corresponding central part of said covering tile (2) rests on the centrally located concave region (18) for aligning said tile, said steps (21) being provided laterally to said centrally located concave region for allowing localized support of the remaining part of said gutter tile (3) and ventilation of said covering structure. Structure according to claim 1, characterized in that each said step (21) has an edge arranged approximately at a curve defined by the outer surface of said gutter tile (3) and passing through said concave region (18). Structure according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that said locking means comprise a frustum-shaped protrusion (23) protruding above each of said bridges (22) and having a free hollow end (24), said covering tile (2) having formed therein a hole (25) arrangeable on said free hollow end (24) of said protrusion (23). Structure according to claim 9, characterized in that said locking means further comprise pins (26) each having a stem (27), insertable under pressure through said hole (25) and into said hollow end (24) of said protrusion (23), and a head (28) connected to said stem (27) and abutting said covering tile (2).

Inventors: VARDANEGA BRUNO, VARDANEGA, BRUNO
Applicants: VARDANEGA BRUNO, VARDANEGA, BRUNO
Application year: 1992
Main classification: E04D12
IPC codes: E04D12