Watertight roof for buildings and constructions in general

Abstract: It comprises panels (1) with the longitudinal sides configured for lateral engagement of the panels, which present a drainage channel (5) hidden by a jut (8) of the panel immediately beside it. The channel (5) collects possible infiltrations through the joints (22) arranged between the panels coupled laterally. The panels present a slot (18) on one end and an extension (19) on the opposite end, which couple together, by overlapping and axial sliding. The panels have a space (3a) in which is arranged a securing staple (24) which secures the panels to a support structure (30). This staple is spaced apart from the channel (5) and hidden by the jut (8) of the next lateral panel, so that the securing devices are isolated from the outside. One of the ends (116) of the panels (101) has a cross section of smaller dimensions than the rest of the panel, so that it can be couple by longitudinal sliding inside a slot (118) of complementary form made at the other end of the panels. Total watertightness is obtained, without need to use weather strips and inner seals.

Description: The present invention refers to a watertight roof for buildings and constructions in general, which is totally flat, without longitudinal projections and provided with means to ensure the absolute watertightness thereof. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Known in the art are facing panels for walls in buildings and constructions in general, formed by two flat metal sheets joined together, one of which forms the internal side of the panel while the other forms the outer side, between which sheets is a chamber filled with material of a heat-insulating nature. This type of flat panels for covering the outer walls of a building or construction is unsuitable for use as a roof or roofing, for the seals between the elements thereof lack sufficient watertightness. Another type of roof currently used is made up of channelled panels, that is, panels with their outer side provided with longitudinal projections or drawings, which alternate with channels. These roofs have a disadvantage of an aesthetic order, owing to the presence of the projections, and furthermore their attachment to the support beams or purlins is implemented by means of threaded stems which pass through the panels, the heads of these stems being left on the outer side of the panels, which means that they deteriorate easily through the action of atmospheric agents. Similarly, the joints between the panels, formed by weather strips or beads, can suffer wear over time, therefore allowing possible infiltration of rainwater. Also known are roofing panels of the type described above, which, once placed on the support structure, are joined to each other by means of a flanging operation, which consists in bending together, one around the other, two longitudinal edges of the sheets which compose the two sides of the panel, in order to achieve their watertight joining together. This operation is carried out once the sheets have been fitted on the support structure, using a portable machine which is complex to operate, so that fitting of this type of roofing is slow and costly. EP-A-0 397 278 describes a roof panel having two communicating drainage channels, at right angles from each other, and provided with means for the partial overlapping of two longitudinally adjacent panels, which leave a sealing joint between the two panels on the outer surface of the roof. GB-A-2 168 732 discloses a roof element having the features of the preamble of claim 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the disadvantages described, the watertight roof for buildings and constructions in general object of the invention was designed, the exterior side of which is flat and presents means for achieving total watertightness thereof. The roof in question is as claimed in claim 1. In one embodiment a portion of the outer sheet of the panel, which is folded substantially following the tongue-and-groove configuration of the side of the panel, is clamped by said securing device, which also engages a wing of the inner sheet that projects laterally and lies on a lower plane with respect to the channel, and secures it to the purlins by means of bolts or the like. The juxtaposition sections of the aligned panels may incorporate watertightness joints, the joints of each panel being complementary to those of the panels coupled laterally. The longitudinal edges of the sheet which constitutes the outer side of the panels may present projecting folds of channelled configuration, forming areas closed on the outside, complementary and tongue-and-grooved for the coupling of the laterally juxtaposed panels. Within the folds are arranged elastic weather strips which project from said folds at the end sections of juxtaposition between aligned panels, so that they constitute watertightness seals juxtaposed with other complementary seals arranged at the end sections of the panel. In a more specific embodiment, the longitudinal section of the panel situated at the end opposite to that of the channel includes an upper part corresponding to the external side of the panel, forming a jut which projects markedly with respect to the lower part corresponding to the internal side. The lower side of the panel is provided with a longitudinal reinforcement concealed within the heat-insulating filler, which reinforcement takes in at least partially the upper part of the filler material which corresponds to the jut described. The elastic weather strip fitted in the side opposite to that of the drainage channel of the same panel may be arranged above said drainage channel once the panels have been juxtaposed. This weather strip is provided with a projecting zone which functions as a water break. One version of the improvements of the invention is characterized in that one of the ends of the panels has a cross section of smaller dimensions that those of the rest of the panel. The opposite end of the panels presents a slot containing no filler material, the inner shape of which is complementary to the outer shape of the end, in order to permit the engagement of the ends of the panels aligned longitudinally by means of insertion of one end into the slot of the next panel. Besides, the lateral projections of the outer sheet corresponding to the end of smaller cross section than the rest of the panel may be flattened so that they may be inserted by longitudinal sliding into the lateral edges of the slot of the next panel. More specifically, the end of smaller cross section than the rest of the panel may present an upper or outer sheet which narrows to both sides to reduce the width thereof. In this embodiment the drainage channel may present a part of greater cross section than the rest, so that an equivalent part of the channel arranged beside the slot of the next panel can be inserted within it. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of all that has been set forth in this specification, there are attached some drawings in which, solely by way of example, a practical case of embodiment of the watertight roof for buildings is shown. In said drawings figure 1 is a perspective view of a panel forming the roof, with the weather strips and seals shown in correct position and, at the same time, spaced apart from the panel; figure 2 is a perspective view of two panels spaced apart and aligned; figure 3 is a plan view of a roof section; figures 4, 5 and 6 correspond to sections along planes IV-IV, V-V and VI-VI of figure 3; figure 7 is a schematic plan detail of a part of the roof, showing the direction of the water which falls upon it, orientated towards a general draining channel; figures 8 to 13 correspond to the version of the roof in which the ends of the panels are inserted inside each other. More specifically, figure 8 is a perspective view of the ends of two panels spaced apart and facing each other for their engagement, also showing a piece for securing the panels onto one of the support purlins of the roof; figure 9 is a plan view of a part of the roof; figures 10 and 11 correspond to larger-scale cross sections along planes X-X and XI-XI of figure 9; figure 12 is a side elevation view of the ends of two panels about to be coupled together; and figure 13 is a view similar to the preceding one, but showing the ends coupled together and secured onto a roof support purlin. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the example shown in the drawings, the watertight roof is formed by a plurality of panels of general reference -1-, each comprising two metal sheets -2- and -3-, which constitute, respectively, the outer and inner sides of the panel. Between these two sheets is arranged some filler material of heat insulating properties. On one of its longitudinal sides the sheet -2- presents an inset channel -5-, the bottom of which comes in a position close to the sheet -3-. This channel -5- is partly closed by a projecting piece -6- formed by a bend of the sheet -2-, inside which is housed an elastic weather strip -7- which, as will be detailed below, constitutes a tightness seal. The opposite longitudinal side of the sheet -2- extends in the form of a jutting wing -8-, which at the longitudinal edge presents a recess -9- of shape complementary to the projecting piece -6-, and a fold -10- similar to -6-, but on plane lower than the latter, inside of which is arranged an elastic weather strip -11-, with a lower rib -12- in the form of a water break. The lower side of the jut -8- presents an extension -4a- of the heat-insulating filler -4-, inside which is concealed a rigid reinforcement shape -13-. It may arise that the very reinforcement may act as heat-insulating filler in the event of said reinforcement extending as far as the outer side. At the longitudinal edge beneath the wing -8-, the sheet -3- presents a fold -14- similar to fold -10-, inside which is placed the rigid reinforcement shape -13-. At the longitudinal edge opposite the one with the fold -14-, the sheet -3- has a recess -16- similar to recess -9- and, on a higher plane, a fold -17- similar to fold -10-. One of the ends of the panels -1- presents a slot -18- formed by suppression of a section of the filler material -4- and of a section of equivalent length of the sheet -3-, so that the end of the sheet -2- forms an extension or overlap -2a- which has two lateral cut-outs -2b-, by means of which two lateral zones of said overlap -2a- and the ends of folds -6- and -9- have been eliminated. The end of the panel -1- opposite that with the slot -18- presents an extension -19- complementary to the slot -18-, in which two recesses in the form of cut-outs -19a- and -19b- have been formed, leading to elimination of the end sections of folds -6- and -10-, the end sections of weather strips -7- and -11-, a portion of the insulating material -4- arranged between the channel -5- and the fold -17-, and one of the walls -5a- of the inset channel -5-. At the ends of the folds -6- arranged beside the slot -18- are housed extensions -7a- and -11a- of weather strips -7- and -11-, respectively, provided with splines -7b- and -11b- (figure 1). To provide a clearer view of these extensions and of the joints and weather strips to be described below, these are shown in figure 1 of the drawings, both incorporated to the panel -1- and detached from it. On the other hand, at the end of the channel -5- placed beside the extension -19- is housed a groove-shaped elastic joint -20- with a wing -20a-, said joint having a splined section -20b- complementary to the splined section -7b- of the weather strip -7a-. At the same time, the weather strip -7- at the end of the fold opposite joint -20- has an extension -7c-, with a tab -7d- provided behind the joint -20-. On the side opposite to that occupied by the extension -7c-, the weather strip -11- has an extension -11c- with a wing -11d- provided with a splined section -11e- complementary to the splined section -11b- of the weather strip -11a-. The set of watertightness joints of the panel -1- is completed by a sheet of elastic material -21- juxtaposed on the extension -19-. The watertightness joints may be embodied in various ways, though this will not affect the essential characteristics of the invention. The panel -1- described presents its longitudinal sides formed by folds -10-, -14- complementary to the folds of the opposite side -6-, -17-, so that the panels can be slotted together laterally, as illustrated by figures 5 and 6 of the drawings. These figures show clearly that the longitudinal channel -5- is arranged beneath the juxtaposition zone of the upper folds -6- and -10- which, together with recess -9-, form a tongue and groove joint whose watertightness is supplemented by means of a putty -22- of known type. Nevertheless, should there arise any infiltration in the lateral slotting zones of the panels, channel -5- collects this water and leads it to a general channel -23- of known type arranged on the edge of the roof (figure 7). The panel -1- presents its ends formed, respectively, by the slot -18- and the extension -19-, complementary to each other, for juxtaposition thereof by means of longitudinal displacement of one panel with respect to the next one beside it, in such a way that the extension -18- is inserted into the slot -18-. On coupling the panels by their ends the splined surfaces -20b-, -7b- of the joints -20- and -7a-, on the one hand, and the splined surfaces -11e- and -11b- of the weather strips -11d- and -11a-, on the other, are juxtaposed. At the same time, the projecting ends of the weather strips -7a- and -11a- rest head on at the ends of weather strips -7c- and -11c-, respectively. The sheet -21- constitutes a supplement for levelling and improving the watertightness of the panel end coupling. For fixing the roof panels -1- in working position, staples -24- have been provided, having orifices -25- coinciding with other orifices -26- provided on a zone -3a- of the internal sheet -3-, on which the insulating filler material -4- has been eliminated (figures 1, 2 and 5). The staple is supplemented by a small elastic plate -27- intended to ensure watertightness of the coupling zones, and by bolts -29-, with watertight washers -28-, used for securing the staples onto roof support purlins -30-. As can be appreciated from figure 5 of the drawings, it is important to note that the zone at which the staples -24- are arranged is underneath the jut -8- of each panel -1-, perfectly isolated from the outside and from the drainage channel -5- itself. In spite of its being formed by flat panels, the roof described has the advantage of achieving total watertightness, as well as protection of the means of securement used to fix it to the support structure. This is due mainly to the presence of the hidden channels -5- and the hidden location of the staples -24-, separate from the channels. At the same time, the special configuration of the longitudinal sides of the panels and of their ends facilitates their coupling as well as the assembly of the roof, achieving solid retention and watertightness, without the need to carry out special flanging operations on the sheets during fitting of the panels. In an improved version of the roof object of the invention, shown in figures 8 to 13 of the drawings, the roof comprises a plurality of panels, of general reference -101-, each of which comprises two metal sheets -102- and -103-, which constitute, respectively, the outer and inner sides of the panel. Heat-insulating filler material -104- is inserted between the two sheets. The sheet -102- of the panels is provided with a drainage channel -105-. The sheet -103- presents a zone -103a- which lacks filler material -104-, for the fitting of staples -106- which, by means of bolts -107-, secure the coupled panels onto roof support purlins -108-. The channel -105- is partly closed by a projecting edge -109- formed by a round-edged fold of the sheet -102- itself. This sheet presents a projecting edge -110- on the opposite side to the edge -109- and on a lower plane than same, formed by a round-edged fold which, together with the edge -109-, constitutes a tongue-and-groove lateral coupling device for the panels. Within this fold is arranged a weather strip -111- with a lower lip -112- which constitutes a water break device. One of the sides of the sheet -103- has a projecting edge -113-, formed by a fold with a recess -114-. On the opposite side of the sheet there is a projecting edge -115- which is complementary with respect to the recess -114-, and they form between them a tongue-and-groove device for lateral coupling of the panels -101-. Thus far the described characteristics of the panels -101- coincide with those set forth and shown in figures 1 to 7 of the drawings. The characteristics of the improved roof consist in the upper or external sheet -102- of one of the ends -116- of the panels -101- presenting narrowed sections -117- on both sides, which leads to a reduction of the cross section of that end. The end -116- presents a flattened extension -109a- of the edge -109- and a similarly flattened extension -110a- of the edge -110-, for the purposes of coupling between two consecutive panels, which will he described below. Furthermore, the end -116- of the panels -101- presents an extension -105a- of the drainage channel -105-, of greater outline than that of the rest of the channel, so that an equivalent section of channel -105- of the end of the next panel can be introduced within it. The panels -101- present one end -118- opposite to -116-, which has the special feature that, as in the case of the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 7 of the drawings, it forms a slot which has no filler material -104-, although, unlike the previous embodiment, the slot -118- has no overlap extension over the end of the panel to which it is coupled longitudinally. As may be deduced from all that has been set forth and from observation of the drawing, the longitudinal coupling of the panels -101- is carried out by moving one of the panels longitudinally towards the other (figure 10), so that the end -116- of one of them is inserted into the slot -118- of the other (figure 13). This is possible thanks to the width reduction of the end -116- with respect to the slot -118-, the flattening of the edges -109a- and -110a- and the increased width of section -105a- of the drainage channel. These elements slot inside the complementary elements -109- and -110- of the slot -118- and outside the channel -105- immediately beside said slot, respectively. This embodiment allows elimination of a plurality of tightness seals and weather strips, necessary in the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 7 of the drawings, thereby reducing the costs of the panels and of the roof. Watertightness of the roof is achieved by applying a sealing joint -119- of conventional type to the coupling zone between the edges -109- and -110- (figures 10 and 11). Independent of the object of the invention shall be the materials used in manufacturing of the roof elements, their shapes and dimensions and all accessory details which might be presented, as long as they do not affect its essential nature.

Claims: Watertight roof for buildings and constructions which comprises at least two panels (1), each said panel being formed of two sheets (2, 3), one of which (2) constitutes the outer side of the panel and the other (3) the inner side, linked to each other by a filler material (4) of heat insulating properties, said panel (1) having on its longitudinal sides a complementary configuration of the tongue-and-groove type (6, 9), for lateral coupling thereof with interposition of watertightness seals (22) to other panels of the same type, a first longitudinal side of a first said panel (1) presenting a longitudinal drainage channel (5) hidden and partly covered on the outer side by a jutting wing (8) of a second longitudinal side, complementary to the first longitudinal side, of a second panel (1) of the same type juxtaposed laterally to the first panel, said panel (1) further having at its ends means for coupling by overlap with longitudinally adjacent panels, said panel being fixed by means of securing devices (24) onto a support structure formed of transversal purlins (30), and a collector channel (23) for the water falling on the roof being arranged underneath the lower edge of the roof, characterized in that one of the ends of the outer sheet (2) of the panel projects therefrom in a longitudinal overlap (2a), designed to be superimposed over the outer sheet (2) of another longitudinally adjacent panel at the end (19) thereof, the overlapping sheet (2a) being provided with longitudinal recesses (2b) in the form of cut-outs at the ends of each longitudinal side of the outer sheet (2), the opposite ends of each longitudinal side of the outer sheet being provided with complementary longitudinal recesses (19a, 19b) in the form of cut-outs, to allow the mutual slotting together by longitudinal sliding of longitudinally aligned panels without a substantial increase of the overall thickness of the roof in the overlapping portion. Roof, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a portion of the outer sheet (2) of the panel, which is folded substantially following the tongue-and-groove configuration of the side of the panel, is clamped by said securing device (24), which also engages a wing (3a) of the inner sheet (3) that projects laterally and lies on a lower plane with respect to the channel, and secures it to the purlins (30) by means of bolts (29) or the like. Roof, as claimed in one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the overlapping sections of the aligned panels incorporate watertightness joints (7b,11b, 11e,20b), the joints of each panel being complementary to those of the panels coupled laterally. Roof, as claimed in one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the longitudinal edges of the sheet constituting the outer side of the panels present projecting folds (6,10,14,17) of channelled configuration, forming areas which are closed on the outside, complementary and tongue-and-grooved for the coupling of the laterally juxtaposed panels, elastic weather strips (7a,11a) being arranged within said folds and projecting from said folds at the end sections of juxtaposition between aligned panels, so that they constitute watertightness seals juxtaposed with other complementary seals arranged at the end sections of the panel. Roof, as claimed in one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the longitudinal side of the panel arranged at the end opposite to that of the channel includes an upper part corresponding to the outer side of the panel, forming a jut (8) which projects markedly with respect to the lower part corresponding to the inner side, while the lower part is provided with a longitudinal reinforcement (13) concealed within the heat-insulating filler, said reinforcement reaching at least partially the upper part of the filler material (4) which corresponds to the jut described. Roof, as claimed in claims 1 and 4, characterized in that the elastic weather strip (11,11a,11c) fitted in the side opposite to that of the drainage channel (5) of the same panel is arranged above the drainage channel of a panel juxtaposed laterally, once the panels have been juxtaposed, said weather strip being provided with a projecting zone (12) which functions as a water break. Roof, as claimed in one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that one of the ends (116) of the panels (101) has a cross section of smaller dimensions than that of the rest of the panel, while the opposite end presents a slot (118) containing no filler material, the inner shape of which is complementary to the outer shape of the end (116), in order to allow coupling together of the ends of the panels aligned longitudinally by means of insertion of one end (116) into the slot (118) of the panel immediately beside it. Roof, as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the lateral projections (109a,110a) of the external sheet (102) of the end (116) whose cross section is smaller than that of the rest of the panel are flattened so that they may be inserted by longitudinal sliding into the lateral edges (109,110) of the slot (118) of the panel immediately beside it. Roof, as claimed in claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the end (116) with a cross section smaller than the rest of the panel presents the outer sheet (102) with a narrowing (117) to both sides, which determines the width reduction of said end. Roof, as claimed in one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the drainage channel (105) presents at one end (116) of the panel (1), a section (105a) of greater cross section than the rest, so that a corresponding portion of the channel (105) arranged beside the slot (118) at the other end of the next panel can be inserted within said section (105a).

Inventors: SERRANO MARTIN JOSE ANTONIO, SERRANO MARTIN, JOSE ANTONIO, Serrano Martin, José Antonio
Applicants: ROBERTSON ESPANOLA SA, ROBERTSON ESPANOLA, S.A.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: E04D3
IPC codes: E04B7, E04C2, E04D3