Patent Publication Number: US-10760279-B2

Title: Corrugated plate for ventilating and dissipating heat from a roof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Taiwanese Patent Application No. 107145720, filed on Dec. 18, 2018. 
     FIELD 
     The disclosure relates to a corrugated plate, and more particularly to a corrugated plate for ventilating and dissipating heat from a roof. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional iron roofs easily absorb heat and thus tend to increase an indoor temperature. Roofs made by overlapping tiles generally have a heat insulating effect. However, the tiles have to be fixed with each other by cement or glue. Fixing the tiles is troublesome and requires to rely on experienced and skilled persons. Further, because the tiles with same shape are overlapped with each other, it is difficult to form ventilation gaps among the tiles. 
       FIG. 1  shows a plurality of conventional corrugated plates  1  each of which includes a bottom plate  11  elongated along a longitudinal direction (D), two side plates  12  extending upwardly and respectively from two opposite sides of the bottom plate  11 , and a cover plate  13  connected between the side plates  12 . The bottom plate  11 , the side plates  12  and the cover plate  13  cooperatively define a ventilation path  100 . The cover plate  13  has a crest portion  130 , a hooked portion  131  connected to one of two opposite sides of the crest portion  130 , and a connection portion  132  connected to the other one of the two opposite sides of the crest portion  130 . The corrugated plate  1  is made from a plastic material. Multiple corrugated plates  1  can be interconnected with each other by overlapping the hook portion  131  of each of the corrugated plates  1  with the connection portions  132  of the other one of the corrugated plates  1  to form a roof. The roof thus formed provides not only ventilation through the ventilation paths  100 , but also insulation through the insulating properties of the plastic corrugated plates  1 . 
     However, because each corrugated plate  1  has a single ventilation path  100 , the ventilating effect may be insufficient for a region where the airflow direction is unstable. On the other hand, two adjacent corrugated plates  1  cannot be fixed together by simply overlapping the hook and connection portions  131 ,  132  thereof. Fasteners, such as bolts or rivets, are required to secure the corrugated plates  1  together, thereby increasing complexity of assembling the corrugated plates  1 . 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a corrugated plate for ventilating and insulating heat from a roof, which can alleviate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art. 
     According to the disclosure, a corrugated plate, which is suitable for ventilating and dissipating heat from a roof, includes a crest portion, a first trough portion, a second trough portion and two curved rise portions. 
     The crest portion is elongated along and curved around a longitudinal line. The crest portion includes an arcuate part that has a first arcuate end, a second arcuate end, two longitudinal lateral sides and two indentations. The second arcuate end is opposite to the first arcuate end along the longitudinal line. The longitudinal lateral sides are opposite to each other and connected between the first and second arcuate ends. The indentations are respectively indented from the first and second arcuate ends. The arcuate part has a curvature that is asymmetric with respect to a central plane which is parallel to the longitudinal line (L) and which intersects the arcuate part at a middle of said arcuate part. 
     The first trough portion extends longitudinally and is connected to one of the longitudinal lateral sides. 
     The second trough portion extends longitudinally and is connected to the other one of the longitudinal lateral sides. 
     The curved rise portions extend longitudinally and are respectively connected to the first and second trough portions oppositely of the crest portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating multiple existing corrugated plates overlapping with each other to form a roof; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a corrugated plate according to the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment illustrating two corrugated plates being aligned to face each other; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view illustrating the two corrugated plates shown in  FIG. 4 , which are assembled with two hollow bricks to form a ventilating and insulating structure for a roof; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view illustrating one corrugated plate and two hollow bricks; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view illustrating two corrugated plates assembled with four hollow bricks; and 
         FIG. 8  is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating ventilation paths of the assembly of two corrugated plates and four hollow bricks shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a corrugated plate for ventilation and dissipation heat from a roof according to the disclosure. The corrugated plate includes a crest portion  2 , a first trough portion  3 , a second trough portion  4  and two curved rise portions  5 . For assembling a ventilating and insulating structure, a plurality of corrugated plates are to be interconnected in association with a plurality of hollow bricks  9  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the crest portion  2  includes an arcuate part.  20  that is elongate along and curved around the Longitudinal line (L). The arcuate part  2  has a first arcuate end  21 , a second arcuate end  22 , two longitudinal lateral sides  23  and two indentations  24 . The second arcuate end  22  is opposite to the first arcuate end  21  along the longitudinal line (L). The longitudinal lateral sides  23  are opposite to each other and are connected between the first and second arcuate ends  21 ,  22 . The indentations  24  are respectively indented from the first and second arcuate ends  21 ,  22 . The arcuate part  20  has a curvature that is asymmetric with respect to a central plane (C) which is parallel to the longitudinal line (L) and which intersects the arcuate part  20  at a middle of the arcuate part  20 . In this embodiment, the arcuate part  20  has a first half  201  and a second half  202  respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the central plane (C). The first half  201  has a radius of curvature greater than that of the second half  202 . The central plane (C) passes through both of the indentations  24 . 
     The first trough portion  3  extends longitudinally and adjoins the first half  201  by being connected to one of the longitudinal lateral sides  23 . The first trough portion  3  has a first seat segment  31  adjoining one of the longitudinal lateral sides  23 , a first bent segment  32  bent from the first seat segment  31  and extending away from one of the longitudinal lateral sections  23  which is adjacent thereto, and a first stair segment  33  adjoining the first bent segment  32  and extending away from one of the longitudinal lateral sides  23 , which is adjacent thereto. The first seat segment  31  and the first stair segment  33  have a differential height therebetween. The first seat segment  31  has longitudinally opposite first and second ends partially and respectively flush with the first and second arcuate ends  21 ,  22  of the arcuate part  20 , and two cutouts  311  respectively formed in the longitudinally opposite first and second ends of the first seat segment  31 . 
     The second trough portion  4  extends longitudinally and adjoins the second half  202  by being connected to the other one of the longitudinal lateral sides  23 . The second trough portion  4  has a second seat segment  41  adjoining the other one of the longitudinal lateral sides  23  and having longitudinally opposite first and second ends which are respectively flush with the first and second arcuate ends  21 ,  22  of the arcuate part  20 , a second bent segment  42  adjoining the second seat segment  41  and extending away from the other one of the longitudinal lateral sides  23 , and a second stair segment  43  adjoining the second bent segment  42  and extending away from the other one of the longitudinal lateral sides  23 . The second seat segment  41  and the second stair segment  43  have a differential height therebetween. 
     The curved rise portions  5  extend longitudinally and are respectively connected to the first and second trough portions  3 ,  4  oppositely of the crest portion  2 . Each of the curved rise portions  5  has an inner curved segment  51  adjoining one of the first and second trough portions  3 ,  4 , and an outer flat segment  52  adjoining the inner curved segment  51  and extending away oppositely of the crest portion  2 . 
     In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , each of the curved rise portions  5  has longitudinally opposite first and second ends which are indented respectively from imaginary planes respectively lying across the first and second arcuate ends  21 ,  22  of the arcuate part  20 . The first bent segment  32  has longitudinally opposite first and second ends respectively proximal to the first and second ends of the first seat segment  31 . The first stair segment  33  has longitudinally opposite first and second ends which are indented respectively from the first and second ends of the first bent segment  32  and which are also indented respectively from the first and second ends of an adjacent one of the curved rise portions  5 . Accordingly, there are two cutouts  30  immediately and respectively adjacent to the first and second ends of the first stair segment  33 . Further, the second bent segment  42  has longitudinally opposite first and second ends respectively proximal to the first and second ends of the second seat segment  41 . The second stair segment  43  has longitudinally opposite first and second ends which are indented respectively from the first and second ends of the second bent segment  42  and which are also indented respectively from the first and second ends of the other one of the curved rise portions  5 . Accordingly, there are two cutouts  40  immediately and respectively adjacent to the first and second ends of the second stair segment  43 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , two corrugated plates of the disclosure are assembled together by coupling with two hollow bricks  9 . The second arcuate ends  22  of the two corrugated plates are aligned to face each other along the longitudinal line (L) and are interconnected in such a manner that the indentations  24  of the second arcuate ends  22  are intersected each other and that the second arcuate ends  22  overlap with each other on two opposite sides of the indentations  24 . The second ends of the first and second seat segments  31 ,  41  of one of the two corrugate plates respectively overlap the second ends of the second and first seat segments  41 ,  31  of the other one of the two corrugate plates. The cutout  311  formed in the second end of the first seat segment  31  of one of the two corrugated plates receives the second end of the second seat segment  41  of the other one of the two corrugated plates, thereby stabilizing the connection of the second arcuate ends  22  of the two corrugated plates. 
     Because the curvature of the arcuate part  20  is asymmetric, when the arcuate part  20  is viewed from the first and second arcuate ends  21 ,  22 , the curvature of the arcuate part presents two different shapes which form a mirror image of each other. Therefore, when the second arcuate end  22  of the two corrugated plates are placed face to face each other, the arcuate parts  20  of the two corrugated plates are staggered, and ventilation gaps  200  ( FIGS. 5, 8 ) are formed between overlapping parts of the second arcuate ends  22  on two opposite sides of the center plane (C). By virtue of the ventilation gaps  200 , longitudinal ventilation channels are formed along the longitudinal line (L). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a plurality of hollow bricks  9  are assembled with the corrugate plates in a manner that the second arcuate ends  22  of the two corrugated plates are aligned to face each other along the longitudinal line (L). Each of the hollow bricks  9  has two opposite side walls  91 , two outer holding ribs  92  projecting respectively from outer surfaces of the side walls  3  in opposite outward directions, and a plurality of ventilation holes  900  bounded by the side walls  91 . The cutouts  30  and  40  adjacent to the second arcuate ends  22  of the corrugate plates respectively receive or engage the side walls  91  of two adjacent hollow bricks  9  disposed transversely to the longitudinal line (L). The second ends of the first and second seat segments  31 ,  41  of the corrugated plates are supported by the outer holding ribs  92  of the adjacent hollow bricks  9 . The curve rise portions  5  of the corrugated plates are inserted into the ventilation holes  900  and extend upwardly to abut top surfaces of the ventilation holes  900  of the adjacent hollow bricks  9 . Because the first and second trough portions  3 ,  4  of the corrugated plates are supported by the outer holding ribs  92  of the adjacent hollow bricks  9 , the corrugated plates are ensured to be positioned between the adjacent hollow bricks  9 . By associating with a plurality of the hollow bricks  9 , the corrugated plates can be arranged in rows and formed into a ventilation and temperature-adjustment structure on the roof. 
     It is worthy to note that cementing, gluing and nailing processes are not necessary during assembling of the corrugated plates. Also, bolts or rivets are not required for fixing purposes. Through the resiliency of the plastic material and the interlockable parts of the corrugated plates of the disclosure, the corrugated plates can be assembled without using any assisting tool. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , in combination with  FIG. 7 , the assembly formed from the corrugated plates and the hollow bricks  9  has a drainage mechanism formed by the first and second trough portions  3 ,  4  of the corrugated plates. Water flowing down from the crest portions  2  to the first and second trough portions  3 ,  4  can be drained through two drainage channels  601  formed by the first and second seat segments  31 ,  41 . When the water accumulated in the first and second seat segments  41  rises to the first and second stair segments  33 ,  43 , because the curved rise portions  5  are curved upwardly from the first and second stair segments  33 ,  43 , the water will be drained through two second drainage channels  602  formed by the first and second stair segments  33 ,  43 . 
     Because the curved rise portions  5  are curved upwardly from the first and second trough portions  3 ,  4 , additional ventilation paths can be formed below the curved rise portions  5  (see  FIG. 8 ). Multiple air paths can thus be formed to enhance heat dissipating and insulating effects. 
     In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal number and so forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be further appreciated that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of various inventive aspects, and that one or more features or specific details from one embodiment may be practiced together with one or more features or specific details from another embodiment, where appropriate, in the practice of the disclosure. 
     While the disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the exemplary embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.