ES3042377T3 - Roofing element, roof comprising such a roofing element, and method for installing such a roof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a roofing element comprising: a container (20) having at least one water inlet (25), characterized in that it further comprises: a receptacle (5) suitable for receiving and holding the container in place, and for being able to be fixed to the structure of a building, the receptacle having a bottom and peripheral side walls to hold the container in place, and in that each container comprises at least one connector suitable for being able to connect to at least one connector of a separate container of a separate roofing element, so as to allow the flow of water between the containers. The invention also relates to a roof comprising said roofing elements and to a method for installing said roof.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Roofing element, roof comprising such a roofing element and method for installing such a roof. Technical field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to a roofing element. In particular, the invention relates to a roofing element comprising a receptacle adapted to collect rainwater flowing over the roof. The invention also relates to a roof comprising such roofing elements and to a method for installing such a roof. Water is a vital resource. Climate change and the phenomena of flooding and drought further demonstrate the need to optimize water management, particularly in cities due to the artificial nature of the soil.

[0004] Rainwater is a source that can have numerous uses, specifically in domestic homes, both outdoors and indoors.

[0005] Background of the technique

[0006] For example, US2015/0143757 describes an easily assembled building comprising a roof incorporating a water tank that allows water to be supplied by gravity. Such a roof consists of tanks comprising openings fitted with grates that allow rainwater to enter each tank.

[0007] Such a roof is limited to the construction of new buildings and is not suitable for the renovation of existing building roofs. Furthermore, such a roof does not allow for easy implementation or maximized rainwater harvesting relative to the roof area.

[0008] On the other hand, elements of vegetation roofing that allow temporary water storage are known from documents US2011/289839, CA2785232, US2010/307057 and US2013/298463.

[0009] Objectives of the invention

[0010] The invention aims to provide a roofing element and roofing system that collects rainwater, is easy to install and use, and has limited costs. The invention also aims to provide a roofing element and roofing system that reduces the impact of flooding.

[0011] The invention also has the purpose of providing a roofing element and a roofing that allows replacing an existing roof without needing heavy modification or reinforcement of the structure of the building in question.

[0012] Exposition of the invention

[0013] To do this, the invention relates to a roofing element according to claim 1 comprising:

[0014] - a container into which water can be introduced, further comprising:

[0015] - a receptacle adapted to receive and hold said container in place and to be attached to the structure of a building, said receptacle having a bottom and peripheral side walls that allow said container to be held,

[0016] and such that each container comprises at least one connector adapted to be joined to at least one connector of a different container of a different roofing element to allow water to circulate between said containers. A roofing element according to the invention thus allows for a device to be proposed that collects and stores rainwater on a roof, without requiring an attached tank or reservoir that would be located, for example, in the attic or on the ground near the building. The fact that each container has at least one connector that can be joined to a different container allows for the distribution of the amount of water stored across the roof, distributing the loads on said roof and, in particular, facilitating the recovery and use of the available water. For example, a single connector can be used as an outlet for the water stored in said roof.

[0017] The device is reliable and easy to install. It also has the advantage of being highly modular, allowing a roof to be designed using a variety of roofing elements whose connectors can be used as outlets for the recovered water.

[0018] Each water inlet hole of the container is adapted to allow rainwater falling and running off the surface of said roof to penetrate the interior

[0020] The container may have various shapes. Advantageously, the container has an upper face adapted to extend primarily parallel to a slope of the roof. Advantageously, the container has an upper face that is at least partly substantially flat. Advantageously, the container has two principal faces (an upper face and a lower face) parallel to each other. Advantageously, the container has a generally polyhedral shape, in particular, a generally parallelepiped shape. It is also permissible to provide that each container is in the form of a flexible bag, the shape and thickness of which in the receptacle may thus vary between an empty state and a water-filled state of the container. In particular, such a flexible bag has predefined dimensions adapted so that the water-filled flexible bag has dimensions such that its ends come into contact with the bottom and peripheral side walls of the receptacle that receives it.

[0022] In particular, the container and the receptacle have shapes that combine to allow the container to be inserted snugly into the receptacle. This optimizes the total volume of rainwater that can be stored while minimizing the space required for the roofing element.

[0024] Advantageously, said container has at least one water inlet hole and, in particular, at least two water inlet holes. Each container has, for example, between two and ten water inlet holes.

[0025] Each water inlet hole can take different forms. For example, it can be a circular hole or a slit of varying length. The number of water inlet holes per container, their distribution, and their shape can be determined, specifically, based on the container's dimensions, the roof configuration, or the typical rainfall in the geographical area where the roofing element according to the invention is intended to be installed.

[0027] Each container preferably has a small thickness (compared to its largest dimension) and has an exterior appearance close to a plate or panel.

[0029] Advantageously, each water inlet hole of said container is provided with a non-return flap to allow the introduction of water into the interior of said container and to prevent the water from escaping to the outside of said container.

[0031] Each receptacle may have various shapes, and the height and shape of the peripheral side walls may vary. Advantageously, the receptacle has a bottom adapted to extend mainly parallel to a slope of the roof. Advantageously, the bottom of the receptacle is at least partly substantially flat.

[0033] Thus, when the container is placed in the receptacle (i.e., when the receptacle receives the container), the upper and lower faces of the container extend parallel to the bottom of the receptacle. In particular, when the container is placed in the receptacle, the lower face of the container is at least partially in contact with the bottom of the receptacle.

[0035] Each container and/or receptacle may be made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of polymeric materials (specifically, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyvinyl chlorides (PVC), polyethylene terephthalates (PET), polyoxymethylenes (POM)...), polymer matrix composites, metals, metal alloys, and metal matrix composites. Each container may, for example, be made of a polymeric material and each receptacle of a metal alloy.

[0037] Each container may have a variable number of connectors. For example, it is possible to provide for a plurality of connectors in different places on the container, for example, at least one on each side (that is, at least four connectors in the case of a parallelepiped container, for example).

[0039] A roofing element according to the invention may also comprise a covering device that provides a predetermined aesthetic appearance at least equivalent to the aesthetic appearance of an existing roofing element. Advantageously, a roofing element according to the invention further comprises a covering device adapted to cover the container, the covering device comprising at least one opening adapted to allow water to pass into at least one water inlet hole of the container.

[0041] The covering device can have any desired shape, specifically that of tiles (flat, channel, etc.), slates, or can also comprise at least one photovoltaic panel or a plant support. Advantageously, this covering device has the appearance of tiles.

[0043] Advantageously, a roofing element according to the invention comprises rails, each receptacle being adapted to be fixed to the structure of a building by means of said rails. Such fixing rails may be formed of at least one material selected from the group consisting of metals, metal alloys, and their compounds. The fixing rails are, for example, made of aluminum.

[0044] The invention also relates to a roofing of a building, characterized in that it comprises at least one roofing element according to the invention.

[0045] The invention relates, therefore, to a roofing of a building according to claim 9 comprising at least one roofing element according to claim 1 comprising:

[0046] - a container into which water can be introduced, further comprising:

[0047] - a receptacle adapted to receive and hold said container in place and to be attached to the structure of a building, said receptacle having a bottom and peripheral side walls that allow said container to be held,

[0048] and such that each container comprises at least one connector adapted to be able to join to at least one connector of a different container of a different roofing element to allow circulation of water between said containers.

[0049] The invention also relates to a method for installing a roof comprising at least one roofing element according to the invention.

[0050] The invention also relates to a method for installing a roof according to claim 10, wherein:

[0051] said receptacle is fixed to said roof of a building,

[0052] said container is placed inside said receptacle,

[0053] After placing said receptacle and said container, said cover device is fixed above said container.

[0054] It should be noted that it is possible to first fix each receptacle to the structure of a building before placing a container in each receptacle. Nothing prevents, likewise, providing for each container inside said receptacles, and then fixing each receptacle to said structure.

[0055] It is also possible to provide for the attachment of support bars (or rods or sheets) above each container to secure its position within a receptacle, for example, if it must be pre-positioned in the receptacle before the receptacle is attached to the structure. Advantageously, in this procedure, at least one support bar is attached to the container after it has been placed inside the receptacle. Each support bar can also serve as a mounting bracket for the cover device.

[0056] Advantageously in such a procedure, a plurality of roofing elements according to the invention are installed on said structure of said building.

[0057] Advantageously in such a procedure, at least one connector of the receptacle of a first roofing element is connected to a connector of the receptacle of a second roofing element other than said first roofing element.

[0058] List of figures

[0059] Other purposes, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description, which is given solely for non-limiting purposes and refers to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0060] [Fig. 1] is an exploded schematic perspective view of a roofing element according to the invention, [Fig. 2] is a schematic perspective view of a roofing element according to the invention, [Fig. 3] is a schematic perspective view of a roofing element according to the invention,

[0061] [Fig. 4] is a schematic view from below of

a container of a roofing element according to the invention, [Fig. 5] is a schematic perspective view of a building provided with a roofing according to the invention.

[0062] Detailed description of a mode of embodiment of the invention

[0063] In the figures, scales and proportions are not strictly respected, for the purposes of illustration and clarity.

[0064] In addition, identical, similar or analogous elements are designated by the same references in all figures.

[0065] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a roofing element 1 according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0066] Figure 3 illustrates a roof 40 or the slope of a roof, comprising four roofing elements 1 according to the embodiment of the invention represented in Figures 1 and 2, said roofing elements being juxtaposed (one of said roofing elements being represented without a container and two without a covering device).

[0068] Each roofing element 1 comprises:

[0070] - a container 20 having at least one water inlet hole 25,

[0071] - a receptacle 5 adapted to receive and hold said receptacle 20 and to be attached to the structure of a building,

[0072] - a coverage device 35.

[0074] Each container 20 has a general parallelepiped shape of minimal thickness. The container and receptacle of the same roofing element have shapes that combine to allow a tight fit of the container into the receptacle. Each receptacle has an upper face 21 (visible in Figures 1 and 3) adapted to extend mainly parallel to a roof slope and an opposite lower face (visible in Figure 4) that extends parallel to the upper face 21.

[0076] In the remainder of the description, the terms upstream and downstream are used in reference to the direction of flow of rainwater by gravity on the roof surface, as it is oriented (inclined) in Figures 1 to 3.

[0077] In the embodiment shown, each container 20 has six watertight connectors: two connectors 26, 27 provided on a designated upper edge of the container 20 adapted to be connected to a container of a neighboring roofing element located upstream of roofing element 1; two lateral connectors 28, 29 adapted to be connected each to a container of a roofing element located laterally adjacent to it (at the same roofing level, neither upstream nor downstream); and two connectors 30, 31 provided on a designated lower edge of the container 20 adapted to be connected to a container of a neighboring roofing element located downstream of roofing element 1. Therefore, each connector 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 can be joined to at least one connector of a different container of a different roofing element to allow water circulation between the containers.

[0079] For the peripheral or external edges of a roof, it is possible to provide roofing elements whose receptacle would be devoid of a connector on one or two edges, that is, those that do not require a watertight connector on their free edge, not adjacent to another roofing element. Likewise, it is possible to use the same roofing elements as those depicted and provide for the installation of plugs that allow sealing of the unusable connectors that cannot be connected to a different receptacle.

[0081] Nothing prevents, likewise, the provision that the lateral flanges of each receptacle of neighboring roofing elements be configured to partially overlap in order to improve the watertightness of the resulting roof. The overlap between the flange of one receptacle and the flange of a different receptacle may be lateral or between roofing elements downstream or upstream of each other. Each flange may have, for example, a U-shaped cross-section whose flanges are sufficiently deformable to fit over the U-shaped flange of a neighboring roofing element.

[0083] In the illustrated embodiment, each container 20 comprises five windows 23 that allow the reinforcement of the container 20 formed, for example, of polymeric material or polymer matrix composite material, to be made rigid.

[0084] Each receptacle 5 has a bottom 4 and peripheral side walls 6 that allow the receptacle 20 to be held in place when used on a roof.

[0086] In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom 4 of the receptacle 5 has four bolts 8 configured to be inserted into four of the windows 23 of the container 20. This is not essential, but it can help stabilize the container 20 within the receptacle 5. The bottom 4 of the receptacle 5 also has protruding lines 9. These are, in this document, reinforcing lines that improve the rigidity of the receptacle 5 while limiting its weight. It is also possible to provide for the bottom of the receptacle 5 to be completely flat (without any protruding or recessed parts). Furthermore, it is possible to provide, as a variant or complement to the protruding lines 9, recessed channels in the bottom 4 of the receptacle 5 that also reinforce its rigidity and can also serve as drainage channels for wastewater (or water from a potential leak).

[0088] The side walls 6 also have notches 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 provided to allow the connectors 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 of the container 20 to be housed there respectively. This also helps to keep the container 20 in position in the receptacle 5.

[0090] Each roofing element according to the invention also comprises a covering device 35 that allows for a predetermined aesthetic appearance to be achieved instead of the usual roofing covering. Each covering device comprises at least one opening 36 adapted to allow water to pass through to at least one water inlet hole of the container. In the embodiment shown, the covering device therefore comprises four openings 36, i.e., as many openings 36 as there are water inlet holes 25 of the container 20. The covering device 35 can have any desired shape, specifically that of tiles (flat, channel, etc.), slates, or can also comprise at least one photovoltaic panel or a plant support (a support that can be made of vegetation or a support that is already vegetation).

[0091] The cover device 35 may have pins 38 that allow it to fit and be held laterally with respect to the receptacle 20.

[0092] Tubes 32 may be provided to connect each opening 36 of the cover device 35 to a water inlet 25 of the container 20 to allow rainwater entering through the openings 36 to flow through the filters 37 into the container. A non-return flap is arranged inside each tube to close each water inlet in the direction of water flow to the outside of the container, while simultaneously allowing water to enter the container. For example, this may be a ball-type non-return flap, such as one comprising a polystyrene sphere.

[0093] A roofing element according to the invention thus allows, if necessary, the replacement of a damaged container without having to replace its receptacle or remove the receptacle from the roofing. Likewise, it is easy to remove each cover device 35, for example, to inspect the containers and receptacles. In one embodiment of the invention, each container 20 measures approximately one meter by one meter (1,000 mm on each side), with a thickness of approximately 52 mm, and each container has a maximum capacity of approximately 40 liters. Such a container, made, for example, of polyoxymethylene or polyethylene, has a mass of approximately 5.8 kg. Furthermore, each water inlet hole 25 has a diameter of approximately 45 mm. In one embodiment of the invention, each receptacle 5 measures approximately 1,100 mm on each side, with a thickness of approximately 65 mm. Such a container, made, for example, of polyoxymethylene or polyethylene, has a mass of around 9.6 kg.

[0094] In one embodiment according to the invention, each cover device 35 formed, for example, of polyoxymethylene or polyethylene has a mass of about 7.7 kg. Thus, in this embodiment, the roofing element has a total thickness of about 180 mm (when the container is arranged in the receptacle and the cover device is placed above them).

[0095] The roofing elements illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 all have the same dimensions. However, it is of course possible to provide for varying sizes, for example, for the peripheral or external edges (high, low and/or lateral edges or junctions between different slopes) of the roofing (which do not require watertight connectors on their free edges, not juxtaposed to another roofing element).

[0096] Figure 5 illustrates a roof 42 of a building comprising several slopes entirely equipped with roofing elements according to the invention. It can be seen that the external appearance of such a roof is entirely similar to that of a conventional roof. Of course, other forms besides those of channel tiles, as depicted, are possible.

[0097] A roofing element according to the invention can be installed on a wide range of roofs and buildings, specifically, roofs with varying slopes or flat roofs. Each receptacle can be installed on a building structure so that its bottom extends at least partially in a plane forming an angle between 0° and 90° with the horizontal (an angle of 0° corresponding to a flat roof).

[0098] Similarly, it is possible to provide for an overlap of the side flanges of each receptacle of neighboring roofing elements. Each flange may have, for example, a U-shaped cross-section whose flanges are sufficiently deformable to fit over and/or cover the U-shaped flange of a neighboring roofing element.

[0099] Roofing 40, 42 may also include a pilot module that integrates a remotely piloted valve, allowing control of its opening and closing. This enables the evacuation of rainwater stored in the roof's collection tanks, for example, into the storm drain system when necessary, such as when a major storm is forecast. During the storm, the rainwater is then stored in the roof tanks, thus mitigating the effects of the storm or heavy rainfall.

[0100] The installation of a roof is carried out in the following stages:

[0101] - a set of 5 receptacles is attached to the roof structure of a building,

[0102] - a container 20 is placed inside each receptacle 5,

[0103] - the connectors are connected to adjacent receptacles,

[0104] - after placing the containers and the containers on the roof, a covering device 35 is attached above each container 20.

[0106] In addition, where applicable, after the container 20 has been placed inside each receptacle 5, at least one support bar is fixed above the container 20, each bar having ends that are fixed to the side walls 6 of the receptacle and/or the covering device 35 of a neighboring roofing element. For example, two support bars (not shown) can be arranged parallel to each other and parallel to two upper edges and side walls 6 of the receptacle 5. These support bars can also serve as fixing supports for any type of covering device.

[0108] Each container 20 and each receptacle 5 may each be formed from at least one material chosen from the group consisting of polymeric materials, polymer matrix composite materials, metals, metal alloys and metal matrix composites.

[0110] Each covering device 35 can also be made of various materials depending on the desired appearance. In the case of a channel tile appearance, as shown in the figures, the covering device 35 can be made of polymeric material or a polymer matrix composite. This allows, in particular, for limiting the mass of the covering device compared to terracotta tiles (i.e., ceramic material). However, there is nothing preventing the use of a covering device 35 made of terracotta.

[0112] Furthermore, each covering device 35 of a single roofing element may consist of a single piece or of a set of pieces assembled together. In the embodiment shown, each covering device 35 may consist of a single block, at least with regard to the portion that has the appearance of tiles, despite the appearance of individual tiles that seem to be assembled in a traditional manner.

[0114] Of course, other forms besides those of channel tiles, as depicted, are possible. In the case of a flat tile appearance, it is possible to provide for raised channels to increase the amount of water flowing towards the water inlet holes 25 into the receptacle.

[0116] On the other hand, each receptacle 5 can be fixed, for example, to the structure of a building by means of rails or slats (not shown). Such fixing rails can be made of at least one metallic material chosen from the group consisting of metals, metal alloys, and their compounds. The fixing rails are, for example, made of aluminum or are made of an aluminum-based alloy.

[0118] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described. In particular, the tiles can be of different shapes, etc.

[0120] In cases where the covering device comprises photovoltaic panels, it is possible to provide a device that allows these to be cooled using rainwater contained in the containers of each element of the roofing.

Claims (11)

1. CLAIMS 1. Roofing element (1) comprising: a container (20) into which rainwater flowing over said roof can be introduced, which further comprises: - a receptacle (5) adapted to receive and hold said container in place and to be attached to the structure of a building, said receptacle having a bottom (4) and peripheral side walls (6) that allow the container to be held, and such that each container (20) comprises at least one connector (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31) adapted to be able to join to at least one connector of a different container of a different roofing element to allow circulation of water between said containers, said roofing element (1) being configured to allow the collection and storage of said rainwater in the roof. 2. Roofing element according to claim 1, characterized in that said container (20) has a general polyhedral shape, in particular, a general parallelepiped shape. 3. Roofing element according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said container (20) has at least one water inlet hole and, in particular, at least two water inlet holes (25). 4. Roofing element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said container (20) has an upper face (21) adapted to extend mainly parallel to a slope of said roofing. 5. Roofing element according to claim 3, characterized in that each water inlet hole (25) of said container is provided with a non-return flap to allow the introduction of water into the interior of said container and to prevent the water from escaping to the outside of said container. 6. Roofing element according to one of claims 3 or 5, characterized in that it further comprises a covering device (35) adapted to cover said container, said covering device (35) comprising at least one opening (36) adapted to allow water to pass through to at least one water inlet hole (25) of said container (20). 7. Roofing element according to claim 6, characterized in that said roofing device (35) has the appearance of tiles. 8. Roofing element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises rails formed from at least one material chosen from the group consisting of metals, metal alloys and their compounds, said receptacle being adapted to be able to be fixed to the structure of a building by means of said rails. 9. Roofing (40, 42) of a building, characterized in that it comprises at least one roofing element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8. 10. A method for installing a roof (40, 42), comprising at least one roofing element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein: - said receptacle (5) is fixed to said roof of a building, - said container (20) is placed inside said receptacle, - after placing said receptacle and said container on said roof, said cover device (35) is fixed above said container. 11. Method according to claim 10, wherein at least one connector (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31) of the container (20) of a first roofing element is connected to a connector of the container of a second roofing element other than said first roofing element.