COVER APPARATUS WITH CONTINUING COVER PLATES

Abstract

A cover apparatus (1), comprising cover plates (2) continuing in a position of use in a common plane and in at least one row, is formed in a mutual edge-side contact region (3) through overlapping and in a rainproof manner, such that edges (5) running parallel to each other and spaced apart on each cover plate (2) are designed differently (6), and the top side (7) of the cover plate (2), a continuing web (8) and a rain gutter (9) under said web (8) are arranged on a first edge (5), wherein said rain gutter belongs to the same first edge (5). If necessary, penetrating rain water (12) can be caught in the rain gutter (9) by overlapping edge-side webs (8) in the position of use.

Claims

1. A cover apparatus (1) with cover plates (2) disposed, in a position of use, in a common plane and at least in one row with the cover plates (2) partially overlapping to define a mutual edge-side contact region (3), wherein each of the cover plates having spaced apart first and second edges (5, 6) running parallel to each other which are formed differently for a mutual rainproof overlap and with, on a the first edge (5), a web (8) continuing a top side (7) of the cover plate (2) to define a free edge (10) and a rain gutter (9) arranged under the web (8), the rain gutter being connected watertight with the cover plate (2) at a location set back from the free edge (10) of the web (8) with the rain gutter (9) extending to define a free edge (11) that loops under a second web (12) on the second edge (6) of an adjacent cover plate (2) at a gap in the position of use.

2. A cover apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, on the second edge (6) of the cover plate (2), continuing said top side (7), the second web (12) is provided as an upper free edge that is at least partly located somewhat lower than the upper edge by the thickness of the web (8) of the adjacent cover plate (2) located on the first edge (5), so that in a position of use the web (8) of the first edge (5) of one cover plate loops over the second web (12) of the second edge (6) of the adjacent cover plate or that the second web (12) is situated lower than the first edge (6), as the case may be, in such a way that, in a position of use, the web on the second edge crosses the web of the first edge of an adjacent plate.

3. A cover apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the edge-side webs (8, 12) close to the surface touch at least two such continuing cover plates (2), in a position of use, two-dimensionally or one-dimensionally at least in some regions.

4. A cover apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact region of both edges (5, 6) of the two cover plates (2) a second lower-lying collecting gutter (13) for rainwater is provided, which is particularly provided on that edge (6) of the cover plate (2) that runs parallel to and spaced apart from the edge (5) with the first rain gutter (9).

5. A cover apparatus according to claim 1, wherein on the parallel edges (5, 6) spaced mutually apart and formed differently, a cover plate (2) and therefore on the edges in contact in a position of use of two such cover plates a clipping connection is provided in a position of use.

6. A cover apparatus according to claim 1, wherein on the edges (5, 6) in mutual contact and facing each other in a position of use of two continuing cover plates, clipping webs (14, 15) facing towards each other protrude with a gap under the bottom side, which clipping webs overlap and come into contact so as to clip in a position of use.

7. A cover apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gap from the free edge of the web (8) running above the first rain gutter (9) from the free edge (11) of this rain gutter (9) is of such a size that, in the region of the top side of the other edge (6) of a web (12) protruding from an adjacent cover plate (2) is able to be inserted at least inclined into this gap and intermediate space and is able to be pivoted into the usage position.

8. A cover apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, before connecting the at least two cover plates (2) continuing in a position of use the internal gap between this web (8) arranged above the first rain gutter (9), ending free and the relevant first clipping web (14) located lower opposite the top side of the same edge (5) of the cover plate (2) is less than the external gap between the overlapped upper web (12) in a position of use and the second clipping web (15) on the second edge (6) of the adjacent cover plate (2), and that the web (8) ending free first mentioned and the first clipping web (14) located on the same edge (5) that in a position of use accepts the counter-webs in the intermediate space so as to clip.

9. A cover apparatus according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the clipping webs (14 or 15) or both clipping webs touching in a position of use of the interconnected, continuing cover plates (2) has/have a bent cross-section arranged adjacent to the clipping point, wherein the bend of one clipping web faces away from the other clipping web in a position of use.

10. A cover apparatus according to claim 6, wherein both free-ending webs (8, 12) mutually overlapping in a position of use at least on the top side of the cover plate (1) and accordingly the clipping webs (14, 15) opposite located lower are able to be pushed together in the orientation direction of the cover plates (2) and the pushing path is delimited by at least one stop.

11. A cover apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stop delimiting the pushing path of the touching cover plates (2) is a lower boundary limit of one cover plate and the lower boundary limit (17) of the adjacent cover plate (2) which is therefore preferably flush in a position of use.

12. A cover apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the counter-stop to delimit the pushing path of both cover plates interacting and connecting in a position of use is one delimitation (18) of the second collecting gutter.

13. A cover apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the lower second collecting gutter (13) may be subdivided by a web (19) located high in a position of use and/or separated after its fastening side and free part of this collecting gutter (13) close to the edge is provided to accept water that overruns the partition wall.

14. A cover apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the gap from the free edge web and the second collecting gutter is greater than the gap from the first free edge web and the clipping web provided on the same edge and that the cross-sectional length of the lower trough region oriented at a right angle to the edge is much greater than that of the upper free web, so that in at least one insertion position to connect two cover plates, the bottom side of the cover apparatus (1) is also closed.

15. A cover apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover plates (2) continuing in a position of use exhibit, between their upper and lower delimitation planes reinforcement webs (20), wherein the delimitation planes are formed and the webs (20) are of such a size that between the edges (5, 6) touching or facing away from each other in a position of use of the cover plates (2) and between their side edges are reinforced and mutually-supporting or even self-supporting.

16. A cover apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first gutter (9) located in the upper edge region of a cover plate (2) protrudes to an extent over the web (8) also located there, ending free and particularly in a straight line, which corresponds to at least a quarter or a third or half or two thirds or the entire length or an intermediate value of the cross-section length of the upper free web (8).

17. A cover apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the reinforcement webs (20) arranged between an upper and a lower plane or layer of the respective cover plate (2) run parallel to the edges (5, 6) of the cover plate touching in a position of use and overlapping in regions.

18. A cover apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover plates (2) are made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy and/or of polymer and are particularly extrusion-pressed.

19. A cover apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover plates (2) are formed rectangular and their four delimitations form a rectangle and that the edges (5, 6) overlapping in a rainproof manner in a position of use are the longer edges, therefore the longitudinal edges of this rectangle, wherein the length of the longitudinal edges is particularly a few or many times the length of the transverse edges arranged at right angles to the same.

Description

[0033] Below, illustrative examples of the invention will be described in more detail using the drawing. Partly in schematic representation:

[0034] FIG. 1 shows in illustrative representation, a balcony with a roof, a balcony surface and a terrace, wherein a cover apparatus according to the invention is provided for the roof, for covering the balcony surface and also for the terrace, and thus the cover plates continuing in series respectively forming the cover apparatus are schematically illustrated,

[0035] FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 show in more or less schematic representation the attachment of a cover plate to a prefitted cover plate, wherein the thus joining edge formations of the cover plates provided respectively on the opposite edges, can be seen in side view or in cross-sectional view, in particular

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a prelaid cover plate and a second cover plate connected thereto and held initially with its cross-section somewhat vertically close to one edge of the prelaid cover plate,

[0037] FIG. 3 shows the insertion of the edge of the cover plate to be connected on the other longitudinal edge facing towards the prelaid cover plate,

[0038] FIG. 4 shows the pivoting of the cover plate to be connected, wherein clipping webs are put into an effective connection on both edges located next to each other,

[0039] FIG. 5 shows the further swivelling of the cover plate to be attached in its position of use and

[0040] FIG. 6 shows the final swivelling of the cover plate to be attached, in alignment with the prelaid cover plate, so that the top sides of both cover plates continue and are in a common plane,

[0041] FIG. 7 shows, at an enlarged scale, both of the mutually facing edges of two joined cover plates, wherein both cover plates still have as great as possible mutual spacing, that can be reduced or increased by pushing together, which is delimited by an upper stop in an upper rain gutter in its greatest possible extension, and

[0042] FIG. 8 shows a representation according to FIG. 7, according to which both cover plates are pushed together to reduce or to remove their mutual edge gap,

[0043] FIG. 9 to FIG. 14 show a representation of a modified embodiment of the joining of two cover plates corresponding to FIG. 2 to FIG. 6, in which both plates have a larger overall thickness and the upper rain gutter is formed larger in the position in use,

[0044] FIG. 9 shows a prelaid cover plate and a second cover plate arranged somewhat at a right angle to it, shortly before it is joined to the cover plate first mentioned,

[0045] FIG. 10 shows the cover plate to be joined in a first contact with the prelaid cover plate, wherein the cross-sections of both cover plates are arranged mutually somewhat at a right angle.

[0046] FIG. 11 shows a partial swivelling of the cover plate to be attached,

[0047] FIG. 12 shows a further swivelling of the cover plate to be attached,

[0048] FIG. 13 shows a swivelling of the cover plate to be attached virtually in the position of use and

[0049] FIG. 14 shows the finally swivelled position of the cover plate to be attached, in such a way that both cover plates and, in particular, their top sides are mutually aligned and are arranged in a common plane,

[0050] FIG. 15 shows an enlarged illustration of both edges of the continuing cover plates located next to each other in the position of use, wherein they have the greatest possible gap for the movement of pushing mutually together, and

[0051] FIG. 16 shows the position of both edges of the connected cover plates facing towards each other to mutually push to a stop so that the bottom side of the cover plates is closed.

[0052] In the following description of the various illustrative examples, with respect to their function, corresponding parts also have corresponding reference numbers even in the differing embodiment.

[0053] A cover apparatus designated as a whole 1 comprises cover plates 2 in a common plane in a position of use according to FIG. 1 and at least one row of continuing cover plates 2 which partially overlap in their mutual edge-side contact region 3. On a balcony designated as a whole with 4, three different applications of such a cover apparatus 1 are shown as examples. Therefore, the roof, the balcony surface or even the terrace located under the balcony surface may respectively exhibit such a cover apparatus 1, wherein the roof of a car port or another application is also conceivable.

[0054] Using FIG. 2 to FIG. 8 on the one hand and using FIG. 9 to FIG. 16 on the other, it is shown how the cover plates 2 get into their mutual position of use and how it is achieved that the edge-side contact regions 3 overlap in such a way that the rainproofing is achieved at these contact regions 3.

[0055] In both illustrative examples, it is provided that edges 5 and 6 spaced apart that run mutually parallel on a respective cover plate 2 are formed differently for a mutual rainproof overlap according to FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 and FIG. 14 to FIG. 16. On a first edge 5 is, therefore, respectively a web 8 continuing the top side 7 of the cover plate 2 and a rain gutter 9 arranged in a position of use under this web 8, said rain gutter forming part of the same first edge 5, one edge of which is connected watertight and forming a single part in the illustrative examples with the cover plate 2 exhibiting it. The opposite free edge 10 of the web 8 is set back against this rain gutter 9 and the other edge 11 of this rain gutter 9 is formed as a free edge which, in the position of use loops under a yet to be described edge-side web 12, close to the surface or continuing it, of the adjacent cover plate 2 with a gap.

[0056] On the second edge 6 of the cover plate 2, therefore, in continuation of its top side 7, the edge-side web 12 is provided as an upper free edge. It can be seen from the drawings already mentioned that this edge-side web 12 is laid lower than the top side by a thickness of the web 8 of the adjacent cover plate 2 located on the first edge 5, in such a way that in the position of use according to FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 and FIG. 14 to FIG. 16 already mentioned, the web 8 of the first edge 5 loops over this second web 12 and nevertheless the top sides 7 are aligned. As appropriate, an embodiment in which both webs 8 and 12 are arranged in the reverse order but then overlap would be conceivable.

[0057] In this case, the drawings make clear that the edge-side webs 8 and 12 close to the surface come into contact with two cover plates 2 continuing in a position of use, two-dimensionally or one-dimensionally at least in regions, in a position of use, which already produce a certain water-tightness against the rain. Through this contact point of webs 8 and 12, however, penetrating rainwater is collected by the rain gutter 9 and may be carried away by this, so that the entire cover apparatus 1 is rainproof.

[0058] This rainproofing is further extended and improved in both illustrative examples, in that in the contact region 3 of both edges 5 and 6 of the two cover plates 2 a second lower-lying collecting or rain gutter 13 for rainwater is provided on that edge 6 of the cover plate 2 that runs parallel to the edge 5 with the first rain gutter 9.

[0059] For a good mutual fastening in a position of use, in both illustrative examples, on the differently formed edges 5 and 6 of a cover plate 2 and therefore, on the edges 5 and 6 touching in a position of use, a clipping connection of two such cover plates 2 is provided in a position of use. To do this, on the edges 5 and 6 facing towards each other and touching in a position of use, with a gap under the top side 7 and therefore under the webs 8 and 12, clipping webs 14 and 15 facing each other are provided, which overlap in a position of use according to FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 and FIG. 14 to FIG. 16 and touch in such a way that they are clipped.

[0060] This clipping effect, which leads to a push fit on the contact points and therefore makes the fitting yet to be described easier, is achieved in the illustrative examples, in such a way that, before connecting the at least two cover plates 2 continuing in a position of use, the internal gap between this web 8 arranged above the first rain gutter 9, ending free and the relevant first clipping web 14 located lower opposite the top side 7 and this web 8 of the same edge 5 of the cover plate 2 is less than the external gap between the overlapped upper web 12 in a position of use and the second clipping web 15 on the second edge 6 of the adjacent cover plate 2, and if the web 8 ending free first mentioned and the first clipping web 14 located on the same edge 5 that in a position of use accepts the counter-webs in their intermediate space and due to the dimensions mentioned therefore deploy the clipping effect mentioned.

[0061] In so doing, it can be seen that both clipping webs 14 and 15 have a cross-section bent away from each other, so that their free edges correspond slightly so they can be pushed past each other when fitting together, although this produces the clipping effect already mentioned in the further course of the fitting process.

[0062] In FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 and FIG. 9 to FIG. 14, the mutual fitting process for putting together two cover plates 2 continuing in a position of use are shown schematically, but are nevertheless demonstratively illustrated.

[0063] Of significance here is that the gap from the free edge of the web 8 running above the first rain gutter 9 is of such dimensions from the free edge 11 of this rain gutter 9 in the orientation direction of both cover plates 2, and is of such a height that in the region of the top side 7 of the other edge 6 of a web 12 protruding from an adjacent cover plate 2 according to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 and FIGS. 9 and 10 in this gap and intermediate space can be inserted at least inclined and then can be pivoted according to the figures in the position of use. Through this pivoting movement, the clipping webs 14 and 15 then also mutually approach and may slide over each other into the corresponding position of use and, in so doing, the clipping effect already describes is deployed.

[0064] In so doing, according to FIG. 3 and also according to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the second web 12 can reach as far as the base of the first rain gutter 9 and can slide into it with the swivelling movement so that wrong positioning occurring is also avoided when putting together both edges 5 and 6, that hinder or prevent the mutual pivoting.

[0065] Therefore, both free-ending webs 8 and 12 overlapping each other in a position of use at least on the top side of the cover apparatus 1 and the opposite lower-lying clipping webs 14 and 15 are able to slide relative to each other in the orientation direction of the cover plates 2 initially during the swivelling movement, according to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 and FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 also in the aligned position relative to each other in the orientation direction of the cover plates 2, wherein the sliding path is delimited by at least one stop. It is just the ability to slide even into the mutually aligning position that allows the absorption of inaccuracies when fitting and/or thermal movements and, as the case may be, slight deformations occurring due to loads.

[0066] It should also be mentioned that, for the aligned final position, at least for the position in which both touching cover plates are pushed apart as far as possible, a stop web 16 is provided under the second web 12 said stop web preventing a further sliding of both cover plates 2 away from each other in interaction with the rain gutter 9, in which it can support as far as its base in a position of use.

[0067] The stop delimiting the pushing path of the touching cover plates 2 when they are pushed together is a lower edge limitation 17 of the adjacent cover plate 2. The counter-stop for delimiting the pushing path of both cover plates closing onto each other is therefore the limitation 18 of the second lower collecting gutter 13.

[0068] The lower second collecting gutter 13 is subdivided by a web 19 standing high in a position of use or partitioned after its fastening side. The free part of this collecting gutter 13 close to the edge is provided to accept any additional water penetrating, which may overrun this separating web 19, in spite of the first rain gutter 9. If water initially penetrates in between both clipping webs 14 and 15 into the second rain gutter 13, this is collected in the left part of the lower edge region in FIG. 7 or 15, until it has been raised high enough that it can flow over the web 19 in order then to be accepted by the actual collecting gutter 13 and carried away.

[0069] It should also be mentioned that the cross-sectional lengths of webs 8 and 12 and the second collecting gutter 13 are to be of such a size that, when the touching covering plates 2 according to FIGS. 8 and 16 are in the pushed-together position, the bottom side of the cover apparatus 1 is also closed.

[0070] Using FIG. 2 to FIG. 16, it can clearly be seen that the cover plates 2 continuing in a position of use exhibit, between their upper and lower delimitation planes in cross-section, at right angles to the same, reinforcement webs 20, wherein the delimitation planes are formed somewhat plate-shaped and the reinforcement webs 20 are of such a size that between the edges 5 and 6 touching and facing away from each other in a position of use of the cover plates 2 and between their side edges at right angles to the edges 5 and 6 facing away from each other are reinforced and mutually-supporting or even self-supporting. Therefore, for example, the roof of the balcony 4 in FIG. 1 can only be formed by the cover plates 2 which are only supported next to the wall of the building on two supports that are not part of the wall. In general, the entire roof may be self-supporting in practice. Also, the balcony surface may be sufficiently stable using cover plates 2 thus formed and corresponding cross-sections of the webs and surfaces forming them, to be loaded and/or be walked on by people.

[0071] It should also be mentioned that the upper gutter 9 located in the upper edge region of a respective cover plate 2 overlaps the web 8 also located there, ending free and particularly in a straight line, as a continuation of the top side 7 to an extent which corresponds in the illustrative example to approximately half of the cross-sectional length of the upper free web 8. In so doing, the rain gutter 9 is preferably connected as a single piece somewhat in the centre of this upper web 8.

[0072] The reinforcement webs 20 arranged between an upper and a lower plane or layer of the respective cover plate 2 run parallel to the edges 5 and 6 touching when in a position of use and overlap in regions, so that the cover plates 2—for example, made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy and/or of polymer—can be particularly extrusion-pressed.

[0073] All in all, the cover plates 2 are formed rectangularly, and their four delimitations therefore form a rectangle, wherein the edges 5 and 6 overlapping in a rainproof manner in a position of use are the longer edges, therefore the longitudinal edges of such a rectangle. Therefore, the length of the longitudinal edges may be a few or many times the length of the transverse edges arranged at a right angle to the same, to be able to provide a corresponding, longitudinally-extended balcony with a roof in which the individual cover plates 2 run over the entire dimension of the roof and in this direction may therefore be uninterrupted, in parallel with a wall of the building.

[0074] The cover apparatus 1 with cover plates 2 continuing in a position of use in a common plane in at least one row is formed by overlapping in a mutual edge-side contact region 3 and is therefore rainproof, that spaced-apart edges 5 and 6 running parallel to each other on a respective cover plate 2 are formed differently and on a first edge 5 a web 8 continuing the top side 7 of the cover plate 2, and under this web 8 a rain gutter 9 forming part of the same first edge 5 or the edge 6 of the adjacent cover plate 2 are arranged. Any rainwater penetrating through the overlapping, edge-side webs 8 and 12 in a position of use may therefore be collected in the rain gutter 9 underneath.