A ROOF TILE

Abstract

This invention relates to a roof tile comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a pair of side edges and a pair of end edges. The roof tile comprises an overlapping portion for overlapping an adjacent roof tile and an underlapping portion for underlapping another adjacent roof tile. The overlapping portion comprises a solar panel forming the top surface and there are provided electrical connectors in communication with the solar panel for connection of the solar panel to a household power supply system. Ideally, a plurality of the roof tiles may be connected together to provide more electricity and each roof tile is provided with connectors for connection of the roof tile to other roof tiles. In this way, the solar panel will be integrated seamlessly into the roof, will not be proud of the roof and will not require a frame for mounting on the roof.

Claims

1. A roof tile comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a pair of side edges and a pair of end edges, the roof tile comprising an overlapping portion for overlapping an adjacent roof tile and an underlapping portion for underlapping another adjacent roof tile, in which the overlapping portion comprises a solar panel forming the top surface and in which there are provided electrical connectors in communication with the solar panel for connection of the solar panel to a household power supply system, and in which there are provided a male electrical connector and a complementary female electrical connector, the male electrical connector and the female electrical connector each being configured for engagement of a female electrical connector and a male electrical connector respectively of an adjacent roof tile, and in which one of the male electrical connector and the female electrical connector are located on the underside of the overlapping portion and the other of the male electrical connector and the female electrical connector are located on the topside of the underlapping portion.

2. The roof tile as claimed in claim 1 in which the male electrical connector is located on the underside of the overlapping portion and the female electrical connector is located on the topside of the underlapping portion.

3. The roof tile as claimed in claim 1 in which the male electrical connector extends outwardly substantially orthogonal to the plane of the roof tile.

4. The roof tile as claimed in claim 1 in which the male electrical connector extends outwardly from the plane of the roof tile so that the main longitudinal axis of the male electrical connector is at an angle of the order of 60 to the plane of the roof tile.

5. The roof tile as claimed in claim 4 in which the free end of the male electrical connector is angled towards the underlapping portion.

6. The roof tile as claimed in claim 1 in which the electrical connectors are each configured for connection to one of a pair of common conductor cables of the household power supply system laid on the roof of a dwelling.

7. The roof tile as claimed in claim 1 in which there is provided an elongate channel indent formed adjacent one edge of the roof tile on one of the underside of the overlapping portion and the topside of the underlapping portion, and a complementary elongate boss formed adjacent an opposite edge of the roof tile on the other of the underside of the overlapping portion and the topside of the underlapping portion.

8. The roof tile as claimed in claim 1 in which there is provided a pair of apertures for reception of a fixing to secure the tile into a batten.

9. The roof tile as claimed in claim 1 in which there is provided a prefabricated panel consisting of a plurality of roof tiles according to claim 1 mechanically and electrically connected together.

10. The roof constructed with the roof tiles according to claim 1, the roof comprising a plurality of the roof tiles connected electrically to each other and electrically connected to a household power supply system.

11. The roof tile as claimed in claim 2 in which the male electrical connector extends outwardly substantially orthogonal to the plane of the roof tile.

12. The roof tile as claimed in claim 2 in which the male electrical connector extends outwardly from the plane of the roof tile so that the main longitudinal axis of the male electrical connector is at an angle of the order of 60 to the plane of the roof tile.

13. The roof tile as claimed in claim 12 in which the free end of the male electrical connector is angled towards the underlapping portion.

14. A roof tile comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a pair of side edges and a pair of end edges, the roof tile comprising an overlapping portion for overlapping an adjacent roof tile and an underlapping portion for underlapping another adjacent roof tile, in which the overlapping portion comprises a solar panel forming the top surface and in which there are provided electrical connectors in communication with the solar panel for connection of the solar panel to a household power supply system, and in which there are provided a male electrical connector and a complementary female electrical connector, the male electrical connector and the female electrical connector each being configured for engagement of a female electrical connector and a male electrical connector respectively of an adjacent roof tile, and in which the male electrical connector is located on the underside of the overlapping portion and the female electrical connector is located on the topside of the underlapping portion.

15. The roof tile as claimed in claim 14 in which the male electrical connector extends outwardly substantially orthogonal to the plane of the roof tile.

16. The roof tile as claimed in claim 14 in which the male electrical connector extends outwardly from the plane of the roof tile so that the main longitudinal axis of the male electrical connector is at an angle of the order of 60 to the plane of the roof tile.

17. The roof tile as claimed in claim 16 in which the free end of the male electrical connector is angled towards the underlapping portion.

18. The roof tile as claimed in claim 14 in which the electrical connectors are each configured for connection to one of a pair of common conductor cables of the household power supply system laid on the roof of a dwelling.

19. The roof tile as claimed in claim 14 in which there is provided an elongate channel indent formed adjacent one edge of the roof tile on one of the underside of the overlapping portion and the topside of the underlapping portion, and a complementary elongate boss formed adjacent an opposite edge of the roof tile on the other of the underside of the overlapping portion and the topside of the underlapping portion.

20. The roof tile as claimed in claim 14 in which there is provided a prefabricated panel consisting of a plurality of roof tiles according to claim 14 mechanically and electrically connected together.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The invention will now be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a solar panel known in the art mounted on a tiled roof;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a roof tile according to the invention;

[0027] FIG. 3 is an end view of the roof tile of FIG. 2;

[0028] FIG. 4 is a side view of the roof tile of FIG. 2;

[0029] FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of roof tile according to the invention;

[0030] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of two roof tiles being connected together;

[0031] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of two roof tiles connected together;

[0032] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a prefabricated panel of roof tiles;

[0033] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of a roof incorporating the roof tile according to the invention;

[0034] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of a roof incorporating the roof tile according to the invention during construction;

[0035] FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic representation of a roof using roof tiles according to the invention in construction;

[0036] FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic representation of a roof during construction;

[0037] FIG. 13 is another diagrammatic representation of a roof using roof tiles according to the invention in construction;

[0038] FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view of a finished roof incorporating the roof tile according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a diagrammatic representation of a plurality of solar panels known in the art, indicated generally by the reference numeral 100, mounted on a tiled roof 101 having a plurality of tiles 103 placed on the roof in an overlapping fashion. The solar panels 100 are mounted on a frame proud of the surrounding roof.

[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 5 there is shown a plurality of views of a roof tile according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 200. The roof tile comprises a top surface 201, a bottom surface 203, a pair of side edges 205, 207 and a pair of end edges 209, 211. The roof tile comprises an overlapping portion 213 for overlapping an adjacent roof tile and an underlapping portion 215 for underlapping another adjacent roof tile. The overlapping portion and the underlapping portion are shown separated by dashed delineation line 217. The overlapping portion 213 comprises a solar panel 219 forming the top surface and in which there are provided electrical connectors 221, 223 in communication with the solar panel for connection of the solar panel to a household power supply system (not shown).

[0041] The electrical connectors comprise a male electrical connector 221 and a complementary female electrical connector 223. The male electrical connector 221 and the female electrical connector 223 are each configured for engagement of a female electrical connector and a male electrical connector respectively of an adjacent roof tile 200. More specifically, the electrical connectors 221, 223 may be used to connect the roof tile to either another adjacent roof tile or to a connector (not shown) of a household power supply system.

[0042] In the embodiment shown, the male electrical connectors 221 are conical in shape and the female electrical connectors 223 are dimensioned to form a fit with the male electrical connectors. However, it will be understood that this is for illustrative purposes only and what is required is that the male and the female electrical connectors form a secure engagement with each other.

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an alternative embodiment of roof tile, indicated generally by the reference numeral 300, where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. The roof tile 300 differs from the roof tile 200 of FIGS. 2 to 4 inclusive in that the male electrical connectors 321 and the complementary female electrical connectors 323 are not orthogonal to the plane of the roof tile as before but are in fact inclined at an angle relative to the plane of the roof tile 300. The longitudinal axes of the male and female electrical connectors are offset by of the order of 30 from the perpendicular (60 from the plane of the roof tile). In this way, when mounted on a roof, the male connector will further act against slippage of a tile therebelow, thereby providing a more secure engagement between the roof tiles.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, there are shown views of a pair of roof tiles being brought into engagement (FIG. 6) and a pair of roof tiles in engagement (FIG. 7) with one roof tile overlapping the other roof tile. In order to bring the roof tiles into engagement with each other, the male electrical connectors (not shown) are brought into alignment with the female electrical connectors 223 and the male electrical connectors are inserted into the female electrical connectors 223. Although only two roof tiles 200 are shown, it will be understood from the foregoing how more roof tiles 200 could be connected up to the roof tiles shown in FIG. 7.

[0045] In addition to the foregoing, the roof tiles in FIGS. 6 and 7 are shown in line with each other (e.g. with the side edges 205, 207 of one roof tile in alignment with the side edges 205, 207 of the next roof tile). It will be understood that the roof tiles in one row may be offset by a half-tile's width from the roof tiles in the next adjacent row above and/or below. In those cases, where the rows of tiles are offset, it is envisaged that the male connectors 221 and female connectors 223 may be positioned so that if there are a pair of male connectors and a pair of female connectors, the connectors will be positioned so that one of the male connectors will engage the female connector of a first roof tile in an adjacent row and the other male connector will engage the female connector of a second roof tile in the adjacent row. The first and second roof tiles in the adjacent row being located adjacent to each other.

[0046] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a diagrammatic view of a prefabricated panel of roof tiles, indicated generally by the reference numeral 400. The prefabricated panel 400 comprises a plurality of roof tiles 200 joined together in a panel. A pair of electrical cables 401, 403 are shown for connection of the prefabricated panel to the household power supply system. The panel may be inserted into a roof surrounded by other roof tiles or indeed could be connected to other prefabricated panels. What is important is that the panel can fit flush with the remaining tiles and fit in relatively seamlessly without the need to be mounted on a frame proud of the rooftop surface.

[0047] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a diagrammatic view of a roof, indicated generally by the reference numeral 500, incorporating a plurality of the roof tiles 200 according to the invention. In fact, all of the roof tiles shown are roof tiles incorporating a solar panel. In this way, the entire surface of the roof may comprise a solar panel operable for the generation of electricity.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 14 inclusive, there is shown diagrammatic views of a roof incorporating the roof tiles 200 according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 600. Referring specifically to FIGS. 10 to 13 inclusive, it can be seen how the tiles 200 in a row 601, 603, 605 of tiles abut against each other edge to edge along their sides and do not overlap side to side. However, the row of tiles 601, 603, 605 is overlapped by the row of tiles above it. Furthermore, the tiles are each provided with a pair of apertures for reception of a fixing 607 to secure the tile into the batten 609 therebelow. Referring to FIG. 14, there is shown a completed roof incorporating the rows of tiles 200.

[0049] Various modifications may be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the appended claims or the intended spirit of the invention. For example, all of the roof tile may comprise the solar panel however the underlapping portion will effectively be redundant. This may however be cheaper to manufacture. Alternatively, only that part of the roof tile that is exposed to sunlight may be provided with a solar panel. Secondly, the male connectors shown could be brass or other conducting material.

[0050] There are two male connectors and two female connectors on each roof tile in the drawings however this could be a single male connector and a single female connector or more than two male connectors and more than two female connectors. The number of connectors may vary depending on what is desired to connect the roof tile to either an adjacent roof tile or the household power supply system.

[0051] It is envisaged that the edges of the roof tile 200, 300 may be rebated so that they form a close fit with adjacent tiles. Similarly, it is envisaged that the surface of the tiles may be provided with one or more protrusions such as an elongate boss and complementary receivers such as one or more elongate channels. In this way, the boss will sit in the channel providing protection against the ingress of moisture.

[0052] In the embodiment shown, the upper tile directly overlaps the lower tile. It will be understood that this is not intended to be limiting, indeed. More than one tile may overlap the lower tile which in turn may overlap more than one tile therebelow. For example, it is envisaged that the tiles in adjacent rows will be offset by approximately half a tile width so that an upper tile will cover, in part, two tiles therebelow. Each tile in a lower row (with the exception perhaps at extremities of the roof structure) will therefore be covered partially by two tiles and each tile in an upper row will cover two tiles in a lower row. The tiles may also be overlapped side by side in a row of tiles.

[0053] As an alternative or in addition to the forgoing, it is envisaged that the tiles could be connected to each other in series or alternatively, cabling could be provided so that the tiles can be connected in parallel. In addition, some of the tiles may be connected in series and others may be connected in parallel. For example, there may be a pair of wires run along the roof and a positive terminal connector on each roof tile for connection to one of the wires and a negative terminal connector on each roof tile for connection to the other of the wires. The terminal connector of a roof tile may be connected directly to the wire, or indirectly via its connection to one or more other roof tiles, one of which is connected to the wire. The wires could be laid vertically or horizontally, for example adjacent or as part of the battens/lats used under the roof tiles to secure the roof tiles to. For each row or column of tiles, a pair of wires could be provided, or the wires could be led back and forth along the roof so that multiple rows or columns of tiles could be connected to the wires.

[0054] In one alternative, it is envisaged that there may be a wire at one or both ends of a row or column of tiles used to convey the electrical current from that row or column. The tiles in the row or column may be connected together in series and then the combined output from the tiles in that row or column could in turn be connected to the wire(s). The tiles in a number of rows or columns could also be connected to the wire. In this way, the tiles in a given row or column will be connected in series with each other, and in parallel to the tiles in another given row or column.

[0055] In the embodiments shown, the apparatus inside the house to connect the solar panels to the household's electrical supply have not been shown however it would be understood that this equipment would be well known and understood to the person skilled in the art of solar panel installation. For example, the wiring, inverter(s), converter(s), battery charging pack, meter and any other equipment that may be used in the household with a solar panel would also be provided as necessary with the configuration of the present invention.

[0056] In this specification the terms comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising and the terms include, included, includes and including are all deemed interchangeable and should be afforded the widest possible interpretation. [0057] The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.