AN INCLINED ROOF ASSEMBLY

Abstract

 An inclined roof assembly (1) comprises: a screen housing (12) with a screen roller; side guides (14, 16); a screen (20) rollable onto and from the screen roller with the sides of the screen being guided and tensioned in the side guides; an end bar (18) fixed to an edge of the screen and guided in the side guides; and a tensioning system for keeping the screen under tension. The placement of the edge of the screen with respect to the end bar is varied along the length of the end bar so that: the central part (20c) of the screen is located more downwards and/or more forward than in an outer section (20_L, 20_R). This decreases the central curve of the screen to be closer to a straight plane. Incident precipitation thus flows down along the central part of the screen towards the end bar with a reduced sagging.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inclined roof assembly.

Prior art

[0002] A known inclined roof assembly comprises: a screen housing extending in a first direction between a right end and a left end; a right screen guide extending from near the right end of the screen housing in a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction from a proximal end to a distal end; a left screen guide extending from near the left end of the screen housing in the second direction from a proximal end to a distal end; a screen roller which is rotatably mounted in the screen housing; a screen having a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a right edge and a left edge opposite the right edge, wherein the first edge is fixed to the screen roller, the screen being rollable onto and rollable from the screen roller between a rolled-up state and a rolled-down state, wherein the right edge of the screen is guided in the right screen guide and the left edge of the screen is guided in the left screen guide and wherein the right edge and the left edge of the screen are tensioned in their respective screen guides away from one another in the first direction; an end bar that is fixed to the second edge of the screen, wherein the end bar extends in the first direction between a right end guided in the right screen guide and a left end guided in the left screen guide, wherein the end bar has a length which is determined as the shortest distance between the right end and the left end and wherein, in a cross-section through the end bar in a plane perpendicular to the first direction, the end bar defines a hypothetical smallest circumscribed rectangle having a top edge, a bottom edge opposite the top edge, a proximal edge nearest the screen housing and a distal edge opposite the proximal edge; and a tensioning system for keeping the screen under tension in the second direction.

[0003] Such inclined roof assemblies are disclosed in EP 3 421 682 A1 and EP 3 851 610 A1 and both rely on the use of motorized non-vertical fabric sunshades. The inclined roof assemblies are typically installed to shield a specific area from sunlight. For example, at homes, restaurants, shops, etc., to shield a window, veranda, terrace, or the like from sun rays. Such inclined roof assemblies comprise a fabric (also referred to as a "screen") that is provided with an end bar at its lower side. In a vertically installed fabric sunshade, additional weighting of the bottom bar (typically at least 10 kg per 3 meters of screen width), due to gravity, provides tension on the fabric. Vertically installed means that the fabric sunshade is in a vertical plane and moves in that plane, with the bottom bar located on the side of the fabric sunshade facing the ground surface.

[0004] However, in non-vertical fabric sunshades as used in inclined roof assemblies, fabric tension via gravity is not possible, and a separate tensioning system is used. Non-vertically installed means that the fabric sunshade is in a non-vertical plane and moves in that plane. If a screen cannot be wound and down in a substantially vertical plane, such a tensioning system ensures that the end bar is urged away from the screen roller, e.g. pushed or pulled. Such a tensioning system helps prevent a screen from moving excessively or flapping or being damaged by wind. Moreover, such a tensioning system prevents a screen, which is, for example, mounted on a slope towards a window or arranged as a roof of a patio cover, from sagging under its own weight.

[0005] Known problems with such inclined roof assemblies are related to drainage of precipitation. More specifically, when the screen is extended, precipitation often collects on the screen causing sagging and deformation of the screen. These drainage issues can be prevented by having a sufficiently high angle of inclination of the screen, e.g. 12 degrees or more with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0006] The downside of such high inclination angles is that the entire roof assembly becomes quite voluminous. In particular, the vertical distance between the screen housing (which is often the upper end of the inclined roof assembly) and the end bar (which is often the lower end of the inclined roof assembly) becomes high and may exceed 1 m for screens having a length of 5 m. Taking into account the normal passage clearance beneath the inclined roof assembly of at least 2,2 m, which may be higher, such as 2,3 m or 2,4 m or 2,5 m, the mounting height of the screen housing may be about 3,5 m. In the common application of a façade mounted inclined roof assembly, such a mounting height interferes with the placement of windows on the upper story of the resident building. This is naturally not a desired or even realizable outcome.

[0007] In view of these limitations on the total height of the inclined roof assembly, the inclination angle must be lower and a common aim is to have an inclination angle of between 5 to 10 degrees, preferably about 8 degrees. Within such constraints, the problems related to drainage of precipitation remain.

[0008] This problem has been addressed in EP 3 421 682 A1 and EP 3 851 610 A1.

[0009] EP 3 421 682 A1 discloses the provision of a water-permeable section in the screen, which section overlies a gutter when the screen is fully extended. In this way, the precipitation can drip through the screen into the gutter.

[0010] Such a water-permeable section is visually unpleasing and allows sunlight to pass therethrough which is undesired. It furthermore does not function properly when the screen is not fully extended as the water-permeable region in such a state does not overlap with the gutter.

[0011] EP 3 851 610 A1 discloses to increase the tensile stress in the screen. To that end, the tensioning system is augmented with a locking mechanism which allows locking the end bar in a fixed extended position. Once locked, the motor is reversed to tension the screen.

[0012] This system has some disadvantages. Firstly, it is an active system which requires additional power to function as the motor tensions the screen. Secondly, this additional operation increases the wear and tear on the roof assembly. Thirdly, this additional locking mechanism is only operable when the screen is fully extended. As such, in situations where the screen is only partially extended, there is no additional tension and precipitation drainage issue remains.

Description of the invention

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved inclined roof assembly which has an adequate drainage at a low inclination angle.

[0014] This object is achieved in that, in an outer cross-section through the end bar taken in a first plane located at a distance from either end of the end bar of at most 20% of said length, the second edge of the screen is located at a first height which is determined as a shortest distance to the bottom edge of the hypothetical smallest circumscribed rectangle in said first plane and a first depth which is determined as a shortest distance to the proximal edge of the hypothetical smallest circumscribed rectangle in said first plane, in a central cross-section through the end bar taken in a second plane located at a distance from any end of the end bar of at least 30% of said length, the second edge of the screen is located at a second height which is determined as a shortest distance to the bottom edge of the hypothetical smallest circumscribed rectangle in said second plane and a second depth which is determined as a shortest distance to the proximal edge of the hypothetical smallest circumscribed rectangle in said second plane, wherein the first height is larger than the second height and/or the first depth is smaller than the second depth.

[0015] The main concept of the present invention is to vary the placement of the second edge of the screen with respect to the end bar. More specifically, the present inventors realized that the sagging behavior is caused in part due to an excess of screen material in the central region of the screen as opposed to the outer sections of the screen.

[0016] As used herein, the term "outer section of the screen" is to be understood as the screen section extending in the screen rolling/unrolling direction adjacent either screen guide up to a distance of 20% of the end bar length away from either screen guide.

[0017] As used herein, the term "central part of the screen" is to be understood as the screen section extending in the screen rolling/unrolling direction located a distance away from both screen guides of 30% of the end bar length.

[0018] In this way, the unrolled screen can be divided in the following sections: a right outer section starting at the right screen guide and covering a 0%-20% of the screen/end bar length; a right intermediate section contiguous with the right outer section and covering a 20%-30% section of the screen/end bar length; a central section contiguous with the right intermediate section and covering a 30%-70% section of the screen/end bar length; a left intermediate section contiguous with the central section and covering a 70%-80% section of the screen/end bar length; and a left outer section contiguous with the left intermediate section and extending up to the left screen guide thus covering a 80%-100% section of the screen/end bar length.

[0019] The screen, when unmounted, is typically as close as possible to a perfect rectangle. Likewise, the screen frame (i.e. the assembly of the screen roller, the right screen guide, the left screen guide and the end bar) is typically as close as possible to a perfect rectangle. However, when the screen is mounted to the screen frame, the weight of the screen and/or the applied tension causes a deformation of the various frame parts. In particular, the screen roller/end bar are centrally bent towards one another. This deformation causes an excess of screen material in the central screen area as opposed to the outer sections of the screen.

[0020] The present inventors devised that the sagging due to precipitation would be severely reduced when the central excess screen material is decreased or even wholly removed. This may be achieved in two ways. In a first way, the central part of the screen is located more downwards with respect to a lower face of the end bar than in an outer section (i.e. the second height is decreased). In a second way, the central part of the screen is located more forward with respect to a front face of the end bar than in an outer section (i.e. the second depth is increased).

[0021] By moving the central part of the screen relative to the end bar, the central curve of the screen (i.e. a cross-section along the unrolling length of the screen) is decreased and is deformed to be closer to a straight plane with a fixed inclination angle. Incident precipitation thus readily flows down along the central part of the screen towards the end bar without creating or with a reduced sagging occurring.

[0022] Advantageously, this solution does not require the provision of a water-permeable region, nor the use of an additional motor tensioning with a locking system. The additional motor tensioning disclosed in EP 3 851 610 A1 also does not achieve the effect of reducing the central screen excess as this additional tension is exerted along the entire length of the screen thus acting identically in the outer regions and the central region of the screen.

[0023] The solution according to the present invention is also fully built into the design of the end bar is thus operable irrespective of a fully or partially extended screen.

[0024] An embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the first height is larger than the second height and the first depth is smaller than the second depth.

[0025] In this embodiment, the central section of the screen is thus both located more forward towards the front face of the end bar and more downwards towards the lower face of the end bar than compared the outer section. The central curve of the screen is thus further decreased and is deformed to be even closer to a straight plane with a fixed inclination angle thereby improving the drainage of precipitation towards the end bar.

[0026] An embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the second edge of the screen, in the rolled-down state of the screen, is substantially straight.

[0027] Relying on a substantially straight second edge in essence reverts the screen shape closer to a rectangle again by compensating at least the end bar deformation. This has led to the optimal combination for precipitation drainage and visual aesthetics. In particular, the inventors attempted to overcorrect the central deformation. This led to a further increase in drainage capacity, but caused wrinkles to appear in the screen near corners where the end bar and screen guides meet.

[0028] An embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the end bar comprises: a base; and a fastening guide in which the second end of the screen guide is received, wherein a position of the fastening guide with respect to the base varies along the end bar.

[0029] The varying position fastening guide offers one way in which to realize the concept of the present invention (i.e. to vary the position of the second end of the screen centrally as compared to the outer sections).

[0030] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the base has a front face which is farthest from the screen housing and a lower face which is underneath the screen, wherein: the position of the fastening guide is closer to the lower face in a central section of the end bar than in an outer section of the end bar; and/or the position of the fastening guide is closer to the front face in a central section of the end bar than in an outer section of the end bar.

[0031] The position of the fastening guide in this way mimics the desired positioning of the second edge of the screen as described above.

[0032] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the position of the fastening guide with respect to the base varies continuously along the end bar, the variation preferably being smooth.

[0033] A continuous variation avoids downsides that may arise in case a non-continuous (e.g. a stepped variation) is used. More specifically, this may lead to local unwanted deformation of the screen (e.g. wrinkles) and may induce high local tension that may damage the screen or increase the wear and tear. A smooth variation further improves the technical effects obtained by a continuous variation.

[0034] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the position of the fastening guide with respect to the base varies monotonically from the right end of the end bar to a middle point of the end bar and from the left end of the end bar to said middle point.

[0035] As the excess screen caused by the screen frame deformation also tends to increase monotonically from the outside towards the middle, it is advantageous to provide a similar variation in the compensation mechanism formed by the varying second screen edge position.

[0036] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the fastening guide is formed within an elongated profile which further comprises a fastening rib configured to attach the elongated profile to the base. Preferably, the base and/or the elongated profile are an extruded profile.

[0037] In this embodiment, both the base and the elongated profile may have a uniform shape across their length. This allows readily manufacturing them from conventional extrusion processes which are a known economically viable way to mass produce elongated profiles. The varying position is then achieved by shifting the fastening rib with respect to the base.

[0038] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the elongated profile is pivotally attached to the base profile.

[0039] A pivotal connection enables to more accurately adjust the position of the elongated profile, i.e. the fastening guide, with respect to the base profile.

[0040] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the position of the fastening guide with respect to the base is adjustable.

[0041] In this embodiment, the position of the fastening guide is not static in time but may be adjusted. This may be used to counteract sagging behavior of the screen over extended periods of time. In particular, screens are known to deform (e.g. due to creep) over their lifespan (which may span several years up to several decades). The adjustable position may be used to in part counter such screen deformation.

[0042] An embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, when the first plane is adjacent either end of the end bar and the second plane is in a middle point of the end bar, a difference between the first height and the second height is at least 2 mm and preferably at most 30 mm and/or a difference between the first depth and the second depth is at least 2 mm and preferably at most 30 mm.

[0043] A deformation of at least 2 mm has been found to give satisfactory results and may allow a decrease in overall inclination of up to 1 degree. A deformation of at most 30 mm reduces the risk of overcorrecting the end bar deformation which, as described above, may lead to screen wrinkling. When a combination of height and depth variation is used, the maximum difference (given by the square root of the sums of the individual differences squared) is also preferably at most 30 mm.

[0044] An embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the inclined roof assembly further comprises a gutter extending in the first direction and configured to collect precipitation incident upon the screen. The gutter is preferably formed within the end bar and is configured to divert the collected precipitation to the screen guides and/or columns.

[0045] The use of a gutter is common in inclined roof assemblies to divert collected precipitation towards an adjacent structure. Integrating the gutter into the end bar ensures that the precipitation is collected irrespective of the screen position (i.e. fully or partially extended). In this way, as the end bar is already guided in the screen guides, the precipitation may readily be diverted to one or both of the screen guides and/or columns.

[0046] An embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the inclined roof assembly further comprises a right support column for supporting the distal end of the right screen guide and a left support column for supporting the distal end of the left screen guide, wherein, preferably, at least one of the right support column and the left support column is provided with a downspout.

[0047] Supporting columns are often used to support an inclined roof assembly. In such a setup, the columns are free standing and the screen housing is fixed to a wall structure. The screen housing may also be supported by columns. In such a case, the inclined roof assembly is part of a free-standing canopy. One or both of the columns are advantageously used for diverting collected precipitation in a manner that is nearly invisible from the outside.

Brief description of the drawings

[0048] The invention will hereinafter be explained in further detail on the basis of the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an inclined roof assembly according to the present invention.

Figures 2A to 2D schematically illustrate the principle underlying the present invention.

Figures 3A and 3B show an outer, respectively central, cross-section through an end bar according to a first embodiment of the present invention with only a vertical screen variation.

Figures 4A and 4B show an outer, respectively central, cross-section through an end bar according to a second embodiment of the present invention with only a horizontal screen variation.

Figures 5A and 5B show an outer, respectively central, cross-section through an end bar according to a third embodiment of the present invention with both a horizontal and a vertical screen variation.

Figures 6A and 6B show an outer, respectively central, cross-section through an end bar according to a variant of the third embodiment of the present invention with both a horizontal and a vertical screen variation.

Figures 7A and 7B show an outer, respectively central, cross-section through an end bar according to a variant of the third embodiment of the present invention with both a horizontal and a vertical screen variation.

Figures 8A and 8B show an outer, respectively central, cross-section through an end bar according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention with an end bar and separate gutter as in figure 1.

Figures 9A and 9B show an outer, respectively central, cross-section through an end bar according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention with an adjustable screen position variation.

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the end bar of the fifth embodiment.

Embodiments of the invention

[0049] The present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to specific embodiments and with reference to certain drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto and is only defined by the claims. The drawings shown here are only schematic representations and are not restrictive. In the drawings, the dimensions of certain parts may be shown enlarged, which means that the parts in question are not shown to scale and this is for illustrative purposes only. The dimensions and relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to actual practical embodiments of the invention.

[0050] In addition, terms such as "first", "second", "third", and the like are used in the description and in the claims to distinguish between similar elements and not necessarily to indicate a sequential or chronological order. The terms herein are interchangeable in appropriate circumstances, and embodiments of the invention may operate in different sequences than those described or illustrated herein.

[0051] In addition, terms such as "top," "bottom," "above," "below," "left," "right," and the like are used in the description and in the claims for descriptive purposes. The terms so used are interchangeable in appropriate circumstances, and the embodiments of the invention may operate in other orientations than those described or illustrated herein.

[0052] The term "comprising" and derivative terms, as used in the claims, shall not be construed as being limited to the means set forth in each case thereafter; the term does not exclude other elements or steps. The term shall be interpreted as a specification of the stated properties, integers, steps, or components referred to, without excluding the presence or addition of one or more additional properties, integers, steps, or components, or groups thereof. Therefore, the scope of an expression such as "a device comprising the means A and B" is not limited to devices consisting solely of components A and B. On the contrary, what is meant is that, as far as the present invention is concerned, the only relevant components are A and B.

[0053] The term "substantially" comprises variations of +/- 10% or less, preferably +/-5% or less, more preferably +/-1% or less, and even more preferably +/-0.1% or less, from the specified condition, in so far as the variations are applicable for operation in the present invention. It should be understood that the term "substantially A" is intended to also comprise "A".

[0054] Figure 1 illustrates an inclined roof assembly 1 according to the present invention. The inclined roof assembly 1 generally comprises a screen frame formed by a screen housing 12, a left screen guide 14, and a screen side guide 16. The screen guides 14, 16 (also referred to as side guides) serve, among other things, to guide an end bar 18. The screen housing 12 extends between a left end 12_L and a right end 12_R. The left screen guide 14 extends between a proximal end 14_P and a distal end 14_D. The right screen guide 16 extends between a proximal end 16_P and a distal end 16_D. The end bar 18 extends between a left end 18_L and a right end 18_R.

[0055] These elements (i.e. the housing 12, the screen guides 14, 16, and the end bar 18) are typically made from a rigid material. This can be aluminum, for example. Aluminum has many advantages as a material, as it is simultaneously robust and light, resistant to adverse weather conditions and requires little maintenance. However, other materials are also suitable and their advantages or disadvantages are known by the person skilled in the art. These different elements can be produced using different techniques depending on the material, including extrusion, milling, setting, casting, welding and so on. The appropriate production technique is known by the person skilled in the art. Preferably, these elements are manufactured by an extrusion process. These elements are typically hollow and thus allow various other components to be placed inside them, concealing them from view.

[0056] In figure 1, the various orientations are illustrated. These are: the upright (or vertical) orientation 2, the longitudinal direction 4 along which the screen housing/end bar extend, and the screen extension direction 6 along which the screen guides extend.

[0057] The longitudinal direction 4 and the screen extension direction 6 together define a hypothetical plane that is angled with respect to the horizontal plane. The horizontal plane is perpendicular to the upright orientation 2. The angle α between these planes is the general inclination of the inclined roof assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle α is about 8 degrees. However, it will be readily appreciated that this angle α may generally vary between 5 degrees and 12 degrees with low values being preferred.

[0058] The inclined roof assembly 1 further comprises a screen or fabric 20 that extends between the side guides 14, 16. The left and right sides of the screen 20 are guided in a corresponding side guide 14, 16 and tensioned therebetween, for example by a zip system as known in the art. In this way, the left and right sides of the screen 20 are pulled away from one another. The screen 20 is thus tensioned in the longitudinal direction 4.

[0059] The screen 20 is rollable onto and rollable from a screen roller (not shown) located inside the housing 12. The direction in which the screen rolls or unrolls is the screen extension direction 6. At the end of the screen 20 opposite the screen roller, the end bar 18 is mounted. A motor (not shown) is also provided for driving the screen roller. This motor is typically built into the screen roller. In the rolled-up state of the screen 20, it is located almost entirely in the housing. Figure 1 illustrates a partially unrolled state of the screen 20. The screen 20 primarily serves as a sunshade. The screen 20 can be made from various materials, such as plastic-based, for example polyester or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or fiberglass, and can be manufactured using various techniques. The person skilled in the art is familiar with the possible materials and manufacturing methods of screens.

[0060] As described above, the unrolled screen can generally be divided in the following sections: a right outer section 20_R starting at the right screen guide and covering a 0%-20% of the screen/end bar length; a right intermediate section 20_IR contiguous with the right outer section and covering a 20%-30% section of the screen/end bar length; a central section 20c contiguous with the right intermediate section and covering a 30%-70% section of the screen/end bar length; a left intermediate section 20_IL contiguous with the central section and covering a 70%-80% section of the screen/end bar length; and a left outer section 20_L contiguous with the left intermediate section and extending up to the left screen guide thus covering a 80%-100% section of the screen/end bar length. This division is visualized in figure 1.

[0061] A tensioning system is provided for keeping the screen 20 under tension by urging the end bar 18 away from the screen roller. Such tensioning systems are known in the art, for example such as disclosed in EP 3 048 213 A1 or WO 2023/214268 A1. This tensioning system thus creates a tension in the screen in the screen extension direction 6.

[0062] As illustrated in figure 1, the inclined roof assembly 1 may be designed as an add-on to an existing structure. In such an embodiment, the screen housing 12 is placed on an existing structure, for example an outside wall. The distal ends 14_D, 16_D of the screen guides 14, 16 are supported by a left support column 22 and a right support column 24. A gutter 26 is suspended between the columns 22, 24. In this embodiment, when the screen 20 is fully rolled from the screen roller (i.e. the screen is fully extended), incident precipitation runs from the end of the screen 20 into the gutter 26. The gutter 26 drains via a downspout (not shown) in any one of the columns 22, 24. This set-up is further illustrated in figures 8A and 8B described below.

[0063] In an advantageous embodiment, the gutter is integrated with the end bar. Incident precipitation then runs from the end of the screen 20 into the end bar/gutter assembly from where it is guided to any one of the side guides 14, 16 that drain via a downspout in any one of the columns 22, 24. Such an end bar/gutter assembly is shown in figures 3A to 7B and 9A to 10. The main advantage of this embodiment is that the drainage is handled irrespective of the screen position. In other words, even in a partially opened state, the precipitation drains via the end bar/gutter assembly.

[0064] In other embodiments, the inclined roof assembly may be entirely free standing in the form of a terrace canopy or the like. In such an embodiment, typically four (or more) columns are provided so that the screen housing is also supported by columns. The reverse is also possible where the inclined roof assembly is entirely supported without the use of columns, e.g. as part of a roof structure.

[0065] The key concept of the present invention will be explained by reference to figures 2A to 2D. Each of these figures represents a schematic view of a central cross-section through an unrolled screen 20. The full line represents the screen. The screen extends between its top edge 30 fastened to the screen roller and its bottom edge 32 fastened to the end bar. Due to various circumstances (e.g. gravity, excess screen material due to the screen frame deformation as described above, etc.) the screen normally sags and a lowest point of the screen is denoted with reference number 34. The top edge 30 is higher than the bottom edge 32.

[0066] A dashed straight line 36 connecting the edges 30, 32 defines the inclination of the roof assembly 1. This dashed straight line 36 is defined in figure 2A and is kept identical in each of the figures 2B-2D. Likewise, the lowest point 34 is defined in figure 2A and is kept at the same location in each of the figures 2B-2D.

[0067] Figure 2A represents a conventional prior art inclined roof assembly. Importantly, the lowest point 34 is beneath the bottom edge 32 of the screen. Incident precipitation thus collects (due to gravity) in the lower screen area 34. This in turn aggravates the sagging causing more precipitation to collect. A user intervention is required to remove the collected precipitation (e.g. by rolling up the screen).

[0068] Figure 2B represents a first embodiment of an inclined roof assembly 1 according to the present invention. Further details on this embodiment are shown in figures 3A and 3B. In this first embodiment, the bottom edge 32 of the screen has been moved downwards when compared to the prior art situation of figure 2A as indicated with the arrow 40. This lowering causes that end bottom edge 32 is lower than the lowest point 34. Incident precipitation thus flows (due to gravity) over the bottom edge 32 without collecting on the screen 20.

[0069] Figure 2C represents a second embodiment of an inclined roof assembly 1 according to the present invention. Further details on this embodiment are shown in figures 4A and 4B. In this second embodiment, the bottom edge 32 of the screen has been moved forwards when compared to the prior art situation of figure 2A as indicated with the arrow 42. This forward displacement causes local additional tension (i.e. only in the central part of the screen) so that the lowest point 34 is moved upwards as indicated with the arrow 44. The end result is again that bottom edge 32 is lower than the lowest point 34. Incident precipitation thus flows (due to gravity) over the bottom edge 32 without collecting on the screen 20.

[0070] Figure 2D represents another embodiment of an inclined roof assembly 1 according to the present invention. Further details on this embodiment are shown in figures 5A and 5B. This embodiment is the combination of the embodiments of figures 2B and 2C so that the bottom edge 32 is displaced downwards (arrow 40) and forwards (arrow 42) and the lowest point 34 is moved upwards (arrow 44). This creates an advantageous design where the screen 20 is centrally nearly an inclined plane leading to a further improved drainage over the bottom edge 32.

[0071] Figures 3A and 3B show a first embodiment of an end bar 18 used in an inclined roof assembly 1 according to the present invention. Figure 3A shows a cross-section through the end bar 18 in an outer section of the screen 20 and figure 3B shows a cross-section through the end bar 18 in the central section of the screen 20.

[0072] The end bar 18 comprises a base part 50 which may be manufactured using an extrusion process. The base part 50 typically has a uniform cross-section along its length. The base part 50 includes a mounting rib 52. The end bar 18 further comprises an elongated profile 54 which forms a fastening rib 56 and a fastening guide 58 in which the second edge of the screen 20 is fixed. The fastening rib 56 is attached to the mounting rib 52 using commonly known fasteners 59. The elongated profile 54 may be manufactured using an extrusion process and typically has a uniform cross-section along its length.

[0073] In figures 3A and 3B, a hypothetical smallest circumscribed rectangle of the end bar 18 is indicated with dashed lines. This rectangle has a top edge 60, a bottom edge 62, a proximal edge 64 and a distal edge 66. The placement of the fastening guide 58 with respect to the bottom edge 62 varies. More specifically, in this first embodiment, the height in the outer section Ho is higher than the height in the central section Hc. This height variation is achieved by fixing the mounting rib 52 and the fastening rib 56 at different heights along the length of the end bar 18.

[0074] Figures 4A and 4B show a second embodiment of an end bar 18 used in an inclined roof assembly 1 according to the present invention. Figure 4A shows a cross-section through the end bar 18 in an outer section of the screen 20 and figure 4B shows a cross-section through the end bar 18 in the central section of the screen 20.

[0075] The end bar 18 comprises a base part 50 which may be manufactured using an extrusion process. The base part 50 typically has a uniform cross-section along its length. The base part 50 includes a mounting rib 52. The end bar 18 further comprises an elongated profile 54 which forms a fastening rib 56 and a fastening guide 58 in which the second edge of the screen 20 is fixed. The fastening rib 56 is attached to the mounting rib 52 using commonly known fasteners 59. The elongated profile 54 may be manufactured using an extrusion process and typically has a uniform cross-section along its length.

[0076] In figures 4A and 4B, a hypothetical smallest circumscribed rectangle of the end bar 18 is indicated with dashed lines. This rectangle has a top edge 60, a bottom edge 62, a proximal edge 64 and a distal edge 66. The placement of the fastening guide 58 with respect to the bottom edge 62 varies. More specifically, in this second embodiment, the depth in the outer section D_O is smaller than the depth in the central section Dc. This depth variation is achieved by fixing the mounting rib 52 and the fastening rib 56 at different depths along the length of the end bar 18.

[0077] Figures 5A and 5B show a third embodiment of an end bar 18 used in an inclined roof assembly 1 according to the present invention. Figure 5A shows a cross-section through the end bar 18 in an outer section of the screen 20 and figure 5B shows a cross-section through the end bar 18 in the central section of the screen 20.

[0078] The end bar 18 comprises a base part 50 which may be manufactured using an extrusion process. The base part 50 typically has a uniform cross-section along its length. The base part 50 includes a mounting rib 52. The end bar 18 further comprises an elongated profile 54 which forms a fastening rib 56 and a fastening guide 58 in which the second edge of the screen 20 is fixed. The fastening rib 56 is attached to the mounting rib 52 using commonly known fasteners 59. The elongated profile 54 may be manufactured using an extrusion process and typically has a uniform cross-section along its length.

[0079] In figures 5A and 5B, a hypothetical smallest circumscribed rectangle of the end bar 18 is indicated with dashed lines. This rectangle has a top edge 60, a bottom edge 62, a proximal edge 64 and a distal edge 66. The placement of the fastening guide 58 with respect to the bottom edge 62 varies. More specifically, in this third embodiment the effects of the first and second embodiment are combined, the height in the outer section Ho is higher than the height in the central section H_C and the depth in the outer section D_O is smaller than the depth in the central section Dc. This variation is achieved by fixing the mounting rib 52 and the fastening rib 56 at different depths along the length of the end bar 18 and by relying on an inclined mounting rib 52.

[0080] Slight alternatives of the third embodiment are shown in figures 6A to 7B. The variants relate to how the change in position between the fastening guide 58 and the base profile 50 is realized.

[0081] In figures 6A and 6B this is achieved by the provision of an additional intermediate profile 70 which is interposed between the mounting rib 52 and the fastening rib 56. In the depth direction, the placement of the intermediate profile 70 is varied with respect to the mounting rib 52. In the height direction, the placement of the fastening rib 56 is varied with respect to the intermediate profile 70.

[0082] In figures 7A and 7B this is achieved by a pivotable connection between the elongated profile 54 and the base 50. More specifically, the base 50 comprises a pivot connection 72 and the elongated profile 54 has a shaft 74 which fits in the pivot connection 72. By tilting the elongated profile 54 more or less, the position of the fastening guide 58 (i.e. the second screen edge) is varied.

[0083] In the embodiments illustrated in figures 3A to 7B and 9A to 9B, the end bar 18 also acts as the gutter 26. More specifically, precipitation incident on the screen 20 flows downwards along the screen and over the fastening guide 58 into the end bar 50. The end bar 50 diverts the precipitation further to the side guides 14, 16.

[0084] In an alternative embodiment, as shown in figure 1, the end bar 18 and gutter 26 are separate elements. Such an embodiment is shown in more detail in figures 8A and 8B. Each profile (i.e. the end bar and the gutter) may be integrally formed in a single extrusion process or may be formed from separate elements and joined by conventional fastening techniques. The screen position variation relies on the principle of the third embodiment, i.e. with both variation in height and depth.

[0085] Figures 9A to 10 illustrate another embodiment according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the screen position variation relies on the principle of the third embodiment, i.e. with both variation in height and depth.

[0086] As in figures 7A and 7B, also in this embodiment, the elongated profile 54 is pivotally connected to the base 50. Additionally, a threaded rod 80 is pivotally attached to the base 50. More specifically, the threaded rod 80 comprises an axle 84 positioned in a groove 86 in the base 50. On the threaded rod 80, two nut members 82 are positioned between which the elongated profile 54 is sandwiched. As shown in figure 10, the elongated profile 54 comprises elongated slots 84 through which the threaded rod 80 extends. These elements enable the elongated profile 54 to pivot with respect to the base 50 and to fix this profile 54 at any desired angle. The use of the nuts 82 allows to adjust the angle of the elongated profile 54 at any time after the initial installation has been done. More specifically, the nuts 82 can be tightened to displace the elongated profile 54 to be closer to the base 50 thus further tensioning the screen 20.

[0087] The inclined roof assembly according to the present invention has also been tested in comparison to a prior art inclined roof assembly as described below.

[0088] The prior art inclined roof assembly is commercially available under the brand name Renson ^® Lapure ^®. The screen dimensions are 6 m wide and 5 m long. The roof assembly was tested under varying inclination angles and varying levels of precipitation. The test results are summarized in Table I below where "V" indicates a satisfactory drainage and "X" indicates an unsatisfactory drainage.

[0089] A first inclined roof assembly according to the present invention was tested in the same setup. The screen dimensions are 6 m wide and 5 m long. The roof assembly was according to the third embodiment with a height/depth compensation of each 20 mm in the middle of the screen. The test results are summarized in Table II below where "V" indicates a satisfactory drainage and "X" indicates an unsatisfactory drainage.

[0090] In Table II, the grey highlighted cells are the difference with the tests of the prior art roof assembly. It is clear that the inclined roof assembly of the present invention has an adequate drainage with an inclination angle of as low as 8 degrees even for very strong precipitation conditions.

[0091] Although certain aspects of the present invention have been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is apparent that these aspects may be implemented in other forms within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An inclined roof assembly (1) comprising:

- a screen housing (12) extending in a first direction (4) between a right end (12_R) and a left end (12_L);

- a right screen guide (16) extending from near the right end of the screen housing in a second direction (6) which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction from a proximal end (16_P) to a distal end (16_D);

- a left screen guide (14) extending from near the left end of the screen housing in the second direction from a proximal end (14_P) to a distal end (14_D);

- a screen roller which is rotatably mounted in the screen housing;

- a screen (20) having a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a right edge and a left edge opposite the right edge, wherein the first edge is fixed to the screen roller, the screen being rollable onto and rollable from the screen roller between a rolled-up state and a rolled-down state, wherein the right edge of the screen is guided in the right screen guide and the left edge of the screen is guided in the left screen guide and wherein the right edge and the left edge of the screen are tensioned in their respective screen guides away from one another in the first direction;

- an end bar (18) that is fixed to the second edge of the screen, wherein the end bar extends in the first direction between a right end (18_R) guided in the right screen guide and a left end (18_L) guided in the left screen guide, wherein the end bar has a length which is determined as the shortest distance between the right end and the left end and wherein, in a cross-section through the end bar in a plane perpendicular to the first direction, the end bar defines a hypothetical smallest circumscribed rectangle having a top edge (60), a bottom edge (62) opposite the top edge, a proximal edge (64) nearest the screen housing and a distal edge (66) opposite the proximal edge; and

- a tensioning system for keeping the screen under tension in the second direction,

characterized in that,

in an outer cross-section through the end bar taken in a first plane located at a distance from either end of the end bar of at most 20% of said length, the second edge of the screen is located at a first height (Ho) which is determined as a shortest distance to the bottom edge of the hypothetical smallest circumscribed rectangle in said first plane and a first depth (D_O) which is determined as a shortest distance to the proximal edge of the hypothetical smallest circumscribed rectangle in said first plane,

in a central cross-section through the end bar taken in a second plane located at a distance from any end of the end bar of at least 30% of said length, the second edge of the screen is located at a second height (Hc) which is determined as a shortest distance to the bottom edge of the hypothetical smallest circumscribed rectangle in said second plane and a second depth (Dc) which is determined as a shortest distance to the proximal edge of the hypothetical smallest circumscribed rectangle in said second plane,

wherein the first height is larger than the second height and/or the first depth is smaller than the second depth.

2. The inclined roof assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the first height is larger than the second height and the first depth is smaller than the second depth.

3. The inclined roof assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the second edge of the screen, in the rolled-down state of the screen, is substantially straight.

4. The inclined roof assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end bar comprises:

- a base (50); and

- a fastening guide (58) in which the second end of the screen guide is received,

wherein a position of the fastening guide with respect to the base varies along the end bar.

5. The inclined roof assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the base has a front face which is farthest from the screen housing and a lower face which is underneath the screen, wherein:

- the position of the fastening guide is closer to the lower face in a central section of the end bar than in an outer section of the end bar; and/or

- the position of the fastening guide is closer to the front face in a central section of the end bar than in an outer section of the end bar.

6. The inclined roof assembly according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the position of the fastening guide with respect to the base varies continuously along the end bar, the variation preferably being smooth.

7. The inclined roof assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the position of the fastening guide with respect to the base varies monotonically from the right end of the end bar to a middle point of the end bar and from the left end of the end bar to said middle point.

8. The inclined roof assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the fastening guide is formed within an elongated profile (54) which further comprises a fastening rib (56) configured to attach the elongated profile to the base.

9. The inclined roof assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the base and/or the elongated profile are an extruded profile.

10. The inclined roof assembly according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the elongated profile is pivotally attached to the base profile.

11. The inclined roof assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the position of the fastening guide with respect to the base is adjustable.

12. The inclined roof assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when the first plane is adjacent either end of the end bar and the second plane is in a middle point of the end bar, a difference between the first height and the second height is at least 2 mm and preferably at most 30 mm and/or a difference between the first depth and the second depth is at least 2 mm and preferably at most 30 mm.

13. The inclined roof assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inclined roof assembly further comprises a gutter (26) extending in the first direction and configured to collect precipitation incident upon the screen.

14. The inclined roof assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the gutter is formed within the end bar and is configured to divert the collected precipitation to the screen guides.

15. The inclined roof assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inclined roof assembly further comprises a right support column (24) for supporting the distal end of the right screen guide and a left support column (22) for supporting the distal end of the left screen guide,
wherein, preferably, at least one of the right support column and the left support column is provided with a downspout.

Drawing