US 12,291,871 B2 · Injection-molded roof panel with improvements

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a new design for an injection molded roof panel with multiple improvements. The panel is made from PVC-like materials via injection molding with a large standard size. It comprises laterally and longitudinally sloped watercourses and arches. A tongue at the front connects to a vertically adjacent panel's rear upper interlocking member. Interlocks at the lateral ends of the panel connect one panel to another horizontally adjacent panel. Condensed water ridges underneath the panel drain condensation to the panel's front, where it is drained with angled weep holes on the tongue. The upper surface has a non-smooth low-noise texture to prevent slips/falls and reduce noise. The roof panel is secured onto roof sheathing with nail flanges with screw holes/bosses. The design achieves improved water drainage, increased installation security and speed, improved wind resistance, increased personnel safety, reduced noise, lighter weight, lower cost, and improved lifespan.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A roof panel having a lower surface and an upper surface, the roof panel comprising:

a watercourse having a front section and rear section;
wherein the watercourse is sloped along a length of the roof panel so that the front section is at a lower elevation than the rear section relative to the upper surface of the roof panel;
an L-shaped tongue at the front section of the watercourse having a vertical portion, a horizontal portion, and an angled diagonal portion;
wherein the L-shaped tongue laterally has a center part and a peripheral part;
a condensed water ridge under and extending along the lower surface of the roof panel;
wherein the condensed water ridge is configured to guide condensed water flowing from the rear section to the front section and into the L-shaped tongue;
wherein the L-shaped tongue is curved from the peripheral part toward the center part, forming the center part as a lowest elevation point among the peripheral and center parts, enabling the condensed water to collect;
a weep hole at the center part of the L-shaped tongue and on the angled diagonal portion configured to drain the condensed water out of the front section of the watercourse of the roof panel.

5 more elements

A method to protect a roof, the method comprising:

mounting a roof panel onto a roof of a building, wherein the roof panel comprises a watercourse with a front section and a rear section;
wherein the watercourse is sloped along a length of the roof panel so that the front section is at a lower elevation than the rear section relative to the upper surface of the roof panel;
providing an L-shaped tongue at the front section of the watercourse having a vertical portion, a horizontal portion, and an angled diagonal portion;
wherein the tongue laterally has a center part and a peripheral part;
providing a condensed water ridge under and extending along the lower surface of the roof panel;
wherein the condensed water ridge is configured to guide condensed water flowing from the rear section to the front section and into the L-shaped tongue;
wherein the L-shaped tongue is curved from the peripheral part toward the center part, forming the center part as a lowest elevation point among the peripheral and center parts, enabling the condensed water to collect;
providing a weep hole at the center part of the L-shaped tongue on the angled diagonal portion configured to drain the condensed water out of the front section of the watercourse of the roof panel.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Injection-molded roof panel with improvements

Life of this patent

Injection-molded roof panel with improvements

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20