US 6,606,823 B1Granted

Modular roof covering system

AssigneesFord Motor Land Development Corporation, McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, L.L.C.

InventorsWilliam McDonough, Michael Braungart, Paul J. Clark

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

The present invention is a modular roof covering made up of a plurality of interlocking modular trays having moisture or water absorbing component or medium in the tray to absorb moisture and allow it to evaporate or otherwise dissipate over time. The trays interlock with each other and are held down by weights or other ballast to secure the trays to the roof without having to create a physical connection between the trays and the roof structure. The modular roof covering can be made up of different types of tray assemblies, where some have vegetation growing in the tray, others have merely water absorption and dissipation capability, while others have photovoltaic cells for the collection and use of solar energy. The present invention provides a light weight, low cost roof covering system for extending the life of current roof structures, and to restore and protect the environment, moderate and aid in controlling building temperature, manage stormwater runoff and collect and utilize solar energy.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A modular roof covering system for application over a roofing membrane, comprising:

(a) a plurality of interlocking container modules,
(b) means for attaching each of said container modules to at least one other of said container modules to provide a stable matrix of said interlocking container modules,
(c) each of said container modules comprising a substantially continuous outer wall that is substantially perpendicular to a roof surface, said wall separating the interior of said container module from the exterior of said container module,
(d) at least one portion of said outer wall of each container module in said matrix, in combination with at least one portion of said outer wall of at least one adjacent container module defining an interstitial area in said matrix that is exterior to the outer wall of each said attached container module,
(e) ballasting means disposed in said interstitial area for maintaining said stable matrix of interlocking container modules in place on said roofing surface, and
(f) at least one medium disposed in said interior of at least one of said container modules, said medium comprising means for absorbing precipitation falling on said matrix,
whereby said matrix of interlocking container modules retards the discharge of water associated with said precipitation from said roof surface into the environment.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/101,320Filed 20 Mar 2002
Granted: 19 Aug 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification14 codes

E04D 11/002
Roof covering, as far as not restricted to features covered by only one of groups E04D1/00 - E04D9/00; Roof covering in ways not provided for by…:…
A01G 9/033
Receptacles, e.g. flower-pots or boxes ; Glasses for cultivating flowers: flat containers for turf, lawn or the like, e.g. for covering roofs
H02S 20/24
Specially adapted for roof structures: specially adapted for flat roofs
H02S 20/32
Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment: specially adapted for solar tracking