Interlocking roofing panel system

• US 8,141,313 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2010
• Issued: 03/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Maine System Board of Trustees
• Original Assignee: University of Maine System Board of Trustees
• Inventors: Dagher, Habib J., Davids, William G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Canfield, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Demuren, Babajide
• Application Number:
  US12/963,870
• Publication Number:
  US 20110072746A1
• Time in Patent Office: 474 Days
• Field of Search: 52/901, 52/911, 523/021, 523/023, 523/024, 524/073, 524/044, 527/931, 527/931.1, 527/941, 525/914, 527/901, 522/71, 522/70, 527/831, 525/881, 525/921, 527/450.6, 527/451.5, 428/192
• US Class Current: 52/588.1
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 7/20 Roofs consisting of self-supporting slabs, e.g. able to be loaded
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 7/22 the slabs having insulating properties, e.g. laminated with layers of insulating material
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2/12 of solid wood
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2/34 composed of two or more spaced sheet-like parts E04C2/32 takes precedence; spacers for cavity walls E04B2/44
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2/36 spaced apart by transversely-placed strip material, e.g. honeycomb panels honeycomb or other core members for layered products B32B
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2002/3488 spaced apart by frame like structures
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/17 Ventilation of roof coverings not otherwise provided for ventilation of rooms or spaces F24F

Abstract

A roofing system includes a plurality of roofing panel assemblies. Each roofing panel assembly includes a base having a substantially planar surface, a plurality of I-joists having an upper flange and a lower flange, wherein the base is attached to the lower flanges of the plurality of I-joists, and a cap having a substantially planar surface, wherein the cap is attached to the upper flanges of the plurality of I-joists. The plurality of I-joists includes a first edge most I-joist and a second edge most I-joist. A first edge of the cap is attached to the upper flange of the first edge most I-joist such that a portion of the upper flange of the first edge most I-joist is not covered by the cap. A second edge of the cap extends beyond an edge of the second edge most I-joist for a distance less than a width of the upper flange of the second edge most I-joist. Adjacent roofing panel assemblies are attached such that the second edge of the cap engages the portion of the upper flange of the first edge most I-joist not covered by the cap.

Claims

1. A roofing system comprising:

a plurality of roofing panel assemblies, each roofing panel assembly having;

a base having a substantially planar surface;

a plurality of I-joists having an upper flange, a lower flange, and a web, wherein the base is attached to the lower flanges of the plurality of I-joists; and

a cap having a substantially planar surface, wherein the cap is attached to the upper flanges of the plurality of I-joists;

wherein the plurality of I-joists includes a first edge most I-joist and a second edge most I-joist, wherein a first edge of the cap is attached to the upper flange of the first edge most I-joist such that a portion of the upper flange of the first edge most I-joist is not covered by the cap, the portion defining a first distance, and wherein a second edge of the cap extends beyond an edge of the second edge most I-joist for a second distance less than a width of the upper flange of the second edge most I-joist;

wherein the second distance is also less than or equal to the first distance;

wherein a first edge of the base is attached to the lower flange of the first edge most I-joist such that the first edge of the base extends outwardly no further than an edge of the lower flange of the first edge most I-joist;

wherein a second edge of the base is attached to the lower flange of the second edge most I-joist such that the second edge of the base extends outwardly no further than an edge of the lower flange of the second edge most I-joist; and

wherein adjacent roofing panel assemblies are attached such that the second edge of the cap engages the portion of the upper flange of the first edge most I-joist not covered by the cap.

2. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the web extends between the upper flange and the lower flange.

3. The roofing system according to claim 1, further including a fastener extending through the second attachment edge of the cap and into the upper flange of an I-joist of an adjacent roofing panel assembly.

4. The roofing system according to claim 3, wherein the fastener is a mechanical fastener.

5. The roofing system according to claim 3, further including adhesive between the second attachment edge of the cap and the upper flange of an I-joist of an adjacent roofing panel assembly.

6. The roofing system according to claim 1, further including adhesive between the second attachment edge of the cap and the upper flange of an I-joist of an adjacent roofing panel assembly.

7. The roofing panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the I-joists are longitudinal joists, the roofing panel assembly further including a lateral joist oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal joists.

8. The roofing panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the base, the cap, and the I-joists are made of wood.

9. A roofing system comprising:

a plurality of roofing panel assemblies, each roofing panel assembly having;

a base having a substantially planar surface;

a plurality of I-joists having an upper flange, a lower flange, and a web, the upper flange defining an upper notch, wherein one edge of the web is inserted into the upper notch, the lower flange defining a lower notch, wherein one edge of the web is inserted into the lower notch, and wherein the base is attached to the lower flange of one or more of the plurality of I-joists, the I-joists configured such that one or more cells are created between adjacent I-joists;

a cap having a substantially planar surface, wherein the cap is attached to the upper flange of one or more of the plurality of I-joists; and

ventilation openings configured to provide air communication from one of one cell to at least one adjacent cell, and from one cell to the exterior of the roofing panel assembly;

wherein the plurality of I-joists includes a first edge most I-joist and a second edge most I-joist, wherein a first edge of the cap is attached to the upper flange of the first edge most I-joist such that a portion of the upper flange of the first edge most I-joist is not covered by the cap, the portion defining a first distance, and wherein a second edge of the cap extends beyond an edge of the second edge most I-joist for a second distance less than a width of the upper flange of the second edge most I-joist;

wherein the second distance is also less than or equal to the first distance; and

wherein adjacent roofing panel assemblies are attached such that the second edge of the cap engages the portion of the upper flange of the first edge most I-joist not covered by the cap.

10. The roofing panel assembly of claim 9, wherein a first edge of the base is attached to the lower flange of the first edge most I-joist such that the first edge of the base extends outwardly no further than an edge of the lower flange of the first edge most I-joist;

and

wherein a second edge of the base is attached to the lower flange of the second edge most I-joist such that the second edge of the base extends outwardly no further than an edge of the lower flange of the second edge most I-joist.