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  Apparatus for covering a roofUSPTO Application #: 20070266660Title: Apparatus for covering a roof Abstract: There is provided apparatus for covering a roof (501). The apparatus comprises a waterproof membrane (102, 103). The membrane (102, 103) has a lower surface contactable with an uncovered roof (511, 512). The membrane (102, 103) has an upper surface with an integrated surface fastener system (508, 509 and 510) configured to facilitate the subsequent attachment of solar energy connection devices (104, 105 and 106). (end of abstract) Agent: James C. Wray - Mclean, VA, US Inventors: Daniel Gower Davies, Shay Donald Brazier, Lachlan Samuel Bateman, Martyn John Charles Berry USPTO Applicaton #: 20070266660 - Class: 052309100 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070266660. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from United Kingdom Patent Application No. 06 105 525.8, filed 26 May 2006, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to apparatus for covering a roof. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] A typical roof consists of a metal framework having a profiled deck supported on purlins. This deck supports an insulation layer of typically compressible mineral wool. A weatherproof outer layer can be provided by the application of a membrane laid on top of the roof and attached using mechanical fasteners or other means. The membrane is typically constructed from a number of strips which are laid down the roof slope and welded together at the overlaps between strips to form a weather-tight layer. [0004] It is desirable to facilitate the attachment of solar energy collection devices to such roofs. [0005] Many known solar energy collection systems have been attached to buildings and on the whole the collection panels are effectively treated as part of the building, being in common ownership such that an occupant or owner may be responsible both for the solar energy collection systems and the fabric of the building itself. [0006] Increasingly, in the future, it is likely that alternative relationships may be developed in which a separate organisation is responsible for the ownership, maintenance and operation of solar energy collection systems, without having any direct relationship with the ownership or control of the building on which the devices are situated. Consequently, under these circumstances, it is preferable for solar energy devices to be installed and maintained on a roof while at the same time minimising the actual physical impact upon the roof itself. Consequently, the roof should not be damaged and opportunities for mechanical attachment to the roof may be limited. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for covering a roof, comprising a waterproof membrane, wherein: said membrane has a lower surface contactable with an uncovered roof; and said membrane has an upper surface with an integrated surface fastener system configured to facilitate the subsequent attachment of solar energy collection devices. [0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for collecting solar energy mountable on the roof of a building, comprising: an upper surface displaying a solar energy collection surface; and a lower surface carrying a surface fastener system, wherein said fastener system is fastenable to a roof membrane having a co-operating fastener system. [0009] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of producing a roof covering membrane having a lower surface contactable with an uncovered roof, comprising the steps of: producing a waterproof membrane material; forming said material into an appropriate membrane shape; and processing said membrane shape so as to include an integrated surface fastener system in an upper surface of the membrane to facilitate the subsequent attachment of solar energy collecting devices. [0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for attachment to a roof in order to derive electrical energy from sunlight, comprising: a membrane attachable to the exposed surface of a roof; a web of solar energy collection material attachable to an upper surface of said membrane and including electrical connections; and an elongate trunking configured to be installed on said roof and to be attached to an edge of said web, so as to locate said web and to house said electrical connectors. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention in use on a roof; [0012] FIG. 2 shows the first procedure for manufacture of membranes or webs; [0013] FIG. 3 shows a second procedure for manufacture of membranes or webs; [0014] FIG. 4 shows detail of an example of the surface fastener; [0015] FIG. 5A shows a building with a uncovered roof; [0016] FIG. 5B shows the application of membranes; [0017] FIG. 6 a cross-section through a roof; [0018] FIG. 7 shows a roof with membranes applied; [0019] FIG. 8 shows the arrangement of a trunking base on a roof; Continue reading... Full patent description for Apparatus for covering a roof Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Apparatus for covering a roof patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Apparatus for covering a roof or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Building structure and a method of forming a building structure Next Patent Application: Door and window sill gasket Industry Class: Static structures (e.g., buildings) ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Apparatus for covering a roof patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.28782 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Electronics: Semiconductor , Audio , Illumination , Connectors , Crypto , |
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