Modular elements for building roofs

Abstract

Modular elements for roofs of buildings, comprising curved channel tiles (2), disposed in partially superposed mutually predefined position on the roof support surface, such as to form side by side rows extending substantially along the lines of maximum roof slope with their concavity facing upwards, and curved cover tiles (20, 44, 84) disposed with their concavity facing downwards in partially superposed condition to form rows straddling pairs of side by side rows of channel tiles, characterised in that the channel tile (2) presents the following characteristics:—it has an upwardly open longitudinal cavity bounded by two raised side portions (4),—said raised portions (4) are provided with downwardly facing legs (6),—said legs (6) are provided lowerly with feet (8) fixable to the feet of a side by side channel tile and, simultaneously therewith, to an underlying roofing plane,—its upstream transverse edge is provided with a rib on which the overlying channel tile pertaining to the same row (16) rests,—when secured to a channel tile of the adjacent row it forms a support for a traditional cover tile or, at choice, for a technological tile disposed straddling said channel tiles.

Description

MODULAR ELEMENTS FOR BUILDING ROOFS

The present invention relates to modular elements for roofs of buildings.

Building roofs formed from curved channel tiles and curved cover tiles are known: the channel tiles are disposed in several parallel rows extending from the gutter line to the ridge line with their concavity facing upwards and partially superposed on each other, the cover tiles being disposed with their concavity facing downwards in a partially superposed condition to form rows straddling pairs of side by side rows of channel tiles.

An object of the invention is to provide a multifunctional channel tile which can be used selectively either with traditional curved cover tiles to form traditional roofs or with various types of technological cover tiles to hence obtain photovoltaic, thermal and other roof coverings.

This and other objects which will be apparent from the ensuing description are attained according to the invention by modular elements for forming building roof coverings as described in claim 1.

The present invention is further clarified below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a channel tile according to the invention,
FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof from below,
FIG. 3 shows an assembly of four channel tiles,
FIG. 4 shows an assembly of four channel tiles and four overlying traditional clay cover tiles,
FIG. 5 is a partially exploded general perspective view of a roof portion made with the modular elements of the invention to form a photovoltaic roof covering,
FIG. 6 is a plan view thereof,
FIG. 7 is a partial view thereof in enlarged vertical section on the line VII-VII of FIG. 6,
FIG. 8 is a partial view thereof in enlarged vertical section on the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 6,
FIG. 9 is a perspective partial view from above showing the roof portion of FIG. 5 without the photovoltaic panels and without the transparent upper covering,
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cover tile seen from above,
FIG. 11 is a perspective view thereof seen from below,
FIG. 12 is a perspective view seen from below, showing the transparent is element to be applied to the cover tile of FIG. 10,
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of a cover tile,
FIG. 14 is a partially exploded perspective view of a solar collector according to the invention, to be installed in proximity to the ridge of a roof,
FIG. 15 is a different view thereof,
FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of a complex formed from two channel tiles and one cover tile, used to form the solar collector,
FIG. 17 is a front view of the complex of FIG. 16,
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a cover tile element seen from above,
FIG. 19 is a perspective view thereof seen from below,
FIG. 20 is a partial longitudinal section through the end portion of a row of tile elements in proximity to the collector positioned on the roof ridge,
FIG. 21 is a side view thereof,
FIG. 22 is a perspective view from above showing a functional module applicable to the modular element of the invention,
FIG. 23 is a perspective view thereof seen from below,
FIG. 24 is a cross-section through a first roof covering obtained with the multifunctional module,
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a second roof covering,
FIG. 26 is a perspective view from above showing a first variant of a module,
FIG. 27 is a perspective view thereof from below,
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the roof covering of FIG. 24,
FIG. 29 is a perspective view from above showing a second variant of a module,
FIG. 30 is a perspective view thereof from below,
FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of an aerator insert/accessory,
FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an insert/accessory to be applied to the tile of FIG. 29,
FIG. 33 shows it from below,
FIG. 34 is an exploded side view of a variant of a channel tile, and
FIG. 35 shows it from below.

As can be seen from the figures, the modular element consists of a channel tile 2 formed preferably of plastic material, aluminium, clay or fibre-cement and defining an upwardly open longitudinal cavity bounded by two raised side portions 4 provided with downwardly directed legs 6 lowerly bent outwards to form feet 8 for its fixing to a flat surface (not shown in the drawings).

More specifically, the feet 8 of those legs 6 positioned on one side of the channel tile 2 present a trapezoidal portion 10 engagable in a complementary trapezoidal cavity 12 provided in the feet 8 of those legs 6′ positioned on the other side of the channel tile 2, to ensure mutual engagement between the channel tiles of adjacent rows. All the channel tiles 2 are then stabilized in their correct mutual position by providing all feet 8 with a hole 46 through which a screw or a similar fixing member can be passed simultaneously through the two superposed feet 8 of two adjacent channel tiles 2 to engage in the flat surface.

The transverse edge of the upper end of each channel tile 2 is provided with a rib 18 emerging from the upper surface of the tile and having the double function of forming a support for traditional channel tiles positioned partially superposed upwards to rest on that channel tile, and stop any water flow which might be urged to rise along the channel tile by the effect of the wind.

The two raised side portions 4 of the channel tile 2 are also provided with apertures 22 for engagement by special hook appendices described hereinafter.

The lower surface of the channel tile is provided, for stiffening the tile body, with longitudinal ribs 26 and transverse ribs 28, provided with apertures 30, 32 respectively.

In a variant (see FIGS. 34 and 35) the lower surface of the tile is provided with coupling elements 33 cooperating with corresponding profiles 34 fixable to the roof.

At the raised side portions 4, the upper surface of the tile presents air intake ports 36 and positioning and centering elements 38 cooperating with appendices 40 for longitudinal alignment of the channel tiles.

In this manner, during the initial roof construction, the channel tiles of the invention can be fixed to the roofing plane of the building and on these there can then be positioned traditional clay cover tiles 20 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The clay cover tiles can subsequently be replaced by technological tiles, for example tiles provided with photovoltaic or thermal elements.

This enables a traditional roof to be transformed into a technological roof while avoiding laborious demolition work on the entire roof, as the transformation requires only replacement of the cover tiles.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-13 a technological roof covering of photovoltaic effect is shown comprising channel tiles of the type now described and cover tiles 44.

Each cover tile 44 is fixed to the roofing plane by screws passing through appendices 50 projecting lowerly from the base 46, and is also fixed to the underlying pair of channel tiles 2 by coupling systems comprising elastic appendices 52 extending downwards from the lower surface of the cover tile 44 and snap-engaging in the corresponding apertures 22.

In addition, cover tiles pertaining to the same row can be preassembled by using profiles, fillets or extrusions and screws passing through the appendices 50; in this manner a series of cover tiles can be installed much more simply.

The base 46 of each cover tile 44 has an upwardly open longitudinal cavity presenting a slight frusto-conicity which on installation means that its narrower portion is disposed upperly and its wider portion is disposed lowerly. This frusto-conicity is also present in the entire cover tile 44, but is inverted in the sense that the narrower portion of this when installed is disposed upperly, while its wider portion is disposed lowerly. This enables each cover tile to be partially superposed on the underlying tile, to thus form the row of cover tiles, in which each tile is coupled to the adjacent tiles by appendices 56 and complementary apertures 58.

On that portion of each base 46 which is surmounted by the base 46 of the overlying cover tile, the base comprises a pair of projections 60, the purpose of which us to prevent any water which drips from the overlying cover tile being able to enter the longitudinal cavity of the base 46 of the underlying cover tile.

Given the “stepped” arrangement of the different cover tiles, the average line of slope of the row of channel tiles corresponds to the line of slope of the roofing plane but is slightly more inclined than the line of slope of each channel is tile.

The longitudinal cavity of each base 46 of the cover tiles 44 is bounded laterally by two steps comprising an inclined lower portion 62 conforming to the average slope of the roofing and an upper portion 64 inclined in the opposite direction, such as to display a gap 66 of height less than the step which forms by the partial superposing of two adjacent cover tile bases 46 pertaining to the same row (see FIG. 7).

The form of each base 46 and the dimensions of the parts involved in the partial superposing are such that the lower portions 62 of the steps of all said bases of cover tiles 44 pertaining to the same row are coplanar and form a support surface for a single photovoltaic panel 102 common to several cover tiles, and in particular to all cover tiles of the row.

In a variant (not shown in the drawings), the row presents alternate clay tiles and photovoltaic tiles, including different alternating arrangements.

The base 46 of each cover tile 44 is also provided with coupling appendices and complementary apertures, which together enable the bases of tiles pertaining to the same row to be temporarily fixed together before their final fixing to the roofing plane by screws applied to the bottom of the longitudinal cavity of each base 46 and passing through the appendices 50, which on installation are interposed between adjacent rows of channel tiles. As already stated, the fixing can be achieved by coupling elements, cooperating with corresponding profiles fixable to the roof.

The cover tiles 44 are also joined together at the superposed portions by using screws which pass through cavities 70 provided in each cover tile and aligned with corresponding holes provided in the surmounted tile, when the two tiles are partially superposed.

Each cover tile 44 also comprises an upper closure 72 formed of material transparent or partially transparent to solar radiation and secured to the underlying tile base 46 by traditional coupling systems.

Each transparent closure 72 has the shape of a frusto-conical sector and comprises two transversely extending end flanges 74, 76, of which the downstream flange 74 faces downwards, while the upstream flange 76 faces upwards to engage below the downstream flange 74 of the overlying transparent closure.

In particular applications the transparent closure 72 can also be lacking.

The photovoltaic panel 102, which as stated can be common to several cover tiles 44 or to the entire row of cover tiles, can then be connected electrically to the other panels by traditional methods, which do not in themselves form an aspect of the invention.

As best seen in FIG. 8, the concave surface of the base 46 of the cover tiles 44 defines with the overlying photovoltaic panel 102 a longitudinal channel along which a flow of cooling air for the panel can circulate naturally.

The invention also comprises cover tiles of particular design, intended to connect a row of cover tiles of the invention to traditional clay cover tiles.

In this embodiment, shown in FIG. 13, the narrowest part of the base 46′, which in the drawing is shown lowerly, but in reality is disposed upperly, is of similar type to that of the preceding embodiment, with the remaining part 78 being without the longitudinal cavity and being convex to support below said part 78 a traditional curved tile of clay or other material. As in this case the vertical wall internally bounding this convex portion also forms the lower wall bounding the longitudinal ventilation channel of the photovoltaic panel 68, this is provided with a plurality of slots 80.

In another embodiment, not shown in the drawings, the lower portions 62 of the two steps of each base 46 of the cover tiles 44, i.e. those step portions intended to support the photovoltaic panel, are not made integral with said base 46, but are made as a separate element able to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the row of cover tiles.

For this purpose, an electric motor is associated with said separate elements to rotate the panel 102 such as to incline it to conform to the sun's position, to favour the conditions for irradiating the panel.

From the aforegoing it is apparent that the modular elements of the invention are particularly advantageous and in particular substantially reduce the number of connections between the photovoltaic panels compared with the number required in the case of individual panels for each tile, while enabling simpler control of the assembly.

Moreover, in the case of the rotary photovoltaic panels, these enable the light of the sun to be very easily followed compared with known solutions, and in particular enable this to be achieved within the tiles themselves, without modifying the external configuration of the roof.

FIGS. 14-21 show a solar collector-type technological roof covering formed with the modular element of the invention, to be installed for example in proximity to the ridge of a roof.

The solar collector of the invention consists essentially of a modular panel comprising a layer of heat and sound insulating material 82, to which a plurality of curved or plain tile elements are applied and fitted together in the same manner as that heretofore described.

More specifically, the solar collector of this embodiment, which consists of roofing elements of curved tile type, comprises channel tiles 2 disposed with their concavity facing upwards, and cover tiles 84 disposed with their concavity facing downwards to straddle the channel tiles 2 of two adjacent rows and be stabilized with respect to these by the use of hook appendices in the apertures 22 provided in the raised side portions 4 of each channel tile 2.

The upper surface of the cover tile 84 comprises an upperly open longitudinal cavity 90 to form with the cavity of those cover tiles 84 pertaining to the same row a longitudinal channel to house a tubular capturing element 92 through which a thermovector fluid circulates in traditional manner.

The lower surface of the cover tile 84, and more precisely each of the two lower longitudinal cavities bounded by the tile sides and by the projection which forms the longitudinal channel 90 for receiving the capturing element 92, is provided with baffles 96 on which the cover tile 84 rests at the raised side portions 4 of the two adjacent channel tiles 2.

At the upper end of each cover tile 84 a hole 98 is provided for its fixing to the panel 82 by a fixing hook. This hole is surrounded by a wall 100 able to prevent any water, which rises along the channel 90 by the effect of the wind, from reaching the panel 82 by passing through the hole 98.

A cover element 102, made of a material transparent or partially transparent to the sun's rays (for example a plastic material), is applicable to each cover tile 84, which is preferably made of plastic material; it is provided on its lower surface with hooking appendices cooperating with corresponding apertures 104 provided in the outer longitudinal sides of the cover tile 84 to fix the cover element 102 to the tile.

Each cover element 102 is shaped as a frusto-conical sector and, in a manner similar to the transparent closure 72, comprises two transverse end flanges, of which the downstream flange faces downwards, while the upstream flange faces upwards to engage below the downstream flange of the overlying cover element 102.

The upper surface of the cover element 102 comprises an upwardly projecting cap 106 to house that portion of the capturing tubular element 92 which, because of its different inclination to the inclination of the cover element 102, projects beyond the surface thereof.

The length of the cover element 102 is less than the length of the cover tile 84 to which it is applied, such that the upper end of the cover tile 84 projects upperly relative to the cover element 102 by a portion intended for superposing to between adjacent cover tiles 84 pertaining to the same row.

The superposed portion of the upper cover tile 84 is supported lowerly by a transverse rib 108 projecting upwards from the underlying cover tile 84. The cover tile rests with the lower edge of its transverse rib 110 on the upper surface of said underlying cover element.

In the illustrated embodiment, the capturing element 92 housed in the longitudinal channel 90 of the cover tiles 84 serves for all the tiles pertaining to the same row and is preferably of heat pipe type, comprising an outer covering in which vacuum is applied, and an inner tube filled with a thermovector fluid of low boiling point.

As the capturing element 92 is disposed inclined, in its bottom the thermovector fluid is liquid whereas in its top it is in the vapour state following evaporation caused by the solar heating.

The upper end of the inner tube is preferably dry-connected to a header 112, extending within the roof ridge profile 114, which is common to all the capturing elements 92 of the two pitches which join together at that ridge.

Through the header 112 there circulates a mixture of water and glycol s which by forced circulation reaches a heat exchanger (not shown), to which the header 112 and a coil of the user circuit are connected.

In contrast to the illustrated embodiment, the header can also be disposed below the panel 82 or itself form the roof ridge, and the individual capturing elements can be normal tubes connected together in traditional manner instead of comprising the heat pipe system, and that independently thereof individual capturing elements can be provided for each cover tile 84.

Moreover the channel tiles 4 and cover tiles 84, instead of being fixed to a heat and sound insulating panel 82, with which they form a single modular unit, can be directly applied to a roof covering or possibly to a panel of different type.

The solar collector obtained with the modular element of the invention is particularly advantageous compared with traditional solar collectors, essentially in that they present an outer appearance identical to that of traditional roofs formed from curved or plain tiles.

Another element applicable to the modular element of the invention consists of a multifunctional module, indicated overall by 116 and defined in this manner as it is able to receive different components for performing different functions (see FIGS. 22-23).

In its general configuration it presents a profiled shape displaying a downward overall concavity, in order to be able to simultaneously embrace adjacent channel tiles 2 disposed in two side-by-side rows. For this purpose the multifunctional module, preferably made of the same plastic material as the channel tile, is provided on its lower surface with two pairs of hook appendices 118. snap-insertable into apertures 22 of the channel tile. The various parts are s disposed and dimensioned such that when the channel tiles are fixed to the underlying covering in partially superposed condition, each module can insert those hooks 118 disposed along one line into the two apertures 22 of two superposed channel tiles 2 pertaining to one row, and can insert those hooks 118 disposed along the other line into the two apertures of the two superposed channel tiles pertaining to the other row.

To further enable exact positioning of the different multifunctional modules of each row in partially superposed condition, each multifunctional module is provided along the longitudinal centre line with two downwardly facing and lowerly closed hollow appendices, one 120 of smaller diameter and one 122 of larger diameter, to receive the appendix 120 of the superposed upstream module.

In order to stabilize the multifunctional modules not only against the channel tiles but also indirectly against the roofing plane, screws are used passing through the two already mutually engaged appendices 120 and 122 and through the interspace defined by adjacent rows of channel tiles, before being directly engaged with said roofing plane.

To prevent the possibility of any water infiltration through the hole traversed by each screw, the appendix 120 is preferably prolonged upwards with its edge beyond the upper surface of the module 116, with the screw head being appropriately covered by a suitable sealant, or by using an O-ring positioned below the head of the fixing screw.

The upper surface of the module 116 has a longitudinal cavity bounded by a first pair of internal parallel steps 124, positioned at a lower level and closer together, and a second pair of external parallel steps 126, positioned at a higher level and further apart.

The overall shape of the module 116 comprises a greater length portion 128 extending at a certain level, and a smaller length portion 130 extending at a lower level, to enable continuity to be achieved between the portions 128 on superposing the two modules.

The internal steps 124 are intended to support a photovoltaic panel 132, which can be individual for each module or be common to several modules. In either case it is snap-fitted into its seat by a pair of appendices 134 emerging from the module 116 external to the two steps 124.

The external steps 126 are intended to support a photovoltaic panel 136, which can again be individual to each module or be common to several modules and is snap-fitted into its seat by a pair of appendices 138.

Narrower photovoltaic panels 132 or wider photovoltaic panels 136 can be used according to requirements, with the steps 124 or the steps 126 being correspondingly used.

The various panels 132, 136 are retained in their seat against possible longitudinal displacement by brackets 140, which are snap-fitted by hook appendices 142 engaging in corresponding seats 144 provided (possibly at predetermined constant distances apart) along the edges of the module 116 to support the ends of the panels 132, 136.

The brackets are partly superposed on the ends of the panels 132, 136 and partly rest with a downwardly facing edge on the end edge of the panel.

For this purpose this downwardly facing edge has to project to a suitable extent to also enable the narrower panels to rest, these being positioned at a lower level.

To hide the photovoltaic panels 132, 136 from view if required, a partially transparent and preferably coloured profile 146 of plastic material is used, to be coupled to said modules 116.

Instead of applying narrow longitudinal photovoltaic panels 132 or wide longitudinal photovoltaic panels 136, transverse photovoltaic panels 148 can be applied (see FIG. 25), these resting on steps 126 of several side-by-side modules and being stabilized longitudinally by the appendices of only the external is modules, on which the panel 148 rests, and transversely by brackets 140, similar to those which stabilize the wider longitudinal panels 136 and, in a like manner, coupled by the appendices 142 and the seats 144. In this case the application of the panel 148 must be preceded by removal of the appendices 138 which could interfere with the positioned panel.

In addition to the standard form of the module 116, the invention also provides a further two variants to be used in particular situations.

In one of these variants, shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, that end of the portion 128 opposite the end to which the lower portion 130 is joined is in the shape of an arch 150. On installation this is positioned downstream and enables the row of modules to be continued with traditional curved cover tiles 20 made of clay or of plastic material.

Furthermore, the traditional cover tiles 20 can proceed upstream of the row of standard modules 116 and rest on a bracket 154, which in contrast to the bracket 140 presents an edge comprising an arched projection on which the tile 20 rests and which closes its end (see FIG. 28).

The second variant of the standard module is shown in FIGS. 29 and 30. The body of the module comprises an aperture 156 bounded by a raised perimetral edge 158. Its function is to form a discontinuity in the module for passage of a support pole for electrical or electronic equipment or for the passage of electric cables of any kind.

The same aperture also enables application of an aerator 160 provided with ventilation slots 162 in that side facing downstream.

To mount the aerator 160 on the aperture 156, two side tabs 164 provided on the aerator are engaged in the appendices 138 which fix the photovoltaic panels 136.

The opposing sides of the edge 150 are externally provided with multiple toothing 166, cooperating with similar multiple toothing 168 on the inside of two opposite walls of the aerator.

As an alternative to the aerator 160, a different accessory 170 (see FIGS. 32 and 33) can be mounted comprising the same system for its mechanical fixing to the element as in FIGS. 29-30, but presenting an upper surface 172 preferably parallel to the roof slope, and mechanical fixing elements 174 which enable snap-fitting of those aluminium or plastic profiles usually used for fixing to the roof those classical photovoltaic panels presenting perimetral aluminium surrounds. In this manner traditional photovoltaic systems can be installed without necessarily having to carry out further fixing work; in this respect, this accessory can be fixed to the multifunctional module to further fix the entire assembly to the roof with the aid of fixing screws insertable through holes 176. The profiles to be mounted can be either parallel to the direction of the rows of tiles or perpendicular to them, depending on the type of fixing accessory used.

Claims

1. Modular elements for roofs of buildings, comprising curved channel tiles (2), disposed in partially superposed mutually predefined position on the roof support surface, such as to form side by side rows extending substantially along the lines of maximum roof slope with their concavity facing upwards, and curved cover tiles (20, 44, 84) disposed with their concavity facing downwards in partially superposed condition to form rows straddling pairs of side by side rows of channel tiles, characterised in that the channel tile (2) presents the following characteristics:

it has an upwardly open longitudinal cavity bounded by two raised side portions (4),

said raised portions (4) are provided with downwardly facing legs (6),

said legs (6) are provided lowerly with feet (8) fixable to the feet of a side by side channel tile and, simultaneously therewith, to an underlying roofing plane,

its upstream transverse edge is provided with a rib on which the overlying channel tile pertaining to the same row (18) rests,

when secured to a channel tile of the adjacent row it forms a support for a traditional cover tile or, at choice, for a technological tile disposed straddling said channel tiles.

2. Modular elements as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the channel tiles (2) present, at the raised portions (4), air intake ports (36) and positioning and centering elements (38) cooperating with appendices (40) for longitudinal alignment of the channel tiles.

3. Modular elements as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the lower surface of the channel tile (2) is provided with coupling elements (33) cooperating with corresponding profiles (34) fixable to the roof.

4. Modular elements as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the channel tiles (2) and the cover tiles (20, 44, 84) are made of plastic material.

5. Modular elements as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the channel tiles (2) and the cover tiles (20, 44, 84) are made of clay.

6. Modular elements as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the channel tiles (2) and the cover tiles (20, 44, 84) are made of fibre-cement.

7. Modular elements as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the feet (8) of the legs (6) positioned on one side of each channel tile (2) present a portion of shape complementary to the shape of the feet (8) of the legs (6) positioned on the other side of the channel tile, when said feet are in the superposed state for fixing the tile to the underlying roofing plane.

8. Modular elements as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the feet (8) are provided with a hole (14) disposed such that when the complementary portions of said feet pertaining to adjacent channel tiles are superposed, the holes are mutually aligned.

9. Modular elements as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the raised side portions (4) of each channel tile (2) are provided with apertures (22) engagable by hook appendices (60) projecting from the lower surface of each cover tile (20, 44, 84).

10. Modular elements as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the channel tiles (2) and the cover tiles (44) comprise photovoltaic elements (68) in their interior, each cover tile (44) being provided in its downstream portion with at least one pair of coplanar longitudinal steps (62), inclined in accordance with the average inclination of the row of cover tiles, and presenting in its upstream portion a gap (66) of such height as to enable correct surmounting by the upstream cover tile, which when superposed does not allow its top to pass beyond the plane which is defined by said longitudinal steps (62) of several adjacent tiles pertaining to the same row and which forms a support for a single panel of photovoltaic elements (68), common to several adjacent tiles.

11. Modular elements as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that each cover tile (44) comprises a base (46) having its overall concavity facing downwards and a longitudinal cavity facing upwards.

12. Modular elements as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that the base (46) of each cover the (44) comprises a pair of projections (60) provided at the limit of the portion covered by the overlying tile.

13. Modular elements as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that each cover tile (44) is provided with a closure element (72) made of at least partly transparent material.

14. Modular elements as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that each closure element (72) is curved transversely to conform to the transverse curvature of the cover tile (44) and presents at its downstream transverse edge a downwardly facing flange (74) engaging an upwardly facing flange (76) provided on the upstream transverse edge of the transparent closure element surmounted by the adjacent element.

15. Modular elements as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that said steps (62) are formed in one piece with the respective cover tile (44).

16. Modular elements as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that said steps (62) are spaced from the base (46) of said cover tile (44) and are mounted on a structure hinged about a longitudinal axis.

17. Modular elements as claimed in claim 16, characterised in that said hinged structure is associated with an electric motor for orientating the photovoltaic elements (68) supported by said steps (62).

18. Modular elements as claimed in claim 16, characterised by comprising cover tiles (44) in which the longitudinal cavity of the base (46′) extends into a convex portion (78) on which the surmounting portion of a traditional curved clay tile rests.

19. Modular elements as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that said convex portion (78) is bounded internally by a vertical wall provided with a plurality of is ventilation apertures (80).

20. Modular elements as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the cover tile (84) is closed upperly by a cover element (102) at least partly transparent to solar radiation and defining with the cover tile (84) a seat for a capturing element (92) through which a thermovector fluid circulates.

21. Modular elements as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the lower surface of each cover tile (84) is provided with transverse baffles (96) on which said cover tile (84) rests at the raised side portions (4) of two underlying adjacent channel tiles (2).

22. Modular elements as claimed in claim 20, characterised in that said cover element (102) is provided on its lower surface with fixing appendices cooperating with corresponding apertures (104) provided in the outer longitudinal sides of the cover tile (84)

23. Modular elements as claimed in claim 20, characterised by comprising individual capturing elements (92) for each cover tile (84).

24. Modular elements as claimed in claim 20, characterised by comprising a common capturing element (92) for all those cover tiles (84) pertaining to the same row.

25. Modular elements as claimed in claim 20, characterised in that each cover element (102) is provided upperly with an upwardly projecting cap (106) defining a seat for said capturing element (92).

26. Modular elements as claimed in claim 20, characterised in that the length of each cover tile (84) is greater than the length of the cover element (102) applied to it, this latter being provided on its upper transverse edge with a rib (110) on which the lower edge of the overlying cover tile (84) of the same row rests.

27. Modular elements as claimed in claim 20, characterised by comprising a heat and sound insulating panel (82) to which said elements (2, 20, 44, 84) are applied.

28. Modular elements as claimed in claim 20, characterised in that said capturing elements (92) are connected to a header (112) housed below the roof ridge profile (46).

29. Modular elements as claimed in claim 20, characterised in that said capturing elements are connected to a header (114) which also forms the roof ridge.

30. Modular elements as claimed in claim 20, characterised in that said s capturing elements are connected to a header positioned below the roof covering.

31. Modular elements as claimed in claim 1, characterised by also comprising a multifunctional module (116) embracing two underlying channel tiles (2) fixed to the roofing plane and arranged to receive, resting thereon, a technological cover tile.

32. Modular elements as claimed in claim 31, characterised in that said multifunctional module (116) presents a downwardly facing overall concavity embracing two channel tiles, to which it is snap-fitted by hook appendices (118).

33. Modular elements as claimed in claim 31, characterised in that said multifunctional module (116) is provided on its longitudinal centre line with two downwardly facing hollow appendices (120, 122) of different diameter, such as to enable their co-penetration with similar appendices present on the partially superposed adjacent modules of the same row.

34. Modular elements as claimed in claim 33, characterised by comprising screws which pass inter alia through the pairs of co-penetrating appendices (120, 122) and engage in the underlying roofing plane after passing through the space bounded by two adjacent channel tiles (2).

35. Modular elements as claimed in claim 32, characterised in that said multifunctional module (116) is provided on its upper side with a pair of steps (124, 126) on which a photovoltaic panel (132, 136) rests.

36. Modular elements as claimed in claim 34, characterised in that said multifunctional module (116) comprises a greater length portion (128) and a smaller length portion (130) extending at a lower level and supporting the end part of the greater length portion (128) of the adjacent module, which rests thereon, to hence create surface continuity between the greater length portions (128) of several modules (116).

37. Modular elements as claimed in claim 35, characterised in that each multifunctional module (116) is provided with elastic appendices (134, 138) associated with said pair of steps (124, 126) and intended for snap-fitting said photovoltaic panel (132, 136).

38. Modular elements as claimed in claim 35, characterised in that said multifunctional module (116) comprises brackets (140) which hookingly engage the longitudinal edges of the module to secure said photovoltaic panel (132, 136).

39. Modular elements as claimed in claim 35, characterised in that said multifunctional module (116) comprises two pairs of steps (1124, 126) positioned at different distances and on different levels to support photovoltaic panels (132, 136) of different widths.

40. Modular elements as claimed in claim 31, characterised in that said multifunctional module (116) presents an arched portion (150) to connect to a traditional clay cover tile.

41. Modular elements as claimed in claim 31, characterised in that said multifunctional module (116) presents an aperture (156) for passage of a pole to support equipment of various types or for inserting an aerator (160).