Louvered roof assembly

Abstract

The invention comprises a roof assembly, comprised of a frame and a plurality of louvers rotatably mounted within the frame, each louver having a channel running along its longitudinal axis. The assembly may also include a gutter located at one end of the frame below the louvers and running perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the louvers. Also, the assembly further includes a mechanism for rotating the louvers from an open position to a closed position. The result is that liquid can flow along the channels in the louvers and into the gutter.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A roof assembly, comprising: 
 a) a frame;    b) a plurality of louvers mounted for rotation in unison within said frame, each louver of said plurality of louvers having a longitudinally extending channel proximate one elongated edge of said each louver; and    c) a second edge of each louver of said plurality of louvers positioned to extend over said one elongated edge of an adjacent louver to overlap said channel of said adjacent louver with an upper surface sloped to drain rain water into said channel of said adjacent louver,    wherein when each louver of said plurality of louvers is in water-resistant contact with an adjacent one of said plurality of louvers.    
     
     
         2 . A roof assembly according to  claim 1 , further including a gutter located at one end of said plurality of louvers extending transversely to and below said plurality of louvers.  
     
     
         3 . A roof assembly according to  claim 1 , further including a mechanism for rotating said plurality of louvers from an open position to a closed position.  
     
     
         4 . A roof assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said longitudinally extending channel is inclined in a longitudinal direction.  
     
     
         5 . A roof assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said mechanism is a user-operated hand crank.  
     
     
         6 . A roof assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said mechanism is remotely operated electromechanical actuator.  
     
     
         7 . A roof assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said each louver has a convex upper surface.  
     
     
         8 . A louver for use in a roof assembly, comprising a longitudinally extending channel proximate one elongated edge of said louver and a second edge of said louver positioned to extend over an elongated edge of an adjacent louver to a channel of said adjacent louver, said louver having an upper surface sloped to drain rain water into said channel of said adjacent louver.  
     
     
         9 . A louver according to  claim 8 , wherein said longitudinally extending channel is inclined in a longitudinal direction.  
     
     
         10 . A louver according to  claim 8 , wherein said louver has a convex upper surface.  
     
     
         11 . A louver according to  claim 8 , wherein said louver is formed from two identical pieces, each identical piece being one half of a louver.  
     
     
         12 . A method of making a louver for use in a roof assembly, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) making two identical pieces, each piece having a longitudinally extending channel proximate one elongated edge and an attachment means on an opposite elongated edge; and    (b) joining said two identical pieces via said attachment means to form said louver,    wherein said louver has a longitudinally extending channel proximate one elongated edge of said louver and a second edge of said louver positioned to extend over an elongated edge of an adjacent louver to a channel of said adjacent louver, said louver having an upper surface sloped to drain rain water into said channel of said adjacent louver.