Multi-element roofing panel

Abstract

A multi-element panel system configured for attachment to a mounting surface includes at least two panels. The panels each have an upper portion oriented upward and a lower portion oriented downward, relative to the mounting surface. A plurality of faces are formed on the panels and a plurality of keyways are formed between the faces. The keyways are recessed toward the mounting surface from the faces. The panels have a water trough, which has a planar intersection with the faces, formed on an exterior side of the upper portion, and a water channel extending between the upper and lower portions of one side of the panel. The panels have a side lap extending between the upper and lower portions on the opposite side of the panel from the water channel. The side lap of one of the panels overlaps the water channel of another, horizontally adjacent, panel.

1 . A multi-element panel system configured for attachment to a mounting surface with a plurality of fasteners, comprising:
 a first panel having:
 an upper portion configured to be oriented upward relative to the mounting surface and a lower portion configured to be oriented downward relative to the mounting surface; 
 a plurality of faces; 
 a plurality of keyways formed between the faces, wherein the keyways are recessed toward the mounting surface relative to the faces; 
 a water trough formed on an exterior side of the upper portion, wherein the water trough has a planar intersection with the faces; 
 a water channel extending between the upper portion and the lower portion of one side of the first panel; and 
 a side lap extending between the upper portion and the lower portion of the opposite side of the first panel from the water channel; 
   a second panel having:
 an upper portion configured to be oriented upward relative to the mounting surface and a lower portion configured to be oriented downward relative to the mounting surface; 
 a plurality of faces; 
 a plurality of keyways formed between the faces, wherein the keyways are recessed toward the mounting surface relative to the faces; 
 a water trough formed on an exterior side of the upper portion, wherein the water trough has a planar intersection with the faces; 
 a water channel extending between the upper portion and the lower portion of one side of the second panel; and 
 a side lap extending between the upper portion and the lower portion of the opposite side of the second panel from the water channel; and 
   wherein the side lap of the second panel overlaps the water channel of the first panel.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-element panel system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a horizontal dam formed in the water channel of the first panel; and   a horizontal ledge formed on the side lap of the second panel, wherein the horizontal dam of the first panel and the horizontal ledge of the second panel cooperate to define a serpentine path in the water channel between the upper portion and the lower portion of the first panel.   
     
     
         3 . The multi-element panel system of  claim 2 ,
 a channel lip formed on the water channel of the first panel;   a lap spacer formed on the side lap of the second panel;   wherein the horizontal dam of the first panel and the lap spacer of the second panel cooperate to define a minimum horizontal exposure between the first panel and the second panel; and   wherein the channel lip of the first panel and the lap spacer of the second panel cooperate to define a maximum horizontal exposure between the first panel and the second panel.   
     
     
         4 . The multi-element panel system of  claim 3 , wherein the first panel is formed as a unitary, one-piece component, and the second panel is formed as a unitary, one-piece component. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-element panel system of  claim 4 , wherein the first panel and the second panel further include:
 a plurality of fastener strips elevated from the water trough; and   a plurality of weeping channels defined through the fastener strips, such that all portions of the water trough have a flow path to at least one of the faces and the keyways.   
     
     
         6 . The multi-element panel system of  claim 1 ,
 a channel lip formed on the water channel of the first panel;   a lap spacer formed on the side lap of the second panel;   wherein the horizontal dam of the first panel and the lap spacer of the second panel cooperate to define a minimum horizontal exposure between the first panel and the second panel; and   wherein the channel lip of the first panel and the lap spacer of the second panel cooperate to define a maximum horizontal exposure between the first panel and the second panel.   
     
     
         7 . The multi-element panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the first panel and the second panel further include:
 a plurality of fastener strips elevated from the water trough; and   a plurality of weeping channels defined through the fastener strips, such that all portions of the water trough have a flow path to at least one of the faces and the keyways.   
     
     
         8 . A multi-element panel system configured for attachment to a mounting surface with a plurality of fasteners, comprising:
 a first panel having:
 an upper portion configured to be oriented upward relative to the mounting surface and a lower portion configured to be oriented downward relative to the mounting surface; 
 a plurality of faces; 
 a plurality of keyways formed between the faces, wherein the keyways are recessed toward the mounting surface relative to the faces; 
 a water channel extending between the upper portion and the lower portion of one side of the first panel; 
 a horizontal dam formed in the water channel; and 
 a side lap extending between the upper portion and the lower portion of the opposite side of the first panel from the water channel; 
   a second panel having:
 an upper portion configured to be oriented upward relative to the mounting surface and a lower portion configured to be oriented downward relative to the mounting surface; 
 a plurality of faces; 
 a plurality of keyways formed between the faces, wherein the keyways are recessed toward the mounting surface relative to the faces; 
 a water channel extending between the upper portion and the lower portion of one side of the second panel; 
 a side lap extending between the upper portion and the lower portion of the opposite side of the second panel from the water channel; and 
 a horizontal ledge formed on the side lap; and 
   wherein the side lap of the second panel overlaps the water channel of the first panel, and the horizontal dam of the first panel and the horizontal ledge of the second panel cooperate to define a serpentine path in the water channel between the upper portion and the lower portion of the first panel such that water moving through the water channel is forced through the serpentine path.   
     
     
         9 . The multi-element panel system of  claim 8 ,
 a channel lip formed on the water channel of the first panel;   a lap spacer formed on the side lap of the second panel;   wherein the horizontal dam of the first panel and the lap spacer of the second panel cooperate to define a minimum horizontal exposure between the first panel and the second panel; and   wherein the channel lip of the first panel and the lap spacer of the second panel cooperate to define a maximum horizontal exposure between the first panel and the second panel.