Insulated modular roof system

Abstract

In one aspect there is provided an insulated modular roof system for a roof structure. The system comprises a plurality of modular panels suitable for installation onto the roof structure and a water-proof membrane. Each of the modular panels comprises a first planar member, an insulating layer covering substantially all of the first planar member and a plurality of lateral edges. Each of the plurality of lateral edges provides either a step-like configuration or a reverse step-like configuration. When installed on the roof structure, the plurality of modular panels are positionable so as to place the plurality of lateral edges of any two adjacent modular panels in a generally overlapping arrangement.

1 . An insulated modular roof system for a roof structure, comprising:
 a plurality of modular panels suitable for installation onto the roof structure; and   a water-proof membrane,   wherein each of said plurality of modular panels comprises:
 a first planar member; 
 an insulating layer covering substantially all of the first planar member; and 
 a plurality of lateral edges; 
   wherein each one of said plurality of lateral edges provides either a step-like configuration or a reverse step-like configuration; and   wherein, when installed on the roof structure, the plurality of modular panels are positionable so as to place the plurality of lateral edges of any two adjacent modular panels in a generally overlapping arrangement.   
     
     
         2 . The insulated modular roof system of  claim 1  wherein the first planar member of each of the plurality of modular panels has a length and a width;
 wherein the insulating layer of each of the plurality of modular panels further comprises a first sublayer and a second sublayer; 
 wherein each of the first and second sublayers are of a planar configuration; and 
 wherein the first and second sublayers each have a length and a width of substantially the same dimensions as the length and a width of the first planar member. 
 
     
     
         3 . The insulated modular roof system of  claim 2  wherein, for each of the plurality of modular panels, the first sublayer is oriented within the modular panel so that the length and width of the first sublayer is substantially aligned with the length and widths of the first planar member;
 wherein, for each of the plurality of modular panels, the second sublayer is oriented within the modular panel in an offset manner to both the first planar member and the second sublayer so as to provide a step-like configuration at a first lateral edge of said plurality of lateral edges and a reverse step-like configuration at an opposing second lateral edge of said plurality of lateral edges; and 
 wherein the step-like configuration in one of said plurality of modular panels cooperates with the reverse step-like configuration of an adjacent modular panel of said plurality of modular panels to form the overlapping arrangement. 
 
     
     
         4 . The insulated modular roof system of  claim 3  wherein the overlapping arrangement provides for an overlap width of 2 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The insulated modular roof system of  claim 4  wherein, each of the plurality of modular panels, further comprises:
 at least one thermal barrier suitable to accept a fastener; and 
 at least one opening through the planar member, said opening configured to accept said thermal barrier therethrough. 
 
     
     
         6 . The insulated modular roof system of  claim 4  wherein, each of the plurality of modular panels, further comprises:
 at least one opening through the planar member, said opening configured to accept a fastener therethrough; and 
 for each of said at least one opening, a bracket member depending from the first planar member into the insulating layer and aligned with said at least one opening; and 
 wherein the bracket member is configured to capture a fastener. 
 
     
     
         7 . The insulated modular roof system of  claim 3 , wherein the insulating layer of each of said plurality of modular panels has a pre-set slope having a first thickness at one end of each of said modular panel and a second thickness at an opposing end of each of said modular panel. 
     
     
         8 . An insulated modular roof system for a roof structure comprising:
 a plurality of modular panels suitable for installation onto the roof structure; and   a water-proof membrane,   wherein each of said plurality of modular panels comprises:
 an insulating layer having a plurality of lateral edges; 
   wherein each one of said plurality of lateral edges provides either a step-like configuration or a reverse step-like configuration; and   wherein, when installed on the roof structure, the plurality of modular panels are positionable so as to place the plurality of lateral edges of any two adjacent modular panels in a generally overlapping arrangement.   
     
     
         9 . A modular roofing panel suitable for installation onto a roof structure, the modular roofing panel comprising:
 a first planar member;   an insulating layer covering substantially all of the first planar member; and   a plurality of lateral edges;   wherein each one of said plurality of lateral edges provides either a step-like configuration or a reverse step-like configuration; and   wherein, when a plurality of modular panels is installed on the roof structure, said plurality of modular panels are positionable so as to place the plurality of lateral edges of any two adjacent modular panels in a generally overlapping arrangement.   
     
     
         10 . The insulated modular roof system of  claim 9  wherein the first planar member has a length and a width;
 wherein the insulating layer further comprises a first sublayer and a second sublayer; 
 wherein each of the first and second sublayers are of a planar configuration; and 
 wherein the first and second sublayers each have a length and a width of substantially the same dimensions as the length and a width of the first planar member. 
 
     
     
         11 . The insulated modular roof system of  claim 10  wherein the first sublayer is oriented within the modular panel so that the length and width of the first sublayer is substantially aligned with the length and width of the first planar member;
 wherein the second sublayer is oriented within the modular panel in an offset manner to both the first planar member and the second sublayer so as to provide a step-like configuration at a first lateral edge of said plurality of lateral edges and a reverse step-like configuration at an opposing second lateral edge of said plurality of lateral edges; and 
 wherein the step-like configuration of said modular panel is suitable to cooperate with a reverse step-like configuration of another adjacent modular panel so as to form the overlapping arrangement. 
 
     
     
         12 . The insulated modular roof system of  claim 11  wherein the overlapping arrangement provides for an overlap width of 2 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The insulated modular roof system of  claim 12  further comprising:
 at least one thermal barrier suitable to accept a fastener; and 
 at least one opening through the first planar member, said opening configured to accept said thermal barrier therethrough. 
 
     
     
         14 . The insulated modular roof system of  claim 12  further comprising:
 at least one opening through the planar member, said opening configured to accept a fastener therethrough; and 
 for each of said at least one opening, a bracket member depending from the first planar member into the insulating layer and aligned with said at least one opening; and 
 wherein the bracket member is configured to capture a fastener. 
 
     
     
         15 . The insulated modular roof system of  claim 11 , wherein the insulating layer of each of said plurality of modular panels has a pre-set slope having a first thickness at one end of each of said modular panel and a second thickness at an opposing end of each of said modular panel. 
     
     
         16 . A modular panel suitable for installation onto the roof structure, the modular panel comprising:
 a section of water-proof membrane;   an insulating layer having a plurality of lateral edges;   wherein each one of said plurality of lateral edges provides either a step-like configuration or a reverse step-like configuration; and   wherein, when installed on the roof structure, the plurality of modular panels are positionable so as to place the lateral edges of any two adjacent modular panels in a generally overlapping arrangement.