U.S. patent application number 09/896759 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-02 for skylight with heat-and moisture-releasing grooves.
Invention is credited to Estrada, Lugardo R..
Application Number | 20030000159 09/896759 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25406777 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030000159 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Estrada, Lugardo R. |
January 2, 2003 |
Skylight with heat-and moisture-releasing grooves
Abstract
A skylight system including a light-admitting cap adapted to fit
over a grooved flashing is disclosed. The grooves are constructed
in such a way that they will dissipate heat and remove
condensation, but they will not admit the passage of unwanted
objects, such as dust or bugs, and they are placed in the flashing
rather than the cap so as to allow the cap's form to be less
obtrusive than would otherwise be possible. The flashing is formed
of a single piece of material, which may be aluminum, to reduce the
likelihood of warping, or of cracks forming therein. The system
further includes an extension tube communicating between the
structure's exterior and a desired location inside the structure,
and an inner trim ring with a filter and a diffuser adapted to
moderate the intensity of the admitted light.
Inventors: |
Estrada, Lugardo R.;
(Gilbert, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kenneth A. Nelson
Schmeiser, Olsen & Watts LLP
18 East University Drive, #101
Mesa
AZ
85201
US
|
Family ID: |
25406777 |
Appl. No.: |
09/896759 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/200 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 13/0325 20130101;
E04D 2013/0345 20130101; E04D 13/0305 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/200 |
International
Class: |
E04B 007/18 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A skylight venting system wherein a light admitting cap having
an interior surface is adapted to fit over a flashing and form at
least a partial seal between said interior surface of said cap and
an exterior surface of said flashing, said seal area being a
contact zone about at least a portion of a periphery of said
flashing, the invention comprising: indents extending through the
contact zone whereby moisture may travel from said interior surface
of said cap through said contact zone to the exterior of said
flashing.
2. The skylight system of claim 1 wherein said indents are located
in said flashing.
3. The skylight system of claim 2 wherein the top of said flashing
forms a collar to receive said cap around it; said indents being
located in said collar.
4. The skylight system of claim 1 wherein said indents are elongate
channels.
5. The skylight system of claim 4 wherein the length of said
elongate channels is in the range between one sixteenth of an inch
and one and a half inches.
6. The skylight system of claim 5 wherein the depth of said
elongate channels is in the range between one sixty-fourth of an
inch and one quarter of an inch.
7. The skylight of claim 1 wherein said flashing is constructed
from a single piece of material.
8. The skylight of claim 7 wherein said material is aluminum.
9. The skylight of claim 7 wherein said flashing comprises: (1) a
base; (2) a neck rising in a substantially vertical direction out
of said base; and (3) a collar defining an opening in said neck
distal from said base.
10. The skylight of claim 9 wherein said collar includes a
gasket.
11. The skylight of claim 9 wherein said neck comprises a lower
perimeter and an upper perimeter, said lower perimeter greater than
said upper perimeter, said lower perimeter substantially parallel
to said base and said upper perimeter angled with respect to said
base such that the surface of said neck transitions from a least
height where said upper perimeter most closely approaches said
lower perimeter to a greatest height where said upper perimeter
most greatly diverges from said lower perimeter.
12. The skylight of claim 9 wherein said indent is located in said
collar.
13. The skylight of claim 12 wherein said collar contains a
plurality of said indents, the spacing between each pair of
adjacent indents being substantially equal, said indents being
substantially perpendicular to said opening in said neck.
14. The skylight of claim 1 wherein said cap is dome-shaped, said
opening is circular, and said band is a ring.
15. The skylight of claim 14 wherein said cap is formed of an
acrylic material.
16. The skylight of claim 1 further comprising: (4) an extension
tube in contact at a first end with said flashing; (5) an inner
band forming a perimeter of a second end of said extension tube;
(6) a gasket interposed between said second end of said extension
tube and said inner band; (7) a cover depending from said inner
band; and (8) a filter interposed between said gasket and said
cover.
17. The skylight of claim 16 wherein said inner band is ring
shaped.
18. The skylight of claim 17 wherein said inner band comprises a
first ring and a second ring, said first ring including at least
one keyhole, said second ring including at least one standoff
adapted to fit into said keyhole, said first ring further including
at least one mounting aperture for attaching said first ring to
said structure.
19. A skylight adapted to admit light into the interior of a
structure, said light originating from a source outside said
structure, said skylight comprising: (1) a light-admitting acrylic
dome, said dome having a circular opening; (2) a ring forming a
perimeter of said opening; (3) a silicon layer between said dome
and said ring, said silicone layer tending to bond said dome to
said ring; (4) a flashing adapted to interface with said dome at
said ring, said interface comprising a contact zone, said flashing
constructed of a single piece of aluminum, said flashing further
comprising: (a) a flat base; (b) a neck rising in a substantially
vertical direction out of said base, said neck comprising a lower
perimeter and an upper perimeter, said lower perimeter greater than
said upper perimeter, said lower perimeter substantially parallel
to said base and said upper perimeter angled with respect to said
base such that the surface of said neck smoothly transitions from a
least height where said upper perimeter most closely approaches
said lower perimeter to a greatest height where said upper
perimeter most greatly diverges from said lower perimeter; and (c)
a collar defining an opening in said neck distal from said base;
(5) indents extending through said contact zone whereby moisture
and heat may travel from an interior surface of said dome through
said contact zone to the exterior of said flashing. (6) an
extension tube in contact at a first end with said flashing; (7) an
inner trim ring forming a perimeter of a second end of said
extension tube, said inner trim ring comprising a first ring and a
second ring, said first ring including at least one keyhole, said
second ring including at least one standoff adapted to fit into
said keyhole, said first ring further including at least one
mounting aperture for attaching said first ring to said structure;
(8) a gasket interposed between said second end of said extension
tube and said inner trim ring; (9) a cover depending from said
inner trim ring; and (10) a filter interposed between said gasket
and said cover.
20. A method of illuminating a structure by introducing light into
the interior of said structure, said light originating from a
source outside said structure, said method comprising the steps of:
(1) providing a skylight to be installed in said structure, said
skylight comprising: (a) a light-admitting cap, said cap having an
opening; (b) a band forming a perimeter of said opening; (c) a
flashing adapted to interface with said cap at said band, said
flashing including at least one indent, said indent permitting the
release of condensation that may be present on a surface of said
cap; (d) an extension tube in contact at a first end with said
flashing; (e) an inner band forming a perimeter of a second end of
said extension tube;and (f) a cover depending from said inner band;
(2) making an opening in said structure; said opening communicating
between an outer surface and an inner surface of said structure,
said opening passing through any intervening material, said opening
suitable to receive said skylight; (3) arranging said flashing and
said cap on said outer surface of said structure above said
opening; (4) placing said extension tube in said opening; (5)
attaching said inner band to said inner surface of said structure
below said opening; and (6) attaching said cover to said inner
band.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] This invention generally relates to skylights, and more
specifically relates to a skylight adapted to release
condensation.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Prior to the development and wide-spread adoption of
electric lighting, skylights were popular in architectural design
because of their ability to naturally illuminate indoor spaces that
were not suitable for or accessible to a standard window. Even now,
when electric lighting is almost universally available, natural
light is often preferred. Thus, though the motivation for
installing skylights may have changed, they have nevertheless
retained much of their popularity.
[0005] If skylights are to conduct light from the exterior of a
structure to its interior there must be an opening in that
structure that communicates between the interior and the exterior.
Moisture that penetrates the skylight thus has a relatively
unobstructed path along this opening to the interior of the
structure, where it can cause obvious problems. Most skylights
include flashing to reduce leakage through the opening in the
structure. However, condensation, which is the deposition of a
liquid or a solid on a surface that is at a different, generally
lower, temperature than the surrounding gas, remains problematic
because its presence inside the skylight does not depend upon
leakage. In the context of a skylight this means that the
difference in the temperature between the interior and the exterior
of the skylight may cause condensation on the interior surface of
the skylight. If this condensation is not removed, the moisture may
reduce the clarity of the skylight or even damage the structure in
which the skylight resides.
[0006] In order to prevent the buildup of condensation, some
skylights include drainage holes located at the base of the
light-admitting cap that allow moisture to escape to the skylight's
exterior. For several reasons, this construction is problematic.
Drainage holes tend to admit the entry into the skylight of dust
and bugs, which then must be removed in a time-consuming process.
Furthermore, locating these drainage holes on the light-admitting
cap is expensive, difficult, and requires a high profile skylight
that detracts from the appearance of the roof line and of the
entire structure.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0007] Therefore, there existed a need to provide a skylight system
capable of reducing or eliminating condensation while avoiding the
shortcomings of the prior art. According to an embodiment of the
present invention, a skylight system comprises a light-admitting
cap adapted to fit over a flashing having indents therein. These
indents are described herein as grooves, but may also take other
forms such as circular or otherwise symmetrical indentations. As
used herein, grooves means elongate channels. The grooves are
constructed to limit or prevent the passage of unwanted objects,
such as bugs and dust, yet allow moisture to pass therethrough. The
grooves may be placed in the flashing rather than the cap so as to
allow the cap's form to be less obtrusive than would otherwise be
possible, though it will be understood that the grooves may in some
embodiments, where a lower profile is a lesser concern, be located
in the cap, or anywhere within a contact zone formed by the union
of the cap and the flashing. The flashing may be formed of a single
piece of material, such as aluminum or similar material, to reduce
the likelihood of warping, or of cracks forming therein.
[0008] The skylight system may further have an extension tube and
an inner trim ring with filter and diffuser. The extension tube
integrates with the skylight's flashing and is placed within an
opening in the structure extending from roof to ceiling. The inner
trim ring attaches to the bottom of the extension tube where the
tube penetrates the ceiling, and the filter and diffuser broadcast
the natural light thus admitted into the structure's interior
space. The skylight herein described is thus more attractive,
cleaner, less permeable to unwanted foreign matter, and more easily
and less expensively manufactured than earlier skylight
assemblies.
[0009] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
invention will be apparent from the following more particular
description of certain embodiments of the invention, as illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] Specific embodiments of the present invention will
hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings,
where like designations denote like elements.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention,
with some environmental structure indicated.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the light-admitting cap of
the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cutaway view of a grooved flashing
showing the condensation removal process.
[0015] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the inner trim ring of the
present invention.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention is a skylight system that keeps out
unwanted foreign matter and has a reduced exterior profile.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a skylight
system comprises a light-admitting cap adapted to fit over a
grooved flashing. The grooves are constructed such that they will
not admit the passage of unwanted objects, such as bugs and dust,
and they may in one embodiment be placed in the flashing rather
than the cap so as to allow the cap's form to be less obtrusive
than would otherwise be possible. The flashing is formed of a
single piece of material, which may be aluminum, to reduce the
likelihood of warping, or of cracks forming therein. The system
further includes an extension tube communicating between the
structure's exterior and a desired location inside the structure,
and an inner trim ring with a filter and a diffuser adapted to
moderate the intensity of the admitted light.
[0017] Referring to the figures, and in particular to FIG. 1, a
skylight system 10 according to the present invention is installed
in a structure 12 which has an exterior surface 14 and an interior
surface 16. Skylight system 10 comprises a light-admitting cap 18,
a flashing 24, an extension tube 26, an inner trim ring 28, and a
cover 30. Light-admitting cap 18, in the pictured embodiment,
comprises a dome 20 and a dome ring 22. Flashing 24 includes a base
25. Cap 18 and flashing 24 come together to form at least a partial
seal between them, the seal area being a contact zone, as will be
more fully described in connection with FIG. 2.
[0018] Structure 12 may conventionally be a dwelling place such as
a house, in which case exterior surface 14 may be the roof of the
house and interior surface 16 may be the ceiling inside. Structure
12 thus may at times herein be referred to as house 12, and
exterior surface 14 and interior surface 16 may at times be
referred to herein as, respectively, roof 14 and ceiling 16.
However, it should be understood that skylight system 10 is not
limited to installation in houses with roofs and ceilings, but may
be installed in any structure where it is desirable to bring into
the interior of a structure light originating from a source
exterior to the structure.
[0019] Light-admitting cap 18 is generally the uppermost component
of skylight system 10, meaning that it generally covers the top of
tube 26 and extends farther above roof 14 than the other components
of system 10. While cap 18 may possess any of several shapes, the
pictured dome shape is conventional. Cap 18 is constructed of a
clear, transparent, translucent, or otherwise light-permeable
material. Dome 20 may be a 100 percent impact acrylic dome. When
the sun or other light source located outside structure 12 shines
on roof 14, cap 18 admits the light and allows it to pass into
extension tube 26. Cap 18 may be advantageously placed at a
location where the amount of light it receives will be maximized.
As shown in FIG. 1, cap 18, after installation on roof 14, is
oriented such that an axis taken through the center of cap 18 is
perpendicular to ceiling 16. Other orientations are, of course,
also possible. If the light source is the sun, the pictured
orientation is convenient in that it allows sunlight, when not
obscured by intervening objects, to penetrate cap 18 during a large
percentage of the time the sun is above the horizon, no matter
where on the earth structure 12 is located.
[0020] As is true in FIG. 1, it is common practice for roof 14 of
structure 12 to be sloped or angled with respect to level ground.
In order that cap 18 may be oriented as described in the preceding
paragraph, flashing 24 must compensate for the slope by possessing
an angled neck, as will be more fully explained in connection with
FIG. 2. Base 25 of flashing 24 rests on roof 14 and surrounds an
opening, not shown, in roof 14 provided for the purpose of
inserting extension tube 26. The union of flashing 24 and roof 14
is sealed against the entry of water and other unwanted substances
or items in a manner that is well known in the art.
[0021] Extension tube 26 conducts light from where it is gathered
at cap 18 to where it is wanted below ceiling 16 in structure 12.
Many houses 12 have attics, crawlspaces, or other intervening areas
13 between roof 14 and ceiling 16. Extension tube 26 contains and
conducts light through intervening area 13 to the interior space of
house 12 without the scattering or loss that would occur if tube 26
were not present. In a structure 12 lacking intervening area 13, an
embodiment of skylight system 10 omitting extension tube 26 may
conveniently be used. Inner trim ring 28 attaches to extension tube
26 where tube 26 penetrates ceiling 16. Cover 30 depends from trim
ring 28 and cover 30 and trim ring 28 together give skylight system
10 a finished, pleasing appearance.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 2, flashing 24 comprises base 25, a
neck 32, and a collar 34. Collar 34, in one embodiment, includes
grooves 36 in an outside surface 35 and a gasket 38 on an inside
surface 37. Collar 34 further includes an upper edge 49. A lower
perimeter 40 of neck 32 marks the transition from base 25 to neck
32. Similarly, an upper perimeter 42 marks the transition from neck
32 to collar 34. Neck 32 has an inner surface 44, a least height
46, and a greatest height 48. Inside surface 50 of dome ring 22
(see FIG. 3) fits over outside surface 35 of collar 34, thereby
forming a contact zone that forms at least a partial seal between
cap 18 and flashing 24. Although grooves 36 will repeatedly herein
be described as located in collar 34, one of ordinary skill in the
art will readily understand that grooves 36 may in some embodiments
of the invention be placed elsewhere within the contact zone formed
between inside surface 50 and outside surface 35, such as in dome
ring 22.
[0023] With reference to FIG. 3, light-admitting cap 18 comprises,
as discussed in connection with FIG. 1, dome 20 and dome ring 22.
Dome ring 22 has an inner surface 50, an outer surface 51, and a
lower edge 58. A rolled edge 56 of dome ring 22 cups a flange 63 of
dome 20. Flange 63 is visible in FIG. 4 but is not shown in FIG. 3.
An adhesive layer 52 is located between flange 63 of dome 20 and
rolled edge 56. Cap 18 further comprises mounting apertures 54,
which extend completely through dome ring 22.
[0024] With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the same opening
through which skylight system 10 admits light may also become the
entry point for unwanted material or objects. As has been
discussed, the opening must penetrate both roof 14 and ceiling 16
and provide a continuous path in between, thus offering an obvious
conduit for the admission of such objects. One of the functions of
flashing 24 is to prevent the entry of items such as water, bugs,
and dust. Flashing 24 does this in several ways, as discussed
below.
[0025] Flashing 24 is in one embodiment formed from a single piece
of material. Aluminum, because of its resistance to rust, is one
material that may be used, though it should be understood that the
present invention is in no way limited to aluminum or to any other
particular material. The unitary construction of flashing 24
eliminates the cracks and stresses that sometimes occur at the
junction of separate pieces. For example, if base 25 had originally
been a separate piece that was later welded to neck 32, the weld
junction would tend to weaken over time and its integrity would be
compromised. The present invention contemplates reducing that
possibility by using, in certain of its embodiments, the unitary
construction for flashing 24. As stated, lower perimeter 40 marks
the transition zone between base 25 and neck 32. In a conventional
embodiment of skylight system 10, lower perimeter 40 is the
midpoint of a smooth, shoulder-like change in direction of the
material of flashing 24. This smooth shoulder may also be less
prone to leaks or cracks than an abrupt transition would be.
[0026] Base 25 is relatively broad and flat and may be shaped like
a disk, although many other shapes are also possible. For example,
base 25 may be square, rectangular, oval, or any one of many other
shapes without departing from the spirit of the invention. The
diameter or other dimensions of base 25 may vary depending on the
model as well as other considerations. In order to comply with
building codes, base 25 may be at least four inches wide, while
least height 46 of neck 32 may be at least four inches. Neck 32
rises out of the plane defined by base 25. Neck 32 varies in height
as measured from base 25, with least height 46 and greatest height
48 being the two extremes. As discussed in connection with FIG. 1,
neck 32 may be angled so as to compensate for a roof 14 that is
sloped with respect to level ground. Many roofs are sloped in this
way, and in order that light-admitting cap 18 may be oriented
substantially parallel to level ground, and thus increase its
light-gathering capacity, neck 32 may have the slope described. The
height difference between least height 46 and greatest height 48
may be calculated to correspond to the slope of roof 14, although
this is not a necessary feature of the present invention. Regarding
the actual dimensions of least height 46, as well the other parts
of neck 32, the invention contemplates a wide range of
measurements, with consideration in practice being given to the
idea that many customers prefer that skylight system 10 be as
unobtrusive as possible.
[0027] Upper perimeter 42 is similar to lower perimeter 40 in that
it marks the transition between neck 32 and collar 34. Upper
perimeter 42 may demarcate a transition that is slightly more
abrupt than that at lower perimeter 40, though a smooth transition
at upper perimeter 42 is also possible. In the first-mentioned
embodiment, the abruptness of upper perimeter 42 encourages a snug
interface between dome ring 22 and neck 32. The general orientation
of neck 32 is similar to the general orientation of collar 34.
Therefore, in order for the transition at upper perimeter 42 to be
abrupt, and the resulting fit snug, a portion of neck 32 must be
oriented differently from the orientation of the general body of
neck 32. This differently-oriented portion is apparent in FIG. 2,
where a contour line 43 indicates the presence of a shelf 45 in
neck 32. Shelf 45 comprises a transition zone between the main
portion of neck 32 and the true transition point between neck 32
and collar 34 marked by upper perimeter 42. Shelf 45 advantageously
runs in a continuous ring around neck 32 distal from base 25, and
may in one embodiment measure significantly less from side to side
than does collar 34 from top to bottom.
[0028] Referring still to FIGS. 2 and 3, light-admitting cap 18 is
adapted to fit over collar 34, with inside surface 50 of dome ring
22 sliding over and contacting outside surface 35 of collar 34.
Collar 34 and dome ring 22 may have a height exceeding roughly a
quarter inch so as to provide adequate surface area for a good
union. However, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in
the art, other dimensions are also possible. The smooth union
between dome ring 22 and collar 34 is interrupted in various places
by grooves 36, which may be cut into collar 34. Grooves 36 may be
located at substantially equal intervals around the entire
circumference of collar 34. It should be pointed out, however, that
not only are other spacings contemplated, but collar 34, as stated
elsewhere, need not be circular in shape but may be square,
rectangular, oval, or otherwise.
[0029] Grooves 36 may, in one embodiment of skylight system 10, be
oriented substantially perpendicular to upper perimeter 42 and
upper edge 49, and may extend along a substantial portion of the
distance between them. In another embodiment, grooves 36 may extend
along a smaller portion of collar 34. One possible length for
grooves 36 ts approximately one inch, though shorter or longer
grooves are also contemplated. Grooves 36 may in one embodiment
have a depth of approximately 0.020 inches, though one of ordinary
skill in the art will recognize that greater or lesser depths are
also possible.
[0030] When light-admitting cap 18 is attached to collar 34 of
flashing 24 in accordance with the present invention, conditions
may be such that condensation forms on an inside surface 62 of dome
20, as indicated in FIG. 4. In general, condensation appears on a
surface when the surface is at a different temperature than the
surrounding gas. Quite typically, the surface on which the
condensation appears is at a lower temperature than is the gas. In
a conventional arrangement where skylight system 10 is installed in
a structure 12, intervening area 13 above ceiling 16 contains air
that is at an elevated temperature. Inside surface 62, under
certain conditions, may be at a lower temperature than the air in
intervening space 13, setting up a condition conducive to the
deposition of condensation on inside surface 62.
[0031] If left to accumulate, this condensation may stream down
inside surface 62 and into extension tube 26, eventually making its
way to inner trim ring 28 where it may collect inside cover 30 or
seep out into ceiling 16. To avoid this consequence, skylight
system 10 must be provided with an outlet for condensation whereby
the moisture deposited on inside surface 62 may be allowed to
escape to the exterior of system 10. In the present invention,
grooves 36 serve this purpose. They are of sufficient size to allow
condensation to exit skylight system 10, but in general are too
shallow for bugs to pass through. Further, the orientation of
grooves 36 discourages the passage of dust in that a dust particle
would have to first enter the small space 68, indicated in FIG. 4,
and then travel vertically upwards, against gravity, before passing
into the interior of dome 20. The process whereby condensation
travels along grooves 36 and exits exterior to skylight system 10
will be further explained in connection with FIG. 4.
[0032] Locating grooves 36 in collar 34 is in many cases easier and
cheaper than locating them in dome ring 22 because of the tool
sizes and configurations required. The placement of grooves 36 in
collar 34, or elsewhere in the contact zone formed by the union of
inside surface 50 of dome ring 22 and outside surface 35 of collar
34, also allows flashing 24 to be constructed with a lower profile
at rolled edge 56, which may provide a more pleasing appearance
than skylights with higher profiles would have. If grooves or other
indents 36 were located in rolled edge 56, rolled edge 56 would
necessarily include more material, be larger, and extend further
away from dome 20, creating a larger profile that is less pleasing
and attractive.
[0033] In addition to grooves 36, collar 34 may include gasket 38.
Gasket 38 may be located on inner surface 37 of collar 34. From
this location, or from other locations where it may alternatively
be placed, gasket 38 may catch and collect any moisture, bugs,
dust, or other unwanted material that in spite of the
above-mentioned features employed to reduce the occurrence, passes
into and is present inside dome 20. Gasket 38 may take any one of a
variety of embodiments such as a rubber ring or a metal lip. In one
embodiment gasket 38 may comprise a dense strip of flexible fibers
securely attached to an adhesive strip, not shown. The adhesive
strip may be adapted to the shape of collar 34 and then pressed
into place on inside surface 37.
[0034] Base 25 is attached and sealed to roof 14 in a manner well
known in the art. In addition to the structural features discussed
above, the attachment and sealing are performed so as to prevent
the entry of water and other items into structure 12.
[0035] Referring still to FIG. 3, adhesive layer 52 bonds dome 20
to dome ring 22. Adhesive layer 52 may comprise silicone, or it may
comprise another adhesive substance. Adhesive layer 52 is located
in the vicinity of rolled edge 56. One method of applying adhesive
layer 52 to light-admitting cap 18 is to (1) place a bead of
silicone, or other adhesive, on inner surface 50 of dome ring 22
before rolled edge 56 has been formed, (2) position dome 20
interior to dome ring 22 such that flange 63 of dome 20 is at or
near the level of adhesive layer 52, then (3) crimp or bend the
edge of dome ring 22 such that it rolls around flange 63, creating
rolled edge 56. Adhesive layer 52 then fills at least a part of the
interior of rolled edge 56 and thus may contact both top and bottom
of flange 63. Alternative methods of attachment, either using
adhesive layer 52 or some other method, may also be possible.
[0036] Mounting apertures 54 may be placed within dome ring 22
below rolled edge 56. Apertures 54 extend completely through dome
ring 22, and are adapted to receive mounting devices such as
screws, bolts, pins, or other mounting devices, not shown in the
figures. After passing through mounting apertures 54, the mounting
devices may be inserted partially or completely into flashing 24.
Mounting apertures 54 may be placed in dome ring 22, thus placing
less stress and strain on dome 20 from the pressure due to mounting
devices 54. Such placement may prevent or minimize structural
failure or damage. A spinning process may be used to attach dome 20
to dome ring 22 in order to avoid shattering or other damage due to
stresses on dome 20. When light-admitting cap 18 is placed on
flashing 24 and attached as just described, lower edge 58 of dome
ring 22 rests on or near shelf 45 of upper perimeter 42 of flashing
24.
[0037] FIG. 4 depicts a stream of condensation exiting skylight
system 10 along a groove 36. The figure is a cross sectional or
cutaway view of portions of light-admitting cap 18 and flashing 24.
Flange 63 of dome 20 is here visible extending into rolled edge 56
of dome ring 22. Adhesive layer 52 may be seen between flange 63
and rolled edge 56, as earlier described. Dome 20 has an outside
surface 60 and an inside surface 62. It is on inside surface 62 of
dome 20 that condensation droplets 64 generally form. Droplets 64
slide down inside surface 62 of dome 20, cross adhesive layer 52,
and enter a gap 66 between dome ring 22 and collar 34. In FIG. 4,
groove 36 does not extend along collar 34 all the way to upper edge
49, although in other embodiments that construction is a
possibility. Here, condensation droplet 64 negotiates gap 66,
eventually reaching the point somewhat below upper edge 49 where
groove 36 begins.
[0038] This cutaway view is taken lengthwise through one of the
grooves 36 from a point at or near the center of the groove. As may
be seen, groove 36 conducts condensation droplets 64 along its
length and deposits them outside skylight system 10 below dome ring
22 in the vicinity of neck 32 and upper perimeter 42, from where
droplets 64 may evaporate, fall away from skylight 10, or otherwise
dissipate. It may further be seen that while groove 36 provides a
channel along which droplets 64 may travel, dome ring 22 presses
very closely upon the non-grooved portions of collar 34, and thus
offers little opportunity for foreign or unwanted matter to enter
skylight system 10. An exit point 68 near upper perimeter 42 offers
only a very narrow aperture through which condensation droplets 64
exit groove 36, and through which it would be difficult for any
substance or item to enter.
[0039] With reference to FIG. 5, inner trim ring 28 is shown
separated into its components. Cover 30 is also shown. Inner trim
ring 28 comprises a fixed ring 70, a twist-on ring 72, and a filter
74. Fixed ring 70 includes a ridge 76 and a base 78. Ceiling
mounting apertures 80 alternate with keyhole apertures 82 in base
78. Keyhole apertures 82 are oblong in shape, with a larger opening
in one end and a smaller opening in the other end, in a manner well
known in the art. Ridge 76 has an inner surface 84 on which is
attached a gasket 86. Twist-on ring 72 includes standoffs 90, an
opening 92, and a ledge 94, and filter 74 includes through-holes
88. Cover 30 has a rim 96.
[0040] A manner in which inner trim ring 28 is assembled and
attached to the rest of skylight system 10 will now be described.
Fixed ring 70 is brought close to extension tube 26, which is shown
in FIG. 1. Inner surface 84 of ridge 76 slides over the outside of
extension tube 26, and gasket 86 contacts tube 26. Suitable
mounting devices are inserted through ceiling mounting apertures 80
from the side of fixed ring 70 opposite ridge 76 and then into
ceiling 16, whereby fixed ring 70 is secured to ceiling 16, not
shown. Cover 30 is then placed within opening 92 of twist-on ring
72, with rim 96 resting on ledge 94. The circumference of cover 30
advantageously exceeds the circumference of opening 92 so that
cover 30 may rest on twist-on ring 72. Through-holes 88 in filter
74 are next placed over standoffs 90 in twist-on ring 72. With
cover 30 and filter 74 thus in place, twist-on ring 72 is brought
close to fixed ring 70, standoffs 90 are inserted into the larger
ends of keyhole apertures 82, and twist-on ring 72 is twisted so as
to cause standoffs 90 to enter the smaller ends of keyhole
apertures 82. From this position standoffs 90 may not easily be
removed from keyhole apertures 82, and the components of inner trim
ring 28, in addition to cover 30, are securely attached to
extension tube 26 and ceiling 16. The removal of twist-on ring 72
requires only that the direction of the twist applied to ring 72 be
reversed from that in the foregoing description.
[0041] Gasket 86 may be similar to gasket 38 located inside collar
34 and described in connection with FIG. 2, although the invention
does not require that this be the case. Filter 74 softens the light
entering skylight system 10 and may reduce harsh, concentrated
light or glare. Filter 74 may be constructed of an acrylic
material, and may conventionally be cut into a shape that matches
that of inner trim ring 28. Cover 30 may also be adapted to soften
or diffuse the light entering structure 12. In one embodiment,
cover 30, which may be formed of an acrylic substance, is composed
of a series of alternating ridges and depressions that scatter or
distort any light passing through it. The effect of this diffusion
may be to illuminate a larger area than would otherwise be
possible, with an indirect light that lacks the displeasing effect
of a more intense or focused beam.
[0042] The foregoing paragraphs have thus described a skylight
system including a light-admitting cap adapted to fit over a
grooved flashing. The grooves are constructed in such a way that
they will not admit the passage of unwanted objects, such as dust
or bugs, and they are placed in the flashing rather than the cap so
as to allow the cap's form to be less obtrusive than would
otherwise be possible. The flashing is formed of a single piece of
material, which may be aluminum, to reduce the likelihood of
warping, or of cracks forming therein. The system further includes
an extension tube communicating between the structure's exterior
and a desired location inside the structure, and an inner trim ring
with a filter and a diffuser adapted to moderate the intensity of
the admitted light.
[0043] As has been pointed out at various places within the
foregoing, while the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. For example, it will be understood that
although the shape of various components of the invention have been
described in terms identifying them as circular, other shapes are
also acceptable and within the invention's scope. Likewise, the
omission or inclusion of, or a change made to, one or another
component or feature of the invention will not take the resulting
embodiment outside of the scope of the invention, except as limited
by the appended claims.
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