U.S. patent number 3,844,087 [Application Number 05/265,164] was granted by the patent office on 1974-10-29 for skylight structure.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Roper Corporation. Invention is credited to Carl Radtke, Hans F. Schultz.
United States Patent |
3,844,087 |
Schultz , et al. |
October 29, 1974 |
SKYLIGHT STRUCTURE
Abstract
A skylight structure is formed with condensate channels at the
upper portions of the purlins and rafters adjacent glazing panels
supported by them. Preferably, the condensate channels and the
means for interconnecting the purlin and rafters are concealed. The
preferred structural members used as rafters and purlins have
hollow closed tubular bodies.
Inventors: |
Schultz; Hans F. (Arlington
Heights, IL), Radtke; Carl (Chicago, IL) |
Assignee: |
Roper Corporation (Kankakee,
IL)
|
Family
ID: |
23009292 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/265,164 |
Filed: |
June 22, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/200; 52/209;
52/476; 52/208; 52/463 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D
3/08 (20130101); E04D 2003/0887 (20130101); E04D
2003/0806 (20130101); E04D 2003/0868 (20130101); E04D
2003/0831 (20130101); E04D 2003/0856 (20130101); E04D
2003/0893 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04D
3/08 (20060101); E04D 3/02 (20060101); E04j
013/03 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/200,208,209,210,235,488,475,476,731,198,199,463 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
"Skylights & Ventilators;" Fisher Skylights, Inc.; Sweet's
Catalog 1972, Vol. 4, pp. 1-11, copyright 1971 .
"Natural Light Through Design-Oriented Glazed Structures;" IBG;
Sweet's Catalog 1972, Vol. 4, pp. 1-11, copyright 1971 .
"Dimensions Unlimited 1972;" Super Sky Products, Inc; Sweet's
Catalog 1972, Vol. 4, pp. 18-25, copyright 1971.
|
Primary Examiner: Murtagh; John E.
Assistant Examiner: Brown; Leslie A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fitch, Even, Tabin &
Luedeka
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a skylight structure having a set of glazing panels and a
framework supporting said panels, the improvement comprising
purlins in said framework extending between a pair of adjacent
rafters, said purlins having an elongated structural body, a pair
of glazing supports on the upper portions of said purlin bodies
extending longitudinally to support first edges of adjacent pairs
of said glazing panels, means integral with said purlin bodies
defining a pair of purlin condensate channels each extending
longitudinally along said upper portion of said purlin body and
adjacent to said glazing panels for receiving and carrying
condensate, elongated rafters spaced from each other and supporting
said purlins and having a structural body, a pair of glazing
supports on said rafters on the upper portion of said body
extending longitudinally of said rafters for supporting the other
edges of the glazing panels, means integral with said rafter
structure body defining a pair of condensate channels extending
longitudinally along the upper side of said rafter structural body
for receiving condensate from said glazing panels, said purlin
condensate channels having portions disposed above and discharging
moisture downwardly into underlying rafter condensate channels and
interconnecting means securing said purlins and rafters to each
other each of said purlin and rafter comprising a closed tubular
body having a hollow interior, each of said tubular bodies
comprising a pair of vertically extending side walls, a bottom wall
joined to lower ends of said vertical side walls, and a top wall
joined to the upper ends of said vertical side walls, said glazing
supports being disposed along said top wall of said purlin and
inwardly and intermediate of said condensate channels and
projecting upwardly of the upper edges of said purlin vertical side
walls to space said glazing panels therefrom, means disposed
centrally of said purlins and between said glazing supports on said
top wall to secure a cap means thereto, said rafter glazing
supports being disposed along said top wall of said rafter and
inwardly and intermediate said rafter condensate channels and
projecting upwardly of the upper edges of said rafter vertical side
walls to space said glazing panels therefrom, said glazing panels
being spaced upwardly of said condensate channels in said purlins
and said rafters and extending thereacross and means disposed
centrally along said rafters and between said glazing supports on
said top wall to secure a cap means thereto.
2. In a skylight structure having a set of glazing panels and a
framework supporting said panels, the improvement comprising
purlins in said framework extending between a pair of adjacent
rafters and having an elongated substantially closed tubular
structural body, spaced glazing supports on said purlins extending
along an upper longitudinally extending side of said tubular body
to support first edges of a pair of said glazing panels, means
integral with said closed tubular body defining a pair of
condensate channels each extending longitudinally along an upper
porioon of said body and adjacent said glazing panels for receiving
and carrying condensate therefrom, elongated rafters spaced from
each other and supporting said purlins and having substantially
closed structural bodies, glazing supports on said rafters
extending longitudinally of said rafters along an upper
longitudinally extending side of said closed body for supporting
the other edges of said glazing panels, means integral with said
closed tubular rafter body defining a pair of spaced condensate
channels extending longitudinally along an upper longitudinally
extending portion of said closed rafter body for receiving
condensate from said glazing panels and from said condensate
channels of said purlins joined to opposite sides of said rafters,
cap means on the exterior side of said glazing panels for fastening
to said purlins and rafters to hold said glazing panels on said
glazing supports; and interconnecting means securing said purlins
to said rafters to provide said framework each of said purlin and
rafter comprising a closed tubular body having a hollow interior,
each of said tubular bodies comprising a pair of vertically
extending side walls, a bottom wall joined to lower ends of said
vertical side walls, and a top wall joined to the upper ends of
said vertical side walls, said glazing supports being disposed
along said top wall of said purlin and inwardly and intermediate of
said condensate channels and projecting upwardly of the upper edges
of said purlin vertical side walls to space said glazing panels
therefrom, means disposed centrally of said purlins and between
said glazing supports on said top wall to secure a cap means
thereto, said rafter glazing supports being disposed along said top
wall of said rafter and inwardly and intermediate said rafter
condensate channels and projecting upwardly of the upper edges of
said rafter vertical side walls to space said glazing panels
therefrom, said glazing panels being spaced upwardly of said
condensate channels in said purlins and said rafters and extending
thereacross and means disposed centrally along said rafters and
between said glazing supports on said top wall to secure a cap
means thereto.
3. A skylight structure in accordance with claim 2 in which said
glazing supports comprise means defining a pair of longitudinally
extending channels along said top wall and flexible resilient
glazing strips therein for supporting the marginal edges of said
glazing panels, said condensate channels being closely adjacent and
parallel to said glazing strips.
4. A skylight structure in accordance with claim 2 in which the
upper longitudinally extending edges of said side walls of said
rafters are notched and in which said top walls of said purlins are
formed with longitudinally extending projections inserted into said
notches to be supported by said underlying rafters.
5. In a skylight structure having a set of glazing panels and a
framework supporting said panels, the improvement comprising
purlins in said framework extending between a pair of adjacent
rafters and having an elongated substantially closed tubular
structural body, spaced glazing supports on said purlins extending
along an upper longitudinally extending side of said tubular body
to support first edges of a pair of said glazing panels, means
integral with said closed tubular body defining a condensate
channel extending longitudinally along an upper portion of said
body and adjacent said glazing panels for receiving and carrying
condensate therefrom, elongated rafters spaced from each other and
supporting said purlins and having substantially closed structural
bodies, glazing supports on said rafters extending longitudinally
of said rafters along an upper longitudinally extending side of
said closed body for supporting the other edges of said glazing
panels, means integral with said closed tubular rafter body
defining a pair of spaced condensate channels extending
longitudinally along an upper longitudinally extending portion of
said closed rafter body for receiving condensate from said glazing
panels and from said condensate channels of said purlins joined to
opposite sides of said rafters, cap means on the exterior side of
said glazing panels for fastening to said purlins and rafters to
hold said glazing panels on said glazing supports; and
interconnecting means securing said purlins to said rafters to
provide said framework, said interconnecting means comprising
locating and retaining pins extending between said purlins and
rafters to hold against the separation of one from the other, and
certain of said locating pins being secured in said purlins and
project downwardly therefrom into said condensate channels in said
rafters.
6. A structure in accordance with claim 5 in which other locating
pins extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction
of said purlins and project between said purlins and rafters.
Description
This invention relates to a skylight structure having purlin and
rafter structural members which support glazing panels of
uninsulated glass, plastic acrylic or the like.
Transparent or translucent domes or skylight structures of various
kinds are now used in shopping centers, buildings, libraries,
swimming pool structures and the like. Such structures cover
substantially large surface areas with the rafters and purlins
joined to form a grid or skeleton framework for supporting marginal
edges of the glazing panels. Preferably, such structures are
constructed of lightweight metal purlins and rafters joined into a
rigid and strong skeleton to stand loads applied to wide surface
areas of the glazing panels. Additionally, as disclosed in Schultz
et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,488,899, the external sides of the outside
glazing panels in a skylight structure may be cooled by a cold
outside atmosphere with the result that the interior surfaces of
the panels may be cooled to a temperature sufficiently lower than
the temperature of the air in the building that water vapor carried
by the inside air condenses on the interior surfaces of the glazing
panels and/or framework. This internal condensate is collected
along the purlins and rafters of the structure in condensate
channels or gutters and directed to discharge at a weep hole, an
outside gutter or a sewer. Also, some moisture on the exterior of
the glazing panels may leak or bypass a glazing seal or bypass
along a fastener and this bypass moisture is collected in moisture
bypass channels which discharge into the gutter or weep hole.
The provisions of condensate channels and bypass moisture channels
on purlins and rafters has heretofore been generally at the expense
of the neatness and an uncluttered look for the purlins and
rafters. Also, where condensate is delivered from the purlin
moisture collecting channels to rafter moisture carrying channels,
the interconnection between purlin and rafters is complicated by
the necessity to provide the condensate flow paths while
maintaining adequate mechanical interconnections. As a result, the
mechanical interconnections often were made with exposed connectors
and fasteners which detracted from the aesthetics of the structure.
Moreover, the bypass moisture channels and condensate channels were
at different levels in the purlins; and sometimes a downward flow
of by pass moisture along the rafter caused a back flow of moisture
into the lower condensate channel of the purlin. Such a back flow
condition is to be avoided.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an
improved skylight construction having a clean uncluttered look and
an efficient moisture removal system.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description taken
in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a skylight structure
in which the present invention may be embodied;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional and perspective view
of prior art purlins and rafters supporting glazing panels and
having a moisture removal system;
FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the prior art structure shown
in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional and perspective view
illustrating purlins and rafters arranged in a skylight structure
and embodying the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line
5--5 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic exploded view of the purlins and rafter of
FIG. 4 showing the manner of interconnection therebetween;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 7--7
of FIG. 6 but with the purlins connected to the rafter;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating another
embodiment of the invention for a double glazed skylight
construction;
FIG. 9 is another fragmentary, partially exploded, perspective view
of the structure of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the structure of
FIG. 8 showing purlin and rafter interconnections; and
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the
line 11--11 in FIG. 10, but with the rafter inclined.
As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the
invention is embodied, very generally, in a skylight structure 11
which may be used in overhead domes in various kinds of buildings
in which a roof or a portion of a roof is formed with glazing
panels 12 usually of transparent, tinted or translucent glass or of
a plastic such as an acrylic plastic. The glazing panels 12 are
supported along marginal edges 15 thereof in a framework 14 of
structural members comprising horizontally extending purlins 16 and
vertically extending rafters 17.
In prior art skylight structures such as those illustrated in FIGS.
2 and 3, the framework 14a is cluttered in its appearance by the
exposed connectors 18a and exposed nuts and bolts 19a joining
purlins 16a to rafters 17a. Condensate formed on glazing panels 12a
is collected in condensate channels 21a formed by a wide bottom
flange 23a projecting laterally from and on opposite sides of a
central upstanding web 25a. Condensate is also collected in similar
rafter condensate channels 27a formed by a wide bottom flange 29a
projecting laterally from and on opposite sides of a central
upstanding web 31a on the rafters 16a. These prior art rafters 16a
and purlins 17a have upper transverse flanges 33a and 35a,
respectively, projecting laterally from their respective central
webs resulting in an I beam cross-sectional appearance for the
rafters 17a and purlins 16a.
In these prior art frameworks 14a, the bottom flanges 23a of the
purlins are disposed above the bottom flanges 29a of the rafters;
with ends 37a thereof spaced from rafters 31a to allow condensate
to flow over the flange ends 37a and to drop into the underlying
rafter condensate channels 27a. Additionally, any moisture leaking
past, i.e., by-passing, glazing seals 38a or fasteners 39a for
fastening glazing bars or caps 40a to the purlins 16a is collected
in internal bypass channels 41a at the top of the purlins 16a and
carried to the ends of the purlins and allowed to flow down along
the rafter's central web 31a into the rafter condensate channel
27a. In a similar manner, moisture by-passing rafter glazing seals
42a or bypassing fasteners for its glazing bar or cap 43a was
collected in internal bypass channels 44a on the rafters 17a. Where
considerable bypass moisture was present, it could flow down along
the rafter web 31 a and cause a back flow of moisture into a purlin
condensate channel 21a. Thus, the bypass moisture and condensate
moisture were collected at different levels in the purlins and then
deposited in the rafter condensate channels 27a.
Also, in the prior art frameworks 14a, exposed right angle
connectors 18a and bolts 19a are used to fasten the intersecting
purlins 16a to the rafters 17a. These connectors, bolts, and nuts,
as well as the spaced top flanges 33a, 35a and bottom flanges 23a,
29a, contribute to an overall cluttered appearance to the structure
which is desired to be overcome. Also, while the bypass and the
condensate moisture are generally collected, the condensate
channels are objectionable to some people and for certain
applications as being too wide and too exposed to view.
In accordance with the present invention, the skylight structure 11
is formed with a clean, neat and uncluttered appearance with closed
tubular-shaped purlins 16 and rafters 17 (FIG. 4) having hollow
interiors with small condensate channels 21 and 27 being formed in
the upper portions of the purlins 16 and rafters 17 adjacent the
glazing panels 12. More specifically, the purlins and rafters 16
and 17 derive sufficient rigidity and strength from their tubular
bodies 45 and 46, usually formed of extruded aluminum, and have
thereon hidden condensate channels 21 and 27, as will be explained
in greater detail. Also, the purlins 16 are preferably
interconnected to the rafters 17 by a hidden, i.e., non-exposed
interconnection, rather than by the exposed bolts 19a and
connectors 18a used with prior structure shown in FIGS. 2 and
3.
Preferably, the condensate channels 21 in the purlins 16 are
disposed adjacent to and extend longitudinally of the purlins with
a pair of glazing supports 47 also carried along the upper portions
of the purlins 16 upon which rest first marginal edges 15 of a pair
of adjacent glazing panels 12. The purlin condensate channels 21
and bypass channels 94 are at substantially the same level.
Similarly, a pair of glazing supports 48 are disposed adjacent to
and extend longitudinally of the rafter 17 with bypass channels 94
and 94a adjacent the level of the rafter condensate channels 27.
Preferably, outer sides of the purlin condensate channels 21 are
formed as extensions of and coplanar with vertical, side walls 49
of the tubular body and extend to upper edges 51 positioned
relatively close to the glazing panels 12. In a like manner, the
outer sides of the rafter condensate channels 27 are formed as
extensions of and coplanar with vertical side walls 50 of the
rafter and extend to upper edges 52 adjacent the glazing panels 12.
Thus, the presence of the condensate channels will not be readily,
if at all, noticeable from below.
Also, to enhance the appearance, as viewed from beneath, the
purlins 16 and rafters 17 are preferably interconnected by hidden
interconnector means 53, as best seen in FIG. 6. The preferred
interconnector means 53 between the purlins 16 and rafters 17
further comprises forming a curb or projection 54 on an end 55 of a
purlin 16 to seat in a notch 57 formed in outer rafter condensate
channel walls 58. In this instance, ends 59 of the purlin side
walls 49 abut the vertical side walls 50 of the rafters 17. To
prevent separation of the purlin curbs 54 from the rafter while
still allowing clearance and tolerances for construction, the
interconnecting means 53 further comprises retaining pin means 61
comprising pins 63 and 65. The pins 63 are secured in apertures in
the purlins 16 and project downwardly into the rafter condensate
channels 27 to abut the outer condensate channel walls 58 if the
purlins 16 should tend to separate from the rafters 17.
Longitudinally extending pins 65 may be inserted into holes or
spaces formed in the purlins and rafters to extend therebetween to
hold the purlins against shifting or lifting relative to the
rafters. Thus, the hidden notching and hidden pins interconnect the
purlins 16 and rafters against separation and large shifting
movements relative to one another.
Referring now in greater detail to the individual elements of the
skylight structure 11, the illustrated purlins 16 and rafters 17
are preferably formed of lightweight metal extrusions, for example
of aluminum, with the closed tubular bodies enclosing a hollow
interior space 73. In addition to the vertical side walls 49 and
50, the purlins 16 and rafters 17 each have a bottom wall 75
spanning a pair of side walls and joined thereto at integral
corners 77. Also, each purlin 16 and rafter 17 has a top wall 79
which is disposed substantially parallel to the bottom wall 77 and
which also is joined to the upper ends of the vertical side walls
at right angled integral corners. In this instance, the purlin has
a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape with the top and
bottom walls 75 and 79 being longer than the vertical side walls
49.
Referring now in greater detail to the purlin 16, the condensate
channels 21 each are defined by an open top, an outer vertical side
at condensate wall 58, a bottom side 81 and an inner vertical side
at a vertical wall 83. In this instance, the condensate channels
are formed with a generally rectangular cross section. The inner
channel wall 83 is spaced from ends 37 of the purlins 16 supported
on the rafter and is parallel to the outer channel wall 58 and
extends upwardly slightly above the upper edge 51 of the condensate
outer wall 58 to terminate at a horizontal surface 85 of an
extruded body 86 for the glazing support 47.
The marginal edges 15 of the glazing panels 12 are spaced slightly
above the open tops of the purlin condensate channels 21 and
inwardly thereof to purlin-supporting, glazing strips 87. The
latter each have a lower spline shaped section 89 inserted into a
complementary cross section slot 91 in the extruded body 86 and
rest on the top surface 85 thereof. The upper edges of the glazing
strip 87 are formed with sawtooth edges which are flattened
slightly by the pressure from the exterior clamping or glazing bar
40 to provide a weathertight seal against the passage of moisture
between the glazing panel 12 and the glazing strip 87. The
preferred glazing strips 87 are formed of neoprene to provide
resilient support surfaces which will provide a weathertight seal
with the glazing panels. The purlin glazing strips 87 space
interior sides 93 of the glazing panels 12 slightly above upper
edges 51 of the condensate channels 21 so that condensate may flow
along the glazing panels to the vertical sides of the glazing
strips 87 and then flow down along the inner channel wall 83 and
into the condensate channels 21 for delivery to the rafter
condensate channels.
The marginal portions 15 of the glazing panels 12 have vertical
edges 92 which are abutted against and cushioned by a glazing block
93 made of a suitable resilient material such as neoprene carried
in a groove 94 on the top portion of the purlin 16. More
specifically, the glazing block 93 is generally rectangular in
cross section and extends longitudinally the length of the purlin
and extends vertically above the glazing strip 87 and between the
edge 92 of the glazing panel and one of a pair of upstanding
cap-securing walls 95 and 96. While the purlin 16 shown in FIGS. 4
and 5 has only one glazing block 93 on the uphill side of the
purlin, a second glazing block 93 may be inserted into the other
empty groove 94.
The grooves 94 function to collect and to convey external water
which has leaked into the skylight. A center groove or channel 94
functions to collect and to convey external water which may have
leaked past fastener 39. The grooves 94 and 94a thus serve as a
by-pass means to collect and transfer by-pass water.
Th glazing cap 40 is located relative to the purlin 16 and is
secured to a pair of upstanding, cap-securing walls 95 and 96 which
extend longitudinally of the purlin with upper edges thereof
extending above the glazing panels 12 to project between a pair of
longitudinally extending, depending flanges 97 formed on the
inwardly facing side of the glazing cap. More specifically, lower
marginal portions of the cap flanges 97 abut the outer sides of the
cap-securing walls 95 and 96 and center the cap relative to the
purlin 16 and edges of the glazing panels 12. The width of the
space between the cap securing flanges 95 and 96 is less (at least
at the lower portion of the space) than the outside diameter of the
threads on cap screw shanks 99 to allow the self-tapping screws 39
to screw into the cap-securing walls 95 and 96. Suitable openings
are formed in the glazing caps 40 to allow the screw shank to
project down and to screw into the walls 95 and 96 as the cap screw
is turned. The preferred glazing cap 40 is formed of extruded
aluminum and covers the area between adjacent glazing panels
12.
On the underside of the glazing caps 40 are a pair of resilient
glazing seals 101 which are compressed against the exterior side of
the glazing panels 12 to provide a weatherproof seal along the
exterior of the glazing panels. The glazing strips 101 in glazing
are similar to and opposite to the glazing strips 87 carried by the
purlins 16 and hence will not be described in greater detail.
Turning now in greater detail to the rafter 17, it has a glazing
cap 43 generally similar to the glazing cap 40 in that it has a
pair of depending longitudinally extending flanges 97 for abutting
against the upper marginal edges of a pair of similar upstanding
cap locating and securing walls 95 and 96. The glazing cap 43 for
the rafter also has a pair of glazing strips 101 for sealing
against the other exterior margins of the glazing panels 12 and
holding them against the underneath pair of glazing strips 87
carried by the rafter 17 in glazing strip bodies 86. As in the
purlins, glazing blocks 93 are carried in the grooves 94 at the top
wall of the rafter 17 to abut edges 92 of the glazing panels 12. As
the glazing strips 87, glazing blocks 93, and cooperation of the
flanges 95 and 96 with the glazing cap 43 are substantially the
same in structure and function for both the rafters 17 and the
purlins 16, they will not be described in any greater detail.
The condensate channels 27 for the rafter 17 are formed with open
tops and extend downwardly to a greater depth than the purlin
condensate channels 21 and have a greater capacity to carry
moisture than the purlin condensate channels from which they
collect moisture. The bottom side of the condensate channel 27 is
formed by extruded wall 105 which is generally horizontally
extending and projects at right angles and inwardly from an
integral connection with the outer condensate side wall 58. Because
of the greater depth, the bottom condensate walls 105 are beneath
and spaced below the glazing strip bodies 86 to project into the
hollow interior 73 of the rafter. From the inward edge of the
bottom walls 105, a wall 107 extends upwardly to and is integrally
joined to the underside of the glazing strip body 86 and forms
therewith a horizontally directed shoulder 109 which interconnects
this lower wall 107 and upstanding outwardly facing wall 83 of the
glazing strip body 86. Thus, as readily seen in FIG. 7, the
condensate channels 27 in the rafters 17 have their bottom walls
spaced beneath the bottom sides 81 of the condensate channels 21 so
that liquid will flow through the discharge openings 37 therein
into the rafter condensate channels 27.
As best seen in FIG. 6, the horizontally extending purlins 16 are
supported by the vertically extending rafters 17 and interconnected
thereto at spaced locations along the length of the rafters at
notches 57 which receive the curbs 54 at the ends 55 of the
purlins. The interconnecting means 53 secures the purlins against
shifting from or separation from the rafters. The illustrated
notches 57 are formed in the upper portion of the outer condensate
channel walls 58 by making downward saw cuts to form cuts 111
spaced from each other by a distance slightly greater than the
width of the purlin. The portion of the outer condensate wall 58
between the cuts 111 is removed as by being either bent and snapped
off or cut from the rafter to form a horizontally extending support
114. The respective notches 57 extend downwardly to a predetermined
depth and are related to the vertical dimension of the curb 54 with
the result that when the curb lower wall 113 is placed on support
114 the glazing strips 87 on the purlins and rafters are aligned in
a common plane to support the glazing panels 12. The curbs 54 on
the purlins project outwardly from the vertical extending wall ends
71, which are abutted against the outer side walls 50 of the rafter
tubular bodies, so that leading end walls 115 of the curbs 54
either engage or almost engage the outwardly facing walls 83 of the
glazing strip bodies 86 on the rafter 17. Thus, the opposed purlins
16 are limited in relative movement inwardly toward each other and
are limited against turning relative to the rafter by the walls at
cuts 111 of the notches 57. The outward movement of the purlins 16
relative to one another and twisting of the purlins relative to the
rafters 17 is prevented by the interconnecting means 53 which
includes the horizontally extending pins 65 and the pins 63 which
project downwardly from the purlins into the condensate channels
27. Preferably, the pins 63 and 65 are cylindrical, roll pins. Two
pins 63 are forced into cylindrical bores drilled into the bottom
of the glazing strip bodies 86 beneath the glazing strips 87. The
pins 63 project downwardly of the wall 114 at the notches 57 to a
position spaced above the bottom wall 105a of the rafter condensate
channel. Should the purlins 16 tend to separate from the rafters
17, the roll pins 63 will abut the walls 58 and resist any such
separating movement.
The purlins 16 are held by the notches 57 against shifting
longitudinally of the rafter 17 and additionally are further held
and aligned more precisely with other purlins 16 by the pins 65.
More specifically, the pins 65, as best seen in FIG. 6, have one
end forced into openings 121 in the glazing strip bodies 56 of the
rafters 17 with opposite ends projecting horizontally to be
received into the space between the upstanding cap-securing walls
95 and 96 as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 7. Also, the purlins 16 are
held against lifting by the rafter glazing cap 43 which extends
over the curbs 54 on the purlins. The purlin glazing caps 40 extend
between and terminate at the glazing caps 43 for adjacent rafters
17.
In accordance with the further embodiments of the invention
illustrated in FIGS. 8-11, a double glazing skylight construction
135 is provided with the improved condensate removal system of the
present invention. More specifically, purlins 140 are secured to
rafters 141 to support double glazing panels including upper or
exterior glazing panels 143 and lower or interior glazing panels
145 separated by a large air space 147 therebetween. As will be
explained in greater detail, only the exterior glazing panels 143
receive large amounts of condensate or bypass moisture. As with the
single glazed structure purlin 16 of FIGS. 4-7, the purlins 140
have condensate channels 151 formed in the top portions thereof and
adjacent the exterior glazing panels 143 to collect condensate and
to deliver the collected condensate to rafter condensate channels
153 formed in the upper portions of the rafters 141 adjacent the
upper glazing panels 143. In this instance, only a single purlin
condensate channel 151 is provided for collecting condensate along
the downward sloping side of the glazing panels 143. An end 155 of
the condensate channel is spaced from a wall 156 of the rafter, as
best seen in FIG. 9, to allow moisture discharging from a bottom
wall 157 of the chanel to drop through the space between its end
157 and rafter wall 156 and collect in the underlying rafter
condensate channels 153.
The upper glazing panels 143 rest upon and are supported by
resilient, neoprene glazing strips 161 on the respective purlins
140 and rafters 141, the glazing strips 161 being substantially
identical to the glazing strips 87 hereinbefore described. On the
exterior side of the upper glazing panels 143 is a purlin glazing
cap 163 which is substantially identical to the purlin glazing cap
40 and hence will not be described in detail herein. Likewise, the
rafter glazing caps 165 for exterior glazing panels 143 are
substantially similar in construction and function to the rafter
glazing cap 43 hereinbefore described and will not be described
again. Also, glazing blocks 169 are disposed against the edges of
the exterior glazing panels 143 and are supported in the manner of
the glazing blocks 93. The glazing blocks 169 are carried in
grooves 170 which also serve to collect exterior water by-passing
the glazing cap 40. A central groove 170a to receive the screw
fastener for the rafter glazing cap 165 also serves as a by-pass
water collecting channel.
The purlin condensate channels 151 are disposed slightly beneath
the interior sides of the upper glazing panels 143 and along the
top of the purlins 140. In this instance, the purlin condensate
channels 151 are formed as an extension of an upper transverse wall
or flange 175 which extends generally horizontally and carries the
glazing strips 161 and the glazing block 169. More specifically, a
bottom wall 176 for the condensate channel is in a common plane
with and integrally joined to the flange 175. This bottom wall 176
extends to an upwardly inclined outer condensate wall 177 which is
spaced from an inner condensate channel wall 179 formed on the
glazing strip body. If desired, a second condensate channel 151 may
be formed on the other side of the purlin 140.
The rafter condensate channels 153 in the rafters 141 are disposed
at a slightly lower level than the purlin condensate channels 151
and have a greater depth and width than the condensate channels
151. The rafter condensate channels are formed at the top portions
of the rafters adjacent the interior side of the upper glazing
panels; and are formed with an open top, an outer vertical wall
181, a bottom wall 183, and an inner wall 185 extending to the
underside of the glazing strip body.
A top edge 188 for the outer condensate walls 181 is preferably
located at a position beneath the transverse flange 175 on the
purlin to assure that the purlin and rafter glazing strips 161 are
aligned in a common plane for supporting the upper glazing panels
143 when ends of the purlin flanges 175 rest on the upper edge 188
of the rafter condensate channel walls, as best seen in FIG. 8. As
will be explained in detail hereinafter, the rafter condensate
walls 181 are not notched with the notches 57 disclosed above.
As the purlins 140 and rafters 141 have generally similarly shaped
lower sections, these lower sections will be described
simultaneously and common reference characters will be applied
thereto. Therefore, a description of the lower portion of the
purlin 140 will suffice for an understanding of the lower portion
of the rafter. The purlin 141 has a central vertically extending
web 191 which extends from the top flange 175 to a lower
transversely extending flange 193 which carries a pair of glazing
supports 195 each having a pair of glazing strips 197 for
supporting the marginal edges of the lower glazing panels 145.
Glazing blocks 199 abut the edges of the glazing panels 145 and are
disposed in grooves 201 between the glazing strip bodies 195 and
one of a pair of upstanding, longitudinally extending walls 203
spaced from and on opposite sides of the central web 191.
A pair of inner glazing caps 205 of Z-shaped configuration are
secured to opposite sides of the central web 191 of the purlin to
hold the lower glazing panels 145 in position against the glazing
strips 197. More particularly, the inner glazing caps 205 have an
upstanding securing flange 209 which is apertured to receive bolt
and nut fasteners 211 to fasten the caps 205 tightly against the
central web 191. The inner glazing caps are formed with an outward
transversely extending plate 213 integral with the securing flange
209 which at its outer end is formed with a depending glazing strip
body 215 carrying a lower glazing strip 217 abutting the upper side
of the lower glazing panel 145 at a position opposite the purlin
glazing strips 197. In this manner, the lower glazing panels 145
are secured to the purlins and rafters. As best seen in FIG. 8, it
is preferred to provide a clean bottom appearance formed by having
the bottom surfaces of the purlins and rafters intersect, abut, and
be flush with each other.
The purlins 140 and rafters 141 are interconnected by a
angle-shaped connectors 221 which have one leg 223 fastened by a
nut and bolt connection 225 to the central web 191 of the rafter. A
second leg 227 of the connector 221 is fastened in a similar manner
by a nut and bolt fastener 229 to a web 191 of the purlin 140.
In the preferred manner of interconnection, the rafters 141 are
uncut with the ends of the purlins cut as best seen in FIG. 9 to
provide a top curb 230 and a lower web projection 231. The latter
projects from the curb 230 into the space between the upper and
lower flanges 175 and 193 on the rafter 141. A hole 237 is drilled
into the projection to receive the shank of the bolt of the
fastener 229. Preferably the projection 231 extends to a leading
end 237 which may abut or be closely adjacent to the rafter central
web 191. The projection has an upper side 239 which extends beneath
the end 233 of the upper transverse flange 175 for the purlin to
form the curb 230 to allow it to project over the rafter condensate
channel 153 and to rest on the edge 188 of its outer condensate
wall 181, as illustrated in FIGS. 8-11. Thus, the bottom wall 157
the purlin condensate channel 151 may be superposed over the rafter
condensate channel and condensate may discharge through the opening
155 into the underlying channel 153.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the purlins and rafters may
be formed with condensate channels along their upper portions
adjacent the glazing panels and that the prior art wide lower
condensate flanges and channels may be eliminated. With the present
invention, the condensate channels may be completely hidden, as
viewed from below, or at least made inconspicuous. Also, the
interconnecting means between channels may also be hidden or
obscured from direct view therely eliminating the cluttered
appearance of prior art interconnections. The overall skylight
construction, the purlins and rafters are formed of simple and
economical extrusions which are cooperatively related in a novel
manner to provide a strong safe structure at low cost and yet a
skylight structure which will more adequately collect and remove
moisture.
While a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, it will
be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by
such disclosure but, rather, it is intended to cover all
modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
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