Building Structures

Abstract

Sheet panels are connected to building structural framing by attaching them to a spline which has a sliding fit with a clamp fastened to the framing, thus permitting movement of the panels relative to the framing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to attaching sheet panels to a substructure, and relates particularly to mounting panels on structural framing of buildings, such as roof purlins and wall girts.

Metal roofing sheets, wall panels and the like mounted on structural framing of buildings are subject to expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature conditions, and are also subject to deflection resulting from changes in load conditions. When such panels are fixedly attached to the framing, as by fasteners extending through the panels and into the framing, such movement of the panels is restrained by the fasteners, thereby imposing undesirable stresses on the panels and the framing, which fact gives rise to design limitations and increased expense. Moreover, holes through the panels to accommodate the fasteners can permit moisture to penetrate through the panels.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved mode of attaching building panels to structural framing members. It is a further object of this invention to provide a system for mounting building panels on framing members which permits movement of the panels with respect to the framing members, as well as permitting ready assembly and disassembly of the panels with respect to the framing members.

The objects of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, roofing panels, wall panels and the like are mounted on structural framing members of buildings by means of a spline attached to the panels and held on the framing members by a clamp attached to the framing and having a sliding connection with the spline, whereby the spline and the panels attached thereto are free to move laterally relative to the framing as they expand, contract, or are subjected to changes in load thereon, but nevertheless are held to the framing by the clamp.

In its preferred form described below the clamp is in the form of a plate overlaying a flange at the base of the spline and has a groove in the underside thereof in which an upwardly turned edge of the aforesaid flange has a sliding fit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which is a perspective view, partly in section, of a portion of a roof. Similar construction would be used for wall siding panels attached to framing girts.

Referring to the drawing, two conventional, adjacent sheet metal panels 1 are mounted on roof purlins 2, and are held thereon by means of a metal spline 3 located between the upwardly turned adjacent ends of the panels. The spline 3 has a channel-shaped head 4 joined to a laterally extending flange or base 5 by an intermediate web 4a, the base 5 being mounted on a purlin. Adjacent, hook-shaped ends 6 of the panels 1 extend into the channel in the head 4 and underlie and engage the opposed bearing faces 7 of the head 4, being held in place in the channel by a flexible strip 8 of rubber, plastic or other resilient material, pressed firmly and tightly into place against the opposed panel ends 6.

The spline is held to each of the purlins by clamps 9 which are fastened to the purlins 2 by threaded bolts 10 extending through the clamps and the purlins, and by nuts 11 (not shown) attached to the bolts. Other types of fasteners, such as self-tapping screws, can be used instead of bolts.

One end of each clamp 9 overlies the base 5 of the spline and has a sliding fit therewith, thereby restraining lifting of the base from the purlin, yet permitting movement of the spline transversely of the purlin as indicated by arrows in the drawing. An upwardly-turned flange 11 on the base 5 fits relatively loosely in a retaining groove 12 in the underside of the clamp and has a sliding fit therein, the flange and the sidewalls of the groove 12 cooperating to prevent substantial movement of the spline longitudinally of the purlin with attendant buckling of the panels.

If desired, a strip or sheet of low friction material such as polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, or other plastic may be placed between the framing members and the panels and the spline base to minimize wear incident to movement of the spline and the panels against the framing. Also, if desired, insulation panels may be mounted between the framing members on hangers suspended from the base of the splines.

Panels can be readily mounted on structural framing in the field in accordance with my invention by joining the spline 3 to framing members by means of clamps 9 fastened to the framing members, inserting the panel edges 6 into the slot between the bearing faces 7 of the head 4, and thereafter pressing the strip 8 tightly into the space between the panel ends.

From the above description it will be apparent that the clamp 9 and its associated spline 3 afford a way of attaching building panels to structural framing members which permits movement of the panels transversely of the framing members, and avoids use of fasteners extending through the panels. Moreover, the splines act as structural members in the system, thus helping to stiffen the structure. In addition, the channel-shaped head 4 of the spline, and the resilient strip 8, prevent moisture from penetrating beneath the panels.

The invention is particularly useful in connection with roofs and walls of large structures, such as commercial buildings, warehouses, and the like, since it permits use of large panels, without the problems resulting from attaching the panels directly to the framing members.

It will be understood that the above description of an embodiment of the invention is merely illustrative, and that modifications can be made without departing from the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. In combination in a building structure having structural framing members, a spline having a base seated on structural framing members and a channel-shaped section having opposed inner side walls, a pair of adjacent panels having facing edge sections which are positioned in the said channel-shaped section, each of said edge sections engaging one of the said side walls, clamps holding the said spline base to the said framing members, each of the said clamps having a portion resting on a structural framing member and having a second portion thereof which overlies the spline base and exerts hold-down pressure thereon, the said spline base being movable relative to the said clamps transversely of the said joining members, and means fastening each clamp to a structural framing member.

2. A combination in accordance with claim 1, in which the said overlying portion has a groove therein facing the said base, and the said base has a flange extending into the said groove and having a sliding fit therein.