Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080257006 | Method of bending sheet materials and sheet therefor - A sheet of material formed for bending along a bend line including a sheet of material ( | 10-23-2008 |
20090043543 | METHOD OF DESIGNING FOLD LINES IN SHEET MATERIAL - A method of designing fold lines in sheet material includes the steps defining the desired fold line in a parent plane on a drawing system, and populating the fold line with a fold geometry including a series of cut zones that define a series of connected zones configured and positioned relative to the fold line whereby upon folding the material along the fold line produces edge-to-face engagement of the material on opposite sides of the cut zones. Alternatively, the method may include the steps storing a plurality of cut zone configurations and connected zone configurations having differing dimensions and/or shapes, defining a desired fold line in a parent plane on a drawing system, selecting a preferred cut zone and/or a preferred connected zone which have a desired shape and scale, locating a preferred fold geometry along the fold line, the preferred fold geometry including the selected cut zone and the selected connected zone, and relocating, resealing and/or reshaping the preferred fold geometry to displace, add and/or subtract at least one of the connected zones, whereby upon folding the material along the fold line produces edge-to-face engagement of the material on opposite sides of the cut zones. A computer program product and a system configured for implementing the method of designing fold lines in sheet material is also disclosed. | 02-12-2009 |
20100147130 | FATIGUE-RESISTANCE SHEET SLITTING METHOD AND RESULTING SHEET - A sheet of material ( | 06-17-2010 |
20110059330 | METHOD FOR PRECISION BENDING OF SHEET OF MATERIALS, SLIT SHEETS FABRICATION PROCESS - A method for precision bending of a sheet of material ( | 03-10-2011 |
20110287228 | PRECISION-FOLDED, HIGH STRENGTH, FATIGUE-RESISTANT STRUCTURES AND SHEET THEREFOR - Precision-folded, high strength, fatigue-resistant structures and a sheet therefore are disclosed. To form the structures, methods for precision bending of a sheet of material along a bend line and a sheet of material formed with bending strap-defining structures, such as slits or grooves, are disclosed. Methods include steps of designing and then separately forming longitudinally extending slits or grooves through the sheet of material in axially spaced relation to produce precise bending of the sheet when bent along the bend line. The bending straps have a configuration and orientation which increases their strength and fatigue resistance, and most preferably slits or arcs are used which causes edges to be engaged and supported on faces of the sheet material on opposite sides of the slits or arcs. The edge-to-face contact produces bending along a virtual fulcrum position in superimposed relation to the bend line. Several slit embodiments suitable for producing edge-to-face engagement support and precise bending are disclosed. With these teachings, forming numerous three-dimensional load-bearing structures from a two dimensional sheet are enabled. Examples of straight and curved beams, chassis, and exoskeletons are disclosed. | 11-24-2011 |
20120276330 | PRECISION-FOLDED, HIGH STRENGTH, FATIGUE-RESISTANT STRUCTURES AND SHEET THEREFOR - A sheet of material formed for bending along a bend line comprises a plurality of slits positioned proximate and along the bend line. The slits each have opposite end portions which diverge away from the bend line. The slits are configured and positioned to produce bending of the sheet of material along the bend line. The diverging slit end portions reduce stress in the sheet of material during bending. | 11-01-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100162643 | CURBLESS MULTIPLE SKYLIGHT AND SMOKE VENT SYSTEM - The invention provides a system for installing a roof penetrating structure to a metal roof, the system comprising: a) a rail and closure structure adapted to be supported by adjacent rib elevations of said roof; b) a skylight adapted to be supported on the rail and closure structure; and c) a support member for sealing a cut away portion of the rib structure to divert water away from the rail and closure structure. | 07-01-2010 |
20110252726 | Roof penetrating closure structures and systems - The invention provides an environment-accessing structure for providing environmental access to the interior of a building through an aperture in the roof. The environment-accessing structure can provide natural day-lighting by use of a skylight lens as the closure member, or a smoke vent which can be opened and closed. Such smoke vent can be transparent or translucent to natural sunlight, or can be opaque. Such environment-accessing structure is installed in an aperture in a metal roof. The system limits opportunity for water leakage from the outside environment. The environment-accessing structure includes a rail and closure structure adapted to be supported by adjacent rib elevations of adjacent roof panels, a closure panel adapted to be supported on the rail and closure structure, and a diverter which seals a cut away portion of the rib structure and diverts water laterally away from the rail and closure structure. | 10-20-2011 |
20110252727 | Support structures on roofs - This invention provides support structures on roofs. Such support structure can be used to support a roof load, or a closure structure which closes an aperture in the roof, thus to provide access to the interior of a building through an aperture in the roof. The support structure can support a skylight to provide natural day-lighting, or a smoke vent, or a variety of other loads optionally relating to matter or energy communication between the inside and outside of the building. The support structure includes rails adapted to be supported by adjacent rib elevations on opposite sides of a flat of a roof panel, elevated above the water line of the panel flat. Where the support structure surrounds an aperture, a diverter seals a cut away portion of the rib structure and diverts water through the rib structure and laterally away from the rail and closure structure. | 10-20-2011 |
20120233941 | Support structures on roofs - This invention provides support structures on roofs. Such support structure can be used to support a roof load, or a closure structure which closes an aperture in the roof, thus to provide access to the interior of a building through an aperture in the roof. The support structure can support a skylight to provide natural day-lighting, or a smoke vent, or a variety of other loads optionally relating to matter or energy communication between the inside and outside of the building. The support structure includes rails adapted to be supported by adjacent rib elevations on opposite sides of a flat of a roof panel, elevated above the water line of the panel flat. Where the support structure surrounds an aperture, a diverter seals a cut away portion of the rib structure and diverts water through the rib structure and laterally away from the rail and closure structure. | 09-20-2012 |
20120233942 | Support structures on roofs - Roof load supports support e.g. skylights and/or smoke vents, optionally including two or more closures in end-to-end relationship, from ribs of a metal roof. Where skylights are end-to-end over an aperture, mating strips support the skylights between upper and lower ends of the support structure. Supports of the invention are mounted above the water line whereby the number of water leaks about the mounting structure is greatly reduced. Water leakage is further reduced by re-designing the upper diverter and the lower closure, and providing for a second installation step. Condensation is further reduced by lifting the insulation inside the building to cover the sides of the closure support structure and providing a no-fastener securement of the insulation at an upper location in the closure support structure, and by providing thermally insulating materials as barriers to penetrating portions of fasteners, penetrating from outside the climate controlled building envelope. | 09-20-2012 |
20130167459 | RAIL MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR MOUNTING SKYLIGHTS AND THE LIKE TO RIB ELEVATIONS OF A RAISED RIB METAL PANEL ROOFING SYSTEM - A rail mounting system is provided for mounting and supporting skylights and/or other structures to rib elevations of a metal panel roofing system. The rail mounting system includes first and second side rails which can be mounted to the rib elevations of the metal panel roof. Each side rail includes a riser, an upper flange extending from the riser, and a bottom shoulder structure extending from the riser. The bottom shoulder structure can be mounted to a rib elevation of the roofing system. The upper flange provides a top bearing surface for supporting one side of a skylight, or run of skylights, or other structures, which are supported from the roof by the rail mounting system. The rib elevations to which the side rails are mounted provide structural support for the skylight or skylights supported thereon for substantially the entire length of the skylight or skylights or other supported structure. | 07-04-2013 |
20130219825 | CURBLESS MULTIPLE SKYLIGHT AND SMOKE VENT SYSTEM - The invention provides a side rail for attachment to elevated rib structure of a metal panel roof whereby the rib structure underlies and supports the side rail and any load being supported by the side rail. First and second side rails can be attached to next adjacent rib structures, thereby supporting the load from first and second next adjacent ones of the rib structures. End closures can extend across the space between such first and second side rails at opposing ends of the side rails, thereby closing off the openings between the ends of the side rails and providing a closed support structure extending about the encompassed space and closing off laterally-directed access to the enclosed space. | 08-29-2013 |
20130239489 | SUPPORT STRUCTURES ON ROOFS - This invention provides upper diverters which are used on support structures on roofs, Such upper diverter has a lower flange which interfaces with the respective roof panel, and an upstanding wall which extends up from the lower flange. The upper diverter diverts water, flowing down the roof, laterally away from the respective roof panel. | 09-19-2013 |
20130239500 | SUPPORT STRUCTURES ON ROOFS - A roof load support structure supports a load on a roof such that substantially all of the load is conveyed through rails, which are mounted on roof panel ribs, thence through roof panel ribs, and to underlying building support structure. The panel flat between the rails can be unobstructed such that water can flow freely down the panel flat between the rails; or end closures can close off access to the respective panel flat between the end closures and the rails. One such end closure can be an upper diverter at an up-slope end of the support structure. A lower edge of such upper diverter, e.g. at the panel flat, can slope downwardly across a width of the respective roof panel thereby to direct water laterally across the respective roof panel. | 09-19-2013 |
20130239513 | SUPPORT STRUCTURES ON ROOFS - This invention provides support structures on roofs. Such support structure can be used to support a roof load, or a closure structure which doses an aperture in the roof, thus to provide access to the interior of a building through an aperture in the roof. The support structure can support a skylight to provide natural day-lighting, or a smoke vent, or a variety of other loads optionally relating to matter or energy communication between the inside and outside of the building. The support structure includes rails adapted to be supported by adjacent rib elevations on opposite sides of a flat of a roof panel, elevated above the water line of the panel flat. Where the support structure surrounds an aperture, a diverter seals a cut away portion of the rib structure and diverts water through the rib structure and laterally away from the rail and closure structure. | 09-19-2013 |
20130305623 | FALL PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Fall protection systems, methods of installing such systems, and buildings embodying such systems. Such fall protection system extends from structure elements of the building about an encompassed space into which there is risk of a person falling. An open-mesh web is supported from the structure elements and overlies, and extends across, the space. A perimeter band extends about the encompassed space. The perimeter band is secured to the building structure elements about the space and thus entraps the web between the band and the building structure elements. The web may also be supported in the space by supplemental supports, which can be crossing support bands, attached to the structure elements, or intervening e.g. walls within the space. The web is left in place and is covered by internal finish materials whereby the web is captured between internal finish materials and ceiling and/or floor members in the finished building. | 11-21-2013 |
20140020314 | SUPPORT STRUCTURES ON ROOFS - This invention provides upper diverters which are used on support structures on roofs. Such upper diverter has a lower flange which interfaces with the respective roof panel, and an upstanding wall which extends up from the lower flange. The upper diverter diverts water, flowing down the roof, laterally away from the respective roof panel. | 01-23-2014 |
20140109497 | SUPPORT STRUCTURES ON ROOFS - This invention provides upper diverters which are used on support structures on roofs. Such upper diverter has a lower flange which interfaces with the respective roof panel, and an upstanding wall which extends up from the lower flange. The upper diverter diverts water, flowing down the roof, laterally away from the respective roof panel. | 04-24-2014 |
20140260068 | SUPPORT STRUCTURES ON ROOFS - Metal panel roofs, and load support structures for supporting loads on such roofs. Side rails provide primary support for loads on such roofs. The side rails can be fabricated from sheet metal or can be extruded. A side rail includes a standing seam cavity which is lowered, and covers, the standing seam. Side walls of the standing seam cavity. An upstanding web extends up from the cavity, and lower shoulders may extend laterally, optionally downwardly, from the walls which define the cavity, on either one side, or both sides, of the cavity. Building roof insulation can extend up through an aperture in the roof, surrounded by such load support structure, and extend up to the top of the side rail, thus providing a thermal break between the load support structure elements and the space surrounded by the load support structure. | 09-18-2014 |
20140352233 | RAIL MOUNTING SYSTEMS ON ROOFS - The invention provides a system for installing a roof penetrating structure to a metal roof, the system comprising: a) a rail and closure structure adapted to be supported by adjacent rib elevations of said roof; b) a skylight adapted to be supported on the rail and closure structure; and c) a support member for sealing a cut away portion of the rib structure to divert water away from the rail and closure structure. | 12-04-2014 |
20140373463 | SUPPORT STRUCTURES AND METHODS OF MOUNTING LOADS ON ROOFS - The invention provides a system for installing a roof penetrating structure to a metal roof, the system comprising: a) a rail and closure structure adapted to be supported by adjacent rib elevations of said roof; b) a skylight adapted to be supported on the rail and closure structure; and c) a support member for sealing a cut away portion of the rib structure to divert water away from the rail and closure structure. | 12-25-2014 |
20150013241 | DIVERTER - A roof load support structure supports a load on a sloping metal panel roof such that substantially all of the load is conveyed through rails, which are mounted on roof panel ribs, thence through the roof panel ribs, and to underlying building support structure. Minor portions of the load can be conveyed through an upper diverter and a lower closure. The upper diverter diverts water laterally away from the support structure, in two opposing directions to two opposing sides of the support structure. | 01-15-2015 |
20150013247 | THERMAL BARRIER ABOUT ROOF SUPPORT STRUCTURE - A load support structure supports a load on a metal panel roof, such that substantially all of the load is conveyed through rails, which are mounted on roof panel ribs. Lateral closure members extend about, and define, the load support structure. Cavities are provided in the lateral closure members. Thermal breaks extend upwardly from the roof opening, through the tops of the closure members. Such thermal breaks are provided by a combination of thermal product in the closure member cavities and by strategic placement of edge portions of underlying roof insulation. | 01-15-2015 |
20150013248 | SUPPORT STRUCTURE, CAVITY OPENING COOPERATING WITH ELONGATE INSERT - A load support structure supports a load on a metal panel roof. Such load support structure includes multiple closure members including opposing side rails, and optionally end closures. The rails are mounted on roof panel ribs. Cavities can be disposed inwardly of the outer perimeter of the support structure as defined by the closure members, in upper portions of the closure members. Rods may be inserted through slot-shaped openings, into the cavities. Cross-section dimensions of the rods are less than the widths of the cavity openings. Either the rods are compressed, or the cavity openings are expanded, or both, so as to enable manually inserting the rods into the cavities. Elongate thermal breaks may be installed at and adjacent the cavities, to assist in controlling thermal conduction through the closure members, between the outside environment and the enclosed space above the roof opening. | 01-15-2015 |