Rooftop-mountable load support structure with adapter plug(s)
AssigneeT&M Inventions, LLC
InventorsTimothy Pendley, Michael J. McLain
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Load support structures for mounting a load atop a raised rib metal panel roof make use of relatively small, inexpensive, and easy-to-make adapter plugs as interfaces between the raised ribs and one or more component pieces or members of the load support structure, such as an upper diverter or a lower closure member. The adapter plug has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having an inner profile substantially matching or conforming to some or all of the profile of a particular style of rib profile. The outer surface of the adapter plug has a standardized shape, some or all of which is made to conform to an upper diverter, lower closure, and/or other component member of the load support structure.
Claims21
A load support structure for mounting a load on a metal panel roof in which elongate metal roof panels are arranged side by side, with edges of adjacent roof panels being joined to each other to define elevated roof panel ribs, and panel flats of the roof panels extending between adjacent ones of the elevated ribs, the roof panel ribs including a second roof panel rib disposed between a first and a third roof panel rib, the first, second, and third ribs all having a same rib profile, the load support structure comprising:
- an upper diverter and a lower closure, each adapted to extend from the first rib to the third rib;
- a first side rail and a second side rail, each adapted to extend from the upper diverter to the lower closure;
- and
- a first adapter plug having a first outer surface and a first inner surface, the first outer surface having a first outer profile, and the first inner surface having a first inner profile;
- wherein the upper diverter includes a lower flange, a first inclined element, a second inclined element, and an upstanding element, the first and second inclined elements each connecting the lower flange to the upstanding element but on opposite ends of the upper diverter;
- wherein the upper diverter further includes a first cover structure disposed between the first and second inclined elements;
- wherein the first cover structure substantially conforms to at least part of the first outer surface of the first adapter plug;
- and
- wherein the first inner profile of the first adapter plug substantially conforms to at least part of the rib profile.
A load support structure for mounting a load on a metal panel roof in which elongate metal roof panels are arranged side by side, with edges of adjacent roof panels being joined to each other to define elevated roof panel ribs, and panel flats of the roof panels extending between adjacent ones of the elevated ribs, the roof panel ribs including a second roof panel rib disposed between a first and a third roof panel rib, the first, second, and third ribs all having a same rib profile, the load support structure comprising:
- an upper diverter including a first diverter member and a second diverter member, the first diverter member adapted to extend from the first rib to the second rib and the second diverter member adapted to extend from the second rib to the third rib;
- a lower closure including a first closure member and a second closure member, the first closure member adapted to extend from the first rib to the second rib and the second closure member adapted to extend from the second rib to the third rib;
- a first side rail and a second side rail, each adapted to extend from the upper diverter to the lower closure;
- and
- a first adapter plug having a first outer surface and a first inner surface, the first outer surface having a first outer profile, and the first inner surface having a first inner profile;
- wherein the first diverter element includes a first upstanding portion, a first inclined element, and a first cover element;
- wherein the second diverter member includes a second upstanding portion, a second inclined element, and a second cover element;
- wherein the first cover element in combination with the second cover element substantially conform to at least part of the first outer profile of the first adapter plug;
- and
- wherein the first inner profile of the first adapter plug substantially conforms to at least part of the rib profile.
A load support structure for mounting a load on a metal panel roof that includes regularly spaced raised ribs, the ribs including a second rib disposed between a first and a third rib, the first, second, and third ribs all having a same rib profile, the load support structure comprising:
- a first transverse member and a second transverse member, each adapted to extend from the first rib to the third rib;
- a first side rail and a second side rail, each adapted to extend from the first transverse member to the second transverse member;
- and
- an adapter plug having an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface having an outer profile, and the inner surface having an inner profile;
- wherein the first transverse member includes a cover structure that substantially conforms to at least part of the outer surface of the adapter plug;
- and
- wherein the inner profile of the adapter plug substantially conforms to at least part of the rib profile.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.