Architectural glazing panel system and retaining clip therefor

A glazing panel system for use with rafters and purlins and having light transmission to withstand forces of approximately 50 psf or 100 mph wind speeds, said glazing system comprising:

• a plurality of glazing panels being for being supported by a framework of rafters and purlins;
• an upstanding seam flange at opposite ends of the panels having a top side thereon, the upstanding seam flanges being disposed parallel and adjacent to one another;
• joining connectors fitted over the tops of adjacent seams and connecting the adjacent, upstanding seam flanges together and covering a seam formed between adjacent, glazing panels;
• at least one retention clip disposed between adjacent, upstanding seams and having a base for being secured to the purlins to secure the glazing panels to the purlins;
• a central web on the retention clip positioned between adjacent seam flanges at the location of the purlin;
• and
• a top flange on the retention clip abutting the top sides of each said of adjacent seam flanges over a distance about equal to or greater than the width of the base to retain the glazing panels against said forces,
• wherein the base comprises a bottom flange on the retention clip for resting on the purlin;
• fasteners for securing the bottom flange of the retention clip to the purlin;
• and
• the top flange, overlying the upstanding seam flanges, is substantially longer than the bottom flange.

A glazing panel system having light transmission to withstand forces of 50 psf or from winds in excess of 50 mph and for use with rafters and purlins, said glazing system comprising:

• glazing panels for being supported by a framework of rafters and purlins;
• an upstanding seam flange at opposite ends of the panels having a top side thereon
• with the upstanding seam flanges being disposed parallel and adjacent to one another;
• batten members of inverted U-shape fitted over the tops of adjacent seams and connecting the adjacent, upstanding seam flanges together and covering a seam formed between adjacent, glazing panels;
• at least one retention clip having portions of non-uniform, cross-sectional thickness disposed between adjacent, upstanding seams for being secured to the rafters to secure the glazing panels to the rafters;
• a central web on the retention clip positioned between adjacent seam flanges at the location of the purlin;
• an integral base on the retention clip for securing to a rafter;
• tooth snap-fit detents on the batten members and on the seam flanges for joining the glazing panels together with snap-fit batten members;
• and
• a top flange on the retention clip abutting the top sides of each of said adjacent seam flanges over a distance about equal to or greater than the width of the rafter to retain the snap-fit detents on the seam flanges from peeling loose from the detents on the batten members to withstand 50 psf or winds in excess of 50 mph with the central web having a predetermined height to position the top flange to engage tightly against the top sides of the adjacent seam flanges so that said engagement provides the primary resistance against pull forces tending to separate the tooth snap-fit detents of the batten members and seam flanges and the batten joined panels off from the framework of purlins and rafters.

A clip for architectural panel members having upstanding seam flanges connected by a batten-type joining connector, the clip comprising:

• a central web portion of the clip having side bearing surfaces for being disposed between adjacent panel members and extending between connected seam flanges thereof;
• a base integral with the central web portion and having a predetermined length;
• and
• a top flange which extends integrally transverse to the base length on top of the central web portion continuously across the web portion to provide the top flange with a transverse width with the central web portion having a predetermined height sized so that the integral top flange engages over and tightly against one adjacent panel seam flange on one side of the clip central portion and engages over and tightly against the other adjacent panel seam flange on the other side of the clip central portion to stiffen the connected panel members.

A retaining clip for holding architectural glazing panels securely against supporting structure in a predetermined orientation with the retaining clip being fastened to the supporting structure and fit between upstanding seam flanges of adjacent panels connected by a joining connector attached onto the seam flanges, the retaining clip comprising:

• an extruded, one-piece body for the clip;
• an integral, central portion on the clip body having opposite sides for bearing against adjacent panels and their joining flanges;
• an integral base of the clip body with the central portion upstanding from the base to a top thereof;
• and
• an integral, top flange having a first section transversely extending from one side of the central portion and a second section transversely extending from the other side of the central portion with the first and second sections extending for a distance greater than the base to provide improved holding power in keeping the panels anchored when the panels are subject to heavy loads, the sides of the clip central portion including side bearing surfaces that are substantially flat and extend continuously between the top flange and base of the clip with the bearing surfaces having a predetermined height sized to substantially match that of the panel joining flanges to allow the joining flanges to bear flush against the bearing surfaces continuously therealong between the top flange and the base of the clip.