Patent Application
20130340362
1. Field of the Invention
This invention related to skylights in general and more particularly to skylights having a light transmitting lens that caps a roof curb and which provides a peripheral attachment lip that terminates below the top of the curb and is secured to the curb below the curb top using a metallic mounting frame.
2. Description of Related Art
A fixed unit skylight consists of a light transmitting lens that is supported by and attached to a structural perimeter frame that generally forms part of the roof of a building. Commonly, the lens of a unit skylight is attached to and supported by the curb using a glazed or otherwise sealed mounting frame. The mounting frame may consist of multiple sections all of which must be joined together and attached to the top of the curb. The assembly of the frame sections and mounting of the lens to the curb all create potential leak points and opportunities for system failure, especially over time as the system experiences wear.
One example of a prior art unit skylight system is shown in
The retaining clip 4 includes a horizontal part 7 which overlays the lens assembly 1 and a vertical part 8 which is joined to the upstanding flange 3.1 with fasteners 9 thereby capturing the lens assembly 1 between the mounting platform 3.2 below and the horizontal part 7 of the retaining clip 4 above.
Opportunities for system failure in a unit skylight system such as that described above generally increase with the complexity of the mounting system. In systems such as that shown in
In some prior art mounting frames a condensation grill, such as upturned flange 3.3 shown in
An improved unit skylight system comprises a unitary light transmitting lens having a main lens body and an integral horizontal support flange extending from and surrounding the main lens body. An integral downwardly depending circumferential skirt panel extends outwardly from the support flange and an integral horizontal attachment lip extends outwardly from the lower edge of the skirt panel. The support flange rests on the top surface of a structural curb of a roof, such that the main lens body spans the full dimension of the daylighting aperture formed by the curb. With the support flange of the lens resting on the curb, the lower attachment lip of the lens projects outwardly below the top of and away from the curb.
A mounting frame includes a generally U-shaped portion having an upper hold-down flange and a parallel lower flange. The lower attachment lip of the lens is captured in a recess formed between the upper and lower flanges. An attachment collar depends from the inner edge of the lower flange and is spaced from the curb to accommodate roofing material. The attachment collar is fixed to the curb with fasteners that pass through the roofing material into the curb, thereby urging the U-shaped portion of the mounting frame onto the lower attachment lip and holding the lens onto the curb.
The lens thus covers the entire geographic span of the aperture formed by the curb, the perimeter of the lens flows over and below the top of the curb, and is affixed to the curb below the top surface of the curb thereby avoiding water intrusion problems associated with prior art unit skylight systems and eliminating undesirable encroachment into the light-admitting aperture.
An improved unit skylighting system is illustrated in
The skylight lens 12 is of molded unitary construction, is at least semi-transparent, and may have a prismatic lower surface 24 for diffusing light. The lens 12 includes an integral horizontal support flange 26 which extends outwardly from and surrounds the main lens body 28. See
With continuing reference to
The mounting frame 42 includes a U-shaped portion 44 having an upper hold-down flange 46 and a lower flange 48 interconnected by a spine 50. A recess 52 is defined between the upper and lower flanges 46, 48 and sized to receive the attachment lip 40. The recess 52 is of a sufficient height to accommodate the attachment lip 40 and a spline 54 to achieve a secure fit between the upper and lower flanges 46, 48. The lower flange 48 is provided with a roughened surface 56 on which a bead of sealant 58 may be deposited. The sealant 58 acts as an adhesive between attachment lip 40 and lower flange 48 and makes a water resistant joint between the attachment lip 40 and mounting frame 42 that prevents water from penetrating to the outer side 18 of the curb 14.
An attachment collar 60 depends vertically from the lower flange 48 of the mounting frame 42 and is spaced a distance D from the outer side 18 of the curb 14 for accommodating roofing material (not shown) that is built up on the side of the curb during a typical skylight installation. Fasteners 62 are introduced through apertures 64 in the attachment collar 60 (see
The mounting frame 42 is assembled in sections in a normal installation usually by cutting the ends of adjoining sections at a 45 degree angle as shown in
The lens 12 and mounting frame 42 are assembled in a manufacturing facility and then transported to the roof where the assembly is positioned over the curb 14 and securely fastened into place as described above.
An improved unit skylight system according to the invention is simple in construction, reduces opportunities for leakage of water into the underlying structure, may be installed quickly and with ease, and maximizes the light aperture through which light penetrates to the building interior. The system will also accommodate flashing.
An embodiment of an improved unit skylighting system according to the invention has been described and illustrated. Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it should be clearly understood that the disclosure is illustrative and by way example only and is not to be taken as limiting, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
