Abstract:
A skylight for a standing seam roof having a skylight panel housed in a frame with a vertically extending curb along two longitudinal and two lateral sides. The frame curb integrates on the longitudinal sides with U-shaped curbs formed into modified roof panels selected from the construction project. On the lateral sides, the frame curb integrates with curbs formed in two end pieces painted with the other roof panels in the project. Standing seams, which are raised above the surface of the roof, interconnect the regular roof panels. The modified roof panels interconnect with the standing seams of the regular roof panels. The lateral sides of the skylight assembly traverse at least one standing seam when integrated with the regular roof panels.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not Applicable. 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention is generally related to roofing skylights and more specifically to modularly integrated skylights for standing seam roofs. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Skylights installed in roofs are widely practiced. In roofs with a standing seam roofing system prior art skylights have been affixed to adjacent roof panels by utilizing the standing seams of those roof panels. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,680 issued to Weisner et al. on Mar. 17, 1987, discloses a skylight system for a standing seam roof in which plastic skylight sections are formed to have the same width as a standard metal roof panel and shaped to integrate into the standing seam roof in place of a standard metal roof panel between two standing seams. U.S. Pat. No. 4,117,638 issued to Kidd, Jr. et al. on Oct. 3, 1978, discloses a skylight panel where the transparent panel is shaped to clip into the standing rib interface in place of a metal central panel. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,426 issued to Weisner, et al. on Mar. 15, 1988 discloses a skylight for a barrel tile roof. The skylight is made of plastic and folded along the edges to mate with the standing seams on each side of the skylight. The width of the skylight is the width of an integral number of roof tiles, creating joints at each standing seam. 
   Other prior art skylights are installed into the flat portion of the roof panel between the standing seams. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,576 issued to Gumpert et al. on Jun. 28, 1994, discloses a skylight system for use on metal standing seam roofs. The skylight is curbless and integrates into the flat metal panel between two adjacent standing seams. The roof panel is cut and the edges are folded back to form a lip over which a bubble-shaped covering is placed and sealed. In this manner, material is shed off the roof between the two standing seams and able to flow past the skylight. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,051 issued to Weisner et al. on Jul. 18, 1989, discloses a low profile skylight for a shingled sloping roof with a unitary rectangular frame having an upstanding standing seam element along each longitudinal edge. Head and sill flashings are provided to seal the remaining perimeter of the skylight. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,511 issued to Weisner et al. on Aug. 29, 1989, discloses a curbless skylight having a central dome and a pair of standing seam edges suitable for installation in a metal standing seam roof, wherein the standing seam edges are joined to adjacent metal standing, seams with the same covered by battens. 
   It would be an improvement to the field to provide a skylight for standing seam roofs that spans across at least one standing seam, and integrated into a section of the standing seam panels, so as to be installed into the roof as a unitary component. It would be an improvement to the field to have the skylight assembly match the color of the metal standing seam roof. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the objects of my invention are to provide, inter alia, a skylight for a standing seam roof that:
         integrates into the standing seam connection system of the remainder of the roof;   accommodates a skylight panel that may span at least one standing seam; and   integrates into different types of standing seam connectors.       

   Other objects of my invention will become evident throughout the reading of this application. 
   My invention is a skylight for a standing seam roof comprising a durable gauge skylight panel frame integrated into at least one section of the particular roofing material being used. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the skylight assembly for a standing seam roof. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the skylight frame interlocking with modified standing seam roof panels. 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the skylight frame interface with a modified standing seam roof panel. 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the skylight frame interface with top end piece and a water diverter. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the skylight frame assembly. 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of a partially modified roof panel. 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of a partially modified roof panel. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a modified roof panel. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a notch and cap on the lower edge of the skylight assembly. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a prior art standing seam connection. 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of a prior art standing seam connection. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The preferred embodiment of my standing seam skylight assembly is shown in  FIGS. 1–8 . The standing seam skylight assembly is depicted as  10 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a prior art typical standing seam  121  is shown. Typical standing seam  121  joins two typical roof panels  120   a  and  120   b . Each roofing panel in a project has a typical inner connector  122  along one edge and a typical outer connector  123  along the opposing edge.  FIG. 11  depicts typical standing seam  121 , which is created by inserting typical inner connector  122  along one side of typical roof panel  120   b  into typical outer connector  123  of one side of typical roof panel  120   a  in an interference fit. In this manner, many roofing panels can be joined to form a complete roof. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , standing seam skylight assembly  10  is comprised of a skylight frame assembly  50 , two roof panels  20   a  and  20   b , a top end piece  41 , and a bottom end piece  45 . Roof panels  20   a  and  20   b  are immediately adjacent opposing sides of skylight frame assembly  50 . Top end piece  41  and bottom end piece  45  are located between roof panels  20   a  and  20   b  and are immediately adjacent opposing ends of skylight frame assembly  50 . Top end piece  41  and bottom end piece  45  may partially overlap each roof panel  20   a  and  20   b . Skylight assembly  10  has skylight assembly upper edge  12  and skylight assembly lower edge  15 . Skylight assembly upper edge  12  is at a higher elevation than skylight assembly lower edge  15  when skylight assembly  10  is integrated into a sloped roof. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , the skylight frame assembly  50  comprises a skylight curb  70  and a translucent or transparent skylight panel  52 . Skylight frame assembly  50  has an upper end  62 , a lower end  64 , and two longitudinal sides  66   a  and  66   b . Upper end  62  is that end with a higher elevation along the pitch of a sloped roof when skylight assembly  10  is installed in a sloped roof. Upper end  62  has a top frame width  63 . Lower end  64  has a lower frame width  65 . Lower end  64  and upper end  62  are along opposing ends of skylight frame assembly  50 . Each of the two longitudinal sides  66   a  and  66   b  extends between the extremities of upper end  62  and lower end  64  to form a rectangular frame shape. Skylight curb  70  houses skylight panel  52 . Skylight curb  70  has an inner periphery  69  defined as that part of skylight curb  70  immediately adjacent and surrounding skylight panel  52 . A skylight curb length  75  is the longitudinal length of skylight curb  70 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , skylight curb  70  extends around skylight panel  52  and is C-shaped with the open portion of the “C” facing away from inner periphery  69 . In the exemplary embodiment, skylight curb  70  comprises a frame ledge  72 , a skylight curb side member  73 , a skylight curb top member  76 , and a skylight curb lip  77 . Skylight curb side member  73  encompasses inner periphery  69  of skylight curb  70 . Skylight curb side member  73  and frame ledge  72  are adjoined perpendicularly along a common edge while skylight curb top member  76  is adjoined perpendicularly to the opposing edge of skylight curb side member  73 . Frame ledge  72  and skylight curb top member  76  are positioned such that skylight curb top member  76  is parallel to and overhangs frame ledge  72 . A skylight curb height  74  is defined as the distance between facing surfaces of skylight curb top member  76  and frame ledge  72 . Skylight curb lip  77  is perpendicularly adjoined to skylight curb top member  76  along an outer corner  78 , distal skylight curb side member  73  and extends toward frame ledge  72 , thus forming a C-shape. A skylight curb width  79  is defined as the distance between facing surfaces of skylight curb side member  73  and skylight curb lip  77 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the exemplary embodiment of the interface, curb interface  30 , between skylight curb  70  and roof panels  20   a  and  20   b  is shown. Roof panels  20   a  and  20   b  are each adapted to interface with skylight curb  70  along longitudinal sides  66   a  and  66   b.    
   Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , roof panels,  20   a  and  20   b  are shown. Roof panels  20   a  and  20   b  are selected from roofing panels that are to be used in the roofing project. Roof panels  20   a  and  20   b  are modified to accommodate skylight frame assembly  50 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , to prepare roof panels  20   a  and  20   b  for assembly with skylight frame, assembly  50 , the inner connector (not shown) of one roof panel  20   a  is removed leaving an inner connector edge  24 , which is straight. An outer connector  23  remains along the edge opposing inner connector edge  24 .  FIG. 7  shows roof panel  20   b  with the outer connector (not shown) removed, leaving an outer connector edge  26 , which is also straight. An inner connector  22  remains along the edge opposite outer connector edge  26 . Outer connector  23  and inner connector  22  may be referred to herein as panel attachment members. Inner connector edge  24  and outer connector edge  26  may be referred to herein as frame interface edges. 
   Two slits  27   a  and  27   b  are cut into a panel surface  25   a  of roof panel  20   a  from inner connector edge  24  in a direction perpendicular to inner connector edge  24 . Similarly, two slits  27   c  and  27   d  are cut perpendicular to outer connector edge  26  from outer connector edge  26  into panel surface  25   b  of roof panel  20   b . Some material along inner connector edge  24  outside slits  27   a  and  27   b  may be removed as may some material along outer connector edge  26  outside slits  27   c  and  27   d.    
   The edge between slits  27   a  and  27   b  is a panel curb, edge  88   a  and the edge between slits  27   c  and  27   d  is a panel curb edge  88   b . The distance between slits  27   a  and  27   b  on roof panel  20   a  is a panel curb length  87   a  and between slits  27   c  and  27   d  on roof panel  20   b  is a panel curb length  87   b . Panel curb lengths  87   a  and  87   b  are each equivalent to skylight curb length  75  plus an allowance for a curb thickness  35 , shown in  FIG. 4 , which will be present at the interfaces between skylight curb  70  and top end piece  41  and skylight curb  70  and bottom end piece  45 , discussed below. The distance between panel curb edge  88   a  and the ends of slit  27   a  and  27   b  is a slit length  28 , which is equivalent to the sum of skylight curb height  74  and skylight curb width  79 . Surface material between slits  27   a  and  27   b  and between slits  27   c  and  27   d  may have to be removed to accommodate top frame width  63  and lower frame width  65  while maintaining the proper slit length  28 . Panel surface  25   a  between slits  27   a  and  27   b  on roof panel  20   a  and panel surface  25   b  between slits  27   c  and  27   d  on roof panel  20   b  are bent to form a panel curb  80 , shown in  FIG. 8 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , in the exemplary embodiment, panel curb  80  comprises a panel surface  25   a , a panel curb side  82 , and a panel curb lip  84 . Panel curb  80  is formed by bending roof panel  20   a  along panel surface  25   a  between slits  27   a  and  27   b  perpendicular to the panel surface  25   a  to form panel curb side  82 . Panel surface  25   a  is bent such that panel curb side  82  extends upwards, in the same direction as outer connector  23  along the edge opposite inner connector edge  24  of roof panel  20   a . Panel curb side  82  is then bent toward outer connector  23  of the roof panel  20   a  so that it is parallel to and overhangs panel surface  25   a , thereby forming panel curb lip  84 . Thus, panel curb  80  is U-shaped. A panel curb end  86  is located along the free edge of panel curb lip  84 . Panel curb  80  has a height  83  and panel curb lip  84  has a width  85 . The height  83  of panel curb  80  and the width  85  of panel curb lip  84  are such that panel curb  80  has an edge shape firmly receivable within the shape of the skylight curb  70 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the U-shape of panel curb  80  fits within the C-shape of skylight curb  70  along longitudinal sides  66   a  and  66   b . Roof panel  20   b  is prepared in the same manner as roof panel  20   a  with panel curb  80  formed along outer connector edge  26  between slits  27   c  and  27   d.    
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , the interface between roof panel  20   b  panel curb  80  and skylight curb  70  is shown. Insulation  56 , which is optional, but preferably included, is also shown, snugly sandwiched between panel curb  80  and skylight curb  70 . Panel curb side  82  of panel curb  80 , abuts against the insulation  56 . The snug fit of insulation  56  against panel curb side  82  causes panel curb end  86  to press against the inside of skylight curb lip  77  at outer corner  78 . The tension between the U-shaped panel curb  80  and the C-shaped skylight curb  70  results in panel surface  25   b  and frame ledge  72  abutting parallel, such that frame ledge  72  provides support and rigidity to panel surface  25   b.    
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , top end piece  41  and bottom end piece  45  are shown along upper end  62  and lower end  64  of skylight frame assembly  50 . In the preferred embodiment, both top end piece  41  and bottom end piece  45  are made from one or more flat sheets of roofing material obtained with roof panels  20   a  and  20   b  for the roofing project. Thus, top end piece  41  and bottom end piece  45  match the color of the roofing project. Top and bottom end pieces  41  and  45  interface with top and lower ends  62  and  64  of skylight frame assembly  50  in a manner similar to the interface between roof panels  20   a  and  20   b  and skylight frame assembly  50  along longitudinal sides  66   a  and  66   b.    
     FIG. 4  depicts the interface between top end piece  41  and skylight curb  70 . In the exemplary embodiment, top end piece  41  has a U-shaped curb section  42  along the side interfacing with skylight curb  70  and is otherwise flat. U-shaped curb section  42  of top end piece  41  interlocks with the C-shape of skylight curb  70 . Insulation  56  is preferably included between curb section  42  and skylight curb  70 . Curb thickness  35  is the thickness of insulation  56  plus the immediately adjacent surfaces of top end piece  41  and skylight curb side member  73 . The interface along lower end  64  of skylight frame assembly  50  with bottom end piece  45  is the same as that just described. Appropriate roofing sealer (not shown) is optional, but may be used where frame ledge  72  of skylight curb  70  and top and bottom end pieces  41  and  45  overlap. Roof panels  20   a  and  20   b  overlap top end piece  41  and bottom end piece  45  to provide additional support to the surface of roof panels  20   a  and  20   b  and to prevent leakage. Therefore, panel curb length  87  must allow for curb thickness  35  in addition to skylight curb length  75 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , a water diverter  54 , also known as a cricket, may be affixed to top end piece  41 . Many types of water diverters  54  are practiced in the skylight industry and may be used to divert water around skylight frame assembly  50 . One type of water diverter  54  attaches to top end piece  41  at diverter attachment point  55 . From diverter attachment point  55 , water diverter  54  slants downward and is affixed to top end piece  41 . Water diverter  54  has a centrally-located fold  53  thereby forming two triangularly-shaped sloped surfaces  51   a  and  51   b  extending from fold  53  to top end piece  41 . Thus, water flowing down skylight assembly  10  is diverted from skylight frame assembly  50 , preventing leakage. Other styles of water diverters, which are not depicted, include components that have walls raised vertically from the roof panel surface rather than trianguarly-shaped surfaces. The walls are positioned such that they direct flowing water away from the skylight frame assembly  50 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 9 , when skylight assembly  10  is used in a roofing project, skylight assembly lower edge  15  may be located such that it overlaps the top of other roofing panels (not shown) used in the project. Because skylight assembly  10  may be wider than the roofing panels in the project, one or more notches  59  are cut along the skylight assembly lower edge  15  to accommodate the standing seam(s) (not shown) of the lower adjacent roof panels (not shown). When skylight assembly  10  is the width of two roofing panels, one standing seam (not shown) is traversed by skylight assembly  10  and one notch  59  is cut along skylight assembly lower edge  15 . When skylight assembly  10  is the width of three roofing panels, two standing seams are traversed by the skylight assembly  10  and two notches  59  are cut along skylight assembly lower edge  15  and so on. Caps  58  are placed over the end of each of the lower adjacent standing seams. Other roofing panels in the project might be located such that they overlap skylight assembly upper edge  12 . When necessary, caps  58  are placed over the end of the standing seams of these roofing panels as well. 
   Referring again to  FIG. 1 , skylight frame assembly  50  is constructed of material sufficiently rigid enough to support skylight panel  52 . Once skylight frame assembly  50  is integrated into roof panels  20   a  and  20   b  and top and bottom end pieces  41  and  45 , it can then be employed in a roofing project similar to other panels in the project, with outer connector  23  on roof panel  20   a  connecting to an inner connector (not shown) of an adjacent roof panel (not shown) and inner connector  22 , of roof panel  20   b  connecting to outer connector (not shown) of an adjacent roof panel (not shown). 
   The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.