Abstract:
A clamping assembly for attaching loads to various kinds of flanged seams, the assembly comprising a generally U-shaped clamp body, at least one clamping hammer disposed interior of the clamp body, the clamping hammer being hingedly secured to the clamp body along the longitudinal axis of the clamp body, at least one adjustment screw extending through the clamp body and adapted to selectively impinge against the clamping hammer and cause it to pivot about its axis, the adjustment screw extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the clamping hammer, at least one locking screw adapted to selectively impinge against the clamping hammer to prevent pivoting of the same whereby a standing seam received within the clamp body may be tightly grasped between the clamp body and the clamping hammer under action of the adjustment screw and then locked into place by the locking screw.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention is a clamp assembly for attaching loads to various kinds of flanged seams including, but not limited to, standing seam roofing. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Standing seams are often used to interconnect metal panels to form the roof of a building or other structure. The seam is created by bending and profiling together adjacent side edges of two metal sheets to form an upwardly extending portion that interlocks the sheets as it extends the width or length of the roof surface. The head or uppermost portion of the seam may be formed in a variety of shapes depending upon the manner in which the sheets are profiled together. For example, the head of a standing seam may be L-shaped, T-shaped, rounded, doubled over or have some other profile correlating to the nature of end use. 
         [0003]    It is desirable to attach a structure to a standing seam, especially in the case of roofing. Rooftops are obvious locations for mounting of solar panel arrays, walkways, plumbing, wiring or other ancillary structures including but not limited to snow catchers, ice dams, etc. 
         [0004]    When attaching a structure to standing seam, drilling or penetration of the seam is avoided because doing so can affect the life of the roof. Clamp assemblies that do not penetrate a standing seam are known; however, these devices use bolts that are tightened directly against the seam which can damage the seam and ultimately affect the integrity of the roof. Prior art clamping assemblies also produce an uneven clamping pressure that is not evenly distributed against the seam eventually leading to clamp or roof failure. Many other roofs clamps are known, but in each of these cases the device is complicated and difficult to install quickly. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention is a clamping assembly comprising a generally U-shaped clamp body for receiving a standing seam, an I-beam or similar structure, either a pair of cooperating clamping hammers or a single clamping hammer are disposed interior of the clamp body, the clamping hammers are hingedly secured to the clamp body along a longitudinal axis of the body and each is provided with at least one adjustment screw adapted to movably extend through the clamp body and selectively impinge against the hammer and cause it to pivot about its axis to open and close the clamp, the adjustment screw being disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis of the clamping hammer, each clamping hammer is also provided with at least one locking screw that movably extends through the clamp body to selectively impinge against the hammer and prevent pivoting whereby a standing seam or other structure received within the clamp body may be tightly grasped between the pair of cooperating hammers (or single hammer) to clamp and lock it into place. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a typical overlap type standing seam that may be clamped by the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the clamp assembly according to the present invention with portions broken away; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is perspective view of the clamp shown in  FIG. 2  when clamping standing seam with portions of the clamp shown in broken lines; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the clamp assembly shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is cross sectional view of the clamp shown in  FIG. 4  when clamping a double lock type standing seam; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is cross-sectional view of the clamp shown in  FIG. 4  when clamping a trapezoid double lock type standing seam; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view showing an alternative embodiment of the clamp shown in  FIG. 4  when clamping an angled seam; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view showing an alternative embodiment of the clamp shown in  FIG. 4  when clamping a seam having a round head; 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view showing an alternative embodiment of the clamp shown in  FIG. 4  when clamping an off-set seam; 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view showing an alternative embodiment of the clamp according to the present invention with a pair of protective gaskets; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view showing an alternative embodiment of one clamp according to the present invention having an isolation membrane to protect a roof or other structure from vibration, sound or the like. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a standard overlap-type standing seam SS comprising metal sheets  2  and  4  interconnected at upstanding portion  6  and head portion  8 . The standing seam SS is formed by bending or profiling together adjacent edges of sheets  2  and  4  to interlock the edges at head portion  8  in a known manner. The present invention is applicable for clamping other standing seams as will be explained further below. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 2  though  5 , the clamp assembly CA of the present invention is shown in greater detail. As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the clamp assembly CA comprises a generally U-shaped clamp body  10 , formed from metal such as extruded aluminum or a high density plastic or other material, and having a top  12  and sides  14  that define an interior region  16  for receiving a standing seam. The clamp body  10  may be of variable length and thickness depending upon the end use of the clamp and the strength requirements necessary for that particular use. 
         [0021]    Adjustment screws  18  are provided along both sides  14  of the clamp body. The apertures for each of the adjustment screws  18  are disposed adjacent the bottom edge of each side  14  and each extends through the sides  14  so such that the adjustment screw may be selectively moved into and out of interior region  16  of the clamp body. 
         [0022]    Locking screws  20  may be provided along both sides  14  of the clamp body. The apertures for each of the locking screws  20  are disposed adjacent the top edge of each side  14  and each extends through the sides  14  so that it can be selectively moved into and out of the interior region  16  of the clamp body to lock the clamp onto a seam as will be further explained below. The number of locking screws  20  and adjustment screws  18  provided on the clamp is variable. In general, the clamp body  10  will have a pair of adjustment screws on each of side of the clamp, the pairs aligned as mirror images and at least one locking screw per side. 
         [0023]    A threaded aperture  22  is provided within the top  12  of the clamp body  10  to receive a threaded bolt (not shown) that may be used to attach a solar panel, wiring or other structure to the clamp body. Similarly, and as best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a threaded aperture A may be provided in either or both of the sides  14  of the clamp body to receive a threaded bolt (not shown) to attach a solar panel, wiring, or some other structure to the clamp body. 
         [0024]    Turning to  FIGS. 3 through 5 , additional features of the clamp assembly CA are shown together with operation of the clamp. The interior region  16  comprises side walls  24  and top wall  26 . The width and height of interior region  16  may be varied depending upon the size of the standing seam to be clamped. 
         [0025]    A pair of movable clamping jaws or hammers  28  are provided within interior region  16  of the clamp body  10  for clamping against a seam. As best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the clamping hammers are disposed as mirror images of each other and in one embodiment, are generally L-shaped to accommodate the head portion of a conventional folded seam as will be further explained below. The hammers  28  extend the length of the clamp body  10  from a first end to a second end and are pivotally secured within the clamp body at hinge member  30 . The hammers may be constructed from metal, such as extruded aluminum, or from a high density plastic or other material suitable to the use of the clamp. 
         [0026]    Hinge member  30  comprises a cylindrical member  32 , provided at the top of the clamping hammer  28  and extending the length of the hammer, and a cooperating groove  34  provided within the clamp body, the groove  34  sized to receive the cylindrical member  32  such that hammer  28  is adapted to freely pivot about the longitudinal axis of hinge member  30 . During assembly of the clamp, a series of inwardly extending detents (not shown) may be provided at each end of the groove  34  to retain the clamping hammer  28  within the groove  34 . 
         [0027]    As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the adjustment screws  18  are aligned transverse to the longitudinal axis of the clamping hammers  28 . Selectively turning the adjustment screw  18  will cause it to move inwardly or outwardly and consequently, into and out of engagement with a respective clamping hammer  28 . When a standing seam SS is disposed interior of clamp body  10  and the adjustment screws  18  associated with the clamping hammers  28  are turned inwardly, the hammers are likewise caused to pivot inwardly about hinge  30  and engage against the upstanding portion  6  of a seam SS. The L-shape of the clamping hammers  28  allow the head portion  8  of the seam to be received between the hammers without damaging the head. The present invention generates a clamping pressure against the seam that is continuous and evenly distributed along the entire length of the clamp assembly. By spreading the load along the length of the clamp, damage to the seam is avoided and failure of the clamp is greatly reduced. 
         [0028]    As best shown in  FIG. 5 , after the seam SS is engaged by the clamping hammers, the locking screws  20  associated with each of the hammers are tightened which causes the screw to contact cylindrical member  32  and prevent pivoting of hinge  30  which is then in a locked position. As is apparent, to remove the assembly from a seam, the adjustment and locking screws are loosened which causes the hammers to pivot out of engagement thereby allowing the clamp to be separated from the seam. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention whereby the inwardly facing surfaces of the clamping hammers  28  have secured to the surfaces an elastomeric coating (or a sheet) of material to provide an isolation membrane  36  for purposes of, for example, dampening vibration or providing insulation to the clamped seam. 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  illustrates the clamp assembly of the present invention when clamped to a double lock standing seam. In this embodiment, the clamping hammers are angled inwardly to a greater degree than would be the case with an overlap type standing seam. The invention is adapted to accommodate different kinds of seams having varying shapes and head sizes. 
         [0031]      FIG. 8  illustrates the clamp assembly of the present invention when clamping to a trapezoid double lock type standing seam. 
         [0032]      FIG. 9  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The clamping hammer  28  noted earlier are interchanged in this embodiment to adapt the clamp assembly CA to clamp an angled seam AS. In this embodiment, one of the two clamping hammers in  FIGS. 2 through 5  is replaced with an angled seam clamping hammer  38 . The angled seam clamping hammer  38  is shown to have a stepped configuration to accommodate the head portion  8  of the angled seam AS which extends transverse to the longitudinal axis of the seam. 
         [0033]      FIG. 10  illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention. Both clamping hammers in this embodiment are changed from that shown in the previous embodiments so as to adapt the clamp assembly CA for clamping a seam having a round head  8 . The round head clamping hammers  42  include an abutment region  40  that extends inwardly and includes a downwardly sloping surface  44  for engaging the lower regions of the rounded head  8  and jaw portions  46  for engaging the upstanding portion of the seam. 
         [0034]      FIG. 11  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. Both clamping hammers in this embodiment are changed from that shown in the previous embodiments so as to adapt the clamp assembly CA for clamping a seam having an offset head  8 . The offset head clamping hammers  48  and  50  have different thicknesses and heights. Offset head clamping hammer  50  has a greater height than offset head clamping hammer  48  and further includes a jaw portion  52 . Offset head clamping hammer  48  includes a thickened region or abutment  54  so that when the hammers are urged against the offset head  8 , it is held securely between both hammers and the top  12  of the clamp body is maintained parallel to the surface from which the seam extends. 
         [0035]      FIG. 12  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the interior wall surfaces  58  of the clamp body  10  are provided with parallel keyway tracks  60  extending the length of the clamp for selectively receiving a gasket or membrane  56  having a male keyway portion  62  adapted to interfit and interlock the keyway track  60 . A modified clamping hammer  64  is provided at the opposite side of the gasket or membrane  56 . The modified clamping hammer  64  is shown to include a keyway track  66  for receiving a male keyway portion  68  of gasket or membrane  70 . An adjustment screw  18  (not shown) is provided to cause the modified clamping hammer  64  to move inwardly and clamp and insulate (sound, vibration, etc.) a seam between the resilient gasket or membrane  56  and  70 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 13  is an alternative embodiment of  FIG. 12  wherein a clamping hammer  28  as shown in  FIGS. 2 through 5  is used in place of the modified clamping hammer  64  to clamp the seam (not shown) between a gasket or membrane  56  and the clamping hammer  28  by way of adjustment screws (not shown) and locking screws (not shown). As can be seen, the gasket or membrane  56  is provided with a key member  62  that interlocks with the interior wall  58  of U-shaped member  10  at female keyway  60 . 
         [0037]    While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and adaptations, both in whole and in part, while following the general principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as is known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features of this invention.