Abstract:
A skylight with a modular shaft. The skylight includes a curb surrounding an opening formed in a roof. The curb defines a downwardly opening channel with at least one serrated wall to receive the modular shaft. The modular shaft extends from the curb to an opening formed in a ceiling and includes a number of panels secured to one another by a number of corner connections. A hook with at least one serrated wall is mounted to each of the panels. The hooks fit into the channel such that the serrated walls contact one another and secure the shaft to the curb by a ratcheting effect.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to skylights, and more particularly to a skylight having a modular shaft. 
     Skylights have long been used to allow natural light to enter a building through an opening formed in the roof. Skylights are available in variety of designs and shapes to fit almost any residential or commercial structure. 
     Typically, a skylight is installed by mounting a curb around an opening formed in the roof. The curb mounts directly to the roof in a weather-tight fashion to receive a glass panel assembly. A second opening is formed in the ceiling immediately below the opening formed in the roof, and a shaft is constructed between the two openings to hide the joists, rafters, and other roof members from sight. The shaft is typically constructed by framing and sheetrocking sidewalls between the two openings. This process requires skilled labor and is costly in terms of both time and materials. 
     A second technique for installing a skylight includes the use of a prefabricated shaft, such as the light well disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,872 to Young. Young discloses a one-piece, prefabricated shaft or light well that includes four sidewalls extending upwardly from a flange. The light well also includes a support ledge formed around the sidewalls to hold the shaft in place as described below. To install the Young light well, an opening is formed in the both the roof and the ceiling of the structure. The opening in the ceiling must be formed directly below the opening in the roof to allow the flange to properly engage the ceiling. Next, the upper edge of the sidewalls is cut to match the height and pitch of the roof, and to either abut with the skylight or its box framing. This can be done by inserting the shaft up through the openings, until the flange engages the ceiling, and then marking the shaft as necessary for cutting. Once marked, the shaft can be removed and cut. Next, the shaft is reinserted into the openings, and a support frame is constructed around the shaft to engage the support ledge and maintain the light well in place. Finally, the curb and glass panel assembly are mounted to the roof. 
     While eliminating the need to box frame and sheetrock, the second technique still requires additional labor and materials to construct the support frame. It also requires that the shaft extend perpendicular to the ceiling rather than the roof. As a result, the size of the opening formed in ceiling is substantially smaller than could otherwise be obtained with a shaft extending perpendicular to the roof. Further, the one-piece light well is relatively bulky, thereby increasing the cost of shipping and packaging, and also making product handling and installation more difficult. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aforementioned problems are overcome by the present invention wherein a skylight is provided with a modular shaft having interconnected panels that are secured directly to the skylight curb. 
     The present invention generally includes a glazing material, a curb, a shaft, and a trim ring. The glazing material mounts directly to the curb and typically includes an insulating glass assembly. The curb in turn mounts to the roof around a skylight opening and defines a downwardly opening channel with at least one serrated wall to receive the shaft. The shaft extends downwardly from the curb and includes modular panels that are interconnected by friction-fit corner connectors. A serrated hook is mounted to the upper edge of each panel. The hook fits within the channel to secure the panel directly to the curb. The lower end of each panel is trimmed even with the ceiling, and a variable size trim ring is attached to the ceiling to trim the skylight opening. 
     The present invention provides a skylight having a simple, yet fully functional, modular shaft that is easily installed and pleasing to the eye. The panels snap-fit directly to the curb, thereby eliminating the need for additional framing to support the skylight. Further, the panels are interconnected at the point of installation, thereby providing for ease of packaging and shipping. In addition, the shaft extends perpendicular to the roof, thereby increasing the size of the skylight opening formed in the ceiling when installed in a pitched roof. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention installed in a conventional building structure; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the skylight; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the skylight along line III--III of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hook; and 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the trim ring. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A skylight according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 and generally designated 10. FIG. 1 shows the skylight 10 installed with a conventional pitched roof 200 and having a shaft 18 extending between an opening formed in the roof and an opening formed in the ceiling 250 below. While the skylight is described in connection with a flat ceiling, it should be readily apparent that it is equally well suited for installation in a cathedral ceiling. For purposes of this disclosure, directional terms, such as &#34;upwardly&#34; &#34;downwardly&#34; &#34;top&#34;, &#34;bottom&#34;, &#34;upper&#34;, and &#34;lower&#34; will be used to denote directions relative to the normal orientation of an installed skylight In addition, the terms &#34;inwardly&#34; &#34;outwardly&#34; &#34;inner&#34; and &#34;outer&#34; will be used to denote the directions toward and away from the center of the opening defined by the skylight curb 12. 
     As perhaps best illustrated in FIG. 2, the present invention generally includes a curb 12, an insulating glass panel assembly 14, a retainer 16, a modular shaft 18, and a trim ring 20. The curb 12 is a peripheral frame manufactured by mitre cutting and welding individual curb members from an extruded, elongated polymeric profile. In the preferred embodiment, the curb 10 is substantially rectangular and includes four curb members 12a-d dimensioned to provide an assembled frame that fits around the desired skylight opening. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, the curb 12 generally includes spaced apart and substantially parallel inner and outer walls 30 and 32 that, when installed, extend upwardly from the plane defined by the roof. Top 34, center 36, and bottom 38 walls extend perpendicularly between, and cooperate with, the inner and outer walls 30 and 32 to form a generally rectangular structural member 40 extending the length of each curb member 12a-d. A portion of the inner surface of the inner wall 30 is serrated by a plurality of longitudinal, closely spaced grooves 42. A first longitudinal recess 44 is formed in the top wall 34 to seat a gasket 70 as described below. A second longitudinal recess 50 is formed in the outer wall 32. A pair of parallel, spaced apart ribs 46 and 48 extend outwardly along opposite longitudinal edges of recess 50. The facing surfaces of ribs 46 and 48 are grooved to form a screw boss extending the length of each curb member. A retainer support lip 52 extends downwardly from the outer edge of rib 48. A longitudinal spacing rib 64 extends downwardly from a central portion of the bottom wall 38 to ensure proper alignment of the curb 12 with the roof 200. 
     The curb 12 also includes an outer flange 54 extending perpendicularly outward from the lower edge of the outer wall 32, and an inner flange 56 extending perpendicularly inward from a central portion of the inner wall 30. A series of mounting holes 55 are formed through the outer flange 54 to allow the curb 12 to mount to the roof 200 by conventional fasteners, such as screws or roofing nails. A second longitudinal spacing rib 58 extends downwardly from a central portion of the inner flange 56 to facilitate proper spacing of the shaft 18 with respect to the curb 12. A lower flange 60 extends downwardly from an inner portion of the inner flange 56. A ridge 62 is formed longitudinally along the outer, lower edge of the lower flange 60 to engage the installed shaft 18. Together, the inner wall 30, inner flange 56, and lower flange 60 cooperate to define a channel 72 for receiving the shaft 18 as described below. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the curb 12 further includes an upper flange 66 extending upwardly from a central portion of the inner flange 56 and a screen support lip 68 extending inwardly along the upper edge of the upper flange 56. Together, the inner flange 56, upper flange 66, and screen support lip 68 cooperate to define a channel 74 for receiving a screen assembly. 
     As noted above, the skylight 10 further includes a glass panel assembly 14. The glass panel assembly 14 is preferably a conventional insulating glass having a spacer frame 80 sandwiched between a pair of spaced apart 1/8 inch high strength, glass panels 82a-b. The panel assembly 14 is dimensioned to fit upon the top wall 34 of the curb 12 where it is secured by the retainer 16 as described below. Alternatively, the glass panel assembly 14 can be replaced by a variety of other glazing materials, such plastic or other transparent or translucent materials. 
     As perhaps best illustrated in FIG. 3, the glass panel assembly 14 is secured to the curb 12 by retainer 16. In a preferred embodiment, retainer 16 is manufactured from an extruded, elongated, L-shaped profile of aluminum having top and side walls 76 and 78. Individual retainer members 16a-d are mitre cut and welded to form a peripheral frame. The top wall 76 of the retainer extends inwardly and includes a downwardly extending ridge 81 along its inner edge to engage the glass panel assembly 14. A plurality of mounting holes 83 (See FIG. 2) are formed through the side wall 78 of the retainer 16 in alignment with recess 50. 
     The shaft 18 generally includes four rectangular, expanded polystyrene panels 18a-d each having a 0.040 inch vinyl skin 84 laminated to a single major surface (See FIGS. 2 and 3). The width of each of the panels 18a-d is selected to match the width of a corresponding curb member 12a-d, and the height of each panel 18a-d is selected to exceed the typical span between the roof and ceiling openings. A longitudinal groove 85 is formed in an upper portion of the outer surface of each panel 18a-d to facilitate mounting as described below. While expanded polystyrene provides the desired insulating and structural properties, the panels can be manufactured from a variety of other rigid, light-weight materials, such as pressboard, fiberboard, and fiberglass. 
     The panels 18a-d are interconnected by a number of corner connectors 86. As perhaps best illustrated in FIG. 2, each corner connectors 86 is an elongated, extruded polymeric profile defining a pair of longitudinal channels 88 and 90 opening in directions normal to one another. Adjacent panels are friction-fit into the channels 88 and 90 of the appropriate corner connectors 86 to intersecure the panels in a rectangular configuration. 
     A hook 92a-d is mounted to the upper edge of each panel 18a-d to allow the panel to snap-fit into channel 72 formed in the curb 12. As perhaps best illustrated in FIG. 4, the hook 92a-d is an elongated, extruded, generally L-shaped polymeric profile having top and side walls 94 and 96. A portion of the outer surface of side wall 96 is serrated by a plurality of longitudinal, closely spaced grooves 98 adapted to engage grooves 42. A barbed spine 100 extends inwardly from a central portion of the inner face of side wall 96 to engage groove 85, thereby securing the hook 92a-d to the upper edge of the appropriate panel 18a-d. A pair of angled flanges 97 and 99 extend upwardly toward each other from opposite longitudinal edges of the top wall 94. These flanges 97 and 99 help to guide the hook 92a-d into the channel 72 and to ensure appropriate spacing. 
     As noted above, the skylight 10 also includes a variable size trim ring 20 that functions to trim the juncture of the shaft 18 and ceiling 250. In a preferred embodiment, the trim ring 20 is a peripheral frame manufactured from two L-shaped end members 110a-b extending between two L-shaped side members 112a-b (See FIG. 5). The end members 110a-b each include a bottom wall 114a-b and a sidewall 116a-b. The bottom wall 114a-b is preferably manufactured from wood and includes marginal portions 118a-b that extend beyond opposite longitudinal ends of sidewall 116a-b. Notches 120a-b are formed in the marginal portions 118a-b of each bottom wall 114a-b to receive the bottom wall 124a-b of the side members 112a-b. The sidewalls 112a-b of the end members are preferably manufactured from plastic and have an L-shaped profile dimensioned to fit within the ends of the skylight opening formed in the ceiling 250 and to attach to the bottom wall 114a-b as described below. Preferably, the side members 112a-b each include a wood bottom wall 124a-b and a plastic sidewall 126a-b. The bottom walls 124a-b are dimensioned to extend between the end members 110a-b and to fit within notches 120a-b to provide a flush upper surface for engagement with the ceiling 250. The sidewalls 126a-b are similar in profile to sidewalls 112a-b and are dimensioned to extend between the end members 110a-b within the skylight opening formed in the ceiling. The bottom walls of both the side and end members each include a narrow longitudinal recess 122a-b adapted to receive the appropriate sidewalls. The bottom and sidewalls are preferably interconnected by stapling the corresponding sidewall into recess 122a-b. While the trim ring 20 is preferably manufactured from wood and plastic, a variety of other materials will suffice. 
     ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION 
     The present invention can be installed in commercial or residential structures. First, a skylight opening matching the dimensions of the skylight 10 is cut through both the roof 200 and ceiling 250. Typically, the openings extend between a pair of joists and are box framed with headers to provide the necessary structural support. Any shingles, shakes, or roof coverings immediately surrounding the opening are removed to allow the outer flange of the curb 12 to lie directly upon the roof 200. The curb 12 is then mounted to roof 200 around the skylight opening by driving screws or roofing nails into the roofing through mounting holes 55. Once the curb 12 is installed, a gasket 70 is applied around the top wall 34 in recess 44. The gasket is preferably a foamable gasket such as Readiseal sold by ODL, Inc. of Zeeland, Mich. However, a conventional rubber gasket may be substituted. 
     The glass panel assembly 14 is placed upon the top wall 34 of the curb 12 and secured by retainer 16. Typically, the glass panel assembly 14 is purchased preassembled from any of a variety of well known suppliers. As shown in FIG. 3, a silicone sealant 150 is applied between the retainer 16 and the glass panel assembly 14 to provide a weather-tight seal. The retainer 16 is secured directly to the curb 12 by a plurality of screws 152 extending through mounting holes 82 into recess 50. 
     Subsequently, each of the panels 18a-d are inserted up through the skylight opening in the ceiling into channel 72. The panels 18a-d are inserted with the vinyl skin 84 facing inwardly. The panels are marked along the edge of the ceiling, removed from the opening, and cut. If necessary, the corners connectors 86a-d are cut to match the height of the panels 18a-d. Next, the shaft 18 is assembled by interconnecting adjacent panels 18a-d with the corner connectors 86a-d. The hooks 92a-d are mounted to the top of the corresponding panels 18a-d, and the entire shaft 18 is reinserted through the skylight opening so that the hooks 92a-d snap-fit into channel 72. The serrated surfaces of the hooks 92a-d engage the serrated surfaces of channel 72 to resist removal of the shaft 18 from the curb 12. 
     The trim ring 20 is assembled by cutting the side members 112a-b to match the length of the skylight opening formed in the ceiling. This length may or may not match the length of the skylight opening formed in the roof depending on the pitch of the ceiling and roof. For example, when a 3 foot long skylight is installed in a roof having a 12/4 pitch, the length of the ceiling opening will be approximately 3 feet 2 inches. Once the side members 112a-b are cut, they are inserted into the opening as shown in FIG. 3 and secured to the ceiling by conventional fasteners, such as screws 153. Next, the end members 114a-b are inserted into the skylight opening such that notches 120a-b fit over the longitudinal ends of the side members 112a-b. The end members 114a-b are secured to the ceiling 250 by conventional fasteners, such as screws. 
     The present invention has been described in connection with a fixed skylight. However, the present invention is equally well suited for use with a ventilating skylight. When used in connection with a ventilating skylight, a conventional screen assembly (not shown) can be installed in channel 74 to exclude pests and debris. 
     In addition, the present invention has been described with a rectangular configuration. One of ordinary skill in the art will immediately recognize that the present invention can be adapted to provide nearly any desired configuration-including but not limited to pentagonal, heptagonal, or octagonal configurations. 
     The above description is that of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as set forth in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.