Patent ID: 12203262

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The sliding purlin hanger of the present invention is a device that allows the management of thermal movement of metallic through fastened building panels. It allows a roof purlin to move with roof steel cladding (panels) at force levels far below those that could damage the building, because the steel cladding is isolated from the building frame/trusses. The cladding panels are secured to purlins which in turn are secured to purlin hangers that are slidably mounted on the roof trusses. This allows the cladding to “float” on the sliding purlin hangers mounted to the roof trusses.

Assume a Cartesian coordinate system with the X-axis parallel to the long axis of the purlin, the Y-axis perpendicular to the purlin and parallel to the roof slope, and the Z-axis perpendicular to plane X-Y. The standard purlin to primary connection prevents all six modes of 3-D movement. (X, Y, and Z translation and rotation about the X, Y, and Z axis.) The sliding purlin hanger of the present invention prevents five modes of movement but allows translation along the Y-axis.

The present invention anticipates many orientations of the sliding purlin hanger. A few embodiments are described herein for illustrative purposes, but these embodiments should not be viewed as limiting the possibilities evident from this disclosure.

One embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIGS.1,2and5. The sliding saddle hanger10of the present invention is shown mounted on a truss20. Defined at the top of the sliding saddle hanger10is a slot11. As illustrated inFIGS.1and2, the slot has a width and a length wherein the slot width is smaller than the slot length. The hanger10is secured to the truss20by a screw12. A large hold down washer14is utilized to secure the saddle hanger10in sliding relation to the truss20. A small washer (not shown) is positioned on the screw12, below the large hold down washer14, and rests within the slot11. In one embodiment, the small washer is slightly thicker than the thickness of the sliding saddle hanger10around the slot11, acting as a shim to prevent the hold down washer14from tightening against the sliding saddle hanger10, to ensure the sliding saddle hanger10can slide along the truss20. The sliding saddle hanger10supports purlins30(FIGS.5A and5B) on each side of the sliding saddle hanger10and can move freely until a slot11edge engages the screw12.

A second embodiment, generally shown inFIGS.3,4and7, utilizes a stationary hanger support bracket40mounted on a roof truss20with an open 180-degree stationary hem42at each side to slidably receive an open mating 360-degree sliding hem44from the hanger46. (SeeFIGS.7D,7E and7F.) The hanger46supports a sliding purlin30. The hanger46is then free to travel the length of the 180-degree stationary hem42. (Another version of this embodiment is to utilize a stationary hanger46support bracket mounted on a roof truss with an open laterally facing 360-degree stationary hem44at each side to slidably receive an open mating 180-degree sliding hem42from the hanger46.) Stops of a type known in the art may be utilized to limit the travel of the hanger on the hanger support bracket.

A third embodiment, generally shown inFIGS.6A,6B and6C, discloses hanger50slidably mounted on truss20. A hold down plate52is secured to the truss20, spaced above the hanger50, so that the hanger50can slide along the truss, under the hold down plate. The hanger travel is limited by the screws75securing the hold down plate52to truss20(as shown) or by other stops (not shown) added to or around the hold down plate or truss to limit travel of the hanger50. This might include additional strategically placed screws, projections from the hold down plate or truss or other means known in the art.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIGS.8A,8B,8C,8D and8E. In this embodiment, hanger60slidably engages a stationary track70at both the top and bottom of the stationary track. As shown inFIG.8D, stationary track70has an upper lip72that is received by a groove62defined at the top of hanger60. Stationary track70also includes a lip74at its bottom that engages a groove64defined at the bottom of hanger60. In this fashion, hanger60slidably engages the stationary track70at both the top and bottom of the hanger and stationary track. Stops of a type known in the art may be utilized to limit the travel of the hanger on the stationary track.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG.9. In this embodiment, hanger80is secured to truss20. On one or both sides of hanger80is a dovetail slide or track to slidably engage a dovetailed end of purlin90. In this fashion, the purlins90are free to slide along the dovetailed tracks of the hanger80. Again, stops of a type known in the art may be utilized to limit the travel of the purlin with respect to the hanger.

These embodiments described above reflect many arrangements of the present invention but should not be viewed as limiting. The present invention anticipates any embodiment that allows the purlins to be slidably mounted on the trusses, so that either or both of the trusses and purlins can move with respect to the other. The hanger can be slidably mounted to a truss support bracket on the truss or be fixed to it. Likewise, the support bracket can be slidably mounted to a truss or purlin or be fixed to it. The means for fixing the hanger to a truss or purlin are unlimited. Thus, there are limitless arrangements for utilizing the present invention to create sliding engagement between the trusses and purlins.

The effect of the present invention is that the cladding is allowed to freely move as it warms and cools. The device can be designed to accommodate the movement expected with very long panels. This eliminates the need for unsightly, expensive, and time-consuming thermal splices.

Construction of the components of the present invention from injected molded plastic and steel hybrids to maximize efficiency of movement of the cladding with respect to the roof trusses are also anticipated by the present invention.

In the preceding detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Because components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, any directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments are anticipated by the present invention and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The preceding detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

It is contemplated that features disclosed in this application, as well as those described in the above applications incorporated by reference, can be mixed and matched to address particular circumstances. Various other modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.