Seam clamp

Abstract

A seam clamp for attachment to a standing seam on a metal roof does not damage the seam during use. The clamp is easily assembled and disassembled by the user. Roofing accessories can be attached to the seam clamp.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to clamps. More specifically, the present invention relates to clamps attached to standing seams on metal roofs.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0002]Due to the rising cost of oil, metal-paneled roofs are often more economical to use than oil-based shingles. Unlike shingle roofs, metal roofs are comprised of contiguous metal panels that are joined at standing seams. These seams are typically the only point of attachment for equipment and supplies used by roof workers.[0003]Several types of clamps have been disclosed in the prior art for the attachment to standing seams of specific roofing equipment such as safety lanyards, snow-guards or wind-uplift prevention bars.[0004]U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,033 discloses a clamp to control uplift on a metal roof. The clamp includes a mounting body having a slot extending therethrough. The clamp is attached to the metal seam by a number of blunt-nosed screws that are engaged directly to the seam, causi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]It is an object of the present invention to provide a seam clamp that neither damages nor punctures the roofing panels. The seam clamp can be installed and removed quickly, if required, even if the roofer is wearing gloves. Alternatively, the seam clamp can be permanently coupled to the seam. For ease of maintenance and assembly, the seam clamp comprises a minimum number of parts of a conveniently manageable size that are easy to combine. The seam clamp can also be applied to a variety of seam shapes. Furthermore, the seam clamp can serve as a base for different types of roofing supplies and equipment. A plurality of seam clamps can be used to secure the seams of a metal roof at high stress points, such as near roof edges and corners, thereby adding stability to the metal roof against wind lift.

Problems solved by technology

The clamp is attached to the metal seam by a number of blunt-nosed screws that are engaged directly to the seam, causing a permanent dent in the seams.

However, the seam is disfigured permanently by bolts that attach the clamp to the seam directly; thereby leading to the breakdown of the interlocking mechanism between metal panels.

This, for example, increases the likelihood of roof leakage.

In addition, when these clamps are secured to “T” style standing seams, which are typically no higher than 1½″, the clearance between the base of the clamp body and the surface of the roof panel is extremely limited.

As a result, the placement of the insert or inserts within the clamp body is more challenging and time consuming.

The placement of the fastener below the top of the standing seam further complicates the assembly of the clamp due to the close proximity to the surface of the roof panel.

There is also a possibility that after long-term heavy use, the position between the clamp body, and the insert might have offset, such that the insert might slide out of the clamp body.

In addition, where a minor deformation is present on the standing seam, these clamps cannot be slightly adjusted to compensate for the deformation.

However, as the more the fasteners are tightened to engage the two clamp halves together, the greater the likelihood that the clamp might slide off the seam.

This uneven application of force against the standing portion of the seam can result in deformation, and damage to the seam.

A similar drawback is present in both U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,623 and Canadian Patent No. 2,094,310, wherein the clamp has a specific design for a particular shape of the metal roof seam.

Finally, the clamps disclosed in the above cited prior art require a number of small parts and screws for attachment to the seam, thereby increasing the both the complexity of clamp installation, along with the maintenance of the clamp itself.

Images