A flat roof skylight with suspended safety grid

Abstract

A flat roof skylight (1) is disclosed, comprising a rectangular panel frame (3) enclosing an upward opening of the flat roof skylight (1), a panel (4), and a curb (2) configured for extending upwards from a flat roof surface, wherein the panel frame (3) supports the panel (4) on top of the curb (2), wherein the flat roof skylight (1) comprises a fall protection device, which fall protection device comprises a safety grid (6) arranged, preferably horizontally, within and across a downward opening at least 10 cm below the panel frame (3) to secure the downward opening of the flat roof skylight (1), the downward opening being enclosed by the curb (2), and wherein the safety grid (6) is suspended from an upper edge of the curb (2) and is mounted within and across the downward opening.

Description

Background

[0001] In modern architecture, skylight windows are often used in flat-roofed buildings to provide natural daylight and ventilation for interior spaces. These skylight windows are commonly installed on flat roofs with an inclination of less than 5 degrees, typically positioned over an opening in the roof. They are typically supported by curbs that extend upwards from the roof surface. In addition to their daylighting function, skylight windows are also utilized as smoke vents in the event of a fire, offering a path for smoke to escape from the building, thereby improving fire safety.

[0002] To enhance safety, especially in buildings where the flat roof skylights cover large openings, it is common to install fall protection devices, such as safety grids. These grids are designed to prevent people or large objects from accidentally falling through the roof openings into the building. Safety grids typically consist of a metal framework covering the opening beneath the skylight and ensuring that it is secure. The use of such grids is normal in commercial, industrial, and residential buildings where roof access is required or when the skylight dimensions are large enough to pose a significant hazard.

[0003] However, the installation of such safety grids presents some challenges. Assembling and mounting these grids can be labor-intensive and time-consuming, often requiring skilled labor and additional structural components. Moreover, these safety grids, while providing essential fall protection, may impede the effectiveness of the skylight as a smoke vent. The grid's structure, which partially obstructs the cross-sectional area of the roof opening, can limit the free passage of smoke, thus reducing the overall efficiency of the skylight in performing its smoke ventilation function.

[0004] It is therefore an objective of the present disclosure to provide a safety grid that addresses the aforementioned challenges, offering improved ease of installation while minimizing any obstruction to the escape of smoke in the event of a fire.Summary

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a flat roof skylight comprising a rectangular panel frame enclosing an upward opening of the flat roof skylight, a panel, and a curb configured for extending upwards from a flat roof surface, wherein the panel frame supports the panel on top of the curb, wherein the flat roof skylight comprises a fall protection device, which fall protection device comprises a safety grid arranged, preferably horizontally, within and across a downward opening at least 10 cm below the panel frame to secure the downward opening of the flat roof skylight, the downward opening being enclosed by the curb, and wherein the safety grid is suspended from an upper edge of the curb and is mounted within and across the downward opening.

[0006] This configuration allows the skylight to be securely installed over an opening in a flat roof while providing both structural support and aesthetic integration with the roof. The rectangular panel frame offers versatility for various building designs and is suitable for both residential and commercial applications.

[0007] The disclosed flat roof skylight offers several advantages over existing systems, particularly in terms of simplifying the installation of the safety grid. By suspending the safety grid from the upper edge of the curb, the need for complex mounting mechanisms or additional supporting structures within the downward opening, which might obstruct smoke venting in case of fire, is reduced. This design allows the grid to be securely positioned within the downward opening without obstructing the upward opening of the skylight, thereby enhancing the overall ease of assembly.

[0008] A further benefit of the disclosed system is that the safety grid, being located at least 10 cm below the panel frame, can be vertically aligned with traverse structures crossing the downward opening. If the safety grid is mounted before such traverse structures, the safety grid may even be mounted beneath such structures. If needed, the safety grid may be provided with appropriate openings corresponding to the sizes and positions of such traverse structures or parts thereof. These traverse structures may, for instance, be provided for supporting an actuator configured for opening and closing the skylight window. Thus, it can be ensured that the clearing between the safety grid and such traverse structures can be minimized and that the grid does not interfere with the panel frame or the skylight's structural integrity.

[0009] The horizontal placement of the grid across the downward opening provides a strong barrier that effectively prevents accidental falls, while also ensuring that the smoke can escape through the upward opening with minimal resistance. The overall design thus optimizes both safety and functionality, addressing the shortcomings of conventional flat roof skylight installations where safety grids may impede ventilation.

[0010] This arrangement also offers flexibility in terms of materials and construction. The grid may be configured from various materials, such as welded metal bars, which can be adapted to specific strength or durability requirements. Additionally, the method of suspending the grid from the upper edge of the curb allows for easy removal or replacement if needed, offering a practical solution for maintenance or repairs. These features ensure that the disclosed flat roof skylight is well-suited for a wide range of building types, offering both improved safety and efficient smoke venting capabilities.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the horizontal cross-sectional area of the downward opening at the position of the safety grid is larger than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the upward opening at the top of the curb. Placing the safety grid at a position, in which the cross-sectional area is larger allows for a more open passage for smoke to exit through the upward opening, enhancing the skylight's effectiveness as a smoke vent. Thus, it provides a sufficient flow through the opening while ensuring that the safety grid remains in place to prevent fall accidents. Tests have demonstrated that lowering the safety grid by at least 10 cm below the level of the panel frame can significantly reduce its impact on the flow of air and smoke through the opening, in some cases reducing the effect of the obstruction by half or more.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the safety grid is supported by a plurality of brackets. Each bracket includes a grid-holding part for surrounding and / or supporting one or more bars of the safety grid and a suspension part for suspending the bracket from the upper edge of the curb. The suspension part of the bracket is sandwiched between the upper edge of the curb and an edge frame mounted on top of the curb along the upper edge thereof. This configuration enables the grid to be easily mounted while ensuring stability and strength, reducing the complexity of the installation process.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the edge frame is the same as the panel frame. This integration simplifies the design and manufacturing process by reducing the number of separate components required. Using the same frame for both purposes also enhances the structural integrity of the flat roof skylight and reduces the likelihood of misalignment during installation.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the grid-holding part and the suspension part are formed in one piece as an integral part of the bracket. This one-piece design increases the strength of the bracket while minimizing the number of components required. It also reduces the risk of failure points and makes the installation process faster and more straightforward by eliminating the need for multiple parts to be assembled on-site.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the suspension part of the bracket comprises one or more right-angle bends. These bends allow the suspension part to extend upwards along an inner side of the curb, across the upper edge of the curb and, preferably, downwards along an outer side of the curb. This design ensures that the bracket is securely attached to the curb and provides additional stability for the safety grid. The use of right-angle bends also allows for a more versatile attachment, accommodating a range of curb designs and dimensions.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the suspension part of the bracket is configured to interact with the curb in such a way that the bracket is held in place when it is suspended from the upper edge of the curb. This can be achieved through mechanisms such as a "click lock," a hook, or a grip arranged on the part of the suspension part of the bracket extending downwards on an outer side of the curb. The hook or grip may be configured for engaging with the outer contour of the curb, ensuring that the bracket remains in position without the need for additional fastening components, thus simplifying the installation process.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the safety grid is made from metal bars, which are welded together. Welding the bars provides strong, durable connections between them, ensuring that the grid can withstand significant forces and provide reliable fall protection.

[0018] Metal materials such as steel or aluminum may be used, offering resistance to corrosion, weathering, and impact.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, along one or more edges of the safety grid, the safety grid comprises two discrete parallel bars arranged adjacent to each other. This arrangement enhances the strength and stability of the grid along its edges, where it may be subject to the highest stresses. The double-bar configuration can also provide additional support for the grid, further improving its resistance to deformation or failure.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the panel comprises one or more planar sheets. This design allows for flexibility in the materials used for the panel, which may include transparent or translucent materials such as glass or plastic, depending on the desired optical and structural properties. Planar sheets offer a sleek, modern appearance while providing efficient coverage of the roof opening.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more planar sheets are made from polycarbonate or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). These materials are lightweight, strong, and resistant to impact, making them ideal for skylight panels. Polycarbonate and PMMA also offer good transparency and UV resistance, ensuring that the flat roof skylight remains functional and aesthetically pleasing over time.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the panel comprises one or more roof domes. Roof domes offer the advantage of increased structural rigidity and improved water runoff due to their curved surfaces. Domes are particularly suitable for areas where weather conditions may pose a challenge to the integrity of flat skylights.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more roof domes are made from polycarbonate or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). These materials provide the same benefits as when used in planar sheets, offering strength, durability, and transparency. The use of polycarbonate or PMMA in domed structures ensures that the skylight can withstand environmental stresses while providing efficient light transmission.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the panel is transparent or translucent. This feature allows natural light to enter the building through the skylight, enhancing the energy efficiency and comfort of interior spaces. Depending on the application, the level of transparency can be adjusted to control the amount of light entering the space, with options such as frosted or tinted panels being used to reduce glare or increase privacy.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the panel frame is hinged to the curb. Such a hinged design allows the skylight to be easily opened or closed, providing ventilation when needed or access to the roof for maintenance. Hinged skylights are particularly advantageous in smoke vent applications, where they can automatically open in the event of a fire, ensuring rapid smoke extraction.Brief description of the figures

[0026] In the following a few exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in more detail with reference to the drawings, of which Fig. 1is a perspective view of a cross-cut flat roof skylight according to an embodiment of the disclosure, which is partly assembled, Fig. 2is a perspective view of the cross-cut flat roof skylight shown in Fig. 1, which is now, however, fully assembled, Fig. 3is a perspective view of the flat roof skylight shown in Fig. 2, which is cross-cut in a direction perpendicular to the cross-cutting shown in Figs. 1 and 2, Fig. 4is a perspective view of a part of a safety grid of a flat roof skylight according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and Fig. 5is a perspective view of a bracket for a safety grid of a flat roof skylight according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Detailed description

[0027] Fig. 1 shows schematically a cross-cut flat roof skylight 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, which is partly assembled. The base part of the flat roof skylight 1 is a rectangular curb 2, which is configured to be mounted onto a flat roof of a building (not shown).

[0028] A safety grid 6 is suspended from the upper edge of the curb 2 by means of a number of brackets 7 as described in further detail below. As schematically indicated in the figure, the safety grid 6 is lowered from the upper edge of the curb 2 by a certain distance which, in practice, is at least 10 cm.

[0029] In preferred embodiments, such as the one shown in Fig. 1, the walls of the curb 2 are inclined in such a way that the cross-sectional area of the vertical opening through the curb 2 is larger at the bottom of the curb 2, i.e. near the roof, than at the top of the curb 2. This means that the safety grid 6, which is arranged below the panel frame 3, is preferably arranged at a vertical position, in which the cross-sectional area of the downward opening within the curb 2 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the opening at the top of the curb 2 (as illustrated in Fig. 1).

[0030] This is an important feature if the flat roof skylight 1 serves a function as a smoke vent, because it means that, at the position of the safety grid 6, the smoke pressure is smaller than at the top of the curb 2, and therefore, the impact on the flow through the vertical opening through the curb 2 caused by the safety grid 6 is smaller than it would have been, had the safety grid 6 been placed immediately under the panel frame 3 (not shown in this figure). Test results indicate that, with a preferred and typical inclination of the curb walls, a safety grid 6, which would cause a reduction of the flow of 5-6% if placed at the top of the curb 2, only causes a reduction of 3% when placed 10 cm lower and 2% when placed 16 cm below the top of the curb 2. Thus, lowering the safety grid 6 by 16 cm more than halves the impact thereby on the flow.

[0031] In the partly assembled flat roof skylight 1 illustrated in Fig. 1, the skylight window itself has not yet been mounted, but the top of the curb 2 is provided with hinges 10 along one side or end thereof, by which a panel frame 3 of the skylight window can be connected to the curb 2 in such a way that the skylight window can be opened (as shown in Fig. 2) or closed..

[0032] In the fully assembled flat roof skylight 1 illustrated in Fig. 2, the skylight window comprising a panel 4, which is mounted on a panel frame 3, has also been mounted. The illustrated panel 4 comprises three planar sheets, but in other embodiments, the panel may comprise fewer or more such planar sheets and / or a number of roof domes.

[0033] In principle, and especially if the flat roof skylight 1 is to be used as a smoke vent and / or for normal ventilation of the room beneath the roof only, such planar sheets and / or roof domes can be made from any rigid material, which is able to withstand the weather conditions at the location of the building. In most cases, however, it is also the purpose of the flat roof skylight 1 to provide some light to the room beneath the roof, in which case the planar sheets and / or roof dome are typically made from a transparent or at least translucent material, such as polycarbonate or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, an edge frame 5 is mounted on top of the curb 2 along the upper edge thereof. When the skylight window is closed, the panel frame 3 rests at the edge frame 5 along the full circumference thereof. Preferably, one or more gaskets 18 are mounted on the upper side of the edge frame 5 (and / or on the underside of the panel frame 3) for making the closure tight when the skylight window is closed. In other embodiments, the panel frame 3 may be mounted directly onto the top of the curb 2, i.e. the edge frame 5 is the same as the panel frame 3.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows schematically the flat roof skylight 1 of Fig. 2, which has now been cross-cut in a direction perpendicular to the cross-cutting shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Thus, Fig. 3 illustrates how this embodiment of the flat roof skylight 1 comprises an actuator 9 configured for opening and closing the skylight window. This actuator 9 is supported by a traverse structure 8 arranged across the vertical opening through the curb 2. In other embodiments, there may be more than one actuator 9 or none at all. If there is more than one actuator 9, the skylight window may still be hinged at one end or side as shown in Fig. 3, or it may be opened in a different way involving no hinges 10. If there are no actuators, the skylight window may be opened manually, for instance by means of a rod or a chain system, or it may not be possible to open it at all. In the latter case, the flat roof skylight 1 will only serve the purpose of letting in light, but it will not function as a smoke vent or could be used for normal ventilation of the room beneath the roof.

[0036] The safety grid 6 illustrated in Fig. 3 is lowered from the upper edge of the curb 2 to be arranged beneath the transverse structure 8, which normally requires that the safety grid 6 is mounted before the transverse structure 8 and the actuator 9. In other embodiments, the safety grid 6 may be arranged over the transverse structure(s) 8, and / or the safety grid 6 may comprise appropriate openings corresponding to the size(s) and position(s) of such traverse structure(s) 8 or parts thereof, in which case the safety grid 6 can be vertically aligned with these transverse structure 8, completely or partly surrounding them in a primarily horizontal plane.

[0037] Fig. 4 is a schematic, perspective view of a part of a safety grid 6 of a flat roof skylight 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. It shows how a plurality of brackets 7, each comprising a grid-holding part 11 and a suspension part 12, are used for suspending the safety grid 6 from the upper edge of the curb 2 (not shown in this figure).

[0038] The safety grid 6 comprises a plurality of grid bars 14 arranged to form a grid, and the grid-holding part 11, which form the lowermost part of each bracket 7, surrounds and supports a grid bar 14 or, preferably and as shown in Fig. 4, two parallel grid bars 16 arranged adjacent to each other, at the edge of the safety grid 6. The use of two parallel and adjacent grid bars 16 along one or more edges of the safety grid 6 increases the stiffness and strength of the safety grid 6, because the number of welding points connecting the grid bars 14, 16 to each other is increased. In order to reduce the impact on the flow caused by the safety grid 6, the cross-sectional dimensions of the two adjacent grid bars 16 may be chosen to be smaller than the dimensions of the other grid bars 14 of the safety grid 6.

[0039] Each bracket 7 in the illustrated embodiment comprises a rivet 15, which is used for making the grid-holding part 11 form a closed loop around the grid bar 14 or grid bars 16. In other embodiments, a closed loop of the grid-holding part 11 may be obtained by other means as discussed in further detail below.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the suspension part 12, which form the uppermost part of each bracket 7, comprises two right-angle bends so that it can extend upwards along an inner side of the curb 2 (not shown in this figure), across the upper edge of the curb 2 and downwards along an outer side of the curb 2. In other embodiments, the suspension part 12 may be designed otherwise, such as for instance comprising only one right-angle bend making it extend upwards along an inner side of the curb 2 and across the upper edge of the curb 2 only.

[0041] The brackets 7 illustrated in Fig. 4 each comprise a hook 13 for interacting with the curb 2 and holding the bracket 7 in place when it is suspended from the upper edge of the curb 2. In other embodiments, this hook 13 may be replaced by other means configured for engaging with the outer contour of the curb 2, such as a "click lock" or a grip arranged on a part of the suspension part 12 of the bracket 7. In yet other embodiments, the suspension part 12 may comprise no such feature at all and it may be held in place only by a part of the suspension part 12 being sandwiched between the upper edge of the curb 2 and an edge frame 5 mounted on top of the curb 2 along the upper edge thereof.

[0042] In preferred embodiments, such as the one illustrated in Fig. 4, the grid-holding part 11 and the suspension part 12 of the bracket 7 are formed in one piece as an integral part of the bracket 7, thus minimising the number of components required and facilitating the installation process on-site.

[0043] In Fig. 5, the mounting of a bracket 7 for suspension of a safety grid 6 of a flat roof skylight 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure is disclosed in more detail. The bracket 7 shown in Fig. 5 is similar to the ones illustrated in Fig. 4 with the exception that the bracket 7 in Fig. 5 has no hook 13 for interacting with the outer contour of the curb 2 and holding the bracket 7 in place. Rather, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the a part of the suspension part 12 of the bracket 7 is sandwiched between the upper edge of the curb 2 and an edge frame 5 mounted on top of the curb 2 along the upper edge thereof.

[0044] Fig. 5 also shows how the panel frame 5 rests upon the edge frame 3 when the skylight window is closed. The grid-holding part 11 of the bracket 7 is shown in an open configuration with a rivet 15 and a hole 17 in the bracket 7 for receiving this rivet 15, so that the grid-holding part 11 will form a closed loop as described above. Thus, in the configuration illustrated in Fig. 5, the brackets 7 are suspended from the upper edge of the curb 2 before the outermost grid bars 16 of the safety grid 6 are placed in the open grid-holding part 11 of each bracket 7, and the grid-holding parts 11 are closed by fixing the rivets 15 in the respective holes 17 configured for receiving them. In other embodiments, the outermost grid bars 16 may be placed in the grid-holding part 11 of each bracket 7, and the grid-holding parts 11 may be closed, before the safety grid 6 with the brackets 7 as one assembled unit is mounted into the curb 2.

[0045] It should be noted that the rivets 15 shown in Figs. 4 and 5 are only one of several possible means, which could be used for closing the loops of the grid-holding parts 11 of the brackets 7. These loops can also be closed, for instance, by means of one or more screws, be welding or by simply being tied together with a string or cord of an appropriate material.List of reference numbers

[0046] 1. Flat roof skylight 2. Curb 3. Panel frame 4. Panel 5. Edge frame 6. Safety grid 7. Bracket 8. Traverse structure 9. Actuator 10. Hinge 11. Grid-holding part of bracket 12. Suspension part of bracket 13. Hook for holding bracket in place on curb 14. Grid bar 15. Rivet 16. Two bars adjacent to each other at edge of safety grid 17. Hole for rivet 18. Gasket

Claims

1. A flat roof skylight (1) comprising a rectangular panel frame (3) enclosing an upward opening of the flat roof skylight (1), a panel (4), and a curb (2) configured for extending upwards from a flat roof surface, wherein the panel frame (3) supports the panel (4) on top of the curb (2), wherein the flat roof skylight (1) comprises a fall protection device, which fall protection device comprises a safety grid (6) arranged, preferably horizontally, within and across a downward opening at least 10 cm below the panel frame (3) to secure the downward opening of the flat roof skylight (1), the downward opening being enclosed by the curb (2), and wherein the safety grid (6) is suspended from an upper edge of the curb (2) and is mounted within and across the downward opening.

2. The flat roof skylight (1) according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal cross-sectional area of the downward opening at the position of the safety grid (6) is larger than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the upward opening at the top of the curb (2).

3. The flat roof skylight (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the safety grid (6) is supported by a plurality of brackets (7), each bracket (7) comprising a grid-holding part (11) for surrounding and / or supporting one or more bars (14) of the safety grid (6) and a suspension part (12) for suspending the bracket (7) from the upper edge of the curb (2) so that the suspension part (12) of the bracket (7) is sandwiched between the upper edge of the curb (2) and an edge frame (5) mounted on top of the curb (2) along the upper edge thereof.

4. The flat roof skylight (1) according to claim 3, wherein the edge frame (5) is the same as the panel frame (3).

5. The flat roof skylight (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the grid-holding part (11) and the suspension part (12) are formed in one piece as an integral part of the bracket (7).

6. The flat roof skylight (1) according to any of claims 3-5, wherein the suspension part (12) of the bracket (7) comprises one or more right-angle bends allowing it to extend upwards along an inner side of the curb (2), across the upper edge of the curb (2) and, preferably, downwards along an outer side of the curb (2).

7. The flat roof skylight (1) according to any of claims 3-6, wherein the suspension part (12) of the bracket (7) is configured to interact with the curb (2) in such a way that the bracket (7) is held in place when it is suspended from the upper edge of the curb (2), such as by a "click lock", a hook (13) or a grip arranged on a part of the suspension part (12) of the bracket (7) extending downwards on an outer side of the curb (2), which hook (13) or grip is configured for engaging with the outer contour of the curb (2).

8. The flat roof skylight (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the safety grid (6) is made from metal bars (14), which are welded together.

9. The flat roof skylight (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, along one or more edges of the safety grid (6), the safety grid (6) comprises two discrete parallel bars (16) arranged adjacent to each other.

10. The flat roof skylight (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the panel (4) comprises one or more planar sheets.

11. The flat roof skylight (1) according to claim 10, wherein the one or more planar sheets are made from polycarbonate or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).

12. The flat roof skylight (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the panel (4) comprises one or more roof domes.

13. The flat roof skylight (1) according to claim 12, wherein the one or more roof domes are made from polycarbonate or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).

14. The flat roof skylight (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the panel (4) is transparent or translucent.

15. The flat roof skylight (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the panel frame (3) is hinged to the curb (2).

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