Tubular skylight with improved one-piece curb and tube

Abstract

A tubular skylight having an improved one-piece curb/tube improving the ease of manufacture and installation. The one-piece tube/curb having a tube and a flashing integrally molded of plastic. The tube extends above the flashing to support a dome and below the flashing to connect to an adjacent light tube section. The tube preferably includes a reflective inner surface to enhance light conveyance.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A one-piece curb/tube for a skylight comprising: 
 a tube having an upper and a lower end;    an outer wall integrally molded with said tube and extending downwardly from said upper end of said tube; and    a flashing integrally molded with and extending outwardly from said outer wall, said flashing located between said upper and lower ends of said tube, whereby a substantial portion of said tube is located on either side of said flashing.    
     
     
         2 . The curb/tube of  claim 1  wherein said tube includes an inner surface having a reflective coating.  
     
     
         3 . The curb/tube of  claim 1  wherein said tube, said flashing and said outer wall are molded as one piece out of plastic.  
     
     
         4 . A one-piece curb/tube comprising: 
 a tube having an inner reflective surface, said tube connected to an outer wall, said outer wall extending downwardly along said tube; and    a flange extending outwardly from said outer wall, said outer wall, said tube and said flange being integrally molded out of a non-metallic material.    
     
     
         5 . The curb/tube of  claim 4  wherein said tube includes a bottom edge extending beyond said flashing.  
     
     
         6 . A one-piece curb/tube for a light tube assembly of the type to be installed between a roof and a ceiling to convey sunlight into a building interior, said curb/tube comprising: 
 a flashing portion adapted to support said curb/tube on the roof; and    a tube portion integrally molded with and extending through said flashing portion, said tube portion including an upper end means for supporting a light tube dome, said tube portion further including a lower end means for connecting said tube portion to an adjacent light tube section, said lower end means being located an adequate distance below said flashing portion so that said tube portion extends through the roof when the tube/curb is supported on the roof.    
     
     
         7 . The curb/tube of  claim 6  wherein said tube portion and said flashing portion are molded as one piece out of plastic.  
     
     
         8 . The curb/tube of  claim 6  wherein said tube portion includes an inner surface having a reflective coating.