Roof seam bearing clip

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hold down clip for connecting a roof panel to an insulated roof structure comprising rigid insulation. In the roof structure, the rigid insulation sits atop the purlin 30 . The hold down clip has several functions. First, it joins adjacent roof panels. Second, it holds the roof panels down by fastening them to the underlying purlin. It also, keeps the rigid insulation sandwiched between the roof panel and the purlins.

1 . A hold down clip for connecting a roof panel to an insulated roof structure comprising rigid insulation, the hold down clip comprising:
 a clip tab comprising:
 a planar upright body with a top end and a bottom end; 
 a hook portion integral with the top end of the body that is configured to join adjacent roof panels; and 
 a planar leg integral with the bottom end of the body that extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the body; and 
   a base configured to slidingly receive and retain a portion of the leg, the base having a predetermined bottom surface area configured to distribute forces generated by the roof panels over a sufficient portion of the insulated roof structure to prevent compressive failure of the rigid insulation.   
   
   
       2 . The hold down clip of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a top flange and a bottom flange, and wherein a first end portion of the top flange is connected to and substantially collinear with a first end portion of the bottom flange, whereby the top flange and bottom flange define a slot for complimentary receipt of at least a portion of the leg of the clip tab. 
   
   
       3 . The hold down clip of  claim 2 , wherein the top flange and the bottom flange are configured to form a friction fit with at least a portion of the leg of the clip tab. 
   
   
       4 . The hold down clip of  claim 2 , wherein a second end portion of the top flange extends a first distance from the first end portion of the top flange and a second end portion of the bottom flange extends a second distance from the first end portion of the bottom flange, and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance such that the second end portion of the top flange and the second end portion of the bottom flange are in spaced relation. 
   
   
       5 . The hold down clip of  claim 4 , wherein the distance between the second end portion of the bottom flange and the second end portion of the top flange is equal to or greater than the length of the leg of the clip tab. 
   
   
       6 . The hold down clip of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the base defines at least one base opening configured for receipt of a fastener to fasten the hold down clip to the roof structure. 
   
   
       7 . The hold down clip of  claim 6 , wherein a portion of the leg of the clip tab defines at least one clip tab opening that, in use, is configured to be at least partially coaxial with the at least one base opening. 
   
   
       8 . The hold down clip of  claim 2 , wherein a portion of the top flange of the base defines at least one top flange opening and a portion of the bottom flange of the base defines at least one bottom flange opening, wherein the respective top and bottom flange openings are configured for receipt of a fastener to fasten the hold down clip to the roof structure, and wherein the at least one top flange opening is at least partially coaxial with the at least one bottom flange opening. 
   
   
       9 . The hold down clip of  claim 8 , wherein a portion of the leg of the clip tab defines at least one leg opening that, in use, is configured to be at least partially coaxial with the respective at least one top and bottom flange openings. 
   
   
       10 . The hold down clip of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one leg opening is elongated in a first direction that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the leg of the clip tab. 
   
   
       11 . The hold down clip of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one leg opening is elongated in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. 
   
   
       12 . The hold down clip of  claim 11 , wherein a width of the at least one leg opening in the first and second directions is greater than a diameter of the at least one top flange opening of the base. 
   
   
       13 . The hold down clip of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one bottom flange opening is elongated in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the base. 
   
   
       14 . The hold down clip of  claim 4 , wherein the second end portion of the bottom flange comprises a raised lip that extends generally upwardly and outwardly from a generally planar central portion of the base. 
   
   
       15 . The hold down clip of  claim 14 , wherein a distal end of the lip extends in a range of from about 0.2 to 0.6 inches above the plane of the central portion of the base. 
   
   
       16 . The hold down clip of  claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of the lip has a curved shape in cross-section. 
   
   
       17 . The hold down clip of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined surface area is in a range of from about 5 in 2  to about 20 in 2 . 
   
   
       18 . The hold down clip of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined surface area is in a range of from about 7 in 2  to about 15 in 2 . 
   
   
       19 . The hold down clip of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined surface area is about 8 in 2 . 
   
   
       20 . The hold down clip of  claim 1 , wherein the hook portion of the clip tab defines a plurality of openings.