Roofing system for use in high-wind zones

Abstract

A roofing system that includes a plurality of mounting brackets that are fixedly attached to a roof sub-surface. The roofing system further includes a plurality of panels that are configured to attach to the mounting brackets in a manner that allows the panels to slide laterally relative to the mounting brackets. Each mounting bracket is attached to two separate panels via the first panel's c-shaped first attachment portion and the second panel's c-shaped second attachment portion. An intermediate member is positioned between the first panel's first attachment portion and the second panel's second attachment portion to allow the first and second panels to slide independently adjacent the mounting bracket.

1 . A roofing system for installation adjacent a roofing sub-structure, said roofing system comprising: 
 a mounting bracket comprising a base portion and an elongate panel-attachment portion, said mounting bracket being configured for installation adjacent said roofing sub-structure;    a first panel configured for installation adjacent said elongate panel-attachment portion so that said first panel is substantially free to slide laterally relative to said panel-attachment portion;    a second panel configured for installation adjacent said elongate panel-attachment portion so that said second panel is substantially free to slide laterally relative to said panel-attachment portion; and    an intermediate member configured for installation adjacent said mounting bracket, said intermediate member being configured to separate at least a portion of said first panel from at least a portion of said second panel when said intermediate member is installed adjacent said mounting bracket.    
     
     
         2 . The roofing system of  claim 1 , wherein said roofing system is configured so that after said roofing system is installed, said panel-attachment portion of said mounting bracket is substantially constrained from moving laterally relative to said roofing sub-structure.  
     
     
         3 . The roofing system of  claim 2 , wherein said roofing system is configured so that after said roofing system is installed, said intermediate member is substantially constrained from moving laterally relative to said roofing sub-structure.  
     
     
         4 . The roofing system of  claim 1 , wherein said roofing system is configured so that after said roofing system is installed, said intermediate member is substantially constrained from moving laterally relative to said panel-attachment portion.  
     
     
         5 . The roofing system of  claim 1 , wherein said roofing system is configured so that after said roofing system is installed, said first panel slideably engages at least a portion of said mounting bracket.  
     
     
         6 . The roofing system of  claim 5 , wherein said roofing system is configured so that after said roofing system is installed, said first panel slideably engages at least a portion of said intermediate member.  
     
     
         7 . The roofing system of  claim 6 , wherein said roofing system is configured so that after said roofing system is installed, said second panel slideably engages at least a portion of said intermediate member.  
     
     
         8 . The roofing system of  claim 1 , wherein said roofing system is configured so that after said roofing system is installed, said second panel slideably engages at least a portion of said intermediate member.  
     
     
         9 . The roofing system of  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate member comprises a lateral movement restricting portion, said lateral movement restricting portion being configured for engaging a lateral side of said mounting bracket to at least partially restrict the lateral movement of said intermediate member relative to said mounting bracket.  
     
     
         10 . The roofing system of  claim 9 , wherein said lateral movement restricting portion is a bracket that is configured to extend adjacent said lateral side of said mounting bracket.  
     
     
         11 . The roofing system of  claim 9 , wherein said lateral side is a first lateral side, said lateral movement restricting portion is a first lateral movement restricting portion, and said intermediate member includes a second lateral movement restricting portion, said second lateral movement restricting portion being configured for engaging a second lateral side of said mounting bracket to further restrict the lateral movement of said intermediate member relative to said mounting bracket.  
     
     
         12 . The roofing system of  claim 11 , wherein said first lateral movement restricting portion is a first bracket and said second lateral movement restricting portion is a second bracket, and wherein said first bracket is configured to extend adjacent said first lateral side of said mounting bracket, and wherein said second bracket is configured to extend adjacent said second lateral side of said mounting bracket.  
     
     
         13 . The roofing system of  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate member is configured to be fixedly attached to said mounting bracket.  
     
     
         14 . A roofing system for installation adjacent a roofing sub-structure, said roofing system comprising: 
 a mounting assembly defining a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion, said first and second mounting portions cooperating to form a sliding chamber, and said second mounting portion defining a sliding surface;    a first panel comprising a first roofing portion and a first attachment portion adjacent said first roofing portion, said first attachment portion being configured for sliding engagement within said sliding chamber; and    a second panel comprising a second roofing portion and a second attachment portion adjacent said second roofing portion, said second attachment portion being configured for sliding engagement with said sliding surface.    
     
     
         15 . The roofing system of  claim 14 , wherein said mounting assembly is configured to allow said first attachment portion to slide substantially freely within said sliding chamber.  
     
     
         16 . The roofing system of  claim 15 , wherein said mounting assembly is configured to allow said second attachment portion to slide substantially freely on said sliding surface.  
     
     
         17 . The roofing system of  claim 14 , wherein said mounting assembly is configured to allow said second attachment portion to slide substantially freely on said sliding surface.  
     
     
         18 . The roofing system of  claim 14 , wherein said mounting assembly and said first panel are configured so that when said first attachment portion slides within said sliding chamber, said first panel moves laterally relative to said mounting assembly.  
     
     
         19 . The roofing system of  claim 14 , wherein said mounting assembly and said second panel are configured so that when said second attachment portion slides on said sliding surface, said second panel moves laterally relative to said mounting assembly.  
     
     
         20 . The roofing system of  claim 14 , wherein said mounting assembly, said first panel, and said second panel are configured so that both said first panel and said second panel are substantially free to slide laterally relative to said mounting assembly, and so that said first panel is substantially free to slide laterally relative to said mounting assembly independently of said second panel.  
     
     
         21 . The roofing system of  claim 14 , wherein said second mounting portion is configured to separate at least a portion of said first panel from at least a portion of said second panel.  
     
     
         22 . The roofing system of  claim 14 , wherein said first and second mounting portions are mounted so that they can not move substantially in a lateral direction relative to said roofing sub-structure.  
     
     
         23 . A roofing system for installation adjacent a roofing sub-structure, said roofing system comprising: 
 a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket comprising a base portion, an elongate body portion, and a head portion, said head portion comprising a head-portion exterior surface;    a first panel comprising a first roofing portion, and a first attachment portion adjacent said first roofing portion, said first attachment portion being formed to substantially mate with said head-portion exterior surface, and said first attachment portion comprising a first-panel exterior surface;    an intermediate member, said intermediate member comprising an intermediate-member interior surface that is formed to substantially mate with said first-panel exterior surface, said intermediate member further comprising an intermediate-member exterior surface;    a second panel comprising a second roofing portion and a second attachment portion adjacent said second roofing portion, said second attachment portion being formed to substantially mate with said intermediate-member exterior surface; and wherein: 
 said intermediate member is configured to separate at least a portion of said first panel from at least a portion of said second panel; and  
 said mounting bracket, said first panel, said intermediate member, and said second panel are configured so that after said roofing system is installed adjacent said roofing sub-structure, said first panel and said second panel are substantially free to slide laterally relative to said mounting bracket.  
   
     
     
         24 . The roofing system of  claim 23 , wherein said first and second attachment portions are generally c-shaped.  
     
     
         25 . The roofing system of  claim 23 , wherein said head portion includes a substantially planar first interior portion, said first interior portion facing, and being spaced apart from, said base portion, and said first interior portion forming an angle of less than 90 degrees with at least a portion of said elongate body portion of said mounting bracket.  
     
     
         26 . The roofing system of  claim 25 , wherein said first interior portion forms an angle of less than 80 degrees with at least a portion of said elongate body portion of said mounting bracket.  
     
     
         27 . The roofing system of  claim 25 , wherein said first interior portion is adjacent a first side of said body portion, and wherein said head portion includes a substantially planar second interior portion, said second interior portion facing, and being spaced apart from, said base portion, and wherein said second interior portion is adjacent a second side of said body portion, said second side being opposite said first side, and wherein said second interior portion forms an angle of less than 90 degrees with at least a portion of said elongate body portion of said mounting bracket.  
     
     
         28 . The roofing system of  claim 27 , wherein said first and second interior portions each form an angle of less than 80 degrees with at least a portion of said elongate body portion of said mounting bracket.  
     
     
         29 . A method of providing a wind-resistant roof structure adjacent a roofing sub-structure, said method comprising the steps of: 
 mounting a mounting bracket adjacent said roofing sub-structure, said mounting bracket comprising a base portion and an elongate panel-attachment portion;    mounting a first panel adjacent said elongate panel-attachment portion so that said first panel can slide laterally relative to said panel-attachment portion;    mounting a second panel adjacent said elongate panel-attachment portion so that said second panel can slide laterally relative to said panel-attachment portion; and    mounting an intermediate member adjacent said mounting bracket so that said intermediate member separates at least a portion of said first panel from at least a portion of said second panel when said intermediate member is installed adjacent said mounting bracket.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising the step of crimping said second panel about a portion of said mounting bracket, and wherein said crimping step is executed so that, after said crimping step: (1) the movement of said second panel relative to said mounting bracket is at least partially restricted; and (2) said second panel is substantially free to move in a direction that is substantially lateral to said mounting bracket.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein: 
 said panel attachment portion comprises a head portion; and    said step of crimping comprises crimping a generally c-shaped portion of said second panel about said head portion.    
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said crimping step is executed so that, after said crimping step: (1) the movement of said first panel relative to said mounting bracket is at least partially restricted; and (2) said first panel is substantially free to move in a direction that is substantially lateral to said mounting bracket.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising the step of crimping a generally c-shaped portion of said first panel about a head portion of said panel attachment portion, and wherein: 
 said step of crimping said second panel comprises crimping a generally c-shaped portion of said second panel about said head portion.    
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising the step of: 
 crimping said first panel, said second panel, and said intermediate member about a portion of said mounting bracket so that, after said crimping step: (1) the movement of said first and second panels relative to said mounting bracket is at least partially restricted; and (2) said first and second panels are substantially free to move in a direction that is substantially lateral to said mounting bracket.    
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein: 
 said panel attachment portion comprises a head portion; and    said step of crimping comprises crimping both a generally c-shaped portion of said first panel, and a generally c-shaped portion of said second panel about said head portion.    
     
     
         36 . A method of providing a wind-resistant roof structure adjacent a roofing sub-structure, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a mounting bracket comprising a base portion, an elongate body portion, and a head portion, said head portion comprising a head-portion exterior surface;    providing a first panel comprising both a first roofing portion and a first attachment portion, said first attachment portion being adjacent to said first roofing portion, said first attachment portion comprising a first-panel exterior surface, and said first attachment portion being formed to substantially mate with said head-portion exterior surface;    providing an intermediate member, said intermediate member comprising an intermediate-member interior surface that is formed to substantially mate with said first-panel exterior surface, said intermediate member further comprising an intermediate-member exterior surface;    providing a second panel comprising both a second roofing portion and a second attachment portion, said second attachment portion being adjacent said second roofing portion, and said second attachment portion being formed to substantially mate with said intermediate-member exterior surface;    mounting said mounting bracket adjacent said roofing sub-structure;    mounting said first panel, said second panel, and said intermediate panel so that: 
 (1) said first attachment portion substantially mates with said head-portion exterior surface;  
 (2) said intermediate-member interior surface substantially mates with said first-panel exterior surface; and  
 (3) said second attachment portion substantially mates with said intermediate-member exterior surface; and  
   crimping said second panel about a portion of said mounting bracket so that, after this crimping step, the movement of said first panel relative to said mounting bracket is at least partially restricted, but said first panel is substantially free to move laterally relative to said mounting bracket.    
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein said crimping step is executed so that, after said crimping step, the movement of the second panel relative to said mounting bracket is at least partially restricted, but said second panel is substantially free to move laterally relative to said mounting bracket.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising the step of crimping said first panel about a portion of said mounting bracket; and wherein, 
 said steps of crimping said first and second panels are executed so that, after said crimping steps, the movement of said second panel relative to said mounting bracket is at least partially restricted, but said second panel is substantially free to move laterally relative to said mounting bracket.    
     
     
         39 . A roofing system for installation adjacent a roofing sub-structure, said roofing system comprising: 
 a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket comprising a base portion, an elongate body portion, and a head portion, said head portion comprising a head-portion exterior surface;    a first panel comprising a first roofing portion, and a first attachment portion adjacent said first roofing portion, said first attachment portion being formed to substantially mate with said head-portion exterior surface, and said first attachment portion comprising a first-panel exterior surface;    an intermediate member, said intermediate member comprising an intermediate-member interior surface that is formed to substantially mate with said first-panel exterior surface, said intermediate member further comprising an intermediate-member exterior surface;    a second panel comprising a second roofing portion and a second attachment portion adjacent said second roofing portion, said second attachment portion being formed to substantially mate with said intermediate-member exterior surface; and wherein: 
 said intermediate member is configured to separate at least a portion of said first panel from at least a portion of said second panel; and  
 said mounting bracket, said first panel, said intermediate member, and said second panel are configured so that after said roofing system is installed adjacent said roofing sub-structure, said first panel is substantially free to slide laterally relative to said mounting bracket.  
   
     
     
         40 . A roofing system for installation adjacent a roofing sub-structure, said roofing system comprising: 
 a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket comprising a base portion, an elongate body portion, and a head portion, said head portion comprising a head-portion exterior surface;    a first panel comprising a first roofing portion, and a first attachment portion adjacent said first roofing portion, said first attachment portion being formed to substantially mate with said head-portion exterior surface, and said first attachment portion comprising a first-panel exterior surface;    an intermediate member, said intermediate member comprising an intermediate-member interior surface that is formed to substantially mate with said first-panel exterior surface, said intermediate member further comprising an intermediate-member exterior surface; and    a second panel comprising a second roofing portion and a second attachment portion adjacent said second roofing portion, said second attachment portion being formed to substantially mate with said intermediate-member exterior surface; and wherein: 
 said intermediate member is configured to separate at least a portion of said first panel from at least a portion of said second panel; and  
 said mounting bracket, said first panel, said intermediate member, and said second panel are configured so that after said roofing system is installed adjacent said roofing sub-structure, said second panel is substantially free to slide laterally relative to said mounting bracket.