Anchor attachment for a roof panel rib

Abstract

A roof anchor with a channel fits over a roof panel rib typically having a rib head supported by a narrower rib neck. Opposing bolts on each anchor side thread through matching threaded holes in anchor sides and into the channel, sandwiching a roof panel rib therebetween when it is received into the channel. Alternatively, bolts on a single anchor side may sandwich the roof panel rib between the bolts and the other anchor side. To prevent the anchor from lifting off the roof panel rib, the bolts are located on the anchor sides low in the anchor channel, sufficiently apart from the anchor top so that the roof panel rib head can be received between the bolts and the anchor top. A rib bar typically shaped to functionally match the roof panel rib may be inserted within the roof panel rib as a brace to prevent a roof panel rib from collapsing under force of the bolts. When the anchor bolts tighten against the roof panel rib, the panel rib sides are sandwiched between the rib bar and the bolts. At least one attachment bolt is threaded into a hole in the anchor top for attaching roof paraphernalia to the anchor after the anchor is secured to the roof panel rib.

Having described the invention, what is claimed is as follows:  
     
         1 . A roof panel rib anchor for attachment to a roof panel rib of a roof panel or panels, the roof panel rib having a rib head supported from the roof panel or panels on a rib neck narrower than the rib head, the roof panel rib anchor comprising, 
 first and second opposing anchor sides depending from an anchor top forming a channel within, adapted to receive said roof panel rib head and part of the roof panel rib neck in the channel,    a fastener separated from the anchor top adapted to engage the roof rib panel at the rib neck such that said rib head is receivable in the channel between the fastener and the anchor top, the fastener securing the rib head in the channel when received therein.    
     
     
         2 . The roof panel rib anchor of  claim 1  wherein the fastener releasably secures the rib head in the channel when the rib head is received therein substantially maintaining the shape and structural integrity of the roof panel rib.  
     
     
         3 . The roof panel rib anchor of  claim 1  wherein the fastener is disposed such that the fastener undercuts the roof panel rib head in the channel at the roof panel rib neck at least partially closing the channel such that said roof panel rib head secured in the channel by the fastener is prevented from passing out of the channel.  
     
     
         4 . The roof panel rib anchor of  claim 3  wherein the fastener moves from one anchor side toward the other binding said roof panel rib neck between the anchor sides when said roof panel rib is received within the channel, the fastener imparting clamping force on the roof panel rib neck preventing the anchor from sliding on the roof panel rib.  
     
     
         5 . The roof panel rib anchor of  claim 1  wherein the fastener comprises a threaded bolt penetrating a first anchor side through a matching threaded hole, adapted to releasably clamp a roof panel rib neck securely between the bolt and a second anchor side with clamping force sufficient to prevent the anchor from sliding on the roof panel rib, undercutting the roof panel rib head therein preventing it from passing out of the channel.  
     
     
         6 . The roof panel rib anchor of  claim 5  wherein said threaded bolt further comprises a plurality of threaded bolts penetrating at least one anchor side, each through a matching threaded hole.  
     
     
         7 . The roof panel rib anchor of  claim 6  comprising a threaded bolt on one anchor side opposing a threaded bolt on the other anchor side.  
     
     
         8 . The roof panel rib anchor of  claim 7  comprising a plurality of threaded bolts on one anchor side each opposing threaded bolts on the other anchor side.  
     
     
         9 . The roof panel rib anchor of  claim 7  wherein the roof panel rib neck includes two separated opposing sides, the anchor further comprising a rib bar adapted to fit within the neck between the roof panel rib neck opposing sides bracing them from collapsing, substantially maintaining the shape and structural integrity of the roof panel under said clamping force.  
     
     
         10 . The roof panel rib anchor of  claim 9  wherein the rib bar is adapted to firmly engage the roof panel rib neck under said clamping force preventing the anchor from sliding on the rib.  
     
     
         11 . The roof panel rib anchor of  claim 10  wherein the rib bar has a depression, the neck engaging the rib bar depression under said clamping force of the bolt.  
     
     
         12 . The roof panel rib anchor of  claim 6  wherein the roof panel rib head includes a cavity within, the anchor further comprising a rib bar adapted to fit within the head bracing it from collapsing and substantially maintaining the shape and structural integrity of the roof panel rib under said clamping force.  
     
     
         13 . A roof panel rib anchor for attachment to a roof panel rib having a cavity within, the roof panel rib anchor comprising, 
 first and second opposing anchor sides depending from an anchor top forming a channel within, adapted to receive said roof panel rib in the channel,    a fastener extending into the channel from the first anchor side directed toward the second anchor side, the fastener securing the rib in the channel when received therein, the fastener imparting clamping force on the roof panel rib preventing the anchor from sliding on it,    a rib bar adapted to fit within the roof panel rib cavity opposite the fastener outside the roof panel rib, bracing it from collapse and substantially maintaining the shape and structural integrity of the roof panel rib against said clamping force as the fastener impinges with said clamping force against the rib.    
     
     
         14 . A roof panel rib bar insertable in a cavity or channel of a roof panel rib, comprising an elongated body with cross section shaped to functionally match said roof panel rib cavity or channel, substantially maintaining the shape and structural integrity of the roof panel rib against forces of attachment of a device to the roof panel rib.  
     
     
         15 . The roof panel rib bar of  claim 14  further comprising at least one recess along its side adapted to receive a section of a roof panel rib urged into the recess in attachment of an anchor to the roof panel rib.  
     
     
         16 . The method of removably attaching an anchor to a roof panel rib having a rib cavity or channel within without substantial deformation or collapse of the roof panel rib therein maintaining the integrity of the rib roof structure, the anchor having an anchor channel and a fastener attached to the channel and extending into the channel from a channel side toward a channel opposite side, the method comprising the following steps: 
 a. Placing a rib bar in the roof panel rib cavity or channel;    b. Placing a roof panel rib anchor over the roof panel rib opposite the rib bar within the rib, the anchor channel fitting over the roof panel rib,    c. Releasably securing the anchor to the roof panel rib opposite the rib bar by engaging the fastener tightly with clamping force against the roof panel rib from outside the roof panel rib, the rib bar bracing the roof rib from collapse or substantial deformation under said clamping force as the fastener impinges with said clamping force against the rib.    
     
     
         17 . The method of removably attaching an anchor to a roof panel rib without collapse or substantial deformation, the roof panel rib including a raised outer rib member from a first roof panel around a raised inner rib member from a second, adjacent, panel, the roof panel rib interconnecting the two roof panels, the outer rib member including a distal end directed generally back toward the roof panels with resilient spring bias against lateral forces, the anchor having an anchor channel and a fastener attached to the channel and extending into the channel from a channel side toward a channel opposite side, the method comprising 
 a. Placing the roof panel rib anchor over the roof panel rib, the anchor channel fitting over the roof panel rib,    b. Engaging the fastener against the roof panel rib outer rib member distal end from outside the roof panel rib, the fastener urging the outer member distal end laterally inward in partially closing the anchor channel, the resilient spring bias providing clamping force against the fastener to secure the anchor to the roof panel rib.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further including the step of adjusting the fastener with clamping force that urges the distal end back against a roof panel rib outer member proximal near its connection to the roof panel, effectively closing the channel at the anchor, the roof panel rib sandwiched tightly with clamping force between a channel side and the fastener on the other charnel side.  
     
     
         19 . A roof panel rib anchor for attachment to a roof panel rib of a roof panel or panels, the roof panel rib having a rib head supported from the roof panel or panels on a rib neck narrower than the rib head, the roof panel rib anchor comprising, 
 first and second opposing anchor sides depending from an anchor top forming a channel within, adapted to receive said roof panel rib head and part of the roof panel rib neck in the channel,    a plurality of threaded bolts penetrating at least one anchor side each bolt threaded through a matching threaded hole and separated from the anchor top such that said rib head is receivable in the channel between the bolts and the anchor top, the bolts securing the rib head in the channel when received therein, wherein the bolts releasably secure the rib head in the channel and wherein the bolts undercut the roof panel rib head in the channel at the roof panel rib neck at least partially closing the channel such that said anchor head is prevented from passing out of the channel, the bolts releasable clamping the roof panel rib neck between the anchor sides when said roof panel rib is received within the channel, the bolts imparting clamping force on the roof panel rib neck preventing the anchor from sliding on the roof panel rib.    
     
     
         20 . The roof panel rib anchor of  claim 19  further comprising a rib bar adapted to fit within a cavity or channel in the roof panel rib receiving the roof panel rib neck in firm engagement under said clamping force and preventing the anchor from sliding on the rib bracing the roof panel rib from collapse under said clamping force.