Modular skylight frame and system

Abstract

A pre-assembled skylight frame module and system is provided. A module includes opposed first and second skylight mounts, each including opposed rafters and opposed purlins to define a rectangular aperture between them. The skylight frame module includes an obtuse angle between the two attached first and second skylight mounts. The skylight mounts are adapted for receipt of pre-assembled skylight assemblies. The skylight frame module is configured for side-by-side attachment to adjacent such skylight frame modules, to provide a skylight frame assembly. The skylight system may be adapted to a variety of skylight openings by varying the rafter and purlin lengths and the angle between the connected skylight mounts.

1 . A pre-assembled skylight frame module, comprising: 
 a first skylight mount, said first skylight mount including a first rafter and an opposed second rafter, an upper purlin defining a purlin length and an opposed lower purlin, said first and second rafters and upper and lower purlins of said first skylight mount interconnected to define a first rectangular aperture therebetween,    a second skylight mount, said second skylight mount including a first rafter and an opposed second rafter, an upper purlin defining a purlin length and an opposed lower purlin, said first and second rafters and upper and lower purlins of said second skylight mount interconnected to define a second rectangular aperture therebetween,    said first skylight mount attached to said second skylight mount along said purlin lengths of respective said upper purlins.    
     
     
         2 . The pre-assembled skylight frame module of  claim 1 , wherein said attachment of said first skylight mount and said second skylight mount defines an obtuse angle between said first and second skylight mounts.  
     
     
         3 . The pre-assembled skylight frame module of  claim 1 , wherein said attachment of said first skylight mount and said second skylight mount is substantially rigid.  
     
     
         4 . The pre-assembled skylight frame module of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second skylight mounts is configured for engagement with a pre-assembled skylight lens assembly of predetermined size over said rectangular aperture.  
     
     
         5 . The pre-assembled skylight frame module of  claim 1 , wherein each said upper purlin defines a cross-sectional configuration and said lower purlin defines substantially the same cross-sectional configuration.  
     
     
         6 . The pre-assembled skylight frame module of  claim 1 , wherein each said first rafter defines a cross-sectional configuration and said second rafter defines substantially the same cross-sectional configuration.  
     
     
         7 . The pre-assembled skylight frame module of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said lower purlins includes a hinge member adapted for attachment to a roof curb hinge.  
     
     
         8 . The pre-assembled skylight frame module of  claim 1 , further including at least one hinge connected with at least one of said lower purlin for hingeable attachment to a roof curb.  
     
     
         9 . The pre-assembled skylight frame module of  claim 1 , wherein said rafters and purlins include a top wall configured for abutment with a skylight lens assembly gasket.  
     
     
         10 . The pre-assembled skylight frame module of  claim 1 , wherein said rafters and purlins include a screw receiver for receipt of screw attachments from a skylight system.  
     
     
         11 . The pre-assembled skylight frame module of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said rafters defines a channel therein.  
     
     
         12 . The pre-assembled skylight frame module of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said purlins defines a channel therein.  
     
     
         13 . The pre-assembled skylight frame module of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said pre-assembled skylight frame modules is adapted for attachment of skylight accessories.  
     
     
         14 . A skylight frame system, comprising: 
 at least two pre-assembled skylight frame modules for side-by-side installation, each said module including: 
 a first skylight mount, said first skylight mount including opposed rafters, an upper purlin and an opposed lower purlin, said rafters and purlins interconnected to define a rectangular aperture therebetween,  
 a second skylight mount, said second skylight mount including opposed rafters, an upper purlin and an opposed lower purlin, said rafters and purlins interconnected to define a rectangular aperture therebetween,  
   said first skylight mount attached to said second skylight mount at respective said upper purlins,    wherein adjacent said rafters between said modules are configured for attachment one to the other.    
     
     
         15 . The skylight frame system of  claim 14 , wherein said attachment of said first skylight mount and said second skylight mount defines an obtuse angle between said first and second skylight mounts.  
     
     
         16 . The skylight frame system of  claim 14 , wherein said attachment of said first skylight mount and said second skylight mount is substantially rigid.  
     
     
         17 . The skylight frame system of  claim 14 , wherein each of said first and second skylight mounts are each adapted for engagement with a pre-assembled skylight lens assembly of predetermined size over said rectangular aperture.  
     
     
         18 . The skylight frame system of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of said rafters defines therein a secondary gutter.  
     
     
         19 . The skylight frame system of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of said lower purlins includes a hinge member adapted for attachment to a roof curb hinge.  
     
     
         20 . The skylight frame system of  claim 14 , further including a hinge connected with at least one said lower purlin for hingeable attachment to a roof curb.  
     
     
         21 . The skylight frame system of  claim 14 , wherein each said first rafter of a said skylight mount defines a cross-sectional configuration and each said second rafter defines substantially the same cross-sectional configuration.  
     
     
         22 . The skylight frame system of  claim 14 , wherein each said upper purlin of a said skylight mount defines a cross-sectional configuration and each said lower purlin defines substantially the same cross-sectional configuration.  
     
     
         23 . The skylight frame system of  claim 14 , wherein each said module includes at least one said rafter disposed for engagement with at least one rafter of an adjacent said module upon said side-by-side installation, one of said rafters of one of said modules including a male member and the adjacent said rafter of the adjacent said module including a female member configured for engagement with said male member.  
     
     
         24 . The skylight frame system of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of said rafters defines a channel therein.  
     
     
         25 . The skylight frame system of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of said purlins defines a channel therein.  
     
     
         26 . The skylight frame system of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one of said pre-assembled skylight frame modules is adapted for attachment of skylight accessories.  
     
     
         27 . The skylight frame system of  claim 14 , wherein said rafters and purlins include a top wall configured for abutment with a gasket carried by a skylight lens assembly.  
     
     
         28 . The skylight frame system of  claim 14 , wherein said rafters and purlins include a screw receiver for receipt of screw attachments from a skylight system.  
     
     
         29 . A skylight frame system, comprising: 
 at least two pre-assembled skylight frame modules for side-by-side installation, each said module including:    a first skylight mount, said first skylight mount including a first rafter and a second rafter parallel to said first rafter, said first skylight mount further including an upper purlin and a lower purlin parallel therebetween and perpendicular to said first and second rafters, said rafters and purlins defining an opening therein of predetermined dimensions,    a second skylight mount, said second skylight mount including a first rafter and a second rafter parallel to said first rafter, said second skylight mount further including an upper purlin and a lower purlin parallel therebetween and perpendicular to said first and second rafters, said rafters and purlins defining an opening therein of predetermined dimensions and an outside perimeter therearound,    respective said upper purlins of said first and second skylight mounts substantially rigidly attached to define a predetermined angle between said first and second skylight mounts,    said first and second skylight mounts each adapted for receipt of a pre-assembled skylight lens assembly of predetermined size over said opening,    said at least two pre-assembled skylight frame modules configured for attachment one to the other.    
     
     
         30 . The skylight frame system of  claim 29 , further including a male hinge member upon at least one of said lower purlins of said skylight mounts adapted for attachment to a receiving hinge member upon a roof curb.  
     
     
         31 . The skylight frame system of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of said lower purlins is attached to a hinge for connection to a roof curb.  
     
     
         32 . The skylight frame system of  claim 29 , wherein said rafters and purlins include a top wall configured for abutment with a gasket carried by a skylight lens assembly.  
     
     
         33 . The skylight frame system of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of said rafters defines a secondary gutter therein.  
     
     
         34 . The skylight frame system of  claim 29 , wherein said rafters and purlins include a screw receiver for receipt of screw attachments from a skylight system.  
     
     
         35 . The skylight frame system of  claim 29 , wherein said rafters and purlins are configured for mechanical engagement with a skylight lens assembly.  
     
     
         36 . The skylight frame system of  claim 29 , wherein each said module includes at least one said rafter disposed for engagement with at least one rafter of an adjacent said module upon said side-by-side installation, one of said rafters of one of said modules including a male member and the adjacent said rafter of the adjacent said module including a female member configured for engagement with said male member.  
     
     
         37 . The skylight frame system of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of said rafters defines a channel therein.  
     
     
         38 . The skylight frame system of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of said purlins defines a channel therein.  
     
     
         39 . The skylight frame system of  claim 29 , wherein said at least one of said pre-assembled skylight frame modules is adapted for attachment of skylight accessories.  
     
     
         40 . The skylight frame system of  claim 29 , further including a top ridge cap over said attachment of said purlins.  
     
     
         41 . The skylight frame system of  claim 29 , wherein each said upper purlin of a said skylight frame mount defines a cross-sectional configuration and each said lower purlin defines substantially the same cross-sectional configuration.  
     
     
         42 . The skylight frame system of  claim 29 , wherein each said first rafter of a said skylight frame mount defines a cross-sectional configuration and each said second rafter defines substantially the same cross-sectional configuration.