System and method of repaneling a structure

Abstract

A bracket or retrofitting panels to a structure is provided with first, second and top walls which define a channel. The channel is sized and shaped to enclose existing fasteners on the structure. A base flange may cantilever from the first or second walls and extend away from the first and second walls to enable a user to secure the bracket to the structure prior to placing new panels on the bracket. Another base flange may cantilever away from the second wall, toward the first wall, and be sized to place a leading edge portion of the base flange adjacent existing fasteners on the structure to locate the bracket before installation and prevent lateral movement of the bracket along existing panels.

1 . In combination:
 a new building panel;   a structure, having at least one existing building panel with an outwardly facing surface that is shaped to have a profile defined by elongated, alternating peaks and valleys, and at least one existing fastener; and   a bracket comprising:
 first and second spaced-apart walls having upper and lower end portions, opposite end portions and a length extending between said opposite end portions; said lower end portions of said first and second walls being shaped and sized to marry the profile of the alternating peaks and valleys along the outwardly facing surface of the existing building panel when the bracket is positioned closely adjacent the outwardly facing surface of the existing building panel, and the length of said bracket is perpendicular to, lengths of the elongated alternating peaks and valleys of the existing building panel; and 
 a top wall, having a width that extends between the upper end portions of said first and second walls; 
 a first base flange operatively coupled with the lower end portion of said first wall or said second wall such that said first base flange cantilevers from said first wall or said second wall along a plane that is generally parallel with a plane along which said top wall extends; 
 said first, second and top walls being coupled to one another so that they define a channel that extends at least partially along the length of the bracket; said channel being sized and shaped to enclose the at least one existing fastener. 
   
   
   
       2 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said first and second walls are spaced from one another in an angular relationship wherein the upper end portions of said first and second walls are spaced from one another a first distance and the lower end portions of said first and second walls are spaced apart from one another a second distance, which is greater than said first distance. 
   
   
       3 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said first base flange cantilevers away from said first and second walls. 
   
   
       4 . The combination of  claim 3  wherein said first base flange cantilevers away from the lower end portion of said first wall and a second base flange cantilevers from the lower end portion of said second wall along a plane that is generally parallel with a plane along which said top wall extends. 
   
   
       5 . The combination of  claim 4  wherein said second base flange cantilevers away from the lower end portion of said second wall toward said first wall. 
   
   
       6 . The combination of  claim 5  wherein said second base flange is provided with a leading edge portion and a depth that extends between said leading edge portion and the lower end portion of said second wall; the depth of said second base flange being provided so that, when the bracket is positioned closely adjacent the outwardly facing surface of the existing building panel, the leading edge portion of said second base flange may be positioned closely adjacent said at least one existing fastener and said at least one existing fastener may be positioned adjacent an axis that extends perpendicularly through an approximate center of the width of said top wall. 
   
   
       7 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said first base flange cantilevers away from the lower end portion of said first wall toward said second wall. 
   
   
       8 . The combination of  claim 7  wherein said first base flange cantilevers away from the lower end portion of said first wall and a second base flange cantilevers from the lower end portion of said second wall along a plane that is generally parallel with a plane along which said top wall extends. 
   
   
       9 . The combination of  claim 8  wherein said second base flange cantilevers away from the lower end portion of said second wall toward said first wall. 
   
   
       10 . The combination of  claim 8  wherein said first base flange is provided with a leading edge portion and a depth that extends between said leading edge portion and the lower end portion of said second wall; the depth of said second base flange being provided so that, when the bracket is positioned closely adjacent the outwardly facing surface of the existing building panel, the leading edge portion of said second base flange may be positioned closely adjacent said at least one existing fastener and said at least one existing fastener may be positioned between the leading edge portion of said second base flange and a leading edge portion of said first base flange. 
   
   
       11 . A method of retrofitting at least one new building panel and at least one new fastener to a structure having at least one existing building panel, with an outwardly facing surface that is shaped to have a profile defined by elongated, alternating peaks and valleys, which is secured to a frame member with at least one existing fastener, comprising:
 providing at least one bracket comprising first and second spaced-apart walls, having upper and lower end portions, coupled to one another by a top wall; and   providing said at least one bracket with a channel, defined by said first, second and top walls, which extends at least partially along a length of said at least one bracket and is sized and shaped to enclose said at least one existing fastener;   providing said lower end portions of said first and second walls with a shape that will marry the profile of the alternating peaks and valleys along the outwardly facing surface of the existing building panel when said brace is positioned closely adjacent, and perpendicular to, the alternating peaks and valleys of the at least one existing building panel;   providing said at least one bracket with a first base flange that is operatively coupled with the lower end portion of said first wall or said second wall such that said first base flange cantilevers from said first wall or said second wall along a plane that is generally parallel with a plane along which said top wall extends;   aligning said at least one bracket so that the length of said at least one bracket is positioned perpendicular to lengths of said elongated, alternating peaks and valleys, the profile of said bracket is married to the profile of the at least one existing building panel, and the at least one existing fastener is enclosed within said channel;   positioning the at least one new building panel on the top wall of said at least one bracket;   securing the at least one new building panel to said bracket and the frame member with the at least one new fastener.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 positioning said first base flange to cantilever away from said first and second walls; and   securing said base flange to the at least one existing building panel prior to positioning the at least one new building panel on the top wall of said at least one bracket.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising:
 providing said at least one bracket with a second base flange that cantilevers from the lower portion of said second wall along a plane that is generally parallel with a plane along which said top wall extends.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising:
 positioning said second base flange to cantilever away from the lower end portion of said second wall toward said first wall;   providing said second base flange with a leading edge portion and a depth that extends between said leading edge portion and the lower end portion of said second wall; and   positioning the leading edge portion of said second base flange closely adjacent said at least one existing fastener when said at least one bracket is positioned closely adjacent the outwardly facing surface of the existing building panel to align said at least one bracket in a securing position prior to positioning the at least one new building panel on the top wall of said at least one bracket.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said securing position positions said at least one existing fastener closely adjacent the leading edge portion of said second base flange and an axis that extends perpendicularly through an approximate center of the width of said top wall. 
   
   
       16 . The combination of  claim 11  further comprising:
 providing said first base flange to cantilever away from the lower end portion of said first wall toward said second wall;   providing a second base flange that cantilevers from the lower end portion of said second wall along a plane that is generally parallel with a plane along which said top wall extends, away from the lower end portion of said second wall toward said first wall   providing said second base flange with a leading edge portion and a depth that extends between said leading edge portion and the lower end portion of said second wall; and   positioning the leading edge portion of said second base flange closely adjacent said at least one existing fastener when said at least one bracket is positioned closely adjacent the outwardly facing surface of the existing building panel to align said at least one bracket in a securing position prior to positioning the at least one new building panel on the top wall of said at least one bracket.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said securing position locates said at least one existing fastener closely adjacent the leading edge portion of said second base flange and an axis that extends perpendicularly through an approximate center of the width of said top wall.