Advanced standing seam roof panel bracket

Abstract

An advanced standing seam roof panel bracket that provides for securing apparatus to a standing seam roof panel is disclosed. The device includes a Pressure Clamping Device that provides the means for removeably securing roofing equipment to the standing seam of the roof panel; and a Plank Support System that provides the means, in cooperation with the Pressure Clamping Device, for removeably securing and retaining a support platform that is capable of supporting a worker, tools, or other materials. In addition, this tool provides an advanced means and method for securely and removeably attaching onto a standing seam of a roof panel any safety equipment such as a lifeline or guard rails, roof installation components such as solar panels and sky lights, roofing installation tooling and scaffolding, roofing repair tooling, or any other equipment that is desired to be removeably secured to the standing seam of a roof panel.

1 . A roofing bracket that securely and removeably attaches to a standing seam roof panel without penetrating the roof panel substrate comprising:
 a) a pressure clamping device;   b) a pressure clamping device first section and a pressure clamping device second section;   c) a pressure clamping device first section base and a pressure clamping device second section base;   d) a pressure clamping device first section upright extending from the pressure clamping device first section base, and a pressure clamping device second section upright extending from the pressure clamping device second section base, wherein each said upright may be positioned proximate to a standing seam of a roofing panel;   e) a pressure clamping device first section base top face and a pressure clamping device first section base bottom face, and a pressure clamping device second section base top face and a pressure clamping device second section base bottom face;   f) a first pad fastened to the pressure clamping device first section base bottom face and a second pad fastened to the pressure clamping device second section base bottom face and wherein the first pad further comprises a first pad upright and the second pad further comprises a second pad upright wherein each said pad upright may be positioned proximate to a standing seam of a roofing panel and between said standing seam and said pressure clamping device section uprights;   g) a lever handle assembly for securely clamping the pressure clamping device first section upright and the pressure clamping device second section upright juxtaposed to one another abutting opposite sides of the standing seam;   h) a lever handle assembly locking mechanism wherein said locking mechanism further comprises a gripping element, a plurality of pivot elements, a lever handle assembly subframe base, and a subframe base slot to receive a pivot element whereby the locking mechanism is engaged by pressing the gripping element toward the first section base;   i) a first clamping adjustment mechanism to provide for variability in a roof panel standing seam thickness;   j) a second clamping adjustment mechanism or a duel use first clamping adjustment mechanism to adjust the pressure applied to the lever handle assembly to provide pressure to the lever handle assembly to support a known load; and   k) a pressure measuring mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The roofing bracket of  claim 1  comprising a plurality of lever handle assemblies mounted onto one pressure clamping device first section wherein each lever handle assembly further comprises a lever handle assembly locking mechanism, and a number of pressure clamping device second sections equal to the number of lever handle assemblies mounted onto the pressure clamping device first section. 
     
     
         3 . The roofing bracket of  claim 1  further comprising a bracket mounted onto a pressure clamping device second section for temporarily securing roofing equipment thereto. 
     
     
         4 . The roofing bracket of  claim 2  further comprising a bracket mounted onto at least one pressure clamping device second section for temporarily securing roofing equipment thereto. 
     
     
         5 . The roofing bracket of  claim 3  wherein the bracket mounted onto a pressure clamping device second section comprises a ring bracket. 
     
     
         6 . The roofing bracket of  claim 4  wherein the bracket mounted onto at least one pressure clamping device second section comprises a ring bracket. 
     
     
         7 . The roofing bracket of  claim 1  further comprising a stub mounted onto a stub support wherein the stub support is mounted onto the pressure clamping device first section base for temporarily securing roofing equipment thereto. 
     
     
         8 . The roofing bracket of  claim 2  further comprising a stub mounted onto a stub support wherein the stub support is mounted onto the pressure clamping device first section base for temporarily securing roofing equipment thereto. 
     
     
         9 . The roofing bracket of  claim 1  further comprising:
 l) a first pressure clamping device; 
 m) a first pressure clamping device first section and a first pressure clamping device second section; 
 n) a second pressure clamping device; 
 o) a second pressure clamping device first section and a second pressure clamping device second section; 
 p) an assembly of the first pressure clamping device and the second pressure clamping device wherein said pressure clamping devices are positioned in an opposing orientation such that the first pressure clamping device second section faces the second pressure clamping second section; 
 q) an extension bar having a first end and a second end wherein the extension bar defines a number of extension bar apertures; 
 r) a first extension bar subframe base mounted onto the first pressure clamping device first section base and a second extension bar subframe base mounted onto the second pressure clamping device first section base wherein the first extension bar subframe base defines an extension bar subframe base slot and the second extension bar subframe base defines a second extension bar subframe base slot; 
 s) at least one fastener for joining the extension bar first end to the first extension bar subframe base by engaging at least one extension bar aperture and the first extension bar subframe base; and 
 t) at least one fastener for joining the extension bar second end to the second extension bar subframe base by engaging at least one extension bar aperture and the second extension bar subframe base. 
 
     
     
         10 . The roofing bracket of  claim 9  further comprising:
 u) at least two extension bar sections wherein the extension bar sections each define a number of extension bar section apertures; 
 v) at least one fastener for joining at least two extension bar sections by engaging at least one extension bar section aperture in each extension bar section; 
 w) an elongated extension bar comprised of at least two or more of the extension bar sections joined by one or more of the fasteners wherein the elongated extension bar defines a first end and a second end; 
 x) at least one fastener for joining the elongated extension bar first end to the first extension bar subframe base; and 
 y) at least one fastener for joining the elongated extension bar second end to the second extension bar subframe base. 
 
     
     
         11 . The roofing bracket of  claim 1  further comprising:
 ll) a radial extension bar having a top end and a bottom end; 
 mm) a radial extension bar bracket mounted to the pressure clamping device first section base; 
 nn) a first radial extension bar bracket aperture; 
 oo) a series of second radial extension bar bracket apertures set approximately in an arc configuration wherein each second radial extension bar bracket aperture is approximately equidistant from the first radial extension bar bracket aperture; 
 pp) at least one aperture defined in the radial extension bar bottom end; 
 qq) a fastener for engaging the first radial extension bar bracket aperture and the at least one aperture defined in the radial extension bar bottom end for securely joining the radial extension bar to the radial extension bar bracket; and 
 rr) a radial extension bar locking mechanism for temporarily and securely engaging a second radial extension bar bracket aperture thereby setting an angle between the radial extension bar and the pressure clamping device first section base. 
 
     
     
         12 . The roofing bracket of  claim 11  wherein the radial extension bar further comprises at least one radial extension bar support fixedly attached to the radial extension bar. 
     
     
         13 . The roofing bracket of  claim 12  wherein the at least one radial extension bar support fixedly attached to the radial extension bar further comprises at least one aperture for accepting a fastener for engaging a load placed on the radial extension bar support. 
     
     
         14 . A plurality of the roofing brackets of  claim 12  set in a position generally equidistant from a roof line wherein at least one rail may span multiple radial extension bar supports. 
     
     
         15 . The roofing bracket of  claim 11  further comprising a plurality of lever handle assemblies mounted onto one pressure clamping device first section wherein each lever handle assembly further comprises a lever handle assembly locking mechanism, and a number of pressure clamping device second sections equal to the number of lever handle assemblies mounted onto the pressure clamping device first section. 
     
     
         16 . The roofing bracket of  claim 1  further comprising a plank support system wherein the plank support system further comprises a receiving and retaining element for engaging and retaining a plank, and a means for placing the retained plank in a generally horizontal position on an inclined roof. 
     
     
         17 . The roofing bracket of  claim 16  wherein the receiving and retaining element comprises at least one of a variety of brackets sized and shaped to receive and retain a plank comprised of one of a number of robust materials and measuring within a standard range of plank widths from about six inches to about 24 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The roofing bracket of  claim 16  wherein the means for placing the retained plank in a generally horizontal position comprises a radial extension element, the radial extension element further comprising a screw lift mechanism, the screw lift mechanism further comprising an angle adjustment screw and a handle for providing angular rotation. 
     
     
         19 . The roofing bracket of  claim 16  wherein the plank support system further comprises an adjustable subsupport and base that define mounting tabs and apertures comprising pivot joints.