Roof curb

Abstract

A curb assembly is provided for mounting on a sloped, standing seam metallic roof, in order to provide support for a roof fixture, such as an exhaust fan or skylight. The curb assembly includes a box-like structure mounted atop the roof in surrounding relationship to a roof opening. The curb assembly further includes an underlying, below-roof frame assembly. Specialized upper and lower end connection structure serves to securely mount the curb assembly to the metal roof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of providing a sloped roof with a roof curb for supporting a roof fixture on the roof, wherein the roof includes a series of side-by-side panels interconnected along substantially parallel standing seams and presents a higher end and a lower end whereby water will drain from the roof and off the lower end thereof, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) obtaining a roof curb that includes—
 a box-like structure including a pair of opposed sidewalls, a higher end lateral wall, and a lower end lateral wall, 
 higher end connection structure extending at least in part from a bottom margin of the higher end lateral wall, 
 said higher end connection structure including a plate, 
 said plate including at least one cap section, and 
 a water diverter extending between the plate and the higher end lateral wall and being configured to divert water laterally away from the curb, 
 said box-like structure, higher end connection structure, and water diverter cooperatively presenting a unitary and preassembled construction; 
   (b) placing the unitary and preassembled construction on the roof, step (b) including the step of arranging the roof curb assembly in a surrounding relationship
 with an opening in the roof, wherein the opening crosses at least one of the seams, step (b) further including the step of matingly receiving the at least one of the seams in the 
 at least one cap section; and 
   (c) after steps (a) and (b), securing the roof curb to the roof   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 step (a) including the step of welding the pair of opposed sidewalls, the higher end lateral wall, the lower end lateral wall, the higher end connection structure, and the water diverter together to form the unitary and preassembled construction.   
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said roof curb including a lower end connection structure located adjacent the bottom margin of the lower end lateral wall,   said lower end connection structure comprising at least one lower end cap section,   step (b) further including the step of matingly receiving the at least one of the seams in the at least one lower end cap section,   said lower end connection structure forming part of the unitary and preassembled construction.   
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 3 ,
 step (a) including the step of welding the pair of opposed sidewalls, the higher end lateral wall, the lower end lateral wall, the higher end connection structure, the water diverter, and the lower end connection structure together to form the unitary and preassembled construction.   
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said opening crossing multiple ones of the seams,   step (b) including the step of matingly receiving each of the seams in a corresponding one of the cap sections.   
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 step (b) including the step of positioning the unitary and preassembled construction above the roof, such that the unitary and preassembled construction is superjacent underlying panels of the roof   
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 ,
 step (c) including the step of extending fasteners through the unitary and preassembled construction and into the underlying panels.   
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising the step of:
 (d) applying a sealant between the unitary and preassembled construction and the underlying panels.   
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 ,
 step (d) including the step of laying a caulking tape on top of the underlying panels prior to step (b).   
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
 (e) positioning a frame subjacent the underlying panels, step (c) including the step of extending the fasteners through the underlying panels and into the frame.   
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 ,
 said unitary and preassembled construction presenting an outermost perimeter; and   after step (b), sealing between the outermost perimeter and the roof   
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 ,
 step (f) including the step of dispensing gun grade sealant along the interface defined between the outermost perimeter and the roof.   
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 (d) applying a sealant between the unitary and preassembled construction and the roof.   
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 ,
 step (d) including the step of laying a caulking tape along the roof prior to step (b).   
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said unitary and preassembled construction presenting an outermost perimeter; and   (d) after step (b), sealing between the outermost perimeter and the roof.   
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 ,
 step (d) including the step of dispensing gun grade sealant along the interface defined between the outermost perimeter and the roof.   
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 step (b) including the step of positioning the unitary and preassembled construction above the roof, such that the unitary and preassembled construction is superjacent underlying panels of the roof; and   (d) positioning a frame subjacent the underlying panels,   step (c) including the step of interconnecting the unitary and preassembled construction, the roof, and the frame.   
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 step (c) including the step of extending fasteners through the unitary and preassembled construction and into underlying panels of the roof.   
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 ,
 step (b) including the step of positioning the unitary and preassembled construction above the roof, such that the unitary and preassembled construction is superjacent underlying panels of the roof,   said sidewalls presenting lower flanges,   step (c) including the step of extending the fasteners through the plate and lower flanges.   
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 step (a) including the step of receiving the unitary and preassembled construction from a location remote from the roof, such that field-assembly of the unitary and preassembled construction is avoided.