Support Structure for Purlin Roof

Abstract

A support structure is provided for providing a surface along a structure comprising one or more purlins. The support structure comprises a panel having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion, and a retention means defined along the first end portion and configured to slidably receive a portion of one of the one or more purlins therein to secure the panel in overlying relation along the one or more purlins.

1 . A support structure for providing a surface along a structure comprising one or more purlins, the support structure comprising:
 a panel having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion; and   a retention means defined along the first end portion and configured to slidably receive a portion of one of the one or more purlins therein to secure the panel in overlying relation along the one or more purlins.   
     
     
         2 . The support structure of  claim 1 , the retention means defined by a channel extending along the first end portion of the panel. 
     
     
         3 . The support structure of  claim 2 , the channel defined by a lapped outer edge of the first end portion of the panel. 
     
     
         4 . The support structure of  claim 3 , the channel having an interior void sized and shaped to conform to a leading portion of one of the one or more purlins. 
     
     
         5 . The support structure of  claim 4  further comprising a fastener configured to secure the leading portion of the one of the one or more purlins within the interior void. 
     
     
         6 . The support structure of  claim 5 , wherein a first half of the fastener is defined along the first end portion of the panel and a second half of the fastener is defined along the second end portion of the panel, wherein the first half of the fastener is engageable with a second half of the fastener defined on an adjacent support structure to secure the portion of the purlin within the chanel. 
     
     
         7 . The support structure of  claim 6 , wherein the first half of the fastener is a through opening defined by the first end portion of the panel. 
     
     
         8 . The support structure of  claim 7 , wherein the through opening is a slot. 
     
     
         9 . The support structure of  claim 8 , wherein the second half of the fastener is a tab. 
     
     
         10 . The support structure of  claim 9 , wherein the tab extends from the second end portion of the panel perpendicular to an upper surface of the support structure. 
     
     
         11 . The support structure of  claim 10 , wherein the tab is integrally formed with the second end portion. 
     
     
         12 . The support structure of  claim 11 , wherein the first end portion is removably secured to the panel along a first edge of the panel. 
     
     
         13 . The support structure of  claim 12 , wherein the second end portion is removably secured to the panel along a second edge of the panel opposite the first edge. 
     
     
         14 . The support structure of  claim 13  further comprising a plurality of locator fasteners extending along the panel between the first and second edge. 
     
     
         15 . The support structure of  claim 14 , the plurality of locator fasteners being defined by at least one channel extending along the panel between the first and second edge. 
     
     
         16 . The support structure of  claim 15 , the at least one channel comprising a first channel extending along a first side of the panel between the first and second edge and a second channel extenidng along a second side of the panel between the first and second edge. 
     
     
         17 . The support structure of  claim 16 , wherein each locator fastener of each channel aligns with a locator fastener of the other channel. 
     
     
         18 . The support structure of  claim 17  further including a step removably securable between aligned ones of the locator fasteners.