Abstract: A glazing panel system is provided with improved glazing panels, retention clips and/or U-shaped connectors. The retention clip may engage the glazing panels at locations lower than top ends of the upstanding seam flanges. In one embodiment, an internal U-shaped connector is positioned to engage the seam flanges while an external U-shaped connector covers the internal connector and the seam between adjacent glazing panels. The glazing panels may be formed with pockets adjacent the base of the upstanding seam flanges to receive a portion of the retention clip to apply retention forces at locations below the upper ends of the seam flanges. The retention clips may be formed with an upper transverse portion that is movable relative to the base portion of the clip to accommodate panel expansion and contraction. Also, a thicker plate or portion may be provided at a top flange for the retention clip to provide increased resistance to uplift loads trying to bend the flange.

Abstract: A glazing panel system is provided with improved glazing panels, retention clips and/or U-shaped connectors. The retention clip may engage the glazing panels at locations lower than top ends of the upstanding seam flanges. In one embodiment, an internal U-shaped connector is positioned to engage the seam flanges while an external U-shaped connector covers the internal connector and the seam between adjacent glazing panels. The retention clips may be formed with an upper transverse portion that is movable relative to the base portion of the clip to accommodate panel expansion and contraction. Also, a thicker plate or portion may be provided at a top flange for the retention clip to provide increased resistance to uplift loads trying to bend the flange.

Abstract: The invention comprises a transparent/translucent panel system including two spaced flat panels and a series of elongated, abutting, rotatably mounted transparent/translucent light-controlling members disposed between the panels in which the light-controlling members are at least partially tubular or have annular members along their length to facilitate rotation of the light-controlling members and include a light-blocking surface whereby differently sized light-controlling members may be used and the light-controlling members, when rotated by a simple drive mechanism, can vary the light passing through the panel system from clear to opaque and can effectively block light between adjacent light-controlling members.

Abstract: The invention comprises improvements to transparent/translucent panel systems including two spaced flat panels and a series of elongated, abutting, rotatably mounted transparent/translucent light-controlling members disposed between the panels in which the light-controlling members are at least partially tubular or have annular members along their length to facilitate rotation of the light-controlling members and include a light-blocking surface including improvements to ensure continued efficient operation when the panel systems are subjected to flexure or deflection and possible permanent deformation.

Abstract: This invention comprises a transparent/translucent panel system including two spaced flat panels and a series of elongated, abutting, rotatably mounted transparent/translucent light-controlling members disposed between the panels in which the light-controlling members are at least partially tubular or have annular members along their length to facilitate rotation of the light-controlling members and include a light-blocking surface whereby differently sized light-controlling members may be used and the light-controlling members, when rotated by a simple drive mechanism, can vary the light passing through the panel system from clear to opaque and can effectively block light between adjacent light-controlling members.

Abstract: An assembly for controlling the passage of radiant energy through a skylight, a roof or a wall including at least two linked control members positioned across the defined region mounted for generally parallel linked movement relative to each other between a closed position and an open position. The control members have a plurality of transmitting areas and blocking areas arranged so that the respective transmitting areas and blocking areas of the control members are aligned when the members are in the closed position and the transmitting areas of the first control member are aligned with the transmitting areas of the second control member when the panels are in the open position. A motorized motion unit may be used for producing relative movement between the control members. The assembly is particularly well-adapted to be used with a series of adjacent dual panel glazing units where assemblies associated with each adjacent dual panel glazing unit are linked to and controlled by a single motion control device.

Abstract: This invention is a system of transparent or translucent panel units that permit selective transmission of light and solar radiation or glare across the system and can be adjusted and controlled according to a user's varying needs using light-controlling members mounted for rotation about their longitudinal axes. The system can illuminate the interior space by reflected sunlight, conducting both light from the brightest part of the sky and low-angle sunlight efficiently into the interior space, and also shading or deflecting the intense light found when the sun is at high elevation. Alternatively, the amount of a selected portion of the radiation spectrum passed through the system can be set at will, and can be amplified to allow increased light passage and transmission.

Abstract: A glazing panel system is provided using retention clips formed of folded sheet metal having a top flanges for engaging and retaining a pair of glazing panel ends against uplift forces generated by high velocity winds flowing across the glazing panels. The preferred one piece retention clip has a two ply central web which is formed on the retention clip to be positioned at a seam between adjacent glazing panels and these plies may be welded together to increase the strength of the central web. This top flange is strengthened to resist bending of its right or left flange section by raised portions extending normal to the fold lines that join the respective top flange sections to the top of the central web. A base flange, preferably with left and right flange sections, is bent from the sheet metal blank. The illustrated base flange may have a flange section with raised portions stamped in the sheet metal blank to a height equal to fastener heads used to secure the other flange section to an underlying support.

Abstract: A glazing panel system is provided with improved glazing panels, retention clips and/or U-shaped connectors. The retention clip may engage the glazing panels at locations lower than top ends of the upstanding seam flanges. In one embodiment, an internal U-shaped connector is positioned to engage the seam flanges while an external U-shaped connector covers the internal connector and the seam between adjacent glazing panels. The glazing panels may be formed with pockets adjacent the base of the upstanding seam flanges to receive a portion of the retention clip to apply retention forces at locations below the upper ends of the seam flanges. The retention clips may be formed with an upper transverse portion that is movable relative to the base portion of the clip to accommodate panel expansion and contraction. Also, a thicker plate or portion may be provided at a top flange for the retention clip to provide increased resistance to uplift loads trying to bend the flange.

Abstract: This invention comprises a transparent/translucent panel system including two spaced flat panels and a series of elongated, abutting, rotatably mounted transparent/translucent light-controlling members disposed between the panels in which the light-controlling members are at least partially tubular or have annular members along their length to facilitate rotation of the light-controlling members and include a light-blocking surface whereby differently sized light-controlling members may be used and the light-controlling members, when rotated by a simple drive mechanism, can vary the light passing through the panel system from clear to opaque and can effectively block light between adjacent light-controlling members.

Abstract: A high performance light transmissive glazing panel system is provided such as for overhead roof constructions which has a wind load resistance on the order of 330 psf. The glazing panels are supported on a framework of purlins and rafters and include upstanding seam flanges for connecting adjacent panels together with a batten joining connector. Retention clips are secured to the purlins with each having a central web extending between the seam flanges and elongated top flanges which abut the tops of the seam flanges over a distance that is equal to or greater than the transverse width of the purlin for improved holding power. The preferred clip is an integral extrusion and can take on a variety of forms in accordance with the invention. In each form, the clip top flange extends continuously from one side of the web to the other so as to be resistant to being bent upward on either side of the web.

Abstract: Disclosed is a skylight structure capable of meeting the ASTM E-108 Class A fire rating requirements. In the illustrated embodiment, the structure comprises upper and lower thermoplastic panels maintained in parallel spaced relation by a gridwork of transversely extending metal beams, which maintain a metal screen taut adjacent the lower polymeric panel, and a layer of light transmitting insulating material disposed immediately above the screen. The metal gridwork and metal screen assure that no burning particles pass through the skylight structure and into the building, so that the upper and lower panels may be formed of very efficient light transmitting thermoplastics and do not need to be formed of thermoset plastics, which are less efficient at light transmission, but previously employed for its retardation characteristics. Hence, the disclosed skylight structure provides improved light transmission and improved fire resistance over currently manufacture skylights.