Abstract: Load support structures for mounting a load atop a raised rib metal panel roof make use of relatively small, inexpensive, and easy-to-make adapter plugs as interfaces between the raised ribs and one or more component pieces or members of the load support structure, such as an upper diverter or a lower closure member. The adapter plug has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having an inner profile substantially matching or conforming to some or all of the profile of a particular style of rib profile. The outer surface of the adapter plug has a standardized shape, some or all of which is made to conform to an upper diverter, lower closure, and/or other component member of the load support structure.

Abstract: Load support structures for mounting a load atop a raised rib metal panel roof make use of relatively small, inexpensive, and easy-to-make adapter plugs as interfaces between the raised ribs and one or more component pieces or members of the load support structure, such as an upper diverter or a lower closure member. The adapter plug has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having an inner profile substantially matching or conforming to some or all of the profile of a particular style of rib profile. The outer surface of the adapter plug has a standardized shape, some or all of which is made to conform to an upper diverter, lower closure, and/or other component member of the load support structure.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for installing a load on a metal panel roof, the system comprising a rail and closure structure adapted to be supported by ribs defined by the roof panels, and a load adapted to be supported on the rail and closure structure. In some embodiments, standing seams on ribs, and side rails on the rail and closure structure, extend parallel to each other, and optionally parallel to opposing sides of a hole in the roof. In some embodiments, substantially all of a downwardly-directed force of the load passes downwardly through the rail and closure structure to the ribs, and from the ribs to underlying structural members of the building.

Abstract: A roof load support structure supports a load on a sloping metal panel roof such that substantially all of the load is conveyed through rails, which are mounted on roof panel ribs, thence through the roof panel ribs, and to underlying building support structure. Minor portions of the load can be conveyed through an upper diverter and a lower closure. The upper diverter diverts water laterally away from the support structure, in two opposing directions to two opposing sides of the support structure. The support structure spans at least first and second ones of the roof panels. Cut, terminal ends of an intermediate rib are cantilevered from purlins immediately above and below the support structure, and thus support middle portions of the upper diverter and the lower closure.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for installing a load on a metal panel roof, the system comprising a rail and closure structure adapted to be supported by ribs defined by the roof panels, and a load adapted to be supported on the rail and closure structure. In some embodiments, standing seams on ribs, and side rails on the rail and closure structure, extend parallel to each other, and optionally parallel to opposing sides of a hole in the roof. In some embodiments, substantially all of a downwardly-directed force of the load passes downwardly through the rail and closure structure to the ribs, and from the ribs to underlying structural members of the building.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for installing a load on a metal panel roof, the system comprising a rail and closure structure adapted to be supported by ribs defined by the roof panels, and a load adapted to be supported on the rail and closure structure. In some embodiments, standing seams on ribs, and side rails on the rail and closure structure, extend parallel to each other, and optionally parallel to opposing sides of a hole in the roof. In some embodiments, substantially all of a downwardly-directed force of the load passes downwardly through the rail and closure structure to the ribs, and from the ribs to underlying structural members of the building.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for installing a load on a metal panel roof, the system comprising a rail and closure structure adapted to be supported by ribs defined by the roof panels, and a load adapted to be supported on the rail and closure structure. In some embodiments, standing seams on ribs, and side rails on the rail and closure structure, extend parallel to each other, and optionally parallel to opposing sides of a hole in the roof. In some embodiments, substantially all of a downwardly-directed force of the load passes downwardly through the rail and closure structure to the ribs, and from the ribs to underlying structural members of the building.

Abstract: A roof load support structure supports a load on a sloping metal panel roof such that substantially all of the load is conveyed through rails, which are mounted on roof panel ribs, thence through the roof panel ribs, and to underlying building support structure. Minor portions of the load can be conveyed through an upper diverter and a lower closure. The upper diverter diverts water laterally away from the support structure, in two opposing directions to two opposing sides of the support structure. The support structure spans at least first and second ones of the roof panels. Cut, terminal ends of an intermediate rib are cantilevered from purlins immediately above and below the support structure, and thus support middle portions of the upper diverter and the lower closure.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for installing a roof penetrating structure to a metal roof, the system comprising: a) a rail and closure structure adapted to be supported by adjacent rib elevations of said roof; b) a skylight adapted to be supported on the rail and closure structure; and c) a support member for sealing a cut away portion of the rib structure to divert water away from the rail and closure structure.

Abstract: A roof load support structure supports a load on a sloping metal panel roof such that substantially all of the load is conveyed through rails, which are mounted on roof panel ribs, then through the roof panel ribs, and to underlying building support structure. Minor portions of the load can be conveyed through an upper diverter and a lower closure. The upper diverter diverts water laterally away from the support structure, in two opposing directions to two opposing sides of the support structure. The support structure spans at least first and second ones of the roof panels. Cut, terminal ends of an intermediate rib are cantilevered from purlins immediately above and below the support structure, and thus support middle portions of the upper diverter and the lower closure.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for installing a roof penetrating structure to a metal roof, the system comprising: a) a rail and closure structure adapted to be supported by adjacent rib elevations of said roof; b) a skylight adapted to be supported on the rail and closure structure; and c) a support member for sealing a cut away portion of the rib structure to divert water away from the rail and closure structure.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for installing a rail and closure assembly on a metal roof. The rail and closure assembly includes a supporting rail and closure structure adapted to be supported by adjacent rib elevations of the roof, and an overlying load adapted to be supported by the rail and closure structure. The rail and closure structure diverts water around the rail and closure assembly. The entire heights of the side rails, including the rail bottoms, are above the closest portions of the panel flats. At least one panel of each of the side rails faces the respective rib along the full length of the respective side rail. The rail and closure assembly also includes a lower closure. Opposing ends of the lower closure extend upwardly and interface with the ribs. The lower closure further comprises a lower flange which interfaces with a respective panel flat.

Abstract: A roof load support structure supports a load on a sloping metal panel roof such that substantially all of the load is conveyed through rails, which are mounted on roof panel ribs, thence through the roof panel ribs, and to underlying building support structure. Minor portions of the load can be conveyed through an upper diverter and a lower closure. The upper diverter diverts water laterally away from the support structure, in two opposing directions to two opposing sides of the support structure. The support structure spans at least first and second ones of the roof panels. Cut, terminal ends of an intermediate rib are cantilevered from purlins immediately above and below the support structure, and thus support middle portions of the upper diverter and the lower closure.

Abstract: A load support structure supports a load on a metal panel roof. Such load support structure includes multiple closure members including opposing side rails, and optionally end closures. The rails are mounted on roof panel ribs. Cavities can be disposed inwardly of the outer perimeter of the support structure as defined by the closure members, in upper portions of the closure members. Rods may be inserted through slot-shaped openings, into the cavities. Cross-section dimensions of the rods are less than the widths of the cavity openings. Either the rods are compressed, or the cavity openings are expanded, or both, so as to enable manually inserting the rods into the cavities. Elongate thermal breaks may be installed at and adjacent the cavities, to assist in controlling thermal conduction through the closure members, between the outside environment and the enclosed space above the roof opening.

Abstract: A roof load support structure supports a load on a sloping metal panel roof such that substantially all of the load is conveyed through rails, which are mounted on roof panel ribs, then through the roof panel ribs, and to underlying building support structure. Minor portions of the load can be conveyed through an upper diverter and a lower closure. The upper diverter diverts water laterally away from the support structure, in two opposing directions to two opposing sides of the support structure.

Abstract: Metal panel roofs, and load support structures for supporting loads on such roofs. Side rails provide primary support for loads on such roofs. The side rails can be fabricated from sheet metal or can be extruded. A side rail includes a standing seam cavity which is lowered, and covers, the standing seam. Side walls of the standing seam cavity. An upstanding web extends up from the cavity, and lower shoulders may extend laterally, optionally downwardly, from the walls which define the cavity, on either one side, or both sides, of the cavity. Building roof insulation can extend up through an aperture in the roof, surrounded by such load support structure, and extend up to the top of the side rail, thus providing a thermal break between the load support structure elements and the space surrounded by the load support structure.

Abstract: This invention provides upper diverters which are used on support structures on roofs. Such upper diverter has a lower flange which interfaces with the respective roof panel, and an upstanding wall which extends up from the lower flange. The upper diverter diverts water, flowing down the roof, laterally away from the respective roof panel.

Abstract: A load support structure supports a load on a metal panel roof, such that substantially all of the load is conveyed through rails, which are mounted on roof panel ribs. Lateral closure members extend about, and define, the load support structure. Cavities are provided in the lateral closure members. Thermal breaks extend upwardly from the roof opening, through the tops of the closure members. Such thermal breaks are provided by a combination of thermal product in the closure member cavities and by strategic placement of edge portions of underlying roof insulation.

Abstract: A support structure for supporting loads on a sloping metal panel roof includes first and second side rails, an upper diverter, and a lower closure. An upstanding web of the upper diverter extends upwardly from the panel flat. An elongate lower flange extends from the upstanding web and is disposed against the metal roof panel. Opposing rib mating webs are on opposing sides of the lower flange. On a first side of the lower flange, a diversion leg of the lower flange is between the upstanding web and one of the rib mating webs. On the second side of the lower flange, the second rib mating web meets the upstanding web. The lower flange extends from the upstanding web to a distal end thereof up-slope of the lateral leg. The lower flange and the first and second rib mating webs can, collectively, define a common distal end of the upper diverter.

Abstract: A roof load support structure supports a load on a roof such that substantially all of the load is conveyed through rails, which are mounted on roof panel ribs, thence through roof panel ribs, and to underlying building support structure. The panel flat between the rails can be unobstructed such that water can flow freely down the panel flat between the rails; or end closures can close off access to the respective panel flat between the end closures and the rails. One such end closure can be an upper diverter at an up-slope end of the support structure. A lower edge of such upper diverter, e.g. at the panel flat, can slope downwardly across a width of the respective roof panel thereby to direct water laterally across the respective roof panel.