Apparatus and associated methodology contemplating a portable sheet metal folding apparatus that folds a sheet metal panel profile into a different predetermined shape, the profile having straight elements joined together by arcs. The apparatus has consecutive roller die sets configured to perform a series of folds on a first element of the profile toward a second element of the profile. Each roller die set has opposing roller dies operably contacting only the first and second elements, not contacting any arc. The opposing roller dies are arranged to define a minimal gap between them equal to or more than the radius of the arc joining the first and second elements together. The gap provides a material relief space that is sized to clearingly permit the arc to positionally shift during folding to relieve stress and strain.

An interlocking panel system for covering a base surface with interlocking panels to prevent water ingress. A first panel is secured to the base surface. A second panel interlocks with the first panel via a hook portion on the second panel entering a receptacle of the first panel. The hook portion expands after entering a retaining portion of the receptacle, thereby preventing the hook portion of the second panel from being withdrawn from the first panel.

A standing seam metal panel for a roof cover system has upstanding symmetrical sides defining lateral edges. A trough extends between the lateral edges. Each lateral edge comprises an angled portion, a vertical portion, and first and second horizontal portions. The angled portion extends upward and outward from the trough. The vertical portion extends upward from the angled portion and generally perpendicular to the trough. The first horizontal portion extends inward from the vertical portion and generally parallel to the trough. The second horizontal portion extends above, outward from, and generally parallel to the first horizontal portion. The lateral edges are formed by bends in the metal panel that define the portions of the lateral edges. The lateral edges are adapted to form a sidelap with a lateral edge of an adjacent the metal panel in the cover system. The sidelap is formed on panel clips of the cover system.

Embodiments of the invention included structural decking systems with at least a four-layered seam and methods for manufacturing and assembling structural decking systems with at least four-layered seams. The decking panels may be provided with an edge having an exposed “male lip” with two layers, and an opposite edge having a “female lip” with two layers. Individual panels may be coupled together by placing the female lip of a first panel over the male lip of an adjacent panel, thus creating an unjoined seam. In order to couple the panels together, the panels may be secured through various couplings configurations. The couplings may be formed by deforming, cutting, and/or welding the seam. Not only do the couplings help prevent vertical separation between adjacent panels, the couplings minimize lateral shifting along the seam, and ensure a desired level of shear strength in the seam and across the structural decking system.

A standing seam roof clip system has a clip base with a horizontal portion and a vertical portion extending upwardly therefrom, and a clip tab comprising a return bend having a “U” configuration extending from a lower end of a vertical back surface, and a top portion comprising a hook for engaging with a roof panel. An interlocking element is formed in the vertical portion of the clip base, and has at least one seat with a substantially a “J” configuration which extends upwardly and outwardly from the vertical portion of the clip base and a respective shoulder extending from a top edge of the vertical portion of the clip base in a reverse “U” configuration. A roof panel is joined to the roof clip via the clip tab to form a seam; and the clip tab return bend engages with the clip base shoulder and seat.

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.

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams, in both lateral and longitudinal directions, to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, adjacent photovoltaic modules may be oriented so that a boundary between an up-roof photovoltaic module and a down-roof photovoltaic module is not noticeable by observers positioned at typical viewing angles of the roof.

An insulating system for retrofitting the roof and/or walls of a building. The retrofit system includes a first layer of insulating material extending transverse to the purlins, girts and chords and atop the existing roof or wall structure as well as a plurality of longitudinally extending bridge members each with an upper and a lower surface. The system also includes a plurality of orthogonally extending spacer members that compresses the first layer of insulating material proximate to the spacer members and allowing an otherwise uncompressed first insulation layer to span between the spacer members. The system further includes a second layer of insulation extending across the upper surface of the bridge members wherein a plurality of panel clips each with a panel clip tab are disposed atop the second layer of insulation and are fastened to the bridge member and the clip tabs engage with the lateral edges of the roof or wall panels in the formation of a water resistant seam.

A solar cell roofing system that includes a solar cell module including at least one solar cell that is laminated to a metal support sheet; and at least one bracket having a first type attachment point for engaging a standing seam of a standing seam metal roof and a second type attachment for engaging the metal support sheet of an adjacent solar cell module. During engagement of the solar cell module to the bracket, and engagement of the bracket to the standing seam, at least the metal support sheet is engaged in tension.

A metal roof construction provides a roof frame that includes multiple rafters. A plurality of clips or anchor plates are fastened to each rafter. Each anchor plate or clip has an anchor plate space surrounded by one or more plate members. The anchor plate has a plurality of spaced apart openings. A sliding anchor occupies the anchor plate space. Each sliding anchor has multiple spaced apart pedestals that extend from the anchor plate space upwardly through an opening. Multiple roof decking sections are mounted on the rafters. Each decking section extends under a part of the anchor plate. The anchor plate has one or more flaps that extend downwardly from the decking sections and next to a rafter. Fasteners attach each flap to a rafter.