Abstract:
An assembly (10) secures to a structure (80) a panel or two juxtaposed panels (11, 12) each having a joining flange (15) in association with an edge thereof defining a longitudinal axis of the panel. The joining flanges are fastened by at least one securing element (16) that may include or have associated therewith a respective retaining member (30). For each securing element (16), a respective support element (20) is fixedly mounted to the structure and configured for slidably supporting the panels in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. Each support element (20) supports opposing side walls (22, 23) forming a channel (24) dimensioned for free sliding therein of the respective securing element (16) or associated retaining member, and each panel is supported by the at least one securing element without applying lateral pressure to the side walls (22, 23) of the respective support element (20).
Abstract:
A sprinkler comprising a housing (22) fitted with an inlet port (26) connectable to a water supply line and extending into an inlet chamber (30), a hollow stem (44) member with an inlet end thereof being in flow communication with said inlet chamber and an outlet end thereof being in flow communication with an irrigation head (80), a diaphragm seal (32) sealingly fixed at peripheral boundaries thereof to the housing and sealingly articulated to the stem member and supporting it at an essentially upright position. The diaphragm is deformable between a first position in which the irrigation head is retracted within the housing and a second position in which the irrigation head projects from the housing. The sprinkler comprising at least one guard portion (510) adapted to prevent insects and undesirable material from entering the sprinkler housing during said second position.
Abstract:
A retention clip (40) for use with a panel system (55) has a base plate (41) having a pair of opposing flanges (42, 43) at least one of which is configured for attaching to a support structure (44). An upright (50) extends between the base plate and a top plate (46) having a pair of opposing flanges (47, 48) and defines opposing first and second surfaces (49, 49') that in use are dimensioned to engage opposing first and second ends of a pair of first and second adjacent panels (51, 52). At least the first surface (49) supports a spacer element (60) that is configured to prevent mutual abutment of opposing ends of the first and second panels (51, 52) at least during construction of the panel system.
Abstract:
An industrial roof panel (65) has a projection (71) and a complementary wing (78) at opposite sides (73, 77). The projection has a recess (75) configured for clamping the panel to a second neighboring panel (63) using a fastener (96), such that the panel is supported by the second neighboring panel for reduced buckling under downward load. A modular panel system (60) includes first (62, 63) and second (65) mutually juxtaposed panels, each supported by purlins (70, 70') of a building structure extending along a width of the panels. The second panel (65) has an undercut (75) extending along a length of the panel on a distal side (76) thereof. The first panel (63) has an integral wing-type female coupler (91) extending along a length of the first panel and overlaying an upward projection (71) of the second panel, to which it is secured using fasteners (96) and bolts (94).
Abstract:
A modular panel system (50) includes adjacent first (10) and second (20', 20") type panels, the first type panel being fixed to a building structure (52). The first and second types have different coefficients of thermal expansion. The invention provides various types of coupling members (51', 51") that are attachable to both panels in such manner as to withstand forces applied to either surface of the panel system while allowing the panels to thermally expand along their common seams at different rates.