Purlin construction for roof structures

1. An elongated purlin in a roof structure comprising:

said roof structure including a plurality of vertical columns with a plurality of horizontal, spaced apart roof beams attached thereto, each spaced apart roof beam having an upper surface;

the elongated purlin including:

an elongated mounting wall having a length and mounted to the upper surfaces of the plurality of roof beams and supported on the roof beams;

an upright wall affixed to the mounting wall and having a length extending longitudinally the length of the mounting wall; and

first and second horizontally outwardly opening channels affixed to the upright wall and extending longitudinally the length of the upright wall, the first and second channels opening outwardly in opposite directions and each of the first and second channels receiving an edge of a solar panel or roof section engaged therein.

2. An elongated purlin as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elongated mounting wall, the upright wall, and the first and second channels are formed of sheet metal with a gauge in a range of 14 to 25.

3. An elongated purlin as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elongated mounting wall, the upright wall, and the first and second channels are formed of sheet steel with a gauge in a range of 14 to 25.

4. An elongated purlin as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second channels are defined by a first cross piece attached to the upright wall so as to extend substantially orthogonally to a plane containing the upright wall and a second cross piece attached to the upright wall so as to extend substantially orthogonally to the plane, the second cross piece being spaced from the first cross piece along the plane.

5. An elongated purlin as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mounting wall and the upright wall are defined by a C-shaped channel structure, the first and second channels are defined by an upper surface of the C-shaped channel structure and a T-shaped structure affixed to the upper surface.

6. An elongated purlin as claimed in claim 5 wherein the C-shaped channel structure and the T-shaped structure are formed as an integral unit.

7. An elongated purlin as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mounting wall and the upright wall are formed as an integral unit.

8. An elongated purlin for use in a roof structure said elongated purlin comprising:

an elongated mounting wall having a length and designed to be mounted to and supported on roof beams;

an upright wall formed integrally with the mounting wall and having a length extending longitudinally the length of the mounting wall;

first and second horizontally outwardly opening channels affixed to the upright wall and extending the length of the upright wall, the first and second channels opening outwardly in opposite directions and each of the first and second channels being designed to receive an edge of a solar panel or roof section engaged therein;

the elongated mounting wall, the upright wall, and the first and second horizontally outwardly opening channels being formed of sheet metal and the first and second channels being one of integrally formed with the upright wall or spot welded to the upright wall; and

wherein said elongated purlin is mounted to said roof structure.

9. A method of fabricating an elongated purlin for use in a roof structure comprising:

forming an elongated mounting wall with a length and designed to be mounted to and supported on roof beams;

forming an upright wall integrally with the mounting wall and with a length extending longitudinally the length of the mounting wall;

forming first and second horizontally outwardly opening channels designed to receive an edge of a solar panel or roof section engaged therein, and affixing the first and second channels to the upright wall in an outwardly opening orientation, the first and second horizontally outwardly opening channels being directed in opposite directions; and

mounting said elongated purlin to said roof structure.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the steps of forming the elongated mounting wall, the upright wall, and the first and second horizontally outwardly opening channels includes forming of sheet metal.

11. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the step of affixing the first and second channels to the upright wall includes one of integrally forming the first and second channels with the upright wall or spot welding the first and second channels to the upright wall.