GB2343689A

GB2343689A - Cantilever beam supported conservatory

Info

Publication number: GB2343689A
Application number: GB9925579A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Douglas Hamilton Martyn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-10-28
Filing date: 1999-10-28
Publication date: 2000-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 2019-10-28
Also published as: GB9823465D0; GB2343689B; GB9925579D0

Abstract

A structure, preferably a conservatory (10) has a number of beams (16) attached to an existing wall (12). Suspended from the beams (16) are a number of walls (21), which may be made of glass or plastic. The beams (16) may be cantilevered from the existing wall, or be supported by bolts, brackets or tension cables extending from the wall to the beams. The beams may support a roofing sheet (18) that can be light transmitting and possibly made of fibreglass or plastic. The suspended walls (21) can be moved relative to the support along tracks (20) and at ground level along guides (26), which do not support the weight of the walls. The suspended walls (21) may be hinged to one another so that they can be folded in a concertina fashion.

Description

CONSERVATORY The present invention relates to a method of constructing conservatories and similar structures; and to a structure assembled in accordance with such a method.

It is a common and popular means of extending a building or of providing an adjoining covered area for use in the summer months, or indeed throughout the year, to construct a conservatory or similar structure. Such structures typically are assembled from double-glazed window units in a supporting aluminium, hardwood, GRP, or PVC frame, topped with a transparent plastics roof, typically of multilayered polycarbonate sheeting. The windows may extend to floor level, or may surmount a dwarf wall, of brick, stone or structural panels.

The erection of a conventional conservatory necessitates the construction of foundations to support the structure. The laying of the foundations adds considerably to the time and expense required for construction and assembly of a conservatory.

It is among the objects of embodiments of the present invention to address this and other problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of assembling a conservatory or similar structure, the method comprising the steps of: mounting a support on an existing wall such that the support extends outwardly of the wall; and suspending walls from the support.

This has the advantage that at least a substantial part of the weight of the conservatory structure is borne by the support, which in turn is supported by the existing walls and its foundations, obviating the requirement to provide conventional foundations for supporting the conservatory walls. The structure may be mounted to any suitable wall, however it is anticipated that the majority of structures will be mounted to the sides of existing buildings.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a structure comprising: a support adapted for mounting to an existing wall to extend outwardly therefrom; and at least one wall for suspending from the support.

Preferably, the support is in the form of a plurality of beams for mounting to, and for extending substantially perpendicular from, an existing wall of a building. The beams may be formed of any suitable material, preferably fibreglass, but may also comprise plastics, wood, woodbased composites, metal, reinforced concrete or a combination of these or other materials. Most preferably, the beam is adapted to be cantilevered from the existing supporting wall. However, it may also be possible to provide support for the beam using tension cables or the like extending from the supporting wall from above the beam. Preferably also, the beams are adapted to support a roofing sheet. Preferably, the roofing sheet is of fibreglass or of plastics material and may be transparent, translucent or opaque.

Preferably also the support is adapted to be mounted to the wall of the building by mounting means.

Conveniently, the mounting means comprises construction bolts for coupling the support to the wall of the building.

Alternatively, the mounting means comprises a mounting plate or bracket for fixing to the wall of the building, the support being mounted to the plate or bracket. As an alternative to construction bolts, chemical anchors such as chemical resin anchors may be used as mounting means.

Preferably, the wall suspended from the support is moveable. In one embodiment, the wall is mounted on one or more tracks, such that it may be moved to one side to provide an opening. The tracks may overlap such that one section of wall may be located in front of or behind an adjacent wall section. Alternatively, several wall sections may be hinged such that the wall may be folded in "concertina"fashion.

Preferably, the wall suspended from the support comprises transparent panels which may be of glass or plastics material. Preferably the panels are mounted in a suitable support frame.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described, for illustrative purposes only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows a side view of a conservatory in accordance with the an embodiment of the present invention.

The conservatory 10 is constructed adjacent a preexisting wall 12 of a building. A supporting cantilevered beam 16 is mounted to wall 12, in this example by means of construction bolts 14. A number of beams 16 are provided (only one shown) and extend perpendicular to the wall 12.

The beams 16 support a cover 18. In this embodiment, the beams 16 are of fibreglass and of a solid colour, typically white, and the cover 18 is of stepped, translucent fibreglass sheet. Suspended from the beams 16 are a number of panels 21 each comprising a transparent glass or plastics pane 22 held in a metal or plastics frame 24.

The panels are suspended from support 16 by mounting tracks 20, each comprising an inverted T-shaped rail 23.

In this example, adjacent panels 21 are mounted on spaced parallel rails 23 such that the panels may slide past one another in order to open and close side walls of the conservatory. Corresponding guide tracks 26 are provided at ground level for guidance of the panels only; the tracks 26 do not support the weight of the panels 21.

It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that this embodiment of the invention may be erected in a relatively short space of time, and in most cases it is anticipated that a conservatory or other structure in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the invention may be erected in less than one working day, providing a significant cost saving and minimising inconvenience to the customer. The main saving of time is achieved by the absence of a requirement to provide supporting foundations; in most cases all that is required is that the structure is provided with a level and stable floor, which may incorporate a rubber water seal to assist in damp protection.

It will be understood that this example is for illustration only, and that various modifications may be made to the structure herein described without departing from the scope of the invention. For example the suspended walls need not be moveable as in this example; several panels may be coupled together with hinges and be pivotable on the supporting tracks to permit the panels to fold and provide a"concertina"effect on opening the conservatory.

It will also be apparent to those of skill in the art that the panels may comprise translucent or opaque panels, and indeed most or all of the panels may be opaque; such a structure may serve as a storage space or garage. In certain embodiments of the invention, the panels may be easily removable such that, for example, in the summer months an enclosed conservatory may be converted to open or partially enclosed canopy.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A structure comprising: a support adapted for mounting to an existing wall to extend outwardly therefrom; and at least one wall for suspending from the support.
2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the support is in the form of one or more beams for mounting to, and extending substantially perpendicular from, an existing wall.
3. The structure of claim 2 wherein said one or more beams are formed of fibreglass.
4. The structure of claims 2 or 3 wherein said one or more beams are adapted to be cantilevered from an existing wall.
5. The structure of claims 2 or 3 wherein said one or more beams are adapted to be supported by tension cables or the like extending from an existing wall above said one or more beams.
6. The structure of any one of claims 2 to 5 further comprising a roofing sheet and wherein said one or more beams are adapted to support said roofing sheet.
7. The structure of claim 6 wherein the roofing sheet is of fibreglass or of plastics material.
8. The structure of claim 7 wherein the roofing sheet is at least partially light transmitting.
9. The structure of any preceding claim wherein the support is adapted to be mounted to an existing wall by mounting means.
10. The structure of claim 9 wherein the mounting means comprises construction bolts for coupling the support to an existing wall.
11. The structure of claim 9 wherein the mounting means comprises a mounting plate or bracket for fixing to an existing wall, the support being adapted for mounting to the plate or bracket.
12. The structure of any preceding claim wherein the wall for suspending from the support is adapted to be moveable relative to the support.
13. The structure of claim 12 wherein the support defines one or more tracks for mounting the suspended wall, such that at least sections of the wall may be moved therealong to provide an opening.
14. The structure of any preceding claim wherein the wall is provided in sections and at least some of said sections are hinged to one another such that the wall may be folded in"concertina"fashion.
15. The structure of any preceding claim further comprising guides for mounting at or near ground level to engage a lower portion of the suspended wall.
16. The structure of any preceding claim wherein the wall for suspending from the support comprises transparent panels.
17. The structure of claim 16, wherein the panels are mounted in support frames.
18. The structure of any preceding claim wherein the structure is a conservatory.
19. A method of assembling a conservatory or similar structure, the method comprising the steps of: mounting a support on an existing wall such that the support extends outwardly of the wall; and suspending walls from the support.
20. A structure substantially as described herein, and as illustrated in accompanying drawing.