GB2383370A

GB2383370A - Glazing bar assemblies

Info

Publication number: GB2383370A
Application number: GB0130833A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Anthony Jones; Paul Malcolm Hullock
Original assignee: Aspect Management Ltd
Current assignee: Aspect Management Ltd
Priority date: 2001-12-24
Filing date: 2001-12-24
Publication date: 2003-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 2021-12-24
Also published as: GB0130833D0; GB2383370B

Abstract

A glazing bar assembly comprises an inner elongate member having at least one shoulder for supporting an inner face of a roofing panel 12 edge and at least one outer elongate member which co-operates with the inner member to overlie a corresponding outer face of the roofing panel 12 edge. A channel section member is associated with the inner elongate member to obstruct lifting of the panel 12 independently of the outer elongate member. The channel member is fitted to an edge of the roofing panel 12 and formations on the inner elongate member and formations on the channel section member 126 prevent lifting of the panel 12 through co-operating engagement. The channel section member may incorporate a sealing portion 112 for co-operation with the outer elongate member. The formations on the inner elongate member and formations 126 on the channel section member may co-operate via an insert 114, which may be a resiliently deflectable L section, in order for variations in roof panel 12 pitch to be accommodated.

Description

GLAZING BAR ASSEMBLIES This invention relates to glazing bar assemblies for use in the construction of roofs, especially conservatory roofs. The invention is particulary concerned with In prior UK patent application No. 01/18716.0, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference, there is disclosed a glazing bar assembly comprising an inner elongate member which has at least one shoulder for providing support for the inner face of an edge of a roofing panel and at least one outer elongate member which co-operates with the inner member and, in use, overlies an outer face of the roofing panel edge, means being associated with the inner member for obstructing lifting of the panel independently of the outer member (s).

The present invention is concerned with modifications and improvements of such glazing bar assemblies.

In one embodiment, the obstructing means comprises a channel-section member which is adapted to be fitted to an edge of a roofing panel and co-operating formations on the inner elongate member and the channel-section member which, when engaged, prevent lifting of the panel in use.

The formation provided on the channel-section member may be located on the base of the channel.

The formation provided on the inner elongate member may be located on an upstanding stem portion of the inner member.

The channel-section member may also incorporate a sealing portion adapted to be located at the outer surface of the panel for co-operation with the outer elongate member. The sealing portion may be integral with the channel-section member.

The channel-section member may be a plastics component having some degree of resilient deformability such that the formation provided thereon can snap engage with that provided on the inner member.

In a modification suitable for use with inner members adapted for use at junctions where the pitch of the panels changes, e. g. comers of a conservatory roof, to accommodate for variablity of pitch, an insert may be provided to take up play between the previously-mentioned formations.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the use of a channel-section member in preventing lifting of a roof panel; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view; Figures 3 and 4 are views similar to that of Figure 1 showing an insert for use with a glazing bar of the type used at comers of a conservatory roof.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, glazing bars are typically used in the construction of a glazed conservatory roof with each glazing bar extending between a ridge structure and an eaves beam. Glazing roofing panels 12 are supported between pairs of

glazing bars and are typically in the form of polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride or glass, each panel being supported at its side edges by the glazing bars.

Each glazing bar 10 comprises an inner member 14 and an outer member (not illustrated) either or both of which may be manufactured as aluminium or plastics extrusions. As used herein,"inner"and"outer"refer to the location of the components relative to the roofing structure. The inner member 14 is generally T-shaped comprising a central stem portion 18 and a cross-piece 20 which has upwardly directed flanges 22 forming shoulders 24 providing support for the the inner faces at the panel side edges. In its normal position of use, the inner member is inverted with the free end of the stem portion 18 uppermost.

As described in prior UK Application No. 01/18716. 0, the outer member is generally V-shaped having downwardly directed legs which extend from each side of a central section. The legs together with the flanges 22 form openings which receive the side edge portions of the panels. The legs may contact the outer face of the panels via seals. The outer member is releasably coupled to the inner member by reception of inward extension which may be bifurcated within a channel 39 at the free end of the stem portion 18. The extension may be integral with the outer member or it may be a separately formed components which is secured to the outer member.

The glazing bar is provided with means which, with respect to lifting of the panels, serve to render the panels 12 captive with the inner member 14 in such a way that such means cannot be easily released even after the outer member has been removed.

In Figure 1, such means comprise a channel-section trim 100 which may comprise which may be in the form of a plastics extrusion. The channel is defined by base 102 and side walls 104,106 and is adapted to receive a panel side edge as illustrated. Each

trim 100 is designed for assembly to the inner member 14 in such a way that the channel is located within the panel-receiving gap between the inner and outer members with its base 102 proximate the central stem portion 18. On its external surface, the trim is formed with an integral lip 108 which is designed to snap engage with a lip 110 formed integrally with the stem 18, the arrangement being such that when the panel is placed between adjacent inner members 14 and pushed downwardly, the lips 108 and 110 snap engage to obstruct subsequent lifting of the panel.

The side wall 106 is provided with an upwardly directed section 112 which is located so as to co-operate with the inner surface of the adjacent leg of the outer member after the latter has been fitted to the inner member 14. In this way, the section 112 acts as a seal against ingress of water etc and may supplement the seal between the outer member and the panel.

In some cases, particularly at the comers of a conservatory roof, modified glazing bars are used in which the cross member 20 of the inner member 14 is angulary related to the stem 18 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. In these situations, the pitch of the roof panel may differ from that on the straight sections of the roof with the consequence that the lips 108 and 110 do not register with each. The extent of mis-registration will vary depending on the pitch of the panels of the roof comer. To accommodate for variable pitch, one or more inserts 114 are provided for reception in the gap between the base 102 and stem 18 and includes an section 118 for co-operation with the lip 110 in the manner illustrated. The lower edge 120 of the insert 114 is arranged also to co-operate with the lip 108 so that if an attempt is made to lift the panel, the lower edge 120 engages lip 108 and the section 118 bridges the gap between lips 108 and 110 and thereby obstructs lifting.

The insert is generally L-shaped with a main wall 122 and section 118 which is angularly related to the main wall 122. The upper edge of the main wall 122 is optionally

provided with a flange 124 to facilitate insertion by the fingers, insertion being effected by pushing the insert downwardly to spring the section 118 past the lip 110. The insert may for example be a metal or plastics clip having sufficient springiness for this purpose.

The external face of the trim 100 may be provided with surface features such as serrations 126 to provide grip between the trim and the insert.

Claims

1. A glazing bar assembly comprising an inner elongate member which has at least one shoulder for providing support for the inner face of an edge of a roofing panel and at least one outer elongate member which co-operates with the inner member and, in use, overlies an outer face of the roofing panel edge, means being associated with the inner member for obstructing lifting of the panel independently of the outer member (s), such means comprising a channel-section member which is adapted to be fitted to an edge of a roofing panel and co-operating formations on the inner elongate member and the channel-section member which, when engaged, prevent lifting of the panel in use.

2. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1 in which the formation provided on the channel-section member is located on the base of the channel.

3. An assembly as claimed in Claim 2 in which the formation provided on the inner elongate member is located on an upstanding stem portion of the inner member.

4. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the channel-section member incorporates a sealing portion for co-operation with the outer elongate member.

5. An assembly as claimed in Claim 4 in which the sealing portion is integral with the channel-section member.

6. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the channel-section member is a plastics component having some degree of resilient defonnability such that the formation provided thereon can snap engage with that provided on the inner member.

8. An assembly as as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the formations co-operate through the agency of an insert in order to accommodate variations in roof panel pitch.

9. An assembly as claimed in Claim 8 in which the insert is of L-section comprising a main wall and a laterally projecting wall which is resiliently deflectable relative to the main wall.

10. A glazing bar assembly having at least one panel edge side trim substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, any one of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.