GB2424006A

GB2424006A - Conservatory roof structure

Info

Publication number: GB2424006A
Application number: GB0604953A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Thomson
Original assignee: Ultraframe UK Ltd
Current assignee: Ultraframe UK Ltd
Priority date: 2005-03-11
Filing date: 2006-03-10
Publication date: 2006-09-13
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-10
Also published as: GB0604953D0; GB2424006B; GB0505023D0; WO2006095189A1

Abstract

A P - shape conservatory roof has two sections 12, 14 with the roof at the same pitch. Because the ridges 16, 18 are at different heights, a tie bar 30 is used to join them together. Tie rods may be provided internally across sections 12, 14 for additional strength.

Description

Title: Conservatory roofs

Description

This invention concerns conservatory roofs.

One form of conservatory roof comprises two sections generally at right angles to each other. Such a roof is generally known as a P-shape roof. One section of the roof will usually be linked to an existing structure and the other section extends from the first section away from the existing structure. Each section of the roof has its own ridge and the ridges of the two sections are connected directly to each other.

Thus, the two roof sections have their ridges at the same height. This means that in practice the two roof sections normally have different pitches. In other words the pitch of one section is adjusted to allow the ends of the two ridges to be joined together.

However, a difficulty with having to vary the pitch of one roof section to make it the same height of the other section is that non-standard components are needed, especially for sealing junctions of glazing bars and ridges.

An object of this invention is to provide an alternative P-shape roof structure that may overcome the above difficulty.

According to the invention there is provided a P-shape conservatory roof structure, wherein the two sections of the roof have the same pitch.

It will be appreciated that the term P-shape roof is not limited to roofs consisting entirely of two sections but may also apply to roofs that include a P-shape component.

Each roof section will have its own ridge beam and these beams will usually be arranged at right angles to each other. It is envisaged that the ridge beams will not * * S * *** * * S S * S S S * S S S * S * SS * S S ** * S. S *** 555 5 be directly joined end to end but that a linking beam will be provided between the ends of the two ridge beams. It is also envisaged that the length of this linking beam will be adjustable according to the difference in heights between the ridge beams of the two roof sections.

Where the two roof sections meet there will be a valley having a valley bar extending from the junction of the eaves of the two sections unto the end of the ridge of one section. In a conventional P-shape roof the connected ridges are mutually supportive. However that is not the case with the roof according to the invention.

Therefore, it is preferable to provide additional strengthening means for the roof. In preferred embodiments of the invention one or more tie bars are provided between opposite sides of the roof. Preferably a tie bar is provided for one roof section, which extends between the lower end of the valley to the opposite side of the roof generally normal to the ridge. The tie bar is preferably of adjustable length.

The valley bar will usually have a glazing bar in the form of a jack rafter connected thereto and extending to the ridge. Preferably the tie bar is connected at one end to the jack rafter.

Preferably structural components of the roofs of the invention will be of the type shown in our co-pending applications Nos. GB0404457.4, 0404515.9, 0404519.1, 0404528.2 and 0404525.8 and use snap fit connectors disclosed therein for connection of components together.

Thus invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a conservatory roof according to the invention; Figure 2 shows the valley framework of the roof of Figure 1; * * * * *** * * S * S S * * * I S * I 5 5 S. I * * I. I I S I I 5 I. *S I 115 III 5 Figure 3 is an external view of a tie bar arrangement for the roof of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an internal view of the tie bar arrangement of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a view from below of the ridge and valley arrangement of the roof of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a view from above of the arrangement of Figure 5 with a weathering moulding added; Figure 7 is a view from above of the arrangement of Figure 5 with finial detail; Figure 8 is a view form below of the arrangement of Figure 5 with internal cover added; Figure 9 shows a valley bar assembly for the roof of Figure 1; Figure 10 is a section through the valley bar assembly of Figure 9; Figure 11 shows a jack rafter assembly for the roof of Figure 1; and Figure 12 is a section through the jack rafter assembly of Figure 11.

Figure 13 shows a secondary drainage component of the roof of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, as so-called P-shape conservatory roof 10 has two sections 12 and 14 that are at right angles to each other.

The second section 14 is longer than the first section 12. The roof section 14 will usually be fixed to an existing structure and the other section 12 extends away from the existing structure. Both roof sections 12, 14 have a ridge beam (16, 18 respectively) but the ridge beam 18 of the second section is arranged to be lower than the ridge beam 16 of the first section. The roof also has an eaves beam 20 around those sides of the roof not joined to the existing structure. Along the side of the roof attached to the existing structure there will also be an eaves beam but it may be in the * S * S las * I S S * S * * * S S * * S S SI * * S ** I

S S S S S SI

S. S **5 SIS S form of a combined caves beam and box gutter. Connecting the ridge of each section of the roof to the eaves beam are a series of glazing bars 22 (not all shown) supporting between them glazing panels, which may be of glass or plastics materials, typically of polycarbonate.

The two roof sections 12, 14 meet at an inner right angle where there is a valley beam 24 (see Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings). The valley beam 24 at its top end is connected to the ridge of roof section 14 and at its bottom end is connected to but extends slightly beyond the junction of the eaves beam of the two roof sections.

The valley beam 24 is also connected to the ridges by means of jack rafters 26 (see Figures Ii and 12 of the drawings) Because the two ridges 16, 18 of the roof sections 12 and 14 are not at the same height they cannot meet as in a conventional P-shape roof. Therefore, there is a linking glazing bar or return ridge 30 between their ends. The length of the linking glazing bar 30 is adjustable to suit the relative heights of the roof sections. This arrangement allows the two roof sections to be given the same roof pitch. This means that standard components can be used to construct the roof instead of having to use special components to cope with the different roof pitches as required when the roof section ridges are at the same height but of different pitches.

Below the connection of the linking bar to the first ridge beam 16 is a secondary drainage component 31 (see Figure 1 3) that directs any water into channels of a cover of the linking bar and onto the valley. The component is generally L- shaped with a wider part 33 for under the ridge 16 and a narrower part 35 for under the linking bar 30.

* * * * **.

* I I * * * * S * I I * * S 5 S. S S * S. S S S 5 S 55 a. a *as * Because the two ridges 16, 18 are not directly connected, the ridge of roof section may require additional support and this is provided as shown in Figures of the drawings by the provision of a tie bar 32 linking from the connection of the eaves beam 20 and the valley beam 24 to the eaves at the opposite side of the roof. The tie bar is connected to the underside of the jack rafter 24 by means of a screw threaded rod into a bracket 34. The length of the screw-threaded rod 36 extending from the tie bar into the bracket can be adjusted to alter the overall length of the tie bar. Also shown is an internal cover 36 for the junction of the eaves beam components at the valley.

The tie bar 32 forms with the glazing bars, with which it is parallel, an A- frame type support for the roof. As tie bars are a common feature of conservatory roofs, especially those of larger size, it does not detract form the appearance of the roof The ridge, eaves, glazing bars and the like are all preferably of the type shown in our co-pending applications Nos.040457.4, 040515.9, 0404519.1, 0404528.2 and 0404525.8, wherein they can be connected together by snap fit type connectors.

Turning to Figures 5 to 8 of the accompanying drawings, the end of the ridge beam 18 has attached to one side a first bracket 36 to which the valley beam 24 is connected and a second bracket 38 at its end, to which the linking bar 30 is connected, both by means of snap fit connectors 40. Where the ridge of roof section 14 is connected to the linking glazing bar 30 and the valley bar 24, there is provided a weathering moulding 42 that fits over the junction. At the ridge end of the moulding 42 there is a stop end 44 against which ridge capping 46 abuts. At the linking glazing bar end the moulding 42 is shaped to fit over a capping for the glazing bar 30 and has * S * S 555 * S S * S S * * * 0 * S 0 S I I 5 * 55 5 S $ S I * 5* I. S ** IS. * an internal groove 50 to receive sealant. The junction is completed by an external capping 52 that locates on the ridge capping and an internal moulding 54 that is fitted to the underside of the junction.

The valley bar assembly 24 is shown in Figures 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings. The valley assembly has a hollow section aluminium bar 60 and an internal cover 62. The valley bar 60 and cover 62 are cut back at each end in bird's mouth fashion, so that they overhang at each end when connected to eaves and ridge beams.

The connection at each end is shown to be way of snap fit connectors 64 of the type shown in our co pending patent applications as mentioned above. The bracket 36 at the end of ridge 18 receives the snap fit connector at one end and the junction of the eaves beam components receives the connector at the other end of the valley beam.

The cover 62 of the valley bar is notched at 66 to receive an end of a jack rafter as will be described below. In the region below the notches are fixed components 68 of a jack rafter connector system again as will be described below.

The jack rafters 26 are shown in Figures 11 and 12 of the drawings. Each rafter 26 has a hollow section aluminium bar 70 with a cover 72 of plastics and a capping 74 that snap fits onto the cover to seal against glazing between the cover and the capping. At its intended lower end the jack rafter has one component 76 of a jack rafter connecting system of the type shown in our co-pending application No. GB04045 19.1. The other component 68 of the connecting system is attached to the valley bar 24. The jack rafter at its intended lower has to be cut at an angle and the end of the jack rafter cover 72 is cut back in bird's mouth fashion at 80 to leave a ledge, which locates in a notch 66 of the valley bar assembly when connected thereto.

In order to fit a jack rafter, firstly the cover is pulled back from the end of the jack * S S * ** * S I * * * . S * a I 5 a * S I* I * * SI S a a a I 15 a. a ala S rafter, so that the connecting component 76, which has a receiving hole can be located on the other component 68, which is in the form of a peg and rotated to lock them together. Then the cover of the jack rafter is pushed forwards, so that its ledge 80 locates in the notch 66.At its intended upper end the jack rafter assembly has a snap fit connector 78 for attachment thereof to a ridge.

Components of the valley arrangement have been designed to provide for secondary drainage, so that any water that penetrates glazing seals falls into a secondary drainage channel or component to drain water away to the eaves and hence the gutters of the roof. a a

* a a * * a * * * I S * I S 5$ I * V V $ a. I S. I* * SIS 55$ a

Claims

Claims: 1. A P-shape conservatory roof structure, wherein the two sections

of the roof have the same pitch.
2. A roof as claimed in claim 1, wherein each roof section has its own ridge beam and these beams are arranged at right angles to each other.
3. A roof as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ridge beams are not directly joined end to end but have a linking beam between the ends of the two ridge beams.
4. A roof as claimed in claim 3, wherein the length of the linking beam is adjustable according to the difference in heights between the ridge beams of the two roof sections.
5. A roof as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein where the two roof sections meet there is a valley having a valley bar extending from the junction of the eaves of the two sections up to the end of the ridge of one section.
6. A roof as claimed in claim any one of claims I to 5 having additional strengthening means.
7. A roof as claimed in claim 6, wherein the additional strengthening means comprises one or more tie bars between opposite sides of the roof.
8. A roof as claimed in claim 7, wherein a tie bar is provided for one roof section, which extends between the lower end of the valley to the opposite side of the roof generally normal to the ridge.
9. A roof as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the tie bar is of adjustable length.

* a a. *S.

* * S ? S S S I IS SI I a I I, S I I 1* I S I a I S SI IS S 555 I., *
10. A roof as claimed in claim any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the valley bar has at least one glazing bar in the form of a jack rafter connected thereto and extending to the ridge.
11. A roof as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tie bar is connected at one end to the jack rafter.
12. A conservatory roof substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

* * * * *** * * * S S S * * * S S S S * S SS S S S 55 S * * S * S IS 5 555 555 5