Relating to panel coupling assemblies

Details Relating to panel coupling assemblies Relating to panel coupling assemblies

1999-01-28

2001-03-20

Kent, Christopher T. (Department: 3635)

Static structures (e.g., buildings)

Facer held by stiffener-type frame

Facer between exposed frame members having unitary flanges...

C052S775000, C052S464000, C052S468000, C052S235000, C052S241000, C052S281000, C052S582100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06202382

ABSTRACT:

This invention relates to panel coupling assemblies. It is particularly concerned with roofs, such as those of conservatories, having transparent or translucent panels supported side by side by beams. These beams are generally part of the framework of the structure. There are various requirements for such assemblies, and in particular the panels must be held securely and the joints must be waterproof. There should also be high degrees of thermal and acoustic insulation. At the same time assembly should be simple, and preferably be achievable by one person working alone.
According to the present invention there is provided a coupling assembly for two substantially co-planar panels, the assembly comprising a beam, a coupling member and a cap, the coupling member being engageable with a first longitudinal portion of the beam to be retained thereby, the adjacent edges of the panels having formations engageable with the coupling member to be retained thereby on opposite sides of the beam, and the cap being engageable with a second longitudinal portion of the beam, proud of the panels, to cover said second portion and the edge formations.
The first longitudinal portion of the beam conveniently has lateral flanges or ribs which engage in complementary grooves of the coupling member, while the edge formations of the panels preferably interhook with edge portions of that member. The coupling member may thus be channel shaped with the grooves at the base of the channel terminating in hooked edge formations. Preferably the interhooking of the panel edge portions with the coupling member is by snap action.
In a roof structure the first longitudinal portion of the beam will be underneath, but it will be concealed from view below by the coupling member, which can provide the insulation referred to above.
Generally, sealing means will be interposed between the panels and the edges of the cap that co-operate with the panels.
Both the panels and the coupling member are preferably multiwall extrusions of synthetic resin such as polycarbonate. The cap may be an extrusion of solid resin, such as PVC, while the beam will normally be of metal, such as an aluminum extrusion.


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patent: 6016632 (2000-01-01), McGee et al.
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patent: 0864708a2 (1998-09-01), None
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