Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Inclined top cover
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-11
2001-05-01
Kent, Christopher T. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Inclined top cover
C052S091100, C052S092100, C052S092300, C052S093200, C052S460000, C052S461000, C052S639000, C052S640000, C052S655100, C052SDIG001
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223481
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a roof construction suitable for use for a conservatory. In particular, this invention relates to various aspects of a conservatory roof construction, as will be explained hereinafter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conservatory roofs may be constructed in a number of different ways. Traditionally, timber members have been cut on site to the required size and were then nailed or screwed together. Glazing was then fitted to glazing bars extending from a ridge beam down to a wall plate, laid around the upper surface of the conservatory walls. Such a roof construction is relatively expensive to implement and so many conservatory roofs are now assembled from pre-formed metal sections, either cut remote from the location at which the roof is to be constructed and then assembled on site, or cut and assembled on site, as appropriate, whereafter multi-wall plastics sheeting is fitted to the glazing bars to complete the roof.
A typical conservatory roof assembled from metal sections may have a ring beam extending around the upper surface of the conservatory walls, a ridge member disposed approximately centrally between opposed side walls of the conservatory and higher than the ring beam, and glazing bars extending between the ridge member and the ring beam, sloping downwardly from the ridge member to the ring beam. The ridge member typically is of a relatively complex construction in order to have the required strength and also to permit the affixing thereto of glazing bars, at the appropriate angle. For example, such a ridge member may have a number of different components which are typically aluminium extrusions of complex shapes, suitably affixed together. In addition, one or more folded metal strips may be secured to the ridge member, for example to serve as a capping strip and also as valances to conceal fixings, connections and so on.
The known designs of metal (and usually aluminium alloy) conservatory roof assemblies require the use of a significant number of different extrusions, strips and other sections. For example, it is not uncommon for as many as 60 different sections, strips and so on to be required, ignoring simple fastenings, seals and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to seek to improve upon known metal conservatory roof constructions, by permitting the use of a relatively small number of different extrusions, sections and other members, while still allowing a versatile and flexible arrangement which may be adapted to different installation requirements.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conservatory roof construction comprising a ring beam adapted to be laid around the upper surfaces of the conservatory walls, a ridge member and a plurality of glazing bars extending between the ridge member and the ring beam, the ring beam comprising a channel which defines a surface for supporting the outer ends of the glazing bars, and the ridge member comprising a substantially central member and a pair of channels disposed one to each side of the central member which ridge channels define surfaces for supporting the ridge ends of the glazing bars, the channels of the ridge and of the ring beam being essentially of the same section.
The design and extrusion of the complex sections used in an aluminium conservatory roof represents a significant part of the overall cost of the roof. With the roof construction of the first aspect of this invention, the same sections are employed for the ring beam and in the fabrication of the ridge member. This allows very significant cost savings, both or initial tooling-up and subsequently, during installation. Moreover, the, umber of different components which need to be stocked is reduced, as are the number and quantity of materials needed on site when constructing a roof, and this much simplifies the installation.
In the roof construction of this invention, it is preferred that the ridge and ring beam channels are aluminium alloy extrusions of the same section.
Preferably, each ridge channel may comprise a base wail, a relatively long flange upstanding from one edge of the base wall, and a relatively short flange upstanding from the opposed other edge of the base wall. In this case, the two ridge channels may be mounted with their base walls extending along respective opposed side faces of the central member, with the long flanges of the channels lowermost, and preferably with those long flanges more or less in the same general plane as the lower face of the central member. Thus, the lower long flanges will project laterally away from the central member, whereby the upper ends of the glazing bars may be fitted to the upwardly directed surfaces of those long flanges.
The ring beam channel is preferably mounted with the base wall upstanding from the upper surface of the conservatory walls, with the long flange lowermost and the glazing bars resting either directly or indirectly on the upper short flange. To accommodate the range of angles at which glazing bars could extend, in any given construction, the upper short flange of the channel is preferably arcuate, curving downwardly away from the base wall. In this case, the flanges should be directed away from the interior of the conservatory.
A ridge capping strip may be fitted to the ridge member, both for aesthetic reasons and to impart water-tightness to the construction. Such a ridge capping strip may rest on the short flanges of the two ridge channels, fitted one to each side of the box member. Suitable means should be provided to secure the capping strip in position, such as a plurality of vertically extending bolts held captive in the capping strip at spaced intervals and passing downwardly through an aperture in the central member.
Valance strips, or trims, may be fitted to the inwardly directed face of the base wall of the channels, where serving as a ring beam and to the under sides of the lower flanges, where serving as a part of the ridge member. By having the width of the long flange substantially equal to the width of the central member, and approximately one half of the width of the base wall of the channel, it is possible to employ a single design of valance strip suitable for overlying the long flange. Then, by fitting such valance strips side-by-side, two such strips may be used effectively to trim the upstanding inwardly-directed face of the base wall of the channel where used as a ring beam, and three such strips may be used effectively to trim the downwardly-directed face of the ridge member, made up of the downwardly-directed lowermost face of the central member together with the downwardly-directed faces of the two long flanges of the two ridge channels respectively, secured to the central member, which is preferably a box member. could extend, in any given construction, the upper short flange of the channel is preferably arcuate, curving downwardly away from the base wall. In this case, the flanges should be directed away from the interior of the conservatory.
A ridge capping strip may be fitted to the ridge member, both for aesthetic reasons and to impart water-tightness to the construction. Such a ridge capping strip may rest on the short flanges of the two ridge channels, fitted one to each side of the box member. Suitable means should be provided to secure the capping strip in position, such as a plurality of vertically extending bolts held captive in the capping strip at spaced intervals and passing downwardly through an aperture in the central member.
Valance strips, or trims, may be fitted to the inwardly directed face of the base wall of the channels, where serving as a ring beam and to the under sides of the lower flanges, where serving as a part of the ridge member. By having the width of the long flange substantially equal to the width of the central member, and approximately one half of the width of the base wall of the channel, it is possible to employ a single design of valance strip suitable for overlying the long flange. Then, by fi
Kent Christopher T.
Rickmans Limited
Tilton, Fallon, Lungmus & Chestnut
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