AU2003262358B9

AU2003262358B9 - Holding profile

Info

Publication number: AU2003262358B9
Application number: AU2003262358A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Dieter Linke; Jurgen Obermeier; Hubert Reiter; Dirk Temme
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-11-20
Filing date: 2003-11-19
Publication date: 2006-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 2023-11-19
Also published as: AU2003262358B2; CN100357615C; DE20217990U1; ES2321595T3; EP1422361A3; EP1422361B1; MY134968A; DE50311115D1; EP1422361A2; AU2003262358A1; CN1502826A; ATE421625T1

Abstract

A membrane roof or temporary building construction facade has a large plastic or textile panel (M) which is supported and secured at its edges (R) by a profile anchorage clamp fitting (H). The membrane (M) terminates at its periphery in an anchorage beading profile (K) which locates within a matching groove (KK) forming part of the clamping profile (5). The clamping profile is located and clamped (2) within a surrounding metal profile (B).

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): HUBERT REITER JURGEN OBERMEIER DIRK TEMME DIETER LINKE Invention Title: HOLDING PROFILE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: Holding Profile The invention relates to a holding profile according to the preamble of claim 1 as well as to a membrane-building according to the preamble of claim A new construction technology has recently become known, e.g. for swimming pools, arcade yards, fuel stations or veneers, which is called architectural membrane construction. Such constructions in the form of roofing or veneers include holding rails mounted to a carrying structure according to a pre-determined raster. Membranes, over-bridging the fields between the holding rails, are anchored with the edges in the holding rails. The membranes may be of single or multiple layer configuration and may consist of plastic foils or fabrics. The membranes are either stretched or covered, respectively, by beams or rope assemblies from the upper or lower side or may be inflated by elevated interior pressure to so-called pneumatic cushions with or without tensioning elements. The membranes may be light-permeable or printed or covered and frequently fulfil not only a covering function, but also an insulating function. It is conventional to form the edge of the membrane with a longitudinally extending welded pocket into which the weather strip is inserted, and to longitudinally thread the edge with the weather strip into a metallic holding profile, particularly into a weather strip channel formed in the metallic holding profile, and then to insert the holding profile into the holding rail. Then, additionally, sealing elements are installed. Since such membranes may have a longitudinal extension of 100 meters or more, the threading procedure is extremely cumbersome and time-consuming, particularly if the membrane is pre-stretched away from the holding rail by the membrane net weight or by other measures, since then the threading friction resistance in the weather strip channel and in the exit gap is high. Additionally, the membrane edge is stretched longitudinally during the mounting process, especially from both ends of the holding profile, in order to eliminate lateral creases or to generate a needed pre-tension in the membrane in longitudinal direction of the holding profile, respectively.

Due to the threading friction resistance in the weather strip channel and in the exit gap, in practice only the last few meters of the membrane edge can be stretched to a sufficient extent, because the tensioning forces as imparted are already dissipated by the friction forces at a relatively short distance from the ends of the holding profile. For H:\Valrm\Keep\Specifications\P51 320.PA35908AUHH9O3ah.doc 19/11/03 Nthis reason, the membrane edge already has to be continuously and simultaneously tbstretched during the threading process, which is cumbersome and time-consuming. A ;further drawback is the high cost of the holding rails and the holding profiles, and the t fact that it is hardly possible to remove the membrane edge from the holding profile at a later point in time without damage to the membrane.

00 t In a roofing system known from DE 4326471 A, a metallic hollow profile is secured in a (Ni Sholding groove of a base profile. The hollow profile comprises a longitudinal continuous weather strip channel and a narrowed exit gap. In the weather strip channel a flexible textile or foil material is anchored by its edge, which is formed as a N weather strip pocket with the inserted weather strip. The weather strip pocket with the inserted weather strip is threaded-in in longitudinal direction of the weather strip channel starting from a front end of the hollow profile.

WO 96/21072 A discloses to fix the longitudinal edge region of a pneumatic cushion by means of a thickened part in a longitudinal channel of a metallic holding profile. The thickened portion is constituted by a weather strip inserted into the edge region. The edge region is threaded-in together with the weather strip in longitudinal direction of the weather strip channel.

DE 4105449 A discloses a profile made from elastic material for fixing the edge of a bellows between the vehicle body sections of an articulated vehicle. An unstretchable tensioning cable is welded into the edge region of the bellows and is used to secure the edge region of the bellows in the profile. The ends of the tensioning cable are connected by a turn-buckle. The profile is mounted into a metallic supporting profile which closes the profile around the bellows edge region.

Like buildings in general, membrane buildings are also covered by insurance. In the recent past the intensity of thunderstorms or hailstorms has increased. Although the membranes of such buildings were considered to be hail-proof or storm-safe, respectively, the recent past has shown that extreme weather conditions can cause unexpected damage through objects moved by a storm or by oversized and adverselyformed hailstones. This fact causes significant insurance problems. For this reason, there is a demand for membrane buildings which are hail-proof or storm-safe, respectively.

H\cril\keep\speci\200326235B.doc 24/08/05 tb2 It is an object of the invention to provide a holding profile of the kind mentioned above which allows at least a significantly simplified mounting of such membranes.

A secondary aspect of the object is to protect such membrane buildings in a simple way against environmental influences.

0O In SAccording to the present invention, there is provided a holding profile for all edges of at

\O

C least one membrane in a membrane building, in which the membrane edge is equipped with at least one weather strip and the holding profile comprises: Sa longitudinally continuous weather strip channel for the membrane edge; and a membrane exit gap which extends parallel to the weather strip channel and extends through a throat laterally from the weather strip channel, wherein the holding profile is: made from self-returning rubber or elastomer at least in the region of the weather strip channel and the exit gap; designed such that the exit gap can be widened elastically for threading in the membrane edge with the weather strip into the weather strip channel crosswise to the axis of the weather strip channel; and stretchable in its entirety in a longitudinal direction.

Preferably, holding profile according to the present invention comprising a weather strip channel which is formed within a profile main part; a thin-walled clamping lip extends away from the profile main part the clamping lip confining the exit gap at one side; a thick-walled support lip extends away from the profile main part for confining the exit gap at the opposite side; a thin-walled clamping lip together with the profile main part confines an insertion channel for a blocking element; and the thin-walled clamping lip terminates in a sealing lip.

H:\crisl\keep\speci\2003262358.doc 24/08/05 Turning from a metallic and rigid holding profile towards a holding profile consisting of elastic rubber or elastomer results in a broad variety of advantages. The main C 5 advantage is that the elasticity of the holding profile, at least in the region of the exit gap, allows the exit gap to be temporarily and elastically opened far enough so that the 00 membrane edge with the weather strip can be comfortably threaded-in laterally with q respect to the longitudinal direction of the weather strip channel. Since during (Ni IDthreading the necessity of a longitudinal movement of the membrane edge with the (Ni M 10 weather strip is dispensed with, the weather strip channel and the exit gap may be dimensioned so narrowly that ultimately a very strong clamping seat with an almost ideal sealing effect is achieved for the edge of the membrane. An additional advantage is that the stretching of the membrane in longitudinal direction of the edge as determined by the mounting process can be carried out far more efficiently than has been possible up to now, because the holding profile can be stretched in longitudinal direction together with the threaded-in edge, or because the stretching forces continue to act over the entire length of the holding profile without problems.

A further advantage is that the holding profile, due to its material, can be mounted in bends in each direction, which significantly improves the possibilities of the design configuration. Closed frame structures, so to speak, may be formed from the holding profile such that sealing problems which otherwise occur at angled joint areas are eliminated. The holding profile simultaneously serves as a receiving rail, a fixing element and a seal. Since the holding profile, due to its material, may also be bent or H:\crisl\keep\speci\2003262358.doc 24/08/05 folded, the membrane edge can already be threaded into the holding profile in advance at the manufacturer's site and can then be transported with the folded membrane to the construction site. The membrane edge with the weather strip is seated so firmly, simply by the return force of the holding profile after the threading process, that this connection cannot open during transport or the mounting process. During the mounting process, additional holding elements, blocking elements or load distributors may be mounted at or within the holding profile in order to intensify or stabilise this connection for later use.

Since such membranes in most cases are prefabricated to be somewhat too small in order to be stretched in mounted condition, the possibility of performing the threading-in process of the membrane edge into the holding profile laterally to the longitudinal direction of the weather strip channel prior to the mounting process is an extreme advantage, saving time and effort.

Since the holding profile fulfils a sealing function, no additional sealing elements are needed. Thanks.to the firm seat of the edge with the weather strip in the holding profile, it is not necessary to weld a pocket for the weather strip in the membrane edge.

The edge needs only to be folded around the weather strip to then be threaded-in together with the weather strip. This may even suffice for multi-layer membranes inflated to pneumatic cushions, and saves the welding of pockets.

Mounting of the holding profile is carried out by means of suitable fastening means, for instance clamping hooks or screws, in distances which are dictated by statical requirements. In order to achieve a further load distribution, suitable load distributing profiles made from stiffer materials may additionally be used, which are secured at the correspondingly formed holding profile by a form-fit and/or a force-fit. The function of the load distributors may even be taken over by the respective fastening means, e.g. by hooks having wide pressing ends or by continuous metal profiles. Corner regions without a joint can continue in rounded fashion, i.e. the sealing problem of butt joints of conventional systems using compressed sealings is eliminated.

A further advantage is that air-tight pneumatic cushions made of two different membrane materials without welding can be formed and fixed even if those materials cannot be welded to each other. The cross-section of the holding profile may fulfil additional tasks like holding/upholstering functions during mounting on the carrying H:\Valma\Keep\Speciflcations\P51320.PA35908AUHH903ah.doc 19/11/03 structure, e.g. at a vertical groove edge, or when connecting adjacent sealings, or a thermal separation function.

The membrane building comprising the additional environment protection membrane offers a far higher degree of security against damage caused by environmental influences than was possible until now. The insurance requirements can easily be fulfilled, e.g. when implementing the environment protection membrane. The environment protection membrane impedes the direct influence of objects carried by winds or large hailstones from the literal membrane, may provide additional insulation, and above all offers the advantage of maintaining the predetermined function of the building even in case of its own damage. The environment protection membrane directly abuts onto the literal membrane or is mounted with an intermediate distance to the literal membrane at the holding rail of the membrane, e.g. by means of a specific holding profile.

It is particularly expedient to have the holding profile made from elastomer or rubber such that the exit gap may be temporarily elastically widened for threading-in the membrane edge with the weather strip lateral to the longitudinal direction of the weather strip channel. This allows a rapid and comfortable mounting of even the environment protection membrane. For example, the environment protection membrane may already be threaded into the holding profile prior to the mounting process. This feature furthermore allows, at the least, the local release of the environment protection membrane from the holding profile in the case of later damage or to repair or replace the environment protection membrane. Furthermore, it is also possible to thread-in and remove the environment protection membrane lateral to the longitudinal direction of the weather strip channel, in case repair steps have to be carried out at the literal membrane, or to locally loosen and lift the holding profile.

Advantageous embodiments are contained in the dependent claims.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: H:\Valnma\Keep\Specifications\P51320.PA3598AUHH903ah.doc 19/11/03 Fig. 1 shows a cross-section of a part of a membrane building having a holding profile; Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of another embodiment of the holding profile; Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of a further embodiment of the holding profile; Fig. 4 shows a simple mounting structure of a holding profile; Fig. 5 shows another kind of a holding profile; Fig. 6 schematically shows a formation of a membrane H without a pocket; Fig. 7 shows another embodiment in a sectional view; and Fig. 8 shows a cross-section of a part of a membrane building.

Fig. 1 shows a support 1 of a carrying structure T (not shown in detail) of a membrane building B. The carrying structure T serves to let anchor at least one membrane M (in the form of a plastic foil or a fabric). The membrane M has at least a single layer or has (indicated in dotted lines) two layers or even three layers. The edge R of the membrane M is secured with the help of a weather strip K in a weather strip channel KK of a holding profile H such that the edge R extends through an exit gap S of the holding profile H to the exterior. The exit gap e.g. begins at a throat V located close to the weather strip channel KK. At least in the region of the weather strip channel KK or the exit gap S, respectively, the holding profile H consists of rubber or elastomer G, e.g. of vulcanised EPDM or silicon rubber or the like. Preferably, the holding profile H is made entirely from such a material. The consistency of the holding profile H is soft elastic, i.e.

the holding profile can be stretched in longitudinal direction and can be bent crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the weather strip channel KK practically in all directions.

The holding profile H is secured to the support 1 by holding clamps 3 and fastening elements 2. Furthermore, a blind 4 may be provided.

H:\Vaima\Keep\Specifications\P51 320.PA35908AUHH9O3ah.doc 19/11/03 In the embodiment shown, the holding profile H has a thick wall profile main part 5 with in this case convexly-rounded outer contours 6 and a sealing lip structure 7 for coaction with the support 1. Adjacent to the weather strip channel KK, a thin-walled clamping lip 8 extends away from the profile main part 5 which confines the exit gap S at one side. The clamping lip 8 forms together with the profile main part 5 an insertion channel for, e.g. a continuous load distribution element 10 which also may form a UV protection for the holding profile. The clamping lip 8 terminates at a sealing lip 9 which is pressed in sealing contact on the membrane M. At the other side of the exit gap S a thick-walled abutment lip 13 is provided which, e.g. is shorter than the clamping lip 8 and which, e.g. has a serrated lower side 14. In the transition from the profile main part into the clamping lip 8, a grooving 11 may be formed into which a not-shown filler profile can be inserted or which facilitates the elastic widening of the exit gap S for the reasons explained below. Even inside of the exit gap S a serration structure 12 may be provided, e.g. in the form of longitudinal ribs with upstanding sealing crests in between.

The cross-section of the weather strip channel KK is matched with the cross-section of the weather strip K and the edge R for a snug fit in order to generate an intensive sealing function as soon as the exit gap is closed again, as shown. Furthermore, inside the exit gap S itself, a sealing function is achieved at both sides of the edge R. The edge R may be formed as a welded pocket for threading-in the weather strip or may be formed only by a back folding without welding. By using a single weather strip K only, the edges of several membranes M can be fixed at the same time.

The edge R with the weather strip K may selectively be threaded into the weather strip channel KK of the holding profile on different occasions. One possibility is to thread-in the edge R with the weather strip K already at the site of the manufacturer of the membrane M such that the holding profile will be part of the membrane M during transport and the later mounting process. On the other hand, the edge R with the weather strip K may be threaded-in first at the mounting site. In each case, the threading is carried out crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the weather strip channel KK by temporarily elastically widening the exit gap S, e.g. by using an auxiliary device which is not explained in detail.

The exit gap S is widened so far that the weather strip K with the edge R can be threaded-in comfortably crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the weather strip H:\Valma\Keep\Specifications\P51320.PA35908AUHH903ah.doc 19/11/03 channel KK before the exit gap S is automatically closed thanks the elastic return behaviour of the material of the holding profile H which then generates the intensive sealing function. This may even be carried out at the construction site by first having the holding clamps 3 with the force distribution element 10 only arranged loosely. The holding profile H can be stretched in longitudinal direction, even together with the edge R and the weather strip K, such that the membrane may be stretched into a smooth condition without problems. Furthermore, the holding profile H may be bent in each direction and may even be mounted with a configuration deviating from a straight line in case this is needed for architectural or other reasons. Finally, the holding profile H can comfortably be brought into rounded corners in the region of which no joint is created which could interrupt the sealing function. It is even possible to form a closed frame with the holding profile H such that all edges of the membrane are stretched uniformly and are sealed efficiently.

The weather strip K in Fig. 2 is part of a filler profile F which, together with the folded round edge R of the membrane M, is brought into the weather strip channel KK by widening the exit gap S and by threading crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the weather strip channel KK. Alternatively, the filler profile F could be threaded into a welded pocket of the edge R. The holding profile H may comprise different crosssectional areas a, b of differing Shore-hardnesses and/or differing rubber materials or elastomeric materials, or may comprise enforcement elements A or even a further filler profile B, for improving the closing effect of the exit gap S, and which is inserted after the membrane edge threading process. The membrane M may be a single or a multiple layer structure.

In Fig. 3, two membranes M, e.g. made from materials which cannot be welded to each other, are anchored in the same holding profile H, particularly by means of two weather strips K, which commonly are secured in the weather strip channel KK and the exit gap S. The edges R are either only folded around the weather strip K, or are formed with welded pocketsinto which the weather strips K are threaded-in.

The holding profile H in Fig. 4 is mounted at the support 1, e.g. at a part of a U-profile, in particular with the holding and sealing leg 15. In this case the membrane M may be H:\Valma\Keep\Specifications\P51320.PA35908AUHH903ah.doc 19/11/03 a dual-layer or multiple-layer structure. The holding clamps or a continuous U-holding profile 3 is also a U-V protection for the holding profile H.

Fig. 5 shows a membrane M having three layers and a pocket T at the edge R, into which pocket the weather strip K is threaded-in.

Fig. 6 illustrates that the edge R of the membrane M is only folded around the weather strip K, without a welding, and that the edge R is anchored by the sealing action and the clamping function of the not-shown holding profile H in a sealed fashion and protected against being pulled out (indicated by arrows 16).

In Fig. 7 two membranes M, each having its own holding profile H are anchored to the support 1. Both holding profiles H have connecting structures 17 in order to be secured snugly to each other such that the joint region is also air-tight. In this case, e.g. the upper holding profile H can be removed together with the upper membrane M, while the lower membrane M with the holding profile H remains in the mounting position. Each holding profile H may increase the clamping force of the other holding profile, specifically during transport and during the mounting process of a pre-threaded membrane.

Fig. 8 illustrates a part of a membrane building B where a holding rail 18 for the edges of two membranes M is mounted on the carrying structure T. The membranes M, e.g.

are multi-layer structures and are anchored with the help of weather strips K in the edges R within the holding rail 8 in conventional fashion. The holding rail 18 is covered by an upper cover 1 which also generates an additional top-side sealing effect for the membranes M. Clamps 3 are spanned by the fastening elements 2 for the support 1.

The clamps 3 secure holding profiles H for anchoring the edge of an environment protection membrane M' above the membrane M. The essence of this solution is that the real membrane is protected by the additional environment protection membrane M' against environmental influences like storm or hail damage, i.e. that the environment protection membrane M' in this case fulfils the function of a sacrifice membrane which optionally also generates an additional insulation effect. The environment protection membrane M' may abut directly on the uppermost layer of the membrane M or may form an intermediate inflated space with the membrane M.

-\Vama\Keep\Specificaons\P51320.PA35908AUHH903ah.doc 19/1103 The environment protection membrane M' is anchored by the holding profile H made of rubber or elastomer which seals by its sealing lip structure on the support 7, which, furthermore, seals the upper side of the uppermost layer of the membrane M by the supporting lip 13 and the lower side 14, and which holds the weather strip K and the edge of the environment protection membrane M' as explained above. A thin-walled clamping lip 8 is positioned by a force distribution element in the sealing position of the exit gap S. Furthermore, it is of importance that the weather strip K and the edge R of the environment protection membrane M' are threaded into the weather strip channel KK crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the weather strip channel KK, in particular by temporarily and elastically widening the exit gap S. The sealing lip 8 is sealing on the upper side of the environment protection membrane M'.

The holding profile H may already be connected to the environment protection membrane M' at the manufacturer's site or at a location other than the construction site, such that the mounting is facilitated. Alternatively, the environment protection membrane M' may even be pre-threaded in the described fashion crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the weather strip channel KK into the weather strip channel KK.

The environment protection membrane M' may be a plastic foil or a fabric similar to at least one of the layers of the other membranes M.

When the holding profile is mounted on the holding rail 18 during a retrofit process, the securing principle shown in Fig. 8 is recommended. On the other hand, if it is planned from the beginning additionally to provide an environment protection membrane M', then the holding rail 18 may be already designed such that (not-shown) the holding profile H may be comfortably fixed according to another principle and may be tensioned in order to seal and to distribute the loads.

The holding profile H could also be pressed into a sort of a channel which secures the holding profile in the mounting position automatically or by means of local holders, even in some cases by using the stretching tension of the membrane for the positioning. In this case, a wedge shape or a dovetail structure could be used.

H:\Vainla\Keep\Specificaions\P5i32.PA35908AUIH903ah.doc 19A11/03 In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

H:WVama\Keep\Specificabons\P51320.PA359OSAUHH9O3ah.doc 19/1/03

Claims

1. A holding profile for all edges of at least one membrane in a membrane C1 5 building, in which the membrane edge is equipped with at least one weather strip and the holding profile comprises: OO 0' a longitudinally continuous weather strip channel for the membrane ¢q edge; and O a membrane exit gap which extends parallel to the weather strip channel (N S 10 and extends through a throat laterally from the weather strip channel, wherein the holding profile is: made from self-returning rubber or elastomer at least in the region of the weather strip channel and the exit gap; designed such that the exit gap can be widened elastically for threading in the membrane edge with the weather strip into the weather strip channel crosswise to the axis of the weather strip channel; and stretchable in its entirety in a longitudinal direction.

2. Holding profile as in claim 1, in which the membrane edge with the inserted weather strip is clamped by an area force-fit at least in the weather strip channel of the holding profile.

3. Holding profile as in claim 1, in which the membrane edge with the inserted weather strip is clamped by an area force-fit at least in the weather strip channel of the holding profile and also in the exit gap.

4. Holding profile according to any one of the preceding claims, in which holding profile is made entirely from rubber or elastomer.

5. Holding profile according to claim 4, in which the holding profile includes integrated cross-sectional regions comprising one or more of different Shore- hardnesses, differing plastic materials or rubber materials including enforcements, at least one filler profile or a combination thereof. H:\crisl\keep\speci\2003262358.doC 24/08/05

6. Holding profile according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the tb3 ;holding profile is bendable crosswise to the holding profile-longitudinal direction.

7. Holding profile according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the holding profile constitutes a sealing fit over the longitudinal extension of the 00 00 weather strip channel, around the membrane edge threaded-in together with Mq the weather strip. IND S 10 8. Holding profile according to claim 7, in which the holding profile constitutes a sealing fit over the longitudinal extension of the weather strip channel, around the membrane edge threaded-in together with the weather strip.

9. Holding profile according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the holding profile is made from extruded, vulcanised or cured EPDM-plastic material. Holding profile according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the exit gap terminates at an outer side of the holding profile at least at one side with a sealing lip abutting at the membrane.

11. Holding profile according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the weather strip channel is formed for simultaneously receiving two membrane edges each containing one weather strip.

12. Holding profile according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the holding profile is constituted by at least two separably combined partial-holding profiles, each for a respective membrane edge and a weather strip.

13. Holding profile as in claim 1, in which the weather strip channel is formed within a profile main part; a thin-walled clamping lip extends away from the profile main part the clamping lip confining the exit gap at one side; H:\crisl\keep\speci\2003262358.doc 24/08/05 I a thick-walled support lip extends away from the profile main part for confining ;the exit gap at the opposite side; a thin-walled clamping lip together with the profile main part confines an insertion channel for a blocking element; and 00 M the thin-walled clamping lip terminates in a sealing lip. IND S 10 14. Holding profile according to claim 13, in which the profile main part has a convexly-rounded outer contour. (Ni Holding profile as in claim 13, in which the clamping lip, and/or the support lip are provided with a longitudinal serrated structure inside the exit gap.

16. Holding profile according to any one of claims 13 to 15, in which a grooving is formed in the transition from the clamping lip into the profile main part.

17. Holding profile according to any one of claims 13 to 16, in which the profile main part terminates by a sealing lip structure at the side opposed to the exit gap.

18. Holding profile as in claim 1, in which in a membrane building a holding rail for an at least single layer membrane, is mounted at a carrying structure, the membrane being secured within the holding rail at the membrane edge by a weather strip, that an additional at least single layer environment protection membrane is associated to the side of the membrane facing to the outer environment; and in which the environment protection membrane directly abuts the membrane or is provided with an intermediate space from the membrane; and in which the environment protection membrane is anchored at a membrane edge by a weather strip in the holding profile which is mounted to the holding rail. H:\crisl\keep\speci\2003262358.doc 24/08/05

19. A holding profile substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 24th day of August 2005 0 0 HUBERT REITER, r JURGEN OBERMEIER IO DIRK TEMME m 10 DIETER LINKE SBy their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia H:\crisl\keep\speci\2003262358.doc 24/08/05