CA1268632A - Method and construction for a greenhouse or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A greenhouse construction is provided which includes adjacent panels, each including a front wall section, a sloped roof section and a curved section which is located between and connects the front wall and sloped roof sections to form a continuous module. Each panel includes and is laterally bordered by glazing bar sections and glazing is provided which extends between these sections. The glazing is, at least in part, supported by the glazing bar sections and includes a curved glazing section corresponding to and constituting at least a part of the curved section of the associated panel. One of the glazing bar sections of each panel abuts the corresponding glazing bar section of the next adjacent panel and is in mirror image and matched relationship therewith. Together the glazing bar sections cooperatively form a glazing bar. The abutting glazing bar sections include matched curved sections which can be matched by being bent simultaneously by a common bending force.
The abutting glazing bar sections are coded to indicate a match relationship therebetween. The modules are prefabricated and can be shipped to a site for installation whereat the glazing bar sections appropriately matched are brought into abutting relationship to constitute a glazing bar.

Description

T I T L E
A METHOD AND CONSTRUCTION FOR A
- GREENHOUSE OR THE LIKE INCORPORATING
SPLIT GLAZING BARS SUITABLE FOR
CURVED SECTIONS
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to greenhouse constructions suitable for lean-to type greenhouse constructionssuch as solariums and the like and, mor particularly, relates to con-structions providing for prefabricated greenhouse constructions in the form of modules which are readily assembled at the site of installation. \~

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BACKGROVND
Commercialiy available lean to type greenhouse constructions are known to enable exquisite additions to homes and business structures while at the same time affording significant savings in fuel due to utilization of solar energy.
These constructions are provided fox installation by professional installers and are also provided in kits which can be used by homeowners who wish to do their own installations.
Most commercially available units require a~ least a modest knowledge of mechanics as well as a fair amount of patience due to the fact that there are a large number of parts to be interconnected and due also to the fact that parts to be interconnected have to be matched.
Modular types of construction are known which tend to reduce requirements with respect installation time and cost.
These construction techniques do not respond to the more sophisticated requirements of solarium c~nstruction, especially those which involve the use of curved gla~ing and curved glazing bar installations.

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SU M~RY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide improved structures and methods relating to the installatlon of green-house structures such as solariums and particularly such structures as involve the use of curved glazing and curved glazing bars.
In achieving the above and other objects of the invention, there is provided a greenhouse construction comprising at least first and second adjacent panels, each including a front wall section, a sloped roof sec-tion and a curved section between and connecting the wall and roof sections to form a continuous module. Each such panel or module is laterally bordered by glazing bar sections and further includes glazing extending between the glazing bar sections with the glazing being at least partly supported by the glazing sections and including at least one curved glazing section corresponding to and constituting, at least in part, the curved section of the associated panel. The glazing bar sections of each panel include front wall, sloped roof and interconnecting curved sections corresponding to what has been mentioned above. One of the glazing bar sections of the first of the aforesaid panels abuts one of the glazing bar séctions of the second of these panels and is in mirror image and matched relationship. The glazing bar sections when in abut-ting relationship cooperatively constitute respective glazing bars. To form the abutting glazing bar sections there are provided matched curved sections which may be formed in various ways. One particularly unique way involves the sections being matched by being bent simul-taneously by a common bending force. This force is preferably exerted with the sections in juxtaposition in a common bending ~.

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die or the like. It should be no-ted that matched sections may also be prepared by separate bending. In any event, -the glazing bar sections are preferably coded to indicate the matched relationship therebetween.
As has been stated above, the inven-tion also relates to methods. One method of the invention may be viewed as a method of fabricating a greenhouse structure with a vertically disposed front wall section, a sloped roof section and a curved section connecting the front wall and sloped roof sections, said method specifically comprising forming the greenhouse structure of prefabricated modules which are interconnected through the intermediary of glazing bars which support glazing in the modules and which are formed of sections which are first connected to respective of the modules and are then connected to each other in matching pairs to form the glaæing bars.
Other objects, features and advantages of the inven-tion will be found in the detailed description which follows hereinafter as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

z BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE
DRAWING
In the drawing:
Figure l is a diagrammatic perspective view showlng a modular construction of the greenhouse or solarium construction embodying curved sections and modules in accordance with the invention ;
Figure 2 is a diagrammati/c view of an end wall construction suitable for use in the construction of Fig. l in which the end wall of Fig. 2 would be used in duplicate;

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Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, partly broken away, of matching glazing bar sections joined in a unit t~ form a glazing bar to support glazing panes;
Figure 4 is a fragmentary~detail of Fig. 3 shown in revised form to constitute another embodiment of the invention;
: Figure 5 is a side view partially`in section andpartially br~ken away to illustrate the co~nnectlon of a panel to a ridge bar in accordance with the invention;
Figure 6 is a side view partially in secti.on and par~ially ~roken away of ~he base sill employed with the construction o the inveniion;
Figure 7 is a side view partially broken away of a : gla2ing bar~ illustraf~ng how the gIazing bar is accommodated in a ridge ~ar~;and ~ a base sill and showing fuxther a cross muntin whic~ bë~ ~ odied in a preferred version of the nvention;~

Figure 8 shows on enlarged scale the cross muntin arrangement seen in Fig. 7;
Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view which diagrammatically illustrates the bending of matching glazing sections in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 10 is a further diagrammatic view illustrating the bending of matching glazing bar sections in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and Figure 11 diagrammatically illustrates the arrangement of the plurality of glazing bars in nesting relationship enabling the associated members or modules to be readily transported to a job site;

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DETAILED DESC~IPTION
The drawing illustrates preferred embodiments of the invention in accordance with which a modular system is provided for erecting a greenhouse structure with special provision being made for prefabricating the panels,bays or modules especially as regards the formation of the curved sections which are used intermediate the SlOped roof sections and the front wall sections of the various panels or modules.
In Fig. 1 is shown a supporting structure 10 which may be, for example, a dwelling or a business installation of any known construction. F~g. 1 shows a plurality of panels 12, 14,16 and 18. Panel 18 is not yet assembled with the other panels(inclusive of panels 12,14 and 16)which have pr~viously been fastened together. Panel 18 is to be moved in the direction indicated by arrows 20 and 22 so that its glazing bar section(which is to be discussed in greater detail hereinunder)is brought into abutting relationship with the corre ~onding matched glazing bar section of panel 16 whereafter these two glazing bar sections are connectE1together to constitute a glazing bar, the abutment therebetweenbeingconcealed by a concealing member to be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow.
To enable the mounting of the various panels there is provided a l ~gi~udinally extending and continuous ridge bar 24.
This rid ~ ~ ~h`g'~ious ~eatures to be described hereinbelow.
Its purpo~ s~`~o-;600perate with base sill 26 to provide supporting elem~nts~ for the glazing bar~ so that the glazing bars can be installed in appropriate posture. For this purpose the ridga bar 24 is mounted against the supporting structure 10 -~2~

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and is in horizontal attitude or, in other words, is parallel to the ground. At the same time, the base sill 26 is parallel to the ridge bax 24 and is mounted in a position whereat it is spaced from the supporting structure lOo Each panel is provided in the illustrated embodiment with three sections, namely a front wall section 28, a sloped roof section 30 and an intermediate curved section 32 which serves to connect the vertically disposed front wall section 28 with th~ sloped roof section 30. The intermediate curved section 32 merges with sections 28 and 30 and forms a unitary panel therewith taking into consideration the additional elements which are also included in each panel. Thus, for example, there are provided-cross muntins 34 and 36 and glazin~ bars 38 and 40, the constructions of which will become apparent hereinbelow.
The greenhouse or solarium construction of the invention is moreover provided with two ènd~walls which may be constructed as illustrated in Fig. 2. T~se end walls are intended to bracket the assembled panels 12,19,16 and 18 and to constitute~ end walls with respect to the enclosure defined by ~ the aforesaid panels. It is to be noted that the s ructure illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is diagrammatic in nat~ re only and that there are no details set forth therein. Thus, for example, the end wall illustrated in Fig. 2 is provide* with gla7.ing 46,48,SO~G~ `this glazing being separated by glazing ~; and being framed by bar 61 bars 54,~6,;-58~ nd ~ The construction of the glazing bars 54, 56,58 and 60 is simLlar to that to~'~e discussed hereinbelow and, hence, no detail will be describedlat this time. However, it should be noted ~hat the end walls and other panels may be supplied with power venting systems, windows and doors as may be require for any custom design system and the absence of such features 8 `;~ `~

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is not to be considered limiting of the present invention in any respect.
Fig. 3 illustrates the joining of panels 16 an~ 18 when the glazing bar sections thereof have been brouqh-t into contact and engaged to constitute ~he glazing bar 70 (equivalent e.g., to bar 40). In Fig. 3 can be seen glazin~ bar section 72 and glazing section 74. These two glazing bar sections have ~een manufactured in order to provide the bend therein simul-taneously and in identical fashion as discussed in greater detail hereinbelow.
It will be noted that these sections are s~mmetrical with one another and that therefore these sections 72 and 74 are in mirror image relationship with one another. ~Cooperatively they define a plane of symmetry indicated at 76.
The main bodies of sections 72 and 74 cooperatively define an interior chamber indicated at 78. This interior chamber is intended to accommodate t!e tubular member 80 which constitutes a splicing or splining dl~ice fo~ the tube sections 80 and which aligns the same. It will be noted that the outer profile of the tubular member 80 correspon~s with the profile of the chamber 78. The tubular member 80 is moreover a longi-tudinally extending member which fits in the chamber 78 which extends throughout the length o the associated sections. Member 80 may be one of a number of such members which are spaced along the chamber 78 or may be elongated to extend along relatively long portions of the chamber or along the entire ahamber~
A pàir of~onnecting devices are shown in Fig. 3.
The e connecting devl!ces are indicated at 82 and 84. These connecting devices are bolts or the like which are accommodated in threaded receptacles provided in respective glazing bar sec-tions 72 ànd 74. It~will be appreciated that such connecting devices will be distributed longitudinally along the lengths of the respective glazing bar sections 72 and 74 as required. It will be noted that this splicing arrangement is what generally maintains the sections 72 and 74 in face-to-face abutting relationship, although other connections are available and are furthermore possible in addition to devices such as holts ~2 and 84.
The gla~ing bar sections 72 and 74 are provided with extensions 90 and 92 which are planar elements symmetrical about the plane of symmetry 76 and which ar~ in face-to-face relationship. They are maintained in face-to-~ace relationship not only by the operation o~ bolts 82 and 84, but also by means o~ a plastic or metal clip such as indicated 94. Cooperatively, extensions 90 and 92 definea threaded receptacle 96 which accommodates a bolt or screw 98 w~ ch connects to the extensions 90 and 92 a cap indicated at 100. This cap is provided with in sockets 102 and 104/which are accommodated cushion 106 and 108 These cushions are formed, for example, o~ glazing cord which are cushions which may readily be compressed to perform the function indicated hereinbelow.
, Sections 72 and 74 are moreover provided with extensions 110 and 112 within which are provided sockets 114 and 116. These sockets serve to anchor cushions 118 and 120 which are in spaced and facing relationship relative to cushions .i . 1' .'.` ~ j 106 and 108. These cushions serve to entrap glazin~!126 and ~S 128 therebe~tween and!as a consequence, the gla~ing which is illustrated is aflxèd to the gla~ing bar 70. l ~ i Glazing bar 70 is moreover provided with threaded recept~cle 130 as well as threaded receptacles 132 and 134.
These threaded r~ceptacles provide for a number o~ functions and in general for the connection of various ancillary features which may be providsd within the greenhouse constructions.
Thus, for example, a picture frame may be mounted by means of a bolt accommodated in threaded receptacle 130. However, it will be noted that there is moreover provi~ed a clip 136. This clip has prongs 138 and 140 serving to be accommodated in receptacles 132 and 134. The clip 136 may thus function to assist in holding the glazing bar sections 72 and 74 together as a consequence of which the action of bolts 82 and 83 as well as of cl~p 94 is supplemented.

The extensions 90 and 92 define with extensions 110, 112 gutters 150 and 152 respectively. These gutters serve as internal weeps for the drainage of accumulated moisture. At the same time there are provided external flanges 154 and 156 de~ining gutters 158 and 160 which serve as external weeps for the drainage of moisture accumulating on the exterior of extensions 110 and 112.

The cap 100 serves to conceal the line or seam of abutment between sections 9o and 92. At the same time, there is provided a cap 162 which serves to conceal the head of bolt 98.
Clip or cap 136 serves to conceal the line or seam of abutment between sections 72 and 74 at the bottom of Fig. 3 and thus these elements contribute significantly to the beauty of the design~ It is also to be noted that sections 72 and 74 are respectively provided with shade tracks 170 and 17~. The function of the shade tracks is to accommodate the bulbous peripheries of the associated sections as described in detail in United States Patent No. 4,606,157 to Esposito issued August 19, 19~6.

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3~2 With further reference to Fig. 3 there is to be noted cross muntins 174 and 176 which perform a function and which are installed as described in detail hereinbelow. It will be noted that the glazing panels illustrated in Fig. 3 may be made of plastic or may be for example of 7/8 inch insulated tempered glass. The size of the glass or the material of which the glazing is made is not a limitation of the instant invention.
A variation of the embodiment of the invention of Fig. 3 is illustrated in Fig. 4 where are shown equivalents to the ex~e~sio~s 90 and 92. These equivalents are indicated at 90' and 92'. These are provided with grooves 180 and 182 and a plastic cap 184 (serving as a thermal break) is provided having fingers 186 and 188 extending therefrom and accom~odated at their outermost extremities in the grooves 180 and 182.
lS Thus the extensions 90' and 92' are held together bv the clip arrange~ent formed by fingers 186 and 188 supported on a base 190 which serves the purpose of concealing the line of abutment of 192 whiah exists between extensions 90' and 92' and thus between glazin~ sections 72 and 74. A metal or plastic part 191 is engaged on cap 184 and serves\the function of part 100 in FigO 3.
The support of glazing 126 with respect to the ridge bar 24 mounted on supporting structure 10 and associated with glazing bar 70 is shown by wav of example in Fig. 5. Therein it will be seen that the ridge bar 24 includes a lower flanqe 200 and a çentral rib 202. The central rib hals an upper extensiQ ~4 ~`~d-~'lower sxtension 206. The upper extension 204 defines a groGv~ 8.~ The lower extenslon 206 defines a down-wardly open~groove 210.
The upper extremity 212 of glazing 126 is provided with a bay ridge ox xidge cap 214 in the orm of a continuous channel preferably the width of the gla~ing of the panel. This ridye cap is in the form of a channel having, extending from a corner thereof, the flange 216, Flange 216 is accommodated -~7~
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within or hooked into the groove 208 therebv to form a support in part or the weight of the glazing 126. An additional part of the weight of the glazing is supported by t~e glazing bar 70 with respect to which there is provided a clip 220. The S clip 220 has a tongue 222 which is fastened by means of a screw 224 to the glazing bar 70. The clip also includes a tongue 226 which is accommodated in the g~oove 210 provided by the extension 206 on r1b 202 of the ridge bar 24~The bottom portion 228 of the clip rests against the flange 200 with the tongue 226 being ac~ommodated in groove 210 whereby a hooking engage-ment between the glazing bar 70 and the ridge bar 24 is provided.
The ridge bar 24 moreover comprises ~ section 230 connected to the main body of ridge bar 24 by means of a plastic insert 232 constituting a thermal break. Section 230 includes a flange 234 having a tongue 236 thereon which traps against the cap 214 a gasket member 238 which includes a tongue 240 ~ressing up against the glazing 126. In addition, the glazing 126 is insulated from contact from metal b~ insulating ribbons 242 and 246. ~`
It wlll.be noted that the cap 214/provided with an extension 250 by which a direct connection is afforded with glazing bar 70 through a coupling device ~52 which may be a bolt or screw~ or the like. Attachment of the ridge bar 24 with supporting structure 10 is ''~.~iagram~atically indicatec~ bv the provision of a bolt 256.

~ ,noted that there is no fixed connection of the..~z:in.g:::1.2.~;.;i.~ith the ridge bar 24 which does no~ provide a slidi~g;longit~'~i'nal movemen~ with respect to the ri~ge bar 24 all a~s enabled by the engagement of flange 216 in groove 208. In Fig. 5 provision of shade track 170 will also be noted .as well as glazing cord 260 the purpose of which is to provide ~or the supporting of the weight of glazing 126 ~ithout there being direct contact between this glazing and the glazing bar : ~3 i3~
As to the base 5ill providing a suppo~t for the panels or modules of the invention, thls is illustrated in Fig. 6.
In Fi~. 6 is shown a wooden beam which may be treated two by four as indicated at ,280, A continuous sill is indicated at 282 with a caulking being indicated at 284 with respect to cap 2~6 which is provided at the bottom of the respective panels.
Element 282 is provided with ther~.al break element 288 whereb~
connection is made with another section of the continuous sill indicated at 290. Ele~ent 290 is connected to block 280 by means of bolt 292, a plurality of which may be provided.
A sill trim element is indicated at 294. Base sill 296 is connected by means of bolt 298 to the end of the glazing bar. Glazing bar 70 is illustrate(' by way of example along with glazing 126. Connection between element 296 and the er,d of glazing bar 70 is also indicated in the form of a bolt or lS screw 300. EleMent 296 is furthermore connected to element 290 by means of bolt or screw 302. ~ wood trim concealing the mechanical interior of the device may be provided in the form of wood trim 204. At~least some of the W~`7 ght,of the glazing 126' is supported on setting blocks indicated at 306, these being supported on flange 308 constituting an extension from element 286.
Varlous of the above-identified elements are shown in cooperation in Fig. 7 wherein is illustrated by way of example the gla~ing bar 70. Therein maY be seen the cap 214 (see also Fig. 5) and base 9Lll element 296 ~See also Fig. 6). The glazinq 126 is also ~i~ible''in Fig. 7. Another element which is yet , ....,. .. ,. i., i to be described in,de,tail appears in the form of cross muntin 320. This corresponds to the cross muntins 34 and 3~ in Fig. 1.
The cross muntin 320 is also shown ln Fig. 8 wherein appears tfie head of, or example, bolt 82 (see also Fiq. 3).
In Fig. 8, it can be seen that cross muntin 320 is provided with a bottom cap plate 322. Also provided are bolts 324 and 326 which connect glazing bar 70 to cross muntin 320 from within chamber 78 (see FigO 3) through pre-drilled holes in the side of the glazing bar 70. The cross muntin 320 is separated from a mounting structure 328 by means of a thermal break element 33~ The mounting structure 328 is in~ended to receive by way of a snap fit prongs 332 and 334 of a snap-on muntin can 336 the purpose of which is to conceal the ~ap between glazin~
sections 126' and 126''.
The cross muntin 320 is also provided with sockets 340 and 342 which accommodate cushions 344 and 346. Cap 336 is provided with cushions 348 and 350, all of tLese cushions entrapping the glazlng 126' and 126'' thereby to yieldingl~
provide support for the same.
Setting blocks 354 and 35~ may be provided at the end of each of the glazing panels. IThese two blocks are shown by way at the edge of g}azing panel 126 by way of example.
As a further feature of the construction of the inven-tion cross muntin 320 is provided with a flange 360 defining a groove 362,serving as a condensation dra~n which weeps into the corresponding glazing bar drain for purposes of moisture removal.
In the generalized description of the invention whic~ appears hereinabove, reference has been made to the fact that the glazing bar sections of the various gl~zing bars (see for exa~ple glazing bar 70) are prepared ln such a wav as to provide~an effec~ive correspondence of configuration between these sectiohs.i Thus,,~for example, the method of the invention is a method~of fabr,icating a greenhouse structure ~referably with a vert~.cally dlsposed front wall section, a sloped roof section and a curved section connec-ting the front wall and sloped roof sectiorls. Th.is method more particularly comprises forming the greenhouse structure of prefabricated modules which are interconnected through the intermediary of glazing bars which support glaæing in the modules and which are formed of ~ r sections which are first connected to the respecti~e modules and then are connected to each other in matching pairs to form the glazing bars. It has been noted that the glazing bar sections which are to be connected ~ogether ma~ be matched bv bending the same to~ether. The pu~se of this feature, when it is employed, is to make sure that no variation is introduced by separatelv manufacturing the glazing bar sections so that they do not connect together appropriately. More particularly Lhis is accomplished by form-ing the sections as mirror image sectlons and bending the same in juxtaposition with the same bending force in the same bending d~e. This ~eature of the invention is generallv indi-cated in diagr~atic fashion in Fig. 9 whereare seen die sections 400 and 402. Therein are defined cavity section 404 for re-ceiving the glazing bar sections 72 and 74 so that these sec-tions are held in juxtapOsition and are entrapped in such a manner that the bending force may be applied as a unitary force in a single bending die. The bending force is indicated diagrammatlcally by arrow 410 in FigO lO wherein it is seen that the two ~ections are clamped together by clamps 412 and 414 to be bent around a mandri'l 416 thus moving from the position indicated at 70 to the position indicated at 70' thereby to form a glazing bar having a vertical section,a sloped roof section and~a curved section all as has been diagrammatically indicated in the illustration of the greenhouse construction set forth ~k Fi~. l.

~ a further feature of the invention it has been indicated that-the glazing bars and thus the panels may be packed in nesting relationship thereby to be transferred from the site o prefabrlcation to the job install~tion at which installation is to take place. This is illustrated in Fig. l~.

In Fig. ll are illustrated by way of example panels 12, 14 and 16 with their corresponding glaziny and glazing bars all bent to the same profile 50 to have the ~ertical front wall section, sloped roof section and intervening or intermediate curved section all as has been noted hereinabove. In Fig. 11 the panels 12, 14 and 16 (and as many other panels as may be necessary) are packed with spacers such as indicated for example 420, at/422, 424 and 426. These thusly nested panels or modules may be readily transported with economy of space and free from damage to the site at which installation is to be made.
To be certain that appropriate glazing bar sections will be connected to one another in accordance with their unitary manufacture the matched glazing bar section may be provided with a coding representation. A color coding is indicated by way of example in Fig. l at Cl and C2. This coding may take the form of appropriate color printing on the matching sections so that matching sections may be readily identified and put into cooperating relationship.
From the above it will be`seen that the method of the invention comprises forming a greenhous~e structure of prefabricated modules which are interconn~cted-through the intermediary of glazlng bars which support glazing in the modules and which are formed of sections which are first connected to the respective modules and are then connected to each other in matching pairs to form the glazing bars, The glazing bar sections which are to be connected together ma~be , matched bv bending the same together and are formed preferablv as mir ~ g~ se~ons which are bent ir. juxta~osi-tion with the sa?~e-berdi~n~ force in the,same bendin~ die. The sections are formed-to define~cooperatively a longitudinally extending to interior chamber in which is mounted a tubular member ~hich the sections are fastened. The modules are aligned by mounting the same in a common ridge bar and base sill which are appropriately positioned~
More particularly the ridge bar of the invention is preferably mounted on a supporting structure s~ch as a building or the like with the base sill being spaced from the supporting structure. The glazing bar sections are inst1alled between ~he base siIl and rldgè bar and are connected together in the manner indicated. The matching is facilitated as noted above by marking the modules so that matchedgla~ing bar sections can be connected together. To enable the above,the, mirror image sections of the glazing bars are separated after they are collectively bent in the same die and the separated mirror image sections are in-corporated into different modules. The modules may as noted above be stac~ed in nesting relationship for shipment to a job sit~ for installation.
There will now be obvious to those skilled in the ar-t and many modifications/variations of th`e methodsand construction set forth hereinabove. These modifications and variations will not depart from the scope of the invention if defined by the fo1lowing cl~lms.

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Claims (31)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A greenhouse construction comprising at least first and second adjacent panels each including a front wall section, a sloped roof section, and a curved section between and connecting said wall and roof sections to form a continuous module, each said panel including and being laterally bordered by glazing bar sections and further including glazing extending between said glazing bar sections, the glazing being at least partly supported by the glazing bar section and including a curved glazing section corresponding to and constituting at least in part the curved section of the associated panel, the glazing bar sections of each panel including front wall, sloped roof and interconnecting curved sections, one of the glazing bar sections of the first of said panels abutting one of the glazing bar sections of the second of said panels and being in mirror image and matched relation therewith, the abutting glazing bar sections cooperatively constituting respective glazing bars.

2. A greenhouse construction as claimed in claim 1 wherein the abutting glazing bar sections include matched curved sections.

3. A greenhouse construction as claimed in claim 2 wherein the abutting glazing bar sections are coded to indicate the matched relation therebetween.

4. A greenhouse construction as claimed in claim 2 wherein the abutting glazing bar sections cooperatively define an interior chamber, said construction further including a splicing means in said chamber and connecting means connecting the abutting glazing bar sections to said splicing means.

5. A greenhouse construction as claimed in claim 4 wherein said chamber extends longitudinally through the abutting glazing-bar sections and the splicing means is a tubular member extending at least partly through said chamber.

6. A greenhouse construction as claimed in claim 5 wherein the tubular member is hollow.

7. A greenhouse construction as claimed in claim 5 wherein the tubular member and chamber have generally similar configuration.

8. A greenhouse construction as claimed in claim 5 wherein the connecting means includes bolts connecting respective of the abutting glazing bar sections to the tubular member.

9. A greenhouse construction as claimed in claim 4 wherein the abutting glazing bar sections define a plane of symmetry and include extensions extending in face-to-face relation on opposite sides of said plane, said extensions cooperatively defining a receptacle, said construction further comprising a cap means and coupling means accommodated in said receptacle to couple the cap means to said extensions, the cap means entrapping respective of said glazing against respective of said glazing bar sections.

10. A greenhouse construction as claimed in claim 9 comprising clip means to clamp said extensions together.

11. A greenhouse construction as claimed in claim 9 wherein said cap means and glazing bar sections define facing sockets, comprising cushioning means anchored in the sockets to cushion the glazing.

12. A greenhouse construction as claimed in claim 2 for erection in lean-to mode against a supporting structure, comprising ridge bar means supported on said supporting structure and base sill means spaced from said supporting structure to support the panels in aligned relation, said ridge bar means and base sill means being in generally parallel and spaced relation with respect to each other.

13. A greenhouse construction as claimed in claim 12 comprising ridge cap means for each panel engaging the upper extremity of the glazing of the roof section of each panel and engaging with said ridge bar means, and means for connecting the ridge cap means to said glazing bar sections.

14. A greenhouse construction as claimed in claim 13 wherein each of the ridge cap means includes a flange and said ridge bar means defines a slot into which said flange hooks for the support of said panels.

15. A greenhouse construction as claimed in claim 14 wherein said ridge bar means includes a longitudinally extending channel including a lower flange and a central rib including upper and lower rib extensions, the upper rib extension defining said slot, the lower extension defining a second slot, said construction further including a clip attached to each glazing bar section and trapped between the second slot and lower flange.

16. A greenhouse construction comprising contiguous panels of like configuration including a curved section, said panels including glazing and glazing bar sections laterally bounding the glazing, the glazing bar sections of contiguous panels being in abutting relation and cooperatively forming a glazing bar and including matching curved sections.

17. A greenhouse construction as claimed in claim 16 wherein the matching curved sections are formed by bending the glazing bar sections together.

18. A greenhouse construction as claimed in claim 16 wherein the panels have vertically disposed front wall sections and sloped roof sections connected by the curved sections.

19. A greenhouse construction as claimed in claim 18 further including end walls bracketing said contiguous panels, said end walls including contiguous planar panels mounted in coplanar relationship and glazing bars including matching sections coupled to respective to the contiguous panels to form modules.

20. A greenhouse construction as claimed in claim 16 wherein the glazing bar sections are in abutment in face-to-face relation, comprising means to conceal the abutment.

21. A greenhouse construction as claimed in claim 16 wherein said sections are provided with shade tracks.

22. A method of fabricating a greenhouse structure with a vertically disposed front wall section, a sloped roof section and a curved section connecting the front wall and sloped roof sections, said method comprising forming the greenhouse structure of prefabricated modules which are interconnected through the intermediary of glazing bars which support glazing in the modules and which are formed of sections which are first connected to the respective modules and are then connected to each other in matching pairs to form the glazing bars.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22 wherein the glazing bar sections which are to be connected together are matched by bending.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein the sections are matched by bending the same as mirror image sections.

25. A method as claimed in claim 24 comprising separating the mirror image sections after they are bent together and incorporating the same into different modules.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25 comprising stacking the modules in meshing relation for shipment to a site for installation.

27. A method as claimed in claim 24 comprising bending the sections in juxtaposition with the same bending force in the same die.

28. A method as claimed in claim 22 comprising forming the sections to define cooperatively a longitudinally extending interior chamber, mounting a tubular member in the chamber, and fastening the sections to the tubular member.

29. A method as claimed in claim 22 comprising aligning the modules by mounting the same in a common ridge-bar and base sill.

30. A method as claimed in claim 29 comprising mounting the ridge bar on a supporting structure, spacing the base sill from the supporting structure, and supporting the glazing bar sections between the base sill and ridge bar.

31. A method as claimed in claim 22 comprising marking the modules so that matched glazing bar sections can be connected together.