FR2609861A1 - Element and method for constructing greenhouses (conservatories) - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the construction of greenhouses (conservatories). It relates to constructional elements forming panels 12-18 mounted in series and each one bounded by sections of glazing bar. The complementary sections of glazing bar of two adjacent panels 16, 18 are curved together before producing the corresponding panel. Each panel includes a front wall section 28, an inclined roof section 30 and an intermediate curved section 32, possibly with transoms 34, 36. Application to the production of greenhouses (conservatories) and solariums.

Description

 The present invention relates to the costructio of greenhouses, and in particular the construction of lean-to greenhouses, such as solariums and the like, and it thus relates to constructions of prefabricated greenhouses using modules which can be easily mounted at the location of the 'installation.

 The lean-to greenhouses available in the like mercce allow elegant extensions of residential and work buildings and simultaneously ensure significant fuel savings due to the use of solar energy.

 These constructions are intended to be installed by professional installers and are also produced in kits which can be used by owners who wish to make their own installations themselves.

 The most commonly available assemblies on the market require at least a modest knowledge of mechanics as well as considerable patience since a large number of elements have to be connected and because the parts to be interconnected have to be matched.

 Types of modular constructions are known which tend to reduce the installation time and cost.

These construction techniques do not meet the relatively elaborate criteria for the construction of solariums, especially those that use installations with glazing bars and curved glazing.

 The invention relates to elements and> improved construction methods for the installation of greenhouses such as solariums and in particular such constructions using curved glazing bars and curved glazing.

 More specifically, the invention relates to a construction of greenhouses comprising at least first and second adjacent panels, each comprising a front wall section, an inclined section of roof and a curved section placed between the wall and roof sections and connecting them so as to that they together form a continuous module.

Each panel or module is bordered laterally by sections of glazing bar and further comprises glazing disposed between the sections of glazing bar, the glazing being supported at least in part by the sections of bar and comprising at least one curved section of bar corresponding to the curved section of the associated panel and constituting at least part of this curved section. The glazing rod sections of each panel include sections of front wall, inclined roof and interconnection curve, corresponding to the parts indicated above. One of the glazing bar sections of the first of the aforementioned panels is in abutment against the glazing bar sections of the second of the panels and is symmetrical with the latter while being complementary thereto. they are in abutment, constitute in cooperation respective glazing bars. Complementary curved sections which can be formed in various ways are intended to constitute the sections in abutment of the glazing bar. A particularly original process includes making suitable sections by simultaneous bending by a common bending force. This force is preferably applied while the sections are juxtaposed in a common bending mold or the like.

It should be noted that the complementary sections can also be prepared by separate bending. In all cases, the glazing rod sections are preferably coded so that their complementarity is indicated.

 As indicated above, the invention also relates to methods. A method according to the invention is intended for the manufacture of a greenhouse having a section of front wall placed vertically, a section of inclined roof and a curved section connecting the sections of front wall and inclined roof, the process comprising more precisely the formation of the greenhouse structure from prefabricated modules which are interconnected by 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 complementary pairs so that the glazing bars are formed.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood on reading the description which will follow of exemplary embodiments, made with reference to the appended drawings in which
Figure 1 is a schematic perspective showing a greenhouse or a solarium of modular construction, comprising curved sections and modules according to the invention
Figure 2 is a schematic view of an end wall which can be used with the construction of Figure 1, the end wall of Figure 2 being then used in duplicate
Figure 3 is a partial section with parts cut away from complementary sections of glazing bar connected in the form of a whole constituting a glazing bar intended itself to support glazing panels
Figure 4 is a detail of Figure 3, in modified form, according to another embodiment of the invention
Figure 5 is a side elevation in partial section and having parts broken away representing the connection of a panel and a hip bar, according to the invention
Figure 6 is a side elevation in partial section and with parts cut away from the base threshold used in the construction according to the invention
FIG. 7 is a side elevation with parts cut away from a glazing bar showing how this bar is housed in a hip bar and in a threshold, the figure also representing a mullion which can be incorporated in an advantageous version of the invention;
Figure 8 is an enlarged section of the mullion arrangement of Figure 7
FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the bending of complementary sections of glazing in an embodiment of the invention
FIG. 10 is another schematic view illustrating the bending of complementary sections of glazing rod according to an embodiment of the invention and
FIG. 11 schematically represents the arrangement of several nested glazing bars, allowing easy transport of the members or modules associated with a working location.

 In the preferred embodiments illustrated by the drawings, a greenhouse is produced by prefabrication of panels, walls or modules, in particular having curved sections form = ffis between inclined sections of roof and sections of front wall of the various panels or modules.

 FIG. 1 shows a support structure 10 which can be, for example, any known living or construction work installation. Figure 1 shows several panels 12, 14, 16 and 18. The panel 18 is not yet assembled relative to the others (which are the panels 12, 14 and 16) which have been previously fixed to each other. The panel 18 must be moved in the direction of the arrows 20 and 22 so that its section of glazing bar (which is described in detail in the remainder of this specification) comes into abutment against the corresponding complementary section of glazing bar of the panel 16 , the two sections of glazing bar then being connected to one another so that they constitute a glazing bar, their cooperation by abutment being hidden by a suitable member described in more detail hereinafter.

 A continuous longitudinal bar 24 of hip is intended to allow the mounting of the various panels.

This hip bar has various features described below. Its role is to cooperate with a basic threshold 26 in the formation of support elements for the glazing bars so that the glazing bars can be installed with a suitable arrangement. To this end, the hip bar 24 is mounted against the support structure 10 and has a horizontal attitude or, in other words, is parallel to the ground. In addition, the threshold 26 is parallel to the hip bar 24 and is placed in a position such that it is distant from the support structure 10.

 Each panel comprises, in the embodiment shown, three sections, a section 28 of the front wall, a section 30 of inclined roof and an intermediate curved section 32 which connects the vertical section 21 of front wall to the inclined section 30 of roof. The intermediate curved section 32 is progressively connected to the sections 28 and 30 and forms with them a structure in one piece, taking into account the additional elements which are incorporated into each panel. For example, mullions 34 and 36 and glazing bars 38 and 40, the construction of which is described below, are also present.

 The greenhouse or the solarium according to the invention also has two end walls which may have the construction indicated in FIG. 2. These end walls are intended to frame the assembled panels 12, 14, 16 and 18 and to constitute end walls with respect to the enclosure delimited by the aforementioned panels. It should be noted that the structure shown in Figures 1 and 2 is schematic only and that no detail should be sought. For example, the end wall shown in FIG. 2 has glazing 46, 48, 50 and 52, separated by glazing bars 54, 56, 58 and 60 and it is framed by a bar 61. The construction of the bars 54, 56, 58 and 60 glazing is similar to that described below so that it is not described in detail for the moment. However, it should be noted that the end walls and other panels may include motorized evacuation systems, windows and doors which may be necessary in an installation carried out on demand, and the absence of such characteristics does not limit the invention.

 FIG. 3 represents the connection of the panels 16 and 18 when their glazing bar sections have been brought into contact and in cooperation so that they constitute the glazing bar 70 equivalent for example to the bar 40. It can be noted in the figure 3 the sections 72 and 74 of the glazing bar. These two sections were made so that they are bent simultaneously and in the same way, as described in detail below.

 It should be noted that these sections are symmetrical to one another, and consequently the sections 72 and 74 are symmetrical to each other. They thus delimit a plane of symmetry identified by the reference 76.

 The bodies of the sections 72 and 74 together define a chamber bearing the reference 78. This chamber is intended to house the tubular member 80 which constitutes a device for connecting or connecting the sections 80 of tube and which ensures their alignment. It should be noted that the external profile of the tubular member 80 corresponds to the profile of the chamber 78. The tubular member 80 is also a longitudinal member which adjusts in the chamber 78 which is formed over the entire length of the associated sections . The member 80 may be part of several members spaced along the chamber 78 or may be an elongated member disposed on relatively large parts of the chamber or over the entire length thereof.

 Two connection devices are shown in FIG. 3. They bear the references 82 and 84. These connection devices consist of bolts or the like which are housed in tapped holes formed in the respective sections 72 and 74 of the glazing bar.

It should be noted that these connection devices are distributed longitudinally along the respective sections 72 and 74 of the glazing bar at the necessary locations. It should also be noted that this connection arrangement generally ensures that the sections 72 and 74 face to face and abut, although other connections are available and can be used in addition, for example bolts 82 and 84 .

 The sections 72 and 74 of the glazing bar have extensions 90 and 92 which are plane elements symmetrical with respect to the plane 76 of symmetry and which are placed face to face. They are held face to face not only by the bolts 82 and 84 but also by a metal or plastic clamp bearing the reference 94. The extensions 90 and 92, in cooperation, delimit a threaded housing 96 which contains a bolt or a screw 98 which fixes a cap 100 to the extensions 90 and 92. This cap has housings 72 and 104 in which are housed damping devices 106 and 108. These damping devices are formed for example by a glazing cord c that is to say of damping devices which can be easily compressed so that they fulfill the function indicated below.

 The sections 72 and 74 also have extensions 110 and 112 in which recesses 114 and 116 are formed. These recesses allow the attachment of damping members 118 and 120 which are placed opposite the damping devices 106 and 108 , but at a distance from them. Their role is to clamp between them the glazing 126, 128 and consequently the glazing which is shown is fixed to the glazing bar 70.

 The glazing bar 70 further comprises a threaded housing 130 as well as threaded housings 132 and 134. These threaded housings have a certain number of functions and are generally intended for the connection of various accessories which may be arranged inside the greenhouse. For example, a picture frame can be mounted using a bolt placed in the threaded housing 130. However, it should be noted that a clamp 136 is also arranged. This clamp has tongues138 and 140 intended to be housed in the housings 132 and 134.

The clamp 136 can thus facilitate the maintenance in cooperation of the sections 72 and 74 of the glazing bar, so that the action of the bolts 82 and 83 and of the clamp 94 is completed.

 The extensions 90 and 92 delimit, with the extensions 110 and 112, gutters 150 and 152.

These gutters constitute internal channels intended for the evacuation of the accumulated moisture. Simultaneously, external flanges 154 and 156 delimit gutters 158 and 160 which constitute external channels intended for the evacuation of the moisture which accumulates outside the extensions 110 and 112.

 The cap 100 is intended to hide the stop line or the connection of the sections 90 and 92. Simultaneously, a cap 162 is intended to hide the head of the bolt 98. A cap or pliers 136 is intended to hide the stop line or the connection of the sections 72 and 74 to the lower part of Figure 3 and these elements therefore contribute significantly to the aesthetics of the embodiment. It should also be noted that the sections 72 and 74 each have tracks 170 and 172 for passing blinds. The role of blind passageways is to house the curved peripheries of the associated sections, as described in detail in United States patent application No. 613,339 filed May 23, 1984.

 It should be noted, with reference to Figure 3, the presence of mullions 174 and 176 which have a role and an installation as described in detail below. Note that the glazing panels shown in Figure 3 can be formed of a plastic material or can be formed for example of annealed and insulated glass 22 mm thick. The size of the glass or of the material forming the glazing does not limit the scope of the invention in any way.

 FIG. 4 represents a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 3, comprising elements equivalent to the extensions 90 and 92. These equivalent elements bear the references 90 'and 92'. They have grooves 180 and 182 and a cap 184 of plastic material (intended to ensure thermal break) with fingers 186 and 188 which protrude therefrom and which are housed, at their external ends, in grooves 180 and 182. Thus, the extensions 90 'and 92' are retained by the clamp formed by the fingers 186 and 188 carried by a base 190 whose role is to hide the abutment line 192 at which the extensions 90 'and 92' are in cooperation tion, that is to say that this line is formed between the sections 72 and 74 of glazing. An element 191 of metal or plastic cooperates with the cap 184 and it plays the same role as the element 100 of the figure 3.

FIG. 5 represents, by way of illustration, the support of the glazing 126 by the hip bar 24 mounted on the support structure 10 and associated with the glazing bar 70. It is noted that the hip bar 24 has a lower flange 200 and a central rib 202. The central rib has an upper extension 204 and a lower extension 206. The upper extension 204 delimits a groove 208. The lower extension 206 delimits a groove 210 which leads down:
The upper end 212 of the glazing 126 has a cap 214 of hip or panel in the form of a continuous U-shaped member preferably having the width of the glazing of the panel. This hip cap is in the form of a U-shaped member which protrudes from a flange 216, at a corner.

This flange 216 is housed in a groove 208 or hooks into this groove so that it provides partial support for the weight of the glazing 126. Another part of the weight of the glazing is supported by the bar 70 which cooperates with a clamp 220. The latter has a tongue 222 which is fixed by a screw 224 to the glazing bar 70. The clamp also has a tongue 226 which is housed in the groove 210 formed by the extension 206 of a rib 202 of the hip bar 24. The lower part 228 of the clamp is in abutment against the flange 200, the tongue 226 being housed in the groove 210 so that the glazing bar 70 and the hip bar 24 cooperate by hooking.

 The hip bar 24 also has a section 230 connected to the body of the bar 24 by an insert element 232 of plastic material forming a thermal break.

The section 230 has a flange 234 provided with a tongue 236 which traps against the cap 214 a lining member 238 which comprises a tongue 240 which presses against the glazing 126. In addition, the glazing 126 is insulated from contact with a metal by insulating tapes 242 and 246.

 It should be noted that the cap 214 has an extension 250 ensuring a direct connection with the glazing bar 70 by means of a coupling device 252 which can be a bolt, a screw or the like. The fixing of the hip bar on the support structure 10 is indicated schematically by the bolt 256.

 It should be noted that there is no fixed connection between the glazing 126 and the hip bar 24 preventing longitudinal sliding relative to the bar 24, as permitted by the cooperation of the flange 216 and the groove 208. On In FIG. 5, a blind track 170 is also shown, as well as a glazing cord 260 whose role is to support the weight of the glazing 126 without direct contact between this glazing and the bar 70.

 FIG. 6 represents the basic threshold which supports the panels or modules according to the invention. FIG. 6 represents a wooden beam which can be treated, as indicated by the reference 280. A continuous threshold is identified by the reference 282 and has a putty 284 which is also in contact with a cap 286 placed at the bottom of the respective panels. The element 282 has another element 288 forming a thermal break and ensuring the connection with another part of the continuous threshold, bearing the reference 290. The element 290 is connected to the block 280 by a bolt 292 which may be present at a certain Number of copies.

 A threshold trim element is identified by the reference 294. The base threshold 296 is connected by a bolt 298 to the end of the glazing bar. The glazing bar 70 is shown by way of illustration along the glazing 126. The connection between the element 296 and the end of the glazing bar 70 is also indicated in the form of a bolt or a screw 300. The element 296 is also connected to the element 290 by a bolt or a screw 302. An embellishing element formed of wood, hiding the internal mechanical part of the device, can be arranged as indicated by the reference 304. A part of the weight of the glazing 126 is supported by adjustment blocks identified by the reference 306 themselves carried by a flange 308 which constitutes an extension of the element 286.

 Various elements indicated above are shown in cooperation in FIG. 7 which shows, by way of illustration, the glazing bar 70. We can note the presence of the cap 214 (also shown in FIG. 5) and of the element 296 of the threshold (see also FIG. 6). The glazing 126 is also indicated in FIG. 7. Another element which must be described in detail in the remainder of this specification, appears in the form of a mullion 320. It corresponds to the mullions 34 and 36 of FIG. 1.

 The mullion 320 is also shown in Figure 8 which indicates the head of a bolt 82 for example (see also Figure 3). Note in FIG. 8 that the mullion 320 has a plate 322 forming a lower cap. Bolts 324 and 326 are also intended to connect the glazing bar 70 to the mullion 320 from inside the chamber 78 (see FIG. 3) by means of holes previously drilled in the side of the glazing bar 70. The mullion 320 is separated from a mounting structure 328 by an element 330 forming a thermal break. The mounting structure 328 is intended to accommodate, for example, tongues 332 and 334 with elastic engagement, belonging to a mullion cap 336 whose role is to hide the space between the sections 126 ′ and 126 ″ of glazing.

 The mullion 320 also has housings 340 and 342 for damping devices 344 and 346. A cap 336 has damping devices 348 and 350, all of these damping devices trapping the glazing 126 ', 126 "so that it is resiliently supported.

 Adjustment blocks 354 and 356 can be placed at the end of each panel of the glazing. These two blocks are shown at the edge of the panel 126 by way of illustration.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the mullion 320 has a flange 360 delimiting a groove 362 allowing the evacuation of the condensed water which drips into the corresponding device for evacuating the glazing bar, so that the moisture is removed.

 In the foregoing general description, reference has been made to the fact that sections of the glazing bar of the various bars (for example the bar 70) are prepared in a manner which effectively corresponds to the configuration of the different sections. For example, the method according to the invention is intended for the manufacture of a greenhouse preferably having a vertical section of front wall, an inclined section of roof and a curved section connecting the sections of front wall and roof. - takes more precisely the formation of the greenhouse structure using prefabricated modules which are connected via glazing bars which support the glazing in the modules and which are formed of sections which are first connected to the respective modules then connected to each other in pairs of complementary sections, in the form of glazing bars. It should be noted that the glazing rod sections which must be connected can be matched by simultaneous bending. The role of this arrangement, when used, is to avoid the introduction of variation by separate manufacture of the glazing rod sections, so that these sections could no longer be properly connected. More specifically, this characteristic is obtained by producing sections in symmetrical form and by bending in a juxtaposed manner, with the same bending force in the same mold. This characteristic of the invention is shown schematically in FIG. 9 which represents sections 400 and 402 of the mold. A section 404 of cavity is delimited therein and is intended to house the sections 72 and 74 of the glazing bar so that these are kept in the juxtaposed position and are surrounded in such a way that the force this bending can be applied in only once in a single bending mold. This bending force is schematically indicated by the arrow 410 in FIG. 10 in which it is noted that the two sections are clamped by pliers 412 and 414 so that they are bent around a mandrel 416, with passage from the position indicated by the reference 70 to the position indicated by the reference 70 ', so that the glazing bar formed has a vertical section, an inclined section of roof and curved section, which are all indicated on the greenhouse this figure 1.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, it is indicated that the glazing bars and thus the panels can be stacked in a nested form so that they are transported from the prefabricated place to the location of the installation. This is indicated in FIG. 11. This thus represents panels 12, 14 and 16 with their glazing and their corresponding glazing bars which are curved to the same profile so that the vertical section of wall before the inclined section of roof and the intermediate curved section are made as indicated above. In FIG. 11, the panels 12, 14 and 16 (and as many as may be necessary) are stacked with spacers as indicated for example by the references 420, 422, 424 and 426. The panels or modules thus nested can be easily transported with a small footprint and without deterioration at the installation location.

The complementary glazing rod sections may have a coded representation so that it is certain that the suitable rod sections are connected to each other, according to their own manufacture.

A color code is indicated for example in FIG. 1 by the references C1 and C2. This code can be in the form of a suitable colored printing of the complementary sections so that these can be easily identified and put in cooperation.

 The foregoing description indicates that the method according to the invention comprises the manufacture of a greenhouse from prefabricated modules which are connected using glazing bars which support glazing in the modules and which are formed from sections which are first connected to the respective modules and then connected to each other in complementary pairs so that they constitute the glazing bars. The glazing rod sections which must be connected can be made complementary by simultaneous bending and they are preferably in symmetrical form and are bent in juxtaposed form with the same bending force and in the same bending mold. The sections are intended for delimit in cooperation a longitudinal chamber in which is mounted a tubular member to which the sections are fixed the modules are aligned by mounting on a hip joint bar and a common threshold suitably arranged.

 More specifically, the hip bar according to the invention is preferably mounted on a support structure such as a building or the like, the threshold being placed at a distance from the support structure. The glazing rod sections are mounted between the threshold and the hipbone and are connected as shown. Cooperation is made easier by marking the modules so that the additional sections can be connected.

The symmetrical sections of glazing bar are separated after their collective bending in the same mold and the separate sections are incorporated into different modules.

The modules can be stacked as shown above, in nested form, so that they are shipped from the construction location to the mounting location.

 Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to the elements and methods which have just been described only by way of nonlimiting examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

 1. Greenhouse element, characterized in that it comprises at least a first and a second panel (12-18) which are adjacent and which each comprise a section (28) of front wall, a section (30) of inclined roof , and a curved section (32) placed between the wall section and the roof section and connecting them so that a continuous module is formed, each panel comprising sections (72, 74) of glazing bars which border it laterally, and further comprising glazing (126) placed between the glazing bar sections, the glazing being supported at least in part by the glazing bar section and comprising a curved section of glazing corresponding to the curved section of the associated panel and constituting a at least part of this last curved section, the glazing bar sections (72, 74) of each panel comprising sections of front wall, of inclined roof and connecting curve, one of the glazing bar sections (72) of the first panel (16) being in abutment against the 'one of the sections (72) of the glazing bar of the second panel (18) and being symmetrical with the latter of which it is complementary, the sections in abutment of the glazing bar constituting in cooperation respective glazing bars (70). 4  2. Element according to claim 1, characterized in that the sections (72, 74) of the glazing bar which are in abutment are complementary curved sections.  3. Element according to claim 2, characterized in that the sections (72, 74) of the glazing bar which are in abutment delimit in cooperation an internal chamber (78), the element further comprising a connection device (80) placed in the chamber and a connecting device connecting the stopping sections of the glazing bar to the connecting device.  4. Element according to claim 3, characterized in that the chamber (78) is arranged longitudinally in the sections in abutment of the glazing bar and the connection device is a tubular member (80) disposed at least partially in the cha. zebra.  5. Element according to claim 3, characterized in that the sections (72, 74) of the glazing bar which are in abutment form a plane of symmetry (76) and include extensions (90, 92) placed face to face from one side and on the other side of this plane, the extensions together delimiting a housing (96), the element further comprising a cap (100) and a coupling device (98) housed in the housing and intended to couple the cap to the extensions , the cap securing the glazing against the glazing rod sections.  6. Greenhouse element, characterized in that it comprises contiguous panels (12-18) having a similar configuration and comprising a curved section, the panels comprising glazing <126) and sections (72, 74) of bar glazing laterally delimiting the glazing, the glazing bar sections of the contiguous panels being in abutment and forming in cooperation a glazing bar (70) and comprising complementary curved sections.  7. Element according to claim 6, characterized in that the panels have vertical sections (28) of front wall and inclined sections (30) of roof connected by the curved sections (32).  8. Method for manufacturing a greenhouse element having a vertical section (28) of front wall, an inclined section (30) of roof and a curved section (32) connecting the sections of front wall and roof, the method being characterized in that it comprises the formation of the greenhouse element using prefabricated modules (12-18) which are connected by glazing bars (70) which support glazing (126) in the modules and which are formed of sections (72-74) which are first connected to the respective modules and are then connected to each other in the form of complementary pairs intended to constitute the glazing bars.  9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the sections (72, 74) of glazing rod which are connected to each other are made complementary by bending.  10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the sections (72, 74) are made complementary by bending of symmetrical sections.