GB2060752A

GB2060752A - Auxiliary glazing for greenhouses

Info

Publication number: GB2060752A
Application number: GB7933551A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: WOODAGE M
Current assignee: WOODAGE M
Priority date: 1979-09-27
Filing date: 1979-09-27
Publication date: 1981-05-07
Also published as: GB2060752B

Abstract

A flexible film 5 is attached to the interior surface of a metal-framed greenhouse or similar structure by a number of combined spacing and fastening members 6 having at spaced surfaces means 7 for engaging the edges 9 of a channel in a glazing bar and means 11, 12 for trapping and holding a part of the film 5. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Double glazing and shading system for greenhouses This invention relates to metal-framed greenhouses and similar glazed structures, and has for its object the provision of means for securing to such a structure a layer of film material spaced away from the glazing. Such a film material may serve to reduce heat losses from the structure by providing an air space between it and the glass, or it may serve as shading to reduce the amount of light and/or heat reaching the interior of the structure.

According to one aspect of the invention a system for fastening a flexible film materia! to a metal-framed greenhouse or similar structure comprises a number of combined spacing and fastening members each having one face provided with projections for engaging and locking on to a channel in a glazing bar of the structure and another face spaced therefrom provided with means for trapping and holding a part of the film.

The invention also embraces the spacing and fastening members and according to this aspect of the invention the member may comprise a spacing body having associated with one face thereof means for engaging and locking on to a channel in a glazing bar, and having associated with another face spaced therefrom means for gripping a part of a flexible film. The engaging and locking means may comprise a shaped stud which can be entered between the flanges of the channel in a glazing bar, after which the member may be rotated to lock it in position by a cam action between portions of the stud and portions of the channel. Alternatively, the engaging and locking means may comprise a pair of opposed fingers and these may be integral with the body and springy so as to expand into engagement with the sides or flanges of the channel.In this case engagement with the sides of the channel may be attained by means of a simple pushing motion.

The means for gripping a part of the flexible film may comprise a stud-like portion of the body which co-operates with a resilient cap which is snapped over it with the film in between.

Alternatively, part of the body may be shaped as a cap and be made of resilient material to cooperate with a separate rigid stud. The precise arrangement of the two parts will depend among other things on the elasticity of the materials used, but in general the aim should be to achieve a frictional grip of the film such that it will be held from movement relative to the body and such that pulling on the film does not easily disturb the locking arrangement of the parts. For some purposes it may be adequate for the film to be gripped merely between interengaging resilient fingers to be gripped merely between interengaging resilient fingers formed integrally with the body.

In a further alternative arrangement the body is provided with finger portions arranged to be expanded into engagement with portions of the channel by inserting between the a further or separate portion. The insertion of the further or separate portion may serve also to grip a part of the film, or may be a headed member which pierces the film to hold it in position.

Various forms of the invention will now be described by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view from inside of part of the roof and of one wall of a greenhouse, Fig. 2 is a section through one of the spacing and fastening members used in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of one end of the member shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 to Fig. 8 inclusive are sections through various alternative members to that shown in Fig.

2.

Referring first to Fig. 1, a greenhouse comprises metal framing including a roof rail 1 and an eaves rail 2. Extending from these rails are glazing bars 3 each having a flanged channel on its inner margin.

Spacing and fastening members 4 have at one end means for locking into the channels and at the other end means for securing a transparent plastics film 5. This film may either be clear and serve as double glazing to conserve heat as in the case of a heated greenhouse, or it may be tinted to serve as shading. The film 5 is spaced about 25mm from the glazing of the greenhouse to secure the optimum heat conservation consistent with providing clearance over various projections usually encountered in such metal structures, such as re-inforcing stays.

The form of the spacers 4 is shown in detail in various embodiments of the invention illsutrated in Figs. 2 to 8.

In Fig. 2 the spacer comprises a body 6 having at one end a key-like projection 7 (the shape of which is shown in the end view in Fig. 3) supported by a neck portion 8. The length of the neck portion 8 is very slightly less than the thickness of flanges 9 forming the margins of a channel 10 in the glazing bar 3. Thus when the projection 7 is entered in the channel 10 and the body 5 turned, the upper faces of the projection engage the surface of the flanges 9 with an interference fit.

The opposite end of the body 6 is provided with a stud-like head 11 and a separate cap 12 is arranged to snap over this head. In use the film 5 is trapped inside the cap 1 2 when the latter is snapped over the head 11. The body 6 is of relatively rigid material and the cap 12 is of relatively resilient material.

In the case of the top row of fastening members 4 in Figure 1 and around any door or vents, when used as double glazing, the film is trapped between the projection 7 and the channel so as to seal off the intervening space at these positions.

In Fig. 4 the body 16 has a projection 1 7 identical to the projection 7 of Fig. 2. The other end of the body 16 has a recess 21, the body being in this case of relatively resilient material. A relatively rigid stud 22 is arranged to snap into the recess 21 with the film 5 trapped between the two.

In Fig. 5 a relatively resilient body 26 is a hollow structure and may be formed by chopping off a length from an extrusion. In this form the projection 27 is divided into two parts 27a and 27b, each in the form of an arrow head which will spring over the flanges of the channel and lock behind them. Additional resilience is given to the parts 27a and 27b by arranging for them to pivot about a fulcrum 27c to flex the walls of the body 26. The upper part of the body 26 is similar to that of the body 16 in Fig. 4.

In Fig. 6 a body 36 and projection 37 are the same as the parts 6 and 7 in Fig. 2 but in this case the film 5 is trapped between sprlng fingers 42 formed integrally with the body 36.

In Fig. 7 a body 46 and projection 47 are again the same as the parts 6 and 7 in Fig. 2 but in this case an upper recess 51 is formed from a number of integral spring fingers 51 a and is arranged to receive a rigid stud 52 to trap the film 5.

In Fig. 8 a hollow body 56 is rather similar to that of Fig. 5. In this case however, the arrow heads 57a and 57b are forced apart to engage the flanges of the channel by a pin 57 inserted through an aperture in the top of the body 56. The pin 57 is provided with a head 58 which holds the film 5 in position after it has been pierced by the insertion of the pin. In order to increase the resistance to withdrawal the pin may be formed with very slight recesses 59, where it engages the inside surfaces of the arrow heads 57a and 57b.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A system for fastening a flexible film material to the interior of a metal framed greenhouse or similar structure comprising a number of combined spacing and fastening members each having one face provided with projections for engaging and locking on to a channel in a glazing bar of the structure and another face spaced therefrom provided with means for trapping and holding a part of the film. 2. A spacing and fastening member for use in the system of claim 1, comprising a spacing body having associated with one face thereof means for engaging and locking on to a channel in a glazing bar, and having associated with another face spaced from the first face means for gripping a part of flexible film. 3. A spacing and fastening member as claimed in claim 2, wherein the engaging and locking means comprises a shaped stud which can be entered between flanges of the channel in a glazing bar and adapted to be locked in position by cam action between portions of the stud and portions of the channel as a result of partial rotation of the body. 4. A spacing and fastening member as claimed in claim 2, wherein the engaging and locking means comprises a pair of opposed fingers arranged to move laterally into engagement with flanges of the channel. 5. A spacing and fastening member as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fingers are provided with lead surfaces so that they can be engaged with the flanges by a simple pushing motion. 6. A spacing and fastening member as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fingers are caused to move laterally into engagement with the flanges by inserting between them a pin. 7. A spacing and fastening member as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pin is inserted through the body and has a head which serves to fasten the film to the body. 8. A spacing and fastening member as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the body has a stud-like portion for co-operation with a cap of resilient material, between which stud and cap the flexible film is arranged to be trapped. 9. A spacing and fastening member as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein one end of the body is shaped as a cup or cap-like portion for cooperation with a stud, between which cup and stud the flexible film is arranged to be trapped. 10. A spacing and fastening member as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein one end of the body is provided with integral resilient fingers between which the flexible film is arranged to be trapped. New claims or amendments to claims filed on November 12, 1980. Superseded claims 1-10. New or amended claims 1-13.

1. A system for fastening a flexible film material to the interior of a metal-framed greenhouse or similar structure and in spaced relationship thereto, comprising a plurality of spaced stud-like members each having at one end means for locking into an undercut groove or channel in a glazing bar of the structure, and at the other end means for securing to it a small area of the film.

2. A system for fastening a flexible film material to the interior of-a metal-framed greenhouse or similar structure and in spaced relationship thereto, comprising a number of combined studlike spacing and fastening members each having one end face provided with projections which can alternatively be passed freely through the lips of an undercut channel in a glazing bar of the structure or locked therein, and another end face spaced therefrom provided with means for securing to the member a small area of the film.

3. A spacing and fastening member for use in the system of claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a spacing body having associated with one face thereof means for engaging and locking into an undercut channel in a glazing bar, and having associated with another face thereof spaced from the first face means for securing a small area of a flexible film.

4. A member according to claim 3, wherein the engaging and locking means comprises a shaped head which can be freely entered between the lips of the channel and can be locked in position by partial rotation of the body so as to place projections of the head behind the lips of the channel.

5. A member according to claim 3, wherein the engaging and locking means comprises a pair of opposed fingers arranged to move laterally so as to cause locking projections thereof to lie behind the lips of the undercut channel.

6. A member according to claim 5, wherein the fingers are springy and are biased so as to engage behind the lips of the channel.

7. A member according to claim 5, wherein the fingers are moved laterally and/or locked in that position by a separate member inserted between them.

8. A member according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the means for securing a part of the film comprises a cap co-operating with a plug portion of the member, one or both of them being resilient so that a portion of the flexible film may be trapped between them.

9. A member according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the means for securing a part of the film comprises a separate stud which co-operates with a cup or cap-like portion of the member between which cap and stud are flexible film is arranged to be trapped.

10. A member according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein integral resilient fingers are provided between which a portion of the flexible film is arranged to be gripped.

11. A member according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the means for securing the flexible film comprises a headed pin-like member having a shaft which is adapted to pierce the film and be held in a bore in the member with the head holding the film in position.

12. A member according to claims 7 and 11, wherein the pin of claim 11 serves as the locking member of claim 7.

1 3. A member according to claim 12, wherein the pin has a narrowed portion that engages between the fingers so that the pin is held by the fingers against withdrawal.