GB2197893A - Double glazing held to frame members - Google Patents

Abstract

A pre-fabricated building includes a plurality of frame members 18, and a plurality of double glazing units 28 extending between adjacent pairs of frame members respectively. The adjacent edges 30 of each adjacent pair of glazing units 28 externally overlap opposite edges 31 of a respective common frame member 18 and are secured thereto by an external elongate fixing member 32 which overlaps the said adjacent edges 30 of the glazing units 28 on the opposite side thereof to the frame member 18. The external fixing member 32 is secured to the frame member 18 by a fixing means 33 which passes from the fixing member 32 to the frame member 18 via a gap 34 between the adjacent edges of the glazing units 28. <IMAGE>

Description

PREFABRICATED EXTENSION TO A BUILDING This invention relates to a pre-fabricated building, in particular but not exclusively to an extension to an existing building.

Current extensions are primarily constructed by one of the following techniques: 1. Timber frames, which require maintenance and have a limited life span and tend to be draughty and prone to leaks.

2. Aluminium "patent glazing" bars, usually curved with an aluminium bead or P.V.C. capping to hold the glass in place. These are usually lean-to types but two apex types are manufactured in Ireland. These can really only be single glazed on the curved part which necessitates the use of polycarbonates (unbreakable glass) which is cost prohibitive. Double glazing can be achieved by having glass bent, but this is so expensive it is simply never done. The frame itself is not thermally broken.

3. A welded structure in either aluminium or steel.

No pre-fabricated material will withstand the heat of welding, so a cladding must be used inside and out.

It is therefore an object of the invention'to provide an improved construction of extension which mitigates these disadvantages.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a prefabricated building, including a plurality of frame members, and a plurality of double glazing units extending between adjacent pairs of frame members respectively, wherein the adjacent edges of each adjacent pair of glazing units externally overlap opposite edges of a respective common frame member and are secured thereto by an external elongate fixing member which overlaps the said adjacent edges of the glazing units on the opposite side thereof to the frame member, the external fixing member being secured to the frame member by a fixing means which passes from the fixing member to the frame member via a gap between the adjacent edges of the glazing units.

Preferably, the frame members include a plurality of substantially parallel vertical mullions, and a respective roof rafter secured to the top end of each mullion and extending upwardly and inwardly to an apex, the ends of the rafters remote from the mullions being secured at the apex.

The advantage of this arrangement is that the frame for the glazing units, which consists essentially of the mullions (or roof rafters) and associates fixing members, provides a thermal break at the frame, so that together with the double glazing units the overall structure is efficiently insulated against thermal loss. Also, the particular fixing technique according to the invention is simple to erect arid can be formed from pre-existing commercial components.

Thus, for example, the mullions and roof rafters can be constructed from commercially available extruded aluminium square box section of 45 x 45 mm, suitably cut to length, and the fixing members may be extruded aluminium channels 45 mm wide by 20 mm deep also cut to length, the open mouth of each channel facing the associated glazing units such that each edge of the channel cor acts the edge of a respective glazing unit.

Preferably, the mullions and roof rafters are sealed against the edges of the glazing units by a PVC gasket and likewise each edge of each channel is also sealed agains the edge of the respective glazing unit by a PVC gasket. The inside of each channel is perferably filled with a thermal insulating material, such as polystyrene.

The fixing means securing the channels to the mullions and r-oof rafters may comprise self-tapping screws or bolts.

It is envisaged that the extension will extend or some distance with parallel sides directly away from the building to which it t is attached ailed therefore at the end remote from the building the mullions will be disposed on a notion semicircle joined at each end to the parallel sides of the extension. A typical embodiment will have nine mullions disposed on this notional semicircle, thereby defining eight apertures therebetween for accommodating glazing units.

In such case, the roof rafters associated with the end mullions will extend upwardly and inwardly towards a common point, and may be there secured to a rigid multi-armed bracket with a plurality of arms extending downwar-dly and outwardly in complementary direction to the roof rafters, each roof rafter being secured to a respective arm. he arms may engage inside the hollow roof rafters, or alternately the arms may be hollow and the roof rafters may ei gage Ii tlie arms.

For securing a roof ra-fter tn the top clod of each mullion in the case of hollow mullions and roof rafters, an angled bracket may be used which fits into the adjacent ends of the mullion and roof: rafter respectively.

Naturally each parallel side of the extension need not consist entirely of mullions with glazing in between. For example, part or all of each side may comprise a solid or cavity wall extending the entire height of the side, with parallel roof rafters extending upwardly and inwardly from the top of the wall to a horizontal ridge member of box section.Also, a single door or double doors may be provided ii one Side. li is envisaged that the mullions will not extend the entire height of the contruction, but will be built into and extend upwardly from a dwarf wall extending about one third of ttre height of the sides aid erid thereof, excluding the additional height provided by the inclined roofs It will be appreciated however that if so desired the mullions and double glazed units may go all the way to the floor.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view through an extension according to an embodiment of the invention, Figure 1A is a detailed horizontal cross-section taken on the line A-A of figure 1.

Figure 2 illustrates the manner in which mullions and roof rafters are joined at the end of the extension remote from the building to which it is attached, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a glazing unit used in the embodiment of figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an extension which is built to extend directly away from a building to which it is attached looking in the direction towards the building (not shown). It is to be understood that the left hand side of the figure is a mirror image of the right hand side.

The extension comprises two opposite parallel sich walls 10 (only one shown) which extend perpendicularly away from the attache building. Each side wall 10 comprises a dwarf wall 11 extending blow ground level 12 and supported on foundations 13. On the interior of the extension the floor level 14 is higher than the external ground level, and the wall 11 includes a damp proof course 15. The interior of the dwarf wall is finished with timber studding 16 and plaster board 17.

Set into the wall 11 and extending in parallel substantially vertically upwardly thereform are a plurality of mullions 18 of hollow box section, only one being shown. It will be appreciated that in th(2 view chosen the other mull ions will be hidderi behind that shown, and/or in front Us that shown.

A respective roof rafter 19 also of hollow box section, is secured to the top end of each mullion 18 and extends upwardly and inwardly to an apex 20. At the apex 20 each rafter 19 is secured to a horizontal ridge member 21 also of hollow bo section, such securement being effected by sleeves 22 which engage snugly in the ends of the rafters 19 and which are bolted thereto and to the ridge member 21 by galvanised bolts '. tie he ape So is protected by an aluminium capping 50.

It will be appreciated that along the parallel sides of the extension the rafters 19 will be substantially parallel to one another, arid will have the same constant spacing as the mullions 18 to which they are attached For securing each roof rafter 19 to the top end of each mullion 18, an angled bracket 24 is used which fits snugly into the adjacent ends of the mullion and roof rafter respectively and is likewise secured with galvanised bolts 23.

As previously mentioned, the extension extends for some distance with parallel sides directly away from the building to which it is attached, and therefore at the end r-emote from the building the mullions 18 are disposed on a notional semicircle joined at each end to the parallel sides of the extension. In the present case there are nine mullions 18 disposed on this notional semicircle, including the two which constitute the pair at the ends of the parallel side walls of the extension must remote from the attached building. This defines eight apertures therebetween for accommodating glazing units as will be described.

in this curved end region, the roof rafters 19 associated with the nine end mullions 18 will extend upwardly aiid inwardly towards a common point and are there secured to a rigid multi-armed bracket 25 (figure 2) with a plurality of arms 26 extending downwardly and outwardly in complementary direction to the roof rafters, each roof rafter being secured to a respective arm. The arms 26 may engage inside the hollow roof rafters 19, which is the preferred arrangement, or alternately the arms may be hollow and the roof rafters may engage in the arms. the bracket 25 has a rearward horizontal ar-nl 27 which engages in and is secured to the hollow ridge member 21.

A respective double glazing unit 28 extends between and is secured to each adjacent pair of mullions 18 aid to each adjacent pair of roof rafters 19. In respect of the vertical parallel mullions and the parallel roof rafters along the parallel side walls of the extension, the glazing units will be rectangular. However, in respect of the roof rafters at the curved end of the extension, i.e. in respect of the roof rafters which converge to meet the bracket 25, the glazing units will be triangular. Nevertheless, the manner of fixing is the same in each case, and will be described with reference to figure 1A which is a detailed horizontal cross-section taken on one of the upright mullions.

The principle shown in figure 1A is that the adjacent edges 30of each adjacent pair of glazing units 28 externally overlap opposite edges 31 of a respective common mullion 18 (or roof rafter 19) and are secured to the mull ion or roof rafter by an external elongate fixing member 32 which overlaps the said adjacent edges 30 of the glazing units on the opposite side thereof to the mullion or root rafter and is secured to the mulllion or root rafter by a fixing means 33 which passes from the fixing member 32 to the mullion or roof rafter via a gap 34 between the adjacent edges 30 of the glatzing unis.

In particular, the fixing members 32 may be extruded aluminium channels as shown the open mouth of each channel facing the associated glazing units 30 such that each edge 35 of the channel contacts the edge 30 of a respective glazing unit 28.

Freferably, the rrrullions and roof rafters are sealed against the edges of the glazing units by a PVC gasket 36, and likewise each edge 35 of each channel is also sealed against the edge of the respective glazing unit by a PVC gasket :7.

the inside of cacti channel is preferably filled with a thermal insulating material 38, such as polystyrene.

The fixing means 33 securing the channels to the mullions and roof rafters may comprise self-tapping screws or bolts.

It will be appreciated that figure 1A shows the fixing of only one end 30 of each of a pair of adjacent glazing units 28. and that the other ends 30 of these units will be similarly fixed in relation to an adjacent mullion or root rafter.

Figure 3 shows a commercially available glazing unit which may be used in the +oregoi ng embodiment. It comprises a double glazed sash 39 and a main double glazed portion 40.

The sash 39 may be a separate article from the main portion 40, but both are secured in place against the mullions 18 by the fixing channels 32. A PVC cill 41 is provided (see also figure 1), and the top part 42 provides a support for a gutter 43 (figure 1).

As previously mentioned, each parallel side of the extension need not consist entirely of mullions with glazing in between For example, part or all of each side may comprise a solid or cavity wall extending the entire height of the side, with parallel roof rafters extending upwardly and inwardly from the top of the wall to a horizontal ridge member of box section.Also, a single door or double doors may be provided in one side. Thus it is possible that the only portion of the extension in which glazing units as show in figure 3 are used is in the curved end portion most remote from the attached building, the side walls being fully taken up by doors and/or full height walls. However, most if not all of the roof portion will be glazed according to the principles shown in figure 1A.

It will be appreciated that the construction described has the following advantages: 1. It is well-insulated, pre-fabricated and substantially maintenance-free.

2. It is easy to transport and quick to erect.

3. It is structurally solid and long lasting.

4. It can be made from commercially available standard comoponents for cost effectiveness.

5. It has an apex roof with an octagonal or semi-circular design for attrasctiveness and in keeping with Victorian architecture where conservatories originated.

Claims (11)

1. A pre-fabricated building, including a plurality of

frame members, and a plurality of double glazing units extending between adjacent pairs of frame members respectively, wherein the adjacent edges of each adjacent pair of glazing units eternally overlap opposite edges of a respective common frame member and are secured thereto by ari external elongate fixing member which overlaps the said adjacent edges of: the glazi ng uni ts oln the opposite side thereof to the frame member, the external fixing member being secured to the frame member by a fixing means which passes from the fixing member to the frame member via a gap between the adjacent edges of the glazing units.

2. A pre-fabricated building as claimed in claim 12, wherein the frame members are of square box section.

3. A pre-fabricated building as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixing members are of channel section, the open mouth of each channel facing the associated glazing units such that each edge of the channel contacts the edge of a respective glazing unit.

4. A pre-fabricated building as claimed in claim 3, wherein the frame members are sealed against the edges of the glazing units by a gasket, and each edge of each channel is also sealed against the edge of the respective glazing unit by a gasket.

5. A pre-fabricated buildings as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the inside of each channel is filled with a thermal insulating material.

6. A pre-fabricated building as claimed in claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the fixing means securing the channels to the frame members comprise self-tapping screws or bolts.

7. A pre-fabricated building as claimed in claim in any preceding claim, wherein the frame members include a plurality of substantially parallel vertical mullions, and a respective roo+ rafter secured to the top end of each mullion and extending upwardly and inwardly to an apex, the ends of the rafters remote from the mullions being secured at the apex.

8. A pre-fabricated building as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least some of the mullions are disposed on a notional arc, and the roof rafters associated therewith extend upwardly and inwardly towards a common point, the roof rafters being secured to a rigid multi-armed bracket with a plurality of arms extending downwwardly and outwardly from the common point incomplementary direction to the roof rafters, each roof rafter being secured to a respective arm.

9. A pre-fabricated building as claimed in claim 8 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 2, wherein the arms engage inside the hollow roof rafters.

10. A pre-fabricated building as claimed in claim 9, wherein each roof rafter is secured to the top end of its associated mullion by an angled bracket which fits into the adjacent ends of: the mullion and roof rafter respectively.

11. A pre-fabricated building substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.