GB2203768A - Constructional system for glazed frame buildings - Google Patents

Abstract

There is disclosed a kit of parts for constructing frame buildings and in particular glazed structures. Means for constructing a box ridge cap section comprise a ridge member 20 interfitting with a pair of side members 32 apertured at intervals and secured at low side of the box by cross members 100. Glazing forks 90 are fitted to lower ends of side members 32. Ridge extensions 50 may be fitted to the ridge member 20 and to which ventilator flaps 40 may be pivotally supported for operation by levers 101 extending through apertures in the side members 32. The forks 90 are adapted to support double glazing in bars (1 Fig 6) having stiffening means (122, 6 Fig 6). Glazing bar supports, panel jointers, beams, valley members, are also provided. <IMAGE>

Description

"CONSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEM FOR FRAME BUILDINGC This invention relates to a constructional system for use in buildings and particularly frame buildings such as conservatories, atriums and the like.

It is known to use extrusions, for example of aluminium, which interfit or interlock to enable a framelike structure of a building to be constructed and secured by bolts, clips and the like and to prove glazing bars for single or double glazing.

It is an object to provide improved extrusions whereby building frames for glazed structures of a wide variety of shapes and sizes may readily be constructed to allow for facility of glazing, structural strength and aesthetics.

A kit of parts for construting a glazed conservatory or the like and comprising a series of extrusions in aluminium or like metal or alloy including a ridge member at least one glazing form member, at least two ridge side members, a plurality of lower box members and a plurality of glazing bars and glazing bar stiffening flange means, in which the ridge rr.=-rber is of inverted V-form having pendant upright web portions extending downwardly adjacent and upwardly spaced from ends of limbs of the ridge, the flange portions being of inverted T-form and formed in lower faces of the T-heads with T-slots; the ridge side members each comprising a web formed with a T-head at one edge and at the opposite edge with an inclined flanged formed at one side with a T-slot and on the opposite side with a transverse flange formed at an end with an M6 threaded channel parallel to the web and open away from the T-head; the or each glazing fork comprising a T-head at the base of a fork comprising a pair of outer elongate parallel sides and a pair of intermediate parallel flanges spaced apart to define three channel spaces for receipt and location of glazing and glazing bars, the T-head being inclined to the fork sides and being formed centrally with an M6 threaded channel facing away from the fork; the lower box members being adapted for spanning the space between M6 threaded channels of the side members when the T-heads of the members are located in respective T-slots of the ridge member for securement by M6 bolts passing therethrough into the channel; each glazing bar being of generally rectangular profile in section having one wider face formed centrally with a lipped recess adapted to accommodate the head of an M6 bolt and receive a capping strip in clip fit manner the one wider face extending on opposite sides of the recess in generally flat manner, and on the. opposite wider face being formed centrally with an M6 threaded channel projecting beyond the rectangular profile and outwardly of this channel on each side with a pair of plain channels; the glazing bar stiffening means comprise a lower flange and centrally on one side thereof with web spacer means adapted at the side thereof remote from the lower flange to fit within a glazing bar central lipped recess for securement by an M6 bolt passed through the threaded channel.

Suitably the ridge member is formed in outwardly facing sides of the pendant flanges with upright T-slots and hood members having T-heads engageable with the upright T-slots and adapted to provide stormproof hoods are provided. Suitably the T-heads are formed centrally with M6 threaded channels for securement to the pendant flanges by bolts passing therethrough.

The side members are suitably provided with apertures at intervals along their length for ridge vent purposes, and the hood members are suitably formed with means for hingedly supporting vent flaps in the form of extrusions and operated by members extending through the apertures of the side members from within the ridge.

Each glazing fork is suitably formed at a lower inner limb with an upright downwardly open M6 threaded channel whereby in a ridge structure a further stiffening can be effected by tying glazing forks at opposite sides of the ridge by transverse lower-box members.

The glazing bar stiffening means may comprise an extrusionof generally T-section having a continuous web spacer and suitable for use in straight inclined flat roofs or it may comprise a lower flange extrusion having a series of web spacers secured thereto and suitable for curved roofs. In each case the lower flange is formed adjacent outer edges with M6 threaded channels on the same side as the web spacer and on the opposite side adjacent the web spacer a pair of spaced apart M6 threaded channels.

The kit of parts suitably includes an extrusion adapted to serve as a glazing bar lower support and of generally T-shaped section with the stem of the T offset from centre, the shorter limb of the T-head being formed with an assymetric T-head slightly inclined away from the main stem. The main stem being formed on opposite sides of its foot with sidewardly open T-slots and an extended foot portion on the side opposite the shorter limb of the main T-head. The longer limb of the main T-head is formed at its end with an upwardly extending lipped flange and below the flange with a sidewardly open groove. The Tslot on the side of the shorter limb of the main T-head is adapted to receive the T-head of a stormproof hood extrusion.

An arcuate section extrusion is suitably provided having a foot portion and a lipped portion at opposite sides, the lipped portion being adapted to fit in the groove of the glazing bar support and the foot portion to level with the extended foot of the main stem to define within the arcuate section, the stem and longer head limb of the T, a space an an extended foot support.

The kit suitably includes extrusions for serving as panel jointers, each comprising a generally channel section of hermaphroditic form whereby opposed channel sections may be snap-fitted together to define a box. Suitably within each channel there is a pair of spaced flanges defining a slot for receipt of a neoprene tube gasket seal, and spaced therefrom a pair of flanges formed on opposed faces with dovetail slots for receipt of a thermal break. The arrangement is such that in a box formed by a pair of engaged extrusions the neoprene gasket of each is buffered by the thermal break of the other.

The kit suitably includes an extrusion adapted to serve as a beam for tying across a roof structure, and of cross-section comprising a central upright channel with lateral lower flange extensions at the lower base of the channel. Upper edges of the channel sides are suitably outwardly divergent with extremities formed with downwardly and inwardly open cylindrical slots. A further upwardly open cylindrical slot is formed centrally of the channel base and opposed thereto on the lower side is a downwardly open M6 threaded channel. Extremities of the lower flange extensions are formed with upwardly and inwardly open cylindrical slots.

The kit suitably includes a valley member extrusion of generally V-form in section having a central channel extending upwardly between the sides of the V and formed at its upper open end with opposed M6 threaded portions, and towards ends of the sides inwardly and upwardly facing with M6 threaded channels.

The V is formed with a flattened bottom with a recess on the lower side, and a corresponding opposed recess is formed at the upper side of the central channel, the recess being adapted to locate web spacers for securement to lower flanges or for securement of two valley extrusions in spaced parallel relation.

Outwardly above the M6 threaded channels inner flanges are provided to serve to locate glazing bar ends, and bendable clips are provided for securement of glazing bars to the valley by M6 bolts engaging the threaded channels thereof.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying partly diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an end elevation of a ridge section of a conservatory embodying a number of different extrusions; Figure 2 is an end elevation, partly in section, of the ridge section of a lean-to conservatory construction; Figure 3 is an end elevation of part of a leanto roof structure embodying a roller blind mechanism; Figure 4 is an end elevation of part of a roof structure showing embodying a blind drive motor; Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of part of a curved roof structure; Figure 6 is a fragmentary sideview of the structure of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a section through a straight roof structure; Figure 8 is a section of a glazing bar extrusion; Figure 9 is a section of a plastics capping strip for use with the glazing bar of Figure 8;; Figure 10 is a section of an extrusion adapted to serve as a lower flange and to provide guide channels for a blind or the like; Figure 11 is a section of extrusion for use in straight inclined roofing structures; Figure 12 is a section of a roof cap extrusion; Figure 13 is a section of an extrusion adapted to serve as the side member of a box ridge; Figure 14 is a section of an extrusion adapted to serve as a ridge ventilator flap Figure 15 is a section of an extrusion adapted to serve as a storm-proof hood and also as a hinge joint to the flap of Figure 14; Figure 16 is a section of an extrusion adapted to serve as an extension of that of Figure 15; Figure 17 is a section of a cover member for blind mechanism or the like; Figure 18 is a section of an extrusion adapted to serve as a jointer between panels;; Figure 19 is a section of a glazing bar fork for providing a weatherproof junction between a ridge assembly and roof glazing; Figure 20 is a section of an alternative glazing bar fork extrusion.

Figure 21 is an end elevation of a beam extrusion Figure 22 is a transverse section of a valley construction, and Figure 23 is a sectional elevation of the arrangement at a lower edge of a curved roof structure.

The ridge assembly of Figure 1 comprises a ridge cap member 20 shown alone and described below in connection with Figure 12, a pair of side members 32 shown alone and described below in connection with Figure 13, a pair of ridge ventilator flaps 40 shown alone and described below in connection with Figure 14, a pair of storm-proof hoods 50 shown alone and described below in connection with Figure 15, a pair of glazing bar forks 90 shown alone and described below in connection with Figure 19, and a number of lower box members 100 which may comprise short lengths of angle arranged transversely at intervals lengthwise of the assembly or short lengths of the extrusion shown and described below in connection with Figure 10.

The side members 32 are oppositely arranged with theirupper T-heads engaging respective lower T-slots in the ridge cap member 20. Main webs of the side members are suitably formed with ventilating apertures which also serve for the passage of operating lever 101 for operating the vent flaps 40. Lower ends of the side members 32 are secured by means of M6 bolts to cross members 100, the ridge cap 20, side members 32 and cross members 100 defining a box ridge beam and a ridge ventilator space. A stormproof hood 50 is secured to each side of the ridge cap 20, the T-heads of the hoods 50 slidably engaging the side facing T-slots of the ridge cap 50 and being secured by M6 bolts. Ventilator flaps 40 are hingedly suspended from each of the hoods 50 by rod and cap coupling and bridge the main webs of the side members 32.Operating levers 101 extend through apertures in the side members 32 and are hingedly coupled to lower ends of the flaps 40 for driving the flaps 40 in opening and closing movement.

Glazing bar forks 90, oppositely arranged have their upper T-heads slidably engaged in lower T-slots of the side members and secured by M6 bolts. If desired the box beam may be further stiffened by lengths of angle or of the member of Figure 10 arranged transversely between the lower threaded channels of the glazing bars 90 and secured by M6 bolts.

The glazing forks provide location for upper roof glazing material and glazing bars used therewith.

Figure 2 illustrates a generally similar ridge cap structure employed with a lean-to roof, one of the hoods 50 and of the forks 90 being omitted on one side, and the side member 32 at that side being secured to a wall plate.

Figure 3 shows part of a lean-to roof with the ridge cap structure of Figure 2 omitted straight double glazed ridge bars 105 as described below in connection with Figure 7 are secured to a lower web and flange member 106 of the form shown in Figure 11 and which serves to provide stiffening and support.

At the upper end the member 106 is bent in a curve away from upper portions of the glazing bar 105 and the lower flange of the member 106 is supported at an angle secured to a support beam 107 which also serves to support the ridge cap assembly of Figure 2 The space above the lower flange serves to accommodate a spring loaded roof blind upper roller 108 supported by the member 106.

Figure 4 illustrates the lower support arrangement for the roof of Figure 3. The lower end of the web and flange of the member 106 is partially cut-away in arcuate manner and extends about a combination of a member 60, shown and described below in connection with Figure 16, and a member-74, shown and described below in connection with Figure 17, coupled together aboutablind winding motor on a support. At the lower edge the glazing and glazing bars are capped by an angle end retainer 108, and the lower end of the member 106.

Figures 5 and 6 concern a curved roof structure in which a pair of opposed glazing bars 1 shown and described below in connection with Figure 10 locate ends of double glazed panes 120 therebetween and are secured together by M6 bolts 121. A plastics cap strip 5A is provided to clip in and cover the M6 bolts in the outer glazing bar 1, and the lower glazing bar is secured at longitudinally spaced intervals by M6 bolts and web spacers 122 to a lower flange 6 comprising an extrusion as shown in and described below in connection with Figure 10. The web spacers, as seen in Figure 6 comprise a generally circular body having upper and lower flat flanges which locate in channel recesses of the inner glazing bar and the lower flange.

Figure 7 concerns a straight inclined roof structure similar to Figure 5 but differing in that the web spacers and the lower flange 6 are replaced by extrusion as shown in and described below in connection with Figure 14.

In the arrangements of Figures 5 and 7 the inner glazing bar and the lower flange and the intervening web spacers or webs serve as a rigid beam structure.

Figure 8 illustrates in end view a glazing bar extrusion 1 suitably of aluminium and which may be used in opposed pairs as shown in Figures 5 to 7 to form the function of inner and outer glazing bars.

The glazing bar 1 has a central upper lipped recess 2 adapted to accommodate the head of an M6 bolt and receive a plastic capping strip in clip fit manner.

On the upper side the strip extends on opposite sides of the recess in flat manner to parallel sides and is of generally rectangular cross-section profile.

The lower side is formed with a central channel having sides 4 projecting downwardly beyond the profile to form sidewardly and outwardly facing glazing stops.

The inner sides of the channel are formed with M6 threads and apertures may be formed at longitudinally spaced intervals between the recess 2 and the channel 3 for the passage 9f M6 bolts. Outwardly of the channel 3 on opposite sides the underside is formed with four channels of which the outer two provide a self-draining capability and hollow tube gaskets at one or both of the other two to seal and hold glazing in place. The recess 2 is also adapted to cooperate with a web spacer such as in Figures 5 and 6 to be secured by an M6 bolt passing through a prepared aperture in the floor of the recess from the channel 3. Lengths of glazing bar may be used straight or may be curved for decorative effect and are intended to be used generally as shown in Figures 5 to 7 with a stiffening member.A pair of spaced parallel shallow ribs 5 extend longitudinally of the recess 2 symmetrically on opposite sides of a centre line and generally opposite sides of the channel 3 to provide locating means, and forms a self-draining channel on either side of the M6 bolts.

Figure 9 illustrates a capping strip 5A clipped into the recess 3 of a glazing bar over the head of an M6 bolt 7 to.provide a weatherproof closure and decorative finish.

Figure 10 is an end elevation of an extrusion 6 suitably of aluminium adapted to serve as a stiffening member or lower flange of a stiffened assembly as shown in Figures 5 and 6, and also to serve as a guide for a roof blind, and has a cross-section within a generally rectangular outer profile.

Centrally disposed on the upper and lower sides are opposed recesses 7,8 extending longitudinally of the stiffening and guiding member 6. The lower recess 8 is formed similarly to the recess 3 of the glazing bar for accommodation of the head of an M6 bolt and receipt of a plastic cap strip 5A, and the upper recess 7 is flat parallel sided and flat floored to provide a locating channel for web spacers such as that of Figure 6 secured by M6 bolts secured through apertures formed between the recesses 7,8. On opposite sides of the lower recess 8 there are formed M6 threaded slots 9, and spaced outwardly at opposite sides of the member 6 the upper side is formed with M6 threaded channels 10. Lipped channels 11 are formed at opposite side edges of the member 6, and wider lipped channels 12 are formed on the upper side between the channels 9,10.The member 6 may be employed straight or may be bent longitudinally for use with curved structures.

The channels 9 provide a guide to fix the member 6 to the inside edge of an extrusion according to Figure 16 at the base of a curved roof, as generally shown in Figure 23.

The channels 10 provide a guide to fix the extrusion of Figure. 21 to the base of the curve to form a truss. The channels 12 between each set of M6 channels 9,10 to provide guides for a roller blind tape and allows a blind to bypass the extrusion of Figure 16 and engage with roller blind pulley wheels generally as shown in Figure 3.

The extrusion 14 of Figure 11 is generally for use in straight inclined roofs to act as a web and lower flange as shown in Figure 7 and is generally of inverted T-shape with a thickened foot to the stem of the T formed centrally in alignment with the stem of the T with an M6 threaded channel 15. The head of the T is generally similar in form to the member 6 of Figure 10, without the recesses 7,8, having an upper central recess 16 between the channels 9 and a lower flat surface therebetween. The stem of the T extends centrally upwardly from the recess 16. The thickened foot is designed to fit within the central recess 2 of the member 1 of Figure 8 and to embrace the ribs 5. To this end a shallow longitudinal channel 17 is formed at the upper side.

The threaded channels 9,10 serve the same purpose as those of the Figure 10 extrusion 6, as do the channels 12.

The extrusion of Figure 12 comprises a ridge cap 19 and is generally symmetrical about a vertical centre line. A central upper portion 20 is formed with an upper channel 21 having an upper portion 22 for clip fit receipt of a capping strip generally as in Figure 9 and a lower channel portion 23 of increased width intended for receipt of angles sandwiching a ridge comb therebetween. An M6 threaded channel 24 extends downwardly, centrally of the portion 20 and ridge flanges 25 slope downwardly from the central portion 20 on opposite sides. Upwardly of lower edges of the flanges 25 there are formed downwardly extending upright webs 26 formed at lower ends with horizontal flanges. 27 in inverted T manner.

The flanges 27 are formed with downwardly open T-slots 28 and corresponding sidewardly facing slots 29 are formed on outer sides of the webs 26. At the facing junctures of the ridge flanges 25 and upright webs 26 there are formed cylindrical channels 30 of small diameter adapted to provide fixtures for self-tapping screws for securing a ridge and plate. T-slots 28,29 provide sliding fits for complimentary parts of the extrusions of Figures 13 and 15. The ridge cap 19 is adapted to form the top side of a box structure, as in Figure 1, which serves as a ridge beam. The channels 30 also provide guides for self-tapping screws whereby an aluminium closure plate may be secured at the end of a ridge assembly to seal the box ridge.

The extrusion 32 of Figure 13 is adapted to act as a box ridge side member as shown in Figure 1, and comprises an upright web 33 formed with a stepped T-head 34 adapted slidably to engage a T-slot 28 of a ridge cap, and an inclined lower portion formed on one side with a T-slot 35 and on the opposite side at the junction with the web 33 with a normal flange terminating with an upright downwardly open M6 threaded channel 36. The slot 35 provides a channel for receipt of T-pieces of any number of glazing bar forms such as those of Figures 19 and 20 in sliding fit. The M6 threaded channel provides a guide for completion of the underside of the box ridge using short pieces of the extrusion of Figure 10 or of angle secured between spaced opposed side members 32 generally as in Figure 1.A channel-shaped space 37 between the M6 threaded channel 36 and the web 33 is arranged for carrying electrical cables, and the web 33 is suitably provided at longitudinal intervals with cut-outs for the passage of air for ventilation, and for passage of ridge ventilator levers to pass therethrough.

The extrusion 40 of Figure 14 is adapted for use as a ridge ventilator flap and comprises an upper downwardly open cylindrical charnel 41 for hingedly mounting on a complimentary portion of the extrusion at Figure 15, and a lower upwardly open cylindrical channel 42 at the opposite side for receipt of the end joint of the ridge vent lever. An operating lever is secured in the channel 42 in a bar and Ccup manner for hinge movement. A downwardly open channel is formed below and on the same side of the channel 42 for receipt of a gasket for sealingly engaging a surface of a member according to Figure 13 when in use.

The extrusion of Figure 15 comprises a stormproof hood member 50 adapted to cooperate with a ridge cup member of Figure 12 and a ventilator flap of Figure 14 as shown in Figure. The member 50 has a horizontally arranged T-head formed centrally of the head with an M6 threaded channel 51 extending into the T-stem. From the front of the T a hood flange 52 extends downwardly at an inclination corresponding to that of the ridge flanges of ridge cap member and adapted to form an extension thereof.

The flange 52 at its lower end is downwardly curved and is formed internally of the curved portion and closed to the lower edge with an inwardly open cylindrical channel 53 closely below the T-head the hood flange 52 is formed with a downwardly extending upright web 54 having a lower inwardly and upwardly turned portion formed and a free end with an upwardly and inwardly open cylindrical channel 55 formed for sliding engagement within a channel 41 of a member according to Figure 14. Above channel 55 and on the opposite side the web 54 is formed with a horizontal platform 56 and an upwardly and outwardly open cylindrical channel 57 is formed between the web 54 and platform 56. Above the curved lower end the hood flange 52 is formed internally with a downwardly and inwardly open T-slot 58.On the upper side below the T-head 51 the hood flange is formed with three steps for registration with the ends of glazing bars and glazing when the hood member is used at the junction of roof and wall and the hood flange 52 serves to shed water beyond the wall. The member 50 provides for sliding engagement with both the member of Figure 12 and that of Figure 16 and for rigid fixing by M6 bolts.

The extrusion 60 of Figure 16 is adapted when combined with that of Figure 15 to act as a kerb for supporting glazing bars, the flange of the Thead 51 being fitted with a lower T-slot 61 of the extrusion 60 and secured by M6 bolts. The extrusion 60 comprises an upright web 62 formed at a lower end with opposed sidewardly facing T-slots 61,63 and at its upper end with a transverse flange 64 extending on opposite sides. On the side of the slot 61 the transverse flange 64 extends a lesser distance than on the other side and at its free end is formed with an upwardly and inwardly inclined transverse flange 65, inclined at a suitable angle from the vertical to receive the inner glazing bar. At its other end the flange 64 is formed with an upwardly and inwardly inclined flange 66 right angledoutwardlyatitstop with a flange 67, and parallel to the flange 65.At the juncture between flanges 64,66 there is formed an upwardly and outwardly open cylindrical slot 68. The flange 64 extends beyond the flange 66 to provide a short extension 69, below and outwardly of which is formed a short slot 70. The lower side of the web 62 is formed with an inwardly extending flange 71 having an upwardly lipped inner end 72 defining with the lower flange of the T-slot 63 a channel 73 having an inwardly and downwardly inclined floor. The flanges 66 and 65 serve as spacers between the glazing bars and an inner or lower flange of roof glazing and also provides a ledge 69 on which the inner flange sits.

The extrusion 74 of Figure 17 is adpated to serve in conjunction with that of Figure 16 as a cover for roof blind winding mechanism. It comprises an arcuate web of height corresponding to that of member 60 of Figure 16, formed at its upper end with a stepped down horizontal flange 75 adapted to fit within slot 70 of member 60 and fit with the extension 69. At its lower end there is formed an inwardly and downwardly inclined flange 76 of which the lower end and the lower end of the web are formed with feet 77,78, spaced apart in a horizontal plane.

The upper surface of the flange 76 is formed centrally with a shallow V-groove, and the inner arcuate surface is formed with a pair of spaced ribs 79. Small slots are suitably cut from extrusion 74 to line up with the channels 12 of the Figures 10 and 11 extrusions, when in use, to allow movement of roller blind tapes onto a winding mechanism encased by an extrusion 74.

The extrusion 80 of Figure 18 is adapted for use as a jointerbetween panels and operates by pushfit with a reversed extrusion of the same kind.

To this end the extrusion 80 comprises an upright web 81 having a lower flange 82 formed internally with a raised shoulder 83 facing the web 81, and outwardly thereof with an arcuate rib 84 and an outer upwardly chamfered end. At its upper end and spaced downwardly the web 81 is formed with an upper flange 85, parallel to the lower flange 82 and formed with a headed end 86 defining a shoulder adapted to snapfit with the shoulder 83 of a reversed extrusion 80 whereby a box-like structure is obtained. Above the lower flange 82 there is a pair of spaced flanges 87 defining a slot for receipt of a hollow tube neoprene gasket seal, and below the upper flange 85 a pair of spaced flanges 88 formed on opposed faces with dovetail slots define a space for receipt of a thermal break which acts as a buffer to an opposed neoprene gasket of a mated reversed extrusion 80.

A pair of mated extrusions 80 defines a central void in which to fix an angle, suitably of stainless steel, used to secure the wall panels to a cill, and provides space for the passage of electric cables.

A pair of spaced V-grooves is formed on the side of the extrusion 80 opposite to the space defined by flanges 88 to provide a clean cut when forming the thermal break.

Figures 19 and 20 illustrate two examples of glazing bar fork 90 adapted for different inclinations of glazing and which are for use with extrusions 32 of Figure 13 as shown in Figure 1 by sliding a T-head 91 of a fork 90 into a T-slot 35 of a member 32 and securing by M6 bolts. A fork 90 comprises outer and inner flanges 92,93 extending in spaced parallel manner, downwardly at an outward inclination to the T-head 91, and having therebetween a pair of spaced flanges of lesser height defining upper and lower spaces 94,95. When single glazing is used, spaces 94,95 act as guides to trap the outer and inner glazing bars respectively. When double glazing is used, spaces 96 and 95 act as guides to trap the outer and inner glazing bars respectively with the glazing element held between them in space 94.On the underside of 93 is a V-groove to provide a guide for drilling a suitable hole to enable an M6 bolt to be inserted and secure in place the underside of the inner glazing bar. The outer flange 92 serves as a stormguard and at its lower end has a turned in lip. The inner flange 93 is formed with an M6 threaded channel appropriately positioned for securing a plate or cross member transversely of a roof ridge structure, to complete a box structure when long spans are employed. The channel between the outer flange 92 and the adjacent lower flange serves to trap an outer glazing bar and to provide the necessary weather cover, the curved lip of the outer flange serving to prevent capillary action.

Figure 21 is an end view of a beam extrusion 120, suitably of aluminium and comprising a central upright channel 121 having a lower base 122 with lateral flange extensions 123 at each side of and below the level of the channel base 122. The channel 121 is open upwardly, with upright sides 124 diverting outwardly at upper ends 125 which at their extremities are formed downwardly and inwardly open cylindrical slots 126. A further cylindrical upwardly open slot 127 is formed centrally of the channel base 122 which is formed oppositely on the underside with a downwardly open M6 threaded channel 128. Lower sides of the flanges 123 adjacent the channel 128 are chamfered upwardly to the base 122, and outer edges are formed with upwardly and inwardly open cylindrical slots 129 of larger diameter than the slots 126,127.

An apertured plate, not shown, may be secured over the end of the channel 121 by self-tapping screws entering the slots 126 and 127, and the plate may be secured by a bolt passing in the reverse direction through the plate into a lower flange 6 or 14 of a roof truss. Further bolts-may be passed through the lower flange in the opposite direction to engage the cylindrical slots 129.

The channel 121 provides a slot for receipt of lower ends of roof truss members and the M6 threaded channel 128 allows for securement from below.

Figure 22 is a fragmentary view of a valley section including a valley member 130 of generally right angle V-form having a flat bottom 131 with upwardly extending side flanges 132 formed towards their upper ends with upwardly and inwardly extending M6 threaded channels 133, and further towards their ends with upwardly and inwardly extending flanges 134 of equal height to the channels 133. The flat bottom 131 is formed centrally on the underside with a shallow slot 135 and on the upper side with upstanding spaced flanges 136 of height slightly less than that of the sides 132. At upper portions 137 the flanges 136 are thickened inwardly and opposed faces of the thickened portions are M6 threaded to define an M6 threaded slot 138.An outwardly and upwardly extending lip 139 is formed at the upper end of each flange 136 and defining therebetween a shallow upwardly open slot 140 extending on opposite sides of the entry to threaded slot 138.

The slots 135,140 serve to locate web spacers 122, such as in Figure 6, whereby a pair of valley sections may be connected in parallel to provide for stiffening of valley structure where required.

The valley member may be secured to ends of glazing bars by bent plate members 142 secured by M6 bolts and adapted to accommodate different inclinations of glazing bars as may be experienced in curved roofs.

The upper side of the valley may be closed by a glazing bar 1 with suitable plastics extrusions 141 embracing opposite sides thereof and the outer glazing.

Upper outer edges of the flanges 134 are suitably outwardly lipped in chamfered manner to provide a locating stop for inner glazing bars of the roof as seen at the left of Figure 22.

It will be understood that the T-slots and interfitting T-heads are similar throughout.

Claims (27)

1. A kit of parts for constructing a glazed conservatory or the like and comprising a series of extrusions in aluminium or like metal or alloy including a ridge member at least one glazing fork member, at least two ridge side members, a plurality of lower box members and a plurality of glazing bars and glazing bar stiffening flange means, in which the ridge member is of inverted V-form having pendant upright web portions extending downwardly adjacent and upwardly spaced from ends of limbs of the ridge, the flange portions being of inverted T-form and formed in lower faces of the T-heads with T-slots; the ridge side members each comprising a web formed with a T-head at one edge and at the opposite edge with an inclined flange formed at one side with a T-slot and on the opposite side with a transverse flange formed at an end with an M6 or the like threaded channel parallel to the web and open away from the T-head; the or each glazing fork comprising a T-head at the base of a fork comprising a pair of outer elongate parallel sides and a pair of intermediate parallel flanges spaced apart to define three channel spaces for receipt and location of glazing and glazing bars, the T-head being inclined to the fork sides and being formed centrally with an M6 or the like threaded channel facing away from the fork; the lower box members being adapted for spanning the space between M6 or the like threaded channels of the side members when the T-heads of the members are located in respective T-slots of the ridge member for securement by M6 or the like bolts passing therethrough into the channel; each glazing bar being of generally rectangular profile in section having one wider face formed centrally with a lipped recess adapted to accommodate the head of an M6 or the like bolt and receive a capping strip in clip fit manner the one wider face extending on opposite sides of the recess in generally flat manner, and on the opposite wider face being formed centrally with an M6 or the like threaded channel projecting beyond the rectangular profile and outwardly of this channel on each side with a pair of plain channels; the glazing bar stiffening means comprise a lower flange and centrally on one side thereof with web spacer means adapted at the side thereof remcte from the lower flange to fit within a glazing bar central lipped recess for securement by an M6 or the like bolt passed through the threaded channel.

2. A kit of parts according to claim 1, in which the ridge member is formed in outwardly facing sides of the pendant flanges with upright T-slots and hood members having T-heads engageable with the upright T-slots and adapted to provide stormproof hocds are provided.

3. A kit as claimed in claim 2, in which the Theads are formed centrally with M6 or the like threaded channels for securement to the pendant flanges by bolts passing therethrough.

4. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim in which the side members are provided with apertures at intervals along their length for ridge vent purposes.

5. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim in which hood members are formed with means for hingedly supporting vent flaps in the form of extrusions and operated by members extending through the apertures of the side members from within the ridge.

6. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim in which each glazing fork is formed at a lower inner limb with an upright downwardly open M6 or the like threaded channel whereby in a ridge structure a further stiffening can be effected by tying glazing forks at opposite sides of the ridge by transverse lower-box members.

7. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim in which the glazing bar stiffening means include an extrusion of generally T-section having a continuous web spacer and suitable for use in straight inclined flat roofs.

8. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim in which the glazing bar stiffening means include a lower flange extrusion having a series of web spacers secured thereto and suitable for curved roofs.

9. A kit as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, in which the lower flange is formed adjacent outer edges with M6 or the like threaded channels on the same side as the web spacer and on the opposite side adjacent the web spacer a pair of spaced apart M6 or the like threaded channels.

10. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim which includes an extrusion adapted to swerve as a glazing bar lower support and of generally T-shaped section with the stem of the T offset from centre, the shorter limb of the T-head being formed with an assymetric T-head slightly inclined away from the main stem, the main stem being formed on opposite sides of its foot with sidewardly open T-slots and an extended foot portion on the side opposite the shorter limb of the main T-head, the longer limb of the main Thead being formed at its end with an upwardly extending lipped flange and below the flange with a sidewardly open groove, and the T-slot on the side of the shorter limb of the main T-head being adapted to receive the T-head of a stormproof hood extrusion.

11. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim including an arcuate section extrusion having a foot portion and a lipped portion at opposite sides, the lipped portion being adapted to fit in the groove of the glazing bar support and the foot portion to level with the extended foot of the main stem to define within the arcuate section, the stem and longer head limb of the T, a space and an extended foot support.

12. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim in which includes extrusions for serving as panel jointers, each comprising a generally channel section of herrua- phroditic form whereby opposed channel sections may be snap-fitted together to define a box.

13. A kit as claimed in claim 12, in which within each panel jointer channel there is a pair of spaced flanges defining a slot for receipt of a neoprene tube gasket seal, and spaced therefrom a pair of flanges formed on opposed faces with dovetail slots for receipt of a thermal break, the arrangement being such that in a box formed by a pair of engaged extrusions the neoprene gasket of each is buffered by the thermal break of the other.

14. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim in which includes an extrusion adapted to serve as a beam for tying across a roof structure, and of cross-section comprising a central upright channel with lateral lower flange extensions at the lower base of the channel, upper edges of the channel sides being outwardly divergent with extremities formed with downwardly and inwardly open cylindrical slots, a further upwardly open cylindrical slot being formed centrally of the channel base and opposed thereto on the lower side is 2 downwardly open M6 or the like threaded channel, and extremities of the lower flange extensions being formed with upwardly and inwardly open cylindrical slots.

15. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim including a valley member extrusion of generally V-form in section having a central channel extending upwardly between the sides of the V and formed at its upper open end with opposed M6 or the like threaded portions, and towards ends of the sides inwardly and upwardly facing with M6 or the like threaded channels, the V being formed with a flattened bottom with a recess on the lower side, and a corresponding opposed recess formed at the upper side of the central channel, the recess being adapted to locate web spacers for securement to lower flanges or for securement of two valley extrusions in spaced parallel relation.

16. A kit as claimed in claim 15, in which outwardly above the ME or the like threaded channels of the valley member, inner flanges are provided to serve to locate glazing bar ends, and bendable clips are provided for securement of glazing bars to the valley by ME or the like bolts engaging the threaded channels thereof.

17. A kit of parts substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A ridge member for a kit of parts as claimed in claim 1, and substantially as described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 12 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A glazing fork member for a kit of parts as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as described with reference to Figures 1, 19 and 20 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A ridge side member for a kit of parts as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 and 13 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A glazing bar for a kit of parts as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as described with reference to Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A glazing bar in assembly with stiffening means and substantially as described with reference to Figures 5 and 6, or 7 and 8, or Figures 10 and 11.

23. A glazing bar stiffening means for a kit of parts as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as described with reference to Figures 5 and 6, 7 or 11 of the accompanying drawings.

24. A glazing bar support for use in a kit of parts as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as described with reference to Figure 16 of the accompanying drawings.

25. A panel jointer for use in a kit of parts as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as described with reference to Figure 18 of the accompanying drawings.

26. A beam for use in a kit of parts as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as described with reference to Figure 21 of the accompanying drawings.

27. A valley member for use in a kit of parts as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as described with reference to Figure 22 of the accompanying drawings.