GB2214945A

GB2214945A - Telescopic glasshouse

Info

Publication number: GB2214945A
Application number: GB8803485A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Peter Crichton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-02-16
Filing date: 1988-02-16
Publication date: 1989-09-13
Also published as: GB8803485D0

Abstract

A telescopic greenhouse, sunroom or conservatory comprises one fixed and one mobile shell 1 & 2. The mobile shell 1 being adapted to extend the usable internal volume of the structure whilst in the extended position, and in the contracted position to form an insulation skin to the fixed shell, and to create a sealed air gap between the outer and inner shells over their full length when heat conservation is more important than internal volume. <IMAGE>

Description

GREENHCUSE, C0NSERU~T3RY OR SUNROoM OF TELESCOPIC CONSTRUCTION This invention relates to the construction of greenhouses, conservatories or sunrooms.

Buildings constructed for high light transmission and/or solar gain (covered by this application) usually incorporate glass into the majority of the external surface. Two particular characteristics of these buildings are important. These are the usable internal volume and the thermal efficiency of the building. Internal usable volume is traditionally determined from the outset by the initial physical dimensions. Seasonal insulation is always desirable in such buildings due to the high thermal conductivity of glass and is usually achieved either through permanent double glazing (which is expensive) or as removable internal or external panels fitted over glass surfaces (which is time consuming to fit and also expensive).

In practice, internal volume may be advantageously reduced during colder weather. If this is accompanied by a reduction in thermal conductivity of the remaining structure without attachment of extra fitments to reduce heat loss then a two-fold advantage is achieved.

According to the present invention there is provided a telescopic greenhouse, sunroom or conservatory comprising one fixed and one mobile shell, the mobile shell being adapted to extend the usable internal volume of the structure whilst in the extended position, and in the contracted position to form an insulation skin to the fixed shell and to create a sealed air gap between the outer and inner shells over their full lengths.

The mobile shell may be the inner or outer component of the telescopic structure, although it is preferred that it should be the outer component since it can then receive same support from the apex of the fixed inner shell.

Means may be provided for locking the mobile shell in any desired position between and including fully contracted and fully extended.

A number of specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1, in schematic diagram, shows the outer and inner structures of a greenhouse according to the invention with the mobile shell in its extended position providing maximum usable internal volume:: Fig 2, in perspective, shows the mobile shell of Fig 1 located over the fixed shell offering improved thermal efficiency through the use of existing building elements; Fig 3 illustrates a typical sealing arrangement between the shells in the closed position (section 'A-A' in Fig 2); Fig 4A and 4B illustrate alternative construction details between the shells at base level. (Section 'B-B' in Fig 2); Fig 5A illustrates a typical arrangement between the apex of the outer and inner shells (section 'C-C' in Fig 2 seen in perspective); Fig 5B illustrates more of the arrangement between the apex of the outer and inner shells (section 'D-D' in Fig 5A); Fig 6 illustrates an alternative application to a lean-to greenhouse, sunroom or conservatory; Fig 7 illustrates an alternative application to a conservatory;; Fig 8 illustrates a particular application to an energy efficient greenhouse, or pit-house where the invention has particular significance; Fig 9 is a section taken along the line 'X-X' in Fig 8; and Fig 10 is a section taken along the line 'Y-Y' in Fig 8, showing in broken line the location of the mobile outer shell in the contracted mode.

Referring to figure 1 the construction of the telescopic greenhouse comprises three essential components.

The fixed shell 2 follows generally a conventional design and may be constructed from wood and/or aluminium within the glazed section and may also incorporate brickwork or wood panels at lower levels.

The mobile shell 1 is designed with a matching cross section but of slightly larger proportions. The design also provides sufficient stiffness and rigidity to the shell to exclude cross members on the inboard gable-end (the right-hand end of this section as sketched in figure 1). Consequently, this section may be retracted from the extended mode illustrated in figure 1 to a contracted mode Fig 2) by a direct horizontal movement.

Component 4 is a continuous base or footing over the extended length of the structure which provides a location and guidance means during the passage of the mobile section and provides correct alignment whilst in the closed or open mode.

In addition, assembly 3 (shown as a typical but not specific design) in figure 2 is the outboard gable-end of the mobile structure and may be a fixed or demountable assembly on the required ground location or alternatively may be in permanent assembly with the mobile section.

In order to encapsulate an air gap between the inner shell and outer canopy in the closed position, seals are provided at either end of the assembly. A typical arrangement is illustrated in figure 3. These are designed to allow for closure of the structure up to, but not beyond, the required overlap, and must not impede the movement of the outer shell up to this location. Sealing strip 5 is of a soft material to create a well formed closure. Sealing strip 6 performs the same function but may be assembled to offer a degree of adjustment, absorbing normal construction misalignments.

Base 4 aligns the outer shell in the open and closed mode in a manner illustrated in figure 4Aand 4B. Fig 4A applies to a heavier construction where guidance and support are necessary during an opening or closing operation. This is particularly appropriate to a "lean-to" type of construction where positive restraint of the outer shell is needed at the base. The skin assembly 14 of the mobile shell is mounted on a movable base member 7. Suitable rolling members 9 are fitted to the underside and these engage with guide rail 8, supporting the weight of the mobile section. The illustration in this case includes optional horizontal rollers 9A bearing against an upright wall of the guide rail 8. The guide rail 8 is fixed rigidly to base 4 which may be constructed in concrete. The glazing 13 of the inner shell is assembled in a conventional manner at ground level.This may utilise the same base construction 4 if appropriate. The air gap between the two shells in the closed mode is sealed at base level by flexible strip 10 which is in contact with the guide rail 8.

Figure 4B details a similar assembly but for a lighter construction. In this case, movement of the mobile shell from the contracted to the extended position is achieved by partially lifting the mobile outer shell at either side and sliding it on low friction strips 12. Unloading the structure from the base for this operation in such a lighter construction is also assisted by slightly pivoting the mobile outer shell upwards around rollers 16 (Fig 5) on the inboard apex.

Fig 5A and Fig 5B illustrates a typical assembly at roof level.

Inner and outer glazing is not shown in this diagram for reasons of clarity. Within the assembly of the outer skin substantial strength is needed between the roof member and the gable-end frame.

In this example this is obtained by the use of rigid assembly 15 into which these members are fitted. Support and alignment of the outer skin may be assisted by the use of a roller 16 which is fitted close to, or in, the gable-end and rests on the ridge bar 17 of the inner shell. When this roller is fitted to the inboard end of the outer skin this is designed into a position so that it remains in contact with the inner ridge bar throughout the passage of the outer skin including the final position in the fully open mode.

The principles of the invention as described may be adapted to suit a lean-to construction (figure 6) or to a conservatory or sunroom designed end-on to a main building (figure 7).

A particular application concerns glazed buildings designed for high thermal efficiency. A typical example is the greenhouse illustrated in Figs 8 to 10 where heat loss is reduced by partially submerging the structure and providing solid elements internally which are able to increase the thermal gain of the building during the day. In this case energy conservation during inclement seasons is particularly important.

In all applications described the outer shell functions as insulation in the contracted mode whilst doubling the usable volume under the building in the extended mode which is generally most useful and cost effective.

Claims

1 A telescopic greenhouse, sunroom or conservatory comprising one fixed and one mobile shell, the mobile shell being adapted to extend the usable internal volume of the structure whilst in the extended position, and in the contracted position to form an insulation skin to the fixed shell and to create a sealed air gap between the outer and inner shells over their full lengths.

2 A telescopic greenhouse, sunroom or conservatory as claimed in claim 1 wherein wall sealing means are provided to encapsulate an air gap between the two building shells in the contracted position.

3 A telescopic greenhouse, sunroom or conservatory as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein base sealing means are provided at the base of the mobile shell to provide an encapsulated air gap between the two building shells in the contracted position.

4 A telescopic greenhouse, sunroom or conservatory as claimed in any preceding claim wherein guidance and location means are provided at the base of the mobile shell to guide the movement of hle .nobile shell through aL1 intermediate positions between the extended and contracted positions.

5 A telescopic greenhouse, sunroom or conservatory as claimed in claim 4 wherein the guidance and location means comprise sliding guides at the base of the mobile shell.

6 A telescopic greenhouse, sunroom or conservatory as claimed in claim 4 wherein the guidance and location means comprise rollers for bearing the weight of the mobile shell.

7 A telescopie greenhouse, sunroom or conservatory as claimed in claim 6 wherein the guidance and location means further comprise transverse rollers for resisting lateral movement.

8 A telescopic greenhouse, sunroom or conservsatory as claimed in any previous claim wherein guidance, sliding and location means are provided at the apex of the structure between the mobile shell and fixed shell.

9 A telescopic greenhouse, sunroom or conservatory as claimed in claim 8 wherein the guidance and location means at the apex comprises one or more rollers.

10 A telescopic greenhouse, sunroom or conservatory as claimed in any previous claim wherein means are provided to lock the mobile shell in any desired position between and including fully contracted and fully extended.

11 A telescopic greenhouse, sunroom or conservatory substantially as described herein with reference to Figs 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.