GB2275945A

GB2275945A - Ridge structure and sealing member for glazed roofs

Info

Publication number: GB2275945A
Application number: GB9404143A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Newey; Charles Damar Dawson
Original assignee: Newdawn & Sun Ltd
Current assignee: Newdawn & Sun Ltd
Priority date: 1993-03-04
Filing date: 1994-03-04
Publication date: 1994-09-14
Anticipated expiration: 2014-03-04
Also published as: GB2275945B; GB9404143D0; GB9304410D0

Abstract

A ridge structure (1) for supporting the ends of glazing panels (2, 3) of a pitched glazed roof has a main longitudinally-extending ridge member (4) and separate filler pieces (5, 6) each mounted on the member (4) to extend between an overhang (18, 19) of the member and a glazing panel, each filler piece bearing a sealing element (7) to seal against the panel. The ridge member and filler pieces are arranged to interengage on assembly to retain the filler pieces, and different filler pieces may be arranged to accommodate different inclinations of glazing panels. <IMAGE>

Description

RIDGE STRUCTURE FOR GLAZED ROOFS This invention relates to a ridge structure for supporting an end of at least one glazing panel of a pitched glazed roof, such as a conservatory roof.

In known ridge structures it can be difficult or time-consuming to provide a water-resistant seal between the ridge structure and the glazing panel.

According to the invention a ridge structure for supporting an end of at least one glazing panel of a pitched glazed roof comprises a main longitudinally-extending ridge member and a separate filler piece arranged to be mounted on the member to extend between a lateral overhang of the member and an end portion of a glazing panel positioned therebeneath, the filler piece bearing a longitudinally-extending sealing element to seal against the panel.

This arrangement provides a simple and effective way of providing a water-resistant seal between the ridge member and the glazing panel.

Preferably the forms of the ridge member and filler piece are such that upon assembly together the two become interengaged for retention of the filler piece, without needing any retaining clips or fastenings to maintain the filler piece in position on the member.

In one preferred construction, a mounting portion of the filler piece is arranged to be fitted beneath a canopy-like wing portion which forms the overhang of the ridge member. The mounting portion interlocks with the ridge member, and extends laterally between an inner locating formation on the member and an outer locating formation on an outer edge portion of the wing, and furthermore is supported from beneath by a supporting portion of the ridge member at a lateral position intermediate those of the inner and outer locating formations. The filler piece also has a lower portion depending from the mounting portion, and carrying the sealing element from its bottom edge.

The mounting portion of the filler piece may be generally in the form of a web comprising two longitudinally-extending planar portions, inclined to each other. The lower portion also comprises a longitudinally-extending planar portion, with an angled bottom edge carrying the sealing element.

The ridge member may be arranged to accommodate two filler pieces, one to each side of a central portion of the member. The member and filler pieces are preferably arranged, furthermore, to accommodate two glazing panels at different pitch inclinations if required.

The ridge member and filler piece, or pieces, may be of extruded aluminium section.

The sealing element, borne by the or each filler piece, may be of any suitable kind for sealing against water penetration between the glazing panel and the filler piece.

There now follows a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a ridge structure which illustrates the invention by way of example.

The single figure of the accompanying drawing is a view in cross-section of a ridge structure shown in co-operation with two glazing panels.

The ridge structure 1 shown in the drawing extends longitudinally and supports upwardly convergent glazing panels of a pitched glazed roof, two panels 2, 3 only being shown. The panels 2, 3 may be, for example, of glass or polycarbonate glazing sheet.

The ridge structure 1 comprises a ridge member 4 and two filler pieces 5, 6, separate from the member 4. Each filler piece is mounted on the member 4 to extend between the member and a portion of a respective glazing panel 2, 3, and carries a sealing element 7 to seal against the panel.

The ridge member 4 is a longitudinally-extending extruded aluminium section comprising an upstanding centre web 8 standing vertically in use, a pair of laterally-extending base webs 9, 10 and a top portion 11 for mounting the filler pieces 5, 6. The base webs 9, 10 project perpendicularly from the base of the centre web 8, and each carries a respective pivotable saddle connector 12, 13. Each connector 12, 13 in turn mounts a glazing bar 14, 15 of extruded aluminium section, in which the respective glazing panel 2, 3 is secured.

The pivotable connectors 12, 13 enable a range of possible inclinations for the glazing bars to be accommodated; as shown, the pitches of the panels 2, 3 are 250 and 350 respectively. Upper end faces of the glazing bars abut upwardly and outwardly divergent arcuate supporting faces 16, 17 formed on the ridge member 4, the arrangement again being able to accommodate variations in the pitch of required glazing. The arcuate supporting faces 16, 17 are formed on opposite sides of the web 8 at a suitable height above its base.

The top portion 11 of the ridge member 4 comprises canopy-like wing portions 18,19 of the ridge member projecting laterally from a top edge of the centre web 8 and a cross-piece 20.

Each wing portion 18, 19 forms an overhang overlying the end portion of a respective glazing panel 2,3, and comprises a horizontal inner web 21, extending perpendicularly from the centre web 8, and a downwardly-inclined outer web 22 leading from an outer edge of the inner web, the two wing portions being the same. An outermost edge portion of the outer web 22 is turned inwards to form an edge flange 23 which provides an outer locating formation 24. An inner locating formation 25 is provided at or adjacent to an internal corner formed where the inner web 21 meets the centre web 8.

The cross-piece 20 is at a level a little above the outer locating formations 24. The cross-piece forms two horizontal supporting webs 26 which project outwards from the centre web. The supporting webs 26 extend approximately half-way to the outer webs 22 of the wing portions, and outer margins of the supporting webs are furnished with upstanding rounded supporting ribs 27. The supporting ribs 27 are thus presented at intermediate locating positions, laterally between those of the inner and outer locating formations 25,24.

Each filler piece 5, 6 is a longitudinally-extending extruded aluminium section having an upper, mounting, portion 28 enabling it to be fitted to the ridge member beneath one of the wing portions 18,19, becoming interlocked with the ridge member and so retained; on each side of the centre web 8, the wing portions 18, 19 and the supporting webs 26 of the cross-piece 20 together form retaining pockets into which the mounting portions of the filler pieces can be introduced for retention. Each filler piece also has a lower portion 29 which depends from the mounting portion 28 and bears the sealing element 7.

The two filler pieces 5,6 are identical in their mounting portions. The mounting portion 28 of each filler piece comprises a web 30, having an outer planar portion 31 which extends (in a lateral direction) between the outer locating formation 24 and a position inwardly beyond the supporting rib 27, and an inner planar portion 32 which extends from an inner edge of the outer portion 31 to the inner locating formation 25. With the filler piece fitted to the ridge member, the outer portion 31 is inclined upwardly from the outer formation 24, and the inner portion 32 is inclined still more in extending to the inner formation 25.

The mounting portion 28 becomes retained by a three-point location within the retaining pocket of the ridge member. First, the outer portion 31 is supported from beneath by the supporting rib 27. Secondly, a rounded inner edge portion forming a nose 33 of the inner portion 32 is positioned against the underside of the inner web 21 of the wing portion 18, 19 at the inner locating formation 25. Thirdly, an inner face of the edge flange 23 at the outer locating formation 24 opposes an outwardly-facing shoulder 34 of an outer edge portion of the outer portion 31.

The lower portions 29 of the filler pieces 5, 6 are essentially of the same construction. Each has a respective longitudinally-extending planar portion 35, 36 forming a facia, and an outwardly angled bottom edge 37, 38 which has a channel 39 in which the sealing element 7 is mounted. The planar portions 35, 36 are of different depths and inclinations (in their descent from the edge flange 23) and the bottom edges 37, 38 are also at different angles, in order to cater for the different inclinations of the glazing panels 2, 3.

The sealing element 7, which is of a kind commonly referred to as a bubble gasket, is in the form of a tubular strip of flexible and resilient sealing material. Though not shown in the drawing, the strip would become radially compressed against the surface of the panel.

Insertion of the mounting portion of the filler piece into the retaining pocket of the ridge member relies upon some elastic distortion occurring, principally of the filler piece, in order to enable the shoulder 34 to become introduced behind the edge flange 23. Following insertion, the mounting portion 28 is retained as described above, and the lower portion 29 extends between the lateral overhang 18 or 19, and the glazing panel 2 or 3, with the element 7 sealing against the panel.

Claims

1. A ridge structure for supporting an end of at least one glazing panel of a pitched glazed roof comprising a main longitudinally-extending ridge member and a separate filler piece arranged to be mounted on the member to extend between a lateral overhang of the member and an end portion of a glazing panel positioned therebeneath, the filler piece bearing a longitudinally-extending sealing element to seal against the panel.

2. A ridge structure as claimed in claim 1, in which the forms of the ridge member and filler piece are such that upon assembly together the two become interengaged for retention of the filler piece.

3. A ridge structure as claim in claim 1 or claim 2, in which a mounting portion of the filler piece is arranged to be fitted beneath a canopy-like wing portion which forms the overhang of the ridge member.

4. A ridge structure as claimed in claim 3, in which the mounting portion interlocks with the ridge member, and extends laterally between an inner locating formation on the member and outer locating formation on an outer edge portion of the wing, and is supported from beneath by a supporting portion of the ridge member at a lateral position intermediate those of the inner and outer locating formations.

5. A ridge structure as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, in which the mounting portion is in the form of a web comprising two longitudinally-extending planar portions inclined to each other.

6. A ridge structure as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, in which the filler piece has a lower portion depending from the mounting portion and carrying the sealing element from its bottom edge.

7. A ridge structure as claimed in claim 6, in which the lower portion comprises a longitudinally-extending planar portion with an angled bottom edge carrying the sealing element.

8. A ridge structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the ridge member is arranged to accommodate two filler pieces, one to each side of a central portion of the member.

9. A ridge structure as claimed in claim 8, in which the ridge member and filler pieces are arranged to accommodate two glazing panels at different pitch inclinations.

10. A ridge structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the ridge member is of extruded aluminium section.

11. A ridge structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the or each filler piece is of extruded aluminium section.

12. A ridge structure for supporting an end of at least one glazing panel of a pitched glazed roof, substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.