GB2334728A

GB2334728A - Sealed expansion joint

Info

Publication number: GB2334728A
Application number: GB9803936A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Whitehead
Original assignee: ALLFOR INVESTMENTS Ltd
Current assignee: ALLFOR INVESTMENTS Ltd
Priority date: 1998-02-26
Filing date: 1998-02-26
Publication date: 1999-09-01
Also published as: GB9803936D0

Abstract

A sealed expansion joint is constructed by first positioning the members to be joined (12,14) adjacent each other. A connecting element (16,18) is integrally formed as part of each member. When in position these connecting elements are secured together by securing means such as self-driller taper screws or the like such that a sealant strip (34) is sandwiched between the elements. A recess (38) is thus created between the two joined members. A filler (40) is used to fill a substantial portion of this recess. Subsequently a sealant (42) is then applied to the close the open end of the recess. When the sealant is partially cured a protective strip (44) is provided over the sealed recess to finish the join, the strip being held in place by the sealant.

Description

Title: Method of providing a liquid-tight joint Description of Invention This invention relates to a method of providing a liquid-tight joint between two members and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a method of providing a liquid-tight joint forming part of a roof or gutter system.

Conventional joints for roofs and gutter systems comprise two overlapping members secured in position.

A problem with these joints is that the roofs and gutter systems are susceptible to theimal expansion, resulting in relative movement of the overlapping members with respect to each other. This relative movement of the overlapping members leads to joint failure, which allows liquid, for example water, to leak into the building.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing a liquid-tight joint between two members, comprising the steps of providing at an edge part of each member a connecting part, each connecting part being connected to an adjacent region of the remainder of the respective member at an edge, fioin where the connecting part extends transversely to the adjacent region of the respective member, positioning the connecting parts together to foim a recess between the edges of the two members from where the connecting parts extend, securing the connecting parts together, providing a filler in tlie recess to fill a substantial proportion of the volume of the recess, applying sealant to the recess between the filler and the edges of the members, such that the sealant substantially encloses an open end of the recess.

An advantage of the present invention is that relative movement of the members caused by thermal expansion is accommodated by the open end of the recess, whilst the connecting parts remain relatively stationary with respect to each other where they are secured together.

Preferably the method further comprises the step of providing further sealant between the connecting parts prior to positioning the connecting parts together, and subsequently securing them together.

Preferably the method comprises still further the step of providing a protective strip across the open end of the recess. The protective strip may be applied when the sealant applied to the recess is mucilaginous, and is subsequently held in place by the sealant.

Preferably the two connecting parts are secured together by a plurality of securing elements. These securing elements may be self-driller taper screws, whereby at least one of the connecting parts is provided with a plurality of holes; the arrangement being such that each of the self-driller taper screws is received in one of the holes of one of the connecting parts and is acted upon in such a way as to engage with the other connecting part to secure the two connecting parts together.

At least one of, and preferably both of the connecting parts may comprise a first element and a second element.

The first element of the connecting part may be connected on one side to the remainder of the respective member at the respective edge, from where the first element of the connecting palt extends transversely, or generally perpendicularly, to the adjacent region of the respective member. The first element of the connecting part may be connected on a second side to the second element, which may extend transversely, or generally perpendicularly, to the first element. Thus at least one of the connecting parts may be substantially L-shaped in cross section.

Where each connecting part comprises first and second elements, preferably the connecting parts are secured together by securing the second elements together.

The two members may form part of a roof or gutter system which may be insulated. The system is preferably made of metal, but may be made of plastics material, or other suitable mateiial.

In each case the filler may be made from a resilient material, for example foamed polyethylene. The sealant which is applied to the recess between the filler and the edges of the members may be a silicone sealant, whereby the silicone sealant may be applied with a sealant gun.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid-tight joint between two members provided by the method described above.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective illustation of two members joined by a liquidtight joint provided by a method according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional illusnation of the liquid-tight joint of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a gutter system 10 comprising two members 12, 14. Each of the members 12, 14 is joined to the other at an edge part by a liquid-tight joint 15 according to the present invention.

Each of the members 12, 14 comprises an edge 20, 22 and a connecting part 16, 18. Each of the connecting parts 16, 18 comprises a first element 24, 28 and a second element 26, 30.

Each of the first elements 24, 28 is connected on one side to an adjacent region of the remainder of the respective member 12, 14 at the respective edge 20, 22, from where the first element 24, 28 extends substantially pelpendicular to the adjacent region of the respective nieinber I 12, 14. The first element 24, 28 is connected on a second side to the second element 26, 30, which extends substantially perpendicular to the first element 24, 28. Thus the connecting parts 16, 18 are substantially L-shaped in cross section.

Referring now to Figure 2, the connecting parts 16, 18 are positioned together such that the second elements 26, 30 are positioned one on top of the other, and the connecting parts 16, 18 form a recess between the edges 20, 22 of the two members 12, 14. A sealant strip 34 is provided between the second elements 26, 30, and the two second elements 26, 30 are subsequently secured together by means of a plurality of self-driller taper screws 36, spaced longitudinal at inteivals along the joint 15.

A filler 40 is provided in the recess 38 such that the filler 40 fills a substantial proportion of the volume of the recess 38. Preferably the filler 40 is made of a resilient material. A sealant 42 is applied to the recess 38 between the filler 40 and the edges 20, 22 of the members 12, 14, such that the sealant substantially closes an open end of the recess 38.

A protective strip 44 is provided across the open end of the recess 38.

The protective strip 44 is applied when the sealant 42 applied to the recess 38 is mucilaginous, and so the protective strip 44 is held in place by the sealant 42.

An advantage of the present invention is that relative movement of the members 12, 14, caused by thermal expansion of the gutter system 10, is accommodated by the ability of the edges 20, 22 to move freely towards one another. Although the general cross sectional configuration of the recess 38 is altered due to the relative movement of the edges 20, 22, the second elements 26, 30 remain securely positioned relative to one another, and so the joint 15 is less susceptible to failure. The resilient nature of the filler 40 allows it to adapt to the variations in the cross sectional configuration of the recess 38, and subsequently return to its original shape as the thelmal expansion of the gutter system 10 reduces.

An additional advantage of the present invention is that, should it be necessary to repair or replace the sealant 42, the protective sfllp 44 may easily be removed, allowing easy access to the sealant 42, and thus allowing rapid remedial action to be carried out. The sealant strip 34 provides a liquid-tight seal which provides added protection against leakage.

The sealant 42 may be a silicone sealant, which is applied with a sealant gun.

The protective strip 44 and the members 12, 14 may be made of metal, or any suitable non-metallic material. The filler 40 may be made from any appropriate material, e.g. foamed polyethylene. The gutter system 10 may be single skin or insulated.

It will be appreciated that the connecting parts 16, 1 8 may have alternative configurations, and in particulal, they need not comprise first and second elements, nor need they extend substantially perpendicular to the remainder of the respective member. The securing means, illustrated in this embodiment by the self-driller taper screws 36, may comprise alternative securing elements.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for peifolming the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A method of providing a liquid-tight joint between two members, comprising the steps of providing at an edge of each member a connecting part, each connecting part being connected to an adjacent region of the remainder of the respective member at an edge, from where the connecting part extends transversely to the adjacent region of the respective member, positioning the connecting parts together to form a recess between the edges of the two members from where the connecting parts extend, securing the connecting parts together providing a filler in the recess to fill a substantial portion of the volume of the recess, applying sealant to the recess between the filler and the edges of the members, such that the sealant substantially closes an open end of the recess.
2. A method according to claim I wherein the method further comprises the step of providing further sealant between the connecting parts prior to positioning the connecting parts together, and subsequently securing them together.
3. A method according to either of claims I or 2, wherein the method further comprises the step of providing a protective strip across the open end of the recess.
4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the protective strip is applied when the sealant applied to the recess is mucilaginous, and is subsequently held in place by the sealant.
5. A method according to any one of tlie preceding claims wherein the two connecting parts are secured together by a plurality of securing elements.
6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the securing elements are self-driller taper screws, whereby at least one of the connecting parts is provided with a plurality of holes; the arrangement being such that each of the self-driller taper screws is received in one of the holes of one of the connecting parts and is acted upon in such a way as to engage with the other connecting part to secure the two connecting parts together.
7. A method according to any one of tlie preceding claims wherein at least one of the connecting parts comprises a first element and a second element.
8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the first element of the connecting part is connected on one side to the remainder of the respective member at the respective edge, from where the first element of the connecting part extends transversely to the adjacent region of the respective member.
9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the first element of the connecting part extends generally pelpendicular to the adjacent region of the respective member.
10. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the first element of the connecting part is connected on a second side to the second element, which extends transversely to the first element, such that at least one of the connecting parts is substantially L-shaped in cross section.
11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the second element extends generally perpendicular to the first eleinent.
12. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein where each connecting part comprises first and second elements, the connecting parts are secured together by securing the second elements together.
13. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the two members form part of a gutter system.
14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the gutter system is insulated.
15. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the two members from part of a roof system.
16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the roof system is insulated.
17. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the members are made of metal.
18. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the members are made of plastics material.
19. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the filler is made of a resilient material.
20. A method according to claim 19 wheleill the filler is made from foamed polyethylene.
21. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sealant which is applied to the recess between the filler and the edges of the members is a silicone sealant.
22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the silicone sealant is applied with a sealant gun.
23. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
24. A liquid-tight join between two members provided by a method according to any one of the preceding claims.
25. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.