GB2392704A

GB2392704A - Panel support structure

Info

Publication number: GB2392704A
Application number: GB0220722A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Susan Mary Boardman; William Boardman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-09-06
Filing date: 2002-09-06
Publication date: 2004-03-10
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-06
Also published as: GB2392704B; GB0220722D0

Abstract

A panel support structure comprises first frame members 16 and second frame members 14, each having a plurality of panel support projections 18 on which to receive panels 12. Each of first frame members 16 and second frame members 14 has a free span between frame member supports. At least one panel support projection 18 carries at least one spacing element 26, 34 adapted to fill a space between said at least one panel support projection 18 on a frame member 14, 16 and a panel 12 due to flexure of the frame member 14, 16 under load from the panel 12 or due to a difference in orientation angle between adjacent panels 12 supported by the frame member 14, 16. A plurality of spacing elements 26, 34 may be carried by one of the panel support projections 18. The spacing elements 26, 34 may be wedge shaped.

Description

1 2392704

Panel Support Structure This invention relates to a panel support structure and to a method of supporting a panel, particularly, but not 5 limited to a glazing support structure and a method of supporting a glazing panel.

U.K. patent 2,329,925 in the name of the applicant for the present invention discloses a method and apparatus for 10 retaining glazing panels making use of intermittent supports along the length of a glazing support member.

That patent also discloses the retention of an external cladding member for security and weatherproofing, said cladding member being secured in position from an interior 15 side of the glazing member. The provision of intermittent supports against which a glazing panel bears, instead of continuous supports, allows the external cladding member to be secured from within. The contents of GB 2,329,925 are incorporated herein by reference.

In a roof structure for a conservatory or other glazed structure the panels in the roof are typically made of glass or other transparent material. Panels of glass or the like are supported at their edges along roof rafters.

25 Typically, the glazing panels would be supported along a continuous lip of a rafter element or in a groove in the rafter element.

It is known that the weight of a glazing panel causes 30 deflection of the rafters that support the glazing panel.

The rafters are only supported at their upper and lower ends, with a central section being unsupported. This

causes downward flexure of the central section due to the weight of the panel.

At an upper end of such a rafter a top cap is used in 5 order to protect the free upper ends of rafters from weather etc. The top cap has matching grooves to those of the rafter in order that the two may fit together to provide a weather seal. Given the deflection of the rafter due to the weight of the glazing panel, the top cap 10 has to be forced and bent down in order to mate the rafter and top cap together. Bending of these parts is difficult. The grooves in the top cap need to be made larger than would otherwise be necessary in order to hold the rafter and top cap together. Similar problems result 15 at the lower end of the rafter.

It is an object of the present invention to address the above mentioned disadvantages.

20 According to a first aspect of the invention a panel support structure comprise first and second frame members each having a plurality of panel support projections on which to receive a panel, the first and second frame members having a free span between frame member supports; 25 wherein at least one of the panel support projections carries at least one spacing element adapted to compensate for a space between said at least one panel support projection and a panel due to flexure of the first and second frame members when loaded with a panel, or due to a 30 difference in orientation angle between adjacent panels supported by the first or second frame member.

Preferably the at least one spacing element is located at a central section of the free span, thereby being advantageously located in a section of maximum deviation from an unloaded configuration.

Preferably, a plurality of spacing elements is carried by the panel support projections, with a greater number, or thicker elements, preferably being located on panel support projections having a greater amount of loaded 10 flexure from an unloaded configuration.

The spacing elements are preferably substantially the same size as each other. A greater number of spacing elements may be used to provide a greater amount of spacing.

Preferably, a similar number of spacing elements or a similar amount of spacing by spacing elements is provided on the first and second frame members. Preferably, a similar amount of spacing elements are provided a 20 corresponding distance from a frame member support on each of the first and second frame members.

Preferably, the panel support structure comprises a plurality of frame members, and preferably comprises a 25 plurality of panels, which are preferably glazing panels.

The spacing elements may be placed to cause an upward curve in a panel along a length of the first and second frame members. This may advantageously allow a panel to 30 adopt a generally flat configuration if loaded, for example by wind, snow, or a weight on the panel.

The number of spacing elements on the panel support projections may increase with distance from the frame member supports.

5 The at least one spacing element may be wedge-shaped, in which case the same amount of wedge-shaped spacing may be placed along the length of the frame member.

Additionally, flat spacing elements may provide greater spacing towards a central section of the free span, in 10 addition to the wedge-shaped spacing elements.

The wedge-shaped spacing elements may be adapted to provide spacing at a hip joint or a valley joint between adjacent panels.

The wedge shaped spacing elements may taper towards an edge of the panel support projections for a hip joint.

The wedge-shaped spacing elements may taper away from an edge of the panel support projections for a valley joint.

The spacing elements may prevent contact between a panel and the panel support projections.

The invention extends to a spacing element for use with a 25 panel support structure as described in the first aspect.

According to a second aspect of the invention a method of supporting a panel comprises: placing a panel on panel support projections of first 30 and second frame members, the first and second frame members having a free span between frame member supports; placing at least one spacing element on at least one panel support projection, in order to compensate for a

space between the panel support projections and the panel due to flexure of the first and second frame members when loaded with a panel or due to a difference in orientation angle between adjacent panels supported by the first or 5 second frame member.

A first, preferably flat, type of spacing element is preferably used to account for flexure of the frame members. A second, preferably wedgeshaped, type of spacing element is preferably used to account for a difference in orientation angle between adjacent panels support by the first or second frame members.

The wedge-shaped spacing element is preferably used for a hip or valley joint.

The first and second types of spacing element are 20 preferably used on a hip or valley joint.

The spacing elements may be placed to create a flat shape or an arch shape in the panel.

25 All of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be brought into effect, specific 30 embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a glazed structure with glazing panels supported by intermittent supports) 5 Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a rafter showing deflection of the rafter and the use of intermittent spacers to prevent flexure of the glazing panel; 10 Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through the rafter showing a support on one side of the rafter; Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view through the rafter at a different point along the length shown in is Figure 3; Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the junction of glazing panels at a hip rafter; and 20 Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a hip rafter, showing the area depicted in Figure 5 in the circle marked X. Figure 1 shows schematically a conservatory having glass 25 walls 10 and glass roof panels 12. Vertical steel supports 14 and steel rafters 16 provide a framework of strength for the structure. The glass walls 10 and roof panels 12 are supported on intermittent supports 18 that are secured to the rafters 16 and vertical supports 14.

30 The manner in which the support members 18 are secured to the vertical supports 14 and rafter 16 is disclosed in GB 2,329,925. External cladding members 28 (see Figures 3 and 4) are secured to the support members 18 using

external cladding retention clips such as those as disclosed in GB 2,329, 925, in order to provide a weatherproof seal.

5 When the rafters 16 carry the weight of the glass roof panels 12 on the support members 18, flexure of the rafters 16 results. This results in a downward bowing of the rafters 16, with a consequential downward bowing of the roof panels 12. Flexure of the roof panels 12 causes 10 stresses to edge seals of the roof panels 12, which are typically double-glazed units of standard construction.

Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing the length of one of the rafters 16 with the glazing panel 12 shown in 15 cross-section.

The rafter 16 is supported at its upper end by a clevis 20 which has pivot connection 22 to the rafter 16. The clevis 20 is secured to a wall 24 at its lower end, the 20 rafter 16 is supported by a second clevis 27 which is supported on one of the upright supports 14.

As can be seen in Figure 2 the rafter 16 is flexed due to the weight of the glass roof panel 12 that is in position.

25 However, the roof panel 12 has been kept in a flat configuration by the use of spacing inserts 26 placed against the support members 18. Along the length of the rafter 16 different numbers of spacing inserts 26 are used in order to account for the variation in distance between 30 the straight roof panel 12 and the support members 18. As can be seen, the distance is greater in the middle of the rafter, so more spacing inserts 26 are used in that section, whereas fewer spacing inserts 26 are required at

either end of the rafter 16. Alternatively, spacing inserts 26 of different thicknesses may be used, with thicker spacing inserts 26 being placed where greater flexure occurs.

Figures 3 and 4 show cross-sections through the rafter 16.

In Figure 3 the rafter has a support member 18 on a right hand side supporting the glass panel 12. The external cladding member 28 is shown in position, together with its 10 sealing gasket 30. On the left hand side of the rafter 16 there is no support member 18, since the support members are staggered down the length of the rafter 16, as shown in Figure 1. However, on the left hand side in Figure 3 the sealing gasket 30 is shown bearing against the roof 15 panel 12.

In Figure 4 a cross-section further down the rafter 16 is shown with a support member 18 in position on the left of the rafter 16, but no support member in position on the 20 right. The external cladding member 28 and sealing gasket 30 are shown.

In Figures 3 and 4 a single spacing insert 26 is shown, corresponding to positions close to one of the ends of the 25 rafter 16, in which fewer spacing inserts 26 are required, given the smaller distance between the flexed rafter 16 and the roof panel 12.

In view of the spacing inserts 26 that are used to provide 30 a roof panel 12 that is generally flat under load greater spans of rafter 16 can be achieved using the same strength of rafter. This results in the savings of material costs and allows lighter rafters for a given span.

Furthermore, it will be possible to insert a greater number of spacing inserts 26 or thicker inserts in position to achieve a slightly upwardly curved roof panel 5 12. This would have the benefit that when a load is applied to the area of the roof panel 12 the roof panel assumes a flat shape before it would deflect downwards.

This allows a greater amount of deflection before failure of the roof panel 12, in particular a seal of the roof 10 panel 12 which is a doubleglazed unit.

Typically a spacing insert 26 may measure lOOmm by 12mm with a thickness of 5mm, although thickness will vary due to compensation requirements. In the centre of a rafter 15 16 four to six spacing inserts 26 may be used, the number depending on thickness and compensation requirements.

Figures 5 and 6 show an arrangement of shaped packing spacing inserts 34 which can be used in a hip rafter or 20 valley rafter arrangement. A hip rafter is used when a bay window or curved arrangement of roof panels 12 is used, as shown in Figure 6.

The support members 18 described above and shown in 25 Figures 1 to 4 extend at approximately 90 to the rafter 16. However, in a hip rafter shown generally in Figure 6 and in detail in Figure 5, the glazing panels do not extend at 90 from the rafters 16, so there is an angle between the support members 18 and the roof panel 12.

30 Typically, in prior art arrangements, this mix-match of

angles would be compensated for by bending the walls of the groove along the rafter piece. However, this is inefficient, and weakens the structure. In order to avoid

the need for a specially manufactured support member 18 the angled spacing inserts 34 shown in Figure 5 are used.

This provides support for the roof panel 12 along its length. Also, a number of the flat spacing inserts 26 can 5 be used to provide the arching effect or flat panel 12 described above in relation to Figures 1 to 4. However, each of the support members will require an angled spacing insert 34, in order to account for the hip rafter.

10 Significant advantages are achieved using the angled packing inserts 34, because the standard rafters 16 and standard support members 18 can be used without special parts being manufactured, other than the simple spacing inserts 26, which may typically be made of plastics 15 material, which can advantageously have some resilience to take up tolerances in the rafters and other parts of the structure. The reader's attention is directed to all papers and 20 documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and

which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and

documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification

(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, 30 except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including

any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated 5 otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the 10 foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any 15 method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A panel support structure comprising first and second frame members each having a plurality of panel support 5 projections on which to receive a panel, the first and second frame members having a free span between frame member supports; wherein at least one of the panel support projections carries at least one spacing element adapted to compensate for a space between said at least one panel 10 support projection and a panel due to flexure of the first and second frame members when loaded with a panel, or due to a difference in orientation angle between adjacent panels supported by the first or second frame member.

15 2. A panel support structure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spacing element is located at a central section of the free span.

3. A panel support structure according to either claim 1 20 or claim 2, wherein a plurality of spacing elements is carried by the panel support projections.

4. A panel support structure according to any preceding claim, wherein a greater number, or thicker spacing 25 elements are located on panel support projections having a greater amount of loaded flexure from an unloaded configuration. 5. A panel support structure according to any preceding 30 claim, wherein the spacing elements are substantially the same size as each other.

6. A panel support structure according to any preceding claim, wherein a similar number of spacing elements or a similar amount of spacing by spacing elements is provided on the first and second frame members.

S 7. A panel support structure according to any preceding claim, wherein a similar amount of spacing elements are provided a corresponding distance from a frame member support on each of the first and second frame members.

8. A panel support structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the panel support structure comprises a plurality of frame members.

15 9. A panel support structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the panel support structure comprises a plurality of panels.

10. A panel support structure according to any preceding 20 claim, wherein the spacing elements are placed to cause an upward curve in a panel along a length of the first and second frame members.

11. A panel support structure according to any preceding 25 claim, wherein the number of spacing elements on the panel support projections increases with distance from the frame member supports.

12. A panel support structure according to any preceding 30 claim, wherein the at least one spacing element is wedge-

shaped.

13. A panel support structure according to claim 12, wherein the same amount of wedge-shaped spacing is placed along the length of the frame member.

5 14. A panel support structure according to either claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the wedge-shaped spacing elements are adapted to provide spacing at a hip joint or a valley between adjacent panels.

10 15. A panel support structure according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the wedge-shaped spacing elements taper towards an edge of the panel support projections for a hip joint. 15 16. A panel support structure according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the wedge-shaped spacing elements taper away from an edge of the panel support projections for a valley joint.

20 17. A panel support structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the spacing elements prevent contact between a panel and the panel support projections.

18. A spacing element for use with a panel support 25 structure according to any of claims 1 to 17.

19. A method of supporting a panel comprising: placing a panel on panel support projections of first and second frame members, the first and second frame 30 members having a free span between frame member supports; placing at least one spacing element on at least one panel support projection, in order to compensate for a space between the panel support projections and the panel

due to flexure of the first and second frame members when loaded with a panel or due to a difference in orientation angle between adjacent panels supported by the first or second frame member.

20. A method of supporting a panel according to claim 19, wherein a first, flat, type of spacing element is used to account for flexure of the frame members.

21. A method of supporting a panel according to either claim 19 or claim 20, wherein a second, wedge-shaped, type of spacing element is used to account for a difference in orientation angle between adjacent panel supports by the first or second frame members.

22. A method of supporting a panel according to claim 21, wherein the wedge-shaped spacing element is used for a hip or valley joint.

20 23. A method of supporting a panel according to either claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the first and second types of spacing elements are used on a hip or valley joint.

24. A method of supporting a panel according to any of 25 claims 19 to 23, wherein the spacing elements are placed to create a flat shape or an arch shape in the panel.

25. A panel support structure substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the 30 accompanying drawings.

( 26. A method of supporting a panel substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.