GB2414997A

GB2414997A - Construction of conservatories

Info

Publication number: GB2414997A
Application number: GB0412689A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Henrik Hother Jensen
Original assignee: ABBOTT GROUP Ltd
Current assignee: ABBOTT GROUP Ltd
Priority date: 2004-06-08
Filing date: 2004-06-08
Publication date: 2005-12-14
Also published as: GB0412689D0

Abstract

A conservatory comprising a roof supported by at least glazed section or posts itself supported by a wall comprising an outer leaf of brickwork and an inner leaf of a plurality of prefabricated units each having substantially the same height as the outer leaf and on which the weight of the glazed section is at least partially supported, and further a prefabricated wall unit for a conservatory. Wall ties can be provided, extending between the inner and outer leaves with suitable sockets for receiving the ties in the inner leaf. The inner leaf can be provided with one or more length adjustable foot portions for levelling the height. The inner leaf has a flat upper section for supporting the glazed section. This can be provided by part of a U-profile section. The U-profile can be inverted such that the open end faces downwards.

Description

Construction of Conservatories

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the construction of conservatories.

BACKGROUND ART

Conservatories typically fall within one of two groups, the first being a full height conservatory in which the glazed area extends from the floor upwards and may include the celling or roof, and the second being a partial height conservatory in which a low wall is formed around the perimeter and the glazed sections extend from the top of that wall upwards and (again) may include the celling or roof. In both cases, the glazing and roof sections typically may come as pre-fabrcated portions which are designed to a range of standard dimensions, from which conservatories of varying sizes can be built. Thus, whilst the gross dimensions of the conservatory can be selected and will dictate the particular pre-fabricated panels that are to be used, the precise dimensions of the conservatory will typically be dictated by the nature of the available panels.

In full height conservatories, this means that the surface on which the conservatory is to be built must be levelled to a sufficient degree of accuracy. In respect of partial height conservatories, the perimeter wall must be constructed so that the other surface is level and to the precise height required. Whilst this is usually a straight forward matter for skilled professionals, it is not uncommon for conservatories to be installed by inexperienced contract labour or by unskilled but confident home owners.

If the retaining wall of a partial height conservatory does not meet these requirements, the pre-fabricated panels which form the other portions of the conservatory will inevitably be misaligned. This may cause further difficulties during construction, or give rise to problems thereafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore provides a conservatory, comprising a roof supported by an upright section, itself supported by a wall comprising a outer leaf of brickwork and an inner leaf of a plurality of prefabricated units each having substantially the same height as the outer leaf and on which the weight of the glazed section is at least partially supported.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a prefabricated wall unit for a conservatory. This can then form the inner leaf of the conservatory as defined above, in combination with a brick and mortar outside wall and suitable glazing and roof elements.

Wall ties can be provided, extending between the inner and outer leaves.

Suitable sockets for receiving the wall ties can be formed in the prefabricated inner leaf.

The inner leaf is preferably of steel or wood or of other suitable material such as aluminium, plastics, a composite on the line. A framework construction will usually offer the required mechanical strength whilst minimsing weight and material usage.

The inner leaf can be provided with one or more foot portions whose length is adjustable. This will allow the wall to be levelled and/or adjusted for heig ht.

The inner leaf ideally has a flat upper section for supporting the glazed section. This can be provided by part of a sectional profile such as a Uprofile, box or angle section, especially when the relevant part of the inner leaf if of a steel construction. A U-profile can inverted such that the open end faces downwards, for example.

The inner leaf is preferably dry-lined on the interior face thereof to provide a neat appearance other surface preparation can also be applied to produce a suitable aesthetic effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures in which; Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a conservatory wall section according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a conservatory corner section according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows an alternative conservatory corner section according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows a section through the wall section of figure 1, in a installed state; Figure 5 shows a similar cross section of a conservatory wall section according to a second embodiment of the present invention' Figure 6 shows the arrangement of parts in a standard conservatory.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the parts at an early stage of assembly; Figure 8 shows the conservatory at a more advanced stage of assembly; and Figure 9 shows the parts at a still further advanced stage of assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a conservatory wall section according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This is a prefabricated section which is intended to form part of the inner leaf of a conservatory wall as will be described later. This section could be of any claimed length, such as from 1 to 3 meters. It consists of a framework 10 of steel members. Uprights 12, 14 are formed of standard L-section steel profiles and are held in a generally parallel underlined relationship by an inverted U-shaped profile 16 which runs along the top edge of the section. Bracing struts 18, 20 are provided towards the lower extremity of the uprights 12, 14. At the base of each upright 12, 14 there is an adjustable foot 22. This can be adjusted by a screw thread in a generally knowing manner so as to adjust the length of the foot section 22.

Thus, the steel section can be positioned in place over the prepared surface and the various adjustable feet 22 tailored to the specific height such that the other U-section 16 is level. A complete length of wall can be built up in this way. Corners can be accommodated via the corner section 24 shown in figure 2; this is generally the same as the unit shown in figure 1 except that the upper section 26 is formed of a mitred U-profle section or alternative connecting means (eg. square cut and/or cleats etc.) and thus the prefabricated unit as a whole includes a 90 degree bend. Other angles could of course be fabricated, such as the unit 28 shown in figure 3 which includes a 45 degree mitre.

Once the inner leaf 30 of the conservatory wall has been prepared as described above, the complete conservatory can be constructed around this as shown in figure 4. An outer leaf 32 is constructed of bricks and mortar or other building materials such as wall ties 34 are provided as required to link the outer leaf to the inner leaf. Suitable sockets can be provided on the uprights 12 if required. A damp proof course 36 is preferably incorporated, having been placed beneath the inner leaf 30 at an early stage then lifted over the early courses of the outer leaf 32.

Once both the inner and outer leaves 32 and 34 are complete, the upper glazing section 38 can then be built over these in a known fashion. A window sill can then be fitted, and the interior face of the inner leaf 30 can be dry lined (or alternatively finished) as shown as 32. A roof can be provided on the conservatory in a generally known manner.

Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment in which an inner leaf 44 is formed of a wooden framework. In other respects such as the outer leaf 32 and the upper glazing section 38, the construction is identical to that shown in figure 4. The wooden inner leaf 44 of figure 5 is shown without adjustable feet, although these can be provided if required.

Figures 6 to 9 show the construction of a conservatory. This has two long walls 50 and a single short wall 52. This long walls are built up of a number of long straight sections 54 together with shorter sections 56 which are added to make up the appropriate distance. In addition, two corner sections 58 form part of the long wall 50 and part of the short wall 52. Each corner section 58 is designed to provide sufficient length of the short wall 52 such that with the inclusion of a patio door (fitted later) the short wall 52 is complete.

Figure 7 shows the constituent parts substantially in place and awaiting final positioning in an adjacent relationship.

Figure 8 shows the various sections 54, 56, 58 assembled in place to form continuous walls, and the glazing sections 60 installed on top. Figure 9 then shows the addition of a roof 62.

It will of course be understood that many variations may in form, details and materials be made to the above-described embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A conservatory, comprising a roof supported by an upright section, itself supported by a wall comprising a outer leaf of brickwork and an inner leaf of a plurality of prefabricated units each having substantially the same height as the outer leaf and on which the weight of the glazed section is at least partially supported.

2. A conservatory according to claim 1 in which the upright section is glazed.

3. A conservatory according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which wall ties extend between the inner and outer leaves.

4. A conservatory according to any one of the proceeding claims in which the inner leaf is provided with sockets for receiving wall ties.

5. A conservatory according to any one of the preceding claims in which the inner leaf is at least one of steel, wood, aluminium, plastics or a composite material.

6. A conservatory according to any one of the preceding claims in which the inner leaf is a framework construction.

7. A conservatory according to any one of the preceding claims in which the inner leaf has at least one foot portion, the length of which is adjustable.

8. A conservatory according to any one of the preceding claims in which the Inner leaf has a flat upper section.

9. A conservatory according to claim 8 in which the upper flat section Is defined by part of a section being one of a U-profile, channel, angle or box section.

10. A conservatory according to claim 9 in which the section is a Uprofile and is inverted such that the open end faces downwards.

11. A conservatory according to any one of the preceding claims in which the inner leaf is at least dry-lined on the Interior face thereof.

12. A prefabricated wall unit for a conservatory.

13. A prefabricated wall unit according to claim 12, provided with sockets for receiving wall ties.

14. A prefabricated wall unit according to claim 12 or claim 13, at least one of steel, wood, aluminum, plastics or a composite material.

15. A prefabricated wall unit according to any one of claims 12 to 14, of a framework construction.

16. A prefabricated wall unit according to any one of claims 12 to 15 having at least one foot portion, the length of which is adjustable.

17. A prefabricated wall unit according to any one of claims 12 to 16, having a flat upper section.

18. A prefabricated wall unit according to claim 17 in which the upper flat section is cieined by part of a section being one of a U-profile, channel, angle or box section.

19. A prefabricated wall unit according to claim 18 in which the section Is a U- profile and is inverted such that the open end faces downwards.

20. A conservatory, substantially as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying figures.

21. A prefabricated wall unit for a conservatory, substantially as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying figures.