GB2415459A

GB2415459A - Fixing arrangement for glazing panels

Info

Publication number: GB2415459A
Application number: GB0421171A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Allport
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-06-25
Filing date: 2004-09-23
Publication date: 2005-12-28
Also published as: GB0421171D0; GB0414282D0

Abstract

A glazing fixing comprises an elongate glazing carrier 20, an elongate capping member 40 and an elongate locking key 60. The glazing carrier 20 has a pair of wings 24 and an upstanding central limb 26 comprising two arms 28 defining an elongate channel 30. The capping member 40 has a central elongate cavity 50. Outer walls 44 of the capping cavity are adapted to engage inner walls 32 of the carrier channel. The locking key 60 is adapted to locate in the cavity 50 of the capping member 40 and to engage the inner walls of the capping cavity. Interlocking means 52 on the inner walls of the capping cavity engage with interlocking means 66 on the locking key 60.

Description

Fixing arrangement for glazing panels The present invention relates to a

fixing arrangement for glazing panels and, in particular, to a glazing bar for fixing glazing panels edge to edge in a glazed roof assembly.

There are several known variations of snap-down roof glazing bars for fixing glazing panels edge to edge in a glazed roof assembly. One such known glazing bar 1 is illustrated in figure 3 and comprises an aluminium or uPVC glazing carrier 2 having side wings which support gaskets 4 against one face of the glazing panels 6 and a central member 8 which extends between adjacent edges of the glazing panels. The central member 8 has a series of anchoring grooves 12 which interlock with .e corresponding projections 14 provided on a depending member 16 of a top capping 18, when the top capping is snapped down onto the glazing carrier. ë

.'.. 20 I: However, once snapped down onto the glazing, such known glazing bars are virtually impossible to dismantle for .'. maintenance, such as the replacement of faulty or damaged glazing. Thus, once the top capping 16 is snapped down onto the glazing carrier 2, the glazing bar cannot be dismantled and has to be destroyed in order to remove it.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of this disadvantage associated with such known glazing bars and in order to provide an improved fixing arrangement for glazing panels, which can easily be dismantled without destroying or damaging the glazing bar components.

According to the invention there is provided a fixing arrangement for glazing panels comprising: an elongate glazing carrier having a central portion with an upstanding elongate limb comprising two arms defining an elongate channel, inner walls of the channel comprising first engagement means, the elongate limb being adapted to extend into a gap between adjacent glazing panels, and a pair of wings extending laterally from respective opposite longitudinal sides of the central portion, the wings being adapted to underlie adjacent longitudinal edges of adjacent glazing panels) an elongate capping member comprising a central eve section defining an elongate cavity, outer walls of the cavity comprising second engagement means adapted to engage said first engagement means, inner walls of the . - .'.: 20 cavity comprising first interlocking means, the capping I member being adapted to overlie adjacent longitudinal edges of adjacent glazing panels and bridge a gap . between the panels; and .

. an elongate locking key adapted to locate in the cavity and comprising second interlocking means adapted to engage said first interlocking means.

The first engagement means may comprise a pair or a series of anchoring grooves and the second engagement means may comprise a pair or a series of elongate anchoring projections adapted to engage said anchoring grooves.

Preferably, the elongate locking key comprises an elongate arcuate cover element and locking means adapted to extend into the cavity of the capping member. Such locking means may comprise a pair of depending elongate legs or an elongate tapered element.

Preferably, the first interlocking means comprises an elongate indentation extending along each inner wall of the cavity. Preferably, the second interlocking means comprises an elongate protrusion or protrusions extending along the locking key on each side thereof.

Preferably, in use, engagement of the first and second interlocking means causes the second engagement means to engage the first engagement means. . -e

Preferably, the capping member has a generally inverted W-shaped crosssection. Preferably, the capping member comprises a pair of flanges extending downwardly from each side of the cavity. Preferably, the region between ace: the cavity and the flanges comprises flexible elbow sections. .. .

Preferably, the free edge of each flange comprises a flexible end section. Preferably, the central section and the flanges of the capping member comprise rigid impact uPVC and/or the elbow sections and the end sections of the capping member comprise a flexible plastics material.

The invention further provides a glazing panel assembly comprising a pair of glazing panels held together by a fixing arrangement of the invention.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a crosssectional view through one embodiment of a fixing arrangement for glazing panels of the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative sealing gasket and retention recess for a glazing carrier of a fixing arrangement of the invention; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view through a glazing panel assembly incorporating a prior art glazing bar; ear Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view through a second embodiment of a fixing arrangement for glazing panels of the invention, prior to assembly; a. . : 20 I Figs. 5(a) and 5(b) are partial expanded views of the fixing arrangement of figure 4 showing, respectively, .' interconnection of the capping member with the glazing . carrier and interconnection of the locking key with the capping member; Fig. 6(a) and 6(b) are cross-sectional views through the assembled fixing arrangement of figure 4, showing how the fixing arrangement is suitable for use with glazing panels of different thickness.

Referring to figure 1, a fixing arrangement 10 according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a glazing bar having an elongate glazing carrier 20, an elongate capping member 40 and an elongate locking key 60, each typically comprising a substantially constant cross-section extrusion, for example of aluminium or uPVC.

The glazing carrier 20 has a generally T-shaped cross- section and comprises a central portion 22 with a pair of wings 24 extending laterally from respective opposite longitudinal sides thereof. The central portion 22 comprises an upstanding elongate limb 26 which extends into two arms 28 defining an elongate, substantially v-shaped, channel 30.

The inner walls 32 of the forked arms 28 comprise engagement means in the form of a series of anchoring grooves 34. The anchoring grooves, typically three or . four on each arm, extend along the arms 28 in the longitudinal direction and are spaced apart down the ë . 20 inner walls 32 of the channel 30. e

In use, the central portion 22 extends between adjacent . edges of the glazing panels and the wings 24 underlie -ant adjacent faces of the glazing panels. Each wing 24 comprises a gasket retention recess 36 adjacent its longitudinal edge for retaining a glazing cushion gasket 38 therein, the gasket, in use, abutting a face of a glazing panel. The recess 36 has a generally truncated triangular shaped cross-section.

The gasket 38 comprises an elongate body 70 which lies on the glazing carrier in use and has an outwardly turned lip 72 along its inner edge and two outwardly turned lips 73, 74 along and adjacent its outer edge for sealing against the glazing panel. A stem 76 depends from the body 70 and comprises an anchoring means 78 having a cut-off arrowhead cross- section for retaining the gasket in the recess 36.

The capping member 40 has a generally inverted W-shaped cross-section and is adapted to overlie adjacent longitudinal edges of the glazing panels and bridge the gap between the panels. The capping member 40 comprises a central section 42 which is substantially v-shaped in cross-section and the outer walls 44 of which comprise engagement means in the form of a series of elongate anchoring projections 46.

The anchoring projections, typically three or four on each outer wall of the central section 42, extend therealong in the longitudinal direction and are spaced apart down the outer wall 44. The anchoring projections 46 correspond to the anchoring grooves 34 and are adapted to locate therein, in use. free

. Each inner wall 48 of the elongate v-shaped cavity 50 .e . defined by the central section 42 of the capping member comprises an interlocking means in the form of an elongate indentation 52, typically at a position substantially opposite the uppermost anchoring projection 46. The ends of the v-shaped central section I. 42 extend through curved flexible elbow sections 54 to . 30 form a pair of downwardly turned flanges 56. Typically, the free edge of each flange 56 comprises a flexible end section 58 adapted to abut a face of a glazing panel, in use.

The locking key 60 has a generally T-shaped cross- section and comprises an elongate tapered element 62 extending from an elongate arcuate cover element 64.

The tapered element is dimensioned to fit snugly within the v-shaped cavity 50 of the capping member 40 so that the cover element 64 rests on the elbow sections 54.

On each side of the tapered element 62, an interlocking means in the form of a protrusion 66 extends along the length thereof, typically at a position substantially centrally on the taper. The protrusions 66 are adapted to locate, in use, in the corresponding indentations 52 formed on the inner walls of the v-shaped cavity 50 of the capping member 40. Typically, the locking key 60 is extruded from high impact uPVC or the like.

In use, the central portion 22 of the glazing carrier extends into the gap between adjacent longitudinal edges of the glazing panels. The wings 24 are adapted to underlie the adjacent longitudinal edges of the glazing panels and the cushion gaskets 38 abut the . respective undersurfaces of the glazing panels. The . capping member 40 is located on the glazing carrier 20 such that the v- shaped central section 42 of the ë capping member locates within the v- shaped channel 30 are..

Of the carrier and the anchoring projections 46 . interlock with the corresponding anchoring grooves 34. . t.

. The tapered locking key 60 is pressed or tapped down into the vshaped cavity 50 of the capping member 40 so that the protrusions 66 engage the indentations 52, thereby ensuring that the anchoring projections 46 are securely interlocked and retained by the anchoring grooves 34. Thus, the tapered locking key 60 causes the capping member 40 to be spread into the anchoring grooves 34.

In order to dismantle the fixing arrangement, the locking key 60 is prised up at one end and then peeled out of the v-shaped cavity 50 along the length of the capping member 40. The sealing flanges 56 of the capping member are then pushed together to release the anchoring projections 46 from the anchoring grooves 34 of the glazing carrier 20 so that the capping member 40 may be separated from the carrier 20.

Referring to figure 2, an alternative shape and anchor for the glazing cushion gasket 38 and recess 36 is shown. The gasket 38' is substantially rectangular in cross-section with a depending curved arrowhead crosssection anchoring means which is received in a corresponding recess 36' on the glazing carrier 20. The recess 36' has a generally mushroom shaped cross- section. :e ... -

. Figure 4 shows a fixing arrangement 110 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The fixing arrangement 110 comprises a glazing bar having an I..

elongate glazing carrier 120, an elongate capping member 140 and an elongate locking key 160, each .

typically comprising a substantially constant cross 30 section extrusion, for example of aluminium or uPVC.

The embodiment of figure 4 is similar to that of figure 1 and similar elements are denoted by the same reference number preceded by the digit "1". It will be appreciated that the above description of features of the first embodiment also applies to corresponding features of the second embodiment.

Referring to figure 4, the glazing carrier 120 has a generally T-shaped cross-section and comprises a central portion 122 with a pair of wings 124 extending laterally from respective opposite longitudinal sides thereof. The central portion 122 comprises an upstanding elongate limb 126 which extends into two arms 128 defining an elongate, substantially v- shaped, channel 130. The inner walls 132 of the forked arms 128 comprise engagement means in the form of an anchoring groove or indentation 134. The anchoring groove extends along the arm 128 in the longitudinal direction. Each wing 124 comprises a gasket retention recess 136.

The gasket 138 comprises an elongate body 170 which lies on the glazing carrier in use and has a ridged upper surface 171 for sealing against the glazing panel. The outer edge of the body 170 has an elongate depending edge 175 which, in use, covers the edges of . the wings 124 thereby concealing the extrusion. Thus, the glazing carrier may have a plain aluminium finish without the need for a specific surface finish, for ë e..

example brown, white or the like. .. .

I. A stem 176 depends from the body 170 and comprises an ë anchoring means 178 for locating the gasket in the recess 136. An end cap (not illustrated) is secured into the recesses 179 by tapping nails, for example three 1.6mm diameter stainless steel nails, through holes in the end cap and into the arcuate recesses 179, which are typically 1.5mm diameter.

The capping member 140 has a generally inverted W- shaped cross-section and is adapted to overlie adjacent longitudinal edges of the glazing panels and bridge the gap between the panels. The capping member 140 comprises a central section 142 which is substantially v-shaped in cross-section and the outer walls 144 of which comprise engagement means in the form of an anchoring projection 146 extending in the longitudinal direction. The anchoring projections 146 correspond to the anchoring grooves 134 and are adapted to locate therein, in use. The use of a single pair of anchoring projections 146 ensures that there can be no doubt when the capping member is correctly in situ.

Each inner wall 148 of the elongate v-shaped cavity 150 defined by the central section 142 of the capping member comprises an interlocking means in the form of an elongate indentation 152, typically at a position substantially opposite the anchoring projection 146. :-

. The ends of the v-shaped central section 142 extend ë . through curved flexible elbow sections 154 to form a pair of downwardly turned flanges 156, the free edge of ' each flange 156 having a flexible end section 158 A. adapted to abut a face of a glazing panel, in use. .e

Each inner wall 148 of the cavity 150 further comprises a slot 153 at a position above the indentation 152, adjacent the elbow section 154. The slots 153 allow insertion of a tool, such as a screwdriver blade, to facilitate disengagement of the locking key.

The locking key 160 is a hollow profile comprising an elongate arcuate cover element 164 and two depending elongate legs 162. Typically, the legs 162 are inclined towards each other to form a substantially wedge shaped configuration. The free edges of the legs 162 comprise an interlocking means in the form of a protrusion or hook 166 extending along the length thereof. The hooks 166 are adapted to locate, in use, in the corresponding indentations 152 formed on the inner walls of the v- shaped cavity 150 of the capping member 140. The arcuate cover element 164 comprises a central segment 168 and a pair of lateral segments 169 which overlie the flanges 156 of the capping member 140 in use. The hollow profile locking key 160 is particularly resistant to disengaging under load or heat.

Referring to figure 5(a), in order to interconnect the capping member 140 and the glazing carrier 120, the cavity 150 is pushed into the channel 130. As the cavity enters the channel, the walls of the cavity 150 flex towards each other until the anchoring projections :.

I 146 align with the anchoring grooves 134 at which stage the walls expand and the anchoring projections 146 engage with the corresponding anchoring grooves 134. : A..

Referring to figure 5(b), the locking key 160 is pressed or tapped down into the cavity 150 so that the - legs 162 flex towards each other until the protrusions 166 align with the indentations 152 at which stage the legs expand and the protrusions 166 engage the indentations 152, thereby ensuring that the anchoring projections 146 are securely interlocked and retained by the anchoring grooves 134.

In order to dismantle the fixing arrangement, a screwdriver blade is inserted into the slots 153 and the locking key 160 is prised up at one end and then peeled out of the v-shaped cavity 150 along the length of the capping member 140. The sealing flanges 156 of the capping member are then pushed together to release the anchoring projections 146 from the anchoring grooves 134 of the glazing carrier 120 so that the capping member 140 may be separated from the carrier 120.

Referring to figures 6(a) and (b), in use, the fixing arrangement of the invention may be used with a range of glazing panel thickness due to the variable capping member, since the flexible elbow sections 54, 154 allow the flanges of the capping member to adjust accordingly. In figure 6(a), for a relatively small glazing panel thickness, for example lOmm, the flanges - extend downward at a greater angle than for a relatively wide glazing panel thickness, for example ., . 25mm, as shown in figure 6(b).

Typically, the glazing carrier 20, 120 comprises high c.. . tensile aluminium and the locking key 60, 160 comprises ' . rigid impact uPVC. Typically, the central section 42, ate 142 and the flanges 56, 156 of the capping member 40, 140 comprise rigid impact uPVC and the elbow sections 54, 154 and the end sections 58, 158 of the capping member comprise a flexible plastics material, such as 911 Alpha Gary flexible (TM).

Thus, the snap-down fixing arrangement of the invention provides a selfsupporting roof glazing bar which facilitates rapid installation and is easily and conveniently dismantled for glazing repairs.

In addition, the fixing arrangement of the invention also typically has the advantage of incorporating a flexible portion 58, 158 in the sealing flanges 40, 140 to accommodate glazing panels with a thickness in the range lOmm to 30mm. However, it will be appreciated that the fixing arrangement of the invention may be adapted to accommodate any thickness of glazing material.

Furthermore, the roof failure and leakage of known glazing bars has been traced to insufficient pressure being applied by the top capping onto the glazing material. With the glazing bar of the invention, the capping member 40, 140 has to be positioned correctly into the v-shaped channel 30, 130 of the glazing carrier 20, 120 for the locking key 60, 160 to be '. installed. Thus, the fixing arrangement of the ease . invention causes sufficient pressure to be applied, in use, by the capping member onto the glazing panels he thereby inhibiting roof failure and leakage.

., It will be appreciated that expressions of orientation aea.

or direction, such as "overlie', underlie", "up", "down", "undersurface", "inner", "outer" and the like, are used for convenience only and refer to the normal orientation of the fixing arrangement in a glazing panel assembly as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, such expressions are not to be regarded as limiting the orientation of the fixing arrangement in use.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiments, which are described by way of example only. In particular, it will be appreciated that features described with reference to one embodiment may be applied to the other embodiment. ë .. .e. ë ë .-.. .e .-e ë ë Cla s

Claims

1. A fixing arrangement for glazing panels comprising: an elongate glazing

carrier having a central portion with an upstanding elongate limb comprising two arms defining an elongate channel, inner walls of the channel comprising first engagement means, the elongate limb being adapted to extend into a gap between adjacent glazing panels, and a pair of wings extending laterally from respective opposite longitudinal sides of the central portion, the wings being adapted to underlie adjacent longitudinal edges of adjacent glazing panels; an elongate capping member comprising a central section defining an elongate cavity, outer walls of the cavity comprising second engagement means adapted to engage said first engagement means, inner walls of the cavity .

: comprising first interlocking means, the capping ë . member being adapted to overlie adjacent longitudinal edges of adjacent glazing panels and . bridge a gap between the panels; and I:: 25 an elongate locking key adapted to locate in the cavity and comprising second interlocking means adapted to engage said first . interlocking means.

2. A fixing arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the first engagement means comprises a pair or a series of anchoring grooves and the second engagement means comprises a pair or a series of elongate anchoring projections adapted to engage said anchoring grooves.

3. A fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate locking key comprises an elongate arcuate cover element and locking means adapted to extend into the cavity of the capping member.

4. A fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the first interlocking means comprises an elongate indentation extending along each inner wall of the cavity.

5. A fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the second interlocking means comprises an elongate protrusion or protrusions extending along the locking key on each side thereof.

6. A fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein, in use, engagement of the first A. and second interlocking means causes the second .

. engagement means to engage the first engagement . 25 means. .e

.

7. A fixing arrangement according to any preceding .

claim wherein the capping member has a generally inverted W-shaped cross-section.

8. A fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the capping member comprises a pair of flanges extending downwardly from each side of the cavity.

9. A fixing arrangement according to claim 8 wherein the region between the cavity and the flanges comprises flexible elbow sections.

10. A fixing arrangement according to claim 9 wherein the free edge of each flange comprises a flexible end section.

11. A fixing arrangement according to claim 10 wherein the central section and the flanges of the capping member comprise rigid impact u PVC and/or the elbow sections and the end sections of the capping member comprise a flexible plastics material.

12. A glazing panel assembly comprising a pair of glazing panels held together by a fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim. e.. ...

13. A fixing arrangement for glazing panels or a A: glazing panel assembly substantially as I 25 hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 1 and 2 or figures 4 to 6 ..

. of the accompanying drawings. ë