GB2415969A

GB2415969A - Protective architectural strip

Info

Publication number: GB2415969A
Application number: GB0415103A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Grzegorz Mariuz Dymitrow
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-06
Filing date: 2004-07-06
Publication date: 2006-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2024-07-06
Also published as: GB2415969B; GB0415103D0

Abstract

A protective architectural strip a portion of which is adapted for fixture to a building and another portion being angled extending outwardly from the building, the strip being for example V-shaped or having 3 limbs with a first limb attachable to horizontal surface, a second limb attachable to a vertical surface of a building and a third limb angularly flexible provided with corrugations to deflect for ex. rainwater away from the building.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO PROTECTIVE

ARCHITECTURAL STRIPS OR MOULDINGS

[00011 This invention concerns improvements in or relating to protective architectural strips and mouldings.

10002] It is well known in architecture of all types to provide protective or decorative canopies over windows or doors that have either functional or aesthetic value. For example it is not unusual for a canopy to be provided over the entrance to a building with suitable columnar supports as necessary, the canopy giving protection to those coming and going through the entrance. Additionally on some buildings decorative canopies are disposed over windows which thus confer an aesthetic quality upon the appearance of the window making it more architecturally attractive without necessarily having any real functionality.

3] Atmospheric pollution has an adverse effect upon not only the appearance of architectural features in terms of discolouration, but also upon their fabric occasioning corrosion of the surface and degradation thereof, thus requiring remedial work and therefore expense. With the current intensity of airborne pollution, particularly from exhaust emissions, its effects become apparent very swiftly with the need for a greater frequency of work to maintain the appearance of the architecture either cosmetically or structurally or both. The precipitational elements, e.g. rain or snow, have a compounding effect upon this process in terms of mixing with and flushing the pollutional deposits onto adjacent areas of the building thereby causing greater damage and discolouration.

4] An object of the present invention is to provide a protective strip for use in combination with architectural features to assist in the prevention of the adverse results of pollution and the elements.

[00051 According to the invention there is provided a protective architectural strip adapted for attachment to a canopy or other architectural feature of a building, the strip being angularly orientable in relation to a vertical feature of the building in such manner as in use to direct precipitation away from the building.

[00061 Conveniently the strip may be transparent or at least translucent to the extent that from a distance it becomes almost invisible and thus does not detract from the appearance of the canopy or architectural feature to which in use it is attached. The strip may be produced from a plastics material and may be of relatively thin gauge, e.g. 0.2 mm thick, the plastics material being readily cleanable. In the alternative the strip may be produced from opaque material and may be monochromatic or polychromatic.

[00071 The strip may conveniently be resiliently flexible with shape memory thereby allowing for some temporary deformation with the ability to re-form after deflection. For example, in the event that it proves to be necessary to erect a ladder and to rest it on the relevant architectural feature, through the agency of the strip thereby protecting the feature from potential damage. Following removal of the ladder the resiliently flexible strip would assume substantially its original form.

[00081 The material from which the strip is manufactured may advantageously be capable of temperature compensation in that it would survive within reason extremes of temperature whilst performing its designed function.

[00091 The strip may be in the form of a contoured piece of plastics material, for example of curvilinear shape with a relatively planar portion adapted for attachment to a flat area of the canopy and a downwardly curved or angled portion which in use extends over the edge of the canopy for a required distance thus ensuring discharge of precipitation away from the building. The edge of the planar portion remove from the curved of angled portion may be feathered to assist in preventing seepage of water beneath the strip.

[OOlOI Another strip configuration involves what is essentially a V-shape with one limb of the V being adapted for attachment to a vertical feature of the building with the other limb depending downwardly therefrom to ensure deflection of any precipitation away from the building.

lOOlll A still further strip configuration involves a three-limb array with a first limb being attachable to a horizontal surface, a second limb being attachable to a vertical surface and a third limb constituting the angularly orientable element of the strip. The first limb of the strip preferably has an edge remote from the third limb that is feathered to provide a tapered profile that assists in preventing seepage of water.

0012] In a further refinement of the invention the angularly orientable element of the strip may be provided with channelling giving a scalloped appearance thereto with flute channels effectively in use guiding the precipitation to discharge over the edge of the element remote from the vertical surface of the building.

[00131 The strip may be provided with a downwardly depending baffle on its underside surface remote from its point of attachment, the baffle being provided to assist in the prevention of any water flowback towards the wall of the building, particularly when for example fine rain is falling and droplets tend to travel underneath the strip that might otherwise migrate to the vertical wall of the building or canopy.

4] The architectural strip of the invention may be attached in any suitable manner to the building by the use of a bonding agent, for example silicon-based adhesive may be employed since it provides not only the bonding required for attachment purposes, but also a sealing function. Alternative forms of attachment may be employed, for example mechanical fixing using threaded fasteners.

5] The protective strip of the invention may be produced in set lengths for cutting into appropriate dimensions to match the size of the canopy or other architectural feature and mitred as necessary to provide continuity therearound.

[00161 Another aspect of the invention provides in combination with the first aspect at least one protective sheet securable to the canopy or other architectural feature of a building and angularly orientable to deflect precipitation downwardly towards the protective strip for discharge away from the building.

[00171 The protective sheet may be of pyramidal form for a substantially rectilinear canopy such that precipitation is deflected from the apex to the base and thence onto the strip away from the building.

10018] The protective sheet may alternatively be of simple rectilinear form and securable by means of suitable battens affixed to the wall of the building above the level of the canopy, the sheet being oriented to slope downwardly in use to register with the protective strip to yield a continuous pathway for precipitation away from the building.

100191 The protective sheet may of a thin gauge, for example 0.2 to 1 mm thick, but of sufficient stiffness as not to buckle in most of the atmospheric conditions likely to be encountered. As with the protective strip, the sheet is advantageously transparent to enable the canopy form to show through.

0] By way of example only, a number of embodiments of protective strip according to the invention and a number of combinations of protective strip and protective sheet according to the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 10021] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a canopy showing a number of embodiments of protective strip affixed thereto; 10022] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of protective strip; [0023] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a canopy with a protective sheet affixed thereto; [0024] Figure 4 is diagrammatic perspective cut-away view of a combination of a protective sheet and protective strips in situ on a canopy.

5] Referring first to Figure 1 there are shown three forms of protective strip 2, 4 and 6 attached to a canopy 10, each strip being made of a relatively flexible material and resiliently deformable with a shape memory.

[00261 Strip 2 is of simple curvilinear form with a flat portion 2a, and a curved or angled portion 2b, the portion 2a being affixed, for example by a bonding agent, to the flat top 12 of the canopy 10 with portion 2b extending over the edge of the canopy 10.

10027] Strip 4 comprises three angularly disposed limbs 4a, 4b and 4c, limb 4a being secured to the flat top 12 of the canopy 10 and limb 4b being secured to the vertical wall 13 of the canopy 10 with the limb 4c being angularly oriented to extend beyond and away from the wall 13.

8] Strip 6 has two limbs arrayed in substantial 'V' configuration with one limb 6a being secured to the vertical wall 13 of the canopy 10 and limb 6b being angularly oriented to extend beyond and away from the wall 13.

9] With all embodiments, the strip 2, 4 or 6 the angularly oriented element serves in use to direct precipitation, e.g. rain, away from the vertical wall 13 of the canopy 10. Accordingly pollutional material that may otherwise flow over the edge of the canopy onto its wall cannot do so and the canopy and its edging is maintained substantially free from discolouration and degradation caused by the mixing of the rain and the smuts arising from airborne pollution.

The canopy thus remains clean and aesthetically attractive whilst retaining its integrity free from what would otherwise be the corrosive effects of that mixture. Further because of its protective role, excessive painting with many overlying coats of paint is avoided thus preserving the true profile of the architectural feature and saving cost.

0] Referring now to Figure 2 there is shown a further embodiment of protective strip 20 which is similar to that of strip 4 of Figure 1 except that it is provided with a substantially scalloped edge 22 providing fluting 24 or corrugations blending into the main area 26 of the strip. This fluting 24 serves to channel precipitation to the edge 22 for discharge away from the building thus avoiding the characteristic streaming of dirty water onto the vertical surfaces of the canopy and/of the building.

1] Referring now to Figure 3 there is shown a protective sheet 30 of pyramidal form with the apex at the centre of the canopy 10, the sheet 30 being suitably secured to the canopy and the wall of the building thereabove, by means of for example a bonding agent. The sheet 30 is intended to be used in combination with the protective strip described with reference to Figures 1 or 2. Alternatively the base edges of the sides of the pyramidal sheet 30 extend over the edges of the canopy 10 and perform a similar function to the strip in directing precipitation away from the canopy and the building.

2] Referring now to Figure 4 there is shown in cut-away view a protective sheet 40 secured through the agency of a suitable batten 42 affixed to the vertical wall 44 above the canopy 10, the sheet extending in angular manner as shown to meet with the protective strips of Figure 1 disposed at the front edge of the canopy 10 thus giving continuity of flow deflection away from the building. Side sheets (not shown) and a top sheet 50 for the top 12 may also be provided to enclose the top of the canopy 10.

10033] The present invention thus provides a simple and yet effective way of protecting buildings from the consequences of precipitation mixed with atmospheric pollutants which give rise to discolouration and degradation of the fabric of canopies or other architectural features. The protective strips and sheets are preferably made of transparent thin gauge plastics material and will thus be relatively inexpensive and easily securably by bonding to the relevant element of the building requiring protection.

Claims

1. A protective architectural strip adapted for attachment to a canopy or other architectural feature of a building, the strip being angularly orientable in relation to a vertical feature of the building in such manner as in use to direct precipitation away from the building.

2. A protective strip according to Claim 1 in which the strip is transparent.

3. A protective strip according to Claim 1 in which the strip is translucent.

4. A protective strip according to Claim 1 in which the strip is opaque.

5. A protective strip according to Claim 2, 3 or 4 in which the strip is monochromatic or polychromatic.

6. A protective strip according to any one of the preceding claims in which the strip is produced from plastics material.

7. A protective strip according to Claim 6 in which the plastics material is of relatively thin gauge.

8. A protective strip according to any one of the preceding claims in which the strip is of curvilinear shape with a relatively planar section adapted for attachment to a flat area of the canopy or other architectural feature, and having also a curved or angled section which in use extends over the edge of the canopy for a required distance.

9. A protective strip according to any one of the Claims 1 to 7 in which the strip is essentially V-shape with one limb of the V being adapted for attachment to a vertical feature of the building with the other limb depending downwardly in use to ensure deflection of any precipitation.

lO.A protective strip according to any one of Claims 1 to 7 in which the strip includes a three-limb array with a first limb being attachable to a horizontal surface, a second limb being attachable to a vertical surface and third limb constituting the angularly orientable element of the strip.

ll.A protective strip according to any one of the preceding claims in which the angularly orientable element of the strip is provided with channelling giving a scalloped appearance with flute channels for guiding in use precipitation to discharge over the edge of the element.

12. A protective strip according to any one of the preceding claims in which the strip is attachable to a canopy or any other architectural feature by means of a bonding agent.

13. A protective strip according to any one of the preceding Claims 1 to 9 in which the strip is attachable to a canopy or any other architectural feature by means of mechanical fixing.

14. A protective strip according to any one of the preceding claims in which the strip is made in lengths for cutting into appropriate dimensions.

15. A protective strip according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with a protective sheet securable to a canopy or other architectural feature and angularly orientable to deflect precipitation downwardly towards the protective strip for discharge away from the canopy of such other architectural feature.

16. A protective strip in combination with a protective sheet according to Claim 13 in which the sheet is of pyramidal form.

17. A protective strip in combination with a protective sheet according to Claim 15 in which the sheet is of rectilinear form.

18. A protective strip in combination with a protective sheet according to any one of the preceding claims 15 to 17 in which the sheet is transparent or translucent.

19. A protective strip according to any one of the preceding claims in which a downwardly depending baffle is affixed the relative underside thereof.

20. A protective strip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. A protective strip in combination with a protective sheet as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.