GB2496130A - Peripheral ceiling fitting for conservatory roof - Google Patents

Abstract

A conservatory roof comprises an eaves beam, a ridge beam and a pair of glazing bars mountable between the two, each of said glazing bars having a lower surface facing into the conservatory, one or more panes of glazing material supportable by the pair of glazing bars. A ceiling member for forming an interior perimeter ceiling within the conservatory below the panes of glazing material, adjacent to the eaves beam, is dependable from the pair of glazing bars by means of at least one bracket, which is attachable to the lower surface of one of the glazing bars, and which comprises supporting means for simultaneously supporting one or more obscuration panels located below the panes of glazing material and above the ceiling member.

Description

B racket The present invention relates to a bracket for a conservatory roof structure and especially to a roof bracket which is designed and adapted for a conservatory roof structure in an "orangery-type" conservatory.

A traditional conservatory is a structure having a glazed roof, usually a fully glazed roof, constructed from a plurality of glazing bars arranged in a suitable configuration which are used to support the panes of glazing materiaL A traditional orangery may be thought of as being similar to a modern atrium-style conservatory, i.e. a conservatory having a roof designed to incorporate an atrium. Typically being built to include brick (or other suitable masonry materials) pillars in their structures, orangeries offer more privacy than traditional conservatories. Furthermore, despite typically using less glass (and more brick or other suitable masonry materials) than with a modern conservatory :**. 15 design, the significant interior height achievable with an orangery means that adjoining rooms may be flooded with light, leading to a feeling of grandeur and airiness.

* ** * S. * . Externally an orangery features a flat roof around its perimeter, which usually translates internally into a corresponding perimeter ceiling (which extends around its internal perimeter). Advantageously, spotlights concealed downlighters or other lighting may be fitted into the perimeter ceiling, whilst cables and other services may be hidden within the cavity created between the perimeter ceiling and the outer flat perimeter roof structure. Additional benefits of an orangery include that the existence of an internal perimeter ceiling provides the interior space within the orangery with a more solid, permanent character (as compared to a traditional conservatory), whilst the typical reduction in the overall glazed area (compared to a traditional conservatory) reduces the potential for the inteñor space within the orangery to overheat when subject to direct sunlight and/or increased external temperature.

An "orangery-type" conservatory as referenced in the present invention is a structure which may neither be described as a traditional orangery nor a traditional conservatory, but which may be thought of as falling somewhere in between these two building styles. However, in an "orangery-type" conservatory it is sought to combine the benefits achieved with a traditional conservatory with those of a traditional orangery, to make the best possible living space whilst minimising the otherwise relatively expensive costs and complex instarfation associated with building a traditional orangery.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a conservatory roof, of the "orangery-type" S for a conservatory, comprising: an eaves beam, a ridge beam and a pair of glazing bars mountable between the two, each of said glazing bars having a rower surface facing into the conservatory, one or more panes of glazing materiar supportable by the pair of glazing bars, a ceiling member for forming an interior ceiling within the conservatory below the panes of glazing material and adjacent to the eaves beam and/or to the ridge beam, and one or more obscuration panels locatable below the panes of glazing material and above the ceiling member so as to obscure the ceiling member from view from the exterior of the conservatory & to provide additional layer of thermal insulation, 15 wherein the ceiling member is dependable from the pair of glazing bars by * means of at least one bracket, which is attachable to the lower surface of one of the * .. S..

* glazing bars, and which comprises supporting means for simultaneously supporting the one or mores obscuration panels.

S S..

The conservatory roof solution provided by the present invention enables the provision of an "orangery-type" conservatory that combines the benefits achieved with a * traditional conservatory so that the best possible living space may be constructed, whilst minimising the otherwise relatively expensive costs and complex installation associated with building a traditional orangery. Furthermore, a conservatory roof according to the invention is beneficial because it can be applied to both a new conservatory construction project, and also as a retro-fit to an existing conservatory roof to achieve an "orangery-type" character.

In one embodiment of the invention, the bracket comprised in the roof comprises a body from which at least one, and preferably a pair of, elongate legs extend, from which the ceiling member depends. The leg or legs may extend in the same plane as the ceiling member, and usually depend downwardly, although not necessarily straight down towards the floor of the conservatory; "downwardly" includes angularly downwardly. H:

In this embodiment, the supporting means comprised in the bracket may be in the form of a pair of arms, an which the one or more obscuration panels are supportable.

Preferably, each of the arms is bendable relative to the body of the bracket at a shoulder section thereof! from a first position, in which the one or more obscuration panels are unsupported, to a second position, in which said panels are supported. The bracket may be made from any suitably malleable material, e.g. stainless steel or other metal or metal alloy, to enable bending of the arms between the first and second positions.

The bracket in the first embodiment of the invention may be rotatably attachable to the lower surface of the glazing bar; rotation of the bracket is preferably achievable via arcuate fixing slots provided in the bracket. A pair of mutually opposed, co-operable fixing slots, arranged around a circumference, preferably in the body of the bracket Regarding the location of the bracket on the rower surface of the glazing bar, the 0*** * bracket may advantageously be attachable substantially centrally along a transverse axis of the lower surface of the glazing bar. A standard" glazing bar, as is well known from our previous applications, takes the form of an inverted T-section, providing transverse flanges extending to either side of a stem, with the flanges acting as "shelves" for supporting glazing panels, often on strips of a gasket material. The * : flanges also perform a gutter function to ensure that any moisture/water that may ingress below the supported glazing panels is channelled away towards an external gutter. The stem usually has a longitudinal channel that receives formations depending from the underside of a capping. The formations cooperate with ridges on the opposed inner faces of the channel to hold the capping in position on the glazing bar. The formations diverge to an extent that they are forced towards each other when the capping is pressed onto the glazing bar, so that they spring outwardly within the channel to provide grip against removal, The capping has along its lower outer edges gasket material that seals on top of the glazing panels when the capping is pressed into position. Such a "standard" glazing bar is typically made of a lightweight metallic material, such as aluminium whilst the capping is typically made of a plastics material, such as polyvinyl chloride. Thus by attaching the bracket of the invention substantially centrally along the transverse axis of the lower surface of the glazing bar, i.e. the lower surface of the inverted T-section, the attachment means, e.g. screw, will be driven into the stem of the grazing bar, thus minimising the possibility that any mo;sture/water in the flanges would be able to drip through the hole created by said screw.

Preferably, the bracket further comprises receiving means for receiving an insert, which extends between the pair of glazing bars and which may substantially fill the gap that may otherwise exist between an inner obscuration panel and an outer pane of glazing material.

In a second embodiment of the invention, at least one of the glazing bars comprised in the conservatory roof may be fittable with a bolster glazing bar, said bolster glazing bar having opposed side surtaces and a lower surface which faces into the conservatory.

It may be desirable to fit a "standard" glazing bar with a bolster glazing bar when the span of the roof increases beyond the load-bearing tolerance of the standard glazing bar; reinforcement and additional load-bearing capacity is provided by a bolster glazing bar. * . * * 4

* In this second embodiment, the bolster glazing bar may be fittable, directly or indirectly, to the lower surface of the glazing bar. When fitted, the lower surface of the bolster * glazing bar becomes the lower surface of the glazing bar referred to in the statement of invention above. *

Because of the additional depth provided by the bolster glazing bar, the bracket is preferably comprised of at least three parts: (i) a right hand part, (ii) a left hand part, which together form the supporting means for supporting the one or more obscuration panels, and (iii) a central part.

With such a three-part bracket, the supporting means may be in the form of a pair of arms, one on each of the right hand and left hand bracket parts, on which the one or more obscuration panels are supportable.

Preferably, the right hand and left hand bracket parts are attachable to the side surfaces of the bolster glazing bar, and the central bracket part is attachable to the lower surface of the bolster glazing bar.

Somewhat similarly to the bracket in the first embodiment, the central bracket part in the second embodiment may be rotatably attachable to the lower surface of the bolster glazing bar; rotation of the central bracket part is preferably achievable via arcuate fixing slots provided in the central bracket part. A pair of mutually opposed, cc-operable fixing slots, arranged around a circumference, in the central bracket part Regarding the location of the central bracket part on the lower surface of the bolster glazing bar, the central bracket part may advantageously be attachable substantially centrally along a transverse axis of the lower surface of the bolster glazing bar.

Advantageously, each of the right hand and left hand bracket parts may further comprise receiving means for receiving an insert, which extends between the pair of glazing bars and which may substantially fill the gap that may otherwise exist between :*.*. 15 an inner obscuration panel and an outer pane of glazing material.

* With either of the first or second embodiments of the invention, the ceiling member comprised in the conservatory roof may comprise a substantially horizontal, preferably elongate member and a substantially vertical, preferably elongate member. Each elongate member may be in the form of a framework, somewhat resembling a ladder on its side. Each of the substantially horizontal member and the substantially vertical member may form a surface of the perimeter ceiling in the conservatory roof; such surfaces may be provided with a finishing material such as drywall/plasterboard and/or coving or other decorative finish.

The substantiafly horizontal member and the substantially vertical member may be joined together, along one of their long edges, substantially perpendicularly, thereby forming a perimeter roof cavity with at least the eaves beam. Within such cavity, wiring and other services may be routed.

For stability, the substantially horizontal member may be fixed directly or indirectly (by means of a further component) to the eaves beam. The substantially vertical member may be fixed to, and depend from, the bracket. In the first embodiment of the invention, the substantially vertical member may therefore be fixed to, and depend from, the at least one elongate leg which may extend from the bracket; in the second embodiment, the substantiarry vertical member may be fixed to, and depend from, the central bracket part.

Again, with either of the first or second embodiments of the invention, the one or more obscuration panels comprised in the conservatory roof may additionally be supported by a resiliently-biased means, e.g. a spring clip. Such resiliently-biased means may be fittable, directly or indirectly (by means of a further component) to the eaves beam.

The eaves beam (or a further component associated therewRh) may be provided with an upwardly extending protrusion, over which the resiliently-biased means may be hooked.

Preferably, the resiliently-biased means is biased towards the one or more panes of glazing material, so as to minimise any gap between the obscuration panels and the panes of glazing material by urging the obscuration panels towards the panes of glazing material.

* For a better understanding, the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings (not to scale) in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an outline of a generic conservatory; Figure 2 is a side, sectional view along glazing bar 23 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side, sectional view along glazing bar 18 of Figure 1; Figures 3A and 38 show in greater detail certain areas of Figure 3; * Figure 4 is a corner perspective section, about glazing bar 19, of the generic conservatory of Figure 1; Figure 5 is an illustration of a Georgian-style conservatory showing the typical location of glazing bars; Figure 6 is an illustration of a Victorian-style conservatory showing the typical location of glazing bars; Figures 7, 6, 9 and 10 show first, second, third and fourth variations of a bracket; * Figures hA and I1B illustrate in greater detail fixation of the bracket of Figure 7 to a glazing bar; Figures 12A and 126 illustrate in greater detail fixation of the bracket of Figure 8 to a glazing bar; Figures 13A and 136 illustrate in greater detail fixation of the bracket of Figure 9 to a glazing bar; Figure 14 illustrates in greater detail fixation of the bracket of Figure 10 to a glazing bar; Figure 15 is an illustration of a "leanto"stl conservatory showing the typical location of glazing bars; Figure 16 is a variation on the corner perspective section of Figure 4, about glazing bar 19, of the, generic conservatory of Figure 1; Figures 17, ISA, 188, 19, 20A, 208, 20C and 21 show first, second and third modified TO variations of a bracket; Figures 22A and 226 illustrate in greater detail fixation of the bracket parts of Figures 17, iSA and 188 to a glazing bar; Figures 23A and 238 illustrate in greater detail fixation of the bracket parts of Figures 18A, 188 and lQto a glazing bar; and Figures 24A and 246 illustrate in greater detail fixation of the bracket parts of Figures 18A, 186 and 21 to a glazing bar. * .

Figure 1 shows the skeleton of a generic conservatory 10 comprising a conservatory * roof 12 (shown in dotted outline for clarity) comprising a plurality of eaves beams 14 Se* and a ridge beam 16. Mounted between ridge beam 16 and an eaves beam 14 are three different types of glazing bars: -a glazing bar which extends at a substantially 90 angle to both eaves beam 14 * S and ridge beam 16, referred to herein as a "transom glazing bar" 18, -a glazing bar which extends along a diagonal edge of roof 12 between eaves beam 14 and ridge beam 16, referred to herein as a "hip glazing bar" 19; and -a glazing bar which extends at a non-go angle to both eaves beam 14 and ridge beam 18, referred to herein as a "splay glazing bar" 20.

Between glazing bar 19 and glazing bar 20, and between glazing bar 18 and glazing bar 20, panes of glazing material 11 (e.g. panes of glass or polycarbonate) are supported. Shown in one wall 22 of conservatory 10 is a brickwork (or other masonry material) section 24 and a glazed section 26 within which a window 28 is fitted, to illustrate that said wall may not be of a uniform construction and may incorporate features such as windows and/or doors.

B

Turning to Figure 2, which is a side, sectional view along splay glazing bar 20 of Figure 1, we see that splay glazing bar 20 has a lower surface 30 which faces into conservatory 10 and which rests on an upper portion of eaves beam 14, Eaves beam 14 rests on a ciii 32, which is provided on the upper course of bricks of brickwork section 24 of wall 22. Attached to the inner surface of eaves beam 14 is a first ceiling member, in the form of an elongate (into the plane of the page) substantially horizontal member 34, which itself is joined substantially perpendicularly to a second ceiling member, in the form of an elongate (into the plane of the page) substantially vertical member 36, to form an interior perimeter ceiling 38 within conservatory 10 Each ceiling member 34, 36 may be in the form of a "ladder-type" framework of timber or aluminium section.

Attached, e.g. by screws, to lower surface 30 of splay glazing bar 20 is a bracket 40, from which substantially vertical member 36 is fixed, e.g. by means of screws, and depends. Over bracket 40, i.e. more towards the interior of conservatory 10, and fixed * to vertical member 36 is a sheet of finishing material 42a, for example in the form of a sheet of plasterboard, which is finished at its uppermost edge with a trim 44 to achieve * a neat plaster finish. The lowermost edge of sheet of substantially vertical finishing *.s * material 42a meets a further sheet of now substantially horizontal finishing material : 20 42b, e.g. a further sheet of plasterboard, which itself meets a yet further sheet of again substantially vertical finishing material 42c (again possibly a sheet of plasterboard), which are fixed to horizontal member 36 and wall 22 respectively.

Located below the panes of glazing material (not shown in Figure 2) and above ceiling members 34, 36 is an obscuration panel 46, for exampre in the form of a tinted polycarbonate sheet or any other body-tinted material which would provide the desired obscuration, supported by bracket 40 at its upper end and by a resiliently-biased means, in the form of a spring clip 4S, at its lower end. Clip 48 is fitted to an upwardly extending protrusion 50 of eaves beam 14 and is resiliently biased towards the panes of glazing material so as to urge obscuration panel upwardly to act against gravity. At its upper end, obscuration panel 46 is associated with an insert 52 which extends between glazing bar 20 and a further glazing bar (not shown in Figure 2) to prevent debris and other detritus from entering the gap (not shown) between obscuration panel 46 and the panes of glazing material.

Together, eaves beam 14, ceiling members 34, 36 and obscuration panel 46 define a cavity 54 within perimeter ceiling 36, through which wiring and other services (not shown) may be routed.

The structure shown in Figure 3 is similar to that shown in Figure 2, and therefore like components have been allotted the same reference numerals. Only the differences between Figures 2 and 3 will be described. Firstly, Figure 3 shows a side, sectional view along transom grazing bar 16 of Figure 1, which also has a lower surface 30 which faces into conservatory 10. However, rather than resting on a ciii provided on the uppermost course of bricks of the brickwork shown in Figure 1, eaves beam 14 rests on a window-frame 56 provided around window 28 in glazed section 26 of waIl 22. As a result, rather than meeting a yet further sheet of (substantially vertical) finishing material, substantially horizontal sheet of finishing material 42b, which is fixed to horizontal member 36, terminates at window-frame 56. * 15

For a clearer understanding, two areas in Figure 3 have been extracted and shown in greater detail: areas 3A and 36 shown in Figures 3A and 36 respectively. Figure 3A provides more detail about the area surrounding the upper end of obscuration panel S..

* 46, whilst Figure 38 provides more detail about the area surrounding the lower end of obscuration panel 46.

S S

S

Figure 3A shows bracket 40 comprising a body 60 from which a pair of elongate legs 62 extends (only one of which is shown in Figure 3A however). Vertical ceiling member 36 is fixed to elongate leg(s) 62 by fixing means 56, in the form of a screw.

Bracket 40 further comprises supporting means, in the form of a pair of arms 64 (only one of which is shown in Figure 3A), which support obscuration panel 46 from below.

Figure 3B shows spring clip 48 fitted to upwardly extending protrusion 60 of eaves beam 14. Spring clip 48 comprises a hook portion 48a, which hooks over protrusion 50, and a biasing portion 4Gb, which resiliently biases obscuration panel 46 upwardly towards the panes of glazing material (not shown in Figure 36) to counteract the effect of gravity forcing said lower end of obscuration panel 46 to droop downwardly.

Figure 4 illustrates a corner of generic conservatory 10 in which hip glazing bar 19 is provided along a diagonal edge of roof 12 and which is adjacent to two transom glazing bars 18. Between, and supported by, hip glazing bar 19 and each of transom glazing bars 18 are panes of glazing material it Depending from the lower surfaces 30 of each of glazing bars 18, 19 are brackets 40, from which substantially vertical ceiling members 36 depend via fixing means 58 through pairs of elongate legs 62 of brackets 40. Simultaneously1 pairs of arms 64 of brackets 40 support obscuration panels 46 from below in positions which are just below panes of grazing material 11, leaving a gap 66 therebetween, into which insert 52 (not shown) may be fitted.

As is clear from Figure 4, which shows use of two different types of glazing bar (transom glazing bar 18 and hip glazing bar 19), two variations of bracket 40 are required to fit to the geometry of the components being held/supported. A non-exhaustive illustration of the different variations of bracket 40 that may be needed depending on the type of glazing bar to which it is to be fixed is given in Figures 5 and 6.

SI SI * S S

* * 15 The Georgian-style conservatory 10 shown in Figure 5 is constructed against a gable wall 13 of an existing structure, e.g. house, and as such the first glazing bars used are *5e*ø* starter glazing bars 21 which can be fitted to gable wall 13. Subsequently, roof 12 is * made from eleven transom glazing bars 18, two hip glazing bars 19 and two splay glazing bars 20 connected between eaves beams 14 and ridge beam 16. The lower surface 30 of each glazing bar 18, 19, 20, 21 is provided with a bracket, according to * the following variations: -transom glazing bar 18 is provided with a transom variation (1) of bracket 40 -labelled 401 and shown in Figure 7; -hip grazing bar 19 is provided with a hip variation (H) of bracket 40 -labelled 401-1 and shown in Figure 8; -spray glazing bar 20 is provided with a splay variation (S) of bracket 40 -labelled 40S and shown in Figure 9; and -starter glazing bar 21 is provided with a modified-transom variation (MT) of bracket 40-labelled 40M7 -modified to enable fixture to gable wall 13.

Bracket 401 shown in Figure 7 comprises body 60, which takes the form of an inverted L-section, from which pair of elongate legs 62 and pair of arms 64 each depend. The lower ends of legs 62 are provided with fixing holes 63 to enable fixing of bracket 40T to substantially vertical section 36. Pair of arms 64 have toward their upper ends shoulder section 65, in which region they are bendable to enable support of obscuration panel 46. In a perpendicular plane to legs 62 and arms 64, bracket 40T comprises an attachment surface 67, which is placeable against lower surface 30 of transom glazing bar 18 to enable attachment of bracket 40T thereto via a self-drilling screw (hence no fixing hole is provided in attachment surface 67). Attachment surface 67 terminates in at least one, and as shown two, lips 61 which form receiving means for receiving insert 52.

Bracket 40K shown in Figure 8 is similar to bracket 40T shown in Figure 7 however rather than pair of elongate legs 62 extending substantially parallel to one another as shown in Figure 7, legs 62 now extend divergently from body 60 at a fixed angle. Also, rather than attachment surface 67 terminating in receiving means 61 for insert 52, lips 61 are provided at the shoulder sections 65 of pair of arms 64. These variations allow for the different geometric orientations of substantially vertical ceiling members 36, obscuration panels 46 and inserts 52 as compared to hip glazing bar 19. * S

Bracket 40S shown in Figure 9 is also similar to bracket 40T shown in Figure 7 *.Ss **.

* however attachment surface 67 is elongate in a transverse direction and comprises an arcuate slot 68 via which bracket 40S is attached to lower surface 30 of splay glazing * 20 bar 20.

S..... * *

* Reverting to Figure 6, the Victorian-style conservatory 10 shown is again constructed against a gable wall 13 of an existing structure, e.g. house, and as such the first glazing bars used are starter glazing bars 21 which can be fitted to gable wall 13.

Subsequently, roof 12 is made from six transom glazing bars 18 and four hip glazing bars 19 connected between eaves beams 14 and ridge beam 16. The lower surface of each glazing bar 18, 19 is provided with a bracket, according to the following variations: -transom glazing bar 18 is provided with a transom variation (T) of bracket 40-labelled 40T and shown in Figure 7; -hip glazing bar 19 is provided with a universal hip variation (UH) of bracket 40 -labelled 4OUH and shown in Figure 10; and -starter glazing bar 21 is provided with a modified-transom variation (MT) of bracket 43-labelled 4OMT -modified to enable fixture to gable wall 13.

Bracket 40th-I shown in Figure 10 is similar to bracket 40H shown in Figure 8 however rather than pair of elongate legs 62 extending divergently at a fixed angle to one another as shown in Figure 10, the angle at which legs 62 now extend is variable due to the presence of pivoting pins 69 through which legs 62 are attached to body 60.

Furthermore attachment surface 67 again comprises an arcuate slot 68 via which bracket 4OUH is attached to lower surface 30 of hip glazing bar 19.

The "lean-to"-style conservatory 110 shown in Figure 15 begins a description of the second embodiment of the invention; conservatory 110 is constructed against a gable wall 13 of an existing structure, e.g. house, and as such the first glazing bars used are starter glazing bars 21 which can be fitted to gable wall 13. Subsequently, roof 112 is made from four splay glazing bars 20, ten splay glazing bars each fitted with a bolster splay glazing bar 120 and one transom bar fitted with a bolster transom glazing bar 118 connected between eaves beams 14 and ridge beam 16. * 15

A bolster glazing bar is fittable to lower surface 30 of an existing glazing bar when additional load-bearing capacity is required of the existing glazing bar, e.g. because the *..* S. * existing glazing bar is required to span a greater distance and thus bear a greater load. S..

S

To illustrate the manner in which this occurs, Figure 16 is provided.. Figure 16 is very * similar to the corner section shown in Figure 4, with some differences however to take into account the presence of a bolster glazing bar.

Figure 16 illustrates a variation on the corner of generic conservatory 10 in which hip glazing bar 19 is provided arong a diagonal edge of roof 12 and which is adjacent to two transom glazing bars 18. Between, and supported by, hip glazing bar 19 and each of transom glazing bars 18 are panes of glazing material 11. Depending from the lower surfaces 3Oof glazing bars 16 are brackets 40, from which substantially vertical ceiling members 36 depend. However, unlike Figure 4, fitted to lower surface 30 of hip glazing bar 19 is a hip bolster glazing bar 119, which itself has a lower surface 130 and two side surfaces 131. Further unlike Figure 4, because lower surface 130 of hip bolster glazing bar 119, to which a bracket 140 is attached, is a greater distance away from obscuration panels 46 as compared to the distance between obscuration panels 46 and brackets 40, modified brackets are required when fitted to a bolster glazing bar to ensure that simultaneous support of obscuration panels 46 by bracket 140 is still achievable. Modification is achieved by providing bracket 140 in at least three parts, namely central part 140a, right hand part 14Db and left hand part 140c. Central bracket part 140a is fixed to lower surface 130 of hip bolster glazing bar 119, whilst right hand part 14Db and left hand part 140c are fitted to each of side surfaces 131.

Figures 17 to 21 show the modified forms of bracket parts 140a, 14Gb, 140c required for each of: -a transom bolster glazing bar 118, requiring a modified transom variation (1) of central bracket part 140a -labelled l4OaT and shown in Figure 17 -along with right and left hand bracket parts 14Db, 140c shown in Figures iSA and 188; -a hip bolster glazing bar 119, requiring a modified hip variation (H) of central bracket part 140a -labelled l4OaH and shown in Figure 19 -along with right and left hand bracket parts 14Db1 140c shown in Figures 18A and 188; and -a splay bolster glazing bar 120, requiring a modified splay variation (S) of central bracket part 140a -labelled 14OaS and shown in Figure 21 -along with right and left hand bracket parts 140b, 140c shown in Figures 1BA and 188. * S

Central bracket part l4QaT shown in Figure 17 comprises body 160, which takes the S 55*55 * form of an inverted L-section. The downwardly-depending limb (as viewed in Figure 17) is provided with fixing holes 163 to enable fixing of central bracket part l4DaT to substantially vertical section 36. The sidewardly-depending limb (as viewed in Figure **...

* 17) comprises attachment surface 167, which is placeable against lower surface 130 of * transom bolster glazing bar 118 to enable attachment of central bracket part l4OaT thereto.

Because central bracket part l4OaT does not itself comprise supporting means for supporting obscuration panels 46, which is however a requirement of bracket 140, each of right and left hand brackets parts 14Db, 140c shown in Figures iSA and ISB respectively instead comprise such supporting means. Referring to these figures, each of right hand bracket part 140b and left hand bracket part 140c comprises an elongate leg 162 extending in a first plane and a supporting arm 164 (for supporting obscuration panel 46) which extends En a different plane. The lower ends of legs 162 are provided with fixing holes 163 to enable fixing of bracket parts 14Gb, 140c to sides 131 of transom bolster glazing bar 118. The upper ends of legs 162 are provided with receiving means in the form of a lip 161 for receiving insert 52.

Central bracket part l4OaH shown in Figure 19 is most similar to the universal hip variation bracket 40UH shown in Figure 10, as it comprises a pair of elongate legs 62 extending divergently at a variable angle to one another due to the presence of pivoting pins 69 through which legs 62 are attached to body 160. Body 160 is different however in that it comprises a substantially inverted L-section. As viewed in Figures 19 and 20A, pivcting pins 69 pass through the sidewardly-depending limb, whilst the downwardly-depending limb is provided with a connection hole 171 for connection of a connector 172.

Connector 172 is shown in Figure 20C and is a bali-and-socket type connector to provide the greatest number of degrees of freedom of movement. A ball part 173 is provided having a ball-shaped head 174 and a threaded connection part 175, along with a socket part 176 having a ball-shaped socket 177 and a connection recess 178.

Via connection recess 178, two such connectors 172 may be connected, as shown in Figure 19. * .

Threaded connection part 175 of connector 172 is passed through connection hole 171 * of body 160 and a nut 179 is threaded thereover to complete the connection.

* 20 Other connector 172 that is not connected to body 160 is connected via a further * connection hole 171 provided in a plate member 180, shown in Figure 208. Plate S.....

* member 180 is also of a substantially inverted L-section, in which one limb forms attachment surface 167 for attaching to lower surface 130 of hip bolster glazing bar 119, whilst the other limb provides further connection hole 171.

Central bracket part l4OaS shown in Figure 21 is similar to central bracket part l4OaT shown in Figure 17 however attachment surface 167 comprises two arcuate slots 168 via which central bracket part l4OaS is attached to lower surface 130 of splay bolster glazing bar 120. Furthermore, fixing holes 163 are provided in pair of elongate legs 162.

To provide further explanation, Figures 22A;22B, 23A;23B and 24A;248 show the way in which central bracket parts l4OaT, l4OaH, l4OaS respectively and right and left hand brackets parts 140b, 14Cc are fixed to bolster glazing bars 118, 119, 120 respectively; Figures 22B, 23B and 24B show central bracket parts l4OaT, l4DaH, l4OaS respectively fixed substantially centrally along imaginary line 170 which transects the transverse axis of lower surface 130, noting in particular that the relative longitudinal positions of right and left hand bracket parts 140b, 140c are offset to take into account the "splay" geometry of splay gjazing bar 20 and splay bolster gJazing bar 120. *. .. * * . * . * . * S

S 5.

S

S * .

S * .

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>CLAIMS: 1 A conservatory roof comprising: an eaves beam, a ridge beam and a pair of glazing bars mountable between the two, each of said glazing bars having a lower surface facing into the conservatory, one or more panes of glazing material supportable by the pair of glazing bars, a ceiling member for forming an interior ceiling within the conservatory below the panes of glazing material and adjacent to the eaves beam and/or to the ridge beam, and one or more obscuration panels locatable below the panes of glazing material and above the ceiling member, wherein the ceiling member is dependable from the pair of glazing bars by means of at least one bracket, which is attachable to the lower surface of one of *. 15 the glazing bars, and which comprises supporting means for simultaneously supporting the one or mores obscuration panels.*.**.. * .</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A conservatory roof as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bracket comprises a body from which at least one, and preferably a pair of, elongate legs extend, from which the ceiling member depends. * *</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A conservatory roof as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wher&n the supporting means comprised in the bracket is in the form of a pair of arms, on which the one or more obscuration panels are supportable.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A conservatory roof as claimed in claim 3 wherein each of the arms is bendable relative to the body at a shoulder section from a first position in which the one or more obscuration panels are unsupported to a second position in which said panels are supported, 5. A conservatory roof as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bracket is rotatabry attachable to the lower surface of the glazing bar.6. A conservatory roof as claimed in claim 5 wherein rotation of the bracket is achievable via arcuate fixing slots provided in the bracket.7. A conservatory roof as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bracket is attachable substantially centrally along a transverse axis of the iower surface of the glazing bar.8. A conservatory roof as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bracket further comprises receiving means for receiving an insert, which extends between the pair of glazing bars.9. A conservatory roof as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the glazing bars in the pair is fittable with a bolster glazing bar, said bolster glazing bar having opposed side surfaces and a lower surface which faces into the conservatory.10. A conservatory roof as claimed in claim 9 wherein the bolster glazing bar is 15 fIttable to the lower surface of the gtazing bar. *11. A conservatory roof as claimed in claim S or claim 10 wherein the bracket is **. 0 * comprised of at least three parts: (I) a right hand part, (ii) a left hand part, which together form the supporting means for supporting the one or more obscuration * 20 panels! and (iii) a central part. * *S.....* 12. A conservatory roof as claimed in claim 11 wherein the supporting means comprised in the bracket is in the form of a pair of arms! one on each of the right hand and left hand bracket parts, on which the one or more obscuration panels are supportable.* 13. A conservatory roof as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the right hand and left hand bracket parts are attachable to the side surfaces of the bolster glazing bar! and wherein the central bracket part is attachable to the lower surface of the bolster glazing bar.14. A conservatory roof as claimed in claim 14 wherein the central bracket part is rotatably attachable to the lower surface of the bolster glazing bar.15. A conservatory roof as claimed in claim 14 wherein rotation of the central bracket part is achievable via arcuate fixing slots provided in the central bracket part.16. A conservatory roof as Glaimed in any of claims 11 to 15 wherein the central bracket part is attachable substantially centrally along a transverse axis of the lower surface of the bolster glazing bar.17. A conservatory roof as claimed in any of claims 11 to 16 wherein each of the right hand and left hand bracket parts further comprises receiving means for receiving an insert, which extends between the pair of glazing bars.18. A conservatory roof as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the ceiling member comprises a substantially horizontal member and a substantially vertical member.19. A conservatory roof as claimed in claim 18 wherein the substantially horizontal a.....* . member and the substantially vertical member are joined together substanlially perpendicularly, thereby forming a perimeter roof cavity with at least the eaves * 20 beam.S.....20. A conservatory roof as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19 wherein the substantially horizontal member is fixed to the eaves beam.21. A conservatory roof as claimed in any of c.lairns 18 to 20 wherein the substantially vertical member is fixed to, and depends from, the bracket.22. A conservatory roof as claimed in claim 21 wherein, when dependent on claim 2, the substantially vertical member is fixed to, and depends from, the at least one elongate leg which extends from the bracket, or when dependent on claim 11, the substantially vertical member is fixed to, and depends from, the central bracket part.23. A conservatory roof as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the one or more obscuration panels are additionally supported by a resiliently-biased means.24. A conservatory roof as craimed in claim 23 wherein the resiliently-biased means is fittable to the eaves beam, 25. A conservatory roof as claimed in claim 24 wherein the resiliently-biased means S is biased towards the one or more panes of glazing material, so as to minimise any gap between the obscuration panels and the panes of glazing material.26. A conservatory roof substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as shown in Figures ito 24 of the accompanying drawings. 0* * . . * .I * .I..... * I * I.eIII.."...-S I.... 4 -</claim-text>