GB2512108A

GB2512108A - Glazing bar assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2512108A
Application number: GB1305159.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Scott Edward Nicholas
Original assignee: ROOF MAKER Ltd
Current assignee: ROOF MAKER Ltd
Priority date: 2013-03-21
Filing date: 2013-03-21
Publication date: 2014-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-21
Also published as: GB201305159D0; GB2512108B

Abstract

The glazing bar assembly 20 comprises a metallic glazing support member 22, a plastics connector 30 and a metallic capping 38. The glazing support member 22 extends along a glazing joint at an apex between the edges of adjacent non-parallel glazing panels 14. The connector is releasably attached to the glazing support member 22 and has co-extruded gaskets 32 which cooperate in use with the adjacent glazing panels 14. The capping is releasably attached to the econnector 30 by several transversely-spaced protrusions 36 and cooperating slots 40. Also claimed is a kit of parts which contain the capping, connector and support. The protrusions may extend upwardly from the connector to be received in slots in the capping. The connector and capping may have an inverted V section profile. The plastic may be polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The glazed roof may be a roof light, skylight or conservatory roof.

Description

GLAZING BAR ASSEMBLY

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a glazing bar assembly, in particular but not exclusively for a glazed roof structure such as a rooflight or skylight or a conservatory roof

Technical Background

Rooflights and skylights arc a common form of glazed roof structure used to convey natural daylight into buildings when more daylight is required than is available through windows or glazed doors. They can also be a significant architectural addition to many buildings, enhancing the external aesthetic appearance of the building.

Modem rooflights and skylights often use double-glazed or triple-glazed units and these are typically factory assembled so that the assembled rooflight or skylight unit can be transported to site for installation in the roof of the building. The rooflights and skylights can bc vcry large and heavy and often require specialist equipment to transport them to site and lift them into position. In some locations, access for the specialist transportation and/or lifting equipment may be difficult or not possible. The present disclosure aims to address this difficulty.

Summary of the Disclosure

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a glazing bar assembly comprising: a metallic glazing support member extending along a glazing joint at an apex between the edges of adjacent non-parallel glazing panels; a plastics connector rclcasably attached to the glazing support member and having co-extruded gaskets cooperating in use with the adjacent glazing panels; and a metallic capping relcasably attached to the connector by a plurality of transversely-spaced protrusions and cooperating slots.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a glazed roof structure comprising a glazing bar assembly according to the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a kit of components for a glazing bar assembly, the kit including the following, or components therefor: a metallic glazing support member locatable to extend along a glazing joint at an apcx bctwccn the edges of adjacent non-parallel glazing panels; a plastics connector rclcasably attachable to the glazing support member and having co-extruded gaskets arranged to cooperate in use with the adjacent glazing panels; and a metallic capping releasably attachable to the connector by a plurality of transversely-spaced protrusions and cooperating slots.

The glazing bar assembly is typically used to assemble glazing panels to form a glazed roof structure such as a rooflight or skylight or a conservatory roof. The glazing bar assembly enables glazing panels to be easily assembled on-site to form a glazed roof structure. It is, therefore, particularly useful in locations where access for specialist transportation and/or lifting equipment may be limited, such limited access prohibiting the installation of a factory assembled glazed roof structure.

The glazing support member contacts the lower surfaces of the glazing panels to support the glazing panels. The co-extruded gaskets cooperate with the upper surfaces of the glazing panels. In use, the lower surfaces of the glazing panels are internal surfaces located inside the building and the upper surfaces of the glazing panels are external surfaces located outside the building. It will, therefore, be ullderstood that the edges of adjacent glazing panels are sandwiched between the metallic glazing support member and the plastics connector.

The plastics connector acts as a thermal break between the metallic glazing support member and the metallic capping and ensures that there is no direct contact between these two metallic components. Accordingly, the transfer of cold from the (external) metallic capping outside a building to the (internal) metallic glazing support member inside a building is minimised. This reduces the likelihood of condensation forming on the internal glazing support member in cold weather. The plastics connector is furthermore obscured by both the internal metallic glazing support member and the external metallic capping. The aesthetic appearance of the glazed roof structure, both from inside and outside a building, is thus not compromised by the presence of the plastics connector.

The glazing joint between the adjacent glazing panels may be a ridge joint or a hip joint.

The connector and the capping may both have an inverted V-section profile. The co- extruded gaskets may extend along distal, free, longitudinal edges of the inverted V-section profile connector. The co-extruded gaskets thus contact the adjacent glazing panels along the length of the glazing joint.

Thc capping may have a transverse dimension which is not less than the total transverse dimension of the connector and co-extruded gaskets. The capping thus obscures both the plastics connector and the co-extruded gaskets from view. The plastics connector and the co-extruded gaskets are thus protected from environmental damage, for example liv degradation and warping due to heat from the sun, by the metallic capping.

The transversely spaced protrusions may extend upwardly from the connector and the transversely spaced cooperating slots maybe formed in the capping. Alternatively, the transversely spaced protrusions may depend downwardly from the capping and the transversely spaced cooperating slots may be formed in the connector. Either configuration provides for releasable attachment of the metallic capping to the plastics connector.

The connector may have on its underside engaging formations which may cooperate with the glazing support member. The cooperation between the engaging formations and the glazing support member releasably attaches the connector to the glazing support member. The engaging formations may comprise hooked legs which engage in a slot, recess or opening in the glazing support member.

The glazing support member may include one or more channels in which a connecting member, such as a transom glazing bar, may be located to connect the glazing support members of adjacent glazing bar assemblies. This is useful for larger roof structures, e.g. conservatory roofs, where it may be necessary to usc morc than onc glazing bar assembly to support glazing panels along the length of the ridge joint.

The glazing support member may include a central channel for receiving a fastener, for example a screw, to secure the glazing support member to an underlying support structure. A central channel is typically provided when the glazing bar assembly is installed along a hip joint. The underlying support structure is, therefore, typically an eaves beam or kerb of a roof structure.

The plastics connector may comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The metallic glazing support member may comprise aluminium, typically powder coated aluminium. The metallic capping may comprise aluminium, typically powder coated aluminium. The use of powder coated aluminium advantageously provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance combined with a tough and durable finish. The glazing support member and!or the capping could comprise other metal alloys.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figures Ia and lb are schematic illustrations of a rootlight and a skylight respectively; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a glazing bar assembly according to the present disclosure viewed in a direction along a ridge joint; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a glazing bar assembly according to the present disclosure viewed in a direction along a hip joint; and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an angled connecting member for connecting the glazing bar assemblies shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figures Ia and lb show respectively a rooflight 10 and a skylight 12 for installation in the roof of a building. The rooflight 10 and skylight 12 both include a plurality of plane glazing panels 14 through which daylight is transmitted into the building.

Adjaccnt glazing panels 14 are disposed at an angle to each other so that they are not parallel and the glazing panels 14 extend upwardly and inwardly from a lower perimeter 16. The rooflight 10 of Figure Ia includes a ridge joint lOa and hip joints lOb which slope downwardly from the ends of the ridge joint lOa towards the lower perimeter 16. The skylight 12 of Figure lb includes hip joints 12b which slope downwardly from an apex I 2a towards the lower perimeter 16. Glazing joints 18 are formed between adjacent glazing panels 14 along the ridgejoint lOa and along the hip joints lob, 12b. A glazing bar assembly 20 as shown in Figure 2 is provided along the ridge joint lOa whilst a glazing bar assembly 50 as shown in Figure 3 is provided along each of the hip joints lob, 12b.

Referring to Figure 2, the glazing bar assembly 20 for the ridge joint lOa comprises a glazing support member 22 comprising powder coated aluminium. The glazillg support member 22 is an elongate profile and extends along the length of the ridge joint lOa between the edges of the adjacent glazing panels 14. The glazing support member 22 includes a base portion 24 having sloping support surfaces 24a for supporting the adjacent glazing panels 14 at a predetermined angle and an upstanding central limb 26 which extends upwardly from the base portion 24. The base portion 24 includes channels 24b in which connecting members (not shown), such as transom glazing bars, can be fitted if it is necessary to connect together a series of adjacent glazing bar assemblies 20 along a ridge joint lOa of a glazed roof structure such as a conservatory roof. Flanges 28 extend outwardly 28a from the upper end of the upstanding limb 26 and upwardly 28b. A retaining notch 28c is formed at the uppermost end of each flange 28. The flanges 28 on each side of the central limb 26 thus form retaining channels 29.

The glazing bar assembly 20 includes a connector 30 manufactured from PVC or any other suitable plastics material. The connector 30 is elongate and extends along the length of the ridge joint lOa. The connector 30 has an inverted V-section profile having sloping sides 30a whose slope angle corresponds to the slope angle of the support surfaces 24a. The distal edges 30b of the of the inverted V-section profile connector 30 include elongate gaskets 32 made of rubber or synthetic elastomeric material. Thc gaskets 32 are co-extruded with the V-section profile connector 30. The connector 30 has on its underside engaging formations each in the form of a downwardly extending resilient leg 34 with a notch 34a forming a hooked end. The notches 34a cooperate with the notches 28c to releasably attach the connector 30 to the glazing support member 22, and the resilient hooked legs 34 thus clip into the retaining channels 29. The connector 30 includes a plurality of T-shaped protrusions 36 spaced transversely across its upper surface.

The glazing bar assembly 20 further includes an elongate capping 38 having an inverted V-section profile and comprising powder coatcd aluminium. The sloping sides 38a of the aluminium capping 38 have a slope angle which corresponds to the slope angle of the sloping sides 30a of the plastics connector 30. The distance between the upper and lower edge of each sloping side 38a is at least equal to the distance between the upper edge of each sloping side 30a of the plastics connector 30 and the free edge of the gasket 32. As indicated above, this ensures that the plastics connector 30 and gaskets 32 are obscured and protected by the aluminium capping 38.

The aluminium capping 38 includes a series of transversely-spaced slots 40 accessible from its lower surface. The transversely-spaced T-shaped protrusions 36 on the connector 30 engage in the transversely-spaced cooperating slots 40 to rcleasably attach the aluminium capping 38 to the plastics connector 30.

Referring now to Figure 3, the glazing bar assembly 50 for the hip joints lob, 12b comprises a glazing support member 52 comprising powder coated aluminium. The glazing support member 52 is an elongate profile and extends along the length of the hip joints lOb, 12b between the edges of the adjacent glazing panels 14. The glazing support member 52 includes sloping support surfaces 52a for supporting the adjacent glazing panels 14 at a predetermined angle and upstanding limbs 52b which extend upwardly to define a V-shaped central channel 54. The channel 54 can accommodate a fastener (not shown) to enable the glazing support member 52 to be secured in appropriate circumstances to an underlying support structure (not shown), such as an eaves beam or kerb of a roof structure.

The glazing bar assembly 50 includes a plastics connector 130 which is similar to the connector 30 described above with reference to Figure 2 and in which corresponding elements are designated by corresponding reference numerals prefixed by the number 1'. The only material difference between the two connectors 30, 130 is that the sloping sides 130a of the connector 130 have a shallower slope angle than the sloping sides 30a. The shallower slope angle of the sloping sides 130a corresponds to the slope angle of the sloping support surfaces 52a. In this embodiment, each side of the channel 54 opens into a slot 56 with which the notches 134a on the hooked legs 134 of the connector 130 can cooperate to releasably attach the connector 130 to the glazing support member 50.

Thc glazing bar assembly 50 also includes an aluminium capping 138 which is similar to the aluminium capping 38 described above with reference to Figure 2 and in which corresponding elements are designated by corresponding reference numerals prefixed by the number 1'. Again, the only material difference between the two aluminium cappings 38, 138 is that the sloping sides l38a of the capping 138 have a shallower slope angle than the sloping sides 38a. The shallower slope angle of the sloping sides 138a corresponds to the slope angle of the sloping sides 130a of the plastics connector 130.

Referring now to both Figures 2 and 3, it will be noted that the upstanding central limb 26 of the glazing bar assembly 20 includes L-shaped formations 42 on each side thereof which define slots 44. The slots 44 can receive one end of an angled connecting member 60 shown in Figure 4, e.g. formed of stainless steel, whilst the other end can be received in one of the slots 56 formed in the glazing support member 52 of the glazing bar assembly 50. The angled connecting member 60 advantageously enables the glazing bar assembly 20 installed along the ridge joint lOa of a rooffight or similar glazed roof structure (e.g. a conservatory roof) to be connected to adjacent glazing bar assemblies 50 installed along the hip joints lOb and may particularly facilitate positioning of the glazing bar assembles 20, 50 relative to each other in a predetermined orientation.

Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to those embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including the claims and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purposes, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limitcd to".

Any combination of the above-described features in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the present invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

Claims 1. A glazing bar assembly comprising: a metallic glazing support member extending along a glazing joint at an apex between the edges of adjacent non-parallel glazing panels; a plastics connector releasably attached to the glazing support member and having co-extruded gaskets cooperating in use with the adjacent glazing panels; and a metallic capping releasably attached to the connector by a plurality of transverscly-spaced protrusions and cooperating slots.
2. A glazing bar assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connector and the capping both have an inverted V-section profile.
3. A glazing bar assembly according to claim 2, wherein the co-extruded gaskets extend along distal longitudinal edges of the inverted V-section proffle connector.
4. A glazing bar assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the capping has a transverse dimension which is not less than the transverse dimension of the connector.
5. A glazing bar assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the transversely spaced protrusions extend upwardly from the connector and the transversely spaced cooperating slots are formed in the eapping.
6. A glazing bar assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector has on its underside engaging lbrmations which cooperate with the glazing support member to releasably attach the connector to the glazing support member.
7. A glazing bar assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the glazing support member includes a central channel for receiving a fastener to secure the glazing support member to an underlying support structure. -10-
8. A glazing bar assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the metallic glazing support member and the metallic capping both comprise aluminium.
9. A glazing bar assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the plastics connector comprises polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
10. A glazed roof structure comprising a glazing bar assembly according to any preceding claim.
11. A glazed roof structure according to claim 10, wherein the glazed roof structure is a rooflight, a skylight or a conservatory roof
12. A kit of components for a glazing bar assembly, the kit including the following, or components therefor: a metallic glazing support member locatable to extend along a glazing joint at an apex between the edges of adjacent non-parallel glazing panels; a plastics connector releasably attachable to the glazing support member and having co-extruded gaskets arranged to cooperate in use with the adjacent glazing panels; and a metallic capping releasably attachable to the connector by a plurality of transversely-spaced protrusions and cooperating slots.
13. A kit of components according to claim 12, wherein the components are as defined in any of claims 2 to 9.
14. A glazing bar assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
15. A glazed roof structure substantially as hercinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims I. A glazing bar assembly comprising: a metallic glazing support member extending in use along a glazing joint at an apex between the edges of adjacent non-parallel glazing panels; a plastics connector releasably attached to the glazing support member and having co-extruded gaskets cooperating in use with the adjacent glazing panels; and a metallic capping releasably attached to the connector by a plurality of transversely-spaced protrusions and cooperating slots.2. A glazing bar assembly according to claim I, wherein the connector and the capping both have an inverted V-section profile.3. A glazing bar assembly according to claim 2, wherein the co-extruded gaskets extend along distal longitudinal edges of the inverted V-section profile connector. * 15* 4. A glazing bar assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the capping *44* has a transverse dimension which is not less than the transverse dimension of the connector. * .4 4 4 4 4 4.*: 20 5. A glazing bar assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the transversely spaced protrusions extend upwardly from the connector and the transversely spaced cooperating slots are formed in the capping.6. A glazing bar assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector has on its underside engaging formations which cooperate with the glazing support member to releasably attach the connector to the glazing support member.7. A glazing bar assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the glazing support member includes a central channel for receiving a fastener to secure the glazing support member to an underlying support structure.8. A glazing bar assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the metallic glazing support member and the metallic capping both comprise aluminium.9. A glazing bar assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the plastics connector comprises polyvinyl chloride (PVC).10. A glazed roof structure comprising a glazing bar assembly according to any preceding claim, 11. A glazed roof structure according to claim 10, wherein the glazed roof structure is a rooflight, a skylight or a conservatory roof 12. A kit of components for a glazing bar assembly, the kit including the following, or components therefor: *.....* 15 a metallic glazing support member locatable to extend along a glazing joint at an apex between the edges of adjacent non-parallel glazing panels; 1 a plastics connector releasably attachable to the glazing support member and having co-extruded gaskets arranged to cooperate in use with the adjacent glazing * ** panels; and a metallic capping releasably attachable to the connector by a plurality of transversely-spaced protrusions and cooperating slots.13. A kit of components according to claim 12, wherein the components are as defined in any of claims 2 to 9.14. A glazing bar assembly substantially as hereinbefore described andlor as shown in the accompanying drawings.15. A glazed roof structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.