GB2521451A

GB2521451A - Mounting system

Info

Publication number: GB2521451A
Application number: GB1322710.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Thomson
Original assignee: Ultraframe UK Ltd
Current assignee: Ultraframe UK Ltd
Priority date: 2013-12-20
Filing date: 2013-12-20
Publication date: 2015-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 2033-12-20
Also published as: GB2521451B; GB201322710D0

Abstract

A system for mounting a ceiling component in a pitched conservatory roof having an apical ridge beam comprises an elongate inverted channel and an elongate cover. The channel is adapted for attachment, for example by means of at least one bracket, below at least a portion of the apex ridge beam of the pitched conservatory roof to a glazing bar forming the roof. The elongate cover, to which a ceiling component, for example a lighting pendant, is mountable, is configured for attachment to, and below, the elongate insert. The channel and cover together form a closed channel. The brackets may be deformable between a first configuration in which they are fixable to the glazing bar, and a second configuration in which the channel is fixable to them.

Description

Mounting System The present invention relates to a system for mounting a ceiling component in a roof, particularly a pitched conservatory roof, and to a roof comprising such a system.

A conservatory is a structure having a glazed roof, usually a lully glazed roof, constructed from a plurality of glazing bars and supporting beams arranged in a suitable configuration which are used to support a plurality of panes of glazing material.

A number of different styles of conservatory are known, including those having a pitched roof (typically a symmetrical pitched roof) designed around a central, apical ridge beam, and those having a pitched roof designed to depend from a wall-mounted apical ridge beam in a "lean-to manner.

In all of these known pitched-roof designs, it is either impossible or possible, but aesthetically unfeasible or non-ideal, to mount a ceiling component, such as a pendant light fittng, to the roof structure below the ridge beam thereof. For example, it is known to provide a ridge-mounted cladding of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), but only a limited choice ol light fitting can be mounted thereto.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a neat and convenient solution to this problem and to overcome the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

Accordingly, there is provided a system for mounting a ceiling component in a pitched conservatory roof having an apical ridge beam, said system comprising: an elongate insert adapted for attachment below at least a portion of the apical ridge beam of the pitched conservatory roof to a glazing bar comprised therein, said elongate insert being in the form of an inverted channel; and an elongate cover, to which a ceiling component is mountable, configured for attachment to, and below, the elongate insert, thereby forming a closed channel therewith.

Provision of such a system is advantageous in that it is a relatively simple, yet elegant, solution in terms of both its manufacturing (meaning it is not expensive to provide) and its installation (meaning it can be retrofitted to an existing conservatory or included in a new-build conservatory in a short time period, e.g. in less than half a day).

Furthermore, installation of such a system in a pitched conservatory roof effectively creates a "ceiling void", within which additional components, such as electrical cables, transformers, etc. may be stowed. Moreover, the system can be used with a wide variety of pitches of roots, ranging anywhere from a 5° pitch to a 45° pitch, based on the location of attachment of the elongate insert to the glazing bar(s) comprised in the roof As described above, the elongate insert is adapted for attachment below "at least a portion" of the apical ridge beam of a pitched conservatory roof, meaning that a discrete mounting "block", defined by the length of the insert, may be effectively provided along a section of the ridge beam of the roof. Alternatively, and perhaps more preferable from an aesthetic point of view, the elongate insert may extend along substantially all, if not the whole, of the length of the ridge beam of the roof.

The elongate cover is defined as forming a closed channel with the elongate insert -for the avoidance of doubt, unless provided with end plates (as will be described in more detail below), reference to a "closed channel" includes an open-ended version.

The elongate cover preferably may be of greater length and/or width dimensions than the elongate insert so as to provide an area of overlap around the periphery of the elongate insert. This would ensure the elongate insert is hidden from view from below and would minimise the effect of any reflections of the elongate cover observable via the panes of glazing material located above.

As to details of the mounting, the system of the invention preferably further comprises at least one bracket configured for attachment of the elongate insert to the glazing bar.

Consequentially, the elongate insert may comprise at least one attachment area to which the at least one bracket is locatable. Alternatively, the elongate insert may be provided with integral attachments means by which it is directly attachable to the glazing bar(s) of the conservatory roof.

Further preferably, the at least one bracket may be deformable between a first configuration in which it is attachable to the glazing bar and a second configuration in which the elongate insert is attachable to it. Such deformation would assist with installation of the system, enabling an installer's tools to easily secure the at least one bracket to the glazing bar, prior to attaching the elongate insert thereto.

Advantageously, the at least one bracket may have a shape in the form of a truncated "V", such that it has a flat base and upturned sides, from one such side a fixing arm may extend. The fixing arm may form an angle, y, with the flat base, which may be directly adjustable according to the pitch of the roof. In its first configuration, the fixing arm may form an internal angle, a, with the upturned side from which it extends. Angle a may be in the range of from 150°to 155°, preferably 151 °to 154°, further preferably 152°to 153°. In its first configuration, angle y may be 90°, i.e. the fixing arm may be at a right angle to the flat base. Subsequently, when deformed into its second configuration, the at least one bracket may retain its truncated V shape, but the internal angle, 3, that the fixing arm may form with the upturned side from which it extends is preferably reduced, according to the pitch of the roof, to an angle in the range of from 65° to 110° for a roof having a pitched angle of from about 5° to about 45C respectively.

The varying degree of deformation which the at least one bracket may undergo is beneficial as it enables installation of the mounting system to a wide range of pitched roofs; the degree of deformation, and thus internal angle 13, being adjusted to the particular pitch of roof in question.

In one embodiment of the invention, the apical ridge beam of the conservatory roof may be provided with at least two glazing bars, which are downwardly-depending from the ridge beam, one from each side thereof, such that each long edge of the elongate insert may be attachable below the ridge beam to the glazing bars on each side thereof. The angles, typically identical angles (or thereabouts), at which the at least two glazing bars depend downwardly from each side of the ridge beam define the pitch of each of the roof sections on either side thereof. Such a configuration may be found in a "traditional" pitched roof conservatory.

Advantageously, each long edge of the elongate insert is attachable to an adjacent glazing bar by a plurality of brackets. Preferably, one bracket is provided per glazing bar, and further preferably, each adjacent glazing bar is provided with one such bracket.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the apical ridge beam of the conservatory roof may be provided by a wall-mounted starter glazing bar, having at least two glazing bars downwardly depending from the same side thereof, and wherein a first long edge of the elongate insert is attachable to the wall below the starter glazing bar and a second long edge of the elongate insert is attachable to the glazing bars. The angles, typically identical angles (or thereabouts), at which the at least two glazing bars depend downwardly from the one side of the starter glazing bar define the pitch of the roof.

Such a configuration may be found in a ean-to" conservatory.

Advantageously, the second long edge of the elongate insert is attachable to the glazing bars by a plurality of brackets. Preferably, one bracket is provided per glazing bar, and further preferably, each adjacent glazing bar is provided with one such bracket.

The system of the present invention has wide applicability to a number of different conservatory designs and types, as well as different sizes of conservatory roof, not least as the elongate insert may be provided by two or more overlappable such inserts.

By making the elongate insert formable from two or more lengths of insert (if a single length is not suitable) which are overlappable, no physical deformation of the insert(s) would be required, e.g. cutting an elongate insert to the desired length, particularly when on site during installation of the system.

As mentioned above, at least one terminal end of the elongate insert may be provided with an end plate to close said end of the inverted channel formed by the insert, such that when closed by the elongate cover, the channel is closed in all directions. Not only for the purposes of an improved overall aesthetic, provision of at least one end plate, and preferably two, one at each end of the elongate insert, is preferable so as to minimise the risk at leakage of light, e.g. if the ceiling component to be mounted is in the form of one or more spotlights.

Further preferably, the at least one end plate may be formed integrally with the elongate insert. Alternatively, the at least one end plate can be fitted to a short edge of the elongate insert by means of appropriately located complementary attachment means, e.g. screws holes, provided adjacent the short edge of the elongate insert for alignment with tabs, e.g. also provided with screw holes, which extend from the end plate substantially normal thereto for fixing to the elongate insert, e.g. with screws.

Advantageously, particularly from an aesthetic point of view, the system of the invention may yet further comprise a trim adapted for fitting around at least a portion of the lowermost peripheral edge of the elongate cover. The elongate cover is preferably attachable to the elongate insert using appropriate fixing means, e.g. screws, bolts, suitable strength adhesive, etc., arranged just inwardly of its periphery. When screws/bolts are used, to ensure the screw/bolt heads are hidden from view from below, the trim may be fixed to at least a portion of the lowermost peripheral edge of the elongate cover to obscure the fixing means. In one embodiment, the trim may have a substantially "L-shaped" cross section, such that it extends upwardly and sidewardly from the peripheral edge of the elongate cover for maximum aesthetic appeal. The trim may be fitted to the elongate cover by means of a suitable adhesive, e.g. lines of glue or double-sided adhesive tape.

The system according to the invention may yet further comprise a ceiling component mountable to, or within, the elongate cover. One or more such ceiling components may be provided, and these may be different to, or the same as, one another.

Advantageously, the ceiling component may be selected from a lighting pendant, a spotlight, a ceiling fan, and the like, or any combination of these.

Each of the elongate insert, the at least one bracket and the end plate(s) may be formed from a metal of suitable structural strength, such as mild steel, which may have a protective coating, e.g. a powder-coated finish, and which may preferably be dark, e.g. black or dark grey, in colour. With particular reference to a ceiling component in the form of a light fitting, it is desirable to dissipate heat generated by said light fitting along and by the elongate insert, which effectively acts as a heat sink.

The elongate cover may be formed from a construction material to or within which a ceiling component is mountable, such as a sheet of a plastics material, a sheet of gypsum plasterboard, a sheet of magnesium silicate board, a sheet of water-resistant medium-density fibreboard (MDF), etc., which may be primed to facilitate final decoration, whilst the trim may be formed from a similarly suitable material, such as timber, foamed polyurethane extrusion, foamed uPVC, etc. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is also provided a pitched conservatory roof comprising a system for mounting a ceiling component therein as hereinbefore described.

For a better understanding, the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings (not to scale) in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a "traditonal" Victorian conservatory; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a "lean-to" conservatory; Figures 3a-3d are end views showing a sequence for installation of a system according to the invention in the conservatory of Figure 1; Figures 4a-4fare side views of a bracket in its first configuration and a variety of second configurations respectively; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a component of the system shown in the sequence of Figures 3a-3d; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the component shown in Figure 5; Figure7s is a view into the conservatory shown in Figure 1 with the system shown in Figures 3a-3d installed; and Figures 8a-8c are end views showing a sequence for installation of a system according to the invention in the conservatory of Figure 2.

Figure 1 shows a conservatory 10 in the Victorian style comprising, inter a/ia, a pitched roof 11 which is composed of an apical ridge 12, including a ridge beam (not visible) from which a plurality of glazing bars 13 downwardly depend. Mounted between glazing bars are panes of glazing material 14.

Figure 2 shows a lean-to" conservatory 20 comprising, inter a/ia, a pitched roof 21 which is composed of an apical ridge 22, including a ridge beam (not visible) from which a plurality of glazing bars 23 downwardly depend. Mounted between glazing bars are panes of glazing material 24.

Referring to Victorian conservatory 10, further detail of the interior of the pitched roof 11 is shown in Figures 3a to 3d, which in particular show the sequence for installation of a system 30 according to the invention therein: -affix, e.g. by means of screws 33, one mild steel bracket 32 in its first (open) configuration to each of the glazing bars 13 extending from the required portion (preferably the entire length) of the ridge beam 31 comprised in the apical ridge 12 of the pitched conservatory roof 11 -as shown in Figure 3a; -deform each of the brackets 32 to its second (closed) configuration -as shown in Figure 3b; -attach a powder-coated, mild steel elongate insert 34, comprising a pair of end plates 35 (only one of which is visible), below the required portion of the ridge beam 31 to the brackets 32 by means of further fixing means, e.g. screws 36 -as shown in Figure3b; -affix a plasterboard elongate cover 37 to the elongate insert 34 by means of yet further fixing means, e.g. screws (not shown) -as shown in Figure 3c; and -fit a moulded plastics trim 39 around the lowermost peripheral edge 38 of the elongate cover 37 using suitable fixing means, such as an adhesive (not shown).

Figures 4a to 4f show bracket 32 in further detail, in particular its first configuration (Figure 4a) and a variety of its second configurations (Figures 4b-4f), only a small selection of which are shown. In all configurations, bracket 32 has a shape in the form of a truncated "V", such that it has a flat base 41 and upturned sides 42, from one such side 42 a fixing arm 43 extends. In its first configuration (Figure 4a), the fixing arm 43 forms an internal angle, a, with the upturned side 42 from which it extends, and an angle, v with the flat base 41. Angle a is preferably 152.5° and angle y is 90°. When deformed into one of its many possible second configurations (Figures 4b-4f), bracket 32 retans its truncated V shape, but the internal angle, 13, that the fixing arm 43 forms with the upturned side 42 from which it extends is reduced as follows according to the pitch of the roof defined by angle, y: Illustrative Figure Pitch of Roof (Angle, y) Internal Angle, 3 4b 45° 107.5° 4c 35° 975° 4d 25° 87.5° 4e 15° 775° 41 5° 67.5° The degree of deformation, and thus internal angle 3, are thus chosen and adjusted to the particular pitch of roof in question.

Figure 5 shows an elongate insert 34 in greater detail: its inverted channel form can clearly be seen. Elongate insert 34 includes two long edges 50 in the form of wings 51 which have a cross-sectional shape in the form of a truncated V. Wings 51 have a flat base 52 and upturned sides 53. Brackets 32 are of a complementary cross-sectional shape, i.e. having a flat base with upturned sides, as shown in Figures 4a to 4f.

Figure 6 illustrates fitment of an end plate 35 to one end of an elongate insert 34, as per Figure Sb. The end plate 35 is fittable to a short edge 60 of the elongate insert 34 by means of appropriately located complementary attachment means. In the embodiment shown, said attachment means take the form of screws holes 61 provided adjacent the short edge 60 of the elongate insert 34, tabs 62 which extend substantially normal from the end plate 35, said tabs 62 also provided with screw holes 63, which are alignable with screw holes 61 in elongate insert 34 and fixed together with screws 64.

Figure 7 illustrates the view Irom below with a system 30 installed in the Victorian conservatory 10 of Figure 1. Clearly, none of the brackets 32, screws 33, 36, elongate insert 34 or end plate(s) 35 are visible from within the conservatory -rather, only the outermost face of the elongate cover 37 s shown, along with peripheral trim 39. Figure 7 also clearly illustrates a benefit of the invention, namely the aesthetically pleasing location of a number of ceiling components 70, in the form of pendant light fittings, to the elongate cover 37.

Referring now to the lean-to conservatory 20, further detail of the interior of the pitched roof 21 is shown in Figures 8a to BC! which in particular show the sequence for installation of a system 80 according to the invention therein: -affix, e.g. by means of screws 83, one mild steel bracket 82 in its first (open) configuration to each of the glazing bars 23 extending from the required portion (preferably the entire length) of the ridge beam 81 comprised in the apical ridge 22 of the pitched conservatory roof 21 -as shown in Figure Ba; -deform each of the brackets 82 to its second (closed) configuration -as shown in Figure 8b; -attach a powder-coated, mild steel elongate insert 84 below the required portion of the ridge beam 81 (i) to the brackets 82 via the truncated-V section 84b by means of further fixing means, e.g. screws 86, and (H) to the wall 90 via wall section 84c by further fixing means (not shown) -as shown in Figure Sb; -affix a plasterboard elongate cover 87 to the elongate insert 84 by means of yet further fixing means, e.g. screws (not shown), at each of lip sections 84a and 84d which respectively extend from truncated V-section 84b and wall section 84c -as shown in Figure 8c; and -fit a moulded plastics trim 89 around a portion of the lowermost peripheral edge 88 of the elongate cover 87 using suitable fixing means, such as an adhesive (not shown).

For the avoidance of any doubt, bracket 82 can take exactly the same form as bracket 32 shown in Figures 4a to 4!.

With both systems 30,80, once the elongate insert 34,84 has been attached to the glazing bar(s) 13, 23 above and once elongate cover 37,87 has been attached to, and below, the insert, a closed channel is formed therewith in which extraneous items such as electrical cables, transformers, etc. (not shown) can be safely and unobtrusively stowed.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A system for mounting a ceiling component in a pitched conservatory roof having an apical ridge beam, said system comprising: an elongate insert adapted for attachment below at least a portion of the apical ridge beam of the pitched conservatory roof to a glazing bar comprised therein, said elongate insert being in the form of an inverted channel; and an elongate cover, to which a ceiling component is mountable, configured for attachment to, and below, the elongate insert, thereby forming a closed channel therewith.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one bracket configured for attachment of the elongate insert to the glazing bar.
3. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the at least one bracket is deformable between a first configuration in which it is attachable to the glazing bar and a second configuration in which the elongate insert is attachable to it.
4. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the at least one bracket has a shape in the form of a truncated "V", havng a flat base and upturned sides, from one such side a fixing arm extends.
5. A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein, in its first configuration, the fixing arm forms an internal angle, a, in the range of from 1500 to 155° with the upturned side from which it extends.
6. A system as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein, in its second configuration, the fixing arm forms an internal angle, , in the range of from 65° to 1100 with the upturned side from which it extends
7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the apical ridge beam is provided with at least two glazing bars, which are downwardly-depending from the ridge beam, one from each side thereof, and wherein each long edge of the elongate insert is attachable below the ridge beam to the glazing bars on each side thereof.
8. A system as claimed in claim 7, when dependent on any of claims 2 to 6, wherein each long edge of the elongate insert is attachable to an adjacent glazing bar by a plurality of brackets.
9. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the apical ridge beam is provided by a wall-mounted starter glazing bar, having at least two glazing bars downwardly depending from the same side thereof, and wherein a first long edge of the elongate insert is attachable to the wall below the starter glazing bar and a second long edge of the elongate insert is attachable to the glazing bars.
10. A system as claimed in claim 9, when dependent on any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the second long edge of the elongate insert is attachable to the glazing bars by a plurality of brackets.
11. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the elongate insert is provided by two or more overlappable such inserts.
12. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one terminal end of the elongate insert is provided with an end plate to close said end of the inverted channel formed by the insert.
13. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the end plate is formed integrally with the elongate insert.
14. A system as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a trim adapted for fitting around at least a portion of the lowermost peripheral edge of the elongate cover.
15. A system as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a ceiling component mountable to the elongate cover.
16. A system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the ceiling component is selected from a lighting pendant, a spotlight, a ceiling fan, or any combination of these.
17. A pitched conservatory roof comprising a system for mounting a ceiling component therein according to claim 1.
18. A system for mounting a ceiling component in a pitched conservatory roof substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.
19. A pitched conservatory roof substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3, 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.