GB2583935A

GB2583935A - Upstand for a skylight

Info

Publication number: GB2583935A
Application number: GB1906780.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: White Paul
Original assignee: Whitesales Group Ltd
Current assignee: Whitesales Group Ltd
Priority date: 2019-05-14
Filing date: 2019-05-14
Publication date: 2020-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 2039-05-14
Also published as: GB201906780D0; GB2583935B

Abstract

The upstand 10 comprises a wall 14 for attaching to a flat roof around a roof opening, the upper end of the wall having a first profile 32 which mates with a second profile 34 on the underside of a capping element 16, the capping element having a downward facing flange 48 extending around the periphery of the upstand. The flange may be spaced from an outer surface of the wall and terminate in a drip bead 50. The upstand may have a planar foot element 12 which extends beyond the outer surface of the wall. An upper surface 30 of the foot element may have a profile 32 matching the first profile. The wall may comprise a plurality of component wall elements 18, each having an upper profile matching the first profile and a lower profile matching the second profile. The cross section of each wall element may include webbing 46. There may be insulation material within each wall element. The wall may include a planar wall element having a rectangular cross section, and an angled wall element 20. The separate capping element improves the quality of weatherproofing. The modular construction improves production speed and reduces tooling costs.

Description

UPSTAND FOR A SKYLIGHT

The present invention relates to an upstand for a skylight, sometimes referred to as an upstand curb.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

When fitting a skylight to a flat or substantially flat roof, an upstand is attached to the roof around a roof opening in order to lift the glazing clear of the roof surface. In the UK, at least 150mm of upstand is required, but an upstand can be larger.

The upstand is weather proofed by applying a waterproofing membrane around the upstand. Once weatherproofing is completed, then the skylight is attached to the top of the upstand. Whilst some upstands are manufactured on site, it is generally preferable to provide a proprietary upstand, which can be fastened in position. When applying roof coverings, the ability to work quickly is advantageous, particularly in countries where there is a continuous prospect of wet weather.

A significant problem in weatherproofing upstands is caused by the lack of accessibility for fastening and sealing the waterproofing membrane at the upper end or top edge of the upstand. Existing proprietary upstands are provided with an integral upper flange, known as the top flange, which extends outwardly and then downwardly around the periphery of the upstand, forming an inverted channel around the upper end of the upstand. The purpose of the top flange is to protect the upper edge of the waterproofing membrane. However, it is very difficult in practice to terminate and seal the weatherproofing membrane in a position underneath the upper flange, ie inside the channel, because of a lack of accessibility.

Another problem associated with proprietary upstands is that they need to be provided in a number of sizes to provide for different sized skylights, but also need to be of different heights and designs to fit different types of roofs. This means that manufacturers need to make upstands to a large range of differing parameters and tooling to make the upstands is expensive. For example, most upstands incorporate an integral bottom flange, which extends horizontally outwards around the periphery of the upstand at its lower end or its base. Fixings, for example screw fixings, are generally fixed through the bottom flange to attach the upstand to the roof If the upstand is to be bonded to the roof, then this flange is not required The upstand may also angle inwardly from the base towards the top over all or part of its height, to provide a skylight smaller than the opening in the roof The angle may be around 30 degrees typically. These angled upstands, sometimes referred to as splayed upstands, are commonly used in refurbishment work.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce or substantially obviate the aforementioned problems.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

1 5 According to the present invention there is provided an upstand for a skylight comprising at least a wall element for attaching to a flat roof around a roof opening, the upper end of the wall element being formed with a first profile; and a capping element, the capping element having a second profile on its underside which mates with the first profile and locates the capping element in a fixed position on the wall element, the capping element having a downward facing flange when located on the wall element, extending around the periphery of the upstand.

Advantageously, the wall can be attached to a roof around a roof opening, for example, by bonding with adhesive, and then weatherproofed using waterproof membrane. The waterproof membrane can be affixed around the upper outside edge of the wall. Once fixed and sealed, the capping element can be placed on top of the wall with the first and second profiles mating with one-another to locate the capping element and prevent lateral movement of the capping element relative to the wall.

The capping element may be fastened with screw fixings.

The downward flange may be spaced from an outer surface of the wall and may terminate in a drip bead. This ensures that the upper edge of the weatherproofing is well protected from the elements and provides a space for any fixing means between the inside of the flange and the outer surface of the wall.

A foot element may be disposed at the lower end of the wall for attaching to the flat 5 roof The foot element may be a substantially planar member and may extend beyond the outer surface of the wall.

A profile matching the first profile may be disposed on an upper surface of the foot element. I 0

The foot element conveniently provides a position for the use of screw fastenings vertically into the roof to secure the upstand.

The wall may comprise a plurality of component wall elements, each having an upper IS profile matching the first profile and a lower profile matching the second profile By providing a number of wall elements, different sizes and arrangements of upstands can be created.

The cross section of the or each wall element may include insulating webbing.

Insulation material may be disposed within the or each wall element. The insulation material may be an expanded foam, for example, a polyurethane foam.

The elements of the upstand may be extruded from plastics.

The wall may include a substantially planar wall element having a substantially rectangular cross-section. The planar wall element provides for substantially flat vertical sides of the upstand.

The wall may include an angled wall element. The angled wall element may be utilised to create splayed upstands The angled wall element may include a lower portion disposed at an angle of between 25 degrees and 60 degrees to the horizontal and an upper portion disposed vertically.

The angle of the lower portion may be at 34 degrees to the horizontal or 48 degrees to the horizontal, plus or minus 5 degrees.

This provides for two standard sloping or splayed upstands to be made.

The angled wall element may include a lower portion disposed at a predetermined angle to the horizontal and an upper portion disposed vertically. The predetermined angle may be based on the length of the upper portion compared to an overall height of the angled wall element and the length of the lower portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows cross-sectional view through a first embodiment of upstand of the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of upstand, with a corner element cut away, on a flat surface; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional exploded view through a second embodiment of upstand, Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view through a third embodiment of upstand, Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional exploded view through a fourth embodiment of upstand; and Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional exploded view through a fifth embodiment of upstand

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, a first embodiment of the upstand is generally indicated at 10. The upstand 10 is of modular construction and includes a number of components, which are connected together to form the upstand 10. In this first embodiment, the upstand 10 includes a foot element 12, a wall 14 and a capping element 16.

The wall 14 is constructed from a first and second identical planar wall elements 18, which are stacked one on top of the other, and an angled element 20. The angled element 20 includes a lower portion 22, which is disposed at an angle A to the horizontal of 34 degrees, and an upper portion 24, which is planar and extends vertically from the angled portion, in situ as shown. The planar wall elements 18 are also disposed vertically, in situ The upstand 10 is square to fit a square skylight and is shown in perspective view in Figure 2, with the corner of the upstand cut-away for illustration purposes. It will be appreciated that the parts of the upstand 10 are provided as extruded linear mouldings, cut to length and bonded together to make the required shape and size of upstand. The mouldings are provided with corresponding alignment or locating profiles on their upper and lower surfaces, which fit together to facilitate engagement in the correct position between adjacent profiles, as described further below.

The foot element 12 has a flat lower or under surface 26 for resting flat against a flat roof 28 and an upper surface 30. The foot element may have a width of 60mm to 100mm, preferably 83mm. A rib 32 protrudes from the upper surface 30, proximate an inner side of the foot element 12, ie the inside of the upstand. The rib 32 is rectangular in cross section. The rib 32 is also spaced from an inside edge of the upstand by a distance of around lOmm. The width of the planar wall element 18 is between 40mm and 60mm, and is preferably 43 mm.

Similar ribs 32 are disposed on the upper surfaces of the planar wall elements18, and the angled element 20. The ribs 32 are positioned in the same location relative to the inside wall of the upstand, typically around lOmm in from the inside wall The lower end of each planar wall element 18 is flat, but is recessed with a channel or slot 34. The slot 34 is rectangular in cross-section and is sized to locate on and around the rib 32. A similar channel or slot 34, is located on the lower portion 22 of the angled element 20 and formed in the capping element 16.

The rib 32 may extend from the upper end of the element so as to tightly or loosely fit in the channel or slot 34. In the current embodiments, the rib extends between 5mm and 8mm, specifically 6.5mm.

Each of the elements forming the wall 14 (planar wall elements 18 and angled element 20) has external walls 36 and internal walls 38. For each planar wall element 18 the external 36 and internal 38 walls extend perpendicularly from a base wall 40. For the angled element 20 the external 36 and internal 38 walls extend angularly from a base wall 42 until reaching a predetermined distance, which forms the lower portions 22. At the predetermined distance the external 36 and internal 38 walls extend vertically from the lower portion 22, in situ, forming the second portion 24. The external and internal walls 36, 38 of each element lie parallel to one another.

The outside edge of the upstand 10 is formed by one set of external walls 36 and the inside edge of the upstand is formed from another set of external walls 36. The external walls forming the outside edge of the upstand have alternating substantially smooth sections and patterned sections. The smooth and patterned sections extend along the length of each wall element and are stacked in an alternating manner along its height The external walls 36 are joined to the inner walls 38 by strengthening elements 44.

Both inner walls are joined by reinforcing webbing 46. Although not shown in the current embodiments, the spaces between walls may be filled with insulating material.

The capping element 16 has an upper element with a downward facing flange 48 extending from one end. The downward flange 48 has a drip bead 50 formed on one end. The upper element has a series of conduits 52 running through its length. The flange 48 is spaced from the outer wall 38 by approximately lOmm to 30mm, preferably 20mm. The width of the capping element 16 may be based on the distance it is spaced from the external wall 36. For example, the width may be approximately 65mm as it is spaced 20mm from a wan element with a width of 45mm.

Other embodiments of upstand 10 created utilising the component parts will now be described with reference to Figures 3 to 6.

In Figure 3, the upstand 10 comprises a foot 12, a single planar wall element 18, a single angled element 20, and a capping element 16. In the current embodiment the foot 12, capping element 16 and planar wall element 18 are the same as those described in relation to the other embodiments of the invention. The angled element 20 is similar to that described above, however, the lower element 22 is disposed at an angle B, approximately 48 degrees, to the horizontal In Figure 4, the upstand 10 comprises a foot 12, three planar wall elements 18 and a capping element 16. In the current embodiment, the foot 12, capping element 16, and planar wall elements 18 are identical to that shown and described in relation to the other embodiments of the invention. The use of three planar wall elements provides a flat sided upstand with sides of more than 450mm in height.

In Figure 5, the upstand 10 comprises a foot element 12, a single planar wall element 18, an angled element 20 and a capping element 16. In the current embodiment, the elements are the same as those described in relation to the other embodiments.

In Figure 6, the upstand 10 comprises a foot element 12, an angled element 20 and a capping element 16. These elements are the same as those described in relation to the other embodiments.

Building regulations in the UK require that an upstand 10 extends at least 150mm above a roof surface and hence the planar wall element and angled element are each 150mm in height from their underside to topside, in situ. In regard to the angled element 20, the angle at which the first portion 22 is disposed from the horizonal, the height of the first portion 22 and the height of the second portion 24 may vary.

It will be appreciated that the separate capping element enables straightforward access for weatherproofing on site. This improves the quality of weatherproofing.

Furthermore, the modular construction of the upstands reduces tooling costs, improves production speed and diversity of product.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various I 0 changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 An upstand for a skylight comprising a wall for attaching to a flat roof around a roof opening, the upper end of the wall being formed with a first profile; and a capping element, the capping element having a second profile on its underside which mates with the first profile and locates the capping element in a fixed position on the wall, the capping element having a downward facing flange when located on the wall, extending around the periphery of the upstand 2. An upstand for a skylight as claimed in claim 1, in which the downward flange is spaced from an outer surface of the wall and terminates in a drip bead 3. An upstand for a skylight as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, fiiirther comprising a foot element disposed at the lower end of the wall for attaching to the flat roof 4. An upstand for a skylight as claimed in claim 3, in which the foot element is substantially planar and extends beyond the outer surface of the wall.5. An upstand for a skylight as claimed in claims 3 or 4, in which a profile matching the first profile is disposed on an upper surface of the foot element 6. An upstand for a skylight as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the wall comprises a plurality of component wall elements, each having an upper profile matching the first profile and a lower profile matching the second profile.7. An upstand for a skylight as claimed in claims 6, in which the cross section of the or each wall element includes webbing.8. An upstand as claimed in claims 6 or 7, in which insulation material is disposed within the or each wall element.9. An upstand as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the elements of the upstand are extruded from plastics.10. An upstand for a skylight as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the wall includes a substantially planar wall element having a substantially rectangular cross-section 11 An upstand for a skylight as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the wall includes an angled wall element.12. An upstand for a skylight as claimed in claim 8, in which the angled wall element includes a lower portion disposed at an angle of between 25 degrees I 0 and 60 degrees to the horizontal and an upper portion disposed vertically.13 An upstand for a skylight as claimed in claim 9, in which the angle of the lower portion is at 34 degrees to the horizontal or 48 to the horizontal, plus or minus 5 degrees.