IE83689B1 - A Modular Boss for a Conservatory Roof - Google Patents

Description

PATENTS ACT, 1992 2001/0011 A MODULAR BOSS FOR A CONSERVATORY ROOF PHILLIP B. ALLPORT, BRIAN C. ALLPORT, MARK C. ALLPORT, SUSAN M. ALLPORT AND HANNAH S. ALLPORT A modular boss for a conservatory roof The present invention concerns a modular boss for a conservatory roof, and in particular a modular boss which permits a large number of roofing configurations to be achieved with the use of a small number of interchangeable and interengageable components.

A roofing structure, in particular a conservatory roof, is generally composed of a number of ridge members between which an array of glass panels are disposed.

These ridge members will usually extend outwardly from some form of central ridge member which may, depending on the particular configuration of the roofing structure, or indeed on the desired appearance of the roofing structure, include a boss at the free end thereof. Such a boss may serve as a junction at which two or more of the ridge members may be secured, which number of ridge members will depend on the configuration of the roofing structure. Furthermore, such a boss will also usually serve as a point at which some form of finial or similar decorative capping may be mounted.

It will therefore be apparent that, where such a boss is to be incorporated into a roofing structure ,the shape and configuration of the boss will be determined by the number of ridge members which converge at, and are secured to, the boss in addition to the type/shape of finial to be seared thereto. Each boss will thus have to be custom made to a given specification.

The present invention therefore seeks to mitigate one or more of the problems associated with the prior art by providing a boss for a roof assembly, the shape and configuration of which may be altered to suit a number of roofing configurations.

The present invention therefore provides a modular boss for at least one ridge member of a roof assembly, the boss comprising a plurality of wall members, adjacent wall members being in edge to edge engagement, wherein at least one wall member is adapted to be secured, in use, to a free end of the ridge member of the roof assembly.

Preferably, the boss includes at least one coupling secured, in use, to the at least one wall member adapted to be secured to the free end of the ridge member, the coupling being adapted to be secured to the ridge member.

Preferably, the coupling is shaped and dimensioned for engagement with the ridge member.

Preferably, the at least one wall member adapted to be secured to the free end of the ridge member is substantially planar in profile, such as to facilitate abutment of the ridge member against the wall member.

Preferably, the planar wall member has a raised lip along each of a pair of opposed edges of the ridge member~mounting side of the planar wall member, between in use, which pair of lips, the coupling is engaged.

Preferably, each wall member has a tongue formed along one edge thereof and a correspondingly shaped and dimensioned slot formed along an opposed edge of the wall member, such that the tongue of one wall member may be slotted into engagement within the slot of the adjacent wall member in order to secure adjacent wall members in edge to edge engagement.

Preferably, the tongue and slot of each wall member are shaped and dimensioned such that a key may be engaged between the respective tongue and slot of adjacent wall members such as to secure said adjacent wall members relative to one another.

Preferably, the tongue and slot of each wall member have a concave face such as to form a substantially cylindrical keyway between the respective tongue and slot of adjacent wall members, into which keyway the key may be engaged.

Preferably, the tongue and slot of each wall member are substantially L—shaped such that adjacent wall members must be slidingly engaged with one another.

Preferably, each tongue comprises an inner leg extending from the respective wall member, and an outer leg extending from the inner leg at an angle of substantially 90° to the inner leg, the outer leg being disposed at an angle of substantially 45° to a longitudinal axis of the respective wall member.

Preferably, the like, the boss. the boss is adapted to receive a finial or in register with an, in use, upper edge of As used herein, the term "boss" is intended to mean any structure or assembly to which one or more components may be secured.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 illustrates a perspective View of a modular boss according to the present invention, to which is mounted a conventional finial arrangement; Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a section of an alternative configuration of the boss of the present invention, wherein an upper edge of the boss has been left exposed for illustrative purposes; Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the boss, to which is partially mounted a conventional ridge member which forms part of a conservatory roof; and Figure 4 illustrates a perspective View of one preferred configuration of a wall member suitable for forming part of the boss of the present invention; Figure 5 illustrates an alternative perspective view of the wall member of Figure 4; Figure 6 illustrates a perspective View of a second preferred configuration of a wall member suitable for forming part of the boss of the present invention; Figure 7 illustrates an alternative perspective view of the wall member of Figure 6; and Figure 8 illustrates a partial View of a pair of interengaged wall members forming part of the boss, which wall members have an alternative configuration which permit the pair of wall members to be reversibly secured relative to one another.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a modular boss, generally indicated as 10, for use in a roof assembly (not shown), and in particular a roof assembly for a conservatory (not shown) or the like. The boss 10 has a plurality of possible configurations, and consequently functions, which will become apparent from the following description of the invention. The primary functions of the boss 10, as illustrated in Figure l, 2 and 3, are to act as a junction between one or more ridge members 40 (only shown in Figure 3) which ridge members 40 generally form the main structure of a roof assembly.

In use, the ridge members 40 serve both as an overlap, and consequently the housing for a weather proof seal, of the roof between adjacent glazing panels (not shown) assembly. It will therefore be appreciated that one or more boss 10 may be located in register with the ridge members 40 forming the roof assembly in question, depending on the size, shape and configuration of the particular roof assembly.

The boss 10 may be provided in a number of alternative configurations, depending on the particular components used. In the preferred embodiments illustrated, the boss 10 consists of a combination of planar wall members 12 and faceted wall members 14, although it will be become clear from the following description of the invention that the boss 10 could consist entirely of a plurality of one or other of the planar wall members 12 or the faceted wall members 14, the shape and configuration of which are clearly shown in Figures 4 to 7. The planar wall member 12 is selected where a ridge member 40 is to be secured to the boss 10, as can be seen in Figure 3. The faceted wall member 14 is Chosen to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to any exposed side of the boss 10 against which no ridge member 40 is secured. It will therefore be appreciated that, although in the embodiments of the boss 10 illustrated, the faceted wall member 14 has a panelled appearance, the shape thereof may be altered to suit the particular style of roof assembly with which the boss 10 is being used.

Referring therefore to Figures 2 to 7, the particular configuration of the coupling 10 illustrated in Figure 2 is intended to act as a T junction between three ridge members 40, which, although omitted from Figure 2, will extend at right angles to one another from the planar wall members 12. The boss 10 thus consists of three planar wall members 12 and a single faceted wall member 14. Both the planar wall member 12 and the faceted wall member 14 include a substantially L shaped tongue 16 along one side thereof, and a correspondingly shaped and dimensioned slot 22 on the opposed side thereof, which permit adjacent planar wall members 12 and/or faceted wall members 14 to be interengaged with one another, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. Where a ridge member 40 is to be secured to the boss 10, the respective planar wall member 12 is provided with a coupling 32 secured thereto, which coupling 32 enables the ridge member 40 to be secured to the boss 10, as hereinafter described.

Each planar wall member 12 includes a planar portion 30 and a raised lip 28 on either side thereof, the distance between the opposed lips 28 being selected to correspond with the width of the coupling 32. Each coupling 32 also has a pair of opposed side walls 34 which, in use, are seated against the lips 28, resulting in an engaging fit between the coupling 32 and the respective planar wall member 12. Each coupling 32 may be welded/bolted or otherwise secured to the respective planar wall member 12, and in use, projects outwardly therefrom in order to provide a seat onto which the ridge member 40 may be located and secured. Referring in particular to Figure 3, the coupling 32 is shaped and dimensioned for a sliding fit within the ridge member 40, such that, in use, the boss may simply be slid into engagement with the free end as with of the ridge member 40, or a plurality thereof, the boss 10 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Once located in position, the boss 10 may be secured to the respective ridge member(s) 40 by any suitable means, for example welding. However, it is preferable that the boss 10 be reversibly secured in place, in order to permit subsequent modifications or alterations, and each ridge member 40 may thus be provided with a number of fixing holes 42 as illustrated in Figure 3.

Therefore, once the boss 10 is in place, a fixing bolt (not shown) may be threaded through each fixing hole 42 such as to engage against the respective coupling 32 in order to secure the boss 10 in place. Each fixing bolt (not shown) may alternatively pass through a in the respective corresponding hole (not shown) coupling 32. Any other suitable fixing arrangement may also be used.

It will also be apparent that the respective couplings 32 could be omitted from the boss 10, and the ridge members 40 secured directly to the respective planar wall members 12, again either by welding, bolting or other suitable fixing means. With such a configuration, the planar wall members 12 would preferably be dimensioned such that the respective ridge member 40, in use, would be seated flush between the opposed lips 28 in similar fashion to the couplings 32.

The ridge members 32, the planar wall members 12, and the faceted wall members 14 are preferably formed from in use, be welded together extruded aluminium, and may, in the desired configuration. However, although this method of connection is both fast and reliable it does not permit the various components to be readily separated from one another. Therefore, any other suitable method may be used, one example of which is described below with reference to Figure 8. In addition, any other suitable material may be used to form the planar wall members 12 and the faceted wall members 14, although aluminium is the most preferred material, being light-weight yet having substantial structural rigidity and resistance to environmental damage.

As indicated above, the provision of the tongue 16 and the slot 22 on each planar wall member 12 and faceted wall member 14 permit same to be interengaged with one another. It will thus be apparent that either a pair of planar wall members 12, a pair of faceted wall members 14, or one planar wall member 12 and one faceted wall member 14 may be engaged with one another by virtue of the respective tongue 16 and slot 22.

Each tongue 16 comprises an inner leg 18 and an outer leg 20 extending outwardly therefrom at an angle of approximately 90°. Each slot 22 includes an outer wall 24 and a stop 26, which together serve to define the slot 22. It will therefore be apparent that adjacent planar wall members 12 and/or faceted wall members 14 may only be slidingly engaged with one another. When a tongues 16 is disposed within an adjacent slot 22, the stop 26 of the slot 22 abuts against the inner leg 18 of the tongue 16, thereby preventing the lateral withdrawal of the tongue 16 from the slot 22, so providing a secure engagement between interengaged tongues 16 and slots 22. Once the tongue 16 and the slot 22 have been interengaged, the respective planar wall members 12 and/or faceted wall members 14 may be secured together, as hereinbefore described, by the use of welding or the like.

However, referring to Figure 8, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of a planar wall member and a faceted wall member, generally indicated as 112 and 114 respectively, which provide an alternative means of securing adjacent planar wall members 112 and/or faceted wall members 114 together. In this embodiment, like components have been accorded like reference numerals, and unless otherwise stated, perform a like function. Figure 8 illustrates a partial View showing a tongue 116 of the planar wall member 112 and a slot 122 of the faceted wall member 114. The tongue 116 is provided with a first concave face 46 at the free end thereof, while the slot 122 is provided with a second concave face 48 oppositely disposed the first concave face 46. Therefore, in use, the first concave face 46 and the second concave face 48 form a substantially cylindrical keyway 50 within the slot 122. Once the planar wall member 112 and the faceted wall member 114 are correctly aligned, a key in the form of a pin 44 is driven into engagement within the keyway 50. The pin 44 is shaped and dimensioned for an interference within the keyway 50, thereby driving an innner leg 118 of the tongue 116 against a stop 126 of the slot 122. It will thus be appreciated that the pin 44 and the keyway 50 prevent relative movement between adjacent planar wall members 112 and/or faceted wall members 114. However, unlike with welding, the pin 44 may be removed in order to permit the planar wall members 112 and/or faceted wall members 114 to be separated from one another.

Furthermore, as the planar wall members 112 and faceted wall members 114 need not be welded together, the finished paint/powder or other coating may be applied thereto prior to assembly, and will not thereafter be damaged as would otherwise occur were the components to be subsequently welded together. and slot 22, The respective tongue 16, 122 of either the planar wall member 12, 112 or the faceted wall member 14, 114 are each disposed at an angle of approximately 45° to a longitudinal axis thereof, such that when interengaged, adjacent planar wall members 12, 112 or faceted wall members 14, 114 are disposed at approximately 90° to one another. It will therefore be appreciated that this relative angular orientation has been chosen such that the overall configuration of the boss 10 is rectangular or square in form. Similarly, it will be appreciated that if the angle at which the tongue 16, 116 and slot 22, 122 are disposed, relative to the longitudinal axis of either the planar wall or the faceted wall member 14, 114 were °, member 12, altered to, for example, the resultant embodiment of the boss (not shown) would comprise a combination of planar wall members 12, 112 and/or faceted wall members 14, 114.

Referring back now to Figure 1, it is intended that the boss 10 will generally be provided with some form of decorative finishing, in the form of a capping 36, to which may also be added a conventional finial 38. In addition to providing an attractive appearance to the overall assembly, the capping 36 in particular serves to reinforce the boss 10, and will usually be welded or otherwise secured to the boss 10. Again this welding or similar suitable means of fixing is preferably located internally of the boss 10 in order to maintain the outward appearance thereof.

It will be appreciated that the boss 10 may be formed solely from faceted wall members 14, thereby resulting in an octagonal configuration. As no planar wall members 12 are present, the boss 10 cannot be secured to the free end of one or more ridge members 40 as hereinbefore described. However, the boss 10 may be secured atop any suitable portion of the particular roof assembly (not shown), by welding or otherwise, and act as a point to which a finial 38 may be secured for decorative purposes.

It is therefore clear that as the planar wall member 12 and the faceted wall member 14 are interengageable and interchangeable with one another, the boss 10 may be provided in a large number of configurations, thereby rendering the boss 10 highly versatile for use in roof assembly.

Claims (12)

Claims

1.) A modular boss for at least one ridge member of a roof assembly, the boss comprising a plurality of wall members, adjacent wall members being in edge to edge engagement, wherein at least one wall member is to a free end of the adapted to be secured, in use, ridge member of the roof assembly.

2.) A boss according to Claim 1 comprising at least one coupling secured, in use, to the at least one wall member adapted to be secured to the free end of the ridge member, the coupling being adapted to be secured to the ridge member.

3.) A boss according to Claim 2 wherein the coupling is shaped and dimensioned for engagement with the ridge member.

4.) A boss according to any preceeding Claim wherein the at least one wall member adapted to be secured to the free end of the ridge member is substantially planar in profile, such as to facilitate abutment of the ridge member against the wall member.

5.) A boss according to Claim 4, when dependant on claims 2 or 3, wherein the planar wall member has a raised lip along each of a pair of opposed edges of the ridge member—contacting side of the planar wall member, the coupling is between which pair of lips, in use, engaged. l0

6.) A boss according to any preceding claim wherein each wall member has a tongue formed along one edge thereof and a correspondingly shaped and dimensioned slot formed along an opposed edge of the wall member, such that the tongue of one wall member may be slotted into engagement within the slot of the adjacent wall member in order to secure adjacent wall members in edge to edge engagement.

7.) A boss according to Claim 6 wherein the tongue and slot of each wall member are shaped and dimensioned such that a key may be engaged between the respective tongue and slot of adjacent wall members such as to secure said adjacent wall members relative to one another.

8.) A boss according to Claim 7 wherein the tongue and slot of each wall member have a concave face such as to form a substantially cylindrical keyway between the respective tongue and slot of adjacent wall members, into which keyway, in use, the key is engaged.

9.) A boss according to Claims 6 to 8 wherein the tongue and slot of each wall member are substantially L—shaped such that adjacent wall members must be slidingly engaged with one another.

10.) A boss according to Claims 6 to 9 wherein each tongue comprises an inner leg extending from the respective wall member, and an outer leg extending from the inner leg at an angle of substantially 90° to the inner leg, the outer leg being disposed at an angle of substantially 45° to a longitudinal axis of the respective wall member.

11.) A boss according to any preceding claim which is adapted to receive a finial or the like, in register with an, in use, upper edge of the boss.

12.) A boss substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to