NZ199663A - Glazing units for double glazing:spacers on one pair only of pane edges and not extending full length:methods of use - Google Patents

Description

1 996 6 Priority . • .L-! '.1?. • • • 0 . £.03 Complct® Cpeosficatlcn Filed: clue ?.7/'.<? „ ^ 2 0 MAR 1985 PuteltQ«$ton out©: .. > ......

P.O. J®wmc!r No: i?K8.

NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT ,1955 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION DOUBLE GLAZING We, PILKINGTON BROTHERS P.L.C., a Company incorporated under the laws of Great Britain, of Prescot Road, St. Helens, Merseyside WA10 3TT, England, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in the following statement:- [*~8 FEB 1982* * /} -1- (followed by page la) -leu- 19 96 63 DOUBLE CLAZittG This invention relates to double glazing, and more particularly to the double glazing of a glazed roof, such as a greenhouse roof, and the conversion of a series of overlapping glazing panes to double glazing, for example the conversion of an existing glazed roof such as a greenhouse roof, to double glazing.

Glazing units have been proposed in U.K. Patent Specification No. 1,508,684, for converting single glazed windows to double glazed windows. A glazing unit for making this conversion comprises a glass pane with spacers sealed around the pane for attachment with adhesive to an installed pane to form an hermetically sealed interspace. The satisfactory production and installation of such glazing units requires high quality workmanship under carefully controlled conditions in order to ensure the required hermetic seal. The use of such units therefore tends to be expensive.

The requirements for the double glazing of roofs, particularly for horticultural applications such as the glazing of the roofs of greenhouses, are simpler because it is not necessary to provide an hermetic seal.

Neverthelessrit is desirable to design the double glazing which can be easily and economically applied to installed glazing, in such a way as to avoid the accumulation of water, either condensation or rain, or any other foreign matter such as dirt or algae in the interspace between the glass panes, so that light transmission is as high as possible. 199663 It is an object of the invention to provide overlapping double glazing using double glazing units which can be applied to an existing glazing Installation without any change, or only a limited change, to the existing glazing bars or other fixing arrangements.

According to the invention there is provided a method of converting a series of installed overlapping glazing panes to double glazing, comprising securing to the installed panes a series of additional overlapping glass panes which are staggered relative to the installed panes and overlap in the same sense as the installed panes, including securing pairs of spacers between the lateral margins of pairs of parallel installed and additional panes, and intermediate the end panes of the combined series locating one end of each spacer at one transverse edge of an installed pane, and abutting the other end of each spacer against a transverse edge of an adjacent installed pane, and locating one transverse edge of each additional pane at the ends of the spacers which abut the adjacent installed pane.

One way of carrying out the method comprises lapping the other transverse edge of each additional pane Intermediate the end panes of the combined series over an adjacent additional pane.

Another way of carrying out the method comprises securing to each intermediate installed pane a preformed glazing unit comprising a pane of glass with two spacers adhered to lateral margins of one face of the pane, which spacers extend from one transverse edge of the pane for a ■f o r\ o i y '0 oI) distance such that, when installed, the pane of glass laps the glass pane of an adjacent glazing unit and the spacers abut a transverse edge of an installed glazing pane.

Preferably the spacers and additional panes are secured to the outer faces of the installed panes.

The spacers and additional panes can be secured to the inner faces of the installed panes.

The invention also comprehends a double glazed installation comprising a series of installed overlapping glazing panes, a series of additional overlapping glass panes which are staggered relative to the installed panes and overlap in the same sense as the installed panes, and a series of aligned spacers secured between the lateral margins of the installed and additional panes, wherein intermediate the end panes of the combined series one end of each spacer between a pair of parallel panes is at one transverse edge of the installed pane and the other end of each spacer abuts a transverse edge of an adjacent installed pane, and one end of each additional pane is at the ends of the spacers which abut the adjacent installed pane.

In one embodiment the series of installed overlapping glazing panes are secured between glazing bars in the roof of a greenhouse, and a transverse spacer is secured by adhesive across the space between the two series of panes in the region of the top of the installation to close the top of the inclined space within the installation. ' /' 1 Q o A o .J-. £/ vj vjl) The invention further comprehends a glazing unit for converting installed overlapping glazing panes to double glazing, comprising a pane of glass with spacers adhered to one pair only of lateral margins of one face of the pane, the spacers extending partly along said lateral margins from one transverse edge of the pane for a distance such that, when installed, the pane of glass laps the glass pane of an adjacent glazing unit and the spacers abut a transverse edge of an installed glazing pane.

Further the invention provides a double glazing unit which can be one of a series of such units for use in a double-glazed roof, comprising two glass panes separated by spacers adhered to one pair only of lateral margins of the panes, the spacers extending along said lateral margins, wherein at one transverse end of the unit, one end of each spacer is coplanar with the end of one pane and the end of the other pane extends therebeyond so as to lap an adjacent glazing unit when installed, and at the other transverse end of the unit the other end of said other pane is coplanar with the other end of the spacers. Alternatively at said other end of the unit the other end of said one pane extends beyond the other ends of the spacers so that the unit can lap two adjacent glazing units when installed.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood some embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a converted double glazed installation according to the invention . /■ Figure 2 is a perspective view of a glazing unit according to the invention for converting installed overlapping glazing panes to double glazing, Figure 3 is a cross-section through a converted double glazed installation showing the fixing of the double glazing to glazing bars of a greenhouse, Figure 4 is a cross-section through the ridge bar of a greenhouse showing the conversion of an installed glazing pane to double glazing, Figure 5 illustrates how the converted double glazing according to the invention fits into the slam rail below an opening vent of a greenhouse roof, Figure 6 illustrates a prefabricated double glazing unit according to the invention, and Figure 7 illustrates the connection together of another form of prefabricated..double glazing unit, according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 illustrates the •conversion of a series of installed overlapping glazing panes 1, 2, 3 and 4 to double glazing by securing to the installed 4 panes 1 to 4 a series of additional overlapping glass panes 5, 6, 7 and 8 which are staggered relative to the installed panes and overlap in the same sense as the installed panes that is in the traditional way to ensure weather-proofing. The pair of panes 4 and 8 are the lowermost of the series and the lower edge i of the additional pane 8 extends beyond the lower edge of the installed pane 4. The installation begins from the lowermost .1 996 6 3 installed pane 4 and there are secured to the outer face of the pane 4 two lateral spacers 9 and 10 which are flush with the lateral margins of the pane 4. One end of each of the spacers 9 and 10 is spaced from the lowermost edge 11 of the pane 4. The other end of each spacer 9 and 10 abuts the lowermost transverse edge 12 of, the adjacent installed pane 3. A transverse spacer 13 may extend across the lowermost ends of the spacers 9 and 10 to close the lowermost end of the interspace between the double glazing.

The spacers 9, 10 and 13 may be of any suitable material, for example aluminum, plastics material, rubber, or glass tube or beam. When the spacers 9 and 10 lie under a glazing cap it is not important that they be made of a transparent material. It" is desirable that transverse spacers, such as the spacer 13, be of transparent material, preferably glass, so that light transmission is not impaired. Any suitable adhesive may be used for securing the spacers to the glass, for example a suitable silicon based sealant. An ultra-violet curing adhesive may be used.

The first additional pane 8 is then secured by adhesive to the spacers with its lowermost transverse edge 14 in the same plane as the transverse edge 11 of the installed pane 4, and its other transverse edge 15 at the ends of the spacers 9 and which abut the installed pane 3. The next step comprises securing the spacers 16 and 17 to the lateral margins of the first intermediate installed pane 3 with one end of each spacer at the lowermost transverse edge 12 of the installed pane 3 and the other end of the spacers 16 and 17 abutting the lowermost f I 99$63 transverse edge 19 of the adjacent installed pane 2. "When the spacers 16 and 17 are in position the additional pane 7, which is intermediate the end panes of the series, is secured to the spacers with the lowermost transverse edge 20 of the additional pane overlapping the first additional pane 8 and the uppermost transverse edge 21 of the pane 7 at the uppermost ends of the spacers 16 and 17 which abut the installed pane 2.

This procedure continues with the securing of the further intermediate additional pane 6 to the installed pane 2 with the. lowermost edge of the pane 6 overlapping the additional pane 7 and so on until the ridge bar at the the ridge of the roof is reached. The final additional pane is longer than the rest so that its top edge is in register with the top edge of the final installed pane and is in contact with or close to. the ridge bar as illustrated in Figure. 4.

Before making the conversion the usual glazing caps are removed from the glazing bars 22 on which the installed panes rest, and after the conversion of the installed panes to double glazing a shorter glazing cap 23 is tightened down onto each of •the glazing bars and bears on the additional panes so that the double glazing is firmly secured between the glazing bars.

Another way of carrying out the method is to make up a series of glazing units illustrated in Fugure 2 for converting installed overlapping glazing panes to double glazing. Each of these glazing units comprises an additional pane, for example the pane 7, with its two spacers 16 and 17 adhered to lateral margins of one face of the pane. The spacers 16 and 17 extend from one transverse edge 20 of the pane for the distance such that when installed the pane 7 laps over the glass pane of an 1 9.9.6 6 3 adjacent glazing unit, that is over the pane 8 as illustrated in Figure 1, and the spacers 16 and 17 abut the transverse edge of an installed glazing pane, that is, the edge 19 of the pane 2 as illustrated, in Figure 1.

The conversion can be carried out from the inside of the roof in the same way either by first securing the spacers to the inner surface of the installed panes followed by the securing of the additional panes to the spacers, or by using glazing units as illustrated in Figure 2. The procedure is similar although it would then be convenient to begin from the ridge of the roof and work downwards in order to facilitate overlapping of the additional panes which have to be supported in position while the adhesive sets.

It is more convenient however to work from the outside with the additional panes applied to the outside of the installed panes. The strain on the adhesive or other securing means is much less since the weight of the additional panes rests on the installed panes and frictional forces assist in maintaining the additional panes in position.

Figure 4 illustrates the ridge of a roof which has been converted to double glazing by securing of additional panes to• the outer faces of the installed panes. The uppermost transverse edge 24 of the additional pane 25 extends just up to the ridge bar 26 and a transverse spacer 27 is secured across the interspace so as to close off the top end of the interspace and prevent ingress of rain and dirt. Similar transverse spacers may be used to provide barriers within the interspace intermediate the top and bottom of the series of double glazing 199S63 units, but it is preferable not to use transverse spacers other than the top spacer in order to facilitate the drainage of condensation.

Figure 5 illustrates a conventional greenhouse vent 28 which bears on a slam rail 29 and can be opened in the direction of the arrow 30. An installed pane 31 is secured to the slam rail and an additional pane 32 secured to the installed pane in the manner described with reference to Figure 1 by means of spacers one of which is illustrated at 33, does not require.any modification of the vent and slam rail. A transverse spacer 34 closes off the interspace near to the slam rail.

The conversion to double glazing of installed overlapping glazing panes of roofs or side or end walls, particularly in . greenhouses can therefore be effected without any modification to the glazing bars or rails of the greenhouse, the only change being the use of glazing caps.of different height.

The invention thus provides means for converting greenhouses to double glazing without major modification, and provides effective double glazing which is weather-proof and which has restricted access to the air space between the glazing panes to prevent entry of rain, and dirt. The lowermost transverse spacers 13 need not be secured firmly in position but may be removable to permit access to the interspace for cleaning.

Further the invention provides prefabricated double glazing units for use in double glazing a roof such as a greenhouse roof. Two such prefabricated units are illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.

I99S6 Each of these units comprises two glass panes 35 and 36 separated by two spacers 37 adhered to lateral margins of the panes in the same way as described with reference to Figure 1. At least at one transverse end the ends of the spacers are coplanar with the ends of one pane and the end of the other pane extends beyond the spacers so as to lap an adjacent glazing unit when installed.

In Figure 6, the. upper ends 38 of the spacers 37 are coplanar with the transverse end 39 of pane 35 and the end 40 of the pane 36 extends beyond the spacers. The lower ends 41 of the spacers 37 are coplanar with the transverse end of the pane 36 and the end 43 of the pane 35 extends beyond the lower ends.41 of the spacers 37. These units can be assembled together with the ends 40 and 43 lapping adjacent units in the same way as in Figure 1.

In Figure 7, at the upper transverse end of each prefabricated unit the ends 38 of the spacers and the ends 39 and 40 of the panes are coplanar. At the lower transverse end of the unit the end 43 of the pane 35 which extends beyond the ends 41 of the spacers overlaps the next adjacent unit.

Claims (13)

199663 -11- What we claim 1s:

1. A method of converting a series of Installed overlapping glazing panes to double glazing, comprising securing to the Installed panes a series of additional overlapping glass panes which are staggered relative to the Installed panes and overlap in the same sense as the installed panes, including securing pairs of spacers between the lateral margins of pairs of parallel Installed and additional panes, and Intermediate the end panes of the combined series locating one end of each spacer at one transverse edge of an Installed pane, and abutting the other end of each spacer against a transverse edge of an adjacent installed pane, and locating one transverse edge of each additional pane at the ends of the spacers which abut the adjacent installed pane.

2. A method according to Claim 1, further comprising lapping the other transverse edge of each additional pane intermediate the end panes of the combined series over an adjacent additional pane.

3. A method according to Claim 1, comprising securing to each Intermediate Installed pane a preformed glazing unit comprising a pane of glass with two spacers adhered to lateral margins of one face of the pane, which spacers extend from one transverse edge of the pane for a distance such that, when installed, the pane of glass laps the glass pane of an adjacent glazing unit and the spacers abut a transverse edge of an installed glazing pane. l,( 10 DEC im 1 QOt"?^9 — •' J O 12

4. A method according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the spacers and additional panes are secured to the outer faces of the installed panes.

5. A double glazed installation comprising a series of installed overlapping glazing panes, a series of additional overlapping glass panes which are staggered relative to the installed panes and overlap in the same sense as the installed panes, and a series of aligned spacers secured between the lateral margins of the installed and additional panes, wherein intermediate the end panes of the combined series one end of each spacer between a pair of parallel panes is at one transverse edge of the installed pane and the other end of each spacer abuts a transverse edge of an adjacent installed pane, and one end of each additional pane is at the ends of the spacers which abut the adjacent installed pane.

6. An installation according to Claim 5, wherein the series of installed overlapping glazing panes are secured between glazing bars in the roof of a greenhouse, and a transverse spacer is secured by adhesive across the space between the two series of panes in the region of the top of the installation to close the top of the inclined space within the installation. r . -(J -13-

7. A glazing unit for converting installed overlapping glazing panes to double glazing, comprising a pane of glass with spacers adhered to one pair only of lateral margins of one face of the pane, the spacers extending partly along said lateral margins from one transverse edge of the pane for a distance such that, when installed, the pane of glass laps the glass pane of an adjacent glazing unit and the spacers abut a transverse edge of an installed glazing pane. < ■

8. A double glazing unit which can be one of a series of such units for use in a double-glazed roof, comprising two glass panes separated by spacers adhered to one pair only of lateral margins of the panes, the spacers extending along said lateral margins, wherein at one transverse end of the unit, one end of each spacer is coplanar with the end of one pane and the end of the other pane extends therebeyond so as to lap an adjacent glazing unit when installed, and at the other transverse end of the unit the other end of said other pane is coplanar with the other end of the spacers.

9. A unit according to Claim 8, wherein at said other end of the unit the other end of said one pane extends beyond the other ends of the spacers so that the unit can lap two adjacent glazing units when installed.

10. A method of converting a series of installed overlapping glazing panes to double glazing, substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 5, or Figure 6 or Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings. N /W65 1 Q O ,? O j O o -14-

11. A double glazed installation substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 5, or Figure 6 or Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A glazing unit for converting installed overlapping glazing panes to double glazing, substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A double glazing unit substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 6 or Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings. A. c