GB2357783A

GB2357783A - Glazing bar assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2357783A
Application number: GB0030017A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Tweedy
Original assignee: XTRALITE IND ROOFLIGHTS Ltd
Current assignee: XTRALITE IND ROOFLIGHTS Ltd
Priority date: 1999-12-08
Filing date: 2000-12-08
Publication date: 2001-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 2020-12-08
Also published as: GB2357783B; GB0030017D0; EP1111152A3; EP1111152A2; GB9928902D0

Abstract

A glazing bar assembly comprises a primary part (11) and a secondary part (12), the primary part having a central section (13) and a first edge region (15) having a slot to receive an edge region of a panel (20), the secondary part having a slot to receive an edge region of a panel (38) ,the primary and secondary parts having inter-engaging formations (18,32,35,25) so that the secondary part may be located and engage with the primary part. The parts being arranged in use to lie substantially flush with upper surface (38) of the panels.

Description

2357783

PATENTS ACT 1977 A99SIGB4NUjm Title: Panel Support Bar. Description of Invention

The present invention relates to bars for supporting panels for example, glazing panels and relates primarily but not exclusively to bars for supporting sheets of plastic material such as polycarbonate which may be transparent, translucent or opaque. For the sake of convenience, such bars will hereinafter be referred to as glazing bars.

Glazing bars for supporting sheets of plastic material have two premium functions. First to support the panel and secondly to provide a weather proof seal between one panel and ail adjacent panel or an adjacent pail of a wall or roof system. Hopefully the glazing bars should be capable of being assembled with the panels which they have to support without undue difficulty.

Glazing bars have been proposed in the past sometimes incorporating a two part system wherein a lower pail is secured to rafters, purlin and the like. Panels are then placed in position and an upper pail is then secured by fasteners passing through the upper pail into the lower pail. The resultant structure depends at least in pail on the skill of the installer and also sometimes weather proofing around the fasteners securing the upper and lower parts may be troublesome.

Another known systeni comprises a glazing bar which is split into two pails, one pail is secured along the edge of one panel and the other part is secured along the edge of another panel. However both parts incorporate an upwardly extending pail and it is the upwardly extending parts that are secured to each other in assembly. The height of the upwardly extending part can provide difficulty for weather proofing around the perimeter of such a glazed area.

2 It is an object of the present invention to provide a new or improved glazing bar.

According to one aspect of the present invention we provide a glazing bar having a primary pail and a secondary pail, the primary pail having a central section, a first edge region having a slot adapted to receive an edge region of a panel on one side of the central region, the secondary pail having a slot adapted to receive an edge region of a panel; said primary and secondary parts having inter-engaging formations so that said secondary part may be located with and engage said primary pail and wherein the surface of the primary pail and the surface of the secondary pail which provide upper members defining said slots are adapted to overlie an upper surface of said panels and the upper surface of said central section is substantially co-planar with said upper members.

The central section may be of a forin adapted to provide stiffliess to the glazing bar.

Preferably said central section comprises a box like formation that provides stiffness to the glazing bar which may be both vertical and lateral stiffness.

By providing said glazing bar with a primary pail and a secondary part which are inter-engageable, access to the primary pail before said secondary part is inter-engaged therewith permits of securing the primary pail to a rafter, purlin or the like. After which, said secondary pail may be located therewith not only closing access to the fixing but also providing a weather proof sealing to said fixing.

Thus, the primary pail may be provided with a fixing means access to which is prevented when the secondary pail is located and engaged with the primary pail.

Conveniently said primary and secondary pails may be made from aluminium and may be made by an extrusion process.

3 The upper member of the secondary pail may be provided with a downwardly stepped portion which is disposed beneath an upper pail of the primary part and has an end pail and/or a shoulder for engagement with a part of said central section or said upper pail of the primary pail respectively to limit.movement of the secondary pail towards the primary pail and wherein said upper part of the secondary part is provided with a downwardly extending projection for engagement with said primary part to limit movement of the secondary part away from the primary pail.

Alternatively, the secondary pail may be provided with a downwardly extending portion having a surface which is adapted to lie adjacent to or abut a downwardly extending portion of the central part to limit movement of the secondary part towards the primary part and is also provided with an abutment which is adapted to engage an abutment provided on the primary pail to limit movement of the secondary pail away from the primary pail.

The upper pail of the primary pail and of the secondary pail may each be provided with a portion of shallow channel configuration to provide a reduced cross-section mouth to said slots and a groove in the upper surface of the upper members.

According to a second aspect of the Invention we provide a glazing bar having a central section and a first edge region having a slot in which is received an edge region of a panel on one side of the central region.

A glazing bar sub-assernbly of the second aspect of the invention may be used in a glazing bar assembly incorporating a glazing bar according to any one of the preceding statements of invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention we provide a glazing system comprising a first and a second glazing panel, each made from a plastics material, one of said panels having at least one edge region adapted to be juxtaposed with the edge region of the other of said panels, said glazing system. further comprising a glazing bar having a primary pail and a secondary part, the 4 primary part having a central section, and a first edge region having a slot to receive an edge region of the first panel on one side of the central region and the secondary pail having a slot to receive an edge region of the second panel, said primary and secondary pails having inter- engaging formations so that said secondary part is located and engaged with said primary pail and wherein the surface of the primary pail and the surface of the secondary pail which provide upper members partly defining said slots, overlie an upper surface of said panels and the upper surface of said central section is substantially co-planar with the upper surface of said upper members.

The glazing system may incorporate a glazing bar according to the preceding statements of invention.

Considerable benefit is achieved by providing the two pail glazing bar. The primary pail can be pre-asseinbled to a panel and secured thereto before bringing to a work site. It may thereafter be fitted to the panel in a manner in controlled conditions to ensure that there is a proper seal between the panel and the primary pail of the glazing bar and conveniently the secondary part may likewise be secured to an edge region of a panel prior to assembly of the assembly on site thus ensuring that the secondary pail is properly secured to and sealed with the panel and the two parts, together with their associated panels may then be located together in a siniple and rapid manner.

The provision of a central section of a glazing bar to give adequate strength and stiffness to the glazing bar enables the upper members providing both the slots for the primary pail and the secondary pail to be substantially planar so that they overlie adjacent panels to provide riot only a fli-in location of the panels but also satisfactory weather proofing and, at the same tilne, provide the upper surface of a panelled surface with a substantially planar surface thereby considerably facilitating weather proofing by flashing, roofing felt or other substances to a surrounding structure without difficulty.

One example of the present invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention, FIGURE 2 shows a glazing bar sirnilar to that shown in Figure 1 but disposed at one end of an assembly with an end cap secured thereto in the place of one of the panels, FIGURE 3 illustrates the method of assembly on site of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, FIGURE 4 shows an end assenibly similar to Figure 2 but illustrating a glazing bar at an opposite end of the assembly, FIGURE 5 illustrates how the panels at the ends of the assembly are supported, FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of pail of an assembled structure, FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly incorporating a second embodiment of the invention, FIGURES 8 and 9 are a cross-sectional views of the assembly of Figure 7 showing panels at the ends of the assembly.

Referring first to Figure 1, a glazing bar 10 comprises a primary part 11 and a secondary part 12. The primary part 11 may be made as an extrusion in an aluminium alloy and includes a central section which is indicated at 13 and which comprises a lower member 14, side walls 15, 16, perpendicular thereton, an intermediary transverse member 17 and an upper member 18 parallel to the lower member 14.

The upper member 18 has an extension portion 19 that forms an upper limb of a channel-like slot S, adapted to receive a panel 20. A lower limb of the slot is provided by lip member 21a of a vertical flange 21 of a tranverse 6 lower member 22 extending froin the central pail 13 and adapted to bear on the upper surface of a rafter or other support 23).

Extending from the central portion 13 in the opposite direction to the lower member 22 is a lower member 24 which is the same as the lower member 22 and has a vertical flange 25 which terininates, in a lip 26.

The lower member 24 may be provided with a through bore to enable fasteners such as the fastener shown at 27 to pass through and secure the glazing bar 10 to the support 23. The glazing bar 10 may, for example, be provided with a plurality of holes along its length in the lower member 24 so that it may be secured at spaced intervals to the support 23.

The secondary part 12 of the glazing bar 10 may also be made as an extrusion in aluminium alloy. The secondary portion 12 has an upper part 31 having an upper limb portion 32, a downwardly extending portion 33 provided with spacer members 34, a transverse portion 35, an upwardly extending section 36 and lower transverse limb portion 3) 7.

The upper limb portion 32 and the lower linib portion 37 together define upper and lower limbs of a channel like Slot S2 to receive a panel 38.

The upper members 18 and 32 each have an end portion of shallow channel configuration C to provide a reduced cross-section inouth to said sheet and a groove in the upper surface of the upper ineinber. The panel 38 and the panel 20 may, for exarnple, each coinprise a iiiultl-wall translucent panel made from polycarbonate.

The lower portion 35 and vertical portlion'36 together with the lower pan of the downwardly extending part 33 forin a channel which inay be used to transport any moisture to a drainage channel to further enhance the weatherproofing of the systeni. The spacers 34 may be intennittent and prevent the end of the panel 38 froin abutting the surface of the downwardly extending part 33.

7 Referring now in addition to Figure 2, the glazing bar shown is the same as the glazing bar referred to above and shown in Figure 1. However, in this case the glazing bar is at the edge of a glazed area and so the panel 20 shown in Figure 1 is replaced by a closure pail 40 which is secured to the upper limb 19 by a fastener 41. The closure pail 40 has a transverse lower limb 42 which engages round the lower limb 21 of the slot like recess and has a downwardly depending pail 43 that engages at 44 with the primary pail of the glazing part so as to effect a weatherproof seal. A water deflecting guide 45 can be inserted between the glazing bar 10 and the rafter 46 to deflect water away from the building or other enclosure provided with the glazing. The glazing bar may be provided with an additional sealing member 47 as a further barrier to prevent moisture entering the enclosure.

Referring now in addition to Figures 3 and 4, Figure 3 illustrates how the glazing system may be assembled on site. A panel 20 together with the primary pail 11 of the glazing bar 10 may be inserted in position and secured to a support 23 by a fastener 27. The primary pail 11 may be supplied already secured or fitted to the panel 20. After insertion of the fastener 27 to secure the glazing bar 10 to the support 23, a panel 338 together with the secondary part 12 of the glazing bar 10 may be inserted and located with the primary part 11 in a manner as shown in the drawing. Downwards movement of the panel 38 will then cause the panel 38 and the secondary pall 12 to take up tile position as shown in Figure 1.

When the primary and secondary parts are thus assembled a glazing bar as shown in Figure 1 or Figure 4 will be provided in which a downwardly stepped pail 32 of the upper limb portion 332 is disposed beneath the upper pail 18 and has an end pail 3 M and a shoulder 332c either or both of which may engage a co-operating pail of said central section or said upper part of the primary pail respectively to hinit movement of the secondary pail towards the primary pail. In addition said upper pail of the secondary pail is provided with 8 an downwardly extending projection 32d for engagement with the side wall 16 of the primary part 11 to limit movement of the secondary pail away from the primary pail.

The shoulder 32c and the co-operating end surface of the upper member 18 are inclined to the vertical in the present example at an angle of 45' but if desired the shoulder and the co-operating end surface may be of other inclination or configuration if desired.

The other side of the panel 38 may be provided with a primary portion 11 of another glazing bar 10 and the assembly procedure repeated. Thus a complete roof or wall may be assembled and secured in position very rapidly.

Referring now in addition to Figure 4 a further glazing bar 10, is identical with that which has been described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 is fitted to the panel at the opposite end of the assembly to that shown in Figure 2. A glazing member 50, which is precisely the sarne as the closure member 40, but may differ if desired, is fitted to the glazing bar 10. However, in this case it is shown completing the other end of a glazed area. Once again a rain or moisture deflecting panel 51 may be provided and secured in position by sandwiching between the glazing bar 10 and the rafter 52.

The glazing bar 10 is normally, provided along the elongate edge of each panel 10, 20 or 38 and to complete the system, in the case of a pitched roof, for example, the end portions rnay be provided with end members as shown in Figure 5. The end members are identical to each other and comprise an upwardly extending portion 55 an upper transverse limb 56 and a lower stepped portion generally indicated at 57 which may incorporate a seal 58. The lower portion 57 includes an upper transverse meniber 59 that supports a panel 60. The upwardly extending inember 55 may include spacers 61 to prevent the end of the panel 60 fi.om abutting the inner surface of the upwardly extending part 55.

9 The upper limb 56 may be substantially the same thickness as the upper limbs 18,19,31 and 32 and may be mitred so as to form a close fitting surface with a similarly mitred surface on limbs 19 or 32. Thus considerably facilitating any weatherproofing that is necessary with an enjoining structure.

Figure 6 shows part of a roofing system incorporating a glazing bar embodying the invention and also the end members as shown in Figure 5. The mitred joint referred to above is shown at 70, however at the end 71 of the glazing bar Figure 6 shows a section, to show the gla zing bar in more detail.

Referring now to Figure 7 there is shown a cross-sectional view of an assembly incorporating a second embodiment of the invention. In this figure the same pails have been designated with the same reference numerals as used in FiguresI and 6. The manner of use of the glazing bar is the same as the first embodiment and there is shown at the left and right hand ends of Figure 7 figures which correspond to Figure 2 and Figure 4 of the first embodiment although the screw 27 and support 46 and water deflecting guide 45 are omitted.

It will be seen that details of the glazing bar construction both of the primary pall and the secondary pail differ from that of the first embodiment for example the base of the primary part is now planar and does not include a central recess. In addition the shape of the under surface of the downwardly stepped portion 32b differs in that the under surface is now generally asynimetrical V configuration and no separate downwardly extending rib 32d is provided. Further, in this embodiment the surface 37 of the secondary pall generally abuts the limb 16 of the primary pail to Iii-nit alone or together with the shoulder 32c to limit movement of the secondary pail towards the primary part. Furthermore, the lower transverse hinb portion 3)7 on its lower surface is of stepped configuration having a shouldei-37a therein for engagement with an end surface 26a of the lip 26 of the vertical flange 25 of the primary part 11 to limit movement of the secondary pail away from the primary pail.

It will be appreciated that the glazing bars described above is merely two example of glazing bars of the present invention and variations in the sections may be provided depending on the strengths necessary and also the panel with which it has to be used.

It is in further envisaged that the interlocking between the primary and the secondary portions for the glazing bai. may be altered as desired and may depend on the conditions to which the glazing system is to be subjected. The important feature being that the projection of the glazing bar above the panels which it is intended to support is iiiiiiiiiial so is to enable satisfactory weatherproofing from its surrounding structures by means of a lead or like flashing strip let into a wall and forined over a generally planar surface of the panel and glazing bar.

Furthermore by virtue of providing the under surface of the glazing bar as a one piece element on the primary part it is relatively simple to apply a suitable element thereto to improve the thernial properties of the assembly as a one piece member and for example such an element may be "snapped-on".

In the present specification "comprise" ineans "includes or consists of' and "comprising" means "including or consisting of'.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying di-awiii(Ys, expressed iii their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof

Claims

1. A glazing bar having a primary pail and a secondary pail, the primary part having a central section, and a first edge region having a slot adapted to receive an edge region of a panel on one side of the central region, the secondary pail having a slot adapted to receive an edge region of a panel; said primary and secondary pails having inter-engaging formations so that said secondary pail may be located and engage with said primary pail and wherein the surface of the primary pail and the surface of the secondary part which provide upper members partly defining said slots are adapted to overlie an upper surface of said panels and the upper surface of said central section is substantially co-planar with the tipper surface of said upper members.

2. A glazing bar according to Claim 1 wherein the central section is of a form adapted to provide stiffiriess to the glazing bar.

3. A glazing bar according to Claini 1 or Claiin 2 wherein the central section comprises a box-like formation that provides stiffliess to the glazing bar.

4. A glazing bar according to Claim 3_) wherein said box-like formation c provides both vertical and lateral stiffness to the glazing bar.

5. A glazing bar according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the primary pail is provided with fixing means access to which is prevented when the secondary pail is located and engaged with the primary pail.

6. A glazing bar according to any preceding clairn wherein said primary and secondary pails are made from an altiiiiltiluiii alloy.

12 7. A glazing bar according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said primary and second parts are made by an extrusion process.

8. A glazing bar according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper member of the secondary pail is provided with a downwardly stepped portion which is disposed beneath an upper pail of the primary pail and has an end part and/or a shoulder for engagement with a pail of said central section or said upper pail of the primary part respectively to linlit movement of the secondary part towards the primary pail and wherein said upper pail of the secondary pail is provided with a downwardly extending projection for engagement with said primary part tu llinit inovenient of the secondary pail away from the primary pail.

9. A glazing bar according to any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein the secondary pail is provided with a downwardly extending portion having a surface which is adapted to lie adjacent to or abut a downwardly extending portion of the central part to Innit movement of the secondary pail towards the primary part and is also provided with all abutment which is adapted to engage an abutment provided on the primary part to Innit movement of the secondary pail away fi-om the primary pail.

10. A glazing bar according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper pail of tile primary pail and of the secondary pail are each provided with a portion of shallow channel configuration to provide a reduced cross-section mouth to said slots and a groove in the upper surface of the upper member.

11. A glazing bar substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 j 111 12. A glazing bar sub-assembly comprising a primary pail of a glazing bar C> having a central section and a firsi ed,,e region having a slot in which is 0 received an edge region of a panel on one side of the central region.

0 13. A glazing bar sub-asseinbly according to Claim 12 when used in a CP glazing bar assembly incorporating a glazing bar according to any one of Claims 1 to 11.

14. A glazing bar sub-assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompany drawings.

0 15. A glazing system comprising a first and a second glazing panel, each made firom a plastics material, one of said panels having at least one edge region adapted to be juxtaposed with the edge region of the other of said panels, said glazing system further comprising a glazing bar having a primary part and a secondary pail, the primary pail and having a central section, a first edge region having a slot to receive an edge region of the first panel on one side of the central region and the secondary part having a slot to receive an edge region of the second panel, said primary and secondary pails having interengaging formations so that said secondary part is located and engaged with said primary pail and wherein the surface of the primary pail and the surface of the secondary pail which provide upper members partly defining said slots, overlie an upper surface of said panels and the upper surface of said central section is substantially co-planar with the upper surface of said upper members.

16. A glazing system according to Claim 15 and incorporating a glazing bar 0 according to any one of Claims 2 to IT 14 17. A glazing system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. Any novel feature or novel combination of features as herein described and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.