GB2378206A

GB2378206A - Glazing bar security means

Info

Publication number: GB2378206A
Application number: GB0118716A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Anthony Jones; Colin Antony Jones
Original assignee: Aspect Management Ltd
Current assignee: Aspect Management Ltd
Priority date: 2001-08-01
Filing date: 2001-08-01
Publication date: 2003-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 2021-08-01
Also published as: GB2378206B; GB0118716D0

Abstract

A glazing bar 10 comprising an inner elongate member 14, which has at least one shoulder 24 for providing support for the edge of a roofing panel 12, and at least one outer elongate member 16 which co-operates with the inner member and overlies an outer face of the roofing panel edge. A retaining means 40 is independently associated with the inner member for obstructing lifting of the panel. The retaining means may comprises a channel-section element, which may be attached to the panel by snap-engaging features. The inner and outer members are preferably extruded.

Description

GLAZING BAR SECURITY MEANS This invention relates to glazing bar assemblies for use in the construction of roofs, especially conservatory roofs.

The invention is applicable for example to glazed roofs of the type comprising panels, e. g. of glass or a plastics material such as polycarbonate or polyvinyl chloride, supported between glazing bars which may be produced as aluminium extrusions.

In a known form of glazing bar assembly, as disclosed in British Patent Application No.

2347963, the assembly comprises an elongated bar which serves to support the panels and an elongated capping element which has a plastics connector which engages as a push fit in a channel in the bar.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved glazing bar assembly and, in particular, one which affords greater security against thieves making entry through the roof of a conservatory or the like by removing one or more panels.

According to the present invention there is provided a glazing bar assembly comprising an inner elongate member which has at least one shoulder for providing support for the inner face of an edge of a roofing panel and at least one outer elongate member which co-operates with the inner member and, in use, overlies an outer face of the roofing panel edge, means being associated with the inner member for obstructing lifting of the panel independently of the outer member (s).

Such means may comprise at least one channel-section element for receiving a side edge of a panel, the channel-section element being retained in place relative to the

inner member at a location or locations beneath the panel (s) whereby external access to such location (s) is obstructed by the presence of the panel.

The glazing bar may be arranged to support the panels on each side thereof in which case there may be obstructing means associated with each side of the glazing bar.

In the glazing bar assembly of British Patent Application No. 2347963, the only obstacle to lifting of the panels is the capping element which is relatively easy to lever away from the inner member. Consequently a would-be intruder can readily gain access to the interior of a conservatory or like building through the roof simply by levering the capping element from the bar and then removing one or more roofing panels. The use of a glazing bar assembly in accordance with the invention affords greater security against break-in through the roof.

The channel-section element (s) may be extruded, e. g. extruded from a suitable material such as a plastics material or a metal such as aluminium or an alloy thereof.

The inner member and/or the outer members may be extruded profiles, e. g. of plastics or a metal such as aluminium or an alloy thereof.

The channel-section element (s) may be attachable to the inner member in which case the point (s) of attachment may be located so as to be concealed from access outboard of the panel (s).

Additionally or alternatively, where there is a channel-section element associated with each side of the glazing bar, the elements may be arranged to be coupled to one another inboard of the panels.

The panel-obstructing means may be coupled to the outer member.

Coupling of the panel-obstructing means to the inner member and/or the outer member may be by means of snap engaging features.

The inner member may be of generally T section with a central stem which fits between the side edges of adjacent panels and a cross-piece which underlies the and provides support for the panel side edges. The outer member may be of V section and may be arranged to be connected to the free end of the stem of the T section so that the sides of the V project towards the cross-piece of the T.

The channel-section element may be arranged to fit between the cross-piece of the inner member and the sides of the V with the mouth of the channel presented laterally in a direction away from the stem of the T.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 5 each show a cross-sectional view through diferent embodiments of a glazing bar in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the glazing bars 10 of the present invention are typically used in the construction of a glazed conservatory roof with each glazing bar extending between a ridge structure and an eaves beam. Glazing roofing panels 12 are supported between pairs of glazing bars and are typically in the form of polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride or glass, each panel being supported at its side edges by the glazing bars.

Each glazing bar 10 comprises an inner member 14 and an outer member 16 either or both of which may be manufactured as aluminium or plastics extrusions. As used herein,"inner"and"outer"refer to the location of the components relative to the roofing structure. The inner member 14 is generally T-shaped comprising a central stem portion 18 and a cross-piece 20 which has upwardly directed flanges 22 forming shoulders 24 providing support for the the inner faces at the panel side edges. In its normal position of use, the inner member is inverted with the free end of the stem portion 18 uppermost.

The outer member 16 is generally V-shaped having downwardly directed legs 32 which extend from each side of a central section 34. The legs 32 together with the flanges 22 form openings which receive the side edge portions of the panels. The legs 32 may contact the outer face of the panels via seals 35. The outer member is releasably coupled to the inner member by reception of inward exension 37 which may be bifurcated within a channel 39 at the free end of the stem portion 18. The extension 37 may be integral with the outer member or it may be a separately formed components which is secured to the outer member. The channel 39 may be provided with formations such as internal ribs for co-operation with projections on the extension 37 in order to provide resistance to separation of the outer member 16 from the inner member 14.

Thus far, the glazing bar construction is generally similar to that disclosed in British Patent Application No. 2347963. With such an arrangement, it will be seen that once the outer member is removed by levering it away from the inner member, the side edges of the panels are then free thus enabling the panels to be lifted and allowing entry to be gained by an intruder.

In contrast with the glazing bar construction of British Patent Application No.

2347963, the glazing bar forming the illustrated embodiments of the present invention are each provided with means which, with respect to lifting of the panels, serve to render the

panels 12 captive with the inner member 14 in such a way that such means cannot be easily released even after the outer member has been removed.

In Figure 1, such means comprise a pair of side edge retainers 40 each of which may be in the form of a plastics or aluminium extrusion. Each retainer 40 comprises a channel 42 defined by base 44 and side walls 46,48 for receiving a panel side edge as illustrated. Each retainer 40 is designed for assembly to the inner member 14 in such a way that the channel 42 fits within the gap between the inner and outer members with its base 44 proximate the central stem portion 18. The wall 46 has a depending L-shaped leg 50 which extends around one side of the cross-piece 20 for connection, vai coupling 52, to the leg 50 of the other retainer. The coupling 52, which may be of a releasable nature, is located on the internal side of the glazing bar and is not therefore accessible from the exterior when the panels 12 are in place. The coupling 52 may take various forms, e. g. it may be in the form of interfitting snap engageable elements associated one with each of the retainers or it may comprise a fastener securing the the two retainers together. Once the two retainers are coupled together and the panel side edges received within the channels 42, it will be seen that each panel (located between a pair of such glazing bars) is rendered captive to the inner member independently of the outer member so far as lifting of the panel is concerned.

The retainers 40 may be assembled to the side edges of each panel 12 prior to placement of the panel on the inner members 14 during construction of the conservatory or like building. The panel plus retainers is positioned on the inner members and the legs 50 of the retainers can be flexed appropriately to allow them to pass over the cross-piece 20 and then brought together secured by the coupling 52. This method of fitting is particularly applicable where the retainers are of an adequately flexible material such as a suitable plastics. An alternative method of assembly involves initially fitting the retainers 40 to the inner member and then registering the panels with the channels 42 at one end of

the inner member and sliding the panels into position. Once the panels have been located, the outer members are connected to the inner members by engagement of the extensions 37 with the channels 39.

Each retainer may also co-operate with the outer member if desired in such a way that the outer member is linked to the retainers and hence to the inner member independently of the interconnection afforded by the extension 37 and channel 39. In the embodiment of Figure 1 and also the other embodiments described below, this may be implemented by the provision of a a flange 54 projecting upwardly from the wall 48 for coupling to the legs 32. Such coupling may for instance comprise interlocking barbs 56, 58 which automatically lock as the outer member is pushed towards the inner member, e. g. so that the barb 56 on the flange 54 slides past and then engages with the barb 58 on the leg 32, this being aided by the ability of the flange 54 to flex resiliently to a sufficient degree..

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the retainers 40 are coupled to each other at the underside of the inner member. However, the manner in which the retainers are located and secured can vary as illustrated by the variants illustrated in Figures 2 to 5 which are not to be considered as exhaustive. In Figures 2 to 5, the same reference numerals are used to depict those parts which have counterparts in Figure 1.

In Figure 2, each retainer 40 is held in place by engagement of the L-shaped leg 50 with the underside of the cross-piece 20 rather than by coupling with the other retainer. The engagement between the leg 50 and the cross-piece is obtained by means of formations 60,62 which are automatically brought into engagement as the retainer is assembled to the inner member with the formation 60 snapping over the formation 62 by virtue of flexing of the end portion of the leg 50. The formations 60 and 62 may be

uncoupled from each other by pulling the end portion of the leg 50 away from the cross-piece.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the retainers 40 serve to conceal the inner member 14 and may in addition to their retaining feature also function as a cladding to conceal the inner member on the inner side of the roofing structure. For this purpose, the retainers 40 may be produced as plastics, aluminium or wood sections. In the embodiment of Figure 2 and other embodiments to be described below, the retainers 40 may only partially conceal the inner member and, if desired, in these embodiments, cladding section or sections additional to the retainers 40 may be provided to conceal the cross-piece 20 may in use be concealed on the internal side of the glazing bar in known fashion, such cladding section (s) being of plastics material, aluminium or wood for example and being attachable to the inner member 14 and/or to the retainers 40. For this purpose, the retainers and cladding section (s) may be provided with means for enabling the cladding section (s) to be secured in place, e. g. by snap engagement. The cladding section (s) may be provided with the seals on which the panels seat.

In Figure 3, the legs 50 co-operate with the underside of the flanges forming the shoulders 24. In this case, the coupling of the retainers 40 to the cross-piece 20 may be purely by virtue of the end portions of the legs 50 being trapped below the shoulderdefined flanges or the retainers may be coupled to the cross-piece by a suitable fastening arrangement (not shown). In this embodiment, the gap between the underside of the roofing panels and the shoulders 24 may be taken up by the previously mentioned cladding section (s) and/or seals associated therewith.

In Figure 4, instead of depending L-shaped legs, the wall 46 is provided with a projection 61 which engages with a groove in the shoulder 24, e. g as a snap fit. In Figure 5, the end portions of the legs 50 (again not L-shaped) are coupled at 62 to the upwardly

directed legs 22 of the cross-piece. Such coupling may be by way of snap-engaging features or other fastening arrangements such as self-tapping screws.

As described with reference to the embodiment of Figure 1, the retainers 40 in each of the embodiments of Figures 2 to 5 may be fitted to the side edges of the panels and then engaged with the inner member on placement of the panels between an adjacent pair of inner members or alternatively the retainers may be fitted to the inner members prior to placement of the panels. In the latter case, placement of the panels may involve registering them with the channels 42 at the eaves ends of the inner members and then sliding the panels upwardly to the desired position.

In addition to rendering the panel side edges captive with the inner member, further security against removal of the panels by a would-be intruder may be afforded by the provision of panel end fittings as disclosed in our co-pending GB Patent Application of even date herewith and filed under reference number N01/0459/GB, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference.

Claims

1. A glazing bar assembly comprising an inner elongate member which has at least one shoulder for providing support for the inner face of an edge of a roofing panel and at least one outer elongate member which co-operates with the inner member and, in use, overlies an outer face of the roofing panel edge, means being associated with the inner member for obstructing lifting of the panel independently of the outer member (s).

2. A glazing bar as claimed in Claim I in which the glazing bar is arranged to support the panels on each side thereof and in which obstructing means is associated with each side of the glazing bar.

3. A glazing bar as claimed in Claim I or 2 in which said means comprises at least one channel-section element for receiving a side edge of a panel.

4. A glazing bar as claimed in Claim 3 in which the channel-section element is retained in place relative to the inner member at a location or locations beneath the panel (s) whereby external access to such location (s) is obstructed by the presence of the panel.

5. A glazing bar as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, the channel-section element (s) being of extruded form.

6. A glazing bar as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5 in which the channelsection element (s) are attachable to the inner member.

7. A glazing bar as claimed in Claim 6, the point (s) of attachment being located so as to be concealed from access outboard of the panel (s).

8. A glazing bar as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 7 in which there is a channel-section element associated with each side of the glazing bar and the elements are arranged to be coupled to one another inboard of the panels.

9. A glazing bar as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 8 in which the inner member may be of generally T section with a central stem which fits between the side edges of adjacent panels and a cross-piece which underlies the and provides support for the panel side edges, the outer member is of Vsection and is arranged to be connected to the free end of the stem of the T section so that the sides of the V project towards the cross-piece of the T and the or each channel-section element is arranged to fit between the cross-piece of the inner member and the sides of the V with the mouth of the channel presented laterally in a direction away from the stem of the T.

10. A glazing bar as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the inner member and/or the outer members is an extruded profile.

11. A glazing bar as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the panel-obstructing means are coupled to the outer member.

12. A glazing bar as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the panelobstructing means being coupled to the inner member and/or the outer member by snap engaging features.

13. An assembly having at leaast one retainer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, any one of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

13. A glazing bar having at leaast one retainer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, any one of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A glazing bar assembly comprising an inner elongate member which has at least one shoulder for providing support for the inner face of an edge of a roofing panel and at least one outer elongate member which co-operates with the inner member and, in use, overlies an outer face of the roofing panel edge, means being associated with the inner member for obstructing lifting of the panel independently of the outer member (s)

in such a way as to maintain the panel captive against lifting from the inner member after . y S LO in the outer member has been removed.

2. An assembly as claimed in Claim I in which the glazing bar is arranged to support the panels on each side thereof and in which obstructing means is associated with each side of the glazing bar.

3. An assembly as claimed in Claim I or 2 in which said means comprises at least one channel-section element for receiving a side edge of a panel.

4. An assembly as claimed in Claim 3 in which the channel-section element is retained in place relative to the inner member at a location or locations beneath the panel (s) whereby external access to such location (s) is obstructed by the presence of the panel.

5. An assembly as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, the channel-section element (s) being of extruded form.

6. An assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5 in which the channel- section element (s) are attachable to the inner member.

7. An assembly as claimed in Claim 6, the point (s) of attachment being located so as to be concealed from access outboard of the panel (s).

8. An assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 7 in which there is a channel-section element associated with each side of the glazing bar and the elements are arranged to be coupled to one another inboard of the panels.

9. An assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 8 in which the inner member may be of generally T section with a central stem which fits between the side edges of adjacent panels and a cross-piece which underlies the and provides support for the panel side edges, the outer member is of Vsection and is arranged to be connected to the free end of the stem of the T section so that the sides of the V project towards the cross-piece of the T and the or each channel-section element is arranged to fit between the cross-piece of the inner member and the sides of the V with the mouth of the channel presented laterally in a direction away from the stem of the T.

10. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the inner member and/or the outer members is an extruded profile.

11. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the panel-obstructing means are coupled to the outer member.

12. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the panel- , obstructing means being coupled to the inner member and/or the outer member by snap engaging features.