GB2421046A

GB2421046A - Fixing for glazing panels

Info

Publication number: GB2421046A
Application number: GB0513241A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Allport
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-29
Filing date: 2005-06-29
Publication date: 2006-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-29
Also published as: GB2421046B; IE20060316A1; GB0513241D0

Abstract

A fixing arrangement 1 for glazing panels, especially for fixing panels in a glazed roof assembly, comprises an elongate glazing carrier 2, a pair or more of elongate extension gaskets 42 and an elongate capping member 12. The glazing carrier 2 has a central section 4 to extend into a gap between adjacent glazing panels and a pair of wings 6 to underlie adjacent edges of adjacent glazing panels. The extension gaskets 42 are located along respective free longitudinal edges of the carrier wings 6 and are adapted to form extensions to the wings 6. The capping member 12 comprises a central portion defining an elongate cavity 16 and is adapted to self align and overlie adjacent edges of adjacent glazing panels. The extension gaskets may each comprise a body portion 44 which lies adjacent the carrier wing 6 and an overhang 46 which overlies the carrier wing 6. The body portion 44 and the overhang 46 may be detachably connected by a neck region.

Description

Fixing arrangement for glazing panels The present invention relates to a

fixing arrangement for glazing panels and, in particular, to a glazing bar for fixing glazing panels edge to edge in a glazed roof assembly.

There are several known variations of roof glazing bars for fixing glazing panels edge to edge in a glazed roof assembly. Generally, such known glazing bar arrangements are only suitable for use with rafters of a particular width and glazing material of a limited variation of thickness. Thus, many stock sizes of glazing bars are required to accommodate a wide range of rafter width and glazing thickness.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of the disadvantages associated with known glazing bars and in order to provide an improved fixing arrangement and assembly protection for glazing : ** panels, which can easily be dismantled without destroying or damaging the glazing bar components and which is suitable for use with rafters and glazing materials of various thickness. S..

According to the invention there is provided a fixing arrangement for glazing panels comprising: an elongate glazing carrier having a central section adapted to extend into a gap between adjacent glazing panels and a pair of wings extending laterally from respective opposite longitudinal sides of the central section, the wings being adapted to underlie adjacent longitudinal edges of adjacent glazing panels; a pair or more of elongate extension gaskets located along respective free longitudinal edges of the carrier wings, the gaskets being adapted to form lateral extensions to the wings; and an elongate capping member comprising a central portion defining an elongate cavity, the capping member being adapted to overlie adjacent longitudinal edges of adjacent glazing panels and bridge a gap between the panels.

Preferably, the gaskets comprise an elongate body which lies adjacent the edge of the carrier wing and an overhang which extends over the upper surface of the carrier wing, in use. Preferably, the body is detachably connected to the overhang by a neck region.

Preferably, the lateral dimension of the body is substantially the same as or greater than the lateral dimension of the overhang.

Preferably, the upper surface of the overhang comprises a plurality of elongate ribs. Preferably, one or more projections extend outwardly from the upper surface of the gasket body for sealing against a glazing panel in use. * S. * 25 S'S

The extension gasket may comprise one or more detachable gasket bodies, each separately detachable at a neck region connecting the body to the remainder of the gasket.

Preferably, the underside of the cavity comprises a depending leg on each side thereof. Preferably, the fixing arrangement comprises an elongate ushaped cross-section cushioning gasket adapted to be located on legs of the capping member.

Preferably, the fixing arrangement comprises an elongate locking member adapted to locate in the cavity, inner walls of the cavity comprising first interlocking means and the locking member comprising second interlocking means adapted to engage said first interlocking means.

The invention further provides a glazing panel assembly comprising a pair of glazing panels held together by a fixing arrangement of the invention.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded cross-sectional view through a fixing arrangement for glazing panels of the invention; and S... * *

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the fixing *:*::* arrangement of figure 1, in use. * 25 S..

Referring to figure 1, a fixing arrangement 1 according to the invention comprises a glazing bar having an elongate glazing carrier 2, an elongate capping member 12 and an elongate locking member 34, each typically comprising a substantially constant cross-section extrusion, for example of aluminium or uPVC.

The glazing carrier 2 has a generally T-shaped cross- section and comprises a central section 4 with a pair of wings 6 extending laterally from respective opposite longitudinal sides thereof. The central section 4 comprises an upstanding, typically hollow, section having a ledge 8 extending along each side thereof.

Typically, the ledges are at substantially half the height of the upstand. Typically, the top of the central section comprises a v-shaped channel 10.

The capping member 12 has a generally inverted W-shaped cross-section and is adapted to overlie adjacent longitudinal edges of the glazing panels and bridge the gap between the panels. The capping member comprises a central portion 14 which defines a substantially rectangular or u-shaped cross-section cavity 16 and a pair of elongate flanges 18 extending outwardly and downwardly from the upper edges of the cavity 16.

The free edge of each flange 18 comprises a gasket : * retention recess 20 for receiving a sealing gasket 22.

The gasket 22 comprises an elongate body having an anchoring means 24 for locating the gasket in the recess 20 and a series of projections 26 for sealing against a glazing panel in use.

The underside of the cavity 16 comprises a pair of depending legs 28, one on each side thereof. The legs 28 ensure that the capping member is self-aligning in use since they facilitate aligning the capping member into the gap between the two glazing panels. An elongate u-shaped cross-section glass cushioning gasket may be located on each leg 28. Typically, the cushioning gaskets 30 are installed when the fixing arrangement is to be used with glass glazing panels in order to protect the glass. The legs 28 correspond to the ledges 8 of the glazing carrier 2 and are adapted to locate thereon, in use, when the fixing arrangement is used with 10mm glazing panels.

Interlocking means in the form of an inwardly turned lip 32 extends along each upper elongate edge of the cavity 16 of the capping member for engaging the locking member in use.

The locking member 34 is a substantially u-shaped profile comprising an elongate arcuate cover element 36 and two depending elongate limbs 38. Interlocking means in the form of an elongate protrusion 40 is formed along the outer side of each limb 38 so that, in use, the protrusions 40 engage behind the lips 32 of the capping member to retain the locking member in position on the capping member. * S. * S *

Elongate extension gaskets 42 are located along the free longitudinal edges of the carrier wings 6. Each gasket 42 comprises an elongate body 44 which lies adjacent the edge of the carrier wing in use and has an overhang 46 which extends over the upper surface of the carrier wing. The gaskets are adapted to form lateral extensions to the wings. Typically, the lateral dimension of the body 44 is substantially the same as or greater than the lateral dimension of the overhang 46.

The body 44 is connected to the overhang by a relatively narrow neck 45 so that in use the lateral extension of the gasket 42 can be reduced by detaching the body 44 from the overhang 46. The narrow neck 45 allows the body to be simply peeled away from the overhang. Thus, the detachable gasket body allows the arrangement of the invention to be used on rafters of different thickness.

The upper surface of the overhang 46 is ridged to facilitate sealing against a glazing panel. Two projections 48 extend outwardly from the upper surface of the gasket body for sealing against a glazing panel.

The underside of the body has a recess 50 for receiving a further seal.

Referring to figure 2, in use, the central section 4 of the glazing carrier 2 extends into the gap between adjacent longitudinal edges of the glazing panels 100, 102 and the wings 6 underlie adjacent faces of the glazing panels. The glazing carrier 2 is mounted along a rafter so that the wings 6 span the rafter. Since the gaskets 42 form lateral extensions to the wings, the gaskets span the rafter and allow the fixing arrangement to be used on rafters of different thickness. The upper surface of the gaskets 42 abut the respective undersurfaces of the glazing panels.

* S S ** S * S The capping member 12 is located on the glazing carrier 2 such that the depending legs 28, with cushioning gaskets 30 where appropriate, locate and self-align within the gap between the glazing panels and the sealing gaskets 22 on the capping member abut the respective upper faces of the glazing panels.

The locking member 34 is pressed or tapped down into the cavity 16 of the capping member so that the limbs 38 flex towards each other until the protrusions 40 lock behind the lips 32 of the capping member.

The fixing arrangement is installed by centering the carrier 2 on the rafter and securing it into position, for example with nails. If glass glazing panels or double glazed units 102 are being used, the cushioning gaskets 30 are installed on the legs 28 of the capping member. If polycarbonate panels are being used, the cushioning gaskets 30 are not required. The glazing panels are positioned and the arrangement is secured by tightening fixing screws 106 through preformed holes on the capping member and through the carrier. The locking member 34 is then snapped on.

* ** Typically, the width W of the carrier 2 is 52mm. If the fixing arrangement is mounted on a thin rafter, such as a rafter A of thickness the same as or less than the *:*::* width of the carrier, for example on a rafter of * 25 thickness 52mm or less, say 50mm, the body 44 of the *.e extension gaskets 42 may optionally be removed by peeling them off from the end.

S

* On rafters of thickness greater than the width of the carrier, such as rafters B, C of thickness 60mm and 65mm respectively, the body of the extension gaskets underlies the corresponding panels and provides additional sealing.

It will be appreciated that additional detachable gasket bodies for extending the lateral extension of the wings may be provided on the extension gasket 42, each separately detachable at a neck region connecting the body to the remainder of the gasket.

Typically, the glazing carrier 2 comprises rigid impact uPVC, the capping member 12 and locking member 34 comprise aluminium and the gaskets comprise nitrile.

Thus, the fixing arrangement of the invention is suitable for use with rafters of any thickness and any material and for glazing panels of any thickness, typically from 10mm up, and of any material, such as glass or polycarbonate. The arrangement provides a self-aligning roof glazing bar which facilitates rapid installation and is easily and conveniently dismantled for glazing repairs. In addition, the arrangement provides a thermal break between the carrier and the * ** capping member. The invention can incorporate all features in a self supporting system by adjusting the design of the glazing carrier 2. * ** * * *

* . 25 It will be appreciated that expressions of orientation *** or direction, such as "overlie", "upper", "outer", "underside", "inwardly", "outwardly", "downwardly" and the like, are used for convenience only and refer to the normal orientation of the fixing arrangement in a glazing panel assembly as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. However, such expressions are not to be regarded as limiting the orientation of the fixing arrangement in use.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment, which is described by way of example only. * ** * * S S.. S * *.* * S S... * *. * . S * *. * S..

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*...S* S 5 55*555 * .

Claims

Claims 1. A fixing arrangement for glazing panels comprising: an elongate

glazing carrier having a central section adapted to extend into a gap between adjacent glazing panels and a pair of wings extending laterally from respective opposite longitudinal sides of the central section, the wings being adapted to underlie adjacent longitudinal edges of adjacent glazing panels; a pair or more of elongate extension gaskets located along respective free longitudinal edges of the carrier wings, the gaskets being adapted to form lateral extensions to the wings; and an elongate capping member comprising a central portion defining an elongate cavity, the capping member being adapted to self-align and overlie adjacent longitudinal edges of adjacent glazing panels and bridge a gap between the panels. * I.
2. A fixing arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the gaskets comprise an elongate body which lies adjacent the edge of the carrier wing and an overhang which extends over the upper surface of 0S* the carrier wing, in use. *
3. A fixing arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the body is detachably connected to the overhang by a neck region.
4. A fixing arrangement according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the lateral dimension of the body is substantially the same as or greater than the lateral dimension of the overhang.
5. A fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein an upper surface of the gasket comprises a plurality of elongate ribs.
6. A fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein one or more projections extend outwardly from an upper surface of the gasket for sealing against a glazing panel in use.
7. A fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the gasket comprises one or more detachable gasket bodies, each separately detachable at a neck region connecting the body to the remainder of the gasket.
8. A fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the underside of the cavity * comprises a depending leg on each side thereof. * , *4**
9. A fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim further comprising an elongate u-shaped * 25 cross-section cushioning gasket adapted to be * ** located on a leg of the capping member. 1**
10. A fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim further comprising an elongate locking member adapted to locate in the cavity, inner walls of the cavity comprising first interlocking means and the locking member comprising second

10. A fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim further comprising an elongate locking member adapted to locate in the cavity, inner walls of the cavity comprising first interlocking means and the locking member comprising second interlocking means adapted to engage said first interlocking means.

11. A glazing panel assembly comprising a pair of glazing panels held together by a fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim.

12. A fixing arrangement for glazing panels or a glazing panel assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings * .. p. * I.. p * *.* * * * . I * I * p.

* s..è Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A fixing arrangement for glazing panels comprising: an elongate glazing carrier having a central section adapted to extend into a gap between adjacent glazing panels and a pair of wings extending laterally from respective opposite longitudinal sides of the central section, the wings being adapted to underlie adjacent longitudinal edges of adjacent glazing panels; a pair or more of elongate extension gaskets located along respective free longitudinal edges of the carrier wings, the gaskets being adapted to form lateral extensions to the wings and each gasket comprising a detachable elongate body; and an elongate capping member comprising a central portion defining an elongate cavity, the capping member being adapted to self-align and overlie adjacent longitudinal edges of adjacent glazing panels and bridge a gap between the panels.

2. A fixing arrangement according to claim 1 wherein such elongate body lies adjacent the edge of the carrier wing and each gasket comprises an overhang which extends over part of the surface of the carrier wing, in use.

3. A fixing arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the gasket body is detachably connected to the overhang by a neck region which facilitates removal of the body from the overhang.

4. A fixing arrangement according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the lateral dimension of the body rt is substantially the same as or greater than the lateral dimension of the overhang.

5. A fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein a surface of each gasket comprises a plurality of elongate ribs.

6. A fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein one or more projections extend outwardly from a surface of each gasket for sealing against a glazing panel in use.

7. A fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein each gasket comprises one or more detachable gasket bodies, each separately detachable at a neck region connecting the body to the remainder of the gasket.

8. A fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the base of the cavity comprises a depending leg on each side thereof.

9. A fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim further comprising an elongate u-shaped cross-section cushioning gasket adapted to be located on a leg of the capping member.