MXPA01009396A

MXPA01009396A - Weatherproofing.

Info

Publication number: MXPA01009396A
Application number: MXPA01009396A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Christopher Richardson
Original assignee: Ultraframe Uk Ltd
Priority date: 1999-03-18
Filing date: 2000-02-16
Publication date: 2005-09-27
Also published as: PL351163A1; EP1161603B1; CA2299787A1; ATE303483T1; GB9906081D0; WO2000055453A1; DE60022324T2; EP1161603A1; GB2347948A; DE60022324D1; GB2347948B; CZ20013352A3; GB0003465D0; AU2561000A

Abstract

A ridge end of a conservatory roof has a ridge end member (38), to which are attached glazing bars (34) between which are supported glazing panels. A weatherproofing membrane (10) comprising a pad (12) of weatherproof material and a deformable shape retentive reinforcement (14) is moulded to fit into the ridge end with its top edge overlying the glazing bars.

Description

FOR WEATHER-PROOF DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION This invention concerns making the ends of weather-proof greenhouse rooftops. A greenhouse having a roof of four waters taking in the end of the crest of its bar to glaze extending radially and downwards from that point and panels for glazing of support. The end of the ridge is provided with a conical cover to conceal the ends of the glazing bar and its connections to the end of the ridge as well as to give a decorative finish to the end of the ridge. Because the glazing bars extend over the glazing panels, there are gaps between the upper surfaces of the panels and the lower part of the roof, through which leaks of air currents can occur and water can penetrate. rain through the end of the ridge. It is known to provide brushes on the underside of the roof and fill any spaces at the end of the ridge with pieces of foam rubber to try to prevent drafts and entry of rainwater. These measures are not entirely effective since the foam rubber pieces can move or simply can not be placed correctly. An object of this invention is to provide means for weatherproofing the ends of the crests of a roof structure, such as that of a greenhouse. In accordance with this invention, a weatherproof membrane is provided for use at the crest end of a glass roof, such as that of a greenhouse, the membrane comprising a pad of weatherproof material and contom reinforcement. deformable that maintains its shape.

The invention further provides a crest end of a glass roof comprising a glazing bar extending from the end of a ridge member and support glazing bars therebetween, and a weatherproof membrane comprising a pad of material weatherproof deformable contour winding that maintains its molded shape to accommodate against the upper ends of the bars and / or glazing panels and having a lip extending over the glazing bars or panels. The pad may be of weatherproof material or it may be treated to be weatherproof by the application of a coating or cover material. The phrase "weatherproof material" is intended to include rain and wind proof material. The pad is desirably able to adhere to silicone senators, especially to neutral silicone sealant modules. The pad can be made of foam rubber materials, such as polyurethane.

The reinforcement may be metal or plastic and may be sheets of continuous material, perforated material or mesh material. The mesh can be expanded material. The preferred membrane of the invention is generally arcuate in plan view and has an upper edge that can rest on or be folded to rest on the glazing bar and ends of panels when they are in place at the end of the ridge. The reinforcement may be cut or cut at intervals spaced along the intended upper edge where the upper edge may be bent to form a lip. Alternatively, an intended upper edge of the pad may be a prefixed lip, preferably as a generally semicircular protruding section.

In use the weatherproof membrane of the invention is molded to fit against the upper ends of the bars and / or glazing panels at the end of the crest of a glass roof, such that its lip is either formed by the previously said or preformed mold rests on the glazing bars or panels. Then silica or any other curable material for sealing is applied to seal any openings around the membrane to form a barrier against substantial rain or wind at the end of the ridge. This invention will now be further described, by means of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows in the foreground a first weatherproof membrane of the invention; Figure 2 shows the weatherproof membrane of Figure 1 molded to a typical use form; Figure 3 shows the membrane of Figures 1 and 2 in place at the end of the roof ridge of the greenhouse; Figure 4 shows in the foreground a second membrane of the invention; and Figure 5 shows the membrane of Figure 4 molded for use. Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, a membrane 10 for use in providing against weathering at the end of a greenhouse roof between glazing bars disposed radially and a cover for the ridge comprising a pad 12 of waterproof material having reinforcement mesh 14 of expanded material adhered or laminated to the pad. The pad may comprise a core of foam rubber material with a water cover on at least the intended face that will be weatherproof. The pad or cover is capable of having silicone sealant adhered to eventually seal any openings between the membranes and components of the ridge end system. The membrane is arcuate, so that it can be molded into a circular and conical part from its lower edge 16. The mesh is cut or recessed at spaced intervals 18 on its upper edge 20, in such a way that the membrane can be bent forward to form a lip that rests on the ends of the glazing bars (see Figures 2 and 3). A typical tip end where the membrane is used is shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The end of the ridge comprises a ridge frame 30 having at its end a ridge edge member 32 where the glazing bars 34 are connected 34. The edge member of the ridge 32 generally has a semicircular flank 36 which has a slope down from its top 38 which is secured to the end of the ridge. The flank 36 has a circular ring section 40 in which the glazing bars 34 are fixed directly or by means of connectors. The glazing bars support and retain the glazing panels (not shown) that extend substantially as far as the glazing bars toward the ridge. The membrane 10 is hand molded to accommodate the ends of the glazing bars and panels and any openings between them are sealed with silicone sealant, which helps to hold the membrane in place. The end of the ridge is finished with a cover (not shown) and usually a cover cap. The membrane fills the space between the covers of the glazing bars and the underside of the covers to prevent air filtration and the ingress of water through the ridge. Figures 4 and 5 show an alternative form of the weatherproof membrane 60, instead of a mesh sheet for reinforcement, has a sheet 62 of metal or plastic adhered to the back face of the pad membrane 61 which can be molded to a desired shape and kept in that shape. In addition, instead of the upper edge of the membrane 60 having to be bent to form a lip, the upper edge of the membrane 60 has a flange 64 along which it serves as the lip. The membrane 60 typically has its cushion molded from polyurethane foam and may have a polyurethane coating on at least its weatherproof side. The membrane 60 is used in the same situation as the membrane in Figure 3.

Claims

Having described the invention as above, I consider the content in the following as new and claim as my own. CLAIMS 1. A weatherproof membrane for use at the crest end of a glass roof, the membrane comprising a pad of weatherproof material having a deformable contour that maintains its shape. 2. A weatherproof membrane as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the pad is treated to be weatherproof by application of a cover or coating. 3. A weatherproof membrane as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the pad is capable of adhering to a silicone sealant. 4. A weatherproof membrane as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the pad is made of foam rubber materials. 5. A weatherproof membrane as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the pad is made of polyurethane foam. 6. A weatherproof pad as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the reinforcing material is selected from sheets of material, perforated material, or mesh. 7. A weatherproof membrane as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the reinforcing material is metal. 8. A weatherproof membrane as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the reinforcing material is plastic. 9. A weatherproof membrane as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the reinforcing material is a mesh of expanded material. 10. A weatherproof pad as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the membrane is generally arcuate in a foreground and has an upper edge that can rest or be bent to rest on the glazing bar and in the ends of the bars to glaze at one end of the ridge. A membrane as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the reinforcement is cut or cut at intervals spaced along the intended upper edge, wherein the top edge can be bent to form a lip. 12. A membrane as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the intended top edge of the pad has a pre-wired lip. A membrane as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the preformed lip is in the form of a generally semicircular protruding section. 14. The end of the crest of a glass roof comprising glazing bars extending from a ridge end member and support glazing panels therebetween, and a weatherproof membrane as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13 molded to fit against the upper ends of the bars and / or glazing panels and having a lip resting on the glazing bars or panels. 15. A weatherproof membrane substantially as described above with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 or in Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.