Abstract:
There is disclosed a glazing component connector ( 10 ) comprising a first part ( 12 ) and a second part ( 14 ), the first part ( 12 ) comprising a head ( 20 ) for reception by a complementary channel ( 16 ), from which head extends a shank ( 22 ) for enabling connection to another glazing component, and a locking clip ( 14 ) for locating about the head thereby to secure the first part ( 12 ) to the channel ( 16 ).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to glazing component connectors, glazing components connected by such connectors, structures incorporating such components, methods of connection of glazing components and methods of constructing structures incorporating such components. 
       BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is particularly, though not exclusively, concerned with conservatory structures and their assembly. 
         [0003]    In the construction of conservatory structures, a variety of connectors is required for various components within the structure. Such connections need to be quick, simple, robust and suitable for the wide variety of conservatory configurations provided in the modern market. Additionally, for the connection of a number of components, some angular flexibility is required. For instance, when a glazing bar is connected to a hip, the angle of their connection can vary between conservatory designs. Accordingly, a connector for connecting such components needs to provide the necessary amount of angular variation. Typically, the connection angle variation of up to about 40° is required. 
         [0004]    Preferred embodiments of to the present invention aim to obviate or overcome a disadvantage of the prior art, whether such disadvantage or prior art is referred to herein or otherwise. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a glazing component connector comprising a first part and a second part, the first part comprising a head for reception by a complementary channel, from which head extends a shank for enabling connection to another glazing component, and a locking clip for locating about the head thereby to secure the first part to the channel. 
         [0006]    Suitably, the locking clip is generally C-shaped. Suitably, the ends of the C-shaped clip comprise diverging feet. 
         [0007]    Suitably, the locking clip comprises at least one hole therethrough. Suitably, the hole is suitable for receiving a grub screw for securing the first part in position. Suitably, the hole is opposite the open part of the C-shaped clip. Suitably, the clip comprises three holes therethrough. Suitably, the locking clip comprises a shaped part to receive the shank of the first part. 
         [0008]    Suitably, the locking clip comprises a guide tab extending therefrom. 
         [0009]    Suitably, the head comprises a truncated ball. 
         [0010]    Suitably, the shank comprises an external thread 
         [0011]    According to the present invention in a second aspect, there is provided a first glazing component comprising a channel, a glazing component connector according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the head s fits within the channel and the locking clip fits between the outside of the head and the inside of the channel, and a second a glazing component connected to the first glazing component by the first part of the glazing component connector. 
         [0012]    Suitably, the channel is a longitudinal channel. 
         [0013]    Effectively, the locking clip increases the diameter of the head whereby the head can no longer be removed from the channel through the longitudinal opening therein formed by the channel. Thus, the head of the first part can be inserted into the channel through the longitudinal opening therein and the locking clip can be slid over the head axially. 
         [0014]    Suitably, the channel is generally C-shaped. 
         [0015]    Suitably, the first glazing component comprises a component selected from one of an eaves beam, a hip rafter, wall plate and a valley. 
         [0016]    Suitably, the angle of the first glazing component relative to the second glazing component can be varied by pivotal movement of the connector. 
         [0017]    According to the present invention in a third aspect, there is provided a structure comprising a first glazing component connected to a second glazing component in a manner according to the second aspect of the present invention. 
         [0018]    Suitably, the structure comprises a conservatory s structure. 
         [0019]    According to the present invention in a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of connection of a first glazing component to a second a glazing component, the first glazing component comprising a channel, the method comprising the steps of providing a glazing component connector according to the first aspect of the present invention, inserting one of the first part and the second part into the channel of the first glazing component, inserting the other of the first part and the second part into the channel of the first glazing component and connecting the second the glazing component to the first glazing component using the shank of the first part. 
         [0020]    Suitably, the first part is inserted into the channel before the second part. Suitably, the channel comprises a longitudinal opening therein, and the first part is inserted into the longitudinal opening of the channel. Suitably, the locking clip is moved axially over the first part. 
         [0021]    Alternatively, the channel comprises a longitudinal opening therein, and the locking clip is inserted into the longitudinal opening of the channel. Suitably, the first part is inserted axially into the channel inside the glazing clip. 
         [0022]    According to the present invention in a fifth aspect, there is provided a method of constructing a structure, which method comprises connecting a first glazing component to a second glazing component according to the fourth aspect of the present invention. 
         [0023]    Suitably, the structure is a conservatory structure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings that follow; in which: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is an end elevation of a glazing component connector according to the present invention in a first glazing component. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is an end elevation showing the first part of the glazing component connector being inserted into the first glazing component. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is an end elevation showing the second part of the glazing component connector being inserted into the first glazing component. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a functional flow diagram of a method according to the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a plan of the view of a first embodiment of a glazing component connector second part. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional end view of the part shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of a second embodiment of a glazing component connector second part. 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of a third embodiment of a glazing component connector second part. 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a schematic perspective elevation of a conservatory structure incorporating glazing components connected according to the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged cross-sectional end view of the glazing component connector of  FIG. 1  showing the range of angles it can adopt. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings that follow, there is shown a glazing component connector  10  comprising a first part  12  and a second part  14 , which glazing component connector  10  is located in a C-shaped channel  16  of a first glazing component  18 , in this case an eaves beam. 
         [0037]    Referring additionally to  FIG. 2  of the drawings that follow, the first part  12  comprises a head  20  and a shank  22 . The head  20  consists of a truncated sphere, and from which extends the shank  22  which has a threaded portion  24 . First part  12  is formed from a steel casting or the like. 
         [0038]    Second part  14  is a locking clip which comprises an elongate member, generally C-shaped in cross section, from the open part of which C-shape extend two diverging feet  26 . Approximately centrally located in the C-shaped part of the locking clip  14  are three holes  28 ,  30 ,  32  (see  FIGS. 6-10 ). A tab  33  is provided at one end of the locking clip  14 . The locking clip  14  is pressed from sprung steel. 
         [0039]    First glazing component  18  can be a generally standard component except that it provides the C-shaped channel  16  extending from end-to-end for approximately 270°. Channel  16  has open ends  34 . First glazing component  18  is a plastics extrusion. Channel  16  extends longitudinally along the length of first glazing component of  18  and the open ends  34  form a longitudinal opening in the C-shaped channel  16 . 
         [0040]    As can be seen from  FIGS. 3 and 4  of the drawings that follow, the head  20  of first part  12  can pass into channel  16  of the first glazing component  18  through the open ends  34  of channel  16 . Similarly, locking clip  14  can also pass into channel  16  of the first glazing component  18  through the open ends  34  of channel  16 . In the case of locking clip  14 , its normal diameter is greater than the spacing between the open ends  34 , but it can be squeezed by using feet  26  to fit in channel  16 . 
         [0041]    In this embodiment, the external diameter of head  20  is approximately 0.5 mm smaller than the internal diameter of the C-shaped channel  16  and the glazing clip thickness is just less than 0.5 mm. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 5  of the drawings that follow, a method of use of the glazing component connector  10  will now be described. 
         [0043]    In step  100  the first glazing component  18  having a C-shaped channel  16  is provided. In step  102  a glazing component connector  10  is provided. In step  104  head  20  of first part  12  is inserted into C-shaped channel  16  through the longitudinal opening therein. Tab  33  can aid the insertion of the head  20 , acting as a guide. In step  106  the locking clip  14  is slid axially into the gap between the outside of head  20  and the inside of the C-shaped channel  16 . In practice the position desired for the glazing component connector  10  may be spaced significantly from either end of the glazing component  18 , in which case (or otherwise) both the first and second parts  12 ,  14  can be inserted into the longitudinal gap of C-shaped channel  16 , and then the glazing clip  14  can be slid axially (relative to the longitudinal axis of the C-shaped channel  16 ) over the head  20  of first part  12 . 
         [0044]    In an alternative step  106 , instead the locking clip  14  can be inserted into C-shaped channel  16  first and then the head  20  of first past  12  can be slid axially into glazing clip  14 . 
         [0045]    In step. 108 , the shank  22  of first part  12  is located at the desired angle and a grub screw  36  ( FIG. 11 ) is inserted through the base of C-shaped channel  16  to engage with a flat  38  ( FIG. 2 ) of head  20 .  FIG. 11  of the drawings that follow illustrates the range of angles the first part  12  can adopt in the C-shaped channel  16 , over a range of 41°. Thus, the angle of the first glazing component relative to the second glazing component can be varied by pivotal movement of the connector. The centre of rotation of the pivoting action is within head  20 . 
         [0046]    In step  110  a second glazing component  40 , such as in this case a hip rafter, is connected to first glazing component  18  using the shank  22  of first part  12  typically this will involve passing the shank to  22  into a hole in the second glazing component  40  and using a nut (not shown) to secure the second glazing component  40  in place. Alternatively, first part  12  is bolted to second glazing component  40  before being connected to first glazing component. Instead of a nut, the shank can tap into a port. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 6-9  show various embodiments of locking clip  14 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the glazing clip  14  does not include the diverging feet  26 . However the edge of the C-shaped includes a shaped portion  42  for receiving a part of the shank  22 , helping to locate the shank  22  in place and stop it from moving unhelpfully when the second glazing component  40  is being located. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 9  of the drawings that follow, there is shown a third embodiment of a glazing clip  14 , the end view of which is similar to  FIG. 9 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 10  of the drawings that follow, there is shown a conservatory structure  100  comprising a plurality of glazing components connected using the glazing component connector described herein. 
         [0050]    Thus, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a glazing component connector that is simple to use, reliable and robust yet flexible in its applications. 
         [0051]    Although described hearing a relation to the connection of an eaves beam to another glazing component, the glazing component connector  10  is not limited to eaves beams and can be used for, for instance, hips, valleys and wall plates. 
         [0052]    Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0053]    All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. 
         [0054]    Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
         [0055]    The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.