Abstract:
The invention relates to a roof construction, assembled from aluminium alloy extrusions and sections which may be cut on site to the appropriate dimensions. There is a ring beam, made from a channel and a ridge member in the form of a central extruded aluminium alloy central box member, the channel and member being essentially of the same section. Thus a relatively small number of different extrusions are required.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a roof construction suitable for use for a conservatory. In particular, this invention relates to various aspects of a conservatory roof construction, as will be explained hereinafter. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conservatory roofs may be constructed in a number of different ways. Traditionally, timber members have been cut on site to the required size and were then nailed or screwed together. Glazing was then fitted to glazing bars extending from a ridge beam down to a wall plate, laid around the upper surface of the conservatory walls. Such a roof construction is relatively expensive to implement and so many conservatory roofs are now assembled from pre-formed metal sections, either cut remote from the location at which the roof is to be constructed and then assembled on site, or cut and assembled on site, as appropriate, whereafter multi-wall plastics sheeting is fitted to the glazing bars to complete the roof. 
     A typical conservatory roof assembled from metal sections may have a ring beam extending around the upper surface of the conservatory walls, a ridge member disposed approximately centrally between opposed side walls of the conservatory and higher than the ring beam, and glazing bars extending between the ridge member and the ring beam, sloping downwardly from the ridge member to the ring beam. The ridge member typically is of a relatively complex construction in order to have the required strength and also to permit the affixing thereto of glazing bars, at the appropriate angle. For example, such a ridge member may have a number of different components which are typically aluminium extrusions of complex shapes, suitably affixed together. In addition, one or more folded metal strips may be secured to the ridge member, for example to serve as a capping strip and also as valances to conceal fixings, connections and so on. 
     The known designs of metal (and usually aluminium alloy) conservatory roof assemblies require the use of a significant number of different extrusions, strips and other sections. For example, it is not uncommon for as many as 60 different sections, strips and so on to be required, ignoring simple fastenings, seals and the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is accordingly an object of the invention to seek to improve upon known metal conservatory roof constructions, by permitting the use of a relatively small number of different extrusions, sections and other members, while still allowing a versatile and flexible arrangement which may be adapted to different installation requirements. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conservatory roof construction comprising a ring beam adapted to be laid around the upper surfaces of the conservatory walls, a ridge member and a plurality of glazing bars extending between the ridge member and the ring beam, the ring beam comprising a channel which defines a surface for supporting the outer ends of the glazing bars, and the ridge member comprising a substantially central member and a pair of channels disposed one to each side of the central member which ridge channels define surfaces for supporting the ridge ends of the glazing bars, the channels of the ridge and of the ring beam being essentially of the same section. 
     The design and extrusion of the complex sections used in an aluminium conservatory roof represents a significant part of the overall cost of the roof. With the roof construction of the first aspect of this invention, the same sections are employed for the ring beam and in the fabrication of the ridge member. This allows very significant cost savings, both or initial tooling-up and subsequently, during installation. Moreover, the, umber of different components which need to be stocked is reduced, as are the number and quantity of materials needed on site when constructing a roof, and this much simplifies the installation. 
     In the roof construction of this invention, it is preferred that the ridge and ring beam channels are aluminium alloy extrusions of the same section. 
     Preferably, each ridge channel may comprise a base wail, a relatively long flange upstanding from one edge of the base wall, and a relatively short flange upstanding from the opposed other edge of the base wall. In this case, the two ridge channels may be mounted with their base walls extending along respective opposed side faces of the central member, with the long flanges of the channels lowermost, and preferably with those long flanges more or less in the same general plane as the lower face of the central member. Thus, the lower long flanges will project laterally away from the central member, whereby the upper ends of the glazing bars may be fitted to the upwardly directed surfaces of those long flanges. 
     The ring beam channel is preferably mounted with the base wall upstanding from the upper surface of the conservatory walls, with the long flange lowermost and the glazing bars resting either directly or indirectly on the upper short flange. To accommodate the range of angles at which glazing bars could extend, in any given construction, the upper short flange of the channel is preferably arcuate, curving downwardly away from the base wall. In this case, the flanges should be directed away from the interior of the conservatory. 
     A ridge capping strip may be fitted to the ridge member, both for aesthetic reasons and to impart water-tightness to the construction. Such a ridge capping strip may rest on the short flanges of the two ridge channels, fitted one to each side of the box member. Suitable means should be provided to secure the capping strip in position, such as a plurality of vertically extending bolts held captive in the capping strip at spaced intervals and passing downwardly through an aperture in the central member. 
     Valance strips, or trims, may be fitted to the inwardly directed face of the base wall of the channels, where serving as a ring beam and to the under sides of the lower flanges, where serving as a part of the ridge member. By having the width of the long flange substantially equal to the width of the central member, and approximately one half of the width of the base wall of the channel, it is possible to employ a single design of valance strip suitable for overlying the long flange. Then, by fitting such valance strips side-by-side, two such strips may be used effectively to trim the upstanding inwardly-directed face of the base wall of the channel where used as a ring beam, and three such strips may be used effectively to trim the downwardly-directed face of the ridge member, made up of the downwardly-directed lowermost face of the central member together with the downwardly-directed faces of the two long flanges of the two ridge channels respectively, secured to the central member, which is preferably a box member. could extend, in any given construction, the upper short flange of the channel is preferably arcuate, curving downwardly away from the base wall. In this case, the flanges should be directed away from the interior of the conservatory. 
     A ridge capping strip may be fitted to the ridge member, both for aesthetic reasons and to impart water-tightness to the construction. Such a ridge capping strip may rest on the short flanges of the two ridge channels, fitted one to each side of the box member. Suitable means should be provided to secure the capping strip in position, such as a plurality of vertically extending bolts held captive in the capping strip at spaced intervals and passing downwardly through an aperture in the central member. 
     Valance strips, or trims, may be fitted to the inwardly directed face of the base wall of the channels, where serving as a ring beam and to the under sides of the lower flanges, where serving as a part of the ridge member. By having the width of the long flange substantially equal to the width of the central member, and approximately one half of the width of the base wall of the channel, it is possible to employ a single design of valance strip suitable for overlying the long flange. Then, by fitting such valance strips side-by-side, two such strips may be used effectively to trim the upstanding inwardly-directed face of the base wall of the channel where used as a ring beam, and three such strips may be used effectively to trim the downwardly-directed face of the ridge member, made up of the downwardly-directed lowermost face of the central member together with the downwardly-directed faces of the two long flanges of the two ridge channels respectively, secured to the central member, which is preferably a box member. 
     According to a second aspect of this invention, there is provided a conservatory roof construction including a ridge member and a plurality of glazing bars each extending away from and having one end supported by the ridge member, said one end of each glazing bar bearing on a respective support plate pivoted to the ridge member, there being means for selectively setting the relative angle between the plate and the ridge member which means comprises an arcuate receptor centred on the pivot axis of the support plate and having a plurality of spaced engagement means with any one of which the end of the support plate remote from its pivotal connection to the ridge member may be engaged. 
     This aspect of the invention provides a particularly simple, easy to use and effective technique for connecting the glazing bars of a conservatory roof to the ridge member, with the bars extending at a selected required angle. In known constructions, the glazing bars are generally arranged to extend at one of a limited number of angles, which in those known constructions the angles are set by clamping the bars using screw-threaded fasteners to the ridge member and ring beam, at the required disposition. Using the technique of the present invention, the teeth of the arcuate receptor define the angles at which the glazing bars, resting on the support plate, may extend in an effective, and rapid to perform, manner. 
     The ridge member may have an outwardly projecting flange along each side face and in this case the pivotal connection of the one (upper) end of each glazing bar preferably is arranged at or adjacent the outer end of the flange. Such a pivotal connection may be formed by an inter-engaged headed bead and re-entrant groove provided on the two components pivoted together—and preferably with the bead on the flange and the groove on the underside of the support plate 
     Conveniently, each glazing bar is secured to its support plate by means of a screw-threaded fastener disposed between the pivotal connection of the support plate and the end of the support plate engaged with the receptor. 
     This second aspect of the invention is most preferably employed with the first aspect, described above. In this case, the flange advantageously is the long flange of the ridge channel extending along a side face of the ridge box member and the receptor is integrally formed with that ridge channel. 
     According to a third aspect of this invention, there is provided a conservatory roof construction comprising a ring beam adapted to be laid around the upper surfaces of the conservatory walls, a ridge member, a plurality of glazing bars extending between the ridge member and the ring beam, and a valley member disposed between two sections of the roof lying in different planes and also extending between the ridge member and the ring beam, the ridge member comprising a central member and a pair of ridge channels disposed one to each side of the member which ridge channels define surfaces for supporting the ridge ends of the glazing bars and the valley member comprising a central member, a pair of carriers mounted one to each side of the member for supporting the lower ends of glazing bars terminating along the valley, the central member of the ridge member being of substantially the same configuration as the member of the valley member. 
     It will be appreciated that this third aspect of this invention further reduces the number of different sections required to construct a conservatory roof, using aluminium alloy sections. By connecting the carriers to the same extruded member as is employed for the ridge, a relatively strong valley may be constructed in a simple and effective manner. In a preferred arrangement, one of the central member and the carrier is provided with a irtegrally-formed headed bead and the other of the central member and the carrier is provided with a re-entrant groove into which the headed bead is fitted, thereby to furnish the pivotal connection therebetween. 
     According to yet another aspect of this invention, there is provided a conservatory roof construction comprising a ring beam adapted to be laid around the surfaces of the conservatory walls, a ridge member and a plurality of glazing bars extending between the ridge member and the ring-beam, the inwardly-directed faces of the ring beam and the ridge member being trimmed with elongate valance strips, each valance strip being of the same configuration. Preferably, two such valance strips arranged side-by-side are employed to trim the inwardly directed face (i.e the vertical face) of each ring beam, and three such valance strips arranged side-by-side are used to trim the inwardly directed face (that is, the downwardly-directed face) of the ridge beam. 
     In a typical conservatory roof constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention, any one or more of the aspects of the present invention may be employed. In the specific embodiment of conservatory roof described hereinafter, all four aspects are employed, though it would be possible to use any one, two or three of the aspects, in any particular installation. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     By way of example only, a conservatory roof construction arranged in accordance with the present invention will now be described in detail, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a conservatory having the example of roof of this invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a vertical section through the roof of FIG. 1, with the glazing bars shortened for clarity; 
     FIG. 2A is a transverse cross-section through a glazing bar shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 3 is a vertical section through a valley member and connected glazing bars; and 
     FIGS. 4A to  4 F illustrate the six principal sections used in the roof construction of FIGS.  2  and  3 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown diagrammatically a conservatory roof construction, assembled from aluminium alloy extrusions and sections which may be cut on site to the appropriate dimensions. This roof includes a ring beam  10  fitted with a gutter  11 , a ridge member  12  and glazing bars  13  extending between the ring beam  10  and the ridge member  12 . Sheets  14  of transparent material, such as of triple-wall polycarbonate, are supported by the glazing bars  13 . A valley is formed between side section  15  of the roof and the adjoining section  16 , which valley includes a valley member  17  supporting the lower ends of the glazing bars  13  which adjoin that valley. 
     FIG. 2 shows a vertical section through the main part of the roof. The ring beam  10  is formed from an extruded aluminium alloy channel  20  (FIG. 4F) having a base wall  21 , a long flange  22  projecting from one edge of the base wall and a short flange  23  projecting from the opposed edge of the base wall. When used as a ring beam, the base wall  21  is vertical, as illustrated in FIG. 2, with the long flange  22  resting on a wall plate laid around the top of the walls of the conservatory. The short flange  23  serves to support the lower ends  24  of the glazing bars  13 , suitable sealing members  25  being located in grooves formed in the short flange  23 , to effect a seal between the glazing bars and ring beam. The short flange is curved generally towards the long flange, so as to accommodate glazing bars  13  which may fie at an appropriate angle to the horizontal having regard to the dimensions and configuration of the roof construction. 
     As shown, the channel  20  has the flanges  22  and  23  directed outwardly of the conservatory and the inwardly directed face of the base wall  21  is trimmed with a pair of valance strips  26 , disposed side-by-side. These strips  26  (FIG. 4C) are manufactured from extruded plastics or a similar material and have legs  27  permitting those strips to be snap-fitted to corresponding projections  28  provided on the base wall  21  of channel  20 . 
     FIG. 2A is a transverse cross-section through a glazing bar  13 , supporting the edges of two sheets  14  of transparent material. The glazing bar is assembled from a central aluminium alloy extrusion  13 A and a cap  13 B pressed on to the central extrusion after laying of the sheets  14 . Seals (not shown) are located in grooves  13 C and  13 D of central section and cap, respectively. A valance strip  18  is fitted to the underside of the central section  13 A, which valance strip is of the same extrusion as strips  26 . 
     The ridge member  12  comprises an extruded aluminium alloy central box member  30  (FIG. 4E) and a pair of channels  31  and  32  (FIG.  4 P), one to each side of the box member. Each of the channels  31  and  32  is of the same extrusion as the extruded channel  20  forming the ring beam  10 . The projections  28  from the base wall  21  of that extrusion serve to connect each channel to the respective side face of the box member  30 , with the two flanges  22  projecting laterally away from the box member, more or less at the bottom of that member, and with the short flanges  23  uppermost. The side faces of the box member are provided with suitable grooves to receive the projections  28  of the base wall  21  of the channels, whereby those channels are securely attached to the box member and are prevented from disengaging by means of fixing screws  43  which pass through sections  30  and  31 . 
     A capping strip  33  (FIG. 48) is fitted over the ridge beam, which strip a rests on the curved short flanges  23  of the two channels  31  and  32 , the capping strip being held down by means of bolts (not shown) spaced along the strip and which has their heads located in channel  34  of the capping strip. Each bolt projects downwardly through aligned apertures in the upper and lower walls  35  and  36  of the box member, a nut being fitted to the bolt below wall  36 . Sealing members  37  and  38  are fitted in respective grooves  39  and  40 , at the free end of the short flange  23  and in an arm  41  extending away from that short flange. A further sealing member (not shown) may be fitted in a groove  42 , at the free long edges of the capping strip  33 . 
     The upper end  45  of each glazing bar  13  is carried on a support plate  46  (FIG. 4D) pivoted to the upper surface of the lower flange  22  of the respective channels  31  and  32 . The lower end of each support plate has a re-entrant groove  47  extending therealong, in which is received the head  48  of a projecting bead  49  upstanding from the upper face of the long flange  22 . In this way, the support plate  46  may pivot about a horizontal axis, to accommodate the angle at which the associated glazing bar  13  is to extend. Each glazing bar  13  has its own individual support plate, which can slide along the length of the ridge member to the required position. 
     Also extruded integrally with each channel, so as to extend generally from the junction between the base wall  21  and the long flange  22 , is an arcuate receptor  50  having its curvature centred on the pivotal connection between the support plate  46  and the long flange  22 . This receptor is provided with spaced teeth  51 , the free end  52  of the support plate being engageable with a selected tooth, whereby each support plate may be slid into the ridge member at the appropriate angle for the roof under construction—and typically one of 15, 20, 25 or 30°. The upper end  45  of each glazing bars  13  may be secured to the part of its support plate between its pivotal connection to the long flange  22  and its free end engaged with the receptor by means of a nut and bolt, the head of the bolt being held captive but slidable along channel  54 . 
     The undersides of the two long flanges  22  and of the lower wall  36  of the box member may be trimmed by three valance strips  53 , snap-fitted to the long flanges  22 . These valance strips  53  are of the same section as the strips  26 , (FIG.  4 C), fitted to the inwardly directed faces of the ring beam. 
     FIG. 3 shows in more detail the valley construction, supporting the lower ends of the glazing bars which intercept that valley. The valley member is assembled from a box member  55  (FIG. 4E) of the same extrusion as box member  30  of the ridge member, though used the other way up. As oriented for the valley, the box member  55  has a pair of ribs  56  one at each of its two lower comers respectively, the outer surface of each rib being of part circular form. A glazing bar carrier  57  (FIG. 4A) is pivoted to each of those ribs  56 , each such carrier  57  having a reentrant channel  58  formed along an edge thereof and in which the respective rib  56  is received. The lower end of a glazing bar  13  may be secured to the carrier  57  by means of a screw-threaded fastener (not shown) extending through the free end portion  59  of the carrier. A seal (not shown) may be located in groove  60  formed at the upper end of arm  61  upstanding from the carrier. 
     The lower surface of each carrier  57  is trimmed by a pair of valance strips  62  arranged side-by-side, each of which strips is of the same configuration as the strips  26  and  53  (FIG.  4 C). Moreover, a further valance strip  63 , again of the same configuration, is fitted to the top of the box member  55 . Seals  64  are located in grooves in the box member  55  and bear against projections upstanding from the carrier  57 . 
     As will be appreciated from the foregoing, the roof construction employs six principal extrusions or strips, as shown in FIGS. 4A to  4 F, and several of those are used in different manners. This reduces the initial tooling costs, stocking requirements and numbers of components which have to be transported to a construction site, leading to significant economical advantages as compared to previous known constructions.