WEATHERPROOFING

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: TITLE: Weatherproofing. DESCRIPTION This invention concerns weatherproofing for conservatory roof ridge ends. A conservatory having a hipped roof has at its ridge end glazing bar extending radially and downwardly therefrom and supporting glazing panels, The ridge end is provided with a radiussed cover to conceal the glazing bar ends and their connections to the ridge end as well as to give a decorative finish to the ridge end. Because the glazing bars extend above the glazing panels, there are spaces between the top surfaces of the panels and the underside of the cover, through which draughts can occur and rain water can penetrate into the ridge end. It is known to provide brushes on the underside of the cover and to fill any spaces in the ridge end with foamed rubber pieces in order to try to prevent draughts and rainwater ingress. These measures are not entirely effective as the foamed rubber pieces can become dislodged or simply not be positioned correctly. An object of this invention is to provide means for weatherproofing at the ridge end of a glazed roof structure, such as of a conservatory. According to this invention there is provided a weatherproofing membrane for use in the ridge end of a glazed roof, such as of a conservatory, the membrane comprising a pad of weatherproof material having deformable shape retentive reinforcement. The invention further provides a glazed roof ridge end comprising a glazing bar extending from a ridge end member and supporting glazing bars therebetween, and a weatherproofing membrane comprising a pad of weatherproof material having deformable shape retentive reinforcement moulded to fit against top ends of the glazing bars and/or panels and having a lip overlying the glazing bars or panels. The pad may be of weatherproof material or may be treated to be weatherproof by application of a coating or cover material. The term weatherproof material is intended to include rain and wind proof material. The pad is desirably capable of adherence to silicone sealant, especially to low modulus neutral cure silicone sealant. The pad may be made of foamed plastic material, such as polyurethane. The reinforcement may be of metal or of plastics and may be continuous sheet material, perforated sheet material or of mesh. The mesh may be of expanded metal. The preferred membrane of the invention is generally arcuate in plan view and has a top edge that can overlie or be folded to overlie the glazing bar and panel ends when in place at a ridge end. The reinforcement may be cut or relieved at spaced intervals along its intended top edge whereby the top edge can be folded to form a lip. Alternatively an intended top edge of the pad may have a preformed lip, preferably as a generally semi-circular section bulge. In use a weatherproof membrane of the invention is moulded to fit against top ends of glazing bars and/or glazing panels at the ridge end of a glazed roof, so that its lip either formed by the aforesaid moulding or preformed overlies the glazing bars or panels. Then silicone or other suitable curable sealant is applied to seal any gaps around the membrane in order to form a substantially rain and wind proof barrier at the ridge end. This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows in plan a first weatherproof membrane of the invention; Figure 2 shows the weatherproof membrane of Figure 1 moulded to a typical usable shape; Figure 3 shows the membrane of Figures 1 and 2 in place at a conservatory roof ridge end; Figure 4 shows in plan a second weatherproof membrane of the invention; and Figure 5 shows the membrane of Figure 4 moulded for use. Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, a weatherproof membrane 10 for use in providing weatherproofing at the end of a conservatory roof between radially arranged glazing bars and a cover for the ridge comprises a pad 12 of flexible waterproof material having reinforcing mesh 14 of expanded metal bonded or laminated to the pad. The pad may comprise a foamed material core with a waterproof coating at least on the intended weathering face thereof. The pad or the coating is capable of having silicone sealant adhered thereto to finally seal any gaps between the membranes and components of the ridge end system. The membrane is arcuate, so that it can be moulded into a part circular format and flare outwardly from its bottom edge 16. The mesh is cut or relieved at spaced intervals 18 along its top edge 20, so that the membrane can be folded forwards to form a lip 22 that overlies the glazing bar ends (see Figures 2 and 3). A typical ridge end where the membrane is used is shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The ridge end comprises a ridge beam 30 having at its end a ridge end member 32 to which glazing bars 34 are connected. The ridge end member 32 has a generally semi-circular flange 36 that slopes downwardly from an upstand 38 which is secured to the ridge end. The flange 36 has a circular section rim 40 onto which the glazing bars 34 are fixed directly or via connectors. The glazing bars support and retain glazing panels (not shown) that extend substantially as far as the glazing bars towards the ridge. The membrane 10 is moulded by hand to fit immediately at the ends of the glazing bars and panels and any gaps therebetween are sealed with silicone sealant, which helps to hold the membrane in place. The ridge end is finished off with a capping (not shown) and usually a finial on the capping. The membrane fills the space between the tops of the glazing panels and the underside of the capping to prevent draughts through the ridge end and ingress of rainwater. Figures 4 and 5 show an alternative form of weatherproof membrane 60 that, instead of a mesh sheet for reinforcement, has a sheet 62 of metal or of plastics bonded to the rear face of the membrane pad 61 that can be moulded to a desired shape and retain that shape. Furthermore, instead of the top edge of the membrane 60 having to be folded over to form a lip, the top edge of the membrane 60 has a bulge 64 along it which serves as the lip. The membrane 60 typically has its pad moulded from polyurethane foam and may have a polyurethane coating at least on its weathering side. The membrane 60 is used in the same situation as the membrane in Figure 3.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A weatherproofing membrane for use in the ridge end of a glazed roof, the membrane comprising a pad of weatherproof material having deformable shape retentive reinforcement. 2. A weatherproofing membrane as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pad is treated to be weatherproof by application of a cover or coating. 3. A weatherproofing membrane as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the pad is capable of adherence to silicone sealant. 4. A weatherproofing membrane as claimed in claims 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the pad is of foamed plastics material. 5. A weatherproofing membrane as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pad is of foamed polyurethane. 6. A weatherproofing membrane as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reinforcement material is selected from sheet material, perforated material and mesh. 7. A weatherproofing membrane as claimed in claim 6, wherein the reinforcement material is of metal. 8. A weatherproofing membrane as claimed in claim 6, wherein the reinforcement material is of plastics. 9. A weatherproofing membrane as claimed in claim 6, wherein the reinforcement material is a mesh of expanded metal. 10. A weatherproofing membrane as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the membrane is generally arcuate in plan view and has a top edge that can overlie or be folded to overlie glazing bar and glazing panel ends at a ridge end. 11. A weatherproofing membrane as claimed in claim 10, wherein the reinforcement is cut or relieved at spaced intervals along its intended top edge, whereby the top edge can be folded to form a lip. 12. A weatherproofing membrane as claimed in claim 10, wherein an intended top edge of the pad has a preformed lip. 13. A weatherproofing membrane as claimed in claim 12, wherein the preformed lip is in the form of a generally semi-circular section bulge. 14. A glazed roof ridge end comprising glazing bars extending from a ridge end member and supporting glazing panels therebetween, and a weatherproofing membrane as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 moulded to fit against top ends of the glazing bars and/or panels and having a lip overlying the glazing bars or panels. 15. A weatherproofing membrane substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: RICHARDSON CHRISTOPHER, RICHARDSON, CHRISTOPHER
Applicants: RICHARDSON CHRISTOPHER, ULTRAFRAME UK LTD, RICHARDSON, CHRISTOPHER, ULTRAFRAME (UK) LIMITED
Application year: 2000
Main classification: E04D5
IPC codes: E04B7, E04D3, E04D5