Abstract:
A detachable insulating cover assembly for greenhouses and similar structures using plastic cover sheets for the creation of a stationary air layer, the sheets being held in place by manually clampable and releasable fastener assemblies, each consisting of a fastener base with a stem and a fastener cap, the fastener bases being detachably clampable to the base flange of T-bars which form the skeleton of the greenhouse, using transversely movable attachment members with retaining noses that reach behind the edges of the T-bar base flange in the clamped position. Several variants of attachment members are disclosed.

Description:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 835,540, filed Sept. 22, 1977, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,596. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to flexible insulating cover structures, and, more particularly, to a detachable insulating cover assembly which is adapted for use in connection with greenhouses and similar structures, having large surfaces which are to be covered with removable low cost insulating sheets, in order to reduce convective heat loss to the outside of the structure. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     It is known that convective heat loss through the walls of a structure, especially a light structure such as a greenhouse, can be greatly reduced through the attachment of inexpensive insulating cover sheets of transparent plastic material to the inside of the walls. Comparative measurements have revealed energy savings of up to 40 percent. Particularly advantageous for this purpose are so-called bubble sheets which consist of two layers of thin plastic film which enclose between them rows of small air cushions. 
     In one known application, large surfaces of bubble sheet are simply being bolted to the structural members of a greenhouse, using screws and hold-down washers (as described in the periodical &#34;Zierpflanzenbau&#34;, Issue No. 9, Apr. 28, 1976, pp. 315-318). 
     In my copending U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 835,540, of Sept. 22, 1977, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,596 I have disclosed a detachable insulating cover assembly for greenhouses and the like which features a cover sheet of flexible air-impermeable plastic material which is attached to a wall element of the greenhouse by means of a plurality of spaced fastener assemblies which are arranged along a clamping line near the edge of the sheet, a typical fastener assembly consisting of a fastener base which is permanently attached to the wall element, which is a structural member or a glass panel, for example, and a fastener cap which, when attached to the fastener base, clamps the cover sheet to the latter. For this purpose, each fastener base has a pointed stem over which the cover sheet is impaled, prior to attachment of the fastener cap. The edges of each cover sheet are sealed against the greenhouse structure, so that a closed air space is obtained which contains stationary air which serve as an effective barrier to convective heat transfer. 
     The cover sheets are removable from the greenhouse structure by releasing the fastener caps and by pulling the cover sheet from the stems of the fastener assemblies. However, the fastener bases remain in place, glued to the inside of the window panels. 
     It has now been found that there are situations, where it is desirable to attach the fastener assemblies to the structural skeleton of the greenhouse in such a way that the fastener bases are likewise removable from the structure. Such an arrangement has to take into consideration the fact that greenhouses of different age, with different structural components, have to be so equipped. For example, in older greenhouses, the glass panels are in most cases held in place by means of sealing putty, their back side being located very closely to the supporting faces of the skeleton members. The latter are in most cases T-bars, the upstanding central web of the T-bar being located between the edges of two adjacent glass panels. Adding to the problem of limited space between the flange portions of the T-bar and the back sides of the glass panels is the problem of the presence of hardened putty in that space, so that, in the past, there existed a general reluctance towards attempts to find a solution to this problem, especially in view of the fact that the temporary attachment of fastener assemblies to a structural member had to be accomplished without drilling holes into the structural member. 
     One prior art attempt at attaching insulating cover sheets to structural members of a greenhouse involves the use of U-shaped leaf-spring clamps which open to the width of the structural member, and then clamp the lateral side faces of the latter, when released. This type of clamp is basically identical with the binder clip, an item of office hardward which is primarily used as a temporary clamp for a stack of loose-leaves, or the like. One disadvantage of this type of clamp is that it is generally not suitable for regular T-bars, but that it requires special structural profiles with much larger lateral surfaces, in order to provide a reliable sheet clamping action against these surfaces. (The use of such spring clamps has been suggested by Sibco Universal S.A., 92081 Paris, La Defense.) 
     Another attempt at a solution to this problem is disclosed in German Gebrauchsmuster (Utility Model) No. 78 02 785, which suggests a fastener base in the form of a one-piece, twice refolded leaf spring with claw-like extremities which reach around the longitudinal edges of the T-bar, thereby attaching the clamp to the structural member. To the top portion of the leaf spring is attached a stem for the attachment of a fastener cap. This proposed clamp has the disadvantage of requiring a special tool for its installation and removal. It also presents a problem with respect to the stability of attachment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Underlying the present invention is the primary objective of providing an improved solution to the earlier-mentioned problem of attaching fastener assemblies to the back side of a T-bar of a greenhouse structure, with the requirement that the fastener assembly be easy to attach and remove and mass-produceable at low cost. 
     The present invention proposes to attain this objective by suggesting an insulating cover assembly which is similar to that which is disclosed in my above-mentioned earlier patent, but which has fastener assemblies whose fastener bases are removably clampable to the T-bar and fastener caps which are insertable over the stems of the fastener bases, in order to clamp the cover sheet between them. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastener base is attached to the T-bar of the greenhouse skeleton by means of two attachment members which are movable relative to one another, so as to place bent-over retaining noses on the outer edge of each attachment member behind the longitudinal edges of the flange portions of the T-bar. In this engaged position, the two attachment members are locked against each other by the frictional action of a wedge-type interaction and/or by the clamping action of the fastener base, when the latter is screwed onto an upstanding stem stud which is carried by one of the attachment members. 
     Several modifications of this preferred embodiment are proposed, using either symmetrically arranged, substantially identical attachment members which place the fastener assembly in the middle of the T-bar profile, or unequal laterally offset attachment members which place the fastener assembly above or near a longitudinal edge of the T-bar. The two attachment members may be sheet metal stampings, overlapping each other, or they may be injection-molded plastic parts which cooperate in the clamped position with a snap-type elastic engagement. It is further possible to arrange the two attachment members so that they produce a wedging action against each other in the clamped position, or that they maintain their clamped position by means of barbs. 
     Still another embodiment of the invention suggests a toggle-action lock between the two attachment members, for greater ease in manual placement and removal of the fastener assembly. Furthermore, it is also possible to arrange the attachment members in such a way that one of the two members is a leaf spring which bridges the back of the T-bar from side to side, carrying attachment noses on both ends which, in the flat condition of the leaf spring, are spread apart and, in a convexly curved condition produced by the second attachment member, exert a clamping action against the edges of the T-bar. 
     Lastly, it is also possible to provide the attachment of the fastener base by means of a single attachment member which can be clamped against the edges of the T-bar with an angular motion which brings two diametrically opposed retaining noses of the member into clamping engagement behind the edges of the T-bar, a pair of flexible positioning fingers retaining the attachment member in its clamped position. For removal, the positioning fingers are lifted, so that the attachment member can be rotated out of its clamping position. 
     In a majority of the aforementioned embodiments of the invention, the fastener base is connected to the attachment members, after the latter are clamped in place, whereby the fastener base also serves to secure the attachment members in their clamped position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further special features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description following below, when taken together with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, several embodiments of the invention which are represented in the various figures as follows: 
     FIG. 1 shows, in a partially exploded perspective view, a portion of a greenhouse wall with a T-bar carrying two different fastener assemblies, as part of a first embodiment of the invention, 
     FIGS. 1a-1d show a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 1, where the stem stud for the fastener assembly is formed by upended tongues of the attachment members, FIG. 1a showing the die-cutting pattern for the attachment members, FIG. 1b showing the installed assembly, as seen from the front; 
     FIGS. 2 and 3 show another variant of the embodiment of FIG. 1, in a frontal view (FIG. 2) and a cross section (FIG. 3), where the stem of the fastener assembly is located laterally beyond the supporting T-bar; 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 show an embodiment similar to that of FIGS. 2 and 3, using injection-molded parts; 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 show a modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, where the attachment members occupy the same plane; 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 show an embodiment in which the attachment members engage each other in a self-locking wedging action; 
     FIGS. 10-14 show still another embodiment, using stamped U-shaped attachment members, FIG. 14 showing one member as a developed stamping; 
     FIGS. 15 and 16 show an example of attachment members which engage each other with a self-locking wedging action; 
     FIG. 17 shows a modification of the parts of FIGS. 15 and 16, using stamped attachment members; 
     FIGS. 18 and 19 show an embodiment using three attachment members in a self-locking wedging action; 
     FIGS. 20 and 21 show a pair of attachment members with a toggle-action clamping arrangement; 
     FIGS. 22-24 show attachment members of which one is a leaf spring and the other one a cooperating wedge; 
     FIGS. 25 and 26 show a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 22; and 
     FIGS. 27-29 show a single attachment member for the fastener assembly of the invention which is attachable in an angular movement. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For a complete description of the present invention, to the extent that it is not given hereinbelow, reference is made to my copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 835,540 of Sept. 22, 1977, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,596. The descriptive portion of this patent should be considered incorporated herein by reference. 
     The various clamping devices which are illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 29 concern themselves with the removable attachment of a fastener assembly to a structural member of a building, more particularly of a greenhouse. Commonly, the skeleton members of such a greenhouse are T-bars, as shown in FIG. 1, which hold the edges of adjoining glass panels by means of putty or special rubber profiles and retaining clips riding on the web portion of the T-bars. 
     For each fastener assembly, i.e. at each point where the cover sheet is attached to the T-bar 16, there is provided a set of attachment members, in most cases two members which cooperate to create a clamping engagement with the flat base flange to the T-bar 16. The various figures of the drawings show different versions of attachment members, all having the same purpose. 
     Similar or analogous parts in the various embodiments are therefore designated with the same reference numerals, each embodiment having a different letter suffix. Accordingly, the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 uses the letter a, the embodiment of FIGS. 1a through 1d uses the letter b, and the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 uses the letter c, etc. 
     A typical set of attachment members consists of a base carrying member 10 to which the fastener base 18 is attached, or attachable, and a clamping member 13 which cooperates with the base carrying member 10. The two attachment members 10 and 13 have retaining noses 12 and 14 at their extremities. The retaining noses 12 and 14 extend rearwardly and inwardly, so as to grip the edge portions of the base flange of the T-bar 16 from behind in a releasable clamping action. The noses 12 and 14 are pointed, so that they can penetrate any putty or other sealant that may be in the gap between the base flange of the T-bar 16 and the glass panel 17. In each case, the attachment members are moved relative to each other in a direction which is substantially parallel to the forwardly facing mounting surface 45 of the T-bar 16. 
     In FIG. 1 of the drawing, the attachment members consist of two stampings which are similar in shape, each having a rectangular outline with a bent-over edge portion carrying two retaining noses 12a and 14a, respectively. While the clamping member 13a has a central slot 15a, the base carrying member 10a has attached to it a stem stud 11a which engages the slot 15a, when the two attachment members 10a and 13a are mounted on the T-bar 16. The mounting of the attachment members involves placement of the members in an overlapping relationship against the mounting surface 45 of the T-bar, followed by a lateral closing movement in the direction of arrow A, until both members abut against the lateral edges of the T-bar base flange. In this position, a fastener base 18a is screwed onto the stem stud 11a, with the result that the base flange 30 of the fastener base exerts a clamping action against the clamping member 13a, thereby holding the attachment members in their clamped position. The stem 111a of the fastener assembly may be of the elevated type, having a separated clamping flange 28 which is spaced from the base flange 30 by means of longitudinal connecting ribs 29, or the clamping flange 28 may also serve as the base flange, in which case the stem 111a itself is the part which carries the thread engaging the stem stud 11a. 
     In the embodiment of FIGS. 1a through 1d, the two attachment members are likewise stampings, made from flat stock, as shown in FIG. 1a. In this case, however, the two members are functionally identical, in terms of serving as base carrying member 10b or clamping members 13b. The two members have matching upstanding tongue portions which, when joined together in the clamped position of the device, form a central stem stud 11b over which the fastener base 18b can be forcibly inserted. Once inserted over the stem stud 11b, the fastener base 18b is held in place, thanks to an outwardly kinked outline of the tongue portions which constitute the stem stud 11b. The bore in the fastener base 18b may be cylindrical or tapered. 
     The embodiment which is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is very similar to that of FIG. 1, except for the fact that the stem stud 11c is located laterally outside the area of the base flange of the T-bar 16. For this purpose, the clamping member 13c is elongated to reach a distance beyond the width of the mounting surface 45 of the T-bar, and the cooperating base carrying member 10c is located in its entirety on one side of the T-bar 16. Its stem stud 11c reaches through an open slot 15c of the clamping member 13c. This configuration also allows for a modified version in which the stem stud is replaced by a regular screw which may or may not be rotationally attached to the base carrying member 10c. 
     In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the two attachment members are injection-molded parts, the stem 111d being an integral part of the base carrying member 10d and serving at the same time as a clamping and retaining element in cooperation with the clamping member 13d. For this purpose, the latter reaches again sideways beyond the width of the mounting surface 45 of the T-bar 16, having in its protruding extremity an open slot 15d which cooperates with the diameter of the stem 111d in such a way that an interference-type clamping fit is obtained. A retaining lip 14d of the clamping member 13d and a similar retaining lip 12d of the base carrying member 10d reach behind the lateral edges of the T-bar 16, into the gap 50 which is formed by the sealing element 27 taking the place of the putty. The base carrying member 10d, instead of carrying the stem 111d, may also carry a stem stud 11d over which a hollow fastener base with a separate stem is then inserted. The clamping engagement between the slot 15d of the clamping member 13d and the stem 111d can be further improved by providing a slightly tapered bottom portion of the stem 111d which, when the clamping member 13d is lifted, is disengaged from its slot 15d, thereby facilitating the transverse approaching movement of the attachment members. 
     The embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 resembles that of FIGS. 4 and 5, inasmuch as injection-molded parts are used, but it differs therefrom by suggesting an engagement between the base carrying member 10e and the clamping member 13e which is provided outside the stem 111e. This clamping engagement is in the form of a transverse slot 15e in the clamping member 13e and a matching extension on the stem carrying member 10e. Serrated surfaces on the slot and extension provide a frictional engagement between the attachment members. 
     In FIGS. 8 and 9, the clamping member 13f is provided with a tapered slot 15f which is open in the longitudinal direction of the T-bar 16, cooperating with the stem 111f of the base carrying member 10f in such a way that a longitudinal displacement of the latter produces a transverse approaching movement between the attachment members, as the stem 111f slides along the cam surface 21 of the slot 15f. The inclination of the cam surface 21 with respect to the longitudinal axis a--a of the T-bar is such that a self-locking wedging action is obtained between the attachment members 10f and 13f. A washer 33 placed over the stem 111f serves as a support for the cover sheet (not shown). Again, the stem 111f may also be a stem stud 11f to which a separate fastener base with a hollow stem is attached. 
     The embodiment of FIGS. 10 through 14 shows attachment members which are in the form of metal stampings. However, unlike the previously described stamped attachment members which overlap each other, the base carrying member 10g and the clamping member 13g of this embodiment are arranged to be mounted on edge, so as to form a frame-like assembly in the clamped position. FIG. 14 shows the base carrying member 10g in a developed outline which illustrates how the retaining nose 12g and a stud-carrying lug are produced as integral portions of the stamping. Rows of openings 54 in the leg portions of the clamping member 13g and cooperating barb-like tongues 53 on the insides of the base carrying member 10g provide a secure engagement between the attachment members in the clamped position. 
     The embodiments of FIGS. 15 and 16 resembles that of FIGS. 8 and 9, inasmuch as the clamping approach between the base carrying member 10h and the clamping member 13h is in the longitudinal sense of the T-bar 16, whereby cooperating inclined cam surfaces 19 and 20 of the two attachment members produce a transverse approaching motion of the retaining noses 12h and 14h of the members behind the T-bar edges. The stem 111h is an integral part of the base carrying member 10h, a fastener cap being shown attached thereto and clamping the cover sheet 25 between it and the base carrying member 10h (FIG. 16). 
     FIG. 17 shows a modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 15 and 16, the two attachment members 10i and 13i being in the form of sheet metal stampings, rather than injection-molded plastic parts. The cam surfaces 19i and 20i are formed by upended edge portions of the two attachment members 10i and 13i. 
     In the embodiment of FIGS. 18 and 19, a central base carrying member 10k cooperates with two clamping members 13k, serving as a cam lock between the latter. For this purpose, the two clamping members 13k have oppositely inclined slots 15k which present cam surfaces to the stem stud 11k of the base carrying member 10k. The latter, when advanced in the longitudinal sense of the T-bar 16, thus pulls the two clamping members 13k transversely against each other, so that their retaining noses 14k move behind the edges of the T-bar 16. In the clamped position, a fastener base 18k with a stem 111k is attached to the stem stud 11k, thereby securing the attachment members in their clamped position. 
     In FIGS. 20 and 21 is shown an embodiment of the invention which features two attachment members which are interconnected by means of a toggle linkage. The latter consists of a toggle arm 35 which engages a pivot loop 23 on the extremity of the base carrying member 10m and two pivot loops 123 of the base clamping member 13m. A pivoting motion of the toggle arm 35 about its pivot center at 23 creates a lateral movement of the clamping member 13m relative to the base carrying member 10m  and the T-bar 16, so that, in the open position of the lock, the retaining noses 14m and 12m of the attachment members are freely engageable over the edges of the T-bar 16. By then lowering the toggle arm 35 against the base carrying member 10m, a lateral clamping action between the attachment members is achieved. In this position, the toggle linkage is self-locking. This clamped position is further secured by the fastener base which is inserted over the stem stud 11m, following flattening of the toggle linkage. 
     FIGS. 22 through 24 show an embodiment in which the clamping member 13n reaches over the entire width of the T-bar 16, carrying retaining noses 14n on both extremities. In its free state, the clamping member 13n is long enough to permit engagement of its retaining noses 14n over the edges of the T-bar 16. Clamping engagement with the latter is achieved by bending the clamping member 13n away from the mounting surface 45 of the T-bar, using for this purpose the base carrying member 10n. The latter, in addition to having the appropriate curvature to fit under the raised clamping member 13n, has a wedge-shaped entry portion with which it lifts the clamping member 13n, when it is advanced in the direction of the axis a--a of the T-bar. To the extent that the stem 111n of the base carrying member 10n would interfere with the advancement of the latter into the clamping position, the clamping member 13n has a slot 15n. The clamping member 13n may be made of spring steel. 
     In the embodiment of FIGS. 25 and 26, the clamping member 13q resembles the clamping member of FIG. 22, except that its slot 15q is not an open slot and that the clamping movement of the base carrying member 10q is rotational instead of linear. For this purpose, the base carrying member 10q has provided in its body two grooves 100 which, when placed in alignment with the clamping member 13q, allow the latter to assume a near-flat condition in which its retaining noses 14q are freely engageable over the edges of the T-bar 16. By rotating the base carrying member 10q approximately 90 degrees, the clamping member 13q is raised and bent into a convexly curved shape, while its retaining noses 14q engage the edges of the T-bar 16. The base carrying member 10q carries a stem 111q, or a stem stud, if a separate fastener base is provided. 
     In FIGS. 27 through 29 is illustrated an embodiment of the invention in which a rotatable base carrying member 10p carries the retaining noses 12p for both sides of the T-bar 16 and in which the separate clamping member has been omitted, its place being taken by two positioning fingers 13p which lock the attachment member in its clamping position, against an accidental release from the T-bar 16. Two transverse slots 44p give the positioning fingers 13p the necessary flexibility, so that they can be lifted, in order to disengage their locking noses 43p from the edges of the T-bar 16. The attachment member 10p may be a sheet metal stamping or an injection-molded part. As a sheet metal stamping, it offers higher rigidity and a superior locking action of the positioning fingers 13p. The two retaining noses 12p of the member 10p are in the form of bent-over extremities of two diametrically opposite triangular extensions of the stamping. In order to attach the member 10p to the T-bar 16, the member is simply placed against the mounting wall 45 in an orientation in which the retaining noses 12p barely clear the lateral edges of the T-bar 16. Because the locking noses 43p tend to lift the member 10p from the mounting surface 45, it is necessary to apply a slight pressure against the member 10p, while manually rotating it in a clockwise direction, until the retaining noses 12p are engaged behind the T-bar edges and the locking noses 43p of the positioning fingers snap over the T-bar edges. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure describes only preferred embodiments of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of these examples of the invention which fall within the scope of the appended claims.