Abstract:
An internal drainage system for a conservatory roof which allows a conservatory to be used as dry living space. Condensation is channeled internally through the eaves beam and the supporting posts or mullions to an outlet outside of the conservatory. The condensed water is thus contained and prevented from adversely affecting the internal space of the conservatory.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conservatory rooms have typically been formed from metal frames and glass or transparent plastic panels. The roofs were formed from a series of rafters which support transparent glass or weather-resistant plastic (e.g., polyvinylchloride) panels between the rafters. 
     Traditionally, conservatories have been thought of as enclosed patios. While being protected from the elements, they were nonetheless prone to unwelcome condensation problems. This has been due to a combination of the transparent glass or plastic used in conservatory construction, providing minimal insulating value, and the difference between the inside and outside temperature, humidity, and dew point. The problem with condensation is particularly pronounced when, as is often the case, numerous plants and other moisture-emitting sources are located in a conservatory. A pool or spa within a conservatory can cause severe condensation problems. 
     As steam or moist air rises, it can condense when it comes in contact with the ceiling panels, the roof rafters, and/or the eaves beam. The condensation on the metallic roof rafters and metallic eaves beam is often more pronounced than the condensation on the glass or plastic panels. As moisture condenses on the ceiling panels or roof rafters, it then flows downward along the contour of the ceiling or rafters to the eaves beam, and then will either drip to the ground or continue running down the sides of the conservatory, causing unsightly water streaks on the side window panels. Further, any water that has condensed on, or flowed down to, the eaves beam that does not run down along the sides, but rather remains on the eaves beam, can lead to harmful mold and mildew problems. Mold and mildew buildup on the eaves beam is particularly problematic in that the location of the beam tends to make cleaning it rather difficult. The water that does flow down can also begin to pool at the base of the side walls, causing damage to floor coverings, furniture, or accessories that happened to come in contact with the puddles or the sides of the conservatory. Also, cool condensed water can be particularly irritating to someone standing under the eaves beam, or leaning or sitting against a wall of the conservatory. Finally, this unwelcome condensation can also cause rust damage to metallic items it contacts, such as wall hangings or hanging baskets. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention collects and channels the moisture that condenses on the rafters to prevent the problems associated with unwelcome water running down the side walls of a conservatory. The present invention accomplishes this by collecting the moisture in the eaves beam and then channeling it outside though the supporting posts. By intercepting the condensed moisture early, and preventing it from affecting the interior of the conservatory, a conservatory can become a more functional dry living space. 
     The objects and advantages of the present invention will be further appreciated in light of the following detailed drawings and descriptions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conservatory roof with supporting posts according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken of lines  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken of lines  3 — 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention is a conservatory roof  10  having a plurality of rafters  12  which generally attach at an upper end to a ridge beam  14  which, as shown, extends outwardly from a wall of a house or other building  16 . Rafters  12  extend from the ridge beam  14  to an eaves beam  22 . Between individual rafters  12  are panels  20  which constitute the majority of the surface area of the conservatory&#39;s roof  10 . 
     The eaves beam  22 , in turn, is supported by a plurality of posts or mullions  24 . The posts or mullions  24  rest upon the ground, floor, or similar foundational structure  26 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the posts or mullions  24  contain vertical guide tabs  58 . Nested between guide tabs  58  is the lower section  44  of the eaves beam  22 . The parallel guide tabs  58  are generally centrally located on the posts or mullions  24 , and are separated from each other by a distance approximating the exterior width of the lower section  44  of the eaves beam  22 . These guide tabs  58  prevent horizontal movement of the eaves beam  22  and act as a guide to place and attach the eaves beam  22  on the posts or mullions  24 . 
     The lower section  44  of the eaves beam  22  includes a first and second channel  45 ,  47 . A first part of the guide tabs  58  engages walls  59 ,  61  of these channels. Exteriorly of the guide tabs  58 , a parallel set of tabs  60 ,  61  extends vertically upward from the top wall  52  of the posts or mullions  24 . These tabs  60 ,  61  engage walls  64 ,  65  of channels  45 ,  47 , centering the eaves beam  22  on the posts or mullions  24 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the tabs  60 ,  61  extend higher than the guide tabs  58  and generally to the respective levels of the bottom surfaces  62 ,  63  of the upper section  46  of the eaves beam  22 . The tabs  60 ,  61  can guide and support the positioning, placement, and securement of the eaves beam  22  to the posts or mullions  24 . The eaves beam  22  can be secured to the posts or mullions  24  with a screw or other suitable fastener. In the preferred embodiment, the tabs  60 ,  61  also include trim mounting barbs  66 . An interior finishing trim plate  68  containing channel receptacles  70  can be attached to the barbs  66 . In the preferred embodiment, the trim plate  68  is made from plastic and snaps onto the barbs  66 . 
     The eaves beam  22  further contains a slopingly aligned C-bracket  72  which matches the slope of the roof  10 . The C-bracket  72  holds a support member  74  which, in the preferred embodiment, is made from plastic. The rafters  12  rest on the support member  74 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , an opposing C-shaped channel  80  is attached to the C-bracket  72  via parallel sets of opposing coupling appendages  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 . Coupling appendages  86 , 88 , attached to C-shaped channel  80 , snap into coupling appendages  90 ,  92 , attached to C-bracket  72 , thus securing the C-shaped channel  80  to the C-bracket  72 . Attached to the uppermost outside surface  82  of the C-shaped channel  80  is a pair of rubber glazing members  84 . The panels  20  rest on the rubber glazing members  84 . 
     The interior portion  36  of the top surface  38  of the eaves beam  22  is sloped away from the interior of the conservatory, facilitating the natural flow of condensed water into the groove or channel  40  of the top surface  38 . This groove or channel  40  runs along the entire length of the eaves beam  22 , and is thus able to collect the moisture that runs down along the rafters  12 . The groove or channel  40  also contains one or more drain holes  42 , which allow the accumulated water to flow interiorly downward within the eaves beam  22 . 
     The lower section  44  of the eaves beam  22  is narrower than the upper section  46  of the eaves beam  22 . This narrow lower section  44  further channels the water downward. 
     The bottom surface  48  of the eaves beam  22  contains one or more drain holes  50  which are positioned above the supporting posts or mullions  24  and in general vertical alignment with the drain holes  42  located in the groove or channel  40  of the eaves beam  22 . This allows the water to continue flowing interiorly downward through an aperture in the top wall  52  of the posts or mullions  24 . The aperture in the top wall  52  of the posts or mullions  24  includes an annular drip edge  54  extending interiorly downward from the top wall  52 . An external drain hole  56  is located at or near the bottom of the posts or mullions  24 . In the preferred embodiment shown, this allows the water to complete its journey by externally exiting the posts or mullions  24  and away from the conservatory. In an alternative embodiment, the drain hole  56  could be connected to a water dispersion system, such as a yard drain, or could even be routed interiorly through a similar water dispersion system, such as an interior drain. 
     This has been a description of the present invention and the preferred mode of practicing the invention.