Improvements in Skylights,
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1899- Accepted, 29th July, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Skylights,
We, HENRY GEORGE BEDELL, Plumber, and JoHN WELSBY, Engineer, both of
54, Lambton Quay, Wellington, New Zealand, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to skylights used in the roofs of buildings and similar
places for the admission of light and the object of the invention is to provide a
skylight which shall be watertight, readily taken to pieces for purposes of repair
or insertion of a fresh piece of glass, be thoroughly ventilated, and inexpensive to
manufacture.
We are aware that skylights have been made of sheet metal prior to our
invention and we do not claim these broadly; we are also aware that skylights
have been made of metal to take to pieces by unsoldering certain joints or seams,
but with our invention the parts may be taken apart and the glass inserted or
removed without unsoldering joints or seams.
The invention comprises a body made in a shape closely resembling ordinary
forms and differing but slightly therefrom in general appearance.
The appended drawings illustrate our invention, show the skylight made of
metal, and as constructed for large and small sizes.
Figure 1 is a view of the lower end of one arrangement of the skylight.
Figure 2 shews a plan of the same.
Figure 3 represents the side of the same.
Figure 4 is a cross section on line A-B, Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a similar cross section showing an alternative arrangement, and
the one which we prefer.
Figure 6 is a section of the lower end of the same.
Figure 7 is a longitudinal section on line C-D, Figure 2.
Figure 8 is a plan shewing the construction adopted in the case of large
skylights.
Figure 9 illustrates a hollow bar or astragal with double gutters on a larger
scale.
Figure 10 is a similar view of a reinforced hollow bar or astragal for large
skylights.
Figure 11 is a section shewing an alternative construction adopted in the case
of large skylights.
Figure 12 is a plan of the same.
Figure 13 is a detail shewing a cross butt joint for the sheets of glass.
Figure 14 represents a hollow bar or astragal for supporting the middle of a
large sheet of glass.
Figure 15 is a section of the corner of the side gutters shewing the communica-
tion between the gutters and the open air.
Similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the
several views.

page_text: Referring in the first place to the form shewn by Fig. 5 the gutters (1) extend
around the upper rim of the body (2), and have a double formation, other
gutters (4) being formed below. Perforations (5) are provided through the inner
sides of gutters (4) to establish communication between the inside of the building
and the gutters. The ends of the gutters have openings (26) to the atmosphere
which may be protected against the entrance of rain water by hoods (6) as shewn
in section on Figure 15.
Caps (7) are fitted to the upright flanges (S) of the guiters (1) and secured
thereto by bolts (9) or the like. The horizontal flanges (10) of the caps fit down
upon the glass (3) with a slight spring or pressure. The flange (25) of the gutter
at the lower end of the skylight is reduced in height until the top of same is
level with the top of the glass as shewn by Figures 6 and 7, and this said flange
has scallops (24).
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7, shew a cheaper form of gutter (1) comprising part
of the body (2) which has perforations (11) in its upper end and two sides. In
this case the caps (7) have extensions (12) to form hoods for protecting the
perforations (11) against entrance of rain water. These extensions are left open
at their ends and leave a space (12") for ventilation.
In cases of larger skylights, but still of moderate dimensions, we introduce
bars or astragals (13), shewn on a larger scale in Figure 9. The caps (14) then
have two flanges (15), which press down upon the glass similarly to Hanges (10).
These said bars or astragals have perforations (16) as shewn more particularly on
Figures 7 and 9, and have openings (26) at their ends to give communication to
the atmosphere.
These bars are constructed to have great strength combined with lightness
being constructed of sheet metal without a soldered seam and its upright
flanges (13) being brought together by the bolts (9") and in large sizes by
rivets (13). The upper end of one flange is made to overlap the other as shewn
at (13) on Figure 9. The top of the bar (13) is thus closed and this construction
gives great strength to bear a heavy weight and to resist collapse or buckling.
Efficient drainage is afforded by the gutters (1) and ample ventilation is pro-
vided by the perforations (16) the hollow form of the bar and the open ends (26)
of the same. Hoods (17) are provided to prevent rain water entering the said
bars (13).
When making large skylights we reinforce the structure by introducing a bar
of iron (18) and secure the same preferably by rivets (1) within the bar or
astragal in the position shewn by Figure 10, and where it is desirable to further
divide the sheets of glass we carry out the arrangement shewn by Figures S
and 13. The sheets of glass are cut diagonally and the bars (19) Figure 13
arranged diagonally as shewn on Figure 8. The details of the joints are shewn
on Figure 13 where the flanges (20) are reduced in height until they are slightly
below the level of the glass. Lead flashings (21) are soldered preferably to the
lower side of the diagonal bars; but the upper Hashing may if desired be soldered
to the upper side of the flanges (20) as shewn by the dotted line and the lower
flashing to the lower side of the said flanges. We prefer to perforate the upper
gutter of these diagonal bars with holes (26), and the said diagonal bars are
made to communicate at their ends with the bars or astragals (13).
As an alternative, the joint between the ends of the sheets may be made as
shewn by Figures 11 and 12 where the sheets are shewn to overlap. In this
case the ends of the sheets of glass are cut square across and the upper sheets (22)
are supported in position by resting upon the ends of the caps (23).
Figure 14 shews a hollow bar or astragal (27) for supporting the middle of a
large sheet of glass. This bar has perforations (16) and its ends are open to the
atmosphere for purposes of ventilation. A capping (27") may be provided if
desired.
Our skylight is watertight since any moisture running from the glass will
fall into the gutters (1) upon which the glass rests and thence flow downwards

page_text: to the roof of the building. In case of leakage at the bolts (9 or 9") the moisture
will also pass into the gutters (1 and 4) or into the lower part of bar (18) and
thence to the roof. The bulk of the rain water flows over the flanges (25) at
the bottom of the skylight, and the rest passes from the gutter through the
scallops (24).
In the case of the diagonal bars (19) the moisture may make its way from the
upper gutters through the holes (20") into the lower part of the bars and thence
into the bars or astragals (13) with which the ends of bars (19) communicate.
The remainder of the moisture will find its way down the gutters (1) of the
bars (19) to the gutters (1) of the bars (13).
The flaps (6") are provided for the purpose of closing the ventilating holes (11)
and (26), if desired. As for instance upon the windward side of the skylight if the
wind is so strong as to drive in the rain.
The caps (7 and 14) are readily removeable by taking out bolts (9 or 9") for
the purposes of repair or inserting fresh pieces of glass.
Ventilation in the form of skylight shown by Figures 5. 6, 9, 10, 13 and 14 is
effected through the perforations (5) into the gutters (4) and thence through
openings (26) to the atmosphere, or in the form shewn by Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7,
through perforations (11) into the extensions (12) of the caps (7) and thence to
the atmosphere, and through perforations (16) into the bars (13 and 27) and
thence through the open ends of the same to the atmosphere.
From this description it will be seen that we do not use putty to make the
joints of our skylight watertight, nor do we unsolder any joints when removing
the parts to insert a sheet of glass or for purposes of repair.
We wish it to be understood that we have shown herein some only of the
forms which our invention may take, and that modifications of details will readily
occur to a skilled person, such modifications however we consider comprised
within the ambit of our invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In a skylight, a hollow bar or astragal having its top closed by uniting its
upright flanges (13") and having gutters (1) in its upper part to carry off moisture
and to support the glass in combination with a cap (14) having flanges (15)
substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.
2. In a skylight, in combination, gutters for carrying off moisture upright
ilanges to the gutters caps fitting the said upright flanges extensions to the caps
and ventilated holes in the body of the skylight, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth herein.
3. In a skylight, a bar or astragal formed with double gutters and having
upwardly extending flanges a cap to fit said flange bolts passing through the cap
and flanges to secure the same together said bar or astragal having perforations
and open ends for purposes of ventilation, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth herein.
4. In a skylight, a bar or astragal formed with double gutters (1) and having
upwardly extending flanges a bar of iron to reinforce the said bar or astragal a
cap to fit said flange and bar and bolts passing through the cap, flange, and bar
to secure the same together, substantially as and for the purposes set forth
herein.
5. In a skylight, in combination, gutters (1) extending around the rim of the
frame upwardly extending flanges formed by the upright flange of the gutter
and the rim of the body (2) caps to fit the said flange and bolts passing through
the flange and cap to secure the same together, other open ended gutters (4)
below the gutters (1), and perforations (5), substantially as and for the purposes
set forth herein.
6. In a skylight, in combination, gutters for carrying off moisture upright

page_text: langes to the gutters caps fitting said upright flanges diagonal bars and lead
flashings, substantially as set forth in reference to Figures S and 13 of the
drawings.
7. In a skylight, in combination, gutters for carrying off moisture upright
flanges to the gutters caps fitting said upright flanges diagonal bars with lead
flashings and perforations in the said gutters and bar, substantially as set forth
in reference to Figures S and 13 of the drawings.
S. The improvements in skylights consisting of parts constructed arranged and
combined substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein and illustrated
on the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 9th day of March 1899,
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., M.I.Mech. E.,
Chartered Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Associate Agent.