IMPROVEMENTS IN GLAZING GREENHOUSES, CONSERVATORIES, ROOFS OF RAILWAY STATIONS, AND OTHER BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES."
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Robert Shelley, of Smethwick, in the County of
Stafford, Glazing Contractor, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GLAZING
GREENHOUSES, CONSERVATORIES, ROOFS OF RAILWAY STATIONS, AND OTHER
BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Robert Shelley at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th January 1882.
THOMAS ROBERT SHELLEY of Smethwick in the County of Stafford Glazing
Contractor. "IMPROVEMENTS IN GLAZING GREENHOUSES, CONSERVATORIES, ROOFS
OF RAILWAY STATIONS AND OTHER BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES.'
My Invention consists of the construction and combination of parts therein
after described for glazing greenhouses, conservatories, roofs of railway stations
and other buildings and structures.
In glazing according to my Invention greenhouses, conservatories and the roofs
of other buildings and structures where lightness is required and where short
squares of glass are used, I construct the glazing bar with a middle vertical web
which extends some distance above the glazed surface; and I cast in the lower
supporting jaw or part of the glazing bar, semi-cylindrical grooves for receiving
cylindrical pieces of vulcanite or other like packing upon which the squares of
glass rest.
For the purpose of preventing the sheets or squares of glass from sliding
downwards and from rising vertically where they overlap, I use loose stops. These
loose stops consist of flat pieces of metal having along one edge a turned down or
vertical lip or projection. In the middle web of the glazing bar at those parts
where the overlapping edges of the squares of glass are situated, slots or openings
are made for receiving the said loose stops.
These slots or openings are somewhat deeper or broader than the thickness of
the stops so that the latter may descend in them or move laterally for fixing the

page_text: overlapping edges of the squares of glass. The edges of the squares of glass
having been made to overlap, the stop is passed through the slot in the web of the
glazing bar and pressed down until its vertical lip or projection engages with the
lower vertical edge of the upper or higher square of glass and the horizontal part
of the stop seats itself upon the upper face of the said edge of the square of glass.
A packing of any pliable or rigid material is then inserted in the slot in the web
above the stop to fix its position.
The lower edge of each square of glass is thus prevented from sliding downwards
and from rising vertically and the top edge of each square of glass is prevented
from rising by the overlapping edge of the glass square above it which latter is
fixed by the stop described. The stop at the bottom or lower end of the glazing
bar may be cast with the said bar but the other stops must be loose.
The squares or sheets of glass supported upon the lower jaw or part of the
glazing bar are fixed in their places by means of zinc or copper capping secured to
the web of the bar, the said capping being so formed that its lower edges bear
upon the glass before the underside of its top rests upon the top of the web of the
bar. By pressing down the capping it forces its lower flanges firmly upon the
glass so as to form a tight joint between them and the glass. The zinc or copper
capping is secured in its place by means of small cross bolts passed through its
upper part and also through the upper part of the middle web of the glazing bar;
and when ungalvanized glazing bars are used a thin layer of non-metallic material
is interposed between the web and the zinc or copper capping.
I cast
When strong glazing bars and single or long sheets or squares of glass without
lap are employed I make the lower supporting jaw of the bar in the manner
before described, but I secure the lengths of the zinc or copper capping by their
overlapping edges to the middle web of the bar in the following manner.
at equi-distant parts on the summit of the middle web of the glazing bar, hook
like catches, the said catches being situated parallel with the said web. I slot the
apex of each length of the capping at its ends in such a manner that the said slots
may be passed over the hooks of the two contiguous catches and be engaged with
their stems. That is to say, the lowest slotted end of the length of capping is first
passed over the hook of the lower catch and the length of capping is then moved
downwards in the direction of the inclination of the roof until the end of the slot
engages with the stem of the said lower catch. The upper slotted end of the
capping is next passed over and pressed down upon the hook of the upper catch, the
end of the slot bearing against the back of the stem of the said upper catch.
In this way the ends of the several lengths of capping where they overlap, are
fixed down by the hooked catches described, the overlapping bottom edge of each
upper length of capping being situated immediately under the hook of the catch
and bearing upon and preventing from rising the top edge of the length of capping
below it.
In order to dispense with galvanizing the whole of the glazing bars, or using the
thin non-metallic packing described I cast pieces having in cross section the
figure of an inverted trough or nearly the figure of the letter V inverted, which
pieces I galvanize and force them over the head of the middle web of the bar.
The flanges of the said or trough shaped pieces are thus made to project over
and touch or nearly touch the squares of glass. The zinc capping being placed
over the said V or trough shaped pieces, the whole is secured to the web of the
glazing bar by cross bolts or by clips or other fastenings.
But the fastenings which I prefer to use for securing together the trough pieces
and capping consist of bolts having at one end a head and at the other end a flat
expansion with taper sides. An elongated slot of a size proper for the passage of
the flat expanded end of the bolt is made in the trough piece and also in the
capping. The expanded end and stem of the bolt or fastening having been passed
through 'the coincident slots in the trough piece and capping until the head bears
against the outside of the capping, the bolt is turned through a quadrant so as to

page_text: cause the expanded taper end of its stem to cross the slots and bind, by a pulling
up action the trough piece and capping together.
I also expand the head of the web of the glazing bar and for the zinc or copper
capping in its place by forcing it over and making it clip the said exapanded head
of the web, the said fixing of the capping being effected by applying pressure
either vertically or in the direction of the length of the capping. The expanded
head of the glazing bar may either be continuous; or portions only of the web at
fixed distances apart may be expanded for the purpose of securing the capping
thereto.
My Invention may be applied to the glazing of vertical structures as well as to
the glazing of greenhouses, conservatories, roofs and other like structures.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas Robert Shelley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
3rd July 1882.
THOMAS ROBERT SHELLEY of Smethwick in the County of Stafford Glazing
Contractor. "IMPROVEMENTS IN GLAZING GREENHOUSES, CONSERVATORIES, ROOFS
OF RAILWAY STATIONS AND OTHER BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES."
My Invention consists of the construction and combination of parts hereinafter
described for glazing greenhouses, conservatories, roofs of railway stations, and
other buildings and structures.
In glazing according to my Invention greenhouses, conservatories and the
roofs of other buildings and structures where lightness is required and where
short squares of glass are used, I construct the glazing bar with a middle vertical
web which extends some distance above the glazed surface; and I cast in the lower
supporting jaw or part of the glazing bar, semicylindrical grooves for receiving
cylindrical or other shaped pieces, solid or hollow of vulcanized indiarubber or
other like packing, upon which the squares of glass rest. For the purpose of
preventing the sheets or squares of glass from sliding downwards and from rising
vertically where they overlap I use loose stops. These loose stops consist of flat
pieces of metal having along one edge a turned down or vertical lip or projection.
In the middle web of the glazing bar at those parts where the overlapping edges
of the squares of glass are situated, slots or openings are made for receiving the
said loose stops. These slots or openings are somewhat deeper or broader than the
thickness of the stops so that the latter may descend in them or move laterally for
fixing the overlapping edges of the squares of glass. The edges of the squares of
glass having been made to overlap, the stop is passed through the slot, in the web
of the glazing bar, and pressed down until its vertical lip or projection engages
with the lower vertical edge of the upper or higher square of glass and the hori
zontal part of the stop seats itself or nearly seats itself upon the upper face of the
said edge of the square of glass. A packing of any pliable or rigid material is
then inserted in the slot in the web above the stop to fix its position. The lower
edge of each square of glass is thus prevented from sliding downwards and from
rising vertically, and the top edge of each square of glass, is prevented from rising
by the overlapping edge of the glass square above it, which latter is fixed by the
stop, described. The stop at the bottom or lower end of the glazing bar may be
cast with the said bar, but the other stops are loose.
Figure 1 represents in side elevation and Figure 2 in cross section, a portion
of a roofing glazed according to this part of my Invention; Figure 3 represents
in plan of underside and cross section one of the loose stops detached.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in Figures 1, 2, and 3.
a, b is the metallic glazing bar consisting of the lower supporting jaw or part a
and the middle vertical web b. Upon the said jaw a the sheets or squares of
glass rest, cylindrical or other shaped packing pieces c of vulcanized indiarubber or
other packing being interposed between the bearing parts of the said jaw a and the
sheets or squares of glass. The cylindrical packing pieces c may either be solid or
hollow and are inserted in semicylindrical grooves in the bearing parts of the
jaw a as seen in Figure 2. One of the loose stops which employ for preventing
the sheets or squares of glass where they overlap from sliding downwards and
from rising vertically is represented in Figure 3. It consists of a plate having
at one end or edge a turned down or vertical lip of projection d, a middle web f
joining the horizontal and vertical parts e, d of the stop the space between the

page_text: part e and the vertical web f being sufficient to cover the edge of the glass. The
said stop is made double for bearing upon the overlapping edges of the sheets or
squares of glass at opposite sides of the middle part 6 of the glazing bar; g is the
slot or opening made in the middle of the web or part b and opposite where the
overlapping edges of the squares of glass are situated, for receiving the loose stop.
The slot or opening g is somewhat deeper than the stop so that the latter may be
moved vertically in it. The said slot or opening may however be made broader
than the stop, so that the latter may move laterally in it, but I prefer that the
stop shall have a vertical motion only in the slot, h, i are the sheets or squares
of glass to be fixed, the said sheets being supported upon the jaw of the glazing
bar. The edges of the sheets or squares h, i having been made to overlap as shown
in the Drawing, the stop Figure 3 is passed through the slot g in the web b of the
glazing bar and pressed down until its vertical lips or projections d, d engage
with the vertical edges or ends of the upper or higher squares of glass h, h and
the horizontal parts e, e of the stop seat themselves or nearly so upon the upper
faces of the squares of glass h, h. The stop is fixed in its position by inserting a
packing piece k either of pliable or rigid material, in the slot g above the stop.
By an examination of Figure 1 of the Drawing, it will be seen that the lower edge
or end of the square of glass his prevented from sliding downwards by the lip d
of the stop and from rising vertically by the horizontal part e of the stop and the
top edge of the lower square of glass i is prevented from rising by the overlapping
edge of the glass square h above it. The overlapping edges of all the squares of
glass to be fixed to the glazing bars are provided with the stops and parts described.
As the acting parts of the stop are duplicated on opposite sides of the middle rib
of the glazing bar (see Figure 2) the overlapping edges of the squares of glass on
opposite sides of the said rib are kept in their places by one stop.
Instead of using a compound stop for the overlapping edges of the squares of
glass on opposite sides of the middle web of the glazing bar as represented, two
single stops arranged and fixed on opposite sides of the middle web may be
employed. In this case, the slot or opening g in the middle web, through which the
stop is passed and the packing piece k are dispensed with and the two single stops
are kept in their places on opposite sides of the web b by means of a crosspin paseed
through them and through a slot in the middle web b. of the glazing bar. The pin
which I use for fixing the position of the two stops is indicated at 1 Figure 1 and
one of the single stops is represented in Figure 34.
m is the zinc or copper capping by which the squares or sheets of glass, supported
upon the lower jaw a of the glazing bar are fixed in their places in the line of or
parallel with the glazing bar. The form of the said capping is best seen in
Figure 2 and the said capping is so constructed that its lower edges bear upon the
glass before the underside of its top rests upon the top of the web b of the glazing
bar. By pressing down the capping m it forces its lower flanges firmly upon the
glass so as to form a tight joint between them and the glass. The zinc or copper
capping m is secured in its place by means of small cross bolts and nuts at n the
said bolts being passed through the upper part of the capping and also through the
upper part of the middle web b of the glazing bar; and when ungalvanized glazing
bars are used, a thin layer of non-metallic material as represented at p Figure 2 is
interposed between the web b and the zinc or copper capping to prevent contact of
the parts.
When strong glazing bars and single or long sheets or squares of glass with or
without lap, are employed I make the lower supporting jaw of the glazing bar in
the manner before described, but I secure the lengths of the zinc or copper
capping by their overlapping edges to the middle web of the bar in the following
uanner :-
I cast at equal distances apart on the summit of the middle web of the glazing
bar, book like catches, the said catches being situated parallel with the said web.
I slot the apex of each length of the capping at its ends in such a manner that the
said slots may be passed over the hooks of two contiguous catches and be engaged

page_text: with them. That is to say, the lowest slotted end of the length of capping is first
passed over the hook of the lower catch and the upper slotted end of the capping
over the hook of the upper or next catch; the length of capping is then moved
downwards in the direction of the inclination of the roof until the ends of the slots
bear against the stems of the books. In this way, the ends of the several lengths
of capping, where they overlap, are fixed down by the hooked catches described, the
overlapping bottom edge of each upper length of capping being situated immediately
under the hook of the catch and bearing upon and preventing from rising the top
edge of the length of capping below it.
This part of my Invention is represented in side elevation in Figure 4 and
vertical section in Figure 5. A plan and end elevation of a length of capping is
represented in Figure 6; Figure 4 represents a longitudinal section of part of
Figure 4, drawn to a larger scale. a. b is the glazing bar; q. r. s are hooked catches
made by preference at equal distances apart on the summit of the middle web b of
the glazing bar for the overlapping ends of the lengths of capping 92, 2 to engage
with. Each length of capping is slotted at its ends at the upper part in the manner
represented in Figure 6; that is, at that end of the length of capping which
constitutes the lower end an open slot t is made and at the upper end of the length
of capping, a closed slot u is made, the distance between the two slots t, u of each
length of capping being such that they can be passed over the hooks of two
contiguous catches on the web b and be engaged under the said catches.
In fixing the lengths of capping according to this part of my Invention, the first
length of capping having been fixed, I take the length of capping marked q², and
the open slot at its bottom end and the closed slot u at its top end are
respectively depressed over the hooks of the catches q, r. By now giving the length
of capping q² a sliding motion in the direction of the arrow q³ the said slots t. u
engage under the hooks q, r and the ends of the said slots bear against the stems
of the said hooks. Another length of capping 72 is now taken and the open slot t
in its bottom end is passed over the hook r and the closed slot u in its top end
passed over the hooks and by sliding the said length of capping ² in the direction
of the arrow q, the said slots t, u engage with the hooks r, s and the ends of the
slots bear against the stems of the hooks, as before described. As the closed end
of the slott bears against the stem of the hook r an unperforated part of the
summit of the capping passes under the said hook r and the two lengths of
capping q², 2, where they overlap, are thus held down. In this way it will be
seen that the several lengths of capping, where they overlap, are fixed down by
the hooked catches represented the overlapping bottom edge of each upper length
of capping 2 being situated under the hook of the catch, and bearing upon and
preventing from rising the top edge of the length of capping 92 below it as will be
understood by an examination of the enlarged view Figure 4ª.
Instead of using a closed slot at one end of the length of capping and an open
slot at the opposite end the slots at both ends of the length of capping may either
be open or closed.
Where the edges of the sheets or squares of glass overlap, the overlapping parts
of the lengths of capping may be arranged and fastened together in the manner
represented in side elevation partly in longitudinal section in Figure 4B; cross
section in Figure 4° and a separate part in Figure 4D.
In this arrangement I use at the overlapping parts of the lengths of capping, a
saddle piece x (shown separately in Figure 4º). The fork or branched part of the
saddle piece is made to embrace the middle web b of the glazing bar, and the head
of the said saddle piece has externally and internally the same configuration as the
over-lapping parts of the two lengths of capping.
The saddle piece x having been placed near the step part of the glazing bar and
against the upper edge of the lower sheet or square of glass y³ the lower edge of
the top length of capping y is introduced under the head of the saddle piece and
the top edge of the lower length of-capping y² is passed-upon the exterior of the head

page_text: of the said saddle piece and made to overlap the edge of the upper length of
capping y and lie flush with the saddle x as seen in Figure 4³.
The overlapping parts of the capping are then secured together by the crosspins
or by fastening bolts of the kind herein after described, or otherwise.
By this arrangement the space between the overlapping parts of the two lengths
of capping, which are at different levels, is filled by the head of the saddlepiece *,
and a neat and tight junction thereby effected. The top sheets of the overlapping
sheets of glass are also prevented from sliding by the said saddle pieces.
In order to dispense with galvanizing the whole of the glazing bars and also to
dispense with the thin non-metallic packing described, I cast pieces having in
cross section the figure of an inverted trough or nearly the figure of the letter V
inverted which pieces I galvanize and force them over the middle web of the bar.
The flanges of the said V or trough shaped pieces are made to project over and
touch or nearly touch the squares of glass. The zinc or copper capping being
placed over the said V or trough shaped pieces, the whole is secured to the web of
the glazing bar by cross bolts, or by clips, or other fastenings. But the fastenings
which I prefer to use for securing together the trough pieces and capping consist of
bolts having at one end a head and at the other end a flat expansion with taper
sides. An elongated slot of a size proper for the passage of the flat expanded end
of the bolt is made in the trough piece and also in the capping. The expanded
end and stem of the bolt or fastening having been passed through the coincident
slots in the trough piece and capping until the head bears against the outside of
the capping, the bolt is turned through a quadrant so as to cause the expanded
taper end of its stem to cross the slots and bind, by a pulling up action, the trough
piece and capping together. This bolt or fastening may also be used for connecting
the capping to the glazing bar.
This part of my. Invention is illustrated in side elevation in Figure 7 and cross
section in Figure 8; Figure 9 represents one of the fastening bolts separately;
62 is the galvanized inverted trough or lining or V piece fixed to the vertical
web b of the ungalvanized glazing bar by the cross pin at 63 and to the capping b
by the fastening bolts 65, 66. Each bolt consists of a rectangular head b³ the end
of the stem of the said head being expanded at 66. The expanded end 66 of the
stem crosses the head 65 and the sides of the expanded end are taper or inclined as
best seen in Figure 9. In the inverted trough piece 62 and capping b¹ are elongated
slots b' of a size suitable for the expanded part 66 of the stem of the bolt to pass
through. The slots at 67 in the capping and galvanized trough piece having been
made to coincide the expanded end or part be of the bolt is passed through them
until the head 65 bears against the outside of the capping. The bolt is then
turned, by grasping its head by a pair of plyers, through a quadrant so as to cause
the expanded taper end 66 of the stem to cross the slots and bind together, by a
pulling up action, the trough piece and capping as seen in Figure 8.
Or the capping may be connected to the vertical web of the glazing bar, which
may be galvanized, by means of the fastening bolts Figure 9, in the manner repre-
sented in side elevation in Figure 10 and cross section in Figure 11.
In this modification, I fix, by rivetting, on the vertical web b of the glazing
bar a, bat uniform distances apart, saddle pieces v, w. The side portions v, v of
the saddle piece lie flat against and are rivetted to the web b, but the middle part w
projects some distance from the said web b. In the projecting parts w, w on each
side of the web b, elongated slots at x are made and corresponding slots are also
made in the capping 6. The capping 6' is attached to the web b of the glazing
bar by means of the fastening bolts 65 66 passed through the coincident holes in
the capping and saddle pieces and turned through a quadrant as before described.
For the purpose of fixing the zinc or copper capping in its place the head of the
glazing bar may be expanded. The expanded head of the glazing bar may either be
continuous or portions only of the head of the web at fixed distances apart may be
expanded the fixing of the capping being affected by applying pressure either.

page_text: vertically or in the direction of the length of the capping so as to cause it to clip
the expanded head of the web.
This part of my Invention is illustrated in side elevation in Figure 12; cross
section in Figure 13 and a separate part in Figure 14.
In the said Figures 12 and 13 the head of the web b of the glazing bar is
expanded by fixing thereon at equal distances apart the saddle piecesz z¹³. The
saddle pieces or expanded parts of the glazing bar are fixed to the said bar by the
crosspins which are passed through the middle parts of the said saddle pieces
and the web of the bar. The middle parts of the saddle pieces are of less thickness
than the parts on either side of them (see Figure 13).
In fixing the capping by the use of this part of my Invention, one of the saddle
pieces z being fixed at the desired place on the web of the glazing bar, the upper
length of capping is forced over the saddle piece or expanded head z and its edges
made to clip the underside of the said head as seen in Figure 13. Another saddle
piece z being introduced into the lower end of the capping already fixed, it is
fastened to the glazing bar by the crosspin 2 and another length of capping is
sprung over the said saddle piece or expanded head, the upper end of the last
named capping overlapping the lower end of the previously fastened capping as
seen at the middle expanded part or head represented in Figure 12. In this way
the several lengths of capping are fastened together and to the head of the glazing
bar.
Although I prefer to use the detachable saddle pieces z, z for the purpose of
forming the expanded portions of the head of the glazing bar, yet the expanded
head of the glazing bar may be made continuous and the lengths of capping sprung
over it.
My Invention may be applied to the glazing of vertical structures as well as
to the glazing of greenhouses, conservatories, roofs and other like structures.
Having now described the nature of my Invention and the manner in which the
same is to be performed I wish it to be understood that I claim as my Invention
of " Improvements in Glazing Greenhouses, Conservatories, Roofs of Railway
Stations and other Buildings and Structures"
First. The improvements herein before described and illustrated in Figures
1. 2. 3 and 34 of the accompanying Drawings in preventing the sheets or squares
of glass from sliding downwards and from rising vertically where they overlap ;
that is to say, by means of the loose stops constructed and used substantially as
described and illustrated in conjunction with the slots and appliances described and
illustrated.
Secondly. The improvements herein before described and illustrated in
Figures 4, 44, 5, and 6 of the accompanying Drawings in securing the lengths of
the zinc, copper or other capping by their overlapping edges to the middle web of
the glazing bar; that is to say, making at the summit of the middle web of the
glazing bar, hook like catches and slotting the apex of each length of capping at
its ends in such a manner that the said slots may be passed over and engaged with
the hooks of two contiguous catches for the purpose and substantially as described
and illustrated.
Thirdly. The saddle pieces hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 4B, 4°
and 4 of the accompanying Drawings for closing the spaces between the over-
lapping ends of the lengths of capping and for acting as stops to the upper squares
or sheets of glass.
'
Fourthly. The combination with ungalvanized glazing bars of the galvanized
inverted trough or V shaped pieces or linings, herein before described and
illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying Drawings, inserted and fixed
between the capping and the middle web of the glazing bar for the purpose
described.
Fifthly. The improvements hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 9,
10 and 11 of the accompanying Drawings in connecting the lengths of capping
to the middle web' of the glazing bar.

page_text: Sixthly. The construction of the fastening bolts represented in Figures 8. 9.
and 11 of the accompanying Drawings for fastening the capping to the middle web
of the glazing bar and the galvanized troughs or linings to the capping.
Lastly. The improvements herein before described and illustrated in Figures 12,
13 and 14 of the accompanying Drawings in connecting the capping to the head
of the glazing bar; that is to say, expanding the head of the glazing bar at
intervals or continuously for the capping to engage under it by a clipping action.
In witness whereof I the said Thomas Robert Shelley have hereunto set
my hand and seal this Thirtieth day of June in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty-two.
Witness
RICHARD SKERRETT
37 Temple Street
Birmingham.
THOMAS ROBERT SHELLEY. (L.S.)