Improvements in or relating to Mullions for use in the Construction of Glass Houses.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Mar., 1893-Accepted, 2nd June, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Mullions for use in the Construction
of Glass Houses.
I, THOMAS AUGUSTINE BURY Clayton Green Chorley Catholic Priest 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 mullions for supporting the wooden rafters in green
houses and the like and at the same time providing a means of readily glazing
same and is carried out in the following manner.
1 provide a mullion preferably formed of cast iron having when necessary a
flange at one end which rests upon the foundation or support and may be fixed
thereto in any convenient manner. The other end is bent to an angle which will
correspond to that of the wooden rafters, and is then screwed to the lower end of
these rafters by means of screws or the like. The glass is retained in grooves in
the mullion. In some cases I find it convenient to give the mullion a T shaped
cross section and secure the glass to same by means of a bead or strip secured to
the mullion by screws, sprigs, or such like fastening, such as a split pin. The strip
may be rebated to suit the mullion when required.
In some cases I find it convenient to dispense with the base flange aforesaid and
secure the mullion by any convenient means such as securing it to the base work.
I find it convenient to employ a lighter mullion preferably of cast iron, for the
smaller rafters, than that used for the heavy or main ones.
The mullions may
have a square or rectangular section to which the glass is secured by a lath, strip-
or beading secured to the mullion by screws or the like.
If desired the mullions may be cast in sections of two or more and provided with
cross bars for the purpose of enabling ventilators to be employed.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I now refer to the annexed
drawings in which :-
Figure 1. is a sectional side elevation showing a wooden rafter supported by my
improved mullion.
Figure 2. sectional side elevation showing wood work attached to mullion; the
flange being dispensed with.
Figure 3. cross section through line --y in Figure 1.
Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, & 10 cross sections of modified forms of mullions.
Figure 9. front elevation of two mullions connected by means of cross bars.
Referring to Figure 1. a is the rafter supported by the mullion 6 having the
flange c which rests upon the foundation d. The mullion b is secured to the rafter
by bolts or screws e. f. is a wooden or other strip which secures the glass g in
the mullions and is secured thereto by screws h, as shown in section Figure 3.
i is the glass in the "roof" rafters.
Referring to Figure 4, in this case the beading or strip f'is rebated or grooved
as shown for the reception of the projection on the mullion b.
Referring to Figure 5, in this case the glass is secured by the split pin or
sprig passing through apertures or holes in the projection or the mullion b.
Referring to Figure 6, in this case the mullion is of the cross section shown for
use at a corner of the glass house and the glass g is secured by the beading or strip f
and screws or nails h.
Referring to Figure 7, the mullion b is of the cross section shown, the glass being
secured by the strip f and screws or nails h.
Referring to Figure 8, in this case the mullion is formed with grooves for the
reception of the glass a.

page_text: Referring to Figure 9, the mullions b are connected by means of the cross-barsk
which may be cast integral with the mullions or afterwards attached thereto to
form a support for the purpose of connecting the window, or ventilator / thereto.
In Figure 2 the flange c is dispensed with and also the foundation of brick work,
the boarding m, which takes the place of the brick work being secured to the
mullion by screws or the like n.
Referring to Fig. 10, in this case the mullion b is of the section shown and the
glass secured by the strip and screws h.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In mullions the combined construction and arrangement substantially as
described.
2. An iron mullion or support with or without a base plate or flange of the cross
section shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10 to which the glass is secured by
means of a beading or strip secured to the mullion by screws; or secured by a split
pin in combination with a wooden rafter substantially as described.
3. In mullions for supporting rafters, two or more mullions of cross section as
shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 10 connected together by means of cross bars in
combination with a ventilator or movable frame substantially as described.
Dated this 22nd day of March 1893.
E. EATON,
Patent Agent.