[0001] The present invention relates to bars for supporting panels for example, glazing
panels and relates primarily but not exclusively to bars for supporting sheets of
plastic material such as polycarbonate which may be transparent, translucent or opaque.
For the sake of convenience, such bars will hereinafter be referred to as glazing
bars.
[0002] Glazing bars for supporting sheets of plastic material have two premium functions.
First to support the panel and secondly to provide a weather proof seal between one
panel and an adjacent panel or an adjacent part of a wall or roof system. Hopefully
the glazing bars should be capable of being assembled with the panels which they have
to support without undue difficulty.
[0003] Glazing bars have been proposed in the past sometimes incorporating a two part system
wherein a lower part is secured to rafters, purlin and the like. Panels are then placed
in position and an upper part is then secured by fasteners passing through the upper
part into the lower part. The resultant structure depends at least in part on the
skill of the installer and also sometimes weather proofing around the fasteners securing
the upper and lower parts may be troublesome.
[0004] Another known system comprises a glazing bar which is split into two parts, one part
is secured along the edge of one panel and the other part is secured along the edge
of another panel. However both parts incorporate an upwardly extending part and it
is tile upwardly extending parts that are secured to each other in assembly. The height
of the upwardly extending part can provide difficulty for weather proofing around
the perimeter of such a glazed area.
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new or improved glazing bar.
[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention we provide a glazing bar having
a primary part and a secondary part, the primary part having a central section, a
first edge region having a slot adapted to receive an edge region of a panel on one
side of the central region, the secondary part having a slot adapted to receive an
edge region of a panel; said primary and secondary parts having inter-engaging formations
so that said secondary part may be located with and engage said primary part and wherein
the surface of the primary part and the surface of the secondary part which provide
upper members defining said slots are adapted to overlie an upper surface of said
panels and the upper surface of said central section is substantially co-planar with
said upper members.
[0007] The central section may be of a form adapted to provide stiffness to the glazing
bar.
[0008] Preferably said central section comprises a box like formation that provides stiffness
to the glazing bar which may be both vertical and lateral stiffness.
[0009] By providing said glazing bar with a primary part and a secondary part which are
inter-engageable, access to the primary part before said secondary part is inter-engaged
therewith permits of securing the primary part to a rafter, purlin or the like. After
which, said secondary part may be located therewith not only closing access to the
fixing but also providing a weather proof sealing to said fixing.
[0010] Thus, the primary part may be provided with a fixing means access to which is prevented
when the secondary part is located and engaged with the primary part.
[0011] Conveniently said primary and secondary parts may be made from aluminium and may
be made by an extrusion process.
[0012] The upper member of the secondary part may be provided with a downwardly stepped
portion which is disposed beneath an upper part of the primary part and has an end
part and/or a shoulder for engagement with a part of said central section or said
upper part of the primary part respectively to limit movement of the secondary part
towards the primary part and wherein said upper part of the secondary part is provided
with a downwardly extending projection for engagement with said primary part to limit
movement of the secondary part away from the primary part.
[0013] Alternatively, the secondary part may be provided with a downwardly extending portion
having a surface which is adapted to lie adjacent to or abut a downwardly extending
portion of the central part to limit movement of the secondary part towards the primary
part and is also provided with an abutment which is adapted to engage an abutment
provided on the primary part to limit movement of the secondary part away from the
primary part.
[0014] The upper part of the primary part and of the secondary part may each be provided
with a portion of shallow channel configuration to provide a reduced cross-section
mouth to said slots and a groove in the upper surface of the upper members.
[0015] According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a glazing bar having a central
section and a first edge region having a slot in which is received an edge region
of a panel on one side of the central region.
[0016] A glazing bar sub-assembly of the second aspect of the invention may be used in a
glazing bar assembly incorporating a glazing bar according to any one of the preceding
statements of invention.
[0017] According to a third aspect of the invention we provide a glazing system comprising
a first and a second glazing panel, each made from a plastics material, one of said
panels having at least one edge region adapted to be juxtaposed with the edge region
of the other of said panels, said glazing system further comprising a glazing bar
having a primary part and a secondary part, the primary part having a central section,
and a first edge region having a slot to receive an edge region of the first panel
on one side of the central region and the secondary part having a slot to receive
an edge region of the second panel, said primary and secondary parts having inter-engaging
formations so that said secondary part is located and engaged with said primary part
and wherein the surface of the primary part and the surface of the secondary part
which provide upper members partly defining said slots, overlie an upper surface of
said panels and the upper surface of said central section is substantially co-planar
with the upper surface of said upper members.
[0018] The glazing system may incorporate a glazing bar according to the preceding statements
of invention.
[0019] Considerable benefit is achieved by providing the two part glazing bar. The primary
part can be pre-assembled to a panel and secured thereto before bringing to a work
site. It may thereafter be fitted to the panel in a manner in controlled conditions
to ensure that there is a proper seal between the panel and the primary part of the
glazing bar and conveniently the secondary part may likewise be secured to an edge
region of a panel prior to assembly of the assembly on site thus ensuring that the
secondary part is properly secured to and sealed with the panel and the two parts,
together with their associated panels may then be located together in a simple and
rapid manner.
[0020] The provision of a central section of a glazing bar to give adequate strength and
stiffness to the glazing bar enables the upper members providing both the slots for
the primary part and the secondary part to be substantially planar so that they overlie
adjacent panels to provide not only a firm location of the panels but also satisfactory
weather proofing and, at the same time, provide the upper surface of a panelled surface
with a substantially planar surface thereby considerably facilitating weather proofing
by flashing, roofing felt or other substances to a surrounding structure without difficulty.
[0021] One example of the present invention will now be described in more detail by way
of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention,
FIGURE 2 shows a glazing bar similar to that shown in Figure 1 but disposed at one
end of an assembly with an end cap secured thereto in the place of one of the panels,
FIGURE 3 illustrates the method of assembly on site of the embodiment shown in Figures
1 and 2,
FIGURE 4 shows an end assembly similar to Figure 2 but illustrating a glazing bar
at an opposite end of the assembly,
FIGURE 5 illustrates how the panels at the ends of the assembly are supported,
FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of part of an assembled structure,
FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly incorporating a second embodiment
of the invention,
FIGURES 8 and 9 are a cross-sectional views of the assembly of Figure 7 showing panels
at the ends of the assembly.
[0022] Referring first to Figure I, a glazing bar 10 comprises a primary part 11 and a secondary
part 12. The primary part 11 may be made as an extrusion in an aluminium alloy and
includes a central section which is indicated at 13 and which comprises a lower member
14, side walls 15, 16, perpendicular thereton, an intermediary transverse member 17
and an upper member 18 parallel to the lower member 14.
[0023] The upper member 18 has an extension portion 19 that forms an upper limb of a channel-like
slot S
1 adapted to receive a panel 20. A lower limb of the slot is provided by lip member
21
a of a vertical flange 21 of a tranverse lower member 22 extending from the central
part 13 and adapted to bear on the upper surface of a rafter or other support 23.
[0024] Extending from the central portion 13 in the opposite direction to the lower member
22 is a lower member 24 which is the same as the lower member 22 and has a vertical
flange 25 which terminates in a lip 26.
[0025] The lower member 24 may be provided with a through bore to enable fasteners such
as the fastener shown at 27 to pass through and secure the glazing bar 10 to the support
23. The glazing bar 10 may, for example, be provided with a plurality of holes along
its length in the lower member 24 so that it may be secured at spaced intervals to
the support 23.
[0026] The secondary part 12 of the glazing bar 10 may also be made as an extrusion in aluminium
alloy. The secondary portion 12 has an upper part 31 having an upper limb portion
32, a downwardly extending portion 33 provided with spacer members 34, a transverse
portion 35, an upwardly extending section 36 and lower transverse limb portion 37.
[0027] The upper limb portion 32 and the lower limb portion 37 together define upper and
lower limbs of a channel like slot S
2 to receive a panel 38.
[0028] The upper members 18 and 32 each have an end portion of shallow channel configuration
C to provide a reduced cross-section mouth to said sheet and a groove in the upper
surface of the upper member. The panel 38 and the panel 20 may, for example, each
comprise a multi-wall translucent panel made from polycarbonate.
[0029] The lower portion 35 and vertical portion 36 together with the lower part of the
downwardly extending part 33 form a channel which may be used to transport any moisture
to a drainage channel to further enhance the weatherproofing of the system. The spacers
34 may be intermittent and prevent the end of the panel 38 from abutting the surface
of the downwardly extending part 33.
[0030] Referring now in addition to Figure 2, the glazing bar shown is the same as the glazing
bar referred to above and shown in Figure 1. However, in this case the glazing bar
is at the edge of a glazed area and so the panel 20 shown in Figure 1 is replaced
by a closure part 40 which is secured to the upper limb 19 by a fastener 41. The closure
part 40 has a transverse lower limb 42 which engages round the lower limb 21 of the
slot like recess and has a downwardly depending part 43 that engages at 44 with the
primary part of the glazing part so as to effect a weatherproof seal. A water deflecting
guide 45 can be inserted between the glazing bar 10 and the rafter 46 to deflect water
away from the building or other enclosure provided with the glazing. The glazing bar
may be provided with an additional sealing member 47 as a further barrier to prevent
moisture entering the enclosure.
[0031] Referring now in addition to Figures 3 and 4, Figure 3 illustrates how the glazing
system may be assembled on site. A panel 20 together with the primary part 11 of the
glazing bar 10 may be inserted in position and secured to a support 23 by a fastener
27. The primary part 11 may be supplied already secured or fitted to the panel 20.
After insertion of the fastener 27 to secure the glazing bar 10 to the support 23,
a panel 38 together with the secondary part 12 of the glazing bar 10 may be inserted
and located with the primary part 11 in a manner as shown in the drawing. Downwards
movement of the panel 38 will then cause the panel 38 and the secondary part 12 to
take up the position as shown in Figure 1.
[0032] When the primary and secondary parts are thus assembled a glazing bar as shown in
Figure 1 or Figure 4 will be provided in which a downwardly stepped part 32 of the
upper limb portion 32 is disposed beneath the upper part 18 and has an end part 32
b and a shoulder 32
c either or both of which may engage a co-operating part of said central section or
said upper part of the primary part respectively to limit movement of the secondary
part towards the primary part. In addition said upper part of the secondary part is
provided with an downwardly extending projection 32
d for engagement with the side wall 16 of the primary part 11 to limit movement of
the secondary part away from the primary part.
[0033] The shoulder 32
c and the co-operating end surface of the upper member 18 are inclined to the vertical
in the present example at an angle of 45° but if desired the shoulder and the co-operating
end surface may be of other inclination or configuration if desired.
[0034] The other side of the panel 38 may be provided with a primary portion 11 of another
glazing bar 10 and the assembly procedure repeated. Thus a complete roof or wall may
be assembled and secured in position very rapidly.
[0035] Referring now in addition to Figure 4 a further glazing bar 10, is identical with
that which has been described with reference to Figures 1,2 and 3 is fitted to the
panel at the opposite end of the assembly to that shown in Figure 2. A glazing member
50, which is precisely the same as the closure member 40, but may differ if desired,
is fitted to the glazing bar 10. However, in this case it is shown completing the
other end of a glazed area. Once again a rain or moisture deflecting panel 51 may
be provided and secured in position by sandwiching between the glazing bar 10 and
the rafter 52.
[0036] The glazing bar 10 is normally provided along the elongate edge of each panel 10,
20 or 38 and to complete the system, in the case of a pitched roof, for example, the
end portions may be provided with end members as shown in Figure 5. The end members
are identical to each other and comprise an upwardly extending portion 55 an upper
transverse limb 56 and a lower stepped portion generally indicated at 57 which may
incorporate a seal 58. The lower portion 57 includes an upper transverse member 59
that supports a panel 60. The upwardly extending member 55 may include spacers 61
to prevent the end of the panel 60 from abutting the inner surface of the upwardly
extending part 55.
[0037] The upper limb 56 may be substantially the same thickness as the upper limbs 18,19,31
and 32 and may be mitred so as to form a close fitting surface with a similarly mitred
surface on limbs 19 or 32. Thus considerably facilitating any weatherproofing that
is necessary with an enjoining structure.
[0038] Figure 6 shows part of a roofing system incorporating a glazing bar embodying the
invention and also tile end members as shown in Figure 5. The mitred joint referred
to above is shown at 70, however at the end 71 of the glazing bar Figure 6 shows a
section, to show the glazing bar in more detail.
[0039] Referring now to Figure 7 there is shown a cross-sectional view of an assembly incorporating
a second embodiment of the invention. In this figure the same parts have been designated
with the same reference numerals as used in Figures 1 and 6. The manner of use of
the glazing bar is the same as the first embodiment and there is shown at the left
and right hand ends of Figure 7 figures which correspond to Figure 2 and Figure 4
of the first embodiment although the screw 27 and support 46 and water deflecting
guide 45 are omitted.
[0040] It will be seen that details of the glazing bar construction both of the primary
part and the secondary part differ from that of the first embodiment for example the
base of the primary part is now planar and does not include a central recess. In addition
tile shape of the under surface of the downwardly stepped portion 32
b differs in that the under surface is now generally asymmetrical V configuration and
no separate downwardly extending rib 32
d is provided. Further, in this embodiment the surface 37 of the secondary part generally
abuts the limb 16 of the primary part to limit alone or together with the shoulder
32
c to limit movement of tile secondary part towards the primary part. Furthermore, the
lower transverse limb portion 37 on its lower surface is of stepped configuration
having a shoulder 37
a therein for engagement with an end surface 26
a of the lip 26 of the vertical flange 25 of the primary part 11 to limit movement
of tile secondary part away from the primary part.
[0041] It will be appreciated that the glazing bars described above is merely two example
of glazing bars of the present invention and variations in the sections may be provided
depending on the strengths necessary and also the panel with which it has to be used.
[0042] It is in further envisaged that the interlocking between the primary and the secondary
portions for the glazing bar may be altered as desired and may depend on the conditions
to which the glazing system is to be subjected. The important feature being that the
projection of the glazing bar above the panels which it is intended to support is
minimal so is to enable satisfactory weatherproofing from its surrounding structures.
[0043] Furthermore by virtue of providing the under surface of the glazing bar as a one
piece element on the primary part it is relatively simple to apply a suitable element
thereto to improve the thermal properties of the assembly as a one piece member and
for example such an element may be "snapped-on".
[0044] In the present specification "comprise" means "includes or consists of and "comprising"
means "including or consisting of".
[0045] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or
the accompanying drawings. expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means
for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed
result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be
utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.
1. A glazing bar having a primary part and a secondary part, the primary part having
a central section, and a first edge region having a slot adapted to receive an edge
region of a panel on one side of the central region, the secondary part having a slot
adapted to receive an edge region of a panel; said primary and secondary parts having
inter-engaging formations so that said secondary part may be located and engage with
said primary part and wherein the surface of the primary part and the surface of the
secondary part which provide upper members partly defining said slots are adapted
to overlie an upper surface of said panels and tile upper surface of said central
section is substantially co-planar with the upper surface of said upper members.
2. A glazing bar according to Claim 1 wherein the central section is of a form adapted
to provide stiffness to the glazing bar.
3. A glazing bar according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the central section comprises
a box-like formation that provides stiffness to the glazing bar.
4. A glazing bar according to Claim 3 wherein said box-like formation provides both vertical
and lateral stiffness to the glazing bar.
5. A glazing bar according to any one of tile preceding claims wherein the primary part
is provided with fixing means access to which is prevented when the secondary part
is located and engaged with the primary part.
6. A glazing bar according to any preceding claim wherein said primary and secondary
parts are made from an aluminium alloy.
7. A glazing bar according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said primary and
second parts are made by an extrusion process.
8. A glazing bar according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper member
of the secondary part is provided with a downwardly stepped portion which is disposed
beneath an upper part of the primary part and has an end part and/or a shoulder for
engagement with a part of said central section or said upper part of the primary part
respectively to limit movement of the secondary part towards the primary part and
wherein said upper part of the secondary part is provided with a downwardly extending
projection for engagement with said primary part to limit movement of the secondary
part away from the primary part.
9. A glazing bar according to any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein the secondary part is
provided with a downwardly extending portion having a surface which is adapted to
lie adjacent to or abut a downwardly extending portion of the central part to limit
movement of the secondary part towards the primary part and is also provided with
an abutment which is adapted to engage an abutment provided on the primary part to
limit movement of the secondary part away from the primary part.
10. A glazing bar according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper part
of the primary part and of the secondary part are each provided with a portion of
shallow channel configuration to provide a reduced cross-section mouth to said slots
and a groove in the upper surface of the upper member.
11. A glazing bar sub-assembly comprising a primary part of a glazing bar having a central
section and a first edge region having a slot in which is received an edge region
of a panel on one side of the central region.
12. A glazing bar sub-assembly according to Claim 11 when used in a glazing bar assembly
incorporating a glazing bar according to any one of Claims 1 to 10.
13. A glazing bar sub-assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference
to the accompany drawings.
14. A glazing system comprising a first and a second glazing panel, each made from a plastics
material, one of said panels having at least one edge region adapted to be juxtaposed
with the edge region of the other of said panels, said glazing system further comprising
a glazing bar having a primary part and a secondary part, the primary part and having
a central section, a first edge region having a slot to receive an edge region of
the first panel on one side of the central region and the secondary part having a
slot to receive an edge region of the second panel, said primary and secondary parts
having inter-engaging formations so that said secondary part is located and engaged
with said primary part and wherein the surface of the primary part and the surface
of the secondary part which provide upper members partly defining said slots, overlie
an upper surface of said panels and the upper surface of said central section is substantially
co-planar with the upper surface of said upper members.
15. A glazing system according to Claim 14 and incorporating a glazing bar according to
any one of Claims 2 to 10.