Vertical compensating building component

Abstract

 A vertical compensating building component comprises an elongate U-shaped extrusion (10) having holding means internally on each of two limbs (12). The two holding means are opposed to each other and each is to seat a respective gripping profile (14) on the reverse of a resilient member (16), the obverse face of which has one or more outwardly-extending seats (18) having a width to provide seating against a vertical or an angled side of a panel (20) to be fitted thereinto.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a vertical compensating building component. Walls are normally constructed to be vertical and straight, however invariably the resulting walls constructed from building materials are off vertical and uneven. When items such as panels are to be secured against such walls, either a shaped infil member requires to be used between the wall and an upright member to which a panel is to be secured, or alternatively, one side of the panel requires to be shaped to be vertical compensating. This involves additional cost, both material cost and labour costs and therefore is disadvantageous.

[0002] A further aspect of constructed walls is that adjoining walls, while intended to be on square at ninety angular degrees to each other, are sometimes off square at a greater or lesser angle to each other. This creates a further disadvantage.

[0003] An object of the present invention is to obviate or mitigate these disadvantages.

[0004] Accordingly, the present invention is a vertical compensating building component characterised in that an elongate U-shaped extrusion intended for upright orientation has holding means internally on each of limbs, the two holding means being opposed to each other and between them holding opposed sealing surfaces to abut and provide sealing against a vertical or an angled side of a panel to be fitted thereinto.

[0005] Preferably, the opposed sealing surfaces are provided by inner surfaces of opposed limbs of a resilient element.

[0006] Preferably also, each holding means is to seat a respective gripping profile on or towards the reverse of a resilient member, the obverse face of which having one or more outwardly-extending seals forming the opposed sealing surfaces, the width of the surfaces being to provide the sealing against a vertical or an angled side of a panel to be fitted thereinto.

[0007] Preferably also, the or each seal consists of a series of spaced apart fins or serrations.

[0008] Alternatively, the or each seal is a substantially half-moon shape

[0009] Preferably further, the extrusion is provided with an internal spacing between the holding means and a web wall between the limbs to accommodate the vertical or angled side of the panel.

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a plan view of an extrusion of a vertical compensating building component with a panel fitted thereinto according to the present invention.

[0011] Referring to the drawing, a vertical compensating building component is intended for vertical orientation. The component comprises an elongate U-shaped extrusion 10 having holding means internally on each of two limbs 12. The two holding means are opposed to each other and each is to seat a respective gripping profile 14 on or towards the reverse of a resilient member 16. Each holding means comprises the outer end of each limb 12 being reflexively bent inwardly as shown to define a channel 22 to receive a tongue 24 of the resilient member 16. The reverse of the profile 14 has a tongue 24 at one end and has a square end 26 as shown at the opposite end to seat against an inwardly extending ridge 28. The obverse face of each element 16 has one outwardly-extending seal 18. The outwardly-extending seals 18 form opposed sealing surfaces and each has a width to provide sealing against a vertical or an angled side of a panel 20 be fitted thereinto.

[0012] The seals 18 each consist of a series of spaced apart fins or serrations or alternatively the seals may be of substantially half moon shape.

[0013] A waterproof edging is provided to be between the respective panel 20 and the outer edges of the limbs 12 of the extrusion 10.

[0014] The extrusion 10 may be of aluminium alloy or plastics material and the resilient members 16 may be of artificial rubber or material having similar resilient and waterproof characteristics. If plastics material is used, it may be provided with an aluminium foil outer skin.

[0015] A compressible element is normally used on the wall side of the infil or upright member to fill in the unevenness in the wall to which it is fitted.

[0016] After the panel is fitted, a piece of thin rubber sheeting (not shown) is placed over the top of the panel 20 adjacent to the top of the extrusion 10 and a cap (not shown) is fitted and secured to the extrusion 10 and an integral cap extension overlies the sheeting and has two downwardly-extending elements which forces the sheeting to abut against the sides of the panel 20 and provide a locking grip between the extrusion 10 and the panel 20.

[0017] The extrusion 10 is provided with an internal spacing between the holding means and a web wall 30 between the limbs 12 to accommodate the vertical or angled side of the panel 20.

[0018] In use, a component is fixed to a wall 24 irrespective of whether the wall is vertical or off vertical and one straight edge of a panel 20 is then located in the extrusion 10 between the seals 18. The opposite edge of the panel 20 is made vertical using a spirit level or equivalent. If the wall is vertical then the straight edge in between the seals is vertical, however if the wall is off vertical then the straight edge in the seals 18 is angled in the seals 18. The width of the seals and the internal spacing provides the vertical compensation so that no additional infil parts are required and no shaping of the panel is required and as claimed hereinafter.

[0019] In a simplified embodiment (not shown) the opposed sealing surfaces are provided by the inner surfaces of opposed limbs of a resilient element being a thin sheet of foam material. Any edges of the foam material extending beyond the limbs of the extrusion being trimmed in line with the extrusion to present a neat appearance.

[0020] Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described above as claimed hereinafter.

Claims

1. A vertical compensating building component characterised in that an elongate U-shaped extrusion (10) intended for upright orientation has holding means internally on each of limbs (12), the two holding means being opposed to each other and between them holding opposed seating surfaces to abut and provide sealing against a vertical or an angled side of a panel (20) to be fitted thereinto.

2. A vertical compensating building component as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the opposed sealing surfaces are provided by inner surfaces of opposed limbs of a resilient element.

3. A vertical compensating building component as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that each holding means is to seat a respective gripping profile (14) on the reverse of a resilient member (16), the obverse face of which having one or more outwardly-extending seals (18) forming the opposed sealing surfaces, the width of the seals (18) being to provide the seating against a vertical or an angled side of a panel (20) to be fitted thereinto.

4. A vertical compensating building component as claimed in Claim 3, characterised in that the or each seal (18) consists of a series of spaced apart fins or serrations.

5. A vertical compensating building component as claimed in Claim 3, characterised in that the or each seal is of substantially half-moon shape.

6. A vertical compensating building component as claimed in anyone of the preceding Claims, characterised in that, the extrusion (10) is provided with an internal spacing between the holding means and a web wall (30) between the limbs (12) to accommodate the vertical or angled side of the panel (20).

Drawing