GB2311308A - Securing gutters to e.g.conservatories - Google Patents

Abstract

A gutter assembly 12 comprises a gutter member 14 including an integral side securement element 32 and a short angular foot 30 which are together arranged to cooperate with integral parts of a ring beam 16. The assembly obviates the needs for clip arrangements for securing the gutter member 14 to the ring beam 16.

Description

BUILDING This invention relates to a building and particularly, although not exclusively, relates to a conservatory and components used in the assembly thereof.

U.K. Patent Publication Number GB 2 287 048A (Ultraframe) discloses a roof for a conservatory which comprises a ring or eaves beam which is arranged to sit on a window profile and to pivotably mount a plurality of glazing bars between which sheets of glazing material are supported. An off-the-shelf plastics gutter is fixed relative to the ring beam by a gutter bracket arrangement which comprises several cooperating parts. However, the gutter may need further support to prevent it pivoting when carrying water in use.

The arrangement described in the afrementioned publication is used only for outer walls 2, 4, shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, of a conservatory. With regard to inner wall 6 of the conservatory, it is known to secure a generally square section aluminium trough to outer wall 8 of a house and then, effectively, to support part 10 of the conservatory roof on the aluminium trough. However, at its ends, the aluminium trough must be fixed to lengths of plastics gutter in order to provide a continuum between the aluminium trough and the plastics gutter and, to this end, specially adapted connector members and brackets must be provided.

It is an object of the present invention to address problems associated with the assembly of buildings, for example conservatories.

Accoring to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first assembly for a building comprising a gutter means including an integral first fixing means and a frame means including an integral second fixing means, the first and second fixing means being engaged with one another for fixing the gutter means to the frame means.

Advantageously, the assembly described obviates the need for clip arrangements for securing the gutter to the frame means, for example a ring beam, and, additionally, may allow a sturdier construction to be achieved.

Said first and second fixing means are preferably releasably securable to one another. Said first fixing means may include a male and female element arranged to cooperate with the other one of a male or female element provided by said second fixing means. Said male or female element preferably extends substantially perpendicularly to the direction of extent of said gutter.

Said first fixing means may comprise first and second spaced apart fixing elements which are preferably arranged to restrict pivotal movement of the gutter means relative to the frame means in use. Said first element may comprise said male or female element described above and said second element may comprise a foot member adapted to seat on a portion of the frame means. Said frame means may include an abutment means for defining a seating position for the foot member. Said first and second elements are preferably both on a first side of the gutter means.

Said frame means preferably includes a location means for locating the frame means on a window profile. Said location means preferably includes a substantially planar surface which is suitably arranged to make face-to-face contact with an upwardly facing surface of a window profile and a projecting member extending from the planar surface and defining with the planar surface an angular region within which portions of the window profile may fit.

Said frame means preferably includes a pivotably mounted member for supporting a glazing bar. Said pivotably mounted member preferably includes a means for retaining a glazing bar securement means. Said means for retaining may comprise a channel having parallel walls between which a securement element, for example a bolt head, may be retained. The bolt shank may then be received, in use, in an opening in the glazing bar.

Said frame means preferably includes first cladding retaining means for retaining a first length of cladding which extends upwardly in use.

Said frame means of said first assembly is preferably an aluminium extrusion. The gutter means may comprise an aluminium extrusion in the event that the gutter means is to be a structural component of a building or a plastics extrusion.

Where the gutter means is a structural component, it preferably incorporates one or a plurality of abutment surfaces for abutting the gutter means against a wall of a building to which the gutter means is to be fixed. The or each abutment surface is preferably substantially planar. Preferably, said gutter means include first and second spaced apart abutment surfaces, one of which is suitably adjacent an upwardly open region of a trough part of the gutter means and the other one of which is suitably at or, preferably, below a lower wall of the trough part.

Said second abutment surface is preferably a component of a leg member which is arranged to cooperate with a second length of cladding which extends substantially horizontally in use. Said second length of cladding is preferably arranged to cooperate also with said first length of cladding, when provided, and also said frame means.

Where the gutter means is not a structural component and is suitably made out of plastics material, said gutter means may include means for releasably receiving an accessory for said gutter means. Said accessory may be arranged to extend across a trough part of the gutter means for restricting collapse of the trough part, for example if a ladder is placed against it. Said accessory may include openings for the passage of water but arranged to restrict passage of solid material, for example leaves.

The invention extends to a frame means including an integral second fixing means for engagement with a first fixing means of a gutter means. Said frame means may be as described in any statement herein.

The invention extends to a frame means including a member for supporting a glazing bar, said frame means including a channel having parallel sides in which a head of a bolt is retained against rotation wherein the distance between said parallel sides is less than the maximum diameter of the head.

The invention extends to an accessory for a gutter means, said accessory being arranged to extend across a trough part of a gutter means and including openings for passage of water but arranged to restrict passage of solid material.

The invention extends to a building comprising a first structural gutter means including a first trough part and a second gutter means including a second trough part wherein at least 50% of the area of the cross-section of the first trough part corresponds in shape to the area of the cross-section of the second trough part.

Advantageously, in the building described, structural and non-structural gutter means can be joined to one another easily, for example by connection means having a constant cross-section along their extent.

60%, preferably 70%, more preferably 80%, of the area of the first and second trough parts preferably correspond in shape. Most preferably, the cross-sections of the first and second trough parts are substantially identical in shape.

The invention extends to a method of assembling a building using any component of any aspect of an invention described herein.

The invention extends to the use of any component of any aspect of an invention described herein for constructing a building, for example a conservatory.

Any feature of any aspect of any invention described in any statement herein may be combined with any feature of any other aspect of an invention described in any statement herein.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is schematic top plan view of a conservatory fixed to a building; Figure 2 is a cross-section through part of a gutter assembly for an inner wall; and Figure 3 is a cross-section through part of a gutter assembly for an outer wall.

In the figures, the same or similar parts are annotated with the same reference numerals.

The gutter assembly 12, shown in Figure 2, is for securement to outer wall 8 of a house, in order to define a part of an inner support member of a conservatory.

The assembly 12 comprises an extruded aluminium gutter member 14, an extruded aluminium ring beam 16 and first and second extruded plastics cladding members 18, 20.

The gutter member 14 comprises a generally U-shaped trough portion 17 which includes a stepped portion 19, having a planar outwardly facing face 21, at its outer free end. An angular foot 22 having a planar outwardly facing face 24 which is in the same plane as face 21, and an inturned end part 25, extends outwardly from a lower region of the trough portion 16. A lower securement element 26 having a generally circular cross-section head 28 at its free end projects downwardly from a lower region of the trough portion 17. A short angular foot 30 having a planar lower wall 32 extends inwardly from a lower region of trough portion 17. A side securement element 32 having a female securement portion 34 extends horizontally inwardly from an upper region of the trough 17.

The ring beam 16 comprises a generally L-crosssection first part 36 and, pivotably mounted thereto, a second part 38.

The first part 36 includes an upstand 40 on its horizontally extending limb 42, which locates angular foot 30 of the gutter member 14 in position. At its inward end, the limb 42 includes a downwardly projecting element 44.

Vertically extending limb 46 includes spaced apart securement elements 48 having heads 28 and a horizontally extending serrated male element 50 which is secured within the resilient female securement portion 34.

At its upper end, the first part 36 defines an arcuate hinge portion 52 within which an arcuate portion 54 of the second part 38 is mounted. The second part 38 defines a substantially rectangular cross-section channel 39 within which an extruded plastics gap filler strip 56 is releasably secured. The strip 56 includes spaced apart resilient legs 58 having substantially planar inner faces 60. A cushioning material 62 is fixed to an outer surface of the strip 56. The second part 38 also includes planar faces 64 on which a part of a glazing bar (not shown) may be supported in use.

The first cladding member 18 includes an outer channel 66 in which end part 25 of foot 22 extends, a resilient female securement member 68 in which head 28 of lower securement element 26 extends, a serrated end part 70 which cooperates with a serrated female element 72 of the second cladding member 20 and an upstanding part 74 which abuts downwardly projecting element 44 of the ring beam 16.

The second cladding member 20 includes a planar upwardly extending part 78 which includes resilient female securement members 68 in which heads 28 of respective side securement elements 48 are arranged.

The gutter assembly 80 (Figure 3) for an outer wall includes ring beam 16 and cladding member 20 as described above. Gutter member 82 however is made out of plastics by extrusion and it does not include a stepped portion 19, an angular foot 22 or a lower securement element 26. The profile of the trough portions 16 in Figures 2 and 3 are, however, substantially identical except that gutter member 82 includes downwardly open channels 84 towards the upper ends of opposing parts of the trough portion 16. A perforated grille member 86 is arranged to cooperate with channels 84 to strengthen the gutter member 82 and to prevent leaves and other debris falling into the trough portion 17 and clogging it up.

The Figure 2 and 3 assemblies may be used as follows: Faces 21 and 24 of the gutter member 14 are arranged in face-to-face contact with the wall 8 and then are secured in position by means of screws extending through openings in faces 21, 24 into the underlying wall.

The gutter assembly 80 is located initially on a window profile 90 (Figure 3) such that the profile abuts projecting element 44 of the ring beam 16, and is secured thereon by suitable means. Since trough portion 17 of the gutter members 14, 82 have generally the same profile, adjacent ends of the members 14, 82 can advantageously be secured together by a right-angled connection member of constant cross-section along its extent in the same way that adjacent ends of gutter members 82 can be secured together at the intersection of outer walls 2, 4.

Once the gutter assemblies 12, 82 are in position, glazing bars (not shown) may be secured to the second part 38 of the ring beam 16. To this end, hexagonal heads of bolts may be held captive within the channel 39 with their threaded portions projecting upwardly such that they can be received in openings in the glazing bars. A nut may then be engaged with the bolt to secure the glazing bars in position. The angle at which the glazing bars extend from the ring beam may be adjusted by simply pivoting the second part 38 relative to the first part 36. Between the glazing bars, strips 56 are arranged to seal any gap between the ring beams and glazing material.

It is found that the gutter assemblies 12, 82 are relatively easy to assemble and provide a sturdy and attractive arrangement. In view of the provision of angular foot 30 and side securement element 32, there is little tendency for the trough portion 17 to pivot under heavy loads. In addition, the provision of grille member 86 serves both to reinforce the gutter against collapse should a ladder or the like be placed against it and, furthermore, to reduce the risk of the gutter being clogged up with leaves and the like.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed Is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims (19)

1. A first assembly for a building comprising a gutter means including an integral first fixing means and a frame means including an integral second fixing means, the first and second fixing means being engaged with one another for fixing of the gutter means to the frame means.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first and second fixing means are releasably securable to one another.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said first fixing means including a male or female element arranged to cooperate with the other one of a male or female element provided by said second fixing means.

4. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said first fixing means comprises first and second spaced apart fixing elements which are arranged to restrict pivotal movement of the gutter means relative to the frame means in use.

5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein said frame means includes an abutment means for defining a seating position for the foot member.

6. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said frame means includes a location means for locating the frame means on a window profile.

7. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein said location means includes a substantially planar surface which is arranged to make face to face contact with an upwardly facing surface of a window profile and a projecting member extending from the planar surface and defining with the planar surface an angular region within which portions of the window profile may fit.

8. An assembly according to any preceding claim, including a pivotably mounted member for supporting a glazing bar.

9. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said frame means includes first cladding retaining means for retaining a first length of cladding which extends upwardly in use.

10. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said gutter means incorporates one or a plurality of substantially planar abutment surfaces for abutting the gutter means against a wall of a building to which the gutter means is fixed in use.

11. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein said gutter means includes first and second spaced apart abutment surfaces, one of which is adjacent an upwardly open region of a trough part of the gutter means and the other one of which is at or below a lower wall of the trough part.

12. A frame means including an integral second fixing means for engagement with a first fixing means of a gutter means.

13. A frame means including a member for supporting a glazing bar, said frame means including a channel having parallel sides in which a head of a bolt is retained against rotation, wherein the distance between said parallel sides is less than the maximum diameter of the head.

14. An accessory for a gutter means, said accessory being arranged to extend across a trough part of a gutter means and including openings for passage of water but arranged to restrict passage of solid material.

15. A building comprising a first structural gutter means including a first trough part and a second gutter means including a second trough part wherein at least fifty percent of the area of the cross-section of the first trough part corresponds in shape to the area of the crosssection of the second trough part.

16. A first assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

17. A frame means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

18. An accessory substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

19. A building substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.