GB2275714A - Window/ventilator for roof - Google Patents

Abstract

A ventilator/window structure for use in a self supporting roofing structure which is formed from a plurality of interconnected roofing panels 6, has formed on at least two edges thereof at least two parallel flanges which together define a slot into which adjacent roofing panels fit to locate and support the ventilator/window structure. As shown the slots 28 are formed between an internal panel 16 and a frame 12 for an openable window 10 having a latch 18. <IMAGE>

Description

Improvements Relating to Window/Ventilator Structure This invention relates to an improvement in the window ventilator structure for the purpose of serving as a window, or a ventilator or both and wherein said structure is to be fitted to conservatory roofing and/or lean-to or self supporting structures.

At present in the United Kingdom, there is a considerable increase in the building of conservatories and lean-to structures adjacent to domestic dwellings or factories as house owners and factory owners increasingly seek to add to the quality of their environment and/or add to the space available.

In relation to conservatories in particular glazing is used extensively and particularly double glazing to form the walls and roofs and the double glazing has the purpose of retaining heat in the said conservatory but has a disadvantage in that the conservatory can overheat on warm days. To enable relief from overheating it is normal to provide openable ventilators in the conservatory roof but the provision of said ventilators provides disadvantages in that the ventilators themselves provide areas where rain can enter the interior of the conservatory even when the ventilators are closed through leakage.

In an attempt to solve this problem, co-pending British Application No GB 9211939.5 describes a ventilator or window structure for the provision of an openable window or ventilator wherein said structure comprises a panel provided with a window aperture therein, said panel being provided with an upstanding flange around the aperture to form a water break and for closuring by means of a glazing panel including a down turn flange which in use encircles the upturn flange.

This embodiment of the structure has been found to be extremely beneficial to conservatory owners and has been found to greatly reduce the opportunity of water ingress into conservatories through the ventilation or openable window structure. While this window ventilator structure is found to be suitable for fitting to conservatories, it has been found that problems exist in other associated but structurally different areas.

One of said areas is in the provision of lean-to structures which commonly are built adjacent to houses or buildings in general and can form lean-to conservatories, or extra storage areas for example in factories. In one embodiment the said lean-to structure roof is provided by a series of interlocking strips of plastics material with cavities therein which, when joined and locked, serve to form a roof thereby negating the requirement for structural beams or other roofing support components to be fitted. This form of roofing structure has been found to be extremely adaptable and is used to a considerable extent in the United Kingdom said sold under the trade names Easilite and Ultralite.Again however there is seen to be a need for window and/or ventilation structures in the said roof and at the present time there is no practical means by which said window or ventilator structure can be provided as it is not feasible or beneficial to fix brackets or drill holes in the roof panels as this adversely effects the strength and allows the possibility of leakage of water therethrough.

It is the aim of this invention to provide a novel form of roof window/ventilator for a self supported roofing system wherein said structure can provide light and ventilation when required without causing the ingress of water where fitted.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a self supporting roof structure formed of a series of roofing panels, each of said panels joined to form the roof structure and said structure incorporating a ventilator structure, wherein the structure has formed on at least two edges thereof at least two parallel flanges which define a slot therebetween into which said roofing panels can slidingly engage to locate and support the ventilation structure.

Typically at least two opposing edges of the structure will have defined therein the slot. In one embodiment the slot will also include male or female dovetail engagement means for the engagement therein of matching means on the roofing panels. Typically a female dovetail will be formed in the window or ventilator structure.

The said window and/or ventilator structure will in one embodiment be that referred to and described in co-pending Application No 9211939.5.

As a further means to prevent the ingress of moisture there will be provided a sealing gasket in the slot to seal against the roof panels when fitted.

When specifically applied to a self supporting roof formed of interlinked lengths of roofing material, the ventilator structure will fit into engagement with the self supporting roof material such that the material adjacent the structure is engagably mounted therewith. Preferably said ventilator structure will be provided with sliding engagement means formed in the slots to match those provided in the said aluminium supporting rods.

Typically the slots in the structure will be of a depth to allow one side of the structure to be engaged with the adjacent roofing length, said roofing length moved into the maximum depth of the slot to allow the opposing slot to be brought into engagement with the adjacent roofing length.

The structure will then be adjusted to the required position along the roofing length by a sliding movement.

Alternatively the structure will be slotted into place in relation to the ends of roofing lengths which will be fitted into the slots provided in the ventilation structure. The slots will run along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the roofing lengths, and subsequent roofing lengths can be slid into place in the slots of the structure running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roofing lengths.

Typically said self supporting roof will be formed from a series of lengths of rigid plastics material with cavities formed therein each of said lengths being slidable into engagement with aluminium supporting lengths such that in combination each of said lengths of rigid plastic form the roof without the requirement of further supporting beams.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the roofing system of the invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view along C-C of the structure of the invention shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a detail on section A-A of two of the lengths the roof structure; and Fig. 4 is a detail on section B-B of the structure and roofing material.

Referring firstly to Fig. 1, there is shown a self supporting roof 2 as used in the invention and a ventilator or window structure 4 fitted in conjunction with the roof. The roof comprises a series of roofing panels, in this case roof lengths 6 and associated engagement means 8. Said engagement means serving to maintain each of the roof lengths in mutual support.

Fig. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of the structure 4 of the ventilator in engagement with the roof 2. Said structure in this embodiment is of a similar structure to that described in Patent Application No GB.9211939.5 wherein said structure comprises an openable window 10, a frame 12 with an aperture 14 provided therein and an inner cover 16 which slidably engages into the aperture 14. The openable window 10 is hinged at one end and openable by means of a latch mechanism 18 in direction 20.

The arrangement between the roofing panel lengths 6 is shown in more detail in Fig. 3 wherein there is shown an edge 9 of a length 6 having formed along its length a female dovetail member 22 which is slidably engageable with the engagement means 11 which has a male dovetail member 23 formed therealong. The engagement means is symmetrical about its vertical axis such that there is formed another dovetail member for engagement with female dovetail 24 formed in a second roof length 6. The roofing lengths 6 are formed from a rigid extended plastics material to give each length a wall 26 of sufficient thickness to provide the required rigidity and self supporting features to form a self supporting roof.

Fig. 4 illustrates a detailed view of the arrangement along section B-B of Fig. 1 wherein the ends of the lengths 6 abut the slot 28 formed by two parallel flanges at the edge of the ventilator structure 2. The structure 2 with the frame flange 12 and inner frame flange 16 forming a location slot 28 allows the ends of the lengths 6 to be fitted into the slot 28 and any gap between the roofing lengths 6 and the flanges is sealed by means of conventional sealing material 30.

To construct the device the roofing lengths 6 are engagingly mounted by the engagement means 8. When engaging the ventilation structure to the roof lengths 6, the lengths which are to lie perpendicular to the slots 28 are cut to the required size and slidably placed into position as shown in Fig. 4 into the slots. A sufficient number of lengths are placed in position to equal the width of the structure and said structure is then slidably moved into position, with the roofing lengths 6' of Fig. 2 which are to lie adjacent the longitudinal slots 28' of the ventilation structure moved into slidable engagement therewith. Once in place further roof lengths 6 are slid into position in the slots 28'in engagement with the lengths 6'of the structure which run parallel to the roof lengths and hence the structure is then held in an engaged position.

Furthermore the provision of the internal panel 16 to be fitted as part of the ventilation structure, greatly improves the internal appearance of the ventilator structure to a person within the conservatory, storage area or other space covered by the said roof. The internal and fitment features of the ventilator structure are hidden from view and therefore the structure of this invention allows the use of the ventilator and window structure in relation to the roofing structure described and in particular the panel fits neatly and easily into any roofing material while at the same time maintaining the strength and rigidity of the said roofing material.

The ventilation structure when provided with the fitting slots as shown can be used with any form of roofing material panels to provide a relatively easily fitted but watertight.

The structure is particularly effective when fitted in conjunction with roofing lengths of a self supporting roof system. By providing the slots onto which the panels fit to support the structure no additional fitting of brackets, hole drilling is required and therefore the integrity and strength of the roof structure is not effected.

Claims (11)

1. A ventilator/window structure for use in a self supporting roof formed from a plurality of roofing panels wherein the ventilator structure has formed on at least two edges thereof at least two parallel flanges which define a slot into which the adjacent roofing panels fit to locate and support the ventilator/window structure.

2. A ventilator/window structure as in Claim 1, wherein a slot is defined in at least two opposing edges of the structure.

3. A ventilator/window structure as in Claim 1 wherein a slot is defined around the periphery of the structure.

4. A ventilator/window structure as in Claim 1 wherein the slots have defined therein engagement means to allow the engagement of the roofing panels therein.

5. A ventilator/window structure as in Claim 4 wherein the engagement means comprise one of a female or male dovetail means formed along the length of the slot and the other of the male or female dovetail means formed on the edge of the roof panels.

6. A Ventilator/window structure as in any preceding claim wherein the slot includes a sealing gasket provided to seal against the roof panels when fitted.

7. A ventilator/window structure is in any proceeding claims provided to be engagable on a self supporting roof structure formed from a plurality of panels in the form of lengths secured together by longitudinal securing means.

8. A ventilator/window structure as in Claim 7 wherein engagement means are provided in the slots of a form which is the same as that provided in the roof lengths securing means.

9. A ventilator/window structure as in any of the proceeding claims wherein the structure includes an internal panel which masks the roof panels in the slots from view from inside the roofed structure.

10. A method of constructing a self supporting roof incorporating a ventilator/window structure including slidably securing together adjacent roof lengths by securing means and securing said ventilation structure in position by sliding engagement means in a first longitudinal slot defined in an edge thereof along one of said roof lengths, securing subsequent roofing lengths to each other and their ends in a slot in the ventilator structure running perpendicular thereto to reach a second longitudinal slot and sliding a further roof length into engagement with the engagement means in the second longitudinal slot.

11. A ventilator/window structure as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.