Roof beam end caps

Abstract

An end cap ( 20 ) for a roof beam for a conservatory roof is in the form of a cover for the roof beam end and has one or more internal projections ( 30 ) for locating in corresponding apertures in a roof beam.

1 . An end cap for a roof beam for a conservatory roof in the form of a cover for the roof beam end and having one or more internal projections for locating in corresponding apertures in a roof beam.  
   
   
       2 . An end cap as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein two spaced projections are provided internally of the end cap for locating in corresponding apertures of a roof beam.  
   
   
       3 . An end cap as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the projections are pins.  
   
   
       4 . An end cap as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the end cap is generally U-shaped to provide sides that when fitted overlap top and bottom sides of a roof beam.  
   
   
       5 . An end cap as claimed in  claim 1 , having one or more drainage apertures therein.  
   
   
       6 . An end cap as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the or each drainage aperture is a slit.  
   
   
       7 . An end cap as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the drainage aperture or apertures are provided at a position that will be generally in a lowermost region of the end cap when fitted to the end of a roof beam.  
   
   
       8 . An end cap and roof beam combination wherein the end cap is as claimed in  claim 1  and the roof beam comprises a core profile of metal, a plastics member fitted to the core profile and providing at least one ledge for carrying an edge of a sheet of glazing material and a cap mountable on the plastics member for retaining the glazing sheet thereon.  
   
   
       9 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the core profile is a hollow extrusion and the plastics member is a sheath for the core profile.  
   
   
       10 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the plastics member is mountable on top of the core profile.  
   
   
       11 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the plastics member is a sliding fit or a snap fit on the top of the core profile.  
   
   
       12 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein reinforcement is provided internally of the core profile.  
   
   
       13 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the reinforcement is in the form of steel profiles inserted into the core profile.  
   
   
       14 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein either or both of the core profile and the sheath are shaped to reduce direct contact between them.  
   
   
       15 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the sheath has on its inner spaced surface ribs or the like to provide the only lines of contact with the core profile in certain regions.  
   
   
       16 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein, additionally or alternatively, the core profile bar has spaced feet or flanges that make end contact with the sheet.  
   
   
       17 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the core profile has a sectional profile of a trapezium having a narrower base and a wider top.  
   
   
       18 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the sheath has a corresponding profile to that of the core profile.  
   
   
       19 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 8  any one of  claims 8  to  18 , wherein the plastics member has a pair of ledges, one each side of a connection formation for attachment of the cap.  
   
   
       20 . An end cap as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein holes for the internal projections of the end cap are provided in the ledges.  
   
   
       21 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the ledges have gasket material thereon for sealing against the underside of glazing material.  
   
   
       22 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the gasket material is of rubber or other suitable elastomeric material.  
   
   
       23 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the gasket material is fitted in grooves or the like in the ledges or bonded to co-extruded onto the ledges.  
   
   
       24 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein between the ledges and the connection formation, the sheath has longitudinal channels to provide drainage passages in case of water penetration through the roof beam.  
   
   
       25 . An end cap as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the connection formation of the plastics member is in the form of a slot whose sides extend upwardly from the top of the sheath.  
   
   
       26 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the sides end with internal lips, whose top surfaces are chamfered for ease of entry of a connection formation of the cap.  
   
   
       27 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the cap has an, in use, depending connection formation having at least one pair of ribs thereon that can be pushed into the slot of the plastics member and retained there with glazing material sandwiched between the cap and the ledges of the plastics member.  
   
   
       28 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein two pairs of ribs are provided on the cap connection formation, so as to allow the cap to be fitted at two different heights relative to the plastics member to accommodate glazing materials of different thickness.  
   
   
       29 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the cap has a single pair of ribs and the slot of the plastics member has two pairs of internal barbs or the like to allow the cap to be fitted over two different thicknesses of glazing material.  
   
   
       30 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the cap is generally of T-section, the stem of the T providing the connection formation.  
   
   
       31 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the cross bar of the T-section has gasket material at ends thereof for sealing against the topside of glazing material.  
   
   
       32 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the gasket material is of rubber or other suitable elastomeric material.  
   
   
       33 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the gasket material is fitted in grooves or the like in the ends of the cap crossbar or bonded to or co-extruded onto the ends thereof.  
   
   
       34 . An end cap and roof beam combination as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the cross bar of the cap is arcuate and ends thereof depend to meet the glazing material.  
   
   
       35 . (canceled)  
   
   
       36 . (canceled)