Construction of convservatory roofs

Abstract

A connector ( 70 ) for a roof beam ( 14 ) engages a cooperating formation of an eaves and/or ridge beam ( 72 ) or a component of a roof system associated with either the ridge or eaves beam in a snap-fit manner.

1 . For a roof beam, connector that can engage a cooperating formation of an eaves and/or ridge beam or a component of a roof system associated with either the ridge or eaves beam in a snap-fit manner.  
   
   
       2 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connector locks in place.  
   
   
       3 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , arranged to engage with a ridge or eaves beam or a component associated therewith in sliding fashion.  
   
   
       4 . A connector as claimed in  claim 3 , having an end face that can rest against a corresponding face of the ridge or eaves beam or component associated therewith.  
   
   
       5 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , having a first connector part for hooking over part of a ridge or eaves beam or an associated component thereof.  
   
   
       6 . A connector as claimed in  claim 5 , having a second connector part for engaging in a groove or slot of a ridge or eaves beam or an associated component thereof.  
   
   
       7 . A connector as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the second connector part of the roof beam connector comprises a lug on a resilient finger of the connector.  
   
   
       8 . A connector as claimed in  claim 5 , having a third connector part comprising a foot for a groove or slot of a ridge or eaves beam or a component associated therewith.  
   
   
       9 . A connector as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  8 , having for attachment thereof to a roof beam end.  
   
   
       10 . A connector as claimed in  claim 9 , having a stem that is shaped to receive a roof beam end or a stem that is shaped to fit into a roof beam end.  
   
   
       11 . A conservatory roof comprising a ridge beam, an eaves beam and roof beams engaged with either or both of the ridge and eaves beams by means of connectors engaging cooperating formations of the ridge and/or eaves beams.  
   
   
       12 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein 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.  
   
   
       13 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the core profile is a hollow extrusion and the plastics member is a sheath for the core profile.  
   
   
       14 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the plastics member is mountable on top of the core profile.  
   
   
       15 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the plastics member is a sliding fit or a snap fit on the top of the core profile.  
   
   
       16 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein reinforcement is provided internally of the core profile.  
   
   
       17 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the reinforcement is in the form of steel profiles inserted into the core profile.  
   
   
       18 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein either or both of the core profile and the sheath are shaped to reduce direct contact between them.  
   
   
       19 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 18 , 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.  
   
   
       20 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein additionally or alternatively, the core profile bar has spaced feet or flanges that make end contact with the sheath.  
   
   
       21 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the core profile has a sectional profile of a trapezium having a narrow base and wider top.  
   
   
       22 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the sheath has a corresponding profile to that of the core profile.  
   
   
       23 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the plastics member has a pair of ledges, one each side of a connection formation for attachment of the cap.  
   
   
       24 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein holes for the internal projections of the end cap are provided in the ledges.  
   
   
       25 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the ledges have gasket material thereon for sealing against the underside of glazing material.  
   
   
       26 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the gasket material is of rubber or other suitable elastomeric material.  
   
   
       27 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  25 , wherein the gasket material is fitted in grooves or the like in the ledges or bonded to or co-extruded onto the ledges.  
   
   
       28 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 23 , 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.  
   
   
       29 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 23 , 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.  
   
   
       30 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the sides end with internal lips, whose top surfaces are chamfered for ease of entry of a connection formation of the cap.  
   
   
       31 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 30 , 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.  
   
   
       32 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 31 , 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.  
   
   
       33 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 31 , 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.  
   
   
       34 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the cap is generally of T-section, the stem of the T providing the connection formation.  
   
   
       35 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the cross bar of the T-section has gasket material at ends thereof for sealing against the topside of glazing material.  
   
   
       36 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the gasket material is of rubber or other suitable elastomeric material.  
   
   
       37 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 35 , 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.  
   
   
       38 . A conservatory roof as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the cross bar of the cap is arcuate and ends thereof depend to meet the glazing material.  
   
   
       39 . (canceled)  
   
   
       40 . (canceled)