Muntins

Abstract

The invention provides a muntin ( 1 ) for a roof structure, the muntin ( 1 ) comprising: a cap ( 3 ) having a cover ( 7 ), for forming a link between elements of a roof structure in use, and a connector region ( 13 ) connecting with a separate coupler ( 5 ); and the coupler ( 5 ) having means ( 21, 23, 25 ) to connect with a jointer of a roof structure, and means ( 19 ) to connect with said cap connector region ( 13 ).

1 . A muntin for a roof structure, the muntin comprising: 
 a cap having a cover, for forming a link between elements of a roof structure in use, and a connector region connecting with a separate coupler; and    the coupler having means to connect with a jointer of a roof structure, and means to connect with said cap connector region.    
     
     
         2 . A muntin according to  claim 1 , in which the cover of the cap comprises an elongate sheet.  
     
     
         3 . A muntin according to  claim 2 , in which the cover has an arcuate cross-section.  
     
     
         4 . A muntin according to any preceding claim, in which the cover comprises at least one seal extending therefrom.  
     
     
         5 . A muntin according to  claim 4 , in which the seals comprise a deformable material.  
     
     
         6 . A muntin according to any preceding claim, in which the muntin cap and coupler comprise a, plastics material.  
     
     
         7 . A muntin according to any preceding claim, in which the coupler and the cap connector region comprise a snap-fit connection.  
     
     
         8 . A muntin according to  claim 7 , in which the snap fit connection comprises interengaging ribs and grooves.  
     
     
         9 . A muntin according to any preceding claim, in which the coupler comprises a connector region for connecting to the cap and a securement region for connecting to a jointer.  
     
     
         10 . A muntin according to  claim 9 , in which the connector region is located at a free end of the coupler.  
     
     
         11 . A muntin according to  claim 9  or  10 , in which the securement region is orientated in a plane substantially perpendicular to that of the connector region.  
     
     
         12 . A muntin according to any one of claims  9 - 11 , in which the securement region has a generally “n” shaped cross-section.  
     
     
         13 . A muntin according to any one of claims  9 - 12 , in which the securement region comprises engagement means for securing the coupler to a jointer.  
     
     
         14 . A muntin according to  claim 13 , in which the engagement means comprises teeth, in the form of longitudinal ribs projecting from the coupler region of the leg.  
     
     
         15 . A muntin according to  claim 13  or  claim 14 , in which the engagement means is arranged such that, in use, the coupler can snap-fit onto a jointer.  
     
     
         16 . A muntin according to any preceding claim, in which the coupler has a generally “L”-shaped configuration.  
     
     
         17 . A roof structure comprising a muntin according to any one of claims  1 - 16 .  
     
     
         18 . A roof structure according to  claim 17 , in which the cover is arranged to abut the upper surface of a roof panel and the upper surface of the frame of a roof vent.  
     
     
         19 . A roof structure according to  claim 17  or  claim 18 , in which the coupler comprises a base interposed between a jointer of a roof structure and a roof panel.  
     
     
         20 . A roof structure according to any one of claims  17 - 19 , in which the coupler base is interposed between a jointer of a roof structure and the frame of a roof vent.  
     
     
         21 . A roof structure according to any one of claims  17 - 20 , in which the muntin is arranged such that there is no contact between the edge face of a roof panel and the jointer.  
     
     
         22 . A roof structure according to any one of claims  17 - 21 , in which the muntin is arranged such that there is no contact between the edge face of a roof panel and the coupler.  
     
     
         23 . A roof structure according to any one of claims  17 - 22 , in which the muntin is arranged such that there is no contact between the edge face of a roof panel and any part of the coupler, jointer or cap.  
     
     
         24 . A roof structure according to any one of claims  17 - 23 , in which the muntin is arranged such that there is no contact between the edge face of a frame for a roof vent and the jointer.  
     
     
         25 . A roof structure according to any one of claims  17 - 24 , in which the muntin is arranged such that there is no contact between the edge face of a power for a roof vent and the coupler.  
     
     
         26 . A roof structure according to any one of claims  17 - 25 , in which the muntin is arranged such that there is no contact between the edge face of a frame for a roof vent and any part of the coupler, jointer or cap.  
     
     
         27 . A roof structure according to any one of claims  17 - 26  when dependent from  claim 4 , in which the at least one seal abuts the upper surface of a roof panel and/or of a frame for a roof vent  
     
     
         28 . A method of installing a muntin according to any one of claims  1 - 16 , the method comprising: 
 fitting a muntin coupler to a jointer;    supporting a roofing panel on the jointer;    supporting the frame of a roof vent on the jointer; and    connecting a muntin cap to the coupler.    
     
     
         29 . A method of installing a muntin according to  claim 28 , in which the coupler is fitted to a jointer prior to the jointers employment to construct a roof structure.  
     
     
         30 . A method of installing a muntin according to  claim 28 , in which the jointer is employed to construct a roof structure and the coupler is then fitted thereto.  
     
     
         31 . A method of installing a muntin according to  claim 28 , in which the cap is connected to the coupler by being pushed into place.