A base plate for a bay window post

Abstract

The base plate 1 has an arrangement 2 for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate thereby preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window cavity wall. The arr

Description

The present invention relates to a base plate for a bay post of a bay window and in particular to a base plate for reducing the risk of moisture passing from the outside to the inside of the bay window cavity wall. There are numerous ways in which windows are placed in walls for buildings. Brick walls, for example, are formed by placing layers of brick or block courses to a desired height, whereas timber frame walls are typically formed by erecting a timber frame and right sized apertures are left in the walls for inserting windows into. Another common type of window is a bay window which involves setting the wall carrying the bay window backwards and outwards from the main wall of the building thereby creating additional space in the room. As illustrated in Figure A, typically, a cavity wall CW is built up to a certain height from bricks or blocks and bay posts BP are set on the corners of the bay window structure on bay post base plates PL spanning the cavity wall. The bay posts BP extend upwardly along the sides of the bay windows to carry one or more bay window lintels above the bay windows. The existing base plates BP are a continuous flat plate as they are designed to sit on two opposing bricks and / or blocks B spanning the insulation in the cavity there between. As with all cavity walls, the risk of moisture from rain fall gathering in the joints of the external wall and subsequent ingress across the cavity via any connecting members spanning the cavity wall must be addressed due to the detrimental nature of damp occurring on the internal wall of cavity walls. It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above-mentioned problems regarding bay windows. Accordingly, there is provided a bay window post base plate having a means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate thereby preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window cavity wall. Advantageously, providing a means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate and thereby preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window cavity wall closes off another avenue for moisture ingress across the cavity wall of a building thereby further reducing the risk of damp on an internal leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate is disposed on the upper surface of the base plate. Preferably, the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate is disposed on the lower surface of the base plate. Ideally, the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate is disposed on the upper surface and / or the lower surface of the base plate. Preferably, the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate is disposed on the portion of the base plate located in the cavity. Ideally, the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate is disposed on the portion of the base plate resting on the outer leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate is disposed on the portion of the base plate resting on the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Preferably, the bay window post base plate has two longitudinal sides extending along the length of the outer and inner leaves of the cavity wall. Ideally, the longitudinal sides bend at an angle to extend around a corner of the bay window cavity wall. Ideally, the bay window post base plate has two lateral sides extending between the longitudinal sides and the outer and inner leaves of the cavity wall. Preferably, the lateral sides of the bay window post base plate are linear, most preferably rectilinear. Ideally, the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate bend at an angle to extend around a corner of the bay window cavity wall. Preferably, the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate is disposed on a central portion of the base plate between the two longitudinal sides of the base plate resting on the outer and inner leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate comprises a barrier means. Preferably, the barrier means comprises a physical barrier to prevent the ingress of moisture past the barrier. Ideally, the barrier means comprises a channel formed along the length of the bay window post base plate. Preferably, the channel is formed by a break in the base plate. Advantageously, the channel prevents the ingress of moisture particularly that which may percolate across the top of the bay window post base plate. Ideally, the base plate comprises an outer portion and an inner portion extending in a coplanar fashion between the inner and outer leaves of the cavity wall and defining a central gap therebetween a connecting piece extending below and bridging the central gap for connecting the outer portion and an inner portion of the bay window post base plate. Preferably, the base plate comprises an outer planar portion and an inner planar portion extending in a coplanar fashion between the inner and outer leaves of the cavity wall and defining a central gap therebetween a connecting piece extending below and bridging the central gap for connecting the outer planar portion and an inner planar portion of the means for preventing the ingress of moisture. Preferably, the inner portion and outer portion and the connecting piece are rigid plate members. Ideally, the connecting piece is a planar portion. Preferably, the connecting piece is mechanically fixed to the outer portion and the inner portion of the bay window post base plate. Preferably, the connecting piece is mechanically fixed to the underside of the outer portion and the inner portion of the bay window post base plate. Advantageously, the connecting piece prevents the ingress of moisture particularly that which may percolate across the underside of the bay window post base plate. Ideally, the connecting piece is welded to the outer portion and the inner portion of the bay window post base plate. Alternatively, the connecting piece is rivetted or bolted or connected using other similar mechanical fasteners to the outer portion and the inner portion of the bay window post base plate. Preferably, the connecting piece is made from the same material as the outer planar portion and the inner planar portion. Ideally, the base plate is manufactured from a metal or metal alloy. Ideally, the bay window post is mechanically coupled to the bay window post base plate extending upright therefrom. Preferably, the bay window post is a tubular structural support member. Ideally, the bay window post is mounted at the corner of the bay window post base plate bridging the central gap of the bay window post base plate. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a building, the building comprising a bay window cavity wall having a bay window post base plate mounted thereon having a means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate thereby preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window cavity wall. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of constructing a bay window, the method comprising constructing an inner leaf and an outer leaf, the outer leaf being spaced apart from the inner leaf, and wherein the method comprises constructing at least part of the bay window structure by providing at least one bay window post base plate thereon having a means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate thereby preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate and ultimately across the bay window cavity wall. Ideally, the method comprises providing the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate as a barrier means. Ideally, the method comprises providing the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate as a barrier means having a channel formed along the length of the bay window post base plate. The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure A shows a vertical section view of an existing bay window post and bay window post base plate; Figure 1 shows a vertical section view of a bay window post and bay window post base plate according to the invention; Figure 2 is a horizontal section of a bay window with an obtuse angle corner having an obtuse angle bay window post base plate mounted on the corner; and Figure 3 is a horizontal section of a bay window with a right angle corner having a right angle bay window post base plate mounted on the corner. In the drawings there is shown a bay window post base plate 1 having an arrangement 2 for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate 1 thereby preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window cavity wall 3. The base plate 1 is mechanically fixed to the inner and outer leaf of the cavity wall 3 by mechanical fasteners 21. Advantageously, providing an arrangement 2 for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate 1 and thereby preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window cavity wall 3 closes off another avenue for moisture ingress across the cavity wall 3 of a building thereby further reducing the risk of damp on an internal leaf 5 of the cavity wall 3. The arrangement 2 for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate 1 is disposed on the lower surface of the base plate 1 although other configurations are within the scope of the invention where the arrangement 2 for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate 1 is disposed on the upper surface or on both the upper and the lower surface of the base plate 1. The arrangement 2 for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate 1 is disposed on the portion of the base plate 1 located in the cavity 9. In an embodiment not shown in the drawings, the arrangement 2 for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate 1 is disposed on the portion of the base plate 1 resting on the outer leaf 6 of the cavity wall 3 or alternatively on the inner leaf 5 of the cavity wall 3. Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the bay window post base plate 1 has two longitudinal sides 7 extending along the length of the outer 6 and inner 5 leaves of the cavity wall 3. The longitudinal sides 7 bend at an angle to extend around a corner of the bay window cavity wall 3, in this case the same angle as the angle of the bend of the corner. The bay window post base plate 1 has two lateral sides 8 extending between the longitudinal sides 7 and the outer 6 and inner leaves 5 of the bay window cavity wall 3. The lateral sides 8 of the bay window post base plate 1 are linear, most preferably rectilinear. The arrangement 2 for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate 1 bends at an angle to extend around a corner of the bay window cavity wall 3, in this case the same angle as the angle of the bend of the corner. The arrangement 2 for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate 1 is disposed on a central portion of the base plate 1 between the two longitudinal sides 7 of the base plate resting on the outer 6 and inner leaf 5 of the cavity wall 3. The arrangement 5 for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate 1 comprises a barrier 2. The barrier 2 is a physical barrier to prevent the ingress of moisture past the barrier 2. The barrier 2 has a channel 2 formed along the length of the bay window post base plate 1. The channel 2 is formed by a break in the base plate 1. Advantageously, the channel 2 prevents the ingress of moisture particularly that which may percolate across the top of the bay window post base plate 1. The base plate 1 comprises an outer portion 11 and an inner portion 12 extending in a coplanar fashion between the inner 5 and outer leaves 6 of the cavity wall 3 and defining a central gap therebetween and a connecting piece 14 extending below and bridging the central gap for connecting the outer portion 11 and an inner portion 12 of the bay window post base plate 1. The base plate 1 has an outer planar portion 11 and an inner planar portion 12 extending in a coplanar fashion between the inner 5 and outer leaves 6 of the cavity wall 3 and defining a central gap therebetween and a connecting piece 14 extending below and bridging the central gap for connecting the outer planar portion 11 and an inner planar portion 12 of the arrangement 2 for preventing the ingress of moisture. The inner portion 12 and outer portion 11 and the connecting piece 14 are rigid plate members. The connecting piece 4 is also a planar portion. The connecting piece 14 is mechanically fixed to the outer portion 11 and the inner portion 12 of the bay window post base plate 1. The connecting piece 14 is mechanically fixed to the underside of the outer portion 11 and the inner portion 12 of the bay window post base plate 1. Advantageously, the connecting piece 14 prevents the ingress of moisture in addition that which may percolate across the underside of the bay window post base plate 1. The connecting piece 14 is welded to the outer portion 11 and the inner portion 12 of the bay window post base plate 1. Alternatively, the connecting piece 14 is rivetted or bolted to the outer portion 11 and the inner portion 12 of the bay window post base plate 1. The connecting piece 14 is made from the same material as the outer portion 11 and the inner portion 12. The base plate 1 is manufactured from a metal or metal alloy such as stainless steel or galvanised steel. Any condensation that passes along the top of the base plate 1 and falls into the channel will be trapped in the channel until it evaporates or passes along the length of the channel and drop off the ends of the channel into the cavity 9 thereby preventing the moisture making its way into the inner leaf 5 of the cavity wall 3 and onwards from there into the building. In another embodiment not illustrated, the channel could have weep holes. A bay window post 16 is mechanically coupled to the bay window post base plate 1 and extends substantially vertically upright therefrom. The bay window post 16 is a tubular structural support member. The bay window post 16 is mounted at the corner of the bay window post base plate 1 bridging the central gap of the bay window post base plate 1. The bay window post 16 is formed for supporting a lintel which extends above the bay window for carrying masonry above the windows. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a building, the building having a bay window cavity wall 3 having a bay window post base plate 1 mounted thereon having an arrangement 2 for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate 1 thereby preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window cavity wall 3. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of constructing a bay window, the method comprising constructing an inner leaf 5 and an outer leaf 6, the outer leaf 6 being spaced apart from the inner leaf 5, and wherein the method comprises constructing at least part of the bay window structure by providing at least one bay window post base plate 1 thereon having an arrangement 2 for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate 1. This prevents the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate 1 and ultimately across the bay window cavity wall 3. The method involves forming the arrangement 2 for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate 2 as a barrier 2. The method of manufacturing the arrangement 2 for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate 1 as a barrier 2 involves manufacturing a channel 2 formed along the length of the bay window post base plate 1. The skilled person will appreciate that all preferred or optional features of the invention described with reference to only some aspects or embodiments of the invention may be applied to all aspects of the invention. It will be appreciated that optional features applicable to one aspect of the invention can be used in any combination, and in any number. Moreover, they can also be used with any of the other aspects of the invention in any combination and in any number. This includes, but is not limited to, the dependent claims from any claim being used as dependent claims for any other claim in the claims of this application. In relation to the detailed description of the different embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that one or more technical features of one embodiment can be used in combination with one or more technical features of any other embodiment where the transferred use of the one or more technical features would be immediately apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art to carry out a similar function in a similar way on the other embodiment. The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bay window post base plate having a means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate thereby preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window cavity wall; wherein the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate bends at an angle to extend around a corner of the bay window cavity wall; and wherein the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate comprises a barrier means having a channel; wherein the channel is formed on an upper surface of the bay window base plate along a length of the bay window post base plate.

2. A bay window post base plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate is disposed on an upper surface of the base plate.

3. A bay window post base plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate is disposed on a lower surface of the base plate.

4. A bay window post base plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate is disposed on the upper surface and / or the lower surface of the base plate.

5. A bay window post base plate as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate is disposed on a portion of the base plate located in the cavity.

6. A bay window post base plate as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate is disposed on a portion of the base plate resting on an outer leaf of the cavity wall.

7. A bay window post base plate as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate is disposed on a portion of the base plate resting on an inner leaf of the cavity wall.

8. A bay window post base plate as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bay window post base plate has two longitudinal sides extending along a part of the length of the outer leaf and the inner leaf of the cavity wall.

9. A bay window post base plate as claimed in claim 8, wherein the longitudinal sides bend at an angle to extend around a corner of the bay window cavity wall.

10. A bay window post base plate as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the bay window post base plate has two lateral sides extending between the longitudinal sides and the outer leaf and the inner leaf of the cavity wall.28 05 2511. A bay window post base plate as claimed in claim 10, wherein the lateral sides of the bay window post base plate are linear, most preferably rectilinear.

12. A bay window post base plate as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11 when dependent on claims 8 to 11, wherein the means for preventing the ingress of 5 moisture across the bay window post base plate is disposed on a central portion ofthe base plate between the two longitudinal sides of the base plate resting on the outer leaf and inner leaf of the cavity wall.

13. A bay window post base plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barrier means comprises a physical barrier to prevent the ingress of moisture past the barrier.10 14. A bay window post base plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel is formedby a break in the base plate.

15. A bay window post base plate as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base plate comprises an outer portion and an inner portion extending in a coplanar fashion between the inner leaf and the outer leaf of the cavity wall and defining a central gap 15 therebetween, a connecting piece extending below and bridging the central gap forconnecting the outer portion and the inner portion of the bay window post base plate.

16. A bay window post base plate as claimed in claim 15, wherein the inner portion and outer portion and the connecting piece are rigid plate members.

17. A bay window post base plate as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the 20 connecting piece is mechanically fixed to the underside of the outer portion and theinner portion of the bay window post base plate.

18. A bay window post base plate as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the connecting piece is welded, rivetted or bolted or connected using other similar mechanical fasteners to the outer portion and the inner portion of the bay window 25 post base plate.

19. A building, the building comprising a bay window cavity wall having a bay window post base plate mounted thereon having a means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate thereby preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window cavity wall; wherein the means for preventing the 30 ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate bends at an angle toextend around a corner of the bay window cavity wall; and wherein the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate comprises a barrier means having a channel; wherein the channel is formed on an upper surface of the bay window base plate along a length of the bay window post base plate.35 20. A method of constructing a bay window, the method comprising constructing an innerleaf and an outer leaf, the outer leaf being spaced apart from the inner leaf; wherein the method comprises constructing at least part of the bay window structure byproviding at least one bay window post base plate thereon having a means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate thereby preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate and ultimately across the bay window cavity wall; wherein the method comprising5 bending the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window postbase plate at an angle to extend around a corner of the bay window cavity wall; wherein the method comprises providing the means for preventing the ingress of moisture across the bay window post base plate as a barrier means having a channel formed on an upper surface of the bay window base plate along a length of the bay10 window post base plate.28 05 25

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