GB2592365A

GB2592365A - Building panel fixing system

Info

Publication number: GB2592365A
Application number: GB2002544.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michel Murray
Original assignee: Clear Amber Group Ltd
Current assignee: Clear Amber Group Ltd
Priority date: 2020-02-24
Filing date: 2020-02-24
Publication date: 2021-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 2040-02-24
Also published as: GB2592365B; GB202002544D0

Abstract

A fixing bar for fixing a plurality of multiwall panels to a support structure, such as to form a roof, comprises a unitary, one piece structure comprising at least two jaws or channels that open in different directions. Each jaw comprises a pair of receiving arms for receiving part of a respective panel of the plurality of panels therebetween and at least one base. At least part of one of the receiving arms of each jaw is between one of the at least one bases and the other receiving arm of the jaw and a majority of the at least one base is spaced apart from the receiving arms. Fixings may pass through the receiving arms to secure the panels and the spacing of the base may ensure that the fixings do not pass through the base. Preferably the bar profile is formed as two back to back G-sections with bridging sections between them and secured to the support structure by fixings passing through the bridging sections. Extension members received in ports in the bar ends may allow for connection of eg gutter mounting fixings.

Description

Building Panel Fixing System

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a fixing system for fixing building panels, particularly through not exclusively for fixing prefabricated building panels such as multiwall panels. The fixing system may be usable to secure the panels to a supporting structure, such as a building frame.

BACKGROUND

Prefabricated panels, such as polymeric multiwall panels, are a highly popular option for quickly and cost effectively forming building structures such as conservatories, carports, greenhouses, sheds, storage blocks, outbuildings and the like. The panels can be used for roofing, walls or other surfaces of a building or similar structure. The panels can include multiwall glazing panels.

Typically, such panels are fixed using two part clamping bars in which a first part of the clamping bar is placed on a supporting beam. Respective edges of two adjacent panels are then both placed onto the first part of the clamping bar. A second part of the clamping bar is then fixed to the first part of the clamping bar between the respective edges of the adjacent panels. The clamping bar is fixed into the supporting beam such that the respective edges of both panels are simultaneously clamped between the first and second part of the clamping bar in order to fix the panels to the supporting beam.

This system can have disadvantages. For example, an installer has to place two panels on the roof and then lean over the panels to secure the panels by screwing the second part of the clamping bar to the first part. This is can be an awkward process that is time consuming. Furthermore, the installer has to be careful when leaning over the panels in order to fix the two parts of the clamping bar together to avoid falling onto the panels. In addition, the unclamped panels may slip out during fixing and risk falling. Even when clamped, there is a risk of panels slipping out of the clamp if a significant force is applied to them, e.g. from someone falling onto the panel.

A better system for fixing panels is produced by the present applicant under the brand name Alukapn-XR.

However, further improvements in fixing prefabricated panels are desirable.

SUMMARY

Various aspects of the present disclosure are defined in the independent claims. Some preferred features are defined in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a fixing bar for fixing a one or more panels to a support structure, the fixing bar comprising: at least one jaw comprising a pair of receiving arms for receiving part (e.g. an edge) of a panel therebetween.

The fixing bar may be configured to fix a plurality of panels, e.g. two or more panels, to the support structure. The fixing bar may comprise a plurality jaws, preferably a pair of jaws including at least opposing first and second jaws configured to open in different directions, e.g. in opposite directions. Each jaw may be configured to receive part of a different panel from the plurality of panels.

The fixing bar may be a unitary, one piece structure. The receiving arms may be resiliently deformable. The fixing bar may be formed from a polymeric material such as u-pvc, polystyrene or the like. The fixing bar may be formed from a metallic material, such as aluminium or an alloy thereof. The fixing bar may be non-hinged, e.g. without a hinge. The fixing bar may be configured such that the relative orientation of the jaws is fixed or non-changeable.

Each of the jaws may define an opening for receiving the part of the panel. The pair of receiving arms of each of the jaws may define an opening therebetween for receiving the part of the panel.

At least one or both receiving arms of at least one or each of the jaws may comprise a retaining surface, which may comprise a profiled surface such as an undulating, corrugated, or serrated surface. The retaining surface of each receiving arm of the jaw may face towards the other receiving arm of the jaw. The retaining surface may be at least partly covered by or configured to receive a sealant and/or adhesive, such as silicone based sealant. The profile of the retaining surface may be configured to retain and/or anchor the sealant and/or adhesive. The sealant or adhesive may be resiliently deformable, which may help in providing extra give for absorbing forces applied to the panels held by the fixing bar in use when anchored by the profiled retaining surface. The receiving surfaces of the receiving arms of a given jaw may extend in parallel to each other.

An entrance of one or more of the jaws through which the panel is received or receivable may open outwardly, e.g. slope or curve outwardly. Part of at least one or both of the receiving arms of one or more jaws, e.g. at least a lower receiving arm, may be provided with a sloping or curved profile, e.g. to slope or curve outwardly at the entrance to the associated jaw. The part of the at least one receiving arm that comprises the sloped or curved profile may be angled or oblique relative to an adjacent part of the receiving arm, e.g. relative to the retaining surface of the respective receiving arm. Provision of the sloping or curved profile at the entrance to the jaws allows panels to be more easily slid or otherwise inserted into the jaws.

An upper receiving arm may be the receiving arm that is furthest from the support structure in use and/or is outwardly facing from the structure and/or furthest from the base. A lower receiving arm may be the receiving arm that is closest to the support structure and/or base in use and/or may be provided below the panel or between the panel and the support structure, in use. The base may define a gutter. The gutter may be sealed from the supporting structure, in use, by the base.

The panels may be multiwall panels. The panels may be polymeric panels.

The panels may comprise a plurality of layers joined by joining walls, e.g. by quills or quivers of the multiwall panels. The joining walls may extend perpendicularly or obliquely to the layers and may space the layers apart. The plurality of layers may comprise two, three, four or more layers. The layers and the joining walls may be integrally formed, e.g. of the polymeric material. The multiwall panels may be transparent. The multiwall panels may be glazing panels.

The fixing bar may comprise at least one base. Each jaw may comprise a respective base or each jaw may comprise parts of a common base. At least part, e.g. the retaining surface, or all of one of the receiving arms may be provided between the base and the other receiving arm. At least part, e.g. a majority, of the base may be spaced apart from the receiving arms. At least part of the base may extend in parallel but spaced apart from the receiving arms. The fixing bar may comprise a transition section between the base and one of the receiving arms (e.g. the lower receiving arm).

The base may transition into the transition section and the transition section may then transition into the lower receiving arm, e.g. into the part of the lower receiving arm having the sloping or curved profile. The base, the transition section and the lower receiving arm may be continuous, e.g. the base may extend seamlessly into the transition section which in turn may extend seamlessly into the lower receiving arm.

The transition section may extend substantially perpendicularly or obliquely to the base and/or receiving arm (e.g. the lower receiving arm), e.g. to space the base from the receiving arm.

The fixing bar may comprise at least one backwall. Each jaw may comprise a respective backwall. The base may transition or seamlessly extend into the backwall.

The backwall may be provided at an opposite end of the base to the transition section that transitions into the lower receiving arm. The backwall may extend perpendicularly or obliquely to the base and/or to one or more of the receiving arms. The backwall may transition or seamlessly extend into the upper receiving arm. The upper receiving arm may be spaced apart from the lower receiving arm and the base by the backwall. The backwall may be taller than the transition section. The upper receiving arm, backwall, base, transition section and lower receiving arm may all be integral, e.g. formed from a single piece. Each of the jaws, e.g. the upper receiving arm, backwall, base, transition section and lower receiving arm, may form a substantially 'G' shaped cross section.

The fixing bar may comprise one or more attachment systems. Each attachment system may comprise or be configured to receive an extension member, which may be or comprise a rod, bar or other member. The extension member may provide a mounting point for mounting objects to the fixing bar. For example, the extension member may be configured to provide a mounting point for a screen fixing or vertical screen fixing, a gutter or other accessory. The extension member may be configured to extend beyond the fixing bar.

The first and second jaws may be spaced apart, e.g. by one or more bridging members or dividers. The backwalls of the first and second jaws may be spaced apart, e.g. by the one or more bridging members or dividers. The backwalls of the first and second jaws may be integral with the dividers or bridging members. The dividers or bridging member may be a single unitary piece, and may be unitary and integral with the jaws. The one or more bridging members or dividers may join the first and second jaws. The one or more bridging members or dividers may extend in parallel with or obliquely to the receiving arms and/or perpendicularly or obliquely to the backwalls of the first and second jaws. The first and second jaws may be mirror images of each other, and a plane of mirror symmetry may run through the centre of the bridging members. The one or more bridging members may be configured to receive at least one securing fixing therethrough. The fixing bar may be configured to receive the at least one securing fixing without the securing fixing passing through any of the panels, e.g. by receiving the at least one securing fixing in the area between the first and second jaws. The securing fixing may be a fixing for securing the fixing bar to the support structure. The securing fixing may be a screw or a bolt, or a split-pin, for example, from amongst other possibilities. The fixing bar may be securable to the support structure before the panels are inserted, e.g. using the securing fixing.

An upper and/or outer surface of the fixing bar may be flat. An upper or outer surface of the first and second jaws, e.g. of the upper receiving arms thereof, and one of the bridging members may form a continuous and/or flat surface.

The receiving arms (e.g. the upper and lower receiving arms) may be configured to receive a panel fixing. The fixing bar may be configured such that the panel fixing passes through the upper receiving arm and the panel and through or into the lower receiving arm, in use. The fixing bar may be configured such that the receiving arms (e.g. the upper and lower receiving arms) may be configured to receive the panel fixing but the base does not. In this way, the panel fixing may be inserted to fix the panel into the fixing bar but the base may maintain a better barrier to liquid than if it had an opening for receiving a fixing.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure is a system comprising the fixing bar of the first aspect and one or more panels, e.g. two panels. Part of each of the one or more panels may be inserted or insertable into respective jaws of the fixing bar.

The panels may be multiwall panels. The panels may be polymeric panels.

The system may comprise the at least one panel fixing. The panel fixing may be or comprise a screw, bolt, split-pin, interference fit fixing, rod or dowel, and/or the like. The at least one panel fixing may be inserted or insertable into the fixing bar and through or into the panel. Each of the at least one panel fixings may be inserted or insertable through the upper receiving arm, through an associated panel and into or through the lower receiving arm. Each of the at least one panel fixings may not be insertable into the base. Each of the at least one panel fixings may be inserted or insertable between, e.g. mid-way between, the joining walls of the multiwall panel, e.g. between an ultimate or end joining wall and a penultimate or one removed from the end joining wall of the multiwall panel. Each of the at least one panel fixings may be inserted or insertable between so as to be spaced, e.g. equally spaced, from or between two adjacent joining walls of the multiwall panel, e.g. from or between the ultimate or end joining wall and the penultimate or one removed from the end joining wall of the multiwall panel.

The relative arrangement of the panel fixing and the multiwall panel, particularly the joining walls of the multiwall panel, may effective create an inner crumple-stretch zone (e.g. between the panel fixing and the ultimate or end joining wall of the multiwall panel) and an outer crumple-stretch zone (e.g. between the panel fixing and the penultimate or one removed from the end joining wall). In the outer crumple-stretch zone, the multiwall panel may be restrained only by the relatively-weaker thin layers of multiwall panels. This may mean that when a force is applied to the panel, e.g. as a result a person falling on top of the panel, the multiwall panel may be able to absorb some of the force through the thin layers of the multiwall panel for a distance in the order of the length of the inner crumple-stretch zone before then being restrained by the relatively-stronger ultimate joining wall (e.g. flute/reed) of the multiwall panel. In this way, the inner crumple-stretch zone may absorb some of the force that may otherwise be too much for the relatively-stronger ultimate joining wall in the multiwall panel to withstand alone.

The system may comprise at least one securing fixing for securing the fixing bar to the support structure, e.g. before the panels are inserted. The securing fixing and fixing bar may be configured such that the securing fixing does not pass through any of the panels, e.g. the at least one securing fixing being received in the area between the first and second jaws. The securing fixing may be a screw or a bolt, or a split-pin, for example, from amongst other possibilities.

The system may comprise an extension member, which may be or comprise a rod, bar or other member. The extension member may provide a mounting point for mounting objects to the fixing bar. For example the extension member may be configured to provide a mounting point for a screen fixing or vertical screen fixing, a gutter or other accessory. The extension member may be configured to extend beyond the fixing bar. The extension member may be mounted or mountable to the fixing bar, e.g. via through ports provided in the fixing bar, e.g. in one or more of the backwalls of the fixing bar.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure is a surface, e.g. a roof or wall of a structure, the surface comprising at least one system of the second aspect or at least two fixing bars of the first aspect and at least one panel, wherein respective opposing edges of the panel are fixed to respective ones of the at least two fixing bars by the respective edges of the panel being received within the jaws of the respective fixing bar.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is an architectural structure such as a building, lean to, conservatory, garage, shed, outbuilding or the like, the architectural structure comprising a support frame and one or more surfaces according to the third aspect, wherein the one or more panels of the third aspect are fixed to the support structure using the two or more fixing bars and optionally also by one or more securing fixings.

The support frame may be or comprise a metallic or wooden support frame. The support frame may comprise one or more purlins. The fixing bars may fix or be fixed to the purlins. The one or more securing fixings may pass through both the fixing bars and one or more of the purlins.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a method of fabricating a structure, e.g. an architectural structure, such as that of the fourth aspect. The method may comprise providing a support frame. The support frame may comprise one or more purlins. The method may comprise fixing a fixing bar of the first aspect to the support frame, e.g. to one of the purlins. The fixing of the fixing bar may comprise inserting one or more securing fixings through the fixing bar and into or through the support frame, e.g. the purlin. The method may comprise securing the securing fixing to the support frame, e.g. by screwing into the support frame, bolting onto the support frame, engaging in an interference or inter-locking fit with the support frame or the like.

The method may comprise applying a sealant and/or adhesive to the receiving arms of the fixing bar, e.g. to the retaining surface of one or both receiving arms. The method may comprise inserting an edge of a panel into a jaw of the fixing bar, e.g. after the bar has been fixed to the support frame. The method may comprise adhering and/or sealing the edge of the panel into the jaw of the fixing bar using the adhesive and/or sealant. The method may comprise applying a panel fixing through at least part of the jaw and the panel, e.g. through at least the top receiving arm and the panel and through or into the second receiving arm. The method may comprise applying the panel fixing such that it does not pass through or into the base of the fixing bar.

The method may comprise applying a sealant and/or adhesive to the receiving arms of another fixing bar, e.g. an other fixing bar according to the first aspect. The method may comprise applying the adhesive and/or sealant to the retaining surface of one or both receiving arms of the other fixing bar. The method may comprise inserting an other edge of the panel into the jaw (e.g. the first jaw) of the other fixing bar. The method may comprise inserting the other edge of the panel into the jaw (e.g. the first jaw) of the other fixing bar after the edge of the panel has been inserted into the jaw of the fixing bar (i.e. the previous fixing bar) and optionally also after the fixing bar (i.e. the previous fixing bar) has been fixed to the support frame. The other edge of the panel may be an edge of the panel that is opposite to the edge of the panel that was previously inserted into the fixing bar (i.e. the previous fixing bar). The method may comprise fixing the other fixing bar to the support frame after the edge of the panel has been inserted into it. The method may comprise inserting a further panel into another jaw (e.g. the second jaw) of the other fixing bar, e.g. so as to fix side by side panels. The method may comprise iteratively repeating one or more of the above steps to fix a plurality of side by side panels.

According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a method of producing the fixing bar of the first aspect, e.g. by forming the fixing bar as a single, unitary piece. The method may comprise forming the fixing bar by extruding, moulding, machining, milling and/or additive techniques, e.g. by 3D printing. The method may comprise forming the fixing bar from a polymeric or metallic material.

According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure are computer readable instructions that are readable for a computer controlled production machine that comprise instructions for the computer controlled production machine to form the fixing bar of the first aspect, e.g. by forming the fixing bar as a single, unitary piece. The computer controlled production machine may be or comprise a computer controlled extruding, moulding, machining, milling and/or additive forming machine, such as a 3D printer, a CNC cutting or milling machine and/or the like.

The individual features and/or combinations of features defined above in accordance with any aspect of the present invention or below in relation to any specific embodiment of the invention may be utilised, either separately and individually, alone or in combination with any other defined feature, in any other aspect or embodiment of the invention.

Furthermore, the present invention is intended to cover apparatus configured to perform any feature described herein in relation to a method and/or a method of using or producing, using or manufacturing any apparatus feature described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are: Figure 1 a cross section of part of a building showing a multiwall panel fixed to a support structure by a fixing bar; Figure 2 a schematic showing the formation of the building using the panels and fixing bars shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 a detail view illustrating the formation process shown in Figure 2; and Figure 4 a flowchart of the method illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

A system for forming surfaces of structures (e.g. of a building) from panels 6 is shown in Figure 1 and the assembly of the surfaces using the system is illustrated in Figures 2 to 4. One particular application is forming a roof from multiwall panels, but the system is not limited to this.

The system comprises a plurality of elongate fixing bars 18 designed to be bolted to steel (or similar) purlins 12 of a supporting frame of the structure. The purlins 12 laterally support the fixing bars 18 every 1500mm to 2000mm approximately.

The fixing bar 18 comprise a pair of oppositely facing jaws, each jaw comprising a pair of receiving arms 3, 14 for receiving part of one of the panels 6 therebetween.

The panels 6 in this example are mulfiwall glazing panels. The jaws are in effect mirror images of each other with a plane of mirror symmetry running between them. Each fixing bar 18 is configured to fix two adjacent panels 6 to the support structure, whereby respective adjacent edges of adjacent panels 6 are received into respective jaws of the fixing bar 18.

The fixing bar 18 is provided as unitary, one piece structure. The receiving arms 3, 14 are resiliently deformable so as to easily receive and grip the panel 6. The fixing bar may be formed, for example, from a polymeric material such as u-pvc, polystyrene or the like. Beneficially, the fixing bar is non-hinged, e.g. without a hinge, such that the relative orientation of the jaws is fixed or non-changeable for better support.

Both receiving arms 3, 14 of each of the jaws comprises a profiled retaining surface that is provided with sealant and/or adhesive material, such as silicone based sealant, in use. The profile of the retaining surface retains and secures the sealant and/or adhesive. The sealant or adhesive has a degree of resiliently deformability, which helps in providing extra give for absorbing forces applied to the panels held by the fixing bar in use. The receiving surfaces of the receiving arms 3, 14 of a given jaw extend in parallel to each other.

Part of one (or optionally both) of the receiving arms, e.g. at least a lower receiving arm, is provided with a sloping or curved profile, e.g. to slope or curve outwardly at an entrance to the associated jaw. Provision of the sloping or curved profile at the entrance to the jaws allows panels to be more easily slid into the jaws. The fixing bar 18 also comprises at least one base 20. The base forms a gutter section for control of ingressing fluid and is sealed from the support structure 12. In the example shown, each jaw has a respective base but in other examples, each jaw could comprise parts of a common base. At least part of the base extends in parallel but spaced apart from the receiving arms, particularly a lower receiving arm 3 that is closest to the base.

Each jaw of the fixing bar 18 transitions in a seemless manner from a free tip of an upper receiving arm 14, through a backwall portion that extends substantially perpendicularly or obliquely to the upper receiving arm, into the base 20, which extends in parallel with the receiving arms 3, 14. The base then transitions seamlessly into a transition portion that extends perpendicularly or obliquely to the base section towards the upper receiving arm. The transition section then slopes or curves via the sloping or curved profile into the lower receiving arm 3, that extends in parallel with the upper receiving arm 14. In this way, each jaw has a substantially 'G' shaped cross section.

The lower receiving arm 3 is spaced apart from the base 20 by the transition section and the upper receiving arm 14 is spaced apart from the base 20 (and the lower receiving arm 3) by the backwall.

The jaws of the fixing bar 18 are spaced apart by a plurality of bridging members in the form of dividers 10 that join the backwalls of the jaws and extend perpendicularly or obliquely to the backwalls and generally in parallel or obliquely to the receiving arms 3, 14 and base 20.

The one or more bridging members / dividers 10 are configured to receive the at least one securing fixing 11 therethrough such that the securing fixing 11 runs between rather than passing through any of the panels in use. Specifically, the at least one securing fixing 11 is provided in the area between the opposing jaws. The at least one securing fixing 11 secures the fixing bar 18 to the purlin 12 of the support structure. The securing fixing 11 may be a screw or a bolt, or a split-pin, for example, from amongst other possibilities.

An upper outer surface of the fixing bar 18 is flat and formed of an upper outer surface of the upper receiving arms of the opposing jaws and one of the bridging members to form a continuous surface.

The process of installing the surface is illustrated in Figures 2 to 4. IN step 305 in Figure 4, a first fixing bar 18 is bolted to the purlins 12 by the securing fixing 11. In step 310, adhesive can be applied onto the retaining surfaces of the receiving arms 3, 14.

Once one of the fixing bars 18 is bolted down, in step 315 a multiwall panel (e.g. a multiwall glazing sheet) 6 is slid into the space between the pair of receiving arms, i.e. the lower and upper receiving arms 3, 14. A sloping receiving angle surface 4 extending from the lower receiving arm 3 makes it easier for the multiwall glazing sheet 6 to enter into the space between the pair of receiving arms 3, 14 of a given jaw without installers having to lean over to assist.

Once the multiwall panel 6 is inserted between the pair of receiving arms 3, 14, then there is an option, in step 320, to make a permanent panel restrainer fixing, e.g. by drilling holes (or pre-providing holes) through an alignment line 7 in the form of a notch and then inserting a fixing 1 such as a shank 2 of a machine screw shank through the multiwall panel 6 between an ultimate/end vertical flute/reed 5 of the multiwall panel 6 and a penultimate vertical flute/reed 19 of the multiwall panel 6.

This fixing 1 should then also screw in to the lower receiving arm 3. This has the effect of preventing the multiwall panel 6 from being forced out of the pair of receiving arms 3 and 14, noting particularly that the added strength of prevention lies in ensuring that this fixing 1,2 is a block from the structurally-solid ultimate vertical flute/reed 5 of the multiwall panel 6. As this fixing 1,2 is fixed in to the lower receiving arm 3, it does not penetrate the base of gutter section 20, maintaining waterproofing.

The fixing 1, 2 is installed equally between the ultimate vertical flute/reed 5 in the multiwall panel 6 and the penultimate vertical flute/reed 198 in the multiwall panel 6, which creates an inner crumple-stretch zone 22 and outer crumple-stretch zone 23, where the multiwall panel 6 is restrained only by the relatively-weaker thin layers 21 of multiwall panels 6. This means when a force such as a person falling on top of the Multiwall glazing sheet 6, the Multiwall glazing sheet 6 will be able to absorb some of the force through the thin layers 21 of the multiwall panel 6 for a distance the same as that of the inner crumple-stretch zone 22, before being then restrained by the relatively stronger ultimate vertical flute/reed 5 of the multiwall panel 6. Without this inner crumple-stretch zone 22, the force might be too much for the relatively-stronger ultimate vertical flute/reed 5 in the multiwall glazing sheet 6 to withstand.

The retaining surface comprising serrations on the lower receiving arm 3 and upper receiving arm 14 is designed to have a compatible sealant and adhesive applied, which also will absorb some lateral force, such as a person falling on top of the multiwall panel 6 An upper rod port 15, middle rod port 16, and lower rod port 17 allow for metal (or similar) extension rods to be (optionally) inserted, and then protrude beyond the end of the fixing bar 18. These allow attachments to be added such as vertical screen fixings, gutter systems and other connected options.

This system addresses issues with other panel attachment systems, those issues may include high material costs of gasketed rafter screw down systems, health & safety issues due to other glazing bar systems requiring an installer to lean over to secure fixing bars to the purlin after a panel is inserted, speed of installation and risks of multiwall glazing sheets 'popping' out of the glazing bar, if objects or people fall on the top of it.

The drawings and specific examples are only provided by way of illustration of one potential way of implementing the system. The scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims and includes any modifications apparent to a skilled person falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A fixing bar for fixing a plurality of multiwall panels to a support structure, the fixing bar being a unitary, one piece structure comprising: at least two jaws that open in different directions, each jaw comprising a pair of receiving arms for receiving part of a respective panel of the plurality of panels therebetween; and at least one base, and wherein at least part of one of the receiving arms of each jaw is between one of the at least one bases and the other receiving arm of the jaw and a majority of the at least one base is spaced apart from the receiving arms.
2. The fixing bar of claim 1, wherein the fixing bar is non-hinged and configured such that the relative orientation of the jaws is fixed.
3 The fixing bar of any preceding claim, wherein at least one or both receiving arms of at least one or each of the jaws comprises a profiled retaining surface that faces towards the other receiving arm of the jaw, wherein the retaining surface is at least partly covered by or configured to receive a sealant and/or adhesive.
4. The fixing bar of any preceding claim, wherein at least part of an entrance of the jaws through which the panel is received or receivable opens slopes or curves outwardly.
The fixing bar of any preceding claim, wherein at least part of the base extends in parallel to, but spaced apart from, the receiving arms, and the fixing bar comprises a transition section that joins the base to a lower receiving arm of the pair of receiving arms so as to space the base from the lower receiving arm and at least one backwall that joins the base to an upper receiving arm of the pair of receiving arms so as to space the upper receiving arm from the lower receiving arm and the base.
6 The fixing bar of claim 5, wherein the upper receiving arm, backwall, base, transition section and lower receiving arm are all integral and formed from a single piece.
7 The fixing bar of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the upper receiving arm, backwall, base, transition section and lower receiving arm together form a substantially G' shaped cross section.
8 The fixing bar of any preceding claim, wherein the jaws are spaced apart by one or more bridging members or dividers that join the first and second jaws, wherein the one or more bridging members or dividers extend in parallel with or obliquely to the receiving arms and/or perpendicularly or obliquely to the backwalls.
9. The fixing bar of claim 8, wherein the one or more dividers or bridging members are single unitary pieces that are unitary and integral with the jaws.
10. The fixing bar of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the first and second jaws are mirror images of each other and a plane of mirror symmetry runs through the centre of the bridging members.
11. The fixing bar of any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the one or more bridging members or dividers are configured to receive at least one securing fixing for securing the fixing bar to the support structure therethrough in the area between the first and second jaws.
12. The fixing bar of any of claims 8 to 11, wherein an upper and outer surface of the fixing bar is flat, wherein an upper or outer surface of the first and second jaws and one of the bridging members form a continuous and flat surface.
13. The fixing bar of any preceding claim, wherein the receiving arms are configured to receive a panel fixing such that the panel fixing passes through one of the receiving arms and the panel and through or into another of the receiving arms, in use, but the base does not.
14. The fixing bar of any preceding claim comprising or be configured to receive at least one extension member operable as a mounting point for mounting objects to the fixing bar, the extension member extending beyond the fixing bar.
15 A system comprising a plurality of the fixing bars of any of claims 1 to 14 and one or more multiwall panels, wherein a part of a respective panel of the one or more panels is inserted or insertable into a jaw of a fixing bar of the plurality of fixing bars and another part of the respective panel is inserted or insertable into a jaw of another fixing bar of the plurality of fixing bars.
16. The system of claim 15 comprising at least one panel fixing that is inserted or insertable through a receiving arm of the fixing bar, through the respective panel and into or through another receiving arm of the fixing bar.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the panel fixing is not inserted or insertable into the base of the fixing bar.
18. The system of claim 16 or 17, wherein the panel fixing is inserted or insertable between joining walls of the multiwall panel so as to be spaced from and between two adjacent joining walls of the multiwall panel.
19. The system of any of claims 15 to 18, comprising at least one securing fixing for securing the fixing bar to the support structure configured such that the securing fixing is received in the area between the jaws of the fixing bar.
A surface, e.g. a roof or wall, of a structure, the surface comprising: the system of any of claims 15 to 19; or at least two fixing bars of any of claims 1 to 14 and at least one panel, wherein respective opposing edges of the panel are fixed to respective ones of the at least two fixing bars by the respective edges of the panel being received within the jaws of the respective fixing bar.
21. An architectural structure comprising a support frame and one or more surfaces according to claim 20, wherein the one or more panels are fixed to the support structure using the two or more fixing bars.
22 A method of fabricating the architectural structure of claim 21, comprising: providing a support frame; fixing a fixing bar according to any of claims 1 to 14 to the support frame, inserting an edge of a panel into a jaw of the fixing bar after the fixing bar has been fixed to the support frame; inserting an other edge of the panel into a jaw of an other fixing bar; and fixing the other fixing bar to the support frame after the edge of the panel has been inserted into it.
23. A method of producing the fixing bar of any of claims 1 to 14 as a single, unitary piece by extruding, moulding, machining, milling, using additive techniques or by 3D printing
24. Computer readable instructions that are readable for a computer controlled production machine that comprise instructions for the computer controlled production machine to form the fixing bar of any of claims 1 to 14.