Abstract
The invention relates to a greenhouse, specifically a closed greenhouse environment suitable for use in dry environments which regulates the conditions of the growing environment whilst minimising heat and water loss. The greenhouse is especially suitable for use with macrophyte growing systems.
Claims
1. A greenhouse comprising: A first sub-assembly, the first sub-assembly comprising: a rail; and a first clamping means; the greenhouse further comprising; a cover configured to at least partially allow light therethrough; and a liner; wherein the first sub-assembly, the cover and the liner cooperate with each other so as to form a closed system.
2. A greenhouse according to claim 1, wherein the first clamping means comprises; a first receiving portion within the rail and a first insert configured to be received in the first receiving portion.
3. A greenhouse according to claim 2, wherein the first receiving portion and the first insert cooperate by means of a snap-fit connection; or wherein the first receiving portion and the first insert cooperate by means of an interference-fit connection.
4-6. (canceled)
7. A greenhouse according to claim 2, wherein the first receiving portion and the first insert are elongate.
8. A greenhouse according to claim 2, wherein the first sub-assembly further comprises a second clamping means spaced from the first clamping means.
9. A greenhouse according to claim 8, wherein the second clamping means comprises a second receiving portion in the rail and a second insert configured to be received in the second receiving portion.
10. A greenhouse according to claim 9, wherein the second receiving portion and the second insert cooperate by means of a snap-fit connection; or wherein the first receiving portion and the first insert cooperate by means of an interference-fit connection.
11-13. (canceled)
14. A greenhouse according to claim 9, wherein the second receiving portion and the second insert are elongate.
15. (canceled)
16. A greenhouse according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cover and the liner are clamped by the first clamping means.
17-19. (canceled)
20. A greenhouse according to claim 1, further comprising a truss.
21. (canceled)
22. A greenhouse according to claim 20, wherein the truss comprises; a first anchoring member positioned at a first end of the greenhouse; a second anchoring member at a second end of the greenhouse; and a connection member suspended between the first and second anchoring members; wherein, in use, the connection member cooperates with the cover in order to hold the cover in position.
23-24. (canceled)
25. A greenhouse according to claim 1, further comprising a supporting frame over or under which the cover can be stretched.
26-34. (canceled)
35. A greenhouse according to claim 1, wherein the rail further comprises an inner bar disposed between the first and a second clamping means, the inner bar comprising one or more inner bar features.
36. A greenhouse according to claim 35, wherein the inner bar further comprises one or more carriages, moveable along the inner bar, to which the one or more inner bar features may be affixed.
37. A greenhouse according to claim 35, wherein the inner bar comprises one or more inner bar features selected from the group consisting of: sensors, sprinklers, cameras, collection means, heat exchangers, lights or combinations thereof.
38. A greenhouse sub-assembly, the sub-assembly comprising: a rail, a first and a second clamping means, and a bridging portion disposed between the first and second clamping means.
39. A greenhouse sub-assembly according to claim 38, wherein the first and the second clamping means each comprise a first and a second receiving portion each adapted to receive a first and a second insert respectively.
40. (canceled)
41. A greenhouse sub-assembly according to claim 38, wherein the bridging portion is adapted to promote condensation thereon.
42. (canceled)
43. A greenhouse sub-assembly according to claim 38, wherein the rail comprises a recess configured for to collect precipitation from the bridging portion.
44-52. (canceled)
53. A greenhouse comprising: a cover configured to at least partially allow light therethrough; and a liner; and a first sub-assembly, wherein the first sub-assembly comprises: a plurality of means for holding the cover and/or liner in position; and a first clamping means; wherein the first sub-assembly, the cover and the liner cooperate with each other so as to form a closed system.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0060] FIG. 1 is a schematic showing an expanded cross-sectional view of the greenhouse of the invention.
[0061] FIG. 2 is a schematic showing an expanded cross-sectional view of part of the greenhouse of FIG. 1.
[0062] FIG. 3 is a schematic showing an enlarged expanded cross-sectional view of the connecting part of the greenhouse of FIG. 1.
[0063] FIG. 4 is a schematic showing the rail of the greenhouse of FIG. 1.
[0064] FIGS. 5 to 16 are schematics showing alternative embodiments of a rail of the greenhouse.
[0065] FIG. 17 is a schematic showing a connection between a cover and liner of the greenhouse.
[0066] FIG. 18 is a schematic showing a screen arrangement of the greenhouse.
[0067] FIG. 19 is a schematic showing a truss support of the greenhouse.
[0068] FIG. 20 shows one embodiment of the subassembly of the invention comprising a single support element.
[0069] FIG. 21 shows a cross-sectional view of the greenhouse of the invention.
[0070] FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of a truss used in conjunction with the greenhouse of the invention.
[0071] FIG. 23 shows a cross-section through a sub-assembly of the invention.
[0072] FIG. 24 shows a side view of a truss used in conjunction with the greenhouse of the invention.
[0073] FIG. 25 shows a cut away of a greenhouse of the invention.
[0074] FIG. 26 shows a perspective view and a top down view of one embodiment of the invention.
[0075] FIG. 27 shows a top down cross section of one embodiment of the invention.
[0076] FIG. 28 shows a side on cross section of one embodiment of the invention.
[0077] FIG. 29 shows a magnified view of a cross section through a portion of the invention.
[0078] FIG. 30 shows a side on cross section through a component of a gutter.
[0079] FIGS. 31a and 31b shows a cross section through clamping means used in the invention.
[0080] FIG. 32 shows a fastener compatible with the clamping means of the invention.
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION
[0081] As shown in FIG. 1, there is provided a greenhouse 1. Greenhouse 1 has a first sub-assembly 100, a second sub-assembly 200, a cover 300, a liner 420, base sheets 410, 412, a lower fixing assembly 500 and an upper fixing assembly 600.
[0082] The first sub-assembly 100 comprises a rail 110, a first insert 120, and a second insert 130. The rail 110 is best seen in FIG. 2, which shows that the rail 110 comprises: an outer supporting element having an outer foot 113 and an outer arm 118; a first receiving portion 112; a bridging portion 116; a second receiving portion 114; and an inner supporting element having an inner arm 119 and an inner foot 115; which are arranged to form a substantially trapezoidal shape in cross-section, as best seen in FIG. 4. The outer arm 118 and inner arm 119 each have a length, the length of the outer arm 118 being greater than the length of the inner arm 119 so as to create a slope when in use to direct condensation towards the growing chamber. The rail 110 is elongate, a feature which is not shown in FIG. 2. In the view shown in the schematic of FIG. 2, the rail 110 is elongate into and out of the page. The rail 110 has a length in its elongate direction, and the first and second inserts 120, 130 each have a length in their elongate directions. The length of the first and second inserts 120, 130 may be equal to or substantially equal to the length of the rail 110.
[0083] The first insert 120 is the same as the second insert 130. The first insert 120 and second insert 130 are both elongate and generally circular in cross-section. The first and second inserts are both substantially hollow, generally cylindrical, and comprise an inner divider, as shown in FIG. 3. The inner divider acts to strengthen the first and second inserts and prevent deformation of the outer cylinder of the first and second inserts. The first and second inserts 120, 130 are configured such that they can be received in the first and second receiving portions 112, 114 respectively by means of a snap-fit connection, as best seen in FIG. 3. The second sub-assembly 200 is the same as the first sub-assembly 100. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the second sub-assembly 200 is arranged such that it is a mirror image of the first sub-assembly 100.
[0084] The cover 300 is a planar flexible sheet of material. The cover 300 is at least partially translucent, or at least partially transparent to allow light, in particular solar radiation, to pass therethrough. The cover may comprise a polymeric material. There is no specific limitation on choice of polymeric material, so long as it is suitable for the intended use (i.e. not biodegradable or water resorbable, that it is durable, not likely to crack in use, and can be manufactured into a sheet). An example of a suitable material is poly(ethylene).
[0085] The liner 420 is a planar sheet of material. The liner 420 comprises a material which is impermeable to fluid such as poly(ethylene) There is no specific limitation on choice of polymeric material, so long as it is suitable for the intended use (i.e. that it is impermeable, not biodegradable or water resorbable, that it is durable, not likely to crack in use, and can be manufactured into a sheet).
[0086] The two base sheets 410, 412, are planar sheets of material. The two base sheets 410, 412 comprise a material such as a polymeric sheet, a metal sheet, or any other appropriate material. The two base sheets have the function of protecting the liner from the ground. Specifically, the two base sheets are configured to protect the liner, for example from abrasive materials, rocks, or burrowing animals.
[0087] The lower fixing assembly 500 comprises a lower body 520, and one or more carriages 510 on which one or more inner bar features 512 can be affixed. The one or more carriages 510 is/are moveable along the inner bar. The one or more inner bar features 512 can be selected from the group consisting of: sensors, sprinklers, cameras, collection means, heat exchangers, lights or combinations thereof.
[0088] The upper fixing assembly 600 comprises a line 610, at least one connecting member 612, an upper attachment 614 and a lower attachment 620.
[0089] The first sub-assembly 100, the second sub-assembly 200, the cover 300, the liner 420, the two base sheets 410, 412, the lower fixing assembly 500 and the upper fixing assembly 600 are arranged in the manner shown in FIG. 1. In order to form a closed system: a first edge 301 of the cover 300 is clamped between the first receiving portion 112 of the rail 110 and the first insert 120 of the first sub-assembly 100; a first edge 421 of the liner 420 is clamped between the second receiving portion 114 and the second insert 130 of the first sub-assembly 100; a second edge 302 of the cover 300 is clamped between the first receiving portion 212 of the rail 210 and the first insert 220 of the second sub-assembly 200; and a second edge 422 of the liner 420 is clamped between the second receiving portion 214 and the second insert 230 of the second sub-assembly 200.
[0090] The upper fixing assembly 600 is attached to the cover 300, in particular the lower attachment 620 is attached to an inner side of the cover 300, and the upper attachment 614 is attached to an upper side of the cover 300. The upper attachment 614 is attached to the line 610 by the connecting member 612. The line 610 is connected to a support structure such as a truss, as will be described later in relation to FIG. 19. The upper fixing assembly 600 thus supports the cover 300 in suspension.
[0091] The lower fixing assembly 500 is arranged such that the upper rail 520 is external to the closed system, and the one or more carriages 510 and one or more inner bar features 512 are internal to the closed system.
[0092] FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic of a first embodiment rail 110 as described in relation to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIGS. 5 to 16 are schematics showing alternative embodiments of a rail of the greenhouse. Where features of the embodiments of FIGS. 5 to 16 are the same as, or correspond to, features of the first embodiment rail of FIG. 4, the same reference numerals have been used for clarity.
[0093] All rails described 510, 810, 820, 820, 840, 850, 860, 870, 880, 890, 900, 910, 920 have a first receiving portion, a second receiving portion and a supporting means such as an outer supporting element or inner supporting element. Although each embodiment of the rail in relation to FIGS. 4 to 16 have been described separately, it will be understood by the skilled person that various features of the rails described are interchangeable, and a rail may have more than one of the features described in each embodiment.
[0094] The first embodiment rail 110 differs from the other embodiments of the rail described in that the upper surface of the rail (in which the first receiving portion 112, second receiving portion 114 and bridging portion 116 are defined) is not aligned with, in particular not parallel to, the outer foot 113 and inner foot 115. In the other embodiment rails described (in relation to FIGS. 4 to 16), the upper surface of the rail (in which the first receiving portion 112, second receiving portion 114 and bridging portion 116 are defined) is aligned with, in particular parallel to, the outer foot 113 and/or inner foot 115.
[0095] FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment rail 810. The second embodiment rail 810 differs from the first embodiment rail 110 in that it comprises a recess 811 configured for the collection of precipitation 812. The recess 811 is substantially or wholly semi-circular in cross-section.
[0096] FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment rail 820. The third embodiment rail 820 differs from the first embodiment rail 110 in that the bridging portion 116 has a wider lateral dimension. The bridging portion 116 is cooled and/or surface modified to promote condensation 821.
[0097] FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment rail 830. The fourth embodiment rail 830 differs from the first embodiment rail 110 in that the bridging portion 116 comprises a recess 831 configured for the collection of precipitation 832. The recess 831 is square or rectangular in cross-section.
[0098] FIG. 8 shows a fifth embodiment rail 840. The fifth embodiment rail 840 differs from the first embodiment rail 110 in that the outer arm 118 defines a first aperture 841 and a second aperture 842. The first aperture 841 and second aperture 842 are configured to allow fluid, in particular air, to pass through the first and second apertures 841, 842.
[0099] FIG. 9 shows a sixth embodiment rail 850. The sixth embodiment rail 850 differs from the first embodiment rail 110 in that the bridging portion 116 comprises a bridging rail, the bridging rail having a stem 852 and a head 851. The bridging rail is configured for attachment of features such as sensors, sprinklers, cameras, collection means, heat exchangers, lights or combinations thereof.
[0100] FIG. 10 shows a seventh embodiment rail 860. The seventh embodiment rail 860 differs from the first embodiment rail 110 in that the rail 860 comprises an attachment means such as a screw 861 for anchoring the rail 860 to the surrounding environment of the rail 860.
[0101] FIG. 11 shows an eighth embodiment rail 870. The eighth embodiment rail 870 differs from the first embodiment rail 110 in that it comprises a cross-support assembly 871, 872, 873 adapted to cooperate with the rail 870. The cross-support assembly comprises a strut 871, an inner attachment means 872 and an outer attachment means 873. One or both of the inner and outer attachment means 872, 873 may be attached to the strut 871 by means of a threaded connection. The cross-support assembly acts to support the outer arm 118 and the inner arm 119 relative to each other.
[0102] FIG. 12 shows a ninth embodiment rail 880. The ninth embodiment rail 880 differs from the first embodiment rail 110 in that it comprises an anchor 811, 822. The anchor of the ninth embodiment rail 880 shown in FIG. 9 is formed of a raised part 881 of the outer support 113, and a filling material 882 such as rocks, gravel, sand, pellet weights, or any other suitable filling material. The raised part 881 of the rail 880 acts to contain the filling material 882.
[0103] FIG. 13 shows a tenth embodiment rail 890. The tenth embodiment rail 890 differs from the first embodiment rail 110 in that it comprises a first retainer screw 891 and a second retainer screw 892.
[0104] FIG. 14 shows an eleventh embodiment rail 900. The eleventh embodiment rail 900 differs from the first embodiment rail 110 in that the bridging portion 16 comprises a wire protection/retention feature 901 to receive wires 902.
[0105] FIG. 15 shows a twelfth embodiment rail 910. The twelfth embodiment rail 910 differs from the first embodiment rail 110 in that the inner arm 119 extends beyond the outer arm 118. The inner arm 119 is configured to extend into the ground, acting as an anchor to the rail.
[0106] FIG. 16 shows a thirteenth embodiment rail 920. The thirteenth embodiment rail 920 differs from the first embodiment rail 110 in that it comprises a heat exchanger or condenser 921. The heat exchanger or condenser 921 shown in FIG. 16 has a series of vanes 922, in particular six vanes.
[0107] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of part of a second embodiment upper fixing assembly 650. Similar to the upper fixing assembly 600 described previously, the second embodiment upper fixing assembly 650 shown in FIG. 17 is attached to the cover 300. The second embodiment upper fixing assembly 650 has similar components to the first embodiment upper fixing assembly 600 in that it has: a lower attachment 658 (having an equivalent function to the lower attachment 620); an upper attachment 654 (having an equivalent function to the upper attachment 614); a connecting member 612 (having an equivalent function to the connecting member 612); and a line 651 (having an equivalent function to the cline 610). The lower attachment 658 is a disc shape and has a tapered portion 659 having an attachment means such as a loop. The upper attachment 645 is a loop and may be an integral piece with the connecting member 652. The upper attachment 654 and connecting member 652 may be a rope.
[0108] The second embodiment upper fixing assembly 650 is attached to the cover 300, in particular the lower attachment 658 is attached to the upper attachment 614 through the cover 300. Particularly, the loop of the upper attachment 654 may pass through the loop of the tapered portion 659 of the lower attachment 658. The upper attachment 654 is attached to the line 610 by the connecting member 612. The line 651 is connected to a support structure such as a truss, as will be described later in relation to FIG. 19. The upper fixing assembly 600 thus supports the cover 300 in suspension.
[0109] FIG. 18 shows a screen assembly 750 and truss 700 of the greenhouse.
[0110] Screen assembly 750 has a screen 752 and a plurality of screen lines 751, 752. 753, specifically three screen lines as shown in FIG. 18. The screen 752 is configured to at least partially absorb or reflect light, such that light incident on one side of the screen (particularly an upper side of the screen) has a higher energy, specifically a higher intensity than light passing out of the other side (particularly the lower side) of the screen. The screen lines 751, 752, 753 are configured to support the screen 752 relative to other components of the greenhouse.
[0111] Truss 700 is configured to be a supporting structure. Specifically, the truss 700 is configured to support lines such as the lines 610/651, 761, 762, 763 of the greenhouse in tension.
[0112] FIG. 19 shows a cross-section through part of the greenhouse, in which truss 700, screen lines 751, 752, 753, line 610/651, connecting members 612/652, and screen 300 are shown. Truss 700, as shown in FIG. 19, is triangular in cross-section and comprises a plurality of connecting struts 701. Truss 700 may have a triangular cross-section (as shown in FIG. 19) across its full length, or may have a series of section as shown in FIG. 19 connected by bars.
[0113] As will be understood by the skilled person, although various features of the greenhouse have been described in detail, these features are advantageous but not necessary to implement the invention. It will also be understood by the person skilled in the art that where more than one embodiment of a feature has been described, these embodiments are interchangeable, and advantageous features of these embodiments are interchangeable or can be used in combination for the greenhouse.
[0114] Although a greenhouse having two sub-assemblies has been described, it will be understood that a greenhouse having only one sub-assembly is possible. In a greenhouse having only one sub-assembly, the cover and the liner are attached to each other, and may be a single sheet folded over to form both the cover and the liner.
[0115] FIG. 20 shows a sub-assembly 800 in accordance with the present invention including a single concrete pylon 817 acting as a supporting element for rail 811 mounted on the top thereof. The rail 811 is bolted to the concrete pylon 817 by means of bolt 813. In an alternative embodiment, two half-rails 801, 802 are depicted in detail which act as clamping portions for the cover 807 and the liner 809 respectively. These can both be mounted, spaced apart, upon a supporting element such as concrete pylon 817 such that the pylon creates the bridging portion between the two half-rails 801, 802. Alternatively, a single rail 811 may be employed wherein the bridging portion between the two receiving portions is integral to the rail. The snap fit connectors 803 are provided to create a clamping action with the recesses 810 within the half rails. There is also provided an intermediate snap-fit connector 805 which, in use, is sandwiched between the boundaries of the recess 810 and the snap-fit connector 803. This ensures a good seal between the cover 807 or liner 809. The rail 811 or half rails 801, 802 can be affixed to a supporting element by a variety of means, such as nuts and bolts 815, 813.
[0116] FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of the greenhouse 850 having a polymeric cover 852 and polymeric liner 854 attached to a first rail 856 at an outer and inner clamping portion respectively (not shown). A base 858 is provided against which the liner 854 abuts. The cover 852 and the liner 854 also cooperate in a similar fashion with the second rail 862. A supporting cable 864 is suspended above the cover 852 between anchoring members 866. The cover 852 communicates with the cable 864 via a plurality of connection members 868.
[0117] FIG. 22 shows an example of an anchoring member 1000 in more detail. Three struts 1003 are provided, connected together with lateral and diagonal cross bars 1009, 1011. Each of the three supporting cables 1007 rest upon a corresponding strut 1003 and each is attached to an anchoring plate 1005 embedded within the ground, potentially fixed in place with concrete. FIG. 24 shows this in more detail as a side on cross section. The anchor plate 1005 may be a block of concrete with an anchor point set or screwed in position to form a ring or eyelet 1015 to which the cable 1007 may be attached.
[0118] FIG. 23 shows a cross section through a rail 804 using two spaced apart half rails 811 which each create a clamping portion able to hold the cover 807 and liner 809 in place respectively. A nut 815 and bolt 813 are used to affix the half rails 811 to the main body of the rail 804. The cover 807 and the liner 809 may be clamped in place by inserts 803, 805 into the recesses of the half rails 811. The main body of the rail may be affixed to the ground or a base plate using fixings or adhesives 819.
[0119] FIG. 25 shows a cutaway diagram of the greenhouse 950 of the invention. The polymeric cover 951 encloses the growing chamber in which a fluid bed 957 of water is provided in the form of water channels in which macrophytes may be cultivated. A supporting cable is provided to ensure the cover is held in position and does not unduly sag. A harvesting machine 955 is provided to extract macrophytes from the surface at intervals. The atmosphere within the growing chamber is cycled through a subterranean network of tubes 961 via a fan system 959 and the temperature, humidity and atmospheric composition is controlled using passive buffering systems 963 before being returned to the growing chamber.
[0120] FIG. 26 shows a perspective of an alternative embodiment of the invention. The growing chamber (not shown) of the greenhouse 1001 is formed between two concave adjacent parallel plastic tunnels 1002a/1002b extending over the entire length of an earthwork raceway excavated from the ground (not shown). The roof of the tunnel comprises a plastic cover 1004 which has been stretched over a plurality of arched galvanised steel poles 1008. The cover 1004 is clamped in place using clamping means (not shown) at each of the gutters 1010a, 1010b, 1010c provided at the base and edge of the two adjacent tunnels.
[0121] FIG. 27 shows a top down cross section through the middle of the greenhouse shown in FIG. 26. An earthwork raceway 1109 is shown which has been excavated from the ground 1111 with a central divide 1103 and a two channels 1105a/1105b connected at both ends 1106a/1106b of the raceway 1109 around which water can be circulated in use. A plurality of pillars 1112 are shown to which gutters (such as those shown in FIG. 26) or rails can be attached. The raceway 1109 typically has dimensions of approximately 200 m in length, 20 m in width and about 1.5 m in depth.
[0122] FIG. 28 shows a cross section through the greenhouse 1201 of FIG. 26. An earthwork raceway (not shown) is formed in the ground 1205 in order to form two channels 1207a/1207b connected at both ends (not shown) of the raceway 1203. A liner 1209 is provided in each channel 1207a/1207b and the liner 1209 abuts the base 1211 and each end of the liner is clamped in place using an interference-fit clip 1213 mounted on an arm 1214 of the gutters 1010a/1010b/1010c. Said gutters are positioned at the edge of each channels 1207a/1207b so as to catch any rain flowing off the greenhouse cover 1219. Arched galvanised steel rods 1220 are provided spanning each of the channels 1207a/1207b and over which the cover 1219 is stretched.
[0123] A plurality of pillars 1221a, 1221b, 1221c are provided around the perimeter of the raceway (not shown) and along the length of the central divide 1222 (three of which 1221a, 1221b and 1221c are shown in FIG. 28). The pillars 1221a, 1221b, 1221c extend down into the ground within holes 1223 in the ground 1205 and into which concrete 1225 is poured to hold the pillars in position. The gutters 1010a, 1010b and 1010c are each connected to their respective pillars 1221a/1221b/1221c by means of screws. Both the liner 1209 and the cover 1219 can be inserted into the interference-fit clips 1213 so as to form the closed system of the growing chamber 1227.
[0124] FIG. 29 shows a close up image of one of the arms 1303 of a gutter 1010 onto which a square tubular rail 1305 and a C-shaped receiving portion 1307 have been attached. In FIG. 29, the arm includes a plurality of holes 1309 to which the square tubular rail 1305 and the C-shaped receiving portion 1307 are screwed. Alternatively, the arm includes a plurality of holes 1309 to which the C-shaped receiving portion 1307 is screwed directly. A liner 1311 and cover 1313 are also shown.
[0125] In FIG. 30, the gutter 1010 is shown equipped with two arms at either side 1303. The gutter 1010 is attached to a pillar 1221 embedded in the ground (not shown) and surrounded by concrete 1311.
[0126] FIGS. 31a and 31b show cross sections through the interference-fit clips 1401, 1402. Whilst the C-shaped receiving portion 1407 of the interference-clip 1401 is screwed (by means of a screw 1411) to the square tubular rail 1405, said receiving portion 1407 may also be integral to the square tubular rail 1405 or otherwise affixed together, such as by welding. The cover 1413 (and/or liner, not shown) may be threaded into the C-shaped receiving portion 1407 of the interference-fit clip 1403 before being sandwiched in place between the C-shaped receiving portion 1407 and a fastener 1419 which is inserted into the C-shaped receiving portion 1407. Said fastener 1419 is usually an elongate fastener that runs the entire length of the elongate C-shaped receiving portion 1407. The elongate fastener has a square-wave profile (as shown in FIG. 32) and is fabricated from a resiliently deformable elastic material, usually made from steel or aluminium. The C-shaped receiving portion 1407 is typically made from aluminium. Both the cover 1413 (and/or liner, not shown) cooperate with the interference-fit clips 1401, 1402.
