AU2006202225B2 - A Louvre Assembly - Google Patents

Description

1 A Louvre Assembly Field of the Invention. 5 This invention is directed to a louvre assembly and typically to a louvre assembly that comprises metal slats placed on a frame and which can be used in front of a window to provide privacy, protection against sun, and security or as an architectural panel. Background Art. 10 One type of louvre assembly which is quite popular in Australia and overseas comprises a plurality of hollow aluminium slats . The slats are supported by a framework, and a framework can be bolted or otherwise fixed in front of a window. The aluminium slats provide a measure of privacy, security, protection against the sun 15 and the like. Sometimes, the louvre assembly can be used as a "feature wall" which means that it is not positioned in front of a window. 20 As an example, a known louvre assembly of this type comprises a framework of metal box section which is welded and fastened to shape. The metal slats are then fixed to the framework. The entire assembly is then trucked to site and erected in position (typically in front of a house window). 25 There is a disadvantage in having the entire assembly built in a factory and then trucked to site. There is also a disadvantage in needing to erect the entire assembly into position in front of a window etc. For instance, any measurement error can result in the entire assembly needing to be returned to the factory for adjustment. 30 The metal slats can be positioned and supported by the framework in a substantially horizontal manner or at an angle (that is the slats are inclined when viewed from the front). It can be quite intensive to manufacture a louvre assembly in this manner, particularly as it may not be very convenient to manufacture louvre assemblies with 2 metal slats at different angles. For instance, there may be request for a first louvre assembly with the metal slats substantially horizontal and a second louvre assembly with inclined metal slats. 5 Some existing louvre assemblies also suffer from the disadvantage that the louvres are attached using rivets, screws and the like which are quite unsightly and can be subject to corrosion etc. Therefore, there would be an advantage if it were possible to manufacture a louvre 10 assembly in a more straightforward manner and in which some of the assembly process can take place on site. There would also be an advantage if it were possible to attach the louvres in such a manner that reduced the number of rivets screws and the like attached to the louvres themselves. 15 It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. Object of the Invention. 20 It is an object of the invention to provide a louvre assembly that may overcome at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages or provide a useful or commercial choice. 25 In one form the invention resides in a louvre assembly comprising a supporting framework adapted to be attached in front of a window or some other place, a platform strip adapted for attachment to the supporting framework, the platform strip containing a plurality of extending finger members to support the louvres, means on the platform strip adapted to extend at least partially about the leading edge of a 30 louvre, a clip adapted for attachment to the platform strip and/or supporting framework and adapted to extend at least partially about the trailing edge of the louvre, the louvre being held in position inter alia by the platform strip and the clip, and at least one louvre.

3 Thus, the louvre assembly can comprise, as separate components, the supporting framework, a platform strip, a clip, and a louvre. These components can be assembled together on site. 5 Other advantages of this arrangement will become apparent below. The louvre assembly can be used to cover a window, function as an awning, function as a window hood, or to make large architectural panels. The louvre assembly can 10 also be seen as a "screening panel". The supporting framework may comprise at least one framework member. Typically, a plurality of members is provided which can be attached together to form the framework. The members may be attached by any convenient method including 15 welding, fasteners, crimping and the like. The members may comprise tubular members such as box section, angled members such as C section, U section, L section and the like, or plate like members. The members will typically be made of suitably strong material. It is considered that steel will comprise a suitably strong material, although other metals may also be suitable (for instance aluminium) and some types 20 of strong plastics, composite materials, laminates, wood and the like may also be suitable. The size and shape of the supporting framework will, of course, vary depending on the size and shape of the louvre assembly, and the positioning of the louvre assembly. It 25 is envisaged that the supporting framework will typically be substantially rectangular although no particular limitation should be placed on the invention merely by describing this particular configuration. The framework may have any suitable length such as between 1 to 6 m, and any suitable heights such as between 1 to 6 m, and it is not considered that the invention should be limited to any particular size and shape of 30 the supporting framework. The louvre assembly comprises a platform strip. The platform strip may comprise a substantially planar member and may be made from any suitable material such as 4 metal, strong plastics, wood and the like. The platform strip is adapted for attachment to the supporting framework and can be attached by any suitable means such as by screws, rivets, spot welding, adhesive, crimping and the like. 5 The platform strip will typically have a length to accommodate the number of louvres (sometimes called slats). A typical number of louvres will be between 2 to 50 and the platform strip will typically be sufficiently long to accommodate these louvres. Of course, it is envisaged that the invention may comprise a number of shorter platform strips which can then be positioned one below the other to provide the required length. 10 To support a louvre, it is envisaged that at least two spaced apart platform strips will be provided. The strips may be separated by a distance which will enable the louvres to be supported without appreciable sagging etc. This will of course depend on the stiffness and size of the louvre and the material of which the louvre is made, but it is 15 envisaged that the spacing between the platform strips will typically be between at 1 metre centers. This can of course vary to suit. The platform strip contains a plurality of extending members to support the louvres. These extending members may comprise "finger members". These finger members 20 may be formed integrally with the platform strip, or may be formed separately and attached to the platform strip by any suitable means for instance screws, rivets, spot welds, adhesive, crimping and the like. It is however envisaged that the platform strip will contain integrally formed finger members. 25 The length of the finger member can vary and will typically depend on the width of the louvre (slat) which is to be supported by the finger member. Typically, the louvre will simply sit on top of the finger member to be supported thereby. It is envisaged that the length of the finger member will be between 20 mm (for narrow louvres) up to 200 mm (for extremely wide louvres), and is not considered that any particular 30 limitation should be placed on the length of the finger members. For instance, there may be a need to provide two or more louvres in a side by side relationship on each finger member and in this case the finger member may need to be quite long. However, in most cases it is envisaged that a single louvre will be placed on the finger 5 member. Each platform strip will typically contain between 2 to 20 finger members. The distance between finger members will typically determine the distance between the 5 louvres, and this can be varied to suit. It is envisaged that the distance between the finger members will be between 20 mm up to 200 mm and typically between 50 to 100 mm. The louvres can be supported in position without unnecessary (and often ugly) rivets 10 or other fasteners extending through the louvres themselves. Thus, the platform strip may contain means to extend at least partially about the leading edge of the louvre to prevent forward movement of the louvre when the louvre is supported by the finger member. The means may be provided on the finger member 15 or on at least some of the finger members. In a preferred embodiment, the finger member may have a forward portion which is curved or hooked to extend at least partially about the leading edge of the louvre. The forward portion is preferably formed integrally with the finger member but it is envisaged that there may be circumstances where the forward portion is formed separately and then attached to the 20 finger member by any suitable means. It is found that by extending a little over half way about the leading edge of the louvre, the leading edge can be helped on position. Of course, the forward portion may also extend entirely about the leading edge of the louvre if desired. 25 In a broad form of the invention, the means may comprise any means to hold at least part of the louvre in position. The assembly includes a clip. The clip is adapted for attachment directly or indirectly to the platform strip. The clip may also be adapted to hold another part of the louvre 30 in position, and preferably holds a trailing edge of the louvre in position. In a preferred embodiment, the clip has a part adapted to extend at least partially about the trailing edge of the louvre such that the louvre can be held at the leading edge and at the trailing edge in the assembly.

6 The clip may be provided with a recess portion adapted to extend about an edge of the louvre. If desired, the clip may be sized such that it contains more than one recess portion thereby enabling a single clip to hold a pair of adjacent louvres in place. For 5 instance, the clip may comprise an elongate strip one end containing a first recess portion adapted to hold the trailing edge of one louvre, and the other end containing a second recess portion adapted to hold the trailing edge of another louvre. It is envisaged that the clip may contain three or even more recess portions or other means to hold the trailing edge of the louvres. 10 In an embodiment, the clip may comprise a metal strip having a length of between 50 to 200 mm, a width of between 5 to 20 mm and a thickness of between 0.3 to 2 mm. Of course, this can vary to suit. 15 While it is considered most convenient for the clip to be attached to the platform strip by any suitable means such as fasteners (screws, rivets etc), spot welding, adhesives, crimping etc, it is also envisaged that the platform strip may have a more complicated design containing cutouts and the clip may then be attached directly to the supporting framework or somewhere else rather than to the platform strip. 20 The advantage of this arrangement is that a number of louvres can be placed on respective finger members with the leading edge of each louvre being held typically by the curved portion on the front edge of each finger member. Then, the clip can be fastened to the platform strip and position to hold the rear edge of each louvre. In this 25 manner, each louvre can be locked in place in a simple and elegant process. While it is considered relatively straightforward to have the front of each finger member curved to support the leading edge of the louvre, and the clip formed with a recess or curved hook or something else to support the trailing edge of the louvre, it is 30 envisaged that under some circumstances, a more complicated design could be used such as a design where the finger member extends in front of the leading edge and then over the top of the louvre to act as a "pincher" to hold the louvre in place. However, it is considered that such a more complicated design may be more 7 expensive, unsightly, and probably not acceptable to the consumer. The louvres (sometimes called slats) may comprise any convenient length and width and thickness. This will of course depend on the ultimate use of the assembly. 5 However, as an example, it is considered that the louvres will typically have a length of between 0.5 to 3 m, a width of between 50 to 200 mm, and a thickness of between 5 to 20 mm. The louvres may be made from any suitable material. It is quite well known to make louvres from extruded aluminium, or thin steel, plastic, laminate materials and the like. However, the louvres may also comprise timber louvres (for 10 instance western red cedar), "timber look" type louvres, stainless steel louvres and the like. The louvres may be made of clear plastic material, "smoky" or partially opaque plastic material, and the like. The louvres may contain reinforcing, may be anodised, painted, powder coated, impregnated, or otherwise treated. The louvres may be hollow and may contain end caps or end plugs which may be made of plastic or 15 similar material. Brief Description of the Drawings. An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following 20 drawings in which: Figure 1. Illustrates a pair of louvres supported by finger members on a platform strip, the platform strip being attached to a framework, and showing the rear clip being fastened in position. 25 Figure 2. Is a close-up illustration showing the clip in position holding the trailing edge of a pair of spaced apart louvres. Best Mode. 30 Referring to the illustrations, and initially to figure 1, there is illustrated a louvre assembly which comprises a supporting framework 10, a platform strip 11 attached to one side of the supporting framework, the platform strip 11 containing a plurality of finger members 12, and a clip 13 (which is best illustrated in figure 2) which holds the 8 trailing edge of a louvre. The supporting framework comprises steel box section which is welded into a generally L- shaped or U shaped configuration. In figure 1, there is illustrated a lower 5 horizontal framework member 14 and a pair of spaced apart vertical framework members 15. A platform strip 11 is riveted or screwed or otherwise attached to the outside of each vertical frame member 15. That form strip 11 comprises a relatively thin metal strip 10 which is laser cut to provide a plurality of horizontally extending finger members 12. In this particular embodiment, finger members 12 extend in a substantially horizontal manner in use. However, platform strip 11 will also be laser cut or otherwise formed such that the finger members are angled downwardly at various different angles to ultimately provide various different louvre assembly shapes. In the embodiment 15 illustrated in figures 1 - 2, the finger members 12 extend outwardly at right angles from the remainder of the platform strip, but it should be realised that the invention should not be limited only to this particular orientation of the finger members. The front of each finger member contains a means to extend at least partially about the 20 leading edge of a louvre 16. In the particular embodiment, the means comprises an upwardly extending curved portion or hook 17 which is illustrated in figure 1. In use, the framework 10 can be bolted or otherwise attached into position. A particular type of platform strip can then be chosen (e.g. horizontally extending finger 25 members, angled finger members, and the number of finger members) and fastened to the outside of the supporting member. The louvres 16 can then be placed on the finger members is illustrated in figure 1. The rear or trailing edge 18 (see figure 2) of each louvre can then be locked into 30 position by clip 13. Clip 13 comprises a small elongate thin metal member having an upper recessed portion 19 which attaches about the trailing edge 18 of the upper louvre, and a lower recessed portion 20 which attaches about the trailing edge 18 of the lower louvre. Clip 13 can then be fastened in place by a rivet or other suitable 9 means. The particular type of attachments provides ease of installation and alignment, is very strong, provides a long life product, provides freedom of design and lower cost 5 logistics, and provides a product of higher consumer appeal. The components can be taken to site an assembled in situ. There is no need to place large panels up into position. Throughout the specification and the claims (if present), unless the context requires 10 otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires 15 otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms. Any embodiment of the invention is meant to be illustrative only and is not meant to be limiting to the invention . Therefore, it should be appreciated that various other 20 changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (17)

1. A louvre assembly comprising a supporting framework , a platform strip adapted for attachment to the supporting framework, the platform strip 5 containing a plurality of extending finger members to support the louvres, means on the platform strip adapted to extend at least partially about the leading edge of a louvre, a clip adapted for attachment to the platform strip and/or supporting framework and adapted to extend at least partially about the trailing edge of the louvre, the louvre being held in position inter alia by the platform strip and the clip, 10 and at least one louvre.

2. The louvre assembly of claim 1 comprising an architectural panel, an awning, a window hood, or a window cover. 15

3. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting framework comprises elongate members.

4. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the platform strip comprises an elongate sheet member. 20

5. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the platform strip comprises between 2 to 20 finger members.

6. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein 25 the finger members have a length of between 5 to 20 cm.

7. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the finger members are spaced apart by a distance of between 2 to 20 cm. 30

8. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the finger members, in use, extend in a substantially horizontal manner.

9. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the finger 11 members, in use, are downwardly inclined.

10. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means on the platform strip adapted to extend at least partially about the leading 5 edge of a louvre comprises a curved portion or hook in a forward portion of the finger member.

11. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clip is fastened to the platform strip. 10

12. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clip contains a recessed portion which is adapted to extend at least partially about the trailing edge of the louvre. 15

13. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clip contains at least two recessed portions such that a single clip can extend about the trailing edge of a plurality of louvres.

14. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims containing 20 between 2 to 50 louvres.

15. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the louvres comprise hollow members. 25

16. The assembly as claimed in claim 15, comprising end caps to cover the otherwise open ends of the hollow members.

17. An assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to accompanying illustrations. 30 DATED this 25t day of May 2006 Sorensen Developments Pty Ltd By their Patent Attorneys CULLEN & CO.