AU2008202841B2

AU2008202841B2 - A Louvre Blade System

Info

Publication number: AU2008202841B2
Application number: AU2008202841A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Edward Coppo
Original assignee: Breezway Australia Holdings Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Breezway Australia Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-06-29
Filing date: 2008-06-27
Publication date: 2015-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 2028-06-27
Also published as: AU2008202841A1; NZ569472A

Abstract

Abstract An improved louvre system including at least one louvre blade with a pair of end edges adapted to engage an end clip, an upper edge with an overlap portion and at least one rebate adjacent the overlap portion and a lower edge with an overlap 5 portion and at least one rebate portion adjacent the overlap portion such that the overlap portions at the upper and lower edges at least partially overlap when the louvre system is in a closed condition, and at least one end clip having an at least partially U-shaped channel to receive an end edge of a louvre blade, at least one U shaped portion located at a lower portion of the end clip to receive a portion of the 10 lower edge of the louvre blade and a deformable blade retention portion located at an upper portion of the end clip and adapted to be deformed as the blade passes the end clip upon insertion of the blade and to engage the at least one rebate portion at the upper edge to retain the blade in the clip.

Description

A LOUVRE BLADE SYSTEM Field of the Invention. The present invention relates to louvre blades and systems for their retention and in particular to alternative weather sealing with an increase or at least no 5 decrease in security. Background Art. In simplistic terms, louvre windows generally consist of a frame containing an operating mechanism in one jamb, blade holding clips, and a number of louvre blades. 10 The louvre blades are usually rectangular in shape and have longitudinal top and bottom edges and opposed end edges. Blades are typically made of glass but can also be made from timber, plastic, metal and the like. It is known art for the longitudinal edges of adjacent blades to overlap each other for weather resistance and security when the window is in the closed state. 15 As timber will bow by a far greater extent than glass for the same thickness with the same load applied, it is general practice to make timber louvre blades of greater thickness (generally 2 to 3 times) than glass so that similar blade lengths can be achieved for the same (wind) load. One issue that this (added thickness) creates is supporting the blade in the blade holders-either a special blade 20 holder is made that can accept the thicker blade, an adaptor piece between the blade and the blade holder is employed, or the blade thickness is reduced at the ends so that the standard blade holders can be used. Typically, a louvre window will have a blade width of 152mm and a blade pitch of 140mm, hence having a blade overlap of 12mm. The opposed edges of 25 the louvre blade slot into blade holder clips, which can be made from plastic or metal. When a louvre window is in the closed position, it must be able to prevent wind driven rain from passing freely between the louvre blades. The known art is to overlap adjacent blades as shown in Fig. 1 or by "profiling" the longitudinal edges of the blades and overlap adjacent blades as shown in Fig. 2. The method shown in Fig.2 30 gives the opportunity for a flexible seal to be incorporated, but has the disadvantage of reducing the thickness of the blade along its long edges, making it susceptible to breaking. At the interface between blade holding clips it is typical to have a 2 "shroud" as part of the clip to cover the gap that normally exists between blade holder clips when the window is in the closed position (fig. 3). At the interface between the blade holder and the weatherstrip at the bottom of the window there is typically bubbling occurring when there is water against the outside of the window and there is 5 a pressure differential between the outside and the inside of the window. One reason for this bubbling is that the sealing face along the blade-weatherstrip interface is on a different plane (for manufacturing tolerancing reasons) to the sealing face of the blade holder-weatherstrip interface. When a force is applied to the longitudinal top or bottom edges of the 10 louvre blade, the louvre blade can be dislodged from the blade holder clips and the blade can be removed from the window. Blade retention typically depends on short projections from the blade holder slot face at both ends of the slot (fig. 3). To allow for the blade to be assembled into the blade holder slot, these projections are relatively flexible which in turn limits the resistance force against the force required to dislodge 15 the blade from the blade holders. 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. Summary of the Invention. 20 The present invention is directed to an improved louvre system, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. In one form, the invention resides in an improved louvre system including at least one louvre blade with a pair of end edges adapted to engage an end 25 clip, an upper edge with an overlap portion and at least one rebate adjacent the overlap portion and a lower edge with an overlap portion and at least one rebate portion adjacent the overlap portion such that the overlap portions at the upper and lower edges at least partially overlap when the louvre system is in a closed condition, and at least one end clip having an at least partially U-shaped channel to receive an end edge 30 of a louvre blade, at least one U-shaped portion located at a lower portion of the end clip to receive a portion of the lower edge of the louvre blade and a deformable blade retention portion located at an upper portion of the end clip and adapted to be 3 deformed as the blade passes the end clip upon insertion of the blade and to engage the at least one rebate portion at the upper edge to retain the blade in the clip In an alternative form, the invention resides in an improved end clip for a louvre window assembly which includes at least one louvre blade with a pair of end 5 edges adapted to engage an end clip, an upper edge with an overlap portion and al. least one rebate adjacent the overlap portion and a lower edge with an overlap portion and at least one rebate portion adjacent the overlap portion such that the overlap portions at the upper and lower edges at least partially overlap when the louvre system is in a closed condition, the improved end clip having an at least partially U-shaped 10 channel to receive an end edge of a louvre blade, at least one U-shaped portion located at a lower portion of the end clip to receive a portion of the lower edge of the louvre blade and a deformable blade retention portion located at an upper portion of the end clip and adapted to be deformed as the blade passes the end clip upon insertion of the blade and to engage the at least one rebate portion at the upper edge to retain the blade 15 in the clip. In an further alternative form, the invention resides in an improved louvre blade for a louvre window assembly which includes at least one end clip for each louvre blade, the end clip having an at least partially U-shaped channel to receive an end edge of the louvre blade, at least one U-shaped portion located at a lower 20 portion of the end clip to receive a portion of a lower edge of the louvre blade and a deformable blade retention portion located at an upper portion of the end clip and adapted to be deformed as the louvre blade passes the end clip upon insertion of the louvre blade the louvre blade having a pair of end edges adapted to engage an end clip, an upper 25 edge with an overlap portion and at least one rebate adjacent the overlap portion and a lower edge with an overlap portion and at least one rebate portion adjacent the overlap portion such that the overlap portions at the upper and lower edges at least partially overlap when the louvre system is in a closed condition, wherein the deformable blade retention portion at the upper portion of the end clip engages the at least one rebate 30 portion at the upper edge to retain the blade in the clip. The improved louvre system of the invention typically includes a blade retention system that provides increased ease-of-use and no loss of security. The blade 4 retention system is typically provided on each end clip of each of a plurality of louvres in the system. Preferably, the louvre blade and end clip may be manufactured from any material but normally plastic or light metal will be preferred. The blades may be made from material such as glass but wooden blades are particularly preferred. 5 The blades are typically substantially rectangular in shape. The blades may be of any height and any length desired. The upper and lower edges of each louvre blade are typically parallel to one another. Normally, each overlap portion is a portion of reduced thickness to the main body of the blade. Therefore, when the louvre blade are closed, the overlapping portions form a full thickness which is 10 similar, if not the same as, the thickness of a main body of louvre blade. Each overlapping portion is typically approximately half the thickness of the main body of the louvre blade. Provision of the overlap portions generally creates an L-shaped profile at each of the upper and lower edges of the louvre blade. The L-shaped profile preferably extends over the full length of the 15 louvre blade. The L-shaped profile generally has a base portion and an upright portion. Normally, the upright portion provided in each of the upper and lower overlapping portions is the same height. The respective upright portions are typically located at or adjacent to an outside surface of the lower edge and at or adjacent to an inside surface of the upper edge. At least one surface of an upright portion is typically 20 contiguous with a surface of the main body of a blade. The base portion provided at a lower edge of the louvre blade is typically angled at an obtuse angle to the upright portion at the lower edge and substantially perpendicular to the upright portion at the upper edge. The base portion provided at the lower edge is preferably associated 25 with a weather sealing strip. The weatherstrip typically extends over the length of the louvre blade. The weatherstrip is typically made of rubber or a material similar thereto, in order to be mouldable to occlude any opening between adjacent louvres. The weatherstrip is preferably fixed in place through the provision of an opening in the base portion and a part of the weatherstrip typically fixed into the 30 opening. The opening is typically an elongate channel extending over the length of the louvre blade. The opening is typically spaced from the intersection or meeting point of the base portion and the upright portion in order to minimise the chance for cracking or the creation of a point of weakness at the junction.

5 The weather strip will preferably be provided with a plurality of fin portions which are effective on the louvre blade as well as the louvre end clip. Normally, there is a small clearance gap provided between adjacent louvres in a system and the weather strip is provided to close the gap to prevent 5 ingress of water from the outside when the louvres are closed. The present invention includes at least one rebate portion provided adjacent to the overlapping portion provided at a lower edge of the louvre blade. A longitudinally extending rebate extending substantially over the length of the blade is preferred. The rebate is preferably provided at or immediately adjacent the free end of 10 the overlapping portion of the lower edge and typically extends toward the midline of the blade or partially toward the base portion. The rebate portion is typically an area of reduced thickness of the free end of the upright portion. In relation to the upper edge of each louvre blade, again a rebate portion is typically provided extending longitudinally substantially over the length of 15 the blade. The rebate portion is typically provided adjacent the base portion but on or into the main body of the blade in order to form a shoulder portion. Again the rebate portion is an area of reduced thickness but in relation to the upper edge is typically a reduction in thickness of the main body of the blade. Further, the rebate portion of the upper edge is typically located on the outside surface of the blade. 20 The clip preferably has an end wall which in use abuts or is closely spaced from the end edge of the louvre blade, with perpendicularly extending sidewalls in order to form the U-shaped channel to receive an end edge of the louvre blade. Typically, the end wall extends over the height of the clip but the sidewalls may not. In fact, it is preferred the sidewalls extend similarly to the height of the 25 overlapping portions that is, the sidewall on the outer side of the louvre typically extends downwardly further the lower end than the sidewall on the inner side of the louvre and the opposite configuration is provided at the upper portion of the end clip. The sidewalls may have any shape in order to provide a functional advantage or an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Preferably, the shape of the 30 sidewalls is such that when closed, adjacent end clips align to give the appearance of an uninterrupted member. The U-shaped portion provided at a lower end of the end clip is preferably provided to engage the lower edge of the louvre blade. The U-shaped 6 portion is preferably defined at least partially by the sidewall of the end clip, preferably the sidewall of the end clip and an L-shaped portion extending from the inner surface of the outer sidewall. The L-shaped portion normally extends over the width of the clip from the end wall to a free end of the sidewall which faces the centre 5 of the louvre window assembly. The L-shaped portion typically extends outwardly from the sidewall towards the midline of the clip or towards the middle of the U shaped opening provided in the clip. The free end of the upright portion of the blade typically abuts the L shaped member with the rebate portion of the lower edge of the louvre blade abutting 10 the L-shaped member as well. The L-shaped portion typically has a sidewall and a base wall. The sidewall is typically the same width as the width of the rebate and the upright portion less the rebate is preferably as wide as the base wall in order to provide a flush fit between upright portion and the U-shaped portion. Normally during manufacture the louvre blade can be inserted into the 15 U-shaped channel of the end clip and is slid downwardly until the free end of the upright portion is received in the U-shaped portion of the lower end of the clip or, the blade may be inserted from the side prior to the end clip being inserted into the frame of the louvre window assembly. The U-shaped portion is also typically formed integrally with the end 20 clip. The end clip is typically provided with at least one deformable blade retention portion. Typically, the blade retention portion is located adjacent an outer sidewall of the end clip, and normally on an upper edge of the outer sidewall. Typically, the blade retention portion is mounted for flexion to allow the main body of 25 the louvre blade to pass the blade retention portion by temporary deformation of the retention portion as the blade is inserted into the end clip. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the blade retention portion includes a finger portion which extends inwardly into the U-shaped channel in the end clip and downwardly towards the centre of the clip. The finger portion will typically 30 extend inwardly past the plane of an inner surface of the outer sidewall of the end clip. The finger portion may be hinged to the end clip or a portion of lesser thickness may be provided in order to allow the finger portion to be deformed. Again, 7 the blade retention portion is typically formed integrally with the end clip during production. The blade retention portion may be provided with gripping means to allow the blade retention portion to be removed from the rebate provided the upper 5 end of the louvre blade in order to remove the louvre blade. Preferably, the blade retention means is sufficiently stiff in order to resist movement once the louvre blade has being inserted into the clip. The finger portion may be strengthened for example by manufacturing from a different material in order to make the finger portion more or less flexible or movable. 10 Preferably, both the upper and lower rebated portions are provided towards the outside surface of the louvre blade or at least between the midline and the outer surface of the louvre blade. This results in the creation of a useable area located at the base portion of the lower edge and the free end of the upper edge towards the inner surface of the louvre blade, which are normally spaced apart a small clearance 15 distance. This useable area preferably allows the location of a resilient weatherstrip to be placed into the useable area to fill the clearance gap. The weatherstrip will normally be slightly oversized to fill the gap when deformed and to be biased into an expanded condition to resist the ingress of water through the gap. This configuration is typically better adapted to preventing ingress of water to the inner side of the louvre 20 window system which typically occurs more readily when blade retention is provided adjacent the inner surface o the louvre blade. Brief Description of the Drawings. Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: 25 Figure 1 is a sectional side view of a prior art louvre system with overlapping blades. Figure 2 is a sectional side view of a prior art louvre system with eth longitudinal edges of adjacent blades profiled and overlapped. Figure 3 is a sectional side view of a louvre system including a seal 30 according to a preferred aspect of the present invention. Figure 4 is a sectional side view of a lower portion of a louvre system according to a preferred aspect of the present invention. Figure 5 is a sectional side view of an upper portion of a louvre system 8 according to a preferred aspect of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment. According to a preferred embodiment, an improved louvre window is provided including an improved end clip 10 and blade 11 configuration. 5 As illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, the improved louvre system is directed mainly toward the engagement of the louvre blade 11 and the end clip 10. The louvre blade 11 illustrated has a pair of end edges adapted to engage an end clip 10, an upper edge 12 (illustrated in Figure 4) with an overlap portion 13 with a rebate 14 adjacent the overlap portion 13 and a lower edge 15 (illustrated in Figure 5) with an overlap 10 portion 16 with a rebate portion 17 adjacent the overlap portion 16 such that the overlap portions 13, 16 at the upper 12 and lower edges 15 at least partially overlap when the louvre system is in a closed condition as illustrated in Figure 3 in particular. The end clip 10 has a U-shaped channel to receive an end edge of a louvre blade 11, a U-shaped portion 18 located at a lower portion of the end clip 10 to receive a portion 15 of the lower edge 15 of the louvre blade 11 and a deformable blade retention portion 19 located at an upper portion of the end clip 10 which is adapted to be deformed as the blade 11 passes the end clip 10 upon insertion of the blade 11 and to engage the rebate portion 14 at the upper edge to retain the blade 11 in the clip 10. The end clip 10 is normally manufactured from plastic or light metal 20 and the blades 11 are preferably wooden. The blades 11 are typically substantially rectangular in shape. The blades 11 may be of any height and any length desired. The upper 12 and lower edges 15 of each louvre blade 11 are parallel to one another. Each overlap portion 13, 16 is a portion of reduced thickness to the main body 50 of the blade 11. Therefore, when 25 the louvre blades are closed, the overlapping portions 13, 16 form a full thickness which is similar, if not the same as, the thickness of a main body 50 of louvre blade 11. Provision of the overlap portions 13, 16 creates an L-shaped profile al: each of the upper 12 and lower edges 5 of the louvre blade. 30 The L-shaped profile extends over the full length of the louvre blade 11. The L-shaped profile has a base portion 20 and an upright portion 21. The upright portion 21 provided in each of the upper 13 and lower 16 overlapping portions is substantially the same height. The respective upright portions 21 are located at or 9 adjacent to an outside surface of the lower edge 15 and at or adjacent to an inside surface of the upper edge 12. The base portion 20 provided at a lower edge 15 of the louvre blade 11 is angled at an obtuse angle to the upright portion 21 and substantially perpendicular 5 to the upright portion 21 at the upper edge 12. The base portion 20 provided the lower edge 15 is preferably associated with a weather sealing strip 22 as illustrated in Figure 3. The weatherstrip 22 extends over the length of the louvre blade 11. The weatherstrip 11 of the illustrated embodiment is made of rubber in order to be mouldable to occlude any opening 10 between adjacent louvres. The weatherstrip 22 is fixed in place through the provision of an opening 23 in the base portion 20 and a part of the weatherstrip 22 is typically fixed into the opening 23. The opening 23 is an elongate channel extending over the length of the louvre blade 11. The opening 23 is spaced from the intersection or meeting 15 point of the base portion 20 and the upright portion 21 in order to minimise the chance for cracking or the creation of a point of weakness at the junction. The weather strip 22 is provided with a plurality of fin portions which are effective on the louvre blade 11 as well as the louvre end clip 10. The present invention includes a rebate portion 17 provided adjacent to 20 the overlapping portion 16 provided at a lower edge 15 of the louvre blade 11. A longitudinally extending rebate 17 extending substantially over the length of the blade is preferred. The rebate 17 is provided or immediately adjacent the free end of the overlapping portion 16 of the lower edge 15 and extends toward the midline of the blade 11 or partially toward the base portion. The rebate portion 17 is an area of 25 reduced thickness of the free end of the upright portion 16. In relation to the at the edge of each louvre blade 11 again a rebate portion 14 is provided extending longitudinally substantially over the length of the blade. The rebate portion 14 is provided adjacent the base portion 20 but on or into the main body 50 of the blade 11 in order to form a shoulder portion. Again the rebate 30 portion 14 is an area of reduced thickness but in relation to the edge is typically a reduction in thickness of the main body 50 of the blade. Further, the rebate portion 14 of the upper edge 12 is located on the outside surface of the blade.

10 The clip 10 preferably has an end wall which in use abuts or is closely spaced from the end edge of the louvre blade 11, with perpendicularly extending sidewalls 24 in order to form the U-shaped channel to receive an end edge of the louvre blade. Typically, the end wall extends over the height of the clip but the 5 sidewalls do not. In fact, the sidewalls 24 extend similarly to the height of the overlapping portions that ease, the sidewall on the outer side of the louvre extends downwardly further the lower end than the sidewall on the inner side of the louvre and the opposite configuration is provided at the upper portion of the end clip. The U-shaped portion 18 provided at a lower end of the end clip 10 is 10 provided to engage the lower edge 15 of the louvre blade. The U-shaped portion 18 is defined between the sidewall 24 of the end clip, preferably the outer sidewall of the end clip 10 and an L-shaped portion 25 extending from the inner surface of the outer sidewall 24. The L-shaped portion 25 normally extends over the length of the clip 10 from the end wall to a free end of the sidewall which faces the centre of the louvre 15 window assembly. The L-shaped portion 25 extends outwardly from the sidewall 24 towards the midline of the clip or towards the middle of the U-shaped opening provided in the clip. The free end of the upright portion 21 of the blade abuts the L-shaped member 25 with the rebate portion 17 of the lower edge 15 of the louvre blade 20 abutting the L-shaped member 25 as well. The L-shaped portion typically has a sidewall and a base wall. The sidewall is typically the same width as the width the rebate and the upright portion less the rebate is preferably as wide as the base wall in order to provide a flush fit between upright portion and the U-shaped portion. Normally during manufacture the louvre blade can be inserted into the 25 U-shaped channel of the end clip and is slid downwardly until the free end of the upright portion is received in the U-shaped portion of the lower end of the clip. The U-shaped portion is also formed integrally with the end clip. The blade retention portion 19 extends inwardly past 24 the plane of an inner surface of the outer sidewall of the end clip. 30 The end clip 10 is provided with at least one deformable blade retention portion 19. The blade retention portion 19 is located adjacent an outer sidewall of the end clip 10 as illustrated in Figure 5, and normally on an upper edge of the outer sidewall 24. The blade retention portion 19 is mounted for flexion relative l1 to the main body 50 of the louvre blade to pass the blade retention portion 19 by temporary deformation of the retention portion 19 as the blade 11 is inserted into the end clip. The blade retention portion engages the rebate portion at the upper 5 edge to effectively and securely retain the blade in the end clip. In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an 10 embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or 15 characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations. In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described. since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention 20 into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An improved louvre system including at least one louvre blade with a pair of end edges adapted to engage an end clip, an upper edge with an overlap portion and at least one rebate adjacent the overlap portion and a lower edge 5 with an overlap portion and at least one rebate portion adjacent the overlap portion such that the overlap portions at the upper and lower edges at least partially overlap when the louvre system is in a closed condition, and at least one end clip having an at least partially U-shaped channel to receive an end edge of a louvre blade, at least one U-shaped portion located at a lower portion 10 of the end clip to receive a portion of the lower edge of the louvre blade and a deformable blade retention portion located at an upper portion of the end clip and adapted to be deformed as the blade passes the end clip upon insertion of the blade in a direction perpendicular to the length of the louvre blade and to engage the at least one rebate portion at the upper edge to retain the blade in 15 the clip.

2. An improved louvre system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each end clip of each of a plurality of louvres in the system is provided with at least one deformable blade retention portion.

3. An improved louvre system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each 20 overlap portion is a portion of reduced thickness to the main body of the blade.

4. An improved louvre system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each overlapping portion is approximately half the thickness of the main body of the louvre blade.

5. An improved louvre system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 25 wherein provision of the overlap portions creates an L-shaped profile at each of the upper and lower edges of the louvre blade, each L-shaped profile having a base portion and an upright portion.

6. An improved louvre system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the L-shaped profile extends over the full length of the louvre blade. 30

7. An improved louvre system as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the respective upright portions are located adjacent to an outside surface of the lower edge and adjacent to an inside surface of the upper edge. 13

8. An improved louvre system as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the base portion provided at the lower edge of a louvre blade is associated with a weather sealing strip.

9. An improved louvre system as claimed in claim 8 wherein a clearance gap is 5 provided between adjacent louvres in the system and the weather strip is provided to close the gap to prevent ingress of water from the outside when the louvres are closed.

10. An improved louvre system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a rebate portion is provided extending longitudinally substantially 10 over the length of the blade, adjacent the upper edge of each louvre blade.

11. An improved louvre system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the rebate portion of the upper edge is located adjacent the outside surface of the blade.

12. An improved louvre system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 15 wherein the blade retention portion is located adjacent an outer sidewall of the end clip.

13. An improved louvre system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the blade retention portion is mounted for flexion to allow the louvre blade to pass the blade retention portion by temporary deformation of the 20 retention portion as the blade is inserted into the end clip.

14. An improved louvre system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the blade retention portion includes a finger portion which extends inwardly into the U-shaped channel in the end clip and downwardly towards the centre of the clip. 25

15. An improved louvre system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the finger portion extends inwardly past the plane of an inner surface of an outer sidewall of the end clip.

16. An improved louvre system as claimed in claim 14 or claim l5wherein The finger portion may be hinged to the end clip or a portion of lesser thickness 30 may be provided in order to allow the finger portion to be deformed.

17. An improved louvre system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the blade retention portion is provided with gripping means to allow 14 the blade retention portion to be removed from the rebate provided in the louvre blade in order to remove the louvre blade from the end clip.

18. An improved louvre system as claimed in claim10 wherein upper and lower rebated portions are provided towards the outside surface of the louvre blade 5 to create a useable area located at the base portion of the lower edge and the free end of the upper edge towards the inner surface of the louvre blade.

19. An improved end clip for a louvre window assembly which includes at least one louvre blade with a pair of end edges adapted to engage an end clip, an upper edge with an overlap portion and at least one rebate adjacent the overlap 10 portion and a lower edge with an overlap portion and at least one rebate portion adjacent the overlap portion such that the overlap portions at the upper and lower edges at least partially overlap when the louvre system is in a closed condition, the improved end clip having an at least partially U-shaped channel to receive an end edge of a louvre blade, at least one U-shaped portion located 15 at a lower portion of the end clip to receive a portion of the lower edge of the louvre blade and a deformable blade retention portion located at an upper portion of the end clip and adapted to be deformed as the blade passes the end clip upon insertion of the blade and to engage the at least one rebate portion at the upper edge to retain the blade in the clip.

20 20. An improved louvre blade for a louvre window assembly which includes at least one end clip for each louvre blade, the end clip having an at least partially U-shaped channel to receive an end edge of the louvre blade, at least one U shaped portion located at a lower portion of the end clip to receive a portion of a lower edge of the louvre blade and a deformable blade retention portion 25 located at an upper portion of the end clip and adapted to be deformed as the louvre blade passes the end clip upon insertion of the louvre blade the louvre blade having a pair of end edges adapted to engage an end clip, an upper edge with an overlap portion and at least one rebate adjacent the overlap portion and a lower edge with an overlap portion and at least one rebate portion adjacent 30 the overlap portion such that the overlap portions at the upper and lower edges at least partially overlap when the louvre system is in a closed condition, wherein the deformable blade retention portion at the upper portion of the end 15 clip engages the at least one rebate portion at the upper edge to retain the blade in the clip.