AU2011282459A1 - A screening assembly, system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

An exterior self supporting louvre blade (1) adapted for fixed fitting to the exterior of a window, said blade comprising an elongate generally angle shaped panel, said angle shape being formed of an upper face (2) juxtaposed to a lower face (3) such that said angle shape provides sufficient rigidity to provide said self- support over the length of said blade, wherein said upper face has an array of apertures of a first configuration (7) and said lower face has an array of apertures of a second configuration (8), wherein fixed fitting is provided by a clamp ring assembly including a two part isolating bush (22), a U-shaped clamp portion (12) wherein the bush includes a central spacing ring (14), an upper and lower clamp annulus (15) and an internal co-axial bore to frictionally engage and friction fit to a mount means (10).

Description

WO 2012/009743 PCT/AU2011/000861 A clamp assembly for an improved screening device Cross-Reference to Related Applications The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2010903211 and PCT/AU2010/001711 the contents of which are 5 incorporated herein by reference. Introduction to the Invention This invention relates to exterior light screening devices, facades and systems, hereinafter called "awnings", for exterior protection of windows, particularly in 10 commercial buildings and the like, and in particular relates to a lightweight awning and louvre blade or element construct that can be readily, rapidly, securely and permanently fixed and applied to the exterior of buildings, windows and the like so as to provide a highly efficient, effective visual and aesthetic screen. 15 Background to the Invention The control and management of light and heat reaching and penetrating windows has a dramatic effect on the efficiencies and aesthetics of building construction and the occupation thereof. Whilst the provision of external blinds, shutters and the like have found 20 common use in many domestic buildings, houses and the like, different problems exist with commercial buildings, high-rise buildings etc that are not readily adapted to receive the fitting of external blinds, shutters and the like. In answer to this demand, a range of exterior awnings and louvres are available for the use on commercial buildings. However, many of the currently available awnings and louvres are highly 25 engineered, heavy and cumbersome constructions, many of which also fail to provide versatility and amenability to changing and alteration in accordance with demand or personal requirement of the user. One object of the invention is to provide an improved awning system. 30 Statements of the Invention In a first aspect the invention provides an exterior self supporting louvre blade adapted for fixed fitting to the exterior of a window, said blade comprising an elongate generally angle shaped panel, said angle shape being formed of an upper face juxtaposed to a lower face such that said angle shape provides sufficient rigidity to 35 provide said self-support over the length of said blade, wherein said upper face has an array of apertures of a first configuration and said lower face has an array of apertures WO 2012/009743 PCT/AU2011/000861 2 of a second configuration, wherein the blade includes angled lips formed along the free edge of each face remote from the edge of juxtaposition, and wherein the angled lips include fixing means for fixing the louvre blade to a mount means being two or more tensioned wires, said fixing means comprising a clamp ring assembly said assembly 5 including a two part isolating bush and U shaped clamp portions wherein said bush includes a central spacing ring, an upper and lower clamp annulus and an internal co axial bore for friction engaging said mount means such that application of said clamp portions to said clamp annuli engages the co-axial bore of said bush to said mount means and prevents axial movement of said bush along the length of said mount means. 10 In another aspect the invention provides a fixing means comprising a clamp ring assembly, said assembly including a two part isolating bush and a U-shaped clamp portion, wherein said bush includes a central spacing ring, an upper and lower clamp annulus and an internal co-axial bore for frictional engagement of said mount means such that application of said clamp portions to said clamp annuli engage the co-axial 15 bore of said bush to said mount means and prevent axial movement of said bush along the length of said mount means. The clamp ring may include two clamp ring arms joined by a clamp neck to form the U shape. Each of the clamp ring arms preferably include transverse apertures formed 20 towards the free end thereof, where the transverse apertures are adapted to receive a single locking bolt connecting the two clamp ring arms so as to draw the clamp ring arms together upon tightening, so as to lock the clamp ring arms about the isolating bush. The clamp portion is preferably adapted to distort upon tightening of the locking 25 bolt, such that the clamp ring arm is partially drawn around the isolating bush so as to form a permanent engagement of the fixing means to the mount means, even in the unlikely event that the locking bolt loosens. Legend: 1. Panel (louvre blade) 2. Upper face 3. Lower face 4. Edge of juxtaposition 5. Lip 6. Edge of face 7. First aperture configuration WO 2012/009743 PCT/AU2011/000861 3 8. Second aperture configuration 9. Fixing means 10. Mount means 11. Fixing slot 12. Clamp ring arm 13. Clamp neck 14. Spacing ring 15. Clamp annulus 16. Locking bolt 17. Grommet 18. Safety cable hole 19. Safety cable 20. Clamp annulus 21. Engaging face 22. Isolating bush 23. Knurling 24. Transverse aperture Detailed Description of the Invention The invention will now be described in more detail with respect to one particularly preferred embodiment as shown in Figures 1 through to 19. 5 Figures 1 to 4 show four separate embodiments in perspective view of an awning comprising a plurality of louvre blades fitted to tensioned vertical wires; Figure 5 shows a front view of the awning corresponding to embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a side view of the awning of Figure 5; 10 Figure 7 shows three views of the blade detailed in figures 5 and 6; Figures 8 to 13 show variations in the shape louvre blades available for the invention; Figure 14 shows details of the clamp ring assembly of the fixing means; Figure 15 shows details of the isolating bush assembly of the fixing means; 15 Figure 16 shows a cross-section view of the fixing means holding a louvre blade to a cable mount means. Figure 17 shows a perspective view of the fixing means and louvre blade. Figure 18 shows a typical assembly of the invention incorporating optional safety cable 19 threaded through apertures 18.

WO 2012/009743 PCT/AU2011/000861 4 Figure 19 shows a variety of views of the louvre blade incorporating the safety cable aperture 18. Referring to the figures, the awning of the invention is characterised by a louvre blade which in a particularly preferred embodiment, takes the form of an elongate 5 angle-shaped blade or panel 1 as shown in Figures 1, 5 and 6. In addition to the symmetrical shaped angle given in Figures 1, 5 and 6; the blade can take a variety of cross-section shapes including an asymmetrical angle shown in Figures 2 and 3; and a continuous curved shape shown in Figure 4. The angle shaped panel is preferably made of a lightweight material but afforded sufficient rigidity by virtue of the angle or 10 cross-section formation, which allows a plurality of such angle shaped panels to be assembled in a vertical or possibly horizontal array, so as to provide an awning function to filter or control light and heat passing therethrough, onto or into a nearby window. The angle shaped panel has an upper face 2 and a lower face 3 whereby the juxtaposition of the upper and lower faces, forms the angle in question. The angle can 15 be anywhere between 0 and 180 degrees, but is preferably in the order of about 90 degrees. In the situation where the angle between the upper and lower faces is 180 the shape of the panel forms a channel. In another embodiment the shape of the panel can adopt a continuous curve 20 taking the form of a round channel or part thereof. The degree of curvature may be such to extend as a continuum into the parallel edge lips 5. Alternatively, where the degree of curvature is higher or lower the edge lips are formed to provide parallel alignment. For the purposes of further illustration the invention will be described with 25 reference to the symmetrical angle shape given in Figures 1, 5 and 6. The upper and lower faces are provided with an array of apertures to control the transmission of light and most preferably, the array of apertures formed on the upper face takes the form of a first configuration 7, being a regular array of circular holes of a given size, with the lower face having an array of analogous apertures of a second 30 configuration 8, being a larger dimensioned or more frequent hole. In this manner, the positioning of the louvre blade in a generally horizontal orientation, allows the smaller apertures of the upper face 2 to filter a greater proportion of light and heat than the larger or more frequent apertures of the lower face, such that when viewed from the interior of a window, the occupant would be shielded from the sun's rays and light 35 entering the building from above the observer, with the observer provided with an increased amount of light transmission looking down toward the ground.

WO 2012/009743 PCT/AU2011/000861 5 Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, the blade or panel 1, preferably includes an angled lip 5, formed along the face edge 6 of each face remote from the edge of juxtaposition 4. In this manner, the louvre blade is further reinforced and provided with additional stiffness and rigidity by the angle formation of the two lips 5, in 5 conjunction with the angled upper and lower faces. The angled lips 5 of the upper and lower faces are preferably formed at a suitable angle to provide parallel alignment with each other, so as to assist in fixing of the louvre blades to the building or window in question. The specific configuration of the louvre blades is open to custom design and 10 preparation in accordance with the aesthetics required. For example, a range of various suitable shapes is depicted in Figures 8 through to 13, where the shape can vary from a simple symmetrical angle as depicted in Figures 7 and 8, through to asymmetrical angled configuration shown in Figure 9, a "softer" angle as depicted in Figure 10 where the angle surfaces are softened with a small radius, through to a uniform radius shown 15 in Figure 11, and even asymmetrical shapes varying along the length of the blade as shown in Figures 12 and 13. The lightweight nature of the louvre blades of the invention lend themselves to ease of fitting and installation which can be provided by way of vertically tensioned cables acting as a mount means 10 fitted to the outside of a building, where a pair of 20 tensioned cables can receive a plurality of louvre blades, fitted up a vertical height thereof, wherein the louvre blades are readily clipped and fitted onto the tensioned cables by way of fixing means, which anchor either side of the cable immediately abutting the angled lip along the blade. Referring now to Figures 14 to 17, the manner in which the louvre blades 1 are 25 fitted to the mount means 10 is shown where the mount means comprises two or more tension cables fitted to the exterior of a building. Referring firstly to Figure 17, the fixing means is shown in relation to the louvre blade 1 where the lips 5 of the blades 1 include toward either extremity an obular shaped slot 11, formed therein. The dimensions of the obular slot is adapted to 30 cooperate neatly with a diameter of the tensioned wires 10 such that the louvre blades 1 can be positioned onto the wires with the obular slots 11 engaging the respective vertical wires. In order to secure the louvre blades to the tensioned wire, a fixing means 9 is shown in Figures 14 to 17. The fixing means includes a clamp ring assembly shown in 35 Figure 14. The clamp ring assembly comprises a U-shaped clamp portion having an internal clamp neck 13 joined to two clamp ring arms 12 where in cross section, the WO 2012/009743 PCT/AU2011/000861 6 clamp ring neck and arms include an upper and lower engaging face 21. The clamp ring is adapted to co-operate with an isolating bush 22 as shown in Figure 15. The isolating bush is formed in two parts and includes a central spacing ring 14 and an upper and lower clamp annulus 15 shaped and configured to snugly receive the 5 engaging faces 21 of the clamp ring arms 12 and neck 13. The isolating bush preferably includes internal knurling 23 to assist in gripping the wire mounting means 10. Referring now to Figure 16, cross-section views of the fixing means are shown as fitted to the panels. Referring now to Figure 17, a perspective view of the fitting clearly 10 demonstrates the process whereby the panels 1 are lowered onto the isolating bush by slipping the annulus at the end of a fixing slot 11 over the upper and lower clamp annuli such that panels are caused to sit onto the clamp ring 12 thereby separating the adjacent panels by the thickness of the spacing ring 14. Once the panels are fitted, the clamp ring is then inserted round the clamp 15 annulus and fitted by way of a locking bolt 16 so as to securely locate the upper and lower panels 1 with respect to the isolating bush. The isolating bush is then able to accommodate the mount cable 10 running along the centre thereof, such that the panels 1 are then effectively and securely located relative to the mount cable 10 by virtue of the fixing means. 20 The tightening of the bolt 16 serves to draw the clamp ring arms 12 together so as to snugly clamp around the clamp annulus 15 of the isolating bush 22 so as to effect the clamping and location of the two halves of the isolating bush together so as to snugly engage the internal co-axial bore to the tension wire mount means 10. In addition, the tightening of the bolt 16 and the tightening action causing the closing of 25 the clamp ring arms 12 results in a small amount of distortion of the clamp ring arms as they are drawn together by the tightening action of the bolt such that the clamp ring arms are caused to permanently close around the clamp annulus 15 such that any tendency in the unlikely event of the bolt loosening will not detrimentally effect the performance of the fixing means and ensure that the fixing means remains tightly fitted 30 and attached to the mounting means even without the security of the bolt 16. Whilst the fixing means as previously described provides secure and adequate mounting of the louvre blade in order to provide an additional safety feature, the invention may provide an additional parallel safety cable 19, adapted to pass through captive safety cable holes or apertures 18 formed mid-way along the lip 5, such that the 35 aperture is able to capture and fully contain the cable and provide a completely secure WO 2012/009743 PCT/AU2011/000861 7 fixing of the louvre blade to the building in the highly unlikely event that the slotted fixing slots 11 fail to adequately hold the blade. In this manner, the awning of the invention provides a ready means of lightweight protection with light control and management, where a series of vertically 5 positioned and tensioned cables are fitted to the exterior of a building. The vertical cables are spaced apart to correspond with the length of the louvre blades, and most preferably have three cables supporting the length of each louvre blade. The louvre blade can be made of an array of materials, depending on aesthetics and physical requirements, including aluminium, mild steel, stainless steel, copper, 10 brass, pure zinc, photo chromatic polycarbonate etc. Colour choices of the louvre blade are dependent on the material chosen and the aesthetics required and panels can readily be coated or chemically treating by anodising etc. The degree of perforation and presentation of the apertures on the upper and lower face will be determined by aesthetics and requirements for light filtration and 15 management, but most preferably the first aperture configuration provides a light transmission in the order of 0 to 40% open area, with the second aperture configuration providing a greater perforated open area between 40 to 80%. In another aspect, the mount means previously exemplified as tension cables could be replaced with metal brackets of a more solid form. Such bracketing could 20 replace the tension cables in certain circumstances and could also be used in a horizontal orientation which would be unsuitable for the tension cables so as to provide the versatility of fitting the louvre blades of the invention in a vertical orientation, rather than the previously described embodiment of the louvre blades being positioned horizontally. 25 It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (8)

1. An exterior self supporting louvre blade adapted for fixed fitting to the exterior of a window, said blade comprising an elongate generally angle shaped panel, said angle shape being formed of an upper face juxtaposed to a lower face such that said 5 angle shape provides sufficient rigidity to provide said self-support over the length of said blade, wherein said upper face has an array of apertures of a first configuration and said lower face has an array of apertures of a second configuration, wherein said blade includes angled lips formed along the free edge of each face remote from the edge of juxtaposition, wherein said angled lips include fixing means for fixing said blade to a 10 mount means being two or more tensioned wires fitted to the exterior of said window said fixing means comprising a clamp ring assembly including a two part isolating bush and U shaped clamp portions wherein said bush includes a central spacing ring, an upper and lower clamp annulus and an internal co-axial bore adapted to engage and friction fit to said mount means such that application of said clamp portions to said 15 clamp annuli engages said co-axial bore of said bush to said mount means and prevents axial movement of said bush along the length of said mount means.

2. A louvre blade according to claim 1, wherein said clamp portions include two clamp ring arms joined by a clamp neck to form said U shape, each clamp ring arm 20 having apertures toward the free end for receiving a locking bolt adapted to draw the respective clamp ring arms together for locking about said isolating bush.

3. A louvre blade according to claim 2, wherein said clamp portion is adapted to distort upon tightening of said locking bolt with each clamp ring arm partially drawn 25 around said isolating bush so as to form a permanent engagement of said fixing means to said mount means even if said locking bolt loosens.

4. A fixing means for mounting a louvre blade comprising a clamp ring assembly including a two part isolating bush and U shaped clamp portions wherein said bush 30 includes a central spacing ring, an upper and lower clamp annulus and an internal co axial bore adapted to engage and friction fit to said mount means such that application of said clamp portions to said clamp annuli engages said co-axial bore of said bush to said mount means and prevents axial movement of said bush along the length of said mount means. 35 WO 2012/009743 PCT/AU2011/000861 9

5. A fixing means according to claim 4, wherein said clamp portions include two clamp ring arms joined by a clamp neck to form said U shape, each clamp ring arm having apertures toward the free end for receiving a locking bolt adapted to draw the respective clamp ring arms together for locking about said isolating bush. 5

6. A fixing means according to claim 5, wherein said clamp portion is adapted to distort upon tightening of said locking bolt with each clamp ring arm partially drawn around said isolating bush so as to form a permanent engagement of said fixing means to said mount means even if said locking bolt loosens. 10

7. A louvre blade according to any one of claims 1 to 3, substantially as hereinbefore described in the figures.

8. A fixing means according to any one of claims 4 to 6, substantially as 15 hereinbefore described in the figures.