AU2013101578A4 - Shutter - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A shutter comprises an outer frame 4, an inner frame 5 hinged on the outer frame 4, a linkage assembly 6 disposed in the first upright sash 65 at one side of the inner frame 5, and a slat assembly 7 disposed in the inner frame 5 and engaged with the linkage assembly 6 for moving upward or downward. The linkage assembly 6 includes a hidden linkage member 64 and a plurality of movable seats 63 distributed on the linkage member 64. The movable seats 63 are engaged with and driven by slats 71 of the slat assembly 7 to further drive the linkage member 64 to move upward or downward, such that the slats 71 can be moved synchronously to open or close, thereby the slats 71 can be moved steadily and masking effect provided by the slats 71 is improved.

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR AN INNOVATION PATENT (Original) APPLICATION NO: LODGED: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION LODGED: ACCEPTED: PUBLISHED: RELATED ART: NAME OF APPLICANT: Jing Syu Fa Co., Ltd. ACTUAL INVENTOR: Yen Kuang-Chun ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: LORD AND COMPANY, Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys, of PO Box 530, West Perth, Western Australia, 6872, AUSTRALIA. INVENTION TITLE: "SHUTTER" The following Statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me/us: SHUTTER FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a shutter and particularly to a shutter with a structural design to allow an inner frame to have hidden linking-up and steady movement within an outer frame to synchronously move each louver to open or close. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A conventional shutter 1, please refer to FIGS. 1 through 4, generally includes a frame 11 with one side hinged a shutter body 2. The shutter body 2 includes an inner frame 21 and a louver set 22 bordered by the inner frame 21. In general the louver set 22 is made in advance, then assembled on the inner frame 21. The louver set 22 includes louvers 221 each has two lateral sides with an axle 222 mounted thereon to wedge in two upright sashes 211 at two lateral sides of the inner frame 21. An inner side of each louver 221 has one end with a strut 223 to couple with a linkage bar 23, and the linkage bar 23 has one side with couplers 231 extended toward the struts 223 to be hinged together. Thus, the linkage bar 23 can drive each louver 221 to rotate. [0003] Each louver 221 is able to be rotated and anchored for opening or closing. But in practice there is still a lot of room for improvement in terms of opening and closing. For instance, the existing shutter 1 with the shutter body 2 including the 2 louver set 22 has many flaws, notably: [0004] Rotation of the louver set is unstable: Each louver 221 includes struts 222 at two lateral sides thereof to provide supporting during rotation. However, they are coupled with and driven by the linkage bar 23 at the same side, hence the rotation support of the louver set is unsteady. [0005] Poorer closure between the louvers. Each louver 221 is driven by the linkage bar 23 at one side thereof. Since strength of the linkage bar 23 is weak, when moving one louver 221 to drive the linkage bar 23 to synchronously move other louvers 221 of the louver set 22 a crevice 224 is easily formed between two neighboring louvers 221 during closing, hence complete closeness is difficult to attain. [0006] Safety concern. As each louver 221 on the conventional louver set 22 is driven by the linkage bar 23 connected at one side thereof for opening or closing, total weight of each louver 221 is coupled through the linkage bar 23. Thus, link movement of the louvers 221 is unstable that could cause safety concern in use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a shutter to solve the problems of the conventional shutters of exposed linkage bar, unstable link movement and poor closure. [0008] To achieve the foregoing object the shutter according 3 to the invention comprises an outer frame, an inner frame, a linkage assembly and a slat assembly. The outer frame includes an upper transverse sash, a lower transverse sash, a left upright sash and a right upright sash. The upper and lower transverse sashes oppose to each other, and the left and right upright sashes also oppose to each other to jointly form a holding space inside. The inner frame is hinged in the holding space and includes a first transverse sash and a second transverse sash opposing to each other, and a first upright sash and a second upright sash also opposing to each other. The linkage assembly is disposed in the inner frame, and includes a first rim disposed in the first upright sash, a second rim disposed in the second upright sash, a plurality of movable seats distributed in the first rim and a linkage member coupled with and driven by the movable seats. Each movable seat includes a movement space inside to hold a gear rack on an inner side of the movement space and a notch at one side thereof fastened to the linkage member. The slat assembly is installed in the inner frame and engaged with the linkage assembly to move upward or downward. [0009] The shutter of the invention thus formed provides features of: the linkage assembly is located in the first and second upright sashes of the inner frame, and the linkage member is hidden, and multiple movable seats connected with the linkage member are engaged respectively with each slat of 4 the slat assembly. Through the upward or downward movement of the linkage member, the slats can be opened or closed synchronously, thereby provide improvement over the drawbacks of the conventional shutters with exposed linkage bar, unstable movement and poor closure. [0010] The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional shutter. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a conventional shutter according to FIG. 1 showing the shutter body being pushed out. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a conventional shutter according to FIG. 1 showing the slat assembly in open and closed conditions. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a conventional shutter according to FIG. 1 showing the slat assembly in the open condition while the shutter body is pushed out. FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the shutter of the invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the inner frame of the invention. FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the linkage assembly and slat assembly of the invention. FIG. 8 is a front view of the shutter of the invention showing assembly of the inner frame and outer frame and a latch lock. 5 FIG. 9 is a top view showing the shutter of the invention mounted onto a wall. FIG. 10 is a side view of the linkage assembly of the invention showing the assembly of the movable seat and linkage member. FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the linkage assembly of the invention showing a jutting gear engaged with a gear rack. FIG. 12A is a schematic view of the present invention showing movement of the linkage assembly and slat assembly in a closed condition. FIG. 12B is a schematic view of the present invention showing movement of the linkage assembly and slat assembly in an open condition. FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the invention with two sets of linkage assemblies disposed at two sides of the slat assembly. FIG. 14 is a front view according to FIG. 13 with two sets of linkage assemblies disposed at two sides of the slat assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0011] Please referring to FIGS. 5 through 9, the present invention aims to provide a shutter 3 that comprises an outer frame 4, an inner frame 5 hinged on the outer frame 4, a linkage assembly 6 and a slat assembly 7 (with a plurality of slats shown in the drawings as an embodiment for discussion). Each slat 71 of the inner frame 5 is able to synchronously 6 rotate to open or close. [0012] The outer frame 4 (referring to FIG. 5) includes an upper transverse sash 41, a lower transverse sash 42, a left upright sash 43 and a right upright sash 44. The upper and lower transverse sashes 41 and 42 are structured the same and opposing each other, while the left and right upright sashes 43 and 44 also structured the same and opposing each other. Also referring to FIG. 9, the outer frame 4 further includes a corner frame 451 at a back side thereof and a jutting ornamental portion 452 on a rim thereof. The jutting ornamental portion 452 is mounted onto a wall A. The corner frame 451 includes a recess 453 formed at one side thereof opposite to the jutting ornamental portion. The sashes 41, 42, 43 and 44 jointly form a holding space 454 inside. [0013] Referring to FIG. 5, the inner frame 5 is held in the holding space 454 and hinged on the outer frame 4, and includes a first transverse sash 52 and a second transverse sash 53 corresponding to each other, and a first upright sash 54 and a second upright sash 55 that also corresponding to each other. The transverse sashes 52 and 53, and upright sashes 54 and 55 include respectively a sealing edge 521, 531, 541 and 551 at an outer side thereof. The first and second upright sashes 54 and 55 have respectively a wedge groove 542 and 552 at an inner side thereof. [0014] The linkage assembly 6, as FIGS. 6 and 7 shown, is 7 disposed in the inner frame 5, and includes a first rim 61, a second rim 62, a plurality of movable seats 63 distributed in the first rim 61, and a hidden linkage member 64 which is coupled with and driven by the movable seats 63. The first rim 61 and second rim 62 are located respectively in the wedge grooves 542 and 552 of the first and second upright sashes 54 and 55, and include respectively a first groove 611 and a second groove 621 facing outwards. The first rim 61 further includes a plurality of first holes 612 formed thereon, while the second rim 62 includes a plurality of second holes 622 formed thereon. Each movable seat 63 includes a movement space 631 inside opening towards the first groove 611 and corresponding to the first hole 612, a gear rack 632 located on an inner side of the movement space 63 1. An upper end and a lower end of each of the movable seat 63 include respectively flexible spaces 633 at two sides and abutting edges 634 extended from the two sides thereof to determine an extensible range of each movable seat 63 to move smoothly upward or downward without clogging. Each movable seat 63 also includes a notch 635 at one side thereof and two protrusive wedge members 636 extended in the notch 635. The linkage member 64 is a plank formed at a width same as that of the notch 635, and includes a plurality of holding apertures 641 to be wedged in by the protrusive wedge members 636 for fastening thereon (referring to FIG. 10). 8 [0015] The slat assembly 7, referring to FIGS. 7 through 9, is disposed in the inner frame 5 and engaged with the linkage assembly 6 for moving upward or downward, and includes a plurality of slats 71 installed in the inner frame 5. Each slat 71 has two sides wedged respectively by a first sealing cap 72 and a second sealing cap 73 that are opposite to each other. Each slat 71 is hollow and includes two wedge slots 711 formed respectively at two ends thereof communicating with its interior, and round cavities 712 located at two sides of the each of the two wedge slots 711. The first sealing cap 72 also includes two first wedge members 721 at one side thereof facing and corresponding to the wedge slot 711, first round struts 722 at two sides of the two first wedge members 721 corresponding to the round cavities 712, and a jutting gear 723 in the center of another side opposite to the first wedge members 721. The jutting gear 723 runs into the movement space 631 of the movable seat 63 through the first hole 612 of the first rim 61 and engages with the gear rack 632 (referring to FIG. 11), thereby each movable seat 63 is engaged with one slat 71, so that every slat 71 of the slat assembly 7 can be operated synchronously. The second sealing cap 73 includes two second wedge members 731 at one side thereof facing and corresponding to the wedge slot 711, second round struts 732 at two sides of the two second wedge members 731 the round cavities 712 formed on another side of the slat 71, and a strut 9 733 in the center of another side opposite to the second wedge members 731. The strut 733 runs through the second hole 622 of the second rim 62 for fastening. [0016] For assembly, referring to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 through 9, couple the wedge grooves 542 and 552 of the opposing first and second upright sashes 54 and 55 respectively with the first rim 61 and second rim 62 of the linkage assembly 6. Then, installing the movable seats 63 and the linkage member 64 outside the movable seats 63 in the first groove 611 of the first rim 61, and engaging the gear rack 632 of each movable seat 63 with the jutting gear 723 of the first sealing cap 72 of each slat 71 to form linkage movement. After that, couple each second hole 622 formed on the second rim 62 with the strut 733 of the second sealing cap 73 of each slat 71 to provide support for rotation. At last, assemble the upper and lower transverse sashes 41 and 42, and left and right sashes 43 and 44 to form the housing space 454 to accommodate the inner frame 5. [0017] Please refer to FIGS. 8, the strut 733 on the second sealing cap 73 provides support for rotation of each slat 71; through the linkage assembly 6 with the movable seats 64 and the linkage member 64 coupled on the outer side of the movable seats 64 and engagement of the gear rack 632 of the movable seat 63 and the jutting gear 723 of the first sealing cap 72 of each slat 71, a linkage movement of the plurality of 10 slats 71 can be accomplished. When the slat assembly 7 in the closed condition, push one of the slats 71 to drive the jutting gear 723 of the corresponding first sealing cap 72 to move upwards in the movement space 631 of the movable seat 63 (as shown in FIG. 12A), and through movement of the linkage member 64 other slats 71 can be driven to move synchronously and smoothly to the open condition and rotated with greater steadiness. To close the slats 71, referring to FIG. 12B, move the linkage assembly 6 downwards inversely to drive the slats 71 to move synchronously and be fully closed in the inner frame 5 with greater closure formed between them. [0018] Please also refer to FIG. 8, a latch lock 46 can be added for latching while the inner frame 5 and outer frame 4 are closed. The lock 46 with a latch bolt 461 can be installed in an inner side of the left upright sash 43, and the first upright sash 54 includes a latch hole 56 corresponding to the latch bolt 461 to form latching and unlatching conditions. Moreover, the linkage member 64 includes an orifice 642 insertable by the latch bolt 461. When the inner frame 5 is held in the holding space 454 of the outer frame 4 and closed, the inner frame 5 can be positioned by inserting the latch bolt 461 into the orifice 642. [0019] Please also refer to FIGS. 13 and 14, the shutter 3 of the present invention can also be performed as another 11 embodiment that the second upright sash 55 includes another linkage assembly 6 corresponding to that in the first upright sash 54 and holding another set of movable seats which include respectively a gear rack. The first sealing cap 72 and second sealing cap 73 at two opposite sides of each slat 71 are coupled respectively with the linkage assembly 6 and the another linkage assembly 6. The jutting gear 723 at the center of the another side of the first sealing cap 72 runs through the first hole 612 of the first rim 61 into the movement space 631 of the movable seat 63 to engage with the gear rack 632 of the movable seat 63, while the second sealing cap 73 includes another jutting gear 734 extended from the another side thereof to replace the strut 733.The another jutting gear 734 runs through the second hole 622 into the movement space 631 to engage with the gear rack 632 of the another movable seat 63 (referring to FIG. 14). Hence the movable seats 63 in the first rim 61 and second rim 62 are engaged with the slats 71 of the slat assembly 7 to form linkage movement. As a result, each slat 71 can be smoothly opened or closed along a fixed track and rotated even more steadily. 12

Claims (9)

1. A shutter, comprising: an outer frame including an upper transverse sash and a lower transverse sash opposing each other, and a left upright sash and a right upright sash opposing each other, the upper and lower transverse sashes and the left and right upright sashes jointly forming a holding space inside; an inner frame which is held in the holding space and hinged on the outer frame, and includes a first transverse sash and a second transverse sash corresponding to each other, and a first upright sash and a second upright sash corresponding to each other; a linkage assembly which is disposed in the inner frame and includes a first rim located in the first upright sash, a second rim located in the second upright sash, a plurality of movable seats distributed in the first rim and a linkage member coupled with and driven by the movable seats to move upward or downward, each of the movable seats including a movement space inside, a gear rack located on an inner side of the movement space and a notch at one side thereof fastened to the linkage member; and a slat assembly including a plurality of slats installed in the inner frame, each of the slats including two sides wedged respectively by a first sealing cap and a second sealing cap that are opposing each other, the first sealing cap including a 13 jutting gear extended from one side thereof to run into the movement space of the movable seat via the first rim and engage with the gear rack, the second sealing cap including a strut extended from one side thereof to run through the second rim for fastening, such that the linkage member is movable upward or downward to synchronously drive the slats to open or close.

2. A shutter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer frame includes a corner frame at a back side thereof and a jutting ornamental portion on a rim thereof that is mounted onto a wall, the corner frame including a recess at one side thereof opposite to the jutting ornamental portion for holding the inner frame.

3. A shutter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second transverse sashes and the first and second upright sashes include respectively a sealing edge at an outer side thereof, the first and second upright sashes including respectively a wedge groove at an inner side thereof.

4. A shutter as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first rim and the second rim are located respectively in the wedge grooves of the first and second upright sashes, and include respectively a first groove and a second groove facing outwards, the first rim including a plurality of first holes formed thereon and run through by the jutting gears of the first sealing caps the second rim including a plurality of 14 second holes formed thereon and run through by the struts of the second sealing caps.

5. A shutter as claimed in claim 1, wherein each movable seat includes an upper end and a lower end that include respectively flexible spaces at two sides thereof and abutting edges extended from the two sides thereof.

6. A shutter as claimed in claim 1, wherein each movable seat includes two protrusive wedge members extended in the notch, the linkage member being a plank formed at a width same as that of the notch and including a plurality of holding apertures corresponding to and wedged by the protrusive wedge members.

7. A shutter as claimed in claim 1, wherein each slat is hollow and includes two wedge slots located at two ends thereof communicating with the interior thereof and round cavities located at two sides of each of the two wedge slots, the first sealing cap including two first wedge members at one side thereof facing and corresponding to the wedge slot and first round struts at two sides of the two first wedge members corresponding to the round cavities, the second sealing cap including two second wedge members at one side thereof facing and corresponding to the wedge slot and second round struts at two sides of the two second wedge members corresponding to the round cavities.

8. A shutter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the left upright 15 sash includes a latch lock with a latch bolt at an inner side thereof, the first upright sash including a latch hole corresponding to the latch bolt to form latching and unlatching conditions, the linkage member including an orifice run through by the latch bolt for anchoring.

9. A shutter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second sealing cap includes another jutting gear extended from one side thereof, the second upright sash including another linkage assembly corresponding to that in the first upright sash and holding another set of movable seats which include respectively a gear rack engaging with the another jutting gear of the second sealing cap. 16