AU2017100790A4

AU2017100790A4 - Shutter

Info

Publication number: AU2017100790A4
Application number: AU2017100790A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Taylor
Original assignee: Kilmallock ACT Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Kilmallock ACT Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-11-09
Filing date: 2017-06-17
Publication date: 2017-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-17
Also published as: AU2019101390A4

Abstract

A shutter for attachment proximate a window or door and which can be shut in order to deter light from passing through the window or door. The shutter comprising: a first and a second elongate stile, the first and second stile being substantially parallel, co-extensive and laterally spaced apart, the first stile defining a stile cavity; a first and a second elongate rail transversely extending between the first and second stile, the first and second rail being substantially parallel, co-extensive and laterally spaced apart, one or more louvres transversely extending between the first and second stile, and at least one bracket operatively adapted to support the weight of the one or more louvres, the at least one bracket comprising (i) a stile bracket member operatively adapted for location within the stile cavity and (ii) a rail bracket member operatively associated with the first rail and adapted to extend between the stile bracket member and the first rail. i/U 2 (

Description

1 2017100790 17 Jun2017

SHUTTER

FIELD

[0001] The invention concerns a shutter, in particular but not exclusively, a shutter for attachment proximate a window or door and which can be shut in order to deter light from passing through the window or door.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A shutter panel typically comprises two vertical, laterally spaced apart components, referred to as stiles. Two transverse, laterally spaced apart components, referred to as rails, extend horizontally between the vertical stiles. A plurality of horizontal blades, commonly referred to as louvres, are secured between the stiles and can be pivoted between open and shut positions to control the amount of light allowed to pass through the shutter. The louvres are attached to a tilt rod which can be actuated by a user to adjust the louvres between their open and shut positions.

[0003] There is an increasing demand for shutters with a relative large width. Manufactures accordingly face the challenge of providing wider shutter panels and corresponding shutter assemblies which are capable of supporting the weight of a shutter panel having such larger dimensions.

OBJECT

[0004] It is an object of the present invention substantially to overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the problems associated with supporting shutter panels of relative wide width or to provide a useful alternative shutter.

SUMMARY

[0005] According to a first aspect there is disclosed herein a shutter comprising: a first and a second elongate stile, the first and second stile being substantially parallel, co-extensive and laterally spaced apart, the first stile defining a stile cavity; a first and a second elongate rail transversely extending between the first and second stile, the first and second rail being substantially parallel, co-extensive and laterally spaced apart, one or more louvres transversely extending between the first and second stile, and 2 2017100790 17 Jun2017 at least one bracket operatively adapted to support the weight of the one or more louvres, the at least one bracket comprising (i) a stile bracket member operatively adapted for location within the stile cavity and (ii) a rail bracket member operatively associated with the first rail and adapted to extend between the stile bracket member and the first rail.

[0006] Preferably the first stile is attached to the first and second rail with fasteners wherein (i) at least one fastener extends between the first stile and the first rail, and (ii) at least one fastener extends between the first stile and the second rail.

[0007] Preferably the stile bracket member defines at least one blind hole to receive the rail bracket member and at least one fastener hole to receive a fastener.

[0008] Preferably the first rail includes a rail insert which defines a bracket rail slot to receive the bracket rail member and at least one fastener slot to receive the fastener.

[0009] Preferably the at least one fastener slot is threaded.

[0010] Preferably the second stile is attached to the first and second rail with fasteners wherein (i) at least one fastener extends between the second stile and the first rail and (ii) at least one fastener extends between the second stile and the second rail.

[0011 ] Preferably the stile bracket member defines at least one slot operatively adapted slidably to receive an inwardly extending lip of the first stile.

[0012] Preferably the stile bracket member defines two opposing slots which are operatively adapted slidably to receive opposing inwardly extending lips of the first stile.

[0013] Preferably each rail bracket member comprises an elongate pin.

[0014] Preferably the shutter comprises a first and a second bracket, wherein (i) the rail bracket member of the first bracket extends between the stile bracket member of the first bracket and the first rail and (ii) the rail bracket member of the second bracket extends between the stile bracket member of the second bracket and the second rail.

[0015] Preferably the first stile bracket member is longitudinally spaced apart from the second stile bracket member within the stile cavity.

[0016] Preferably the second stile includes a first and second bracket which respectively cooperate with the first and second brackets of the first stile to support the first and second rails. 3 2017100790 17 Jun2017

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompany drawings, wherein: [0018] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment shutter; [0019] Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the shutter of Figure 1; [0020] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a bracket of the shutter of Figure 1; [0021] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a stile bracket member of the bracket of Figure 3; [0022] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a rail of the shutter of Figure 1; [0023] Figure 6 is a schematic end view of the rail of Figure 5; [0024] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the stile bracket member of Figure 4; [0025] Figure 8 is a schematic end view of the stile bracket member of Figure 7; [0026] Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment stile bracket member; [0027] Figure 10 is a schematic end view of the stile bracket member of Figure 9; and [0028] Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment stile bracket member.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment shutter, generally indicated with the reference numeral 10, having a first and second elongate stile 12, 14. The first and second stile 12, 14 are substantially parallel, co-extensive and laterally spaced apart as shown. Each of the first and second stile 12, 14 defines a stile cavity 16. The shutter 10 further comprises a first and second elongate rail 18,20 which transversely extends between the first and second stile 12,14. The first and second rail 18, 20 are substantially parallel, co-extensive and laterally spaced apart. Though the drawings show the first and second rails 18, 20 extending beyond the first and second stiles 12, 14, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the first and second rails 18, 20 will be machined so as to be level with the ends of the first and second stiles 18, 20.

[0030] A plurality of louvres 22 transversely extend between the first and second stile 12, 14. The louvres 22 are pivotally mounted between the first and second stile 12, 14 such that they are 4 2017100790 17 Jun2017 adapted to pivot between open positions, in which light can pass therethrough, and shut positions in which light is obstructed. To move the louvres 22 between open and closed positions an actuator 26, in the form of a conventional tilt rod, is provided. By moving the tilt rod 26 in an upward or downward direction a user is able to adjust the louvres 22 to a desired position.

[0031] To enhance the strength of the shutter 10 each of the first and second stile 12,14 includes a support member 26 located within the stile cavity 16. In this embodiment the support member 26 comprises a hollow aluminium upright.

[0032] The first and second stiles 12, 14 each comprises a first and a second bracket, indicated respectively with the reference numerals 28 and 30 which are longitudinally spaced apart within their respective stile cavities 16. The brackets 28, 30 are operatively adapted to support the weight of the louvres 22. Referring also to Figure 4, each bracket 28, 30 comprises a stile bracket member 32 operatively adapted for location within the stile cavity 16. The brackets 28, 30 each further includes a rail bracket member 34 which is adapted to extend between the respective bracket stile member 32 and either the first or the second rail 18, 20. In this embodiment there are two rail bracket members 34 which extend outwardly from the stile bracket member 32.

[0033] The rail bracket members 34 of the first bracket 28 extend between the stile bracket member 32 of the first bracket 28 and the first rail 18. The bracket rail members 34 of the second bracket 30 extends between the stile bracket member 32 of the second bracket 30 and the second rail 20.

[0034] In this embodiment the rail bracket members 34 comprise elongate, metal pins. It will of course be appreciated that the rail bracket members could be provided in a range of different configurations and made of various materials. Further, the embodiment stile bracket members 32 are produced from Teflon™, but could also be produced from a range of suitable materials.

[0035] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the rails 18, 20 each includes a rail insert 36. The rail inset 36 defines two rail bracket slots 38 to receive two bracket rail members 34. The rail insert 36 also defines two fastener slots 40 to receive two fasteners 42, shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment the fasteners 42 are threaded and the fastener slots 40 are complimentarily threaded. Referring also to Figures 3, 7 and 8, the stile bracket member 32 defines two blind holes 44 adapted to receive the bracket rail members 34. The stile bracket member 32 also defines two fastener holes 46 which extend across the width of the stile bracket member 32 and through which fasteners can pass for securing the stiles 12, 14 to the rails 18, 20. In use the blind holes 44 of the stile bracket 2017100790 17 Jun2017 5 member 32 will be aligned with the rail bracket slots 38 of an associated rail 18, 20 so as to accommodate rail bracket members 34. Similarly the fastener holes 46 of the stile bracket member 32 will be aligned with the fastener slots 42 of an associated rail 18, 20 in order to accommodate fasteners 42.

[0036] Referring to Figure 2 and 7, the bracket stile member 32 defines two opposing slots 48 which extend across the length of the bracket stile member 32. The slots 48 are sized and configured slidably to receive opposing inwardly extends lips 50 of the stiles 12, 14. As shown the lips 50, extend longitudinally along the lengths of the stiles 18, 20. With the lips 50 located within the slots 48, a first portion of the stile bracket member 32 will be held captive within the stile cavity 16, while a second portion 54 will define a face which will be located adjacent a rail 18,20.

[0037] As shown, the first and second brackets 28, 30 are located towards the ends of the first and second stile 12, 14 and operatively supports the first and second rails 18, 20 towards the ends of the stiles 12, 14. At times it may be desired, for aesthetic or load support purposes, to have a third rail, not illustrated, located in position between the first and second rails 18, 20. To support such rail a second embodiment stile bracket member, indicated with the reference numeral 62 in Figures 9 and 10, is provided. The stile bracket member 62 is shorter than the stile bracket member 32 and includes two blind holes 62 for holding two pins, not shown, providing two rail bracket members. Unlike the stile bracket member 32, the stile bracket member 62 does not include any fastener holes. The stile bracket member 62 also includes opposing slots 64 for slidably receiving the inwardly extending lips of a stile similar to that of the stile bracket member 34.

[0038] Figure 11 shows a third embodiment stile bracket member 70. The stile bracket member 70 includes two rail bracket members 72. The stile bracket member 70 also includes a single fastener hole 74 located between bracket rail members 72. The stile bracket member 70 and rail bracket members 72 are of unitary construction and produced by moulding. The rail bracket members 72 are sized for location with the rail bracket slots of an associated rail.

[0039] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

1. A shutter comprising: a first and a second elongate stile, the first and second stile being substantially parallel, co-extensive and laterally spaced apart, the first stile defining a stile cavity; a first and a second elongate rail transversely extending between the first and second stile, the first and second rail being substantially parallel, co-extensive and laterally spaced apart, one or more louvres transversely extending between the first and second stile, and at least one bracket operatively adapted to support the weight of the one or more louvres, the at least one bracket comprising (i) a stile bracket member operatively adapted for location within the stile cavity and (ii) a rail bracket member operatively associated with the first rail and adapted to extend between the stile bracket member and the first rail.

2. A shutter according to claim 1, wherein the first stile is attached to the first and second rail with fasteners wherein (i) at least one fastener extends between the first stile and the first rail, and (ii) at least one fastener extends between the first stile and the second rail.

3. A shutter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second stile is attached to the first and second rail with fasteners wherein (i) at least one fastener extends between the second stile and the first rail and (ii) at least one fastener extends between the second stile and the second rail.

4. A shutter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each rail bracket member comprises an elongate pin.

5. A shutter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shutter comprises a first and a second bracket, wherein (i) the rail bracket member of the first bracket extends between the stile bracket member of the first bracket and the first rail and (ii) the rail bracket member of the second bracket extends between the stile bracket member of the second bracket and the second rail.