AU734686B2

AU734686B2 - Light transmitting louvres

Info

Publication number: AU734686B2
Application number: AU32540/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gregory Edwards
Original assignee: HV Aluminium Pty Ltd
Current assignee: HV Aluminium Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1995-03-08
Filing date: 2000-05-05
Publication date: 2001-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 2015-09-19
Also published as: AU3254000A

Description

S&FRef: 314165D1

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: H V Aluminium Pty Limited 10 Myra Street New Lambton NSW 2305 Australia Gregory Edwards Spruson Ferguson St Martins Tower 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 Light Transmitting Louvres Invention Title: The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5845c Light Transmitting Louvres Field of the Invention The following invention relates to louvres of the type which are pivotally mountable for example in a horizontal array above an outdoor entertaining area.

Such louvres are often fabricated from extruded aluminium, pressed steel, fibreglass or other opaque materials. When pivotally orientated into an open position wherein light is allowed to pass through the array, rain, wind and other elements may pass through the array. When the louvres are closed the entertaining area is protected from the elements, however, no light is allowed to pass through the array often leading io to the requirement for extra lighting therebelow.

Object of the Invention :i It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantage.

Disclosure of the Invention There is disclosed herein a horizontal array of pivotally mounted louvres to provide a roof structure, each louvre being pivotable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, the louvres in the closed orientation co-operating to provide a cover, each louvre comprising a longitudinal central region, a first lip at one longitudinal edge *thereof and a second lip at an opposing longitudinal edge thereof, the lips being S 20 arranged so as to extend longitudinally parallel to the central region and to have a transverse direction of extension generally normal to the central region, each lip being adapted to engage the adjacent louvre when the louvres are in the closed orientation, and wherein at least one of the lips includes a longitudinally extending light transmitting element to allow the passage of light through the louvre.

Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a louvre having a window therethrough and a light transmitting element across the window, Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional end elevational view of edge parts of adjoining louvres in an array, one edge part having affixed thereto a light transmitting element, Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional end elevational view of edge parts of alternative louvres in an array wherein affixed to the edge of one louvre is an alternative light transmitting element, [I:\DayLib\LIBLL]00171 .doc:lam:mzh Fig. 4 is a schematic end elevational view of an alternative light transmitting element, Fig. 5 is a schematic end elevational view of another alternative light transmitting element, Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional end elevational view of a louvre having a window therethrough and a light transmitting element snap-engaged in the window, Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional end elevational view of part of a louvre having a window therein and a light transmitting element affixed to the louvre around the window, Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional end elevational view of part of a louvre having a window therein and another light transmitting element affixed to the louvre around the window, and •.Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional end elevational view of part of the louvre •0o.having a window therethrough and a pair of light transmitting elements engaged one at 15 either side of the window and mutually engaged by a fastener.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments In Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a louvre 10. Louvre 10 is typically fabricated from opaque material such as extruded aluminium, pressed steel, roll formed steel/aluminium, fibreglass or any other material suitable for the purpose and/or currently used in the trade. The louvre 10 comprises a central longitudinal central region or portion 23, an up-turned lip or edge portion 19 at one edge of the portion 23, and a down-turned lip or edge portion (also 19) at the opposing edge of the portion 23. Punched through or otherwise formed in portion 23 of the louvre 10 is a window 18. There may be a plurality of windows or apertures longitudinally spaced along the louvre 10. Schematically depicted in Fig. 1 is a light transmitting element 11 across the window 18. Light transmitting element 11 may be perspex, polycarbonate, glass, or any other plastics material being either transparent or translucent.

Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 show four examples of alternative light transmitting elements each having alternative means for attachment to the window 18 of louvre In Fig. 6, for example, a light transmitting element 11 is provided with a peripheral groove 20 into which the punched edge of window 18 may be snap-engaged and possibly glued.

In Fig. 7, a light transmitting element 11 is provided with a peripheral rebate 21 into which the peripheral edge of window 18 is received. In this embodiment, light transmitting element 11 may be glued or otherwise affixed to the portion 23 of louvre about the window 18.

[I:\DayLib\LIBLL]0O 171 .doc:lam:mzh In Fig. 8, a substantially planar light transmitting element 11 is simply adhered to the central portion 23 of louvre 10 about its periphery and the periphery of window 18.

In Fig. 9, two light transmitting elements 11 and 12 are provided, one above and the other below the portion 23 of the louvre 10. Each element 11, 12 might be similar to that depicted in Figs. 7 or 8. However, fastening elements 13 and 14 are provided as an alternative to adhesive. Fastening elements 13 and 14 are adapted to mutually engage the elements 11 and 12. Fasteners 13 and 14 may be snap-engaging elements, threadingly engageable elements, or any other elements suitably adapted to connect the two parts 11 and 12.

Light transmitting elements 11 in one embodiment are affixed to a longitudinal edge of the portion 23 of one or both of the louvres 10. In the closed orientation, the louvres 10 would not close down directly onto each other as might be the case should Slight transmitting elements 11 not have been provided. However, when light transmitting elements 11 are provided, the louvres for all intents and purposes are closed when elements 11 abut the underside of the upwardly adjacent edge of an adjacent louvre. A sealing strip may be provided on the edge of element 11 and/or the mating surface of the adjacent louvre. In such an arrangement, the elements 11 would ***provide the lips 19.

Depending on the configuration of louvres to be adapted, different types of edge-engageable light transmitting elements may be provided. Regardless of the particular configuration, and as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the light transmitting elements 11 are provided with a longitudinal slot 15 into which an edge 24 of the lip 19 is received. Adhesive may be applied between the groove 15 and edge portion 19 if S 25 required.

In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1, a transparent light transmitting element 11 might cover varying percentages of the downwardly projected surface area, say of the downwardly projected surface area of a closed louvre An advantage of all of the above disclosed embodiments is that in the closed orientation of the louvres, light is allowed to pass into the area therebelow. For example, light impinging upon the upper surface 22 of the lower louvre 10 in Fig. 3 will reflect therefrom and pass through the light transmitting element 11.

In the open orientation of the louvre of Fig. 1, the louvre of Fig. 2 or that of Fig. 3, substantially more light is allowed to pass into the area below the array of louvres.

Similarly, should a louvre without separate light transmitting elements be provided in translucent material, a limited amount of light would pass through the array when the louvres are in the closed position whereas significantly more light would pass through in the open orientation.

[I:\DayLib\LIBLL]001 71 .doc:lam:mzh It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention.

For example, in place of a rectangular window 18, windows 18 may be circular or any shape suitable for the purpose or even up to the complete length of louvre and up to the complete width of louvre.

Furthermore, rather than providing a groove 15 in the light transmitting elements shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, these elements may be provided with alternative means of connection to the louvre 10. Such means might comprise adhesive, screws, rivets or the like, or a groove on the edge of the louvre into which an element is engageable.

Additionally, the light transmitting elements 11, or translucent or semitransparent louvre may be tinted transparent, tinted translucent, diffusive, a pattern of

OOO

opaque over transparent, reflective, polarising, etched or etch-laminated, mirrored, coated, film laminated or otherwise treated.

Also, various types of materials such as composites or mixtures of different type materials can be added together, joined, extruded or clipped to form a louvre/blade. For example, the louvre 10 could be fabricated from plastics, metal or a combination of plastics and metal, or could be made from a combination of plastics and tota timber, or a combination of timber and metal for example.

*oo.

.9.oo [I:\DayLib\LIBLL]00171 .doc:lam:mzh

Claims

1. A horizontal array of pivotally mounted louvres to provide a roof structure, each louvre being pivotable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, the louvres in the closed orientation co-operating to provide a cover, each louvre comprising a longitudinal central region, a first lip at one longitudinal edge thereof and a second lip at an opposing longitudinal edge thereof, the lips being arranged so as to extend longitudinally parallel to the central region and to have a transverse direction of extension generally normal to the central region, each lip being adapted to engage the adjacent louvre when the louvres are in the closed orientation, and wherein at least one of the lips includes a longitudinally extending light transmitting element to allow the passage of light through the louvre. *Poo

2. The array of claim 1 wherein at least one of the lips is provided by said light transmitting element.

3. The array of claim 1 wherein at least one of the lips includes a flange to which the light transmitting element is attached and from which the light transmitting 4 element extends to engage an adjacent one of the louvres.

4. The array of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein each central region is opaque, with at least one of the central regions having an aperture across which a further light transmitting element is situated. o20

5. The array of claim 4 wherein the light transmitting element is snap- engaged into the central region.

6. The array of claim 4 wherein the light transmitting element is fixed to the central region around the aperture.

7. The array of claim 4 wherein two light transmitting elements are provided, one attached to one side of the central region, and the other attached to the other side of the central region. May 2000 H V Aluminium Pty Limited Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON [I:\DayLib\LIBLL]0017 .doc:Iam:mzh