GB2029566A

GB2029566A - Ventilating valve

Info

Publication number: GB2029566A
Application number: GB7838159A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-07-07
Filing date: 1978-09-26
Publication date: 1980-03-19
Also published as: DE2901022C2; NO142049C; NO142049B; GB2029566B; DE2901022A1; NO782378L

Abstract

A ventilating valve comprises an elongated casing 1 for mounting across a slot 9 in a stationary or movable window frame 8, an elongated shutter 10 and activating means at each end of the casing for moving the shutter towards or away from the slot, each activating means comprising an operating member 18 pivotally mounted on the casing, a first leaf spring 13 having one end displaceably supported on the shutter 10 and its other end attached to one side of the operating member 18, and a second leaf spring 27 having one end attached to the casing and its other end engaging the other side of the operating member 18 for the holding thereof in a first or second stable position in which the operating member by means of the spring 13 holds shutter 10 in an open or closed position respectively. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ventilating valve The present invention relates to a ventilating valve comprising an elongated casing adapted for mounting across the mouth of a ventilating slot provided in a stationary or movable window frame, an elongated closing flap and activating members for moving the flap inward towards or outward from the mouth of the ventilating slot for regulating the current of air there-through, the activating members comprising two tiltable operating members provided at either end of the casing for co-operation with respective power actuating means, and the operating members being tiltable from a first stable position, i.e. the closed position in which they influence the power actuating means to bring the closing flap in sealing engagement around the entire ventilating slot, to a second stable position, i.e. the open position in which they influence the respective power actuating means for bringing the closing flap to a predetermined distance from the mouth of the ventilating slot.

Such valves are primarily used for controlling the cross-sectional flow area over the mouth of a ventilating slot formed in a movable or possibly a fixed window frame, depending on the design of the window. In connection with such ventilating valves it is an important requirement to provide a reliable sealing when the valve and the window are closed, the valve also being easy to operate and capable of being produced from simple components.

From Swedish Patent Specifications 105 505 and 105506 there are known ventilating valves having a closing flap which towards the power of springs which continuously operate in the same direction may be displaced steplessly towards and from the mouth of a ventilating slot. The displacement takes place by means of a single screw device mounted at the center of the valve.

Further, from Norwegian Patent Application No.

77 2646 there is known a ventilating valve where the casing itself forms the valve element, the casing being guided on fixed studs in the direction towards and away from the slot. A rod guided longitudinally in the casing and provided with an accessible actuating member is formed with oblique faces which in co-operation with corresponding faces on the studs cause displacement of the casing along the studs by displacement of the rod.

From British Patent Application No. 24258178 there is disclosed a type of ventilating valve as stated in the preamble. In this known ventilating valve each of the power actuating means comprises an elongated leaf spring which at the one end is attached to the closing flap at a distance from the end thereof, and which at the other end is provided with a bent end portion supported in a fixing piece serving for attachment of the casing. Further, each of the operating members has the form of a two-armed lever supported in the casing for rotation about a shaft located between the fixing point of the leaf spring on the closing flap and the supporting point of the leaf spring in the fixing piece.

The object of the present invention is to devise a ventilating valve which compared with previously known ventilating valves comprises components which are simpler to manufacture and assemble.

Accoding to the invention this is obtained with a ventilating valve of the kind specified above, due to the fact that each of the power actuating means provided in the area of the operating members comprises a first leaf spring which at its one end facing towards the centre of the closing flap is displaceably supported therein and at its other end extending beyond the end edge of the closing flap is attached in the one side of the operating memeber which is tiltably supported in a fixing piece serving for the attachment of the casing, as well as a second leaf spring which at its one end is attached in the fixing piece and at its other end engages the other side of the operating member for the holding thereof in a first stable position in which the operating member by means of the first leaf spring keeps the closing flap in a lifted, open position, or in a second stable position in which the operating member by means of the first leaf spring keeps the closing flap in sealing engagement around the mouth of the ventilating slot.

In the ventilating valve according to the present invention the set of leaf springs of each power actuating means as well as the associated operating member may be assembled in the respective fixing piece at the place of manufacture, a fact which entails a very simple and time-saving installation of the ventilation valve on site.

The invention will now be described in detail, reference being had to the drawing which illustrates embodiments of the ventilating valve according to the invention.

Figure 7 is a side view partly in section of an embodiment of a ventilating valve in accordance with the present invention with the closing flap in an intermediate position.

Figure 2 is a top view of the ventilating valve in figure 1 with some parts removed or partly cut away.

Figure 3 is a side view of an operating means in which the first leaf spring is attached.

Figure 4 is a side view of a sliding member attached to the free end of the first leaf spring and movable in a track of the closing flap.

Figure 5 is a top view of the sliding member of figure 4.

Figure 6 is an end view of the closing flap with the sealing strip, the closing flap having a profile defining a sliding track for the sliding members.

Figure 7 is a side view of a fixing piece serving to support the operating means and attaching the casing to the movable or stationary frame of the window.

Figure 8 is a top view of the fixing piece illustrated in figure 4.

Figure 9 is a side view of a second leaf spring.

Figure 10 is a side view of a sleeve serving to attach the second leaf spring in the fixing piece.

Figure 11 is a side view similar to figure 1 with the closing flap illustrated in closed position and with an elastic means provided at the center of the closing flap.

In Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing there is illustrated an assembled embodiment of a ventilating valve according to the invention, whereas Figures 3-10 are sections through the individual components included in this embodiment.

The ventilating valve illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is generally designated by 1. It comprises an elongated substantially U-shaped casing 2 provided with a cut-out portion 3 extending along one sidewall of the casing. In each end of the ventilating valve there is inserted a fixing piece 4 largely having a shape and size corresponding to the U-shaped section of the casing and being provided with a guiding edge 5 against which the terminal edges of the casing abut.

The fixing piece 4 is also illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, and as appearing therefrom there is in the fixing piece 4 provided a hole 6 for a fixing screw 7 serving to attach the fixing piece 4 and the casing 2 to the stationary or movable frame 8 of a window in the region of the mouth of a marrow ventilating slot 9 provided in the frame 8.

Further, the ventilating valve 1 comprises a ruleshaped closing flap made for example from a section bar of aluminium having a sealing strip 11 applied to one longitudinal face and for example consisting of somewhat resilient plastic material or similar elastic sealing material. In Figure 6 there is illustrated an end view of the closing flap 10 having the sealing strip 11 applied thereto. As illustrated in Figure 6 the profile of the closing flap is shaped as an upwardly open C-shaped track serving to guide a gliding member 12 for example of the type illustrated in details in Figures 4 andd 5. The gliding member 12 serves as a support for a first leaf spring 13, the leaf spring 13 at the end facing towards the centre of the closing flap being attached to the sliding member 12 by a protrusion 14 thereof extending up through a hole as indicated at 15 in the spring leaf 13.In addition to the front protrusion 14 the sliding member 12 comprises a central elevated portion 16 through which the leaf spring 13 is threaded, and a rear elevation 17 across which the leaf spring 13 has been passed, the leaf spring at this end of the gliding member extending beyond the end edge of the closing flap 10 for being attached in the one side of an operating means 18 tiltably mounted on a shaft 19 inserted in the legs 20a, 20b of a U-shaped portion 20 in the fixing piece 4.

Not only in Figures 1 and 2, but also in Figure 3 there are illustrated further details of the operating member 18. The operating member 18 is provided with a narrower gripping portion 21 merging into a broader circularly shaped main portion 22 in which is provided a hole 23 through which the supporting shaft 19 is passed. The first leaf spring 13 is attached to the one side of the area of the broader portion 22 and in disassembled position the leaf spring 13 will extend obliquely outwards, as this is illustrated in Figure 3, whereas in mounted position it will adopt a first or a second tight position serving either to keep the closing flap in a lifted, open position, or in sealing abutment around the mouth of the ventilating slot 9.In the position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 the operating member 18 and therefore the spring 13 adopt a neutral mid-position only influenced by the weight of the closing flap.

On the side of the broader portion 22 opposite the attachment point of the leaf spring the operating member 18 is provided with two flattened oblique portions 24 and 25 respectively, merging into each other via a more narrowvertical portion 26. The upper flattened portion 24 slopes downwards and outwards from the vertical plane through the axis of rotation under an angle aa of approximately 30 , whereas the lower flattened portion 25 slopes downwards and inwards towards the same plane under an angle a2 of approximately 15".The flattened portions 24 and 25 serve to bring the operating member 18 in given positions, the portions 24 and 25 in mounted position of the operating member 18 in the fixing piece 4 being in contact with the one end of a second L-shaped leaf spring 27 having its other end attahced to the fixing piece 4 by a sleeve 28 which is passed through a hole 29 in the leaf spring 27 and serves as guiding means for the previously discussed fixing screw 7. The other end of the leaf spring 27 rests in a recess 30 provided in the fixing piece 4.

When the operating member 18 takes the position illustrated in Figure 1, i.e. when the vertical portion 26 is in engagement with the second leaf spring 27, the closing flap 10 adopts an intermediate position, which is unstable. When using the ventilating valve the operating member 18 is tilted either to a first stable position in which the flattened portion 24 resiliently engages the second leaf spring 27, the first leaf spring 13 then keeping the closing flap 10 in a lifted, open position, orto a second stable position in which the second flattened portion 25 resiliently engages the second leaf spring 27, the first leaf spring 13 in this position keeping the closing flap in sealing engagement around the mouth of the ventilating slot 9.

During the tilting of the operating member 18 the free end of the leaf spring 13 will be displaced together with the gliding member 12 in the closing flap 10.

In its finished mounted position the operating members 18 have their gripping portions 21 extending up through openings 31 in the casing 2, which is also provided with holes (not illustrated) for passing the fixing screw 7 therethrough. In Figure 1 both the operating members 18 are illustrated in an intermediate position, but when the ventilating valve is in use, the members will adopt either a first or a second position, in which one of the flattened portions 24 and 25 resepctively engages the second leaf spring 27 in the fixing piece 4. However, it is to be understood that if the operating members 18 adopt opposite positions, i.e. one of the members adopts a "closed position" whereas the other member adopts an "open" position there is achieved an oblique position of the closing flap largely corresponding to half ventilating effect.

In the above described embodiment of the ventilating valve the operating members with their associated leaf springs may be attached in respective fixing pieces at the production plant, a fact which entails a very simple mounting on site.

In Figure 11 one of the operating members 18 is illustrated in one of its stable positions, i.e. the "closed position". The flattened portion 25 then rests against the second leaf spring 27 in the fixing piece 4. In this stable position of the operating member 18 the first leaf spring 13 keeps the closing flap 10 with its sealing strip 11 in sealing engagement around the mouth of the ventilating slot 9.

In certain cases it may be expedient to provide and elastic means in the area between the first springs 13, such means in this area aiding in pressing the closing flap 10 closer against the mouth of the ventilating slot 9. Such means may be of interest in case of long ventilating valves and strict requirements as to the air sealing properties of the valves.

In Figure 11 there is illustrated an example of such an elastic means which here is shaped as a substantially V-shaped spring leaf 30. This may have a width corresponding to that of the previously discussed springs 13 and 27 and is at its bent centre portion 31 slideably mounted in the closing flap 10 by a small gliding member 32 inserted in the C-shaped track of the closing flap 10. The freely extending, somewhat bent end portions 33 and 34 of the leaf spring 30 resiliently engages the inner web portion of the U-shaped casing 2 and will upon counter-force therefrom impart upon the closing flap a spring force directed in the closing direction thereof.It is to be understood that the shape of the spring leaf 30 is adapted so that the pressure provided thereby in the closing direction is large enough to give an amplified closing effect at the centre portion of the ventilating valve in the closed position thereof, but not so large as to prevent opening of the valve by means of the operating members 18. Further, it is to be understood that the elastic means may be so shaped that in closed position it performs a large force in the closing direction of the closing flap, whereas in oppen position it provides a small force in the mentioned direction, possibly a force in the opposite direction. In certain cases the ventilating valve may be provided with more than one elastic means.

It is also to be understood that the displacement of the free end of the first spring leaf 13 may be effected in other manners than by a gliding member. For example, transversal pins may be inserted in the closing flap 0 for slideable attachment of the spring leaf 13 in the closing flap. Such an arrangement may also be of interest for the V-shaped spring leaf 30.

The present invention provides a ventilating valve which in addition to being easy to operate consists of very simple parts so that such ventilating valves can be manufactured both easily and at reasonable costs. At the same time there is achieved a ventilat ing valve which is reliable in operation, has a certain degree of regulation and has an aesthetically pleasant appearance. By electing a cut-out in either one or both side walls of the casing, a further control of the air flow in open or half-open position of the valve is obtained. Cut-out in one wall of the casing is suitable in cases where the valve is mounted on a window frame close to a projecting wall portion, since the cut-out will then face away from the wall portion or other hindrance, which would make a cut-out in the other wall of the casing superfluous.

Claims

1. A ventilating valve comprising an elongate casing having a mouth and adapted to be mounted with the mouth over a ventilating slot, an elongate closing flap, and activating members at each end of the casing for moving the flap inward towards or outward from the mouth of the casing, each activating member comprising an operating member pivotably mounted in the casing, a first leaf spring having one end displaceably supported on the closing flap and its other end attached to one side of the operating member, and a second leaf spring which has one end attaached to the casing and its other end biassed against the other side of the operating member in such a way as to hold the operating member either in a first stable position where the closing flap is lifted by the first spring into an open position or in a second stable position where the closing flap is urged by the first spring into a closed position.

2. A valve as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that at the end facing towards the centre of the closing flap, the first leaf spring is attached to a slide movable in a track running the the longitudinal direction of the closing flap.

3. A valve as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the slide is a flat plastics member having a front protrusion to which said one end of the first leaf spring is attached, an intermediate elevated portion through which said leaf spring is threaded, and a rear elevation across which said leaf spring is passed.

4. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the casing includes fixing pieces at each end and at the end facing towards the centre of the valve each fixing piece is provided with a U-shaped portion in the legs of which the operating member is pivotably supported, and that at the other end, each fixing piece is provided with a vertical hole serving as a through opening for a screw for concurrent attachment of the second leaf spring to the fixing piece and the fixing piece to a stationary or movable frame, with a ventilating slot, to which the valve is to be mounted.

5. A valve as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the second leaf spring is attached to a pipeshaped sleeve fitting into the vertical hole in the fixing piece.

6. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that each operating member is provided with a narrower gripping portion merging into a broader circularly shaped main portion through which a pivot shaft is passed, and that the broader portion at the side facing towards and engaging the second leaf spring is provided with two obliquely flattened portions meeting each other via an intermediate portion.

7. A valve as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the upper flattened portion slopes downwards and outwards at an angle of approximately 30" relative to a vertical plane through the axis of rotation, whereas the lower flattened portion slopes downwards and inwards towards the vertical plane through the axis of rotation at an angle of approxi mately 15".

8. Avalve as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that in the area of the centre portion of the closing flap there is provided an elastic means which in the closed position of the closing flap aids in the pressing thereof against the mouth of the ventilating slot.

9. Avalve as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the elastic means takes the form of a substantially V-shaped leaf spring, the bent centre portion of which is displaceably supported in the closing flap and the freely extending end portions of which resiliently engage an inner web portion of the casing.

10. Avalve as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that the bent centre portion of the V-shaped leaf spring is attached to a slide movable in a track running in the longitudinal direction of the closing flap.

11. A valve as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the operating members can be activated separately, so that by placing a first operating member in a first position and by placing another operating member in another position, the closing flap will adopt an oblique position corresponding to a partially open ventilating slot.

12. A valve as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the casing is made from a metal or plastics section moulding, and that in one or both of the longitudinal side faces a marginal portion is removed to form an aeration opening.

13. Aventilating valve substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.