GB2051343A

GB2051343A - Louvred ventilators

Info

Publication number: GB2051343A
Application number: GB7911594A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: GREENWOOD AIRVAC VENTILATION
Current assignee: GREENWOOD AIRVAC VENTILATION
Priority date: 1979-04-03
Filing date: 1979-04-03
Publication date: 1981-01-14
Also published as: GB2051343B

Abstract

In a ventilator comprising parallel louvre blades 15 that are inclined to the vertical a guard 28 is located horizontally between adjacent blades 15. The guard 28 is a firm mesh and is firmly connected to the blades 15 to increase the rigidity of the structure. The guard 28 may have means which wedgingly engage recesses in the blades 15 or may be riveted to the blades 15. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A ventilator The present invention relates to a ventilator and to a kit of parts forming a ventilator.

When a ventilator is to be mounted in or on a wall the ventilator can be built integrally into the wall during construction thereof, or may subsequently be mounted in or on the wall after construction of the wall has been completed. If this latter expedient is to be adopted the bricklayers constructing the wall must leave an aperture in the wall of appropriate dimensions. It is past experience that when bricklayers are instructed to leave apertures of appropriate dimensions in a wall, it is only seldom that the apertures left in the constructed wall have precisely the desired dimensions. Thus if it is proposed to insert previously manufactured ventilators into such openings it is often necessary either to provide packing around the ventilator or to enlarge the aperture before the aperture can accommodate the ventilator.

In order to overcome this particular difficulty it has been proposed to provide a kit of parts for forming a ventilator, the kit of parts being manufactured in a factory, and the ventilator being formed, on site, from the kit of parts. In this way various components from the kit of parts may, if necessary, be cut to size when actually forming the ventilator.

The present invention relates to a ventilator of this general type.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a louvred ventilator comprising a plurality of louvre blades which are in a parallel array, the blades being inclined to the vertical, there being a guard extending substantially horizontally between, and firmly engaging, adjacent louvre blades.

Preferably the guard is a rigid mesh.

The guard may have means which wedgingly engage recesses defined by said louvre blades, or may be riveted to the louvre blades.

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a kit of parts for forming a ventilator as described above, said kit of parts comprising a plurality of louvre support members, a plurality of louvre members and at least one guard, each said louvre support member including means to engage two recesses or detents defined on said louvre member, the louvre member and louvre support member being so dimensioned that when said means engage said detents or recesses at least one of the members is under stress or tension to ensure a firm joint between the members.

Preferably the kit of parts also comprises a channel adapted to accommodate the louvre support members.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an end elevational view of one embodiment of a ventilator in accordance with the invention but Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of part of the ventilator of Figure 1; Figures 3 to 7 are perspective views of part of alternative embodiments of ventilators in accordance with the invention; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of a part of a ventilator in accordance with the invention which is covered.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, one embodiment of a ventilator in accordance with the present invention comprises two channel members only one of which 1, is shown, which may be extruded from aluminium or the like, the channel members being adapted to be secured to a wall with their longitudinal axes vertical, the channels being located on either side of an aperture (not shown) left in the wall when the wall is constructed. Each channel member comprises two parallel arms and a perpendicular web. A front channel is defined between the two arms and the web. A second rear channel is formed behind the web. The web of the channel may be provided with apertures or slots adapted to receive screws to enable the channel member readily to be mounted in position.

Mounted within the front channel of each channel member 1 is a plurality of louvre support members 2. Each such louvre support member 2 may be a portion cut from an aluminium extrusion, or may be formed of any other suitable material.

Preferably the louvre support member 2 is moulded from engineering plastics. Each louvre support member 2 comprises a vertical portion 3 dimensioned to be received slideably within the said front channel of channel member 1. The said vertical portion 3 of the louvre support member 8 is provided with spigots 4 on the upright portion of this member which are utilised to secure the support member to appropriate apertures in the support channels. The spigots 4 comprise two linear portions 5, 6, each having appropriate chamfered 7 and rebated 8 faces, the portions being separated by an appropriate gap.It is envisaged that the spigots 4 will be pushed through appropriate apertures formed in the channel member 1 the chamfers 7 on the end faces of the spigots 4 forcing the two parts of each spigot 4 together to enable the spigot 4 to pass through the aperture, the natural resiliency of the material utilised to form the louvre blade support member 2 then forcing the two halves of the spigot 4 apart so that the rebate surfaces 8 engage on the material defining the apertures thus securing the spigots 4 in position.In order to ensure that the louvre blade support members 2 do not become loose, for example if the material of the channel member 1 or support member 2 expands and contracts due to changes of temperature and due to the coefficient of thermal expansion thereof, serrated wedges 9 are provided which may be driven between the two parts of each peg to force the parts of the pegs firmly apart to ensure that the louvre blade support member is always firmly mounted in position. Each wedge 9 may be moulded of plastics material and may have serrated surfaces, although a wedge of anv appropriate design may be utilised.

At its lower end the louvre support member 2 is provided with a horizontally forwardly extending arm 10 that terminates in a downwardly deflected finger 11. At its uppermost end the support member 10 is provided with a downwardly deflected finger 12 that is substantially parallel to the downwardly deflected finger 12 on the horizontal arm 11.

The downwardly deflected finger 12 provided at the uppermost end of each support member is provided with means 13 defining an abutment which engages the free edge of the immediately adjacent portion 14 of a louvre blade 15. The arrangement is such that the finger 12 with the abutment 13 is placed slightly under tension when the louvre blade 15 is placed in position.It is also to be noted that the downwardly deflected finger 1 1 at the end of the horizontally forwardly extending arm 10 is provided, on its under surface, with a substantially "V" shaped notch 16, and the portion 17 of the louvre blade 15 defining a channel which accommodates this finger 1 1 is provided with a correspondingly shaped "V" protrusion 18 or ridge, the arrangement being such that when the finger 1 1 is inserted into the channel 17 the "V" shaped protrusion 18 on the portion 17 of the louvre blade 1 5 defining the channel will engage with the recess 16 to ensure a firm interlocking grip between the finger 11 and the louvre blade 15.

The louvre support member is also provided with a substantially triangular protrusion 19 formed on the lower surface thereof, one inclined face 20 of this protrusion being substantially parallel with the adjacent face 21 of the uppermost downwardly deflected finger 12 of the next adjacent louvre support member 2. Whilst the accompanying illustration shows the surface 20 of the protrusion 1 9 being separate from the surface 21 of the adjacent downwardly deflected finger 12, in practice these two surfaces would substantially abut one another, thus increasing the overall rigidity of the assembly.

As indicated above a plurality of the louvre support members 2 are mounted in each channel member 1, and the louvre support members 2 are mounted in pairs, one support member 2 of each pair being located in each channel member 1, and both the support members 2 of each pair being on the same level.

Louvre blades 15 are provided which are each supported by the support members 2 comprising one of said pairs of support members 2. Each louvre blade 15 is constituted as an extrusion of aluminium or the like and is preferably of uniform cross-section throughout its length. The louvre blade comprises a planar portion 22 which is adapted to contact the downwardly deflected finger 11 on the horizontal arm 10. The louvre blade 15 is adapted to extend downwardly beyond the downwardly deflected finger 1 1 provided on the horizontal arm 10 and is also provided with a downwardly directed lip 23 at its lowermost free edge. The planar portion 22 of the louvre blade 1 5 extends adjacent a triangular web 24 formed by the support member 2 and a further portion 25 of the louvre blade extends upwardly immediately adjacent the vertical portion 3 of the support member 2.A spring clip or the like may be provided which is clipped or snapped onto the adjacent free ends of the said downwardly deflected finger 12 and the portion 14 of the louvre adapted to lie immediately adjacent the downwardly deflected finger 12. This serves to secure the two components together.

The rear surface of the louvre blade 1 5 is provided with a rearwardly and upwardly extending flanges 17 which define recesses or pockets adapted to accommodate the downwardly deflected finger 11, provided on the horizontal arm 10. The louvre blade 15 and the support member 2 are preferably so dimensioned and shaped that when the said downwardly extending fingers 1 1 is located within the said pockets and the portion 14 of the louvre blade 15 engages the abutment 13 either the louvre blade 1 5 or the support member 2 or both are placed under stress or tension.This may be achieved by angling the downwardly deflected finger 11 provided at the free end of the horizontal arm 10 so that the axis of this finger 1 1 is not precisely aligned with that of the pocket defined by flange 17. Alternatively the length of the horizontal arm 10 may be selected so that the downwardly deflected finger 1 1 at the end of the horizontal arm 10 is not aligned with the pocket.

Furthermore as mentioned above, the finger 12 may be placed under stress. In any event the arrangement is preferably such that one or both of the members is placed under stress or tension when the finger 12 is introduced to the pocket 24 and this serves to ensure that a firm connection is provided.

An upstanding flange 26 is provided on the uppermost surface of the louvre blade 1 5 in the upper region threreof and a further inwardly directed flange 27 at the base thereof, these flanges defining, with the remaining parts of the louvre, cavities which accommodate portions of a bird, vermin or net guard 28 as will be explained hereinafter in greater detail.

Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings is a perspective view showing the louvre blades 15 of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 , the louvre support members being omitted for the purpose of clarity of illustration.

It is to be noted that a bird guard 28 is mounted in position between the two recesses defined by the said flanges 26, 27 of each louvre blade 15, the bird guard 28 extending from the recess 27 at the lowermost portion of one blade 15 to the other recess 26 at the top of the next adjacent blade 15, the bird guard 28 extending substantially horizontally between the blade. In this embodiment of the invention the bird guard 28 is formed from a substantially planar sheet of plastics material or metal, the sheet being provided with regular perforations 29 formed therein.The free edges of the sheet of plastics material or metal have ribs 30 of substantially triangular cross-section and the arrangement is such that the guard may be slidden into position between two louvres 15, and then serves as a reinforcing member between the louvres 15 since, in sliding the bird guard into position the bird guard firmly grips the portions of the louvre defining the said recesses with the wedge-like surfaces of the triangular sectioned ribs 30, thus increasing the overall rigidity of the structure.

It is to be appreciated that the illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a bird guard 28 but the perforations may be made smaller so that the item can be used to prevent vermin, such as mice, from passing between the louvre blades and, if the perforations are made of extremely small size, the item may be used to prevent mosquitoes or other flying insects from passing through the mesh.

Figure 4 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention which is very similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 with the sole exception that the lip 31 at the lower edge of each louvre blade is upstanding rather than downwardly depending.

Thus the lip forms a gutter which can prevent water cascading down the louvre blades.

Figure 5 illustrates yet another modified embodiment of the invention in which the guard is provided with a circular bead 32 along one side edge thereof and an oval bead 33 along the other side edge thereof, the beads being inserted in appropriate channels defined by flanges formed on the louvre blades 34.

Figure 6 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention in which a modified type of bird guard 28 is mounted in position between adjacent louvre blades, the bird guard being formed of broad U-sectioned channel member 35 having perforations in the base thereof, the arms of the U being pop-riveted 36, or otherwise secured to oppose planar surfaces 37, 38 of adjacent louvre blades 39. It is to be noted, in this embodiment, that each louvre blade has a downwardly depending lip 37 at the free edge thereof, there being an inwardly directed rebated 40 at the lower edge of this downwardly dependent lip. It is to be noted that in this embodiment of the invention the guard 35 is firmly mounted in position and will thus increase the rigidity of the overall assembly.

Figure 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention in which a guard 41 in the form of a mesh formed by intersecting planar members is provided, this mesh being formed of metal or plastics material, the mesh being a force-fit between two opposed planar surfaces 37, 38 of adjacent louvre blades, the guard thus serving to force the louvre blades slightly apart to provide a rigid structure.

In all the above described embodiments of the invention in which a guard is provided, the guard will be supplied in appropriate lengths. At each end of each length of the guard there may be a reinforcing rib or the like, so that each portion of the guard can be considered to be surrounded by a substantially rigid frame, although it is conceivable that at the terminal edge regions each portion of guard will have a zone which is of half the thickness of the remainder of the guard, thus permitting the zones of half thickness to be superimposed over the corresponding zones of adjacent guards, the superimposed zones being secured together for example by an adhesive, or by rivets, or by any other appropriate means.

It is to be appreciated that whilst so far the invention has been described with reference to a completed ventilator, the invention also relates to a kit of parts forming such a ventilator. The kit of parts would comprise two channel members 1 or one channel member intended to be sawn or cut to appropriate lengths, a plurality of the louvre support members 2, a plurality of louvre members 15, or one member intended to be cut into lengths to form the louvre members, and a plurality of the spring or snap clips, if such clips are to be utilised.

In assembling a ventilator from such kit of parts initially two channel members of appropriate length will be screwed or otherwise secured to a wall on either side of a ventilation opening already formed in the wall, and subsequently the louvre support members 2 will be mounted in the channels and secured in the desired positions with the louvre support members 2 being located in horizontally aligned pairs, that is to say with each support member in one channel having a corresponding support member at the same level in the other channel. The louvre members 15 will be cut if necessary, to have precisely the desired size, and then the louvre members 15 will be mounted on the louvre support members 2.The downwardly deflected fingers 11 on the support members are inserted into the pockets and as the louvre members 15 are moved into position, either the louvre 1 5 or the louvre support member 2, or both are placed under stress or tension, thus ensuring that the louvres are firmly mounted in position and minimising or obviating any rattles.

The spring clips or snap clips are also placed in position, and the guards will be mounted in position.

It will be appreciated that a kit of parts as above described may be utilised in forming a ventilator having virtually any desired size.

If a ventilator in accordance with the invention is to be mounted over a wide aperture or over a series of adjacent apertures three or more vertical support channels may be provided, each louvre member being mounted on a louvre support member provided in each channel. The central channel or channels may extend across the aperture, merely being fixed to the wall above and below the aperture.

From the above description it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a kit of parts which can be readily utilised to construct a ventilator, the kit of parts comprising the channels, the louvre blade support members, and the louvre blades. It is to be appreciated that the kit of parts may be provided in a completely dis-assembled condition although, in certain circumstances, it may be preferable to provide a kit of parts comprising the support channels and louvre blade support members already integrally connected together, the assembly comprising the channels of the louvre blade support members being secured in position and the louvre blades finally being mounted in position on the support members.

Louvre ventilators in accordance with the present invention may be utilised not only to cover apertures in walls, but also to form a ventilator turret. In forming such a turret support channels are initially mounted in position, and louvre blade support members are mounted on the channels.

Louvre blades 42 are utilised which have downwardly depending free lips 43, and the louvre blades are cut with chamfered ends 44 and are mounted in position together with bird guards as described above the bird guards also being appropriately chamfered. To ensure a rigid connection in the region of each such corner a substantially "L" connection member 45 is provided comprising two flat arms, the arms lying in planes that are at an angle to each other so that the connecting member 45 may be slidden into position in the adjacent ends of the channels 46 provided to accommodate the fingers 11 at the lowermost end of each louvre blade support member.

Such "L" sectioned members may alternatively be used for corners extending in the opposite sense, thus enabling "convex" and "concave" corners to be readily manufactured. In addition it is to be noted that in such an embodiment of the invention, where the louvre blades are to form a square or rectangular tower, downwardly depending lips are used at the free edge of each louvre blade since otherwise an endless gutter would be formed which would merely trap water and would serve no useful purpose. When such a downwardly depending free edge is used clips 47 may be provided which embrace the downwardly depending free edge in the region of each corner.

It has been found that in connection with louvred ventilators using the bird or vermin guard as described above, even if a bird guard is utilised which has relatively large apertures, the use of such a guard, in addition to improving the overall rigidity of the louvre assembly, improves the weathering properties of the assembly. Thus the amount of rain that can be driven in through the louvres in adverse weather conditions is less than the amount of rain that can be driven in in connection with a corresponding ventilator and not provided with such a bird guard. This is a surprising and beneficial result.

Claims

1. A louvred ventilator comprising a plurality of louvre blades which are in a parallel array, the blades being inclined to the vertical, there being a guard extending substantially horizontally between, and firmly engaging, adjacent louvre blades.

2. A ventilator according to claim 1 wherein the guard is a rigid mesh.

3. A ventilator according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the guard has means which wedgingly engage recesses defined by said louvre blades.

4. A ventilator according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the guard is riveted to said louvre blades.

5. A ventilator according to any one of the preceding claims comprising two louvre support members supporting each louvre blade, each said louvre support member including means to engage two recesses or detents defined by said louvre members, the louvre blade or the louvre support member being so dimensioned or shaped that when said means engage said recesses or detents at least one of the members is under stress or tension to ensure a firm joint between the members.

6. A ventilator according to claim 5, wherein the louvre support member includes a vertical portion and a horizontal arm, said horizontal arm terminating in a downwardly deflected finger, a recess being provided on the louvre blade to accommodate said finger, said finger constituting one of said engaging means.

7. A ventilator according to claim 6, wherein said recess and finger are dimensioned and located so that said recess and finger cannot engage with the louvre member in the correct position without placing either the louvre member or.the louvre supporting member under stress or tension.

8. A ventilator according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the louvre supporting member is provided with a downwardly deflected finger extending from a point adjacent the end of the vertical portion, the louvre defining a portion to engage this finger.

9. A ventilator according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the said downwardly deflected finger and the corresponding recess are provided with interengaging detent means.

10. A ventilator according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein a channel member is provided adapted slidingly to engage and retain a portion of the louvre supporting member.

11. A ventilator according to claim 10, wherein the channel is provided with a plurality of apertures and the louvre support member is provided with a plurality of expanding type connectors adapted to engage said apertures to secure the louvre support member in position.

12. A ventilator according to claim 1 1 wherein means are provided to wedge said connectors apart to ensure a firm connection between said connectors and said channel.

13. A ventilator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support member is formed as an extrusion of aluminium.

14. A ventilator according to any one of claims 5 to 12, wherein the support member is formed of an engineering plastics material.

15. A ventilator according to any one of claims 5 to 14 wherein each said louvre support member has a protrusion on the lower side thereof adapted to contact the top of the next lower louvre support member.

16. A ventilator assembly comprising two ventilators according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each louvre blade defines a channel, each louvre blade being mitred and the ventilators being at right angles to form a corner, a substantially "L" shaped connecting piece being located in adjacent channels of adjacent louvre blades.

1 7. A kit of parts for forming a ventilator according to any one of the preceding claims said kit of parts comprising a plurality of louvre support members, a plurality of louvre members and at least one guard, each said louvre support member including means to engage two recesses or detents defined on said louvre member, the louvre member and louvre support member being so dimensioned that when said means engage said detents or recesses at least one of the members is under stress or tension to ensure a firm joint between the members.

18. A kit of parts according to claim 1 6, also comprising a channel adapted to support the louvre support members.

19. A ventilator substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A ventilator substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A ventilator substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A ventilator substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

23. A ventilator substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.

24. A ventilator substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any of Figures 1 to 7 as modified by Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.

25. A kit of parts for forming a ventilator according to any one of claims 18 to 23.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 17.1.80 New or amended claims: CLAIMS

1. A louvred ventilator comprising a plurality of louvre blades which are in a parallel array, the blades being inclined to the vertical, there being two louvre support members supporting each louvre blade, each said louvre support member including means to engage engagement means on said louvre members, the louvre blade or the louvre support member being so dimensioned or shaped that when said means engage said engagement means or the louvre members at least one of the members or the blade is under stress of tension to ensure a firm joint, and there being a guard extending substantially horizontally between, and firmly engaging each adjacent pair of louvre blades.

3. A ventilator according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the guard has means which wedgingly engage recesses defined by said louvre blades applying a further stress or tension to the louvre blades.

5. A ventilator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said engagement means on said louvre members comprise recesses or detents.

6. A ventilator according to claim 5, wherein the louvre support member includes a vertical portion and a horizontal arm, said horizontal arm terminating in a downwardly deflected finger, a recess being provided on the louvre blade to accommodate said finger, said finger constituting one of said means to engage the engagement means.

17. A kit of parts for forming a ventilator according to any one of the preceding claims said kit of parts comprising a plurality of louvre support members, a plurality of louvre members and at least one guard, each said louvre support member including means to engage engagement means defined on said louvre member, the louvre member and louvre support member being so dimensioned that when said means engage said engagement means at least one of the members is under stress or tension to ensure a firm joint between the member said guard being adapted to be mounted substantially horizontally between two of said louvre means.