GB2126708A - Louvres for ventilation openings - Google Patents

Abstract

A kit of parts for forming a louvre assembly comprises a plurality of louvre blades 3 and a plurality of louvre blade support members 2 which are mounted on mullions 1 secured to a building or other structure on which the louvres are to be provided. The louvre blade support members 2 each having engagement means 12 adapted to engage an engagement portion 14 provided on a louvre blade 3, the engagement means and the engagement portion being adapted so that the louvre blade may be mounted on the support member at an angular position selected from a plurality of predetermined angular positions. As shown, a hollow part-cylindrical rib 14 is slid onto a bead of star cross section but, alternatively, a resilient arm on the support member 2 may be pressed into a channel in the blade 3. Spacer members 4 of variable length are also slid into position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to louvres The present invention relates to louvres and more particularly the present invention relates to a kit of parts for forming a louvre assembly in which the angle of the louvre blades can be adjustably pre-selected. The invention also relates to a louvre assembly fabricated from such a kit of parts.

At the present time louvre assemblies are widely utilised on buildings to provide a weathered, aesthetically pleasing appearance for ventilation gaps, and also for masking unsightly equipment. In many instances the louvre assemblies are located in vertical or horizontal planes, and in such cases a standard kit of parts can be utilised to fabricate the louvres.

It is to be noted that the prior proposed standard kits of parts for forming such louvre assemblies are such that the louvre blades can only be assembled to have a predetermined angle to the plane of the louvre assembly.

There is a requirement for a kit of parts that can be utilised to form a louvre assembly which can be utilised to enable the louvre blades to be assembled to have one of a predetermined selection of permissible angles relative to the plane of the louvre assembly. This is especially the case where the louvre assemblies are not to be located in a vertical plane or horizontal plane, but instead are to be located in a sloping plane.

The present invention seeks to provide a kit of parts for forming a louvre assembly, the kit of parts being such that the louvre assembly can be assembled with the louvre blades of the assembly in any one of a number of predetermined angular positions relative to the plane of the louvre assembly.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a kit of parts for forming a louvre assembly, said kit of parts comprising a plurality of louvre blades and a plurality of louvre blade support members, and means for mounting the louvre support members in position on a building or other structure on which the louvres are to be provided, said louvre blade support members each having engagement means adapted to engage an engagement portion provided on a louvre blade, the engagement means and the engagement portion being adapted so that the louvre blade may be mounted on the support member at an angular position selected from a plurality of predetermined angular positions.

Preferably said means for securing the support members to a building or other structure comprise a plurality of mullions each adapted to be mounted on the building or other structure. Each mullion may comprise a channel member comprising two spaced parallel side walls interconnected by a transverse web, the web being provided with a plurality of apertures therein. Each support member may comprise a body portion having a plurality of rearwardly directed bifurcated fingers having enlarged heads which can be snap-fastened to apertures formed in said transverse web. Advantageously wedges are provided to be inserted between the portions of said bifurcated fingers after they have been inserted in position in the apertures.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention either the engagement means provided on the support member or the corresponding engagement portion provided on the louvre blade define at least one protrusion, and the other defines a plurality of recesses each adapted to receive said protrusion when the louvre blade adopts a respective predetermined angular position relative to the support member.

Preferably with the engagement means and the engagement portion are of substantially "star" configuration, defining a plurality of substantially triangular protrusions and recesses.

Conveniently support member has a projecting arm with a protrusion at the end thereof constituting said engagement means, and each louvre has a hollow rib, the interior of which constitutes said engagement portion.

Advantageously the louvre blades define channels so located that when the louvres are assembled, the channels on adjacent blades are open and facing each other, the kit of parts further comprising a tie bar or strut insertable in said facing channels to reinforce the louvre assembly.

Said tie bar or strut may comprise a member having enlarged ends with inclined faces so that the member can be wedgingly inserted in position in said channels to impart rigidity to the louvre assembly.

In one embodiment a plurality of short tie bar or struts are provided, so that the tie bar or struts can be located in position leaving air gaps between adjacent tie bars or struts. Alternatively the tie bars or struts may be of such a length that they extend over the entire width of a louvre assembly, and in such a case each tie bar or strut is provided with apertures or perforations therein to permit a flow of air therethrough. Preferably said apertures are perforations are so dimensioned that vermin and/or birds cannot climb and/or fly through the apertures.

The tie bar or strut may be fabricated to have two enlarged ends and an enlarged central portion, the arrangement being such that the entire bar or strut may be utilised when the louvre blades of the assembled louvre assembly occupy one relative angular position, the tie bar or strut being frangible to produce a shorter tie bar or strut again with enlarged ends, the central enlarged portion then constituting one such enlarged end, the fore-shortened bar or strut being insertable in the said channels when the louvre blades occupy another relative angular position in the assembled louvre assembly.

This invention also relates to a louvre assembly whenever fabricated from a kit of parts as described above.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further 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 a perspective part-sectional view of a louvre assembly made up from a kit of parts in accordance with the invention, showing the components of the kit of parts in one predetermined relative position; FIGURE 2 is a part sectional perspective view corresponding to Figure 1 but showing the components of the louvre assembly in a second condition; FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view of a tie bar or bird or vermin guard utilised in forming a louvre; FIGURE 4 illustrates part of a building showing various louvre assemblies in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 5 is a perspective view showing an assembly of sloping louvres; and FIGURE 6 is another perspective view of a further set of sloping louvres.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, and especially referring to Figures 1 and 2, a kit of parts for forming a louvre assembly comprises a plurality of channel members that can be used to form vertical mullions 1, a plurality of support elements 2 to be releasably connected to the mullions and a plurality of louvre blades 3, together with a plurality of spacer members 4.

It will be appreciated that, in Figure 1, each mulliion, spacer member and louvre blade is shown partly in cross section. Also it is to be appreciated that in Figure 1 the mullions are shown in a vertical position, for ease of illustration, but the mullions may be inclined to any desired angle.

Each mullion 1 comprises an elongate member formed, for example, as a metallic extrusion, or in some other way, and comprises two spaced apart parallel side walls 5 which terminate at the rearward end in two inwardly directed flanges 6. A transverse flange 7 extends between the side walls towards the forward end thereof, this flange 7 having a plurality of apertures in order to receive parts of a support member 2, as will be described hereinafter.

Each mullion 1 may be located in position by means of appropriate bolts or the like which engage the two inwardly directed opposed flanges 6, or which pass through appropriate apertures formed on the flange 7.

Mounted on each mullion are a plurality of support members 2. Each support member may be moulded from a plastics material or the like. Each support member 2 comprises a generally rectangular substantially vertical body portion 8, carrying two rearwardly directed bifurcated fingers 9. Each such bifurcated finger 9 has an enlarged head with chamfered faces, the arrangement being such that the bifurcated fingers may be pushed through apertures present in the web 7, the chamfered faces engaging the side walls of the aperture and thus forcing the bifurcated part of the fingers together, enabling the enlarged head to be inserted through the aperture. When the enlarged head has passed through the aperture, the bifurcated fingers resiliently springing apart so that the enlarged head is trapped behind the aperture.If desired a wedge 10 may be inserted between two parts of each bifurcated finger when it has been passed through the aperture thus ensuring that the support member 2 is firmly mounted in position on the mullion.

Each support member 2 carries a forwardly directed arm 11 which terminates in a substantially round bead which has a serrated outer surface 12, the serrations extending longitudinally of the bead. Thus the bead, in cross section, is partially of "star" configuration.

Each louvre blade 3 may be of extruded metallic form and may, for example, be extruded from aluminium. The louvre blade 3 comprises a main inclined portion 13 which has a part cylindrical rib 14 formed on the upper surface thereof. This part cylindrical rib 14 is hollow, the inner surface of this rib being serrated, and thus having serrations corresponding with the serrations present on the bead 12. Each louvre blade 3 is provided with an upwardly directed flange 1 5 at the top edge of the inclined portion 13, this flange 15 carrying an inwardly and subsequently downwardly inclined flange 16. At its lowermost edge the main portion 13 of the flange is provided with a downwardly directed weathering lip 17.On its rear face the main portion 13 of the flange is provided with two rearwardly and upwardly inclined flanges 18, 19 adjacent the lowermost edge thereof which serve to define channels, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter.

A tie bar or strut 4, which may be in the form of a bird or vermin guard, extends between the channel defined by the flange 18 and the channel defined between the inwardly and downwardly directed flange 16 and the uppermost portion of the main inclined part 13 of the louvre blade 3.

In assembling the louvre assembly as illustrated in Figure 1, initially the mullions 1 will be located in position by appropriate means. In the illustrations the mullions are vertical. The support elements 2 will be mounted in position on the mullions at appropriate positions. In the illustrated example the support elements will be positioned on the mullions so that each support is at the same level as corresponding supports on the other mullions. The wedges 10 are driven firmly into position as shown in the lower part of Figure 1.

Subsequently the louvre blades 3 will be located at the required angular position but to one side of the position that they are finally to adapted and then will be slid longitudinally so that the bead 12 provided on each of the support elements at a common level on the mullions will be sequentially inserted into the channel defined by the interior of the protrusion 14. Thus the louvre blade 40 will be slid by a distance substantially equal to the total length of the louvre blade so that, when the louvre blade has been slid into position the louvre blade is supported at spaced positions by the support members 2 on the various mullions. It is to be appreciated that the number of mullions provided will be determined having regard to the length of the louvre blade to be supported.It is, of course, possible to utilise only two mullions, one being located generally adjacent each end of the louvre blade. However, when the louvre blades are very long a greater number of mullions will be utilised.

It is to be appreciated that all the louvre blades of an assembly will, in the ordinary course of events, be selected to have the same angular orientation relative to the plane defined by the mullions.

Whilst the louvre blades are being inserted in position, or after they have been inserted in position, an appropriate reinforcing member may be located in position. In the embodiment illustrated the reinforcing member is exemplified by a tie bar or strut 4. The tie bar or strut 4 will be a member, for example of plastics material, having a predetermined length and having wedge-like protrusions defined at the longitudinally extending side edges of the member. The tie bar or strut 4 can thus be slid into position with one of the wedged shaped portions within the channel defined by the inwardly and upwardly directed flange 1 8 and the adjacent portion of the flange 19, the other wedge shape portion being located in the channel defined between the inwardly and downwardly inclined flange 16 and the adjacent portion of the protrusion 14.The tie bar thus serves to reinforce the assembly, stopping the free edge of each louvre from rattling and vibrating. It is preferred that the wedge shaped portions are spaced apart by such a distance that a slight stress is placed on the louvre blades when the member is slid into position. This helps ensure that the total assembly is rattle-free.

It will be appreciated that when such a tie bar or strut 4 is utilised the tie bar or strut must have only a short length, to permit air to flow between the adjacent louvre blades, unless the louvres are merely provided to give an aesthetic masking effect. However, where the louvres are provided as ventilation louvres either a plurality of short tie bars or struts must be utilised or alternatively the tie bar or strut may be perforated to permit air to flow between the adjacent louvre blades. In such a case it is preferable that the perforations are of such a size that birds and vermin cannot fly or climb through the louvres.

Figure 2 corresponds to Figure 1 but shows the louvre assembly when the louvre blades 3 have been mounted in a different position before being slid onto the support members 2. It can be seen that the louvre blades are, in Figure 2, inclined at a much steeper angle to the vertical than they are in Figure 1. When the arrangement of Figure 2 is utilised the space between the channel modified by the inwardly and upwardly directed flange 18 and the channel defined by the inwardly and downwardly inclined flange 16 is much less than in the arrangement shown in Figure 1, and consequently the tie bar or strut 4 is of lesser width.

Figure 3 illustrates a tie bar or strut which is provided with wedge shaped portions adjacent each end thereof, 21, 22 and a further wedge shaped portion 23 provided in the central region thereof. Such a tie bar or strut can be utilised, as shown, in the arrangement of Figure 1, but if the arrangement shown in Figure 2 is to be prepared the portion of the member to the right of the wedge shaped portion 23 as shown in Figure 3 may be snapped off and just the short remaining portion of the tie bar or strut 4 may be utilised, as is shown in Figure 2. Such a tie bar or strut (or such a bird and vermin guard) can be moulded from a plastics material.

It is to be noted that the primary connection between each support member 2 and each louvre blade 3 comprises elements which each carry a pluraltiy of protrusions and indents which can meshingly engage one another. In the preferred embodiment the protrusions and indents form a "star" formation. However it is to be appreciated that many different arrangements could be utilised. For example each louvre blade could have one protrusion, and each support element could define a plurality of indents into which the protrusion could selectively engage. Equally each support member could define one protrusion and each louvre blade could selectively define a plurality of recesses in which the protrusion could engage. Such protrusions could be of triangular form, but equally could be of rectangular, semicircular, or any other appropriate configuration.

Whilst in the illustrated embodiment there are many different possible angular orientations that the louvre blades could adopt, it may well be beneficial to produce embodiments in which the louvre blades can only adopt two, three or four alternate angular positions.

In the described embodiment the louvre blade must be slid on to the supporting member.

However it is envisaged that it will be possible to provide embodiments of the invention in which the louvre blade can be snap fastened on to the support member. For example the support member may be provided with an arcuate resilient arm to be inserted into the channel defined by the rib 14 on the louvre blade 3, the arrangement being such that if the louvre blade 3 is pressed firmly directly on to the support member, the resilient arm will flex enabling the resilient arm to enter into the channel defined by the rib 14 through the relatively narrow neck of that channel. The arm would then again move resiliently upwardly, under its natural resilience, thus engaging the interior of the rib 14.

Figure 4 illustrates, merely by way of example, some uses of a louvre assembly in accordance with the invention. A first louvre assembly in accordance with the invention is a vertically mounted louvre assembly provided to mask a ventilation opening in a building. Similarly louvre assemblies 31 and 32 mask ventilation openings but are inclined. The louvre assembly 33 is a horizontal louvre assembly which provides a shading effect for a window 34. Such a louvre assembly may be pivotally mounted at its upper edge 35 and may thus be adjustably located in position.

Figure 5 merely serves to illustrate an arrangement in which louvre assemblies are provided which mask unsightly equipment.

Figure 6 illustrates another louvre assembly which provides ventilation around the side edges of a skylight provided on the roof of a building.

It is to be appreciated that whilst the invention has been described with reference to one specific embodiment, various modifications may be effected within the scope of the following claims.

Also it is to be understood that whilst one specific method of assembling the louvre has been described, the various method steps could be performed in a different order. Thus, for example, the supports may be slidingly engaged with the louvre blades before the supports are mounted in position on the mullions.

Claims (19)

1. A kit of parts for forming a louvre assembly, said kit of parts comprising a plurality of louvre blades and a plurality of louvre blade support members, and means for mounting the louvre support members in position on a building or other structure on which the louvres are to be provided, said louvre blade support members each having engagement means adapted to engage an engagement portion provided on a louvre blade, the engagement means and the engagement portion being adapted so that the louvre blade may be mounted on the support member at an angular position selected from a plurality of predetermined angular positions.

2. A kit of parts according to claim 1 wherein said means for securing the support members to a building or other structure comprise a plurality of mullions each adapted to be mounted on the building or other structure.

3. A kit of parts according to claim 2 wherein each mullion comprises a channel member comprising two spaced parallel side walls interconnected by a transverse web, the web being provided with a plurality of apertures therein.

4. A kit of parts according to claim 3 wherein each support member comprises a body portion having a plurality of rearwardly directed bifurcated fingers having enlarged heads which can be snapfastened to apertures formed in said transverse web.

5. A kit of parts according to claim 4 wherein wedges are provided to be inserted between the portions of said bifurcated fingers after they have been inserted in position in the apertures.

6. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein either the engagement means provided on the support member or the corresponding engagement portion provided on the louvre blade define at least one protrusion, and the other defines a plurality of recesses each adapted to receive said protrusion when the louvre blade adopts a respective predetermined angular position relative to the support member.

7. A kit of parts according to claim 6 wherein both the engagement means and the engagement portion are of substantially "star" configuration, defining a plurality of substantially triangular protrusions and recesses.

8. A kit of parts according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein support member has a projecting arm with a protrusion at the end thereof constituting said engagement means, and each louvre has a hollow rib, the interior of which constitutes said engagement portion.

9. A kit of parts according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the louvre blades define channels so located that when the louvres are assembled, the channels on adjacent blades are open and facing each other, the kit of parts further comprising a tie bar or strut insertable in said facing channels to reinforce the louvre assembly.

10. A kit of parts according to claim 9 wherein said tie bar or strut comprises a member having enlarged ends with inclined faces so that the member can be wedgingly inserted in position in said channels to impart rigidity to the louvre assembly.

11. A kit of parts according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein a plurality of short tie bars or struts are provided, so that the tie bar or struts can be located in position leaving air gaps between adjacent tie bars or struts.

12. A kit of parts according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the tie bars or struts are of such a length that they extend over the entire width of a louvre assembly.

13. A kit of parts according to claim 12 wherein each tie bar or strut is provided with apertures or perforations therein to permit a flow of air therethrough.

14. A kit of parts according to claim 13 wherein said apertures are perforations are so dimensioned that vermin and/or birds cannot climb and/or fly through the apertures.

1 5. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein the tie bar or strut is fabricated to have two enlarged ends and an enlarged central portion, the arrangement being such that the entire tie bar or strut may be utilised when the louvre blades of the assembled louvre assembly occupy one relative angular position, the tie bar or strut being frangible to produce a shorter tie bar or strut again with enlarged ends, the central enlarged portion then constituting one such enlarged end, the fore-shortened bar or strut being insertable in the said channels when the louvre blades occupy another relative angular position in the assembled louvre assembly.

16. A kit of parts substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A louvre assembly whenever fabricated from a kit of parts according to any one of the preceding claims.

18. A louvre assembly substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in any one of Figures 4 to 6.

19. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.