GB2285123A - Louvre windows;sealing louvre mounts upon closure - Google Patents

Abstract

In a louvre window, plastics mounts 10 each receiving a blade end in a slot 17, are pivoted on window side 13 and have projections 24 defining faces 25 which overlap upon closure to block air flowing between the overlapping ends of adjacent mounts. Each mount has a surface (11, not shown) engaging side 13, and may have holes extending from the surface to the base of slot 17 to allow sealant injection to seal and secure a blade end. Faces 25 extend between the surface engaging side 13 and the slot base. <IMAGE>

Description

"A Mount for a Louvre Element" This invention relates to a mount for the louvre element of a louvre window.

One of the important design and manufacturing criteria relating to louvre windows is that the window when in the shut position prevents the ingress of an air flow and moisture. Generally if air flow through the closed window can take place this results in not only draughts occurring but also the ingress of moisture such as in rainy conditions. With modern louvre window design it is usually possible to ensure that when in the closed position the overlapping louvre elements seal against air flow and the ingress of moisture. However, it can often be the case that an airflow passage still exists in the area where the mounts for the louvre elements overlap at the ends of the louvre elements.

An object of the present invention is thus to provide a mount for the louvre element of a louvre window the mount being of such a construction that it provides for a better sealing effect between adjacent mounts in a louvre window assembly.

Broadly the invention consists of a mount for the louvre element of a louvre window said mount including a first surface which in use is slidingly engageable with a side member of a louvre window, a receiving area into which the end of a louvre element can engage said receiving area defining a second surface which when a louvre element is located in said receiving area is adjacent an end edge thereof and sealing means which extend substantially between said first and second surfaces and is arranged to overlap with said sealing means of an adjacent mount in a louvre window construction when the louvre window is in the closed position.

In the following more detailed description of the invention according to a preferred form thereof reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a mount according to the invention, Figure 2 is a side elevation of the mount of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a plan view of mounts of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2 in the controlled mechanism of a louvre window construction with the blade mounts of the louvre window in the closed position, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the control mechanism louvre blade mounts in an open position, Figure 5 is a rear elevation view of the arrangement shown in Figure 3, Figure 6 is a rear elevation view of the arrangement shown in Figure 4, and Figure 7 is a rear elevation view of an uncontrolled louvre mechanism with the blade mounts in the closed position.

The louvre window mount 10 as illustrated in the accompanying drawings is of the type generally described and claimed in our New Zealand patent specification 195283 the content of which is herein incorporated by specific reference. The mount 10 is thus of a one piece construction formed from a suitable plastics material.

Mount 10 defines a first or underside surface 11 which when the mount is located in a louvre window construction engages with a surface 12 of a mullion or side member 13 of the window. Projecting downwardly from first surface 11 is a circular boss 14 which has a pair of diametrically opposed studs 15. As disclosed in our New Zealand patent specification 195283 boss 14 also includes a pair of diametrically opposed projecting portions 16 which cooperate with a shaped opening in the mullion 13 so as to effect assembly and rotational retention of the boss in the opening such that the mount 10 is able to rotate about an axis which is concentric with the centre of the opening in mullion 13.

The mount 10 includes a receiving area 17 which is in the form of a slot defined by flanges 18. The floor 19 of the receiving area 17 forms a second surface which is parallel to the first surface 11. At each end of the mount one of the flanges 18 projects beyond the terminal end of the other flange and is formed with a small return 20.

A rebate 21 is formed in the area between the terminal end of one flange 18 and the return 20 this rebate forming a third surface 22 which in the preferred form is vertical to and extends between first surface 11 and second surface 19.

As can be seen from Figure 3 the third surface 22 of one mount 10 is located opposite to the same surface 22 of a second adjacent mount 10 when the louvre window is in the closed position.

An air flow can often occur through the gap between the overlapping portions of the adjacent mounts 10 where there is no overlapping of the louvre elements. In other words an air flow can occur through the area defined by the opposing surfaces 22 the overlapping end edges of the louvre elements and the surface 12 of the mullion 13.

According to the present invention a projection 24 is thus formed on wall 22 this projection having a thickness equal to or substantially the same as the distance between the first 11 and second 19 surfaces. Projection 24 also provides a face 25 which overlaps with the corresponding face 25 of the opposing projection 24 of an adjacent mount 10 as can be seen in Figure 3. Thus if any air flow between the overlapping ends of adjacent mounts 10 takes place such air flow is effectively blocked by the overlapping projections 24.

When mounts 10 are formed of plastics material it is possible for different thicknesses of shutter elements to be engaged in the receiving areas 17. As a result the mounts when combined with thin shutter elements locate at an angle (when the louvre window is closed) which is different to that when the shutter elements are of a greater thickness. In other words the opposing surfaces 22 are wider apart for thicker shutter elements than for thinner elements. While the louvre elements still form a seal when the elements are of the greater thickness there is an increased likelihood of air flow between the overlapping ends of the mounts. However, the sealing projections 24 according to the present invention project sufficiently to still overlap even in the presence of thicker shutter elements mounted with the mounts.

In one preferred form of the invention holes 26 are formed in receiving area 17 to extend through from floor 19 to first surface 11. Preferably a hole 26 is located adjacent each end of floor 19. Thus when the end of a louvre blade is located in the receiving area 17 a sealant (eg a silicon sealer) can be injected through each hole 26 from the first surface 11 side to provide a seal and to secure the blade in place particularly in the event of glass breakage.

As illustrated the operating handle 27 of the controlled louvre window mechanism (shown in Figures 3 to 6) is formed from metal In the preferred form handle 27 is insert moulded with a handle grip 28. This not only provides a handle which is of aesthetically pleasing appearance but ensures the handle grip 28 is securely located on handle 27.

The handle 27 is pivotally coupled at its inner end via pivot 29 to an elongate operating element or bar 30. A link 31 pivotally coupled at pivot 32 to the other operating bar 33 is coupled to handle 27 at pivot 34.

Accordingly as handle 27 is moved between open and closed positions it moves bars 30 and 33 in opposite directions to rotate the blade mounts as disclosed in our New Zealand Patent Specification 195283. However, by selecting the relative positions of the pivots 29, 32 and 34 and length of link 31 an over centre toggle is achieved (as shown in Figure 5) with an over centre action of an angle A which can be, say, 8 . This provies a positive locking action as the handle moves to a fully closed position with grip 28 engaging against the side of mullion 13.

To make it easier to make finger engagement with grip 28 when it is in contact with mullion 13 the grip preferably has a projection 35 which is spaced from the side of the mullion.

Figure 7 of the drawings shows the rear of an uncontrolled louvre mechanism. Each louvre window has, in accordance with known technology, a controlled and an uncontrolled mechanism. The blade mounts in the uncontrolled mechanism thus has each boss 14 staked at 36 by applying heat in a localised area to form a projection which extends beyond the periphery of the boss 14. These staked projections 36 retain the mount with the mullion 13 so that the blade mounts do not become separated from the mullion during transit, storage or installation, ie boss 14 cannot move axially out of the opening in the mullion.

The present invention thus provides a simple yet effective means of achieving a seal between adjacent louvre mounts so as to prevent any air flow and indeed ingress of moisture in the region of the overlapping mounts where overlap of louvre elements does not occur.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS:-

1. A mount for the louvre element of a louvre window said mount including a first surface which in use is slidingly engageable with a side member of a louvre window, a receiving area into which the end of a louvre element can engage said receiving area defining a second surface which when a louvre element is located in said receiving area is adjacent an end edge thereof and sealing means which extend substantially between said first and second surfaces and is arranged to overlap with said sealing means of an adjacent mount in a louvre window construction when the louvre window is in the closed position.

2. The mount according to claim 1 wherein the sealing means comprises a projection having a sealing surface which engages with the sealing surface of an opposing mount in a window construction when the window is in a closed position.

3. The mount according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the mount is formed from a plastics material.

4. The mount according to claim 3 wherein the receiving area is an open-ended elongate slot which extends into a rebated area at each end of the mount, a said sealing means being located in each said rebated area, the rebated area of adjacent mounts in a louvre window construction overlapping.

5. The mount according to any one of claims 1 tc 4 wherein at least one opening extends between said first and second surfaces.

6. A mount for the louvre element of a louvre window substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

7. A louvre window mechanism comprising a side element having a plurality of spaced apart openings, louvre mounts according to any one of claims 1 to 6 being mounted with said side member by a boss projecting from the first surface of each mount being rotatably located within a one of said spaced apart openings.

8. The mechanism according to claim 7 wherein the boss of each mount has a pair of spigots each said spigot being engaged with an operating element, there being a handle which can cause the operating elements to slidingly move in opposite directions to impart rotation to the bosses and hence move the mounts between open and closed positions, said handle being coupled to the operating elements in an over centre toggle arrangement such that the handle moves into a locking position when the mechanism is in a closed position.

9. The mechanism according to claim 8 wherein the handle is integrally moulded with a handle grip.

10. The mechanism according to claim 7 wherein the boss of each mount is staked for retension with the side element.

11. A louvre window construction substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 3 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.