GB2355068A

GB2355068A - Ventilation Louvres

Info

Publication number: GB2355068A
Application number: GB9917497A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Brown; William Greenwood
Original assignee: GILBERTS
Current assignee: GILBERTS
Priority date: 1999-07-27
Filing date: 1999-07-27
Publication date: 2001-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-27
Also published as: GB9917497D0; GB2355068B

Abstract

A diffuser comprises a core 10 which is arranged to be releasably secured in a square frame (not shown) which is secured in the ceiling of a room (or the like). Air supply apparatus is provided upstream of the frame. The core 10 comprises square blade units 12a, 12b, 12c each comprising four integral blade parts 13 and a centre member 12d which are secured together by means of four diagonally extending rigid back straps 14. The back straps are secured to corner tabs 84 which are integral parts of the blade units. The back straps also support spring pins 18 which are arranged to releasably engage within slots provided in the square frame. Each respective blade part (13) of each blade unit being formed from a single piece of material, preferably aluminium or steel, e.g. by pressing.

Description

2355068 VENTILATION This invention relates to ventilation and

particularly, although not exclusively, relates to a ventilation apparatus, for example a louvered face diffuser.

Our U.K. Patent Publication No. GB2333588 (the whole contents of which are incorporated herein by reference) describes a diffuser comprising a core which is arranged to be secured within a square frame. The core is made up of a number of square blade assemblies each of which comprises four blades, wherein adjacent ends of the blades are secured to one another by a corner bracket which engages respective channels defined at ends of the blades. The corner bracket includes an L-shaped securement member which is arranged to be secured to a back strap which secures the square blade assemblies to one another thereby to define the core.

One problem associated with the. aforementioned diffuser is that the blade assemblies are relatively timeconsuming and expensive to manufacture and it is an object of the present invention to address this problem.

According to a f irst aspect of the invention, there is provided ventilation apparatus comprising a blade unit which includes a f irst louvre blade which extends in a first direction and a second louvre blade which extends in a second direction, wherein adjacent end regions of the first and second blades are respective parts of a single piece of material, suitably with a bend in the material defining a boundary between said blades, and with a gap 2 being defined between respective inwardly facing parts of the blades.

Said single piece of material is preferably a metal, 5 for example aluminium. or steel.

An angle of less than 1800, preferably less than 1350, more preferably less than 1000 may be defined between said first and second directions. Preferably, said first and second louvre blades extend at an angle of about 900 to one another. Said first and second louvre blades preferably extend in substantially the same plane which plane suitably extends substantially transversely to the direction of air flow through the apparatus.

is Said bend preferably extends at an angle of about 450 to said first and second directions. Said bend preferably defines a substantially linear bend line.

Said first and second louvre blades are preferably angled relative to one another, suitably like two adjacent sides of a f rusto -pyramidical structure. Said f irst and second louvre blades are each preferably substantially trapezoidal in plan view. Said f irst and second louvre blades are preferably contigious with said bend being defined therebetween.

Respective outer flange parts preferably define a continuum with outwardly f acing parts of the f irst and second blades. Said flange parts are preferably substantially planar and preferably define an obtuse angle to respective adjacent main plans of the first and second blades. Preferably, said outer flange parts are 3 respective parts of said single piece of material, suitably with a bend in the material defining a boundary between said flange parts and the adjacent blades. Thus, preferably, said outer flange parts are unitary parts of 5 said blade unit.

Respective inner flange parts preferably define a continuum with inwardly facing parts of the first and second blades. Said flange parts are preferably lo substantially planar and preferably define an acute angle to respective adjacent main planes of the first and second blades. Preferably, said inner flange parts are respective parts of said single piece of material, suitably with a bend in the material defining a boundary between said flange parts and the adjacent blades. Thus, preferably, said inner flange parts are unitary parts of said blade unit.

Said blade unit preferably includes first securement means for use in securing the unit to another blade unit of the ventilation apparatus. Said first securement. means is preferably aligned with said bend in the material which defines a boundary between said first and second blades. Said first securement. means preferably defines a continuum with another part of said blade unit, suitably with one or more of said inner flange parts. Said first securement means is preferably a part of said single piece of material, suitably with a bend in the material defining a boundary between the first securement means and an adjacent part of said blade unit.

Said first securement means preferably comprises one or more tabs. Preferably a first tab extends inwardly 4 away from an inwardly facing part of said first louvre blade. Preferably, said first louvre blade includes only one tab as aforesaid. Preferably, a second tab -extends inwardly away from an inwardly facing part of said second louvre blade. Preferably, said second louvre blade includes only one tab as aforesaid. The or each ta--,-, preferably includes a substantially planar upwardly facinc surface. The or each tab preferably includes an opening for use in securing the unit to another blade unit of the ventilation apparatus. The centre of the opening is preferably aligned with said bend in the material which defines a boundary between said first and second blades.

Said gap between inwardly facing parts of the first and second blades preferably comprises an opening which extends from one side of said blade unit to the opposite side thereof in the direction of air flow through the unit. Said opening preferably defines an air flow path through the apparatus. Said first and second blades are 2 preferably parts of 'a closed structure. Said closed structure preferably has a non-circular, more preferably a quadrilateral, especially square, shape in plan view, suitably with an opening being provided therein which opening is suitably bounded by an endless boundary wall.

Said blade unit preferably includes a third louvre blade which is preferably a part of said single piece of material. Preferably, adjacent end regions of said second and third blades are respective parts of said single piece of material with a bend in the material defining a boundary between said second and third blades and, suitably, with a gap being defined between respective inwardly facing parts of the second and third blades.

Said third blade preferably includes any feature of the first and/or second blades described in any statement herein.

Said blade unit preferably includes a fourth louvre blade which is preferably a part of said single piece of material. Preferably adjacent end regions of said third and fourth blades and/or said fourth and first blades are respective parts of said single piece of material with a respective bend in the material defining a boundary between said third and fourth blades and/or said fourth and first blades and, suitably, with a gap being defined between respective inwardly facing parts of the third and fourth blades and/or the fourth and first blades. Said fourth blade preferably includes any feature of the first and/or second blades described in any statement herein.

Preferably, said first and third blades extend substantially parallel to one another. Preferably, said second and fourth blades extend substantially parallel to one another.

Preferably, said first and second blades have substantially the same cross-sections. Preferably, said third blade and/or said fourth blade has substantially the same cross- section as that of said first and/or second blade.

Preferably, said ventilation apparatus includes a plurality of (more preferably at least three) blade units as described above. The apparatus may include blade units of a different construction to said blade units described. Said blade units are preferably secured together, suitably 6 in an array, with blades of the units extending parallel to one another, by an assembly securement means. Said assembly securement means preferably extends between aligned first securement means of respective units (when provided). For example, said assembly securement means may engage a first securement means of a first blade unit and a first securement means of a second blade unit. Preferably, said assembly securement means is secured to each first securement means of a blade unit that it engages. Preferably, a planar part of said assembly securement means abuts a planar securement part of a said first securement means. Securement of said assembly securement means to said first securement means may include use of male fixing means, for example rivets, engaging respective openings in the assembly securement means and said first securement means. Said assembly securement means preferably comprises an elongate member, for example a back-strap.

Said assembly securement means preferably includes supports means for securing, especially releasably securing, said ventilation apparatus within a housing.

Said support means preferably include a male element, for example a pin which may be resiliently loaded for engaging an opening in the housing.

Said apparatus may include one assembly securement means which extends diagonally across said ventilation apparatus. Preferably, said apparatus includes at least two assembly securement, means which preferably extend between different diagonals of the ventilation apparatus. In one embodiment, said two assembly securement means may comprise a single, suitably one-piece, X- shaped member.

According to a second aspect of the invention? there is provided a method of manufacturing a blade unit for a ventilation apparatus according to said first aspect, the method comprising bending a piece of material to define first and second blades and defining a gap between inwardly facing parts of said first and second blades.

Said bending may be achieved by pressing the sheet of material. Said gap may be defined by removing material from said sheet of material, suitably by a stamping process. Material may be removed as aforesaid either before, during or after said bending operation.

Preferably, a plurality of blade units are formed from a single sheet of material.

The invention extends to the use of a ventilation apparatus as described in any statement herein for controlling air flow in a confined space, for example a room.

Any feature of any aspect of any invention or embodiment described herein may be combined with any feature of any aspect of any other invention or embodiment described herein.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a rear plan view of a core of a diffuser; 8 Figure 2 is a cross-section along line II-II of Figure it Figure 3 is a rear plan view of a square blade unit; 5 Figure 4 is a cross-section along line IV-IV of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the square blade unit; Figure 6 is a plan view of a back-strap; and Figure 7 is a side elevation, partly in cross-section, of the back-strap of Figure 6.

A diffuser comprises a core 10 which is arranged to be releasably secured in a square frame (not shown) which is secured in the ceiling of a room (or the like). Air supply apparatus is provided upstream of the frame.

The core 10 comprises square blade units 12a, 12b, 12c each comprising four integral blade parts 13 and a centre member 12d which are secured together by means of four diagonally extending rigid back straps 14. The back straps are secured to corner tabs 84 which are integral parts of the blade units. The back straps also support spring pins 18 which are arranged to releasably engage within slots provided in the square frame.

Parts of the diffuser are described in greater detail below.

9 Figures 3 and 4 show blade unit 12a; however, the other blade units 12b and 12c are similarly constructed, except that their widths are smaller. Unit 12a is pressed out of a single piece of aluminium and, accordingly, defines a unitary arrangement. It includes respective strip-like planar outer flange parts 80a, 80b, 80c and 80d. Integral blade parts 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d extend upwardly at an obtuse angle X0 from respective flange parts 80 and, together, define a squat frusto-pyramidical structure. Respective strip-like planar inner flange parts 82a, 82b, 82c and 82d extend upwardly from respective blade parts 13 and extend at an angle of about 900 to the main plane of the outer flange parts 80. Each of the inner flange parts 82 supports a respective 15 securement tab 84a, 84b, 84c and 84d. The tabs extend inwardly into square opening 86 and the main plane of the tabs extends substantially perpendicularly to the main plane of the inner flange parts and substantially parallel to the main plane of the outer flange parts. Each tab 84 includes a hole 88 to enable it to be secured to the back straps 14. Each of the inner f lange parts is cut short at its end adjacent a tab of an adjacent inner flange part in order to accommodate the back straps in use.

Bend lines 92a, 92b, 92c, 92d are defined between outer flange parts and respective blade parts 13. Bend lines 94a, 94b, 94c, 94d are defined between adjacent blade parts. Bend lines 96a, 96b, 96c, 96d are defined between blade parts 13 and respective inner flange parts 82. Bend lines 98a, 98b, 98c, 98d are defined between inner flange parts 82 and respective tabs 84.

Blade unit 12a can be pressed out of a single piece of aluminium. In a preferred embodiment two units 12 can be pressed out of the same sheet of aluminium, with a smaller unit 12 being pressed out of a region within the boundary 5 of the pressing of a larger unit 12.

The central member 12d (Figure 2) may include an outward facing part So which may be stamped out of aluminium and a support part 52 which is Xshaped in plan view and includes planar regions 54. The member 12d is arranged such that planar regions 54 lie in the same plane as the main plane of the securement tabs 84.

Ref erring to figures 6 and 7, each back strap 14 may be made of a metal, for example steel or aluminium or a plastics material, and comprises a body 42 of channel section which includes holes 44 and a head 46 which also includes a hole 44. The head also includes aligned holes 48 within which a spring pin 18 can be arranged.

The core 10 may be assembled by arranging units 12a 12b, 12c and 12d in a jig and then securing the units together using the back straps. To this end, each back strap is laid diagonally across the assembly in the jig so that the back straps make face-to-face contact with the main plane of the tabs and planar regions 54 of assembly 12d and holes 88 in the tabs are aligned with respective holes 44 in the back straps. Then rivets are inserted through aligned holes. For additional strength, joining member 60 (figure 1) extends between one pair of opposing back straps.

The core 10 has been found to be cheaper and/or easier to manufacture than the core of U.K. Patent Publication No. GB 2 333 588.

The frame for receiving the core 10 may include inwardly facing elongate channels extending alongeach side of the frame, the channels being arranged to receive ends of spring pins 18. By providing channels in the frame, suitably as integral parts of the assembly (for example they may be formed in an extrusion process) the core can be easily arranged within the frame irrespective of the orientation of the core and frame.

As an alternative to the square core 10 described above, cores of other shapes, for example as described in GB 2 333 588 may be made in a manner analogous to that described herein.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

12 Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

I 13

Claims

1. Ventilation apparatus comprising a blade unit which includes a first louvre blade which extends in a first direction and a second louvre blade which extends in a second direction, wherein adjacent end regions of the first and second blades are respective parts of a single piece of material, and wherein a gap is defined between respective inwardly facing parts of the blades.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein a bend in said single piece of material defines a boundary between the blades.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein an angle of less than 180' is defined between said first and second directions.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said first and second louvre blades extend at an angle of about 900 to one another.

S. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said first and second louvre blades are angled relative to one another in the manner of two adjacent sides of a frusto-pyramidical structure.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said first and second louvre blades are each substantially trapezoidal in plan view.

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7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein respective outer flange parts define a continuum with outwardly facing parts of the first and second blades.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein said outer flange parts are respective parts of said single piece of material.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein respective inner flange parts define a continuum with inwardly facing parts of the first and second blades.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein said inner flange parts are respective parts of said single piece of material.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said blade unit includes said first securement means for use in securing the unit to another blade unit of the ventilation apparatus.

12. Apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein said first securement means is aligned with a bend in the material which defines a boundary between said first and second blades.

13. Apparatus according to Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein said first securement means is a part of said single piece of material.

14. Apparatus according to any of Claims 11 to 13, wherein said first securement means comprises one or more tabs extending inwardly away from an inwardly facing part of is said f irst louvre blade wherein the or each tab includes a substantially planar upwardly facing surface and an opening for use in securing the unit to another blade unit of the ventilation apparatus, with the centre of the opening being aligned with said bend in the material which def ines a boundary between said f irst and second blades.

15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said gap between inwardly facing parts of the first and second blades comprises an opening which extends from one side of said blade unit to the opposite side thereof, wherein said opening defines an air flow path through the apparatus.

16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said first and second blades are parts of a closed structure.

17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said blade unit includes a third louvre blade which is a part of said single piece of material wherein a bend in the material defines a boundary between said second and third blades.

18. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said blade unit includes a fourth louvre blade which is a part of said single piece of material wherein a bend in the material defines a boundary between said fourth and first blades.

19. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, said apparatus comprising a plurality of blade units as described in any of Claims 1 to 18.

16

20. Apparatus according to Claim 19, wherein said blade units are secured together in an array, with blades of the units extending parallel to one another, by an assembly securement means.

21. Apparatus according to Claim 20, wherein said assembly securement means comprises an elongate member.

22. Apparatus according to Claim 20 or Claim 21, wherein said assembly securement means includes support means for securing said ventilation apparatus within a housing.

23. Apparatus according to any of Claims 20 to 22, said 15 apparatus including at least two assembly securement means which extend between different diagonals of the ventilation apparatus.

24. A method of manufacturing a blade unit for a 20 ventilation apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 23, the method comprising bending a piece of material to define first and second blades and defining a gap between inwardly facing parts of said first and second blades.

25 25. A method according to Claim 24, wherein said bending is achieved by pressing the sheet of material.

26. A method according to Claim 24 or Claim 25, wherein said gap is defined by removing material from said sheet 30 of material.

27. Use of a ventilation apparatus as described in any of Claims 1 to 23 for controlling air flow in a confined space.

28. Ventilation apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

29. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with 10 reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

30. Use of an apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.