GB2587655A

GB2587655A - Shutter Assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2587655A
Application number: GB1914313.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rotchell Ken
Original assignee: Evergreen Shutters Ltd
Current assignee: Evergreen Shutters Ltd
Priority date: 2019-10-04
Filing date: 2019-10-04
Publication date: 2021-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-04
Also published as: GB201914313D0; GB2587655B

Abstract

The shutter assembly includes a number of louvre elements 18 an end of which includes a pin 20. The pin is received in a spacer element which are inserted into a channel 16 in a rail 14, such that louvre elements are maintained in a spaced relationship. The spacer may include at its ends part cylinder recesses 26 at its ends. The spacer element may be configured for snap fit into the rail using deflectable projections 24. The assembly may include a gear arrangement such that all the louvre elements which transmit movement of one element to the others.

Description

SHUTTER ASSEMBLY

This invention relates to a shutter or blind assembly for use with a window or door, for example to be secured to the frame thereof, to restrict the passage of sunlight into a building to which the shutter assembly is fitted and so control shading thereof, and/or to restrict the ability of passers-by to see into the building.

A number of shutter assemblies of this general type are known. In one known assembly, a frame is formed to which a series of louvre elements are fitted, the louvre elements being angularly adjustable relative to the frame between open and closed positions. Each louvre element is provided, at each end thereof, with a projecting support pin, received within corresponding holes or recesses provided in opposing ones of the struts or rails that, together, define opposing parts of the frame. A gear mechanism is provided whereby angular movement of one of the louvres can be transmitted to the remainder of the louvres, so that they all occupy the same angular position or orientation relative to the frame.

During construction, three of the struts defining the frame are connected together to form a U-shaped sub-assembly, the rail defining the base of which is formed with holes or recesses, and the louvres are fitted to this sub-assembly by inserting the support pins thereof into the holes or recesses of the said one of the rails. The other of the rails is then fitted to the sub-assembly, the exposed support pins of the louvres being fitted into the holes of openings of this one of the struts at this time. It will be appreciated that the assembly operation, especially the last part of it, is relatively complex and time consuming to undertake, as care has to be taken to ensure that all of the support pins are properly located within respective openings or the like of the rail.

In a typical assembly, painting or the like of the shutter assembly is normally undertaken after assembly of the frame has been completed. However as, by this time, the louvres have been installed, painting or the like is relatively complex as the presence of the ends of the louvres restricts access to parts of the frame. There is thus a risk that parts of the frame that should be painted or otherwise treated are missed. Accordingly, there is a tendency for assemblies to be of a relatively poor finish, which is undesirable.

It is an object of the invention to provide a shutter assembly in which at least some of the disadvantages associated with known shutter assemblies are overcome or are of reduced impact.

According to the present invention there is provided a shutter assembly comprising a rail defining a channel, a plurality of louvre elements, each louvre element including a support pin at an end thereof, and a plurality of spacer elements receivable within the channel of the rail and engageable with the support pins of the louvre elements to hold the support pins captive to the rail and maintain the louvre elements in a spaced apart configuration.

During assembly, a frame may be fabricated or assembled, the rail forming part of the frame. It may be painted or provided with a desired surface finish prior to fitting of the louvre elements thereto. The louvre elements may be introduced, one at a time, into the frame in a tilted configuration, each louvre element subsequently being moved to an orientation perpendicular to the rail with the support pin thereof located within the channel of the rail. A spacer element may then be fitted into the channel, ready for installation of the next louvre element.

Both opposing rails of the frame may be formed with channels receiving spacer elements. Alternatively, one of the rails may simply be formed with a row of holes, recesses or openings to receive respective support pins of the louvre elements The spacer elements are conveniently provided with part cylindrical recesses at the ends thereof for cooperation with the support pins of the louvre elements. The spacer elements and the rail are conveniently designed to allow the spacer elements to be snap fitted into the rail. Alternatively, they may be designed in such a manner as to allow them to be slid into position, for example from an end of the channel. However, this would require the louvre elements to be fitted prior to complete assembly of the frame.

A gear arrangement may be provided to transmit angular movement of one of the louvre elements to the remaining louvre elements. The gear arrangement is conveniently located within the channel of a rail of the assembly.

The rail is preferably of a wood-plastics composite material, and conveniently takes the form of an extrusion of a suitable cross-sectional shape.

The invention further relates to a method of assembly of a shutter assembly of the type described hereinbefore, the method comprising the steps of assembling or partially assembling a frame, introducing the louvre elements, one at a time, into the frame in a tilted configuration, each louvre element subsequently being moved to an orientation perpendicular to the rail with the support pin thereof located within the channel of the rail, and fitting a spacer element to the channel to hold the support pin captive within the channel and thereby secure the louvre element to the rail.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a shutter assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating part of the shutter assembly; Figures 3 and 4 illustrate parts of the assembly of Figure 2 in greater detail; and Figure 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view illustrating part of the shutter assembly.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a shutter assembly 10 is illustrated that comprises a frame 12 assembled from four rails 14. The rails 14 take the form of a pair of side rails 14a, 14b, a lower rail 14c and an upper rail 14d. The rails 14 are arranged generally perpendicular to one another so as to form a frame 12 that is of generally square or rectangular form. The lengths of the rails 14 are chosen so that the frame 12 can be fitted, in use, to part of a window frame or the like.

The side rails 14a, 14b are each shaped to define channels 16. Each channel 16 is shaped to be of re-entrant form, including side walls 16a that are parallel and spaced apart from one another, and a base region 16b that is, at least in part, of width greater than the spacing between the side walls 16a.

The side rails 14a, 14b are conveniently of a wood-plastics composite material, and are conveniently formed by using an extrusion process. However, the invention is also applicable to arrangements in which other materials such as wood, vinyl, PVC, ABS or MDF, and to arrangements in which other techniques are used in the formation of the rail.

The upper and lower rails 14c, 14d are also conveniently of a wood-plastics composite material and are conveniently formed by extrusion, but could be of other forms for example as mentioned above. The ends of the upper and lower rails 14c, 14d are preferably modified so as to allow them to be inserted into the end parts of the channels 16 by sliding from the ends of the rails 14a, 14b. However, other assembly techniques may be used and the invention is not restricted to arrangements in which this assembly technique is used.

The shutter assembly 10 further includes a plurality of louvre elements 18 extending between the side rails 14a, 14b. Each louvre element 18 is provided, at both ends thereof, with projecting support pins 20 that, in use, are retained by the rails 14a, 14b, securing the louvre elements 18 to the frame 12 in such a manner as to allow angular adjustment of the louvre elements 18. It will be appreciated that, in use, such an arrangement is advantageous in that the user may adjust the angles of the louvres to control or restrict the passage of sunlight through a window to which the shutter assembly is fitted and into a room or building, and may restrict the ability of passers-by to see into the room or building.

In accordance with the invention, the shutter assembly 10 further comprises a plurality of spacer elements 22 fitted into the channel 16 of at least one of the side rails 14a, 14b, the spacer elements 22 serving to correctly locate the louvre elements 18, the use of the spacer elements 22 simplifying the assembly process.

Each spacer element 22 takes the form of a plastics or wood-plastics composite material moulding of generally elongate cuboid shape, dimensioned to allow the spacer element 22 to be received within the channel 16 of one of the side rails 14a, 14b. Whilst a specific material is mentioned above, it will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted in this regard and other materials and manufacturing techniques may be used, for example as mentioned hereinbefore. Adjacent the base of the spacer element 22, resiliently deflectable projecting wings 24 are provided, the wings 24 being shaped and designed in such a manner as to deflect to allow the spacer element 22 to be inserted into the channel 16, and to spring back to substantially their original non-deflected position upon the spacer element 22 being fully inserted into the channel 16 with the wings 24 received within the enlarged based region 16b. It will be appreciated, therefore, that the spacer element 22 is received within the channel 16 in a snap-fit type manner.

Each end of the spacer element 22 is formed with a semi-cylindrical recess 26 of radius substantially matching the radii of the support pins 20.

Whilst most of the spacer elements 22 include a recess 26 at both ends thereof, shorter spacer elements 22 with a recess 26 at just one end thereof are provided for use adjacent the ends of the rails 14a, 14b.

In the arrangement illustrated, the channel 16 of the side rail 14b houses a gear assembly 28 including a pair of axially slidable toothed rack members 30 cooperating with pinion gears 32. The channel 16 is closed by a cover plate (not shown) including a series of openings aligned with the pinion gears 32. During assembly, the side rails 14a, 14b and top and bottom rails 14c, 14d are secured to one another to form the frame 12. The frame 12 may be painted or another surface finish applied thereto at this stage, if desired.

One of the short spacer elements 22 is then fitted to the lower end of the channel 16 of the side rail 14a with the recess 26 thereof uppermost, the spacer element 22 being fitted by being snap-fitted into the channel 16.

The first louvre element 18 is then introduced into the frame 12 by tilting the louvre element 18 so that its axis is non-perpendicularly angled to the side rails 14a, 14b. Once in this position, the support pin 20 at one end of the louvre element 18 is introduced into the lower most one of the openings in the cover plate of the side rail 14b. The support pin 20 cooperates with the pinion gear 32 associated with that one of the openings. The louvre element 18 is then manipulated to bring it to an orientation in which it extends perpendicularly to the side rails 14a, 14b with the support pin 20 at the free end of the louvre element 18 located within the channel 16 of the side rail 14a. Such movement brings the support pin 20 into engagement with the recess 26 of the spacer element 22. One of the spacer elements 22 is then fitted to the channel 16 of the side rail 14a, the recess 26 at the lower end thereof cooperating with the support pin 20 of the louvre element 18 to hold captive the support pin 20, preventing release of the support pin 20 from the channel 16 and so properly securing the louvre element 18 in position and supporting the louvre element 18 for angular movement.

The second louvre element 18 is then introduced and secured in position using substantially the same technique. By repetition of the technique, it will be appreciated that all of the louvre elements 18 can be inserted and secured in position, one of the shorter spacer elements 22 being used to secure the upper most one of the louvre elements 18 in position.

It will be appreciated that once assembled in this manner, the gear assembly 24 serves to transmit angular movement of one of the louvre elements 18 to the remaining louvre elements 18, ensuring that the louvre elements 18 all adopt substantially the same angular orientation, in use.

It will be appreciated that the shutter assembly described hereinbefore is advantageous in that the assembly procedure by which it is assembled is significantly simplified compared to that used with a traditional shutter assembly, leading to significant improvements in efficiency. As the frame can be painted or an alternative surface finish applied thereto prior to fitting the louvre elements thereto, it will be appreciated that the finish quality of the shutter assembly can be enhanced.

Whilst in the arrangement described hereinbefore the frame 12 is fully assembled prior to insertion of the louvre elements 18, in some embodiments it may be preferred to defer attachment of the upper or lower rail 14c, 14d until after insertion of all of the louvre elements 18 as otherwise it may be difficult or impossible to tilt the last louvre element by a sufficient angle to enable insertion thereof into the frame. However, depending upon the size of the frame, stiffness of the louvre elements, length of the support pin and the like, this may not always be required.

Although in the arrangement described hereinbefore the spacer elements are used only in conjunction with one of the side rails, they could be used in conjunction with both of the side rails if desired, for example as a replacement for the cover plate mentioned hereinbefore. The invention may be employed, if desired, in arrangements in which an actuator arrangement is provided to drive the louvre elements for angular movement. Whilst one form of gear arrangement is described and illustrated, it will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted in this regard and may be employed in arrangements in which other techniques are used to ensure that the louvre elements are held at the same angle as one another. Indeed, whilst not preferred the invention could be employed in arrangements in which no mechanism is provided to maintain the louvre elements at the same angle as one another.

Whilst a specific embodiment of the invention is described hereinbefore, it will be appreciated that a wide range of modifications and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A shutter assembly comprising a rail defining a channel, a plurality of louvre elements, each louvre element including a support pin at an end thereof, and a plurality of spacer elements receivable within the channel of the rail and engageable with the support pins of the louvre elements to hold the support pins captive to the rail and to maintain the louvre elements in a spaced apart configuration.
2. An assembly according to Claim 1, further comprising a frame of which the rail forms part.
3. An assembly according to Claim 2, wherein both opposing rails of the frame are formed with channels receiving spacer elements.
4. An assembly according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein one of the opposing rails of the frame is formed with a row of holes, recesses or openings to receive respective support pins of the louvre elements.
5. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer elements are provided with part cylindrical recesses at the ends thereof for cooperation with the support pins of the louvre elements
6. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer elements and the rail are designed to allow the spacer elements to be snap fitted into the rail.
7. An assembly according to Claim 6, wherein the spacer elements are provided with resiliently deflectable projections and the channel is of re-entrant form.
8. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a gear arrangement is provided to transmit angular movement of one of the louvre elements to the remaining louvre elements.
9. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rail is of a wood-plastics composite material.
10. An assembly according to any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the rail is of wood, vinyl, PVC, ABS or MDF material.
11. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rail takes the form of an extrusion of a suitable cross-sectional shape.
12. A method of assembly of a shutter assembly according to any of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of assembling or partially assembling a frame, introducing the louvre elements, one at a time, into the frame in a tilted configuration, each louvre element subsequently being moved to an orientation perpendicular to the rail with the support pin thereof located within the channel of the rail, and fitting a spacer element to the channel to hold the support pin captive within the channel and thereby secure the louvre element to the rail.