NZ574903A - Louvre assembly with screw thread provided in louvre central bore for grub screw and spring loaded mounting pin - Google Patents

Abstract

A louvre blade formed as an extrusion is described. The louvre blade includes front and rear curved faces joined at their ends to form an interior cavity and a support web located in the interior cavity between the front and rear faces and extending longitudinally along the louvre blade that defines a pivot axis. The support web also includes mounting means located on at least one end of the louvre blade to mount the louvre blade to be pivoted about the pivot axis. The mounting means has a bore extending longitudinally along the support web including a screw thread to receive a grub screw 240. This allows for a spring 241 and pin member 245 to be inserted at one, and typically each, end of the blade before end cap 250 is fastened to the louvre blade by screws 252 engaging part-circular grooves in the louvre blade which is typically extruded.

Description

Received by IPONZ 30 Nov 2011 WO 2008/1)1)6177 PCT/AU2007/000985 LOUVRE ASSEMBLY SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to louvre or shutter arrangements. In a particular 5 form the present invention relates to louvre assemblies that can be customised and fitted to a given window or aperture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Louvre systems that incorporate rotatable blades are extremely popular for a 10 number of applications which otherwise are not suitable for standard blinds or curtains. One such example includes the use of a louvre assembly or shutter arrangement that employs individual louvre blades that are formed from extruded aluminium sections thereby making them especially suitable for outdoor use to cover large apertures due to aluminium's excellent weathering properties, Louvre 15 assemblies incorporating multiple louvre blades may also be employed in a roofing configuration, thereby providing variable shade to an area. In some instances, these louvre assemblies or shutter arrangements will include a motor drive system to change the position of individual louvre blades, especially where the shutter arrangement is difficult to access, covers an extended area or is linked 20 to a computerised control system.

These louvre assemblies are assembled and fitted to large windows or apertures in a labour intensive and time consuming process. Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a louvre assembly 100 that includes multiple louvre blades 130 arranged 25 horizontally between opposed upright frame members 120. Each louvre blade 130 is formed as an extruded aluminium section and includes a pair of end caps 131 which are attached (typically by screws) to respective ends of each louvre blade 130. Forming part of the end cap 131, is a central pin or pivot member 132 which is threaded into a centrally located receiving aperture located on end cap 131 prior to 30 attachment of the end cap 131 to the end of louvre blade 130. In this manner, pin 1 Received by IPONZ 30 Nov 2011 WO 2008/006177 PCT/AU2007/000985 132 forms an integral part of the end cap 131 which in turn is attached to louvre blade 130.

In order to fit a louvre assembly 100 to aperture 110, it is first necessary to pre-5 assemble the louvre blades 130 with their associated end caps 131 and pins 132. The pins 132 of each louvre blade will then be fitted into corresponding apertures 121 located in the upright frame members 120. As would be apparent to those skilled in the art, this assembly process must occur prior to installation of the upright frame members 120 into aperture 110. Once all of the louvre blades 130 10 have been mounted in upright frame members 120, the entire assembly 100 must then be fitted to aperture 110 by attaching the frame members 120 to the sides 111 of the window aperture 110.

Whilst this may be a relatively straightforward process where the individual 15 louvre blades 130 are only 0.5 metres in length or less, clearly this will be a difficult process where the louvre blades 130 are of an extended length. When this occurs, the combination of the weight and awkwardness of handling the louvre assembly 100 implies that two or more people will be required to lift the louvre assembly 100 to the aperture 110 and then attach the upright frame members 120 20 to the sides 111 of the aperture. Additionally, where very large apertures are to be fitted, then multiple louvre assemblies will be required. For example, in the example shown in Figure 1 two half assemblies may be required as handling and aligning more than five louvres at a time becomes extremely difficult. Clearly, this increases the cost associated with the installation of louvre assemblies of this type 25 given the increased labour costs.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a louvre assembly system that is capable of being conveniently fitted to or to cover an aperture.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a louvre assembly system that is capable of reducing the labour required in installation. 2 Received by IPONZ 30 Nov 2011 WO 2008/006177 PCT/A 1)2007/000985 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect the present invention accordingly provides a louvre blade formed as an extrusion, the louvre blade including: front and rear curved faces joined at their ends to form an interior cavity; and a support web located in the interior cavity between the front and rear faces and extending longitudinally along the louvre blade to define a pivot axis, wherein the support web includes mounting means located on at least one end of the louvre blade to mount the louvre blade to be pivoted about the pivot axis.

Preferably, support web is located centrally between the front and rear faces.

Preferably, the mounting means includes a bore extending longitudinally along the support web.

Preferably, the bore includes screw threaded means to receive a screw.

Preferably, the screw threaded means includes at least one ridge extending from an inner surface of the bore to engage with a screw being screwed into the bore.

Preferably, the louvre blade includes attachment means to attach end caps to the louvre blade.

Preferably, the attachment means includes at least one part circular channel extending longitudinally along said louvre blade to receive a screw.

In a second aspect the present invention accordingly provides a louvre blade assembly including: a louvre blade formed as an extrusion; and mounting means located on at least one end of the louvre blade, wherein the mounting means includes a biased pin member extending from the at least one Received by IPONZ 30 Nov 2011 WO 2008/006177 PCT/AU2007/000985 end of the louvre blade, wherein the biased pin member can be inserted into the end of the louvre blade to allow for mounting of the louvre blade in a frame member.

Preferably, the mounting means includes a longitudinal support web formed in the interior of the louvre blade.

Preferably, the longitudinal support web includes an aperture to receive a biasing means to bias the pin member.

Preferably, the aperture is a bore formed in the longitudinal support web.

Preferably, the louvre blade assembly includes an end cap having an aperture through which the pin member protrudes.

Preferably, the pin member includes an abutment surface that abuts against the edge of the aperture of the end cap to limit the movement of the pin member.

In a third aspect the present invention accordingly provides a mounting bracket 20 for a louvre including: a bracket arm having a mounting portion to mount the louvre; a slot adapted to receive a "T" part of a T-section frame member for mounting the bracket thereon; and fixing means to fix the tilt angle of the mounting bracket with respect to the 25 T-section frame member.

Preferably, the mounting portion includes a recess to receive an edge of a louvre.

In a fourth aspect the present invention accordingly provides a driveable louvre ■ 30 assembly, the louvre assembly including at least two louvre blades arranged in a row and at least two blades arranged in a column, wherein changing the tilt angle 4 Received by IPONZ 30 Nov 2011 WO 2008/006177 PCT/AU2007/000985 of at least one louvre blade changes the corresponding tilt angle of the remaining louvre blades in the louvre assembly.

Preferably, the at least two blades arranged in a column are linked by a connecting 5 pivot rod.

Preferably, the at least two blades arranged in a row are linked by a common axle of rotation.

Preferably, the louvre assembly includes drive means to change the tilt angle of the at least one louvre blade.

Preferably, the drive means drives the pivot axle of the at least one louvre blade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of a louvre assembly being fitted to an aperture according to the prior art; FIGURE 2 is a front exploded perspective view of a louvre blade assembly according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 3 is a front sectional view of a louvre assembly incorporating the louvre blade assembly illustrated in Figure 1; FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of a louvre assembly according to an 25 illustrative embodiment of the present invention fitted to a non-regular shaped aperture; FIGURE 5 is a top perspective view of a driveable louvre assembly according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 6 is a detailed view of the drive mechanism of the driveable louvre 30 assembly illustrated in Figure 5; Received by IPONZ 30 Nov 2011 WO 2008/006177 PCT/AU2007/000985 FIGURE 7 is a detailed view of the mounting arrangement for louvre blades located in adjacent columns for the driveable louvre assembly illustrated in Figure ; FIGURE 8 is a front perspective view of a mounting bracket for a louvre blade 5 according to the prior art; FIGURE 9 is a front perspective view of a mounting bracket for a louvre blade according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and FIGURE 10 is a side view of the mounting bracket illustrated in Figure 8; In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown an exploded view of a louvre blade 15 assembly 200 according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Louvre blade assembly 200 includes a louvre blade 205 (shown in outline) having a front curved face 210 and a rear curved face 220 joined at the ends to form an interior cavity 230. In this illustrative embodiment, louvre blade 205 is formed as an extruded aluminium section but as would be appreciated by those skilled in the 20 art, louvre blade 205 could be formed of any other extrudable material of suitable rigidity.

Louvre blade 205 includes a centrally located support web 260 that extends longitudinally along blade 205. Support web 260 includes a central bore 261 25 having a plurality of equally spaced ridges 262 formed on the inner surface of the bore which function to engage with grub screw 240 as it is screwed into bore 261, The central axis of bore 261 forms a pivot axis 290 about which louvre blade assembly 200 will rotate about when fully assembled. As would be apparent to those skilled in the art, the location of support web 260 and hence pivot axis 290 30 need not be centrally located and may be offset to one side if desired. 6 Received by IPONZ 30 Nov 2011 WO 2008/006177 PCT/AII2007/000985 Louvre blade 205 also includes a series of part circular channels or screw flutes 263 that extend longitudinally along blade 205. Screw flutes 263 are located at the corners where the front 210 and rear 220 curved faces meet and also at the top and bottom of support web 260. The location of screw flutes 263 line up with the 5 locations of apertures 251 located in end plate or cap 250 and function to receive screws 252 to attach end cap 250 to the end of louvre blade 205. Louvre blade assembly 200 also includes a spring 241 and pin member 245 having a circumferential shoulder 246 and outer end 247.

To assemble louvre blade assembly 200, the grub screw 240 is first screwed into bore 261 to an appropriate depth. The spring 241 and pin member 245 are then inserted into bore 261 and end cap 250 attached to the end of louvre blade 205 by means of screws 251 in the process allowing the outer end 247 of pin member 245 to protrude through aperture 290 located centrally in end cap 250. In this manner, 15 pin member 245 will be biased or spring loaded in the direction of end cap 250 and retained in place by shoulder 247 abutting against end cap 250.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a louvre assembly 300 as installed between top and bottom frame members 320. Bach frame member 320 includes an 20 aperture 321 to receive a bush 322 which in turn receives the end 247 of biased pin member 245. Whilst in this illustrative embodiment, the louvre assembly 300 has been mounted in a vertical configuration it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the louvre assembly of the present invention may be arranged in a horizontal or angled configuration as desired.

To install louvre blade assembly 200, it is a simple matter of first installing frame members 320 to the window aperture or the area to be covered by louvre assembly 300. Following this step, each louvre blade assembly 200 is simply fitted to the respective frame member 320 by pushing the pin member 245 into the end cap 30 250, positioning the louvre blade 205 in place in line with apertures 321 and allowing pin members 245 to spring back in an outwards direction and into 7 Received by IPONZ 30 Nov 2011 WO 2008/006177 PCT/AU2007/000985 apertures 321, thereby securing the louvre blade assembly 200 in place. As such, there is no requirement to pre-assemble multiple louvre blades in respective frame members and then install this pre-assembled unit into the aperture as is required in prior art systems.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a louvre assembly 400 according to another illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the aperture to be fitted is non-regular having an angled top frame member 425 and a horizontal bottom frame member 420. Each louvre blade 200 in this illustrative embodiment incorporates a bottom biased pin member 245 fitting in bush 422 as described previously and a fixed pin member 249 which is simply screwed in place into bore 261 with the end cap 250 then attached to the end of louvre blade 205. As the angle that the pin member will extend through bush 427 is off axis and may vary, bush 427 is formed having a large diameter to accommodate this. Bush 422 is similar to that shown in Figure 3. As before, each louvre blade assembly 200 can be fitted individually. As the top pin members 249 can be screwed into at a variable depth this allows for fine tuning during the installation process. As would be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention may also be applied to apertures having angled side frame members in combination with horizontal louvre blades.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a driveable louvre assembly 500 according to a further illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In this illustrative embodiment, driveable louvre assembly 500 is mounted within framework 510 which divides the louvre blades into three banks or columns 520a, 520b and 520c of louvres each consisting of nine rows of louvre blades to form a roof that provides variable shading or cover, Driveable louvre assembly 500 includes a motor drive 530 which in this illustrative embodiment directly drives pivot axle 550. 8 Received by IPONZ 30 Nov 2011 WO 2008/006177 PCT/A U 2007/000985 Referring now to Figure 6, there is shown a detailed view of the drive mechanism which includes motor drive 530 which drives the common pivot axle 550 that links louvre blades in adjacent columns. In this manner, rotating the louvre blade in one column will result in the adjacent louvre blade in the next column being rotated.

Connecting pivot rod 540 links the louvre blades in column 520a. Motor drive 530 is housed in U-sectioned frame member 511 having a top cap to provide protection against the environment. The pivot axle 550 for each set of adjacent louvre blades is seated within a pair of bushes or bearings which in turn are located in the side walls of frame member 511.

Referring now to Figure 7, there is shown a detailed view of frame member 512 which supports the common axles between louvre blades located in columns 520b and 520c. Frame member 512 is of the T-section variety and includes a slot or groove 514 to receive common axle 550 which is supported by bearing 551. '15 Bearing 551 and hence louvre blade 205 is held in place by top cap 513 which clamps over the T-part of frame member 512. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art this greatly simplifies the installation and maintenance of drivable louvre assembly 500.

In operation, motor drive 530 will drive adjacent louvre blades by rotating common axle 550. In column 520a, each of the louvre blades will be caused to rotate by virtue of connecting pivot rod 540 (as best seen in Figure 6) which in turn will cause corresponding louvre blades in the adjacent column 520b to also rotate and also those louvre blades in the next adjacent column 520c to also rotate. In this illustrative embodiment a further connecting pivot rod 540 is located in column 520c to link the louvre blades in that column although this is not essential to the operation of the invention.

As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the driveable louvre assembly 500 of the present invention provides a significant advance over the prior art where individual columns of louvre blades are driven by their own linear actuator 9 Received by IPONZ 30 Nov 2011 WO 2008/006177 PCT/AU2007/000985 drives. By having multiple linear actuators for each column or bank of louvre blades not only is the cost of the driveable louvre assembly 500 increased due to the extra actuators but there is a requirement for a controller to synchronise the actuators. As is also well known, linear actuators as opposed to rotational zero displacement motors such as that described here are susceptible to environmental failure as in their operation air is displaced resulting in air being sucked into the actuator itself.

Referring now to Figure 8, there is shown a mounting bracket 800 for mounting a louvre blade 810 at 45° as known in the prior art. Mounting bracket 800 is attached to the side of box sectioned frame member 820 by screws 830 inserted through apertures 840. Mounting bracket 800 includes a recess 850 to receive the edge of louvre blade 810 which is formed by top 860 and bottom 870 extensions which extend outwardly from frame member 820. Louvre 810 is permanently attached to mounting bracket 800 by bolting or screwing arrangements (not shown) as known in the art. Whilst in principle the mounting angle may be altered by changing the tilt angle of mounting bracket 800, in practice it is found that bracket 800 is difficult to align and attach to box sectioned frame member 820 when the blade is required to be set at an angle other than 450. As the bracket also fits to the face of the section, it can be seen when viewed from inside the associated window.

Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, there are shown front perspective and side views of a mounting bracket 900 according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Mounting bracket 900 includes a slot shaped recess 910 which functions to receive the "T" part 925 of a T-section aluminium frame member 920. Mounting bracket 900 includes a recess 950 to receive the edge of louvre blade 205 which is formed by top 960 and bottom 970 extensions which extend outwardly from frame member 920. Mounting bracket 900 is attached to frame member 920 by first bolt 940 and second bolts 941, Received by IPONZ 30 Nov 2011 WO 2008/006177 PCT/A L 2007/000985 As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the installation of mounting bracket 900 is considerably more straightforward than the installation of the mounting bracket 800 of the prior art as the slot 910 positively locates against both sides of the "T" part 925 of frame member 920 making adjustment of the angle of 5 tilt considerably easier. Additionally, by attaching mounting bracket 900 by using only first bolt 940 initially, the mounting bracket 900 can be easily pivoted to any position within a very wide range of angles both above and below the horizontal. Mounting bracket 900 also allows installation onto horizontal members and with its "belt through" design, provides a stronger mount when compared to current 10 brackets which are screwed to hollow wall section members.

As a T-section frame member may be used in conjunction with mounting bracket 900 this results in cost savings as the amount of material in a T-section frame member is approximately half of that in a box sectioned frame member of 15 comparable dimensions. Furthermore a T-section frame member is easier to attach to a surface such as a wall or the like as it does not require special brackets, thereby reducing the number of components, associated cost and additional labour.

A brief consideration of the above described embodiments will indicate that the present invention provides a number of significant advantages over the prior art which are effective to significantly reduce the time and expense associated with the installation of a louvre assembly.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims. 11 Received by IPONZ 30 Nov 2011

Claims (8)

CLAIMS:

1. A louvre blade formed as an extrusion, the louvre blade including: front and rear curved faces joined at their ends to form an interior cavity; and a support web located in the interior cavity between the front and rear faces and extending longitudinally along the louvre blade to define a pivot axis, wherein the support web includes mounting means located on at least one end of the louvre blade to mount the louvre blade to be pivoted about the pivot axis, the mounting means including a bore extending longitudinally along the support web, wherein the bore includes screw threaded means to receive a screw.

2. The louvre blade as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support web is located centrally between the front and rear faces.

3. A louvre blade as claimed in claim 2, wherein the screw threaded means includes at least one ridge extending from an inner surface of the bore to engage with a screw being screwed into the bore.

4. The louvre blade as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the louvre blade includes attachment means to attach end caps to the louvre blade.

5. The louvre blade as claimed in claim 4, wherein the attachment means includes at least one part circular channel extending longitudinally along said louvre blade to receive a screw.

6. The louvre blade as claimed in claim 4, wherein the attachment means includes part circular channels extending along the ends of the louvre blade. 12 Received by IPONZ 30 Nov 2011

7. The louvre blade as claimed in claim 4, wherein the attachment means includes at least one part circular channel extending along the support web of the louvre blade.

8. The louvre blade as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the louvre blade is formed as an extruded aluminium section. Jillian Jolly By their Attorneys James & Wells Intellectual Property 13