US2755524A

US2755524A - Window sun visor louver assembly

Info

Publication number: US2755524A
Application number: US322863A
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael O Honer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1952-11-28
Filing date: 1952-11-28
Publication date: 1956-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 1973-07-24

Description

July24, 1956 M. o. HONER 2,755,524

WINDOW SUN VISOR LOUVER ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 28, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. .L.

INVENTOR.

M/ 0H4 EL 0. HO/VEQ,

M. O. HONER WINDOW SUN VISOR LOUVER ASSEMBLY O O O July 24, 1956 Filed Nov. 28, 1952 INVENTOR. M/CHfl EL 0. HOA/EQ 7/Z W6mwz w 0m .4 TTO/Q/VE YS,

W SUN VISOR LOUVER ASSEMBLY Michael 0. Honer, Omaha, Nebr.

Application November 28, 1952, Serial No. 322,863

2 Claims. (Cl. 20-62) This invention relates to louver assemblies for building windows and more particularly to an assembly adapted to be disposed at the outer side of a Window and having adjustable louver boards.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide an improved louver assembly which can be mounted on a window frame at the outside of a window and extends over the entire window; which includes an opaque panel covering the upper portion of the window and a louver assembly having generally horizontally disposed and angularly adjustable louver boards enclosing the louver portion of the window; which has adjustable louver boardsextending outwardly from the window a distance sufficient to exclude rain and direct sunlight from the louver portion of the window while permitting the free flow of air through the window and which can be closed to exclude wind and wind-driven precipitation; which includes a screen covering the louver assembly on the outside and means for adjustably moving the louver boards from inside the window; and which is simple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture, easy to install, and neat and attractive in appearance.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and the appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of a window frame with a louver assembly illustrative of the invention operatively mounted on the window frame;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a lower corner portion of the louver assembly; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view showing details of the means for angularly adjusting the louver boards.

With continued reference to the drawings, the window frame, generally indicated at 10, includes spaced apart and substantially

parallel side rails

11 and 12 vertically isposed along the opposite sides of a window opening in a building wall, a header rail 13 extending between the

side rails

11 and 12 at the upper ends of the latter and a window sill 14 extending between the lower ends of the

side rails

11 and 12 and projecting outwardly from the lower ends of the side rails with its top surface downwardly and outwardly inclined from the edge thereof extending between the lower ends of the side rails.

The louver assembly compn'ses a base frame 15 formed of fiat metal bars or lengths of scrap iron and includes spaced apart and substantially parallel

side rail portions

16 and 17 which are vertically disposed and extend along the window

frame side rails

11 and 12 respectively in spaced apart and parallel relationship to each other.

A main frame 20 is disposed against the outer side of 2,755,524 Patented July 24, 1956 7 the base frame 10 and is formed of structural angle iron members including spaced apart and substantially

parallel side members

21 and 22 which extend along the outer surfaces of the

side rails

16 and 17 of the base frame and are secured to the base frame members, a header member 23 extending between the upper ends of the main

frame side members

21 and 22 and a bottom cross member 24 extending between the bottom ends of the

side members

21 and 22, the header member or top cross member 23 and the bottom cross member 24 being secured at their ends to the

side members

21 and 22 at the corresponding ends of the latter to provide a rigid frame of elongated, rectangular shape and having an internal size substantially the same as the size of the associated window opening. The legs of the angle members of the main frame at the inner sides of the members are disposed perpendicularly to the plane of the main frame and project from the same side of this plane and the legs in the plane of the main frame project outwardly from the perpendicularly disposed legs to provide a flange or border around the main frame at the side of this frame adjacent the base frame 15, as illustrated in Figure 5.

Right

angular sockets

25 and 26 are mounted on the base frame 15 one at each lower corner of the base frame and these sockets project outwardly from the base frame and receive the corresponding lower corners of the main frame 20. The main frame 21 is provided at each lower corner with a foot, as indicated at 27 in Figure 5, of right angular cross sectional shape having one leg substantially in the plane of the main frame and its other leg extending perpendicular from this plane and disposed in spaced and substantially parallel relationship to the inner leg of the bottom cross member 24 of the main frame. Each foot 27 is provided in its outwardly projecting leg with apertures 28 spaced apart longitudinally of the leg and the

sockets

25 and 26 are provided in their lower or horizontally disposed legs with apertures, as indicated at 29. Screws or rivets extending through registering

apertures

28 and 29 secure the main frame at its lower corners to the corner sockets of the base frame 15 and thus secure the lower end of the main frame to the window frame 10.

A spacer strip 30 is secured to the header 13 of the window frame and extends between the upper ends of the

side rails

16 and 17 of the base frame slightly above the upper ends of these rails and a flat bar 31 is secured to this spacer bar at the outer side of the latter and overlaps the outwardly extending leg of the top cross member 23 of the main frame to secure the upper end of the main frame to the window frame.

An inner frame is provided in the upper half of the main frame by angle irons, as indicated at 32 in Figure 3, extending one along each

side member

21 and 22 of the main frame at the inner sides of the outwardly extending legs of these side members and permanently secured to the side members, a top inner frame member 33 also of right angular cross sectional shape extending along the top cross member 23 of the main frame at the underside of the outwardly projecting leg of this top cross member and permanently secured to the latter, and a bottom inner frame cross member 34, also of right angular cross sectional shape, extending between the outwardly projecting legs of the

side members

21 and 22 of the main frame intermediate the length of these main frame side members and secured at its ends to the latter. The top and side members of the inner frame have each one leg projecting perpendicularly inwardly from the inner surface of the corresponding leg of the associated main frame member and its other leg and spaced from the outer edge of the outwardly projecting leg of the corresponding main frame member and the bottom cross member 34 of the inner frame has one leg substantially horizontally disposed and projecting outwardly of the main frame and its other leg substantially vertically disposed and spaced inwardly of the outer edges of the outwardly projecting legs of the side members of the main frame.

.Ansopaque-panel,35, of, rectangular shape is disposed within theupperportion ofthe main frame and against thetouter surfaces-of the inner-frame membersand fiat bars,as.indicated at36, 37,38 and v3S":extend along the side,.top and bottomedges of the paneltin superimposed relationship to the inwardly extending legs of the inner frame members. --.Suitable fasteners 40, such as screws or; rivets, extend through the barst36 to}? inclusive at spaced apartlocations alongthesebars and through registering apertures in the -panel-r35 and :in the inwardly projecting legs of the correspon ding inner frame. members and firmly secure the panelinplace-in-the upper portion-of-the-main frame 20 of the assembly. The panel 35*rnay be provided;.;in various forms-including apane of ;transparentmaterial, such as glass, but is preferably opaque and comprises an -inner plate 41 of a suitable rigidmaterial, such as plywood, and an outer plate or covering gt2 of a material-such-as linoleum, overlying the outer surfaceof the plate 41 and, protecting the plate 41 flOHlgfillllQSPhfilflC conditions. A panel of the nature illustratedgincluding. a combinationof wood andlinoleum or similar material is preferred ,because it darkens the upperportion of the window to eliminate glare and also silences thenoise of minor other precipitation beating againstthe panel.

Abox frame, generally indicatedatAS, is secured at one sideto the main frame 20 and encloses the lower portion of:the main frame below the panel35. This box frame includes an outer portion ofrectangular shape having vertically disposed side members-46 and 47, a top cross member '48 and a bottom cross member 49 and this outer box frame portionis spaced outwardly from and'disposed substantiallyparallel to the lower portion of the-main frame 20.

Upper diagonal members

50 and 51 are inclined upwardly from the opposite .upper corners of the front structure of the box frame to the

mainframe side members

21 and 22 at locations somewhat abovethe bottom edge of the panel 35 and bottom

diagonal members

52 and 53 are inclined first downwardly and then upwardlyfrom the oppositebottom corners of the front structure of the boxiframeto the main frameside members .21 and 22 at the bottom end .of these side members to provide. a somewhat trough-shaped vbottom to the box frame 45. Acovering 55 of wiretmesh or hardware cloth covers the front, end, top and bottom sides of the box frame 45 and an outer covering 56 of a weather-resistant material, such as .heavy canvas, covers the hardware cloth extending over the top end of the box frame.

The hardware cloth is secured to the box frame by suitable means, such as the bars or straps 57 extending along the members of the box frame at the outer side of the hardware cloth covering and over the outer surfaces of the outwardly projecting legs of the

main frame members

21 and 22. The outer edge of the fabric covering 56 is also secured to the box frame by the bar 57 extending along the top member of the outer rectangular structure of the box frame and the fabric cover and hardware cloth screen over the upper end of the box frame is secured by a pair of mutually opposed

angle iron members

58 and 59 which extend along the outer surface of the panel 35 at the inner ends of the diagonal upper members t) and 51 of the boxframestructure with the adjacent edges of the hardware cloth and fabric cover 56 clamped between outwardly extending, mutually opposed legs of these angle iron members, these'members being secured to the panel 35 by suitable means, such as the screws 60.

A plurality of louverboards, as indicated at 62 to 66 inclusive, of elongated, rectangular shape, are disposed within the box frame structure 45 and extend transversely of this structure in-spaced apart and substantially parallel relationship to each other between the bottom edge of the panel 35 and the'bottom cross member '24 of the main frame. These louver; boards all project outwardly from the main frame and each is pivotally connected at opposite ends of its edge adjacent the plane of the main frame to the main frame by suitable means, such as the hinge butts 67 secured to the corresponding louver board one at each end of the corresponding longitudinal edge thereof and pivotally connected to-the outwardly projecting legs of the side members of the main frame by suitable pivot pins, as indicated at 68. All of the louver boards are substantially horizontally disposed and are spaced apart a distance materiallyless thari their width so that light passing between these-louver boards must pass between adjacent boards through a distance greater than the vertical spacing between the outer edges of adjacent boards. This shape and spacing of the boards also preclude .rain from p,assing through,the spaces between thetboards and enables thefboards to exclude even winddriven rain whenlowered to a downwardly inclined position relative to the axes of their pivotal connections with the .side members of the main frame.

The louverboards are. preferably formed of plates of suitable rigid materiahsuch asplywood, covered on their upper surfaces with coverings-of material, such as linoleum, to provide a sound deadening effect and enhance the appearance of the device. Reinforcing bars of right angle cross sectional shape, as indicated at69, extend transversely tot-each end of .each louver board and are secured to; the corresponding board ln'position such that one leg ofeach reinforcing memberisdisposed against the under surface of the corresponding boardand the other leg depends vertically; from;the corresponding end of the board, as illus trat ed in Figures 1 and 2. At their outer corners the louver boards are pivotally connected together by strap iron bars-70 and 71 which are connected to the corresponding reinforcing bars 69 at the outer ends of thesebars by suitable pivot pins or rivets 72 and maintain the samespacing betw'eeni the outer edges of the adjacent boards .asthat maintained between the inner edges of the boards by thepivotalconnection of the boards to the side members 21 and. 22 of the main frame.

A vertically disposed connecting bar 72.extends transversely of the outer, edges of the llouverboards at the midlength locations of these outer. edges and is pivotally connected tothe louver boardsby hinge. butts, as indicated at 73, mounted one on each :oflthelouver boards and projecting outwardlytherefrorn, there .being provided pivot pins or rivets 74 pivotally connectiugtthe hinge butt 73 to the bar 72'. -;With.this arrangement, the louver boards will move simultaneously and coextensively about the axis of their pivotal connections with the side members :21 and :22 woftthe mainframe 20 of the device.

Brackettarms

75 and 76 project outwardly from the main frame isidemembers Hand 22 respectively oneat each end of the box frame structure and near the upper diagonal members; and 51.0f thisstructure and tension springs as indicated. at 77 and 78 are secured at their upper ends to the outer ends of these

bracket arms

75 and 76 respectively and depend from the bracket arms. At their lower ends 'the springsare connected to the louver board adjacent the .bottomlouver board '66 at the respectively opposite ends ofwthisilouver board and resiliently urge all the louver boards to a position Y at which they extend perpendicularlyoutwardly from the plane of the mainframe 20 of the device, as illustrated in Figure 1 The .bracketiarms and .76 are made adjustable so that the tensioning of the corresponding

springs

77 and 78 can be variedto somewhat change the outward inclination ofthe louver..boards.

. A bell crank lever.80 is pivotally connected at its knee or bend tothe outwardlyprojecting -leg.of the side member .21 of the main frame between the lower louver boards 65.ande66 and.has onealeg extending upwardly adjacent the associated main frame member and its other leg projecting outwardly from the main frame member. A tension spring 81 is connected at one end to the outer end of the bell crank lever 80 and at its upper end to the adjacent end of one of the upper louver boards, such as the board 62, for exerting a downward force on the louver boards when the spring is tensioned.

Apertnres are provided in the

frame members

16 and 21 adjacent the upper end of the outwardly extending leg of the bell crank lever 80 and a nut 81 is secured to the frame member 21 by a socket 82 secured to the frame member 21 at the outer side of the leg of this frame member disposed parallel to the base frame side member 16 with the screw threaded bore of the nut in registry with the apertures in the corresponding frame members. A screw shaft 83 is threaded through the nut 81 and bears at one end against the outwardly extending leg of the bell crank lever 21. At its other end the screw shaft 83 extends inwardly of the corresponding window and a hand crank 84 is secured to this inner end of the shaft for rotating the shaft.

When the screw shaft 83 is rotated in a direction to force the upwardly extending leg of the bell crank lever away from the adjacent base and main frame members, a downward pull will be exerted by the bell crank lever on the spring which will pull the outer edges of the louver boards downwardly against the force of the

springs

77 and 78 and bring the louver boards to positions of adjustment in which they are inclined downwardly and outwardly from the axes of their pivotal connections with the

main frame members

21 and 22, as explained above.

A sheet metal shield or flashing 86 extends across the space between the

side members

21 and 22 of the main frame and has one portion 87 disposed below and secured to the transverse angle member 34 supporting the lower edge of the panel 35, by suitable fasteners, such as the screws 88 and another longitudinally extending portion 89 inclined downwardly and outwardly from the outer edge of the portion 86 to a location adjacent the upper surface of the top louver board 61 and spaced outwardly from the pivotally mounted inner edge of this louver board. A baffle 90 of right angular cross sectional shape is disposed on the louver board 61 at the pivotally connected edge of this louver board and extends across the space between the side members of the main frame. This bafl le 90 has one leg disposed upon and secured to the louver board 61 by suitable means, such as the screws 91, and has its other leg projecting upwardly from the pivotally mounted edge of the louver board toward the shield 89 to close the space between the pivotally mounted edge of the louver board and the shield portion 87 and prevent wind and wind-driven precipitation from passing through this space from the outside of the window.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms Without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims, are therefore, intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. A louver assembly for windows comprising: a frame adapted to be stationarily mounted in a window opening; a series of spaced louvers mounted in the frame for joint swinging movement about parallel axes; opposed srings connected between said series and frame and ex erting pull in opposite directions upon the series of louvers to dispose the same in a selected position in which the opposing forces of the springs are in a state of balance, said springs extending in parallel paths, said connections of the springs to the frame being disposed adjacent opposite ends of the series, each spring extending, from the connection thereof to the frame adjacent one end of the series, to a location adjacent the other end of the series; and means in the connection of one of the springs to the frame for producing a temporary state of unbalance in the springs effective to swing the louvers in a selected direction from said position thereof.

2. A louver assembly for windows comprising: a frame adapted to be stationarily mounted in a window opening; a series of spaced louvers mounted in the frame for joint swinging movement about parallel axes; opposed springs connected between said series and frame and exerting pull in opposite directions upon the series of louvers to dispose the same in a selected position in which the opposing forces of the springs are in a state of balance; and means in the connection of one of the springs to the frame for producing a temporary state of unbalance in the springs effective to swing the louvers in a selected direction from said position thereof, said means including a bell crank lever pivoted intermediate its ends upon said frame and connected at one end to said one spring, said means further including a manually rotatable screw threaded in the frame and bearing against the other end of said lever, for swinging the lever about its pivot axis under the control of a user, said one spring being tensioned to exert a pull on said lever in a direction to swing said other end of the lever into engagement with the screw, through a path generally following the axis of the screw.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 779,046 Jones et al. Jan. 3, 1905 1,529,573 Chappell Mar. 10, 1925 1,879,534 Schmidt Sept. 27, 1932 2,093,093 Mongus Sept. 14, 1937 2,220,833 Young Nov. 5, 1940 2,225,332 Collins Dec. 17, 1940 2,337,230 Christianson Dec. 21, 1943