US2791009A

US2791009A - Louver type awning and operating mechanism therefor

Info

Publication number: US2791009A
Application number: US349206A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wagner Charles Raymond
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1953-04-16
Filing date: 1953-04-16
Publication date: 1957-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 1974-05-07

Description

May 7, 1957 c. R. WAGNER 2,791,009

LOUVER TYPE AWNING AND QPERATING MECHANISM THEREFOR I Filed April 16, 1953 2 Shets-Sheet 1 3 .5 INVENTOR.

Char/es Raymond Wagner.

37 ATTORNEI S May 7, 1957 C. R. WAGNER LOUVER TYPE AWNING AND OPERATING MECHANISM THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 16, 1953 INVENTOR. Char/es Raymond Wu A TTORNE vs.

United States Patent LQUVER TYPE AWNING AND OPERATING MECHANISM THEREFOR Charles Raymond Wagner, Cotfeyville, Kans.

Application April 16, 1953, Serial No. 349,206

2 Claims. (Cl. 20-575) This invention relates to awnings adapted to project from the sides of a building for shading windows, entrances and the like, and particularly to awnings composed of louvers or fins for providing openings for ventilation.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an awning of this type wherein the fins or louvers are easily adjusted by means of a simple mechanism operated from the interior of the building.

Further objects of the invention .are to provide a louvered awning with a depending or drop portion that cooperates with a roof portion; to provide a link mechanism between the drop and roof portions for effecting simultaneous adjustment of the louvers in their respective portions so that when the louvers in the roof portion are closed the louvers in the drop portion are open for ventilation and to permit view therebetween; and to provide a simple actuating mechanism that is readily mounted Without materially altering the building structure to which the awning is to be attached.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention I have provided improved structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an awning constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing the awning protecting a window of a building.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the awning and window particularly illustrating the louver operating mechanism, the louvers in the roof portion being closed and the louvers in the drop portion being open.

Fig. 3 is a similar section but showing all of the louvers in open position.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view particularly illustrating the connection between the louvers and the operating mechanism therefor.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section through the side wall of the building particularly illustrating the operating shaft by which the louvers are manipulated from the inside of the building.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section showing a modified form of connection between the links connecting the louvers of the roof and drop sections of the awning.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of adjustment between the sections of the operating rod. I

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates an awning constructed in accordance with the present invention and which includes

side frames

2 and 3 which may be formed of tubular angle or channel stock. Each side frame includes a sloping or rafter portion 4, a terminal drop portion 5 forming an obtuse angle with the portion 4- and a substantially horizontal brace portion 6. The ends of the

portions

4 and 6 are provided with

suitable fittings

7 and 8 for attachment to the easement of a window or the like 9. The portions of the side frames may be formed as'a single part, or theportions may be secured together ,by suitable fit:

2,791,0053 Patented May 7, 1957 tings as indicated at 10. The frames may be connected at the ends of the drop portions by a crossbar 11 to maintain stability.

Journalled in the sloping

portions

4 and 5 of the respective side frames are a series of trunnions 12, the trunnions being spaced apart along the length of said

portions

4 and 5 for attaching the respective ends of louvers 13. The louvers are connected midway of their width by means of clips 14 so that each louver is balanced about its axis of oscillation. The louvers 13 may be formed of any suitable material such as sheet metal and have flat body portions 15 terminating in oppositely angling

edge portions

16 and 17 whereby the marginal edge portions of the louvers carried by the portions 4- overlap to effect a substantially tight closure of the louvers to provide roof section 20 of the awning as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The louvers 13 that are carried by the drop portions 5 are preferably of like construction but the edges thereof do not need to overlap as it is desired to admit light and ventilation therebetween when the louvers in the roof section are closed.

Fixed to the trunnions at one end of the louvers are arms 19. The arms 19 of the louvers which form the roof section 20 are pivotally connected as at 21 to a common link 22 that extends along one of the sloping members 4. The arms 19 carried by the trunnions forming the drop portion 23 of the awning are similarly connected by a link 24 that extends along the sloping portion 5 of the corresponding side frame. The adjacent ends of the

links

22 and 24 are pivotally interconnected as at 25, and the pivot 25 is connected by an arm 26 which is pivotally attached by a pin 27 to the side frame at the juncture of the

portions

4 and 5 as best shown in Fig. 4. The arm 26 corresponds in length to the arms 19 and operates therewith in maintaining the same angular relationship of all the louvers and to effect simultaneous movement of the link 24 upon operation of the link 22.

The arms 13 of the louvers which provide the roof section 2% and the arms of the drop section 23 are therefore arranged so that when the louvers of the roof section are closed, as shown in Fig. l, the louvers in the drop section are substantially at the same angle and provide spaces 28 therebetween for vision and ventilation when the louvers of the roof section are closed for protecting the window from sun and rain. The arm 19 nearest the wall of the building is connected with a crank arm 29 by which that arm is rocked to shift the connecting links and eifect like movement of all the other arms when adjusting the position of the louvers as later described.

The invention also contemplates a mechanism for operating the louvers from the interior of the building. This mechanism includes a shaft 34} that extends through an opening 31 which is bored through the Wall, preferably below or at the end of the window sill as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. Fixed to the inner and outer sides of the wall are

bearings

32 and 33 having

openings

34 and 35 which journal ends of the shaft 30. The shaft 30 projects from the

bearings

32 and 33 and the inner end carries a knob 36 and the outer end a disk 37. The knob 36 has a clutch engagement with a bearing 32 so as to normally prevent rotation of the shaft 30 and thereby lock the louvers in adjusted position as later described.

The clutch mechanism illustrated includes one or more pins 38 projecting inwardly from the side of the knob and which are adapted to engage in a circular series of openings 39 in the adjacent face of the bearing 32. The shaft 30 is mounted for axial movement in the

bearings

32 and 33 so that the pins 38 may be engaged and disengaged with the openings 39. The shaft 30 is,yield ingly retained in position to effect clutch engagement by a coil spring 40 having one end bearing against the disk 37 and its other end against the bearing 33, as shown in Fig. 5. r

The crank arm 29 is connected with the disk 37 by a rod 41 that is adjustable as to length to accommodate mounting of the operating shaft 30 relatively to the arm 29 and to properly position the louvers with respect to the clutch engaging points for the knob 36. The rod 41 therefore includes upper and

lower sections

42 and 43 having threaded

ends

44 and 45 adjustably connected by a turnbuckle 46. The upper end of the rod 42 has a lateral terminal 47 that is journalled in an opening 48 in the crank arm 29. The lower end of the rod section 43 has a similar terminal 49 that is journalled in an opening 50 eccentrically of the disk 37 so that when the shaft 30 is rotated by means of the knob 36 the crank arm is actuated to effect movement of the louvers.

In Fig. 6, the arms 19' for operating louvers are turned inwardly, and the links 22 and 23: are connected by a bell crank lever 26', which is pivotally connected to the side frame so that the lever 26 rocks with the arms 19.

The form of connection for rod sections 42' and 43' shown in Fig. 7 includes a pair of clamping plates 52 and 53 having

mating grooves

54 and 55 to receive the ends of the rod sections 42'43 therein and which are clamped together by a fastening device 56.

To install the awning the

side frames

2 and 3 are attached to the sides of a window 9 as shown and an opening 31 is bored through the wall below the window sill adjacent the side of the awning carrying the crank arm 29. The

bearings

32 and 33 for journalling the shaft 30 are attached to the inner and outer faces of the wall in alignment with the bore opening 31. The knob 36 is disconnected from the shaft and the shaft is moved through the respective bearings, after which the knob is reapplied and fixed securely to the shaft. Upon release of the knob 36 the coil spring 46 moves the shaft so that the pins 38 engage in the recesses 39 of the innerv bearing to normally retain the shaft from rotation. The terminal ends of the connecting rod are respectively connected with the crank arm 29 and the eccentric opening in the disk 37. The terminals of the rod are preferably retained in their respective openings by means of cotter pins 59. as shown in Fig. 5. The length of the rod may be adjusted to properly position the louvers by manipulation of the turnbuckle 46 or by adjusting the clamp plates 52 and 53 as the case may be. After this adjustment the knob 36 may be pulled outwardly to effect release of clutch engagement and for rotation of the shaft and to effect rocking movement of the crank. arm 29 through the rod connection 41. Movement of the crank arm 29 simultaneously actuates all of the louver arms 19 to effect movement of the louvers in the respective roof and drop

sections

20 and 23 of the awning. When the knob 36 is rotated in one direction the louvers in the roof section 20 are closed and the louvers in the drop section 27 are opened at an angle to cooperate with the louvers in the roof section in shading the window or protecting the window from the elements. The slanting open position of the louvers in the drop section provided for ventilation and admit light therethrough when the louvers in the roof section are closed. When the knob 36 is released the spring 40 shifts the shaft to efliect clutch engagement to support the louvers in their selected, adjusted position. When the knob 36 is again pulled outwardly from clutch engagement and rotated, the louvers in the roof section 20 are opened to provide ventilation and admit the desired amount of sunlight. This movement of the louvers in the roof section effects movement of the louvers in the drop section 23 to widen the effective area of the opening between the louvers to permit a person to see therebetween, as shown in Fig. 3.

Due to the. balancing of the louvers on the respective sides of their pivotal axes there are no dead spots or irregular operation of the disk 37 through its complete revolution or any portion thereof. Also the louvers may be open or closed regardless of the direction in which the knob is turned.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a simple awning of the louver type and have provided a simple and inexpensive operating mechanism for manipulating the louvers from the interior of a building. It is also obvious that the structure securely retains the louvers in adjusted position and eliminates looseness that might produce rattles in the louvers or the like which connect them.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. An awning including spaced apart side frames each having a rafter portion and a depending terminal portion, trunnions spaced apart along the length of the rafter and terminal portions with the trunnions on one side frame in registry with those on the other side frame, louvers extending across the space between the side frames, clips on the ends of the trunnions and connected with the ends of the louvers to support the louvers in aligning registry with the trunnions, arms in fixed relation with the louvers and extending laterally of the trunnions at one end of the louvers, a link pivotally connecting all of the arms of the louvers which are carried by the rafter portions of said side frames for retaining the louvers transversely parallel to provide a roof section for said awning, a link pivotally connecting all of the arms of the louvers carried by the terminal portions of the brackets to maintain the louvers transversely parallel and provide a ventilated front drop section for the awning, a trunnion at the juncture of the rafter and terminal portions, a connector. arm on said trunnion, means pivotally connecting adjacent ends of the links with said connector arm for retaining a fixed relationship of the louvers providing the roof and front drop sections of the awning, and means connected with one of said arms to turn the louvers of said roof section coaxially of the trunnions to close and open the louvers of the roof section while simultaneously moving the louvers of the front drop section by the interconneo tion of the links.

2. An awning including spaced apart side frames each having a rafter portion and a depending terminal portion, trunnions spaced apart along the length of the rafter and terminal portions with the trunnions on one side frame in registry with those on the other side frame, louvers extending across the space between the side frames, clips on the ends of the trunnions and connected with ends of the louvers to support the louvers in aligning registry with the trunnions, arms in fixed relation with the louvers and extending laterally of the trunnions at one end of the louvers, a link pivotally connecting all of the arms of the louvers which are carried by the rafter portions of said side frames for retaining the louvers transversely parallel to provide a roof section for said awning, said louvers having front and rear marginal edges offset in opposite angular directions and equally disposed from the axis of the trunnions on which they are supported and whereby the front marginal edge of one louver is adapted to lap the rear marginal edge of the next louver, a link pivotally connecting all of the arms of the louvers carried by the terminal portions of the brackets to maintain the louvers transversely parallel and provide a ventilated front drop section for the awning, a trunnion at the juncture of the rafter and terminal portions, a connector arm on said trunnion, means pivotally connecting adjacent ends of the links with said connector arm for retaining a fixed relationship of the louvers providing the roof and front drop sections of the awning, and means connected withone of said arms to turn the louvers of said roof section coaxially of the trunnions to and from lapping relation of said marginal edges for closing and opening the louversof-the-roof section while simultaneously mov- 6 ing the louvers of the front drop section by the intercon- 182,992 Byam Oct. 10, 1876 nection of the links. 2,068,148 Moir Jan. 19, 1937 l 2,448,984 Kraus Sept. 7, 1948 References Clted 1n me file of th1s patent 2,589,647 Van Geldes et a1 Mar- 18, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 2,647,291 Russell et a1 Aug. 4, 1953 163,019 Lund May 11, 1875