US2820259A

US2820259A - Adjustable louver type closure for openings in buildings

Info

Publication number: US2820259A
Application number: US381453A
Authority: US
Inventors: Zveibil Salvador Matheus
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1953-09-21
Filing date: 1953-09-21
Publication date: 1958-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 1975-01-21

Description

'Jan. 21, 1958 V s. M. ZVEIBIL 2,820,259

7 ADJUSTABLE LOUVER TYPE CLOSURE FOR OPENINGS TN BUILDINGS Filed Sept. 21, 1955' INVENTIOR SALVADOR MATHEUS ZV-EIBIL United States Patent 2,820,259 ADJUSTABLE LOUVER TYPE CLOSURE FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS Salvador Matheus Zveibil, Sao Paulo, Brazil Application September 21, 1953, Serial No. 381,453 4 Claims. (Cl. -62) This invention relates to improvements in louvered closures for the openings of buildings such as windows and doorways and other openings. More particularly, the improved louvered structure of the present invention is designed to serve as an adjustable closure or shutter for windows, doors and other openings of buildings.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved louvered closure for the openings in buildings, in which the louvers are adjustable according to the space available outside a window sash or door, for example.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved louvered closure construction which is comparatively simple to manufacture and which is made up of a few standard parts.

According to the invention, the improved louvered structure comprises a frame, spaced cross bars extending between two opposite sides of said frame, plate supporting means carried on said cross bars, and adjustable louver plates, respectively carried by said plate supporting means. In this construction, means is provided for readily releasing the supporting means from the cross bar to change the position of the plate supporting means with respect to the cross bar on which they are attached in order to thereby shift the plates or plate units, with respect to the axes of the cross bars on which they are mounted.

The arrangement of the cross bars and plates is such as to provide a series of overlapping plates and means is preferably provided for simultaneously pivoting the plate units in order to change the opening between the plates or to form a complete relatively tight closure.

The improved louver structure of the present invention has the advantage that it can be readily adapted to a particular door or window opening, regardless of the space available on the outside of the door or window sash, in operating position so that the louver plates may be readily pivoted in the space available outside the window sash or door.

The improved louver construction includes other features and advantages as will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a front perspective view of a portion of a building showing an opening such as a Window opening in which the improved louver structure is mounted and serves as a shutter or blind;

Fig. 2 is a broken vertical sectional view through the upper portion of Fig. 1 taken inside the left-hand frame of the louver structure and showing the manner in which the adjustable louver plates are mounted and arranged;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged broken vertical sectional view of a single louver plate with its supporting means showing the manner in which it is attached to the cross bar and the manner in which the louver plates or panels are attcahed to the plate supporting means, and

Fig. 4 is a broken horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 44 of Fig. 3, with the louver plate resting in place on a pair of plate supporting means carried by a pivoted cross bar.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a part of a building 6 provided with an opening such as a window with the usual outside trim 8. The louver structure of the present invention is illustrated as mounted inside the 'ice trim 8 and comprises a rectangular-shaped metal frame 10 preferably made as a unit from sheet metal channel stock having a block-C-shaped cross-section, as shown in Fig. 4. The open side of the channel of the frame preferably fits inside the edges of the trim 8. The frame 10 is hinged to the top of the opening in the building by means of hinges 12 so that the entire louver structure may be swung outwardly a shown at 14 in Fig. 2 and set at any desired angle by any suitable adjustable supporting means, such as those sometimes used for storm windows or awnings. The louver structure may be swung out at such an angle as to constitute an awning.

The louver mechanism mounted inside the rectangular frame 10 includes a plurality of horizontal rods or bars 16 having shouldered ends of smaller diameter fitting in holes in opposite sides of the frame 10, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. The cross bars or rods 16 are spaced apart a predetermined uniform distance'according to the width and overlap of the plates, and each serves to carry a louver plate 18 supported thereon by two or more elongated channel-shaped supporting members 20, which are adjustably secured to the cross bar.

The elongated channel-shaped supporting members 20 extend at right angles to the axes of the cross bars or rods 16 and each is fastened thereto by means of a rectangular metal block 22 welded to the rod 16, a similar metal block 24 slidable in the channel of the member 20 held by screws 26 on the opposite sides of the cross bar 16. The channel members 20 are block-C-shaped in cross-section and include inturned flanges 28, the edges of which face each other in spaced-apart relationship opposite the web 30 of the channel. The inturned edges 28 of the member 20 extend between the

metal blocks

22 and 24 on opposite sides of the screws 26 and when these screws are tightened the inturned flanges 28 of the elements 20 are clamped in fixed position between the

blocks

22 and 24. The pair of members 20 mounted on each cross bar 16, in the structure illustrated, are adjustable lengthwise by the loosening and tightening of the screws 26 so that there is ample space inside the louver structure, in a particular window or other opening, for pivoting the members 20 and the plates 18 carried thereby.

The simultaneous pivoting of the series of overlapping louver plate units may be effected by a rack or other means in one side of the frame 10 operating on one end of the plurality of cross bars 16, but the showing of such means is simplified in the present instance by showing a vertical adjusting rod 32 arranged inside the louver structure and having outwardly extending arms 34, one for each louver plate, which are respectively attached to the upper ends of the supporting members 20 at one side of the structure by means of pivot pins 36. When the vertical bar 32 is moved up the plates 18 are pivoted to closed position, whereas when the bar 32 is moved down, the plates are pivoted on the bars 16 and swung to open position, such as that shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The bar 32 may be moved to an extreme downward position in which the plates are again moved to closed position, or nearly so, but will be inside out. The plates, therefore, may be set at any suitable angle for purposes of admitting light or air in any position of the louver structure, such as 14 in Fig. 2.

The pair of channel-shaped supporting members 20 for each plate is mounted in parallel relationship on a single bar 16 and each member is preferably provided with means for securing the plate thereon, the plates in the present instance being and preferably having a structure at each edge including a forwardly and outwardly--turned C-shaped upper flange 38 and a similarly forme'd -downwardly and inwardly turned lower flange 40. The web 30 of the channel member 20 at the upper end, as shown in'Fig. 3, is cut out and bent into the hook-shaped retaining memamazes.

3' her, 42. as shown, which is adapted to fit over the upper flange 38 on the plate 18. The lower end of the member is provided with a pivoted hook 44, which is adapted .tqfit into-the-lowerflange 40, the book 44 including a bracket member 46 -pivotedto the end of themember 20 byrarbolticarryinga .wing nut 48.-

In. aSsemblingthe-plate 18. on the pair of supporting members 20,'the:-1ower edge of the plate is tilted upwardly so. that its upper flange 38 hooks under the hook-like members 42. The hooks44 are pivoted upwardly under the plate. 18.and.:as the lower end of .the plate 18 is moved closer;to:the supporting; members 20, the hooks 42 fit snugly-in the flange 40. At .the same time the upper end of;the.-brackets 46.=are moved into parallel. relationship with the members-20 and'their-end holes match the holes in: the. members 20. A bolt is inserted to fasten the brackets-46;in'.place-withthe body. of the plate 18 resting on .the"surfaces. .of the pair of supporting members20.

In-assemblingthe louverplate units, each unit, including the-crossbar 16, the pair of supporting members 20-and the.plate:18, they may be assembled'with the members 20 adjusted --with respect to the permissible extension of vthe upper-:cndofzthe plate'18 above the cross bar 16. so that they maybe readily pivotedby the member 32 or:.by equiv! alent means.

lmthisnconnection each cross bar 16 is provided'with nudzpins-Stlmnd 52 of-reduced'diameter which are receivedfinpholes in the-side members of the frame 10, asshown inFig.-.4; the member-orend 52 being somewhat ldngerthan the endt-50. and .carrying a compression spring 5.4; With the-sspringintplaceron.the member 52, this end-isiinsertedvin'itsihole in the frame 10, the spring com- .pressediandithea-end sinserted in its hole after which the :springi54'zismeleased toseat -the shoulder of:the' bar atatherleftinzFigz '4 against'the' side of-the frame '10.

1111c construction-lunch that the plate units are readily assembled andreadilwadjusted for the particular opening in which the louvered' closure isused.

'1; An exterior'closure for-buildingopenings including spaced-parallel framemembers and a plurality'of plate units=carried thereby, the-plates of which are arranged in parallelaoverlapping relationship at right angles to and between the spaced frame members and pivotally movable respect thereto; each plate unit for the closure comprising one of said overlapping plates, a rod with its endsarespectivelyattaehed tothe'spaced frame members extending'longitudinally alongone side-otthe plate and parallelto its-edges, a plurality of'spaced elongated supporting -members tdwhich the-plate of the-unit is attee-lied, each-supporting member-being OfblOCk-C channel shape in cross section; and supporting members being an ranged abright anglesto said rod' and plate, a'bloelefixed -to=the rod atthe position of the supporting member, a block inthe channel of the= supporting member, and meansv for" drawing the block'- in the supporting member towarditlie-bloclc'fiired to the rod for clamping the edges of the-supporting member betweenthe blocks, said-drawing means=being'readil'y releasable-thereby permitting the lengthwise slidir'ig of the supporting-'- members for the plateand the=-simultaneous shifting of th'eplate there witltwith respmto-the rod.

2. An exterior closure for building'openings' including spaced 'para-llel 1 frame members and a plurality: of plate units carried thereby, the-- platcs-= of which are arranged 'imparall'el overlappinglretationsliip' at'right angles to and botweem the; spacedfr'ame I members and pi-votally movable withwespect tlioreto, each-plate =unitfor the closure oomprising-onwoffsaidioverlapping plates, a' -rod with its eadsqespcctively attaelied to the spaced frame-members amd'fexteneling longitudinaily along one side-of" the" plate ins-parallel reialionship, a= plurality of spaced elongated supporting members to which theplate ofthe unitis attached-, said supportihgmembers being arranged-at substmtiallyl'rightaaglesto-saidaod and plate, areadily releasable clamping means for securing each supporting member to said rod, each readily releasable clamping means including a member fixed to the rod and engaged by the supporting member, and a movable member releasably attached to thefiiredmember and engaging the Supporting membefiwhereby the supporting member-held by the clamping means' may be loosened with respect to the rodthereby-permitting'the-lengthwise-shifting of the supporting membersfor thepl-atezin a direction at substantially right angles twtheErod and the simultaneous shitting-of the attached plate-therewith.

3'. An exterior closure for buildingiopenings including spaced 'parallel'frame members anda plurality 01?. plate units carried thereby, the plates of which are. arrange in parallel overlappingrelationshlp at. right angles to and b'etweenthe spacedlframe members and. pivotally movable with respect thereto, eachv plate unitfor the closure comprising, one of said overlapping plates, .a rod with its. ends respectively. .attached'to. the. spaced frame members. and extending longitudinally along one. side. of the plate inparallellrelationship, a plurality. oflspaced elongated 'suPPQ tingmembers. to which the plate of. the u nit 'isaflnclied, said supporting members. beingchannel-j' shaped in cross-section and arrangcd'at substantiallyright angles to the rod and plate. of the unit, .and'means .for sec-uring eacli supporting,,member tosaid rod, each sea curing, means including, a readily. releasable clamping means..-having an element engaging the. edges. of the channel-shaped supporting, member,, whereby, the sup!- porting; member. held by, theclamping meansmay be loosened with-.respect.to therod-thereby permitting-tithe lengthwise.shitting,of. the supporting members-tor the plate in a. directiomat. substantiallyrightangles- 4m rod. andlh'e. simultaneous of Ithe attachedsplate therewithe I p 4. An exterior closure for building openings spaced pareHeLframememhers-and aphlralityof plate units. carried: thereby, ,the. plates of '.which-a!e .a.I;r8 1 d in parallel.overlapping-relationship at.right angles to and betweenthe spaced fr'amlev members andlpivotally movable with. respectthereto, each plate unit..for the closure cornprisingrcne of said overlapping, plates, tarrod with itsends respectively attached. to the spaced .frame. members and. extending longitudinally along one. side of the plate in parallel relationship, a plurality; oftspaced elongated supporting: members to which the 1 plate: ofitlie unit is attached, said supporting membersbeingarranged at substantially right angles to saidsroduand plate-the longitudinal edge portions-of each plate being-respectively bent in a c.-shap.ed.a-rc in opposite directions, means-on each supportingmember extending around and retaining the bent arcuatetedge portion of the plate which is bent away from the supporting member, means on the end of each supporting member oppositesaidedge portion cngaginginthetotherbentarcuateedge portion of the plate which projects in the. direction toward the sup porting member, the I enter portion.v of. the bent arcuate other edge portion of one plate engaging the surface of the plate next adjacent toward-which said other/edge portion ex-tends whenthe plurality of :plates of the closure arepivoted to collapsed position, andvmcans for-securing each supporting-member-to saidrod, each securing means including a-readily' releasable. clamping means by which the supporting member held thereby'may-he loosened with respect I to the .rod thereby, permittingthe lengthwise shifting. of the supporting: members for the. platelima direction at substantially right-angles to the. rod-and the simultaneous shifting ,of the attached :plate: therewith.

ReferencesiCited in the file ofthis Lpatent UNITED STATES PATENTS- 207,026 Fuller -Aug. 13; 1878 792,148 Nettleton IUnei IOI 190,2 1,403,054 Nabers Jan. 10, 1922 2533323! Petre Ian. 22,..1952