WO2010010542A2

WO2010010542A2 - Closure for a building and method of operating a closure

Info

Publication number: WO2010010542A2
Application number: PCT/IB2009/053266
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rian Stewart Turner
Original assignee: Rian Stewart Turner
Priority date: 2008-07-25
Filing date: 2009-07-27
Publication date: 2010-01-28
Also published as: WO2010010542A3

Abstract

A closure (10) and a method of operating the closure are provided. The closure (10) has generally planar louvers (12), each configured to pivot about its own pivot axis (40) between an open position in which the louvers are spaced apart and a closed position in which adjacent louvers are in close proximity. Each louver (12) has a pivot mechanism (18) that is attached to its underside (22), so that the pivot axis (40) of the louver is spaced from its underside. The closure (10) is operated by pivoting each of the louvers (12) about its pivot axis (40) between its closed and open positions by displacing it along an arched path during the pivoting movement.

Description

1

CLOSURE FOR A BUILDING AND METHOD OF OPERATING A CLOSURE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to closures for buildings, including, but not limited to closures that perform one or more of the functions of doors, windows, burglar bars, partitions, awnings, and the like. In particular, the invention relates to a closure and a method of operating a closure.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Buildings and/or other habitable structures often require elements that need to be present at times and are either required or preferred to be removed at other times. These structures include doors and windows that typically comprise a single closure element that can pivot or slide relative to an adjacent structure to open or close an opening. These fulfil the purposes of opening and closing quite suitably, but have the disadvantages that the closure is usually in the way when partly or fully open, such as the pane of a door or window that is partly or fully pivoted or that has been slid to one part of an opening, but that still obstructs the opening in part. These closures also have the disadvantages that they usually allow little or no flexibility if one wants to allow ventilation and/or light to pass over the entire area of the closure in a preferred direction.

Some of these problems can be overcome by closures that have adjustable louvers that can pivot to allow air and/or light to pass through. This feature has been used in windows and blinds and in some configurations, they have had the additional feature that the individual louvers or slats can be slid to one side, thereby reducing the extent to which they obstruct the opening. However, these louvered closures are either not secure against intruders or are notoriously ineffective in preventing intruders.

Pivoting louvers have also been used in roof structures, especially in roofs for outdoor areas and are effective in regulating the gaps and thus the passage of air 2 and light between louvers, while being able to prevent rain and/or unwanted sunlight from passing through the louvers, at certain angles. These roof structures are not "closures" in the conventional sense of the word, but do serve the purpose of selectively opening and closing apertures in a habitable structure. Further, these roof structures are not configured to allow the louvers to be removed from their pivoting positions with the result that the louvers always obstruct the opening of the roof - at least in part.

The louver-type closures described above all hold the disadvantage that they are prone to breaches of security because the individual louvers are supported by structures adjacent their ends and it is practically always possible to force objects into the operating mechanisms adjacent the ends of the louvers, to damage or force open the closures.

Further, existing louvered closures are either made of glass (in the case of windows) or of opaque materials such as metals or wood. In the case of glass, the closures allow light to pass through them, but are prone to breaches of security. In the cases of other materials, the louvered closures do not allow light to pass through the closures when they are fully closed.

The present invention seeks to provide a closure that is suitable for securely closing an opening in a habitable structure, for selectively allowing ventilation and/or light to pass through the opening and in which obstruction of the opening is minimised when the closure is fully opened, in addition to other advantages such as cost effectiveness, versatility, aesthetic appeal, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a closure comprising a plurality of generally planar louvers, each louver having an underside; and a pivot mechanism configured to pivot each louver about a pivot axis of that louver, between a closed position in which part of each louver that faces an adjacent 3 louver, is in close proximity to said adjacent louver, and an open position in which said adjacent louvers are spaced apart; wherein the pivot mechanism of each louver is attached to the underside of said louver and the pivot axis of each louver is spaced from said louver.

Each pivot mechanism may be spaced inwardly from the ends of its associated louver to which it is attached.

Each pivot mechanism may include at least one arm extending from the underside of its associated louver to its pivot axis. Preferably, each pivot mechanism includes two arms that are spaced apart and that are spaced inwardly from ends of its associated louver.

The edges of the louvers may be configured to abut in a sealing manner, when in the closed position.

The closure may include a support structure that is configured to support the pivot mechanisms and the louvers in a parallel configuration. The support structure may include at least one elongate actuator that is connected to each pivot mechanism and that can be displaced to operate the pivot mechanisms simultaneously or sequentially, e.g. the actuator may be a bar connected to the arms of each pivot mechanism.

Each pivot mechanism may be connected to the support structure in a manner that allows the pivot mechanism to slide in a direction that is generally transverse to the pivot axes, to slide at least some of the louvers closer together. Preferably, the support structure may include a retraction mechanism that is configured to slide the pivot mechanisms in said transverse direction and the retraction mechanism may include spacers extending between adjacent pivot mechanisms, such as spacers that collapse under compression, e.g. by pivoting.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of 4 operating a closure, said method comprising: providing a plurality of generally planar louvers, each louver having an underside and a pivot axis; pivoting each of the louvers about its pivot axis between a closed position in which a part of each louver that faces an adjacent louver, is in close proximity to said adjacent louver, and an open position in which said adjacent louvers are spaced apart; wherein the pivot axis of each louver is spaced from the louver and each louver is displaced along an arched path during said pivoting movement, relative to its pivot axis.

The method may include pivoting a plurality of the louvers in unison or in succession and may include sliding some of the louvers closer together when in their open positions.

The method may include abutting the edges facing adjacent louvers against the adjacent louvers when in the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, the invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded three dimensional view of a closure in accordance with the present invention, viewed from a lateral outside;

Figures 2A and 2B are side views of the closure of Figure 1 in an open condition, viewed from the inside in Figure 2A and from the outside in Figure 2B; Figures 3A and 3B are side views of the closure of Figure 1 in a closed condition, viewed from the inside in Figure 3A and from the outside in Figure 3B; Figures 4A and 4 B are side views of the closure of Figure 1 in an open condition with its louvers partially retracted, viewed from the inside in Figure 4A and from the outside in Figure 4B; and 5

Figures 5A and 5B are side views of the closure of Figure 1 in an open condition with its louvers fully retracted, viewed from the inside in Figure 5A and from the outside in Figure 5B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, a closure in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The closure is suitable for closing openings such as door or windows, serving as a roof or wall, or any application where it extends between a space that needs to be protected (e.g. a habitable space) and an outside space. The closure can thus have any orientation, varying between horizontal, sloped or vertical.

The closure 10 includes an array of parallel flaps or louvers 12 that are pivotally supported by pivot mechanisms 18 on support structures in the form of upper and lower bars 14,16. Although this is not illustrated in the drawings, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure 10 includes two support structures, i.e. two sets of bars 14,16, each extending generally transversely below to the louvers 12, inwardly from the ends of the louvers.

Each louver 12 has a generally planar shape with a top 20 and an underside 22 and has a cross-sectional profile that is curved slightly downwardly at its edges. The profile defines a downwardly pointing lip 24 at one edge of the louver 12 and an upwardly facing trough 26 at the opposite edge. Two recesses 28 are defined on the underside 22 in which anchors can be received. A flexible seal 32 is fitted on the lip 24.

Each of the two pivot mechanisms 18 near the ends of each louver 12 includes a pivot arm 34 that is attached at its remote end 36 to the underside 22 by being screwed to the anchors 30, at a position spaced inwardly from the end of the louver. The arm 34 extends transversely from the edge of the louver 12 where the trough 26 is formed, at an oblique angle and it has a pivot end 38, opposite from its remote end 36. The pivot mechanism 18 of each louver 12 has a pivot axis 40 that extends 6 generally parallel to the louver and that passes through the pivot end 38 in the embodiment of the invention described herein. A pivot aperture 42 is defined in the arm 34 and is aligned with the axis 40 and an intermediate aperture 44 is defined in the arm, spaced between the pivot aperture 42 and the louver 12.

Each of the bars 14,16 has a cross-sectional profile that defines a main channel and a lateral channel. The lower bar 16 has a main channel 46 that faces upwardly and the upper bar 14 has a main channel 48 that faces downwardly. Short struts 50 extend between the bars 14,16 and are pivotally attached to the insides of the channels 46,48 at the ends of the struts, with short shafts 52. The struts 50 are generally parallel, but the positions of the shafts 52 along the channels 46,48 are configured such that the angles at which the struts extend between the bars 14,16 vary in parallelogram fashion, when the bars are moved axially relative to each other. In particular, if the lower bar 16 is kept still and the upper bar (or actuator) 14 is moved axially relative to the lower bar, the struts 50 will pivot and the bars will move closer together or farther apart.

An elevating strut 60 is fitted with its ends inside the channels 46,48 in much the same way as the struts 50, except that the lower end of the elevating strut 60 is held in a screw block 62 and can be pivoted relative to the bars 14,16 by operation of a screw 64. In the illustrated example, the screw is driven through a pulley 66 and worm gear mechanism 68, but any other suitable mechanism can be used to drive the elevating strut 60 to pivot relative to the bars 14,16.

The lateral channels 54 of the upper and lower bars 14,16 face in an inwardly direction, towards the pivot mechanisms 18 and towards the centres of the louvers 12. Each lateral channel 54 is configured to receive slide elements 56 in the channel and to hold them captive in the channel, while allowing them to slide freely, longitudinally within the channel.

Each arm 34 is attached to a slide element 56 in the lateral channel 54 of the lower bar 16 with pivotal attachments (not shown) extending through the pivot aperture 42 7 of the arm. This allows the arm 34 to slide longitudinally relative to the lower bar 16 as the slide element 56 slides along the channel 54 and also allows the arm to pivot about its pivot axis.

Similarly, each arm 34 is attached to a slide element 56 in the lateral channel 54 of the upper bar 14 with a pivotal attachment (not shown) extending through the intermediate aperture 44 of the arm. This allows the arm 34 to slide longitudinally relative to the upper bar 14 as the slide element 56 slides along the channel 54 and also allows the arm to pivot relative to the upper bar.

The closure 10 has a retraction mechanism comprising a tensile element such as a cord (not shown) extending around two pulleys 70 and attached to one of the arms 34 to draw/pull the arm and slide it along the bars 14,16. Preferably, there are retraction mechanisms at both sides of the closure 10 that are linked, to draw both arms 34 of a particular louver 10 to slide simultaneously along the bars 14,16 at both ends of the louver. For reasons that will become apparent when the operation of the closure 10 is described below, the cords of the retraction mechanism are only attached to the louver 12 that is furthest from the elevating strut 60 and its associated mechanisms.

The retraction mechanism also includes spacers 72 extending between the arms 34. In the drawings, the spacers 72 are attached to the pivot ends 38 of the arms 34 and the spacers that are shown can pivot at their centres, so that there is a fixed maximum distance between the pivot ends 38 when the spacers are fully extended, but the pivot ends can be spaced closer together when the spacers are pivoted.

The spacers 72 can instead be replaced with tensile elements such as cords, but the pivoting spacers 72 are preferred because they are configured to pivot upwards, which is aesthetically more pleasing and, more importantly, they are more robust. The spacers 72 are configured such that their pivotal midpoint is at a higher elevation than their attachments to adjacent arms 34, when they are fully extended, so that they will easily pivot when any compression is applied to them and will not lock in a fully extended position. 8

The parts of the closure 10 can be made from a variety of suitable materials, but preferably, the louvers are extruded from a durable transparent polymer such as polycarbonate if transparency is required, or from a durable opaque polymer or metal if the closure is required to shut of light. A wide variety of suitable materials can be used, including various plastics (depending on whether the closure is predominantly intended as a security or weather barrier), aluminium, etc. The bars 14,16 are also preferably extruded and all the components are preferably made of durable materials such as reinforced polymers or metals, apart from the slide elements 56 that are made of polymers that can easily slide along the lateral channels 54.

In use, the closure 10 is opened and closed by rotating the pulley 66, e.g. with a cord extending around it, which operates the worm gear mechanism 68 and screw 64 to pivot the elevating strut 60. The illustrated example of the closure 10 is a mechanical, hand operated version, but the closure can instead also be motohsed. As the elevating strut 60 is pivoted, the struts 50 also pivot and the upper bar 14 and lower bar 16 move relative to each other in parallelogram fashion as described above and thus move closer together or farther apart, depending on the direction of rotation of the pulley 66.

When the bars 14,16 are far apart, the closure 10 is in an open condition as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, in which the spacing apart between the bars 14,16 causes the arms 34 to assume a relatively upright orientation, with the louvers 12 also assuming an upright orientation and the thus being spaced apart.

When the bars are moved closer together as described above, the closer spacing between them causes the arms 34 to pivot about their pivot axes 40 and accordingly, the louvers 12 are pivoted. For the sake of simplicity in this description, the pivotal movement of the arms 34 and louvers 12 is described relative to pivot axes 40 that extend transversely through the lower ends of the arms and through the lower bars 16. This will be strictly correct if the lower bars 16 are stationary and the 9 upper bars 14 move, but is it possible that the upper bars will remain stationary and the lower bars will move, in which case the pivot axes will, strictly speaking, pass through the intermediate apertures 44 and be aligned with the upper bars 14. The exact location of the pivot axes is not important. What is important is that the pivot axis of each louver is spaced from the louver and that the whole louver thus makes an arched movement when it pivots about its pivot axis. The reason why this is important is that it allows the pivot mechanisms 18 and support structure to be fitted to the undersides of the louvers, spaced inwardly from its ends and it thus allows these mechanisms to be covered and protected by the louvers, when the closure 10 is closed.

As the bars 14,16 move closer together and the arms 34 and louvers 12 pivot about their axes 40, the closure 10 becomes more closed, until it reaches its completely closed condition as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, in which the predominant function of the closure is to secure against the elements and/or intruders. In the closed condition, each lip 24 is received in the trough 26 of the adjacent louver 20 and the seal 32 abuts the trough in a manner that forms a watertight seal between adjacent louvers. The louvers 12 thus form a continuous, sealed shield that covers the workings of the closure, i.e. the pivot mechanisms 18 and support structures attached to the undersides of the louvers. Accordingly, all the working parts of the closure 10 (rail/bars 14,16, slide elements 56, etc.) are completely hidden or positioned under the slats or louvers 12 and thus ensure maximum protection from intruders and/or the elements. This is highly desirable, since the covering of the workings of the closure 10 by the continuous shield formed by the louvers 12 prevents access to the workings from the top and thus assists in preventing unauthorised compromises of security. The security advantages of the closure 10 are further enhanced by the fact that the workings are spaced inwardly from the ends of the louvers 12. This is in stark contrast to existing louver systems in which the workings are disposed laterally of the ends of the louvers, where they are prone to breaches of security, leakages, unsightliness, etc.

The opening of the closure from its closed condition as shown in Figures 3A and 3B 10 to its open condition as shown in Figures 2A and 2B is simply a reversal of the pivotal movement described above.

The pivotal movement of the arms 34 and louvers 12 during the opening and closing as described above need not be completed each time. Instead, the closure 10 can be opened or closed partly by pivoting louvers 12 partly, if desired. This has the advantage of allowing a user to control how much light and/or ventilation may pass through the closure. Further, the generally parallel orientations of the louvers 12 allows light or air flow in certain directions to be restricted, e.g. the louvers can be allowed to block direct sunlight or rain, while allowing indirect light and ventilation to pass through the gaps between adjacent louvers. Accordingly, in its partially opened condition, the closure 10 has slats or louvers 12 that are tilted to any angle to allow partial light or air flow, etc.

Referring to Figures 4A and 4B, once the closure 10 has been opened at least in part, but preferably fully opened, the cords of the retraction mechanism can be pulled to pull/draw the furthermost louver 12 to slide along the bars 14,16. When the furthermost louver 12 is pulled, the spacer 72 immediately adjacent it pivots so that the furthermost louver slides up against the next adjacent louver, which in turn is slid towards the next louver. As the process proceeds, each successive spacer 72 pivots in turn and the louvers 12 are gathered together and are slid towards the end of the bars 14,16 towards which they are being pulled.

Once the opening process has been completed, the louvers 12 and spacers 72 are in the position shown in Figures 5A and 5B, in which all the louvers are spaced very closely together and almost the entire space previously occupied by them, when the closure was closed, is open. In this fully opened condition, with the slats or louvers 12 stacked closely together, the space utilised by the closure 10 is minimised and passage of persons through the closure is allowed, or the closure is open to the elements (depending on the specific application of the closure).

The sliding of the louvers 12 along the bars 14,16 and the pivoting of the louvers by 1 1 operating the pivot mechanisms 18 operate independently and as long as geometrical constraints allow, either of these actions can be implemented at any time.

The structure and operation of the closure 10 is described herein with reference to the orientation in which it has been illustrated, i.e. with the workings of the closure below and the louvers 12 on top. This is a typical orientation if the closure 10 is used as a roof or awning, but it is certainly not the only orientation in which the closure can be used. In particular, the closure 10 is also suitable as a vertical closure performing the functions of a window, divider, shutter, door, or the like. In particular, the closure 10 can be used as a roof or siding for protection against the elements (light, air, rain, etc), as additional security against intruders when covering openings (such as doors, windows and other access points).

The closure 10 can further be used in combination with security sensors, such as limit switches, infra red beams, etc, that can be linked to an alarm.

Further, the louvers 12 can serve as substrates for installing solar panels, which can serve as a source of electricity, e.g. for household power.

The closure 10 could be held in its closed condition by preventing displacement of the bars 14,16 relative to each other, e.g. with a self-locking drive mechanism if the closure is automated. However, in a preferred embodiment, a detent (no shown) is provided that grips one of the louvers 12 and locks it in its closed position relative to the bars 14,16, e.g. by gripping the lip 24 of the louver.

Claims

12 CLAIMS

1. A closure (10) comprising: a plurality of generally planar louvers (12), each louver having an underside (22); and a pivot mechanism (18) configured to pivot each louver (12) about a pivot axis (40) of that louver, between a closed position in which part of each louver that faces an adjacent louver, is in close proximity to said adjacent louver, and an open position in which said adjacent louvers are spaced apart; characterised in that the pivot mechanism (18) of each louver (12) is attached to the underside (22) of said louver and the pivot axis (40) of each louver is spaced from said louver.

2. A closure (10) as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that each pivot mechanism (18) is spaced inwardly from the ends of its associated louver (12) to which it is attached.

3. A closure (10) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that each pivot mechanism (8) includes at least one arm (34) extending from the underside (22) of its associated louver (12) to its pivot axis (40).

4. A closure (10) as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that each pivot mechanism (18) includes two arms (34) that are spaced apart.

5. A closure (10) as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, characterised in that each pivot mechanism (18) is spaced inwardly from the ends of its associated louver (12).

6. A closure (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the edges of the louvers (12) are configured to abut in a sealing manner, when in the closed position. 13

7. A closure (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said closure includes a support structure (14,16) that is configured to support the pivot mechanisms (18) and the louvers (12) in a parallel configuration.

8. A closure (10) as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that said support structure (14,16) includes at least one elongate actuator (14) that is connected to each pivot mechanism (18).

9. A closure (10) as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that said actuators (14) are configured to be displaced to operate said pivot mechanisms (18) simultaneously.

10. A closure (10) as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that said actuators (14) are configured to be displaced to operate said pivot mechanisms (18) sequentially.

11. A closure (10) as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that said actuators (14) are bars, each connected to the arm (34) of its associated pivot mechanism (18).

12. A closure (10) as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11 , characterised in that each of said pivot mechanisms (18) is connected to the support structure (14,16) in a manner that allows the pivot mechanism to slide in a direction that is generally transverse to the pivot axes (40), to slide at least some of the louvers (12) closer together.

13. A closure (10) as claimed in claim 12, characterised in that said support structure (14,16) includes a retraction mechanism (70) that is configured to slide the pivot mechanisms (18) in said transverse direction.

14. A closure (10) as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that said retraction 14 mechanism (70) includes spacers (72) extending between adjacent pivot mechanisms (18).

15. A closure (10) as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that said spacers (72) are configured to collapse under compression.

16. A closure (10) as claimed in claim 15, characterised in that said spacers (72) are configured to collapse under compression by pivoting.

17. A method of operating a closure (10), said method comprising: providing a plurality of generally planar louvers (12), each louver having an underside (22) and a pivot axis (40); pivoting each of the louvers (12) about its pivot axis (40) between a closed position in which a part of each louver that faces an adjacent louver, is in close proximity to said adjacent louver, and an open position in which said adjacent louvers are spaced apart; characterised in that the pivot axis (40) of each louver (12) is spaced from the louver and each louver is displaced along an arched path during said pivoting movement, relative to its pivot axis.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, characterised by pivoting a plurality of said louvers (12) in unison.

19. A method as claimed in claim 17, characterised by pivoting a plurality of said louvers (12) in succession

20. A method as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19, characterised by sliding at least some of the louvers (12) closer together when in their open positions.

21. A method as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 20, characterised by butting the edges of said louvers (12) that face adjacent louvers, against the adjacent louvers when in the closed position.