AU675395B2 - Light transmitting louvres - Google Patents

Description

S F Ref: 314165

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

111 S. S

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Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: H. V. Aluminium Pty. Limited 103 Maitland Road Mayfield New South Wales 2304

AUSTRALIA

Gregory Edwards Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Light Transmitting Louvres ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION DETAILS [31] Application No(s) [331 Country PN1578 AU [32] Application Date 8 March 1995 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5815 Light Transmitting Louvres Field of the Invention The following invention relates to louvres of the type which are pivotally mountable for example in a horizontal array above an outdoor entertaining area.

Such louvres are often fabricated from extruded aluminium, pressed steel, fibreglass or other opaque materials. When pivotally orientated into an open position wherein light is allowed to pass through the array, rain, wind and other elements may pass through the array. When the louvres are closed the entertaining area is protected from the elements, however, no light is allowed to pass through the array often leading to the requirement for extra lighting therebelow.

Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantage.

Disclosure of the Invention 15 There is disclosed herein a louvre for pivotal mounting in a structure comprising an array of louvres wherein each louvre of the array is adapted to pivot between an open orientation and a closed orientation, the louvre comprising a longitudinal central region, a first lip at one longitudinal edge thereof and a second lip at an opposing longitudinal edge thereof, the lips being arranged so as to extend 20 longitudinally parallel to the central region and to have a transverse direction of S: extension generally normal to the central region, the louvre further comprising a longitudinally extending light transmitting element to allow the passage of light through the louvre.

Preferably, said light transmitting element is situated across an aperture in the 25 central region.

Typically, the light transmitting element is snap-engaged into the central region.

Alternatively, the light transmitting element may be affixed to the central region around the aperture.

Alternatively, two light transmitting elements are provided, one attached to one side of the central region, and the other attached to the other side of the central region, the two elements being in opposition and mutuaily engageable by a fastener.

Said light transmitting element may alternatively be attached to said first and/or said second lip.

In such an embodiment, the light transmitting element might comprise a slot into which the edge of a louvre is receivable.

,3 LN:\LIBLLI00171 JCC Preferably, a plurality of longitudinally spaced windows and light transmitting elements is provided.

As an alternative, said louvre or varying percentages of said louvre can be fabricated from translucent material.

Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a louvre having a window therethrough and a light transmitting element across the window, Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional end elevational view of edge parts of adjoining louvres in an array, one edge part having affixed thereto a light transmitting element, Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional end elevational view of edge parts of alternative louvres in an array wherein affixed to the edge of one louvre is an 15 alternative light transmitting element, **Fig. 4 is a schematic end elevational view of an alternative light transmitting element, Fig. 5 is a schematic end elevational view of another alternative light transmitting element, Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional end elevational view of a louvre having a window therethrough and a light transmitting element snap-engaged in the window, Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional end elevational view of part of a louvre having a window therein and a light transmitting element affixed to the louvre around the window, 25 Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional end elevational view of part of a louvre having a window therein and another light transmitting element affixed to the louvre around the window, and Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional end elevational view of part of the louvre having a window therethrough and a pair of light transmitting elements engaged one at either side of the window and mutually engaged by a fastener.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments In Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a louvre 10. Louvre 10 is typically fabricated from opaque material such as extruded aluminium, pressed steel, roll formed steel/aluminium, fibreglass or any other material suitable for the purpose and/or currently used in the trade. The louvre 10 comprises a central longitudinal central region or portion 23, an up-turned lip or edge portion 19 at one edge of the portion 23, and a down-turned lip or edge portion (also 19) at the T C 1IN:\LIBLL100171 :JCC goo.

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opposing edge of the portion 23. Punched through or otherwise formed in portion 23 of the louvre 10 is a window 18. There may be a plurality of windows or apertures longitudinally spaced along the louvre 10. Schematically depicted in Fig. 1 is a light transmitting element 11 across the window 18. Light transmitting element 11 may be perspex, polycarbonate, glass, or any other plastics material being either transparent or translucent.

Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 show four examples of alternative light transmitting elements each having alternative means for attachment to the window 18 of louvre In Fig. 6, for example, a light transmitting element 11 is provided with a perinheral groove 20 into which the punched edge of window 18 may be snap-engaged and jssibly glued.

In Fig. 7, a light transmitting element 11 is provided with a peripheral rebate 21 into which the peripheral edge of window 18 is received. In this embodiment, light transmitting element 11 may be glued or otherwise affixed to the portion 23 of louvre 10 about the window 18.

In Fig. 8, a substantially planar light transmitting element 11 is simply adhered to the central portion 23 of louvre 10 about its periphery and the periphery of window 18.

In Fig. 9, two light transmitting elements 11 and 12 are provided, one above 20 and the other below the portion 23 of the louvre 10. Each element 11, 12 might be similar to that depicted in Figs. 7 or 8. However, fastening elements 13 and 14 are provided as an alternative to adhesive. Fastening elements 13 and 14 are adapted to muti!"lly engage the elements 11 and 12. Fasteners 13 and 14 may be snap-engaging threadingly engageable elements, or any other elements suitably adapted to 25 connect the two parts 11 and 12.

As an alternative to the provision of a window 18, and as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, light transmitting elements 11 may be affixed to a longitudinal edge of the portion 23 of one or both of the louvres 10. In the closed orientation, the louvres 10 would not close down directly onto each other as might be the case should light transmitting elements 11 not have been provided. However, when light transmitting elements 11 are provided, the louvres for all intents and purposes are closed when elements 11 abut the underside of the upwardly adjacent edge of an adjacent louvre. A sealing strip may be provided on the edge of element 11 and/or the mating surface of the adjacent louvre.

Depending on the configuration of louvres to be adapted, different types of edge-engageable light transmitting elements may be provided. Regardless of the particular Lonfiguration, and as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the light transmitting elements are provided with a longitudinal slot 15 into which an edge portion 19 of the louvre is receivable. Adhesive may be applied between the groove 15 and edge portion 19 if required.

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r, (N:LIBLL100171:JCC As an alternative to the provision of separate light transmitting elements 11, and rather than providing louvres of opaque material as described above, the louvre itself may be fabricated from a translucent or semi light transmissive material.

For example, in the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1, a transparent light transmitting element 11 might cover varying percentages of the downwardly projected surface area, say 30% of the downwardly projected surface area of a closed louvre To achieve a similar result, and rather chan providing a separate window, the louvre may be fabricated from a translucent or semi light transmissive material allowing the passage therethrough of say 30% of impinging light.

An advantage of all of the above disclosed embodiments is that in the closed orientation of the louvres, light is allowed to pass into the area therebelow. For example, light impinging upon the upper surface 22 of the lower louvre 10 in Fig. 3 will reflect therefrom and pass through the light transmitting element 11.

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0 S 0 C\0 *o 0000 0t o In the open orientation of the louvre of Fig. 1, the louvre of Fig. 2 or that of Fig. 3, substantially more light is allowed to pass into the area below the array of louvres.

Similarly, should a louvre without separate light transmitting elements be provided in translucent material, a limited amount of light would pass through the array when the louvres are in the closed position whereas significantly more light would pass through in the open orientation.

It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention. For example, in place of a rectangular window 18, windows 18 may be circular or any shape suitable for the purpose or even up to the complete length of louvre and up to the complete width of louvre.

Furthermore, rather than providing a groove 15 in the light transmitting elements shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, these elements may be provided with alternative means of connection to the louvre 10. Such means might comprise adhesive, screws, rivets or the like, or a groove on the edge of the louvre into which an element is engageable.

Additionally, the light transmitting elements 11, or translucent or semi-transparent louvre may be tinted transparent, tinted translucent, diffusive, a pattern of opaque over transparent, reflective, polarising, etched or etch-laminated, mirrored, coated, film laminated or otherwise treated.

20 Also, various types of materials such as composites or mixtures of different type materials can be added together, joined, extruded or clipped to form a louvre/blade. For example, he louvre 10 could be fabricated from plastics, metal or a combination of plastics and metal, or could be made from a combination of plastics and timber, or a combination of timber and metal for example.

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Claims (8)

1. A louvre for pivotal mounting in a structure comprising an array of louvres wherein each louvre of the array is adapted to pivot between an open orientation and a closed orientation, the louvre comprising a longitudinal central region, a first lip at one longitudinal edge thereof and a second lip at an opposing longitudinal edge thereof, the lips being arranged so as to extend longitudinally parallel to the central region and to have a transverse direction of extension generally normal to the central region, the louvre further comprising a longitudinally extending light transmitting element to allow the passage of light through the louvre.

2. The louvre of claim 1 wherein said light transmitting element is situated across an aperture in the central region.

3. The louvre of claim 2 wherein the light transmitting element is snap- engaged into the central region.

4. The louvre of claim 2 wherein the light transmitting element is fixed 15 to the central region around the aperture. The louvre of claim 2 wherein two light transmitting elements are provided, one attached to one side of the central region, and the other attached to the other side of the central region, the two elements being in opposition and mutually engageable by a fastener. 20 The louvre of claim 1 wherein said light transmitting element is elongate and is attached along a longitudinal edge thereof to said first lip.

7. The louvre of claim 6 further comprising another elongate light transmitting element attached along an edge thereof to said second lip.

8. The louvre of claim 6 wherein the light transmitting element has a slot 25 into which an edge of an opaque part of the central region is receivable.

9. The louvre of claim 1 fabricated from translucent material. B 10. The louvre of claim 2 comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures and light transmitting elements.

11. A louvre substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Da*ed 28 August, 1996 H V Aluminium Pty Limited Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON tN;\LIBLLI00171 JCC Light Transmitting Louvres Abstract A louvre (10) is typically fabricated from opaque material such as extruded aluminium, pressed, or roll formed steel or aluminium, fibreglass, plastics or the like. Punched through, or otherwise formed in louvre (10) is a window (18) having a light transmitting element (11) thereacross. Numerous means and configurations for fastening the light transmitting elements (11) to the louvre (10) are disclosed. S 0 *ee *S o *S N:\LIBLLI00171:DSS