Movable or removable closures – Closures interconnected for concurrent movement – Louver-type closures
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-15
2004-11-02
Redman, Jerry (Department: 3634)
Movable or removable closures
Closures interconnected for concurrent movement
Louver-type closures
Reexamination Certificate
active
06810619
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to providing an improved shutter system for reduction of light emission into a building. Shutters generally utilizing pivoting louvers or slats for controlling the amount of light entering through a building light opening, such as a window or door, are well known (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,974,362 and 5,020,276). Such louvers typically consist of a blade or wing construction with two thinner-edged, longer longitudinal sides, separated by a thicker middle portion between them and two shorter transverse ends.
Typically, such shutters have a plurality of such pivoting louvers connected to a rectangular frame. The frame typically consists of two side members referred to in the art as stiles and a top and bottom member referred to in the art as rails. The louvers are connected together by a tilt rod such that they may be moved in unison. The tilt rod is typically a U-cross-section wooden rod which has staples inserted into the flat portion of the rod, which are coupled to staples inserted into one surface of a longitudinal side of the louver. Typically, the tilt rod is inserted on the front face of the shutter, the front face of the shutter being defined herein as that portion of the shutter facing away from the outside light entry, such as through a window.
Such louvers are typically connected to the rectangular frame such that the longitudinal sides of the louvers are substantially horizontal or in line with the rails. Typically, the shutter is considered in a closed position when the tilt rod is in its most upward position and the louvers are slanted in a substantially vertical position slightly overlapping each other. The shutter is considered in a fully open position when the louvers are in a substantially horizontal position with no overlap. The louvers are adjustable and may be partially opened to allow varying amounts of light to pass through them.
The present invention relates generally to shutters in which the louvers are arranged such that the louvers never extend beyond the plane of the rear face of the frame (as referenced in U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,362), the rear face of the shutter being defined herein as the face opposing the front face. One of the problems with prior art shutters is that light penetrates through and around the shutter even when closed. One of these areas subject to such penetration is the area between the louver and the shutter frame. Another area that light penetrates through and around is along the side of a shutter such as when a shutter is covering a French door window. Yet another area of light penetration is in the framing around arched shutters that are used to cover arched windows.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A primary object and feature of the present invention is to overcome the above-stated problems of the prior art.
It is a primary object and feature of the present invention to provide a system for reducing the light passing through gaps at the junction between the louvers and the frame of a shutter when the louvers are in the closed position.
Another object and feature of the present invention is to provide a system for reducing the light passing through the side of a shutter covering a French door window lite (i.e., pane of glass).
Yet another object and feature of the present invention is to provide a system for reducing the light passing through gaps at the framing of arched shutters.
A still further object and feature of this invention is to provide a novel and useful method of making shutters with such improved features.
It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide such a system which is aesthetically pleasing, while minimizing light entry through the shutter.
A further primary object and feature of the present invention is to provide such a system which provides an improved system for maintaining the louvers in a user selected position.
A further primary object and feature of the present invention is to provide such a system which is efficient, inexpensive, and handy. Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent with reference to the following descriptions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a shutter system for controlling entry of outside light into a building comprising: louver means for selectively regulating entry of the light into the building; wherein such louver means comprises a plurality of slats, each such slat comprising a pair of longitudinal edges, at least one slat end portion, each such slat end portion having a transverse edge; frame means for positionally supporting such louver means; wherein such frame means comprises at least one outside peripheral frame edge, at least one inside peripheral frame edge, a hollow middle area substantially equal in size to an area of light regulation by such slats of such louver means, a first face lying substantially in a first plane, and a second face opposing such first face and lying substantially in a second plane substantially parallel to such first plane; locating means for locating such louver means so that at least one such transverse edge is adjacent such at least one inside peripheral frame edge of such frame means, and no such longitudinal edges at such slat end portions extend beyond about such plane of such first face of such frame means; and blocking means for blocking substantially all the entry of the light adjacent at least one such slat end portion adjacent such at least one inside peripheral frame edge; wherein such first face of such frame means comprises such blocking means; and wherein such blocking means is located along such at least one inside peripheral frame edge; and wherein such blocking means extends inwardly from such at least one inside peripheral frame edge toward such hollow middle.
Additionally, it provides such a system further comprising: tilt rod means for operating such louver means; staple means for using staples to connect such tilt rod means to such louver means; wherein such staple means comprises at least one first staple penetrating at least one such slat of such louver means, and at least one second staple penetrating such tilt rod means, wherein penetration of such slat by such first staple is about one inch, and wherein penetration of such tilt rod means by such second staple is about one inch, wherein such first and second staples comprise a pivotable interlocking attachment between such first and second staples.
It also provides such a system wherein such frame means comprises an arch. And, it provides such a system wherein such blocking means comprises a rectangular-cross-section rod. Also, it provides such a system wherein such frame means comprises at least two stiles of approximately equal shape and at least two rails of approximately equal shape. Even further, it provides such a system wherein: such blocking means comprises a rectangular-cross-section rod; and such frame means comprises at least two stiles of approximately equal shape and at least two rails of approximately equal shape.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a shutter system for controlling entry of outside light into a building comprising: providing measurements of a rectangular area to be covered by a shutter; providing horizontal louvers of a selected standardized size; providing a pair of shutter side panels (stiles) of substantially equal size and permitting use of such louvers; providing a pair of shutter end panels (rails) of substantially equal size and having about the same width as such louvers; determine a number of louvers adequate to regulate light entry through a height approximately equal to the stile height less twice the rail height, assuming a desired minimum overlap between louvers; determine an actual louver vertical spacing, assuming equal overlaps between louvers; providing an appropriate number and spacing of louver pivot locations along an inside of each such stile; and assembling such shutter so as to provide a light blocker along an inside edge of each s
Redman Jerry
Stoneman Martin L.
LandOfFree
Light-blocking shutter system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Light-blocking shutter system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Light-blocking shutter system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3352836