Movable or removable closures – Closures interconnected for concurrent movement – Louver-type closures
Reexamination Certificate
1997-06-24
2001-11-13
Redman, Jerry (Department: 3634)
Movable or removable closures
Closures interconnected for concurrent movement
Louver-type closures
C049S074100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314680
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention is in the field of moveable louvre structures, particularly but not necessarily window shutters with rotatable louvres.
PRIOR-ART DESCRIPTION
Window shutters incorporating rotatable louvres are a popular alternative to curtains and blinds. This is especially true of wooden shutters.
However shutters incorporating rotatable louvres are involved items to manufacture. All the louvres must be cut to the correct width. They must be evenly spaced within the frame and positioned so that their axes are parallel.
Once this is accomplished, a rod which connects all the louvres together must be accurately positioned on the louvres and neatly stapled in place to effect simultaneous rotation of all louvres.
Once a louvre shutter has been manufactured, its size cannot be altered without substantial reconstruction. This presents the manufacturer with a problem because window dimensions and styles vary greatly from building to building. Window sizes are often non-standard, having been made to measure. Hence a manufacturer utilising present louvre shutter designs must either have a large inventory of stock in order to supply the many variations in window sizes or only manufacture louvre shutters to order.
Unfortunately neither of these options are ideal. A large inventory of stock inflates manufacturing and supply costs. Manufacturing to order significantly increases manufacturers lead time for delivery of the product over an inventory based system.
Economics of manufacturing have dictated that louvre shutter mechanisms be manufactured to order rather than supplied from a large inventory. This stems partly from the implementation of computer aided manufacturing systems. These systems enable the dimensions of the window to be entered so that the various components can be automatically cut to their appropriate sizes. This also enables accurate and even spacing of the louvres within the frame to be achieved relatively easily. Canadian specification CA 2, 063, 632 to DiGianni and Marocco has disclosed such a system which is custom manufactured by computer aided manufacturing.
CA 2, 063, 632 has also addressed a further problem with louvre shutters, namely that the requirement for a connecting rod which is placed in the centre of the louvre mechanism. This rod is difficult to attach and many manufacturers feel that this rod detracts from the aesthetic value of the shutter. CA 2, 063, 632 has proposed the use of a rack and pinion system which is internal to the shutter frame. U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,832 to Lafayette, La May and Dusevic has also addressed this problem and similarly proposes the use of an internal rack and pinion system to facilitate rotation of the louvres.
CA 2, 603, 632 however is specifically directed to a shutter constructed from extruded plastic. It addresses specific problems inherent in the manufacture and supply of such louvre shutters. The ability of this design to be custom manufactured and factory assembled is one of its major advantages according to the authors.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,832 is a complex design comprised of many components that would be difficult to manufacture or assemble without the assistance of modern manufacturing facilities.
Neither of these specifications address the problems inherent in present designs that require louvre shutters to be either manufactured to order or that require the manufacturer to have an uneconomically large inventory.
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a design for a louvre shutter system that is adapted to fit a range of window sizes, that does not require excessive inventories, and that does not need to be manufactured to order.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a louvre shutter including a plurality of frame members adapted to locate at least one elongate support member with a plurality of apertures; said apertures adapted to axially locate and support at least a first end of a plurality of louvres; at least one gear rack located adjacent said at least one support member and engaged by a plurality of elongate pinion gears each of which is coaxial with one of said apertures and axially with one of said louvres such that said pinion gears are further adapted to operate as spindles for said louvres.
The provision of a support member that serves to support the louvres greatly simplifies constructional requirements as the apertures may be pre-drilled or moulded accurately into position. Preformed holes allow the support member and frame members to be cut to the required length. This construction allows the louvre to be sold in a kit based form as tailoring the louvre to the appropriate size for the window frame is relatively easy.
Provision of an elongate pinion gear further adapted to operate as a spindle simplifies constructional requirements over prior art arrangements.
According to a further aspect the present invention provides a kit arrangement for a louvre shutter mechanism including a plurality of frame members, a plurality of louvres, at least one elongate support member with a plurality of apertures, a plurality of pinion gears and at least one gear rack said frame members, support member, louvres and gear rack adapted such that their length can be altered so that said shutter when assembled can fit a window frame of a size within a predetermined range; said frame members adapted to locate said at least one support member; said at least one gear rack located adjacent said at least one support member and engaged by said pinion gears which are further adapted to operate as pinion gears for said louvres; each said pinion gear being coaxial axially with a first end of one of said louvres and with one of said apertures whereby said apertures support and journal said louvres within said frame members.
The support members provide a kitted louvre mechanism that can be readily assembled by non-professional persons as tolerances required in cutting and drilling are reduced. The support members also allow a hidden rack and pinion system to be incorporated without onerous assembly requirements.
According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of assembling a louvre shutter mechanism such that the louvre shutter mechanism can be located within a window frame of a size that is within a predetermined range; said method including the steps of
(1) providing a plurality of frame members, a plurality of louvres, at least one gear rack, and at least one support member with a plurality of apertures and a plurality of elongate pinion gears further adapted to operate as pinion gears for said louvres;
(2) adjusting the length of at least said frame members, support member, louvres and gear rack to fit within said window frame;
(3) locating said pinion gears axially with a first end of said louvres;
(4) locating said pinion gears within the apertures of said support members;
(5) locating said gear rack adjacent said support members to engage said pinion gears; and
(6) locating the assembly of step (5) within said frame members.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5216837 (1993-06-01), Cleaver et al.
patent: 5379551 (1995-01-01), Swapp
patent: 5469658 (1995-11-01), Digianni et al.
patent: 5537780 (1996-07-01), Cleaver et al.
patent: 5735762 (1998-04-01), Fasterding et al.
patent: 5806933 (1998-09-01), Tsui et al.
patent: 5820288 (1998-10-01), Cole
patent: 5836823 (1998-11-01), Shellaberger
Buckwalter David
Plummer Ian
Cohen Curtis A.
Nomad Handicrafts Pty Ltd.
Redman Jerry
Reising Ethington, Barnes, Kisselle, Learman & McCulloch, P.C.
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