Movable or removable closures – Closures interconnected for concurrent movement – Louver-type closures
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-29
2001-05-08
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Movable or removable closures
Closures interconnected for concurrent movement
Louver-type closures
C049S074100, C049S403000, C049S091100, C454S221000, C454S224000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226922
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to window shutters and more particularly relates to light blocking window shutters having louvers with blades fabricated from either wood or synthetic material which incorporate an extruded metal reinforcing member to which the blade is attached and on which the louvers pivot with respect to a mounting frame.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various interior window treatments are utilized both in residential and commercial business applications. One widely accepted window treatment is the shutter. The shutter is popular because of its pleasing aesthetic appearance, versatility, adjustability, functionality and environmental control. Shutters can be manufactured to accommodate window openings in various sizes and shapes. Shutters are conventionally made of wood and are fabricated and assembled in a highly labor intensive operation. After fabrication, most shutters are stained or painted. A functional advantage of shutters is that shutters can be adjusted to regulate the desired light level and also serves to deflect sunlight and reduce glare. Shutters are also environmentally beneficial in that they can reduce the heat load transferred to an interior space through a window opening.
Conventional shutters, while widely accepted, are generally expensive to manufacture due to the number of labor operations which must be performed in the fabrication operation. Most of these operations are manual or, at most, semi-automatic. For example, rails forming the shutter frame must be planed, shaped, drilled and routed in the assembly process. Louvers are similarly formed and assembled as part of the structure. If the louvers are of the adjustable type, the louvers are mounted on dowels which are inserted in cooperating bores spaced along the edges of the stiles. Over a period of time, repeated adjustment of the angular position of the louvers on the dowels can cause the bores in the edges of the louvers or in the stiles to wear creating a condition in which the louvers loosen and will not maintain an adjusted position. Further, conventional wooden louvers constructed in this manner are subject to warpage as a result of use and as a result of heat transferred through the window opening and also due to ambient environmental conditions such as moisture.
While, as indicated above, shutters are widely accepted, there nevertheless exist a need for a shutter of an improved construction which provides improved operational capabilities and also better resistance to warpage as a result of heat and environmental exposure. Another desirable feature in window shutters is the ability to completely block out light when the shutters are in a closed position. In addition, it is highly desirable that shutters be made which provide zero clearance at one surface so that when the shutter blade is open, the blade does not interfere or strike adjacent objects such as window frame, door handle or the like.
Various patents relating to shutters of the general type can be found in the prior art including the following:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,864 shows a shutter construction having louvers which may be formed of various materials such as plastic, wood or wood materials.
The early patent, U.S. Pat. No. 126,713, to Kelly shows a window blind construction having slats of wood or metal which, when closed, overlap so as to block out light, rain and dust.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,075,257 shows a canopy having tiltable slats which can be closed in an overlapping position to prevent seepage of rain.
Other patents relating to zero clearance feature in shutter construction include the following:
No.
Title
Patented
1,189,572
Shutter Mechanism, Ilg
1,817,836
Register, Petrelli
2,955,815
Louvered Wall, Muhr
2,962,956
Ventilating Louver Assembly, Magyar
3,046,619
Shutter, Shustrom
4,505,070
Window Blind, Clipp et al
4,887,391
Window Shutter Assembly, Briggs
4,974,362
Decorative Shutter, Briggs
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the present invention relates to a zero clearance shutter which has louvers with blades which may be fabricated of wood or synthetic materials and which blades are secured to an extruded mounting section preferably of aluminum or other light weight material. The mounting section is environmentally resistive and does not wear or become loosened over prolonged pivoting operation. Further, the material is resistant to warping which can occur with conventional wooden blades and even some synthetic blades. In the preferred embodiment, the pivot point for adjustability is located on the metal portion of the shutter for better control. The pivot point is also located close to one edge of the louver so that when the louver is open, the tip of the metal portion does not extend substantially beyond the planar surface defined by one surface of the frame. Thus, the design provides zero clearance so that when the shutter blade is open, it does not interfere or strike adjacent objects such as a window frame, door handle or the like. Further, the louver blades are preferably formed having edges formed to cooperatively engage or abut the edges of adjacent louvers to substantially block out light.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3374576 (1968-03-01), Duclon et al.
patent: 3981355 (1976-09-01), Piercey
patent: 4027430 (1977-06-01), Sakamoto
patent: 5921028 (1999-07-01), Marocco
Chavez Patrick J.
Friedman Carl D.
Nelson Gregory J.
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