Movable or removable closures – Closures interconnected for concurrent movement – Louver-type closures
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-05
2001-04-24
Redman, Jerry (Department: 3634)
Movable or removable closures
Closures interconnected for concurrent movement
Louver-type closures
C049S074100, C049S064000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219970
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to window coverings, and more particularly to a window shutter assembly having a recessed side actuating louver
2. Description of the Background Art
Window shutters are used to shield a room or area from the elements, as well as to provide privacy and security to persons therein. In addition, window shutters preferably also add to the aesthetic appeal to the decor of both the room when viewed internally, and the structure or building when viewed externally.
Window shutters having adjustable louvers serve the foregoing purposes while allowing for air to circulate or pass through the window when the window shutter is closed. The louvers, which are typically disposed horizontally and parallel to each other, are movable angularly between a closed position wherein it serves as a barrier to the elements, to an open position wherein air may flow therethrough. Positioning the louvers at any point between the fully closed position and the fully open position not only allows for restricting or controlling air flow therethrough, but also directing the air flow.
In order to adjust a plurality of louvers simultaneously, an adjustment arm or member is attached to the louvers, which essentially chains them together so that moving any one of the louvers to any position causes a corresponding movement of the remaining louvers that are correspondingly attached by the adjustment arm or member. This obviously facilitates louver adjustment. The problem that arose with the employment of the adjustment arm or member is that it was somewhat obtrusive and when disposed along the middle section of the louvers, it partially obstructed the view through the louvers when they are open. There are some designs that place the adjustment arm or member on the side edge of the louver so as to prevent obstruction of the view therethrough when the louvers are open, however, these adjustment arms or members, regardless of whether they are disposed in the center or side edge of the louvers, generally detract aesthetically from the overall appearance of the window shutter.
To solve the problems of obstruction and aesthetics caused by the adjustment arm or member, internal mechanisms were incorporated within the window shutter to allow for simultaneous adjustment of the louvers. These internal adjustment mechanisms proved to be complicated, requiring an excessive number of components and thus are very expensive to manufacture.
For a window shutter to open and closed within a window opening, a hanging strip is used in conjunction with each window shutter. The hanging strip includes hinges for the attachment of the window shutter thereto thereby allowing the window shutter to swing between a closed and an open position. The hanging strip basically serves as an interface between the window shutter and the side wall surfaces of the window opening.
Due to variations in tolerances, the side wall surfaces of the opening in most windows typically do not form a straight line, nor are they perfectly perpendicular to the bottom or top surfaces of the window openings. As such, crevices exist between the side wall surfaces and hanging strips when window shutters are installed in the window opening. These crevices allow for the passage of the weather elements therethrough, as well as reduce the privacy enjoyed by the occupants within the room or area enclosed thereby, thereby defeating the purpose of closing the window shutters in the first place. Inherent in the configuration and function of window shutters, gaps are also formed between the hanging strip and the window shutter, as well as between a pair of window shutters placed adjacent one another, when the window shutter is in the closed position.
Accordingly, there is a need for an adjustable window shutter having a louver adjustment that is relatively inconspicuous, yet simple in design and inexpensive to manufacture. There is also a need for a window shutter that effective conceals gaps formed between the window opening and the hanging strip, between the hanging strip and the window shutter, and also between two window shutters, when the window shutters are closed. The present invention satisfies these needs, as well as others, and generally overcomes the deficiencies found in the background art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to an adjustable window shutter apparatus having a simple and reliable side mounted louver adjustment member that is relatively inconspicuous, while providing for a means to conceal gaps that form between closed window shutters and between window shutters and hanging strips, as well as a means to account for dimensional variations between the hanging strip and the side wall surface of the window opening.
By way of example and not of limitation, the adjustable window shutter apparatus of the present invention generally comprises a frame member having a centrally disposed opening, a plurality of louvers pivotally disposed within the opening of the frame member, a relief notch on the lateral edge of the louver, and a louver adjusting member attached to the plurality of louvers. The louver adjusting member is completely disposed within the relief notch of the louvers, thereby maintaining at least a flush profile on either the inner surface or outer surface of the window shutter when the louvers are in the closed position.
The window shutter apparatus further comprises a hanging strip that includes a means for pivotally attaching the frame member thereto, a compliance strip for attachment to the hanging strip, and a concealment strip attached to either the hanging strip or frame member. The compliance strip is fabricated from a generally compressible material which adjusts for dimensional variations in the side surfaces of the window opening that leave a gap when the hanging strip is placed adjacent thereto. The concealment strip, which preferably has a T-shaped cross section, is attached to either the hanging strip or the frame member to conceal a gap formed between the frame member and the hanging strip when the window shutter is in the closed position. The concealment strip may also be attached to the frame member to conceal a gap formed between a pair of frame members placed adjacent one another, when the window shutter is in the closed position.
An object of the invention is to provide an adjustable window shutter apparatus.
Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable window shutter apparatus having a louver adjustment member that is relatively inconspicuous and that maintains a flush profile on either the inner surface or outer surface of the window shutter when the louvers are in the closed position.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable window shutter apparatus having a means for adjusting for dimensional variations existing in the side surfaces of window openings.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable window shutter apparatus having a means for concealing gaps that form between the frames of window shutters positioned adjacent one another when the window shutter is in a closed position.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable window shutter apparatus having a means for concealing gaps that form between the frame of the window shutter and a hanging strip when the window shutter is in a closed position.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitations thereon.
REFERENCES:
patent: 163679 (1875-05-01), Merrill
patent: 192353 (1877-06-01), Smits
patent: 312053 (1885-02-01), Willer
patent: 465395 (1891-12-01), Stoeppelwerth et al.
patent: 863573 (1907-08-0
Chan Law Group LC
Halperin Brett L.
Redman Jerry
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