WO2018140989A2

WO2018140989A2 - Shutters

Info

Publication number: WO2018140989A2
Application number: PCT/ZA2018/050005
Authority: WO
Inventors: Neville Jack ARONOWITZ
Original assignee: Aronowitz Neville Jack
Priority date: 2017-01-30
Filing date: 2018-01-30
Publication date: 2018-08-02
Also published as: WO2018140989A3

Abstract

A plantation shutter having hollow louvres connected to move together is described. One of the louvres has an internal guideway in which a locking member is slidably mounted. When the louvres are in the closed position, the locking member can be moved into a projecting position in which it enters an aperture in a frame member to prevent the louvres being moved. In another embodiment the shutter forms part of a closure and a frame member has an internal guideway slidably containing a locking member which when the shutter is in the closed position can engage an aperture in the floor to prevent the shutter from being moved from the closed position.

Description

SHUTTERS

[0001] This invention relates to shutters often known as plantation shutters.

[0002] These shutters are of the kind which comprise a frame consisting of a pair of vertical frame members joined at their upper and lower ends by horizontal frame members and of a series of parallel, preferably horizontal, louvres spanning the area defined by the frame, the louvres being pivotably connected to (i) a pair of frame members (hereinafter called the "carrier frame members"); and to (ii) connecting means connecting the louvres so that they always are parallel. Such a shutter is hereinafter referred to as a "shutter of the kind set forth".

[0003] One type of shutter of the kind set forth has the frame mounted in a fixed member such as a wall. Another type of shutter of the kind set forth has the frame hinged directly or indirectly to a fixed member to be capable of moving between a closed position and an open position wherein when the frame is in the closed position a frame part (hereinafter called "the said frame part") is beside a specific fixed part (hereinafter called "the fixed part"). This type of shutter is hereinafter called a "closure".

[0004] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a shutter of the kind set forth

wherein there is provided

a movable member capable of moving between a closed position and an open position and

a fixed member relative to which the movable member is movable;

wherein the said fixed part has an aperture located beside the movable member when the movable member is in the closed position;

wherein the movable member is hollow and has

an internal guideway and a locking member slidable within the guideway between an inner position in which the locking member is wholly within the movable member and a projecting position in which the locking member projects outside of the movable member;

there further being means for moving the locking member between the inner and outer positions; and

wherein, when the movable member is in the closed position, the locking member when in the projecting position is capable of engaging in the aperture to lock the movable member against movement relative to the said fixed part.

[0005] Preferably the said movable member is a louvre and the fixed part is a carrier frame member.

[0006] The moving means preferably comprises a longitudinally extending slot passing from the guideway to the outside of the louvre and a projecting stud connected to the locking member and passing through the slot so that it can be manipulated outside the louvre. The stud preferably has a head to facilitate gripping of the stud.

[0007] Where the shutter is a closure, the movable member preferably comprises a frame member, preferably a vertical frame member, and the fixed part is a building part such as the floor or a lintel. The movable means in this arrangement is similar to the foregoing but with the slot passing through a wall of the vertical frame member.

[0008] The slot may have an enlargement at at least one end thereof and the stud carrier has an enlarged part which can fit in the enlargement but not in the remainder of the slot, the enlarged member being capable of movement between a locking position in which it is aligned with the wall and an inoperative position when it is beside the wall, the enlarged member when in the operative position is capable of fitting in the enlargement to lock the stud and hence the locking member against movement relative to the frame member and when in the inoperative position the enlarged member does not interfere with the movement of the stud in the slot.

[0009] There are preferably two enlargements, one at each end of the slot.

[0010] One or preferably both of the guideways is/ are preferably formed between two facing "L" shaped members.

[0011] The locking member in the closure preferably comprises a locking bolt which is slidably carried by the vertical guideway. The locking bolt preferably comprises a rectangular body which is slidable in the guideway and a preferably aligned robust pin carried by the body. The locking bolt is movable between an inoperative position and operative position. When in the inoperative position, the pin is wholly within the carrier member and when in the operative position, the pin projects beyond the carrier member.

[0012] Two embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shutter of the invention, the view being taken from the inside with the louvres in the closed position;

Figure 2 is a vertical section of Figure 1 with the louvres in the closed position; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the louvres in their open position; Figure 4 is a transverse section through a louvre;

Figure 5 is an end view of a louvre;

Figure 6 is a detail section through a corner of one louvre with a locking pin in its operative position; Figure 7 is a detail view of a louvre with a locking pin in the withdrawn or inoperative position;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 with the locking pin in the operative position;

Figure 9 is a closure comprising three shutters hinged together and in the closed position;

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic plan of the closure in the partially open position;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 1 of one shutter of a multi-shutter closure; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a carrier member of the shutter with the locking member in the withdrawn or inoperative position;

Figure 13 is a similar view of the carrier member with the locking member in the operative position;

Figure 14 is an exploded view of the locking member of Figure 12; and

Figure 15 is a section on line 15 - 15 of Figure 13.

[0014] Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3 there is shown a shutter 110 sometimes known as "plantation shutter". The shutter 110 comprises a rectangular frame 112 formed of two vertical frame members 114 (known for reasons that will become apparent below as "carrier members") and top and bottom horizontal frame members 116 and 118. The frame 112 is mounted in an aperture in a wall (not shown) between two parallel vertical planes indicated at 120 and 122 in Figure 3. A series of parallel horizontal louvres (also known as "slats") 124 extend between and are carried by the vertical carrier members 114 to span the space surrounded by the frame 112.

[0015] The louvres 124 are hollow aluminium extrusions (as shown in Figure 4). Each comprises, in section, a wide transverse slightly convex upper surface 128 and a conversely similar lower surface 130. The upper and lower surfaces 128 and 130 are joined at their sides by short side parts 132 and 134. A pair of spaced central walls 135 extend between the upper and lower surfaces 128 and 130 to reinforce the louvre 124. At each end, each louvre 124 has a plastic end cap 136 secured thereto by two screws 138 which engage partially circular paths 139 formed by the louvre 124 near the side parts. The end caps 136 each have a projecting central axial pin 140 which fits into a bush 141 (shown partially in Figures 6 and 7) in the adjacent carrier member 114 so as to be able to pivot thereabout. The louvres 124 pivot about the bushes 141 from an open position to a closed position. In the open position (as shown in Figure 3) the upper and lower surfaces 128 and 130 are substantially horizontal. In the closed position (shown in Figure 2) the louvres 124 cover the said space between the frame 112. In this position the lower side 134 of each louvre 124 overlies the upper side edge 132 of the louvre therebelow (as shown in Figure 2).

[0016] A connector rod 142 is pivotally connected to the inner sides 132 of the louvres 124 so that the louvres 124 remain parallel when pivoted about their axes.

[0017] On the inside of the upper surface 128 of each louvre 124 near its rear end the extrusion is formed with a pair of facing "L"-shaped projections 144 and 146 (shown in Figure 4) which form a guideway 148. A bolt member 150 (see Figure 6) of rectangular section is slidably mounted in the guideway 148. A short slot 152 is formed in the upper surface above the guideway 148. A pin 154 passes through the slot 152 and threadedly engages the bolt member 150. The pin 154 has a cylindrical head 156 outside the upper surface 128. The head 156 has a ribbed outside surface so that it can conveniently be gripped to manipulate the head 154 and to serve as moving means to move the bolt member 150 in the guideway 148. The location and lengths of the slot 152 and the bolt member 150 are such that the bolt member 150 can move between (i) a withdrawn position in which it is within the louvre 124 and (ii) a projecting position in which it projects from the end of the louvre 124 and the plastic closure member 136 and (iii) vice versa. The adjacent carrier member 114 has an opening 158 therein (best shown in Figure 6). When the louvres 124 are in the closed position the guideway 148 will be adjacent the opening 158. When the bolt member 150 is moved by the moving means into the projecting position, it, the bolt member 150, engages in the opening 158 to lock the louvre 124 in the closed position. As will be apparent the connector rod 142 will hold all the other louvres 124 in the closed position. Thus the shutter 110 will be locked in the closed position.

[0018] Referring now to Figures 9 and 10 there is shown a multi-shutter closure 160 comprising three shutters 162, 164 and 166 which are aligned when the closure is in the closed condition. The outer carrier 168 of the inner shutter 162 is hingedly connected to the inner carrier member 170 of the middle shutter 164. The outer carrier member 172 of the middle shutter 164 is hingedly connected to the inner carrier member 174 of the outer shutter 166. The inner carrier member 176 of the inner shutter 162 is pivotally mounted on a fixed member 178 which can be a support fixed to a wall.

[0019] The outer carrier member 180 of the outer shutter 166 is an extrusion. Internally near the bottom end of the carrier member 180 is a guideway formed by a pair of facing "L" shaped members 181 (see Figure 15). A locking member 182 (see Figure 14) is provided. It has an elongated rectangular section body 183 which is slidable in the guideway. The body 183 carries a parallel locking pin 186 projecting forwardly of it. Above the guideway is an elongated slot 188 (see Figures 12 and 13) in the rear wall 190 of the carrier member 180. At its inner and outer ends the slot 188 has circular enlargements 191 and 192 in the wall 190. These enlargements 191 and 192 each have a coaxial lower portion 194 (see

Figure 15) which is of slightly greater diameter. A moving member is provided engaging in a blind bore 198 in the body 184. It comprises a stud formed with a head 200 and a threaded pin 202 therebelow. The pin 202 threadedly engages an intermediate member 204. The member 204 has a body 206 which fits through the slot 188. The body 206 has an enlargement in the form of a flange 208 which fits the portion 192. This flange 208 has a larger diameter lower portion 210 which fits within the bore 198. A spring 212 acts between the base 214 of the bore 198 and the flange 208.

[0020] When the stud is in the inner end of the slot 188, it will have moved the locking pin 186 into a withdrawn position in which it is wholly within the carrier member 180 (best shown in Figure 12). At the other end it will have moved the locking pin 186 into an operative position in which it projects beyond the end of the carrier member 180 (as shown in Figure 13).

[0021] When the stud is aligned with one of the enlargements 191 or 192 the flange 208 will be aligned with the enlargement and will be biassed by the spring 212 into an upper position in which it fits within the enlargement. It will not now be possible to move the stud along the slot 188 so that the locking pin 186 is locked in position. When it is desired to move the locking member 182, pressure is applied to the head 200 to depress the body so that the flange 208 will be below the wall 190 permitting the stud together with the intermediate member 204 to move along the slot 188. [0022] In the floor (shown diagrammatically at 214) there is an opening 216 which is below the member 180 of the shutter 166 when the shutters 162, 164 and 166 are aligned i.e. when the closure 160 is in the closed position. As shown in Figure 11 the locking arrangement can be provided both at the bottom and top of the member 180 for more secure locking.

[0023] It will be seen that by forming the guideways in the louvres or the vertical member as described above an efficient, compact and simplified arrangement is provided. This is a significant improvement on the arrangements where a guideway is provided outside the louvres or the vertical members. [0024] The invention is not limited to the precise constructional details hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings. For example the shutter may have more louvres than those shown. A multi-shutter closure may comprise only one or two shutters or indeed more than three shutters as desired. The closure may be mounted in an enlarged frame. All the louvres other than that having the internal guideway can be formed differently. Each of the shutters can have vertical locking means. The head on the stud need not have a ribbed surface.

Claims

1 A shutter of the kind set forth

wherein there is provided

a fixed part relative to which the movable member is movable;

wherein the said fixed part has an aperture located beside the movable member when in the closed position;

wherein the movable member is hollow and has

an internal guideway and

a locking member slidable within the guideway between an inner position in which the locking member is wholly within the movable member and a projecting position in which the locking member projects outside of the movable member;

wherein, when the movable member is in the closed position, the locking member when in the projecting position is capable of engaging in the aperture to lock the movable member in the closed position against movement relative to the said fixed part.

2 A shutter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said movable member is a louvre and the fixed part is a carrier frame member.

3 A shutter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the moving means comprises a longitudinally extending slot through a wall of the louvre passing from the guideway to the outside of the louvre and

a projecting stud connected to the locking member and passing through the slot so that it can be manipulated outside the louvre. 4 A shutter as claimed in claim 3 wherein the stud has a head to facilitate gripping of the stud.

5 A shutter as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the shutter is a closure, wherein the movable member comprises a frame member and wherein the fixed part is a building part or architrave such as the floor or a lintel.

6 A shutter as claimed in claim 5 wherein the frame member is a vertical frame member.

7 A shutter as claimed in claim 6 wherein the moving means comprises a longitudinally extending slot in a wall of the frame member passing from the guideway to the outside of the frame member and

a projecting stud connected to the locking member and passing through the slot so that it can be manipulated outside the frame member.

8 A shutter as claimed in claim 7 wherein the stud has a head to facilitate gripping of the stud.

9 A shutter as claimed in claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the slot has an enlargement at one end thereof and the stud carrier has an enlarged part which can fit in the enlargement but not in the remainder of the slot, the enlarged member being capable of movement between a locking position in which it is aligned with the wall and an inoperative position when it is beside the wall, the enlarged member when in the operative position is capable of fitting in the enlargement to lock the stud and hence the locking member against movement relative to the frame member and when in the inoperative position the enlarged member does not interfere with the movement of the stud in the slot. 10 A shutter as claimed in claim 9 wherein there are two enlargements, one at each end of the slot.

11 A shutter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein each louvre comprises a hollow extrusion.

12 A shutter as claimed in claim 11 wherein the extrusion comprises aluminium.

13 A shutter as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the guideway comprises two facing "L" shaped members.

14 A shutter as claimed in claim 5 or any claim dependant thereon wherein the locking member comprises a rectangular section bolt slidably carried by the guideway.

15 A shutter as claimed in claim 14 wherein the locking member comprises a robust pin carried by the bolt, which pin projects from the frame member when the locking member is in the projecting position.

16 A shutter having parts arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 of the drawings.

17 A shutter having parts arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 9 to 15 of the drawings.