LOUVER

Abstract

A louver, the louver comprising an elongate body having opposed ends, the body having an outer surface, a slot extending between the opposed ends; and a wrapping disposed about the outer surface of the body, wherein at least part of the wrapping is retained in the slot. The louver may further comprise a retaining member disposed in the slot. The invention also provides a window, door, shutter or blind comprising a louver according to the present invention, and a method of wrapping a louver.

Claims

1. A louver, the louver comprising: an elongate body having opposed ends, the body having an outer surface; a slot extending between the opposed ends; and a wrapping disposed about the outer surface of the louver, wherein at least part of the wrapping is retained in the slot.

2. The louver of claim 1 further comprising at least one retaining member disposed within the slot to retain the wrapping between the retaining member and an inner surface of the slot.

3. The louver of claim 1, wherein the wrapping is generally rectangular and comprises first opposed edges aligned with the opposed ends of the louver, and second opposed edges.

4. The louver of claim 3, wherein the second opposed edges are retained within the slot.

5. The louver of claim 1, wherein the elongate body has a cross section that is symmetrical about a horizontal and vertical axis and comprises opposed top and bottom faces and opposed side faces.

6. The louver of claim 1, wherein the elongate body has a cross section comprising two offset rectangles, wherein the elongate body comprises opposed top and bottom faces and opposed side faces.

7. The louver of claim 1, wherein the slot is disposed on one of the side faces.

8. The louver of claim 1, wherein the slot has a generally U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped profile.

9. The louver of claim 2, wherein the retaining member extends the length of the slot.

10. The louver of claim 1, wherein the louver is made from wood, plastic, glass or metal.

11. The louver of claim 1, wherein the wrapping is made from one of polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, paper or fabric.

12. The louver of claim 1, wherein the retaining member is made from wood, plastic, glass or metal.

13. A shutter, blind or window comprising at least one louver as claimed in claim 1.

14. The shutter, blind or window of 13, wherein the louvers are fixed or pivotable between an open or closed configuration.

15. A method of making a louver for a shutter, blind or window comprising the following steps: a) providing an elongate body having opposed ends, the body having an outer surface; and a slot extending between the opposed ends; and b) disposing a wrapping about the outer surface of the louver, and inserting at least part of the wrapping into the slot to retain it.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: step c) inserting at least one retaining member into the slot to retain the wrapping between the retaining member and an inner surface of the slot.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the wrapping is generally rectangular and comprises first opposed edges which are aligned with the opposed ends of the louver, and second opposed edges wherein the second opposed edges are inserted into the slot.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, but by way of example only, with reference to the following figures wherein:

[0029] FIG. 1a shows an end view of a first embodiment of a louver according to the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 1b shows a plan view of a first embodiment of a louver according to the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 1c shows a side view of a first embodiment of a louver according to the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 2 shows an end view of a second embodiment of a louver according to the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 3a shows an end view of a third embodiment of a louver according to the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 3b shows a plan view of a third embodiment of a louver according to the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 3c shows a side view of a third embodiment of a louver according to the present invention; and

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a shutter comprising a louver according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Turning first to FIGS. 1a to 1c, there is shown an end view of a first embodiment of louver, generally indicated 10, for use in a window, door, shutter, blind or similar. The louver 10 comprises an elongate body 12, the body 12 comprising parallel upper face 14 and a lower face 16, and opposed rounded side faces 18 and 20. The body 12 also comprises two end faces 22 and 24. A slot 26 is provided in side face 20 (shown with broken line 27 on FIG. 1b), said slot 26 extending the length of body 12 between the end faces 22 and 24.

[0038] The slot may take any shape into which the wrapping can be inserted. Slot 22 has a generally rectangular profile, though alternatively this may be U-shaped, or horseshoe-shaped profile. The profile of slot 22 extends into the body from an opening, the height of the slot from the opening remains constant. In alternative embodiments, the profile may narrow as it extends into the body, for example a U shape or V shaped profile. Further still, the profile may include a portion having a height greater than that of the opening, for example a C shape or horseshoe-shaped profile. As shown most clearly in FIG. 1a, the side face 18 and 20 are rounded, and so face 20 tapers in towards the opening of the slot 26.

[0039] A wrapping, generally indicated 30, is provided about the body 12. The wrapping 30 extends the full length of the body 12, and is aligned with the end faces 22, 24. The wrapping 30 encircles the body 12 entirely, so as to completely cover it. Free ends of the wrapping, indicated 32 and 34 are tucked into, and retained in, the slot 26.

[0040] Retaining member, generally indicated 36, is disposed in slot 26, and is dimensioned so as to clamp or grip the free ends 32 and 34 of the wrapping 30 against the inside surface of the slot 22, thus retaining the wrapping 30 in place. Each free end 32 and 34 is clamped against a different inside surface of the slot 26 by contact with the retaining member 36. The retaining member extends the full length of the body 12 between the end faces 22 and 24. In this case the slot 26 has a substantially rectangular profile and the retainer 36 is substantially oval.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of louver to that shown in FIGS. 1a-c. The louver, generally indicated 40, differs from the louver described in relation to FIGS. 1a-c only in that the opposed top and bottom faces, indicated 42 and 44 are outwardly-curving, rather than parallel.

[0042] FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c shows an alternative embodiment of louver, generally indicated 50. The louver 50 comprises a body 52 which has a cross section that comprises upper and lower offset rectangles, referred to by the numerals 54 and 56 respectively. Upper rectangle 54 comprises a longer upper face 58, shorter lower face 60 and opposed side faces 62 and 64. Lower rectangle 56 comprises a longer lower face 66, shorter upper face 68 and opposed side faces 70 and 72.

[0043] Body 52 further comprises two end faces 74 and 76.

[0044] A slot 78 is provided in side face 62 of the upper rectangle 54, flush with the shorter upper face 68 of the lower rectangle 56. Said slot 74 extends the length of body 52 between the end faces 74 and 76, as shown by broken line 75 in FIG. 3c A wrapping, generally indicated 80, is provided about the body 52. The wrapping 80 extends the full length of the body 52, and is aligned with the end faces 74, 76. The wrapping 80 encircles the body 52 entirely, so as to completely cover it. Free ends of the wrapping, indicated 82 and 84, are tucked into the slot 26.

[0045] Retaining member, generally indicated 90, is disposed in slot 78, and is dimensioned so as to clamp the free ends 82 and 84 of the wrapping 80 against the inside surface of the slot 78, thus retaining the wrapping 80 in place. The retaining member extends the full length of the body 52 between the end faces 74 and 76.

[0046] A demonstration of louvers according to the present invention in use is shown in FIG. 4, which shows a schematic perspective view of a shutter, generally indicated 100. Shutter 100 comprises opposed stiles 102, 104 and opposed rails 106, 108. A plurality of louvers 110 are hingedly mounted to the opposed stiles 102, 104. An actuating bar 112 is hingedly mounted to an outer edge of each louver 110. The louvers 100 are all disposed at an angle parallel to one another, and the respective angle of the louvers 110 can be adjusted by manually raising or lowering the actuating bar 112.

[0047] In use the shutter 100 may be installed in the window of a property so that the actuating bar 112 is internal to the property, and the slots (not shown) on the louvers 110 are external, so as not to be visible from within the property.