A LOUVRE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A louvre assembly is described for fitment to doors and/or housing structures for the purposes of allowing air spaces either side of doors and/or internally and externally of such housing structures to intermix. The louvre assembly includes a louvre housing having a continuous louvre housing perimeter wall; a louvre housing cavity surroundingly defined and formed by the louvre housing perimeter wall so as to have first and second laterally spaced open faces; and a louvre formation comprising a plural array of louvre slats removably mountable within the louvre housing cavity. The louvre assembly additionally or alternatively further includes a baffle formation removably mountable over said first open face and comprising: an apertured first closure plate associatively engageable with the louvre housing to seat over said first open face; an unapertured baffle box back plate; a baffle box perimeter formation extending between and laterally spacing apart the first closure plate and the baffle box back plate and forming thereby a baffle cavity; the baffle box perimeter formation having at least one apertured portion communicating with the said baffle cavity. Doors and/or housing structures incorporating such louvre assemblies are also described.

Claims

1. A louvre assembly comprising: a louvre housing having a continuous louvre housing perimeter wall; a louvre housing cavity surroundingly defined and formed by the louvre housing perimeter wall so as to have first and second laterally spaced open faces; a louvre formation comprising a plural array of louvre slats removably mountable within the louvre housing cavity; and wherein the louvre housing perimeter wall is adapted to mountingly receive the removably mountable louvre formation.

2. The louvre assembly according to claim 1, wherein the louvre housing perimeter wall comprises a louvre formation mounting system.

3. The louvre assembly according to claim 2, wherein the louvre formation mounting system comprises one or more apertured portions for the removable insertion of through fixings.

4. The louvre assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an apertured first closure plate associatively engageable with the louvre housing to seat over the first open face.

5. The louvre assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first closure plate is configured to extend across the entire area of the first open face defined by the louvre housing perimeter wall and to close the same, save for the aperture(s) therein.

6. The louvre assembly according to claim 4, further comprising an apertured second closure plate associatively engageable with the louvre housing to seat over the second open face.

7. The louvre assembly according to claim 6, wherein the second closure plate is configured to extend across the entire area of the second open face defined by the louvre housing perimeter wall and to close the same, save for the aperture(s) therein.

8. The louvre assembly according to claim 6, wherein the louvre assembly is adapted for use with and incorporation into a through opening in a door and/or housing wall, and the second closure plate comprises an integrally formed portion of the door and/or housing wall and for example a corresponding leaf thereof.

9. The louvre assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a baffle formation removably mountable over the second open face and comprising: an unapertured baffle box back plate; a baffle box perimeter formation extending between and laterally spacing apart the first closure plate and the baffle box back plate and forming thereby a baffle cavity; the baffle box perimeter formation having at least one apertured portion communicating with the said baffle cavity.

10. The louvre assembly according to claim 9, wherein the baffle box perimeter wall defines at least one apertured portion communicating with the baffle cavity located towards the top of the said baffle cavity.

11. The louvre assembly according to claim 9, wherein the baffle cavity is divided by a baffle cavity divider positioned between the first closure plate and the baffle box back plate, extending from a base of the baffle cavity for at least a major part of an upward extent of the baffle cavity and serving to fluidly isolate a first sub-volume of the baffle cavity proximal to the first closure plate and a second sub-volume of the baffle cavity proximal to the baffle back plate.

12. The louvre assembly according to claim 9, wherein the baffle box perimeter formation defines a square or rectangular perimeter and comprises a bottom wall, two side walls and a top.

13. The louvre assembly according to claim 12, wherein the top comprises an apertured top wall or an open top in which a top wall is absent.

14. The louvre assembly according to claim 9, wherein the baffle box perimeter formation spaces apart the first closure plate and the baffle back plate such that the first closure plate and the baffle back plate are conveniently parallel and disposed vertically.

15. The louvre assembly according to claim 1, comprising an apertured first closure plate configured to extend across and beyond the area of the first open face defined by the louvre housing perimeter wall, having a first closure plate perimeter portion so extending beyond.

16. The louvre assembly according to claim 15, wherein the first closure plate perimeter portion is provided with fixing formations to perform at least one of the following: fix the first closure plate to the louvre assembly; fix the louvre assembly into a through opening in a door in use; and fix the louvre assembly into a through opening in a housing wall in use.

17. The louvre assembly according to claim 1, comprising an apertured second closure plate associatively engageable with the louvre housing to seat over the second open face wherein the second closure plate is configured to extend across and beyond the area of the second open face defined by the louvre housing perimeter wall, having a second closure plate perimeter portion so extending beyond.

18. The louvre assembly according to claim 1, wherein the continuous louvre housing perimeter wall defines a square or rectangular perimeter and comprises a bottom wall, two side walls and a top wall, each wall comprising a continuous and unapertured closure.

19. The louvre assembly according to claim 1, wherein the louvre formation comprises a plural array of louvre slats mounted within the louvre housing cavity to be arrayed successively vertically in parallel orientation such that each slat is angled acutely away from the vertical relative to the notional plane of the second open face.

20. The louvre assembly according to claim 1, provided fixed in a through opening in a closure such as a door and/or a wall of a building or housing.

21. A closure such as a door or wall, the closure comprising: a first face on a first side, a second face on a second side, and a through aperture through the first face and the second face communicating between the first side and the second side; and a louvre assembly according to claim 1 associatively mounted to the through aperture such that the louvre housing cavity is defined within the through aperture and such that the first closure plate is fixedly mounted to the first face of the closure.

22. The closure according to claim 21, wherein an apertured second closure plate is provided associatively engageable with the louvre housing to seat over the second open face of the louvre housing.

23. The closure according to claim 22, wherein the second closure plate is a discrete formation fixedly mounted to the said second face of the closure.

24. The closure according to claim 22, wherein the second closure plate is integrally formed with the second face of the closure.

25. The closure according to claim 17, wherein the closure is a security closure defining an access side and a secured side, with the baffle positioned on the secured side.

26. A door comprising: a leaf frame structure, having at least a top rail member, a bottom rail member, a hinge stile member and a lock stile member; at least one first leaf panel, mountable to a first side of the leaf frame structure; at least one second leaf panel, mountable to a second side of the leaf frame structure, that is opposite to the first side; a through aperture through the first leaf panel and the second leaf panel communicating between the first side and the second side; and a louvre assembly according to claim 1 associatively mounted to the through aperture such that the louvre housing cavity is defined within the through aperture and such that the first closure plate is fixedly mounted to the first leaf panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0077] FIG. 1 shows an example of a louvre assembly of the present invention, in orientations (a) showing the second side which may typically correspond to a front face external to a secured volume in use, and (b) showing the first side which may typically correspond to a rear face internal to a secured volume in use, and showing a baffle formation thereon;

[0078] FIG. 2 shows the louvre assembly of FIG. 1 in vertical cross-section to illustrate air flow in typical use;

[0079] FIG. 3 shows the louvre assembly of FIG. 1 in perspective view to illustrate noise abatement in typical use;

[0080] FIG. 4 shows a the louvre assembly of FIG. 1 in vertical cross-section to illustrate the ventilation function effect as the assembly becomes progressively submerged;

[0081] FIG. 5 shows a pair of doors, one of which has been modified to incorporate a front grille suitable to cover the second side of a louvre assembly of the present invention mounted in association with the door;

[0082] FIG. 6 shows an internal view of the inner leaf of the modified door of FIG. 4, in alternative (a) with a louvre assembly with baffle assembly in accordance with the principles of the invention fitted in operative association with the lower grille, and in alternative (b) with a further baffle assembly fitted in operative association with the upper grille;

[0083] FIG. 7 shows an internal view a louvre formation suitable for use in the louvre/baffle assembly of the invention, respectively showing (a) the second side which may typically correspond to a front face external to a secured volume in use, and (b) showing the first side which may typically correspond to a rear face internal to a secured volume in use, and showing a baffle formation thereon

[0084] FIG. 8 shows attachment of a louvre formation suitable for use in the louvre/baffle assembly;

[0085] FIG. 9 shows a lateral bolt arrangement illustrative of a preferred method of fixing into place of the louvre formation of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0086] The exemplary embodiment(s) of this invention will be described in relation to a Louvre assembly for security doors or secured buildings or housings. However, it should be appreciated that, in general, the characteristics of the Louvre assembly of the present invention will work equally well with any building or housing structure or door.

[0087] Referring now to FIG. 1, a louvre assembly 100 in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown in an assembled configuration suitable for incorporation into a through opening in a door and/or wall of a building or housing, for example for the purpose at least of allowing air spaces either side of such a door or wall to intermix, for example for ventilation and/or temperature control.

[0088] The core of the assembly is a louvre housing formed by a square louvre housing perimeter wall 104 which extends continuously around so as to surroundingly define a louvre housing cavity (see FIG. 2 for example) and is closed on a first side by the louvre housing back plate 102 and on a second side by the louvre housing face place 106. Apertures 118 in the form of slots in the louvre housing face plate 106 permit the flow of air into the louvre cavity. Apertures (not shown in FIG. 1) in the louvre housing back plate 102 permit airflow out of the louvre cavity. A baffle box 108 including an unapertured baffle box back plate 112 and a baffle box perimeter formation 110 consisting of side walls and a base extending between the baffle box back plate 112 and the louvre housing back plate 106 defines a baffle cavity (see FIG. 2). The baffle box is open at the top 114. Air may flow via the apertures in the louvre housing back plate 102 into the baffle cavity, and there is then able further to flow out of the open top 114 of the baffle volume, and thereby to flow from a first side of the louvre assembly forward of the face plate 106 to a second side of the louvre assembly rearward of the baffle box 108.

[0089] In intended use, the assembly of FIG. 1 will be positioned and fixed in a ventilation aperture in a door or wall, for example in a security door or wall, although this is not shown in the figure. Typically, the louvre housing face plate 106 may be fixedly mounted to or integrally continuous with a front leaf of such a door or wall, and the louvre housing back plate 102 may be fixed to a rear leaf of the door or wall. Screw threaded fixings 116 are provided for this purpose.

[0090] In a typical use, the louvre assembly in accordance with the invention may be incorporated as part of a security system into a security door, secure wall, wall of a secure container or the like. When so applied, the secure side, which for example represents a secured volume, a volume in which protected equipment is contained, a volume to which it is desired to limit access etc., will typically constitute the side on which the baffle is mounted. Example applications are discussed herein on that basis.

[0091] The louvre housing face plate 106 preferably sits flush with, and is for example integral with, the front leaf of such a door or wall, and in a possible embodiment the vent slots 118 can be cut from the front leaf of the door or wall. This reduces material cost as a separate face plate 106 is not in this case required. It also makes an attack by someone trying to access the area rearward of the back plate more difficult as there is no joint or fixing to attack on the front side.

[0092] The solid rear baffle box back plate 112 tends to restrict the amount of noise that can freely exit the volume beyond the baffle plate via the louvre volume. Noise escaping from the secure area, and for example from equipment contained within the secure area, is limited. The arrangement also makes any attack to gain access to the secure area significantly more difficult as a considerable amount of cutting would need to be performed to gain access through the louvre assembly, for example to high value equipment contained within the secure area. Security is further enhanced in that the screws 116 can be located outside the through volume, within the body of a security door or wall structure, for example in the cavity between a front and rear leaf thereof.

[0093] The internal volumes defined by the components illustrated in FIG. 1 are best illustrated in FIG. 2, which shows the louvre assembly of FIG. 1 in vertical cross-section, and additionally illustrates the airflow pattern during a typical use.

[0094] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the louvre housing face plate 106, louvre housing perimeter wall 104, and louvre housing back plate 102 together define and substantially enclose a louvre housing cavity 120. The louvre housing cavity contains a louvre formation having a plurality (three are illustrated) of identical parallel angled slats 124 each of which is directed at an acute angle to the vertical away from the direction of the face. A second, baffle box cavity 122 is defined between the back closure plate 102 and the baffle back plate 112. Apertures in the louvre housing face plate 106 allow air to pass from a first side (leftmost in the drawings) into the louvre housing cavity 120. Apertures in the louvre housing back plate 102 permit air to flow from the louvre housing cavity 120 into the baffle cavity 122. The open top 114 of the baffle cavity permits air to flow into the area to the right of the assembly.

[0095] A particular application of the invention is in the provision of a louvre assembly in a door or wall for ventilation of an enclosed space to equalise temperature therein. The enclosed space may be hotter than ambient, for example as a result of heat generating equipment contained within the enclosed space. FIG. 2 illustrates how the design of louvre assembly can function as a convection chimney through a venturi effect. As the temperature rises inside the equipment area convection currents are formed which will draw cooler air out of the top of the louvre baffle. As an air current builds up, more cool air is drawn into the equipment area creating a self perpetuating and self regulating air flow.

[0096] A particular application of the invention is in the provision of a louvre assembly in a door or wall of a contained volume for noise containment. A major problem for example for utility sites such as electricity substations, gas and water facilities, is that by virtue of what they do to fulfil their role in the distribution of these utility commodities they often have to be located near to housing areas. The operation of the substation or other facility can generate noise pollution in the form of pump noise or transformer hum. Traditional louvres operate by having a series of slots that simply prevent physical access to weather and unauthorised persons whereas to prevent noise escaping the louvres have to be filled with sound absorbent material which to all intents and purposes destroys the ability to source cooling air or to allow hot air to escape. The full-face baffle box back plate of the invention inherently reflects the vast majority of the noise pollution back towards the source and only very small amount of noise can escape through the louvre and the louvre still operates without the need for the additional sound absorbing material which traditionally impacts so much on the ability of the louvre from performing its primary role of cooling.

[0097] This is illustrated in FIG. 3. When noise from within the enclosure is incident (I) upon the surface of the unapertured baffle box back plate 112 of the baffle box 108 the majority of the noise would simply be reflected (R) back into the enclosure thereby reducing the levels of noise that can be transmitted (T) through the louvre assembly escape from the enclosure.

[0098] A further optional refinement of the design is illustrated in FIG. 4, in which the louvre assembly is modified to provide for a degree of flood resistance as the area around the assembly becomes progressively submerged. In the particular embodiment, a baffle box cavity divider plate 128 is provided extending substantially the full height of the baffle box so as to separate the baffle box cavity into two sub-volumes, one adjacent to the louvre housing back plate, and one adjacent to the baffle back plate. The effect of progressively rising water levels is then illustrated respectively in figures (a) to (c). It can be seen that as the water level rises, water flows into the louvre housing cavity, but even where the water has risen to relatively high levels, such as illustrated in FIG. 4(b), a flow of air from outside is still enabled, allowing the area to the right of the louvre assembly in the figure to receive the necessary ventilation until the time when the louvre is fully submerged as illustrated in FIG. 4(c). The additional venturi formed on the inside face of the louvre acts like a snorkel, and so long as air can enter the louvre housing cavity it will flow into the space to the right of the louvre assembly. The rising water level is contained within the louvre housing cavity, and although airflow will be restricted the arrangement will not allow flood water to enter the equipment room. There will still be a cooling effect as the internal convection currents pass through the venturi and are cooled by the cold surface of the internal baffle. The integrity of the building can at the same time be maintained until the water level reaches the broken line illustrated. In a further refinement, the water level that can be withstood can be set to any desired higher level by extending the height of the baffle back cover plate.

[0099] FIG. 5 shows a pair of doors 130, 132, the first of which has been modified to incorporate a front grille 134, as part of its front leaf, which is suitable to serve as a front face cover of louvre assembly of the present invention mounted in association with the door. Two alternative rear arrangements of this door are shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6(b) an internal view is shown of the inner leaf of the door with a bottom baffle assembly 138 in accordance with the principles of the invention fixed onto it. The resultant louvre assembly will function in the manner above described. In FIG. 6(b), a rear side 136 of the top grill is shown open. In FIG. 6(a), an internal view is shown of the inner leaf with baffle assemblies fitted to both the upper and lower grill areas. In practice it may be possible to fit only one louvre in a door using this method, but additional noise containment is nonetheless provided by the solid inner baffle assembly at both sites.

[0100] FIG. 7 shows the louvre arrangement in more detail, with some of the louvre housing covers removed. As shown in FIG. 7(a), three angled louvre slats 150 provide environmental sealing against rain ingress as any water will tend to fall and be guided out of the enclosure by the slats. FIG. 7(b) shows a rear view of the same arrangement with the baffle assembly in place, but with the position of three angled slats shown with dotted lines. This is the visible face of the assembly as would be seen from inside an enclosed/secured volume. The assembly is bolted to the enclosure using the mounting holes provided. The solid flat internal face of the baffle may be made to varying thicknesses depending on the degree of noise protection and/or degree of security and attack resistance required.

[0101] FIG. 8 shows attachment of a louvre formation suitable for use in the louvre/baffle assembly via lateral fixings (in the embodiments bolts) into receiving apertures in the perimeter wall of the louvre cavity. The attachment system of this embodiment is shown in more detail in FIG. 9. This location and orientation of bolts is preferred as it is less accessible and harder to shear the bolts off.

[0102] Attachment of the louvre formation can be done for security upgrade or repair purposes. Interchangeable louvre formations with alternative structures and for example alternative security ratings may be provided.

[0103] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiment(s) has been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.