BUILDING LOUVRE ASSEMBLY

A building louvre assembly 10 comprising: a louvre 14 having an elongate louvre body 18 and an elongate mounting element 20, a longitudinal extent of the elongate mounting element 20 at least in part extending alongside at least a portion of a longitudinal extent of the louvre body 18, the elongate mounting element 20 including teeth 24; and a clamp 16 for being supported by a building wall or building façade, the clamp 16 having a receiver 28 for clamping on at least a portion of the elongate mounting element 20, the receiver 28 having teeth 24 configured to mesh with the teeth 24 of the elongate mounting element 20 so that the louvre 14 can be mounted at angular increments relative to the clamp 16.

The present invention relates to a building louvre assembly. The invention further relates to a method of setting an angle of a louvre relative to a building wall, a building wall assembly, a building wall or building façade, a louvre, and a clamp.

Louvres are used on the exterior of building walls or building façades to provide shading from the sun. Such louvres may be known as solar shading louvres. This particularly applies to high-rise buildings.

The louvres may be positioned at a particular angle relative to the building wall or façade, for example to optimise the amount of direct or indirect light transmitting to a window of the building.

The angle may be finely chosen, and so it may be important to ensure the louvre is accurately installed at said angle.

Additionally, there are typically multiple louvres mounted to a building wall or building façade, and at least some of the louvres may be required to be mounted at the same angle relative to the building wall or façade. It may be desirable to ensure that all such louvres have a closely matching angle, for aesthetic purposes.

It can be difficult and time-consuming for installers to ensure an accurate angle of the louvre during installation.

For aesthetic purposes, it is additionally desirable to conceal fixings or mounting means, also referred to as a mount, of the louvres.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a building louvre assembly comprising: a louvre having an elongate louvre body and an elongate mounting element, a longitudinal extent of the elongate mounting element at least in part extending alongside at least a portion of a longitudinal extent of the louvre body, the elongate mounting element including teeth; and a clamp for being supported by a building wall or building façade, the clamp having a receiver for supporting the louvre by clamping on at least a portion of the elongate mounting element, the receiver having teeth configured to mesh with the teeth of the elongate mounting element so that the louvre can be supported at angular increments relative to the clamp.

The meshing teeth allow for the louvre to be secured to the clamp only at a certain number of predefined relative angular positions. As such, installation of louvres at a variety of particular angles can be done accurately and repeatably. Since the elongate mounting element extends alongside the louvre, for example extending alongside a rear of the louvre, such mounting can occur at various positions of the louvre. This provides greater freedom during installation to provide more or fewer supports to the louvre as required, and to allow for variation in the positioning of building supports, such as mullions or transoms.

Preferably, the assembly may further comprise at least one cover which is a separate part to the louvre, the cover for concealing at least part of the elongate mounting element and/or the clamp. This allows for the fixings of the louvre to be hidden, and therefore to provide a cleaner and more aesthetically appealing appearance.

Beneficially, there may be at least two separate covers. As such, a cover can be positioned either side of the clamp, and so obscure the clamp from view.

Advantageously, the or each cover may be attachable to the louvre.

In a preferable embodiment the or each cover may be attachable to the louvre via an interference fit. As such, fasteners are not required to attach the cover to the louvre. This thus can permit easier and quicker installation, as well as avoiding the use of visible fasteners with the cover which may not be aesthetically appealing. However, it will be appreciated that other attachment means may be considered, such as the use of fasteners, if required.

Preferably, the interference fit may comprise at least one of the cover and the louvre having a barb.

Advantageously, the cover may have spaced apart cover portions, each cover portion having a barb configured to be secured by a corresponding lip of the louvre body. The cover therefore attaches at two sides of the louvres, preferably an upper and a lower side. This can create a strong attachment.

Beneficially, the clamp may have a plurality of parts, the parts being securable relative to each other to provide the clamping on at least the portion of the elongate mounting element.

In a preferable embodiment, the parts of the clamp may be securable by a fastener.

Optionally, the receiver of the clamp may have three open sides. In particular, the clamp is open at the front and at two sides. This allows for the clamp to be positioned at various locations along the elongate mounting element, since the elongate mounting element can be received via the front and extend through the receiver via each side. The receiver here has a semi-circular or C-shaped cross-section

Preferably, the elongate mounting element has a circular cross-sectional profile or a substantially circular cross-sectional profile. This provides rotational symmetry, so that the elongate mounting element can be secured in the clamp at a variety of angular positions.

Additionally, the teeth may extend around an entirety or substantially an entirety of a perimeter of a cross section of the elongate mounting element. This maximises the number of angular positions the elongate mounting element can adopt in the receiver.

Advantageously, the longitudinal extent of the elongate mounting element may extend alongside at least a majority of the longitudinal extent of the louvre body. As such, the louvre can be mounted along at least a majority of its length.

Beneficially, the longitudinal extent of the elongate mounting element may extend alongside all or substantially all of the longitudinal extent of the louvre body. As such, the louvre can be mounted along all or nearly all of its length.

In a preferable embodiment, the teeth of the mounting element may extend along all or substantially all of the longitudinal extent of the mounting element. As such, the louvre can be mounted along all or nearly all of the length of the mounting element.

Optionally, the assembly further comprises a fastener for fastening the clamp to the building wall or building façade.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of setting an angle of a louvre relative to a building wall or building façade, the method comprising: a) providing the building louvre assembly according to a first aspect of the invention b) supporting the clamp from the building wall or building façade; c) positioning the mounting element in the receiver so that the teeth of the building element and the teeth of the receiver mesh and the louvre is at a pre-determined angle relative to the clamp; and d) clamping the receiver on the mounting element so as to secure the louvre in position.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a building wall assembly or building façade assembly comprising the building louvre assembly according to a first aspect of the invention and a mullion or transom, the clamp supportable by the mullion or transom.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a building wall or building façade comprising the building wall assembly according to a fourth aspect of the invention.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a louvre for the building louvre assembly according to a first aspect of the invention, the louvre comprising an elongate louvre body and an elongate mounting element, a longitudinal extent of the elongate mounting element at least in part extending alongside at least a portion of a longitudinal extent of the louvre body, the elongate mounting element including teeth, the louvre for being mounted at angular increments relative to a clamp having a receiver for clamping on at least a portion of the elongate mounting element, the receiver having teeth configured to mesh with the teeth of the elongate mounting element.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a clamp for the building louvre assembly according to a first aspect of the invention, the clamp for being supported by a building wall or building façade, the clamp comprising a receiver for clamping on at least a portion of an elongate mounting element of an elongate louvre body of a louvre, the elongate mounting element including teeth, the receiver having teeth configured to mesh with the teeth of the elongate mounting element so that the louvre can be mounted at angular increments relative to the clamp.

The figures each show a short lateral portion of the wider assembly.

Referring firstly toFIG.1, there is shown an exploded view of a building louvre assembly10attached to a mullion12or other component of a building wall to form a building wall assembly. The building louvre assembly10comprises a louvre14and a clamp16.

The louvre14has an elongate louvre body18and an elongate mounting element20.

The elongate louvre body18is hollow or substantially hollow and has a rectangular or substantially rectangular cross-section. The louvre body18may therefore be considered to have an elongated box-section. The louvre body18may comprise aluminium, and may be formed via extrusion, for example. The louvre14preferably has a generally uniform cross-section. It will be appreciated that the general form, shape, material, and method of manufacture of the elongate louvre body18may not be critical to the invention.

The louvre body18here extends longitudinally in a horizontal or substantially horizontal direction relative to the building.

The louvre body18has a proximal side, which in use is positioned proximal to the building wall21, and a distal side, which in use is positioned distal to the building wall21. At the proximal side there is preferably part of an interference fit. Here the said part of the interference fit includes a lip22. There is preferably an upper lip22at or adjacent to an upper edge of the proximal side, and a lower lip22at or adjacent to a lower edge of the proximal side. Away from a direction of the wall21from the lip22there may be a groove23. The lip22preferably has a pointed end for providing improved engagement.

The elongate mounting element20at least in part extends alongside at least a portion of a longitudinal extent of the louvre body18. In other words, a longitudinal extent of the elongate mounting element20is aligned or substantially aligned with a longitudinal extent of the louvre body18. The elongate mounting element20may otherwise be termed a mounting bar. Here the elongate mounting element20extends the entire way along the longitudinal extent of the louvre body18.

The elongate mounting element20is at or adjacent to the proximal side of the elongate louvre body18.

The elongate mounting element20includes teeth24. The teeth24are preferably elongate, having a longitudinally extent which extends along the longitudinal extent of the mounting element20. Preferably the teeth24extend continuously along the entire length of the mounting element20. The teeth24are here triangular in shape, a point of the teeth24extending laterally or radially from the elongate mounting element20, although it will be appreciated that other shapes may be considered.

The elongate mounting element20has a generally circular cross-section. As such, the mounting element20has rotational symmetry. The teeth24preferably extend around at least a majority of the cross-sectional perimeter of the elongate mounting element20. In other words, the teeth24extend around at least a majority of the circumference of the elongate mounting element20. Here the teeth24extend around substantially the entirety of the cross-sectional perimeter of the elongate mounting element20, with only a small extent without teeth to permit interconnection with the louvre body18.

The elongate mounting element20may be unitarily formed as a one-piece with the louvre body18, for example being co-extruded therewith.

The clamp16preferably has a plurality of parts. The parts are securable relative to each other to provide the clamping on at least the portion of the elongate mounting element20. Here there are two clamp parts26a,26bor two main clamp parts.

The clamp parts26a,26bdefine a receiver28or a mouth of the clamp16, an upper part26aforming an upper portion of the receiver28, and a lower part26bforming a lower portion of the receiver28. A portion of the elongate mounting element20is receivable between the upper and lower parts26a,26b. The upper and lower parts26a,26bare configured to engage the same longitudinal portion of the elongate mounting element20.

The upper and lower parts26a,26bare securable together to create a clamping action between the portions of the receiver28. Here the upper and lower parts26a,26bare securable by fastener30. As such, the parts each have a fastening surface with a fastener receiving aperture32therethrough. The fastening surfaces may be flat or substantially flat and extend laterally from the receiver portions, towards the building wall21.

The receiver28of the clamp16generally has a semi-circular or C-shaped cross-section, being open at a distal side relative to the wall. The receiver28of the clamp16is also open at each axial end. As such, the receiver28of the clamp16is open in three directions.

The receiver28of the clamp16has teeth34. The teeth34of the clamp16correspond in shape and size to the teeth24of the mounting element20. As such, the teeth34of the clamp16can mesh with the teeth24of the mounting element20. This is the case with the louvre14at various angular orientations relative to the clamp16. As such, different teeth24of the mounting element20would mesh with different teeth34of the clamp16, depending on the relative angular orientation of the two components.

The clamp16has a fastener or means for securing to the building wall21or building façade. Here the clamp16has a fastener or means for securing to the mullion12or transom of the wall or façade, or some other receiver28connected thereto. The clamp16is fastenable to the building wall21or building façade. The clamp16preferably has a protruding portion36which is receivable in a groove38of the mullion12. The protruding portion36has at least one, and here two, fastener receiving apertures40, although only one is visible inFIG.1, for receiving a fastener42therethrough to secure the clamp16in position relative to the building wall21. The protruding portion36is preferably offset in a proximal direction to the building wall21compared to the receiver28, so that the receiver28can be proud of the groove38whilst the protruding portion36is in the groove38.

Preferably the protruding portion36is on one part of the clamp16, and here is on the lower part26bof the clamp16.

There is additionally at least one cover44which is a separate part to the louvre14, the cover44for concealing at least part of the elongate mounting element20and/or the clamp16. Here there are two covers44for positioning either side of the clamp16.

Each cover44has an upper surface46, a lower surface48, and a joining surface50at or adjacent to a building-proximal end of the upper and lower surfaces46,48. The cover44also preferably has a supporting rib52which extends between the upper and lower surfaces and is preferably curved. The cover44is open between the upper and lower surfaces46,48at a building-distal end, and additionally at side portions. This forms a receiver for receiving at least part of the louvre14.

The covers44are attachable to the louvre14, preferably by the interference fit previously mentioned to in the description of the louvre14. As such, the covers44may clip22onto the louvre14. Each cover44has another part of the interference fit for engaging with the part of the interference fit of the louvre14. Here each upper and lower surface46,48of each cover44terminates in a barb54. The barb54has a sloping surface for passing over the lip22of the louvre14, and a rearward flat surface for engaging against the lip22once the sloping surface has passed across. At least part of the barb54may be received in the groove23

The covers44together extend longitudinally to a similar or identical length as the mounting element20to provide cover44across the entire mounting element20.

Referring toFIGS.2to4, the building louvre assembly10is shown attached to the mullion12in a first condition. The first condition is where the louvre14extends perpendicularly to the mullion12, and so is in a horizontal or substantially horizontal condition.

To achieve this, the lower part26bof the clamp16is fastened to the mullion12by its protruding portion36being inserted into the groove38and fasteners42inserted through fastener receiving apertures56of the mullion12and through the fastener receiving apertures40of the protruding portion36.

Next, the mounting element20is inserted into the lower part26bof the receiver28so that the louvre14is at the desired angle relative to the building wall21. The upper part26aof the clamp16is positioned on top of the mounting element20and the lower part26bof the clamp16. The teeth34of the receiver28mesh with the teeth24of the mounting element20. Since the teeth24,34can only mesh at angular increments, the louvre14is accurately positioned with regards to its angle. The fastener30of the clamp16is then tightened to clamp16or fix the mounting element20in place.

The covers44are then clipped into place over the mounting element20and either side of the clamp16.

It will be appreciated that each louvre14may be held in place by a plurality of clamps16spaced apart from each in a longitudinal direction of the mounting element20. Clamps16can be positioned anywhere along the mounting element20, since the mounting element20extends longitudinally and the receiver28has three open sides.

Referring toFIGS.5to7, the building louvre assembly10is shown attached to the mullion12in a second condition. The second condition is where the louvre14extends at a non-perpendicular and non-parallel angle to the mullion12. For example, here the louvre14extends at an angle of 45 degrees or substantially 45 degrees in a downward direction.

This is achieved in a similar or identical way as for the first condition, except that the mounting element20of the louvre14is positioned at said angle when the mounting element20is positioned relative to the receiver28. The teeth34of the receiver28are meshable with the teeth24of the mounting element20when the louvre14is positioned at 45 degrees or substantially 45 degrees relative to the clamp16. The teeth34of the receiver28are similarly meshable with the teeth24of the mounting element20when the louvre14is positioned at a plurality of different incremental angles. For example, there may be at least three different angular positions.

It is therefore possible to mount a louvre at a plurality of different incremental angles relative to a building wall.

The words ‘comprises/comprising’ and the words ‘having/including’ when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.