Abstract:
Several embodiments of the shutters employ a variety of synergistic features which may be used individually or in combination to produce a shutter capable of more completely shutting out light. One aspect is the use of a two-step overlapping end to provide a complementary fit in order to shut out light. Another aspect is the use of an angled engagement pin which engages the louver not at its edge, but into its main expanse and nearer the center of pivot of each louver. Another aspect is the use of an accommodation space to accommodate the “U” shaped attachment member of the simultaneous actuation handle, which accommodation space can vary in size and depth to accommodate structures extending from the simultaneous actuation handle. Regardless of relative size, the louvers, engagement pins, and simultaneous actuation handle can be disciplined to form a neater appearance on the shutter assembly.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a louver joinder and actuation system and structures to enable a more complete manipulation and closure to result in a more precise operation and a more complete light blockage in the closed condition.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Shutters which fold over window and door openings have been in use for a long time. The louvers of the shutter are either fixed or pivoting. Pivoting louvers are typically hinged at their end points by a pair of projections which mate with a pair of bearing bores. If the cut of the louvers at their ends adjacent the hinged support is closely dimensioned to the typically flat members containing the bearing bore, the light passing through the gap of closed shutters should be sufficiently attenuated.  
           [0003]    As the light between adjacent pairs of louvers, typically vertically upward or downward of a given louver, this continues to present a problem. Most louvers have main edges along the major part of their length which is rounded. In order for the louvers to act in concert, each louver typically carries a “U” shaped staple attached near the center of its length, and typically on the side with the “fattest” or thickest and most gently curving portion. Put another way, where the louvers are shaped more like an airplane wing, the front edge which is thicker and has a more rounded surface is selected to accept attachment with a staple. Since the thickness of the louvers, even at the thickest edge are still limited, the “U” shaped staples have each leg located longitudinally along the centerline of the thickest edge. A line through the points on the edge of the louver where a staple enters is longitudinal to the louver.  
           [0004]    In order for the louvers to act in concert, an simultaneous actuation handle is used having a series of “U” shaped staples which are arranged so that the “U” shaped staples have each leg located longitudinally along the centerline of the simultaneous actuation handle. The curve of each of the “U” shaped staples of the simultaneous actuation handle engage the curve of each of the “U” shaped staples of the louvers. The simultaneous actuation handle may be adjusted to adjust the angles of all of the louvers simultaneously. A groove is typically made into the frame adjacent one of the last louvers of the series in order to accommodate a tip end of the simultaneous actuation handle when the louvers are adjusted to their most closed position, when the simultaneous actuation handle is brought most closely against the louvers and frame.  
           [0005]    In this system, there is a significant amount of “play” or looseness between the louvers and the adjustment handle. This looseness can cause some of the louvers not to close in complete concert with the others. Compounding this problem is the position of the louvers at full close. In most louver systems, the full close position is one at which the louvers tangentially overlap each other. The “fat” front of the airfoil louver shape is angled to a position where the rounded front only tangentially contacts the relatively sharper trailing edge of the adjacent louver. Assuming the light leakage at the ends of the louvers abutting contact with the end strips is adequately controlled, the limitation of a tangential contact elsewhere in the louver set represents a huge source of mis-alignment and leaking light. Where the louvers warp, or where either the trailing or leading edge is not cut 100% linearly, or where the pivot bore is ever so slightly mis-aligned, the louvers will not achieve significant light blockage in the closed position.  
           [0006]    In addition to these problems, the problem of connection to the “U” shaped staple to the louvers is one which is not only productive of error in light blockage, it is also ultimately destructive to the louver, especially where the louvers are relatively small and the staples are of significant size. Where the “U” shaped staples enter even the “fat” or leading edge portion of the louver, there may be precious little additional material within the louver to accommodate the lateral forces of the staple. Where the louvers are wood, they will splinter and crack and may chip large amounts of material away. Where this occurs at the last step of manufacture there is a tremendous waste since the remaining parts of the shutter which are in good repair are typically discarded. The use of smaller staples is not always the answer, since in high speed manufacture the staples may bend.  
           [0007]    The use of the staples in high speed manufacture also carries the problem of differences in the density of material being used for the shutters. Where wood is used, the staples used for the louvers might be entering a volume of wood which is of significantly higher or lower density than the average. The staple might go in too far to create both an increased splintering problem, as well as an alignment problem with respect to the adjustment handle. For staples in the adjustment handle, this may also be a problem.  
           [0008]    The problems enumerated above require a high degree of precise manufacturing, inspection and tollerancing in order to yield a shutter set which can block out the last degree of light. As such, the cost of production rises and high quality high blockage shutters are then placed out of economic reach for ordinary purchasers of such shutters. In addition, where materials change over time, either through moisture exposure, heat cycling and stress, a system which relies upon the integrity of a tangential line between two edges to shut out light the shutters produced will experience a diminution of quality over time.  
           [0009]    Another problem relates to the angular pivoting displacement of each louver with respect to the staple in the tangential end of the larger end. In order to try to achieve a nearly 160° rotation of the louvers in order to achieve a range of motion from closed, or as nearly closed as possible, to allowing upwardly directed light, to horizontally directed light, to allowing downwardly directed light, the staples are not in alignment with the mid-plane of the louver. The staples are located to one side of the midplane to insure that in the closed position that the staple is still directed away from the mid-line enough that the simultaneous actuation handle can still function. This off-center mounting which facilitates closure in one direction militates against closure of the louvers in the other direction. Moreover, this mounting insures that the sealing of light between louvers will be along edges which are not the end edges, and edges for which warping of the louvers will admit light.  
           [0010]    What is needed is a system which will enable louvers to seal out light by contact on other than their normal tangential contact to one side of the other of the end surfaces. Elimination of the “U” shaped staples inserted directly into the leading edge of the louvers is also needed to reduce scrap and damage, and to eliminate a common failure mode which may be essentially un-repairable in shutters which have been in service for some time.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    The shutters of the invention employ a variety of synergistic features which may be used individually or in combination to produce a superior shutter capable of more completely shutting out light. One aspect is the use of a two-step overlapping end groove to provide a complementary fit in order to shut out light. The overlapping ends of the two end louvers, and their overlap grooves also complement the upper and lower boards of the frame supporting the louver set and are complementary to them. Another aspect of the invention is the use of an angled engagement pin which engages the louver not at its edge, but into its main expanse and nearer the center of pivot of each louver. The main length of the engagement pin enables it to enter the louver at any point significantly away from the edge, all the way to its center. The depth of the engagement pin enables it to be used with louvers of various thicknesses, and the engagement end of the engagement pin can vary in size and shape to either more tightly control the pivot of the louver and its relationship with the simultaneous actuation handle, or to enable loose control and relationship with the simultaneous actuation handle. Another aspect of the invention is the use of an accommodation space to accommodate the “U” shaped attachment member of the simultaneous actuation handle, which accommodation space can vary in size and depth to accommodate structures extending from the simultaneous actuation handle. In some cases where the louvers are thick enough and the simultaneous actuation handle thin enough, a complete accommodation can be had where the simultaneous actuation handle will mount flush into the louvers. Regardless of relative size, the louvers, engagement pins, and simultaneous actuation handle can be disciplined to form a neater appearance on the shutter assembly. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    The invention, its configuration, construction, and operation will be best further described in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a plan view of the shutter system of the present invention in a closed condition and having side pivot supports and top and bottom supports;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken along line  2 - 2  of FIG. 1 and illustrating the pivoting support of one end of an individual louver at an upper end of the shutter;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of FIG. 1 and illustrating the pivoting support of one end of an individual louver at a lower end of the shutter;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a is a rear perspective of the operating side of shutter set and louver assembly of the invention and illustrating the simultaneous actuation handle in position over a set of closed louvers;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a view of the upper portion of the shutter of FIG. 4 at its upper extent along line  5 - 5  and illustrating an accommodation space made into the upper support, as well as into each louver bottom section, and a first side view of the connector pins of the invention as engaged by the simultaneous actuation handle;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a view of the upper portion of the shutter of FIG. 4 along line  6 - 6 , and similar to that seen in FIG. 5, but at the lower end of the shutter of FIG. 4 and illustrating a complementary relationship of the bottom most louver to the bottom connector of the shutter;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a is a rear perspective of the operating side of shutter set and louver assembly of the invention and illustrating the simultaneous actuation handle in position over a partially open set of louvers;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a view of the upper portion of the shutter of FIG. 6 at its upper extent and illustrating displacement of the uppermost louver away from the accommodation space made into the upper support, as well as the thin profile of the connector pin;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a view of the upper portion of the shutter of FIG. 6, similar to that seen in FIG. 7, but at the lower end of the shutter of FIG. 6 and illustrating a complementary relationship of the bottom most louver to the bottom connector of the shutter in a partially open position;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a frontal view of an adjacent pair of louvers and illustrating the accommodation space in an upper louver to accommodate the connector pin of the louver shown below it; 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0023]    The description and operation of the shutter system of the invention will be best described with reference to FIG. 1. A shutter system  21  includes a first side support  23  and a second side support  25 . The side supports  23  and  25  are connected at their top ends by a top cross support  27 . The side supports  23  and  25  are connected at their bottom ends by a bottom cross support  27 . Between the top and bottom cross supports  27  and  29  and pivotally supported by the first and second side supports  23  and  25  is a series of pivotable louvers  31 .  
         [0024]    Referring to FIG. 2, a closeup view of the upper right hand corner of the shutter system  21  illustrates a partial sectional view which exposes a pivot pin  33  which extends into a pivot pin bore  35  within an inside directed surface  37  of the side support  23 . At the upper end of the side support  23 , an uppermost portion of the louver  31  is seen including an accommodation groove  39  helping to define an upwardly extending overlap groove face  41  which extends behind the lowermost extent of the top cross support  27 . The groove  39  and upwardly extending overlap groove face  41  is complementary to the facing structures on the top cross support  27 . Between the louver  31  and the side support  23 , a gap  43  is minimized, typically by controlling the manufacturing tolerance between the separation of the inside directed surfaces  37  of the side supports  23  and  25 , and the length of the louvers  31 . The gap  43  in FIG. 2 is exaggerated for illustration purposes, and to show the accommodation groove  39  and upwardly extending overlap groove face  41 .  
         [0025]    Referring to FIG. 3, a view taken along line  3 - 3  of FIG. 1 illustrates the bottom right side of the shutter system  21 , and again we see the accommodation groove  39  and a small bit of the upwardly extending overlap groove face  41  which extends behind the next most upper adjacent louver  31 . The bottom of the main louver  31  seen in FIG. 3 is identical to its upper side, but the accommodation groove  39  and overlap groove face  41  on its lower edge is best seen from the other side. The bottom cross support is seen as having a groove  51  which defines an upwardly extending overlap groove face  53  which is seen as extending slightly beyond the end of the louver  31  for clarity. Again, close tollerancing of the length of the louver  31  with respect to the inside directed surface  37  will help to essentially eliminate the gap  43 .  
         [0026]    Referring to FIG. 4, a rear perspective view, the view which would normally present itself to the user in a room where the shutters of the shutter system  21  were closed over a window opening, is shown. An elongate simultaneous actuation handle  55  is seen vertically adjacent the middle of the louvers  31 . The simultaneous actuation handle  55  is in its uppermost position and the louvers  31  are in closed position. The top cross support may contain an accommodation space  57 , which partially defines an adjacent overlap groove face  58 , the accommodation space  57  to accommodate the uppermost end of the simultaneous actuation handle  55  where necessary. However, as will be shown, the attachment members beneath the simultaneous actuation handle  55  can be adjusted so as to minimize the extent beyond the upper portion of the louver  31  which the simultaneous actuation handle  55  need extend. Since the louvers are closed and configured so that the upper edge of each louver  31  will pivot toward the simultaneous actuation handle  55  in order to open the shutters  21 , the simultaneous actuation handle  55  is mounted high in the normal closed position.  
         [0027]    Referring to FIG. 5, a side sectional view of the upper part of the shutter  21  seen in FIGS. 1 and 4 is illustrated in that same closed position. As is seen, the top cross support  27  includes a downwardly projecting member  57  defined somewhat by a groove  59 . It is behind the downwardly projecting member  57  that the upwardly extending overlap groove face  41  lies opposite and covers. The depths of the grooves  59  and  39  define the width of the upwardly extending overlap groove face  41  opposing the downwardly projecting member  57 . This dimension can change for different shutter systems  21 , and may be adjusted to take up the difference in manufacturing tolerance. As will be seen, the tolerances on a shutter system  21  can determine whether reliance on the abutting or interfitting of members will adequately provide light blockage.  
         [0028]    Again referring to FIG. 5, the simultaneous actuation handle  55  is seen as having a series of staples  61 , each having two beveled shanks, the lines between the beveled points arranged in a common line with the general length of the simultaneous actuation handle  55 . Thus the plane of the extent of the staples  61  are parallel to the overall length of the simultaneous actuation handle  55 . The staples  61  seen in FIG. 5 are seen as a square “U” shape, but can be of any shape, including rounded, radial, or hemi-octagonal, to name a few. The square “U” shape provides a more disciplined closed orientation for the shutters  31  and simultaneous actuation handle  55 .  
         [0029]    In each of the staples, the protruding square “U” shape is threaded through the end of a connector pin  65 . In the embodiment illustrated, the connector pin  65  is shown in side profile, and has an engagement end  67  which is seen to extend off of the surface of the louvers  31  and provides engagement with the staples  61  slightly away from the louvers  31 . In the configuration shown, the location away from the louver  31  of the engagement end  67  is along a line parallel to a plane of a surface of a louver  31 , but need not be so. The engagement end  67  of the connector pin  65  can depart from the surface of the louver  31  in any direction sufficient to enable some type of engagement, and not necessarily by the use of staples, by the simultaneous actuation handle  55 . Further, and as can be seen in FIG. 5, the connector pin  65  has a main extent  69  lying along a main side plane of the louver and an inserted portion  71  which inserts into the louver  31 . Note that the main extent  69  of the connector pin  65  extends far enough along the side of the louver  31  until it overlies the thicker part of the louver  31  before turning in toward the louver  31 , penetrating its mass with the inserted portion  71 . Further, since the connector pin  65  is relatively flat, it can include multiple segmented insertion portions  71  along its length to further spread and distribute its holding structure.  
         [0030]    The pivot pin  33  location is seen in dashed line format on the louver  31  to illustrate that ideally, though not necessarily, the louvers  31  may have symmetry about the pivot pins  33 . Offsetting the pivot pins  33  from the center of the louvers  31  would provide mechanical advantage/disadvantage with respect to operation of the simultaneous actuation handle  55 , but the shutter  21  would otherwise operate normally.  
         [0031]    Since the line  5 - 5  is taken through the center of the simultaneous actuation handle  55 , the accommodation space  57  of the top cross support is seen as being large enough to accommodate not only the upward extent of the staple  61  and engagement end  67  of the connector pin  65 , but also the uppermost extent of the simultaneous actuation handle  55 . As has been mentioned, a different orientation of the pivot pins  33  would enable a different accommodation orientation, size and shape.  
         [0032]    Referring to FIG. 6, the lower part of the shutter  21 , seen from the same sectional perspective as FIG. 5, illustrates the relationship between the lowermost portion of the simultaneous actuation handle  55  and the bottom cross support  29 . A clearance gap  73  is provided between the lowermost extent of the simultaneous actuation handle  55  and the upper edge  75  of the bottom cross support  29 . The upper edge  75  of the bottom cross support lies adjacent the upwardly extending overlap groove face  77  which lies opposite downwardly extending overlap groove face  41  of the louver  31 . The upwardly extending overlap groove face  53  ends at its lower extent at a groove  79 . An upper surface of the groove  79  lies opposite an end surface  83  of the louver  31 . The structures  75 ,  53 , and  81  take the place of what would otherwise be an adjacent louver  31  which is not present due to the termination of the downward periodically occurring extent of the louvers  31 . In the embodiment shown, the clearance gap  73  is more than enough clearance to enable the simultaneous actuation handle  55  to move out and down in an arcing motion to clear any possibility of interference with the upper edge  75  of the bottom cross support  29 .  
         [0033]    Also seen with respect to FIG. 6 is a louver accommodation space  85  which is a small rounded notch for accommodating the rounded tip of the engagement end  67  of the connector pin  65 . Different shapes of the end of connector pin  65  can result in different shaped louver accommodation spaces. Where the connector pin  65  is shaped to extend away from the surface of the louvers  31 , the louver accommodation space  85  is not as needed.  
         [0034]    Referring to FIG. 7, the louvers  31  are all pivotally displaced as the simultaneous actuation handle  55  is moved away from the cross support  27 . In the angularly displaced position, the structures on the louvers  31  are more readily seen. The engagement end  67  of the connector pin  65  is seen moving within the square confines of the staple  61 . Since the simultaneous actuation handle  55  has many staples  61 , each engaging an end of its associated connector pin  65 , the simultaneous actuation handle  55  is supported in a stable orientation. In other words, the fact that the staple  61  extends through a relatively larger aperture (as will be seen) in the connector pin  65 , the simultaneous actuation handle  55  is held in a stable position.  
         [0035]    More clearly seen in FIG. 7 is the accommodation space  57  in the top cross support  27 . As can also be seen, the louvers  31  can pivot about pivot pins  33  at the center of each of the louvers  31 . Also, the louver accommodation space  85  is more clearly seen and half of the inside surface of the louver accommodation space  85  is seen as a smooth continuous space extending downwardly to the accommodation groove  39 . Note that in FIG. 7, the opposing extending overlap groove faces  41  insure that light is blocked out when the louvers are in the position shown in FIGS.  1 - 6 .  
         [0036]    In FIG. 8, the lower portion of the shutters  21  corresponding to the view of FIG. 6 is seen. Upwardly extending overlap groove face  53  of the bottom cross support  29  and the upper edge  75  of the bottom cross support  29  is seen. Note that the inserted portion  71  of the connector pin  65  is seen entering the louver  31  at its thicker portion, further toward the louver  31  pivot pins  33  than the accommodation groove  39 . This insures that a more substantial part of the louver  31  is engaged and that the inserted portion  71  can be longer without extending through the overlap groove face  41 .  
         [0037]    FIGS.  5 - 8  collectively illustrate the variation which can be achieved in the design. The overlap groove face  41  can be decreased until it is barely above the accommodation groove  39 . For loose tolerances, as the overlap groove face  41  becomes almost imperceptible, and where the louver  31  surfaces are white, some multiple reflective light leakage between adjacent louvers may occur. As a result, it is desirable to tighten tolerances as the overlap groove face  41  is reduced, as the accommodation groove  31  moves closer to being flush with the end surface  83  of the louver  31 .  
         [0038]    Referring to FIG. 9, a perspective view of the shutter  21  from a position similar to that seen in FIG. 4 illustrates the shutter  21  in a position corresponding to the partially open position seen in the views of FIGS. 7 &amp; 8. More clearly seen is the rounded upper accommodation space  57  of the top cross support  27 . On each of the louvers  31 , except for the bottom most louver  31 , is seen a series of rounded accommodation spaces  88  are seen.  
         [0039]    Referring to FIG. 10, a side profile of a pair of adjacent louvers  91  having a shorter overlap groove face  93  and end illustrates the end surfaces  95 . The shorter reflective path for light which might transmit through a space having lesser tolerance is more illustrated in this view. Closer tolerances would enable this embodiment in FIG. 11 to function just as well as the embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 9 . One aspect of the tolerance is the tolerance between the pivot pins  33  and pivot pin bores  35 . If this tolerance has the proper amount of over dimension, the louvers  31  could exert a small, finite amount of stacking force on each other. As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 9, the closing of the shutters  21  typically involves the manual actuation of the simultaneous actuation handle  55 . When the louvers  31  are brought to the fully closed position, the simultaneous actuation handle  55  is lifted slightly. Letting go of the simultaneous actuation handle  55  would enable each of the louvers  31  to slightly move downward into a stacking arrangement. Even where the magnitude of the louver  31  overlap groove face  93  virtually disappears, the overlap groove faces  58  at the top cross support  27  and  53  at the bottom cross support  29  can still function to help shut out light between the uppermost louver  31  and the top cross support  27  and the lowermost louver  31  and the bottom cross support  29 .  
         [0040]    The employment of such a loosening of the pivot pins  33  with respect to the pivot pin bores  35  will enable an abutting relationship between adjacent louvers  31  which is rectangular. Referring to FIG. 11. Note that where the loosening relationship of the pivot pins  33  with respect to the pivot pin bores  35  is significant enough, the outer edges of an opposing pair of louvers  97  with flat end edges  99  do not have to be radiused to account for the pivoting movement of the louvers. The closing action of the simultaneous actuation handle  55  will be smooth up until the outer edges of two adjacent louvers  97  touch. Where the simultaneous actuation handle  55  is lifted slightly to increase the lift of each of the louvers  31 , the end edges brush past each other. When the simultaneous actuation handle  55  is released, the louvers  97  then rest atop each other. From the rectangular profile of FIG. 11, the side edges may be slightly rounded.  
         [0041]    In a more extreme case, as is shown in FIG. 12, a pair of adjacent louvers  101  have very rounded edges  103  which transition to flat mid sections  105 . The flat mid sections  105  add to stability and increase the length of the narrow space between the louvers  101  and shut out more light. Another embodiment is as shown in FIG. 13 and where a pair of adjacent louvers  111  have half circular or hemi-circular, or half cylindrical ends  113 . The ends  113  also assist in enabling the adjacent louvers to fit together, although the interfitting of two cylindrical shapes doesn&#39;t supply as much of an elongated path for light to attenuate. The tolerances for the louvers  111  should be close enough that the attenuated path will not cause significant light leakage.  
         [0042]    Referring to FIG. 14, a pair of adjacent louvers  115  have angled end edges  117  which transition to flat mid sections  119 . The flat mid sections  119  add to stability and increase the length of the narrow space between the louvers  115  and shut out more light.  
         [0043]    Next, the wide range of possible geometries of the connector pin  65  will be explored. Referring to FIG. 15, a section taken along line  15 - 15  of FIG. 5, which cuts through two legs of the staple  61  as it extends from the bottom of the “U” shaped staple, into an aperture  121  of the connector pin  65  located near its engagement end  67 , and back over the engagement end  67  and shown terminated in a sectional view. As can be seen, the engagement end  67  is rounded and generally follows the rounded shape of the accommodation space  85  formed in the louver  31  atop the louver  31  into which the illustrated connector pin  65  is inserted. The accommodation space  85  is rounded to match the rounded end of the engagement end  67 , and so long as there is an additional clearance for the upper leg of the staple  61  to pass, and enough clearance above the top staple leg, the orientation will work well. Note that where the connector pin  65  turns inward to go into the louver  31 , that it is below the accommodation groove  39  so that the inserted portion  71  will extend through the louver  31  at its relatively thicker portion.  
         [0044]    Thus, as the position of the accommodation groove  39  rises to create a smaller overlap groove face, the inserted portion of the connector pin  65  can turn towards and into the louver  31  at a point closer to the upper end surface  83  of the louver, and still extend into the thicker portion of the louver  31 .  
         [0045]    Referring to FIG. 16, a perspective view of the connector pin  65  clearly illustrates in mutual context, the engagement end  67 , main extent  69 , inserted portion  71 , and aperture  121 . The end of the inserted portion  71  need not have any particular shape, but can have a pointed shape or a slanted shape to assist in its insertion into the louver  31  particularly where the insertion device is not as powerful as would be expected or where the material is difficult to penetrate. It is anticipated that the material from which the louvers  31  are constructed will be wood or plastic, and due consideration to the width of the insertion portion and its affect on the material of the louver to which it is inserted should be given. Note that the connector pin  65  is wide enough that sufficient resistance would be given to movement of the engagement end  67  to either side to side or a bending away from the louver  31 .  
         [0046]    Connector pin  65  is of such geometry and placement that several improved aspects are had. First, the connection to the louver is not required to be at its end surface  83 , which typically has little material available, or is made so overly thick as to interfere with its full range of pivoting. Second, it enables an overlap groove face  41  to be made into the ends of the louvers  31 , to reduce their end surfaces  83  since the ends of the louver and new reduced thickness end surfaces  83  do not have to be relied upon for actuation connection to the simultaneous actuation handle  55 . Third, although the connector pin  65  thus shown has a main extent  69  which lies closely along the main planar extent of the louver  31  and extends linearly off of the louver  31  and where the adjacent louver contains an accommodation space  85 , these need not be in this configuration. Where the connector pin extends away from the surface of the louver  31 , either before or after extending beyond the  83  passing the the extent of the end surfaces  83 , then the necessity for the accommodation space  85  can be either partially to totally eliminated. Fourthly, the shape of the aperture  121  and the shape of the engagement end  67  of the connector pin  65  can be widely varied. With this variance will come variations in the size and shape and existence of the accommodation space  85 , as well as the performance of the interaction of the louvers  31  with the simultaneous actuation handle  55 . Even the staples  61  can be varied in size, number and shape to interact with the variations in the shape of the aperture  121  and the shape of the engagement end  67  of the connector pin  65 .  
         [0047]    Referring to FIG. 17, a connector pin  131  is seen as having an engagement end  133 , an inserted portion  71 , but having a main extent  135  which is divided into a first portion  137  which is adjacent the right angle turn of the inserted portion  71  a second portion  139 , and a third portion  141  which is adjacent the right angle turn of the second portion  139 . As is seen, the third portion  141  and the first portion  137  are generally parallel, and the second portion  139  is generally perpendicular to both the first and third portions  137  and  141 . The length of the second portion  139  between the first and third portions  137  and  141  determine the degree to which the third portion  141  will be offset from the surface of the louver  31 . The degree to which the aperture  121  and engagement end  133  are offset from the surface of the louver  31  can be determined both by offset and angularity, and the portions  141  and  137  need not be parallel. If the degree to which the aperture  121  and engagement end  133  are offset from the surface of the louver  31  is great enough, the necessity for the accommodation space  85  can be eliminated. This configuration will result in a resting position for the simultaneous actuation handle  55  which will not be as closely flush to the closed stack of louvers seen in FIG. 4. In addition, where the simultaneous actuation handle  55  rests offset from the stack of closed louvers, the accommodation space  57  for the top cross support  27  is not necessary and can be eliminated. Thus variations on the connector pin  65  can be used to reduce or eliminate the additional manufacturing steps necessary to form the accommodation spaces  57  and  85 .  
         [0048]    Referring to FIG. 18, a connector pin  151  is seen as having an engagement end  153  which is rectangular, an inserted portion  71 , but having a first portion of a main extent  155  extends at a right angle from the inserted portion  71  in order to extend somewhat parallel with the surface of the louver  31 , and then angled with respect to a second portion  157  which includes both the rectangular engagement end  153 , as well as a rectangular aperture  157 . Since the upper side of the rectangular aperture  157  is parallel to the engagement end  153 , the engagement of the upper structure can be had not only by a single staple  61 , but by a pair of spaced apart staples  61 , or by a wide flat staple (not shown) which would squarely occupy and fit just within the width of the rectangular aperture  157 . The rectangularity helps prevent side to side pivot of the simultaneous actuation handle  55 , and adds discipline to an arrangement where the simultaneous actuation handle  55  rests offset from the stack of closed louvers.  
         [0049]    Referring to FIG. 19, a connector pin  161  is seen as having an engagement end  163  which is semi octagonal, an inserted portion  164  having a central blunt tip, and a main extent having a first portion  165  of which is at a sharp angle with respect to a second portion  167 . An oval aperture  169  may be provided in order to engage one or more staples  61 .  
         [0050]    Referring to FIG. 20, a connector pin  171  is shown in which an inserted portion  71  of the previous Figures is subdivided into a series of smaller insertion units  173  which are generally parallel to each other and spaced along different lengths of a main extent first portion  175 . The smaller insertion units  173  are formed by forming bends at various places along the main extent first portion  175  and trimming the excess downwardly extending material to leave smaller insertion units  173  located at different lengths along the main extent first portion  175 . This turns a single wide cutting nail-like structure into a series of narrower nail like structures and spreads them along the width of the louver  31 . The smaller insertion units  175  can be of different length to enable more penetration at points on the louver  31  farthest from the end surface  83  of the louver, and less penetration at points on the louver  31  closest to the end surface  83  of the louver. Also seen in FIG. 20 is a main extent second portion  177  having a rounded aperture  179 .  
         [0051]    Referring to FIG. 21, a slightly different version of the connector pin  171  of FIG. 19 is seen as a connector pin  181  and seen as having an engagement end  183 , and a main extent first portion  185  in which a series of two relatively longer spaced apart insertion portions  187  are formed, followed by a series of two relatively shorter spaced apart insertion portions  189  are formed. A main extent second portion  191  includes an aperture  193 .  
         [0052]    Referring to FIG. 21, a slightly different version of the connector pin  181  of FIG. 20 is seen as a connector pin  193  and seen as having an engagement end  195 , and a main extent first portion  197  in which a longer middle insertion portion  199  is formed, followed by a series of two relatively shorter spaced apart insertion portions  201 , each formed on either side of the longer middle insertion portion  199 . A main extent second portion  203  includes an aperture  193 .  
         [0053]    While the present invention has been described in terms of a detector/transmitter and receiver monitoring system for detecting urine moisture in garments, one skilled in the art will realize that the structure and techniques of the present invention can be applied to many appliances including any appliance where a resistive indicator structure is to be combined with an antenna and where a triggering monitor is used as a precursor for energizing a transmitter in order to conserve energy.  
         [0054]    Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art.