Patent Publication Number: US-2022228430-A1

Title: Magnetic louver blind structure in a double-glazed window unit

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/138,568 filed on Jan. 18, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a louver blind structure in a double-glazed window unit. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a louver structure including a magnetic actuation system for causing louvers of a louver blind structure to pivot between open and closed positions. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Louver blind structures are well known in the art. These structures are located within the inner chamber of a window unit and include a plurality of louver members or slat members which are equally spaced and horizontally disposed. The louver member can pivot from a vertical position slightly overlapping one another to form a uniform vertical surface that blocks light from streaming therethrough. The louver members can also be pivoted into a horizontal position in order to let light pass between adjacent and spaced apart louver members. The actuation systems for causing louvers of a louver blind structure to pivot between open and closed positions include a gear system mechanically in contact with the louvers and connected to outer control such as a tilt rod, a switch and the like. 
     Objects 
     It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a louver blind structure. 
     It is an object of the present disclosure to provide louver blind structure in a double-glazed window unit. 
     It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a kit for a louver blind structure. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure there is provided a louver-blind double glazed window unit comprising: a frame structure defining first and second faces of the unit, and outer side and inner sides; a first window mounted to the first face of the unit and a second window mounted to the second face of the unit, an inner chamber defined between the frame structure and the first and second windows; a plurality of louver members extending within the chamber and pivotally mounted to the frame; an actuator assembly positioned within the chamber and being in operative communication with the plurality of louver members for imparting a pivot movement thereto between open and closed positions thereof and comprising an inner magnet positioned at the inner side of the frame structure; and an external manual operator movably positioned on the outer side of the frame structure and comprising an outer magnet interfacing with the inner magnet via the frame structure for magnetic communication therewith, wherein a movement of the external manual operator along a length of the outer side of the frame causes the inner magnet to move in tandem with the outer magnet actuating the actuator assembly to impart the pivot movement to the plurality of louver members. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure there is provided a louver-blind structure for a double-glazed window unit comprising a frame structure defining first and second faces of the unit, and outer side and inner sides, a first window mounted to the first face of the unit and a second window mounted to the second face of the unit; and an inner chamber defined between the frame structure and the first and second windows, the structure comprising: a plurality of louver members for extending within the chamber and for being pivotally mounted to the frame; an actuator assembly for being positioned within the chamber and being in operative communication with the plurality of louver members for imparting a pivot movement thereto between open and closed positions thereof and comprising an inner magnet positioned at the inner side of the frame structure; and an external manual operator for being movably positioned on the outer side of the frame structure and comprising an outer magnet for interfacing with the inner magnet via the frame structure for magnetic communication therewith, wherein a movement of the external manual operator along a length of the outer side of the frame causes the inner magnet to move in tandem with the outer magnet actuating the actuator assembly to impart the pivot movement to the plurality of louver members. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure there is provided a louver-blind structure for a double-glazed window unit comprising a frame structure defining a kit for a louver-blind double glazed window unit, the kit comprising: a frame structure defining first and second faces of the unit, and outer side and inner sides; a first window for being mounted to the first face of the unit and a second window for being mounted to the second face of the unit, an inner chamber defined between the frame structure and the first and second windows when assembled; a plurality of louver members for extending within the chamber and for being pivotally mounted to the frame; an actuator assembly for being positioned within the chamber and for being in operative communication with the plurality of louver members for imparting a pivot movement thereto between open and closed positions thereof and comprising an inner magnet for being positioned at the inner side of the frame structure; and an external manual operator for being movably positioned on the outer side of the frame structure and comprising an outer magnet interfacing with the inner magnet via the frame structure for magnetic communication therewith, wherein a movement of the external manual operator along a length of the outer side of the frame causes the inner magnet to move in tandem with the outer magnet actuating the actuator assembly to impart the pivot movement to the plurality of louver members. 
     In an embodiment, movement of the external manual operator along one direction of the length of the outer side of the frame causes the actuator assembly to impart the pivot movement to the louver members to the open direction and movement of the external manual operator along another opposite direction of the length of the outer side of the frame causes the actuator assembly to impart the pivot movement to the louver members to the open direction. 
     In an embodiment, the actuator assembly comprises: a movable structure comprising a carrier body for carrying the inner magnet and a rack extending therefrom, a gear assembly in operative engagement with the rack; a movable louver rack in operative engagement with the gear assembly with the plurality of the louver members; wherein movement of the inner magnet in tandem with the outer magnet causes the movable structure to move therewith providing for the rack to movable engage the gear assembly causing the gear assembly to movably engage the louver rack thereby imparting the pivot movement to the louver members. In an embodiment, the gear assembly comprises a first gear in operative engagement with the rack and a second gear in operative engagement with the first gear and with the louver rack. In an embodiment, the plurality of louver members comprises respective louver gears operatively engaged by the louver rack. In an embodiment, the louver rack comprises teeth for operatively engaging the louver gears. 
     Other objects, advantages and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the Appended Drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a double-glazed window with a louver blind structure in accordance with a non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a side and rear perspective view of the double-glazed window of  FIG. 1  exposing the actuator assembly of the louver blind structure in in accordance with a non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the portion  3  of  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective side and rear view of a portion of the actuator assembly of  FIG. 2  in accordance with a non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective side and front view of the portion of the actuator assembly of  FIG. 4  in accordance with a non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is the same view of  FIG. 3  without the gear assembly of the actuator assembly; and 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of portion  7  of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     The appended drawings form part of the disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Generally stated and in accordance with an embodiment, there is provided a louver-blind double glazed window unit comprising a frame structure defining first and second faces of the unit, and outer side and inner sides. A first window is mounted to the first face of the unit and a second window is mounted to the second face of the unit. An inner chamber is defined between the frame structure and the first and second windows. A plurality of louver members extends within the chamber and are pivotally mounted to the frame. An actuator assembly is positioned within the chamber and is in operative communication with the plurality of louver members for imparting a pivot movement thereto between open and closed positions. An inner magnet is positioned at the inner side of the frame structure. An external manual operator is movably positioned on the outer side of the frame structure and comprises an outer magnet interfacing with the inner magnet via the frame structure for magnetic communication therewith. A movement of the external manual operator along a length of the outer side of the frame causes the inner magnet to move in tandem with the outer magnet actuating the actuator assembly to impart the pivot movement to the plurality of louver members. 
     With reference, to the appended Figures, non-restrictive illustrative embodiments will be herein described so as to further exemplify the disclosure only and by no means limit the scope thereof. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show a double-glazed window unit  10  including a frame  12  with a louver blind structure  14  mounted thereto. The frame  12  has top and bottom members  16  and  18 , respectively, and opposite lateral members  20 A and  20 B. The lateral member  20 B in the example shown in  FIG. 2  is partially removed. First and second window panels  22 A and  22 B, respectively, are mounted to the frame  12  defining together with the frame  12  a chamber  24 . The louver blind structure  14  includes a plurality of louver members  26  positioned within the chamber  24  and extending horizontally between the spaced apart lateral members  20 A and  20 B and being pivotally mounted thereto so as to be moved between open and closed positions. In an embodiment, the louver members  26  are not interconnected by ropes, strings, pulleys, beads and the like. The double-glazed window unit  10  defines an inner face  28  forming part of the inner part of a building structure and an outer face  30  forming part of the outer part of this building structure. 
     In another non-illustrated embodiment, the louver members  26  are vertical slats extending between the top and bottom members  16  and  18 , respectively and being pivotally mounted thereto for being pivoted between open and closed positions. According, the double-glazed window unit  10  of the present disclosure provides for both horizontal and vertical louver members as will be further discussed herein. 
     The frame  12  also includes a narrow vertical panel  32  at the inner face  28  and vertical side panel  34  at the outer face  30 . Both panels  32  and  34  are adjacent and contiguous with lateral side member  20 B. In another embodiment, the panels are adjacent and contiguous with the lateral side  20 A. Indeed, and as will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, the left and rights sides of the frame  12  are interchangeable as will be further explained herein. In another non-illustrated embodiment, when using vertical slats, the unit frame includes horizontal narrow panels rather than vertical narrow panels at the inner and outer faces thereof that can be adjacent either the top or bottom frame sides  16  and  18 , respectively 
     The unit  10  comprises an actuation assembly  36  positioned between panels  32  and  34  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Thus, depending on whether the panels  32  and  34  are located at the left or the right of the frame  12  as explained above, the actuation assembly  36  will be positioned on the left or the right of the frame depending on the preference of the end user. In an example of a vertical slat unit, the frame  12  can be rotated to position side  20 B at the bottom (forming the bottom side of the frame) or the top (forming the top side of the frame  12 ) and thus the actuation assembly  36  can be positioned between the narrow panels at the bottom or the top of the unit  10  as per the preference of the end user. 
     The actuation assembly  36  is in operative magnetic communication with a manual operator  38  for moving along a length of the panel  32 . In this example the manual operator  38  is moved along a vertical length of the panel  32 . When using vertical slats as explained above, the manual operator  38  is moved along a horizontal length of the narrow panel positioned on the inner side  28  of the unit adjacent the top or bottom end of the frame. In an embodiment, the manual operator  38  is mounted directly onto the panel  32 . In this case, the window panel  22 A is not positioned above the panel  32 . In another embodiment, the window panel  22 A is positioned on the panel  32  and the operator  38  is mounted on the window panel portion  21  (see  FIG. 7 ) covering the panel  32 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , the operator  38  includes a rail element  40  that is directly mounted to the window portion  21  or directly on the panel  32 . A movable member  42  is slidable mounted to the rail element  40  to slide along the length thereof. In this example it is a vertical length, but if the slats were to be vertically positioned as explained above, the operator  38  would slide horizontally along the rail element. The movable member  42  includes a tab  44  on its exposed face  46  and magnets  48  at is undersurface  50  (see  FIG. 3 ). The underside  50  includes sockets  51  for fitting the magnets  48  therein. Undersurface  50  slides along the window portion  21  or directly on the panel  32  or slightly above the surface it overlies. Thus, the user pushes the tab  44  to slide the movable member  42  upwardly or downwardly along the length the rail element  40 . When using vertical slat, the movable member  42  is moved leftwards and rightwards along the horizontally disposed rail element  40 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 , the actuation assembly  36  will be described in further detail in accordance with a non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     The actuation assembly includes an inner movable structure  52  positioned within the chamber  24  between panels  32  and  34 . The inner movable structure  52  is movably mounted to the inner surface  33  of the panel  32  for movement along the length thereof in tandem with the operator  38 . The inner movable structure  52  comprises a carrier body  54  carrying magnets  56  that interface with magnets  48  through the panel  32  or the window portion  21  and panel  32  combination for magnetic attraction therebetween. Indeed, the movement of the movable member  42  moves the carrier body  54  in tandem therewith due to this magnetic attraction between magnets  48  and  56 . 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the carrier body  54  comprises a frame  55  defining a pair of sockets  57  for fitting the magnets  56  therein. The frame  55  forms front and rear openings  59 A and  59 B for exposing the magnets  56 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3, 4 and 5  a rack  58  extends from the carrier body  54  and is in operational engagement with a gear assembly  60 . 
     The gear assembly  60  includes a housing  62  mounted to the lateral side  20 B and housing a first or upper gear  64  and a second or lower gear  66  that is engaged by the first gear  64  and that interferes with a rack  68  as will be further explained below. The rack  58  has a front face  61  and a rear face  63  with teeth  65 . A distal or lower part  67  of the rack  58  is positioned within a side slot  69  of the housing  62  that exposes the first gear  64  so that the teeth  65  of the rack  58  engage the teeth  71  of the first gear  64 . The second gear  66  is inwardly positioned relative to the first gear  64  so as not be engaged by the lower part  67  of the rack  58  and to only be engaged by the first gear  64 . More specifically, the teeth  71  of the first gear  64  engage the teeth  73  of the second gear  66 . 
     Therefore, as the rack  58  is reciprocally moved upwardly and downwardly it causes the first gear  64  to reciprocally rotate as it engages the second gear  66  causing this gear to rotate in tandem with the first gear  64 . In units using vertical slats described above, instead of reciprocally moving the rack  58  along a vertical length it is moved along a horizontal length (i.e., leftwards, or rightwards as described above). 
     The housing  62  includes an outer side  84  interfacing the frame  12  and an inner side  86  interfacing with the rack  68 . The first and second gears are  64  and  66  are respectively pivotally connected to the housing  62  via pivot connections  88  and  90  (shown at the inner side  86 ). The second gear  66  is in contact with the rack  68  at the inner side  86  moving it upwardly and downwardly therewith as it rotates in either direction about a pivot axis defined by the pivot connection  90 . The housing  62  defines an opening  92  at its inner side  86  for exposing an inner side  94  of the second gear  66 . A tab  96  extends from the inner side and interferes with the rack  68  as will be described further below. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the rack  68  comprises a longitudinal flat body  70  that extends the length of the series of louvers engaging each of the louvers  26 . Body  70  is vertical in this example but can also be horizontally positioned for units with vertical slats. The long flat body vertical body  70  extends along the length of an internal frame support  72  which has holes  74  for receiving louver pivot gears  76  therethrough. Each louver  26  is thus pivotally mounted to the internal frame support  72  with their respective pivot gears  76  extending therethrough. The vertical body  70  defines cut-outs  78  that provide a space  77  for the pivot gears  76 . Each cut-out  78  forms a vertical series of teeth  80  that engages the teeth  79  of the pivot gears  76 . As such, as the body  70  moves upwardly and downwardly the teeth  80  engage the pivot gears  76  pivoting them to open and close the louvers  26 . 
     The body  70  includes a longitudinal slit  98  that is engaged by the tab  96 . Indeed, the tab  96  is positioned through the slit  98  which defines longitudinal ends  101  and  103 . As the tab  96  is moved during rotation of the second gear  66  described above, the tab  96  rotates along with the inner side  86  of the gear  66  sliding towards either one of the longitudinal ends  101  or  103  depending on the direction of rotation pushing the ends  101  or  103  upwards thereby lifting the rack  68  or downwards thereby lowering the rack  68 . The foregoing upwards/downwards movement of the rack  68  causes the pivot gears  76  to rotate in one direction or the other which in turn causes the louvers to open or close. 
     In this way, the external operator  38  and the internal actuation assembly  36  are physically isolated as their communication is due to magnetism rather than to a mechanical connection. This provides for isolating and sealing the internal components of the unit  10  and avoiding openings or apertures which may affect the internal contents. This also avoids using any other pulleys, strings, ropes or beads to connect the louvers  26 . 
     The various features described herein can be combined in a variety of ways within the context of the present disclosure so as to provide still other embodiments. As such, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive. Moreover, the embodiments discussed herein need not include all of the features and elements illustrated and/or described and thus partial combinations of features can also be contemplated. Furthermore, embodiments with less features than those described can also be contemplated. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. 
     Hence, although the present disclosure has been provided hereinabove by way of non-restrictive illustrative embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the scope, spirit and nature thereof and of the appended claims.