NZ619845B2 - A retractable louvre system - Google Patents

Abstract

rectangular architectural roof or wall mounted louvre shading device is disclosed. A plurality of louvres (16) are mounted by their ends to a respective carriage (20) which is mounted to run along a track formed by a beam (30, 32). A mechanism (24, 22) is provided to drive the distal carriages to extend and retract the louvres (16). All of the carriages (20) on the same side are interconnected by a pantograph parallelogram linkage (42) so that the carriages (20) are maintained vertical and equally spaced from each other during extension and retraction. The driving mechanism may be a worm gear drive which extends along the beam. o extend and retract the louvres (16). All of the carriages (20) on the same side are interconnected by a pantograph parallelogram linkage (42) so that the carriages (20) are maintained vertical and equally spaced from each other during extension and retraction. The driving mechanism may be a worm gear drive which extends along the beam.

Description

Title A retractable louvre system Technical Field The invention concerns an architectural cover for application to a roof or wall. In particular it concerns a cover that includes retractable and moveable louvres.

Background Art Roofing systems are known that orate le louvres to enable the roof to be opened or closed. When the roof is open the louvres may be angled to allow a ed amount of sunlight to enter.

Wall mounted louvres acting as a shading device work in the same manner. Wall mounted louvres can be orientated either ally or horizontally.

Disclosure of the Invention Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, r or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

The present disclosure provides an architectural roof or wall mounted shading device that includes retractable and reorientable louvres, comprising: a pair of spaced apart parallel beams each having a first end and an opposite second end, and each defining a longitudinal axis; a first series of carriages mounted to run to and fro along one of the beams; a second series of carriages mounted to run to and fro along the other of the beams; a series of s spanning between the beams, each of the louvres having a first end connected to a respective one of the first series of carriages and an opposite second end connected to a respective one of the second series of carriages; a mechanism to drive the ges to and fro along their respective beams to extend and retract the louvres; a first pantograph interconnecting the first series of carriages to maintain an equal spacing between each of the carriages in the first series of carriages as they are driven to and fro; a second pantograph interconnecting the second series of ges to maintain an equal spacing between each of the carriages in the second series of carriages as they are driven to and fro, wherein each carriage is connected to the respective pantograph at two points spaced apart in a direction dicular to the longitudinal axis to maintain each carriage perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

An elongate slot oriented perpendicular to the udinal axis may be provided in each of the carriages to receive a respective one of a first series of pins of the associated pantograph.

An aperture may be provided in each of the carriages at a location spaced apart, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, from the slot, the aperture being engageable with a respective one of a second series of pins of the associated raph, such that when so engaged the aperture and respective pin are restrained against relative translation, but not against relative rotation. This is one way in which the carriages may be maintained vertical as the louvres are extended and retracted.

An advantage of keeping the carriages vertical is that it eliminates the need for more than one wheel at the top and bottom of the ge; or any alternative stabilizing means. This in turn makes the l width of the carriage smaller, which means the distance between the stacked s is reduced, which is an architectural age since it results in the opening being larger when the louvres are retracted.

The first and second pantographs may each be anchored at or adjacent the first end of their respective beams. The pantographs may be anchored to end guides fixedly connected to the beams, the end guides having slots and apertures of substantially the same configuration as the slots and apertures of the carriages.

The mechanism to drive the carriages to and fro may comprise a wormgear that extends along the length of each beam. A gear box may be provided at or adjacent the first end of each beam to drive the wormgear.

A rotating mechanism may be ated with at least one of the ends of each louvre to rotate the louvres. Said at least one end of each louvre may be attached to its respective carriage via a bracket. The rotating mechanism may comprise a gearbox mounted in each carriage. Such a tion n the louvres and carriages helps to decouple any moments that deflection of the louvres will cause. This reduces adverse bending forces from being transferred back into the carriage, wheels and pantograph.

The gearbox mounted in the ges may be a low friction gearbox, such as a worm gearbox. The rotating mechanisms may be ured to be actuated simultaneously to rotate all of the louvres simultaneously. For example, all of the worm gearboxes may be driven at the same time by a shaft that s through the gearbox in each carriage.

Wheels may be provided one opposite ends of each carriage, the wheels running in respective tracks of the beams. The tracks may have a triangular cross-section and the wheels may have 'V'-shaped rims that receive the apex of the tracks. This arrangement makes cleaning easier if dust or dirt enters the track system.

Brief Description of the Drawings An example of the invention applied to a roof, will now be described with nce to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1(a) is a plan view of an extended and closed roof cover.

Fig. 1(b) is a plan view of a retracted roof cover.

Fig. 2(a) is a side ion showing the first three louvres and their associated carriages and retraction mechanism.

Fig. 2(b) is an end elevation of the retraction mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a detailed side elevation of two carriages showing their ngagement with the pantograph and louvres.

Best Modes of the Invention Referring first to Fig. 1 the area that may be covered by the roof 10 is defined by two spaced apart beams 12 and 14. A series of moveable louvres 16 span between beams 12 and 14. The louvres 16 may be ed across the roof, as shown in Fig. 1(a), where the louvres 16 are also oriented horizontally to seal the roof closed. Alternatively the louvres 16 may be opened to any desired degree by rotating them about their horizontal axes 18. When opened the louvres may be retracted partially, or completely as shown in Fig. 1(b).

At either end each of the louvres 16 is d into a respective carriage 20. The distal one of carriages 20 is has a fixed nut that rides on a wormgear 22 that passes through each of the other carriages 20. The wormgear 22 is driven from a drive motor 24. Each carriage 20 has an upper and a lower wheel 26 and 28 that runs in a respective track 30 and 32; as shown in Fig. 2(a) and (b). The tracks 30 have triangular cross-section and the wheels 26 and 28 have 'V'-shaped rims that receive the apex of the tracks 30. This arrangement makes cleaning easier if dust or dirt enters the track . An enclosure (not shown) completes the track system.

The carriages 20 are also interconnected by a pantograph 42/44 that has a series of inner arms 42 and a series of outer arms 44. An end guide 46 is fixed and stationary adjacent the drive motor 24. The end guide has a lower hole to e pin 48 at the lower end of the first inner arm 42. It also has a vertical slot 50 to receive pin 52 at the upper end of first outer arm 44.

Thereafter the lower ends of the inner arms 42 and outer arms 44 are pinned together by pins 48. Every other pin 48 also pins the lower ends of the inner and outer arms to a carriage 20, and these pins are l with the lower wheel 28.

The upper ends of the inner arms 42 and the outer arms 44 are also pinned together by pins 52. Every other pin 52 also pins the upper ends of the arms to a vertical slot 54 in carriages Starting from the retracted position of Fig. 1(b) the drive motor 24 is operated to drive the worm gear 22 to carry the distal carriage 20 to the right. As this happens all the other carriages 20 are moved proportionately to the right as well, by operation of the raph.

As the leading carriage moves laterally, the angle between interconnecting raph arms changes and expands. The upper pins 52 all fall in slots 50 and 54, the angle between each pantograph arm remains equal, which keeps the distance between each carriage 20 the same.

The pantograph also keeps all the carriages 20 rigidly vertical at all times; see Fig. 3.

Referring further to Fig. 3, on one side each of the louvres 16 are ed to the carriages via a gearbox 60 and bracket 70. Each gearbox 60 has an output shaft 72 fixed to a corresponding bracket 70 to which each louvre 16 is fastened. The gearboxes 60 are low friction gearboxes, such as worm gearboxes, and another drive shaft 62 passes through each gearbox 60. In use the drive shaft 62 is driven in rotation by master gearbox 64. As the drive shaft 62 rotates it causes al gears (not shown) to turn the output shaft 72 of every gearbox 60, and consequently rotates each bracket 70 (indicated by double ended arrows) and each of the s 16; to open and close the louvres.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular example it may be exemplified in many other forms. For instance the tions between the louvres, pantographs and gearboxes may be ed by any other suitable means.

Claims (14)

Claims

1. An architectural roof or wall mounted shading device that includes retractable and reorientable louvres, comprising: 5 a pair of spaced apart parallel beams each having a first end and an opposite second end, and each defining a udinal axis; a first series of carriages mounted to run to and fro along one of the beams; a second series of carriages mounted to run to and fro along the other of the beams; a series of louvres spanning between the beams, each of the louvres having a first 10 end connected to a respective one of the first series of carriages and an opposite second end connected to a respective one of the second series of carriages; a mechanism to drive the carriages to and fro along their respective beams to extend and retract the louvres; a first pantograph interconnecting the first series of carriages to maintain an equal 15 spacing between each of the ges in the first series of carriages as they are driven to and fro; and a second pantograph interconnecting the second series of ges to maintain an equal g between each of the carriages in the second series of carriages as they are driven to and fro, 20 wherein each ge is connected to the respective raph at two points spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the udinal axis to maintain each carriage perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

2. A shading device according to claim 1, wherein an elongate slot oriented 25 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is provided in each of the carriages to receive a respective one of a first series of pin of the associated pantograph, wherein engagement the pins in the slots defines a first of the two connection points between the carriages and respective pantograph. 30

3. A shading device according to claim 2, wherein an aperture is provided in each of the carriages at a location spaced apart, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, from the slot, the aperture being engageable with a respective one of a second series of pins of the ated raph, such that when so engaged the aperture and respective pin are restrained against relative translation, but not against ve rotation.

4. A shading device according to claim 3, wherein the first and second pantographs are each ed at or adjacent the first end of their respective beams.

5 5. A g device according to claim 4, wherein the pantographs are anchored to end guides fixedly connected to the beams, the end guides having slots and apertures of substantially the same configuration as the slots and apertures of the carriages.

6. A g device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second 10 pantographs are each anchored at or adjacent the first end of their respective beams.

7. A shading device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ism comprises a wormgear that extends along the length of each beam. 15

8. A shading device according to claim 7, wherein a gear box is provided at or adjacent the first end of each beam to drive the wormgear.

9. A shading device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, n a rotating mechanism is associated with at least one of the ends of each louvre to rotate the louvres.

10. A g device according to claim 9, wherein the rotating mechanism ses a worm gearbox mounted in each of the carriages to rotate the louvres.

11. A shading device according to claim 9, wherein a said rotating ism is 25 associated with both ends of each louvre, and wherein the rotating mechanisms are configured to be actuated simultaneously to rotate all of the louvres simultaneously.

12. A shading device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein wheels are provided on opposite ends of each carriage, the wheels running in respective tracks of the 30 beams.

13. A shading device according to claim 12, wherein the tracks have a triangular crosssection and the wheels have 'V'-shaped rims that receive an apex of the tracks.

14. A shading device according to claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore bed with reference to the accompanying drawings. ation] lap ation] lap ENE”. ation] lap