Clip-on external louvre

Abstract

An external louvre 12 comprises a louvre body 16 with a slide-in portion 18 at a longitudinal edge of the louvre body and a clip-in arm member 20 extending from the louvre body. The slide-in portion i

Description

The present invention relates to a clip-on external louvre. The invention further relates to an elongate support member for receiving the clip-on external louvre, an external louvre attachment system including the clip-on external louvre and to a method of installing the clip-on external louvre. External building louvres which are used for solar-shading are termed solar-shading louvres, and those which are for allowing ventilation to a building while preventing water ingress are termed weather louvres or ventilation louvres. These louvres are typically mounted either via their lateral ends or along their edge lengths via brackets. Existing arrangements for mounting louvres can be bulky and reasonably complex, leading to difficulty with installation as well as increased manufacturing and customer costs. Installation of the brackets to the structure of the building is often time consuming, and subsequently mounting the louvres is also often a cumbersome process. It is an object of the present invention to reduce or substantially obviate the aforementioned problems. According to the present invention there is provided a clip-on external louvre comprising: a louvre body; a slide-in edge portion at or adjacent to a longitudinal edge of the louvre body and configured to be slidably insertable into a first portion of a corresponding elongate support member; and a clip-in arm member which extends from the louvre body to be clip-fit engageable with a second portion of the said corresponding elongate support member. Such a clip-on external louvre is easier to install than existing louvres and provides a more secure fit when engaged. The slide-in edge portion provides excellent support for the louvre along a large surface and securely wedges into position which prevents rattling and keeps the louvre securely held. The clip-in arm member can easily be engaged, providing further support for the louvre. Engagement of such a clip-on louvre is simple, quick and does not require significant force to engage the louvre to the elongate support member, reducing or eliminating the risk of the louvre deforming during installation. Preferably, the slide-in edge portion has a kink for enabling wedging engagement with the first portion. A kink, or dog leg, allows for the slide-in edge portion to wedge fit with the first portion without requiring a larger thickness, which both reduces material cost and makes it easier to slide the slide-in edge portion into the first portion. Advantageously, the slide-in edge portion further comprises a projection for enabling wedging engagement with the first portion. The projection may also facilitate the installation clip-on louvre into the elongate support member by providing a point of contact about which to pivot the clip-on louvre after the slide-in edge portion is inserted into the first portion. The projection, extending along the longitudinal extent of the louvre, may be considered to be a ridge. The projection may have a curved exterior surface. In a preferred embodiment, the clip-in arm member includes a barb at an end thereof for clip-fit engagement with a lip of the second portion of the elongate support member. A barb allows for convenient engagement of the clip-in arm with the second portion. The clip-in arm member can easily be inserted for engagement and the barb then effectively inhibits removal of the clip-in arm member from the second portion. The term “barb” will be understood to refer to a sloped portion, for allowing movement thereacross in one direction, and a stop or step at an end of the sloped portion, for preventing or limiting backwards movement. Optionally, the clip-in arm may further include a protrusion spaced apart from the barb, the protrusion and the barb together defining a receiver for receiving the lip of the second portion of the elongate support member. A protrusion provides a secure engagement of the clip-in arm member with the second portion and prevents the movement of the clip-in arm member both towards and away from the elongate support member, which provides a more secure fit and can prevent the clip-in arm member from rattling. Preferably, the protrusion includes a tool-engagement protrusion or recess for receiving the end of a tool to permit disconnection of the louvre. A feature such as a protrusion or recess can allow for a tool to more easily engage with the clip-in arm member, which can allow a user to conveniently disengage the barb of the clip-in arm member from the second portion if removing the clip-on louvre. Optionally, the clip-in arm member may be arcuate. An arcuate arm member provides more strength than a straight arm of the same thickness due to better distribution of force. Additionally, a curved clip in arm member allows for some flexing or bowing, which can aid in inserting the clip-in arm member. Optionally, the clip-in arm member may include a waist portion or waisted portion. Preferably, the waist portion is at or adjacent to the louvre body. A waist portion provides additional flex to the clip-in arm member while still maintaining the strength of the clip-in arm member, which facilitates the clip-fit of the arm member. Positioning the waist adjacent to the louvre body provides a maximal amount of flexibility. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an elongate support member for receiving a clip-on external louvre according to a first aspect of the invention, the elongate support member comprising: opposing side surfaces and a mounting surface which interconnects the opposing side surfaces; a first portion at or adjacent to the mounting surface to slidably receive the slide-in edge of the louvre body, and a second portion at or adjacent to the mounting surface to clip-fit engage the said clip-in arm member. The first and second portions are preferably spaced apart from each other. Optionally, the elongate support member may comprise a plurality of said first portions and second portions for receiving a plurality of said clip-on external louvres. This eases installation by reducing the amount of elongate support members needed to support a plurality of external louvres. Additionally, this ensures that all of the external louvres are correctly aligned, which allows for a continuous fagade with no gaps. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an external louvre attachment system comprising: an elongate support member according to the second aspect of the invention; and a clip-on external louvre in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. The elongate support member receives the clip-on external louvre by the first portion of the elongate support member receiving the slide-in edge of the louvre, and the second portion of the elongate support member receiving the clip-in arm member of the louvre. Preferably, the elongate support member includes a flange at each opposing side surface so that the elongate support member defines a top hat profile. Flanges allow for easier mounting of the elongate support member to a building structure and provide good load distribution due to the large area of the flanges. Optionally, the external louvre attachment system may further comprise: at least one composite panel for mounting to a building structure, the elongate support member being connected to an outer skin of the composite panel; and one or more rivets, each said rivet having splayable legs engageable with a backside of the said outer surface skin and which when deployed project radially so that radially outer edges thereof are substantially inline or radially outward of a radius of a head of the rivet. Such a system allows for the elongate support member to be attached to a building without direct attachment of the elongate support member to the building structure, which eliminates or mitigates thermal bridging and thus reduces heat loss from the building. Additionally, this allows for the elongate support member to be connected to a readily accessible composite panel, which allows for quick and easy installation compared to connecting to the building structure, which can be difficult to directly access depending on the outer wall structure. The rivets structurally support the elongate support member from the outer surface skin. Preferably, each of the one or more rivets comprises three or more legs. Advantageously, each of the one or more rivets are tri-folding structural rivets, commonly known in the field by the trade name Bulb-Tite (RTM) rivets. Preferably, the composite panel further comprises a thermally insulating core. Optionally, the insulating core comprises mineral wool. Optionally, the composite panel may further comprise an inner surface skin, wherein the thermally insulating core is between the inner surface skin and the outer surface skin. Preferably, the outer surface skin and / or inner surface skin are secured to the core via adhesive. Preferably, the at least one elongate support member is supported exclusively by said one or more rivets. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of assembling a external louvre attachment system, the method comprising the steps of: providing an external louvre attachment system according to the third aspect of the invention; slidably inserting the slide-in edge portion at into a first portion of the elongate support member; pivoting the clip in louvre to clip fit engage the clip-in arm member with a second portion of the said corresponding elongate support member. For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an external louvre attachment system in accordance with the third aspect of the invention; Figure 2 shows a rivet of the external louvre attachment system of Figure 1 in isolation and in an undeployed condition; Figure 3 shows a portion of the external louvre attachment system of Figure 1 with the rivet in an engaged position with deployed splayable legs attached to a composite panel; Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a side view of a clip-on external louvre in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figures 6 to 8 show side views of different stages of the clip-on external louvre of Figure 5 being installed to form the external louvre attachment system of Figure 1; Figure 9 shows an enlarged view of the external louvre attachment system of Figure 8. Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a louvre assembly 10 including a clip-on external louvre 12 and elongate support member 14. The clip-on louvre 12 includes a louvre body 16, a slide-in edge portion 18 and a clipin arm member 20. Two such clip-on louvres 12 are shown engaged to the elongate support member 14. The louvre 12 is elongate in a horizontal direction from the perspective of Figure 1, and may have a uniform cross section. The elongate support member 14 includes two opposing side surfaces 22 and a mounting surface 24 which interconnects the opposing side surfaces 22. Here the side surfaces 22 and the mounting surface 24 form a square-bottomed U-shaped profile or square-bottomed channel. Each louvre 12 is preferably held between at least two said elongate support members 14. The elongate support member 14 has a plurality of first portions 26 and second portions 28 which are each located at the mounting surface 24, but which may extend into the side surfaces 22. The slide-in edge portion 18 of the clip-on external louvre 12 is shown engaged with said first portion 26 and the clip-in arm member 20 is shown clip-fit engaged with said second portion 28. The first portions 26 and the second portions 28 may be considered to be cut-outs in the elongate support member 14, and here a first portion 26 and second portion 28 pair form part of the same cut-out. The elongate support member 14 preferably includes a flange 30 at each opposing side surface 22 such that the elongate support member 14 defines a top hat profile. As seen, each flange 30 includes one or more apertures 32 which are provided to facilitate mounting of the elongate support member 14 to a building structure by receiving an attachment means therethrough. The elongate support member 14 is here mounted to a building structure or feature of a building via one or more rivets 34, a pre-deployment condition of which is shown in Figure 2, which may be inserted through apertures 32 of the flanges 30. Each of the rivets 34 are tri-folding structural rivets 34, commonly known in the industry as Bulb Tite (RTM) rivets 34. These each have a rivet shaft 36 including three splayable legs 38 which are equidistantly spaced circumferentially. This provides an even load distribution and strong support to the elongate support member 14. Before installation, the rivets 34 come preinstalled with a mandrel 40. The mandrel 40 has a serrated shank, which allows for a rivet 34 tool to engage with and pull through the mandrel 40. The mandrel 40 is designed to snap at a predetermined load. The louvre assembly 10 include a composite panel 42 or sandwich panel, the elongate support member 14 being mounted thereto. Such a composite panel 42 is shown in detail in Figure 3. The panel includes an outer surface skin 44, an inner surface skin 46 and an insulating core 48 which is between the inner surface skin 46 and the outer surface skin 44. The terms inner and outer will be understood to refer to the direction with respect to the building. To engage the rivet 34 with the elongate support member 14 and composite panel 42, the mandrel 40 is pulled against the rivet 34 body, for example with use of a rivet gun, which caused the splayable legs 38 to fold towards the outer surface skin 44 of the composite panel 42. The insulating core 48 comprises mineral wool, which provides excellent thermal and acoustic insulation. A binding agent such as a resin or binder, for example a thermosetting resin, could be utilised to bind the mineral wool fibres together. The insulating core 48 is firmly attached to each of the inner and outer surface skins 46, 44 preferably via an adhesive, which improves the structural integrity of the panel and allows for greater load bearing capacity as well as allowing efficient construction. The adhesive may be a polyurethane based adhesive, for example. The outer and / or inner surface skins 44, 46 are made from a material with high strength and rigidity, such as metal, for example steel. Preferably, the inner and / or outer surface skins 46, 44 each have a thickness of less than 3 mm. More preferably, the inner and / or outer surface skins 46, 44 each have a thickness of less than 1 mm. Most preferably, the inner and / or outer surface skins 46, 44 each have a thickness of around 0.7 mm. The composite panel 42 may be a provided as a prefabricated panel such as a Rainspan (RTM) panel obtainable from Euroclad Group Limited of Severnside House, St. Mellons Business Park, Fortran Road, Cardiff, Wales, CF3 0EY. The rivet 34 is shown engaged with the elongate support member 14 and the composite panel 42 in Figures 3 and 4. When deployed, the splayable legs 38 of the rivets 34 are engaged with a backside of the outer surface skin 44 of the composite panel 42. The tri-folding structural rivets 34 provide a larger contact area with the outer surface skin 44 than traditional solid rivets 34, which allows for better distribution of load. This is particularly important due to the low thickness of the outer surface skin 44 of the panel, to prevent rivets 34 shearing through the panel. The splayable legs 38 have an extent in a radial direction which is substantially equal to or greater than a radius of a head of the rivet 34. Preferably, the radial extent of each of the splayable legs 38 may be between 5 and 15 mm. It is preferred that the rivets 34 have at least three legs 38, which provides an excellent distribution of load. Rivets 34 with more than three legs 38 may also be considered. The tri-folding structural rivets 34 are blind rivets 34, meaning that they can be installed even when only one side of the surface can be accessed. This allows for the use of these rivets 34 to connect the elongate support member 14 to the backside of the outer surface skin 44 without having access to the interior of the composite panel 42, which is necessary as the shaft of the rivet 34 pierces the insulating core 48 and is thus typically inaccessible by tools. It is possible that other types of blind rivet, such as a dome head rivet, may be utilised to connect the elongate support member 14 to the composite panel 42. However, tri-folding structural rivets 34 are favoured for their even load distribution and large contact area with the backside of the outer surface skin 44, as well as providing a consistent contact area. Figure 5 shows a side view of the clip-on louvre 12 in isolation, where the features of the slide-in edge portion 18 and clip-in arm member 20 can be more readily seen. The slide-in edge portion 18 and clip-in arm member 20 are connected by the louvre body 16. The louvre body 16 comprises an intermediate portion 50, which is in use angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the vertical elongate support member 14, and a free-end portion 52, which here is in use parallel or substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the elongate support member 14. However, it will be appreciated that alternative louvre body formations may be considered. The louvre body 16 may further include an elongate-support-member abutment portion 54 between the intermediate portion 50 and the slide-in edge portion 18, which in use may abut against the elongate-support-member and is in use aligned or substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the elongate support member 14. The elongate-support-member abutment portion 54 has an overhang 56 with respect to the intermediate portion 50, so that the intermediate portion 50 does not extend from the end of the elongate-support-member abutment portion 54. The slide-in edge portion 18 includes a kink 58, or dog leg, which assists with the wedging engagement with the first portion 26. The kink 58 gives the slide-in arm member 20 a wider profile without increasing the thickness of the slide-in edge portion 18, which saves on material cost and eases installation. The slide-in edge portion 18 includes a projection 60 or ridge which assists with wedging engagement with the first portion 26, as will be further described below. The projection 60 may be rounded or may converge to a point. The slide-in edge portion 18 is positioned at a longitudinal edge of the louvre body 16 and configured to be slidably insertable into a first portion 26 of a corresponding elongate support member 14. The clip-in arm member 20 extends from the intermediate portion 50 and is preferably arcuate, with a concave surface proximal to the slide-in edge portion 18 and a convex surface distal to the slide-in edge portion 18. The clip-in arm member 20 includes a waist portion 62 which has a reduced thickness compared to the rest of the clip-in arm member 20. This allows for improved flex of the clip-in arm member 20, which makes positioning the clip-in arm member 20 for engagement with the second portion 28 of the elongate support member 14 easier. The clip in arm member 20 has a barb 64 at a distal end from the louvre body 16 for clip-fit engagement with a lip 65 of the second portion 28 of the elongate support member 14. The barb 64 has a substantially triangular or ramped cross section which allows for easy engagement with the second portion 28 of the elongate support member 14. The slope 66 of the barb 64 allows for the clip in arm member 20 to easily be inserted to the second portion 28 while a stop 68, step or drop at the end of the slope 66 inhibits the clip-in arm member 20 from dislodging once the clip-in arm member 20 has been engaged with the second portion 28. The barb 64 has a recess 70 at an opposing side to the slope 66, which may permit for some flexing of the barb 64 itself. The clip-in arm member 20 further includes a protrusion 72 which is spaced apart from the barb 64. The protrusion 72 and the barb 64 together define a receiver for receiving the lip 65 of the second portion 28 of the elongate support member 14. The protrusion 72 preferably includes a tool-engagement recess 74 for receiving the end of a tool to permit disconnection of the louvre 12. A tool can thus be utilised to easily remove the clip-on external louvre 12 from the elongate support member 14 if required, which is otherwise difficult due to the louvre body 16 partially blocking access. While the protrusion 72 is here shown with a recess for tool engagement, it is appreciated that a tool-engagement protrusion could instead be utilised to achieve the same effect. Referring now to Figure 6, in use, the slide-in edge portion 18 of the louvre 12 is slid or inserted into the first portion 26 of the elongate support member 14. Similar to the second portion, the first portion has a lip 76 which projects in front of a recess 78 and the slide-in edge portion 18 is inserted behind the lip 76, into the recess 78, so that the slide-in edge portion 18 is at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the elongate support member 14. Referring now to Figure 7, the louvre 12 is pivoted about the slide-in edge portion 18 so that the clip-in arm member 20 is brought towards the elongate support member 14 and the slide-in edge portion 18 is brought towards angular alignment with the longitudinal axis of the elongate support member 14. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the louvre 12 is then pivoted again about the slide-in edge portion 18 so that the clip-in arm member 20 is pushed inwards towards the second portion 28 of the elongate support member 14. Similar to the first portion 26, the lip 65 of the second portion 28 projects in front of a recess 80. The slope 66 of the barb 64 rides or slides across the lip 65 of the second portion 28, with the clip-in arm member 20 flexing if so required. The barb 63 then sits inside the recess 80. Once the slope 66 has passed the lip 65, the stop 68 engages the lip 65, preventing the barb 64 from moving outwards. The lip 65 is thus received between the barb 64 and the protrusion 72. At the same time, the slide-in edge portion 18 is pivoted and oriented so as to be aligned with a longitudinal axis of the elongate support member 14. Thus, the slide-in edge portion 18 is held in wedging engagement in the first portion 26. Formation of said wedging engagement is assisted by the kink 58 and the projection 60. The projection 60, not shown in Figure 8, may be received in a hole or recess in the lip 65, or may simply be pressed up against the lip 65. In particular, between the first and second portions 26, 28 of the elongate support member 14 there is a ridge 82. The elongate-support-member abutment portion 54 of the louvre body 16 is held up against the ridge 82, and the slide-in edge portion 18 is held up against an inside surface of the lip 65. The slide-in edge portion 18 and the elongate-support-member abutment portion 54 are horizontally displaced from the perspective of Figure 8 by virtue of the kink 58, which assists with the wedging engagement. As such, the louvre 12 is held securely, preventing or limiting wind-rattle. To remove the louvre 12, the head of a tool, such as the head of a screwdriver, may be pressed into the tool-engagement recess 74 and pushed upwards so that the clipin arm member 20 deforms, freeing the lip 65 from the stop 68 of the barb 64. The louvre 12 can thus be conveniently removed. Whilst the louvre 12 is shown in the Figures with the free-end portion 52 extending downwards, the louvre 12 may be installed in an opposing orientation, with the free-end portion 52 extending upwards. It is therefore possible to provide a clip-on external louvre having a slide-in edge portion which is slidably insertable into a first portion of a cut-out of an elongate support member and a clip-in arm member which is clip-fit engageable with a second portion of the cut-out. The external louvre may otherwise be termed a weather louvre, and the same principles of the invention may also be applied to solar-shading louvres. 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. It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or 5 in any suitable sub-combination. 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.

Claims

1. A clip-on external louvre comprising:a louvre body;a slide-in edge portion at or adjacent to a longitudinal edge of the louvre body and configured to be slidably insertable into a first portion of a corresponding elongate support member; anda clip-in arm member which extends from the louvre body to be clip-fit engageable with a second portion of the said corresponding elongate support member.

2. A clip-on external louvre as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slide-in edge portion has a kink for enabling wedging engagement with the first portion.

3. A clip-on external louvre as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the slide-in edge portion further comprises a projection for enabling wedging engagement with the first portion.

4. A clip-on external louvre as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clip-in arm member includes a barb at an end thereof for clip-fit engagement with a projection of the second portion of the elongate support member.

5. A clip-on external louvre as claimed in claim 4, wherein the clip-in arm member further includes a protrusion spaced apart from the barb, the protrusion and the barb together defining a receiver for receiving the projection of the second portion of the elongate support member.

6. A clip-on external louvre as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protrusion includes a tool-engagement protrusion or recess for receiving the end of a tool to permit disconnection of the louvre.

7. A clip-on external louvre as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clip-in arm member is arcuate.

8. A clip-on external louvre as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clip-in arm member includes a waist portion.

9. A clip-on external louvre as claimed in claim 8, wherein the waist portion is at or adjacent to the louvre body.

10. An elongate support member for receiving a clip-on external louvre as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the elongate support member comprising:opposing side surfaces and a mounting surface which interconnects the opposing side surfaces;a first portion at or adjacent to the mounting surface to slidably receive the slide-in edge of the louvre; anda second portion at or adjacent to the mounting surface to clip-fit engage the said clip-in arm member.

11. An elongate support member as claimed in claim 10 comprising a plurality of said first portions and second portions for receiving a plurality of said clip-on external louvres.

12. An elongate support member as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein the elongate support member includes a flange at each opposing side surface so that the elongate support member defines a top hat profile.

13. An external louvre attachment system comprising:an elongate support member as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12; anda clip-on external louvre as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

14. An external louvre attachment system as claimed in claim 13, further comprising:at least one composite panel for mounting to a building structure, the elongate support member being connected to an outer skin of the composite panel; andone or more rivets, each said rivet having splayable legs engageable with a backside of the said outer surface skin and which when deployed project radially so that radially outer edges thereof are substantially inline or radially outward of a radius of a head of the rivet.

15. A method of installing a clip-on external louvre, the method comprising the steps of:providing an external louvre attachment system as claimed in claim 13 or 14;5 slidably inserting the slide-in edge portion at into a first portion of theelongate support member;pivoting the clip in louvre to clip fit engage the clip-in arm member with a second portion of the said corresponding elongate support member.10T +44(0)30 0300 2000A

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