Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F10/00—Sunshades, e.g. Florentine blinds or jalousies; Outside screens; Awnings or baldachins
  • E04F10/08—Sunshades, e.g. Florentine blinds or jalousies; Outside screens; Awnings or baldachins of a plurality of similar rigid parts, e.g. slabs, lamellae
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
  • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
  • E06B7/00—Special arrangements or measures in connection with doors or windows
  • E06B7/02—Special arrangements or measures in connection with doors or windows for providing ventilation, e.g. through double windows; Arrangement of ventilation roses
  • E06B7/08—Louvre doors, windows or grilles
  • E06B7/084—Louvre doors, windows or grilles with rotatable lamellae
  • E06B7/086—Louvre doors, windows or grilles with rotatable lamellae interconnected for concurrent movement
  • E06B7/096—Louvre doors, windows or grilles with rotatable lamellae interconnected for concurrent movement operated or interconnected by gearing

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the mounting of panels, displays, louvres or panels and the like.
• the present invention relates to moveable frame arrangements for these items.
• Louvres or panels are often used to provide shade or environmental protection.
• the louvres or panels may be individually rotatatable within a frame to vary the degree of shading or protection there position cannot be changed as they are both statically mounted with respect to a frame and the frame itself does not move.
• moveable systems have been developed where the location of a frame arrangement incorporating a mounted louvre or panel or collection of louvres or panels may be changed with respect to the surface that it is mounted to.
• a frame arrangement including a louvre assembly may initially be positioned to partially cover a window to shade against the morning sun and then be moved with respect to the window to provide shade as the sun rises during the day.
• these moveable systems employ a track arrangement extending along the length that is being sought to be covered with the frame arrangement then moving along the track either by motorised drive means or manual drive means.
• the present invention accordingly provides a drive system for moving a frame arrangement along a guide member, the frame arrangement including at least two opposed frame members, the drive system including:
• first gearing means operable to be driven by the drive means
• the second gearing means is concealed within the guide member.
• the second gearing means is a rack gear.
• the first gearing means is a pinion gear operable to engage with the rack gear.
• the internal channel adapted to receive at least one trolley arrangement attached to the frame arrangement and moveable along a track located in the channel.
• the first gearing means engaging the second gearing means is operable to move the trolley arrangement.
• the drive system includes a complementary drive arrangement to drive an opposing frame member at the same speed as the first frame member with respect to an opposing guide member.
• the complementary drive arrangement is linked to the drive means.
• the first frame member is oriented in the direction of movement of the frame arrangement.
• the first frame member is oriented perpendicular to the direction of movement of the frame arrangement.
• the present invention accordingly provides a drive system for moving a frame arrangement along a guide member in a curved path, the frame arrangement including at least two opposed frame members, the drive system including:
• first gearing means operable to be driven by the drive means
• second gearing means engageable with the first gearing means to move the frame arrangement along the guide member on operation of the drive means, wherein the guide member is conformable to the curved path.
• the second gearing means is conformable to the curved path.
• the guide member is formed from a first wall section, a second wall section and a joining member, wherein the first and second wall sections and joining member are each conformable to the curved path.
• first and second wall sections are formed as aluminium extrusions.
• the second gearing means is concealed within the guide member.
• the present invention accordingly provides a frame arrangement driven by the drive system of either the first or second aspects of the present invention.
• the present invention accordingly provides a power system for providing electrical power to a frame arrangement that is moveable along a guide member, the power system including:
• electrical power supply means extending continuously along the guide member; electrical contact means operable to move with the frame arrangement and in continuous contact with the electrical power supply means to receive electrical power from the electrical power supply means.
• the electrical power supply means includes electrically conducting rails mounted in the guide member.
• the electrically conducting rails are located within a slot arrangement to receive the moving electric contact means as the frame arrangement moves along the guide member.
• the electrical contact means forms part of a trolley arrangement moving along the guide member and attached to frame arrangement.
• the electrical power is used to power a motor to move the moveable frame arrangement.
• the electrical power is used to power an electrical component either mounted to or incorporated into the frame arrangement.
• the electrical component is any one of:
• a motor drive for changing the orientation of panels or louvers mounted to the frame
• the frame arrangement is moveable along a curve path and wherein the electrical power supply means is conformable to the curved path.
• the present invention accordingly provides a frame arrangement powered by the power system of the fourth aspect of the present invention.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a louvre panel installation incorporating moveable frame arrangements in accordance with various illustrative embodiments of the present invention
• Figure 2 is a detailed perspective view of one of the moveable frame arrangements illustrated in Figure 1 ;
• Figure 3 is a detailed cut-away perspective view of a drive system for the frame arrangement illustrated in Figure 2 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention
• Figure 4 is a side end on view of the drive system illustrated in Figure 3;
• Figure 5 is a top perspective view depicting the gearing arrangement for the drive system illustrated in Figure 3;
• Figure 6 is a figurative view of the drive system illustrated in Figure 3 depicting the motorised drive and the drive assembly employed to move the frame arrangement;
• Figure 7 is a detailed view depicting the linkages between individual support members of the frame arrangement illustrated in Figure 2;
• Figure 8 is a perspective view of a frame arrangement employing a drive system in accordance with a further illustrative embodiment.
• FIG. 1 and 2 there is shown a louvre panel installation 300 incorporating a number of different frame arrangements 100 that are moveable along guide members 1 , 22.
• frame arrangements 100 move along a convex curved path but equally the present invention may be applied to frame arrangements moving in straight path, convex curved path or any combination of curved and/or straight sections.
• frame arrangements 1 00 are shown to be moveable laterally in this illustrative embodiment, it would be appreciated that the arrangements could follow any path up, down, or diagonally in accordance with the positioning and orientation of guide members 1 , 22.
• frame arrangements 100 incorporate a number of individual mounting members 205 extending between in this example top and bottom frame members 20, 23 respectively.
• individual glass louvre panes 200 are rotatably mounted to each mounting member by top and bottom mounting supports 210, 220,
• top and bottom frame members 20, ' 23 are appropriately curved in line with the curved path that is to be followed.
• Drive system 400 includes a drive means in the form of a motor 13 mounted to a mounting plate 14 that is mounted to and concealed within top frame member 20 of frame arrangement 100.
• drive means may be manually actuated using a crank or the like.
• Motor 13 drives gearbox 1 1 which is also mounted and concealed within frame member 20 by shaft 12 that in turn drives a first gearing means in the form of a pinion gear 7 by vertical drive shaft 8 which in turn engages with second gearing means in the form of a rack gear 6 that is seated within a side channel 33 that extends along guide member 1.
• Vertical drive shaft 8 is supported in its orientation by twin bearing blocks 21 one mounted to gear box 1 1 and again concealed within frame member 20 and the second mounted on the top of frame member 20 and also functioning as a spacer member between top frame member 20 and the bottom of guide member 1.
• Guide member 1 includes a central channel 40 to accommodate a trolley for frame arrangement 100 consisting of a trolley body 15 having a pair of trolley wheels 17 formed in this embodiment from stainless steel and each including a groove that sits on opposed elongate tracks or trolley running beads 16 mounted in side channel sections 34 formed in the bottom of opposed wall portions l a, lb of guide member 1.
• Vertical drive shaft 8 extends from motor 13, through bearing blocks 21 and trolley body 15 and then terminates in pinion gear 7 (as best shown in Figure 4). In this manner, frame arrangement 100 hangs from guide member 1 and is able to move freely by virtue of the trolley arrangement.
• At least one other trolley arrangement (not necessarily motorised) is typically employed to support the other end of frame arrangement 100. Further intermediate trolley arrangements, either motorised or not, may also be employed as required depending on the size and weight of the frame arrangement and associated mounted or incorporated articles.
• Drive system 400 further includes a power system for providing electrical power to the frame arrangement 100 consisting of an electrical power supply means in the form of a pair of power supply tracks 2 mounted within a power contact housing 19, this combination in turn mounted within and extending between the rear and front portions la, l b along guide member 1.
• Electrical power supply means further includes contact terminals 44 that are connected to mains power and which supply electrical power to power supply tracks 2.
• Each track 2 includes an upwardly oriented slot 36 incorporating a continuous contact rail 3 formed of an electrically conductive material such as brass or the like. Slots 36 function to receive an electrical contact means in the form of a spring loaded plates 4 also formed of an electrically conductive material such as brass and located on the top of power supply pick-up housing 5 which in turn is mounted to the side of trolley body 15. Plates 4 when received within the track 2 will form an electrical connection with brass contact rails 3 to receive electrical power which is then supplied to frame arrangement 100 by a wiring arrangement that extends down to top frame member 20 and through to motor 13.
• frame arrangement includes a plurality of glass louvre planes 200 rotatably mounted and linked together by linkages 230 (as best seen in Figure 7).
• linkages 230 may be moved by an electronic actuator powered by the electrical power supply provided to the frame arrangement.
• frame arrangement may include an electronic display, or lighting or other types of panel, blind or screen arrangements which will be able to powered by a power system in accordance with the present invention.
• moveable frame arrangement may be moved manually but still require an electrical supply to power components either mounted to or incorporated into the frame arrangement.
• guide member 1 is formed as a pair of symmetrical aluminium extrusions l a , l b which because of their form factor of being elongate thin wall sections may be easily curved about a curved surface such as depicted in Figure 1.
• rack gear 6 and running beads 16 because of their form factor may be easily curved about a curved surface.
• the rear wall section l a of guide member 1 incorporating running bead 16, is attached by brackets to the mounting surface such as a building exterior or the like. As discussed previously, because of its thin wall form factor it may be easily curved. If the frame arrangement 100 is to be motorised then gear rack 6 is inserted in receiving channel 33. Power contact housing 19, which in this illustrative embodiment is formed from extruded aluminium sections cut to size, is then installed which incorporates the track contact housing 2 formed from a non-electrically conducting material such as high density polypropylene (HDPP) which is extruded and/or machined to the correct profile and the contact rails 3.
• HDPP high density polypropylene
• Each of these components is designed to be flexible so that they may curve in line with the rear wall section of guide member 1.
• power contact housing 19 (as best seen in Figure 4) which functions as a joining member to complete the construction of guide member 1.
• the joins between contiguous sections may be set off with respect to each other for the front and rear wall sections. This aids in ensuring smooth operation of the trolley arrangement as the trolley wheels 17 only roll over one join between wall sections at a time.
• the drive system 400 of frame arrangement 100 includes a complementary drive arrangement 600 (as best shown in Figure 4).
• Complementary drive arrangement 600 functions to positively drive the bottom frame member 23 at the same speed as top frame member 20. This ensures that top and bottom or opposed frame members 20, 23 move at the same rate which ensures smooth movement of the frame arrangement and also aids in maintaining its square configuration, thereby preventing jamming during movement.
• Complementary drive arrangement 600 in this illustrative embodiment includes a downward extension of vertical drive shaft 8 through mounting member 205 which in this example forms a sleeve.
• Shaft 8 further extends through bottom frame member 23 having a further bearing block 21 to maintain vertical alignment of shaft 8.
• Shaft 8 then exits bottom frame member 23 and extends through slot 46 of bottom guide member 22 where it terminates in lower pinion gear 9 captured within an internal channel 64 of guide member 22.
• Bottom guide member 22 further incorporates a rack gear 10 mounted to an inner side wall of internal channel 64 in a similar manner to the rack gear 6 incorporated into guide member 1.
• Bottom guide member 22 is formed in a similar manner as top guide member 1 incorporating front and rear wall sections and a joining member (not shown) which each individually may be appropriately curved to follow the desired curved path.
• the primary drive system 400 is located in the bottom frame member 23 and guide member 22 and the complementary drive arrangement 600 is located in the top frame member 20 and guide member 1.
• activation of motor 13 causes vertical drive shaft 8 to rotate. As described previously, this drives the movement of frame arrangement 100 by virtue of the engagement of top pinion gear 7 with top rack gear 6. Synchronised with this is the engagement of bottom pinion gear 9 with bottom rack gear 10 ensuring that both the top and bottom (or opposed ends) of frame arrangement 100 are driven at the same speed. It will be appreciated by those or ordinary skill in the art that initial actuation of vertical drive shaft 8 may be by both manual or motorised means. In the case of a motor, once power is removed then the magnetic resistance of the motor will cause frame arrangement 100 to stop moving.
• complementary drive arrangement 600 is directly dependent on the drive system 400 by virtue of shared drive shaft 8 in other embodiments the complementary drive arrangement 600 may be driven by a secondary motor that is synchronised to primary motor 13 by electronic means so that activation of motor 13 will result in simultaneous operation of secondary motor.
• FIG. 8 there is shown a frame arrangement 500 according to a further illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
• the drive means is . located in side frame member 530 i.e. in a frame member that is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the frame arrangement as opposed frame arrangement 500 where the drive means is located in top frame member 20 i.e. i n a frame member that is in the direction of travel of the frame member.
• drive means can drive a vertical drive shaft extending tlirough side frame member 530 terminating at both ends in pinion gears that engage with respective rack gears mounted in top and bottom guide members 1 , 22 as has been described previously.
• Drive means may be either motorised or manually operated.
• the frame arrangements and associated drive and power systems provided a number of significant advantages over prior art designs. By concealing and integrating the drive means within a frame member, this improves the appearance of the frame arrangements. Furthermore, the positioning of drive means within the frame member also protects it from the effects of the environment. This is especially the case, where the drive means is an electric motor or the like. Further concealing the gearing means in the guide member that operates in combination with the drive means to move the frame also further improves the appearance of the frame arrangement.
• a further problem with prior art moveable frame arrangements is that they have not been easily adapted to situations where they are required to move on a curve path.
• By having the guide member conformable to the curved path nhis greatly simplifies the installation of the frame arrangement as the guide member does not need to be pre-fabricated in preformed curved sections.
• the rack gear is also conformable to the curved path this also simplifies installation.
• the illustrative embodiments also depict a power system that shares the advantages of the drive system in that it is readily concealed within the guide member further improving the appearance and also that it is able to be implemented in a curved path configuration for those circumstances where the frame arrangement is to move in a curved path.
• the power supply is continuous and individual powered items such as motors or displays are individually controlled by controller circuitry which can also be remotely controlled.
• the power supply may be turned on or off to in turn activate and deactivate the motor.
• frame arrangements embodying the present invention are described below in their usual assembled position as shown in the accompanying drawings and terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, horizontal, longitudinal etc., may be used with reference to this usual position.
• the frame arrangements may be manufactured, transported, sold, or used in orientations other than that described and shown herein.
• frame arrangements 100, 500 are depicted as moving laterally or sideways.
• guide members 1 , 22 may be oriented in a vertical orientation and as a result frame arrangement may be adapted to move in a vertical direction as desired.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Power-Operated Mechanisms For Wings (AREA)

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Cited By (1)

Citations (3)

• 2013
  • 2013-02-21 WO PCT/AU2013/000162 patent/WO2013123560A1/fr not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (3)

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