GB2241572A

GB2241572A - Ventilation flap structure

Info

Publication number: GB2241572A
Application number: GB9004215A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Frederick Gibson; David Bottomore; Glen Robert Hayes
Original assignee: Glidevale Building and Products Ltd
Current assignee: Glidevale Building and Products Ltd
Priority date: 1990-02-24
Filing date: 1990-02-24
Publication date: 1991-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 2010-02-24
Also published as: GB9004215D0; GB2241572B

Abstract

A ventilation flap structure for controlling air flow through an aperture 28 comprises a rigid elongated flap member 20 and supports 22, 24 at opposite ends of the member 20. Each support 22, 24 comprises a first portion 30 secured to the member 20 and a second portion 32 by which the support can be secured to a structure 18 defining the aperture, e.g. by screwing in openings 34 accessible through panels 38. The supports may be integrally moulded of plastics material with the portions 30, 32 connected by an integral hinge (36) (Fig. 1b) or (56) (Figs. 6, 7). An operating member 26 may be connected to a portion 30 by a connecting portion 42. A spring 46 integrated with or secured to the first portion 30 engages a bar 54 projecting from the second portion 32 to hold the flap in its open and shut positions. <IMAGE>

Description

VENTILATION FLAP STRUCTURE This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to ventilation flap structures and is especially concerned with ventilation flap structures suitable for use in controlling air flow through an aperture for providing ventilation to a building in the region of a window or door. For example in our copending Patent Application No. 8927303.1 there is described a ventilation system for providing ventilation to a building in the region of a window or door comprising modular ventilation elements adapted to be connected to at least one other element to form a ventilation module defining a ventilation passage therethrough and adapted to be disposed between a window or a door and a surrounding frame.

In the system described in our aforementioned Patent Application and other ventilation systems, an air control flap may be provided, movable between a first position in which air flow through an aperture is maximum and a second position in which air flow through the aperture is minimum (and preferably zero). Various constructions of flap have been proposed in the past; however, commonly the structures have comprised a mounting frame extending for at least the length of a ventilation aperture with which the ventilation flap structure is intended to be used and adapted to be secured to the structure by which the ventilation aperture is defined. In some cases, the mounting means has comprised a plate adapted to be secured to the structure defining the ventilation aperture with an opening therein aligned with the ventilation aperture.The ventilation flap is movably secured to this mounting structure in such a way that it can be moved between a first position in which air flow is minimum and a second position in which air flow is maximum.

The construction and assembly of such ventilation flap structures has been relatively expensive and complex, and the flap structure has been rather bulky.

One of the various objects of the present invention is to provide an improved ventilation flap structure.

In one aspect the invention may be considered to provide a ventilation flap structure suitable for use in controlling air flow through an aperture, comprising a rigid elongated flap member and two supports disposed at opposite ends of the flap member, each support comprising a first portion secured to the flap member and a second portion by which the support can be secured to a structure defining the aperture.

Preferably, each support is moulded from a suitable plastics material the first portion and the second portion being connected to one another by an integral hinge. Thus the support may be made by a single injection moulding operation in which the first portion, second portion and integral hinge are moulded.

Preferably, in a structure in accordance with the invention, operating means is provided to facilitate operation of the flap member in its movement between a first position in which air flow is minimum and a second position in which air flow is maximum. In some constructions in accordance with the invention, the operating member may be provided by a separately moulded plastics piece having a connection portion adapted to be secured to one of the supports and an operating portion.

Suitably the connection portion comprises a projection adapted to be received in a corresponding opening in the support as a snap-fit. The connecting portion may desirably be connected to the operating portion by a hinge. In an alternative embodiment in accordance with the invention, the operating member may be moulded integrally with the first portion of the support.

Preferably the flap member of a ventilation flap structure in accordance with the invention is provided by a single aluminium extrusion and the supports may be secured to the opposite ends of the flap member by introduction of the flap member into suitably positioned openings in the supports.

Sealing means may be provided on the flap member to seal around the aperture when the flap member is in its first position to restrict air flow as much as possible.

In order to secure the two supports to the structure defining the aperture, suitable securing means must be used.

Securing means may be provided by suitable fasteners eg. screws passing through the second portion of the supports and screwed into the structure defining the aperture. Conveniently access to such screws may be provided by an integral hinged panel in the first portion of each support. Alternatively, the second portion can be received in a housing which itself is secured to the structure defining the aperture by any suitable means, for example screws.

Means are preferably provided to retain the flap structure in the position to which it has been moved. In a preferred structure in accordance with the invention this means is provided by a spring integral with the supports.

There now follow detailed descriptions of three ventilation flap structures embodying the invention. It will be realised that these structures have been selected for description to illustrate the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: Figures 1A and 1B are, respectively, views of left and right hand supports of a first ventilation flap structure according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first ventilation flap structure with an operating member shown separately; Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of the first illustrative structure showing an operating member assembled with a first portion of an end support; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing an operating portion of the operating member in its operative position; Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of the first illustrative ventilation flap structure in use; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic plan view showing a second ventilation flap structure embodying the invention; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the second illustrative ventilation flap structure;; Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a right hand end support of a third ventilation flap structure embodying the invention; and Figure 9 is a perspective view of the right hand end support shown in Figure 8 from a different angle.

The first illustrative ventilation flap structure (see Figure 2) comprises a flap member 20 a left hand end support 22, a right hand end support 24 and an operating member 26. The first ventilation flap structure 18 is adapted to be secured to a structure defining a ventilation aperture 28. The rigid elongated flap member 20 is made from any suitable material, for example extruded aluminium. The flap member 20 is preferably also provided with sealing means (not shown) adapted to provide an effective seal about the aperture 28 when the flap member 20 is in a first, closed, position in which air flow through the aperture 28 is minimum. Any suitable sealing means may be used, for example as described in our aforementioned copending Patent Application.

The end supports 22, 24 are of generally similar construction except that they are mirrow images of one another.

Only the right hand one of these supports 24 will therefore be described in detail; like numbers indicate like parts in Figures 1A and 1B. The right hand end support 24 comprises a first portion 30 adapted to be secured to the flap member 20 and a second portion 32 by which the support 24 can be secured to a structure defining the aperture 28. A hole 34 is provided in the second portion for receiving a screw or other suitable fastener (not shown) by which the support may be secured to the structure defining the aperture. The first and second portions 30, 32, are connected to one another by a hinge portion 36. Preferably the portions 30, 32, 36 are injection moulded integrally of a suitable plastics material. Any plastics material providing sufficient strength and rigidity, whilst likewise providing sufficient flexibility and longevity for the hinge portion 36 may be used: a suitable plastics material is polypropylene. A panel 38 may be hinged to a body portion of the first portion 30 of the support preferably moulded integrally with the body portion for movement between a second open position in which it is shown in Figures 1A and 1B and a closed position in which it is shown in Figure 2. When in the open position access may be gained to the aperture 34 for tightening the screw or other fastener by which the support is secured to the mounting structure.

The right hand end support 24 is also provided with the operating member 26. The member 26 is moulded separately from the support 24 and the first portion 30 is provided with an elongated opening 40 adapted to receive a connecting portion 42 of the operating member 26 in a snap-fit. The operating member 26 is suitably moulded of a plastics material, e.g.

polypropylene in a flat condition as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

After the connecting portion 42 has been inserted into the aperture 40 and secured in place, an operating portion 44 of the member 26 is moved from the position in which it is shown in Figure 3 to that in which it is shown in Figure 4 by pivotal movement. Interlocking means are provided on the connecting portion 42 and the operating portion 44 so that when the operating portion 44 is pivoted to the position in which it is shown in Figure 4, the inter-locking means interlock and retain the operating portion in position. In that position the operating portion 44 may readily be grasped by a user to move the flap member between its open and closed positions.

The supports 22, 24 also comprise spring means 46 which may be separately manufactured and attached to the parts of each support or, preferably, integrally moulded with the portions of the support. Spring means 46 preferably comprises a spring member 48 of undulating construction so that it provides two recesses 50, 52. The spring member 48 is secured to or integral with the first portion 30. A rigid bar 54 adapted to cooperate with the spring portion 48 is secured to or integral with the second portion 32. The bar 54 is positioned to be received in one or other of the recesses 50, 52.The flap member 20 is retained in its open position when the bar 54 is received in the recess 50 and is retained in the closed position when the bar 54 is received in the recess 52, the spring portion 48 yielding as the first portion 30 is pivoted about the hinge portion 36 to move the flap member between its open and closed positions.

The end supports 22, 24 are a tight sliding fit on the flap member 20. When the first illustrative flap structure is packaged for transport, the package is substantially flat with no significant projections, thus facilitating transport and storage. Not only is the flap structure itself easy to transport, but the whole structure can be mounted on a window frame, with the operating member 26 secured in place but the operating portion 44 as shown in Figure 3, so that the complete frame has no protrusions and can be readily transported with little risk of damage to the flap structure. When assembled and in use, the first illustrative flap structure is neat and unobtrusive.When the complete end supports are integrally moulded from a suitable plastics material, or when the spring portion 48 and bar 54 are incorporated as inserts during moulding of the remainder of the supports, production of the end supports is particularly convenient and relatively inexpensive.

The second illustrative flap structure shown in Figures 6 and 7 comprises a rigid elongated flap member 20 of generally similar construction to that shown in Figures 1 to 5 and two end supports 22a, 24a disposed at opposite ends of the flap member 20, the supports 22a, 24a being substantially identical to one another apart from provision for securing the flap member at opposite ends of the supports 22a, 24a. An operating member 26 of generally similar construction to the operating member 26 of the first illustrative structure and adapted to be connected to the right hand end support 24 in a similar way is provided. The right hand end support 24a has a first portion 30a secured to the flap member and a second portion 32a by which the support 24a can be secured to a structure defining an aperture 28.The portions 30a, 32a are connected by a hinge member 56: the hinge members 56 of the supports 22a, 24a are parallel to one another, the hinge members 56 being hinged at 58, 60 to the portions 32a, 30a. The second portions 32a are adapted to be connected to the structure defining the aperture 28 by any suitable means eg.

screws 61; access to the screws 61 may be gained by any suitable means for example a panel similar to the panel 38 of the first illustrative structure. The second illustrative structure is closed by moving the flap member in the direction of the arrow A thus causing the flap member to hinge at the hinge portions 58, 60 and move the flap member 20 from the open position in which it is shown in Figure 7 to its closed position as indicated by the arrow B. When the flap member is in its closed position movement in the direction opposite the arrow A causes hinging movement about the hinges 58, 60 opposite the arrow B back to the open position. Supports 22a, 24a, are preferably injection moulded integrally trom a suitable plastics material.

A third illustrative ventilation flap structure is shown in Figures 8 and 9. Only a right hand end support 24b is shown in the drawings. The left hand end support is generally similar but does not include an operating member. The third illustrative structure comprises a rigid elongated flap member 20 similar to the flap members 20 of the first and second illustrative structures, secured to a first portion 30b to the support 24b in any suitable way; for example it may be received as a tight fit in an aperture in the first portion 30b. The support 24b further comprises a second portion 32b by which the support can be secured to a structure defining a ventilation flap aperture. The portions 30b, 32b are connected to one another by a hinge portion 36b the portions 30b, 32b, 36b are preferably moulded integrally.In the third illustrative structure a operating member 26b may be moulded integrally with the first portion 30b but, if desired, an operating member similar to the operating members 26 of the first and second illustrative structures may be used. Each end support also comprises a housing 62 which may be secured to a structure defining a ventilation aperture by any suitable means, for example screws or a structural adhesive. The housing 62 provides a slideway 64 in which the second portion 32b is slidingly received for sliding movement in the direction of the arrow C. A connector member 66 is hinged at 68 to a left hand end portion of each housing 62. The member 66 and housing 62 are preferably injection moulded integrally of a suitable plastics material, including the hinge portion 68.The member 66 comprises a connection portion 70 which is connected to the first portion 30b and the connection may be of a ball and socket type.

In Figures 8 and 9 the third illustrative flap structure is shown in an open position from which it can be moved by urging the operating member 26b in the direction of the arrow C (Figure 9). This causes the connecting member 66 to hinge towards the position in which it is shown in dash lines in Figure 9 as indicated by the arrow D. This movement of the connecting member 66 urges the portion 30b in the direction of the arrow E, thus moving the flap member 20 towards its closed position in which it is retained by any convenient catch means. To open the flap member of the third illustrative structure, the first portion 30b is moved in the direction opposite the arrow C, thus causing the connecting member to pivot in a direction opposite the arrow E from its dash line position to the full line position in which it is shown in Figure 9 and thereby causing the portion 30b to pivot about the hinge 36b in the direction opposite the arrow E back to its open position.

The second and third illustrative flap structures are also relatively simple and cheap to manufacture and are compact for transport and neat an unobtrusive in use.

Claims

1. A ventilation flap structure suitable for use in controlling air flow through an aperture, comprising a rigid elongated flap member and two supports disposed at opposite ends of the flap member, each support comprising a first portion secured to the flap member and a second portion by which the support can be secured to a structure defining the aperture.

2. A structure according to claim 1 wherein each support is moulded from a suitable plastics material the first portion and the second portion being connected to one another by an integral hinge.

3. A structure according to claim 2 wherein the support is made by a single injection moulding operation in which the first portion, second portion and integral hinge are moulded.

4. A structure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the flap member is secured to the supports by introduction of opposite ends of the flap member into openings in the supports.

5. A structure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second portions of the supports are adapted to be secured to a structure defining an aperture by screws.

6. A structure according to claim 5 comprising a panel in the first portion by which access can be gained to screws in the second portion.

7. A structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the second portion is adapted to be received in a housing which itself is secured to the structure defining the aperture.

8. A structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the first and second portions of the supports are connected to one another by a hinge which in use extends parallel with a lengthwise direction of an aperture with which the flap structure is associated.

9. A structure according to any one of the preceding claims comprising means to retain the flap structure in the position to which it has been moved.

10. A structure according to claim 9 wherein the retaining means comprises spring means attached to or integrally moulded with portions of the support.

11. A structure according to any one of the preceding claims comprising operating means to facilitate operation of the flap member in its movement between a first position in which air flow is minimum and a second position in which air flow is maximum.

12. A structure according to claim 11 wherein the operating means comprises an operating member provided by a-separately moulded plastics piece having a connection portion adapted to be secured to one of the supports and an operating portion.

13. A structure according to claim 12 wherein the connection portion comprises a projection adapted to be received in a corresponding opening in the support as a snap-fit.

14. A structure according to either one of claims 12 and 13 wherein the connecting portion is connected to the operating portion by a hinge.

15. A structure according to claim 11 wherein the operating means comprises an operating member moulded integrally with the first portion of the support.

16. A structure according to either one of claims 14 and 15 wherein the operating member is moulded in a flat condition and comprises interlocking means so constructed and arranged that an operating portion of the operating member pivotally moved from the flat condition to an operating position is retained in the operating position by interlocking of the interlocking means.

17. An operating member for a ventilation flap structure moulded of a plastics material in a flat condition and comprising a connecting portion by which the member can be connected to a ventilating flap structure, an operating portion pivotally connected to the connecting portion and interlocking means on the connecting portion and operating portion so constructed and arranged that when the operating portion is pivoted from the flat condition to an operating position the interlocking means interlock and retain the operating portion in position.

18. A ventilating flap structure comprising an operating member according to claim 17.

19. A structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and 18 wherein the support comprises a hinge member connecting the first and second portions and hinged thereto at hinges extending, in use, generally transversely to the lengthwise direction of an aperture with which the structure is associated.

20. A ventilation flap structure constructed arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A ventilation flap structure constructed arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A ventilation flap structure constructed arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.