GB2356665A - Clipping system for louvres - Google Patents

Description

2356665 CLIPPING SYSTEM This invention relates to a clipping system for

connecting solar shading or ventilation louvres to elongate support members of the type which include a channel of substantially C-shaped cross section. Hereinafter, use of the terrn "support member" will imply the aforementioned type of support member.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a clipping system for connecting solar shading or ventilation louvres to elongate support members of the type hereinbefore defined, the clipping system comprising a plurality of clips which can be inserted through the openings of the channels of the support members, and a plurality of keying elements for retaining the clips in the channels, the keying elements, when turned laterally, extending beyond the width of the opening in the channel, each clip having a base on which one of the keying elements is disposable, mounting means which project from the base and, in use, through the opening of the channel and to which a solar shade or a ventilation louvre can be attached, and end formations each interengageable with a complimentary end formation of an adjacent clip by pivoting one clip relative to the other, the formations being so shaped that pivotable interengagement of one formation on a first clip with a complimentary formation on a second clip causes one of the clips and an associated keying element to be firmly engaged in the channel.

Advantageously, the clips can be individually inserted into the support member through the open channel. Interengagement between clips can be effected during insertion with the clips being in substantial alignment with one another.

Preferably, the end formations on each of the clips are complimentary. This allows for all the clips to be substantially identical.

Preferably, one of the end formations is an edge portion inclined to the base of the clip, and the other end formation defines a complimentary recess.

This advantageously permits the use of a simple interlocking device, and also, on interengagement, allows an engaged clip to be securely held in the channel by the action of the interengagement urging the clip into engagement with the base of the channel and the keying element into engagement with the under surfaces of inturned flanges of the channel.

Preferably, the mounting means of each clip comprises two formations which are spaced apart in use longitudinally of the channel.

This is advantageous in that a louvre can be attached to each clip at a predetermined position without necessitating drilling or the use of screws. Rate of assembly can therefore be increased. Also, the support members and all parts of the clipping system can be manufactured from the same material.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a clipping system according to the first aspect of the present invention in combination with a plurality of solar shading or ventilation louvres and a plurality of elongate support members.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is an elevational, partially cross-sectioned view of one embodiment of a clipping system according to the invention showing the manner in which one end of a clip can be engaged with one end of another clip.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown therein an elongate support member 10, which can be attached to a building in any convenient way. It may also be formed as an integral part of a curtain walling mullion or as part of a glazing bar.

The elongate support member 10 is typically made from aluminiurn and extruded as a C-shaped channel having a base 12, two parallel side walls 14 (only one being shown in the drawing), and two inturned parallel flanges 16 (only one being shown in the drawing) extending towards one another from the free edges of the two side walls 14.

The clipping system shown in the drawing comprises at least two clips 20 for each elongate support member 10, and a keying element 40 corresponding to each of the clips 20. Each clip 20 has a width marginally less than the width of the opening formed between the inner edges of the flanges 16 of the elongate support member 10 to enable insertion of the clips 20 into the channel in a direction normal to the inner surface of the base 14.

Each clip 20 has a base 22 and mounting means, typically in the form of first and second formations 24 and 26 spaced apart along the base 22, for supporting a portion of a louvre 28, typically being a solar shade or a ventilation panel. The formations 24 and 26 are hook-shaped at their free ends and, when the clip 20 is in use, project through the opening of the channel. The first formation 24 is relatively short, whereas the second formation 26 is longer. Both formations 24 and 26 have catch portions at their free ends whereby the louvre 28 is snap fittadly attachable through complimentary formations 30 and 32, respectively.

The keying element 40 is typically an aluminium turn key having a width less than the width of the opening between the inner edges of the flanges 16 of the channel and a length greater than the width of the opening of the channel and less than the distance between the inner surfaces of the side walls 14 of the channel. The keying element 40 can thus be inserted through the opening and onto the base 22 of the clip 20, and then angularly displaced to a position extending laterally across the base 22 so as to extend behind the flanges 16.

Each clip 20 has two complimentary end formations 34 and 36 formed at an upper end of the base 22 adjacent to the first louvre formation 24 and at a lower end of the base 22 adjacent to the second louvre formation 26, respectively. The upper end formation 34 is a hook-shaped formation, and the lower end formation 36 defines a complimentary recess 38 for receiving the hook-shaped formation of an adjacent clip by pivoting the lower clip 20b relative to the upper clip 20a, as shown in tile drawing.

-5 The end formations 34 and 36 are so shaped and dimensioned that as the hook-shaped formation 34 of the clip 20b is pivotally engaged with the recessed formation 36 of the clip 20a, the base 22 of the clip 20a is urged into engagement with the inner surface of the base 12 of the support member 10 and the keying element 40 is urged into engagement with the under surfaces of the flanges 16. The clip 20a and its associated keying element 40 are thereby held firmly in place in the channel of the support member 10. In this manner, the clips 20 are prevented from moving along the channel of the elongate support member 10.

Two or more parallel spaced elongate support members 10 can be used, together with clips 20 and keying elements 40, to support solar shading or ventilation louvres 28.

In a modification, the end formations 34 and 36 on each of the clips 20 may be identical pairs. A second recessed formation 36 can be provided on first alternate clips 20a, replacing the hook-shaped formation 34, and a second hook shaped formation 34 can be provided on second alternate clips 20b, replacing tile recessed formation 36. The clip 20a is then initially inserted through the opening of the channel of the elongate support member 10 and keyed into place by the corresponding keying element 40. The clip 20b is inserted in a similar manner and pivoted so that the hook-shaped formation 34 engages the complimentary recessed formation 36 of the previously inserted clip 20a, causing the interference fittment of the clip 20a in the channel. The clip 20b is similarly held in place by a corresponding keying element 40. Without the need for pivoting, a second clip 20a, having recessed -6formations 36, can simply be inserted along the normal to the base 12 into engagement with the previously fitted clip 20b, having hook-shaped formations 34. A ftirther keying element 40 holds the second clip 20b in place.

Due to the paired complimentary end formations 34 and 36, when at least two clips 20a with corresponding keying elements 40 are used, the clips 20a, having the recessed formations 36, may advantageously hold an interposed clip 20b, having the hook-shaped formations 34, therebetween without the need for the clip 20b to necessarily have a keying element 40.

The above modification also advantageously allows selectively, reverse orientation of the clips 20 when necessary.

The clipping system described above provides an easy and convenient manner of attaching clips to an elongate support member and eradicates the need to drill any holes in the support members. This makes assembly quick and easy. Also, the support members, clips and keying elements can be made of the same material, such as aluminium.

The embodiment described above is given by way of example only and various modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (6)

-7CLAIMS

1. A clipping system for connecting solar shading or ventilation louvres to elongate support members of the type hereinbefore defined, the clipping system comprising a plurality of clips which can be inserted through the openings of the channels of the support members, and a plurality of keying elements for retaining the clips in the channels, the keying elements, when turned laterally, extending beyond the width of the opening in the channel, each clip having a base on which one of the keying elements is disposable, mounting means which project from the base and, in use, through the opening of the channel and to which a solar shade or a ventilation louvre can be attached, and end formations each interengageable with a complimentary end formation of an adjacent clip by pivoting one clip relative to the other, the formations being so shaped that pivotable interengagement of one formation on a first clip with a complimentary formation on a second clip causes one of the clips and an associated keying element to be firmly engaged in the channel.

2. A clipping system according to claim 1, wherein the end formations on each of the clips are complimentary.

3. A clipping system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein one of the end formations is an edge portion inclined to the base of the clip, and the other end formation defines a complimentary recess.

4. A clipping system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting means of each clip comprises two formations which are spaced apart in use longitudinally of the channel.

5. A clipping system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

6. A clipping system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in combination with a plurality of solar shading or ventilation louvres and a plurality of elongate support members.