LOUVER ROOF SYSTEMS

Abstract

A roof assembly includes louvers arranged parallel and side by side. Each of the louvers is pivotally coupled to a support structure for rotation about a corresponding pivot axis that is parallel to a length dimension of the louver; At least one actuator is coupled to move the louvers from a closed configuration of the roof assembly wherein each of the plurality of louvers overlaps with each of the other ones of the louvers to which the louver is adjacent and to an open configuration assembly by pivoting each of the louvers about the corresponding pivot axis. The pivot axis is spaced apart from the louver in a dimension transverse to the louver by a first offset distance and spaced below and away from a lower surface of the louver by a second offset distance. Also described are louver actuation mechanisms and couplers useful for coupling louvers to actuation mechanisms.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. application No. 63/715,209 filed 1 Nov. 2024 and entitled LOUVER ROOF SYSTEMS which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FIELD

The present technology relates to building technology and, in particular to louvered roofs.

BACKGROUND

Louvered roofs can advantageously be opened to allow ventilation. An example louver roof is described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,149,438. This roof has a number of parallel louvers. Each of the louvers are mounted for rotation about an axis that passes through a bearing surface in a central receiver. When the louvers are moved from an open position to a closed position, a leading projection extending along one edge of each louver is rotated downward and a trailing projection extending along an opposing edge of each louver is rotated upward.

The inventors of the present technology have identified problems with existing louver roof designs. These problems can include: the requirement for significant space to be reserved under the roof to allow free movement of the parts of the louvers that move downward when the louvers are opened; poor strength for carrying heavy loads (e.g. of snow); time consuming installation procedures; and difficulty in scaling to larger areas. There is a need for louver roofs that avoid or reduce these problems.

SUMMARY

The present technology has a number of aspects. These include, without limitation, louver roof assemblies, parts for louver roof assemblies, actuating mechanisms for louver roofs, couplers useful for connecting louvers to actuating mechanisms of louver roof assemblies (and other similar applications), and structures that incorporate louver roofs.

One example aspect of the present technology provides a roof assembly comprising a plurality of louvers that are arranged parallel and side by side such that each of the louvers is adjacent to one or two other ones of the louvers. Each of the louvers is pivotally coupled to a support structure for rotation about a corresponding pivot axis that is parallel to a length dimension of the louver. At least one actuator is coupled to move the louvers from a closed configuration of the roof assembly wherein each of the plurality of louvers overlaps with each of the other ones of the louvers to which the louver is adjacent and an open configuration of the roof assembly by pivoting each of the louvers about the corresponding pivot axis. The pivot axis is spaced apart from the louver in a dimension transverse to the louver by a first offset distance and spaced below and away from a lower surface of the louver by a second offset distance.

In some embodiments, the support structure comprises a plurality of support members that extend transversely relative to the louvers. In some embodiments, when the louvers are in the closed configuration, each of the louvers is supported by at least one of the support members at a location between ends of the louver. In some embodiments, when the louvers are in the closed configuration, each of the louvers is supported by two or more of the support members at locations spaced apart between ends of the louver.

In some embodiments, each of the louvers is pivotally coupled the support structure by a plurality of pivotal couplings that are spaced apart along the louver and each of the pivotal couplings couples the louver to one of the plurality of support members for pivotal rotation about the corresponding pivot axis. In some embodiments, each of the pivotal couplings comprises an actuation member that is pivotally coupled to one of the support members for rotation about the pivot axis and comprises a louver support arm and a driving arm. The louver may be coupled to the louver support arm.

In some embodiments, at least one of the support members supports a plurality of the actuation members and a driving rod is pivotally coupled to the driving arm of each of the plurality of the actuation members for driving rotation of each of the actuation members about the corresponding pivot axis.

In some embodiments, the roof assembly comprising a plurality of actuation mechanisms wherein, each of the actuation mechanisms comprises one of the support members and a plurality of the actuation members spaced apart along the one of the support members.

In some embodiments, a first one of the actuation mechanisms is located proximate to one end of the louvers, a second one of the actuation mechanisms is located proximate to a second end of the louvers and the second actuation mechanism is a mirror image of the first actuation mechanism.

In some embodiments, an angle between the louver support arm and a line extending between the pivot axis and a location at which the driving arm of the actuation member is pivotally coupled to the driving rod is approximately 45 degrees.

In some embodiments, the roof assembly comprises an actuator coupled to move the actuation rod axially between a first position in which the roof assembly is in the open configuration and a second position in which the roof assembly is in the closed configuration. In some embodiments, a plurality of the support members each supports a plurality of the actuation members, a corresponding driving rod is pivotally coupled to the driving arm of each of the plurality of the actuation members; the roof assembly comprises a plurality of actuators, including the actuator, and each of the plurality of actuators is coupled to move the actuation rod axially between a first position in which the roof assembly is in the open configuration and a second position in which the roof assembly is in the closed configuration.

In some embodiments, the actuator is coupled to pull on the actuation rod to move the louvers toward the open configuration and to push on the actuating rod to move the louvers toward the closed configuration.

In some embodiments, the actuator is coupled to push on the actuation rod to move the louvers toward the open configuration and to pull on the actuating rod to move the louvers toward the closed configuration.

In some embodiments, the roof assembly comprises bias means connected to bias the louvers toward the open configuration. In some embodiments, the bias means comprises a plurality of extension springs, each of the extension springs coupled between a first anchor on the driving arm of one of the actuation members and a second anchor on the support member to which the actuation member is pivotally coupled.

In some embodiments, the louvers are each coupled to the louver support arm of each of a plurality of the actuation members by a coupler that is attached to the louver support arm and the louver.

In some embodiments: the coupler comprises: a body having a channel extending through the body in an axial direction, the channel being dimensioned to receive the louver support arm of one of the actuation members, a slot extending longitudinally along the coupler and through a wall of the coupler into the channel wherein the louver support is fixed in the channel by fasteners that extend through the slot, and the louver is attached to the coupler by one or more fasteners.

In some embodiments, the coupler comprises a longitudinally extending groove having spaced apart walls and the louver is attached to the coupler by plural fasteners that extend through the louver and engage the walls of the groove.

In some embodiments, the coupler has an extruded form.

In some embodiments, the open configuration and closed configuration are separated by a rotation of each of the louvers through an angle of rotation of at least 90 degrees about the pivot axis. In some embodiments, the angle of rotation exceeds 90 degrees.

Another aspect of the present technology provides a coupler for connecting a louver to an actuation mechanism. The coupler comprises a body having a channel extending through the body in an axial direction. The channel is dimensioned to receive a louver support arm of the actuating mechanism. A slot extends longitudinally along the coupler and through a wall of the coupler into the channel. The slot is dimensioned to receive fasteners that extend through the slot into the channel.

In some embodiments, a transverse dimension of a first portion of the channel that is aligned with the slot is greater than a transverse dimension of a second portion of the channel that is parallel to the first portion of the channel and the slot.

In some embodiments, a cross section of the channel has a T-shape and a stem of the T-shape is aligned with the slot.

In some embodiments, the coupler comprises a longitudinally extending groove having spaced apart walls and a louver is attachable to the coupler by one or more fasteners that engage walls of the groove.

In some embodiments, the walls of the groove are textured to engage the one or more fastener.

In some embodiments, the coupler has an extruded form.

Another aspect of the present technology provides apparatus having any new and inventive feature, combination of features, or sub-combination of features as described herein.

Another aspect of the present technology provides methods having any new and inventive steps, acts, combination of steps and/or acts or sub-combination of steps and/or acts as described herein.

Further aspects and example embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or described in the following description.

It is emphasized that the invention relates to all combinations of the above features, even if these are recited in different claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate non-limiting example embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a structure having a louver roof according to an example embodiment of the present technology. FIG. 1A is a side elevation view of the structure of FIG. 1 from direction V1A. FIG. 1B is an elevational cross section view of the structure viewed in direction V1A, as shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are side views of an example actuation mechanism for the louver roof of FIG. 1 in closed, partly open, and fully open configurations respectively. FIG. 2D is a sketch that shows geometrical features of an example actuating arm.

FIG. 3A is a side elevation view showing an example actuator for a louver roof as described herein in a configuration where the louver roof is fully open. FIG. 3B is a side elevation view showing an example actuator for a louver roof as described herein in a configuration for holding the louver roof closed.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are enlarged partial side views of the example actuation mechanism of FIGS. 2A to 2C with louvers attached in closed, partly open, and fully open configurations respectively.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are enlarged partial side views of a part of the example actuation mechanism of FIGS. 2A to 2C that includes a top end louver in closed, partly open, and fully open configurations respectively. FIG. 5D is an isometric view of the portion of the actuation mechanism shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C with the top end louver in the fully open configuration.

FIG. 6A is an isometric view showing an example coupler that is used in some embodiments of the present technology to connect a louver to an arm of an actuation mechanism. FIG. 6B is a cross section in plane 6B-6B through the coupler of FIG. 6A.

LIST OF REFERENCES

Reference Description
10        structure
11A, 11B, sides of roof
11C, 11D
12        roof
13        gutter
14        louver
14A       bottom face of louver
14B       proximal edge of louver (closest to pivot axis)
14C       projection from louver
14D       corrugation of louver
14E       groove formed by corrugation 14D
14F       distal edge of louver
15A, 15B  panel
16        support member
17        wall
20        actuation mechanism
21        mounting member
21A       fastener for mounting member
24, 24′   actuating member
24A       pivot axis of actuating member
25        louver support arm of actuating member
25A       edge of louver support arm
25C       hole
26        driving arm of actuating member
26A       driving pivot axis
28        actuator
29        actuating rod
45        cutout
48        bias mechanism (spring)
48A, 48B  anchor point
60        coupler
61        channel
61A       widened portion of channel
62        slot
64        face of coupler
65        groove
66        groove wall
D1        first offset distance of pivot axis
D2        second offset distance of pivot axis
V1A, V1B  view directions

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced without these particulars. In other instances, well known elements have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive sense.

FIG. 1 shows a structure 10 according to an example embodiment of the present technology. Structure 10 includes a louver roof 12 which comprises louvers 14. In FIG. 1 roof 12 is in a partly open configuration.

Roof 12 includes a support structure to which louvers 14 are movably coupled. The support structure includes support members 16. Support members 16 extend in a direction that is transverse to louvers 14. As described in more detail below, when roof 12 is closed, louvers 14 are supported by support members 16. This permits roof 12 to be designed in such a way that roof 12 can resist heavy top loading (e.g. from snow) without damage to roof 12. Support members 16 may be spaced closer together to provide increased support for louvers 14 of roof 12. Support members 16 may be spaced farther apart to provide a less obstructed view of the sky when roof 12 is fully open. In some embodiments, adjacent support members 16 are spaced apart by a distance in the range of about 30 cm to about 150 cm (about 12 inches to about 60 inches).

Roof 12 has a length and a width. In this disclosure, the length of roof 12 is the dimension of roof 12 in a direction parallel to louvers 14. The length of roof 12 extends between sides 11A and 11B. The width of roof 12 is the dimension of roof 12 in a direction transverse to louvers 14. The width of roof 12 extends between sides 11C and 11D.

Louvers 14 are mounted to pivot in such a way that louvers 14 are not obstructed from opening by contact with the top surfaces of the members to which louvers 14 are pivotally coupled (e.g. support members 16).

In structure 10, roof 12 is sloped. Side 11A of roof 12 is higher than side 11B of roof 12 (see FIGS. 1 and 1B). In some embodiments, the slope of roof 12 is in the range of about 1 degree to about 15 degrees or about 20 degrees. Louvers 14 are oriented generally parallel to the direction of slope. This slope helps roof 12 to shed water from rain or snowmelt when roof 12 is closed.

In some embodiments, a gutter 13 is provided along one or more edges of roof 12. In some embodiments, a gutter 13 may be provided along the top edge of roof 12 and/or louvers 14 may overhang an edge or a lower elevation portion of structure 10 on higher side 11A. In some embodiments, a gutter 13 may be provided along the bottom edge of roof 12 and/or louvers 14 may overhang an edge or a lower elevation portion of structure 10 on lower side 11B. In some embodiments, gutters 13 extend around all sides of roof 12. Gutters 13 may, for example, be sloped to convey water to corners of roof 12. Downspouts (not shown) may carry water away from the corners of roof 12. In some embodiments the downspouts are located inside posts that also support roof 12. In some embodiments, one or more downspouts are provided to drain water from a gutter 13 that extends along lower side 11B of roof 12. Providing gutters 13 and/or overhangs as described herein may prevent or reduce the likelihood of water passing under louvers 14 and potentially leaking through roof 12 when roof 12 is closed.

As described in more detail elsewhere herein, each louver 14 may have raised edges which channel rainwater or snow melt to flow along the louver 14. The raised edges help to prevent water from entering structure 10 between two louvers 14. The raised edges may also stiffen louvers 14.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show structure 10 from viewing direction V1A. In FIG. 1A one can see that support members 16 increase in elevation from one side of structure 10 to the other. In FIGS. 1A and 1B the slope of roof 12 can be seen by comparison of the profile of roof 12 to horizontal line L.

FIG. 1 also shows panels 15A and 15B that are located on either side of louvers 14. Panels 15A and 15B may be thought of as “static” louvers (that are always closed). When roof 12 is closed, the louvers 14 adjacent to panels 15A and 15B overlap with panels 15A and 15B.

In some embodiments, structure 10 includes a wall or walls 17 that extends around some or all sides of roof 14. Wall(s) 17 may help to protect roof 12 from strong winds and/or provide a clean appearance to roof 12.

Structure 10 may be made to have any suitable size and may have any desired arrangement of walls, doors, windows etc. Structure 10 and/or roof 12 may be integrated with a larger building. In some embodiments a structure includes two or more roofs 12 as described herein.

In some embodiments, structure 10 may be used as a garden house, an outdoor living space, a cover or enclosure for a hot tub or pool, a poolside house, a pergola, a garden office, a studio or the like.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are side views showing an actuation mechanism 20 for a roof 12. A roof 12 may have several or multiple actuation mechanisms 20. In this example, actuation mechanisms each comprises a mounting member 21 that serves as one of support members 16.

In some embodiments, a roof 12 includes one or more actuation mechanisms 20 as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C and one or more actuation mechanisms 20 that are mirror images of those actuation mechanisms (see e.g. FIGS. 4A to 4C). For example, FIG. 1 shows a case where an actuation mechanism 20L is provided at the lower end of a roof 12, a mirror image actuation mechanism 20R is provided at the upper end of roof 12. Actuation mechanisms 20 that are at intermediate locations between the upper and lower ends 11A, 11B of roof 12 may be either of the 20L type, of the 20R type or of a mixture of 20L and 20R types. For example, in FIG. 1A the two actuation mechanisms in the upper half of roof 12 are of the 20R type and the two actuation mechanisms in the lower half of roof 12 are of the 20L type.

Depending on design considerations such as the design loading for roof 12, the construction of mounting members 21 and the length of mounting members 21, mounting members 21 may serve as joists which are supported at their ends. In some embodiments, structure 10 provides support to mounting members 21 at one or more locations between ends of mounting members 21. In the illustrated embodiment, mounting members 21 are designed to be mounted on top of structural members of structure 10. Mounting member 21 may be attached to structure 10, for example, using suitable fasteners 21A such as screws, nails, bolts, or the like.

Mounting members 21 and other structural members of structure 10 may take any of a wide variety of forms depending on factors such as the size of structure 10 and roof 12, the number of mounting members 21 used in a particular roof 12, a desired maximum loading for roof 12, desired aesthetics, etc. Mounting members 21 may, for example metal beams (which may, for example, be hollow tubular beams, C-channels or the like) or beams made of wood or an engineered material (e.g. a fiber reinforced plastic material etc.) or combinations of these. For example, a mounting member 21 may comprise a metal component that is partially or entirely clad with a cladding of wood or a suitable engineered material.

In some embodiments, mounting members 21 are mounted to joists that extend perpendicularly to mounting members 21 and parallel to the direction of slope of roof 12. Top edges of the joists may be parallel to the slope of roof 12. Top surfaces of mounting members that are mounted to the joists may then automatically lie in a plane that is parallel to the slope of roof 12.

A plurality of actuating members 24 are pivotally coupled to each mounting member 21 so as to permit rotation of each actuating member 24 about a corresponding pivot axis 24A. In some embodiments, pivot axes 24A are oriented to be parallel to louvers 14 and to the slope of roof 12.

Each actuating member 24 includes a louver support arm 25 to which a louver 14 (not shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C but see FIGS. 2D and 4A to 4C) may be coupled. Each actuating member 24 includes a driving arm 26 to which an actuator may be coupled. The actuator may be operated to drive a coordinated rotation of each actuator arm 24 about the corresponding pivot axis 24.

FIGS. 2A to 2C show an actuator 28 that is coupled to operate actuating members 24 by an actuating rod 29. Actuating rod 29 is coupled to the driving arm 26 of each of actuating members 24 of the actuation mechanism 20. Actuating rod 29, support members 21 and driving arms 26 collectively form a parallelogram linkage. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacing along support member 21 between adjacent pivot axes 24A is equal to the spacing along actuating rod 29 between adjacent drive pivot axes 26A. This geometry causes drive arms 26 to all have the same angle relative to support member 21 for any position of actuating rod 29.

Actuators for actuation mechanisms 20 may be powered from any suitable source including mains electricity, electricity generated from solar or wind power, human power (e.g. a hand crank) etc.

In some embodiments, actuator 28 is a linear actuator that is connected to move actuator rod 29 to drive actuating members 24 between their open and closed configurations. In the illustrated example embodiment, actuator 28 is connected to pull actuator rod 29 to move actuating members 24 toward their open configuration and to push actuator rod 29 to move actuating members 24 toward their closed configuration. In this example, actuator 28 is pivotally and/or flexibly coupled to mounting member 21 and to actuating rod 29 to accommodate the change in elevation of actuating rod 29 that occurs as actuating members 24 are rotated about the corresponding pivot axes 24A. It is also possible to connect one or more actuators 28 so that the one or more actuators 28 each push an actuator rod 29 to move actuating members 24 toward their closed configuration.

An actuator 28 may include any suitable actuation mechanism (e.g. a screw, hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, linear electric motor, push/pull cable or the like). In some embodiments, actuator 28 comprises a rotary actuator connected for moving louvers 14 between their open and closed configurations. For example, a rotary actuator may drive rotation of one of actuator members 24 directly or indirectly or drive reciprocation of actuator rod 29 via a belt drive, chain drive gear drive, crank mechanism, or the like.

Where two or more actuators 28 are provided to operate roof 12, operation of the actuators may be synchronized. For example, actuators 28 may comprise encoders that communicate positions of actuators 28 to a controller. The controller may be configured to regulate the speed and direction of operation of plural actuators 28 to cause the actuators 28 to cooperatively operate roof 12 (e.g. to open or close louvers 14). Suitable linear actuators and controllers configurable to coordinate operation of the actuators are commercially available.

FIGS. 3A and 3B respectively show an example actuator 28 that is retracted to move an actuating member 24 toward a fully open configuration and extended to move the actuating member 24 toward a fully closed configuration.

FIG. 2D schematically illustrates features of the geometry of an example actuating member 24. A louver 14 may be coupled to actuating member 24 so that the bottom face 14A of the louver 14 sits against or parallel to edge 25A of louver support 25.

Distal edge 14F of louver 14 projects past an end of louver support arm 25 (and coupler 60, if present). This projection allows a distal edge portion of each louver 14 to overlap directly with a proximal edge portion of an adjacent louver (see e.g. FIG. 4A) or panel 15B when roof assembly 12 is in its closed configuration. In the closed configuration louver support arms 25 (and couplers 60, if present) lie below a plane in which bottom surfaces 14A of louvers 14 lie.

Pivot axis 24A is spaced away from bottom surface 14A of louver 14 in a direction that is perpendicular to the bottom surface of louver 14 by a first offset distance D1. Pivot axis 24A is spaced apart from the proximal edge 14B of louver 14 (the edge that is closest to pivot axis 24B) by a second offset distance D2.

Louvers 14 may be said to be “edge pivoted” because, for each louver 14, the corresponding pivot axis 24A is at or offset from proximal edge 14B of the louver (as opposed to being located between proximal and distal edges 14B, 14F of the louver 14). One result of the edge pivoted construction of roof assembly 12 is that, when a louver 14 is moved away from its closed configuration toward its open configuration, both of the proximal and distal edges 14B, 14F of the louver 14 are lifted away from support members 21. Thus, louvers 14 may be supported on top surfaces of support members 21 while roof assembly 12 is in its closed configuration. In some embodiments, louvers 14 are rotated through an angle that exceeds 90 degrees as they are moved between their fully open and fully closes positions.

Driving arm 26 is pivotally coupled to actuating rod 29 for relative rotation about a driving pivot axis 26A. A line between pivot axis 24A and driving pivot axis 26A forms an angle θ with a line that is parallel to the bottom surface 14A of louver 14 (parallel to louver support arm 25). In some embodiments, θ is approximately 45 degrees. In some embodiments, θ is in the range of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. The distance between pivot points 24A and 26A is selected to allow louver 14 to be moved from a fully closed position to a fully open position within the available range of motion of an actuator 28 while providing enough leverage to allow louver 14 to be moved between its fully open and fully closed configurations without exceeding the maximum force that actuator 28 can deliver.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are enlarged side views of a portion of an actuator mechanism 20 with louvers 14 coupled to actuating members 24. These figures show that louvers 14 may be constructed to include an upward projection 14C that extends along proximal edge 14B of the louver 14 (i.e. the edge of louver 14 closest to pivot point 24A) and a corrugation 14D formed along a distal edge 14F of louver 14 (i.e. the edge of louver 14 farthest from pivot point 24A). Corrugation 14D forms a groove 14E on the bottom side of louver 14. When the louvers of roof 12 are closed then projection 14C of one louver 14 is received into groove 14E of an adjacent louver 14, thereby making roof 12 more weatherproof when louvers 14 are in their closed configuration. Corrugations 14D and projections 14C help to stiffen louvers 14, thereby increasing the load bearing capacity of roof 12.

From FIGS. 4A to 4C it can be seen that if the louver closest to panel 15A (louver 14-1) were supported by an actuation member 24 having the same construction as the actuation members 24 that support the other louvers 14 then the actuation member 24 supporting louver 14-1 would interfere with panel 15A while louvers 14 were being moved into their open configuration. This would damage roof 12 and/or prevent moving louvers 14 into their open configuration. This problem is avoided in the illustrated embodiment by supporting louver 14-1 on a modified actuation member 24′. The construction and operation of actuation member 24′ is also illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5D.

In actuation member 24′, pivot axes 24A and 26A and the bottom face of louver 14-1 may have the same geometrical relationship as do pivot axes 24A and 26A and the bottom face of louver 14 in actuation members 24. Actuation member 24′ differs from actuation members 24 in that between pivot axis 24A and the proximal edge of louver 14-1 there is a cutout 45 which is dimensioned to allow actuation member 24′ to be rotated between its fully closed and fully open configurations without being obstructed by panel 15A. An edge of panel 15A projects into cutout 45 when louvers 14 are fully open.

In the illustrated embodiment, when louver 14-1 is in its fully closed position (see FIG. 4A), louver 14-1 sits on top of both panel 15A and the adjacent louver 14-2. For all other louvers 14, including louver 14-2, one edge of the louver 14 is under an adjacent louver 14 and the opposing edge of the louver 14 is on top of another one of louvers 14 (or on top of panel 15B in the case of the last one of louvers 14 farthest from louver 14-1).

Louver 14-1 has corrugations 14D extending along both of its edges. When louvers 14 are in their closed configuration, a channel 14E of one of these corrugations 14D receives a projection 14C that extends along an edge of panel 15A and a channel 14E of the other one of corrugations 14D receives a projection 14C that extends along an edge of the adjacent louver 14-2.

A plurality of actuation mechanisms 20 are spaced apart along louvers 14. Each louver 14 is coupled to louver support arms of two or more or all of the plurality of actuation mechanisms 20. The plurality of actuation mechanisms 20 are aligned so that pivot axes 24A of actuating members 24, to which each louver 14 is coupled, are aligned.

The plurality of actuation mechanisms 20 may be operated in a coordinated way by actuators 28 associated with some or all of actuation mechanisms 20 to move louvers 14 of roof 12 between their open and closed configurations.

In some embodiments a roof 12 includes one or more actuation mechanisms 20 that do not have a dedicated actuator 28. Such actuation mechanisms 20 may support louvers 14 and guide louvers 14 to pivot relative to the associated pivot axes 24 while allowing the motion of louvers 14 to be driven by other actuation mechanisms 20 that do include actuators 28.

Actuation mechanisms 20 may incorporate bias means which apply forces that tend to bias louvers 14 of roof 12 toward their open configuration. The bias means may, for example, comprise linear springs, torsion springs, gas springs, elastomeric springs, wound springs, compression springs, extension springs, or the like. The presence of these bias means can reduce the force that actuator 28 is required to supply to move louvers 14 from their closed configuration toward their open configuration. The bias means may help to take up free play in the linkages of actuation mechanisms 20.

In some embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2C and 4A to 4C, the bias means includes extension springs 48 that are each coupled between an anchor point 48A on drive arm 26 of an actuation member 24, 24′ and another corresponding anchor point 48B on mounting member 21. Springs 48 may be provided on all actuation members 24, 24′ or on some of actuation members 24, 24′.

It can be appreciated that the design of roof 12 can be readily scaled to larger or smaller sizes. For example, the length of roof 12 may be increased (in a direction parallel to louvers 14) by making louvers 14 longer. Additional actuation mechanisms 20 may be added to accommodate the increased length of louvers 14. Each actuation mechanism 20 provides additional support for roof 12. Since each actuation mechanism 20 can include an actuator 28, the available actuation power can be automatically scaled to match the length of roof 12. Roof 12 can also, or in the alternative be made wider (in a direction transverse to louvers 12) by using actuation mechanisms 20 that include more actuator members 24 to support more louvers 14. Since each actuator member 24, 24′ may be biased toward open with a spring (or other bias means) as described above, the force that an actuator 28 must supply to open and close louvers 14 can be kept within the working range of actuator 28 even if the number of louvers 14 is increased significantly. Another way to provide a wider roof 12 is to make louvers 14 wider and to scale actuation mechanisms 20 to handle wider louvers 14.

For roofs 12 that are large enough to benefit from more actuation power, an actuator 28 may be provided at each end of an actuation mechanism 20 (the actuators 28 may operate in a push-pull manner—e.g. one of the actuators may pull on one end of a rod 29 while the other actuator is pushing on an opposing end of the rod 29 or vice versa) or larger actuators may be specified.

FIG. 6A shows a coupler 60 that may be used to couple a louver 14 to an actuator member 24 or 24′. Coupler 60 may for example be a section of an extrusion (e.g. extruded aluminum). FIG. 6B is a cross section through coupler 60 in the plane indicated by 6B-6B. In the illustrated embodiment, couplers 60 for use on actuation members 24′ use the same extrusion as couplers 60 for use on actuation members 24′. The extrusion is cut differently to accommodate the different shapes of actuation members 24 and 24′.

Coupler 60 includes a longitudinally extending channel 61 that is dimensioned to receive louver support arm 25 of an actuation member 24, 24′. Louver support 25 may include a stop which allows coupler 60 to be quickly and consistently positioned on a louver support arm 25. For example, coupler 60 may be slid onto louver support arm 25 until one or more steps 25B (see FIG. 2D) on sides of louver support 25 abut against an end of coupler 60. A slot 62 extends along channel 61. Slot 62 is positioned to align with holes 25C in louver support arm 25. Coupler 60 may be secured to louver support arm 25 by inserting screws 71 (see e.g. FIG. 5C) into holes 25C through slot 62. Heads of screws 71 may engage the outer surface of coupler 60 and pull louver support arm 25 tightly against the wall of slot 61. Channel 61 may include a widened portion 61A to receive tips of screws 71. In some embodiments, channel 61 is T-shaped in cross section. In such embodiments, the stem of the T may provide widened portion 61A the crossbar of the T may receive support arm 25.

A louver 14 may be coupled to face 64 of coupler 60 with screws 72 (see e.g. FIG. 5C) that pass through louver 14 and are received in longitudinal slots 65. The bottom side of the louver 14 faces face 64 of coupler 60. One or both walls 66 of slot 65 may include features (e.g. ridges, grooves) which help to engage threads of screws 72 that attach louver 14. Louvers 14 may have pre-formed holes for attachment to couplers 60 or holes may be drilled in louvers 14 at time of installation (e.g. by self-drilling screws).

Advantageously, coupler 60 may be fabricated without any hole-drilling operations. Couplers 30 may be made from an extruded shape having the cross section shown in FIG. 6B by simply cutting off lengths of the extrusion.

Components of roof 12 may be made of any suitable materials. For example, louvers 14 may comprise coated steel. that has a thickness selected to provide sufficient strength to support a desired maximum loading of roof 12. As another example, coupler 60 may comprise an aluminum extrusion.

Where a component (e.g. a louver, actuator, spring, assembly, device, etc.) is referred to herein, unless otherwise indicated, reference to that component (including a reference to a “means”) should be interpreted as including as equivalents of that component any component which performs the function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), including components which are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.

INTERPRETATION OF TERMS

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims:

• • “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”;
  • “connected”, “coupled”, or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof;
  • “herein”, “above”, “below”, and words of similar import, when used to describe this specification, shall refer to this specification as a whole, and not to any particular portions of this specification;
  • “or”, in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list;
  • the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” also include the meaning of any appropriate plural forms. These terms (“a”, “an”, and “the”) mean one or more unless stated otherwise;
  • “and/or” is used to indicate one or both stated cases may occur, for example A and/or B includes both (A and B) and (A or B);
  • “approximately” when applied to a numerical value means the numerical value±10%;
  • where a feature is described as being “optional” or “optionally” present or described as being present “in some embodiments” it is intended that the present disclosure encompasses embodiments where that feature is present and other embodiments where that feature is not necessarily present and other embodiments where that feature is excluded. Further, where any combination of features is described in this application this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for the use of exclusive terminology such as “solely,” “only” and the like in relation to the combination of features as well as the use of “negative” limitation(s)” to exclude the presence of other features; and
  • “first” and “second” are used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or indicating the number of indicated technical features.

Words that indicate directions such as “vertical”, “transverse”, “horizontal”, “upward”, “downward”, “forward”, “backward”, “inward”, “outward”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “back”, “top”, “bottom”, “below”, “above”, “under”, and the like, used in this description and any accompanying claims (where present), depend on the specific orientation of the apparatus described and illustrated. The subject matter described herein may assume various alternative orientations. Accordingly, these directional terms are not strictly defined and should not be interpreted narrowly.

Where a range for a value is stated, the stated range includes all sub-ranges of the range. It is intended that the statement of a range supports the value being at an endpoint of the range as well as at any intervening value to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit of the range, as well as any subrange or sets of sub ranges of the range unless the context clearly dictates otherwise or any portion(s) of the stated range is specifically excluded. Where the stated range includes one or both endpoints of the range, ranges excluding either or both of those included endpoints are also included in the invention.

Certain numerical values described herein are preceded by “about”. In this context, “about” provides literal support for the exact numerical value that it precedes, the exact numerical value±5%, as well as all other numerical values that are near to or approximately equal to that numerical value. Unless otherwise indicated a particular numerical value is included in “about” a specifically recited numerical value where the particular numerical value provides the substantial equivalent of the specifically recited numerical value in the context in which the specifically recited numerical value is presented. For example, a statement that something has the numerical value of “about 10” is to be interpreted as: the set of statements:

• • in some embodiments the numerical value is 10;
  • in some embodiments the numerical value is in the range of 9.5 to 10.5;
    and if from the context the person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that values within a certain range are substantially equivalent to 10 because the values with the range would be understood to provide substantially the same result as the value 10 then “about 10” also includes:
  • in some embodiments the numerical value is in the range of C to D where C and D are respectively lower and upper endpoints of the range that encompasses all of those values that provide a substantial equivalent to the value 10.

Specific examples of systems, methods and apparatus have been described herein for purposes of illustration. These are only examples. The technology provided herein can be applied to systems other than the example systems described above. Many alterations, modifications, additions, omissions, and permutations are possible within the practice of this invention. This invention includes variations on described embodiments that would be apparent to the skilled addressee, including variations obtained by: replacing features, elements and/or acts with equivalent features, elements and/or acts; mixing and matching of features, elements and/or acts from different embodiments; combining features, elements and/or acts from embodiments as described herein with features, elements and/or acts of other technology; and/or omitting combining features, elements and/or acts from described embodiments.

As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any other described embodiment(s) without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Any aspects described above in reference to apparatus may also apply to methods and vice versa.

Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any other order which is logically possible. For example, while processes or blocks are presented in a given order, alternative examples may perform routines having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in a different order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide alternative or sub-combinations. Each of these processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as being performed in series, these processes or blocks may instead be performed in parallel, simultaneously or at different times.

Various features are described herein as being present in “some embodiments”. Such features are not mandatory and may not be present in all embodiments. Embodiments of the invention may include zero, any one or any combination of two or more of such features. All possible combinations of such features are contemplated by this disclosure even where such features are shown in different drawings and/or described in different sections or paragraphs. This is limited only to the extent that certain ones of such features are incompatible with other ones of such features in the sense that it would be impossible for a person of ordinary skill in the art to construct a practical embodiment that combines such incompatible features. Consequently, the description that “some embodiments” possess feature A and “some embodiments” possess feature B should be interpreted as an express indication that the inventors also contemplate embodiments which combine features A and B (unless the description states otherwise or features A and B are fundamentally incompatible). This is the case even if features A and B are illustrated in different drawings and/or mentioned in different paragraphs, sections or sentences.

It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions, omissions, and sub-combinations as may reasonably be inferred. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

1. A roof assembly comprising:

a plurality of louvers arranged parallel and side by side such that each of the louvers is adjacent to one or two other ones of the louvers,

each of the louvers is pivotally coupled to a support structure for rotation about a corresponding pivot axis that is parallel to a length dimension of the louver;

at least one actuator coupled to move the louvers from a closed configuration of the roof assembly wherein each of the plurality of louvers overlaps with each of the other ones of the louvers to which the louver is adjacent and an open configuration of the roof assembly by pivoting each of the louvers about the corresponding pivot axis;

wherein:

the pivot axis is spaced apart from the louver in a dimension transverse to the louver by a first offset distance and spaced below and away from a lower surface of the louver by a second offset distance.

2. The roof assembly according to claim 1 wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of support members that extend transversely relative to the louvers.

3. The roof assembly according to claim 2 wherein, when the louvers are in the closed configuration, each of the louvers is supported by at least one of the support members at a location between ends of the louver.

4. The roof assembly according to claim 2 wherein, when the louvers are in the closed configuration, each of the louvers is supported by a plurality of the support members at a locations that are spaced apart between ends of the louver.

5. The roof assembly according to claim 2 wherein each of the louvers is pivotally coupled the support structure by a plurality of pivotal couplings, the pivotal couplings being spaced apart along the louver, each of the pivotal couplings coupling the louver to one of the plurality of support members for pivotal rotation about the corresponding pivot axis.

6. The roof assembly according to claim 2 wherein:

each of the pivotal couplings comprises an actuation member that is pivotally coupled to one of the support members for rotation about the pivot axis and comprises a louver support arm and a driving arm,

the louver is coupled to the louver support arm;

at least one of the support members supports a plurality of the actuation members and a driving rod is pivotally coupled to the driving arm of each of the plurality of the actuation members for driving rotation of each of the actuation members about the corresponding pivot axis.

7. The roof assembly according to claim 6 comprising a plurality of actuation mechanisms wherein, each of the actuation mechanisms comprises one of the support members and a plurality of the actuation members spaced apart along the one of the support members.

8. The roof assembly according to claim 7 wherein a first one of the actuation mechanisms is located proximate to one end of the louvers, a second one of the actuation mechanisms is located proximate to a second end of the louvers and the second actuation mechanism is a mirror image of the first actuation mechanism.

9. The roof assembly according to claim 6 wherein an angle between the louver support arm and a line extending between the pivot axis and a location at which the driving arm of the actuation member is pivotally coupled to the driving rod is approximately 45 degrees.

10. The roof assembly according to claim 6 comprising an actuator coupled to move the actuation rod axially between a first position in which the roof assembly is in the open configuration and a second position in which the roof assembly is in the closed configuration.

11. The roof assembly according to claim 10 wherein:

a plurality of the support members each supports a plurality of the actuation members;

a corresponding driving rod is pivotally coupled to the driving arm of each of the plurality of the actuation members;

the roof assembly comprises a plurality of actuators, including the actuator, and

each of the plurality of actuators is coupled to move a corresponding one of the actuation rods axially between a first position in which the roof assembly is in the open configuration and a second position in which the roof assembly is in the closed configuration.

12. The roof assembly according to claim 10 wherein the actuator is coupled to pull on the actuation rod to move the louvers toward the open configuration and to push on the actuating rod to move the louvers toward the closed configuration.

13. The roof assembly according to claim 10 wherein the actuator is coupled to push on the actuation rod to move the louvers toward the open configuration and to pull on the actuating rod to move the louvers toward the closed configuration.

14. The roof assembly according to claim 2 comprising bias means connected to bias the louvers toward the open configuration.

15. The roof assembly according to claim 14 wherein the bias means comprises a plurality of extension springs, each of the extension springs coupled between a first anchor on the driving arm of one of the actuation members and a second anchor on the support member to which the actuation member is pivotally coupled.

16. The roof assembly according to claim 6 wherein the louvers are each coupled to the louver support arm of each of a plurality of the actuation members by a coupler that is attached to the louver support arm and the louver.

17. The roof assembly according to claim 16 wherein:

the coupler comprises:

a body having a channel extending through the body in an axial direction, the channel being dimensioned to receive the louver support arm of one of the actuation members,

a slot extending longitudinally along the coupler and through a wall of the coupler into the channel wherein the louver support is fixed in the channel by fasteners that extend through the slot, and

the louver is attached to the coupler by one or more fasteners.

18. The roof assembly according to claim 17 wherein the coupler comprises a longitudinally extending groove having spaced apart walls and the louver is attached to the coupler by plural fasteners that extend through the louver and engage the walls of the groove.

19. The roof assembly according to claim 17 wherein the coupler has an extruded form.

20. The roof assembly according to claim 1 wherein, the open configuration and closed configuration are separated by a rotation of each of the louvers through an angle of rotation of at least 90 degrees about the pivot axis.

21. The roof assembly according to claim 20 wherein the angle of rotation exceeds 90 degrees.