Louver guard assembly and system

Abstract

A louver system comprising a rail having a plurality of openings extending along the rail, and a louver assembly. The louver assembly comprises a bar and a sprocket disposed on a first end portion and a second end portion of the bar. Each sprocket comprises a plurality of teeth configured to engage with the plurality of openings of the at least one rail. A sleeve is disposed over the bar and a louver is disposed on the sleeve. Rotation of the at least one louver assembly in a first direction resulting in the louver being placed in an open configuration and displacement of the at least one rail in a first linear direction, and rotation of the at least one louver assembly in a second direction resulting in the louver being placed in a closed configuration and displacement of the at least one rail in a second linear direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A louver system comprising:
 at least one elongate body comprising a plurality of openings extending along a length of the elongate body; and,   at least one louver assembly comprising:
 a bar having a first end portion and a second end portion; 
 at least one sprocket disposed at the first or second end portion of the bar, the at least one sprocket comprising a plurality of teeth configured to engage with the plurality of openings of the at least one elongate body; 
 a sleeve at least partially disposed over the bar; and 
 a louver disposed on the sleeve; 
   rotation of the at least one louver assembly in a first direction resulting in the louver being placed in an open configuration and displacement of the at least one elongate body in a first linear direction, and   rotation of the at least one louver assembly in a second direction resulting in the louver being placed in a closed configuration and displacement of the at least one elongate body in a second linear direction.   
     
     
         2 . The louver system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one louver assembly comprises a plurality of louver assemblies, one of rotation of the at least one louver assembly in the first direction or displacement of the at least one elongate body in the first linear direction resulting in each respective louver of the plurality of louver assemblies being placed in a corresponding open configuration and one of rotation of the at least one louver assembly in the second direction or displacement of the at least one elongate body in the second linear direction resulting in each louver of the plurality of louvers being placed in a corresponding closed configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The louver system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one elongate body comprises a first elongate body and a second elongate body each comprising a plurality of openings extending along a length of each respective elongate body. 
     
     
         4 . The louver system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one sprocket comprises a first sprocket disposed at the first end portion of the bar and a second sprocket disposed at the second end portion of the bar, the first sprocket comprising a plurality of teeth configured to engage with the plurality of openings of the first elongate body and the second sprocket comprising a plurality of teeth configured to engage with the plurality of openings of the second elongate body. 
     
     
         5 . The louver system of  claim 4 , wherein the bar has a first opening at the first end portion and a second opening at the second end portion. 
     
     
         6 . The louver system of  claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second sprockets comprises a central opening, a first counterbore opening disposed at one side of the central opening and a second counterbore opening disposed at an opposite side of the central opening. 
     
     
         7 . The louver system of  claim 6 , wherein the central openings of the first and second sprockets comprise a corresponding at least one radial extending key extending from an inner surface between the first counterbore opening and the second counterbore opening. 
     
     
         8 . The louver system of  claim 7 , wherein a diameter of the bar is larger than a diameter of the central openings of the first and second sprockets and less than a diameter of the second counterbores of the first and second sprockets. 
     
     
         9 . The louver system of  claim 8 , wherein the first end portion of the bar is configured for insertion into the second counterbore of the first sprocket and the second end portion of the bar is configured for insertion in the second counterbore of the second sprocket. 
     
     
         10 . The louver system of  claim 9 , further comprising a first end cap disposed over the first sprocket. 
     
     
         11 . The louver system of  claim 10 , further comprising a second end cap disposed over the second sprocket. 
     
     
         12 . The louver system of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first end cap and second end cap comprise a shaft having a first end portion, a middle portion and a second end portion, a diameter of the first end portion being larger than a diameter of the middle portion and a diameter of the middle portion being larger than a diameter of the second portion. 
     
     
         13 . The louver system of  claim 12 , wherein the diameter of the first end portion of the shafts of the first and second end caps is smaller than the diameter of the first counterbore opening of the first and second sprockets and larger than the diameter of the central openings of the first and second sprockets. 
     
     
         14 . The louver system of  claim 13 , wherein the shaft of the first end cap is configured for insertion through the first sprocket and the first opening of the bar so that the first end portion of the shaft is inserted into the first counterbore opening of the first sprocket, and the second end portion and at least a portion of the middle portion of the shaft is inserted into the first opening of the bar. 
     
     
         15 . The louver system of  claim 14 , wherein the shaft of the second end cap is configured for insertion through the second sprocket and the second opening of the bar so that the first end portion of the shaft is inserted into the first counterbore opening of the second sprocket, and the second end portion and at least a portion of the middle portion of the shaft is inserted into the second opening of the bar. 
     
     
         16 . The louver system of  claim 14 , wherein each shaft of the first end cap and second end cap comprises at least one keyway, the at least one radial extending key configured for insertion into the at least one keyway. 
     
     
         17 . The louver system of  claim 6 , wherein each of the first and second sprockets comprises at least one radial extending key extending from an inner peripheral surface of the second counterbore opening. 
     
     
         18 . The louver system of  claim 17 , wherein the bar comprises at least one keyway extending along the length of the bar. 
     
     
         19 . The louver system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one radial extending key extending from the inner peripheral surface of the respective first and second sprockets is configured for insertion into the at least one keyway of the bar. 
     
     
         20 . The louver system of  claim 18 , wherein the sleeve comprises at least one keyway extending from an inner surface of the sleeve and along a length of the sleeve configured for insertion into the at least one keyway of the bar. 
     
     
         21 . The louver system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one elongate body comprises a chain, a rail, a belt or a worm-drive. 
     
     
         22 . The louver system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one elongate body comprises a T-shaped rail. 
     
     
         23 . The louver system of  claim 1 , wherein the louver assembly is configured for placement within a frame so that the at least one elongate body is displaced relative to the frame. 
     
     
         24 . A louver system comprising:
 at least one elongate body comprising a plurality of openings extending along a length of the elongate body; and,   a plurality of louver assemblies, each of the plurality of louver assemblies comprising:
 a corresponding bar having a first end portion and a second end portion; 
 a corresponding at least one sprocket disposed at the first or second end portion of the bar, the at least one sprocket comprising a plurality of teeth configured to engage with the plurality of openings of the at least one elongate body; 
 a corresponding sleeve at least partially disposed over the bar; and 
 a corresponding louver disposed on the sleeve; 
   rotation of one of the plurality of louver assemblies in a first direction resulting in the corresponding louvers being placed in an open configuration and displacement of the at least one elongate body in a first linear direction, and   rotation of one of the plurality of louver assemblies in a second direction resulting in the corresponding louvers being placed in a closed configuration and displacement of the at least one elongate body in a second linear direction.   
     
     
         25 . A louver system comprising:
 an inner frame comprising:
 at least one sidewall each having at least one aperture positioned along a length of the at least one sidewall; and, 
 at least one channel extending along a length of the at least one sidewall; 
   at least one elongate body disposed in the at least one channel of the inner frame, the at least one elongate body comprising a plurality of openings extending along a length of the elongate body;   at least one louver assembly comprising:
 a bar having a first end portion and a second end portion; 
 at least one sprocket disposed at the first or second end portion of the bar, the at least one sprocket comprising a plurality of teeth configured to engage with the plurality of openings of the at least one elongate body; 
 a sleeve at least partially disposed over the bar; 
 a louver disposed on the sleeve; and, 
 at least one end cap extending through the at least one aperture of the at least one sidewall and disposed over each at least one sprocket; 
   rotation of the at least one louver assembly in a first direction resulting in the louver being placed in an open configuration and displacement of the at least one elongate body in a first linear direction, and   rotation of the at least one louver assembly in a second direction resulting in the louver being placed in a closed configuration and displacement of the at least one elongate body in a second linear direction.   
     
     
         26 . The louver system of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one louver assembly comprises a plurality of louver assemblies, wherein one of rotation of the at least one louver assembly in the first direction and displacement of the at least one elongate body in the first linear direction resulting in each respective louver of the plurality of louver assemblies being placed in a corresponding open configuration and one of rotation of the at least one louver assembly in the second direction and displacement of the at least one elongate body in the second linear direction resulting in each louver of the plurality of louvers being placed in a corresponding closed configuration. 
     
     
         27 . The louver system of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one elongate body comprises a first elongate body and a second elongate body each comprising a plurality of openings extending along a length of each respective elongate body. 
     
     
         28 . The louver system of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one sprocket comprises a first sprocket disposed at the first end portion of the bar and a second sprocket disposed at the second end portion of the bar, the first sprocket comprising a plurality of teeth configured to engage with the plurality of openings of the first elongate body and the second sprocket comprising a plurality of teeth configured to engage with the plurality of openings of the second elongate body. 
     
     
         29 . The louver system of  claim 28 , wherein the bar has a first opening at the first end portion and a second opening at the second end portion. 
     
     
         30 . The louver system of  claim 29 , wherein each of the first and second sprockets comprises a central opening, a first counterbore opening disposed at one side of the central opening and a second counterbore opening disposed at an opposite side of the central opening. 
     
     
         31 . The louver system of  claim 30 , wherein the central openings of the first and second sprockets comprise a corresponding at least one radial extending key extending from an inner surface between the first counterbore opening and the second counterbore opening. 
     
     
         32 . The louver system of  claim 31 , wherein a diameter of the bar is larger than a diameter of the central openings of the first and second sprockets and less than a diameter of the second counterbores of the first and second sprockets. 
     
     
         33 . The louver system of  claim 32 , wherein the first end portion of the bar is configured for insertion into the second counterbore of the first sprocket and the second end portion of the bar is configured for insertion in the second counterbore of the second sprocket. 
     
     
         34 . The louver system of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one end cap comprises a first end cap disposed over the first sprocket and a second end cap disposed over the second sprocket. 
     
     
         35 . The louver system of  claim 34 , wherein each of the first and second end caps comprise a shaft having a first end portion, a middle portion and a second end portion, a diameter of the first end portion being larger than a diameter of the middle portion and a diameter of the middle portion being larger than a diameter of the second portion. 
     
     
         36 . The louver system of  claim 35 , wherein the diameter of the first end portion of the shafts of the first and second end caps is smaller than the diameter of the first counterbore opening of the first and second sprockets and larger than the diameter of the central openings of the first and second sprockets. 
     
     
         37 . The louver system of  claim 36 , wherein the shaft of the first end cap is configured for insertion through the first sprocket and the first opening of the bar so that the first end portion of the shaft is inserted into the first counterbore opening of the first sprocket, and the second end portion and at least a portion of the middle portion of the shaft is inserted into the first opening of the bar. 
     
     
         38 . The louver system of  claim 37 , wherein the shaft of the second end cap is configured for insertion through the second sprocket and the second opening of the bar so that the first end portion of the shaft is inserted into the first counterbore opening of the second sprocket, and the second end portion and at least a portion of the middle portion of the shaft is inserted into the second opening of the bar. 
     
     
         39 . The louver system of  claim 37 , wherein each shaft of the first end cap and second end cap comprise at least one keyway, the at least one radial extending key configured for insertion into the at least one keyway. 
     
     
         40 . The louver system of  claim 30 , wherein each of the first and second sprockets comprises a at least one radial extending key extending from an inner peripheral surface of the second counterbore opening. 
     
     
         41 . The louver system of  claim 40 , wherein the bar comprises at least one keyway extending along the length of the bar. 
     
     
         42 . The louver system of  claim 41 , wherein the at least one radial extending key extending from the inner peripheral surface of the respective first and second sprockets is configured for insertion into the at least one keyway of the bar. 
     
     
         43 . The louver system of  claim 42 , wherein the sleeve comprises at least one keyway extending from an inner surface of the sleeve and along a length of the sleeve configured for insertion into the at least one keyway of the bar. 
     
     
         44 . The louver system of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one elongate body comprises a chain, a rail, a belt or a worm-drive. 
     
     
         45 . The louver system of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one elongate body comprises a T-shaped rail. 
     
     
         46 . The louver system of  claim 25 , wherein the louver assembly is configured for placement within an inner frame so that the at least one elongate body is displaced relative to the inner frame. 
     
     
         47 . The louver system of  claim 46 , wherein the inner frame comprises a channel extending along a length of the at least one sidewall of the inner frame, wherein the elongate body is translatable within the channel in at least one of the first direction and the second direction. 
     
     
         48 . The louver system of  claim 47 , wherein the inner frame comprises a first medial ledge and a second medial ledge, wherein the channel extends along the first medial ledge. 
     
     
         49 . The louver system of  claim 48  wherein the at least one sprocket is disposed between the first medial ledge and a second medial ledge such that the first medial ledge and the second medial ledge prevent the at least one sprocket from disengaging from the elongate body. 
     
     
         50 . The louver system of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one aperture of the at least one sidewall comprises at least one inner aperture extending through an inner wall of the at least one sidewall and an at least one outer aperture extending through an outer wall of the at least one sidewall, wherein a shaft of the at least one end cap extends through the at least one inner aperture. 
     
     
         51 . The louver system of  claim 50 , wherein the at least one inner aperture has a diameter greater than a diameter of the shaft of the at least one end cap, and the diameter of the at least one inner aperture is lesser than a diameter of the end cap, and the least one outer aperture has a diameter greater than the diameter of the end cap. 
     
     
         52 . The louver system of  claim 25 , wherein the inner frame is configured for placement within an outer frame, the outer frame affixed to an opening of a structure, the outer frame comprising a plurality of medially oriented tabs. 
     
     
         53 . The louver system of  claim 52 , wherein the at least one sidewall of the inner frame comprises at least one slot extending from a first surface of the at least one sidewall, the at least one slot configured for engagement with the plurality of medially oriented tabs. 
     
     
         54 . The louver system of  claim 53 , wherein the at least one slot has one of a T-shaped profile and an L-shaped profile. 
     
     
         55 . The louver system of  claim 54 , wherein an uppermost slot of the at least one slot has a vertical portion of an extended length relative to lengths of adjacent at least one slots such that the inner frame engages the at least one medially oriented tab of the outer frame, enabling the inner frame to pivot about the uppermost slot. 
     
     
         56 . The louver system of  claim 55 , wherein a middle slot of the at least one slot enables each of the at least one medially oriented tab to align with each of the at least one slot. 
     
     
         57 . The louver system of  claim 55 , wherein a bottommost slot of the at least one slot enables the inner frame to fully advance in relative to the outer frame such that the inner frame  130  is removably locked with the outer frame. 
     
     
         58 . The louver system of  claim 25 , wherein the inner frame comprises at least one crossmember having an aperture and the outer frame comprises at least one crossmember, wherein the aperture of the inner frame and the aperture of the outer frame are concentrically aligned. 
     
     
         59 . The louver system of  claim 58 , wherein the inner frame further comprises a lock-pin assembly having a pin configured for advancement through the aperture of the inner frame and the aperture of the outer frame thereby prevent movement of the inner frame relative to the other frame.