A SLOT VENTILATOR

The present invention relates to a slot ventilator, for example for use in a room with a sealed window or a window with double or single glazing or a door wherein it is desirable to provide ventilation without having to open the window or door.

Proposed new buildings regulations require slot ventilators to be specified depending upon performance based measurements of the effective air opening of the ventilator. It is therefore desirable to increase the capacity of current slot ventilators to achieve an improved ventilator performance.

A known slot ventilator comprises a mounting member and a facing strip that is translatable between a closed position and an open position, and in which the facing strip can be tilted to open up the air flow path through the slot

One method of achieving an increase in capacity would be to increase the physical dimensions of the ventilation slot. However, this has disadvantages; an increase in the length would prevent the ventilator being fitted to smaller windows. Similarly, an increase in width would involve larger window sections and would require significant investment by window companies.

Thus, an alternative manner of increasing the effective air opening of a ventilator is required that neither limits the use of the ventilator, nor requires any alteration of machining by window companies.

It is an aim of the invention to redress this need at least to some extent.

The invention is as set out in the independent claims. A number of optional or preferred features of the slot ventilator are set out in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slot ventilator comprising a mounting member, an elongate facing strip and a connection system connecting the mounting member and facing strip with one another, the connection system being arranged to permit movement of the facing strip between at least a first position and a second position in which a slot to be ventilated is open, the facing strip comprising opposing longitudinal sides, and wherein the connection system is arranged to permit the facing strip to move with a lateral component of movement which is across the strip transverse to the longitudinal sides.

The slot ventilator according to the invention has the advantage that the facing strip can be easily manoeuvred completely clear of the slot thus providing a clear air path through the slot and increasing the effective air opening of the ventilator without increasing the physical dimensions of the ventilator or window slot.

The connection system may also be arranged to permit the facing strip to move with a longitudinal component of movement. The connection system may also be arranged to permit the facing strip to move with a forward component of movement relative to the mounting member.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a slot ventilator comprising a mounting member, an elongate facing strip and a connection system connecting the mounting member and facing strip with one another, the connection system being arranged to permit movement of the

facing strip between at least a first position and a second position in which a slot to be ventilated is open, the facing strip comprising opposing longitudinal sides and being rotatable in the open position or partially open position thereof about a longitudinal axis of rotation to vary the angular orientation thereof, the axis of rotation being disposed in a first location when the facing strip is in the first position, and being arranged to be moveable to at least a second location in which the axis of rotation is displaced from the first location with a lateral component of movement which is across the strip transverse to the longitudinal sides.

The axis of rotation may also be displaced from the first location with a longitudinal component of movement. The axis of rotation may also be displaced from the first location with a forward component of movement relative to the mounting member.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a slot ventilator comprising a mounting member mountable over or in a window or door slot or the like to be ventilated, an elongate facing strip and a connection system connecting the mounting member and facing strip with one another, the connection system being arranged to permit movement of the facing strip between at least a first position and a second position in which a slot to be ventilated is open, the facing strip being moveable in the open position or partially open position thereof about a longitudinal axis to vary the angular orientation thereof, and in which the facing strip is arranged to be moveable substantially completely out of the way of the slot to be ventilated.

The facing strip may be moveable laterally completely out of the way of a flow path through the ventilator.

The first position of the facing strip may be a closed position of the facing strip. The slot is covered by the facing strip to minimise or prevent air flow through the slot.

The mounting member may comprise a slotted backing member. The facing strip may be arranged to be spaced from the backing member in the open or partially open position thereof. The connection system may restrain motion of each end of the facing strip to be dependent upon motion of the other end thereof during opening movement thereof.

The connection system (or linkage mechanism) may comprise an inclined pivot pin disposed between upper and lower walls of the mounting member. Preferably, the inclined pivot pin is disposed non-parallel to a line normal to a plane, the plane being normal to the facing strip and parallel to at least one of the longitudinal sides of the facing strip. The pivot pin may be disposed non- parallel to a plane containing the longitudinal edges.

The connection system (or linkage mechanism) may further comprise a pivot link extending between the inclined pivot pin and the facing strip. This arrangement permits pivotal movement of the facing strip such that it can be translated between at least the first position and the open position. The inclination of the pivot pin introduces a component of lateral displacement to the translation of the facing strip in a generally upward or downward direction when the slot ventilator is disposed horizontally.

The facing strip is preferably spaced from the backing member when in the open position thereof. The pivot link may be disposed at an angle to the inclined pivot pin so as to lie generally in alignment with a longitudinal axis of the facing strip, that is in a generally horizontal attitude when the slot ventilator

is disposed horizontally, when the facing strip is in the first position thereof. This has the advantage that when the facing strip is in the first, closed position, it fits over the slot to close off the air flow path through the ventilator. However, as the facing strip is translated into the open position, it is also moved laterally by a sufficient amount to be tiltable about a longitudinal axis thereof to a position at which it is completely out of the way of the slot. Hence, the air flow path through the slot faces significantly less blockage than in the prior art ventilator.

An embodiment of a slot ventilator in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a slot ventilator in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the slot ventilator of figure 1, with the facing strip in an open and tilted position thereof;

Figure 3 is a detail of Figure 2 showing one of the connection systems;

Figure 4a is a front view of the slot ventilator of Figure 1, with the facing strip in the closed position;

Figure 4b is a side view of the slot ventilator of Figure 4a;

Figure 4c is a cross-sectional view at line A-A of the slot ventilator of Figure 4a;

Figure 4d is an end view of the slot ventilator of Figure 4;

Figure 4e is a rear view of the slot ventilator of Figure 4a showing the inclined pivot pins;

Figure 5a is a front view of the slot ventilator of Figure I ₅ with the facing strip in the fully open position;

Figure 5b is a side view of the slot ventilator of Figure 5 a;

Figure 5c is a cross-sectional view at line A-A of the slot ventilator of Figure 5a;

Figure 5d is an end view of the slot ventilator of Figure 5;

Figure 5e is a rear view of the slot ventilator of Figure 5a showing the inclined pivot pins;

Figure 6 is a schematic cross sectional view through an alternative embodiment of a slot ventilator with the facing strip in the closed position;

Figure 7 is a perspective schematic view of a slot ventilator of a further embodiment in which the connection systems attach to the backing member externally of the slot;

Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a helical track of a still further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 shows a window including a window frame having a slot ventilator according to the invention installed therein;

Figure 10 is a schematic cross sectional view of an embodiment of a saddle type arrangement; and

Figure 11 is a schematic representation showing the saddle arrangement of Figure 10 in plan view.

The slot ventilator 1 of Figures 1 and 2 is of the type used in a slot formed in a window or door frame. The slot ventilator 1 consists of an elongate backing member 10 which has a substantially rectangular channel section defining an elongate slot 40 from a front face 12 to a rear face (not shown in Figure 2) of the backing member 10. The slot ventilator 1 also includes a facing strip 50 which in use covers over the slot 40 when the ventilator 1 is closed. The facing strip 50 comprises an elongate plate with peripheral dimensions slightly larger than those of the slot 40 such that in the closed position as shown in Figure 1, the facing strip 50 contacts the front face 12 of the backing member 10 and seals over the slot 40.

The facing strip 50 includes longitudinal sides 51 (shown in Figure 4a), a rear surface 60 that faces the backing member 10, and a front surface 65. A snib 20 disposed on the front surface 65 enables a user to move the facing strip 50 between a first position and an open position by applying a small amount of force to the snib 20. In an embodiment, the facing strip 50 may lie in sealing contact with front face 12 of the backing member 40 in the first position. However, in an alternative embodiment the facing strip does not seal over the slot in the first position, but closes it. In a further embodiment, the facing strip

does not close the slot in the first position but a small gap is present between the backing member and the slot.

In Figure 2, the slot ventilator 1 is shown in an open and tilted position, exposing the slot 40 and the connection system connecting the facing strip 50 with the backing member 10. The connection system consists of an inclined pivot pin 70 (best seen in Figure 4e), a link arm 75 and a hinge 80. The inclined pivot pin 70 is disposed in the slot 40 and extends between a bottom wall 14 and a top wall 16 of the backing member 10, and is of substantially circular cross section. The pivot pin 70 is inclined at an angle to the vertical when viewed in a rear elevation as shown in Figure 4e. The link arm 75 protrudes at an angle from the pivot pin 70 so as to form a general "T" shape. At its opposite end, there is formed one part of the hinge 80. In the present embodiment, the hinge 80 is a ball and socket arrangement, in which a ball joint 85 is disposed on an end of the link arm 75. The link arm 75 is tapered along its length, narrowing towards the ball joint 85, and is of a generally circular or rounded cross-section. The link arm 75 is of a length adequate to space the facing strip 50 from the backing member 10 in the open or partially open position thereof.

As best seen viewed in Figure 3, the hinge 80 further includes a socket portion 90 that is mounted on the rear surface 60 of facing strip 50. The socket portion 90 includes circular bearing surfaces of a complimentary size and shape to the ball joint 85 such that the ball joint is retained in the socket 90 for pivotal movement therein. The socket portion 90 thus receives the ball joint 85 of the link arm 75 for pivotal movement of the facing strip 50 relative to the link arm 75. Once assembled, the socket 90 grips the ball 85 so that the facing strip 50 may be resiliently held in any selected angular configuration.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 - 5, there are three such connection systems spaced equidistantly along the slot 40 to connect the facing strip 50 with backing member 10. A connection system is provided at each end of the slot 40, and a third is provided in the centre of the slot 40. The connection systems at each end of the slot 40 are connected by the hinges 80 to each end of the rear face 60 of the facing strip 50. Thus, movement of each end of the facing strip 50 is dependent upon and restricted by movement of the other end of the facing strip 50, so as to maintain the facing strip 50 parallel to the backing member 10 in this manner. The central connection system is provided to add structural integrity to the ventilator 1, but it may be omitted. Further structural assistance to the backing member 10 is provided in the form of support members 30 disposed along slot 40, extending between the bottom wall 14 and top wall 16 of the backing member to provide extra rigidity to the structure.

The inclined pivot pin 70 is integrally moulded with the backing member 10. In another embodiment, the pivot pin 70 is held in position at either end thereof with locating pins. The surfaces of the top wall 16 and bottom wall 14 in the locality of the pivot pin 70 are inclined to the same degree as is the pivot pin 70 in order to optimise installation of the pivot pin 70.

As seen in Figures 4a, c, and e and Figures 5a, c and e, the link arm 75 includes one or more resilient clips 77 for attaching the link arm 75 to the pivot pin 70. These clips 77 are shown to be part circular so as to be attachable around the pivot pin circumference. The clips 77 grip the pivot pin 70 such that the link arm 75 is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the inclined pivot pin 70, to permit rotation of the facing strip 50 between the open and closed positions. In the event of damage to the facing strip, the link arm 75 can be undipped from

the backing member 10 and either repaired or replaced without needing to replace the whole slot ventilator.

The link arm 75 is disposed at a non-right angle to the inclined pivot pin 70 such that when the facing strip 50 is in the closed position and is sealed against the front face 12 of the backing member 10, the link arm 75 lies approximately horizontally when viewed in rear elevation, as shown in Figure 4e. In this closed position, the front face 12 of the backing member 10 and the complimentary parts of the rear surface 60 of the facing strip 50 are brought into contact with each other to close off the airflow path through the slot 40. In an embodiment of the slot ventilator 1, these complimentary surfaces are inclined as shown schematically in Figure 6 so as to provide a larger sealing surface area than if the surfaces are not inclined.

The operation of an embodiment of the slot ventilator 1 will be described next with reference in particular to Figures 4 and 5.

Starting from the first position, shown in Figures 4a - 4b, the facing strip 50 is closed over the slot. In order to open the ventilator to allow airflow through the slot 40, the user applies a small force to the snib 20 to initiate rotation of the link arm 75 on the inclined pivot pin 70. As the link arm 75 rotates, it swings forward in an arc to translate the facing strip 50 forwards, sideways and downwards, until it has moved through approximately 90°. The link arm 75 thus permits the facing strip to move with a lateral component of movement seen in Figure 4a as Line L-L, which is across the facing strip transverse to longitudinal sides 51 of the strip. At this position, the link arm 75 is stopped from moving any further by coming into contact with the bottom wall 14 of the backing member 10, due to the downward inclination of the link arm 75.

At this position, the facing strip 50 is parallel with and facing the backing member 10 and the slot 40 is over 50% unobstructed. However, in order to unblock the airflow path through the slot even further, the facing strip 50 is tilted forward on the hinge 80 such that it lies at a shallow angle to the horizontal, at a position lower than and substantially forward of the bottom wall 14 of the backing member 10 such that it is completely out of the way of the slot 40. In this fully open position, the blockage to airflow through the slot 40 is considerably reduced.

To close the slot 40, the facing strip 50 is tilted about its longitudinal axis such that it is parallel with the front face 12 of the backing member 10. The facing strip 50 is then pushed gently to rotate the link arm 75 back towards the backing member 10 until the facing strip 50 closes over the slot 40.

It is preferred that the backing member 10, facing strip 50, hinge 80 and connection system can all be manufactured from plastics or other suitable material. Certain components such as the sockets portion of the hinge 80 are preferably manufactured from a resilient plastics material. In certain applications it may desirable for some or all components of the ventilator to be made of metal.

Several alternative constructions to the slot ventilator 1 can be incorporated as follows. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the connection systems are housed in the backing member 10 but externally of the slot 40, for example to either side of the slot 40 as shown schematically in Figure 7. In this embodiment, the blockage to the airflow through the slot is reduced even further allowing a greater volume of air to flow through the slot 40.

In a further embodiment, the backing member 10 has fixing holes (not shown) via which the slot ventilator 1 is affixed to a window or door frame. The fixing holes are positioned such that they are covered by the facing strip 50 when the latter is in the closed position. This is possible because the fixing holes will be easily accessible when the facing strip is in the fully opened and tilted position, and overcomes the need for separate screw covers which can be fiddly to use and are often lost. The backing member 10 may include a central fixing position for improved seating to the window frame. Again, this is possible as the facing strip 50 can be moved out of the way of the backing member to access the fixing position.

The radial link may be of various lengths to optimise operation of the slot ventilator as desired. The ventilator may be operated via a cord or rod instead of or in addition to the snib 20. In a yet further embodiment, the inclined pivot pin 70 is inclined to the vertical when viewed in end elevation as well as when viewed in rear elevation. By introducing a second axis or inclination to the pivot pin 70, the facing strip can be rotated further out of the way of the slot 40.

In a yet further embodiment, a helical track 95 as shown in Figure 8 is provided around the inclined pivot pin 70 to permit vertical adjustment of the link arm 75 on the pivot pin 70, a formation (not shown) on the pin 70 riding along the track 95. In a yet further embodiment, one or more guides (not shown) are provided at the connection between the facing strip 50 and the link arm 75 to ensure a smooth closing action of the facing strip from a fully tilted position back to a position in which it is parallel to the backing member.

The hinge 80 may, in an alternative embodiment, consist of a saddle type arrangement 80' as shown in Figures 10 and 11. In this embodiment, the link arm 75' includes a first hinging component comprising a saddle element 276.

The facing strip 50' of this embodiment includes a rearwardly facing rib 150 which extends along the longitudinal direction of the facing strip 50'. The rib 150 includes a cut-out portion 183 adjacent to each link arm 75'. Each cut-out is bridged by a cylindrical element 184 which constitutes a second hinging component of the hinge 80' of the ventilator. The seat 278 of the saddle 276 includes a cylindrical inner surface 280 which is arranged to engage the cylindrical element 184 which bridges the cut-out 182 in the rib 150. The link arms 75' include pegs 284 which engage bores (not shown) in the legs 282 of the saddle 276. The cylindrical surface 280 of the saddle 276 subtends to an angle somewhat greater than 180 degrees, as shown in Figure 10. Thus, the saddle may snap-fit into engagement with the cylindrical element 184 during assembly, and thereafter the pegs 284 may be inserted into the bores (not shown) of the saddle 276. The pin 70' is mounted at an inclination to the vertical when viewed in front or rear elevation (not shown in Figures 10 and 11). Once assembled, the saddle 276 resiliently grips the cylindrical element 284 so that the facing strip 50' may be resiliently held in any selected angular configuration.

The socket 90 on the rear face 60 of the facing strip, and the rear surface 60 itself may be inclined to optimise operation of the ventilator. In a yet further embodiment, the link arm 75 is provided with an action such as a camming action to effect over centre closing of the facing strip 50. This feature helps ensure that the facing strip could not be simply blown open by a gust of wind.

The lateral dimension of the embodiments discussed above, and indeed of other embodiments in accordance with the invention, may be of a size such that the ventilator 1 is suitable for installation to a 13mm or 16mm slot aperture to be ventilated, or to fit any other desired type of aperture.

Preferably, slot ventilators in accordance with the present invention, when fully open, provide an efficient and effective airflow path for improved indoor air quality.

The connection system can be arranged such that the facing strip 50 is translated with a component of lateral movement in a direction that is defined by the virtual line L-L shown in Figure 4a, extending between the longitudinal sides of the facing strip, which may be upwards away from the slot 40 or downwards away from the slot if the slot ventilator is disposed horizontally. The slot ventilator may of course be disposed in other orientations as will be apparent to the skilled man.

The pivot pin 70 and link arm 75 can be integral with each other, the pivot pin 70 being rotatable on the locating pins for movement of the facing strip 50.

The pivot pin 70 may be of part circular cross-section and the resilient clips 77 may be circular in cross section.

At least some embodiment of slot ventilators in accordance with the present invention may be installed in the sash or the frame of a window. The window assembly 100 shown in Figure 9 includes glazing 102, a rectangular sash 104 and a rectangular frame 103. The frame is mounted in an aperture 105 of a wall 106 of a building 107. The slot ventilator 1 is shown mounted adjacent a slot 108 formed through upper frame member 109. A weather canopy 110 is provided on an opposite, exterior side of the frame member 109.