Assemblable ventilation grille

Abstract

 Assemblable ventilation grille formed by modular elements provided, on the sides to be joined together, with complementary male and female joints or fastening elements so that they may be combined to form grilles of variable size suited to the varying requirements of the market. The said male and female fastening elements have a thickness smaller than that of the grille modules and are situated at the ends of the sides to be joined together, along the frame sides and if necessary also in intermediate zones of the said sides to be joined together, underneath the fins, all of which so as not to be visible from the front side of the grille obtained by means of the combination of these modules.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to assemblable ventilation grilles formed by modular elements provided, on the sides to be joined together, with complementary male and female fastening elements so that they may be combined to form grilles of variable size suited to the varying requirements of the market.

[0002] At present, assemblable plastic grilles are known where male and female joining elements of the dovetail type occupy the entire thickness of the modules and for this reason are visible from the front side of the grille and are aesthetically unattractive. Owing to their considerable size, the said joining elements reduce substantially the area of the grille which is occupied by the fins and intended to allow the air to pass through.

[0003] The invention relates to a ventilation grille of the modular and assemblable type, with joints which are not visible from the front side in that they are situated on the surrounding profile of the grille and optionally also in intermediate zones, underneath the fins of the said grille, so as not to reduce the effective ventilation area of the grille, as instead occurs in the known art. In particular the invention concerns an assemblable grille with optimum mechanical strength properties, the modules of which are made preferably by means of injection-moulding of an alloy of aluminium or other material mouldable using the technique of pressure casting or using equivalent techniques. During a subsequent step, the grilles may be painted using any suitable technique and using any suitable materials and colours.

[0004] Further characteristic features of the invention and the advantages arising therefrom will emerge more clearly from the following description provided with reference to the figures of the accompanying four illustrative plates in which:

• Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 1 a, 2a, 3a are elevation views from the front side and rear side, respectively, of the three main modules which form the grille according to the invention;
• Fig. 4 shows details visible along the cross-sectional line IV-IV of Figure 3;
• Figs. 5 and 6 show a rear side elevation view of two grilles of varying width which can be formed with the modules according to the preceding figures;
• Figs. 7 and 8 show corresponding details of the connecting zones of the grille modules, visible along the cross-sections VII-VII and VIII-VIII according to Figures 5 and 6.

[0005] From Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 1 a, 2a, 3a it can be seen that the grille is fundamentally composed of three base modules, i.e. an intermediate module A which forms the middle part of the grille and which may be connected to other identical modules situated in succession so as to form grilles of variable size in the horizontal direction (or vertical direction, see below), and is composed of end modules B, B' which complement each other and which form the end parts of the said grille, with the corner zones suitably rounded. If necessary, in order to form a small-size grille, the modules B and B' may be joined together without the said intermediate module A (see below).

[0006] The modules of the grille may have a working length (or height), i.e. that of the finned part, equal to about ten, fifteen or twenty centimetres (value thereof to be defined) and are produced in a range of different heights so as to meet the varying market requirements. Depending on the height of the opening to be closed by the ventilation grille in question, extending horizontally (see below), the range of suitable height will be chosen and, depending on the length of the said opening, the grille will be composed with several modules of the aforementioned type, positioned in succession, so as to form the grille of required length. The grille may be sold preassembled, or the various modules thereof may be sold, with the possibility of assembling them by means of an easy pre-assembly step, before fixing the said grille in position, as described further below.

[0007] The end modules B, B' of the grille are defined perimetrally, on three consecutive sides, by a frame 1 with a grooved profile (Fig. 4), the inner rear edge 101 of which is suitably raised with respect to the outer rear edge 201 and is coplanar with the inner side of the barred area defined by the fins 2 of the grille, which in the example in question are perpendicular to the side of the frame 1 which has rounded ends and which, as shown in Figure 7, are suitably inclined and parallel to each other. On the outer side, the fins 2 are coplanar with the outer side of the frame 1. The same fins 2 are interconnected by an end cross-piece 3 and by at least one middle cross-piece 103 which connects together outwardly widened through-seats 4 situated on the frame 1 and intended to receive the screws for fixing the grille in position (Fig. 7). On the rear side of the grille modules, the cross-pieces 3, 103 suitably protrude from the fins 2, are substantially coplanar with the rear middle edge 301 of the frame 1 and are visible along the whole of their length, while on the front side of the same modules, the said cross-pieces are set back with respect to the corresponding outer edge of the fins 2, such that only portions thereof are visible, as can be seen from Figures 1 and 3, with a very limited aesthetic impact. From these same figures it is also evident that the outer cross-piece 3 has preferably a thickness which is suitably smaller than that of the middle cross-piece 103 so that, when the modules which form the grille are arranged alongside each other, as shown in the examples of Figures 5 and 6, the assembly formed by two end cross-pieces 3 has a thickness substantially the same as or slightly greater than that of a middle cross-piece 103.

[0008] In the height difference between the outer rear edge 201 and the middle edge 301 of the frame 1 it is possible to arrange the perimetral part of a meshwork R which has any suitable form and is made of any suitable metallic or plastic material and which is placed on the rear side of the cross-pieces 3, 103 and therefore at a distance from the finned screen 2 in order to prevent the entry of insects or other foreign bodies. The meshwork R may be provided with seats for fixing, by means of friction, to special lugs 5 formed as reliefs for example on the edge 101 and/or on other parts and may be provided optionally with perimetral eyelets able to receive screws for fixing the grille in position. These features of the grille relating to mounting of the meshwork have not been shown in the drawings since they may be deduced and easily realized by persons skilled in the art.

[0009] At the ends of the outer cross-piece 3, the module B of the grille has, in the terminal and rear part of the frame 1, solid portions 6, 6' which terminate in a flat surface coplanar with the rear edge 101 of the said frame and in these portions the cross-piece 3 has small slits 7, 7' and the rear middle edge 301 of the frame has recesses 8, 8', for example with a curved form in plan view and with a centre of curvature on the axis of holes 9, 9' provided blind at the centre of the said portions 6, 6'. The module B' of the grille, as can be seen from Figures 3, 3a, has, integrally, projecting and perpendicularly on the ends of the outer cross-piece 3, flat eyelets 10, 10', the inner face of which is coplanar with the rear edge of the said cross-piece 3 and the rear middle edge 301 of the frame 1 and these eyelets have a thickness equal to the height of the said aforementioned slits 7, 7' of the grille module B. The same eyelets are characterized by a round form in plan view, with a central hole 11, 11' flared on the end directed towards the inside of the grille and are connected to the adjacent cross-piece 3 by means of a short lug 110, 110' having dimensions such as to pass through the said slits 7, 7' of the module B.

[0010] If necessary, it is possible to form a grille of very small width (not shown in the drawings) by joining together only the modules B and B', arranging these modules next to each other by means of the inner cross-piece 3, inserting the lugs 110, 110' of the module B' inside the slits 7, 7' of the module B and resting the eyelets 10, 10' on the portions 6, 6' of this latter module, with engagement inside the mating recesses 8, 8'. After this connection step, the modules B and B' of the grille are correctly arranged coplanar with each other and it is possible to fix them in this position with a prior fixing operation which envisages using short self-tapping screws 12, 12', as shown in Figures 7 and 8, which are inserted through the holes 11, 11' of the eyelets 10, 10' and screwed into the blind holes 9, 9' of the portions 6, 6'.

[0011] From Figures 2 and 2a it can be seen that the intermediate module A of the grille has perimetrally two sides of the frame 1 which are parallel and interconnected at the ends by cross-pieces 3 of the type already mentioned for the modules B, B' and by at least one middle cross-piece 103 where the said sides of the frame 1 are provided with seats 4 for fixing the grille in position by means of screws. One of the outer cross-pieces 3 of the module A has, perpendicularly and projecting from its ends, the male fastening elements in the form of eyelets 10, 10', while the other cross-piece has at its ends and on the frame 1 the female fastening elements with the portions 6, 6' and anything else already mentioned for the grille modules B and B'. The intermediate grille module A is also provided with or occupied by an internal meshwork protection for preventing the entry of insects or other foreign bodies, as already mentioned for the modules B, B'.

[0012] At this point it is clear how it is possible to form grilles of any desired length, by joining together at least one module A and two end modules B, B', for example as illustrated in Figure 5 or joining together several intermediate modules A with the usual end modules B, B', as can be seen from the example of Figure 6.

[0013] It is obvious how, by providing at the ends of the grille modules identical types of male or female joints, joining together of the modules may be performed in a predetermined manner, resulting in the fins 2 of the various modules all being oriented in the same direction.

[0014] It is understood that, in the grille modules of the range having a considerable height, one or more of the male and female connecting elements described may also be arranged in the middle part of the cross-pieces 3 so as to make the connection stronger, with the advantage that these intermediate joints will also not be visible from the front side of the grille since they are covered by the fins 2. This variant has also not been shown in the drawings in that it may be deduced and easily realized by persons skilled in the art.

[0015] It is understood that the underlying principle described above must also be regarded as protected in order to form grilles having a variable size in the vertical direction rather than in the horizontal direction, with the fins obviously always situated horizontally. The grille modules will be produced in a range of varying widths so as to meet the varying requirements of the market. Depending on the size of the opening to be closed with the vertically extending ventilation grille, the range of modules of suitable width will be chosen and the grille will be formed with several modules positioned vertically in succession so as to close the said opening height wise. In this case the outer fins 2 of the various grille modules may perform fully or partly the function of the said outer cross-pieces 3 of the horizontally extending grilles and for this purpose may be suitably reinforced and/or structured in the zones where the male or female fastening elements are provided.

Claims

1. Assemblable ventilation grille formed by modular elements provided, on the sides to be joined together, with complementary male and female joints or fastening elements so that they may be combined to form grilles of variable size suited to the varying requirements of the market, characterized in that the said male and female fastening elements have a thickness smaller than that of the grille modules and are situated at the ends of the sides to be joined together, along the frame sides and if necessary also in intermediate zones of the said sides to be joined together, underneath the fins, all of which so as not to be visible from the front side of the grille obtained by means of the combination of these modules.

2. Ventilation grille according to Claim 1, characterized in that it has optimum mechanical strength properties since the modules which form it are made by means of injection-moulding of an alloy of aluminium or other metal mouldable using the technique of pressure casting or using equivalent techniques, it being envisaged that, during a subsequent step, the grille modules may be painted using any suitable technique and using any suitable materials and colours.

3. Ventilation grille according to Claim 1, in which the female fastening elements comprise at least at the ends of one of the sides of the modules to be joined together, on the rear side of the module, recessed impressions (6, 6'), while the male fastening elements provided at the ends of the side of the other grille module consist of projecting lugs (10, 110, 10', 110') which are engaged in a complementary manner inside the said impressions (6, 6').

4. Ventilation grille according to Claim 3, in which the male fastening elements have the form of eyelets (10, 10') with a suitably flared hole (11, 11') and are joined to the grille module by means of a short lug (110, 110') which passes through small slits (7, 7') for accessing the impressions (6, 6') of the female fastening elements inside which the said eyelets are engaged as a result of a suitable lateral profiling (8, 8') of the said impressions which are provided with respective blind holes (9, 9') inside which the said eyelets may be stably fixed by means of screws (12, 12') for example of the self-tapping type.

5. Ventilation grille according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises three base modules and in particular an intermediate module (A) which forms the optional middle part of the grille and which may be connected to other identical modules situated in succession so as to form grilles of variable size in the horizontal direction or in the vertical direction and in that it comprises two end modules (B, B') which complement each other and which form the ends of the said grille, with the corner zones suitably rounded.

6. Ventilation grille according to Claim 5, in which the end modules (B, B') may be joined together without the intermediate module (A) so as to form a small-size grille.

7. Ventilation grille according to Claim 5, in which the said modules (A, B, B') have a working length or height, i.e. that of the finned part, equal to about ten, fifteen or twenty centimetres and are produced in a range of different heights or widths so as to meet the varying market requirements.

8. Ventilation grille according to Claim 5, characterized in that it may be sold preassembled with the dimensions required in each particular case.

9. Ventilation grille according to Claim 5, in which the various modules (A, B, B') thereof are sold separately with the desired number of intermediate modules (A) and with the screws (12, 12') which allow easy assembly thereof before fixing in position.

10. Ventilation grille according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with a rear meshwork (R) of monolithic type or composition, for preventing the entry of insects or other foreign bodies.

11. Ventilation grille according to the preceding claims, in which the end modules (B, B') have on three sides a grooved profile of the frame (1), the inner rear edge (101) of which is suitably raised with respect to the outer rear edge (201) and is coplanar with the inner side of the barred area formed by the inclined and parallel fins (2) of the grille which in the horizontally extending grilles are for example perpendicular and interconnected on the side of the perimeter of the module which has rounded ends, while at the other end the said fins are interconnected by an end cross-piece (3).

12. Ventilation grille according to Claim 11, in which the fins (2) are interconnected also by at least one middle cross-piece (103), the ends of which are preferably situated coinciding with outwardly widened through-seats (4) of the frame (1) which are intended to receive the screws for fixing the grille in position.

13. Ventilation grille according to Claim 12, in which, on the rear side of the grille modules, the cross-pieces (3, 103) interconnecting the fins (2) suitably protrude from the said fins, are substantially coplanar with a bottom middle edge (301) of the profile of the frame (1) and are visible along the whole of their length, while on the front side of the said modules, the said cross-pieces (3, 103) are set back with respect to the corresponding outer edge of the fins (2), such that only portions thereof are visible, with a limited aesthetic impact.

14. Ventilation grille according to Claim 12, in which the outer cross-piece (3) has preferably a thickness which is suitably smaller than that of the middle cross-piece (103) so that, when the modules which form the grille are arranged alongside each other, the assembly formed by two end cross-pieces (3) has a thickness substantially the same as or slightly greater than that of a middle cross-piece (103).

15. Ventilation grille according to the preceding claims, in which at the ends of the outer cross-piece (3), one of the end modules (B) of the grille has, in the terminal part of the frame (1), solid portions (6, 6') which terminate in a flat surface coplanar with the inner rear edge (101) of the said frame and in these portions the said cross-piece (3) has small slits (7, 7') and the inner side of the rear middle edge (301) of the said frame has recesses (8, 8'), for example with a curved form in plan view and with a centre of curvature on the axis of a blind hole (9, 9') provided at the centre of the said portions (6, 6') in question, it being envisaged that the other end module (B') of the grille has, integrally, projecting and perpendicularly on the ends of the outer cross-piece (3), flat eyelets (10, 10'), the inner face of which is coplanar with the rear edge of the said cross-piece (3) and the rear middle step (301) of the frame and which have a thickness equal to the height of the said slits (7, 7') of the other grille module (B), these eyelets being characterized by a round form in plan view, with a central hole (11, 11') flared on the end directed towards the inside of the grille and being connected to the said cross-piece (3) by means of a short lug (110, 110') having dimensions such as to pass through the said slits (7, 7') of the said module (B).

16. Ventilation grille according to Claim 15, in which, if necessary, it is possible to form a short grille by joining together the end modules (B, B') of the said grille, arranging these modules next to each other by means of the inner cross-piece (3), inserting the lugs (110, 110') of one module (B') inside the slits (7, 7') of the other module (B) and resting the eyelets (10, 10') on the portions (6, 6') of this latter module, with engagement inside the mating recesses (8, 8'), all of which so that, after this connection step, the said modules (B, B') of the grille are correctly arranged coplanar with each other and it is possible to fix them in this position with a prior fixing operation which envisages using short self-tapping screws (12, 12') which are inserted through the holes (11, 11') of the eyelets (10, 10') and screwed into the holes (9, 9') of said portions (6,6').

17. Ventilation grille according to the preceding claims, in which the intermediate module (A) of the said grille has perimetrally two sides of the frame (1) which are parallel and interconnected at the ends by cross-pieces (3) of the type already mentioned for the end modules (B, B') of the said grille and by at least one middle cross-piece (103) where the said sides of the frame (1) are provided with seats (4) for fixing the grille in position by means of screws, it being envisaged that one of the said outer cross-pieces (3) has at its ends the male fastening elements in the form of eyelets (10, 10'), while the opposite cross-piece (3) has at its ends the female fastening elements, with the portions (6, 6') and anything else already mentioned for the end modules (B, B') of the grille.

18. Ventilation grille according to the preceding claims, in which each module of the said grille is provided with identical male or female connecting joints so that joining together of the modules may be performed in a predetermined manner, resulting in the fins (2) of the said modules all being inclined in the same direction.

19. Ventilation grille according to the preceding claims, characterized in that if it is of the type with a variable size in the vertical direction rather than in the horizontal direction, with the fins (2) obviously always situated horizontally, the grille modules will be produced in a range of varying widths so as to meet the varying requirements of the market and depending on the size of the opening to be closed with the vertically extending ventilation grille, the range of modules of suitable width will be chosen and the grille will be formed with several modules positioned vertically in succession so as to form the grille with the height necessary to close the said opening, it being envisaged in this case that the outer fins (2) of the various grille modules may perform wholly or partly the function of the said outer cross-pieces (3) of the horizontally extending grilles.

20. Ventilation grille according to the preceding claims, characterized in that, in particular in the grille modules of the range having a considerable height or width, one or more of the male and female connecting elements may also be arranged in the middle part of the said outer cross-pieces (3) or outer fins (2) so as to make the joint between the grille modules stronger, with the advantage that these intermediate joints are also not visible from the front side of the grille since they are covered by the fins (2).

Drawing