WIDE-SPAN LOUVER
Wide span louvers including elongated oval bodies with a thickness to width ratio between 0.14 to 0.25, and a pivot/attachment point offset below the horizontal axis, and other improvements to improve resistance to weight and/or thermal sag in long span shutter assemblies and the like.
1 . A wide span louver having a louver width at its widest point and a louver thickness at its thickest point, and the ratio of the louver thickness to the louver width is in the range of 0.14 to 0.25.
2 . The wide span louver of claim 1 , further comprising a pivot point disposed below a plane representing the louver width.
3 . The wide span louver of claim 2 , wherein the pivot point is disposed on a plane representing the louver thickness.
4 . The wide span louver of claim 3 , further comprising a upper outer surface and a lower outer surface, wherein a pivot point of the louver is closer to the lower outer surface of the louver.
5 . The wide span louver of claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the louver includes a convex top surface and a convex bottom surface.
6 . The wide span louver of claim 5 , wherein the convex top surface and convex bottom surface are connected by a front edge radius surface and a rear edge radius surface.
7 . The wide span louver of claim 1 , where in the louver is comprised of poly-vinyl chloride composite compounds, and is free of reinforcing inserts.
8 . The wide span louver of claim 1 , wherein a specific gravity of the louver is between 0.50 and 0.70.
9 . The wide span louver of claim 1 , wherein a density of the louver is between 0.48 g/cm 3 and 0.66 g/cm 3 .
10 . The wide span louver of claim 1 , wherein a modulus of elasticity of the louver is between 190,000 psi and 250,000 psi.