Reinforced louver blade

Abstract

A louver blade comprises an elongated body made of extruded plastic having first and second plastic strips disposed within and off-center from the longitudinal axis of the body. A method for making a louver blade comprises extruding plastic in a shape of a louver blade into a die; feeding first and second plastic strips through a cavity of the die; cooling the extruded louver blade; and cutting the extruded louver blade into desired length.

1 . A louver blade, comprising:
 a) an elongated body made of extruded plastic, said body having a longitudinal axis; and   b) first and second plastic strips disposed within said body and off-center from said axis.   
   
   
       2 . A louver blade as in  claim 1 , wherein said body has a symmetrical cross-sectional shape. 
   
   
       3 . A louver blade as in  claim 1 , wherein said body includes a skin layer. 
   
   
       4 . A louver blade as in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second strips are made of glass fibers in a PVC resin. 
   
   
       5 . A louver blade as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 a) said body includes a plane of symmetry; and   b) said first and second strips are oriented parallel to said plane of symmetry.   
   
   
       6 . A louver blade as in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second strips are vertically spaced from each other. 
   
   
       7 . A louver blade as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 a) said first and second strips in cross-section have wider than taller dimensions; and   b) said wider dimensions are disposed horizontally.   
   
   
       8 . A louver blade as in  claim 1 , wherein said body is made of cellular PVC. 
   
   
       9 . A louver blade as in  claim 1 , wherein said strips have roughened upper and lower surfaces. 
   
   
       10 . A method for making a louver blade, comprising:
 a) extruding plastic in a shape of a louver into a die;   b) feeding first and second plastic strips through a cavity of the die;   c) cooling the extruded louver blade; and   d) cutting the extruded louver blade into desired length.   
   
   
       11 . A method as in  claim 10 , and further comprising roughening the strips surfaces prior to feeding into the die. 
   
   
       12 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein the strips are fed from a spool. 
   
   
       13 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein the plastic is extruded transversely into the die. 
   
   
       14 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein the strips are supported within the die. 
   
   
       15 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein the extruded plastic is cooled by contact with the surface of a cooled passageway immediately after exiting the die. 
   
   
       16 . A method as in  claim 15 , wherein the extruded plastic is further cooled by passing through chilled water in a vacuum tank. 
   
   
       17 . A method as in  claim 16 , wherein the vacuum tank is maintained at about 1-5 in. of mercury. 
   
   
       18 . A method as in  claim 16 , wherein chilled water at about 55°-60° F. is circulated through the vacuum tank.