AU2011325041A1 - Closing or solar protection apparatus, and method for implementing same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closing or solar protection apparatus (10), particularly a roller blind-type apparatus. Said apparatus includes: an apron (18) comprising a plurality of blind slats (20), each blind slat being pivotable about a pivoting axis (Y) defined by at least one side shaft (60) extending sideways from a first edge of the blind slat (20); two chains (40) that are placed sideways on both sides of the apron and are translatable along a releasing axis (X) perpendicular to the pivoting axis (Y), each chain holding a side shaft of each blind slat; and a means for angling at least one operative slat (21), from among the blind slats, from a resting position, wherein a second edge of the operative slat is near or in contact with the first edge of an adjacent slat of the apron, to an angled position, wherein the second edge of the operative slat is spaced from the first edge of the adjacent slat by rotating the operative slat around the pivoting axis (Y) thereof. Said apparatus (10) is characterized in that the angling means includes an activation strip (80), extending in a manner parallel to the releasing axis (X), and a cam (70) that is pivotably mounted onto a side shaft of each operative slat, engages with the activation strip, and moreover engages with a rotatably secured portion (68) of the operative slat so as to rotate said operative slat during specific movements of the chain.

Description

1 CLOSURE OR SOLAR PROTECTION INSTALLATION, AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING SAME The present invention relates to a closure or solar protection installation. The 5 invention also relates to a method for implementing a closure or solar protection installation. The field of the invention is that of installations of the roller blind type with adjustable slats, designed to equip an opening of a building such as a door or window arranged in a wall or roof. Traditionally, a roller blind comprises an apron wound around a shaft and which 10 unwinds between two slides so as to conceal the window. In practice, a manual or electric action makes it possible to maneuver the roller blind downward or upward. In the case of a blind apron with adjustable slats, a specific mechanism is generally provided to angle the slats relative to the plane of the apron. EP-A-0,141,805 describes a roller blind with adjustable slats, comprising a chain 15 translatable in the slide. Each slat making up the blind apron is secured to a rod that cooperates with the chain by means of complementary threaded profiles. Inside the slide, a rail cooperating with the chain may be translated by an auxiliary actuator, in a direction parallel to the apron and perpendicular to the raising and lowering direction of the chain. The movement of the rail causes a movement of the chain and therefore a rotation of 20 each rod due to the cooperation of the complementary threaded profiles. Thus, the movement of the rail causes angling of the blind slats secured to the rods. The mechanical forces transmitted between the different parts can cause rapid wear of those parts. Furthermore, such a roller blind requires a first actuator to move the apron and a second actuator to move the rail in the slide, which is expensive and bulky. 25 DE-B-1,237,289 describes a roller blind with adjustable slats, comprising an apron provided with several blind slats mounted on transverse bars. Slides are positioned on each side of the apron. An intermediate element is inserted between each bar, in the slides. The blind therefore does not comprise a lifting chain separate from the apron. In practice, the bars and the intermediate elements become angled when they abut in the 30 lower portion of the slides, due to gravity. Thus, the lower abutment causes the angling of the blind slats secured to the transverse bars. The aim of the present invention is to propose an improved roller blind, in particular making it possible to orient the slats while being simple, economical and compact.

2 To that end, the invention relates to a closure or solar protection installation, in particular of the roller blind type, comprising: - an apron comprising a plurality of blind slats, each blind slat being pivotable around a pivoting axis defined by at least one side shaft extending sideways 5 from a first edge of the blind slat, - two chains that are placed sideways on both sides of the apron and are translatable along a releasing axis perpendicular to the pivoting axis, each chain holding a side shaft of each blind slat, - angling means for angling at least one operative slat, from among the blind 10 slats, from a resting position, wherein a second edge of the operative slat is near or in contact with the first edge of an adjacent slat of the apron, to an angled position, wherein the second edge of the operative slat is spaced from the first edge of the adjacent slat by rotating the operative slat around the pivoting axis thereof. 15 This installation is characterized in that the angling means include at least: - an activation strip, extending in a manner parallel to the releasing axis, and - a cam pivotably mounted onto a side shaft of each operative slat and engaging, on the one hand, with the activation strip and, on the other hand, with a portion secured in rotation to the operative slat, so as to drive in rotation 20 said operative slat during specific movements of the chain. Thus, the invention makes it possible to angle the slats simply, independently from the position of the apron. The installation of the roller blind according to the invention does not require an additional actuator, in addition to the motor used to raise and lower the apron. The angling means are arranged in the slide of the installation, which protects them 25 from bad weather and therefore slows the aging thereof, while procuring considerable discretion and pleasing aesthetics for the blind. Since the operation of the angling means does not depend on the relative position between the slats and a mechanism inside the slide, the length of the slides may therefore be freely modified during assembly. No secondary mechanisms are grafted on the slats, or on the slides, which form a single 30 piece. The assembly of the installation is done as on a standard roller blind with non adjustable slats, without requiring complex adjustment operations, and the placement time is reduced. According to other advantageous features of the invention, considered alone or in combination: 3 - the angling means also comprise, for each cam, an abutment element forming a part secured in rotation to the operative slat and cooperating with the cam, which is secured to the side shaft in rotation around the pivoting axis, and a driving element that is secured to the cam and that is capable of cooperating with the abutment element to jointly 5 drive in rotattion the cam, the side shaft and the operative slat around the pivoting axis; - the abutment element is a slug that extends from the side shaft along the radial abutment axis with respect to the pivoting axis and in that the driving element is a finger that extends from a side surface of the cam along the driving axis parallel to the pivoting axis; 10 - the abutment element is a slug that extends from the side shaft along a radial abutment axis with respect to the pivoting axis and the driving element is a surface formed inside the cam, that surface in particular being substantially perpendicular to the pivoting axis and the abutment axis; - the angling means also comprise a spring that is positioned on the side shaft; 15 - the spring exerts a variable force on the driving element depending on the rotation of the cam; - each chain includes several links translatable along the releasing axis, each link including an oblong orifice passed through by a cylindrical element translatable in the oblong orifice of the link and translatably secured to the lower link, the links of the chain 20 being able to translate relative to one another along the releasing axis with, at the same time, the operative slats that translate relative to one another along the releasing axis; - the apron is attached to a winding tube by at least one support slat; - the or one of the support slats bears the chains by means of connecting rods positioned sideways on either side of the apron; 25 - the support slat cooperating with a winding tube is attached to that winding tube by means of at least one automatic lock; - each cam cooperating with the activation strip includes an outer surface with at least two friction areas on the strip that have different friction coefficients on a surface of the strip on which the cam slides during the translation of the chains along the releasing 30 axis; - the chain includes rollers capable of rolling on a bearing surface arranged in an inner space of a slide guiding the chain, the bearing surface being situated across from a surface of the activation strip cooperating with each cam; - each roller is translatable along the releasing axis of an oblong opening of a link 35 of the chain; 4 - each roller is made from a deformable material, capable of being crushed against the bearing surface when each cam cooperates with the activation strip; - the activation strip is made from a deformable flexible material, in particular an elastomer such as silicone foam; 5 - the activation strip is attached in the slide positioned on one side of the apron; - the second edge of each blind slat comprises a slot that extends parallel to the pivoting axis and is configured to cooperate with the first edge of an adjacent blind slat; - the two side shafts pass through the first edge of each blind slat and form a single-piece through rod; 10 - the angling means are configured to angle each operative slat during translation of the chains along the releasing axis in a rising direction of the apron, irrespective of the position of the apron, as long as at least one slat is positioned in an operative area of the installation defined between two slides; - the angling means are configured, on the one hand, to separate the first edge of 15 each operative slat and the second edge of an adjacent operative slat during the movement of the chain in a raising direction of the apron and, on the other hand, to interlock the first edge of each operative slat and the second edge of an adjacent operative slat during the movement of the chain in a lowering direction of the apron; - the installation comprises a single actuator configured to translate the chain and 20 the slats selectively in a first lowering direction of the apron or in a second raising direction of the apron and to move each operative slat from its idle position to its angled position, - the installation comprises, on each of its left and right sides, symmetrically with respect to a median plane parallel to the first axis and perpendicular to the second axis, a chain that is translatable parallel to the first axis, one end of a shaft associated with each 25 blind slat and extending along the second axis, and a slide for guiding the chain that extends along the first axis and in which the angling means associated with one or more operative slats are arranged, in particular when the operative slat(s) are in the angled position. The invention also relates to a method for implementing a closure or solar 30 protection installation, in particular of the roller blind type, said installation comprising: - an apron including several blind slats, each blind slat being capable of pivoting around the pivoting axis defined by at least one side shaft extending sideways from a first edge of the blind slat, 5 - two chains positioned sideways on either side of the apron and translatable along a releasing axis perpendicular to the pivoting axis, each chain supporting a side shaft of each blind slat, and - angling means for angling at least one operative slat, among the blind slats, 5 from an idle position toward an angled position, by rotation of the operative slat around its pivoting axis, the method comprising the following steps: a) translating the chain in a first direction lowering the apron using the actuator, while keeping each operative slat in the idle position, 10 b) translating the chain in a second direction raising the apron opposite the first direction using the actuator, and c) moving each operative slat toward the angled position by rotation of the shaft of the operative slat around the second axis, the method being characterized in that step c) is carried out using the actuator of steps a) 15 and b), simultaneously with step b) and independently of the position of the apron, inasmuch as at least one slat is positioned in an operative area of the installation defined between two slides. The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, provided solely as a non-limiting example and done in reference to the drawings, in which: 20 - figure 1 is a partial perspective view of an installation according to the invention, shown in a configuration where the blind is partially lowered, certain parts not being shown for simplification purposes; - figure 2 is a front view of the installation of figure 1; - figure 3 is a cross-section along line Ill-Ill in figure 2; 25 - figure 4 is an enlarged view of detail IV of figure 3, in particular showing the inside of a slide belonging to the installation; - figure 5 is a side view of the installation along arrow V in figure 4, the slides not being shown; - figure 6 is a perspective view of the installation along arrow VI in figure 1, the 30 slide only being partially shown; - figures 7 and 8 are views similar to figures 5 and 4, respectively, showing the installation in the configuration where the angling of the slats will begin; - figures 9 and 10 are views similar to figures 7 and 8, respectively, showing the installation in the configuration where the slats are angled; 6 - figure 11 is a partial perspective view of the installation in the configuration of figures 9 and 10; - figure 12 is a partial perspective cutaway view of an installation according to a second embodiment of the invention, shown in a lowering configuration; and 5 - figure 13 is a view similar to figure 4 for the installation of figure 12; - figures 14 and 15 are views similar to figures 1 and 11, respectively, of an installation according to a third embodiment of the invention; - figures 16 and 17 are views similar to figures 7 and 9, respectively, for the installation of figures 14 and 15; 10 - figure 18 is an enlarged view of detail XVIII of figure 15, in particular showing a part of the chain and the blind apron belonging to the installation of figures 14 to 17; - figure 19 is a cross-section in plane XIX of figure 15, showing another part of the chain, said plane XIX being perpendicular to the blind apron; 15 - figure 20 is a cross-section along line XX-XX in figure 17, showing another part of the chain; and - figure 21 is a cross-section along line XXI-XXI in figure 17, showing another part of the chain. Figures 1 to 11 show a closure or solar protection installation 10 according to the 20 invention, in this case a roller blind. To facilitate spatial identification of the various parts of the installation 10, an inner side 11 turned toward the inside of the building (not shown) whereof the installation 10 makes it possible to cover an opening, an outer side 12 opposite the inner side 11, a left side 13, a right side 14, an upper side 15 and a lower side 16 are defined. 25 The installation 10 comprises a blind apron 18 made up of blind slats 20 as well as, on each left 13 and right 14 side of the apron 18, a chain 40 made up of several links 42 that translate along a releasing axis X inside a hollow slide 30. The slide 30 and the chain 40 situated on the right side 14 are shown, while the slide and the chain situated on the left side 13 are not shown. In fact, the installation 10 is 30 symmetrical with respect to a median plane Pm, except for the motor and its connecting members to the winding tube, not shown. The installation 10 also comprises angling means for the slats 20, which are positioned on each left 13 and right 14 side of the apron 18. These angling means in particular include, for each slat 20, a side shaft 60 with one end 62 provided with an 35 abutment 68, a cam 70 mounted on the end 62 and including a finger 78, as well as a 7 spring 90 mounted on the end 62 between the abutment 68 and the finger 78. Thus, each cam 70 is provided with its finger 78 for driving the abutment 68 and the shaft 60 during a particular movement of the cam 70, as described hereafter. Each slat 20 includes a first edge 20a, a shaft 60 being positioned sideways on 5 each left 13 and right 14 side of that edge 20a. This first edge 20a is oriented on the upper side 15, opposite the second edge 20b oriented on the lower side 16. Thus, in the idle position of the slats 20 of the apron 18, each edge 20a is closer to a neighboring edge 20b, or each edge 20a is even in contact with that neighboring edge 20b. Alternatively, the side shafts 60 may pass through the entire width of the edge 20a, 10 along a pivoting axis Y that is perpendicular to the releasing axis X, to form a single-piece through rod. The upper part of the installation 10, comprising a box in which a winding tube is housed, is not shown, on the upper side 15. Furthermore, the box houses a driving motor for that tube, said motor being diagrammatically shown by an actuating block A10 in 15 dotted lines in figures 1, 2, 11 and 12. Alternatively, this actuator may be part of a traditional manual control system adapted to raise and lower the apron 18. The two chains 40 are fastened to the winding tube on the upper side 15. Owing to the actuator A10, the chains 40 on the one hand wind and unwind around the winding tube and, on the other hand, slide in the slides 30. The chains 40 connect the slats 20 to 20 each other by cooperating with the shafts 60, and therefore make it possible to move the apron 18. In other words, during operation of the installation 10, the apron 18 on the one hand winds and unwinds around the winding tube, and on the other hand translates in a plane P18 that extends between the slides 30. Hereafter, only the elements situated on the right side 14 are described. 25 The slide 30 extends along the axis X, from an upper end 35 to a lower end 36. As illustrated in particular in figure 4, the slide 30 has a hollow profile that defines an inner space 32. In that space 32, the slide 30 includes a flat surface 34 and a housing 38 for receiving an activation strip or friction adhesive strip 80. The surface 34 is turned toward the inner side 11, while the housing 38 is open toward the other side 12. The other 30 dimensions of the slide 30 and its space 32 are provided to avoid any contact with moving elements, while preserving a reduced bulk. On the side of the space 32 that is open and turned toward the slats 20, on either side of the shaft 60, the slide 30 has borders 33, preferably capable of receiving seals of the brush type, not shown. These brush-seals in particular make it possible to keep the 35 component elements of the switching mechanism situated inside 32 the slide 30 sheltered 8 from dust and bad weather and, additionally, to thermally and acoustically insulate the inside 32 of the slide 30 with respect to the outside. In practice, the slide 30 is generally fastened to the building, in particular to the apron of a window, by performing a piercing along the axis Y of a wall of the slide or a wing (not shown) extending that wall along the 5 axis Y. In particular, an "operative" area 17 is considered defined between the slides 30, in which the chain 40 translates along the axis X, either in a first unwinding direction D1 of the apron 18 toward the lower side 16, or in a second direction D2, opposite the direction D1, raising the apron 18 on the winding tube toward the upper side 15. In fact, this active 10 area 17 stops several centimeters below the upper area 35 of the slides 30, to allow the slats 22 return to the plane P18 before reentering the winding box during the raising of the apron 18. This area 17 is identified by a border in mixed lines in figure 2. In the active area 17, the slats 20 translatable parallel to the plane P18 can be actuated by the angling means and are then designated operative slats 21, potentially 15 able to be angled, or angled slats 22. In particular, an operative slat 21 is considered as such when the associated shaft 60 and cam 70 penetrate the operative area 17, as shown in figures 5 and 6. Furthermore, it will be noted that the slats 20 are slightly curved on the inner side 11, between the edges 20a and 20b. Furthermore, the slats 20 are provided with covering 20 flaps 29 on the lower edges 20b thereof. These flaps 29 participate in concealing the openings on which the installation 10 is mounted, both in the idle position and the angled position of the slats 20. As shown in figure 6, link 42 of the chain 40 has a profile of the shape of a curved H on the inner side 11, with a median part 43 that forms the central part of the H, an upper 25 end 45 provided with upper ears 451 and 452, and a lower end 46 provided with lower ears 461 and 462. The ears 451, 452, 461 and 462 protrude from the median part 43 on the respective sides, and are configured to cooperate with the corresponding ears of a neighboring link 42. Each ear 451 to 462 includes a cylindrical through opening 47, such that four corresponding openings 47 extend coaxially along an axis Y47 parallel to the 30 axis Y of the shafts 60. Between the upper ears 451 in 452, a central housing 454 is formed. In the median part 43, a through opening 44 is defined, closer to the upper end 45 than the lower end 46, which extends along the axis Y and is shown in dotted lines in figure 4. Furthermore, each link 42 of the chain 40 is provided with a roller 50 that rolls on 35 the surface 34 inside the slide 30. Each roller 50 includes a central part 54 and side parts 9 56. These parts 54 and 56 are cylindrical, the diameter of the part 54 being larger than the diameter of the parts 56. The part 54 is positioned protruding outside the housing 454 and bears on the surface 34, while the parts 56 are pivotably mounted in the openings 47 formed for that purpose and the links 42. In other words, the parts 56 of the rollers 50 5 make up axes of articulation of two adjacent links 42 connected at their gears 451, 452, 461 and 462. Each link 42 is passed through by one of the cylindrical shafts 60, which is shown pivoting along the axis Y in the opening 44. Thus, the shaft 60 and the associated slat 20 are secured to the chain 40 in translation along the axis X, while being capable of pivoting 10 around the axis Y. The end 62 of the shaft 60 is positioned in the inner space 32 of the slide 30, opposite the slat 20 and closer to the right outer side 14 than the chain 40, as in particular shown in figures 3 and 4. The abutment 68 arranged at the end 62 is substantially cylindrical and extends from the end 62 along an axis A68 that is radial relative to the axis Y. In practice, this axis A68 is movable in a plane parallel to the plane 15 Pm during rotation of the shaft 60. A cam 70 is mounted at each end 62 of the shaft 60, between the chain 42 and the abutment 68, such that the cam 70 is translatably secured to the associated shaft 60. The cam 70 includes an inner flat face 71, an outer flat face 72, an inner opening 73 shown in dotted lines in figure 4 that passes through the cam 70 between the faces 71 and 72, as 20 well as a profiled outer surface 74. The faces 71 and 72 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axis Y. The shaft 60 passes through the opening 73 along the axis Y, such that the cam 70 can pivot around the shaft 60, in a first direction of rotation R1 or a second direction of rotation R2, as shown in figures 5 to 7 and 9. In practice, the profiled surface 74 is designed to cooperate with a friction surface 25 81 of the activation strip 80, with a variable friction contact as a function of the orientation of the cam 70 by rotation around the axis Y. To that end, the profiled surface 74 includes different friction areas 75, 76 and 77 designed to interact with the activation strip 80, the particularities of which will be outlined below relative to the successive operating phases. A cylindrical ring 99, passed through by the shaft 60, is inserted between the face 30 71 of the cam 70 and the link 42. This ring 99 in particular makes it possible to position the cam 70 on the shaft 60 along the axis Y. Thus, on the one hand, the surface 74 is positioned precisely relative to the strip 80, and on the other hand, the finger 78 is positioned precisely relative to the abutment 68. A spiral return spring 90, or torsion spring, is fastened to the end 62 of the shaft 35 60, between the abutment 68 and the face 72 of the cam 70. In the extension of its 10 winding around the end 62, the spring 90 has an elongated part 91 that cooperates with the finger 78. The spring 90 therefore exerts, on the cam 70 and through the finger 78, an elastic torque that tends to rotate the cam around the axis Y in the clockwise direction in figure 5. The spring 90 also serves to dampen vibrations between the shafts 60 and the 5 cams 70 associated with the slats 20. The finger 78 is substantially cylindrical protrudes perpendicular to the surface 72, along an axis Y78 parallel to the axis Y and rotatable around the axis Y. In practice, the finger 78 is therefore capable on the one hand, when the cam 70 pivots in the direction of rotation R1, of pressing on the part 91 that then bends in a plane perpendicular to the axis 10 Y78, and on the other hand, pressing against the abutment 68 when the cam 70 pivots in the direction of rotation R2. The activation strip 80 is made up of a deformable material, such as silicone foam, or any type of elastomer suitable for the present application. The cams 70 cooperate by friction with said strip 80, at the surface 81 thereof that is deformable, in a differentiated 15 manner depending on whether the apron 18 is moving direction D14 or in direction D2. In fact, the friction coefficient between the cam 70 and the strip 80 varies as a function of the friction area 75, 76 or 77 of the cam 70 that is in contact with the surface 81. In particular, as shown in figures 5, 7 and 9, the profiled surface 74 is such that a radius r75 defined parallel to the median plane Pm between the axis Y and the area 75 is smaller than a 20 radius r76 defined between the axis Y and the area 76. As shown in figures 5 and 6, the cam 70 is idle when it is situated outside the slide 30, i.e., outside the operative area 17. During the lowering phase of the apron 18 in direction D1 under the action of the actuator A10, the slats 20 and the chains 40 unwind from the winding tube, which is 25 situated on the upper side 15 of the installation 10, then translate in direction D1. For each cam 70 in the idle position, situated outside the active area 17 of the upper side 15, the spring 90 presses the finger 78 against the abutment 68 secured to the shaft 60, as shown in the upper part of figure 5. At the inlet of the slide 30 on the upper side 35, the rollers 50 roll on the surface 34 30 and the cams 70 come into contact with the strip 80. The rollers 50 block the transverse movement of the links 42, the shafts 60 and the slats 20, i.e., their movement perpendicular to the translation plane P18 of the apron 18. Consequently, the cam 70 abuts against the activation strip 80 at the area 75 and frees itself by pivoting in direction R1, i.e., coming closer to the outer side 12.

11 As shown in figure 5, when the chain 40 drives the cam 70 in direction D1, the friction between the cam 70 and the strip 80 is such that a reaction force F80 is exerted on the area 75. At the same time, the spring 90 compresses, with the part 91 that deforms under the action of the finger 78 by exerting a reaction force F91 against that finger 78. In 5 practice, the torque exerted on the cam 70 by the force F80 in direction R1 is greater than the torque exerted on the cam 70 by the force F91. Thus, all throughout the lowering in the slide 30, the cam 70 slides on the strip 80 in direction D1, while being subjected to the action of the spring 90. Since the force F80 is weak in light of the thrust exerted on the chain 40 by the actuator Al0 during lowering of 10 the apron 18, as well as the weight of the apron 18 and the chain 40 themselves, the friction of the area 75 on the surface 81 does not hinder the lowering of the apron 18 in direction D1. As shown in figures 7 and 8, when one decides to orient the slats 20, a first pulse from the actuator A10 generates a pulling force on the chain 40 upward, which tends to 15 raise the apron 18 in direction D2. Each link 42 is driven by a translational movement with axis X in direction D2 and drives the following link 42 of the chain 40, situated below it, while the rollers 50 situated in the slide 30 roll on the surface 34. The spring 90 then exerts a return torque on the cam 70 that is transversely locked by the roller 50, such that said cam 70 adheres and gradually sinks into the deformable 20 strip 80 by pivoting in direction R2. More specifically, the friction area 76 comes into contact with the surface 81 replacing the area 75, and sinks into the strip 80 as shown in figures 7 and 8. This area 76 is configured to have a friction coefficient, with the surface 81 of the activation strip 80, greater than the friction coefficient of the area 75. To that end, the surface 74 is such that the radius r76 is greater than the radius r75 and/or the 25 roughness of the surface of the area 76 is greater than the roughness of the surface of the area 75. In other words, the strip 80 deforms by being crushed under the pressure of the area 76, thereby creating obstacles to the raising of the cam 70 in direction D2, which prevents that cam 70 from sliding on the surface 81 and requires it to pivot around the axis Y in direction R2. 30 Thus, the vertical translational movement of the chain 40 is coupled with three phenomena: the blocking in transverse translation of the chain 40 and the cams 70 by the rollers 50, the rotational torque exerted by the return spring 90 on the cams 70, and the relatively high friction coefficient between the area 76 of the cam 70 and the strip 80. In other words, the raising of the chain 40 by the actuator Al 0 causes buttressing 35 of the cam 70, which rotates that cam 70 in direction R2 until the driving finger 78 touches 12 the abutment 68 secured to the shaft 60. When the driving finger 78 comes back into contact with the abutment 68, the cam 70 has performed a 450 rotation in direction R2, and the pushing in of the cam 70 and the strip 80 is maximal. This configuration is shown in figure 7. 5 As shown in figures 9 to 11, if the actuator Al0 continues to pull the chain 40 in direction D2, the orientation phase of the operative slats 21 by the angling means begins. The driving finger 78 exerts a force F78 on the abutment 68, thereby rotating the shaft 60 in the direction R2 and therefore angling the associated operative slat 21. Furthermore, the reaction force of the strip 80 on the cam 70 is insufficient to oppose the force F78 and 10 prevent the rotation of the angled slats 22. In fact, at the same time, the radius of the cam 70 in contact with the strip 80 decreases gradually, such that the flat area 77 replaces the maximum adhesion area 76 in contact with the surface 81. Thus, the orientation of each angled slat 22 is stabilized with an angle P with respect to the plane P18 of the apron 18, resulting from the particular configuration of the 15 profiled outer surface 74 of the cams 70. In particular, this angle P defined between the axis A68 and the plane P18 is equal to approximately 45, and is preferably comprised between 300 and 60, as a function of the geometry of each cam 70. The edge 20b of each slat 22 moves away from the plane P18 and the edge 20a of the slat 22 along the apron 18. 20 At this stage, if the actuator A10 continues to raise the apron 18 in direction D2, the area 77 of the cam 70 slides on the activation strip 80. In fact, this area 77 has a low friction coefficient compared to the area 76 that was forced to penetrate the strip 80 before the orientation of the angled slats 22. As shown in figures 7 to 10, the transverse separation, perpendicular to the plane P18, between the area 77 and the surface 34 is 25 reduced. In other words, the flat area 77 has a significant bearing surface and is not pushed very far into the strip 80. In practice, the slats 20 of the apron 18 cannot all be angled, only the operative slats 21 situated in the active area 17 at the slide 30 being able to be oriented as angled slats 22. However, the transition from the idle position of the slats 21 to the angled 30 position of the slats 22 may be done irrespective of the position of the apron 18 between the slides 30, continuously. Subsequently, when the apron 18 rises in direction D2, the slats 20 successively leave the operative area 17 and the cams 70 are freed again. In that case, the angling means of each slat 20 successively leaving the operative area 17 no longer keep that slat 35 20 in the angled position, with an angle orientation P. Each cam 70 leaving the inner 13 space 32 of the slide 30, as well as the shaft 60 and the slat 20 associated with that cam 70, then rotates in direction R1. The slats 20 return by gravity to the idle position. In an alternative not shown, in order to ensure a proper return of the slats 20 to the idle position, a guide device of the funnel type may be installed on the upper side 15 of the 5 operative area 17, for example at the inlet of the box. According to another alternative not shown, the rollers 50 may be made from a deformable material, for example of the elastomer type, capable of being crushed against the bearing surface 34 when the cams 70 cooperate with the activation strip 80. In that case, the strip 80 is not necessarily made from a deformable material. In other words, the 10 more the cams are pushed into the strip 80, the forces resulting from the movements of the cams 70 on the surface 81 of the strip 80 cause crushing of the rollers 50. According to another alternative not shown, each shaft 60 is not provided with an abutment slug 68 and/or each cam 70 is not provided with a driving finger 78. In fact, the angling means of the operative slats 21 may be configured differently. For example, the 15 spring 96 on the end 62 of the shaft 60 may include a part folded so as to form an abutment element similar to the abutment slug 68, said abutment element being secured to the shaft 60 rotatably around the pivoting axis Y. According to another example, the abutment element is formed by a curve of the end 62 of the shaft 60. According to another example, the cams 70 may include, on the face 72 thereof, a recess or a boss forming a 20 driving element, for the abutment element, similar to the driving finger 78. In other words, the angling means are configured so that the cam 70 cooperates with a part secured in rotation to the operative slat 21, so as to rotate said operative slats 21 around the pivoting axis Y during specific movements of the chain 40. Figures 12 and 13 partially show a second embodiment of an installation 110 25 according to the invention. Certain component elements of the installation 110 are identical to the component elements of the installation 10 of the first embodiment, described above, and bear the same references. These are the actuator Al 0, the apron 18, slats 20, rollers 50, cams 70, strip 80, spring 90, angle P, translation directions D1 and D2, as well as directions of 30 rotation R1 and R2. Other elements have a similar function, but a different structure, compared with the first embodiment. These are the slide 130 including an inner space 132, borders 133, rolling surface 134 for the rollers 50, housing 138 for the activation strip 80, shaft 160 with an end 162 and an abutment 168, chain 140 made up of links 142 each including a middle 14 part 143, passage openings 144 for the shaft 160, an upper end 145, a lower end 146, openings 147 for supporting the side parts 56 of the roller 50. In particular, each link 142 includes a recess 149 in the middle part 143 thereof. Positioned in this recess 149 are the cam 70, the finger 78, the abutment 168 and the 5 spring 90. In other words, the positioning of the angling means of the slats 20 in the slide 130 is different, but their operation is similar to the first embodiment. The abutment 168 is not as close to the end 162 as the abutment 68 of the first embodiment. The shaft 160 pivots in directions R1 or R2 while being supported by two openings 144 of the link 142, on either side of the cams 70, which limits the cantilever on the end 162 when the cam 70 10 slides with friction on the strip 80. The transverse guiding of the apron 18 inside the slide 130 is ensured by the links 142 and the rollers 50. Compared with the previous embodiment, the installation 110 is more compact, stronger, and easier to assemble. Figures 14 to 21 partially show a third embodiment of an installation 210 according 15 to the invention. Certain component elements of the installation 210 are identical to the component elements of the installation 10 of the first embodiment, described above, and bear the same references. These are the actuator block Al0, the plane P18, the angle P, the strip 80, the translation directions D1 and D2, and the directions of rotation R1 and R2. 20 Other component elements of the installation 210 have a similar operation, but a different structure, compared with the first embodiment, and bear the same references increased by 200. These are the apron 218, slats 220, area 217, and slide 230. The main differences with respect to the first embodiment relates to the structure of the slats 220 and the connection of the apron 218 to the actuator assembly Al 0, as outlined below. 25 Other components of the installation 210 have a similar function, but a different structure, compared with the second embodiment. These are the chain 240 made up of links 242 each including a middle part 243, passage openings 244 for the shaft 260, an upper end 245, a lower end 246, openings 247 for supporting the side parts 256 of the rollers 250, central parts 254 of the rollers 250, and shaft 260 each provided an end 262 30 and a cylindrical abutment 268, cams 270 and springs 290. The main differences with respect to the second embodiment relate to the structure of the links 242 and the cams 270, as outlined below. The installation 210 comprises a blind apron 218 made up of blind slats 220 as well as, on each left 13 and right 14 side of the apron 218, a chain 240 made up of several 35 links 242 that are translated along a releasing axis X inside the hollow slide 230. The slide 15 230 and the chain 240 situated on the right side 14 are shown in figures 14 and 15, while on the left side 13, the slide 230 is not shown whereas the chain 240 is shown. The installation 210 is symmetrical with respect to the median plane Pm, with the exception of the motor and its connecting members to the winding tube, not shown. 5 The upper part of the installation 210, partially shown on the upper side 15 in figure 15, includes a box C210 in which a winding tube T210 is housed. Furthermore, the box C210 houses a motor for driving said tube T210, said motor being shown diagrammatically by the actuator block A10 in dotted lines in figures 14 and 15. Alternatively, this actuator of the tube 210 may be part of a traditional manual control 10 system suitable for raising and lowering the apron 218. Owing to the actuator A10, the apron 218 and the chains 240 wind and unwind around the winding tube T210. At the same time, the chains 240 slide in the slides 230. As shown in figure 15, the apron 218 is attached to the winding tube T210 by two support slats LS1 and LS2 situated on the upper side 15 and articulated to each other 15 parallel to the axis Y. More specifically, preferably, the first support slat LS1 is fastened to the winding tube T210 on the upper side 15 using automatic locks V210, while the chains 240 are supported by the second support slat LS2 by means of supporting connecting rods BS2 situated on either side of the apron 218. A slat 218A constitutes the first slide of the apron 218 and the highest operative slat 221 capable of pivoting from an idle position 20 to an angled position. The apron 218 is also attached to a load bar 219 situated on the lower side 16. The chains 240 connect the slats 220 each other, from the load bar 219 to the second support slat LS2, cooperating with the shafts 260, and therefore make it possible to guide the apron 218 in translation between the slides 230. Thus, during operation of the 25 installation 210, the apron 218 on the one hand winds and unwinds around the winding tube T210, and on the other hand translates in the plane P18 that extends between the slides 30. In the lowered configuration of the apron 218, the automatic locks V210 ensure locking thereof and prevent any attempt to lift the apron 218 and the load bar 219. More 30 specifically, each lock V210 is made up of a link connected to the tube T210, a link connected to the first support slat LS1, and one or more intermediate links depending on the winding diameter of the apron 218 and the dimensions of the box C210. At the end of lowering the apron 218 in direction D1, each lock V210 unwinds from the tube T210 and is buttressed while creating a rigid connection between the tube T210 and the support slat 35 LS1. The links of the locks V210 abut against one another, while being substantially 16 aligned, so as to form a non-deformable rigid assembly. The locks V210 are in particular described in document FR-A- 2,775,314. The support slats LS1 and LS2 cannot be oriented in the angled position, since they are still in the box C210 when the operative slats 221 are oriented. Each connecting 5 rod BS2 connecting one of the chains 240 to the slat LS2 creates an articulation between the chain 240 and the slat LS2, thereby making it possible on the one hand to wind the apron 218 on the tube T210, and on the other hand to place the weight of the chains 240 on the support slat LS2 and not on the shaft 260 of the first slat 218A of the apron 218. As for the second embodiment, each link 242 includes a recess 249 in the middle 10 part 243 thereof. The middle part 243 of the link 242 is not a single piece, but includes hollows and stiffening ribs. In each recess 249 are positioned the cam 270, the abutment 268 and the spring 290. In the extension of its winding around the end 262 of the shaft 260, the spring 290 has a part 292 wound around the abutment 268. The positioning and operation of the angling means of the slats 221 in the slide 230 is comparable to the 15 second embodiment, with the exception that the cam 270 is not provided with a driving finger comparable to the finger 78. As shown in particular in figures 18 to 21, each cam 270 has a recess 277, connecting the outside and the inside of the cam 270. Each cam 270 has an inner surface 278 formed between the recess 277 and the outside of the cam 270. The surface 278 is 20 substantially flat, perpendicular to the axis Y and the axis A68 of the abutment 268 irrespective of the position of the cam 270, and performs the same function as the finger 78 of the first embodiment, by cooperating with the abutment 268 secured to the shaft 260. By integrating the driving means of the abutment 268 directly into the cam 270, in the form of the surface 278, the production of the cam 270 is simplified. Each cam 270 also 25 includes tabs 279, making it possible to fasten the cam 270 to the shaft 260 by clipping, which facilitates assembly. The shaft 260 pivots in the directions R1 or R2 while being supported by two openings 244 of the link 242, on either side of the cam 270, which limits the cantilever on the end 262 when the cam 270 slides with friction on the strip 80. A washer 264 is 30 fastened to the end 262 of each shaft 260 to prevent accidental sliding of the links 242 along the axis Y. Owing to that washer 264, the link 242 is well-positioned axially on the axis 260, which makes it possible to preserve optimal functional play between the cam 270 and the abutment 268 situated in the recess 277 of the cam 270. The transverse guiding of the apron 218 inside the slide 230 is ensured by the links 242 and the rollers 35 250.

17 In comparison with the previous embodiments, the installation 210 further comprises a function locking the operative slats 221 relative to one another in the idle position. As shown in figures 16 to 20, each link 242 to that end comprises a vertical oblong 5 orifice 247 at the lower end 246 thereof. The orifice 247 is passed through by the axis and the side parts 256 of one of the rollers 250. This roller 250 is therefore translatable in the orifice 247 of the link 242 and secured in translation to the lower link. Thus, the links 242 can translate relative to one another along the axis X. At the same time, the slats 221 translate relative to one another along the axis X. 10 When the apron 218 is lowered in direction D1, the bar 219 is in lower abutment in the installation 210. Then, the operative slats 221 gradually stack on one another owing to the play formed in the orifices 247 of the links 242. When the apron 218 is in the lowered configuration, i.e., closed, the slats 221 are interlocked in one another. The links 242 of the chains 240 are all inside one another but 15 are not vertically abutting between one another. The vertical abutment is done between the edges 220a and 220b of the slats 221. More specifically, the lower edges 220b of the operative slats 221 comprise a through slot 228 and a protruding part 229 that extend along the slat 221 along the axis X. The upper edge 220a has a rounded shape configured to be housed in the slot 228, which forms a relative hollow complementary to 20 the edge 220a. When the apron 218 rises in direction D2, the slats 221 separate from one another at their edges 220a and 220b and can then switch into the angled position. The separation of the slats 221 and their angling begin at the top of the apron and progress downward, while the links 242 bear on the lower end part of the oblong orifices 247. As a non-limiting 25 example, the pitch of the links 242 goes from 43 mm to approximately 50 mm. The slats 221 move away from one another in the direction of the axis X, then become gradually angled one after the other during the raising, as in particular shown in figures 15 and 18. The play of the orifices 247 of each link 242 gradually catch up to one another, thereby creating a gradual angling of the operative slats 221. 30 At this stage, it will be noted that the travel of the links 242 necessary to separate the edges 220a and 220b of the slats 221 corresponds to the distance over which the cams 270 will rotate freely without rotating the slats 221. As an example, the spring 290 relaxes by 23 before the abutment 268 secured to t he shaft 260 of the slat 221 bears on the driving face 278 of the cam 270 to orient the slat 221.

18 When the slats 221 are in the angled position, the chains 240 are stretched between the connecting rods BS2 and the load bar 219. Whatever the embodiment, the installation 10, 110 or 210 according to the invention does not require any secondary energy source, in addition to the actuator A10, 5 to orient the blind slats 21 or 221. For simplification purposes, the description below is done in reference to the installation 10, with the understanding that the explanations are valid for the installationes 110 and 210. Once the apron 18 rises in direction D2, the cams 70 present in the operative area 17 of the slide 30 rotate the operative slats 21. No obstacle-based connection is used to 10 angle the slats 21, i.e., there is no mechanism continuously present in the slide 30 to actuate the cams 70 and the shafts 60, with the exception of the activation strip 80. During the assembly of the installation 10, the length of the slides 30 may therefore be modified as desired, in particular to adjust the height of the operative area 17 where the slats 20 are switched during a rising movement of the apron 18. 15 Unlike a roller blind installation using pulling connection rods to angle the slats, the installation 10 according to the invention does not require attaching a specific mechanism on the upper slat to exert a pulling force on that slat, using a maneuver that may be done only when the apron is maximally lowered. Furthermore, the installation 10 is designed to minimize the size of the parts 20 forming the junction between the inside of the slide 30 and the outside environment. This function is performed solely by the shafts 60, without any control rod protruding from the box or the slides. According to the invention, the rising movement of the apron 18 by the actuator Al0, coupled to the adherence of the cams 70 against the strip 80 positioned inside each 25 slide 30, is sufficient to orient the slats 21. The angling means are configured to angle each operative slat 21 during translation of the chain 40 along the first axis X, in the rising direction of the apron 18.

Claims (17)

1.- A closure or solar protection installation (10; 110; 210), in particular of the roller blind type, comprising: 5 - an apron (18; 218) comprising a plurality of blind slats (20; 220), each blind slat being pivotable around a pivoting axis (Y) defined by at least one side shaft (60; 160; 260) extending sideways from a first edge (20a; 220a) of the blind slat (20; 220), - two chains (40; 140; 240) that are placed sideways on both sides of the apron 10 (18; 218) and are translatable along a releasing axis (X) perpendicular to the pivoting axis (Y), each chain (40; 140; 240) holding a side shaft (60; 160; 260) of each blind slat (20; 220), and - angling means (68, 70, 78, 80, 90; 168, 70, 78, 80, 90; 268, 270, 278, 80, 290) for angling at least one operative slat (21; 221), from among the blind slats (20; 15 220), from a resting position, wherein a second edge (20b, 220b) of the operative slat (21; 221) is near or in contact with the first edge (20a; 220a) of an adjacent slat of the apron (18; 218), to an angled position, wherein the second edge (20b; 220b) of the operative slat (21; 221) is spaced from the first edge (20a; 220a) of the adjacent slat by rotating (R2) the operative slat (21; 20 221) around the pivoting axis thereof (Y), characterized in that the angling means include at least: - an activation strip (80), extending in a manner parallel to the releasing axis (X), and - a cam (70; 270) pivotably mounted onto a side shaft (60; 160; 260) of each 25 operative slat (21; 221) and engaging, on the one hand, with the activation strip (80) and, on the other hand, with a portion (68; 168; 268) secured in rotation (R1; R2) to the operative slat (21; 221), so as to drive in rotation (R1, R2) said operative slat (21; 221) during specific movements of the chain (40; 140; 240). 30 2.- The installation (10; 110; 210) according to claim 1, characterized in that the angling means (68, 70, 78, 80, 90; 168, 70, 78, 80, 90; 268, 270, 278, 80, 290) also comprise, for each cam (70; 270): - an abutment element (68; 168; 268) forming a part secured in rotation (R1; R2) to the operative slat (21; 221) and cooperating with the cam (70; 270), which is 20 secured to the side shaft (60; 160; 260) in rotation (R1; R2) around the pivoting axis (Y), and - a driving element (78; 278) that is secured to the cam (70; 270) and that is capable of cooperating with the abutment element (68; 168; 268) to jointly drive 5 in rotation (R2) the cam (70; 270), the side shaft (60; 160; 260) and the operative slat (20; 220) around the pivoting axis (Y).

3.- The installation (10; 110) according to claim 2, characterized in that the abutment element (68; 168) is a slug that extends from the side shaft (60; 160) along the radial 10 abutment axis (A68) with respect to the pivoting axis (Y) and in that the driving element (78) is a finger that extends from a side surface (72) of the cam (70) along a driving axis (Y78) parallel to the pivoting axis (Y).

4.- The installation (210) according to claim 2, characterized in that the abutment 15 element (268) is a slug that extends from the side shaft (260) along a radial abutment axis (A68) with respect to the pivoting axis (Y) and in that the driving element (278) is a surface formed inside the cam (270), that surface (278) in particular being substantially perpendicular to the pivoting axis (Y) and the abutment axis (A68). 20 5.- The installation (10; 110; 210) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the angling means (68, 70, 78, 80, 90; 168, 70, 78, 80, 90; 268, 270, 278, 80, 290) also comprise a spring (90; 290) that is positioned on the side shaft (60; 160; 260).

6.- The installation (10; 110) according to claims 3 and 5, characterized in that the 25 spring (90) exerts a variable force (F91) on the driving element (78) depending on the rotation (R1; R2) of the cam (70).

7.- The installation (210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each chain (240) includes several links (242) translatable along the releasing axis (X), 30 each link (242) including an oblong orifice (247) passed through by a cylindrical element (256) translatable in the oblong orifice (247) of the link (242) and translatably secured to the lower link, the links (242) of the chain (240) being able to translate relative to one another along the releasing axis (X) with, at the same time, the operative slats (221) that translate relative to one another along the releasing axis (X). 35 21

8.- The installation (210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apron (218) is attached to a winding tube (T21 0) by at least one support slat (LS1, LS2). 5 9.- The installation (210) according to claim 8, characterized in that the or one of the support slats (LS1, LS2) bears the chains (240) by means of connecting rods (BS2) positioned sideways on either side of the apron (218).

10.- The installation (210) according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in 10 that the support slat (LS1, LS2) cooperating with the winding tube (T210) is attached to that winding tube (T21 0) by means of at least one automatic lock (V21 0).

11.- The installation (10; 110; 210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each cam (70; 270) cooperating with the activation strip (80) includes 15 an outer surface (74) with at least two friction areas (76, 76, 77) on the strip (80) that have different friction coefficients on a surface (81) of the strip (80) on which the cam (70; 270) slides during the translation of the chains (40; 140; 240) along the releasing axis (X).

12.- The installation (10; 110; 210) according to one of the preceding claims, 20 characterized in that the chain (40; 140; 240) includes rollers (50; 250) capable of rolling on a bearing surface (34; 134) arranged in an inner space (32; 132) of a slide (30; 130; 230) guiding the chain (40; 140; 240), the bearing surface (34; 134) being situated across from a surface (81) of the activation strip (80) cooperating with each cam (70; 270). 25 13.- The installation (210) according to claim 12, characterized in that each roller (250) is translatable along the releasing axis (X) of an oblong opening (247) of a link (242) of the chain (240).

14.- The installation (10; 110; 210) according to any one of claims 12 or 13, 30 characterized in that each roller (50; 250) is made from a deformable material, capable of being crushed against the bearing surface (34; 134) when each cam (70; 270) cooperates with the activation strip (80). 22

15.- The installation (10; 110; 210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activation strip (80) is made from a deformable flexible material, in particular an elastomer such as silicone foam. 5 16.- The installation (10; 110; 210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activation strip (80) is attached in the slide (30; 130; 230) positioned on one side of the apron (18; 218).

17.- The installation (210) according to one of the preceding claims, 10 characterized in that the second edge (220a) of each blind slat (220) comprises a slot (228) that extends parallel to the pivoting axis (Y) and is configured to cooperate with the first edge (220a) of an adjacent blind slat (220).

18.- The installation (10; 110; 210) according to one of the preceding claims, 15 characterized in the two side shafts (60; 160; 260) pass through the first edge (20a; 220a) of each blind slat (20; 220) and form a single-piece through rod.

19.- The installation (10; 110; 210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angling means (68, 70, 78, 80, 90; 168, 70, 78, 80, 90; 268, 270, 20 278, 80, 290) are configured to angle each operative slat (21; 221) during translation of the chains (40; 140; 240) along the releasing axis (X) in a rising direction (D2) of the apron (18; 218), irrespective of the position of the apron (18; 218), as long as at least one slat (21; 221) is positioned in an operative area (17) of the installation (10; 110; 210) defined between two slides (30; 130; 230). 25

20.- The installation (210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angling means (268, 270, 278, 80, 290) are configured, on the one hand, to separate the first edge (220a) of each operative slat (221) and the second edge (220a) of an adjacent operative slat (221) during the movement of the chain (240) in 30 a raising direction (D2) of the apron (218) and, on the other hand, to interlock the first edge (220a) of each operative slat (221) and the second edge (220a) of an adjacent operative slat (221) during the movement of the chain (240) in a lowering direction (D1) of the apron (218). 23

21.- The installation (10; 110; 210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a single actuator (A10) configured to translate the chain (40; 140; 240) and the slats (20; 220) selectively in a first lowering direction (D1) of the apron (18; 218) or in a second raising direction (D2) of the apron (18; 218) and to move 5 each operative slat (21; 221) from its idle position to its angled position.

22.- The installation (10; 110; 210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, on each of its left and right sides (13, 14), symmetrically with respect to a median plane (Pm) parallel to the first axis (X) and perpendicular to the 10 second axis (Y): - a chain (40; 140; 240) that is translatable parallel to the first axis (X), - an end (62; 162; 262) of a shaft (60; 160) associated with each blind slat (20; 220) and extending along the second axis (Y), and - a slide (30; 130; 230) for guiding the chain (40; 140; 240) that extends along 15 the first axis (X) and in which the angling means (68, 70, 78, 80, 90; 168, 70, 78, 80, 90; 268, 270, 278, 80, 290) associated with one or more operative slats (21; 221) are arranged, in particular when the operative slat(s) (21; 221) are in the angled position. 20 23.- A method for implementing a closure or solar protection installation (10; 110; 210), in particular of the roller blind type, said installation comprising: - an apron (18; 218) including several blind slats (20; 220), each blind slat being capable of pivoting around the pivoting axis (Y) defined by at least one side shaft (60; 160; 260) extending sideways from a first edge (20a; 220a) of the 25 blind slat (20; 220), - two chains (40; 140; 240) positioned sideways on either side of the apron (18; 218) and translatable along a releasing axis (X) perpendicular to the pivoting axis (Y), each chain (40; 140; 240) supporting a side shaft (60; 160; 260) of each blind slat (20; 220), and 30 - angling means (68, 70, 78, 80, 90; 168, 70, 78, 80, 90; 268, 270, 278, 80, 290) for angling at least one operative slat (21; 221), among the blind slats (20; 220), from an idle position toward an angled position, by rotation (R2) of the operative slat (21; 221) around its pivoting axis (Y), the method comprising the following steps: 24 a) translating the chain (40; 140; 240) in a first direction (D1) lowering the apron (18; 218) using the actuator (A10), while keeping each operative slat (21; 221) in the idle position, b) translating the chain (40; 140; 240) in a second direction (D2) raising the apron 5 (18; 218) opposite the first direction (D1) using the actuator (A10), and c) moving each operative slat (21; 221) toward the angled position by rotation (R2) of the shaft (60; 160; 260) of the operative slat around the second axis (Y), the method being characterized in that step c) is carried out using the actuator (A10) of steps a) and b), simultaneously with step b) and independently of the position of the apron 10 (18; 218), inasmuch as at least one slat (21; 221) is positioned in an operative area (17; 217) of the installation (10; 110; 210) defined between two slides (30; 130; 230).