AU7176300A

AU7176300A - Device for fixing a drive member and mechanism for manoeuvring a closure or sun protection installation comprising such a device

Info

Publication number: AU7176300A
Application number: AU71763/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Rino Cattaneo
Original assignee: Simbac SpA
Current assignee: Simbac SpA
Priority date: 1999-11-30
Filing date: 2000-11-22
Publication date: 2001-05-31
Also published as: PL344192A1; DE60010630T2; PL196827B1; ES2220374T3; FR2801632A1; FR2801632B1; PT1106773E; DE60010630D1; EP1106773B1; EP1106773A1; ATE266794T1

Abstract

The drive (4) has an head (4a) fitting in a support (10) in the volume (7) separated from the main volume (6) where the cover panel is winded by a partition (8). The support comprises a recess for the drive's head (10a) and a lateral extension (10f, 10g) which comes in contact with the partition in order to keep a gap between the partition and the rear wall (5c) of the chamber. An Independent claim is also included for the winding mechanism using the drive shaft mechanism.

Description

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

S

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Invention Title: SIMBAC S.P.A.

Rino Cattaneo BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS MARGARET STREET SYDNEY NSW 2000 'DEVICE FOR FIXING A DRIVE MEMBER AND MECHANISM FOR MANOEUVRING A CLOSURE OR SUN PROTECTION INSTALLATION COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE' The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- File: 30070AUP00 The present invention relates to a device for fixing a drive member for a roller shaft in a box of a closure or sun protection installation. The invention also relates to a mechanism for manoeuvring such an installation.

The expression "closure installation" is understood to mean doors, gates, shutters and equivalent equipment.

It is known to use an electric motor or a mechanical system for rotating a shaft for winding a door or shutter body, or sun protection shade or blind. Such a drive member is generally disposed in a box which may be of the type disclosed in EP-A-0 764 759. This box comprises a space defined by a lateral wall of the box and by a plate separating this space from the zone where the shade or blind body is wound on said shaft. In this space is disposed a projecting part of the drive member, which may be the head of an electric motor or a part of a mechanical device intended to cooperate with a crank or a strap.

The roller shaft and/or the drive member passes through a central orifice in the 15 plate and means for supporting the drive member must be provided in this space, these means most often being complex and requiring fixing screws. In addition to its function of delimitation of the afore-mentioned space, the plate must ensure guiding of the louvered or supple shade or blind body, to prevent it from deviating parallel to the axis of the shaft, to the point of blocking manoeuvre of the installation.

Now, the plate is maintained in position in the box only from its edges 0 and it tends to bend in its central zone under the effect of the efforts transmitted by the shade body. This has the effect of degrading the winding of the shade body on the shaft and of reducing the life of the installation, all the more so as the section of the box is large.

It is a particular object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks set forth hereinabove by proposing a fixing device allowing the head of a drive member to be efficiently supported, while assembly of the installation is simple and the plate belonging to the box does not risk deforming on contact with the shade body while it is winding, wound or being unwound.

To that end, the invention relates to a device for fixing a drive member for a roller shaft in a box of a closure or sun protection installation, this box forming a volume for receiving the head of this member, this volume being separated by a plate from a zone of winding of a shade body on this shaft, while a support is provided for this head in this volume. This device is characterized in that the support comprises a central part adapted to be connected with the head and at least one lateral extension provided with at least one means for separating said plate with respect to an end partition of the box.

Thanks to the invention, the lateral extension or extensions of the support perform the role of spacer members between the plate and the end partition of 15 the box, these spacer members being adapted to be disposed up to the proximity of the central orifice of the plate, with the result that the latter is efficiently maintained in position over its width, including for a box of large section.

According to advantageous but non-compulsory aspects of the invention, the device incorporates one or more of the following characteristics: Each lateral extension is formed by at least two elements connected by a breakable band, the geometry of this extension being adjusted to the section of the box by possible rupture of a breakable band. In this way, a single type of *support may be used for boxes of variable sections. At least certain of the above-mentioned elements may be provided with one or more means for assembly of the support on the end partition of the box, these assembly means being able to be lugs adapted to penetrate in housings of corresponding shapes provided on the inner face of this partition. Certain of the afore-mentioned elements may also be provided with projections extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box, these projections being adapted to come into abutment against the plate and/or against the partition. In that case, the distance between the ends of the projections parallel to this axis is substantially equal to the width of the receiving volume parallel to this axis.

According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, at least certain of the elements connected by a breakable band comprise an inscription corresponding to a dimension or a reference of the box to be equipped with such a support. This characterisic facilitates the work of an operator when he is adjusting the width of the support to the type of box in which it is to be integrated.

The central part of the support forms a concave housing for receiving the head of the member, this housing being provided with means for elastically 15 retaining the head. The head may therefore be received in the central part of the oosupport and immobilized by cooperation of shapes, this avoiding having to resort to screws or complex immobilizing devices.

The support is provided with means for receiving a box or an electronic oo card for controlling a motor forming drive member.

The invention also relates to a mechanism for manoeuvring a closure or sun protection installation which comprises a device as described hereinbefore.

o Such a mechanism is more simple to install and more reliable than the mechanisms of the state of the art.

i The invention will be more readily understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a mechanism for manoeuvring a closure installation according to the invention, given solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view in perspective of part of a manoeuvring mechanism of a closure installation according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of that part of the device shown in Figure 1 in assembled configuration.

Figure 3 is a section along line III-III in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view in perspective of a support used in the mechanism of Figures 1 to 3, seen from the front, and Figure 5 is a view in perspective of the support of Figure 4, seen from the rear.

The mechanism 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is provided for manoeuvring a roller blind of which the shade body 2, shown in dashed and dotted lines, is adapted to be wound around a shaft 3 controlled by an electric motor 4. The 15 shade body 2 may be louvered or made of a supple material.

oeoThe motor 4 is housed inside the shaft 3 which is tubular, this shaft being ooooo supported in a box 5 represented in dashed and dotted lines and of which denotes a lateral end partition. X-X' denotes the axis of rotation of the shaft 3 which is a longitudinal axis of the box ooo.

The interior volume of the box 5 comprises a zone 6 of winding of the shade body 2 on the shaft 3 and a zone 7 of positioning of the head 4a of the o motor 4 zone 7 being separated from zone 6 by a plate 8 pierced with a central orifice 8a for passage of the shaft 3 and motor 4.

According to the invention, the head 4a of the motor 4 is maintained in position within zone 7 thanks to a support 10 mounted on the inner face 5d of the partition 5c. The support 10 comprise a central part 10a forming a hollow housing 10b adapted to receive at least a part of the head 4a. This housing lOb is of substantially octogonal section matching the end section 4b of the head 4a which is likewise octogonal. Two elastic tabs 10c in hook form are provided to lock the section 4b of the head 4a in the housing 10b by cooperation of shapes with suitable zones 4c of the section 4b. As is more particularly visible in Figure 3, the geometry of the tabs 10c and zones 4c allows the head 4a to clip elastically in the housing The bottom of housing 10b is pierced with an orifice 10e intended to surround a central lug 5e arranged on the inner face 5d of the partition 5c and extending along axis X-X' in the direction of the plate 8. The cooperation of elements 5e and 10e allows efficient and rapid positioning of the support with respect to box The support 10 also comprises two lateral extensions 10f and extending, from part 10a, radially with respect to axis The extensions 15 and 10g are in one piece with the central part l0a.of the support ooAs is more clearly illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the extensions 1 Of and are formed by unitary elements 1 Oh connected together by breakable bands these breakable bands being formed by a thinned part of each of the extensions lOf and *oo* As shown in Figures 4 and 5, each extension 1 Of or 10g is formed by i eight elements 1 Oh connected by seven breakable bands 10i. The number of elements 1 Oh of the extensions 1 Of and 10 Og results from a choice of design and may therefore vary.

o• On its rear face, each element O10h is provided with an inscription corresponding to a nominal diameter of box 5, i.e. substantially to the width of a box 5 to which the width 10 of the support 10 must be adapted. In this way, when an operator wishes to integrate a support 10 in a box 5, it suffices to cut the breakable band 101 having to be torn, as a function of the width indicated on the adjacent element 10h located towards part 10a with respect to this band Thanks to this aspect of the invention, a single type of support may be used for boxes of variable widths Each element 10 Oh also presents a lug 10k provided to be received in a hollow housing 5k made on face 5d of the partition 5. The respective diameters of each lug 10k and of each housing 5k are adapted to obtain immobilization of the support 10 with respect to the partition 5c by cooperation of shapes.

Each element 10h is also provided, on its rear face visible in Figure with a projecting part 101 intended to abut against the face 5d of the partition when one of the lugs 1Ok is in place in one of the housings 5k. It will be noted that the projecting parts 101 form a discontinuous zone of abutment on the partition 5c which extends up to the vicinity of the central part lOa since the 15 parts 101 of all the elements 10Oh not detached from part 10a are in abutment oooagainst the inner face 5d of the partition oeooo Opposite parts 101, certain of the elements 10h bear projections IOn and which are in abutment against the face 8b of the plate 8 facing zone 7. In the example shown, one element lOh out of two is provided with projections 10m and 10n. It would be possible for each element 10h to be provided with such projections or, on the contrary, for one element out of three or more than oeo e three to be provided with such projections. Projections 10n and 1On are distributed up to near the central part 10 Oa of the support 10, with the result that they contribute to the positioning of the plate 8 up to the vicinity of the orifice 8a, this avoiding bending or bulging of the plate 8 under the effect of the efforts transmitted by the shade body 2. The plate 8 is thus maintained substantially 7 flat, so that it guides the shade body 2 efficiently.

The distance d between the ends of the projections 101, on the one hand, and 10Om and 1On, on the other hand, measured parallel to axis X-X' with the device in mounted configuration, is equal to the desired width of zone 7, i.e. to the distance separating faces 5d and 8b of partition 5c and of plate 8 parallel to this axis.

The support 10 also comprises two tabs 10p and 10 allowing an electronic circuit 11 for controlling the motor 4 to be received and immobilized by cooperation of shapes. In order to render the drawing clearer, the circuit 11 has been represented solely by its support card 1 la and by a frame 1 lb, the card 1 la bearing in practice components and tracks for connection between these components. The geometry of the frame 1 lb is such that it may be immobilized between tongues 1Or and backrests 10s formed on the tabs lOp and 10. In this way, it is particularly simple to position and immobilize the circuit 11 on the 15 support 10, without interaction with the box 5 whose dimensions may vary without influencing the positioning of the circuit 11.

eoele Elements 10p and 10l, 10r and 10s therefore allow assembly of the circuit 11 on the support 10 by elastic clipping.

The support 10 has been shown with tabs 10p and 10q fast with the second elements 10Oh from the central part lOa. According to a variant of the "i invention (not shown), these tabs may be fast with part 10a, in which case they allow assembly of circuit 11 including in a box of small width.

The invention has been shown with an electric motor, but it is applicable :to a mechanism for manoeuvring a shutter or shade comprising a mechanical drive member of which a part forming "head" is provided for cooperation with a crank or a strap.

Claims

1. Device for fixing a drive member for a roller shaft in a box of a closure or sun protection installation, said box forming a volume for receiving the head (4a) of said drive member, said volume being separated by a plate from a zone of winding of a shade body on said shaft, a support being provided for said head (4a) in said volume characterized in that said support (10) comprises a central part (10a) adapted to be connected with said head (4a) and at least one lateral extension (10 Of, provided with at least one means (10m, 10n) for separating said plate with respect to an end partition (5c) of said box

2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that each lateral extension 10g) is formed by at least two elements (10h) connected by a breakable band (10Di, the geometry (110) of said extension being adjusted to the section of the box by possible rupture of a breakable band. 15 3. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that at least certain of said oeoelements (10h) connected by a breakable band (10i) are provided with at least eeeee one means (10k) for assembling said support (10) on said partition

4. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that said assembly means are lugs (10k) adapted to penetrate in housings (5k) of corresponding shapes provided on the inner face (5d) of said partition Device according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that at least eeeee certain of said elements (10l) connected by a breakable band (101) are provided with projections (101, 10n, 10n) extending in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said box when the device is in assembled configuration, said projections being adapted to come into abutment against said plate and/or against said partition -9-

6. Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the distance between the ends of said projections (101, 10m, 10n) parallel to said axis is substantially equal to the width of said receiving volume parallel to said axis.

7. Device according to one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that at least certain of said elements (1 Oh) connected by a breakable band (10i) bear an inscription corresponding to a dimension (15) or to a reference of said box.

8. Device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that said central part (10a) forms a concave housing (10b) for receiving said head (4a, 4b) of the member this housing being provided with means (10c) for elastically retaining (10b) said head.

9. Device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that said support (10) is provided with means (10p, 10, 10r, 10s) for receiving a box (11) or an electronic card for controlling a motor forming drive member. Mechanism for manoeuvring a closure or sun protection installation, characterized in that it comprises a device (3-11) according to one of the preceding Claims.

11. A device for fixing a drive member for a roller shaft in a box of a closure or sun protection installation, substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 20 DATED this 22nd day of November 2000 SIMBAC S.P.A. Attorney: JOHN D. FORSTER Fellow Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia of BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS