AU7176400A

AU7176400A - Device for fixing a drive member and mechanism for manoeuvring a closure or sun protection installation comprising such a device

Info

Publication number: AU7176400A
Application number: AU71764/00A
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: DE60017694T2; PL196826B1; FR2801631A1; DE60017694D1; EP1106774A1; ATE288020T1; PL344191A1; PT1106774E; FR2801631B1; EP1106774B1; ES2235809T3

Abstract

The gearing assembly (4) for the winding shaft (3) has its head (4a) fitting in a support (10) inside a volume (7) of the case. The support is concave and cooperate exactly with the head. An Independent claim is also included for the winding mechanism of doors.

Description

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant/s: Actual Inventor/s: 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: 30071AUP00 la 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 "i 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. The use of fixing screws or additional accessories for immobilizing a head of an electrical or mechanical member with respect to a support involves the supply and management of such screws and accessories and obliges the installer to •oo:o 20 proceed with fine adjustment operations in situ, while his work position is 9*O9o* generally not adapted to a high-precision job. This may result in defective positioning of the head of the drive member, which in the long run leads to blockage of the installation, and even breakage of certain mechanical elements.

It is a particular object of the present invention to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a fixing device for efficiently supporting the head of a drive member, while the assembly of the installation is particularly simple.

-2- 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, while a support provided in this volume forms a concave housing for receiving at least a part of this head, this housing being adapted to immobilize the head by cooperation of shapes. The housing is provided with elastic, hook-shaped tabs adapted to cooperate with matching zones of the head of the drive member in order to retain this head in position engaged in the housing.

Thanks to the invention, the head of the drive member is easily and rapidly positioned in the support by simply being introduced, without requiring the use of screws and/or additional accessories such as tabs. Immobilization by cooperation of shapes presents the further advantage that the head is automatically positioned adequately with respect to the support, i.e. with respect to the installation box assembly. Such immobilization by cooperation of shapes 15 allows both an axial and radial blocking of the head in the support while this head remains accessible and may be easily dismantled in the event of o intervention on the drive member. Once positioned in the housing, the head of the drive member is firmly maintained in position with respect to its .*environment thanks to the elastic tabs whose hook-shaped geometry allows the 20 head of the drive member to clip in the housing. In this way, this head is automatically locked axially in this housing.

According to advantageous but non-compulsory aspects of the invention, S* "the device incorporates one or more of the following characteristics: Each elastic tab is provided with an inclined end surface adapted to cooperate with an inclined end surface of one of these zones of the head in order to allow introduction of at least a part of this head by elastic deformation 3 of these tabs and/or these zones.

The elastic retaining tabs are advantageously adapted to be manoeuvred to allow the extraction of the head with respect to the housing. In other words, the positioning of the head in the housing is not irreversible, dismantling thus remaining simple like the assembly of the installation.

The housing is of polygonal cross-section, the head having a polygonal outer shape of geometry similar to the cross-section of the housing. Cooperation of the internal shape of the housing and external shape of the head contributes to the immobilization of the head in rotation about a longitudinal axis of the roller shaft. This arrangement also contributes to an optimal radial distribution of the couple of the drive member, which is transmitted to the support structure, and of the reaction forces generated.

The bottom of the housing is pierced with an orifice for passage of a lug formed on an inner surface of an end partition of the box. This arrangement allows rapid and precise positioning of the support with respect to the box. In S.:o *that case, the head of the drive member may be provided to present a housing :for receiving the lug at least partially, when the head is received in the housing.

Said lug therefore serves for centring both the support and the head of the drive member.

The support comprises a central part in which is formed the afore- 0.

mentioned housing and at least one lateral extension provided with at least one means for spacing, with respect to an end partition of the box, a plate separating o~oo the volume for receiving the said head and a zone where a shade body is wound on the said shaft. In this way, the lateral extension or extensions of the support 25 perform the role of spacer members between the plate and the end partition of the box, these spacer members being disposed up to near the central orifice of 4 the plate, with the result that the latter is efficiently maintained in position over its width.

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

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

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 oeoo, Figures 1 to 3, seen from the front, and Figure 5is a view in perspective of the support of Figure 4, seen from the 20 rear.

The mechanism 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is provided for manoeuvring a •i 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 shade body 2 may be louvered or made of a supple material.

25 The motor 4 is housed inside the shaft 3 which is tubular, this shaft being supported in a box 5 represented in dashed and dotted lines and of which 5 denotes a lateral end partition. X-X' denotes the axis of rotation of the shaft 3 which is a longitudinal axis of the box The interior volume of the box 5 comprises a zone 6 where the shade body 2 is wound on the shaft 3 and a zone 7 of positioning of the head 4a of the 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 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 and in one-piece with the support 10, 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.

:i 15 In practice, the geometry of tabs 10c and zones 4c takes the form of a hook shaped like a demi-harpoon.

0.

As is more particularly visible in Figure 3, the geometry of the tabs lOc and of zones 4c allows the head 4a to clip elastically in the housing 10b. More precisely, each tab 10c is provided with a convex surface 10c' oriented in the 20 direction of axis Furthermore, parts 4c of the head 4a are each provided with a surface 4c' inclined with respect to axis surfaces 4c' being i convergent in the direction of axis X-X' opposite plate 8.

In this way, when part 4b of the head 4a is introduced in the housing the surfaces 4c' and O10c' slide against each other, with the result that the tabs .i 25 10c are progressively separated to allow parts 4c of the head 4a to pass. One then arrives in the position of Figure 3 where surfaces O10c" and 4c" respectively 6 perpendicular to axis X-X' are in firm abutment against each other, which allows immobilization of the head 4a in the housing When the head 4a is to be withdrawn from the housing 10b, for example during a maintenance operation of the motor 4, it is possible to exert on the surfaces 10c' of the tongues 10c an effort of separation with respect to axis Xwith the result that the parts 4c are released by the tabs 10c. In effect, as is more particularly visible in Figure 2, the tongues 10c remain accessible through the orifice 8a of the plate 8 when the device is in assembled configuration, in particular when the shade body 2 is unwound.

The bottom of housing 10b is pierced with an orifice 10e intended to surround a central lug 5e formed 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 lOe allows efficient and rapid positioning of the support with respect to box i" 15 The head 4a also comprises a housing 4d for receiving the lug 5e in the configuration shown in Figure 3. In this way, the lug 5e contributes to the positioning of the head 4a with respect to the housing 10b by cooperation of shapes.

The support 10 also comprises two lateral extensions lOf and 20 extending, from part 10a, radially with respect to axis Extensions 10f and are in one piece with the central part 10a of the support As is more clearly illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the extensions 10f and are formed by unitary elements 10h connected together by breakable bands 10i, these breakable bands being formed by a thinned part of each of the 25 extensions 10lf and As shown in Figures 4 and 5, each extension 1Of or 10g is formed by -7eight elements 10h connected by seven breakable bands 10i. The number of elements 10h of the extensions 1 Of and 10g results from a choice of design and may therefore vary.

On its rear face, each element 1 Oh 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 110 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 10i 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 10h 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 in order to obtain 15 immobilization of the support 10 with respect to the partition 5c by cooperation .go.

:"of shapes.

oo• 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 10k 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 10a since the :iparts 101 of all the elements 10h not detached from part 10a are in abutment against the inner face 5d of the partition Opposite parts 101, certain of the elements 10h bear projections 10n and lOn which are in abutment against the face 8b of the plate 8 facing zone 7. In the example shown, one element 10 out of two is provided with projections -8lOM and 10On. 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 three to be provided with such projections. Projections 10m and 10n are distributed up to near the central part 1 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 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 10m and 10n, on the other hand, measured parallel to axis X-X' with the device in assembled 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 15 electronic circuit 1 1 for controlling the motor 4 to be received and immobilized by cooperation of shapes. In order to render the drawing clearer, the circuit 1 1 "".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 2* components. The geometry of the frame 1 lb is such that it may be inumnobilized between tongues lOr and backrests 10s formed on the tabs 10p and 10q. In this way, it is particularly simple to position and immobilize the circuit 11 on the support 10, without interaction with the box 5 whose dimensions may vary without influencing the positioning of the circuit 11.

Elements I Op and lOt, 10r and 10s therefore allow assembly of the circuit I 1 on the support 10 by elastic clipping.

The support 10 has been shown with tabs 10 and 10 fast with the 9 second elements 10h from the central part 10a. According to a variant of the invention (not shown), these tabs may be fast with part lOa, 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, while a support (10) provided in said volume forms a concave housing (10b) for receiving at least a part (4b) of said head, said housing being adapted to immobilize the head by cooperation of shapes, characterized in that said housing (10b) is provided with elastic, hook-shaped tabs (10c) adapted to cooperate with matching zones (4c) of said head (4a) in order to retain said head (4a) in position engaged in the housing.

2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that each elastic tab is provided with an inclined end surface (10c') adapted to cooperate with an inclined end surface of one of said zones (4c) of said head (4a) in order to allow at least a part (4b) of said head to be introduced by elastic deformation of said tabs and/or said zones. 15

3. Device according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said oooo elastic retaining tabs (10c) are adapted to be manoeuvred in order to allow said head (4b) to be extracted from said housing.

4. Device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that Ssaid elastic tabs (10c) are each provided with a surface (10c") substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said roller shaft said surface Sbeing adapted to be in abutment against a surface of a matching zone (4c) of said head which is then likewise perpendicular to said axis.

Device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that said housing (10b) presents a polygonal cross-section, said head (4a) having a polygonal external shape of geometry similar to the cross-section of said housing. -11-

6. Device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the bottom of said housing (10b) is pierced with an orifice (10e) for passage of a lug (5e) formed on an inner surface (5d) of an end partition (5c) of said box.

7. Device according to Claim 6, characterized in that said head (4a) is provided with a housing (4d) for receiving said lug (5e) at least partially when it is received in said housing

8. Device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that said support comprises a central part (10O) in which said housing (10b) is formed and at least one lateral extension (10 Of, 10g) provided with at least one means (10m, 1 On) for spacing, with respect to an end partition (5c) of said box a plate for separating said volume and a zone where a shade body is wound on said shaft

9. Device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that said volume for receiving said head (4a) is separated from a zone where a shade body is wound on said shaft by a plate 15

10. 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 of 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. 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