CA2137350A1 - Louvre-type roller shutter - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The roll shutter, which can be louvered, exhibits at least one pull chain, the chain links (2) of which are articulated together with one another and with pivotable, lamellar louver slats (1), and at least one adjusting chain, the chain links (5) of which are articulated together with one another and with the louver slats (1).
The adjusting chain links (5) overlap the pull chain links (2), and preferably the louver slats (1) also overlap the pull chain links (5) at least partially. Thereby, gaps extending through the roll shutter are avoided; the roll shutter is of a very compact structure; and the roll shutter slats exhibit a constant cross section all the way through.

Description

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`' r~373~a LOUVERED ROLL SHUTTER

The invention relates to a louvered roll shu$$er with at least one pull chain, the chain links of which are articulated to one another and to lamellar louver slats that can be louvered, and with at least one adjusting chain, the chain links of which are articulated to one another and to the louver slats, whereby the roll shutter is guided by the pu}l chain links in the fixed guide profiles.
Such roll shutters have been known, for example, from EP-A-330,192, and DE-A-34 37 346. A similar roll shutter is also known from EP-A-189,091. However~ the louverable slats thereof are guided by way of slot chain links in the fixed guide profiles.
In the manufacturing and installation of roll shutters, several tasks are always to be accomplished at the same time. Firstly, the shutter slats with the associated pull and adjusting chain links are to exhibit a maximally constant cross sec$ion over $he entire width of the roll shutter in order to ensure a safe and compact rolling up of the roll shu$ter in the shutter housing. Secondly, there is to be a minimum number of gaps between the individual components and the fixed *acts wherein the roll shutter is guided in order to prevent peeping in, penetration of, for example, water or dust, or the attack of burglary tools. Thirdly, the outside face of the closed roll shutter is to have a maximally uniform and even and thus pleasant appearance.
Under these viewpoints, the roll shutters known from EP-A~
330,192 and DE-A-34 37 346 exhibit substantial drawbacks.

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7~ 373~0 Another task is to be able to manufacture the roll shutters in a maximally compact and economical fashion. This means that the pull chain and, in particular, the adjusting chain are arranged if at all possible at the rim of the roll shutter and with the use of a minimum number of parts and that the louver slats are machined as little as possible and as a consequence are not weakened in partial regions.
In this respect, the roll shutter known from EP-A-189,091 has the disadvantage that, for connecting the pull chain links with the connecting supports, there either are sectional slats provided or the slats must be equipped with appropriate cutouts for the pull chain links and~ respectively, the adjusting elements.
It is an object of the invention to indicate a louvered roll shutter avoiding the aforedescribed disadvantages of the prior art.
According to the invention, this object has been attained in a roll shutter of the above described general type by the feature that the adjusting chain links overlap the pull chain links, and that the joints or part of the joints between pull chain links are located on that side of the joints of the adjusting chain links which is directed away from the fixed guide profile.
ln order to eliminate the aforedescribed problem of gap formation between individual parts, in the discussed instance, for example, between the louver slats and the adjoining pull chain links, the provision can be made according to this invention that the louver slats overlap at least partially the pull chain links.
As known per se from the state of the art, the invention can be further developed by locating the connecting joints between the pull chain links and the louver slats in the zone of the upper longitudinal rim of the louver slats and/or by positioning the ~- ` t~1 373~0 connecting joints between the adjusting chain links and the louver slats in the region of the lower longitudinal rirn of the louver slats.
According to an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the latter can be characterized in that the joints of the 5 pull chain links are flush with the joints of the adjusting chain links in the closed condition of the roll shutter. In this way, the roll shutter can be rolled up in the shutter housing without any problems and without tension.
According to this invention, one of the two hinge eyes 10 of the pull chain links and, respectively, adjusting chain links is preferably a slotted hole. This embodiment ensures that the louver slats, after they have been pivoted downwardly, i.e. closed, can be ~shifted even further toward one another so that it is possible, inter alia, to lock the leaf-like louver slats by way of suitable devices to ~ ~ 15 be described hereinbelow and secure them against unintentional or `~; ;; forcib!e outward swing.
Since there is a constant desire for reducing the number of pa~rts for louvered roll shutters and for simplifying the installation thereof, the provision can be made according to an especially ~; 20 preferred embodiment of the invention that the joints between the pull chain links and/or the adjusting chain links are constituted by profiled guide means arranged at the pull chain links and, respectively, adjusting chain links, the pull chail1 links and adjusting chain links, respectively, being conl1ected with one another by way 25 of these guide means.

~ ~ 2137350 Joints and connecting hinges formed by profile guide -means exhibi~ the great advantage that no pins or axles are required for creating the joints whereby, on the one hand, the number of , .~ . .~, -components is reduced and, on the other hand, the assembly of the components is simplified. The individual parts need merely be hooked one into the other by way of the profile guide means whicll can be constructed similarly to the conventional tongue-and-groove system, or be inserted one in the other in the longitudinal direction . . .
of the louver slats. -An especially simple connection of the louver slats with the pull chain links can be characterized in that the connecting ;~
hinges between the louver slats and the pull chain links are ....
arranged one below the oth~er approximately below the connecting hinges between the respective pull chain links. The particular advantage of this embodiment resides in that the connections ~: between the louver slats and the pull chain links do not affect or interfere with~the connections between the pull chain links with one another whereby the manufacture of the individual components as well as the assembly of the roll shutter are simplified.
Also when using profiled guide means as the connecting hinges and joints, it is advantageous if, as described hereinabove, the louver slats, after closing, can be additionally shifted toward one another in order to lock the lamellar louver slats in place. This is ensured according to one embodiment of the invention by fashioning the connecting hinges between the pull chain links and - 4 ~

~, ' J ~1373~0 the adjusting chain links to be movable in~ the direction of movement of the roll shutter.
In order to secure the louver slats against unintentional or forcible swinging open, the provision can be made according to 5 the invention that a groove is arranged at the lower longitudinal rim of the louver slats and/or of the adjusting chain links, this groove cooperating, in the closed condition of the roll shutter, with a web provided in the zone of the upper longitudinal rim of the pull chain Iinks or of the louver slats and/or of the adjusting chain links, or that l 0 webs are provided at the lower longitudinal rim of the louver slats and/or of the adjusting chain links, these webs cooperating in shape-mating fashion with webs of the neighboring pull chain links or louver slats and/or adjusting chain links in the closed condition ofthe roll shutter.
1~1s~ ~ ; Roll shutters are customarily guided along their lateral edges in fixed track profiles attached to the apertures to be closed .
. :up.
, According to the invention, the provision can be made for this purpose to arrange an extension at the pull chain links, by 20 way of which the pull chain links, in the installed condition, are ; guided in fixed track profiles.
One problem arising, in particular, whell old roll shutters are replaced by new ones Is that the new roll shutters do not fit into the existing, fixed track profiles because they are either too wide or 25 have too much clearance in the track profiles. In order to overcome this problem, the invention suggests to arrange sliding elements on ,., .. . ".
-- 5 -- -: `

the extensions, the thickness of these elements being adapted to the groove width of the fixed track moldings.
One problem encountered when installing roll shutters especially into very wide openings such as, for example, shop 5 windows is that the louver slats can sag on account of their inherent weight whereby safe functioning of the roll shutter is no longer ensured. Furthermore, especially in case of very broad building wall apertures, the strength of the louver slats becomes so low that protection from burglaries is then very much diminished.
In order to solve this problem, it is suggested according to this invention to have the pull chain links extend over the entire width of the roll shutter. The pull chain links create, so to speak, a i'fundamental roll shutter" which can be designed in ~correspondence~with the desired strength requirements;the louver 15 ~slats can optionally be supported in this fundamental roll shutter o ver their entire length whereby the problem of unintentional sagging of the louver slats as well as the low strength against break~
ins has~been solved.
In order to ensure adequate see-through capability with 20 the louver slats being opened, especially in case of puli chain links that extend over the entire width of the roll shutter, the provision can be made tliat the pull chain links exhibit perforations bounded by webs. The width of the webs and of the~perforations between t he webs can be designed in correspondence with tlie respective 25 requirements.

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, 2137350 According to another embodiment of the invention, for solving the aforedescribed problem, the provision can be made that the pull chain links consist of profiled rods extending in the longitudinal direction of the louver slats, these rods being connected 5 with one another by way of webs. The advantage resulting from this feature is that the profiled rods can be manufactured as semifinished parts in any desired length, are cut off when needed in a length corresponding approximately to the width of the roll shutter, and can be connected by means of an arbitrary number of 10 webs of the desired width so that maximum flexibility is afforded with regard to the width of the roll shutter and the strength of the pull chain links determined by the shape and number of the webs As mentioned in the foregoing, it is desirable for the total cross section of the louver slats to be as constallt as possible over 15 the total width of the roll shutter. For this purpose, it is necessary for the joint total cross section of the pull chain links and of the adjusting chain links to correspond, in the closed condition of the :
roll ~shutter, substantially to the cross section of the louver slats.
According to the invention, the roll shutter can be 20 designed in this case so that free spaces are provided at the pull chain links accommodating, in the closed condition of the roll shutter, the conllectillg hinges of the adjusting chain links and optionally of the sliding chain links. No dimensioning problems are -~....
thereby encountered whell designing the connecting hinges and the 25 pull chain links since these do not interfere with one another.
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~ 2137350 .. ~ ...................................................................... ..

In case of the connecting hinges designed in profiled fashion, it is advantageous to secure the thus-joined parts against shifting relatively to one another in order to ensure functioning of the roll shutter without complaints. ; `;
S For this purpose, according to one embodiment of the ~ ~;
invention, the provision can be made that, in the connecting hinges designed with a profile, one part carries a cutout and the other part I
carries a tang which latter can be bent into the cutout. This embodiment, by the way, not only ensures safe functioning of the 1 0 roll shutter but also provides simplified installation since these parts, ~; -after assembly has taken place, can no longer shift with respect to -one anotherduring further installation. -;
.,.
In order to trigger the shuttering step, one embodiment of the invention provides that an angular part is pivotably mounted ~15 ~at the uppermost louver slat or at-the uppermost member of the louvering chain which part can cooperate with a hook-shaped, stationary part. ~ `
~; ~ According to an advantageous embodiment of the `
invention, ~the provision can be made herein that the hook-shaped ~ .
part exhibits a hook at its lower end, that it has a vertical, downwardly open slot exhibiting at its upper end a passage hole for the angular part, that the passage hole is covered at least in part by : ~ flat springs, and that it has flat springs inclined frol~ the hook obliquely downwardly toward the roll shutter, these flat springs forming between them an extension of the slot. ;
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2~;3~7350 According to another preferred embodiment, the provision can be made that the hook-shaped part is fast-ioned to be resilient and has, in its upper zone, a horizontally extending slot, that the lower rim of the slot is formed by a deflecting member S pointing obliquely upwardly awayfrom the roll shutter, and thatthe upper rim of the slot is formed by a guide-in member projecting obliquely downwardly away from the roll shutter, this guide-in member projecting past the deflecting member, this embodiment being distinguished by its special simplicity.
10As mentioned above, the shape of the louver slats as well as the design of the chain links have a substantial effect on the roll-up diameter of the roll shutter when rolled up in the shutter housing. However, the roll diameter can be affected not only by the~ structural design of the louver slats proper but also by the shape 15of the shah on which it is wound up in the shutter housing. ~`
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the provision can be made for solving this problem of providing a shaft for winding up~the roll shutter wherein the outer radius of this shaft, measured from the axis of rotation of the shaft, is smaller in a 20 certain zone than along the remaining periphery of the shaft.
In this zone, closer to ille axis of rotation, the uppern~ost i ` - -and/or first slat is located when the roll shutter is being rolled up.
On account of the configuration of the shaft according to this invention, the bulge, known from the state of the art, is avoided 25 which arises when the first louver slat, after the initial winding lap, is covered by the subsequent lap, since in the invention the coiling g ... , .. ,., ,~
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2 1 ~ 7 ~ ~0 diameter of the roll shutter increases continuously rat!-er than jump~
like while the roll-up step covers the first slat and the subsequent slats, inasmuch as the first slat is positioned radially farther toward the inside Accordingto a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, the provision can be made that the shaft has an approximately ~;;
polygonal cross section, and that one side of the polygon is in closer proximity to the axis of rotation of the shaft than the rema~ining sides of the polygon By this measure, the outer contoùr of the wound-up portion of the roll shutter can be still further smoothed out ` -;
T he provision can be made according to an advantageous further development of the inventioll that inwardly projecting webs are provided at the shaft, the inner surfaces of these ;~
webs Iying on the circumference of a circle the center of which is congruent with the axis of rotation of the shaft In this way, a drive motor can be mounted, for example, eccentrically in the shaft so that~the shaft, when the motor is in the driving mode, moves eccentrically about the axis of rotation of the motor 1~ 1 In accordance with another preferred embodiment even a relatively large motor can find accommodation in the shaft, the shaft bearing being arranged eccentrically in the shaft and, respectively, with regard to the motor bearing, by the provision that the shah exhibits an inner diameter determined at least in part by ;
webs projecting from the shaft inwardly, the center of this inner diameter Iying eccentrically to the axis of rotation of the shaft - 10 ~

-~ ` 21373~0 An especially simple attachment of the slat to the shaft is made possible by providing a groove in the shaft extending in the longitudinal direction of the shaft; this groove can receive a pin or the like for attaching the roll shutter to the shaft.
The provision can here be made according to the invention that the uppermost and/or first slat of the roll shutter is connected to the shaft by way of a flat spring or the like, offering the advantage that the first slat need not be fastened directly to the shaft.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment ofthe inventionj the provision can be made that the flat spring is attached in the groove of the shaft by way of a pin or the like and coils around the shaft approximately once, this version offering the adyantage that the length of the roll shutter taken up in the shutter l S housillO in the completely lowered condition of the roll shutter andthus not being visible need not be constituted by expensive as well as~bulky slats. ` - -Additional features and advantages can be seen from the i`~
dependent claims and the following description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings wherein: --Figure l shows an embodiment of the invention in an ; ~ `
oblique elevation and in a sectional view, ~,','."''!'',~'~,`'''''.'`~''`'' Figure 2 shows a section through a roll shutter slat along line ll-ll in Figure 3, the portion of the louver slat invisible on "~,~.!, ~', 1 . '~ ~,', ' ;
25 accountofthe section taken being denoted bydot-dash Iines, ~ . .... .. . .:

21~7350 Figure 3 shows a section through the roll shutter slat along line lll-lll in Figure 2, Figure 4 shows a view of the roll shutter slat from the left in Figure 2 in an embodiment slightly altered as compared with Figure 3, Figure 5 is a section through the roll shutter slat along line V-V in Figure 2, l~igure 6 is a section through the roll shutter slat along line Vl-VI in Figure 2, -Figure 7 is a section through the roll shutter slat along -line VII-VII in Figure 2, Figure 8 shows part of a roll shutter according to the :
invention in a partially louvered condition, Figure 9 shows a part of the roll shutter in the entirely louvered, i.e. opened conditioll, but without the adjusting chain, :: ~ Figures10andll showviewsoftherollshutterasseen from the left in Figure 2, illustrating two different embodiments of i sliding chain links, :: : Figure l 2 likewise shows a view of a roll shutter from the 1 2 0 left in Figure 2 with a sliding cap, Figures 13-34 show embodiments of roll shutters according to this invention, the connecting hinges between the individual components being constituted by profiled guide means, wherein Figure 13 represents a section througll a roll shutter slat which cannot be louvered, , 2137350 Figure 14 shows a section througll a roll shutter slat that can be louvered, and Figure 15 shows a section through a roll shutter slat in the region of the adjusting chain, S Figure 16 shows a view from the front of part of a roll shutter in the completely louvered-open condition and 1 Figure 17 is a section through the roll shutter of Figure ~:~
i 6: along line A-B, : `
Figure 18 shows how the individual roll shutter slats can be mutually pivoted andthus rolled up, Figure 19 shows how the individual roll shutter slats can be shifted toward one another and how the pivotable roll shutter . ` i.
slats can be secured against swinging open, `i i:
Figure 20 shows a functional sketch of the roll shutter in .~,.,.. `
15 ~ the opened condition, Figure 21 shows a further embodiment of a roll shutter accor Ing to this invention in a partial sectional view and in oblique~elevation, Figure 22 is an enlarged illustration of part of the roll -; ` .
20; shutter o f Figure~21 in an oblique elevation, Figures 23-28 show various embodiments of the pull `~
chain links, of the adjusting chain links, of the sliding elements, and ,''~
: ~ of the pivotable louver slats, ... . , ~ , .
Figure 29 shows a further emibodimellt of tlle inventioll, ~ Figures 30:and 31 are sections through the roll shutter of Figure 29 in the closed and open conditiolls, ` -- 13 ~

~ 2137350 --.i.. , , , :

Figure 32 shows a section through the roll shutter in the : -~
closed and locked condition, Figure 33 shows a section through the roll shutter in the region of the adjusting chain, and ;~
SFigure 34 shows a section through the roll shutter in the `~
zone of the sliding chain in the fixed track, Figure 35 shows a device for triggering thé louvering process, ~
,.
Figure 36 shows the device of Figure 35 in-an oblique 1 0elevation, Figures 37 and 38 show a further embodiment of a device;~for triggering the louvering process in an oblique elevation and in lateral view, Figure 39 shows a third embodiment of a device for 5 ~ ~triggering the louvering step in an oblique elevation, Figures 40 and 41 show a locking device for preventing lateral shihillg of the pull chain links and:of tlle louver slats witl ; respect: to one another, in a sectional view and in oblique 1 elevational view, 20: Figure 42 shows how the: roll shutter of this:invention is r~olled up on a shaft having a polygonal cross section, and Figures 43 and 44 show two embodiments of shafts ;~ improved in accordance with~ this invention, a roll shutter having been wound up onto these shafts.
25In Figure l, a part of a roll shutter slat is shown in oblique elevational view, composed of a louverable, larnellar louver - 14 ~
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2~373~;~

slat 1, a pull chain link 2, and an adjusting chain link 5. As can be seen from Figure 2, in particular, the pull chain link has at one end bifurcate extensions 16 and at the other end a projection 17 carrying the hinge eyes of tl-e pull chain link. The pull chain link 5 2 furthermore includes an extension 6 running in the longitudinal direction of the roll shutter slat; this extension, in the present embodirnent, extends through underneath the adjusting chain link - ~ 5 and up into fixed guide means, not shown, for the roll shutter ; The louver slat 1 exhibits a tang 30 and the adjusting chain link has a tang 35j by means of whicl1 both extend over the pull chain link 2. In this way, any gap is avoided that would extend through the entire roll shutter slat.
The puli chain link 2 and the adjusting chain link S have cross sections corresponding together, in the conditiol1 shown in Figure 1, essentially to the cross section of the louver slat 1. In this ~way, a constant cross section extending all the way through is obtained for the roll shutter slat, affording advantages when the roll shutter is wouild up onto a shaft and also offering a smooth, ~; uninterrupted surface and consequently an optically pleasing ~ , ~, . . . .
appearance. ~, Figure 3 shows in a sectional view how a sliding chain link 3 is placed over the extension 6 of the pull chail1 1ink 2 and is .. ..
connected therewith in shape-mating fashion via a dovetail-like guide. In place of the sliding chain links 3, simple sliding caps can also be placed over the extensiol1 6. The sliding chain links 3 and/or the slip caps have the purpose of adapting the roll shutter to - 15 ~

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373~0 any desired groove width of a fixed track groove, provided, for example, at the masonry of a window openillg, in order to ensure satisfactory sliding and a noise-attenuated operation of the roll shutter. A lateral shifting of the sliding chain links or slip caps can be prevented, for example, by notches.
The sliding chain link 3 shown in Figure 3 exhibits at one end a slot-shaped cutout 26 and at the other end a projection 24 which latter can be inserted in the slot-like cutout 26 of the subsequent sliding chaill link and can be connected therewith by 1 0 way of a pi n 24 .
In the same way, the pull chain links 2 and the adjusting chain links S have slot-shaped cutouts defined by extensions 8 and 16, as well as~ projections 9 and l 7 for connection, by way of pins 7, 19, with the neigllborillg adjustment chain links 5 and/or pull chain links 2.
To prevent the possibility of pivoting, i.e. opening, the louver~slats 1 and tlle ~djustmellt chain links S unintentionally or by force, the~louver slats 1 exhibit a groove lS along their bottom longitudinal rim; this groove can collaborate with a web 14 provided at the upper longitudillal rim of the louver slats 1. It is necessary for this purpose that the roll shutter slats can be shifted with respect to one anotller in the direction of movement of the roll shutter. In order to make this possible, the pull chain links and the adjusting chain links, as well as the optionally included sliding chain links, exhibit on their webs 17, 9 and, respectively 24 bores 20, 2l and 22 of slotted-hole shape. The pins 7, 19 and 25, - 16 ~

~` , 21~73~0 respectively, are displaceably received in these bores. It is thereby possible for the pull chain, the adjusting chain and optionally the sliding chain to be "pushed together" and consequently also the Iouver slats 1 can be joined in tongue/groove fashion and can be locked.
S In order to simplify the assembly of the sliding chain links 3, the slotted hole 22 in the sliding chain link 3 can exhibit a slot 23 into which the pin 25 can be hooked in a sirnple way.
To ensure an opening up of the adjustable louver slats 1 without any problems, the provision is made according to the i nvention that the adjusting chain links S are articulated together in the zone of their lower end by way of a pin 12 in a bore 13 in the adjusting chain link 5 as well as a bore 13' in the louver slat 1. In ` ~ the zone of its upper longitudinal rim, the louver slat is articulated ` to the hinge pin 7 of the pull chain links.
~ As can be seen from Figures 5, 6 and, in particular, 7, the~pin 12 and the bores 13, 13' are spaced by the distance A from th~e plane whereill tl1e hinge pins 7 and the siotted holes 21 lie in the closed conditiol1 of the roll shutter. Thus, if the adjusting chain is retained during the openil1g of the louver slats 1 and the roll shutter is still further lowered, as will be described in greater detaii below, then the louver slats 1 are swung upward without any - problems due to the just-described spacing A between the pin 12 and the pin 7, on account of the lever effect.
T riggering and/or bringing aboutthe louver motion ofthe louver slats 1 can, however, also be effected in any other desired fashion, besides by the just-described arrangeme!1t.

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3 7 35 ~

As can be seen from Figure 3, the sliding chain link 3 ~:
has a bore 27 corresponding to the bore 13 in the sliding chain link S. This bore 27 can be present, even though it does not actually have a function, in case the adjusting chain link 5 and the sliding S chain link 3 exhibit the same cross section, i.e. have been produced, for example, with the same extrusion tool. If the sliding chain links 3 are manufactured by means of a different tool, the bore 27 can, of course, be omitted. In this case, it is also possible to provide larger rounded portions along the outer edges 28 of the `
10 sliding chain links 3 in order to permit an improved sliding ofthe sliding chain links 3 in the fixed tracks.
The pull chain link 2, illustrated, intèr alia, in Figure S, can be used with unchanged cross section but omitting the extension 6 also in the central zone of the roll shutter with a pull 15 chain in orderto impart higher strength to the roll shutter. In this case, care must be taken that the cross sections of the pull chain link 2 and of the remaining residual cross section (as in case of the tang 30) of the louver slat 1 are chosen so that the louver slat 1 in this region is weakened as little as possible. ~ ~
20Figures 8 and 9 show how the roll shutter of this ~ ;
invention can be opened up by louver action, the adjusting chain having been omitted from Figure 9.
In Figures 10 and 11, the sliding cllain links 3 alid 4 of Figures 3 and 4 are illustrated joined into a sliding chail1 wherein 25the slotted hole 22 of the sliding chain 3 has a slot 23 whereas the slotted hole 22 of the sliding chail1 link 4 is closed up. `~

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.,2~37350 In Figures l û-l 2, the fixed guide groove 7l is indicated in dashed lines, B characterizing a wider guide groove 71 and C .~ - .
denoting a narrower guide groove 71. .~ :
In Figure 12, an embodiment is illustrated wherein the -.-- `;
S sliding element is placed as a cap 33 onto the extension 6 of the pull chain link 2. In order to adapt the roll shutter to the varying groove widths B and C, respectively, the round top 34 of the sliding cap ;33 either can be eliminated, as illùstrated in Figure 12, or can -~
be:left intact as indicated in Figure 12, in order to adapt the roll ~`-:shutter to a broader guide groove B. ` ` ~
As can be seen, in particular, from Figures 1, 2 as well - ` -as 6 and 7, the extension 6 has a smaller width than the pull chain ; `~-link 2 whereby vacant spaces 10 and 11 are created. The joints 8, 9; 2~6, 24 of the adjusting and sliding chain links can be -`
15~ ~ accommodated without any problems in these vacant spaces 10 and whereby, on the one hand, no dimensioning problems arise in the-design and arrangemellt of the joints since each roll shutter slat ` `
is~to havé the~same total cross section in this zole as the louver slat . .,. "
1 and,:~on~the other halld, the connecting pins 19, 25 of the ~ ::
~: 20~ ad~usting chain links 5 and the sliding chain links 3 can align with ;:
the hinge or connecting pillS 7 of the pu!l chain links 2 with one : :
- another and with~the louver slats 1 whereby a joint pivoting axis is defined for al l chain l inks.
Embodiments of the invention will be described below wherein the joints between the individual chaill links, ~ormed by : `
: ~ . ~ ....
means of pins in corresponding bores, and, respectively, the - 19 ~

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connecting joints between the pull chain links and the pivotable louver slats are replaced by profiled guide means extending in the lon~,itudinal direction of the roll shutter slats.
As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the joints between the pull chain links 2 are constituted, on the one hand, by substantially U-shaped grooves 40 with an inwardly bent leg 41 and, on the other hand, by webs 42 exhibiting at their free end a hook-shaped projection 43 which can be received in the groove 40. Connection of~the web 42 with the groove 41 can here take place, for example, by pushing the web 42 of a pull chain link 2 in the longitudinal direction of the louver slat into the groove 40 of a neighboring pull chain link 2. The pivotability of such a hinged connection is illustrated, for example, in Figure 28.
I t can be seen that it is possible, in a very simple way, 1-5 to ~replace a hinged connection usually formed by pins in bores by a connection which, on the one hand, requires a smaller number of - `~parts and, on the other hand, can be mounted in a simp!er and ~, faster fashion.
The connection of the adjusting chain links S takes place ` ~
essentially in the same way, as illustrated in Figure 15 wherein the ~ ~-groove 40 and the web 42 are arranged at the adjusting chain links ~ ~
5. ` ~ - ;
In order to accommodate the hinged connection of the adjusting chain links 5 at the roll shutter slat without any problems, `~
~the pull chain links 2, overlapped by the adjusting chain links 5, exhibit in the region of the grooves 40 and webs 42 vacant spaces ~, ~. 21373SO . ~

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10 and 1 1 wherein the hinged connections can be accommodated without any problems. This arrangement, in turn, also ensures that - :
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the hinged connections between the adjusting chain links 5 are in alignment with the hinged connections between the pull chain links 5 2 so that a smooth windup of the roll shutter in the shutter housing is ensured.
As can be seen from Figures 13 and 14, the louver slats 1 are likewise articulated to the pull chain links 2 by way of profiled guide means. The Joints are formed herein in a similar 10 -manner as the joints between the pull chain links 2 and the adjusting chain links 5, on the one hand, by grooves 44 with inwardly bent legs 45, 46 arranged at the pull chain links 2, as well .. .. ...
as webs 47 with hook-shaped projections 48 provided at the upper longitudinal rims of the pivotable louver slats 1. Figure 20, for l~5 exarnple, shows in greater detail how pivoting of the louver slats 1 at the pull chain links 2 can be accomplished.
Figure 14 furthermore shows that the pivotable louver slats 1 exhi~bit, along their lower longitudinal rim, a groove 49 extending in the longitudii1al direction of the roll shutter slat; this 20 groove is associated with a web 50 at the upper longitudinal rim of the neighboring pull chain link 2. In this way, the louver slats 1 can be locked, in a manl1er described above, in the form of the groove/,~ongue system against unintended or forcible opening when - ... . ~ .:
the pull chain links 2 are pushed entirely toward one another.
25~ In order to make this possible, the grooves 40 of the joints between the individual pull chain links 2 and the adjusting -- 21 -- : -: ~ ~

--! ~ 2 1 3 7 3 chain links are designed to be so deep that the webs 42 with the hook-shaped projections 43 of the neighboring pull chain links 2 and adjusting chain links 5 are displaceable in the grooves 40 in the direction ~f movement of the roll shutter, i.e. transversely to the 5 longitudinal extension of the roll shutter slats.
In order to lock the adjusting chain links S, the latter are equipped at their lower longitudinal rims with grooves 51 and at their upper longitudinal rirns with webs 52 so that also the adjusting chain links 5 can be locked in the manner of a tongue-and-groove i joint.
Figure 13 illustrates an ernbodimel1t of louver slats 1 which are attached without louvering to the pull chain links 2.
Such roll shutter slats are customarily utilized as the uppermost roll shutter slats of a roll shutter, which last-mentioned slats are designed sothatthey cannot be louvered. In orderto connectthe non-louverable roll shutter slats 1 firmly and shape-rnatingly with ~the pull chain links 2, the roll shutter slats 1 have, in the zone of their lower longitudinal rirn, a projection 53, and the pull chain Iinks have~an associated projection 54, so that here again a guide means is provided extending in the longitudinal direction of the roll shutter sla~, preventing the roll shutter slat 1 from being detached or pivoted away from the pull chain link 2.
Figure 14 illustrates a roll shutter that can be louvered as described hereinabove.
As has been set forth above, problems with strength or safety occur frequently in roll shutters on account of lack of -- 2:L373~Q

resistance force of the roll shutter. In order to solve this problem, it is suggested according to this invention to have the pull chain links extend over the entire width of the roll shutter. One example of this is shown in Figures 16 and 17, wherein the pull chain links 2 are, however, illustrated only partially in their central zone, i.e without those zones wherein the adjusting chain links 5 are arranged. As can be seen in Figure 16 and also in a sectional view in Figure 14, the pull chain links 2 exhibit cutouts 55 defined by webs 56. In this way, in spite of a very high stability of the pull chain links 2 and therefore of the entire roll shutter, an adequate possibility of seeingthrough the rol! shutter with louvered-open slats is ensured.
Figure 18 shows how the roll shutter slats can be pivoted with respect to one another with the rigidly attached and not louverable roll shutter slats 1. In the same way, the pull chain links 2 with the pivotably moul1ted louver slats 1 and the associated adjusting chain links 5 can also be pivoted with respect to one another.
Figure 19 shows that the pivotable louver slats 1 are - ~ - .
~ ~ ~ 20 locked against an opening swing-out motion by way of groove 49 ; . ~,;
and tongue 50 when the pull chain links 2 have been placed in complete juxtaposition with one another. ;~
A substantial advantage exhibited by the embodiment described in connection with Figure 16, with pull chain links r extending over the entire width of the roll shutter in conjunction with profiled guide means as the connectil1g hinges resides in that ;;
,. ~, .
,,; ", . . . . . ....... . . ... . . .

-~ . 21~73~0 a continuous connection of the pull chain links with one another and with the louver slats 1 is provided over the entire width of the roll shutter whicl1 can be produced in a very simple way and also can be mounted in a very simple manner.
In order to establish the connection between the adjusting chain links 5 and the louver slats 1, a bore 57 is provided in the extension of the groove 41 at the lower longitudinal rim of the adjusting chail1 links 5, this bore being partially open toward the groove 51 and being associated with a bore 58, arranged in the 1 0 same way, in `the extension of the groove 49 at the pivotable louver slat 1. A peg 59 is inserted in the bores 57 and 58 and optionally pressed to fit into one of the two bores 57, 58 in order to prevent axial displacement of the,peg 59, whereby the peg 59 forms a connecting hinge between the adjusting chain links S and the louver slats 1.
Figures 21-28 illustrate embodiments of the invention constituting a further development of the invention as shown in Figures 13-20. The most significant difference as compared with the :
~:: above-described embodiment resides in that the pull chain links, 20 though also extending over the entire width of the roll shutter, are no longer made of one piece but rather are composed of several sections, namely of an upper profiled rod 60 carrying the hinge web - : : 42 with the hook-shaped projection 43, as well as the groove 44 for connection with the louver slat 1, of a lower profiled rod 61 carrying the profiled groove 40 for connection with the web 42 of the neighboring, upper profiled rod 60, as well as of one or several " ~
~ ' '~'' ~
2 1 3 7 3 ~ 0 : ~
..... ; . ,.
. . .
cen~ral webs 62 and marginal webs 63 at the two ends of the pull chain links wherein the central webs 62 and the marginal webs 63 ; .
connect the upper 60 and the lower 61 profiled rod with each other.
... .-. . . .
S Connection ofthe central webs 62 and marginal webs 63 ; -with the upper 60 and lower 61 profiled rods can be accomplished . . ~, in a great variety of ways. Figures 23, 24 and 25 show exemplary embodiments. In the example illustrated in Figure 23, the upper profiled rods 60 exhibit T-shaped grooves 64 and the lower profiled ;
rods 61 have T-shaped grooves 65 which face each other. The central webs 62 exhibit at their upper and lower longitudinal rims correspondingly profiled, T-shaped webs which are received in the -. - . ~
T-shaped grooves 64, 65, ~ihereby a firm connection is established between the upper 60 and the lower 61 profiled rods. The central webs 62 can optionally be secured against shifting, for example by cem;enting or press-fitting.
Figure 24 shows a roll shutter slat whicl1, in principle, is ~: of the ~same structure as the roll shutter slat shown in Figure 23 as regards the hinged connectiol1s between the individual pull chain links 2 as well as with the louver slats 1, but in this case the central : :
webs 62 are welded to the upper 60 and lower 61 profiled rods, as ;- ::
iilustrated at 66 and 67. : . ~ -The embodiment showl1 in Figure 25 corresponds essentially to that illustrated in Figure 23, but in this case the T-shaped grooves 64 and 65 are replaced by snap conl1ections 68 and 69, similar to a T-shaped groove.

- 25 - ~- : ~ . ` `
~'- ' '`"`''`` '' `'' ~ 21~73SO

In order to secure the louver slats 1 against unintentional swinging open, an upwardly projecting web 50 is, in turn, provided at the upper profiled rod 60 in the embodiments according to Figures 23-25; this web forms with the web 42 an upwardly open channel into which enter, 011 the one hand, a leg of the groove 40 of the hinged connection between the pull chain links 2 and, on the other hand, the lower rim of the louver slats 1 in the pushed-together condition of the roll shutter, so that the louver slats 1 are secured against swinging open.
The marginal webs 63 exhibit essentially the same profile as the central webs 62; they are conl1ected, just as the latter, to the upper 60 and lower 61 profiled rods and extend from the lateral rim of the upper 60 and lower.61 profiled rods up into the fixed guide profiles 71 of which one is illustrated in Figures 21 and 22. Care must be taken here to provide a sufficiently long and firm - ; connection between the upper 60 and the lower 61 profiled rods - and the margil1al webs 63. Optionally, the marginal webs 63, as described above, can exhibit free spaces for the hinged connections between the louver chain links 5.
Figure 26 shows how the adjusting chain link 5 overlaps the extension 70 of the marginal web 63 of the pull chain link 2.
bepending on the shape of the marginal web 63 and, respectively, of the extension 70 and the adjustil1g chail1 links 5, here again vacant spaces can be arranged at the marginal webs 63 so that the articulated conl1ectiol1s find room without any problems between the adjusting chain links 5.
:
- 2 6 ~

,, ,. ., ~ `
: ` . - . :

,~ : ': ', "2~73~0 ~

Figure 27 shows an embodiment of the inventio~
wherein the sliding chain link 3 is welded to the extension 70 of the marginal web 63. In order to make do with a minimum of different ;
profile configurations in the roll shutter according to this invention, 5 the provision can also be made, for example, to utilize the same profiles for the adjusting chaill links 5 and the sliding chain links 3.
The louver slats 1 in Figure 24 as well as the adjusting ~ ~:
chain links 5 in Figure 26 and the sliding chain links 3 in Figure 27 are~roll-forrned profiles. In order to be able to connect the louver 10 slats 1 ~and the adjusting chain links 5 with one another via hinge pins 76, a shell 73 is riveted to the louver slat 1 in Figure 24, and a: shel~l 73 is welded on in Figure 26 to accommodate the hinge pin 76. - `;s-~
Figure 28 shows a connection between the extension 70 ~ , ... - ....,. ~
15~ ~ of the marginal web 63, as well as a sliding chain link 3, correspollding essentially to the embodil-nent of Figure 23.
Figures Z9-34 show an embodimellt of the invention with profiled connecting hinges but with pull chain links 2 that do not extend all the way through. The roll shutter has central pull chain 20~ links Z~'~and marginal pull chain links 2" which have the same profile shape and exhibit at their lower longitudinal rim a groove 40 and ~at their upper longitudillal rim a web 42 with a hook-like projection 43 in order to establish the hinged connection between the individual pull chain links 2', 2". Below the web 42 there is 25 again a groove 44 into whicll a louver slat 1 can be suspended with a web 47 having a hook-like projection 48. The pull chain links 2"

- 27 ~
, ~ , . , . ... .. , . .~ .. ., .. . . .. i. . . . . ~ . . . - . . . - ...

2~1373~0 on the rim side moreover exhibit vacant spaces 10 and 11 wherein the joints between the adjusting chain links 5 are accommodated when the roll shutter is not louvered open.
The louver slats 1 likewise exhibit vacant spaces 74 and 5 75 at their lower longitudinal rims in those zones where the pull chain links 2', 2" are located; the joints 40, 42 of the pull chain links 2' and 2" are accommodated in these spaces in the closed condition of the roll shutter.
The adjusting chain links 5 are connected with one 10 another in a manner described above by way of webs 42 at their upper longitudil1al rims and grooves 40 at their lower longitudinal - rims. In order to connect the adjusting chain links 5 with the louver slats 1, the adjusting chail1- links 5 again carry bores 13 and the louver slats 1 have bores 13' in whicl1 a pin or rivet 76 is inserted 15 and is optionally secured against displacement by press-fitting into the bore l 3'. .
In order to secure tl1e louver slats 1 against unintentional opening, they have, in turn, a groove 15 at their lower longitudinal rim;; this groove can be placed over the upper longitudinal rim 14 20 of the louver slats 1 whel1 the roll shutter has been completely lowered.
To adapt the roll shutter of Figure 29 to various groove widths of the fixed guide grooves 71, sliding elements 33 are provided whicl1 are fixedly joined to the pull chain links 2" on the . ~ .
25 marginal side. For this purpose, the sliding elements 33 exhibit, as showll in Figures 29 and 34, a hook-shaped web 78 at their upper - 28 ~

2 ~ 3 7 3 longitudinal rim by means of whicll they can be hung into the groove 44 at the pull chain links 2". The siiding elements 33 furthermore have a lug 79 at a certain distance from their lower longitudinal rim; with this lug, the elements are suspended on a 5 web 80 atthe pull chain links 2".
Figures 32 and 34 show the structure of the roll shutter slats 77 which are utilized as the uppermost roll shutter slats of a roll shutter and consequently need not be louvered. It can be seen that ~ the cross section of the roll shutter slats 77 corresponds 10 essentially to the total cross section of the louver slats 1 and, respectively, the adJusting chain links 5 and the sliding elements 33 in conjunction with the pull chain links 2' and 2".
All of the parts of the disclosed ernbodiments of the roll shutter according to this invention can be manufactured either of a synthetic resin or of metallic materials, such as, for example, aluminum alloys, and they can be either extruded profile moldings or, in case of metallic materials, roll-formed profiies; it is also possible to employ differing materials for different parts of the roll shùtte~rs. !n this connection, the choice of materials is primarily ~ ~ . ... . ..
dependent~on the manufacturing costs and the requirements with ~ : -regard to strength to be met by the individual components. For example, synthetic resin moldings can be produced very favorably from an expense viewpoint, but show disadvantages as compared 1 with profiles made from metallic materials due to lack of thermal stability, i.e. resistance to heat, cold, UV radiation, and the like.

-- 2 9 ~
~ ., '~., .`'~''..`.~ ~.i' It is furthermore pointed out that, of course, individual components of all disclosed embodiments of the roll shutter according to this invention can be readily exchanged one for the other as long as the function of the individual parts remains S preserved. For example, it is possible to utilize, in a single roll shutter, pins accommodated in bores, for example to connect the pull chain links 2 with the louver slats 1, as well as profiled guide means, for exarnple to connect the adjusting chain links S; in this connection, any other possible combination is likewise feasible.
10Figures 35-38 show devices for triggering the louver motion. Both devices basically consist of a movable, approximately angular part 81 which latter will be denoted hereinbelow as roll shutter hook and is arranged at the first louver slat 1 or at the adjusting chain link S associated therewith; and of a fixed hook-5 shaped member 82 which latter is arranged in the zone of the upper ~ . ~
edge of the~ opening to be closed off and is designed to be resilient " ~ ~ or is mounted resiliently; this member will be denoted as spring - hook hereinbelow.
Tl1e roll shutter hook is designed in such a way and is ~; ~ 20 arranged in hidden fashion in the roll shutter slat so that it will flipout of the roll shutter slat either due to gravity or with the support of a spring as soon as it has left the shutter housing. The roll shutter hook 81 can drop, for example, toward the outside by an angle of about 30.
25The embodiment of the spring hook 82 shown in Figures 35 and 36 consists of a hook part 83 resiliently attached to a ,,,~,`~,,,.""-", ~

13~3~0 bracket 88. The hook part 83 has a hook 84 at its lower end as well as a slot 85 which extends in the direction of movement of the roll shutter and is open toward the bottom in the region of the hook. At its end Iying in opposition to the hook 84, the slot 85 5 terminates into a rectangular through hole 86.
On the side of the hook part 83 facing the roll shutter, flat springs 87 are attached on both sides of the slot 85 and extend from the hook 84 further downwardly and obliquely to the roll shutter. The free ends 122 of the flat springs 87 are rounded to - ~ 10 ~avoiddamageor~scratchingoftherollshutterwhenthesesprings are in contact with the roll shutter. At their upper ends 89, the flat springs 87 extend into the zone of the rectangular passage hole 86 and prevent the roll shutter- hook 81 from coming into engagement with the spring hook 82 while the roll shutter is being lowered.
l5 ~ As~ described above, the roll shutter hook 81 drops outwardly by its own weight or is urged outwardly by a spring as soon as it has left the shutter housing, not shown.~ Subsequently, the roll shuner hook 81, during lowering of the roll shutter, is urged agaln into the direction toward the roll sl1utter by tl1e upper ends 89 2Q ; of the flat springs 87, then by the hook member 83, and finally by the lower ends I 22 of the flat springs, untiI the rolI shutter hook can again drop toward the outside below the ends 122.
If it is intended to~open the louvers of the roll shutter, it must thereafter be pulled upwards again; during this step, the 25 approximately T-shaped roll shutter hook 81 is urged with its transverse beam 90 over the lower ends 122 of the flat springs 87 toward the outside and glides upwardly along the flat springs 87 until it has passed the hook 84. When the roll shutter is then again lowered, the roll shutter hook 81 hangs up with its transverse beam 90 in the hook 84, and the louver slats 1 are retained and opened 5 by way of the adjusting chain when the roll shutter is lowered further.
In case the roll shutter is again pulled completely upwardly, the roll shutter hook 81 slides through the slot 8~
upwards; the transverse beam 90 passes through the passage hole ~1 i0 86 and slides upwards along the upper ends 89 of the flat springs 87, the latter being bent in the direction toward the roll shutter until ;
the transverse beam 90 of the roll shutter hook 81 releases these springs and they can again spring toward the outside. `
Once the roll shutter ~has been pulled completely 15 upwards, the spring hook 82 can pivot inwardly toward the window .
- aperture or the like, i.e. toward the left in the clockwise direction in Figure 35, and comes into contact with the upper edge of the ~; masonry opening.
- To compensate for a lateral play of the roll shutter and 20 thus of the roll shutter hook 81, the provision can be made that the hook part 83 is slightly displaceable laterally and thus can adapt to the lateral position of the roll shutter hook 81.
Figures 37 and 38 show another, substantially simplified embodiment of a spring hook 82 which merely consists of a single 25 component, punched out, for example, of spring steel. The spring hook according to Figures 37 and 38 consists of a mounting - 32 - ~ ~

, 2~37~5 0 element 91 and a spring member 92 separated from the mounting ~ ~:
element 91 by slots 93 and 94 defined by webs 95 and 96. The .., ~ ....
spring member 92 consists of an upper spring portion 92' and a lower spring portion 92" separated from each other by a transverse 5 slot 97. At its lower end, the spring portion 92" exhibits a hook 102. At its upper end, the lower spring portion 92" has a deflecting member 98 pOilltillg upwards away from the roll shutter and delimiting the transverse slot 97 Oll its underside, and the upper spring portion 92' has at its lower end a guide-in member 99 10 pointing downwards away from the roll shutter and delimitingthe transverse slot 97 on its topside and projecting past the upper rim of the deflecting member~98. At its upper end, the spring portion 92' furthermore has an inlet guide member 100 pointing upwards away from the rol l shutter.
l S During lowering of the roll shutter, the roll shutter hook 81, in the present example being approximately of an L-shape, first :~ slides along the guide-in member 100 inwardly, then downwardly along the upper spring portion 92', until it can drop slightly toward the outside, and subsequently slides along the deflecting member 91 20 and further downwardly from the lower spring portion 92' until it can swing toward the outside underneath the hook l 02. When the roll shutter, to open the louvers, is again pulled upwardly, then the roll shutter hook 81 slides along the hook 102 toward the outside and over this hook, the lower spring portion 92" being bent in the 25 direction toward the roll shutter until it can hook into the hook 102 ~ I ~ 21373SO

during the renewed lowering of the roll shutter. The roll shutter can then be louvered open, as described above.
If the roll shutter is subsequently again pulled completely upwards, the roll shutter hook 81 slides upwardly until it is urged again toward the roll shutter by way of the deflecting member 98 and underneath the guide-in member 89 through the slot 97, and thus can pass the spring hook 82. - ;~
In order to ensure adequate overlapping of the guide-in member 99 over the deflecting member 98, a folded section 101 -can be provided at the mounting member 91 whereby the mounting ~
member 91 is shortened. The mounting member 91 can ~ ~-furthermore exhibit bores 103 in order to be threaded, for example, to a fixed guide profile 71 for the roll shutter. The folded section 101 can also be used as a stop lug for abutment against the ~ I
underside of the box wherein the roll shutter is rolled up; this substantially facilitates the measuring~work during installation.
Figure 39 shows an embodiment of a spring hook 82 substantially simplified as compared with the embodiment ~` illustrated in Figures 37 and 38. The spring hook according to Figure 39 consists likewise of a mounting member 91 and a spring ;~
part 92, a hook 102 being arranged at the lower end of the spring ~ ~ ~
part 92. The spring hook is arranged in a roll box 123 or the like, ~;
; tliè forward free side 124 of which is angled and extends with its lower longitudinal rim obliquely downwardly and away from the ~ ~ :
wall opening toward the outside. ;

...-,..-- 34 - `;`~,.

....... ... . ..

. . .

Figure 39 furthermore indicates a fixed guide rail 71 which can be of a conventional design. The spring hook 82, in turn, has bores 103, with the aid of whicll it can be threaded or riveted to the shutter housing 123 or an extension of the guide rail 5 71. The spring hook 82 is arranged in the angled zone of the front wall l 24 of the shutter housing 123 and is in contact with this wall with its upper longitudinal rim 125, or has only a small spacing therefrom. Thereby, the roll shutter hook 81 first glides downwardly .. .. .
along the front wall 124 and then directly on the side of the spring l O hook 82 facing the roll shutter without being able to engage into the hook 102 while the roll shutter is being lowered.
When the roll shutter, after having been lowered ~ -completely, is pul!ed up again, the roll shutter hook 81 slides with .
its transverse beam 90 along the hook 102 toward the outside, the ~l5; springpart92witlltllehook102beingbellttowardtherollshutter until the transverse beam 90 has passed the hook 102. When the roll shutter is then lowered again, the roll shutter hook 81 can hook into the hook 102, and the rol! shutter can have its louvers opened ~ However, if the roll shutter is pulled further upwardly, 20then the angled portion of the front wall 124 of the roll box 123 takes over the function of a guide-in rnember, and the roll shutter hoQk 81, with continued upward pulling of the roll shutter, is swung increasingly further inwards; simultaneously, the spring part 92 of the spring hook 82 also moves resiliently toward the inside until the 25transverse beam 90 of the roll shutter hook 81 has passed the spring _ 35 ~

.' !
. ~137350 hook 82, and the lat~er can spring back again toward the outside in the direction toward the front wall 124.
The spring hook 82 illustrated in Figure 39, in conjunction with the angled front wall 124 of the shutter housing S 123, not only has the advantage that the spring hook 82 is of a ver simple structure but also has the advantage that the spring hook 82 is entirely accommodated in the shutter housing 123, offering not only advantages froln an optical viewpoint but also protection from damage of the spring hook 82.
For purposes of improved illustration, Figure 39 shows a portion of the front wall 124 broken away wherein the outer contour of the front wall 1 24 has been indicated in dot-dash lines - for a better representation of the structure.
It is understood that the embodiments of spring hooks 15 and roll shutter hooks shown in Figures 35-39 are not restricted to any specific structure of a roll shutter but rather can be utilized in any desired roll shutter.
`
Since the roll shutter hook 81 il lustrated in Figures 37-39 is of a very flat design, it is not absolutely necessary for the hook to -20 be received in a cutout of the louver slat 1; rather, the hook can also contact the first louver slat 1 directly on the outside.
Figures 40 and 41 show how lateral shifting of the ~ ;
individual parts with respect to one another can be prevented in a '~ ,,'J,`," `'',`"
hinged connection of individual parts by way of profiled guide means. For this purpose, for example, a cutout 105 is provided at u the web 42 of the pull chain link 2, and by two cuts 107, 108 a . ...; , -- 3 6 -- ~ . . " . . . `. - "
` ~;', ., .`.".'. ''' :,, .' ', . ,: ~', ~ '~1373~0 tang 109 is formed at one leg 106 of the groove 40; in the assembled condition of the hinged connection 40, 42, this tang can be bent into the cutout 105. It is, of course, also possible to provide a cutout at one or both legs 41 or 106 of the groove 40 and 5 to bend a tang arranged at the web 42 into one of these cutouts.
Furthermore, this way of securement can be utilized not only in case of the pull chain links 2 with one another, but also in the connection between the adjusting chain links 5 and the connection between the louver slats 1 and the pull chain links 2, just as in case 10 of the sliding chain links 3, 4 or the connectiol1 between the sliding chain links 3,4 and the pull chain links 2.
Figure 42 shows an octagonal shaft onto which a roll shutter according to this invention is wound up; it can be seen that the roll shutter can be rolled up without any problems by the ~ mutually aligned connecting pins 7, 19 and 25 of the pull, adjusting, and sliding chail1 links.
In Figure 43, a shaft 111 is illustrated onto which a roll shutter has been wound up completely. The shaft 111 exhibits an axis of rotation 112 and is supported via bearings, not shown, in the shutter housing which is not illustrated, either. The shaft 111 has an approximately polygonal cross section with rounded sides and edges, a region 113 of the polygon havil1g a smaller distance from the axis of rotation 112 of the shaft 111 than the remaining circumference of the polygon. A groove is provided beside this 2S region 113 wherein a pin 114 is housed. Via this pin 114, a flat spring 115 isattachedtotheshaft111 and iswound approximately - 37 ~

37~5~

once around the shaft 111; with its other end, the spring is connected to the first or uppermost leaf 77.
This first leaf 77 is in contact with the shaft 111 approximately in the zone 113 where this shaft has the smallest S outer radius. The leaf 77 is offset radially toward the inside by about the amount of its thickness in this embodiment, so that no bulge will ~orm when the subsequent leaves are wound up over the leaf 77. On account of this eccentric structure and/or support of the shaft 111, an outer roll-up circle 116 is thus created in total, having 10its center in the axis of rotation 112 of the shaft 111, the periphery of the wound-up roll shutter lacking any bulge. The outermost winding diameter of the roll shutter can thus be reduced by double the extent of eccentricity of a bulge present in the prior art, with the final result that the roll shutter becomes more compact.
l SThe shaft 1 1 1, in the embodiment shown in Figure 43, i has inwardly projecting webs 117 extending in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 111 whereil1 the web 117 Iying in opposition to the inwardly offset region 113 of the shaft 111 is the longest.
The surfaces of the webs 117 facing the axis of rotation 112 are 2 0 located on a circle 118, the center of the latter Iying on the axis of rotation 112 of the shaft 111. The webs 1 17 accommodate shaft bearings, not shown, or a motor for driving the roll shutter, or the like.
Figure 44 shows another embodiment of the shaft 111 25 wherein the webs 117, as compared with Figure 1, are either shortened or entirely omitted so that a larger space is created in the ..... "
- 3 8 - .:.- '`.
,.,,,`, ~.,~,;, ,,.,`....
....
-', ~ '.,':",' ' interior of the shah 111 wherein a relatively large motor or the like can be housed. The center 1 19 of a circle 120 which can now be drawn in the shaft 111 lies eccentrically to the axis of rotation 112 of the shaft 111. In order to compensate for this, the motor mount 121 or the shaft journal is arranged in the axis of rotation 112. The shaft 111 now runs again eccentrically and cornpensates for the bulge so that once more the rolled-up form has the ideal smaller diameter 116.
In the embodilllellts according to Figures 43 and 44, an approximately polygonal shaft is always referred to. However, the invention also covers, for example, shafts with a circular periphery, which shafts are eccentrically supported.
In summation, - the invention can be described, for example, as fol lows~
The roll shutter, whicll can be louvered, exhibits at least one pull chain~ the chaill links 2 of which are articulated together with onè another and with pivotable, lamellar louver slats l, and at least one adjusting chain, tlle chain links 5 of which are articulated together with one another~and with the louver slats l. The ad~usting chain links 5 overlap the pull chain links 2, and preferably the louver slats l also overlap the pull chain links 5 at least partially. Thereby, gaps extending through the roll shutter are avoided; the roll shutter is of a very compact structure; and the roll shutter slats exhibit a constallt cross section all the way through.
~ .
: ~.

~ ' ' ,

Claims (42)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE
DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Louverable roll shutter with at least one pull chain, the chain links (2) of which are articulated together with one another and with pivotable, lamellar louver slats (1), and with at least one adjusting chain, the chain links (5) of which are articulated together with one another and with the louver slats (1), characterized in that the adjusting chain links (5) overlap the pull chain links (2), and that the joints (7, 44, 42) or at least a part of the joints (7, 44, 42) between the pull chain links (2) is positioned on that side of the joints (19, 40, 42) of the adjusting chain links (5) which is directed away from the fixed guide profile (71).

2. Roll shutter according to claim 1, characterized in that the louver slats (1) overlap the pull chain links (5) at least partially.

3. Roll shutter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting hinges (7) between the pull chain links (2) and the louver slats (1) lie in the zone of the upper longitudinal rim of the louver slats (1).

4. Roll shutter according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the connecting hinges (12) between the adjusting chain links (5) and the louver slats (1) lie in the zone of the lower longitudinal rim of the louver slats (1).

5. Roll shutter according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the connecting hinges (12) of the adjusting chain links (5) with the louver slats (1) exhibit, in the closed condition of the roll shutter, a spacing (A) from the plane wherein the connecting hinges (7; 44, 47) of the louver slats (1 ) with the pull chain links (2) are located.

6. Roll shutter according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the joints (7; 40, 42) of the pull chain links (2), in the closed condition of the roll shutter, are in alignment with the joints: (19; 40, 42) of the adjusting chain links (5).

7. Roll shutter according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the connecting hinges (7) of the louver slats (1) with the pull chain links (2) are in alignment with the joints (7) of the pull chain links (2).

8. Roll shutter according to one of claims 1-7, characterized in that one (20, 21) of the two hinge eyes of the pull chain links (2) and, respectively, of the adjusting chain links (5) is a slotted hole.

9. Roll shutter according to one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the joints between the pull chain links (2) and/or the adjusting chain links (5) are constituted by profiled guide means (40, 42) provided at the pull chain links (2) and, respectively, adjusting chain links (5), the pull chain links (2) and, respectively, the adjusting chain links (5) being connected to each other by way of these guide means.

10. Roll shutter according to one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the connecting hinges of the louver slats (1) with the pull chain links (2) are formed by profiled guide means (44, 47), by way of which the louver slats (1) are connected with the pull chain links (2).

11. Roll shutter according to one of claims 1-6 or 8-10, characterized in that the connecting links (44, 47) between the louver slats (1) and the pull chain links (2) are located approximately below the connecting hinges (40, 42) between the respective pull chain links (2).

12. Roll shutter according to one of claims 9-11, characterized in that the connecting hinges (40, 42) between the pull chain links (2) and adjusting chain links (5) are designed to be displaceable in the direction of movement of the roll shutter.

13. Roll shutter according to one of claims 8-12, characterized in that a groove (15, 49, 51) is provided at the lower longitudinal rim of the louver slats (1) and/or of the adjusting chain links (5), this groove, in the closed condition of the roll shutter, cooperating with a web (14, 50, 52) provided in the zone of the upper longitudinal rim of the pull chain links (2) or of the louver slats (1) and/or of the adjusting chain links (5).

14. Roll shutter according to one of claims 8-12, characterized in that webs (39) are provided at the lower longitudinal rim of the louver slats (1) and/or of the adjusting chain links (5), these webs, in the closed condition of the roll shutter, cooperating in shape-mating fashion with webs (50) of the neighboring pull chain links (2) or louver slats (1) and, respectively, adjusting chain links (5).

15. Roll shutter according to one of claims 1-14, characterized in that an extension (6, 70) is provided at the pull chain links (2), the pull chain links (2), in the installed condition, being guided over this extension in fixed guide profiles (71).

16. Roll shutter according to claim 15, characterized in that sliding elements (3, 4, 33) are arranged on the extensions (6), the thickness of these elements being adapted to the groove width (B, C) of the fixed guide profiles (71).

17. Roll shutter according to claim 16, characterized in that the sliding elements (3, 4) form a sliding chain.

18. Roll shutter according to one of claims 1-17, characterized in that the pull chain links (2) extend over the entire width of the roll shutter.

19. Roll shutter according to one of claims 1-17, characterized in that respectively one pull chain is arranged at the longitudinal rims of the roll shutter and optionally one or several further pull chains are provided in the central zone of the roll shutter.

20. Roll shutter according to one of claims 1-19, characterized in that the pull chain links (2) exhibit perforations (55) defined by webs (56).

21. Roll shutter according to one of claims 1-19, characterized in that the pull chain links (2) consist of profiled rods (60, 61) extending in the longitudinal direction of the roll shutter slats, these rods being connected with one another by way of webs (62).

22. Roll shutter according to claim 21, characterized in that the profiled rods (60, 61 ) of a pull chain link (2) are provided, on the mutually facing sides, with approximately T-shaped grooves (64, 65), the webs (62) engaging into these grooves.

23. Roll shutter according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the profiled rods (60, 61) are welded or cemented to the webs (62).

24. Roll shutter according to one of claims 1-23, characterized in that the joint total cross section of the pull chain links (2) and the adjusting chain links (5), in the closed condition of the roll shutter, corresponds essentially to the cross section of the roll shutter slats.

25. Roll shutter according to one of claims 1-24, characterized in that vacant spaces (10, 11) are provided at the pull chain links (2), the connecting hinges (40, 42) of the adjusting chain links (5) being accommodated in these spaces in the closed condition of the roll shutter.

26. Roll shutter according to one of claims 10-25, characterized ill that the connecting hinges (40, 42; 44, 47) of profiled design exhibit, at one part, a cutout (105) and, at the other part, a tang (109) which latter can be bent into the cutout (105).

27. Roll shutter according to claim 26, characterized in that the tang (109) is defined by cutouts (107, 108), such as cuts or the like.

28. Roll shutter according to one of claims 1-27, characterized in that at least one angular part (81) is pivotably mounted at the uppermost louver slat (1) or at the uppermost link (5) of the louver chain, this part being suitable for cooperation with a hook-shaped, fixed part (82).

29. Roll shutter according to claim 28, characterized in that the hook-shaped part (82) exhibits at its lower end a hook (84);
that it exhibits a vertical, downwardly open slot (85) having at its upper end a through hole (86) for the angular part (81); that the through hole (86) is covered at least in part by flat springs (87); and that it exhibits flat springs (87) obliquely inclined downwardly from the hook toward the roll shutter, these flat springs forming between them an extension of the slot (85).

30. Roll shutter according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that the hook-shaped part (82) is supported at a bracket (88) to be rotatable and preferably laterally slightly displaceable, and that a spring is provided which stresses the hook-shaped part (82) toward the roll shutter.

31. Roll shutter according to claim 28, characterized in that the hook-shaped part (82) is designed to be resilient and has, in its upper region, a horizontally extending slot (97); that the lower rim of the slot (97) is formed by a deflecting member (98) pointing obliquely upwardly away from the roll shutter; and that the upper rim of the slot (97) is formed by a guide-in member (99) projecting obliquely downwardly away from the roll shutter, this guide-in member projecting past the deflecting member (98).

32. Roll shutter according to claim 29, characterized in that the hook-shaped part (82) has vertically extending slots (93, 94) separating the hook-shaped part (82) into a mounting part (91) and a resilient part (92, 92'), and that an inlet member (100) pointing obliquely upwardly away from the roll shutter is provided at the upper end of the resilient part (92').

33. Roll shutter according to claim 28, characterized in that the hook-shaped part (82) is designed to be resilient and exhibits an essentially L-shaped configuration; that the hook-shaped part (82) is attached with one leg (91) in the interior of a shutter housing (23) or the like; that a hook (102) is arranged at the other free leg (92) of the hook-shaped part (82); and that the rim (125) of t he hook-shaped part (82) lying in opposition to the hook (102) is in contact with the front wall (124) of the shutter housing (123) or the like, or has only a small spacing therefrom.

34. Roll shutter according to claim 33, characterized in that the front wall (124) of the roll shutter (123) or the like is angled obliquely downwardly away from the shutter housing (123) in the zone of the lower longitudinal rim of this wall, and that the hook-shaped part (82) is arranged in the zone of this angled portion.

35. Roll shutter according to one of claims 28-34, characterized in that an essentially horizontally extending leg (90) of the angular hook (82) cooperates with the hook-shaped part (82).

36. Roll shutter according to one of claims 1-35, characterized in that a shaft (111) is provided for rolling up the roll shutter, the outer radius of this shaft, measured from the axis of rotation (112) of the shaft (111), being, in a certain area (113), smaller than at the remaining circumference of the shaft (111).

37. Roll shutter according to claim 36, characterized in that the shaft (111) exhibits an approximately polygonal cross section, and that one side (113) of the polygon is in closer proximity to the axis of rotation (112) of the shaft (111) than the remaining sides of the polygon.

38. Roll shutter according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that inwardly projecting webs (117) are provided at the shaft (111), the inner surfaces of these webs lying on the circumference of a circle (118), the center of which is congruent with the axis of rotation (112) of the shaft (111).

39. Roll shutter according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that the shaft (111) has an inner diameter (120), formed at least partially by webs (117) projecting inwardly from the shaft (111), the center (119) of this diameter lying eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation (112) of the shaft (111).

40. Roll shutter according to one of claims 36-39, characterized in that a groove is provided in the shaft (111) extending in the longitudinal direction of the shaft (111), which groove can receive a pin (114) or the like for attaching the roll shutter to the shaft (111).

41. Roll shutter according- to one of claims 36-40, characterized in that the uppermost or first leaf (77) of the roll shutter is connected by way of a flat spring (l 15) or the like with the shaft (111).

42. Roll shutter according to claim 40 or 41, characterized in that the flat spring (115) is attached in the groove of the shaft (111) by way of a pin (114) or the like and winds once around the shaft (111).