EP0730080B1 - Device for mounting a shaft of a roller blind - Google Patents

Abstract

The fixing, for a roller blind shaft (1) which has one end (2) able to rotate on a section of a telescopic axle (7), consists of a coupling (15) in the form of a bush (16) projecting from a fixed side plate, retainers (19, 29) on the axle and bush, and a spring clip (27) to hold them together. The retainers on the axle are in the form of two tongues (21) which extend radially from its outer surface diametrically opposite one another and fit into slots (24) in the bush (16). The bush has retainers in the form of radial projections which are located adjacent to the two tongues when the axle is inserted into the bush, and the spring clip fits between the two sets of projections to hold them together.

Description

The invention relates to a device for fixing a roller shutter shaft. at least one end of which is rotatably mounted on a section of telescopic axis made integral with a support cheek using means retractable link, as described for example in EP-A-0 320 423.

The present invention will find its application in the field of roller shutters.

Usually, a rolling shutter for door, window or analogous, has a tree on which and which is wound and unwound an apron constituted by a juxtaposition of blades connected to each other others using appropriate means of articulation. This tree of winding of said deck is rotatably mounted on sections of axis which protrude at its ends and are fixed on cheeks supports. These can be added to the masonry or on the upper end of slides contributing to guiding the deck while traveling.

On one end of such a winding shaft are mounted, in in addition, the rotary drive means which can be of the type manual, such as a pulley, winch or the like, or of the type with online order. In particular, it is known, for the drive of such roller shutters, tubular motors which are engaged in this end of the winding shaft in order to rotate through transmission means appropriate. In fact, the very presence of such training means, whatever their characteristics, makes the rating between the supporting cheek and the end, proper, of the winding shaft, is frozen. However, the distance between two supporting cheeks is likely to vary depending on the constraints encountered at the time even the installation of the roller shutter. This is why, very often, the axis section, on which the winding shaft is rotatably mounted, its end opposite to the drive means, is of the type telescopic. More specifically, the protruding length of this section of axis relative to the end of the winding shaft is adjustable, thus making it possible to make up for dimensional differences encountered.

This telescopic mounting of such a section of axis on which is mounted in rotation of the roller shutter winding shaft, also has a another advantage, namely that it considerably facilitates the installation of said roller shutter. Indeed, we can, therefore, consider a nesting axial of the entire mechanism on the supporting cheeks beforehand fixed on masonry or other.

In this regard, the fixing of the free end of such a section of axis on a support cheek is carried out, essentially, in the following way: this free end of the section of axis formed, substantially, by a tube, is either positioned in a cradle, or engaged in a socket fitted to the support cheek. The end of the tube defining this axis section comprises, diametrically opposite, openings that are just positioned to the right of openings made at level of the cradle or of said socket in order to engage a locking pin blocking. This is then deformed so that it does not escapes involuntarily. It is also customary to arrange in the bottom of a cradle from the supporting cheek, a tooth, similar to a pin which is inserted into the through openings, diametrically opposite, the end of the axis section.

The problem posed, precisely, by such an arrangement is observed, more particularly in the case of a motorized shutter drive rolling. Indeed, the obstruction provided by the pin, immobilizing in translation and rotation relative to the support cheek, the axis section located at the end of the winding shaft, opposite to the motor means, prevents the development of any control relief. Also, it is very common not to equip, for these reasons, a motorized roller shutter with emergency drive means.

In this regard, however, it should be noted that we have already imagined, by passed, to equip the support cheek with a tubular bearing, in the form of a plastic part, on which is directly mounted the end of the winding shaft. In addition, through this level tubular, we just insert, in said winding shaft, a shaft transmission which can be rotated by manual means of the winch, pulley or similar type. This transmission shaft retransmits its movement to said winding shaft, either directly, either through an appropriate configuration differential.

We immediately see the major disadvantage of such a construction, namely that there is a total absence, under these conditions, of means of axial adjustment of the winding shaft relative to the position of the supporting cheeks. Indeed, the presence of the tubular bearing on which is mounted the winding shaft imposes, of course, the elimination of the telescopic axis section. Also, on the opposite side, that is to say on the motorization side, any means of axial adjustment is not hardly possible.

Finally, the present invention aims to provide a solution to the aforementioned problem, that is to say a solution which makes it possible to envisage equipping a motorized roller shutter with an emergency control, without jeopardizing the presence of an axis section telescopic to the opposite end of the winding shaft, this by compared to said engine.

• un embout tubulaire comportant un alésage ajusté au diamètre du tronçon d'axe pour recevoir la partie d'extrémité de ce dernier ;
• des moyens de retenue aménagés en périphérie de cette partie d'extrémité dudit tronçon d'axe qui en assurent le blocage en rotation lorsqu'ils sont amenés à coopérer avec des moyens de retenue complémentaires équipant la paroi de l'embout tubulaire.
• et des moyens de blocage axial, de nature escamotable, de ladite partie d'extrémité du tronçon d'axe dans l'embout tubulaire, sous forme de moyens de verrouillage s'opposant au dégagement des moyens de retenue correspondant au tronçon d'axe par rapport aux moyens de retenue complémentaires associés à l'embout tubulaire.

The invention, as characterized in the claims, solves the problem and consists of a device for fixing a roller shutter shaft, at least one end of which is rotatably mounted on a section of telescopic axis made integral with the '' a supporting cheek using retractable connection means, these retractable connection means being constituted, in combination, by:

• a tubular end piece having a bore adjusted to the diameter of the axis section to receive the end portion of the latter;
• retaining means arranged at the periphery of this end part of said section of axis which ensure its rotation lock when they are brought to cooperate with complementary retaining means equipping the wall of the tubular endpiece.
• and axial locking means, of retractable nature, of said end portion of the axis section in the tubular end piece, in the form of locking means opposing the release of the retaining means corresponding to the axis section by compared to the additional retaining means associated with the tubular end piece.

According to a preferred embodiment, the retaining means arranged at the periphery of the end part of the axis section is have in the form of at least one tongue extending radially, at the periphery of this section of axis, while the retaining means complementary are constituted by at least one machined groove axially in the wall of the tubular end piece and opening out the free end of the latter.

As for the axial locking means, they are preferably designed, in the form of a circlip capable of being engaged above the end piece tubular associated with the support cheek in order to lock the lug or the tongue extending radially with respect to the axis section in said axial groove arranged in the wall of this tubular end piece.

The advantages arising from the present invention consist, basically, in that no organ connecting means retractable, according to the invention, does not hinder the passage of a drive shaft corresponding to an emergency operation at inside the axis section on which the shaft is rotatably mounted curtain winding. Furthermore, this section of axis is able to keep its telescopic property relative to the end of the tree winding, as will appear further in the description who will follow.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématisée et en coupe partielle d'un arbre d'enroulement d'un tablier correspondant à un volet roulant dont l'une des extrémités est montée en rotation sur un tronçon d'axe rendu solidaire d'une joue support à l'aide de moyens de liaison conformes à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une illustration schématisée et en perspective de ces moyens de liaison escamotables, ceci préalablement au montage de la partie d'extrémité du tronçon d'axe sur ladite joue support ;
• la figure 3 est une vue schématisée et en perspective du tronçon d'axe susceptible d'accueillir, grâce aux caractéristiques de l'invention, un arbre de transmission correspondant à une manoeuvre de secours.

Thus, this invention is explained in more detail in this description relating to the attached drawing representing only one embodiment.

• Figure 1 is a schematic view in partial section of a winding shaft of an apron corresponding to a rolling shutter one end of which is rotatably mounted on a section of axis made integral with a support cheek using connecting means according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a schematic perspective illustration of these retractable connecting means, this prior to mounting the end portion of the axis section on said support cheek;
• Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the axis section capable of accommodating, thanks to the features of the invention, a drive shaft corresponding to an emergency operation.

The present invention relates, more particularly, to the field of roller shutters. Thus, such a rolling shutter comprises, as shown in FIG. 1, a shaft 1 on which is wound and from which a apron (not shown) consisting of a juxtaposition of blades articulated with respect to each other.

This tree 1, referred to below in the description of the tree winding, is kept in rotation, at its ends 2, 3, by support cheeks 4, 5 which can be made integral with the masonry, at a doorway in a dwelling and corresponding to a door, window or the like intended to accommodate, specifically, the roller shutter. Such supporting cheeks 4, 5 can still be attached to the upper end of side rails having for the purpose of guiding the roller shutter deck during its movements. These side slides have not been shown in the attached drawing these are elements perfectly known to those skilled in the art.

The present invention relates, more particularly, to the case shown in Figure 1, i.e. in a situation where the tree winding 1 comprises motorized drive means 6 located at one of its ends 3 and whose opposite end 2 is rotatably mounted on a section of axis 7, the end portion 8 is fixed on the cheek support 4.

In particular, the motorized drive means 6 can present themselves, as shown schematically in this figure 1, under form of a tubular motor 9 introduced, in a known manner, into the end 3 of the winding shaft 1. In addition, this is maintained in rotation, at this end 3 by means of a bearing 10 made secured to the support cheek 5.

At its opposite end 2, as already indicated above, this tree winding 1 is rotatably mounted on a section of axis 7, this by through two internal bearings 11, 12, also known as tandem in the profession. In fact, they allow mounting telescopic of said axis section 7 relative to the winding shaft 1. Thus, the first 11 of these bearings, located at the very end of the winding shaft 1 is immobilized in translation relative to this last while it is sliding on the axis section 7. Unlike, the second internal bearing 12 slides inside this shaft winding 1.

This telescopic quality of the axis section 7 is particularly appreciable since not only does it compensate for possible variations in distance between the supporting cheeks 4, 5, but, in in addition, it facilitates the mounting and installation of the roller shutter.

In such a configuration corresponding to a motorized roller shutter, it is desirable to have emergency maneuvering means 13 which, due to the space provided by the means motorized drive 6 at the end 3 of the winding shaft 1, can only intervene at the opposite end 2 of this latest.

In fact, the present invention relates to a fixing device 14 of the winding shaft 1 on said support cheeks 4, 5, which responds to advantageously to the constraints which have been presented above. Thus, this fixing device 14 is intended to be able to resolve the problem of fixing the end part 8 of the axis section 7 on the cheek support 4 authorizing this cooperation of the control means emergency 13 with said winding shaft 1. For this purpose, this fastening device 14 uses retractable connecting means 15, more particularly illustrated in FIG. 2, and which comprise, in particular, an attached tubular endpiece 16, by welding or by via an appropriate base, on the support cheek 4. This tubular endpiece 16 has a bore 17 adjusted to the diameter 18 of the axis section 7 allowing it to receive the end portion 8 of this latest.

These retractable connecting means 15 are further distinguished by retaining means 19 arranged on the periphery of this part end 8 of the axis section 7 and having the function of ensuring the locking in rotation of the latter when they are brought to cooperate with additional retaining means 20 fitted to the tubular end piece 16.

Preferably, said retaining means 19 are presented under form of at least one tongue 21 extending radially around the periphery of this end portion 8 of the axis section 7. In particular, this being of the tubular type, axial cutouts 22 are made in the end 23 of the axis section 7 so as to define a tongue 21 which is then folded radially outwards from the tube corresponding to this section of axis 7. It appears, obviously, that such a design is simple and inexpensive to produce.

Preferably, two tongues 21 extending radially and of diametrically opposite to the end portion 8 of the section of axis 7, define said retaining means 19.

As for the additional retaining means 20, they arise in the form of at least one groove 24 arranged axially in the wall 25 of the tubular endpiece 16 while opening at the free end 26 of the latter. This or these grooves 24 are arranged, at the level of this tubular end piece 16, in accordance with the tongue or tongues 21 of the section of axis 7, allowing nesting.

According to the invention, the retractable connecting means 15 are supplemented by axial locking means 27, of retractable nature, of said axis section 7 in the tubular end piece 16. Advantageously, these axial locking means 27 this are in the form of means for locking preventing the withdrawal of the tab or tabs 21, defining the retaining means 19, of the groove or grooves 24 corresponding to the additional restraint 20.

Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, these blocking means axial 27 are constituted by a circlip 28 capable of being engaged on the tubular endpiece 16, at the rear of retaining members 29 preventing the axial clearance of this circlip 28 at the free end 26 of this end piece tubular 16. Under these conditions, this circlip 28 comes, simultaneously, prevent the release of the retaining means 19 from the additional retaining means 20 when the end portion 8 of the axis section 7 is engaged in the tubular endpiece 16. More precisely, the assembly of the circlip 28 carried out, it comes position at the front of the tongue or tongues 21, engaged in the one or more grooves 24 and oppose, in this way, the release of these tongues 21 with respect to said grooves 24.

According to a first embodiment, more particularly illustrated in the attached drawing, the grooves 24 are, in fact, machined cutouts in the thickness of the wall 25 of the tubular endpiece 16 allowing the tabs 21, the length of which is provided accordingly, to have projecting peripheries 30 of said tubular end piece 16. Thus, when positioned between the retaining members 29 and these protruding tabs 21 inserted in the grooves 24, the circlip 28 comes immobilize perfectly, the axis section 7 axially in the end piece tubular 16. According to a second embodiment, the groove or grooves 24 in the wall 25 of the tubular endpiece 16, do not open out periphery 30 of the latter, while the tongues 21 are themselves shorter length adjusted to the depth of the grooves 24. The circlips 28 then comes to be housed in a groove at the periphery of the tubular endpiece 16, groove which opens into the axial grooves 24 so that once the circlip 28 is in position, it can, effectively, oppose the withdrawal of said tabs 21 corresponding to the sections of axis 7 of these axial grooves 24 of the tubular endpiece 16.

The advantages which flow from this invention consist, of course, in that, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, nothing stands in the way, internally to the section of axis 7, of tubular shape, when a transmission shaft 31 corresponding to maneuvering means of emergency 13 allowing to manually drive the winding shaft 1 in the event of an electric motor failure. Note, in this regard, that the transmission shaft 31 can retransmit its movement from rotation at winding shaft 1, either directly or by through a differential or similar means.

Claims (9)

1. Device for fixing a shaft (1) of a roller blind at least an end (2) of which is rotationally mounted on a telescopic spindle length (7) made integral with a supporting side-plate (4) through withdrawable connecting means (15), characterised in that said withdrawable connecting means (15) are formed, in combination, of:

   a tubular ferrule (16) including a bore (17) adjusted to the diameter (18) of the spindle length (7), in order to receive the end portion (8) of the latter;

   retaining means (19) provided for at the periphery of this end portion (8) of said spindle length (7), which ensure the locking of same in rotation when they are brought into co-operation with complementary retaining means (20) the wall (25) of the tubular ferrule (16) is provided with;

   and means (27) of a withdrawable type for axially locking the end portion (8) of the spindle length (7) in the tubular ferrule (16), in the shape of locking means impeding the release of the retaining means (19) corresponding to the spindle length (7) from the complementary retaining means (20) associated to the tubular ferrule (16).
2. Fixing device according to claim 1, characterised in that the retaining means (19) provided for at the periphery of the end portion (8) of the spindle length (7) are in the shape of at least a tongue (21) radially extending at the periphery of this spindle length (7).
3. Fixing device according to claim 2, characterised in that two tongues (21) extend radially and in a way diametrically opposed with respect to the end portion (8) of the spindle length (7).
4. Fixing device according to any of claims 2 or 3, characterised in that a tongue (21) results from axial cut-outs (22) made in the end (23) of the spindle length (7) of a tubular type, this tongue (21), thus delimited by the axial cut-outs (22), being radially folded outwards with respect to the tube corresponding to this spindle length (7).
5. Fixing device according to claim 1 and to any of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the complementary retaining means (20) are in the shape of at least a groove (24) axially provided for in the wall (25) of the tubular ferrule (16) while ending at the free end (26) of the latter, this or these grooves (24) located in correspondence with the tongue or tongues (21) of the spindle length (7) allowing the fitment.
6. Fixing device according to claim 5, characterised in that the groove or grooves (24) are in the shape of cut-outs provided for in the thickness of the wall (25) of the tubular ferrule (16), allowing the tongue or tongues (21), the length of which is foreseen accordingly, to be protruding at the periphery (30) of said tubular ferrule (16).
7. Fixing device according to claims 1 and 4, characterised in that the axial locking means (27) are formed by a circlip (28) capable of being inserted onto the tubular ferrule (16), behind retaining organs (29), this circlip (28) being capable of impeding the withdrwal of the tongue or tongues (21) corresponding to the retaining means (19) from the axial groove or grooves (24) forming the complementary retaining means (20).
8. Fixing device according to claims 4 and 2, characterised in that the groove or grooves (24) are provided for as non-ending at the periphery (30) of the tubular ferrule (16), the tongue or tongues (21) being of a length adjusted to the depth of said grooves (24), the tubular ferrule (16) including, in addition, a peripheral groove for receiving the circlip (28) and ending in the axial groove or grooves (24), so that said circlip (28) forms means capable of impeding the withdrawal of the tongue or tongues (21) of the spindle length (7) from this or these axial grooves (24) in the tubular ferrule (16).
9. Fixing device according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the spindle length (7) is crossed by a transmission shaft (31) corresponding to ancilliary operating means (16) authorising a manual operation of the rolling-up shaft (1).

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