EP0733771B1 - Profiled slat for curtain type closure, closure curtain with said slats and manufacturing process - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a profiled blade for curtain closure, a curtain closure comprising such blades, its production process.

There are already curtain closures with profiled blades having on a longitudinal edge a male articulation element in closed cylinder and on the opposite longitudinal edge a female articulation element in open cylinder. These two elements are suitable for cooperate with the corresponding elements of the blades adjacent to allow relative pivoting around the axis common to the two cooperating elements. When the curtain is closed, its front face is substantially flat, and the longitudinal front edges of two blades are separated only by a narrow slit.

The blades of these curtain closures are relatively thin and their sections have a low inertia. When you increase the thickness of the blades or when changes the shape of their sections to increase them inertia, we see that the rolling radius of the curtain is significantly increased.

We know from document EP-A-0 428 844 a closure curtain with coextruded blades with seals flexible joints carrying at one end a rib mushroom shaped and, at the other end, a opening forming a groove for rigid fixing by latching or sliding.

This document describes a profiled blade for closing curtain, produced by coextrusion of a strip of material flexible coextruded with a substantially trapezoidal section in rigid material and a rod in also rigid material, said strip of flexible material being located on the face of the curtain to be made which is inaccessible from the outside.

We also know from document EP-A-0 558 390 a profiled blade for curtain closure. The section of the blade has a housing and a rod connected by a strip flexible material at the corner of the small base and on one side adjacent to the blade. The presence of the rod at the corner of the small base and the second side generates forces of significant friction. In this structure, the rod does not not pivot relative to the housing.

A first object of the present invention is to offer a profiled curtain closure blade which overcomes the limits or disadvantages of those encountered in the state of the art.

A second object of the invention is to propose a hinged closing curtain which, in combination, presents a great flexibility of operation and of which use generates little noise.

A third object of the invention is to propose a hinged closing curtain comprising profiled blades of the type in which the male association organs and female are intended not to pivot one relative to the other, the pivoting being ensured by a flexible band and substantially inextensible. More specifically, offer blades of the type whose structure allows selective and easy positioning of a clamping tool or relative or reciprocal pinching of the means of association blades between them without this tool slipping or being hindered by the blade. Such a clamping tool is intended - due to pinching or local deformation of the means of association of the blades between them which it allows block the blades in relation to each other relative longitudinal sliding.

A fourth aim of the invention is to propose a hinged closing curtain, especially for cupboards office, in which at least one blade and preferably multiple blades are mechanically blocked to prevent the longitudinal sliding of the blades relative to each other to others.

To this end, the invention relates to a closing curtain according to independent claim 1.

The invention also relates to a method of realization of such a curtain. This process is characterized by what, after cooperation of the blades one deforms by pinching the housing wall to ensure locking in axial sliding of the blades with respect to the others and, for this purpose, we implement a tool whose jaws act on two accessible parts of the wall of housing located substantially diametrically opposite.

Dependent claims 2 to 9 specify modifications of the curtain according to claim 1.

• la figure 1 représente une vue schématique en coupe transversale d'un premier mode de réalisation d'une lame profilée pour fermeture à rideau conforme à la présente invention ;
• la figure 2 représente une vue schématique en coupe transversale d'un deuxième mode de réalisation d'une lame profilée pour fermeture à rideau conforme à la présente invention ;
• la figure 3 représente une vue schématique en coupe transversale d'une lame spéciale formant poignée conforme à la présente invention ;
• la figure 4 représente une vue schématique en coupe transversale partielle d'un rideau de fermeture articulé conforme à l'invention, assemblé à partir de lames des figures 2 et 3 ;
• la figure 5 représente une vue schématique en coupe transvesale d'un rideau de fermeture articulé selon l'invention et illustrant une déformation mécanique conforme à la présente invention ;
• la figure 6 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un rideau de fermeture articulé conforme à la présente invention ;
• la figure 7 est une vue schématique, en coupe transversale, à plus grande échelle, partielle, illustrant deux lames voisines assemblées et les mors d'un outil en vue du blocage à coulissement axial.

Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the invention will be clearly understood on reading the description which follows with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a profiled blade for curtain closure according to the present invention;
• 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a profiled blade for curtain closure according to the present invention;
• Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a special blade forming a handle according to the present invention;
• 4 shows a schematic view in partial cross section of an articulated closing curtain according to the invention, assembled from the blades of Figures 2 and 3;
• FIG. 5 represents a schematic view in transvesal section of an articulated closing curtain according to the invention and illustrating a mechanical deformation according to the present invention;
• Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of an articulated closure curtain according to the present invention;
• Figure 7 is a schematic view, in cross section, on a larger scale, partial, illustrating two adjacent blades assembled and the jaws of a tool for the axial sliding blocking.

Referring to Figure 1, a profiled blade 1 for curtain closure according to the invention comprises at least a cross section 2, of general shape trapezoidal or pseudo-trapezoidal, hollow, of material having a certain rigidity to be self-supporting, by plastic example of the polychloride type vinyl.

Section 2 presents a large base 3 which, in a closing curtain incorporating the blade 1 is normally visible or facing outwards, connected to a small base 4 opposite to and opposite the large base 3, normally invisible or turned inward, by first and second side walls 5, 6. Both bases 3 and 4 are parallel general directions between they. The small base 4 present in the realization represented a curvature with convexity turned towards the inside of the blade 1 so as to slide in a guide rail (not shown) suitable extending transversely of the blade 1 to its end, substantially at the point of rounded vertices limiting the small base 4 on both sides by being adjacent to the side walls 5, 6.

The two side walls 5, 6 are of directions general inclined to each other.

Section 2 may also include one or more several internal reinforcement partition 16, arranged so as to connect the two bases 3 and 4.

Section 2 presents and essentially forms towards inside a housing 10, profiled, cylindrical, intended for receive a rod 15 complementary to an adjacent blade of same type. Housing 10 is located at the corner of the small base 4 and the first side wall 5. It incorporates the rounded tops of the small base 4. Housing 10 has an opening 11, extending longitudinally, directed substantially parallel to bases 3, 4 and opening into the first side wall 5.

The wall of the housing 10 is formed of two zones or sections 10a, 10b. Each of them is adjacent to the opening 11 and, in cross section, has substantially a semi-circular profile.

The two zones or sections 10a, 10b are therefore opposite to each other with respect to the axis of the housing 10. They are an extension of each other.

This decomposition of the wall of the housing 10 into two zones or sections 10a, 10b is intended only for a good understanding. Indeed, these two areas or sections 10a, 10b are not formally separated one on the other except for the opening 11.

The first zone 10a first comprises the rounded top of small base 4 adjoining second side wall 5 and possibly the small base part 4 adjoining this summit.

Secondly, it includes, on one side, the part of the side wall 5 between the small base 4 and opening 11.

Thirdly, on the opposite side, it includes a rounded wall 24, located inside section 2 and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the small base 4.

Thus, the wall of the housing 10 is tangent and for part common to the small base 4 in particular at its top end.

The second zone 10b firstly comprises and on one side the wall 24. It comprises in the second place and opposite side, a connection 25 limiting the opening 11, adjoining side wall 5 and extending towards the interior of section 2 substantially parallel to the bases 3 and 4.

The second zone 10b comprises, thirdly and between wall 24 - by extending it - and the connection 25 - through an angle 26 -, a wall 27 located substantially opposite the rounded top small base correspondent 4.

Due to the configuration which has just been described, it is possible to have access to the first zone or section 10a, from the outside of the blade, in particular at the location of the top of the small base 4. And, with regard to the second zone 10b, from the inside of the blade, at the place of the wall 27. In fact, there is between the wall 27 and the large base 3 located opposite a free space 8 big enough. On the outside of the blade, the space 8 is limited by the wall 5. On the other side by the partition 16 if provided, or otherwise by the wall 6. The partition 16 is spaced from the wall of the housing 10 and in particular from the wall 24 so as not to clutter the space 8 and therefore not not hinder the movement of a housed mounting tool partially in this space 8. It is the same for the wall 5 as described below.

On the second side wall 6 is provided, towards the outside of the blade, a flexible strip and substantially inextensible with coextruded joint 14 with the body of the blade in rigid material and ending by a ring 15. The latter is also made of material rigid, preferably identical to the rigid material in which is formed the blade.

The primer for attaching the rod 15 to the wall 6 and the opening 11 are located in the same plane P which is substantially parallel to and placed between the mid-planes bases 3 and 4, while being closer to the plane of the small base 4 than that of large base 3 and being slightly offset from the mean plane of the small base 4. This structure is not only positive for the articulation function sought but also favorable - or at least not annoying - for pinching the housing 10 described below.

The first side wall 5 has a rib 12 protruding outward from the blade, while the second side wall 6 has a hollow groove 13, of shape complementary to that of the rib 12.

The rib 12 and projection 13 are located at proximity to the large base 3.

This arrangement of the rib 12, combined with the inclination of the side wall 5 resulting from the shape trapezoidal given to the blade allows not to clutter or restrict the space 8. For this purpose the rib 12 is interposed between a short, adjoining wall segment 7a and substantially perpendicular to the large base 3 and a segment 7b adjoining the opening 11. Segment 7b is tilted on the small base 4 with an obtuse angle. So the housing 8 has towards the side wall 5 a kind outward extension thanks to the rib 12 and the inclination of the wall.

The rib 12 of a first blade is intended to cooperate with and fit into a groove 13 of a second adjacent blade, when the rod 15 of the second blade is housed in the housing 10 of the first and that the two blades have their respective bases 3, 4 substantially coplanar which corresponds to the closed state of a curtain made from these blades.

The cooperation of the ribs and projections 12, 13 of successive blades prevent insertion, from the side located towards the basics 3 of a cutting instrument capable of cut or break the strip 14.

The sections of the rod 15 and of the housing 10 are of complementary transverse shapes and have respective dimensions determined with sufficient clearance so that when mounting the closing curtain, the rod 15 can be slid with sufficient freedom into the housing 10 so as to allow the assembly of the curtain inclined position substantially in the shape of a parallelogram then its recovery to put it in place without risk jamming in a guide rail.

In figure 2, the reference figures identical to those in FIG. 1 relate to identical or similar elements to those already described in relationship to Figure 1.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the blade according to the invention is formed by assembling at least two trapezoidal sections 2 a, 2 b joined to each other by a flexible inextensible strip but of joint 14 has coextruded with the rigid material of the two trapezoidal sections.

Each of sections 2a, 2b derives from section 2 previously described.

Section 2a includes, like section 2, a housing 10 and, on the other hand, band 14 a equivalent to band 14 of section 2. However, band 14a does not have a ring such as 15. Instead and place is section 2b. The latter is therefore devoid of housing 10.

Section 2b comprises, opposite the strip 14a, a band 14 and a rod 15, as in section 2. Both side walls opposite the two sections, to which are fixed the strip 14a, are provided with rib 12 and protruding 13 as described above. These rib and projection 13 can be directed in the same direction as described previously in connection with FIG. 1 and the blade 2, or in the opposite direction. The rib 12 cooperation in the groove 13 of these two opposite side walls prevents insertion from the side located towards the base 3 of a sharp instrument capable of cutting or breaking the flexible articulation band 14a.

After mounting the curtain according to the invention, provision is made to subject the housing 10 to one or more blades 1 or 1 a , and generally to all the housing 10, mechanical deformation, by pinching with a tool 28 provided for this purpose. effect (Figures 5 and 7). This mechanical deformation aims to block the blades with axial sliding relative to one another. It can be seen in FIG. 5 that the mechanical deformation undergone by the housing 10 has the effect of essentially deforming the zones 10a, 10b of a first blade as well as the rod 15 of an adjacent blade engaged in said first blade. The rod 15 thus wedged between the zones 10a, 10b of the housing 10 is no longer capable of sliding axially relative to the housing 10.

The geometry of the blade described favors the positioning tool 28.

Indeed and first of all, there is an amplitude tool positioning 28 important. This amplitude is illustrated in Figure 7 by the dashed lines A and B which correspond substantially to the extreme planes of contact of the internal jaw 29 and external jaw 30 of the tool 28 with the zones or sections 10b, 10a, respectively.

It follows that the placement of the jaws 29, 30 is facilitated or, at least, less critical especially when this is manual.

Second, the jaws 29, 30 come apply on two parts substantially diametrically opposite zones or sections 10a, 10b. These parts are free from all hindrance. Diametric support on the areas or sections 10a, 10b promotes the holding of the jaws 29, 30 in avoiding their sliding on the wall of the housing 10. It also allows effective clamping and therefore deformation suitable for this wall which allows both satisfactory axial sliding lock, large cleanliness at the place of deformation and deformation just localized to what is strictly necessary. In particular, the side wall 5 is not affected by the deformation.

Thirdly, space 8 allows everything at the same time setting up and positioning on a certain amplitude, in all directions, of the jaw 29, in particular without risk of affecting the large base 3 or the side wall 5. This also allows the opening of the tool 28 as well as its closure and promotes the penetration of the jaw 29 into the blade.

The invention relates to an articulated closing curtain comprising an assembly of blades 1, 1 a as they have just been described. Such a curtain, intended more particularly for closing cupboards, particularly office cabinets, is presented as shown in FIG. 6. It comprises an assembly of profiled blades 1, the and, where appropriate, at least one blade 17 forming a handle making it possible to facilitate handling the curtain when opening or closing it. A gripping member 22 is also provided at one of the transverse free ends of the curtain corresponding to an end blade.

The closing curtain is placed with the blades arranged with their longitudinal axes either horizontal (case) or vertical (not shown).

For operation, the curtain is rolled up or unwound on a winding cylinder 23 via a relay cylinder 24.

Slides are also provided (not shown) for guiding and sliding the parts free extremes of the blades.

The blade 17 forming a handle has a structure allowing it to be assembled with a blade 1 , 1 has an adjacent profile, its installation without risk of jamming in a guide slide, and, finally, its axial sliding blocking in a substantially similar manner. to but adapted from that of blades 1 and 1 a .

To this end, the blade 17 forming a handle forms a transverse cross section 2 c forming part of a trapezoid or pseudo-trapezium having an upper part 21 connected to a small base 4 by a first side wall 5 a and a second wall of side 6 a . Section 2 c presents a cylindrical housing 10 intended to receive a rod 15 of a profiled blade 1, the adjacent one. The housing 10 is located at the corner of the small base 4 and the first side wall 5a and has an opening 11 directed substantially parallel to the small base 4a and opening toward the first side wall 5a.

Therefore include substantially the same configuration as the trapezoidal section 2, 2 has a profiled blade 1, 1 a. However, the blade 17 forming a handle has the particularity of comprising, instead of the large base 3, an upper part 21 having a cross-section in the shape of a U-shaped or pseudo-U-shaped cavity or groove which allows the positioning of 1a or from the hands of a curtain user.

The upper part 21 firstly has a core 31. This extends substantially parallel to the small base 4. It also has the particularity to include the part of the wall of the housing 10 located substantially diametrically opposite the rounded top of the small base 4. The upper part 21 comprises, then, on either side of the core 31, a first and a second branch 20, 18. These two branches 18, 20 extend in a substantially perpendicular direction to the core and towards the outside of the blade 17.

The first branch 20 joins the first wall of side 5a via a steering section 32 general substantially parallel to the large base 3. This section 32 is intended to extend the large base 3 of the blade adjacent to the handle 17 when the curtain is closed. On the wall 5a is provided a projecting rib 12.

The second branch 18 joins the second wall of side 6a via a section substantially coplanar but spaced from section 32. This section includes a return 18a substantially perpendicular and directed towards the small base 4, which defines with the branch 18 and the section a hollow groove 19 corresponding to that 13 already described.

It will be noted that the sections 32, occupy, in the blade 17 the same relative position as the large bases 3 in slides 1, 1a.

With the blade 17 which has just been described, there are two parts accessible from the outside of the blade. Moon includes, as before, part of the small base 4. The other includes a part of the soul of the part upper 32, namely that adjacent to branch 20. As for blade 17, there is therefore no free space closed corresponding to the free space 8 described above, but an open free space formed by the cavity or groove of the upper part 21.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a process for producing a closing curtain in which the rod is made to cooperate by relative axial sliding 15 of a blade with the housing 10 of an adjacent blade. After cooperation of the blades the pinch is deformed wall of the housings 10 to ensure blocking in axial sliding of the blades with respect to the others and, for this purpose, a tool 28 is used, the jaws 29, 30 act on the two accessible parts of the housing wall 10 located substantially diametrically opposite and previously described.

Claims (10)

1. An articulated closure shutter comprising:

   an assembly of profiled slats (1, la), having at least one trapezoidal transverse section and at least one flexible and unstretchable articulation strip (14, 14a), a trapezoidal section (2, 2a, 2b) having a large base (3) connected to a small base (4) by a first side wall (5) and a second side wall (6), a cylindrical housing (10) being situated at the corner of the small base (4) and intended to receive a rod (15) on an adjacent slat, the rod (15) on one slat cooperating with the housing (10) in the adjacent slat,

   and, where applicable, at least one profiled slat (17) forming a handle, and at least one trapezoidal transverse section and at least one flexible and unstretchable articulation strip, a trapezoidal section having a top part (21) connected to a small base (4) by a first side wall (5), and a second side wall (6), a cylindrical housing (10) being situated at the corner of the small base (4) and intended to receive a rod (15) on an adjacent slat, the rod (15) on one slat cooperating with the housing (10) in the adjacent slat, characterised in that the said housing (10) has an opening (11) directed substantially parallel to the bases (3, 4) and opening out in the direction of the first side wall (5), a wall of the housing (10) having two substantially diametrically opposed parts, free of any obstruction, allowing a diametrical bearing by a tool (28), intended to allow deformation of the housing (10) with a view to the locking with axial sliding of a rod (15) cooperating with a housing (10), one of the bearing parts (10a) of the slat (1, la) being accessible from the outside of the slat in order to comprise a part of the small base (4) and the other (10b) from the inside by virtue of the presence of a free space (8), whilst the two parts (10a, 10b) of the housing (10) in the slat (17) forming a handle are accessible from the outside of the slat so as to comprise respectively a part of the small base (4) and a part of the web (31) of the top part (21).
2. An articulated closure shutter according to Claim 1, characterised in that the first side wall (5) of the slat (1, la) has a rib (12) projecting outwards and the second side wall (6) has a hollow groove (13) with a shape complementary to that of the rib (12).
3. An articulated closure shutter according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the first side wall (5) of the blade (1, la) has a first segment (7a) adjoining and substantially perpendicular to the large base (3) and a second segment (7b) adjoining the opening (11), inclined with respect to the small base (4) at an obtuse angle, the rib (12) being interposed between the two segments (7a, 7b).
4. An articulated closure shutter according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the articulation strip (14, 14a, 14b) is situated between the planes of the bases (3, 4), whilst being closer to the plane of the small base (4), but slightly offset with respect to it, than to the plane of the large base (3).
5. An articulated closure shutter according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the slat (1, 1a) has at least two trapezoidal sections (2a, 2b) connected by at least one flexible articulation strip (14a).
6. An articulated closure shutter according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the slats are disposed with their longitudinal axis horizontal.
7. An articulated closure shutter according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the slats are disposed with their longitudinal axis vertical.
8. An articulated closure shutter according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that it comprises at least one slat (1, la) and preferably several slats (1, la) whose housing (10) is deformed by clamping in order to prevent the relative axial sliding of the slats with respect to each other.
9. An articulated closure shutter according to Claim 8, characterised in that all the housings (10) are deformed by clamping.
10. A method of producing a closure shutter according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, in which, by relative axial sliding, the rod (15) on a slat is made to cooperate with the housing (10) in an adjacent slat, characterised in that, after cooperation of the slats, the wall of the housings (10) is deformed by clamping in order ensure the locking in axial sliding of the slats with respect to each other and, for this purpose, a tool (28) is used whose jaws (29, 30) act on two accessible parts of the wall of the housing (10) situated so as to be substantially diametrically opposed.

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