EP0757745A1

EP0757745A1 - Closure device with a flexible screen

Info

Publication number: EP0757745A1
Application number: EP95915713A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Benoít COENRAETS
Original assignee: Dynaco International SA
Current assignee: Entrematic Belgium NV
Priority date: 1994-04-29
Filing date: 1995-04-20
Publication date: 1997-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 2015-04-20
Also published as: BR9507519A; FI964294A; FI964294A0; BG62625B1; DK0757745T3; PL317021A1; NO964494L; CZ299696A3; CZ292897B6; FI115660B; RU2167254C2; CN1147284A; AU2250695A; US6119758A; CA2188025C; EP0757745B1; CA2188025A1; KR100292458B1; BG100945A; PT757745E

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/BE95/00038 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 3, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 3, 1997 PCT Filed Apr. 20, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO95/30064 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 9, 1995According to the invention, the lateral edges of the screen are substantially incompressible or rendered incompressible in their lengthwise direction. A driving device is provided making it possible to apply a thrust force to these edges in the longitudinal direction of the edges in their guide channels in order to move the screen towards its closed position and towards its open position. The screen is provided, near or on the lateral edges mentioned above, with a series of members which are substantially rigid in the longitudinal direction of these edges. These members are able to bear against one another in the direction of the lateral edges, and are preferably able to be articulated with respect to each other such as to allow the rolling up or flexion of the screen in its open position.

Description

"Soft curtain closing device"

The present invention relates to a closing device comprising a flexible curtain, such as a tarpaulin, the lateral edges of which are guided in guide paths thus making it possible to move the curtain between a closed position and an open position.

In a first type of closing devices of this kind known hitherto with a flexible curtain, the lower edge of the latter is provided with a ballast bar extending over the entire width of the curtain to allow the closing of the latter essentially under the weight of this ballast bar and keep it in a taut state. The presence of such a ballast bar has various significant disadvantages. Thus, due to its inertia, the opening and closing speeds are limited and special precautions must be taken for braking the up and down movement of the curtain sufficient time before it stops. In addition, the weight of such a ballast bar requires relatively large energy to bring the curtain into its open position. Finally, reliable safety means must be provided in the curtain control circuit to avoid accidents when a person or any object is below the curtain when it descends to its closed position.

In another type of known closing devices of the aforementioned kind, drive means are provided which, by means of deflection pulleys, pull on the lateral edges of the curtain to bring the latter into its closed position. Albeit in one such a closure device, it is theoretically not essential to provide a ballast and stiffening bar at the lower edge of the curtain, from a practical point of view, however, such a stiffening and ballasting bar is generally necessary to ensure the correct operation of the closure.

One of the essential aims of the present invention is to provide a device for closing a flexible curtain which no longer requires such a stiffening and ballasting bar.

To this end, according to the invention, the lateral edges of the curtain are substantially incompressible or made incompressible in the direction of their length, drive means being provided making it possible to cause a pushing force on these edges in the longitudinal direction of these last in their guide paths to move the curtain to its closed position and possibly to its open position.

Advantageously, the curtain is provided, at or near the abovementioned lateral edges, with a succession of substantially rigid members in the longitudinal direction of these lateral edges, these members being able to bear against each other in the direction of these lateral edges, and which can preferably be articulated with respect to each other so as to allow the curtain to be rolled up or bent in its open position.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the rigid members surround the lateral edges of the curtain by forming a projection relative to the surface of the latter, this projection being maintained in the aforementioned guide paths and moving therein.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the curtain has, near at least one of its lateral edges and outside the aforementioned guide tracks, means for stiffening making it possible to make the aforesaid edges substantially incompressible in the direction of their length, these stiffening means being advantageously formed by a toothed belt integral with the curtain and extending along at least one of the lateral edges of the latter, means aforementioned drive cooperating with said toothed belt.

The invention also relates to a closure device having the abovementioned advantages, but not necessarily requiring compressible lateral edges or made incompressible in the direction of their movement towards their closed position, in particular along their length.

This device is characterized by the fact that the curtain is substantially stretched between these guide tracks at least in the closed position of the latter, means being provided making it possible to avoid, on the one hand, the compression of the lateral edges ( 2) of the curtain (1) in the direction of their length at least when moving towards the closed position and, on the other hand, the presence of a stiffening element near the free edge of the curtain on the side of the position closing.

Other details and particularities of the invention will emerge from the description given below, by way of nonlimiting example, of some particular embodiments of the closure device according to the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic elevational front view of a flexible curtain closure device according to a first embodiment of the invention, the curtain being in the closed position.

Figure 2 is a view along the lines II-II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view along line III-III of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is, on a larger scale, a section along the line IV-IV of Figure 1. FIG. 5 is a section along the line VV in FIG. 4.

Figure 6 is a section, similar to that of Figure 5, but on a larger scale, showing certain parts in more detail of this Figure 5 in a rest position.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view somewhat similar to that of FIG. 4, but on a larger scale and more schematic, showing in more detail certain parts of FIG. 4.

Figure 8 is, on a larger scale, a side view of a detail of this first embodiment.

Figure 9 is a view similar to that of Figure 8, but on the opposite side of this same detail.

Figure 10 is, on a larger scale, a section similar to that of Figure 6 showing the position of the side edge of the curtain in the spiral guide path during the unwinding of the curtain. Figure 11 is a view similar to that of Figure 10, but showing the position of the side edge of the curtain in the spiral guideways during winding.

Figure 12 is a cross section, and on a larger scale, along the line XII-XII of Figure 1.

FIG. 13 is a view similar to that of FIG. 12 showing the release of the lateral edge of the curtain from the guide tracks during a force exerted on the latter in the direction of the arrow F.

Figure 14 is a schematic side view and a section of a closure device according to a second embodiment of the invention with the curtain in the partially closed position. FIG. 15 is a schematic front view along the line XV-XV of FIG. 14. Figure 16 is a schematic side view in section and with partial breakage, of a third embodiment of the closure device according to the invention with the curtain in the closed position.

Figure 17 is a section similar to that of Figure 12 of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 18 is a view similar to that of Figure 13 of this fourth embodiment.

Figure 19 is, on a larger scale, a longitudinal section with partial breaks, similar to that along the line XIX-XIX of Figure 1, but of a fifth embodiment of the invention. Figure 20 is, on a larger scale, a section along line XX-XX of Figure 19.

Figure 21 is, with partial broken, a section along the line XXI-XXI of Figure 19. Figure 22 is a view similar to that of Figure 19 of a sixth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 23 is, on a still larger scale, a section along line XXIII-XXIII of Figure 22.

Figure 24 is a view similar to that of Figure 19 of a seventh embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 25 is, on a larger scale, a section along the line XXV-XXV of FIG. 24.

Figure 26 is a section similar to that of Figure 25 during assembly.

Figure 27 is a view similar to that of Figure 22 of an eighth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 28 is, on a larger scale, a section along line XXVIII-XXVIII of Figure 27. Figure 29 is, on the same scale as Figure 28, a section along line XXIX-XXIX of Figure 27.

Figure 30 is a schematic view of a partial horizontal section of a closure device according to a ninth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 31 is a partial side schematic view in section of this ninth embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a partial schematic front view along line XXXII of FIG. 31.

Figure 33 is a schematic side view, partially broken, of a further variant of the detail of the guide path for the side edges of the curtain.

Figure 34 is a front view along line XXXIV-XXXIV of Figure 33.

Figure 35 is a view similar to that of Figure 33, but in a position for re-engagement of a side edge of the curtain in the guide path.

In the various figures, the same reference numbers relate to similar or identical elements.

The closure device according to the invention and of which some particular embodiments have been shown in the appended figures comprises a flexible curtain 1, the lateral edges 2 of which are guided in guide tracks 3 to allow the curtain 1 to move between a position and an open position. These edges are preferably projecting relative to the plane of the curtain so as to allow them to be easily maintained in the guide tracks.

By the expression "flexible curtain", it is to be understood, in the context of the present invention. any planar element which can form a closure or a separation and which can be wound around an axis or fold, such as a tarpaulin, a strip of plastic material, etc., intended for the closure of a bay, to the realization of a partition, with cover, of a swimming pool or the realization of an awning. In this regard, it should be noted that, according to the invention, a pronounced preference is given to watertight doors therefore comprising a curtain which moves between two vertical guide paths. In general, the closure device according to the invention is characterized in that the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 are substantially incompressible or made incompressible in the direction of their length, so as to make it possible to apply to these edges push in their longitudinal direction in the guide tracks 3 without they being able to form gathers which are such as to block these edges in these guide tracks. Thus, drive means 4 are also provided for acting on these edges 2 in their guide paths 3 to bring the curtain 1 in its closed position and possibly in its open position.

According to the invention, the drive means 4 are arranged so as to make it possible to create a pushing force on the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 in the longitudinal direction of the latter, thus causing the curtain to move towards its closed position, as shown in Figure 1.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the opening of the curtain 1 is caused by a spring 31 fixed between the free end of a belt 32 and a fixed point at the base 33. When closing the curtain 1 , this belt 32 is wound on a pulley 34 wedged on a drive shaft 20 which is actuated by a gear motor 36, the latter being controlled from a control box 37. In this way, the spring 31 is brought into a stretched state when the curtain 1 is in its closed position, as shown in Figure 1. This allows the automatic winding of the curtain to its open position when it is unlocked in this closed position. In this particular embodiment, the curtain 1 is formed by a tarpaulin in which are arranged three windows 38 made of a transparent plastic material and which is rolled up in its open position in a box of square section 39 closed at two ends by flanges 40.

These two flanges 40 have, in their internal faces directed towards one another, spiral guide paths 18, as shown in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5. As illustrated by FIG. 4, these spiral guide paths 18 extend in the extension of the rectilinear guide paths 3.

In the first embodiment of the closure device according to the invention, shown more particularly in FIGS. 4 to 13, the curtain 1 is provided, at its lateral edges 2, with a succession of projecting members 5 which are at least rigid in the longitudinal direction of these lateral edges 2. These members 5 bear against each other in this longitudinal direction and are articulated with respect to each other, so as to allow the winding of the curtain 1 inside the box 39, when it is brought into its open position.

As especially shown in Figures 8 to 13, these rigid members 5 surround the side edges 2 of the curtain 1 by forming a projection 6 on either side relative to the plane of the latter and slide with some friction in the paths guide 3 and 18, to prevent the curtain from moving between the open and closed position under its own weight. This has the advantage that it is not necessary to provide special braking means for the end of travel of the curtain.

Still in this same embodiment, the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 have a substantially continuous bead 7 around which the rigid members 5 are fixed.

Advantageously, this bead comprises a hollow pipe 8 which can for example contain a fluid or an electric current conductor. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 13, this pipe contains a gas, such as air 41, from any pneumatic safety system not shown. Such a pipe 8 is therefore perfectly protected both by the rigid members 5 and by the guide tracks 3 in which these members move.

In the first specific embodiment illustrated in particular in FIGS. 6 to 13, the rigid members 5 have the appearance of protruding sleeves 6 having in their wall a longitudinal slot 9 by which the curtain 1 comes out of the sleeves, thus defining two wings 10 and 11 extending on either side of the latter. The wing 10 has a length in the direction of the side edges 2 of the curtain less than that of the other wing 11, so that a recess 12 is formed on one side of the curtain 1 between two consecutive members 5 allowing thus the bending of the edge 2 transversely to the plane of the curtain on the above-mentioned side (see FIG. 9). The other wings 11 of these members 5 pressing end to end against one another in the longitudinal direction of the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 (see FIG. 8).

More particularly, in this embodiment, the shortest wing 10 of the rigid member 5 has a length equal to half that of the other wing 11 and is located symmetrically with respect to this other wing 11, of so as to form next to the latter and on either side of the most short 10 a recess 12 having the length of a quarter of that of the wing 11.

FIG. 7 illustrates, schematically, the behavior of these specific rigid members 5 during the winding of the curtain. It can be seen that the coiled side edges can freely gather in the recesses 12, thus facilitating the bending of the latter.

The fact that the wing 10, located on the side of the center of curvature of the spiral guide path 19 is shorter than the opposite wing 11 of the rigid members 5 also makes it possible to avoid the displacement of these members 5 on the side edges 2 of the curtain 1 during the winding of the latter in its open position. In fact, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 7, two consecutive rigid members are articulated along the neutral axis of the lateral edges 2 while remaining in contact with one another at the location 11 'situated on this neutral axis.

As can be seen in Figures 6, 10 and 11 the sleeves 6 have a rectangular section and are mounted with a certain transverse play relative to the curtain 1 in the spiral guide paths 18. Thus, a certain translation of the edges 2 of the curtain is possible in the plane of the flanges 40.

Furthermore, as a result of the rectangular shape of the section of the projection 6 and of the corresponding shape of the interior of the guide tracks 18, the angular displacement of the rigid members 5 in these guide tracks is very reduced and includes everything from the plus 10 ° around the central axis 25 of these.

In addition, the radial distance between the turns of the guide tracks 18 is such that, in the rolled position, the superimposed layers of the rolled up curtain do not touch, as clearly shown in Figures 4 to 7. In addition, it may be important to stretch the curtain 1 between the flanges 4. This has the advantage important that one avoids that the windows 38 can scratch when rolling up the curtain.

The spiral guide paths 18 delimit a substantially tubular channel 22, preferably of polygonal section, having in its wall

23, on the side of the curtain 1, a longitudinal slot 24 for the passage of the latter.

The central spiral axis 25 of this channel 22 being located in the plane of symmetry of the slot 24, while the curtain extends along the plane 27.

FIG. 10 shows the position of the rigid members 5 in the guide tracks 18 during the unwinding of the curtain towards its closed position. The center of curvature, which is located on the axis 17 is in this case on the right side of Figure 10. Thus, the side edges 2 of the curtain 1 are applied against the outer face of the guide tracks relative to this center curvature.

By cons, during the winding of the curtain 1, the rigid members 5 will undergo a displacement in the opposite direction, as shown in Figure 10. In this case, the side edges 2 of the curtain 1 are therefore applied against the inner face of the paths guide 18, on the side of the aforementioned center of curvature. These different arrangements for the rigid members 5 make it possible to prevent the latter from moving on the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 during its winding and unwinding.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, when, in the open position, the curtain is wound in a spiral, the drive means 4 comprise, near the flanges 40, inside the box 39, a telescopic arm 19 cooperating with the upper end of the lateral edges of the curtain 1. This telescopic arm 19 is mounted transversely on a drive shaft 20 extending along the above-mentioned axis 17 and is fixed to a bar 21 parallel to this shaft 20. This bar cooperates with the end of the lateral edges 2 of the curtain, which are engaged in the spiral guide paths 18 by means of a connecting piece 35, on the one hand, fixed to the transverse edge 41 of the curtain 1 and, on the other hand, sliding in a longitudinal groove 42 of this bar 21.

More particularly, the telescopic arm 19 comprises two parallel U-shaped guide parts 43, fixed on either side on the shaft 20, in which tubes of square section 43 are slidably mounted, one end of which is rendered integral with the bar 21, which is also formed of a square tube. Thus, to move the curtain 1 in the direction of arrow 45, that is to say to bring the curtain into its closed position, the shaft 20 is rotated in the direction of arrow 46 by the motor. 36 and the intermediate piece 35 pushes on the lateral edge 2 in the direction of its length, while the bar 44 undergoes a movement in the direction of the arrow 47. If necessary, the connecting piece 35 can slide in the groove 42 of the bar 21 during the unfolding of the curtain.

The opening of the curtain can be caused either by the spring 31, as already described above, or by driving the shaft 20 in the direction opposite to the arrow 46.

Advantageously, as shown in more detail in FIGS. 12 and 13, the rectilinear guide tracks 3 comprise a U-shaped profile 48 made of a semi-elastic material, so as to allow, when a tensile force is exerted on the curtain 1 in the direction of the arrow F exceeding a certain limit, to release the lateral edges 2 of the curtain from the guide tracks 3. Such a force could for example result from the fact that a vehicle hooks the curtain 1 when it is still in its closed position. Thanks to the access passage 49, which each of these guide paths have at the entrance to the box 39, when a lateral edge 2 has cleared from its guide path 3, as illustrated in FIG. 13, during the displacement of the curtain in the direction opposite to the arrow 45, this edge will automatically reengage by this access passage 49 in its guide path, at the entrance to the box 39 (see FIG. 4).

Such technological measures have been the subject of European patent 272,733.

The base of the U-shaped profile 48 is held in a metal support 50 also having a U-shaped section.

These supports 50 are advantageously mounted on elastic elements not shown. Such an assembly system was the subject of European patent application No. 92909384 by the same applicant.

Figures 14 and 15 very schematically show a second embodiment of the closure device according to the invention.

In this embodiment, the lateral edges 2 have the appearance of a hinged chain moving in the guide tracks 3.

The straight guide path 3 is interrupted before entering the box 40 and, at this point of interruption, on either side of the lateral edge 2, the drive means 4 are provided. These drive means comprise two pairs of toothed wheels 51 on which moves an endless belt 52 provided externally with teeth capable of engaging in the links of the articulated chain 15.

For clarity, in FIG. 15, only the axes of rotation 55 of the toothed wheels 51 have been shown. Another difference of this second embodiment compared to the first is that, in the box 39, the curtain is folded in a zigzag when it is brought into its open position.

Figure 16 is a simplified representation of a third embodiment of the closure device according to the invention.

In this embodiment, the curtain 1 is brought into a horizontal opening position, being guided along a ceiling 53 in guide paths 18, after having undergone a deflection of 90 °. Furthermore, the drive means 4 comprise an endless chain transmission 16 which can move along the horizontal part of the guide tracks 18 in a reciprocating movement, as indicated by the arrows 54. One piece 35 is provided between the upper end of the side edges 2 of the curtain and the chain 16, thus making it possible to move the curtain between its open position and its closed position during movement of the chain 16.

In an interesting variant of this embodiment, the chain 16 can be fixed to the upper end of the side edges 2 and also be guided in the guide tracks 18, so that it can thus push on this end, in the axis of these edges 2, to bring the curtain into its closed position.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show a fourth embodiment of a closure device according to the invention which differs from the previous embodiments by the nature of the rectilinear guide tracks 3 and the rigid members 5.

In this fourth embodiment, the rigid members are formed by clips, preferably metallic, having the shape of a U whose free ends of the two wings 10 and 11 form outwardly curved parts 10a and lia which, as shown in figure 17, are housed in an interior hollow 56 arranged near the outer edge of the guide tracks 3.

In addition, these members 5 have, between these curved parts 10a and 11a and their projecting end 6 tightened around the bead 7 of the curtain, a stamped part 57 serving as a support for the various members 5 one against the other on the side edges 2 of the curtain, inside the guideways 3.

When a tensile force, in the direction of arrow F, is exerted on the curtain 1, the lateral edges 2 can be released from their guide paths 3 by the fact that the curved parts 10a and 11a are folded elastically towards the inside, as shown in FIG. 18. FIGS. 19, 20 and 21 relate to a fifth particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, which differs essentially from the previous embodiments by the fact that the rigid members 5, fixed to the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1, cooperate with one another by means of a ball joint 28.

In this particular embodiment, this ball joint coupling comprises a spherical housing 29 at one of the ends of the rigid member 5 and a ball-head pivot 30 at the opposite end of this rigid member 5. The head of the pivot 30 a rigid member is articulated in the housing 29 of the next adjacent rigid member, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 21. In addition, both the housing 29 and the pivot 30 are split along the longitudinal direction of the edges 2. Thus, in pressing the pivot 30 in its corresponding housing 29, the pivot is slightly compressed while the housing can undergo a certain expansion, so as to thus ensure a reliable fixing of two successive rigid members relative to one another, while allowing an articulation of these following all directions. The nature of this compression and this expansion is of course a function of the materials of which the member 5 is made.

When the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 are provided with a bead 7, as is the case in the present embodiment, the rigid members 5 extend as well with their pivot 30 as with their corresponding housing 29 around of the bead 7, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 20. FIGS. 22 and 23 relate to a sixth embodiment of the closure device, according to the invention, which is essentially distinguished from the previous embodiment by the fact that each rigid member 5 is provided with two rollers 26 thus making it possible to considerably reduce the friction of the lateral edges 2 during their movement in the guide tracks 3.

Figures 24 to 26 relate to a seventh embodiment of the invention of a relatively simple embodiment as regards the fixing of the rigid members to the side edges 2 of the curtain.

This embodiment is essentially distinguished from the preceding embodiments by the fact that no particular finish is provided for the lateral edges 2. For example, contrary to what is the case in practically all the preceding embodiments, a bead is therefore not provided. In addition, in this embodiment, the rigid members 5 with ball joint 28 are formed by two wings 10 and 11 articulated to each other at 59. As illustrated clearly by FIGS. 25 and 26, these two wings are rigidly fixed on either side of the side edges 2 of the curtain. In this regard, the face of the wing 10 directed towards the wing 11 is provided with lugs 14, which pierce in the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 to penetrate and fix in corresponding holes 60 provided in the face opposite the wing 11.

These members 5 can, for example, be made of a relatively hard plastic material, but having sufficient elasticity to allow the lugs 14 to be fixed elastically in the holes 16. If necessary, the tips 61 of the lugs 14 can be provided with 'a metal cap, not shown, to facilitate the drilling of the lateral edges of the curtain 1. Figures 27 to 29 relate to an eighth embodiment which differs from that according to Figures 19 to 21 by the fact that the coupling with ball joint 28 comprises, between each rigid member 5, a split ball 62 partially engaging in a corresponding housing 29 provided at the two opposite ends of each rigid member 5. These are housings similar to those provided in the embodiment shown in Figures 19-21.

Figures 30 to 32 relate to a ninth embodiment of the closure device according to the invention.

This embodiment is essentially distinguished from the previous embodiments by the fact that use is made of a curtain 1, the lateral edges 2 of which are not necessarily incompressible in themselves along their longitudinal direction, but have been indirectly rendered incompressible by the presence of a stiffening zone l 'which extends near these lateral edges 2, outside the guide tracks 3.

This has in particular the advantage that special precautions should not be taken for the production of these lateral edges 2 and that one can for example make use of lateral edges formed of a simple bead or of a succession of small blocks. rigid juxtaposed articulated with respect to others, as for example described and represented in European patent 272,733.

Thus, in general, the expression "lateral edge rendered incompressible" used in the present text designates any type of lateral edge which, combined with a stiffening zone, situated either outside the guide tracks or inside of the latter, makes it possible to avoid that, when a thrust is exerted on this edge or on this stiffening zone l ′ in the direction of closure of the curtain, this edge can be deformed by jamming in these guide paths or in creating exaggerated friction forces which would adversely affect the proper functioning of the entire closure device. More specifically, in this ninth embodiment, the aforementioned stiffening zone is formed by a toothed belt fixed to the curtain 1, while the drive means comprise a toothed pulley 4 rotating around an axis 4 'and s 'meshing with the toothed belt l'. A pressure roller 4 "is applied elastically against the curtain 1 on the opposite side of the latter with respect to the toothed belt 1c, so as to ensure a perfect gear between the latter 1 and the pulley 4. With regard to the lateral edge 2, this is produced by the small blocks of one of the parts of a known zipper which therefore has a certain compressibility in itself in its longitudinal direction, but which is made substantially incompressible, according to the meaning given above.

As a variant to this ninth embodiment, it is possible to envisage replacing the small blocks of a zipper in the lateral edges for example by a toothed belt which will therefore simultaneously form part of the drive means and of the lateral edge 2 even of the curtain 1 moving in the guideways 3. FIGS. 33 to 35 relate to an improvement made to the access passage 49 for the automatic reintroduction of a lateral edge 2 of the curtain 1 which would have been released from the lower part of the guide tracks 3 (on this subject see FIG. 4) .

This is an improvement which is particularly useful for the lateral edges of the curtains according to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 19 to

32. Indeed, in certain cases, if at the access passage 49 the lateral edges 2 are not supported when the latter are pushed towards the closed position, that is to say in the direction of the arrow 45, as is the case in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, as a result of the friction of these edges in the guide tracks, there is a risk that these edges undergo a slight bending at the location of the access passage

49 causing them to exit the guide tracks 3.

The improvement according to the invention consists in interposing, in the access passage 49, between the two separate fixed portions 3a and 3b of the guide tracks extending in the extension of one another a guide fitting mobile 58, which is articulated at its upper edge, by means of hinges 64, to the portion 3a of the guide tracks 3, so as to be able to switch between a first position, in which this connector 58 extends in the extension portions 3a and

3b of the guideways, as shown in FIG. 30, and a second position, in which it is oriented by its lower opening outside the guideways 3, as shown in FIG. 35.

A spring 65 makes it possible to maintain or bring the connector back into said first position.

Thus, when, for one or the other reason, the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 are released from the portion 3b of the guide tracks during the displacement of the curtain towards its open position, as indicated by the arrow 66 in FIG. 34, the connector 58 will be automatically brought into said second position to thus allow the reintroduction of this edge 2 into the portion 3a of the guide path 3. When the lower transverse edge of the curtain and of these lateral edges 2 arrive at the connection 58 or possibly above the latter, it will automatically return to its first position, as shown in FIG. 33. To then bring the curtain into its closed position, these lateral edges will therefore be perfectly guided over the entire length guide tracks, thus avoiding any risk of obstruction or disengagement of these edges at the level of the access passage 49.

In order to ensure perfect continuity in the guide tracks and the connector 58, in its first position, the latter advantageously has an interior section identical to that of the fixed portions 3a and 3b of the guide tracks so as to thus form a channel. fully continuous guidance. It should also be noted that in Figures 33 and 34 the side edges 2 of the curtain 1 have not been shown, so it can be assumed that the curtain is in its open position. On the other hand, in FIG. 35, we have limited ourselves to representing a lateral edge by rigid members 5 cooperating between them by means of balls 62, as in the lateral edges of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 27 to 29.

An advantageous variant of the closure device according to the invention consists in providing, as means which make it possible to avoid compression of the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 in the direction of their length at least when the latter moves towards its position of closure, a drive mechanism comprising for example a cable and pulleys applying traction on these side edges to cause the curtain to close. In this variant, the side edges 2 need not necessarily be incompressible or made incompressible in the sense of their length.

In addition, in this variant, the curtain is stretched between the guide tracks 3, in which these edges move, at least when it is in its closed position.

This has the great advantage that, in this way, it is also possible to avoid the use of a stiffening element, for example in the form of a rigid bar, near the lower free edge of the curtain 1. In this case, the curtain is preferably fully flexible, without any transverse stiffening element.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to the various embodiments described above and shown in the appended figures, but that many other variants could also be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Thus, the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 could be made substantially incompressible in the direction of their length by providing, near these edges, a succession of rigid plates fixed to the curtain and located outside the guide tracks or by fixing against the curtain 1 of a strip of reinforced fabric in the direction of movement of the curtain thus making it possible to avoid that in this zone and therefore also at the location of the lateral edges the curtain may be gathered when a pushing force is exerted, in the closing direction of the curtain, either directly on the side edges or on this reinforced strip. In this case, the side edges could simply be constituted by the bead 7, for example.

In still other cases, the lateral edges could be made substantially incompressible in the direction of their length by introducing into it a succession of balls somewhat similar to the balls 62 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 27 to 29. The if applicable, these balls could be introduced into the hollow pipe 8, which would form a sheath for the balls and which, in this case, would have a section somewhat larger than that of the embodiments shown in the appended figures. Another variant would consist in providing small rigid blocks, which would for example be molded on the lateral edges of the curtain, for example like the teeth of a zipper, between which a flexible but non-compressible seal would be provided. Furthermore, it is not essential for the shaft 20 to extend over the entire width of the curtain. In an extreme case, this shaft can be formed by two coaxial sections close to the lateral edges of the curtain for driving the telescopic arm 19. Also, if use is made of other drive means 4, not requiring such a shaft 20, as is for example the case in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, such a tree could be omitted.

Furthermore, in the absence of a drive shaft, the curtain does not necessarily have to roll up but can, for example, move in any inclined plane, horizontal or vertical, from its closed position to its open position. .

If the curtain moves between its closed position and its open position in the same plane, the side edges need not be flexible.

The invention is also not limited to curtains moving in a vertical plane, but also relates to curtains moving horizontally for example to cover swimming pools or silos.

In some cases, the curtain can be rolled up from the bottom edge, so unlike the embodiments shown in the appended figures.

Claims

1. Closing device comprising a flexible curtain, the lateral edges (2) of which are guided in guide paths (3) so as to be able to move between a closed position and an open position, characterized in that the aforesaid edges (2) are substantially incompressible or made incompressible in the direction of their displacement towards the closed position, in particular in the direction of their length, drive means (4) being provided making it possible to cause a pushing force on these edges ( 2) in the longitudinal direction of the latter in their guide paths (3) to move the curtain towards its closed position.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the curtain (1) is provided, at or near the aforementioned lateral edges (2), with a succession of members (5) substantially rigid in the longitudinal direction of these lateral edges (2), these members (5) being able to bear against each other, in the direction of these lateral edges (2) and which can preferably be articulated with respect to each other so as to allow winding or the bending of the curtain (1) in its open position.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the rigid members (5) at least partially surround the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) by forming a projection (6) relative to the surface of the latter, this protrusion being maintained in the aforementioned guide tracks (3) and moving therein.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the aforesaid rigid members (5) comprise rollers (26) held and rolling in the aforementioned guide tracks.

5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) have a part (7) having the appearance of a substantially continuous bead around which the aforementioned rigid members are fixed (5).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the part (7) of the lateral edges (2) having the appearance of a bead comprises a hollow pipe (8) containing for example a fluid, an electric current conductor or incompressible balls (62).

7. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the rigid members (5) have the appearance of sleeves (6) having in their wall a longitudinal slot (9) in which the curtain extends (1), thereby defining two wings (10 and 11) extending on either side of the latter, one of these wings (10) having a length in the direction of the side edges (2) of the curtain (1 ) lower than that of the other wing (11), so that a recess (12) is formed on one side of the curtain (1) between two consecutive members (5) thus allowing the bending of the edge (2 ) transversely to the plane of the curtain (1) on the aforesaid side, said other wings (11) of successive members (5) being able to bear end to end against one another in the longitudinal direction of the lateral edges (2) of the curtain

(1).

8. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that two successive rigid members (5) fixed to the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) cooperate with each other by means of a coupling with ball joint (28).

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the ball joint (28) comprises a spherical housing (29) at one of the ends of the rigid member (5) and a pivot with a spherical head (30) at the 'opposite end of this rigid member (5), the pivot head (30) of a rigid member (5) being articulated in the housing (29) of the rigid member (5) next adjacent.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the pivot (30) is split along the longitudinal direction of the side edges (2), so that it can be compressed elastically in the housing.

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the pivot (30) extends around the bead (7) provided at the lateral edges (2) of the curtain.

12. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that the part (6) of the aforementioned rigid members (5) moving in the guide tracks (3) has a substantially polygonal cross section, the latter having an interior cross section corresponding to that of said part (6).

13. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that the aforementioned lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) are mounted with a certain clearance in the aforementioned rigid members (5).

14. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) are provided with a succession of identical rigid blocks (5) separated from each other by a seal (13) in a substantially incompressible flexible material projecting with the blocks relative to the plane of the curtain (1).

15. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 14, characterized in that the aforementioned members (5) provided at the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) have an elastic part (10a, lia) in the transverse direction at plane of the curtain (1) and sliding in the aforementioned guide tracks (3) in such a way that, when a certain traction is exerted on these members (5) in the plane of the curtain (1), this part (10a , lia) compresses elastically and allows the edges (2) of the curtain (1) to disengage from its guide paths (3).

16. Device according to any one of claims 8 to 15, characterized in that the rigid members (5) are formed of two wings (10) and (11), articulated to one another, which can be fixed leave and on the other side edges (2) of the curtain (1), preferably by lugs (14) penetrating into the surface of the latter.

17. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the curtain

(1) has, near at least one of its lateral edges (2), and outside the aforementioned guide tracks (3), flexible stiffening means in the direction of movement of the curtain (1 ') allowing to make the aforementioned lateral edges (2) substantially incompressible in the direction of their length.

18. Device according to claim

17, characterized in that the aforementioned stiffening means comprise a toothed belt (1 *) integral with the curtain (1) and extending along at least one of the lateral edges (2) of the latter, means for aforementioned drive cooperating with said toothed belt.

19. Device according to claim

18, characterized in that at least one of the lateral edges (2) moving in guide tracks is constituted by a succession of small close blocks articulated relative to each other, substantially in the same way as in a closure with slide, the aforementioned drive means (4) comprising teeth or protrusions which can penetrate between two small consecutive blocks so as to thus mesh with this lateral edge.

20. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the curtain (1) has, at its lateral edges (2) or close to the latter, an articulated chain (15) parallel to these edges (2), the aforementioned drive means (4) comprising teeth which can mesh with this chain (15).

21. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the drive means (4) comprise a transmission (16) which can move along the guide tracks (18) or in the latter, following a back-and-forth movement and cooperating with the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1), so. to allow the latter to be moved between its open position and its closed position.

22. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that, when the curtain (1), in its open position, is wound around an axis (17), the guide tracks (3 ) extend around this axis (17) in the form of a spiral (18) in a plane perpendicular to the latter, so that, in the open position, the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) are maintained in these spiral guide paths (18).

23. Device according to claim 22, characterized in that the radial distance between the turns of the spiral-shaped guide tracks (18) is such that, in the rolled up position, the superimposed layers of the rolled up curtain do not touch.

24. Device according to either of claims 22 and 23, characterized in that the rigid members (5) are mounted in the spiral guide tracks (18) so as to be able to undergo an angular displacement of everything plus 10 ° around the central axis (25) of the latter when they move along this axis.

25. Device according to claim

23 or 24, characterized in that the drive means (4) comprise at least one telescopic arm (19) cooperating with the end of the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) on the side of the aforementioned axis (17 ) and revolving around it.

26. Device according to claim 25, characterized in that the telescopic arm (19) is mounted transversely on a drive shaft (20) extending along the aforementioned axis (17) and is fixed to a bar (21) parallel to this shaft (20), the latter cooperating with the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) engaged in the spiral guide tracks (18) preferably by means of a connecting piece (35), on the one hand, fixed to the curtain (1) and, on the other hand, sliding relative to this bar (21).

27. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the guide tracks comprise two separate fixed portions (3a) and (3b) extending in extension of one another, a connector movable guide 58 being interposed between these two portions and being articulated by the edge of one of its openings to the portion (3a) located on the side of the curtain in the open position, so as to be able to switch between a first position, in which this connector (58) extends in the extension of these two portions (3a) and (3b) of the guide tracks (3) and a second position, in which it is oriented by its opposite opening outside the guide tracks in order to allow the reintroduction (during the displacement of the curtain towards its open position) of the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1), which would have been released from the other portion (3b) of the guide tracks, means ( 65) being provided, on the one hand, for maintaining and bringing r the connector (58) in said first position when the lateral edges (2) of the curtain move in their guide paths and, on the other hand, to allow this connector to switch to said second position and for the reintroduction of the edges (2) which would have been released from their guide paths (3).

28. Device according to claim 27, characterized in that the connector (58) has an interior cross section identical to that of the fixed portions (3a) and (3b) of the guide tracks, so that when the connector (58) is in the first aforementioned position, it forms with these portions a continuous guide channel.

29. Closure device, in particular according to any one of claims 1 to 28, comprising a flexible curtain (1), the lateral edges (2) of which are held and guided in guide tracks (3) so as to allow this curtain (1) to be moved between a closed position and an open position, characterized in that the curtain is substantially stretched between these guide tracks at least in the closed position thereof ci, means being provided making it possible to avoid, on the one hand, the compression of the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) in the direction of their length at least when moving towards the closed position and, on the other hand apart, the presence of a stiffening element near the free edge of the curtain on the side of the closed position.

30. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 29, characterized in that the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) are held in friction in their guide paths, in such a way as to avoid that the curtain can move under its own weight between its open position and its closed position when the curtain does not extend horizontally.