EP0845575B1 - Anti-fall device for vertically retractable closures - Google Patents

Abstract

The roller shutter (1) comprises a slatted panel (3) rolled onto at least one drum (6) which rotates about a fixed shaft (7) and is connected to the shaft by a compensating spring (14) and has an anti-drop mechanism to stop the shutter from falling down in the event of compensating spring failure. The anti-drop mechanism comprises a mobile locking member (20) on the drum which engages with a static member (30) on the fixed shaft under the effect of a spring (40) in the event of compensating spring failure. During normal operation the compensating spring holds the locking member away from the static member.

Description

The present invention relates to a fall prevention device for vertical blanking closures.

The invention finds a particularly application advantageous in the field of rolling curtains, schematically made up of a structural deck flexible suitable for being wrapped around a support system substantially cylindrical and mounted mobile in rotation.

It should be noted that throughout this text, the curtain or apron more generally means any means capable of closing an opening, that is to say a plate, a plate assembly, a grid, etc. The structural flexibility necessary for this organ can come directly from the intrinsic nature of the constituent material and / or binding joints the different parts that make it up.

In the case of a fixed shaft closure, the winding of the deck is traditionally carried out around at least one coil mounted mobile in rotation on said fixed shaft. Each coil is also connected to the fixed shaft by means of a spring balance type coil, wound inside even of said coil. This elastic return means is responsible for at least partially counterbalancing the weight of the deck, restoring during the phase energy stored as a couple during the closing phase.

Like all vertical clearing closures, curtains wrapped around a fixed shaft are subject to a number of regulatory requirements and normative. Among these, the NF P 25-362 standard concerns user safety in the event of closing failure. In particular, it stipulates that paragraph 10.1, that all closures to vertical erasure must include a device for restraint not requested in normal operation and suitable prevent the apron from falling in the event of failure of one of the support elements. Of course, we think here above all at the breaking of the most stressed element and therefore the most fragile of the system, namely the spring hairspring mounted inside each coil compensating.

However, an apron has a relatively heavy important, generally ranging from several tens to several hundred kilograms. Combined with a high fall speed, this mass constitutes a real danger to users.

We know of the state of the art very little safety devices capable of stopping the fall a fixed-shaft closing apron, in case of failure of at least one of the compensating springs used.

French patent application 2,739,656, all as its European extension 0 768 445, described however several restraint systems likely to fulfill this function. Schematically, the principle lock is the same for each mode of realization described. It basically consists of positively couple to the fixed shaft, the coil whose spring fails, after angular displacement given of said coil compared to means of specific locking. This movement, controlled by a return element mounted between the coil and the means lock, will then allow these means of interlock to control the movement of a piece of blocking to a fixed ratchet wheel forming a stop, thus achieving the immobilization of the apron relative to the shaft of the roll-up closure.

But whatever the embodiment chosen, the implementation of each of these restraint appears extremely complex, due to the large number of additional parts required as well that profound structural changes and functional that it entails. This complexity obviously constitutes a major drawback in reliability and cost. Regarding more particularly the latter aspect it is necessary to take into account the cost price of the device of restraint proper, but also and above all the significant cost of its adaptation to the closure at winding. It follows that the additional cost required for installing such security systems can become a deterrent to the potential user.

It is also known from European patent EP-A-0 722 031, a safety device for a spring prestressed torsion intended for balancing a door and whose rupture creates its retraction, unlike the spiral or bending spring, domain of the invention, where an expansion is then created. Gold, the European market in this area is almost equipped exclusively of balance spring type and the solution to the problem posed can only concern this type of device.

Furthermore, devices comprising a spring are more difficult to implement and therefore more expensive.

Also, the technical problem to be solved by the object of the present invention is to provide a device simple and reliable anti-fall for erasure closure vertical curtain type with fixed shaft and winding manual or motorized, i.e. closing comprising an apron capable of being wrapped around at minus a coil mounted mobile in rotation on a shaft fixed, each voice coil being connected to the fixed shaft through a compensation spring, anti-fall device that would block the lowering of the bulkhead in the event of failure of the spring compensation of the spiral type with which it is associated, that is to say a break or a load shedding, said anti-fall device comprising a blocking element movably mounted on the coil as well as a static member integral with the fixed shaft, the locking element cooperating with an elastic return means capable of move towards the static organ whose portion of surface intended to come into contact with said blocking element has at least part forming stop.

The solution to the problem posed consists according to the present invention in that the blocking element is kept at a distance from the static organ by force of recall by the compensating spring, of spiral type, at its free end, shaped curved, coming to be partially curled directly or indirectly, on the blocking element.

The invention as thus defined presents the advantage of constituting a restraint system extremely simple both in its design and in its functioning, i.e. a device capable simultaneously offer maximum reliability for a relatively low cost price. This simplicity structural results in the use of a number minimum of parts whose implementation is carried out automatically upon failure of the spring compensation with which it is associated.

The principle of the fall prevention device consists in make a movable part cooperate by blocking (the element blocking) with a fixed part (the static member) during the breaking or shedding of the spring compensation ; moving the moving part under the action of the elastic return means being controlled by suppressing or greatly reducing the force of return exerted by said compensation spring. This force can be applied directly or indirectly on said movable part, depending on whether the compensation spring cooperates by contact with the blocking element or that it acts on this organ via a more or less complex intermediate mechanism.

Indeed, as the compensation spring is permanently stretched whatever the position of the apron, and that one of its ends is integral of the fixed tree, its action is exerted only at its free end, i.e. that connected to the coil mobile. Since the force thus generated is greater to that provided by the elastic return means, it can be used advantageously to annihilate effects of the latter and therefore maintain the blocking element out of contact with the organ static, as long as the spring of compensation retains its mechanical properties original.

According to a feature of the invention, the end free of the compensation spring is directly at contact of the movable blocking element to ensure itself the immobilization of said blocking element in a position away from the static member. This characteristic also goes in the direction of a maximum simplicity by removing any room intermediary likely to affect the reliability of system. It is indeed quite possible to design an intermediate mechanism capable of come between the free end of the spring compensation and blocking element, and responding despite everything to the general principle of operation previously mentioned.

According to a currently preferred embodiment of the invention, the blocking element is mounted mobile rotating on the spool.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the blocking element is mounted movable in translation on the reel, in a direction substantially radial.

According to another feature of the invention, the static member is constituted by a toothed wheel. The movable blocking element, with which said wheel toothed is likely to cooperate by contact, must therefore be able to move substantially from outside to inside of the coil.

According to another feature of the invention, the static organ consists of a crown with an internal toothing. In this case, the movement of the blocking element must on the contrary substantially from the inside towards the outside of the coil.

According to a third embodiment of the invention, the blocking element is mounted mobile in translation in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the coil. In this configuration, the static member is advantageously consisting of a helical wheel.

Whatever direction and direction you choose, the elastic return means responsible for ensuring the displacement can be positioned indifferently on the other side of the blocking element, using the case a means able to work in traction or in compression.

The following description next to the drawings attached, given by way of nonlimiting examples, will fully understand what the invention consists of and how it can be done.

Figures 1 and 2 are views, respectively, of behind and side, with an erasing closure vertical by winding fitted with anti-fall devices according to the invention.

Figures 3 and 4 show in section partial transverse anti-fall device according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 illustrates in detail the shape of the free end of the compensation spring shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Figures 6 and 7 are diagrams of principle illustrating an anti-fall device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figures 8 and 9 schematically represent a anti-fall device according to a third mode of realization of the invention.

For reasons of clarity, the same elements have have been designated by identical references. Likewise, only the essentials for understanding the invention have been shown, and this without respect scale and schematically.

In accordance with the object of the present invention, the vertical closing closure 1 illustrated in the figures 1 and 2 is curtain type with fixed shaft and winding manual. Conventionally, it includes a system support 2 around which an apron 3 is wound sliding mounted between vertical slides 4, 5. Support system 2 consists of a series of compensating coils 6 with spring, movable mounted in rotation on a fixed shaft 7 via bearings 8, and connected transversely to each other by two reinforcing blades 9a, 9b secured at opposition on their respective circumferences. In this particular example of realization, there are four coils 6 evenly spaced along the shaft 7, each end 10a, 10b of which is integral a support plate 11a, 11b fixed directly to the wall through which the opening is made to close. The apron 3 consists of a plurality of articulated blades 12; the one located at the upper end being secured to the blade of reinforcement 9b by screws 13.

Each compensating coil 6 is provided with a spiral spring 14 not shown in FIG. 1 but visible in Figure 2. This compensation spring 14 takes place conventionally between the two flanges 15, 16 of coil 6 and its inner end 17 is secured to the shaft 7 by means of a fixing screw 18. Its outer end 19 is itself considered free, in the sense that it is not permanently attached but simply hooked to part of the coil 6.

All of these details will appear more clearly in Figures 3 and 4 to illustrate cooperation between the different components of a anti-fall device according to the invention, of which some are however already visible in Figures 1 and 2. We distinguish in particular, associated with each coil 6, a blocking element 20, a static member 30 and an elastic return means 40.

Figures 3 and 4 show a fall prevention device according to a first embodiment currently preferred of the invention, that is to say in which the locking element 20 is constituted by a finger 21 rotatably mounted on the reel 6. The organ static 30 is presented here in the form of a wheel toothed 31 having orthogonally two legs of fasteners 32a, 32b able to allow its connection on the shaft 7 via screws 33a, 33b.

In order to be able to cooperate by locking, the wheel tooth 31 is positioned in the plane of rotation of the finger 21 pivotally mounted on the external face 22 of the flange 16. The axis of rotation 23 of the finger 21, also visible in Figure 1, is arranged such kind with respect to the contact surface of the wheel toothed 31, that said finger 21 is able to tilt from an open position not impeding the rotation of the coil 6, in an engaged position in which its end 24 comes into contact with said toothed wheel 31 until complete blocking once in abutment against a teeth 34.

The movement of finger 21 from the open position to the position engaged is effected by the action of a means elastic return 40. In this example of embodiment, it is constituted by a spring 41 working in traction. Its presence is justified by the absolute necessity of having a reliable mechanism. A displacement under the sole action of gravity is only effect not sufficient to guarantee an engagement systematic, in particular due to the risks of untimely beating inherent in this type of mounting. Of course, it is quite possible to use a elastic return means 40 working in compression, by reverse positioning by relative to the locking element 20.

Whatever its form, the means of recall elastic 40 must therefore fill two functions. First, it must ensure the displacement of the locking element 20, then guarantee the support of the end 24 of the latter on the surface of contact of the static member 30, until blocking against a stop portion of said surface.

The compensation spring 14 shown in the Figures 3 and 4 is actually located in the background relative to the flange 16 of the coil 6, that is to say housed in the space 50 between said flange 16 and the flange 15 (Figure 1). Its free end 19 of curved shape partially wraps around of the axis of rotation 23, so that the latter is permanently subjected to the restoring force of said compensation spring 14. Axis 23 has longitudinally a flat 25, arranged orthogonally to the direction in which the finger 21 extends and cooperating by contact with a flat portion 51 formed at the free end 19 of the compensation spring 14. As the restoring force will be exerted essentially at this interface and significantly perpendicular, finger 21 is therefore advantageously maintained in a determined position corresponding to the previously opened position defined. This balance is not disturbed by the action of tension spring 41 due to the very intense greater than the force generated by the spring of compensation 14.

The failure envisioned in Figure 4 is a rupture of the compensating spring 14. However, the operation remains the same in the case of a shedding. The permanent tensioning of this spring hairspring 14, inherent in the operation of any curtain fixed shaft with manual or motorized winding, materializes by a notable decrease in its diameter compared to its normal size, i.e. when there is no constraint. Also, from that he experiences a significant drop in blood pressure, he tends to increase in volume proportionally. In the case of rupture and in accordance with Figure 4, the swelling is immediate and simultaneous. Finger 21 no longer subject to the significant restoring force, it is then rotated by the spring of traction 41 until it gets stuck in the wheel tooth 31, thus immobilizing the fall of the deck 3.

This embodiment appears quite advantageous, since like a mechanism it is always possible to reassemble the deck 3 by rotating the carrying system 2, all by preventing the demotion of the movement of rotation.

As can be seen precisely in the figure 5, the free end 19 of the compensation spring 14 has a curved shape over 180 degrees. This peculiarity allows it not to offer protruding edges likely to catch the inside of the blades 12 of the deck 3 or that of the reinforcement strips 9a 9b, after the failure of said compensation spring 14, i.e. a rupture or significant load shedding. Its most distal part 52, that is to say that which extends substantially parallel to part 53 located just before the portion plane 51, advantageously forms a sort of suitable shoe to slide along the different elements previously mentioned.

Particularly advantageously, the anti-fall device includes stop means 60 able to control the swelling of the spring compensation 14, by limiting its radial expansion after a major break or load shedding. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, these abutment means 60 are constituted by an axis of retainer 61 arranged perpendicularly between the flanges 15, 16, near the axis of rotation 23 of the finger 21. Whatever their embodiment, the stop means 60 are preferably positioned at proximity of the locking element 20, so that that the compensation spring 14 cannot in particular disrupt the movement of this movable member.

The second illustrated embodiment schematically in Figures 6 and 7 works on the same principle as that shown in Figures 3 and 4. This variant simply differs in the fact that the locking element 20 is here mounted movable in radial translation on the coil 73 and that it cooperates with a static member 30 consisting of a crown 35 with internal teeth. The same way as previous, the blocking element 20 is on the one hand kept away from said crown 35 under the effect of the restoring force exerted by a spring of compensation 70, and on the other hand subject to the action of a elastic return means 40 here having the form of a spring 42 working in compression.

In this embodiment, the element of blocking 20 is constituted by a flat 74 mounted movable in sliding along two rectilinear lights 71. These are respectively provided through the two flanges 72 of a compensating coil 73, in a substantially radial direction. Any either its position in radial translation, the plate 74 crosses right through the coil 73, so that one of its ends extends beyond of the external wall of the flange 72 positioned directly near the static member 30. Thus, the part of the dish 74 located between the two flanges 72 advantageously serves as an attachment zone for the free end 19 of the compensation spring 70. The part projecting from the surface of the coil 73 comes to cut the following plan which is arranged the toothed crown 35. The assembly is arranged so that the dish 74 is able to stand move between a cleared position that does not hinder the rotation of the coil 73, and a position engaged in which its end comes into contact with the crown 35 until complete blocking once in abutment against one of the teeth 75. Thus, the dish 74 is able to cooperate by blocking with the static member 30 in the event of failure of the compensation spring 70.

In this hypothesis, the dish 74 is driven in radial translation under the combined action of thrust generated by the compression spring 42 and from that resulting from the radial expansion of the spring of compensation 70 in the direction of arrow F. In this which relates more particularly to this latter aspect, it is clear that the outermost turn of the spring compensation 70 will first deploy radially until it comes into contact with the part of the dish 74 which is located between the two flanges 72 of the coil 73. As the plate 74 is also mounted mobile in translation in the same direction as the expansion of the compensation spring 70 at this location precise, he will therefore be trained in displacement until it comes into abutment against the crown 35. The coil 73 is then seen to be immobilized in rotation relative to the static member 30 secured to the shaft fixed 7, thus stopping the fall of the apron 3 of the closing 1.

According to the third embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the blocking element 20 is mounted movable in transverse translation on a compensating coil 80. In this particular example, it is constituted by a sliding pin 81 capable of being move in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the coil 80. For this, the axis 81 cooperates by sliding with two 82.83 bores of forms complementary to its section, arranged opposite on the two flanges 84.85.

In order to be able to be kept away from the static member 30, the sliding pin 81 is provided of an imprint 86 able to cooperate by fitting in less partial with a portion, substantially shaped complementary, of the free end 19 of the spring of compensation 87. Also, even if it is subject to permanence to a compression spring 88, the axis 81 is immobilized in translation under the effect of the force of reminder exercised by the compensation spring 87. The presence of imprint 86, of shape complementary to the free end 19, allows a real interlocking and therefore eliminating advantageously the risks of slipping.

However, once a failure occurs level of compensation spring 87, the disappearance of the restoring force releases the axis 81 which, under the action of the compression spring 88, is driven in direction of the static organ 30. This presents itself advantageously in the form of a helical wheel 89 whose blades 90 form a surface which, although discontinuous, is able to immobilize in translation the locking element 20 whatever the position relative of the coil 80 with respect to the member static 30. In other words, the blades 90 are shaped so that their axial projection constitutes a continuous surface at the level of the zone likely to come into contact with end 91 sliding axis 81, a circular crown in the present case.

Besides the blocking in translation of the element of locking 20, the helical wheel 89 also provides, like all the other static organs 30 previously described, immobilization in rotation of the coil 80 in accordance with the object of the present invention. This function is performed as soon as the sliding pin 81 comes in abutment against the edge 92 of one of the blades 90, after that its end 91 has possibly slipped against the surface of the blade directly adjacent to said edge 92.

Again, it is possible to raise the deck 3 after the fall arrest device is engaged, thanks to the specific structure of the static organ 30. In Indeed, the latter is unable to cooperate by locking with sliding pin 81 only in the direction corresponding to the descent of the deck. In the sense on the contrary, the helical wheel 89 has no part forming a stop since the edges 92 are oriented in this same direction. On the contrary, the form twisted of each blade 90 contributes to push back gradually axis 81 which is only subject to action of compression spring 88. Thus, the coil 80 can be rotated until the deck 3 is raised to the desired height.

At the end of this operation, the coil 80 goes into first turn slightly in the opposite direction under the effect of the weight of the deck 3. In a second time, it will stop as soon as the axis sliding 81 will again lean against the edge 92 of one of the blades 90 of the helical wheel 89, stopping thus the descent of the deck 3.

Naturally, and as it already results amply of the above, the invention is not limited to particular embodiments which have been described in title of preferred examples, of which it encompasses all variants remaining within the scope of the patent.

The static member 30 can in particular take any form likely to present at least a part forming stop; the distance between two stops successive precisely corresponding to the distance traversed by the deck 3 during its fall. In the case of a toothed wheel 31 or a crown 35 provided of an internal toothing, the height of fall of the apron 3 is limited to the distance separating each tooth 34, 74.

Claims (15)

1. Anti-fall device for closure (1) which is vertically retractable by rolling up, the said closure (1) including a sectional shutter (3) able to be rolled around at least one reel (6, 73, 80) mounted movably in rotation on a fixed shaft (7), each movable reel (6, 73, 80) being connected to the fixed shaft (7) by means of a compensation spring of spiral type (14, 70, 87), an anti-fall device being associated with each compensation spring (14, 70, 87), each anti-fall device being intended to prevent the drop of the sectional shutter (3) in case of failure of the corresponding compensation spring of spiral type (14, 70, 87), each anti-fall device including a locking element (20) mounted movably on the corresponding reel (6, 73, 80) and a static organ (30) rigidly attached to the fixed shaft (7), the locking element (20) co-operating with an elastic return means (40) able to displace it in the direction of the static organ (30) the surface portion of which intended to enter into contact with the said locking element (20) presents at least one part forming a stop, characterised by the fact that the locking element (20) is kept at a distance from the static organ (30) by the return force applied by the compensation spring of spiral type (14, 70, 87), at the level of its free end (19), of curved form, which is partially wound, directly or indirectly, on the locking element.
2. Anti-fall device as described in claim 1, characterised by the fact that the free end (19) of the compensation spring (14, 70, 87) co-operates by direct contact with the locking element (20) in order to itself immobilise the said locking element (20) in a position away from the static organ (30).
3. Anti-fall device as described in one of claims 1 or 2, characterised by the fact that the locking element (20) is mounted movably in rotation on the reel (6).
4. Anti-fall device as described in claim 3, characterised by the fact that the rotationally moveable locking element (20) is formed by a finger (21) the rotary shaft (23) of which has a flat (25) able to co-operate by contact with a flat portion (51) of the free end (19) of the compensation spring (14).
5. Anti-fall device as described in one of claims 1 or 2, characterised by the fact that the locking element (20) is mounted movably in translation on the reel (73, 80).
6. Anti-fall device as described in claim 5, characterised by the fact that the mobility in translation of the locking element (20) of the reel (73) occurs in a substantially radial direction.
7. Anti-fall device as described in claim 6, characterised by the fact that the locking element (20) moveable in radial translation is formed by a flat bar (74) onto which hooks the free end (19) of the compensation spring (70), the said flat bar (74) co-operating by sliding with at least one aperture (71) formed radially on one of the cheek plates (72) of the reel (73).
8. Anti-fall device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised by the fact that the static organ (30) is formed by a toothed wheel (31).
9. Anti-fall device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised by the fact that the static organ (30) is formed by an internally toothed ring (35).
10. Anti-fall device as described in claim 5, characterised by the fact that the mobility in translation of the locking element (20) on the reel (80) occurs in a direction substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of the said reel (80).
11. Anti-fall device as described in claim 10, characterised by the fact that the locking element (20) moveable in transversal translation is formed by a sliding shaft (81) including a stamping (86) able to co-operate by interlocking with a portion, of substantially complementary form, of the free end (19) of the compensation spring (87).
12. Anti-fall device as described in claim 10 or 11, characterised by the fact that the static organ (30) is formed by a helical wheel (89) including blades (90) able to immobilise the locking element (20) in translation when the compensation spring (87) fails, whatever the relative position of the reel (80) relative to the said static organ (30).
13. Anti-fall device as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised by the fact that it includes stop means (60) able to limit the radial expansion of the compensation spring (14) in case of breakage or large removal of load.
14. Anti-fall device as described in claim 13, characterised by the fact that the stop means (60) are formed of a retaining shaft (61) arranged perpendicularly between the cheek plates (15, 16) of the reel (6), in the proximity of the locking element (20).
15. Anti-fall device as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, characterised by the fact that the free end (19) of the compensation spring (14) has a curved form, the most distal part (52) of which, forming a shoe, is able to slide along the different elements with which the said free end (19) is able to come into contact in case of failure of the said compensation spring (14).

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