EP0945585B1 - Roller shutter comprising a manual drive - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a rolling shutter comprising a device manual drive in the form of a pulley provided suitable for drive in rotation a winding shaft of an apron, on this pulley coming to wind, at least partially, a manual traction device, such as a strap, a chain, a cord or the like, at least one strand of which is returned accessible to a user.

Such a component is described for example in document DE-A-2 611 328.

The invention relates to the field of roller shutters and, more particularly, manual drive mechanisms of such shutters.

We know, of course, many roller shutters responding to the description above, i.e. the winding of which around and deploying from a winding shaft are insured through a training device manual, such as a strap, chain, cord or similar.

More specifically, the drive mechanism of the deck such a roller shutter takes position inside a box arranged in the upper part of an opening corresponding to a door, window, French window or the like.

Also, the manual traction member, which is wound up, at the less partially, around a pulley fitted to one of the ends of said winding shaft, falls down, through a opening provided for this purpose at the level of said box, on the side internal to the house with respect to said door, French window Or other.

We understand, of course, that to prevent the strand (s) of this traction member, made accessible to the user, does not fall in front of the opening of the door, window or analogous, it is customary to shift, laterally and as far as possible, the drive pulley which is not possible, of course that if we don't encounter any other problem space at the level of the box of said rolling shutter.

In this regard, there are situations in which the whole carpentry, namely the door frame, window or the like, as well as the roller shutter box overcoming this sleeping frame must take a stand in the opening even provided at the construction level, so that it is impossible to shift laterally, the pulley of training this being reported, under these conditions, to immediate proximity to one end of said tree winding.

A similar problem is encountered in the area of renovation where it is customary to avoid either the removal of a frame of a pre-existing door or window or to score this pre-existing sleeping frame, to size the renovation set so that it can be inserted at the interior of this pre-existing sleeping frame. In fact, there still, it is necessary to bring back, as closely as possible, the pulley of the drive device on the end of the shaft of winding the apron if one wishes not to penalize the size of the renovation window and, therefore, the space glass provided by the latter.

However, precisely, by respecting the aforementioned conditions the or the strands falling freely from the drive pulley outside the box, position themselves in front opening it or even tend to decrease the clear of glazing of it. In any case, they hinder its maneuver. So when this cord or strap falls down in front of the front upright, it is advisable systematically discard it during each maneuver opening and closing. In reality, such a solution is absolutely not acceptable so we will look, at at any cost, to drop this traction member up to the rear upright of said opening. Here again, whenever we just manipulate it, this traction member has tendency to interfere with the maneuver by getting caught in the rebate between the sash and the frame, which can, in the long run, cause damage to the carpentry, especially if we just force, however, the closing of the door, window or the like.

There are already systems for returning straps or cords placed at the height of the roller shutter box and which have the function, precisely, of deporting the organ of traction, laterally, relative to the pulley which ensures the drive of the winding shaft. Such systems are described for example in the documents DE-U-9 102 244, DE-U-7 825 978 and DE-A-2 605 715.

We understand, obviously, that under such conditions the action of the user cannot be transferred directly to the said pulley but through the return system which makes the more restrictive manipulations, or even, in some cases, impose the use of a reduction system of the movement. Anyway, through such systems of return, these traction devices, of the chain, cord type or strap, are highly stressed and so that their longevity is significantly reduced.

In summary, the purpose of the present invention is to respond to the aforementioned problem, that is to avoid that a traction, of the cord, strap, chain or other type, does not falls, for reasons of space requirement of the device for driving a roller shutter, in front of an opening door, window or the like, while at the same time avoiding any return device which would prevent the user from acting, directly, through this traction member on the pulley supra.

To this end, the present invention relates to a rolling shutter comprising a manual drive device in the form of a pulley provided suitable for rotating a shaft of winding an apron, on this pulley coming to wind at least partially, a manual traction member, such a strap, a chain, a cord or the like, of which less one strand is made accessible to a user, characterized by the fact that it further comprises means of recall designed elastic capable of repelling, elastically, the strands defined by the manual traction member outside the plane passing through said pulley, while allowing this or these strands to reposition themselves in this plane, against action elastic return means, under the effect of a traction printed on this strand or at least one of them during a control when deploying or folding the shutter curtain rolling.

In fact, as will emerge from the description which follows, the aforementioned elastic return means may arise in different embodiments and be implemented, depending on the case, inside or outside of a box receiving the roller shutter deck, or even in the thickness of a wall of this box.

In addition, these elastic return means use a number relatively limited parts whose operation and particularly simple design, guarantee a good reliability, as well as great ease of use.

• la figure 1 correspond à une vue schématisée, en perspective et en coupe partielle, d'un volet roulant selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue schématisée, en coupe et en élévation, d'un premier mode de réalisation de ces moyens de rappel élastiques en position de manoeuvrage de l'organe de traction manuelle ;
• la figure 3 est une vue similaire à la précédente correspondant à ces moyens de rappel élastiques en position de repos de l'organe de traction manuelle ;
• la figure 4 est une vue schématisée, en coupe partielle et de dessous, du caisson de volet roulant auquel sont associés les moyens de rappel élastiques représentés figures 2 et 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue schématisée et en élévation correspondant à un second mode de réalisation de ces moyens de rappel élastiques en position de repos de l'organe de traction manuelle ;
• la figure 6 est une vue similaire à la précédente correspondant à ces moyens de rappel élastiques lors de l'actionnement dudit organe de traction manuelle.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows relating to the attached drawing in which:

• Figure 1 corresponds to a schematic view, in perspective and in partial section, of a roller shutter according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a schematic view, in section and in elevation, of a first embodiment of these elastic return means in the operating position of the manual traction member;
• Figure 3 is a view similar to the previous one corresponding to these elastic return means in the rest position of the manual traction member;
• Figure 4 is a schematic view, in partial section and from below, of the roller shutter box with which the elastic return means shown in Figures 2 and 3 are associated;
• Figure 5 is a schematic elevational view corresponding to a second embodiment of these elastic return means in the rest position of the manual traction member;
• Figure 6 is a view similar to the previous corresponding to these elastic return means upon actuation of said manual traction member.

As can be seen from the attached drawing, in particular from Figure 1, the present invention relates to the field of roller shutters operated manually by a user.

Such a rolling shutter 1 is intended to equip a door 2, window or the like, comprising a sleeping frame 3 on which is articulated at least one opening 4 possibly provided with a glazing 5.

This roller shutter 1 comprises a box 6 surmounting this door 2, window or the like and comprising, essentially, a outer wall 7, an inner wall 8, a wall upper 9 as well as an opening for the passage of a apron 12 able to wind around a winding shaft 13 disposed inside said box 6.

This rolling shutter 1 in fact comprises a device manual drive 14 consisting of a pulley 15 in engagement with the winding shaft 13, at one of the ends 16 of this latest.

On this pulley 15 comes to wind, at least partially, a manual traction member 17, such as a cord 18, a strap, chain or the like by defining one or two strands 19, 19 'made accessible to a user.

For this purpose and as visible, more particularly, figures 2 and 3, this or these 19, 19 'emerge from the box 6 at through an opening 20 formed, usually at the level of the inner wall 8 or the underside 10 thereof.

According to the invention, this rolling shutter 1 comprises means for elastic return 21 designed capable of elastically repelling the or the strands 19, 19 'defined by the manual traction member 17 outside the plane P passing through the pulley 15. Such means elastic return 21 also allow this or these strands 19, 19 'to reposition themselves in this plane P, against the action of the elastic return means 21 under the effect of a traction printed on these strands 19, 19 'or at least one of them during an order for deployment or folding of the apron 12 of the roller shutter 1.

As will emerge from the following description, these means elastic return 21 can adopt several forms of different realization of which two examples are illustrated, respectively, Figures 1 to 4 and 5 and 6.

Thus, FIGS. 1 to 4 have been shown, a first mode of realization corresponding to elastic return means 21 located at the inner wall 8 of the box 6, at outside of the latter.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, these elastic return means 21 are in the form of a spring 22, here shown in helical form, arranged near the opening 20 by which the manual traction member 17 emerges from the box 6 crossing the inner wall 8 from which said spring 22 is, moreover, made integral through suitable fixing means 23.

Such a spring 22 comprises, on the one hand, an end 25 kept fixed relative to the box 6 and, on the other hand, a free end 24 capable of moving, elastically relative to said fixing means 23, in front of opening 20 of which at least part is located in the plane P of the pulley 15. This free end 24 of the spring can advantageously receive a roller 26 capable of entering contact with the manual traction unit 17.

In fact, this spring 22 and, more particularly, its end free 24 possibly provided with the roller 26, is designed capable of elastically push the strand (s) 19, 19 'out of the plane P passing through said pulley 15, in particular when the member 17 is not requested. Such a situation is, more precisely, represented in FIGS. 3 and 4 corresponding, respectively, in an elevation view and from below the box 6 of the rolling shutter 1. It should be noted that, in pushing the strand (s) 19, 19 'outside of the plane P of the pulley 15, the manual traction member 17 is, advantageously, moved outside the glazing 5 and generally outside of the opening 4.

This spring 22 is also designed capable of allowing this or these strands 19, 19 'to position themselves in the plane P of the pulley 15 under the impulse of a traction exerted on the organ of manual traction 17. In fact, such traction can be exerted on one 19 or the other 19 'of the strands of said organ traction 17 during a deployment or folding command of the roller shutter deck 12 1. This situation has, more in particular, was shown in Figure 2.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, this roller shutter 1 can be completed by a housing 27 inside which are arranged, at least in part, the elastic return means 21. Such a housing 27 is then located near the opening 20 and secured to the box 6 of the roller shutter 1 by means suitable fixing 28.

Such a housing 27 has a function, essentially, aesthetic intended, more particularly, to obscure the presence of elastic return means 21. However, this box 27 can also have a technical function consisting in guiding the strands 19, 19 'and in maintaining these last constantly in contact with the free end 24 of the spring 22, in particular with the roller 26.

It will also be noted, in particular Figures 2 and 3, that this housing 27 has walls, at least one of which is suitable for constitute a stop against which comes to rest and come to rest on the fixed end 25 of a spring 22 of the type helical.

In fact, according to a first embodiment, such a housing 27 is in the form of a simple cover 29 attached to the box 6, after the introduction of the return means elastic 21, over the latter.

According to another embodiment not shown, this housing 27 is in the form of a box provided with a certain number of orifices allowing passage of the traction member manual 17 and inside which are pre-assembled the elastic return means 21. Such a box can, for example, be designed to be reported later on an already existing roller shutter box 6 1.

In the foregoing description, mention has been made of means elastic return 21 arranged on the inner wall 8 of the box 6, especially outside of the latter. It suits, however, to observe that such an embodiment, although preferential, is in no way limiting and that such means elastic return 21 can still be mounted at inside the box 6 but also in the thickness of the inner wall 8 thereof.

Finally, these elastic return means 21 can still be located at the underside 10 of the box 6 and this inside, outside or in the thickness of this underside 10.

In this regard, it will be noted that a different establishment from that described above and corresponding to FIGS. 1 to 4 can possibly require a number of adjustments specific, the latter being, however, within the reach of one skilled in the art. Thus, an implantation on the internal side at box 6 requires fitting, at the level of the latter, an opening 20 adjusted to the desired offset amplitude or strands 19, 19 'of the traction member 17 under the impulse of said elastic return means 21.

It has been shown in Figures 5 and 6, another mode of realization of these elastic return means 21 which are, precisely, located on the underside 10 of the box 6.

Such elastic return means 21 are then presented under the shape of a drawer 31 provided with at least one orifice 32 for the passage of the manual traction member 17 and mounted sliding through slides 33 at the right of a window 34 formed in the inner wall 8 or in the underside 10 of the box 6 and, this, enters a position in which the orifices 32 lie, substantially, in the plane P of the pulley 15 and a position offset from this plane P.

In fact, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, this drawer 31 is subjected to the action of a spring 35 in order to repel elastically the strand (s) 19, 19 ′ defined by the manual traction 17 outside this plane P passing through said pulley 15, while allowing this or these strands 19, 19 'of come to reposition in this plane P, against the action of said spring 35, under the effect of a traction imparted to one of them at least during a deployment command or folding up of the apron 12 of the rolling shutter 1.

Again, such elastic return means 21 in the form of a drawer 31 can be installed inside, outside or even in the thickness of the underside 10 or the inner wall 8 of the box 6. Return means elastic bands 21, thus designed can be in the form of an independent assembly able to be brought back individually on said box 6.

The present invention therefore makes it possible to meet a real need. in the field of manually operated roller shutters and provides a particularly simple and effective solution to a number of known issues. In this this invention can be seen as bringing real progress in the technical area considered.

Claims (9)

1. Roller shutter (1) comprising a manual drive device (14) in the form of a pulley (15) designed capable of driving in rotation a winding-up shaft (13) of an apron (12), on this pulley (15) winding up, at least partially, a manual pulling organ (17), such as a strap, a chain, a cord (18) or the like, at least one side (19) of which is made accessible for a user, characterised in that it includes, in addition, springy restoring means (21) designed capable of elastically pushing back the side or sides (19, 19') defined by the manual pulling organ (17) outside the plane (P) passing through said pulley (15), while allowing this or these sides (19, 19') to position themselves again in this plane (P), against the action of the springy restoring means (21), under the action of a pulling force exerted on this side or at least on one of them (19, 19'), during a control to unfold or to wind up the apron (12) of the roller shutter (1).
2. Roller shutter (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said springy restoring means (21) are in the form of a spring (22) made integral with the box (6) and including, on the one hand, an end (25) maintained fixed with respect to said box (6) and, on the other hand, a free end (24) capable of elastically moving in front of an opening (20) located, at least partially, in the plane (P) of the pulley (15) and through which the manual pulling organ (17) emerges from the box (6).
3. Roller shutter (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the free end (24) of the spring (22) receives a rail-wheel (26) capable of entering into contact with the manual pulling organ (17).
4. Roller shutter (1) according to any of claims 2 or 3, characterised in that it includes a casing (27) implanted in the vicinity of the opening (20) and inside which are arranged, at least partially, the springy restoring means (21), said casing (27) being made integral with the box (6) and being aimed, on the one hand, at hiding the presence of these springy restoring means (21) and, on the other hand, at guiding the sides (19, 19'), in order to maintain them into contact with the free end (24) of the spring (22).
5. Roller shutter (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that said casing (27) is formed by a cap (29) inserted against the box (6), after installing the springy restoring means (21), over the latter.
6. Roller shutter (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the casing (27) is a box provided with a number of holes allowing the passing-through of the manual pulling organ (17), inside this box being previously mounted said springy restoring means (21), said casing (27) being namely designed capable of being inserted later on against the box (6).
7. Roller shutter (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the springy restoring means (21) are in the form of a drawer (31) slideably mounted through sliding rails (33) in front of a window (34) provided for in the inner wall (8) or in the lower face (10) of the casing (6), said drawing (31) being subjected to the action of a spring (35).
8. Roller shutter (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that said drawer (31) is provided with at least one opening (32) for the passing-through of the manual pulling organ (17), this drawer (31) being designed capable of sliding between a position in which the opening or openings (32) are located substantially in the plane (P) of the pulley (15) and a position offset with respect to this plane (P).
9. Roller shutter (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the springy restoring means (21) are implanted at the outer side or inner side of the lower face (10) of the inner wall (8) or also in the thickness of the latter.

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