EP1146197A1 - Roller shutter box - Google Patents

Abstract

Coffer (1) has ends covered with lateral flasks (6,7). The front wall (5) has an access hatch, whose cover has two material bands (12) placed at each edge (10,11). Those bands have a groove, which can cooperate with the lateral flasks.

Description

The invention relates to a roller shutter box comprising a front wall, back wall, top wall, wall lower and side flanges closing said box at its lateral ends, at least one of the walls front and rear defining a inspection hatch and being connected, by means of retractable connecting means to less at the top wall and at the bottom wall.

The invention relates to the field of roller shutters and relates, more particularly, to the casing of these roller shutters.

A rolling shutter usually comprises a box taking position, most often, in the upper part of an opening corresponding to a door, window or the like on a level construction. In this box is able to come and roll up the deck of this roller shutter under the control of a mechanism appropriate training.

Said box consists of a front wall, a wall rear, upper wall, lower wall and lateral flanges closing this box at its ends side. At least one of the front and rear walls defines a inspection hatch allowing access to the interior of this box and, in particular, to said drive mechanism of the apron. This inspection hatch is connected, via retractable connecting means, at least on the wall upper and lower wall. Very often such retractable connecting means are in the form of a part, means for fitting the upper edge of said hatch inspection at the level of the upper wall of the box and, secondly, means for hooking and fixing the edge lower of this hatch on the corresponding edge of the wall lower.

If such means of interlocking or attachment do not pose no problem whatsoever from the point of view of their outfit mechanical or that of the airtightness of the box, between this inspection hatch and said lower walls and superior, it is not the same with regard to the interface between this same inspection hatch and the flanges lateral.

Very often these elements are not interconnected, precisely so as to be able to easily open said hatch. The side flanges being, in turn, reported by fixing means, in particular screws, on the edges end of the lower and upper walls. Sealing relative to these is usually ensured at through a rebate at the level of these lateral flanges. At this about, such rebate can also be provided by relation to the wall defining the inspection hatch, but is, in most cases, insufficient. In particular, under the effect of the wind leading to an increase of the pressure inside the box, this wall corresponding to the inspection hatch tends to deform, precisely because it is not retained in relation to side flanges. Air can then escape through the gap, thus formed between these flanges and the trapdoor visit. This problem is particularly encountered in the case of boxes made of synthetic material, especially PVC.

Another problem is that it is quite difficult to design the walls of the box, including that corresponding to the inspection hatch, strictly in length identical. Note, in this regard, that these walls result from cutting, into sections, of a very long profile and necessarily intervene during these cuts, usual machining tolerances. Also, it happens frequently whether the inspection hatch is longer or shorter than the walls with which it is brought to cooperate and it arises a gap, in any case unsightly, between this inspection hatch and the side flanges.

Likewise, a difference in length between the bottom wall and the upper wall leads to a squaring error of the lateral flanges with respect to these walls and, by way of consequence, a lack of parallelism between the edges end of the inspection hatch and said lateral flanges. Such a defect can come, more simply, from an error of cutting of the wall corresponding to the inspection hatch.

Note that during this cutting operation different walls of the box and, in particular, of the wall forming a trap door, a squaring error can still occur produce between the cutting line and the longitudinal axis of these walls, which obviously has the same disadvantages as those just mentioned.

In the end, we will observe that the box, once assembled, can undergo multiple deformations during its transport to the place of assembly at a building level. These deformations can, again, generate defects of squaring between the walls and the lateral flanges, therefore of parallelism between these flanges and the end edges of the trapdoor.

The aim of the solution according to the invention is to remedy all of the drawbacks mentioned above. In particular, it effectively responds to the problem of deformation from this wind trap and, by way of consequence, to the passage of air between this inspection hatch and the side plates. In addition, if this corresponding solution to the invention does not prevent a lack of parallelism between these side flanges and the end edges of the inspection hatch, it allows, at least, to make it unnoticed.

To this end, the invention relates to a roller shutter box having a front wall, a rear wall, a wall upper, a lower wall and side flanges coming close said box at its lateral ends, one at less front and rear walls defining a hatch visit and being connected, via connecting means retractable, at least at the top wall and at the wall lower, characterized in that said wall forming a trap door visit includes, at its end edges, a strip telescopic extension provided with nesting means, in particular in the form of a groove or a tongue, provided able to cooperate with complementary nesting means associated with the side plates.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the lateral flanges have, at the edge adjacent to an edge end of the inspection hatch, an obviously adjusted to the width and height of the telescopic extension strip for the receipt of the latter.

Therefore, once the telescopic extension strip implemented, not only the risks of air infiltration are prevented but, in addition, the telescopic nature of this strip to compensate for differences in distance between the end edges of the inspection hatch and said flanges lateral, this so as to compensate for any defect squaring.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows with reference to an illustrated embodiment in the attached drawing.

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a shutter rolling and in particular of its box.

Figure 2 is a partial schematic representation and in perspective of the box according to the invention.

Figure 3 shows schematically and in partial section the connection between the inspection hatch and a lateral flange, the telescopic extension strip not being fitted in the corresponding side flange.

Figure 4 is a representation similar to Figure 3, the telescopic extension strip being, here, represented by way engaged in complementary nesting means of said lateral flange.

Figure 5 is a schematic representation in section partial according to V-V of Figure 1;

As shown in Figure 1 the present invention relates the area of roller shutters and related, more in particular, to a box 1 for such shutters.

This box 1 which overcomes, in some cases, a door or window carpentry taking position in a opening of a building, makes it possible to shelter there, once rolled up, the deck of this roller shutter. Also, such a box 1 contains also the drive mechanism to ensure the deployment and folding of this deck.

It also consists of a bottom wall 2, a upper wall 3, of a front wall 4, of a rear wall 5 and, finally, side flanges 6,7 closing this box 1 at the level of its lateral ends 8.9.

At least one of the front 4 and rear 5 walls defines a access hatch allowing access to the interior of this box 1, so that it is connected via retractable connecting means at least on the lower walls 2 and higher 3. These retractable connecting means are not described, here, to the extent that they are not the subject of the present invention, not to mention that they are known to man of career.

Thus and by way of example, it is known to spare on the edge upper part of the wall forming a trap door, a tongue designed to be engaged in a groove that comprises, opposite internal to the box, the upper wall 3, while this inspection hatch itself has a groove at the edge lower for the reception of a tongue which comprises, at its turn, the edge of the bottom wall 2. The grooves and tabs are designed to prevent their dislocation from unexpectedly, i.e. without the intervention of a operator.

Going back to the side flanges 6,7, these are rendered most often attached to the lower walls 2 and upper 3 by means of fasteners, such as screws for example.

Furthermore and according to the invention, the wall forming a hatch visit, identified in this description, but not of limitatively, as being the rear wall 5, comprises, at its end edges 10,11, a strip of telescopic extension 12 provided with fitting means 13, in particular in the form of a groove or a tongue, provided able to cooperate with complementary nesting means 14 associated with the side flanges 6,7.

Thus, this telescopic extension strip 12, called more far strip, is defined by height 15 substantially adjusted to the internal distance separating the bottom wall 2 from the wall greater than 3, while being slightly less than this distance to guarantee functional play.

It also has a "U" shape, as visible Figures 3 and 4, so as to come to fit on an edge end 10,11 of the wall 5. In particular, when this wall 5 forming an inspection hatch actually presents itself in the form of two braced partitions 16,17, this strip of telescopic extension 12 can be designed not to come fit only on the external partition 16. Thus, its U-shape is defined by two wings 18,19 coming to extend, for one 19, on the internal side of this partition 16, while the other wing 18 comes to extend on the external side of this last.

Preferably, at least one of the two wings 18 and 19 is provided able to tighten elastically on an edge end 10,11 of the wall 5, or even on the partition 16 of the latter, to prevent involuntary displacement of the telescopic extension strip 12.

The width 20 of these wings 18.19 and, therefore, the depth of the groove 20A which they delimit, determines the length telescopic of said strip 12 relative to an end edge 10.11 of wall 5.

The fitting means 13 advantageously consist of a tongue 21 extending in a plane parallel to wall 5, the along the edge 22 of said strip 12 opposite the end edge 10 or 11 of this wall 5 on which it is engaged.

As for the complementary nesting means 14, they are have the form of a groove 23, or even a simple rim hooking arranged in correspondence at the flanges side 6.7. So this groove 23 or this hooking rim is located, as visible in Figures 3 and 4, on the face 25, internal to box 1, of these side flanges 6,7 in border 26 extending parallel to an end edge 10.11 of wall 5.

It should be noted that it is also possible to associate the groove in the telescopic extension strip 12, while that the side flanges 6,7 receive, under these conditions, a tongue capable of coming to engage in this groove of a strip by moving and locking the latter.

Preferably, at this border 26 the flanges side 6.7 have a recess 27 extending along their peripheral edge 28 and provided to accommodate, in width 20 and at height 15, a telescopic extension strip 12, once fitted on such a lateral flange 6,7. Through its wing 18, superimposed on the wall 5 externally at box 1, this strip 12 necessarily creates an additional thickness 29 unsightly, which is compensated through this integration of said strip 12 into a lateral flange 6,7. In somehow, the end edge of this wing 18 comes, after fitting, lie in the plane of the internal face 25 of these lateral flanges 6,7. Furthermore, the plan of this wing 18 and that of the peripheral edge 28 comprising obviously 27 are, preferably, confused.

As can be seen in Figure 2, through this obviously 27 there appear slots 30,31 between the ends 32.33 of a strip 12 and this peripheral edge 28 of a flange lateral 6.7. To prevent air from passing through these slots 30,31, these lateral flanges 6,7 have a rebate internal 34 at the level of this obviously 27, as it has been shown in Figure 5. Note that means complementary socket 14 in the form of a groove 23 define, in part, said internal rebate 34.

Note that said slots 30,31 extend, along from wall 5, through grooves 35.36 running parallel over the entire length of the latter.

Preferably, a telescopic extension strip 12 is also able to move by sliding parallel along an end edge 10,11 of said wall 5 forming inspection hatch. This allows you to adjust precisely the width of the slots 30.31 so that they are identical.

It should be noted that, while remaining within the framework and the spirit of the present invention, one can imagine a construction whose kinematics are reversed compared to that having been described above.

It is, in fact, to associate an extension strip telescopic 12, then designed in the manner of a slide, with side flanges 6,7. So by sliding along a direction perpendicular to such a lateral flange 6,7, the 18.19 parallel wings of this strip can be engaged and therefore locked on the end edges 10,11 of the wall forming a trap door, once it is in place. Of the same way, to remove this inspection hatch we come push the slide or strip 12 in the direction of the flange corresponding side, until clearing said wings 18,19 of wall 5.

In such a design, the relative mobility of a strip 12 compared to a lateral flange 6,7 is dependent on the length of the tongue 21, or even the depth of the groove 23.

Ultimately and as it emerges from the above, even in the context of this embodiment of reverse kinematics, we are in the presence of a strip which comes to extend so telescopic the wall 5, at the level of its end edges 10.11. Also, the invention also extends to such a mode of production.

As already explained above, the present invention effectively solves the problems encountered to date with regard to the junction between the side flanges of a box and the retractable wall provided to define a trap door.

Thus, it is finally maintained at its end edges, this which prevents its deformation in the event of an increase in pressure inside the box due to the wind. Problems resulting from squaring faults have also been brought under control, so that the casing of a rolling shutter now turns out to be increased tightness.

Claims (10)

Roller shutter box (1) comprising a front wall (4), a rear wall (5), an upper wall (3), a lower wall (21) and lateral flanges (6,7) closing said box (1 ) at its lateral ends (8, 9), at least one of the front (4) and rear (5) walls defining an inspection hatch and being connected, by means of retractable connecting means at least to the wall upper (3) and to the lower wall (2), characterized in that said wall (5) forming an inspection hatch comprises, at its end edges (10,11), a telescopic extension strip (12) provided with interlocking means (13), in particular in the form of a groove or a tongue (21), provided capable of cooperating with complementary interlocking means (14) associated with the lateral flanges (6,7). Box (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a telescopic extension strip (12) has a height (15) substantially adjusted to the internal distance separating the bottom wall (2) from the top wall (3), while being slightly less than this distance to guarantee functional play. Box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a telescopic extension strip (12) has a "U" shape so as to be able to fit on an end edge (10,11 ) of the wall (5) and is defined by two wings (18,19) at least one of which is provided capable of coming to tighten elastically on said end edges (10,11), the width (20) of these wings (18,19) and, therefore, the depth of the groove (20A) which they delimit, determining the telescopic length of said strip (12) relative to this end edge (10,11) of the wall ( 5). Box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the wall (5) of which forms a inspection hatch is in the form of two braced partitions (16,17), characterized in that the telescopic extension strip (12) is designed to come to fit on the external partition (16) of an end edges (10,11) of said wall (5). Box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitting means (13) consist of a tongue (21) or a groove extending in a plane parallel to the wall (5), the along the edge (22) of said strip (12), opposite the end edge (10) or (11) of the wall (5) on which it is engaged, the complementary nesting means (14) being in the form a groove (23), or even a simple hooking rim, or, respectively, a tongue formed on the face (25) internal to the box (1) of these lateral flanges (6,7) at the edge (26) extending parallel to an end edge (10,11) of the wall (5). Box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lateral flanges (6,7) comprise, on their face (2) internal to the box (1) and at the edge (26) coming to extend parallel at an end edge (10,11) of the wall (5), a recess (27) extending along their peripheral edge (28) intended to accommodate, in width (20) and in height (15) , a telescopic extension strip (12), once fitted on such a lateral flange (6,7). Box (1) according to the preceding claim 6, characterized in that the lateral flanges (6,7) have an internal rebate (34) at the level of the recess (27). Box (1) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that between the ends (32,33) of a telescopic extension strip (12) and the peripheral edge (28) of a lateral flange (6 , 7) appear slots (30,31) extending, along the wall (5), through grooves (35,36) running parallel over the entire length of the latter. Box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a telescopic extension strip (12) is provided capable of moving by sliding parallel along an end edge (10,11) of said wall (5) forming an inspection hatch. Box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a telescopic extension strip (12) is associated, in the manner of a slide, with the side flanges (6,7).

Images