EP1191184A1 - Shutter device for closing an opening - Google Patents

Abstract

The shutter (1), designed to cover a wall opening (3) and move relative to guide tracks fixed to angle brackets (15) at the sides, has transmission members between the guide tracks and the shutter edges which separate at least partially from the shutter in the event of a lateral force above a set level being applied to the shutter. The transmission members are connected to the shutter by clamps that apply an elastic pressure to the shutter or to projecting edges, and are connected to the shutter drive system which moves them along the lateral guide tracks.

Description

The invention relates to a shutter device intended in particular when a bay or other opening is closed, by moving the shutter by compared to guideways.

Documents WO95 / 30064, EP 0 272 733 and EP 0 587 586 describe a closure device in which the side edges of the flap are guided in guideways. When a certain tensile force transverse to the longitudinal direction is exerted on the edges of the flap, the latter emerges from the guideways. In this type of device, the edges side of the shutter may be damaged during release and must be repaired, resulting in significant disassembly costs. In addition, the movement of the flap in the guideways produces noise.

One of the essential aims of the present invention is to present a device which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks, while being of a simple design and construction and perfect reliability. So the device, according to the invention is subject to very reduced wear compared to the devices of the prior art and causes much less noise. It is also necessary to note that friction in the guideways when moving the flap is relatively small, so that the device according to the invention consumes much less energy.

To this end, according to the invention, transmission means are interposed between the side edges of the flap and the guideways and are attached to the side edges of the shutter in such a way that as soon as a certain tensile force transverse to the longitudinal direction of the guideways is exerted on the side edges of the flap relative to the means of transmission, these edges are separated at least partially from the latter.

Advantageously, the transmission means are fixed to the lateral edges of the flap by hooking means.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the flap has lateral edges projecting from the plane of the flap, these edges being enclosed by said transmission means.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the transmission means have a succession of recesses spaced along the direction of movement of the flap which cooperate with drive means allowing the movement of the flap in the direction guide paths.

The drive means preferably include a wheel toothed whose teeth are spaced from each other in order to be able to cooperate with the recesses of the transmission means.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, reintroduction means are provided in order to re-establish the link between the means transmission and the shutter when opening or closing the shutter if this last one was separated from the means of transmission, these means of reintroduction comprising members for exerting a pressing force on the side edges of the shutter.

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

Figure 1 is a schematic side view in section and with partial breaks of a shutter device according to one embodiment particular of the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic elevational front view of a shutter device, according to the invention, with several partial sections.

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view and more large scale of part of a shutter with transmission means, according to a first particular embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of part of a shutter with transmission means, according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of part of the means of transmission, according to a third specific embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of part of the means of transmission, according to a fourth interesting embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 is a front view of the transmission means of the figure 6.

Figures 8 to 11 are schematic sectional views of transmission means enclosing an edge of a shutter in different forms for carrying out the invention.

Figure 12 is a schematic front view of a toothed wheel according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

Figure 13 is a schematic side view of the gear wheel of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a detailed and enlarged representation scale of a tooth of the toothed wheel of figure 12.

Figure 15 is a schematic front view of a toothed wheel according to another specific embodiment of the invention.

Figure 16 is a schematic side view of the gear wheel of Figure 16.

Figure 17 is a detailed and enlarged representation scale of a tooth of the toothed wheel of figure 15.

FIG. 18 is a schematic side view of an anti-jamming pad, according to the invention.

Figure 19 is a section, on a larger scale, of the means of reintroduction along line XIX-XIX of Figure 1.

Figure 20 is a section, on a larger scale, along the line XX-XX of figure 1.

Figure 21 is a section, on a larger scale, along the line XXI-XXI of figure 1.

Figure 22 is a schematic perspective view of a portion the free edge of a flap and part of the transmission means enclosing the side edge of the flap.

Figure 23 is a schematic perspective view of a portion the free edge of a partially cleared flap relative to the means of transmission.

Figure 24 very schematically shows an electrical circuit allowing the shutter to stop when an obstacle is below the shutter.

Figures 25 to 30 show schematic side views different paths along which a flap can be moved according to the invention.

Figure 31 is a schematic horizontal section of a path guiding with transmission means, according to a fifth form of realization of the invention.

Figure 32 is a detail of Figure 31 when a force is applied to the flap in a direction transverse to the plane of the latter.

Figure 33 shows means of transmission according to Figures 31 and 32 when the flap is separated from them.

Figure 34 is a section along line XXXIV-XXXIV of the figure 31.

Figure 35 is a partial schematic perspective view of attachment means according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 36 shows the release of the means flap of attachment of Figure 35.

Figure 37 is a schematic perspective view of the means attachment according to a seventh embodiment of the invention.

Figures 38 to 42 show successive stages of the deformation of a specific bead during the separation of the flap of the means of transmission.

Figures 43 to 47 show successive stages of the deformation of another specific bead when the flap is separated from the means of transmission.

Figures 48 to 50 show successive stages of the deformation of a clamp when the shutter is separated from the means of transmission.

Figures 51 to 54 show successive stages of the deformation of a clamp and a bead when the flap is separated from the means of transmission.

Figure 55 shows a specific bead with pliers.

Figure 56 shows another bead provided with a coating elastic.

Figure 57 shows a bead with a clamp which is provided of a spring.

Figure 58 is a front view of a very embodiment interesting transmission means with a shutter, according to the invention.

FIG. 59 is a transverse view of the transmission means and of the flap of FIG. 58 with particular guide paths, according to the invention.

Figure 60 is a schematic side sectional view of a shutter device provided with a rigid plate according to one embodiment specific to the invention.

FIG. 61 is a cross section of a guide path, according to the invention, provided with a locking system.

FIG. 62 is a cross section of a guide path, according to the invention, provided with another locking system.

Figure 63 is a schematic front view of a gear wheel with transmission means according to the invention.

Figure 64 is a section of the gear wheel and means of transmission along line LXIV-LXIV of figure 63.

Figure 65 is a section, on a larger scale, along the line LXV-LXV of figure 64.

Figure 66 is a schematic detail view of part of the transmission means and the toothed wheel according to the invention.

In the different figures, the same reference numbers are relate to the same or analogous items.

The device according to the invention, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a flap 1 which can move, between a closed position and an open position, in the direction of arrow 2 and intended for closing of a bay 3 or any opening or passage in a wall 4. In Figures 1 and 2, the device is shown in its closed position with the free edge 16 of flap 1 against the ground 17.

By the word "component", it is appropriate to understand, within the framework of the present invention, any element at least partially flexible, flexible, rigid or semi-rigid, such as a tarpaulin, a plastic strip, an assembly hinged slats, a grid, etc ...

It should, however, be noted that a pronounced preference is given to flexible shutters formed by a tarpaulin. Thus, the figures relate a flap consisting of a sheet 1 whose lateral edges 9 and 10 are formed by a strip possibly made of another material which is, for example, only flexible in its longitudinal direction. This strip is attached to the sheet by gluing, welding or any other means.

Component 1 is guided by transmission means 5 and 6 in guide paths 7 and 8 which have a vertical part on the side and on the other side of bay 3 and a part extending substantially horizontally to a level above bay 3. When the shutter 1 is opened, it is moved from the vertical part of the guide paths 7 and 8 to the part horizontal to allow access from bay 3. Guide paths 7 and 8 are fixed to the wall 4 by angles 15.

The transmission means 5 and 6 cooperate with means in order to be able to move the flap 1 in the direction of arrow 2. These drive means comprise two toothed wheels 35, arranged at proximity of the two lateral edges 9 and 10 of the shutter 1, with an axis of rotation 12 common. The latter is actuated by an electric motor 13. To close the bay 3 by shutter 1 the gear wheels are rotated in the direction of arrow 18.

FIG. 3 represents a particular embodiment of the transmission means 5 or 6. These include a metal strip continuous flexible 19 provided with hooking means by which the strip metal 19 is fixed to the lateral edges 9 and 10 of the shutter 1. The strip metal 19 extends over the entire length of the flap 1 in the plane of the latter. The attachment means have a succession of clamps 20 which are independent from each other.

So that said clips 20 can be fixed to the edges side 9 and 10 of the shutter 1, these project from the plane of the shutter 1. In particular, these lateral edges 9 and 10 are provided with a bead 21 on which fit the clamps 20. In addition, a thickening 22 is provided for lateral edges 9 and 10, near the bead 21 and on either side of the plane of the flap 1, which has at its two sides faces 23 and 24 perpendicular by relative to the plane of the shutter 1. The function of the faces 23 and 24 will be described below.

The clamps 20 consist of two metal strips 25 and 26 mounted on either side of the strip 19 by means of rivets. These slats 25 and 26 have a curved portion 27, respectively 28, which extends beyond the edge of the strip 19, so that the bead 21 is sandwiched between these strips. In order to be able to release the shutter 1 relative to the metal strip 19 and to ability to attach flap 1 again to the latter, clamps 20 can be elastically deformed.

At the end of the strips 25 and 26, opposite to that presenting the curved parts 27 and 28, guide means are provided to allow the displacement of the transmission means, i.e. the metal strip 19, according to the longitudinal direction of the guide tracks 7 and 8. These guide means include, in the embodiment of the invention as shown in the FIG. 3, guide projections 29 and 30. Said projections 29 and 30 are formed by the ends of the strips 25 and 26 bent at right angles by relative to the plane of the metal strip 19.

The projections 29 and 30 are guided in a slot which is substantially continues in the guide paths 7 and 8, thus forming a slide following the longitudinal direction of these.

The metal strip 19 has, along its edge opposite to that directed towards the shutter 1, a succession of spaced recesses 31. The spacing and dimensions of the recesses 31 are such as to allow the wheel tooth 35 to mesh with the metal strip 19 and to move the latter in a direction parallel to the guide paths 7 and 8.

In Figure 4 is shown a variant of the means of transmission 5 or 6 of FIG. 3. These transmission means 5 or 6 are provided with hooking means consisting of a succession of clamps 20 comprising two strips 25 and 26 located symmetrically on either side of the metal strip 19 to which they are fixed by welding or by gluing. A part of each of the strips 25 and 26 extends beyond the edge of the strip metal 19 and is folded in the shape of a hook so that it can be clamped the bead 21. The end 34 of the strips 25 and 26 is folded outwards, as in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, so that easily reintroduce the bead 21 of the flap 1 between the clips 20 when this the latter was released in relation to these pliers 20.

The strips, forming the lateral edges of the flap 9 and 10, are provided with a thickening 22 extending on either side of the plane of the strips along the bead 21.

In FIG. 5, the transmission means 5 and 6 are constituted a metal strip 19 which forms a whole with the clips 20. The latter are cut by punching followed by stamping, in such a way alternatively one of the lamellae extends on one side of the plane of the strip metal and on the opposite side of it. So we get that the slats located on one side of the aforementioned plane are offset from those located the other side of this plan. Guide projections 29 and 30 are formed analogously.

The free end of the slats oriented towards flap 1, not shown in Figure 5, is folded outwards somewhat in shape funnel, so as to facilitate the introduction of the bead 21 in the clamps formed by these lamellae.

In Figures 8 to 11, several embodiments of the edges lateral 9 and 10 of a shutter 1 are illustrated in which these lateral edges 9 and 10 include a strip 32 which is attached to the flap 1.

Figure 8 shows a flap 1 which has only a bead 21 without thickening being provided.

The lateral edges 9 or 10 of the flap 1, shown in FIG. 9, are provided with a bead 21 which is spaced from the thickening 22.

Figures 10 and 11 show a flap 1 with a bead 21 and a thickening 22 which are substantially similar to those shown in the figure 3.

In Figure 10 the strip 32 is fixed on both sides of the plane of shutter 1, while in FIG. 11, the strip 32 is fixed to only one side of component 1.

Figures 12 to 14 relate to a toothed wheel 35 which part of the training means. The toothed wheel 35 is provided with a hole central cylindrical 38 for mounting on the aforementioned axis 12 and has teeth 36 spaced from each other all around its periphery.

In order to ensure a good meshing with the means of transmission 5 or 6, the tangent 50 at the base of the teeth 36, located in the plane of symmetry of the toothed wheel 35, extends substantially radially with respect to the latter. In this way it is avoided that, by the force exerted by the wheel 35 on the transmission means, and in particular on the metal strip 19, this the latter deviates radially from the toothed wheel 35. As it follows clearly from Figure 14, the teeth 36 have a section in the form of a half ellipse.

Another embodiment of a toothed wheel, according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 15 to 17. In this embodiment, the toothed wheel 35 differs from that of the preceding figures by the shape of the teeth 36. The latter have the shape of a half ellipsoid.

To drive the wheel 35 around its axis, a coaxial hub 39 nylon with it is mounted against one of its side faces. This hub 39 is driven by the axis 12, which cooperates with the electric motor 13 above.

FIG. 18 shows a guide shoe 40, in a fixed position, which must be placed flush with the toothed wheel 35 in such a way as to prevent means of transmission emerge in relation to the latter. This skate of guide 40 has a shape which partially corresponds to the contour of the toothed wheel 35 and is provided with a recess 41, on the side directed towards this last, which extends along practically a quarter of the contour of the toothed wheel 35, and this in such a way as to allow the teeth 36 to move in this recess 41 when the toothed wheel 35 rotates about its axis. The band metal 19 then moves between this guide shoe 40 and the toothed wheel 35 preferably without contact between the latter and the metal strip 19. Thus, any friction between the guide shoe 40 and the metal strip 19 is avoided.

If an obstacle comes into contact with the shutter during opening or closing the latter or when the shutter 1 is completely or partially closed or open, a tensile force transverse to the direction longitudinal of the guide tracks 7 and 8 is exerted on the lateral edges 9 and 10 of the shutter 1 relative to the metal strip 19. If this force is sufficiently large, the lateral edges 9 and 10 are at least partially separated from this metal strip by releasing the aforementioned bead 21 from the pliers 20.

By the fact that the shutter 1 is at least partially separated from the guide paths 7 and 8, it is avoided that it is damaged or that a serious accident happen.

To reintroduce the side edges 9 and 10 and, therefore, to restore the connection between the transmission means 5 and 6 and the shutter 1, reintroduction means 42 are provided near the upper side of bay 3 for each of the guide paths 7 and 8.

As shown in FIG. 19, these reintroduction means 42 include organs that allow pressure to be exerted on the lateral edges 9 and 10 of the shutter 1 in a direction having a component parallel to the plane of the shutter 1 and oriented towards the lateral edges 9 and 10 of this latest.

Said members are formed by two rollers 43 and 44 which are arranged in such a way as to be able to exert such a pressing force on a protruding part of the lateral edges 9 and 10 formed by the thickening 22 above. As a result of this pressing force during opening or closing the shutter 1, the bead 21 of the side edges 9 and 10 is applied against the folded free ends of the clamps 20. On the one hand, the bead 21 is compressed elastically, and, on the other hand, the clamps 20 are deformed elastically so that the bead can enter between the projecting parts of the clamps 20 under the action of the rollers 43 and 44, so that the side edges 9 and 10 are again linked to the transmission means 5 and 6.

The rollers 43 and 44 shown in Figure 19 are arranged obliquely and symmetrically on either side of the plane of the flap 1. This avoids that the side edges 9 and 10 can be blocked, for example, between the guide paths 7 and 8 and the rollers 43 and 44. Preferably, a distance of the order of 1 mm is maintained between the flap 1 and the rollers 43 and 44 in order to avoid any friction between the shutter 1 and these rollers 43 and 44 when the latter is guided by guide tracks 7 and 8 during movement between its position opening and closing.

In some cases, in particular, when the side edges 9 and 10 of component 1 are not very flexible, it is generally not necessary to provide means of reintroduction. When the flap 1 is opened, the bead 21 is automatically reintroduced into the clamps 20 due to the stiffness of the edges side 9 and 10 of shutter 1.

Guideways 7 and 8 are designed in such a way that form a slide for the transmission means 5 and 6. In the form of realization shown in cross section in Figure 20 of a path guide 7 or 8, the latter comprises four sections 45 substantially continuous in L-shaped which are mounted symmetrically to the metal strip 19 transmission means 5 or 6.

The profiles 45 are arranged in such a way as to form a free cross-shaped space in which the band can move metal 19 provided with guide projections 29 and 30. In order to obtain a constant distance between the profiles 45 for the passage of guide projections 29 and 30, a support plate 46, which is understood to be transverse to the plane of the flap 1, is mounted between the profiles 45.

To maintain a constant distance between the profiles 45, required for the sliding of the metal strip 19 between these sections 45, a section 47 of U-shaped section is fixed, by means of bolts 51, to the dishes supports 46. The part of the metal strip 19 having the recesses 31 cooperating with the drive means is located in the cavity formed by the profile 47.

The profiles 45 are advantageously made of a material electrically insulating, such as nylon.

In figure 21, the guide path 7 or 8 in figure 20 is shown at the height of the above-mentioned toothed wheel 35. As shown in clearly this figure, the metal strip 19 is located between the toothed wheel 35 and the jamming pad 40, while the teeth 36 extend through the recesses 31 of the metal strip 19 in the recess 41 of the anti-jamming pad 40. At this height, the section 47 is interrupted.

When an obstacle is below shutter 1 and makes contact with the free edge 16 of the flap 1 when the latter is closed or during a accidental catching of the shutter 1, the side edges 9 and 10 near the free edge 16 are separated from the transmission means 5 and 6 and the connection between the means 5 and 6 and the coating 49 is interrupted.

In this way, an electrical circuit is formed, as shown schematically in Figure 24, which is connected to a controller 64 in such a way that when the electrical circuit is interrupted, the movement of the shutter 1 is immediately stopped.

When an obstacle is under the shutter during the closing of one, such as a person, shutter 1 stops immediately after that the free edge 16 of the latter comes into contact with this obstacle and is brought automatically in its open position.

In order to determine if there is such an obstacle in bay 3, detection means are provided, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. These detection means comprise, on the one hand, an electrical conductor 48 incorporated in the lower edge 16 of the flap 1 and extending over the entire width of the latter so as to form contact with the transmission means 5 and 6, and, on the other hand, an electrically conductive material forming part of the means transmission and forming with the electrical conductor 48 the electrical circuit supra.

This electrical circuit is, therefore, constituted by the bands metal 19, the electrical conductor 48 and two electrical wires 65 and 66 which connect the control device 64 with each of the metal strips 19 by contact of conductive brushes 67 and 68. The metal strips 19 are insulated electrically with respect to the guide paths 7 and 8 since they are guided by profiles 45 which are not electrically conductive. The wheels teeth 35 are also formed from a material which does not conduct electricity, like nylon. The toothed wheels 35 possibly consist of a metallic cylinder-shaped band that encircles a cylindrical nylon core in order to avoid wear on the gear 35 and to ensure that the metal strip 19, and thus this electrical circuit, is electrically isolated from the others elements of the closing device.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 22 and 23, the conductive material is formed of a metallic coating 49 covering the edge lateral protruding flap 1 near the lower edge 16 of the latter and forming an electrical contact with the transmission means, in particular with the metal strip 19.

Thus, the electrical circuit is interrupted when the lateral edge 9 or 10 is separated from the transmission means 5 or 6 and a signal is given to the control device 64 which automatically stops and opens of shutter 1 by acting on the supply or the control of motor 13 of means for driving the shutter 1.

The link of the hanging means, i.e. clamps 20, with the lateral edges 9 and 10 is preferably weaker near the lower edge 16 of this last than other places.

Figures 25 to 30 schematically show different shapes non-limiting embodiments of the way in which the displacement takes place flap 1 from its closed position to its open position.

Figure 25 relates to the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, in which the flap 1, in its open position, extends substantially horizontally at a level above bay 3.

Figure 26 relates to an embodiment which differs in compared to that of Figure 25 by the fact that the flap 1, to bring it into its open position, undergoes a 180 ° return downwards from the position horizontal shown in Figure 25. In a variant of this form of realization, this 180 ° return can take place upwards.

In FIG. 27, the flap is, in its open position, spirally wound around a horizontal axis parallel to that of the gear wheels training means. Alternatively, the winding axis can coincide with the axis of the above-mentioned toothed wheels. In this case, the means drive include a telescopic arm cooperating with the end upper side edges of shutter 1, as, for example, described in Patent application WO 95/30064 (pages 11 and 12).

In FIG. 28, the shutter 1 undergoes, to pass from its position of closing towards its open position, after its cooperation with the wheels toothed, an upward deviation followed by a horizontal displacement.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 29, the shutter 1 is, in its open position, zigzag folded after its cooperation with the wheels toothed.

Finally, in Figure 30, the flap 1 undergoes a vertical displacement in its plan to move from the closed position to its position opening.

The choice of one of these solutions depends, on the one hand, on the possibilities offered by the space above bay 3 and, secondly, by the very nature of the part 1.

In some cases, for example for large doors width, the flap 1 and the strip 19 can fold freely in a zig-zag in a tray provided above bay 3 during the opening of the latter.

Figures 31 to 34 show transmission means 5 and 6 which are particularly interesting for a shutter 1 which has a large area. These transmission means 5 and 6 comprise a chain 52 which is consisting of a succession of 53 spaced parallel rods, which are connected between them by articulated plates 54, on the ends of this rods 53. These are in particular a chain 52 having the appearance of a bicycle chain.

The guide paths 7 and 8 include a profile 55 which has in cross section two arms 56 and 57 L-shaped extending all along the guide tracks 7 and 8, in such a way that a slot is formed between the ends of the arms 56 and 57 into which the rods penetrate 53 with their axis substantially transversely to the direction of movement of the part 1.

A rim is formed by the arms 56 and 57 against which support the pads 54 on one side of the rods 53 in order to prevent the chain from releases from profile 55.

The plates 54 on the side of the flap 1 have a rim which extends in a plane parallel to the flap 1 for fixing the chain 52 to means of bolts 58 to flap 1.

These bolts 58 are preferably made of a material to relatively low shear coefficient, like nylon, so that, when a force is applied to flap 1 due to an obstacle that enters contact with the flap 1 in the direction of arrow 59, the bolts 58 break and the flap 1 is at least partially separated from the chain 52, as shown in Figure 33.

Figures 35 and 36 show attachment means which include a continuous clip 20 which extends over the entire length of the edges side 9 and 10 of the flap 1. The bead 21 has a section in the form of triangle so that it can be easily gripped in the continuous clamp 20.

When a tensile force is exerted on the side edges of the flap 9 and 10, the strips 25 and 26, constituting the clamp 20, move apart, as indicated by the arrows 60 and 61, and the flap 1 is separated from the clamp 20.

It is understood that in this embodiment of the invention, the clamps 20 are preferably flexible in the direction transverse to the plane of shutter 1 so that the transmission means can be guided in guide paths 7 and 8 which are not straight for allow passage through curves and winding.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 37, the attachment means are formed by two woven ribbons differently 62 and 63 which grip by contact. These ribbons 62 and 63 are marketed under the name "Velcro". Namely a male ribbon and a ribbon female. One of these ribbons is attached to the side edge of the flap 1, the other being secured to the metal strip 19.

In this way a removable connection is obtained between the means 5 and 6 and shutter 1.

Reintroduction means can be provided which are adapted to the attachment means used. When these means of attachment include ribbons 62 and 63 which grip by contact, the means of reintroduction are for example constituted by two rollers which are arranged on either side of the strip 19 so that, during the opening or closing of the flap 1, these rollers push the ribbons 62 and 63 one against the other in order to restore the link between the shutter 1 and the metal strip 19.

Figures 38 to 42 show the successive stages of the deformation of a compressible bead 21 with a triangular section, during the separation of the flap 1 of the clamps 20.

Figures 43 to 47 show the successive stages of the deformation of a T-shaped side edge 9 and 10 during separation of the part 1 of the transmission means. By removing the side edge of the pliers 20 the two arms of the T are folded against each other thus allowing it to be released easily.

Figures 48 to 50 show successive stages of the deformation of the clamps 20 during the separation of the flap 1 of the means of transmission in the case where these are substantially elastic and the bead 21 is substantially incompressible.

In the case shown in Figures 51 to 54, the clamps 20 and the bead 21 are made of an elastic material so that they can be elastically deform when the shutter 1 is separated from the means of transmission.

In order to ensure that the flap 1 is tight between the paths of guidance 7 and 8 and that it can resume manufacturing and mounting, without being separated from the transmission means, it is preferably resiliently attached to the transmission means.

In Figure 55 the bead 21 is provided at the side edges 9 and 10 of flap 1 and present on either side of the latter a face 69 and 70 which is inclined relative to the plane of the flap 1 in such a way as to form a corner. The clamps 20 are pressed against these faces 69 and 70. When the lateral edges 9 or 10 of flap 1 are moved a certain distance as a result of a force which is exerted on the latter, the clamps 20 slide on the faces 69 and 70 of the bead 1 without the flap 1 being separated from the clamps 20 if this force is not sufficient large to cause separation of the clamps 20 from the flap 1. Such a situation is represented by a clamp 20 in lines. When this force no longer acts on the shutter 1, the clamps 20 are guided by the faces 69 and 70 towards the shutter 1 and tend this one.

A variant of the bead in Figure 55 is shown in Figure 56. In this figure, the bead 21 also has two faces 69 and 70 inclined relative to the plane of the flap 1. These faces 69 and 70 are coated with a elastically compressible material 71, so that the flap 1 always remains tensed when it is linked to the clamps 20 because of the elastic deformation of this material 20, which is for example formed by rubber.

In Figure 57, part of the clamps 20 is in the form a spring 72 which can be elastically deformed in the direction of the arrow 73, so that the flap 1 can be stretched.

The attachment means do not necessarily consist of pliers. Thus in FIG. 58, the flap 1 has at the lateral edges 9 and 10 a succession of small separate blocks 74, preferably flexibly connected between them. These blocks 74 are, for example, formed by "meshes" of a traditional zipper.

Each of the guide paths 7 and 8, as shown in the Figure 59, includes two longitudinal sections 77 and 78 having a section cross section of rectangular shape. These profiles are provided with flanges 75 and 76 extending on either side of the lateral edges 9 and 10 of the flap 1. These edges 75 and 76 are directed towards each other, so as to partially surround the small blocks 74.

A metal strip 19 is provided, capable of cooperating with drive means, which has hooking means in the form of a serrated edge 79. As shown in FIG. 58, this serrated edge meshes with the succession of small blocks 74 fixed to the lateral edges 9 and 10 of the shutter 1.

The metal strip 19 is guided in a recess correspondent formed between profiles 77 and 78 and is driven by a wheel tooth 35, not shown in Figures 58 and 59.

When a certain tensile force, transverse to the paths of guide 7 and 8, is exerted on the lateral edges 9 and 10 of the flap 1, the latter is separated from the metal strip 19 by releasing the blocks 74 from the guide 7 and 8, by the elastic deformation of the flanges 75 and 76.

A reintroduction system, which is similar to that described in EP 0 272 733, can be provided to reintroduce the blocks 74 in the guide paths 7 and 8.

FIG. 60 represents a closing device in which a only one toothed wheel 35 is provided at one of the two guide paths 7 or 8. For the clarity of the figure, these guide paths are not shown.

In this embodiment, according to the invention, the shutter 1 is provided with a rigid plate 80 which extends over the entire width of the flap 1 and which is fixedly connected to the metal strips 19 of each of the side edges 9 and 10 of component 1.

When a bay 3 is closed by the shutter 1, the rigid plate 80 remains above the guide shoe 40 and the toothed wheel 35.

Figure 61 shows a locking system comprising two bars 81 and 82 which extend parallel to the guide paths 7 and 8 and which can be moved in the direction of the arrows 83 between a unlocked position, represented by broken lines, and a position locked shown in solid lines. In the locked position, bars 81 and 82 extend along the side edges 9 and 10 of the flap 1, so that the clips 20 are wedged between these bars 81 and 82 avoiding that the bead 21 of the flap 1 can separate from the clamps 20.

In figure 62 a variant of the locking system is shown in which the bars 81 and 82 can pivot around an axis 84 and 85 between an unlocked position and a locked position.

Bars 81 and 82 can be locked manually or automatically when bay 3 is closed by shutter 1.

In Figures 63 to 66 a particularly embodiment interesting of the invention is shown. In this embodiment the transmission means consist of a flexible strip 86, as by example a textile strap, provided with a succession of clips 20 which can be attached to the side edges of a flap 1, not shown in the figures.

The strip 86 is driven, via the clamps 20, by a toothed wheel 35 which consists of two pulleys 87 and 88 parallel mounted, at a certain distance from each other, on a common axis of rotation 12 and provided with teeth 36.

The clamps 20 have two rigid plates 90 and 91 applied on both sides against the flexible strip 86 by means of rivets 89. The plates 90 which are oriented towards the toothed wheel 35 are spaced one of the other a distance which is sufficient to allow the strip 86 to be bent against at least part of the periphery of this toothed wheel 35.

The rigid plates 91, which are oriented towards the side opposite to the gear 35, press freely against each other when the strip flexible 86 is guided in straight guideways. So it is possible to exert a pushing force on the flexible strip 86 in the direction of the arrow 92 by the rotation of the toothed wheel 35 in order to close a bay by the shutter 1 which is fixed to the clamps 20.

The edges 94 and 95 of the plates 91 extend between the pulleys 87 and 88 and are folded transversely relative to the plane of these plates. The lateral sides of the edges thus formed then press against each other during the closing of shutter 1.

Rigid pads 91, facing the side opposite the wheel tooth 35, have a width which is greater than the distance between the pulleys 87 and 88 of the gear 35, while the rigid pads 90 and the flexible strip 86 have a width which is smaller than this distance. For allow the cooperation of the teeth 36 with the rigid plates 91, these have at each corner a recess 93 in which the teeth 36 can mesh.

It is clear that it is not essential that the pads 90, directed towards the gear 35, are rigid. In a variant of this form of embodiment of the invention, the clamps 20 may consist of a single rigid plate 91 which is fixed to the side of the flexible strip 86 which is remote of the gear 35.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to the various embodiments described above, but that still other variants can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention, in particular with regard to the means of transmission and drive, as well as the creation of the component and the reintroduction system.

Thus, in certain cases, when the flap consists of a flexible material, stiffening and / or ballast bars could be incorporated into the pane.

Furthermore, guide paths 7 and 8 must not be fully straight and can be bent.

In addition, the closure device according to the invention is not limited to doors with vertical guideways, but can also have horizontal guideways. In some cases it is possible to provide only a horizontal guide path on the upper side of a bay, so that the flap is suspended from this guide path.

Device cover can close from the bottom instead of at from the top when the guideways extend vertically.

The attachment means can be of very diverse shapes. he it is for example possible to provide pliers at the lateral edges of the flap rather than the metal strip. Pliers can also be replaced with bands made of magnets. In addition, the bead 21 is not necessarily continuous, but can, for example, consist of a succession of blocks.

In fact, the invention extends to any shutter device in which transmission means are detachably provided between the shutter and the guide paths. The means of transmission do not include necessarily a metal strip; this strip can indeed be made in any material, flexible or rigid, with sufficient strength.

Claims (22)

Shutter device (1) intended in particular for closing a bay (3) or other opening, by moving the shutter (1) relative to one or more guide paths (7,8), characterized in that transmission means (5,6), cooperating with the guide tracks (7,8), are provided between the lateral edges (9,10) of the flap (1) and the guide tracks (7,8) of a such that when a certain tensile force transverse to the longitudinal direction of the guide tracks (7,8) is exerted on the lateral edges (9,10) of the flap (1), these edges (9,10) are separated at least partially of these means of transmission (5,6). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission means (5,6) comprise hooking means (20) by which they are detachably fixed to the lateral edges (9,10) of the shutter (1 ). Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the attachment means comprise a succession of clamps (20) independent from each other. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the attachment means comprise a clamp (20) substantially continuous removably enclosing the side edges (9,10) of the flap (1). Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the hooking means comprise pressure members which are applied elastically on either side of the lateral edges (9,10) of the flap (1). Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the connection of the hooking means (20) with the lateral edges (9,10) of the flap is weaker near the lower edge (16) of the latter than other places. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the flap (1) has lateral edges (9,10) projecting from the plane of the flap (1). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the transmission means (5,6) are provided with a succession of recesses (31) spaced apart in the direction of movement of the flap (1) which cooperate with drive means (35,36) allowing the movement of the flap (1) in a direction parallel to the guide tracks (7,8). Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the drive means comprise a toothed wheel (35) whose teeth (36) are spaced from one another so as to be able to cooperate with the aforementioned recesses (31). Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the tangent (50) at the base of the teeth (36) situated in the plane of symmetry of the toothed wheel (35) intersects the axis of rotation of the latter. Device according to any one of Claims 8 to 10, characterized in that a fixed anti-jamming pad (40) is provided which extends at least partially around the drive means (35,36) in order to avoid that the transmission means (5,6) are released relative to the drive means (35,36). Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that reintroduction means (42) are provided in order to re-establish the connection between the transmission means (5,6) and the flap (1) during the opening or closing the shutter (1) if the latter has been separated from the transmission means (5,6), these reintroduction means (42) comprising members (43,44) making it possible to exert a pressure force on the lateral edges (9,10) of the shutter in a direction having a component parallel to the plane of the shutter (1) and oriented towards the lateral edge (9,10) of the latter. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that said members have at least one roller (43,44) which is mounted in such a way as to be able to exert a pressure force towards the transmission means (5,6) on a part corresponding projecting side edge (9,10) of the flap (1) when it has been separated from the transmission means (5,6). Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the reintroduction members comprise two rollers (43,44) which are arranged, preferably symmetrically, on either side with respect to the plane of the flap (1). Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the transmission means (5,6) have guide means (30) cooperating with the guide tracks (7,8) in order to allow the movement of the transmission means (5,6) in the longitudinal direction of the guide tracks (7,8). Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the guide means comprise projections (30) which are guided in a substantially continuous slot in the guide tracks (7,8), thus forming a slide in the longitudinal direction of the latter. . Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the aforementioned projections (30) extend on either side, preferably substantially perpendicularly, relative to the plane of the transmission means (5,6). Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 17, characterized in that detection means (48, 49, 64) are provided giving a signal when the connection of the hooking means (20) with the lateral edges (7, 8) of the shutter (1) is broken. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that the detection means comprise electrical conductors (48) forming part of an electrical circuit and connecting the transmission means (5,6) to the corresponding lateral edges (9,10) of the shutter (1) near the free edge (16) of the latter, so that an electrical signal is given when the connection of the hooking means (20) with one of the lateral edges (9,10) is broken near the free edge (16) of the shutter (1). Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the transmission means (5,6) comprise a substantially continuous strip (19) made of a flexible, non-flexible material, such as a metal strip, s 'extending substantially in the plane of the flap (1) and over substantially the entire length of the side edges (9,10) of the latter. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the lateral edges (9,10) of the flap (1) have a bead (21) on which the hooking means (20) adapt. Device according to one of claims 2 to 19, characterized in that the transmission means (5,6) comprise a flexible strip (86) substantially continuous extending substantially in the plane of the flap (1) and over substantially the entire length of the lateral edges (9, 10) of the latter, this flexible strip (86) being provided with hooking means which have a succession of rigid elements (91) which can bear freely against one another.

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