EP1270866A1 - Fall arrest device for rollable closure - Google Patents

Abstract

The shutter is wound around a reel (2) which rotates on a fixed shaft (3) and is connected to it by a compensation spring (4) between two sides (5,6) of the reel. The spring internal end (4a) is fixed to the shaft whilst its outer end (4b) is fixed to a locking element (7) movable on the reel. In the event of spring failure the locking element engages a static part (9) integral with the fixed shaft. The locking element is composed of a finger interposed between the two reel edges and is externally connected to a pressure spring (10). The internal part (7b) is connected to the outer end of the compression spring. The finger is able to displace axially along a parallel axis (X,X') to that (Y,Y') of the shaft between unlocking and locking positions.

Description

The present invention relates to a device anti-fall of a structure closing apron flexible suitable for being wrapped around a system substantially cylindrical support mounted movable in rotation around a fixed shaft, usually above an opening to condemn.

The invention finds an application particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, in the field of erasure closures vertical fitted to building accesses industrial and commercial.

These are for example metal curtains of garage or storefront grilles.

Note that throughout this text, the terms curtains or apron mean more generally any means capable of closing a opening, i.e. a plate, an assembly blades, grid etc ...

The structural flexibility needed to the winding of this organ can come from directly from the intrinsic nature of the material the constituent and / or articulations linking different parts of it.

In the case of a fixed shaft closure, the winding of the deck is traditionally made around at least one mobile mounted coil rotating on said fixed shaft.

Each coil is also connected to the shaft fixed by means of a spring spiral type compensation, wound inside even of said coil.

This elastic return means is responsible for at least partially counterbalance the weight of the apron restoring during the phase energy stored in the form of torque during the closing phase.

Like all erasure closures vertical, curtains wrapped around a fixed shaft are subject to a number regulatory and normative requirement.

Among these, the French standard NF P 25-362 replaced by European standard EN 12604: 2000, having the status of a French standard, taking effective January 20, 2001, concerns the security of users in the event of closure failure.

It stipulates in particular in paragraph 4.3.4c, that in case of "failure in the system of door suspension, the leaf must be immobilized after a possible downward movement (or a fall) of 300mm maximum and be maintained in this position safely too as long as no new intervention is done ”.

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

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

French patent application No. 2,739,656 describes however several restraint systems likely to perform this function. Schematically, the principle of locking is identical for each embodiment described. It basically consists in positively coupling to the fixed shaft, the coil whose spring is failing, after a given angular displacement, of said coil, relative to means of specific locking. This movement, controlled by a return element mounted between the coil and the locking means, will then allow locking means audits to order the movement of a locking piece towards a wheel fixed ratchet forming a stop, thus achieving immobilization of the deck relative to the tree of the roll-up closure.

But whatever the embodiment chosen, the implementation of each of these retainers appear extremely complex, due to the large number of parts additional required as well as deep structural and functional modifications that this implies. This complexity constitutes obviously a major drawback in terms of reliability and cost. Regarding more particularly the latter aspect it is necessary to take into account the cost price of the restraint itself, but also and above all, the significant cost of its adaptation on the winding closure. It results in the additional cost required for the installation of such security systems can become a deterrent for the potential user.

In order to remedy all of these disadvantages, the plaintiff described in its French patents N ° 2,756,319 filed on November 28 1996 and N ° 2 772 070 deposited on December 9, 1997, a retainer for roll-up closure provided with an apron capable of being wrapped around at minus a coil mounted movable in rotation around a fixed shaft, each voice coil being connected to the fixed shaft by means of a spring spiral type compensation, a retainer being associated with each spring of compensation to block the descent of the deck in the event of failure of said spring compensation ; retainer which would avoid the problems of the state of technical offering in particular high reliability as well as a low cost compared to that of the actual retainer closure that of his adaptation on said closing.

According to the aforementioned patent No. 2,772,070, the outer end of each spring of compensation is integral with a blocking element movable mounted on the move on the reel corresponding, the blocking element being able to move towards a static organ integral with the fixed shaft in order to cooperate by blocking with a part forming a stop of said member static, said blocking element being held at distance from the static organ by the force of recall by the compensation spring.

This device thus described has the advantage to be extremely simple in design since this security system only requires cooperation of only two pieces, namely, an element of movable blocking and a static organ. Through therefore, and unlike anti-hair loss the prior art previously mentioned, the adaptation of such a restraint requires only minor structural changes intrinsic to the roll-up closure. In indeed, these transformations are limited to the essential to simply secure the end external of the compensating spiral spring at a blocking element mounted movable on the move the corresponding coil. This does not in any way the classic closure mechanism, whether from a structural point of view and / or functional. For all these reasons, the device restraint benefits from increased reliability as well as a particularly low cost price compared to equivalent systems already known.

If the retainer is structurally extremely simple, so does of course the same as regards its implementation artwork. The compensation spring is indeed the only part ordering the asset or the displacement of the locking element relative to the coil. In other words, he ensures alone immobilization of the blocking element in passive position, it also controls only the displacement towards the static organ, and finally it alone guarantees that it will remain in position active; passive and active positions being those in which said blocking element and said static organ are respectively at distance and in contact with each other.

The position of the locking element in relation to to the static organ therefore depends only and especially directly from the state of the spring of compensation.

Under normal conditions of use, the compensation spring is continuously tensioned due to excess winding of the coil constituent, and this whatever the position of the apron. As also its internal end is fixed, the restoring force is not felt than at its outer end. It is indeed the only likely to move, for two reasons that it is secured to the blocking element mounted movable in displacement on the reel of a part, and that said coil is itself mounted movable in rotation around the other fixed shaft go. The only restoring force thus allows advantageously hold the locking element in passive position, i.e. away from the static organ. This balance remains perfectly stable as long as the spring of compensation retains its mechanical properties original.

When a fault occurs in the compensation spring, failure occurs systematically at the place where the solicitations are maximum, i.e. where the curvature is the strongest. The part concerned corresponds well heard at the inner end of the spring compensation, and more generally to the whole area located near the attachment point on the shaft fixed. The compensation spring can therefore be seen freed from within, from all constraints mechanical so that the restoring force disappears.

As the compensation spring is wound on itself when the closure works normally the volume it occupies inside of the coil is very much lower than that that it has at rest, that is to say when it is not subject to any winding constraint. Also, after rupture, it will tend to naturally return to its original form. In case of failure, there is therefore a substantially radial expansion of the spring compensation which tends to deviate as much as possible the axis around which it was wound. This movement continues until the deployment of the spring is stopped, due to limited space existing inside the coil.

When the compensation spring is released, the most movable end of the spring compensation very logically undergoes a shift spiraling due to the intrinsic nature of said spring. This movement is oriented in the direction winding of the coil, from the inside towards the exterior since the rupture takes place at the inner end of the spiral spring. In end of course, the inertia generated by this movement causes a slight rotation of the spring compensation because the latter is not fully maintained at this precise moment. Although united to the locking element, its outer end is in effect likely to move. In addition, the rotational movement in question is directed in the same direction as moving the end internal previously described.

When it is no longer subjected to the force of recall exercised by the compensation spring, the locking element is therefore free from leave his passive position and move by compared to the coil on which it is mounted mobile, towards the static organ. it of course implies that it can be driven on the move through a moving organ. This is precisely what produced when the compensating spring breaks then comes alive with the double extension movement radial and rotation previously described. The locking element, secured at the end compensation spring, is then moved to the active position in which it cooperates by blocking with the static member.

Once this extreme position is reached, the locking element is kept in contact with the static organ thanks to the fact that the expansion radial compensation spring is limited by the small volume available inside the coil, and thus said spring comes very quickly hang against the portion of apron surrounding said coil, thereby immobilizing said blocking element.

In addition, the retainer includes guide means capable of directing the movement of the locking element in the direction of the static member, in the event of a break in the spring compensation ; the planned displacement taking place between the passive position in which the element blocking is at a distance from the static organ and the active position in which said element of blocking is in contact with said static member.

After a break, the compensation spring is animated by a complex movement resulting substantially of the combination between an expansion radial and rotation in the winding direction of the turn. Also, it is particularly advantageous to control the movement of its outer end so that the locking element mobile is safely and efficiently managed by direction of the static organ. The goal is here above all to avoid the risks of catching the compensation spring and / or element blocking with any element, present at inside the coil, other than the organ static. Guide means arranged so adequate advantageously achieve this goal.

The devices described in the patents No. 2 756 319 and No. 2 772 070 mentioned above no particular inconvenience solve the invention.

On the contrary, it is based on the principles which have just been stated, which have given up present full satisfaction.

In fact, the invention aims to provide a variant as well as a certain number improvements made to the entire device.

To this end, the invention relates to a device anti-fall of a closing apron intended to be wound around at least one mobile mounted coil rotating on a fixed shaft and connected to it through a compensation spring wound on itself between two blanks of the coil and whose inner end is integral with the shaft, while its outer end cooperates with a movable blocking element in displacement on said coil, so that that in case of failure of the spring of compensation, said element comes to cooperate by blocking with an abutment part of a member static integral with the fixed shaft and therefore with the apron, characterized in that the blocking element cooperating with the outer end of the spring compensation consists of an interposed finger between the two blanks, generally parallel, delimiting the coil, of which an external part cooperates with an elastic thrust member and of which an internal part cooperates with the end of the compensation spring, which finger is capable of moving axially along an axis parallel to that of the tree, between two positions, the one called unlocking in which it is kept away from the stopper part of the static organ, putting the pushing organ axial under stress, by the force of spring return at its end external, and the other called locking in which the finger is no longer subjected to the force of compensation spring reminder, especially in the event of rupture or loss of characteristics mechanics of it but by force alone axial of the elastic thrust member, causing axial displacement of the finger towards the part forming a stop for the static member and consequently immobilization of the coil in rotation by compared to the fixed shaft, hence the apron.

The present invention also relates to characteristics that will emerge during the description which will follow, and which should be considered in isolation or according to all their possible technical combinations.

La figure 1 représente en perspective le dispositif anti-chute selon l'invention en position passive.

La figure 2 représente en perspective le dispositif anti-chute selon l'invention en position active.

La figure 3 représente un dispositif anti-chute selon les figures 1 et 2 en cours de montage de l'élément de blocage.

La figure 4 est une vue schématique en coupe du dispositif anti-chute selon la figure 1.

La figure 5 est une vue en perspective d'une bobine seule avant montage du ressort de compensation et de l'élément de blocage.

La figure 6 est une vue en perspective éclatée selon la figure 5.

La figure 7 est une vue en plan extérieur d'un flan droit de la bobine selon les figures 5 et 6.

La figure 8 est une vue en perspective du détail A de la figure 7.

La figure 9 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne VIII, VIIIa de la figure 8.

La figure 10 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne VIII, VIIIb de la figure 8.

La figure 11 est une vue en plan intérieur du flan gauche de la bobine selon les figures 5 et 6.

La figure 12 est une vue à échelle agrandie du détail B selon la coupe XII, XII de la figure 11.

La figure 13 est une vue en plan extérieur de l'organe statique.

La figure 14 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne XIV, XIV de la figure 13.

This description given by way of nonlimiting example will make it easier to understand how the invention can be produced with reference to the attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows in perspective the fall prevention device according to the invention in a passive position.

Figure 2 shows in perspective the fall prevention device according to the invention in the active position.

FIG. 3 represents an anti-fall device according to FIGS. 1 and 2 during assembly of the blocking element.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the fall prevention device according to FIG. 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a single coil before mounting of the compensation spring and the locking element.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view according to FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exterior plan view of a straight blank of the coil according to FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of detail A of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view along line VIII, VIIIa of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view along line VIII, VIIIb of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is an interior plan view of the left blank of the coil according to FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of detail B according to section XII, XII of FIG. 11.

Figure 13 is an exterior plan view of the static member.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view along line XIV, XIV of FIG. 13.

The device 1 generally designated on the figures makes it possible to prohibit the fall of an apron of closure (not shown).

It is intended to be integrated into at least one coil 2 rotatably mounted on a fixed shaft 3 and connected to it through a compensation spring 4 wound on itself between two blanks 5 and 6 of the coil 2 and of which the internal end 4a is integral with the shaft 3, while its outer end 4b cooperates with a blocking element 7 mounted movable in displacement on said coil 2, so that in the event of failure of compensation spring 4, said element 7 comes to cooperate by blocking with a stop part 8 of a static member 9 integral with the fixed shaft 3 and therefore with the deck.

According to the present invention, the element of blocking 7 cooperating with the outer end 4b of the compensation spring 4 consists of a finger interposed between the two blanks 5, 6, generally parallel, delimiting the coil 2, of which an external part 7a is in connection with a elastic thrust member 10 and part of which internal 7b cooperates with the end 4b of the spring compensation 4.

Finger 7 is likely to move axially along an axis parallel X, X 'to that Y, Y 'of the shaft 3, between two positions A, B, one A so-called unlocking in which it is kept at a distance from the stop part 8 of the static member 9, by putting the thrust member axial 10 under stress, by the force of return of spring 4 at its end external 4b.

In the other position B, called the locking position finger 7 is no longer subjected to the restoring force compensation spring 4, in particular in the event of breakage or loss of mechanical characteristics of it but to the only axial force of the elastic pushing member 10.

Thus is caused the axial displacement of the finger 7 towards the stop part 8 of the member static 9 and consequently immobilization in coil 2 rotation relative to the fixed shaft 3, hence the apron.

According to a preferred embodiment the finger 7 is cylindrical and made so stepped according to two different diameters D1, D2 delimiting a shoulder E between them. The area of smaller diameter D1 constitutes its internal part and that of the largest diameter D2 its part external. The retainer in the locking position A, by the spring return force only at the level from its end 4b, takes place via of the shoulder E which constitutes a stop coming from against the field of said end 4b of the spring 4, when it is stretched therefore operational. The unlocking according to position B of finger 7 is carried out by releasing its shoulder E, when a relaxation of the spring winding force 4, in particular by rupture thereof, causing a development of its diameter.

The area of largest diameter D2 of finger 7 constituting its external part 7a is in connection with the elastic pushing member 10 which is constituted by a spiral spring mounted in extension between the outer end of finger 7 and a fixed part of one of the blanks 5 constituting the coil 2 opposite to that 6 opposite the member static 8.

According to an improvement of the invention particularly clearly visible in FIGS. 11 and 12, the internal face of the blank 6 facing the static member 8, has a peripheral puncture 11 surrounding a through hole 11A of finger 7 in said blank 6 directed towards the stop part 8 of the static member 9, so as to constitute both a bearing at said finger 7 and a stop at compensation spring 4, preventing displacement lateral of it on the edge of the blank 6, likely to cause the spring 4 to jam and interfere with the operation of the device.

According to another improvement of the invention particularly clearly visible in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10, the internal face of the blank 5 opposite to that 6 opposite the static member 9 comprises a peripheral puncture 12 surrounding the through hole correspondent 13 of finger 7 directed towards the organ of elastic thrust 10 thereof, in order to constitute a landing.

This characteristic is particularly visible well in FIG. 9 constituting section VIIIa, VIIIa of figure 8.

In this case, as in the previous one, the punctures 11 and 12 effectively contribute to stiffening the blanks 6 and 5 and consequently strengthen the maintenance of finger 7, in the unlocked position. In indeed, in this case, its role is to maintain the end of the spring 4 which is tensioned.

According to another improvement of the invention, external hooking means 14, 15 of a end of extension spring 10, constituting the elastic thrust member, are constituted by hooks 14, 15 obtained by deformation of blank material 5, around the through hole 13 of the finger 7. This improvement is particularly clearly visible in Figure 10 constituting a section along line VIIIb, VIIIb of Figure 8.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, each of the blanks 5, 6 integrates, for one 5 the hooking means 14, 15 of the spring 10 and one of the bearings 12 of the finger 7, and for the other 6 the other bearing 10 of the finger 7 and a stop of the compensation spring 4, consist of a unique piece, obtained by stamping from a flat sheet steel in a single operation.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the blanks 5 and 6 are assembled together by through connecting bars 22 arranged between said blanks, then stapled by a deformation 23 of the end of said bars, after having crossed holes corresponding 24 of the blanks.

These bars 22 are stiffened by a hollow stamping operation including the convex 22a is facing outwards and they contribute to the realization of the coil 2 by strengthening it.

On the other hand, one 22A of these bars, disposed near the punctures 11, 12 of the sides 6, 5, supporting the hooking finger 7, spring 4, although identical to the other bars 22, has the particularity of being returned so that its curved part is turned towards the interior and therefore its hollow portion 22Aa towards outside. It will also be noted that said strip 22A is offset peripherally towards the interior compared to the others to allow at spring 4, near its end 4b, of pass over the strip 22A by covering its hollow portion 22Aa facing outwards, so towards the spring covering it. This is for to limit and control the expansion and friction, during a rupture of the spring.

According to another characteristic of the invention illustrated by figures 13 and 14, the organ static 9 has parts forming a stop 8 constituted by peripheral openings open to one of their ends and closed at the other end, in the direction of blocking to be obtained in the event for unlocking finger 7 which is housed in ear 8 closest, the pitch between two ears corresponding to an apron fall of less than thirty centimeters.

As for blanks 5 and 6, the static organ 9 is obtained by stamping from a sheet of flat steel in a single operation.

As these figures also show, the organ static 9 is made integral with the shaft 3 by through the legs 16 extending axially from the body of the static member 9 and which are drilled with holes 17 for fixing to the shaft.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, the coil is held in place on the shaft 3 no only by the static member 9 fixed on this tree but also, on the contrary, by a piece of fixing 18 from which also comes from legs 19 in which holes are made 20 for fixing on the same shaft 3, trapping thus the coil and the fall prevention device according to the invention.

Claims (9)

Anti-fall device for a closing apron intended to be wound around at least one coil (2) mounted movable in rotation on a fixed shaft (3) and connected to this via a spring compensation (4) wound on itself between two blanks (5, 6) of the coil (2) and whose internal end (4a) is integral with the shaft (3), while its external end (4b) cooperates with a blocking element (7) movably mounted in displacement on said coil (2) so that in the event of failure of the compensation spring (4), said element (7) comes to cooperate by blocking with a part forming stop (8) of a static member (9) integral with the fixed shaft (3) and therefore with the deck, said blocking element (7) being constituted by a finger interposed between the two blanks (5, 6), generally parallel, delimiting the coil (2), of which an external part (7a) is in connection with an elastic thrust member (10) and of which an internal part ( 7b) cooperates with the end (4b) of the compensation spring (4), which finger (7) is capable of moving axially along an axis parallel (X, X ') to that (Y, Y') of the shaft (3), characterized in that the internal face of the blank (6) opposite the static member (9), comprises a peripheral puncture (11) surrounding a passage hole (11A) of the finger (7) in said blank (6) directed towards the stop part (8) of the static member (9), so as to constitute both a bearing to said finger (7) and a stop at the compensation spring (4), avoiding any lateral movement of the latter on the edge of the blank (6), capable of causing the spring (4) to jam and impair the operation of the device. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal face of the blank (5) opposite that (6) opposite the static member (9) comprises a peripheral puncture (12) surrounding the corresponding passage hole ( 13) of the finger (7) directed towards the elastic thrust member (10) thereof, in order to constitute a bearing. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that external hooking means (14, 15) of one end of the extension spring (10), constituting the elastic thrust member, are constituted by hooks (14, 15 ) obtained by deformation of the blank material (5) around the passage hole (13) of the finger (7). Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each of the blanks (5, 6) integrates, for one (5) the hooking means (14, 15) of the spring (10) and the one of the bearings (12) of the finger (7), and for the other (6) the other bearing (10) of the finger (7) and a stop of the compensation spring (4), consist of a single piece, obtained by stamping from a flat steel sheet in a single operation. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the blanks (5 and 6) are assembled together by means of connecting bars (22) disposed between said blanks, then stapled by a deformation (23) from the end of said bars, after having passed through corresponding holes (24) in the blanks. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the bars (22) are stiffened by a hollow stamping operation, the crown (22a) of which is turned outward to contribute to the production of the coil (2) by strengthening it . Device according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that one (22A) of these bars arranged near the punctures (11, 12) of the blanks (6, 5) supporting the fastening finger (7) of the spring (4), although identical to the other bars (22), has the particularity of being turned over so that its curved part is turned towards the inside and therefore its hollow part (22Aa) towards the outside, said bar (22A) being offset peripherally inwards with respect to the others to allow the spring (4), near its end (4b), to pass over the bar (22A) by covering its hollow part ( 22Aa) facing outwards, therefore towards the spring covering it so as to limit and control the expansion and the friction, during a rupture of the spring. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the static member (9) comprises parts forming a stop (8) constituted by peripheral openings open at one of their ends and closed at the other end, in the direction of the blocking to be obtained in the event of unlocking of the finger (7) which is housed in the nearest hearing (8), the pitch between two gills corresponding to an apron drop of less than thirty centimeters. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the static member (9) is obtained by stamping from a flat sheet steel, in a single operation.

Images