EP1485565A1

EP1485565A1 - Device with improved shutter

Info

Publication number: EP1485565A1
Application number: EP03701366A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Benoít COENRAETS
Original assignee: Dynaco International SA
Current assignee: Entrematic Belgium NV
Priority date: 2002-03-20
Filing date: 2003-01-28
Publication date: 2004-12-15
Also published as: CN1650088A; MXPA04009130A; IL164133A0; NO20044151L; RU2305168C2; TWI269830B; WO2003078782A1; JP2006500489A; UA83191C2; JP4768227B2; US20050211397A1; ZA200408445B; CA2479545A1; AU2003203062A1; TW200306380A; AR039087A1; KR20040105218A; BE1014713A3; RU2004130868A; BR0308582A

Abstract

The invention relates to a shutter device for closing an aperture (6) or other opening. The shutter (1) comprises lateral edges (2, 3) running in guide tracks (4, 5), wherein lubrication means (38, 39, 48, 49, 52) are provided which permit the lateral edges (2, 3) of the shutter (1) to be lubricated.

Description

IMPROVED SHUTTER DEVICE

The invention relates to a shutter device intended for closing a bay or other opening, the shutter having at least one lateral edge moving in a guide path and being able to undergo a movement between an open position and a closed position.

Existing devices of this type have significant drawbacks. In particular, a relatively high force is necessary to move the shutter between its closed position and its open position. In addition, the flap is moved at a relatively reduced speed in order to prevent it from being damaged during its movement towards the open position or the closed position. When the shutter is moved to its closed position by exerting a pushing force on the lateral edges of the shutter, it is possible that these edges are gathered and jammed in the guide tracks, so that the movement of the shutter is blocked.

The invention seeks to remedy these drawbacks by presenting a device which allows the shutter to be moved at a high speed between its open position and its closed position without being damaged, ensuring that its lateral edges are not trapped in the guide paths.

To this end, according to the invention, lubrication means are provided making it possible to reduce the coefficient of friction of the lateral edges of the flap in the guide tracks.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lubrication means comprise a lubrication element which is provided opposite the lateral edge of the flap making it possible to lubricate this edge relative to the corresponding guide path.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the lubrication element cooperates with a reservoir containing a lubricating liquid. Advantageously, the lubricating element comprises a wick, one of the ends of which extends into the abovementioned reservoir. According to an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the above wick has at one of its ends a recess in which is housed the lateral edge of the flap.

Advantageously, the reservoir extends along at least part of the guide path.

According to another embodiment of the device according to the invention, the lubrication element comprises a rotary member mounted in abutment against the lateral edge of the shutter, so that this member undergoes rotation when the shutter is opened or closed. , this member being able to cooperate with the aforementioned reservoir in order to distribute the lubricating liquid on the lateral edge of the flap during the rotation of the member.

According to an alternative embodiment of the shutter device, according to the invention, the shutter is wound on a drum during the opening of the shutter, this drum being at least partially hollow and contains the above-mentioned reservoir.

Other details and particularities of the invention will emerge from the description given below, by way of nonlimiting example, of some particular embodiments of a shutter device, according to the invention, with reference to the drawings. attached.

Figure 1 is a schematic view in vertical section of a first embodiment of a shutter device according to the invention with the shutter in the closed position.

Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 with the flap in its open position.

Figure 3 is a front view of the shutter device in the open position. Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the upper part of the guide paths of the shutter device according to the invention.

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the upper part of the guide paths of the shutter device according to the invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective representation of the upper part of the guide paths of the shutter device according to the invention. Figure 7 is a schematic representation of the upper part of the guide paths of the shutter device, according to the invention, when the shutter is in the closed position.

Figure 8 is a section along the line NUI-VIII of Figure 4. Figure 9 is a front view of a tank in which is housed a wick, according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

Figure 10 is a side view of the wick of Figure 9. Figure 11 is a front view of the wick of Figures 9 and 10 in a planar position. FIG. 12 is a side view of the wick of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a section along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 4, when the shutter device is provided with the wick of FIGS. 10 to 12.

Figure 14 is a front view of a tank in which is housed a wick, according to a specific embodiment of the invention. FIG. 15 is a side view of the wick of FIG. 14.

Figure 16 is a front view of the wick of Figures 14 and 15 in a planar position.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the wick of FIG. 16 FIG. 18 is a section along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 4, when the flap device is provided with the wick of FIGS. 15 to 17.

Figure 19 is a schematic perspective view of a shutter with two rotary members, according to the invention.

FIG. 20 represents a cross section of FIG. 19. FIG. 21 is a horizontal section of a drum in which a reservoir for a lubricating liquid is provided, according to an advantageous embodiment of the device, according to the invention.

FIG. 22 represents a horizontal section of a drum in which a reservoir for a lubricating liquid is provided, according to an alternative embodiment of the device, according to the invention. Figure 23 is a schematic perspective representation of a very interesting embodiment of a lubrication system according to the invention. FIG. 24 is a schematic exploded view of the lubrication system of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a front view of the upper part of the guide tracks of the shutter device, according to the invention. FIG. 26 is a side view of the upper part of the guide tracks shown in FIG. 25.

Figure 27 shows a section along line XXVII-XXVII of Figure 26.

FIG. 28 very schematically represents a scraping element with part of a flap.

Figure 29 is a section along line XXIX-XXIX of Figure 28.

Figure 30 is a front view of part of a side edge of a shutter, according to the invention.

Figure 31 is a section along the line XXXI-XXXI of Figure 30. Figure 32 is a schematic perspective view of part of a guide path with the lubrication element, according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

Figure 33 is a schematic exploded view of a guide path with reintroduction means. Figure 34 is a schematic perspective view of the guide path with the reintroduction means.

Figure 35 is a view similar to that of Figure 34 when the lubricating element is mounted to the reintroduction means.

Figure 36 is a schematic perspective view of part of the lubricating element.

Figure 37 is a perspective view of part of the lubricating element and the coating for this element.

Figure 38 is a perspective view of the lubricating element of Figure 37 with a coating impregnated with a lubricating liquid. In the various figures, the same reference numerals relate to the same or similar elements. In general, the present invention relates to a shutter device cooperating with drive means, such as a drum whose axis is connected to the shaft of an electric motor. The flap, the lateral edges of which are lubricated during their movement in guide tracks, moves in a downward and upward movement between, respectively, a closed position and an open position, and is intended for closing a bay in a wall or passage, such as a corridor.

By the word "shutter", it is necessary to understand, within the framework of the present invention, any planar element at least partially flexible, flexible, semi-rigid, rigid, or with one or more stiffeners, such as a sheet , plastic tape, wire mesh, mesh, sheet metal or metal shutter, etc. ... Thus, the shutter can, for example, consist of a sectional door.

It should, however, be noted that a pronounced preference is given to flexible shutters formed, for example, by a tarpaulin. The attached figures relate more particularly to such a tarpaulin.

In Figure 1, the shutter device is shown schematically in the closed position, while in Figures 2 and 3 the shutter device is shown in the open position. This device comprises a flap 1 with lateral edges 2 and 3 projecting from the plane of the flap which are advantageously formed by a continuous bead or by a succession of small blocks articulated relative to each other moving in paths guide tracks 4 and 5. The guide tracks 4 and 5 are provided on either side of a bay 6 which is present in a wall 7.

Above the opening 6 is provided a drum 8 on which the shutter 1 can be wound. Drive means 9, such as an electric motor, actuate a shaft 10 which extends along the axis of the drum 8 so as to be able to wind the shutter 1 on the drum 8 to bring it into the open position or to be able to unwind it towards its closed position.

The guide tracks 4 and 5 comprise an upper part 11 and a lower part 12, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7. The upper part 11 is provided with reintroduction means 13. These reintroduction means 13 make it possible to reintroduce the lateral edges 2 and 3 in the guide tracks 4 and 5 during the opening of the flap 1 when these have been released from the guideways 4 and 5. The lateral edges 2 and 3 can be released, for example, when an obstacle is located between the guideways 4 and 5 when the shutter 1 is closed or when, for example, a vehicle comes in collision with part 1.

FIG. 8 represents a section of the lower part 12 of the guide tracks 4 and 5. A support 14 having a U-shaped section surrounds the guide tracks 4 and 5 which are provided with two longitudinal edges 15 and 16 extending from one side and other side edges 2 and 3 of the shutter 1. These edges 15 and 16 are directed towards each other by forming a slot 20, so as to partially surround the side edges 5 or 6 of the shutter 1. In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, each guide path 4 and 5 comprises two separate sections 17 and 18 which are held in a base section 19 having substantially the appearance of a C. Threaded rods 21 are welded by one of their ends at regular distances to the back of the profile 19.

The lower part 12 of the guide tracks 4 and 5 is mounted in an elastic manner and / or pivotally with respect to the fixed support 14. The threaded rods 21 extend through the support 14, and a rigid sleeve 22 is threaded on the rod 21, between the profile 19 and the support 14. In addition, a coil spring 23 is provided between the latter and a nut 24 which is screwed at the end of the threaded rods 21. Such mounting of the guide tracks 4 and 5 is, for example, described and represented in patent EP 0 587 586.

The upper part 11 of the guide tracks 4 and 5 comprises a frame 25 having a U-shaped section with a base 26 and two wings 27 and 28. The wings 27 and 28 are folded outwards so as to constitute two flanges 29 and 30 which extend substantially parallel to the base 26. A plate 31 and 32 is fixed to each of these edges 29 and 30 by means of bolts 33. The plates 31 and 32 are each provided with a substantially continuous edge directed the towards each other so that a slot 34 is formed between these dishes 31 and 32.

The projecting lateral edge 2 or 3 of the flap 1 is housed in the space formed between the wings 27 and 28 of the frame 25, the flap 1 then extending through the slot 34. The width of this slot 34 is slightly greater than the thickness of the flap 1 and less than the thickness of the protruding edge 2 and 3, so that this edge cannot leave the space between the wings 27 and 28, while allowing the shutter itself to slide between the edges opposite the plates 31 and 32.

The upper end of the lower part 12 of the guide tracks 4 and 5 is fixed to the frame 25 between the wings 27 and 28 in such a way that the slot 34 between the flats 31 and 32 is aligned with the slot 20 between the flanges 15 and 16. For this purpose, a threaded rod 21 extends through a recess 35 provided in the base 26 of the chassis 25. A rigid sleeve 22 is threaded on the rod 21 between the chassis 25 and the support 14. For clarity of the figures, the latter is not shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. The end of the flats 31 and 32 facing the lower part 12 of the guide tracks 4 and 5 is folded in the form of a loop thus constituting a rounded surface 36 and 37. When the shutter 1 is opened, after the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the shutter 1 are released relative to the lower part 12 of the guide tracks, these rounded surfaces 36 and 37 exert a pushing force on the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the flap 1 in order to reintroduce the latter into the upper part 11 of the guide paths between the wings 27 and 28 of the chassis 25.

In the embodiment of the flap device, shown in Figures 5 to 7, the part of the flanges 15 and 16 opposite the rounded surfaces 36 and 37 is removed to facilitate the reintroduction of the side edges 2 and 3 in the guide tracks 4 and 5.

The end of the lower part 12 of the guide tracks opposite the rounded surfaces 36 and 37 is bevelled to ensure continuous movement of the shutter 1 when the latter is moved towards its closed position.

The shutter device according to the invention is provided with a lubrication element to improve the sliding of the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the shutter 1 in the guide tracks 4 and 5. This lubrication element comprises, in particular, a wick 38 which can be inhibited by a lubricating liquid, such as oil, and is in permanent contact with the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the flap 1.

In the shutter device shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, this wick 38 is formed by a strip of porous material capable of absorbing a lubricating liquid, for example a textile strip, and is provided at the location of the upper part 11 of the paths guide 4 and 5. The wick 38 extends into a reservoir 39 containing the the aforementioned lubricating liquid. At least the lower end 40 of the wick 38 is immersed in this lubricating liquid. The other end 41 is in contact with the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the flap 1, so that the lubricating liquid of the reservoir 39 is distributed over these lateral edges 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper end 41 of the wick 38 is bent at a right angle and has a recess 42 in which is housed the lateral edge 2 or 3 of the flap 1. This makes it possible to distribute the lubricating liquid in a substantially uniform manner over the contour of the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the flap 1. In particular, this end 41 of the wick 38 extends beyond the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the flap 1 so as to also lubricate the zone of the flap 1 extending in the slots 20 and 34 of the paths guide 4 and 5, near the side edges 2 and 3. For this reason, the plates 31 and 32 have a recess 45 and 46 through which extends the end of the wick 38 lubricating the area of the shutter 1 close from its side edges.

The reservoir 39, which is tubular in shape, extends along the guide tracks 4 and 5. This reservoir 39 is located between the wings 27 and 28 of the chassis 25 and is, in particular, housed between the base 26 of the chassis 25 and the side edges 2 and 3 of the shutter 1.

The upper part of the reservoir 39 is provided with a rectangular recess 43 through which extends the upper end 41 of the wick 38. Consequently, the lower end 40 of the wick 38 extends substantially in the direction of the guide tracks 4 and 5, while the upper end 41, which is in contact with the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the flap 1, extends substantially transversely to this direction.

The reservoir 39 is provided with an orifice 44 at its upper part through which lubricating liquid can be introduced. The wick 38 not only provides lubrication of the side edges 2 and 3 of the flap 1 while the latter is moved towards its closed position or towards its open position, but also makes it possible to constantly clean these side edges 2 and 3.

Figures 9 to 13 show another embodiment of the wick 38. The upper end 41 of the wick 38 is provided with a recess 42 whose dimensions and shape correspond to the contours of the side edges 2 and 3 of the flap 1 and of the area of the shutter 1 near these edges 2 and 3. In particular, this recess 42 has the shape of a circle which joins a slot enclosing the area of the shutter 1 near its lateral edges 2 and 3.

FIGS. 14 to 18 show yet another embodiment of the wick 38 which differs from the embodiment described above by the presence of a notch 47 at the location of the upper end 41 of the wick 38. This notch 47 is, in particular, provided between the recess 42, which must surround the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the flap 1, and the lower end 40 which is housed in the reservoir 39. In this way, the flow of the lubricating liquid from the reservoir 39 towards the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the shutter 1 can be checked. Figures 19 and 20 show yet another embodiment of the lubrication element according to the invention. This lubrication element comprises a rotary member 48 of spherical shape which is mounted in abutment against the lateral edge 2 or 3 of the flap 1. As shown in these figures, such a rotary member 48 is provided on either side of the plane of the shutter 1. The rotary member 48 is, more specifically, in contact with the lateral edge of the shutter 1 at the same place where this lateral edge slides against the flanges 15 and 16 of the guide tracks 4 and 5. In order to be able to mount this member rotary 48, provision is preferably made for a cutout in the guide tracks 4 and 5. Alternatively, the rotary member 48 is mounted opposite the upper end of the guide tracks 4 and 5. This rotary member 48 cooperates with a reservoir 49 containing a lubricating liquid. In particular, the rotary member 48 is housed in the tank 49, which is cylindrical in shape, and partially extends through a circular orifice 50 provided in this tank 49. The rotary member 48 consists of a ball which is held in abutment against the edge of the orifice 50 by means of a helical spring 51. The diameter of the orifice 50 is smaller than the diameter of the ball, so that the latter cannot exit the reservoir 49 .

When the shutter 1 is moved between its open position and its closed position, as a result of the friction present between the rotary member 48 and the corresponding edge of the shutter 1, this rotary member undergoes a rotation. During this rotation, the lubricating liquid from the reservoir is transferred to the lateral edges of the flap 1 via the surface of the rotary member 48. In this way, at each movement of the flap in the direction of the guide tracks 4 and 5, lubricating liquid is distributed on the side edges 2 and 3 of the flap 1 and on the zone of the flap 1 near the side edges 2 and 3 .

This embodiment of the lubricating element is particularly advantageous since a relatively precise metering of the lubricating liquid on the edges of the flap 1 is possible. In fact, when a sufficient quantity of the lubricating liquid is applied to the edges of the flap, the friction between the rotary member and the corresponding lateral edge of the flap becomes negligible, so that the rotary member 48 is no longer driven by the movement of the shutter 1 but slides on the latter and, therefore, there is no additional liquid which is distributed over the edges of the shutter.

It is also possible that the rotary member comprises one or more cylinders which can rotate about their axis which extend partially in a reservoir containing a lubricating liquid and which are mounted in abutment against the lateral edges of the flap 1. Instead of cooperating directly with a reservoir, the rotary element can, for example, be in contact with a wick impregnated with a lubricating liquid.

FIG. 21 schematically shows another embodiment of the shutter device with a reservoir 52 containing lubricating liquid. The shutter 1 is wound on a hollow drum 8 which is located above the opening 6, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. A reservoir 52 is provided inside each of the ends of the drum 8 on which the shutter 1 is wound.

This reservoir 52 is connected to the lubrication element by means of a pipe 53 which extends along the longitudinal axis of the drum 8. The above pipe leads to a metering device 54 which is mounted inside the tank 52. This dispenser has the appearance of a spoon which rotates with the shaft 10 and which makes it possible to thereby intermittently flow a quantity of the lubricating liquid towards the lubrication element during the rotation of the drum 8. In particular, during the opening or closing of the shutter 1, the metering device 54 withdraws at each rotation of the drum 8 a determined quantity of the lubricating liquid present in the reservoir 52. This quantity of lubricating liquid flows through the line 53 towards the lubrication element. This lubrication element may, for example, consist of a wick which is in contact with the lateral edge of the flap 1 or of an orifice in the paths guide by which the liquid is introduced into the latter in order to lubricate the contact surface between the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the flap 1 and the guide paths 4 and 5.

When the lubrication element comprises an orifice which opens into the guide paths 4 and 5 at a specific location, the lubricating liquid is distributed in the guide paths 4 and 5 during the movement of the flap 1 towards its closing position or its open position.

The use of the above-mentioned metering device 54 makes it possible to mix the lubricating liquid contained in the reservoir 52 when this liquid consists, for example, of several components. FIG. 22 shows an embodiment of the reservoir 52 of the shutter device which differs from the previous embodiment in that the pipe 53, extending along the longitudinal axis of the drum 8, is connected to the reservoir 52 by channels 55 extending in the shaft 10 transversely with respect to this axis.

Figures 23 and 24 show yet another embodiment of the shutter device, according to the invention, in which a reservoir 39 for a lubricating liquid is provided at the lower end of the lower part 12 of the guide tracks 4 and 5 .

A wick 38 is immersed with its lower end 40 in the lubricating liquid present in the reservoir 39. The upper end 41 of this wick 38 is housed in a recess 56 provided in the guide paths 4 and 5 at a certain distance from the reservoir 39. This recess 56 is, in particular, formed by a cut in the guide tracks 4 and 5 in which the upper end extends

41 of the wick so as to surround the corresponding lateral edge 2 or 3 of the flap 1.

The part of the wick 38, which extends between the reservoir 39 and the recess 56, is held in a cylindrical sleeve 27 extending along the part of the corresponding guide paths 4 and 5.

When the shutter 1 moves to its open or closed position, lubricating liquid is applied to the lower end of the side edges

2 and 3 of the shutter 1 by said wick 38. This lubricating liquid is, then, during the subsequent movement towards the open position of the shutter 1, distributed in the part of the guide tracks 4 and 5 located above the upper end 41 of wick 38. When the shutter 1 is then moved to its closed position, the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the shutter 1 are lubricated with respect to the guide tracks 4 and 5.

In this way, an automatic metering of the quantity of lubricating liquid which is present on the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the flap 1 and in the guide tracks 4 and 5 is obtained. In particular, lubricating liquid which is in excess on the edges lateral 2 and 3 or in the guide paths 4 and 5, flow back into the guide paths 4 and 5 towards the reservoir 39.

The reservoir 39 is housed in a chassis 58 having a U-shaped section, the wings 59 and 60 extending on either side of the guide tracks 4 and 5. The edges of the wings 59 and 60 are linked together by a plate 61 thereby forming said reservoir 39 in the chassis 58 between the wings 59 and 60 and this plate 61.

The top of the reservoir 39 is provided with a plate-shaped closure 62 having two recesses 63 and 64. Through the first recess 63 extends said wick, while the second recess 64 allows, on the one hand, to recharge the reservoir 39 with lubricating liquid, and, on the other hand, the reflux of the lubricating liquid from the guide paths 4 and 5 towards the reservoir 39. In order to prevent the lubricating liquid from spreading next to the reservoir 39, said plate 61 extends somewhat beyond the level of plate 62.

As shown in FIG. 23, the reservoir 39 can be refilled by means of a syringe 65 by injecting lubricating liquid into the reservoir 39 through P recess 64.

FIGS. 25 to 29 show a scraping system permitting the lubricating liquid present on the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the shutter 1 to flow back towards the reservoir 39 which is shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. This scraping system comprises a scraping 66, which is provided in the upper part 11 of the guide tracks 4 and 5 and which surrounds the side edges 2 and 3 of the flap and the part of the flap 1 adjacent to these side edges 2 and 3.

When the shutter 1 moves to its open position, the lubricating liquid, present on the side edges 2 and 3, is removed by the scraping element 66 and flows through the guide tracks 4 and 5 towards the reservoir 39.

The scraping element 66 has an inclined part 67 which extends between the base 26 of the frame 25 and the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the flap 1 and a vertical part 68 which extends along said base 26. The upper end of the inclined part 67 extends into a recess, provided for this purpose, in the dishes 31 and 32 on either side of the slot 34.

FIGS. 30 and 31 show an embodiment of the shutter 1, according to the invention, which is advantageous for causing the lubricating liquid, which is in excess on the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the shutter 1, to flow back towards the above-mentioned reservoir 39. The shutter 1 is, in particular, provided in the area adjacent to the lateral edges 2 and 3 of successive grooves 69 which extend to these edges 2 and 3. The grooves 69 are parallel to each other and are inclined so as to make the lubricating liquid flow, which would be distributed on the flap 1 at the location of these grooves 69, towards the lateral edges 2 and 3 located in the guide paths 4 and 5. The lubricating liquid can then flow back along the lateral edges 2 and 3 or the guide paths 4 and 5 towards the reservoir 39.

In FIGS. 32 to 38, yet another embodiment of the lubrication element for the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the flap 1, according to the invention is shown. The guide path 4 or 5 shown in these figures comprises a metal profile 70 in the shape of a U in which is housed a sliding profile 71 formed by two parallel cylinders 71 'and 71 "joined to each other thus presenting an 8-shaped section.

In order to retain the sliding profile 71 in the metal profile 70, the edges of the latter are folded towards each other by tightening the sliding profile 71 at the place where the two cylinders of this profile 71 join. Consequently, one of these cylinders 71 "extends outside the metal profile 70. This last cylinder of the sliding profile 71 is provided with a slot 72 extending in its longitudinal direction so that the lateral edge 2 or 3 of the shutter 1 can slide in this cylinder 71 "while the area of the shutter 1 adjacent to the lateral edge 2 or 3 extends through this slot 72.

The sliding profile 71 is preferably made of a plastic material, such as for example polyethylene, while the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the flap 1 are, for example, made of polyurethane. The guide tracks 4 and 5 have a cutout 73 in which is housed a lubrication element 74, as illustrated in FIG. 32. In the embodiment of the invention which is shown in this latter figure, the cutout 73 is only provided in the part of the sliding profile 71 extending outside the metal profile 70.

On each of the lateral sides of the upper part of the guide tracks 4 and 5 is mounted a dish 75, respectively 76, which is provided with two support stops 77 and 78. The stops 77 and 78 of the respective dishes are directed towards each other while maintaining a free space of these respective stops, the thickness of which corresponds substantially to that of the slot 72.

When the lateral edge 2 or 3 emerges from the lower part of the corresponding guide path 4 or 5, the shutter 1 is moved to its open position so that the lateral edge 2 or 3 of the shutter 1 is reintroduced into the guide path 4 or 5 concerned following the contact between this lateral edge 2 and 3 and the lower stops 77.

The lubrication element 74, which is shown in more detail in Figures 36 to 38, is fixed between the two plates 75 and 76 and extends in the cutout 73 above. FIG. 36 shows the lubrication element 74 which comprises a support 79 having the shape of a cylinder 80 with a slot 81 extending parallel to the axis and along the entire length of this cylinder 80. Each of the edges of this slot 81 is delimited by surfaces 82 and 83 which extend parallel to one another and which are intended to enclose the zone of the flap 1 adjacent to the corresponding lateral edge 2 or 3 of the latter.

The edges of the surfaces 82 and 83 are folded outwards and have a groove 84, respectively 85, in which is housed the edge of the corresponding dish 75 or 78 when the lubrication element 74 is mounted on the guide tracks 4 and 5, as shown in FIG. 35. The internal diameter of the cylindrical part 80 of the support 79 corresponds substantially to that of the cylinder 71 "of the sliding profile 71 in which the lateral edge 2 or 3 of the flap moves and the width of the slot 81 corresponds substantially to that of slot 72 of the sliding profile In this way, the support 79 encloses the lateral edge 2 and 3 of the flap 1 when the lubrication element is mounted on the guide tracks 4 and 5. The inner surface of the support 79 is preferably covered with a coating of an elastic material with open pores or of a fibrous material which is impregnated with a lubricating liquid.

Such a covering 88, as shown in FIG. 37, is for example made up of an H-shaped fabric which is applied against the internal surface 89 of the support 79. The arms 90 of this H are then folded around the corresponding lateral edges of said surfaces 82 and 83 so as to be fixed against the external side of the support 79. For this purpose, the support 79 has a groove 91 extending to the external side of the surfaces 82 and 83 near the cylinder 80 and a groove 92 which is provided between the edges of the surfaces 82 and 83 and the above-mentioned grooves 84 and 85. The grooves 91 and 92 are oriented towards each other. Thus said arms 90 can be housed in these grooves 91 and 92 against the external surface of the support 79.

The presence of the arms 90 makes it possible to increase the quantity of lubricating liquid which is contained in the coating 88. The lubrication element 74 is for example manually impregnated with lubricating oil by means of a bottle 93, as shown in Figure 38.

It is clear that the lubrication element 74 does not necessarily have to be provided in a cutout in the guide paths 4 or 5 and that this element 74 can also be arranged at the upper end of the guide paths 4 and 5. Au means of the lubrication element 74 not only the side edges 2 and 3 of the flap 1 are lubricated, but this element 74 also ensures that these side edges 2 and 3 are cleaned. In particular, during the movement of the flap 1 between its open position and its closed position, dust, such as for example grains of sand, which would be present on these lateral edges 2 and 3 is collected on the element of lubrication 74 and removed from the side edges 2 and 3. When this lubrication element 74 no longer contains enough lubricating liquid to lubricate the side edges 2 and 3 of the flap 1 and / or when a certain amount of dust is collected on the element lubrication 74, the latter is removed from the guide tracks 4 and 5 and is replaced by a new lubrication element 74. The flap device may also include a detection system making it possible to detect whether the friction between the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the shutter 1 and the guide tracks 4 and 5 is too high. When it is detected that the friction exceeds a certain value, the flap 1 is moved to its open position and the lubrication element 74 is replaced by a new lubrication element 74 which is impregnated with a lubricating liquid.

Such a detection system comprises, for example a switch which is provided with regard to a cut in the guide tracks 4 and 5. The dimensions of this cut allow that, when the friction of the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the flap in the guide paths 4 and 5 exceeds a certain value when the shutter 1 is closed, the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the latter formed a loop which extends through this cut-out by actuating the above-mentioned switch. The switch then cooperates with the control unit of the shutter device in order to move the shutter 1 to its open position and to give a signal that the lubrication element 74 must be replaced.

Such a detection system is, for example, described in patent application WO 02/066776.

It is clear that still other possibilities exist for detecting whether the abovementioned friction between the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the shutter 1 and the guide tracks 4 and 5 exceeds a certain value. It is, for example possible to provide a detector at the location of the drum 8 around which the flap 1 is wound, as also described in patent application WO 02/066776. When the shutter 1 is unwound towards its closed position and said friction is too high so that the movement of the shutter is hampered, a loop is formed at the location of the drum which actuates the above-mentioned detector in order to reopen the shutter 1 A signal is then given that the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the shutter 1 must be lubricated, for example, by replacing the lubrication element 74 or by re-impregnating this element 74 again with a liquid. lubricant. The invention is not limited to the various embodiments described above, but other variants can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention, in particular as regards the mounting of the reservoir with respect to the guide tracks . It is, for example, possible to mount the reservoir containing the lubricating liquid on the wall 7 and to connect this reservoir with the lubrication element near the lateral edges of the flap by means of a suitable pipe.

When a reservoir with a liquid lubricant is provided below the lower end of the guideways, the side edges of the flap may present at their lower end a wick which is immersed in the lubricating liquid when the shutter is in the closed position. When the shutter is opened, this wick is moved in the guide tracks, thereby applying lubricant liquid in these guide tracks. In the above description, mention has been made of a lubricating liquid. It is however also possible, in certain cases, to use a solid lubricating product formed by one or more sticks which are mounted by one of their ends in abutment against the lateral edges of the shutter by means of a spring. Such a solid lubricant could, for example, consist of paraffin. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the invention is not limited to a device according to which the shutter is wound on a drum. It is, for example, also possible that, when the shutter is opened, the latter is folded up in a container mounted above the opening or that the shutter is moved in a horizontal plane above the opening. The invention relates, in particular, to a flap device of which at least one lateral edge is guided by a guide path in order to close a bay or another opening. Thus, the flap can, for example, be moved in a horizontal direction when it is suspended by a lateral edge in the guide path extending horizontally. The shutter does not necessarily have to be moved in a vertical plane, but it can, for example, also be moved horizontally to close an opening extending in a horizontal plane.

In some cases, the side edges may have a bead formed from an open-pore cellular elastomer so as to improve lubrication.

Claims

1. Shutter device intended for closing a bay (6) or other opening, the shutter (1) having at least one lateral edge (2,3) moving in a guide path (4,5) provided for '' one side of the opening or of said other opening, characterized in that lubrication means (38,39,48,49,52,74) are provided making it possible to lubricate the lateral edge (2,3) of the flap (1 ).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lubrication means comprise a lubrication element (38,48,74) which is provided opposite the lateral edge (2,3) of the flap (1) for lubricating this edge (2,3) relative to the corresponding guide path (4,5).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the lubrication element (38,48) cooperates with a reservoir (39,49,52) containing a lubricating liquid.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the reservoir (39) extends along at least a part of the guide path (4,5).

5. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the reservoir is (39) is provided at the lower end of the guide tracks (4,5).

6. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that a scraping element (66) cooperates with the lateral edge (4,5) of the flap (1) to cause excess lubricant to flow back to the reservoir (39).

7. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the lubricating element comprises a wick (38), one of the ends (40) of which extends into the tank (39) mentioned above.

8. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the lubrication element comprises a wick (38) having at one of its ends (41) a recess (42) in which is housed the side edge (2,3) of the flap (1).

9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the wick (38) is formed by a strip made of porous material capable of absorbing lubricating liquid, part of which (40) extends in the direction of the guide path (4,5) and the other part (41) extends substantially transversely to this direction and is in contact with the lateral edge (2 , 3) of the shutter (1).

10. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the lubrication element comprises a rotary member (48) mounted in abutment against the lateral edge (2,3) of the flap (1) so that the member (48) can be rotated when the flap (1) is opened or closed, this member (48) being able to cooperate with the aforesaid reservoir (49) in order to distribute the lubricating liquid on the lateral edge (2, 3) of the flap (1) during the rotation of the member (48).

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the rotary member (48) comprises a ball partially extending in the lubricating liquid of the reservoir (49).

12. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that the shutter (1) is wound on a drum (8) during the opening of the shutter, this drum (8) being at least partially hollow in order to housing the aforementioned tank (52).

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the drum (8) is provided with a pipe (53) which extends along the longitudinal axis of the drum (8) and which connects the reservoir (52) with the '' lubrication element (38,48).

14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the above-mentioned pipe (53) opens onto a metering device (54) extending in the above-mentioned reservoir (52) and making it possible to run a quantity of the lubricating liquid towards the element of lubrication (38,48) during rotation of the drum (8).

15. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 14, characterized in that the lubrication element (38) at least partially surrounds the lateral edge (2,3) of the flap (1).

16. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that grooves (69) are provided in the area adjacent to the lateral edge (2,3) of the flap (1) so as to make the lubricating liquid flow. towards this lateral edge (2,3).

17. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the lubricating element (74) is, at least partially, made of an open-pore or fibrous material which is impregnated with a lubricating liquid.

18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the lubrication element (74) is interposed in the guide path (4,5) or is mounted in the extension of the latter so that this element surrounds at least partially the corresponding lateral edge (2,3) of the flap (1) when the latter moves in the guide path (4,5).

19. Device according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the lubrication element (74) encloses the lateral edge (2,3) of the flap (1) and the zone of the latter adjacent to this lateral edge (2, 3).

20. Device according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the lubrication element (74) is housed in a cutout (73) provided in the corresponding guide path (4,5).

21. Device according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the lubricating element (74) comprises a support (79) with an internal surface (89) which encloses the lateral edge (2,3) of the flap (1), said inner surface (89) being covered with a coating (88) made of the above porous or fibrous material.

22. Device according to claim 21, characterized in that a part of said coating (88) is folded down towards the external surface of the lubrication element (74).

23. Lubrication element for a shutter device intended for the closing of a bay (6) or other opening, the shutter (1) having at least one lateral edge (2,3) moving in a guide path (4 , 5) during the opening or closing of the shutter (1), characterized in that this lubrication element (74) comprises a support (79) with an internal surface (89) which encloses the lateral edge (2, 3) of the shutter (1), said inner surface (89) being covered with a coating (88) of an open-pore or fibrous material which is impregnated with a lubricating liquid.

24. Lubricating element according to claim 23, characterized in that the inner surface (89) has the shape of a cylinder with a slot (81) extending parallel to the axis and along the entire length of this cylinder, each of edges of this slot (81) having a surface (82,83) extending parallel to one another and intended to grip the zone of the flap (1) adjacent to the corresponding lateral edge (2,3) of the latter .

25. Lubrication element according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that a part of said coating (88) is folded towards the outer surface of said support.

26. Method for controlling the lubrication of at least one lateral edge (2,3) of a shutter (1) which is moved between an open position and a closed position in order to open or close a bay ( 6) or another opening in a wall (7), the lateral edge (2,3) of the flap (1) being guided in a guide path (4,5), characterized in that it is detected whether the friction between the lateral edge (2,3) and the guide path (4,5) exceeds a certain value when the flap (1) moves to the closed position, and, when this friction has exceeded this value, we moves the shutter (1) to its open position and a lubricant liquid is then applied to the lateral edge (2,3) of the shutter (1) when it moves towards the closed position.

27. The method of claim 26, characterized in that said lubricant is applied to the side edge (2,3) of the flap (1) by replacing a lubrication element (74) provided at the location of the path of displacement of the lateral edge (2,3) of the flap (1) or by impregnating this lubrication element (74) with a lubricating liquid.

28. The method of claim 26 or 27, characterized in that, to detect if said friction exceeds said value, it detects the formation of a loop in the side edge (2,3) of the flap (1) during its movement to the closed position.

29. Method according to claim 28, characterized in that a cutout is provided in the guide path (4,5) through which said loop can extend when the friction exceeds said value.

30. The method of claim 28, characterized in that a free space is provided upstream of the guide path (4,5) in which said loop can form when the friction exceeds said value.

31. Method according to one of claims 28 to 30, characterized in that a detector is provided at the place where said loop can be formed.

32. Method according to any one of claims 26 to 31, characterized in that the flap (1) has a substantially incompressible zone extending in the direction of the lateral edge (2,3) of the flap (1) so that a pushing force can be exerted on this zone in said direction to move the flap (1) towards its closed position.

33. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said incompressible zone comprises the lateral edge (2,3) of the flap (1).