EP1726771A1 - Fastening of a closure member of a roller shutter and roller shutter with such fastening - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a lower link or apron link connected to an upper link or tube link (6) by an intermediate link, where the links are articulated between them along an articulation axis parallel to a geometric axis of a rolling tube (3). The link (6) has an attaching device (C) having anchorages formed by openings bored in a wall of the tube. The device has anchoring units (16, 17) whose distance is adjustable along a direction parallel to the articulation axis of the tube link. The apron link has, at its apron side end, a reversible anchoring assembly constituted of a hook. An independent claim is also included for a roller shutter comprising an apron attaching device.

Description

The invention relates to a device for coupling a rolling shutter apron to a winding tube, comprising at least two links articulated together along an axis of articulation parallel to the geometric axis of the tube, each link having a cross-section substantially in the shape of a circular arc, the upper link or tube link comprising means for attaching to at least two anchors provided in the wall of the tube and spaced apart from each other, while the lower link or Apron link is intended to hook to a top deck blade.

A coupling device of the type defined above allows a good winding of the links around the tube to reduce the overall size of the rolled deck.

When the apron arrives at the bottom of vertical slides to ensure complete closure, the links are unrolled from the tube and are placed in a substantially aligned position. Generally the links comprise at each of their longitudinal ends complementary means provided for holding the links in the aligned position at the end of closing. The aligned links are then transformed into the equivalent of a rigid monobloc element that allows to transmit a thrust on the deck towards the slides from the rotation of the tube. This thrust makes it possible to block the apron behind the scenes and opposes attempts of burglary made from the outside.

Such coupling devices operate mainly with means for operating the winding tube and motor winding which ensure a torque in the downward direction. The linkage coupling device thus allows an automatic locking at the end of closing the shutter, which is advantageous for improving the security of closure.

However, the manufacture and management of the links are relatively complicated and expensive.

Indeed, for roller shutters providing similar functions, there are different winding tubes on the market on which the anchors have different spacings, requiring different tube links. Due to different thickness of apron blades present on the market, it is also necessary to provide apron links of different types.

These different models of winding tubes and / or deck blades require a manufacturer of roller shutters to use a large number of types of links to manufacture roller shutters. When installing on site, the builder or installer may not have the correct link reference at hand.

The production of the links is also complicated since it consists of a multitude of references, which breaks up the series of manufacture, and is detrimental to a good productivity and a rational industrialization of these coupling devices.

The inventory of winding tubes made it possible to identify anchors consisting of bores or lights of substantially equal shapes but separated by a distance, or not, variable.

The object of the invention is, above all, to propose a tube link which may be suitable for different types of winding tubes, in order to reduce the models of links necessary for the market. It would be advantageous for the apron link to also be suitable for different types of blades making up the aprons.

According to the invention, a rolling shutter deck coupling device of the kind defined above is characterized in that the means for attaching the tube link comprises at least two attachment members whose distance is adjustable in a direction parallel to the axis of articulation of the tube link, so as to allow to hang the link to tubes whose anchors are spaced differently, the tube link is thus versatile.

Preferably the attachment means of the tube link comprises a first fastening member fixed relative to the link and a second fastening member whose distance to the fixed fastening member is adjustable.

Generally, the anchors are constituted by lights; the fixed attachment member may be constituted by a lug protruding parallel to the axis of articulation of the link, the opposite side to the second attachment member, and adapted to engage in a tube of the tube.

The second adjustable fastening member may comprise a rotary hook integral with an axis orthogonal to the linkage direction of the link, the hook being adapted to engage in another tube of the tube.

The tube link may comprise groups of two opposite grooves, spaced apart from one another in the direction of articulation of the links, adapted to receive the integral axis of the hook at different distances from the fixed fastening member. .

The axis of articulation of the hook may be constituted by a connecting crossbar between the legs of a U, preferably made of curved spring wire.

The apron link may comprise, at its end deck side, a hooking device for hanging at least two types of apron blades of different thicknesses.

The attachment device may comprise a reversible profile coupling member. The hooking member may consist of a hook secured to the deck link to which is removably attached a reversible section having two opposite profiles, adapted to cooperate with apron blades of different types, each profile can also be attached crochet apron link. A spring tab is advantageously provided on the hook or the reversible profile to cooperate with a groove provided on the profile or the hook, and ensure the immobilization of the profile relative to the hook.

According to another possibility, the attachment device comprises a hook secured to the deck link, provided to cooperate directly with a first type of apron blades; an intermediate piece is provided to be attached on one side to the hook of the apron link and, on the opposite side, to another type of apron blades.

A spring tab is advantageously provided on the hook or the conjugate part to cooperate with a notch provided on the part or the hook, and ensure the immobilization of the piece relative to the hook.

The invention also relates to a roller shutter comprising a coupling device to a winding tube as defined above.

• Fig.1 est une vue en perspective éclatée partielle d'un volet roulant et du dispositif d'attelage à un tube d'enroulement.
• Fig.2 est une section droite à plus grande échelle d'un tube d'enroulement.
• Fig.3 est une vue de droite d'une facette seulement du tube de Fig.2 faisant apparaître deux lumières d'accrochage.
• Fig.4 est une vue en bout à plus grande échelle du tube d'enroulement avec dispositif d'attelage à trois maillons en position enroulée sur le tube, les lames du tablier n'étant pas représentées.
• Fig.5 montre, semblablement à Fig.4, le dispositif d'attelage sur un tube d'enroulement de plus grande section transversale.
• Fig.6 est une coupe suivant la ligne VI-VI de Fig.7 d'un maillon tube selon l'invention.
• Fig.7 est une vue de dessus du maillon tube de Fig.6.
• Fig.8 est une vue de côté d'un maillon tablier selon l'invention.
• Fig.9 est une vue de côté, à plus grande échelle, d'un profilé réversible propre à coopérer avec le maillon de Fig.8.
• Fig.10 est une vue partielle en perspective du profilé de Fig.9, à échelle différente.
• Fig.11 montre, semblablement à Fig.8, un autre maillon tablier selon l'invention.
• Fig.12 est une vue en bout d'un profil d'accrochage propre à coopérer avec le maillon tablier de Fig.11 et,
• Fig.13 est une vue partielle en perspective de l'extrémité du maillon de Fig.11.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, in a certain number of other arrangements which will be more explicitly discussed below with regard to exemplary embodiments described with reference to the attached drawings, but which are in no way limiting. On these drawings:

• Fig.1 is a partial exploded perspective view of a roller shutter and the coupling device to a winding tube.
• Fig.2 is a cross-section on a larger scale of a winding tube.
• Fig.3 is a right view of only one facet of the tube of Fig.2 showing two latching lights.
• Fig.4 is an end view on a larger scale of the winding tube with three-link coupling device in position wound on the tube, the deck blades not being shown.
• Fig.5 shows, similarly to Fig.4, the coupling device on a winding tube of larger cross section.
• Fig.6 is a section along the line VI-VI of Fig.7 of a tube link according to the invention.
• Fig.7 is a top view of the tube link of Fig.6.
• Fig.8 is a side view of an apron link according to the invention.
• Fig.9 is a side view, on a larger scale, of a reversible profile adapted to cooperate with the link of Fig.8.
• Fig.10 is a partial perspective view of the profile of Fig.9, on a different scale.
• Fig.11 shows, similarly to Fig.8, another apron link according to the invention.
• Fig.12 is an end view of a fastening profile adapted to cooperate with the apron link of Fig.11 and,
• Fig.13 is a partial perspective view of the end of the link of Fig.11.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Fig.1, we can see elements of a set E roller shutter.

The assembly E comprises a trunk 1 located at one end of an opening. This opening is generally located in a vertical plane and is constituted by a window or a door, in which case the trunk 1 is placed at the high end. The opening could also be located in a horizontal or inclined plane.

In wound position, the apron 2 shutter is entirely inside the trunk 1 which has two parts 1a, 1b in the form of dihedral can be assembled. The assembled chest 1 has in the lower part a slot, not visible, for the passage of the apron 2. The chest 1 is closed at its longitudinal ends by cheeks, not shown, which comprise bearings for rotatably supporting a winding tube 3 housed inside the trunk 1. The cross section of the tube 3 comprises, according to Fig.1, longitudinal profiles 3a radially inwardly projecting adapted to engage in corresponding grooves hubs 4 provided at each longitudinal end of the tube 3.

Each hub 4 comprises, outwardly, a flange provided with a coaxial spigot 5 received in a cheek bearing closure trunk 1. One of the hubs 4 is rotatably connected to drive means not shown on Fig.1.

Fig.2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the winding tube 3 whose cross section is formed by a regular octagon.

The apron 2 is connected to the winding tube 3 by at least one coupling device A which comprises at least two and preferably three links 6, 7, 8 or 8a hinged together along articulation axes 9, 10. The axes 9, 10 are parallel to the geometric axis X of the tube 3 when the links are attached to this tube.

According to FIG. 1 two identical coupling devices A are provided and spaced in the direction of the axis X. Each link 6, 7, 8 or 8a (see Fig.4 and 5) has substantially the shape of a cylindrical sector whose generatrices are oriented parallel to the hinge pins 9,10. The cross section of a link has an arcuate shape whose concavity is turned towards the tube 3 to allow a good winding around this tube. Viewed from above, the links have a rectangular contour, as shown for the link 6 in FIG. 7, the large dimension of which is oriented parallel to the geometric axis of the tube 3.

The articulation of the links between them is provided by a set of crenellations or teeth 11, interlocking into each other, and distributed along the adjacent longitudinal edges of two links. These crenellations 11 comprise passage holes for the hinge pins 9 and 10.

The upper link or tube link 6 comprises a fastening device C (FIGS. 6 and 7) with at least two anchors D (FIG. 3) provided in the wall of the tube 3 and spaced apart from one another according to the axial direction X of the tube. The anchors D are generally formed by lights 12a, 12b pierced in the wall of the tube 3.

The lower link or deck link 8 is provided to hang the upper blade 13a of the deck. The different blades 13a, 13b of the apron 2 are hinged together in a conventional manner. The guiding of the blades in the vertical plane of closure or opening is provided by slides vertical G framing the opening. The deck link 8 is connected to the tube link 6 by an intermediate link 7.

The links 6, 7 have at their longitudinal ends a leaf spring 14 orthogonal to the hinge 9, 10 and protruding towards the next link 7, 8 or 8a to press below a stop 15 secured to this link 7. , 8 or 8a. Fig.4 and 5 show the leaf springs 14 in a rest position. Normally these springs 14 are bent towards the tube and held by the stop 15 (Fig.1). When the apron 2 arrives at the bottom of the slides G, the links 6, 7 and 8 or 8a are unrolled from the tube and are positioned and then lock together under the action of the leaf springs 14 in a substantially aligned position; the links become equivalent to a rigid one-piece element and constitute an automatic lock, to transmit a thrust on the deck 2 from the rotation of the tube 3. This thrust to block the deck 2 in the wings G and opposes burglary attempts from the outside.

The lights 12a, 12b provided on the tube 3 are separated by a distance P or not which varies according to the type or the model of the winding tube.

According to the invention, the attachment device C (FIG. 4 and 5) of the tube link 6 comprises two attachment members 16, 17 whose distance h in a direction parallel to the hinge axis of the link is adjustable. . It is thus possible to attach the tube link 6 and the shutter to different tubes 3 whose lights 12a, 12b are spaced at different distances. The tube link 6 is thus versatile.

The fastening member 16 is fixed relative to the link 6. It is advantageously constituted by a lug 16a projecting parallel to the axis of articulation 9 of the link, the opposite side to the second fastening member 17. The 16a lug may be formed by a tongue (Fig.7) cut on three sides of a rectangle in the bottom wall 18 of the link 6, and deformed towards the tube 3. An opening 19 results from the cut in the wall 18 .

The second attachment member 17 comprises a rotary hook 17a integral with an axis 20 orthogonal to the axis of articulation 9 of the link. The hook 17a is substantially in the form of a right angle and turns its concavity on the opposite side to the lug 16a.

Two ribs r1, r2 parallel to the large dimension of the link and orthogonal to the bottom wall 18 are integral with this wall. The ribs r1, r2 are spaced from each other symmetrically with respect to the median longitudinal direction of the link.

To allow to adjust the distance h between the lug 16a and the hook 17a, is provided in the ribs r1, r2, groups of two grooves, or notches, facing 21a, 21b; 22a, 22b; 23a, 23b .... distributed in the longitudinal direction of the link 6. Each group of two grooves, for example 23a, 23b is adapted to receive the axis of articulation 20. The rotary hook 17a is fixed at mid-length of the axis 20 and is halfway width of the link 6, as the lug 16a.

The hinge pin 20 is advantageously constituted by a connecting crossbar between the two branches 24a, 24b of a U obtained by bending a spring wire or a rod. The free ends 25a, 25b of the branches 24a, 24b are curved towards one another. A locking return 21c, 21d integral with the link 6 is provided so that the ends 25a, 25b can be retained under this return when the axis 20 is received in the grooves 21a, 21b furthest from the return 21c, 21 d. When the axis 20 is received in the grooves 22a, 22b, or 23a, 23b closer to 21c, 21d, the locking return 21c, 21d is cooperating with an intermediate zone of the branches 24a, 24b. When the branches 24a, 24b are retained by the locking returns, they are substantially parallel to the bottom wall 18; the hook 17a then has a side orthogonal to the wall 18 and another projecting side opposite the lug 16a. The branches 24a, 24b can be brought closer elastically to one another, in their plane, to be engaged under the locking returns 21c, 21d.

The coupling of a tube link 6 according to the invention to the winding tube 3 is carried out as follows.

After having measured the pitch P (FIG. 3) separating the latching slots 12a, 12b of the tube 3, the installer determines the group of grooves 21a-21b. 23a-23b that should be used.

If the axis 20 is not in this group of grooves, the installer releases the axis 20 by pinching the branches 24a, 24b to release the locking returns 21c, 21d and rotates the branches away from the wall 18 and clear the axis 20.

After placing the axis 20 in the group of grooves retained, for example 23a, 23b as illustrated in Fig.6, the installer engages the pin 16a in one of the lumens, for example 12a, tube 3 so that the beak of the lug is inside the tube below the wall. Because of the setting adopted, the hook 17a is then facing the other light 12b. By lowering the branches 24a, 24b towards the bottom wall 18 of the link 6, the installer causes the engagement of the hook 17a in the opening 12b below the wall of the tube. At the end of folding, the installer brings the branches 24a, 24b closer to one another to pass them below the locking returns 21c-21d and ensure the locking of the link 6 on the tube 3.

The hook 17a may be provided so as to bear against the inner face of the tube 3 before the branches 24a, 24b have arrived completely in the low position. By exerting a bending force on these branches, the installer ensures locking. The hook 17a then exerts an elastic support against the inner wall of the tube 3, which ensures a good attachment.

The same tube link 6 can thus be attached to tubes 3 of different types.

Referring to Figs. 8 to 10 can be seen a first embodiment of an apron link 8 for hanging at least two types of deck blades 13a of different thicknesses.

The link 8 comprises, at its end on the apron side, a reversible attachment assembly 26 consisting of a hook 27, integral with the link 8, to which a reversible profile 28 is removably attached.

The hook 27 has a groove 29 opening on the side of the tube 3 and extending parallel to the generatrices of the link 8. The bottom of this groove communicates with a housing 30 whose transverse dimension is greater than that of the groove. A spring tab 31 protrudes into the groove 29, preferably halfway along the hook. The profile 28 and the hook 27 are advantageously made of plastic.

The reversible section 28 has substantially the shape of an H whose ends of one of the branches are folded at right angles 32a, 32b to the other branch, in a complementary profile of the groove 29 and the housing 30. In particular the ends 32a, 32b terminate in a spout 33 adapted to engage the housing 30 and retain the profile 28 in a direction orthogonal to the generatrices of the link 8.

The wall corresponding to each folded end 32a, 32b comprises a groove 31a, generally at mid-length of the profile 28, in which snap the tab 31 to ensure the complete locking of the profile 28 in the hook 27.

The profile 28 has a first profile 28a designed to receive apron blades of a first type, for example whose thickness is between 11 and 14mm. A second opposite profile 28b is provided to receive apron blades of a different type, for example with a thickness of between 8 and 11 mm. Each profile 28a, 28b is delimited by two substantially parallel walls, completed by the return 32a, 32b which delimits an inlet slot 34a, 34b.

The coupling of the deck 2 is carried out as follows.

If the apron is composed of blades 13a of thickness corresponding to the profile 28a, the installer hooks the reversible profile 28 to the hook 27 by its other profile 28b. The folded end 32b is engaged in the groove 29 by sliding, the spring lug 31 being pushed back until it engages in the groove 31a when it reaches the right of the lug 31. The profile 28 is then locked in the hook 27.

The profile 28a is then engaged on the upper blade of the deck.

If the apron is equipped with blades of thickness corresponding to the profile 28b, while the profile 28 is linked to the hook 27 by this profile 28b, the installer erases the tab 31 with a suitable tool to clear the section 28 of the hook 27. The profile 28 is then turned so that the folded end 32a comes slidably engage in the groove 29 until locking by engagement of the tab 31 in the groove 31a corresponding.

The profile 28b is then available for the attachment of the apron blade.

FIGS. 11 to 13 illustrate an alternative embodiment according to which the deck link 8a comprises, at its end on the deck side, a hook 35 designed to cooperate directly with a first type of apron blades, for example blades whose thickness is between 8 and 11 mm. The profile of the hook 35 corresponds to the profile 28b of Fig.9. The hook 35 is integral with the link 8a. The outer branch 36 of the profile 35 preferably comprises, at mid-length, a recess 37 (FIG. 13).

An intermediate piece 38 is provided to allow to hang another type of blades, for example the blades whose thickness is between 11 and 14mm.

The part 38 has, in the lower part, a profile 28a similar to that of FIG. 9 and, in the upper part, a profile 39 complementary to the housing of the hook 35. In addition, a spring tab 40 is provided on the front face of the profile 39. cooperate with the notch 37.

The coupling of the deck link 8a is carried out as follows.

If the apron is equipped with blades of thickness corresponding to the profile of the hook 35, the latter can be engaged directly on the upper blade of the deck. The intermediate piece 38 is then not used.

If the apron is equipped with blades of thickness corresponding to the profile 28a of the intermediate piece 38, it is engaged by its profile 39 in the hook 35 until the spring tab 40 comes snap into the notch 37. The profile 28a is then available for hanging the apron.

The installer can thus simply by turning the profile (Fig. 8-10) or by placing an intermediate piece (Fig. 11-13), adapt the deck link to the configuration of the shutter.

Claims (17)

Device for coupling the rolling shutter (2) to a winding tube (3), comprising at least two links articulated together along an axis of articulation parallel to the geometric axis of the tube, each link having a section substantially circular arc-shaped, the upper link or tube link (6) having a device for attaching to at least two anchors (12a, 12b) provided in the wall of the tube (3) and spaced one of the other, while the lower link or deck link is intended to hook to an upper deck blade,
characterized in that the attachment device (C) of the tube link (6) comprises at least two attachment members (16, 17) whose distance (h) is adjustable in a direction parallel to the axis of articulation (9) of the tube link (6), so as to allow hanging the link (6) to tubes (3) whose anchors (12a, 12b) are spaced apart, the tube link being thus versatile. Coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening device (C) of the tube link (6) comprises a first fastening member (16) fixed relative to the link and a second fastening member ( 17) whose distance (h) to the fixed attachment member (16) is adjustable. Coupling device according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the anchors are constituted by openings (12a, 12b) provided in the wall of the winding tube (3), characterized in that the fixed fastening member ( 16) is constituted by a lug (16a) projecting parallel to the axis of articulation (9) of the link, on the opposite side to the second attachment member (17), and adapted to engage in a tube light . Coupling device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the first hooking member (16, 16a) is formed in one piece with the tube link. Coupling device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first attachment member is in the form of an insert on the tube link. Coupling device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the second adjustable hooking member (17) comprises a rotary hook (17a) integral with an axis (20) orthogonal to the axis of articulation (9) of the link, the hook (17a) being adapted to engage in another tube lumen. Coupling device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the tube link (6) has groups of two facing grooves (21a, 21b, 22a, 22b, 23a, 23b ...) spaced one from each other. the other following the articulation direction of the links, adapted to receive the axis (20) integral with the adjustable hook (17a) at different distances from the fixed fastening member (16). Coupling device according to claim 7, characterized in that the hinge axis (20) is constituted by a connecting crossbeam between the branches (24a, 24b) of a U. Coupling device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the hinge axis (20) and the branches (24a, 24b) are made of a U-shaped spring wire. Coupling device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the link (6) comprises locking returns (21c, 21d) integral with the link to retain the branches (24a, 24b) in the lowered position. Coupling device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the apron link (8) has, at its deck-side end, an attachment device (26; 35,36) for hanging at least two types of apron blades of different thicknesses. Trailer coupling device according to claim 11, characterized in that the attachment device (26) comprises a coupling member (28) with a reversible profile. Coupling device of apron according to claim 12, characterized in that the attachment device (26) consists of a hook (27) integral with the deck link to which is releasably attached a reversible section (28) having two opposing profiles (28a, 28b), suitable for cooperate with apron blades of different types, each profile (28a, 28b) may further be attached to the hook of the deck link. Apron coupling device according to claim 13, characterized in that a spring lug (31) is provided on the hook or the reversible profile to cooperate with a groove (31a) provided on the profile or the hook, and ensure immobilization of the profile relative to the hook. Coupling device of apron according to claim 11, characterized in that the attachment device comprises a hook (35) integral with the deck link (8a), provided to cooperate directly with a first type of apron blades, an intermediate piece (38) being provided to be attached on one side to the hook (35) of the deck link and, on the opposite side, to another type of apron blades. An apron coupling device according to claim 15, characterized in that a spring lug (40) is provided on the hook or the mating part to cooperate with a recess (37) provided on the part or the hook, and to ensure immobilization of the piece relative to the hook. Roller shutter comprising a coupling device to a winding tube according to any one of the preceding claims.

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