EP1990501A2 - Slat arrangement in a roller shutter for an opening in a building - Google Patents

Abstract

The slat (1) has a mobile part (5) connected to a fixed part (4) by an articulation edge (6), where the slat is moved along a path (C). The path is divided into different short paths. One of the paths controls pivoting of the mobile part with respect to the fixed part from an occulting position to an open position using a pivoting control unit (7). The parts are aligned in same plane in the occulting position. The mobile part is shifted from the plane of the slat in the open position. Another path over the former path permits hooking of the mobile part with following slat (1S).

Description

The invention relates to a blade for a building closure system and an apron for such a system. Finally, the invention also relates to a roller shutter equipped with such an apron.

The invention relates to building closure systems, those comprising steerable blades to enable them to occupy an occultation position and at least one perforated position and / or aeration. In particular, the invention will find its application in the field of roller shutters.

If there are already building closure systems with steerable blades, they are maintained laterally by means of mechanisms adjacent to guide rails. Unless these blades are given an important section, these solutions adopted until now are suitable only for blades of small width. Indeed, beyond a certain size, these blades bend under their own weight which is detrimental to the proper functioning, as well as the aesthetics of the closure system. In all cases these known solutions are not applicable to shutters, only the design of folding aprons can be considered.

It has been imagined to overcome this problem by interconnecting the different blades by connecting cables. In addition to the very unsightly appearance of such cables, their assembly is expensive and delicate. In addition this solution does not seem adaptable to an apron likely to be rolled up.

We still know, for example by the document FR 1 106 629A traditional rolling shutters, which can adopt a perforated position, their blades being interconnected by telescopic articulation means. The relative mobility of the blades in the direction of movement allows them to be brought into a joined position, or dismissed. In this last position, days leaving only a small passage of air and light appear between these blades, especially at the height of their articulated connection.

The present invention is, therefore, able to respond to the above problem, this through a solution that is able to allow the equipment of wide bays, for example greater than two meters, of an apron with adjustable blades.

In short, it is within the framework of an inventive step that one has imagined to find a solution to increase the inertia of the orientable blades in perforated or aeration position and to offer good performances of operation and cost of returns, as well as an irreproachable aesthetic. In addition, this solution according to the invention is applicable to shutters. In short, the invention makes it possible to equip such a roller shutter of an apron with steerable blades with increased inertia, while guaranteeing a smooth unfolding of all the deployment and folding maneuvers.

Thus, the invention relates to a particular blade for building closure system apron and designed to cooperate with at least one other blade, said blade being subdivided in an axial longitudinal direction into two blade parts, a fixed part and a part movable connected by a hinge edge to said fixed part, this blade further comprising control means designed capable of ensuring the pivoting of said movable part under the impetus of another next or previous blade, said movable part comprising at the level of from its opposite edge to the articulation which links it to the fixed part, fastening means designed to cooperate with complementary attachment means that comprises a following blade so as to form an articulated connection with the latter, said blade being designed to be mobile, compared to a next or previous blade, in a direction parallel to its plane and perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, in a race which contributes to the pivotal control of said movable portion relative to said fixed portion, through said pivot control means, since an occultation position corresponding to the alignment of the movable and fixed parts in the same plane, in a perforated position in which said movable part deviates from the plane of said fixed part, characterized in that said stroke is decomposed into a first and a second stroke, distinct, said first stroke contributing to the pivotal control of said movable portion relative to said fixed portion through the pivot control means, from a concealment position corresponding to the alignment of the parts movable and fixed parts in the same plane, in a perforated position in which said movable part deviates the plane of the blade of the fixed part, and that said second stroke, executed beyond the first stroke, is designed capable of allowing the attachment of the moving part of a blade with a following blade.

• qu'au moins une de ces lames comporte une telle partie fixe et une partie mobile ;
• et que lesdites lames sont mobiles entre elles selon une direction parallèle au plan de ces lames et perpendiculaire à leur axe longitudinal selon une course pour l'actionnement des moyens de commande de pivotement de ladite partie mobile par rapport à la partie fixe.

Thus, the invention relates to a building closure system apron comprising at least two designed blades capable of being kept aligned in the same plane, characterized by the fact:

• at least one of these blades comprises such a fixed part and a moving part;
• and that said blades are movable together in a direction parallel to the plane of these blades and perpendicular to their longitudinal axis in a race for the actuation of the pivot control means of said movable portion relative to the fixed part.

According to the invention, the movable part of a blade comprises, at its edge opposite the articulation which links it to the fixed part, fastening means designed able to cooperate with complementary attachment means that includes the following blade so as to form an articulated connection with the latter.

The invention also relates to a roller shutter comprising such an apron.

The advantages that flow from the present invention consist, essentially, in that the deck is constituted by blades in two articulated parts, whose inertia is increased, compared to traditional blades, when these parts of blades are no longer aligned in the same plane.

As will become apparent in the following description, the constitution of articulated blades does not interfere with the winding of the deck, and such apron can be installed in existing slides, replacing a traditional roller shutter. The orientation maneuver of the steerable parts of the blades does not require any other control than the usual control of raising and lowering a conventional roller shutter.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description relating to an exemplary embodiment given by way of indication and not limitation.

• la figure 1 est une représentation schématisée partielle et en coupe d'un tablier de volet roulant selon l'invention, le tablier étant en position totalement déployée et les lames représentées en position d'occultation totale ;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon analogue à la figure 1, le même tablier avec des lames dans une position intermédiaire entre la dite position d'occultation et une position d'aération ;
• la figure 3 représente, de façon analogue à la figure 1, le même tablier avec des lames dans une position d'aération;
• la figure 4 est une représentation schématisée, partielle et en perspective d'un tablier selon l'invention ;
• la figure 5 est une représentation schématisée, partielle et en perspective d'un tablier de volet roulant selon l'invention.

The understanding of this description will be facilitated by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a partial schematic representation in section of a rolling shutter apron according to the invention, the deck being in fully deployed position and the blades shown in the total occultation position;
• the figure 2 represents, in a similar way to figure 1 , the same apron with blades in an intermediate position between said occultation position and a ventilation position;
• the figure 3 represents, in a similar way to figure 1 , the same apron with blades in a ventilation position;
• the figure 4 is a schematic representation, partial and in perspective of an apron according to the invention;
• the figure 5 is a schematic representation, partial and in perspective of a roll shutter apron according to the invention.

As shown in the figures of the attached drawing, the present invention relates to building closure systems. The invention will find application particularly in the field of roller shutters.

In this regard, if in the following description is systematically referred to such a shutter 3, the invention can not be limited to such an application. In particular, a blade 1 according to the invention can be used for the design of a folding apron 2, for any closure system of the building.

As visible on the Figures 1 to 5 , the juxtaposition of blades 1 at least hinged together allows the formation of an apron 2, the articulation of the blades 1 allows the winding.

According to the invention, the blade 1 is subdivided in the axial longitudinal direction into two blade portions, a fixed portion 4 and a movable portion 5, connected by a hinge edge 6 to said fixed portion 4. This blade 1 further comprises pivot control means 7, which are designed to pivot said movable portion 5, with respect to said fixed part 4, under the impetus of another blade 1 next or previous.

Each blade 1 is designed to be movable, with respect to a next or previous blade, in a direction parallel to its plane and perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, along a stroke C.

As visible on the figure 5 the stroke C contributes to the pivoting control of the movable part 5 relative to the fixed part 4 of a blade 1, through the pivot control means 7, this from a position, called the occultation 9 corresponding to the alignment of the moving parts 5 and fixed parts 4 in the same plane, in a perforated position 10 in which said moving part 5 deviates from the plane of the blade of the fixed part 4 corresponding substantially to the plane of a apron 2 that constitute said blades 1.

As visible on the figure 4 , the edge of the fixed portion 4 of a blade 1, opposite the hinge edge 6, advantageously comprises a longitudinal stiffening fold. In the same way, the edge of the movable portion 5 of a blade 1, opposite the hinge edge 6, advantageously comprises a longitudinal stiffening fold.

The pivot control means 7 are advantageously constituted by means for converting a linear displacement of two successive blades 1, 1S along all or part of the stroke C into a rotational displacement of the movable part 5 with respect to the fixed part 4 of a blade 1.

According to an advantageous embodiment, applicable to any embodiment, the pivot control means 7 are constituted by a rod 11 connecting, at the lateral ends 12, 12S respectively of a blade 1 and a blade following 1S, the fixed portion 4 of the latter to the movable portion 5 of the blade 1 previous.

In a particular embodiment, as visible on the Figures 1 to 3 , the movable part 5 of a blade 1 comprises, at its edge opposite the hinge 6 which links it to the fixed part 4, hooking means designed adapted to cooperate with additional fastening means that comprises a following blade 1S so as to form an articulated connection with the latter.

Advantageously, in a particular embodiment, as visible on the Figures 1 to 3 Race C is divided into two races C1, C2, distinct.

As visible on the Figures 2 and 3 , one C1 contributes to the pivoting control of the movable portion 5 relative to the fixed portion 4 of a blade 1, through the pivot control means 7, this from a position, called concealment 9 corresponding aligning the moving parts 5 and fixed parts 4 in the same plane, in a perforated position 10 in which said moving part 5 deviates from the plane of the blade of the fixed part 4 corresponding substantially to the plane of an apron 2 that constitute said blades 1.

As visible on the Figures 1 and 2 , the second stroke C2, executed beyond the first stroke C1, is designed to allow the attachment of the movable portion 5 of a blade 1 with the following blade 1S, in this case if it is also designed in two parts, with the edge 8 of the fixed portion 4 opposite the hinge 6 which connects to the movable portion 5 of the same blade 1S. And this in particular in the embodiment in which the movable portion 5 of a blade 1 comprises, at its edge opposite the hinge 6 which links it to the fixed part 4, hooking means designed suitable for cooperate with complementary attachment means that comprises a following blade 1S so as to form an articulated connection with the latter.

This particular embodiment makes it possible to confer on an apron 2 consisting of such blades 1, a particular rigidity, and a perfect continuity in total occultation position 9.

More particularly, in this embodiment, the pivot control means 7 transform a relative linear displacement of two successive blades 1, 1S according to the first stroke C1 into a rotational displacement of the movable portion 5 of one with respect to the fixed part 4 of the other.

According to another particularity of the invention, the blades 1, 1S of an apron 2 are connected, at these lateral ends 12, 12S by linkage means 13 in the form of links 13. Each of these links 13 ending , at one end 14 by a blade 15 may be framed, in the manner of bearings, two branches 16 that terminate such a link 13 at its opposite end 17. The blade 15 and the branches 16 of two links 13, 13S successive, are traversed by an axis 18. Precisely, as the case, said blade 15 and / or the branches 16 have an oblong opening 19 conferring on the axis 18, therefore the links 13, 13S mobility in translation relative to each other. This or these oblong openings 19 are dimensioned so that this relative mobility is equal to the stroke C that is desired between two successive blades 1, 1S.

According to another feature of the invention, and as visible on the figure 5 the links 13, 13S which connect the blades of the apron 2 between them at the lateral ends 12; 12S are held in lateral guiding slides 20 specifically contributing to the maintenance of these blades 1 of the apron 2 in the same alignment plane.

It will be noted that, through the travel C of the blades 1, 1S between them, in the particular embodiment in which the stroke C is decomposed in two a first stroke C1 and a second stroke C2 distinct, the second stroke C2 being put to advantage to hang the movable part 5 of a blade 1 to the next 1S blade, the deck 2 found, in its total occultation position, the rigidity of a conventional deck of a roller shutter whose blades are kept articulated to each other, whether in total occultation position or position with openings.

Thus, in each embodiment, when the movable part 5 of a blade 1, articulated on the fixed part 4 of the same blade, is deployed obliquely or horizontally in the perforated position 10, the blade 1 adopts the configuration of An angle, whose inertia, both in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction, and the rigidity are obviously much greater than those of substantially flat blades.

In the case of winding, during a folding maneuver, an apron 2 consisting of blades 1 according to the invention, around a winding shaft, it will be noted that the weight of the deck 2 is distributed over the joints 6 between the fixed parts 4 and movable 5 of the blades 1. Thus, during the folding of the deck 2, the links 13 and 13S can occupy a relative angular position, which allows the inscription of each blade 1 on the spiral resulting from the winding of the apron 2.

The invention also relates to a roller shutter 3 comprising such an apron 2 comprising blades 1 according to the invention, or at least one such blade 1.

As can be seen from the foregoing description, the present invention advantageously overcomes the problem posed.

Its aesthetics are good, because of the good maintenance of the geometry in any configuration, as well as the absence of unsightly cables.

Finally, the weight of the movable movable part of each blade is supported by the fixed part of the latter, and not only by a tilting mechanism housed behind the scenes as in the prior art.

In sum, an apron 2 according to the invention, through blades 1 with articulated parts is able to provide a perforated position 10 through which one obtains a real aeration of the occulted medium or which allows sufficient penetration of brightness for only provide a sun protection, without, for all that, such an apron 2 is of less mechanical strength in comparison to conventional articulated leaf aprons.

Indeed, in the perforated position 10 the fixed part 4 and the movable portion 5 held articulated, one to the other substantially over all their lengths, give the blade 1 a profile of improved inertia. This makes it possible to obtain a very low deflection of the blades in perforated position 10, even for bays of width greater than 2 meters. The holding blades horizontal pushing is very good, without harmful bending phenomenon.

In contrast, in the occultation position 9 these blades 1 adopt the configuration of a traditional deck being perfectly connected to each other over all their lengths and not exclusively at their ends.

Moreover, if, under the effect of the compression of the deck 2, that is to say the weight of the blades 1 on each other, it results in the pivoting of their moving parts 5, the application of such an apron 2 to a roller shutter 3 proves particularly effective.

Indeed, in the folding phase the moving parts 5 of the blades 1 are necessarily folded in the occultation position 9. They are also kept hooked while being articulated to the next blade. In contrast, in the deployment phase, the blades 1 exerting, under the effect of their weight, systematically a traction on the next blade, their respective moving parts 5 are kept in the occultation position 9, this at least until that a blade rests, as the case, on the blade which precedes it or on a threshold of door or window.

Finally, an apron according to the invention is not only likely to provide a total concealment at an opening, but, in addition, it can also constitute a sun protection device, which was not possible in the solutions previously known and required to double such a rolling shutter of the state of the art by an auxiliary sun protection device.

It will be noted, again, that the invention makes it possible to dose light or aeration, because it is possible to leave the closure system partially open, that it is not necessary to open or close completely.

Thus, the present invention responds effectively to the problem.

Claims (10)

Blade (1) in particular for a building closure system apron (2) and designed to cooperate with at least one other blade, said blade (1) being subdivided in an axial longitudinal direction into two blade parts, a fixed part ( 4) and a movable part (5) connected by a hinge edge (6) to said fixed part (4), this blade (1) also comprising pivot control means (7) designed to ensure the pivoting of said moving part (5) under the impetus of another next or previous blade, said movable part (5) having at its edge (8) opposite the hinge (6) which links it to the fixed part ( 4), hooking means designed to cooperate with complementary attachment means that comprises a following blade (1S) so as to form an articulated connection with the latter, said blade (1) being designed to be movable by relative to a next or previous blade, in a direction parallel to its plane and perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, according to a stroke (C) which contributes to the pivotal control of said movable part (5) with respect to said fixed part (4), through said pivot control means (7) , from an occulting position (9) corresponding to the alignment of the movable (5) and fixed (4) parts in the same plane, in a perforated position (10) in which said movable part (5) comes apart of the plane of said fixed part (4), characterized in that said stroke (C) is decomposed into a first (C1) and a second (C2) stroke, distinct, said first stroke (C1) contributing to the pivot control of said movable part (5) with respect to said fixed part (4) through the pivot control means (7), from a concealment position (9) corresponding to the alignment of the moving parts (5) and parts fixed (4) in a same plane, in a perforated position (10) in which said part mobile (5) deviates from the plane of the blade (1) of the fixed part (4), and that said second stroke (C2), executed beyond the first stroke (C1), is designed to allow attachment of the movable portion (5) of a blade (1) with a blade (1S) following. Blade (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said pivot control means (7) consist of means for transforming a linear displacement of two successive blades (1; 1S) according to all or part of said stroke (C) in a rotational movement of said movable portion (5) relative to said fixed portion (4) of a blade (1). Blade (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said pivot control means (7) consist of a rod (11) connecting, at the lateral ends (12, 12S) respectively of a blade (1) and a subsequent blade (1S), the fixed part (4) of the latter to the moving part (5) of the blade (1) above. Building closure system apron (2) having at least two blades (1; 1S) according to one of claims 1 to 3, adapted to be kept aligned in the same plane, characterized in that at least one of these blades (1) comprises such a fixed part (4) and a movable part (5), and that said blades (1; 1S) are movable together in a direction parallel to the plane of these blades and perpendicular to their longitudinal axis in a stroke for actuating the pivot control means (7) of said movable portion (5) relative to the fixed portion (4). Apron (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the movable portion (5) of a blade (1) comprises, at its edge (8) opposite the hinge (6) which binds it to the fixed part (4), fastening means designed adapted to cooperate with complementary attachment means that comprises a next blade (1S) so as to form an articulated connection with the latter. Apron (2) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the successive blades (1, 1S) of an apron (2) are connected at lateral ends (12, 12S) by means of articulation in the form of links (13), each of them terminating, at one end (14) by a blade (15) capable of being framed, in the manner of bearings, of two branches (16) that terminate such a link (13) at its opposite end (17), said blade (15) and said branches (16) of two links (13, 13S) successive, being traversed by an axis (18). Apron (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that said blade (15) and / or the branches (16) comprise an oblong opening (19) conferring on said axis (18) a mobility in relative translation equal to one stroke ( C) between two successive blades (1, 1S). Apron (2) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said links (13, 13S) are held in lateral guide slides (20) of said apron (2) to maintain said blades (1) of said apron 2 in the same alignment plan. Roller shutter (3) comprising an apron (2) according to any one of claims 4 to 8. Roller shutter (3) having at least one blade (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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