EP2037078A2 - Self-blocking device for a roller shutter apron - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a link (9) connecting an apron of a rolling shutter to a winding tube (8) at its ends and across joints (11, 13). The joints respectively cooperate with the winding tube and the apron and include pivoting axes perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (17) of the tube. The link is slidingly mounted on the tube and/or on the apron of the shutter at one of the ends. An elastic return unit (28) exerts a restoring force on the link to move the link from its retracted position into its blocking position.

Description

The invention relates to a self-locking device for rolling shutter apron in the deployed position, apron designed adapted to be folded around a winding tube to which it is connected through a first blade through said self locking device.

The present invention will find application in the field of building closure systems, more particularly that of roller shutters.

In the usual way, a rolling shutter apron consists of a juxtaposition of blades interconnected in an articulated manner, knowing that these blades are still frequently movable together in a direction perpendicular to their axis, in order to be able to confer audit apron a openwork position.

Indeed, in a position apart from each other, these blades reveal openings to height of their articulated connection, promoting the passage of light, as well as the ventilation of the premises.

In the deployment and folding phase of the deck, the blades are guided, at their lateral ends, by slides in the form of a "U" profile.

These slides open, through tulips slid entrance in a box housing the winding mechanism of the rolling shutter apron including, more particularly, a winding tube which is attached to the first blade of the deck. Usually, this connection is provided through a self-locking device whose function, when the apron is in the fully deployed position, to prevent it from being pushed upwards, under the action of a thrust that would be exerted directly on this deck, corresponding, for example, to an attempted break-in.

Thus, such a self-locking device is frequently in the form of one, two or more links connected together, but also to the winding tube or to said first blade, by hinge means to pivot axis parallel to said winding tube, this to allow them to fold around the latter when opening the shutter.

In contrast, in active position, this or these links are pivoted relative to each other, as well as with respect to the winding tube so as to adopt an extended locking position in which they are able to transform the rotation from the latter in a push on the apron.

In this configuration, the different joints of this locking device are themselves in a blocking situation.

By way of example, a similar self-locking device is described in the document DE-U-94 19,412 . The links making up this device are articulated to each other with a limited angle of rotation. Thus, these links are effectively able to be arched between this winding tube and the first blade of the deck when it comes to force somewhat the deployment of the latter.

It is understood that this self-locking device is effective in a specific position that should be mastered perfectly.

In particular, it is necessary to take into account the distance separating the first blade of the apron from the winding tube, knowing that this distance is variable in function of the section that adopts the deck when wound and, therefore, the size of the shutter.

To obtain optimal operation, the size and the number of links constituting such a self-locking device should be strictly determined with respect to the aforementioned distance.

Moreover, the self-locking device is of optimized operation when it comes to print its blocking constraint strictly in the plane of the deck, this through said first blade.

However, precisely, the dimensional constraints of the deck do not allow to obtain the guarantee that said first blade is perfectly aligned with the following blades when said self-locking device acts.

Also, it can not be certain that the blocking pressure produced by this device is exerted in all cases in the plane of the deck.

In particular, the number of blades of an apron is thus determined so that in fully deployed position the first of these blades extends inside the box and, therefore above the lateral guide slides, on at least half, or even two-thirds of its height. Since the number of blades can not be precisely adjusted to the exact height of a roller shutter, it may be that to meet the above condition, there is up to one and a half blades remaining at the same time. inside the box when the deck is deployed.

Under these conditions, this or these first apron blades, not fully engaged and maintained by the lateral guide slides, are not systematically aligned with the other blades of the deck, if only because of the distance separating the plane of the latter from the winding tube.

However, if there remains only a slight angle of offset between the first blade and the plane of the deck, the self-locking device causes the tilting of the first blade by strongly urging the hinge means connecting it to the blade next, but also to this self-locking device.

The document EP-0869255 describes a self-locking device that is able to respond to the aforementioned problem. The proposed solution consists of a device consisting of two links connected by means of a hinge capable of ensuring the locking in rotation of these links relative to each other in any angular position under the impulse. of a force tending to push them towards each other.

Through this earlier document, a solution has been sought which makes it possible to overcome the problem of the variable distance separating the winding tube from the first deck blade when it has been pushed back into its fully deployed position. More precisely, the self-locking device of this state of the art is capable, regardless of the distance mentioned above, of exerting on the first blade of the apron, a force extending in the plane of the latter, being assumed that said first blade is itself disposed in this plane.

Finally, this solution only partially answers the problem in that it does not allow to ensure the alignment of the first in the plane of the following blades. In addition, the joint connecting the links can lock in different angular positions. If it is normally able to adapt to the dimensional constraints previously exposed, this blockage of the joint can still intervene unexpectedly, because of the constraints encountered mechanics, such as friction forces, jerky movements, etc.

Whatever the case may be, the very principle of operation of this known self-locking device rests on joints with a limited pivot angle, connecting the links between them, to the winding tube and to the first leaf of the apron.

Also, in the blocking position in which these links are j-bouter between the winding tube and the first deck blade, these joints, pushed abutments, are strongly solicited, having to retransmit all the efforts of thrust that they are generated by the winding tube or the apron, for example, during an attempted break-in.

In reality, it has been imagined until now that this configuration of a self-locking device in the form of articulated links with a pivot axis parallel to the winding tube was essential to allow it to fold around the latter. opening phase of the shutter.

It is precisely, by going against this prejudice, that the present invention has been able to meet all the disadvantages resulting from the state of the art.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a device for self-locking a rolling shutter apron in the deployed position comprising at least one link connecting, at its ends and through a first and a second articulation, said apron. to a winding tube, characterized in that the first hinge and the second hinge at the ends of the link cooperating respectively with the winding tube and the apron, have a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of said tube winding.

According to another feature of the invention, the link of the self-locking device is further mounted, at at least one of its ends, slidingly, axially, on the winding tube and / or on the deck of the rolling shutter.

According to another feature of the invention, the self-locking device further comprises elastic means exerting on the link a return force tending to move it from its erased position substantially parallel to the winding tube.

Finally, the link or links corresponding to the locking device according to the invention, instead of being pivotally mounted on the winding tube about an axis substantially parallel to the latter to, depending on the case, deviate from that and to reach the active blocking position or, on the other hand, to fold around this winding tube, this or these links are pivotable about an axis which is perpendicular to this winding tube for, as the case may be, to fall back along the latter or, on the contrary, deviate from it in the active blocking position, knowing that it can be pushed into the latter under the influence of elastic means.

The configuration of rods adopted under these conditions, this link of the self-locking device, allows the latter to adjust to the distance between the plane in which is deployed the apron of the axis of the tube. winding.

Furthermore, in the final phase of deployment, the few blades not yet stacked apron exert a traction force on the link that does not translate into a torque tending to rotate the link around its axes of articulation. Also, this pulling force does not interfere with the elastic return means acting on the link to move it away from the winding tube. Also, very early and under the influence of these elastic return means, this link can push the first blades of the apron in the plane extension of the following blades so that the locking pressure comes to exert in the plane of this deck.

It will be noted, again, that in the folding phase, the traction exerted by the combined deck with the torque printed at the link of the self-locking device by the winding tube has the consequence of bringing the link back into the axial alignment. of the winding tube, against the action of the elastic return means.

As indicated above, the link is still connected, at one of its ends, slidably, as the case may be, on the winding tube or apron, in this case the first blade of the latter . However, in another embodiment, according to the invention, the link can be designed from two blades articulated together so as to act as a toggle.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description relating to an embodiment given by way of indicative and non-limiting example.

• la figure 1 est une représentation schématisée, partielle et en coupe d'un volet roulant ;
• la figure 2 est une représentation schématisée en perspective du dispositif d'auto blocage dans sa position active de blocage du tablier déployé ;
• la figure 3 est une représentation schématisée illustrant le dispositif d'auto blocage dans sa position effacée, repliée contre le tube d'enroulement, en phase finale de déploiement ou en phase initiale de repliement du tablier ;
• les figures 4 et 5 sont des représentations similaires à la figure 3 et destinées à illustrer l'intervention des moyens de blocage en rotation du maillon correspondant au dispositif d'auto blocage selon l'invention, lorsqu'intervient le blocage du tablier du volet roulant en position déployée.
• les figures 6, 7, 8 et 9 sont des vues de détails représentant un mode de réalisation de ces moyens de blocage en rotation.

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

• the figure 1 is a schematic representation, partial and in section of a shutter;
• the figure 2 is a schematic representation in perspective of the self-locking device in its active position of blocking the deployed deck;
• the figure 3 is a schematic representation illustrating the self-locking device in its erased position, folded against the winding tube, in the final phase of deployment or in the initial phase of folding of the deck;
• the Figures 4 and 5 are representations similar to the figure 3 and intended to illustrate the intervention of the rotational locking means of the link corresponding to the self-locking device according to the invention, when intervening the blocking of the rolling shutter deck in the deployed position.
• the Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 are detail views showing an embodiment of these rotational locking means.

As shown in the figures of the attached drawing, the present invention relates to the field of shutters.

More particularly, it relates to a self-locking device 1 having the function of maintaining in the deployed position, an apron 2 of roller shutter 3 as shown in FIG. figure 1 this to prevent this deck can be pushed up, for example during an attempted break-in.

Note that such an apron 2 roller shutter 3 is usually constituted by a plurality of blades 4 connected by means of articulation means 5 allowing, often, a relative mobility of these blades 4 relative to each other. to others in a direction perpendicular to their longitudinal axis. This feature allows to give the deck 2 a perforated position.

During deployment and refolding, these blades 4 of the deck 2 are guided, at their lateral end, via slides, usually in the form of "U" profiles. These slides open, at their upper end, in a box 6 housing the winding mechanism 7 of the apron 2 of the shutter 3.

This mechanism comprises, more particularly, a winding tube 8 to which the apron 2 is connected by means of the self-locking device 1.

In this regard, it comprises at least one link 9 connected at one end 10 and through a first hinge 11 to said winding tube 8, while the opposite end 12 of this link 9 cooperates with using a second hinge 13, with the apron 2, in this case, the first blade 14 of the latter.

According to the invention, this first and second articulation 11; 13 are with a pivot axis 15, 16 substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 17 of the winding tube 8.

It should be observed that if in the embodiment more particularly described hereinafter and shown in the figures of the attached drawing, the self-locking device 1 comprises a link 9 in the form of a single blade, this link 9 may also be constituted by a succession of blades hinged together about axes parallel to pivot axes 15, 16 above. In particular, the link 9 may comprise two blades hinged together in the manner of a toggle.

To return to the illustrated embodiment, a link 9, in the form of a single blade, also preferably comprises at least one of its ends 10, 12, mounted slidingly, axially, as the case may be, on the winding tube 8 or the apron 2, more particularly, the first blade 14 thereof.

For this purpose, it has been illustrated Figures 2 and 3 , a slide 18 mounted mobile in translation on the first blade 14 of the apron 2, with this slider 18 cooperating with the link 9, at its end 12, through the second articulation 13.

In this regard, the blades 4 of the apron 2 comprise, at their upper end 19, hooking means of the male type, in the form of a hook, designed adapted to cooperate with fastening means of the female type, in the form of a groove, which is provided with a previous blade at its lower end 20, so as to constitute means of articulation between the blades 5.

Specifically, the slider 18 may be provided with fastening means of the female type 21 designed capable of cooperating with the male type fastening means 22 that includes the first blade 14 at its upper end 19.

Furthermore, at its end 10 the link 9 can be mounted articulated on a fastening support 23 that includes the self-locking device 1, defined support adapted to be attached by screwing, riveting or otherwise on the winding tube 8 .

In particular, this fixing support 23 can be provided with a stop 24 defined to limit the deployment angle of the link 9 by rotation about its pivot axis 15. Through this stop 24, this rotation of the link 9 can be limited so that the angle formed by the latter with respect to said winding tube 8 is, in all cases, less than 90 °.

Indeed, in this position at 90 ° of the link 9 with respect to the winding tube 8, the traction forces exerted by the deck 2 pass through the axis of this link 9 by preventing it from folding on the support of fixing 23.
Advantageously, to prevent, during the folding of the deck 2 that the entire weight of the latter is echoed on the winding tube 8 through the torque arm that defines the length of the link 9, it is associated with the support 23 a support flange 26 with which is able to cooperate said link 9 coming from fall back on this mounting bracket 23.

Note also that this folding occurs at the beginning of the winding control of the deck 2 as was illustrated in the figure 3 .

More particularly, the bearing flange 26 carried by the fixing support 23 is designed to cooperate with an attachment slot 27 formed in the link 9, preferably near its cooperating end 12, through the second articulation 13. with the first blade 14 of said apron 2.

Advantageously, the bearing flange 26 has a tapered end promoting its engagement in the catching light 27 and the centering of the link 9 on the fixing support 23.

According to yet another advantageous feature of the invention, the link 9 is subjected to resilient means 28 tending to push it from its applied position on the attachment support 23, that is to say substantially parallel to the tube of winding 8, in its active locking position, spaced from this winding tube 8.

Thus, in the final phase of deployment of the deck 2, this link 9, under the action of these elastic return means 28, is able to push the first blade 14, through which it acts on the deck 2, in the extension plan of the latter. Also, when the self-locking device 1 comes to exert its blocking function through a pressure printed on this first blade 14, it can be certain that this pressure is perfectly applicable in the plane of said apron 2. This allows, finally, to prevent the tilting of the first blade 14 under the effect of this pressure and to strongly urge the joints that connect it to the next blade or to the link 9.

It is understood, of course, that in the case of a link 9 designed in the manner of a toggle joint and composed of several blades hinged together, the characteristics described above are also applicable to such a solution. It should be noted, however, that such a toggle joint can prevent the sliding assembly of the link 9 at one of its ends 10, 12.

According to another feature of the invention, the self-locking device 1 comprises means 29 for locking in rotation of the link 9 designed to be activated under the impulse of a reactive force of the apron 2 during the blocking of the latter in the deployed position by said self-locking device 1, that is to say under the effect of a pressure exerted by the latter on said apron 2. These locking means 29 are still able to be inactivated so as to allow the free rotation of the link 9 under the effect of traction exerted on the latter by the deck 2, therefore during the deployment and folding phases of the latter.

These inactive 31 and active positions 30 of these blocking means 29 are respectively illustrated in FIGS. Figures 4 and 5 attached drawings.

As it is visible more particularly in the figure 5 the reactive force exerted by the apron 2 under the effect of a thrust on the latter by the link 9 in the locking phase, has the consequence of printing said link 2 a couple tending to cause a slight tilting thereof around an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of pivoting, whether it be that of the first hinge 11 of this link 9 on the winding tube 8 or 16 of the second hinge 13 ensuring its connection with the deck 2. In fact, this tilting has an amplitude dependent on a hinge set according to case 11 or 13. Exactly, according to an exemplary embodiment it is this game that is advantageously used to to make active or not the rotational locking means 29.

According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one of these joints 11, 13 is designed in the manner of a yoke 32 having lugs 32A, 32B are mounted on the ends 15A, 15B, articulation pin 15 held by an axle support 33.

Exactly, at least one of the holes 34 in the ears 32A, 32B is preferably adjusted with a positive tolerance with respect to the section of the axis 15, from which the above game arises. In addition, the pivot axis 15, more particularly at least one of its ends 15A, 15B comprise a peripheral toothing 35 with which is designed able to cooperate a tooth portion 36 formed internally to the hole 34 of at least one of the ears 32A, 32B under the impetus of the reactive force of the deck 2 on the link 9 when locking the deck in the deployed position.

So, as it is visible, in particular, in the figure 5 under the effect of this reactive force and the torque imparted to the link 9, the upper lug 32A of the yoke 32 is pushed against the pivot axis 15 and, conversely, the lower lug 32B is pulled against this axis of rotation. 15. Consequently, the one or more tooth portions 36 formed in the hole or holes 34 are preferably implanted so as to be able to cooperate, as the case may be, under the effect of this thrust or traction, with the peripheral toothing that comprises the axis 15. More particularly, if each of the holes 34 of the lugs 32A, 32B includes such a portion of toothing 36, they are arranged in a diametrically opposed manner, as desired by the FIGS. Figures 8 and 9 .

If, in the above description, it is essentially referred to the hinge 11, it is obvious that we can find a strictly identical design at the opposite hinge 13 connecting the link 9 to the deck 2.

Similarly, if in the figures attached in the appendix, it is systematically the link 9 which is provided, at each of its ends 10, 12, a yoke 32 with ears 32A, 32B, the invention is not at all limited to such a construction. In particular, it is possible to envisage a reverse design consisting of equipping one and / or the other of these ends 10, 12 of the link 9 with an axle support 33 capable of cooperating with a yoke 32 then equipping, as the case may be, the winding tube 8, in this case the fixing support 23, or the first blade 14 of the apron 2.

The advantages resulting from such means 29 blocking rotation of the link 9 is that the latter is not likely to fold on the winding tube 2 under the effect of the thrust which impressed him by the winding tube 8 and the resulting reaction of apron 2.

Finally, the self-locking device according to the invention makes it possible to provide a real solution to the disadvantages of self-locking devices of the state of the art.

Claims (12)

Device for self-locking an apron (2) of the shutter (3) in the deployed position comprising at least one link (9) connecting, at its ends (10, 12) and through a first (11) and a second articulation (13), said apron (2) to a winding tube (8), characterized in that the first articulation (11) and the second articulation (13) at the ends (10, 12) of the link (9) cooperating, respectively, with the winding tube (8) and the apron (2), are pivotally axis (15, 16) substantially perpendicular to the axis (17) of said winding tube (8). ). Self-locking device according to claim 1,
characterized in that the link (9) is mounted at at least one of its ends (10, 12) in a sliding manner, axially, on the winding tube (8) and / or on the apron ( 2) the shutter (3). Self-locking device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises elastic means (28) designed capable of exerting on the link (9) a restoring force tending to move it away from its erased position substantially parallel to the winding tube (8) in its locking position. Self-locking device according to claim 2,
characterized in that it comprises a slider (18) designed adapted to be mounted to move in translation on the first blade (14) of the apron (2), with this slider (18) cooperating with the link (9) at its end ( 12) through the second articulation (13). Self-locking device according to claim 4,
characterized in that the slider (18) is provided with female type coupling means (21) designed to cooperate with each other. with male type attachment means (22) that includes the first blade (14) at its upper end (15). Self-locking device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at its end (10) the link (9) is hingedly mounted on a fixed mounting bracket (23) which can be attached to the tube winding (8). Self-locking device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a stop (24) defined to limit the angle of deployment of the link (9) by rotation about its pivot axis (15). ) of the first joint (11) connecting said link (9) to the winding tube (8). Self-locking device according to claim 6,
characterized by the fact that the fixing support (23) has a hooking flange (26) with which the link (9) is able to cooperate by being folded on this fixing support (23). Self-locking device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the link (9) consists of a single blade or a succession of blades articulated together about axes parallel to the pivot axes (15, 16). Self-locking device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (29) for locking in rotation of the link (9) designed to be activated under the impulse of a reactive force. of the apron (2) during blocking of the latter in the deployed position under the effect of a pressure exerted by said self-locking device (1). Self-locking device according to claim 10,
characterized by the fact that the locking means (29) are still designed capable of being inactivated so as to allow the free rotation of the link (9) under the effect of a traction exerted on the latter by the apron (2), during the deployment and refolding phases of the latter. Self-locking device according to one of Claims 10 or 11, characterized in that at least one (11) of the articulations (11, 13) is designed in the manner of a yoke (32) and has lugs (32A, 32B) mounted on the ends (15A, 15B) of the hinge pin (15) held by an axle holder (33), at least one of the lugs (32A, 32B) comprises a hole (34) fitted with a positive tolerance with respect to the section of the axis (15), this hole (34) having internally a portion of toothing (36) adapted to cooperate with a peripheral toothing (35) of which is provided at least the ends (15A, 15B) on which is mounted said ear (32A, 32B).

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