EP2048312A1

EP2048312A1 - Interdiction device

Info

Publication number: EP2048312A1
Application number: EP08164740A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Domenico Zanotti
Original assignee: Colse Srl
Current assignee: Colse Srl
Priority date: 2007-10-08
Filing date: 2008-09-19
Publication date: 2009-04-15
Also published as: ITBS20070152A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an interdiction device (1) comprising a support structure (4) and at least one motor unit (2). This motor unit comprises a motor body (21) connected to the support structure (4) and at least one drive shaft (22) with a rotation axis (X).
The interdiction device further comprises at least one arm (5), operatively connected to the drive shaft (22), and an interdiction element (8) operatively connected to the arm (5) in such a way as to rotate around the support structure (4) between at least two angular positions.

Description

The present invention relates to a highly versatile motorised interdiction device.
The term interdiction device is taken to mean any device suitable for closing off a room, such as a door, a window, a shutter, a grating, or to prevent or reduce the passage of light, such as curtains or shutters, or of other atmospheric agents, such as rain or snow.
When motorised, all these devices have completely different support structures and movement mechanisms from each other.
Specifically, the functioning of the relevant motors, the disposition of the components involved in movement and the components themselves producing such movement are completely different from one device to another.
In other words, the components, which produce the movement of an awning, are completely different from those activating a shutter.
The present invention sets out rather, to make a motorised interdiction device available having the same support structure and movement mechanism for the most varied applications, with the main purpose of reducing the costs of the elements composing such structure and simplifying the assembly, transport and storage of the same.
Such purpose is achieved by an interdiction device comprising a support structure and at least one motor unit.
The motor unit comprises in turn a motor body, connected to the support structure, and at least one drive shaft with a rotation axis.
The interdiction device further comprises at least one arm, operatively connected to the drive shaft and an interdiction element operatively connected to the arm in such a way as to be rotable around the aforesaid support structure between at least two angular positions.
Further advantages may additionally be achieved by the supplementary characteristics of the dependent claims.
The interdiction device of the present invention will now be described in detail, with the assistance of the attached tables, wherein figures 1-8 show perspective and frontal views of an interdiction device of the present invention according to some possible embodiments.
The interdiction device 1 comprises a support structure 4 and at least one motor unit 2.
The motor unit 2 comprises a motor body 21, connected to the support structure 4 and at least one drive shaft 22 with a rotation axis X.
In a preferred embodiment, the support structure 4 is at least partially hollow and the motor body 21 is housed at least partially inside the structure 4.
Preferably, the motor body 21 is completely hidden from view by the support structure 4, even in the embodiments with two motor units which will be illustrated below.
In one embodiment variation, the support structure 4 is tubular-shaped with an annular wall, which extends along the rotation axis X.
For example, the mentioned tube is of variable length between 80 centimetres and 3-4 metres, with a wall of 1-4 millimetres, but preferably of 2-3 millimetres.
In a further embodiment, the support structure 4 is provided with anchoring means 3 so that it can be mounted on a support surface 9.
In another preferred embodiment, the support structure 4 comprises a vertical upright with a support fixed to the ground (figure 2).
In a still further embodiment, the support structure 4 has a prevalent extension, corresponding to the axis of rotation X, and the support surface 9 is positioned orthogonally to said axis X.
The interdiction device 1 further comprises at least one arm 5, operatively connected to the drive shaft 22, and an interdiction element 8 operatively connected to the arm 5 in order to be rotable around the support structure 4 between at least two angular positions.
As will be seen more in depth below, in one embodiment the interdiction element 8 comprises drapes, fabrics or material means suitable for reducing the intensity of solar radiation.
This embodiment proves advantageous for example, in the use of the device as a mechanism for moving awnings or similar.
Alternatively, the interdiction element 8 comprises panels, sheets, laminates and/or gratings.
This embodiment proves preferable, for example, in the use of the device as a mechanism for moving shutters, doors (including revolving doors), windows and/or skylights and other types of equipment in general.
It should however be pointed out that an interdiction element with intermediate characteristics, that is to say which combines the ability of reducing the intensity of solar radiation with significant mechanical resistance, would bring considerable advantages.
Imagining a positioning, for example, on a wall above a shop window (figure 1), during opening hours the device could act as an awning or shelter from the rain with the interdiction element blocked in a horizontal or inclined position, while outside opening hours, once lowered into a vertical position, it could act as a burglary prevention device or in any case as a protection for the shop window.
In other words, only one device with a dual function would need to be installed, with a consequent costs saving.
Figure 8 shows an application of the interdiction device as a motorised tilting door, for example for a garage. In this embodiment, the support structure 4 comprises at least one bracket 13', 13" joined in a rotating manner to a first extremity 5a of the arm opposite that 5b connected to the drive shaft 22. Such bracket 13', 13" is suitable for fixing to a support surface 9, for example a ceiling or a wall. The motor body 21 is connected to the support structure 4 by means of the arm 5, which is preferably telescopic, and is joined to the interdiction element 8, in this case the tilting door.
When the motor unit 2 is activated, the drive shaft 22 rotates around the rotation axis X, acting on the arm 5.
The first extremity 5a of the arm 5 is connected in a rotating manner to the bracket 13', 13" so that, in its rotation around the axis X, the arm 5 acts on the extremity hinged to the bracket 13' causing the motor unit 2, and thus the tilting door 8, to rise.
During such raising, the length of the telescopic arm 5 reduces, bringing the motor unit 2 closer to the bracket 13'.
According to a preferred embodiment, the support structure 4 comprises a pair of brackets 13', 13" reciprocally spaced out along an axis parallel to the rotation axis X.
Such brackets 13', 13" are joined to two motor units axially aligned, and the drive shafts 22 of which extend from only one extremity of the same in directions reciprocally opposed. Each bracket 13', 13" is connected to a respective extremity of a drive shaft 22 by means of a telescopic arm 5.
Advantageously, the device 1 further comprises a tubular element 14 defining a housing compartment which extends along the rotation axis X. Such compartment is suitable for housing a motor unit 2 at each extremity of the tubular element 14.
In other words, each extremity of the tubular element 14 is suitable for being engaged by a motor unit 2 for a variable section, as to enable adjustment of the space between the two arms 5.
Consequently, it is possible to adjust the device 1 to tilting doors 8 of various widths both by selecting tubular elements 14 of variable length, and by adjusting the section length by which the motor units 2 extend inside the tubular element 14.
According to a possible embodiment, the arm 5 rotates at a speed of 0.5-3 revs/minute and, preferably, 1 rev/minute.
In some possible embodiments, the arm 5 comprises an L-shaped or flat lever, suitable in any case for attachment to an interdiction element 8. According to one embodiment, the arm 5 is permanently connected to the drive shaft 22.
According to a preferred embodiment variation, the interdiction device 1 comprises releasable connection means 6 between the drive shaft 22 and the arm 5.
In a possible embodiment, the connection means 6 comprise a broached extremity of the drive shaft 22 and/or a casing or boss made at one extremity of the arm 5 suitable for being engaged by the drive shaft 22.
In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in figures 3-4, the device 1 comprises a motor unit 2 having a drive shaft 22 which extends from the two axial extremities of the motor body 21 and in which at each extremity of the drive shaft 22 is connected an arm 5.
In a similar version, the device 1 comprises two motor units 2 axially aligned, the drive shafts 22 of which extend from one extremity only of the same, in reciprocally opposed directions and at the extremities of which is positioned an arm 5.
In these two embodiment variations, the interdiction element 8 is supported on opposite sides by the pair of arms 5.
One of the advantages of this embodiment is that, if a shaft-arm coupling of the aforesaid casing type is used, the interdiction element being positioned between the two arms and acting as a connection element between them, it is not necessary to block the shaft to the arm with appropriate devices, because the interdiction element itself holds all the components together.
This certainly entails a considerable saving of materials, assembly times and ordinary maintenance costs.
According to a preferred embodiment, illustrated in figure 5, at least one extremity of the drive shaft 2 is connected to the arm 5 in an intermediate position of the same, so as to a define two half-arms 12, to each of which an interdiction element 8 is connected.
This embodiment is applicable in the realisation of rotating doors or bushes, an embodiment made even more advantageous by the electronic control expedients, which will be described shortly.
According to a further preferred embodiment, illustrated in figure 6, the support structure 4 is suitable for being anchored horizontally to the ground and the interdiction element 8 is suitable for rotating from a vertical position to a horizontal position and is configured in the manner of a mobile traffic bollard.
According to a still further preferred embodiment, the device 1 comprises two motor units 2 aligned and spaced out from each other, having drive shafts 22 facing each other in order to form a common drive shaft 11. Along the common drive shaft 11 a plurality of arms 10 is fixed, essentially parallel to each other, each of which is operatively connected to an interdiction element 8.
As illustrated in figure 7, the drive shaft 11 uses a series of leverisms or transmission mechanisms to transmit for example, an opening/closing movement to a series of large tipping windows.
Preferably, the motor unit 2 is connected to an electronic control unit 7, suitable for controlling the activation of the motor unit 2 and/or the rotation direction of the drive shaft 22.
In a possible embodiment, the control unit 7 comprises a receiver suitable for receiving a command impulse emitted by a remote transmitter.
The remote transmitter (not illustrated) is of the known type and comprises switches/potentiometers, which can be connected to the wall and/or remote control units.
In a possible application, the activation of the device occurs by means of a switch; one imagines for example a revolving door of the shatterproof type used in banks, in which a guard may control partial activation of the boss to allow selective entry to the customers.
In a preferred version of the device, the control unit is connected to sensor means suitable for detecting the angular position of the interdiction element.
For example, these sensor means may be used to detect when the limit stroke of the interdiction element 8 are reached, or as safety devices suitable for detecting the presence of things or persons in the operating area of the interdiction element 8, while this is moving.
According to possible embodiments, the control unit 7 is powered at 220 VAC with low voltage output, or the control unit 7 and the motor unit 2 are battery-powered.
According to a preferred embodiment, the motor unit 2 comprises an epicycloid gearmotor, preferably powered at low voltage.
For example, the aforesaid gearmotor is of the known 12 or 24 VCC type with a 4 tier gearbox.
Innovatively, the interdiction device of the present invention enables the use of a single motor unit for a wide variety of applications.
In fact, a basic structure common to many embodiments allows a drastic reduction of the production, storage, maintenance, sales and servicing costs.
Advantageously, the assembly of the interdiction device of the present invention does not require specialised technicians and thus makes it possible to reduce the consequent man-hours.
Advantageously, furthermore, the interdiction device of the present invention combines an intrinsic simplicity of construction with a high level of resistance, for example to the mechanical strain to which it is subject during use.
A person skilled in the art may make modifications, adaptations and replacements of elements with others functionally equivalent, to the embodiments of the interdiction device described above so as to satisfy contingent requirements, all moreover contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims. Each of the features described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be realised independently of the other embodiments described.

Claims

Interdiction device (1) comprising:
- a support structure (4);

- at least one motor unit (2) comprising :
a) a motor body (21) connected to the support structure (4); and

b) at least one drive shaft (22) with a rotation axis (X);

- at least one arm (5) operatively connected to the drive shaft (22); and

- an interdiction element (8) operatively connected to the arm (5) in order to be rotable around the support structure (4) between at least two angular positions.
Device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising releasable connection means (6) between the drive shaft (22) and the arm (5).
Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the connection means (6) comprise a broached extremity of the drive shaft (22).
Device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the connection means (6) comprise a casing or boss made at one extremity of the arm (5) suitable for being engaged by the drive shaft (22).
Device (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the support structure (4) is at least partially hollow, and wherein the motor body (21) is at least partially contained within said structure.
Device (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the support structure (4) is tubular-shaped with an annular wall extending around the rotation axis (X).
Device (1) according to any of the previous claims, comprising a motor unit (2) having a drive shaft (22) extending from the two axial extremities of the motor body (21), and wherein an arm (5) is connected to each extremity of said drive shaft (22).
Device (1) according to any of the previous claims, comprising two motor units (2) axially aligned, the drive shafts (22) of which extend from only one extremity of the same in reciprocally opposite directions, and wherein an arm (5) is positioned at each extremity of said drive shafts (22).
Device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the interdiction element (8) is supported on opposite sides by the pair of arms (5).
Device (1) according to any of the previous claims wherein the interdiction element (8) comprises drapes, fabrics or material means suitable for reducing the intensity of solar radiation, and/or panels, sheets, laminates and/or gratings.
Device (1) according to any of the previous claims wherein at least one extremity of the drive shaft (2) is fixed to the arm (5) in an intermediate position thereof, such as to define two half-arms (12), to each of whom an interdiction element is connected (8).
Device (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the support structure is suitable for being anchored horizontally to the ground, and wherein the interdiction element (8) is rotable between a vertical position and a horizontal position and is configured in the form of a mobile traffic bollard.
Device (1) according to any of the previous claims, comprising two motor units (2) aligned and spaced out from each other, having drive shafts (22) facing one another in such a way as to form a common drive shaft (11), along said common drive shaft (11) being connected a plurality of arms (10), essentially parallel to each other, each of whom is operatively connected to an interdiction element (8).
Device (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the motor unit (2) is connected to an electronic control unit (7), suitable for controlling the activation of the motor unit (2) and/or the rotation direction of the drive shaft (22).
Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the support structure (4) comprises a pair of brackets (13', 13") suitable for being connected to a support surface (9), such as a ceiling or a wall, joined to respective motor units (2) axially aligned and having drive shafts (22) extending in reciprocally opposed directions, and motor bodies (21) integral to the interdiction element (8), such as a tipping door, each bracket (13', 13") being connected in an oscillating manner to a respective extremity of a drive shaft(22) by means of a telescopic arm (5).
Device according to claim 15, further comprising a tubular element (14) defining a housing compartment extending along the rotation axis (X), said housing compartment being suitable for housing a motor unit (2) at each extremity of the tubular element (14), with the possibility of adjusting their axial position.