EP2048320A1 - Roller shutter comprising a shade with tiltable slats - Google Patents

Abstract

The apron (1) has adjustable blades articulately connected with each other by matched blade pairs, where each blade pair has two blades (2A, 2B) with a covering filler strip. The blade (2A) is integrated with transmission units (8) at ends (6A, 7A), where the transmission units present an empty stroke with respect to other transmission units (9). The transmission units (9) are integrated with ends (6B, 7B) of the blade (2B), where both the transmission units are formed under a form of straps made of metallic steel strap and plastic material.

Description

The invention relates to a shading system apron with adjustable blades. The invention also relates to a roller shutter equipped with such an apron.

The invention is in the field of building closure systems, type of occultation systems, such as roller shutters, blinds blades or the like.

If there already exist building closure systems, more particularly aprons or blinds comprising steerable blades, these are maintained, individually, at their lateral ends by adjacent drive mechanisms or integrated to guide slides.

Through these drive mechanisms, said blades are capable of being oriented so as to extend substantially in the same plane while slightly overlapping each other to ensure perfect sealing against light or, on the contrary, to deviate from this plane and favor the passage of light.

In any case, it has been found that unless the blades are given a large section, such blades with adjustable blades can cover only a small width. Indeed, beyond a certain dimension the blades tend to bend under their own weight which is detrimental to the proper functioning of the system, as well as its aesthetics.

In all cases, these known solutions are not applicable to roller shutters, in other words to folding closure systems.

To remedy the aforementioned problems, it has been imagined to connect the different blades together by means of connecting cables which, not only avoid their deflection, but, moreover, advantageously constitute the transmission means through which these blades are likely to be oriented.

In addition to the very unsightly appearance of such cables, they are a source of malfunction as having a certain fragility. Moreover, they substantially increase the cost of assembly and assembly of these shading systems with adjustable blades.

Finally, it will be noted that the presence of these cables does not allow the application of such a solution to an apron capable of being wound.

In particular, we know from the document DE-35 29,418 a blade blind, each of said blades being foldable around a median fold line dividing this blade into two portions of referenced blades. These blades of the blind are made integral at their ends with drive cables. More exactly, the first upper portion of the blades is secured to a first pair of cables, while the second lower portion of said blades is fixed to the second pair of cables. Thus, under the effect of traction exerted on the second pair of cables said blades, also immobilized by the first pair of cables, are caused to fold around their fold line.

In the field of traditional roller shutters, the deck consists of a juxtaposition of blades interconnected by telescopic hinge means. The relative mobility of the blades in the direction of movement of the deck makes it possible to bring them into a joined or separated position. In this last position, openings appear between these blades, more particularly at the height of their articulated connection. It is easy to understand that these openings can only provide a weak passage of air and light.

The advantage of such openings of reduced section, is that they avoid, at least significantly limit the passage of solar rays causing excessive heating of the house in summer.

It should be noted that conversely, the non-rollable devices with adjustable blades not only promote the passage of daylight, but in their open position, let the sunlight freely enter the dwelling and can not create a effective barrier to vision from outside in the home.

In this context we know, by the document DE-10 42 869 , a roller shutter provided with an apron whose blades are able to deploy along side guide slides. These blades are provided at their ends and substantially in the extension of their central axis, pivots fixed on a first pair of straps. Thus, these blades are pivotable about their median axis so as to occupy a first occultation position in which these blades are maintained substantially in the same vertical alignment or a perforated position in which, instead, these blades are pivoted around their center line and depart from this alignment plane. This pivoting is controlled by a second pair of straps which are pivotally secured to said blades at their upper end edge.

Only one pair of straps can take up position in the lateral guide slides of the blades. The transmission means constituting the second pair of straps, can not, it, integrate into these scenes, this insofar as these straps are subjected to a transverse movement under the impulse of the rotation of the blades.

By the document DE 1 509 213 we know a similar principle of blinds or shutter blade. However, in a particular embodiment, each of the blades is secured, at the upper end edge and pivotally, defined transmission means to allow relative mobility of the blades together in the direction of deployment or folding. Through this relative mobility, the blades can, depending on the case, be tightened against each other or discarded. Under the effect of the tightening of the blades, connecting rods connecting a blade to a subsequent blade push the latter in a perforated position spaced from the alignment plane occupied by these blades in the occultation position.

Consequently, it is well under the effect of a compression of the blades that they can be deployed to occupy their open position and not under the effect of a command printed by adequate transmission means.

The present invention proposes to remedy all the aforementioned drawbacks. In this regard, the invention relates to a roller shutter comprising an apron with adjustable blades adapted to be deployed along side guide slides, said blades being secured at their ends, first and second transmission means, the first means transmission member having a vacuum stroke relative to the second transmission means to bring the deck into a perforated position, while the blades are connected in a hinged manner between them in pairs, each pair of blades having a first blade and a second blade of which the ends are secured, respectively, first and second transmission means, on the one hand, designed to exert a thrust on the pairs of blades in phase of deployment of said apron and, secondly, able to extend and be sheltered by the lateral guide slides.

The advantages of the present invention consist in that the apron blades are formed in pairs, the different pairs of blades being secured to each other by means of transmission means capable of retracting in lateral guide channels. Thus, the apron is not only capable of coming to wind in a fully open position, but in addition each pair of blades can be folded around the hinge axis which connects said first and second blades, this in view to give this apron a perforated position so as to create a large passage of light.

It will be noted that in this perforated position in which said second blade is folded while being connected through a hinge to the first blade, a pair of blades takes the approximate form of a bracket of great inertia which has no tendency to bend under his own weight.

Advantageously, each pair of blades comprises a covering tongue which not only overlaps, as the case may be, with a pair of blades following or preceding, to create a total concealment when the apron is closed. In addition, by extending these pairs of blades, these tabs cover are likely to constitute a screen. Thus, this cover tab can prevent free vision from outside to inside the house, but also create a barrier to solar radiation causing the heating of a house in summer, while promoting the passage of the house. day light.

• la figure 1 est une représentation schématisée, selon un premier mode de réalisation d'un tablier selon l'invention en position de fermeture totale ;
• la figure 2 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 illustrant le tablier en position ajourée ;
• la figure 3 est une représentation schématisée en perspective et en éclaté d'une paire de lames avec, à ses extrémités, les moyens d'attache conçus aptes à coopérer avec des moyens de transmission ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de détail de la figure 3 ;
• les figures 5, 6 et 7 illustrent, de manière schématisée et vue de côté, trois positions différentes du tablier selon l'invention : position d'occultation totale, position totalement ajourée, position ajourée et filtration des rayons solaires ;
• la figure 8 illustre de manière partielle, schématisée et en perspective, un tablier conforme à un second mode de réalisation, ce tablier étant illustré en position d'occultation totale ;
• la figure 9 est une représentation schématisée, similaire à la figure 8 illustrant le tablier en position ajourée ;
• les figures 10 et 11 représentent, de manière schématisée et selon une vue latérale, ce tablier tel que représenté dans les figures 8 et 9 en position d'occultation et en position ajourée.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the following description relating to the accompanying drawings illustrating exemplary embodiments.

• the figure 1 is a schematic representation, according to a first embodiment of an apron according to the invention in the fully closed position;
• the figure 2 is a view similar to the figure 1 illustrating the deck in openwork position;
• the figure 3 is a schematic perspective and exploded representation of a pair of blades with, at its ends, fastening means designed adapted to cooperate with transmission means;
• the figure 4 is a detail view of the figure 3 ;
• the Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate, diagrammatically and viewed from the side, three different positions of the apron according to the invention: total occlusion position, fully open position, perforated position and filtration of solar rays;
• the figure 8 illustrates partially, schematically and in perspective, an apron according to a second embodiment, this apron being illustrated in the total occultation position;
• the figure 9 is a schematic representation, similar to the figure 8 illustrating the deck in openwork position;
• the Figures 10 and 11 represent, schematically and in a side view, this deck as shown in Figures 8 and 9 in the occultation position and in the open position.

The present invention relates to an occultation system in the form of a roller shutter comprising an apron 1 able to be deployed along lateral guide slides 11.

Thus, such an apron 1 comprises a juxtaposition of blades connected in pairs 2A, 2B by means of a hinge 3 which can take a quite usual embodiment.

In particular, at its lower longitudinal edge a blade 2A may be provided with a hooking groove 4 in which is provided adapted to engage, longitudinally, a hook 5 that includes, at its level longitudinal upper edge the next blade 2B.

According to the invention, each pair of blades 2A, 2B comprises a first blade 2A cooperating, at its ends 6A, 7A, with first transmission means 8, while the second blade 2B is secured at its ends 6B, 7B second transmission means 9.

In particular, the second transmission means 9 are integral in translation with the first transmission means 8 beyond a vacuum stroke 10.

According to the invention, these first and second transmission means 8; 9, on the one hand, are designed to exert a thrust on the pairs of blades 2 in the deployment phase of said apron 1 and, on the other hand, are defined able to extend and be housed by the lateral guide slides 11 along which is caused to deploy said apron 1.

Now, more specifically, the embodiment corresponding to the Figures 1 to 7 .

Thus, as it is visible, said first and second transmission means 8, 9 are constituted, advantageously, by straps or strips 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B, more particularly metal strip, or plastic or composite that can shelter lateral guide slides 11 that we see represented in the Figures 10 and 11 relating to a second embodiment of the invention.

For ease of reading and understanding of the present description, the straps or bands will be designated, hereinafter, generically "straps".

At one of their ends, more particularly at the upper end 12A, 13A, 12B, 13B, these straps 14A, 14B of the first transmission means 8 and / or those 15A, 15B of the second transmission means 9 cooperate with drive means 16, for example in the form of a motorized winding shaft which can, in itself, constitute the winding tube of the deck 2 in the context of the application of the invention to a shutter, as this is, again, illustrated in the framework of the mode of achievement of Figures 10 and 11 .

Note that in the folding phase of the deck 1, the drive of the second transmission means 9 can be provided by the first transmission means 8 beyond the idle stroke 10.

Once the deck 1 in fully deployed position, as shown in the figure 1 position in which the blades 2A, 2B of each pair of blades 2 are in the same plane alignment, it can be communicated to the first transmission means 8 a complementary stroke, corresponding to the idle stroke 10, this compared to the second means transmission 9, to bring the deck 1 into a perforated position, visible in the figure 2 or in the Figures 6 and 7 .

During the execution of this vacuum stroke 10, the second transmission means 9 are immobilized. This capitalization comes, for example, in the context of achievement corresponding to Figures 1 to 7 , through the arrival of the second blade 2B of the first pair of blades 22 in abutment, including support on the threshold of a door or window.

Exactly, to the extent that the second blades 2B of each pair of blades 2 is thus immobilized in translation through said second transmission means 9, more particularly the straps 14B and 15B to which these second blades 2B are made integral, the additional stroke straps 14A, 15A and, as a result, the complementary displacement communicated to the first blades 2A, causes the folding of each pair of blades 2 in the form of a pivoting of the blades 2A, 2B around their articulation 3.

In the embodiment corresponding to Figures 8 to 11 it is not really a folding blades 2A, 2B on one another, but a tilting of the second blade 2B relative to the first 2A outside the plane 17 of the deck 1.

Anyway, through this folding or tilting, this results in an apron 1 adopting a perforated position. Note, in this regard, that the amplitude of this folding or tilting can be managed through the amplitude of displacement imparted to the first transmission means 8 relative to the second 9, amplitude which is however limited to the race empty 10.

Thus, as attempts to illustrate Figures 6 and 7 apron 1 can adopt different open positions.

To return to the embodiment of the Figures 1 to 7 , the connection at the ends 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B of the first blades 2A and second blades 2B with the straps 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B is provided by means of attachment means 18. These adopt the shape a pivot 19 extending parallel to its ends 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B blades 2A, 2B, to cooperate through a jumper 20 with said straps 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B.

As has already been explained above, these straps have, advantageously, a certain rigidity allowing them to exert a thrust on the pairs of blades 2, especially in the deployment phase. Thus, these straps are designed from metal or plastic strips and advantageously comprise a succession of cutouts 21, in the manner of a ladder, at which the various jumpers 20 can be hooked.

The pivots 19 are held, preferably, freely rotated by the jumpers 20 and / or are pivotally mounted in the ends 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B of the first and second blades 2A, 2B.

According to yet another particularity of the invention, the pivots 19 at the ends 6A, 7A, of a first blade 2A, are preferably close to the upper edge of the latter opposite the hinge 3. I1 will likewise pivots 19 at the ends 6B, 7B, second blades 2B, these pivots 19 extending, again, near the lower edge of this second blade 2B, opposite to the hinge 3.

In this way, under the impulse imparted by the first transmission means 8 to the pivots 19 of the first blades 2A, impulse attempting to push these pivots 19 towards those equipping the second blades 2B, it results in the folding of the pairs of blades 2.

As already explained above, this additional displacement of the first transmission means 8 results from the driving means 16, for example an unwinding run complementary printed to the winding tube once the apron 1 arrived in the deployed position.

In the solution corresponding to the embodiment of Figures 8 to 11 the fastening means 18 take different embodiments depending on whether they concern the first blades 2A or the second blades 2B.

Thus, in this solution, the first blades 2A are directly secured, without degree of freedom, to the first transmission means 8 at their ends 6A, 7A. Thus the fastening means 18A may be defined by horseshoe-shaped tips 23 which are equipped with these ends 6A, 7A of the first blades 2A to engage on the straps 14A, 15A which these ends are made integral, by example by riveting.

Note that these horseshoe-shaped tips 23 can also be engaged on the straps 14B, 15B superimposed on those 14A, 15A. However, these straps 14B, 15B remain free in translation through these tips 23.

As for the fastening means 18B through which the ends 6B, 7B of the second blades 2B are made integral with the second transmission means 9, in other words the straps 14B, 15B, they are constituted by links-shaped levers 24 connected to each other. pivotally, on the one hand, at one end 6B, 7B of a second blade 2B and a strap 14B, 15B. Thus, under the influence of this lever 24 and through a relative displacement of the first transmission means 8 with respect to the second transmission means 9, the second blade 2B of a pair of blades 2 is pivotally controlled relative to the second transmission means 9. at the first blade 2A. In the total occultation position corresponding to the alignment of the blades 2A, 2B in the same plane 17, the levers 24 form, preferably, an angle 25 with respect to said straps 14B, 15B facilitating their pivoting to push the second blades 2B open position under the impetus of the first transmission means 8.

In the context of this embodiment there is illustrated second transmission means 9 comprising locking means which, when the deck 2 arrives in fully deployed position, ensure their immobilization and allow the execution of the empty stroke 10 of the first transmission means 8.

These locking means take the form of hooking means 26, more particularly a hook fitted to the upper end 12B, 13B of the straps 14B, 15B so as to cooperate with the upper end of the lateral guide slides 11 when the apron 2 arrives in fully deployed position. Thus, once hooked with this hook 26 these straps 14B, 15B are immobilized and the complementary thrust exerted by the straps 14A, 15A, has the consequence, through the levers 24, to control the tilting of the second blades 2B of each pair of blades 2.

According to another feature of the invention, at the upper longitudinal edge 27, as the case at the bottom longitudinal edge 28, respectively, the first blades 2A or second blades 2B are equipped with a cover tab 29 which, when the blades 2A, 2B are in a same plane alignment 17, overlapping, as the case, the lower or upper edge of the second blade 2B or the first blade 2A respectively corresponding to the pair of blades 2 previous or next.

The two embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings represent the two solutions, that is to say one where the cover tab 29 equips the first blade 2A and the other where it comes equipped, on the contrary, the second blade 2B.

Such a cover tongue 29 is preferably made of a flexible material and thus forms a seal preventing any passage of light when the deck is brought to its total occlusion position.

Moreover, it can, advantageously, constitute a screen-breaker capable of preventing vision from the outside towards the inside even when the apron is brought into a perforated position, as attempted to represent it. figure 7 .

Similarly, such cover tabs 29 can prevent sunlight from entering the home directly to prevent them from overheating the premises, especially in summer.

If, in the usual manner, the blades of a rolling shutter apron comprise, at the same time, at the bottom edge a catch groove 4 and at the upper edge a catch hook 6, the blades 2A, 2B of a pair of blades 2 may take a configuration similar to such conventional deck blades and, as the case may be, the hook 5 of one or the hooking groove 4 of the other, may contribute to the engagement and the maintaining such a cover tongue 29.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, the very design of the transmission means 8, 9 in the form of straps and the articulation connecting the blades 2A, 2B of each pair of blades 2 allows the winding of such a shutter apron. according to the invention.

Claims (13)

Roller shutter comprising an apron (1) with adjustable blades capable of being deployed along lateral guide slides (11), said blades (2) being made integral, at their ends (6A, 7A, 6B, 7B), with first and second transmission means (8; 9), the first transmission means (8) having a vacuum stroke (10) with respect to the second transmission means (9) for bringing the deck (1) into a perforated position, characterized in that the blades (2) are hinged together in pairs, each pair (2) of blades having a first blade (2A) and a second blade (2B) whose ends (6A, 7A, 6B, 7B) are secured, respectively, first and second transmission means (8; 9), on the one hand, designed to exert a thrust on the pairs of blades (2) in the deployment phase of said apron (1) and, on the other hand, able to extend and be sheltered by the lateral guides (11). Roller shutter according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second transmission means (8; 9) are constituted by straps or strips (14A, 14B; 15A, 15B), in particular designed in metal strip, plastic or composite. Roller shutter according to claim 2, characterized in that at one of their ends (12A, 13A; 12B, 13B), the straps or strips (14A, 14B) and / or (15A, 15B) means for transmission (8) and / or (9) cooperate with drive means (16), such as a winding shaft. Roller shutter according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first blade (2A) and the second blade (2B) are made integral, at their ends (6A, 6B, 7A, 7B) with straps or strips (14A, 14B; 15A, 15B) via fastening means (18; 18A, 18B). Roller shutter according to claim 4, characterized in that the fastening means (18) take the form of a pivot (19) extending parallel to the ends (6A, 6B, 7A, 7B) of the blades (2A, 2B) to cooperate, through a rider (20) with said straps or strips (14A, 14B, 15A, 15B), said pivots (19) being kept free in rotation by the riders (20) and / or are mounted pivoting in the ends (6A, 6B, 7A, 7B) of the first and second blades (2A, 2B). Roller shutter according to claim 5, characterized in that the pivots (19) at the ends (6A, 7A) of a first blade (2A) are located near the upper edge of the latter opposite the articulation (3), while the pivots (19) at the ends (6B, 7B) of the second blades (2B) extend near the lower edge thereof, opposite the articulation (3). Roller shutter according to claim 4, characterized in that the fastening means (18A) connecting the first blades (2A) to the straps or strips (14A, 15A) are defined by horseshoe-shaped end pieces (23) fitted to the ends (6A, 7A) of these first blades (2A) to engage on said straps or strips (14A, 15A) which these tips are made integral, in particular by riveting. Roller shutter according to claim 4, characterized in that the fastening means (18B) connecting the ends (6B, 7B) of the second blades (2B) to the straps or strips (14B, 15B) consist of shaped levers connecting rods (24) pivotally connected to one end (6B, 7B) of a second blade (2B) and to a strap (14B, 15B) on the other hand. Roller shutter according to claim 8, characterized in that in the total occultation position corresponding to the alignment of the blades (2A, 2B) in the same plane (17), the levers (24) corresponding to the attachment means (18B) form an angle (25) relative to said straps (14B, 15B). Roller shutter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second transmission means (9) comprise locking means which, when the deck (2) arrives in fully deployed position, ensure their immobilization to allow the execution of the idle stroke (10) of the first transmission means (8). Roller shutter according to claim 10, characterized in that the locking means are constituted by a hook (26) at the upper end (12B, 13B) of the straps or strips (14B, 15B), designed hook adapted to cooperate with the upper end of guide lateral slides (11) when the apron (2) is in fully deployed position. Roller shutter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each pair of blades (2) comprises a covering tongue (29) designed to be able to overlap, as the case may be, with a pair of blades following or preceding . Roller shutter according to Claim 12, characterized in that at the upper longitudinal edge (27) as the case may be, at the lower longitudinal edge (28), respectively, the first blades (2A) or second blades (2B) are equipped with the said cover tongue (29).

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