EP2454439B1 - Device for controlling the projection of an apron of roller blind, and roller blind provided with such a device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for maneuvering the projection and / or the return in a plane of a rolling shutter apron whose winding / unwinding is provided by a drive means, the deck being guided on each side by a slide whose lower part is articulated to a fixed upper part and can be separated from the plane of the opening associated with the flap, when the projection is desired, each lower part of the slide being connected to a fixed part of a frame or a wall by a retractable projection arm articulated, at one end, on this fixed part, device according to which the force developed during the winding of the deck is used to close and lock the projection.

FR 1,430,304 shows a device for maneuvering the projection of a rolling shutter apron of the kind defined above. The unlocking of the deck which is in the vertical position requires manual intervention, prior to the command of the descent which provides the projection. In projection open position, if the user controls the winding of the deck, the opening of the projection is not preserved.

The projection of roller shutters has existed for many years, and consists in moving the lower part of the slides, guiding rail of the shutter, relative to the plane of the opening, including a window associated with the shutter. The projection allows to move the bottom of the apron outward, outside the doorway of the window and create a day between the table, the threshold of the window and the shutter. This day allows to let the light in, and also allows a good ventilation of the room and especially to protect from the rays of the sun in full summer.

The maneuvering of the projection is done mainly manually. Open the window, unlock the projection arm on one side of the window and then the other, and then push the deck outward to allow the projection arm to unfold. -bout to keep inclined the whole of the lower part of the deck. A dihedron is formed between the upper vertical portion of the deck and the lower inclined portion, the dihedral having a horizontal edge. To close the projection, it is necessary to perform the reverse maneuver, that is to say manually start the folding of a projection arm on one side, hold the apron, then initiate the folding of the opposite side arm and let down softly the apron against the window for finally lock the projection arms and secure in place.

This maneuver is not always easy. It is necessary, on the one hand, to open the window and to lean outside to push the shutter at the moment of projection and, on the other hand, to do the same thing when folding to unlock the projection arms . In the case of a wide window, it is difficult to act on both sides at the same time. In the case of a window with a fixed part, it becomes impossible to install a projection.

The object of the invention is, above all, to provide a device for maneuvering the projection of a rolling shutter apron which makes it possible to project and / or return the apron in a plane without having to open the window or to lean outside, and that is simple manipulation. In the case where the shutter is motorized, it is desirable that the operation of the projection is automated without the need to add an additional motor to activate the deployment or closure of the projection. It is also desirable to keep the hand for the rise and fall of the projection deck, without erasing the projection.

According to the invention, a device for maneuvering the projection and / or the return in a plane of a rolling shutter apron whose winding / unwinding is ensured by a driving means, the apron being guided on each side by a slide whose lower part is articulated to a fixed upper part and can be separated from the plane of the opening associated with the flap, when the projection is desired, each lower part of the slide being connected to a fixed part of a frame or a wall by a retractable projection arm articulated, at one end, on this fixed part, according to which the force developed during the winding of the apron is used to close and lock the projection,
is characterized in that the force developed during the winding of the deck is used to unlock and open the projection, and in that in the projection opening position, after lowering the flap in its lower position, the operator can take the hand again to manipulate the shutter as it pleases.

Preferably, the projection arm at its other end is hinged to a member mounted sliding in the lower part of the slide, and the device comprises at least one sliding slider frictionally mounted in the lower part of the slide, this slider being clean to be driven, when a projection or return movement is desired, by a retractable drive member provided at the end of a deck blade when the latter is set in motion and to cause the desired movement of the lower part of the slide. Generally, the drive member is provided at the end of the final deck blade.

Advantageously, the device comprises, in each lower part of the slide, two sliders, one of which is provided to provide the projection and the other to ensure the return of the apron in a plane, the device thus making it possible to maneuver the projection as well as the return of the apron.

Preferably, each slider comprises a fastening means adapted to allow the drive member provided at the end of the blade to pass, to descend and to climb when the projection is not controlled, and to hook the body climbing training when the projection is controlled.

The attachment means of each slider may include a retractable latch clean to be erased during the descent of the deck and to be driven during the rise of the deck by the drive member.

The retractable drive member provided at the end of the apron blade may be constituted by a finger recalls in the erased position by an elastic means and the device comprises a spring tongue fixed on the slide in a position where the associated slider is at rest , the tab being able to move the finger away from the apron blade to clear the latch in a direction of movement of the apron, in particular at the descent, and to drive the latch and the slider in the other direction, in particular to the up, the inversion of the movement of the deck being performed before the finger has gone beyond the tab spring and has been recalled in the erased position.

The device may comprise, to control the projection, an inextensible flexible link connected at one end to the projection slider and at its other end to the sliding element articulated at the end of the projection arm, a return roller being provided towards the lower end of the lower part of the slide for the winding of the link and to transform an upward traction coming from the apron into a pull down on the projection arm.

The device may comprise, for controlling the return of the apron in a plane, an inextensible flexible link connected to one end of a return slider and, at its other end, to a fixed point of the wall or frame, a first roller being provided to the lower end of the slide and a second roller being provided on the slide in the vicinity of the lower end of the sliding element, the flexible linkage inextensible winding on the two rollers to transform the traction up the apron in a pull of the arm of projection towards the wall or the frame of the window.

The second roller is placed above the lower end of the sliding element in the open position of the projection, in such a way that the cable, when the flap is in the open position, passes under the lower end of the sliding element and then hooks to the fixed point, so that at the beginning of the ascent of the final blade, the cable exerts a push up on the element.

The catching means of each slider may comprise an inner cam profile which has an intermediate part and a bent upper part adapted to hook the apron drive member when the projection is controlled by inversion of the downward movement the apron moving up while the drive member is in an area of the cam for controlling the reversal of the direction of movement of the deck.

The retractable drive member provided at the end of the deck blade may be constituted by a rocker mounted rotatably about a horizontal axis, directed downwards and having at its end a transverse lug adapted to cooperate with the inner cam profile .

The sliding element and the projection slider can form a single piece on which is articulated the end of the projection arm, the rest position of the projection slider being located in the lower part of the slide.

Advantageously, the device may comprise for controlling the return of the apron in a plane, a closure arm connected at one end to a return slider and, at its other end, to a fixed point of the wall or frame, the rest position the return cursor is above the fixed point.

The projection arm and the return arm can form a compass, which is open at 180 ° in the closed position of the projection.

The lower part of the slide may comprise a locking means on the wall or the frame, this locking means comprising a hook integral with a sliding bar against an elastic return means, this bar supporting the axis rotation of the return roller and being able to slide upwards, under the effect of the pulling force exerted at the beginning of the opening, making it possible to unlock the low slide and to effect the projection.

The hinge between the two parts of the slide is advantageously located on the side of the open angle, turned towards the interior of the building, and the ends close to the fixed part of the slide and the movable part are bevelled, and a flexible cover covers the adjacent ends of the slide parts and the space between the bevels.

Advantageously, in the case of a device for roller shutter with operation of the deck provided by an electric motor with electronic control, the position of the or each spring tongue or the reversal zone for the control, is stored in the engine control electronics and corresponds to a number of engine revolutions.

The device may comprise, towards the lower end of the slides, a locking slider fixed to the slide and, associated with the slider, a tongue locking spring, so that the descent of the deck, just before reaching the bottom , the retractable drive member is spaced apart by the locking spring tongue and, to cause the locking, the mounted direction is controlled before the drive member escapes the spring tongue, the drive member then coming abut under the fixed locking slider, and thus creating blocking of the deck.

The invention also relates to a shutter, in particular with operation of the deck provided by an electric motor with control electronics, equipped with a device for maneuvering the projection and / or the return in a plane of the shutter apron. as previously defined.

• Fig. 1 est une vue en perspective illustrant une fenêtre équipée d'un volet roulant placé en position de projection.
• Fig. 2 est une vue partielle en perspective illustrant la partie basse de la coulisse en position fermée, le bras de projection étant replié.
• Fig. 3 est une vue en perspective de dessous, en coupe, d'une coulisse avec curseur, et doigt d'entraînement en bout de lame finale.
• Fig. 4 est une vue en perspective simplifiée, avec parties arrachées, de l'intérieur d'une coulisse au niveau de la languette ressort et du curseur de projection.
• Fig. 5 est une vue en perspective d'une section verticale de la partie inférieure de la coulisse comportant le galet de renvoi du câble de projection et le mécanisme de verrouillage de la partie basse de la coulisse.
• Fig. 6 est un schéma simplifié illustrant le début de la projection.
• Fig. 7 montre, semblablement à Fig. 6, la fin de la projection.
• Fig. 8 est une vue simplifiée en perspective représentant la partie basse de la coulisse en position de projection, avec une partie du tablier.
• Fig. 9 est une vue simplifiée en perspective de côté de la partie basse de la coulisse en position de projection, avec le cheminement du câble de fermeture.
• Fig. 10 montre, semblablement à Fig. 9, une étape de la phase de fermeture.
• Fig. 11 et 12 sont des schémas simplifiés illustrant la fermeture et le retour de la partie basse du tablier dans le plan de la partie haute.
• Fig. 13 est une vue en élévation verticale de la charnière entre la partie haute fixe et la partie basse de la coulisse.
• Fig. 14 montre les deux parties de la coulisse, lorsque la projection a été effectuée.
• Fig. 15 est une vue simplifiée en élévation, avec parties supprimées, d'une variante de réalisation du dispositif de l'invention en position de projection du tablier.
• Fig.16 est une vue partielle à plus grande échelle du compas formé par le bras de projection et le bras de fermeture, de Fig.1.
• Fig. 17 montre, semblablement à Fig. 15, le dispositif et la coulisse de retour dans un plan vertical.
• Fig. 18 est une vue en élévation à plus grande échelle de l'extrémité inférieure du bras de projection et du curseur de projection, ainsi que du verrou inférieur, le trajet de l'extrémité de l'organe d'entraînement du curseur à la descente et à la montée étant représenté par des flèches, le tableau de l'ouverture et la coulisse n'étant pas représentés.
• Fig. 19 est une vue en élévation illustrant le début de l'entraînement du curseur de projection et de l'extrémité du bras de projection.
• Fig. 20 illustre la position repos du curseur de fermeture.
• Fig. 21 illustre le début de l'entraînement du curseur de fermeture par le tablier lors de la remontée pour fermeture de la projection, et
• Fig. 22 illustre l'arrivée du curseur de fermeture au niveau du verrou en position haute.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, in a number of other arrangements which will be more explicitly discussed below with respect to an embodiment described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but which is in no way limiting. On these drawings:

• Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a window equipped with a shutter placed in the projection position.
• Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view illustrating the lower part of the slide in closed position, the projection arm being folded.
• Fig. 3 is a perspective view from below, in section, of a slide with slider, and drive finger at the end of the final blade.
• Fig. 4 is a simplified perspective view, with parts torn off, from the inside of a slide at the spring tab and the projection slider.
• Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a vertical section of the lower part of the slide comprising the projection cable return roller and the locking mechanism of the lower part of the slide.
• Fig. 6 is a simplified diagram illustrating the beginning of the projection.
• Fig. 7 shows, similarly to Fig. 6 , the end of the projection.
• Fig. 8 is a simplified perspective view showing the lower part of the slide in the projection position, with a part of the deck.
• Fig. 9 is a simplified view in side perspective of the part bottom of the slide in projection position, with the routing of the closing cable.
• Fig. 10 shows, similarly to Fig. 9 , a step of the closing phase.
• Fig. 11 and 12 are simplified diagrams illustrating the closing and the return of the lower part of the deck in the plane of the upper part.
• Fig. 13 is a vertical elevational view of the hinge between the fixed upper part and the lower part of the slide.
• Fig. 14 shows the two parts of the slide, when the projection has been made.
• Fig. 15 is a simplified elevational view, with parts removed, of an alternative embodiment of the device of the invention in the projection position of the deck.
• Fig.16 is a partial view on a larger scale of the compass formed by the projection arm and the closing arm, Fig.1 .
• Fig. 17 shows, similarly to Fig. 15 , the device and the slide back in a vertical plane.
• Fig. 18 is an enlarged elevational view of the lower end of the projection arm and the projection slider, as well as the lower latch, the path from the end of the slider driving member to the descent and the rise being represented by arrows, the table of the opening and the slide being not represented.
• Fig. 19 is an elevational view showing the beginning of the projection slider and the end of the projection arm.
• Fig. 20 illustrates the rest position of the closing slider.
• Fig. 21 illustrates the beginning of the training of the closing slider by the apron during the ascent for closure of the projection, and
• Fig. 22 illustrates the arrival of the closing slider at the lock in the up position.

Referring to Fig. 1 drawings, we can see a shutter 1 equipping a window 2 installed in an opening 3 of a building. The shutter 1 comprises an apron consisting of blades 5 hinged together in the direction of their large horizontal dimension. The apron 4 is guided on each side by a slide 6a, 6b. Each slide comprises a lower part 6a1, 6b1 hinged by a hinge 7 to a vertical upper part 6a2, 6b2 fixed to the frame of the window or to the table 3a of the opening 3.

The lower parts of the slides 6a1, 6b1 are connected to their lower end, by a horizontal cross member 8 against which comes to rest the final blade 5a of the deck when the latter is fully deployed.

Each lower part 6a1, 6b1 slide is connected to a fixed part of the frame of the window or table (part of the wall flanking the window), by a projection arm 9a, 9b retractable. When the projection arm 9a, 9b is deployed, as shown in FIG. Fig. 1 , the lower part of the apron 4 is offset outwards outside the window recess and thus creates a day between the table, the threshold of the window and the shutter allowing the light to enter and a good ventilation of the room in which the window opens. The deck then forms a dihedron whose upper face is vertical and whose lower face is inclined in projection towards the outside; the edge of the dihedron is horizontal and passes through the geometric axes of articulation of the two hinges 7.

Until now, generally the operation of the projection of the shutter was done manually, intervening successively on the projection arm 9a, 9b and pushing the lower part of the deck to the outside. In addition, it was inadvisable to install a roller shutter with projection when the operation of the roller shutter was motorized because there was a high risk of malfunction, including control automations that operate the shutter without the direct presence of the operator .

The invention exploits the movement of movement of the deck to maneuver the projection, without the operator having to intervene on the projection arms. Although the solution of the invention is primarily intended for shutters with motorized maneuver, it can be applied to shutters whose winding or unwinding is provided by manual drive using a strap or a winch.

The device for maneuvering the projection, according to the invention, comprises identical elements on each side of the deck, so that the following description will be made about the slide 6a located on the left when we look at the roller shutter. outside. The equipment of the other slide 6b can be deduced by symmetry relative to the median vertical plane of the deck.

The projection arm 9a is articulated at one end to a fixed point M of the frame (or frame) of the window or table (vertical face of the doorway). At its other end, the projection arm 9a as illustrated on Fig. 9 and 10 is connected, by a hinge 10, to a rectilinear element 11, for example a bar, slidably mounted in the lower part 6a1 of the slide.

The device further comprises two sliders C1a, C2a frictionally sliding mounted in the lower part 6a1 of the slide and respectively assigned to the opening of the projection and closing. C1 slider is visible on Fig. 3 and 4 , while the cursor C2a is visible on Fig. 9 and 10 . The sliders are represented very schematically on Fig. 6 and 7 for the opening slider C1a and on Fig. 11 and 12 for the closing cursor C2a.

The rest position of the slider C1 a is close to a point D ( Fig.2 ) located substantially mid-length of the portion 6a1 of the slide, while the rest position of the cursor C2a is in the vicinity of a point R ( Fig.2 ) located towards the lower end of part 6a1.

Each slider C1a, C2a is adapted to be driven by a member constituted by a finger or pin 12 ( Fig. 3 and 4 ) retractable, provided at the end of the final blade 5a, when a projection movement or return of the deck is desired.

The cursor C1a (as well as the cursor C2a) comprises a shoe 13 ( Fig.3 ), in the form of a U-shaped section whose core bears against the inner face of a vertical side wall 14a of the slide. A prismatic chamber 15, extending along the entire length of the slide 6a1 is provided inside this slide to serve as housing slot shoe 13 which rubs against the walls of the chamber 15 orthogonal to the wall 14a. Inwardly, the chamber 15 comprises, between two returns parallel to the wall 14a, a longitudinal opening 16 through which a latch 17 retractable cursor C1 a. The latch 17 has a substantially prismatic shape with a base 17a ( Fig. 3 ) rectangular and a face 17b ( Fig.4 ), opposite the shoe 13, in the form of a ramp which progressively deviates from the wall 14a from top to bottom. The latch 17 is articulated, in its upper part, about an axis supported by the wings of the shoe 13. An elastic compression means, in particular constituted by a spring 18 in a helix, is provided between the inner face of the core of the shoe 13 and the lower part of the latch 17 to push the latch through the opening 16. The latch 17 protrudes into an area E at half thickness of the slide 6a1. The member 12 connected to the final blade 5a, when it is urged outwards, engages and moves in the zone E.

The slider C1a (as well as the slider C2a similar to C1 a) is frictionally mounted against the walls of the chamber 15 so that it remains in place as long as it is not subjected to an effort of sufficient traction in a direction parallel to the large dimension of the slide 6a1. A chamber 15a symmetrical with the chamber 15 with respect to the median longitudinal plane of the slide 6a1 is provided for a mounting of the slide right or left.

The finger 12 is mounted in the thickness and at the end of the final blade 5a so as to slide horizontally, parallel to the large dimension of this blade. The finger 12 can thus project into the space E where the latch 17 itself protrudes. The finger 12 is normally biased by an elastic compression means, in particular a compression spring 19 ( Fig. 4 ), in an erased position where it can not meet the latch 17. The finger 12 is further secured to an extension 20, orthogonal to the finger, projecting outwardly. This extension 20 may have the shape of a cylindrical lug and the finger 12 is maintained in guiding so that this extension 20 is substantially horizontal, orthogonal to the plane of the final blade 5a.

The apron 4, and therefore the blade 5a, is engaged and guided by a vertical slot 21 ( Fig.3 ) delimited by the edges of the side walls 14a, 14b of the slide.

Inside the slide, in the vicinity of point D ( Fig.2 ), is fixed a first spring tongue L comprising a profiled 22 angle with a tongue 23 formed by the bent extension of the wing of the orthogonal angle to the plane of the blade 5a. The tongue 23 is provided to act on the extension 20 during the passage of the final blade 5a. In the rest position, the slider C1 has, in the example considered, is in a position between the upper and lower limits of the profile 22 of the spring tongue L. The profile 22 is fixed on the slide, on the inside by compared to the apron.

Inside the slide, in the vicinity of point R ( Fig.2 ), is fixed a second spring tongue, not shown, similar to L, which is associated with the second cursor C2a to act on the extension 20 as L.

The arrangement is such that when the final blade 5a descends, the extension 20 meets the upper edge of the tab 23 inclined so as to deviate from top to bottom. The extension 20 is then pushed against the spring 19, so that the finger 12 engages in the space E where protrudes the latch 17 of the slider. On going down, the finger 12 bears against the ramp 17b of the latch 17 and tilts the latter against the spring 18, towards the wall 14a between the wings of the shoe 13. The vertical extent of the profile 22 is sufficient for its wing following the tongue 23 keeps spreading the extension 20 until the finger 12 has completely crossed the slider C1a or C2a.

When it is desired to control the opening of the projection of the deck, the downward movement of the deck is interrupted before the extension 20 leaves the profile 22 located in the vicinity of the point D. movement of the apron is then reversed to control the ascent while the extension 20 is still bearing against the profile 22 and the finger 12 is still projecting in the space E. During the ascent, the finger 12 abuts under the base 17a latch 17 which has taken its place. The finger 12 then causes the cursor C1 a upwards.

In the case where the flap is motorized, the position of the spring tongue L is stored in the engine control electronics in the form of a number of turns to be executed between the upper position of the blade 5a and the position of this When the user gives the motor an instruction to open the projection of the deck, the motor will invert its descent stroke automatically when the cursor C1a has been crossed, without for all that extension 20 has passed the lower part of the profile 22.

In the case where the shutter is manually controlled by a strap or a crank, markers would be provided to indicate to the user that he must reverse the downward movement to go uphill and open the projection.

In normal operation, while the opening of the projection is not requested, the extension 20, after having crossed the lower part of the profile 22, returns to the erased position under the action of the spring 19. This erased position is such that that the lift of the apron, the extension 20 is inward of the wing of the section 22 and the finger 12 is set back from the latch 17 it passes without hanging.

As shown in the simplified diagrams of Fig. 6 and 7 an inextensible flexible link 24, in particular formed by a cable, is hooked at one end to the slider C1a. The cable 24 extends downwards, along the lower part 6a1 of the slide and wraps around a roller 25 (see also Fig. 5 ) mounted free to rotate about an axis 26 secured to a bar 27 slidably mounted in a housing extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the slide. The bar 27 is subjected to the action of an elastic return means 28, in particular constituted by a compression spring, which bears against the upper end of the bar 27 and against an abutment integral with the lower part of the slides. A hook 29 is integral with the bar 27 and can therefore move parallel to the longitudinal direction of the slide when traction is exerted on the pulley 25 and the shaft 26 against the spring 28. The hook 29 has a nozzle directed downward clean to engage another hook 30 fixed to the wall or to the window frame. In the absence of traction on the return roller 25, the engagement the hook 29 with the hook 30 ensures a locking of the lower part 6a1 of the slide against the wall or the frame of the window. The cable 24 wraps 180 ° around the return roller 25 and rises to be hooked to the sliding element 11 as shown in FIG. Fig. 6 and 7 . In the other figures, for the sake of simplification, in particular on Fig. 9-12 , the cable 24 for opening the projection has not been shown, nor the roller 25.

Another inextensible flexible link 31, in particular a cable (not shown on Fig.6 and 7 for simplicity) is hooked to the cursor C2a (see Fig. 11 and 12 ) (see also Fig. 9 and 10 ) for controlling the closing of the projection. Starting from the closing slider C2a, the cable 31 moves downwards and passes around a return roller 32, located in the lower part of the slide. The roller 32 is mounted on a fixed axis relative to the slide. The cable 31 wraps 180 ° around the roller 32 and rises to pass around another roller 33 rotatably mounted on an axis fixed on the portion 6a1 of the slide. The cable 31 wraps around the roller 33 and is hooked by its end remote from the cursor to a fixed point M generally located on the wall or on the frame of the window in the vicinity of the fixed articulation of the projection arm 9a.

The roller 33 may be placed above the lower end of the sliding element 11 so that the cable 31, when the flap is in the open position of the projection as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 , the cable 31 wraps 180 ° around the roller 33 and passes under the lower end of the sliding element 11 and then hang on the fixed point M of the wall. With such a path, at the beginning of the ascent of the final blade 5a, the cable 31 exerts an upward thrust on the element 11, to initiate the closing movement of the projection.

As illustrated on Fig. 13 and 14 the hinge 7 between the movable lower part 6a1 of the slide and the fixed upper part 6a2 is situated on the open angle side when the lower part of the flap is in projection, that is to say on the side of the interior of the building equipped with window and shutter. The ends 6a1e, 6a2e of the slides are cut in bevel to allow folding in the projection position. A flexible cowling G is advantageously provided to ensure continuity between the two parts of the slide. Under these conditions, in the projected position of the flap, the deck does not meet a guiding break when crossing the joint 7, and the final blade 5a can continue the descent in the inclined slides. The flexible cowling G makes it possible to ensure a constant continuity of the guidance in the hinge zone in the non-projected position ( Fig. 13 ) despite the existing space between the beveled ends 6a1e and 6a2e.

That said, the operation of the operating device is as follows.

We consider the case of a motorized roller shutter driven by an electric motor, but the explanations remain valid, with some adaptations that go without saying, for manual control of the winding and the unwinding of the shutter.

The device of the invention makes it possible to avoid adding an additional motorization, only a particular control of the movements of the apron is provided and therefore of the motor, to activate the deployment or closure of the projection. This command can be carried out as a pulse button dedicated for this purpose on the remote control of the motor or on the control inverter of the shutter. The positions of the spring tongues L, 22, 23 assigned to each slider C1a, C2a, as already indicated, are stored as a number of engine revolutions in the control electronics of this engine.

The moving movement of the deck is used to manipulate the projection. The force developed, especially by the motor, during the winding of the deck is used to unlock and open the projection. Likewise, this force is used to close and lock the projection.

Deployment

In the starting position, the two parts of the same slide, for example 6a1 and 6a2 are in the extension of one another, in a vertical position. The lower part 6a1 of the slide is locked against the wall or the frame of the window by cooperation of the hooks 29 and 30 ( Fig.5 ).

The flap is in wound position, or is brought therein, so that the final blade 5a is in its raised position. The descent of the shutter is controlled and the final blade 5a arrives, in the downward direction of the deck, at the point D located about halfway along the length of the lower part 6a1 of the slide, in the area where the spring tongue L is located. , 22, 23 assigned to the opening slider C1a, which in the rest position is also there.

The extension 20 of the finger 12 meets the ramp formed by the tongue 23 and, as the blade 5a descends, the extension 20 is moved apart and the finger 12 protrudes more and more out of the blade 5a. The finger 12 passes the latch 17 which fades under the action of the finger on the descent.

When the finger 12 has passed down the latch 17, the latter returns to the extended position.

The movement of the deck is then reversed before the extension 20 leaves the wing of the section 22 which keeps it apart. In the case of a motorized shutter, this reversal of the direction of movement of the deck is obtained by reversing the direction of rotation of the engine, which occurs after a determined number of engine revolutions.

The rise of the final blade 5a causes the abutment of the finger 12 under the latch 17 and the drive by the blade 5a towards the top of the slider C1 has opening. C1 slider pulls on the cable 24 ( Fig.6 ). The resistance at the opening of the projection arm 9a is greater than the compressive force of the spring 28 so that, at first, the tensile force exerted by the cable 24 causes the roller 25 to rise ( Fig. 5 ) and the release of the hook 29 relative to the hook 30.

During the rise, when the extension 20 leaves the wing of the profile 22, the finger 12 remains in the extended position because the latch 17 is engaged with a groove of the finger 12 as visible on Fig.4 . On the other hand, as soon as a downward movement of the apron and the blade 5a occurs, the slider C1 remains in place by friction, and the finger 12, on the way down, escapes the latch 17 to return to the retracted position in the blade. 5a.

The initiation of the projection opening movement can be provided by a spring-like spring pin provided between the sliding element 11 and the projection arm 9a at their hinge 10.

The lifting of the roller 25 stops when the bar 27 comes to a high stop. The final blade 5a while continuing its upward movement, continues to exert traction on the cable 24 which, as visible on Fig. 6 and 7 , by reference around the roller 25 exerts a pull down on the sliding element 11. The projection arm 9a is pulled and rotates in the clockwise direction Fig. 6 and 7 to come against a lower stop (not shown) in the projection opening position. The stop of the arm 9a in the open projection position is fixed at a suitable point of the slide 6a1. At this time, the final blade 5a is stopped in its rise, which creates a stop on engine torque. The engine control electronics then reverse the direction of rotation to control the descent of the flap in its low position optimal for a good compromise protection of the sun and light management including using the openings of the deck.

The operator can once again take control of the automation to manipulate the flap as it sees fit. The articulation 7 with tulipage carried out the place of the connection between the upper part 6a2 and the lower part 6a1 of the slide allows to raise or lower the flap completely without risk of snagging.

During this opening movement of the projection, the cable 31 associated with the slider C2a closing the projection has caused the cursor C2a to its lower rest position.

Folding (closing the projection)

The descent movement of the apron is controlled so that the final blade 5a ( Fig. 8 ) is positioned in the downward direction to a point R, located near the bottom of the portion 6a1 of the slide, where is a spring tongue similar to the tongue L with profile 22 and tongue 23 described about the cursor opening. This other spring tongue is associated with the closing slider C2a which is located in the zone R of this tongue.

We find the operation already explained about the C1 slider and the finger 12. The direction of movement of the deck is reversed, in particular by reversing the direction of rotation of the engine, before the extension 20 left the profile of the spring tongue. The final blade 5a will then move in the upward direction and cause the closing slider C2a to rise as illustrated in FIG. Fig. 11 and 12 .

The cursor C2a pulls on the cable 31 which raises the arm 9a to fold the lower part 6a1 of the slide and close the projection.

At the beginning of the ascent, the roller 33 is higher than the lower end of the element 11, as illustrated on Fig.9 . The pulling of the slider C2a on the cable 31 generates an upward thrust exerted by the cable 31 against the lower end of the sliding element 11. The latter is raised and drives the arm 9a in the direction of closure, which is thus facilitated.

When the roller 33 arrives at the lower end of the element 11, as shown in FIG. fig10 , the arm 9a is sufficiently folded so that the direct traction between the roller 33 and the point M ensures the continuity of the folding and the complete closure.

At the end of ascent, when the arm 9a is close to the vertical, the cable 31 connected to the fixed point M of the wall or the frame exerts a force of approaching the lower part 6a1 of the slide against the frame of the window in order to compress the spring (not shown) possibly provided, at the joint 10, between the arm 9a and the sliding element 11. The lower part 6a1 of the slide is locked by engagement with the hook 29 and the hook 30 ( Fig. 5 ). At this moment, the final blade 5a is stopped in its rise thus creating a stop on engine torque.

The control electronics then reverse the direction of rotation to clear the cursor C2a of the final blade.

The operator can once again take control of the automation to manipulate the flap as it sees fit.

Referring to Fig. 15 to 22 , we can see an alternative embodiment of the operating device according to the invention, for projection and / or return in a plane of a rolling shutter apron. According to this variant, as illustrated in Fig. 15 to 17 , the pull cables behind the scenes were removed and a second closing arm 31 'was inserted on each side of the bay. Sure Fig. 15 to 17 , only the slide 6a 'has been shown, respectively in projection and closure, but a similar slide is provided on the other side of the bay.

The elements of Fig. 15 to 22 identical or playing roles similar to elements already described in connection with the preceding figures are designated by the same reference numeral assigned the sign ', and their description will not be repeated or will be carried out only briefly.

The projection arm 9a 'is articulated at one end to a fixed point M' of the frame (not shown) or frame, window or table. At its other end the projection arm 9a 'as illustrated on Fig. 15-17 is connected by a hinge 10 'to an element 11' slidably mounted in the lower part 6a1 'of the slide. This element 11 'forms a single piece with the slider C1' sliding frictionally mounted in the lower part 6a1 'of the slide. In the closed position, according to Fig. 17 the slider is vertical and the slider C1a 'is towards the lower end of the part 6a1', in the vicinity of a point D ', lower than the point of articulation M'.

The closing slider C2a 'is located at a level greater than the point of articulation M', in the vicinity of a point R '( Fig. 17 ) located substantially mid-length of the portion 6a1 '. There is somehow inversion of the rest positions of the sliders with respect to the solution of the preceding figures since the closing slider C2a 'is higher than the opening slider C1 a'.

The portion 6a1 'of the slide is formed by a U-shaped cross section whose concavity is turned towards the opening of the bay, while the wings of this section are located, in the closed position, in a parallel vertical plane in terms of the opening or the bay. The wing of the portion 6a1 'of the slider facing inward has a closed slit 35 at each of its longitudinal ends and whose extent corresponds to the sliding range of the sliders C1 a 'and C2a'.

Each slider C1a ', C2a' comprises a shoe 13 '( Fig. 18 ) engaged in the slide, the cursor passing through the slot 35 and having a portion 36.1 external to the slide provided with a buttonhole 37.1 whose length is oriented parallel to the length of the portion 6a1 'of the slide. The axis of articulation 10 'of the lower end of the projection arm 9'a is engaged in the buttonhole 37.1. The cursor C1a 'has at the top and bottom a notch parallel to the slide. In each notch is engaged a guide 38.1, in particular of plastic, having a groove substantially adapted to receive an edge of the slot 35 of the slide.

Each cursor comprises a hooking means 17 '( Fig.18 and 20 ) able to pass the drive member 12 'provided at the end of the blade to the descent, and to the rise when the projection is not controlled, and to hook the drive member 12' to the rise when the projection is controlled.

The retractable drive member 12 'provided at the end of the apron blade is constituted by a rocker rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis supported by a bore provided in a block K engaged at the end of the final apron blade. The rocker arm 12 'is directed downwards and comprises at its lower end a horizontal transversal lug 39, orthogonal to the plane of Fig.18 , protruding towards the corresponding cursor.

The slider C1a ', as well as the slider C2a', comprises an inner cam profile 40.1 which has a rectilinear intermediate portion 41.1, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the slider 61a 'and a bent upward portion constituting the means of 'hanging 17'. The shoe 13 'located inside the slide comprises in the upper part and in the lower part of the inclined walls 13a', 13b 'able to deflect the rocker 12', the side of the buttonhole 37.1 for the inclined upper wall 13a ', during the descent of the deck, and in the opposite direction for the lower inclined wall 13b 'during the rise of the deck.

The rocker 12 'is returned to its vertical position either by its own weight or with assistance of an elastic return means, in particular a torsion spring, not shown.

Sure Fig. 18 , the path Td followed by the lug 39 and the beam 12 'at the descent of the deck for crossing the shoe 13' is represented by a succession of arrows, while the path Tm followed by the same lug 39 at the climb to cross the cursor is also illustrated by arrows on the side of the shoe 13 'opposite the path Td. The useful height of the rectilinear part 41.1 is designated by Z1 on Fig. 18 and corresponds to the area in which the inversion of the descent uphill movement must be controlled to obtain the projection of the deck.

The slider C1a 'is integral with a pin 42.1, orthogonal to the mean plane of the slider, which comprises a base of smaller diameter adapted to be received in a vertical housing open upwards from a lower latch 43.1 fixed to the frame or frame (not shown) for holding in the low rest position.

The closing cursor C2a ', as visible on Fig. 20 to 22 , is similar to the cursor C1 a 'and the corresponding parts are designated by the same numerical reference followed by .2 instead of .1. The upper part of the cursor C2a ', located outside the slide, has a notch 44 widening upwards to form a ramp, adapted to cooperate with a horizontal pin 45 of an upper lock 43.2 when the cursor C2a is in the rest position. The upper latch 43.2 is fixed on the frame or frame.

Sure Fig. 21 the zone Z2 inside which the reversal of the downward movement of the climbing deck must be made to close the deck has been indicated by an arrow and substantially corresponds to the straight portion 41.2 of the inner cam profile.

The closing arm 31 'carries, at its upper end, a hinge pin 46 rotatably and slidably mounted in a buttonhole 37.2 of the cursor C2a'.

The buttonhole 37.2 of the slider C2a 'is formed of an oblong slot in the lower part with a hole of larger diameter at the top. The axis 46 has a flat slidable in the lumen 37.2 only once the arm 31 'is in the vertical position. Therefore, once the projection virtually closed, the cursor can continue to rise to allow the ramp 44 to perform its locking based on the axis 45. Once the final blade tip K goes down, the cursor C2a 'is returned to the rest position in the top of the light to allow rotation of the arm 31' relative to the cursor C2a 'at the time of opening of the projection.

In summary, each projection arm end 9a 'and closing 31' has its own slider C1 a 'and C2a'. The final apron blade comprises at each end a rocker mechanism 12 'forming a rocker which can hang the cursor only if an inversion of the apron moving direction, descent uphill is performed in a specific area Z1 or Z2.

The operation of the variant of Fig. 15-22 is the next.

When moving the deck in a vertical plane, while the projection is not controlled, the descent of the deck, as shown for the slider C1 a 'on Fig. 18 , the balance 12 'meets this slider C1a' and crosses it by following the path Td on the descent, without hanging it. It is the same for the cursor C2a '.

At the climb, the balance 12 ', crosses the sliders following a path Tm without hanging them.

Thus, in normal operation, raising / lowering the apron, the sliders are not driven.

Deployment-opening of the projection

When the user decides to put the apron or the shutter in projection, an action on a switch or a remote control in case of driving the apron by an electric motor, or a manual action in case of training by a crank or a strap , makes it possible to position the deck in the downward direction so that the block K and the rocker 12 'are placed, during the descent at the level of the lower slider C1 a' in the zone Z1, that is to say substantially at the rectilinear portion 41.1 of the inner cam profile.

After this stop, an inversion of the direction of movement is controlled, in particular reversal of the direction of rotation of the electric motor, so that the apron and the block K start in the mounted direction. The rocker 12 'has returned to a vertical position either by its own weight, or assisted by an elastic return, so that on the rise the lug 39, orthogonal to the plane of the figure, will cling to the part 17 'of the inner cam profile and will drive the cursor C1 a' upwards.

At the beginning, the hinge axis 10 'of the lower end of the arm 9'a remains stationary until the vertical stroke of the slider C1a' makes contact with the lower end of the buttonhole 37.1 and the hinge axis 10 '. During this first part of the race, the slider 42.1 is released from the lower latch 43.1 as shown in FIG. Fig.19 .

The cursor C1a 'then drives the lower end of the arm 9a', which causes the opening of the projection. To aid in starting (separation of the slide from the vertical plane), the slider C1a 'comes into contact with a ramp R1 of the lower latch 43.1 and thus initiates the spacing of the slide ( Fig. 19 ).

At the upper cursor C2a ', as illustrated on Fig.20 , the opening of the projection causes the movement of the closing arm 31 'in a direction corresponding to a descent of the upper cursor C2a'. A return spring (not shown) returns the cursor C2a 'rest position as soon as the final blade tip K no longer exerts traction.

At the end of the opening of the projection, the cursor C1 a 'is stopped by a stop (not shown). The locking force is detected either by the motor or by the user acting on a manual control, and the direction of rotation is reversed to cause the deck and the pendulum 12 'to descend for a distance sufficient to cross by the balance 12 'the lower end of the lower slider C1a'.

The user finds the normal command and takes again the hand for the control of the rise and the descent of the deck in projection position without risk to hang the lower slider C1a 'or higher C2a'.

Folding (closing the projection)

When the user decides to close the projection, an action on the switch or the remote control of the drive motor or, if necessary, an action on the manual control by crank or strap ensures the sufficient rise of the apron (it is enough that the apron goes higher than the cursor C2a ') so that the balance 12' is above the cursor C2a, 'then its descent until the final blade tip and the balance 12' are positioned in the downward direction at the level of the upper slider C2a 'in zone Z2 ( Fig. 21 ). At this time, the direction of movement of the deck is reversed and the deck starts uphill.

The pendulum 12 'hooks into the upper slider C2a' and pulls it up thus closing the projection.

At the end of closing, the final blade tip continues to pull on the upper slider C2a 'which brings the slider part 6a1' closer to the upper latch 43.2 by co-operating with the ramp of the notch 44 ( Fig.22 ) with the pin 45 of the lock to lock the pin 42.1 of the lower slider C1a 'in the lower latch 43.1.

At the end of the closing cycle, the motor or the user detects the blocking force and reverses the direction of rotation to disengage the rocker 12 'from the upper slider C2a' and let the slider C2a 'return to the rest position (in case the simple weight of the part would not be sufficient, a return spring not shown here would be installed between the slide C2a 'and the arm 31'). Once the rocker clear of the upper cursor, the user takes the hand for a normal control of the descent and ascent of the deck.

In addition to the arrangements described above, it is possible to provide the possibility of creating a position of the locked perforated apron, projection in the closed or open position. This possibility is explained with reference to the achievement of Fig. 2-14 but it also applies to the variant of Fig.15-22 .

For this we install a locking slider (not shown) with latch, similar to the sliders C1a, C2a, towards the lower end of the slides 6a1, 6a2, and associated with the slider a locking spring tongue (not shown) similar to the tongue spring L of Fig.3 and 4 . The lock slider is attached to the slider and can not slide, unlike sliders C1a, C2a.

The operation of the lock is as follows.

During the descent of the apron, just before reaching the bottom, the finger 12 at the end of the final blade 5a is spaced apart by the locking spring tab associated with the locking slider.

To cause locking, the mounted direction is controlled before the finger 22 escapes the tongue spring. The finger 12 then abuts under the fixed locking slider, thereby creating the blocking of the deck and stopping the engine by its "stop on torque" function. The apron is thus locked in the open position allowing good ventilation of the room.

To unlock the deck, simply lower the deck down to resume the normal cycle.

It is possible to provide a "perforated / locked" function directly accessible from the flap control switch. In normal control mode of the shutter, the engine can not stop in the position where the finger 12 at the end of the final blade is separated by the locking spring tab, so as not to risk an inadvertent blocking at the time of ascent apron.

The interest of the lock is particularly manifested in the closed position, because it is possible at night, or in case of absence in the day, to leave the window open for good ventilation with the shutter in openwork slats position but blocked in the backstage, to avoid any attempt of intrusion.

The invention allows the control of the projection or closure by the single movement of the apron, advantageously motorized, without having to intervene on the outside to act on the projection arms.

Claims (19)

1. Device for controlling the projection and/or the return of an apron of a roller blind in a plane, the rolling up / unrolling of which is effected by a drive means, the apron being guided on each side by a slide (6a, 6b; 6a'), a bottom part of which (6a1, 6b1; 6a1') is pivoted to a fixed top part (6a2, 6b2; 6a2') and can be moved away from the plane of the opening associated with the roller blind, when the projection is desired, each bottom part (6a1, 6b1; 6a1') of the slide being connected to a fixed part of a frame or of a wall by a retractable projection arm (9a, 9b; 9a') which is pivoted, at one end, on said fixed part, according to which the force developed during the rolling up of the apron is utilized to close and lock the projection, characterized in that the force developed during the rolling up of the apron is utilized to unlock and open the projection, and in that when the projection is in the open position, after the roller blind has been lowered into its bottom position, the operator can handle the roller blind again so as to move it as he pleases.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the projection arm (9a, 9b; 9a') at its other end (10, 10') is pivoted on an element (11, 11') which is slidingly mounted in the bottom part (6a1, 6a2; 6a1') of the slide, and in that it includes at least one slider (C1a, C2a; C1a', C2a') which is mounted so as to slide with friction in the bottom part (6a1, 6a2; 6a1') of the slide, said slider being suitable to be driven, when a projection or return movement is desired, by a retractable drive member (12, 12') which is provided at the end of a slat (5a) of the apron when this latter is moved and in order to bring about the desired displacement of the bottom part of the slide.
3. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the drive member (12, 12') is provided at the end of the final slat (5a) of the apron.
4. Device according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the device includes two sliders in each bottom slide part (6a1, 6a2), one of which (C1a, C1a') is provided to ensure the projection and the other (C2a, C2a') to ensure the return of the apron in a plane, the device thus enabling both the projection and the return of the apron to be carried out.
5. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that each slider (C1a, C2a; C1a', C2a') includes a hooking means (17, 17') which is suitable to allow the drive member (12, 12'), which is provided on the end of the slat, to pass when being lowered and raised when the projection is not driven, and to be hooked on the drive means (12, 12') when being raised when the projection is driven.
6. Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the hooking means of each slider (C1a, C2a) includes a retractable latch (17) which is suitable to be released during the lowering of the apron and to be driven during the raising of the apron by the drive member (12).
7. Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the retractable drive member, which is provided at the end of the apron slat, is made up by a finger (12) which is returned to the retracted position by an elastic means (19) and the device includes a spring tab (L, 22, 23) which is fixed on the slide in a position (D, R) where the associated slider (C1a, C2a) is inoperative, the tab (L, 22, 23) being suitable to move the finger of the apron slat aside in order to release the latch (17) in a direction of displacement of the apron, in particular during lowering, and to drive the latch (17) and the slider (C1a, C2a) in the other direction, in particular during raising, the reversal of the movement of the apron being carried out before the finger (12) has gone beyond the spring tab (L, 22, 23) and been returned to the retracted position.
8. Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 7, characterized in that, to drive the projection, said device includes an inextensible flexible link (24) which is connected at one end to the projection slider (C1a) and, at its other end, to the sliding element (11) which is pivoted to the end of the projection arm (9a, 9b), a reversing roller (25) being provided toward the lower end of the bottom part (6a1, 6a2) of the slide for winding the link (24) and to change upward traction originating from the apron into downward traction exerted on the projection arm (9a, 9b).
9. Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 8, characterized in that to control the return of the apron in a plane, said device includes an inextensible flexible link (31) which is connected at one end of a return slider (C2a) and, at its other end, to a fixed point (M) of the wall or the frame, a first roller (32) being provided toward the lower end of the slide (6a1, 6a2) and a second roller (33) being provided on the slide in the vicinity of the lower end of the sliding element (11), the inextensible flexible link (31) being wound on the two rollers in order to change the upward traction of the apron into traction of the projection arm (9a, 9b) toward the wall or the frame of the window.
10. Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the second roller (33) is placed above the lower end of the sliding element (11) when the projection is in the open position in such a manner that the cable (31), when the roller blind is in the open position, passes under the lower end of the sliding element (11) and then goes and hooks onto the fixed point (M), so that when the final slat (5a) starts to be raised, the cable (31) exerts an upward thrust on the element (11).
11. Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the hooking means of each slider (C1a', C2a') includes an inside cam profile (40.1) which has an intermediate part (41.1) and a top part which is curved downward (17') suitable for hooking the drive member (12') of the apron when the projection is controlled by reversing the lowering movement of the apron into a raising movement while the drive member is situated in a zone (Z1, Z2) of the cam for controlling the reversing of the direction of displacement of the apron.
12. Device according to Claim 11, characterized in that the retractable drive member which is provided at the end of the apron slat is made up by a rocker arm (12') which is mounted so as to rotate about a horizontal axis, is directed downward and including at its end a transverse lug (39) which is suitable for cooperating with the inside cam profile (40.1).
13. Device according to Claim 11, characterized in that the sliding element (11') and the projection slider (C1a') form one single part on which the end (10') of the projection arm (9a') is pivoted, the inoperative position of the projection slider being situated in the bottom part of the slide.
14. Device according to Claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, to control the return of the apron in a plane, said device includes a closing arm (31') which is connected at one end to a return slider (C2a') and, at its other end, to a fixed point (M') of the wall or of the frame, the inoperative position of the return slider (C2a') being situated above the fixed point (M').
15. Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the bottom part (6a1, 6a2) of the slide includes a locking means (27, 29) on the wall or the frame; said locking means including a hook (29) which is integral with a sliding bar (27) in opposition to an elastic return means, said bar supporting the axis of rotation of the reversing roller (25) and being able to slide upward, under the influence of the traction exerted at the start of the opening, allowing the bottom slide (6a1, 6a2) to be unlocked and the projection to be carried out.
16. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hinge (7) between the two parts (6a1, 6a2) of the slide is situated on the side of the open angle, turned toward the inside of the building, and the adjacent ends (6a1e, 6a2e) of the fixed part of the slide and of the mobile part are bevelled, and a flexible cover (G) covers the adjacent ends of the parts of the slide and the space between the bevels.
17. Device according to Claim 7 or 11, for a roller blind with the operation of the apron provided by an electric motor with control electronics, characterized in that the position of the or of each spring tab (L), or of the reversing zone (Z1, Z2) for the control is memorized in the control electronics of the motor and corresponds to a number of revolutions of the motor.
18. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device includes, toward the lower end of the slides (6a1, 6a2; 6a1'), a locking slider which is fixed to the slide and a locking spring tab which is associated with the slider, such that when the apron is lowered, just before arriving at the bottom, the retractable drive member (12) is moved aside by the locking spring tab and, in order to bring about the locking, the raising direction is selected before the drive member (12) gets away from the spring tab, the drive member (12) therefore coming to rest under the fixed locking slider, and thus creating the blocking of the apron.
19. Roller blind, in particular with the operation of the apron provided by an electric motor with control electronics, characterized in that said roller blind includes a device for controlling the projection and/or the return of the apron of the roller blind in a plane according to any one of the preceding claims.

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