EP2845983A1 - Device for joining two slats of a roller shutter - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for joining two blades (2) of rolling shutter apron, said device (1) being in the form of a longitudinal element of flexible material, characterized in that said element at a first longitudinal edge (3), hooking means (4) shaped to cooperate in insertion within a groove (5) which is equipped with an edge (6) of one of said blades ( 2); and at its second longitudinal edge (10), receiving means (11) shaped to cooperate by interlocking the opposite edge (12) of the other of said blades (2), said receiving means (11) comprising two deformable lips (13) located on either side of a housing (14) for receiving said opposite edge (12), said receiving means (11) having shapes and dimensions adapted and complementary to allow to receive in introducing and maintaining the opposite edge (12) of said other blade (2). The invention also relates to a rolling shutter apron whose blades are equipped with such a device (1).

Description

The present invention is in the field of devices for concealing and closing an opening within a building, in the form of a shutter.

Such a roller shutter device comprises an apron, driven to pass from a closed position in which it is unwound in front of said opening to an open position in which it is wound, and vice versa, via intermediate positions, in which it is partially rolled up and unrolled. For this purpose, said apron consists of a juxtaposition of blades hinged together, so as to allow at least one degree of freedom of movement between them, allowing the winding and unwinding of said deck.

In known manner, the articulation of the blades is effected by means of their longitudinal abutting edges. On the one hand, a first longitudinal edge comprises hooking means, generally in the form of hooks extending substantially in the plane of said blade and being bent towards the rear face thereof. On the other hand, the opposite longitudinal edge has at least one housing, generally in the form of a groove, for receiving each hook interlocking. Thus, a first blade receives within its groove the hooks of a second adjacent blade located on one side, while its hooks are cooperating within the groove of a third adjacent blade located on the opposite side.

Thus secured together, the hooks allow the pivoting of the blades together, but also their transverse sliding within the grooves, until coming to the extreme position of attachment, preventing the separation of said blades.

Generally, in a vertical configuration of the roller shutter, the edge equipped with the hooks is positioned upwards, the opposite edge equipped with the groove then being arranged downwards. This positioning limits water infiltration within the groove, simply by flowing the water down.

However, in the case of a flat configuration, horizontal or substantially horizontal, or inclined, especially in a low slope, the front opening like verandas or roof windows, the flow is not operates only partially along the deck and water seeps inside the housing formed by the groove, stagnating in the lower part. This infiltration, which can also be due to condensation directly inside said housing, poses a major problem in the case of low temperatures, below zero degrees Celsius. The water then freezes inside the groove and the hooks, making it difficult to move between the blades, causing their disassembly, which can even deteriorate the joint, in particular by deforming it in the case of blades made of metallic material. even to burst it.

A solution has been devised through the document DE 16 59 464 , describing a device for joining two rolling shutter deck blades, said device being in the form of a longitudinal element of elastic material, being interposed between two adjacent blades, to ensure their assembly. Such an element is provided, on one side, with a lug arranged upper projecting, providing a junction with the lower edge of a first located superiorly and shaped specifically to receive interlocking said lug. In the opposite lower face, the element has a concave surface, in a circular arc, within which is housed the upper edge of a blade located below, without guaranteeing its maintenance. It is a metal member that ensures maintain, crossing the abutting edges of said blades and the element then sandwiched.

Another anecdotal solution is described in the document US 4,930,561 , aiming at a blade joint of a roll-up door. A longitudinal element made of material elastic, has an upper edge shaped arrow to be introduced into a groove and be maintained there. The opposite edge has two arcs providing better deformation, in compression when a lower blade presses against said two arcs. Other members are necessary to ensure pivot articulation of a blade relative to the other.

Such devices provide only the junction with a single blade, without maintaining the two blades together, and simultaneously the function of articulation.

The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art, proposing, on the one hand, to deport the joint out of the groove, between the blades and, on the other hand, to ensure tightness of the groove, avoiding any water infiltration.

To do this, the invention interposes a flexible junction device between the blades, coming from one side cooperate snap within said groove and receiving the other side internally fixing the opposite edge of an adjacent blade. It is then the flexibility of the material of the device that ensures the movements of the joint, through its deformation. Preferably, said material may be elastic, especially in the form of natural or synthetic rubber. In addition, this type of material makes it possible to seal the groove.

• au niveau d'un premier bord longitudinal, des moyens d'accrochage conformés de manière à coopérer en insertion au sein d'une rainure dont est équipé un bord d'une desdites lames ; et
• au niveau de son second bord longitudinal, des moyens de réception conformés de manière à coopérer par emboîtement du bord opposé de l'autre desdites lames, lesdits moyens de réception comprenant deux lèvres déformables situées de part et d'autre d'un logement de réception dudit bord opposé, lesdits moyens de réception présentant des formes et des dimensions adaptées et complémentaires pour permettre de recevoir en introduction et de maintenir le bord opposé de ladite autre lame.

Thus, the invention relates to a device for joining two rolling shutter deck blades, said device being in the form of a longitudinal element of flexible material. Such a device is characterized in that said element has:

• at a first longitudinal edge, hooking means shaped so as to cooperate in insertion within a groove which is equipped with an edge of one of said blades; and
• at its second longitudinal edge, means of receiving means shaped to cooperate by interlocking the opposite edge of the other of said blades, said receiving means comprising two deformable lips located on either side of a receiving housing of said opposite edge, said receiving means having shapes and adapted and complementary dimensions to allow to receive in introduction and to maintain the opposite edge of said other blade.

The device according to the invention then allows, by itself, to obtain the maintenance and blocking of the upper edge of the lower blade.

In addition, according to other additional features, not limiting, at least one of said lips may have a line forming a redent protruding internally and forming interlocking locking means of said opposite edge.

Advantageously, said hooking means may comprise at least one groove for insertion of a projecting edge which is equipped with said groove at its opening.

According to one embodiment, said hooking means may comprise two grooves extending symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal median plane of said device, each groove being shaped to receive as insertion a projecting edge which is equipped with said groove on both sides of its opening.

In particular, each groove may constitute seals sealing the inside of said groove.

The invention also relates to a rolling shutter apron, whose blades are connected by means of such a connecting device. In particular, this rolling shutter apron comprises at least two blades hinged together, each blade having, on the one hand, at one of its longitudinal edges, a groove and, on the other hand, at its edge. opposite longitudinal, an attachment head. Such an apron is characterized by the fact that it is equipped with a device for joining said two blades according to any one of the preceding claims, said gripping means cooperating in insertion within said groove of a first blade and said receiving means cooperating by interlocking with said gripping head of the other blade.

• la figure 1 représente schématiquement une vue selon une coupe transversale deux lames, en position déroulée du tablier, assemblées et articulées par l'intermédiaire du dispositif de jonction selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente schématiquement une vue similaire à la figure 1, dans laquelle lesdites deux lames se trouvent dans une position partiellement enroulée du tablier, montrant la déformation du dispositif de jonction qui autorise le déplacement, notamment en rotation, des lames l'une par rapport à l'autre ;
• la figure 3 représente schématiquement une vue en coupe transversale d'un exemple de réalisation du dispositif de jonction selon l'invention, mise en oeuvre dans la jonction des deux lames visibles sur les figures 1 et 2 ;
• la figure 4 représente schématiquement une vue en coupe transversale d'un autre mode de réalisation dudit dispositif de jonction ; et
• la figure 5 représente schématiquement une vue en coupe transversale encore d'un autre mode de réalisation dudit dispositif de jonction selon l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

• the figure 1 schematically represents a view in cross-section two blades, in unwound position of the deck, assembled and articulated through the connecting device according to the invention;
• the figure 2 schematically represents a view similar to the figure 1 , wherein said two blades are in a partially wound position of the deck, showing the deformation of the connecting device which allows the displacement, especially in rotation, of the blades relative to each other;
• the figure 3 schematically represents a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the connecting device according to the invention, implemented in the junction of the two blades visible on the Figures 1 and 2 ;
• the figure 4 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of said splicing device; and
• the figure 5 schematically shows a still cross-sectional view of another embodiment of said junction device according to the invention.

The present invention relates to a device 1 for joining two blades 2 roller shutter apron.

Such a device 1 is intended to ensure the attachment of two blades 2 between them, while giving them freedom of movement with respect to each other to allow the winding and unwinding of said deck. The device 1 thus ensures the joining and the maintenance of the blades 2, one with the other and the function of articulation relative to each other.

Advantageously, according to an essential characteristic, said device 1 is in the form of an element made of flexible material. Such a material may be composite or plastic, in particular having elastic characteristics. It may be, without limitation, made of natural or synthetic rubber. The flexibility of this material allows its deformation, thus constituting a deformable articulation between said blades 2. On the other hand, this flexibility allows said device 1 to cooperate with the blades 2, providing a mechanical connection between the two.

To do this, the element has a longitudinal shape, intended to cooperate with the contiguous longitudinal edges of each of said butted blades 2.

In particular, on the one hand, said element has, at a first longitudinal edge 3, means 4 of attachment. These are intended to replace the hooks of existing blades, to be introduced on one side of a blade and thus ensure the blocking of said element with the blade. To do this, said hooking means are shaped to cooperate in insertion within a groove 5 which is equipped with an edge 6 of one of said blades 2. In other words, said attachment means 4 present shapes and dimensions adapted and complementary to allow to be introduced within said groove 5.Note that this groove preferably extends over the entire length of said edge 6 of each blade 2. It thus forms a longitudinal recess, having a space in which can be accommodated said attachment means 4. In particular, according to a first method, the assembly can be performed by introducing these attachment means 4 from one end of the blade 2 and their sliding in translation inside and along the groove 5. According to a second method, the elasticity and flexibility of the materials, which are those constituting the blade and its edge 6, or constituting the device 1, allow to nest the attachment means 4, deforming (taking their original form once nested).

According to a first embodiment, not shown, said attachment means 4 comprise at least one groove 7 for inserting a projecting edge 50 which is fitted with said groove 5 at its opening 51. This edge 50 extends horizontally or substantially horizontally towards the inside of said opening 51. Consequently, said edge 50 cooperates in an interlocking manner along the groove 7, ensuring a transverse locking of said device 1 within said blade 2.

According to the preferred embodiments, shown in the figures, said attachment means 4 comprise two grooves 50 extending symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal median plane of said device 1. In addition, each groove 7 is shaped to receive a singing insertion. Projection 50 which is provided with said groove 5 on either side of its opening 51. The edges 50 then form a clamp which grips the device 1 on each side, upper and lower.

According to an additional feature, each groove 7 constitutes seals sealing the inside of said groove 5. Indeed, the flexible material constituting the device 1 allows it to come to deform in a minimal way during its insertion within the groove 5, to resume its original shape and provide support in contact with the surface of the blade 2, in particular at the inner and outer surfaces of each projecting edge 50.

According to the embodiments shown on the Figures 1 to 4 , said attachment means 4 are terminated at the edge 3 by an enlarged end of conical or substantially conical section. Other forms may be envisaged, such as an end of substantially circular shape, as shown in FIG. figure 5 , or even a flat shape with an orthogonally extending edge or substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal median plane of said device 1.

On the other hand, at its second longitudinal edge 10, said element has receiving means 11. These are provided to receive the edge 12 of a blade 2, in place of the groove 5, to ensure the maintaining said blade 2. These receiving means 11 then replace the cooperation hooks existing blades.

To do this, said receiving means 11 are shaped to cooperate by interlocking the opposite edge 12 of the other of said blades 2. In other words, said receiving means 11 have shapes and dimensions adapted and complementary to allow to receive in introduction and maintain the edge 12 of said blade 2.

In addition, the receiving means 11 can block the blades 2 relative to each other in the transverse direction of said blades, generally vertically, but allows oscillation or rotation of the blades relative to the other by deformation

In addition, said receiving means 11 comprise two deformable lips 13 located on either side of a housing 14 for receiving said opposite edge 12. In sum, these lips 13 form flexible tongues forming the side walls of said housing 14 and coming, at their surface located internally, in contact with the outer walls of said blade 2.

As such, said blade 2 may have at its opposite edge 12, a shaped end, not in the form of a hook, but in the form of an attachment head 15. It is the latter that will come s' introducing into the housing 14, clamped on each side by the lips 13 which then provide, at least in part, its maintenance within said housing 14. In short, the materials constituting the blade 2, in particularly its edge 12, and those constituting the receiving means 11 have some and / or others of the characteristics of flexibility and elasticity allowing their interlocking, especially in force by clipping. According to another method of assembly, the head 15 can be slid from an end of the edge 12 of the blade 2, sliding within the housing 14.

According to the preferred embodiment, said attachment head 15 has a rounded shape, of hemicylindrical section, similar to a bead forming the edge of said edge 12. In addition, this bead can extend, on the side of a face of the blade 2, in particular the face intended to be positioned towards the outside, in the continuity of the curvature of said face 16. At the inner face 17 of the blade 2, said bead may form a hollow 18. This particular shape asymmetric drop improves the pivoting articulation of the blade 2, without risk of disassembly outside the receiving means 11 of the device 1. This configuration is particularly visible on the figure 2 .

According to a specific embodiment, represented on the figure 5 at least one of said lips 13 may have a line forming a redent 19 projecting internally and forming interlocking locking means of said opposite edge 12. In particular, the shape of the attachment head 15 allows said redent 19 to come to penetrate into its hollow 18, the lip 13 then perfectly matching the inner face 17 at said head 15.

Such a reduction 19 improves the assembly accuracy and the locking of the device 1 with the lower blade 19.

Moreover, complementary means for fixing the head 15 within the housing 14 may be envisaged, especially in the form of an adhesive material, adhesive, suitable sealant, which is injected into said housing 14, before or after nesting of the head 15 of the blade 2.

In this regard, the device 1 can be positioned on the blade 2 directly at the time of manufacture thereof, by clipping by pressing the head 15 in the housing 14, the flexibility of the material ensures the deformation during this passage, then the clasping after insertion. Another technique, when the blade 2 is manufactured at the die outlet, may consist of sliding the device 1 along said blade 2.

The invention also relates to a rolling shutter apron equipped with the joining device 1 as previously described.

In particular, such an apron comprises at least two blades 2 hinged together. These blades 2 are butted at one of their respective longitudinal edges. Each blade 2 comprises, on the one hand, at one of its longitudinal edges 6, a groove 5 and, on the other hand, at its opposite longitudinal edge 12, a fastening head 15.

Such an apron is characterized by the fact that it is equipped with a device 1 for joining said two blades 2 according to the invention with said hooking means 4 cooperating in insertion within said groove 5 of a first blade 2 and said receiving means 11 cooperating by interlocking with said attachment head 15 of the other blade 2.

Thus connected and fixed together by said connecting device 1, the two blades 2 find themselves articulated via the body of the element of said device 1, in particular at its center 20, by a possible torsion effect due to the flexible material constituting the device 1.

The junction device 1 also ensures by itself the maintenance of the two blades 2 between them, in particular the locking or locking of the lower blade. This device 1 therefore consists of a flexible assembly means by interlocking two blades 2 between them.

In addition, a perfect seal is ensured at the level of the groove 5, limiting any risk of infiltration of water, but also at the level of the head 15.

Claims (6)

Device (1) for joining two blades (2) of rolling shutter apron, said device (1) being in the form of a longitudinal element made of flexible material, characterized in that said element has: - At a first longitudinal edge (3), hooking means (4) shaped to cooperate in insertion within a groove (5) which is equipped with an edge (6) of one of said blades (2); and - at its second longitudinal edge (10), receiving means (11) shaped to cooperate by interlocking the opposite edge (12) of the other of said blades (2), said receiving means (11) comprising two deformable lips (13) located on either side of a housing (14) for receiving said opposite edge (12), said receiving means (11) having shapes and dimensions adapted and complementary to allow to receive in introducing and maintaining the opposite edge (12) of said other blade (2). Connecting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said lips (13) has a line (19) forming a redent projecting internally and constituting interlocking locking means of said opposite edge ( 12). Connecting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said attachment means (4) comprise at least one groove (7) for insertion of a projecting edge (50) of which is equipped with said groove (5) at its opening (51). Connecting device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said attachment means (4) comprise two grooves (7) extending symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal median plane of said device (1), each groove (7). ) being shaped to receive in insertion a protruding edge (50) which is equipped with said groove (5) on either side of its opening (51). Connecting device (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that each groove (7) constitutes seals sealing the interior of said groove (5). Roll shutter apron, comprising at least two blades (2) hinged together, each blade (2) having, on the one hand, at one of its longitudinal edges (6), a groove (5) and, d on the other hand, at its opposite longitudinal edge (12), an attachment head (15), characterized in that it is equipped with a device (1) for joining said two blades (2) according to the any one of the preceding claims, said gripping means (4) cooperating in insertion within said groove (5) of a first blade (2) and said receiving means (11) cooperating by interlocking with said head of hooking (1 () of the other blade (2).

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