EP3375970B1

EP3375970B1 - Roller blind and method for operating said roller blind

Info

Publication number: EP3375970B1
Application number: EP18162288.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lorenzo Danieli
Original assignee: Gibus SpA
Current assignee: Gibus SpA
Priority date: 2017-03-17
Filing date: 2018-03-16
Publication date: 2019-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2038-03-16
Also published as: EP3375970A1; IT201700030089A1

Description

Field of application

The present invention regards a roller blind and a method for operating said roller blind.
The present roller blind is intended to be advantageously employed for adjustably closing openings made in walls of buildings, verandas, pergolas, roofs, etc. and in particular for the adjustable closing of windows, doors, French windows, skylights and similar doors/windows/shutters.
The blind, object of the present invention, is therefore inserted in the industrial field of production of doors/windows/shutters, also in the field of production of blinds for sun protection, in the field of mosquito netting or similar applications.

State of the art

Roller blinds are known on the market for closing openings of doors/windows/shutters (such as French windows) provided with a rolling-shutter box which is fixed to a building wall or to a ceiling above the opening to be closed and houses a roller therein on which a flexible fabric is susceptible to be wound and unwound.
The fabric usually has rectangular form and is provided with an upper edge fixed to the roller and with a lower edge fixed to a transverse bar aimed to stretch out the fabric itself.
In addition, the blind comprises two lateral guides vertically arranged along the corresponding sides of the opening and to which the transverse bar is slidably constrained.
In particular, the transverse bar comprises two lateral terminations slidably coupled to the respective lateral guides.
Each lateral guide is obtained with a corresponding metal section (e.g. made of aluminum) with rectangular section, internally hollow and provided with an internal side (facing the internal side of the other lateral guide) on which a longitudinal slit is obtained, in which the corresponding lateral termination of the transverse bar is slidably inserted.
In addition, each lateral guide is longitudinally extended between an upper end, fixed to the rolling-shutter box, and a lower end closed by a base terminal fixed to the floor at the lower edge of the opening.
In operation, the roller of the blind is actuatable, typically by a motor, to rotate in order to move the fabric between a collected position, in which the fabric is wound around the roller with the transverse bar arranged in abutment against the rolling-shutter box, and an extended position, in which the fabric is unwound from the roller to close the opening and the transverse bar is arranged at the base terminals placed at the lower ends of the lateral guides.
In particular, blinds are known on the market that are provided with locking devices adapted to lock the transverse bar to the base terminals when the fabric is brought into the extended position, and to unlock the transverse bar form the base terminals when it is necessary to once again wind the fabric around the roller in order to bring the fabric into the collected position. More in detail, in accordance with the solution of known type described in the patent application WO 2011/101879 , each locking device comprises a coupling lever which is hinged to the corresponding base terminal and comprises a first arm fixed to a spring constrained to the base terminal itself.
In addition, the coupling lever comprises a second arm, provided at its free end with a pin susceptible of being slidably inserted within a shaped channel made in the corresponding lateral termination of the transverse bar.
More in detail, the shaped channel of the lateral termination is on the lower part provided with an inlet opening, in order to allow the pin of the coupling lever to enter into the shaped channel, and is on the upper part provided with an outlet opening in order to allow the pin of the coupling lever to exit from the shaped channel itself.
In addition, the lateral termination of the transverse bar is provided with a flexible tongue placed to close the outlet opening of the shaped channel and arranged for preventing the pin of the coupling lever from entering into the shaped channel through such outlet opening, and arranged for being bent towards the exterior of the shaped channel in order to allow the pin to exit from the shaped channel through the outlet opening itself.
In operation, when the transverse bar is at the base terminations of the lateral guides in order to unwind the fabric, the pin of the coupling lever enters into the shaped channel of the corresponding termination up to reaching a specific stop section, in which the pin is constrained following the action of the spring which acts on the coupling lever, in a manner such that the latter is engaged with the corresponding lateral termination in order to lock the transverse bar at the base terminations of the lateral guides.
In order to wind the fabric again, the transverse bar is controlled to extend until the pin of the coupling lever exits from the outlet opening of the shaped channel, bending the aforesaid flexible tongue, in a manner such to release the coupling lever from the corresponding lateral termination of the transverse bar. Subsequently, the transverse bar is controlled to re-ascend in order to allow the winding of the fabric around the roller of the blind.
One drawback of the above-described blind of known type is due to the fact that it is structurally complex and costly to make, in particular requiring the arrangement of the coupling levers and of specific lateral terminations of the transverse bar with the shaped channels and flexible tongues.
A further drawback of the above-described blind of known type is due to the fact that the locking device tends to be jammed, in particular if impacted in an accidental manner, requiring the execution of repair operations that require dismantling the locking device, the corresponding lateral guide and the transverse bar of the blind.
For the purpose of at least partly resolving the abovementioned drawbacks, roller blinds have been developed and introduced into the market that are provided with magnetic anchoring means for locking the transverse bar to the lateral guides when the fabric is brought into the extended position.
For example, the patent DE 3232820 describes a roller blind provided with magnetic anchorage means comprising a pair of magnetizable steel strips, each of which fixed to the corresponding lateral guide, and a pair of permanent magnets, each of which fixed to the lateral termination of the transverse bar and adapted to interact, via magnetic attraction, with the corresponding steel strip in order to lock the transverse bar when the fabric movement motor is stopped, in particular when the fabric is in the extended position.
Nevertheless, even the latter blind of known type has in practice shown that it does not lack drawbacks.
A first drawback is due to the fact that the magnetic interaction between the permanent magnets and the magnetizable steel strips is not sufficient for ensuring a stable locking of the transverse bar, for example allowing movements of the latter following the action of wind on the extended fabric.
A further drawback is due to the fact that the magnetic anchorage means of the blind described in DE 3232820 are not able to ensure the correct positioning of the transverse bar when the fabric is extended, due to further factors that impact the positioning of the transverse bar such as friction, ballast applied to the frontal bar, quantity of motion of the movable parts of the blind. A further drawback is due to the fact that the magnetic anchorage means of the blind described in DE 3232820 do not ensure a suitable tensioning of the fabric.
The patent JP 2005 126952 A describes a roller blind according to the preamble of claim 1.

Presentation of the invention

In this situation, the problem underlying the present invention is to provide a roller blind and a method for operating said blind which ensure a stable locking of the transverse bar in the closed position.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a roller blind which allows suitably maintaining the fabric in extended position under tension.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a roller blind which is structurally simple and inexpensive to make.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a roller blind which is not subjected to jamming of the movement of the transverse bar.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating a roller blind which allows stably locking the transverse bar in the closed position.

Brief description of the drawings

The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the aforesaid objects, can be clearly seen in the contents of the below-reported claims and the advantages thereof will be more evident in the following detailed description, made with reference to the enclosed drawings, which represent several merely exemplifying and non-limiting embodiments of the invention, in which:

figures 1a, 1b and 1c show the roller blind, object of the present invention, in accordance with a first embodiment, in a perspective view with the fabric respectively completely extended, completely wound and partially extended;
figure 2 shows a perspective view of a detail of the blind illustrated in figures 1a-1c, relative to two magnetic coupling elements separate from each other;
figure 3 shows a perspective view of a detail of the blind with the magnetic coupling elements arranged engaged with each other;
figure 4 shows a front view of the blind illustrated in figure 3;
figure 5 shows a sectional view of the blind illustrated in figure 4 according to the trace V-V of figure 4 itself;
figure 6 shows a detail of figure 5 relative to two engagement bodies of the magnetic coupling elements;
figure 7 shows a perspective view of the magnetic coupling element fixed to the transverse bar of the blind;
figures 8a-8d show four different positions of the magnetic coupling elements of the blind during the movement of the transverse bar from the open position to the closed position;
figure 9 shows a perspective view of a detail of the blind relative to the magnetic coupling elements, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
figure 10 illustrates the magnetic coupling elements illustrated in figure 9 with some parts of the blind removed in order to better illustrate other parts;
figure 11 shows a perspective view of the roller blind, object of the present invention, in accordance with a third embodiment.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

With reference to the enclosed drawings, reference number 1 indicates the roller blind, object of the present invention.
The present roller blind 1 is intended to carry out the adjustable closing of an opening A made on a load-bearing structure, such as a building wall, a veranda, a loggia, a terrace, a pergola, a roof or other similar structures.
In particular, in accordance with a first and a second embodiment illustrated in the figures 1a-10, the blind 1 is intended to close an opening A with substantially vertical plane, for example made on a building wall. In accordance with a third embodiment illustrated in figure 11, the blind 1 is intended to close an opening A with substantially horizontal plane or sloped, for example on the roof of a pergola.
In accordance with the embodiments illustrated in figures 1a-c and 11, the blind 1 comprises a support frame 2 intended to be fixed to a load-bearing element. In accordance with the first embodiment illustrated in figures 1a-c, the load-bearing element comprises a wall in which the opening A is obtained. In accordance with the third embodiment illustrated in figure 11, the load-bearing element comprises for example two or more columns of the pergola and/or a wall against which the pergola itself is abutted.
The support frame 2 of the blind 1 advantageously comprises a rolling-shutter box 3 intended to be positioned to delimit a head side of the opening A, and susceptible of being fixed to a wall of the load-bearing element preferably by means of anchorage brackets.
The blind 1 also comprises a take-up roller (not illustrated in the enclosed figures) rotatably constrained to the support frame 2, advantageously housed within the rolling-shutter box 3, and provided with a preferably substantially horizontal rotation axis X.
The blind 1 also comprises a flexible fabric 4, which is susceptible of being wound around the take-up roller and preferably passes through a passage slit of the rolling-shutter box 3 in order to enter into and exit from the latter.
The fabric 4 can be intended to make a shading screen for filtering sunlight or to make a mosquito netting. Generally, the fabric 4 can be dedicated to close the opening A in order to protect an internal or underlying area from the sun, from wind, from rain, or more generally from weathering agents.
The fabric 4, as a function of its different applications, can be made of a synthetic or natural material and can have the form of a net or have a continuous surface of shading, filtering or transparent type.
The blind 1 also comprises two lateral guides 5 extended parallel to each other and side-by-side and advantageously arranged to delimit corresponding sides of the opening A. Between the lateral guides 5, the fabric 4 is susceptible of sliding, following its winding and unwinding around the take-up roller.
The fabric 4 has a preferably rectangular form and is provided, in a manner per se known to the man skilled in the art, with a first edge fixed to the take-up roller and with a second edge fixed to a transverse bar 6 arranged parallel to the take-up roller and aimed to stretch out the fabric 4. In addition, the fabric 4 is provided with two lateral edges, each provided with a flexible engagement flap guided to slide along the corresponding lateral guide 5 during the winding and unwinding of the fabric 4 itself.
Advantageously, the lateral guides 5 and the transverse bar 6 of the blind 1 identify a lying plane of the blind 1 itself, in particular such lying plane identifying a first side L1 and a second side L2 of the blind 1 directed in senses opposite each other.
According to the invention, each lateral guide 5 is longitudinally extended according to a respective first extension direction Y substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis X of the take-up roller.
More in detail, each lateral guide 5 is extended along the corresponding first extension direction Y between a first end 9 and an opposite second end 10. The first end 9 of each lateral guide 5 is positioned at the take-up roller, and preferably abutted against the rolling-shutter box 3 of the blind 1, the second end 10 being arranged at a greater distance from the take-up roller with respect to the first end 9.
In accordance with the first and the second embodiment illustrated in figures 1a-10, the two lateral guides 5 are intended to be fixed to the load-bearing element (in which the opening A itself is obtained) for example by means of anchorage means.
In accordance with the third embodiment illustrated in figure 11, the two lateral guides 5 are intended to be fixed, at the first ends 9 thereof, to the rolling-shutter box 3, and are intended to be supported, at the second ends 10, by columns of the load-bearing element.
With reference to the example illustrated in figures 2-4 and 9-10, each lateral guide 5 has cross section with preferably rectangular shape and is provided with an external surface 12 which comprises a first lateral flank 13 directed towards the first lateral flank 13 of the other lateral guide 5, and with a second lateral flank 14 directed in a direction substantially opposite with respect to the first lateral flank 13 and preferably parallel to the latter. In addition, the external surface 12 of each lateral guide 5 is provided with a frontal face 15 extended to connect the first lateral flank 13 with the second lateral flank 14, and preferably orthogonal to such lateral flanks 13, 14. Advantageously, the external surface 12 of each lateral guide 5 is provided with another frontal face (also extended to connect the first lateral flank 13 with the second lateral flank 14), directed in the sense opposite the aforesaid frontal face 15 and preferably parallel to the latter. In particular, the frontal face 15 of each lateral guide 5 faces the first side L1 of the blind 1 and is substantially parallel to the lying plane of the latter. Suitably, the other frontal face of each lateral guide 5 faces the second side L2 of the blind 1.
On the first lateral flank 13 of the external surface 12 of each lateral guide 5, a longitudinal opening 17 is obtained that is parallel to the first extension direction Y of the lateral guide 5 itself and in which the transverse bar 6 is slidably engaged.
Advantageously, each lateral guide 5 comprises at least one elongated section extended according to the first extension direction Y between the first end 9 and the second end 10, for example made of aluminum and in particular by means of extrusion.
Suitably, each lateral guide 5 can comprise an end cap 18, e.g. made of plastic material, placed to close the second end 10 of the lateral guide 5 itself.
The transverse bar 6 of the blind 1, fixed to the second edge of the fabric 4, is longitudinally extended along a second extension direction Z parallel to the rotation axis X of the take-up roller, between two lateral terminations 22 thereof slidably engaged in the longitudinal openings 17 of the corresponding lateral guides 5.
Advantageously, the transverse bar 6 is provided with a front face 23 parallel to the frontal faces 15 of the lateral guides 5 and preferably coplanar to such frontal faces 15. In addition, the front face 23 of the transverse bar 6 is directed in the same sense as the frontal faces 15 facing in particular together with the latter on the first side L1 of the blind 1.
Preferably, the transverse bar 6 comprises a metal section for example made of extruded aluminum.
The lateral terminations 22 of the transverse bar 6 are preferably made of plastic material, are placed as a lateral closure of the metal section of the transverse bar 6 itself and are fixed to the metal section by means of connection screws (not illustrated), for example.
Advantageously, each lateral termination 22 of the transverse bar 6 is provided with a guide tab 24 laterally projecting as an extension of the transverse bar 6 itself according to the second extension direction Z and slidably inserted in the longitudinal opening 17 of the corresponding lateral guide 5. For such purpose, the thickness of the guide tab 24 is smaller than the width of the longitudinal opening 17 of the lateral guide 5 in order to define a sliding clearance. Advantageously, the blind 1 comprises actuation means (not illustrated in the enclosed figures) mechanically connected to the take-up roller and arranged to drive the latter to rotate around its rotation axis X in order to unwind or wind the fabric 4 around the take-up roller itself.
In particular, the actuation means are of motorized type (comprising in particular an electric motor), or of manual type (comprising in particular a crank obtained with a control rod engaged through a joint to the shaft of the roller).
In operation, the fabric 4 of the blind 1 is movable by the take-up roller between a collected position, in which the fabric 4 is wound around the take-up roller (as illustrated in the example of figure 1b), and an extended position, in which the fabric 4 is unwound from the take-up roller outside the rolling-shutter box 3 to close the opening A (as illustrated in the example of figure 1a).
Following the aforesaid movement of the fabric 4, the transverse bar 6 is movable between an open position, in which the fabric 4 is in the collected position and the transverse bar 6 is placed at the first ends 9 of the lateral guides 5, and a closed position, in which the fabric 4 is in the extended position and the transverse bar 6 is positioned at the second ends 10 of the lateral guides 5.
According to the present invention, the blind 1 comprises at least one first magnetic coupling element 25 fixed to the corresponding lateral guide 5 and positioned at the second end 10 of the lateral guide 5 itself.
The blind 1 also comprises at least one second magnetic coupling element 26, which is fixed at the respective lateral termination of the transverse bar 6 and, when the transverse bar 6 is arranged in the closed position, is engaged via magnetic attraction to the first magnetic coupling element 25 in order to retain the transverse bar 6 in the closed position locked to the lateral guide 5.
In particular, when the transverse bar 6 is in the closed position, the second magnetic coupling element 26 is positioned in front of the first magnetic coupling element 25 and substantially facing the latter.
Advantageously, the blind 1 comprises a pair of the aforesaid first magnetic coupling elements 25, each fixed to the corresponding lateral guide 5, and a pair of aforesaid second magnetic coupling elements 26, each fixed to the transverse bar 6 and susceptible of interacting via magnetic attraction with the corresponding first magnetic coupling element 25 in order to retain the transverse bar 6 locked in the closed position.
In accordance with the idea underlying the present invention, the first magnetic coupling element 25 (integral with the lateral guide 5) comprises a first pair of magnets 25A, 25B and the second magnetic coupling element 26 (integral with the transverse bar 6) comprises at least one second pair of magnets 26A, 26B.
More in detail, the first pair of magnets 25A, 25B of the first magnetic coupling element 25 comprises a first magnet 25A and a second magnet 25B with opposite polarity with respect to each other, and the second pair of magnets 26A, 26B of the second magnetic coupling element 26 comprises a third magnet 26A and a fourth magnet 26B in turn with opposite polarity with respect to each other.
In particular, the first magnet 25A and the second magnet 25B of the first magnetic coupling element 25 are directed with opposite poles on the first side L1 of the blind 1. For example, with reference to figure 5, the first magnet 25A and the second magnet 25B respectively have the south pole and the north pole directed towards the first side L1 of the blind 1.
Analogously, the third magnet 26A and the fourth magnet 26B of the second magnetic coupling element 26 are directed with opposite poles towards the second side L2 of the blind 1. For example, with reference to figure 5, the third magnet 26A and the fourth magnet 26B respectively have the north pole and the south pole directed towards the second side L2 of the blind 1.
Advantageously, the first magnet 25A and the second magnet 25B of the first magnetic coupling element 25 are arranged one after the other according to the first extension direction Y of the corresponding lateral guide 5. Analogously, the third magnet 26A and the fourth magnet 26B are arranged one after the other according to the first extension direction Y.
According to the invention, when the transverse bar 6 is in closed position, the third magnet 26A of the second magnetic coupling element 26 is coupled in magnetic retention relationship with the first magnet 25A of the first magnetic coupling element 25 and is coupled in magnetic repulsion relationship with the second magnet 25B of the first magnetic coupling element 25 itself. In addition, the fourth magnet 26B of the second magnetic coupling element 26 is coupled in magnetic retention relationship with the second magnet 25B of the first magnetic coupling element 25 and is coupled in magnetic repulsion relationship with the first magnet 25A of the first magnetic coupling element 25 itself.
The magnetic forces of attraction and repulsion of the magnets 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B of the blind 1 according to the invention act on the magnetic coupling elements 25, 26 by pushing them towards a point of equilibrium in order to retain the two magnetic coupling elements 25, 26 together, so as to lock the transverse bar 6 to the lateral guides 5.
For example, if following the action of wind on the fabric 4 the transverse bar 6 tends to be moved from the closed position, the forces of repulsion between the third magnet 26A and the second magnet 25B and between the fourth magnet 26B and the first magnet 25A tend to bring the third magnet 26A and the fourth magnet 26B of the second magnetic coupling element 26 across therefrom respectively back to the first magnet 25A and to the second magnet 25B of the first magnetic coupling element 25, in a manner such to facilitate the interaction of magnetic attraction between the third magnet 26A and the first magnet 25A and between the fourth magnet 26B and the second magnet 25B, ensuring a stable engagement between the magnetic coupling elements 25, 26 which allows bringing the transverse bar 6 back into the closed position when the latter is subjected to specific position deviations.
Therefore, the magnetic forces of repulsion between third magnet 26A and second magnet 25B and between fourth magnet 26B and first magnet 25A interact with the magnetic forces of attraction between third magnet 26A and first magnet 25A and between fourth magnet 26B and second magnet 25B in order to ensure a stable locking of the transverse bar 6 in the closed position.
Advantageously, with reference to the example of figure 5, when the transverse bar 6 is in closed position, the second magnetic coupling element 26 is arranged aligned with the corresponding first magnetic coupling element 25 according to an alignment direction W substantially orthogonal to the lying plane of the blind and hence orthogonal to the first extension direction Y of the lateral guide 5 and to the second extension direction Z of the transverse bar 6. More in detail, the third magnet 26A and the fourth magnet 26B of the second magnetic coupling element 26 are respectively arranged in front of the first magnet 25A and in front of the second magnet 25B of the first magnetic coupling element 25 according to the aforesaid alignment direction W.
Preferably, when the transverse bar 6 is in closed position, the third magnet 26A of the second magnetic coupling element 26 has one pole thereof directed towards an opposite pole of the first magnet 25A of the first magnetic coupling element 25, in a manner such to generate a magnetic interaction of attraction between such magnets 26A, 25A. For example, the third magnet 26A has the north pole directed towards the south pole of the first magnet 25A.
Analogously, when the transverse bar 6 is in closed position, the fourth magnet 26B of the second magnetic coupling element 26 has one pole thereof directed towards an opposite pole of the second magnet 25B of the first magnetic coupling element 25, in a manner such to generate a magnetic interaction of attraction between such magnets 26B, 25B. For example, the fourth magnet 26B has the south pole directed towards the north pole of the second magnet 25B. Advantageously, the magnets 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B of the magnetic coupling elements 25, 26 are arranged for generating magnetic forces defining a resultant force acting on the transverse bar 6 in closed position, and adapted to push the transverse bar 6 away from the take-up roller, maintaining the fabric 4 taut between the take-up roller and the transverse bar 6 itself.
In particular, the electric motor of the blind 1 actuation means is arranged with an end stop for unwinding the fabric 4 which positions the transverse bar 6 before (towards the take-up roller) the point of equilibrium of the magnets 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B (for example several millimeters before), in a manner such that the magnetic forces generated by the magnets 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B, pushing the second magnetic coupling element 26 towards such point of equilibrium, also push the transverse bar 6 towards such point of equilibrium, moving away from the take-up roller in order to stretch out the fabric 4 of the blind 1.
Advantageously, with reference to the example of figure 2, the first magnetic coupling element 25 comprises multiple first pairs of magnets 25A, 25B (e.g. two) arranged side-by-side each other according to a direction parallel to the second extension direction Z of the transverse bar 6, and the second magnetic coupling element 26 comprises multiple second pairs of magnets 26A, 26B (e.g. two) side-by-side each other along the second extension direction Z itself. In this manner, when the transverse bar 6 is in the closed position, the second pairs of magnets 26A, 26B of the second magnetic coupling element 26 are coupled to the corresponding first pairs of magnets 25A, 25B of the first magnetic coupling element 25.
In accordance with a different embodiment, each magnetic coupling element 25 and 26 comprises only one corresponding pair of magnets 25A, 25B and 26A, 26B, as illustrated for example in figure 10.
Preferably, each magnet 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B is obtained with a permanent magnet, such as a first magnet.
In accordance with the particular embodiment illustrated in the enclosed figures, each magnet 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B is made of a single body. In accordance with a different non-illustrated embodiment, each magnet 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B comprises multiple separate magnetic bodies with polarity in the same sense.
In particular, with the term magnet it is intended a body which, via magnetism thereof or induced (by an external magnetic field), is capable of attracting objects of ferromagnetic material.
Advantageously, in accordance with the first embodiment illustrated in figures 1-7, the second magnetic coupling element 26 is provided with a lateral appendage 27 projectingly extended in front of the frontal face 15 of the external surface 12 of the corresponding lateral guide 5, outside of the latter. Such lateral appendage 27 bears, mounted thereon, the third magnet 26A and the fourth magnet 26B which, when the transverse bar 6 is arranged in the closed position, are respectively arranged in front of the first magnet 25A and in front of the second magnet 25B of the first magnetic coupling element 25.
In particular, the lateral appendage 27 is at its interior provided with first seats in which the third magnet 26A and the fourth magnet 26B of the second magnetic coupling element 26 are housed.
Advantageously, the first magnetic coupling element 25 is fixed on the frontal face 15 of the external surface 12 of the corresponding lateral guide 5, for example by means of first fixing means (not illustrated in the enclosed figures) and/or by means of gluing.
Preferably, the first magnetic coupling element 25 is provided with an external face 25' which, when the transverse bar 6 is in the closed position, faces the lateral appendage 27 of the second magnetic coupling element 26.
In particular, the first magnetic coupling element 25 comprises a support body 21 fixed to the corresponding lateral guide 5 and provided at its interior with second seats in which the first magnet 25A and the second magnet 25B of the first magnetic coupling element 25 itself are housed.
Advantageously, the lateral appendage 27 of the second magnetic coupling element 26 is extended, according to the second extension direction Z, beyond the corresponding lateral termination 22 of the transverse bar 6, in a manner such to face the frontal face 15 of the corresponding lateral guide 5, and to face across from the corresponding first magnetic coupling element 25 when the transverse bar 6 is in the closed position.
Preferably, the second magnetic coupling element 26 is fixed on the front face 23 of the transverse bar 6 for example by means of second fixing screws (not illustrated in the enclosed figure) and/or by means of gluing.
Advantageously, the lateral appendage 27 of the second magnetic coupling element 26 is provided with an internal face 31 directed towards the frontal face 15 of the corresponding lateral guide 5 and arranged preferably spaced from the frontal face 15 itself.
Advantageously, when the transverse bar 6 is in the closed position, the second magnetic coupling element 26 comes into contact with the first magnetic coupling element 25 following the magnetic attraction generated therebetween.
More in detail, when the transverse bar 6 is in the closed position, the internal face 31 of the lateral appendage 27 of the second magnetic coupling element 26 comes into contact with the external face 25' of the first magnetic coupling element 25, advantageously developing a friction force between the internal face 31 and the external face 25'.
In particular, the second magnetic coupling element 26 is coupled in contact with the first magnetic coupling element 25 following a movement of the transverse bar 6 (caused by the magnetic attraction between the coupling elements 25, 26) orthogonal to the lying plane of the blind 1 and which is advantageously allowed by the sliding clearance with which the guide tab 24 of each lateral termination 22 of the transverse bar 6 is inserted in the longitudinal opening 17 of the corresponding lateral guide 5.
Advantageously, the support body 21 of the first magnetic coupling element 25 comprises a first protection casing 33 placed to cover the first magnet 25A and the second magnet 25B, preferably defining the external face 25' of the first magnetic coupling element 25 itself.
Advantageously, the second magnetic coupling element 26 comprises a second protection casing 34 placed to cover the third magnet 26A and the fourth magnet 26B, preferably defining the internal face 31 of the lateral appendage 27 of the second magnetic coupling element 26 itself.
Advantageously, with reference to the examples of figures 2 and 7, the first magnetic coupling element 25 comprises a first engagement body 28 and the second magnetic coupling element 26 comprises a second engagement body 29, which is mechanically engaged with the aforesaid first engagement body 28 when the transverse bar 6 is in closed position, in a manner such to facilitate the locking of the transverse bar 6 to the lateral guides 5 in cooperation with the above-described magnets 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B.
Preferably, in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in figure 6, the first engagement body 28 comprises an engagement seat 28' obtained in particular on the external face 25' of the first magnetic coupling element 25. In addition, the second engagement body 29 comprises an engagement tooth 29' in particular projectingly extended from the internal face 31 of the lateral appendage 27 of the second magnetic coupling element 26.
When the transverse bar 6 is in closed position, the engagement tooth 29' is inserted in the engagement seat 28', thus causing a mechanical coupling between the first engagement body 28 and the second engagement body 29.
In accordance with a different embodiment not illustrated in the enclosed figures, the engagement tooth 29' is arranged on the external face 25' of the first magnetic coupling element 25 and the engagement seat 28' is obtained on the internal face 31 of the lateral appendage 27 of the second magnetic coupling element 26.
Advantageously, with reference to the example illustrated in figure 6, the first engagement body is provided with a guide profile 30 extended towards the first end 9 of the corresponding lateral guide 5 and away from the first magnet 25A and from the second magnet 25B of the first magnetic coupling element 25 according to the aforesaid alignment direction W. The guide profile 30 is arranged for acting on the second engagement body 29 when the transverse bar 6 is in movement from the closed position to the open position in order to move the second magnetic coupling element 26 away from the first magnetic coupling element 25 in order to facilitate the uncoupling of the latter, as described in detail hereinbelow.
In particular, the guide profile 30 is obtained in the engagement seat 28' of the first engagement body 28 and has an extension tapered from the bottom of the engagement seat 28' to the edge of the latter, in order to guide the engagement tooth 29' outside the engagement seat 28' itself when the transverse bar 6 is actuated to be moved from the closed position to the open position. Advantageously, when the engagement tooth 29' is outside the engagement seat 28', this acts in abutment against the external face 25' of the first magnetic coupling element 25, maintaining the latter spaced from the second magnetic coupling element 26 in order to facilitate the uncoupling thereof.
Preferably, the engagement tooth 29' has a substantially rounded head in order to facilitate the engagement thereof to the guide profile 30 of the first engagement body 28.
In accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention illustrated in figures 9 and 10, the magnetic coupling elements 25, 26 are arranged within the corresponding lateral guide 5 of the blind 1.
In particular, the first magnet 25A and the second magnet 25B of the first magnetic coupling element 25 are arranged in the elongated section of the corresponding lateral guide 5 and are preferably mounted on a support 32 fixed to the end cap 18 placed to close the second end 10 of the lateral guide 5 itself.
In accordance with a non-illustrated embodiment, the first magnet 25A and the second magnet 25B are fixed to the metal section of the lateral guide 5, within the latter.
Preferably, the third magnet 26A and the fourth magnet 26B of the second magnetic coupling element 26 are fixed to the corresponding lateral termination 22 of the transverse bar 6, for example at the guide tab 24 of the lateral termination 22 itself.
Also forming an object of the present invention is a method for operating the present blind 1; for the sake of description simplicity, the same nomenclature introduced up to now will be maintained hereinbelow.
Advantageously, in accordance with the aforesaid operating method, in order to move the fabric 4 of the blind 1 from the collected position to the extended position, the take-up roller is actuated by the blind 1 actuation means to rotate in a first rotation sense in order to unwind the fabric 4 from the take-up roller itself. Consequently, with reference to the example of figure 8a, the transverse bar 6 slides along the lateral guides 5 from the open position thereof (in which it is arranged at the first ends 9 of the lateral guides 5) to the closed position thereof (in which it is arranged at the second ends 10 of the lateral guides 5).
In accordance with the first and the second embodiment of the present invention illustrated in figures 1-10 (in which the blind 1 lies on a vertical lying plane), the transverse bar 6 falls via gravity towards the second ends 10 of the lateral guides 5.
In accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention illustrated in figure 11 (in which the blind 1 lies on a substantially horizontal or sloping lying plane), the transverse bar 6 is thrust towards the second ends 10 of the lateral guides 5 by suitable driving means arranged within the lateral guides 5 and for example comprising springs connected to the transverse bar 6 by means of transmission pulleys, in a manner per se known to the man skilled in the art and therefore not described in detail in the present description.
When the transverse bar 6 reaches the closed position, this arranges the second magnetic coupling elements 26 in front of the first magnetic coupling elements 25 fixed to the second ends 10 of the lateral guides 5.
In accordance with the idea underlying the present invention, the present method comprises a step of moving the second magnetic coupling element 26 close to and in front of the first magnetic coupling element 25, as illustrated in the example of figure 8b. In such approaching step, the fourth magnet 26B of the second magnetic coupling element 26 interacts in a magnetic repulsion relationship with the first magnet 25A of the first magnetic coupling element 25, in particular in a manner such to move the second magnetic coupling element 26 away from the first magnetic coupling element 25, so as to facilitate the descent of the transverse bar 6 without the latter interfering against the first magnetic coupling element 25 itself.
In addition, the moving away of the second magnetic coupling element 26 from the first magnetic coupling element 25 prevents the engagement tooth 29' of the second magnetic coupling element 26 from sticking against the support body 21 of the first magnetic coupling element 25.
In such approaching step, the transverse bar 6 continues to advance towards the second ends 10 of the lateral guides 5.
When the fourth magnet 26B passes beyond the first magnet 25A according to the advancement sense of the transverse bar 6, the present method provides for a step of coupling the second magnetic coupling element 26 with the first magnetic coupling element 25 in order to lock the transverse bar in the closed position.
With reference to the example of figure 8c, in such coupling step, when the fourth magnet 26B has passed beyond the first magnet 25A, the third magnet 26A of the second magnetic coupling element 26 is coupled in magnetic retention relationship with the first magnet 25A of the first magnetic coupling element 25 and the fourth magnet 26B of the second magnetic coupling element 26 is coupled in magnetic retention relationship with the second magnet 25B of the first magnetic coupling element 25.
In this manner, the second magnetic coupling element 26 is subjected to forces which tend to bring it against the first magnetic coupling element 25.
In particular, in the aforesaid approaching and coupling steps, the second magnetic coupling element 26 is moved away from and is moved closer towards the first magnetic coupling element 25 following movements of the transverse bar 6 (caused by the aforesaid magnetic interactions between the magnets 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B) orthogonal to the lying plane of the blind 1 and which are advantageously allowed by the sliding clearance with which the guide tab 24 of each lateral termination 22 of the transverse bar 6 is inserted in the longitudinal opening 17 of the corresponding lateral guide 5.
With reference to the example of figure 8d, when the transverse bar 6 reaches the closed position, the second magnetic coupling element 26 is arranged aligned in front of the first magnetic coupling element 25 in a manner such that the magnetic forces interacting with the magnets 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B of the magnetic coupling elements 25, 26 stably lock the transverse bar 6 in the closed position, as described above.
In particular, the magnetic interaction between the magnets 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B causes a magnetic field having direction, at the magnetic coupling elements 25, 26, substantially orthogonal to the lying plane of the blind 1 in a manner such to attract the magnetic coupling elements 25, 26 towards each other.
Advantageously, when the transverse bar 6 reaches the closed position, the second engagement body 29 of the second magnetic coupling element 26 is mechanically coupled to the first engagement body 28 of the first magnetic coupling element 25, in particular arranging the engagement tooth 29' within the engagement seat 28', further improving the locking stability of the transverse bar 6.
Preferably, when the transverse bar 6 reaches the closed position, the actuation means stop the rotation of the take-up roller and therefore the unwinding of the fabric 4.
In particular, the electric motor of the actuation means stops the transverse bar 6 in extended position before (e.g. several millimeters) the second coupling element 26 reaches the point of equilibrium of the magnets 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B, such that the magnetic forces generated by the latter, by pushing the second magnetic coupling element 26 towards such point of equilibrium, also push the transverse bar 6 towards such point of equilibrium away from the take-up roller in order to stretch out the fabric 4 of the blind 1.
In order to move the fabric 4 from the extended position to the collected position, the take-up roller is actuated to rotate in a second rotation sense in order to wind the fabric 4 itself once again on the roller. In this manner, the fabric 4 exerts on the transverse bar 6 a separation force such to overcome the forces of magnetic attraction between the corresponding first and second magnetic coupling elements 25, 26, such to allow the transverse bar 6 to be moved away from the second ends 10 of the lateral guides 5, by sliding along the latter in order to allow the fabric 4 to be wound again around the take-up roller.
In particular, when the transverse bar 6 is brought from the closed position towards the take-up roller, the second engagement body 29 of the second magnetic coupling element 26 is brought to slide on the guide profile 30 of the first engagement body 28 itself. Following the advancement of the transverse bar 6 towards the open position, the guide profile 30 brings the second engagement body 29, and hence the second magnetic coupling element 26, to be moved away from the first magnetic coupling element 25, facilitating the uncoupling between the two magnetic coupling elements 25, 26.
In particular, following the sliding of the engagement tooth 29' on the guide profile 30, the engagement tooth 29' exits from the engagement seat 28', coming to abut against the external face 25' of the first magnetic coupling element 25, maintaining the second magnetic coupling element 26 spaced from the latter until the two magnetic coupling elements 25, 26 are at least partially approached/fit close to each other, reducing the intensity of the magnetic forces of attraction.
Preferably, following the sliding of the engagement tooth 29' on the guide profile 30, the fourth magnet 26B of the second magnetic coupling element 26 is substantially brought in front of the first magnet 25A of the first magnetic coupling element 25, interacting in a magnetic repulsion relationship with such first magnet 25A, in particular so to move the second magnetic coupling element 26 away from the first magnetic coupling element 25. This further facilitates the uncoupling of the two magnetic coupling elements 25, 26, ensuring the advancement of the transverse bar towards the open position without significant resistance generated by the magnetic coupling elements 25, 26 themselves.
The invention thus conceived therefore attains the pre-established objects.

Claims

Roller blind (1), which comprises:
- a support frame (2) intended to be fixed to a load-bearing element;

- a take-up roller rotatably constrained to said support frame (2) and having a rotation axis (X);

- two lateral guides (5) extended parallel to each other and side-by-side along respective first extension directions (Y) substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis (X) of said take-up roller;
each said lateral guide (5) extended along the corresponding said first extension direction (Y) between a first end (9), positioned at said take-up roller, and an opposite second end (10);

- a fabric (4) extended between a first edge thereof fixed to said take-up roller and a second edge thereof, and susceptible of sliding between said lateral guides (5);

- a transverse bar (6) fixed to the second edge of said fabric (4) and extended, along a second extension direction (Z) parallel to the rotation axis (X) of said take-up roller, between two lateral ends (22) thereof slidably engaged to the corresponding said lateral guides (5);
said transverse bar (6) being movable between an open position, in which said transverse bar (6) is placed at the first ends (9) of said lateral guides (5), and a closed position, in which said transverse bar (6) is positioned at the second ends (10) of said lateral guides (5);

- at least one first magnetic coupling element (25), which is fixed to the second end (10) of the corresponding said lateral guide (5);

- at least one second magnetic coupling element (26), which is fixed to the corresponding lateral end (22) of said transverse bar (6) and, with said transverse bar (6) arranged in said closed position, is engaged via magnetic attraction to said first magnetic coupling element (25) in order to retain said transverse bar (6) in said closed position;
said blind (1) being characterized in that:
- said first magnetic coupling element (25) comprises at least one first pair of magnets (25A, 25B), and such first pair comprises a first magnet (25A) and a second magnet (25B) with opposite polarity with respect to each other;

- said second magnetic coupling element (26) comprises at least one second pair of magnets (26A, 26B), and such second pair comprises a third magnet (26A) and a fourth magnet (26B) with opposite polarity with respect to each other;
with said transverse bar (6) in said closed position, said third magnet (26A) being coupled in magnetic retention relationship with said first magnet (25A) and in magnetic repulsion relationship with said second magnet (25B), and said fourth magnet (26B) being coupled in magnetic retention relationship with said second magnet (25B) and in magnetic repulsion relationship with said first magnet (25A).
Blind (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, with said transverse bar (6) in said closed position, said third magnet (26A) has one pole thereof directed towards an opposite pole of said first magnet (25A), and said fourth magnet (26B) has one pole thereof directed towards an opposite pole of said second magnet (25B).
Blind (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first magnet (25A) and said second magnet (25B) are at least partially arranged one after the other according to the first extension direction (Y) of said lateral guide (5), and said third magnet (26A) and said fourth magnet (26B) are at least partially arranged one after the other according to the first extension direction (Y).
Blind (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, with said transverse bar (6) in said closed position, said second magnetic coupling element (26) is arranged aligned with said first magnetic coupling element (25) according to an alignment direction (W) substantially orthogonal to said first extension direction (Y) and to said second extension direction (Z), wherein said third magnet (26A) is arranged in front of said first magnet (25A) and said fourth magnet (26B) is arranged in front of said second magnet (25B).
Blind (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first magnetic coupling element (25) comprises a first engagement body (28) and said second magnetic coupling element (26) comprises a second engagement body (29) mechanically engaged with said first engagement body (28) with said transverse bar (6) in said closed position.
Blind (1) according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that said first engagement body (28) is provided with a guide profile (30) extended towards the first end (9) of said lateral guide (5), moving away from said first magnet (25A) and second magnet (25B) according to said alignment direction (W), and is arranged to act on said first engagement body (28) with said transverse bar (6) moving from said closed position to said open position in order to move said second magnetic coupling element (26) away from said first magnetic coupling element (25).
Blind (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said first engagement body (28) comprises an engagement seat (28') and said second engagement body (29) comprises an engagement tooth (29') which, with said transverse bar (6) in said closed position, is inserted in said engagement seat (28').
Blind (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said magnets (25A, 25B, 26A, 26B) are arranged for generating magnetic forces defining a resultant force acting on said transverse bar (6) in closed position, pushing said transverse bar (6) away from said take-up roller, maintaining said fabric (4) taut between said take-up roller and said transverse bar (6).
Blind (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first magnetic coupling element (25) comprises multiple said first pairs of magnets (25A, 25B) arranged side-by-side each other according to a direction substantially parallel to said second extension direction (Z), and said second magnetic coupling element (26) comprises multiple said second pairs of magnets (26A, 26B) side-by-side each other along said second extension direction (Z) and, with said transverse bar (6) in said closed position, coupled to corresponding said first pairs of magnets (25A, 25B).
Method for operating a blind (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when said transverse bar (6) is moved from said open position to said closed position, said method comprises:
- a step of moving said second magnetic coupling element (26) close to and in front of said first magnetic coupling element (25), wherein said fourth magnet (26B) interacts in a magnetic repulsion relationship with said first magnet (25A);

- a step of coupling said second magnetic coupling element (26) with said first magnetic coupling element (25), wherein said fourth magnet (26B) passes beyond said first magnet (25A), and said third magnet (26A) is coupled in a magnetic retention relationship with said first magnet (25A) and said fourth magnet (26B) is coupled in a magnetic retention relationship with said second magnet (25B).