EP3561214B1 - System comprising a winding tube of a roller shutter and a bolt and roller shutter installation comprising such a system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a lock system comprising a roller shutter winding tube and a lock.

Roller shutters are used at building openings, such as windows, for example. They are mainly used to regulate the brightness inside a room by adjusting the height of the shutter or, depending on the model, by tilting the slats of the apron.

A roller shutter installation generally comprises a box arranged in the upper part of the opening. A shutter winding tube is placed in this box. The invention relates more particularly to the mechanical connection between the shutter curtain and the roller shutter winding tube.

Roller shutters are relatively vulnerable to burglary attempts. With basic models, burglars usually only need to run a hand or a thin tool under the last blade to lift the roller shutter and access the window, which is why some roller shutter installations, especially those in single-family homes and ground floor apartments have what is called a lock.

The lock is a device which automatically prevents raising the apron from the fully lowered position, by an external action (attempted break-in, for example) other than a normal action on the operating device (winch or motor). Thanks to the presence of these locks, roller shutters can be used as a means of protection preventing intrusion inside the building.

Today, the lock is fixed to the tube by "clipping" a piece attached between the link and the tube (metal wire, metal or plastic wire bolt, alloy rotating pin, metal bar coupled to a clip integrated into the tube link, etc.). However, these solutions generate an additional cost linked to the addition of the connecting part between the tube link and the tube (cost of the part and cost of labor for the assembly).

Maintaining the link on the shaft can also be achieved without an attached part thanks to a dovetail interface which can be clipped.

For example, FR 2 831 596 A1 discloses a system in which the lock has three articulated links, of which a first link is configured to be attached to an upper blade of the shutter and a last link is configured to be secured to the outer surface of the tube, the last link and the tube including shapes adapted to fit the last link on the outer surface of the tube. Indeed, the winding tube is provided with a single groove, having an undercut shape allowing the connection with the last link of the lock. In order to strengthen the connection between the lock and the tube, the last link comprises two locking pins mounted on a spring and the tube defines two openings shaped to receive these locking elements. Even if this concept had a certain originality, the system was in reality difficult to industrialize because it required to provide openings in the tube and also to equip the hooking link of the lock with locking pins mounted on spring.

Thus, solutions without an attached part do not guarantee sufficient support and require the addition of pins in the link inserting into openings in the tube.

It is, moreover, known to FR 2950 102 A1 assemble a rotating shaft and an apron by means of two rings clipped onto the shaft and one of which is connected to the apron. This approach requires the use of two rings, which is expensive and complex to set up.

It is these drawbacks that the invention more particularly intends to remedy by proposing a new system, in which the lock and the tube are simpler to manufacture and in which the connection between the tube and the lock is sufficiently strong, of a mechanical point of view, for the application concerned.

To this end, the invention relates to a system comprising a roller shutter winding tube and a connecting lock between the tube and the shutter, the lock comprising at least two articulated links, among which a first link is configured to be attached to an upper leaf of the shutter and a last link is configured to be fixed to the outer radial surface of the tube, the last link and the tube comprising shapes adapted to fit a first portion of the last link on the outer radial surface of the tube. The last link also comprises a second, curved portion, the radius of curvature of which in the undeformed state is less than the maximum radius of the outer radial surface of the tube, such that this second portion is elastically deformed during assembly of the tube. lock around the tube and is fixed by clamping around the tube. According to the invention, the first portion of the last link is linked to the tube by a dovetail connection.

Thanks to the invention, the strength of the connection between the lock and the tube is reinforced by providing an elongated portion which will tighten around the tube. Indeed, given that this elongated portion has a radius of curvature smaller than that of the tube, the latter will deform elastically during assembly. Thus, the constituent material of this elongated portion will seek to resume its initial shape and therefore to tighten the tube. This is then referred to as a clamp fixing. This portion is not complicated to manufacture because it is simply a modification of the geometry of the tube link. The dovetail connection is effective without the need to combine two rings around the winding tube.

Thus, the proposed principle allows a connection between the lock and the tube without any added part. The lock on the tube is held directly by the intrinsic shape of the tube link, which "clips" directly onto the tube, and which allows it to be interfaced directly with the tube, rigidly thanks to the tail connection. 'dovetail, and in both directions of maneuver.

• Les deux portions du dernier maillon sont fabriquées avec le même matériau.
• Les deux portions du dernier maillon sont fabriquées entièrement ou partiellement avec des matériaux différents.
• L'une des deux portions est fabriquée entièrement ou partiellement avec un matériau relativement plus souple et plus adhérent que le matériau constitutif de l'autre portion.
• La liaison en queue d'aronde comprend un tenon en forme de trapèze formé sur une surface intérieure du dernier maillon et une rainure formée sur une surface extérieure du tube, ou l'inverse. Cette liaison est réalisée par emboitement du tenon, avec ou sans jeu, à l'intérieur de la rainure.
• Le système comprend des moyens de blocage, pour bloquer le mouvement du dernier maillon en translation le long du tube, alors que ces moyens de blocage comprennent de préférence au moins un ergot porté par le dernier maillon et une ouverture radiale du tube adaptée pour recevoir l'ergot.
• Le dernier maillon et le tube comprennent des formes adaptées pour accrocher ou emboiter la deuxième portion du dernier maillon sur la surface extérieure du tube.
• La deuxième portion du dernier maillon comprend une extrémité adaptée pour s'accrocher sur une nervure du tube.
• Les deux portions du dernier maillon sont mobiles l'une par rapport à l'autre.
• Le système comprend un second verrou. Les deux verrous sont de préférence identiques, mais pourraient aussi être différents l'un de l'autre.

According to advantageous, but not compulsory, aspects of the invention, such a system can incorporate one or more of the following characteristics, taken in any technically admissible combination:

• The two portions of the last link are made from the same material.
• The two portions of the last link are made entirely or partially with different materials.
• One of the two portions is made entirely or partially with a material that is relatively softer and more adherent than the constituent material of the other portion.
• The dovetail link includes a trapezoidal tenon formed on an inner surface of the last link and a groove formed on an outer surface of the tube, or the reverse. This connection is made by fitting the tenon, with or without play, inside the groove.
• The system comprises blocking means for blocking the movement of the last link in translation along the tube, while these blocking means preferably comprise at least one lug carried by the last link and a radial opening of the tube adapted to receive the 'ergot.
• The last link and the tube include shapes adapted to hook or interlock the second portion of the last link on the outer surface of the tube.
• The second portion of the last link comprises an end adapted to hook onto a rib of the tube.
• The two portions of the last link are movable relative to each other.
• The system includes a second lock. The two locks are preferably identical, but could also be different from each other.

The invention also relates to a rolling shutter installation comprising such a system.

• la figure 1 est une vue de côté d'un système conforme à l'invention, comprenant un tube d'enroulement d'un volet roulant et un verrou de liaison entre le tube et le volet ;
• les figures 2 et 3 sont des vues à plus grande échelle des encadrés II et III de la figure 1.

The invention and other advantages thereof will emerge more clearly in the light of the following description of an embodiment of a latch system for a roller shutter, given solely by way of example, and made. with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a side view of a system according to the invention, comprising a winding tube of a roller shutter and a connecting bolt between the tube and the shutter;
• the figures 2 and 3 are enlarged views of Boxes II and III of the figure 1 .

On the figures 1 to 3 is shown a system comprising a winding tube 4 of a rolling shutter and a latch 2 connecting the tube 4 and the shutter apron T. In practice, this system comprises two identical bolts 2, only one of which is shown in the figures.

Furthermore, this system includes spare parts for a roller shutter installation (not shown in full therefore). Insofar as the structure of such an installation is now well known in the state of the art, it is not described further.

The lock 2 comprises at least two articulated links 2a and 2c, among which a first link 2a is configured to be attached to an upper blade of the apron T (shown in thin dashed lines on the figure). figure 1 ) and a last link 2c is configured to be fixed to the outer surface S4e of the tube 4. The first link 2a may be better known as the "apron link" or "bottom link", while the last link 2c may be better known as the "tube link" or "top link".

In this document, the directions “up” and “down” for the interpretation of terms like “up”, “down”, “upper”, “lower”, “above” are directions taken by compared to a mounted configuration of the tube 4 and of the lock 2 in the upper part of an opening. Thus, in order, we find from top to bottom the tube 4, the lock 2 and the shutter T. Also, the “inside” and “outside” directions are directions that are taken with respect to an assembled configuration. of the latch 2 on the tube 4 and which must be interpreted in relation to the tube 4. Thus, when the shutter is opened, the links of the latch 2 wrap around the tube 4 and therefore include a face, called inner face, turned towards the tube 4, and another face, called the outer face, facing the side opposite the tube 4.

In the example, the lock 2 also includes an intermediate link 2b, arranged between the first link 2a and the last link 2c. Here, the intermediate link is used individually but we could also consider a multiple chain. We would then have a chain of intermediate links. Also, this intermediate link 2b, or third link, is optional.

The links 2a, 2b and 2c are articulated respectively around two axes X2 and X'2 parallel to a central axis X4 of the tube 4. The axis X2 is the axis of articulation between the links 2b and 2c, while the 'axis X'2 is the axis of articulation between the links 2a and 2b.

Each link is in the form of a section, the largest dimension of which (longitudinal direction) is often parallel to the longitudinal axis X4 of the tube 4 in the configuration of the lock attached to the tube. The section of each link, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the link, and therefore in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X4 of the tube 4 in the configuration of the lock attached to the tube, is generally in the shape of a banana. More precisely, the section of each link is curved, with a center of curvature positioned inward, that is to say on the side of the winding tube 4. In other words, each link has a domed shape. on the outside, shaped to wrap around the tube 4.

Typically, the first two links 2a and 2b have a radius of curvature substantially identical to the maximum radius of the tube 4.

The links of the lock 2 can be manufactured by plastic injection or by extrusion of plastic or metal.

The last link 2c and the tube 4 include shapes adapted to fit (or “clip”) a first portion 2.1 of the last link 2c on the outer surface S4e of the tube 4. This portion 2.1 of the link 2c is qualified as the “low” portion. , because it is disposed on the side of the link 2b disposed below. Thus, the portion 2.1 of the link 2c therefore defines the articulation with the link 2b.

In the example, said shapes adapted to fit the portion 2.1 of the last link on the outer surface S4e of the tube 4 in fact comprise complementary reliefs two by two, and respectively provided on the outer surface S4e of the tube 4 and on the inner surface S2i of link 2c. These reliefs are shaped to allow interlocking of the male-female type. The male part is located either on the tube 4 or on the link 2b.

In the embodiment of figures 1 and 2 , the mechanical connection between the portion 2.1 of the link 2c and the tube 4 is a connection of the dovetail type, which consists of a tenon 20 in the form of a trapezoid, which may be symmetrical or asymmetrical, and a groove 40 of the same shape. A symmetrical trapezoid is also called an isosceles trapezium. The tenon 20 here has an asymmetric shape, in particular a truncated shape similar to a rectangular trapezoid. Here, the tenon 20 is formed on the inner surface S2i of the link 2c, while the groove 40 is delimited on the outer surface S4e of the tube 4, but the reverse is also possible.

The tenon 20 can be inserted with or without play inside the groove 40. In the figures, there is hardly any play.

When there is little or no play, the tenon 20 deforms elastically during the assembly of the last link 2c in order to fit together, in other words to clip elastically, inside the groove 40.

In other words, the tenon 20 is slightly force-fitted inside the groove 40. This force-fitting provides a certain mechanical resistance to the connection between the latch 2 and the tube 4. The tenon 20 actually acts as a. retaining lug. This retaining lug ensures the traction of the shutter apron T on folding (when opening the shutter), and maintains the link 2c radially linked to the tube 4 thanks to its trapezoidal or dovetail shape. The dovetail connection functions as a hook when the shutter of the shutter T is partially open and suspended from the latch 2, in particular during the phases of raising or lowering of the shutter of the shutter T, and also functions as a restraint during the closing. lower stop of shutter T apron.

According to the preferred embodiment of the figures, the tube 4 also comprises, on its outer surface S4e, a rib 42 adapted to cooperate with a reservation 24 provided on the inner surface S2i of the link 2c. The rib 42 and the reservation 24 have complementary shapes to allow a male-female interlocking.

Typically, reservation 24 is U-shaped (flat bottomed) and rib 42 is of the same shape.

The last link 2c also includes a second portion 2.2, referred to as the “upper” portion, because it is placed on the upper part of the link 2c. The second portion 2.2 can also be qualified as an “extension” because it extends the curvilinear length of the link 2c. The portion 2.2 therefore consists of a link section which extends the portion 2.1 upwards in the curvilinear direction. The portion 2.2 defines the free end of the link 2c.

In the undeformed state, or of rest, the radius of curvature r2 of this second portion 2.2 is less than the maximum radius r4 of the outer radial surface S4e of the tube, such that this second portion 2.2 is elastically deformed during mounting the latch 2 around the tube 4 and is fixed by clamping around the tube 4. The outer surface S4e of the tube 4 does not have a constant radius, in particular due to the presence of rib (s) and / or groove ( s) on the external radial surface S4e. In For example, the radius of the outer surface S4e of the tube 4 is maximum when it is measured at the level of the ribs of the tube, for example at the level of the rib 42.

More precisely, during the assembly of the lock 2 around the tube 4, the second portion 2.2 of the link 2c is slightly flattened, that is to say deformed so that its radius of curvature increases. The portion 2.2 tends to resume its initial shape by elastic return of the material and therefore exerts on the tube stresses directed substantially in a radial direction and oriented inward (centripetal).

The presence of the extension 2.2 of the link 2c, hooked (or "clipped") on the tube 4, combined with that of the retaining lug 20 anchored in its reservation 40, ensure the locking resistance to the deployment of the shutter curtain T when it is brought to the bottom stop. Locking in the closed position is accentuated by a strut phenomenon, resulting from the reduced curvature geometry of the tube link 2c compared to that of the tube 4.

In the figures, and to facilitate understanding, the portion 2.2 is shown in the undeformed state (or at rest) with thin broken lines and in the deformed state in solid lines. As will be understood, the deformed state corresponds to the state of link 2c once fixed to tube 4.

The state of rest, or undeformed, is the state of the last link 2c when no stress is applied to the surfaces of the link 2c.

In the example, the two portions 2.1 and 2.2 of the last link 2c are made from the same material, for example polymer, in particular polyamide. However, in a variant not shown, the two portions 2.1 and 2.2 of the last link 2c are made entirely or partially with different materials, for example according to a bi-injection molding process.

Typically, the first portion 2.1 of the link 2c could be made with a material that is relatively softer and more adherent than the material constituting the second portion 2.2. For example, the Young's modulus of the material constituting the first portion 2.1 will preferably be less than 2.5 MPa if it is only used superficially on the side of the shutter tube (adherent skin effect), while the modulus d 'Young of the material constituting the second portion 2.2 or the remainder of the portion 2.1 will preferably be greater than 9500 MPa. Thus, the material of the first portion 2.1 would be sufficiently flexible to allow the reliefs of the link 2c to be easily fitted inside those of the tube 4 and the material of the second portion 2.2 would be sufficiently rigid to generate an elastic return stress. relatively high, and therefore a clamping force around the tube 4 relatively high.

Also, the partial use of a softer material allows adhesion between the surfaces of the tube 4 and that of one of the portions of the link, which prevents the link 2c from sliding along the tube 4. This also improves the mechanical strength of the connection between the lock 2 and the tube 4.

Advantageously, the last link 2c and the tube 4 comprise shapes adapted to hook the second portion 2.2 of the last link 2c on the outer radial surface S4e of the tube 4.

In the example, said shapes adapted to hook the portion 2.2 of the last link 2c on the outer surface S4e of the tube 4 in fact comprise a rib 44 formed on the outer surface of the tube 4, on which a free end 26 is hooked. of portion 2.2. This end 26 is bent substantially at 90 °, radially inward, which can be likened to a hook shape.

As a variant, the rib 44 could be replaced by a hollow, shaped to receive the end 26 of the portion 2.2 of the link 2c. In this case, the end 26 would preferably have a shape complementary to that of the hollow, to effect a male-female type fitting, with or without play.

Also in a variant, the last link 2c and the tube 4 could comprise shapes adapted to fit the second portion 2.2 of the last link 2c on the outer surface S4e of the tube 4. In this variant embodiment (not shown), the portion 2.2 and the tube 4 would comprise complementary reliefs two by two, and respectively provided on the outer surface S4e of the tube 4 and on the inner surface S2i of the link 2c. These reliefs would advantageously be shaped to allow interlocking of the male-female type. The male part could be either on the tube 4 or on the link 2b.

According to another variant not shown, the two portions 2.1 and 2.2 of the last link 2c are movable relative to each other. Typically, the second portion 2.2 could be at least partially retractable inside a reservation made inside the first portion 2.1. Thus, one could adjust the curvilinear length of the second portion 2.2 and adapt to different tube geometries. Also, one could also consider that the second portion 2.2 is telescopic, and therefore adjustable in length.

In a variant not shown, the system comprises blocking means, to block the movement of the last link in translation along the tube, whereas these blocking means preferably comprise at least one lug carried by the last link and a radial opening of the tube adapted to receive the lug.

According to another variant not shown, the tenon 20 is inserted inside the groove 40 with play. Thus, the tenon 20 is held inside the groove 40 under the effect only of the elastic stresses generated by the elastic deformation of the portion 2.2.

The characteristics of the embodiment of the figures and of the variants not shown can be combined with one another to generate new embodiments of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. A system comprising a winding tube (4) of a roller shutter (T) and a connecting bolt between the tube and the shutter, the bolt including at least two articulated links (2a, 2b, 2c), among which a first link (2a) is configured to be attached to an upper slat of the shutter and a last link (2c) is configured to be attached on the outer radial surface (S4e) of the tube (4), the last link (2c) and the tube (4) comprising shapes suitable for nesting a first portion (2.1) of the last link on the outer radial surface (S4e) of the tube, wherein the last link (2c) also comprises a second portion (2.2), the curve radius (r2) of which in the non-deformed state is less than the maximum radius (r4) of the outer radial surface (S4e) of the tube, such that this second portion (2.2) is resiliently deformed during the mounting of the bolt around the tube and is fixed by gripping around the tube, characterized in that the first portion (2.1) of the last link (2c) is connected to the tube (4) by a dovetail connection.
2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the two portions of the last link are manufactured with the same material.
3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the two portions of the last link are manufactured completely or partially with different materials.
4. The system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that one of the two portions is manufactured entirely or partially with a material that is relatively more flexible and more adherent than the component material of the other portion.
5. The system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dovetail connection comprises a trapezoidal tenon (20) formed on an inner surface (S2i) of the last link (2d) and a groove (40) formed on an outer surface (S4e) of the tube (4), or the reverse.
6. The system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system comprises blocking means for blocking the movement of the last link (2c) in translation along the tube (4) and in that these blocking means preferably comprise at least one lug borne by the last link (2c) and a radial opening of the tube suitable for receiving the lug.
7. The system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the last link (2c) and the tube (4) comprise shapes suitable for attaching or fitting the second portion (2.2) of the last link (2c) on the outer surface (S4e) of the tube.
8. The system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second portion (2.2) of the last link (2c) comprises an end (26) suitable for attaching on a rib (44) of the tube.
9. The system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two portions (2.1, 2.2) of the last link (2c) are movable relative to one another.
10. A roller shutter installation, comprising a system according to one of the preceding claims.

Images