ES2393288T3 - Self-locking device for roller shutter board - Google Patents

Abstract

Self-locking device of a roller blind panel (2) in deployed position that involves at least one link (9) that connects, at its ends (10, 12) and through a first (11) and a second joint ( 13) said board (2) to a winding tube (8), characterized in that the first joint (11) and the second joint (13) at the ends (10, 12) of the link (9) cooperating respectively with the tube The winding (8) and the board (2) are of rotation axis (15, 16) substantially perpendicular to the axis (17) of the winding dichotube (8).

Description

Self-locking device for roller shutter board

The invention relates to a self-locking device for roll-up roller shutter board in an unfolded position, the board of which is designed to be able to fold around a winding tube to which it is connected through a first sheet by said self-locking device.

The present invention will find its application in the field of building closure systems, in particular that of 10 roller blinds.

Usually, a roller shutter board consists of a juxtaposition of sheets connected to each other in an articulated manner, knowing that these sheets are also often movable with each other according to a direction perpendicular to their axis, in order to confer on said board an open position.

15 In fact, in a position far from each other, these sheets show open joints at the level of their articulated connection, which favors the passage of light, as well as the ventilation of the premises.

In the phase of unfolding and folding the board, the sheets are guided, at their lateral ends, by guides in the form of a "U" profile.

These lateral guides lead, through guide entry tulips, into a drawer that houses the winding mechanism of the roller shutter board which comprises, in particular, a winding tube to which the first board sheet is connected. Usually, this connection is secured by a device

25 self-locking whose function, when the board is fully deployed, is to prevent the latter from being pushed up under the action of a thrust that would be exerted directly on this board and that corresponds, for example, to an attempt of effraction.

Thus, such a self-locking device is often presented in the form of one, two or more links connected between

30 yes, but also to the winding tube or also to said first sheet, by means of articulation of rotation axis parallel to said winding tube, to allow them to fold around the latter during the opening of the roller blind.

Upside down, in active position, this or these links rotate with respect to each other, as well as with respect to the winding tube

35 so that they adopt a deployed locking position in which they are able to transform the latter's rotation into a push on the board.

In this configuration, different joints of this locking device are in turn in a blocking situation.

40 By way of example, a similar self-locking device is described in DE-U-94 19 412. The links of which this device consists are articulated with a limited angle of rotation. Thus, these links are effectively able to rest between this winding tube and the first sheet of the board when the deployment of the latter is forced a little.

45 It is understood that this self-locking device is effective only in a well-determined position that must be perfectly controlled.

In particular, it is necessary to take into account the distance that separates the first sheet of the roll tube board

50, knowing that this distance is variable depending on the section that the board adopts once rolled and, consequently, the size of the roller blind.

In order to obtain optimum operation, the size and number of links of such a self-locking device should be strictly determined with respect to the aforementioned distance.

In addition, the self-locking device is optimized in operation when it prints its blocking tension strictly on the board plane, through said first sheet.

Well, precisely, the dimension constraints of the board do not allow to obtain the guarantee that said first sheet is perfectly aligned with the following sheets when said self-locking device acts.

Therefore, one cannot be sure that the blocking pressure produced by this device is exerted in all cases on the board plane.

In particular, the number of sheets of a board is determined so that in a fully deployed position the first of these sheets extends inside the drawer and, therefore, above the lateral guides, at least about half, even the two thirds of its height. Since the number of sheets cannot be precisely adjusted to the exact height of a roller shutter, it may happen that to meet the above condition they persist up to a sheet and a half inside the drawer when the board is deployed.

Under these conditions, this or these first sheets of the board not perfectly inserted and maintained by the lateral guides are not systematically aligned with the other sheets of the board, it was only due to the distance that separates the plane of the latter from the winding tube.

Well, if only a small angle of lag persists between the first sheet and the plane of the board, the self-locking device causes the first sheet to overturn, highly requesting the articulation means that connect it to the next sheet, but also this device Self-locking

EP-0.869.255 describes a self-locking device that claims to be able to solve the problem cited above. The proposed solution consists of a device consisting of two links connected by means of a joint capable of ensuring the blocking of these links in rotation with respect to each other in any angular position under the impulse of a force that tends to push them in the direction of another. .

Through this previous document, a solution capable of eliminating the problem of the variable distance that separates the winding tube from the first sheet of the board has been sought when the latter has been pushed into its fully deployed position. More precisely, the self-locking device of this state of the art claims to be capable, regardless of the distance mentioned above, of exerting on the first sheet of the board a force extending in the plane of the latter, in the assumption of that said first sheet is in turn arranged in this plane.

Finally, this solution only partially solves the problem insofar as it does not allow to ensure the alignment of the first in the plane of the following sheets. In addition, the joint connecting the links can be locked in different angular positions. Although it is normally capable of adapting to the dimensional constraints set out above, this joint blockage can also intervene unexpectedly, due to the mechanical stresses found, such as frictional forces, abrupt displacements, etc ...

However, the very principle of operation of this known self-locking device is based on limited rotation angle joints that connect the links to each other to the winding tube and to the first sheet of the board.

Therefore, in the locked position in which these links rest between the winding tube and this first sheet of the board, these joints pushed so that they come to a stop are highly requested, and must retransmit all the forces of thrust generated by both the winding tube and the board, for example during an attempt of effraction.

In fact, until now it has been imagined that this configuration of a self-locking device in the form of articulated links of rotation axis parallel to the winding tube was indispensable to allow it to fold around the latter in the opening phase of the roller shutter.

It is precisely when departing from this prejudice that the present invention has been able to solve all the drawbacks that result from the state of the art.

To this end, the invention relates to a self-locking device of a roll-up roller shutter in an unfolded position that comprises at least one link connecting to its ends and by means of a first and second joint said board to a winding tube, characterized because the first joint and the second joint at the ends of the link cooperating respectively with the winding tube and the board are of rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of said winding tube.

According to another peculiarity of the invention, the link of the self-locking device is also mounted, at least one of its ends, axially sliding on the winding tube and / or on the roller blind panel.

According to another peculiarity of the invention, the self-locking device also includes elastic means that exert a recoil force on the link that tends to move the latter away from its retracted position substantially parallel to the winding tube.

Finally, the link (s) corresponding to the locking device according to the invention, instead of being rotatably mounted on the winding tube about an axis substantially parallel to the latter, to, as appropriate, move away from the latter and reach the active position locking or, in reverse, fold around this winding tube, this or these links are rotatable around an axis that is perpendicular to this winding tube to, depending on the case, fold along the latter or, in reverse , move away from the latter in the active blocking position, knowing that it can be pushed into the latter under the influence of elastic means.

The crank configuration that this link of the self-locking device adopts in such conditions allows the latter to adjust to the distance between the plane in which the axis board of the winding tube is deployed.

10 On the other hand, in the final phase of deployment, the few sheets not yet stacked on the board exert a tensile force on this link that does not translate in the form of a pair that tends to rotate this link around its articulation axes. Therefore, this tensile force does not oppose the elastic recoil means acting on the link to move the latter away from the winding tube.

15 Therefore, very soon and under the influence of these elastic recoil means, this link can push the first board sheets into the flat extension of the following sheets so that the blocking pressure is exerted in the plane of this board.

It will also be noted that in the deployment phase the traction exerted by the board combined with the printed torque

20 to the link of the self-locking device the winding tube results in re-carrying this applied link in the axial alignment of the winding tube, against the action of the elastic recoil means.

As already indicated above, the link is also connected, at one of its ends, in a sliding manner, as appropriate, to the winding tube or to the board, in the present case the first sheet of the latter. Without

However, in another embodiment according to the invention the link can be made from two plates articulated with each other so that it acts in the manner of a ball joint.

Other objectives and advantages of the present invention will appear clearly in the course of the description that follows and which refers to an embodiment given as an indicative and non-restrictive example.

Understanding this description will be provided with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

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 Figure 1 is a schematic, partial and sectional representation of a roller blind;

35 - Figure 2 is a schematic perspective representation of the self-locking device in its active locked position of the deployed board;

-

 Figure 3 is a schematic representation illustrating the self-locking device in its retracted position, folded against the winding tube, in the final phase of deployment or in the initial phase of folding the board;

-

 Figures 4 and 5 are representations similar to Figure 3 and intended to illustrate the intervention of the rotating locking means of the link corresponding to the self-locking device according to the invention when the locking of the roller blind panel in deployed position is involved;

45 - Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 are detailed views representing an embodiment of these rotating locking means.

As depicted in the accompanying drawing figures, the present invention is related to the aerial of the roller blinds.

50 In particular, it refers to a self-locking device 1 whose function is to keep a roller shutter panel 2 in the deployed position 3, as illustrated in Figure 1, to prevent this board from being pushed upwards, by example during an attempted effraction.

55 It will be noted that such roller shutter board 2 usually consists of a plurality of sheets 4 connected through articulation means 5 that often allow relative mobility of these sheets 4 relative to one another in a direction perpendicular to their longitudinal axis. . This particularity allows to give the board 2 an open position.

60 During deployment and folding, these sheets 4 of the board 2 are guided, at their lateral end, by lateral guides usually in the form of "U" profiles. These lateral guides end at their upper end in a drawer 6 that houses the winding mechanism 7 of this board 2 of the roller shutter 3.

This mechanism includes in particular a winding tube 8 to which the board 2 is connected by the self-locking device 1.

For this purpose, the latter includes at least one link 9 connected, at one end 10 and through a first joint 11, to said winding tube 8, while the opposite end 12 of this link 9 cooperates, by means of a second joint 13 , with board 2, in the present case the first sheet 14 of the latter.

According to the invention, this first and second joint 11; 13 are of rotation axis 15, 16 substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 17 of the winding tube 8.

It should be noted that although in the embodiment described in particular below and represented in the figures of the attached drawing, the self-locking device 1 has a link 9 in the form of a single sheet, this link 9 can also consist of a sequence of plates articulated with each other around axes parallel to the axes of rotation 15, 16 mentioned above. In particular, link 9 can have two plates articulated with each other in the manner of a ball joint.

Returning to the illustrated embodiment, a link 9 in the form of a single sheet also preferably comprises at least one of its ends 10, 12 mounted axially sliding, as the case may be, on the winding tube 8 or the board 2, in particular the first sheet 14 of the latter.

To this end, a sliding 18 mounted mobile in translation on the first sheet 14 of the board 2 is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the link 9 cooperating at its end 12 with this slide 18, through the second joint

13.

For this purpose, the sheets 4 of the board 2 contain, at their upper end 19, male-type, hook-shaped coupling means, designed capable of cooperating with female-type coupling means, in the form of a groove of which a preceding sheet is provided at its lower end 20, so as to constitute means of articulation between the sheets 5.

Precisely, the slide 18 can be provided with female type coupling means 21 designed capable of cooperating with the male type coupling means 22 that the first sheet 4 has at its upper end 19.

In addition, at its end 10 the link 9 can be mounted articulated on a fixing support 23 that the self-locking device 1 comprises, whose support is defined capable of being applied, by screwing, riveting or the like, against the winding tube 8.

In particular, this fixing support 23 can be provided with a stop 24 defined to limit the angle of deployment of the link 9 by rotation around its axis of rotation 15. Through this stop 24, this rotation of the link 9 can be limited so that the angle 25 formed by the latter with respect to said winding tube 8 is in all cases less than 90 °.

In fact, in this position at 90 ° of the link 9 with respect to the winding tube 8, the tensile forces exerted by the board 2 pass through the axis of this link 9, preventing it from retracting on the fixing support 23.

Advantageously, to avoid during the folding of the board 2 that the integrality of the weight of the latter is passed on the winding tube 8 through the coupling arm defined by the length of the link 9, with the fixing support 23 is associated a support flange 26 with which said link 9 is able to cooperate by retracting on this fixing support 23.

It will also be noted that this withdrawal intervenes from the beginning of the winding control of the board 2, as illustrated in Figure 3.

In particular, the support flange 26 that the fixing support 23 carries is provided capable of cooperating with a hook light 27 provided in the link 9, preferably in the vicinity of its end 12 cooperating through the second joint 13 with the first sheet 14 of said board 2.

Advantageously, the support flange 26 has a sharp end that favors its insertion in the coupling light 27 and the centering of the link 9 on the fixing support 23.

According to yet another advantageous peculiarity of the invention, the link 9 is subjected to elastic means 28 that tend to push it from its applied position against the fixing support 23, that is, substantially parallel to the winding tube 8, in its active position of lock, away from this winding tube 8.

Thus, in the final phase of deployment of the board 2 this link 9, under the action of these elastic recoil means 28, is able to push the first sheet 14 through which it acts on the board 2 in the flat extension of the latter . Therefore, when the self-locking device 1 exerts its blocking function through a pressure printed on this first sheet 14, it can be assured that this pressure is perfectly applied in the plane of said board 2. This finally allows avoiding the overturning of the first sheet 14 under the effect of this pressure and highly request the joints that connect it to the next sheet or also to link 9.

It is evident that in the case of a link 9 designed in the manner of a ball joint and consisting of several articulated plates, the characteristics described above are also applicable to such a solution. However, it will be noted that such a ball joint can prevent the sliding assembly of link 9 at one of its ends 10, 12.

According to another peculiarity of the invention, the self-locking device 1 comprises means 29 for blocking in rotation of the link 9 designed capable of being activated under the impulse of a reactive force of the board 2 during the blocking of the latter in position deployed by said device of self-locking 1, that is, under the effect of a pressure exerted by the latter on said board 2. These locking means 29 are also capable of being inactivated so as to allow free rotation of the link 9 under the effect of a tension exerted on the latter by board 2, therefore during the deployment and withdrawal phases of the latter.

These inactive 31 and active positions 30 of these locking means 29 are illustrated respectively in Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

As visible in particular in Figure 5, the reactive force exerted by the board 2 under the effect of a push on the latter by the link 9 in the blocking phase results in the printing to said link 2 of a pair that tends to cause a slight tipping of the latter around an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, be that 15 of the first joint 11 of this link 9 on the winding tube 8, be that 16 of the second joint 13 which ensures its connection with the board 2. In fact, this overturning has an amplitude that depends on an articulation set according to case 11 or 13. Precisely, according to an embodiment example, this set is advantageously used to make the rotating locking means 29 be active or not.

According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one of these joints 11, 13 is designed in the manner of a plate 32 that comprises ears 32A, 32B that are mounted at the ends 15A, 15B of the articulation shaft 15 maintained by a shaft holder 33.

Precisely, at least one of the holes 34 in the ears 32A, 32B is preferably adjusted with a positive tolerance with respect to the section of the axis 15, where the above-mentioned game results. In addition, the axis of rotation 15, in particular at least one of its ends 15A, 15B, comprises a peripheral denture 35 with which it is designed capable of cooperating a portion of denture 36 provided internally to the hole 34 of at least one of the ears 32A, 32B under the impulse of the reactive force of the board 2 on the link 9 during the blocking of this board in the deployed position.

Thus, as visible in particular in Figure 5, under the effect of this reactive force and the pair printed on link 9, the upper ear 32A of the plate 32 is pushed against the axis of rotation 15 and, conversely, the lower ear 32B is pulled against this axis of rotation 15. Accordingly, the denture portion (s) 36 provided in the hole (s) 34 are preferably implanted so that they can cooperate, as the case may be, under the effect of this thrust or of this traction, with the peripheral denture that the axis 15 entails. In particular, although each of the holes 34 of the ears 32A, 32B includes such a portion of dentures 36, the latter are arranged diametrically opposite, as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.

While in the description above we refer essentially to articulation 11, it is clear that we can find a design strictly identical to the level of opposite articulation 13 that connects link 9 to the board

2.

Likewise, although in the attached figures the link 9 is systematically provided at each of its ends 10, 12 with a plate 32 with ears 32A, 32B, the invention is in no case limited to such construction. In particular, an inverse design can be considered that consists in providing one and / or other of these ends 10, 12 of the link 9 of an axle support 33 capable of cooperating with a plate 32 of which it is then provided, depending on the case. , the winding tube 8, in this case the fixing support 23, or the first sheet 14 of the board 2.

The advantages resulting from such means 29 for locking the link 9 in rotation consist in that the latter does not run any risk of being retracted on the winding tube 2 under the effect of the thrust that is printed by this winding tube 8 and the reaction resulting from board 2.

Finally, the self-locking device according to the invention makes it possible to provide a real solution for the disadvantages of the self-locking devices of the prior art.

Claims (10)

1. Self-locking device of a roller blind panel (2) in deployed position that includes at least one link (9) that connects, at its ends (10, 12) and through a first (11) and of A second 5 joint (13) said board (2) to a winding tube (8), characterized in that the first joint (11) and the second joint (13) at the ends (10, 12) of the cooperating link (9) respectively with the winding tube (8) and the board (2) are of rotation axis (15, 16) substantially perpendicular to the axis (17) of said winding tube (8). 2. Self-locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the link (9) is mounted, at least one of its ends (10, 12), axially sliding on the winding tube (8) and / or on the board (2) of the roller blind (3). 3. Self-locking device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that 15 includes elastic means (28) designed capable of exerting on the link (9) a recoil force that tends to move the latter away from its retracted position substantially parallel to the winding tube (8) in its locked position. 4. Self-locking device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a slide (18) 20 designed to be movable in translation on the first sheet (14) of the board (2), cooperating with this slide (18) the link (9) at its end (12) through the second joint (13). 5. Self-locking device according to claim 4, characterized in that the slide (18) is provided of female type coupling means (21) designed capable of cooperating with male type coupling means (22) that the first sheet (14) has at its upper end (15).

6.

Self-locking device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at its end (10) the link (9) is mounted articulated on a defined fixing support (23) capable of being applied against the winding tube (8).

7.

 Self-locking device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes a stop (24) provided to limit the angle of deployment of the link (9) by rotation around its axis of rotation

(15) of the first joint (11) connecting said link (9) to the winding tube (8). Self-locking device according to claim 6, characterized in that the fixing support (23) comprises a coupling flange (26) with which the link (9) is able to cooperate when refolding on this fixing support (23 ). 9. Self-locking device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the 40 link (9) consists of a single sheet or a succession of plates articulated with each other around axes parallel to the axes of rotation (15, 16). 10. Self-locking device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (29) for rotating rotation of the link (9) provided capable of being activated under the impulse of 45 an active force of the board (2) during blocking of the latter in the deployed position under the effect of a pressure exerted by said self-locking device (1). 11. Self-locking device according to claim 10, characterized in that the locking means (29) are also provided capable of being inactivated so as to allow free rotation of the link (9) under the 50 effect of a traction exerted on the latter by the board (2) during the deployment and folding phases of the latter. 12. Self-locking device according to any of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that at least one (11) of the joints (11, 13) is designed in the manner of a plate (32) and comprises ears (32A, 32B) 55 mounted at the ends (15A, 15B) of the articulation shaft (15) maintained by an axle support (33), at least one of the ears (32A, 32B) has a hole (34) adjusted with a positive tolerance with respect to to the shaft section (15), this hole (34) internally engaging a denture portion (36) capable of cooperating with a peripheral denture (35) of which at least the end (15A, 15B) on which it is mounted said ear (32A, 32B) is provided.