FR2802193A1 - STRAP REEL, MANEUVERING MECHANISM OF A ROLLING SHUTTER OR BLIND COMPRISING SUCH A REEL AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING THE SPRING TENSION OF SUCH A REEL - Google Patents

Abstract

This winder (101) comprises a spring (106), a first end of which is integral with a crown (105), itself integral with the strap or the like (102), while the second end of the spring is integral with a sleeve (104) arranged around a pin (107) integral with a body (108) of the reel (101). The crown (105) and the sleeve (104) together form a housing (103) for the spring (106), the crown being able to rotate around the sleeve. Means (110) for selectively securing the sleeve (104) and the pin (107) are able to immobilize the sleeve in rotation around said pin in a first configuration and to allow rotation of the sleeve around the pin in a second configuration. It is thus possible to adjust the arming of the spring by keeping the crown (105) and the strap (102) attached and by rotating the sleeve (104) around the axis of symmetry (X-X ') of the pin (107 ).

Description

The invention relates to a strap winder, an operating mechanism.

  a shutter, roller blind or the like comprising such a roller and a method for adjusting the

  spring tension of such a reel.

  In the present application, the expression strap or the like covers all types of flexible links capable of being rolled up and used for the operation of a shutter or roller blind.

or an equivalent device.

  It is known to use a strap, a strap or any other flexible link for the operation of a shutter or roller blind and, more generally, for any device comprising an apron capable of being selectively wound on a shaft to close or not a opening, such as a window or

building door.

  In order to prevent such a belt or strap from hanging down towards the ground, in particular in the rolled-up configuration of the apron, provision is made to have a strap winder near such an opening, such a winder comprising a spring including one first end is connected directly or indirectly to the strap, while its other end is connected to a fixed point, this spring being enclosed in a generally cylindrical case disposed inside a body or covering, as described in EP-A-0 812 795. In known devices, the box containing the spring is generally fixed on a pin integral with the body or covering, the box comprising a central sleeve intended to be fitted around the aforementioned pin. The housing also includes a peripheral part, most often called a "crown", designed to be made integral with one end of the strap and able to rotate around the sleeve and the pin according to the position of the strap and a possible tensile force exerted by a user on it. In operation, this type of device generally gives

  satisfaction. During its manufacture, the spring of the reel

  is armed with them, in the sense that the spring is tensioned by rotating the crown relative to the sleeve, the crown then being immobilized relative to the sleeve by means of a

  removable cleat cooperating with a lever secured to the sleeve.

  During the installation of the reel, that is to say when the housing is fixed on the body and the strap is connected on the one hand to the shutter or blind and on the other hand to the crown, the cleat is removed and the spring exerts on the strap, through the crown, a winding force. The initial tension or arming value of the spring is therefore an average value set at the factory. During installation, it is often necessary to adjust this value, in particular to take into account the exact location of the roller relative to the winding shaft of the blind or shutter. To make this adjustment, it is necessary to block the crown again relative to the sleeve, by replacing the cleat, then to release the crown relative to the strap, that is to say to fully unwind the strap. It is then advisable to remove the cleat while keeping the crown in place, then to turn the crown in a firmer direction of arming

  spring or in a softer winding direction.

  It is then necessary to replace the cleat, to re-install the strap around the crown by securing it with it,

  then remove the cleat again.

  This operation is long and requires special care.

  bind. In addition, the adjustment of the arming or the tension of the spring takes place while the crown is detached from the strap, so that it is not possible for the installer to check directly, during this adjustment, the tension obtained for the strap. As a result, the installer must most often proceed by iterations, that is to say by

  successive adjustments while trying to obtain a suitable value.

  This step of installing a reel is therefore tedious, to the point that it can be neglected by some installers. It is to these drawbacks that the invention more particularly intends to remedy by proposing a strap winder whose adjustment is greatly facilitated compared with the state of the art and which does not require detaching its crown from the strap when adjusting the spring arming. In this spirit, the invention relates to a strap winder of the aforementioned type which comprises controlled means for selective securing of the sleeve of the housing in which the spring is disposed and of the pin on which this sleeve is mounted, these means being capable of immobilizing the sleeve rotating around the pin in a first configuration and allowing rotation of the sleeve around this pin in a second configuration. Thanks to the controlled fastening means, the adjustment is greatly facilitated compared to the devices of the prior art because the crown can be kept integral with the strap while the sleeve is rotated to increase or decrease the tension of the spring. During adjustment operations, it is therefore possible for the installer to immediately check the result of this rotation by taking hold of the strap which remains integral with the crown. According to advantageous but not compulsory aspects of the invention, the reel incorporates one or more of the following characteristics: - the means of selective securing are able to be controlled without dismantling the reel with respect to

  the envelope and / or relative to the strap or the like.

  - The controlled selective securing means comprise a locking member secured to the sleeve and movable between a first position where it is immobilized in rotation around the pin and a second position where it is able to rotate relative to this pin. This locking member is advantageously loaded elastically in the direction of the above-mentioned first position, that is to say in the locking position. Thus, in the absence of action by the installer on the locking member, the spring housing is immobilized relative to the body of the reel, which is necessary when using the reel after its installation. . Provision may be made for the sleeve to be provided with at least one recess for receiving at least one lug of the locking member, for the rotationally joining by cooperation of shapes of the sleeve and of the locking member, this lug being able to slide in this clearance in a direction generally parallel to an axis

  main of the sleeve. This provision allows the solidarity-

  tion in rotation of the locking member and the sleeve while allowing movement of the locking member between the first and second positions mentioned above. It can also be provided that the pin is provided with at least one housing for receiving at least one tongue of the locking member, for securing in rotation, by cooperation of shapes, the pin and the member. In particular, this housing can be provided inside the pin which is tubular, the locking member partially penetrating inside this pin. Finally, the locking member is advantageously movable in a direction generally parallel to the geometric axis of the pin, between the first position o the aforementioned tongue is received in the aforementioned housing, and the second position o the tongue is released

compared to this accommodation.

  - the sleeve is formed by rolling and folding a

  cut sheet. This method of manufacturing the sleeve, particularly

  particularly economical, allows to envisage a production in

  large series with acceptable tolerances.

  The invention also relates to a mechanism for operating a shutter, roller blind or equivalent, which comprises a strap winder as described above. Such an operating mechanism is easier to install and therefore more economical than known devices, while it allows

  precise adjustment of the tension of the strap it includes.

  The invention finally relates to a method for adjusting the tension of a spring of a reel as described above and, more specifically, a method which consists in: - operating a locking member of a sleeve secured to one end of the spring with respect to a pin integral with a body of the reel, so as to disengage in rotation this sleeve from this pin, - rotate this sleeve around this pin, in a direction of increase or in a direction of decrease in spring tension, and - maneuver again or release the locking member so as to secure the sleeve again and

the pawn.

  The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the

  description which follows of three embodiments of a

  strap winder according to its principle, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a partial longitudinal section of a strap winder according to a first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 2 is a section along line II-II in Figure 1; - Figure 2A is a view similar to Figure 2 for a reel according to a second embodiment of the invention; - Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a strap winder according to a third embodiment of the invention; - Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the

  detail IV in figure 3, the crown and the spring of the winding

  being omitted from them; - Figure 5 is a side view of the device of Figures 3 and 4 in operating configuration, part of its covering being removed; - Figure 6 is a section along line VI-VI in Figure 5 while the device is in the first configuration above; - Figure 7 is a section similar to Figure 6 while the device is in the second configuration above; - Figure 8 is a plan view of the sleeve of the device of Figures 3 to 7 before shaping and - Figure 9 is a perspective view of the sleeve

shaped.

  The reel 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is provided for winding a strap 2 for controlling a roller shutter. The reel 1 comprises a housing 3 formed by a sleeve 4 and by a peripheral crown 5 and inside which is disposed a flat spring 6. The housing 3 is designed to be mounted on a piece 7 piece with a casing 8 of the reel which is partially shown. We denote X-X 'the axis of symmetry of pawn 7 which is also a main axis

items 3 to 5.

  The sleeve 4 forms two flanges 40 and 41 inside

  laughing from which penetrate sides 51 and 52 of the crown

5.

  A first end 61 of the spring 6 is made integral with a puncture 42 of the sleeve 4 while its second opposite end 62 is made integral with the crown 5 by any suitable means. In operation of the reel 1, the sleeve 4 is immobilized in rotation on the pin 7 around the axis XX 'while the crown 5 is able to rotate around the axis XX', - say sleeve 4, depending on the

strap tension 2.

  A lever 43 radially extends the collar 40 over a small width. This lever is able to cooperate with a cleat 53 mounted on the crown 5 to immobilize in rotation the elements 4 and 5 before installation of the reel. When the reel is positioned on the pin 7, the cleat 53 is removed, so that the crown 5 can rotate around the

sleeve 4.

  According to the invention, a key 10 is disposed between the outer surface of the pin 7, which is grooved, and

  the inner surface of the sleeve 4.

  There are 71 the external grooves of the pin 7. The key 10 is mounted on a stirrup 44 radially extending the sleeve 4 in the direction of the axis XX '. This stirrup defines, on each of its sides, two oblong slots 45 and 46 inside which are received two axes 10a and 10b integral with the key 10 which is therefore capable of sliding in the direction of the arrow F1 in FIG. 2 , that is to say radially with respect to the axis XX 'A spring 11 is interposed between the sleeve 4 and the key 10 and exerts on it a force F2 directed towards the axis XX'. This effort tends to press the key 10 against

pawn 7.

  The key 10 is provided with a rib 10c, the width of which is such that it can penetrate one of the grooves 71 as a function of the position of the sleeve 4 around the

pawn 7.

  By default, that is to say in the absence of a force exerted by a user on the key 10, the latter is pushed by the spring 11 in the configuration of FIG. 2 o the cooperation of the rib 10c and one of the grooves 71 leads to a firm immobilization in rotation of the sleeve 4,

  that is to say of the housing 3, relative to the pin 7.

  When it is necessary to adjust the arming of the spring 6, it suffices for a user to release the key 10 relative to the pin 7 by lifting the latter against the force F2 to release the rib 10c from the groove 71 and thus freely rotate the sleeve 4 around the pin 7 in order to obtain

the desired spring tension 6.

  The user then just has to release his force against the spring 11 so that the key 10 is again pressed against the pin 7, the moment exerted by the spring 7 on the sleeve 5 having a tendency to rotate the sleeve to the point that the rib 10c is necessarily brought opposite one of the ribs 71 into which it penetrates

  immediately under the effect of the force F2 due to the spring 11.

  The key 10 thus constitutes a locking clip

  ordered from the sleeve 4 relative to the pin 7.

  According to a second embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2A o the same elements have the same references as in Figures 1 and 2, the grooves 71 and the rib 10c can be inclined, which gives a preferential direction to the movement sleeve rotation

4 compared to pawn 7.

  This embodiment has the particular advantage that the key or clip 10 can be pushed back against the force F2 by an operation consisting in rotating the sleeve 4 around the pin 7 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2A. This has the effect of driving the rib 10c from the groove 71 in which it is engaged because the inclined surfaces of this rib and of this groove together form ejection ramps from the rib 10c. Thus, a single rotational movement of the sleeve 4, for example in a direction of arming the spring 6, has the effect of both

  release the clip 10 and tension the spring 6.

  In the third embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 3 to 8, elements similar to those of the first embodiment bear identical references increased by 100. The reel 101 of this embodiment is intended for winding a strap 102 and comprises a housing 103, formed of a sleeve 104 and a crown 105, inside which is disposed a flat spring 106. The main axis of the housing 103 is denoted XX ', c' that is to say elements 104 to 106. A pin 107 in the form of a hollow tube came integrally with a shell 108 of the reel 101 provided with brackets 181 and 182 for mounting against a partition and a

brake 183 for strap 102.

  The sleeve 104 is able to be arranged around the pin 107 whose external radial surface is generally smooth and whose axis of symmetry is denoted X-X '. A thickening ring 107a is formed on the external radial surface of the pin 107, at

close to hull 108.

  A spring 111 is arranged inside the pin 107 while an elastic piece of plastic material 110 is provided to close the end of the pin 107 when the sleeve

104 is in place on this one.

  The geometry of the part 110 is more clearly shown in FIG. 4. This part 110 can be considered as a "locking clip" of the housing 103 on the pin 107 because it effectively serves to immobilize the housing 103 on the pin 107. The clip 110 comprises a main surface 112 generally in the form of a disc and in which an opening 113 in the form of a cross is formed. From two radial projections 114 of the surface 112 extend, parallel to a main axis X1l0-X'0lo of the clip 110, legs 115, two in number by projections 114. Each leg 115 is provided with one end 116 in the form of a hook directed opposite the tab 115 carried by the same projection 114. In other words, the hooks 116 are directed towards the outside of the volume 117

  defined between two adjacent legs 115.

  From the main part 112, also extend, parallel to the axis X, 10-X'110, two elastic tongues 118 each provided with a head 119 projecting radially outward from each tab 118 relative to

to the X110-X'110 axis.

  In the mounted configuration of the device, the axes X-X 'and

X110-X'110 are confused.

  The sleeve 104 is formed by rolling a metal sheet 204 shown in FIG. 8 and comprises three tabs 141, 141 'and 142 intended to be bent radially outwards from the sleeve 104 in order to immobilize the sides of them the crown 105. A lever 143 is also provided in the form of a tongue of greater length, this lever being able to cooperate with a cleat formed by the head of a screw inserted in a thread 153

  provided in a side 151 of the crown 105.

  The sleeve 104 also defines two clearances 145 and 146 for receiving the legs 115 of the parts 110. The sleeve 104 further comprises a tongue 147 intended to allow the hooking of one end 161 of the spring 106, like the

  punctured 42 of the first embodiment.

  The sleeve 104 has, over its width in FIG. 8, a groove 104a obtained by striking, this groove being provided

  for styling the rod 107a in the mounted configuration of the device

  tif, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Thus, the sleeve 104 is effectively held in position, by snap-fastening

  by force, in the axial direction X-X 'of the pin 107.

  The internal surface 171 of the pin 107 forms two depressions 172 and 173 substantially diametrically opposite and extending over a length 1. These depressions 172 and 173 form receptacles for receiving the tongues 118 of the part 110, and

  more specifically from their heads 119.

  Indeed, as is clearer from FIG. 6, when the sleeve 104 is in place on the pin 107 and when the part 110 has been put in place relative to the sleeve 104 by the positioning of its legs 115 in the clearances 145 and 146, the tongues 118 penetrate inside the pin 107 and their heads 119 are received in

housing 172 and 173.

  The cooperation of shapes of the legs 115 and their hooks 116 on the one hand and the clearances 145 and 146 on the other hand ensures immobilization in rotation of the part 110 by

compared to sleeve 104.

  In the position of FIG. 6, the cooperation of shapes of the heads 119 and of the depressions 172 and 173 also ensures

  immobilization in rotation of the clip 110 and the pin 107.

  Thus, the sleeve 104 is immobilized in rotation around

the axis XX 'by the clip 110.

  When it is necessary to adjust the setting of the spring 106, it suffices for a user to insert into the opening 113 the tip of a Phillips screwdriver, which has the effect of moving the part 110 to against an elastic force F2 generated by the spring 111 to reach the position of FIG. 7. This displacement is possible because the length 1 ′ of the clearances 145 and 146 authorizes a displacement of the hooks 116 parallel to the axis X- X '. The displacement of the clip 110 has the effect of driving the heads 119 of the depressions 172 and 173 to bring them to the level of a generally cylindrical part 174 of the surface 171. For this purpose, the transition surfaces 172a and 173a of the depressions 172 and 173 and of the cylindrical part 174 are rounded and their shape corresponds to the geometry of the heads 119, which facilitates the passage of these heads from the position of FIG. 6 to that

in Figure 7.

  In the position of FIG. 7, the heads 119 can rotate freely around the axis XX ′ because they are in abutment against the surface 174 which is cylindrical. In this position, it is therefore possible to rotate the sleeve 104 around the pin 107, the part 110 being driven in rotation

with sleeve 104.

  It is thus possible to adjust the spring tension 106

  without detaching the strap 102 from the crown 105, the installation

  reader being able to check, by a simple pull on strap 102, the value of the armament or tension obtained

for spring 106.

  When the desired value is obtained, it suffices to release its pressure on the piece 110 which is then pushed back by the spring 111 thanks to the force F'2 exerted by the compressed spring 111 and again reaches the position of the figure 6 o the sleeve 104 is immobilized in rotation around

of pawn 107.

  The invention has been shown with two examples of locking members constituted by the key 10 of the first embodiment and by the clip 110 of the second embodiment. However, it is not limited to these achievements and covers any ordered means of securing

  selection of the sleeve and the pin of a reel.

Claims (11)

  1. Strap reel or the like for operating a shutter or roller blind or equivalent, said reel (1; 101) comprising a spring (6; 106), a first of which   end (62) is integral with a crown (5; 105), it   even secured to said strap or the like (2; 102), while the second end (61) of said spring is secured to a sleeve (4; 104) disposed around a pin (7; 107) secured to a body (8; 108) of said reel, said crown and said sleeve together forming a housing (3; 103) for said spring, said crown being able to rotate around said sleeve, characterized in that it comprises means (10; 110) for selective joining of said sleeve and of said pin, said means being able to immobilize said sleeve (4; 104) in rotation around said pin (7; 107) in a first configuration and to allow rotation of said sleeve around   said pawn in a second configuration.   2. Reel according to claim 1, characterized in that said selective securing means (10; 110) are capable of being controlled without disassembly of said reel (1; 101) relative to said envelope (8; 108) and / or by   relative to said strap or the like (2; 102).   3. Winder according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that said ordered means of solidarisa-   selective tion comprise a locking member (10;) integral with said sleeve (4; 104) and movable between a first position where it is immobilized in rotation around said pin (7; 107) and a second position where it is suitable to rotate with respect to said pawn.   4. Reel according to claim 3, characterized in that said locking member (10; 110) is loaded   elastically (F2, F'2) towards said first position.   5. Reel according to one of claims 3 or 4,   characterized in that said sleeve (104) is provided with at least one recess (145, 146) for receiving at least one tab (115, 116) of said locking member (110), for securing in rotation by cooperation of shapes of said sleeve and of said member, said tab being able to slide in said clearance in a generally direction   parallel to a main axis (X-X ') of said sleeve.   6. Winder according to one of claims 3 to 5,   characterized in that said pin (107) is provided with at least one housing (172, 173) for receiving at least one tongue (118, 119) of said locking member (110), for the rotationally secured by cooperation of said forms pawn and said organ.   7. Reel according to claim 6, characterized in that said housing (172, 173) is formed inside (171)   said pin (107) which is tubular, said locking member   lage (110) partially penetrating inside said pin.   8. Reel according to one of claims 6 or 7,   characterized in that said locking member (110) is movable in a direction generally parallel to a geometric axis (X-X ') of said pin (107), between said first position, o said tongue (118, 119) is received in said housing (172, 173), and said second position, o said   tongue is released relative to said housing.   9. Winder according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that said sleeve (104) is formed by   rolling and folding of a cut sheet (204).   10. Operating mechanism for a shutter or roller blind or equivalent, characterized in that it comprises a reel (1; 101) of strap (2; 102) or the like according to one of previous claims.   11. Method for adjusting the tension of a spring (6 106) of a winder (1; 101) of a strap or the like (2; 102) for the operation of a shutter or roller blind or equivalent, characterized in that that it consists in: operating a locking member (10; 110) of a sleeve (4; 104), secured to one end (61) of said spring relative to a pin (7; 107) secured to a body (8; 108) of said reel, so as to disengage in rotation said sleeve from said pin, - rotate said sleeve around said pin, in a direction of increase or in a direction of decrease in spring tension, and - maneuver again or release said locking member (10; 110) so as to once again secure said sleeve (4; 104) and said pin (7; 107).