FR2919013A1 - VERTICAL DISPLACEMENT ROLLER SAFETY DEVICE FAN SPRING BOX PROVIDED WITH SAFETY, AND CORRESPONDING SAFETY ELEMENTS. - Google Patents

Abstract

The spring box (1) of the fall arrest device comprises a coil formed of two flanges (3a, 3b), on which is wound the curtain, rotating around a fixed shaft (2), and a compensation spring (5) of which the inner end is fixed on this shaft (2) and whose outer end (6) is fixed on a bar (13) movable in translation in buttonholes (14) arranged at the periphery of the flanges (3a, 3b). The end of the bar (13) frees the finger (10) of a rocking latch (8) hinged to one of the flanges (3a), in the direction of a toothed wheel (7) integral with the shaft fixed (2), in case of rupture of the spring (5). Safety elements (24,25) prevent an inadvertent release of the fall arrest device, in particular a safety lever (24), provided with notches (29,30) cooperating with the bar (13), adjacent to the lock (8), or a connecting piece (25) between the bar (13) and the coil (3a, 3b) acting as a "fuse" .Application to motorized or hand-driven rolling curtains.

Description

-1- ROLLER DEVICE ANTI-FALLING SPRING DEVICE AT A A

  TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a spring box of a rolling-vertical roll-arresting device provided with a safety device, and corresponding safety elements. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The technical field of the invention is that of the realization of a safety device and maneuvering of a closure of this type controlling the access of a garage, a shop , a warehouse, a bay, etc. The main purpose of the invention is to meet the criteria that must meet such safety devices, especially in the context of standards, particularly French and European. The reference standards, and more particularly the standards NFP 25362, NF EN 12453, NF EN 12604 and NF EN 13241-1 specify "that the vertical erasure closures must comprise a retaining device, unsolicited in normal operation, preventing the fall of the deck in case of failure of one of the elements of the carrier system, subject to a path limited to 0.30 meter or 300 mm ". The failure envisaged is for example the breaking or unloading of a cable, a chain, a strap, etc., of suspension of the curtain, or the breaking of a compensation spring or any other element. winding mechanism and / or suspension of the curtain. These problems have been known for a long time and the mechanical solutions proposed are very numerous and varied. A large number of safety devices are based on the principle of the angular offset between a driving element and a driven element connected by a return spring. This offset -2- tends to cancel in case of reduction of the load or the driving force, or on the contrary to increase in case of overload. A non-nominal value of this angular offset triggers the shutdown of the system, its blocking or an alarm, whether by exclusively mechanical means, or by electrical or electronic means. US Pat. No. 2,878,865, for example, published on March 24, 1959, and owned by the company US Steel, implements this principle and discloses a device for stopping the fall of a roller shutter in the event, inter alia, breaking of the compensation spring. The locking element is a pawl associated with a ratchet wheel. Another such device is described in the German patent application DE-2,532,604 published January 27, 1977, in the name of P. SCHEMISH. The failure of the drive system produces the counter-rotation of two wheels which has the effect of moving a strike towards a fixed stop. To meet more precisely the specifications of the standards mentioned above, various security systems have been developed recently by different manufacturers, while relying on mechanical principles well known in the technical field of reference. Patent Application FR-2.739.656 published April 11, 1997, in the name of G. Tournier, discloses a device for actuating a winding closure having a spring-loaded fall arrest system. The device comprises a fixed axis on which is mounted at least one coil provided with at least one spiral compensation spring. In a manner known per se, the inner end of the spring is integral with the fixed axis and its outer end is integral with the coil, the latter being itself coupled to the upper end of the apron performing the closure. winding. In a manner also known per se, the safety device for stopping the fall of the deck in case of breakage of the spring is such that it allows to couple the coil to the fixed axis after an angular displacement of this coil relative to the -3 - Locking device, this movement being controlled by a return element mounted between the coil and the locking device. For this purpose, a winding flange secured to the upper part of the deck is coupled to the coil by a finger secured to the coil, and passing through the flange to move a movable member between a waiting position, in operation normal, and a locking position with a toothed wheel secured to the fixed axis, the finger remaining always engaged in the mobile device in case of failure of the spring. A more original variant of the same device was the subject, by the same applicant, of the European patent application EP-0.768.445 published April 16, 1997. In this variant, the inner end of the compensation spring is also integral with the fixed axis, but integral with the locking member movable in rotation relative to the fixed axis. If these last two safety devices, based on the principle of the detection of the angular displacement of an intermediate element, actually meet the requirements such as those indicated in the above standard, they have the main disadvantage, once they have blocked the fall of the closing apron, to prevent, if not to be able to go up this one, at least to lower it completely to close the opening concerned. When the failure of the closing system has occurred during operation, the deck is partly open or closed; to complete the maneuver, it is then necessary to disassemble the winding system. This operation requires the intervention of specialized technicians who are not necessarily available at the time of the incident. The manager or the user of the local can not then close access to its premises and prevent unauthorized intrusion, which can be embarrassing when it comes to a business. In addition, the technicians must intervene while a large part of the deck pulls on the winding system and another part is still rolled up, while there is more compensation system and the -4 - security blocking system is inaccessible. Indeed, in the two devices above, the anti-fall is located inside the rolled apron; To access the security system in order to unlock it, you have to dismantle the entire system. It is a long and very complex work, which requires great caution, because elements of the system, being no longer supported, may escape the technicians. The French patent application FR-2,790,033 in the name of the applicant company, published on August 25, 2000, describes a fall arrest device with vertical displacement to overcome this disadvantage while meeting the requirements of standards such as those indicated above. case of rupture or failure of any of the elements of the carrier device (such as a compensation spring, but also the breaking or unloading of a cable, a chain, a strap, etc. .. depending on the type of suspension used). With the safety lock engaged, and the apron or panel stopped in the half closed or open position, it is possible: on the one hand to completely raise the latter, without having to intervene on the winding system properly said and, therefore, to access and use his premises while waiting for the repair technicians, and 25 - on the other hand to manually lower the apron to put his premises safe if the technicians can not intervene within a reasonable time, and therefore avoid the user to have to monitor while waiting for them. This vertical displacement locking device comprises, in a known manner, both in the vertical panel closing devices and in the winch type drive systems, a fixed shaft, at least one flange rotating relative to this shaft. and whose rotation ensures the vertical displacement of the closure, and a means of compensation of the weight of the closure by action on this flange. In the embodiment described, this compensation means is constituted by a spiral spring whose inner end is fixed on the fixed axis and the outer end is fixed to a bell which covers this outer end and a side wall is constituted by the flange. The fall arrest device also comprises a toothed wheel secured to the shaft and a rocking lock rotated by the flange. The lock is adapted to cooperate with at least one notch of the toothed wheel and to block the rotation of the flange to prevent the free fall of the panel. Remarkably, the rocking latch further includes a finger, at least one lateral edge of the end is beveled along a plane secant with the casing cylinder of the toothed wheel, which finger is mounted laterally movable with respect thereto following a race allowing him at least to escape the guts. Thus, although the closing apron is blocked in its descent by the rocking latch, it is possible to go up since, in this sense, the lock will fade notch after cran and, as soon as we release the weight of the apron , it will not be able to go down beyond the notch in which will immediately block the finger of the lock, its bevel not allowing its deletion only in the direction of the ascent. In addition, the toothed wheel of this device comprises at least two rings. The first comprises locking notches in rotation of the closure. The second, placed laterally with respect to the first in the direction of the lateral displacement of the finger, comprises at least one cam whose face against which the beveled lateral edge of the end of the finger rests is able to evade this. this completely from the notched wheel in the direction of the rise of the closure. The other face is able to bear the end of this finger. It is profiled along a slope bringing this end in front of a locking notch in the direction of the descent of the closure: the distance between two positions of successive cams is at least equal to that separating two notches. Thus, thanks to the cams of this second ring and the bevel of the locking bolt finger, it is possible on the one hand to completely go up to the upper part, as mentioned above, the entire closing plate by erasing the finger the latch with its beveled side edge and, secondly, to lower the deck step by step by a distance corresponding to the distance between two cams, the lock finger relocating each time in a notch of the toothed wheel. It is sufficient that the distance between two successive cam positions is less than 300 mm to meet the standard indicated above. This fall arrest device vertically moving closure responds to the problem and it brings more specific technical solutions, which allow for example. - To have the entire safety device outside the winding and compensation system of the closing apron, which allows an easier intervention, - to raise or lower the closing apron completely and to secure it in this position then eliminating any rotational force on the winding system, which simplifies the intervention of the repair technicians, - in the case of a spiral-type spring compensation device, to avoid that the when it breaks, come block the security system, which can occur when it is directly related to the compensation spring or the box that encloses it. In fact, in the event of breakage, the leaf spring suddenly relaxes and opens as far as possible against the outer wall of the box which encloses it, risking preventing any relative rotational movement of the latter by to any other body, such as security. This last risk seems to be the disadvantage of some very simplified fall arrest devices with spiral spring, devices in which is only implemented the radial or tangential displacement of the free end of the spiral spring at the time of breaking of the latter. to directly control a mechanical part ensuring the blocking. Examples of these simplified fall arrest systems are described in particular in the French patent application FR-2,756,319 in the name of Michel JAVEY, published May 29, 1998, or in the French patent application FR-2,793,837 in the name of the company. FRANCE FERMETURES, published on 24 November 2000. In a reverse approach to that of an extreme simplification of the mechanisms to the detriment of reliability, the plaintiff company filed on September 30, 2004 the patent application FR-04.10372 for a new spring box satisfying both the standards in force and the needs of the users, and aimed at improving the operation of mechanically most advanced vertical displacement locking devices known from the state of the art. This spring box was remarkable in that the fixing means of the outer end of the compensation spring were operative during and after the accidental breaking thereof, unlike the devices described in the French patent application FR-2,756. .319 for example. In the patent application FR-06.01036, filed February 2, 2006, the applicant company was to continue the improvement of its spring box by simplifying the mechanical elements which does not depend on reliability, while retaining the largest part from the previous model, and making modular, and possibly replaceable, security elements. The counter-rotating intermediate flanges to the flanges of the coil are removed in the latter model, and the outer end of the compensation spring is no longer fixed, but secured by means of fixing a -8- mounted bar mobile in translation in two parallel buttonholes each arranged in the vicinity of the periphery of each of the flanges of the coil. One end of this bar cooperates with the finger end of the lock and keeps this finger away from the notch of the notched wheel in the normal state of the compensation spring. The end of the bar is disassociated from the end of the lock finger after the breaking of the compensation spring, releasing the end of this finger. This is then driven in a radial direction by the return spring towards the notch of the toothed wheel. This mechanical design provides many advantages, but in some exceptional cases where the curtain is raised too abruptly by hand and the compensation spring is then partially relaxed, inadvertent tripping of the fall arrest device have been observed.

  GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention therefore aims to overcome this drawback, and to improve the reliability of the latest fall arrest device model manufactured by the applicant company. That is to say, the subject of the invention is a spring box of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device, this box being of the type of those of the general shape of a cylinder having at least one lateral opening and comprising: - a coil formed of the assembly of a first flange and a second flange and whose rotation about a fixed shaft ensures the vertical movement of the curtain, - a spiral spring compensating the weight of the curtain by action on the first and second flanges, the inner end of the compensation spring being intended to be fixed to the fixed shaft, - a notched wheel intended to be fixed on this shaft, - a rocking lock adapted to cooperate with at least one notch of the notched wheel and to block the rotation of the spool to prevent the curtain from falling down in the event of a break in the compensating spring. The rocking latch of this model comprises a finger articulated by its base on the first flange in an axial direction and a radial direction relative to the fixed shaft. The lock also comprises a return spring acting on the finger of the lock, so that this finger, at least one side edge of the end is beveled along a plane secant with the cylinder wrapped with the toothed wheel, is capable of escape the notch at least following a race in this axial direction. - A bar secured by means of fixing the outer end of the compensation spring and mounted movably in translation in two parallel buttonholes each arranged adjacent the periphery of the first and second flanges of the coil. A first end of this bar cooperates with the finger end of the lock and keeps this finger away from the notch of the notched wheel in the normal state of the compensation spring. The first end of the bar is disassociated from the end of the lock finger after the breaking of the compensation spring, thereby causing the release of the end of this finger. This is then driven in a radial direction by the return spring to the locking notch of the toothed wheel. The vertical displacement roller shutter device spring box according to the invention is remarkable in that the release of the finger is further prevented in the normal state of the compensating spring, during curtain maneuvers, by means safety. In a first preferred embodiment, these safety means comprise at least one safety catch arranged at the end of the finger and cooperating with the end of the bar. Advantageously, this safety catch consists of a safety tooth arranged at the end of the finger and cooperating with the end of the bar. Alternatively, or simultaneously, the safety catch is also advantageously constituted by a safety notch arranged at the end of the finger and cooperating with the end of the bar.

  Preferably, this notch and this tooth have a common wall, the notch being arranged after the tooth towards the end of the finger. We will take advantage of the fact that this wall is inclined outwardly in the direction of the base of the finger.

  In this first preferred embodiment, the first end of said bar is very advantageously constituted by a cylindrical rod. The height of the tooth and / or the depth of the notch are then preferably substantially equal to the diameter of this rod. In a first variant of this first preferred embodiment, the notch and / or the tooth are advantageously made in a safety hook attached to the finger. Preferably, the notch and / or the tooth are made in a safety hook removably attached to said finger by snapping. Alternatively, in a second variant, the notch and / or the tooth are very advantageously made in a safety lever fixed on the finger and traversed by a hinge axis of the finger on the first flange. Preferably, the notch and / or the tooth are made in a safety lever fixed to the finger by snapping and traversed by a hinge axis of the finger on the first flange. According to the invention, the safety hook or the safety lever of this first preferred embodiment is either, and preferably, made of plastic or metal. In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the safety means of the fall arrest device spring box advantageously comprise at least one connecting piece connecting the bar and the coil, this connecting piece having a resistance predetermined mechanical greater than the first forces undergone in the normal state of the compensation spring, and lower than the second forces experienced in the case of the breaking of the compensation spring. Preferably, this connecting piece connects the bar at least to the first flange or to the second flange. In this second preferred embodiment, the connecting piece is very advantageously constituted by an elongate blade 10 having a transverse constriction. Alternatively, alternatively, the connecting piece consists of a wire. Preferably, the connecting piece is connected to an axis of articulation of the latch finger on the first flange. Advantage will be taken of the fact that said safety means comprise two copies of the connecting piece arranged respectively at the first end of the bar and at a second end of this bar. The invention also relates to safety elements 20 for composing the spring box described above. A first type of safety element is conspicuously constituted of a plate of the general shape of a hook having a triangular portion having an edge comprising the tooth or safety notch, a recessed central portion 25 intended to allow insertion on the first or the second flange, and a rounded portion adapted to surround an axis of articulation of the base of the finger of the tilting lock. A second type of safety element, similar to the first, is advantageously a lever plate having a triangular portion having an edge including the tooth or safety notch, and a rounded portion provided with a circular orifice adapted to surround an axis of articulation of the base of the finger of the rocking lock. Preferably, the plate of these first and second types of safety elements is provided with at least two perpendicular flanges for gripping the latch finger. At least one of the flanges is preferably provided with a rim forming a ratchet. Another type of safety element, intended to compose a spring box according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention, is remarkable in that it advantageously consists of an elongate blade having a transverse constriction. This blade preferably comprises at one end a first light adapted to surround a portion of the bar and at the other end a second light adapted to surround a hinge pin dl :. tilting bolt finger. The safety elements according to the invention are very advantageously, whatever their types, either made of plastic material or metal.

  These few essential specifications make it obvious to the skilled person the additional benefits of this spring box over the previous model of the Applicant. The detailed specifications of the invention are given in the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that these drawings have no other purpose than to illustrate the text of the description and that they do not constitute in any way a limitation of the scope of the invention.

  BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of a spring box of a vertical displacement rolling shutter fall arrest device according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising a security element consisting of a safety lever. Figures 2a and 2b respectively show an enlarged view of Figure 1 at the safety element, and a perspective view of this element. Figures 3a, 3b and 3c schematically illustrate the operation of the safety element shown in Figures 2a and 2b. FIG. 4 is a general perspective view of a spring box of a vertical displacement rolling shutter fall arrest device according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising a safety element consisting of a connecting piece of least resistance. Figures 5a and 5b show respectively an enlarged view of Figure 4 at the safety element, and a perspective view of this element. Figures 6a, 6b and 6c are detailed right views of a first type of safety elements according to a first variant of the first embodiment of the invention. Figures 7a, 7b and 7c are detailed right views of a second type of safety element according to a second variant of the first embodiment of the invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the spring box 1 of the fall arrest device for vertical movement closure 20 in question is mounted on a fixed shaft 2. It comprises two flanges 3a, 3b assembled at their peripheries by spacers 4, forming a spool with respect to this shaft 2 and whose rotation ensures the vertical displacement of a curtain (not shown) secured to the box 1. A compensation spring 5 , of the spiral type, wound on itself, whose inner end is fixed to the fixed shaft 2, exerts at its outer end 6 a torque antagonistic to that exerted by the weight of the curtain on the coil 1. 30 The fall arrest device also comprises a toothed wheel 7, integral with the shaft 2, and a rocker lock 8 rotated by the flanges 3a, 3b. This lock 8 is adapted to cooperate with at least one notch 9 of the toothed wheel 7 and to block the rotation of the flanges 3a, 3b to prevent the curtain from going down. The rocking lock 8 comprises a finger 10, at least one lateral edge 11 of the end of which is bevelled along a plane intersecting with the casing cylinder of the toothed wheel 7, which is of the same axis as the fixed shaft 2.

  The finger 10 is mounted laterally movable with respect to the toothed wheel 7 in a race allowing at least to escape the notch 9, the secant plane being inclined of course in the direction of the lateral displacement of the latch 8. Such a movement of the finger 10 is allowed by the specific articulation that comprises the latch 8 around a cylindrical rod 12 passing through the flanges 3a, 3b, which articulation comprises an orifice abutting against a shoulder of this rod 12 and an oblong slot located on the same side as the beveled side edge 11 of the blocking finger 10, oblong slot which is of a width substantially equal to but greater than the diameter of the rod 12 so as to make possible the lateral displacement of the finger 10. This movement must allow the lock 8 of escape at least the notch 9 in which it would be blocked, for example following the breaking of the compensation spring 5, by pivoting the lock 8 around the trin 12 in an axial plane. The base of the finger 10 has a U-shaped cross section whose wings carry the orifice and the oblong slot of the joint, the wing corresponding to the oblong slot being bent to facilitate its pivoting. Indeed, the finger 10 is pivotally mounted around the rod 12 between: - a waiting position shown in Figures 1 and 4, by pressing its end against the end of a bar 13 (here a cylindrical rod) secured to the outer end 6 of the compensation spring 5, which rod 13 abuts in two rectilinear buttonholes 14 arranged in the vicinity of the periphery of the flanges 3a, 3b; - And a locking position (not shown), by pressing its end into one of the notches 9 of the toothed wheel 7, the tilting of the finger 10 being ensured by a return spring 15 when the end of the rod 13 erased. The deletion of the end of the rod 13 under the finger 10 occurs when the compensation spring 5 breaks, and the rod 13 is translated into the two buttonholes 14 of the flanges 3a, 3b being held axially by two circlips 16. When the compensation spring 5, whose curved outer end 6 is fixed by a staple 17 on the rod 13, performs its role of balancing the weight of the curtain, the latch 8 is always prevented from tilting due to the stop formed by the end of the rod 13 biased towards the rod 12, and towards the fixed shaft 2, by the force exerted by the compensation spring 5.

  When the compensation spring 5 breaks, most often when it is stretched, that is to say wound, it tends to unfold, that is to say that its outer end 6 tends to away from the fixed shaft 2. The general direction of the buttonholes 14 of the flanges 3a, 3b being those of ropes passing between the support axis of rotation of the finger 10, that is to say the rod 12, and the axis of rotation of the flanges 3a, 3b, that is to say the shaft 2, any radial expansion of the compensation spring 4, leading to a radial displacement of its outer end 6, results in a distance from the end of the rod 13 of the end of the finger 10. The end of the finger 10 of the lock 8 is thus released, and said finger is locked in a notch 9 of the toothed wheel 7, preventing the rotation of the flanges 3a, 3b and therefore the fall of the curtain. In normal operation, the spring box 1 is rotatable about the fixed support shaft 2, thanks to bearings, and it is maintained in axial position on the shaft 2 by means of a guide plate comprising the toothed wheel 7 around which she can turn freely. The toothed wheel 7 is fixed on the shaft 2 by a through bolt. The tilting of the lock 8 around its support axis 12 is limited by any means, such as an abutment carried by the guide plate or the flange 3a opposite, or a circular shoulder forming a third ring 18 cam 19 disposed laterally so that the end of the finger 10, when it is completely clear of the toothed wheel 7 in the upward direction of the closing apron, then return, when the closing apron is lowered, to bear on one side of a cam 19. The cams 19 having the same height as the teeth of the toothed wheel 7, the finger 10 of the lock 8 is thus brought back, in the direction of the descent of the closing apron, towards a notch 9 of the wheel notched 7 where it hangs by immobilizing the curtain, after allowing however to unroll the apron of the closure at least one additional notch from the previous locking position. Figures 1 and 4 show that the outer end 6 of the compensation spring 5 of the spring box 1 according to the invention is fixed on the bar or rod 13 movable in translation in the flanges 3a, 3b. This rod 13 is an intermediate piece which plays a role of attachment similar to that of the counter-rotating internal flanges of one of the previous spring box models. To this end, the outer end 6 of the compensation spring 5 is secured to said rod 13 by the tabs of a clip 17, in the same manner that the curved outer end of the compensation spring was fixed on the inner flanges. .

  The end of the rod 13 has for its part the same trigger function as the finger of the anterior internal flange. Similarly to the operation of the previous model with counter-rotating flanges, the energy produced by the expansion of the compensation spring 5 during its break is advantageously used to move the end of the rod 13. But the inertia of the rod 13 being much weaker than that of the internal flanges of the previous model, the response time of the parachute is improved. Replacing the inner flanges with a single rod 13 also provides the advantages of material saving in manufacturing, and simplification in mounting. The disappearance of the inner flanges for the benefit of the rod 13 furthermore makes it possible to produce the latch 8 in the form of a locking mechanism pre-assembled separately in the workshop, comprising: - a blank 20 having a portion in the form of a ring 21 intended to be engaged axially on the fixed shaft 2, and an attachment lug 22 extending perpendicularly to the plane of this ring 21; the cylindrical rod 12 secured to the blank 20 at one end and extending perpendicularly to the plane of the ring 21, this rod 12 being intended to be inserted into bores 23 made in the vicinity of the periphery of the flanges 3a, 3b of the coil parallel to the fixed shaft 2, and being provided with a circlip on the side of the ring 21; The finger hinged at its base around the bead wire 12 in two directions, one perpendicular and the other parallel to the plane of the ring 20, a finger of which at least one lateral edge 11 of the end is beveled according to a secant plane with the casing cylinder of this ring 20, 25 - the return spring 15 whose one end is fixed to the lug 22 of the blank 20, and whose other end is on the base of the finger 10. Before mounting the mechanism 8 on the flanges 3a, 3b and on the shaft 2, the return spring 15 is temporarily associated with a plastic ring arranged around the fixing lug 22 of the return spring 15 and passing through a hole formed in the end of the finger 10, the ring having the effect of maintaining compressed the return spring 15. After mounting the locking mechanism 8 on the flanges 3a, 3b, the toothed wheel 7 is secured to the fixed shaft 2, and another circlip is placed at the end of the rod. removal of the ring makes the lock 8 operational, and ready to intervene in case of failure of the compensation spring 5. The detailed technical specifications indicated above are already known from the latest model of spring box manufactured by the plaintiff company. It has already been noticed that the absence of internal flanges in a model 1 of this type leads to an improved response time of the fall arrest device in the event of a failure of the compensation spring 5 with respect to the prior devices. It was also noted that inadvertent tripping of the fall arrest system had sometimes been observed. The models of spring boxes 1 according to the invention shown in Figures 1 and 4 therefore comprise safety means 24,25 preventing the release of the finger 10 of the rocker lock 8 in the normal state of the compensation spring 5 during curtain maneuvers. In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, corresponding to FIG. 1, these safety means 24 comprise safety catches 26 arranged near the end of the finger 10 of the rocking lock 8 and cooperating with one end of the Rod 13. As shown in Figure 2a, these safety catches are made in a safety element 24 consists of a plate of the general shape of a lever, adjacent to the finger 10. This plate has a substantially triangular portion 27 and a rounded portion 28. The substantially triangular portion 27 has an edge comprising a tooth 29 and a notch 30 forming the safety catches 26. The rounded portion 28 has a circular orifice 31 surrounding the cylindrical rod 12 passing through the flanges 35 3a 3b and serving as articulation hinge rocker 8. As also well shown in Figure 2a, the wall 32 common to the tooth 29 and the notch 30 is inclined outside towards the rod 12, that is towards the base of the finger 10.

  This safety element 24 has a first flange 33 perpendicular to its plane, arranged on the edge with the safety notches 26,29,30, between the substantially triangular portion 27 and the rounded portion 28. It comprises a second flange 34 perpendicular to its plane, arranged at the rounded portion 28, on the edge opposite that having the first flange 33. These wings 33,34 are clearly visible in Figure 2b, and allow snap fastening of the safety element 24 on the rocking lock 8, the end of the second flange 34 having a bevel 35 and a shoulder. Figures 3a, 3b and 3c will provide a good understanding of the operation of the safety catches 26, and in particular the role of the inclined wall 32. In normal operation, in an initial state A shown in Figure 3a, the end of the finger 10 , and therefore the end of the safety element 24 which is attached thereto, is supported on the end of the rod 13 to which is fixed the outer end 6 of the compensation spring 5. The rounded shape of the tooth 29 opposes resistance to displacement 36 of the rod 13 towards the end of the safety element 24, that is to say towards the end of the attached finger 10, cooperating with the cylindrical shape of the rod 13, the greater the return torque exerted by the return spring 15 on the rocking lock 8 is large.

  However, as shown in Figure 3b, when the forces experienced by the rod 13 are greater than the resistance opposed by the tooth 29, for example when the compensation spring 5 is partially relaxed while the curtain is open, or during a curtain raising operation performed too abruptly, the end of the rod 13 crosses the tooth 29 and is stopped by the notch 30 in a position B where the lock 8 is still not released. The fall arrest is not triggered. When the compensating spring 5 is tensioned again when closing the curtain, the inclined wall 32 between the notch 30 and the tooth 29 offers little resistance to a return of the rod 13 to its initial state A, under the the effect of the force then exerted by the outer end 6 of the compensating spring 5 which retires. On the other hand, in the event of a failure of the compensation spring 5, which incident generally occurs when the spring 5 is stretched, neither the tooth 29 nor the notch 30 offers sufficient strength to oppose the considerable forces experienced by the spring. the outer end 6 of the compensation spring 5 due to the sudden release of the potential energy stored by the compensation spring 5. The rod 13 continues its movement 36 (to the left in the drawing) by exceeding the end of the safety element 24, to a position C where it is no longer in contact with this safety element 24, which has the effect of releasing the finger 10 with which it is assembled, and cause the tilting 37 of the lock 8 to the toothed wheel 9, leading to the rotational locking of the spring box 1: the fall arrest device has worked well. In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, corresponding to FIG. 4, the safety means 25 used to prevent the release of the end of the finger 10 from the rocker lock 8 comprise a connecting piece 25 connecting the rod 13 , secured to the outer end 6 of the compensation spring 5, to the rod 12, around which is articulated the rocking latch 8. As shown in Figure 5a, this connecting piece, consisting of a blade 38 of shape elongated, has the feature of having a transverse throat 39. This constriction 39 is determined to give the connecting piece 25 a predetermined mechanical strength greater than the forces experienced by the outer end 6 of the compensation spring 5 during the normal operation of the spring box 1, but lower than those suffered in case of failure of the compensation spring 5. In this way, this connecting piece 25 j As a fuse it prevents the release of the end of the finger as long as the spring box 1 is operating normally, including when the spring is partially relaxed, or when the curtain is operated suddenly. It breaks in the event of breakage of the compensation spring 5. FIG. 51) shows that a first slot 40 is provided at one end of the blade 38 for mounting this safety element 25 on the rod 13, and a second light 41 is formed at the other end to fix the blade 38 on the rod 12. In order to preserve the symmetry of the mechanism, and to eliminate the risk of asymmetrical movement of the outer end 6 of compensation spring 5, the spring box 1 20 according to the invention advantageously comprises, in this second preferred embodiment, a second copy of the connecting piece 25 arranged between the rod 13 and the rod 12 outside the flange 3b opposite the flange 3a carrying the latch 8. As is obvious, the invention is not limited to the only preferred embodiments described above. In particular, the embodiments of the latch 8 in the form of a separate mechanism provide many advantages, but are not a technical constraint: the finger 10 is alternatively hinged to an integral stud by construction of one of the flanges 3a. Similarly, the mechanical part on which is fixed the outer end 6 of the compensation spring 5 is not necessarily a cylindrical rod 13 as shown in the various figures. This is usually a bar that slides in two buttonholes 14. These buttonholes are preferably rectilinear, but they are also alternately in a circular arc. Similarly, it is not necessary that the finger 10 is kept away from the toothed wheel 7 by the end of the rod 13 itself. Advantageously, the end of this rod, or bar, also comprises, in another variant, a movable stirrup on which the finger 10 rests. In order to facilitate the withdrawal movement of the end of the rod 13, or of the movable stirrup, one or more return elements, including one or more return springs, connect, in these variants, the rod 13, or the stirrup, at least one of the flanges 3a, 3b. The outer end 6 of the compensation spring 5 is, in the preferred embodiments of the invention, fixed by a clip 17 on the rod 13. Any other means of fixing the outer end 6 of the compensation spring 5 on the rod 13, or the bar, such as bolts and nuts, rivets, glue or solder, would not change the operating principle of the invention.

  There are numerous possible variants, both of shapes and materials, of the safety element 24 for composing the spring box 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c. , 7a, 7b and 7c.

  The safety element 24 shown in FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c, of the general shape of a hook, comprises a recessed central portion 42 intended to allow its insertion on one of the flanges 3a, and its snap-on mounting on the rocker lock 8, while the pre-assembled lock mechanism in the workshop is already in place. This mounting feature also allows the replacement of the safety element 24, without disassembly of the latch 8. Figures 6a, 6b, 6c show teeth 29 and notches 35 of different shapes and sizes. The notches 30 have a semicircular shape preferably corresponding to the shape of the end of the cylindrical rod 13 with which they are intended to cooperate. The inside diameter of these notches 30 is adapted to the outer diameter of the rod 13, which varies according to the load capacity of the spring box model 1. Thus, the safety element 24 shown in Figure 6c having a notch 30 adapted to a rod 13 of diameter greater than the rods 13 to which are adapted the notches 30 of the security elements shown in Figures 6a and 6b, it corresponds to a spring box 1 of higher capacity than the spring boxes 1 comprising the safety elements shown in these figures. Figures 7a, 7b and 7c show alternative embodiments of the security element 24 for composing the spring box 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention. A safety element 24 of this type, of the general shape of a lever, has already been described in connection with Figures 1, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b and 3c.

As in the case of the preceding variants, the shape and the size of the teeth 29 and notches 30 of this safety element 24 are advantageously adapted to the capacities of the spring boxes 1 that it composes. In the second preferred embodiment of the invention, it goes without saying that a transverse constriction 39 is not the only way to limit the mechanical strength of a connecting piece 25 consisting of an elongate blade 38. Alternatively, or simultaneously, punching, punching, or other local machining which results in a controlled decrease in the mechanical strength of the workpiece can be used. It may also be a local change in the mechanical properties of the part, for example by tempera, if the piece is steel. Finally, this security element 25 is also advantageously constituted by a wire, iron or nylon, for example, having a suitable diameter. But this last example is not limiting, and the invention embraces any other mechanical equivalent, metal and / or plastic, to play the security element 24,25 fuse role to the extent that it remains in the framework defined by the claims below.

Claims (26)

  1) A spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device, said box (1) being of the type of those of the general shape of a cylinder having at least one lateral opening and comprising: a coil formed of the assembly of a first flange (3a) and a second flange (3b) and whose rotation about a fixed shaft (2) ensures the vertical displacement of said curtain, - a compensating spiral spring (5) the weight of said curtain acting on said first flange (3a) and on said second flange (3b), the inner end of said compensation spring (5) being intended to be fixed to said fixed shaft (2), - a toothed wheel (7) intended to be fixed on said fixed shaft (2), - a rocking lock (8) adapted to cooperate with at least one locking notch (9) of said toothed wheel (7) and to block the rotation of said coil to prevent downward movement of said curtain in the event of a break in said compensating spring n (5), said rocking latch (8) comprising a finger (10) articulated by its base on said first flange (3a) in an axial direction and a radial direction relative to said shaft (2), and a return spring (15) acting on said finger (10) such that said finger (10), of which at least one lateral edge (11) of the end is beveled along a plane intersecting with the casing cylinder of said toothed wheel (7) may escape said lock notch (9) at least following a stroke in said axial direction; a bar (13) secured by fastening means (17) of the outer end (6) of said compensation spring (5) and mounted to move in translation in two parallel buttonholes (14) each arranged in the vicinity of the periphery of said first flange (3a) and said second flange (3b), a first end of said bar (13) cooperating with the end of said finger (10) and keeping said finger (10) away from said notch (9). ) in the normal state of said compensating spring (5), and being dissociated from the end of said finger (10) after said breaking of said compensating spring (5), thereby causing the end of said finger ( 10) driven by said return spring (15) to said locking notch (9) in said radial direction; characterized in that said release is further prevented in said normal state of said compensation spring (5), during maneuvers of said curtain, by safety means (24,25).   2) A spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device according to claim 1, characterized in that said safety means (24) comprise at least one safety catch (26) arranged at the end of said finger (10) and cooperating with the end of said bar (13).   3) A spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device according to claim 2, characterized in that said safety catch (26) consists of a safety tooth (29) arranged at the end of said finger (10) and cooperating with the end of said bar (13).   4) spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device according to claim 2, characterized in that said safety catch (26) consists of a safety notch (30) arranged at the end of said finger (10) and cooperating with the end of said bar (13).   5) A spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device according to claims 3 and 4 above, characterized in that said notch (30) and said tooth (29) have a common wall (32), said notch -30- (30) being arranged after said tooth (29) towards the end of said finger (10).   6) spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device according to claim 5, characterized in that said wall (32) is inclined outwardly towards the base of said finger (10).   7) A spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 above, characterized in that said first end of said bar (13) consists of a cylindrical rod.   8) spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device according to claim 7, characterized in that the height of said tooth (29) and / or the depth of said notch (30) are substantially equal to diameter of said rod (13).   9) A spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device according to any one of claims 3 to 8 above, characterized in that said notch (30) and / or said tooth (29) are made in a safety hook attached to said finger (10).   10) A spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device according to any one of claims 3 to 8 above, characterized in that said notch (30) and / or said tooth (29) are made in a security hook removably attached to said finger (10) by snapping.   11) spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device according to any one of claims 3 to 8 above, characterized in that said notch (30) and / or said tooth (29) are made in a safety lever fixed on said finger (10) and traversed by a hinge axis (12) of said finger (10) on said first flange (3a).   12) spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device according to any one of claims 3 to 8 above, characterized in that said notch (30) and / or said tooth (29) are made in a safety lever fixed on said finger (10) by snapping and traversed by a hinge axis (12) of said finger (10) on said first flange (3a).   13) A spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device according to any one of claims 9 to 12 above, characterized in that said safety hook or said safety lever is either made of plastic material or metallic.   14) A spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device according to claim 1, characterized in that said safety means (25) comprise at least one connecting piece (25) connecting said bar (13) and said coil, said connecting piece (25) having a predetermined mechanical strength greater than first forces experienced in said normal state of said compensation spring (5), and lower than second forces experienced in the case of said failure of said compensation spring (5).   15) spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device according to claim 14, characterized in that said connecting piece (25) connects said bar (13) at least to said first flange (3a) or said second flaccid (3b) .- 29-   16) spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device according to claim 15, characterized in that said connecting piece (25) consists of an elongated blade (38) having a transverse constriction (39) .   17) spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device according to claim 15, characterized in that said connecting piece (25) consists of a wire.   18) A spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device according to claim 15, characterized in that said connecting piece (25) is connected to an axis of articulation (12) of said finger (10) on said first flange (3a).   19) A spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that said safety means comprise two copies of said connecting piece (25) respectively arranged to said first end of said bar (13) and at a second end of said bar (13).   20) Safety element (24) intended to compose a spring box (1) of a vertical rolling shutter fall arrest device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it consists of a plate of the general shape of a hook having a triangular portion (27) having an edge comprising said tooth (29) or said notch (30), a recessed central portion (42) intended to allow insertion on said first flange ( 3a), and a rounded portion (28) adapted to surround an articulation axis (12) of the base of said finger (10).   21) Safety element (24) for composing a spring box (1) of a vertical rolling shutter fall arrest device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it consists of a lever plate having a triangular portion (27) having an edge comprising said tooth (29) or said notch (30), and a rounded portion (28) provided with a circular orifice (31) adapted to surround a hinge axis (12) of the base of said finger (10).   22) security element (25) according to any one of claims 20 or 21 above, characterized in that said plate is provided with at least two wings (33,34) perpendicular for gripping said finger (10).   23) Safety element according to preceding claim 22, characterized in that at least one of said wings (34) is provided with a flange (35) latching.   24) Safety element (25) for composing a spring box (1) of a vertical rolling curtain fall arrest device according to any one of the preceding claims 1, 14 or 15, characterized in that it consists of an elongate blade (38) having a transverse constriction (39.   25) Safety element (25) according to preceding claim 24 characterized in that said blade (38) has at one end a first slot (40) adapted to surround a portion of said bar (13) and at the other end a second light (41) adapted to surround an axis of articulation (12) of said finger (10).   26) Safety element (25) according to any one of claims 20 to 25 above, characterized in that it is either made of plastic or metal.