FR2934633A1 - SECTIONAL DOOR WITH UNIVERSAL DRIVE MECHANISM - Google Patents

Abstract

The sectional door comprises a compensated apron (4) and a drive means of this apron, comprising in particular a vertical endless chain (54) stretched between two gears (52), (53). The chain, integral with the deck (4), meshes with a pinion (55) coupled by a clutch to a drive motor (50) installed at height. The mechanical connection (8) between the chain (54) and the apron (4) is such that it induces a delay time in driving the deck upwards from its locked down position. This results in an empty race of the chain. During this race, an unlocking action is applied by the drive means (5) on a locking mechanism of the deck in the down position. The mechanical connection (8) is guided by a tap (30) adjacent to the guide rail (31) of the apron and said connection is secured to the lower panel (40) of the deck by a joint axis BB '.

Description

SECTIONAL DOOR WITH UNIVERSAL DRIVE MECHANISM. Technical Field The present invention relates to a sectional door of great width for industrial building bay and other. More specifically, the present invention relates in particular to a universal sectional door actuating means, with which are solved the problems related to cable slack, this mechanism can be used for the different types of sectional door, this door is vertical lift , high emergence, normal emergence, or reduced emergence. State of the art Typically, a sectional door consists of an apron movable in the direction of closing and opening in a guide structure fixed against the jambs of the bay that hosts it. This guide structure is formed by two rails hosting the deck. The deck, formed essentially of panels articulated along horizontal axes, is driven in the direction of the opening by a motor means acting in tension on the lower panel of the deck. There are several types of sectional doors. Thus, vertical lift-type doors are known for which the guide rails in their entirety develop vertically, and doors of the high-lift type, normal and reduced, for which the guide rails each have a vertical part developing along the jambs of the bay and a horizontal part connected to the vertical part by a curved part. In the open position, the deck of a door of the high lift type, normal or reduced is located, depending on the type of lift, partially or entirely in the horizontal portion of the guide rails. The driving means of the apron is constituted by a set of two cables, fixed to the lower panel and wound on two drums mounted in attachment on a horizontal drive bar, motorized, engaged in rotating guide bearings, fixed against or above the lintel of the bay. The horizontal bar is coupled by a drive sleeve to the rotary output shaft of an electric motor.

The motor means is associated with a disengagement mechanism for separating the drive bar and the electric motor from each other to allow manual operation of the door in particular case of engine failure or power failure electric. There are also provided balancing mechanisms associated with the drive bar to keep the deck in equilibrium position when the engine is disengaged. The sectional doors of the state of the art are provided with electromagnetic lock ensuring the locking of the deck in the closed position. This type of lock to go from the locked state to the unlocked state is connected to the voltage source. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical problem One of the disadvantages of a door as described above, lies in the fact that the deck during its descent can lock in the guide structure. In this condition, the drive member being always powered, the drive cables are deviated from their respective drum which releases above the deck a slack length of cable more or less important. In this condition, the deck is no longer retained by the cables and the release of the latter becomes potentially dangerous, the deck can then fall suddenly and seriously hurt anyone in his path. This same problem also occurs when the deck can not leave the horizontal portion of the guide rails. In an attempt to solve this problem, fault detectors are used to detect the expansion of the cables around their respective drums and to signal the potential danger that this represents. But such a solution is unreliable. Another disadvantage of the sectional doors lies in the position of the engine in the upper part. This problem is not critical for a low door because the engine can easily be reached, but becomes so when the engine is installed at a noticeable height, more than five meters, out of reach of the repairer. In this case, for a breakdown of the engine, the repairer must then intervene in height and to do this, will erect a scaffold or use a lifting platform as required by the regulations. Thus to carry out a simple repair, can expensive in itself, heavy and expensive means will have to be used. Given this regulatory constraint, in the majority of cases, compensation can not be accomplished quickly. For this reason, often, regulatory constraints are violated, and repairers, despite the danger that this represents, use a ladder to access the engine.

Another disadvantage of the height position of the drive motor, is that its control unit being installed at the height of man, a wired connection of a relatively long length, must be established between the latter and the motor. which increases the cost of the installation. Another disadvantage of sectional doors is the nature of the disengaging means. In this regard, the state of the art teaches the use of jaw interposed kinematically between the drive bar and the engine, difficult to maneuver if seizures appear. It also teaches the use of a clutch mechanism arranged in a swivel crew having an unbalanced position in which it is engaged with the bar and an equilibrium position in which it is moved away from the bar. Such disengaging means has the advantage of great simplicity, and a very high reliability. Whatever the technique used, it will be necessary to use additional means such as rods and the like to remotely control the clutch 20 and the clutch. Another disadvantage of the doors of the state of the art is the use of electromagnetic lock to ensure the locking of the deck in the closed position. Indeed, this solution is expensive in itself and a power failure due to a fault in the power supply of the lock will result in the impossibility of actuating 25 the apron to its open position. Finally, a last disadvantage of the state of the art is that each type of door lift corresponds to a specific solution for actuating and guiding the deck, the solution adopted for one of the types of lift being difficult to use for another type lifting. TECHNICAL SOLUTION The object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problems. In particular, the invention provides an improved safety sectional door designed to avoid any risk of falling of the deck in its guiding structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sectional door for which are solved the problems related to an intervention at height on the electric motor. Another object of the present invention is a sectional door for which the function of disengaging the motor does not use any specific means. Another object of the present invention is to reduce the length of the wire connection between the motor and the control box. Another object of the present invention is to be able to easily unlock the door apron even in case of breakage of the power supply. Another object of the present invention is to provide a door actuating means which can be adapted to any type of lift without any modification. For this purpose the sectional door according to the present invention comprises a guide structure intended to be fixed against the jambs of a bay of a building, an apron slidably mounted in this guide structure between a low position of closure and a high opening position, and apron drive means along the guide structure, the drive means comprising a drive motor member having a rotary output shaft on which a drive torque is available , said motor member being electrically connected to electrical control means installed in a control box. The apron of this door is formed of several panels hinged to each other having in each axis of articulation a pair of lateral guide rollers engaged in the guide structure. This sectional door, as defined, is essentially characterized in that the drive means is lateral to the apron, acts on only one side of the deck and comprises an upper toothed sprocket rotatably mounted on a horizontal axis. secured to the guiding structure, a lower toothed sprocket rotatably mounted on a horizontal axis integral with the guiding structure, an endless chain with articulated links meshing with the two upper and lower sprockets and mounted in tension between these two sprockets , said chain being mechanically connected to the lower panel and being coupled to the drive motor via a drive chain gear, meshing with the chain, engageable with the output shaft of the motor . The implementation for a sectional door, a drive means according to the invention allows a total control of the movement of the deck either towards its open position or towards its closed position and eliminates any risk of falling from the latter consecutive to a possible blocking of the deck is in the vertical part of the rails, or in the horizontal part of the latter. Thus the problem of the formation of the slack cable is solved.

In addition, this total control of the movement of the deck is further reinforced by the fact that the door apron, according to another characteristic of the invention is suspended from a balancing mechanism capable of compensating for the weight of the deck, this balancing mechanism exerting on the deck and more precisely on the lower panel of the latter, two vertical traction forces of equal intensity and located at equal distance from the vertical median axis of the deck. This arrangement, in addition to balancing, ensures the horizontal maintenance of the deck and its panels, regardless of its position in height. Moreover, because of its balancing, no significant effort of traction will be necessary to move the deck. Thus the power of the engine can be limited.

In addition, this tensile force whose intensity remains low, is exerted on the lower panel of the deck vertically and laterally closer to the guide structure. Thus, this tensile force has only one component, which is of strictly vertical direction, this vertical direction being that of the movement of the low point of the deck panel. It should also be noted that due to the absence of any other component including a component perpendicular to the panel, no bending effect of the panel to deform it is to be feared. Moreover, in case of blocking of the apron in the guide structure, the output shaft of the motor is locked in rotation by stopping the chain while it is still under electrical voltage. It then possible, in this blocking condition to analyze, by known means, the electrical intensity absorbed by the motor and then interrupt its power supply and report the fault. The use of this particular mode chain drive and pinion, in addition to its reliability, allows to place the electric motor no longer in the upper part but, according to an additional feature of the invention, at height man. It is understood that any intervention on the engine can be performed quickly and efficiently and safely. This saves the use of nacelles and other heavy means of work at height.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the electric motor is placed in fixing in the control box. In this way, both the electric motor and the wired links between this motor and the control box are physically protected by the shell of the latter and the length of these wired links is limited to a few centimeters and whatever the height of the door. It should be pointed out that, as regards the previous arrangements, the length of the wired links depends in particular on this height. Thus is achieved a significant saving of electrical cables and is ruled out the risk of deterioration of wired links between the housing and the motor, these wired links, for the doors of the prior art, being external and exposed to shocks and removal. According to another characteristic of the invention, the output shaft of the motor passes right through a hole formed in the vertical rear wall of the housing and couples directly by interlocking shape with the drive gear, the coupling allowing the separation of the motor and the pinion from each other by axial displacement of one relative to the other. This particularly simple and reliable arrangement avoids the use of clutch means and additional clutch, which further reduces the cost of installation.

Advantageously, according to another characteristic of the invention, the casing is secured in a translationally movable manner, according to the geometric axis of rotation of the output shaft of the motor, to a fixed support carrying the drive chain pinion, this support being fixed to the guide structure and / or the corresponding leg of the bay. Thus by simply moving the housing in the direction of the distance relative to the drive pinion is provided in a simple and effective manner the disengaging function. To facilitate this operation, the housing, according to another characteristic of the invention, is equipped with two gripping handles to be entered by the user.

Thus the user by simply pulling on the handles can easily disengage the motor and by simply pushing the gear to drive pinion. It is understood that these two operations and essentially the disengagement operation can be performed in a particularly fast and easy manner.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the displacement movement of the housing is guided by at least two horizontal columns fixed to the fixed support and respectively engaged in at least two guide sleeves internal to the housing and fixed thereto, the movement of the housing being limited by at least one stop carried by at least one of the columns. In this way, the housing in the unlocked position of the motor remains secured to the fixed support and the drive motor by its output shaft can thus remain in alignment with the axis of rotation of the drive pinion. This provision is intended to make easy the clutch operations and disengagement of the engine. According to another characteristic of the invention, the guide columns penetrate into the housing and the or each abutment is installed on the column portion internal to this housing. In this way, the or each stop is protected by the housing. Advantageously, according to another characteristic of the invention, the or each abutment is removable which allows, after removal of the latter removal of the housing. According to another characteristic of the invention, the guide structure is formed of a pair of vertical keys, fixed against the jambs of the opening and a pair of guide rails secured to the pair of keys, said rails guide receiving the lateral guide rollers of the deck panels. In addition, the chain of the drive means is secured to the lower panel of the deck via a mechanical connection forming part of the drive means, this link comprising a guide carriage movable vertically in the corresponding key, said chain drive being attached to this guide carriage. Finally, the mechanical connection between the chain and the lower panel of the apron, at a distance from the guide carriage comprises a first attachment member fixed to the lower panel, this fastener cooperating in articulation along a horizontal geometric axis BB ', with a second complementary fastening member, fixed to the lower panel, these fasteners being disposed opposite and at a distance from the corresponding guide rail, the axis BB 'being parallel to the large faces of the lower panel and occupying a lower position relative to to the latter.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the lower panel, opposite the drive means, receives a mobile unit comprising a carriage mounted in the corresponding key so as to be vertically movable and that carriage is equipped with a vertical plate which, along the axis BB ', comprises a first fastener member to the lower panel, this fastener cooperating in articulation along the geometric axis BB', with a second complementary fastening member, fixed to the panel lower, these fasteners being arranged opposite and at a distance from the corresponding rail.

Thanks to these arrangements, the lower part of the lower panel which has, in the lower part for doors raised high, normal and reduced, no side guide roller in the guide rails, however, will be maintained facing the vertical part of these rails. At the elbow that forms each rail, the lower portion of the panel will be maintained in the vertical extension of the straight portion of each rail without being guided by them. It is necessary, when the deck is in the closed position, to prohibit its operation in the direction of opening from outside the building. For this purpose, the sectional door, according to another characteristic of the invention, comprises an automatic mechanical locking mechanism opposing the operation of the apron in the direction of opening under the effect of an action other than that generated by the driving means. It is however necessary that the locking mechanism can not oppose the opening of the deck when the drive means is activated. Thus, according to another characteristic of the invention, the drive chain, at the beginning of the opening movement, runs empty, the latter only acting late on the deck. Further before the end of the idle stroke of the chain, an action is applied by the driving means on the locking mechanism to move the latter to an unlocked position. In practice, according to another characteristic of the invention, the mechanical connection between the driving chain is extensible and retractable along a vertical axis, and is capable of inducing an idle stroke of the chain over a determined distance, as a premise the upward movement of the apron from its closed position. According to another characteristic of the invention, the retractable expandable mechanical link is of the slide type. In practice, according to another characteristic of the invention, this mechanical linkage of the slide type comprises a drive plate carried by the guide carriage and a counter plate integral with the platen and the other with the platen. lower panel, the plate and the counter plate having relative to each other, a possibility of vertical movement of translation of limited amplitude, the amplitude of this movement determining the value of the empty stroke of the chain of the drive mechanism. According to another characteristic of the invention, the locking mechanism comprises a rocking arm biased by its own weight towards its locking position, said arm, in the lower part, comprising a locking housing able to come to cap, in the locking position, a blocking pin carried by the counter platinum. The advantage of such a solution lies essentially in the fact that it requires, for its implementation, no additional source of electrical energy, pneumatic or hydraulic. Moreover, because of this provision, a break in the power supply can not prohibit the unlocking of the deck from inside the building. Maneuver by hand in opening and closing the deck will be done without having to produce significant effort, this because of the possibility of disengagement of the motor drive means and the suspension of the deck to the balancing mechanism. According to another characteristic of the invention, the locking arm has a cam surface and the drive plate has a suitable operating finger, during the upward empty stroke of the drive plate, to roll against the cam surface and push the locking arm to its unlocked position in which the locking arm and consequently the locking housing are angularly spaced from the locking pin.

This arrangement ensures automatic mechanical unlocking of the locking arm. Furthermore, during the idle stroke of the chain no tensile stress is exerted on the deck so that no action is exerted on the locking arm by the blocking pin. This easy layout unlock the arm. Advantages of the invention

The main advantage of the actuating means according to the invention is to be applicable without modification to any type of sectional door lift that is vertical lift, normal lift, high lift, reduced lift which is of nature to significantly lower its manufacturing price. Another advantage of the invention is to solve the problems related to slack cable that present the doors of the prior art Finally another advantage of the invention is to ensure the locking and unlocking, mechanical, automatic deck. Brief description of figures and drawings.

Other advantages, aims and features of the invention will appear on reading the description of a preferred embodiment given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a sectional door of the reduced lift type, - Figure 2 is a front view of a sectional door of the vertical lift type, - Figure 3 is a naked view, partially cut away showing the means of universal drive that comprises the door according to the invention, - Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line AA of Figure 2, - Figure 5 is a sectional view showing the motor of the drive means in the engaged position FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the motor of the drive means in the disengaged position; FIG. 7 is a sectional view along the line CC of FIG. 4, showing the mechanical connection between the chain and the panel; bottom of the tab the locking mechanism in the locked position, FIG. 8 shows FIG. 7 and shows the locking mechanism being unlocked under the effect of the upward movement of the chain of the driving means, FIG. 8a is a view according to the arrow F of FIG. 8; FIG. 9 is a view showing a moving assembly fitted to the lower deck panel. BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the accompanying drawings, there is shown a sectional door 1 according to the invention. This door, associated with a building bay 2 is mounted inside the latter and comprises a guide structure 3 provided to be fixed against the jambs 20 of the bay, inside a building, an apron 4 formed of articulated panels 40, mounted in vertical sliding in this guide structure 3 between a low position of closure of the rack and a high open position, and a means 5 for driving the deck along the guide structure . Typically the guide structure is formed of a pair of vertical keys 30 fixed against the jambs of the opening and a pair of guide rails 31 integral with the pair of taps 30. According to the preferred embodiment, such as it can be seen in Figure 3, each typed 30 is constituted by a substantially U-shaped section. One of the two typed has a guide rail shape and guides one of the elements of the drive means 5. It can also be seen in this figure that the pair of keys 30 is located between the pair of guide rail and the jambs of the bay. It is also observed in this figure that each typed 30 and the associated guide rail 31, are joined to each other by the wing of a corner profile, secured by its other wing jamb of the bay 2. For a sectional door said vertical lift as shown in Figure 2, each guide rail 31 will be straight and vertical while for a sectional door to lift, high, normal or reduced as shown in Figure 1, each guide rail will include a vertical section 31a rectilinear guide rail extended by a horizontal section 3 lb straight horizontal guide rail connected to the previous by a curved section 31c rail guide rail. The deck, along each hinge axis of two panels adjacent to each other comprises a pair of side rollers 46 engaged in the guide structure 3 and more precisely in the guide spokes 31. Each panel 40 of the deck, perpendicular to the plane of its large external face to the internal volume of the building, comprises two lateral sealing wings 41 extending respectively the right and left vertical edges of the panel 40. The lateral wings 41 of the panels 40 extend mutually so that the apron 4, particularly in the closed position, has two continuous lateral wings, extending vertically. Each of these lateral wings comes to bear laterally against a vertical seal 35 carried by the corresponding typed 30. This arrangement ensures the lateral sealing of the door. The apron 4 comprises in the lower part a horizontal seal 42 provided to bear against the threshold of the bay 2 in the closed position of the deck. This seal ensures the low seal of the door. This seal 42 is carried by the lower horizontal edge of the lower panel 40 of the deck. Preferably, the apron 4 of the door is suspended from a balancing mechanism 7 of a known type, able to compensate for its weight. This balancing mechanism 7 exerts on the deck 4 two vertical traction forces of equal intensities located at an equal distance from the vertical median axis of the deck. This balancing mechanism 7 comprises a horizontal connecting shaft 70, rotatably mounted in two end bearings 71 fixed by any means known to the building structure and above the bay 2. The balancing mechanism 7 further comprises two conical winding drums 71 mounted to attach to the connecting shaft 70. Each drum 71 receives a suspension cable 72 fixed, by a suitable fastener, to the lower panel 40 of the deck 4. Finally the compensation mechanism 7 comprises two spring members 73 of the same characteristics, able to apply in combination on the connecting shaft 70 a resisting torque equal and opposite that generated by the resultant of the forces applied by the apron 4 on the two suspension cables 72. The connecting shaft 70 may consist of two half axially aligned connecting shafts coupled to each other by a suitable sleeve mounted in a median bearing 74. The shaft will receive one of the two winding drums 71 and one of the two springs 73. These arrangements by distributing equally the resisting torque on either side of the middle bearing, contribute to limiting the torsion of the shaft. 70 and contribute to a better balance of the deck by distributing the resistant torque on both sides of the middle bearing.

In the preferred embodiment, each suspension cable 72 of the balancing mechanism 7 is attached to a suspension side plate 43 rigidly attached to the lower portion of the corresponding lateral edge of the lower panel 40. This suspension plate 43 has a lug 44 to which is fixed the end of the cable 72 (Fig.3).

The driving means 5, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 3, comprises a drive motor unit 50 having a rotary output shaft 51 on which a driving torque is available. This motor unit 50 of the motorcycle gear type is electrically connected to electrical control means installed in a control box 6 operable by the user to control the opening or closing of the door 1. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, the drive means 5 is lateral to the apron 4, acts only on one side of the deck 4 and further comprises an upper toothed sprocket 52 rotatably mounted on a horizontal axis in a clevis solidaire of the dorsal zone of the corresponding key of the guide structure 3, a lower toothed pinion gear 53 rotatably mounted on a horizontal axis in a clevis secured to the dorsal zone of the corresponding key of the guide structure, a endless chain 54 with articulated links geared to the two upper and lower gears and tensioning between these two gears. The chain 54 is secured to the lower panel 40 and is coupled to the drive motor 50 via a chain sprocket 55, drive, meshing with the chain 54 and coupled to drive the deck 4 to the output shaft 51 of the motor 50. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the upper 52 and lower 53 gears of the chain 54 are partly housed in the corresponding key 30 and for this purpose are each engaged in a through opening made in the dorsal zone of the typed 30. The chain by one of its two vertical strands is internal to the typed 30 and the other is external to the latter. The plan of the chain is parallel to that of the bay. The outer strand of the chain cooperates with the drive pinion 55 and inner strand acts on the apron 4.

According to a particular embodiment, the chain 54 is secured to the lower panel 40 via a mechanical connection forming part of the drive means. This mechanical connection comprises a guide carriage 81 mounted in the tap 30 so as to be able to move there. This guide carriage 80 comprises a guide carriage body 81a carrying two vertically superposed guide rollers 82 intended to be engaged in the rail shape of the corresponding key. Advantageously the chain by its internal strand is fixed to the guide carriage 81. In practice, the chain 54, by its two ends is rigidly fixed by bolts to the body 81a guide carriage. The mechanical connection may be of the indeformable type, or, according to the preferred embodiment, expandable retractable along a vertical axis and capable of inducing a delay time in the operation of the apron 4 from its closed position to its open position or else, in another way, capable of inducing a runaway of the chain 54 over a determined distance, in premice to the upward movement of the deck 4 from its closed position.

According to the practical embodiment, this retractable expandable mechanical link is of the slide type. Preferably, this mechanical connection 8, in addition to the guide carriage 81, comprises a drive plate 80 carried by the guide carriage 81 and a counter plate 83 integral on the one hand with the plate 80 and on the other hand with the panel lower 40. The plate 80 and the counter plate 83 have relative to each other, a possibility of vertical movement of translation of limited amplitude. The amplitude of this movement determines the value of the idle stroke of the chain of the drive mechanism. In practice, the plate 80 has two through holes 84, oblong each oriented so that their major axis is vertical and the counter plate has two pins 85 respectively engaged in the two through holes of the plate 80, the diameter of each pin, corresponding to the functional game near to the width of each oblong hole. Advantageously, each peg 85 is formed by a screw engaged by its threaded rod in the corresponding oblong hole 84 of the plate and in a thread formed in the counter plate 83. The head of the screw constitutes a stop and ensures the fastening of the plate and the counter platinum to each other. Advantageously, the drive pinion 55, by a sleeve shape 55a that it has, is mounted in at least one ball bearing 57 fixed to a fixed support 56 consisting essentially of a plurality of parallel vertical plates distant from each other, the driving motor 50 being integral with this fixed support 56. This support 56 can be fixed to the guide structure and / or the jamb of the bay. To ensure the maintenance of the chain 54 in coupling with the drive pinion 55 are provided two chain sprockets annexes 55b occupying a lateral position relative to the pinion 55. Partial winding of the chain 54 on these pinions 55b is ensured the maintenance a minimal partial winding of the chain 54 on the drive pinion 55. This avoids the derailment of the chain 54. Each appendix pinion 55b is mounted in a ball bearing secured to the support 56. One of these pinions appendix 55b will be adjustable in position by sliding of its ball bearing in an oblong slot 56a of the support 56 to ensure the tensioning of the drive chain 54. The provisions mentioned above allow the installation of the drive motor 50 at man's height for example at a distance of between 1.5 meters and 1.7 meters. As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the drive motor 50 is mounted in fixing in the control box 6. This housing is in the form of a parallelepipedal box having a vertical rear wall 60, four walls. side 61 and a cover 62 for access to its internal volume. This housing 6 is integral with the fixed support 56. This housing contains in addition to the motor 50, the various electrical components necessary for the control of the motor and a microprocessor and memory unit 30 ensuring the control of the movement of the deck. According to an advantageous arrangement of the invention, the output shaft 51 of the motor 50, passes right through a hole formed in the vertical rear wall 60 of the housing 6 and couples directly by interlocking shape with the pinion. training 55 or with an element related to it. According to the preferred embodiment, the output shaft 51 is intended to be coupled with the sleeve 55a of the pinion 55. This coupling is designed to allow the disengagement of the motor 50, that is to say the separation of the shaft output 51 of the motor 50 and the drive gear 55 from each other, by simple axial displacement of one relative to the other. In practice, the output shaft 51 of the motor 50 will comprise male splines 51a and the bore of the sleeve 55a of the drive pinion 55 will include female splines 55c. Advantageously, the motor 50 is fixed in the housing 6 so as to be unable to move. The casing is secured in translationally movable manner, according to the geometric axis of rotation of the output shaft 51 of the motor 50, to the fixed support 56. To assist the displacement of the casing 6 and thus of the motor between the engaged position (FIG. .5) and the disengaged position (fig.6) are provided two operating handles 63 rigidly fixed to the housing 6 and more particularly to its cover 62. In order to guide the movement of the housing 6 and the drive motor 50 between the engaged position and the disengaged position, are provided at least two horizontal guide columns 58, integral with the fixed support 56 and extending parallel to the shaft 51 of the motor 50 and two guide sleeves 58a horizontal, parallel, internal to the housing and fixed to the latter, these sleeves slidably receiving respectively the two guide columns 58.

Advantageously, these two guide sleeves 58a are fixed by one of their ends to a metal plate 60a reinforcement, doubling the rear wall 60 of the housing 6. It goes without saying that in the axis of each sleeve 58a, the rear wall 60 and the reinforcing plate 60a will have a through hole. In order to limit the amplitude of movement of the housing and the motor from the engaged position to the disengaged position, is provided at least one stop 59 carried by at least one of the columns 58a. This stop may be constituted by the head of a screw engaged by its threaded rod in a tapped hole in the corresponding column, and of sufficient diameter so that in the disengaged position the end of the corresponding sleeve 58a can abut against it .

The sectional door 1 according to another aspect of the invention comprises an automatic locking mechanism 9 opposing the operation of the deck 4 by direct action on the latter.

To enable its unlocking before the end of the empty stroke of the chain, an action is applied on the locking mechanism 9 to move the latter to an unlocked position it reaches before the end of the empty stroke of the chain 54.

According to the preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism 9 comprises a rocking arm 90 pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis 96, parallel to the plane of the bay, carried by a support 93 secured to the corresponding key 30 and / or the corresponding leg of the bay 2. This arm is biased towards its locking position, that is to say forwards, by the effect of its own weight. To enhance this ability to reach the locking position, the arm is provided with an off-center weight 97 forming against weight. Advantageously this mass is arranged in a handle to facilitate the manual unlocking of the arm 90. This arm 90, in the lower part, comprises a locking housing 91 adapted to cap, in the locking position, a locking pin 92 carried by the counter-platinum 83.

Advantageously this locking pin 92 is in the form of a roller. In this way, during the upward or downward movement of the apron, the locking pin 92 can roll on the longitudinal front edge of the locking arm 90. Moreover, this locking arm 90 has along the aforementioned longitudinal edge a surface of cam 94 and the drive plate 80 has a control finger 95 adapted, during the upward vacuum stroke of the plate 83 and the chain 54, to roll on the cam surface 94 and push the locking arm 90 towards its unlocking position (fig.8). According to this position, the arm 90, and consequently the locking housing 91, are angularly spaced apart from the locking pin 92.

Advantageously, the locking housing 92 is formed by a recess formed in the arm 90 from its lower side face. This edge face between the hollow and the front edge, is rounded and constitutes a second cam surface against which can roll the roller 92 in particular the upward movement of the deck. This arrangement is intended to push the arm 90 backwards, that is to say to the unlocked position, in case it was not pushed sufficiently by the roller 95. Note that when the arm is in the locking position, the cam surface is oblique and secant to the path of the actuating finger 95. Note also that in this position, the arm 90 is oblique with respect to the vertical. This is justified by the need to separate the pivot axis 96 from the arm 90 in particular from the trajectory of the locking pin 92 and the finger 95. Another advantage of this arrangement lies in the fact that when the arm is in the position of locking, all lifting other than that generated by the drive means 5, tend to maintain the arm in the locked position and not to move away from this position. The operating finger 95 is advantageously constituted by a roller. According to the preferred embodiment, the mechanical connection 8 between the chain 54 and the lower panel 40, comprises at a distance from the carriage 81 a first attachment member 86 fixed to the lower panel 40, this fastener 86 cooperating in articulation according to a horizontal geometric axis BB ', with a second complementary fastening member 45, fixed to the lower panel 40. These two fastening members are arranged at a distance from the corresponding rail 31. The axis BB 'that they define is parallel to the large faces of the panel 40 and occupies a lower position relative to the latter. It is understood that this geometric suspension axis BB 'during the evolution of the deck 4 between its closed and open positions, follows a vertical translation movement without moving closer to or away from the tap 30 and this the type of lifting of the door. For a high lift, normal or reduced, the articulation of the two fastening elements, allows the pivoting of the lower panel 40 when the latter moves in the curved portion 31c of each guide rail 31.

Advantageously, the axis BB 'is disposed closer to the lower edge of the lower panel 40 and is located closer to the lower seal 42 of the deck 4. This configuration, when pivoting the lower panel 40 spreads or at least minimizes the risk of tearing or deterioration of this seal 42 against the lateral seals 35 sealing.

In practice, the back plate 83 will be equipped with the first attachment member 86 which is in the form of a bearing sleeve, developing along the geometric axis BB '. According to this embodiment, the panel 40 or the low suspension plate 43, along this axis BB ', will be provided with a cylindrical pin 45, of a suitable diameter, engaged with functional play in the bearing 86, this trunnion forming the second attachment member. This arrangement, in addition to allowing the pivoting of the panel 40 also ensures the maintenance of the lower part of the latter at a constant distance from the tap 30.

Advantageously, the sleeve 86 passes right through the counter plate 83 which extends its guide range. This arrangement is intended to greatly reduce the amplitude of the jigging movement of the counter plate 83 relative to the pin 45, due to the functional play, and better ensure the vertical retention of the back plate 83 and the plate 80 Finally, it should be noted that the locking pin 92 which is in the form of a roller may be mounted on the pin 45 in front of the bearing 86. The lower panel 40, opposite the means of drive 5, receives a mobile unit 10 comprising a carriage 101 mounted in the corresponding key 30 so as to be vertically movable there. This carriage 101 is equipped with two vertically superposed rolling members 101a and a vertical plate 102 which, along the axis BB ', comprises a first attachment member 103 to the lower panel 40, this fastening member 103 cooperating with articulation along the geometric axis BB ', with a second complementary attachment member 104, fixed to the lower panel 10, these fastening members being disposed opposite and at a distance from the corresponding rail 31. The two previous arrangements ensure the maintenance of the lower part of the lower panel 40 at a constant distance from the keys 30 and maintain the hinge axis BB 'always facing the straight vertical part of the rail or facing its vertical extension.

It goes without saying that the present invention may receive any improvements and variations in the field of technical equivalents without departing from the scope of this patent.

Claims (1)

REVENDICATIONS1 /. Sectional door comprising a guide structure (3) designed to be fixed against the jambs (20) of a bay (2) of a building, an apron (4) mounted in vertical sliding in this guide structure between a low position closing and a high opening position, and driving means (5) of the apron (4) along the guide structure (3), the driving means (5) comprising a drive motor member (50) having a rotary output shaft (51) on which a driving torque is available, said motor (50) being electrically connected to electrical control means installed in a control box (6), the apron being formed several panels (40) hinged to each other having in the extension of the hinge pins a pair of lateral guide rollers engaged in the guide structure, characterized in that the drive means (5) is lateral to the apron (4), acts only on one side of the deck (4), and comprises an upper toothed sprocket (52) rotatably mounted on a fixed horizontal axis with respect to the guide structure, a lower toothed sprocket (53) rotatably mounted on a horizontal axis fixed with respect to the guide structure, an endless chain (54) with articulated links engaged on the two upper and lower gears and tensioned between these two gears, said chain (54) being mechanically connected to the lower panel (40) and being coupled to the drive motor (50) via a chain drive gear (55) meshing with the chain (54) and engageable with the output shaft (51). ) of the motor (50). 2 / sectional door according to claim 1, characterized in that the apron (4) of the door, is suspended from a balancing mechanism (7) capable of compensating for the weight of the deck (4), this balancing mechanism ( 7) exerting on the deck two vertical tensile forces of equal intensity and located equidistant from the vertical median axis of the deck (4). 3 / sectional door according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the motor (50) that comprises the drive means (5) is placed at height man. 4 / sectional door according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive motor (50) is placed in fixation in the control box (6) .5 / sectional door according to the preceding claim, characterized in the output shaft (51) of the motor (50) passes right through a hole formed in the vertical rear wall (60) of the housing (6) and engages directly with the pinion drive (55), the coupling allowing separation of the motor (50) and the gear (55) from each other by axial displacement relative to each other. 6 / sectional door according to claim 5, characterized in that the housing (6) is secured in translationally movable manner along the geometric axis of rotation of the output shaft (51) of the motor (50), to a support fixed (56) carrying the drive chain sprocket (55), this fixed support being fixed to the guide structure and / or the jamb (20) of the bay (2). 7 / sectional door according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the displacement movement in translation of the housing (6) is guided by at least two horizontal columns (58) fixed to the support (56) and engaged respectively in the sleeves (58a). ), internal to the housing (6) and fixed thereto and that this movement is limited by at least one stop (59) carried by at least one of the columns. 8 / sectional door according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - the guide structure (3) is formed of a pair of rectilinear vertical keys (30), fixed against the jambs of the opening and a pair of guide rails (31) integral with the pair of taps (30), said guide rails (31) receiving the lateral guide rollers of the panels (40) of the apron, - the chain (54) of the driving means (5) is secured to the lower panel (40) by means of a mechanical connection (8) comprising a guide carriage (81) movable vertically in the corresponding key, - said drive chain ( 54) is fixed to this guide carriage (81), and said mechanical connection (8), at a distance from the carriage (81), comprises a first fastening member (86) fixed to the lower panel (40), which member fastener (86) cooperating in articulation along a horizontal geometric axis BB ', with a second member complementary fastener (45) attached to the lower panel, these fastening members being arranged at a distance from the corresponding rail (31), the axis BB 'being parallel to the large faces of the panel (40) and occupying a lower position by relative to the latter.9 / Sectional door according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an automatic locking mechanism (9) opposing the operation of the apron 4 in the direction of opening under the effect of an action other than that generated by the drive means, that the chain (54) at the beginning of opening movement runs empty, the latter acting only with delay on the apron, and that before the end of the idle stroke of the chain, an action is applied by the driving means (5) on the locking mechanism (9) to move the latter to an unlocked position. 10 / sectional door according to claims 8 and 9 taken together, characterized in that the mechanical connection is extensible retractable along a vertical axis, and is capable of inducing a vacuum stroke of the chain (54) for a predetermined distance, in premice the upward movement of the apron (4) from its closed position. 11 / sectional door according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the retractable expandable mechanical connection (8) is of the slide type and comprises a drive plate (80) carried by the guide carriage (81) and a counter plate (83). ) secured on one side of the plate (80) and on the other hand of the lower panel (40), the plate (80) and the counter plate (83) having with respect to one another, a possibility of vertical translation movement of limited amplitude, the amplitude of this movement determining the value of the idle stroke of the chain (54) of the drive mechanism (5). 12 / sectional door according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the plate (80) has two through bores (84), oblong each oriented so that their major axis is vertical and against the plate has two pins (85) engaged respectively in the two through holes of the plate (80), the diameter of each pin corresponding to the functional clearance near the width of each oblong hole. 13 / Sectional door according to claim 11 or claim 12, characterized in that the back plate (83) is equipped with the first fastening member (86) which is in the form of a sleeve forming a bearing, and that the panel (40) is equipped with a cylindrical pin (45) of a suitable diameter, forming the second fastening member (45), this fastening member being engaged with functional play in the first fastening member ( 86) .14 / sectional door according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the lower panel (40), opposite the drive means (5) receives a movable element (10) comprising a carriage (101) mounted in the corresponding key (30) so as to be movable vertically and that the carriage (101) is equipped with a vertical plate (102) which, along the axis BB ', comprises a first member d fastener (103) to the lower panel (40), this fastening member (103) cooperating in articulation according to the geometric axis BB ', with a second fastening member (104) complementary, fixed to the lower panel (104), these fastening members being disposed opposite and at a distance from the rail (31) corresponding. 15 / sectional door according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the locking mechanism (9) comprises a rocking arm (90) biased by its own weight to its locking position, said arm (90), in the lower part, comprising a locking housing (91) adapted to cap, in the locking position, a locking pin (92) carried by the back plate (83). 16 / sectional door according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the locking arm (90) has a cam surface (94) and the drive plate (80) has a finger (95) suitable, during of the upward vacuum stroke of the drive plate, rolling on the cam surface (94) and pushing the locking arm (90) to an unlocking position, in which the arm (90), and by way of consequently, the locking housing (91) is angularly spaced apart from the locking pin (92). 17 / Sectional door according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each suspension cable (72) of the balancing mechanism (7) is fixed to a side plate suspension (43) rigidly fixed to the lower part of the corresponding side edge of the panel (40).