GB2390633A

GB2390633A - Roller shutter with adjustable supports

Info

Publication number: GB2390633A
Application number: GB0316182A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Gordon Dootson
Original assignee: Security Window Shutters Ltd
Current assignee: Security Window Shutters Ltd
Priority date: 2002-07-11
Filing date: 2003-07-10
Publication date: 2004-01-14
Also published as: GB0216067D0; GB0316182D0

Abstract

A roller shutter assembly comprises a shutter curtain (not shown) attached to a rotatable axle (9, Fig 1), mounting plates 41 located at each end of the axle and end plates 47 forming part of a shutter head box, wherein the position of the mounting plates with respect to the end plates can be varied. The plurality of positions may be a prescribed number of discrete positions and a driving means having a fixed relationship with one of the mounting plates may be located in one of the discrete positions. Each end plate may be provided with reception means 53 that may allow the mounting plates to be slotted into position by a "lift and drop" action, and the mounting plate may be held in place by a deformable tab 51. Also included is an independent claim to a method of installing a shutter curtain.

Description

TITLE: Improvements in or relating to roller shutters DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a roller shutter curtain of the type comprising a plurality of elongated slats that are hingedly interconnected and adapted to roll up. It relates in particular to a fixing system for a roller shutter. The present invention is particularly concerned with shutter curtains that are meant for closing door openings but is not limited to same.

It is particularly concerned with roller shutters that have an axle that to be mounted with respect to an end support structure. This usually comprises the end plate of a shutter box. Usually the mounting has to accommodate the motor drive. At present the mountings are secured to the respective end plates using a bolted connection or an equivalent such as self-tapping screws. This allows each individual mounting to suit the specific application, but has the disadvantage that it makes the roller shutter time consuming to fit. The present invention aims to provide a fixing system that is quick to assemble and yet which allows the desired flexibility.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a roller shutter assembly comprising a shutter curtain made up of a plurality of slatted elements that are hingedly connected to one another and attached to a rotatable axle, and opposite end plates forming part of a shutter head box or other support structure, and wherein the axle has a mounting plate at each end thereof, characterized in that the mounting plate can be located with respect to the end plate in one of a plurality of positions.

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Exceptionally the plurality of positions embraces an infinite number of positions but most usually will be a prescribed number of alternative positions.

In most applications the roller shutter assembly has means for rotating the axle. The axle has a physical input means that has a fixed relationship with one of the mounting plates. The present invention allows the mounting plate to be located in one of a plurality of circumferential positions and thereby allows the physical input means to be positioned in a suitable circumferential position for the particular application.

More particularly each end plate is provided with reception means that allows the said mounting plate to be quickly slotted into position. A lift and drop action is preferred. I.e. the reception means has an upward opening. More preferably means is provided to locate the mounting plate and prevent accidental removal from the reception portion after insertion. Said means may comprise a security screw or other fixing device. It may comprise a deformable tab that is locatable in a corresponding recess provided for that purpose. The deformable tab may be on one or other of the end plate or the mounting plate, and the recess on the other or vice versa. More preferably, the deformable tab is carried by the end plate. Preferably the mounting plate has a plurality of recesses or apertures set at equal circumferential spacings.

More preferably the mounting plate has a non-circular periphery and the reception portion has a complimentary shape. An octagonal shape is preferred. The reception portion has portions to cooperate with five sides of the mounting plate so as to locate the mounting plate non- rotatably with respect to the end plate and thereby resist any turning forces that may be imparted by the rotation of the axle.

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In use the shutter box is mounted in place relative to the opening that is to be closed by the shutter curtain and then the axle is lifted into place and the mounting plates on the opposite ends slotted into the respective reception portions in the desired circumferential position. The deformable tabs are then deformed into the respective openings to complete installation.

By providing the same mounting configuration at each end of the shutter box, the motors and gears which are usually bolted rigidly to the shutter end plate can be easily removed from the shutter box for maintenance and repair. Furthermore the non-circular design allows easy on site adjustment to position the motor and/or gear actuator in the required orientation relative to the axle. it also allows the motor or gear to be positioned at either end of the shutter box as best suits the application.

The present invention will now be described further hereinafter, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I is a partially sectioned rear view of the shutter box of a roller shutter assembly embodying the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of an end plate of a shutter box showing the reception portion used in the present invention, and Figure 3 is an end view of a mounting plate used in the present invention.

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Referring to the drawings, a shutter assembly comprises a shutter curtain (not illustrated), made up of a plurality of elongated slats that are preferably of twin wall section in-filled with insulation. The opposite longitudinal edges of each slot are configured to permit adjacent slots to be hingedly interconnected in a manner that is well known and not described in further detail. The slats are adapted to be rolled up onto axle 9. The axle may be rotated by means of a manually actuated device, e. g. worm and pinion device (not illustrated) or may be raised and lowered by an electric motor (not illustrated). Where an electric motor is provided a manual override is usually provided.

The opposite ends of the axle are provided with a mounting plate 41 that in turn is fixed with respect to the opening that is to be closed by the shutter curtain. The mounting plate connects with a reception portion 45 which form part of a shutter box or frame 43 that is secured adjacent the top of the opening.

Each end of the axle carries an identically shaped mounting plate 41. The shutter box carries a reception portion 45 to receive the mounting plate 41. The reception portion comprises a swayed plate having a peripheral portion 53 secured to an end plate 47 of the shutter box, and a further portion 55 defining a slot so that the mounting plate can be quickly slotted into position. The peripheral portion is conveniently secured to the end plate by spot welding. Any other convenient fixing means may be used. Preferably the mounting plate has a plurality of recess 49, spaced circumferentially at equal distances. More specifically the mounting plate is non-circular. In the illustrated embodiment it is illustrated as comprising an eight-

sided plate and there is a recess 49 or cut out in each of the faces or correspondingly À,......:.

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positioned circumferentially spaced holes in the mounting plate. The reception portion is shaped to receive the mounting plate and thereby locate the mounting plate non-rotatably with respect thereto. To aid retention, the reception portion is provided with deformable tabs 51 tabs that can be quickly displaced to engage with the aforesaid recesses at diametrically opposite locations to hold the mounting plate in position to prevent it being displaced from the reception portion. Although not illustrated the ends of the tabs are preferably tapered.

As well as providing a quick means of assembling the axle, the configuration of the mounting plate and its corresponding reception portion allows the relative angular position of the axle 9 to be adjusted relative to the shutter box. This allows the manual actuation means associated with the drive for the axle to be positioned in the desired circumferential position to suit each application.

When the shutter box 43 is in position the slot of the reception portion opens in an upward direction. The mounting plate is engaged in the reception portion by moving it downwardly in the direction of arrow A. The tabs 51 may then be deformed into the respective recesses 49 to hold the mounting plates and hence the axle in position.

As an alternative, a releasable fixing means (not illustrated) is used, such as a self-

tapping screw or threaded bolt or set screw to provide cooperating engagement between the reception portion and the mounting plate. Holes 57 may be provided to receive the fixing means. Two or three screw holes may be provided.

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Claims

1. A roller shutter assembly comprising a shutter curtain made up of a plurality of slatted elements that are hingedly connected to one another and attached to a rotatable axle, and opposite end plates forming part of a shutter head box or other support structure, and wherein the axle has a mounting plate at each end thereof, characterized in that the mounting plate can be located with respect to the end plate in one of a plurality of positions.

2. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 1 in which the plurality of positions embraces an infinite number of positions.

3. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 1 in which the plurality of positions is a prescribed number of discrete alternative positions.

4. A roller shutter as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 and 3 and further comprising means for rotating the axle and wherein the axle has a physical input means that has a fixed relationship with one of the mounting plates whereby the physical input means is positionable in a suitable one of the plurality of positions for the particular application.

5. A roller shutter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which each end plate is provided with reception means that allows the said mounting plate to be quickly slotted into position.

6. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 5 in which installation is by a lift and drop action with the reception means having an upward opening.

7. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 5 or 6 in which means is provided to locate the mounting plate and prevent accidental removal from the reception portion after insertion.

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8. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 7 in which said means may comprise a security screw or other fixing device.

9. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 8 in which fixing device comprises a deformable tab that is locatable in a corresponding recess provided for that purpose.

10. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 9 in which the deformable tab is on one or other of the end plate or mounting plate, and the recess on the other.

11. A roller shutter as claimed in any of claims 9 or 10 in which the mounting plate has a plurality of recesses set at equal circumferential spacings.

12. A roller shutter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the mounting plate has a non-circular periphery and the reception portion has a complimentary shape, at least in part.

13. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 12 in which the shape is octagonal.

14. A roller shutter as claimed in claims 12 or 13 in which the reception portion has portions to co-operate with five sides of the mounting plate so as to locate the mounting plate non-rotatably with respect to the end plate and thereby resist any turning forces that may be imparted by the rotation of the axle.

15. A method of installing a shutter curtain in a shutter box in which the shutter box is mounted in place relative to an opening that is to be closed by the shutter curtain and then an axle of the shutter curtain is lifted into place and mounting plates on the opposite ends thereof slotted down into respective reception portions of the shutter box in the desired circumferential position.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15 and further comprising deforming deformable tabs into respective openings therefor.

17. A method as claimed in claim 5 and further comprising applying securing screws to entrap the mounting plates in the reception portions.

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18. A roller shutter constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

19. A method of installing a shutter curtain in a shutter box substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompany drawings.

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