GB2390634A

GB2390634A - Roller shutter assembly for preventing unauthorized entry

Info

Publication number: GB2390634A
Application number: GB0316183A
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
Anticipated expiration: 2023-07-10
Also published as: GB2390634B; GB0216064D0; GB0316183D0

Abstract

An assembly 13 comprising a shutter curtain 1 made up of a plurality of slats 2 each hingedly connected to its adjacent slat, means (21,25,29,33) connecting the curtain 1 to a rotatable axle 9, a shut face 17 for the curtain 1 and characterized in that the connecting means (21,25,29,33) is hingedly connected to the axle 9 and to the uppermost slat 2a of the curtain 1 and comprises a rigid link member 21 whose length is greater than the distance between the shut face 17 and its connection with the axle 9 whereby continued rotation of the axle 9 after the curtain 1 has been deployed causes the top of the curtain 1 to be pushed towards the shut face 17. Cooperating projections may be incorporated on the rigid link 21 and shut face 17 to prevent unauthorised entry.

Description

TITLE: Improvement in or relating to roller shutter curtains 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. The present invention is particularly concerned with locating the shutter curtain securely in place when deployed to close the opening with which it is associated. The present invention is particularly concerned with shutter curtains that are meant for closing door openings but is not limited to same. Most shutter curtains utilise guide channels along opposite side edges of the opening which receive the respective ends of the slats and the slats are connected to an axle. In addition a drive means is provided to raise and lower the curtain by rotating the axle to which it is connected. The drive means may be actuated by a motor, e.g. an electric motor, and/or manually.

One known shutter curtain has the top most slat connected to the axle by means of thin strips of springy steel. These act to hold the shutter curtain vertical so that any upward force upon the shutter pushes against the top of the shutter box. The absence of any rigid connection between the curtain and the axle gives rise to several disadvantages. For example, it is very easy to overcome the resistance of the springy steel and force open the shutter curtain; the spring strips are prone to fail over a period of use which gives rise to health and safety issues, and it is difficult to adjust variances in the shutter height.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome the above disadvantages. À À Àe. À 8 À B.s a e I À À À,

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Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a roller shutter assembly comprising a shutter curtain for closing an opening and made up of a plurality of slats each hingedly connected to its adjacent slat, the shutter curtain is adapted to be rolled onto and off an axle which is rotatable by drive means, and means is provided to connect the shutter curtain to the rotatable axle, the assembly further comprises a pair of guide channels receiving the opposite end edges of the shutter curtain and a shut face for the shutter curtain, and characterized by connecting means comprising a rigid link member extending between the axle and an uppermost slat of the shutter curtain which in conjunction with the resistance of the drive means serves to hold the shutter in its deployed position.

The location of the shutter curtain in its deployed position utilises the fact that the link is rigid and that the drive means incorporates gearing that is such as to resist rotation of the axle other that by operation of the drive means. These factors act in combination to prevent the roller shutter curtain from being lifted.

This renders the closure more secure than the above described prior art. When

the shutter curtain is deployed the rigid link member urges the shutter curtain into contact with the shut face. This arises because the rigid link has a length that is greater than the distance between the connection with the shutter curtain and the axle when in the deployed position.

Accordingly, another aspect of the invention provides a roller shutter assembly adapted to be rolled onto and off a rotatable axle, the assembly comprising a shutter curtain for closing an opening and made up of a plurality of slats each hingedly connected to its adjacent slat, and means connecting the shutter curtain to the rotatable axle, and a shut face for the shutter curtain and characterized in that the connecting means is hingedly connectable to the axle and to the uppermost slat of the shutter curtain and comprises a rigid link member whose length is greater than the distance between the shut face and its connection with the axle whereby continued rotation of the axle after the shutter À a e C8 À 1 1

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curtain reaches its deployed end position causes the top of the shutter curtain to be pushed towards the shut face.

Preferably the roller shutter assembly further comprises a pair of guide channels receiving the opposite end edges of the shutter curtain and having a top opening that is spaced vertically below and horizontally offset from the axis of the rotatable axle. Preferably the shut face is aligned substantially with the guide channel and extending vertically above the open top of the guide channel.

The link member may have a length that corresponds to the width of the shutter curtain, but more usually it will comprise a number of individual link members that are spaced apart over the width of the shutter curtain to provide a plurality of spaced connection points. Thus the reference herein to rigid link member embraces a single member and a plurality of laterally spaced members.

The rigid link member may have a pre-formed shape that is configured to wrap at least partially around the periphery of the axle. Its shape may mirror that of the axle periphery. More preferably the rigid link member has an arcuate shape.

More preferably still, it has a spiral curvature. In a preferred embodiment, the axle comprises a hollow extrusion that has a predominantly circular periphery.

This may be ribbed to increase strength.

Preferably the axle has one or more longitudinal keyways to permit axle connecting means for the rigid link member to be slidably engaged therewith.

Preferably the axle connecting means comprises a cylindrical sleeve that is slidably received on the axle and has means cooperating with at least one of said axle keyways. Preferably said axle connecting means includes a ramp profile tapering out from the periphery of the axle to the radial extension of the rigid link member. Preferably said ramp profile has a spiral curvature extending through up to 360 . The radial taper is by an amount that is approximately equal to the thickness of the shutter slat. Preferably, the link member is pivotally connected to said axle connecting means part way along its spiral extent.

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Preferably, the axle connecting means for each link member comprises a pair of spaced apart ramp elements adapted to receive the link member therebetween.

A pivot pin connects the fink member pivotally to the adjacent ramp elements.

The longitudinal edge of the rigid link member remote from said rigid link member axle connecting mean is configured to make hinged co- operating engagement with the upper most slat of the shutter curtain.

As a further aid to security, a locking abutment is associated with the upper end of the guide channel and/or the shut face. It is disposed to receive a projecting part associated with the link member or the uppermost slat.

Preferably the locking abutment is in the form of a comb or fork, having one or more recesses that open in a direction extending away from the shut face.

Conveniently the projecting part is carried by that end of the link member that connects with the shutter curtain slot. On movement of the shutter curtain towards the shut face, as described above, the aforedescribed projecting means engages one of said recesses so that upward movement of the shutter curtain is inhibited until the rigid link member and hence the projecting means is withdrawn by rotation of the axle in the reverse direction.

The present invention will now be described further, hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 is a schematic sectional side view of a shutter assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention and shown in a partially deployed position prior to operation of the locking means, Figure 2 is a schematic sectional side view of the of the shutter assembly according to the embodiment of Figure 1 shown in a fully deployed position, . .. À À. À À

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Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of part of a shutter assembly embodying the present invention according to another embodiment, Figure 4 is a sectional view of the axle, connecting means and link member of the embodiment of Figure 3, Referring firstly to the drawings of figures 1 and 2, a shutter assembly comprises a shutter curtain 1, made up of a plurality of elongated slats 2 that are preferably of twin wall section in filled with insulation 3.

The opposite longitudinal edges 5, 7 of each slat are configured to permit adjacent slots to be hingedly interconnected in a manner that is well known and not described in further detail.

The shutter curtain is adapted to be rolled up onto axle 9. The axle may be rotated by mean of a manually actuated device, e.g. worm and pinion device (not illustrated) or may be rotated 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 connected to a mounting plate 41 that in turn is fixed with respect to the opening that is to be closed by the shutter curtain. Most usually the mounting plate will be located with respect to an end plate 13 of a shutter box or frame that is secured adjacent to the top of the opening. The connection of the mounting plate to the end plate can be by any convenient means but is preferably by way of a reception portion (not illustrated) details of which are described in our co-pending patent application. Secured adjacent each side of the opening is a respective guide channel 15. A shut face 17 is defined above the top of the opening and the guide channel aligns with same. The top of the guide channels are open to receive the opposite ends of the shutter curtain slats. The open top terminates at a position downwards of the centre line 10 of the axle and horizontally offset therefrom.

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A locking abutment 19 comprising one or more recesses 20 that open in a direction away from the shut face is mounted with respect to the shut face and/or the guide channel. A comb like structure having a plurality of recesses is preferred such as that illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Preferably there is a respective one of the abutments disposed adjacent each side of the shutter curtain. The mounting of the locking abutment is preferably adjustable in the vertical direction for the purpose described further hereafter.

A top slat 2a of the shutter curtain is connected to the axle by a plurality of longitudinally spaced connecting elements 21 and generally referred to collectively as a rigid link member. Each connecting element has a pro formed arcuate shape which is configured to permit it to wrap around the axle. Its radius of curvature corresponds approximately to the radius of curvature of the axle (actually, slightly greater to allow the slats to be roll onto the axle in a continuously spiral wound manner). One longitudinal edge 23 of the connecting element has a configuration that allows it to be connected hingedly with the formation on the edges of the top most curtain slat. The other longitudinal edge is provided with means 24 for connecting it hingedly with axle connecting means 25. In the illustrated embodiment the axle connecting means comprise a pair of longitudinally spaced ramp elements 27 that have keying means 29 to co-

operate with a keyway 31 of the axle 9. A hinge pin 33 connects the ramp elements to the connecting element. The ramp elements are positively secured to the axle. The ramp elements have a spiral curvature which allows slats 2 to wrap around the axle, and subsequently on themselves, in a spiral manner. The link member is received between the ramp elements. In the illustrated embodiment the ramp elements are configured as a cylindrical sleeve that slides onto the axle. The two ramp elements may be interconnected by a sleeve element or be configured as separate elements, The ramp elements have a 360 spiral curvature. The spiral periphery of the ramp element has a step 26 À.... . À À À.. .

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having a radial depth corresponding to the thickness of the slat 2. The link member 21 is positioned to locate the first slat 2a immediately after the step on rolling up of the curtain.

A sufficient number of the connecting elements are provided at positions spaced along the length of the axle to carry the weight of the shutter curtain.

Means 35 projecting from at least the end most rigid link members adjacent the top most shutter slat co-operates with one of the recesses 21 of the abutment means 19 when the shutter curtain is deployed. The abutment means are conveniently provided at the opposite ends of the shutter curtain, but may be provided intermediate the ends.

In operation, rotation of the axle in a direction to unroll the shutter curtain causes the slats to be displaced down the guide channels 15 until the leading slat engages the threshold at the base of the opening. At this point at least the uppermost slat 2a of the shutter curtain is displaced from the shut face 17.

Continued rotation of the axle 9 causes the rigid link member 21 to push the uppermost slat towards the shut face. The abutment recess 21 is positioned so that the projecting means 35 will cooperate with it as the slat is pushed up to the shut face. The vertical position of the abutment means is adjusted on installation to ensure that the projecting means 35 engages a recess of the abutment means. In this position upward movement of the shutter curtain is resisted. If so desired inclining the recess can serve to urge the shutter curtain into contact with the threshold as the slat is pushed up to the shut face.

In a preferred construction means is provided for locating the axle with respect to the shutter box or any associated mounting therefore and is described more fully in our co-pending patent application filed simultaneously herewith. In this respect each end of the axle carries an identically shaped mounting plate 41 and end plate of the shutter box carries a reception portion to receive the mounting plate 41. The reception portion comprises a slot so that the mounting À À. À À

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plate can be quickly slotted in position. Preferably the mounting plate has a plurality of recesses, 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 or cut out in each of the faces. 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 that can be quickly displaced to engage with the aforesaid recesses to hold the mounting plate in position to prevent it being displaced from the reception portion. Alternatively, screws may be used to hold it in position in the reception position. As well as providing a quick means of assembly, the configuration of the mounting plate and its corresponding reception portion allows the relatively angular position of the axle mounting to be adjusted relative to the shutter box.

This allows the manual actuator associated with the drive for the axle to be positioned in the desired circumferential position to suit each application.

Figure 3 and 4 illustrate an alternative embodiment of link member and connecting means. It may be used in place of that described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Corresponding parts have complimentary reference numerals.

The connecting means 25 comprises a pair of ramp elements 27' but they have a shorter peripheral extent than those described in the first embodiment. The link member 21 is curved and the edge configuration 23 is provided for making cooperating pivotal engagement with the upper most curtain slat 2a. The ramp element 27' and the link member 21 defines a spiral curved surface on which the slats of the curtain are wound in a spiral manner.

The end plate is fabricated from steel sheet and has a flange folded to be disposed at 90 to the end face and defining the shut face 17 More particularly, .. ...

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- 9 the teeth of the comb 19 are formed by cutting slots in an extension of the flange, and then folding the teeth at 90 to the flange.

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Claims

1. A roller shutter assembly adapted to be rolled onto and off a rotatable axle, the assembly comprising a shutter curtain for closing an opening and made up of a plurality of slats each hingedly connected to its adjacent slat, and means connecting the shutter curtain to the rotatable axle, and a shut face for the shutter curtain and characterized in that the connecting means is hingedly connectable to the axle and to the uppermost slat of the shutter curtain and comprises a rigid link member whose length is greater than the distance between the shut face and its connection with the axle whereby continued rotation of the axle after the shutter curtain reaches its deployed end position causes the top of the shutter curtain to be pushed towards the shut face.

2. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising a pair of guide channels receiving the opposite end edges of the shutter curtain and having a top opening that is spaced vertically below and horizontally offset from the axis of the rotatable axle.

3. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the shut face is aligned substantially with the guide channel and extending vertically above the open top of the guide channel.

4. A roller shutter assembly comprising a shutter curtain for closing an opening and made up of a plurality of slats each hingedly connected to its adjacent slat, the shutter curtain is adapted to be rolled onto and off an axle which is rotatable by drive means, and means is provided to connect the shutter curtain to the rotatable axle, the assembly further comprises a pair of guide channels receiving the opposite end edges of the shutter curtain and a shut face for the shutter curtain, and characterized by connecting means comprising a rigid link member extending between the axle and an uppermost slat of the shutter curtain which in conjunction with the resistance of the drive means serves to hold the shutter in its deployed position.

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5. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 4 in which, on deployment, the rigid link member urges the shutter curtain into contact with the shut face because the rigid link has a length that is greater than the distance between the connection with the shutter curtain and the axle when in the deployed position.

6. A roller shutter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the link member has a length that corresponds to the width of the shutter curtain.

7. A roller shutter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the link member comprises a number of individual link members that are spaced apart over the width of the shutter curtain to provide a plurality of spaced connection points.

8. A roller shutter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the rigid link member has a pre-formed shape that is configured to wrap at least partially around the periphery of the axle.

9. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 8 in which the rigid link member has a shape that mirrors that of the axle periphery.

10. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 8 or 9 in which the rigid link member has an arcuate shape.

11. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 8, 9 or 10 in which the rigid link member has a spiral curvature.

12. A roller shutter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the axle comprises a hollow extrusion that has a predominantly circular periphery.

13. A roller shutter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the axle has one or more longitudinal keyways to permit axle connecting means for the rigid link member to be slidably engaged therewith.

14. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 13 in which the axle connecting means comprises a cylindrical sleeve that is slidably received on the axle and has means co-operating with at least one of said axle keyways.

15. A roller shutter as claimed in any preceding claim in which axle connecting means for the link member includes a ramp profile tapering out from the periphery of the axle to the radial extension of the rigid link member.

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16. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 15 in which said ramp profile has a spiral curvature extending through up to 360 .

17. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 15 or 16 in which the radial taper is by an amount that is approximately equal to the thickness of the shutter slat.

18. A roller shutter as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17 in which the link member is pivotally connected to said axle connecting means part way along its spiral extent.

19. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 15 in which the axle connecting means for each link member comprises a pair of spaced apart ramp elements adapted to receive the link member therebetween.

20. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 19 in which a pivot pin connects the link member pivotally to the adjacent ramp elements.

21. A roller shutter as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 20 in which a longitudinal edge of the rigid link member remote from the connection of said rigid link with the axle connecting means is configured to make hinged co-

operating engagement with the upper most slat of the shutter curtain.

22. A roller shutter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and further comprising a locking abutment associated with the upper end of the guide channel and/or the shut face and disposed to receive a projecting part associated with the link member or the uppermost slat.

23. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 22 in which the locking abutment is in the form of a comb or fork, having one or more recesses that open in a direction extending away from the shut face.

24. A roller shutter as claimed in claim 22 or 23 in which the projecting part is carried by that end of the link member that connects with the shutter curtain slat.

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

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