GB2450613A

GB2450613A - Roller shutter with flexible strip

Info

Publication number: GB2450613A
Application number: GB0811397A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Hewitt
Original assignee: Security Window Shutters Ltd
Current assignee: Security Window Shutters Ltd
Priority date: 2007-06-25
Filing date: 2008-06-20
Publication date: 2008-12-31
Also published as: GB0712272D0; GB0811397D0

Abstract

A roller shutter door with a plurality of elongate members/slats 12, which are hingedly connected to one another along opposite edges by mutually engageable formations 14, 16. Relative transverse movement of the elongate members is restrained by at least one continuous strip of flexible material 24 which extends across and bridges a plurality of slats and is fixedly secured to a face of each of the elongate members/slats over which it extends. Preferably the slats are curved in cross section and the continuous strip is applied to the inside of the shutter. The strip may have bristles or hairs on it and act as a draft seal and noise reduction device by preventing rattling of the slats when the shutter is rolled or unrolled. The strip may be secured to the slats using glue and/or with at least one rivet. Each slat may have an end cap 32 which bridges and covers the junction between adjacent slats.

Description

Title: Improvements in or relatin2 to Roller Shutter Curtains

Description

The present invention relates to an improvement to roller shutters, particularly, but not exclusively to roller shutter curtains.

Roller shutter doors are well known and comprise a plurality of elongate members which have opposite edge formations which permit interconnection with one another in a manner which allows limited hinged movement therebetween ***** 10 sufficient to permit the door curtain to be rolled up. A known construction of slatted : *. shutter utilises slats whose edge formations allow them to be engaged by a relative transverse sliding movement. The transverse sliding movement is defined by the movement that is relatively parallel to the length of the elongate members.

* :* Restraining the transverse movement after assembly has dictated the use of end locks/caps which bridge the junction between adjacent slats. These end locks/caps have to be secured to each of the slats to ensure transverse restraint.

The position of the door when deployed is defined between oppositely disposed upright grooves or guide rails in which the opposite ends of the slats are received. The slats form a door sheet/curtain, which is attached to an axle mounted above the head of the door. The axis of the axle has to be offset from the plane of the door by an amount sufficient to accommodate the diameter of the door curtain when rolled up. The grooves provide a transverse restraint or centralising function.

If the end caps should fail, the slats can move out of alignment. This can result in ( increased wear and noise in operation, including damage to the grooves, and ultimately jamming of the door.

Furthermore, once the Jocks/caps are in place, the disadvantage is that they can be removed with force, thus allowing individual elongate member to be separated from its adjacent elongate members. In this way such a roller shutter can be broken through in an unwanted manner.

*:*:: It is an object of the invention to provide a roller shutter that aims to **.. 10 alleviate the above-mentioned problems of existing roller shutters. S... * .* * . .

According to the present invention, there is provided a roller shutter door *:. of the type comprising a plurality of elongate members/slats which are hingedly * : .: connected to one another along opposite edges by mutually engageable formations formed integrally therewith and wherein relative transverse movement of the elongate members is restrained by a restraining means comprising at least one continuous strip of flexible material extending across a plurality of slats so as to bridge a plurality of slat joints and being fixedly secured to a face of each of the elongate members/slats over which it extends.

Preferably the at least one continuous strip extends generally perpendicular to the elongate direction of the slats. r

Preferably the slats are slightly curved when viewed in cross-section. This minimises the diameter on rolling up. The concave portion forms the inside of the door curtain. Preferably the at least one continuous strip is applied to the inside of the door curtain. The opposite ends of the slats are received in a respective elongate guide. It is preferred to provide two lengths of continuous strips with one positioned adjacent each end of the slat to coincide with the position of the guide. It is particularly advantageous if the exposed surface of the flexible material has a plurality of flexible bristles or hairs, usually of a synthetic nature, whereby the material functions as a draft seal and a noise reduction device by preventing rattling ***, 10 in the groove and more especially cushioning the slats as they are rolled up or : *. unrolled. The provision of a material with an upstanding pile ensures adequate :. sealing between the concave side of the slats and the guide irrespective of the different spacing across the width thereof. A low friction material is preferred to ease sliding movement in the guide during raising and lowering of the door.

Alternatively, the strip of material may be fitted to one or both sides of the slats.

Where it is fitted to the outside it necessarily incorporates some elasticity to accommodate rolling up of the slats. Preferably the guide is a channel, groove, rail, or the like.

The material of the strip may be a flexible tape of plastics or other suitable material. More preferably it is a woven material. More particularly, the strip comprises a continuous length of tape, webbing or the like extending across all the slats forming the door. Conveniently an adhesive is used to secure the strip of material to the slats. More conveniently, the strip incorporates an adhesive layer. (

The adhesive layer is covered by a removable backing strip prior to application to the slats. A rivet provides an alternate means of fixing the material to each slat as it can have a head of shallow depth and is readily fixed. One or more rivets may be used in addition to the adhesive where additional security of fixing is required. The use of the flexible strip of material is advantageous as it speeds up the assembly procedure. It also serves to make the assembly more rigid, and this also ensures that the assembly coils tidily. H also has the effect of fixing the slat spacing. This is advantageous as it ensures alignment of any locking mechanism(s) carried by the *... * door with the intended aperture(s) in the guide rail(s) which may not always be the *:::* 10 case when the pivot point between slats allows variations in spacing of the slats. The * * . provision of the strip avoids rolling metal on metal. Hence noise is reduced and the **..

potential for abrasion either of the metal itself andior of any decorative finish applied thereto. Thus maintenance is reduced.

The use of the strip has advantages in respect of reducing noise and/or draft sealing and may be used with shutters in which other means such as the aforementioned end caps are used to provide restraint against relative transverse movement of the slats.

The aforedescribed slats may be hollow section. Preferably each slat has a cavity, wherein the cavity is adapted to receive the end caps. They may be extrusions of say aluminium or plastics, and they may be infilled with an insulation material. Preferably they are roll fomied foam filled aluminium but in some ( applications other material may be used, e.g. steel (suitably protected) and insulation may not be required.

The plurality of elongate hingedly connected slats form a horizontally slatted door sheet/curtain connected to an axle which is rotatable for raising and lowering of the door sheet/curtain. Preferably a pair of spaced guide rails to receive the opposite ends of the slats to define the lateral extremities of the door, and a pair of spaced apart rollers are provided which contact opposite ends of the elongate slats. The rollers are disposed between the axle and the start of the guide rails and wherein the rollers include a frusto-conical portion which serves to centralise the slats. * . S *p.e

The provision of the centralising rollers ensures that if the aforementioned r tape should fail, the slats will be held in alignment by the frusto-conicai action of the . : rollers. They also serve to keep the curtain substantially straight during coiling and * I, uncoiling and avoid friction in the guides and reduce noise by avoiding unwanted end contact with the guides.

The provision of the aforementioned end caps is to reduce friction on the frusto-conical portion of the rollers and on the guides during coiling and uncoiling.

It is advantageous that the end caps are made from a low friction material. The material of the end caps may be a polymer or other suitable material. Preferably the periphery of each end cap extends slightly beyond the periphery of each slat 12, such that the end cap bridges the junction between adjacent slats, i.e. the end cap covers the groove of one slat and protrusion of the adjacent slat and the protrusion of one

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slat and groove of the adjacent slat. Preferably the end caps are provided on both ends of every other slat.

The present invention will now be described further by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which: -Figure I a is a perspective view of the roller shutter curtain according to the present invention; Figure lb is a schematic view of the roller shutter curtain according to the * * present invention; S. S * S. *S'.s. 10 Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view from the inside of a roller shutter *5s : * door assembly according to the present invention; *5* Figure 3 is a schematic view of the upper end of a roller shutter door 5. according to the present invention; and * S * * S * * Figure 4 is a perspective view of a centralising roller of the door assembly of * .5 Figure2.

Referring to Figures Ia and I b, a roller shutter door curtain 10 according to the present invention is shown. The roller shutter door curtain 10 comprising a plurality of elongate slats 12 whose opposite edges are configured for mutual co-operating engagement in a hinged manner with an adjacent slat 12. For this purpose each slat 12 has a longitudinally extending groove 14 formed along one edge and a complimentary protrusion 16 formed along its opposite edge. The arrangement allows adjacent slats 12 to be brought into engagement by a transverse sliding movement. In the illustrated embodiment the slats 12 with the exception of a bottom ( slat 18 are extruded from aluminium. The slats 12 are curved in cross-section with the inside 20 being concave and the outside 22 convex.

Referring to Figure Ia, once the slats 12 are engaged, they are maintained in transverse alignment with one another by the application of two strips of fabric 24 to the inside 20 of the slats 12, so that strips 24 are not visible on the outside. The strips 24 are positioned immediately adjacent the ends of the slats 12. In the illustration they are secured to the slats by a combination of adhesive and by rivets . 26. The preferred strip 24 of fabric has a pile to it and is conveniently referred to as * ** a...

.... 10 a brush strip 24. Each strip 24 is a continuous strip. *

* I S..DTD: SISS

* As shown in Figures Ia and lb, each slat 12 has a cavity 30 adapted to receive an end cap 32 (for clarity, the end cap 32 is shown in dotted lines). In addition, once the slats 12 are engaged and the required size of the roller shutter door curtain 10 is achieved, the end caps 32 are inserted into the cavity 30. In another embodiment, before insertion of the end caps 32, each cavity 30 is filled with an insulation material. Referring to Figure ib, the periphery of the end cap 32 (shown in dotted lines) extends slightly beyond the periphery of each slat 12 such that the end cap 32 covers the groove 14 and the protrusion 16. Opposite ends of the slats 12 is provided with the end cap 32 so transverse movement of the slats 12 is restricted.

Because the end caps cover the groove of one slat and protrusion of the adjacent slat and the protrusion of one slat and groove of the adjacent slat, the end caps 24 are only provided on both ends of every other slat 12. I,

Referring to Figures 2 and 3 the opposite ends of the slats 12 are received in guide rails 28 having a groove 34. There are two guide rails, wherein each groove 34 faces one another. The outer limb 36 of the rail 28 is provided with a resilient seal strip 38, conveniently made of plastics. The brush strip 24 co-operates with an inner limb 40. A low friction material is preferred for the brush strip 24 and/or the seal strip 38. The presence of the strips 24 cushions the movement of the curtain 10 in the grooves making them quieter in use than shutters where these strips are omitted. The brush strip 24 fills the gap between the inside 20 surface of the slats 12 and the guide rail 28 and thereby improves insulation and enhances draft proofing. * ** **I*

Furthermore, on rolling up of the door curtain the flexible strips 24 of fabric engage the outside surface 22 of the slats 12 where they overlay the previous wrap of slats * 12. Thus the fabric 24 acts as a cushioning element and reduces the noises .. emanating from the door during rolling and unrolling. * * * . * S.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the roller shutter door assembly 10 further comprises an axle 42 which has a hexagonal peripheral shape in the illustrated embodiment and its opposite ends are received in mountings 44 of securing brackets 46.

Referring to Figure 4, each securing bracket 46 has joumalled thereon a respective roller 48. The securing brackets 46 have a downwardly depending leg 60 which is arranged to be received in a longitudinal box section 62 of the guide rail 28.

The roller 48 is joumalle4 for rotation on an axle 50 and abuts a flange (not shown) and is retained on the axle 50 by a washer 52 and split pin 54. p

Each roller 48 has a plain cylindrical portion 56 and a frusto-conical portion 58, wherein the rollers 48 are positioned to engage the opposite ends of the elongate slats 12 and the length of the slats 12 will rest on the cylindrical portions 56.

The position at which the frusto-conical portion 58 emerges from the cylindrical portion 56 is such that the frusto-conical portion 58 acts to urge the slats to a centralised position. This ensures that if the strip 24 comes adrift, the slats will *:*::* be centralised and the shutter will continue to operate. The provision of the S...

aforementioned end caps 32 is to reduce friction on the frusto-conical portion 58 of the rollers 48 and on the guides 28 during coiling and uncoiling. It is advantageous that the end caps 32 are made from a low friction polymer or other suitable material. . a. a * a * * * S.

Claims

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Claims: I. A roller shutter door of the type comprising a plurality of elongate members/slats which are hingedly connected to one another along opposite edges by mutually engageable formations formed integrally therewith and wherein relative transverse movement of the elongate members is restrained by a restraining means comprising at least one continuous strip of flexible material extending across a plurality of slats so as to bridge a plurality of slat joints and being fixedly secured to a face of each of the elongate members/slats over which it extends. S... * . **..

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2. A roller shutter door as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one * continuous strip extends generally perpendicular to the elongate direction of the ** * ** slats.

S * . * ..
3. A roller shutter door as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein the slats are slightly curved when viewed in cross-section.
4. A roller shutter door as claimed in claim 3, wherein the concave portion forms the inside of the door curtain.
5. A roller shutter door as claimed in any one of claims I to 4, wherein the at least one continuous strip is applied to the inside of the door curtain.

II
6. A roller shutter door as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the opposite ends of the slats are received in a respective elongate guide.
7. A roller shutter door as claimed in claim 6 comprising two lengths of continuous strips with one positioned adjacent each end of the slat to coincide with the position of the guide.
8. A roller shutter door as claimed in any one of claims I to 7, wherein the exposed surface of the flexible material has a plurality of flexible bristles or hairs of *a*.

a synthetic nature, whereby the material fUnctions as a draft seal and a noise reduction device by preventing rattling in the groove and cushioning the slats as they are rolled up or unrolled. . .. *
9. A roller shutter door as claimed in any one of claims Ito 8, wherein flexible material is a low friction material.
10. A roller shutter door as claimed in any one of claims I to 9, further comprising at least one continuous strip is applied to the outside of the door curtain.
II. A roller shutter door as claimed in any previous claims when made appendant to claim 6, wherein the guide is a channel, groove, rail, or the like.

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12. A roller shutter door as claimed in any one of claims 1 to II, wherein the material of the or each -continuous strip is -made from a flexible tape of plastics or other suitable material.
13. A roller shutter door as claimed in claim 12, wherein the flexible tape of plastics or other suitable material is a woven material.
14. A roller shutter door as claimed in any one of claims I to 13, wherein the or each continuous strip comprises a continuous length of tape, webbing or the like S...

extending across all the slats forming the door. * .. * S S S. 55

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15. A roller shutter door as claimed in any one of claims I to 14, wherein the or each continuous strip of material is secured to the slats with an adhesive. * I * S * S.
16. A roller shutter door as claimed in any one of claims I to 15, wherein the or each continuous strip incorporates an adhesive layer.
17. A roller shutter door as claimed in claim 16, wherein the adhesive layer is covered by a removable backing strip prior to application to the slats.
18. A roller shutter door as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the or each continuous strip of material is secured to the slats with at least one rivet. (
19. A roller shutter door as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the or each continuous strip of matenal is further secured to the slats with at least one rivet
20. A roller shutter door as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein the or each rivet has a head of shallow.
21. A roller shutter door as claimed in any one of claims I to 20, further comprising caps provided at the ends of the slats so that to provide restraint against relative transverse movement of the slats. * *. *... * .

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22. A roller shutter door as claimed in any one of claims Ito 21, wherein each slat has a hollow section. . ** *

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23. A roller shutter door as claimed in any one of claim 21 or 22, wherein each slat has a cavity, and the cavity is adapted to receive the end caps.
24. A roller shutter door as claimed in claim 22 or 23, wherein each slat is extruded from aluminium or plastics.
25. A roller shutter door as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein at least one slat is infihled with an insulation material.

Preferably they are roll fomied foam filled aluminium but in some applications other material may be used, e.g. steel (suitably protected) and insulation may not be required.
26. A roller shutter door as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the plurality of elongate hingedly connected slats form a horizontally slatted door sheet/curtain connected to an axle which is rotatable for raising and lowering of the door sheet/curtain, a pair of spaced guide rails adapted to receive the opposite ends of the slats to define the lateral extremities of the door, and a pair of spaced apart rollers are provided which contact opposite ends of the elongate slats, the rollers being disposed between the axle and the start of the guide rails and wherein the rollers include a frusto-conical portion which serves to centralise the slats. * *
27. A roller shutter door as claimed in any previous claims when made appendant to claim 21, wherein the end caps are made from a low friction material. * ** * *

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28. A roller shutter door as claimed in claim 27, wherein the periphery of each end cap extends slightly beyond the periphery of each slat, such that the end cap bridges the junction between adjacent slats, wherein the end cap covers the groove of one slat and protrusion of the adjacent slat and the protrusion of one slat and groove of the adjacent slat.
29. A roller shutter door as claimed in claim 28, wherein the end caps are provided on both ends of every other slat.
30. A roller shutter door substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.