JP6503087B2 - Shutter slat - Google Patents

Description

  This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 600,909, filed Feb. 20, 2012, entitled "Shutter Slat" filed on Feb. 20, 2013. It is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 13 / 772,154, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

  The present invention relates to shutter slats, and more particularly to roller-type shutter slats having improved resistance to storms and intrusions. The invention also relates to a shutter slat having a compact pull-in capability.

  Conventional roller shutters are designed to provide security against intrusion or protection from storms. Such protection and security may not always be necessary or desirable, such as during the daytime retailers are open, or when homeowners want to open windows or enjoy ocean views on sunny days Because it is not, the roller shutter is designed to be drawn into the housing, which is the storage location. In some instances, to facilitate compact storage, a rigid shutter slat designed to resist a hurricane wind or thief must also be able to conform to the roll at the same time.

  Some conventional shutter slats are made to conform to the roll by providing loose joints between the slats. The slats are slideably engaged with the upper edge of one slat and the lower edge of another slat. The upper edge comprises a vertical projection which ends in a hook-shaped contour. The lower edge comprises a first portion and a second portion which cooperate to define a vertical pocket. The hook-shaped contour of the upper edge allows the upper edge to engage with the first portion of the lower edge, which also has a hook-shaped contour. The upper edge is prevented by the second portion of the lower edge from undesired disengagement with the lower edge, and the second portion of the lower edge is below the hook-shaped contour of the lower edge A guard is provided extending slightly below to define a horizontal opening between the first and second portions of the lower edge. The depth of the vertical pocket defined by the first and second parts of the lower edge is similar to the height of the vertical projection of the upper edge. The flexibility of this shutter arrangement results from the pivoting of the vertical portion of the upper edge within the horizontal opening.

  This configuration, in part, results in the upper edge having a large vertical clearance inside the vertical pocket. Shutters according to this configuration are known to have clearances up to 1/4 inch or more per slat. Thus, a shutter having 48 slats and 1/4 inch of clearance per slat would have a total of 12 inches of clearance between the fully open and fully closed positions. To lift such a shutter having a torsion spring as a counterbalance, the user must manually or mechanically lift the bottom slat manually to compensate for the total clearance before the shutter begins to retract. With such a shutter, the user must lift approximately 68 kg (approximately 150 pounds) to approximately 30.48 cm (12 inches) in order to engage the retraction mechanism of the shutter. The shutter of this configuration does not fully achieve the counterbalance benefits as provided by torsion springs or by other means.

  A further consequence of this configuration is that the noise of loosely articulated slats is known. The slats rattle relative to one another during stretching. Furthermore, when the roller shutters are deployed, normal wind forces are sufficient to rattle the slats.

  Conventional shutter slats are generally designed to hang from a roll or spindle, which is housed in a casing. When the shutter is retracted, the slat wraps around the spindle. Since the slats do not fit compactly around the roll, as a result, when the shutter assembly is retracted, a roll of large diameter is formed, thus requiring a large casing for the roll. This can be annoying, especially in shutter applications used in residential buildings. Therefore, a shutter assembly that can be stored compactly is desired.

  One solution to the problem of compact storage is that it is concentric with the joint between adjacent slats, as described in US Pat. No. 6,095,225 entitled "Shutter Slat with Integrated Boss" granted to Miller. Including the incorporation of a boss. The slats in this configuration are also slidably engaged with the upper edge of one slat and the lower edge of another slat. The upper edge comprises a short vertical projection terminating in a c-shaped screw boss and the lower edge comprises a c-shaped channel having a diameter sufficient to receive the upper edge. The flexibility of this shutter arrangement results from the cooperation of the rounded inner surface of the c-shaped channel with the rounded outer surface of the c-shaped screw boss. Although the diameter of the upper edge is smaller than the diameter of the c-shaped channel, it is larger than the width of the opening defined by the c-shaped channel and the upper edge is prevented from simply falling out of the c-shaped channel provided by the lower edge Ru.

  This configuration, in part, results in undesirable separation of the slats when the exposed portion of the lower edge C-shaped channel collapses under pressure on the joint. Because the retention of the top edge by the C-shaped channel is based on a relatively small size difference, damage to either edge can result in the roll shutter being broken. For example, the c-shaped channel may be opened when a presumed intruder strikes the shutter. Even if the bending of the channel is very slight, once the gap is formed between the upper edge and the lower edge, the two slats can be separated with an undesirable slight effort.

  Therefore, there is a need for a shutter slat that completely minimizes the space required for the roll shutter, which is comprised of slats, to be wound up in a fully closed condition. There is also a need for shutter slats that do not hold water that can freeze and damage the slats.

  The present invention is a roll shutter slat for use in a roll shutter, said slat having a first end, a second end, a body having an upper edge and a lower edge, an upper edge and a lower edge. And an outer side surface extending therebetween and an outer side surface extending between the upper edge and the lower edge. The slat has an engagement track coupled to the body at the upper edge, the engagement track having a hook extending upwardly from the upper edge at a smoothly curved transition between the engagement track and the upper edge. The slat further comprises a receiving track coupled to the body at the lower edge, the receiving track comprising a lip member having an outer lip surface and an articulating lip surface, the outer lip surface being an inward facing side of the body Extends to the curl down along the same curve as the inward side of the body and the curl extends up to the tip. The receiving track further comprises a guard member spaced from the lip member, and an articulation space, wherein the second engagement track of the second equal slat lip through the opening between the lip member and the guard member A joint space for hooking the member to form a hinge, and a receptacle, positioned between the lip member and the guard member, the joint being formed by a first shoulder on the joint lip surface and a second shoulder on the joint guard surface And a receptacle separated from the space, the lowest point of the curl being displaced horizontally from the intersection of the second engagement track of the second equal slat and the body.

  In another embodiment, a shutter slat comprises a body having a curvature having convex and concave sides, a first end and a second end. The hook track is aligned with the first end with a bend formed between the body and the hook track, and the hook track protrudes upward from the convex side of the body. The receiving track is aligned at the second end, and the receiving track includes a guard member extending along the curvature of the body and a lip member projecting below the concave side of the body. A joint space is defined between the lip member and the guard member, and the joint space is sized and shaped to hingedly engage the hook track. In a further alternative embodiment, the shutter slats may be incorporated into a rolling shutter forming a chain of slats extending from the spindle, and the hook track of each successive slat is engaged within the receiving slat's receiving track in the chain. United.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view of a shutter slat according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of a shutter slat according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the hook track according to the invention. FIG. 4 is a detail view of the receiving track according to the invention. FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a window opening including a roll shutter according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a partial horizontal cross sectional view along the line AA showing a shutter slat according to the invention engaged with a track. FIG. 7 is a side view showing the cooperation by two shutter slats according to the invention when the shutter slats are in the open position. FIG. 8 is a detailed view showing the cooperation of the hook track and the receiving track of the two shutter slats of FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is a side view showing the cooperation by two shutter slats according to the present invention when the shutter slats are in the closed position. FIG. 10 is a side view of the shutter slat of FIG. 9 showing the interaction between successive windings of the shutter slat. FIG. 11 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a shutter slat. FIG. 12 is a side view of a rolling shutter consisting of the shutter slats of FIG. 11 in a retracted position. FIG. 13 is a detailed side view of the shutter slat of FIG. FIG. 14 is a side view of a further alternative embodiment of a shutter slat. FIG. 15 is a side view showing a hinge formed by engagement of the two shutter slats of FIG. FIG. 16 is a photograph of a roll shutter mounted on a device for testing resistance to water ingress. FIG. 17 is a photograph of a roll shutter mounted on the device of FIG. 16 showing water ingress during testing. FIG. 18 is a photograph of a roll shutter mounted on the device of FIG. 16 showing non-invasion of water during testing.

1 and 2 show a shutter slat 1 according to the invention.
Illustratively, the shutter slat 1 is an elongated body made of extruded aluminum, having a body portion 4, a hook track 7 and a receiving track 8. The body portion 4 is joined by the outwardly facing side 2, the inwardly facing side 3, the first edge 5, the second edge 6, the first end 15 and the second end 16. . In this embodiment, the slats are formed of a single extruded aluminum layer, but dual aluminum layers as well as other metal or plastic materials are also contemplated.

  FIG. 1 is a side view of a shutter slat 1 according to the present invention. The body portion 4 is a curved single wall having an outwardly facing side 2, an inwardly facing side 3, a first edge 5 and a second edge 6. When cut vertically at any point along the length of the slat 1, the outwardly facing side 2 of the body portion 4 has a convex cross section and the inwardly facing side 3 has a concave cross section . The distance between the outwardly facing side 2 and the inwardly facing side 3 defines the thickness 50 of the body portion 4.

  FIG. 2 is a front view showing the low clearance shutter slat 1 according to the present invention. The distance between the upper end 52 of the hook track 7 and the lower end 53 of the receiving track 8 defines the vertical height 54 of the slat 1. However, each slat 1 in the roll shutter 9 may not have the same vertical height 54. One skilled in the art will recognize that the vertical height 54 of the slat 1 is not critical as long as the slat 1 is adapted to roll into the shutter casing 12 (FIG. 5). In order to minimize the space required to pull the roll shutter 9 to the fully closed position, it may be advantageous to change the vertical height 54 of the slat 1 at the roll shutter 9.

  The distance between the first end 15 and the second end 16 of the body portion 4 defines the horizontal full width 55 of the slat 1. The horizontal full width 55 should be wide enough to cover a building opening or other opening designed to be protected by a roll shutter 9 manufactured with the slat 1.

  Both the outwardly facing side 2 and the inwardly facing side 3 are formed by a radius of curvature 51. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the radius of curvature 51 is not critical as long as the slat 1 is adapted to encase the spindle 19 (FIG. 9). The overall vertical height 54 and radius of curvature 51 of the body portion 4 cooperate to allow the roll shutter 9 formed by the slat 1 to roll as it is drawn about the spindle 19. The radius of curvature 51, the overall vertical height 54 and the thickness 50 of the body part 4 facilitate the retraction of the roll shutter 9 formed by the slat 1 and the winding around the spindle 19 and the strength of the roll shutter 9 Is chosen to give.

  FIG. 3 is a detail showing the hook track 7 which is a smooth concave transition connected to the first edge 5 of the body part 4. The hook track 7 comprises a hook 30 having an outer surface 31, an inner surface 32 and a tip 33. The hook track 7 is integrally formed with the body portion 4. However, it is understood that the hook track 7 can also be formed separately and fixed to the body part 4. It is also understood that the hook track 7 may alternatively be positioned at the second edge 6.

  The hooks 30 of the hook track 7 have a contour which is sized to be substantially similar to the contour of the joint space 20 of the receiving track 8. The hooks 30 may have a single radius or may vary in radius along the contour of the hooks 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the radius of the hook 30 decreases as it approaches the tip 33.

  The outer surface 31 has a radius of curvature that causes the hook track 7 to have a substantially uniform thickness 56 from the tip 33 to the first end 5 of the body portion 4, along with the radius of curvature of the inner surface 32. The thickness 56 of the hook track 7 in this embodiment is substantially similar to the thickness 50 of the body portion 4. The hook track 7 also has a vertical height 57 extending from the first edge 5 to the upper end 52.

  FIG. 4 is a detail showing the receiving track 8 connected to the second edge 6 of the body part 4. The receiving track 8 includes a lip member 10, a guard member 11 and a joint space 20. The receiving track 8 may also include a receptacle 23. The receiving track 8 is integrally formed with the body portion 4. However, it is understood that the receiving track 8 may be separately formed and secured to the body portion 4.

  The receiving track 8 has a vertical height 58 extending from the second edge 6 to the lower end 53. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the vertical height 58 of the receiving track 8 is not critical as long as the receiving track 8 is sized to engage the hook track 7.

  The lip member 10 has an outer lip surface 15, an articulating lip surface 16 and a tip 25. The outer lip surface 15 further includes an outer lip wall 40 and an outer lip curl 41. The outer lip wall 40 of the outer lip face 15 is such that the inward facing side 3 and the curvature 51 of the outer lip wall 40 are the same and there is no break between the inward side 3 and the outer lip wall 40 It is in contact with the inward side 3 of the part 4. This common curvature 51 minimizes the space occupied by the slat 1 when the roll shutter 9 constituted by the slat 1 is retracted to the fully closed position.

  The guard member 11 has an outer guard surface 17 and an articulating guard surface 18. As shown, the articulating surfaces 16 and 18 may be fully or partially concave. Such concave articulating surfaces allow for improved joints between adjacent slats without having to provide additional vertical clearance.

  The joint space 20 is a space for receiving the hook track 7 of the adjacent slat 1 in the receiving track 8 to form the roll shutter 9. The tip 25 of the lip member 10 and the articulating guard surface 18 of the guard member 11 define an opening 22 in communication with the articulating space 20. The hooks 30 of the hook track 7 of the adjacent slat 1 are sized to enter the joint space 20 through the opening 22. The contour of the joint space 20 is sized to substantially match the contour of the hooks 30 of the hook track 7. The tip 33 of the hook 30 of the adjacent slat 1 rests on the articulating lip surface 16 of the lip member 10 so that a hinge is formed between the hook 7 and the receptacle 8 of the adjacent slat 1. The outer surface 31 of the hook 30 of the adjacent slat 1 contacts the articulating guard surface 18 of the guard member 11, thereby preventing the hook member 7 of the adjacent slat 1 from disengaging from the receptacle member 8 .

  In prior art designs, the receiving track has a thin guard member that is generally vertical when the slat is in the vertical position. The lowest point of such a guard member according to the prior art extends below the lowest point of the communicating lip members. The guard member 11 is considerably shorter than the guard member of the prior art slats, so that the lowest point of the guard member 11 ends above the lowest point of the lip member 10 when the slat 1 is in the vertical position. Since the guard member 11 is relatively shorter than the lip member, the place where it engages with the hook track 7 of the adjacent slat 1 is thickened and reinforced, and the amount of extruded aluminum required to form the receiving track 8 is Without any appreciable increase, the safety of the hinge formed by the two slats is further enhanced without the need to add material costs. Also, the increased thickness of the guard member 11 protects the slats 1 from excessive joints which can disengage the hinge formed with the hook track of another slat 1.

  The receptacle 23 is adapted to receive a holding or alignment device 29 (FIG. 6). The retaining or aligning device may be a screw, bolt or other device capable of being retained by the receptacle and aligning the slats with one another and / or retaining the slats in a guide It may be. The joint lip surface 16 has a shoulder 27 separating the joint space 20 from the receptacle 23 and the joint guard surface 18 has a shoulder 28 separating the joint space 20 from the receptacle 23. When the slat 1 is in the vertical position, the receptacle 23 is positioned above the shoulders 27 and 28 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the receptacle 23 is effectively disposed between the body portion 4 and the opening 22. It is understood that the receptacle 23 is also positioned between the body portion 4 and the opening 22 even though the receiving track 8 is positioned at the first edge 5 of the slat 1.

  Although the receptacle 23 is a space separate from the joint space 20 and separated by the shoulders 27, 28, as shown, the receptacle 23 is open to and in communication with the joint space 20. It has a part. The hook track 7 of the adjacent slat 1 can not enter the gap between the first shoulder 27 and the second shoulder 28 and thus can not be held in the receptacle 23. The receptacle 23 is opened to and in communication with the joint space 20. However, the receptacle 23 collects dirt and dust by the lip member 10 and the guard member 11 and by the hook track 7 of the adjacent slat 1 It is protected. It is understood that the receptacle 23 can be completely separated from the joint space 20 if desired. In such an embodiment, the articulating surfaces 16 and 18 would be connected by shoulders 27 and 28 to provide a single continuous articulating surface for the hook track 7 of the second slat 1.

  FIG. 5 is an elevational view showing a plurality of shutter slats 1 according to the present invention articulated into a roll shutter 9 which may be installed in an opening of a building such as a window or a door. Details of the building openings are not shown for the sake of clarity. The building opening is further equipped with a shutter casing 12 and a pair of guides 13 and 14 positioned on opposite side edges of the building opening. The roll shutter 9 may be rolled up and stored in the shutter casing 12. The first and second ends 15 and 16 of the slat 1 are adjacent guides 13 and 14 as shown in FIG. The retaining screw 29 provides a positive alignment of the ends 15 and 16 with the guides 13 and 14.

  6 is a partial cross-sectional view along the line AA of FIG. The shutter slat 1 is shown coupled with the guide 13 and the holding screw 29. The retaining screw 29 is preferably inserted into the receptacle 23 of the shutter slat 1 for use with the guide 13. The head 44 of the holding screw 29 projects from the receptacle 23 and slides in a vertical guide 13 provided at the end of the roll shutter 9. In this exemplary embodiment, the retaining screw 29 does not limit the rotation or pivoting of the hook track 7 inside the receiving track 8. As shown, the diameter of the head 44 of the retaining screw 29 is not larger than the outer contour of the receiving track 8 in order to minimize the roll shutter. Due to the space between the head 44 of the screw 29 and the first end 15 of the slat 1, the receiving track 8 of one slat 1 slides horizontally relative to the hook track 7 of another slat 1 May be The amount of sliding in the horizontal direction may be limited in part by the space between the head 44 of the screw 29 and the first end 15 of the slat 1 or by the shape of the guides 13 and 14. Instead of the screw 29, an extended screw (not shown) with an extension member may be used. The extension member of the extended screw is longer than the head 44 of the screw 29 and is thus further adapted to hold the roll shutter 9 within the guides 13 and 14 either during intentional push or storm conditions There is. An example of an extended screw is disclosed in US Pat. No. 7,784,522.

  FIG. 7 is a side view showing the cooperation of the two slats 1a and 1b according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a detailed view showing the cooperation of the receiving track 8 of the slat 1a and the hook track 7 of the slat 1b. . 7 and 8 both show the engagement of the slats 1a and 1b when the shutter slats are in the open position. As shown in FIG. 7, the bottom side slat 1b is in a vertical position, ie a position where the vertical axis 59 of the slat 1a substantially or completely coincides with the vertical axis 60 of the slat 1b, as in the case of an open shutter. is there. There is almost no clearance space between the slats. Nevertheless, the bottom slat 1b can be articulated in a clockwise direction.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the hook track 7 of the slat 1b is slidably engaged with the receiving track 8 of the slat 1a to form a hinge between the slat 1a and the slat 1b. The outer surface 31 of the hook 30 of the slat 1b is convex and rests on the articulating lip surface 16 of the lip member 10 and the articulating guard surface 18 of the guard member 11 of the slat 1a. The tip 33 of the hook 30 of the slat 1b also rests on the articulating lip surface 16 of the lip member 10 of the slat 1a. The lip member 10 of the slat 1 a holds the hook 30 of the slat 1 b in the joint space 20. The tip 25 of the lip member 10 of the slat 1a extends into the space defined by the hooks 30 of the slat 1b. The tip 25 of the lip member 10 of the slat 1a also curls into the joint space 20 and adds safety to the hinge formed by the hook track 7 of the slat 1b and the receiving track 8 of the slat 1a.

  The guard member 11 blocks the connection between the hook track 7 of the slat 1b and the lip member 10 of the slat 1a, and prevents the hook track 7 of the slat 1b from coming off the receiving track 8 of the slat 1a. Also, the guard member 11 protects the hook track 7 of the slat 1b and the lip member 10 of the slat 1a from being exposed to the force applied to the outward side surface 2 of the slats 1a and 1b. In the open position, the load portion of the receiving track 8 is a lip member 10. Since the hook track 7 of the slat 1b does not directly compress the guard member 11 of the slat 1a, the outward side surface 2 of the slat 1a and the damage to the guard member 11 of the slat 1a cause damage between the slat 1a and the slat 2b. The likelihood of joint disengagement is less than prior art shutters where the lower track's exposed portion is the load portion.

  One advantage of the construction of the lip 10 and the guard 11 is that the slats 1a and 1b do not store water in the hinge formed by the hook track 7 of the slat 1b and the receiving track 8 of the slat 1a. At its lowest point, the lip member 10 of the slat 1a is displaced horizontally from the intersection of the body portion 4 of the slat 1b and the hook track 7. The intersection of the body portion 4 of the slat 1b with the hook track 7 is a smooth transition. By this design, water can flow smoothly from the lip member 10 of the slat 1a, and the water does not flow into the hinge formed by the intersection of the slat 1a and the slat 1b.

  The slat 1 does not require projections to prevent excessive joints. In the case of the slat 1, the guard member 11 is thicker than the slat of the prior art. The thickness of the guard member 11 and the shape of the lip member 10 prevent excessive articulation by the slat 1 and thus no projections on the hook member 7 are necessary. Because there is no projection, there is no groove to hold the water dripping from the lip member 10. If water is to be retained, it can freeze and damage the hinge.

  FIG. 9 is a side view showing the cooperation of the two slats 1c and 1d engaged when the slats are in the closed position. As shown, when the slat is in the fully closed position, the tip 25 of the lip member 10 of the slat 1c is flush with the inner surface 32 of the hook 30 of the slat 1d and the body portion 4 of the slats 1c and 1d is , Forming a substantially circular arc. This arc enables the first subassembly of the slat 1 of the roll shutter 9 to be present substantially flush with the spindle 19 when the slat is in the fully closed position, and the subsequent subassembly of the slat 1 Make it possible to form similar arcs around the first subassembly and around the other subassemblies. Those skilled in the art will benefit from changing the arc of the slat as the distance between the slat and the spindle increases in order to minimize the overall space required by the roll shutter 9 in its fully closed position. It will be understood that it may be.

  The shape of the guard member 11 further minimizes the overall radius of the roll shutter 9 by the slat 1 when the shutter is in the closed position. As mentioned earlier, the guard member 11 is shorter and thicker than the prior art slats, so the lowest point of the guard member 11 is above the lowest point of the lip member 10 when the slat 1 is in the vertical position. is there. As shown in FIG. 9, when the slats 1c and 1d are in the closed position, the distance from the center 65 of the spindle 19 at which the guard member 11 of the slat 1c is positioned at its farthest point from the center 65 of the spindle 19 is , Substantially the same as the hook track 7 of the slat 1d at its farthest point from the center 65 of the spindle 19. This configuration minimizes the overall radius occupied by each subassembly of the slats orbiting the spindle 19 so that the overall radius of the roll shutter 9 by the slat 1 when the shutter is in the closed position. Minimize. The outer surface of the guard 11 is further formed to be substantially parallel to the curvature of the body, which reduces the overall radius of the shutter slat that is rolled up.

  In one preferred embodiment, the slat is provided with a bend or recess between the hook track and the body of the slat. As best seen in FIG. 3, the slat 1 has a bend at the first edge 5 between the body 4 and the hook track 7. Bending allows the hinges between adjacent slats to form a smooth transition. For example, FIGS. 7 and 8 show the hinge between slat 1a and slat 1b in the vertical position. When the hook track 7 of the slat 1b is engaged in the receiving track 8 of the slat 1a, this bending forms a smooth transition between the outer surface 31 of the hook 30 and the outer guard surface 17 of the guard member 11 Make it possible. This smooth transition is believed to allow water to flow smoothly over the hinge without collecting and flowing into the hinge. Furthermore, it has been found that the penetration of water into the hinge is more effectively reduced as the angle of bending is sharper.

  Depending on the configuration of the slats, the presence of a bend between the body and the hook track may interfere with the ability to minimize the space required to pull the roll shutter into the fully closed position. For example, FIG. 10 shows a slat 1 having a hook track 7 and a receiving track 8 which project above the convex curvature of the body 4 of the slat, ie from the outwardly facing side 2. The engagement of the hook track 7 with the receiving track 8 forms a hinge 62 which projects above the common convex curvature of the slat 1 and creates a gap 64 between the bodies 4 of adjacent slats in successive windings. These gaps prevent a compact fit when the shutter is rolled into a retracted or fully closed position.

  The space required for the roll shutter in the retracted position projects below the concave curvature of the body of the slat, ie by forming a slat having a receiving track projecting from the inward side, so that the body and the hook track It has been found that it can be minimized without sacrificing bending between. With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, an alternative embodiment of a slat having a receiving track with a lip member projecting below the concave curvature of the inward side of the body is shown. The guard members of the receiving track extend along the curvature of the body.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the slat 100 has a body 104 with a first edge 105 and a second edge 106 opposite the first edge. The body 104 has a curvature with a radius of curvature 151, an outwardly convex convex side 102, and an inwardly concave concave side 103. The hook track 107 is connected to the body 104 at a first edge 105 and the receiving track 108 is connected to the body at a second edge 106.

  The receiving track 108 includes a lip member 110, a guard member 111 and an articulation space 120. The lip member 110 comprises a base 168 adjacent the end 106 of the body 104 and an outer lip wall 140. The lip member 110 protrudes below the inward concave side 103 of the body 104 by a height 166. The guard member 111 extends along the curvature of the body 104. The joint space 120 is in communication with an opening 122 defined between the lip member 110 and the guard member 111. The joint space 120 is sized and shaped to hingedly engage the hook track 107. Also, the receiving track 108 is defined between the lip member 110 and the guard member 111 and has a receptacle 123 sized and shaped to receive a holding or alignment device (not shown) as described above. May be included.

  The hook track 107 comprises a hook 130 having an outer surface 131, an inner surface 132, a base 170 adjacent the end 105 of the body 104, and a tip 133. The hooks 130 are sized and shaped to be substantially similar to the size and shape of the articulation space 120 of the receiving track 108. Between the hook track 107 and the body 104 a bend 172 is formed having an interior angle 174. The bend 172 causes the hook track 107 to protrude above the outwardly convex side 102 of the body 104 by a height 176.

  12 and 13 show the roll shutter in the retracted position with a plurality of slats 100 forming a chain extending from the spindle 119. FIG. The hook track 107 of each successive slat 100 is hingedly engaged within the receiving track 108 of the preceding slat 100 in the chain. In the retracted position, the cascading slats are wound around the spindle 119 in a series of hoisting positions progressively away from the spindle.

  An example of a single winding is shown by slats 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d and 100e. That is, the slat 100a is the first slat to be positioned closest to the spindle in the winding, the slat 100e is the last slat to be positioned farthest from the spindle in the winding, and slats 100b, 100c. And 100 d are middle slats that are aligned between the first slat 100 a and the last slat 100 e. As shown in FIG. 13, the hook track 107a of the first slat 100a is aligned adjacent to the receiving track 108e of the last slat 100e. Furthermore, the body 104e of the last slat 100e overlaps the hook track 107a of the first slat 100a. Conversely, the body 104a of the first slat 100a partially overlaps the receiving track 108e of the last slat 100e. Similarly, the intermediate slats 100b, 100c and 100d also have hook tracks 107 that are adjacent to the receiving track 108 and overlap with the body 104 of the slat in a continuous winding, and the receiving track 108 of the slats in a continuous winding And a body 104 partially overlapping the bottom.

  In order to minimize the space required in the retracted position, the slat 100 is below (inside) the concave side 103 of the body 104 with the hook track 107 above the convex side 102 of the body 104 It may be configured with a receiving track 108 having a lip member 110 projecting at a height 166 substantially the same as the height 176 projecting outwards. The guard member 111 of the receiving track 108 has a curvature extending along the curvature of the body 104, and the outer wall 140 of the lip member 110 of the receiving track 108 also has a curvature that is the same as or substantially the same as the curvature of the body 104. May be Additionally, the base 168 of the receiving track 108 adjacent the end 106 of the body 104 may be sized and shaped to be complementary to the size and shape of the base 170 of the hook track 107 adjacent the end 105 of the body 104 Good.

  As previously described, the curvature and vertical height of the body 104 may be varied to minimize the space required by the roll shutter in the retracted position. As is apparent from FIG. 12, the radius and circumference of each successive winding increase with distance from the spindle. Thus, the radius of curvature 151 of the slat 100 may increase with distance from the spindle 119, ie the radius of curvature of the body 104 of the slat proximal to the spindle is shorter than the radius of the slat distal to the spindle It is also good. Similarly, the height of the slat 100 may increase with distance from the spindle 119, ie, the height between the end 105 and the end 106 of the body 104 of the slat, which is proximal to the spindle, may be further from the spindle It may be shorter than the height of the slat, which is the order.

  In another embodiment, the inner angle 174 of the bend 172 may change between slats in the roll shutter. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that as the radius of curvature 151 of the body 104 is increased, the internal angle of the bend 172 to accommodate the flatter curvature of the body and to minimize the clearance between the bodies of adjacent slats in successive windings. It will be appreciated that 174 can also be increased. Thus, the internal angle 174 of the bend 172 of the slat 100 proximal to the spindle 119 may be smaller than the internal angle of the slat distal to the spindle.

  In a further embodiment, each winding of the rolling shutter in the retracted position has the same number of slats. In the embodiment of FIG. 12, each winding comprises five slats, and the hinges 162 each seat on a leading hinge to form a compact roll.

  These embodiments are believed to provide further advantages in addition to minimizing the space required in the retracted position. As discussed above, the receiving track 108 has a guard member 111 with a curvature that is the same as or similar to that of the body 104 and a lip member 110 that projects below the inward concave side 103 of the body. May be included. This configuration minimizes the contour of the hinges 162 on the outward convex side and smoothes the transition between the shutter slats 100 engaged, so that water is smoother from the outer surface of the roll shutter. Protruding surfaces which can flow out and which water can collect and flow into the hinge are reduced. Also, the minimal contour of the hinge 162 may provide a weak spot for pushing apart the shutter slats that would otherwise be engaged, exposing the receiving track 108 and hook track 107 on the outward facing surface 102 of the roll shutter. cut back. The engagement between the receiving track 108 and the hook track 107 is moved to the inner side 103 of the roll shutter, and the guard member 111 more effectively protects the hook track from the force applied to the outward side 102 of the shutter slat. Can.

  In yet another embodiment, the slats may be configured to further minimize the contour of the hinge 262. 14 and 15 show a slat 200 having a body 204, a hook track 207 and a receiving track 208. FIG. The body 204 has an outwardly facing convex side 202 having a radius of curvature 251. The receiving track 208 has a guard member 211 with an outer guard surface 217 extending generally along the curvature of the outward facing surface 202 of the body 204. Thus, the outer guard surface 217 and the outwardly facing surface 202 form a surface having a generally continuous curvature, which further minimizes the contour of the outwardly facing surface of the hinge 262.

  In one preferred embodiment, the hook track 207 is also sized and shaped to minimize the contour of the outward facing surface of the hinge 262. As best seen in FIG. 15, when the adjacent slats are in a vertical position, the outer surface 231 of the hook track 207 generally extends beyond a tangent (plane) 264 to the outer guard surface 217 of the receiving track 208. Do not stick out. More preferably, when the hook track 207 is engaged within the receiving track 208, the outer surface 231 and the outer guard surface 217 form a hinged surface extending along the curvature of the outwardly facing surface 202. Thus, the hinged surface and the outwardly facing surface 202 form a surface with a generally continuous curvature. As a result, when the adjacent slats are in a vertical position, the junction between the two slats is approximately at the intersection between the curves 251 of the outward facing side 202 of the two shutter slats. This configuration is also illustrated by adjacent vertical slats in FIG.

  The following examples are included to demonstrate preferred embodiments of the invention. The techniques disclosed in the following examples represent techniques which have been found by the present inventors to work well in the practice of the present invention and may, therefore, constitute preferred embodiments for the practice thereof. Those skilled in the art should recognize. However, one of ordinary skill in the art can, in light of the present disclosure, be able to make numerous modifications to the disclosed specific embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention and still achieve similar or similar results. It should be recognized.

  Shutter slats of various designs were tested for resistance to water ingress. The shutter slat A has a conventional slat design and has a receiving track projecting from the outwardly convex side of the slat. Shutter slat B has a slat design similar to that shown in FIGS. 11 and 14 as discussed above.

The test was performed by attaching the shutter to a vertical frame or back as shown in FIG. The hinges between adjacent slats of the shutter were compressed by the shutter weight. The spray rack was aligned on the outer side of the shutter with the spray nozzles directed towards the outward convex side of the slat. The spray nozzle was centered on the hinge at a spray angle of 0 °, + 45 ° or -45 ° from horizontal. Water was injected into the shutter for 10 minutes at a flow rate of 3, 4 or 5 gpm (gallons / minute). The catch trough was aligned with the inside of the shutter at the bottom of the shutter, and the amount of water (ml) that permeated the hinge from the outside was measured.
Table 1: Results of water ingress

  The results of the water penetration test are shown in Table 1. It has been found that a considerable amount of water penetrates the conventional shutter design slat A at 5 gpm at an injection angle of 0 °. As shown in FIG. 17, instant stable drops were observed from the multiple hinges. Slow drops from a single hinge producing an unmeasurable (NM) amount of water were also observed at 4 gpm at an injection angle of 0 degrees and at 5 gpm at an injection angle of + 45 °. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 18, the shutter design slat B did not infiltrate water under any conditions.

  Changes may be made to the structures and techniques described herein, in addition to those described above, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, while specific embodiments have been described, they are merely exemplary and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

Claims (20)

A slat of a roll shutter,
A curve having an outwardly facing convex side and an inwardly facing concave side, a body having a first end and a second end;
A hook track aligned with the first end;
A bend formed between the body and the hook track, the hook track projecting outwardly from the convex side of the body;
A receiving track aligned with the second end, the receiving track including a guard member extending along the curve of the body and a lip member projecting inwardly from the concave side of the body Including the receiving truck,
A slat comprising: an articulation space defined between the lip member and the guard member, the articulation space being sized and shaped to hingedly engage the hook track. The lip member protrudes inward from the concave side surface of the main body at a first height, and the hook track extends outward from the convex side surface of the main body at substantially the same first height as the first height. The slat according to claim 1, which protrudes at a height of two.   The hook track includes a first base adjacent to the body, the lip member has a second base adjacent to the body, and the first and second bases are complementary. The slat of claim 1 sized and shaped.   The convex side of the body has a first surface having a first surface curvature, and the guard member has a second surface extending along the first surface curvature. Slat described. The lip member has a curved is substantially the same as the curvature of the body, slat according to claim 1. A rolling shutter,
With the spindle,
Each slat is equipped with multiple slats,
A curve having an outwardly facing convex side and an inwardly facing concave side, a body having a first end and a second end;
A hook track aligned with the first end;
A bend formed between the body and the hook track;
A receiving track aligned with the second end, the receiving track including a guard member extending along the curve of the body and a lip member projecting inwardly from the concave side of the body Including the receiving truck,
An articulation space defined between the lip member and the guard member, the articulation space being sized and shaped to hingedly engage the hook track;
A roll shutter wherein the plurality of slats form a chain extending from the spindle and the hook track of each successive slat is engaged within the receiving track of the leading slat in the chain. The slat has a height between the first and second ends of the body, and the roll shutter causes the plurality of slats to have at least one slat proximal to the spindle and one slat in the distal has a retracted position wound around said spindle, the height of the slats is proximal is shorter than the height of the slats is distal, rolling shutter according to claim 6.   The roll shutter according to claim 7, wherein the heights of the plurality of slats increase with distance from the spindle. Wherein said curved body has a radius, the radius of the slats is proximal is shorter than the radius of the slats is distal, rolling shutter according to claim 7.   The roll shutter according to claim 9, wherein the radius of the plurality of slats increases with distance from the spindle. The roll shutter according to claim 7, wherein a bend between the main body and the hook track has an angle, and an angle of a slat that is proximal is smaller than an angle of a slat that is distal.   The roll shutter according to claim 11, wherein the angles of the plurality of slats increase with distance from the spindle.   The roll shutter according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of slats are wound in a plurality of successive windings around the spindle.   The plurality of windings comprises a first winding and a continuous second winding, the hook tracks of the slats in the first winding being overlapped by the body and being in the continuous second winding The roll shutter of claim 13 adjacent to the receiving track of a slat.   At least one winding comprises a series of slats having a first slat aligned closest to the spindle and a last slat aligned farthest from the spindle, the hooks of the first slat The roll shutter of claim 13, wherein a track is superimposed by the body and adjacent to the receiving track of the last slat.   The series of slats includes an intermediate slat positioned between the first slat and the last slat, the hook track of the intermediate slat being overlapped by the body and of the slats in a continuous winding The roll shutter of claim 15, adjacent to the receiving track.   The roll shutter of claim 13, wherein the windings each comprise the same number of slats.   The roll shutter of claim 13, wherein the windings each comprise five slats. A rolling shutter,
With the first and second slats, each slat
A body having a convex, an outwardly convex side and an inwardly concave side, a first end and a second end, the convex side being a first surface having a first surface curvature With the body,
A hook track aligned with the first end, the hook track having a second surface;
A bend formed between the body and the hook track;
A receiving track aligned with the second end, the receiving track including a guard member extending along the curve of the body and a lip member projecting inwardly from the concave side of the body A receiving track, the guard member having a third surface;
An articulation space defined between the lip member and the guard member, the articulation space being sized and shaped to hingedly engage the hook track;
When the hook track of the first slat is engaged within the receiving track of the second slat and the first and second slats are in a vertical position, the second of the first slats A roll shutter, wherein the surface does not protrude beyond the tangent of the third surface of the second slat.   The second slat further comprises a hinge formed by engagement of the hook track of the first slat in the receiving track of the second slat, the second and third surfaces being along the first surface curvature The roll shutter according to claim 19, forming an extending hinge plane.

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