RO117273B1 - Closing device with flexible curtain - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a closing device with flexible curtain employed for closing or partitioning some spaces, closing a recess, covering a swimming pool, etc. According to the invention, the closing device with flexible curtain whose side edges (2) glide upwards and downwards inside two vertical tracks (3), between a closed position and an open position, is characterized in that the side edges (2) of the curtain (1) are substantially incompressible or made incompressible along the moving direction thereof towards the curtain closing position, particularly lengthwise, the device being provided with means (4) for driving the curtain (1) inside the vertical tracks (3) to move the curtain (1) towards its closing position, by applying a thrust force onto the side edges (2) of the curtain, along their longitudinal direction.

Description

The invention relates to a closure device with a flexible curtain, such as a tarpaulin, intended to be used for closing or compartmentalizing spaces, closing a niche, making a separation panel, covering a swimming pool or making a shelter.

According to a first type of closure device of this kind, with the flexible curtain, known so far, the lower edge of the latter is provided with a barrier bar, extended across the entire width of the curtain, to allow the latter to close essentially. under the weight of this barrier bar and to keep the curtain in full state.

The presence of such a barrier bar has several drawbacks that cannot be overlooked. Thus, as a result of its inertia, the opening and closing speeds are limited and special precautions must be taken to slow down the up and down movement of the curtain sufficiently before stopping it. In addition, the weight of such a barrier bar requires relatively significant energy to bring the curtain into its opening position. Finally, reliable security means must be provided in the curtain control circuit to avoid accidents when a person or object is under the curtain when it comes down to its closing position.

In another type of closure devices of the kind quoted, known, there are provided means of driving which, by means of transmission wheels, pull the lateral edges of the curtain to bring it into its closing position.

Even if for such a type of closure device it is not theoretically indispensable to provide a barrier and stiffening bar at the lower edge of the curtain, from a practical point of view, however, such a stiffening and stiffening bar is generally required to ensure the proper functioning of the closure.

The technical problem, which the invention solves, is to achieve a closure or compartmentalization with flexible curtains that do not require stiffening and obstruction bars.

The device according to the invention solves this problem by the fact that the lateral edges of the curtain are incompressible or are rendered incompressible in the direction of their movement to the position of closing the curtain, particularly in the direction of their length, the device being provided with means of driving. , of the curtain, by applying a pressing force on its lateral edges in their longitudinal direction, in the vertical guide ways, to move the curtain to its closing position.

Advantageously, the curtain is provided, at / or near the lateral edges, with a series of sensibly rigid organs following the longitudinal direction of these lateral edges, these organs being able to support each other after the direction of these lateral edges and can be of preferably, hinged relative to each other, so as to allow the curtain to be rolled or flexed in its opening position.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the rigid members surround the lateral edges of the curtain protruding out from the latter surface so as to be maintained in said guideways and to move therein.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the curtain presents, near at least one of its lateral edges and outside the mentioned guide rails, means of stiffening that allow these edges to be made.

RO 117273 Bl sensitively incompressible in the sense of their length; these stiffening means are advantageously formed of a grooved belt integral with the curtain and extending along at least one of the lateral edges of the latter, the aforementioned driving means working in conjunction with said grooved belt. 50

The invention also relates to a closure device, having the advantages mentioned, but which does not necessarily require incompressible lateral edges according to the direction of their movement towards the closure position, especially by their length.

This device is characterized by the fact that the curtain is noticeably stretched between these guide ways, at least in the closing position, being provided with means 55 which allow one side to avoid the compression of the lateral edges of the curtain in the direction of their length, at least at moving to the closing position, and on the other hand, allow the presence of a stiffening element near the free edge of the curtain from the closing position.

Further details and particulars of the invention will be apparent from the description, with the title of 60 non-limiting example, of some embodiments of the closing device, according to the invention, with reference to FIG. 1 ... 35, which represents:

FIG. 1, schematic front view of a closure device with a flexible curtain, according to a first embodiment of the invention, the curtain being in the closing position; 65

- fig. 2, view along line II - II, in fig. 1;

- fig. 3, a view along line III - III, of fig. 1;

- fig. 4, section after line IV - IV, of fig. 1, on a larger scale;

- Fig. 5, section along line V - V, in Fig. 4;

-Fig.6, detail showing, on a larger scale, the position of the lateral edges of the bolt in the guideways, in the resting position;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a detail in FIG. 4, on a larger scale;

-fig.8, side view on an enlarged scale of a detail of this first embodiment;

- Fig. 9, side view of the detail of Fig. 8, but from the opposite side; 75

FIG. 10, section similar to the one in Fig. 6, on an enlarged scale, showing the position of the lateral edge of the curtain in the spiral guide path, when the curtain unfolds;

FIG. 11, a view analogous to that of FIG. 10, but showing the position of the side edge of the curtain in the spiral guide ways when running the curtain;

FIG. 12, cross-section, to the enlarged scaling line XII - XII in fig. 1; 80

FIG. 13 is a view analogous to that of FIG. 12, showing the release of the lateral edge of the curtain from the guide ways when applying a pulling force, perpendicular to the lateral edge, in the direction of arrow F;

FIG. 14 is a schematic side sectional view of a closing device according to a second embodiment of the invention, with the curtain partially positioned 85 closed;

FIG. 15, schematic front view in section after line XV - XV, in fig. 14;

FIG. 16, schematic side view in section and with partial rupture of a third embodiment of the closing device, according to the invention, with the curtain in the closing position; 90

FIG. 17, cross-section through elements for stiffening the lateral edge of the curtain, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

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FIG. 18 is a view analogous to that of FIG. 13, illustrating the opening of the side edge of the curtain from the running ways in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 19, longitudinal section with partial breaks, on an enlarged scale, analogous to that after line XIX - XIX, from fig. 1, but of a fifth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20, section along the line XX-XX, in fig. 19 on a larger scale;

FIG. 21, section along lines XXI - XXI, from fig. 19, with partial breaks;

- Fig. 22, a view analogous to that of Fig. 19, a sixth embodiment of the invention;

- fig.23, section after line XXIII - XXIII, from fig.22, on a larger scale;

- Fig. 24, a view analogous to that of Fig. 19, of a seventh embodiment of the invention;

- fig.25, section after line XXV - XXV, from fig.24, on a larger scale;

- fig.26, section similar to that of fig.25, in the course of mounting the curtain edge;

- Fig. 27, a view analogous to that of Fig. 22, of an eighth embodiment of the invention;

- fig.28, section after line XXVIII - XXVIII, from fig.27, on a larger scale;

- fig.29, section after line XXIX - XXIX, from fig.27, on the same scale as in fig.28;

-fig.30, schematic view of a partial horizontal section of a closure device, according to a ninth embodiment of the invention;

- fig.31, schematic side view, partially in section, of this ninth embodiment;

- fig.32, partial schematic front view along line XXXII, fig.31;

-fig.33, schematic side view, with partial breaks, of an additional variant of the guideway detail for the side edges of the curtain;

- fig.34, front view along line XXXIV - XXXIV, from fig.33;

- Fig. 35, a view similar to that of Fig. 33, but in a position for re-fitting a side edge of the curtain in the guide path.

In the figures shown, the same reference signs refer to analogous or identical elements.

The closure device according to the invention comprises a flexible curtain 1 whose side edges 2 are guided in guide ways 3 to allow the curtain 1 to move between a closing position and an opening position. Preferably, these edges go outside the plane of the curtain, so as to allow the edges to be easily maintained in the guideways.

By the term "flexible curtain" is meant within this invention, any planar element which can form a closure or separation and which can be rolled around an axis or can be folded, such as, for example, a tarp, a strip made of plastic material, etc., intended for the closure of a niche, the construction of a separation panel, the covering of a swimming pool or the making of a shelter. In this regard, it should be noted that, according to the invention, the preferences are directed to the watertight gates comprising a curtain that moves between two vertical guide ways.

In general, the closure device according to the invention is characterized by the fact that the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 are substantially incompressible or are

EN 117273 Bl made incompressible in the sense of their length, so as to allow the application on these edges of joints pressed according to their longitudinal direction in the guideways 3 without being able to form creases such as to lock these edges in the guideways. 140 For this purpose, there are provided driving means 4 that allow to act on these lateral edges 2 in their guide ways 3 to bring the curtain 1 in its closing position or in its opening position.

According to the invention, the driving means 4 are arranged so as to allow the creation of a pressing force on the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 after their longitudinal direction 145, thus causing the curtain to be moved to its closing position, as shown in FIG. 1.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the opening of the curtain 1 is caused by a spring 31 fixed between the free end of a belt 32 and a point fixed to the base 33. At the closing of the curtain 1, this belt 32 is wound on a wheel 34, 150 mounted on a drive shaft. 20 which is actuated by a gear motor 36 controlled from a control box 37. In this way, the spring 31 is brought into an extended state when the curtain 1 is in its closing position, as shown in fig. 1. Thus, it allows the curtain to be automatically moved to its opening position when it is unlocked from its closing position. 155 in this embodiment, the curtain 1 is formed by a sheet in which three windows 38 are made of a transparent plastic material and which is wrapped in its opening position in a box with square section 39 closed at the two its ends through flanges 40.

These two flanges 40 show, on their inner faces facing one another 160, spiral guide ways 18, as shown in detail in FIG.

and 5.

As shown in Fig. 4, these spiral guide ways 18 are located in the extension of the guide rails 3, the connection between them being made by an access guide 48. 165 in the first embodiment of the closure device, according to In particular, in the figure 4 ... 13, the curtain 1 is provided, at its lateral edges 2, with a series of protruding members 5 which are rigid at least in the longitudinal direction of these lateral edges 2. These members 5 are they support each other in this longitudinal direction and are hinged against one another so that they allow the curtain 1 to be wound inside the box 39 when it is brought into its opening position.

As shown above, in Figs. 8 ... 13, these rigid members 5 surround the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 forming a prominent sleeve 6 on one side and the other in relation to its plane and slide with a certain friction in the 175 guide ways 3 and 18, in order to avoid moving the curtain between the opening and closing position under the effect of its own weight. This presents as an advantage the fact that it is not necessary to provide special braking means at the race ends of the curtain.

Also in this embodiment, the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 have 180 continuous continuous thickening 7 around which the rigid members 5 are fixed.

Advantageously, this thickening comprises a hollow pipe 8 which may contain, for example, a fluid or an electric current conductor.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 ... 13, this is a gas pipe 41, such as air, belonging to some pneumatic safety system, not shown. Such a hollow pipe 8 is therefore perfectly protected, both by the rigid organs 5 and by the guideways 3, in which these organs move.

In the first specific embodiment illustrated above in Fig. 6 .... 13, the rigid members 5 have the appearance of protruding sleeves 6, which have in their wall a longitudinal groove 9 through which the curtain 1 protrudes from the sleeves thus defining two wings 10 and 11, stretched on one side and the other. The wing 10 has a length following the direction of the lateral edges 2 of the curtain less than the length of the other wing 11, so as to form a recess 12 on one side of the curtain 1, between two consecutive members 5, allowing the edge 2 to bend transversely on the plane of the curtain on the side. mentioned (see fig. 9). The other wings 11 of these organs 5 rest, end to end, each other in the longitudinal direction of the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 (see fig. 8).

More particularly, in this embodiment, the shortest wing 10, of the rigid member 5, has a length equal to half that of the other wing 11 and is symmetrical to this other wing 11, so as to form in the ratio with the latter, on one side and on the other of the shortest wing 10, an offset 12, which has the length equal to one quarter of the length of the wing 11.

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates the behavior of these specific rigid organs 5 when winding the curtain. It is found that the wrapped side edges can freely bend in the recesses 12, thus facilitating the latter bending.

The fact that the wing 10, located towards the center of curvature of the spiral guideway 18, is shorter than the opposite wing 11a of the rigid members 5, further allows to avoid the movement of these members 5 on the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1, when winding it from he was moving towards his opening position. In fact, as clearly shown in Fig. 7, two consecutive rigid members are articulated along the neutral axis of the lateral edges 2, remaining in contact with each other at point 11 'located on this neutral axis.

As can be seen in Figs. 6, 10 and 11, the sleeves 6 have a rectangular section and are mounted with some cross-section relative to the curtain 1 in the spiral guide ways 18.

Thus, some translation of the edges 2 of the curtain is possible in the plane of the flanges 40.

Moreover, due to the rectangular shape of the section of the sleeves 6 and the corresponding shape of the interior of the guideways 18, the angular displacement of the rigid members 5 in these guideways is very small and does not exceed 10 ° around their central axis 25 from follow.

In addition, the radiated distance between the guide rail spirals 18 is of such value that, in the wound position, the overlapping layers of the wound curtain do not touch, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. ..7. In addition, it may be important to extend the curtain 1 between the flanges 4. This presents an important advantage of avoiding scratching the windows 38 when winding the curtain.

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The spiral guide ways 18 delimit a tubular sensitive channel 22, preferably of polygonal section, which has in its wall 23, on the side of the curtain.

1, a longitudinal slot 24 for the latter passage.

The central spiral axis 25 of this channel 22 is located in the plane of symmetry 230 of the slot 24, while the curtain extends in the plane 27.

Fig. 10 shows the position of the rigid members 5 in the guide ways 18 when the curtain is running towards its closing position. The center of curvature, which is located on axis 17, is in this case on the right side of fig. 10. Thus, the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 are applied on the outer face of the guideways, in relation to this center 235 of curvature.

On the contrary, when the curtain 1 is wound, the rigid members 5 will be displaced in the opposite direction, as shown in FIG. 10. In this case, the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 are therefore applied on the inner face of the guideways 18, by the side of said curvature center. 240

These different arrangements of the rigid members 5 allow to avoid their movement on the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 when winding or unfolding it.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, when, in the opening position, the curtain is wound in a spiral form, the driving means 4 comprise near the flanges 40, inside the box 39, a telescopic arm 19 which cooperates with 245 upper extremity of the lateral edges of the curtain 1.

This telescopic arm 19 is mounted transversely on a drive shaft 20, which extends along the axis 17 and is fixed by a bar 21 parallel to this shaft 20. This bar cooperates with the end of the side edges 2 of the curtain, which are engaged in the pathways. spiral guide 18, by means of a connecting piece 250 35 fixed, on the one hand, on the transverse edge 41 of the curtain 1, and on the other hand, sliding in a longitudinal groove 42 of this bar 21.

More particularly, the telescopic arm 19 comprises two parallel U-shaped guide pieces 43, fixed on one side and the other on the shaft 20, in which some square section tubes 49 are slidably mounted, one of their ends 255 being integral with bar 21, also formed of a square tube.

Thus, to move the curtain 1 in the direction of the arrow 45, that is to bring the curtain into its closing position, the shaft 20 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 46 by the motor 36, and the intermediate piece 35 presses on the lateral edge 2 in the direction of its length, While the bar 44 undergoes a movement in the direction of the arrow 47. In case of need 260, the connecting piece 35 can slide in the groove 42 of the bar 21 when the curtain is unfolding.

The opening of the curtain can be achieved either by means of the spring 31, as already explained above, or by engaging the shaft 20 in the opposite direction of the arrow 46. 265 advantageously, as shown in more detail in FIG. 12 and 13, the rectilinear guide rails 3 comprise a U-shaped profile 48 made of a semi-elastic material, so as to allow the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 2 to be released from the guide rails 3, when a tensile force is exerted on the curtain. 1, in the sense of arrow F, exceeds a certain limit. Such force could occur, for example, when a vehicle 1 is hanging by the curtain 1 when it is still in its closing position.

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Thanks to the access guide 49 which is provided on each of these guide ways 3 at the entrance to the box 39, when a lateral edge 2 has disengaged from its guide path 3, as shown in figure 13, when moving the curtain in the sense opposite to arrows 45, this edge will automatically re-enter, via this access guide 49, in its guide path, at the entrance of box 39 (see fig. 4).

Such technological measures have been the subject of European Patent EP 272733

The base of the U-shaped element 48 is maintained in a metal support 50 which also has a U-shaped section.

These supports 50 are advantageously mounted on elastic elements, not shown. Such an assembly system was the subject of the European patent application EP 92909384 belonging to the same applicant.

Fig. 14 and 15 schematically reproduce a second embodiment of the closure device according to the invention.

In this embodiment, the side edges 2 are in the form of an articulated chain which travels in the guide ways 3.

The rectilinear guide path 3 is interrupted before entering the box 39, and in this place of interruption, on both sides of the lateral edge 2, the driving means 4 are provided. These driving means comprise two pairs of gear wheels 51 on which a continuous belt 52 provided externally with teeth can penetrate the links of the hinged chain 15.

For greater clarity, in fig. 15 were represented only the rotational axes 55 of the gear 51.

Another difference of this second embodiment from the first is that, in box 39, the curtain is folded in a zigzag when it is brought into its opening position.

in FIG. 16 shows a simplified representation of a third embodiment of the closure device according to the invention.

In this embodiment, the curtain 1 is brought into a horizontal opening position, being guided along a ceiling 53 in guide ways 18 after having undergone a 90 ° deflection. On the other hand, the driving means 4 comprise a continuous chain transmission 16 which can be moved along the horizontal part of the guideways 18 after a go-and-move, as indicated by the arrows 54. 0 connecting piece 35 is provided between the upper end of the side edges 2 of the curtain and the chain 16, thus allowing the curtain to move between its opening position and its closing position when the chain moves 16.

In an interesting embodiment of this embodiment, the chain 16 may be fixed at the upper end of the side edges 2 and may also be guided in the guide ways 18 so that it can press on this end, in the axis of the edges 2, for to bring the curtain to its closing position.

Fig. 17 and 18 show a fourth embodiment of a closure device according to the invention, which differs from the previous embodiments by the nature of the guide rails 3 and by the rigid members 5.

In this fourth embodiment, the rigid members are formed of clips, preferably metallic, which have a U-shape whose free ends of the wings 10 and 11 form some outwardly curved parts 10a and 11a, (fig. 17), which are located in an inner recess 56 provided near the outer edge of the guideways 3.

In addition, these rigid members 5 have, between these curved parts 10a and 11a and their protruding limb 6 tightened around the thickening 7 of the curtain, a tapered part 57 which serves as support for the different members 5 relative to one another on the lateral edges 2 of the curtain, inside the guideways 3.

When a tensile force is exerted on the curtain 1 in the direction of the arrow F, the lateral edges 2 may be released from their guide ways 3, due to the fact that the curved parts 10a and 11a bend inwardly, as shown in fig. 18.

Fig. 19, 20 and 21 relate to a fifth, particularly interesting, embodiment of the invention, which is essentially distinguished from the previous embodiments by the fact that the rigid members 5, fixed by the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1, work together. by means of a nut coupling 28.

In this particular embodiment, this nut coupling 28 comprises a spherical slot 29 at one of the ends of the rigid member 5 and a pivot with a spherical head 30 at the opposite end of this rigid member 5. The head of the pivot 30 of a rigid member is hinged in the slot 29 of the next adjacent rigid body, as it appears more clearly in fig. 21.

in addition, both the housing 29 and the pivot 30 are split along the longitudinal direction of the lateral edges 2. Thus, by pressing the pivot 30 in its corresponding slot 29, the pivot is slightly compressed, and the housing may undergo some expansion, so as to provide a reliable attachment of two successive rigid organs to each other and to allow, at the same time, an articulation of the latter in all directions. The nature of this compression and dilation depends, of course, on the material from which the organ is made 5.

When the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 are provided with a thickening 7, as is the case in this embodiment, the rigid members 5 extend, both with their pivot 30, and with their corresponding seat 29 around the thickening 7, so as is clearly shown, in FIG. 20.

Fig. 22 and 23 refer to a sixth embodiment of the closure device according to the invention, which is essentially distinguished from the previous embodiment by the fact that each rigid member 5 is provided with two rollers 26 thus allowing a considerable reduction of friction on the lateral edges. 2 during their travel in the guideways 3.

Figs. 24 ... 26 refer to a seventh embodiment of the invention, with a relatively simple embodiment with regard to fixing the rigid members on the lateral edges of the curtain.

This embodiment is essentially distinguished from the previous embodiments by the fact that no particular finishing of the lateral edges is foreseen

2. For example, unlike the situation encountered in practically all previous embodiments, no thickening is foreseen.

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In addition, in this embodiment, the rigid members with nut coupling 28 are formed of two wings 10 and 11 joined to each other by a joint 59. As shown clearly in figs 25 and 26, these two wings are fixed rigidly on one side and the other of the side edges 2 of the curtain. For this purpose, the face of the wing 10 directed to the wing 11 is provided with some spurs 14 which pierce the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 in order to penetrate and fix in corresponding holes 60 provided in the corresponding face of the wing 11.

These rigid members 5 may be made, for example, of a relatively hard plastic material, but having sufficient elasticity to allow elastic fixation of the spikes 14 in the holes 60.

if necessary, the tips 61 of the spikes 14 may be provided with a metal cover, not shown, to facilitate the piercing of the lateral edges of the curtain

1.

Fig. 27 ... 29 refers to an eighth embodiment that differs from those illustrated in FIG. 19 ... 21 in that the nut coupling 28 comprises, between each two successive rigid members 5, a split ball 62 which engages partially in a corresponding slot 29 provided at the two opposite ends of each rigid member 5. These are places similar to those provided in the embodiment illustrated in fig. 19 ... 21.

Fig. 30 ... 32 relates to a new embodiment of the closure device according to the invention.

This embodiment is essentially distinguished from the previous embodiments by the fact that a curtain 1 is used whose side edges 2 are not necessarily incompressible themselves according to their longitudinal direction, but are made indirectly incompressible by the presence of a stiffening zone formed by a grooved belt 1 ', which is located near these side edges 2, outside the guide rails 3.

This has the advantage, in particular, that no special precautions should be taken to achieve these lateral edges 2 and, for example, lateral edges formed by a simple thickening or a series of small rigid blocks juxtaposed articulated with each other can be used. , as described and represented, for example, in European Patent EP 272733.

Thus, in general, the expression "incompressible lateral edge" used in this text, designates any type of lateral edge which, combined with a stiffening zone, located either outside the guide rails or inside them, allows to be avoided as , when exerting a pressure on this edge or on this stiffening zone, for the purpose of closing the curtain, this edge will deform and lock in the guideways or create exaggerated frictional efforts that would impair the proper functioning of the closing device in its whole.

More specifically, in this new embodiment, the drive means comprise a gear 4 which rotates about an axis 4 'and engages with the grooved belt 1' of the said stiffening zone, fixed by the curtain 1. The perfect gear between the grooved belt 1 'and the wheel 4 is provided by a pressure roller 4' which is applied elastically to the curtain 1, on the opposite side of the grooved belt 1 '.

With respect to the lateral edge 2, it can be made from the small blocks of one of the parts of a known zipper which thus presents some compressibility in itself according to its longitudinal direction, but which is rendered incompressible, according to the explicit meaning. above.

As a variant of this new embodiment, it is possible to consider replacing the small zipper blocks on the lateral edges, for example, by a grooved belt that will therefore be part of the driving means and the lateral edge 2 of the same curtain simultaneously. 1 moving in the guideways 3.

Fig. 33 ... 35 illustrate an improvement made to the access guide 49 for the automatic reintroduction of the lateral edge 2 of the curtain 1 in case of its release from the lower part of the guide paths 3 (see fig. 4).

This is an improvement which is especially useful for the lateral edges of the curtains, according to the embodiments illustrated in fig. 19 ... 32.

In fact, in some cases, if in the area of the access guides 49 the lateral edges 2 are not supported when they are pushed to the closing position, that is, in the direction of the arrow 45, in the embodiment shown in fig. 4, as a result of the friction of these edges in the guideways, there is a risk that these edges will suffer a slight bent when passing through the access guide 49 causing them to exit the guideways 3.

The improvement according to the invention consists in intersecting, in the access guide 49, between the two separate fixed portions 3a and 3b, of the guideways arranged one in the extension of the other, a movable guide connection 58, which is hinged at its upper edge , by means of hinges 64, at the portion 3a of the guideways 3, so that it can switch between a first position, in which this connection 58 is located in the extension of the portions 3a and 3b of the guideways 3, as shown in fig. 33, and a second position, in which it is oriented with its lower opening outside the guide rails 3 as illustrated in FIG. 35.

A spring 65 allows the mobile guide connection 58 to be retained or restored to the first position mentioned.

Thus, when, for one reason or another, the side edges 2 of the curtain 1 were released from the portion 3b of the guideways 3, during the movement of the curtain 1 to its opening position, as indicated by arrow 66 of fig. 34, the connection 58 will be automatically brought into the second mentioned position to allow the insertion of this edge 2 into the portion 3a of the guideway 3.

When the lower transverse edge of the curtain and of these lateral edges 2 reaches the level of the connection 58 or possibly above it, it will automatically resume its first position, as illustrated in fig. 33. In order to then bring the curtain into its closing position, these side edges will therefore be perfectly guided along the entire length of the guideways, thus avoiding any risk of obstruction or loosening of these edges at the level of the access guide 49.

In order to ensure a perfect continuity between the guideways 3 and the connection in its first position, it advantageously presents an interior section identical to that of the fixed portions 3a and 3b of the guideways, so as to form a guide channel. continuously.

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It should also be noted that in FIG. 33 and 34, the lateral edges 2 of the curtain are not represented, so it can be assumed that the curtain is in its opening position. On the contrary, in FIG. 35 shows a lateral margin only through the rigid members 5 working together through the balls 62, as in the case of the lateral edges of the embodiment represented in fig. 27. ..29.

An interesting embodiment of the closure device according to the invention consists in providing a drive mechanism comprising, for example, a cable and transmission wheels that apply traction to these side edges to cause the curtain to close, which allows the side edges to be compressed. 2 of the curtain 1 in the direction of their length, at least during the movement to the closing position. In this constructive embodiment, it is not necessarily necessary that the lateral edges 2 be incompressible or made incompressible in the sense of their length.

In addition, in this embodiment, the curtain is stretched between the guides 3 in which these edges move, at least when it is in its closing position.

This presents a great advantage that, in this way, the use of a stiffening element can be avoided, for example, in the form of a rigid bar, near the lower free edge of the curtain 1. In this case, the curtain is preferably , fully flexible, without any transverse stiffening element.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to the various embodiments described above and represented in the appended figures, but that many other variants can be envisaged without departing from the scope of this invention.

Thus, the lateral edges 2 of the curtain 1 could be made noticeably incompressible according to the direction of their length by providing, near these edges, a series of rigid blades fixed by the curtain and located outside the rails, or by fixing on the curtain 1 a of a web of reinforced fabric according to the direction of movement of the curtain, thus allowing to avoid that in this area and therefore near the lateral edges the curtain can be wrinkled when a force of pressure is applied in the direction of closing the curtain, or directly on the lateral edges, either on this armed band. In this case, the lateral edges may consist, for example, only of the thickening 7.

In other cases, the lateral edges could be made substantially incompressible in the sense of their length by means of a series of balls somewhat analogous to the 62 in embodiments shown in FIG. 27 ... 29. In this case the balls can be inserted into the hollow pipe 8, which forms a sheath for balls and which, in this case, must have a section slightly larger than that of the embodiments represented in the appended figures.

Another alternative is to provide small rigid blocks, which can be molded, for example, on the lateral edges of the curtain, for example, as the teeth of a zipper, between which a flexible but incompressible joint is provided.

On the other hand, it is not indispensable for the shaft 20 to extend the entire width of the curtain. In an extreme case, this shaft may consist of two coaxial sections near the lateral edges of the curtain for telescopic arm drive 19. Also, if other drive means 4 are used, which does not require such a shaft 20, such as , for example, the case of the embodiments represented in FIG. 14 ... 16, this can be omitted.

In this situation, in the absence of a drive shaft, the curtain does not necessarily have to be wrapped, but can be moved, for example, in a somewhat inclined plane, horizontally or vertically, from its closing position to its position. opening.

If the curtain moves between its closing position and its opening position in a single plane, the side edges need not be flexible.

The invention is not limited only to curtains that move vertically, but also relates to curtains that move horizontally, for example, to cover pools or silos.

In some cases, the winding of the curtain can be made starting from the lower edge, so contrary to the embodiments presented in the appended figures.

claims

Claims (29)

1. Closure device with a flexible curtain, the side edges (2) of which are guided in two vertical paths (3) in order to be able to move up and down, between a closing position and an opening position, characterized in that that the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) are substantially incompressible, or rendered incompressible, in the direction of their movement towards the position of closing the curtain, particularly in the direction of their length, the device being provided with means of driving (4) , of the curtain (1), by applying a pressing force on its lateral edges (2) in their longitudinal direction, in the vertical guide rails (3), to move the curtain (1) to its closing position. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible curtain (1) is provided at, or near the lateral edges (2) with a series of members (5), which are rigidly rigid in the longitudinal direction of the lateral edges (2), these organs (5) being able to support each other, following the longitudinal direction of the lateral edges (2) and can be preferably hinged against one another, so as to allow the curtain to be wound or bent (1), in position its opening. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the rigid members (5) surround, at least partially, the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1), forming a sleeve (6) protruding with respect to its surface, the sleeve (6) , being maintained and moving in the guideways (3). 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the rigid members (5) comprise rollers (26) maintained and running in the guide ways (3). Device according to claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) have a part (7), having the form of a substantially continuous thickening, around which the rigid members (5) are fixed. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the side (7) side edges, in the form of a thickening, comprises a hollow pipe (8) containing, for example, a fluid or electric current conductor or some incompressible balls ( 62). Device according to any one of claims 4 ... 6, characterized in that the rigid members (5), in the form of sleeves (6), have in their wall a longitudinal slot (9), in which the curtain (1) extends. , thus defining two wings (10 495 500 505 510 515 520 525 530 535 RO 117273 Bl and 11), which extend on both sides of it, one of these wings (10) having a length, in the direction of the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1), less than the length of the other wing (11) , so as to form a recess (12), on one side of the curtain (I), between two rigid members (5) consecutively, thus allowing bending the lateral edge (2) transversely on the plane of the curtain (1), on the side mentioned, the other wings (II) mentioned, of the rigid organs (5), successive, being able to support, side by side, one to the other, in the longitudinal sense of the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1). Device according to any one of claims 2 ... 7, characterized in that two successive rigid members (5), fixed on the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1), cooperate with each other, by means of a coupling with nut (28). Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the nut coupling (28) comprises a spherical recess (29), at one end of the rigid member (5) and a spherical head pivot (30), at the opposite end of the of this rigid member (5), the spherical head of the pivot (30) of a rigid member (5), being hinged in the recess (29) of the next adjacent rigid member (5). 1D. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the spherical head pivot (30) is split along the longitudinal direction of the lateral edges (2) so that it can be compressed elastic in place. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the spherical head pivot (30) extends around the part (7), having the form of a thickening provided at the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1). Device according to any one of claims 3 ... 11, characterized in that the sleeves (6) of the rigid members (5), which travel in the guide rails (3), have the outer contour of the polygonal cross-section and the paths the guide (3) have the inner contour of the corresponding section. Device according to any one of claims 3 ... 12, characterized in that the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) are mounted with a certain clearance in said rigid members (5). Device according to any one of claims 1 ... 3, characterized in that the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) are provided with a succession of identical rigid members (5), separated from each other, by a joint (13) from a flexible material, sensitive incompressible, protruding from the plane of the curtain (1), together with the rigid members (5). Device according to any one of claims 2 ... 14, characterized in that the rigid members (5) provided on the lateral edges (2), of the curtain (1), have an elastic part (10a and 11a) in the transverse direction, with respect to the plane of the curtain (1) and sliding in the guideways (3), so that, when a certain force of drawing is applied to the plane of the curtain (1), this part (10a and 11a) ) is compressed elastic and allows the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) to come out of its guide ways (3). 16. Device according to any one of claims 8 ... 15, characterized in that the rigid members (5) are formed by two wings (10 and 11) hinged on one another, which can be fixed on one side and on the other. the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1), preferably, by means of spurs (14), which penetrate the surface of the latter. RO 117273 Bl 585 Device according to any one of claims 1 ... 16, characterized in that the curtain (1) is provided, near at least one of its lateral edges (2) and outside the guide rails (3), by some means. of flexible stiffening according to the direction of movement of the curtain (1), which make the lateral edges (2), substantially incompressible in the direction of their length. 18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that said flexible stiffening means comprises a groove (T), integral with the curtain (1) and extending along at least one of the lateral edges (2). ) of it, which cooperates with the means of training (4) of the curtain (1). 19. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that at least one of the lateral edges (2), which travels in the guideways (3), is made up of a series of small blocks hinged on one another, practically in the same as in a zipper, the driving means (4), comprising some teeth or projections which may enter between two consecutive blocks for engaging the edge of the curtain. 20. Device according to any one of claims 1 ... 17, characterized in that the curtain (1) is provided at / or near the lateral edges (2), with an articulated chain (15) parallel to these edges (2), the training means (4) being provided with teeth that can be engaged with this chain (15). Device according to any one of claims 1 ... 20, characterized in that the driving means (4) comprise a transmission (16), which can travel along or in some guide ways (18), after a go-and-come motion that cooperates with the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) for its movement between its opening and closing position, respectively. Device according to any one of claims 1 ... 21, characterized in that, when the curtain (1) is in its open position, it is wound around an axis (17), the guide rails (3) extending -is spiral-shaped (18) around it, in a plane perpendicular to it, so that in the opening position of the curtain (1), its lateral edges (2) are maintained in these guides, in spiral shape (18). Device according to claim 22, characterized in that the radial distance between the spiral guide rail spirals (18) is so sized that the overlapping layers of the curtain (1) in the wound position are not reached. Device according to any one of claims 22 or 23, characterized in that the rigid members (5) are mounted in the spiral guide rails (18) so as to allow an angular displacement of a maximum of 100 about the axis. central (25) of the guide ways (18), during their movement along this axis. 25. Device according to claims 23 or 24, characterized in that the driving means (4) comprise at least one telescopic arm (19), working with the end of the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1), located in the part from the central axis. (17) and rotating around it. Device according to claim 25, characterized in that the telescopic arm (19) is mounted transversely on a drive shaft (20), which extends in the direction of the central axis (17) and is fixed by a bar (21) parallel to this 590 595 600 605 610 615 620 625 RO 117273 The shaft (20), the bar (21) working with the side edges (2) of the curtain (1) engaged in the spiral guide ways (18), preferably, by means of a connecting piece (35), fixed, on the one hand, at the curtain (1), and on the other, sliding in relation to the bar (21). Device according to any one of claims 1 ... 26, characterized in that the guide ways (3) comprise two separate fixed portions (3a and 3b) extending one in the extension of the other, a connection being interconnected between them. mobile guide (58), articulated by the edge of one of its openings at the fixed portion (3a) located by the side of the curtain in the opening position, so that it can tilt between a first position, in which this connection (58) is in extension both portions (3a and 3b) of the guide rails (3), and, a second position, in which it is oriented with its opening opposite the hinge, outside the guide rails (3) to allow reintroduction, during the movement of the curtain ( 1) to its opening position, its lateral edges (2), which have been released from the other portion (3b) of the guideways (3), and which, is provided with some means (65), on a part, to maintain and bring the connection (58) into the first position mentioned, when the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) move in their guide ways (3), and, on the other hand, to allow this connection (58) to switch to the second position mentioned for the reintroduction of the lateral edges (2), which have been released from their guide ways (3). 28. Device according to claim 27, characterized in that the connection (58) has the shape of the inner cross-section identical to that of the fixed portions (3a and 3b) of the guide ways (3), so that when the connection (58) is located in the first mentioned position, it forms with these separate fixed portions (3a and 3b) a continuous guide channel. 29. Closure device according to any one of claims 1 ... 28, characterized in that the curtain (1) is substantially stretched between the guide ways (3), at least in its closing position, providing means to allow avoiding, on the one hand, the compression of the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) in the direction of their length at least when moving to the closing position and, on the other hand, of the presence of a stiffening element near the free edge of the curtain from the side of the closing position. 30. Device according to any one of claims 1 ... 29, characterized in that the lateral edges (2) of the curtain (1) are maintained by rubbing in their guide ways so as to prevent the curtain from being able to move. under the action of its own weight, between its opening position and its closing position, when the curtain does not extend horizontally.