WO2005088059A1

WO2005088059A1 - Roller shutter and slat thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2005088059A1
Application number: PCT/CN2005/000331
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ho Man Wong
Original assignee: Time Pacific Engineering Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-03-18
Filing date: 2005-03-17
Publication date: 2005-09-22
Also published as: CN2841926Y; TWM283908U; HK1065438A2

Abstract

A roller shutter (10) includes a number of elongate slats (14) hingedly articulated along longitudinal opposed edges (17 & 18), and a number of elongate .cladding panels (12) each releasably affirmed to a corresponding owe of the elongate slats (14) on the front side. The cladding panels (12) are adapted to receive and display graphic or photographic signage especially for advertising purposes.

Description

ROLLER SHUTTER AND SLAT THEREOF

The present invention relates to roller shutters . More particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to roller shutters comprising a plurality of articulated slats providing a security barrier and bearing a detachable "veneer" for advertisement or decoration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known roller shutters comprise a plurality of articulated slats pivotally interconnected along longitudinal edges forming a screen that is rolled upon a drum and dispensed downwardly from the drum over an opening such as a shop front or entrance. Once the shutter is closed, it is or can be locked at its lower extremity to a floor fixture, or at its edges to a fixture at either or both sides of the opening. In the closed configuration of such shutters , the slats obscure the shop (or other establishment) from public attention, or otherwise simply present an uninteresting facade.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantage and/or more generally to provide an improved roller shutter and a slat thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, there is provided a roller shutter slat module comprising a slat having a front side, an aperture and laterally opposite elongate hinge components by which the slat can be articulated with adjacent slats to form a roller shutter, and a cladding panel releasably locked against the slat on its front side by a locking mechanism that passes through the aperture and engages behind the slat.

Preferably, the slat includes a plurality of said apertures, and the cladding panel includes a plurality of said locking mechanisms each passing through a corresponding one of the apertures .

In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises a locking member that is connected with the cladding panel and is pivotable to engage behind the aperture, thereby locking the panel to the slat.

More preferably, the locking member is pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the cladding panel .

Further more preferably, the slat includes at least one wedge surface, and the locking member includes at least one wedge surface for pressing against the slat wedge surface to hold the cladding panel fixed.

It is preferred that the locking mechanism includes a base to which the locking member is pivotally connected, and the base is connectable to the cladding panel at an adjustable position along its length.

It is further preferred that the cladding panel includes a track with which the base slidably engages.

It is yet further preferred that the track comprises a slot that slidably receives and engages the base.

In a specific construction, the track or slot is substantially T-sectioned.

Preferably, the aperture is substantially rectangular, and the corresponding locking member also has a substantially rectangular shape that is relatively smaller to allow the locking member to pass through the aperture and then to engage therewith upon pivoting.

It is preferred that the front side of the slat is recessed and contains substantially the whole cladding panel when the latter is locked.

The invention also provides a roller shutter comprising a plurality of the aforesaid slat modules, which are hingedly articulated as between adjacent slats along longitudinal edges thereof, with respective cladding panels releasably locked against the slats by the locking mechanisms .

Preferably, the cladding panels are positioned in close proximity as between adjacent panels when the roller shutter is extended in a substantially planar configuration to thereby provide a generally continuous flat surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a roller shutter in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the roller shutter of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front view of the roller shutter of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the roller shutter of Figure 3 ;

Figure 5 is a side view of the roller shutter of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of a slat of the roller shutter of Figure 1 having attached thereto a cladding panel, showing a locking mechanism therefor unlocked;

Figure 7 is a rear perspective view corresponding to Figure 6, showing the locking mechanism locked; Figure 8 is a rear perspective view of the cladding panel with associated locking mechanism of Figure 7 in isolation;

Figure 9 is a rear perspective view of the shutter slat of Figure 6 ;

Figure 10 is a front perspective view of an end of the cladding panel of Figure 6;

Figure 11 is a front perspective view of an end of the shutter slat of Figure 6;

Figure 12 is a front perspective view of the locking mechanism of Figure 6;

Figure 13 is a rear perspective view of the locking, mechanism of Figure 12 when integrated with the cladding panel ;

Figure 14 is a front view of the locking mechanism of Figure 6;

Figure 15 is a side view of the locking mechanism of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is top plan view of the locking mechanism of Figure 14;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the locking mechanism of Figure 14 ; Figure 18 is an end view of the shutter slat and the cladding panel locked thereto by the locking mechanism of Figure 7 ;

Figure 19 is an end view corresponding to Figure 18, showing the shutter slat and cladding panel separated;

Figure 20 is an end view of two articulated slats with respective cladding panels of Figure 18;

Figure 21 is an end view of a similar shutter slat with cladding panel locked thereto;

Figure 22 is an end view of the shutter slat and cladding panel of Figure 21 separated; and

Figure 23 is an end view of two articulated slats with respective cladding panels of Figure 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to Figures 1 to 20 of the drawings, there is shown a roller shutter assembly 10 in which the shutter itself is formed by a plurality of articulated slats 14 that roll out from a drum 11 at the top of an opening such as a garage door opening, shop front or building entrance. Opposite ends of the slats 14 ride along vertical tracks 13 at either side of the opening. Each shutter slat 14 is typically an anodized or powder- coated aluminium extrusion having a recessed front 14' and including an elongate hook 17 along one longitudinal edge and a hook-receiving elongate recess 18 along the other longitudinal edge. Two or more rectangular apertures 15 are cut through the slat 14 by a press prior to the powder- coating process. Each slat 14 includes, on upper and lower sides of its recessed front 14' , a pair of less recessed longitudinal lands 21 just inboard of the hook 17 and recess 18 and, on its rear side, a pair of wedging surfaces 22 behind the lands 21.

Each shutter slat 14 receives upon it a cladding panel 12 within its recessed front 14' , together constituting a slat module of the roller shutter 10. The cladding panels 12 may be made of extruded plastics, anodized or powder-coated aluminium or other material and may be ordered to colour for example. Alternatively, an array of the cladding panels 12 forming the overall visible surface of the closed shutter 10 from the front could receive, or be printed with, segments of a graphic or photographic image or signage for advertising purposes or decoration, etc.

Each cladding panel 12 includes a central track in the form of a T-sectioned groove or slot 19 that extends longitudinally along the rear panel side, and a pair of laterally opposed longitudinal extensions 20 that are considerably thinner than the main body. Locking mechanisms are provided for securing the cladding panels 12 to the corresponding shutter slats 14. Each locking mechanism comprises a rectangular wedge block 16 having opposite end wedge surfaces 25. The wedge block 16 is connected by a pivot pin 24 to a respective lock base 23 that slides into the slot 19 at the back of the respective cladding panel 12. The lock base 23 has a cross-section generally complementary to that of the slot 19 for sliding engagement therewith at an adjustable position there along. The wedge block 16 is pivotable relative to the lock base 23, about an axis that is perpendicular to the panel 12. The lock base 23 may be made of roll-formed steel or extruded aluminium for example, and the wedge block 16 is typically made of PVC or plastic material .

In order to secure the cladding panels 12 to the shutter slats 14 , they are simply placed against the slats 14 with its wedge blocks 16 oriented horizontally (Figure 6) . This allows the wedge blocks 16 to pass through the corresponding apertures 15. The wedge blocks 16 is then pivoted or turned upright through an angle of 90 to engage behind the slat aperture 15, with its wedge surfaces 25 bearing against the slat wedge surfaces 22 of generally complementary profiles, whereby the cladding panels 12 are locked and held fixed in position (Figure 7) . During this 90 angular movement, the wedge blocks 16 will press with their corners against the slat wedge surfaces 22 while snapping past an angle of maximum resistance, whereby the blocks 16 will stay upright as maintained by the slat wedge surfaces 22. While being locked in place upon the respective shutter slat 14, each panel 12 is contained just wholly within the recessed slat front 14' , being set therein and lying flush therewith, with each of its extensions 20 bearing against the respective land 21 of the slat 14. The upper and lower edges of the recessed slat front 14' are made as thin as practically possible such that, when the roller shutter 10 is closed in a planar configuration, the panels 12 are positioned in close proximity as between adjacent panels 12 to thereby provide a near-continuous or generally continuous flat surface for displaying a graphic or advertising image.

The panels 12 can conveniently be unlocked by turning their wedge blocks 16 (in either direction) back to the horizontal orientation, whereupon the wedge blocks 16 are re-aligned with the corresponding slat apertures 15 and thus the panels 12 can be detached from the shutter slats 14. This allows substitution of the panels 12 by another set for changing the appearance or pattern of or advertisement borne by the roller shutter 10, or replacement of any individual panels 12 that are damaged.

Locking and unlocking of the panels 12 relative to the shutter slats 14 are convenient, especially without the need to use any hand tool, and can only be attended to on the rear side i.e. inside the shop or premises by authorized persons.

An alternative structure of the shutter slats 14 and cladding panels 12 is depicted in Figures 21 to 23, with equivalent parts designated by the same reference numerals . In this embodiment of the roller shutter 10, a continuous surface for the receipt of and displaying an unbroken graphic or advertising image is provided. To this end, the bodies of the cladding panels 12 are located partly outside the corresponding shutter slats 14 of generally the same size, with their longitudinally edges between adjacent panels 12 meeting along 26. Slight variations in the shape of the cladding panels 12 with associated locking mechanisms and the shutter slats 14 are evident in these figures, but the general locking and unlocking principle of the panels 12 relative to the slats 14 remains the same as described above.

It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention. For example, the cladding panels can be affixed to the shutter slats by means other than the specific locking mechanisms herein disclosed.

Claims

1. A roller shutter slat module comprising a slat having a front side, an aperture and laterally opposite elongate hinge components by which the slat can be articulated with adjacent slats to form a roller shutter, and a cladding panel releasably locked against the slat on its front side by a locking mechanism that passes through the aperture and engages behind the slat.

2. The shutter slat module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the slat includes a plurality of said apertures , and the cladding panel includes a plurality of said locking mechanisms each passing through a corresponding one of the apertures.

3. The shutter slat module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking member that is connected with the cladding panel and is pivotable to engage behind the aperture, thereby locking the panel to the slat.

4. The shutter slat module as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the locking member is pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the cladding panel .

5. The shutter slat module as claimed in claim 4, wherein the slat includes at least one wedge surface, and the locking member includes at least one wedge surface for pressing against the slat wedge surface to hold the cladding panel fixed.

6. The shutter slat module as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a base to which the locking member is pivotally connected, and the base is connectable to the cladding panel at an adjustable position along its length.

7. The shutter slat module as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the cladding panel includes a track with which the base slidably engages.

8. The shutter slat module as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the track comprises a slot that slidably receives and engages the base.

9. The shutter slat module as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the track or slot is substantially T-sectioned.

10. The shutter slat module as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the aperture is substantially rectangular, and the locking member also has a substantially rectangular shape that is relatively smaller to allow the locking member to pass through the aperture and then to engage therewith upon pivoting.

11. The shutter slat module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front side of the slat is recessed and contains substantially the whole cladding panel when the latter is locked.

12. A roller shutter comprising a plurality of the slat modules as claimed in claim 1 , which are hingedly articulated as between adjacent slats along longitudinal edges thereof, with respective cladding panels releasably locked against the slats by the locking mechanisms .

13. The roller shutter as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the cladding panels are positioned in close proximity as between adjacent panels when the roller shutter is extended in a substantially planar configuration to thereby provide a generally continuous flat surface.