WO2009061184A1

WO2009061184A1 - Roller shutter having a smooth outer surface

Info

Publication number: WO2009061184A1
Application number: PCT/NL2008/050694
Authority: WO
Inventors: Allegonda Petronella Gerarda Beulen
Original assignee: Beulen Allegonda Petronella Ge
Priority date: 2007-11-05
Filing date: 2008-11-04
Publication date: 2009-05-14
Also published as: NL2000982C2

Abstract

A roller shutter comprises a series of links (2), each of which has a link plate (7) which determines two main surfaces (10, 11), two opposite longitudinal edges (8, 9) and two opposite transverse edges (12, 13), as well as eccentric hinge parts (4-6) which are situated near the longitudinal edges (8, 9), in each case two links (7) being hingedly connected to one another by means of the hinge parts (4-6), which series of links (2) can be brought into a rolled-up state, in which the links (2) are rotated with respect to one another, and an unrolled state in which the links (2) determine a substantially flat plane. Closure means (18) are provided on the longitudinal edges (8, 9), by means of which the link plates (7) are closed off with respect to one another in the unrolled, flat state of the series of link plates (7).

Description

Roller shutter having a smooth outer surface

The invention relates to a roller shutter, comprising a series of links, each of which has a link plate which determines two main surfaces, two opposite longitudinal edges and two opposite transverse edges, as well as eccentric hinge parts which are situated near the longitudinal edges, in each case two links being hingedly connected to one another by means of the hinge parts, which series of links can be brought into a rolled-up state, in which the links are rotated in an identical first direction with respect to one another, and an unrolled state in which the links determine a substantially flat plane.

A roller shutter of this type is known, and is often used to close off relatively large openings in buildings, such as window displays and the like. An important purpose of the roller shutters is to protect the space behind, such as window displays and the like, banking institutions. The roller shutters therefore have to offer a high degree of resistance to attempted burglaries, in particular to so-called ram raids in which a vehicle is used to force the roller shutter open.

For this reason, the known roller shutters are quite heavy in structure, which in turn results in aesthetic problems. Particularly in shopping streets where a certain appearance is desired that is in line with the kind of shops which are established there, a closed roller shutter which can withstand ram raids looks out of place.

In addition, the roller shutters quickly become dirty as a result of being exposed to the elements, but also as a result of illegal texts, graffiti and the like. A further drawback is the fact that rain water can easily penetrate via die hinged connections between the links.

Another drawback of the known roller shutters is the fact that they have a poor insulating value. This is caused by the fact that gaps are left between the hinge parts engaging with one another, through which air can flow freely.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a roller shutter of the type described above which does not have these drawbacks. This object is achieved by the fact that closure means are provided on the longitudinal edges by means of which the link plates are closed with respect to one another in the unrolled, flat state of the series of link plates.

Such closure means for the roller shutter have considerable advantages. Firstly, they result in a more aesthetic appearance of the roller shutter compared to the known embodiment with interruptions between the links. The seal between the links is also significantly improved, so that wind and dirt can no longer pass between the slats. The roller shutters are also significantly more burglar-proof, as the smooth, closed surface of the roller shutter has considerably fewer points of engagement Furthermore, the insulating value of the roller shutter is improved as fewer or no gaps are exposed to the ambient air.

Connecting the closure means to one another in the desired manner is facilitated by the eccentric position of the hinge parts, which are situated, for example, on one of the main surfaces of the link plate and which are turned away from the other main surface.

The closure means of the roller shutter according to the invention can be designed in many different ways. According to a first possible embodiment, the closure means comprise end faces which are situated on the longitudinal edges of the link plates.

The links can bear against one another by means of these end faces. However, if the hinged connections between the links allow some play, they can also be kept a slight distance apart by not allowing the roller shutter to rest on the bottom edge but to keep it suspended from the winding shaft In this context, it is important that, as a result of this play of the hinged connections between the links, the links can also be hinged clockwise with respect to the completely flat position, as illustrated in Fig. 1. hi this case, the links can therefore be rolled up into a box which is situated on the outer side of the outer surface of the roller shutter. However, in the situation illustrated in Fig. 1, the roller shutter is rolled up into a box which is situated on the rear side of the roller shutter.

If the end faces of the links lie on top of and against one another, a good seal is ensured. This seal can be improved further by directing the end faces obliquely, viewed in a cross section which is at right angles to the pivot axes of the hinge parts. The seal against rain, dirt and the like can be improved still further by directing the one oblique end face of the link plates away from the hinge parts and directing the other oblique end face towards the hinge parts. As a result thereof, in the unrolled state of the series, the lower oblique end face of a link may be directed towards the main surface which is turned towards the hinge parts, which lower oblique end face covers the higher end face of the lower link.

According to yet another embodiment, the one end face of the link plate can be convex and the other end face can be concave. The lower end face is preferably concave; the lower concave end face can then cover the higher end face of the lower link. Alternatively, the end faces can also be designed to be bent.

In the above-described embodiment, the sealing between the links is achieved by allowing the end faces to bear against one another. However, other ways of sealing are also possible. By way of example of another sealing, a flexible element is mentioned which is situated between the link plates. In that case, the end faces of the link plates themselves do not have to bear against one another in order to achieve a sealing effect, but they can be at some distance to one another while enclosing the flexible element.

In a known manner, the hinge parts may comprise bushes which extend along the end faces distributed at regular intervals one behind the other. The bushes on one of the end faces are offset with respect to the bushes on the other end face of a link in such a manner that the bushes of two neighbouring links intermate with one another. Hinge pins may be accommodated in the intermating bushes. The number of bushes on each end face may vary. There may, for example, be two bushes per end face, but also three, four, five, six and so forth. Preferably, links arc used in each case which have the same number of bushes per end face, but this is not compulsory.

In a particular embodiment, the hinge pins can be accommodated in the bushes with some play. With this variant, it is not only possible to rotate the links from the flat plane in said first direction with respect to one another, but also in the opposite direction from the flat plane. This is particularly useful for roller shutters in which the box, in which the roller shutter is to be accommodated, protrudes outwards with respect to the opening in the faςade which is closed off by the roller shutter. When moving the links upwards, these have to be rotated backwards with respect to one another first, before they can be wound onto the winding shaft in the opposite direction.

The play which this requires between the bushes and the hinge pins can be achieved in various ways. In a particular embodiment, the bushes may to this end, on at least one of the end faces, each determine a cavity having an elongate shape, viewed in the direction from the one longitudinal edge to the other longitudinal edge, in such a manner that the links can be rotated with respect to one another from the flat plane in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction. Of course, it is also possible to provide the bushes on both longitudinal edges with such an elongate shape, but this is not compulsory.

In order to limit the maximum angular rotation of the links with respect to one another in the second direction from the flat plane, stop means may be provided which determine a maximum angular rotation of the links with respect to one another in the second direction. In particular, each of the links may comprise a stop face on both longitudinal edges, which stop faces are obliquely directed at different angles, viewed in cross section of the links, with the difference in angles being equal to the maximum angle through which the links can be rotated with respect to one another in the second direction from the flat plane.

In the above description, mention is made of links, each of which is provided on both longitudinal edges with a shaped end face. Said stop faces may be situated next to said end faces, viewed in cross section of the links. Preferably, the stop faces are situated on the outer side of the link, that is to say on that side which is turned away from the side with respect to which the bushes protrude.

In the known embodiment, rows of links are provided, the transverse edges of which abut one another, hi order to further improve the sealing of the roller shutter, the transverse edges of the links may be provided with closure means. Thus, for example, there may be in each case a lip situated on one of the transverse edges of each link, which lip extends over the transverse edge of a neighbouring link. Furthermore, each of the links can comprise an auxiliary plate which extends next to the main surface of the link plate in which the hinge parts are situated. The links are preferably made of transparent plastic material.

The hinge pins of the binge parts may be oriented horizontally; according to an alternative embodiment, the hinge pins can, however, be oriented vertically, in such a manner that the hinges can be unrolled and rolled up next to one another.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a vertical cross section of a first variant of a roller shutter according to the invention, along I— I in Fig.5; Figs. 2, 3 and 4 show alternative details of the roller shutter;

Fig. 5 shows a front view of a part of the roller shutter;

Figs. 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d show alternatives for the connection in the cross section along

VI-VI from Fig.5;

Fig. 7 shows a second variant of the roller shutter; Fig. g shows a third variant of the roller shutter;

Fig. 9 shows a fourth variant of the roller shutter;

Rgs. 10a, 1 Ob and 10c show the cross sections along X-X in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 shows a cross section through a variant of a link for a roller shutter;

Fig. 12 shows an enlarged view XIl as illustrated in Fig. 13, of an assembly comprising two links from Fig. 11, rotated in the opposite direction;

Fig. 13 shows an example of a use of the links from Figs. 11 and 12;

Fig. 14 shows the cross section along XTV in Fig. 13;

Figs. 15 and 16 show further embodiments in perspective;

Fig. 17 shows a fifth variant of the roller shutter.

The roller shutter illustrated in Fig. 5 comprises a series of rows, which are denoted overall by reference numeral 1, of links 2. These rows 1 are rotatably connected to one another by hinged connections 3. Each link comprises a link plate 7 having two longitudinal edges 8, 9, two main surfaces 10, 11 (front surface 10 and rear surface 11), as well as two transverse edges 12, 13. Bushes 4 are provided near the longitudinal edges 8 which are at the top in Fig. S, and the bushes S are provided near the bottom longitudinal edges 9. Furthermore, each link 2 has an auxiliary plate 16 which extends next to the main surface 11, parallel to the link plate 7. Such a double-walled design of the links 2 provides a relatively high degree of strength as well as a good insulating effect. This insulating effect is optimized if the link plate 7 and the auxiliary plate 16 are connected to one another by a partition 18 at their transverse edges 12, 13, in such a manner that a closed space is formed between the link plate 7, the auxiliary plate 16 and the two partitions 18 which are situated on the transverse edges 12, 13.

Together with the hinge pins 6, the intermating bushes 4, S form a hinged connection 3. As is illustrated in Figs. 1 - 4, the internal dimensions of the bushes 4, 5 are slightly larger than the outer dimensions of the hinge pins 6. When the roller shutter is unrolled or rolled up, this creates a slight distance between opposite end faces 19, 20 at their longitudinal edges 8, 9. However, as soon as the roller shutter is completely unrolled and the bottom row 1 rests on its stop, the pairs of end faces 19, 20 will however come to rest on one another, as is illustrated in Rg. 3. This play can be achieved by making the inside of the bushes elongate, or by giving the bushes an excess circular shape with respect to the hinge pins 6. However, it is also possible to make the inside of the bushes 4, 5 cylindrical in such a manner that the hinge pins 6 fit into the latter with little play.

As is illustrated in Fig. 1, the link plates 7 extend up to approximately halfway along the bushes 4, 5. As these bushes 4, S are also situated outside the link plates 7, that is to say touching the one main surface 11, the link plates 7 of neighbouring links 2 can touch one another in the unrolled state, as is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The outer surface of the unrolled roller shutter is thus completely flat and reliably sealed against rain, dirt and the like.

In the variant from Figs. 1 and 2, the end faces 19, 20 are bevelled, so that a rooftile- like cover is produced which further prevents dirt and liquids from penetrating. In the variant from Fig. 3, the end faces 19' are convex and the end faces 20' concave. This also contributes to a good sealing. In the variant from Fig. 4, the end faces 19", 20" are of bent design.

In the variants from Figs. 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d, the seals are shown between the two links 2 of a row 1. These links 2 have closure means 14 in the form of lips IS which overlap. According to the variants from Figs. 6b and 6d, in each case one of the lips 15 has a thickening 17; according to the variant from Fig. 6d, both lips IS of each link 2 have a thickening 17. The links 2 are supported by these thickenings 17 when they are rolled up and unrolled. The variants from Figs. 6a and 6b furthermore have offset and overlapping transverse edges 12, 13; the variants from Figs. 6c and 6d have straight transverse edges.

In the above description, a roller shutter is described in which the hinge pins of the hinge parts are oriented horizontally. According to the alternative embodiment from Fig.7, these may also be oriented vertically.

In the variant from Fig. 8, a roller shutter is illustrated which has a single wall, and thus only has the link plate 7, but no auxiliary plate 16. In this variant as well, the bushes 4 are positioned eccentrically with respect to the link plate 7, in particular only on the main surface 11 thereof. Ih this variant, the end faces 19, 20 can come to lie sealingly against one another as well in order to provide a completely water-tight surface in the unrolled state of the roller shutter. Although Fig. 8 shows the oblique end faces 8, 9, these end faces may also have other shapes, for example the concave/convex shape illustrated in Fig. 3, the pointed shape illustrated in Fig.4, etc.

In the embodiment illustrated in Rg. 5, the links 2 are offset with respect to one another. However, it is also possible to place the links 2 in rows one above the other. It is also possible to offset the links 2 with respect to one another in a manner other than symmetrical, as is illustrated in Fig. 5. In the non-symmetrically offset position of the links 2, the transverse edges 12, 13 are not at the centre of the links 2 in a neighbouring row 1 , but offset with respect to the centre. In the variant from Fig. 9, the links 2 do not overlap by half, but by a quarter/three- quarter. The advantage of this embodiment is that the external appearance of the roller shutter becomes simpler. The links from neighbouring rows can also be arranged one directly above the other without overlapping, as is illustrated in the variant from Fig. 17.

In Figs. 10a, 10b and 10c, the cross sections along X-X are illustrated, in accordance with the variants from Figs. 6a. 6b and 6c. The link plates 7 and the auxiliary plate 16 are connected to one another by means of the transverse edges 12, 13 in such a manner that a closed internal space is produced. Said internal space is also closed at the top side and bottom side of the links 2. The insulating effect of the links 2 designed in this way is thus increased.

Fig. 12 shows a link, the bushes S of which, on the bottom longitudinal edge 9, have a cavity 24 with an elongate shape, viewed in the direction from the one longitudinal edge 9 to the other longitudinal edge 8. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the bushes 4 on the top longitudinal edge 8 have a cylindrical cavity 25, but it is also possible for the bushes on the bottom longitudinal edge to have a cylindrical shape and the bushes on the top longitudinal edge to have an elongate shape, and/or for the bushes on both longitudinal edges to have an elongate shape-

Like the above-described links 2, the link illustrated in Fig. 11 has a top, oblique end face 19 and a bottom, correspondingly oblique end face 20. In the state in which the links 2 from Fig. 11 rest on top of one another in a flat plane, said end faces 19, 20 sealingly adjoin one another in the manner described above. In addition to these end faces 19, 20, the links comprise stop faces 22, 23. As is illustrated in Fig. 11, the angle with respect to the vertical of the stop face 22 is smaller than that of the stop face 23. The difference between these angles determines the pivot angle through which the links can pivot backwards with respect to one another, as is illustrated in Fig. 12. In Fig. 12, the stop face 23 of a top link bears against the stop face 22 of a bottom link.

The purpose of this embodiment is illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14, which show the roller shutter arranged in front of an opening, such as an entrance 27 in a facade 28. The box 29 containing the connecting rod 30 for the roller shutter is arranged on the outside of the faςade 29. Therefore, the links 2 have to be able to bend backwards slightly when they approach the box 29 and the winding shaft 30, in the manner shown in Fig. 12. As soon as the links 2 then reach the winding shaft 30, they can be wound onto the winding shaft in the opposite direction.

This movement of the links is guided by the guide rails 26 which are known per se and which are attached on either side of the roller shutter on the faςade. These have a, for example, U-shaped cross section, as is illustrated in Fig. 14, through which the hinge pins 6 and the links extend and are displaceably guided. Fig. IS shows that the guide rails 26 may have inwardly projecting flanges, behind which the widened head 28 is in each case attached at the end of the hinge pins. This embodiment provides a locking of the hinge pins with respect to the guide rails, in such a manner that the shutter remains in place even in the case of significant frontal loads ("ram raid"). The embodiment in Fig. 16 shows that the widened head can also be omitted.

list of reference numerals

1. Row

2. Link 3. Hinged connection

4. Bush

5. Bush

6. Hinge pin

7. Link plate 8. Longitudinal edge

9. Longitudinal edge

10. Main surface

11. Main surface

12. Transverse edge 13. Transverse edge

14. Transverse edge of closure means 15. Up

16. Auxiliary plate

17. Thickening 18. Closure means

19. End face

20. End face

21. Partition

Claims

1. Roller shutter, comprising a series of links (2), each of which has a link plate (7) which determines two main surfaces (10, 11), two opposite longitudinal edges (8,

S 9) and two opposite transverse edges (12, 13), as well as eccentric hinge parts (4-

6) which are situated near the longitudinal edges (8, 9), in each case two links (2) being hingedly connected to one another by means of the binge parts (4-6), which series of links (2) can be brought into a rolled-up state, in which the links (2) are rotated in an identical first direction with respect to one another, and an unrolled0 state in which the links (2) determine a substantially flat plane, characterized in that closure means (18) are provided on the longitudinal edges (8, 9), by means of which the link plates (7) are closed off with respect to one another in the unrolled, flat state of the series of link plates (7). S 2. Roller shutter according to Claim 1, in which the hinge parts (4-6) are completely on one (11) of the main surfaces of the link plate (7) and are turned away from the other main surface (10).

3. Roller shutter according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the closure means (18)0 comprise end faces (19, 20; 19', 20'; 19", 20") which are situated on the longitudinal edges (8, 9) of the link plates (7).

4. Roller shutter according to Claim 3, in which the end faces (19, 20) are directed obliquely, viewed in a cross section which is at right angles to the pivot axes of5 the hinge parts (4-6).

5. Roller shutter according to Claim 4, in which the one oblique end face (19) of the link plates (7) is directed away from the hinge parts (4-6) and the other oblique end face (9) is directed towards the hinge parts (4-6). 0

6. Roller shutter according to Claims 3 or 4, in which the end faces (8", 9") have a bent cross-sectional shape.

7. Roller shutter according to Claims 3 or 4, in which the one end face (9') of the link plate (7) is convex in cross section and the other end face (8') is concave.

8. Roller shutter according to one of Claims 3-7, in which the distance between both end faces (8, 9; 8', 9') of each link (2) is substantially equal to the distance between the centre axis of the hinge parts (4-6) thereof.

9. Roller shutter according to one of Claims 3-8, in which the thickness of each end face (8, 9; 8', 9'; 8", 9") is constant in the direction of the pivot axis of the hinge parts (4-6).

10. Roller shutter according to one of the preceding claims, in which the closure means comprise a flexible element which extends along the longitudinal edges (8, 9).

11. Roller shutter according to one of the preceding claims, in which the hinge parts comprise bushes (4, 5) which extend along the longitudinal edges (8, 9) distributed at regular intervals one behind the other, and the bushes (4, S) on one of the end faces are offset with respect to the bushes on the other end face of a link (7) in such a manner that the bushes (4, S) of two neighbouring links (7) intermate with one another.

12. Roller shutter according to Claim 11 , in which hinge pins (6) are accommodated in the intermating bushes (4, S).

13. Roller shutter according to Claim 12, in which the hinge pins (6) are accommodated in the bushes (4, 5) with some play.

14. Roller shutter according to Claim 12 or 13, in which the bushes, on at least one of the end faces, each determine a cavity having an elongate shape, viewed in the direction from the one longitudinal edge to the other longitudinal edge, in such a manner that the links can be rotated with respect to one another from the flat plane in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

15. Roller shutter according to Claim 14, in which stop means are provided which determine a maximum angular rotation of the links with respect to one another in the second direction.

16. Roller shutter according to Claim IS, in which each of the links comprises a stop face on both longitudinal edges, which stop faces are directed obliquely at different angles, viewed in cross section of the links, with the difference in angles being equal to the maximum angle through which the links can be rotated with respect to one another in the second direction from the flat plane.

17. Roller shutter according to Claim 16 if dependent on one of Claims 3-9, in which in each case one stop face is situated next to each end face, viewed in cross section of the links.

18. Roller shutter according to one of the preceding claims, in which rows (1) of links (7) are provided, the transverse edges (12, 13) of which abut one another.

19. Roller shutter according to Claim 18, in which the transverse edges (12, 13) of the links (7) are provided with closure means (14).

20. Roller shutter according to Claim 18 or 19, in which a lip (15) is in each case situated on one of the transverse edges (12, 13) of each link (7), which lip (15) extends over the transverse edge of a neighbouring link (7).

21. Roller shutter according to one of the preceding claims, in which each of the links (2) comprises an auxiliary plate (16) which extends next to the main surface (11) of the link plate (7) in which the hinge parts (4-6) are situated.

22. Roller shutter according to Claim 21, in which the link plate (7) and the auxiliary plate (16) of each link (2) are connected to one another at their transverse edges (12, 13) by in each case a partition (21), in such a manner that the space between the link plate (7), the auxiliary plate (16) and the two partitions (21) is closed.

23. Roller shutter according to Claim 21 or 22, in which the link plate (7), the auxiliary plate (16) and the transverse edges (12, 13) of each link (2) enclose a closed internal space.

24. Roller shutter according to one of Claims 18-23, in which at least one of the transverse edges (12, 13) of the links is provided with a thickening (17).

25. Roller shutter according to one of the preceding claims, in which the links (7) are made of transparent plastic material.

26. Roller shutter according to one of the preceding claims, in which the pivot axes of the hinge parts (4-6) are horizontal.

27. Roller shutter according to Claim 5 and 26, in which in the unrolled state of the series, the lower oblique end face (9) of a link (7) is directed towards the main surface (11) which is turned towards the hinge parts (4-6), which lower oblique end face (9) covers the higher end face (8) of the lower link (7).

28. Roller shutter according to Claim 7, in which, in the unrolled state, the lower end face (8^?) is concave, which lower concave end face (8') covers the adjacent end face (9') of the lower link (7).

29. Roller shutter according to one of Claims 1-25, in which the pivot axes of the hinge parts (4-6) are vertical.