WO2010048783A1

WO2010048783A1 - Security shutter

Info

Publication number: WO2010048783A1
Application number: PCT/CN2009/001193
Authority: WO
Inventors: Man Hing Yip
Original assignee: Time Pacific Engineering Ltd.
Priority date: 2008-10-27
Filing date: 2009-10-26
Publication date: 2010-05-06
Also published as: CN201620735U; HK1122186A2; TWM392244U

Abstract

A sectional shutter assembly for the security of an architectural opening includes a plurality of sections (1) which in the closed position are stacked edgewise one upon the other and which in the open position are suspended with opposing major surfaces (8) adjacent one another. Each section comprises at least one panel (10) having opposing longitudinal edges (11), with an extruded edge rail (13) fastened to each of the longitudinal edges, each edge rail (13) having first and second elongate and opposing sides (14,15). An illuminated display (72, 75) is provided in one of the sections with an electric circuit for supplying power thereto. The first side (14) faces the panel and includes parallel recesses (16-18), each with inwardly projecting lip surfaces (22, 23, 22a, 23a, 22b, 23b) formed on opposing sides of a mouth of the recess. The edges are retained directly in the recess (17) or a connector strip (34) retained in the recess receives the edges with the lip portions cooperating with longitudinal edges of each panel or the connector strip. The second side (15) has an abutment surface (27) for abutting with an abutment surface of a further edge rail adjacent the edge rail. The abutment surface has rotational symmetry about a longitudinally-extending axis and includes an elongate concavity (28) and a complementary elongate convexity (29), and an elongate rib (30) at a side of the edge rail.

Description

SECURITY SHUTTER

Technical field

The present invention relates to shutter assemblies for the security of architectural openings such as doors and windows.

Background of the Invention

Malicious damage and theft represents a substantial burden for many businesses and physical security such as shutters is a primary barrier and deterrent to intruders and vandals. However manufacturers of security shutters must consider not only cost and security levels, but also appearance, since retail businesses often face the problem of pleasing building owners, who require light and attractive shop frontages even outside normal business hours.

Sectional lifting shutters are commonly used in retail and other applications, and with the sections supported in vertical guides they can be lifted and lowered manually or electrically.

Advantageously the roller or magazine which receives the sections when the shutter is in its open position may be recessed into the building structure above the opening for improved appearance.

An important consideration in the cost of security shutters is that they must be designed to be readily adjustable in size prior to assembly, so as to be easily tailored for particular installations. To achieve this, there is also a need to be able to provide a number of design variants with a minimum number of parts, providing a degree of modularity with the parts. It is an object of the present invention to address the above needs or, more generally, to provide an improved security shutter.

Disclosure of the Invention

In one aspect the invention provides a modular shutter for closing an architectural opening, the shutter including: a plurality of sections which in the closed position abut edgewise with one another and which are elongated to extend over the opening and are guided laterally in guide channels, the sections having opposing major surfaces and wherein the sections can be lifted into an open position in which the sections are received in a magazine, wherein each section comprises a pair of parallel edge rails, each edge rail having first and second elongate and opposing sides, the first sides facing one another, each first side including elongate recesses, the second sides each having an abutment surface for abutting with an abutment surface of a further edge rail adjacent the edge rail, the abutment surface having rotational symmetry about a longitudinally-extending axis and including an elongate concavity and a complementary elongate convexity, and at least one first panel extending between the edge rails, the first member having opposing longitudinal edges engaged in the recesses.

Preferably the shutter further includes an illuminated display means received in a first of the sections, a supply circuit connectable to an electricity supply for providing power to the illuminated display, at least one conductor rail disposed on one of the guide channels and electrically connected in the power supply circuit, and a contact electrically connected in the power supply circuit and mounted to the first section for making electrical contact with the conductor rail. Preferably the shutter further includes an elongate flexible member connected to the end of each section and wherein in the closed position the sections are stacked edgewise one upon the other and are lifted into the open position in which the sections are received in the magazine with the major surfaces adjacent one another.

The illuminated display may include, for example, a backlit transparency or a light-emitting digital display. The elongate flexible member is preferably a chain, but may also be a rope or the like.

Preferably the second side further include an elongate rib at a side of the edge rail, the rib having an outer surface extending generally between the first and second sides and aligned substantially parallel to a plane of the panel, the rib extending between the outer surface and the concavity. Preferably each of the elongate recesses in the edge rails has an inwardly projecting lip portion formed on a side of a mouth of the recess, and the at least one panel has a head of a shape complementary to the elongate recesses such that the lip portions cooperate with longitudinal edges of the head to retain and fasten the edge rails to the panel. Preferably the shutter further includes at least one second panel having opposing longitudinal edges, and at least one connector strip receiving the longitudinal edges of the panel, the connector strip having shape complementary to the at least one elongate recess such that the lip portions cooperate with connector strip to retain and fasten the connector strip to the second panel. Preferably the shutter further includes at least one translucent panel substantially covering one side of the illuminated display, first and second extruded mounting members, the mounting members being substantially longitudinally coextensive with the edge rails for fastening the illuminated display to each of the edge rails, the first mounting member including an elongate head slidingly received within the recess, the head having a shape complementary to the recess such that the lip portions retain the head and fasten the first member to the edge rail, the second mounting member including a plurality of flanges defining substantially parallel channels for receiving panel-shaped members comprising the illuminated display and aligned substantially parallel to said at least one panel Preferably in the closed position the sections are stacked edgewise one upon the other and are lifted into the open position in which the sections are received in a magazine with the major surfaces adjacent one another, and the second side further includes an elongate rib at a side of the edge rail.

Preferably the rib has an outer surface extending generally between the first and second sides and aligned substantially parallel to a plane of the panel, the rib extending between the outer surface and the concavity.

Preferably, with the sections in the closed position, each rib on the outermost side of the shutter protrudes downwardly to cover a part of the adjacent edge rail for weathertightness. Preferably the concavity and convexity include arcuate surfaces connected tangentially to a planar portion of the abutment face that is inclined acutely to the outer surface of the rib such that in the closed position gravity urges abutting edge rails together. Preferably the rib has a tapered edge and the edge rail further includes an elongate channel for receiving the tapered edge of an adjacent edge rail in the open position. Preferably said at least one elongate recess includes first and second edge recesses provided either side of a central recess in the first sides, each recess having inwardly projecting lip surfaces formed on opposing sides of the mouth of the respective recess. Preferably the connector strip includes: a central portion of complementary shape to the central recess; a waist portion on the central portion which is received in the mouth of the central recess; opposing shoulder surfaces for engaging the lip surfaces of the central recess to retain the strip; a slot for receiving the panel, and flanges extending either side of the slot for covering the mouths of the edge recesses. Preferably the sections are laterally connected by conveyor chains running over support wheels and in the open position the sections are individually suspended adjacent one another on tracks of the magazine.

In one embodiment each section includes two substantially parallel first panels, the opposing longitudinal edges of at least one of the first panel having a shape complementary to, and received within, a respective one of the edge recesses and wherein the at least one first panel has an outer surface substantially coplanar with a respective one of the outer rib surfaces.

In this embodiment sheet material, such as advertisements or pictures, may be fixed to the inner or outer faces of either of the panels.

Preferably the shutter further includes a lowermost section which, in the closed position, rests upon a substantially horizontal surface and abuts an adjacent one of said plurality of sections, the lowermost section comprises at least one panel having opposing longitudinal edges, with an extruded edge rail and bottom rail fastened to an uppermost and lowermost of the longitudinal edges respectively, the edge rail and bottom rail having first and second elongate and opposing sides, the first sides of the edge rail and bottom rail each facing toward the panel and including at least one elongate recess respectively, with inwardly projecting lip surfaces formed on opposing sides of a mouth of the recess whereby the longitudinal edges of each panel have a shape complementary to the recess, or a connector strip receiving the longitudinal edges of each panel has a shape complementary to the recess, such that the lip portions cooperate with longitudinal edges of each panel or the connector strip to retain and fasten the edge rails to the panels, the second side of the edge rail having an abutment surface for abutting with an abutment surface of a further edge rail adjacent the edge rail, the abutment surface having rotational symmetry about a longitudinally-extending axis and including an elongate concavity and a complementary elongate convexity, the second side further including an elongate rib at a side of the edge rail, and the second side of the bottom rail including a pair of legs for engaging the horizontal surface.

The illuminated display may comprise a backlit graphic, an array of light emitters such as an LED display, a liquid crystal display, or the like. Preferably cooperating electrical contacts are mounted within the guide channel and in the section for supplying power to operate the illuminated display.

Preferably the edges of the flanges on the second mounting member are substantially coplanar for abutting a substantially planar edge of the illuminated display. Preferably the first mounting member defines a elongate transversely-opening channel which is located adjacent the edge rail when the head is received within the central recess of the edge rail and the second mounting member includes a pair of substantially parallel tongues received in the transversely-opening channel. Preferably the fasteners are located between the tongues. This invention provides a shutter which is effective and efficient in operational use and which, with the use of transparent panels or illuminated displays, can be used to provide light and attractive shop frontages. By its modularity a number of design variants may be economically constructed with a minimum number of parts having an overall simple design which minimizes manufacturing costs and maximizes performance.

Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a pictorial view of a lifting shutter according to the present invention in a closed position; Figure 2 is a pictorial view of a section of the lifting shutter of Fig. 1 ;

Figures 3a-3d are schematic transverse sections illustrating successive stages in an opening or closing operation of the lifting shutter of Fig. 1 ;

Figure 4 is an end view of an edge rail of the section of Fig. 2;

Figure 5 is an end view of two edge rails nested together; Figure 6 is an end view of a connector strip for engaging the edge rail of Fig. 4;

Figure 7 is an end view of a first extruded mounting member for engaging the edge rail of

Fig. 4;

Figure 8 is an end view of a second extruded mounting member for engaging the member of Fig. 7; Figure 9 is an end view of the bottom rail of the lowermost section of the lifting shutter of

Fig. 1 ;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary end view of the lowermost section of the lifting shutter of Fig. 1 ;

Figure 11 is an end view of a second embodiment of the section / lowermost section of a lifting shutter according to the present invention; Figure 12 is a fragmentary end view of the panel of the section of Fig. 11 ;

Figure 13 is an end view of a third embodiment of the section / lowermost section of a lifting shutter according to the present invention;

Figure 14 is an end view of a fourth embodiment of the section / lowermost section of a lifting shutter according to the present invention; Figure 15 is a partially exploded isometric view of a frame of a fifth embodiment of the section of a lifting shutter according to the present invention;

Figure 16 is an exploded view of a corner joint in the frame of Fig. 15;

Figure 17 is an end view of a bar of the frame of Fig. 15;

Figure 18 is a schematic side view of part of the lifting shutter of Fig. 1 ; Figure 19 is a schematic front view of the part of lifting shutter of Fig. 18, and Figure 20 is a schematic vertical cross-section through the guide and one end of the lifting shutter of Fig. 1.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Fig 1 , a lifting shutter for closing a door or window opening, or the like, includes a plurality of generally rectangular sections 1 stacked edgewise one upon the other and which, in the closed position illustrated, are elongated to extend over the width of the opening, spanning between a pair of linear guide channels 2 that extend downwardly from a magazine 3. The guide channels 2 are parallel, serving to laterally guide the sections 1 , the lateral edges of which are received therein (as described more fully below with reference to Figs. 15-17). Below the sections 1 is a lowermost section 4 which, when the shutter is used to close a door, is supported upon a horizontal surface at or adjacent the floor level. As seen in Fig. 2, a first embodiment of the section 1 , includes a rectangular transparent thermoplastic panel 10 having opposing longitudinal edges 11 parallel to a longitudinal axis 12. Fixed to each of the longitudinal edges 11 is a like extruded edge rail 13. The edge rails 13 are shaped and mounted such that the section 1 has rotational symmetry (but not line symmetry) i.e. the section 1 is rotationally symmetric about the longitudinal axis 12. Each edge rail 13 has first and second elongate and opposing sides 14 and 15 facing toward and away from the panel 10 respectively.

Referring to Figs 3a-3d, the closed position of the shutter is schematically shown in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3d schematically illustrates the open position of the shutter in which the lowermost section 4 is retracted within the magazine 3. The sections 1 , 4 are laterally connected by a conveyor chain 5 received within each guide 2 and running over support wheel 6. The length of chain connecting adjacent sections 1 , 5 is longer that the spacing between attachment points on the sections when in the closed position so as to allow adjacent sections to be separated vertically and disengaged form one another, before the attachment point passes about the wheel 6 to translate the engaged section horizontally. A roller (not shown - see Fig. 15) is mounted at each end of each the sections 1 , 5 coaxially with a longitudinal axis of the section for engagement with the guide channels 2. As the shutter is opened, after being translated horizontally by rotation of the wheels 6, the rollers are supported upon tracks 7 sloping away from the wheels 6 such that the sections 1 hang suspended from the tracks 7. In this way the sections 1 , 5 are stacked individually within the magazine 3 with the major faces 8 of the sections 1 , 5 substantially upright and adjacent one another.

Figs 4 and 5, illustrate the shape of the edge rail 13 which is preferably extruded from aluminium. Referring to the end views shown, the first side 14 includes first and second edge recesses 16, 17 on either side of a central recess 18. These elongate recesses 16- 18 have respective adjacent mouths 19-21 opening toward the first side 14 such at least one receives a panel. Lip surfaces 22, 23 project inwardly from opposing sides of the mouth 19 of the edge recess 16. Likewise lip surfaces 22a, 23a project inwardly from opposing sides of the mouth 20 and lip surfaces 22b, 23b from opposing sides of the mouth 21. The recesses 16-18 are positioned generally symmetrically about the plane 24 in which the longitudinally extending circular aperture 25 lies and which extend substantially parallel to a plane of the panel(s).

The second side 15 has an abutment surface 27 which is best seen in Fig. 5, which shows the respective abutment surfaces 27 of edge rail 13 and adjacent inverted edge rail 13' nested together, generally in mutual engagement. The abutment surface 27 has 180 degree rotational symmetry about a longitudinally-extending axis and includes an elongate arcuate concavity 28 and a complementary arcuate convexity 29. The concavity 28 and convexity 29 are connected tangentially by a planar portion 28a of the abutment face 27 that is inclined acutely to the outer surface 31 such that in the closed position gravity urges abutting edge rails together. The second side 15 further includes an elongate rib 30 at a side of the edge rail 13. The rib 30 has a planar outer surface 31 extending parallel to the plane 24 between the first and second sides 14, 15. At its inner end, the rib 30 extends between the outer surface 31 and the concavity 28 while its outer end has a tapered edge 32 joining the abutment surface 27. The edge rail 13 includes an elongate channel 33 for receiving the tapered edge 32 of an adjacent edge rail. Fig. 6 shows an extruded connector strip 34 used for connecting the panel 10 to the edge rails 13 in the section shown in Fig. 2. The connector strip 34 has a central portion 35, of complementary shape to the central recess 18, and including a slot 36 for receiving the panel 10. The central portion 35 further includes a waist portion 37 received in the mouth 20 and having opposing shoulder surfaces 38, 39 for engaging the lip surfaces 22a, 23a to retain the strip 34. Extending either side of the slot 36 are flanges 40, 41 which in use cover the mouths 19 and 21 , each having a respective outwardly facing surface 42, 43 abutting the surfaces 22, 23b.

First and second extruded mounting members 44 and 45 are illustrated in Figs 7 and 8 respectively. The mounting members 44, 45, like the connector strips 34 are longitudinally coextensive with the edge rails 13 and are used to provide further modularity for configuring the sections 1 in different ways, and in particular for mounting an illuminated display to a section 1. The first mounting member 44 has an elongate head 46 of complementary shape to the central recess 18, which includes a waist portion 47 received in the mouth 20 and having opposing shoulder surfaces 48, 49 for engaging the lip surfaces 22a, 23a to retain the member 44 to the edge rail 13. Adjacent the head 46 is an elongate channel 50 which opens transversely when the member 44 and rail 13 are joined and is located adjacent the edge rail 13.

The second mounting member 45 includes a plurality of flanges 51 terminating in substantially coplanar tips 51a and defining substantially parallel channels 52-56 for receiving panel-shaped members. Substantially perpendicular to the flanges 51 is a pair of elongate parallel tongues 57 dimensioned to be slidingly received in the transversely- opening channel 50.

Referring to Figs 9 and 10, the lowermost section 4 differs from the sections 1 by having a bottom rail 58 fixed at its lower edge (rather than an edge rail 13) for supporting the sections upon a horizontal surface e.g. at or adjacent the floor level. The bottom rail 58 has opposing first and second sides 14a, 15a joined by parallel outer faces 60 of the same transverse dimension as the edge rail 13. The first side 14a has like form as the first side 14, with three recesses 16-18 and longitudinal part-circular aperture 25a adapted to receive panel 10 and connector strips 34 (as well as mounting members 44 and 45). The second side 15a of the bottom rail 58 includes a pair of legs 61 , 62 with parallel support surfaces 63, 64 for engaging the horizontal surface. Fig. 11 illustrates the construction of both a second embodiment of the section 1 and lowermost section 4 in which a panel 10a is received and retained in the edge recesses 16, 17. Opposing longitudinal edges of the panels 10a are formed with a head 65 of complementary shape to the edge recesses 16, 17, which includes a waist portion 66 received in the mouth 19, 21 and having opposing shoulder surfaces 67, 68 for engaging the lip surfaces 22, 23 to retain the panel 10a to the edge rail 13 and bottom rail 58. The panels 10a may be formed of extruded aluminium and include a planar outer surface 69. As seen in Fig 12, sections 1 according to this second embodiment have an attractive smooth external appearance on one side, with the surface 69 being coplanar with the faces 31 and 60 respectively. Sheet material, such as advertisements or pictures, may be fixed to the surfaces 69.

Fig. 13 shows a third embodiment of the section 1 used to hold an illuminated display comprising a backlight display apparatus which employs the mounting members 44 and 45.

During assembly the head 46 of each first mounting member 44 is entered longitudinally into each central recess 18, and a rectangular transparent panel 10 is mounted between them with its opposing edges received in the edge recesses 16, 17 of the opposing rails 13. The channel 50 is disposed adjacent the rail 13 and opens transversely. The backlight display includes a sub-assembly comprising a rectangular image transparency 70, LED panel 72 and two second mounting members 45. The image transparency 70 may include a sheet, as of paper sandwiched or laminated between two polymer sheets, as of self-supporting transparent film. The LED panel provides the light source for illuminating the image transparency and may include an integral diffuser. The LED panel 72 may be supplied with power in the manner described below. The parallel longitudinal edges of image transparency 70 are received in the channels 52, and the longitudinal edges of the LED panel 72 are received in the channels 54 to fix them to the second mounting member 45. This display sub-assembly can then be conveniently placed between the two edge rails 13 (or between rails 13 and 58), entering each pair of tongues 57 into a respective channel 50. Lastly, an opaque back cover 73 is placed adjacent the rear of the LED panel 72 and fasteners 74 located between the tongues 57 are used to secure the cover 73 and second mounting member 45 to the first mounting member 44. A fourth embodiment of a lowermost section 4 is shown in Fig. 14 and is used to hold an illuminated display comprising a digital display 75, such as an LED or LCD display. Like the second embodiement (of Fig. 11) an aluminium panel 10a is received and retained in the edge recesses 16, 17. The digital display 75 is installed in the recess between the edge rail 13 and bottom rail 58 such that the display is visible through the transparent front panel 10. The rectangular transparent panel 10 is mounted between with its opposing edges received in the edge recesses 16, 17.

Figs 15-17 illustrate a fifth embodiment of the section 1 in which adjacent ends of the two edge rails 13 are connected to form a rectangular frame 90. It will be understood that each of the previously described embodiments may include a frame 90. The frame 90 includes two like bars 91 formed as hollow extrusions with a part-cylindrical recess 93 and two strips 92 of a rectangular cross-section. A connector block 94 is fixed to the end of each bar 91 by a screw 94a engaged in the recess 93. The connector blocks 94 are a short length of the first extruded mounting member 44, the waist portion 47 of which is entered into the mouth 20 to thereby secure the ends of the bars 91 to the edge rails 13. The ends of the strips 92 abut the end faces of the edge rails 13, to which they are fixed by fasteners 96. Apertures 97 in the strips 92 are aligned with each aperture 25, 25a. The circuit for supplying power to the illuminated display (LED panel 72 or digital display 75) is illustrated in Figs 18-20 and conductors forming part of the circuit (shown as dashed lines) are connected to a power supply 99. A motor 100 for opening and closing the shutter rotates a drive shaft 102 via a belt drive 101. Sprockets 105 fixed on opposing ends of the drive shaft 102 have teeth engaging a respective chain 5. A longitudinally- aligned axle 76 is received in each aperture 25, 25a and caries a roller 77 for engaging the guide 2. Each chain 5 supports a longitudinally opposing end of each of the sections 1 , 4 and is connected to a respective axle 76. The guides 2 are a channel-shaped extrusion and longitudinally opposing ends of the rails 13, 48 are received in an inwardly-facing mouth portion of the guides and engaged between runners or seals 78 located in recesses in the guides 2. The roller 77 has a concave contact face such that it is located axially by engagement with ribs 103 on opposing sides of the guides 2. An elongate conductor rail 79 is mounted inside one of the guides 2, located in an integral longitudinal recess 104. The power supply 99 is electrically connected by a conductor 106 to the drive shaft 102 and by a conductor 107 to the conductor rail 79. The LED panel 72 or digital display 75 is electrically connected by a conductor 108 to the axle 76 and by a conductor 109 to a contact roller 20. When the section 1 lies adjacent the conductor rail 79 the contact roller 20 is held in electrical contact with the conductor rail 79 which may be aligned with the section in the closed position, or may be elongate to supply power at any position. The mechanically engaged drive shaft 102, sprocket 105, chain 5 and axle 76 are also electrically connected providing a supply path via the conductors 106 and 108 to the power supply, while a return path is provided via conductor 109, contact roller 20, conductor rail 79 and conductor 107.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A modular shutter for closing an architectural opening, the shutter including: a plurality of sections which in the closed position abut edgewise with one another and which are elongated to extend over the opening and are guided laterally in guide channels, the sections having opposing major surfaces and wherein the sections can be lifted into an open position in which the sections are received in a magazine, wherein each section comprises a pair of parallel edge rails, each edge rail having first and second elongate and opposing sides, the first sides facing one another, each first side including elongate recesses, the second sides each having an abutment surface for abutting with an abutment surface of a further edge rail adjacent the edge rail, the abutment surface having rotational symmetry about a longitudinally-extending axis and including an elongate concavity and a complementary elongate convexity, at least one first panel extending between the edge rails, the first member having opposing longitudinal edges engaged in the recesses, illuminated display means received in a first of the sections, a supply circuit connectable to an electricity supply for providing power to the illuminated display, at least one conductor rail disposed on one of the guide channels and electrically connected in the power supply circuit, and a contact electrically connected in the power supply circuit and mounted to the first section for making electrical contact with the conductor rail.

2. The shutter of claim 1 further including an elongate flexible member connected to the end of each section and wherein in the closed position the sections are stacked edgewise one upon the other and are lifted into the open position in which the sections are received in the magazine with the major surfaces adjacent one another.

3. The shutter of claim 2 wherein the second side further includes an elongate rib at a side of the edge rail, the rib having an outer surface extending generally between the first and second sides and aligned substantially parallel to a plane of the panel, the rib extending between the outer surface and the concavity.

4. The shutter of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein each of the elongate recesses in the edge rails has an inwardly projecting lip portion formed on a side of a mouth of the recess, and the at least one panel has a head of a shape complementary to the elongate recesses such that the lip portions cooperate with longitudinal edges of the head to retain and fasten the edge rails to the panel.

5. The shutter of any one of claims 1 to 4 further including at least one second panel having opposing longitudinal edges, and at least one connector strip receiving the longitudinal edges of the panel, the connector strip having shape complementary to the at least one elongate recess such that the lip portions cooperate with connector strip to retain and fasten the connector strip to the second panel.

6. The shutter of any one of claims 1 to 5 further including at least one translucent panel substantially covering one side of the illuminated display, first and second extruded mounting members, the mounting members being substantially longitudinally coextensive with the edge rails for fastening the illuminated display to each of the edge rails, the first mounting member including an elongate head slidingly received within the recess, the head having a shape complementary to the recess such that the lip portions retain the head and fasten the first member to the edge rail, the second mounting member including a plurality of flanges defining substantially parallel channels for receiving panel-shaped members comprising the illuminated display and aligned substantially parallel to said at least one panel.

7. The shutter of any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein, with the sections in the closed position, each rib on the outermost side of the shutter protrudes downwardly to cover a part of the adjacent edge rail.

8. The shutter of any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein the concavity and convexity include arcuate surfaces connected tangentially to a planar portion of the abutment face that is inclined acutely to the outer surface of the rib such that in the closed position gravity urges abutting edge rails together.

9. The shutter of any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein the rib has a tapered edge and the edge rail further includes an elongate channel for receiving the tapered edge of an adjacent edge rail in the open position.

10. The shutter of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said at least one elongate recess includes first and second edge recesses provided either side of a central recess in the first sides, each recess having inwardly projecting lip surfaces formed on opposing sides of the mouth of the respective recess.

11. The shutter of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the connector strip includes: a central portion of complementary shape to the central recess; a waist portion on the central portion which is received in the mouth of the central recess; opposing shoulder surfaces for engaging the lip surfaces of the central recess to retain the strip; a slot for receiving the panel, and flanges extending either side of the slot for covering the mouths of the edge recesses.

12. The shutter of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the sections are laterally connected by conveyor chains running over support wheels and in the open position the sections are individually suspended adjacent one another on tracks of the magazine.

13. The shutter of any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein each section includes two substantially parallel first panels, opposing longitudinal edges of at least one of the first panel having a shape complementary to, and received within, a respective one of the edge recesses and wherein the at least one first panel has an outer surface substantially coplanar with a respective one of the outer rib surfaces.

14. The shutter of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the shutter further includes a lowermost section which, in the closed position, rests upon a substantially horizontal surface and abuts an adjacent one of said plurality of sections, the lowermost section comprises at least one panel having opposing longitudinal edges, with an extruded edge rail and bottom rail fastened to an uppermost and lowermost of the longitudinal edges respectively, the edge rail and bottom rail having first and second elongate and opposing sides, the first sides of the edge rail and bottom rail each facing toward the panel and including at least one elongate recess respectively, with inwardly projecting lip surfaces formed on opposing sides of a mouth of the recess whereby the longitudinal edges of each panel have a shape complementary to the recess, or a connector strip receiving the longitudinal edges of each panel has a shape complementary to the recess, such that the lip portions cooperate with longitudinal edges of each panel or the connector strip to retain and fasten the edge rails to the panels, the second side of the edge rail having an abutment surface for abutting with an abutment surface of a further edge rail adjacent the edge rail, the abutment surface having rotational symmetry about a longitudinally-extending axis and including an elongate concavity and a complementary elongate convexity, the second side further including an elongate rib at a side of the edge rail, and the second side of the bottom rail including a pair of legs for engaging the horizontal surface.

5. The shutter of any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein cooperating electrical contacts are mounted within the guide channel and in the section for supplying power to operate the illuminated display.