WO2011095707A1

WO2011095707A1 - Novel element, or module, of a roller blind, and blind formed by means of said modules

Info

Publication number: WO2011095707A1
Application number: PCT/FR2011/000064
Authority: WO
Inventors: Caroline Koskas
Original assignee: Visionroll
Priority date: 2010-02-03
Filing date: 2011-02-02
Publication date: 2011-08-11
Also published as: EP2531689A1; EP2531689B1; FR2955885A1; ES2487646T3

Abstract

The invention relates to a novel element, or module, of a roller blind, and to the blind formed by means of said modules. The modules (1) forming the novel roller blind are largely rectangular and comprise preferably oblong hinges (3), (4) on the long sides thereof, hinges (3) being very short while hinges (4) are essentially longer with an essentially larger flat part than that of hinges (3), the flat part of hinges (4) being advantageously perforated. The blind is used to close the fronts of shops or any other public or private place.

Description

New element, or module, shutter, as well as the shutter formed using these modules.

The present invention relates to a new rolling shutter element, or module, and the shutter formed using these modules.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a new rolling shutter element, also called module, said shutter consisting of a series of rows of modules.

The modules according to the present invention generally have the shape of a rectangle whose long sides are parallel to the winding axis of said flap to allow optimal winding. Such a shutter, intended to close a space, has lateral ends sliding in slideways arranged on either side of said space and fixed to the frame of the latter, finds more particularly its application for homes of individuals, for storefronts, or to close any public or private place. In addition, these modules will advantageously be made of a transparent material, such as polycarbonate, especially for technical reasons of rigidity and strength.

More specifically, the shutter element according to the invention, wherein said shutter is of the type consisting of an assembly of rows of modules where each module is of generally rectangular shape whose long sides are parallel to the axis of winding said shutter and where the modules of the same row are interconnected by means of a bar or circular section tube passing in hinges which are provided with said long sides, comprises hinges arranged on the same side of plan defined by said module.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each large side of the module has four hinges, the size and arrangement of said hinges being such that the spaces between the hinges of a large side of a module are occupied by the hinges of the large side of the module located vis-à-vis, nesting into each other.

In an even more preferred mode, the hinges have an oblong section.

Advantageously, the rectilinear portion of the oblong section of the hinges located on a large side of the module is different from that of the hinges located on the other long side of said module.

Preferably, the hinges having the longest straight portion are provided with perforations in the vicinity of said module.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, with reference to the figures given for information only and in no way limitative, among which: FIG. 1 is a view from above of a module according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the axis AA of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a view from above of two modules similar to that represented in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the axis BB of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view from above of a module according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 6 is a partial view from above of the flap in the partially closed position, according to a first module mounting mode, and

Figure 7 is a partial top view of the shutter in the partially closed position, according to a second module mounting mode.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the module (1) has a generally rectangular shape, the long sides (2) are parallel to the winding axis of the shutter; the latter consists of a series of rows of modules, each row itself consisting of a series of modules (1). In order to keep a maximum of clarity inside the area enclosed by this shutter, particularly when the shutter is intended for storefronts, the modules (1) are made of a transparent and resistant material such as polycarbonate . This module (1) comprises a plurality of hinges (3), (4) located along the long sides (2) of the module (1), arranged on the same side of the plane defined by said module; inside these hinges (3), (4) are arranged, but not shown here, bars or tubes of circular section intended to ensure the rigidity of the flap and interconnecting the rows of modules (1). The diameter of these bars or tubes is very slightly less than the width of the hinges (3), (4), the latter having an oblong section as it is best shown in FIG.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the module (1) is provided with four hinges (3) on one of its sides (2), and four hinges (4) on the side (2) opposite; the size - each hinge (3), (4) has a length equal to 1/8 of the length of the side (2) - and the arrangement of the hinges (3), (4) - each hinge (3) being opposite the space between two hinges (4) of the opposite side (2) - being such that when several rows of modules (1) are mounted, the surface of the shutter is flat and smooth, without attachment point or catch, the spaces between the hinges (3) on the side (2) of a module (1) being fully occupied by the hinges (4) on the side (2) of the module (1) located opposite. According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, when said modules (1) are mounted to form the roll-up shutter, not only is the surface thereof, also called "apron", flat, since the modules (1 ) are planes with the hinges (3) and (4) arranged on the same side of the plane defined by each of the modules (1), but all modules and hinges are contiguous and fit perfectly into each other, decreasing notably the risk of burglary of said flap, potential burglars having no grip to introduce a lever or other tool intended to fracture the flap.

Similarly, it will be possible to provide a number of hinges (3) and (4) different from that illustrated in Figure 1, that is to say four hinges on each side (2) of the module

(1). However the intended result will be the same as that previously in terms of safety shutter, only the aesthetic appearance may vary depending on the positioning of the various modules (1) arranged in columns or staggered.

The modules (1) can be arranged in columns, the short sides (5) being aligned, but they can also be staggered with a pitch of 1/2 - 1/2, or with a pitch of 1/3 - 2 / 3, or with any other steps that the user would like to see adopted. Similarly, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the short sides (5) illustrated in Figure 1 are rounded and of complementary shape so that, as shown in Figure 3, the short side ( 5) concave a module (1) fits perfectly to the small side (5) convex adjacent module (1), but they could also be straight or have another geometric shape, the main thing is that two modules ( 1) adjacent to their small sides (5), apart from the fact that the sides

(2) will themselves be joined as previously indicated.

It should also be noted that the modules (1) located on the lateral ends of the deck of the flap should be cut so as to adjust the size of the flap to the size of the space to be closed to the help from said component; it will then be preferable to provide a relatively large number of hinges (3) and (4) to optimize the maintenance of the rows of modules (1) at their ends, the cutout to be as close as possible to a hinge (3). ) and a hinge (4). Good results have been obtained by providing four hinges (3), (4) on each side of a module (1) - this is the case illustrated in Figure 1 - but another advantageous embodiment provides eight hinges on each side of the same module (1), each hinge then having a length equal to 1/16 of the length of the side (2). The essential thing is that each row of modules (1) must have at its lateral ends a module having a high hinge and a low hinge, at least partial, allowing proper maintenance of the row on the aforementioned bars or tubes.

As shown in FIG. 2, the hinges (3) and (4) have an oblong shape, that is to say that, for example, for the hinge (4), its cross section consists of two half circles (6) separated by a rectilinear portion (7). Advantageously, as will be explained further in the description, the rectilinear portion (7) of the hinges (3) is of different size from that of the hinges (4). In the example shown in Figure 2, the straight portion of the hinge (3) is much smaller than that of the hinge

(4) ·

When the shutter composed of modules according to the invention will be unrolled, that is to say in the closed position, all the rows of modules (1) will be joined thereby ensuring a security breach of the flap, particularly because of the presence of the flat portion of the hinges (4) on which the module (1) of the adjacent row will come to rest, and the blocking will be all the stronger as this flat part will have a height and a significant length, that is to say that the rectilinear part (7) will be larger: the different rows will thus be blocked while this is not possible when the hinges have a circular section; this security will be further strengthened by the fact that one of the short sides (5) will be provided with a lip (8) overlapping the short side (5) of the adjacent module. According to this arrangement, there is no more grip to fracture the flap at the joint between two adjacent modules of the same row of modules (1). FIG. 4 illustrates in section the position of two adjacent modules (1), the two short sides

(5) slightly disjointed with the lip (8). In addition to its function of reinforcing safety at the flap, this lip (8) is in the form of a bead prevents friction of the flat surface of the modules (1) when the flap is wound, it that is to say in the open position, but especially when the flap is in operation, when it opens or closes.

On the other hand, when the user starts to reassemble the shutter, one day will appear between the rows of modules (1), because of the oblong shape of the hinges (3), (4), while the base of the shutter will always be in contact with the ground. The distance between the rows of modules (1) will depend on the height of the hinges. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 the height of the hinges (3) is not the same as that of the hinges (4), the hinges (3) are very slightly elongated, having an oblong section with a very small portion rectilinear, while the hinges (4) are substantially longer than the hinges (3) and therefore have a height and a longer length with a rectilinear part (7) larger.

Having one day between the rows of modules (1) allows ventilation of the room closed by the shutter; this also prevents the presence of steam inside the shutter and / or smoke extraction in case of fire, thereby participating in the security of said room.

As indicated above, it is preferable to have hinges (3) and (4) oblong of different height, that is to say having a rectilinear portion (7) of different size.

It has indeed appeared that the fact of having hinges (3) and (4) all having a relatively large rectilinear portion, of the type of that illustrated in Figure 2 for the hinge (4), certainly increases the spacing between two rows of links and therefore the day between the rows of modules (1), and therefore the ventilation as mentioned above, but has the disadvantage of blocking the rows of links between them, thus hindering the start of the operation of winding the shutter; in addition, this configuration has various other drawbacks: greater winding of the shutter to obtain its total closure, that is to say where the rows of links are joined, possibility of not arriving at this stage joined rows , larger winding diameter and bulk.

Conversely, the fact of having hinges (3) and (4) identical oblong section with a very small straight portion (7), as shown in Figure 2 for the hinges (3), certainly facilitates the winding the shutter, but decreases the aeration capacity and moreover does not allow a correct blocking of the rows of modules as has been previously described.

In fact, the preferred configuration is that in which the hinges (3) are of oblong section with a rectilinear portion (7) of small dimension, while the hinges (4), also of oblong section, will have a rectilinear portion (7) more big. This configuration allows blocking as mentioned above, each module (1) of a row bearing on the straight portion (7) of the hinges (4) of the adjoining row. The rectilinear portion (7) of the hinges (4) must be large enough to allow said support and therefore said blocking, and advantageously, this rectilinear portion (7) will represent about one third of the height of said hinges (4). Finally, the fact of having hinges (3) very little oblong, that is to say having a rectilinear portion (7) very small, prevents the above-mentioned bars or tubes from swinging in said hinges. In the end, this configuration - hinges (3) very slightly oblong and hinges (4) having a rectilinear part (7) larger than that of the hinges (3) - allows both to have the shutter apron that does not wrinkle, rolls up and unrolls easily, with effective blocking when said shutter is in the closed position.

The embodiment having hinges of oblong section which has just been described has another advantage that can not be obtained when the hinges are circular section; in fact, during the winding of the shutter, the rows of modules (1) form between them a certain outgoing angle and the aforementioned embodiment makes it possible to invert the angle, that is to say to have a incoming angle between the rows of modules (1), which makes it possible, during the installation of the shutter, to more easily introduce the rows of modules (1) in the slides arranged on each side of the shutter and fixed on the frame intended to receive said shutter. This possibility of having an inverted angle will also be facilitated when the lip or bead (8) will have at each of its ends a chamfered portion.

The ventilation and / or defogging and / or smoke extraction capacity will advantageously be increased by providing perforations in the hinges 4, as illustrated in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 5. According to this mode, the perforations 9 will be disposed on the hinges 4, that is to say the hinges having a relatively large rectilinear portion 7 and these perforations 9 will be arranged at the portion of the hinge 4, on its flat part and the nearest side of the module 1. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, each hinge (4) has two perforations (9) of oblong shape, said two perforations representing 60 to 70% of the length of the hinge (4). It is understood that without departing from the scope of the present invention, it will be possible to provide a number and / or shape one of different perforations; it will also be possible to change the importance of the surface of the perforations (9) relative to the flat surface of the hinge (4). According to this arrangement, when the flap is in such a position that the days between the rows of modules (1) will be present, the hinges (3) and the aforementioned bars or tubes of circular section will be in the lower part of the hinges (4), thus clearing the perforations (9) and facilitating aeration; on the other hand when the shutter will be totally lowered, the different rows of modules 1 will be joined, no day existing between them and the perforations (9) will be obscured by said bars or tubes of circular section.

The modules will preferably be made of polycarbonate for the reasons that have been indicated previously; according to the use that is made of the roller shutter according to the invention, said modules or some of them may be made of any other material, for example opaque or translucent. Thus, the arrangement of the modules (1) according to the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 will make it possible at the same time to have a flap offering total security in the closed position, without days between the rows of modules (1) and the perforations (9) being obscured, all the modules being joined either at their long sides (2) or their short sides (5); in addition the modules (1) being planes, the shutter itself will be plan facilitating its cleaning and maintenance and ensuring better aesthetics. Such an arrangement also allows good thermal and sound insulation. When the shutter is in the closed position, but with one day between the rows of modules (1), the perforations (9) are in the unobstructed position, defogging, aeration and smoke extraction are possible while maintaining a high degree of security and a nice aesthetic.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show in perspective a part of the shutter made from modules corresponding to the preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the rows of modules (1) being partially separated, revealing the perforations (9), and partly joined, said perforations of a row being obscured by the adjacent row; in Figure 6, the modules (1) are arranged in a column, while in Figure 7, said modules (1) are arranged in staggered rows.

Claims

1. shutter element, said shutter being of the type consisting of an assembly of rows of modules where each module (1) is of generally rectangular shape whose long sides (2) are parallel to the winding axis of said shutter and where the modules of the same row are connected to each other by means of a bar or tube of circular section passing in hinges (3), (4) which are provided with said long sides, where said hinges are arranged to one side of the plane defined by said module (1) characterized in that said hinges (3) and (4) have an oblong section, the rectilinear portion of the hinges (3) being of different size from that of the hinges (4).

2. Element according to claim 1 characterized in that the straight portion of the hinges having the longest straight portion (7) is about one third of the height of said hinges.

3. Shutter element according to claim 2 characterized in that the hinges having the longest straight portion (7) are provided with perforations (9) near the module (1).

4. shutter element according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that a large side (2) has four hinges (3) and the other large side (2) has four hinges (4), said hinges (3) and (4) being arranged such that when several rows of modules (1) are mounted, the surface of the flap is flat, the spaces between the hinges (3) being occupied by the hinges (4).

5. Shutter element according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the short sides (5) of said module (1) have a complementary rounded shape.

6. Shutter element according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that one of the short sides (5) of the module (1) has a bead (8) overlapping the short side (5) of the module (1). ) adjacent.

7. Shutter element according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that it consists of transparent polycarbonate.

8. Roller shutter, of the type intended to close a space, whose lateral ends slide in slides arranged on either side of said space and fixed to the frame of the latter, comprising a succession of rows of modules connected to each other. to one another by means of bars or tubes of circular section passing through the hinges provided with said modules, characterized in that said modules consist of a plurality of shutter elements according to any one of claims 1 to 7 .