GB2471198A

GB2471198A - Roller shutter with detachable portion

Info

Publication number: GB2471198A
Application number: GB1010086A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Grady
Original assignee: AMYCO IND DOORS Ltd
Current assignee: AMYCO IND DOORS Ltd
Priority date: 2009-06-16
Filing date: 2010-06-16
Publication date: 2010-12-22
Also published as: GB201010086D0

Abstract

A roller shutter device for closing a bay or like opening in industrial applications comprises a guide 5, a shutter 6 with lateral edges 60 and a flexible edge strip 7 releasably connected along each lateral edge 60 by a strip fastener 61, 71, for example a hook and loop fastener. Each edge strip 7 has a continuous flange 70 therealong, wherein each flange 70 is slideably retained by a respective one of the guides 5 and configured for sliding movement along it. The strip fastener 61, 71 can be is configured to release or detach at least a portion of the shutter 6 from one or both of the edge strips 7 when a predetermined force is exerted on the shutter 6. There may be a pressure sensor on the lower edge of the shutter to detect the presence of an object or person below the roller shutter. A reflective or insulting foam shutter cover is also provided.

Description

SHUTTER DEVICE

This invention relates generally to a shutter device and more specifically, although not exclusively, to a shutter device for use in industrial applications which must be capable of withstanding an impact without permanent damage and/or which is configured to automatically repair itself.

Known self repairing shutter devices generally include a sheet of flexible material with lateral edges that are releasably guided within a pair of opposed guides such that the edges are released when a transverse force is exerted on them. This sometimes results in damage to the edges of the sheet, which is both time consuming and expensive to rectify.

US7028741 discloses a shutter device which seeks to overcome this problem by is providing a pair of metal strips to which the lateral edges of the sheet are releasably secured by one of various transmission means. Each metal strip includes a plurality of flanges, is slideably retained within a guide and is engaged with and driven by a drive wheel. This arrangement is relatively complex and fairly expensive to manufacture.

The present invention seeks to provide a simpler and/or more effective shutter device, e.g. a better self repairing shutter device, which preferably at least mitigates the issues

associated with prior art devices.

Accordingly, one aspect of the invention provides a shutter device or retractable door, e.g. for closing a bay or like opening, the device comprising a guide, a shutter with lateral edges and a flexible edge strip releasably connected along each lateral edge, each edge strip having a continuous or at least substantially continuous flange therealong, which flange is slideably retained by the guide and configured for sliding movement therealong, wherein the releasable connection is configured to release, in use, at least a portion of the shutter from one or both of the edge strips when a predetermined force is exerted on the shutter.

The use of a continuous flange on a flexible edge strip together with the releasable connection was found to be surprisingly effective and robust and is more simple than the

aforementioned prior art designs.

The thickness of the flange is preferably greater than the thickness of the flexible edge strip and/or of each lateral edge, for example when the flexible edge strip is connected to the lateral edge. The guide is preferably configured, for example shaped and/or sized and/or dimensioned, to captivate the flange, e.g. while allowing the flexible edge strip and/or the shutter, such as the lateral edges of the shutter, to slide therealong.

The predetermined force may comprise a force exerted in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the shutter. Advantageously, the magnitude of the predetermined force required to release the releasable connection may be greater when applied on or to a first side of the shutter than when applied on or to a second, e.g. opposite, side of the shutter.

This feature is advantageous in that the shutter device may be configured to provide greater resistance to a force applied from one side than from the other, e.g. where a bay to which the shutter device is applied is subjected to an external wind and/or where there is an ambient pressure differential between the two sides of the shutter.

The predetermined force may comprise a predetermined sheer force, for example acting perpendicular to the shutter, e.g. in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the shutter.

Additionally or alternatively, the predetermined force may comprise a predetermined traction force, for example acting along the shutter, e.g. along the plane of the shutter.

The releasable connection may be configured such that the magnitude of the predetermined force required to release the releasable connection is greater when applied perpendicularly to the shutter, e.g. a predetermined shear force, than when applied along the shutter, e.g. a predetermined traction force.

The releasable connection may be provided by one or more strip or tape fasteners. The releasable connection may advantageously be provided by a hook and loop fastener, for example which includes a male strip or tape and a cooperating female strip or tape.

In one class of embodiments, a first strip or tape fastener is positioned along one or each of the edges of the shutter, e.g. on a major surface thereof at or adjacent the or each edge, and/or a second strip or tape fastener may be positioned along the flexible edge strip, e.g. for cooperating with the first strip or tape fastener such as to provide the releasable connection. Accordingly, the device may be configured such that the magnitude of the predetermined force required to release the releasable connection is greater when applied on a first side of the shutter, e.g. the opposite side to the first strip or tape fastener, than when applied on a second side of the shutter, e.g. the side on which the first strip or tape fastener is applied.

Advantageously, the device may be configured to re-connect, e.g. automatically re-connect, the releasable connection. For example, the device may further comprise one or more rollers configured to cause the releasable connection to re-connect, e.g. by urging the strip or tape fasteners together. The roller may comprise a reel, e.g. about which the shutter and/or the edge strip may be configured to be rolled or wound. The shutter may be movable between a closed condition, e.g. where the shutter and/or edge strip is or are io fully extended and/or substantially covers, in use, a bay or like opening, and an open condition, e.g. where at least a portion of the shutter and/or edge strip is or are rolled or wound onto the reel. Conveniently, the releasable connection may be configured to be re-connected by the rolling or winding of the shutter and/or edge strip about the reel, for example by virtue of the weight of the shutter acting against the reel.

The guide may comprise an inlet which may be tapered, e.g. it may comprise a lead-in, for example at the top thereof, e.g. to permit the flange to exit and/or enter the guide.

Advantageously, the device may be configured to turn the reel such that substantially the entire shutter and/or edge strip is or are rolled or wound around the reel. This feature ensures that the entire releasable connection is re-connected.

The guide may comprise a channel which may have inwardly extending lips, for example the guide may comprise an extrusion. Preferably, the guide comprises a gap between the lips which is larger than the thickness of the edge strip or shutter and/or smaller than that of the flange. More preferably, the channel and/or lips comprise smooth inner surfaces, for example contact surfaces, along which the flange slides and/or with which the flange contacts, e.g. to minimise or at least reduce frictional forces therebetween. The flange preferably comprises a round cross section and/or a flexible material and/or a gliding agent.

The shutter preferably comprises a sheet of material, for example a woven fabric, e.g. with a coating such as a resin coating, which sheet may be flexible and/or may comprise a clear portion, e.g. a window. The shutter may comprise a base, e.g. a base edge, which may comprise a pressure detector, for example to detect the presence of an object or person, e.g. configured to stop or retract the shutter such as in the event that the base comes into contact with the object or person. Advantageously, the base may comprise a pocket or tube within which is received a plurality of objects, for example small objects such as sand.

A second aspect of the invention provides a shutter device or retractable door, e.g. for closing a bay or like opening, the device comprising a shutter movable along a guide between a closed condition in which it is fully extended and an open condition in which it is retracted, wherein the shutter has a base with a pocket or tube within which is received a plurality of objects, e.g. sand.

The shutter device may further include a controller, for example configured to selectively operate the shutter and/or to move the shutter between the or an open and the or a closed condition.

The shutter preferably includes an insulating cover or reflective layer for reflecting heat.

A third aspect of the invention provides a shutter device or retractable door, e.g. for closing a bay or like opening, the device comprising a guide and a shutter with lateral edges, each lateral edge having a continuous or at least substantially continuous flange therealong, which flange is slideably retained by the guide and configured for sliding movement therealong, wherein the shutter is formed of a sheet which includes an insulating cover or reflective layer for reflecting heat.

The insulating cover may comprise a layer of insulation, e.g. comprising a foam or fibre material, and/or a reflective layer on at least one side of the shutter for reflecting heat, e.g. a foil. The insulating cover or reflective layer may be on one or both sides of the shutter, e.g. of the or a fabric sheet of the shutter.

A fourth aspect of the invention provides a kit of parts for assembly into a shutter device, for example as described above, e.g. the kit comprising the or a guide and/or the or a shutter with lateral edges and/or the or a flexible edge strip releasably connectable along each lateral edge of the or a shutter. The kit may comprise any one of the elements described above in relation to the shutter device.

A fifth aspect of the invention provides a method of automatically repairing a shutter device, the method comprising the steps of providing a shutter device having a shutter and a guide strip releasably connected to the shutter, exerting a predetermined force on the shutter to release at least a portion thereof from the guide strip and rolling the shutter onto a roller to re-connect the at least a portion of the shutter to the guide strip.

The method may comprise any other steps that would provide advantages over known methods, particularly those which would be appreciated by the skilled person in light of the invention disclosed herein.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a shutter device according to one embodiment of the invention with the shutter shown in a partially retracted condition; Figure 2 is a partial perspective view showing part of the shutter, one of the edge strips and the guide; Figure 3 is a front view similar to that of Figure 1 immediately after an object has disconnected a portion of the shutter from one of the edge strips; and Figure 4 is a section view along line A-A of Figure 3 showing an optional configuration of the shutter incorporating a laminated insulating cover.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a shutter device 1 for closing a bay opening 2 in a wall 3. The device 1 includes a pair of frame members 4, a pair of guides 5, a shutter 6, a pair of edge strips 7, a reel 8 and an electric motor 9. One of the frame members 4 is secured to the wall 3 on each side of the bay 2 and each frame member includes an L-shaped bracket 40 at its top end through which the reel 8 extends and is rotatably mounted. The electric motor 9 is also fixed to one of the frame members 4 and a shaft 90 of the motor 9 is coupled to one end of the reel 8 to cause it to rotate and move the shutter 6 between open and closed conditions. The electric motor 9 is electrically connected to and operated by a controller (not shown).

Each guide 5 is in the form of an extrusion in this embodiment with a T-shaped slot 50 on one side thereof and a C-shaped portion 51 on the other side. The T-shaped slot cooperates with a fastener (not shown) which fixes each of the guides 5 to a respective frame member 4. The C-shaped portion 51 provides a channel section with a pair of opposed inwardly extending lips 52 with a gap 53 therebetween. The guide 5 also includes an inlet 54 at its upper end with a lead-in taper.

The shutter 6 is in the form of a sheet 64 of flexible woven fabric with a resin coating and includes a pair of lateral edges 60, a transparent section or window 61 and a base 62.

Each of the lateral edges 60 includes a strip fastener 61 along its length, which is a length of material having a plurality of male hook fasteners of the type sold under the name Velcro (RTM). The shutter 6 is secured along its top edge (not shown) to the reel 8 such that rotation thereof causes the shutter 6 to be wound around the reel 8. The base 62 io includes a pressure detector (not shown) operatively connected to the controller (not shown) to detect the presence of an object or person (not shown). The controller (not shown) is configured to stop and/or retract the shutter 6 in the event that the base 62 comes into contact with the object or person (not shown).

Each edge strip 7 is in the form of a length of woven fabric fixed at one end to the reel 8, the strip 7 having a continuous flange 70 along one of its longitudinal edges and a strip fastener 71 along its other edge. The flange 70 is circular in cross-section and is formed of polyvinylchloride in this embodiment. The strip fastener 71 is a length of material having a plurality female loop fasteners of the type sold under the name Velcro (RTM).

The flange 70 of each edge strip 7 is slideably received within the channel of the C-shaped portion 51 of the guide 5 such that the edge strip 7 extends through the gap 53 and the flange 70 is retained within the channel by the lips 52. The gap 53 is smaller than the diameter of the flange 70 but larger than the thickness of the edge strip 7, thereby allowing the strip to slide along the guide 5 while retaining the flange 70 therein. The inner surfaces of the channel and lips 52 of the guide are smooth to reduce the frictional forces between them and the contacting portions of the edge strips 7.

The shutter 6 and edge strip 7 are connected together by virtue of the overlapping strip fasteners 61, 71, whereby the male hook fasteners engage the female loop fasteners to provide a releasable connection. The shutter device 1 is thereby configured to release at least a portion of the shutter 6 from one or both of the edge strips when a predetermined force is exerted on the shutter 6.

In this embodiment, the male strip fastener 61 is positioned on the intended outer side 63 of the shutter 6. It will be appreciated that this feature is advantageous in that the shutter device 1 provides greater resistance on the outer side 63 of the shutter 6, which may be subjected to significant wind forces. More specifically, a force F applied to the inner side of the shutter 6 acts directly to separate the strip fasteners 61, 71, whereas a force applied to the outer side 63 is translated into a traction force acting along the shutter to tear the strip fasteners 61, 71 apart. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the configuration of the strip fasteners 61, 71 is such that the force applied to the outer side 63 of the shutter 6 must be greater than the force F applied to the inner side thereof.

This feature may also be applied to applications where there is an ambient pressure differential between the two sides of the shutter 6.

In use, the reel 8 is rotatably driven by the electric motor 9 to wind and unwind the shutter 6 to retract and extend it between the closed condition in which the bay opening 2 is covered and the open condition in which the bay opening 2 is uncovered. In the event that an object, e.g. a forklift truck, impacts the shutter 6 before it is fully retracted, the strip fasteners 61, 71 are configured to separate, thereby releasing the relevant portion of the is shutter 6 from the edge strip 7, as shown more clearly in Figure 3. In order to repair the connection, the motor 9 is operated to wind or retract the shutter 6 around the reel 8. The weight of the shutter 6 urges the strip fasteners 61, 71 back together, thereby re-connecting the separated portions of the shutter 6 and edge strip 7. The device 1 is configured to turn the reel 8 such that substantially the entire shutter 6 and edge strips 7 are wound around the reel 8 to ensure that the entire releasable connection is re-connected. It will be appreciated that this full retraction results in the flange 70 being retracted from the guide 5 and that the lead-in to the inlet 54 of the guide 5 facilitates re-entry of the flange 70 into the guide 5.

The base 62 in this embodiment also includes a pocket or tube (not shown) containing sand (not shown) to weigh it down, thereby assisting with the self-repairing function described above.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown an optional configuration of the shutter 6 which incorporates a laminated insulating cover 65 that is adhered to the fabric layer 64 on its internal side. The insulating cover 65 is in the form of a laminated sheet which includes a foam insulation layer 66 with a reflective foil 67 adhered to one side and an adhesive backing 68 on the other side thereof. The insulating cover 65 is adhered to the fabric layer 64 by virtue of the adhesive backing 68.

The reflective foil 67 reflects radiant heat to retain it within the building while the insulation layer 66 minimises heat lost by conduction through the shutter 6. This is particularly advantageous where the shutter is to be used to selectively close a bay opening 2, especially during colder months.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the flange need not be continuous and may be substantially continuous, for example with long sections separated by a gap, e.g. a small gap. The flange 70 may be formed of any suitable material, but preferably a flexible polymeric material. The hook and loop fastener strips 61, 71 may be replaced with any suitable fastener strips 61, 71 or other releasable connection, for example a series of male and female connectors therealong in place of a strip. The device 1 need not include a reel 8, for example the door may be retractable in a similar fashion to that shown in US7028741. In such an embodiment, the self-repairing function may be carried out by a pair of opposed rollers (not shown) which compress the fastener strips or releasable connections back together. The guide may take any suitable form capable of achieving the required function. The shutter 6 need not be flexible. The device 1 may be provided in kit form.

The insulating cover 65 need not comprise both an insulation layer 66 and a reflective layer 67 and/or it may be included on one or both sides of the shutter 6 or even incorporated within the fabric sheet 64 itself. Several alternative means of insulating the shutter 6 are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A shutter device for closing a bay or like opening, the device comprising a guide, a shutter with lateral edges and a flexible edge strip releasably connected along each lateral edge, each edge strip having a continuous flange therealong, which flange is slideably retained by the guide and configured for sliding movement therealong, wherein the releasable connection is configured to release, in use, at least a portion of the shutter from one or both of the edge strips when a predetermined force is exerted on the shutter.
2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the flange is greater than the thickness of the flexible edge strip, the guide being configured to captivate the flange while allowing the flexible edge strip and the lateral edge of the shutter to slide along the guide.
3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the device is configured to re-connect automatically the releasable connection.
4. Device according to any preceding claim, wherein the magnitude of the predetermined force required to release the releasable connection is greater when applied to a first side of the shutter than when applied to a second side of the shutter opposite the first side.
5. Device according to any preceding claim, wherein the releasable connection is provided by one or more strip or tape fasteners.
6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the releasable connection is provided by a hook and loop fastener.
7. Device according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein a first strip or tape fastener is secured along one or each of the edges of the shutter and a second strip or tape fastener is positioned along one or each flexible edge strip for cooperation with the first strip or tape fastener to provide the releasable connection.
8. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 7 claim further comprising one or more rollers configured to cause the releasable connection to re-connect by urging the strip or tape fasteners together.
9. Device according to claim 8, wherein the roller comprises a reel about which the shutter and edge strip are configured to be rolled or wound.
10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the releasable connection is configured to be re-connected by the rolling or winding of the shutter and edge strip about the reel.
11. Device according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the device is configured to turn the reel such that substantially the entire shutter and edge strips are rolled or wound around the reel.
12. Device according to any preceding claim, wherein the guide comprises a channel with inwardly extending lips and a gap therebetween, which gap is larger than the thickness of the edge strip and smaller than the flange.
13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the channel and/or lips comprise smooth inner contact surfaces along which the flange slides and with which the flange contacts to minimise or at least reduce frictional forces therebetween.
14. Device according to claim 13, wherein the flange comprises a round cross section and is formed of a flexible material.
15. Device according to any preceding claim further comprising a base with a pressure detector to detect the presence of an object or person.
16. Device according to any preceding claim further comprising a base with a pocket or tube within which is received a plurality of objects.
17. A shutter device for closing a bay or like opening, the device comprising a shutter movable along a guide between a closed condition in which it is fully extended and an open condition in which it is retracted, wherein the shutter has a base with a pocket or tube within which is received a plurality of objects.
18. Device according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the plurality of objects comprises sand.
19. Device according to any preceding claim, wherein the shutter comprises an insulating cover.
20. Device according to claim 19, wherein the insulating cover comprises a layer of insulation.
21. Device according to claim 20, wherein the layer of insulation comprises a foam material.
22. Device according to any preceding claim, wherein the shutter further comprises a reflective layer for reflecting heat.
23. A shutter device for closing a bay or like opening, the device comprising a guide and a shutter with lateral edges, each lateral edge having a continuous or at least substantially continuous flange therealong, which flange is slideably retained by the guide and configured for sliding movement therealong, wherein the shutter is formed of a sheet which includes an insulating cover or reflective layer for reflecting heat.
24. A shutter device substantially as described herein and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
25. A kit of parts for assembly into a shutter device according to any preceding claim, the kit comprising the guide, the shutter and the flexible edge strip.
26. A method of automatically repairing a shutter device, the method comprising the steps of providing a shutter device having a shutter and a guide strip releasably connected to the shutter, exerting a predetermined force on the shutter to release at least a portion thereof from the guide strip and rolling the shutter onto a roller to re-connect the at least a portion of the shutter to the guide strip.