WO2007122506A2

WO2007122506A2 - Roller shutter

Info

Publication number: WO2007122506A2
Application number: PCT/IB2007/001072
Authority: WO
Inventors: Heinrich Ludwig Primic
Original assignee: PRIMIC, Louis, André
Priority date: 2006-04-25
Filing date: 2007-04-25
Publication date: 2007-11-01
Also published as: WO2007122506A3; ZA200803216B

Abstract

A roller shutter comprises a number of curved slats, each slat having first and second opposed ends and first and second opposed edges defining respective interlocking formations. The interlocking formations can be complementally curved lips, or complemental grooves and ridges, for example, and engage complemental interlocking formations on edges of adjacent slats. A pair of flexible support members such as link chains or scissors mechanisms are disposed adjacent the respective ends of the slats, and can apply a tensioning or compressive force to the slats. The support members have connector formations engagable with the slats, so that each slat is connected to a respective support member at its ends and is pivotable about an axis relative to the support members. A pair of guide channels is included, in which the respective support members and edges of the slats are accommodated for sliding movement of the slats. Depending on the type of interlocking formation provided, the slats can be locked together by applying a tensioning or a compressive force via the support members. When not locked, the slats can be pivoted open like a Venetian blind.

Description

ROLLER SHUTTER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a roller shutter and to installations incorporating the roller shutter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a roller shutter comprising a plurality of slats, each slat having first and second opposed ends and first and second opposed edges defining respective interlocking formations to engage complemental locking formations on edges of adjacent slats; a pair of flexible support members disposed adjacent the respective ends of the slats and defining connector formations engagable with the slats, so that each slat is connected to a respective support member at each end of the slat, each slat being pivotable about an axis relative to the support members; and a pair of guide channels in which the respective support members and edges of the slats are accommodated for sliding movement of the slats, the interlocking formations on the edges of the slats being shaped to engage the complemental locking formations of adjacent slats releasably.

Preferably, the flexible support members are link chains, with at least some of the links in each chain having connector formations thereon engagable with the slats. The links of each chain may be interconnected with a degree of play in a longitudinal direction of the chain, allowing a corresponding degree of movement of adjacent slats relative to one another.

Preferably, the link chains are constrained by the guide channels so that they can be driven to apply a compressive or a tensioning force to the slats.

The slats and the links of the roller shutter may be curved complementally to the shape of a take-up roller onto which they can be wound.

In one embodiment, the respective interlocking formations on the opposed edges of the slats comprise curled lips that are curled in opposite directions, so that a curled lip on a first edge of one slat can interlock with a curled lip on a second edge of an adjacent slat when a tensioning force is applied to the slats.

In another embodiment, the respective interlocking formations on the opposed edges of the slats comprise a ridge on a first edge of each slat and a groove on a second edge of each slat, so that a ridge on a first edge of one slat can interlock with a groove on a second edge of an adjacent slat when a compressive force is applied to the slats.

The roller shutter may include an auxiliary drive for pivoting the slats.

For example, each shutter may have a pinion attached thereto, with the auxiliary drive comprising a chain arranged to drive the pinions of the slats to rotate them about an axis.

The invention extends to a roller shutter installation comprising a roller shutter as defined above, a frame supporting the guide channels of the roller shutter and a take-up roller on which the slats and support members can be wound. The installation may include a motor arranged to drive the take-up roller to roll up or unroll the roller shutter and to apply a tensioning or compressive force to the shutter.

The installation may further include at least one window mounted slidably in the frame adjacent to the roller shutter.

In an alternative embodiment of the roller shutter, the flexible support members comprise scissors linkages connected at intervals along their lengths to the slats, so that opening or closing of the scissors mechanisms opens or closes the^: shutter.

The invention extends to a roller shutter installation including a roller shutter as defined above and a frame supporting the guide channels and the scissors linkages of the roller shutter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a pictorial view of a portion of a roller shutter according to the invention with the slats thereof in an open position;

Figure 2 is a partial pictorial view from the rear of the roller shutter of Figure 1

Figure 3 is a side view of the roller shutter of Figures 1 and 2;

Figures 4 and 5 are side and pictorial views, respectively, of a single slat of the roller shutter of Figures 1 to 3;

Figures 6 and 7 are side and pictorial views, respectively, of a single link of a link chain of the roller shutter of Figures 1 to 3; Figure 8 is a partial pictorial view of a roller shutter installation according to the invention;

Figure 9 is a pictorial view showing a portion of the roller shutter wound onto a take-up drum;

Figure 10 is an end view corresponding to Figure 9 showing the shutter wound onto the take-up drum;

Figure 11 is a pictorial view of a roller shutter installation according to the invention, including sliding windows;

Figure 12 is a similar view to that of Figure 1 1, showing the roller shutter partly open and one of the windows in an open condition;

Figures 13

(a) to (c) are side views of an alternative embodiment of a roller shutter according to the invention, incorporating a scissors linkage;

Figure 14 is a pictorial view of a shutter installation based on the embodiment of Figures 13 (a) to (c), showing the shutters opened and closed;

Figure 15 is a side view of a slat of a third embodiment of the roller shutter according to the invention; and

Figure 16 is a pictorial view of a roller shutter incorporating the slats of Figure 15. DESCR1PTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figures 1 and 2 show the basic structure of a first example embodiment of a roller shutter according to the invention. The roller shutter consists of a plurality of slats 10, each of which has first and second opposed edges 12 and 14 and first and second opposed ends 16 and 18. In plan, the slats are rectangular, while it can be seen from the Figures that they are gently curved in a direction normal to the first and second edges 12 and 14.

In the following description, the edge 12 of each slat will be referred to as the front edge thereof, while the edge 14 will be referred to as the rear edge thereof, for convenience.

The slats can be formed from a number of different materials and by a number of different processes. The illustrated slats were formed as aluminum or light alloy extrusions with a hollow interior, resulting in slats that are desirably strong but light, as well as being attractive and durable. The slats can be formed from other metals or alloys in various processes known to those skilled in the art. The slats could also be moulded or otherwise formed from suitably strong plastics or composite materials, for example, or from other suitable materials, according to requirements.

At the front and rear edges of the slats, respective interlocking formations 20 and 22 are formed which take the shape of inwardly curled lips extending the length of the respective edges. The lips 20 and 22 face in opposite directions, so that a lip 20 on one slat can engage a lip 22 of an adjacent slat when the slats are correctly aligned. This is explained in greater detail below.

A pair of link chains 24 and 26 are attached to the slats at the respective opposed ends thereof. Each chain comprises a plurality of arcuate links 28 which, in the illustrated embodiment, are cast or extruded from aluminum or another light alloy. Each link 28 has a male formation 30 at one end thereof and a pair of female formations 32 and 34 at the opposite end thereof, the female formations 32 and 34 being spaced apart to receive a male formation of an adjacent link 28, as illustrated in Figure 2. Each female formation 32, 34 is formed with a cylindrical bore 36, while the male formation 30 is formed with a bore 38 which is oval in section.

As shown in Figure 4, each slat 10 is formed with a cylindrical bore 40 extending through it, parallel to its rear edge 14, and cylindrical pins 42 are inserted into opposed ends of the bore in an interference fit so that they extend through the aligned apertures 36 and 38 in the formations 30, 32 and 34 when the links are aligned as shown in Figures. 1 and 2. The., pins 42 are a sufficiently loose fit in the apertures of the male and female formations 30, 32 and 34 of the links to be able to rotate easily relative to the links. Each pin 42 has a pinion gear 44 fixed to its outer end, enabling the slats to be pivoted about the axes of the pins 42 and the bore 38 relative to the link chain members by an auxiliary positioning drive.

The oval shape of the bore 38 in each link 28, with the long axis of the oval being aligned with the long dimension of the link and thus with the length of the link chain 24 or 26 itself, permits sufficient movement or play of the pins 42 in a longitudinal direction of the link chains to allow the slats 10 to be moved between a position in which they abut and engage one another, and a position in which they are spaced sufficiently apart from one another to permit the slats to pivot without interfering with each other.

Figure 8 shows an installation including a roller shutter as described above. The installation includes a pair of upright frame members 50 which receive and guide the link chain of the roller shutter as well as a positioning drive. Above the roller shutter is mounted a take-up roller 52, which is preferably housed in an enclosure.

Transversely extending top and bottom frame members 54 and 56 define a generally rectangular enclosure which can be mounted in an opening in a wall or another structure and which supports the roller shutter and its drive mechanism. The take-up roller or drum 52 is preferably motor-driven in a conventional manner and the drive mechanism is therefore not described in great detail. The take-up roller 52 could also be arranged for manual operation. Depending on the direction of drive of the motor, the roller shutter is either wound onto the take-up roller or drum 52, or unrolled and extended to fill the aperture in the frame supporting the roller shutter. Figures 9 and 10 show how the curved shapes of the slats and links of the roller shutter are matched to the diameter of the take-up roller or drum 52 so that they wrap snugly around the roller in use. In Figure 10, the roller shutter has been fully wound onto the take-up roller 52. Due to the complementally curved shape of the slats and links relative to the take-up roller, the roller shutter winds compactly onto the roller despite the slats and links being rigid and having a substantial thickness.

An auxiliary positioning drive is provided for adjusting the orientation of the slats, comprising an endless chain 58 and an operating handle 60, which is connected by means of a short shaft 62 to a drive pinion gear 64. The chain extends over the pinions 44 of each pin 42 at one side of the enclosure supporting the roller shutter. When the roller shutter is extended to fill the opening in the frame, with the slats 10 disengaged from one another, rotation of the handle 60 drives the chain 58 and causes corresponding pivoting of the roller shutter slats about the pins 42, moving them between a closed position in which the slats lie substantially in a common plane, and a fully opened position in which the slats extend transversely as shown in Figure 8. Preferably, the positioning drive is set up so that the slats can be rotated through nearly 180 degrees.

It will be appreciated that a number of different mechanisms could be used to adjust the orientation of the slats. For example, the pins 42 could be replaced with L-shaped connectors, with the free ends of each L being connected to an elongate drive member. In order to lock the illustrated roller shutter, the slats are rotated to their closed positions, with the shutter fully extended so that the interlocking formations 20 and 22 of adjacent slats are adjacent one another. In this position, the slats lie generally in a common plane. A suitably shaped interlocking formation is provided on the lowermost transverse frame member 56, and the interlocking formation 20 on the lowermost slat 10 is engaged with it. The main drive of the roller shutter is then operated to raise the roller shutter, applying a tensioning force to the roller shutter and causing the interlocking formations to engage one another. When the roller shutter is fully tensioned the take-up roller motor drive is stopped and preferably locked. Each slat of the roller shutter is now locked to the adjacent slat, forming a strong barrier. To release the locked roller shutter, the drive of the take-up roller is operated to release the tension in the shutter, allowing the slats to disengage from one another. This allows the slats to be pivoted open if required. Alternatively, if the lowermost slat is disengaged from the interlocking formation on the frame, the shutter can be wound onto the take-up roller 52 to open it completely.

Thus, it can be seen that the described roller shutter can operate as a conventional roller shutter and be opened fully or closed to secure an opening, but also has a third mode of operation in which the slats making up the shutter can be pivoted in the manner of a Venetian blind, which allows light and air to circulate through the shutter while still providing a barrier against unauthorised entry.

Another embodiment of an installation incorporating the above described roller shutter is shown in Figures 11 and 12. The installation comprises a frame similar to that shown in Figure 8, with upright guide members 70 defining channels for the link chains and the ends of the slats, an enclosure 72 for a take-up roller or drum, and upper and lower transverse frame members 74 and 76.

In this embodiment, the enclosure defined by the frame members supports sliding windows 78, which can be slid from left to right in grooves in the upper and lower frame members. The windows 78 can be manually slidable, or, in a variation of this embodiment, can be motor driven. In Figure 12, one of the windows 78 is partially opened, and the roller shutter is also partially opened. Thus, in this embodiment, the different characteristics of sliding glass windows and a locking roller shutter of the invention can be provided in a single installation.

It will be appreciated that the roller shutter in this and other embodiments can be arranged to open upwardly or downwardly, or from side to side. Similarly, the windows could open upwardly, downwardly, or from side to side as described.

An alternative example embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 13(a), (b) and (c). In this embodiment, the slats 80 of the roller shutter are symmetrical and are pivoted on pins 82 which are centrally located on the slats and extend from opposite ends of the slats. A scissors linkage 84 extends between the slats, with the pins 82 passing through the joints of the scissors mechanism. With the scissors mechanism fully extended, as shown in Figures 13(a) and (b), the slats can either be engaged with one another in a locked condition (Figure 13(a)) or rotated transversely as desired (Figure 13(b)) using a drive mechanism (not shown).

Figure 13 (c) shows the scissors linkage in a completely collapsed positioη. If this embodiment is built into a frame similar to that shown in Figures 11 and 12, so that collapsing of the scissors linkage opens the shutter in a similar manner to what is illustrated in Figure 12 or allows an opening covered by the shutter to be opened completely, a guide to accommodate the respective scissor mechanisms must extend beyond the edge of the opening. However, this embodiment has the advantage that it is mechanically simple and does not require a take-up roller or drum as in the case of the first embodiment.

Figure 14 shows an installation incorporating the roller shutter embodiment of Figure 13 which includes upright frame members 86, and upper and lower transverse frame members 88 and 90. As can be seen from this figure, the upright frame members 86 are extended above the upper transverse frame member 88 in order accommodate the collapsed scissors mechanism, to allow the opening defined by the frame members to be opened completely if required.

Figures 15 and 16 illustrate a further alternative example embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, each slat 100 is formed with a bore 102 adjacent its rear edge 104, which accommodates mounting pins as in the first embodiment. The rear edge 104 has a ridged V profile, while the front edge 106 of the slat is formed with an outwardly extending flange 108 which, together with the front edge 106, defines a groove or channel 110 which is shaped complementally to the profile of the rear edge 104.

In other respects, this embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, with the exception that, to lock the slats of the roller shutter together, a compressive force rather than a tensioning force is required. Thus, if the slats are rotated from the transversely extending position illustrated in Figure 16 to a position in which they lie substantially in a common plane, with sufficient clearance between the slats to allow the flanges 108 to move over the rear edges 104 of the adjacent slats to align the respective locking formations, operating the drive of the take-up roller to apply a compressive force to the slats locks them in position against one. another.

Claims

1. A roller shutter comprising a plurality of slats, each slat having first and second opposed ends and first and second opposed edges defining respective interlocking formations to engage complemental locking formations on edges of adjacent slats; a pair of flexible support members disposed adjacent the respective ends of the slats and defining connector formations engagable with the slats, so that each slat is connected to a respective support member at each end of the slat, each slat being pivotable about an axis relative to the support members; and a pair of guide channels in which the respective support members and edges of the slats are accommodated for sliding movement of the slats, the interlocking formations on the edges of the slats being shaped to engage the complemental locking formations of adjacent slats releasably.

2. A roller shutter according to claim 1 wherein the flexible support members are link chains, with at least some of the links in each chain having connector formations thereon engagable with the slats.

3. A roller shutter according to claim 2 wherein the links of each chain are interconnected with, a degree of play in a longitudinal, direction of the chain, allowing a corresponding degree of movement of adjacent slats relative to one another.

4. A roller shutter according to claim 3 wherein the link chains are constrained by the guide channels so that they can be driven to apply a compressive or a tensioning force to the slats.

5. A roller shutter according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the slats and the links are curved complementally to the shape of a take-up roller onto which they can be wound.

6. A roller shutter according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the respective interlocking formations on the opposed edges of the slats comprise curled lips that are curled in opposite directions, so that a curled lip on a first edge of one slat can interlock with a curled lip on a second edge of an adjacent slat when a tensioning force is applied to the slats.

7. A roller shutter according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the respective interlocking formations on the opposed edges of the slats comprise a ridge on a first edge of each slat and a groove on a second edge of each slat, so that a ridge on a first edge of one slat can interlock with a groove on a second edge of an adjacent slat when a compressive force is applied to the slats.

8. A roller shutter according to any one of claims 1 to 7 including an auxiliary drive for pivoting the slats.

9. A roller shutter according to claim 8 wherein each shutter has a pinion attached thereto, and wherein the auxiliary drive comprises a chain arranged to drive the pinions of the slats to rotate them about an axis.

10. A roller shutter installation comprising a roller shutter according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a frame supporting the guide channels of the roller shutter and a take-up roller on which the slats and support members can be wound.

11. A roller shutter installation according to claim 10 including a motor arranged to drive the take-up roller to roll up or unroll the roller shutter and to apply a tensioning or compressive force to the shutter.

12. A roller shutter installation according to any one of claims 9 to 11 including at least one window mounted slidably in the frame adjacent to the roller shutter.

13. A roller shutter according to claim 1 wherein the flexible support members comprise scissors linkages connected at intervals along their lengths to the slats, so that opening or closing of the scissors mechanisms opens or closes the shutter.

14. A roller shutter installation including a roller shutter according to claim 13 and a frame supporting the guide channels and the scissors linkages of the roller shutter.