Device with a shutter and element for reinserting a shutter in a guide rail

[0001] The present invention relates to flexible blinds for closing openings.

[0002] The invention relates in particular to a blind for closing an opening comprising • at least one rail;

• a deformable element that can be moved along such an opening to cover it, or in the opposite direction to reveal the opening. The roller blind includes at least one side slat mounted slidably in the rail, which can be removed by applying the appropriate pulling force, directed perpendicular to the rail, and • an element enabling the insertion of the slat into the rail again, this element includes a guide placed opposite the rail. It is constructed so that when the roller blind is moved in the opposite direction, it moves the strip protruding from the rail towards the rail.

Background Art [0003] Flexible blinds are commonly used to close openings, especially to separate warehouses or industrial halls. They are often made of large, flexible tarpaulins whose side edges are fitted with slats moved in rails located on both sides of the closing hole. The mounting of the side blind slats in the rails is movable, so they can jump out of the rail if the pulling force perpendicular to the rail exceeds a certain critical value. This is to avoid damaging the blind in the event of an accidental impact, for example when the vehicle would hit a closed or insufficiently open blind. If the slats accidentally pop out, this type of blinds requires their re-positioning in the rails.

[0004] Document EP-A 0 272 733 describes a roller blind of the above type, in which a measure enabling automatic placement of side roller blinds in rails is used. This method involves the use of a longitudinal opening in the upper part of the rails, thanks to which the roller blinds that have jumped out of the rails, are placed back in them when they are level with the hole. [0005] In WO 03/048498 the method described in document EP-A 0 272 733 has been improved. In the device described in WO 03/048498, the element enabling the re-positioning of the roller shutter side rails in the rails contains, in addition to the opening, a pair of guide blocks located on both sides of the blind opposite the opening. The blocks are placed on both sides of the blind and separated from each other by an intermediate distance between the thickness of the blind and the thickness of the slats. The blocks are located opposite the rail opening, thanks to which the slat (located outside the rail) slides along the guide blocks, which push it away into the rail opening.

[0006] In this device, moving the blind roller over the blocks creates a frictional force that pushes the roller blind and hinders its upward movement. [0007] In the devices described above, disclosed in documents EP-A 0 272 733 and WO 03/048498, it is necessary to use an opening in the rail that is wide enough to allow passage of the strip inserted therein.

Summary of the Invention [0008] The object of the invention is to create an improved roller blind that eliminates the disadvantages of roller blind friction on guide blocks when placing it in the rails.

[0009] In this connection, the guide element comprises at least one pair of rollers located on two sides of the roller blind, which when moving the roller blind in the opposite direction rotate on a slat outside the rail, pushing it back into place.

[0010] As used herein, the term "opening" means an opening in the wall or partition of a building, or in the floor. The opening can be vertical (e.g. doors or windows in the vertical wall of the building), horizontal (e.g. opening in the floor or in the horizontal roof of the building providing access to the room or basement) or oblique (e.g. in the sloping roof). The invention applies in particular to vertical holes.

[0011] The shape of the opening is not important. In practice, the hole is usually square or rectangular. The dimensions of the hole are also not important. The invention applies primarily to vertical openings, the dimensions of which allow passage of a road vehicle (e.g. passenger car, truck, semi-trailer or trailer at the entrance to a goods warehouse, workshop or industrial hall), an air vehicle (e.g. an aircraft in a repair workshop) or a vehicle river (e.g. barges at the entrance to the unloading warehouse) [non-exhaustive sample list]. The invention also applies to horizontal holes made in the ground and defining, for example, a pool, pond or tank for storing and / or processing industrial materials (non-exhaustive example list).

[0012] The term "roller blind" means a broadly understood movable partition, at least partially flexible or flexible. The blind can, for example, consist of movable slats, tarpaulins, canvas or trusses (a non-exhaustive example list). It may be partly or completely opaque, transparent or translucent. It can be made of a metal or (co) polymer obtained by chemical synthesis, for example from polyvinyl chloride, optionally reinforced with a mineral material (e.g. glass fiber). Flexible tarpaulins are preferred.

[0013] In the device according to the invention, the blind is constructed in a known manner for covering or uncovering the opening. Therefore, the roller blind can be moved in two directions relative to the opening, i.e. in the direction covering the opening and in the opposite direction allowing the opening to be exposed.

[0014] Hereinafter, the term "opposite direction" means the direction of roller shutter movement that allows the opening to be gradually exposed.

[0015] The rail is used to guide the blind when it is moved in the two abovementioned directions. It can be essentially straight and lies along the opening. The roller blind is guided by at least one side strip mounted slidably in the rail. In cross-section, the shape of the slat must be adapted to the shape of the rail so that it would stick to the rail and move when the roller blind moves relative to the opening. Notwithstanding this general requirement, the shape of the strip is not critical to the definition of the invention. The strip can have a round or polygonal cross-section, for example square, rectangular or hexagonal. A round cross section is preferred. The strip can be an integral part of the blind. Alternatively, it can be moved to the edge of the blind and attached to it by a suitable method, for example by gluing, welding or riveting. The strip can be continuous or serrated and extend along the entire length of the side edge of the blind. Alternatively, the blind can be equipped with a row of several slats arranged along the side edge of the blind. In the remainder of this document, and in the absence of contrary information, the term "strip" means both a continuous or serrated side strip and a side row of several strips.

[0016] The rail generally comprises a profile whose cross section is adapted to the cross section of the slat. The profile has a longitudinal slot to insert the blind. The rail can be made of any material adapted to its technical function, for example metal or (co) polymer obtained by chemical synthesis, for example high density polyethylene possibly reinforced with mineral material (e.g. glass fiber).

[0017] The position of the rail near the opening depends on various parameters, in particular the type of opening (horizontal, oblique or vertical opening) and the direction of movement of the blind to cover or reveal the opening. For a horizontal hole, the rail is usually horizontal. For an oblique hole, the rail is usually oblique. In the case of a vertical opening, the rail can be vertical or horizontal, depending on the direction of movement of the blind. The rail is vertical when the blind moves vertically to open or close the opening. The rail is horizontal when the blind moves horizontally to open or close the opening.

[0018] The position of the side strip on the blind depends on the position of the rail with which the strip cooperates to guide the blind.

[0019] In addition, the slat and rail are designed to allow the slat to be pulled out of the rail at a given pulling force (greater than the recommended value) directed in the plane of the blind perpendicular to the rail.

[0020] In this document, the plane of the blind is understood to be a fictitious geometric plan defined by the blind covering the opening.

[0021] Pulling the slat out of the rail under the influence of the above-mentioned force should take place without damaging the blind, slat or rail. The profile and dimensions of the rail and slats, as well as their ability to deform, must therefore be adequate so that the pulling force that pulls the slat out of the rail is less than the critical value causing the blind to tear or damaging the rail or slat. The pull force must, however, be significant and sufficient to prevent the strip from unexpectedly jumping out of the rail during normal roller blind operation.

[0022] Additional information regarding blinds, rails and slats is found in documents EP-A 0 272 733 and WO 03/048498 (both developed by Dynaco international).

[0023] The device according to the invention is further equipped with an element which, when the slat is pulled out of the rail, causes it to be automatically placed back in the rail when the roller blind is moved to reveal the opening (opposite direction referred to above). According to the invention, this element comprises at least one pair of rollers located on two sides of the blind, which when moving the blind in the opposite direction (to reveal the opening) roll over the strip torn from the rail and push it into the rail.

[0024] In the device according to the invention, the position of the rollers relative to the rail is of great importance. It must be chosen so that when the roller blind is moved in the opposite direction, the rollers rotate on the rail (torn out of the rail) and lead to its displacement into the longitudinal slot of the rail and snap into it. In order to enhance the action of the rollers in a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is recommended that the surface of the rollers be ribbed. This will ensure better adhesion of the strip to the rollers. In the device according to the invention, the distance between two rollers should be greater than the thickness of the blind (so as not to impede its movement in front of the opening) and smaller than the thickness of the slat (so that they can rest on it). There is usually a considerable distance between the rollers and the rail. Ideally, this gap should be small enough that the force exerted by the rollers on the slat is sufficient to put it back in the rail. However, it cannot be too small, because then the rollers, rail and rail will be exposed to excessive mechanical force. The optimal distance should always be determined by a specialist. [0025] In a particular embodiment of the device according to the invention, the distance between the rollers is adjustable. This embodiment is adapted to use roller blinds of various thicknesses.

[0026] In another particular embodiment of the device according to the invention, an opening is made in the rail opposite the rollers. In this particular embodiment of the device according to the invention, the opening is intended to reduce the force exerted on the slat during its re-placement in the rail. In this embodiment of the device according to the invention, the rollers may be partially located in the rail opening so as to continuously rotate on the rail, even when it is placed in the rail. For the reasons mentioned above, however, it is better to keep a certain distance between the rollers and the strip.

[0027] In the device according to the invention, the rollers may have any shape compatible with their technical function.

[0028] In the device according to the invention, the rollers are placed opposite each other in relation to the central plane of the blind (the plane of the blind is defined above).

[0029] Preferably, the rollers are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the central plane of the blind.

[0030] In the device according to the invention, the rollers comprise axes of rotation arranged opposite each other in relation to the median plane of the blind.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the fixed axes of rotation of the rollers are arranged symmetrically on two sides of the central plane of the blind.

[0032] In this embodiment of the device according to the invention, both axes of rotation of the rollers are preferably located in the same geometric plane that is preferably perpendicular to the median plane of the roller blind.

[0033] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, both rollers converge towards the rail. While maintaining the other parameters unchanged, the optimal angle of the rollers convergence is the result of a compromise between the search for the maximum value of force exerted on the rollers to place the torn strip in the rail and the minimum wear of the rollers, strip and rail. The optimal angle of convergence must therefore be determined by the specialist on the basis of given factors.

[0034] The rollers are preferably rotatably mounted on ball bearings or other similar bearings.

[0035] In the device according to the invention, the rollers must have sufficient mechanical resistance to the mechanical forces they exert on the roller blind. Regardless of this condition, the dimensions of the rollers and the material from which they are made are not critical to the definition of the invention. The rollers can for example be made of metal (e.g. steel) or (co) polymer obtained by chemical synthesis (e.g. polyester, polyamide or elastomer).

[0036] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the rails have a reinforcement in the area adjacent to the rollers. In this embodiment of the invention, the area adjacent to the rollers is the area in their immediate vicinity, below the rollers in relation to the roller blind displacement in the opposite direction described above. The reinforcement may consist of a C-profile in which the rail is placed. The channel can be made of metal (e.g. steel) or high-strength (co) polymer, e.g. polyamide.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the above-described example, the rollers are attached to a frame made of C-profiles. This variant allows the rollers to be moved freely along the rail. It also makes it easier to replace the rollers if they are worn or damaged. In this variant of the invention, it is preferred that the frame and rail are attached to a fixed support, for example to a metal structure positioned along the opening and sealed in a given structure, e.g. in a wall. In a particular embodiment of this version of the invention, the frame comprises an axial channel and at least one section of the channel consists of this channel. In this embodiment of the invention, the frame is preferably obtained by a molding process.

[0039] In the device according to the invention, the roller blind may comprise one rail and one rail cooperating with the rail to guide the roller blind. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the roller blind includes a second side strip mounted slidably in the second rail, from which it can be pulled out under the effect of a specific pulling force directed perpendicular to the rail, and a second pair of rollers located on both sides of the roller blind, thanks to which when moving the roller blind in the opposite direction of the second roller the pairs rotate on the second rail, pushing it to the second rail from which it was pulled.

[0040] In the device according to the invention, the use of rollers for automatically placing the slat in the rail has the advantage that it significantly reduces the mechanical stress exerted on the roller shutter and the slat or slats. Therefore, the invention significantly increases the lifetime of roller blinds.

[0041] The invention also relates to an element enabling the re-positioning of the roller blind side strip in the rail from which it was torn out. This element includes a frame adapted for mounting on a rail support, the frame consists of an U-channel axial channel in which the rail can be placed and at least one pair of rollers located behind the channel in such a way that when the rail is in the frame channel, the rollers rotate on a strip torn out of the rail, pushing it to the rail when the roller blind is moved in a certain direction.

[0042] For the introducer of the invention, the terms "roller blind", "rail", "slat", "guide element" and "roll" and their functions have been defined above.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the insertion element according to the invention, the rollers have fixed rotation axes, and the two rotation axes of both rollers are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the median plane of the frame channel. These two axes are preferably arranged in one plane which is substantially perpendicular to said center plane of the channel, and are preferably arranged obliquely so that the rollers converge towards the bottom of the channel.

[0044] The introducer according to the invention can easily be adapted to the blinds according to the invention. It can be adapted to existing blinds equipped with a side strip sliding in the guide rail.

[0045] When assembling the introducer according to the invention on an existing roller shutter, the frame of the introducer must be directed so that the rollers are positioned under the channel relative to the opposite direction referred to above.

[0046] The invention has many applications, especially in closing large vertical access openings for hangars or warehouses, covering water filled tanks (such as industrial water treatment tanks or swimming pools) or closing horizontal holes in silos or other chambers for storing goods and industrial products.

Brief description of the figures [0047] The characteristics and details of the invention are detailed in the following description of the attached figures showing a particular embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic front view of the device according to the invention in a closed position;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 1 along the plane II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the detail of Figure 1 showing the introducer of the invention;

Figure 4 shows the roller blind of figures 1 to 3 in a horizontal cross-section along the plane IV-IV of figure 2;

Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4, the roller shutter strip being pulled out of the rail;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the introducer which the device of figures 1 to 3 is equipped with; Figure 7 is a front view of the introducer of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a top view of the introducer of Figures 6 and 7;

Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the detail of Figure 8;

Figure 10 shows another enlarged detail of Figure 8;

Figure 11 shows a vertical axial section along the plane ΧΙ-ΧΙ of Figure 7 of the introducer of figures 6 to 10 connected to the roller shutter rail;

Figure 12 is an enlarged view of the detail of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a view analogous to the view of Figure 11, showing a flow chart of the inserter of figures 6 to 10;

Figure 14 is an enlarged view of the detail of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the lower part of the introducer according to the invention;

Figure 16 shows a variant of the insertion element according to the invention.

The figures are not drawn to scale.

[0048] Basically, the same numbers indicate the same or similar elements.

Detailed description of specific embodiments [0049] Figures 1 to 3 show a vertical opening 1 in a vertical wall 2 of a building, for example an industrial or commercial warehouse. The dimensions of the opening 1 allow the lorry (not shown in the figure) to pass through. [0050] Wall 2 is equipped with a blind in accordance with the invention. The device consists of roller blind 3 made of flexible tarpaulin made, for example, of glass-fiber reinforced polyvinyl chloride. The roller blind 3 in the upper part is attached to a horizontal drum 4 located above the opening 1. Drum 4 is coupled with an electric motor 5, the activation of which causes the roller blind 3 to fall to cover the opening and close the building or to raise it to reveal the opening 1 and allow the truck to pass .

[0051] A pair of vertical rails 7 and 8 are located along the vertical edges of the opening 1. The rails 7 and 8 are attached to a metal frame 9 embedded in the ground. Rails 7 and 8 are used to guide roller blind 3 during up and down movement. For this purpose, the roller blind is equipped with two side slats 10 and 11 located in rails 7 and 8. In figure 4, the slats 10 and 11 have a round profile and their thickness is greater than the thickness of the blind. Rails 7 and 8 are circular profiles extended by two wings 12 and 13 defining a longitudinal vertical gap between them 16. The thickness of the vertical gap 16 is intermediate between the thickness of the roller shutter tarpaulin 3 and the thickness of slats 10 and 11. In this way slats 10 and 11 move in rails 7 and 8 when the roller blind 3 is raised or lowered. Each of rails 7 and 8 is placed in frame 14, which will be explained later.

[0052] The rails 7 and 8, and in particular their wings 12 and 13, are designed so that the slats 10 and 11 can jump out of the rails, passing through the gap 16 when the pulling forces X and Y are exerted on them (figure 4) in roller blind plane and perpendicular to the rails. This can happen, for example, when a lowered or insufficiently opened blind is suddenly hit by a vehicle entering or leaving the warehouse. It is important that the pulling force X, Y necessary to pull strips 10, 11 out of rails 7 and 8 are as large as possible, so that strips 10 and 11 will not jump out of rails 7 and 8 unexpectedly during normal operation of the roller shutter 3. The pull force must, however be lower than the critical value to prevent tearing of the roller shutter tarpaulin 3.

[0053] Figure 5 shows a roller blind 3 whose slat 10 has been torn from the rail 7.

[0054] The rails 7 and 8 may for example be made of high density polyethylene.

[0055] The device shown in the figures is equipped with an element according to the invention for re-positioning the slat 10 (or slat 11) in rail 7 (or rail 8) in the event of it being torn out. This device, better illustrated in figures 6 to 10, comprises a frame 14 attached to the structure 9 (figures 1 and 3) in the upper part of the rail. A straight axial channel 15 passes through the frame 14, the channel section of which allows the mounting of rails 7 and 8. The frame 14 is preferably a molded plastic body with high resistance, e.g. polyamide.

[0056] In figures 6 to 10, the rail 7 is mounted in the channel 15 of the frame 14. The frame 14 is intended to increase the rigidity of the rail 7 embedded therein. Therefore, the frame 14 is equipped with two longitudinal wings 21 based on wings 12 and 13 The rails 7. The frame 14 and the wings 21 must be rigid enough to prevent deformation of the rail 7 in the frame 14 when re-inserting the strip into the rail as explained later.

[0057] An adequate distance must be provided between the two wings 21 to allow the blind 3 to pass.

[0058] In the lower part, the frame 14 is equipped with a pair of rollers 17 mounted on ball bearings 18 locked on fixed shafts 19. The shafts 19 are positioned so that both rollers 17 are placed symmetrically on both sides of the axial plane of the rail 7 and in the immediate vicinity of the slot 16 The rails 7. In addition, the rollers 17 are located near the lower end of the frame 14. This frame is therefore below the rollers 17 in relation to raising the blind 3. [0059] Figure 9 shows in detail the position of the rollers 17 on the frame 14 relative to the rail 7 embedded therein with the strip 10 sliding in the rail

7. Both rollers 17 are opposite the slot 16 of the rail 7 and converge towards the slot 16. The distance between the rollers 17 is chosen in such a way as to keep between each roller 17 and the roller shutter 3 a distance sufficient to not hinder the normal operation of the roller shutter, preventing transition of strip 10 between rollers 17. In addition, the rollers 17 are positioned to allow a significant distance B between the rollers and the slat 10 when it slides in the rail 7 normally.

[0060] Figure 10 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the rollers 17 are circumferentially ribbed. The ribs 22 of the rollers 17 serve to increase the adhesion of the rollers on the rail during its re-introduction into the rail as explained below.

[0061] Operation of the introducer will be explained mainly with reference to figures 11 to 14.

[0062] In figure 11, the roller shutter strip 10 is normally embedded in the rail 7. The strip 10 thus slides normally in the rail 7 to guide the roller shutter during its up or down movement in the direction of the Z-Z 'arrows.

[0063] In the rail 7 opposite the rollers 17, an opening 23 is cut out. The opening 23 has been cut in the wings 12 and 13 of the rail 7. Figure 12 shows the considerable distance B between the rollers 17 and the slat 10. As a result, the slat is not pushed by the rollers 17 during normal roller blind action 3.

[0064] In figures 13 and 14, the roller shutter strip 10 has been torn out of the rail 7. When the roller shutter is moved upwards in the direction of arrow Z, the strip 10 is pulled upwards in the direction of arrow Z and rolls over the rollers 17 which, turning in the direction of the arrow C, push the slat 10 towards the opening 23 into the rail

7. Figure 14 shows the forces D exerted by the rollers 17 on the slat 10.

[0065] Figure 15 shows a strip 27 of roller blind 3, which has a serrated shape on both sides of the central plane of the blind. Preferably, the serrated bar 27 is equipped with a continuous arm 28 providing rollers 17 with contact and support. For the sake of clarity of the drawing, rail 7 is not shown.

[0066] In Figure 16, the introducer according to the invention is built into a roller blind comprising on each side a serrated rope pulley 24 to change the direction of the roller shutter 3. The rope blocks 24 are rotatably mounted and secured, for example, by a non-represented pin. The rope blocks 24 can then drive the roller shutter 3. The insertion element has a curvilinear part 26 equipped with a guide roller 25 intended to hold the toothed slat 27 in the pulley 24 and to keep it in the channel 15 or rail 7 regardless of the direction of travel.

[0067] In the description of the figures, it has been assumed that the opening 1 is vertical and the roller blind is suspended on a drum 4 located above the opening. In this embodiment, the blind is moved up to reveal the opening. The invention also applies when the drum 4 is located at the bottom of the opening 1. In this modified embodiment of the invention, the drum may be, for example, in a trough located below ground level. In this embodiment, the blind is moved down to reveal the opening and up to cover it.

[0068] In another modified embodiment of the invention, the rail 7 is horizontal and positioned along the upper horizontal edge of the opening 1, while the rail 8 is positioned along the lower horizontal edge of the opening. In this embodiment of the invention, the slats 10 and 11 of the blind 3 are horizontal and the drum 4 is vertical and positioned along one of the vertical edges of the opening 1.