WO2016166694A1

WO2016166694A1 - Roller shutter with tiltable slats

Info

Publication number: WO2016166694A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/052124
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donato MONTANARO
Original assignee: Kikau Persiane Srl
Current assignee: Kikau Persiane Srl
Priority date: 2015-04-14
Filing date: 2016-04-14
Publication date: 2016-10-20
Anticipated expiration: 2017-10-14
Also published as: ITRM20150158A1; EP3283720A1; PT3283720T; ES2826561T3; EP3283720B1

Abstract

Roll-up shutter (100) configured to be rolled-up around a support rollerfrom an extended configuration of maximum obstruction, to a rolled-up configuration of minimum obstruction, comprising a plurality of slats (2) configured to be simultaneously tilted at the extended configuration of the shutter.

Description

ROLLER SHUTTER WITH TILTABLE SLATS

DESCRIPTION

Technical field of the invention The present invention relates to a roll-up shutter, in particular to a shutter with tiltable slats directed to the door and window sector for civil and/or industrial building use.

State of the art

The state of the prior art comprises roll-up shutters which, at a closed configuration of the shutter, allow a light and air adjustment inside the rooms by means of a tilting of the slats. The international application WO2010082227, describes a shutter in which the tilting of the slats occurs through the weight force of the shutter, in particular each slat is tilted by means of the weight force of the overlying slats.

The main disadvantage is that the upper strip may not open, for example in the case of modest weight of the overlying strip. Furthermore, the slats are oriented not all simultaneously and can orientate of approximately 45 ° with respect to its relative position to the fully closed without having the possibility of intermediate positions of orientation. A further disadvantage is that a rotation action of the slats can also be triggered by other external agents, such as a strong wind, with consequent vibrations and noise of the shutter and then generally to the detriment of security, privacy and comforts of fruition of the environments. The system described in the patent application EP0687793 combines the technique of the common shutter with that of the driving mechanisms of the slats for adjustable shutters, in an articulated and complex way. The slats rotation is enforced by a mechanism installed in the guide profiles equipped with rotors with fixed step ideally coinciding with the interaxis step of the slats when the shutter is fully lowered. Each rotor is connected by an arm to a connecting rod able to rotate all rotors simultaneously when the shutter reaches the completely closed position.

This system entails high production and assembly costs due to the high number of components and to the necessary machining operations, the system above mentioned is further subject to malfunctions and consequent breakages often due to non-perfect alignment of the axes of the rotors with the rotation axes of the slats. The patent application EP2722475 describes a roller shutter with tiltable slats in which the raising, lowering and winding of the shutter as well as the adjustment of the opening position of the slats, is carried by a handling mechanism provided in special lateral guides of the shutter and consists of a large number of components interconnected to each other. The specific handling system involves a considerable complexity during assembly as well as the need for a specialized intervention in case of malfunctions, with obvious increases in terms of costs and maintenance time. Moreover, the known system does not allow the use of standard guides and is therefore not always usable in restructuring operations when existing guides are already installed at doors or windows. Summary of the invention

Therefore, the technical problem posed and solved by the present invention is to provide a device which allows to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to prior art.

This problem is solved by a shutter according to claim 1.

Preferred features of the present invention are shown in the dependent claims. The present invention provides several relevant advantages. In particular, the shutter of the present invention is shaped in such a way that it can be installed also on existing and standards guides and greatly reduces costs and maintenance time.

Advantageously, a phase of opening of the slats provides a simultaneous exposure of all the slats operated by the weight of the slats. A further advantage is that slats adjacent to each other are constrained to one another in such a way as to allow the maintenance of intermediate orientation positions in an opening configuration of the slats and at the same time to allow the maintenance of substantially coplanar positions in a closing configuration of the slats. In other words, the constraint means interposed between the slats also act as a safety device in an extended configuration of the shutter, avoiding unintentional opening of the slats.

In addition, the system according the invention is obtained by the use of a limited number of modular components which can be assembled together even in an automated manner, so as to be produced at favourable costs. In addition, the operative simplicity of the object according to the present invention greatly reduces the accidental breakage of the components and/or malfunctioning episodes.

Other advantages, features and the modes of employ of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of some embodiments, given by exemplificative and non-limiting way. Brief description of figures

Reference will be made to the Figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure la shows a rear sectional perspective view of a central portion of a preferred embodiment of the shutter according to the invention with the slats in the closed position;

Figure lb shows a perspective sectional view of the shutter portion of Figure la with the slats in the open position;

Figure 2 shows a side sectional view of the shutter of Figure la;

Figure 3 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of the shutter according to the invention with the slats in the closed position;

Figure 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the shutter of Figure 1 and of some main components of the shutter itself;

Figure 5a shows a rear sectional perspective view of a lower portion of a preferred embodiment of the shutter according to the invention with the slats in the closed position, in an insertion configuration in a guide G;

Figure 5b shows a rear sectional perspective view of the shutter portion of Figure 5a, with the slats in the open position;

Figure 6 shows a front sectional perspective view of the shutter portion of Figure 5b;

Figure 7 shows a rear exploded perspective view of the shutter portion of Figure 5a, without the guide G;

Figure 8a shows a rear perspective view of a right lateral supporting element of a slat of a preferred embodiment of the shutter according to the invention;

Figure 8b shows an enlarged detail of Figure 7, namely a rear perspective view of a left supporting element of a slat of a preferred embodiment of the shutter according to the invention;

Figure 9 shows an enlarged detail of Figure 7, that is, a constraining means of a slat of a preferred embodiment of the shutter according to the invention;

Figure 10a shows a rear perspective view of an end right element of a slat of a preferred embodiment of the shutter according to the invention;

Figure 10b shows an enlarged detail of Figure 7, namely a rear perspective view of a left terminal element of a slat of a preferred embodiment of the shutter according to the invention;

Figure 11 shows two further enlarged details of Figure 7, namely a rear perspective view of a slat and a sealing element of a preferred embodiment of the shutter according to the invention; Figures 12a to 12d show enlarged details of Figure 7, which show perspective views of connection elements provided in a preferred embodiment of the shutter according to the invention;

Figure 13a shows a rear perspective view of a first embodiment of the shutter according to the present invention with the slats in a closed configuration; Figure 13b shows the shutter of Figure 13a with the slats in an open configuration;

Figure 14 shows an exploded enlarged view of a detail of Figure 13a;

Figure 15a shows a rear perspective view of a second embodiment of the shutter according to the present invention with the slats in a closed configuration;

Figure 15b shows the shutter of Figure 15a with the slats in an opening configuration; Figure 16 shows an exploded enlarged view of a detail of Figure 15a;

Figure 17a shows a front perspective view of a roller shutter system according to a further embodiment of the present invention with the slats in an open configuration;

Figure 17b shows a front perspective view of the roller shutter system of Figure 17a with the slats in a closed configuration; Figure 18 shows a rear perspective partially exploded view of a detail of Figure 17a;

Figure 19a shows an alternative embodiment of the shutter of Figure 16;

Figure 19b shows an enlarged detail of Figure 19a; Figures 20a, 20b and 20c show three sectional views of the slat, respectively, in a closed configuration, in an intermediate configuration and in an open configuration.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The roller shutter according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is configured to be rolled-up around a support roller, for example, provided at a door and/or window to obscure, to move from an extended configuration of maximum overall dimensions (and then of maximum obstruction), to a rolled-up configuration of minimum overall dimensions (i.e. a minimum of obstruction of an opening of the door/window).

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the shutter 100 seconds a first preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of slats 2 adjustable, in particular adjustable by means of a rotation around a main rotation longitudinal axis (A-A) , also shown in figures 20a to 20c.

The shutter 100 described herein also provides lateral supporting means 5 for supporting the slats 5. The lateral supporting means 5 is configured to support the shutter in an assembled configuration and in order to guide the sliding of the shutter in a sliding guide G, for example, provided at the door or window frame.

Advantageously, as will be better described below, the roll-up shutter according to the invention is shaped to slide in guiding profiles of known type, for example already provided at the door/window frame to guide a linear sliding of the shutter inside the guide profiles during the opening and closing operations of the shutter. The slat 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is realized by an extruded section bar, for example by an aluminium-extruded profile. In particular, the extruded section, and therefore the external shape of the slat, has a substantially arcuate shape. The arcuate shape facilitates the winding operations of the shutter and allows to minimize the overall dimensions of the shutter in the rolled-up configuration, for example rolled-up on a roller provided within the cover.

As shown in Figure 11, the extruded section of the slat 2 is shaped in such a way to comprise stiffening elements, for example a primary stiffening element 26 and a secondary stiffening element 27.

These stiffening elements, so called baffles, are positioned inside the section bar so as to ensure a greater rigidity of the slat 2. In particular, the internal stiffening elements increase the bending resistance of the slat, for example at a maximum opening configuration of the slat 2, wherein the bending stresses, generated by the weight of the slat, reach a maximum.

In the preferred embodiment here described, the stiffening elements 26 and 27 are positioned to divide a section of the extruded profile into three main portions, one central and two lateral.

As shown in Figure 11, and in more detail in Figure 20a, the primary stiffening element 26 develops internally to the section bar substantially along a main rotation longitudinal axis (A-A), substantially decentred with respect to a barycentric longitudinal extension axis (B-B) of the slat. In particular, the element 26 is shaped so that to comprise a substantially cylindrical receiving portion 22 in proximity of a lateral end of the slat 2. For example, the portion 22 is shaped to receive in a shape coupling, as will be better described in below, connecting means 7 for the connection of the slat 2 to a lateral support 5.

In the present example, a screw 7 comprising a self-tapping portion is provided. The substantially cylindrical receiving portion defined by the stiffening element 21 is laterally open so as to facilitate a gripping action of the screw 7 in the above-mentioned connection phase between the slat 2 and support 5.

The outer profile of the slat 2 is directly made in an extrusion step of the section bar. As shown in Figures 4 and 11, the outer profile of the slat has a lower portion 25 shaped to be positioned in abutment on an upper edge of a further blade positioned inferiorly to the slat 2. The portion 25, which extends along the whole extension of a lower edge of the slat, it is projecting and is dimensioned to interfere with the further slat in such a way as to block a rotation of the slat, in at least one direction of rotation, about the axis (A-A) at a closed configuration of the slats.

The upper edge of the slat has a receiving portion 23 shaped to receive by shape coupling a linear sealing element, for example a seal 10.

As shown in Figure 11, the seal 10 comprises a portion 103 having a substantially "T" shaped profile to be inserted by shape coupling into the receiving portion 23. The seal 10 also comprises a portion 102 shaped in such a manner as to project - in an assembly configuration - from the receiving portion 23. In particular, the portion 102 has a substantially arcuate cross section and is dimensioned in such a way as to abut, for example by shape coupling, with the portion 25 of a lower edge of a slat over mounted. In particular, the seal 10 allows an occlusion of the interstices between the upper and lower edges of the slats. The seal 10 is preferably made of coextruded plastic materials. In particular, the portion 103 is preferably made of rigid plastic material and is dimensioned so as to be inserted along its entire length inside the slot 23 of the slat 2. The portion 102 is preferably made of soft plastic material and, advantageously, when the shutter is in the closed and maximum obscuring position, has the function to abut against the part 25 of the adjacent slat without resisting too much, in order to ensure the total closure of the slats and obstruct the light transition between the same slats along the entire width of the shutter. In the embodiment here described, the upper edge of the slat 2 has a further receiving portion with circular section 24, also this in particular realized during the extrusion of the section bar.

As will be better described below, the further portion with circular section 24 is shaped to receive connecting means, in particular a self-tapping screw 6, for connecting the slat 2 to the constraining means 4. In particular, to ensure a rotatable connection around a connection axis (C-C), a bushing 9 is provided, as shown in figure 4.

In order to optimize the sealing of the lateral connection between a slat 2 and a support element 5, terminal elements 3 are provided, in particular occluding elements positioned at the ends of the slats 2.

As shown in Figure 10a, a first face of the occluding element 3, in particular a face adapted to be coupled to the ends of a slat 2, has a raised profile shaped to fit by shape coupling at a lateral end of a slat. In this example, the raised profile comprises three protrusions 31 shaped to be inserted into respective cavities 21 provided in the slat. The sealing between the terminal element 3 and the slat 2 is guaranteed by the insertion of the protrusions in the cavity. Each terminal element also has, on a face turned towards the slat, a supporting surface 32 for supporting the slat and at least two profiles 33 raised with respect to the supporting surface 32. The profiles 33 are shaped to adhere in a coupling configuration to the outer geometry of the slat, in such a way as to ensure a shape coupling between the parties, in addition to the occlusion of any mechanical clearance between the terminal element 3 and the slat 2. The terminal element 3 also has an opening, for example a through-hole 34 configured for receiving connecting means 7, for connecting the slat 2 to the lateral support 5. As shown in Figures 4 and 10b, on a further face facing towards a lateral support 5, the terminal 3 has three raised elements 35, 36 and 37 which are shaped to abut, at a closed configuration of the slats, with complementary elements located on a lateral support 5 in such a way as to isolate any light transitions and at the same time to hide a front view of the constraining means 4 connecting slats 2 between each other, as will be described in more detail below.

Further, a through hole 38 which allows the passage of a fixing screw 6 of the constraining means 4 to the slat 2, is provided. The planar portion 39 shown in Figure 10b is shaped so as to receive and fully hide the constraining means 4, at a closed configuration of the shutter. In the preferred embodiment here described, the constraining means 4 comprises a rod element shown for example in Figure 9.

The rod element 4 is positioned to constrain, one to another, slats 2 adjacent to each other. The mechanical function of the rod element is to connect the slats to each other and make them simultaneously rotate, each slat with respect to its axis (A-A) when the shutter is in an extended configuration and, as will be better described below, the driving slat is actuated.

The rod element 4 is rotatably connected, at each end, to an upper edge of slats 2 adjacent to each other. In particular, the rotatable connection between the rod element 4 and two slats 2 adjacent to each other, takes place at an end portion of the upper edge, as better described below. Preferably, the rod member 4 is made of metallic material in such a way as to ensure a high bending strength even in a partial orientation configuration of the slats 2.

As shown in Figures 4 and 9, the rod element has a substantially arcuate shape that follows the geometric contour of the terminal 3, the slat 2 and the side support 5.

Advantageously, the arcuate shape allows the element rod 4 to be collected within a space between the terminal element 3 and the lateral support 5 so as not to create any obstacle during the step of rolling up of the shutter, for example on a roll.

The rod element 4 has two holes 41 and 43 at its ends. Each one of the two holes is shaped to receive a bushing 9 with a tolerance such as to allow the rod element to rotate with respect to the bushing 9 and, at the same time, such as to limit to a minimum the clearance between the two components.

In the present example, the bushing 9 is configured to distribute the weight of the shutter on the rod elements 4 without creating excessive loads on the connection screws 6 between a rod element 4 and adjacent slats 2. In particular, as shown in Figure 12d, the inner diameter 91 of the bushing 9 is dimensioned to receive the portion 62 of the screw 6 with a tolerance that allows the screw 6 to freely rotate around its own axis. An outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 92 is dimensioned so as to be inserted inside a hole 41 of a rod element 4, and inside the hole 43 of a further rod element, in particular with a tolerance that allows to the two rod elements 4 to be able to freely rotate with respect to portion 92. Preferably, a longitudinal extension of the cylindrical portion 92 is dimensioned in such a way that when the fastening screw 6 is completely screwed in, the head 64 blocks the bushing on the terminal element 3 and at the same time the rod elements 4 can freely move. An edge surface 93 works as supporting surface of the bush 9 on the floor 39 of the terminal element 3 and is dimensioned so as to cover the entire shape of the rod 4 thus avoiding the rubbing of the rods on the terminal element during the opening and closing phases of the slats 2 and during the winding of the shutter.

In particular, the rod member 4 further comprises a tilted portion 42, which works to guide univocally the positioning of a main body of the element 4 in a cavity made by the coupling between the terminal element 3 and the supporting element 5. As shown in Figure 12a, the screw connecting element 6 - in particular made of steel - has a threaded portion 61 with self-tapping thread type shaped to be inserted inside the receiving surface 24 of the slat 2.

When the screw 6 is fully threaded on the slat 2 the section 63 abuts on an end surface of the slat 2 surrounding the portion 24. A further portion 62 of the screw 6 has a cylindrical surface, with no thread having a diameter dimensioned in such a way as to be inserted both inside a hole 91 of a bush 9, and inside the holes 38 of the terminal elements 3 with a tolerance that allows the bushings 9 to be able to freely rotate and at the same time limiting to a minimum the clearance between the screw and the bushing.

The longitudinal extension of the portion 62 is such as to ensure the fixing of the bushings and consequently also of the rod elements 4 to the slats 2. The head 64 of the screw has a diameter such as not to allow the rods 4 from sliding out from the bushing 9 when the screw 6 is fully threaded.

As shown in Figures 4 and 8a, a lateral support 5 has, at a face turned towards an terminal element 3, two raised elements 51 and 52 which - at a closed configuration of the slats 2 - are positioned in abutment with the respective complementary elements 36 and 35 located on the terminal element 3. As mentioned above, the coupling between the raised profiles allows to avoid the light transition at the interfaces between the support elements 5 and the terminal elements 3 and to hide from exterior view the connecting rod elements 4 of the slat when the shutter is at a closed configuration. In particular, the support element 5 further has a discharge area 53 shaped to allow the insertion of the raised element 37 of the terminal element 3 and its free rotation within the same area.

Advantageously, the discharge zone 53 extends along a circular sector delimited by a circumference arc of about 90 degrees and having two lateral abutment walls. Therefore, the rotation angle of the raised element 37 within the discharge area 53 is substantially comprised between 0 and 90 degrees. Similarly, in an assembled configuration, the rotation angle of a slat 2 with respect to a supporting element is comprised between 0 and 90 degrees. Advantageously, the maximum opening limit of 90 degrees of the slat allows to avoid, in case of raining, the water inlet in the indoor environment. On the contrary, if the device would allow a rotation of the slats of a bigger angle, for example comprised between 90 and 180 degrees, in case of raining, the device would allow the water inlet in the indoor environment.

As shown in Figure 8a, it is further provided a through hole 59 which allows the insertion and the free sliding of a connecting means, in particular of a screw 7, between the support 5 and the slat 2. As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the lateral supports 5 are connected together to form a so-called single-wire mesh. In particular, in the preferred embodiment here described, a single wire mesh right and a left single-wire mesh are provided, formed by the lateral supports concatenated between each other. Each single wire mesh of the supporting elements is positioned at one end of the slats 2, as shown in Figures 13 and 15. An upper and lower rotatable connection between supporting elements adjacent to each other, is implemented by means of hinge connections between the elements.

In particular, a hinge connection between adjacent supporting elements is realized through a coupling between lower receiving elements 50 of a first support element and upper receiving elements 54 of a supporting element under the first supporting element and a connecting pin 8. For example, the connecting pin 8 is made of steel and is mounted to define an axis of relative rotation between the support elements 5.

As shown in Figure 12b, a portion 82 of the connecting pin 8 has a small countersink such as to facilitate the insertion of the pin 8 inside the elements 50 and 54 of the lateral supports 5. A cylindrical shaped portion 83 has a diameter dimensioned in such a way as to be inserted inside the elements 50 and 54 of the lateral supports 5 with a tolerance that allows the side supports 5 can freely rotate using of the pin 8 as rotation axis. In particular, the portion 81 of the pin 8 has a linear knurling, which partially increases the diameter of the pin 8. When the pin 8 is inserted completely inside the elements 50 and 54 of the concatenated lateral supports 5, the portion 81 having a diameter slightly larger fits into the element 50 placed at of an outer side of the lateral support. The linear knurling affects entirely a tubular surface of the element 50 ensuring that, during an extension and/or winding movement of the shutter, the pin 8 can not fall out of its seat. As shown in Figures 2 and 6, in the preferred embodiment here described, the rotation fulcrum "S" of a support element 5 with respect to an adjacent support element is defined at a hole made on the element 54 in which the connecting pin 8 is inserted. The rotation fulcrum "L" of a slat 2 with respect to the support element 5 is defined at the hole 59 in which the through screw 7, that rotatably connects the slat 2 to the supporting element 5, is inserted. In particular, as shown also in figure 8b, the hole 59 is substantially misaligned with respect to a vertical passing through the holes provided on the elements 54 and 50.

As shown in Figure 2, the rotation fulcrums "S" of the supports 5 are aligned with each other along a vertical in an assembled configuration. In addition, the rotation fulcrum "L" of the slat 2 with respect to the support element 5 is substantially spaced from the vertical alignment of the fulcrums "S". As shown in Figures 8a and 8b, at a lower edge of the support element 5 is also provided an abutment element 57, for example shaped as a projecting profile, configured to obstruct the light transition and ensure the rotation stroke end between adjacent lateral supports rotatably connected. In particular, the abutment element 57 is configured to block unwanted rotation between the support elements 5 around the fulcrums "S", for example as a result of a rotation of the slats 2 around the fulcrum "L" in an extended configuration of the shutter. Advantageously, the overall configuration ensures the maintenance of the interaxis distance of the rotation fulcrums "S" of the supports 5, and consequently of the rotation fulcrums "L" of the slats 2, at a rotation of the slats 2. At the hole 59, on an outer surface of the support 5 is also provided a portion 58, shown in Figure 8b, which is for example configured to receive the head of the through screw 7.

In particular, the connecting screw 7 is made of steel and works to constrain the slats 2 to the lateral supports 5 allowing, at the same time, the free rotation of the slats. As shown in Figure 12c, the screw comprises a portion 71 having a self-tapping thread type. The portion 71 is shaped to be inserted inside the portion 22 of the slat 2.

When the screw 7 is fully threaded on the slat 2, a transition section 73 between a threaded portion 71 and a non-threaded portion 72, stands in abutment at a lateral end of the slat 2 surrounding the portion 22. The portion 72 has a cylindrical surface and a diameter such as to be inserted inside the through hole 59 of the lateral supports 5 and inside the through hole 34 of the terminal elements 3, with a tolerance that allow the slats to freely rotate, in particular substantially around a symmetry axis of the screw 7.

The longitudinal extension of the portion 72 is such as to ensure, in a mounting configuration of the shutter, the fastening of the slats to the lateral supports and, at the same time, such as to allow and do not constrain the free rotation motion of the slats around their main rotation axis (A-A). The screw head 74 is dimensioned in such a way as to be completely contained within the hollow portion 58 of the lateral support in such a way as not to interfere with a guide G during a sliding movement of the shutter within the guide itself.

In the preferred embodiment here described, at a lower end portion of the shutter, a support element 11 shaped as shown in Figures 5a, 5b, 6 and 7 is provided, to go in abutment on a reference plane and to support the weight of the shutter in the fully extended configuration. In the present example, the supporting element 11 is shaped as a section bar. In particular, at each lateral end, the supporting element 11 comprises a hinge element 13, for example inserted interlocking at lateral ends of the section bar of the supporting element 11 suitably milled to receive the hinge element 13. In particular, the hinge element 13 comprises a portion that protrudes from an upper edge of the supporting element 11 shaped as an upper portion of a supporting element 5 in such a manner as to be rotatably connected to a lower portion of an adjacent supporting element 5.

In the example described, each hinge element 13 is rotatably connected to a terminal supporting element 5 respectively of a right single-wire mesh and a left single-wire mesh. In the preferred embodiment here described, the supporting element 11 also comprises an extension element 12 that is configured to be contained into the section bar of the supporting element 11 in a condition of maximum extension of the shutter.

Preferably, the extension element 12 has a section to "double T" in such a way as to minimize the weight of the structure. The supporting element 11 has a longitudinal opening on a lower edge through which the extension element slides from a position of maximum extension, shown in Figure 5a, to a minimum extension position, shown in Figure 5b.

The upper portion of the element 12 is shaped like a "T" in such a way to be able to abut on an inner edge of the longitudinal opening. The same weight force of the element 12 keeps it in a maximum extension position during a phase of winding and unwinding of the shutter in such a way as to maximize a maximum obscuring condition.

At a maximum extension position of the shutter, the lower portion of the element 12 stands in abutment on a reference plane and a main body of the element 12 slides into the section bar of the supporting element 11 until a base of the supporting element 11 does not reach a lower abutting condition. To contain undesired longitudinal movements of the extension element 12 with respect to the extension element 12, there is provided a stop element 15, such as a cap, at each lateral end of the section bar of the supporting element 11. In particular, the stop element 15 is fixed by fixing means, for example a screw 16 to the supporting elementll.

As shown in Figure 7, the stop element 15 is shaped in such a way as to contain also undesirable longitudinal movements of the element to hinge 13.

In the preferred embodiment of the shutter according to the present invention, the components here described, configured to be mounted at a right lateral end of the slat 2, are to be considered as described in specular manner to be mounted at a left lateral end of the slat.

As described above, therefore, the shutter 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of adjustable slats 2 connected to each other by means of rod elements 4 and driven in their closing motion by an upper slat 55, so-called driving slat.

As shown in Figures 13a and 13b, the slat 55 is connected, in an operative configuration, to the winding roller of the shutter through transmission means, for example a transmission belt 124.

Preferably, as shown in Figure 13b, an upper terminal part of the shutter is constituted by two or more slats 88 not tiltable, laterally constrained to supporting elements which allow the passage of the transmission means and their free sliding.

The tape 124, for example made of harmonic steel, is connectable to a roller at a first end and rotatably coupled to the driving blade 55 at a second end.

In the preferred embodiment here described, a hook member 18 shaped to be coupled to an upper edge portion of the driving slat 55 is provided. As shown in Figure 14, the hook element 18 comprises two portions 181 shaped to be inserted into the portions 23 and 24 of the driving slat. In particular, the upper edge of the driving slat has two slots, for example realized by means of partial milling operations of the portions 23 and 24. At the previously mentioned slots, a portion 183 of the hook 18 can freely rotate with respect to a main extension axis of the portions 181.

In particular, the second end of the tape 124 is bound to said portion 183. In order to increase the belt stroke in an opening phase of the slats 2 (or in order to maximize the opening of the slats 2) the hook element 18 has a step conformation.

In particular, the portion 183 of the hook is decentred with respect to the portions 181 and outwardly spaced with respect to an upper edge of the slat 55. In this way, the stroke of the transmission belt 124 is greater than a stroke that the same belt would presented if its second end was bound at an upper edge of the slat 55. Advantageously, therefore, the complete opening blade configuration 55 is not limited by the stroke of the belt 124.

At a rotation of the winding roller, the belt 124 is tensioned between the winding force of the roller and the weight force of the slat 55. Once tensioned, the belt 124 transmits a tensile force to the driving slat 55, allowing the closure of the driving slat 55.

The specific configuration of the hook 18 is also advantageous in a phase of orientation of the slat 55 towards a closed configuration of the slat 55. The specific configuration of the hook 18 in fact allows to dampen, through a rotation of the portion 183 respect of portions 181, any vibrations or sudden changes in tension of the belt at the starting motion of the roller.

The closing movement of the drive slat 55 is transmitted to the plurality of slats 2 by the constraining rod elements 4 which constraint adjacent slats.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, in the preferred embodiment, a rod element 4 is connected to a slat 2 at an end portion with respect to a rotation fulcrum L of the slat 2 in such a way as to maximize the torque moment transmitted from the rod element 4 to the slat 2 during a closing step of the slats. Once closed all the slats, the weight of the entire shutter is supported by the transmission means 124, the slats are maintained in a closed configuration by the rod elements 4 and the shutter is gradually raised and wound around the winding roller in a minimum overall dimension configuration.

At a contrary rotation of the winding roller, the shutter is brought into an extended configuration. The slats are maintained in a closed condition until the belt is maintained in tension or until the weight force of the shutter is not eliminate.

As shown in Figures 5a and 5b, at a complete lowering and maximum extension position of the shutter, the element 12 is supported on a lower base element and the weight force of the shutter is eliminated. In this position the shutter ensures maximum obscuring of the environment. By continuing a rotary unwinding motion of the belts 124 connected to the driving slat, the belts gradually release the tension constraint in such a manner that the driving slat and all the underlying slats, connected to each other, can orientate in an opening position due to their own weight force. The rotation axis (A-A) of the slats is in fact decentred with respect to a barycentric axis (B-B) and is positioned in such a way as to cause an opening actuated by the weight force of the slats.

As shown in Figure 4, and detailed in Figures 20(a) to 20(c), the main rotation axis (A-A) of the slat 2 is positioned in a portion comprised between the barycentric longitudinal extension axis (B-B) and a lower edge of the slat 2.

In particular, in Figures 20a to 20c, the slat weight force 'g' and the holding force 'F' are indicated, generated by the tension of the transmission means which connect the driving slat to the roller, for example by the belt 124 or from the cable 134,. The 'F' force which acts on the driving slat 55 is transmitted by the constraining means 4 to the lower slats 2.

At an extended configuration of the shutter (Fig. 2a), the slat 2 is maintained in a closed configuration maintained by the tension 'F' of the belt (or cable) connected to the roller (F≥g); continuing the unwinding of the belt (or cable) the slat is brought into a tilted configuration (Fig. 20b) in which the weight 'g' of the slat exceeds the tension value 'F' (F <g); from the tilted configuration the weight 'g' of the slat carries the slat in an opening configuration (Fig. 20c, in which F = 0).

Advantageously, in Figure 20a, is shown a horizontal misalignment between the main rotation axis (A-A) of the slat and the barycentric longitudinal extension axis (B-B), which are spaced apart to allow a facilitated orientation of the slats. Thanks to the horizontal spacing, starting from a closing condition, as soon as it is partially released the force 'F' of tensioning of the drive means, the slat is pushed towards an opening configuration by its own weight force 'g'.

In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figures 15a and 15b, the transmission means are shaped as cable elements 134, preferably made of steel. In Figure 16 it is shown an exploded view of the above alternative embodiment of the shutter according to the present invention in which it is evident how the use of cable elements 134 aid in minimizing an overall dimension of the shutter, both in an extended and in a rolled-up configuration.

Each cable element 134 in fact, is connectable to a roller at a first end and rotatably coupled to the driving slat 55 at a second end. As shown in Figure 16, the second end of the cable has a bushing element in such a way as to be rotatably constraint at an upper end of the driving slat 55, and then allow the opening of the driving slat, as described above in reference to the functioning of the belt 124.

In order to allow a correct direction of the cable element 134, and a correct tensioning of the element, directing means are provided optionally shaped as a pulley 19. The rotating pulley 19 is for example positioned laterally between a supporting element 5 and the slat 88, at an upper end of the slat 88.

Alternatively the pulley 19 shown in Figure 16, the use of an oscillating element 29 shaped as a half moon as shown in Figure 19a is provided. In order to optimize the overall dimensions, the oscillating element 29 is rotatably coupled with respect to the slat 8. In particular, each oscillating element 29 has a receiving hole 29' to receive a supporting pin for rotatably constrain the oscillating element between the slat 88 and the respective supporting element 5. As shown in figure 19b, the oscillating element 29 has a groove 29" shaped to guide the sliding of cable element 134 along a curved outer profile of the element 29 itself.

The conformation of the external half-moon shaped profile and the overall dimensioning of the oscillating element 29, allow the housing of the oscillating element between the terminal element 3 of the slat 88 and the respective supporting element 5 in such a way that during a winding operation of the roll-up shutter the groove 29" follows the same profile of the shutter profile, without creating any protrusion.

Advantageously, the use of the oscillating element 29 allows a greater radius of curvature of the cable 134 during the winding and extension operations of the roll-up shutter. By avoiding the undesirable choke points of the cable element 134, a quick damage due to wear of the cable 134 is avoided, allowing to extend the working life of the cable 134. In order to further increase the strength of the cable 134 which, in an operative condition, slides with respect to the oscillating element, a coating of the rope 134 is provided, for example by a self-lubricating and wear-resistant plastic material.

A still further embodiment of the present invention, shown in Figures 17a and 17b, provides the combination of two shutters to provide a system to a roll-up shutter with adjustable slats of greater width, for example equal to 4 meters.

As shown in Figure 18, a coupling device 150 between the shutters it is also provided, configured to allow a simultaneous movement of the shutters positioned adjacent to each other during the motion from an extended to a rolled-up configuration of the system. In particular, the coupling device 150 is configured as a further single-wire mesh, for example an intermediate single-wire mesh.

In this further embodiment the shutters have a single wire mesh of supporting elements 5, as already described above, at the outer sides. At an inner side of each shutter is instead provided for the intermediate single-wire mesh 150 comprising a sequence of additional supporting elements 85 lower and upper hinged to each other, as already described above in relation to the elements 5. In particular, as shown in Figure 18, a further supporting means 85 comprises two half-shells 81 and 83 which can be mutually coupled, for example by shape coupling at a first face of mutual coupling.

In a preferred embodiment, each half-shell 81 and 83 is shaped as a supporting element 5 at a second coupling face to an end of the slat 2. Once fixed to the respective slats, for example according to what already mentioned above in relation to the supporting elements 5, the half- shells 81 and 83 are coupled and secured together by means of further connecting means, for example further threaded connection means 66.

Advantageously, the invention according to the present invention also includes the provision of a kit comprising a shutter 100, 101 as described above and a plurality of additional lateral supporting means 85, shaped to support a lateral coupling of the shutter to a further shutter 100, 101 for the realization of a roll-up system 200.

In this way it will be for example possible to join shutters of the same width to maximize the width of the roll-up system 200. Alternatively, advantageously, the kit according to the present invention enables to suitably modulate the width of a further shutter to be coupled to a first shutter according to the invention, for example, pre-existing, in such a way as to allow the reuse of the shutter at a door or window having a greater width.

The present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that there may be other embodiments afferent to the same inventive core, as defined by the scope of protection of the claims set out below.

Claims

1. Roll-up shutter (100; 101) configured to be rolled-up around a support roller from an extended configuration of maximum obstruction, to a rolled-up configuration of minimum obstruction, comprising: - a plurality of tiltable slats (2); lateral supporting means (5), configured to support said plurality of slats (2); rotatable connecting means (7), positioned or positionable at one end of a slat of said plurality of slats (2) to rotatably connect said slat (2) to said lateral supporting means (5); constraining means (4), configured to constrain each other adjacent slats of said plurality of slats (2) such as to allow a simultaneous orientation of said plurality of slats (2) at an extended configuration of said shutter, said orientation taking place between closing and opening configurations of said slats, and comprising a rotation of a slat (2) around a main rotation axis of (A-A), wherein said main rotation axis (A-A) is decentralized with respect to a barycentric longitudinal extension axis (B-B) of the slat (2), characterized in that said constraining means comprises a rod element (4) rotatably connected, at each end, to an upper edge of slats (2) adjacent between each other, said main rotation axis (A-A) of said slat (2) being positioned in a portion comprised between said barycentric longitudinal extension axis (B-B) and a lower edge of the slat (2).

2. Roll-up shutter (100; 101) according to the preceding claim, wherein said slat (2) is shaped as an extruded profile, in particular having an arcuate section.

3. Roll-up shutter (100; 101) according to the preceding claim, wherein said slat (2) comprises a stiffening element (26) developing internally to said profile substantially along a main rotation axis (A-A) of the slat (2), said stiffening element (26) optionally comprising a substantially cylindrical receiving portion (22) to receive said rotatable connecting means (7) at a lateral end of said slat (2).

4. Roll-up shutter (100; 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lateral supporting means comprises a sequence of supporting elements (5) superiorly and inferiorly pivotally connected to one another in order to allow a relative rotation between adjacent supporting elements.

5. Roll-up shutter (100; 101) according to the preceding claim, wherein a supporting element (5) has an outer profile having an arcuate section.

6. Roll-up shutter (100; 101) according to the preceding claim, wherein said supporting element (5) has a rotation pivot "L", of said slat (2) with respect to said supporting element (5), at a through hole (59) shaped to receive said rotatable connecting means (7).

7. Roll-up shutter (100; 101) according to the preceding claim, wherein said supporting element (5) has further rotation pivots "S", of said supporting element (5) with respect to adjacent supporting elements, wherein said pivot "L" is optionally substantially spaced from a vertical alignment of said further pivots "S", wherein more optionally said further pivots "S" are positioned at through holes made on upper (54) and lower (50) hinge elements, said hinge elements being shaped to accommodate a connecting pin (8).

8. Roll-up shutter (100; 101) according to any one of claims from 4 to 7, wherein a supporting element (5) comprises an abutting element (57) shaped to abut on an inferiorly adjacent supporting element and to prevent a relative rotation between said supporting element (5) and said inferiorly adjacent supporting element, said supporting element (5) and said inferiorly adjacent supporting element being rotatably connected to each other.

9. Roll-up shutter (100; 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a terminal element (3) positioned or positionable at a lateral end of said slat (2), wherein said terminal element (3) optionally comprises a raised profile (31) shaped to fit by shape coupling at one end of said slat (2), said shape coupling being more optionally a sealing coupling.

10. Roll-up shutter (100; 101) according to the preceding claim when dependent from claim 3, wherein said terminal element (3) comprises a substantially cylindrical further receiving portion (34) configured to abut at said stiffening element (26) in an operating configuration of the shutter, said further receiving portion (34) being shaped to receive said rotatable connecting means (7).

11. Roll-up shutter (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising transmission means (124) configured to transmit a tensile force to a driving slat (55) of said plurality of slats (2), wherein said constraining means comprises a belt element (124) constraint or constrainable at an upper edge of said driving slat (55), said roller shutter (100; 101) more optionally comprising a hook element (18) arranged or apt to be arranged at said upper edge and configured to constrain an end of said belt element (124) to said drive slat (55).

12. Roll-up shutter (101) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising transmission means (134) configured to transmit a tensile force to a driving slat (55) of said plurality of slats (2), wherein said transmission means optionally comprises a cable element (134) constraint or constrainable at a lateral end of said driving slat (55).

13. Roll-up shutter (101) according to the preceding claim, comprising directional means of said cable element (134) configured to direct a sliding movement of said cable element (134), said directional means being optionally shaped as a pulley (19), still more optionally as an oscillating element (29).

14. Roll-up system (200) configured to be rolled-up around a support roller from an extended configuration of maximum obstruction, to a rolled-up configuration of minimum obstruction, comprising:

- a roll-up shutter (100; 101) according to any one of claims 1 to 13;

- a further roll-up shutter (100; 101) according to any one of claims 1 to 13; - a coupling device (150) of said shutter (100; 101) and said further shutter (100; 101), configured to allow a simultaneous motion of said shutter and said further shutter, said shutter and said further shutter being positioned side by side, from said extended configuration to said rolled-up configuration of the system.

15. Kit for a roll-up system (200) comprising at least one shutter (100; 101) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and a plurality of further supporting elements (85) configured to support a lateral coupling between said shutter and a further shutter (100; 101).