Additional part for a roller shutter curtain or a roller shutter system

Abstract

Additional part (100) for a roller shutter curtain (RP), characterized in that the additional part (100) has a rectangular housing (101) which has at least one passage opening (103) for the passage of light and air, and that several locking elements (105) arranged in the housing (101) are arranged in a way that allows them to be slidably arranged one inside the other, by which the passage of light and air through the openings (103) can be adjusted to be completely or partially blocked.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an additional part for a roller shutter curtain or a roller shutter system, in particular an additional part that can be connected to the slats of the roller shutter curtain in order to improve light and / or air transmission through the roller shutter curtain.

[0002] A roller shutter curtain (also called a roller shutter slat assembly) typically consists of several slats connected to each other via connecting elements, especially hook-shaped elements and access slots. The roller shutter curtain, or assembly of slats, can be rolled up onto a roller shutter shaft (usually octagonal) located inside the roller shutter box until all the slats are enclosed within the box. Fig. Figure 1 shows a roller shutter box RK equipped with a roller shutter curtain RP, which is known from the prior art. Fig. In position 1, the roller shutter curtain RP is in the retracted state, meaning its slats LM are wound as far as possible onto the roller shutter shaft W, so that the window (not shown) is not covered by the shutter curtain. In the extended state, the slats LM of the roller shutter curtain RP can be unwound from the shaft W until the window is completely covered by the roller shutter curtain RP; all intermediate states can be achieved as desired by partially lowering / extending or retracting the roller shutter curtain RP (see extension direction A and retraction direction E). When the slats hang freely, gaps form between them, allowing light and air to pass through. Where the slats no longer hang freely but but directly touch each other, no light or air can pass through.Depending on how far the roller shutter curtain is lowered, the amount of light entering the room can be adjusted; the same applies to the amount of air entering the room, provided the window is at least partially open. However, especially on hot summer days, it is desirable to prevent as much warm air as possible from entering the room through the window, while still allowing some light to pass through the roller shutter curtain. For this to work, the window must be completely closed to prevent heat from entering. If only very little light is desired, the roller shutter curtain must be lowered almost completely; in this case, the light transmission can only be adjusted in the upper section of the shutter curtain, as only there are a few slats left exposed and gaps between them. In very strong sunlight, it is particularly difficult to adjust the amount of light entering the room without excessive heat gain.This is because the infrared component of strong sunlight can lead to an undesirably high heat input even with low light transmission; and then the roller shutter curtain may have to be lowered completely, which in turn results in a complete darkening of the interior.

[0003] The situations described above illustrate that conventional roll-up armor (as in Fig. (as shown in 1) it is difficult to optimally adjust the light and light transmission.

[0004] DE 600 31 591 T2 discloses a roller shutter device with a two-part roller shutter curtain (see Fig. 2), wherein an adjustable opening remains between these parts (“lower part 1” and “upper part 2”) to allow light and / or air to pass through (see Fig. 2.3). The device there allows a gap to remain in the floor area when the slats of the “lower part 1” are lowered (see Fig. 2.2), for example, to allow access for a pet (cat). The construction disclosed there is quite elaborate because it is intended to allow both parts, i.e., the "upper part 2" and "lower part 1", to be lowered differently or separately, so that at least a variable gap is formed between "upper part 2" and "lower part 1".

[0005] Novel slats for roller shutter curtains are offered and distributed under the name "Daylight" by Robert Schweiker GmbH (Besigheim, Germany) (see https: / / www.schweiker.de / media / schweiker prosp rollladen 10 2025.pdf, pages 8 / 9). These roller shutter curtains feature special slats that pivot around their upper edge, thus enabling a venetian blind function that allows the transmission of light and air to be adjusted and varied. However, the construction of these special slats is quite complex, as each slat must have a pivoting flap that extends across the entire length of the slat or the entire width of the roller shutter curtain. Furthermore, the light and air transmission is limited to the dimensions of a single slat, unless several of these special slats are installed, which in turn increases the complexity and cost of this solution.

[0006] It would be desirable to discover a less complex solution where, regardless of how far the roller shutter curtain is extended or lowered, the user can easily and effectively adjust the desired light and / or airflow. This applies particularly to the situation where the roller shutter curtain is fully lowered.

[0007] The problem is solved by an additional part for a roller shutter curtain according to claim 1. Accordingly, an additional part for a roller shutter curtain is disclosed, which is characterized in that it has a rectangular housing, which is provided on its longitudinal end faces with an opening for the passage of light and air, and in that several locking elements arranged in one another in a slidable manner (e.g. sliding sheets, plastic plates or the like) are arranged in the housing, by which the passage of light and air can be adjusted in order to be completely or partially blocked.

[0008] The present invention provides an add-on part that can be very easily mounted on an existing roller shutter curtain or added to an existing roller shutter system. For example, the add-on part can be mounted on the bottom slat of a roller shutter curtain as a replacement for the existing bottom rail, thus providing easy-to-use, variably adjustable light and air permeability, even when the roller shutter curtain is closed. For this purpose, the housing preferably has connecting elements attached to at least one of its longitudinal edges (bottom and / or top) which are designed to engage with connecting elements of a slat of the roller shutter curtain.

[0009] The additional part can also be installed as a standalone retrofit component in the guide rails of an existing roller shutter system, so that when the roller shutter curtain is lowered, its end slat rests on the additional part. For this purpose, receptacles for end slat gliders are preferably provided at both ends of the longitudinal sides of the housing of the additional part, in particular for end slat gliders that are interchangeable and designed to vary in length, width and / or thickness in order to slide smoothly in the guide rails of the existing system.

[0010] With the present invention, it is no longer necessary for a reliable supply of light and / or air that the roller shutter curtain (conventional construction, see above) Fig. 1) must be raised at least slightly so that gaps form between the slats. The present invention works particularly effectively when the roller shutter is fully lowered / closed. It can be integrated into an existing roller shutter curtain (at the lower end and / or in the upper section(s) of the roller shutter) or installed as a separate retrofit component in the guide rails of an existing system. Compared to the aforementioned "Daylight" slats from Schweiker GmbH, this additional component has the advantage that the passage of light and / or air is not achieved through a complex pivoting mechanism, but rather through a simple sliding mechanism.

[0011] The invention is particularly advantageous if the additional element (whether used as a new end strip or as a separate retrofit part) has a height that is significantly greater than that of a single slat, i.e., if the transverse side of the housing of the additional element has a height that is several times the height of a slat (so-called cover width): If, for example, the respective slat is 5.5 cm high, the height of the additional part can easily be 20 cm or more, which in turn significantly increases the maximum possible transmission of light and air compared to a "daylight" slat.The inventor determined through experiments that the height of the additional part for typical installation situations as an end slat should be measured according to the free length which, with the roller shutter curtain retracted, extends from the central axis of the roller shutter shaft to the lower edge of the roller shutter box, i.e., the area in which the additional part can hang completely freely and does not (yet) protrude into the upper winding area of ​​the shaft (see . Fig. 6) Then the height of the additional element can easily be 20-30 cm.

[0012] The additional part revealed here can be retrofitted to any conventional roller shutter system. Therefore, the additional part can also be marketed as a standalone product.

[0013] Preferably, the connecting elements on the upper edge of the add-on part are hook- or tenon-shaped, allowing it to engage quickly and easily with the lower connecting elements of standard slats and enabling user-friendly, tool-free assembly. Slotted connecting elements can also be provided on the lower edge of the add-on part, which engage with the upper connecting elements of standard slats and can be assembled without tools.

[0014] For certain applications, the long side of the add-on's housing can also be shorter, specifically shorter than the length of a slat of the existing roller shutter curtain. This can be advantageous if the slats are very long, but the effective area (opening) of the add-on, with regard to light and / or air transmission, does not need to be too large. Such a smaller add-on can be integrated into the roller shutter curtain between shortened slats.

[0015] It is advantageous, however, if the transverse side of the housing has a limited height, namely a height that is no more than four times the height of a slat. Experience has shown that such a dimensioned add-on can still be rolled up onto the shaft inside the roller shutter box without any space constraints. This is particularly true if the add-on is designed to form the lower end of the roller shutter curtain.

[0016] These and other advantageous features are defined by the dependent claims: Especially if the additional part is not only intended to function as a new end strip (see below). Fig. 3) If the additional part is not only to be installed but also integrally between two lamellae, it is advisable that the height or width of the additional part is not too large, i.e., that the transverse side of the housing has a height that is at most three times the height of a lamella. This allows the additional part to still be wound onto the shaft together with the lamellae.

[0017] In another embodiment, the additional part can be designed to be integrated between two slats within an existing roller shutter curtain. For this purpose, the additional part has matching connecting elements on both its upper and lower longitudinal edges. This allows the additional part to be installed, for example, in the middle of a roller shutter curtain.

[0018] It can be advantageous if the longitudinal side of the housing has a length less than the length of a slat and if sliding elements, in particular the aforementioned end-slat gliders, are attached to the housing. These gliders are designed to engage in the grooves or guide rails provided for the roller shutter curtain and have a maximum thickness no greater than the thickness of a slat. With this design, the additional component can also have a housing with a greater thickness, exceeding that of a typical slat. The larger housing would then provide sufficient space for electronic and mechanical components to implement a motorized and even automatic sliding mechanism (e.g., controlled by an electric motor via an app and / or sensors).

[0019] Preferably, the additional part can also be equipped with at least one of the following elements: - a fly screen to protect against insects; - a mechanical filter element, such as a dust filter to protect against unwanted particles in the air (pollination) or a fine dust filter; - an optical filter element, especially an IR filter, to limit heat radiation without reducing the transmission of visible light.

[0020] The invention is described below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawings, which depict the following schematic representations: Fig. Figure 1 shows in a cross-sectional view the structure of a roller box with conventional roller shutter curtain; Fig. Figure 2 shows in a cross-sectional view the structure of conventional, interconnected slats; Fig. Figure 3 shows in a cross-sectional view the connection of a conventional lamella with an additional part according to the invention; Fig. Figure 4 shows the structure of the additional part in detail in a cross-sectional view; Fig. Figures 5a and 5b show a front view of the additional part with passage opening in the closed or partially open state; Fig. Figure 5c shows, as a further embodiment, an additional part designed as a separate retrofit part, which is equipped with end bar sliders suitable for the existing guide rails; and Fig. Figure 6 shows in a cross-sectional view the structure of a roller box with a roller shutter curtain according to the invention.

[0021] The ones already briefly described at the beginning Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 illustrates the state of the art and shows a cross-section of a roller shutter box RK with conventional roller shutter slats ( Fig. 1) or a part thereof consisting of several interconnected lamellae LM ( Fig. 2).

[0022] In contrast, the following, described in more detail below, show Fig. 3-6 Some embodiments of the invention: How especially the Fig. 6 in direct comparison with the Fig. Figure 1 shows that the roller shutter curtain RP* according to the invention is equipped with the additional part 100, which here replaces a conventional end slat EL ( Fig. 1) has been mounted at the lower end of the roller shutter curtain RP*. As the Fig. As illustrated in Figure 6, the additional part 100 can have a height H that is significantly greater than that of a conventional end strip and here, for example, is about 3-4 times as high as a conventional end strip EL (see Figure 6). Fig. 1) Preferably, the height H of the additional part 100 is dimensioned to match the free length resulting from the central axis of the shaft W to the lower edge of the roller shutter box RK when the roller shutter curtain RP* is rolled up, i.e., that H extends over the free length or the free, straight area which is not covered by the rolled-up area of ​​the roller shutter curtain RP* and therefore offers plenty of space for the straight-shaped housing 101 of the additional part 100 (see figure). Fig. 6 and also Fig. 4).

[0023] How especially the Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 6 illustrates that the additional part 100 has upper connecting elements 102' and (optionally) lower connecting elements 102" with which a movable connection can be made with at least one of the lamellae LM. Fig. 6 is the additional part 100 mounted at the lower end of the roller shutter curtain RP* on the lowest slat LM and thus also forms a new end strip in replacement to a conventional end strip EL (see. Fig. 1) If the additional element 100 has a lower height (i.e., only about 1-2 times that of a slat), it can also be inserted between two slats LM at another location within the roller shutter curtain RP* (situation not shown in detail). For this purpose, the additional element 100 has hook-shaped connecting elements 102' on its upper edge and matching connecting elements 102" on its lower edge for engaging the hooks 2' of a slat LM located below. Thus, an additional element designed in this way can be inserted at almost any point in the slat assembly of a roller shutter curtain.

[0024] Based on the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5a / b now describe in more detail the structure of the additional part 100 in a first embodiment and its function: Fig. Figure 4 shows in a cross-sectional view the structure of the additional part 100 with a housing 101, which has an opening 103 on both sides, through which light and air can flow from its front (outside with opening 103") to its back (inside with opening 103') and vice versa, even when the roller shutter curtain RP* is completely lowered.

[0025] The amount of light and air passing through can be easily varied by means of sliding shutter elements 105a and 105b (e.g., plate-shaped elements). The housing 101 forms a frame in which first shutter elements 105a are located at one of the openings and second shutter elements 105b are located inside the housing 101, i.e., on two levels (see figure). Fig. 4) In this arrangement, at least the first and / or second locking elements are movably displaceable within the frame-shaped housing 101. As the Fig. As illustrated in Figures 5a / b, in the example shown, the locking elements 105a are fixedly mounted, whereas the second locking elements 105b are arranged to be movable in the longitudinal direction (X-direction). When the locking elements 105a / b are moved relative to each other to such an extent that the intermediate openings 106 are completely closed ( Fig. 5a), neither light nor air can pass through these openings and thus also through the openings 103' and 103" (see. Fig. 6) penetrate through. However, if the closure elements 105a / b are only shifted relative to each other to such an extent that certain intermediate openings or passage openings 106 remain between adjacent closure elements, these are only partially closed ( Fig. 5b), so that light and / or air can flow through the additional element 100 to the extent determined by the position of the closing elements 105a to 105b. Thus, by simply sliding the closing elements 105b (sliding mechanism), the user can regulate the passage of outside light, and, when the window is (partially) open, also of outside air / fresh air, and adjust it according to their wishes.

[0026] The additional element 100 has the dimensions of a lamella LM in its longitudinal direction and can be installed at any desired point in an existing roller shutter curtain, be it as an end strip (see Fig. 6), which has a certain height, or as a narrow add-on that is integrated into the existing slat assembly like another slat. It may also be useful to install several add-on elements, either together at one point or distributed across several points in the roller shutter curtain. Many options can be achieved simply by attaching or inserting them into the slat assembly of the roller shutter curtain.

[0027] Regarding the adjustability of the locking elements 105a / b, in addition to manually operated adjustment mechanisms, electrically driven adjustment mechanisms are also feasible, particularly if the housing is sufficiently large. The required current for the motor (preferably low-voltage DC <50V) can also be supplied via contact rails or strips embedded in the interior of the two roller shutter guide rails. Sensors can also be incorporated to measure, in particular, the incidence of light and / or air temperature, in order to adjust the effective opening 106 accordingly by moving the locking elements 105a / b.

[0028] The additional part 100 itself consists, for example, of a stable housing 101 made of plastic or aluminum; the adjusting elements are plate-shaped structures that are also made of stable material.

[0029] To use the additional element 100 when it is open (see above). Fig. 5b) To ensure that no insects can enter the interior through the openings 106, the additional element 100 is equipped with a fly screen 108 as a protective element, which is preferably arranged directly behind the opening 103" on one of the outward-facing sides or end faces of the additional element 100. In addition to fly screens, other protective elements can include dust filters, activated carbon filters, or combinations thereof. The use of light filters, in particular IR filters, can also be advantageous.

[0030] The Fig. Figure 5c illustrates a further embodiment in which the additional part 100* is designed as a separate retrofit part that can be inserted into the guide rails or running grooves of an existing roller shutter system. For this purpose, the housing of the additional part 100* has a receptacle at each of its two ends for an end bar glider 110, which is designed to fit the existing guide rail, i.e., in particular, its thickness d is dimensioned so that the additional part / retrofit part 100* can slide smoothly in the guide rails.

[0031] Preferably, end bar gliders of different dimensions, such as the one in Fig.The 110' shown in Figure 5c are used, whose dimensions (length l, width b, and thickness d) are optimally adapted to the existing guide grooves. The end slat gliders serving as guide elements are preferably made of plastic. It is also possible to offer variable end slat gliders that are adjustable at least in length l, so that the respective groove depth is taken into account and any relatively large gap between the guide rail and the end of a relatively short retrofit part 100* can be bridged. For this purpose, designs with spring elements can also be used, which allow the length l of the end slat glider to adjust almost automatically. With this design(s), the retrofit part 100* can be very easily installed in the guide rails of various roller shutter systems without any special assembly effort or the use of tools.

[0032] The embodiments described above demonstrate the wide range of possible applications of the invention. Reference symbol list RK roller shutter box RP, RP* Roller shutter slats (occasionally also called roller shutter curtains) W Roller shutter shaft (octagonal) LM slats or roller shutter slats, hinge-like, connectable to each other via connecting elements to form a roller shutter curtain 2', 2" connecting elements (hook, top or access opening, bottom) EL end strip (end profile) E Direction of inflow (upwards) A. Extraction direction (downwards) x, y, z spatial coordinates 100 Additional part (accessory) for existing roller shutter slats 101 Housings (rectangular with frame) 102'. 102" Connecting elements (hook, top or access opening, bottom) 103 Opening (framed by the casing frame) 105a, 105b' sliding locking elements (sliding elements) inside the housing 101 106 air gaps, adjustable by sliding the locking elements 105b against 105a 108 Protective elements (fly screens, air filters...) 110; 110' Differently designed end bar gliders can be inserted into the ends H Height of the additional part 100 (approximately 1-4 times the height of a lamella LM) QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 600 31 591 T2

[0004]

Claims

[1] Additional part (100) for a roller shutter curtain (RP), characterized by , that the additional part (100) has a rectangular housing (101) which has at least one passage opening (103) for the passage of light and air, and that several slidingly arranged closure elements (105) are arranged in the housing (101) by which the passage of light and air through the openings (103) can be adjusted to be completely or partially blocked. [2] Additional part (100; 100*) according to claim 1, characterized by , that at the two ends of the longitudinal sides of the housing (101) receptacles for end bar sliders (110; 110') are provided, in particular for end bar sliders (110; 110') which are interchangeable and can be designed to be different in their length (I), width (b) and / or thickness (d). [3] Additional part (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the housing (101) has connecting elements (102) attached to at least one of its longitudinal edges, which are designed to engage with connecting elements (VB) of a slat (LM) of the roller shutter curtain. [4] Additional part (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the connecting elements (102) of the accessory part (100) comprise hook- or peg-shaped connecting elements (102') and / or hook-in or slot-shaped connecting elements (102"). [5] Additional part (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the transverse side of the housing (101) has a height (H) which corresponds to a maximum of four times the height (h) of a lamella (LM). [6] Additional part (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the additional part (100) is designed to replace an end strip (EL) of an existing roller shutter curtain (RP; RP*). [7] Additional part (100) according to one of claims 3-6, characterized by , that the additional part (100) is designed to be inserted integrally between two slats (LM) within an existing roller shutter curtain (RP; RP*). [8] Additional part (100; 100*) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the longitudinal side of the housing (101) has a length (L) that is less than the length of a slat (LM) and that sliding elements, in particular end bar sliders (110; 100'), are attached to the housing (101) which are designed to engage in the running grooves provided for the roller shutter curtain (RP*) and have a maximum thickness that is not greater than the thickness of a slat (LM). [9] Additional part (100; 100*) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the additional part (100; 100*) has at least one of the following elements: - a fly screen (108) or filter element; - a fine dust filter, especially one equipped with activated carbon; - an electric fan with battery and / or mains connection. [10] Use of an additional part (100) according to one of the preceding claims in or on a roller shutter curtain (RP; RP*). [11] Roller shutter curtain (RP*) equipped with at least one additional part (100) according to one of claims 1-9. [12] Roller shutter system comprising a roller shutter box (RK) and a roller shutter curtain mounted therein according to claim 11. [13] Use of a roller shutter curtain (RP*) according to claim 11 in a roller shutter system according to claim 12.

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