Floating end plate

Abstract

A fire and smoke barrier assembly comprising a headbox for securing above an opening and holding a roller on to which a fire and smoke curtain can be rolled for storage and deployed. Within the headbox is a supporting roller secured between its ends for supporting the roller and curtain; a pair of roller guides; a pair of floating mounts, arranged on the roller guides, each holding two or more roller bearings at least one being positioned either side of the roller guides, and provided with a support for an end of the roller. In use, the roller will be supported at each end, within the headbox, on the floating mounts, which are secured to the roller guides, allowing the roller and curtain thereon to move up and down the roller guides as the depth of curtain on the roller increases or decreases during winding or deployment.

Description

Introduction

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire and smoke curtain assembly and in particular to a support arrangement for the curtain when stored in the headbox.Background to the Invention

[0002] Fire and smoke curtains may be provided attached to a roller, for winding onto for storage and for deployment from in the event of a fire or testing. Such rollers are provided with motor assemblies, which may be internal or external motor assemblies, to enable the curtain to be wound onto the roller, for example re-wound after testing, and to allow deployment. Such rollers are connected at either end of the roller but are generally substantively unsupported in their centres.

[0003] When the curtain is wound onto the roller, the combination of the roller and the curtain is heavy and the support of roller at each end may not be sufficient to prevent bowing of the roller and curtain over time. This will affect the deployment and rewinding of the curtain and may even prevent the same if the bowing is too extensive.

[0004] It is therefore advantageous to support the roller, at least when the curtain is rolled thereon.

[0005] It is known to provide additional supports beneath the roller, typically in the form of additional rollers, connected at either end to the headbox. However, as the width of the roller plus the curtain varies as the curtain is wound and unwound, supports provided underneath the roller are beneficial when the curtain is fully wound only. It is also difficult to position the supports to ensure that they provide support when the curtain is fully wound, without making the later stages of rolling more difficult. When the curtain is partially wound or unwound, the roller and curtain are unsupported, other than the standard supports at the ends of the roller. While the maximum weight of the curtain on the roller is when the curtain is full wound, the weight can be considerable even part way through deployment or re-winding, which can lead to bowing of the roller.

[0006] An object of the invention is to provide a means for supporting a roller in a headbox.Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to the invention there is provided a fire and smoke barrier assembly comprising:- a headbox for securing above an opening; a roller, held within the headbox; a fire and smoke curtain for rolling onto and deployment from the roller; the headbox having at least one supporting roller secured between ends of the headbox for supporting the roller and curtain rolled thereon; a pair of roller guides, one vertically arranged at each end of the headbox; a pair of floating mounts, one arranged on each roller guide, each holding two or more roller bearings at least one being positioned either side of the roller guides, and provided with a support for an end of the roller.

[0008] In use, the roller will be supported at each end, within the headbox, on the floating mounts, which are secured to the roller guides, allowing the roller and curtain thereon to move up and down the roller guides as the depth of curtain on the roller increases or decreases during winding or deployment. The roller and curtain are also supported, at all times, by the at least one supporting roller, positioned underneath the roller and curtain, and supporting the weight thereof.

[0009] Preferably two supporting rollers will be provided. Alternatively, three supporting rollers may be provided.

[0010] Usually, three roller bearings will be provided on the floating mounts, two on one side of the roller guide and one on the other. Preferably, the two roller bearings will be on an inside of the headbox.

[0011] Generally, the assembly may include a motor for winding the curtain onto the roller. Typically, the motor will be a normally on motor, to hold the curtain in a retracted position, wound onto the roller. In the event of a fire, the power is cut, allowing deployment of the curtain. In addition, as regular testing of a fire and smoke curtain assembly is required, the motor can also be used to retract the curtain after a test deployment. Typically, the motor may be provided within the roller. Alternatively, a separate motor may be provided and connected thereto.

[0012] Preferably the curtain is provided with a bottom bar, for weighting the curtain for deployment thereof. The bottom bar can also hold the curtain on a floor after deployment, preventing or reducing movement of the curtain. In addition, the bottom bar can close the headbox when the curtain is wound onto the roller.

[0013] Usually, the assembly may also include side guides for mounting to sides of the opening, and for retaining the curtain when deployed. Preferably edges of the curtain are provided with retaining means for securing in the side guides for retaining the curtain when deployed. Typically, the retaining means on the curtain are studs secured to sides of the curtain.Detailed Description of the Invention

[0014] To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fire and smoke curtain assembly; Figure 2 is a side view of the headbox arrangement of the fire and smoke curtain assembly of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the headbox arrangement of the fire and smoke curtain assembly of Figure 2.

[0015] Referring to the Figures, thereshown is a fire and smoke curtain assembly 1, having a curtain 2 for preventing or delaying the spread of fire and / or smoke, and a headbox 10 for holding and supporting the curtain 2 when not deployed, and for deployment of the curtain from and retraction to.

[0016] Held within the headbox 10 is a roller 14 to which one end of the curtain 2 is attached, and onto which the curtain 2 is rolled for storage and unrolled for deployment.

[0017] The lower end 4 of the curtain 2 is provided with a bottom bar 6, for weighting the curtain for deployment and which can close the headbox 10 when the curtain is retracted.

[0018] The roller 14 is held within the headbox 10 providing protection to the curtain would thereon and is mounted at either end 16, 18 of the headbox 12, to ensure the roller 14 can rotation on the mountings.

[0019] Each end 20 of the roller 14 is provided with a mounting 22 that is secured to a floating mount 24. Each floating mount 24 is supported on a roller guide 26 extending between upper and lower brackets 28, 30 at the ends of the headbox 10. The floating mount 24 also has three roller bearings 32, 34, 36, for securing the same to the roller guide 26 and allowing movement up and down the roller guide 26. Two of the roller bearings 32, 34 are provided on one side of the roller guide 26, while one 36 is provided on the other side of the roller guide 26. While three roller bearings are shown, this number is not critical, and two or four roller bearings could equally be used.

[0020] The mounting 22 of the roller 14 is held within a slot 38 within the floating mount 24. It may be secured with a pin 39 as shown. However, any other securing mechanism may be used.

[0021] To further support the roller, a pair of roller supports 40 42 are provided, also connected between ends of the headbox 10. As shown, these are attached to end brackets 44 of the headbox 10. The roller supports 40, 42, support the roller 14, while allowing rotation therefor for deployment and retraction of the curtain 2.

[0022] When the curtain 2 is fully wound on to the roller 14, the lower most point of the roller and curtain are supported on the roller supports 40, 42, with the floating mounts relatively high up on the roller guides 26. However, as the curtain unwinds, the depth of curtain 2 on the roller decreases 14, decreasing the distance between the centre of the roller, i.e. the mount 22 and the roller supports 20, 42, and the floating mounts 24 lower on the roller supports 26, enabling the roller support to continue to support the roller and curtain thereon.

[0023] Usually, the assembly will also be provided with side guides, 8, to retain sides of the curtain on deployment to prevent the curtain being moved as a result of fire pressure, or other forces. Such side guides 8 are standard in many fire and / or smoke curtains.

[0024] The invention is not intended to be limited by the details of the above embodiment. For example, the curtain may be provided with weights in pockets rather than a bottom bar, or a different number of roller supports may be provided.

Claims

1. A fire and smoke barrier assembly comprising:- a headbox for securing above an opening; a roller, held within the headbox; a fire and smoke curtain for rolling onto and deployment from the roller; the headbox having at least one supporting roller secured between ends of the headbox for supporting the roller and curtain rolled thereon; a pair of roller guides, one vertically arranged at each end of the headbox; a pair of floating mounts, one arranged on each roller guide, each holding two or more roller bearings at least one being positioned either side of the roller guides, and provided with a support for an end of the roller.

2. A fire and smoke barrier assembly according to claim 1, wherein two supporting rollers are provided.

3. A fire and smoke barrier assembly according to claim 1, wherein three supporting rollers are provided.

4. A fire and smoke barrier assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein three roller bearings will be provided on the floating mounts, two on one side of the roller guide and one on the other.

5. A fire and smoke barrier assembly according to claim 4, wherein the two roller bearings are on an inside of the headbox.

6. A fire and smoke barrier assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the assembly further comprises a motor for winding the curtain onto the roller.

7. A fire and smoke barrier assembly according to claim 6, wherein the motor is a normally on motor, to hold the curtain in a retracted position, wound onto the roller.

8. A fire and smoke barrier assembly according to claim 7, wherein the motor is provided within the roller.

9. A fire and smoke barrier assembly according to claim 7, wherein the motor is external to the roller and connected thereto.

10. A fire and smoke barrier assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the curtain is provided with a bottom bar, for weighting the curtain for deployment thereof.

11. A fire and smoke barrier assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the assembly further comprises side guides for mounting to sides of the opening, and for retaining the curtain when deployed.

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