Roller shutter with adjustable slats
The roller shutter with adjustable slats addresses jamming and sticking issues by using interconnected slats and sliding tracks, ensuring smooth and reliable operation.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/IB2025/056895
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-07-10
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing roller shutters with adjustable slats experience jamming and sticking issues during opening and closing due to imperfect alignment of slats and hooks, leading to mechanical stress and jerky movement.
A roller shutter design with interconnected first and second slats connected by a connecting element featuring upper and lower hooking elements and sliding tracks, allowing smooth movement between fully open, partially open, and fully closed configurations, preventing jamming and sticking.
Ensures smooth operation and high reliability by preventing slat jamming and sticking, reducing mechanical stress on components and ensuring continuous movement.
Smart Images
Figure IB2025056895_15012026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] “ROLLER SHUTTER WITH ADJUSTABLE SLATS”
[0002] * * *
[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to a roller shutter with adjustable slats, to be used for the total or partial darkening of window or door openings, of the type that rolls up around a roller housed inside a box located at the top of a window or door frame.
[0005] The present invention constitutes an improvement aimed at making the movement of raising and lowering the shutter smoother, thereby improving the total or partial opening and closing of the slats themselves.
[0006] BACKGROUND ART
[0007] Roller shutters, or blinds, are known from the prior art that comprise slats, blades, or staves, which are interconnected telescopically, that is, in a manner allowing them to move relatively to one another to provide a shutter capable of assuming an intermediate configuration between the fully open condition — rolled around the roller — and the fully closed condition, in which the shutter is lowered, unrolled from the roller, with the slats adjacent to each other to form a continuous and closed surface. In this intermediate configuration, the slats are vertically spaced from one another so as to create horizontal gaps through which air and / or light may pass.
[0008] The slats of such shutters are generally connected to one another by hooks configured to allow the slats both to move closer together and to move apart from one another, as well as to rotate relative to each other, thereby enabling the shutter to roll around the roller.
[0009] An example of a known type of roller shutter with adjustable slats is described in patent document WO 02 / 075095 Al.
[0010] In that shutter, each slat is connected to the adjacent upper and lower slats by a plurality of hooks, each having two oppositely curved ends configured to engage with complementary curved end portions of the slats. When the shutter is raised — i.e., rolled up around the roller — the slats tend, due to their own weight, to space themselves apart until the curved ends of the hooks engage the corresponding curved end portions of the slats, thus allowing the shutter to be fully rolled up. Conversely, when the shutter is lowered — i.e., unrolled from the roller — until it touches the ground, the slats move closer together, compacting, and the hooks become incorporated within the slats themselves.
[0011] However, this known solution is not without drawbacks.
[0012] The present invention aims to improve the known solutions by enabling the roller shutter to open and close smoothly, avoiding situations where the slats and hooks jam against each other during the lowering of the shutter or become stuck during the raising of the shutter, due to a not always ideal alignment of slats and hooks. Indeed, such jamming and sticking phenomena cause undesirable mechanical stress on the shutter components, which over time may become damaged, as well as on any electromechanical actuators used to roll and unroll the shutter. Moreover, these jamming and sticking issues result in the shutter opening and closing with jerks, rather than with the desired smoothness and continuity.
[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In light of the above, the object of the present invention is to provide a roller shutter with adjustable slats that overcomes the drawbacks affecting the known art, in particular regarding the smoothness of opening and closing the shutter.
[0015] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a roller shutter with adjustable slats capable of avoiding jamming and / or sticking of the slats during the opening and / or closing of the shutter.
[0016] A further object of the invention is to provide a roller shutter with adjustable slats that does not open and / or close in a jerky manner.
[0017] Another object of the invention is to provide a roller shutter with adjustable slats that ensures high reliability and safety in use.
[0018] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a roller shutter with adjustable slats that is easy to manufacture and economically competitive compared to the known art.
[0019] The stated object, as well as the aforementioned and other objects that will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a roller shutter with adjustable slats according to claim 1.
[0020] Additional features are defined in the dependent claims.
[0021] LIST OF FIGURES
[0022] Further features and advantages will become more apparent from the illustrative, but non-limiting, description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0023] - Figure l is a side sectional view of a portion of the roller shutter in the open, i.e., extended, configuration;
[0024] - Figure 2 is a side sectional view of a portion of the roller shutter in the semiopen configuration, i.e., with a portion extended and a portion compacted;
[0025] - Figure 3 is a side sectional view of a portion of the roller shutter in the closed, i.e., compacted, configuration;
[0026] - Figure 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the roller shutter in the open configuration; - Figure 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the roller shutter in the semi-open configuration;
[0027] - Figure 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the roller shutter in the closed configuration;
[0028] - Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of two adjacent slats of the roller shutter;
[0029] - Figure 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the roller shutter in the open configuration.
[0030] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] With particular reference to the accompanying figures, a roller shutter 1 with adjustable slats is shown, comprising a plurality of slats 3, 4 reciprocally interconnected to each other to form a shutter movable between:
[0032] - an extended configuration of full opening, in which all the slats 3, 4 are spaced apart from one another so as to allow the passage of air and / or light, as shown in Figures 1, 4, and 8;
[0033] - a compact configuration of full closure, in which all the slats 3, 4 are stacked and compacted against each other in a substantially vertical position so as to limit the passage of air and / or light, as shown in Figures 3 and 6;
[0034] - a semi-extended or semi-compacted configuration of partial opening or partial closure, in which at least some of the slats 3, 4 are spaced apart to allow the user to regulate the passage of air and / or light, as shown in Figures 2 and 5; and
[0035] - a rolled-up configuration around a roller (not shown in the figures), housed inside a box positioned at the top of a window or door frame.
[0036] According to the invention, the roller shutter 1 with adjustable slats comprises a plurality of first slats 3 and a plurality of second slats 4, wherein each of the first slats 3 is connected to at least one adjacent second slat 4, and vice versa, each of the second slats 4 is connected to at least one adjacent first slat 3, except, of course, for the first and last slats of the roller shutter 1. In other words, the first slats 3 alternate with the second slats 4.
[0037] The first slats 3 and second slats 4 are interconnected by at least one connecting element 5.
[0038] The slats 3, 4 comprise at least one upper hooking element 30, 31, rigidly constrained to the upper part of the slats 3, 4, and at least one lower hooking element 32, rigidly constrained to the lower part of the slats 3, 4.
[0039] The connecting element 5 comprises at least one upper end 51 and at least one lower end 52, 53, joined by at least one respective arm 54, 55. The upper end 51 and the lower ends 52, 53 of the connecting element 5 are respectively hooked to the lower hooking element 32 of one slat 3, 4, and to the upper hooking element 30, 31 of the adjacent slat 4, 3.
[0040] Moreover, the upper hooking element 30, 31 defines, in the upper part of the adjacent slat 4, 3, a first sliding track 33 for the lower end 52, 53 of the connecting element 5.
[0041] In particular, the lower end 52, 53 of the connecting element 5 is slidable between a maximum extraction position of the connecting element 5 from the adjacent slat 4, 3, in the open or partially open configuration, and a maximum insertion position of the connecting element 5 into the slat 4, 3, in the closed or partially closed configuration.
[0042] Similarly, the lower hooking element 32 defines, in the lower part of the slat 3, 4, a second sliding track 34 for the upper end 51 of the connecting element 5.
[0043] In particular, the upper end 51 is slidable between a maximum extraction position of the connecting element 5 from the slat 3, 4, in the open or partially open configuration, and a maximum insertion position of the connecting element 5 into the slat 3, 4, in the closed or partially closed configuration.
[0044] Specifically, in the fully closed and compact configuration of the shutter, the connecting element 5 is completely inserted into the first track 33 and the second track 34, as shown in Figures 3 and 6.
[0045] Preferably, the connecting element 5 has an uppercase Omega (Q) or inverted U shape, where at least one upper end 51 is defined by the top portion of the uppercase Omega or inverted U, and where two lower ends 52, 53 are defined by the arms 53, 54 of the uppercase Omega or inverted U, as shown in Figure 7.
[0046] In particular, the connecting element 5 has a cylindrical transverse development, parallel to the transverse development of the slat 3, 4, with a front profile similar to an uppercase Omega (Q) or inverted U, where the upper end 51 is parallel to the lower ends 52, 53, and the arms 54, 55 are arranged perpendicularly to both the upper end 51 and the lower ends 52, 53. In this way, the lower ends 52, 53 are symmetrical with respect to a hypothetical axis passing through the center of the upper end 51 and parallel to the arms 54, 55.
[0047] Even more preferably, the connecting element 5 has a substantially uppercase Omega shape. Furthermore, the ends of the arms 54, 55 of the uppercase Omega terminate with a corresponding outwardly folded portion 52', 53' of the uppercase Omega.
[0048] Preferably, the upper hooking element 30, 31 and the lower hooking element 32 are hooked to the respective slat 4, 3 by means of a sliding coupling. In particular, the upper hooking element 30, 31 and the lower hooking element 32 are inserted into a corresponding second groove 41 and first groove 40, positioned respectively at the upper and lower part of the slat 3, 4, as shown in Figure 7.
[0049] Preferably, the upper hooking element 30, 31 and the lower hooking element 32 are respectively positioned along the corresponding slat 4, 3 in a complementary arrangement along the transverse development direction of said slat 4, 3, so as not to interfere with each other in the total closure configuration of the shutter, thus allowing complete stacking and compacting of the slats 3, 4 against one another in a substantially vertical position, as shown in Figure 6.
[0050] Preferably, the first upper end 51 of the connecting element 5 is complementary in shape to the lower hooking element 32, as shown in particular in Figure 7, so as to guarantee a shapecoupling, thereby stopping the sliding of the upper end 51 in the lower hooking element 32, in the maximum extraction position of the connecting element 5 from the slat 3, 4.
[0051] Preferably, the lower ends 52, 53 of the connecting element 5 are complementary in shape to the respective upper hooking elements 30, 31 so as to to guarantee a shape-coupling, thereby stopping the sliding of the first lower ends 51, 52 in the respective upper hooking elements 30, 31, as shown in particular in Figure 7, in the maximum extraction position of the connecting element 5 from the slat 4, 3.
[0052] Preferably, during the sliding of the connecting element 5 from the maximum extraction position to the maximum insertion position, the upper end 51 encounters an upper wall 34' adapted to stop the sliding of the upper end 51 in the second track 34, thereby limiting the insertion of the connecting element 5 into the slat 3, 4 to the maximum insertion position, as shown in particular in Figures 2 and 3.
[0053] Even more preferably, said upper wall 34' is located at a distance from the lower hooking element 32 such as to allow the insertion of the connecting element 5 into the slat 3, 4 in the maximum insertion position.
[0054] Preferably, during the sliding of the connecting element 5 from the maximum extraction position to the maximum insertion position, the lower ends 52, 53 encounter a lower wall 33' adapted to stop the sliding of the lower ends 52, 53 in the first track 33, thereby limiting the insertion of the first connecting element 5 into the slat 4, 3 to the maximum insertion position, as shown in particular in Figures 1 and 2.
[0055] Even more preferably, said lower wall 33' is located at a distance from the upper hooking element 30, 31 such as to allow the insertion of the connecting element 5 into the slat 3, 4 in the maximum insertion position.
[0056] Preferably, the upper hooking element 30, 31 and the lower hooking element 32 comprise two walls defining a corresponding sliding channel 33", 34" for the respective first lower ends 52, 53 and first upper end 51 of the first connecting element 5 along the corresponding first track 33 and second track 34, between the maximum insertion position and the maximum extraction position, and vice versa, of the first connecting element from the slat 3, 4, as shown in particular in Figures 1, 2, and 3.
[0057] Even more preferably, the distance between said two opposite walls of the sliding channels 33", 34" is slightly greater than the cross-section of the connecting element 5, to allow its sliding in said channels between the maximum extraction and maximum insertion positions, and vice versa.
[0058] Preferably, the arms 54, 55 of the connecting element 5 have a length L, said length L being substantially equal to the maximum distance between the slats 3, 4 in the extended or open configuration so as to allow the passage of air and / or light.
[0059] Preferably, the upper hooking elements 30, 31 have a shape complementary to the first groove 40, present in the lower part of the slat 3, 4, adapted to house the upper hooking elements 30, 31 when the slats are in the compact or closed configuration, and / or the lower hooking element 32 has a shape complementary to a second groove 41, present in the upper part of the slat 3, 4, adapted to house the lower hooking element 32 when the slats are in the compact or closed configuration. In this way, the slats 3, 4 are fully stacked and compacted in the closed configuration.
[0060] Preferably, the slats 3, 4 further comprise, at their lateral ends, respective containment elements 36, 37, adapted to limit the lateral sliding of the upper hooking elements 30, 31 in the second groove 41 and of the lower hooking element 32 in the first groove 40, thereby limiting the lateral sliding of the connecting element 5.
[0061] Preferably, the slat 3, 4 located proximate to the window or door frame of the roller shutter 1 further comprises a second connecting element 60, adapted to connect said slat 3, 4 to the related frame. This second connecting element 60 in turn comprises a hooking element 61 inserted on a support 62 inserted in the second groove 41 of the slat 3, 4.
[0062] Preferably, the slat 3, 4 located proximate to the resting surface of the slat 3, 4 further comprises a telescopic element 70, inserted in the second groove 40, adapted to be moved between a maximum extraction position, to compensate for out-of-square conditions of said slat 3, 4 with respect to the resting surface, in the extended or open configuration of the shutter, and a maximum insertion position, in the compact or closed configuration of the shutter, inside the second groove 40.
[0063] Preferably, the telescopic element 70 comprises a brush to prevent the passage of light and insects. It has been found that the roller shutter according to the present invention fulfills the stated task and objects, as it enables a much smoother movement during the opening and closing of the shutter, thanks to the sliding of the connecting element between the maximum insertion and maximum extraction positions relative to the slat. This prevents jamming and / or sticking of the slats during the opening and / or closing of the shutter, and also prevents the undesired jerky opening and closing behavior that often occurs in roller shutters with adjustable slats.
[0064] The roller shutter thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept.
[0065] Furthermore, all details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, provided they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements.
Claims
CLAIMS1. Roller shutter (1) with adjustable slats comprising a plurality of slats (3, 4) interconnected to form a movable shutter between a compact total closure configuration in which said slats (3, 4) are stacked and compacted in contact with each other, in a substantially vertical position, and an extended opening, or partial opening, configuration in which at least some of said slats (3, 4) are spaced apart to allow the passage of air and / or light, each of said slats (3, 4) being connected to at least one adjacent slat (4, 3) by at least one connecting element (5), characterized by comprising: at least one upper hooking element (30, 31) rigidly constrained to the upper part of said slats (3, 4), and at least one lower hooking element (32) rigidly constrained to the lower part of said slats (3, 4), said connecting element (5) comprising: at least one upper end (51) hooked to said at least one lower hooking element (32) of said slat (3, 4), and at least one lower end (52, 53) hooked to said upper hooking element (30, 31) of said adjacent slat (4, 3), said at least one upper hooking element (30, 31) defining, with the upper part of said adjacent slat (4, 3), a first sliding track (33) for said at least one lower end (52, 53) of said connecting element (5), said at least one lower end (52, 53) being slidable between a maximum extraction position of said connecting element (5) from said adjacent slat (4, 3) and a maximum insertion position of said connecting element (5) into said adjacent slat (4, 3), closed configuration, said at least one lower hooking element (32) defining, with the lower part of said slat (3, 4), a second sliding track (34) for said at least one upper end (51) of said connecting element (5), said at least one upper end (51) being slidable between a maximum extraction position of said connecting element (5) from said slat (3, 4) and a maximum insertion position of said connecting element (5) into said slat (3, 4), in said compact total closure configuration of said slats (3, 4), said connecting element (5) being completely inserted respectively into said first track (33) and said second track (34).
2. Roller shutter (1), according to the previous claim, wherein said connecting element (5) has a substantially uppercase Omega or inverted U shape, where said at least one upper end (51) is defined by the upper portion of said uppercase Omega or inverted U, and where said at least one lower end (52, 53) comprises two lower ends (52, 53) defined bythe ends of the arms (54, 55) of said uppercase Omega or inverted U.
3. Roller shutter (1), according to the previous claim, wherein said connecting element (5) has a substantially uppercase Omega shape and where said ends of the arms (54, 55) of said uppercase Omega end with an outwardly folded portion (52’, 53’) of said uppercase Omega.
4. Roller shutter (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one upper hooking element (30, 31) and said at least one lower hooking element (32) are hooked to the respective slat (4, 3) through a sliding coupling, where said at least one lower hooking element (32) and said at least one upper hooking element (30, 31) are inserted into a corresponding first groove (40) and second groove (41) made in said slats (3, 4).
5. Roller shutter (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one upper hooking element (30, 31) and said at least one lower hooking element (32) are respectively positioned along the respective said slat (4, 3) in a complementary arrangement along the transverse development direction of said slat (4, 3), so as not to interfere with each other in said total closure configuration of said roller shutter (1).
6. Roller shutter (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one upper end (51) of said connecting element (5) is complementary in shape to said at least one lower hooking element (32), in said maximum extraction position said at least one upper end (51) and said at least one lower hooking element (32) being shape-coupled and / or wherein said at least one lower end (52, 53) of said connecting element (5) is complementary in shape to said at least one upper hooking element (30, 31), in said maximum extraction position said at least one lower end (52, 53) and said at least one upper hooking element (30, 31) being shape-coupled.
7. Roller shutter (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one upper hooking element (30, 31) and said at least one lower hooking element (32) comprise two opposite walls defining a corresponding sliding channel (33”, 34”) for said at least one lower end (52, 53) and said at least one upper end (51) of said connecting element (5) along the corresponding said first track (33) and said second track (34) between said maximum insertion position and said maximum extraction position, and vice versa, the distance between said two opposite walls of said sliding channel (33”, 34”) being slightly greater than the cross-section of said connecting element (5).
8. Roller shutter (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said arms (54, 55) of said connecting element (5) are equal to a length (L), said length (L) beingsubstantially equal to the maximum distance between said slats (3, 4) in the extended opening configuration, so as to create a passage for air and / or light.
9. Roller shutter (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one upper hooking element (30, 31) of said slats (4, 3) has a shape complementary to said first groove (40), present in the lower part of said slats (3, 4), suitable to accommodate said at least one upper hooking element (30, 31) in the compact total closure configuration of said slats (3, 4), and / or wherein said at least one lower hooking element (32) of said slats (3, 4) has a shape complementary to said second groove (41) of said slats (4, 3), suitable to accommodate said at least one upper hooking element (32) in the compact total closure configuration of said slats (3, 4), so as to fully stack and compact said slats (3, 4).