AU676335B2 - Roller shutter device - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE PATENT SPECIFICATION

APPLICANT:

Invention Title: Peter Jon Champion ROLLER SHUTTER DEVICE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: JMSPEC/CHAMPION/COMPLETE/29 JULY 1994

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TITLE: Roller Shutter Device FIELD OF INVENTION: This invention relates to a device being a guided roller shutter to cover and shield any gap in a structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: One problem with using present roller shutter devices is that they are operated and stored using moving parts such as an axle or spring loaded means. Misalignment, for example, may cause unwanted jamming, therefore preventing normal operation and storage.

This invention provides at least a partial solution to overcome this problem.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: This invention provides a roller shutter device for closure of a gap in a structure which comprises a generally elongated housing provided with an opening leading into an extended channel means; an elongated shutter means adapted to flex laterally, to be stored within the housing and to travel into o and out of the channel means; and track means formed in or connected to end walls, the track means being located within the housing and adapted to guide travel of the shutter means.

Atemrnatively this invention provides a roller shutter device for closure of a gap in a S.structure which comprises: 1. a housing enclosing a chamber, which housing comprises a cover means; 2. a plate at each end of the housing and connected to the cover means, which plate has an internal side and external side; 3. each plate having on its internal side a track means; 4. a channel means for attachment to sides of the gap; and a shutter provided with side edges, wherein the shutter may be moved into and out of the chamber, each edge being guided by its respective guide track means, thereby closing the gap.

JMSPEC/CHAMPION/COMPLETE/29 JULY 1994

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: Three embodiments of the invention are shown in which: Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a roller shutter device, illustrating one application of the device to a rear end of a utility truck or other similar vehicle; Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a side plate of the roller shutter device showing its internal side and track means; Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the roller shutter device, illustrating another S"application of the device to a framed window on the side of a house.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: This invention has particular value in providing a roller shutter to cover and shield any gap in a structure which is defined by a flat bed of a utility truck or similar vehicle; a framed window of a house or other building and a solar water heater which is positioned on the roof of house.

It is preferred that housing comprises diecast aluminium or moulded nylon, or other similar material. The housing has a mounting means on one side which can secure the device in or to a particular position, for example on the rear end of a flat bed utility truck or other similar vehicle, or on the top of a franmed window of a house. The chamber is, S• of course, of sufficient volume so as to receive a fully retracted and folded shutter assembly. Furthermore, the chamber is supplied with an opening adapted to receive a shutter. The opening provides the entry of the shutter into the chamber by manual or by mechanical means using the track and conveyor means as a guide.

It is preferred that each plate comprises diecast aluminium or moulded nylon, or other similar material.

It is preferred that the track means generally encloses at least in part the respective edges of the shutter device. The track means may be of generally square cross section and take any suitable form, for example, a convolute shape such as a flattened helical shape. It is convenient to supply means to reduce friction on at least part of both sides of the track means to assist the smooth JMSPEC/CHAMPION/COMPLETE/29 JULY 1994 entry of the shutter into the chamber. For example, it is preferred that the track means is supplied with an internal anti friction bush.

It is further preferred that there is an oil inlet on the plate, so that oil or other suitable lubricant be inserted in the track means.

It is a preferred that the channel means comprises two strips of aluminium or similar suitable material which are positioned substantially parallel to each other on each longitudinal side of the shutter. The channel means may be fixed to a frame, for example the vertical frame of a window, or the frame which defines the area of a flat bed utility vehicle. The channel means is adapted to receive the shutter, by providing means to conduct the forward and backward movement of the shutter.

It is preferred that the shutter comprises individual rectangular slots of aluminium or similar relatively rigid material, each of which is joined laterally to an adjoining slat by a connection means. Each connection means may be of any suitable type, but it is preferred that it comprises interlocking or groove means. At each end of each individual rectangular strip, there may be fixed an anti friction bush. The anti friction bush may be composed of nylon and fibreglass hardener.

In an alternative embodiment the shutter may be a single sheet of flexible material. On each lateral side of the shutter, there may be provided an anti friction bush. The anti friction bush may be comprised of nylon and fibreglass hardener.

Turning to the drawings, and referring firstly to Figure 1, numeral 1 indicates the device as a whole. Numeral 2 indicates a housing with cover means. Numeral 3 refers to a shutter. Numerals 4(a) and 4(b) indicate plates fixed at both ends of housing 2. Inside housing 2, as referred to by numeral 5, is a chamber, with an opening 6 to the chamber.

A channel means is indicated by numeral 7.

Turning to Figure 2, numeral 8 indicates the plate as a whole. Numeral 9 indicates the guide track means. Numeral 10 refers to the track means. Numeral 11 indicates a shutter entering the track means 10. Numeral 12 refers to a channel means which is fixed in close proximity to the plate 8.

JMSPEC/CHAMPION/COMPLETE/29 JULY 1994

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Turning to Figure 3, numeral 13 indicates the device as a whole. Numeral 14 refers to the housing with cover means. Numeral 15 indicates a plate fixed at one end of housing 14. Numeral 16 refers to a shutter. A conveyor is indicated by numeral 17.

*ee JMSPEC/CHAMPION/COMPLETE/29 JULY 1994

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Claims (9)

1. A roller shutter device for closure of a gap in a structure which comprises a generally elongated housing provided with an opening leading into an extended channel means; an elongated shutter means adapted to flex laterally, to be stored within the housing and to travel into and out of the channel means; and track means formed in or connected to end walls, the track means being located within the housing and adapted to guide travel of the shutter means. i"

2. A roller shutter device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing is generally parallelepipedal in shape.

3. A roller shutter device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the opening is located along one major face of the parallepiped near one edge.

4. A roller shutter device as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the channel means reaches out from either side of the opening and is fixed to either side of a .gap.

A roller shutter device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the shutter means comprises a plurality of lateral slats connected one to another.

6. A roller shutter device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shutter means comprises a continuous length of flexible material.

7. A roller shutter device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the track means is formed in a convolute shape.

8. A roller shutter device for closure of a gap in a structure which comprises: 1. a housing enclosing a chamber, which housing comprises a cover means; 2. a plate at each end of the housing and connected to the cover means, which plate has an internal side and external side; JMSPEC/CHAMPION/COMPLETE/29 JULY 1994 I, 3. each plate having on its internal side a track means; 4. a channel means for attachment to sides of the gap; and a shutter provided with side edges, wherein the shutter may be moved into and out of the chamber, each edge being guided by its respective guide track means, thereby closing the gap.

9. A roller shutter device as claimed in claim 1, substantially as described with S* reference to the accompanying drawings. ao Dated this 29th day of July 1994 P"TER JON CAMPION By their Patent Attorneys JAMES MURRAY CO. JMSPEC/CHAMPION/COMPLETE/29 JULY 1994 I 8 ABSTRACT A roller shutter device for closure of a gap in a structure which comprises a generally elongated housing provided with an opening leading into an extended channel means an elongated shutter means adapted to flex laterally, to be stored within the housing and to travel into and out of the channel means; and track means (10) formed in or connected to end walls the track means being located within the housing and adapted to guide travel of the shutter means. *•o e *o JMSPEC/CHAMPION/COMPLETE/29 JULY 1994 I