GB2574408A

GB2574408A - Retractable Shutter

Info

Publication number: GB2574408A
Application number: GB1809131.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Humphreys Roger
Original assignee: Charter Global Ltd
Current assignee: Charter Global Ltd
Priority date: 2018-06-04
Filing date: 2018-06-04
Publication date: 2019-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2038-06-04
Also published as: GB201809131D0; GB2574408B

Abstract

The shutter 12 comprising first and second slats 18, 20 wherein the longitudinal axes of the slats are in alignment, the first slat having a first longitudinally extending edge 34 that is connected to an adjacent longitudinally extending edge of the second slat 30. The first slat further comprises a second longitudinally extending edge 38a, b opposite the first edge and a wall section extending therebetween, the wall section comprises at least one through-thickness aperture. The shutter further comprises a support panel 36, connected to the first slat such that the support panel and the wall section of the first slat are in a face to face configuration. The first slat and support are discrete components such that an interface is present between any regions of the support panel and the first slat that are in contact, wherein the support panel comprises at least one through thickness aperture. The through holes of the support panel and first slat may be in alignment when the support panel is in the first slat. Also disclosed is an entrance movable between an open and closed position using the shutter and a kit of parts to assemble the shutter.

Description

RETRACTABLE SHUTTER

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a retractable shutter, particularly to a retractable shutter having one or more perforated slats, and to a method and kit of parts for assembly of the retractable shutter.

Background to the invention

Retractable shutters are used in many contexts to provide a movable barrier for opening and closing the entrance to an enclosed area. In many cases, such shutters are roller shutters, that is, they are configured to be rolled up as they are withdrawn from the entrance. Such shutters typically comprise a plurality of slats that are aligned, each slat being connected to at least one adjacent slat via its long edge.

For example, a retractable shutter may be used in garages, car parks, and/or retail environments. In specific applications, it may be necessary for a retractable shutter to achieve a defined security rating, that is, for it to resist attack by potential intruders using tools such as hammers, saws, and/or screwdrivers. At the same time, it is often desirable that when the shutter is in its extended position, that is, covering the entrance, it should allow ventilation, e.g. to limit the build-up of exhaust fumes in car parks or to provide a means of escape for smoke in the event of fire. Additionally, it is often desirable that the shutter should provide a line of sight into the enclosed area, e.g. to allow merchandise to be displayed in a retail environment. In certain cases, it is also desirable to be able to post items through the shutter.

Thus, it is desirable to provide one or more apertures in the shutter, without compromising the security rating of the shutter.

Summary of the invention

An aperture is typically provided in a shutter by punching a hole into one of the component slats before assembly of the shutter. However, limitations of the hole-punching apparatus require the thickness of the slat to be below a maximum level. This limitation on the thickness of the slat may compromise the security rating of the shutter.

Therefore, at its most general, the present invention may provide a shutter comprising at least one slat having a wall section that includes at least one aperture and a support panel that includes at least one aperture, wherein the support panel and the wall section of the slat are held in a face-to-face configuration, the slat and the support panel being discrete components, such that an interface is present at any region in which the slat and support panel come into contact.

By providing a support panel for a slat, it is possible to increase the effective resistance of the slat to attack, thus maintaining the required security rating, while at the same time allowing apertures to be punched separately into the slat and support panel. Thus, the limitations on the maximum thickness of material that may be punched in a hole-punching apparatus may be circumvented.

In a first aspect, the present invention may provide a shutter comprising a first slat and a second slat, the longitudinal axes of the first and second slats being in alignment, the first slat having a first longitudinally-extending edge that is connected to an adjacent longitudinally-extending edge of the second slat, the first slat further having a second longitudinally-extending edge that is opposed to the first longitudinally-extending edge and a wall section extending therebetween, the wall section comprising at least one throughthickness aperture;

the shutter further comprising a support panel connected to the first slat such that the support panel and the wall section of the first slat are in a face-to-face configuration;

the support panel and the first slat being discrete components, such that an interface is present between any regions of the support panel and the first slat that are in contact;

wherein the support panel comprises at least one through-thickness aperture.

In certain cases, the first longitudinally-extending edge of the first slat is connected to the adjacent longitudinally-extending edge of the second slat via a connection element that is disposed between the first and second slats.

The use of a panel to support the wall section of a slat is particularly advantageous in cases where the slat is formed from a relatively low-strength material such as aluminium. Such cases may arise when the slat has a complex shape that requires it to be shaped through an extrusion process, rather than e.g. casting, folding, rolling, or machining. Since aluminium is generally better-suited to extrusion processes than, for example, steel, it is preferred for such applications (in fact, in certain cases, it may not be possible to extrude steel to the level of complexity and precision required). However, the relatively low strength of aluminium results in thicker slats being required for a given security rating. The increased thickness of the wall section of a slat makes it more difficult to punch holes through that section. Thus, the provision of a support panel for the wall section of the slat helps to circumvent the limitations of hole punching apparatus while retaining required thicknesses for security ratings.

The complex shape of the first slat may be due, at least in part, to the requirement for a hook element to be provided on the slat, the hook element being integrally formed with the remainder of the slat and being adapted for connection of the slat to other elements of the shutter.

One application in which the first slat may have a particularly complex shape is that of selflocking shutters. Such shutters are configured such that they may readily be opened by applying a tensile force to the shutter, in a transverse direction of the slats (e.g. by drawing the shutter upwards, typically to form a roll at the upper end of the entrance). However, when an attempt is made to open the shutter by applying a compressive force to the shutter in a transverse direction of the slats (e.g. an attempt to push the shutter upwards from its base), the shutter resists this force.

Such shutters are typically configured such that the first longitudinally-extending edge of the first slat is connected to the adjacent longitudinally-extending edge of the second slat via an elongate connecting element that is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first and second slats;

the maximum transverse dimension of the elongate connecting element being less than the distance between the first and second longitudinally-extending edges of the first slat;

wherein the first longitudinally-extending edge of the first slat and the adjacent longitudinally-extending edge of the second slat are each provided with a hook element that curves about the longitudinal axis of the slats along a first direction of rotation; and the connecting element is provided with a first hook element and a second hook element, the first hook element curving about the longitudinal axis along the first direction of rotation and being interconnected with the hook element of the first slat; the second hook element curving about the longitudinal axis along the first direction of rotation and being interconnected with the hook element of the second slat.

In certain cases, the wall section and the support panel each comprise an elongate aperture, the elongate apertures being in alignment and superposed in the through-thickness direction of the wall section. This may allow items to be posted through the shutter.

In certain cases, the wall section and the support panel each comprise a plurality of apertures. The apertures typically have a rounded shape, for example, a circular shape. The apertures are typically arranged in a regular array, for example, a hexagonal array.

In such cases, at least one of the apertures of the wall section is generally superposed with one of the apertures of the support panel, in a through-thickness direction of the wall section. This typically provides a line of sight through the shutter. Preferably, multiple apertures of the wall section are superposed with respective apertures of the support panel.

In the case that the first slat is provided by an extruded aluminium component, the aluminium component may be anodised.

In certain cases, the first slat and/or the support panel may be provided with a polymer coating, e.g. polyester.

Typically, the first slat comprises a recess that is configured to accommodate the support panel and retaining means for retaining the support panel within the recess, the retaining means being integrally-formed with the remainder of the first slat.

In general, the shutter comprises a locking element that is adapted to maintain the relative positions of the support panel and the first slat along the longitudinal axis of the slat. The locking element may comprise a polymer (e.g. nylon) as its principal component.

In a second aspect, the present invention may provide an entrance that is movable between an open and a closed position, the entrance comprising a shutter according to the first aspect of the invention and two guide channels provided on opposed sides of the entrance, the guide channels being configured to accommodate the respective longitudinal ends of the first and second slats.

The entrance may be e.g. a door, a window, or a gateway, and may comprise an additional barrier, such as a pane of glass.

Typically, the guide channels are provided by extruded aluminium components.

Preferably, the guide channels are provided with a polymer coating e.g. polyester.

The shutter provided in the entrance of the second aspect of the invention may have one or more of the optional features of the shutter of the first aspect of the invention.

In a third aspect, the present invention may provide a kit of parts for use in assembling a shutter according to the first aspect of the invention, the kit of parts comprising:

a slat having opposed longitudinally-extending edges and a wall section disposed therebetween, the wall section comprising at least one through-thickness aperture;

a support panel comprising at least one through-thickness aperture;

connecting means for holding support panel in a face-to-face relation with the wall section of the first slat.

The connecting means are typically integrally formed with the slat.

Typically, the kit of parts further comprises a locking element that is adapted to maintain the relative positions of the support panel and the slat along the longitudinal axis of the slat.

In certain cases, the kit of parts may further comprise a further slat and an elongate connecting element, wherein:

the slat and the further slat each have a first longitudinally-extending edge and a second longitudinally-extending edge that is opposed to the first longitudinally-extending edge, the respective widths of the slat and the further slat, measured between the first and second longitudinally-extending edges of the respective slats being greater than the maximum transverse dimension of the elongate connecting element;

at least one longitudinally-extending edge of each of the slat and the further slat is provided with a hook element that curves about the longitudinal axis of the respective slat;

the connecting element is provided with a first hook element and a second hook element, the first hook element curving about the longitudinal axis of the connecting element along the first direction of rotation and being arranged to allow interconnection with the hook element of the slat; the second hook element curving about the longitudinal axis along the first direction of rotation and being arranged to allow interconnection with the hook element of the further slat

Typically, the kit of parts further comprises two guide channels that are configured to accommodate the respective longitudinal ends of the slat, the further slat and the elongate connecting element.

The parts of the kit of parts of the third aspect of the invention may each have one or more optional features of the corresponding parts of the first aspect of the invention.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention may provide a method of assembling a shutter according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising the steps of:

providing a slat and a support panel, the slat having opposed longitudinally-extending edges and a wall section disposed therebetween, the wall section comprising at least one through-thickness aperture, and the support panel comprising at least one through-thickness aperture; and connecting the support panel to the slat, such that the support panel is in face-to-face relation with the wall section of the slat.

Typically, the slat comprises a longitudinally-extending recess for accommodating the support panel and the step of connecting the support panel to the slat comprises sliding the panel into the recess along a longitudinal direction.

Typically, the method further comprises the step of securing the relative positions of the panel and the slat along the longitudinal direction of the slat by means of locking elements placed at the longitudinal ends of the slat.

Detailed description

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following Figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a front elevation view of an entrance according to the second aspect of the invention, the entrance being in the closed configuration.

Figure 2a shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the entrance of Figure 1, the shutter being held in a first configuration.

Figure 2b shows the same view as Figure 2a, but indicating different features.

Figure 3 shows the same view as Figures 2a and 2b, the shutter being held in a second configuration.

Referring to Figure 1, an entrance 10 comprises a roller shutter 12 that spans the aperture between guide channels 13a, b. The roller shutter comprises a plurality of slats 18,20, each pair of adjacent slats having a connecting element 22 therebetween. When in the retracted position, the shutter is rolled in a cylindrical configuration and stowed in box 25.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a longitudinal end of each of first slat 18, second slat 20 and connecting element 22, held between guide walls 14,16 of guide channel 13a.

Elongate connecting element 22 is positioned between and connects the first and second slats to each other. The first and second slats and the elongate connecting element are in longitudinal alignment with each other.

One longitudinal end of each of the slats 18,20 and the connecting element 22 is held within the guide channel 13a, while the opposing end of the respective slat or connecting element is held within guide channel 13b. The intermediate section of each slat or connecting element serves to bridge the gap between the first and second guide channel, so that entrance 10 is in a closed configuration.

The longitudinally-extending edges of the first and second slats are each provided with hook elements 24a,b and 26a,b. The hook elements are each curved about the longitudinal axis of the slats in an anti-clockwise direction from their base to their free end.

The connecting element 22 is also provided with two hook elements 28a,b, each hook element being curved about the longitudinal axis of the connecting element, in an anticlockwise direction from its base to its free end. The two hook elements 28a,b provide the connecting element with a cross-section that is approximately in the shape of an inverted S.

Hook element 24b of the first slat 18 is interconnected with hook element 28a of the connecting element 22, while hook element 28b of the connecting element 22 is interconnected with hook element 26b of the second slat 20. Thus, first and second slats 18,20 are connected via connecting element 22.

Second slat 20 has two wall sections 30a,b extending between hook elements 26a,b. The wall sections 30a,b bound two sides of a cavity 32 that extends longitudinally along second slat 20.

First slat 18 has a wall section 34 extending between hook elements 24a,b. Wall section 34 bounds one side of a recess 35 that accommodates a panel insert 36. Panel insert 36 is aligned with wall section 34 and is held within the recess by means of protrusions 38a,b that are located on the opposite side of panel insert 36 from wall section 34. Movement of panel insert 36 relative to wall section 34 in a longitudinal direction of first slat 18 is limited by means of nylon endlocks (not shown) that are positioned at the longitudinal ends of first slat 18.

Wall section 34 and panel insert 36 are both provided with a set of through-thickness apertures, the two sets of apertures being in alignment when the panel insert 36 is secured in the recess 35 by means of the endlocks. Each set of apertures is arranged in a hexagonal array. The individual apertures are circular.

First and second slats 18,20, connecting element 22, panel insert 36 and guide walls 14,16 are all formed from extruded aluminium to which a polyester coating has been applied through a powder coating process. This may provide some protection against environmental degradation.

In certain embodiments, the second slat may have the same features as the first slat and may also accommodate a panel insert.

To assemble the entrance 10, the first and second guide channels 13a,b are secured to opposed edges of the opening to be secured. Panel insert 36 is inserted into recess 35 by sliding it along the longitudinal direction of the first slat 18 and is secured within the slat by means of end locks placed at the longitudinal ends of the slat. Connecting element 22 is hooked onto first slat 18 through the interconnection of hook elements 24b and 28a, and second slat 20 is hooked onto connecting element 22 through the interconnection of hook elements 28a and 26b, thus forming a roller shutter 12. Further slats and connecting elements may be added to the roller shutter in like manner, by alternating slats and connecting elements.

The longitudinal ends of roller shutter 12 are fed into the first and second guide channels 13a,b.

Figures 2a and 2b show the configuration of the roller shutter when it is subjected to a tensile force Ft, e.g. when the roller shutter is being raised from above, for example by means of an electric motor. The weight of the roller shutter and the tensile force act to pull the shutter to its maximum length. This causes connecting element 22 to become oriented such that its maximum transverse dimension (which is disposed along the line A-A) is brought into closer alignment with guide walls 14,16. Thus, the roller shutter passes easily between guide walls 14,16.

Figure 3 shows the configuration of the roller shutter when it is subjected to a compressive stress F_c, e.g. when an attempt is being made to raise the roller shutter by pushing it from below. This action forces first and second slats 18,20 closer together, so as to turn connecting element 22 about its longitudinal axis in the direction given by arrow B. Thus, the maximum transverse dimension of the connecting element (which is disposed along the line A-A) extends further across the guide channel than is the case for the configuration shown in Figures 2a and 2b. This causes connecting element 22 to become wedged between guide walls 14,16, thus resisting the action of compressive force F_c and inhibiting further upward motion of the roller shutter 12.

Under normal usage of the roller shutter 12, the apertures in wall section 34 of the first slat are aligned with the apertures of panel insert 36, thus providing a line of sight from one side of the roller shutter to the other, as well as ventilation means, and depending on the dimensions of the apertures, means for passing objects through the shutter.

If an attempt is made to breach the roller shutter 12, this will tend to distort wall section 34 of the first slat and / or panel insert 36. This distortion will tend to bring the apertures in the wall section out of alignment with the apertures in the panel insert, such that the panel insert blocks the apertures in the wall section 34 and makes it more difficult to breach the shutter,

e.g. by inserting a screw driver through the perforations.

Claims

1. A shutter comprising a first slat and a second slat, the longitudinal axes of the first and second slats being in alignment, the first slat having a first longitudinallyextending edge that is connected to an adjacent longitudinally-extending edge of the second slat, the first slat further having a second longitudinally-extending edge that is opposed to the first longitudinally-extending edge and a wall section extending therebetween, the wall section comprising at least one through-thickness aperture;

wherein the support panel comprises at least one through-thickness aperture.

2. A shutter according to claim 1, wherein the first longitudinally-extending edge of the first slat is connected to the adjacent longitudinally-extending edge of the second slat via an elongate connecting element that is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first and second slats;

3. A shutter according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the wall section and the support panel each comprise a plurality of apertures.

4. A shutter according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the apertures of the wall section is superposed with one of the apertures of the support panel, in a throughthickness direction of the wall section.

5. A shutter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first slat is provided by an extruded aluminium component.

6. A shutter according to claim 5, wherein the aluminium component is anodised.

7. A shutter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or both of the support panel and the first slat are provided with a polyester coating.

8. A shutter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first slat comprises a recess that is configured to accommodate the support panel and retaining means for retaining the support panel within the recess, the retaining means being integrally-formed with the remainder of the first slat.

9. A shutter according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a locking element that is adapted to maintain the relative positions of the support panel and the first slat along the longitudinal axis.

10. A shutter according to claim 9, wherein the locking element comprises a polymer as its principal component.

11. A shutter according to claim 10, wherein the locking element comprises nylon.

12. An entrance that is movable between an open and a closed position, the entrance comprising a shutter according to any one of the preceding claims and two guide channels provided on opposed sides of the entrance, the guide channels being configured to accommodate the respective longitudinal ends of the first and second slats.

13. An entrance according to claim 12, wherein the guide channels are provided by extruded aluminium components.

14. An entrance according to claim 13, wherein the guide channels are provided by extruded anodised aluminium components.

15. An entrance according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the guide channels are provided with a polyester coating.

16. A kit of parts for use in assembling a shutter according to any one of claims 1-11, the kit of parts comprising:

a support panel comprising at least one through-thickness aperture;

17. A kit of parts according to claim 16, further comprising a locking element that is adapted to maintain the relative positions of the support panel and the slat along the longitudinal axis of the first slat.

18. A kit of parts according to claim 16 or claim 17, further comprising two guide channels that are configured to accommodate the longitudinal ends of the slat.

19. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 16-18, further comprising a further slat and an elongate connecting element, wherein:

the slat and the further slat each have a first longitudinally-extending edge and a second longitudinally-extending edge that is opposed to the first longitudinallyextending edge, the respective widths of the slat and the further slat, measured between the first and second longitudinally-extending edges of the respective slats being greater than the maximum transverse dimension of the elongate connecting element;

the connecting element is provided with a first hook element and a second hook element, the first hook element curving about the longitudinal axis of the connecting element along the first direction of rotation and being arranged to allow interconnection with the hook element of the slat; the second hook element curving about the longitudinal axis along the first direction of rotation and being arranged to allow interconnection with the hook element of the further slat.