This invention relates to a device according to the pre-characterising clause of claim 1 for the movement of sliding shutters.

In the context of buildings, the use of shutters and the like applied to the structure of the building to cover/protect window or door spaces is known. Of the various types of shutters, sliding shutters which can slide between a retracted position in which they are generally out of sight and an advanced operative position in which they cover the space are in wide use. The use of sliding shutters is particularly advantageous from the point of view of the limited aesthetic impact caused by the shutters in comparison with the structure of the building, and minimisation of the space occupied by the shutters when the shutters are in the aforesaid retracted position.

In some cases, instead of comprising a single panel sliding shutters comprise two coplanar panels which can run along the same straight rail track in order to change from the retracted position in which the two panels are at a distance from each other so as not to overlap the space to the advanced operative position, and vice versa. In the latter position the panels of the shutters abut against each other and cover the space, shuttering out light and protecting from the weather.

In general sliding shutters are moved from the retracted position in which they are out of sight to the advanced operative position by hand by the user and this is inconvenient as well as laborious, particularly in the case of shutters for large French windows.

Motorisation devices bringing about movement of the panels or if appropriate the panel of shutters have been suggested in order to assist the operation of closing them.

With regard to the possibility of ensuring effective motorisation of the panels of sliding shutters mention will be made of the problems associated with the difficulty of finding sufficient space for housing the motorisation means, as well as the difficulty in achieving the necessary degree of parallelism and alignment between the motorisation means and the sliding track and the panels which have to be moved.

The technical problem underlying this invention is that of providing a device for the motorisation of sliding shutters having structural and functional characteristics such as to overcome the problems described above with reference to the known art.

According to the invention, this technical problem is resolved by a device for the motorisation of sliding shutters according to claim 1.

Through this invention it is possible to provide a device which is capable of ensuring motorisation of sliding shutters from the retracted position to the advanced operative position, and vice versa, at the same time ensuring correct positioning between the parts simply and accurately, reducing the problems associated with the position and magnitude of the motorisation means of the device according to the invention to a minimum.

Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description which is given with reference to the appended drawings which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example and in which:

• Figure 1 shows a diagrammatical perspective view of a device according to this invention applied to a sliding shutter,
• Figure 2 shows a simplified perspective view of the device in Figure 1 in operation without showing the sliding shutter,
• Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a detail of the device in Figure 1,
• Figure 4 shows a detail illustrating one manner of fixing to the track and the pulley driven by the device according to the invention,
• Figure 5 shows a view in cross-section along the line V-V in Figure 3, with some parts not shown,
• Figure 6 shows a diagrammatical perspective view of a different embodiment of the device according to this invention applied to a sliding shutter,
• Figure 7 shows a perspective partly exploded view of some parts of the device in Figure 6,
• Figure 8 shows a simplified perspective view of the device in Figure 6 in use without showing the sliding panel,
• Figure 9 shows a detail illustrating the manner in which the sliding panel is connected to the device according to the invention.

With reference to the appended figures 1 indicates as a whole the device according to the invention in order to ensure motorisation of a sliding shutter 3.

In particular shutter 2 has a sliding panel 3 which is associated with the wall structure of a building in relation to an opening 5 for a window.

In the example shutter 2 is of the single panel type and is associated in a sliding manner with the wall structure in such a way that it can move reversibly from an advanced operative position in which it covers opening 5 of the window shuttering out the light and protecting from the weather, and a retracted position in which it is substantially out of view in which the panel does not overlap window opening 5 and is substantially hidden within a housing suitably provided in the wall structure. It should be pointed out that sliding shutter 2 may also be applied to the wall structure externally. In this case it is obvious that sliding panel 3 will be visible and will not be housed out of view in a housing.

In order to permit the abovementioned movement of sliding shutter 2, sliding panel 3 is supported in a sliding manner by guide means which in the example take the form of a straight track 4 having predetermined axis X-X applied to the wall structure on the top side of opening 5.

In the example track 4 takes the form of a tubular section of square cross-section which is open at the base, that is to say the side facing the shutter. Opening 7 in straight track 4 extends over the entire length of the track, so that the track has a substantially C-shaped transverse cross-section.

According to a preferred embodiment aforesaid track 4 is located above sliding panel 3 so that the panel is substantially suspended from track 4 in a manner which is in itself conventional through suitable connecting pins secured to the top extremity of the panel and capable of engaging in a sliding manner aforesaid opening 7 in the trafficable track.

Preferably the lower extremity of sliding panel 3 may be guided when in movement from the advanced operative position to the retracted position by suitable bottom guide means (not illustrated) located on the sill of the window. By this means outward or inward flapping of the lower extremity of sliding panel 3, or displacement from the vertical plane passing through aforesaid track 4, can be avoided.

The aforesaid lower guide means may take the form of a fixed straight guide which extends beneath track 4 in such a way as to be in sliding engagement with a lower extremity of the panel. Preferably a shape-locked connection between matching sections is provided between the straight guide and the lower extremity of the panel.

Conversely the lower extremity of the panel may be supported in a sliding manner by means of sliding shoes, roller means or other functionally equivalent means placed in between.

In addition to track 4 which can support in a sliding manner sliding panel 3 in order to guide its motion from the retracted configuration to the advanced operative configuration and vice versa, device 1 according to the invention for motorisation of sliding panel 3 comprises a supporting bracket 15 and operating means associated with sliding panel 3 to control movement from the retracted configuration to the advanced operative configuration and vice versa.

Specifically the operating means comprise an electric motor 9 and a transmission belt 12 supported in rotation through a drive pulley 10 and a driven pulley 11. A slider 13 which is also secured to the upper extremity of sliding panel 3 is attached to transmission belt 12 as illustrated in Figure 9. As a consequence of this, rotation of the transmission belt in one direction or the other brings about a corresponding movement of slider 13 and therefore also of sliding panel 3 with respect to track 4 in the X-X direction, ensuring the aforesaid movement of sliding shutter 3 between the advanced operative position and the retracted position.

Drive pulley 10 rotates as one piece with the rotor of motor 9. In the example illustrated drive pulley 10 is directly secured to the rotor shaft of motor 9.

In accordance with one advantageous aspect:

• supporting bracket 15 is substantially connected to straight track 4 at a first extremity thereof (that on the left in Figures 1, 2, 6 and 8) and
• supporting bracket 15 is provided with a first portion 16 which is in line with track 4 along the vertical direction Y-Y.

Electric motor 9 is supported from the aforesaid first portion 16 of supporting bracket 15 in such a way that its own axis of rotation extends in the vertical direction.

Preferably supporting bracket 15 is attached to the first extremity of straight track 4 and the aforesaid first portion 16 extends beneath track 4 parallel thereto.

According to a first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, supporting bracket 15 comprises a plate 18 from which both aforesaid first portion 16 and a second portion 20 project perpendicularly, first portion 16 and second portion 20 being consequently parallel to each other.

Second portion 20 is shaped in such a way that it can be inserted in a sliding manner within the tubular section of track 4 from the aforesaid first extremity of the track in such a way as to form a shape-locked coupling of the male/female type between the matching sections.

The distance in the X-X direction between plate 18 and the first extremity of track 4 can be varied by inserting second portion 20 within the tubular section formed by track 4 to a greater or lesser extent. It is obvious that by making the aforesaid adjustment in the position of plate 18 with respect to track 4 first portion 16 of bracket 15 and first drive pulley 10 supported thereby is adjusted with respect to the first extremity of track 4.

As shown in the figures, first portion 16 of bracket 15 extends substantially beneath second portion 20 and the second portion engages the track.

This embodiment is suitable for use in an application which provides for insertion of the sliding shutter in a housing in which it is out of sight in the wall structure, where the manoeuvring space for insertion of track 4 is somewhat limited. In particular, the length of the track is in this case undoubtedly less than the distance between the two jambs of the window, otherwise it would not be possible to insert the track in its seat. In this configuration track 4 with associated bracket 15, with which motor 9 and drive pulley 10 have first been associated, is inserted into a housing in the wall structure. Only after track 4 has been positioned is second portion 20 of the tubular section identified by track 4 caused to move in such a way as to distance plate 18 from the end of the track so as to bring plate 18 to a stop against the jamb of the wall structure. At this point the position of the bracket is secured to that structure by means of screws, expanding plugs or the like.

According to a second embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 to 8, supporting bracket 15 is L-shaped, comprising a straight plate 18 from which aforesaid first portion 16 projects perpendicularly. In this embodiment supporting bracket 15 is secured to the first extremity of track 4 with an intermediate fixing block 19 of rectangular shape. In particular block 19 is inserted and secured within the tubular section of track 4 at its first extremity in such a way that head extremity 19a of fixing block 19 is substantially in line with or in any event in the vicinity of first extremity of track 4. Blind threaded holes 19b suitable for receiving corresponding fixing screws 22 projecting from plate 18 of supporting bracket 15 are provided in the extremity of head 19a. Specifically, after plate 18 has been attached to the first extremity of track 4, or possibly to the head extremity 19a of fixing block 19, the aforesaid fixing screws ensure that plate 18 is fixed to and made integral with straight track 4 in the desired position. Advantageously the fixing screws extend through holes 21 made in plate 18 and extend in the vertical direction Y-Y so that the distance of first portion 16 and drive pulley 10 of track 4 can be adjusted in the vertical direction Y-Y.

It should be pointed out that the perpendicularity of first portion 16 of bracket 15 with respect to plate 18, together with the perpendicularity of plate 18 with respect to track 4, or if applicable the head extremity 19a of fixing block 19 with respect to track 4, ensure that first portion 16 of bracket 15 is perfectly parallel with track 4. As a consequence of the abovementioned positioning of first portion 16 of bracket 15, it is easy to ensure perfect perpendicularity between the Y-Y axis of motor 9 and the horizontal direction X-X of track 4. This is essential because in order to prevent panel 3 from jamming as it moves along track 4 and in order to avoid breakages and/or frequent wear of the parts of device 1 it is essential that the transmission belt be parallel to the horizontal direction X-X in which track 4 extends and at the same time motor 9 must be supported in such a way that its axis of rotation extends in the vertical direction Y-Y.

This second embodiment is particularly advantageous for moving shutters which are intended to be applied to the exterior of the wall structure, as in this case the need to use visible external tracks is expressly provided for.

In both the embodiments described above driven pulley 11 may be fixed directly to track 4 advantageously using for the purpose opening 7 present on the underside of track 4. For this purpose it is sufficient that the axis of rotation of driven pulley 11 extending in the vertical direction Y-Y should lie within aforesaid opening 7 and track 4, the whole then being immobilised with the help of threaded nuts 6, substantially as illustrated in Figure 4.

It should be pointed out that the operation of electric motor 9 may be advantageously controlled by an electronic module, the latter being controlled through command signals (electrical signals of the type which can be transmitted at radio frequencies, or through infrared or by cable) and travel stop sensors.

The command signals may for example be generated by a user by pressing buttons forming part of a remote control or control switch.

As follows from what has been described above the device according to the invention for the motorisation of a sliding panel of a shutter associated with a supporting structure makes it possible to overcome the problems described above with reference to the known art, particularly the problems of finding sufficient space for housing the motorisation means, as well as making it possible to ensure that the motor means are as required parallel with and in line with the track and the panels which have to be moved. In fact the arrangement according to the invention provides for the use of a supporting bracket which is associated with the track in such a way that the motor of the device is supported beneath the guide means.

Furthermore, attachment of the bracket to the guide means, in the example the aforesaid track, makes it possible to ensure that the axis of the drive pulley and/or the axis of the motor is perpendicular with respect to the track.

In particular both the supporting bracket and the motor and the other operating means may be easily positioned either before or after the guide means have been secured to the supporting wall structure in that the geometry of the parts is such as to guarantee that both the axis of the drive pulley and the axis of the motor are perpendicular with respect to the track.

Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the forms of embodiment and details of construction may be varied widely with respect to those described and illustrated, which have been given purely by way of example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.