See Through type folding shutter

Abstract

 A shutter main body 1 is constructed so as to be stretchable and see-through by folding a plurality of crosspieces 2 by a stretching link mechanism 4, said plural crosspieces 2 being provided with a link element 9 so as to stride across the plural crosspieces 2, said link element 9 being moved cooperatively with the stretching link mechanism 4 by apportioning pivotal support and slide toward the crosspiece 2 so as to be folded between the plurality of crosspieces 2, said shutter main body 1 being provided with a decoration-expressing link mechanism 8 indicating a type of business by combination with the link element 9.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a see-through-type of folding shutter having a decoration-expressing function used at an opening of a building and so on which is constructed of a plurality of shutter crosspiece members connected in series by a link mechanism so as to be folded and opened or closed.

[0002] More particularly, this invention relates to a see-through-type of folding shutter having a decoration-expressing function which is constructed so that the shutter crosspiece members for each of set thereof placed oppositely each other are connected mutually in series by a stretchable opening and closing link mechanism to make an opening and closing operation possible, an opening of a building and so on is closed by an opening operation for extending a space between said each of the shutter crosspiece members and the opening of the building and so on is opened by a closing operation for folding by narrowing the space between said each of the shutter crosspiece members and a decoration-expressing link mechanism is laid across two shutter crosspiece members for each of set thereof optionally selected which is moved cooperatively with an opening and closing operation of the stretchable opening and closing link mechanism, thereby expressing a decorative function between each of the shutter crosspiece members at the time of opening the shutter, and folding and housing the decoration-expressing link mechanism between each of the shutter crosspiece members at the time of closing the shutter.

[0003] Further, this invention relates to a see-through-type folding shutter having a decoration-expressing function which is improved so that the shutter crosspiece members for each of set thereof placed oppositely each other are connected mutually in series individually and independently by the stretchable opening and closing link mechanism in mutual connection of the above-described each of the shutter crosspiece members, thereby preventing what else from being put between each of the shutter crosspiece members at the time of folding and opening.

[0004] As this type of the see-through-type folding shutter placed at an opening of a building and so on has been conventionally well known, for example, a structure of a shutter main body, the so-called pipe shutter in which a plurality of shutter crosspiece members of, for example, stainless steel pipe and so on is used, said each of the shutter crosspiece members adjacent each other is connected mutually in series by a combination of two pivotable link bars, that is, a stretchable opening and closing link mechanism at each position close to both of the ends of the shutter crosspiece members in a state where said each of the shutter crosspiece members is placed in parallel oppositely each other in the lengthwise · horizontal direction or perpendicular direction, thereby making it possible to fold and open or close up and down or from side to side for an opening operation and closing operation.

[0005] In this conventional art, in case of a pipe shutter of the type that is folded, opened and closed up and down, its shutter main body is constructed so that it is guided up and down along each guide frame of a pair of guide frames both ends of which are fixed oppositely to both of the right and left sides inside the opening of the building and it is wound overall upward around a shutter shaft built in an upper end thereof for folding and opening or closing operation. And, also a pipe shutter of the type that is folded, opened and closed from side to side is constructed almost similarly to the former type, while there is a difference in the direction of folding between the former and the latter, that is, up and down in the former, and from side to side in the latter.

[0006] By the way, when a typical see-through-type folding shutter using a plurality of parallel shutter crosspiece members having the above-described structure is placed at, for example, an opening (a doorway) and so on of a store, a show window and so on in which illumination lights up can be easily seen from the outside through the shutter after closing the store and so on, and, at the same time, it is also possible to secure crime prevention as a shutter, in addition, it is possible to improve effectively an impression of an uninhabited street as a whole with dark and desert atmosphere after closing all stores as seen in the case where stores make use of a full-closing-type lightweight shutter which is not a see-through-type is used. Accordingly, there have been many cases where the typical see-through-type folding shutter using a plurality of parallel shutter crosspiece members having the above-described structure has been used for serving to activate shopping malls.

[0007] However, since such a see-through-type folding shutter as is folded and opened or closed as described above is generally constructed so that the shutter main body is housed by winding around the shutter shaft, it is necessary inevitably to bend the shutter main body as to be wound, and it is, therefore, extremely difficult because of its construction to impart a change to an appearance form, for, example, to change the surface design for each shutter main body. As a result, there has been a problem that the appearance design of the shutter itself is unified.

[0008] On the other hand, in case of the see-through-type folding shutter of this type, since each of the shutter crosspiece members spaced at a given space at the time of closing is moved mutually in series to be operated together in the direction of folding at the opening and closing operation, particularly, opening operation, there has been a risk that a what else, for example, a fingertip and so on of an operator is put between each of the shutter crosspiece members.

[0009] This invention has been achieved in view of the conventional actual circumstances previously described, and objects of this invention are to attempt diversification of appearance design of the shutter itself by applying a decorative effect by an expression of a letter or figure, for example, a store name, a corporate mark, a mark of type of business and so on to the shutter main body while holding sufficiently advantages and merits of the above-described see-through-type folding shutter and to provide a see-through-type folding shutter with a decoration-expressing function in which each of the shutter crosspiece members constituting the shutter main body is formed so as to be folded mutually and individually in series and closed, thereby preventing effectively a what else from being put between each shutter crosspiece members at the time of folding.

[0010] In order to achieve the above-described objects, in the see-through-type folding shutter having a decoration-expressing function of this invention, in a state that each of the plural shutter crosspiece members constituting substantially the shutter main body is placed oppositely in parallel in right and left lateral direction (right and left lateral direction in which a longitudinal direction is directed horizontally in case of a lengthwise pulling-type shutter by an up and down folding, opening and closing system), or in up and down lengthwise direction (up and down lengthwise direction in which a lengthwise direction is directed perpendicularly in case of a right and left laterally pulling-type shutter by a right and left folding, opening and closing system), two types of link mechanisms having different functions respectively are used with respect to the plural shutter crosspiece members constituting substantially a shutter main body, one is a stretching, opening and closing element concerned with a stretching, opening and closing function (or a folding, stretching, opening and closing function) for the shutter main body by connecting in series mutually and singly said shutter crosspiece members for each of set placed oppositely each other or by connecting individually and independently, and the other is a decoration-expressing element which is not concerned in direct with said stretching, opening and closing function, but concerned mainly only with a decoration-expressing function.

[0011] And, said each of the stretching, opening and closing link mechanism as a functioning element taking charge of the former stretching, opening and closing function connects in series mutually each of the shutter crosspiece members placed oppositely each other so as to be stretched, opened and closed, thereby connecting in series individually the whole (total number) of each of the shutter crosspiece members connected mutually. And each of the shutter crosspiece members connected in series is optionally operated from a starting end or terminal end for opening and closing operation, as a result, said each of the shutter crosspiece members can be moved relatively sequentially each other to open or close foldably and stretchably the whole of the shutter.

[0012] Or, said each of the stretching, opening and closing link mechanism as a functioning element taking charge of the former stretching, opening and closing function connects mutually the shutter crosspiece members for each of set placed oppositely each other individually and independently irrespective of adjacent sets thereof so as to be stretched, opened or closed, thereby connecting in series individually the whole (total number) of each of the shutter crosspiece members connected mutually. And, the shutter crosspiece members for each of set are operated mutually and individually for an opening and closing operation, and finally the whole of the shutter can be folded, stretched, opened or closed.

[0013] Accordingly, in this case, mutual connection in series of the shutter crosspiece members for each of set placed oppositely each other itself is made irrespective of each of the shutter crosspiece members of adjacent sets. And since each of the shutter crosspiece members can be folded, stretched, opened and closed mutually, individually and independently for each of set, a risk can be avoided that a what else is put between said each of the shutter crosspiece members opposite each other.

[0014] Furthermore, each of the decoration-expressing link mechanisms as a functioning element taking charge of the latter expression of decoration is a member which is able to express the decoration by a desired letter or figure by each link bar itself constituting said link mechanism itself. Similarly in this case, said each of the link mechanisms is installed movably cooperatively with the stretching, opening and closing operation so as to stride across two shutter crosspiece members for each of set placed oppositely each other which are desirably selected, that is to say, two shutter crosspiece members for each of set which are selected corresponding to a decorative form to be expressed. Since each of the decoration-expressing link mechanisms is moved cooperatively with the stretching, opening and closing operation of each of the shutter crosspiece members in such manner as described above, a desired decorative expression is shown satisfactorily and effectively on the surface of the shutter main body on which a decoration is to be expressed when closing said shutter, and it is folded and housed in each of the shutter crosspiece members corresponding thereto when opening.

[0015] In order to achieve the above-described objects, in the see-through-type folding shutter having a decoration-expressing function of this invention, in a state that each of the plural shutter crosspiece members constituting substantially the shutter main body is placed oppositely in parallel in right and left lateral direction (right and left lateral direction in which a longitudinal direction is directed horizontally in case of a lengthwise pulling-type shutter by an up and down folding, opening and closing system), or in up and down lengthwise direction (up and down lengthwise direction in which a lengthwise direction is directed perpendicularly in case of a right and left laterally pulling-type shutter by a right and left folding, opening and closing system), two types of link mechanisms having different functions respectively are used with respect to the plural shutter crosspiece constituting substantially the shutter main body, one is a stretching, opening and closing element concerned with a stretching, opening and closing function (or a folding, stretching, opening and closing function) for the shutter main body by connecting in series mutually and singly said shutter crosspiece members for each of set placed oppositely each other or by connecting in series individually and independently, and the other is a decoration-expressing element which is not concerned in direct with said stretching, opening and closing function, but concerned mainly only with a decoration-expressing function.

[0016] That is to say, according to a first aspect of this invention, there is provided a see-through-type folding shutter which is constructed by connecting in series a plurality of shutter crosspiece members by a link mechanism so as to be folded and opened or closed and which is placed and used at an opening of a building and so on, characterized in that in a state that the plurality of shutter crosspiece members constituting substantially a shutter main body is placed oppositely in parallel each other, said see-through-type folding shutter is provided with at least two types of link mechanisms, one is a stretching, opening and closing link mechanism as a stretching, opening and closing element concerned in direct with a folding, stretching, opening and closing function of the shutter main body by connecting in series mutually and singly said shutter crosspiece members for each of set placed oppositely each other or by connecting in series individually and independently, and the other is a decoration-expressing link mechanism as a decoration-expressing element which is not concerned in direct with the stretching, opening and closing function by said stretching, opening and closing link mechanism, but concerned mainly with a decoration-expressing function.

[0017] According to a second aspect of this invention, there is provided a see-through-type folding shutter described in the first aspect of this invention, characterized in that in a state that the plurality of shutter crosspiece members is placed oppositely in parallel in a lengthwise direction, said see-through-type folding shutter is at least provided with a stretching, opening and closing link mechanism for connecting mutually in series said each of the shutter crosspiece members for each of set placed oppositely each other so as to be folded, stretched, opened and closed, and a decoration-expressing link mechanism which is installed so as to stride across said shutter crosspiece members placed oppositely each other which are selected corresponding to a decorative form to be expressed thereon and which is moved cooperatively with stretching, opening and closing operation of each of the shutter crosspiece members so as to be folded, stretched, opened and closed.

[0018] According to a third aspect of this invention, there is provided a see-through-type folding shutter described in the first aspect of this invention, characterized in that in a state that the plurality of shutter crosspiece members is placed oppositely in parallel in a lengthwise direction, said see-through-type folding shutter is at least provided with a stretching, opening and closing link mechanism for connecting in series mutually, individually and independently said each of the shutter crosspiece members for each of set placed oppositely each other so as to be folded, stretched, opened and closed, and a decoration-expressing link mechanism which is installed so as to stride across said shutter crosspiece members which are selected corresponding to a decorative form to be expressed thereon and which is moved cooperatively with the stretching, opening and closing operation of each of the shutter crosspiece members so as to express the decorative function at time of opening operation, and which is folded and housed at time of closing.

[0019] According to a fourth aspect of this invention, there is provided a see-through-type folding shutter described in anyone of aspects described in the first aspect to the third aspects of this invention, characterized in that the above-described decoration-expressing link mechanism is provided with a plurality of link elements, one of the link element of said decoration-expressing mechanism being supported pivotably toward each of the shutter crosspiece members, and the other link element of said decoration-expressing mechanism being engaged toward each of the shutter crosspiece members slidably within a given allowance cooperatively with to said pivotal support.

[0020] According to a fifth aspect of this invention, there is provided a see-through-type folding shutter described in anyone of aspects described in the first aspect to the fourth aspects of this invention, characterized in that the above-described stretching, opening and closing link mechanism is placed at both ends in lengthwise direction of each the shutter crosspiece members, and the above-described decoration-expressing link mechanism is placed at an optional position at an intermediate area between positions where each of the stretching, opening and closing link mechanism is placed.

[0021] According to a sixth aspect of this invention, there is provided a see-through-type folding shutter described in anyone of aspects described in the first aspect to the fifth aspects of this invention, characterized in that the above-described decoration-expressing link mechanism is placed at a plurality of positions between each of the shutter crosspiece members.

[0022] For a more complete understanding of this invention may be had to the following detailed explanations in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a schematic front view showing a see-through-type shutter to which a first decoration-expressing link mechanism of an example of this invention is applied.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of a main part of the see-through-type shutter shown in Fig. 1 in the closed state with a decoration-expressing mechanism omitted.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section of a main part of the see-through-type shutter shown in Fig. 1 in the opened state with a decoration-expressing mechanism omitted, similarly to Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross section showing a side of a longitudinal frame as a guide rail, similarly to the above.

Fig. 5 is a front view showing a detail of the stretching, opening and closing link mechanism, similarly to the above.

Fig. 6 is a front view showing a detail of the decoration-expressing link mechanism with the shutter crosspiece member omitted, similarly to the above.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of a side showing a relationship between a link bar supporting part and the shutter crosspiece member in the decoration-expressing link mechanism, similarly to the above.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of a side showing a relationship between a link bar slide part and the shutter crosspiece member in the decoration-expressing link mechanism, similarly to the above.

Fig. 9 is a schematic front view showing a schematic structure of the see-through-type folding shutter to which a second decoration-expressing link mechanism is applied, similarly to the above.

Fig. 10 is a schematic front view showing a schematic structure of the see-through-type folding shutter to which a third decoration-expressing link mechanism is applied, similarly to the above.

Fig. 11 is a schematic front view showing a schematic structure of the see-through-type folding shutter to which a fourth decoration-expressing link mechanism is applied, similarly to the above.

Fig. 12 is a schematic front view showing a schematic structure of the see-through-type folding shutter to which a fifth decoration-expressing link mechanism is applied, similarly to the above.

Fig. 13 is a schematic front view showing a schematic structure of the see-through-type folding shutter to which a sixth decoration-expressing link mechanism is applied, similarly to the above.

Fig. 14 is a schematic front view showing a schematic structure of the see-through-type folding shutter to which a seventh decoration-expressing link mechanism is applied, similarly to the above.

[0023] Referring now to Figs. 1 to 14, a working example of a see-through-type folding shutter with a decoration expressing function of this invention are described in detail.

[0024] In this example, the decoration-expressing function of this invention is applied to the see-through-type folding shutter having such a shutter structure that a plurality of shutter crosspiece members is oppositely placed in parallel in the right and left lateral direction (horizontal direction) and, simultaneously, said each of the shutter crosspiece members is folded for stretching operation in the up and down lengthwise direction (perpendicular direction, a so-called lengthwise pulling shutter. Contrary to this, it goes without saying to the almost similar effect as described above that the decoration-expressing function can be applied to the see-through-type folding shutter having a shutter structure that each of the shutter crosspiece members is placed in the up and down lengthwise direction so as to be subjected to a folding and stretching operation in the right and left lateral direction, that is, the see-through-type folding shutter functioning as a so-called laterally pulling shutter.

[0025] And, in this example, the decoration-expressing function of this invention is applied to the see-through-type folding shutter having a structure that a plurality of shutter crosspiece members is placed oppositely in parallel in the right and right lateral direction and, simultaneously, said each of the shutter crosspiece members placed opposite each other is connected interlockably so as to be folded and stretched in series. Contrary to this, it goes without saying to the almost similar effect as described above that the decoration-expressing function can be applied to the see-through-type folding shutter having such a structure that the shutter crosspiece members for each of set placed oppositely each other are mutually folded and stretched individually and singly in series, that is to say, the see-through-type folding shutter of a structure that what else caused by interlock of each of the shutter crosspiece members at the time of closing the shutter is prevented from being put between the shutter crosspiece members.

[0026] Herein, in the structure of this example, a plurality of shutter crosspiece members opposite in parallel each other constituting a shutter main body includes a shaft member or hollow shaft member having a single form elongated in the lengthwise direction, or a pair of shaft members or hollow shaft members each having a form that a pair of optional intermediate positions at a front and a rear in the lengthwise direction, positions at both of the ends or positions near both of the ends are connected integrally by a link shaft, block, reinforcing frame and so on, and can constitute the shutter main body foldable and stretchable individually by connecting independently in series each set of said single-form shaft members or hollow shaft members or a pair of shaft members or hollow shaft members opposite in parallel each other by a stretching, opening and closing link mechanism, and also means a member having a structure which can form a surface on which a decoration is to be expressed on said shutter main body. And, in this example, expected objects can be achieved by installing the decoration-expressing link mechanism which is placed so as to stride across the members selected corresponding to a decorative form to be expressed between said each set of the shaft members or hollow shaft members and which is linked cooperatively with a stretching, opening and closing operation so as to be folded and opened or closed.

[0027] A structure of the see-through-type folding shutter to which a first decoration-expressing link mechanism of this example is applied is schematically shown in Fig. 1 and detailed structure of its main body is shown in Figs. 2 to 8.

[0028] In the structure of example shown in Figs. 1 to 8, mark A shows the whole of the see-through-type folding shutter functioning as a lengthwise-pulling shutter, 1 is a shutter main body taking charge of a main part concerned with opening and closing of the see-through-type folding shutter and forming a decoration-expressing surface.

[0029] This shutter main body 1 is comprised of mainly a plurality of shutter crosspiece members placed oppositely in parallel in the right and left lateral direction (hereinafter referred simply to as laterals direction), that is, a combination of plural sets of shutter crosspiece members 2 individually comprising of a pair of shutter crosspiece members, said shutter crosspiece members 2 for each of set being provided with guide rails 3 which are formed on and projected from the opposite faces integrally thereon in the lengthwise lateral direction of said both of them. As the shutter crosspiece member 2 including the guide rail 3 may be used, for example, an aluminum-extruded mold material and so on of a given profile.

[0030] And, the afore-mentioned shutter main body 1 comprises a combination of the shutter crosspiece members 2 comprising of, as a unit, a pair of plural sets placed oppositely in parallel in the lateral direction, each of guide rails 3 at 2, and a stretchable link mechanism 4 taking charge of a folding and stretching function for the shutter itself in the up and down lengthwise direction (hereinafter referred simply to as lengthwise direction) by connecting mutually 3 stretchably in series.

[0031] And, the shutter main body 1 is also provided with a decoration-expressing link mechanism 8 taking charge of expressing a decorative function of a letter of figure and so on a decoration-expressing surface which is laid across two guide rails 3, 3 at each set of the shutter crosspiece members 2, 2, that is, two guide rails 3 which are selected optionally and desirably in a given manner corresponding to a decorative form to be expressed in this example and which is held by pivot support and engagement slidable in the lateral direction and is moved cooperatively with a sequential stretching action of the shutter itself in the lengthwise direction by the stretchable opening and closing link mechanism 4 to be freely folded.

[0032] In case of the construction of this example, the afore-mentioned stretchable opening and closing link mechanism 4 comprises, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, a pair of link bars constituting a link element placed at each of the positions near both of the ends at right and left sides of each pair of shutter crosspiece members 2, 2, for example, a pair of link bars 5, 5 made of aluminum-extruded mold materials, both of the ends of said each of the link bars 5, 5 being equipped with guide rollers 6, 6 supported pivotably, and is used in a state of making said each of the link bars 5, 5 cross in a form of a letter X.

[0033] That is to say, with respect to the stretching, opening and closing link mechanism 4 a shown evidently in Fig. 5, one of the guide rollers 6, 6 at upper sides of each of the link bars 5, 5, that is, a left guide roller 6 in Fig. 5 is pivotably supported to the guide rail 3 of the pair of shutter crosspiece members 2 corresponding to an upper side, thereby making pivot movement at the position of said pivot support possible, and a slide bridge 6a of the right guide roller 6 of the other of the guide rollers 6,6 is engaged slidably within a given length in the lateral direction between each of the stoppers 7, 7 positioned a given space apart. Similarly, the left side guide roller of the guide rollers 6, 6 at lower sides of each of the link bars 5, 5 is pivotably supported to the guide rail 3 of the shutter crosspiece member 2 corresponding to the lower side and the right side one is engaged slidably in the lateral direction.

[0034] And, the whole of each of the shutter crosspiece members 2 constituting the shutter main body 1 can be moved mutually sequentially for a folding, opening and closing operation by repeating a sequential connection by such a link mechanism as described above also between each of the shutter crosspiece members 2 adjacent up and down, that is to say, by combined-use of a pivotably supporting part and a slide engaging part as shown in Fig. 5.

[0035] By the way, when a structure is adopted that the pivot supporting part and the slide engaging part of each of the link bars 5, 5 by the stretchable opening and closing link mechanism 4 at the afore-mentioned individual each of the shutter crosspiece members 2 are not combined-used, in other word, when each of the guide rails 3, 3 at a set of shutter crosspiece members 2, 2 comprising as a unit a pair thereof is mutually connected stretchably, individually and independently, said each set of the shutter crosspiece members 2, 2 can be folded in series individually and singly for an opening and closing operation irrespective of each of the shutter crosspiece members 2 of the adjacent sets thereof. Thereby, it is possible to prevent what else caused by sequential movement of each of the shutter crosspiece members at the time of closing the shutter from being put between the shutter crosspiece members. And, the individual and independent sequential connection as described above can be easily achieved, for example, by separating the pivotably supporting part and the slidably engaging part at the upper side from those at the lower side by forming the afore-mentioned guide rail 3 in parallel two rows, or by shifting alternatively setting positions of each of the up and down sets of the stretching, opening and closing link mechanisms 4 adjacent each other.

[0036] Next, with respect to the afore-mentioned decoration-expressing mechanism 8, it is constructed as shown in Fig. 1 and Figs. 6 to 8 so that a link bar made of an aluminum-extruded molded material or other materials, for example, synthetic resins, wood or composite materials thereof, that is, herein, a plurality of link element pieces 9 exerting a decorative function by combining plural pieces of members formed by punching in a given shape in this example is placed so as to stride across two shutter crosspiece members 2, 2 of a set of up and down shutter crosspiece members for each of pair connected in series so as to be folded, opened and closed by the afore-mentioned stretchable opening and closing mechanism 4 which are desirably selected, that is, in this case, two shutter crosspiece members for each of set which are on the decoration-expressing surface of the front of the shutter making use of the intermediate part between each of the stretchable opening and closing mechanisms 4, 4 and which are selected corresponding to the decorative form to be expressed on the decoration-expressing surface as stated previously, and it is constructed so as to obtain the desired decorative form as a whole by combining mutually said each of plural link element pieces 9.

[0037] That is to say, also in the case of the decoration-expressing link mechanism 8, similarly to the case of the afore-mentioned stretching, opening and closing link mechanism 4 as shown in Figs. 6 to 8, each of pivotably supporting part and slidably engaging part at upper and lower sides of each of the link element piece 9 are mounted to each set of upper and lower shutter crosspiece members 2, 2 so that they are connected individually and independently. And, said each of the link element pieces 9 is moved cooperatively with the stretching, opening and closing action of the stretching, opening and closing link mechanism 4 at the time of closing the shutter, that is to say, in a state that an opening of a building and so on to which the shutter of this invention is placed is closed by the shutter main body 1, thereby making it possible to express the decorative function desired as a whole. Accordingly, since said each of the link element pieces 9 is moved cooperative with the folding, stretching, opening and closing action of each of the shutter crosspiece members 2 as described above, indication of decoration can be shown effectively and satisfactorily on the decoration-expressing surface at the time of closing said shutter main body 1, and the decoration-expressing link element pieces 9 are folded and housed in each corresponding shutter crosspiece members 2, 2.

[0038] Furthermore, the shutter main body 1 of the above-described structure is used as evidently from Figs. 2 to 4 by setting so as to be folded and opened or closed in the housing apparatus 10 previously installed at an opening of a building and so on. That is to say, the housing apparatus 10 comprises a housing box 11 upper end of which a rotatable shutter shaft 12 is pivoted and a pair of right and left slide-grooved frames 13 which are placed directing inward to the right and left of the housing box 11, and by which pair of slide-grooved frames 13 the both of the right and left ends of the afore-mentioned shutter main body 1 are guided up and down so as to be opened and closed, a hanging wire 14 one end of which is fixed to the upper end of said shutter main body 1 which is wound around the shutter shaft 12 and the other end of which is provided with a balance weight 15, by which said shutter main body 1 is rolled up or pulled down for opening and closing operation as publicly known.

[0039] In the case of the first decoration-expressing link mechanism 8 as shown in Figs. 1 to 8, each housing figure of a two-story house and one-story house as a decoration-expressing form to be expressed is expressed by a combination of each of the link elements 9 by a link bar or link plate in order to indicate, for example, a builder or a real estate agent. That is to say, this housing figure of two-story house is expressed by making use of each of the shutter crosspiece members comprising four sets and five tiers in total as described below.

[0040] First, the link element 9 of a pair of link bars constituting an upstairs roof is pivotably supported to the shutter crosspiece member 2 of the top first tier so as to correspond to a ridge part, and the link element 9 corresponding to eaves of each upstairs is engaged slidably to the shutter crosspiece member 2 of the second tier and, simultaneously, the upper end of the link element 9 of a pair of hook-S-shaped link plate (reference should be made to Fig. 6) corresponding to an upstairs wall part is slidably engaged to the shutter crosspiece member 2 of the second tier and the lower end thereof is pivotably supported to the shutter crosspiece member 2 of the third tier.

[0041] Next, the link element 9 of a pair of link bars constituting a downstairs lean-to roof is pivotably supported to the shutter crosspiece member 2 of the third tier so as to correspond to a downstairs ridge part, and each of the downstairs ridges thereof is engaged slidably to the shutter crosspiece member 2 of the fourth tier and, simultaneously, the upper end of the link element 9 of a pair of hook-S-shaped link plates constituting a downstairs wall part is slidably engaged to the fourth shutter crosspiece member 2 and the lower end thereof is pivotably supported to the shutter crosspiece member 2 of the fifth tier.

[0042] Accordingly, in the decorative function indicating a housing figure of a two-story house as described above, the form in conformity with the figure shown in Fig. 6 is expressed at the time of closing the shutter and it is folded smoothly by pivot movement of each pivot supporting part by each of the link mechanisms 9 and sliding movement of each of the engaging parts at the time of opening the shutter by the afore-mentioned stretching, opening and closing link mechanism 4.

[0043] Next, Figs. 9 to 14 show working examples of a second to seventh decoration-expressing link mechanisms, respectively.

[0044] In a working example of the second decoration-expressing link mechanism 8 shown in Fig. 9, a pair of link elements 9 comprising link plates stamped out in the form of knife and fork is placed so as to cross in the shape of X by using each of the shutter crosspiece members 2 of two sets and three tiers in order to indicate, for example, restaurant, and, simultaneously, the X-shaped crossing part of said pair of the link elements 9 is supported pivotably to the shutter crosspiece member 2 of second intermediate part, and the right and left upper ends thereof are slidably engaged to the shutter crosspiece member 2 of the first tier and the right and left lower ends thereof are slidably engaged to the shutter crosspiece member 2 of the third tier. Thereby, the expressing-operation of decorative function and the folding and housing operation therefor similar to those described above can be obtained, and said each of operations is completely similar to those of each of the examples described below.

[0045] Further, in an example of the third decoration-expressing link mechanism 8 shown in Fig. 10, each of the link elements 9 comprising link plates stamped out in the form of scissors slightly opened instead of knife and fork is used in order to indicate a barbershop. In an example of the fourth decoration-expressing link mechanism 8 shown in Fig. 11, a shape of fish is expressed by each of the link elements 9 in order to indicate a fresh fish dealer. In an example of the fifth decoration-expressing link mechanism 8 shown in Fig. 12, each of the shapes of cigarettes and tobacco smoke is expressed respectively by each of the link elements 9 in order to indicate a cigar store.

[0046] Furthermore, in examples of the sixth and seventh decoration-expressing link mechanisms 8 shown in Figs. 13 and 14, mating with the sequential connection by the afore-mentioned stretching, opening and closing link mechanism 4, a decorative link form which is different from that of the stretching, opening and closing link mechanism 4 is expressed by each of the link elements 9, respectively. For example, in the case of each of the sixth and seventh decoration-expressing link mechanisms 8, it is also possible to make a part or whole of said each of the link elements 9 take charge of a part of or whole of the opening and closing function carried out by the stretching, opening and closing link mechanism 4.

Claims

1. A see-through-type folding shutter which is constructed by connecting in series a plurality of shutter crosspiece members by a link mechanism so as to be folded and opened or closed and which is placed and used at an opening of a building and so on, characterized in that in a state that the plurality of shutter crosspiece members constituting substantially a shutter main body is placed oppositely in parallel each other, said see-through-type folding shutter is provided with at least two types of link mechanisms, one is a stretching, opening and closing link mechanism as a stretching, opening and closing element concerned in direct with a folding, stretching, opening and closing function of the shutter main body by connecting in series mutually and singly said shutter crosspiece members for each of set placed oppositely each other or by connecting in series individually and independently, and the other is a decoration-expressing link mechanism as a decoration-expressing element which is not concerned in direct with the stretching, opening and closing function by said stretching, opening and closing link mechanism, but concerned mainly with a decoration-expressing function.

2. A see-through-type folding shutter described in claim 1, characterized in that in a state that the plurality of shutter crosspiece members is placed oppositely in parallel in a lengthwise direction, said see-through-type folding shutter is at least provided with a stretching, opening and closing link mechanism for connecting mutually in series said each of the shutter crosspiece members placed oppositely so as to be folded, stretched, opened and closed, and a decoration-expressing link mechanism which is installed so as to stride across the shutter crosspiece members placed oppositely each other which are selected corresponding to a decorative form to be expressed on said each of the shutter crosspiece member placed oppositely each other and which is moved cooperatively with stretching, opening and closing operation of each of the shutter crosspiece members so as to be folded, stretched, opened and closed.

3. A see-through-type folding shutter described in claim 1, characterized in that in a state that the plurality of shutter crosspiece members is placed oppositely in parallel in a lengthwise direction, said see-through-type folding shutter is at least provided with a stretching, opening and closing link mechanism for connecting in series mutually, individually and independently said each of the shutter crosspiece members for said each of set placed oppositely each other so as to be folded, stretched, opened and closed, and the decoration-expressing link mechanism which is installed so as to stride across the shutter crosspiece members which are selected corresponding to the decorative form to be expressed on said each of the shutter crosspiece member placed oppositely each other and which is moved cooperatively with the stretching, opening and closing operation of each of the shutter crosspiece members so as to express the decorative function at time of opening operation, and which is folded and housed at time of closing.

4. A see-through-type folding shutter described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the above-described decoration-expressing link mechanism is provided with a plurality of link elements, one of the link element of said decoration-expressing mechanism being supported pivotably toward each of the shutter crosspiece members, and the other link element of said decoration-expressing mechanism being engaged toward each of the shutter crosspiece members slidably within a given allowance cooperatively with to said pivotal support.

5. A see-through-type folding shutter described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the above-described stretching, opening and closing link mechanism is placed at both ends of each the shutter crosspiece members in lengthwise direction, and the above-described decoration-expressing link mechanism is placed at an optional position in an intermediate area between positions where each of the stretching, opening and closing link mechanism is placed.

6. A see-through-type folding shutter described in any one of claim 1 to 5, characterized in that the above-described decoration-expressing link mechanisms are placed at a plurality of positions between each of the shutter crosspiece members.

Drawing