Support structure for rolling shutters, fast rolling shutter doors or similar closure elements

Description

Scope of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of doors or windows and, in particular, it relates to a support structure for rolling shutters, fast rolling shutter doors and similar elements for closure of an opening of driven type.

Description of the prior art

[0002] As well known, a driven shutter of traditional type comprises a tubular body from which ends two shafts protrude integrally, which engage pivotally on the one side with a bearing mounted to a fixed support, and on the other side with a motor for rolling shutters, for example a gear motor. To the side surface of the tubular body, which has a predetermined diameter, for large parts of its length, an edge of the shutter is fastened, in order cause it to wind or to unwind on the tubular body with the rotation of the same. Transmission parts are provided for the movement of an electric motor at one of the two shafts. This way, the operation of the motor in one direction, or in the opposite direction, causes the rotation of the tubular body about its own longitudinal axis, and therefore winding, or unwinding of the shutter.

[0003] To obtain each shaft protruding from the tubular body, the inner surfaces of the tubular body are normally fastened, by means of good quality welding, usually of class two, or more discs in turn are welded to the shaft, from which shaft portions protrude from the end of the tubular body. In particular, another portion of the shaft remains welded stably in the tubular body, and the protruding portion can operate stably cantilever-like, like a rotation pin. This way, once mounted, the tubular body has the shaft opposite to the gear motor that is free of rotating with respect to the fixed bearing that is mounted, for example by means of screws, to a holding wall, such as the external wall of a building.

[0004] However, the mounting by means of welding the shafts and of the discs to it integral in the tubular body needs various hours work by means of special equipment, in particular to provide the weldings of a correct class and carry out necessary quality tests, such as x-ray tests, etc.

[0005] Furthermore, before starting the operations of welding to fasten the shaft in the tubular support it is necessary to execute a succession of operations of lathing for bringing each shaft in a position co-axial to the other shaft and to that of the tubular support, in order to avoid disassembling and ensuring a correct operation of the support structure of the shutter.

[0006] With the final tubular body, is then necessary to mount the bearing support and to introduce the shaft in the bearing, step long and difficult, to obtain a correct alignment.

[0007] It is then desirable to provide the tubular body in a way cheaper, at least at the end where is not present the motor.

[0008] Furthermore, both for the many working steps of the installation, also for the wear, the shaft with time can damage up to breaking causing a fall of the rolling shutter and, then bringing to reduction of the safety of people.

[0009] In US3900063 a cylindrical roller is described for winding/unwinding flexible curtains. The roller and the curtain are supported as the lowest for all their length, in order to avoid folding the roller and the production of possible folds on the curtain caused by a not uniform winding of the curtain on the roller.

[0010] More precisely, at a first end of the roller, a frame is provided comprising an upper member, for fixing the roller to a support, and a lower member, which holds the roller. The upper member and the lower member are connected to each other by means of a connecting element, in order to form a frame having the shape of a "C". The shaft that causes the rotation of the roller protrudes from the first end of the roller same up to a bearing. This is arranged in a housing slidingly mounted along vertical guides. The curtain is, instead, arranged next to two tensioning rollers located in respective fixed positions, arranged at opposite sides with respect to a longitudinal axis of the roller and that extend for all the length of the curtain. At a second opposite end of the roller a frame is equipped with shape similar to that above described and, in particular, having a guide that allows the vertical sliding of the roller for following the growth, or the reduction, of the diameter of the curtain at winding and unwinding it, respectively. More precisely, at the second end, the roller is operatively connected to a drive shaft by a transmission belt.

[0011] Owing to the structure above described, when winding the curtain, the roller rises freely along the guide for following the growth of the diameter of the curtain. Instead, whem unwinding the curtain, the roller drops along the guide for following the reduction of diameter of the curtain. Both when unwinding the tenda and winding about the tube, the tensioning rollers remain adjacent to the curtain for ensuring a homogeneous winding for all its length and avoiding, then, the production of folds. Therefore, the support structure described in US3900063 is specifically designed for handling large curtains and, in order to solve the particular technical problem of the production of folds, wrinkles, or creases on the surface of the curtains during the operations of winding, or unwinding the same from a support roller.

[0012] Furthermore, the technical solution above described is structurally complex and then expensive in addition to causing long time for its installation.

[0013] Similar solutions are described also in DE1241956 and in US2002/059985.

Summary of the invention

[0014] It is then a feature of the present invention to provide a support structure for a rolling shutter, a fast rolling shutter door, or similar rolling closure members for closure of an opening, which improves remarkably the production step with respect to the solutions presently adopted.

[0015] It is another feature of the present invention to provide a support structure for a rolling shutter, a fast rolling shutter door, or similar elements for closure of an opening, which reduces remarkably the costs and the time for installation with respect to the solutions of the prior art.

[0016] It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a support structure for a rolling shutter, a fast rolling shutter door, or similar elements for closure of an opening, which can ensure high conditions of safety for people that use the shutter, or that in any case use the opening to which the shutter is applied.

[0017] These and other objects are achieved by a support structure for rolling elements of a rolling shutter, or a fast rolling shutter door, for closure of an opening, according to the invention, said support structure comprising:

• a tubular body having a side surface comprising a first end portion, a central portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, said side surface of said tubular body having a diameter for winding said rolling elements on said central portion, said tubular body having, furthermore, a longitudinal axis;
• a motor means that is arranged to cause the rotation of a drive shaft about an axis of rotation;
• a transmission means that is arranged to transmit the rotation movement of the drive shaft to said tubular body at said first end, in order to cause it to rotate about said longitudinal axis in a first rotation direction, or at a second rotation speed opposite to the first rotation direction, said rolling elements mounted to wind about said tubular body when said tubular body rotates at said first rotation speed and to unwind from said tubular body when said tubular body rotates at said second rotation direction;
• a means for supporting said tubular body at said second end, said support means mounted to allow a free rotation of said tubular body about said longitudinal axis;

whose main feature is that said means for supporting said tubular body at said second end comprises at least one low friction contact element, which is in contact with said side surface of said tubular body at a position external to the central portion on which the rolling elements are wound.

[0018] This way, at the second end portion, the tubular body rotates about the support means, by means of the, or each, low friction contact element which rolls/slides on the side surface of the tubular body. This way, the tubular body has not to be worked at the second end, and then it does not need a half-shaft from it protruding.

[0019] In particular, the support means for supporting the tubular body at the second end comprises at least one first and at least one second low friction contact element, for example arranged in symmetrical positions in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the tubular body.

[0020] In particular, the support means that is arranged to support the tubular body at the second end can comprises:

• a base body integral to a holding surface, said base body defining a low friction cradle open above and of diameter substantially alike, or larger than the diameter of the tubular body;
• said first and second low friction contact elements mounted to said cradle to contact said cradle in a rolling engagement about longitudinal axis.

[0021] Advantageously, said first and second low friction contact elements are small roller bearings, where the first roller bearing is pivotally connected to the base body and the second roller bearing is pivotally connected to said base body arranged in a position substantially symmetric to that of said first roller bearing in a plane substantially vertical and passing through the longitudinal axis of the tubular body.

[0022] Advantageously, a line r passing through the centre of said first roller bearing and through the centre of said tubular body and arranged in a plane δ orthogonal to said tubular body, and a line t which is also arranged in the plane δ and passing through the centre of said second roller bearing and through the centre of said tubular body, form an angle α set between 80° and 130° from each other.

[0023] Preferably, the line r and the line t form an angle α set between 90° and 120°. For example, the angle α can be equal to 90°, or 94°, or 100°, or 114°, or 120°, according to the diameter of the tubular body.

[0024] Alternatively, the means to low friction consist of slides lubricated made in said cradle open superiorly.

[0025] Advantageously, the support means is associated with lateral containing means located opposite to the support surface with respect to the tubular body. More in detail, the lateral containing means is adapted to avoid that the tubular body can fall from the support means by accident, or during maintenance of the support structure.

[0026] Advantageously, the lateral containing means is integrated in the support means and form with it a single part.

[0027] In particular, the support means can comprise:

• a base body integral to a holding surface;
• a first unit for roller bearings, each roller bearing of said first unit being pivotally connected to said base body;
• a second unit for roller bearings, each roller bearing of said second unit being pivotally connected to said base body, said roller bearings of said first unit arranged in substantially symmetrical positions to that of the roller bearings of said second unit in a plane γ substantially vertical and passing through the longitudinal axis of the tubular body.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the base body comprises a first plate and a second plate, said first and said second plates having respective facing surfaces, said first and said second roller bearings arranged between said facing facing surfaces of said first and of said second plate.

[0029] Advantageously, each plate has a shape selected from the group consisting of:

• a curvilinear shape;
• a linear shape;
• a combination thereof.

[0030] In particular, each plate of said base body can comprise at least one first embracing portion for first roller bearing and at least one second embracing portion for second roller bearing, said first and said second embracing portions protruding from a base portion.

[0031] Advantageously, at least one among the first and the second roller bearing can be a radial roller bearing, or a spherical roller bearing.

[0032] In particular, the, or each, bearing can be selected from the group consisting of:

• a one crown bearing;
• a two crown bearing;
• a three crown bearing;
  or a combination thereof.

[0033] Advantageously, the, or each, bearing is selected from the group consisting of:

• ball bearings;
• cylindrical roller bearings;
• conic roller bearings.

[0034] Such exemplary embodiment allows compensating possible movements of the tubular body from the correct operation position. The bearings allow, in fact, ensuring a correct operation also in situations in which it is not certain the alignment of a stiff shaft held by two, or more roller bearings both for construction and for dilation, or other deformation. This way, the stress is reduced of deformation due to an inaccurate construction, or operation.

[0035] For example, the bearing can be coated with a layer of material at high rolling coefficient, such as rubber, or plastic material.

[0036] In particular, the layer of material at high rolling coefficient can be mounted directly on the outer surface of the bearing.

[0037] For example, the layer at high rolling coefficient can be laid in a molten status on the outer surface of the bearing and.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment between the bearing and the layer of material at high rolling coefficient a bush can be provided.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention at least one among the first and the second low friction contact elements can comprise a brass bearing, or a bush, or another element of cylindrical shape.

Brief description of the drawings

[0040] The invention will be now shown with the following description of some exemplary embodiments, exemplifying but not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

• Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a support structure for rolling shutters similar rolling elements for closure of an opening, according to the invention;
• Fig. 2 shows an elevational side view of the support structure for rolling shutters, fast rolling shutter doors and similar elements for closure of an opening of Fig. 1;
• Figs. 3 and 4, 7 and 8 show a perspective view of some possible exemplary embodiments of the support structure for rolling shutters, fast rolling shutter doors and similar elements for closure of an opening shown in Fig. 1;
• Figs. 5, 6 and 8 show diagrammatically an elevational side view of further exemplary embodiments of the invention for support structure for rolling shutters, fast rolling shutter doors and similar elements for closure of an opening of Fig. 1;
• Fig. 9 diagrammatically shows some possible working configurations of the low friction contact elements responsive to the diameter of the tubular body;
• Figs. 10 and 11 show two possible exemplary embodiments of the low friction contact elements;
• Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of the support structure of Fig. 1;
• Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of still a further exemplary embodiment of the support structure of Fig. 1.

Detailed description of some exemplary embodiments

[0041] With reference to Fig. 1, a support structure 1 for rolling elements of a rolling shutter 50, or a fast rolling shutter door, or similar elements for closure of an opening 250, comprises a tubular body 10 having a side surface 15. The tubular body comprises a first end portion 11, a second end portion 12 opposite to the first end portion 11 and a central portion 13 about which the rolling elements 55 are wound, for example slats rolling shutter 50, or the portions that make up the rolling door, for example made of PVC.

[0042] The support structure 1 also comprises a motor means 60 that is arranged to cause the rotation of a drive shaft, not visible in the figures, about a respective axis of rotation.

[0043] Motor means 60 is connected to the tubular body 10 through a transmission means 70. The latter transmits the rotation movement of the drive shaft to the tubular body 10, in order to cause it to rotate at a first rotation speed 201 for winding the shutter 50 about the tubular body 10 same to make it possible an access to the light 250, or at a rotation speed 202, to unwind shutter 50 from the tubular body 10 in order to shut the opening 250.

[0044] The tubular body 10 is held at the second end portion 12 by support means 40. The latter is connected to a support surface 200 and is adapted to support the tubular body 10 allowing to it, at a same time, a free rotation about longitudinal axis 101.

[0045] According to the invention, the support means 40 comprises at least one low friction contact element 41, or 42, which are mounted to contact the outer surface 15. For example, a first and a second low friction contact element 41 and 42 can be provided that, in use, are arranged in contact with the side surface 15 of the tubular body 10 at the second end 12 at a position external to the rolling shutter 50 (Figs. 1 and 3).

[0046] In particular, the first and the second low friction contact elements 41 and 42 can be a first and a second roller bearing.

[0047] In the exemplary embodiment shown in detail in Fig. 2, the support means 40 comprises a base body 45 defining a rolling cradle open above, that is arranged to receive the side surface 15 of the tubular body 10. The roller bearings 41 and 42 are arranged in the cradle and are pivotally connected to it, in order to cause the tubular body 10 roll in the cradle its own axis 101. The roller bearings 41 and 42 rotate about respective rotation axes 141 and 142 substantially parallel to the rotation axis 101 of the tubular body 10. More in detail, the second roller bearing 42 is in a position substantially symmetric to that of the first roller bearing 41 in a plane γ substantially vertical and passing through the longitudinal axis 101 of the tubular body 10 and orthogonal to the base body 45.

[0048] The base body 45 can be fastened, for example by means of screws, nails, or the like, to a bracket 150 connected to support surface 200 (Fig. 2).

[0049] Alternatively, the base body 45 has a stiff portion 145 in which it is connected to the support surface 200 that defines the opening 250 (Figs. 3 and 4).

[0050] As shown in detail still in Fig. 2, a line r, arranged in a plane δ orthogonal to the tubular body 10 and passing through the centre C1 of the first roller bearing 41 and through the centre C of the tubular body 10, and a line t, which is also arranged in the plane δ and passes through the centre C2 of the second roller bearing 42 and through the centre C of the tubular body, form an angle α with each other. Such angle can be set between 80° and 130°, advantageously, set between 90° and 120°. In particular, the angle α can be chosen responsive to the diameter d of the tubular body 10 (Fig. 9). For example, in case a tubular support 10' is used having a diameter d1 set between about 270 and 275 mm, an angle α1 can be chosen that is about 90°. In the case, instead, of a tubular support 10" having a diameter d2 set between about 295 and 300 mm, an angle α2 can be chosen that is about 98°. In case of a tubular support 10''' having a diameter d3 set between about 320 and 325 mm, an angle α3 can be chosen that is about 108°.

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment diagrammatically shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the support means 40 comprises a first unit for roller bearings 41', for example two roller bearings 41'a and 41'b, pivotally connected to the base body 45, for example substantially U-shaped, or "V-shaped", and a second unit for roller bearings 42', for example two roller bearings 42'a and 42'b, pivotally connected to the base body 45. More in detail, each roller bearing of the first unit 41'a, 41'b, is in a position substantially symmetric to that of a corresponding roller bearing of the second unit 42'a, 42'b, respectively, in a plane γ substantially vertical and passing through the longitudinal axis 101 of the tubular body 10 (Fig. 7).

[0052] As shown in Fig. 4, the base body 45 can comprise a first plate 46 and a second plate 47 having respective facing surfaces 46a and 47a. More precisely, the first and the second roller bearing 41 and 42, or the first and the second unit is a ball bearing 41' and 42' (Fig. 7), arranged between surfaces 46a and 47a of the first and of the second plates 46 and 47.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 7, each plate 46 and 47 may have a shape selected from the group consisting of: a curvilinear shape, a linear shape or a combination of linear and curved portions.

[0054] The plates 46 and 47 of the base body can comprise respective portions of engagement 48 and 49 for first roller bearing 41 and for second roller bearing 42 that protrude from a base portion 44.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the support means 40 is associated with a lateral containing means 70 located opposite to the support surface with respect to the tubular body 10. More precisely, the lateral containing means 70 is adapted to avoid that the tubular body 10 can fall from the support means 40 by accident, or during maintenance.

[0056] As diagrammatically shown in Fig. 6, the lateral containing means 70 has at least one roller bearing 43 that assiste the rotation of the tubular body 10 during winding and unwinding steps of the shutter.

[0057] In an advantageous exemplary embodiment, the, or each, roller bearing 41, 42, 41'a, 41'b, 42'a, 42'b is a radial roller bearing, or a spherical roller bearing, in particular with balls, or with rollers. For example, it is possible to use radial roller bearings, or spherical, to a crown, or to double crown, or even bearings with triple crown.

[0058] Such exemplary embodiment allows compensating possible movements of the tubular body 10 from a correct operation position. In this case, the bearings, either radial or spherical roller bearings, allow to ensure a correct operation also in situations in which the alignment is not certain of a stiff shaft held by two, or more rollier bearings both for construction and for dilation, or other deformations. This way, the stress is reduced of deformation due to an inaccurate construction, or operation.

[0059] In Fig. 10 a possible exemplary embodiment is shown in detail for roller bearing 41. In this case, the roller bearing 41 comprises a bearing, for example a ball bearing 61, coated outside with a layer 62 of plastic material, or rubber, for example polyzene, in particular having a high rolling coefficient. The layer 62 can be applied, for example, in the molten state on the outer surface of the bearing 61 using known techniques.

[0060] In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 11, between bearing 61 and a layer of material at high rolling coefficient 62, an interposition element 63 is provided, for example a bush. In a possible exemplary embodiment, the bearing 61, or 62 can be mounted to a shaft 65 connected to base portion 45 by an antirotation device. In this way, only the bearing 61, or 62, in use, rotates about shaft 65, whereas the latter remains integral to base portion 45.

[0061] In a further exemplary embodiment, as diagrammatically shown in Fig. 12, the low friction contact element is a slide 40", in particular a lubricated slide, cradle-like, i.e. substantially "U-shaped" that is arranged to support, in use, the tubular body 10 at the second end 12 at a position external to the rolling shutter 50. More in detail, the slide is mounted to allow the tubular body 10 to rotate freely. In this case, the base body 45 has a support portion 141 protruding from it, in particular equipped with a arc-shaped portion 143 in which the slide 40" is connected. More in detail, the slide 40" can be constrained, for example by a fixed joint, in the arc-shaped portion 143 of the support portion 141.

[0062] In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in Fig. 13 two slides 41" and 42" are provided, in particular two lubricated slides. The two slides 41" and 42" can be made of a low friction material, for example of composite material polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) and bronze. In this case, the base body 45 has two support portions 141 and 142, protruding from it to which slides 41" and 42" are mounted. More in detail, support portions 141 and 142 may have respective end portions 143 and 144, for example with curvilinear shape, in particular arc-shaped, and opposite to the end connected to the base body 45, at which the slides 41" and 42" are arranged. In an exemplary embodiment, the slides 41" and 42" are engaged in a removable way at the end portions 143 and 144, for example by a matching form. More precisely, the end portions 143 and 144 have curvilinear shape, for example arc-shaped, and comprise respective longitudinal grooves 145 and 146 with which the slides 41" and 42" engage by fixed portions 147 and 148 protruding from slides 41 and 42.

[0063] The foregoing description of a specific embodiment will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt for various applications such an embodiment without further research and without parting from the invention, and it is therefore to be understood that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiment. The means and the materials to realise the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Claims

1. Support structure (1) for rolling elements (55) of a rolling shutter, or a fast rolling shutter door (50), for closure of an opening (250), comprising:

- a tubular body (10) having a side surface (15) comprising a first end portion (11), a central portion (13) and a second end portion (12) opposite to said first end portion (11), said side surface (15) of said tubular body (10) having a diameter for winding said rolling elements (55) on said central portion (13), said tubular body (10) having, furthermore, a longitudinal axis (101);

- a drive shaft and a motor means (60) that is arranged to cause the rotation of the drive shaft about an axis of rotation;

- a transmission means (70) that is arranged to transmit the rotation movement of said drive shaft to said tubular body (10) at said first end (11), in order to cause it to rotate about said longitudinal axis (101) at a first rotation speed (201), or at a second rotation speed (202) opposite to said first rotation speed (201), said rolling elements (55) mounted to wind about said tubular body (10) when said tubular body (10) rotates at said first rotation speed (201) and to unwind from said tubular body (10) when said tubular body (10) rotates at said second rotation speed (202);

- a support means (40) of said tubular body (10) at said second end (12), said support means (40) mounted to allow a free rotation of said tubular body (10) about said longitudinal rotation axis (101);

characterised in that said support means (40) of said tubular body (10) at said second end (12) comprises at least one low friction contact element (41, 42) mounted to contact said side surface (15) of said tubular body (10) at a position external to said central portion about which said rolling elements (55) are wound.

2. Support structure, according to claim 1, wherein said support means (40) of said tubular body (10) at said second end (12) comprises at least one first and at least one second low friction contact element (41, 42).

3. Support structure, according to claim 2, wherein said support means (40) that is arranged to support said tubular body (10) at said second end (12) comprises a base body (45) integral to a support surface (200), said base body (45) defining an open low friction cradle, said first and second low friction contact elements (41, 42) mounted to said cradle to contact said tubular body (10) in a rolling engagement about said longitudinal axis (101).

4. Support structure, according to claim 3, wherein said first and second low friction contact elements are small roller bearings, wherein said first roller bearing (41) is pivotally connected to said base body (45) and said second roller bearing (42) is pivotally connected to said base body (45) and is in a position substantially symmetric to that of said first roller bearing (41) in a plane γ substantially vertical and passing through said longitudinal axis (101) of said tubular body (10).

5. Support structure, according to claim 2, wherein a line r passing through the centre C1 of said first low friction contact element (41) and through the centre C of said tubular body (10) and arranged in a plane δ orthogonal to said tubular body (10), and a line t which is also arranged in said plane δ and passing through the centre of said second low friction contact element (42) and through the centre C of said tubular body (10), form an angle α set between about 90° and about 120° from each other.

6. Support structure, according to claim 3, wherein said support means (40) is associated with a lateral containing means (70) located opposite to said support surface (200) with respect to said tubular body (10), said lateral containing means (70) configured to avoid that said tubular body (10) can fall from said support means (40) by accident, or during maintenance.

7. Support structure, according to claim 6, wherein said lateral containing means (70) are integrated in said support means (40) and form with it a single part.

8. Support structure, according to claim 1, wherein said support means (40) comprises:

- a base body (45) integral to a holding surface;

- a first unit of low friction contact elements (41'), each low friction contact element (41') of said first unit being pivotally connected to said base body (45) ;

- a second unit of low friction contact elements (42'), each low friction contact element (42') of said second unit being pivotally connected to said base body (45), said low friction contact elements (41'a, 41'b) of said first unit arranged in substantially symmetrical positions to that of the low friction contact elements (42'a, 42'b) of said second unit in a plane γ substantially vertical and passing through said longitudinal axis (101) of said tubular body (10).

9. Support structure, according to claim 3, wherein said base body (45) comprises a first plate (46) and a second plate (47), said first and said second plates (46, 47) having respective facing surfaces (46a, 47a) said first and said second low friction contact elements (41, 42) arranged between said facing surfaces (46a, 47a) of said first and of said second plate (46, 47).

10. Support structure, according to claim 9, wherein each of said first and second plate (46, 47) has a shape selected from the group consisting of:

- a curvilinear shape;

- a linear shape;

- a combination thereof;

11. Support structure, according to claim 9, wherein, each said plate (46, 47) of said base body (45) comprises at least one first embracing portion (48) for said first low friction contact element (41) and at least one second embracing portion (49) for said second low friction contact element (42), said first and said second embracing portion (48, 49) protruding from a base portion (44).

12. Support structure, according to claim 2, wherein at least one among said first and said second low friction contact elements (41, 42) is selected from the group consisting of:

- a radial roller bearing.

- a spherical roller bearing,

13. Support structure, according to claim 12, wherein said radial roller bearing, or said spherical roller bearing is selected from the group consisting of:

- a one crown bearing;

- a two crowns bearing;

- a three crowns bearing;

- or a combination thereof.

14. Support structure, according to claim 12, wherein said radial roller bearing, or said spherical roller bearing, is coated outside of a layer (62) of material at high rolling coefficient, in particular said material at high rolling coefficient selected from the group consisting of: plastic material, or rubber.

15. Support structure, according to claim 1, wherein said, or each, low friction contact element is a lubricated slide, or autolubricated (40", 41" , 42").

Ansprüche

1. Tragstruktur (1) für Rollelemente (55) eines Rollladens oder eines Schnelllauf-Rolltors (50) zum Verschluss einer Öffnung (250), umfassend:

- einen rohrförmigen Körper (10) mit einer Seitenfläche (15), umfassend einen ersten Endabschnitt (11), einen zentralen Abschnitt (13) und einen zweiten Endabschnitt (12) gegenüber dem ersten Endabschnitt (11), wobei die Seitenfläche (15) des rohrförmigen Körpers (10) einen Durchmesser aufweist, um die rollenden Elemente (55) auf den zentralen Abschnitt (13) aufzuwickeln, wobei der rohrförmige Körper (10) außerdem eine Längsachse (101) aufweist;

- eine Antriebswelle und einen Motor (60), der angeordnet ist, um die Drehung der Antriebswelle um eine Drehachse zu verursachen;

- ein Übertragungsmittel (70), das angeordnet ist, um die Drehbewegung der Antriebswelle an den rohrförmigem Körper (10) an dem ersten Ende (11) zu übertragen, um zu verursachen, dass er sich um die Längsachse (101) mit einer ersten Drehgeschwindigkeit (201) oder einer zweiten Drehgeschwindigkeit (202), entgegen der ersten Drehgeschwindigkeit (201), dreht, wobei die Rollelemente (55) montiert sind, um sich um den rohrförmigen Körper (10) zu wickeln, wenn sich der rohrförmige Körper (10) mit der ersten Drehgeschwindigkeit (201) dreht, und sich von dem rohrförmigen Körper (10) abzuwickeln, wenn sich der rohrförmige Körper (10) mit der zweiten Drehgeschwindigkeit (202) dreht,

- ein Tragmittel (40) des rohrförmigen Körpers (10) an dem zweiten Ende (12), wobei das Tragmittel (40) montiert ist, um eine freie Drehung des rohrförmigen Körpers (10) um die Längs-Drehachse (101) zu ermöglichen;

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Tragmittel (40) des rohrförmigen Körpers (10) an dem zweiten Ende (12) mindestens ein reibungsarmes Kontaktelement (41, 42) umfasst, das montiert ist, um mit der Seitenfläche (15) des rohrförmigen Körpers (10) an einer Position außerhalb des zentralen Abschnitts in Kontakt zu kommen, um den die Rollelemente (55) gewickelt werden.

2. Tragstruktur nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Tragmittel (40) des rohrförmigen Körpers (10) an dem zweiten Ende (12) mindestens ein erstes und mindestens ein zweites reibungsarmes Kontaktelement (41, 42) umfasst.

3. Tragstruktur nach Anspruch 2, wobei das Tragmittel (40), das angeordnet ist, um den rohrförmigen Körper (10) an dem zweiten Ende (12) zu tragen, einen Basiskörper (45) umfasst, der einstückig mit einer Tragfläche (200) ist, wobei der Basiskörper (45) eine offene reibungsarme Mulde definiert, wobei das erste und das zweite reibungsarme Kontaktelement (41, 42) auf die Mulde montiert sind, um mit dem rohrförmigen Körper (10) in einem rollenden Eingriff um die Längsachse (101) in Kontakt zu kommen.

4. Tragstruktur nach Anspruch 3, wobei das erste und das zweite reibungsarme Kontaktelement kleine Rollenlager sind, wobei das erste Rollenlager (41) schwenkbar mit dem Basiskörper (45) verbunden ist, wobei das zweite Rollenlager (42) schwenkbar mit dem Basiskörper (45) verbunden ist und sich in einer Position befindet, die im Wesentlichen symmetrisch zu derjenigen des ersten Rollenlagers (41) in einer Ebene y ist, die im Wesentlichen vertikal ist und durch die Längsachse (101) des rohrförmigen Körpers (10) verläuft.

5. Tragstruktur nach Anspruch 2, wobei eine Linie r, die durch das Zentrum C1 des ersten reibungsarmen Kontaktelements (41) und durch das Zentrum C des rohrförmigen Körpers (10) verläuft und in einer Ebene δ angeordnet ist, die orthogonal zu dem rohrförmigen Körper (10) ist, und eine Linie t, die ebenfalls in der Ebene δ angeordnet ist und durch das Zentrum des zweiten reibungsarmen Kontaktelements (42) und durch das Zentrum C des rohrförmigen Körpers (10) verläuft, einen Winkel α bilden, der zwischen ungefähr 90° und ungefähr 120° von einander eingestellt ist.

6. Tragstruktur nach Anspruch 3, wobei das Tragmittel (40) mit einem seitlichen Rückhaltemittel (70) assoziiert ist, das gegenüber der Tragfläche (200) mit Bezug auf den rohrförmigen Körper (10) angeordnet ist, wobei das seitliche Rückhaltemittel (70) konfiguriert ist, um zu vermeiden, dass der rohrförmige Körper (10) von den Tragmitteln (40) aus Versehen oder während der Wartung fallen kann.

7. Tragstruktur nach Anspruch 6. wobei die seitlichen Rückhaltemittel (70) in das Tragmittel (40) integriert sind und damit einen einzigen Teil bilden.

8. Tragstruktur nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Tragmittel (40) Folgendes umfasst:

- einen Basiskörper (45), der mit einer Haltefläche cinstückig ist,

- eine erste Einheit mit reibungsarmen Kontaktelementen (41), wobei jedes reibungsarme Kontaktelement (41') der ersten Einheit schwenkbar mit dem Basiskörper (45) verbunden ist;

- eine zweite Einheit mit reibungsarmen Kontaktelementen (42'), wobei jedes reibungsarme Kontaktelement (42') der zweiten Einheit schwenkbar mit dem Basiskörper (45) verbunden ist, wobei die reibungsarmen Kontaktelemente (41'a, 41'b) der ersten Einheit in im Wesentlichen symmetrischen Positionen zu denjenigen der reibungsarmen Kontaktelemente (42'a, 42'b) der zweiten Einheit in einer Ebene y angeordnet sind, die im Wesentlichen vertikal ist und durch die Längsachse (101) des rohrförmigen Körpers (10) verläuft.

9. Tragstruktur nach Anspruch 3, wobei der Basiskörper (45) eine erste Platte (46) und eine zweite Platte (47) umfasst, wobei die erste und die zweite Platte (46, 47) jeweils einander gegenüber liegende Flächen (46a, 47a) aufweisen, wobei das erste und das zweite reibungsarme Kontaktelement (41, 42) zwischen den einander gegenüber liegenden Flächen (46a, 47a) der ersten und der zweiten Platte (46, 47) angeordnet sind.

10. Tragstruktur nach Anspruch 9, wobei jede der ersten und der zweiten Platte (46, 47) eine Form aufweist, ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus:

- einer krummlinigen Form;

- einer linearen Form;

- einer Kombination daraus;

11. Tragstruktur nach Anspruch 9, wobei jede Platte (46, 47) des Basiskörpers (45) mindestens einen ersten umgebenden Abschnitt (48) für das erste reibungsarme Kontaktelement (41) und mindestens einen zweiten umgebenden Abschnitt (49) für das zweite reibungsarme Kontaktelement (42) umfasst, wobei der erste und der zweite umgebende Abschnitt (48, 49) aus einem Basisabschnitt (44) hervorstehen.

12. Tragstruktur nach Anspruch 2, wobei mindestens eines des ersten und des zweiten reibungsarmen Kontaktelementes (41, 42) ausgewählt ist aus der Gruppe bestehend aus;

- einem radialen Rollenlager,

- einem sphärischen Rollenlager.

13. Tragstruktur nach Anspruch 12, wobei das radiale Rollenlager oder das sphärische Rollenlager ausgewählt ist aus der Gruppe bestehend aus:

- einem Ein-Kronenlager;

- einem Zwei-Kronenlager;

- einem Drei-Kronenlager;

- oder einer Kombination daraus.

14. Tragstruktur nach Anspruch 12, wobei das radiale Rollenlager oder das sphärische Rollenlageraußen außen mit einer Schicht (62) aus Material mit einem hohen Rollkoeffizienten beschichtet ist, wobei das Material mit einem hohen Rollkoeffizienten insbesondere ausgewählt ist aus dcr Gruppe, bestehend aus: Plastikimaterial oder Gummi.

15. Tragstruktur nach Anspruch 1, wobei das oder jedes reibungsarme Kontaktelement ein geschmierter Schlitten oder selbstgeschmiert (40", 41", 42") ist.

Revendications

1. Une structure support (1) pour des éléments roulants (55) d'un volet roulant, ou d'une porte à volet roulant rapide (50), destinée à la fermeture d'une ouverture (250), comprenant :

- un corps tubulaire (10) possédant une surface latérale (15) comprenant une première partie d'extrémité (11), une partie centrale (13) et une deuxième partie d'extrémité (12) opposée à ladite première partie d'extrémité (11), ladite surface latérale (15) dudit corps tubulaire (10) possédant un diamètre destiné à l'enroulement desdits éléments roulants (55) sur ladite partie centrale (13), ledit corps tubulaire (10) possédant en outre un axe longitudinal (101),

- un arbre d'entraînement et un moyen de moteur (60) qui est agencé de façon à entraîner la rotation de l'arbre d'entraînement autour d'un axe de rotation,

- un moyen de transmission (70) qui est agencé de façon à transmettre le mouvement de rotation dudit arbre d'entraînement audit corps tubulaire (10) au niveau de ladite première extrémité (11), afin de l'amener à pivoter autour dudit axe longitudinal (101) à une première vitesse de rotation (201) ou à une deuxième vitesse de rotation (202) opposée à ladite première vitesse de rotation (201), lesdits éléments roulants (55) étant montés de façon à s'enrouler autour dudit corps tubulaire (10) lorsque ledit corps tubulaire (10) pivote à ladite première vitesse de rotation (201) et à se dérouler dudit corps tubulaire (10) lorsque ledit corps tubulaire (10) pivote à ladite deuxième vitesse de rotation (202),

- un moyen de support (40) dudit corps tubulaire (10) au niveau de ladite deuxième extrémité (12), ledit moyen de support (40) étant monté de façon à permettre une rotation libre dudit corps tubulaire (10) autour dudit axe de rotation longitudinal (101),

caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen de support (4 0) dudit corps tubulaire (10) au niveau de ladite deuxième extrémité (12) comprend au moins un élément de contact à faible frottement (41, 42) monté de façon à entrer en contact avec ladite surface latérale (15) dudit corps tubulaire (10) au niveau d'une position externe à ladite partie centrale autour de laquelle lesdits éléments roulants (55) sont enroulés.

2. La structure support selon la Revendication 1, où ledit moyen de support (40) dudit corps tubulaire (10) au niveau de ladite deuxième extrémité (12) comprend au moins un premier et au moins un deuxième élément de contact à faible frottement (41, 42).

3. La structure support selon la Revendication 2, où ledit moyen de support (40) qui est agencé de façon à soutenir ledit corps tubulaire (10) au niveau de ladite deuxième extrémité (12) comprend un corps de base (45) d'un seul tenant avec une surface de support (200), ledit corps de base (45) définissant un châssis à faible flottement ouvert, lesdits premier et deuxième éléments de contact à faible frottement (41, 42) étant montés sur ledit châssis de façon à entrer en contact avec ledit corps tubulaire (10) dans une mise en prise roulante autour dudit axe longitudinal (101).

4. La structure support selon la Revendication 3, où lesdits premier et deuxième éléments de contact à faible frottement sont de petits roulements à rouleaux, où ledit premier roulement à rouleaux (41) est raccordé pivotant audit corps de base (45) et ledit deuxième roulement à rouleaux (42) est raccordé pivotant audit corps de base (45) et est dans une position sensiblement symétrique à celle dudit premier roulement à rouleaux (41) dans un plan γ sensiblement vertical et passant par ledit axe longitudinal (101) dudit corps tubulaire (10).

5. La structure support selon la Revendication 2, où une ligne r passant par le centre C1 dudit premier élément de contact à faible frottement (41) et par le centre C dudit corps tubulaire (10) et agencé dans un plan δ orthogonal audit corps tubulaire (10), et une ligne t qui est également agencée dans ledit plan δ et passant par le centre dudit deuxième éléments de contact à faible frottement (42) et par le centre C dudit corps tubulaire (10), forment un angle α défini entre environ 90° et environ 120° l'une de l'autre.

6. La structure support selon la Revendication 3, où ledit moyen de support (40) est associé à un moyen de logement latéral (70) situé à l'opposé de ladite surface de support (200) par rapport audit corps tubulaire (10), ledit moyen de logement latéral (70) étant configuré de façon à éviter que ledit corps tubulaire (10) puisse tomber dudit moyen de support (40) par accident ou au cours d'une opération de maintenance.

7. La structure support selon la Revendication 6, où ledit moyen de logement latéral (70) est intégré dans ledit moyen de support (40) et forme avec celui-ci une pièce unique.

8. La structure support selon la Revendication 1, où ledit moyen de support (40) comprend :

- un corps de base (45) d'un seul tenant avec une surface de fixation,

- une première unité d'éléments de contact à faible frottement (41'), chaque éléments de contact à faible frottement (41') de ladite première unité étant raccordé pivotant audit corps de base (45),

- une deuxième unité d'éléments de contact à faible frottement (42'), chaque élément de contact à faible frottement (42') de ladite deuxième unité étant raccordé pivotant audit corps de base (45), lesdits éléments de contact à faible frottement (41'a, 41'b) de ladite première unité étant agencés dans des positions sensiblement symétriques à celles des éléments de contact à faible frottement (42'a, 42'b) de ladite deuxième unité dans un plan γ sensiblement vertical et passant par ledit axe longitudinal (101) dudit corps tubulaire (10).

9. La structure support selon la Revendication 3, où ledit corps de base (45) comprend une première plaque (46) et une deuxième plaque (47), lesdites première et deuxième plaques (46,47) possédant des surfaces se faisant face respectives (46a, 47a), lesdits premier et deuxième éléments de contact à faible flottement (41, 42) étant agencés entre lesdites surfaces se faisant face (46a, 47a) desdites première et deuxième plaques (46,47).

10. La structure support selon la Revendication 9, où chacune desdites première et deuxième plaques (46, 47) possède une forme sélectionnée dans le groupe se composant de :

- une forme curviligne,

- une forme linéaire,

- une combinaison de celles-ci,

11. La structure support selon la Revendication 9, où, chacune desdites plaques (46, 47) dudit corps de base (45) comprend au moins une première partie enveloppante (48) pour ledit premier élément de contact à faible frottement (41) et au moins une deuxième partie enveloppante (49) pour ledit deuxième élément de contact à faible frottement (42), lesdites première et deuxième parties enveloppantes (48, 49) faisant saillie à partir d'une partie de base (44).

12. La structure support selon la Revendication 2, où au moins un élément parmi lesdits premier et deuxième éléments de contact à faible frottement (41, 42) est sélectionné dans le groupe se composant de :

- un roulement à rouleaux radial,

- un roulement à rouleaux sphérique,

13. La structure support selon la Revendication 12, où ledit roulement à rouleaux radial ou ledit roulement à rouleaux sphérique est sélectionné dans le groupe se composant de :

- un roulement à une couronne,

- un roulement à deux couronnes,

- un roulement à trois couronnes,

- ou une combinaison de ceux-ci.

14. La structure support selon la Revendication 12, où ledit roulement à rouleaux radial ou ledit roulement à rouleaux sphérique est enduit à l'extérieur d'une couche (62) de matériau à coefficient de roulement élevé, plus particulièrement ledit matériau à coefficient de roulement élevé est sélectionné dans le groupe se composant de : un matériau plastique ou du caoutchouc.

15. La structure support selon la Revendication 1, où ledit, ou chaque, élément de contact à faible frottement est une glissière lubrifiée ou autolubrifiée (40", 41", 42").

Drawing