Patent ID: 6655443
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: E06B

Abstract:
A shutter comprising:a shutter panel having a plurality of plates rotatably connected to one another by hinge members; and a pair of guide rails formed with guide grooves for slidably holding opposite end edges of the shutter panel; wherein each of the hinge members connects the adjacent plates so that the plates can be rotatably bent only in a direction in which the curvature becomes greater than a minimum curvature portion of the guide groove; and wherein the hinge member is a columnar body connecting long sides of the adjacent plates, a pair of side grooves for holding the plate so that the plate is rotatable and is prevented from being pulled out are formed on side walls of the hinge member, and each of the side grooves is formed with reverse movement-preventing means for abutting against the plate to prevent the plate from rotating in a direction opposite from a direction in which the curvature of the guide groove becomes great when the adjacent plates are arranged straightly through the hinge members, and normal movement-preventing means for abutting against the plate to prevent the plate from rotating in the normal direction when the plate is rotated in the normal direction in which the curvature becomes great through a predetermined angle; and further wherein one of the opened end edges of the side groove is formed with a projecting portion along a longitudinal direction thereof, one of the surfaces of the plate is formed, along a longitudinal direction of the plate, with a recessed groove into which the projecting portion is rotatably fitted, the reverse movement-preventing means is the other opened end edge of the side groove which abuts against the other surface of the plate, and the normal movement-preventing means is one of the opposed inner walls of the side groove which is formed to abut against and support the end edge of the plate when the plate is rotated in the normal direction through a predetermined angle.