Patent ID: 6371189
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: E06B

Abstract:
A roller shutter for a window or doorway wall opening, comprising:a plurality of elongate slats coupled together to form a slat assembly; and a winding device overlying the slat assembly for winding and unwinding the slat assembly to a fully-closed position, a fully-opened position, and a partially-opened position, with respect to said wall opening; said slats being coupled together by couplings which permit each slat, when in a fully-opened or partially-opened position with respect to said wall opening, to move: a) linearly away from an adjacent slat in the slat assembly to create a light and air space between the adjacent slats; b) linearly towards said adjacent slat in the slat assembly to close or restrict said light and air spaces; and c) angularly with respect to said adjacent slat in the slat assembly to enable the slat assembly to be wound onto or unwound from said winding device; characterized in that said couplings are flexible links coupling each side of each slat to the respective side of the adjacent slat; said flexible links being coupled to attachments attached to the sides of the slats; each of said attachments comprising a base attached to the side of the slat; and a pair of arms integrally formed with said base such that the arms project laterally from the respective side of the slat with one arm overlying the other; each of said flexible links coupling the overlying arm of each slat with the underlying arm of the adjacent overlying slat.