Abstract:
The protective cover according to the present invention comprises an internal space ( 30 ) designed to take the corresponding strap ( 8, 9 ) of a guidance device ( 6 ) and at least one continuous external face ( 26 ) forming the sliding face.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a cover for a guidance device for a flexible-curtain goods-handling door. 
   The guidance device consists basically of straps stretched between two end points built into each vertical jamb. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The object of the present invention is to improve the coefficient of sliding of, and the seal formed by, the straps forming the guidance device of the flexible-curtain goods-handling door. 
   The protective cover according to the present invention for a strap-type guidance device for a flexible-curtain goods-handling door comprises an internal space designed to take the corresponding strap of the guidance device and at least one continuous external face forming the sliding face. 
   The protective cover according to the present invention comprises a flexible lip extending along its full height. 
   The protective cover according to the present invention comprises a continuous face continued by two folded edges separated by a continuous vertical slit. 
   The protective cover according to the present invention comprises a flexible lip at the junction between the face and the folded edge. 
   The protective cover according to the present invention is made from plastics. 
   The protective cover according to the present invention is made from the same material and in the same color as the flexible curtain. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The following description, which refers to the appended drawings, given by way of non-restrictive examples, will provide a clearer explanation of the invention, its features and the advantages it can provide: 
       FIG. 1  is a front view showing a goods-handling door and its guidance device for the flexible roll-up curtain according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a vertical jamb integral with the guidance device according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a variant of the vertical jamb integral with the guidance device according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a detail illustrating the upper end of the vertical jamb of  FIG. 3  integral with the guidance device according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross section showing the vertical jamb integral with the guidance device according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view depicting a variant of the cover for the guidance device according to the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is a goods-handling door  1  comprising two lateral jambs  2  and  3  that are generally fixed to the vertical walls of an opening that is to be closed. 
   The opposing vertical jambs  2  and  3  are connected together, at the top of the goods-handling door  1 , by a winding drum  4  for moving a flexible curtain  5 . 
   The jambs  2  and  3  are integral with a device  6  for guiding the flexible curtain  5  as it moves between a closed position and an open position. 
   It will be observed that the flexible curtain comprises, for example, sleeves  7  into which reinforcing horizontal cross-pieces  15  are inserted, their ends being acted upon by the guidance devices  6  provided on each jamb  2  and  3 . 
   Each guidance device  6  comprises flexible channels formed by straps  8  and  9  arranged opposite each other in order to form on each jamb  2  and  3  a guideway  10  for the curtain  5  and for its horizontal cross-pieces. 
   For clarity, and to assist comprehension, only the guidance device  6  provided on jamb  2  will be described, given that the other device on jamb  3  is identical (FIG.  2 ). 
   At the top of the jamb  2 , the straps  8  and  9  of the guidance device  6  each have at one end a loop  11 ,  12 , respectively, engaged on an end point formed by the holding pin  13 ,  14  built into the jamb  2 . 
   Holding pins  13  and  14  are arranged opposite each other near the drum  4  which takes the curtain  5  of the door  1 . 
   At the bottom of the jamb  2 , two tensioners  16 ,  17  form the other end points of the guidance device  6  and take the opposite ends of the straps  8  and  9  remote from the loops  11  and  12 , respectively. 
   The tensioners  16  and  17  are both set at the same level and may have for example an external six-sided profile so that a wrench can be used to tension each strap  8  and  9  between two end points formed by the pins  13 ,  14  and the tensioners  16 ,  17 . 
   Between the two end points of the guidance device  6  are two opposite stops  18  and  19  against which the straps  8  and  9 , respectively, bear. 
   The stops  18  and  19  are offset with respect to the holding pins  13  and  14  but are on the same vertical axis as the tensioners  16  and  17 . 
   This configuration means that the straps  8  and  9  present a sloping part to create an accommodation space E for the flexible curtain  5  near the drum  4 . 
   The straps  8  and  9  present, in the continuation of the accommodation space E, a vertical straight part of constant width d, or of variable width such that said straps are parallel or inclined with respect to each other to guide the flexible curtain  5  during its vertical movements between a closed position and an open position. 
   Each strap  8  and  9  thus has a sloping part between the holding pins  13  and  14  and the opposing stops  18  and  19 , respectively, forming the space E which is more particularly V-shaped. 
   In  FIGS. 3 and 4  the straps  8  and  9  of the guidance device  6  are each shown to be retained, at the top of the jamb  2 , by a support  20  which slopes so as to create the accommodation space E. 
   The support  20  has a flat external face  21  to which the top of the straps  8  and  9  of the guidance device  6  is fixed. The support  20  comprises, opposite the face  21 , another or internal face  22  of curved profile delimiting the accommodation space E. 
     FIG. 5  is a cross section showing the vertical jamb  2  integral with the guidance device  6  in which the straps  8  and  9  are enveloped and protected by a plastic cover  23 . 
   The cover  23  occupies the entire height of the straps  8  and  9  between the tensioners  16 ,  17  and the stops  18 ,  19  or the support  20 . 
   The cover  23  is integral throughout its height with a lip  24  that bears against the face  25  of the vertical jamb  2  to form a seal between the latter and the guidance device  6 . 
   Owing to its material, the cover  23  enveloping each strap  8  and  9  of the guidance device  6  improves the movements of the curtain  5  by reducing the coefficient of friction. 
   Thus, when an external load is applied to the curtain by, for example, a strong wind, the cover  23  considerably improves the movements of the curtain  5  because the materials used are similar or of the same family, ensuring a good sliding action. 
   Similarly, the cover  23  may be made in colors different from or identical to those of the curtain  5  in order to improve the appearance of the goods-handling door. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates an example of an embodiment of the cover  23  enveloping the straps  8  and  9  of the guidance device  6  of the goods-handling door  1 . 
   The cover  23  has a vertical face  26  that is continuous from top to bottom and is continued by two folded edges  27  and  28  separated by a continuous vertical slit  29 . 
   The edges  27  and  28  are so arranged as to form the opposite face from the face  26  in order to define an internal space  30  into which the strap  8 ,  9  of the guidance device  6  is introduced. 
   The cover  23  comprises at the junction between the face  26  and the edge  28  a flexible lip  24  that may be formed by, for example, coextrusion and that bears on the face  25  of the jamb  2 . 
   This flexible lip  24  forms a seal between the guidance device  6  and the jamb  2  when the straps  8  and  9  are enveloped by the cover  23 . 
   The cover  23  is fitted around each strap  8  and  9  in such a way that the face  26  is on the inside of the guideway  10  of the guidance device  6 , thus forming the sliding surface on which the curtain  5  bears in the course of its vertical movements. 
   The vertical slit  29 , which is not obligatory, improves the fitting of the cover  23  around the straps  8 ,  9  without the cover having to be dismantled. 
   It should also be understood that the foregoing description has been provided purely by way of example and that it in no way limits the scope of the invention, which would not be departed from by replacing the described details of execution with any other equivalent means.