Abstract:
In a folding shutter arrangement having three or more inherently rigid folding shutter elements ( 12 ) having element edges that bend out and element edges that do not bend out in alternation, a first folding shutter element ( 12 A) is or can be fastened indirectly or directly to the building ( 1 ) so as to be pivotable about a first axis ( 12 A′), which is stationary or nearly stationary with respect to a building ( 1 ), near a (first) element edge ( 13 A) that does not bend out. A second folding shutter element ( 12 B) is pivotably retained about a second axis ( 12 B′), which can be moved perpendicularly to itself, near a second element edge ( 13 B) that does not bend out, and can be moved along guides ( 16 A,  16 B) arranged perpendicular to the second element edge ( 13 B) in pairs. Adjacent folding shutter elements ( 12 A,  12 B;  12 C,  12 D; . . . ) are pivotably connected to each other in pairs at the third element edges ( 15 A,  15 B) thereof, which bend out and which are opposite from and parallel to the first and second element edges ( 13 A,  13 B; . . . ), by means of a bend-out joint ( 14 A,  14 B; . . . ). Additional folding shutter elements are connected in pairs to the preceding folding element pair and/or a last folding shutter element freely protruding at the end is pivotably connected to the folding element pair(s) near the second, fourth, or further element edge ( 13 B; . . . ) that does not bend out. At least one driving element ( 30 ) is provided, which can be moved along at least one of the guides ( 16 A,  16 B) and which drives at least one, preferably the last, of the second, fourth, or further element edge ( 13 B, . . . ) that does not bend out, in the opening or closing direction, and which forcibly pivots the folding shutter elements ( 12 B,  12 C; . . . ) connected to at least one of the element edges ( 13 B; . . . ) that do not bend out, in pairs in the opening or closing direction by means of at least one coupling element ( 32 A,  32 B,  32 C).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a folding shutter arrangement having the features of the preambles of claim  1 ,  13  or  14 . According thereto, a first folding shutter element is fastened or is fastenable indirectly or directly to a building so as to be pivotable about a first axis, which is positionally fixed or is virtually positionally fixed with respect to the building, in the vicinity of a non-buckling (first) element edge. A second folding shutter element is held pivotably about a second axis, which is shiftable transversely with respect to itself, in the vicinity of a non-buckling second element edge and is shiftable along guides arranged in pairs perpendicularly to the second element edge. The folding shutter elements which are adjacent in pairs are connected pivotably to one another in pairs at their buckling, third element edges, which are opposite and parallel to the first and second element edges, by means of a buckling joint. Pairs of further folding shutter elements on the first two folding shutter elements can adjoin the preceding pair of folding shutter elements. Furthermore, a final folding shutter element which projects freely on the end side can adjoin the pair(s) of folding shutter elements. 
       TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    WO 2008/125343 A1 by the same applicant discloses a folding shutter arrangement, in which a locking/unlocking device and optionally a deployment and pulling-up device are provided in the vicinity of the buckling pairs of element edges such that the folding shutter arrangement is moveable from a closing arrangement, which is extended flat per se, into any opening position. In principle, said folding shutter arrangement is also usable for a plurality of pairs of folding shutter elements. 
         [0003]    FR 2600892 A1 discloses a folding shutter arrangement for obliquely inclined veranda roofs, in which the folding shutter elements do not adopt an extended position with one another even in the closure position, but rather the adjacent folding shutter elements have already adopted an angular position with one another at the connecting edges thereof, and therefore buckling aids are not required for lack of an extended position. On the contrary, because of the predetermined, slightly buckled basic position of the pairs of folding shutters, a successive, complete buckling of the adjacent pairs of folding shutters occurs during the opening. 
         [0004]    DE 20 2004 010 622 U1 discloses a folding shutter arrangement as a door system, i.e. in a vertical orientation, which, in the closed position thereof, permits an extended position of the folding shutter elements aligned with one another. Here, the final (third) folding shutter element, as seen from the fastening edge, can be opened and closed like a door without the adjacent pair of folding shutter elements being moved. All of the opening and closing movements are undertaken manually. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Proceeding therefrom, the invention is based on the object of realizing a folding shutter arrangement which permits folding shutter arrangements having three or even more sections to move between a closed extended position and an open, buckled position of the folding shutter elements in a simple manner driven by a motor. To solve this problem, a folding shutter arrangement having the features of claim  1  is proposed. According thereto, in a folding shutter arrangement of the type in question, provision is made for at least one drive element which is moveable along the guides to drive at least one, preferably the final one, of the non-buckling element edges in the opening and closing directions. By means of at least one coupling element, the folding shutter elements, which are connected to at least one of the non-buckling element edges, are forcibly pivoted in pairs in the opening or closing direction. 
         [0006]    By means of the invention, it is possible, inter alia, in the case of horizontally extending folding shutter elements, in particular for openings which are to be closed vertically, but in principle also for inclined or horizontal openings, to drive a lowermost, or final, freely projecting folding shutter element in the opening and closing directions by motor. This makes it possible to obtain favorable light and/or ventilation conditions and/or for relatively large solar panels to be installed in a favorable orientation in the outer side of the folding shutter arrangement. Folding shutter arrangements to be opened and to be closed by motor could hitherto be realized only with an even number of folding shutter elements because the motor-driven element edge furthest away from the coupling point of the folding shutter arrangement on a building had to be guided in the lateral guides. 
         [0007]    The invention therefore first of all makes it possible to realize folding shutter arrangements having as many folding shutter elements as desired in an uneven number. However, it is also possible, according to the invention, to realize folding shutter arrangements having an even number of folding shutter elements, such as having two, four, six and more folding shutter elements. 
         [0008]    The opening and closing drive, and also the buckling, pulling-up, locking and unlocking can be realized by the invention in a simple manner. The actuating elements for this purpose can be of comparatively simple design and/or accommodated unobtrusively. 
         [0009]    Within the context of the invention, the buckling element edges are understood as meaning that region of the folding shutter arrangement at which one element edge or one pair of element edges is remote from the guides during the opening of the folding shutter arrangement transversely with respect to the direction of extension of said guides. By contrast, within the context of the invention, a “non-buckling” element edge is an element edge which, individually or in pairs, always remains in the plane of the guides or parallel thereto and is displaced along the guides or parallel thereto only in the opening direction. 
         [0010]    It is now possible in various ways to realize the invention. At least one (first) guide carriage which is moveable along guides arranged at right angles to the second element edges can be provided as the means for the pivotable holding and, in particular pairwise, shifting of the at least one non-buckling, second element edge. Such a guide carriage is basically already known from WO 2008/125343 A1 for folding shutter arrangements having only two folding shutter elements. If, as preferred, the folding shutter arrangement comprises more than two folding shutter elements, such a guide carriage has to remove two element edges in a pivotable manner. This is preferably undertaken by the at least one guide carriage having pivot bearings, which are spaced apart from one another, for the pivoting mounting of the adjacent folding shutter elements. If the pivot bearings separated by such dimensions are located on pivot bearing arms, the desired alignment position of adjacent folding shutter elements can thereby be obtained in a simple manner and the torques occurring at the pivot bearings can be introduced into the guide carriage irrespective of the required distance from the guides. The coupling points on the folding shutter element for the forced pivoting thereof are preferably provided on or in the vicinity of the non-buckling element edge(s) and are therefore, inter alia, arranged substantially unobtrusively. The coupling elements therefore act on the folding shutter elements preferably in positions which are situated on the or in the vicinity of the non-buckling element edges. 
         [0011]    The coupling of the moveable drive element to the folding shutter elements, said coupling permitting a forced pivoting of the folding shutter elements into a buckled position or back into an extended position, is particularly preferably undertaken by a (first) coupling element in the form of a sliding element for pivoting one of the folding shutter elements during movement of the moveable drive element. An example of a suitable sliding element is an arrangement similar to a sliding rod which, during the movement of the drive element in the opening direction, leads to a torque being produced on one of the folding shutter elements with the effect of pivoting out same. 
         [0012]    The forced pivoting means, in particular the sliding element or in general at least one of the coupling elements, can comprise a separate angle adjustment means, for example a linear drive, for at least one of the folding shutter elements, said angle adjustment means separately increasing or reducing the effective length of the forced pivoting means. This enables the action of the drive element to be superimposed on the folding shutter element to be pivoted, specifically both with the effect of a more rapid pivoting-out movement and with the effect of a retarded or less pronounced pivoting-out movement. Said angle adjustment means can be effective both parallel in time and offset in time to the drive element. 
         [0013]    In order to pivot a further folding shutter element during movement of the moveable drive element, at least one further (second) coupling element in the form of a sliding element can be provided. The latter can be similar to a sliding rod, as the (first) coupling element already is, and can be variable in the effective length thereof, optionally separately. 
         [0014]    In order to reinforce the effect of the first and/or second coupling element, the moving folding shutter element can comprise a pivot arm which is connected thereto, preferably rigidly, and is actuatable by the coupling element. The coupling element can thereby be arranged comparatively unobtrusively in the direct vicinity of the guide rails and relatively large torques can be introduced into the relevant folding shutter element for pivoting out same. 
         [0015]    Unlike in the prior art, for example according to WO 2008/125343 A1, the shifting of the folding shutter elements from an extended position into a buckled position and the pulling-up of the folding shutter elements into the closed extended position can be introduced into the folding shutter elements at a point situated in the vicinity of the non-buckling element edges. The folding shutter elements can be pulled back out of the buckling position thereof, i.e. into the extended position again, by the coupling elements. The buckling and pulling-up are undertaken in a visually very unobtrusive manner, since the previously known buckling and pulling-up elements no longer have to be mounted in the region of the buckling folding element edge. 
         [0016]    A particularly favorable pivoting of the folding shutter elements is possible by a (third) coupling element in the form of a pairing of teeth being used. The use of the latter turns out to be particularly simple and effective if intermeshing teeth segments, or optionally gearwheels on the pivot axes of adjacent folding shutter elements, are provided on the non-buckling and/or buckling element edges. 
         [0017]    At least some of the folding shutter elements could be equipped with solar cells. The latter can be accommodated, for example, in frames of the folding shutter elements. If at least one pair of folding shutter elements is jointly provided with a self-supporting solar panel, comparatively large solar panel surfaces can thereby be effectively oriented with respect to the sun. At the same time, a favorable shadow effect for the spatial region located therebehind can be obtained. Within the context of the invention, self-supporting solar panels are understood as meaning that there is a corresponding inherent rigidity or reinforcing means, for example a reinforcing grid or frame, are provided. 
         [0018]    In order to keep a folding shutter arrangement securely in position in the closed extended position even under wind attack, attack by vandals or in other situations, locking and unlocking means which are known per se can be actuated by at least one drive means which is moveable along the guide, in particular the drive means for opening and closing the folding shutter arrangement, being operatively connected to an idle travel means, by means of which, inter alia, the locking and unlocking of at least one of the folding shutter elements in the, or in the vicinity of, the closed extended position of the folding shutter arrangement and in particular in the vicinity of a folding shutter element edge is permitted. An arrangement of this type is also of independent inventive significance independently of the features of claim  1 . It can also be used for driving buckling and/or pulling-up means. The idle travel means can optionally also be connected in terms of drive via at least one extension means to the locking and unlocking means and/or to the buckling and/or pulling-up means for at least one of the folding shutter elements such that the locking and unlocking and/or the buckling and/or pulling-up can optionally also be undertaken in a remotely actuated manner simultaneously at different positions along the folding shutter arrangement and preferably in the region of the buckling element edges. An arrangement of this type is also of independent inventive significance independently of the features of claim  1 . 
         [0019]    In principle, it is already possible to use the (first) guide carriage as the moveable drive element; in particular if the distance from the pivot point of the coupling element on the guide carriage can change during the movement by telescopic rails or the like. A simple arrangement of the coupling elements is possible by the fact that at least one (second) guide carriage which is moveable along guides arranged at right angles to the element edges is provided as the moveable drive element. This simplifies the pairwise pivoting of folding shutter elements which are adjacent with respect to a non-buckling pair of element edges. 
         [0020]    The components mentioned above and the components claimed and described in the exemplary embodiments and to be used according to the invention are not subject in their size, shaping, choice of material and technical conception to any particular exception conditions, and therefore the selection criteria known in the field of use can be used without restriction. 
         [0021]    Further details, features and advantages of the subject matter of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, and also from the description below and the associated drawing, in which an exemplary embodiment of a folding shutter arrangement is illustrated by way of example. Individual features of the claims or of the embodiments may also be combined with other features of other claims and embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0022]    In the drawing 
           [0023]      FIG. 1A  shows a side view of a folding shutter arrangement having three folding shutter elements in a closed position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 1B  shows the same folding shutter arrangement in detail; 
           [0025]      FIG. 1C  shows the same folding shutter arrangement in the approximately half-buckled state of the folding shutter elements; 
           [0026]      FIG. 1D  shows the same folding shutter arrangement in the completely buckled state of the folding shutter elements; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  shows the folding shutter arrangement according to  FIG. 10  with an additional upper locking and unlocking element (as an excerpt); 
           [0028]      FIGS. 3A-E  show a side view of a second embodiment of a folding shutter arrangement with five folding shutter elements (partially as an excerpt) in the closed position ( FIG. 3A ), in a partially open position ( FIG. 3B ) and in a complete opening position ( FIG. 3C ) and in detail ( FIGS. 3D and 3E ); 
           [0029]      FIGS. 4A-E  show a side view of a third embodiment of a folding shutter arrangement having solar panels, with five folding shutter elements (partially as an excerpt) in the closed position ( FIG. 4A ), in a partially open position ( FIG. 4B ) and in a virtually complete opening position ( FIG. 4C ) and also in detail ( FIGS. 4D and 4E ); 
           [0030]      FIGS. 5A-C  show a fourth embodiment of a folding shutter arrangement, with three folding shutter elements and telescopic surface elements in a closed position ( FIG. 5A ), in a partial opening position ( FIG. 5B ) and in a virtually complete opening position ( FIG. 5C ); 
           [0031]      FIGS. 6A-C  show a side view of a fifth embodiment of a folding shutter arrangement in a closed position ( FIG. 6A ), in a partially open position ( FIG. 6B ) and in a complete opening position ( FIG. 6C ); 
           [0032]      FIGS. 7A-D  show a side view of a sixth embodiment of a folding arrangement with two folding shutter elements and a buckling aid and with a second lock, in a closed position ( FIG. 7A ), in a slightly buckled position ( FIG. 7B ) and in a further open position ( FIG. 7C ) and also in the form of a simplified detailed illustration ( FIG. 7D ); 
           [0033]      FIGS. 8A-E  show a side view of a seventh embodiment of a folding arrangement, with three folding shutter elements and a buckling aid, in a closed position ( FIG. 8A ), in a slightly buckled position ( FIG. 8B ) and in a full opening position ( FIG. 8C ), and also in an alternative (FIGS.  8 D and  8 E)—as an excerpt; 
           [0034]      FIGS. 9A-B  show a side view of an eighth embodiment of a folding arrangement, with three folding shutter elements and a buckling aid and with a second lock, in a closed position ( FIG. 9A ), in a slightly buckled position ( FIG. 9B ), and also 
           [0035]      FIGS. 10A-D  show a side view of a ninth embodiment of a folding arrangement, with three folding shutter elements, in a closed position ( FIG. 10A ), in an approximately half-buckled position ( FIG. 10B ) and in a full opening position ( FIG. 10C ), and also in detail with regard to  FIG. 10B  ( FIG. 10D ). 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    The three-section embodiment according to  FIGS. 1A to 1D  shows one of two guides  16 A,  16 B, which stand vertically and are spaced apart from each other in parallel and in which a first guide carriage  17 A and a second guide carriage  17 B are vertically moveable. The uppermost of three folding shutter elements  12 A,  12 B and  12 C is indirectly fastened to a building  1  (merely indicated) so as to be pivotable about a positionally fixed axis  12 A′ in the vicinity of the first (uppermost) element edge  13 A. A second folding shutter element  12 B is held with respect to the first guide carriage  17 A so as to be pivotable about a second axis  12 B′, which is shiftable transversely with respect to itself, in the vicinity of a non-buckling, second element edge  13 B. The second, non-buckling element edge  13 B is shiftable vertically by means of the guide carriage  17 A along the guides  16 A,  16 B, which are arranged in pairs at right angles to the second element edge  13 B. The adjacent folding elements  12 A and  12 B form a (first) pair of folding shutter elements. The folding shutter elements are connected to one another pivotably in pairs by means of a buckling joint  14 A at their buckling, third element edges  15 A,  15 B, which are opposite in parallel to the first and second element edges  13 A,  13 B. A further (third) folding element  12 C adjoins the pair of folding elements  12 A,  12 B on the end side as the final folding element and has a freely projecting element edge  13 C. The third folding shutter element  12 C is mounted in a freely projecting manner in the vicinity of its upper element edge so as to be able to pivot about a pivot bearing  17 A′, which is located on the guide carriage  17 A. 
         [0037]    The actuation of the folding shutter arrangement now proceeds in the following manner: a drive element, such as a tension strap  11 , and in particular a toothed belt running around upper and lower deflecting pulleys  11 A,  11 B, which tension strap/toothed belt is drivable in both directions in the region of an upper and/or lower deflecting pulley  11 A,  11 B, in particular by means of an electric motor, acts on the second (lower) guide carriage  17 B, which is moveable vertically along the guides  16 A and  16 B via guide rollers  17 C. The drive means and the elongate guide carriage  17 B are referred to overall as a drive element  30 . A first coupling element  32 A and a second coupling element  32 B are each fastened pivotably to the second guide carriage  17 B. A sliding rod is used as the first coupling element  32 A, said sliding rod being fastened by its lower pivotable coupling point (pivot point  19 A) to the second guide carriage  17 B and by its upper pivotable coupling point (pivot point  19 B) to the third folding shutter element  12 C at a distance and lateral offset below the pivot bearing  17 A′, thus producing a pivot arm  34 , and the first coupling element  32 A is thereby able to exert a torque on the third folding shutter element  12 C. The second coupling element  32 B is likewise designed as a sliding rod and is connected pivotably to the second guide carriage  17 B, for example at the same connecting point as the first coupling element. At its second, upper end, the second coupling element  32 B acts on a pivot arm  34 B. The latter is connected rigidly, i.e. non-pivotably, to the second folding shutter element  12 B, in the lower region thereof, and therefore the pivot arm  34 B exerts a torque on the second folding shutter element  12 B. The drive means therefore acts on the first guide carriage  17 A only indirectly, namely by means of the second coupling element  32 B and the pivot arm  34 B. The first guide carriage  17 A is therefore raised and lowered indirectly via the movement of the second guide carriage  17 B. 
         [0038]    If the second guide carriage  17 B is now moved upward ( FIG. 1C ) out of the closed and locked extended position illustrated in  FIG. 1A , during the initial movement only a lower locking and unlocking means  40 A is disengaged ( FIG. 1B ). Said locking and unlocking means  40 A comprises a short extension arm with a locking cutout  17 B″ and a locking stop  17 B″′, which extension arm protrudes laterally in the lower end region of the third folding shutter element  12 C. The extension arm has an elongated hole  19 , in which the lower pivot points  19 A of the first and second coupling elements  32 A and  32 B can be displaced by a sufficient length. During the initial opening movement of the second guide carriage  17 B, said pivot points  19 A are displaced downward with respect to the extension arm, while the locking cutout  17 B″ moves upward and finally releases the movement stop  17 B″′, as illustrated in  FIG. 1A  by dashed lines, and by solid lines in the detailed excerpt according to  FIG. 1B . The pivot point  19 A is then located at the lower end of the elongated hole  19 . A further movement of the second guide carriage  17 B upward consequently leads to the two coupling elements  32 A and  32 B being raised. This in turn leads to the first coupling element  32 A slightly pivoting out the lower folding shutter element  12 C and to the second coupling element  32 B slightly pivoting the pivot arm  34  about the pivot part  17 A′, and hence the second folding shutter element  12 B, i.e. transferring the latter in an extended position into a buckling position, as is apparent in more detail in  FIG. 2A . As soon as the second folding shutter element  12 B is buckled from the extended position thereof into a slightly buckled position, the first guide carriage  17 A can shift upward along the guides  16 A,  16 B under the lifting action of the first and second coupling elements  32 A and  32 B. In the process, the buckling movement of the folding shutter elements  12 C and  12 B continues. At the same time, however, as a consequence of the buckling movement of the second folding shutter element  12 B and indirectly by means of the second coupling element  32 B, the first folding shutter element  12 A is also pivoted outward about the first axis  12 A′. The first guide carriage  17 A and the three folding shutter elements  12 A-C then follow the lifting movement of the second guide carriage  17 B, as is apparent from  FIGS. 1C and 1D . The second and third folding shutter elements  12 B and  12 C are therefore forcibly pivoted in pairs by the drive element  30  and the first folding shutter element  12 A is thereby also inevitably pivoted at the same time. 
         [0039]    During the closing of the folding shutter arrangement, the second guide carriage  17 B is lowered and the first guide carriage  17 A follows this movement, because of its own gravitational force and assisted by the gravitational force of the three folding shutter elements  12 A to  12 C. 
         [0040]    It is apparent from the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 2  how an, in particular second, locking and unlocking means, the upper one in the exemplary embodiment, can likewise be actuated by the drive element  30 : two sliding rod guides  21 A,  21 B fastened to the relevant guide  16 A or  16 B guide a sliding rod  21  in a sliding manner and approximately parallel to the guides by means of an, in particular lower, stop  21 C and an, in particular upper, sliding rod extension  21 D, which is flexible per se or is connected in a slightly pivotable manner to the sliding rod  21 . At its upper end in the example, the sliding rod extension  21 D is connected pivotably in the driving direction to a locking and unlocking lever  40 B″, thus resulting overall in an upper locking and unlocking means  40 B in the example, which is remotely actuatable by an extension means, denoted overall by  42 , and can engage in a locking manner in a locking stop on one of the folding shutter elements. A compression spring  21 F loads the upper locking and unlocking means  40 B in the direction of an unlocking position, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Locking is served by the drive element  30 , at which a stop  21 E is provided, the stop coming into contact at the end of the closing movement with the stop  21 C and, in the locking phase of the lower locking and unlocking means  40 A, simultaneously displacing the extension means  42  downward such that the upper locking and unlocking means  40 B also passes into the locking position thereof, as is realized in a similar manner which has yet to be described in the exemplary embodiments according to  FIG. 7 ,  8  or  9 . 
         [0041]    The second and third exemplary embodiments according to  FIGS. 3A to 3C  and  4 A to  4 C differ from the first exemplary embodiment in that, firstly, five folding elements  12 A to  12 E are provided instead of three folding elements. In the third exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 4A and 4E , the two pairs of folding elements  12 A,  12 B and  12 C,  12 D are covered in the closed state by a solar panel  38  covering the two folding shutter elements, but said solar panel is fastened in each case only to the upper of the folding elements ( 12 A and  12 C) of a pairing of folding shutter elements and therefore the lower half of said solar panel projects significantly when the folding shutter arrangement is opened, as is apparent from  FIG. 4C . 
         [0042]    The difference of the second exemplary embodiment ( FIGS. 3A to 3C ) from the first exemplary embodiment consists in that, in addition to the first coupling element  32 A, a pair of gearwheels  18 A,  18 B is provided as the (third) coupling element  32 C. Said toothed segments are connected to the folding shutter element  12 E for conjoint rotation at the upper axis of rotation thereof and are connected to the folding shutter element  12 D for conjoint rotation at the lower axis of rotation thereof in the vicinity of the lower element edge. The center points of the gearwheels  18 A and  18 B are aligned with the pivot bearings  17 A′ and  17 A″ of the first guide carriage  17 A and are in meshing engagement with each other. The same toothed segment arrangement and a further guide carriage  17 C are located on the non-buckling, second element edge  13 B at the transition between the second folding shutter element  12 B and the third folding shutter element  12 C. The function of the first coupling element  32 A is the same as in the first exemplary embodiment, i.e. raising of the second guide carriage  17 B leads to a slight buckling at the lower, free end of the lower folding shutter element  12 E. By means of this buckling movement, the gearwheel  18 B is rotated, in particular by the same angular amount, and entrains the gearwheel  18 A and the fourth folding shutter element  12 D by the same angular amount, with the effect of buckling same. As a result, in turn, the third folding shutter element  12 C is inevitably also buckled and the latter, in turn, pivots the second folding shutter element  12 B by means of a pairing of gearwheels  18 C,  18 D on the non-buckling element edge  13 B. This, in turn, leads to a forced pivoting of the uppermost folding shutter element  12 A about the positionally fixed axis  12 A′ thereof. Overall, therefore, the entire folding shutter arrangement with all five folding shutter elements is uniformly buckled, specifically as a consequence of the lifting movement of the second guide carriage  17 B. The locking and unlocking with the aid of the elongated hole  19 , which serves as the idle travel means  36 , is the same as in the first exemplary embodiment. By contrast, in the third exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 4A-E , the pivoting coupling between the fourth and fifth folding shutter elements  12 D and  12 E takes place as in the first exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 1A-D  between the second and third folding shutter elements  12 B and  12 C. The pivoting coupling according to  FIGS. 4A-E  between the second and third folding shutter elements  12 B and  12 C takes place, in turn, as according to  FIGS. 3A-D . 
         [0043]    From the fourth exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 5A to 5C , two telescopic surface elements  39 A,  39 B, which can be equipped, for example, with solar panels, are apparent. Said surface elements are preferably the same width as the folding shutter elements and, in the pushed-in state, have a length which is approximately identical to, to somewhat shorter than, the folding shutter elements between the joint regions thereof. In the pushed-in state, as in  FIG. 5C  at the lower surface element  39 B, the building region located therebelow is therefore not shaded. The useful surface of the multi-part, telescopic surface elements  39 A,  39 B or the surface to be shaded can be changed via telescopic guide rails, in particular arranged laterally. Different drive systems can be used for the extension and retraction thereof. When toothed belts are used, it is possible, as illustrated, for the telescopic sections to be moved in both directions by a drive  39 C,  39 D in both directions. Alternatively, a belt drive or cable drive with a winding-up mechanism can be operated. The weight of the telescopic arrangement can be used to extend the latter. Multi-part panels are particularly favorable for folding shutter elements located further below, but may advantageously also be used in folding shutter arrangements having two folding shutter elements, such as, for example, according to  FIGS. 7A-C , for the upper of the two folding shutter elements. In this fourth exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 5A to 5C , the difference with regard to the first exemplary embodiment consists in that the first coupling element  32 A is independently changeable in length and can be designed, for example, as an electric spindle drive. As is apparent from the full opening position according to  FIG. 5C , such an independent adjustment drive may be used to actuate the coupled forced pivoting device for the second and third folding shutter elements  12 B and  12 C in such a manner that the pivoting angles of said two folding shutter elements differ in size. 
         [0044]    In the exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 6A to 6C , the buckling in a three-part folding shutter arrangement takes place in a manner known, for example, from WO 2008/125343A1, by means of a pulling-up and locking device  22  which serves at the same time as a buckling means and is actuated via a driver  22 A which acts on the pulling-up and locking device  22  in the vicinity of the closing position in the pulling-up and locking direction. During the opening, the driver  22 A brings about a force-actuated buckling of the upper folding shutter element  12 A and of the folding shutter element  12 B which is coupled thereto and is located therebelow. Owing to the coupling element  32 C in the form of intermeshing toothed segments in the region of the non-buckling, second element edge  13 B, the lower folding shutter element  12 C is also buckled and, in the subsequent movement, pivoted out, as is in principle already apparent in conjunction with the exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 3A to 3E . In principle (differently than illustrated), the pulling-up, locking and buckling means  22  can also be provided on the central folding shutter element ( 12 B) or on the lower folding shutter element  12 C, instead of on the upper folding shutter element  12 A, and the position of said means between the upper and lower pivot joint of the associated folding shutter element is, in principle, freely selectable. The starting position of the driver  22 A, which is fixedly connected to a tension strap  11  and, like the guide carriage  17 A, is drivable upward and downward by said tension strap, is selected accordingly. Only one guide carriage  17 A is required, said guide carriage being fastened to a driven, revolving tension strap  11 , such as a toothed belt, at a fixed height distance from the driver  22 A, which is likewise fastened to the tension strap. A single drive therefore brings about the buckling and locking, on the one hand, and the opening and closing, on the other hand. 
         [0045]    In the exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B with only two folding shutter elements  12 A and  12 B, remote locking and unlocking and also buckling of one of the folding shutter elements—the upper folding shutter element  12 A by way of example in the drawing—are likewise undertaken, as in principle already known from  FIG. 2  and as also at least partially apparent from  FIGS. 8 and 9 . In all of these exemplary embodiments, an extension means  42  serves remotely to actuate a locking and/or unlocking means and/or buckling means  22  or  40 B situated higher, or, if desired, lower. In this case, the locking and/or unlocking means and/or buckling means  40 B carries out a multiple function, since it can also serve as an actively driven buckling means, in the same manner as the pulling-up and locking device  22  according to the exemplary embodiment in  FIGS. 6A to 6C . Also in this exemplary embodiment, the driven moving carriage  17 A is provided with a lower locking/unlocking for the extended closed position ( FIG. 7A ), which can also be designed, by way of example, approximately as per  FIG. 2 ,  8  or  9 .  FIG. 7  illustrates locking and/or unlocking means  40 A and  40 B to the extent that they emerge in more detail from the detailed illustration according to  FIG. 7D : the essential design of the locking and/or unlocking means  40 B corresponds to the likewise remotely operated version according to  FIG. 2 . In addition, a double stop  25 A/B ( FIG. 7D ) is provided, the double stop permitting the locking lever  22 B or  40 B″ to be completely pivoted upward and back again by means of the driver  22 A, as is apparent from  FIG. 7C . For this purpose, the locking lever  40 A″ which is pivotably connected to the lower end of the sliding rod  21  of the extension means  42  is shiftable along a positionally fixed guide slot. 
         [0046]    The exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 8A to 8E  shows a three-winged folding shutter arrangement which differs from the embodiment according to  FIGS. 1A to 1C  in that an additional buckling aid  24  is provided. In the two alternatives shown in  FIG. 8 , namely  FIGS. 8A to 8C , on the one hand, and  FIGS. 8D ,  8 E, on the other hand, the buckling aid  24  comprises a toggle lever arrangement, consisting of the levers  24 A and  24 B, which are connected pivotably to each other via a toggle lever joint  24 C and, as buckling means, bear, for example, a roller  24 D which is assigned to the toggle lever joint  24 C and presses against one of the upper folding shutter elements (the folding shutter element  12 A in the drawing) as a buckling assistance, as illustrated in  FIG. 8B . In order to actuate the buckling aid  24 , an extension means  42  is again provided, as already implemented in conjunction with the sliding rod arrangement  21  to  21 E in  FIG. 2  in the form of the outer side of the locking lever  40 B″. Owing to the toggle lever arrangement, comparatively strong buckling forces can be produced in a simple manner without an additional drive being required. The second coupling element  32 B, which is illustrated in  FIGS. 8A to 8C , can therefore generally be omitted. It is also possible to omit the first coupling element  32 A, namely if a third coupling element  32 C is used, such as intermeshing toothed segments, for example according to  FIGS. 3A to 3D . It is likewise possible to provide or to combine a toggle lever arrangement according to  FIGS. 8A to 8C  with an upper locking and unlocking element. This in turn, enables relatively large locking forces with little use of driving force. Such a combination is found in the exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B. 
         [0047]    Finally, the exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 10A to 10D  shows an alternative, according to which a freely projecting folding shutter element can be pivoted without a second guide carriage, and the entire folding shutter arrangement can be opened and closed with the same drive. For this purpose, the guide carriage  17 A is raisable and lowerable with a revolving drive element, such as a toothed belt  11 , and is connected thereto at the fastening point A. A coupling element  32 A, as known, for example, according to the exemplary embodiment from  FIGS. 1A to 1D , is connected to the freely projecting folding shutter element  12 C in the pivoting-out direction and, at its drive-side end, is connected to the drive element, such as a toothed belt  11 , via a fastening point B. In order initially to buckle the folding shutter elements to a small extent from the extended closed position according to  FIG. 10A , an elongated hole, for example, can be provided at the fastening point A of the guide carriage  17 A, along which elongated hole the fastening point A can be displaced relative to the guide carriage  17 B. In order to bring about pronounced pivoting-out of the lower folding shutter element  12 C when the guide carriage  17 A is raised, the driving speeds of the fastening points A and B may differ. For example, the driving cables  11 ′,  11 ″ can run over upper and lower deflecting pulleys  11 A,  11 B of differing size such that, at the same angular speed of the deflecting pulleys, the tension cable  11 ′, which is guided around the larger deflecting pulleys in each case, moves more rapidly than the other one. 
       LIST OF DESIGNATIONS 
       [0000]    
       
           1  Building 
           10  Folding shutter arrangement 
           11  Tension strap, such as toothed belt 
           11 A,B Deflecting pulleys 
           12  Folding shutter elements 
           12 A First folding shutter element 
           12 A′ First axis 
           12 B Second folding shutter element 
           12 B′ Second axis 
           12 C Third folding shutter element 
           12 D Fourth folding shutter element 
           12 E Fifth folding shutter element 
           13 A First element edge 
           13 B Second element edge 
           13 C Third element edge 
           14 A,B Buckling joint 
           15 A/B Third element edge 
           16 A/B Guides 
           17 A First guide carriage 
           17 A′,A″ Pivot bearing 
           17 B Second guide carriage 
           17 B′ Extension arm 
           17 B″ Locking cutout 
           17 B″′ Locking stop 
           17 C,D Guide rollers 
           18 A-D Pairs of gearwheels 
           19  Elongated hole 
           19 A,B Pivot points 
           20  Buckling element 
           21  Sliding rod 
           21 A,B Sliding rod guide 
           21 C,E Stop 
           21 D Sliding rod extension 
           21 F Compression spring 
           22  Pulling-up, locking and unlocking device 
           22 A Driver 
           22 B Locking lever 
           22 C Locking stop 
           24  Buckling aid 
           24 A,B Lever 
           24 C Toggle lever joint 
           24 D Roller 
           25 A,B Double stop 
           26  Guide slot 
           30  Drive element 
           32 A First coupling element 
           32 B Second coupling element 
           32 C Third coupling element 
           34 A,B Pivot arm 
           36 A,B Idle travel means 
           38  Solar panel 
           39 A,B Surface elements 
           39 C,D Drives 
           40 A,B Locking and/or unlocking means and/or buckling means 
           40 A′,B′ Locking stop I 
           40 A″, 40 B″ Locking lever 
           42  Extension means 
         A,B Fastening points