Patent Publication Number: US-2006000565-A1

Title: Device for opening and closing a curtain, notably in order to automate the phases of opening and closing of the curtain

Description:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS  
      Not applicable.  
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
      Not applicable.  
     REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
      Not applicable.  
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention involves a device for opening and closing a curtain, notably in order to automate the phases of opening and closing of the curtain. These types of curtains can be used, for example, in the domain of vehicles for ground transportation, nautical vehicles or aircraft, notably in order to define several zones in a compartment or a cabin.  
      However, these applications are in no way restrictive and the invention can be applied to public premises or accessories such as photo booths, fitting rooms, polling stations, hotels, restaurants, community centers, and to the private sectors such as apartments, houses, etc.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Different types of devices are known from the prior art for opening or closing a curtain. For example, some devices comprise strings which, depending on the direction in which they are pulled, make it possible to open or close, raise or lower, a curtain.  
      However, for security reasons, these devices are not applicable in some cases such as in airplanes. In fact, in cases of emergency, some passengers could panic if they become entangled in the loops of these strings.  
      Moreover, the operations for opening and closing these curtains are generally done by hand. For example, in an airplane, these operations will take place notably during take-off and landing, at the time of serving meals, snacks or even in order to separate the zones considered to be technical from the passenger cabin.  
      In a train, these curtains are found in front of the windows in order to allow a passenger to protect himself from the sun or from being seen. These operations can thus be very repetitive, take time, and sometimes they can be rather difficult.  
      Certain devices are available in which the operations for opening and closing the curtain are automated, but they require a disproportionate curtain track and a bulky structure. In particular, in airplane transportation, these devices are totally inadequate because of their bulkiness and their weight.  
      Moreover, the devices for opening and closing the automated curtain pose a security problem in case of a problem with the feed or failure of the activation mechanisms. At the same time, in the absence of manual intervention, in an opened position, the curtain is not well positioned and often not correctly retracted.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention proposes correcting the disadvantages mentioned. In particular, a goal of the invention is to provide a device for opening and closing a curtain, notably in order to automate the opening and the closing of the curtain, notably in airplane or trackroad transportation. A device of this type makes it easy to open.  
      Another goal of the invention is to propose an automated device that makes it possible automatically activation, but also manual, of the curtain in case of malfunction or absence of energy.  
      Another goal of the invention is to propose a device having dimensions (size, weight), which are compatible with usage in the situations mentioned above.  
      Another goal of the invention is to propose an improvement that makes it possible to retract the curtain in an optimal manner into an opened position, while in automated functioning.  
      Other goals and advantages of the invention appear in the course of the following description which is only given as a guideline and is not intended to be restrictive.  
      The present invention involves primarily a device for opening and closing a curtain, comprising a track on which the curtain is suspended using carriages designed to act together with the track, the track defining a rolling path followed by the carriages when the curtain is opened or closed, characterized in that the device comprises, in addition:  
      transmission mechanisms designed to transform a rotational movement into a linear movement,  
      mechanisms for activating the transmission mechanisms having the form of a motor instrument equipped with mechanisms for driving the transmission mechanisms in rotation,  
      mechanisms for control of the activation mechanisms, and  
      mechanisms for driving at least one of the carriages, referred to as the head carriage, these drive mechanisms acting together with the transmission mechanisms in order to transmit to the head carriage a linear movement corresponding to the rolling path.  
      The present invention also involves the application of such a device to airplane or trackroad transportation. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The invention is best understood in reading the description, accompanied by the attached drawings.  
       FIG. 1  is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment mode of a device according to the invention, in which a lateral wall has been removed.  
       FIG. 2  is a cross-section view of the same device, along the plane II-II of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment mode of a device according to the invention, in which a lateral wall has been removed.  
       FIG. 4  is a cross-section view along the plane IV-IV of  FIG. 3 .  
       FIG. 5  is a detailed sectional view of the frame V-V as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
       FIG. 6  is a front sectional view in a cross-section along a cut plane perpendicular to the track and at the level of the cut plane IV-IV of  FIG. 3 .  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention involves primarily a device for opening and closing a curtain.  
      The term “curtain” refers to any drapery, screen, or curtain in the broad sense, suspended notably in order to separate two zones of a same compartment or cabin, one from the other, or in order to conceal a door or an opening, or in order to protect a zone considered to be inside from light coming from outside.  
      According to the invention, the device comprises a track  1  on which the curtain is suspended, by means of the carriages  2  designed to act together with the track  1 . The track  1  defines a rolling path  3  followed by the carriages  2  during the opening or closing of the curtain.  
      In addition, the device for opening or closing the curtain comprises transmission mechanisms  4  designed to transform a rotational movement into a linear movement. “Linear” is understood to mean that transmission mechanisms describe a line that can be straight or curved.  
      The device according to the invention also comprises mechanisms for activating  5  the transmission mechanisms having the form of a motor instrument equipped with mechanisms to drive in rotation the transmission mechanisms  4 .  
      The device according to the invention also has mechanisms for control of the activation mechanisms  5 . These control mechanisms (not shown) can notably appear in the form of a separate case, linked to the activation mechanisms by wires or even mechanisms for remote transmission notably with a radio transmitter and receiver.  
      The device according to the invention also has mechanisms for driving  6  at least one of the carriages  2 , i.e. the head carriage  7 , where the drive mechanisms  6  act together with the transmission mechanisms  4  in order to transmit to the head carriage  7 , a linear movement corresponding to the rolling path  3 .  
      To define these various elements, a reference is made to a traditional curtain track. When the curtain is open, i.e. it is not unfurled in order to block the view, the assembly of the carriages  2  is connected to one end of the track  1 . To close the curtain, for example, one grasps an edge of the curtain and pulls it in front of the opening that one wishes to block. Corresponding to this edge is a carriage that one will usually position in front of the curtain and that one calls the head carriage  7 .  
      According to an embodiment mode, the track  1  defines, in addition, a drive path  8  approximately parallel to the rolling path  3 , and followed by the drive mechanisms  6 . Thus, when the activation mechanisms  5  start rotating the transmission mechanisms  4 , the drive mechanisms  6 , due to the fact of their operating together with the transmission mechanisms  4 , follow the drive path  8 . The drive mechanisms  6  thus move the head carriage  7  along the drive path  8 , which is approximately parallel to the rolling path  3 . The movement of the head carriage  7  is thus transmitted to the curtain.  
      When the curtain is closed, the head carriage  7  moves away from the carriages  2  that are located down the line. Thus, between two carriages  2 , the curtain will finish by becoming tightened and the carriage  2  located toward the front of the line will drive the one that is located immediately down the line.  
      According to another variation, the carriages that follow  2  are connected two by two by a small chain or a thin cord that tightens as a carriage  2  progresses along, and finally makes it possible to drive a carriage  2  down the line.  
      To open the curtain, the head carriage  7  is driven into the other direction and will thus have the tendency to push back the carriages  2  to the end of the rolling path  3  of the track.  
      Advantageously, the drive path  8  has the form of a profile that defines a first housing  9  provided at the level of the track. One of the walls of the first housing  9  is equipped with a longitudinal groove  10 . If the first housing  9  has an approximately rectangular area, the longitudinal groove  10  can be provided in an advantageous manner in the lower wall of the first housing  9  it can also be provided along a lateral wall.  
      In an analogous manner, if the first housing  9  has a circular section, the longitudinal groove  10  can advantageously be provided in the lower wall of the housing wall  9  or possibly on the side of the wall.  
      In an advantageous manner, the transmission mechanisms  4  have the form of an elongated element designed to be housed in the first housing  9 . The elongated element has a helicoidal structure.  
      According to a first variation, as shown in the embodiment modes of  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the elongated element appears in the form of a helicoidal spring  11 .  
      According to another variation of the invention, the elongated element can appear in the form of a flexible threaded shaft.  
      In the two cases, the dimensions of the longitudinal groove  10  are such that the elongated element can not leave the first housing  9  by the longitudinal groove  10 . Moreover, and in an advantageous manner, the walls of the first housing  9  follow, at least partially, the form of the elongated element. Thus, the play (free movement) of the elongated element inside the first housing  9  will be notably reduced.  
      In addition, it can be possible to add an antifriction spacer element. This antifriction spacer element could notably have the form of a sheath  24  designed to be inserted into the first housing  9  and having a longitudinal groove compared with the longitudinal groove  10 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Such a device will make it possible, in addition, to reduce the noise during functioning.  
      The implementation of the transmission mechanisms  4  having a certain flexibility, makes it possible to insert them into a track having a general bent shape, adopting the profile of its support. For example, in an airplane cabin, such a track could have a curved shape corresponding to that of the airplane&#39;s cabin.  
      According to the invention, the drive mechanisms appear in the form of a tappet  13 , designed to slide along the longitudinal groove  10 , the tappet being secured at the level of its proximal end to the head carriage  7 . The tappet  13  is located at least partially in the first housing  9  and acts together, directly or indirectly, with the elongated element of the transmission mechanisms  4 .  
      According to an embodiment mode, the elongated element appears in the form of a helicoidal spring  11 , the tappet  13  is thus designed to project into the turns of the spring  11 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , or in  FIG. 3 , the tappet  13  projects into the inside of the turns of the spring  11  and slides along the longitudinal groove  10 .  
      While functioning, the activation mechanisms  5  set the helicoidal spring  11  into rotation. This induces the movement of the tappet  13 , along the longitudinal groove  10 , in one direction or in another direction following the direction of rotation of the spring  11 .  
      In fact, the tappet  13  being blocked between the longitudinal groove and placed between two turns of the spring  11 , it is subjected to a pressure exerted by the turns. The head carriage  7  secured to the tappet  13  will thus move along the rolling path  3  or the activation path  8 .  
      According to an embodiment mode, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the tappet  13  has on its distal end, a shuttle  12  designed to move inside the turns of the spring  11 . This shuttle  12  comprises a guide mechanism of the head carriage in the housing  9  of the drive path  8 .  
      According to another embodiment mode, as shown in  FIG. 3  or  4 , the guide mechanisms for the head carriage  7  are located at the level of the rolling path  3 , with notably one carriage having at least one roller  23  designed to follow the rolling path  3 .  
      In the case (not shown) where the elongated element of the transmission mechanisms appears in the form of a flexible threaded shaft, the tappet  13  has, on its distal end, a tapped ring designed to act together with the threaded shaft.  
      This given, according to a characteristics of the present invention, the head carriage  7  has mechanisms  15 ,  16  for uncoupling the drive mechanisms  6  from the transmission mechanisms  4 . Thus, in case of en emergency, or in case of a power outage, a user can manually open or close the curtain.  
      The transmission mechanisms appear in the form of a helicoidal spring  11 , the drive mechanisms appearing in the form of a tappet  13  secured to the head carriage  7  and designed to project with the turns of the spring  11 . According to the embodiment mode shown in FIGS.  3  and subsequent figures, the tappet  13  is forced by elastic mechanisms  27  designed to project with the turns of the spring  11 . The tappet  13  can retract into a position of withdrawal in which it does not act together with the turns of the spring  11 .  
      Thus, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the head carriage  7  has two pairs of rollers  23  moving along the rolling path  3 . The body of the head carriage is secured by the springs  27 . The rollers lean on a wall of the rolling path opposite the wall of the first housing  9  equipped with the longitudinal groove  10 .  
      Advantageously, the spring mechanisms force the tappet  13  through the groove  10  into the housing  9  to project with the turns of the spring  11 . When the carriage is pulled notably manually to the bottom, by pulling, for example, the front edge of the curtain to the bottom, the elastic mechanisms, and notably the springs  27  compress from a specified upper course to the course required, so that the tappet  13  no longer acts together with the turns of the spring  1   1 , and lets the head carriage  7  rotate freely on the rolling path.  
      Advantageously, the activation mechanisms  5  notably have the form of an electric geared motor equipped with mechanisms for driving in rotation the transmission mechanisms  4 . In particular, the geared motor is equipped with a pinion motor and transmission mechanisms  4  are provided with a worm screw designed to mesh with the pinion motor. In this case, the axes of rotation of the transmission mechanisms  4  and the motor shaft of the geared motor are approximately perpendicular as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
      According to another variation of the motorization, more compact than the preceding one, the electric geared motor is provided with a pinion motor and the transmission mechanisms  4  are equipped with a reduction gear designed to mesh with the pinion motor. The axes de rotation of the transmission mechanisms  4  and the motor shaft of the geared motor are thus approximately parallel which allows a gain in space relative to the prior solution.  
      According to another embodiment mode, the activation mechanisms  5  have the form of a tubular motor or a tubular geared motor, notably an electric one, having an output shaft that meshes directly and coaxially with the elongated element of the transmission mechanisms  4 . The electric motor comprises control mechanisms that appear, for example, in the form of an electric variator and notably a frequency variator.  
      According to another advantageous characteristics, shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  notably, the rolling path  3  appears in the form of a second housing  14  provided at the level of the track  1  and acting together with the drive path  8 .  
      In particular, the track  1  has two housings  9 ,  14  arranged one above the other, the upper housing  9  corresponding to the drive path  8  and the lower housing  14  corresponding to the rolling path  3 . In this case, the longitudinal groove  10  is provided between the two housings  9 ,  14 .  
      It is also possible to provide a track  1  having two housings  9 ,  14 , having a common lateral wall. In this case, the longitudinal groove  10  is located in an advantageous manner at the level of the common lateral wall.  
      In addition, the track  1  having the first housing  9  and second housing  14  is extruded all in one piece notably with a metallic material. The track  1  can also have a fastening profile  30  in the shape of a C, used as a guide for a nut  32  notably for the attachment at right angles  31  of a support or even for the attachment of activation mechanisms and notably of the tubular motor  5  by means of an offset piece  33 .  
      Advantageously, at least one of the housings  9 ,  14  is equipped with stops at its ends. In particular, these stops make it possible to prevent that either the head carriage  7 , or the shuttle  12  from leaving the path that they follow. In addition, these stops can comprise an interrupter, in order to interrupt the function of the activation mechanisms  5 , which can also be interrupted by a torque limiter.  
      This given, according to a characteristic of the present invention, the device has automatic coverage mechanisms  15 ,  16 .  
      As  FIGS. 5 and 6  show, the automatic coverage mechanisms can appear in the form of a pendulum  16 , secured to the track  1 , but designed to move in the plane of the curtain. The upper end, referred to as proximal, of the pendulum is articulated near the field of the track  1 , the distal end of the pendulum  16  has retaining mechanisms  34  to act together with and project with the curtain.  
      In addition, the head carriage  7  has mechanisms  18  to drive the movement of the pendulum  16 .  
      According to this embodiment mode, the mechanisms to drive the pendulum appear in the form of a transverse spindle  18  secured to the head carriage  7 . The spindle  18  is transverse to the rolling path  3  in order to project with the pendulum  16  in the direction of opening of the curtain.  
      In addition, the mechanisms  18  for driving the movement of the pendulum  16  have elastic mechanisms for return motion  28  of the pendulum  16  acting together with the spindle  18 , making it possible to either keep the pendulum toward the front of the line, approximately parallel to the track  1 , when the curtain is opened, the space between the retaining mechanisms  34 , shown in  FIG. 6 , enabling the passage of the carriages  2 , while enabling the drive of the curtain in the direction of retraction, or to allow the head carriage  7  to act when the curtain is in an opening phase, and enabling the retraction of the curtain automatically, the distal end  34  thus pressing the curtain in order to keep it in the open position.  
      The pendulum  16  appears in the form of an inverted U surrounding the curtain, the pendulum pivoting at its upper end, referred to as proximal, at the level of a guide bearing  17  united with the track  1 .  
      Advantageously, the bearing  17  is made on a chassis  15 . The elastic mechanisms for return motion are comprised of a spring  28  extending between the proximal part of the pendulum  16  and an attachment point of the chassis  15 .  
      The position of the chassis  15  can be regulated translation, as a function of the width of the curtain and the number of carriages, along the longitudinal axes of the track  1 , the chassis can have mechanisms for fixation to the profile  30  with notably a nut  32  designed to slide in the catchment profile  30 .  
      As already seen above, the track  1  can be curved, adopting the form of its support.  
      The present invention also involves the application of a device for opening and closing a curtain, such as described above, for airplane or trackroad transportation, nautical, automobile, any devices of premises or public facilities such as polling stations, photo booths, fitting rooms, or private facilities such as individual houses.  
      Of course, other modes of implementation, within the understanding of the professional, could still be imagined without leaving the frame of the invention.