Patent Abstract:
A coupling device installed between an output shaft of an electric motor and an input shaft of a reducing gear of an actuator for driving a screen or a hatch that is part of home-automation equipment for closure, solar protection, or projection and which includes a first member rotatably secured to the output shaft, and which is provided with at least one longitudinal outer groove, and a second member rotatably secured to the input shaft, and which is provided with at least one longitudinal outer groove and wherein the coupling device further includes an element for coupling the first and second members together in rotation, and which has, on at least one surface thereof, at least two series of lugs which project from the at least one surface, wherein the lugs are inserted into the longitudinal outer groove of the first member and the longitudinal outer groove of the second member, respectively.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a coupling device to be arranged between an output shaft of an electric motor and an input shaft of a reducing gear for driving a screen or a leaf that is part of closing, solar protection or projection equipment. The invention also relates to home automation equipment comprising, inter alia, such a coupling device. 
     According to the present invention, a screen comprises a movable part consisting of a sliding panel or a set of strips which is moved, generally by rolling, between a raised position, wherein it leaves an opening clear, and a lowered position, wherein it shuts off said opening. Such a screen may be a rolling shutter or door. The screen may also be a blind for solar protection, for example a terrace blind or a Venetian blind. A screen may also be a screen used for image projection, notably in video format. According to the invention, a leaf is a part of closing device, such as a door leaf of a gate or a shutter hinged about a vertical axis on the edge of a window. 
     2. Brief Discussion of the Related Art 
     The use of an electric motor associated with a reducing gear for driving the rolling shaft of the flexible sliding panel of a rolling shutter or blind is known. These devices are frequently integrated within a so-called tubular actuator which is inserted inside a rolling tube and which is rigidly connected thereto by means of a wheel. The coupling between the output shaft of the motor and the input shaft of the reducing gear is sometimes difficult since each of these devices is equipped with bearings supporting the respective shafts thereof, which are not necessarily aligned or even parallel. This gives rise to noise from running the actuator, and premature wear of the reducing gear, at least in some configurations. 
     One solution incorporating a universal joint on one of the shafts may be envisaged. However, it is relatively expensive and complex to implement, while only allowing misalignment of the axes of the shafts to be coupled to a limited extent. 
     Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 2,011,147 discloses the use of an assembly of mutually movable parts, for rotatably securing coupling elements each provided with a hub and a broadened cross-section. The three-part assembly comprises two lateral parts each interacting with a coupling element and a central part. The manufacture of this device is complex and costly. Moreover, the transmission of the torque between a coupling element and an associated lateral part is based on the engagement of ribs in grooves, with merely axial relative movement capability. The parts of the three-part assembly and the coupling elements are complex and thus need to be produced with precision and assembled with care, which increases the cost of the system according to the prior art. 
     Similar problems are encountered with the device known from FR-A-970 629. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is more particularly intended to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a new coupling device that is simple to manufacture and use and reliable over time, while being suitable for integration in home automation equipment. 
     For this purpose, the invention relates to a coupling device between an output shaft and an input shaft, such as an output shaft of an electric motor and an input shaft of a reducing gear of an actuator for driving a screen or a leaf that is part of home automation equipment for closing, solar protection or projection. This device includes a first member which is rotatably secured, or suitable for being rotatably secured, to the output shaft, and which is provided with at least one longitudinal outer groove, and a second member which is rotatably secured, or suitable for being rotatably secured, to the input shaft, and which is provided with at least one longitudinal outer groove. According to the invention, this device further includes an element for rotatably coupling the first and second members together, which has, on at least one surface thereof, at least two series of lugs projecting from said surface, wherein the lugs are inserted into the longitudinal outer groove of the first member and the longitudinal outer groove of the second member, respectively. 
     According to the invention, a coupling element such as a sleeve or a plate is an integral or multi-part part which, once manufactured, is rigid, enabling effective transmission of a drive torque. 
     By means of the invention, it is possible to provide, in a compact space, effective coupling between the output shaft and the input shaft, the manufacture and/or assembly of the two series of projecting lugs being simple to carry out. The use of a coupling element, such as a sleeve or a plate, and not of three mutually movable parts, ensures effective torque transmission. Furthermore, the lugs offer movement capabilities in a plurality of directions in relation to the longitudinal outer grooves of the first and second members. This makes it possible to simplify this coupling element and these members. 
     According to advantageous, but optional, aspects of the invention, such a device may incorporate one or a plurality of the following features in any technically feasible combination thereof:
         The coupling element is a sleeve in the internal volume whereof the first and second members are inserted at least partially and the lugs of the two series of lugs project from an inner radial surface of said sleeve.   The coupling element is a plate arranged between the first and second members, along an axis of rotation of one of these members, and the lugs of the two series of lugs project from two axial surfaces of this plate, in two opposite directions parallel to the axis of rotation.   Each lug includes a spherical section head projecting from the surface of the coupling element.   Each first and second member is provided with a plurality of longitudinal outer grooves, whereas the coupling element is equipped with a plurality of lugs, equal in number to the sum of the numbers of longitudinal outer grooves of the first and second members, with a first series of lugs situated in the vicinity of a first axial end of the coupling element and each respectively inserted into one of the longitudinal outer grooves of the first member and a second series of lugs situated in the vicinity of a second axial end of the coupling element, opposite the first axial end, each respectively inserted into one of the longitudinal outer grooves of the second member.   The longitudinal outer grooves and the lugs are regularly distributed, respectively about the longitudinal and central axes of the first and second members and the coupling element.   The lugs of the second series are offset, angularly about a longitudinal and central axis of the coupling element, in relation to the lugs of the first series.   The angular offset between two lugs respectively belonging to the first and second series has a value equal to half the value of the angular offset between two lugs of the same series.   The lugs of the two series are aligned in directions parallel to a central axis of the coupling element.   Each of the first and second members is provided with three longitudinal outer grooves distributed at 120° about a central axis of this member and the coupling element is equipped with two series of three lugs, the lugs of each series being distributed at 120° about a longitudinal and central axis of the coupling element.   The coupling element is provided, on at least one angular sector situated between two lugs of the same series, with a recess.   The first and second members are identical parts mounted on the output shaft, on one hand, and on the input shaft, on the other.   The lugs are parts mounted on the coupling element and locked thereon in rotation, by means of wedging, crimping or engaging shapes. In this case, it may be envisaged that the coupling element is provided with axial grooves each suitable for slidably receiving a lug anchoring shank and each bordered by a space for receiving an end heel of the anchoring shank. Alternatively, the coupling element is provided with housings for receiving and locking lug anchoring shanks.   The lugs are integral with the coupling element.   If the coupling element is a plate, an axial surface of the first member, the second member or the plate is provided with a portion projecting in a direction parallel to a central axis of the plate, this projecting portion bearing on an axial surface of the plate, of the first member or the second member.       

     The invention also relates to home automation equipment including a leaf, a closing or solar protection screen or a projection screen, and a coupling device as mentioned above, inserted between an output shaft, particularly of an electric motor, and an input shaft, particularly of a reducing gear for driving the leaf or screen. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be understood more clearly and further advantages thereof will emerge more specifically in the light of the following description of the first embodiments of a coupling device and equipment according to the principle thereof, given as examples and with reference to the appended figures wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of closing equipment according to the invention, 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a coupling device used in the equipment in  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 3  is a section on a larger scale along the line III-III in  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  for a coupling device according to a second embodiment of the invention, 
         FIG. 5  is a section similar to  FIG. 3  for the embodiment in  FIG. 4 , 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  for a coupling device according to a third embodiment of the invention, 
         FIG. 7  is a section similar to  FIG. 3  for the embodiment in  FIG. 6 , 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a sleeve belonging to a coupling device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, and 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of a coupling device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  represents a tubular actuator  100  suitable for rotating a rolling tube  1  whereon a sliding panel  2  for closing off an opening O can be rolled. The tube  1  is rotated by the actuator  100  about a rotational axis X-X which is arranged horizontally in the upper part of the opening. The opening O is, for example, provided in the walls of a building. The actuator  100 , the tube  1  and the sliding panel  2  thus form a motor-driven rolling shutter. 
     The actuator  100  includes a fixed cylindrical tube  101  wherein a gear motor  102 , including an electric motor  103  and a reducing gear  104 , is mounted. The output shaft of the motor  103  is referenced  105  and the input shaft of the reducing gear  104  is referenced  106 . 
     The output shaft  107  of the reducing gear  104  projects at one end  101 A of the fixed tube  101  and actuates a wheel  3  rotatably secured to the tube  1 . 
     The rolling tube  1  then rotates about the axis X-X and the fixed tube  101  by means to two pin joints. A ring-bearing  4 , mounted on the outer periphery of the tube  101 , in the vicinity of the end  101 B thereof opposite the end  101 A, acts as the first pin joint. The second pin joint is fitted at the other end of the tube  1  and cannot be seen in  FIG. 1 . 
     The actuator  100  also includes an attachment part  108  projecting at the end  101 B of the tube  101  and is suitable for attaching the actuator  100  on a frame  5  of the building containing the opening O. This attachment part  108  is further suitable for closing off the tube  101 , and for supporting a control module  109  of the power supply of the motor  103 . This control module is powered by a mains cable  6 . 
     A coupling device  200  arranged between shafts  105  and  106  is suitable for transmitting the output torque from the motor  103  to the reducing gear  104 . The longitudinal and central axis of the shaft  105  is referenced X 105 . The longitudinal and central axis of the shaft  106  is referenced X 106 . In theory, these axes are parallel, aligned with each other and merged with the axis X-X. In practice, this is not necessarily the case, the axes X 105  and X 106  may be parallel, but not merged, or sequent, according to the manufacturing tolerances of the constituent elements of the actuator  100  and the quality of the assembly thereof. The device  200  is suitable for adapting to these alignment defects. 
     During the operation of the actuator  100 , the gear motor  102  rotates the shaft  7  which, in turn, rotates the tube  1  via the wheel  3 . In the gear motor  102 , the drive torque of the shaft  107  is transmitted from the shaft  105  to the shaft  106 , by means of the device  200 . 
     As seen more particularly in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the device  200  includes a first end piece  201  made of sintered metal provided with a central bore hole  2011  centred on a longitudinal axis X 201  of the end piece  201 . The outer radial surface  2012  of the end piece  201  is cylindrical with a circular cross-section centred on the axis X 201 . It is provided with three longitudinal outer grooves  2013  regularly distributed about the axis X 201 , i.e. mutually forming an angle of 120° about the axis X 201 . The grooves  2013  open onto an end of the first end piece  201  and may be described as longitudinal, in that the larger dimension thereof is parallel to the axis X 201 . 
     The device  200  also includes a second end piece  202  also made of sintered metal and which is provided with a central bore hole  2021  centred on a longitudinal axis X 202  of the end piece  202 . The outer radial surface  2022  of the end piece  202  is cylindrical with a circular cross-section centred on the axis X 202 , except at the three longitudinal outer through grooves  2023 , the larger dimension whereof is parallel to the axis X 202  and which are distributed, in the surface  2022 , at 120° about the axis X 202 . 
     The respective dimensions of the bore holes  2011  and  2021  are provided to enable force fitting of the end pieces  201  and  202  respectively on the shaft  105  and on the shaft  106 . When these end pieces are fitted in this way, they are rotatably secured to said shafts and the axes X 105  and X 201 , on one hand, and X 106  and X 202 , on the other, merge. 
     Producing the end pieces  201  and  202  in sintered metal is suitable for obtaining parts wherein the geometry is well controlled, which are resistant and with a particularly attractive cost price. They may then be clamp-fitted onto the shafts. Alternatively, according to the torques involved, these end pieces may also be produced by machining or injection moulding, from plastics or zamak. They are then mounted onto grooved shafts for example for the rotatable securing thereof. 
     The coupling device  200  also includes a sleeve  203  acting as a coupling element between the end pieces  201  and  202 , which has a circular cross-section and extends about a longitudinal and central axis X 203 . The inner radial surface of the sleeve is referenced  2031  and the outer radial surface is referenced  2032 . The internal volume of the sleeve  203  is referenced V 203 , this volume being radially externally bordered by the surface  2031 . The sleeve  203  is equipped with six lugs  204  respectively projecting from the surface  2031  and towards the axis X 203  in the volume V 203 , respectively in the vicinity of a first axial end surface  2034  of the sleeve  203  and a second axial end surface  2035  of this sleeve, opposite the first. 
     The parts  203  and  204  are preferentially obtained by machining or injection moulding of plastic or zamak. 
     The sleeve  203  is provided, in the vicinity of the end surface  2034  thereof, with three slots  2036  bordered by a rabbet  2036 A on the side of the surface  2032  and which pass through the sleeve  203 , from the surface  2031  towards the surface  2032 , radially in relation to the axis X 203 . The slots  2036  open onto the surface  2034  and have a decreasing width, measured in an orthoradial direction in relation to the axis X 203 , on moving away from the end surface  2034 . 
     Moreover, each lug  204  includes a head  2041  protruding from the surface  2031  towards the axis X 203 , and an anchoring shank  2042  inserted into a slot  2036 . The head  2041  of each lug is a spherical segment. Opposite the head  2041  thereof, each lug  204  has a circular heel  2043 , greater in diameter than the minimum width of a slot  2036 , in the part thereof furthest from the end surface  2034 , but less than the minimum width of a rabbet  2036 A. It is thus possible to hold a lug  204  in position in each slot  2036 , each lug being secured, in a parallel direction in relation to a central axis X 204  of the anchoring shank  2042 , by engaging the head  2041  with the surface  2031 , on an inner side of the sleeve  203 , and engaging the heel  2043  with the rabbet  2036 A, on the outer side of the sleeve. Advantageously, the heels  2043  do not protrude from the outer surface  2032  of the sleeve. 
     The lugs  204  are distributed in a first series S 1  of three regularly distributed lugs  204 , at 120° about the axis X 203  and close to the end surface  2034 , insofar as they are received in slots  2036  opening onto this end surface. Three further lugs  204  form a second series S 2  which is close to the second end surface  2035 . They are arranged in slots  2036  opening onto this surface and regularly distributed, at 120°, about the axis X 203 . The offset angle, about the axis X 203 , of the axes X 204  of two lugs  204  of the first series S 1  is referenced a. This angle equals 120° and it has the same value as the offset angle β, about the axis X 203 , of the axes X 204  of two lugs of the second series S 2 . 
     The lugs  204  of the first series S 1  and the lugs  204  of the second series are arranged on either side of a median plane P M  of the sleeve, this plane being perpendicular to the axis X 203  and equidistant from the surfaces  2034  and  2035 . The distance d 1  between the series of lugs S 1  and S 2 , measured parallel to the axis X 203 , may be optimised: the longer this is, the less sliding is required between each lug  204  and each groove  2013  or  2023 , favouring enhanced accounting for shaft misalignment. 
     The lugs  204  are identical. The maximum diameter of the heads  2041  which are circular and centred on the axes X 204  of the various lugs is referenced D 204 . The widths of the grooves  2013  and  2023  measured along orthoradial directions in relation to the axes X 201  and X 202 , respectively, are referenced I 2013  and I 2023 . The diameter D 204  is chosen to be slightly less than the widths I 2013  and I 2023  which are identical, to enable sliding and guidance of the heads  2041  in the grooves  2013  and  2023 . 
     In this way, in the assembled configuration of the device  200 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , it is possible to insert the end pieces  201  and  202  into the volume  203  by placing the heads  2041  of the lugs  204  of the series S 1  in the grooves  2013  of the first end piece  201 , while the heads  2041  of the lugs  204  of the series S 2  are placed in the grooves  2023  of the second end piece  202 . 
     A torque C about the axis X 201  may thus be transmitted from the end piece  201  to the sleeve  203 , by engaging the lugs  204  of the series S 1  with the grooves  2013 , and from the sleeve  203  to the end piece  202  by engaging the lugs  204  of the series S 2  with the grooves  2023 . 
     It is noted that, between two lugs  204  of the series S 1 , the sleeve  203  is provided with first recesses  2037  suitable for lightening same and opening onto the end surface  2034 . Similarly, further recesses  2037  are provided between two lugs  204  of the series S 2  and open onto the end surface  2035 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 3 , the first recesses  2037  extend over an angular sector between two lugs  204  of the series S 1 . Similarly, the further recesses  2037  extend over an angular sector between two lugs of the series S 2 . These recesses extend from a surface  2034  or  2035  to beyond the axes X 204 , along the axis X 203 . 
     Moreover, the lugs  204  of the series S 1  are angularly offset in relation to the lugs  204  of the series S 2  by an angle γ equal to 60°, i.e. half the angle α. An angular offset, regardless of the offset angle, may be suitable for simplifying the manufacture of the sleeve  203 . Alternatively, it is possible to keep the lugs of the series S 1  and S 2  aligned. 
     The device  200  is suitable for effective torque transmission between the end pieces  201  and  202 , while the axes X 201  and X 202  thereof may not be aligned. Indeed, the heads  2041  of the lugs  204  inserted into the grooves  2013  and  2023  are suitable for slight axial movement in the grooves  2013  and  2023  of the end pieces  201  and  202 . This relative movement is suitable for offsetting an alignment defect of these axes when rotating the shafts  105  and  106  whereon the end pieces  201  and  202  are mounted, respectively. 
     In the second to fifth embodiments of the invention shown in  FIGS. 4 to 7 , the elements equivalent to those of the first embodiment bear the same references. Hereinafter, only the aspects whereby these embodiments differ from the first are described. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the shanks  2042  of the lugs  204  are devoid of heels and are received in corresponding bore holes  2038  of the sleeve  203  wherein they are force-fitted. This assembly is sturdier than that of the first embodiment. 
     In the third embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the lugs  204  and the sleeve  203  are integral. In this embodiment, the offset by the angle γ, about the axis X 203 , between the lugs  204  of the series S 1  and the lugs  204  of the series S 2  enables the manufacture of the sleeve  203  by sintering, without using complex slide moulds. 
     In  FIG. 8 , only the sleeve  203  of a coupling device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention is shown. The end pieces of this device are identical to those of the first embodiment. The sleeve  203  is in two parts, in that it is formed by assembling two identical integral parts  203 A and  203 B. Each of the parts  203 A and  203 B includes a series of three lugs  204 , the series S 1  of the lugs  204  of the part  203 A being shown in  FIG. 8 , whereas only one of the lugs  204  of the series S 2  of the part  203 B is seen in this figure. 
     Each part  203 A and  203  is provided with a tab  2051  projecting from an end surface  2052  oriented towards the other part. Each tab  2051  is provided with a central opening  2053  for receiving a cog  2054  arranged at the centre of a groove  2055  provided in the outer surface  2032 A or  2032 B of each part  203 A or  203 B. From the end surface  2052  of each part  203 A or  203 B, two tabs  2056  extend, intended to be inserted into slots  2057  of a corresponding shape provided on the inner surface  2031 A or  2031 B of the part  203 A or  203 B in question. 
     In this way, the sleeve  203  is formed by aligning the parts  203 A and  203 B on the axis X 203  of the sleeve, by placing the end surfaces  2052  thereof opposite each other, approaching the parts  203 A and  203 B by translation along the axis X 203  and by inserting the tab  2051  of each part into the groove  2055  of the other part until the cog  2054  of the other part enters the opening  2053  of each tab. This approaching movement is represented by the arrows FA and FB in  FIG. 8 . 
     During the approach, the tabs  2056  of one part  203 A or  203 B are inserted into the slots  2057  of the other part, and vice versa. 
     The geometry of the parts  203 A and  203 B is chosen so that, when they are assembled to form the sleeve  203  together, the series S 1  and S 2  of lugs  204  thereof are angularly offset by an angle γ, for example equal to 60°. 
     This embodiment is particularly suitable for small-diameter coupling devices intended to be integrated in actuators less than 30 mm, for example equal to 25 or 28 mm, in diameter. Indeed, the parts  203 A and  203 B may be moulded relatively easily, more easily than the integral sleeve according to the third embodiment in the case of a small-diameter sleeve. 
     In the fifth embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the two end pieces  201  and  202  of a device  200  according to the invention are respectively provided with three grooves  2013  and  2023  distributed at 120° about a central axis X 201  or X 202  of the end piece  201  or  202  in question. 
     These end pieces  201  and  202  engage with a plate  203  which is also part of the device  200 , suitable for the rotatable coupling of the end pieces  201  and  202  and which is centred on an axis X 203  which is generally parallel to the axes X 201  and X 202  in the configuration for use. The plate  203  is arranged between the end pieces  201  and  202 , along one of the axes X 201  and X 202 . 
     The plate  203  includes two axial surfaces  2039 A and  2039 B which are perpendicular to the axis X 203  and generally in the shape of a disk. These surfaces form the axial ends of the central part of the plate  203 . 
     From the surface  2039 A, three lugs  204  extend, forming a first series S 1  of lugs each intended to be inserted into a groove  2013  of the end piece  201 . 
     Each lug  204  of this series of lugs extends along a direction D 204  parallel to the axis X 203  and moving away from the surface  2039 A. 
     Each lug  2041  includes a shank  2042  and a head  2041  forming the end thereof opposite the surface  2039 A which is in the shape of a spherical segment. The inner and outer radial surfaces of the head  2041  of a lug  204  are truncated to extend from the inner and outer radial surfaces of the shank  2042  thereof. Moreover, the end surface of a head  2041  is also truncated, restricting the length thereof, measured parallel to the direction d 204  or the axis X 203 . 
     The surface  2039 B of the plate  203  is also provided with three lugs  204  of which two can be seen in  FIG. 9  and which have substantially the same geometry as the lugs  204  of the first series of lugs, except that they each extend along a direction D′ 204  parallel to the axis X 203  and oriented in the opposite direction in relation to a direction D 104 . In other words, the lugs  204  of the second series S 2  extend, in relation to a defined disk-shaped central portion  2039 C, axially along the axis X 203 , between the surfaces  2039 A and  2039 B, in an opposite direction in relation to the lugs  204  of the first series S 1 . 
     The lugs  204  of each series S 1  and S 2  are distributed at 120° about the axis X 203  and the lugs of the two series are arranged extending from each other. In other words, the lugs  204  of the two series S 1  and S 2  are aligned along the directions D 204  and D′ 204  which are parallel to the axis X 203 . 
     Alternatively, the lugs of the series S 1  and S 2  may be angularly offset about the axis X 203 . 
     Moreover, the axial surface  2024  of the end piece  202  which is perpendicular to the axis X 202  and oriented towards the plate  203  is provided with a portion  2025  projecting parallel with the axis X 203  and in the shape of a spherical segment. This portion  2025  bears against the surface  2039 B in the assembled configuration of the coupling device  200 . Similarly, the axial surface  2014  of the end piece  201  which is perpendicular to the axis X 201  and oriented towards the plate  203  is equipped with a convex projecting portion, in the shape of a spherical segment, which is not shown in  FIG. 9  but which bears against the surface  2039 A of the plate  203 . These projecting portions in the shape of a spherical segment provided on the input and output end pieces  201  and  202 , respectively, are suitable for reinforcing the coupling since they create a tangential contact point between the parts  201  and  203 , on one hand, and  202  and  203 , on the other. This contact point is active in all the configurations of the device  200 , including when the axes X 201  and X 202  are not aligned. This contact point is suitable for limiting parasitic friction at the interface between the parts  201 ,  202  and  203 . 
     Alternatively, only one of the end pieces  201  and  202  is equipped with such a projecting portion  2025  or equivalent. According to a further alternative embodiment, a projecting portion comparable to the portion  2025  is provided on one of the surfaces  2039 A and  2039 B or on these two surfaces. In this case, the surfaces  2014  and  2024  are devoid thereof. 
     According to a further alternative embodiment, the plate  203  is not in axial contact with the end pieces  201  and  202  at the surfaces  2014 ,  2024 ,  2039 A and  2039 B. In this case, it is not necessary to provide an equivalent projecting portion similar to the portions  2025  on these surfaces. 
     In the various embodiments, the sleeve or the plate  203  may be made of synthetic material, particularly thermoplastic. 
     According to one alternative embodiment of the invention not shown, the end pieces  201  and  202  may be replaced by the ends of the shafts  105  and  106  which are then machined to form the grooves  2013  and  2023 . These ends then form members rotatably secured to these shafts, according to the invention. 
     According to a further alternative embodiment also not shown, the end pieces  201  and  202  may be identical and provided with a staged central bore hole suitable for the assembly thereof on shafts of two different diameters. In this case, the longitudinal outer grooves thereof open at both ends thereof. It is then necessary to provide further means, not shown, to axially fix the sleeve of the first four embodiments on the shaft thereof. Indeed, this sleeve, in the examples described, is axially fixed by means of the lugs to the blind bottom of the grooves. 
     The invention is described hereinafter in the context of use with a rolling shutter provided with a flexible sliding panel. It is also applicable with further types of shutters or blinds and with an image projection screen. The invention is also applicable for operating a leaf, such as a gate leaf or a shutter hinged about a vertical axis in the vicinity of a passage opening, such as a door or a window. 
     Regardless of the embodiment or alternative embodiment envisaged, the coupling element  203  is rigid when used in the device  200 , enabling effective torque transmission between the end pieces  201  and  202 . Due to the engagement of the lugs  204  with the grooves  2013  and  2023 , there is movement capability in a plurality of directions, at the interface between the parts  201  and  203 , on one hand,  202  and  203 , on the other, without requiring the use of a complex structure of multiple parts. 
     The technical features of the embodiments and alternative embodiments envisaged above may be combined together.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4