IM- PROVEMENTS IN REVOLVING METAL SHUTTERS FOR SHOP FRONTS OR WINDOWS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Arthur Charles Henderson, of 6, Southampton Buildings,
Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN REVOLVING METAL SHUTTERS FOR SHOP FRONTS OR WINDOWS."
A communication from abroad by Auguste Bazille, Manufacturer, residing at
Angers, in the Department of Maine and Loire, in the Republic of France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Arthur Charles Henderson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th September 1876.
ARTHUR CHARLES HENDERSON, of 6, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN REVOLVING METAL
SHUTTERS FOR SHOP FRONTS OR WINDOWS." A communication from abroad by
Auguste Bazille, Manufacturer, residing at Angers, in the Department of Maine and
Loire, in the Republic of France.
These shutters, which are divided into two equal or unequal parts as may be
required, open and close vertically by aid of two vertical shafts placed in recesses or
cases, one on either side of the window; these shafts coinmunicate one with the
other by aid of an endless chain passing over two pulleys fixed respectively at the
head of each shaft.
The opening or closing of the shutters is effected by means of a crank handle
actuating gear work communicating motion to one of the shafts, the chain trans-
mitting it to the other; the mechanism is contained in one recess only.
The shutters open and close from the centre, and each recess contains its portion
when open. Muffles are mounted on the shafts in combination with metal plates
fixed to the hinges of the shutters to assist them in their development or otherwise.
The shutters run on rollers on a rail placed between two flat metal bands resting
securely on the woodwork of the window. When the two parts are closed they may
be locked by any convenient method.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Arthur Charles Henderson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
14th March 1877.
ARTHUR CHARLES HENDERSON, of 6, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN REVOLVING METAL
SHUTTERS FOR SHOP FRONTS OR WINDOWS." A communication from abroad by
Auguste Bazille, Manufacturer, residing at Angers, in the Department of Maine and
Loire, in the Republic of France.
The iron shutters for closing shop fronts and other analogous purposes generally
employed are formed of parts more or less in number running horizontally the
whole length of the shop front, and opening and closing vertically, lodging in the
architrave of the shop. Or the systems employed, notwithstanding their variety, all
alike require a sufficiently complicated and costly mechanism, on account of the
great resistance which they offer to raising all the metallic frame constituting the
shutter, which naturally necessitates a certain force, and requires time to open and
close them. To overcome these draw bracks the present Invention consists of vertically
closing iron shutters of simple construction and mechanism, requiring the least force
in manoeuvring, requiring little support, and above all of a celerity and speed of
action unequalled, and as regards solidity and elegance nothing is lost in comparison
with those in present use. For example, if the dimensions are large the shutter is
divided into two equal or unequal parts, in accordance with local requirements, and
by aid of mechanism arranged in each of the cavities of the shop the shutters are
made to slide vertically, whether in opening or closing them. They are worked
from one side only by aid of a small internal or external winch, according to the
locality of the shutter, by aid of an endless chain running along the architrave, so
that at one single operation the two parts of the shutter are opened or closed in a
very short time and by the slightest effort, the opening and closing of large shutters
being easily performed by a child.
By aid of the two accompanying Sheets of Drawings the system will be readily
understood, in conjunction with the following description, which enters also into
the modifications of which the Invention is susceptible in its application to the
closing of shop fronts, windows, and so forth.
Sheet 1, Fig. 1, represents the façade of a shop with the shutters in two equal
parts closed; the cavities or spaces on each side are in section to show the
mechanism.
Sheet 2 shows, by the Figures 2 to 9, the details of the principal parts for
working the shutters; Fig. 5 shows the mode of collection, and Fig. 6 their method
of unwinding.
Fig. 10 is a modification of the method of connexion.
Figs. 12 and 13 show the mechanism for a simple and undivided shutter.
Figs. 14, 15, and 16, represent the ensemble and detail of an arrangement slightly
different for working the shutters.
Figs. 17 and 18 represent a shutter having the cavities made in columns.
Figs. 19 and 20 show the application of the system for closing windows.
The mechanism for closing shutters in two parts, Sheet 1, Fig. 1, consists
especially in the motive parts of a winch or handle c, which by the conical pinion f
gives motion to the bevil wheel e, keyed to the vertical shaft i, which transmits it
as will be hereafter explained by a single manoeuvre to the two parts of the shutter.
The shaft below is maintained in an aperture of a fixed table a, fixed in the
cavity and supported by a screw h, screwed in a filleted bossage and solid with the

page_text: table a by two ribbed arms. The effect of this arrangement is the two important
results, the regulation of the position of the shaft i and its support without
appreciable friction. Above in the cornice the shaft i is maintained in a collar l,
Fig. 2, with facultative fixture (no matter what may be the height of fixing)
allowing of its being placed either on the wood or stone as the case may require.
To the table a is bolted the support d of the axis of the pinion f, which axis is
prolonged internally or externally from the cavity or space to present itself to the
crank c.
Above the table a the shaft i receives the ratchet b¹ and click 61, Fig. 3,
solid with a plate b keyed to the end of the hollow shaft I, which serves as a case
to the shaft i, Fig. 5; it is loose on this shaft and runs just below the gearing of the
pulley K of the governing chain. In its height at equal or unequal distances the
hollow shaft I receives by keying small stop plates j, which act as guides during the
rolling of the shutters, and which are solid with their hinges. The shaft i thereforo
only governs the hollow shaft I in a single sense. Beneath the collar the shaft i
receives the loose pulley K, with nut gearing with the muffle K' keyed to the shaft i,
but so that the loose shaft I is not drawn by i. A spring above the pulley K allows
it to disengage from K. In the second cavity is a shaft i guided by the table a',
and supported by the screw h¹, which is mounted the same as described for that of h.
The hollow shaft I bears at the height desired the stop plates j; is the collar
which supports the shaft above; below is the pulley K₁ gearing with K2, but
arranged to produce the inverse effects to those effected by like parts in the first
cavity.
In the grooves (furnished with pins) of the pulleys K and K¹ runs a chain
without end with straight links (Figs. 7, 8, and 9), and connected in two places
with the shutters furthest from each side; rollers s, t, t, facilitate the crossing of the
chain 7, and guide it in the architrave behind the reveal. All this mechanism,
whose parts are less numerous and less subject to derangement, govern the
opening and closing of the shutters. To effect this readily the shutters are formed
(Figs. 1, 6, 10) of a sheet of iron n, each band being united by hinges m one to
the other; these hinges are rivited to the shutters at the height of the stop plates j
and j, to which the lines of hinges are fixed by screws to be drawn by these plates
or to draw them, Fig. 6. Then the junction of the two sheets is covered by a
simple t iron m', the soul of which lodges in the joint, and the wings form a cover,
one of them being riveted to the sheet of iron corresponding with it. By this
method the shutters are very solid and rigid, and roll back in the cavities round the
stop plates j and it with the greatest ease and regularity as shown Fig. 6. This
same Figure also shows that as the shutters unfold the bands composing them
increase in size; this progressive increase will be observed in Fig. 1, which enhances
the appearance of the shutter.
Fig. 10 shows another connexion of the shutters by bent rims boxing one
within the other; all the hinges are done away with below, the shutters slide
between two flat bands of metal v, Figs. 4 and 5, reaching from one chamber to the
other, and solidly resting on the woodwork. At certain distances are placed the
roller supports y, Fig. Gbis, which roll on a rail x, arranged in the middle of the
slide v, and do not interfere with the unwinding when unfolding. These rollers are
supported by a frame formed of two sheets of iron rivited to the shutter or other-
wise; falling latches z having passage in the internal slide engage in a mortice of
the furthest shutter, and perform the office of spring bolts; above, the shutters are
guided in a slide u, Fig. 11, nade behind the architrave; a sufficient play exists
above not to hinder the movement of the chain whilst leaving the space requisite
for working the shutters.
Action of the System.-When closing is performed as shown by Fig. 1, and that
it is desired to open, the handle c is turned from right to left so as to act in that
direction on the shaft i and its equipage; as soon as the stop plates; of the hollow
shaft I act on the hinges and by the endless chain this effect manifests itself
similarly on the plates j' of the shaft I'; the result is that the shutters submit to a

page_text: movement of translation, and wind up mechanically in each of the cavities. In
closing the contrary movement takes place, the pulley K turns with the shaft i,
and draws the chain r, thus governing the mechanism of development of the second
part of the shutter. When the two extreme shutters touch, the latches adjust them-
selves to the mortices corresponding with them, and firmly maintain the shutters
in this position. Locks or other means of security may be employed.
It can now be understood how rapidly these two operations of opening and
closing the shutters can be effected and without effort, since all the weight
of the shutters is borne on, the rollers and the slide fixed on the masonry or
woodwork.
Figs. 12 and 13 show a modification in the government of the movement when the
shutter is simple; a is the fixed table supporting by the brace with filleted bossage
the vertical shaft i; bis the fixed plate on the shaft, and cast in iron with the
bevil wheel e; the pinion 8, which follows the crank c, traverses the table a, to
gear with the wheel e; the nut pulley is also keyed on the shaft, and the
endless chain is not crossed; it simply passes on a return pulley established in
the cavity.
Figs. 14, 15, and 16, represent another arrangement for governing the shutters.
The crank actuated by the right pinion f, the toothed wheel c, solid or cast in iron,
with a pulley on which runs an endless chain r, with joined links; this chain passes
up the cavity, and by the guide pulley b circulates in a slide d, reserved in the
capital; a sheet of zinc g covers the whole, and forms a cap; the pinion f is loose
on its axis, and participates in its movement by a ratchet and click, Fig. 16. The
gear work and the pulley are loose on their axes; the same parts exist in the other
cavity or space, and also fix beneath the table a. Finally, in the transverse profile
of the slide Fig. 15, the cavity at the right hand represents (for a double shutter)
the space in which the chain moves, fixed to the furthest shutters, as already
described.
In certain cases, to facilitate fixing up the shutters and to dispense with the hollow
spaces, it is requisite to adopt the mode represented by the Figures 17 and 18, the
hollow column A, the sides of which have a thickness in proportion to the resistance
to bear, and the interior diameter sufficient to serve as a case to the shutters; a
door B, of sheet or cast iron, is made the whole height of the shutters, for fitting
up, greasing, and reparing; this door leaves its whole height, a space C, for the
entry and exit of the shutters; the base of the column accords with the wood-
work of the shop front, and the head with the facia. The column rests against the
masonary D, and has the advantage of mounting the mechanism in the column at
the workshop where the shutters are made, and so make the shutter quite ready to
act. By this means the spaces are not required, the masonary is not weakened, but
is even strengthened.
In conclusion, may be mentioned its application to a window, see Figs. 19 and 20.
The chain is governed by the plate K, and passes over the pulley or guide d, drawing
the shutters V into the case K¹; all the mechanism of the preceding Figs. is sup-
pressed, so that in the same manner lattices for stores and so forth may be
employed.
What is claimed as the Invention is,-
The simple and economically combined system of metallic shutters closing
with perfect security in a vertical manner, as shown by the Figures 1, 17, 18, 19,
and 20, or exceptionally horizontal, should the exigences of the case require it.
The mechanism for actuating the shutters shown complete and in detail by the
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10, 11, 17, and 18, is also claimed with
endless chain connected with the extreme shutters of each side, as also the modi-
fications in the single shutters Figs. 12 and 13, and the particular government of
the shutters with the endless chain, as shown by the Figures 14, 15, and 16.
The closing of the shutters in columns admitting of dispensing with the usual
spaces made in the masonry as shown, Figs. 17 and 18, and the application of the

page_text: system for window shutters shown by Figs. 19 and 20; the form, materials of con-
struction, and dimensions of the principal parts varying according to their
application.
In witness whereof, I, the said Arthur Charles Henderson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this 13th day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
A. C. HENDERSON. (L.S.)