Winding mechanism for rollable shutter curtain

Abstract

A winding mechanism for rolling and unrolling an articulated shutter curtain, the winding mechanism comprising a tubular drum with a plurality of integral, spaced-apart arms protruding from its exterior surface. The shutter curtain is attached to one of the arms such that rotation of the tubular drum rolls up the curtain from an extended position or rolls down the curtain from a rolled-up position. More particularly, each arm is alternatively provided at one end with either a rod-like or socket-like projection extending along an edge thereof for slidable interconnection with the rod-like or socket-like projection extending along an edge of the top slat of the shutter curtain. In addition, each arm portion is provided with an arcuate land portion for supporting the shutter in a rolled-up fashion. The tubular drum from which the arms protrude is formed with two half cylindrical elongated members which are slidably engaged by longitudinal bent-over interlocking portions disposed along each edge of the members. In addition, the tubular drum is preferably provided with at least one circular disk affixed at an end thereof for acting as a lateral guide when the shutter curtain is rolled up by the winding mechanism. The winding mechanism is suitable for use with a shutter system operated by an electric motor as well as for a shutter system operated by manual drive means.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.