AU2006201775B2 - A roller shutter assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A roller shutter assembly (100) is disclosed. An embodiment of the roller shutter assembly (100) includes a first guide (102) and a second guide (104) 5 having a substantially parallel relationship. A barrier (106), including a plurality of barrier elements (108), extends between the first (102) guide and the second guide (104). Each barrier element (108) includes a first end (142) and a second end (144). Each first end (142) is retained to one of the guides (102, 104) to restrict movement of that end (102) towards the other guide (104, 102) when a 10 deflecting force is applied to the barrier element (108). Each second end (144) is located within or proximal to the other guide (104, 102). The first ends (142) of adjacent interlinked barrier elements (108) are each retained to a different one of the guides (102, 104) and the second ends (144) of those barrier elements are supported to allow relative movement of the second ends (144) to 15 reduce the distance therebetween in response to a deflecting force (F). A barrier (106) and a barrier element (108) is also disclosed.

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: A ROLLER SHUTTER ASSEMBLY Applicant: OZROLL IP PTY LTD The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 -2 A ROLLER SHUTTER ASSEMBLY This application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2005902185 filed on 29 April 2005, and the contents of that application are 5 to be taken as incorporated herein by this reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a roller shutter assembly. 10 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Roller shutter assemblies for covering windows, doors and other openings of a home, building or other structure are well known. In most cases, roller shutter 15 assemblies are used to provide added security or privacy as well as to provide protection from climatic conditions. A roller shutter assembly typically includes a barrier having slats that are interlinked together along their top and bottom edges. The slats typically extend 20 between a pair of spaced apart guides that are supported by a building wall structure, and arranged on opposite sides of an opening, such as a window or door. The guides are arranged to allow for sliding movement of the slats along the 25 guides so that the slats are moveable between a deployed position and a raised such that in the deployed position the slats cover the opening. In one existing roller shutter assembly design, the slats include ends that are configured to slide along a respective guide but that are unretained therein. 30 Unfortunately, in shutter assemblies of this type, flexing of the slats caused by a deflection force being applied to the shutter tends to effectively shorten the span of the slats by moving the slat ends inwardly. Such shortening of the span of a -3 slat may lead to separation of the slat ends from the guides and thereby dislodge the slats from the guides. In another known roller shutter assembly design, the slats ends are retained 5 within the guides with the use of tabs that are attached to the opposite ends of each slat and extend outwardly therefrom to retain each end of a slat in a respective guide. Typically, with this type of assembly, each tab is received within a respective guide so that the slat ends are held within the guide in a manner that permits sliding movement without disengagement or jamming of 10 the slat ends. Unfortunately, this method of retaining the slats within the guides has been found to be problematic in that the tabs are susceptible to breakage when a sufficient deflecting force (such as that may be encountered during high wind 15 velocities or a force of impact) is applied to the slats. Typically, a sufficient deflecting force is a force that results in an axial load being applied to a tab that exceeds either the tensile strength of that tab, or the strength of the attachment of the tab to the slat. Breakage of a tab may include a tab being deformed so as to render the tab ineffective (for example, sheared) and could also include 20 the tab being detached from the slat ends. Such breakage of a tab typically results in separation of the slats from the guides. Accordingly, there remains a need for a roller shutter assembly, or a similar barrier assembly, having a reduced tendency to separate from the guides when 25 subjected to deflecting forces that may result from high wind velocities, forces of impact, or the like. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 30 In an embodiment, the present invention provides a roller shutter assembly, including -4 (a) a first guide and a second guide having a substantially parallel relationship; and (b) a barrier including plural interlinked barrier elements extending between the first and second guides, each barrier element including: 5 i. a first end retained to one of the guides to restrict movement of that end towards the other guide when a deflecting force is applied to the barrier element; and ii. a second end located within or proximal to the other guide; wherein the first ends of adjacent interlinked barrier elements are retained to a 10 different one of the guides and wherein the second ends of those barrier elements are supported to allow relative movement of the second ends to reduce the distance therebetween in response to a deflecting force. The supporting of the second ends to allow relative movement of the second 15 ends of adjacent interlinked barrier elements to reduce the distance therebetween effectively permits the second end of a barrier element to move, in response to the deflecting force, away from the guide within which it is located or proximal to, and generally towards the first end of that barrier element. Such a support may include a sliding relationship with at least one 20 other adjacent interlinked barrier element. Thus, throughout this specification, reference to "slidably relating" or "sliding relationship", where this term is used to describe the relationship between the second end of a barrier element with an interlinked barrier element, is to be understood as referring to a relationship that permits the second end to slide lengthwise with respect to the interlinked 25 barrier element in response to a deflecting force. The guides may be of any suitable type of guide and may differ according to the type, or design, of the roller shutter assembly. Each guide may include a channel for receiving the first ends and the second ends of adjacently arranged 30 barrier elements so that the first ends and second ends are able to slide along a longitudinal axis of the guides to thus permit movement of the barrier between a deployed position and a raised position.

-5 In another embodiment, each guide may include a channel for receiving only the first end of each of the barrier elements so that the first ends are able to slide along the axis of the guide. According to this embodiment, the second 5 ends are supported by at least one interlinked barrier element to permit, in combination with the receiving of the first end in a guide, movement of the barrier between a deployed position and a raised position. Throughout this specification, reference to the term "barrier element" is to be 10 understood to be reference to an arrangement of one or more flexible slats. In an embodiment that includes a barrier element that includes more than one flexible slat, the flexible slats of that barrier element may be interlinked and arranged so that at least one of the flexible slats provides the first end of the barrier element. According to such an embodiment, only one of the flexible 15 slats of the barrier element need include a retained end. In one form of this embodiment, the flexible slats that do not include a retained end may be rigidly connected to the slat that includes the retained end so that the interlinked flexible slats of the barrier element do not slidably relate. 20 Although a barrier element of the barrier may include plural flexible slats, it is to be appreciated that not all of the barrier elements of a barrier need include only flexible slats. Moreover, different barrier elements of an embodiment of a barrier may include a different number of flexible slats. However, irrespective of the number of flexible slats that are included in a barrier element, the flexible 25 slat (or flexible slats) of the barrier element either singularly or collectively provide an end that forms the first end of the barrier element and an end that forms the second end of the barrier element. In an embodiment, each barrier element includes a single flexible slat. 30 According to this embodiment, the flexible slat of a barrier element is able to slide with respect to, and is supported, by an interlinked flexible slat of at least one other barrier element so that adjacent flexible slats are flexibly cooperative.

-6 In this respect, reference to the term "flexibly cooperative" throughout this specification is to be understood to be reference to a mechanical cooperation between the interlinked flexible slats that results in flexure of a flexible slat by a deflecting force causing flexure of an interlinked flexible slat. 5 The interlinking of the barrier elements may involve direct or indirect interlinking. By way of explanation, and in the context of this specification, a direct linkage is to be understood as a linkage between the interlinked barrier elements themselves, whereas an indirect linkage is to be understood as a linkage that 10 involves an intermediate linking element, or member, interposed between the barrier elements to provide the interlinking. A direct linkage may be of any suitable type. One suitable direct linkage may include a coupling that is integrally formed in the barrier elements to permit 15 rotation of interlinked barrier elements about an axis of rotation and also provide the slidable relationship between the interlinked barrier elements. Alternatively, the barrier elements maybe indirectly interlinked by way of a suitable intermediate linking element that is interposed between the barrier 20 elements. One suitable intermediate linking element may include a linking strip that is sandwiched between the barrier elements and configured so as to interlink those elements. The linking strip may be made from any suitable material. For example, the linking strip may be a metallic, polymeric or ceramic. Another suitable linkage means may include a flexible slat that has neither of its 25 ends retained to a guide. The locating of the second end within or proximal to the other guide may include the second end being received within a channel of that other guide. However, in an embodiment the locating of the second end within or proximal to the other 30 guide may include the second end of the barrier element being spaced apart from the other guide.

-7 The first end of a barrier element may be retained to a respective guide using any suitable retaining means. One suitable retaining means may include an end retainer that is attached to the first end of each barrier element. In one embodiment, the end retainer is arranged to allow an extent of pivotable 5 movement of the first end of each barrier element about a longitudinal axis of the guide to which the first end is retained. It is envisaged that such an arrangement will be particularly advantageous because throughout the range of pivotable movement of the first end, bending stresses on the end retainer may tend to be reduced. 10 In an embodiment, the barrier may further include a bracing member that extends between the first and second guide so as to further support the lower most barrier element when the barrier is in the deployed position. In this arrangement, the bracing member may form a generally U-shaped frame with 15 the first guide and the second guide. Providing a bracing member of this type may further improve the structural integrity of the barrier. The bracing member may be fixedly connected to the first and second guide or it may be interlinked to the lower most barrier element of the plural barrier 20 elements so that the bracing member is movable therewith along the axis of first and second guide during deployment or raising of the barrier. In another embodiment there is provided a barrier for a roller shutter assembly, the barrier being deployable between a pair of spaced apart guides having a 25 substantially parallel relationship, the barrier including a plurality of interlinked barrier elements for extending between the guides when the barrier is deployed, each barrier element including: (a) a first end for retaining to one of the guides to restrict movement of that end towards the other guide when a deflecting force is applied to the 30 barrier element; and (b) a second end for locating within or proximal to the other guide; wherein, in use, the first ends of adjacent interlinked barrier elements are each retained to a different one of the guides and wherein the second ends of those barrier elements are supported to allow relative movement of the second ends to reduce the distance therebetween in response to the deflecting force. 5 In another embodiment there is provided a barrier for a roller shutter assembly, the barrier including plural flexible slats arranged so that the longest edges of adjacent slats are interlinked, each slat including a first end having an end retainer, and a second end without an end retainer, wherein the end retainers of adjacent 10 interlinked slats are located at opposite ends relative to one another, and wherein the interlinking of the slats permits adjacent slats to slide lengthwise with respect to each other. The present invention also provides a barrier element for a barrier of a roller 15 shutter assembly, the barrier being deployable between a pair of spaced apart guides, the barrier including: (a) first and second ends, the first end for retaining to one of the guides to restrict movement of that end towards the other guide when a deflecting force is applied to the barrier element, and a second end located within or 20 proximal to the other guide, the second end slidably relating with at least one other interlinked barrier element and supported to allow relative movement of the second end towards the first end when a deflecting force is applied to the barrier element; and (b) a linking means for interlinking the barrier element with one or more other 25 barrier elements so as to form an interlinked relationship therebetween and form the barrier. The present invention also provides a barrier for a roller shutter assembly, the barrier including plural flexible slats arranged so that the longest edges or adjacent 30 slats are interlinked, each slat including a first end having an end -9 the interlinking of the slats permits adjacent slats to slide lengthwise with respect to each other over an extent. A particular advantage of the present invention is that it allows the barrier 5 elements of the barrier to flex in response to a deflecting force without disengaging the opposite sides of the barrier from the guides. Thus, it is envisaged that the present invention may be suitable for use in areas having high wind loads or security applications. 10 It will be appreciated that although a typical application for a roller shutter according to an embodiment of the present invention may involve the roller shutter being fitted to a window or doorway of a home or other building, the present invention is not to be considered so limited. Indeed, a roller shutter according to the present invention may be fitted to openings of other non 15 building type structures such as, for example, automobiles (such as trucks), trailers, caravans, motor-homes, security lockers, vending machines and storage cabinets. It will thus be appreciated that a roller shutter according to the present invention will have a wide range of applications. 20 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described in relation to a preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the following description is not to limit the generality of the 25 above description. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a roller shutter assembly according to an 30 embodiment of the invention; -10 Figure 2A shows is a sectional view of the roller shutter assembly of Figure 1 taken along A-A of Figure 1; Figure 2B shows is a sectional view of the roller shutter assembly of Figure 1 5 taken along B-B of Figure 1; Figure 3A and Figure 3B respectively show a sectional view of a first and second guide suitable for use with the roller shutter assembly of Figurel; 10 Figure 4A and Figure 4B shows exploded views of a roller shutter assembly of the type shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows another perspective view of the shutter assembly of Figure 4A and Figure 4B; 15 Figure 6A and Figure 6B show a sectional view illustrating the relationship between an end retainer and a respective guide; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the roller shutter assembly of Figure 1 20 with the barrier elements shown deflected by an applied deflecting force; and Figure 8 shows a partial exploded view of a roller shutter assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention. 25 DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a roller shutter assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As is shown in Figure 1, the roller shutter assembly 100 includes a first guide 102 and a second guide 104 having a substantially parallel 30 relationship and a barrier 106 including plural interlinked barrier elements 108 (shown here as flexible slats) extending between the first guide 102 and the second guide 104.

-11 As is illustrated in Figure 1, the roller shutter assembly 100 also includes a head box 110, which itself comprises a top cover 112 and end plates 114, 116. It will of course be appreciated that the presence of a head box 110 is not essential. 5 Indeed, in many installations, the head box 110 will be replaced by an enclosure of some sort built in to a cavity or the like on-site. Nevertheless, in the present case the head box 110 is provided and includes a shaft (not shown) from which the barrier 106 is wound during deployment so that the barrier 106 extends between the first guide 102 and the second guide 104 as shown. In the present 10 case the first guide 102 and the second guide 104 are arranged so that barrier 106 is deployed in a generally planar form having opposite sides 118, 120 that are received within the first guide 102 or the second guide 104 respectively. The first guide 102 and the second guide 104 are preferably manufactured as 15 an aluminium extrusion having a suitable cross-sectional profile. Figure 2A and Figure 2B illustrate one suitable cross-sectional profile of the first guide 102 and the second guide 104 in more detail. As shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2B, the first guide 102 and the second guide 20 104 each include a pair of side walls 122, 124. As is shown more clearly in Figure 3A and Figure 3B, the pair of side walls 122, 124 of each guide 102, 104 provide a channel 126. The channel 126 of a respective guide 102, 104 includes two projecting edges 128, 130 that extend along respective inside surfaces 132, 134 of the side walls 122, 124. The projecting edges 128, 130 25 are arranged to provide an opening 136 between a first receiving region 138 and a second receiving region 140 of the channel 126. The function of each receiving region 138, 140 of a channel 126 of a roller shutter assembly 100 according to an embodiment of invention will be described in more detail later. 30 Referring again to Figure 2A and Figure 2B, a first end 142 of each barrier element 108 is retained to a respective one of the guides (that is, the first guide 102 in Figure 2A, or the second guide 104 in Figure 2B) to thereby restrict -12 movement of that end 142 towards the other guide (that is, the second guide 104 in Figure 2A, or the first guide 102 in Figure 2B). As is also shown, a second end 144 of each barrier element 108 is received within the other guide (104 or 102) and supported by at least one other interlinked barrier element 108 5 (ref. Figure 1). As is shown in Figure 4A, in the illustrated embodiment the first ends 142 of any pair of consecutive barrier elements 108 are retained to a different one of the guides 102, 104. Thus, in the present case adjacent barrier elements 108 10 include respective first ends 142 that are retained to a different one of the first guide 102 or the second guide 104. As is also shown in Figure 4A and Figure 4B, interlinked barrier elements 108 slidably relate. In this way, and as is shown in Figure 7, when a deflecting force 15 F is applied to a barrier element 108 that is interlinked with one or more other barrier elements 108, the second ends 144 of the respective barrier elements move relatively towards one another, thereby reducing the distance therebetween, whilst the respective first ends 142 remain retained to a respective guide 102, 104. As will be appreciated, the relative movement of the 20 second ends 144 of adjacent interlinked barrier elements 108 in this way effectively extends the span of the combination of those barrier elements 108. In other words, the distance between the first ends 142 of the adjacent interlinked barrier elements, over the path of those elements, is effectively increased. 25 Returning now to Figure 2A and Figure 2B, the first end 142 of a barrier element 108 may be retained to a respective guide 102 (ref. Figure 2A), 104 (ref. Figure 2B) using any suitable retaining means 146. In the present case, each barrier element 108 includes a retaining means 146 in the form of an end retainer 148 30 that is attached to the first end 142 of each barrier element 108.

-13 The end retainer 148 illustrated in Figure 2A and Figure 2B includes a stem 150 and an enlarged head 152 extending from the stem 150. In the embodiment illustrated, the stem 150 is received within the first end 142 of a barrier element 108 a sufficient distance to permit the end retainer 148 to be secured to the 5 barrier element using fasteners (for example, rivets) so as to provide suitable structural integrity. As is shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2B, the enlarged head 152 of the end retainer 148 is locatable within the second receiving region 140 (ref. Figure 3A 10 and Figure 3B) of the channel 126 of a respective guide 102 (ref. Figure 2A), 104 (ref. Figure 2B) so as to be retained therein and, as is shown in Figure 5, slidable along the axis 154 of that guide 102, 104. Returning again to Figure 2A and Figure 2B, in the present case the enlarged 15 head 152 is arranged so as to extend through the opening 136 (ref. Figure 3A and Figure 3B) between the first receiving region 138 and the second receiving region 140 of the channel 126 so that a projecting section 156 of the head is located in the second receiving region 140. The projecting section 156 abuts against the projecting edges 128, 130 of the channel 126 when the barrier 20 element 108 is under flexure to thereby axially retain the first end 142 of the barrier element 108 in the first guide 102. As previously described, the head 152 of the end retainer 148 is retained within a respective guide 102, 104 to retain the first end 142 of the barrier element 108 25 to that guide so as to restrict movement of that first end 142 towards the other guide. However, as is illustrated in Figure 5, the retaining of an end 142, 144 allows the barrier element 108 to slide along the length of the guides 102, 104 and, as is shown in Figure 6A and Figure 6B, also allows an extent of pivotable movement (y) of the barrier element 108 about the longitudinal axis 154 of each 30 guide 102, 104 (ref. Figure 5).

-14 Referring again to Figure 6A and Figure 6B, in the present case, the projecting section 156 of the end retainer 148 and the channel 126 are arranged to allow an extent pivotable movement of the first end 142 of each barrier element 108 about the longitudinal axis 154 (ref. Figure 5) of the guide 102, 104 to which the 5 first end 142 is retained. It is envisaged that such an arrangement will be particularly advantageous because throughout the range of pivotable movement of the first end 142, bending stresses on end retainer 156 may tend to be reduced. 10 It will be appreciated that although the illustrated embodiment has been described as including a retaining means 146 in the form of an end retainer 148 having a particular configuration, other types of retaining means may be used without departing from the ambit of the invention. In addition, although a particular end retainer 148 configuration has been described as permitting the 15 above-described pivotable movement, it is envisaged that pivotable movement of the barrier element 108 may be provided by other means. Indeed, in an alternative embodiment, the retaining means may be arranged to hingedly connect to the first end of a barrier element so as to thereby allow pivotable movement of the type described above. In yet another embodiment, the 20 retaining means may be manufactured from a resilient material that permits the above-described pivotable movement of the first end of the barrier element when the retaining means is retained in the channel. Returning now to Figure 5, in the embodiment illustrated, locating the second 25 end 144 relative to a respective guide 102, 104 includes the second end 144 being received within the first receiving region 138 (ref Figure 2A and Figure 2B) of the channel 126 of that guide so as to be slidable along the longitudinal axis 154 thereof. However, and as is shown in Figure 7, each second end 144 is also supported by at least one other interlinked barrier element 108 so as to 30 permit relative movement towards the guide to which the first end 142 of the barrier element 108 is retained. In this arrangement, and as previously described, when a deflecting force F is applied to the, or one of the, interlinked -15 barrier elements 108 the respective second ends 144 move relatively towards one another, thereby reducing the distance therebetween, whilst the respective first ends 142 remain retained to a respective guide 102, 104. 5 The interlinking of the barrier elements 108 may be accomplished using any suitable interlinking means. As is shown in Figure 4B, the interlinking of the barrier elements 108 may involve the longest edges 158 of each barrier element 108 forming a slidable engagement with a corresponding longest edge 158 of an adjacent interlinked barrier element 108. In the illustrated arrangement, the 10 interlinking of the barrier elements 108 also hingedly connects the barrier elements 108 to permit the barrier 106 to be sufficiently flexible to permit it to be wound onto and off of the shaft (not shown). The interlinking of the barrier elements 108 may be configured to provide a 15 sliding relationship therebetween having a frictional response or characteristic that varies according to the amount of deflecting force that is applied to a barrier element, and thus the amount of deformation of a barrier element that results from that force. For example, the interlinking may be configured so that when an interlinked barrier element is not subjected to a deflecting force (or is 20 subjected to an deflecting force below a predefined limit value), the frictional response permits the interlinked flexible barrier elements to slide substantially freely relatively to one another, at least over an extent of travel limited by the "play" provided by the retaining of the end retainers within a guide. On the other hand, and still in relation to the previously described example, when an 25 interlinked barrier element is subjected to a deflecting force ( or a deflecting force above a certain predefined limit value), the frictional response may provide a higher frictional resistance that tends to resist sliding movement of the interlinked flexible barrier elements relative one another. In an embodiment, the frictional response or characteristic may be such that the frictional resistance 30 increases proportionally as the deflecting force increases. That is, the frictional resistance will tend to increase as the deflecting force increases.

-16 Providing a variable frictional response or characteristic that varies according to the deflecting force is expected to allow improved use of the tensile strength of the end retainers and/or the barrier elements. 5 A variable frictional response or characteristic may be provided using any suitable means. One suitable means may be provided by forming, or treating interengaged surfaces of interlinked flexible slats. For example, a suitable surface treatment may include applying a surface coating to one, or each, surface that provides the required frictional response or characteristic. By way 10 of another example, a suitable surface formation may include interacting surface features (for example, ridges) on one, or each, surface that tend to resist sliding between the interlinked barrier elements in response to the application of a deflecting force, but permits the surfaces to slidably relate in response to the application of little or no deflecting force. 15 Figure 8 shows a partial exploded view of another embodiment of a roller shutter assembly 160 according to the present invention. This roller shutter assembly 160 is substantially the same as the previously described embodiment with the exception that this embodiment further includes a bracing 20 member 162 that extends between the first 102 and second guide 104. The bracing member 162 provides further support for the lower most barrier element 164 when the barrier is in the deployed position. In this arrangement, the bracing member 162 forms a generally U-shaped frame 25 with the first guide 102 and the second guide 104. Providing a bracing member 162 of this type may further improve the structural integrity of the barrier, and thus the ability of the barrier 106 to withstand deflecting forces that may otherwise damage the barrier. 30 In the illustrated embodiment, the bracing member 162 is interlinked to the lowermost barrier element 164 of the plural barrier elements 108 so that the bracing member 162 is movable therewith along the axis 154 of first 102 and -17 second 104 guide during deployment or raising of the barrier 106. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the bracing member 162 may be fixedly connected to the first 102 and second guide 104. 5 Finally, in the embodiments illustrated in the Figures, it can be seen that the present invention provides a roller shutter assembly that includes barrier elements that are able to flex in response to a deflecting force and in so doing provide a reduced tendency for the opposite sides of the barrier to disengage from the guides. Thus, it is envisaged that the present invention may be 10 suitable for use in areas having high wind loads or security applications. It will also be appreciated that there may be other variations and modifications not described herein that are also within the scope of the present invention. 15

Claims (13)

1. A roller shutter assembly, including (a) a first guide and a second guide having a substantially parallel 5 relationship; and (b) a barrier including plural interlinked barrier elements extending between the first and second guides, each barrier element including: i. a first end retained to one of the guides to restrict movement of that end towards the other guide when a deflecting force is applied to the 10 barrier element; and ii. a second end located within, or proximal to, the other guide; wherein the first ends of adjacent interlinked barrier elements are retained to a different one of the guides and wherein the second ends of those barrier elements are supported to allow relative movement of the second ends to reduce 15 the distance therebetween in response to the deflecting force.

2. A roller shutter assembly according to claim 1 wherein interlinked barrier elements form a sliding relationship responsive to the deflecting force to cause the barrier elements to slide lengthwise relative to each other to provide the relative 20 movement of the second ends.

3. A roller shutter assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each barrier element is supported in a flexibly cooperative arrangement with at least one adjacent interlinked barrier element. 25

4. A roller shutter assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the relative movement of the second ends of adjacent interlinked barrier elements extends the span of the combination of those barrier elements. 30

5. A roller shutter assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein each first end is retained to a respective guide using an end retainer allowing an extent of pivotable movement of the first end of each barrier element about a longitudinal axis of the guide to which the first end is retained. - 19

6. A roller shutter assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein adjacent barrier elements are interlinked to provide a frictional response that varies proportionally with the magnitude of a deflecting force applied to one, or each of, the interlinked barrier elements so that a frictional resistance of the interlinking 5 tends to increase with increasing deflecting force.

7. A barrier for a roller shutter assembly, the barrier being deployable between a pair of spaced apart guides having a substantially parallel relationship and including a plurality of interlinked barrier elements for extending between the 10 guides when the barrier is deployed, each barrier element including: (a) a first end for retaining to one of the guides to restrict movement of that end towards the other guide when a deflecting force is applied to the barrier element; and (b) a second end for locating within or proximal to the other guide; 15 wherein, in use, the first ends of adjacent interlinked barrier elements are each retained to a different one of the guides and wherein the second ends of those barrier elements are supported to allow relative movement to the second ends to reduce the distance therebetween in response to the deflecting force. 20

8. A barrier element, including: (a) a first end including a retaining means for retaining the barrier element to a first guide of a roller shutter assembly to restrict movement of that end in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the barrier; and (b) a second end for locating within a proximal to a second guide of the 25 roller shutter assembly, the second end adapted to allow relative movement of the second end in a direction away from the second guide when a deflecting force is applied to the barrier element.

9. A roller shutter assembly, including: 30 (a) a first guide and a second guide having a substantially parallel relationship; and (b) a barrier including plural interlinked barrier elements extending between the first and second guides, each barrier element including: - 20 a first end retained to one of the guides to restrict movement of that end towards the other guide when a deflecting force is applied to the barrier element; and ii. a second end located within or proximal to the other guide, 5 the second end slidably relating with at least one other interlinked barrier element and supported to allow relative movement of the second end towards the first end when a deflecting force is applied to the barrier element; wherein the first ends of successive barrier elements are retained to a different one 10 of the guides.

10. A barrier for a roller shutter assembly, the barrier including plural flexible slats arranged so that the longest edges of adjacent slats are interlinked, each slat including a first end having an end retainer, and a second end without an end 15 retainer, wherein the end retainers of adjacent interlinked slats are located at opposite ends relative to one another, and wherein the interlinking of the slats permits adjacent slats to slide lengthwise with respect to each other.

11. A roller shutter assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with 20 reference to anyone of the accompanying drawings.

12. A barrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to anyone of the accompanying drawings. 25

13. A barrier element substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to anyone of the accompanying drawings.