AU652162B2

AU652162B2 - Shutter curtain for shutter for building

Info

Publication number: AU652162B2
Application number: AU80478/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Masato Hirao; Yasunori Kobayashi; Noriaki Tokuyama
Original assignee: Sanwa Shutter Corp
Current assignee: Sanwa Shutter Corp
Priority date: 1990-07-21
Filing date: 1991-07-16
Publication date: 1994-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2011-07-16
Also published as: NL192627B; GB2246805B; IT1249815B; AU8047891A; HK136195A; GB2246805A; GB9115697D0; ITRM910549A1; NL9101264A; NL192627C

Description

i I? .k e 162 S F Ref: 183862

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

C S C *e8 ((00 00 0 o 0 o 0 0 a o a Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Sanwa Shutter Corporation 1-1, 2-chome Nishi Shinjuku Shinjuku-ku Tokyo

JAPAN

Masato Hirao, Yasunori Kobayashi, Noriaki Tokuyama Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Shutter Curtain for Shutter for Building The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5845/4 i ql i, SHUTTER CURTAIN FOR SHUTTER FOR BUILDING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a shutter curtain for a building fitted to a building such as a house or an office building.

Descriotion of Related Art A shutter curtain for a building is usually wound to, for example, a take-up drum and it is opened/shut while being guided by guide rails formed on the two end portions of an opening of the building. The shutter curtain must be constituted in such a manner that it can be curbed so as to be wound to the take-up drum from an attitude of a straight line placed along the guide rails. Accordingly, a conventional shutter curtain is constituted by interlocked slats each of which is formed by bending an elongated plate, so that the it can be curved. However, a problem arises in the conventional shutter curtain in that noise cannot be eliminated when the shutter curtain is opened/shut or it receives wind when it is shut because the interlocked portions involve gap which will generate looseness.

Accordingly, although an attempt has been made to eliminate the gaps in the interlocked portions, it arises

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another problem in that the structure of the interlocked portion becomes too complicated to be used practically.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To this end, an object of the present invention is to provide a shutter curtain for a building capable of overcoming the above-described problems.

There is disclosed herein a shutter curtain for a building opening comprising: main slats made of a rigid material; and sub-slats made of a material having elasticity, said main slats and sub-slats having slat surfaces to constitute the shutter curtain, wherein: said main slats and said sub-slats are positioned adjacently; two end portions of each main slat and sub-slat are bent towards one surface of said shutter curtain, one bent portion of either one of each pair of adjacent slats has a recess on a second surface of said shutter curtain, and one end portion of the other one of each pair of adjacent slats is pressed from said second surface into the respective recess, thereby connecting each pair of slats to form said shutter curtain; and said shutter curtain is wound onto a take-up drum in such a manner that it is wound to form a coil-like shape due to elastic deformations of said sub-slats which enable said sub-slats to be curved when said sub-slats are wound onto the take-up drum.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRANINGS Figs. 1A to 1K are pattern drawings which illustrate a variety of embodiments of the shutter curtain of the present invention; Figs. 2A to 2D are pattern drawings which illustrate other embodiments of the shutter curtain; Figs. 3A and 3B respectively are a side cross sectional view and a top elevational view which illustrate the main slat in the form of a U-like-shape; Figs. 3C and 3D respectively are a side cross sectional view and a top elevational view which illustrate the sub-slat in the form of the above-described shape; r ,r o r o rr Ioo Ir r* r

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*1 r o rrr o reu rsrJu C' BFD/1275t Fig. 3E is a side elevational view which illustrates a state where the slats in the form of the above-described shape are connected; Fig. 3F is an enlarged cross sectional view which illustrates the junction; Figs. 4A to 4E are perspective views which illustrate an essential portion of an example of fastening members formed in the sub-slats; Fig. 5A is a side cross sectional view which illustrates a modified main slat; Fig. 5B is an enlarged cross sectional view which illustrates the junction for connecting the modified main slats; Figs. 5C and 5D are enlarged cross sectional views which illustrate a variety of examples of the junction; Figs. 6A and 6B are pattern drawings which illustrate examples in which the shutter curtain is accommodated; Fig. 7A is a schematic side elevational view which illustrates a state where the shutter curtain is being wound forward; Fig. 78 is a partially enlarged view which illustrates this state; Fig. 8A is a schematic side elevational view which illustrates a state where the shutter curtain is wound reversely; Fig. 8B is a partially enlarged view which illustrates the above-described state; Fig. 9 is a side elevational cross sectional view which illustrates another embodiment of the shutter curtain; Fig. 10 is an operational view which illustrates a state where the shutter curtain is wound to form a coil-like shape having a small diameter; Figs. 11A to 11D are enlarged cross sectional views which illustrate a variety of junctions; and Figs. 12A and 12B are side elevational cross sectional views which illustrate modified sub-slats.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Referring to the drawings, reference numeral 1 represents a shutter curtain for a shutter for a a a ou a ere oaw* 0.

0 0 o o u o• o 0 a a 0 0 *i 6 6 8FD/1275t N~s o L- i -4building, the shutter curtain 1 being wound to a take-up drum 2 fitted to a portion above an opening of building. The shutter curtain 1 is arranged in such a manner that it is guided by guide rails 3 disposed on the two sides of the opening so that it is vertically moved to be opened/shut.

The shutter curtain 1 is constituted in such a manner that main slats 4, each of which is made of a rigid material such as metal exemplified by steel, aluminum and the like or synthetic resin, each of which is employed in conventional shutter curtains, and sub-slats made of a material having weak rigidity and elasticity such as spring steel, synthetic resin and the like, are alternately connected.

The shutter curtain 1 can be wound to the take-up drum 2 in such a manner that the sub-slats 5 having weak rigidity are elastically deformed and curved.

According to the embodiment of the present invention constituted as described above, the building opening is opened/shut by moving upwards/downwards the shutter curtain 1 whilst it is guided by the guide rails 3. According to the shutter curtain 1 thus-formed, the presence of undesirable gaps in the junction portions between connected slats can be eliminated, the gaps being involved in the conventional structure in which the rigid slats are connected by utilizing interlocking in such a manner that the rigid slats can be folded. As a result, the generation of noise due to collisions of the slats can be prevented, the noise being generated when the shutter is being opened/shut or the same is exposed to the wind. Therefore, a silent shutter exhibiting low noise for a building can be constituted.

SFurthermore, since the gaps can be eliminated from the junctions between the slats, the shutter curtain according to this embodiment possesses satisfactory advantages in terms of preventing fire, stopping smoke and insulating sound.

In addition, the shutter curtain according to this embodiment is wound to the take-up drum 2 in such a manner that the sub-slats S having elasticity and flexibility are bent in place of the main slats 4. Therefore, it can be smoothly wound to form a coil-like shape, similarly to conventional structures having interlocking connections.

e e a BFD/1275t ,I I 'Vlp~, nv-; i'A',4' :r$l~ i~l" ;rl i; l)g r:I 1 7~ r ilirri~:~liU1Ii: iil(~i_ c i- The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment if the structure is arranged in such a manner that the slats possessing strong rigidity, i.e. the main slats, and the slats possessing weak rigidity but possessing elasticity, i.e. the sub-slats, are used in series to form the shutter curtain. Therefore, other structures described below may be employed.

The shutter curtain may be structured according to embodiments the pattern of each of which is shown in Fig. 1 to 2. Although some of the embodiments show the slats joined by rivets 7, the slats could as easily be connected with bent end portions engaging a recess on an adjacent slat, such as is shown in Figs. 1B, 1C, IF, and others. Thus the embodiments which show riveted connections serve to generally indicate the variety of shapes which the slats may have, and should not be construed as being limited to slats having riveted connections.

Referring to each of these pattern drawings, continuous lines show the rigid main slats and the dashed lines show the elastic sub-slats.

Referring to Fig. 1, a structure is shown which is arranged in such a manner that the main slats and/or the sub-slats are in the form of a U-like-shape facing side (Figs. 1A to 1C). Other structures as modifications to the U-shaped facing side are shown which are arranged in such a manner that the main slats and/or the sub-slats are respectively in the form of a figure-Z-like shape, semicircular-like shape, waveform like shape, zigzag shape and projections/recesses (see Figs. ID to IH). Furthermore, another structure is arranged in such a manner that a plurality of the main slats 4 or the sub-slats 5 are connected in series (see Figs. II to 1J). In addition, a structure is shown in which the sub-slats 5 are arranged to be longer than the main slats 4 (see Fig 1K).

In addition, as shown in Fig. 2, the shutter curtain having the recesses because the slats are in the form of the U-shaped facing side may be arranged in such a manner that these recesses are filled with heat insulating materials 6. In this case, any structure can be selected to obtain a desired property from a group consisting of a structure in which the recessed portions of the main slats are filled with the heat insulating material 6 (see Fig. 2A), a structure in which C tq 4 CO ae a Ce 4 a o BFD/1275t 1 iiii I i: 9 aci ;iY I: i r -6the recessed portions of the sub-slats are filled with the heat insulating materials 6 (see Fig. 2B) and a structure in which the recessed portions of the main slats 4 and the sub-slats 5 are filled with the heat insulating materials 6 (see Fig. 2C). In a case where the sub-slats are filled with the heat insulating materials, it is preferable that the heat .1 o O Ce cw 0 0 0* 0r Of

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The heat insulating material may, of course, be selected from foamed or non-foamed synthetic resin materials exemplified by a polyurethane resin material (any one of a hard material, a semi-hard material and a soft material), a denaturated polyisocyanurate resin material exhibiting excellent heat insulating characteristics, a polyethylene resin material, a polystylene resin material, a urea resin ,material, a phenol resin material and a polyvinyl chloride resin material. Furthermore, the following heat insulating materials may be employed solely or in a properly combined manner: various rubber materials possessing elasticity such as natural rubber and synthetic rubber; various inorganic heat insulating materials such as glass wool, rock wool, calcium ,solicate, perlite and vacuumlite; natural heat insulating materials such as cork; and brick materials such as heat insulating brick. The heat insulating material may be fastened to the slats by utilizing the adhesive strength of the material such as the polyurethane resin material which is exhibited during its chemical reaction, if the strength can be utilized. In addition, one or a plurality of known methods shown below can be selected to be adapted to the selected heat insulating material: adhesion, pasting, welding, fastening

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A structure in which the main and the sub-slats 4 and 5 are in the form t'-like-shape may employ the following connecting means as a structure in which no rivet is used. That is, the two end portions of the main slat 4 may each have a recess in the form of holding groove portions 4f which project toward the inside portion of the building and which have openings facing outside. Furthermore, fastening holes 4g are formed in the holding groove portions 4t. In addition, the two end portions of the sub-slat 5 have fastening portions 5f projecting toward the inside portion of the building, the fastening portions respectively having fastening tongues 5g. The fastening portions 5f of the sub-slat are inserted into the holding groove portions 4f of the main slat 4 in such a manner that the fastening tongues 5g are fitted within the fastening holes 4g so that the main slats 4 and the sub-slats 5 are connected. As a result, the slats, each of which is in the form of a U-like-shape, can easily be connected while preventing the separation of the same from each other.

Another structure may be employed in which such fastening holes and fastening portions are formed for the purpose of connecting them while preventing the separation. That is, an embodiment shown in Fig.

4A is arranged in such a manner that the shape of a fastening member formed in the sub-slat 5 is constituted by a pair of

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6 F 2 -9confronting projecting elements formed by cutting in such a manner that an angle made by the confronting projecting elements are increased in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the slat. Also in this case, the displacement of the slats in the lengthwise direction of the slat and as well as the separation of the slats can be assuredly prevented. Another embodiment arranged shown in Fig. 4B may be employed in which the two fastening portions 5f of the sub-slat 5 respectively have raised fastening members 5i which are formed by cutting and which are arranged in such a manner that either side (according to this embodiment, the left side when viewed in the drawing) of the fastening member 5i is moderately inclined and another side is steeply inclined. In this case, only the movement of the sub-slats 5 to the left with respect to the position of the main slat 4 is allowed after the slat.

4 and 5 are connected. As a result, an advantage can be realized in that any one of the main slats 4 and the subslats 5 can be removed and exchanged, if necessary. An embodiment shown in Fig. 4C is arranged in such a manner .:that fastening members 5j, each of which has two side portions which are moderately expanded in the lengthwise 71 direction of the sub-slat 5, are formed in the sub-slats According to this embodiment, the side movement of the subslats 5 in the lengthwise direction of the main slats 5 is o iii I~ allowed. Therefore, an advantage can be realized in that any of the main slats 4 and the sub-slats 5 are removed and exchanged, if necessary. Furthermore, embodiments shown in Figs. 4D and 4E are arranged in such a manner that fastening members 5k and 51 are formed which moderately expand in the three directions, that is, the two directions in the lenqthwise direction of the sub-slat 5 and the direction into which the sub-slat 5 is forcibly inserted.

Furthermore, only the portion of the sub-slat 5 opposite to its insertion portion into the holding groove portion 4f is expanded to form a step portion. As a result, only the lengthwise movement of the sub-slat 5 with respect to the position of the main slat 4 is allowed.

A developed connecting pattern shown in Figs. 5A and may be employed in which the holding groove portions 4f, which are arranged similarly to the above-described embodiments, are formed in the main slats 4. Furthermore, the fastening members 4h and 4i extending to sufficiently reach the sub-slat 5 are formed in the two front portions of the main slats 4. The adjacent fastening mermers 4h and 4i are fastened to each other by desirably bending them at the portion around the sub-slat 5 (interlocked). A structure may be employed in which the shutter curtain constituted as described above is arranged to have the subslats which are made of an elastic material which possesses ao 4 4 a .C 8 -11insufficient resistance against heat and cool. As a result, a problem of the breakage and drop of the shutter curtain can be assuredly prevented by virtue of the interlocking of the fastening members 4h and 4i of the main slats 4 made of a rigid material even if the sub-slats have been burnt off or broken down. Furthermore, another structure shown in Fig. 5C may be employed in which holding groove portions 5m having fastening holes 5n are formed in the sub-slats 5 and fastening portions 4m having fastening members 4n are provided for the main slats 4, so that they are connected in an inverted manner to that according to the above-described embodiments. In addition, another structure shown in Fig.5D may be employed in which the end portions of the sub-slats 5 are further folded toward the inside portion of the building to form stepped front ends 50 to which raised fastening members formed by cutting in the main slats 4 are fastened.

The shutter curtain 1 thus connected is usually wound to the take-up drum 2 to form a coil-like shape. It can be applied to a variety of accommodation methods such as a method shown in Fig. 6A and arranged in such a manner that the shutter curtain 1 is accommodated in a coil-like Ian which V accommodating rail 8 and that shown in Fig. in which the same is accommodated in a horizontal accommodating rail 8a from the guide rails 3 via curved rails. Furthermore, aet o V a a ft i -12the direction in which the shutter curtain is moved is not limited to the vertical direction. The shutter curtain according to the present invention can be used in a lateral movement shutter, that is, so-called a horizontally-moving shutter.

Then, the winding of the shutter curtain 1 to the take-uo drum 2 will now be described. The shutter curtain 1 having the slats 4 and 5 which are respectively in the form of U-like-shape is wound to the take-up drum 2 in a' forward winding state, in which the U-shape opening side of the slats faces the take-up drum 2 (inside), and a reverse winding state, in which the same faces the opposite side (outside). The present invention can be employed regardless of the winding direction. Since the shutter curtain 1 is wound in the forward winding state, a preferred example in this case will now be described.

The description will be made about the shutter curtain 1 arranged as shown in Fig. 3. That is, the shutter curtain 1 is constituted by connecting, in series, the main o0 slats 4 made of the rigid material and the sub-slats made 0* of the elastic material. The junctions (the portions in 'which the holding groove portions 4f and fastening portion are fastened to each other) between the slats 4 and respectively in the form of the U-shape are inclined in such a manner that their front portions (end portions in Sa tt P t I t 0 2 *-I 2 1

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Therefore, the portions of junctions 9 and 10 of the adjacent slats on the inside of the building are positioned relatively higher than the outside portions of the same.

As a result, a problem arisen in that water, which downward flows along the outer surface of the shutter curtain at the time of rainiig, is introduced into the junctions can assuredly be prevented. Therefore, excellent weathering characteristics can be obtained.

Furthermore, since the front ends (ends of the openings) of the holding grooves 4f formed in the main slats 4 are folded to expand outward, the fastening portions 5f of the sub-slats 5 can easily be fitted within the holding grooves 4f. In addition, in a case where the sub-slats 5 are, as shown in Fig. 7B, bent in the forward winding state, the sub-slats 5 are moderately curved while forming a large circular arc due to the guiding and supporting actions performed by the above-descried expanded portion. Therefore, the sub-slats can be smoothly elastically deformed, causing a problem arisen in that the front portions of the holding grooves 4f are steeply bent exceeding the elastic limit to be assuredly prevented.

In addition, when the shutter curtain 1 is wound to the take-up drum 2 to form a coil, the junctions 9 and of the adjacent slats 4 and 5 are positioned in such a -7- 'Y L CI 000 k r *0p# 4Y00 1 4r

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The structure, in which the front portion of the junction 9, which is the leading portion at the time of the winding operation, is projected toward the inside portion over the front portion of the junction 10, which is the -0 b D o ,r o, sa oo

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i I m ensuing portion at the time of the winding operation, can be realized, according to an embodiment shown in Fig. 9 r by simply changing the relative length between the junctions 9 and The shutter curtain 1, thus-manufactured are usually delivered from a manufacturing plant in such a manner that they are previously wound to the take-up drums 2. They are respectively individually wound to form coils, the diameter of each of which is made to be as small as possible before they are wound to the winding drums 2. The reason for this lies in that the volume of the coil must be reduced so as to save the accommodating space and a desire of picking up a required piece must be met. In order to achieve this, the two junctions 9 and 10 across the sub-slat 5, which is elastically deformed, are positioned in contact with each other within their elastic deformation below the elasticity limit so as to prevent the further elastic deformation of the sub-slat 5. As a result, when the shutter curtain is handled solely in the manufacturing plant or the installing 0 0 field, the two junctions 9 and 10 across the sub-slat come in contact with each other before the sub-slat 5 is curved over its elastic limit and it cannot thereby be K restored due to an application of a load, which causes the sub-slat to be excessively curved over its elastic limit, *0*S to the sub-slat 5. Therefore, a further excessive curve or 9 i -16the sub-slat 5 can be prevented. As a result, the sub-slat can be assuredly protected from the damage.

When the shutter curtain 1 is wound to the take-up drum 2, the front portion of the junction 9 comes in contact with the take-up drum 2 or the shutter curtain 1 which has been wound. Therefore, there is a fear that they will be damaged. Accordingly, the junctions 9 and 10 are arranged in such a manner that their inner front portions are rounded by folding back the plate, whereby the damage can be effectively prevented. In order to further improve the function of the damage prevention, a structure shown in Fig. 11A may be employed in which the inner front portion is made to be in the form of a rounded shape having a further large diameter. Another structure shown in Fig.

11B may be employed in which a cover 11 is fitted to the junction 9. In this case, the necessity of fitting the cover 11 to the overall length of the junction 9 can be eliminated, and it is therefore partially fitted to the junction 9. If the take-up drum 2 has a large diameter in this case, the ensuing junction 10 will come in contact with the shutter curtain 1 which has been wound. In this case, the cover 11 may be also fitted to the ensuing junction 10. Another embodiment is shown in Fig. 11C in which a cover 12 is extended to reach the ensuing junction 10. Furthermore, another embodiment is shown. in Fig. 11D .0.

-17in which an extension portion 4p is formed by extending the connection portion of the main slat 4 to the portion of the ensuing junction Furthermore, if the structure in which the slats 4 and are in the form of the U-shape facing side is arranged in such a manner that the outer surfaces of all of the slats 4 and 5 form a flat plane when they are extended as shown in Figs. lA and 1I to 1K an advantage can be realized in that the flat plane thus realized can be used as a painting field in which a desired picture or publicity and advertisement letters can be smoothly drawn.

The embodiments shown in Figs. 3 and 7 are suggested in which the surface of the sub-slat 5 is positioned more adjacent to the take-up drum 2 than the surface of the main slat 4. In this case, when the surfaces of the sub-slats are curved in order to wind the shutter curtain 1 to the take-up drum 2, the surfaces expand outward due to the fact that the sub-slats 5 are curved. However, the surfaces of the main slats 4 projecting outwards compensate the abovedescribed expansion. Therefore, a problem, which takes place in that the sub-slats 5 are damaged because the subrvw slats 5 come in contact with the overlapped slat, can be S°"effectively prevented. Therefore, the appearance can be 0 maintained satisfactorily for a long time. The above- 00cS described structure is extremely effective as a measure o0 o U °h o.

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o f' auu -18i: taken to overcome a problem in which the strength of the sub-slat 5 is inevitably insufficient with respect to the strength of the main slat 4 because the sub-slat 5 must be elastically deformed. Another structure is suggested in which the sub-slats 5 are projected outward over the main slats 4. Although no significant advantage cannot be obtained from this, the present invention may be applied to the above-described structure.

Furthermore, when the shutter curtain 1 is wound to the take-up drum 2, the shutter curtain 1, which has been wound, will restore its original state, that is, the flatsurface state due to the restoring force of the sub-slats because the sub-slats 5 are elastically deformed.

Therefore, a fear arises in that the diameter of the wound shutter curtain 1 will be excessively large. The following structure may be employed: the elastical restoring force of the sub-slats 5, which are elastically deformed when they are wound to the take-up drum 2, is arranged to be substantially the same or smaller than the rewinding force of the shutter curtain 1 realized due to the dead weight of the shutter curtain 1 which has be rewound from the take-up drum 2. As a result, when the shutter curtain 1 is wound to the take-up drum 2, the rewinding force due to the dead weight of the rewound shutter curtain 1 becomes the same or large than the elastical restoring force of the sub-slats *0 0 9

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9 -19- Therefore, the undesirable restoration of the sub-slats in the portion of the shutter curtain 1 which has been wound to the take-up drum 2 can be prevented. As a result, the problem of the excessive expansion of the diameter of the coiled shutter curtain 1 can be assuredly prevented, the excessive expansion being due to loosening of the wound shutter curtain 1. Therefore, a problem taken place in that the shutter curtain 1 is wound disorderly can be assuredly prevented.

Another means for preventing the expansion of the diameter of the coiled shutter curtain will now be described. The sub-slats 5 are previously arranged in such a manner that they are naturally forward wound as shown in Fig. 12A in a case where the shutter curtain 1 is, as described above, wound forward. Furthermore, the sub-slats are previously arranged in such a manner that they are naturally reversely wound as shown in Fig. 12B in a case where the shutter curtain 1 is, as described above, wound forward. In addition, when the shutter curtain 1 is rewound from the take-up drum 2, the sub-slats 5 are elastically deformed due to the weight of the shutter curtain 1 which has been rewound. As a result, the attitude can be corrected and a flat surface is realized.

According to the structure thus-constituted, the problems of an excessive expansion of the coil diameter due to the o re o a coo c o or r or ooo o u o a r e I, ro r

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i 1~ I~ r i restoring force of the sub-slats when the shutter curtain 1 is wound can be prevented. Furthermore, winding of the shutter curtain 1 can be smoothly performed during winding of the shutter curtain 1 performed against the dead weight of the rewound shutter curtain 1.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularly, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been changed in the details of construction and" the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

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Claims

1. A shutter curtain for a building opening comprising: main slats made of a rigid material; and sub-slats made of a material having elasticity, said main slats and sub-slats having slat surfaces to constitute the shutter curtain, wherein: said main slats and said sub-slats are positioned adjacently; two end portions of each main slat and sub-slat are bent towards a first surface of said shutter curtain, one bent portion of either slat of each pair of adjacent slats has a recess on a second surface of said shutter curtain, and one end portion of the other one of each pair of adjacent slats is pressed from said second surface into the respective recess, thereby connecting each pair of slats to form said shutter curtain; and said shutter curtain is wound onto a take-up drum in such a manner that it is wound to form a coil-like shape due to elastic deformations of said sub-slats which enable said sub-slats to be curved when said sub-slats are wound onto the take-up drum.

2. A shutter curtain according to Claim 1, wherein said main slats and/or said sub-slats are in the form of a I-like-shape realized by bending. o 5 Cs.,

3. A slats and/or semicircular

4. A of said slat A of said slat

6. A of said slat shutter curtain according to Claim 1, wherein said main said sub-slats are in the form of a substantially shape realized by bending. shutter curtain according to Claim 1, wherein at least one surfaces is shaped in a waveform. shutter curtain according to Claim 1, wherein at least one surfaces is in the form of a zigzag shape. shutter curtain according to Claim 1, wherein at least one surfaces is in a form substantially composed of projections and recesses.

7. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, o wherein said shutter curtain is wound onto a take-up drum in such a manner that it is wound to form a roil-like shape due to elastic BFD/1185t ji i:q 1-3 i -22- deformations of said sub-slats and said sub-slats are previously curved to be adapted to an attitude realized when said sub-slats are wound onto said take-up drum.

8. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims I to 7, wherein said end portions of said slats are bent toward the inside portion of the building and said end portions, which have been bent, are integrally secured to each other to form a series of connected shapes.

9. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein said end portions of said slats positioned adjacently are bent toward the inside portion of the building, said bent portions are integrally secured to each other so as to be connecting portions for realizing a series of connected bodies and at least one of said connecting portions is further folded back to form overlapping connecting portions. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 wherein a holding groove portion having an opening facing said slat positioned adjacently is formed in at least either of said end portions of said slats which are positioned adjacently and another end portion is fitted within said holding groove so as to be connected in series.

11. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 wherein said two en portions of one of said adjacent slats have holding grooves projecting toward the inside portion of the building and have openings facing the outside of the building and projecting fastening portions formed toward the inside portion of the building in the two end portions of another slat are forcibly fitted within said holding grooves so as to form a series of connected bodies.

12. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 or 11, wherein said main slats and said sub-slats are alternately connected, said two end portions of said main slats have holding grooves projecting toward the inside portion of the building and have openings facing the outside portion of the building and projecting fastening portions formed toward the inside portion of the building in the two end portions of said sub-slats are forcibly fitted within said holding grooves so as to form a series of connected bodies. Eo I r a r I r I I rrto cr r o o a r: rr rrt~ ri c rr E OCT C r EECCCL .re BFD/ I I 85t -23-

13. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, 11 or 12, wherein said two end portions of said main slats have holding grooves projecting toward the inside portion of the building and have openings facing the outside portion of the building, projecting fastening portions formed toward the inside portion of the building in the two end portions of said sub-slats are forcibly fitted within said holding grooves so as to form a series of connected bodies and a front portion of said fastening portion is bent to expand outward.

14. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 or 11, wherein said two end portions of one of said adjacent slats have holding grooves projecting toward the inside portion of the building and have openings facing the outside portion of the building, projecting fastening portions formed toward the inside portion of the building in the two end portions of another slat are forcibly fitted within said holding grooves so as to form a series of connected bodies and a front portions of said connected bodies are in the form of a rounded shape. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 or 11, wherein said main slats and said sub-slats are alternately connected, said two end portions of said sub-slats have holding grooves projecting toward the inside portion of the building and have openings facing the outside portion of the building and projecting fastening portions formed toward the inside portion of the building in the two end portions of said main slat are forcibly fitted within said holding grooves so as to form a series of connected bodies.

16. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 or 11, wherein said two end portions of one of said adjacent slats have holding grooves projecting toward the inside portion of the building and have openings facing the outside portion of the building, projecting fastening portions formed toward the inside portion of the building in the two end portions of another slat are forcibly fitted within said holding grooves so as to form a series of connected body a and the slat surfaces of said adjacent slats form a flat surface. e e BFD/18. BFD/185 Qim -24-

17. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims I to 9 or 11, wherein said take-up drum is disposed in a shutter case, said two end portions of said main slats have holding grooves projecting toward the inside portion of the building and have openings facing the outside portion of the building, projecting fastening portions formed toward the inside portion of the building in the two end portions of said sub-slats are forcibly fitted within said holding grooves so as to form a series of connected bodies, said shutter curtain is wound to said take-up drum due to an elastic deformation of said sub-slats and the surfaces of said sub-slats are positioned closer to said take-up drum than the surfaces of said adjacent main slats.

18. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims I to 9 or 11, wherein said two end portions of one of said adjacent slats have holding grooves projecting toward the inside portion of the building and have openings facing the outside portion of the building, projecting fastening portions formed toward the inside portion of the building in the two end portions of another slat are forcibly fitted within said holding grooves so as to form a series of connected bodies and a cover is fastened to the junctions of said slats from the inner portion of the building.

19. A shutter curtain according to Claim 18, wherein said take-up drum is disposed in a shutter case and said covert Is at least fastened to a leading junction of two adjacent junctions when they are wound onto said take-up drum with respect to said sub-slat.

20. A shutter curtain according to Claim 18, whereln said cover is fastened to either junction of two adjacent junctions and said cover is extended to cover the other junction.

21. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims 1 to wherein junctions projecting toward the inside portion of the building are formed in the two vertical end portions of each of said slats, said junctions are overlapped to integrally form a connected body and elther of said junctions has a cover extending to another junction to cover the other junction. r a c I ro I I 1% 1I4 :o ors ru V.- BFD/II185t L- I nL _rr r i L i

22. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims 1 to wherein junctions projecting toward the inside portion of the building are formed in the two end portions of each of said slats, said junctions are overlapped to be integrally connected, said shutter curtain is structured so as to be curved due to an elastic deformation of said sub-slats, fastening portions extending to said sub-slats are formed in said junctions of said main slats and said fastening portions are positioned adjacently are fastened to each other at said sub-slats by bending them.

23. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims 1 to wherein said take-up drum is disposed in a shutter case, said main slats and said sub-slats are alternately disposed, junctions projecting toward the inside portion of the building are formed in the two end portions of said main slats, junctions projecting toward the inside portion of the building and formed ir the two end portions of said sub-slats are overlapped with said junctions of said main slats so as to be integrally connected, said overlapped junctions of said sub-slats define a leading junction and a following junction, said leading junction is wound onto said take-up drum prior to said following junction, said shutter curtain is structured to be wound onto said take-up drum due to an elastic deformation of said sub-slats to form a coil-like shape, said following junction is arranged to be positioned radially outside of said leading junction when said shutter curtain has been wound onto said take-up drum.

24. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims I to 0:0: wherein said take-up drum is disposed In a shutter case, said main slats and said sub-slats are alternately disposed, junctions projecting 0 toward the Inside portion of the building are formed in the two end portions of said main slats, junctions projecting toward the inside portion of the building and formed in the two end portions of said 0 o0 sub-slats are overlapped with said junctions of said main slats so as to be integrally connected, said shutter curtain is structured to be 0:00 wound onto said take-up drum due to an elastic deformation of said :01' sub-slats to form a coil-like shape and said two junctions across the 0 surface of said sub-slats which are elastically deformed are brought 0 *ot Ir W .1 1 1:- j c c:. i__jL-i: ii -26- into contact with each other within their elastic deformation, below their elastic limit, so as to prevent further elastic deformations of said sub-slats. A shutter curtain according to any one of claims I to wherein said main slats and said sub-slats are alternately connected to each other, holding groove portions projecting toward the inside portion of the building and having an opening facing the outside portion of the building are formed in the two end portions of said main slats, fastening portions projecting toward the inside portion of the building formed In the two end portions of said sub-slats are forcibly fitted within said holding groove portions, fastening holes are formed in said holding groove portions, fastening members having expanding surfaces confronting the surface of said slats are formed in said fastening portions by cutting and said fastening members are fastened to said fastening holes by forcibly fitting said fastening portions into said holding grooves so that said fastening portions are stopped.

26. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims 1 to 20 or wherein said main slats and said sub-slats are alternately connected, two end portions of said main slats have holding grooves projecting toward the Inside portion of the building and have openings facing the outside portion of the building and projecting fastening portions formed toward the Inside portion of the building In the two end portions of said sub-slat are forcibly fitted within said holding grooves, fastening holes are formed In said holding groove portions and fastening portions to be fastened into said fastening holes are formed in said fastening portions in such a manner that any one side In the lengthwise direction of said sub-slat is moderately expanded so as not to be fastened into said fastening hole and the three other sides are expanded to form a step so as to be fastened to said fastening hole.

27. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims 1 to 20 or wherein said main slats and said sub-slats are alternately connected, two end portions of said main slats have holding grooves projecting toward the inside portion of the building and have openings facing the outside portion of the building and projecting fastening portions formed toward the inside portion of the building in the two end portions of said sub-slat are forcibly fitted within said holding a. C CI 4c c cC .1 ,a. BFD/1185t i I L n .c -27- grooves, fastening holes are formed in said holding groove portions and fastening portions to be fastened into said fastening holes are formed in said fastening portions in such a manner that two end portions in the lengthwise direction of said sub-slat are moderately expanded so as not to be fastened into said fastening hole and the two end portions in the direction in which said fastening portion is forcibly inserted is expanded to form a step so as to be fastened to said fastening hole.

28. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims 1 to 20 or wherein said main slats and said sub-slats are alternately connected, two end portions of said main slats have holding grooves projecting toward the inside portion of the building and have openings facing the outside portion of the building and projecting fastening portions formed toward the inside portion of the building In the two end portions of said sub-slat are forcibly fitted within said holding grooves, fastening holes are formed In said holding groove portions and fastening portions to be fastened into said fastening holes are formed in said fastening portions in such a manner that the sides composed of the two end portions In the lengthwise direction of said sub-slat and a side In a direction Into which said fastening portion is fastened into said fastening hole are expanded moderately so as not to be fastened to said fastening hole and only the side opposite to said fastening direction Is expanded to form a step so as to be fastened Into said fastening hole.

29. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims I to 9, wherein said shutter curtain is guided by a vertically disposed guide rail so as to vertically open/shut said opening, holding groove portions projecting toward the inside portion of the building and having openings facing the outside portion of the building are formed in the two end portions of either of said slats and projecting fastening portions toward the inside portion of the building formed in the two end portions of the other slats are forcibly fitted within said holding groove portions so that said main slats and said sub-slats are o: connected in series. 4t& BFD/1185t MAW I -28- A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 or 29, said opening having two lateral end portions wherein said shutter curtain is guided by a pair of vertically disposed guide rails positioned on the two lateral end portions of said opening so as to move vertically to open/shut said opening, holding groove portions projecting toward the inside portion of the building and having openings facing the outside portion of the building are formed in the two end portions of either of slats positioned adjacently, projecting fastening portions toward the inside portion of the building formed in the two end portions of the other slats are forcibly fitted within said holding groove portions so that said main slats and said sub-slats are connected in series and junctions of said slats are respectively inclined in such a manner that their portions facing the outside portion of the building are positioned at relatively lower positions and their portions facing the inside portion of the building is positioned at relatively high positions.

31. A shutter curtain according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein said shutter curtain is guided by a horizontally disposed guide rails so as to laterally open/shut said opening, holding groove portions projecting toward the inside portion of the building and having openings facing the outside portion of the building are formed in the two end portions of either of said slats and projecting fastening portions toward the inside portion of the building formed in the two end portions of the other slats are forcibly fitted within said holding groove portions so that said main slats and said sub-slats are connected in series.

32. A shutter curtain substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. DATED this SEVENTEENTH day of MAY 1994 Sanwa Shutter Corporation I r r I i r~c: Iira o r rr C t Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON BFD/1185t r:i ;I i r -e n- I JI i L 1 C.2tr, ~uYi~- i__ Shutter Curtain for Shutter for Building ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A shutter curtain to be wound on a take-up drum for a shutter for a building comprising: slats each of which is made of materials having different rigidity values, wherein the shutter curtain is formed by arranging the slats in series. The shutter curtain for a shutter for a building comprises: main slats made of a rigid material; and sub-slats made of a material having elasticity, wherein two end portions of the main and sub-slats are connected in series. Fig. 7A ri ur air, u*r r ir r a Ic o r o i BFD/1275t i i i Ir.: ii