JP7720193B2 - middle pillar - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a center post, and in one preferred embodiment, to a center post for a waterproof shutter.

In recent years, sudden heavy rainfall caused by abnormal weather has become more frequent, resulting in flooding of subway stations and building basements in urban areas. In emergencies, it may be necessary to install them at the entrances of buildings to prevent water from entering the building. Furthermore, there are also cases, not just during sudden heavy rainfall, where it may be necessary to close building openings in a waterproof state to prevent water from entering the building.

As exemplified in Patent Document 1, a waterproof shutter has been proposed that closes a building opening in a waterproof state. When the waterproof shutter is in a waterproof state, a continuous waterproof structure is formed on three sides: between adjacent panels above and below the shutter curtain in the fully closed position, between both widthwise ends of the shutter curtain and the guide body, and between the bottom end of the shutter curtain and the floor.

The waterproof shutter described in Patent Document 1 comprises a shutter curtain having a first surface portion on a first side and a second surface portion on a second side, which closes the building opening and separates it into the first and second sides; and a horizontal compression means that abuts against the first surface portion of the shutter curtain when it is fully closed and compresses the door body horizontally from the first side to the second side. A center pillar is installed on the second side of the shutter curtain when it is fully closed, facing closely to or in contact with the second surface portion of the shutter curtain, allowing the shutter curtain to maintain its watertight function even when a large water pressure acts on it when it is in a watertight state.

In such waterproof shutters, the number of center posts required is determined by the opening width and the strength of each center post. Therefore, if the number of center posts is to be reduced, the strength of each center post must be increased. The center post described in Patent Document 1 has a main body with a rectangular cross-section. In order to increase the strength of this main body, the cross-sectional area must be increased. In order to increase the cross-sectional area while maintaining the same external dimensions, the rectangular wall thickness must be increased. As a result, the effective internal volume is reduced, and there is a risk that the center post's mechanism cannot be accommodated. Furthermore, for maintenance of the center post's mechanism, part of the rectangular wall (which also contributes to the center post's strength) needs to be removable using screws, but connecting part of the wall using screws may affect the strength of the center post.
Patent Publication No. 2015-175155

The present invention aims to provide a center post with a distinctive body shape.

The technical means adopted by the present invention are:
A center pole that is installed on the indoor side of a shutter curtain that is in a fully closed state and can abut against the indoor side of the shutter curtain,
the center pillar includes an upper locking rod that can be protruded from the upper end of the main body and/or a lower locking rod that can be protruded from the lower end of the main body via a linkage mechanism in response to operation of the operating part;
The main body of the center column includes a projection portion that can abut against the indoor side surface portion, and a projection portion that extends from a widthwise intermediate portion of the projection portion toward the indoor side.
The center pillar.
In one embodiment, the main body is provided with a rear facing portion at the indoor end of the facing portion, the rear facing portion facing the facing portion.
In other words, in this embodiment, the main body of the center pillar has an H-shaped cross section, consisting of a facing portion and a rear facing portion that are spaced apart, and a facing portion that extends in the facing direction from the widthwise middle portion of the facing portion and the rear facing portion.
The main body may have a T-shaped cross section, with a facing portion that can abut against the indoor side surface and a facing portion that extends from a widthwise intermediate portion of the facing portion toward the indoor side.

In one aspect, in the main body, a rear facing portion facing the facing portion is provided at the indoor end of the facing portion, and the facing portion and the rear facing portion extend over the entire height of the center column,
The projection portion has a height dimension smaller than that of the projection portion and the rear projection portion, and the upper end and/or the lower end of the projection portion does not reach the upper end and/or the lower end of the center pillar.
In one aspect, an upper end of the projection portion is located lower than an upper end of the main body,
In the main body, a support portion for the upper locking rod is formed above the upper end of the projection portion.
In one aspect, the support portion of the upper locking rod includes an upper end surface of the main body and an upper side surface below the upper end surface and facing the upper end surface at a distance,
The upper portion of the upper locking rod passes through the upper end surface, and the lower portion of the upper locking rod passes through the upper side surface.
In one aspect, the main body has left and right upper front surface portions that connect the widthwise ends of the opposing front portion and rear front portion in the front direction, at least in a portion located above the upper side surface.
In one aspect, the body has a visible dimension greater than its visible dimension.

In one aspect, the interlocking mechanism includes an upper interlocking mechanism that moves the upper locking rod up and down in conjunction with the operation of the operating unit,
the upper linkage mechanism includes an upper elongated element extending above the operating unit, and a pivotal connecting element connected between an upper end of the upper elongated element and a lower end of the upper locking rod,
The upper end of the upper elongate element is located above the upper end of the projection portion.
In one aspect, the projection portion extends in the height direction at the center portion in the width direction,
the upper elongated element extends along one surface of the projection portion and is offset from the center in the width direction;
The pivotal connecting element and the upper locking rod are located at the center in the width direction.
In one aspect, a lower end of the projection portion is located higher than a lower end of the main body,
In the main body, a support portion for the lower locking rod is formed below the lower end of the projection portion.
In one aspect, the support portion of the lower locking rod includes a lower end surface of the main body and a lower side surface that is spaced apart from and faces the lower end surface above the lower end surface,
The lower portion of the lower locking rod passes through the lower end surface, and the upper portion of the lower locking rod passes through the lower side surface.
In one aspect, the main body has left and right lower front surface portions that connect the widthwise ends of the opposing front portion and rear front portion in the front direction, at least in a portion located below the lower surface.

In one aspect, the interlocking mechanism includes a lower interlocking mechanism that moves the lower locking rod up and down in conjunction with the operation of the operating unit,
the lower interlocking mechanism includes a first lower elongated element extending below the operating unit, a second lower elongated element connected to a lower end of the first lower elongated element, and a connecting element connected between the lower end of the second lower elongated element and an upper end of the lower locking rod,
The lower end of the second lower elongate element is located below the lower end of the projection portion.
In one aspect, the projection portion extends in the height direction at the center portion in the width direction,
the first lower elongate element and the second lower elongate element extend along one surface of the projection portion, and are offset from the center in the width direction;
The lower locking rod connected to the connecting element is located at the center in the width direction.

In one aspect, the interlocking mechanism comprises:
an upper interlocking mechanism located on one side of the projection portion and configured to raise and lower the upper locking rod;
a lower interlocking mechanism located on one side of the projection portion and configured to raise and lower the lower locking rod;
a rotation element located on the other side of the projection portion and rotating in conjunction with the rotation operation of the operation portion,
The upper interlocking mechanism and the lower interlocking mechanism are connected to the rotating element via a shaft portion that passes through an opening formed in the recess.

In one aspect, left and right cover bodies are detachably provided on the main body so as to face the left and right prospective surfaces of the prospective portion at a distance,
The interlocking mechanism is housed in the space between the projection and the cover body.
In one aspect, the cover body is detachably attached to a plurality of connecting pieces fixed to the projection portion.
In one aspect, the main body of the center post has an H-shaped cross section consisting of a facing portion and a rear facing portion that are spaced apart and a facing portion that extends in the facing direction from a widthwise intermediate portion of the facing portion and the rear facing portion,
The facing portion and the rear facing portion extend over the entire height of the center pillar,
The main body includes left and right upper prospective surface portions that connect the widthwise ends of the upper portions of the opposing prospective portion and the rear prospective portion in the prospective direction, and left and right lower prospective surface portions that connect the widthwise ends of the lower portions of the opposing prospective portion and the rear prospective portion in the prospective direction,
The height dimension of the left and right cover bodies is smaller than the height dimension of the center pillar,
The left and right visible surfaces of the center pillar consist of the left and right cover bodies, the left and right upper visible surface portions, and the left and right lower visible surface portions.

The center post of the present invention employs a main body consisting of a facing portion that can abut against the indoor side of the shutter curtain, and a recessed portion that extends indoors from the middle of the facing portion in the width direction. By increasing the thickness of the recessed portion, it is possible to improve the strength of the center post.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the waterproof shutter (fully closed position) according to the present embodiment, as viewed from the indoor side. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a waterproof shutter according to this embodiment, with the left side being the outdoor side and the right side being the indoor side. This is a front view of the shutter curtain of the waterproof shutter of this embodiment as seen from the indoor side, and a diagram showing the vertical compression mechanism above the shutter curtain. This is a diagram showing a longitudinal cross-section of the shutter curtain of the waterproof shutter of this embodiment and the vertical compression mechanism, where the left figure shows the state before the shutter curtain is in the fully closed position, the center figure shows the shutter curtain in the fully closed position (non-vertical compression state), and the right figure shows the shutter curtain in the fully closed position (vertical compression state). This is a cross-sectional view of the end portion in the opening width direction of the panel shutter in the fully closed position (non-horizontal compression state), and is a partially enlarged view of the upper part of Figure 34. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the end portion in the opening width direction of the panel shutter in the fully closed position (horizontally compressed state), and is a partially enlarged view of the upper part of FIG. 29. FIG. 10 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of a panel shutter in a fully closed position (vertical compression state/horizontal compression state). 1A and 1B are a top view and a front view of a top panel according to the present embodiment, respectively, as viewed from the indoor side. FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged view of the top view of FIG. 8 . FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view (viewed from direction A) of a top panel according to this embodiment, with the left side being the outdoor side and the right side being the indoor side. FIG. 2 is a side view of the top panel according to the present embodiment, with the left side being the indoor side and the right side being the outdoor side. 1A and 1B are a top view and a front view, respectively, of a panel (intermediate panel) according to the present embodiment, as viewed from the indoor side. FIG. 2 is a front view of the panel (intermediate panel) according to the present embodiment, showing the spaces partitioned within the panel. FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged view of the top view of FIG. 11 . FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view (viewed from direction B) of a panel (intermediate panel) according to this embodiment, with the left side being the outdoor side and the right side being the indoor side. 1A and 1B are a front view and a bottom view of a panel (intermediate panel) according to the present embodiment, as viewed from the outdoor side. FIG. 1 is a side view of a panel (intermediate panel) according to this embodiment, with the left side facing the indoor side and the right side facing the outdoor side. FIG. 2 is a front view of the bottom panel according to the embodiment, as viewed from the indoor side. FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view (viewed from direction C) of a bottom panel according to this embodiment, with the left side being the outdoor side and the right side being the indoor side. FIG. 2 is a side view of the bottom panel according to the present embodiment, with the left side facing indoors and the right side facing outdoors. 1 shows the lower end portion of the bottom panel (movable seat plate) according to this embodiment, with the upper figure being a front view and the lower figure being a bottom view. 5 is a partially enlarged view of the center of FIG. 4, showing the state in which the lower end portion of the upper panel and the upper end portion of the lower panel fit together in the fully closed position and non-vertical compression state. 4A and 4B are enlarged views of the right side of FIG. 4A, showing the state in which the lower end portion of the upper panel and the upper end portion of the lower panel are fitted together in the fully closed position and vertically compressed state. The left image shows the upper and lower panels descending in a vertical position, the center image shows the upper panel displaced indoors relative to the lower panel as it descends, and the right image shows the upper panel displaced outdoors relative to the lower panel as it descends. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of the left side of FIG. 4, showing the lower end portion of the bottom panel before landing. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of the center part of FIG. 4, showing the lower end part of the bottom panel when the device is placed on the floor (non-vertical compression state). FIG. 2 is a view showing an elastic water-stopping member. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a state in which an elastic water-stopping member is fitted into a groove portion of an indoor side portion of a panel (partially enlarged view of the indoor side portion in the left diagram of FIG. 4). 21 is a partially enlarged view of the indoor side portion in FIG. 20, illustrating a state in which the elastic water-stopping member fitted in the groove is vertically compressed in the fully closed position. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a state in which the elastic water-stopping member is fitted into a groove in the indoor side portion of the base plate (in an unpressurized state), and is a partially enlarged view of the indoor side portion in FIG. 22. FIG. This shows a state in which the elastic water-stopping member fitted into the groove is vertically compressed in the fully closed position (a partially enlarged view of the outdoor side portion in the right diagram of Figure 4). This is a cross-sectional view of the panel shutter of this embodiment in a fully closed position (horizontal compression state), where the upper figure is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate panel or bottom panel, the middle figure is a cross-sectional view of the movable seat plate portion of the bottom panel, and the lower figure is a bottom view of the seat plate. 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between an elastic water-stopping member and a watertight rubber member provided across the width of the indoor side of the shutter curtain. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a lower portion including a bottom panel in a fully closed position (vertical compression state/horizontal compression state) of the panel shutter according to the present embodiment. FIG. 23 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 22 showing the relay cable of the cord reel (the cover for storing the relay cable is not shown). 10 is a partially enlarged view showing the cord pull-out portion of the cord reel on the indoor facing surface of the bottom panel. FIG. This is a cross-sectional view of the panel shutter of this embodiment in a fully closed position (non-horizontal compression state), where the upper figure is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate panel or top panel, the middle figure is a cross-sectional view of the movable seat plate portion of the bottom panel, and the lower figure is a view of the bottom of the seat plate. This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the shutter curtain in a fully closed position (non-vertical compression state), where the left figure is a vertical cross-sectional view of the middle part of the panel widthwise, and the right figure is a vertical cross-sectional view of the end part of the panel widthwise. This is a partially enlarged view of the right side of Figure 35. 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the airtight member provided across the width of the outdoor portion of the shutter curtain and the smoke-blocking material provided on the guide body. FIG. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing another embodiment of the airtight structure when the shutter curtain is in a fully closed position. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing still another embodiment of the airtight structure when the shutter curtain is in the fully closed position. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the operation flow of the waterproof shutter according to the present embodiment in the event of a fire. FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged view of the upper portion of FIG. 2 . FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a center pillar according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a view showing the main body of the center pillar according to the present embodiment. The left figure is a cross-sectional view taken along line A1 in FIG. 43, the center figure is a cross-sectional view taken along line A2 in FIG. 43, and the right figure is a top view of FIG. FIG. 1 is an overall view of the center pillar, showing the internal mechanism of the center pillar in dotted lines. FIG. 46 is a partial enlarged view of the upper portion of FIG. 45 . FIG. 46 is a partially enlarged view of the central portion of FIG. 45. FIG. 46 is a partial enlarged view of the lower portion of FIG. 45 . 46 is a partial enlarged view of the upper end portion of FIG. 45 and a corresponding top view. FIG. The left figure is a cross-sectional view taken along line B in FIG. 45, and the right figure is a cross-sectional view taken along line D in FIG. The left figure is a cross-sectional view taken along line C in FIG. 45, and the right figure is a cross-sectional view taken along line E in FIG. The left figure is an internal view showing the locking mechanism of the center post, and the right figure is a vertical cross-sectional view of the left figure as seen from the direction of the arrow. FIG. 53 is a partial enlarged view of the upper portion of FIG. 52. FIG. 53 is a partially enlarged view of the central portion of FIG. 52. FIG. 53 is a partial enlarged view of the lower portion of FIG. 52 . FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the shutter housing portion. 10A and 10B are a side view and a rear view showing the support means for the bracket of the shutter storage section. FIG. 10 is a side view showing the support means for the receiving material of the shutter storage section. 10A and 10B are views of the support means (third support member, second support member) for the receiving material of the shutter storage section, respectively, as seen from the rear. FIG. 2 is a partial view of the shutter housing according to the embodiment, seen from above. FIG. 2 is a front view of the case body according to the present embodiment as seen from the rear. FIG. 2 is a side view of the case body according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view of the case body according to the embodiment. 10 is a diagram showing an upper panel plate (before the cutout portion is formed) that constitutes the upper surface portion of the case body according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a partial view of the top surface of the case body according to the embodiment, showing the insertion portion of the bracket support means and the closing plate. FIG. 10 is a partial view of the top surface of the case body according to the present embodiment, showing the insertion portion of the support means of the receiving material and the closing plate. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a case plate according to the present embodiment as viewed from above (the upper panel plate is omitted); 10 is an enlarged view showing the inner lintel portion of the shutter housing portion according to the embodiment. FIG. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a mounting process of the case plate according to the embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a process of blocking the insertion portion of the support means of the receiving material with a blocking plate in the case plate according to this embodiment.

[A] Panel Shutter Configuration: The waterproof shutter of this embodiment is a panel shutter and has the basic structure of a panel shutter. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the shutter curtain 1 of the waterproof shutter of this embodiment is composed of a top panel 2 (sometimes abbreviated as "panel 2"), multiple middle panels 3 (hereinafter referred to as "panels 3"), and a bottom panel 4 (sometimes abbreviated as "panel 4") connected in the panel height direction. It should be noted that the term "panel" in this specification basically includes the top panel 2, panel 3, and bottom panel 4. In this embodiment, the bottom panel 4 is composed of a bottom panel main body 4' (sometimes abbreviated as "panel main body 4'" or "main body 4'") and a movable seat plate 6 (sometimes abbreviated as "seat plate 6"). The waterproof shutter of this embodiment is fireproof and smokeproof in addition to waterproofing. Each panel 2, 3, and 4 is a steel panel made of steel, which has excellent heat and fire resistance, which differs from conventional aluminum panels. The detailed configuration of each panel 2, 3, 4, and the waterproof structure and fire and smoke prevention structures of the waterproof shutter according to this embodiment will be described in detail later. Please note that in this specification, the terms "outdoor side" and "indoor side" are used to refer to the positions of components on either side of the opening that is opened and closed by the shutter curtain 1, as well as the relative positions of components.

The basic structure of a panel shutter will now be explained. A support shaft 10 equipped with a guide roller 11 protrudes from both widthwise ends of each of the panels 2, 3, and 4 that make up the shutter curtain 1 (see Figures 5 and 6). Each panel 2, 3, and 4 is connected to and suspended by a chain (not shown) via the support shaft 10 to form the shutter curtain 1. The structure of suspending multiple panels by a chain in a panel shutter is well known to those skilled in the art, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

Left and right guide bodies 5 are erected at both widthwise ends of the building opening, receiving and guiding both widthwise ends of the vertically positioned shutter curtain 1. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the guide body 5 is a U-shaped structure in cross section formed from a first outdoor side wall 50, a second indoor side wall 51, and a bottom wall 52 that face each other and extend in the height direction of the opening. The tips of the first outdoor side wall 50 and the second indoor side wall 51 are formed with an outdoor-side bent piece 500 and an indoor-side bent piece 510 facing each other, and the opening groove between the tips of the outdoor-side bent piece 500 and the indoor-side bent piece 510 receives the widthwise end of the shutter curtain 1 (top panel 2, panel 3, bottom panel 4). The bottom wall 52 of the guide body 5 is provided with a guide member 53, a long member extending perpendicular to the height direction, that contacts and guides the outdoor-side peripheral surface of the guide roller 11. Long fins 54 (e.g., made of nylon) extending in the height direction are formed on the outside of the outdoor-side bent piece 500 and the indoor-side bent piece 510 at the tips of the outdoor-side first side wall 50 and the indoor-side second side wall 51. The upper end of the guide member 53 extends into the storage space above the opening and has an upper extension 5' (see Figure 2), which is configured to be able to contact the guide roller 11 from both the outdoor and indoor sides.

In the storage space above the opening, a sprocket 12 is provided at approximately the upper end of the upper extension 5' for winding a chain around it. The opening/closing device M rotates the sprocket 12 to lift or unwind the chain, raising or lowering the shutter curtain 1 to open or close the building opening. The storage space for the shutter curtain 1 above the opening extends from above the opening toward the indoor side, and this storage space is provided with a storage rail 13 that extends at a gentle downward angle from the front (outdoor side) to the rear (indoor side). When the chain is lifted, the panels 2 and 3 are transferred to the storage rail 13 via the sprocket 12, and the guide rollers 11 are guided by the storage rail 13 and sent sequentially to the rear of the storage space, so that the panels 2, 3, and 4 are held hanging parallel to each other and stored.

The panel shutter in this embodiment is an electric panel shutter, and the electric opening and closing of the shutter curtain 1 is performed by operating the opening and closing switches (not shown) in the switch boxes SB1-3. When the opening switch (not shown) is pressed with the opening device M rotating the sprocket 12 in the chain lifting direction, the shutter curtain 1, which is in a vertical position in the fully closed state, rises as the chain rises, with both widthwise ends guided by the vertical guide body 5. It is then sequentially transferred from the top panel 2 to the storage rails 13 extending horizontally from the upper extension 5' of the guide body 5, and is stored parallel to one another in the storage space, opening the opening.

When the opening is fully open, pressing the closing switch (not shown) causes the opening/closing device M to rotate the sprocket 12 in the chain payout direction. The panels 2 and 3, which have been stored in parallel, are guided by the storage rails 13 along the guide rollers 11 at both ends of the width, and are successively pulled out from the rear (indoor side) of the storage space to the sprocket 12 at the front (outdoor side). As they pass the sprocket 12, they assume a vertical position, one above the other, and are guided by the guide body 5 as they descend, closing the opening.

When the shutter curtain 1 descends, the upper end of the lower panel and the lower end of the upper panel of any two vertically adjacent panels (top panel 2 and panel 3, panels 3 together, or panel 3 and bottom panel 4) are spaced apart (see the left diagram in Figure 4 and the left diagram in Figure 21). As the shutter curtain descends, after the lower end of the bottom panel 4 hits the floor, the shutter curtain 1 continues to descend a predetermined distance, causing the upper end of the lower panel and the lower end of the upper panel of any two vertically adjacent panels to come into at least partial contact, resulting in a fully closed state (see the center diagram in Figure 4 and Figure 19).

The bottom panel 4 of the shutter curtain 1 in this embodiment is composed of a bottom panel main body 4' and a movable seat plate 6 provided at the lower end of the bottom panel main body 4', and the first obstacle detection means is composed of the movable seat plate 6 and a detection switch SW provided at the lower end of the bottom panel main body 4'. When the movable seat plate 6 at the lower end of the bottom panel 4 lands on the floor or abuts against an obstacle and moves upward relatively by a predetermined amount, the detection switch SW turns ON, and an obstacle detection signal is sent to the control unit of the opening/closing machine M via the cord reel CR (wired type), causing the shutter curtain 1 to stop as it descends. The control unit has preset upper and lower limits for the shutter curtain 1, and if an obstacle detection signal is received above the lower limit, it determines that an obstacle has been detected while the shutter curtain is descending, and the descending shutter curtain 1 is controlled to stop for 1 second, for example, and then reverse and rise for 1.5 seconds. If an obstacle detection signal is received below the lower limit, it determines that the shutter curtain is in a fully closed position (has landed on the floor FL), and stops the descent of the shutter curtain 1 without reversely rising. Furthermore, the transmission of the obstacle detection signal is not limited to a wired system, but can also be a wireless system (for example, transmitted wirelessly via radio waves).

A photoelectric sensor 14, which serves as a second obstacle detection means, is provided below the opening at a predetermined height from the floor. In the illustrated embodiment, four photoelectric sensors 14 are provided, one on the outdoor side and one on the indoor side, at heights of 150 mm and 500 mm from the floor. The height positions of the photoelectric sensors 14 are merely examples, and are not limited to these. In this embodiment, if an obstacle is detected while the shutter curtain is descending, the descending shutter curtain will stop for, for example, one second, and then reverse and rise for 1.5 seconds.

The basic structure of a panel shutter has been explained with reference to the drawings, but as the basic structure of a panel shutter is well known to those skilled in the art, further detailed explanation will be omitted. Furthermore, many variations and improvements to panel shutters are known to those skilled in the art, and it should be noted that the structure of the panel shutter that can be applied to the waterproof shutter of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated form.

[B] Waterproof Shutter Configuration The panel shutter according to this embodiment functions as a waterproof shutter by providing a waterproof structure to the shutter curtain 1 when it is fully closed. In this embodiment, the means for making the fully closed panel shutter waterproof comprises a vertical compression mechanism 7 that compresses the shutter curtain 1 vertically downward when it is fully closed, and a horizontal compression mechanism 8 that compresses the shutter curtain 1, which has been compressed vertically by the vertical compression mechanism 7, horizontally toward the indoor side as a whole. The configuration and operation of the vertical compression mechanism 7 and horizontal compression mechanism 8 will be described below, but reference can be made to Patent Document 1 for further details on the configuration of the waterproof shutter.

[B-1] Vertical Compression Mechanism As shown in Figure 1, a plurality of vertical compression mechanisms 7 are provided across the width of the opening in the storage space above the opening. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the vertical compression mechanism 7 includes a power cylinder 70, which is an example of an actuator arranged in the storage space above the opening, and a pressing portion (consisting of a link mechanism) 72, which is provided at the tip of a piston rod 71 of the power cylinder 70 and abuts against and presses the upper end of the uppermost panel 2 in the fully closed state. When the opening is in the fully closed state, the piston rod 71 is lowered, causing the pressing portion 72 to abut against the upper end of the uppermost top panel 2 and press downward, thereby compressing the shutter curtain 1 in the fully closed state vertically downward.

When the shutter curtain 1 is in a fully closed state, it is subjected to vertical compression, forming a watertight structure between the lower end of the upper panel and the upper end of the lower panel of two adjacent panels (panels 2 and 3, panels 3 and 3, and panels 3 and 4) by pressing an elastic watertight member (in this embodiment, elastic watertight member 16) extending across the entire width of the panels. Between the panel body 4' of the bottom panel 4 and the movable seat plate 6, an elastic watertight member (in this embodiment, indoor-side elastic watertight member 16β) extending across the entire width of the panel is pressed against the movable seat plate 6, forming a watertight structure. Between the movable seat plate 6 and the floor surface FL, an elastic watertight member (in this embodiment, elastic watertight member 19) extending across the entire width of the panel is pressed against the movable seat plate 6, forming a watertight structure.

As shown in Figure 2, the vertical compression mechanism 7 is positioned toward the outside of the lifting path of each panel so as not to interfere with the lifting and lowering of each panel in the storage space above the opening. Therefore, to press on the upper end of the top panel 2, which is in the fully closed state, the piston rod 71 of the power cylinder 70 protrudes diagonally downward, but a pressing force is applied vertically to the upper end of the top panel 2 by a pressing portion 72 consisting of a link mechanism.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, in this embodiment, three vertical compression mechanisms 7 are provided spaced apart in the opening width direction. More specifically, one vertical compression mechanism 7 is provided in the center of the opening width direction, and vertical compression mechanisms 7 are provided at positions closer to the left and right guide bodies 5, with the distance between the central vertical compression mechanism 7 and the left vertical compression mechanism 7 being the same as the distance between the central vertical compression mechanism 7 and the right vertical compression mechanism 7. There is no limit to the number of vertical compression mechanisms 7, and the number is selected appropriately depending on the width dimension (opening width dimension) of the shutter curtain 1 (panels 2, 3, 4), etc.

The vertical compression mechanism 7 according to this embodiment is equipped with a first limit switch and a second limit switch. When the vertical compression mechanism 7 is in an inactive state, a movable portion of the vertical compression mechanism 7 is in contact with the first limit switch, and the second limit switch is in a non-contact state. When the vertical compression mechanism 7 is activated and the piston rod 71 extends to a predetermined compression position, the first limit switch is in a non-contact state, and a movable portion is in contact with the second limit switch. The first limit switch and the second limit switch constitute a vertical compression state detection means. Specifically, when the first limit switch is ON (the second limit switch is OFF), the non-vertical compression state is detected; when the first limit switch is OFF and the second limit switch is OFF, the vertical compression operation or vertical compression release operation is in progress; and when the second limit switch is ON (the first limit switch is OFF), the vertical compression state is detected. In this embodiment, when the first limit switch changes from OFF to ON, the vertical compression mechanism 7 releases compression, and when the second limit switch changes from OFF to ON, the vertical compression mechanism 7 completes compression.

[B-2] Horizontal Compression Mechanism: As shown in FIG. 1 , horizontal compression mechanisms 8 are provided in the storage space above the opening, located at the left and right ends of the opening width. Like the vertical compression mechanism 7, the horizontal compression mechanism 8 is positioned toward the exterior with respect to the elevation path of the panels 2, 3, and 4 so as not to interfere with the elevation of the panels 2, 3, and 4 in the storage space above the opening. As shown in FIG. 1 , the horizontal compression mechanism 8 includes a power cylinder 80, an example of an actuator disposed in the storage space above the opening, and a horizontal pressing member 82 (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ) that operates in conjunction with the up and down movement of the piston rod 81 of the power cylinder 80. The horizontal pressing member 82 of the horizontal compression mechanism 8 is a rectangular-shaped, elongated member extending in the height direction. The horizontal pressing member 82 is provided on the inner surface of the distal end of the first side wall 50 on the outdoor side of the guide body 5. A watertight rubber member 55, which is an elongated member extending in the height direction, is provided on the inner surface of the distal end of the second side wall 51 on the indoor side. The horizontal compression mechanism 8 presses both widthwise ends of the indoor side of the shutter curtain 1 in the fully closed position (vertical compression state) against the watertight rubber member 55, thereby forming a water-stopping structure in the height direction at both widthwise ends of the shutter curtain 1 in the fully closed position.

5 and 6, the horizontal pressing member 82 extends in the indoor/outdoor direction along the outdoor-side bent piece 500 in a plan view, and includes a first member (outdoor-side member) 820 that is elongated and U-shaped in cross section and extends vertically along the guide body 5, a second member (indoor-side member) 821 that is elongated and U-shaped in cross section and extends vertically along the guide body 5, and an operating rod 822. The operating rod 822 is an elongated member that extends vertically along the guide body 5, and the upper end of the operating rod 822 is connected to the tip of the piston rod 81 of the power cylinder 80, and the operating mechanism is composed of the operating rod 822 and the power cylinder 80 (including the piston rod 81) that moves the operating rod 822 up and down. In this embodiment, the operating rod 822 is pulled up in conjunction with the downward protrusion of the piston rod 81, and the second member 821 moves horizontally toward the indoor side in conjunction with the upward movement of the operating rod 822, pressing the outdoor side of the shutter curtain 1 with the pressing surface 8210 and bringing the indoor side into pressure contact with the watertight rubber member 55.

The horizontal compression mechanism 8 according to this embodiment is equipped with a first limit switch and a second limit switch. When the horizontal compression mechanism 8 is in an inactive state, a movable portion of the horizontal compression mechanism 8 is in contact with the first limit switch, and the second limit switch is in a non-contact state. When the horizontal compression mechanism is activated and the piston rod 81 extends to a predetermined compression position, the first limit switch is in a non-contact state, and a movable portion is in contact with the second limit switch. The first limit switch and the second limit switch constitute a horizontal compression state detection means. Specifically, when the first limit switch is ON (the second limit switch is OFF), a non-horizontal compression state is detected; when the first limit switch is OFF and the second limit switch is OFF, a horizontal compression operation or horizontal compression release operation is in progress; and when the second limit switch is ON (the first limit switch is OFF), a horizontal compression state is detected. In this embodiment, when the first limit switch changes from OFF to ON, compression by the horizontal compression mechanism 8 is released, and when the second limit switch changes from OFF to ON, compression by the horizontal compression mechanism 8 is completed.

[B-3] Center Post As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the waterproof shutter is equipped with a movable center post 9. The center post 9 is located on the indoor side of the shutter curtain 1 when it is in the fully closed state, and is installed in close proximity to the indoor side of the shutter curtain 1. The center post 9 is designed to resist water pressure acting from the outdoor side to the indoor side of the shutter curtain 1 when it is in the fully closed position. In one aspect, the center post 9 is installed by moving the shutter curtain 1 in the fully closed position to a watertight state (vertical compression and horizontal compression), and then moving the center post 9 from the stored position to the installed position and installing it in close proximity to the indoor side of the shutter curtain 1.

[B-4] Operation control device for waterproof shutter The waterproof shutter according to this embodiment can be used as a so-called management panel shutter, and is used for normal opening and closing of building openings, and also functions as a waterproof shutter in emergencies such as when heavy rain is expected. The operation control of the electric waterproof shutter, which is the waterproof shutter according to this embodiment, is performed by input from the operation unit.

As shown in Figure 2, the waterproof shutter of this embodiment has three operating units: a first outdoor switch box SB1, a second outdoor switch box SB2, and an indoor switch box SB3. The first outdoor switch box SB1 and the indoor switch box SB3 are located at a height of 1,500 mm from the floor to make them easy to operate when the operator is standing. The second outdoor switch box SB2 is located at a height of more than 3,000 mm (assumed maximum water level W.L.) from the floor. The above height positions are examples and are not limiting.

The operation panel inside the switch box is equipped with an open button, close button, stop button, compression button, compression release button, and emergency close button. The operation of the waterproof shutter is controlled based on input from these buttons. More specifically, in accordance with instructions from button input, the operation of the opening/closing mechanism M (raising and lowering operation of the shutter curtain 1), vertical compression mechanism 7 (vertical compression operation of the shutter curtain 1 in the fully closed state, vertical compression release operation), and horizontal compression mechanism 8 (horizontal compression operation of the shutter curtain 1 in the vertical compression state, horizontal compression release operation) is controlled via the control unit. Each button is explained below.

The waterproof shutter of this embodiment is equipped with a fully closed state detection means (e.g., consisting of a lower limit switch or a seat switch) that detects when the shutter curtain 1 has reached the fully closed opening, a vertical compression state detection means (first limit switch, second limit switch) that detects when the shutter curtain 1 has reached the vertical compression state, and a horizontal compression state detection means (first limit switch, second limit switch) that detects when the shutter curtain 1 has reached the horizontal compression state.

When the shutter is in the pressure release state (vertical pressure release state and horizontal pressure release state) and is not in the fully open position, pressing the open button will cause the shutter curtain 1 to rise and stop in the fully open position. When the shutter is not in the fully closed position, pressing the close button will cause the shutter curtain to fall and stop in the fully closed position. If the stop button is pressed while the shutter is operating, or during compression or pressure release, the operating shutter curtain 1 will stop operating at any position.

When the shutter is not in the fully closed position and not in a compressed state (vertical compression state and horizontal compression state), pressing the compression button will start the compression operation to create a waterproof structure. When the pressing operation of the vertical compression mechanism 7 is complete (a vertical compression state signal is generated when the second limit switch of the vertical compression mechanism 7 turns ON), the horizontal compression mechanism 8 starts its pressing operation, compressing the shutter curtain 1, which has been compressed in the vertical direction, as a whole toward the indoor side. When the shutter is not in the fully closed position, pressing the emergency close button will lower the shutter curtain with a full push.

When the shutter is in a compressed state, or when it is in the fully closed position and not in a compressed state, pressing the compression release button starts the compression release operation. One procedure is that when the compression release button is pressed, the horizontal compression mechanism 8 first starts its release operation, and once the release operation of the horizontal compression mechanism 8 is complete (when the first limit switch turns ON, a horizontal compression state release signal is generated), the vertical compression mechanism 7 starts its release operation. Once the compression release operation of the vertical compression mechanism 7 is complete, the first limit switch of the vertical compression mechanism 7 turns ON and a vertical compression state release signal is generated. If the horizontal compression state has been released, the release operation starts from the vertical compression state.

In one embodiment, in addition to operation input from the first outdoor switch box SB1, the second outdoor switch box SB2, and the indoor switch box SB3, remote operation input from a control room, etc. (operation while confirming safety with a surveillance camera, etc.) is also possible. A series of shutter operations can be controlled by remote control signals, and pressure and pressure release operations can also be performed remotely.

[C] Shutter Curtain Configuration As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the shutter curtain 1 of the waterproof shutter according to this embodiment is configured by connecting a top panel 2, multiple panels 3, and a bottom panel 4 in the panel height direction. When the shutter curtain 1 is raised or lowered or in the fully closed position, the top panel 2, multiple panels 3, and bottom panel 4 are in a vertical position. Descriptions of each part of the top panel 2, multiple panels 3, and bottom panel 4 (specifically, vertical, hanging, horizontal, etc.) will be made mainly based on the vertical position of the panels.

[C-1] Top panel
[C-1-1] The configuration of the top panel 2 will be described with reference to top panel outline drawings 8 to 10. The top panel 2 is a roughly horizontally rectangular plate-like body with a predetermined width, height, and thickness (projected dimensions) extending in the opening width direction, and is composed of an outdoor facing surface 20, an indoor facing surface 21, an upper surface 22, a lower surface 23, and side surfaces 24 on both ends in the width direction. As shown in Figure 8, the top panel 2 has the same width dimension throughout.

As shown in Figure 10, the lower end portion of the outdoor facing surface 20 of the top panel 2 is formed as a step recessed toward the indoor facing surface 21. Specifically, the outdoor facing surface 20 consists of a main surface 200 and a step formed below the main surface 200. The step is formed by a lower edge 201 at the bottom of the main surface 200 and a lower outdoor facing surface (step facing surface) 202 that is displaced and hangs down toward the indoor facing surface 21 relative to the vertically positioned main surface 200. The upper ends of the outdoor facing surface 20 and the indoor facing surface 21 are at approximately the same height, and the lower end of the indoor facing surface 21 extends downward beyond the lower end of the outdoor facing surface 20 (including the lower outdoor facing surface 202).

As shown in Figure 8, the upper surface 22 of the top panel 2 consists of a horizontal upper surface 220 and multiple recesses 221 formed at intervals across the width of the panel. Each recess 221 is U-shaped in front view, consisting of opposing vertical surfaces 222, 222 and a bottom surface 223. The bottom surface 223 of the recess 221 is formed from a thick pressure plate.

In side view, the underside portion 23 of the top panel 2 is formed of an outdoor-side underside 230, an outdoor-side inclined surface 231 extending from the indoor-side portion of the outdoor-side underside 230 toward the indoor side and upward, a central horizontal plane 232 extending horizontally from the indoor-side portion of the outdoor-side inclined surface 231 toward the indoor side, an indoor-side inclined surface 233 extending from the indoor-side portion of the central horizontal plane 232 toward the indoor side and downward, an indoor-side vertical surface 234 hanging down from the indoor-side portion of the indoor-side inclined surface 233, and an indoor-side underside 235 extending horizontally from the lower end of the indoor-side vertical surface 234 toward the indoor side.

As shown in Figure 10, a buffer/airtight member 15 is provided on the underside 23 of the top panel 2, but the configuration of the bottom end portion of the top panel 2 (including the lower outdoor facing surface 202, bottom portion 23, and buffer/airtight member 15) is substantially the same as the configuration of the bottom end portion of panel 3; for details of the configuration of the bottom end portion of the top panel 2, please refer to the configuration of the bottom end portion of panel 3 described below.

[C-1-2] Top Panel Surface Material The top panel 2 is assembled from multiple steel plates formed into a predetermined shape. In this embodiment, the main surface 200 of the exterior-facing visible surface 20 of the top panel 2 is formed from a first surface material, and folded pieces are integrally formed at the upper and lower ends of the first surface material. The folded piece at the upper end forms the exterior-facing edge of the top surface 22, and the folded piece at the lower end forms the lower edge 201.

The indoor facing surface 21 of the top panel 2 is formed from a second surface material, and folded pieces are integrally formed at the upper and lower ends of the second surface material. The folded piece at the upper end forms the upper surface 220 of the upper surface portion 22, and the folded piece at the lower end forms the indoor facing lower surface 235 of the lower surface portion 23.

The lower outdoor facing surface 202 of the outdoor facing surface 20 and the outdoor portion of the underside 23 are made of a third surface material folded into a predetermined shape, and the indoor portion of the underside 23 is made of a fourth surface material folded into a predetermined shape. Portions of the third surface material and the fourth surface material overlap to form a central horizontal plane 232, and portions of the fourth surface material overlap with the folded piece at the bottom end of the second surface material to form the indoor underside 235.

The side surface portion 24 is formed from a surface portion having a shape that follows the cross-sectional shape of the top panel 2 and a fifth surface material consisting of a pair of facing pieces, which abut and are connected (welded) to the inner surfaces of the outdoor facing surface 20 and the indoor facing surface 21, respectively. The upper end of the fifth surface material forming the side surface portion 24 abuts against the upper surface 200 of the upper surface portion 22, and the lower end abuts at least partially against the lower surface portion 23. A hole portion 240 is formed in the side surface portion 24 so as to span the horizontal surface 250 of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement member 25, and a gap 241 and an opening 242 are formed in the lower portion as drainage openings (see Figure 10A).

Each vertical surface 222 of the recess 221 on the upper surface 22 of the top panel 2 is made up of a projection piece that forms the vertical surface 222 and a sixth surface material that is L-shaped in cross section from the indoor facing piece, with the outdoor edge of the projection piece abutting the inner surface of the outdoor facing surface 20, and the indoor facing piece abutting and connecting (welded) to the inner surface of the indoor facing surface 21. As mentioned above, the bottom surface 223 of the recess 221 is formed from a thick pressure plate.

The first through sixth surface materials have been described as being formed into predetermined shapes, but these are merely examples, and the shape, number, assembly structure, etc. of the surface materials (plate materials) that form the surface of the top panel 2 are not limited.

[C-1-3] Horizontal reinforcement members of the top panel: Multiple horizontal reinforcement members extending across the entire width are provided inside the top panel 2. Note that multiple horizontal reinforcement members shorter than the entire width of the top panel 2 may be connected in the opening width direction. As shown in Figures 8 and 10, in this embodiment, the top panel 2 has three horizontal reinforcement members: an upper horizontal reinforcement member 25', a middle horizontal reinforcement member 25, and a lower horizontal reinforcement member 26.

In cross-section, the upper horizontal reinforcement 25' has a U-shape consisting of a horizontal surface 250', an outdoor-side hanging piece 251', and an indoor-side hanging piece 252'. The horizontal surface 250' has a projected dimension equivalent to the distance between the inner surfaces of the first surface material forming the main surface 200 of the outdoor facing surface 20 and the second surface material forming the indoor facing surface 21, and the outdoor-side hanging piece 251' and the indoor-side hanging piece 252' abut and connect (weld) to the inner surfaces of the first surface material and the second surface material, respectively. Both longitudinal ends of the upper horizontal reinforcement 25' are connected (welded) to the facing piece of the fifth surface material forming the side surface 24. A pressure plate forming the bottom 223 of the recess 221 is supported on the horizontal surface 250' of the upper horizontal reinforcement 25'.

In cross-section, the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 25 has a U-shape consisting of a horizontal surface 250, an outdoor-side hanging piece 251, and an indoor-side hanging piece 252. Note that the U-shape may be formed from rising pieces instead of the outdoor-side hanging piece 251 and the indoor-side hanging piece 252. The horizontal surface 250 has a projected dimension equivalent to the distance between the inner surfaces of the first surface material forming the main surface 200 of the outdoor facing surface 20 and the second surface material forming the indoor facing surface 21. The outdoor-side hanging piece 251 and the indoor-side hanging piece 252 are abutted and connected (welded) to the inner surfaces of the first surface material and the second surface material, respectively. Both longitudinal ends of the upper horizontal reinforcement 25 are connected (welded) to the facing piece of the fifth surface material forming the side surface 24. The horizontal surface 250 of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 25 has multiple drainage holes (not shown) spaced apart along the length (panel width direction) of the horizontal surface 250.

In cross-section, the lower horizontal reinforcement 26 has a U-shape consisting of a horizontal surface 260, an outdoor-side rising piece 261, and an indoor-side rising piece 262. The U-shape may be formed from a hanging piece instead of the outdoor-side rising piece 261 and the indoor-side rising piece 262. The horizontal surface 260 has a projected dimension equivalent to the distance between the inner surfaces of the first surface material forming the main surface 200 of the outdoor facing surface 20 and the second surface material forming the indoor facing surface 21. The outdoor-side rising piece 261 and the indoor-side rising piece 262 are abutted and connected (welded) to the inner surfaces of the first surface material and the second surface material, respectively. The corner formed by the outdoor portion of the horizontal surface 260 and the outdoor-side rising piece 261 abuts against the inner surface of the corner at the lower end of the first surface material (see Figure 10). Both longitudinal ends of the lower horizontal reinforcement 26 are connected (welded) to the facing piece of the fifth surface material forming the side surface portion 24. The horizontal surface 260 of the lower horizontal reinforcement 26 has multiple drain holes (not shown) spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (panel width direction).

[C-1-4] Vertical Reinforcement of Top Panel Vertical reinforcement members are provided in the internal space of the top panel 2 so as to resist vertical forces acting on the top panel 2 and transmit the vertical forces downward. In this embodiment, a first vertical reinforcement member 27 is provided between the upper horizontal reinforcement member 25' and the intermediate horizontal reinforcement member 25 of the top panel 2, located directly below the bottom surface 223 of the recess 221 in the upper surface portion 22 of the top panel 2. A second vertical reinforcement member 28 is provided between the intermediate horizontal reinforcement member 25 and the lower horizontal reinforcement member 26, located directly below the first vertical reinforcement member 27. A third vertical reinforcement member 29 is provided between the lower horizontal reinforcement member 26 and the third and fourth surface members that form the lower end portion, located directly below the second vertical reinforcement member 28.

The first vertical reinforcement 27 is arranged in a manner that resists vertical forces acting on the top panel 2 and transmits the vertical forces downward. The first vertical reinforcement 27 has a height dimension that allows its upper end to abut the horizontal surface 250' of the upper horizontal reinforcement 25' and its lower end to abut the horizontal surface 250 of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 25. It also has a projection dimension that allows it to abut the inner surfaces of the first surface material (main surface 200 of the outdoor facing surface 20) and the second surface material (indoor facing surface 21).

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9 , the first vertical reinforcement member 27 of this embodiment has a hat-shaped cross-section, consisting of an outdoor-side visible surface 270, a pair of visible surfaces 271 extending from both ends of the width (visible direction) of the outdoor-side visible surface 270 toward the indoor side, and a pair of indoor-side visible pieces 272 extending in the visible direction so as to be spaced apart from the indoor-side tips of the pair of visible surfaces 271; the outdoor-side visible surface 270, the pair of visible surfaces 271, and the pair of indoor-side visible pieces 272 extend perpendicularly in the height direction of the top panel 2.

The projected surface 271 of the first vertical reinforcement 27 has a projected dimension equivalent to the distance between the inner surface of the first surface material forming the main surface 200 of the outdoor-side visible surface 20 and the inner surface of the second surface material forming the indoor-side visible surface 21. The first vertical reinforcement 27 is connected (welded) such that the outdoor-side visible surface 270 abuts the inner surface of the outdoor-side visible surface 20 and the indoor-side visible piece 272 abuts the inner surface of the indoor-side visible surface 21. The upper edge of the first vertical reinforcement 27 (at least one pair of projected surfaces 271) is horizontal and abuts the lower surface of the horizontal surface 250' of the upper horizontal reinforcement 25'. The lower edge of the first vertical reinforcement 27 (at least one pair of projected surfaces 271) is horizontal and abuts the upper surface of the horizontal surface 250 of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 25. A hole 2710 is formed in the lower portion of the projected surface 271.

The second vertical reinforcement 28 is arranged in a manner that resists vertical forces acting on the top panel 2 and transmits the vertical forces downward. The second vertical reinforcement 28 has a height dimension that allows its upper end to abut the horizontal surface 250 of the middle horizontal reinforcement 25 and its lower end to abut the horizontal surface 260 of the lower horizontal reinforcement 26. It also has a projection dimension that allows it to abut the inner surfaces of the first surface material (main surface 200 of the exterior facing surface 20) and the second surface material (indoor facing surface 21).

Similar to the first vertical reinforcement 27 (see Figure 9), the second vertical reinforcement 28 has a hat-shaped cross-section, consisting of an outdoor-side visible surface 280, a pair of visible surfaces 281 extending from both ends of the width direction (visible direction) of the outdoor-side visible surface toward the indoor side, and a pair of indoor-side visible pieces 282 extending in the visible direction so as to be spaced apart from the indoor-side tips of the pair of visible surfaces 281, and the outdoor-side visible surface 280, the pair of visible surfaces 281, and the pair of indoor-side visible pieces 282 extend perpendicularly in the height direction of the top panel 2.

The projected surface 281 of the second vertical reinforcement 28 has a projected dimension equivalent to the distance between the inner surface of the first surface material forming the main surface 200 of the outdoor-side facing surface 20 and the second surface material forming the indoor-side facing surface 21. The second vertical reinforcement 28 is connected (welded) such that the outdoor-side facing surface 280 abuts the inner surface of the outdoor-side facing surface 20 and the indoor-side facing piece 282 abuts the inner surface of the indoor-side facing surface 21. The upper edge of the second vertical reinforcement 28 (at least one pair of projected surfaces 281) is horizontal and abuts the lower surface of the horizontal surface 250 of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 25. The lower edge of the second vertical reinforcement 28 (at least one pair of projected surfaces 281) is horizontal and abuts the upper surface of the horizontal surface 260 of the lower horizontal reinforcement 26. Two holes 2810 are formed in the projected surface 281, spaced apart from one another.

The third vertical reinforcement 29 is arranged in a manner that resists vertical forces acting on the top panel 2 and transmits the vertical forces downward. The third vertical reinforcement 29 has a height dimension that allows its upper end to abut the horizontal surface 260 of the lower horizontal reinforcement 26 and its lower end to abut the portions of the third and fourth surface materials (including at least the horizontal surfaces) that form the lower end portion. It also has a projection dimension that allows it to abut the outdoor-facing vertical portion of the third surface material (the lower outdoor-facing visible surface 202) and the second surface material (the indoor-facing visible surface 21).

Like the first vertical reinforcement 27 (see Figure 9) and the second vertical reinforcement 28, the third vertical reinforcement 29 has a hat-shaped cross-sectional shape consisting of an outdoor-side visible surface 290, a pair of visible surfaces 291 extending from both ends of the width (visible direction) of the outdoor-side visible surface 290 toward the indoor side, and a pair of indoor-side visible pieces 292 extending in the visible direction so as to be spaced apart from the indoor-side tips of the pair of visible surfaces 291, and the outdoor-side visible surface 290, the pair of visible surfaces 291, and the pair of indoor-side visible pieces 292 extend perpendicularly in the height direction of the top panel 2.

The projected surface 291 of the third vertical reinforcement 29 has a projected dimension equivalent to the dimension between the portion of the third surface material forming the lower outdoor-side visible surface 202 and the inner surface of the second surface material forming the indoor-side visible surface 21, and the third vertical reinforcement 29 is connected (welded) such that the outdoor-side visible surface 290 abuts the inner surface of the third surface material forming the lower outdoor-side visible surface 202, and the indoor-side visible piece 292 abuts the inner surface of the second surface material forming the indoor-side visible surface 21. The upper edge of the third vertical reinforcement 29 (at least one pair of projected surfaces 291) is a horizontal edge and abuts the underside of the horizontal surface 260 of the lower horizontal reinforcement 26. The lower edge of the third vertical reinforcement 29 (at least one pair of visible surfaces 291) partially abuts the fourth surface material that forms the central horizontal plane 232, the indoor side vertical surface 234, and the indoor side lower surface 235. More specifically, it has a horizontal edge 293 abutting the central horizontal plane 232, a vertical edge abutting the lower end of the indoor side vertical surface 234, and a horizontal edge 294 abutting the indoor side lower surface 235. An opening 2910 is formed below the horizontal edge 293 of the third vertical reinforcement 29.

[C-2] Middle panel
[C-2-1] The configuration of panel 3 will be described with reference to outline drawings 11 to 15 of the intermediate panel. Panel 3 is a roughly horizontally rectangular plate-like body with a predetermined width, height, and thickness (projected dimensions) extending in the opening width direction, and is composed of an outdoor facing surface 30, an indoor facing surface 31, an upper surface 32, a lower surface 33, and side surfaces 34 on both widthwise ends.

The lower end of the outdoor facing surface 30 is formed as a stepped portion recessed toward the indoor facing surface 31. Specifically, the outdoor facing surface 30 consists of a main surface 300 and a stepped portion formed below the main surface 300. The stepped portion is formed from a lower edge 301 at the bottom end of the main surface 300 and a lower outdoor facing surface (stepped facing surface) 302 that is displaced toward the indoor facing surface 31 and hangs down relative to the vertically positioned main surface 300.

The upper surface 32 of the panel 3 is formed from a horizontal outdoor upper surface 320, an outdoor inclined surface 321 extending from the indoor-side portion of the outdoor upper surface 320 toward the indoor side and upward, a central horizontal plane 322 extending horizontally from the indoor-side portion of the outdoor inclined surface 321 toward the indoor side, an indoor inclined surface 323 extending from the indoor-side portion of the central horizontal plane 322 toward the indoor side and downward, an indoor vertical surface 324 hanging down from the indoor-side portion of the indoor inclined surface 323, and an indoor lower surface 325 extending horizontally toward the indoor side from the lower end of the indoor vertical surface 324. The outdoor inclined surface 321, central horizontal plane 322, and indoor inclined surface 323 form a trapezoidal portion in side view.

The outdoor-facing portion of the upper surface 32 is provided with an outdoor-facing rising piece 303 that rises vertically and is flush with the main surface 300 of the outdoor-facing face 30, and the indoor-facing portion of the upper surface 32 is provided with an indoor-facing rising piece 310 that rises vertically and is flush with the indoor-facing face 31. The upper end portion of the panel 3 consists of the upper surface 32, the outdoor-facing rising piece 303, and the indoor-facing rising piece 310. As shown in Figure 11, the width dimension of the outdoor-facing rising piece 303 of the panel 3 is smaller than the width dimension of the intermediate panel 3, and the panel widthwise edge 3030 of the outdoor-facing rising piece 303 is located inward from the side surface 34 of the panel 3.

In side view, the underside portion 33 of the panel 3 is formed of an outdoor-side underside 330, an outdoor-side inclined surface 331 extending indoors and upward from the indoor-side portion of the outdoor-side underside 330, a central horizontal plane 332 extending horizontally from the indoor-side portion of the outdoor-side inclined surface 331 toward the indoor side, an indoor-side inclined surface 333 extending indoors and downward from the indoor-side portion of the central horizontal plane 332, an indoor-side vertical surface 334 hanging down from the indoor-side portion of the indoor-side inclined surface 333, and an indoor-side underside 335 extending horizontally indoors from the lower end of the indoor-side vertical surface 334. The outdoor-side inclined surface 331, central horizontal plane 332, and indoor-side inclined surface 333 form a trapezoidal portion in side view.

The upper end portion of the panel 3 includes an upper surface portion 32, an outdoor-side rising piece 303 that rises vertically and is flush with the main surface portion 300 of the outdoor-side facing surface 30, and an indoor-side rising piece 310 that rises vertically and is flush with the indoor-side facing surface 31. The indoor-side portion of the upper end portion of the panel 3 has a groove extending widthwise from the indoor-side vertical surface 324, the indoor-side lower surface 325, and the indoor-side rising piece 310, into which an elastic water-stopping member 16 is fitted. The configuration of the elastic water-stopping member 16 will be described in detail later. In this embodiment, the elastic water-stopping member 16 is provided at the upper end portion of the panel 3. However, an elastic water-stopping member may also be provided at the lower end portion of the panel 3, or at both the upper and lower end portions, so that the elastic water-stopping member is sandwiched between the lower end portion of the upper panel 3 and the upper end portion of the lower panel 3 when the opening is fully closed.

The lower end portion of the panel 3 comprises the lower end portion of the outdoor-facing surface 30 (a step formed by the lower edge portion 301 and the lower outdoor-facing surface 302) and the lower surface portion 33. As shown in FIG. 14 , a buffer/airtight member 15 extending in the opening width direction is provided on the central horizontal surface 332 of the lower surface portion 33. The buffer/airtight member 15 has a dimension shorter than the overall width of the panel, and the longitudinal edge of the buffer/airtight member 15 approximately coincides with the panel width edge 3030 of the outdoor-facing rising piece 303. The buffer/airtight member 15 in this embodiment is formed from a first layer 150 made of high-hardness flame-retardant rubber (such as chloroprene rubber, which primarily functions as a buffer material) and a second layer 151 made of low-hardness flame-retardant foam (such as EPDM foam, which primarily functions as an airtight material), but the materials are not limited thereto. In this embodiment, a two-layer cushioning and airtight member 15 is shown, but this is not limited to this, and a single-layer cushioning and airtight member 15 may be formed from a single member. In this embodiment, the cushioning and airtight member 15 is provided at the lower end of the panel 3, but the cushioning and airtight member may also be provided at the upper end or at both the upper and lower end of the panel 3, so that when the opening is in the fully closed position, the cushioning and airtight member is sandwiched between the lower end of the upper panel 3 and the upper end of the lower panel 3.

14 and 15, end room outer airtight members 17 are provided at both ends of the lower outdoor-facing visible surface 302 of the panel 3 in the panel width direction. The end room outer airtight members 17 are rectangular members when viewed from the front, and have a height dimension equivalent to the overall height of the lower outdoor-facing visible surface 302 of the panel 3 (in the illustrated embodiment, slightly greater than the overall height of the lower outdoor-facing visible surface 302), and a visible dimension approximately equivalent to the distance between the side portion 34 of the panel 3 and the panel width direction edge 3030 of the outdoor-side rising piece 303. The thickness of the end room outer airtight members 17 is greater than the visible dimension of the lower edge portion 301 of the lower end of the main surface portion 300 of the outdoor-facing visible surface 30, and when attached to both ends of the lower outdoor-facing visible surface 302 in the panel width direction, the outer surface of the end room outer airtight member 17 is located slightly outdoors relative to the main surface portion 300. In this embodiment, the end room outer airtight members 17 are made of flame-retardant rubber sponge (such as chloroprene rubber), but the material is not limited. In this embodiment, the end room outer airtight members 17 are provided at both ends of the panel width near the lower end of the panel 3, but depending on the shape of the outdoor facing surface 30 of the panel 3, the end room outer airtight members may also be provided at the upper end.

As shown in Figures 14 and 15, a lower end airtight member 18 is provided to connect the end room outer airtight member 17 and the buffer/airtight member 15. The lower end airtight member 18 extends along the outdoor lower surface 330, the outdoor inclined surface 331, and the central horizontal plane 332 at both widthwise ends of the lower end of the panel 3. The lower end of the end room outer airtight member 17 extends downward beyond the outdoor lower surface 330, and a portion of the outdoor portion of the lower end airtight member 18 is in close contact with the inner surface of the lower end of the end room outer airtight member 17. The lower end airtight member 18 in this embodiment is formed from a first layer 180 made of a high-hardness flame-retardant rubber sponge (e.g., chloroprene rubber) and a second layer 181 made of a low-hardness flame-retardant foam (e.g., EPDM foam, which primarily functions as an airtight material), but the materials are not limited thereto. While this embodiment illustrates a two-layer lower end airtight member 18, this is not limiting and a single-layer lower end airtight member 18 may be formed from a single member. As shown in FIG. 14 , an airtight member is provided across the entire width of the panel, consisting of a buffer/airtight member 15, left and right lower end airtight members 18 tightly attached to both longitudinal ends of the buffer/airtight member 15, and left and right outer end room airtight members 17 tightly attached to the outdoor-facing portions of the left and right lower end airtight members 18. The description of the configuration of the lower end portion of the panel 3 can be applied to the configuration of the lower end portion of the top panel 2 ( FIG. 10A ). While this embodiment illustrates a lower end airtight member 18 at the lower end of the panel 3, it is also possible to provide a lower end airtight member at the upper end or at both the upper and lower end portions of the panel 3, so that when the opening is fully closed, the lower end airtight member is sandwiched between the lower end portion of the upper panel 3 and the upper end portion of the lower panel 3.

[C-2-2] The surface material panel 3 of the intermediate panel is assembled from multiple steel plates formed into a predetermined shape. In this embodiment, the main surface 300 of the exterior-facing surface 30 of the panel 3 is formed from a first surface material, and folded pieces are integrally formed at the upper and lower ends of the first surface material. The folded piece at the upper end forms the exterior-facing horizontal surface 320 of the upper surface 32, and the folded piece at the lower end forms the lower edge 301. The interior-facing surface 31 of the panel 3 is formed from a second surface material, and the upper end of the second surface material forms an interior-facing rising piece 310, and the folded piece at the lower end is integrally formed with a folded piece that forms the interior-facing lower surface 335 of the lower surface 33.

The outdoor-facing portion of the upper surface 32 is made of a third surface material bent into a predetermined shape, and the indoor-facing portion of the upper surface 32 is made of a fourth surface material bent into a predetermined shape, with the third and fourth surface material portions overlapping to form a central horizontal plane 322. The outdoor-facing rising piece 303 is made of a plate material that is L-shaped when viewed from the side.

The lower outdoor facing surface 301 of the outdoor facing surface 30 and the outdoor portion of the underside 33 are made of a fifth surface material folded into a predetermined shape, and the indoor portion of the underside 33 is made of a sixth surface material folded into a predetermined shape. Portions of the fifth surface material and the sixth surface material overlap to form a central horizontal plane 332, and portions of the sixth surface material overlap with the folded piece at the bottom end of the second surface material to form the indoor side underside 335. The sixth surface material forming the indoor side vertical surface 334 of the underside 33 has multiple drainage holes (not shown) located at the lower end of the indoor side vertical surface 334 and spaced apart across the width of the panel. The drainage holes may be formed partially across the indoor side underside 335.

The side portion 34 is formed from a surface portion shaped to follow the cross-sectional shape of the panel 3 and a seventh surface material consisting of a pair of facing pieces, which abut and are connected (welded) to the inner surfaces of the outdoor facing surface 30 and the indoor facing surface 31. The upper end of the seventh surface material forming the side portion 34 at least partially abuts the inner surfaces of the third and fourth surface materials forming the upper surface portion 32, and the lower end at least partially abuts the fifth and sixth surface materials forming the lower surface portion 33. A hole 340 (see Figure 15) is formed in the side portion 34 so as to span the horizontal surface 350 of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement member 35. Furthermore, a gap 341 and an opening 342 are formed in the lower portion of the side portion 34 as drainage openings.

The first through seventh surface materials have been described as being formed into predetermined shapes, but these are merely examples, and the shape, number, assembly structure, etc. of the surface materials (plate materials) that form the surface of panel 3 are not limited.

[C-2-3] Horizontal reinforcement of middle panel: Multiple horizontal reinforcement members extending across the entire width are provided inside the panel 3. Note that multiple horizontal reinforcement members shorter than the entire width of the panel 3 may be connected in the opening width direction. As shown in Figures 11 and 13, in this embodiment, the panel 3 is provided with two horizontal reinforcement members: a middle horizontal reinforcement member 35 and a lower horizontal reinforcement member 36.

In cross section, the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 35 has a U-shape consisting of a horizontal surface 350, an outdoor-side hanging piece 351, and an indoor-side hanging piece 352. Note that the U-shape may be formed from a rising piece and a hanging piece instead of the outdoor-side hanging piece 351 and the indoor-side hanging piece 352. The horizontal surface 350 has a projected dimension equivalent to the distance between the inner surfaces of the first surface material forming the main surface 300 of the outdoor facing surface 30 and the second surface material forming the indoor facing surface 31. The outdoor-side hanging piece 351 and the indoor-side hanging piece 352 are abutted and connected (welded) to the inner surfaces of the first surface material and the second surface material, respectively. Both longitudinal ends of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 35 are connected (welded) to the facing piece of the seventh surface material forming the side surface 34. The horizontal surface 350 of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 35 has multiple drainage holes (not shown) spaced along its length (panel width).

In cross-section, the lower horizontal reinforcement 36 has a U-shape consisting of a horizontal surface 360, an outdoor-side rising piece 361, and an indoor-side rising piece 362. The U-shape may be formed from a hanging piece instead of the outdoor-side rising piece 361 and the indoor-side rising piece 362. The horizontal surface 360 has a projected dimension equivalent to the distance between the inner surfaces of the first surface material forming the main surface 300 of the outdoor facing surface 30 and the second surface material forming the indoor facing surface 31. The outdoor-side rising piece 361 and the indoor-side rising piece 362 are abutted and connected (welded) to the inner surfaces of the first surface material and the second surface material, respectively. The corner formed by the outdoor portion of the horizontal surface 360 and the outdoor-side rising piece 361 abuts against the inner surface of the lower corner of the first surface material (see Figure 13). Both longitudinal ends of the lower horizontal reinforcement are connected (welded) to the facing piece of the seventh surface material forming the side surface portion 34. The horizontal surface 360 of the lower horizontal reinforcement 36 has multiple drain holes (not shown) spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (panel width direction).

[C-2-4] Vertical Reinforcement of Intermediate Panels Vertical reinforcement members are provided in the internal space of panel 3 so as to resist vertical forces acting on panel 3 and transmit the vertical forces downward. In this embodiment, a first vertical reinforcement member 37 is provided between the third and fourth surface members forming the top surface portion 32 of panel 3 and the intermediate horizontal reinforcement member 35, positioned immediately below the vertical reinforcement member of the panel directly above (the third vertical reinforcement members 29 to 39 of top panel 2 to panel 3) when the shutter curtain 1 is in the fully closed position. A second vertical reinforcement member 38 is provided between the intermediate horizontal reinforcement member 35 and the lower horizontal reinforcement member 36, positioned immediately below the first vertical reinforcement member 37. A third vertical reinforcement member 39 is provided between the lower horizontal reinforcement member 36 and the fifth and sixth surface members forming the lower surface portion 33, positioned immediately below the second vertical reinforcement member 38.

The first vertical reinforcement 37 is arranged in a manner that resists vertical forces acting on the panel 3 and transmits the vertical forces downward. The first vertical reinforcement 37 has a height dimension such that its upper end partially abuts the third and fourth surface materials that form the upper surface portion 32, and its lower end abuts the horizontal surface 350 of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 35. It also has a projection dimension that abuts the inner surfaces of the first surface material (main surface portion 300 of the outdoor facing surface 30) and the second surface material (indoor facing surface 31).

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the first vertical reinforcement member 37 of this embodiment has a hat-shaped cross-section consisting of an outdoor-side visible surface 370, a pair of visible surfaces 371 extending from both ends of the width (visible direction) of the outdoor-side visible surface 370 toward the indoor side, and a pair of indoor-side visible pieces 372 extending in the visible direction so as to be spaced apart from the indoor-side tips of the pair of visible surfaces 371, and the outdoor-side visible surface 370, the pair of visible surfaces 371, and the pair of indoor-side visible pieces 372 extend perpendicularly in the height direction of the panel 3.

The projected surface 371 of the first vertical reinforcement member 37 has a projected dimension equivalent to the dimension between the inner surface of the first surface material forming the main surface portion 300 of the outdoor facing surface 30 and the second surface material forming the indoor facing surface 31. The outdoor facing surface 370 of the first vertical reinforcement member 37 abuts the inner surface of the outdoor facing surface 30, and the indoor facing piece 372 abuts the inner surface of the indoor facing surface 31 and is connected (welded).

The upper edge of the first vertical reinforcement 37 (at least one pair of projected surfaces 371) is shaped to conform to the third and fourth surface materials that form the upper surface portion 32, and partially (at least the horizontal portion) abuts the lower surfaces of the third and fourth surface materials that form the upper surface portion 32. The lower edge of the first vertical reinforcement 37 (at least one pair of projected surfaces 371) is a horizontal edge that abuts the upper surface of the horizontal surface 350 of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 35. A hole 3710 is formed in the lower portion of the projected surface 371.

The second vertical reinforcement 38 is arranged in a manner that resists vertical forces acting on the panel 3 and transmits the vertical forces downward. The second vertical reinforcement 38 has a height dimension that allows its upper end to abut the horizontal surface 350 of the middle horizontal reinforcement 35 and its lower end to abut the horizontal surface 360 of the lower horizontal reinforcement 36, and also has a projection dimension that allows it to abut the first surface material (main surface 300 of the outdoor facing surface 30) and the second surface material (indoor facing surface 31).

Like the first vertical reinforcement 37 (see Figure 12), the second vertical reinforcement 38 has a hat-shaped cross-section, consisting of an outdoor-side visible surface 380, a pair of visible surfaces 381 extending from both ends of the width direction (visible direction) of the outdoor-side visible surface toward the indoor side, and a pair of indoor-side visible pieces 382 extending in the visible direction so as to be spaced apart from the indoor-side tips of the pair of visible surfaces 381, and the outdoor-side visible surface 380, the pair of visible surfaces 381, and the pair of indoor-side visible pieces 382 extend perpendicularly in the height direction of the panel 3.

The projected surface 381 of the second vertical reinforcement 38 has a projected dimension equivalent to the dimension between the inner surface of the first surface material forming the main surface 300 of the outdoor facing surface 30 and the second surface material forming the indoor facing surface 31, and the second vertical reinforcement 38 is connected (welded) such that the outdoor facing surface 380 abuts the inner surface of the outdoor facing surface 30 and the indoor facing piece 382 abuts the inner surface of the indoor facing surface 31.

The upper edge of the second vertical reinforcement 38 (at least one pair of projected surfaces 381) is a horizontal edge that abuts against the underside of the surface portion 350 of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 35. The lower edge of the second vertical reinforcement 38 (at least one pair of projected surfaces 381) is a horizontal edge that abuts against the upper surface of the horizontal surface 360 of the lower horizontal reinforcement 36. Two holes 3810 are formed in the projected surfaces 381, spaced apart from one another.

The third vertical reinforcement 39 is arranged in a manner that resists vertical forces acting on the panel 3 and transmits the vertical forces downward. The third vertical reinforcement 39 has a height dimension that allows its upper end to abut the horizontal surface 360 of the lower horizontal reinforcement 36, and its lower end to abut the portions of the fifth and sixth surface materials (including at least the horizontal surfaces) that form the lower end portions. It also has a projection dimension that allows it to abut the outdoor vertical portion of the fifth surface material (lower outdoor facing surface 302) and the second surface material (indoor facing surface 31).

Like the first vertical reinforcement 37 (see Figure 12) and the second vertical reinforcement 38, the third vertical reinforcement 39 has a hat-shaped cross-sectional shape consisting of an outdoor-side visible surface 390, a pair of visible surfaces 391 extending from both ends of the width (visible direction) of the outdoor-side visible surface 390 toward the indoor side, and a pair of indoor-side visible pieces 392 extending in the visible direction so as to be spaced apart from the indoor-side tips of the pair of visible surfaces 391, and the outdoor-side visible surface 390, the pair of visible surfaces 391, and the pair of indoor-side visible pieces 392 extend vertically along the height direction of the panel 3.

The projected surface 391 of the third vertical reinforcement 39 has a projected dimension equivalent to the dimension between the portion of the fifth surface material that forms the lower outdoor facing surface 302 and the inner surface of the second surface material that forms the indoor facing surface 31. The outdoor facing surface 390 of the third vertical reinforcement 39 abuts against the inner surface of the fifth surface material that forms the lower outdoor facing surface 302, and the indoor facing piece 392 abuts against the inner surface of the second surface material that forms the indoor facing surface 31, and they are connected (welded).

The upper edge of the third vertical reinforcement 39 (at least one pair of projected surfaces 391) is a horizontal edge that abuts the underside of the horizontal surface 350 of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 35. The lower edge of the third vertical reinforcement 39 (at least one pair of projected surfaces 391) partially abuts the sixth surface material that forms the central horizontal surface 332, the indoor side vertical surface 334, and the indoor side lower surface 335. More specifically, it has a horizontal edge 393 abutting the central horizontal surface 332, a vertical edge abutting the lower end of the indoor side vertical surface 334, and a horizontal edge 394 abutting the indoor side lower surface 335. An opening 3910 is formed below the horizontal edge 393 of the third vertical reinforcement 39.

[C-3] Bottom panel
[C-3-1] The configuration of the bottom panel 4 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to bottom panel (panel body) outline drawings 16 to 18. The bottom panel 4 comprises a bottom panel body 4' and a movable seat plate 6 attached to the lower end of the bottom panel body 4'. The bottom panel body 4' is a roughly horizontally rectangular plate-like body extending in the opening width direction and having a predetermined width, height, and thickness (projected dimensions). It comprises an outdoor facing surface 40, an indoor facing surface 41, an upper surface 42, a lower surface 43 (outdoor lower surface 430, indoor lower surface 31), and side surfaces 44 at both widthwise ends. As shown in FIG. 16, the width (projected dimension) of the movable seat plate 6 is the same as the width (projected dimension) of the bottom panel body 4', and the projected dimension of the movable seat plate 6 is the same as the projected dimension of the bottom panel body 4'.

The upper surface 42 of the panel body 4' of the bottom panel 4 is formed from a horizontal outdoor upper surface 420, an outdoor inclined surface 421 extending from the indoor side portion of the outdoor upper surface 420 toward the indoor side and upward, a central horizontal plane 422 extending horizontally from the indoor side portion of the outdoor inclined surface 421 toward the indoor side, an indoor inclined surface 423 extending from the indoor side portion of the central horizontal plane 422 toward the indoor side and downward, an indoor vertical surface 424 hanging down from the indoor side portion of the indoor inclined surface 423, and an indoor lower surface 425 extending horizontally toward the indoor side from the lower end of the indoor vertical surface 424.

The outdoor-facing portion of the top surface 42 is provided with an outdoor-side rising piece 400 that rises vertically and is flush with the outdoor-facing surface 40, and the indoor-facing portion of the top surface 42 is provided with an indoor-side rising piece 410 that rises vertically and is flush with the indoor-side facing surface 41. The upper end portion of the panel main body 4' consists of the top surface 42, the outdoor-side rising piece 400, and the indoor-side rising piece 410. As shown in Figure 16, the width of the outdoor-side rising piece 400 of the panel main body 4' is smaller than the width of the panel main body 4', and the panel widthwise edge 4000 of the outdoor-side rising piece 400 is located inward from the side surface 44 of the panel main body 4'. The configuration of the upper end portion of the panel main body 4' is substantially the same as the configuration of the upper end portion of the panel 3. For a top view of the bottom panel main body 4', please refer to the top view of the panel 3 shown in Figure 11.

The lower end portion of the panel body 4' consists of an outdoor lower surface 430, an indoor lower surface 431, and an opening formed between the indoor end of the outdoor horizontal lower surface 430 and the outdoor end of the indoor lower surface 431. A movable seat plate 6 is provided at the lower end portion of the panel body 4' so that it can move up and down.

[C-3-2] Surface Material of Bottom Panel (Panel Body) The body 4' of the bottom panel 4 is assembled from multiple steel plates formed into a predetermined shape. In this embodiment, the exterior-facing surface 40 of the body 4' is formed from a first surface material, and folded pieces are integrally formed at the upper and lower ends of the first surface material. The upper folded piece forms the exterior-facing upper surface 420 of the upper surface 42, and the lower folded piece serves as an outdoor-facing horizontal piece to form the outdoor-facing lower surface 430. The indoor-facing surface 41 of the panel body 4' is formed from a second surface material, and the upper end of the second surface material forms the indoor-facing rising piece 410, and the lower folded piece serves as an indoor-facing horizontal piece to form the indoor-facing lower surface 431.

The outdoor-facing portion of the upper surface 42 is made of a third surface material bent into a predetermined shape, and the indoor-facing portion of the upper surface 42 is made of a fourth surface material bent into a predetermined shape, with the third and fourth surface material portions overlapping to form a central horizontal plane 422. The outdoor-facing rising piece 400 is made of a plate material that is L-shaped when viewed from the side.

The side surface portion 44 is formed from a surface portion shaped to follow the cross-sectional shape of the panel main body 4' and a fifth surface material consisting of a pair of facing pieces. The pair of facing pieces abut and are connected (welded) to the inner surfaces of the outdoor facing surface 40 and the indoor facing surface 41, respectively. As shown in FIG. 17A, a hole 440 is formed in the side surface portion 44 so as to span the horizontal surface 450 of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement member 45. The lower portion of the side surface portion 44 is provided with a gap 441, a hole 442, and a hole 443 formed so as to span the horizontal surface 460 of the lower horizontal reinforcement member 46. While the first to fifth surface materials formed into predetermined shapes have been described, these are merely examples, and the shape, number, assembly structure, etc. of the surface materials (plate materials) that form the surface of the bottom panel main body 4' are not limited.

[C-3-3] Horizontal reinforcement members of the bottom panel (panel body) The panel body 4' is provided with multiple horizontal reinforcement members extending across its entire width. Multiple horizontal reinforcement members shorter than the entire width of the panel body 4' may be connected in the opening width direction. In this embodiment, the panel body 4' is provided with two horizontal reinforcement members: a middle horizontal reinforcement member 45 and a lower horizontal reinforcement member 46.

In cross-section, the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 45 has a U-shape consisting of a horizontal surface 450, an outdoor-side hanging piece 451, and an indoor-side hanging piece 452. Note that the U-shape may be formed from rising pieces instead of the outdoor-side hanging piece 451 and the indoor-side hanging piece 452. The horizontal surface 450 has a projected dimension equivalent to the distance between the inner surfaces of the first surface material forming the outdoor facing surface 40 and the second surface material forming the indoor facing surface 41. The outdoor-side hanging piece 451 and the indoor-side hanging piece 452 are abutted and connected (welded) to the inner surfaces of the first surface material and the second surface material, respectively. Both longitudinal ends of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 45 are connected (welded) to the facing piece of the fifth surface material forming the side surface 44. The horizontal surface 450 of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 45 has multiple drainage holes (not shown) spaced apart along the length (panel width direction) of the horizontal surface 450.

In cross-section, the lower horizontal reinforcement member 46 has a U-shape consisting of a horizontal surface 460, an outdoor vertical surface 461 that hangs down from the outdoor end of the horizontal surface 460, and an indoor vertical surface 462 that hangs down from the indoor end of the horizontal surface 460. The horizontal surface 460 has a projected dimension equivalent to the distance between the inner surfaces of the first surface material forming the outdoor facing surface 40 and the second surface material forming the indoor facing surface 41. The outdoor vertical surface 461 and the indoor vertical surface 462 are abutted and connected (welded) to the inner surfaces of the outdoor facing surface 40 and the indoor facing surface 41. The lower end of the outdoor vertical surface 461 abuts the base end of the outdoor lower surface 430, which is the outdoor horizontal piece, and the lower end of the indoor vertical surface 462 abuts the base end of the indoor lower surface 431, which is the indoor horizontal piece. The height dimension of the lower horizontal reinforcement 46 is greater than the height dimension of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 45, and multiple detection switches SW are provided across the width in the space surrounded by the lower horizontal reinforcement 46, the outdoor-side lower surface 430, and the indoor-side lower surface 431. The horizontal surface 460 of the lower horizontal reinforcement 46 serves as the mounting surface for the detection switches SW. Multiple drainage holes (not shown) are formed in the horizontal surface 460 of the lower horizontal reinforcement 46 at intervals along the length (panel width direction).

[C-3-4] Vertical reinforcement members are provided in the internal space of the vertical reinforcement member main body 4' of the bottom panel (panel main body) in a manner that resists vertical forces acting on the panel main body 4' and transmits the vertical forces downward. In this embodiment, a first vertical reinforcement member 47 is provided between the third and fourth surface members that form the upper surface portion 42 of the panel main body 4' and the intermediate horizontal reinforcement member 45, positioned directly below the vertical reinforcement member (third vertical reinforcement member 39) of the panel 3 directly above when the shutter curtain 1 is in the fully closed position, and a second vertical reinforcement member 48 is provided between the intermediate horizontal reinforcement member 45 and the lower horizontal reinforcement member 46, positioned directly below the first vertical reinforcement member 47.

The first vertical reinforcement 47 is arranged in a manner that resists vertical forces acting on the panel body 4' and transmits the vertical forces downward. The first vertical reinforcement 47 has a height dimension such that its upper end partially abuts the third and fourth surface materials that form the upper surface portion 42, and its lower end abuts the horizontal surface 450 of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 45. It also has a projection dimension that abuts the inner surfaces of the first surface material (outdoor facing surface 40) and the second surface material (indoor facing surface 41).

More specifically, the first vertical reinforcement member 47 of this embodiment has a hat-shaped cross-section, consisting of an outdoor-side visible surface 470, a pair of visible surfaces 471 extending from both ends of the width (visible direction) of the outdoor-side visible surface 470 toward the indoor side, and a pair of indoor-side visible pieces 472 extending in the visible direction so as to be spaced apart from the indoor-side tips of the pair of visible surfaces 471; the outdoor-side visible surface 470, the pair of visible surfaces 471, and the pair of indoor-side visible pieces 472 extend perpendicularly in the height direction of the panel main body 4'.

The projected surface 471 of the first vertical reinforcement member 47 has a projected dimension equivalent to the dimension between the inner surfaces of the first surface material forming the outdoor facing surface 40 and the second surface material forming the indoor facing surface 41, and the first vertical reinforcement member 47 is connected (welded) such that the outdoor facing surface 470 abuts the inner surface of the outdoor facing surface 40 and the indoor facing piece 472 abuts the inner surface of the indoor facing surface 41.

The upper edge of the first vertical reinforcement 47 (at least one pair of projected surfaces 471) is shaped to conform to the third and fourth surface materials that form the upper surface portion 42, and partially (at least the horizontal portion) abuts the lower surfaces of the third and fourth surface materials that form the upper surface portion 42. The lower edge of the first vertical reinforcement 47 (at least one pair of projected surfaces 471) is a horizontal edge that abuts the upper surface of the horizontal surface 450 of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 45. A hole 4710 is formed in the lower portion of the projected surface 471.

The second vertical reinforcement 48 is arranged in a manner that resists vertical forces acting on the panel body 4' and transmits the vertical forces downward. The second vertical reinforcement 48 has a height dimension that allows its upper end to abut the horizontal surface 450 of the middle horizontal reinforcement 45 and its lower end to abut the horizontal surface 460 of the lower horizontal reinforcement 46. It also has a projection dimension that allows it to abut the first surface material (outdoor facing surface 40) and the second surface material (indoor facing surface 41).

Like the first vertical reinforcement member 47, the second vertical reinforcement member 48 has a hat-shaped cross-section consisting of an outdoor-side visible surface 480, a pair of visible surfaces 481 extending from both ends of the width direction (visible direction) of the outdoor-side visible surface toward the indoor side, and a pair of indoor-side visible pieces 482 extending in the visible direction so as to be spaced apart from the indoor-side tips of the pair of visible surfaces 481, and the outdoor-side visible surface 480, the pair of visible surfaces 481, and the pair of indoor-side visible pieces 482 extend perpendicularly in the height direction of the panel body 4'.

The projected surface 481 of the second vertical reinforcement 48 has a projected dimension equivalent to the dimension between the inner surface of the first surface material forming the outdoor facing surface 40 and the second surface material forming the indoor facing surface 41, and the second vertical reinforcement 48 is connected (welded) such that the outdoor facing surface 480 abuts the inner surface of the outdoor facing surface 40 and the indoor facing piece 482 abuts the inner surface of the indoor facing surface 41.

The upper edge of the second vertical reinforcement 48 (at least one pair of projected surfaces 481) is a horizontal edge that abuts against the lower surface of the horizontal surface 450 of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 45. The lower edge of the second vertical reinforcement 48 (at least one pair of projected surfaces 481) is a horizontal edge that abuts against the upper surface of the horizontal surface 460 of the lower horizontal reinforcement 46. In this embodiment, the entire lower edge of the second vertical reinforcement 48 is a horizontal edge that abuts against the upper surface of the horizontal surface 460 of the lower horizontal reinforcement 46. Two holes 4810 are formed in the projected surface 481, spaced apart from one another.

[C-3-5] Seat Plate of Bottom Panel As shown in Fig. 16, the movable seat plate 6 according to this embodiment is a long member extending across the entire width of the panel body 4' of the bottom panel 4. As shown in Fig. 22, the movable seat plate 6 comprises a bottom surface 60 extending in the opening width direction, an outdoor-side rising piece (an outdoor-side facing piece) 61 rising from the outdoor-side end of the bottom surface 60, an indoor-side rising piece (an indoor-side facing piece) 62 rising from the indoor-side end of the bottom surface 60, an outdoor-side facing surface 63 located indoors relative to the outdoor-side rising piece 61 and rising from the bottom surface 60, an indoor-side facing surface 64 located outdoor relative to the indoor-side rising piece 62 and rising from the bottom surface 60, an outdoor-side locking piece 65 extending horizontally from the upper end of the outdoor-side facing surface 63 to the outdoor side, and an indoor-side locking piece 66 extending horizontally indoors from the upper end of the indoor-side facing surface 64.

The dimension between the outdoor facing surface 63 and the indoor facing surface 64 of the movable seat plate 6 is slightly smaller than the width of the opening on the underside of the panel body 4', and the movable seat plate 6 is suspended from the lower end of the panel body 4' so that it can move upward, with the outdoor locking piece 65 locking onto the outdoor lower surface 430, which is the outdoor horizontal piece of the panel body 4', and the indoor locking piece 66 locking onto the indoor lower surface 431, which is the indoor horizontal piece of the panel body 4'.

Located inside the lower end of the panel main body 4' (the space surrounded by the lower horizontal reinforcement 46), multiple detection switches SW are attached at intervals across the width of the panel on the horizontal surface 460 of the lower horizontal reinforcement 46. When the shutter curtain 1 descends, the bottom surface of the movable seat plate 6 comes into contact with an obstacle or the floor, causing the movable seat plate 6 to move upward relative to the panel main body 4'. If one of the detection switches SW turns ON, an obstacle detection signal is sent to the control unit via the cord reel CR.

The projected dimensions of the movable seat plate 6 are the same as those of the panel body 4', the outdoor facing surface 40 of the panel body 4' and the outdoor rising piece 61 of the movable seat plate 6 are flush, and the indoor facing surface 41 of the panel body 4' and the indoor rising piece 62 of the movable seat plate 6 are flush.

A groove is formed in the outdoor portion of the movable seat plate 6, extending in the length direction of the movable seat plate 6 (width direction of the bottom panel 4) from the outdoor portion of the bottom surface 60, the outdoor rising piece 61, and the outdoor facing surface 63, and an outdoor-side elastic water-stopping member 16α is fitted into the groove. As described below, the outdoor-side elastic water-stopping member 16α also functions as an airtight member.

A groove is formed in the indoor-side portion of the movable base plate 6, extending from the indoor-side portion of the bottom surface 60, the indoor-side rising piece 62, and the indoor-side visible surface 64 in the length direction of the movable base plate 6 (width direction of the bottom panel 4), and an indoor-side elastic water-stopping member 16β is fitted into the groove. The configuration of the indoor-side elastic water-stopping member 16β provided on the movable base plate 6 is the same as the elastic water-stopping member 16 provided on the panel 3, except for slight differences in size and shape, and common reference numbers are used for each part (Figures 26 and 27), so the description of the elastic water-stopping member 16 can be used. Furthermore, the configurations of the indoor-side elastic water-stopping member 16β and the outdoor-side elastic water-stopping member 16α are substantially the same. In this embodiment, the movable seat plate 6 is provided with an outdoor-side elastic water-stopping member 16α and an indoor-side elastic water-stopping member 16β, but the outdoor-side elastic water-stopping member and the indoor-side elastic water-stopping member may also be provided on the underside 43 (outdoor-side underside 430, indoor-side underside 31) of the bottom panel main body 4', or on both the movable seat plate 6 and the underside 43, so that when the opening is in the fully closed position, the outdoor-side elastic water-stopping member and the indoor-side elastic water-stopping member are sandwiched between the movable seat plate 6 and the underside 43 of the bottom panel main body 4'.

An elastic waterproofing member 19 is provided across the entire width of the underside of the bottom surface 60 of the movable seat plate 6, which comes into contact with the floor surface FL when the seat is placed on the floor and is pressed against the floor surface FL when vertical pressure is applied.

[C-4] Interlocking Configuration of Vertically Adjacent Panels in a Shutter Curtain When the shutter curtain 1 is in the fully closed position, the lower end portion of the top panel 2 interlocks with the upper end portion of panel 3, the lower end portion of panel 3 interlocks with the upper end portion of panel 3, and the lower end portion of panel 3 interlocks with the upper end portion of bottom panel 4. In this embodiment, the lower end portion or lower portion of the upper panel is generally concave, and the upper end portion or upper portion of the lower panel is generally convex, so that they interlock with each other via a concave-convex shape when the opening is fully closed. Since the configuration of the lower end portion of the top panel 2 is the same as the configuration of the lower end portion of panel 3, and the configuration of the upper end portion of the bottom panel 4 is the same as the configuration of the upper end portion of panel 3, the interlocking configuration between vertically adjacent panels in the shutter curtain 1 according to this embodiment will be described based on the interlocking configuration of the vertically adjacent panels 3 when the shutter curtain 1 is in the fully closed position.

First, we will explain the position of the lower end of the upper panel 3 and the upper end of the lower panel 3 before they fit together. When the shutter curtain 1 is lowered, each panel 3 is in a vertical position, and the lower end of the upper panel 3 is spaced apart from the upper end of the lower panel 3 (see the left diagram in Figure 4 and Figure 21). Figure 21 shows the positional relationship between the lower end of the upper panel 3 and the upper end of the lower panel 3 when the panels 3 are lowered. The left diagram in Figure 21 shows the positional relationship between the lower end of the upper panel 3 and the upper end of the lower panel 3 when the outdoor facing surface 30 and the indoor facing surface 31 of the upper and lower panels 3 are aligned.

In the left diagram of Figure 21, the lower outdoor-facing visible surface 302 at the lower end of the upper panel 3 and the upper end (the hemmed folded portion) of the outdoor-side rising piece 303 at the upper end of the lower panel 3 are close to each other (separate in this embodiment), the outdoor-side upper surface 320 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end of the lower panel 3 is located directly below the outdoor-side lower surface 330 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end of the upper panel 3, the outdoor-side inclined surface 321 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end of the lower panel 3 is located directly below the outdoor-side inclined surface 331 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end of the upper panel 3, and the central horizontal surface 322 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end of the lower panel 3 is located directly below the buffer/airtight member 15 provided on the central horizontal surface 332 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end of the upper panel 3. 21 , the indoor-side inclined surface 323 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end of the lower panel 3 is located directly below the indoor-side inclined surface 333 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end of the upper panel 3, the indoor-side vertical surface 324 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end of the lower panel 3 is located slightly outdoors of the indoor-side vertical surface 334 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end of the upper panel 3 (the indoor-side vertical surface 334 hangs down close to the indoor-side vertical surface 324), and the elastic water-stopping member 16 (upper surface 164) is located directly below the indoor-side lower surface 335 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end of the upper panel 3 in the indoor-side portion of the upper end of the lower panel 3 (the groove formed by the indoor-side vertical surface 324, the indoor-side lower surface 325, and the indoor-side rising piece 310). When the upper panel 3 moves downward relative to the lower panel 3 from the state shown in the left diagram of Figure 21 , the state shown in Figure 19 is achieved.

The central diagram of Figure 21 shows a state in which the upper panel 3 is slightly displaced indoors relative to the lower panel 3 when the adjacent panels 3 are lowered. If the shutter curtain 1 is displaced indoors when it is lowered, the indoor-facing surface 31 of the panel 3 abuts the watertight rubber member 55, so it does not displace further indoors from the state shown in the central diagram of Figure 21. In the central diagram of Figure 21, the corner between the outdoor-side inclined surface 331 at the lower end of the upper panel 3 and the central horizontal plane 330 is located slightly indoors relative to the corner between the outdoor-side upper surface 320 at the upper end of the lower panel 3 and the outdoor-side inclined surface 321. When the upper panel 3 moves downward from this state relative to the lower panel 3, the outdoor-side inclined surface 331 of the upper panel 3 is guided by the outdoor-side inclined surface 321 of the lower panel 3, and the upper panel 3 moves outdoors relative to the lower panel 3, resulting in the state shown in Figure 19.

The right side of Figure 21 shows the state in which the upper panel 3 is slightly displaced outdoors relative to the lower panel 3 when the adjacent panels 3 are lowered. When the shutter curtain 1 is displaced outdoors when it is lowered, the lower outdoor facing surface 302 at the lower end abuts against the outdoor rising piece 303 at the upper end of the lower panel 3, so it does not displace further outdoors from the state shown in the right side of Figure 21. In the right diagram of Figure 21, the corner between the indoor side vertical surface 334 and the indoor side lower surface 335 at the lower end of the upper panel 3 is located slightly indoors of the corner between the indoor side inclined surface 323 and the indoor side vertical surface 324 at the upper end of the lower panel 3. When the upper panel 3 moves downward relative to the lower panel 3 from this state, the lower outdoor side visible surface 302 at the lower end slides against the outdoor side rising piece 303 at the upper end of the lower panel 3 and is guided downward, and the indoor side vertical surface 334 at the lower end of the upper panel 3 slides against the indoor side vertical surface 324 of the lower panel 3 and is guided downward, resulting in the state shown in Figure 19.

19 shows the state in which the lower end portion of the upper panel 3 and the upper end portion of the lower panel 3 are fitted together (the shutter curtain 1 is in a fully closed position and is not in a vertically compressed state) from the state shown in the left diagram of FIG. 21. In FIG. 19, the outdoor-side rising piece 303 at the upper end portion of the lower panel 3 is close to the outdoor side of the lower outdoor-side visible surface 302 at the lower end portion of the upper panel 3 (the outdoor-side rising piece 303 is located at a step formed by the lower edge portion 301 and the lower outdoor-side visible surface 302), the outdoor-side lower surface 330 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end portion of the upper panel 3 is close to the outdoor-side upper surface 320 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end portion of the lower panel 3 (separated and not in contact in this embodiment), the outdoor-side inclined surface 331 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end portion of the upper panel 3 is close to the outdoor-side inclined surface 321 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end portion of the lower panel 3 (separated and not in contact in this embodiment), and the outdoor-side lower surface 330 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end portion of the upper panel 3 is close to the outdoor-side upper surface 320 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end portion of the lower panel 3 (separated and not in contact in this embodiment), and the outdoor-side lower surface 331 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end portion of the upper panel 3 is close to the outdoor-side upper surface 321 ... The buffer/airtight member 15 provided on the central horizontal surface 332 of the lower surface portion 33 at the end portion abuts against the central horizontal surface 322 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end portion of the lower panel 3, the indoor side inclined surface 333 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end portion of the upper panel 3 is close to the indoor side inclined surface 323 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end portion of the lower panel 3 (separated and non-contacting in this embodiment), the indoor side vertical surface 334 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end portion of the upper panel 3 is close to the indoor side of the indoor side vertical surface 324 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end portion of the lower panel 3, and the indoor side lower surface 335 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end portion of the upper panel 3 abuts against the elastic water-stopping member 16 (upper surface 164) provided on the indoor side portion of the upper end portion of the panel 3 of the lower panel 3. The panels 2, 3, and 4 in this embodiment are assembled from surface materials made of steel plates of a predetermined shape, which has the disadvantage of making it difficult to achieve precision compared to panels made of formed aluminum. In this embodiment, the interlocking structure described above is used to prevent rattling between the panels due to precision errors and other factors. Furthermore, the lower end of the upper panel and the upper end of the lower panel are tightly attached via the cushioning and airtight member 15, which functions as a damper. This ensures that the panels are tightly attached even if there are precision errors, allowing the downward pressing force of the vertical compression mechanism 7 to be effectively applied downward.

Figure 20 shows the state in which vertical compression has been applied to the state shown in Figure 19. In Figure 20, the outdoor-side rising piece 303 at the upper end of the lower panel 3 is close to the outdoor side of the lower outdoor-side visible surface 302 at the lower end of the upper panel 3 (the outdoor-side rising piece 303 is located at the step formed by the lower edge 301 and the lower outdoor-side visible surface 302), the outdoor-side lower surface 330 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end of the upper panel 3 is abutting the outdoor-side upper surface 320 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end of the lower panel 3, the outdoor-side inclined surface 331 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end of the upper panel 3 is close to the outdoor-side inclined surface 321 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end of the lower panel 3 (in this embodiment, they are spaced apart and not in contact), and the central horizontal The buffer/airtight member 15 attached to the surface 332 is crushed between the central horizontal plane 322 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end of the lower panel 3, the indoor-side inclined surface 333 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end of the upper panel 3 is close to the indoor-side inclined surface 323 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end of the lower panel 3 (separated and non-contacting in this embodiment), the indoor-side vertical surface 334 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end of the upper panel 3 is close to the indoor side of the indoor-side vertical surface 324 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end of the lower panel 3, and the indoor-side lower surface 335 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end of the upper panel 3 is pressing downward on the elastic water-stopping member 16 attached to the indoor side of the upper end of the lower panel 3.

[C-5] Position of Vertical Reinforcements in Shutter Curtains As shown in Figures 3 and 8, five sets of vertical reinforcement units consisting of a first vertical reinforcement 27, a second vertical reinforcement 28, and a third vertical reinforcement 29 are provided at intervals in the panel width direction within the top panel 2 of this embodiment. These vertical reinforcement units are continuous in the panel height direction (in this embodiment, they are continuous so as to overlap in the height direction via a horizontal reinforcement). As shown in Figures 3 and 11, five sets of vertical reinforcement units consisting of a first vertical reinforcement 37, a second vertical reinforcement 38, and a third vertical reinforcement 39 are provided at intervals in the panel width direction within the panel height direction (in this embodiment, they are continuous so as to overlap in the height direction via a horizontal reinforcement). As shown in Figures 3 and 16, five sets of vertical reinforcement units consisting of a first vertical reinforcement 47 and a second vertical reinforcement 48 are provided at intervals in the panel width direction within the bottom panel 4 of this embodiment. These vertical reinforcement units are continuous in the panel height direction (in this embodiment, they are continuous so as to overlap in the height direction via a horizontal reinforcement). The internal spaces of the top panel 2, panel 3, and bottom panel main body 4' according to this embodiment are divided into multiple spaces (rooms) by multiple horizontal reinforcing members and multiple vertical reinforcing members. This will be explained using panel 3 as a representative example. As shown in Figure 11A (see Figures 11 and 13), the internal space of panel 3 is divided by intermediate horizontal reinforcing members 35 and lower horizontal reinforcing members 36 into an upper region between the top surface portion 32 and the intermediate horizontal reinforcing member 35, an intermediate region between the intermediate horizontal reinforcing member 35 and the lower horizontal reinforcing member 36, and a lower region between the lower horizontal reinforcing member 36 and the lower surface portion 33. The upper region is further divided into a first space 3A, a second space 3B, a third space 3C, a fourth space 3D, a fifth space 3E, and a sixth space 3F by five first vertical reinforcements 37 extending vertically at intervals in the width direction of the panel, the middle region is further divided into a seventh space 3G, an eighth space 3H, a ninth space 3I, a tenth space 3J, an eleventh space 3K, and a twelfth space 3L by five second vertical reinforcements 38 extending vertically at intervals in the width direction of the panel, and the lower region is further divided into a thirteenth space 3M, a fourteenth space 3N, a fifteenth space 3O, a sixteenth space 3P, a seventeenth space 3Q, and an eighteenth space 3R by five third vertical reinforcements 39 extending vertically at intervals in the width direction of the panel. Each first vertical reinforcement member 37 in the upper section has a 19th space 3a, a 20th space 3b, a 21st space 3c, a 22nd space 3d, and a 23rd space 3e formed therein. Each second vertical reinforcement member 38 in the middle section has a 24th space 3f, a 25th space 3g, a 26th space 3h, a 27th space 3i, and a 28th space 3j formed therein. Each third vertical reinforcement member 39 in the lower section has a 29th space 3k, a 30th space 3l, a 31st space 3m, a 32nd space 3m, and a 33rd space 3o formed therein. Among these 33 spaces, adjacent spaces are connected via at least one hole (hole 3710 in the first vertical reinforcement 37, hole 3810 in the second vertical reinforcement, drainage hole in the horizontal surface 350 of the intermediate horizontal reinforcement 35, and drainage hole in the horizontal surface 360 of the lower horizontal reinforcement 36) or opening (opening 3910 below the third vertical reinforcement 39), allowing water to flow between the spaces. Holes 340, gaps 341, and openings 342 are formed in the side surface 34 of the panel 3 corresponding to each of the rooms 3A, 3G, 3M, 3F, 3L, and 3R (see FIG. 15 ). Holes or openings are formed in the undersurface 33 of the panel 3 corresponding to each of the rooms 3M, 3k, 3N, 3l, 3O, 3m, 3P, 3n, 3Q, 3o, and 3R. Water that has entered the interior of the panel 3 can be drained to the outside through the side portions 34 and bottom portion 33 of the panel 3, so that, for example, when the water subsides after rising, no water remains inside the panel 3. The above description of the structure of the panel 3 can be used to describe the top panel 2 and the bottom panel main body 4'.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the vertical reinforcement units of the top panel 2, panel 3, and bottom panel 4 are aligned in the height direction. In this embodiment, three vertical compression mechanisms 7 are spaced apart in the width direction of the opening, and the top panel 3 has three compressed areas (compressed recesses 221 in this embodiment) corresponding to the three vertical compression mechanisms 7. Of the five sets of vertical reinforcement units on the top panel 2, the upper ends of the left and right vertical reinforcement units and the central vertical reinforcement unit are located in the compressed areas. With this configuration, each panel 2, 3, and 4 can resist the downward pressing force of the vertical compression mechanisms 7 and can effectively apply the pressing force downward.

[D] Water-stop structure
[D-1] Watertight structure between panels in a shutter curtain in a fully closed position When the shutter curtain 1 in a fully closed position is subjected to vertical compression, a watertight structure or watertight structure is formed between the lower end portion of the top panel 2 and the upper end portion of panel 3, between the lower end portion of panel 3 and the upper end portion of panel 3, and between the lower end portion of panel 3 and the upper end portion of bottom panel 4.

The configuration of the lower end portion of the top panel 2 is the same as the configuration of the lower end portion of panel 3, and the configuration of the upper end portion of the bottom panel 4 is the same as the configuration of the upper end portion of panel 3. Therefore, the water-stopping structure between panels of the shutter curtain 1 according to this embodiment will be explained based on the water-stopping structure of the adjacent panels 3 above and below when the shutter curtain 1 is in the fully closed position.

In this embodiment, the water-stopping structure is formed on the indoor side of the shutter curtain 1 when it is in the fully closed position. A groove is formed on the indoor side of the upper end of the panel 3, extending in the width direction of the panel from the indoor side vertical surface 324, the indoor side underside surface 325, and the indoor side rising piece 310, and a long elastic water-stopping member 16 is fitted into the groove. When the shutter curtain 1 is lowered, the elastic water-stopping member 16 of the lower panel 3 and the indoor side underside surface 335 of the upper panel 3 are spaced apart (see the left diagram in Figure 4). When the shutter curtain 1 is in the fully closed position (non-vertical compression state), the indoor side underside surface 335 of the upper panel 3 abuts against the upper surface 164 of the elastic water-stopping member 16 of the lower panel 3 (see Figure 19). When the shutter curtain 1 in the fully closed position is pressed vertically from the state shown in Figure 19, the indoor side lower surface 335 of the upper panel 3 abuts the upper surface 164 of the elastic water-stopping member 16 of the lower panel 3, and the elastic water-stopping member 16 is pressed downward. The pressed elastic water-stopping member 16 closes the gap between the lower end of the panel 3 and the indoor side portion of the upper end of the panel 3, forming a waterproof structure (see Figure 20).

The groove formed in the indoor side portion of the upper end of panel 3 has a roughly U-shaped cross section, consisting of the bottom (indoor side lower surface 325), the inner surface of the outer facing piece (indoor side rising piece 310) rising from the outer end of the bottom (indoor side lower surface 325), and a first portion 3240 facing the outer facing piece (indoor side rising piece 310) of the inner facing surface (indoor side vertical surface 324) located inside the bottom (indoor side lower surface 325). The inner facing surface (indoor side vertical surface 324) has a second portion 3241 adjacent to the first portion 3240 and located outside the groove (above the first portion 3240 and above the upper end of the outer facing piece (indoor side rising piece 310)).

As shown in Figures 24 and 25, the elongated elastic water-stopping member 16 fitted into a groove extending in the panel width direction is integrally formed from a hard elastic portion 16A located within the groove and a soft elastic portion 16B located outside the groove. In other words, the soft elastic portion 16B is integrally formed on a base (foundation) formed by the hard elastic portion 16A. In this embodiment, the hard elastic portion 16A is formed from flame-retardant rubber (such as chloroprene rubber) and the soft elastic portion 16B is formed from flame-retardant rubber sponge (such as chloroprene rubber sponge), but these materials are merely examples and are not limiting. In this embodiment, the elastic water-stopping member 16 is integrally formed from a hard elastic portion 16A located within the groove and a soft elastic portion 16B located outside the groove. This prevents deformation of the base (foundation) of the elastic water-stopping member 16 within the groove as much as possible when the panel's own weight or vertical pressure is applied, and maintains the shape of the base (foundation) of the elastic water-stopping member 16.

As shown in Figure 24, the hard elastic portion 16A has a bottom surface 160, an inner facing surface 161, an outer facing surface 162, and a connecting surface (upper surface) 163, while the soft elastic portion 16B has an abutting surface (upper surface) 164, an inner facing surface 165, an outer facing surface 166, and a connecting surface (lower surface) 167 that comes into close contact with the connecting surface (upper surface) 163. Note that in describing the elastic water-stopping member 16, "inner surface" refers to the side closer to the indoor side vertical surface 324 when fitted into the groove, and "outer surface" refers to the side farther from the indoor side vertical surface 324 when fitted into the groove.

The connection surface (upper surface) 163 of the hard elastic portion 16A consists of a first horizontal surface 1630 and a first inclined surface 1631 that inclines from the outside of the first horizontal surface 1630 toward the bottom surface 160, and the connection surface (lower surface) 167 of the soft elastic portion 16B consists of a second horizontal surface 1670 and a second inclined surface 1671 that inclines from the outside of the second horizontal surface 1670 away from the top surface 164, with the first horizontal surface 1630 and the second horizontal surface 1670, and the first inclined surface 1631 and the second inclined surface 1671 being in close contact with each other.

The top surface of the elastic water-stopping member 16 is formed by the top surface 164 of the soft elastic portion 16B, and the bottom surface of the elastic water-stopping member 16 is formed by the bottom surface 160 of the hard elastic portion 16A. The inner visible surface 161 of the hard elastic portion 16A and the inner visible surface 165 of the soft elastic portion 16B are flush with each other, and the inner visible surface 161 of the hard elastic portion 16A and the inner visible surface 165 of the soft elastic portion 16B form the inner visible surface of the elastic water-stopping member 16.

Multiple (four in the illustrated embodiment) protrusions 1610 extending in the panel width direction are formed on the inner facing surface 161 of the hard elastic portion 16A. In other words, the inner facing portion of the hard elastic portion 16A consists of the inner facing surface 161 and multiple protrusions 1610 formed on the inner facing surface 161 and extending in the panel width direction.

The outer facing surface 166 of the soft elastic portion 16B consists of a first portion 1660 on the bottom surface 160 side and a second portion 1661 on the abutting surface (top surface) 164 side. As described below, the outer facing surface 166 of the soft elastic portion 16B consists of the first portion 1660 that is in close contact with the inner surface of the outer facing piece (indoor side rising piece 310) and the second portion 1661 located outside the groove portion. The outer facing portion 162 of the hard elastic portion 16A consists of a protrusion 1620 that protrudes at an angle away from the bottom surface 160 and a recess 1621 adjacent to the upper side of the protrusion 1620 and that allows elastic deformation of the protrusion 1620. When no external force is acting on the elastic water-stopping member 16, the tip of the protrusion 1620 is located slightly inward of the outer facing surface 166 of the soft elastic portion 16B, but it may also be approximately coincident.

As shown in Figure 25, the hard elastic portion 16A of the elastic water-stopping member 16 is fitted into the groove, with the majority of the soft elastic portion 16B of the elastic water-stopping member 16 located outside the groove (above the groove), and only the outer, lower portion located within the groove. When the elastic water-stopping member 16 is fitted into the groove, the bottom surface of the elastic water-stopping member 16 (bottom surface 160 of the hard elastic portion 16A) abuts against the bottom (indoor side lower surface 325), and the inner facing portion of the hard elastic portion 16A abuts against the first portion 3240 of the inner facing surface of the groove (indoor side vertical surface 324) via the protrusion 1610. The outer facing portion 162 of the hard elastic portion 16A is in close contact with the inner surface of the outer facing piece (indoor side rising piece 310) via the protrusion 1620.

The outer portion (1660) of the portion of the soft elastic portion 16B located within the groove is in close contact with the inner surface of the outer facing piece (indoor side rising piece 310). Specifically, the portion surrounded by the lower portion (first portion 1660) of the outer facing surface 166 of the soft elastic portion 16B and the second inclined surface 1671 is located within the groove, and the first portion 1660 of the outer facing surface 166 is in a crushed state (indicated by 1660') and is in close contact with the inner surface of the outer facing piece (indoor side rising piece 310).

The inner facing portion of the hard elastic portion 16A abuts against the first portion 3240 of the inner facing surface of the groove portion (indoor side vertical surface 324) via the protrusion 1610, causing a force to act in a direction pressing the elastic water-stopping member 16 against the inner surface of the outer facing piece (indoor side rising piece 310). This causes the first portion 1660 of the outer facing surface 166 to be in a crushed state (1660') and to be in close contact with the inner surface of the outer facing piece (indoor side rising piece 310), and the protrusion 1620 of the hard elastic portion 16A to be elastically deformed upward and have its tip side in close contact with the inner surface of the outer facing piece (indoor side rising piece 310).

When the elastic water-stopping member 16 is fitted into the groove, the protrusion 1620 of the outer facing portion 162 of the hard elastic portion 16A extends at an angle away from the bottom surface 160, and its tip is in close contact with the inner surface of the outer facing portion (indoor side rising portion 310), bracing the elastic water-stopping member 16 in the direction of slipping out of the groove and preventing the elastic water-stopping member 16 from slipping out of the groove.

The inner visible surface 161 of the hard elastic portion 16A and the inner visible surface 165 of the soft elastic portion 16B are flush, and in the non-vertical compression position, the inner visible surface 165 of the soft elastic portion 16B is in close proximity (in this embodiment, it is spaced apart and not in contact) with the second portion 3241 of the inner visible surface of the groove portion (the indoor vertical surface 324) (Figure 25). In the vertical compression position, the hard elastic portion 16A is pressed in the height direction, causing the inner visible surface 165 to come into close contact with the second portion 3241 (Figure 26).

When the elastic water-stopping member 16 is in the vertical compression position, the indoor-side lower surface 335 of the upper panel 3 is pressed against the upper surface 164 of the elastic water-stopping member 16 of the lower panel 3, thereby forming a waterproof structure in the indoor-side area between the lower end portion of the upper panel 3 and the upper end portion of the lower panel 3. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 20, when the elastic water-stopping member 16 is in the vertical compression position, the elastic water-stopping member 16 is pressed in the height direction, so that the lower end portion (area adjacent to the first portion 1660) of the second portion 1661 of the outer visible surface 166 of the soft elastic portion 16B is in close contact with the leading edge (upper edge) 3100 of the outer visible piece (indoor-side rising piece 310), thereby forming a waterproof structure.

As shown in Figure 20, the inner visible surface 165 of the soft elastic portion 16B of the elastic water-stopping member 16 is in close contact with the second portion 3241, thereby sealing the gap between the elastic water-stopping member 16 and the inner visible surface (indoor side vertical surface 324). Furthermore, the bottom surface 160 of the elastic water-stopping member 16 is in close contact with the bottom surface (325) of the groove. Even if water seeps in from the interface between the groove and the elastic water-stopping member 16, the lower end portion (the portion adjacent to the first portion 1660) of the second portion 1661 of the outer visible surface 166 of the soft elastic portion 16B is in close contact with the leading edge (upper edge) 3100 of the outer visible piece (indoor side rising piece 310), thereby preventing water from seeping into the indoor side.

The second portion 1661 of the outer facing surface 166 bulges outward (indicated by 1661') from the outer surface of the outer facing piece (indoor side rising piece 310). Please note that the bulging shape of the second portion 1661 shown in Figure 26 is one example, and the bulging shape may differ depending on the way force is applied. As will be described later, under vertical and horizontal compression, the bulging second portion 1661' of the outer facing surface 166 is in close contact with the watertight rubber member 55.

[D-2] Water-stopping structure between the bottom panel body and the seat plate in the shutter curtain in the fully closed position When the shutter curtain 1 in the fully closed position is vertically compressed, a water-stopping structure is formed in the bottom panel 4 between the bottom panel body 4' and the movable seat plate 6. In this embodiment, the water-stopping structure is formed on the indoor side of the bottom panel 4 of the shutter curtain 1 in the fully closed position.

A groove is formed in the indoor side portion of the movable seat plate 6, extending from the indoor side portion of the bottom surface 60, the indoor side rising piece 62, and the indoor side visible surface 64 in the length direction of the movable seat plate 6 (width direction of the bottom panel 4), and an indoor side elastic water-stopping member 16β is fitted into the groove. When the shutter curtain 1 is lowered, the indoor side lower surface 431 at the lower end of the main body 4' and the elastic water-stopping member 16β provided in the groove on the indoor side of the movable seat plate 6 are separated (see Figure 22), and when the shutter curtain 1 is in the fully closed position (non-vertical compression state), the indoor side lower surface 431 at the lower end of the main body 4' abuts against the upper surface 164 of the elastic water-stopping member 16β (see Figure 22). When the shutter curtain 1 in the fully closed position is pressed vertically from the state shown in Figure 22, the upper surface 164 of the elastic water-stopping member 16β is pressed downward with the indoor side lower surface 431 of the lower end of the main body 4' abutting against the upper surface 164 of the elastic water-stopping member 16β. The pressed elastic water-stopping member 16β closes the gap between the lower end of the panel main body 4' and the indoor side of the movable base plate 6, forming a waterproof structure (see Figure 28).

The groove formed in the indoor side portion of the upper end of panel 3 has a roughly U-shaped cross section, consisting of the bottom (indoor side portion of bottom surface 60), the inner surface of the outer facing piece (indoor side rising piece 62) rising from the outer end of the bottom, and a first portion 640 facing the outer facing piece (indoor side rising piece 62) of the inner facing surface (indoor side facing surface 64) located on the inside of the bottom. The inner facing surface (indoor side facing surface 64) has a second portion 641 adjacent to the first portion 640 and located outside the groove (above the first portion 640 and above the upper end of the outer facing piece (indoor side rising piece 62)).

24 and 27, the elongated elastic water-stopping member 16β fitted into a groove extending in the panel width direction (seat width direction) is integrally formed from a hard elastic portion 16A located within the groove and a soft elastic portion 16B whose upper portion is located outside the groove. In other words, the soft elastic portion 16B is integrally formed on a base (foundation) formed by the hard elastic portion 16A. In this embodiment, the hard elastic portion 16A is formed from flame-retardant rubber (such as chloroprene rubber) and the soft elastic portion 16B is formed from flame-retardant rubber sponge (such as chloroprene rubber sponge), but these materials are merely examples and are not limiting. In this embodiment, the elastic water-stopping member 16 is integrally formed from a hard elastic portion 16A located within the groove and a soft elastic portion 16B located outside the groove. This prevents deformation of the base (foundation) of the elastic water-stopping member 16 within the groove as much as possible when the panel's own weight or vertical pressure is applied, and maintains the shape of the base (foundation) of the elastic water-stopping member 16.

The basic structure of the elastic water-stopping member 16β is similar to that of the elastic water-stopping member 16 and can be described with reference to FIG. 24. As shown in FIG. 24, the hard elastic portion 16A has a bottom surface 160, an inner facing surface 161, an outer facing surface 162, and a connecting surface (upper surface) 163, while the soft elastic portion 16B has an abutting surface (upper surface) 164, an inner facing surface 165, an outer facing surface 166, and a connecting surface (lower surface) 167 that comes into close contact with the connecting surface (upper surface) 163. Note that in describing the elastic water-stopping member 16, "inner" refers to the side closer to the indoor facing surface 64 of the movable seat panel 6 when fitted into the groove, and "outer" refers to the side farther from the indoor facing surface 64 when fitted into the groove.

The connection surface (upper surface) 163 of the hard elastic portion 16A consists of a first horizontal surface 1630 and a first inclined surface 1631 that inclines from the outside of the first horizontal surface 1630 toward the bottom surface 160, and the connection surface (lower surface) 167 of the soft elastic portion 16B consists of a second horizontal surface 1670 and a second inclined surface 1671 that inclines from the outside of the second horizontal surface 1670 away from the top surface 164, with the first horizontal surface 1630 and the second horizontal surface 1670, and the first inclined surface 1631 and the second inclined surface 1671 being in close contact with each other.

The top surface of the elastic water-stopping member 16 is formed by the top surface 164 of the soft elastic portion 16B, and the bottom surface of the elastic water-stopping member 16 is formed by the bottom surface 160 of the hard elastic portion 16A. The inner visible surface 161 of the hard elastic portion 16A and the inner visible surface 165 of the soft elastic portion 16B are flush with each other, and the inner visible surface 161 of the hard elastic portion 16A and the inner visible surface 165 of the soft elastic portion 16B form the inner visible surface of the elastic water-stopping member 16.

Multiple protrusions 1610 (three in the illustrated embodiment, see Figure 27) extending in the panel width direction are formed on the inner facing surface 161 of the hard elastic portion 16A. In other words, the inner facing portion of the hard elastic portion 16A consists of the inner facing surface 161 and multiple protrusions 1610 formed on the inner facing surface 161 and extending in the panel width direction.

The outer facing surface 166 of the soft elastic portion 16B consists of a first portion 1660 on the bottom surface 160 side and a second portion 1661 on the abutting surface (top surface) 164 side. As described below, the outer facing surface 166 of the soft elastic portion 16B consists of the first portion 1660, which is in close contact with the inner surface of the outer facing piece (indoor side rising piece 62), and the second portion 1661, which is located outside the groove portion. The outer facing portion 162 of the hard elastic portion 16A consists of a protrusion 1620 that protrudes at an angle away from the bottom surface 160 and a recess 1621 adjacent to the upper side of the protrusion 1620, which allows elastic deformation of the protrusion 1620. When no external force is acting on the elastic water-stopping member 16, the tip of the protrusion 1620 is located slightly inward of the outer facing surface 166 of the soft elastic portion 16B, but it may also be approximately coincident.

As shown in Figure 27, the hard elastic portion 16A of the elastic water-stopping member 16 is fitted into the groove, with the lower portion of the soft elastic portion 16B of the elastic water-stopping member 16 located within the groove and the upper portion located outside (above) the groove. When the elastic water-stopping member 16 is fitted into the groove, the bottom surface of the elastic water-stopping member 16 (bottom surface 160 of the hard elastic portion 16A) abuts against the bottom portion (the indoor side portion of the bottom surface 60), and the inner facing portion of the hard elastic portion 16A abuts against the first portion 640 of the inner facing surface of the groove (indoor side facing surface 64) via the protrusion 1610. The outer facing portion 162 of the hard elastic portion 16A is in close contact with the inner surface of the outer facing piece (indoor side rising piece 62) via the protrusion 1620.

The outer portion (1660) of the portion of the soft elastic portion 16B located within the groove is in close contact with the inner surface of the outer facing piece (indoor side rising piece 62). Specifically, the lower portion of the soft elastic portion 16B is located within the groove, and the first portion 1660 of the outer facing surface 166 is in a crushed state (indicated by 1660') and is in close contact with the inner surface of the outer facing piece (indoor side rising piece 62).

The inner facing portion of the hard elastic portion 16A abuts against the first portion 640 of the inner facing surface of the groove portion (indoor facing surface 64) via the protrusion 1610, applying a force that presses the elastic water-stopping member 16 against the inner surface of the outer facing piece (indoor rising piece 62). This causes the first portion 1660 of the outer facing surface 166 to be in a crushed state (1660') and to be in close contact with the inner surface of the outer facing piece (indoor rising piece 62). The protrusion 1620 of the hard elastic portion 16A is elastically deformed upward, with its tip side in close contact with the inner surface of the outer facing piece (indoor rising piece 62).

When the elastic water-stopping member 16 is fitted into the groove, the protrusion 1620 of the outer facing portion 162 of the hard elastic portion 16A extends at an angle away from the bottom surface 160, with its tip side in close contact with the inner surface of the outer facing piece (indoor side rising piece 62), pushing against the elastic water-stopping member 16β in the direction of slipping out of the groove, preventing the elastic water-stopping member 16 from slipping out of the groove.

The inner facing surface 161 of the hard elastic portion 16A and the inner facing surface 165 of the soft elastic portion 16B are flush, and in the non-vertical compression position, the inner facing surface 165 of the soft elastic portion 16B is in close proximity to (spaced apart in this embodiment and in a non-contact state with) the second portion 641 of the inner facing surface of the groove portion (indoor facing surface 64) (Figure 27). In the vertical compression position, the hard elastic portion 16A is pressed in the height direction, causing the inner facing surface 165 to come into close contact with the second portion 641 (Figure 28).

When the elastic water-stopping member 16β is in the vertical compression position, the indoor side lower surface 431 of the bottom panel main body 4' is pressed against the upper surface 164 of the elastic water-stopping member 16β provided in the indoor side groove portion of the movable seat plate 6, thereby forming a water-stopping structure in the indoor side area between the lower end portion of the bottom panel main body 4' and the movable seat plate 6. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 28, when the elastic water-stopping member 16β is in the vertical compression position, the elastic water-stopping member 16β is pressed in the height direction, so that the lower end portion (area adjacent to the first portion 1660) of the second portion 1661 of the outer visible surface 166 of the soft elastic portion 16B is in close contact with the tip edge (upper edge) 620 of the outer visible piece (indoor side rising piece 62), thereby forming a water-stopping structure.

As shown in Figure 28, the inner facing surface 165 of the soft elastic portion 16B of the elastic water-stopping member 16β is in close contact with the second portion 641, thereby sealing the gap between the elastic water-stopping member 16β and the inner facing surface (indoor facing surface 64). Furthermore, the bottom surface 160 of the elastic water-stopping member 16β is in close contact with the indoor portion of the bottom surface 60 of the groove. Even if water seeps in from the interface between the groove and the elastic water-stopping member 16β, the lower end portion (the portion adjacent to the first portion 1660) of the second portion 1661 of the outer facing surface 166 of the soft elastic portion 16B is in close contact with the leading edge (upper edge) 620 of the outer facing piece (indoor rising piece 62), thereby preventing water from seeping into the indoor side.

The second portion 1661 of the outer visible surface 166 bulges outward (indicated by 1661') from the outer surface of the outer visible piece (indoor rising piece 62). Please note that the bulging shape of the second portion 1661 shown in Figure 28 is one example, and the bulging shape may differ depending on the way force is applied. As will be described later, under vertical and horizontal compression, the bulging second portion 1661' of the outer visible surface 166 is adapted to come into close contact with the watertight rubber member 55.

A groove is formed in the outdoor portion of the movable seat plate 6, extending in the length direction of the movable seat plate 6 (width direction of the bottom panel 4) from the outdoor portion of the bottom surface 60, the outdoor rising piece 61, and the outdoor facing surface 63, and an outdoor elastic water-stopping member 16α is fitted into the groove. When the shutter curtain 1 is in the fully closed position, the outdoor lower surface 430 of the panel body 4' abuts against the outdoor elastic water-stopping member 16α, which will be described later in the explanation of the airtight structure.

[D-3] Water-Stopping Structure at the Lower End of the Shutter Curtain in the Fully Closed Position When the shutter curtain 1 in the fully closed position is vertically compressed, a water-stopping structure is formed between the lower end of the bottom panel 4 (in this embodiment, the movable seat plate 6) and the floor. An elastic water-stopping member 19 is provided across the entire width of the bottom surface 60 of the movable seat plate 6. As shown in FIG. 18 , the elastic water-stopping member 19 consists of end water-stopping members 191 provided on the underside of both end portions of the bottom surface 60 of the movable seat plate 6, and two narrow intermediate water-stopping members 190 provided on the underside of the middle portion (in the width direction) of the bottom surface 60 and in close contact with the end water-stopping members 191. The elastic water-stopping members 19 are fixed to the bottom surface 60 of the seat plate 6 with screws.

In this embodiment, a base elastic material 190' is provided on the bottom surface 60 of the movable seat panel 6, positioned between the end waterproofing members 191 on both ends, and a narrow intermediate waterproofing member 190 is fixed to the base elastic material 190'. The total thickness of the intermediate waterproofing member 190 and the base elastic material 190' is approximately the same as the thickness of the end waterproofing member 191, but in this embodiment, the underside of the narrow intermediate waterproofing member 190 bulges slightly downward in a cross-sectional view cut in the projection direction (see Figure 22). In this embodiment, the base elastic material 190' is made of flame-retardant rubber (such as chloroprene rubber), and the end waterproofing members 191 and the intermediate waterproofing member 190 are made of flame-retardant rubber sponge (such as chloroprene rubber sponge) that is softer than the base elastic material 190', but these materials are examples and are not limited thereto.

The end waterproofing members 191 and base elastic member 190' at both ends have a projected dimension equal to the projected dimension of the bottom surface 60 of the seat panel 6 (the projected dimension of the bottom panel main body 4'), and the two narrow intermediate waterproofing members 190 are both arranged to fit within the projected dimension of the bottom surface 60 of the seat panel 6. Of the two intermediate waterproofing members 190, the intermediate waterproofing member 190 located on the outdoor side extends between the end waterproofing members 191 at both ends at a position away from the outdoor-side facing piece 61 of the movable seat panel 6 toward the indoor side (inside). The intermediate waterproofing member 190 located on the indoor side extends between the end waterproofing members 191 at both ends at a position away from the indoor-side rising piece 62 of the movable seat panel 6 toward the outdoor side (inside).

The outdoor-side intermediate water-stopping member 190 is located inside the outdoor-side facing piece 61 of the movable seat plate 6, and the indoor-side intermediate water-stopping member 190 is located inside the indoor-side rising piece 62 of the movable seat plate 6.This means that when the shutter curtain 1 is in the fully closed position, the intermediate water-stopping member 190 is not exposed to the outside, which improves the aesthetic appearance, particularly when viewed from the outdoor side.

Because the narrow intermediate water-stopping member 190 has a small contact area with the floor surface, when pressed downward with the same force (the weight of the panel when in the normal fully closed position, or the pressing pressure when pressed vertically), the surface pressure pressing against the floor surface is greater than with a wider water-stopping member, and by adhering to the floor surface with greater force, airtightness and waterproofing performance are improved.

When the shutter curtain 1 is in the fully closed position, the elastic water-stopping member 19 attached to the bottom surface 60 of the movable seat plate 6 is actually designed to be in close contact with the upper surface 90 of the sill or door frame embedded in the floor surface FL, and the projected dimensions of the upper surface 90 are limited (see Figure 31). Here, when the shutter curtain 1 is in a vertically or horizontally compressed state, if water pressure acts on the shutter curtain 1 from the outdoor side toward the indoor side, the shutter curtain 1 may deform or displace indoors. In this case, the elastic water-stopping member 19 will be displaced indoors relative to the upper surface 90 of the sill. However, because the indoor-side intermediate water-stopping member 190 is located inside the indoor-side rising piece 62, the indoor-side intermediate water-stopping member 190 will remain in close contact with the upper surface 90 of the sill, even if the bottom panel 4 is displaced indoors (see Figure 31).

As shown in Figure 30, at least a portion of the end waterproofing member 191 is positioned within the guide body 5 in the fully closed position. The outdoor portion of the end waterproofing member 191 is approximately flush with the outdoor facing piece 61 of the movable seat panel 6, and the indoor portion of the end waterproofing member 191 is approximately flush with the indoor rising piece 62 of the movable seat panel 6. As will be described later, in the vertical compression and horizontal compression states, the indoor portion of the end waterproofing member 191, together with the indoor rising piece 62 of the movable seat panel 6, is in close contact with the watertight rubber member 55.

[D-4] Water-stopping structure of both widthwise ends of a shutter curtain in a fully closed position As shown in Figures 5, 6, 29, and 30, the widthwise ends of the shutter curtain 1 (top panel 2, panel 3, bottom panel 4) in a fully closed position are received in the opening between the horizontal pressing member 82 on the outdoor side and the watertight rubber member 55 on the indoor side, and the outdoor-side peripheral surfaces of the guide rollers 11 at the tips of the support shafts 10 protruding from the widthwise ends are in contact with or close to the guide members 53 provided on the bottom side of the guide body 5. By moving the chain up and down, each panel moves vertically up and down, with the outdoor-side peripheral surfaces of the guide rollers 11 of the support shafts 10 at both widthwise ends being guided by the guide members 53 and the widthwise ends being guided by the watertight rubber members 55, while the outdoor side and indoor side faces are in contact with the fins 54, respectively. The outdoor surface of the guide roller 11 comes into contact with the guide member 53, thereby restricting contact between the metal horizontal pressing member 82 and the widthwise end of the shutter curtain 1 during normal opening and closing and in the normal fully closed state.

By pressing the end of the shutter curtain 1, which is in a fully closed position (vertically compressed state), toward the indoor side using the horizontal pressing member 82, the widthwise end of the indoor side portion of the shutter curtain 1 (indoor facing surfaces 21, 31, 41, indoor side rising piece 62, elastic water-stopping member 16, elastic water-stopping member 16β, end water-stopping member 191 of elastic water-stopping member 19) is pressed against the watertight rubber member 55, resulting in a water-stopping structure that extends vertically across both widthwise ends of the shutter curtain (see Figures 7 and 30).

When the shutter curtain 1 is in a fully closed position and is subjected to vertical compression, the portion of the elastic water-stopping member 16 and elastic water-stopping member 16β exposed to the indoor side (second portion 1661 of the outer facing surface 166) bulges slightly indoors (1661') relative to the indoor facing surfaces 21, 31, 41 and the indoor rising piece 62 (see Figure 7), increasing the degree of adhesion with the watertight rubber member 55. The indoor facing surface of the end water-stopping member 191 at the widthwise end of the elastic water-stopping member 19 is flush with the indoor facing surface 41 and the indoor rising piece 62 of the base panel 6, and is in close contact with the watertight rubber member 55 together with the indoor facing surface 41 and the indoor rising piece 62 of the base panel 6.

[D-5] Water-stopping structure of the entire shutter curtain in both vertically and horizontally compressed states When the shutter curtain is in a vertically compressed state, the elastic water-stopping member 16 watertightly seals the gap between adjacent upper and lower panels across the width, the elastic water-stopping member 16β watertightly seals the gap between the bottom panel main body 4' and the seat plate 6 across the width, and the elastic water-stopping member 19 watertightly seals the gap between the lower end of the bottom panel 4 (the lower end of the seat plate 6) and the floor. When the shutter curtain 1 in a vertically compressed state is further compressed horizontally and enters a horizontally compressed state, the widthwise ends of the indoor side portion of the shutter curtain 1 (indoor-side visible surfaces 21, 31, 41, indoor-side rising piece 62, elastic water-stopping member 16, elastic water-stopping member 16β, end water-stopping member 191 of elastic water-stopping member 19) are pressed against the watertight rubber member 55, watertightly sealing both ends of the opening width. When the shutter curtain is in this compressed state (vertical compression state and horizontal compression state), the space between the upper and lower panels is sealed watertight, and water-stopping lines are formed on three sides of the shutter device (both widthwise ends of the shutter curtain 1 located within the left and right guide bodies 5 and the bottom end of the shutter curtain) to prevent water from entering the indoor space.

[D-5] Water-stopping structure of the surface of the bottom panel main body The waterproof panel shutter according to this embodiment is equipped with an obstacle detection means consisting of a movable seat plate 6 and a detection switch SW at the lower end of the bottom panel 4. When the movable seat plate 6 at the lower end of the bottom panel 4 lands on the floor or abuts against an obstacle and moves upward a predetermined amount relative to the floor, the detection switch SW turns ON, an obstacle detection signal is sent via the cord reel CR to the control unit of the opening/closing mechanism M, and the shutter curtain 1 stops moving downward. As shown in Figure 1, the opening/closing mechanism M is installed in the shutter storage space above the opening, near one end in the width direction, and the cord reel CR is located in the lintel above the opening, on the indoor side of the ascending/descending path of the shutter curtain 1, and the cord reel CR and the control unit of the opening/closing mechanism M are electrically connected. The cable C1 of the cord reel CR extends downward along the indoor side of the shutter curtain 1 when the shutter curtain 1 is raised or lowered, and the lower end of the cable C1 is electrically connected to a relay cable C2 that passes through the lower part of the indoor facing surface 41 of the bottom panel main body 4', and the relay cable C2 extends inside the bottom panel main body 4' and is electrically connected to a cable C3 that extends from the detection switch SW.

22 and 32, the relay cable C2 comprises a first portion 110 located on the indoor side, a second portion 111 located on the bottom panel main body 4', and a relay cable holder 112 located between the first portion 110 and the second portion 111. The relay cable holder 112 comprises a horizontally elongated lid portion 113 having an outer shape larger than a through hole formed in a lower portion of the indoor side visible surface 41 of the bottom panel main body 4', and an insertion portion 114 inserted into the through hole. A hole 1130 is formed in the lid portion 113, and a disk-shaped abutment (rubber bushing) 115, which is larger than the hole 1130 and has approximately the same dimensions as the inner diameter of the insertion portion 114, is provided on the base end side of the internal space of the insertion portion 114 so as to block the hole 1130 from the inside. The relay cable C2 is inserted into the abutment 115. An insertion portion for relay cable C2 is formed from a hole 1130 in the lid portion 113 and the internal space of the insertion portion 114. Relay cable C2 passes through the internal space of the insertion portion 114 and extends into the inside of the bottom panel main body 4'. A terminal 116 for electrical connection with cable C1 is provided on the first portion 110, and a terminal 117 for electrical connection with cable C3 is provided on the second portion 111.

In the waterproof panel shutter of this embodiment, a water stop line is formed on the indoor side of the shutter curtain 1 when it is in the fully closed position, allowing water to enter the inside of the bottom panel main body 4'. However, it is necessary to prevent water that has entered the inside of the bottom panel main body 4' from entering the indoor side through the penetration part or relay cable C2.

As shown in Figure 32, the internal space of the insertion portion (the space surrounded by the wall surface of the insertion portion and the second surface of the abutment body) is filled with caulking material 118 to surround the relay cable C2. A waterproofing treatment using a rubber gasket 119 is applied between the inner surface of the lid portion 113 and the indoor facing surface 41 around the through hole. The relay cable C2 is fixed to a liner 120 provided on the back surface of the surface material forming the indoor facing surface 41 with screws (not shown) while the lid portion 113 abuts against the indoor facing surface 41 via the rubber gasket 119. The rubber gasket 119 prevents water from seeping outdoors through the gap between the penetration portion formed in the indoor facing surface 41 of the bottom panel main body 4' and the lid portion 113, and the caulking material 118 prevents water from seeping outdoors along the relay cable C2. The first portion 110 and terminal 116 of the relay cable C2 located on the indoor side, and the lid portion 113 of the relay cable holder 112 are housed inside a cover 121 that is openably or detachably attached to the indoor side visible surface 41, and the cable C1 extends to the outside through a hole formed in the cover 121 (see Figure 33).

[E] Airtight structure (smokeproof structure) and bayonet structure (fireproof structure)
The waterproof shutter of this embodiment can be used as a so-called management panel shutter and functions as a fire and smoke shutter when a building opening is normally closed. The panels 2, 3, and 4 that make up the shutter curtain 1 are made of steel panels (assembled from steel or stainless steel plates, e.g., 1.5 mm or more thick). The base plate 6 and guide body 5 are also made of steel plates (steel or stainless steel), improving fire resistance. When the shutter curtain 1 is fully closed, a cradle structure is formed between the lower portion of the upper panel and the upper portion of the lower panel. Furthermore, in order to function as a fire and smoke shutter in the normally closed state, the shutter is equipped with an airtight structure to prevent smoke and flames from entering the interior from the exterior. The airtight structure of this embodiment can also prevent smoke and flames from escaping from the interior to the exterior during a fire.

[E-1] Airtight structure between panels in a shutter curtain in a fully closed position When the shutter curtain 1 is in a fully closed state, an airtight structure is formed between the lower end portion of the top panel 2 and the upper end portion of panel 3, between the lower end portion of panel 3 and the upper end portion of panel 3, and between the lower end portion of panel 3 and the upper end portion of bottom panel 4. The configuration of the lower end portion of the top panel 2 is the same as the configuration of the lower end portion of panel 3, and the configuration of the upper end portion of the bottom panel 4 is the same as the configuration of the upper end portion of panel 3, so the airtight structure between panels of the shutter curtain 1 according to this embodiment will be explained based on the airtight structure of the vertically adjacent panels 3 in the shutter curtain 1 in a fully closed position.

As shown in Figure 14, the lower end of the panel 3 is provided with a continuous airtight member across the entire width of the panel, consisting of a buffer/airtight member 15, left and right end lower airtight members 18 that are tightly attached to both longitudinal ends of the buffer/airtight member 15, and left and right end room outer airtight members 17 that are tightly attached to the outdoor side of the left and right end lower airtight members 18.

As shown in Figure 19, when the shutter curtain 1 is in a fully closed state, in a cross-sectional view of the widthwise middle portion of the panel 3, the outdoor-side rising piece 303 at the upper end of the lower panel 3 is close to the outdoor side of the lower outdoor-side visible surface 302 at the lower end of the upper panel 3 (the outdoor-side rising piece 303 is located at a step formed by the lower edge 301 and the lower outdoor-side visible surface 302), the outdoor-side lower surface 330 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end of the upper panel 3 is close to the outdoor-side upper surface 320 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end of the lower panel 3 (in this embodiment, they are spaced apart and not in contact), and the outdoor-side inclined surface 331 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end of the upper panel 3 is close to the outdoor-side inclined surface 321 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end of the lower panel 3 (in this embodiment, they are spaced apart and not in contact). In this state, the buffer/airtight member 15 provided on the central horizontal surface 332 of the lower surface portion 33 at the lower end of the upper panel 3 abuts the central horizontal surface 322 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end of the lower panel 3. However, at both widthwise ends of the panel 3, the end lower airtight member 18 at the lower end of the upper panel 3 is in close contact with the outdoor-side upper surface 320 and outdoor-side inclined surface 321 of the upper surface portion 32 at the upper end of the lower panel 3. The left and right end room outer airtight members 17 are located outside the panel widthwise edges 3030 of the outdoor-side rising pieces 303 (see Figure 36). The outer surfaces of the end room outer airtight members 17 are approximately flush with the main surface 300 of the outdoor-side visible surface 30 of the panel 3 and the outer surfaces of the outdoor-side rising pieces 303 (in this embodiment, they are located slightly toward the outdoor side) (see Figures 15 and 36).

[E-2] Airtight Structure Between the Bottom Panel Body and the Seat Plate in the Shutter Curtain in the Fully Closed Position: When the shutter curtain 1 is in the fully closed position, an airtight structure is formed in the bottom panel 4 between the bottom panel body 4' and the movable seat plate 6. In this embodiment, the airtight structure is formed in the outdoor portion of the bottom panel 4 of the shutter curtain 1 in the fully closed position. As shown in FIG. 23 , the outdoor portion of the movable seat plate 6 has a groove formed therein extending in the length direction of the movable seat plate 6 (the width direction of the bottom panel 4) from the outdoor portion of the bottom surface 60, the outdoor-side rising piece 61, and the outdoor-side facing surface 63, and an outdoor-side elastic water-stopping member 16α is fitted into the groove. When the shutter curtain 1 is in the fully closed position, the outdoor-side lower surface 430 of the panel body 4' abuts against the upper surface of the outdoor-side elastic water-stopping member 16α, thereby forming an airtight structure across the entire width between the bottom panel body 4' and the movable seat plate 6.

[E-3] Airtight structure at the bottom end of the shutter curtain in the fully closed position When the shutter curtain 1 is fully closed, an airtight structure is formed between the lower end portion of the bottom panel 4 (in this embodiment, the movable seat plate 6) and the floor. An elastic water-stopping member 19 is provided across the entire width on the bottom surface 60 of the movable seat plate 6, and the elastic water-stopping member 19 abuts against the floor surface due to the weight of the shutter curtain 1, thereby also functioning as an airtight member (see Figure 23).

[E-4] Airtight structure of both widthwise ends of the shutter curtain in the fully closed position As shown in Figures 5 and 34, the widthwise ends of the shutter curtain 1 (top panel 2, panel 3, bottom panel 4) in the fully closed position are received in the opening between the horizontal pressing member 82 on the outdoor side and the watertight rubber member 55 on the indoor side, and the outdoor side peripheral surface of the guide roller 11 at the tip of the support shaft 10 protruding from the widthwise end is in contact with or close to the guide member 53 provided on the bottom side of the guide body 5.

As shown in Figures 5 and 34 to 36, a smoke-blocking material 56 is provided along the height direction at the tip of the outdoor-side folded piece 500 of the guide body 5. The smoke-blocking material 56 is configured to continuously contact both widthwise end portions of the panel of the outdoor side portion of the shutter curtain 1 in the fully closed position (portions located outside the guide body 5) along the height direction. More specifically, the widthwise end portions of the outdoor side of the shutter curtain 1 in the fully closed position are comprised of the end room outer airtight member 17 attached to the main surface 200 and lower outdoor surface 202 of the outdoor facing surface 20 of the top panel 2, the end room outer airtight member 17 attached to the main surface 300 and lower outdoor surface 302 of the outdoor facing surface 30 of the panel 3, the outdoor facing surface 40 of the bottom panel 4, the second portion 1661 (Figure 23) which is the exposed surface of both widthwise end portions of the outdoor-side elastic water-stopping member 16α, the outdoor-side rising piece 61 of the movable seat panel 6, and the outdoor portion of the end water-stopping member 191 of the elastic water-stopping member 19. In one embodiment, even when the shutter curtain 1 in the fully closed position is displaced indoors due to horizontal compression, contact between the smoke blocking material 56 and both widthwise end portions of the outdoor side of the shutter curtain 1 is maintained (see Figure 6).

An upper smoke blocking material 56' is provided in the lintel portion 130 above the opening, spanning the width of the opening. The upper smoke blocking material 56' contacts the outdoor facing surface 20 of the top panel 2, and both widthwise ends contact the upper ends of the left and right smoke blocking materials 56. The lower ends of the left and right smoke blocking materials 56 contact the floor surface FL. In this embodiment, in a plan view, the smoke blocking material 56 is formed by shaping a fire-resistant sheet into a bag shape, with the base end fixed to the tip of the outdoor-side folded piece 500 and the curved tip end contacting both widthwise ends of the panel on the outdoor side of the shutter curtain 1, but the specific configuration of the smoke blocking material 56 is not limited.

[E-5] Airtight structure of shutter curtain in fully closed position (another embodiment 1)
Referring to Figure 38, another embodiment of the airtight structure of a shutter curtain in a fully closed position will be described based on a panel 3. In this embodiment, an outdoor airtight member 17α is provided along the lower edge 301 at the upper end of the lower outdoor-facing surface (step-facing surface) 302 of the panel 3, across the entire width of the panel. When the shutter curtain is fully closed, the upper end of the outdoor-facing rising piece 303 of the lower panel 3 is in close contact with the outdoor-facing airtight member 17α at the lower end of the upper panel 3, thereby blocking the outdoor-facing gap between the lower end of the upper panel 3 and the upper end of the lower panel 3 across the entire width of the panel. The outdoor portion of the outdoor airtight member 17α is approximately flush with the outdoor-facing surface (main surface 300) of the panel 3 and the outdoor-facing rising piece 303. Both widthwise end portions of the outdoor airtight member 17α are in contact with the left and right smoke barriers 56. In this embodiment, the outdoor-side airtight member 17α and the buffer/airtight member 15 are independent of each other.

[E-6] Airtight structure of shutter curtain in fully closed position (other embodiment 2)
Referring to Figure 39, another embodiment of the airtight structure of a shutter curtain in a fully closed position will be described based on a panel 3. In this embodiment, no stepped surface is formed below the outdoor-facing surface 30 of the panel 3. A flat outdoor-side airtight member 17β is provided across the entire width of either the outdoor-side horizontal surface at the lower end of the upper panel 3 or the outdoor-side horizontal surface at the upper end of the lower panel 3. When the shutter curtain is fully closed, the outdoor-side airtight member 17β is pressed between the outdoor-side horizontal surface at the lower end of the upper panel 3 and the outdoor-side horizontal surface at the upper end of the lower panel 3, thereby blocking the outdoor-side gap between the lower end of the upper panel 3 and the upper end of the lower panel 3 across the entire width of the panel. The outdoor-side portion of the outdoor-side airtight member 17β is substantially flush with the outdoor-facing surface 30 of the panel 3, and both widthwise ends of the outdoor-side airtight member 17β are in contact with the left and right smoke barriers 56. In this embodiment, the outdoor-side airtight member 17α and the buffer/airtight member 15 are independent of each other.

[E-7] Interlocking structure between panels in a shutter curtain in a fully closed positionIn this embodiment, in the adjacent panels on the top and bottom of the shutter curtain 1 in a fully closed position, a watertight structure is formed between the indoor side portion of the lower part of the upper panel and the indoor side portion of the upper part of the lower panel, and an interlocking structure is formed between the lower part of the upper panel and the upper part of the lower panel, located on the outdoor side of the watertight structure.The interlocking structure between adjacent panels on the top and bottom of the shutter curtain 1 in this embodiment will be explained based on the fit of adjacent panels 3 on the top and bottom of the shutter curtain 1 in a fully closed position. The lower surface portion 33 of the upper panel 3 comprises an outdoor-side lower surface (outdoor-side horizontal surface) 330, a trapezoidal portion in side view consisting of an outdoor-side inclined surface 331, a central horizontal surface 332 and an indoor-side inclined surface 333, and an indoor-side portion (indoor-side vertical surface 334, indoor-side lower surface 335), and the upper surface portion 32 of the lower panel 3 comprises an outdoor-side upper surface (outdoor-side horizontal surface) 320, a trapezoidal portion in side view consisting of an outdoor-side inclined surface 321, a central horizontal plane 322 and an indoor-side inclined surface 323, and an indoor-side portion (indoor-side vertical surface 324, indoor-side lower surface 325). When the shutter curtain is in the fully closed position, the lower end portion of the upper panel 3 and the upper end portion of the lower panel 3 form a slotted structure by fitting the trapezoidal portion (outdoor-side inclined surface 331, central horizontal surface 332, indoor-side inclined surface 333) of the lower surface portion 33 of the upper panel 3 with the trapezoidal portion (outdoor-side inclined surface 321, central horizontal surface 322, indoor-side inclined surface 323) of the upper surface portion 32 of the lower panel 3. In this embodiment, the slotted structure is also formed by the outdoor-side rising piece 303 of the lower panel 3 closely facing the lower outdoor-side visible surface 302 of the upper panel 3. In this embodiment, the synergistic effect of the airtight structure and the slotted structure improves fire and smoke prevention performance.

[E-8] Operation as a Fire Shutter: The waterproof shutter of this embodiment is an electrically operated shutter that, during normal operation, electrically lowers to close the opening. When the opening is fully closed, as described above, an airtight structure (smoke-tight structure) is formed on the outdoor side, and a fire-resistant, hook-and-loop structure (fire-resistant structure) is formed between adjacent panels. When the opening is fully closed (uncompressed state), the vertical compression mechanism compresses the shutter curtain 1 in the fully closed position vertically, and the horizontal compression mechanism compresses the shutter curtain 1 in the fully closed position in the vertically compressed state horizontally, so that the shutter curtain 1 in the fully closed position is in a vertically and horizontally compressed state. Even in this state, the airtight structure (smoke-tight structure) is maintained (see Figure 6), and the hook-and-loop structure (fire-resistant structure) is maintained (see Figure 20).

The waterproof shutter according to this embodiment is equipped with a gravity lowering mechanism that allows the shutter curtain 1, which is in a fully open state, to descend under its own weight in the event of a fire or other emergency. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 40 , the waterproof shutter is equipped with an automatic closing device that is activated by the input of a fire detection signal, and an operating mechanism that releases and resets the brake of the opening/closing device M. When the automatic closing mechanism is activated, the operating mechanism assumes the brake release position, releases the brake, and allows the shutter curtain to descend under its own weight, descending to the fully closed position and stopping in that position. If an obstacle strikes the seat plate 6 at the bottom of the shutter curtain 1 while it is descending under its own weight, an obstacle detection signal is sent to the operating mechanism, and in response to the input of the obstacle detection signal, the operating mechanism assumes the brake release position, resets the brake, and stops the shutter curtain as it descends under its own weight. When the obstacle is removed, the input of the obstacle detection signal ceases, and the operating mechanism resumes the brake release position, releasing the brake, allowing the shutter curtain to descend again under its own weight, descending to the fully closed position and stopping in that position.

We will now explain the compression operation after the shutter curtain has reached the fully closed position due to its own gravity. In the first mode, the presence or absence of a fire detection signal determines whether the shutter curtain is in the fully closed position due to its own gravity or due to electrical descent. If the fire detection signal is present, it is determined that the shutter curtain has reached the fully closed position due to its own gravity, the transmission of the compression signal from the compression button is disabled, and the compression operation is restricted.

In the second mode, compression is possible regardless of whether the shutter curtain in the fully closed position is lowered by gravity or electrically. When a vertical compression signal is sent from the compression button to the vertical compression mechanism, the vertical compression mechanism performs vertical compression of the shutter curtain in the fully closed position, and when a horizontal compression signal is sent from the compression button to the horizontal compression mechanism, the horizontal compression mechanism performs vertical compression of the shutter curtain in the fully closed position.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the waterproof shutter is equipped with a movable center post 9. The center post 9 is located on the indoor side of the shutter curtain 1 when it is in the fully closed state, and is installed adjacent to the indoor side of the shutter curtain 1. The center post 9 is designed to resist water pressure acting from the outdoor side to the indoor side of the shutter curtain 1 when it is in the fully closed position. The center post 9 is moved from the retracted position to the installed position and installed adjacent to the indoor side of the shutter curtain 1 when it is in the fully closed position. In one embodiment, the installation of the center post 9 is performed before the shutter curtain 1 in the fully closed position is placed in a watertight state (vertical and horizontal compression). However, the center post 9 may also be installed after the shutter curtain 1 in the fully closed position is placed in a watertight state (vertical and horizontal compression). In this embodiment, when water pressure is not acting on the shutter curtain 1 from the outdoor side, a small gap is formed between the center post 9 in the installed position and the indoor side of the shutter curtain when it is in the fully closed position (non-horizontal compression state and horizontal compression state).

By positioning the center post 9 on the indoor side of the shutter curtain 1 when it is in the fully closed state (vertical compression state and horizontal compression state), it is possible to resist water pressure that may act on the shutter curtain when it is in a watertight state. When the shutter curtain is deformed to bulge indoors due to water pressure from the outdoors, the indoor side of the shutter curtain 1 (the indoor facing surface 31 of the panel 3) abuts and is supported by the first facing portion 900 of the center post 9. The panel 3 and center post 9, which are in a watertight state, prevent excessive deformation of the shutter curtain 1 when it is in a watertight state, thereby maintaining the watertight state. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, three center posts 9 are installed at positions that divide the width of the panel 1 into four equal parts. The number of center posts 9 is not limited and can be selected appropriately depending on the strength of each center post 9 and the width dimension (opening width dimension) of the panel 3, etc.

As shown in Figures 42 to 45 and 52, the center post 9 comprises a main body 90, which is the structural body of the center post 9, an upper locking rod 910, and a lower locking rod 911, as well as a locking mechanism 91 for maintaining the installed position. A hanger roller 92 is provided at the upper end of the center post 9, and the hanger roller 92 is capable of rolling within a hanger rail 93 (see Figures 1 and 41) that extends widthwise above the opening. The locking mechanism 91 of the center post 9 comprises a linkage mechanism that raises and lowers the upper locking rod 910 and lower locking rod 911 in conjunction with the operation of an operating handle 94, which serves as an operating unit.

The center post 9 can move between the storage position and the installation position by the hanger roller 92 rolling within the hanger rail 93. The hanger rail 93 is a long member that is horizontal and extends in the width direction of the opening, extending at least from the installation position of the center post 9 to the storage position of the center post 9 (the position on the indoor side of the guide body 5 at the widthwise end of the opening). The center post 9 in this embodiment is rotatable around the axis of the hanging shaft 920 of the hanger roller 92. In this embodiment, the position and direction of each part of the center post 9 are defined based on the center post 9 in the installation position. That is, the visible surface of the center post 9 in the installation position becomes a visible surface extending in the visible direction during storage and movement, and the visible surface of the center post 9 in the installation position becomes a visible surface extending in the visible direction during storage and movement. When the center post 9 is in its installed position, the first visible part 900 faces the indoor side of the shutter curtain 1, but when storing or moving the center post 9, the center post 9 is rotated around the suspension shaft 920 (located on the side away from the shutter curtain 1) so that the visible surface in the installed position faces the indoor side of the shutter curtain 1. This creates a sufficient gap between the center post 9 and the indoor side of the shutter curtain 1, preventing contact between the center post 9 and the shutter curtain 1 and allowing the center post 9 to move smoothly.

The main body 90 of the center post 9 in this embodiment is formed in an H-shape in cross section or plan view from a first facing portion 900 that can abut against the indoor side of the shutter curtain, a second facing portion 901 that faces the indoor side of the first facing portion 900, and a recessed portion 902 that connects the central widthwise portions of the first facing portion 900 and the second facing portion 901, and includes a long member 90' that extends in the height direction. The first facing portion 900, second facing portion 901, and recessed portion 902 each have a predetermined thickness to ensure the predetermined strength required of the center post 9. In one aspect, the first facing portion 900, second facing portion 901, and recessed portion 902 are firmly connected and integrated by welding. In this embodiment, the first and second facing portions 900 and 901 have the same width (facing dimension), while the facing portion 902 has a larger width (facing dimension). The main body 90 of the center post 9 in this embodiment is a long member with an H-shaped cross section. The longitudinal direction of the center post 9 in the installed position (facing portion 902) faces indoors and outdoors, allowing it to adequately resist water pressure acting from the outdoors to the indoors. As shown in Figure 43 , the upper end of the first facing portion 900 of the main body 90 of the center post 9 in this embodiment is an inclined surface 900a, forming a guide surface for lowering the shutter curtain 1 after the center post 9 is installed. While the main body 90 of the center post 9 in this embodiment is a long member with an H-shaped cross section, the main body 90 may also be constructed from a long member with a T-shaped cross section, consisting of the first facing portion 900 and facing portion 902.

In this embodiment, the first visible portion 900 and the second visible portion 901 of the elongated member 90' extend over the entire height of the center post 9. The height dimension of the visible portion 902 is shorter than the height dimensions of the first visible portion 900 and the second visible portion 901, and the upper end 9020 of the visible portion 902 is located below the upper end of the center post 9, while the lower end 9021 of the visible portion 902 is located above the lower end of the center post 9. In this embodiment, a space is formed above the upper end 9020 of the visible portion 902, which extends in the center of the width of the main body 90 of the center post 9, so that the upper locking rod 910 protrudes from the center of the width of the center post 9. The projected portion 902 of the main body 90 may extend all the way to the top of the center post 9. In this case, for example, two upper locking rods may be provided symmetrically on the left and right of the projected portion 902, with a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism provided on either side of the projected portion 902. In this embodiment, a space is formed below the lower end 9021 of the projected portion 902, which extends from the center of the width of the main body 90 of the center post 9, so that the lower locking rod 911 protrudes from the center of the width of the center post 9. The projected portion 902 of the main body 90 may extend all the way to the bottom of the center post 9. In this case, for example, two lower locking rods may be provided symmetrically on the left and right of the projected portion 902 (four in total), with a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism provided on either side of the projected portion 902.

The upper portion of the main body 90 is provided with left and right upper visible surface portions 903 that connect, in the visible direction, both widthwise ends of the upper portion of the first visible portion 900 and both widthwise ends of the upper portion of the second visible portion 901. The lower portion of the main body 90 is provided with left and right lower visible surface portions 904 that connect, in the visible direction, both widthwise ends of the lower portion of the first visible portion 900 and both widthwise ends of the lower portion of the second visible portion 901. The upper end of the main body 90 is provided with an upper end surface 905, and the upper portion of the main body 90 is provided with an upper side surface 907 located below the upper end surface 905. The lower end of the main body 90 is provided with a lower end surface 906, and the lower portion of the main body 90 is provided with a lower side surface 908 located above the lower end surface 906. The main body 90 of the center column 9 according to this embodiment is composed of an elongated member 90' having an H-shaped cross section, which includes a first facing portion 900, a second facing portion 901, and a facing portion 902, left and right upper facing surface portions 903, left and right lower facing surface portions 904, an upper end surface 905, a lower end surface 906, an upper side surface 907, and a lower side surface 908. As shown in FIG. 44 , the plate thicknesses of the first facing portion 900 and the second facing portion 901 of the main body 90 according to this embodiment are the same and are greater than the plate thickness of the facing portion 902. The sum of the plate thicknesses of the left and right upper facing surface portions 903 is the same as or greater than the plate thickness of the facing portion 902, and the sum of the plate thicknesses of the left and right lower facing surface portions 904 is the same as or greater than the plate thickness of the facing portion 902. The relative dimensions of the plate thickness of each part that makes up the main body 90 are not limited to the illustrated embodiment, but the plate thickness must be such that it exhibits the strength required of the center pillar 9.

The upper end surface 905 of the main body 90 is rectangular in plan view, with opposing short sides connected to the upper ends of the first and second facing portions 900 and 901, respectively, and the upper ends of the left and right upper facing surfaces 903 are connected to the lower surfaces of the opposing long sides. The upper side surface 907 located below the upper end surface 905 is rectangular in plan view, with opposing short sides connected to the upper portions of the first and second facing portions 900 and 901, respectively, and the lower ends of the left and right upper facing surfaces 903 are connected to the upper surfaces of the opposing long sides. A box-shaped portion is formed in the upper portion of the main body 90 by the upper portions of the first and second facing portions 901, the upper end surface 905, the left and right upper facing surfaces 903, and the upper side surface 907. In this embodiment, the upper end 9020 of the projection portion 902 is located below and spaced from the upper surface 907, and a space is formed between the upper end 9020 of the projection portion 902 and the lower surface of the upper surface 907.

A hanger roller 92 is provided on the upper end surface 905 of the center post 9 on the side facing the second facing portion 901, and an upper locking rod 910 protrudes from the side facing the first facing portion 900. Above the main body 90, on the side of the upper end surface 905 and upper side surface 907 that are spaced apart in the vertical direction and closer to the first facing portion 900, receiving holes 9050 and 9070 are formed at the center of the width direction to receive the upper locking rod 910 so that it can move up and down. The receiving holes 9050 and 9070 are aligned vertically, and the upper portion of the columnar or cylindrical upper locking rod 910 is inserted through the receiving hole 9050, and the lower portion of the upper locking rod 910 is inserted through the receiving hole 9070. The upper end surface 905 and upper side surface 907 serve as supports for the upper locking rod 910. The upper portion of the center post 9 (the space surrounded by the upper end surface 905, upper side surface 907, and left and right upper visible surface portions 903) may be made solid, and the support portion for the upper locking rod 910 may be formed from a cylindrical hole formed in the solid portion.

The lower end surface 906 of the main body 90 is rectangular in plan view, with opposing short sides connected to the lower ends of the first and second facing portions 900 and 901, respectively, and the lower ends of the left and right lower facing surfaces 904 are connected to the upper surfaces of the opposing long sides. The lower side surface 908 located above the lower end surface 906 of the main body 90 is rectangular in plan view, with opposing short sides connected to the lower portions of the first and second facing portions 900 and 901, respectively, and the upper ends of the left and right lower facing surfaces 904 are connected to the lower surfaces of the opposing long sides. A box-shaped portion is formed in the lower portion of the main body 90 by the lower portions of the first and second facing portions 901, the lower end surface 906, the left and right lower facing surfaces 904, and the lower side surface 908. In this embodiment, the lower end 9021 of the projection portion 902 is located above and spaced from the lower surface 908, and a space is formed between the lower end 9021 of the projection portion 902 and the upper surface of the lower surface 908.

The lower end surface 906 has two receiving holes 9060 formed in the center of the width direction, spaced apart in the projection direction, which receive the lower locking rods 911 so that they can move up and down. The lower side surface 908 has two receiving holes 9080 formed in the center of the width direction, spaced apart in the projection direction, which receive the lower locking rods 911 so that they can move up and down. Below the main body 90, the lower end surface 906 and the lower side surface 908 are spaced apart in the height direction and opposite each other, with the receiving holes 9060 and 9080 aligned vertically. The upper portion of each cylindrical or cylindrical lower locking rod 911 is inserted through the receiving hole 9080, and the lower portion of each lower locking rod 911 is inserted through the receiving hole 9060. The lower end surface 906 and the lower side surface 908 serve as supports for the two lower locking rods 911. The lower portion of the center post 9 (the space surrounded by the lower end surface 906, lower side surface 908, and left and right lower projecting surfaces 904) may be made solid, and the support portion for the lower locking rod 911 may be formed from a cylindrical hole formed in the solid portion.

The locking mechanism 91 of the center column 9 in this embodiment includes one upper locking rod 910, two lower locking rods 911, and a linkage mechanism that raises and lowers the upper locking rod 910 and the lower locking rod 911 in conjunction with the rotation of the operating handle 94 serving as an operating unit. In this embodiment, in conjunction with the rotation of the operating handle 94 in the first direction, which changes the operating handle 94 from its first position (dotted line in Figure 2) to its second position (solid line in Figure 2), the upper locking rod 910 moves upward and protrudes from the upper end surface 905 to assume a protruding position (locking position), is received by the upper receiving portion 9100, and is locked; the lower locking rod 911 moves downward and protrudes from the lower end surface 906 to assume a protruding position (locking position), is received by the lower receiving portion 9110, and is locked. In conjunction with rotating the operating handle 94 in the second direction, which returns the operating handle 94 from the second position to the first position, the upper locking rod 910 moves downward to assume the storage position, and the lower locking rod 911 moves upward to assume the storage position, allowing the center post 9 to move along the hanger rail 93.

In this embodiment, the main body 90 is provided with removably attached cover bodies 95 and 96 on the left and right surfaces of the projection portion 902, spaced apart and facing each other. The interlocking mechanism of the locking mechanism 91 is accommodated in the space between one side of the projection portion 902 and the cover body 95, and in the space between the other side of the projection portion 902 and the cover body 96. A plurality of connecting pieces 97 are fixed to the surfaces on both sides of the projection portion 902 of the main body 90 at intervals in the height direction and the projection direction. The cover bodies 95 and 96 are removably connected to the main body 90 by tightening screws 970 into the connecting pieces 97. In this embodiment, the upper end portions of the cover bodies 95 and 96 are connected by screws 970 to connecting pieces 97' provided on the upper surface 907, and the lower end portions of the cover bodies 95 and 96 are connected by screws 970 to connecting pieces 97' provided on the lower surface 908. By removing the cover bodies 95 and 96 from the main body 90, maintenance of the interlocking mechanism of the locking mechanism 91 is possible. The cover bodies 95 and 96 according to this embodiment do not substantially contribute to the strength of the center post 9, and are thinner than the thickness of each portion (plate-shaped portion) of the main body 90. The main body 90 of the center post 9 according to this embodiment is integrally formed by welding the first visible portion 900, the second visible portion 901, and the visible portion 902, ensuring the required strength of the center post 9, while the cover bodies 95 and 96, which can be removed from the main body 90 with screws 970 for maintenance of the interlocking mechanism of the locking mechanism 91, do not require strength. As shown in Figure 50 , both ends of the cover body 95 in the projection direction (width direction) are bent inward to form integrally formed bent pieces 950, one of which is adjacent to or abuts the back surface of the first facing portion 900, and the other is adjacent to or abuts the back surface of the second facing portion 901. Both ends of the cover body 96 in the projection direction (width direction) are bent inward to form integrally formed bent pieces 960, one of which is adjacent to or abuts the back surface of the first facing portion 900, and the other is adjacent to or abuts the back surface of the second facing portion 901. As shown in Figures 45 and the right diagram of Figure 50 , an eyebolt 90a for hanging the center post 9 is detachably provided above the center of the main body 90 of the center post 9 in the height direction (enabling stable attachment) and penetrating in the projection direction. The eyebolt 90a is removed after the center column 9 is hung.

In this embodiment, the upper ends of the cover bodies 95 and 96 are located above the upper end 9020 of the projected portion 902 of the main body 90 and are close to or abutting the lower surface of the upper side surface 907, while the lower ends of the cover bodies 95 and 96 are located below the lower end 9021 of the projected portion 902 of the main body 90 and are close to or abutting the upper surface of the lower side surface 908. The left and right projected surfaces of the center column 9 consist of the left and right cover bodies 95 and 96, the left and right upper projected surface portions 903, and the left and right lower projected surface portions 904.

The interlocking mechanism according to this embodiment extends primarily along one side of the recessed portion 902 of the main body 90, and is located in the space formed between one side of the recessed portion 902 and the cover body 96. The operating handle 94 that operates the interlocking mechanism is located on the outer surface of the cover body 95, facing the other side of the recessed portion 902 of the main body 90. A connected portion 98 of the operating handle 94 is provided on the surface on the other side of the recessed portion 902. A stopper 980 is provided on the connected portion 98 to prevent excessive rotation of the operating handle 94.

The rotating element 912, which rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the operating handle 94, is located on the other side of the recessed portion 902 of the main body 90. The rotating element 902 and the interlocking mechanism are connected via a shaft 913 that passes through an opening 9022 formed in the recessed portion 902. The lower end of the first element 914 and the upper end of the second element 915 of the interlocking mechanism are connected to the tip of the shaft 913. One end of a third element 916 is connected to the upper end of the first element 914, and the lower end of the upper locking rod 910 is connected to the other end of the third element 916.

The upper end of the fourth element 917 is connected to the lower end of the second element 915, the upper end of the fifth element 918 is connected to the lower end of the fourth element 917, and the upper end of the fifth element 918 is connected to the lower end of the lower locking rod 911. The pivoting element 912, first element 914, second element 915, third element 916, and fourth element 917 are plate-shaped links, and the fifth element 918 is formed by bending a plate-shaped member. A retaining portion 99 for the first element 914 and fourth element 917 is provided at a predetermined position on one side surface of the projection portion 902 of the main body 90, so that the first element 914 and fourth element 917 are guided vertically between the surface on one side of the projection portion 902 and the retaining portion 99.

The interlocking mechanism according to this embodiment includes an upper interlocking mechanism that raises and lowers the upper locking rod 910. The upper interlocking mechanism includes a rotating element 912 that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the operating handle 94, a shaft 913 that extends from the rotating element 912 in the forward direction through the opening 9022 of the projection portion 902, an elongated first element 914 whose lower end is connected to the tip of the shaft 913 and extends upward, and a third element 916 whose one end is connected to the upper end of the first element 914 and extends in the forward direction, with the other end of the third element 916 connected to the lower end of the upper locking rod 910. Note that the above configuration of the upper interlocking mechanism according to this embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the specific configuration of the upper interlocking mechanism.

The first element 914 of the upper interlocking mechanism is located on one side of the recessed portion 902, which is located in the widthwise center of the center post 9 (i.e., offset from the widthwise center), and extends in the height direction. The upper end of the first element 914 is located higher than the upper end 9020 of the recessed portion 902, and the space in which the third element 916, which is connected to the upper end of the first element 914, is located is the space formed between the upper end 9020 of the recessed portion 902 and the upper surface 907. The recessed portion 902 is not located in the widthwise center, and the third element 916 is located in the widthwise center of the center post 9. One end of the third element 916 is located on the second recessed portion 901 side, and the other end is located on the first recessed portion 900 side. The third element 916 is located in the widthwise center of the center post 9 and extends in the recessed direction.

One end of the third element 916 is located rearward (toward the second attachment portion 901) from the tip of the pivoting element 912, and the first element 914 extends at a gentle rearward incline from the lower end to the upper end. The third element 916 is pivotally connected to a support piece 919 provided on the underside of the upper side surface 907, so that when the first element 914, to which one end is connected, moves upward, the upper locking rod 910, to which the other end is connected, moves downward, and when the first element 914, to which one end is connected, moves downward, the upper locking rod 910, to which the other end is connected, moves upward.

The interlocking mechanism according to this embodiment includes a lower interlocking mechanism that raises and lowers the lower locking rod 911. The lower interlocking mechanism includes a rotating element 912 that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the operating handle 94, a shaft 913 that extends from the rotating element 912 toward the opening 9022 of the recess 902, a second element 915 that is elongated and extends downward and has its upper end connected to the tip of the shaft 913, a fourth element 917 that is elongated and extends downward and has its upper end connected to the lower end of the second element 915, and a fifth element 918 that is connected to the lower end of the fourth element 917. The upper end of the fifth element 918 is connected to the upper end of the lower locking rod 911. Note that the above configuration of the lower interlocking mechanism according to this embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the specific configuration of the lower interlocking mechanism.

The second element 915 of the lower connecting mechanism is gently inclined toward the first facing portion 900 from its upper end to its lower end, and the fourth element 917 extends vertically in the height direction at the center of the facing direction. The second element 915 and the fourth element 917 are located on one side of the facing portion 902, which is located in the widthwise center of the center column 9 (i.e., offset from the widthwise center), and extend in the height direction. The space where the lower end of the fourth element 917 and the fifth element 918 are located is formed between the lower end 9021 of the facing portion 902 and the lower surface 908. The facing portion 902 is not located in the widthwise center. The lower end of the fifth element 918 is located in the widthwise center of the center column 9, and the upper end of the lower locking rod 911 is connected to this lower end. The fourth element 917, the fifth element 918, and the lower locking rod 911 move up and down in conjunction with the up and down movement of the second element 915.

As shown in Figures 1, 41, etc., in this embodiment, the storage space above the opening is surrounded by a main body (specifically, a vertical front wall 83, vertical left and right side walls 84, and a horizontal top wall (ceiling surface) 85). As shown in Figure 60, in this embodiment, the front sides of the left and right side walls 84 are stepped, consisting of a first side wall 84A on the front side and a second side wall 84B on the rear side of the first side wall 84A, and the left and right end portions of the front wall 83 located in the stepped portions of the side walls 84 are represented by front end walls 83'.

As shown in Figures 41 and 56, left and right brackets 130 are located at the left and right ends of the storage space above the opening, extending rearward from the front wall 83. A support member 131 is connected between the left and right brackets 130, located forward and downward, and extending in the width direction of the opening. The longitudinal end of the support member 131 is connected (e.g., welded) to a lower end piece 1300 located at the lower end of the face of the bracket 130 and extending in the forward direction. As shown in Figure 1, a case body 140 is provided within the storage space, and the left and right brackets 130 and support member 131 are surrounded by and located within the case body 140, which is located in the storage space. In this specification, the case body 140 and structures such as the left and right brackets 130 and support member 131 are collectively referred to as the shutter storage section.

The case body 140 is formed into a box shape by a case frame and multiple panel plates attached to the case frame. More specifically, the case body 140 is composed of a rear front portion 141, a top portion 142, left and right side portions 143, and a bottom portion 144, and is open at the front. A top wall 85 is located above the top portion 142 of the case body 140 and spaced apart, side walls 84 are located outside the left and right side portions 143 and spaced apart, and left and right brackets 130 attached to the front wall 83 are located inside the left and right side portions 143. The frame material that makes up the case frame is a long member made of, for example, an L-angle member or a square pipe, and is provided along the periphery and middle of the entire width of the front portion 141, top portion 142, left and right side portions 143, and bottom portion 144 to reinforce the case body 140.

The surface of the front portion 141 of the case body 140 consists of multiple front panel plates 1410, the surface of the top portion 142 consists of multiple top panel plates 1420 and 1421, and the side portion 143 consists of multiple side panel plates 1430. The bottom portion 144 has multiple inspection panels 1440 that can be rotated in the left-right width direction, making it easy to perform maintenance on the vertical compression mechanism 7 and horizontal compression mechanism 8. Figure 64 shows the top panel board 1420, which has a front frame member 14200 made of an L-angled angle at the front edge, a rear frame member 14201 made of an L-angled angle at the rear edge, a central frame member 14202 made of an L-angled angle extending in the projection direction at the center of the width, and horizontally extending edge pieces 14203, 14204, and 14205 at the rear edge and left and right side edges. Figure 70 shows, as part of the case frame, frame members 145 at the corners of the rear upper end of the case body 140 and frame member 1411 at the front portion 141. The rear upper end of the case body 140 is attached to the top wall 85 via connecting means 134 provided at multiple locations (four locations in this embodiment) including both longitudinal ends of the frame member 145 (see Figure 70). The lower front end portion of the case body 140 is fixed to the receiving material 131 by connecting members (not shown) at multiple locations along the length of the front frame material 1441 (see Figure 68) of the lower surface portion 144. The front end portion of the upper surface portion 142 of the case body 140 is placed on (or may be connected to) a long receiving piece 135 fixed to the front wall 83 (see Figures 41 and 69). Note that the case body 140 may be attached to a location other than the receiving material 131 or the upper wall 85.

The front ends of the left and right brackets 130 are attached to the front wall 83, and the upper portions of the guide body 5 (both ends in the width direction of the lintel opening) are located at the lower front portions of the bracket 130's surface. A sprocket 12 is provided at the upper front portion of the bracket 130's surface, and a storage rail 13 is provided extending rearward from the sprocket 12. A shaft 12' is provided at the lower rear end, and the sprocket 12 and shaft 12' are power-transmitted and connected by a chain. An opening/closing mechanism M is provided at the upper rear end of one of the brackets 130 (drive side), and the opening/closing mechanism M rotates and drives the shaft 12' of the drive side bracket 130.

A support member 131 is connected between the front lower portions of the left and right brackets 130. As shown in Figures 56, 68, etc., the support member 131 is a long member with a U-shaped cross section, consisting of a horizontal upper surface 1310, a front hanging piece 1311, and a rear hanging piece 1312. Both longitudinal ends of the upper surface 1310 of the support member 131 are connected (e.g., welded) to a lower end piece 1300 located at the lower end of the face of the bracket 130 and extending in the forward direction, and the support member 131 is attached so as to span the left and right brackets 130.

As shown in Figure 68, a square pipe-shaped member 136 is supported at the lower end of the hanging piece 1311 on the front side of the receiving member 131 via an L-angle member. A hanger rail support member 93' is supported at the lower end of the L-angle member attached to the underside of the upper surface 1310 of the receiving member 131, and a hanger rail 93 is attached to the hanger rail support member 93'. An L-angle member is attached to the front vertical surface of the hanger rail support member 93', and a plate-shaped inner lintel member 137 is fixed between the square pipe-shaped member 136 and the L-angle member, forming an inner lintel. The front frame member 1441 of the underside 144 of the case body 140 is fixed to the receiving member 131 at multiple points along its length by connecting members (not shown). A blocking piece 138 is provided adjacent to the rear of the hanger rail 93, and the frame material 1441 on the front side of the underside 144 is close to the blocking piece 138. As shown in Figure 41, an outer lintel material 139 is provided opposite the inner lintel, and a blocking material 1390 is provided between the outer lintel material 139 and the front wall 83 across the width of the opening for fire and smoke prevention purposes.

The front end of the bracket 130 is fixed to the front wall 83 and extends rearward in a protruding manner. A support means 132 is provided at the rear end of the bracket 130, and the support means 132 is connected to the main body (in this embodiment, the top wall 85). The rear end of the bracket 130 is suspended from the top wall 85 by the support means 132. Note that the support means 132 may be attached to the side wall 84 instead of or in addition to the top wall 85.

As shown in Figures 56 and 57, the support means 132 according to this embodiment comprises an elongated first support member 1320 extending upward from the upper end of the rear end of the bracket 130, an elongated second support member 1321 fixed to the upper wall 85 and connected to the upper end of the first support member 1320, and an elongated third support member 1322 connecting an intermediate portion of the first support member 1320 to the second support member 1321 in an inclined position. Note that the specific configuration of the support means 132 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

In the support means 132, the lower portion of the first support member 1320 is located inside the case body 140, while the upper portion of the first support member 1320, the second support member 1321, and the third support member 1322 are located outside (above) the case body 140. That is, the first support member 1320 extends upward through the upper surface portion 142 of the case body 140 and is connected to the upper wall 85 via the second support member 1321. Note that the second support member 1321 and/or the third support member 1322 of the support means 132 may be connected to the side wall 84 instead of or in addition to the upper wall 85.

The receiving material 131 is connected so as to span the front and lower portions of the left and right brackets 130, and a support means 133 is provided at a predetermined position in the longitudinal direction (a position corresponding to above the installation position of the center column 9). The support means 133 is connected to the main body (in this embodiment, the upper wall 85), and the receiving material 131 is suspended from the upper wall 85 by the support means 133 at a predetermined position in the longitudinal direction.

As shown in Figures 56, 58, and 59, the support means 133 according to this embodiment comprises: an elongated first support member 1330 connected to the upper surface 1310 of the receiving material 131 and extending horizontally rearward; an elongated second support member 1331 extending upward from the rear end of the first support member 1330; an elongated third support member 1332 located in front of the second support member 1331 and extending upward; an elongated fourth support member 1333 fixed to the upper wall 85 and connected to the upper end of the second support member 1331; and an elongated fifth support member 1334 connecting the upper portion of the second support member 1331 and the fourth support member 1333 in an inclined position and connected to the upper end of the third support member 1332. Note that the specific configuration of the support means 133 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

In the support means 133, the first support member 1330, most of the second support member 1331, and most of the third support member 1332 are located inside the case body 140, while the upper portion of the second support member 1331, the upper portion of the third support member 1332, the fourth support member 1333, and the fifth support member 1334 are located outside (above) the case body 140. In other words, the second support member 1331 and the third support member 1332 extend upward through the upper surface portion 142 of the case body 140, and are connected to the upper wall 85 via the fourth support member 1333 and the fifth support member 1334.

As described above, the first support member 1320 of the support means 132 extends upward, penetrating the upper surface 142 of the case body 140. Similarly, the second support member 1331 and the third support member 1332 of the support means 133 extend upward, penetrating the upper surface 142 of the case body 140. The upper surface 142 of the case body 140 is formed with an insertion portion 1422 through which the first support member 1320 of the support means 132 is inserted, and an insertion portion 1423 through which the second support member 1331 and the third support member 1332 of the support means 133 are inserted.

The upper surface portion 142 of the case body 140 has multiple upper surface panel plates 1420, 1421, and in this embodiment, insertion portions 1422, 1423 are formed using cutout portions (1420a, 1420b, 1421b) formed in the upper surface panel plates 1420, 1421.

As shown in Figure 64, the upper panel 1420 located at the end of the opening width direction on the upper surface 142 has three notches: a first notch 1420a, a second notch 1420b, and a third notch 1420c. The third notch 1420c is formed in the front corner of the inner side edge of the upper panel 1420 and is shaped to correspond to the step in the frame (see Figure 60).

The first cutout portion 1420a is formed on the rear side of the outer side edge of the upper panel plate 1420. The first cutout portion 1420a of the upper panel plate 1420 forms a square insertion portion 1422 between itself and the upper end portion (frame material) of the side surface portion 143 (see Figure 65).

The second cutout 1420b of the upper panel plate 1420 is formed in the rear corner of the inner side edge of the upper panel plate 1420. In the upper surface portion 142, a cutout 1421b is formed in the rear corner of the side edge of the upper panel plate 1421 adjacent to the inner side of the upper panel plate 1420 so as to combine with the second cutout 1420b of the upper panel plate 1420 to form a square cutout, and this square cutout forms a square insertion portion 1423 between itself and the frame material 145 (see Figure 66).

The first support member 1320 of the support means 132 of the bracket 130 is inserted into the insertion portion 1422 formed at the end of the upper surface portion 142 of the case body 4. In this embodiment, the first support member 1320 is L-shaped in cross section, and with the first support member 1320 inserted at the corner of the rectangular insertion portion 1422, the remaining opening of the insertion portion 1422 is closed by a closing plate 1424.

As shown in Figure 65, the blocking plate 1424 of this embodiment has an outer side edge 14240, an inner side edge 14241, a stepped front edge 14242, and a rear edge 14243. In plan view, the inner half of the front edge 14242 and the inner side edge 14241 are brought close to the first support member 1320 to block the insertion portion 1422, and the blocking plate is fixed with screws to the upper end surface of the upper panel plate 1420 and the side portion 143. Note that the configuration of the support means 132, the cross-sectional shape of the members, the shape and number of the insertion portions 1422, and the shape and number of the blocking plates are examples and are not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

The second support member 1331 and third support member 1332 of the support means 133 of the receiving material 131 are inserted into the insertion portions 1423 formed at predetermined positions on the upper surface portion 142. In this embodiment, the second support member 1331 and third support member 1332 are T-shaped in cross section by welding together L-shaped members in cross section. With the second support member 1331 inserted into the rear side of the rectangular insertion portion 1423 and the third support member 1332 inserted into the front end of the rectangular insertion portion 1423, the remaining opening of the insertion portion 1423 is blocked by the first blocking plate 1425, second blocking plate 1426, and third blocking plate 1427. Note that the configuration of the support means 133, the cross-sectional shape of the members, the shape and number of the insertion portions 1423, and the shape and number of the blocking plates are merely examples and are not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

As shown in Figure 66, the first blocking plate 1425 has a roughly rectangular shape extending in the front-to-rear direction, with its front corner adjacent to the L-shaped portion on one side of the third support member 1332 and its rear corner adjacent to the L-shaped portion on one side of the second support member 1331, and is fixed to the upper panel plate 1420 with screws in a state where it blocks roughly half of the insertion portion 1423.

The second blocking plate 1426 has a roughly rectangular shape extending in the front-to-rear direction and a convex portion protruding toward the top panel plate 1420. The front corner is adjacent to the L-shaped portion on the other side of the third support member 1332, the rear corner is adjacent to the L-shaped portion on the other side of the second support member 1331, and the convex portion is overlapped with the first blocking plate 1425, blocking approximately half of the insertion portion 1423, and is fixed to the top panel plate 1421 with screws.

The third blocking plate 1427 has a rectangular shape extending in the left-right direction, and is fixed with screws so that it straddles the upper panel plate 1420 and the upper panel plate 1421 and blocks the opening formed on the rear side of the second support member 1331 through which the insertion portion 1423 passes.

The case body 140 is delivered to the site as a unit 140' consisting of left and right side portions 143, a bottom portion 144, frame members 1411 of the front portion 141, and frame members 145 at the rear upper corners. The unit 140' does not include the multiple front panel plates 1410 of the front portion 141 or the multiple top panel plates 1420 of the top portion 142. Alternatively, the case body 140 may be delivered to the site, and the multiple front panel plates 1410 of the front portion 141 and the multiple top panel plates 1420 of the top portion 142 may be removed at the site to form the unit 140'. When installing the case body 140, the unit 140' is suspended in the storage space above the opening using the lifting eyebolts 1450 attached to the frame members 145 of the unit 140'.

The unit 140' suspended in the storage space is fixed to the receiving material 131 by connecting members (not shown) at multiple locations along the length of the front frame material 1441 (see Figure 68) on the underside 144, and is attached to the upper wall 85 via connecting means 134 provided at multiple locations (four locations in this embodiment), including both ends along the length of the frame material 145 and the location where the eyebolt 1450 was removed (see Figure 70).

The rear upper end portions of the left and right brackets 130 are connected to the upper wall 85 by support means 132, and the left and right brackets 130 are suspended from the upper wall 85. In one embodiment, before attaching unit 140' of case body 140, support means 132 is attached to the upper wall 85, and the rear upper end portions of the left and right brackets 130 are connected to the lower end portions of the first support member 1320 of support means 132. In support material 131, a portion located above the installation position of center column 9 is connected to the upper wall 85 by support means 133, and the support material 131 is suspended from the upper wall 85. In one embodiment, before attaching unit 140' of case body 140, support means 133 is attached to the upper wall 85, and the upper surface portion 1310 of support material 131 is connected to the front lower end portion of the first support member 1330 of support means 133. In this case, the unit 140' does not have an upper surface 142, so it does not interfere with the installation of the first support member 1320 of the support means 132, and the second support member 1331 and third support member 1332 of the support means 133.

The multiple upper panel plates 1420, 1421 that make up the upper surface portion 142 are attached to the unit 140' installed in the storage space. The front end portions of the upper panel plates 1420, 1421 (front frame material 14200 in the case of upper panel plate 1420) are placed on the long support piece 135 fixed to the front wall 83, the rear end portions of the upper panel plates 1420, 1421 (rear edge piece 14203 in the case of upper panel plate 1420) are placed on the frame material 145 located at the upper end of the front portion 141 and secured with screws, the outer edge piece 14204 of the upper panel 1420 is placed on the upper end of the side portion 143 and secured with screws, and the inner edge piece 14205 of the upper panel plate 1420 is overlapped with the edge piece at the side edge of the upper panel plate 1421 and secured with screws. Finally, the case body 140 is obtained by attaching multiple front panel plates 1410 using screws.

When attaching the upper panel plate 1420, the first support member 1320 of the support means 132 is received in the first cutout portion 1420a formed in the upper panel plate 1420, and one side of the second support member 1331 and one side of the third support member 1332 of the support means 133 are received in the second cutout portion 1420b. When attaching the upper panel plate 1421, the other side of the second support member 1331 and one side of the third support member 1332 of the support means 133 are received in the cutout portion 1421b formed in the upper panel plate 1421.

After attaching the upper panel plates 1420 and 1421, the gap between the insertion portion 1422 formed in the upper surface portion 142 by the first cutout portion 1420a of the upper panel plate 1420 and the first support member 1320 of the support means 132 is closed with a closing plate 1424. Furthermore, the gaps between the insertion portion 1423 formed by the second cutout portion 1420b of the upper panel plate 1420 and the cutout portion 1421b of the upper panel plate 1421 and the second support member 1331 and third support member 1332 of the support means 133 are closed with a first closing plate 1425, a second closing plate 1426, and a third closing plate 1427.

In addition to or instead of providing the blocking plate 1424, a thermally expandable fire-resistant member (not shown) may be provided near the insertion portion 1422 so that the heat generated by a fire causes the thermally expandable fire-resistant member to foam, thereby sealing the gap between the insertion portion 1422 and the first support member 1320 of the support means 132. Even when the blocking plate 1424 is provided, the foamed thermally expandable fire-resistant member can seal any gaps that may arise due to thermal deformation of the member caused by the heat generated by a fire. In addition to or instead of providing the first blocking plate 1425, the second blocking plate 1426, and the third blocking plate 1427, a thermally expandable fire-resistant member (not shown) may be provided near the insertion portion 1423 so that the heat generated by a fire causes the thermally expandable fire-resistant member to foam, thereby sealing the gaps between the insertion portion 1423 and the second support member 1331 and the third support member 1332 of the support means 133. Even when the first blocking plate 1425, second blocking plate 1426, and third blocking plate 1427 are installed, gaps that may occur due to thermal deformation of components caused by heat during a fire can be sealed with the foamed thermally expandable fire-resistant material.

1 shutter curtain 9 center post 90 main body 900 first facing part (facing part)
901 Second facing part (rear facing part)
902 Visible portion 9020 Upper end of visible portion 9021 Lower end of visible portion 9022 Opening 903 Upper visible surface portion 904 Lower visible surface portion 905 Upper end surface (upper end)
9050 Receiving hole (support part for upper locking rod)
906 Lower end surface (lower end)
9060 Receiving hole (support part for lower locking rod)
907 Upper surface 9070 Receiving hole (supporting portion for upper locking rod)
908 Lower surface 9080 Receiving hole (supporting portion for lower locking rod)
91 Locking mechanism 910 Upper locking rod (locking portion)
9100 Upper receiving part (locked part)
911 Lower locking rod (locking part)
912 Rotating element 913 Shaft portion 914 First element (upper elongated element, upper interlocking mechanism)
915 Second element (first lower elongated element, lower interlocking mechanism)
916 Third element (rotating connecting element, upper interlocking mechanism)
917 Fourth element (second lower elongated element, lower interlocking mechanism)
918 Fifth element (connecting element, lower interlocking mechanism)
92 Hanger roller 93 Hanger rail (rail part)
94 Operating handle (operating part)
95 Cover body 96 Cover body 97 Connecting piece 130 Bracket (structure)
131 Receiving material (horizontal material, structure)
132 Bracket support means (first support means)
1320 First support member 1321 Second support member 1322 Third support member 133 Support means for receiving material (second support means)
1330 First support member 1331 Second support member 1332 Third support member 1333 Fourth support member 1334 Fifth support member 140 Case body (case)
140' Unit (Case Body)
142 upper surface (top surface of case)
1420 Upper panel (panel)
1421 Upper panel (panel)
1420a: First notch portion (insertion portion)
1420b Second notch portion (insertion portion)
1421b Notch (insertion part)
1422 Insertion part (first insertion part)
1423 Insertion part (second insertion part)
1424 Closing plate (closing means)
1425 First blocking plate (blocking means)
1426 Second blocking plate (blocking means)
1427 Third blocking plate (blocking means)
83 Front wall (framework, wall)
84 Side wall (framework, wall)
85 Upper wall (body, wall)

Claims (17)

A center pole that is installed on the indoor side of a shutter curtain that is in a fully closed state and can abut against the indoor side of the shutter curtain,
the center pillar is provided with an upper locking rod that can protrude from the upper end of the main body via a linkage mechanism in response to operation of the operating part;
The main body of the center pillar includes a facing portion that can abut against the indoor side surface portion, a facing portion that extends from a widthwise intermediate portion of the facing portion toward the indoor side, and a rear facing portion that is provided at the indoor end of the facing portion so as to face the facing portion ,
The facing portion and the rear facing portion extend over the entire height of the center pillar,
the projection portion has a height dimension smaller than the projection portion and the rear projection portion, and an upper end of the projection portion is located lower than an upper end of the main body,
In the main body, a support portion for the upper locking rod is formed above the upper end of the projection portion.
Middle pillar. the support portion of the upper locking rod includes an upper end surface of the main body and an upper side surface below the upper end surface and facing the upper end surface at a distance;
An upper portion of the upper locking rod passes through the upper end surface, and a lower portion of the upper locking rod passes through the upper side surface.
The center post of claim 1 . In the main body, at least a portion located above the upper surface is provided with left and right upper prospective surface portions that connect the widthwise ends of the opposing prospective portion and the rear prospective portion in the prospective direction,
3. The center post of claim 2 . the interlocking mechanism includes an upper interlocking mechanism that moves the upper locking rod up and down in conjunction with the operation of the operating unit,
the upper linkage mechanism includes an upper elongated element extending above the operating unit, and a pivotal connecting element connected between an upper end of the upper elongated element and a lower end of the upper locking rod,
The upper end of the upper elongate element is located above the upper end of the projection portion.
A center post according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The projection portion extends in the height direction at the center portion in the width direction,
the upper elongated element extends along one surface of the projection portion and is offset from the center in the width direction;
The pivotal connecting element and the upper locking rod are located at the center in the width direction.
5. The center post of claim 4 . A center pole that is installed on the indoor side of a shutter curtain that is in a fully closed state and can abut against the indoor side of the shutter curtain,
The center pillar includes a lower locking rod that can protrude from the lower end of the main body via a linkage mechanism in response to operation of the operating part,
The main body of the center pillar includes a facing portion that can abut against the indoor side surface portion, a facing portion that extends from a widthwise intermediate portion of the facing portion toward the indoor side, and a rear facing portion that is provided at the indoor end of the facing portion so as to face the facing portion ,
The facing portion and the rear facing portion extend over the entire height of the center pillar,
The projection portion has a height dimension smaller than that of the projection portion and the rear projection portion, and a lower end of the projection portion is located higher than a lower end of the main body,
In the main body, a support portion for the lower locking rod is formed below the lower end of the projection portion.
Middle pillar. the support portion of the lower locking rod includes a lower end surface of the main body and a lower side surface that is above and faces the lower end surface and spaced apart from the lower end surface;
A lower portion of the lower locking rod passes through the lower end surface, and an upper portion of the lower locking rod passes through the lower side surface.
7. The center post of claim 6 . In the main body, at least a portion located below the lower surface is provided with left and right lower prospective surface portions that connect the widthwise ends of the opposing prospective portion and the rear prospective portion in the prospective direction,
8. The center post of claim 7 . the interlocking mechanism includes a lower interlocking mechanism that moves the lower locking rod up and down in response to operation of the operating unit,
the lower interlocking mechanism includes a first lower elongated element extending below the operating unit, a second lower elongated element connected to a lower end of the first lower elongated element, and a connecting element connected between the lower end of the second lower elongated element and an upper end of the lower locking rod,
The lower end of the second lower elongated element is located lower than the lower end of the projection portion.
A center post according to any one of claims 6 to 8 . The projection portion extends in the height direction at the center portion in the width direction,
the first lower elongate element and the second lower elongate element extend along one surface of the projection portion, and are offset from the center in the width direction;
The lower locking rod connected to the connecting element is located at the center in the width direction.
10. The center post of claim 9 . A center pole that is installed on the indoor side of a shutter curtain that is in a fully closed state and can abut against the indoor side of the shutter curtain,
the center pillar includes an upper locking rod that can protrude from an upper end of the main body and a lower locking rod that can protrude from a lower end of the main body via a linkage mechanism in response to operation of the operating part;
The main body of the center pillar includes a projection portion that can abut against the indoor side surface portion, and a projection portion that extends from a widthwise intermediate portion of the projection portion toward the indoor side,
The interlocking mechanism includes:
an upper interlocking mechanism located on one side of the projection portion and configured to raise and lower the upper locking rod;
a lower interlocking mechanism located on one side of the projection portion and configured to raise and lower the lower locking rod;
a rotation element located on the other side of the projection portion and rotating in conjunction with the rotation operation of the operation portion,
The upper interlocking mechanism and the lower interlocking mechanism are connected to the rotating element via a shaft portion that passes through an opening formed in the projection portion.
Middle pillar. A center pole that is installed on the indoor side of a shutter curtain that is in a fully closed state and can abut against the indoor side of the shutter curtain,
the center pillar includes an upper locking rod that can protrude from the upper end of the main body and/or a lower locking rod that can protrude from the lower end of the main body via a linkage mechanism in response to operation of the operating part;
The main body of the center pillar includes a projection portion that can abut against the indoor side surface portion, and a projection portion that extends from a widthwise intermediate portion of the projection portion toward the indoor side,
The main body is provided with left and right cover bodies that are detachably attached to the left and right projected surfaces of the projected portion so as to face each other at a distance,
The interlocking mechanism is accommodated in the space between the projection portion and the cover body.
Middle pillar. The cover body is detachably attached to a plurality of connecting pieces fixed to the projection portion.
13. The center post of claim 12 . The main body of the center pillar has an H-shaped cross section, which is made up of a facing portion and a rear facing portion that are spaced apart and a facing portion that extends in a facing direction from a widthwise intermediate portion of the facing portion and the rear facing portion,
The facing portion and the rear facing portion extend over the entire height of the center pillar,
The main body includes left and right upper prospective surface portions that connect the widthwise ends of the upper portions of the opposing prospective portion and the rear prospective portion in the prospective direction, and left and right lower prospective surface portions that connect the widthwise ends of the lower portions of the opposing prospective portion and the rear prospective portion in the prospective direction,
The height dimension of the left and right cover bodies is smaller than the height dimension of the center pillar,
The left and right prospective surfaces of the center column are composed of the left and right cover bodies, the left and right upper prospective surface portions, and the left and right lower prospective surface portions.
14. A center post according to claim 12 or 13. The center post according to any one of claims 1 to 14 , wherein the projected dimensions of the main body are greater than the projected dimensions. A center pole that is installed on the indoor side of a shutter curtain that is in a fully closed state and can abut against the indoor side of the shutter curtain,
the center pillar is provided with an upper locking rod that can protrude from the upper end of the main body via a linkage mechanism in response to operation of the operating part;
The main body of the center pillar includes a facing portion that can abut against the indoor side surface portion, a facing portion that extends from a widthwise intermediate portion of the facing portion toward the indoor side, and a rear facing portion that is provided at the indoor end of the facing portion so as to face the facing portion,
In the main body, a support portion for the upper locking rod is formed above the upper end of the projection portion, and the support portion for the upper locking rod includes an upper end surface of the main body and an upper side surface that is below and faces the upper end surface and spaced apart from the upper end surface,
In the main body, at least a portion located above the upper side surface is provided with left and right upper prospective surface portions that connect the widthwise ends of the opposing prospective portion and the rear prospective portion in a prospective direction,
In the upper portion of the main body, a box-shaped portion is formed by the upper portion of the facing portion, the upper portion of the rear facing portion, the upper end surface, the left and right upper facing surfaces, and the upper side surface.
Middle pillar. A center pole that is installed on the indoor side of a shutter curtain that is in a fully closed state and can abut against the indoor side of the shutter curtain,
The center pillar includes a lower locking rod that can protrude from the lower end of the main body via a linkage mechanism in response to operation of the operating part,
The main body of the center pillar includes a facing portion that can abut against the indoor side surface portion, a facing portion that extends from a widthwise intermediate portion of the facing portion toward the indoor side, and a rear facing portion that is provided at the indoor end of the facing portion so as to face the facing portion ,
In the main body, a support portion for the lower locking rod is formed below the lower end of the projection portion, and the support portion for the lower locking rod includes a lower end surface of the main body and a lower side surface that is above and faces the lower end surface and spaced apart from the lower end surface,
In the main body, at least a portion located below the lower surface is provided with left and right lower prospective surface portions that connect the widthwise ends of the opposing prospective portion and the rear prospective portion in a prospective direction,
A box-shaped portion is formed in the lower portion of the main body by the lower portion of the facing portion, the lower portion of the rear facing portion, the lower end surface, the left and right lower facing surfaces, and the lower side surface.
Middle pillar.