JP7744802B2 - Case mounting structure and case mounting method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a case mounting structure and method, and in one preferred aspect, to a blind shutter case mounting structure and method.

Blind-type window shutters (so-called blind shutters) are known (Patent Documents 1 to 4). Blind shutters have multiple slats that are raised by a lifting mechanism to open the opening and lowered to close the opening. When the opening is closed, the slats can be tilted by a tilting mechanism to control the amount of light entering and the field of view.

In blind shutters, the link mechanisms that make up the lifting and tilting mechanisms are located within the internal space of the guide rail, and the drive mechanism (electric motor, gear mechanism, etc.) that operates the link mechanisms is located within the case and at the top end of the guide rail.

Generally, blind shutter cases are assembled by attaching the case's components (top panel, side panels, front panel, etc.) one by one at the construction site, which makes installation time-consuming.

Furthermore, when the case is fitted in a so-called inside corner, there is not enough working space on the side of the case, making it difficult to adopt a case mounting structure or method (see Figure 20) in which the case components are fixed from the side with screws.
JP 10-153063 JP 2002-180768 JP 2007-77801 Patent Publication No. 2015-68020

The present invention aims to improve the ease of installing cases in shutter devices, particularly blind shutters, and provides a case installation structure and method that can be advantageously used when the case is installed in an inside corner.

The technical means adopted by the present invention are:
In the case mounting structure for the upper part of the side of the vertical frame on the left and right of the opening,
a case support member is provided at an upper portion of the side surface of the vertical frame;
the case support member includes a support portion located along the side surface and a front surface,
the case includes left and right side panels fixed to the support portion, and a case body including left and right side portions and a front portion,
The left and right side surfaces of the case body are supported by the left and right side plates, and the front surface of the case body is fixed to the front surface of the case support member by a fastening member.
The case mounting structure.
In one aspect, the front surface of the case support member is located on the outdoor side of the front end (outdoor side edge) of the side panel.
In one embodiment, the case has an upper surface, and a rising piece at the rear end of the upper surface is fixed to the body.
In one aspect, the side panel includes a sliding portion,
The side surface portion includes a sliding portion, and is supported by the sliding portion so as to be slidable from the front.

In one aspect, the case body includes:
a first member having left and right upper side portions, a top portion, and an upper front portion;
a second member having left and right lower side portions and a lower front portion;
It consists of
The left and right side surfaces and the front surface of the case body are formed by connecting the upper front surface and the lower front surface to integrate a first member and a second member.
In one embodiment, the vertical side of the lower end of the upper side surface portion of the first member and the vertical side of the upper end of the lower side surface portion of the second member are adjacent to each other.
In one embodiment, a rising piece at the rear end portion of the upper surface of the first member is fixed to the body.

The technical means adopted by the present invention are:
A method for attaching a case to upper portions of the side surfaces of the vertical frames on the left and right sides of an opening,
a step of providing a case support member having a support portion and a front surface portion, by positioning the case support member at an upper portion of a side surface of the vertical frame so that the support portion is aligned with the side surface;
fixing a side panel to the support portion of the case support member;
a step of attaching the vertical frame to which the side panel and the case support member are fixed to a body;
a step of supporting a case body including left and right side portions and a front portion on the side plates while sliding the left and right side portions of the case body from the front onto the side plates, and fixing the front portion to the front portion from the front using a fastening member while the front portion is in contact with or close to the front portion of the case support member;
and a method for mounting the case.
The process of attaching the case support member to the vertical frame and the process of attaching the side panels to the case support member are carried out prior to attaching the vertical frame to the main body.

In one aspect, the case body includes:
a first member having left and right upper side portions, a top portion, and an upper front portion;
a second member having left and right lower side portions and a lower front portion;
It consists of
The step of connecting the first member and the second member to form the case body is included.
In one aspect, the first member and the second member are connected from the front using a fastening member, with the lower end portion of the upper front portion of the first member and the upper end portion of the lower front portion of the second member abutting or being close to each other.
The side portion of the case body is formed from the upper side portion of the first member and the lower side portion of the second member, and the front portion of the case body is formed from the upper front portion of the first member and the lower front portion of the second member.

Other technical means adopted by the present invention are:
A method for attaching a case to upper portions of the side surfaces of the vertical frames on the left and right sides of an opening,
a step of providing a case support member having a support portion and a front surface portion, by positioning the case support member at an upper portion of a side surface of the vertical frame so that the support portion is aligned with the side surface;
fixing a side panel to the support portion of the case support member;
a step of attaching the vertical frame to which the side panel and the case support member are fixed to a body;
a step of supporting a first member having left and right upper side surface portions, a top surface portion, and an upper front surface portion on the side surface plate while sliding the upper side surface portions onto the side surface plate from the front;
a step of supporting a second member having left and right lower side surface portions and a lower front surface portion on the side surface plate while sliding the lower side surface portions onto the side surface plate from the front;
a step of connecting a lower end portion of the upper front surface portion of the first member and an upper end portion of the lower front surface portion of the second member from the front side using a fastening member while the lower end portion of the first member and the upper front surface portion of the second member are in contact with or close to each other;
a step of fixing the lower front surface portion of the second member to the front surface portion of the case support member from the front side using a fastening member while the lower front surface portion of the second member is in contact with or close to the front surface portion of the case support member;
and a method for mounting the case.
The order of the step of connecting the first member and the second member and the step of fixing the second member to the front surface of the case support member does not matter.

In one aspect, the case structure is a case structure of a blind shutter,
The vertical frames on the left and right sides of the opening are composed of a guide rail base frame fixed to the main body and a guide rail detachable from the guide rail base frame,
the first member and the second member are fixed to an upper portion of the guide rail base frame,
The guide rail is provided with an operating mechanism for the blind shutter.
In one embodiment, the operating mechanism includes a link mechanism and a drive mechanism, the link mechanism being provided in the inner space of the guide rail, and the drive mechanism being provided at the upper end of the guide rail.
The case comprises a side panel attached to a case support member fixed to the guide rail base frame, and a case main body consisting of a first member and a second member, the case main body being supported by the side panel, the first member and the second member being connected by a fastening member detachable from the front, and the front portion of the second member being fixed to the front portion of the case support member by a fastening member detachable from the front,
the second member is slidable forward relative to the side panel and the first member by releasing the connection between the second member and the first member and by releasing the fixation between the second member and the case support member,
By sliding the second member forward, a space is formed below the case that allows the upper end portion of the guide rail to be removed from inside the case.

In the present invention, a case support member is provided at the upper portion of the side of the vertical frame, and the case is attached by sliding it relative to the case support member, thereby improving the ease of attaching the case to a shutter device, particularly a blind shutter.
In the present invention, the case body (first member, second member) of the case is slid from the front and supported on the side panel, and is fixed to the front part of the case support member by a fastening member attached from the front. Therefore, even if the case is fitted in an inside corner (whether it is a single inside corner or a double inside corner), the case can be easily installed.

1A and 1B are a front view and a side view of a blind shutter according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the blind shutter according to the present embodiment. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views of a blind shutter according to this embodiment, showing cross-sectional views at different height positions on the left and right sides. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which the case according to the present embodiment is attached. FIG. 2 is a front view of one widthwise end of the case, showing the state in which the case according to the present embodiment is attached. FIG. 2 is a plan view of one widthwise end of the case, showing the state in which the case according to the present embodiment is attached. FIG. 2 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of a side surface portion in a state where the case according to the embodiment is attached. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a case support member according to the embodiment. 1A and 1B are a plan view and a side view showing a state in which a case support member according to the present embodiment is attached to a vertical frame. The right figure is a front view showing the state in which the case support member according to this embodiment is attached to the vertical frame, and the left figure is a vertical cross section of the support portion of the case support member. FIG. 2 is a side view of the first member of the case according to the embodiment (with a reinforcing member provided inside). FIG. 10 is a front view of the first member of the case (with a reinforcing member provided inside). 1 shows a reinforcing member of a case according to this embodiment, with the left figure being a cross-sectional side view of the right figure and the right figure being a front view. 1 shows a second member of the case according to this embodiment, with the left figure being a side view and the right figure being a front view. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a side panel according to the present embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the process of attaching the case body from the front to the case support member and side panel attached to the upper portion of the vertical frame. The left figure is a vertical cross-sectional view of the side portion of the case body, and the right figure is a front view showing the state in which the case support member and side panel are attached to the upper portion of the vertical frame. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a method of attaching the case according to the present embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating removal of the guide rail on which the operating mechanism is mounted. Fig. 17 is a diagram for explaining removal of the guide rail on which the operating mechanism is mounted in the state of Fig. 16. Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a blind shutter provided with a case mounting structure according to a comparative example. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a method of attaching a case according to a comparative example.

[A] Overview of the Blind Shutter. An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a front view and a side view of a blind shutter according to this embodiment, FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the blind shutter according to this embodiment, and FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the blind shutter according to this embodiment (showing cross-sections at different heights on the left and right). FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a blind shutter showing a comparative example of a case mounting method, and FIG. 19 can be referred to for the basic configuration of a blind shutter. A blind shutter is a shutter device installed on the outdoor side of a window sash WS attached to a window opening. Left and right vertical frames 1 are extended from a frame W at the outer widthwise ends of the window opening. A drip edge 16 is provided below the window opening, extending between the left and right vertical frames 1. An opening is formed on the outdoor side of the window opening, surrounded by the left and right vertical frames 1 and the drip edge 16. This opening is opened and closed by a blind (shutter curtain) 2. A case 3 is extended from the frame W above the opening. In addition, in FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral W1 indicates a finishing wall.

In this embodiment, the vertical frame 1 is a guide rail assembly consisting of a guide rail base frame 4 fixed to the main body W and a guide rail 5 connected to the guide rail base frame 4. The shutter curtain 2 is composed of multiple slats 20 extending between the left and right guide rails 5. The multiple slats 20 are liftable and tiltable, functioning as blinds. A case support member 6 is provided on the upper portion of the outer surface of the vertical frame 1, and is used to attach the case 3 to the vertical frame 1. The case 3 is composed of left and right side panels 9 fixed to the case support member 6, and a case main body 3' (see Figure 15) that includes left and right side portions and a front portion and is attached to the side panels 9. The case main body 3' is composed of a first member 7 and a second member 8. In this embodiment, the case support member 6, first member 7, second member 8, and side panels 9 are made of steel plates. Details of these elements will be described later.

Link mechanisms (not shown) that raise, lower, and tilt the multiple slats 20 are located within the left and right guide rails 5. The left and right link mechanisms are operated by a drive mechanism including an electric motor M and a gearbox 10 located within the case 3. The rotating shafts at the upper ends of the left and right link mechanisms are synchronized by a shaft 11 (see Figure 19) located within the case 3. A shaft spring 11a is provided at one end of the shaft 11. Located within the case 3 are a receiver unit 12 (attached to the main body W) that receives opening and closing signals, and a control unit 13 that controls the electric motor M based on the signal received by the receiver unit 12. In this embodiment, the drive mechanism including the electric motor M and gearbox 10 and the control unit 13 (fixed to the gearbox 10 in this embodiment) are located near the upper ends of the guide rails 5 and are not attached to the case 3. In this embodiment, the control unit 13 is covered on both the outdoor side and the underside by a cover 13A fixed to the guide rail base frame 4, preventing water droplets from splashing on the control unit 13 due to rainwater blowing in from below the case 3. An inner lintel (underside of the case) 14 is provided on the lower body side of the case 3, and a back plate 15, which forms the rear surface of the case 3, is provided on the body W. Note that in this embodiment, the inner lintel 14 may be positioned at different heights on the case 3 (see Figures 2 and 18). In this embodiment, the upper end of the back plate 15 is located slightly above the upper end of the vertical frame 1, and its lower end extends to the inner lintel 14. The inner lintel 14 and the receiver unit 12 are fixed to the back plate 15 and the body W with screws. Both ends of the inner lintel 14 in the length direction (opening width direction) are fixed to the guide rail base frames 4 of the left and right vertical frames 1. Blind shutters themselves are well known, and Patent Documents 1 to 4 can be referenced as appropriate for the operating mechanism (including the link mechanism and drive mechanism) and basic operation of the shutter (slats 20).

[B] A detailed description will be given of the vertical frame 1 consisting of the vertical frame guide rail base frame 4 and the guide rail 5. The guide rail base frame 4 is a long member extending in the height direction, and has a base edge 40 fixed to the body W, and an inner prospective surface 41 and an outer prospective surface 42 extending parallel to each other in a direction away from the body W in a cross-sectional view. Connecting pieces 410, 420 are formed at the tip portions of the inner prospective surface 41 and the outer prospective surface 42, and the guide rail 5 is connected thereto (see the upper diagram in Figure 9).

The guide rail 5 is a long member extending in the height direction and includes a base edge 50 at the rear end, an inner projected surface 51 extending parallel to and facing away from the base edge 50 away from the main body W (guide rail base frame 4), an outer projected surface 52, and a front surface 53 connecting the tips of the inner projected surface 51 and the outer projected surface 52. The base edge 50 is formed with connecting pieces 500, 501 that connect to the connecting pieces 410, 420 of the guide rail base frame 4. The inner projected surface 51 of the guide rail 5 is provided with a guide groove 510 extending in the height direction (see Figures 2 and 9, top). Furthermore, a concealing fin 511 protrudes in the front direction from the rear end of the inner projected surface 51 of the guide rail 5, which conceals the gap between the window sash WS and the inner projected surface 41 of the guide rail base frame 4 when viewed from the front (see Figures 3 and 9, top).

In this embodiment, the guide rail base frame 4 is fixed to the main body W with screws S6 (Figure 3), and the guide rail 5 is detachably connected to the guide rail base frame 4 with screws S7 (Figure 2). The inner projected surface 41 of the guide rail base frame 4 and the inner projected surface 51 of the guide rail 5 form the inner projected surface of the vertical frame 1, and the outer projected surface 42 of the guide rail base frame 4 and the outer projected surface 52 of the guide rail 5 are flush with each other to form the outer projected surface (side surface) of the vertical frame 1. More specifically, the connecting piece 420 of the guide rail base frame 4 and the connecting piece 501 of the guide rail 5 are engaged, and the connecting piece 410 of the guide rail base frame 4 and the connecting piece 500 of the guide rail 5 are fixed in an overlapping state with screws S7 (Figure 2). Therefore, when the blind shutter is installed, removing the multiple screws S7 installed along the height direction releases the connection of the guide rail 5 to the guide rail base frame 4, making it possible to detach the guide rail 5 from the vertical frame 1.

[C] Shutter curtain The shutter curtain 2 is made up of multiple slats 20 extending between the left and right guide rails 5. The opening is fully closed when the multiple slats 20 are in a vertical position to cover the opening, and when the opening is fully closed, the inclination can be changed by tilting each slat 20, making it possible to control the amount of light and visibility. In addition, the opening can be opened by raising all the slats 20.

Both longitudinal ends of each slat 20 are connected to slat supports 21 located outside guide grooves 510 formed in the height direction on the inner projected surface 51 of the guide rail 5 and protruding from the projected surface. The slat supports 21 are connected to a link mechanism (not shown) that constitutes the lifting mechanism and tilt mechanism in the internal space of the guide rail 5. The link mechanism is operated by a drive mechanism including a motor M and a gearbox 10. For details on the link mechanism and drive mechanism, see Patent Documents 1 to 4.

By operating the link mechanism (lifting mechanism), the slat supports 21 rise, causing the slats 20 supported by the slat supports 21 to rise, and by lowering the slat supports 21, causing the slats 20 supported by the slat supports 21 to lower. When the opening is fully open, all slats 20 rise to open the opening, and these slats 20 are stored inside the case 3, overlapping each other in a substantially horizontal position. When the opening is fully closed, the lowest slat 20 (bottom slat 20) abuts or is close to the drip edge 16 (see Figure 2). Furthermore, by operating the link mechanism (tilt mechanism), the slat supports 21 tilt, causing the slats 20 supported by the slat supports 21 to tilt.

In this embodiment, the upper end of each slat 20 and the upper and lower ends of the bottom slat 20 are provided with cushioning rubber that extends in the longitudinal direction. When the opening is fully closed, the two protrusions of the cushioning rubber come into contact with the adjacent slat 20, and the cushioning rubber at the lower end of the bottom slat 20 comes into contact with the drip edge 16, thereby reducing light leakage. The height of the slats 20 is slightly smaller than the projected dimension of the guide rail 5, so that when the slats 20 are in a horizontal position, they fit within the projected surface of the guide rail 5 (Figure 2).

[D] Case [D-1] Overview of Case Structure As shown in Figures 4 to 6 and 15, the case 3 according to this embodiment comprises a case main body 3' made up of a first member 7 and a second member 8, and left and right side panels 9. That is, the case 3 is composed of four members: the first member 7, the second member 8, and the left and right side panels 9. The side panels 9 of the case 3 are attached to case support members 6 fixed to the upper portions of the sides of the vertical frames 1 on the left and right of the opening, and the case main body 3' is supported by the side panels 9 and the case support members 6. The configuration of the case support members 6, the first member 7, the second member 8, and the side panels 9 will be described in detail below.

[D-2] Case Support Member As shown in Figure 8, the case support member 6 has a vertical base 60 extending in the front-to-rear direction, and the base 60 is composed of a front (outdoor) plate-like portion 600, an upper band-like portion 601 extending rearward (toward the body) from the plate-like portion 600, and a lower band-like portion 602. The upper band-like portion 601 has an upper horizontal edge 61 extending horizontally from the bottom end of the upper band-like portion 601 and an upper vertical edge 62 hanging down from the upper horizontal edge 61. The lower band-like portion 602 has a lower horizontal edge 63 extending horizontally from the top end of the lower band-like portion 602 and a lower vertical edge 64 rising vertically from the lower horizontal edge 63. A horizontal upper edge 65 is formed at the upper end of the base 60 across the entire width (front-to-rear direction), and a horizontal lower edge 66 is formed at the lower end of the base 60 across the entire width (front-to-rear direction). A narrow front surface portion 67 is formed at the front (outdoor) end of the base 60 (plate-shaped portion 600) and extends across substantially the entire height of the base 60. The extension dimensions of the upper horizontal edge 61 and the lower horizontal edge 63 are greater than the width dimension of the front surface portion 67, and the upper vertical edge 62 and lower vertical edge 64 are located outside the front surface portion 67 in a front view.

Two insertion holes 620 are formed in the upper vertical edge 62 of the case support member 6, spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (front-to-back direction), and two insertion holes 640 are formed in the lower vertical edge 64 of the case support member 6, spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (front-to-back direction). The insertion holes 620, 640 are holes for attaching the case support member 6 to the upper portions of the side surfaces of the vertical frames 1 (guide rail base frames 4) on the left and right sides of the opening using screws S1. Screw holes 603, 604 are formed in the rear portions (body side portions) of the upper band-shaped portion 601 and the lower band-shaped portion 602 of the base 60, respectively. The screw holes 603, 604 are holes for attaching the side panel 9 to the case support member 6 using screws S2. Screw holes 670 are formed at the upper and lower height positions of the front surface 67. The screw holes 670 are holes for fastening the front portion 80 (described later) to the front surface portion 67 of the case support member 6 with screws S5. In a front view, the upper screw hole 670 is located below the upper horizontal edge 61, and the lower screw hole 670 is located above the lower horizontal edge 63. In the case support member 6 according to this embodiment, the upper band portion 601 and the lower band portion 602 are vertically spaced apart, but because the upper band portion 601 and the lower band portion 602 are integrally formed via the plate portion 600, strength is ensured and installation workability is improved. Furthermore, because the front surface portion 67 is also integrally formed, it is easy to align the installation positions with the side panel 9, first member 7, and second member 8.

[D-3] First Member The first member 7 is connected to and integrated with the second member 8 to form the case main body 3' of the case 3. In the case main body 3', the first member 7 is located above the second member 8. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the first member 7 includes a top surface 70, left and right trapezoidal side surfaces 71 extending downward from both widthwise ends of the top surface 70, and a front surface 72 extending downward from the front end of the top surface 70. A horizontal edge 710 extending inward is formed at the lower end of the side surface 71, and a hanging edge 711 hanging down from the horizontal edge 710 is further formed. The top surface 70 slopes gently downward toward the front, and a vertical rising edge 700 is integrally formed at the base end.

Through holes 701 are formed across the width of the rising edge 700 (only the through holes 701 at both ends in the width direction are shown in Figure 12). The through holes 701 are holes for attaching the rear end of the top surface portion 70 of the first member 7 to the main body W with screws S4. A horizontal piece 720 extending rearward and a hanging piece 721 hanging down from the tip (rear end) of the horizontal piece 720 are integrally formed at the lower end of the front surface portion 72. As shown in Figure 12, a plurality of through holes 722 are formed in the hanging piece 721 at intervals in the width direction. The through holes 722 are holes for attaching the second member 8 to the first member 7 with screws S3.

The first member 7 in this embodiment is reinforced by a reinforcing member 17. As shown in FIG. 12A, the reinforcing member 17 includes left and right brackets 170, an upper angle iron 171 provided at the front ends of the left and right brackets 170 and spanning between the left and right brackets 170, and a lower angle iron 172. The left and right brackets 170 include trapezoidal side portions 1700 corresponding to the shape of the side portion 71 of the first member 7, a rear piece 1701 at the rear end of the side portion 1700, a front surface 1702 at the front end of the side portion 1700, and an upper piece 1703 at the upper edge of the side portion 1700. A horizontal piece 1720 extending rearward is integrally formed at the lower end of the lower angle iron 172, and a vertical piece 1721 hanging down from the tip (rear end) of the horizontal piece 1720. The horizontal piece 1720 is located at the same height as the lower ends of the left and right brackets 170, and the vertical piece 1721 is located rearward of the front faces 1702 of the left and right brackets 170, and extends downward from the lower ends of the left and right brackets 170.

Through holes 1704 are formed in the upper portions of the rear pieces 1701 of the left and right brackets 170. The reinforcing member 17 is fixed to the main body W with screws S4, with the upper portions of the rear pieces 1701 of the left and right brackets 170 overlapping the back surfaces of both widthwise ends of the rising edge 700 at the base end of the top surface portion 70 of the first member 7 (the through holes 701 and 1704 are aligned). A plurality of screw holes 1722 are formed in the vertical piece 1721 of the lower angle iron 172, spaced apart in the widthwise direction. The screw holes 1722 are holes for attaching the second member 8 to the first member 7 with screws S3.

The upper pieces 1703 of the left and right brackets 170 are fixed with rivets R to the underside of both widthwise ends of the upper surface 70 of the first member 7, the side surfaces 1700 of the left and right brackets 170 abut against or are close to the inner surface of the horizontal edge 710 of the first member 7, and the front surfaces 1702 and angle irons 171, 172 of the left and right brackets 170 abut against or are close to the inner surface of the front surface 72 of the first member 7, and are positioned in the internal space of the first member 7.

[D-4] Second Member The second member 8 is connected to and integrated with the first member 7 to form the case main body 3' of the case 3. In the case main body 3', the second member 8 is located below the first member 7. As shown in FIG. 13, the second member 8 has a front portion 80 and left and right side portions 81 extending rearward from both ends of the front portion 80 in the width direction. The front portion 80 and the side portions 81 have the same height, which is approximately the same as the height of the side panels 9.

A horizontal piece 800 extending rearward and a rising piece 801 rising from the horizontal piece 800 are integrally formed at the upper end of the front portion 80. The vertical rising piece 801 on the upper side of the front portion 80 of the second member 8 has multiple insertion holes 8010 spaced apart in the width direction. The insertion holes 8010 are holes for attaching the second member 8 to the first member 7 with screws S3. A horizontal piece 802 extending rearward and a rising piece 803 rising from the tip (rear end) of the horizontal piece 802 are integrally formed at the lower end of the front portion 80. Insertion holes 804 are formed above and below both ends of the width direction of the front portion 80. The insertion holes 804 are holes for attaching the front portion 80 to the front surface 67 of the case support member 6 with screws S5.

A horizontal piece 810 extending toward the other side portion 81 and a rising piece 811 rising from the tip of the horizontal piece 810 are integrally formed at the upper end of the side portion 81. A horizontal piece 812 extending toward the other side portion 81 and a rising piece 813 rising from the tip of the horizontal piece 812 are integrally formed at the lower end of the side portion 81.

The ends of the upper horizontal piece 800 of the front portion 80 and the upper horizontal pieces 810 of the left and right side portions 81 are adjacent to or abutting, and the ends of the upper rising piece 801 of the front portion 80 and the rising pieces 811 of the left and right side portions 81 are adjacent to or abutting. The ends of the lower horizontal piece 802 of the front portion 80 and the lower horizontal piece 812 of the left and right side portions 81 are adjacent to or abutting, and the ends of the lower rising piece 803 of the front portion 80 and the rising piece 813 of the left and right side portions 81 are adjacent to or abutting. As shown in the right diagram of Figure 13, the visible width dimension of the upper rising piece 801 of the front portion 80 is longer than the visible width dimension of the lower rising piece 803, and the visible width dimension of the upper horizontal piece 810 of the side portion 81 is smaller than the visible width dimension of the lower horizontal piece 812 of the side portion 81.

[D-5] Case Body The case body 3' is obtained by connecting the first member 7 and the second member 8. With the upper rising piece 801 of the front surface 80 of the second member 8 abutting against the depending piece 721 of the first member 7, the insertion hole 8010 formed in the rising piece 801 of the second member 8 coincides with the insertion hole 722 formed in the depending piece 721 of the first member 7. Furthermore, these insertion holes 8010, 722 coincide with the screw holes 1722 formed at intervals in the width direction of the lower angle iron 172 of the reinforcing member 17 (only the screw holes 1722 at both ends in the width direction are shown in FIG. 12A ). By screwing the screw S3 from the front, the lower end portion of the front surface 72 of the first member 7, the upper end portion of the front surface 80 of the second member 8, and the reinforcing member 17 (angle iron 172) are connected, thereby obtaining the case body 3'.

In this embodiment, when the hanging piece 721 of the first member 7 and the rising piece 801 of the second member 8 are connected, the rising piece 811 of the side surface portion 81 of the second member 8 is close to the hanging edge 711 of the side surface portion 711 of the first member 7 (left diagram in Figure 16). In this embodiment, the rising piece 811 of the side surface portion 81 of the second member 8 and the hanging edge 711 of the side surface portion 711 of the first member 7 are not connected.

The case body 3' is supported by the side panel 9 when slid relative to the side panel 9 from the front. In the case body 3' according to this embodiment, the horizontal piece 810 on the side surface 81 of the second member 8, the rising piece 811 on the side surface 81 of the second member 8, the hanging edge 711 on the side surface 71 of the first member 7, and the rising piece 813 on the side surface 81 of the second member 8 form the sliding portion when attaching the case body 3'. When the case body 3' is slid, if the side surface 81 of the second member 8 of the case body 3' slides against the side panel 9, the side surface 81 can also function as a sliding portion. Furthermore, when the case body 3' is slid, if the horizontal piece 812 on the second member 8 of the case body 3' slides against the side panel 9, the horizontal piece 812 can also function as a sliding portion.

[D-6] Side Panel The side panel 9 is attached to the case support member 6, and the case main body 3' is attached to the case support member 6 and the side panel 9 from the front to form the case 3. As shown in FIG. 14 , the side panel 9 is composed of a vertical main surface portion 90 extending in the front-to-rear direction, an upper horizontal edge 91 at the upper end of the main surface portion 90, an upper vertical edge 92 rising from the upper horizontal edge 91, a lower horizontal edge 93 at the lower end of the main surface portion 90, a lower vertical edge 94 rising from the lower horizontal edge 93, and a narrow rear edge 95 extending from the rear end of the main surface portion 90 in a direction perpendicular to the main surface portion 90. Insertion holes 900 are formed in the rear portion (body side portion) of the main surface portion 90, spaced apart from each other at the top and bottom. The insertion holes 900 are holes for attaching the side panel 9 to the case support member 6 with screws S2. The front end of the main surface portion 90 is designated as the front end 901.

In the side panel 9 according to this embodiment, the upper horizontal edge 91, upper vertical edge 92, and lower vertical edge 94 form a sliding portion when the case body 3' is supported and slid from the front on the side panel 9. When the case body 3' is slid, if the side surface portion 81 of the second member 8 of the case body 3' comes into sliding contact with the main surface portion 90, the main surface portion 90 can also function as a sliding portion. Furthermore, when the case body 3' is slid, if the horizontal piece 812 of the second member 8 of the case body 3' comes into sliding contact with the lower horizontal edge 93, the lower horizontal edge 93 can also function as a sliding portion.

[E] Case Mounting Structure and Mounting Method [E-1] Overview of Case Mounting Structure As shown in Figures 4 to 6 and 15, the case 3 according to this embodiment comprises a case main body 3', which is comprised of a first member 7 and a second member 8, and left and right side panels 9. That is, the case 3 is comprised of four components: the first member 7, the second member 8, and the left and right side panels 9. The first member 7 and the second member 8 are integrated with screws S3 inserted from the front to form the case main body 3'. The side panels 9 of the case 3 are attached to case support members 6 fixed to the upper portions of the sides of the vertical frames 1 on the left and right sides of the opening, and the case main body 3' is supported by the side panels 9 and the case support members 6. The left and right side portions of the case main body 3' are comprised of a side portion 71 of the first member 7 and a side portion 81 of the second member 8, and the front portion is comprised of a front portion 72 of the first member and a front portion 80 of the second member 8. The case support member 6 includes support portions (upper band portion 601 and lower band portion 602) positioned along the side surfaces of the vertical frame 1, and a front surface portion 67, and the left and right side panels 9 of the case 3 are fixed to the support portions (upper band portion 601 and lower band portion 602) with screws S1. The left and right side surfaces of the case main body 3' (side surface portion 71 of the first member 7 and side surface portion 81 of the second member 8) are supported by the left and right side surfaces 9, and the front surface portion of the case main body 3' (front surface portion 80 of the second member 8) is fixed with screws S5 screwed into the front surface portion 67 of the case support member 6 from the front. A rising edge 700 at the rear end of the top surface portion 70 of the first member 7 of the case main body 3' is fixed to the frame W with screws S4 screwed into the front surface.

[E-2] Overview of Case Mounting Method This section explains the mounting method for the case 3. Here, we assume that the case 3 is fitted in a so-called recessed corner, and that a side wall W2 (Figs. 1 and 5) is present near at least one widthwise end of the case 3. The case body 3' is slid from the front relative to the case support member 6 and side panel 9 attached to the vertical frame 1, and the case body 3' is attached to the frame W and case support member 6 to form the case 3.

First, a case support member 6 is prepared, which includes a support portion (upper band portion 601 and lower band portion 602) and a front portion 67. Prior to attaching the vertical frame 1 to the main frame W, the case support member 6 is attached to the upper portion of the side of the vertical frame 1. The support portions (upper band portion 601 and lower band portion 602) extend in the front-to-rear direction, spaced apart and facing the side of the vertical frame 1, and the front portion 67 is located forward of the vertical frame 1. A side panel 9 is prepared, which includes a sliding portion. Prior to attaching the vertical frame 1 to the main frame W, the side panel 9 is fixed to the support portion (upper band portion 601 and lower band portion 602) of the case support member 6, which is fixed to the vertical frame 1. The side panel 9 forms the sliding portion. The vertical frame 1 is attached to the main frame W with the case support member 6 and side panel 9 attached.

A case body 3' is prepared, including left and right side portions (side portion 71, side portion 81) equipped with sliding portions, and a front portion (front portion 72, front portion 80). The left and right side portions (side portion 71, side portion 81) of the case body 3' are slid from the front onto the side panel 9, while the case body 3' is supported by the side panel 9. With the front portion 80 in contact with or close to the front portion 67 of the case support member 6, the front portion 80 is fixed to the front portion 67 from the front using screws S5. The raised edge 700 at the rear end of the top surface portion 70 of the case body 3' is in contact with the body W, and is fixed to the body W from the front using screws S4.

[E-3] Mounting the case support member to the vertical frame Prior to mounting the vertical frame 1 to the framework W, the case support member 6 is mounted to the upper portion of the side of the vertical frame 1. The case support member 6 is fixed to the outer projected surface 42 of the guide rail base frame 4 by abutting the upper vertical edge 62 and the lower vertical edge 64 against the upper portion of the outer projected surface 42 of the guide rail base frame 4 with screws S1 inserted through the insertion holes 620, 640. The state in which the case support member 6 is mounted to the side of the vertical frame 1 is shown in Figures 9 and 10.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, in this embodiment, the plate-shaped portion 600 of the base 60 of the case support member 6 is positioned so as to substantially cover the outer projected surface 52 of the guide rail 5, and the upper band-shaped portion 601 and lower band-shaped portion 602 of the base 60 face the outer projected surface 42 of the guide rail base frame 4 at a distance. The upper band-shaped portion 601 and lower band-shaped portion 602 of the case support member 6 face the side surface of the vertical frame 1 while protruding from the side surface, forming a support portion that extends along the side surface, and the side panel 9 is fixed to and supported by the upper band-shaped portion 601 and lower band-shaped portion 602 with screws S2.

The front side of the plate-shaped portion 600 of the base 60 of the case support member 6 extends forward beyond the outer visible surface 52 and the visible surface 53 of the guide rail 5, and the front surface 67 is positioned in a protruding manner forward of the visible surface 53. Screw holes 670 are formed at the upper and lower height sides of the front surface 67. The front surface 80 of the second member 8 is fixed and supported by screws S5 on the front surface 67.

[E-4] Mounting of Side Panels to Case Support Members: The side panels 9 are mounted to the case support members 6 attached to the upper portions of the side surfaces of the vertical frame 1. The side panels 9 are mounted to the case support members 6 before the vertical frame 1, to which the case support members 6 are attached, is mounted to the main frame W. As shown in the left diagram of FIG. 15 and the right diagram of FIG. 16 , the rear half of the main surface portion 90 of the side panel 9 is positioned so as to cover the upper band portion 601 and the lower band portion 602 of the base 60, and the insertion holes 900 formed in the main surface portion 90 of the side panel 9 are aligned with the screw holes 603 in the upper band portion 601 and the screw holes 604 in the lower band portion 602. The side panels 9 are then fixed to the upper band portion 601 and the lower band portion 602 of the base 60 with screws S2.

As shown in the left diagram of Figure 15, the rear edge 95 of the side panel 9 is close to the main body W, the rear half of the main surface portion 90 faces the outer visible surface 42 at a distance, the front half of the main surface portion 90 faces the outer visible surface 52 at a distance, and the front surface portion 67 of the case support member 6 is located forward of the front end 901 of the main surface portion 90. As shown in the right diagram of Figure 16, the main surface portion 90 of the side panel 9 abuts the upper band portion 601 and the lower band portion 602 of the base 60 of the case support member 6 and is connected by screws S2, the upper horizontal edge 91 is located close to and above the upper edge 65, the lower horizontal edge 93 is located close to and below the lower edge 66, and the lower vertical edge 94 is located close to the side of the vertical frame 1 (outer visible surfaces 42, 52).

[E-5] Connecting the First Member and the Second Member The case body 3' is assembled by connecting the second member 8 from the front to the first member 7. The rising piece 801 on the upper side of the front portion 80 of the second member 8 is brought into contact with the hanging piece 721 of the first member 7, and at this time, the insertion hole 8010, the insertion hole 722, and the screw hole 1722 are aligned, and the hanging piece 721 of the first member 7 (and the angle member 172 on the lower side of the reinforcing member 17) and the rising piece 801 of the second member 8 are connected by the screw S3.

In this embodiment, as shown in the left diagram of Figure 16, when the hanging piece 721 of the first member 7 on the front side and the rising piece 801 of the second member 8 are connected, the rising piece 811 of the side portion 81 of the second member 8 is close to the hanging edge 711 of the side portion 71 of the first member 7.

[E-6] Mounting the Case Body In this embodiment, the first member 7 and the second member 8 are connected to assemble the case body 3' first, and then the case body 3' is attached by sliding it from the front onto the case support member 6 attached to the upper portion of the side portion of the vertical frame 1 and the side panel 9 attached to the case support member 6. In the case body 3' according to this embodiment, the horizontal piece 810 of the side portion 81 of the second member 8, the rising piece 811 of the side portion 81 of the second member 8, the hanging edge 711 of the side portion 71 of the first member 7, and the rising piece 813 of the side portion 81 of the second member 8 form the sliding portion when attaching the case body 3'. In the side panel 9 according to this embodiment, the upper horizontal edge 91, the upper vertical edge 92, and the lower vertical edge 94 form the sliding portion when the case body 3' is slidably supported on the side panel 9 from the front. When the case body 3' is slid and supported on the side panel 9 fixed to the case support member 6, the upper horizontal edge 91 of the side panel 9 in particular functions as a sliding guide surface on which the upper horizontal piece 810 of the side portion 81 of the second member 8 that forms the case body 3' is placed or supported. In addition, the upper vertical edge 92 and the lower vertical edge 94 of the side panel 9 also function as guide portions.

When the case body 3' slides relative to the side panel 9, first, the hanging edge 711 of the first member 7 of the case body 3' moves toward the main body along the upper vertical edge 92 of the side panel 9. When the second member 8 of the case body 3' moves to the front end of the side panel 9, the upper horizontal piece 810 of the side portion 81 of the second member 8 forming the case body 3' slides while being supported by the upper horizontal edge 91 of the side panel 9. The upper vertical edge 92 of the side panel 9 slides between the gap between the rising piece 811 of the case body 3' and the hanging edge 711. The rising piece 813 of the case body 3' slides as if inserted into the gap between the lower vertical edge 94 of the side panel 9 and the side surface (outer visible surface 52) of the vertical frame 1. When the case body 3' slides relative to the side panel 9, the side portion 81 of the second member 8 of the case body 3' and the main surface 90 of the side panel 9 are in close proximity or sliding contact. The horizontal piece 812 of the second member 8 of the case body 3' is close to (separated from) the lower horizontal edge 93 of the side panel 9.

As the case body 3' is slid toward its rear end relative to the side panel 9 attached to the case support member 6, the raised edge 700 at the rear end of the top surface 70 of the first member 7 forming the case body 3' abuts against the frame W, and both widthwise ends of the front surface 80 of the second member 8 forming the case body 3' abut against the front surface 67 of the case support member 6. At this time, the side surface 81 of the second member 8 of the case body 3' overlaps and covers the front half of the main surface 90 of the side panel 9, and the rear ends of the side surface 81 of the second member 8 forming the case body 3' coincide with the front ends of the upper vertical edge 62 and lower vertical edge 64 of the case support member 6 and also coincide with the vertical connection line between the guide rail base frame 4 and the guide rail 5.

Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the side portion of the case 3 when the case body 3' is formed by connecting the side panel 9 to the case body 3'. The upper horizontal piece 810 of the side portion 81 of the second member 8 that forms the case body 3' rests on the upper horizontal edge 91 of the side panel 9, and the upper vertical edge 92 of the side panel 9 is sandwiched between the rising piece 811 and the hanging edge 711. The side portion 81 of the second member 8 of the case body 3' and the main surface portion 90 of the side panel 9 are close to each other, the horizontal piece 812 of the second member 8 of the case body 3' is close to (spaced apart from) the lower horizontal edge 93 of the side panel 9, and the rising piece 813 of the case body 3' is sandwiched between the lower vertical edge 94 of the side panel 9 and the side surface (outer visible surface 52) of the vertical frame 1.

The raised edge 700 at the rear end of the top surface portion 70 of the first member 7 of the case body 3' is fixed to the main body W from the front with screws S4, and the front surface portion 80 of the second member 8 of the case body 3' is fixed to the front surface portion 67 of the case support member 6 from the front with screws S5 (see Figures 15 and 17). The attached state of the case 3 is shown in Figures 4 to 6. When the case 3 is assembled, the front face of the case is formed by the front face 72 of the first member 7 and the front face 80 of the second member 8. In the case main body 3' formed from the first member 7 and the second member 8, the first member 7 and the second member 8 are connected only by screws S3 screwed in from the front, the upper part (rising edge 700) of the case main body 3' is fixed to the frame W only by screws S4 screwed in from the front, and the lower part (front face 80) of the front face of the case main body 3' is fixed to the case support member 6 only by screws S5 screwed in from the front.

15 shows that the case body 3′ assembled by connecting the first member 7 and the second member 8 is attached to the case support member 6 attached to the upper portion of the vertical frame 1 and the side panel 9 attached to the case support member 6. However, before connecting the first member 7 and the second member 8, the horizontal edge 710 of the first member 7 may be supported on the upper end of the upper vertical edge 92 of the side panel 9 and slid, the rising edge 700 of the top surface 70 of the first member 7 may be abutted against the body W and fixed with screws S4, the second member 8 may then be slid relative to the side panel 9, the rising piece 801 of the second member 8 may be abutted against the hanging piece 721 of the first member 7 and connected with screws S3, and the front surface 80 of the second member 8 may be abutted against the front surface 67 of the case support member 6 and connected with screws S5. The order in which the screws S3, S4, and S5 are tightened is not limited. Furthermore, if the site allows screws to be inserted from the side, the side panel 9, the first member 7, and the second member 8 may be fixed with screws from the side using holes formed in the side panel 9, the first member 7, and the second member 8.

In this embodiment, the case body 3' (first member 7, second member 8) of the case 3 is slid from the front to be supported on the side panel 9 and fixed to the front portion 67 of the case support member 6 with screws S5 attached from the front. This allows for smooth installation even when the case 3 is fitted in an inside corner (whether it is a single-sided or double-sided inside corner). For example, if one of the left and right sides is fitted in an inside corner and the other is not, the vertical frame 1 can be attached to the main body on the other side before installing the case support member 6 and side panel 9. Furthermore, the case installation structure of this embodiment can be used even when the case is fitted in a non-inside corner.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the upper vertical edge 92 of the side panel 9 is sandwiched between the rising piece 811 and the hanging edge 711, and the upper vertical edge 92 prevents the hanging edge 711 from spreading toward the main body. Alternatively, the rising piece 811 and the hanging edge 711 may be abutted, with the upper vertical edge 92 positioned inside the hanging edge 711 (to the right in Figure 7). Also, in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the tip of the upper vertical edge 92 is spaced apart from the horizontal edge 710, but the tip of the upper vertical edge 92 may also abut the horizontal edge 710.

[F] Maintenance work for the blind shutter In the blind shutter according to this embodiment, the link mechanism that operates the slats 20 is provided within the internal space of the guide rail 5, and the gear box 10 including the electric motor M and the control unit 13 are provided near the upper end of the vertical frame 1. Therefore, when performing maintenance on the blind shutter, it is necessary to remove the guide rail 5 from the guide rail base frame 4, and then remove the link mechanism and the gear box 10 including the electric motor M (collectively referred to as the operating mechanism) together with the guide rail 5. In the case 3 according to this embodiment, by releasing the connection between the first member 7 and the second member 8 and by releasing the connection between the second member 8 and the case support member 6 (specifically, by removing the screw S3 connecting the upper end portion of the front portion 80 of the second member 8 to the lower end portion of the front portion 72 of the first member 7 and by removing the screw S5 connecting the front portion 80 of the second member 8 to the front portion 67 of the case support member 6), the second member 8 can be slid forward relative to the first member 7 attached to the main body W and the side panel 9 and case support member 6 fixed to the case support member 6, and the second member 8 can be removed. By removing the second member 8 or sliding it forward a predetermined distance (see distance d in Figure 18 ), the guide rail 5 on which the operating mechanism is mounted can be removed.

In the case structure of this embodiment, when the guide rail 5 equipped with the operating mechanism needs to be removed for maintenance or other such purposes, the maintenance work can be performed with the second member 8 removed or slid forward to a predetermined position. Furthermore, even at a site where a finishing wall W1 is further installed on the main body W, during maintenance, the upper end portion of the guide rail 5 equipped with the operating mechanism can be removed from the lower portion of the case 3 by sliding only the second member 8 forward.

1 Vertical frame 2 Blinds (shutter curtains)
3 Case 3' Case body 4 Guide rail base frame (vertical frame)
5 Guide rail (vertical frame)
6 Case support member 601 Upper band portion (support portion)
602 Lower belt-like portion (support portion)
67 Front portion 7 First member (case)
70 Upper surface portion 700 Rising side 71 Side portion (upper side portion)
711 Hanging edge (slide part)
72 Front part (upper front part)
720 Horizontal piece 721 Hanging piece 722 Insertion hole 8 Second member (case)
80 Front part (lower front part)
800 Horizontal piece 801 Standing piece 81 Side portion (lower side portion)
810 Horizontal piece (slide part)
811 Rising piece (sliding part)
813 Rising edge (sliding part)
9 Side panel 91 Upper horizontal edge (sliding portion)
92 Upper vertical side (sliding portion)
94 Lower vertical edge (sliding part)
S1 Screw (fastening member for connecting the case support member and the vertical frame)
S2 Screw (fastening member for connecting the side panel and the case support member)
S3 Screw (fastening member for connecting the front portion of the first member and the front portion of the second member)
S4 Screw (fastening member for connecting the rising edge of the upper surface of the first member to the body)
S5 Screw (fastening member for connecting the front part of the second member and the front part of the case support member)
W frame

Claims (5)

In the case mounting structure for the upper part of the side of the vertical frame on the left and right of the opening,
a case support member is provided at an upper portion of the side surface of the vertical frame;
the case support member includes a support portion located along the side surface and a front surface,
the case includes left and right side panels fixed to the support portion, and a case body including left and right side portions and a front portion,
the left and right side surfaces of the case body are supported by the left and right side plates, and the front surface of the case body is fixed to the front surface of the case support member by a fastening member;
The side panel includes a sliding portion,
The side surface portion includes a sliding portion and is supported by the sliding portion so as to be slidable from the front.
Case mounting structure. The case body includes:
a first member having left and right upper side portions, a top portion, and an upper front portion;
a second member having left and right lower side portions and a lower front portion;
It consists of
The left and right side surface portions and the front surface portion of the case main body are formed by connecting the upper front surface portion and the lower front surface portion to integrate a first member and a second member.
The case mounting structure according to claim 1 . A method for attaching a case to upper portions of the side surfaces of the vertical frames on the left and right sides of an opening,
a step of providing a case support member having a support portion and a front surface portion, by positioning the case support member at an upper portion of a side surface of the vertical frame so that the support portion is aligned with the side surface;
a step of fixing a side panel having a sliding portion to the support portion of the case support member;
a step of attaching the vertical frame to which the side panel and the case support member are fixed to a body;
a step of supporting a case body including a front portion and left and right side portions each having a sliding portion on the side plate while sliding the sliding portions of the left and right side portions of the case body from the front onto the slidable portions of the side plate, and fixing the front portion to the front portion from the front using a fastening member while the front portion is in contact with or close to the front portion of the case support member;
Including how to mount the case. A method for attaching a case to upper portions of the side surfaces of the vertical frames on the left and right sides of an opening,
a step of providing a case support member having a support portion and a front surface portion, by positioning the case support member at an upper portion of a side surface of the vertical frame so that the support portion is aligned with the side surface;
fixing a side panel to the support portion of the case support member;
a step of attaching the vertical frame to which the side panel and the case support member are fixed to a body;
a step of supporting a case body including left and right side portions and a front portion on the side plates while sliding the left and right side portions of the case body from the front onto the side plates, and fixing the front portion to the front portion from the front using a fastening member while the front portion is in contact with or close to the front portion of the case support member;
Including,
The case body includes:
a first member having left and right upper side portions, a top portion, and an upper front portion;
a second member having left and right lower side portions and a lower front portion;
It consists of
a step of connecting the first member and the second member to form the case main body,
How to install the case. A method for attaching a case to upper portions of the side surfaces of the vertical frames on the left and right sides of an opening,
a step of providing a case support member having a support portion and a front surface portion, by positioning the case support member at an upper portion of a side surface of the vertical frame so that the support portion is aligned with the side surface;
fixing a side panel to the support portion of the case support member;
a step of attaching the vertical frame to which the side panel and the case support member are fixed to a body;
a step of supporting a first member having left and right upper side surface portions, a top surface portion, and an upper front surface portion on the side surface plate while sliding the upper side surface portions onto the side surface plate from the front;
a step of supporting a second member having left and right lower side surface portions and a lower front surface portion on the side surface plate while sliding the lower side surface portions onto the side surface plate from the front;
a step of connecting a lower end portion of the upper front surface portion of the first member and an upper end portion of the lower front surface portion of the second member from the front side using a fastening member while the lower end portion of the first member and the upper front surface portion of the second member are in contact with or close to each other;
a step of fixing the lower front surface portion of the second member to the front surface portion of the case support member from the front side using a fastening member while the lower front surface portion of the second member is in contact with or close to the front surface portion of the case support member;
Including how to mount the case.