Flexible curtain closure device drive and containment mechanism

Abstract

A roll-up closure device (FIG. 1 ) comprising a light weight flexible curtain ( 1 ), an extruded profiled edge ( 2 ), a synchronizing drive mechanism ( 3 ), a vertical retaining means ( 6 ) and a take up means ( 7 ). Said roll-up closure device eliminates the need for horizontal retaining mechanism positioned across the opening and the counter balance devices commonly associated with light weight flexible curtain roll-up closure devices as a means of preventing the curtain from being pulled out of the vertical retaining guides due to differential pressures that may exist in the closure device environment.

1 . A closure device ( FIG. 1 ) comprising a light weight flexible curtain ( 1 ), an extruded profiled edge ( 2 ), a synchronizing drive mechanism ( 3 ), a vertical retaining means ( 6 ) and a take up means ( 7 ).  
   
   
       2 . A closure device as specified in  claim 1  wherein said extruded profiled edge ( 2 ) is permanently attached to the vertical edges of said light weight flexible curtain ( 1 ) ( FIG. 2 ) in such a manner as to allow said light weight flexible curtain ( 1 ) to be inserted into said vertical retaining means ( 6 ) ( FIG. 3 ). Said extruded profiled edge ( 2 ) in conjunction with said vertical retaining means ( 6 ) combine to maintain a horizontal tension on said light weight flexible curtain ( 1 ) in such a manner as to retain said light weight flexible curtain ( 1 ) within said vertical retaining means ( 6 ) when said closure device is exposed to differential pressures during said closure device operation ( FIG. 1 ).  
   
   
       3 . A closure device as specified in  claim 1  or  2  wherein said synchronizing drive mechanism ( 3 ) consists of semi rigid rod ( 8 ) ( FIG. 4 ) inserted inside said extruded profiled edge ( 2 ) in such a manner as to create a means by which to push said light weight flexible curtain ( 1 ) down into said vertical retaining means ( 6 ).  
   
   
       4 . A closure device as specified in  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said synchronizing drive mechanism ( 3 ) consists of a driven roller mechanism ( 9 ) ( FIG. 4A ) that compresses said extruded profiled edge ( 2 ) between two counter rotating rollers ( 9 A)( 9 B) ( FIG. 4A ) in such a manner as to drive said light weight flexible curtain ( 1 ) down into said vertical retaining means ( 6 ) ( FIG. 5 & 6 ) during said closure device operation.  
   
   
       5 . A closure device as specified in  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3  or  4  wherein said synchronizing drive mechanism ( 3 ) consists of a tensioned continuous belt ( 10 ) ( FIG. 5 ) positioned around said extruded profiled edge ( 2 ) where said extruded profiled edge ( 2 ) comes into contact with said take up means ( 7 ) in such a manner as to create a synchronized drive means between said driven roller mechanism ( 9 ) and said take up means ( 7 ) capable of varying the contact radius of said tensioned continuous belt ( 10 ) ( FIG. 5 ) to ensure a constant contact with said extruded profiled edge ( 1 ) as the combined diameter of said extruded profiled edge ( 2 ) and said take up means ( 7 ) varies during said closure device operation.  
   
   
       6 . A closure device as specified in  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  or  5  wherein said synchronizing drive mechanism ( 3 ) consists of a driven wheel mechanism ( 11 ) ( FIG. 6 ) mounted on a tensioned radius arm ( 11 A) ( FIG. 6 ) positioned in such a manner as to maintain a constant contact between said driven wheel mechanism ( 11 ) ( FIG. 6 ) and said extruded profiled edge ( 2 ) where said extruded profiled edge ( 2 ) comes into contact with said take up means ( 7 ) in such a manner as to create a synchronized drive means between said driven roller mechanism ( 9 ) and said take up means ( 7 ) as the combined diameter of said extruded profiled edge ( 2 ) and said take up means ( 7 ) varies during said closure device operation.