Self-acting lock for articulated, rolling grilles

Claim 1

Self-acting lock structure for articulated, rolling grilles of the type adapted to be rolled up at one end for unbarring a closure, the combination comprising guide structure adapted to be fixedly secured on opposite sides of the opening with which the grille is associated, and serving to maintain the movement of the grille in a defined path, said guide structure being configurated to conceal from view the side portions of the grille and including lock abuttment means disposal laterally to one side of the path of grille movement and internally of the guide structure, a plurality of links extending in the direction of grille movement, a plurality of parallel disposed grille rods extending laterally of said links across the opening, the links being mounted upon said rods and interconnected forming chains of links, said chains of links including end-links and intermediate links, all having rod receiving holes therein through which said grille rods extend, said chain of end-links including a set of locking links, including a pivot link and a lock-link, said locklink having a hole in one end and a first one of said grille rods being received in said hole, said pivot link having a hole in one end and a second one of said grille rods being received in said hole, means pivotally interconnecting said pivot link to said lock-link in an over-center pivot connection, said lock-link including an extension projecting away from said pivot connection and engaging said second grille rod when the grille is rolled and unrolled from said one end, and said extension being disposed so as to clear said lock abuttment means in the guide structure, the intermediate links laterally aligned with said set of locking links having rod receiving holes greater in size than the rod diameter permitting movement of the grille rods with respect to the intermediate links serving to shorten the distance between said first and second grille rods when lifting forces are applied to the other end portion of the grille, serving to move said first grille rod towards the second grille rod, the arrangement of said locking links and said pivot connection being such that converging movement of the first and second grille rods shifts said pivot connection laterally outwardly and presents the extension on said lock-link for engagement with said lock abuttment means so as to deter further movement of the grille structure with respect to the guide structure in response to movement forces applied at said other end of the grille.