Abstract: A locking gear drive for a protective roll-type shutter or awning device. The gear drive comprises, for example, a housing, a driveshaft coupled to a driving gear, a driven gear meshing with the driving gear and a driven shaft coupled to the driven gear. A socket is mounted at one end of a longitudinally displaceable driveshaft and the socket is slidably disposed within an end cap affixed to the gear drive housing. A plurality of pin-like projections, acting as locking members, are provided around the exterior periphery of the socket. A plurality of interlocking members for engaging the pin-like projections are provided in the form of bores disposed in an end wall of the end cap. A compression spring disposed around the driveshaft and between the gear drive housing and socket urges the locking members and interlocking members into engagement. Inter-engagement of the pin-like projections and bores holds the driveshaft against rotation.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a gear drive such as the gear drive of a roll-type shutter or awning. One of the gear shafts, preferably the driving gear shaft, is rotatably supported such as to be longitudinally displaceable, and carries at its free end a transverse pin. A stationary member is provided with radial grooves engageable by the projecting end of the pin when the shaft is longitudinally displaced under the action of a coil spring. The gear is coupled to the shaft by a pin transversely disposed through the shaft and projecting in longitudinal grooves formed in a portion of the gear. The locking mechanism is unlocked by introducing the end of a crank handle into a coupling socket mounted on the other end of the shaft, and applying longitudinal pressure with the crank handle, such as to disengage the locking mechanism prior to hand-driving the shaft in rotation by way of the crank handle.

Abstract: A system for suspending at least one shutter and for elevating the shutter or shutters for use as an awning. The shutters are slidable along rails and are engageable so as to cover a predetermined width when closed.

Abstract: A support member for the end of a rotatable shaft for winding and unwinding a curtain of articulated slats forming a roll-type shutter or awning. The support member is made of a pair of interlocked, L-shaped plates forming a box-like structure open at both ends. A bushing, through which is passed the end of the rotatable shaft, is journalled through one of the L-shaped plates and is held in position by a U-shaped saddle member. The support member is converted to a gear drive by replacing the bushing with a worm wheel and mounting in the U-shaped saddle member a worm gear meshing with the worm wheel. The worm gear is mounted on, or made integral with, a drive shaft. The U-shaped saddle member is arranged to be mounted in any one of a plurality of positions within the box-like enclosure so as to provide several possible orientations for the drive shaft.

Abstract: A combined shutter and awning protective device for an opening in a wall such as a window, comprising a plurality of slats of uniform cross-section slidably received within one another and having a rotary member by means of which the shutter can be rolled upon the rotary member to provide for raising and lowering thereof. The device includes frame members which are pivotable whereby the device can be pivoted outwardly from a wall or the like to act as an awning. The device also includes frame sections secured to the wall which allows the device, in its non-pivoted position with the shutter fully lowered, to secure itself in position over the window or the like to act as a protective and security covering.