The Universal Joint is one of the most needed, most popular Roll Up Shutter Parts on our website. There is frequent demand for this part and with good reason. Manual operation of Roll Up Shutters depends on this part in no small measure.
There are four versions of this part.
Do you know them? Do you know the purpose of each one?
WHY is it called a "universal"?
The Universal Joint is a well-known type of mechanical joint that connects two individual shafts that are not connected in a straight line, but still permits them to turn together in synchronized movement. You can apply turning motion to one of the shafts and it will cause the other connected shaft to turn at the same time, even though they are connected at an angle.
This plays an important part in the operation of manual Roll Up Shutters, allowing them to be hand cranked up or down for opening and closing the shutter curtain.
There are variations when it comes to Universal Joints. They have two-hole mounting plates and four-hole mounting plates. They have square shafts and hex (hexagonal or six-sided) shafts. Which is which and how are they used?
Two-hole (2-Hole) Universals are used when the shutter will be cranked on the outside of a home or building. The Universal is mounted directly to the Roll Up Shutter overhead box.
Four-hole (4-Hole) Universals are used when the shutter will be cranked on the inside of a home or building. The Universal is mounted directly to the wall and the 4-hole mount gives additional strength to the mount.
Square or Hex?
The square shaft is used with manual, non-motorized Roll Up Shutters mechanisms, but a hexagonal shaft is used when you have a special motorized shutter situation.
Some motorized shutters have an "Override" option. This means that the normal operation of the shutter is done by the electric tubular motor inside the shutter and, the "Override" is the option to be able to override or bypass the motor function and crank this motorized shutter manually; for example, in a situation when the power is out and the motor isn't operational, this override allows cranking the shutter manually.
NOTE: There is the factor of the size and weight of the shutter when it comes to manual cranking, but that is a topic to be discussed at another time.
I hope that this information is useful to you and let's keep those shutters cranking and rolling.