AU2010333719A1

AU2010333719A1 - Chainwinder

Info

Publication number: AU2010333719A1
Application number: AU2010333719A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Graeme Byrne; David Li
Original assignee: PACIFIC HOLDINGS AUST Pty Ltd
Current assignee: PACIFIC HOLDINGS (AUST) Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-12-18
Filing date: 2010-12-20
Publication date: 2012-07-05
Anticipated expiration: 2030-12-20
Also published as: CN102753779A; WO2011072343A1; AU2014100670A4; AU2017235983A1; AU2017235983B2; AU2010333719B2; AU2014100670B4

Abstract

A chainwinder for a window having an improved structure allowing the chainwinder to be substantially assembled on the base before the covering is attached to the base, and allowing for adjusting the effective length of the chain without disassembly and improved structures substantially aiding strength of chain.

Description

WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 1 CHAINWINDER Field of the Invention 5 This invention relates to a chainwinder and in particular to chainwinder for a window. Whilst the invention may be applied to opening or closing a range of articles including skylights etc, for convenience sake it shall be described herein in terms of a chainwinder for opening and closing awning windows. 10 Related Applications This application claims priority from Australian provisional patent applications nos. 2009906166 and 2009906278 which are herewith incorporated herein and also from Australian innovation patents no. 2010101261 and 2010101266 which are herewith 15 incorporated herein. Background to the Invention This invention relates to a window winder that uses a chain connected to a hinged window such that varying the length of the chain varies the degree of openness of 20 the window. The invention is particularly relevant to lockable window winders but is not limited to such. Generally, such mechanisms are used on windows, which are pivotally hinged at a top portion with the window winder being attached to the windowsill and a chain 25 extending from and attached to a bottom portion of the window so that it is able to pivot outwards around the top hinge. A particular problem associated with window winders of this kind, is the difficulty in securing such a window. An undue pulling force applied directly to the bottom part of 30 a window causes excessive tensile forces in the opener mechanism, resulting in a skipping of the chain relative to the mechanism. The drive mechanism may even break. Also a steady application of force directly on the window may merely operate the gearing associated with the chain in reverse to the intended activating direction. In this way, providing an outward force on the window pulls out the chain and opens 35 the window due to a free-wheeling of the rotatable drive mechanism. A proposed solution to this problem is to use a detent means that engages the toothed wheel that engages the chain. Another solution is to use a detent means that WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 2 directly engages the chain to prevent further movement and can therefore effect a non free wheeling locking mechanism. However these solutions have their limitations as the chain can only be locked at each tooth of the toothed wheel in the first case or at each chain link in the second case. Therefore locking is dependent on the spacing 5 of the chain links. This does not provide an acceptable commercial continuous locking system that can effectively occur at any position. In modem systems of window winders a worm drive is used which has a high ratio gearing to drive the toothed wheel engaging the chain. This has the substantial 10 disadvantage of requiring an excessive number of turns of the operating handle to achieve significant movement of the window. It is therefore important to allow maximum sizing of the worm gear and to include a locking means that allows this maximising of worm gear size and robustness. 15 Another problem is a constructional problem where the prior art winders require a plurality of cast metal parts and plurality of plastic parts. The structure is generally complex and makes it difficult and expensive to construct. Generally the housing is made of a metal hollow structure and the p[arts are assembled one by one into the housing. One particular problem is that the opening is in the base and therefore all 20 parts must be inserted into the housing while the housing is upside down. This means it is not being assembled in the orientation of use and generally requires mechanisms to allow inserting and holding. The complexity of assembly is therefore substantially increased. 25 This invention relates to a window winder that uses a chain connected to a hinged window such that varying the length of the chain varies the degree of openness of the window. The invention is particularly relevant to lockable window winders but is not limited to such. 30 Generally, such mechanisms are used on windows, which are pivotally hinged at a top portion with the window winder being attached to the windowsill and a chain extending from and attached to a bottom portion of the window so that it is able to pivot outwards around the top hinge. 35 A particular problem is that it is a requirement for upper floors to have a shorter opening of the window to lower floors. Therefore a short chain is required. However to supply a short chain means that the short chain winder must be identified before WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 3 use and a chain chopped down to the required length. This is a costly approach that requires the retailer or installer to be involved rather than the manufacturer or wholesaler providing a finished product. Further there are complexities and costs involved in chopping a chain to size and then refitting attached parts. 5 Further it is known to have a pin mountable within the housing that provides a protuberance that engages an internal element of the chainwinder mechanism. Although this provides the benefit of not having to disassemble the driving means it 10 still requires the housing and base to be disconnected to insert the plug or pin which can result in accidental disassembly or at least parts falling out of correct alignment resulting in malfunction. Still further external parts could be dropped into the housing and cause malfunction. 15 Another particular problem is that heavy duty chains that are used to withstand forces of greater than 20 kilograms are not able to have stop means engage the chain to effect the stop and simulate a shorter chain. This is due to the force of 20 kilograms being sufficient to displace any stop that engages the chain. 20 However a major aspect of the chainwinder is the need to be able to have strength to push and pull a hinged window. Presently windows are considered to be a means of substantial passageway for heat and noise. Walls are insulated but the effectiveness is substantially decreased by 25 the heat loss and noise passage through the window. In the interests of energy conservation windows are being transformed into thermal and noise insulating members. This generally requires double glazing and thereby form a noise and heat insulation member. Clearly with the doubling of the glass there is a significant increase of weight of the window. 30 Presently chainwinders are failing to cope with continual use at this increased stress due to increased window weight. However it is not just a means of increasing strength by using stronger material. Costs prevent using stronger metals. It is possible to use thicker steel material. However a major disadvantage is that the 35 systems will not fit the standard building requirements or fit with known chainwinder structures.

WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 4 Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least substantially ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art. Summary of the Invention 5 In one form the invention provides a chainwinder including a housing formed by a covering body and closed by an attachable base, the housing for receiving a chain therein and a drive means engageable with the chain to selectively drive the chain from the housing and alter the degree of openness of an attached window; wherein the chainwinder can be substantially assembled on the base before the housing 10 covering body is attached to the base. The chainwinder can include at least one mounting element for mounting and fixing from outside the chainwinder without disassembling the base from the housing body. The at least one mounting element can be a handle fittable to the drive means and 15 lockable without disassembling the base from the housing body. The chainwinder can include at least one adjustment element for adjusting a function of the chainwinder and accessible from outside the chainwinder without disassembling the base from the housing body. The at least one adjustment element 20 can be an element for altering the effective length of chain able to be selectively driven from the housing to alter the degree of openness of an attached window. The present invention also provides a chainwinder formed by a subassembly and a covering housing, the chainwinder including a subassembly having a base in which is 25 formed a channel for receiving a chain and further having a top at least partially overlying the base and chain therein and for receiving and mounting a slide lock and a drive means engageable therewith wherein the chainwinder is substantially assembled with all parts and then covered by the housing whereby the base of the subassembly forms the base of the housing; and the chainwinder handle extends 30 from outside the housing through the drive means and the subassembly to lock all the parts and to provide means for driving the chain into and out of the housing. In a particular form of the chainwinder there is a window winder including: a housing for securing to a window ledge; a chain extending out of the housing and attachable 35 to an openable window; a drive means having a rotatable handle external of the housing for varying the length of the chain extending out of the housing in order to vary the degree of the opening of the window; and a locking means including a WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 5 detent means associated with the drive means of the chain and preventing the chain from being further extended from the housing, wherein the locking means includes a key lock for effecting movement of the detent means between a lockable and an unlockable position and the ratchet gear is coaxial and adjacent the rotatable handle. 5 The chainwinder can further include any one or more of the following: a) Improvements in structure and assembly including i. construction as a subassembly and/or ii. a lock slide supported by the top of the subassembly; 10 b) Improvements in elements including interengagement of elements including i. flat surfaces for worm gear, ii. bearing in base, iii. spring washer and bearing surface, iv. a bush and wafer washer spring to mount the drive gear in the 15 form of a worm gear and minimise wear on the housing; v. a drive means of the handle in the form of support of the worm gear at both ends in a substantially parallel flat surfaces such as by the bush and wafer washer spring at one end and the subassembly housing at the other end. 20 c) Improvements in handle including i. folding handle, method for holding removable handle, ii. a handle extending from outside the housing and extending substantially through the housing and the subassembly to be fixed in position by a locking means accessible from an outer 25 side of the housing. d) Improvements in strength elements including i. idler gear, ii. stronger chain e) Improvements in versatility including 30 i. short chain system, such as an idler gear slidable from a first position at which it is able to provide a long protruding chain and therefore a large opening to a predefined second position at which it is able to provide a short protruding chain and therefore a small opening 35 WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 6 Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention can be more readily understood embodiments will be described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the drawings wherein: Figure 1 shows a chainwinder in exploded view showing the housing placed 5 over the subassembly with substantially all parts preassembled into subassembly while in an in use orientation and only requiring overturning for locking subassembly to housing through handle lock; Figure 2 is a detail of the a first end of the chainwinder assembly of Figure 1 without the covering housing in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; 10 Figures 3A, 3B and 3C shows structure of the handle of the chainwinder assembly of Figure 1; Figures 4A and 4B are a top view and side view of the idler gear; Figure 5 is a detail of a second end of the chainwinder assembly of Figure 1 without the covering housing in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention 15 which shows the mounting of the idler gear slidable from a first position at which it is able to provide a long protruding chain and therefore a large opening to a predefined second position at which it is able to provide a short protruding chain and therefore a small opening; Figure 6A and 6B shows the mounting of the drive means including worm 20 gear mounted to the top of the subassembly and including the bush and wafer washer spring to mount the drive gear in the form of a worm gear and minimise wear on the housing; Figures 7A and 7B shows the handle with central arm that extends through housing and worm gear of Figure 7 and can be locked by screw as shown in Figure 25 1. Figure 8 is a diagrammatic external view of the selective operation of the short chain winder of the first embodiment invention; Figure 9 shows the idler gear slidable from a first position to a predefined second position at which it is able to provide a short protruding chain and therefore a 30 small opening; and Figure 10 shows the idler gear slidable from a first position at which it is able to provide a long protruding chain and therefore a large opening. Figure 11 is an overhead plan view, side view and underneath view of an improved chain according to a first embodiment of the invention having abutting links; 35 Figure 12 is an overhead plan view, side view and underneath view of an improved chain according to a second embodiment of the invention having reinforcing 3 layer links; WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 7 Figure 13 is an overhead plan view, side view and underneath view of an improved chain according to a third embodiment of the invention having double chain structure; Figure 14 are three overhead views of chains that could be improved by one 5 or more of the structures of Figures 11, 12 or 13 according to further embodiments of the invention; and Figure 15 are a side view of an improved chain according to a fourth embodiment of the invention with straight edge abutment and side view and underneath view of an improved chain according to a fifth embodiment of the 10 invention with coplanar abutting intermediate links. Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention In this preferred embodiment, and as shown in the exploded view of Figure 1 the invention provides a chainwinder 11 including a housing 12 with base 15 for securing 15 to a window ledge. A chain 21 extends out of the housing 12 through opening 13 and attachable to an openable window by attachment bracket 16 at the end of the chain 21. A drive means 41 including a sprocket gear or chain gear 42 and a worm gear 43 are driven by a rotatable handle 51 extending external of the housing 12 allowing the user to vary the length of the chain 21 extending out of the housing in 20 order to vary the degree of the opening of the window. The chainwinder includes a locking means 61 including a detent means or lock slide associated with the drive means of the chain and preventing the chain from being further extended from the housing, wherein the locking means includes a key lock for effecting movement of the detent means between a lockable and an unlockable position and the ratchet 25 gear or sprocket gear 42 is coaxial and adjacent the rotatable handle 51. In order for the various details of the invention to be shown portions of the chainwinder 22 of figure 1 are shown in more detail in other drawings including the handle shown in figures 3A, B, C and 7A, the assembly structure including the 30 subassembly in figures 2, 5 and 6A, and the idler gear in figure 4A and the base in figure 8. Other figures show the improved chain and the improved versatility of the chain to formal short chain. For ease of understanding some of the changes are collated in different categories 35 that this should not be understood to mean that any one or other of the features in other categories do not assist in one or more elements or other categories of the new improved chainwinder 22.

WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 8 Referring to Figure 2 there is shown the base 15 of the chainwinder 22 having a course 15A for allowing a chain 21 to extend and protrude out an opening 13. A sprocket gear 42 is mounted in a metal bush 49 in a receiving partially circular outer 5 section 15B of the base with a central locating hole 15C so that drive gear including the worm gear 43 can drive sprocket gear can drive the chain 21 out of the opening 13. The metal bush ensures stronger integrity and less wear. The end of the chain 21 has an attachment bracket 16 which can be fitted fixedly to the window by screws extending through screw holes 16A and 16B. 10 IMPROVEMENTS IN STRUCTURE AND ASSEMBLY Improvements in structure and assembly include construction as a subassembly and a lock slide supported by the top of the subassembly. 15 The chainwinder includes the substantial benefit of having a subassembly having a base in which is formed a channel for receiving a chain and further having a top at least partially overlying the base 15 and chain 21 therein and for receiving and mounting a slide lock and a drive means engageable therewith. The chainwinder is substantially assembled with all parts and then covered by the housing 12 whereby 20 the base of the subassembly forms the base of the housing. The chainwinder handle 51 extends from outside the housing 12 through the drive means 43 and the subassembly 15 and top subassembly 25 and with the pin 59 engaging end of handle 51 to lock all the parts and to provide means for driving the chain into and out of the housing. 25 A lock slide (not shown) is supported by the top of the subassembly and engages between the ratchet 45 of the drive means and the key lock mounted in spaced opening 14B of the housing 12 such that turning the key to lock position prevents driving of the drive means and prevents further opening of the window. A handle 51 30 extends from outside the housing 12 and extending substantially through opening 14A of the housing and the subassembly to be fixed in position by a locking means 59 accessible from an outer side of the base 15 closing the bottom of the housing 12. IMPROVEMENTS IN ELEMENTS INCLUDING INTERENGAGEMENT OF 35 ELEMENTS Improvements in elements including interengagement of elements include i. flat surfaces for worm gear, WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 9 ii. bearing in base, iii. spring washer and bearing surface, iv. a bush and wafer washer spring to mount the drive gear in the form of a worm gear and minimise wear on the housing; 5 v. a drive means of the handle in the form of support of the worm gear at both ends in a substantially parallel flat surfaces such as by the bush and wafer washer spring at one end and the subassembly housing at the other end. 10 As shown in the exploded view of Figure 6A a bush 47 and wafer washer spring or thrust washer 46 mount the drive gear including the worm gear 43 and integral ratchet 45 at one end while at the other end is provided a flat surface 26 on the top subassembly 25. When mounted within the housing 12 as shown in figure 6B the drive gear alliance with the opening 14 A in the housing 12 and is mounted to have 15 flat surfaces at either end provided by the bush and wafer washer spring and the inner surface of the housing 12 at one end and the supporting flat surface 26 of the subassembly at the other end and in this way provide stable mounting of the worm gear while minimising wear on the housing. 20 A drive means is provided in the form of the handle 51 which has a spindle 53 and extends through the opening 14A of the housing 12 and further supports the worm gear therethrough. IMPROVEMENTS IN VERSATILITY 25 The improvements in versatility can be achieved by providing a short chain system. With particular reference to Figure 10A and 10B there is shown the idler gear 31 slidable in unrestricted form from a first position at which it is able to provide a long protruding chain and therefore a large opening of an attached window. As shown in Figure 9A to 9B the idler gear 31 is slidable in restricted form from a first position to a 30 predefined second position at which it is able to provide a short protruding chain and therefore a small opening. Figures 1 and 5 show the mounting of the idler gear. The idler gear 31 has a plurality of peripheral teeth 35 that fit into the end of the chain 21 at the distal end of the chain 35 from the end of that extends out of the chain winder housing. The idler gear 31 provides a turning arc for the end of the chain which is following an arcuate path within the chain winder housing.

WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 10 The idler gear 31 further has a central opening 32, which is as shown in figure 5 is able to receive a screw means 41 that extends and protrudes beyond the central opening 32. As shown in figures 5 and 6, the screw means 41 protrudes through the 5 base 15 that closes the bottom opening of the chain winder housing 16. Therefore they shown in figure 7 the screw 41 as I will keep extend through the whole 18 in the base 15 and engaged into the threaded hole 32 of the idler gear 31 which can fit within the arcuate portion of the chain 22. 10 Further shown in figure 8 this arrangement can be undertaken while the apparatus is in a closed and assembled state. Referring further to figure 9A and 9B the screw 41 extends protrudes beyond at the top of the chain 22 provide a protruding portion 45 of the screw above the chain. 15 While the chain is being extended out of the chain winder housing by use of the handle driving a ratchet will at the other end of the chain the idler gear at this distal end of the chain is able to freely move within the chain winder housing until the protruding portion 45 that the screw 41 encounters at inward protruding portion 19 of the chain winder housing 16. This is further shown in the disassembled form of the 20 chain winder of figure 4. However in operation, as shown in figures 10A and 10B without the screw 41, the idler gear 31 in the chain 22 are able to extend beyond the inward protruding portion 19 of the chain might housing 16 and therefore provide maximum chain length to be 25 driven out of the chain winder housing and provide the larger opening of the attached window IMPROVEMENTS IN HANDLE Improvements in handle include: 30 i. folding handle, method for holding removable handle, ii. a handle extending from outside the housing and extending , substantially through the housing and the subassembly to be fixed in position by a locking means accessible from an outer side of the housing. 35 As shown in figures 7A and 7B and Figures 3A, 3B and 3C further improve configuration of the folding handle. In particular referring to Figure 7A the handle 51 is configured with crank 52 having a spindle 53 with a curved lower formation 54 and WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 11 the spindle 53 and the curve formation can extend through the drive means including the worm gear 43 and ratchet 45. The top handle portion 55 is mounted to the crank 52 in a folding manner by an elbow joint comprising a sleeve 56A mounted on the crank 52 intersecting with a sleeve 56B holding the handle 55 by a pivoting pin 56C. 5 A further spring mechanism 57 locates two balls into a groove on the inner surface of the handle knob, when the knob is in the operational position. This eliminates the likelihood of the knob being accidentally pulled up when the winder is being operated. When the knob is pulled up the spring mechanism will hold the knob in a position so it may be folded. 10 Figure 7B shows the handle 51 in location mounting the drive gear within the housing 12 and with a locking pin 59 extending from the base 15 to abut and thereby hold the curved lower formation 54 and retain the handle 51 in a captured position and thereby lock the top elements of the chainwinder 22 to the base 15. 15 IMPROVEMENTS IN STRENGTH ELEMENTS Improvements in strength elements including idler gear and stronger chain. In the preferred embodiment shown in figures 4A and 4B there is further provided an 20 improved idler gear 31 having a plurality of peripheral teeth 35 that are able to engage the distal end 22 of the chain 21 when mounted in the housing 12 so as to form an arcing pathway to the chain. However with the added stress provided to the chain 21 when mounting a heavy window or when being forced in a rough manner a known idler gear is capable of being crushed. However the idler gear 31 of the 25 invention is formed of plastic but includes strength due to an upright shoulder 36 on either side of the planar arrangements of teeth 35 and surrounding central hole 32 so as to perform a strengthening aid and for the idler gear to perform a clear planar arcing pathway of the chain 21 without chance of crushing. Also when the idler gear 31 is mounted on screw 41 there is solid integrity so as to allow the screw to protrude 30 through in a manner normal; to the plane of the chain due to the idler gear resisting any torsional deformations. In the preferred embodiments shown in Figures 11 to 15 that can be incorporated in the chainwinder of Figure 1 to provide a synergistic combination, the invention 35 provides an improved chain comprising a plurality of pins held parallel and spaced by chain plates whereby a sprocket can engage the adjacent pins successively and drive the chain; and wherein the improved chain having one or more strengthening WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 12 means to substantially strengthen the chain. Three distinct strengthening means are shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13, however combinations can also occur. Referring to the chain of Figure 11 there is the use of abutting chain plates. Chains 5 are generally formed with parallel pins held between overlapping U body shaped chain plates with open top to allow sprocket to engage the pins sequentially and drive the chain. However in such a structure the side walls of the chain plate body extend around the pins but are spaced from the next one with the overlapping chain plate being in an adjacent plane. In this way the chain can bend freely. 10 However it has been found that if the chain plates are made to engage each other or at least engage while under compression or are located very close thereto such as shown in Figure 11 and Figure 15 then the longitudinal engagement of chain plates substantially increases the strength. The abutting surfaces can be curved such as in 15 Figure 11 so that the chain is still able to bend around corners but maintains a connection. In the abutting configuration of figure 15 there is shown a curve surface leading to a locking cam surface. This compression fit is substantially enhanced when used in combination with the 20 combination of U shaped chain plate and U-shaped intermediate chain plate provides a structure which prevents bending substantially beyond the straight linear and therefore only snakes and folds into receiving cavity of window winder when folding inward on the other side of the straight linear. This provides spine strength when extended. 25 In the strengthening mode of Figure 12 there is shown mirror chain plates attaching between the ends of the same two pins with the overlapping chain plate extending from between one pair of chain plates to the next pair of chain plates. Clearly this strengthening without substantially increasing width of the chain provides a 30 substantial increase in strength. The overlapping of chain plates of Figure 12 can also have mirror plates or there could be alternating or other repetition of mirror plates so as to homogenise the strength between pins. 35 Referring to figure 13 there is shown effectively a double chain where extended pins extend between chain plates extending half or less of the length of the pin and by WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 13 overlapping provide connections of pins at the ends and at central portion of each pin. Therefore the number of chain plates between two adjacent pins can be increased from the initial two to 4 or more. This substantially increases strength. 5 While we have described herein particular embodiments of a chainwinder, it is further envisaged that other embodiments of the invention could exhibit any number and combination of any one of the features previously described. However, it is to be understood that any variations and modifications which can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention are included in the scope thereof as defined 10 in the following claims.

Claims

1. A chainwinder including a housing formed by a covering body and closed by an attachable base, the housing for receiving a chain therein and a drive means engageable with the chain to selectively drive the chain from the 5 housing and alter the degree of openness of an attached window; wherein the chainwinder can be substantially assembled on the base before the housing covering body is attached to the base.

2. A chainwinder according to claim 1 including at least one mounting element 10 for mounting and fixing from outside the chainwinder without disassembling the base from the housing body.

3. A chainwinder according to claim 2 wherein the at least one mounting element is a handle fittable to the drive means and lockable without 15 disassembling the base from the housing body.

4. A chainwinder according to claim 1, 2 or 3 including at least one adjustment element for adjusting a function of the chainwinder and accessible from outside the chainwinder without disassembling the base from the housing 20 body.

5. A chainwinder according to claim 4 wherein the at least one adjustment element is an element for altering the effective length of chain able to be selectively driven from the housing to alter the degree of openness of an 25 attached window.

6. A chainwinder according to claim 1 including a housing for securing to a window ledge; a chain extending out of the housing and attachable to an openable window and a drive means having a rotatable handle external of the 30 housing for varying the length of the chain extending out of the housing in order to vary the degree of the opening of the window and a locking means including a detent means associated with the drive means of the chain and preventing the chain from being further extended from the housing, wherein the locking means includes a key lock for effecting movement of the detent 35 means between a lockable and an unlockable position and the ratchet gear is coaxial and adjacent the rotatable handle. WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 15

7. A chainwinder according to claim 1 having a subassembly having a base in which is formed a pathway for receiving a chain and further having a top subassembly at least partially overlying the base and chain therein and for receiving and mounting a slide lock and a drive means engageable therewith 5 whereby the chainwinder is substantially assembled with all parts and then covered by the housing whereby the base of the subassembly forms the base of the housing.

8. A chainwinder according to claim 7 having a handle extending from outside 10 the housing through the drive means and the subassembly to lock all the parts and to provide means for driving the chain into and out of the housing.

9. A chainwinder according to claim 8 having a folding handle wherein the manipulative handle portion is able to be extended and then folded to a 15 reduced protruding handle.

10. A chainwinder according to claim 9 having a folding handle wherein the manipulative handle portion is able to be extended and then folded to a reduced protruding handle top handle portion, the top handle portion 20 mounted to the crank in a folding manner by an elbow joint comprising a sleeve mounted on the crank intersecting with a sleeve holding the handle by a pivoting pin, the handle further including a further spring mechanism locating two balls into a groove on the inner surface of the handle knob, when the knob is in the operational position, thereby eliminating the likelihood of the 25 knob being accidentally pulled up when the winder is being operated, and when the knob is pulled up the spring mechanism will hold the knob in a position so it can be folded.

11. A chainwinder according to claim 7 wherein the locking means includes a lock 30 slide supported by the top of the subassembly.

12. A chainwinder according to claim 6 including a handle extends from outside the housing and extending substantially through the housing and the subassembly to be fixed in position by a locking means accessible from an 35 outer side of the housing. WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 16

13. A chainwinder according to claim 1 including an idler gear for forming an arcuate turning path of the chain distal from the opening for exiting the chain, wherein the idler gear is formed to include sprocket teeth for interfitting the links of the chain and including an upright shoulder on either side of the 5 planar arrangements of teeth and surrounding central mounting hole.

14. A chainwinder according to claim 13 including the idler gear slidable from a first position at which it is able to provide a long protruding chain and therefore a large opening of the attached window, to a predefined second 10 position at which it is able to provide a short protruding chain and therefore a small opening of the attached window.

15. A chainwinder according to claim 6 including a bush and wafer washer spring to mount the drive gear is in the form of a worm gear and minimise wear on 15 the housing and the spring.

16. A chainwinder according to claim 15 including a drive means of the handle in the form of support of the worm gear at both ends in a substantially parallel flat surfaces such as by the bush and wafer washer spring at one end and the 20 subassembly housing at the other end.

17. A chainwinder according to claim 1 including the handle configured with a crank having a spindle with a curved lower formation such that the spindle and the curve formation extend through the drive means including the worm 25 gear and ratchet and are locked by a pin from the base abutting the spindle at the curved formation.

18. A chainwinder according to claim 17 including a top handle portion mounted to the crank in a folding manner by an elbow joint comprising a sleeve 30 mounted on the crank intersecting with a sleeve holding the handle by a pivoting pin and a further spring mechanism locating two balls into a groove on the inner surface of the handle knob, when the knob is in the operational position. 35

19. A chainwinder according to claim 1 further including a mounting stop for insertion from outside the housing when the housing is closed by the base plate and with engagement internally of the housing to effect one of a plurality WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 17 of operative lengths of chains whereby the chain can be effectively altered in operative length without opening the housing to effectively alter the maximum openness of a connected window by the chainwinder. 5

20. A chainwinder according to claim 1 including an idler gear engageable within the chain and slidable from a first position at which it is able to provide an operative long protruding chain and therefore a large opening of the window to a predefined second position at which it is able to provide an operative short protruding chain and therefore a smaller opening of the window and for 10 receipt of a stop means from outside the housing without opening the housing to effect the selection of the operative long protruding chain or the operative short protruding chain.

21. A chainwinder according to claim 20 including a stop means that engages 15 directly through the housing to the idler gear to engage internal protrusion to stop sliding movement of the idler gear and thereby prevent further extension of the chain out of the chainwinder housing to provide the selection of the operative long protruding chain or the operative short protruding chain. 20

22. A chainwinder according to any one of the preceding claims including a chain able to endure 20 to 60 kilogram weight.

23. A chainwinder according to claim 22 wherein the chain comprising a plurality of pins held parallel and spaced by chain plates whereby a sprocket can 25 engage the adjacent pins successively and drive the chain; and wherein the improved chain having one or more strengthening means to substantially strengthen the chain.

24. A chainwinder according to claim 23 wherein the strengthening means is a 30 chain plate design.

25. A chainwinder according to claim 24 wherein the chain plate includes a plate having two spaced pin holes for receiving one end of respective two pins. 35

26. A chainwinder according to claim 23 or 24 wherein a corresponding chain plate provide a corresponding two spaced pin holes for receiving other end of the two respective two pins. WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 18

27. A chainwinder according to claim 22 wherein a chain plate and a corresponding chain plate are unitary in a U-shape so as to further strengthen while retaining one side open to allow a sprocket to engage and drive the pins 5 held by the chain plate.

28. A chainwinder according to any one of claims 22 to 27 wherein overlapping chain plates are connected between each one of the two pins and respective ones of other separate adjacent pins to form a continuous chain. 10

29. A chainwinder according to claim 28 wherein the overlapping comprise offset adjacent chain plates such that every second chain plate is in a first plane and the overlapping chain plates are in an adjacent parallel plane. 15

30. A chainwinder according to according to any one of claims 22 to 27 wherein the chain plate design includes a central body portion and two outer side wings encircling the pin holes with each side wing having an outer engaging surface able to engage an outer engaging surface of an adjacent second chain plate in the same plane. 20

31. A chainwinder according to claim 30 wherein the outer engaging surfaces are substantially constantly engaging.

32. A chainwinder according to claim 30 or 31 wherein the outer engaging 25 surfaces are engaging only when under compression force.

33. A chainwinder according to claim 30, 31 or 32 wherein the engaging surface is arcuate or otherwise curved. 30

34. A chainwinder according to according to any one of claims 30 to 33 wherein the engaging surface is at least partially complementary so as to form a larger engaging surface.

35. A chainwinder according to claim 34 wherein the complementary surface is at 35 least partially linear to provide a locking arrangement. WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 19

36. A chainwinder according to claim 22 wherein the overlapping is formed by a chain plate having a unitary planar body with central portion and two outer side wings encircling the pin holes with the chain plate formed such that each side wing extends in adjacent parallel planes and each side wing having an 5 outer engaging surface able to engage a secondary engaging surface of an adjacent second chain plate in the same plane.

37. A chainwinder according to claim 36 wherein the secondary engaging surface includes a fold of the chain plate forming the extension in two adjacent 10 parallel planes.

38. A chainwinder according to claim 22 wherein the strengthening means is a reinforcing layer having a unitary body and two outer side wings encircling the pin holes to receive adjacent parallel pins similar with the chain plate formed 15 such that each side wing extends in adjacent parallel planes

39. A chainwinder according to claim 38 wherein the reinforcing layer is an overlapping chain plate. 20

40. A chainwinder according to claim 39 wherein the overlapping chain is greater than 90% and more particularly greater than 95%.

41. A chainwinder according to claim 22 wherein the strengthening means is a double chain. 25

42. A chainwinder according to claim 22 wherein the strengthening means is a use of overlapping chain plate.

43. A chainwinder according to claim 22 wherein the strengthening means is a 30 use of overlapping chain plate within a range.

44. A chainwinder according to claim 22 wherein the strengthening means is a use of contacting overlapping chain plates. 35

45. A chainwinder according to claim 22 wherein the strengthening means is a use of contacting overlapping chain plates having interengaging cam surfaces. WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 20

46. A chainwinder according to claim 22 wherein the strengthening means is a use of double chain. 5

47. A chainwinder according to claim wherein the strengthening means is a combination of any one or more of the strengthening means of claims 41 to 46.

48. A chainwinder according to claim 22 having a chain with the combination of: 10 a) a chain plate and a corresponding intermediate overlapping chain plate can be unitary in a U-shape so as to further strengthen the chain while retaining one side open to allow a sprocket to engage and drive the pins held by the chain plate; and any one of: 15 a. use of overlapping chain plate; b. use of overlapping chain plate within a range; c. use of contacting overlapping chain plates; d. use of contacting overlapping chain plates having interengaging cam surfaces; 20 e. use of double chain; or f. combination of any one or more of the above; particularly where the combination of U shaped chain plate and U-shaped intermediate chain plate provides a structure which prevents bending substantially beyond the straight linear and therefore only snakes and folds 25 into receiving cavity of window winder when folding inward on the other side of the straight linear whereby it provides a spine strength when extended.

49. A chainwinder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one or more of the Figures. 30 WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 21 AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 16 May 2011 (16.05.11) The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. A chainwinder including a housing formed by a covering body and closed by an attachable base, the housing for receiving a chain therein and a drive means 5 engageable With the chain to selectively drive the chain from the housing and alter the degree of openness of an attached window; wherein the chainwinder can be substantially assembled on the base before the housing covering body is attached to the base; the chainwinder including an idler gear engageable within the chain and slidable from a first position at which it is able to provide an operative long protruding 10 chain and therefore a large opening of the window to a predefined second position at which it is able to provide an operative short protruding chain and therefore a smaller opening of the window and for receipt of a stop means from outside the housing without opening the housing to effect the selection of the operative long protruding chain or the operative short protruding chain. 15 2. A chainwinder according to claim 1 including a stop means that engages directly through the housing to the idler gear to engage internal protrusion to stop sliding movement of the idler gear and thereby prevent further extension of the chain out of the chainwinder housing to provide the selection of the operative long protruding 20 chain or the operative short protruding chain 3. A chainwinder according to claim 1 or 2 including at least one mounting element for mounting and fixing from outside the chainwinder without disassembling the base from the housing body. 25 4. A chainwinder according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the at least one mounting element is a handle fittable to the drive means and lockable without disassembling the base from the housing body. 30 5. A chainwinder according to claim 1, 2 or 3 or 4 including at least one adjustment element for adjusting a function of the chainwinder and accessible from outside the chainwinder without disassembling the base from the housing body. 6. A chainwinder according to claim 5 wherein the at least one adjustment element is an 35 element for altering the effective length of chain able to be selectively driven from the housing to alter the degree of openness of an attached window. A A IT'ATTT'TN CTTT-T'T / AT rTIT T- 1 n\ WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 22 7. A chainwinder according to claim 1 including a housing for securing to a window ledge; a chain extending out of the housing and attaekable to an openable window and a drive means having a rotatable handle external of the housing for varying the length of the chain extending out of the housing in order to vary the degree of the 5 opening of the window and a locking means including a detente means associated with the drive means of the chain and preventing the chain from being further extended from the housing, wherein the locking means includes a key lock for effecting movement of the detent means between a lockable and an unlockable position and the ratchet gear is coaxial and adjacent the rotatable handle. 10 8. A chainwinder according to claim 1 having a subassembly having a base in which is formed a pathway for receiving a chain and further having a top subassembly at least partially overlying the base and chain therein and for receiving and mounting a slide lock and a drive means engageable therewith whereby the chainwinder is 15 substantially assembled with all parts and then covered by the housing whereby the base of the subassembly forms the base of the housing. 9. A chainwinder according to claim 8 having a handle extending from outside the housing through the drive means and the subassembly to lock all the parts and to 20 provide means for driving the chain into and out of the housing. 10. A chainwinder according to claim 9 having a folding handle wherein the manipulative handle portion is able to be extended and then folded to a reduced protruding handle. 25 1I. A chainwinder according to claim 10 having a folding handle wherein the manipulative handle portion is able to be extended and then folded to a reduced protruding handle top handle portion, the top handle portion mounted to the crank in a folding manner by an elbow joint comprising a sleeve mounted on the crank intersecting with a sleeve holding the -handle by a pivoting pin, the handle further 30 including a further spring mechanism locating two balls into a groove on the inner surface of the handle knob, when the knob is in the operational position, thereby eliminating the likelihood of the knob being accidentally pulled up when the winder is being operated, and when the knob is pulled up the spring mechanism will hold the knob in a position so it can be folded. 35 WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 23 12. A chainwinder according to claim 8 wherein the locking means includes a lock slide supported by the top of the subassembly. 13. A chainwinder according to claim 7 including a handle extends from outside the 5 housing and extending substantially through the housing and the subassembly to be fixed in position by a locking means accessible from an outer side of the housing. 14. A chainwinder according to claim 1 including an idler gear for forming an arcuate turning path of the chain distal from the opening for exiting the chain, wherein the 10 idler gear is formed to include sprocket teeth for interfitting the links of the chain and including an upright shoulder on either side of the planar arrangements of teeth and surrounding central mounting hole. 15. A chainwinder according to claim 14 including the idler gear slidable from a first 15 position at which it is able to provide a long protruding chain and therefore a large opening of the attached window, to a predefined second position at which it is able to provide a short protruding chain and therefore a small opening of the attached window. 20 16. A chainwinder according to claim 7 including a bush and wafer washer spring to mount the drive gear is in the form of a worm gear and minimise wear on the housing and the spring. 17. A chainwinder according to claim 16 including a drive means of the handle in the 25 form of support of the worm gear at both ends in a substantially parallel flat surfaces such as by the bush and wafer washer spring at one end and the subassembly housing at the other end. 18. A chainwinder according to claim 1 including the handle configured with a crank 30 having a spindle with a curved lower formation such that the spindle and the curve formation extend through the drive means including the worm gear and ratchet and are locked by a pin from the base abutting the spindle at the curved formation. 19. A chainwinder according to claim 18 including a top handle portion mounted to the 35 crank in a folding manner by an elbow joint comprising a sleeve mounted on the crank intersecting with a sleeve holding the handle by a pivoting pin and a further WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 24 spring mechanism locating two balls Into a groove on the inner surface of the handle knob, when the knob is in the operational position. 20. A chainwinder according to claim 1 further including a mounting stop for insertion 5 from outside the housing when the housing is closed by the base plate and with engagement internally of the housing to effect one of a plurality of operative lengths of chains whereby the chain can be effectively altered in operative length without opening the housing to effectively alter the maximum openness of a connected window by the chainwinder. 10 21. A chainwinder according to claim 1 including an idler gear engageable within the chain and slidable from a first position at which it is able to provide an operative long protruding chain and therefore a large opening of the window to a predefined second position at which it is able to provide an operative short protruding chain and 15 therefore a smaller opening of the window and for receipt of a stop means from outside the housing without opening the housing to effect the selection of the operative long protruding chain or the operative short protruding chain. 22. A chainwinder according to claim 21 including a stop means that engages directly 20 through the housing to the idler gear to engage internal protrusion to stop sliding movement of the idler gear and thereby prevent further extension of the chain out of the chainwinder housing to provide the selection of the operative long protruding chain or the operative short protruding chain. 25 23. A chainwinder according to any one of the preceding claims including a chain able to endure 20 to 60 kilogram weight. 24. A chainwinder according to claim 23 wherein the chain comprising a plurality of pins held parallel and spaced by chain plates whereby a sprocket can engage the 30 adjacent pins successively and drive the chain; and wherein the improved chain having one or more strengthening means to substantially strengthen the chain. 25. A chainwinder according to claim 24 wherein the strengthening means is a chain plate design. 35 WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 25 26. A chainwinder according to claim 25 wherein the chain plate includes a plate having two spaced pin holes for receiving one end of respective two pins. 27. A chainwinder according to claim 24 or 25 wherein a corresponding chain plate 5 provide a corresponding two spaced pin holes for receiving other end of the two respective two pins. 28. A chainwinder according to claim 23 wherein a chain plate and a corresponding chain plate are unitary in a U-shape so as to further strengthen while retaining one 10 side open to allow a sprocket to engage and drive the pins held by the chain plate. 29. A chainwinder according to any one of claims 23 to 28 wherein overlapping chain plates are connected between each one of the two pins and respective ones of other separate adjacent pins to form a continuous chain. 15 30. A chainwinder according to claim 29 wherein the overlapping comprise offset adjacent chain plates such that every second chain plate is in a first plane and the overlapping chain plates are in an adjacent parallel plane. 20 31. A chainwinder according to according to any one of claims 22 to 27 wherein the chain plate design includes a central body portion and two outer side wings encircling the pin holes with each side wing having an outer engaging surface able to engage an outer engaging surface of an adjacent second chain plate in the same plane. 25 32. A chainwinder according to claim 31 wherein the outer engaging surfaces are substantially constantly engaging. 33. A chainwinder according to claim 31 or 32 wherein the outer engaging surfaces are engaging only when under compression force. 30 34. A chainwinder according to claim 31, 32 or 33 wherein the engaging surface is arcuate or otherwise curved. 35. A chainwinder according to according to any one of claims 31 to 34 wherein the 35 engaging surface is at least partially complementary so as to form a larger engaging surface. WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 26 36. A chainwinder according to claim 35 wherein the complementary surface is at least partially linear to provide a locking arrangement. 5 37. A chainwinder according to claim 23 wherein the overlapping is formed by a chain plate having a unitary planar body with central portion and two outer side wings encircling the pin holes with the chain plate formed such that each side wing extends in adjacent parallel planes and each side wing having an outer engaging surface able to engage a secondary engaging surface of an adjacent second chain plate in the 10 same plane. 38. A chainwinder according to claim 37 wherein the secondary engaging surface includes a fold of the chain plate forming the extension in two adjacent parallel planes. 15 39. A chainwinder according to claim 23 wherein the strengthening means is a reinforcing layer having a unitary body and two outer side wings encircling the pin holes to receive adjacent parallel pins similar with the chain plate formed such that each side wing extends in adjacent parallel planes 20 40. A chainwinder according to claim 39 wherein the reinforcing layer is an overlapping chain plate. 41. A chainwinder according to claim 40 wherein the overlapping chain is greater than 25 90% and more particularly greater than 95%. 42. A chainwinder according to claim 23 wherein the strengthening means is a double chain. 30 43. A chainwinder according to claim 23 wherein the strengthening means is a use of overlapping chain plate. 44. A chainwinder according to claim 23 wherein the strengthening means is a use of overlapping chain plate within a range. 35 WO 2011/072343 PCT/AU2010/001705 27 45. A chainwinder according to claim 23 wherein the strengthening means is a use of contacting overlapping chain plates. 46. A chainwinder according to claim 23 wherein the strengthening means is a use of 5 contacting overlapping chain plates having interengaging cam surfaces. 47. A chainwinder according to claim 23 wherein the strengthening means is a use of double chain. 10 48. A chainwinder according to claim wherein the strengthening means is a combination of any one or more of the strengthening means of claims 42 to 47. 49. A chainwinder according to claim 23 having a chain with the combination of: a) a chain plate and a corresponding intermediate overlapping chain plate can be 15 unitary in a U-shape so as to further strengthen the chain while retaining one side open to allow a sprocket to engage and drive the pins held by the chain plate; and any one of: a. use of overlapping chain plate; b. use of overlapping chain plate within a range; 20 c. use of contacting overlapping chain plates; d. use of contacting overlapping chain plates having interengaging cam surfaces; e. use of double chain; or f. combination of any one or more of the above; 25 particularly where the combination of U shaped chain plate and U-shaped intermediate chain plate provides a structure which prevents bending substantially beyond the straight linear and therefore only snakes and folds into receiving cavity of window winder when folding inward on the other side of the straight linear whereby it provides a spine strength when extended. 30

50. A chainwinder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one or more of the Figures. A -1A FI-TT hT T CTTT-T-T I A Th TT/~3T T 1 ln