AU2011202891B2 - A lockable chain winder - Google Patents

Abstract

A lockable chain winder comprising an outer body [10], a chain [18] at least partially in the body, drive means [16] to drive the chain, a winding handle [11] which is 5 operated to extend or retract the chain from the body, a key cylinder [36] for locking the chain winder, and a rotatable drive component [13], which has a thread which engages with the drive means, attachment means [29] on the drive component to attach to the winding handle, and locking means [41] on the drive component to form part of a chain locking mechanism.

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (ORIGINAL) Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: Name of Applicant: ASSA ABLOY Australia Pty Limited Actual Inventor(s): John Constantinou Address for Service and Correspondence: PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Invention Title: A LOCKABLE CHAIN WINDER Our Ref: 917817 POF Code: 470816/470816 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): 6008q 2 A LOCKABLE CHAIN WINDER The present application is a divisional application from Australian Patent Application No. 2008243070, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 5 FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to a lockable chain winder that is used to open and close windows. 10 BACKGROUND ART Chain winders are used extensively to open and close windows. The winders are typically fastened to the lower sill of the window surround frame. The winders have a metal or plastic body that is generally elongate and which has an external winder handle. Inside the body is a linked chain. Rotation of the external handle causes the 15 linked chain to move out of or into the body depending on the direction of rotation of the handle. The end of the linked chain is attached to the window. The window is typically hinged from the top of the window surround frame. Therefore, the chain winder can push the window open or pull it closed. 20 Lockable chain winders also exist. Typically, the outer body is provided with a key cylinder into which a key can be inserted and turned to lock the chain against movement. The key cylinder is indirectly associated with the chain via a lock plate, a locking wire or similar type of locking device. For instance, in one lockable chain winder manufactured by us, a locking member locks against the sprocket (the sprocket 25 driving the linked chain in and out of the lock body). Another type of locking chain winder uses a locking plate that engages with the linked chain to lock the linked chain against movement. Lockable chain winders have also been made which include a push button that is 30 separate from the key cylinder and which functions to latch the locking member. There are some disadvantages with existing chain winders. For instance, a lockable chain winder typically has a key cylinder and perhaps also a push button. As the key 3 cylinder (and the push button) need to operate the locking member, and because the locking member must engage the linked chain, sprocket, or other component in the winder, it is practical to have the key cylinder (and the push button if present) and the winding handle proximal to each other. However, if the key is inserted in the key 5 cylinder, and left in place, winding of the handle can cause the key to be struck either by the handle or by the person's hand. This can cause damage to the chain winder, the key, or can cut or bruise the person's hand. Therefore, it would be an advantage if the chain winder could be designed to minimise the possibility of the handle/person's hand striking a key that may be left in the key cylinder. 10 Another disadvantage with previous chain winders relates to assembly complexity. Because the winders have numerous components, assembly is complex and the possibility of automated assembly is reduced. Therefore, it would be an advantage if the number of components could be reduced and/or assembly could be improved 15 particularly to favour automated assembly. For instance, it would be an advantage if components could be assembled without requiring fixing of retainer clips or other fiddly components that do not find success with automated assembly. It will be clearly understood that any reference herein to background products or 20 material, prior publications or technical problems does not constitute an acknowledgement or admission that any background material, prior publication(s), technical problem(s) or combination(s) thereof formed part of the common general knowledge in the field or is otherwise admissible prior art, whether in Australia or any other country. 25 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a lockable chain winder that may at least partially overcome some of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide a useful or commercial choice. 30 In one form, the invention resides in a lockable chain winder comprising an outer body, a chain at least partially in the body, drive means to drive the chain, a winding handle which is operated to extend or retract the chain from the body, a key cylinder 4 for locking the chain winder, and a rotatable drive component, which has a thread which engages with the drive means, attachment means on the drive component to attach to the winding handle, and locking means on the drive component to form part of a chain locking mechanism which interacts with the key cylinder, wherein the 5 rotatable drive component is a unitary component. The drive means may comprise a sprocket. The attachment means may comprise a spindle. The locking means may comprise a ratchet. 10 In another form, the invention resides in a lockable chain winder that comprises an outer body, a winding handle extending from the outer body and which is rotated to extend or retract the chain, a key cylinder for locking the chain winder, and a push button, the construction and arrangement being that the push button is closest to the winding handle, and the key cylinder is adjacent the push button but is furthest from 15 the winding handle. It is considered that this novel arrangement of the handle, key cylinder and push button provides substantial advantages to the working of the invention by enabling the chain winder to function with little or no likelihood of damage to the key, injury to the 20 person using the chain winder and the like. In another form the invention resides in a component for a lockable chain winder, the component comprising a unitary component, the component comprising a main body portion which is provided with a thread and which is adapted to drive a sprocket, a 25 spindle extending from one end of the main body portion and which is adapted to be attached to a winding handle, and a ratchet which is adjacent the other end of the main body portion and which is adapted to form part of a chain locking mechanism. Alternatively, the handle may be provided with the spindle and the unitary component 30 is provided with spindle engaging means. It is considered that the novel unitary component contributes substantially to the working of the chain winder by providing three functions on the same components 5 being providing the thread to drive the sprocket, providing the spindle to mate with the winding handle, and providing the ratchet to form part of the locking mechanism. Thus, the number of component parts can be reduced, assembly can be streamlined, and the component promotes the ability to automate assembly of the chain winder. 5 In another form, the invention resides in a method for assembly of a chain winder using top loading to reduce assembly time, the method comprising: I. Providing a casing which has an open bottom, II. Inverting the casing, 10 III. Inserting a cylinder housing into the casing, IV. Inserting a unitary component into the casing, the unitary component comprising a main body portion which is provided with a thread and which is adapted to drive a sprocket, a spindle extending from one end of the main body portion and which is adapted to be attached to a winding handle, and a ratchet which is adjacent 15 the other end of the main body portion and which is adapted to form part of a chain locking mechanism, V. Inserting a locking plate into the casing, VI. Inserting a chain guide component into the casing, VII. Inserting a chain guide spring into the casing, 20 VII. Inserting a chain, a sprocket and an idler gear into the casing. It is found that assembly is more efficient using a top loading procedure and having the above components placed into the casing. It is found that this method substantially contributes to the working of the invention by enabling assembly to be streamlined and promoting the ability for automated assembly. 25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1. Illustrates a chain winder. 30 Figure 2. Illustrates a side section view of the chain winder of Figure 1. Figure 3. Illustrates a top section view of the chain winder in the unlocked position. Figure 4. Illustrates a top section view of the chain winder in the locked position.

6 Figure 5. Illustrates a bottom view of the chain winder with the base plate removed to show the internal components. Figure 6. Illustrates an exploded view of the chain winder. Figure 7. Illustrates a close-up view from one side of the drive components and 5 the locking components of the chain winder. Figure 8. Illustrates a close-up view from the other side of the drive components and the locking components. Figures 9-11. Illustrate a unitary component. Figures 12-16. Illustrate the stepwise assembly of the chain winder. 10 BEST MODE Referring to the figures, the chain winder according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the following components: 10. A casing typically formed of metal, plastic or other suitable material, 15 11. A handle assembly, 12. A lock cylinder and push button subassembly, 13. A unitary component in the form of a worm, 14. A lock plate, 15. An insert to house the chain guide and to lock the worm into a fixed 20 position and which locates or restricts movement of the locking plate so that it does not disengage from the ratchet, and which is formed of plastic, 16. A combined sprocket and pinion gear. 17. A chain guide and spring. 18. A chain. 25 19. A idler gear. 20. A base plate. Referring to these parts in greater detail, casing 10 has a design that is relatively standard and typically comprises an elongate substantially rectangular lower body 30 portion 22 and a raised upper body portion 23. The casing typically has a length of between 10-40 cm, a width of between 20-100 mm and a height of between 20-50 mm. These sizes can of course vary to suit.

7 The handle assembly I1 extends from the casing and particularly from the raised upper body portion 23 of the casing. The upper body portion 23 is provided with an aperture 24 (see figure 6) to accommodate the handle. The handle assembly is of known design and as illustrated in figure 6 comprises three main components being a 5 curved arm portion 25, and a cylindrical knob 26 which is rotatably attached to arm portion 25 via a pin 27. The curved arm portion 25 accommodates a retainer clip 28 which attaches onto spindle 29 of worm 13. Referring back to figure 1, adjacent handle assembly 11 is a spring mounted 10 depressible push button 30 and a key cylinder 31. Push button 30 passes through an aperture in upper body portion 23, and key cylinder 31 passes through an adjacent aperture in upper body portion 23. Importantly, push button 31 is adjacent handle assembly 11, while key cylinder 31 is positioned away from handle assembly 11. Thus, it is now possible to rotate handle I1 even with a key in key cylinder 31 (being 15 appreciated that a person will often simply leave the key in the key cylinder permanently), with little or no likelihood of the handle striking the key or the persons hand on knuckles scraping against the key. It is considered that this arrangement and positioning of the handle relative to the key cylinder contributes substantially to this part of the invention. In this part the invention the push button may be present or 20 absent. Referring back to figure 6, the push button and the key cylinder comprise part of a single subassembly 12. The subassembly 12 can be a plastic or metal component formed with two openings 32, 33. The subassembly is screwed into the top casing 10 25 via a fixing screw 34 (but not until assembly of all the components is completed). A push button 35 and a cylinder 31 can then be inserted into the respective openings 32, 33. Importantly, the push button and the cylinder can be assembled before or after assembly of the sub housing 12. This enables streamlining of the assembly line. 30 The chain winder contains worm 13 as a component of the chain winder. Worm 13 is best illustrated in figures 9-11. The worm is constructed as a single part which may be die casting, investment casting or by any other suitable and cost effective method and achieves three separate functions. Worm 13 comprises a main body portion 37 8 that is generally cylindrical in configuration and which is provided with an external thread or helix. The thread engages with sprocket 16 (see figure 6) which will be described in greater detail below. Adjacent one end of main body portion 37 is a spindle 29. Spindle 29 is polygonal (such as square or hexagonal) in cross-section and 5 is provided with a dimple 40 on each polygonal face. The dimple engages with retainer clip 28 to press fit the winding handle onto the spindle. At the other end of main body portion 37 is a ratchet 41. Extending from ratchet 41 is a short shaft 61. The worm can be manufactured without requiring any machining or any secondary operations. 10 The worm 19, when inserted into the casing, it is preloaded via a wave washer 62 (see figure 6). The wave washer preloads the worm to ensure that there is no back feed during operation. 15 The worm is operatively attached to lock plate 14. Lock plate 14 is best illustrated in figures 6-8 and comprises a metal plate having a particular configuration. The function of lock plate 14 is to prevent the chain 18 from moving when the chain winder is locked using the push button. Lock plate 14 is slideable and can reciprocate between an extended locking position and a retracted free position. Lock plate 14 is 20 guided for sliding movement in the casing. Best illustrated in figure 7 and 8, lock plate 14 has a forward portion 42 that is provided with teeth (the teeth being best illustrated in figures 6). When lock plate 14 is in the extended locking position, these teeth engage with ratchet 41 to prevent worm 13 from turning. Conversely, when lock plate 14 is in the retracted position, the teeth are freed from each other and the worm 25 can rotate by rotation of the external handle assembly 11. Lock plate 14 has a cutout portion 45 (see figure 7-8) in which the crank pin 46 of the lock cylinder 36 projects. Therefore, rotation of the lock cylinder causes the crank pin 46 to pull lock plate 14 into the retracted position. The lock plate 14 is spring mounted by spring 60 such that the lock plate is naturally biased into the forward locking position. Depression of 30 button 35 will release the lock plate to shoot forwardly into its locked position. Once in the locked position, the lock plate is retracted using a key. Because the lock plate is spring biased, it is still possible to close the window even if the lock plate is in the engaged position, this being due to the angle of the ratchet teeth which allows the 9 worm to rotate in a closed direction (the teeth riding over each other and temporarily pushing back the lock plate) but prevent the worm from rotating in the open direction. Worm 13 is attached to sprocket 16 such that rotation of the worm causes rotation of 5 the sprocket. The sprocket 16 is provided with a pinion gear 47 which engages with the thread on worm 13. The chain winder contains an insert 15 as part of the assembly. The insert is typically formed of plastic. Insert 15 provides a number of functions. Firstly, insert 15 has a 10 configuration to allow a metal chain guide to be housed inside insert 15. The insert additionally locks worm 13 in a fixed position and provides the worm with a smooth plastic bearing surface. Therefore, there is no need to have a retainer clip of any sort to hold the worm in place. 15 Referring to figures 12-16 there is illustrated a stepwise assembly method for the chain winder. The assembly is a top loading assembly whereby casing 10 is inverted and the components are inserted into the casing from the uppermost component first to the lowermost component last. Specifically, and initially referring to figure 12, casing 10 has been inverted to show a substantially hollow and open interior. The 20 push button and cylinder subassembly 12 is placed into the upper body portion 23 of casing 10. The push button and cylinder subassembly can be assembled before or after the subassembly is placed into the casing. By assembly is meant that the key cylinder 31 and the push button 35 are assembled to the subassembly. 25 Worm 13 is also placed into the upper body portion 23 with spindle 29 passing through opening 24. The short shaft 61 is positioned in a cradle in insert 15 to allow the worm to rotate. Thereafter, lock plate 14 is inserted into the casing, this being illustrated in figure 13. 30 The lock plate is directly engaged to ratchet 41 (ratchet 41 being formed as an integral part of worm 13). Once lock plate 14 has been inserted, the plastic insert 15 is placed in position (see 10 figure 14). Insert 15 has a configuration which allows a metal chain guide 17 to be housed by the insert. The metal chain guide 17 is then placed into plastic insert 15, and the chain guide spring is added. This is best illustrated in figure 15. 5 Referring to figures 16, the chain 18, sprocket 16, idler gear 19 and the screw 34 is then attached. Finally, the back plate 20 is screwed onto casing 10 to form the assembled chain winder. The casing (which can be made of metal, plastic or any other suitable material) can be 10 metal plated and can be given a goldplating and this has been achieved by maintaining a uniform thickness, the uniform thickness being possible because of the configuration of the components of the chain winder, and especially the design of insert 15 and the new separate cylinder housing. For instance, plastic insert 15 now allows various ribs on casing 10 to be eliminated which enables the casing to be gold plateable. 15 It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

1. A lockable chain winder comprising an outer body, a chain at least partially in the body, drive means to drive the chain, a winding handle which is operated to extend or retract the chain from the body, a key cylinder for locking the chain winder, and a rotatable drive component, which has a thread which engages with the drive means, attachment means on the drive component to attach to the winding handle, and locking means on the drive component to form part of a chain locking mechanism wherein the rotatable drive component is a unitary component.

2. The chain winder of claim I wherein the chain locking mechanism comprises a lock plate which is slideable between a locking position where the lock plate engages with the locking means on the drive component to prevent rotation of the drive component in at least one direction, and a free position where the drive component can rotate in both directions.

3. The chain winder of claim 2 wherein the outer body comprises a casing and a base plate and the lock plate is supported by the casing.

4. The chain winder of any one of claims I to 3 wherein the winding handle and the key cylinder are spaced apart such that the winding handle can be rotated to extend or retract the chain from the body while a key is in the key cylinder.

5. The chain winder of any one of claims I to 4, wherein the drive means comprises a sprocket which engages with the chain.

6. The chain winder of claim 5, wherein the drive means additionally comprises a pinion gear which engages with the thread on the rotatable drive component.

7. The chain winder of any one of claims I to 6, wherein the thread on the drive component comprises a worm thread. 12

8. The chain winder of any one of claims I to 7, wherein the attachment means on the drive component is a spindle which engages with the winding handle. 5

9. The chain winder of any one of claims I to 8, wherein the locking means on the drive component is a ratchet.

10. The chain winder of claim 2, wherein the lock plate is moved to its locking position by operation of the key cylinder. 10

11. The chain winder of claim 2, wherein the lock plate is biased by a spring to the locking position.

12. The chain winder of claim 2 comprising a pushbutton wherein the lock plate is moved to its locking position by operation of the pushbutton. 15

13. The chain winder of claim 12, wherein the pushbutton is located on the outer body between the winding handle and the key cylinder.

14. The chain winder of claim 12 or claim 13, comprising a subassembly 20 containing two openings, the pushbutton being inserted into one of the openings and the key cylinder being inserted into the other opening.