Window winder Field of the Invention 5 [001] This invention relates to a window opening mechanism for a casement and awning window, which causes the window sash to move between open and closed positions. It particularly relates to an improved locking means for such a window winder. 10 Background [002] A casement window is a window that opens around hinges on one side of the window sash. It will either open out to the right or to the left. An awning window is a window that opens around the hinges at the top of the window sash. A casement window can be placed alone or in combination to form a bay 15 window. Having casement windows installed in combination with an awning window will allow for different airflow and ventilation throughout the building. [003] There are two fundamental types of window opening mechanisms for 20 casement type or awning type windows. [004] The first type of window opening mechanisms is a window winder that uses a chain enclosed in a casing in a serpentine form and connected at one end to a hinged window such that by varying the length of the chain extending 25 from the casing the degree of openness of the window is varied. Generally, such mechanisms are used on awning type 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. 30 [005] The second type of window opening mechanisms is for casement-type windows wherein a linkage is connected between the window frame and the window sash and moves the window sash between open and closed positions 1 by a pivoting movement. This pivoting movement can connect to a further intermediate linear or bent arm. Still further there can be opposing pivoting arms connecting to intermediate linear or bent arms engaging the sash window for awning windows. In opening movement of the window sash, one edge 5 thereof is caused to move outwardly from the window frame, while the other edge of the window is suitably supported by hinged structure along the side of the window sash to the window frame. [006] It has been found that although locking mechanism are known on chain 10 window there are not known any locking mechanism for pivot arm window winders. [007] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a locking mechanism for pivot arm window winders. It is more particularly an object of 15 the invention to provide a locking mechanism for use on awning pivot arm window closures. [008] In accordance with the invention there is provided a window winder including a casing, an operating arm pivotally mounted to the casing and a 20 drive means able to drive the operating arm to effect a substantially pivoting motion and allow opening of a window connected to a distal end of the operating arm, the window winder further including a locking means including a detent for movement between a non-engaging position and an engaging position of one or more moving parts of the window winder to thereby allow 25 free movement or to provide a locking position to prevent opening of the window connected to the distal end of the operating arm. [009] The window winder can include locking means which includes a fixed locking such that the operating arm is prevented from further opening. 30 [0010] The window winder can include a closable locking such that the operating arm is prevented from rotating in one direction and therefore cannot 2 be opened further but can ratchet the other direction to rotate the operating arm in the other direction and allow further closing. [0011] The window winder closable locking can include a ratchet means 5 associated with drive means that is engaged with a corresponding ratchet means on the detent. [0012] The window winder closable locking can include a slide means forming corresponding ratchet means on the detent. 10 [0013] The window winder closable locking can include a ratchet central drive tooth means on a drive means having a worm gear forming corresponding ratchet means on the detent. 15 [0014] The drive means can include a gear wheel connected to the pivot end of the operating arm and which cooperates with a drive gear able to be manually or automatically controlled. [0015] The gear wheel can be integral with the operating arm. 20 [0016] The drive gear includes a worm gear able to cooperate with the gear wheel. The drive means preferably includes a handle such that rotation of the handle operates the drive means to open or close a window connected to the distal end of the operating arm. 25 [0017] The detent of the locking means can in one form engage the operating arm to provide the locking position and prevent opening of the window connected to the distal end of the operating arm. The detent is spring biased such that activation of the locking means to a locking position urges the detent 30 to engage the operating arm. The detent includes a mating surface angled to the direction of travel of the detent and engages a corresponding mating surface on the drive means. In particular the detent can include a mating surface angled to the direction of travel of the detent and engages a corresponding mating surface on the operating arm. The planar mating surface 3 is angled to the direction of travel of the detent and engages a corresponding planar mating surface on the operating arm. The corresponding mating surface on the operating arm is on a gear wheel of the drive means such that it forms an outer surface of the gear wheel adjacent a toothed portion and is at a 5 radially inward position to the teeth of the toothed portion of the gear wheel. [0018] The detent of the locking means in another form causes locking of an element of the drive gear to provide locking position of the window connected to the distal end of the operating arm. 10 [0019] The detent can include a sliding means with a sloping upper surface that engages a shaped element with a mating surface to engage a corresponding mating surface of the drive gear or associated element to prevent operation of the drive gear and thereby provide a locking position of 15 the window attached to the distal end of the operating arm. [0020] The locking means includes a lock slide for sliding into the engaging position of one or more moving parts of the window winder to thereby allow free movement or to prevent further opening of the window connected to the 20 distal end of the operating arm. The locking means can operate when the window, connected to the distal end of the operating arm, is located at partially open positions. [0021] The locking means can include a lock barrel for activation by key. 25 [0022] The locking barrel can cooperate with the detent such that key activation instigates motion of the detent to or from the locking position. [0023] The motion can be an active motion caused by the key movement. 30 Alternatively the locking means can include a resilient means such that key activation of the locking barrel can allow the resilient means to effect motion. 4 [0024] The gear means can comprise a gear wheel connected to the pivot mount end of the operating arm and which cooperates with the drive means. [0025] The gear means can be integral with the operating arm. 5 [0026] The drive means can comprise a worm gear able to cooperate with the gear means. [0027] The drive means can be attached to the handle such that rotation of the 10 handle rotates the drive means to rotate the gear means to open or close a window connected to the distal end of the operating arm. [0028] The invention also provides a window winder suitable for a casement and awning window sash which is mounted adjacent one edge thereof for 15 substantially pivoting movement relative to a window frame the window winder including, a casing and an operating arm pivotally mounted to the casing and having a gear means including a gear wheel having a plurality of teeth and a non tooth engagement surface, the window winder further including a handle with drive means for engaging the teeth of the gear wheel 20 to drive the gear means to effect a substantially pivoting motion and allow opening of a window connected to a distal end of the operating arm, the window winder further including a locking means including a detent for movement between a non-engaging position spaced from the gear wheel and an engaging position for contact with the engaging surface of the gear wheel 25 of the window winder to thereby allow free movement or to prevent further opening of the window connected to the distal end of the operating arm. [0029] The locking means can be key activated. 30 [0030] The detent can include a lock slide for sliding into contact with the engaging surface of the gear wheel of the window winder to thereby prevent further opening of the window connected to the distal end of the operating 5 arm. The detent can be resiliently mounted such that key activation allows the detent to slide into contact with the engaging surface. [0031] A window winder for a casement and awning window sash which is 5 mounted adjacent one edge thereof for substantially pivoting movement relative to a window frame, the window winder including, a casing and an operating arm pivotally mounted to the casing and having a gear means, the window winder further including a handle with drive means able to drive the gear means to effect a substantially pivoting motion and allow opening of a 10 window connected to a distal end of the operating arm, the window winder further including a locking means including a detent for movement between a non-engaging position and an engaging position of the drive means of the window winder to prevent further opening of the window connected to the distal end of the operating arm. 15 [0032] The gear means can comprise a worm gear mounted on a spigot and having an engaging surface spaced from the worm gear and engageable by the detent means. 20 [0033] The engaging surface can be a gear wheel with teeth for meshing with teeth on the detent means to prevent further rotation of the spigot and therefore prevent rotation of the worm gear and prevent further driving of the gear means to prevent further opening of the window connected to the distal end of the operating arm. 25 [0034] It can be seen that the window opening mechanism has improved performance advantages in opening and closing of the window as well as better locking action in holding the window sash in a secure fixed, partially open position. 30 6 Brief Description of the Drawings [0035] In order that the invention is more readily understood various embodiments will be described by way of illustration only with reference to the drawings wherein: 5 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a single operating arm window winder in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the window winder of Figure 1 with a first locking means in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a plan view of the open casing of the window winder of 10 Figure 1 showing the locking means in an unlocked position and with the worm gear and key lock removed for clarity; Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the locking means of the open casing of the window winder of Figure 3 with the key lock; Figure 5 is a plan view of the open casing of the window winder of 15 Figure 1 showing the locking means in a locked position and with the worm gear and key lock removed for clarity; Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the locking means of the open casing of the window winder of Figure 5 with the key lock; Figure 7 is a plan view of the operating parts of a closable locking in 20 accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a plan view of the relative placement of the operating parts of Figure 7 in an open disassembled casing; Figure 9 is a plan view of the open casing of the window winder of Figure 1 showing a second locking means effecting motion of the worm gear 25 and with the key lock removed for clarity in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is a cross sectional view of the locking means of Figure 9 in an unlocked position and showing the key lock; Figure 11 is a cross sectional view of the locking means of Figure 9 in 30 a locked position and showing the key lock; Figure 12 is a partial perspective view of the detent and worm gear of the locking means of Figure 9 in an unlocked position; 7 Figure 13 is a partial perspective view of the detent and worm gear of the locking means of Figure 9 in a locked position; Figure 14 is a perspective view of a double operating arm window winder in accordance with a third and fourth embodiment of the invention; and 5 Figure 15 is a plan view of the window winder of Figure 14 with a first locking means in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention. Figure 16 a perspective view is a plan view of the open casing of the window winder of Figure 9 showing a lockable version of a second locking means effecting motion of the worm gear and with the key lock removed for 10 clarity in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 17 is a closer view of the plan view of Figure 16; Figures 18 and 19 are closer detail views of the embodiment of Figure 16; Figure 20 and 21 are perspective views of a lockable form of a single 15 operating arm window winder in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention such as in Figure 1; and Figure 22 is a perspective view of a lockable form of a double operating arm window winder in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention such as in Figure 9; 20 Brief Description of the Preferred Embodiments [0036] Referring to the drawings and particularly a first embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 6, there is shown a pivot arm type window winder for use in opening and closing a casement and awning window by 25 substantially pivoting movement between a closed position and an open position. This movement of the window is provided by mounting the structure of the single operating arm window winder 11 on the window sill at the bottom of the window (not shown). The window winder includes a casing 15 from the rear of which extends an elbow shaped operating arm 16. A rotatable 30 crank handle 17 extends from a top of the casing 15. Spaced from the handle 17 and mounted integral with the top surface of the casing 15 is a locking means 18. 8 [0037] The operating movement features as shown in Figures 2 and 3 are mounted to the casing 15 between a bottom casing plate 21 and a covering casing top 22. 5 [0038] The drive means for moving the window attached to the distal end of a pivotable operating arm 31 includes a drive gear 41 engaging a gear wheel 32 connected to the operating arm 16. [0039] The operating arm 31 has an elbow near an end formed as an integral 10 gear wheel 32, which is pivotally mounted by pivot pin 38 through central opening 33 of the gear wheel 32 into central cavity 23 of the bottom casing plate 21. The gear wheel 32 lies substantially flat on the bottom casing plate 21 and includes a plurality of teeth 34 around about 50% of the circumference. At or near one end of the teeth 34 is a substantially linear engagement surface 15 35 falling within the radius of the teeth from the central pivot. [0040] The drive gear is in the form of a worm gear 41 having spiral worm 43 of a lower end of a spindle 42 with central drive tooth means 44 and top end handle engaging frictional ribs 45. The worm gear 41 is mounted in angled 20 cavity 24 of the bottom casing plate 21 and extends into an upper angled chamber 26 protruding from the top of the covering casing top 22. The worm gear 41 has at a lower end the descending spiral worm 43 and the central drive tooth means 44 is included only for second locking option. In position the top handle frictional engaging ribs 45 protrude out an opening 27 of the upper 25 angled chamber 26 and tightly engages with the handle 17. [0041] The rotatable handle 17 is manually operable to rotate the worm gear 41, which engages the gear wheel 32 for pivoting of the operating arm 31 between a retracted position and a fully extended position to effect a 30 substantially pivoting motion and allow opening of a window connected to a distal end of the operating arm 31. 9 [0042] The window winder further includes a locking means. This locking means interacts with the keylock in order to prevent opening. In essence it provides a fixed locking. However the locking means can also include a form of closable locking. In this form the keylock prevents opening or locking at an 5 open position but the closable locking still allows for the window to be manually further closed. [0043] In one form shown in Figures 1 to 6 the locking means operates with regard the gear wheel 32. 10 [0044] In another form shown in Figures 9 to 13 the locking means operates with regard the worm gear 41 connected to the handle 17. [0045] In a further form shown in Figures 7 and 8 the locking means operates 15 as a closable locking with interaction with the pivoting arm. [0046] In a still further form shown in Figures 17 to 19 the locking means operates as a closable locking with interaction with the drive means. 20 [0047] These forms will be further described. However it should be noted that other forms readily envisaged are included within the scope of this invention. [0048] The window winder locking means 50 of Figures 2 to 6 includes a key lock barrel 51 able to be mounted in circular opening 29 in the covering casing 25 top 22. At a lower end of the lock barrel is a protruding pin 54 that rotates upon turning of the workings of the lock barrel by the matching key. The locking means 50 further includes a detent 52 in the form of an elongated rectangular stepped lock slide that extends down to a lower step. The upper step has a side angled planar mating surface 57 with a curved front edge. The 30 lock slide fits in a substantially rectangular cavity 25 in the bottom casing plate 21 and is able to be longitudinally moved. The mating surface 57 is at an angle to the longitudinal direction of slide. Preferably it is of the order of 30. 10 [0049] In use the movement of the lock slide 52 effects movement of the end having the side angled mating surface 57 such that the mating surface moves between a non-engaging position as shown in Figures 3 and 4 and an engaging position of a corresponding mating surface 35 of the gear wheel 32 as shown 5 in Figures 5 and 6. A spring 53 engaging an end of the detent distal from the lock urges the movement of the lock slide to the locking position if allowed by the key lock 51. [0050] The detent 52 of the locking means 50 thereby is able to engage the 10 drive means and more particularly the substantially linear engagement mating surface 35 forming a portion of the circumferential outer surface o the gear wheel 32 adjacent a toothed portion. The mating surface 35 is distanced to fall within the radius of the teeth from toothed portion of the central pivot connected to the distal end of the operating arm 31 and can engage the side 15 angled mating surface 57 of the lock slide 52. [0051] The mating of the two linear mating surfaces provides a solid immovable locking. Further the use of such two surfaces allows for any slight variations of the window winder 11 being mounted to the window sill. The 20 tolerance means that slight variation in fitting will not affect the rigid locking of the window by the mating of the two linear surfaces. [0052] Referring to Figures 7 and 8 there is shown locking means operating as a closable locking with interaction with the pivoting arm 31. The locking 25 means further includes a ratchet gear 39 having circumferential teeth angled in one direction and matching with opposing ratchet teeth 56A at the end of a modified lock slide 52A that due to spring 53 is tended towards the mating position. Therefore in a locked mode the operating arm 31 is prevented from rotating in one direction and therefore cannot be opened further but can ratchet 30 the other direction to rotate in the operating arm in the other direction and allow further closing. 11 [0053] Referring to Figures 9 to 13 the locking means operates with regard the worm gear on the handle. The window winder is substantially the same as the window winder 11 and the same reference numeral applies for similar parts. The gear means includes the gear wheel 32 having a plurality of teeth 34 but 5 need not have a non-tooth engagement surface. [0054] As shown in Figure 9 the spiral worm 43 of the worm gear drive means 41 engages the teeth 34 of the gear wheel 32 to drive the gear means to effect a substantially pivoting motion of the operating arm 31 and allow opening of a 10 window connected to a distal end thereof. [0055] The window winder further includes a locking means 61 including a detent 62 for movement between a non-engaging position spaced from the worm gear 41 of the drive means and an engaging position for contact with the 15 central drive tooth means 44 of the drive means 41 of the window winder 11 to prevent further opening of the window connected to the distal end of the operating arm 31. [0056] The locking means is key activated. The detent is a stepped lock slide 20 62 at one side for interengaging with the protruding pin 54 of the lock 51. The other end of the detent includes an incline for effecting a rise of second detent part 63 having a concave shaped top surface 64 for meshing with the central drive tooth means 44 of the drive means 41. Thereby in engagement the meshing prevents further rotation of the worm gear 41 and thereby prevents 25 further pivotal motion of the operating arm 31 and the window remains locked in position. The detent is further resiliently mounted by two springs 65 acting between the casing and the second detent part 63 in opposition to the detent slide. 30 [0057] In a further variation the window winder can be used on a double arm pivotal action window winder such as shown in Figures 14 and 15. As can be understood only one of the pivoting arms needs to be controlled as the rigid 12 connection of the window to both pivoting arms results in locking of the entire arrangement. [0058] In a still further form shown in Figures 16 to 19 the locking means 5 operates as a closable locking with interaction with the drive means. The drive means 41 has the spiral worm 43 of the worm gear drive means 41 engages teeth of an intermediary drive wheel 49 substantially coplanar and engaging with the teeth 34 of the gear wheel 32 to drive the gear means to effect a substantially pivoting motion of the operating arm 31 and allow opening of a 10 window connected to a distal end thereof. [0059] The locking means further has a closeable locking means 61 including a detent 62C for movement between a non-engaging position spaced from the worm gear 41 of the drive means and an engaging position in which a ratchet 15 end teeth 66C contact with a modified ratchet central drive tooth means 44C of the drive means 41 of the window winder 11 to prevent further opening of the window connected to the distal end of the operating arm 31. Therefore in a locked mode the operating arm 31 is prevented from rotating in one direction and therefore cannot be opened further but can ratchet the other direction to 20 rotate the operating arm 31 in the other direction and allow further closing. [0060] Figures 20, 21 and 22 show the inclusion of a foldable handle connectable to the frictional ribs 45 on the protruding end of the drive gear. 25 [0061] It should be understood that the above description is of preferred embodiments of the invention and included as illustration only. It is not limiting of the invention. Clearly there are variations of the window winder structure and function, which would be understood by a person skilled in the art without any inventiveness and such variations are included within the 30 scope of this invention as defined in he following claims. 13 Interpretation [0062] Embodiments: Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic 5 described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be 10 combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. [0063] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are 15 sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each 20 claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment 25 of this invention. [0064] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, 30 and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. 14 [0065] Different Instances of Objects As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate 5 that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. [0066] Specific Details 10 In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. 15 [0067] Terminology In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so 20 selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting 25 terms. [0068] Comprising and Including In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or 30 necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 15 [0069] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, 5 including is synonymous with and means comprising. [0070] Scope of Invention Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other 10 and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and 15 operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention. [0071] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention 20 may be embodied in many other forms. Industrial Applicability [0072] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the window hardware industries. 25 16