AU2013202268A1

AU2013202268A1 - A chain for a window winder

Info

Publication number: AU2013202268A1
Application number: AU2013202268A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Michael Brian Alchin
Original assignee: Azuma Design Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Azuma Design Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-08-02
Filing date: 2013-04-02
Publication date: 2014-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2033-04-02
Also published as: AU2013202268B2

Abstract

A CHAIN FOR A WINDOW WINDER A chain (37) of a window winder (35). The chain (37) includes a mounting member (16) that is connected to the chain portion (38) of the chain (37) by means of a coupling (clip 18). The clip (18) is engageable with the mounting member (16) after the mounting member (16) has been attached to a pivotally mounted window panel. r~e

Description

1 A CHAIN FOR A WINDOW WINDER FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to chains for window chain winders and more particularly but not exclusively to window winders that are operable to change the maximum length of chain to project from the body of the window winder. BACKGROUND [0002] Window winders include a body within which there is mounted a sprocket. The sprocket drives a chain between an extended position and a retracted position, with the outer end of the chain being provided with a mounting plate to be fixed to the pivoted window panel. Examples of such chain winders can be found in the specification of Australian Patent Applications 2010201144 and 2010101266. [0003] In the installation of window winders, generally the body of the window winder is first fixed to a frame member of the window and then the mounting plate secured to the pivoted window panel. Where the window is at a significant height, such as in high rise buildings, the maximum length of chain to extend from the body of the window winder is limited so that the window can only be pivoted a limited amount. This makes fixing of the mounting plate to the window panel difficult as the panel is reasonably close to the window frame. Accordingly window winders that are operable to limit the maximum length of chain, so as to limit the degree to which the window can be opened, have the disadvantage that they are difficult to install and service. OBJECT [0004] It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantage.

2 SUMMARY [0005] There is disclosed herein a window winder chain, the chain having a longitudinal axis and including: a chain portion including a plurality of pivotally connected links including a first longitudinal end link and a second longitudinal end link, the end links being at longitudinal opposite end portions of the chain portion; a mounting member to be attached to a pivotally mounted window panel; and a coupling for attaching the mounting member to the first end link so that the chain portion extends longitudinally from the mounting member to said second end link, and wherein the coupling is operable to enable attachment of the first end link to the mounting member after the mounting member has been attached to the panel. [0006] Preferably, the coupling is also operable to enable disengagement of the mounting member and first end link. [0007] Preferably, the coupling is a clip. [0008] There is further disclosed herein a chain window winder including the above chain, and wherein the window winder includes a .hollow body from within which the chain extends, with said second end link being retained within the body. [0009] There is also disclosed herein a chain having a longitudinal axis and including: a chain portion including a plurality of pivotally connected links including longitudinally spaced opposite first and second end portions; a mounting member, to be adjacent said first end, to be secured to an object so that the chain can be fixed to the object so as to extend from the object with said second end portion remote from said first end portion; and a coupling for attaching the first end portion and mounting member, the coupling being operable by a user so as to have a first configuration to provide for connection of the mounting member and first end portion, and a second configuration securing the mounting member to the first end portion.

3 [0010] In a first preferred form, the coupling is fixed to the first end portion and is operable to engage the mounting member. [0011] In an alternative preferred form, the coupling is fixed to the mounting member and is operable to engage the first end portion. [0012] Preferably, the coupling is a clip. [0013] Preferably, the clip includes a retaining member movable between a first position and a second position, the retaining member in the first position securing the mounting member to the first end portion, while in the second position providing for connection of the mounting plate with respect to the first end portion. [0014] Preferably, the retaining member provides for disconnection of the mounting plate and first end portion where the retaining member is in the second position. [0015] Preferably, the retaining member is moved between the first position and the second position in a direction generally parallel to said longitudinal axis. [0016] Preferably, said clip includes a fixing member movable between a first position and a second position, the securing member in the first position thereof providing for securing of the mounting member to the first end portion, while in the second position thereof providing for the connection and disconnection of the mounting member with respect to the first end portion, the securing member being moved in a direction generally normal relative to said axis when moving between the first position and second position thereof. [0017] Preferably, the securing member is urged to the first position thereof. [0018] Preferably, the coupling is configured to also release the mounting member from the first end portion as well as securing of the mounting member to the first end portion. [0019] There is also disclosed herein, a chain window winder having the above chain, the window winder having a hollow body from within which the chain portion is to extend, with said second end portion being retained in the body.

4 [0020] There is further disclosed herein a window winder chain, the chain having a longitudinal axis and including: a chain portion including plurality of pivotally connecting links including an end link; a mounting member to be fixed to a movable window panel; a coupling to attach the end link to the mounting member; and wherein said coupling includes a retaining member that is movable longitudinally relative said axis between a first portion allowing connecting the end link and the mounting member and a second portion securing the end link to the mounting member. [0021] Preferably, the coupling is operable to also provide for release of the end link from the mounting member. [0022] There is still further disclosed herein a window winder chain, the chain having a longitudinal axis and including: a chain portion including plurality of pivotally connected links including longitudinally opposite first and second end links; a mounting member to be fixed to a movable window panel; a coupling attaching the first end link to the member; and wherein said coupling includes a securing member that is movable in a direction generally normal to said axis between a first portion providing for connecting of the mounting member and first end link, and a second portion fixing the mounting member to the first end link. [0023] Preferably, the coupling is also operable to provide for release of the end link from the mounting. [0024] There is still further disclosed herein a window winder chain, the chain having a longitudinal axis and including: a chain portion including plurality of pivotally attached links including longitudinally opposite first and second end links; a mounting member to be fixed to a movable window panel, and to be attached to the first end link, the mounting member being a plate portion to abut the panel, and an engaging portion attached to the plate portion and extending therefrom; 5 a clip attached to the first end link and to engage the engaging portion, the clip including a recess to receive the engaging portion, and a retaining member movable between a first position closing the recess, and a second position providing for movement of the engaging portion into the recess, with the retaining member in the first position retaining the engaging portion in the recess. [0025] Preferably, the retaining member is movable in a direction generally parallel to said axis between the first and second positions. [0026] Preferably, the clip further includes a securing member, the securing member being movable between a first position maintaining the retaining member in the first position of the retaining member, and a second position providing for movement of the retaining member between the first and second positions thereof. [0027] Preferably, said securing member moves in a direction generally normal to said axis. [0028] Preferably, said clip includes a spring urging the securing member to the first position of the securing member. [0029] Preferably, said retaining member includes a retaining member recess within which the securing member is engaged when in the first position of the securing member. [0030] Preferably, the clip is also operable to release the mounting member from the first end link. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0031] A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: [0032] Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of the end portion of a window winder chain; [0033] Figure 2 is a schematic isometric view of a mounting member and clip of the end portion of Figure 1 with the clip and mounting member disconnected; 6 [0034] Figure 3 is a schematic isometric view of the mounting member and clip of Figure 2 connected; [0035] Figure 4 is a schematic bottom plan view of the end portion of Figure 1; [0036] Figure 5 is a schematic end elevation of the end portion of Figure 1; [0037] Figure 6 is a schematic side elevation of the end portion of Figure 1; [0038] Figure 7 is a schematic sectioned end elevation of the end portion as shown in Figure 2 sectioned along the line 5-5; [0039] Figure 8 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the end portion as shown in Figure 2 sectioned along the line 6-6; and [0040] Figure 9 is a schematic bottom isometric view of a chain winder having the chain of Figures I to 8. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0041] In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a chain window winder 35. The winder 35 has a chain 37 including a chain portion 38 and mounting member 16. [0042] The chain portion 38 includes a plurality of pivotally attached links 12 and 13 connected by pivot pins 14. The chain portion 38 has a longitudinal axis 15 and longitudinally opposite first 11 and second (not illustrated) end portions. The first end portion 11 has releasably secured to it the mounting member (plate) 16. The end portion 11 includes an end link to which there is attached a coupling which releasably engages with the member 16. The coupling may be a catch or clip, in this embodiment the coupling is a clip 18. [0043] The member 16 includes a plate portion 19 that is provided with apertures 20 through which threaded fasteners pass. The plate portion 19 abuts the window panel, with the threaded fasteners passing through the apertures 20 and securing the plate portion 19 to the window panel.

7 [0044] The clip 18 includes an engaging portion 21 fixed to the plate portion 19 but extending therefrom. Between the engaging portion 21 and plate portion 19 is a gap 22. [0045] The clip 18 includes a pair of plates 23 and 24 secured to the end link 17 by an end pin 14. [0046] The plate 23 includes an end flange 25, with the plate 24 having an end flange 26, the flanges 25 and 26 being generally parallel but spaced longitudinally relative to the axis 15. Located between the flanges 25 and 26 is a recess 27 within which the engaging portion 21 can be located. [0047] Slidably mounted on the plates 23 and 24 is a retaining member 28, that slidably engages the plates 23 and 24 so as to be restrained to slidably move relative thereto in the direction 29, the direction 29 is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 15. The retaining member 28 is movable between a retaining position (as shown in Figure 6) closing the recess 27 so that the engaging means 21 is captively located therein, and a release position spaced from the end flange 25 so that the engaging portion 21 may be moved from within the recess 27, thereby releasing the mounting member from the end link 17. [0048] Mounted on the plates 23 and 24 is a securing member 30 that engages in an aperture 31 in the retaining member 28 to secure the retaining member 28 in a securing position. However the securing member 28 is movable in a direction transverse of the direction 29 so as to not be engaged in the aperture 31 and releasing the retaining member 28 for movement in the direction 29 to open the recess 27 to provide for movement of the engaging portion 21 to and from the recess 27. [0049] The securing member 30 passes through two aligned apertures in the plates 23 and 24 so as to be guided in its movement, and is urged by means of a spring 32 into engagement in the aperture 31. [0050] The securing member 30 is a pin that slidably engages the plates 23 and 24, and has a step 33 which abuts an internal surface of the retaining member 28 so as to be essentially captively located.

8 [0051] In operation of the above described chain, to install the window winder, the mounting member 16 is released from the end portion 11 by operation of the clip 18. The mounting member 16 is then secured to the pivoting window panel by means of threaded fasteners passing through apertures 20. Thereafter the securing member 30 is moved from engagement within the aperture 31 and the retaining member 27 moved to the direction 29 to expose the recess 27. Thereafter the engaging portion 21 is moved into the recess 27. The retaining member 28 is again moved in the direction 29 to close the recess 27 so that the engaging portion 21 is captively located in the recess 27. The securing member 30 is then engaged in the aperture 31 so that the retaining member 21 is retained in the retaining position, that is with the recess 27 closed. [0052] Should it become necessary to service the window winder 35, that is to release the chain 37 from the pivotable window panel, the clip 18 is again activated. A tool (pin) is placed against the end extremity of the securing member 30 and pushed, moving the member 30 from engagement in the aperture 31. Thereafter the retaining member 28 is moved in the direction 29 so as to again open the recess 27. The engaging member 21 may then be removed from within the recess 27. The chain winder 37 is then released from the pivoted window panel. [0053] The clip 18 is preferably oriented so that the securing member 30 is biased downward into engagement with the aperture 31. In that regard it should be appreciated that operation of the clip 18 is intended not to be straight forward thereby inhibiting manipulation by young children. It is difficult to firstly engage a securing member 30, move it from within the aperture 31 and simultaneously move the retaining member 28 in the direction 29 to open the recess 27. When the retaining member 28 is being moved to the retaining position, the securing member 30 automatically engages in the aperture 31 due to the action of the spring 32 [0054] The above described preferred embodiment has the advantage of being able to attach the mounting member 16 while not being attached to the chain 37 and therefore window winder 35. Accordingly the pivoted window panel may be opened further thereby providing easy access to the window panel for the purposes of installing the mounting member 16. If configured also to release the mounting member 16 from the chain 37, then the preferred embodiment provides the further advantage of being able to disconnect the chain 37 to aid in servicing the window winder 35.

9 [0055] In the above described preferred embodiments, the clip 18 is described as being attached to the end link 17, and engaging with the engaging portion 21 to releasably attach the mounting member 16 to the end link 17 of the chain 37. However it should be appreciated that the position of the clip 18 and retaining member 21 may be reversed, that is the clip 18 may be attached to or form part of the mounting member 16 and the retaining member 21 could be attached to the end link 17. Essentially the clip 18 provides a coupling that enables the mounting member 16 to be connected and disconnected to the end link 17. The coupling (in its preferred form of the clip 18) could also be configured so as to provide for securing of the mounting member 16 to the end link 17 but inhibiting release. [0056] Preferably, the clip 18 is oriented so that the securing member 30 is biased downward into engagement with the aperture 31. In that regard it should be appreciated that operation of the clip 18 is intended not to be straight forward thereby inhibiting manipulation by young children. It is difficult to firstly engage a securing member 30, move it from within the aperture 31 and simultaneously move the retaining member 28 in the direction 29 to open the recess 27. When the retaining member 28 is being moved to the retaining position, the securing member 30 automatically engages in the aperture 31 due to the action of the spring 32.

Claims

1. A window winder chain, the chain having a longitudinal axis and including: a chain portion including a plurality of pivotally connected links including a first longitudinal end link and a second longitudinal end link, the end links being at longitudinal opposite end portions of the chain portion; a mounting member to be attached to a pivotally mounted window panel; and a coupling for attaching the mounting member to the first end link so that the chain portion extends longitudinally from the mounting member to said second end link, and wherein the coupling is operable to enable attachment of the first end link to the mounting member after the mounting member has been attached to the panel.

2. The claim of claim 1, wherein the coupling is also operable to enable disengagement of the mounting member and first end link.

3. The claim of claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling is a clip.

4. A chain window winder including the chain of claim 1, 2 or 3, and wherein the window winder includes a .hollow body from within which the chain extends, with said second end link being retained within the body.

5. A chain having a longitudinal axis and including: a chain portion including a plurality of pivotally connected links including longitudinally spaced opposite first and second end portions; a mounting member, to be adjacent said first end, to be secured to an object so that the chain can be fixed to the object so as to extend from the object with said second end portion remote from said first end portion; and a coupling for attaching the first end portion and mounting member, the coupling being operable by a user so as to have a first configuration to provide for connection of the mounting member and first end portion, and a second configuration securing the mounting member to the first end portion.

6. The chain of claim 5, wherein the coupling is fixed to the first end portion and is operable to engage the mounting member. 11

7. The chain of claim 5, wherein the coupling is fixed to the mounting member and is operable to engage the first end portion.

8. The chain of claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the coupling is a clip.

9. The claim of claim 8, wherein the clip includes a retaining member movable between a first position and a second position, the retaining member in the first position securing the mounting member to the first end portion, while in the second position providing for connection of the mounting plate with respect to the first end portion.

10. The chain of claim 9, wherein the retaining member provides for disconnection of the mounting plate and first end portion where the retaining member is in the second position.

11. The chain of claim 9 or 10, wherein the retaining member is moved between the first position and the second position in a direction generally parallel to said longitudinal axis.

12. The chain of claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein said clip includes a fixing member movable between a first position and a second position, the securing member in the first position thereof providing for securing of the mounting member to the first end portion, while in the second position thereof providing for the connection and disconnection of the mounting member with respect to the first end portion, the securing member being moved in a direction generally normal relative to said axis when moving between the first position and second position thereof.

13. The chain of claim 12, wherein the securing member is urged to the first position thereof.

14. The chain of any one of claims 5 to 13, wherein the coupling is configured to also release the mounting member from the first end portion as well as securing of the mounting member to the first end portion.

15. A chain window winder having the chain of any one of claims 5 to 14, the window winder having a hollow body from within which the chain portion is to extend, with said second end portion being retained in the body. 12

16. A window winder chain, the chain having a longitudinal axis and including: a chain portion including plurality of pivotally connecting links including an end link; a mounting member to be fixed to a movable window panel; a coupling to attach the end link to the mounting member; and wherein said coupling includes a retaining member that is movable longitudinally relative said axis between a first portion allowing connecting the end link and the mounting member and a second portion securing the end link to the mounting member.

17. The chain of claim 16, wherein the coupling is operable to also provide for release of the end link from the mounting member.

18. A window winder chain, the chain having a longitudinal axis and including: a chain portion including plurality of pivotally connected links including longitudinally opposite first and second end links; a mounting member to be fixed to a movable window panel; a coupling attaching the first end link to the member; and wherein said coupling includes a securing member that is movable in a direction generally normal to said axis between a first portion providing for connecting of the mounting member and first end link, and a second portion fixing the mounting member to the first end link.

19. The chain of claim 18, wherein the coupling is also operable to provide for release of the end link from the mounting.

20. A window winder chain, the chain having a longitudinal axis and including: a chain portion including plurality of pivotally attached links including longitudinally opposite first and second end links; a mounting member to be fixed to a movable window panel, and to be attached to the first end link, the mounting member being a plate portion to abut the panel, and an engaging portion attached to the plate portion and extending therefrom; a clip attached to the first end link and to engage the engaging portion, the clip including a recess to receive the engaging portion, and a retaining member movable between a first position closing the recess, and a second position providing for movement of the engaging portion into the recess, with the retaining member in the first position retaining the engaging portion in the recess. 13

21. The chain of claim 20, wherein the retaining member is movable in a direction generally parallel to said axis between the first and second positions.

22. The chain of claim 20 or 21, wherein the clip further includes a securing member, the securing member being movable between a first position maintaining the retaining member in the first position of the retaining member, and a second position providing for movement of the retaining member between the first and second positions thereof.

23. The chain of claim 20, 21 or 22, wherein said securing member moves in a direction generally normal to said axis.

24. The chain of any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein said clip includes a spring urging the securing member to the first position of the securing member.

25. The chain of any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein said retaining member includes a retaining member recess within which the securing member is engaged when in the first position of the securing member.

26. The chain of any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein the clip is also operable to release the mounting member from the first end link. Azuma Design Pty Limited Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON