AU2016204673A1 - A window winder - Google Patents

Abstract

A WINDOW WINDER A window winder (10). The winder (10) includes a housing (11) that is longitudinally elongated and includes an elongated base (12) and an elongated cover (13). Preferably the base (12) is extruded, most preferably the base (12) is extruded metal such as aluminium or brass. Mounted on the base (12) and located internally of the housing (11) is a drive assembly (16) that rotatably drives a threaded shaft (32) that threadably engages a nut (39), that is moved longitudinally of the shaft (32) to move the chain (43) of the winder (10). to LiN Fr)\ 'PS tl-

Description

1 2016204673 06 Μ 2016

A WINDOW WINDER

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to actuators and more particularly but not exclusively to window winders.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Window winders, such as the winder described in Australian Patent Application 2010201144, include a housing within which there is located a chain. A hand driven sprocket moves the chain from a position within the window winder to an extended position. The remote end of the chain is attached to a pivotally mounted window panel that is moved between an open and closed position by movement of the chain.

[0003] The above window winder includes a cast housing within which the chain is located. Towards one end of the housing there is located a sprocket to which is attached a handle that is rotated. The sprocket is engaged with the chain with movement of the handle causing movement of the chain.

[0004] The chain includes a plurality of pivotally attached links, with the links having abutting surfaces that ensure the chain is able to push the window panel to the open position. As an example, a chain is described in Australian Patent Specification 2010212303.

[0005] Some window winders are provided with means by which the amount of chain to extend beyond the window winder is limited so that the window panel can only open a limited amount. Some window winders are adjustable in respect of the amount of chain to project from the window winder.

[0006] Window winders are generally used with pivotally mounted window panels. Window panels traditionally have been reasonably small. However more recent window designs have used pivoted panels of substantial sizes. It is a disadvantage of known window winders that they are not well adapted to control pivoted window panels of substantial sizes. 11510399 1:hxa 2 2016204673 06 Μ 2016 [0007] Disadvantages of the above window winders also include the cost of manufacture and the cost of servicing.

OBJECT

[0008] It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0009] There is disclosed herein an actuator including: a longitudinally elongated housing; a threaded shaft extending longitudinally of the housing and being rotatably supported by the housing; a drive assembly mounted in the housing to rotatably drive the shaft through repeated revolutions; a nut threadably engaged on the shaft so that rotation of the shaft causes movement of the nut longitudinally of the shaft and longitudinally of the housing; and an elongated flexible element attached to the nut so as to be moved thereby, the element being movable between a retracted position at least substantially contained within the housing, and an extended position at which at substantial length of the element projects from within the housing.

[0010] Preferably, the element is a plurality of pivotally connected links.

[0011] Preferably, the element is a chain.

[0012] Preferably, the chain includes a first portion located within the housing, and a second portion to project from within the housing, with the second portion when projecting from the housing extending generally perpendicular to the first portion.

[0013] Preferably, the drive assembly includes a rotatably driven sprocket meshingly engaged with the shaft to cause the rotation of the shaft.

[0014] Preferably, the housing includes a longitudinally extending base. 11510399 1 :hxa 3 2016204673 06Jul2016 [0015] Preferably, the base is extruded.

[0016] Preferably, the base is extruded metal.

[0017] Preferably, the base is extruded aluminium or brass.

[0018] Preferably, the above actuator is a window winder.

[0019] There is further disclosed herein a window winder assembly, the assembly including the above window winder, the above window winder being a first window winder, with the assembly including a second window winder driven by the first window winder.

[0020] Preferably, said shaft is a first shaft, said nut is a first nut, and said chain is a first chain, with said second window winder having a second shaft driven by said drive assembly, a second nut threadably engaged with the second shaft so that rotation of the second shaft causes the second nut to move longitudinally of the second shaft, and a second chain attached to said second nut so as to be moved between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to the housing.

[0021] In an alternative preferred form, said nut is a first nut, and said chain is a first chain, said second window winder includes a second nut and a second chain, and a bar attached to the first nut and the second nut so that the second nut is driven by the first nut, with the second chain being attached to the second nut so as to be driven between an extended position and a retracted position thereby.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: [0023] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a window winder; [0024] Figure 2 is a schematic parts exploded isometric view of the window winder of Figure 1; 11510399 1 :hxa 4 2016204673 06 Μ 2016 [0025] Figure 3 is a schematic parts exploded isometric view of a drive assembly of the window winder of Figure 1; [0026] Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of a further window winder; [0027] Figure 5 is a schematic parts exploded isometric view of portion of the window winder of Figure 4; and [0028] Figure 6 is a further schematic parts exploded isometric view of portion of the window winder of Figure 4.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0029] In Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a window winder 10. The window winder 10 includes a housing 11 that is longitudinally elongated and includes an elongated base 12 and an elongated cover 13. Preferably the base 12 is extruded, most preferably the base 12 is extruded metal such as aluminium or brass. The cover 13 may also be extruded or may be a rolled metal section, and includes longitudinally extending edge portions 14 that engage longitudinally extending edge portions 15 of the base 12 to secure the cover 13 to the base 12.

[0030] Mounted on the base 12 and located internally of the housing 11 is a drive assembly 16. The drive assembly 16 includes a splined passage 17 that receives a splined shaft 18. The shaft 18 has an end portion 19 to which there would be attached a handle (not illustrated) that would be used by an operator. The handle would be rotated through repeated revolutions about the axis 20 to cause operation of the drive assembly 16.

[0031] The drive assembly 16 includes a cast housing 21, including housing parts 22 and 23.

The parts 22 and 23 rotatably support the shafts 24 and 25 for revolution about the axis 26. The axis 26 is generally perpendicular to the axis 20.

[0032] The parts 22 and 23 also rotatably support a drive gear 27. The drive gear 27 is part of a shaft 28 that provides the passage 17. 11510399 1:hxa 5 2016204673 06 Μ 2016 [0033] Rotation of the shaft 28 causes rotation of the gears 24 and 25 due to their engagement with the gear 27.

[0034] The gear 24 is part of a shaft 29 while the gear 25 is part of a shaft 30. Each shaft 29 and 30 has a square or rectangular end passage 31.

[0035] Rotatably supported within the housing 11 is a threaded shaft 32. The shaft 32 has an end projection 33 that is received within the passage 31 of the shaft 29, so that the shaft 29 drives the shaft 32. The shaft 29 also rotatably supports the shaft 32 for rotation about the axis 26. The axis 26 is also the longitudinal and rotational axis of the shaft 32. The shaft 32 extends longitudinally of the housing 11.

[0036] Attached to the base 12 is a shaft mounting 34 providing a socket 35 that receives the end 36 of the shaft 32. A cap 37 is attached to the mounting 34 and engages the end 36 so that the shaft 32 is captively located with respect to the mounting 34 while permitting rotation of the shaft 32 about the axis 26.

[0037] The mounting 34 is also provided with a flange 38 that closes one end of the housing 11.

[0038] Mounted on the shaft 32 and threadably engaged therewith is a nut 39. The nut 39 has a threaded through passage 40 within which the shaft 32 is threadably engaged. The nut 39 is also provided with a laterally extending flange 41.

[0039] Attached to the flange 41, by a securing member 42, is an elongated flexible element, that in this embodiment is a chain 43. The member 42 has an end projection 44 with a passage 45 through which a pin passes to attach the chain 43 to the member 42.

[0040] The chain 43 consists of a plurality of pivotally attached links 46, the links 46 being attached by pins 47. One end pin 47 passes through the end link 46 and through the passage 45 to attach the member 42 to the chain 43.

[0041] The links 47 have surfaces that engage (abut) when portions of the chain 43 extend along a linear path. However the pins 47 provide for pivoting movement between adjacent links 46, to provide for pivoting relative movement therebetween. 11510399 1:hxa 6 2016204673 06 Μ 2016 [0042] There is also provided a spacer 48 that surrounds an end part of the thread of the shaft 32 and abuts the nut 39 when the nut 39 reaches an end limit of its travel along the shaft 32.

[0043] The mounting 34 has an arcuate slot 49 within which part of the chain 43 is located. The slot 49 provides a track portion for movement of the chain 43. In that regard, the mounting 34 is also provided with a passage within which there is located a chain guide 50. The chain guide 50 is movable between a retracted position substantially located within the mounting 34 and an extended position projecting outwardly therefrom. The chain guide 50 is urged to the extended position by means of a spring 51. The chain guide 50 engages the chain 43 to aid in directing the chain 43 as it moves from a retracted position substantially located within the housing 33, to an extended position with a substantial portion of the chain 43 projects outwardly from the housing 11.

[0044] Mounted on the base 12 is a track member 52 that provides a track that engages the chain 43 to aid in retaining the chain 43 in a desired configuration when located internally of the housing 11.

[0045] In operation of the above described window winder 10, by use of a handle (not illustrated) a person rotates the shaft 28 through repeated revolutions about the axis 20. This causes rotation of the shafts 29 and 30 about the axis 26. Rotation of the shaft 29 causes rotation of the shaft 32 about the axis 26.

[0046] As the nut 39 is prevented from rotating with the shaft 32 by engagement with the chain 43, the nut 39 moves longitudinally of the shaft 32 so as to move the chain 43 between the extended and retracted positions.

[0047] The chain winder 10 would be mounted on a window frame (typically the sill) with the end of the chain 43 being provided with a flange 69 secured to a pivotally mounted window panel. Accordingly as the chain 43 moves from within the housing 11, the pivotally mounted window panel is moved to an open position. When the chain 43 is retracted back into the housing 11, the window panel is pivoted to a closed position.

[0048] The winder 10 is also provided with an end cap 53 that closes one end of the housing 11. 11510399 1:hxa 7 2016204673 06 Μ 2016 [0049] In one preferred embodiment, the window winder 10 has a locking mechanism that will lock the winder 10 so that the window panel is retained at a desired position. In this embodiment the mounting 34 is provided with a passage 54 that receives a lock cylinder 62. The lock cylinder 62 would be key operated, and would have a projection, at its inner end, that engages a lock member 55.

[0050] The lock 55 member has an aperture 56 within which the end projection of the cylinder is located so that angular movement of the cylinder 62 causes linear movement of the member 55 in a direction generally parallel to the axis 26. The member 55 is slidably mounted on the mounting 34, with a spring extending between the mounting 34 and member 55 to urge the member 55 in a direction towards the other end of the casing 11, that is it is urged in a direction towards the drive assembly 16.

[0051] Attached to the member 55 is a lock bar 57 that is also attached to a locking member 58. The locking member 58 is movably mounted on the housing 11, and has an aperture 59 through which an end portion of the shaft 28 projects. The end portion has teeth 60, that can engage with the member 58. In an unlocked position, the member 58 is not engaged with the teeth 60. The shaft 28 can be rotated to move the chain 43. In a locked position, the member 58 engages the teeth 60 so that the shaft 28 is prevented from rotation. In the locked position the chain 43 is maintained stationary.

[0052] The cover 13 is provided with an opening 63 to provide access to the lock cylinder 63 as well as an opening 64 through which the shaft 28 at least partly projects.

[0053] In Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a window winder assembly 70. The assembly 70 includes the window winder 10 previously described, as well as a plurality of other window winders 75, 76 and 77.

[0054] With respect to Figure 4, to fully illustrate the assembly 70, the assembly 70 has been divided into segments 72, 73 and 74. Segments 72 and 75 are end portions of the assembly 70, while the segment 74 is located between the segments 72 and 73.

[0055] The window winder 76 is substantially identical to the window winder 10, however the end 33 of the shaft 32 of the winder 76 is engaged in the passage 31 of the shaft 30. Accordingly 11510399_1:hxa 8 2016204673 06 Μ 2016 the drive assembly 16 also drives the window winder 76, since the drive assembly 16 drives the shaft 32 of the winder 76.

[0056] The winders 75 and 77 do not have a shaft 32, but are substantially the same as the winder 10. Items of the winders 73, 74 and 75 have been given reference numerals corresponding to the items of winder 10. The chains 43 thereof are driven by means of bars 78. One bar 78 is attached to the nut 39 of the winder 76, and the nut 39 of the winder 75 so that the nuts 39 move in unison. However in this respect it should be appreciated the nut 39 of winder 75 does not threadably engage a shaft 32.

[0057] The other bar 78 is attached to the nut 39 of the winder 10, and the nut 39 of the winder 77. In that respect, again the nut 39 of the winder 77 is not associated with a shaft 32.

[0058] In respect of the assembly 70, it should be appreciated the housing 11 is elongated to accommodate the length of four window winders 10, 75, 76 and 77, that is the base 12 is elongated and the cover 13 elongated.

[0059] In respect of the embodiment of Figures 4 to 6, it should be appreciated that the assembly 70 could include two or more winders. As an example, the assembly 10 may merely consist of the winder 10 coupled with the winder 76, or the winder 10 and the winder 77. Alternatively, the winder 10 may be coupled with the winders 75 and 76. The number of winders to be incorporated in the assembly 17 can be determined by the size of the window panel to be moved. For example, for very large windows, three, four or more windows may be employed. 11510399 1 :hxa

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS:

   1. An actuator including: a longitudinally elongated housing; a threaded shaft extending longitudinally of the housing and being rotatably supported by the housing; a drive assembly mounted in the housing to rotatably drive the shaft through repeated revolutions; a nut threadably engaged on the shaft so that rotation of the shaft causes movement of the nut longitudinally of the shaft and longitudinally of the housing; and an elongated flexible element attached to the nut so as to be moved thereby, the element being movable between a retracted position at least substantially contained within the housing, and an extended position at which at substantial length of the element projects from within the housing.
2. 2. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the element is a plurality of pivotally connected links.
3. 3. The actuator of claim 2, wherein the element is a chain.
4. 4. The actuator of claim 3, wherein the chain includes a first portion located within the housing, and a second portion to project from within the housing, with the second portion when projecting from the housing extending generally perpendicular to the first portion.
5. 5. The actuator of claim 2 or 3, wherein the drive assembly includes a rotatably driven sprocket meshingly engaged with the shaft to cause the rotation of the shaft.
6. 6. The actuator of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the housing includes a longitudinally extending base.
7. 7. The actuator of claim 6, wherein the base is extruded.
8. 8. The actuator of claim 7, wherein the base is extruded metal.
9. 9. The actuator of claim 8, wherein the base is extruded aluminium or brass.
10. 10. The actuator of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the above actuator is a window winder.
11. 11. A window winder assembly, the assembly including the window winder of claim 10, wherein the window winder is a first window winder, with the assembly including a second window winder driven by the first window winder.
12. 12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said shaft is a first shaft, said nut is a first nut, and said chain is a first chain, with said second window winder having a second shaft driven by said drive assembly, a second nut threadably engaged with the second shaft so that rotation of the second shaft causes the second nut to move longitudinally of the second shaft, and a second chain attached to said second nut so as to be moved between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to the housing.
13. 13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said nut is a first nut, and said chain is a first chain, said second window winder includes a second nut and a second chain, and a bar attached to the first nut and the second nut so that the second nut is driven by the first nut, with the second chain being attached to the second nut so as to be driven between an extended position and a retracted position thereby.