AU2018274934A1 - Opener Limiter - Google Patents

Abstract

An opener limiter, the opener limiter operable with a winder, the winder suitable, when installed, for moving a hinged window with respect to a window frame, the opener limiter including a wind counter; and, a detent mechanism, wherein the detent mechanism and the wind counter cooperate for limiting the winding. Figure 1 o _ 7-J ) ___ / uY~jynr 1-U

Description

OPENER LIMITER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to an opener limiter, which may be operable with a winder. The opener limiter may be useful for a winder for operating an openable window. The opener limiter may be particularly useful for a window winder for operating a hinged window.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In buildings, many windows are operable to be opened and closed and may be referred to as openable windows. Some windows are openable by rotation around a hinged axis. Such hinged openable windows are sometimes opened and closed by means of a window winder.

[0003] Window winders typically operate with an actuator, such as a chain or an arm, which is deployed from a base of the winder. The base is usually secured to a fixed point relative to the openable window, such as on the window frame. An end of the chain or arm is attached at a location, which is often on a sash of the window, and which is away from where the window (or window sash) is hinged to the frame. The base may have a manual winder handle, which, when rotated in one direction, causes the chain or arm to deploy from the base in turn causing the window to open, and when rotated in the opposite direction, causes the chain or arm to retract into the base causing the window to close.

[0004] Typically, winders employ one or more gears in a mechanism to deploy and retract the actuator (for example, a chain or arm). In an example mechanism using a chain actuator, the manual winder handle is attached to a first gear which drives a second gear attached to a sprocket, the sprocket drives the chain which is deployed or retracted depending on the direction (clockwise/anti-clock-wise) the manual winder handle is rotated.

[0005] The maximum amount that a hinged window opens (the size of the angle around the hinge axis between fully open and closed positions of the window) is limited by the length of the chain. Sometimes it is necessary to limit the amount a hinged window opens for security, safety, or to comply with building regulations.

[0006] Presently, window winders are supplied with a chain having a selected length. A choice of chain length is made when installing the window winder to limit the amount the hinged window opens. However, with such window winders, it may not be possible to adjust the amount the hinged

2018274934 06 Dec 2018 window opens without replacing the window winder with another window winder having a different chain length. This can be inconvenient and expensive.

[0007] Some window winders with chain actuators may employ pins or plugs which can be fitted to restrict the winder deployment length to be shorter than the full length of the chain. However, some of these require a difficult fitting to the chain itself, which can be inconvenient. Further, the pins and plugs typically may only be fitted at a very limited number of positions, which, in turn, limits the number of deployment lengths that can be selected.

[0008] When obtaining a window winder, for example on a building project, it may not be known what length the window winder chain should be as it may not be known how much a window should open until it is installed. This may require a builder to keep a supply of various chain length window winders, which can be costly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] In one aspect, the present invention provides an opener limiter, the opener limiter operable with a winder, the winder suitable, when installed, for moving a hinged window with respect to a window frame, the opener limiter including a wind counter; and, a detent mechanism, wherein the detent mechanism and the wind counter cooperate for limiting the winding.

[0010] In another aspect, the present invention provides a winder with an opener limiter, the winder suitable, when installed, for moving a hinged window with respect to a window frame, the winder including an actuator for deployment and retraction by the winder; a wind counter; and, a detent mechanism for limiting the winding, wherein the detent mechanism and the wind counter cooperate for limiting the deployment of the actuator.

[0011] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a hinged window with a winder including an opener limiter, the winder suitable for moving the hinged window with respect to its window frame, the winder including a base attached to the window frame; an actuator attached at one end to the window, the actuator for deployment and retraction by the winder; a wind counter; and, a detent mechanism for limiting the winding, wherein the detent mechanism and the wind counter cooperate for limiting the deployment of the actuator, thereby limiting the opening of the hinged window.

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SUMMARY OF SOME OPTIONAL EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [0012] In embodiments, the wind counter is operable to measure the amount a winder is rotated. In embodiments, the winder employs one or more gears for driving an actuator, the wind counter can measure the amount a selected gear rotates by rotation of the winder. It will be appreciated that measurement of the amount the winder is rotated can be translated to a measurement of how far an actuator is deployed, and further translated to how much a hinged window is opened, that is, the angle subtended by the window with respect to its window frame around its hinge axis.

[0013] In some embodiments, the wind counter includes a mechanical counter. The mechanical counter is operable to measure rotations of the winder, to measure a number of rotations of a selected gear within the winder mechanism, or to measure rotations of the manual winder handle of the winder. In various such embodiments, the mechanical counter includes a primary gear configured to rotate a secondary gear, wherein, for every integer rotation (a complete 360° rotation) of the primary gear, the secondary gear rotates a fraction of an integer rotation. The number of the fraction integer rotations of the secondary gear thus represents the number of integer rotations of the primary gear. In such embodiments, the mechanical counter may measure a discrete number of rotations of a selected gear as the primary gear of the mechanical counter.

[0014] The primary gear and secondary gear of the mechanical counter have a gear ratio, which can be selected. In one example embodiment, the primary gear rotates 10 times for each rotate of the secondary gear. In embodiments, it may be that each tenth rotation of the secondary gear represents deployment (or retraction) of the actuator by a given amount, say, 5cm, which provides an indication of how much a window employing the winder will be opened with respect to its window frame.

[0015] In optional embodiments, the mechanical counter may have further gears, such as a tertiary gear which rotates a fraction of an integer rotation for each integer rotation of the secondary gear. For example, the primary and secondary gears may have a ratio of 5:1 rotations, and the secondary and tertiary gears may have a ratio of 5:1 rotations, thus the primary and tertiary gears may have a ratio of 25:1 rotations.

[0016] In some embodiments, the wind counter may include two or more gears of differing size. For example, a primary gear may be smaller than the secondary gear, so that the secondary gear rotates once for every 15 rotations of the primary gear. In such embodiments, the wind counter may provide continuous (non-discrete) measurement of the rotations of a selected gear.

2018274934 06 Dec 2018 [0017] In various embodiments, the wind counter is operable to count fractional rotations of the primary gear. In other embodiment, the wind counter is operable to count integer rotations of the primary gear. In some embodiments, the wind counter is operable to count fractional rotations of a manual winder handle of the winder. In some other embodiments, the wind counter is operable to count integer rotations of a manual winder handle of the winder.

[0018] In some other embodiments, the detent mechanism includes a stopper for cooperating with a detent protrusion on a shaft, the shaft also accommodating a gear of the wind counter. In an example embodiment, when the winder is operated to deploy the actuator, the gear of the wind counter rotates causing the detent protrusion to rotate. The detent protrusion and stopper are configured so that the stopper impedes the detent protrusion at a point in its rotation. When the detent protrusion is impeded from rotating, the gear is impeded from rotating and the winder is impeded from rotating, thereby impeding the actuator from being further deployed. In some such embodiments, the detent protrusion comprises a cog on a shaft with a gear of the wind counter. In other such embodiments, the cog on the wind counter shares a shaft with the secondary gear of the mechanical counter.

[0019] In further embodiments, the detent mechanism includes an adjustable stopper. The adjustable stopper may be selectively positioned to provide the detent operation at different points in the rotation of the detent protrusion, thus allowing for selected deployment amounts of the actuator, which, when installed and in operation, allows for selected limits on the opening of a hinged window.

[0020] In some embodiments, the adjustable stopper is discretely adjustable, so that the stopper can be positioned at one of a limited number of points along an arc of rotation of the detent protrusion to stop rotation of the detent protrusion. In other embodiments, the adjustable stopper may be placed in any position along the arc of rotation of the detent protrusion.

[0021] In other embodiments, the winder may employ a different actuator, including operating with a rigid arm, a hinged double rigid arm, worm screws, or the like. It will be understood that the nature of the actuator may be varied, and adapted to working with an opener limiter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0022] At least one embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following, non-limiting illustrations representing the at least one embodiment of the present invention, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a winder suitable for incorporating an opener limiter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 is a top perspective view at an angle different from that shown in Figure 1 of a winder suitable for incorporating an opener limiter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the winder shown with the actuator (chain) partially deployed;

[0025] Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of a winder suitable for incorporating an opener limiter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with some components of the opener limiter shown;

[0026] Figure 4 is a partially exploded bottom perspective view of a winder suitable for incorporating an opener limiter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with some components of the opener limiter shown;

[0027] Figure 5 is an exploded bottom perspective view showing components of a winder suitable for incorporating an opener limiter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with components of the opener limiter also shown;

[0028] Figure 6 is a perspective view of some components of the opener limiter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, along with some components of the winder;

[0029] Figure 7 is a reverse perspective view of Figure 6;

[0030] Figure 8 is a detailed perspective view of some components of the opener limiter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, along with some components of the winder;

[0031] Figure 9 is a partially exploded detailed perspective view of some components of the opener limiter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, along with some components of the winder;

2018274934 06 Dec 2018 [0032] Figure 10A is a detailed perspective view of some components of the opener limiter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, along with some components of the winder, showing the opener limiter operated by the winder to be in a first position;

[0033] Figure 10B is a detailed perspective view of some components of the opener limiter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, along with some components of the winder, showing the opener limiter operated by the winder to be in a second position;

[0034] Figure 11 is a bottom plan view of the bottom plate of the winder suitable for incorporating an opener limiter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with some components of the opener limiter shown; and, [0035] Figure 12 is a top plan view of the bottom plate of the winder suitable for incorporating an opener limiter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with some components of the opener limiter shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS [0036] The following detailed description exemplifies the invention by reference to one or more embodiments thereof.

[0037] Figure 1 shows a winder 10 which is suitable for use with, for example, a hinged window (not shown). The winder may be installed for the hinged window, with the winder body 12 attached to, for example, a frame of the hinged window, and an attachment plate 16 attached to, for example, a sash of the hinged window. When so installed, the winder is operable to open and close the hinged window by manually winding the winder handle 14 which impels an actuator (not shown in Figure 1) to move the attachment plate 16, and so to move the hinged window relative to its frame.

[0038] The winder 10 also includes a lock mechanism 18 with a removable key 20, which can be operated to lock the winder when the actuator is fully retracted such that the window is retained (locked) in its closed position. Further, the key and lock mechanism may be operable in some embodiments to lock the winder when the actuator is partially or fully deployed such that the window is retained (locked) in a partially open position or its fully open position.

[0039] Figure 2 shows the winder 10 with its actuator 22 partially deployed. The actuator shown in the exemplified embodiment for Figure 1 to 12 is a chain actuator with plates 23 on one side thereof (the left side of the actuator as depicted in Figure 2), which is able to fold or bend in one

2018274934 06 Dec 2018 direction (to the right of the actuator as depicted in Figure 2), but is unable to fold or bend in the other direction (to the left of the actuator as depicted in Figure 2), thus causing the actuator to be rigid when deployed.

[0040] Figure 2 also shows a sprung lug 54 which presses in when the actuator 22 is retracted and the attachment plate 16 presses the sprung lug in, and is biased by a spring outwardly when the actuator is deployed. The sprung lug, when deployed, assists in directing the chain (actuator) 22 when the actuator is deploying.

[0041] Figure 3 shows the underside of a winder 10 incorporating an opener limiter 5 according to an embodiment of the invention. The winder includes a bottom plate 24, secured to the winder body 12 with screws 26. Also depicted in Figure 3 is a disc 28 including a slot 30 into which there is placed a stopper screw 32 as part of a detent mechanism of the opener limiter. The stopper screw secures the stopper 92 (refer to Figures 10A and 10B). In the embodiment shown, the stopper screw (and the stopper 92) can be placed at three locations 31, 33 and 35 in the slot, which have a wider circular shape than other parts of the slot, the wider circular shape accommodating the stopper screw 32.

[0042] Each of the locations 31, 33, and 35 corresponds with a length of deployment of the actuator 22, as marked next to the disc 28. Location 31 corresponds with an actuator deployment length of 12cm as shown by indicium 34, location 33 corresponds with an actuator deployment length of 18cm as shown by indicium 36, and location 35 corresponds with an actuator deployment length of 30cm as shown by indicium 38. There is also and indicium 37 showing 0 to indicate when the actuator 22 is fully retracted.

[0043] In the centre of disc 28 there is an aperture through which a part of the opener limiter 5 protrudes, and is marked with an arrow indicium 84. When the winder 10 is operated to deploy or retract the actuator 22, the indicium 84 rotates to indicate the progress of deployment of the actuator.

[0044] In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the opener limiter 5 is depicted as having three discrete locations available for placement of the stopper screw 32. However, it will be understood that in other embodiments, a larger or lesser number of discrete locations may be available for placement of the stopper. Further, in yet other embodiments, the opener limiter may include an arrangement for allowing placement of the stopper at non-discrete (continuous) locations around the slot 30, so allowing for selection of non-discrete deployment lengths for the actuator 22.

2018274934 06 Dec 2018 [0045] Figure 4 shows a partially exploded view of the winder 10 incorporating an opener limiter 5, with the bottom plate 24 removed from the body 12 of the winder 10. Inside the body, parts of the winder are shown, including the chain (actuator) 22, passive sprocket 42 and active sprocket 68, which is connected to a shaft that is rotated by rotation of the manual winder handle 14 to impel the chain (actuator) to deploy from and retract into the winder body. Active sprocket 68 comprises a component of the gear mechanism 40. The gear mechanism includes components of the winder 10 and the opener limiter 5.

[0046] Also shown in Figure 4 is the stopper screw 32 which can be seen to protrude into the space of the body 12 the winder 10, to interact with other components of the opener limiter 5.

[0047] Figure 5 shows an almost completely exploded view of components of the winder 10 and the opener limiter 5, including the manual winder handle 14 attached to a worm screw 44, the winder body 12, washers 46 for assisting with reducing friction of rotation of the manual winder handle.

[0048] Figure 5 also depicts key 20 for locking mechanism 18, which operates with lock barrel 17 and lock arm 48. Lock arm 48 is biased with lock spring 50, which is located on lock spring pole 51. The lock mechanism 18 also includes a spring arm 58 to stop the lock spring 50 from biasing the lock arm 48 beyond a selected position. Sprung lug 54 is shown with its lug spring 52, which biases the sprung lug to a deployed position when the actuator is deployed.

[0049] The winder 10 and opener limiter 5 include a gear mechanism 40, which allows the winder and opener limiter to cooperate. The gear mechanism is located in a housing 56 to retain components of the gear mechanism in place. The gear mechanism incorporates active sprocket 68, which impels the actuator 22 (the chain). The actuator also winds around passive sprocket 42 to keep the chain located around the perimeter of the winder body 12.

[0050] As described in more detail with reference to other Figures, Figure 5 also shows the bottom plate 24 incorporating disc 28, slot 30 and stopper screw 32.

[0051] Figure 6 shows more a detailed view of the gear mechanism 40, depicted with lock arm 48. The gear mechanism includes two shafts, primary shaft 60 and secondary shaft 70. Primary shaft 60 includes drive gear 62, which cooperates with worm screw 44 of the manual winder handle 14. When the manual winder handle is turned, worm screw 44 rotates drive gear 62 to rotate shaft 60. Shaft 60 also includes active sprocket 68, so that rotating primary shaft causes the actuator to be deployed or retracted, depending on the direction of rotation of the manual winder handle.

2018274934 06 Dec 2018 [0052] Primary shaft 60 also includes lock gear 64, which operates with lock arm 48 to lock the actuator 22 in a selected deployed position. In the depicted embodiment, the lock gear has sloped cogs, which allows operation of the lock mechanism to prevent the actuator 22 from being deployed, but allows the actuator to be retracted.

[0053] In the depicted embodiment shown in the Figures, the opener limiter 5 includes a mechanical rotation counter. The rotation counter includes a primary gear 66 on the primary shaft 60, and a secondary gear 72 on the secondary shaft 70. The primary gear has a single cog 82 (not shown on Figure 6), which engages with the cogs 73 of the secondary gear 72. When the primary gear rotates once the single cog 82 engages with one cog 73 of the secondary gear to rotate the secondary gear a fraction of a full 360° rotation. In this way, the secondary gear steps down the rotations of the primary gear so that each 360° rotation of the primary gear (or the primary shaft 60) has a corresponding fraction of 360° rotation in the secondary gear (or the secondary shaft 70).

[0054] In other embodiments, the primary gear could have more than a single cog. If the primary gear had two diametrically opposed cogs, for example, the relative rate of rotation would be 180° for the primary cog resulting in the same fraction of 360° rotation in the secondary gear as discussed in the previous paragraph.

[0055] The measure of rotation of the primary shaft 60 can be translated into the length of deployment for the actuator 22. For example, a single 360° rotation of the primary gear may result in a deployment length of 6cm of the actuator 22.

[0056] Also shown on the secondary shaft is a detent gear 74 with a detent protrusion 80. The detent protrusion rotates a fraction of 360° (in conformity with the secondary gear 72) with each 360° rotation of the primary gear. When the detent protrusion rotates sufficiently far it will come into contact with the stopper 92 (refer to Figures 10A and 10B), which causes the detent protrusion to stop rotating, in turn causing the secondary shaft 70 to stop rotating and causing the secondary gear 72 to stop rotating, and, as the single cog 82 of the primary gear 66 is engaged with a cog 73 of the secondary gear 72 during a fractional rotation of the secondary gear, this causes the primary gear to stop rotating and causes the primary shaft 60 to stop rotating, which causes the active sprocket 68 to stop rotating, and the actuator 22 cannot be further deployed, which limits the amount, for example, a hinged window can be opened. The stoppage in rotation will also affect the manual winder handle 14 which will not be able to be wound further.

[0057] The stopper 92 can be placed in a number of selected positions in the slot 30 which allows selection of the point at which the detent protrusion 80 will be stopped through its rotation, and

2018274934 06 Dec 2018 therefore results in stopping deployment of the actuator 22. In various embodiments, the opener limiter may include one or more positions for placement of the stopper. In the present embodiment, as depicted in the Figures, the opener limiter has three available positions, and the stopper may be placed in one of those three positions. In other embodiments, the opener limiter may have more than three positions and the stopper 92 can be selectively placed into one of those more than three positions.

[0058] The secondary shaft 70 also includes a holding gear 71 which engages with a leaf spring 76 so that the secondary shaft 70 is retained in position, and is biased towards the primary gear 60.

[0059] Figure 7 shows the arrangement of the gear mechanism 40 for a different angle. In this depiction, it can be seen that the secondary gear 72 includes a stopper cog 78, which is larger than the other cogs 73 on the secondary gear. The stopper cog prevents rotation of the secondary gear, and therefore rotation of the secondary shaft 70 beyond the point in the rotation of the secondary gear where the single cog 82 of the primary gear 66 engages with the stopper cog. The engagement between the single cog 82 and the stopper cog 78 also causes the primary shaft 60 to stop rotating. The stopper cog engages with the single cog both when the secondary shaft turns clockwise and anticlockwise. In this way, the stopper cog provides a stop on rotation which can be used to ensure the primary shaft and the active sprocket 68 do not deploy the actuator beyond a selected length, even if the detent mechanism including the detent protrusion 80 and the stopper 92 is not engaged. Further, the stopper cog can also be used to ensure the rotation is stopped in the opposite direction from the direction of rotation for deployment, such that the actuator 22 is not retracted beyond a selected point of rotation of the secondary gear.

[0060] Figure 8 provides a more detailed view of the gear mechanism 40 including some components of the opener limiter 5.

[0061] Figure 9 is a view of the gear mechanism 40 showing the drive gear 62 engaged with the worm screw 44 of the manual winder handle 14. In Figure 9, the active sprocket 68 is shown detached from the primary shaft 60, so that the means of attaching the active sprocket to the primary shaft can be seen, including a non-circular cross-section pin 88 and a complementary shaped aperture 90 through the centre of the active sprocket 68. The pin 88 and aperture 90 allow attachment of the active sprocket to the primary shaft without rotation relative to each other.

[0062] Perhaps more clearly shown in Figure 9 is the engagement of the single cog 82 of the primary gear 66 between the stopper cog 78 and a next cog 73 on the secondary gear 72. If the primary gear rotates in the direction of the arrow indicium on the single cog (counter clockwise), the

2018274934 06 Dec 2018 single cog will impel the stopper cog to rotate clockwise causing the detent gear 74 to rotate clockwise and therefore moving the detent protrusion 80 clockwise.

[0063] Figures 10A and 10B demonstrate movement of the detent protrusion 80 from a first depicted position in Figure 10A to a second depicted position in Figure 10B. When the detent protrusion meets stopper 92 (as shown in Figure 10B) the detent protrusion stops rotating, which (as described above) results in stopping further deployment of the actuator 22, and therefore results in, for example, a hinged window not being opened further.

[0064] Figure 11 is a view of the bottom plate 24 of the winder 10 to show its outer face 100, including the disc 28 of the opener limiter 5, wherein the stopper screw 32 is located in hole 35 corresponding with the 30cm deployment length indicium 38.

[0065] Figure 12 is a view of the bottom plate 24 to show its inner face 102. In Figure 12, the stopper 92 is located in hole 31. Also shown in Figure 12 is a back-up protrusion 104, which will be engaged by the detent protrusion 80 if the stopper 92 is not located in any of the holes 31, 33 or 35, so as to stop rotation of the gear mechanism 40.

[0066] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise, and variations such as comprises and comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0067] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Claims (21)

1. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

   1. An opener limiter, the opener limiter operable with a winder, the winder suitable, when installed, for moving a hinged window with respect to a window frame, the opener limiter including:

   a wind counter; and, a detent mechanism, wherein the detent mechanism and the wind counter cooperate for limiting the winding.
2. 2. An opener limiter according to claim 1, wherein the wind counter is operable to measure the amount a winder is rotated.
3. 3. An opener limiter according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the winder employs one or more gears for driving an actuator, and wherein the wind counter measures an amount a selected gear rotates by measuring rotation of the winder.
4. 4. An opener limiter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wind counter includes a mechanical counter.
5. 5. An opener limiter according to claim 4, wherein the mechanical counter is operable to measure a number of rotations of a selected gear within the winder mechanism.
6. 6. An opener limiter according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the mechanical counter includes a primary gear configured to rotate a secondary gear, wherein, for every integer rotation of the primary gear, the secondary gear rotates a fraction of an integer rotation.
7. 7. An opener limiter according to claim 6, wherein the wind counter is operable to count fractional rotations of the primary gear.
8. 8. An opener limiter according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the detent mechanism includes a stopper for cooperating with a detent protrusion on a shaft, wherein the shaft accommodates a gear of the wind counter.
9. 9. An opener limiter according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the detent mechanism includes an adjustable stopper.

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10. 10. An opener limiter according to claim 9, wherein the adjustable stopper is discretely adjustable.
11. 11. A winder with an opener limiter, the winder suitable, when installed, for moving a hinged window with respect to a window frame, the winder including:

    an actuator for deployment and retraction by the winder;

    a wind counter; and, a detent mechanism for limiting the winding, wherein the detent mechanism and the wind counter cooperate for limiting the deployment of the actuator.
12. 12. An opener limiter according to claim 11, wherein the wind counter is operable to measure the amount a winder is rotated.
13. 13. An opener limiter according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the winder employs one or more gears for driving an actuator, and wherein the wind counter measures an amount a selected gear rotates by measuring rotation of the winder.
14. 14. An opener limiter according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the wind counter includes a mechanical counter.
15. 15. An opener limiter according to claim 14, wherein the mechanical counter is operable to measure a number of rotations of a selected gear within the winder mechanism.
16. 16. An opener limiter according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the mechanical counter includes a primary gear configured to rotate a secondary gear, wherein, for every integer rotation of the primary gear, the secondary gear rotates a fraction of an integer rotation.
17. 17. An opener limiter according to claim 16, wherein the wind counter is operable to count fractional rotations of the primary gear.
18. 18. An opener limiter according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the detent mechanism includes a stopper for cooperating with a detent protrusion on a shaft, wherein the shaft accommodates a gear of the wind counter.

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19. 19. An opener limiter according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the detent mechanism includes an adjustable stopper.
20. 20. An opener limiter according to claim 19, wherein the adjustable stopper is discretely adjustable.
21. 21. A hinged window with a winder including an opener limiter, the winder suitable for moving the hinged window with respect to its window frame, the winder including:

    a base attached to the window frame;

    an actuator attached at one end to the window, the actuator for deployment and retraction by the winder;

    a wind counter; and, a detent mechanism for limiting the winding, wherein the detent mechanism and the wind counter cooperate for limiting the deployment of the actuator, thereby limiting the opening of the hinged window.