AU642755B2

AU642755B2 - A window opening device

Info

Publication number: AU642755B2
Application number: AU81304/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ronald Percival Davis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-07-24
Filing date: 1991-07-24
Publication date: 1993-10-28
Anticipated expiration: 2011-07-24
Also published as: GB2247279B; GB2247279A; GB9115769D0; AU8130491A; NZ234642A

Description

Our Ref: 402232 P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 642755

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Ronald Percival Davis 77 Breaker Bay Road

SEATOUN

NEW ZEALAND ARTHUR S. CAVE CO.

Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 A window opening device The following statement is a full descriptioii of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 5020 I The invention comprises an opening/closing device particularly for a window, including a mechanism for tensioning a flexible coil arm during extension and retraction.

Various forms of stays and catches for opening and closing windows are known. Devices having a winding mechanism for winding in and out a flexible chain connected to the window are known. A handle is turned to operate the device to wind out the chain and open the window, and to wind the chain in to close the window. In the case of low level windows, for example in a high rise building, the device may be positioned on the window sill.

In the case of vent, fan-light, or like windows which are normally out of reach, mechanisms which enable the device to be operated remotely for opening and closing the window consisting of systems of shafts, worms and gears are known. In many cases such mechanisms are ganged together and arranged to open/close a number of adjacent vent type windows simultaneously.

In either case, existing devices can be relatively o large and obtrusive. Also, devices fo use in opening out of reach vent type windows in a warehouse or factory situation are S not aesthetically appropriate for homes or offices. Another disadvantage with many known forms of such window opening o mechanisms is that often moving parts of the mechanisms are o exposed to the environment si that over the years they can collect dirt and become stiff in operation and worn Ck. ot ;iJr) i I- I ~i I 2 The present invention provides an improved or at least alternative form of opening/closing device particularly for a window.

In broad terms the invention may be said to comprise an opening/closing device for a window comprising a body adapted to be mounted to the window sill or adjacent some other part of the window frame, a flexible coil arm extending from within the body to be connected to the window sash, and a flexible coil arm extension/retraction mechanism within a hollow interior of the body for coiling the flexible coil arm within the hollow interior of the body as the window is closed and uncoiling the flexible coil arm from within the hollow interior of the body to extend the flexible coil arm as the window as opened, said extension/retraction mechanism comprising a tensioning wire extending within a hollow interior of the flexible coil arm for maintaining securely closed against tensile force the part of the flexible coil arm extended beyond the body and comprising means to maintain tension on the wire as the flexible coil arm is extended and retracted, 0000 0 oOO"

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o 0 00 0 oa o 0. C 0l 0 a 0 0 00 0 00 0 o 0O r 04 uO;r Y J In a preferred arrangement the flexible arm is coiled about a rotatably mounted central pillar within the body and within a similarly rotatably mounted hollow drum which contains the unextended part of the flexible arm coiled about the pillar.

In one form means for operating the device to open and close a window comprises a worm or equivalent gear engaging the sidewall of the drum so that as the worm is rotated one way or the other i -3by a user through a small winding handle where the device is used on a window which will normally be within reach, for example, or chain drive system or the like, the drum and central pillar will be driven to wind in or wind out the flexible arm; the worm may alternatively be driven by way of a chain passing over a wheel connected to the worm gear for operating the device from below.

For r/amote operation, typically of a number of opening/closing devices of the invention for opening and closing a multiple series of windows simultaneously, a rack may engage a gear fixed to the drum/central pillar and a number of the devices may be coupled together by the rack or a cable, and to a remote operating handle or motor.

The invention also comprises a flexible coil arm extension/ retraction mechanism comprising a flexible coil arm, a tensioning wire extending within a hollow interior of the flexible coil arm for maintaining closed against tensile force an extended part of the flexible coil arm, a rotatably mounted drum and central pillar for coiling about the pillar and within the drum the unextended part of the flexible coil arm and means for maintaining tension on the wire as the flexible coil arm is extended and retracted.

00 0 Preferably said means for mair Srotation with the pillar and to the expc Send of the f lexible arm is zittache extending from within the pillar and fi itaining tension comprises Spillar and fixed against )sed end of which the near d, and a sec-ond member xed against rotation wvith 4 the pillar and to the exposed end of which the near end of the tensioning wire is attached, and means for causing said first and second members to move relative to one another as the flexible arm is coiled or uncoiled from about the pillar to maintain tension on the wire relative to the flexible coil arm.

Preferably the first and second members extending from within the pillar and attaching to the ends of the tensioning wire and the flexible arm extend from within the pillar and through angled slots in the pillar so arranged as to cause the first and second members to move relative to one another to maintain tension on the flexible arm as the pillar is rotated.

The opening/closing device and flexible arm extension/retraction mechanism of the invention have application beyond window opening/closing devices only, and may be employed in any area where a flexible arm is used to control or stay the movement of a door, hatch or any other moving component. While the device aiid flexible arm extension/retraction mechanism will be described herein with reference to its application to the opening and closing of windows, they are to be understood as not S limited thereto and their application in other areas will be apparent.

Three preferred forms of window opening/closing device of the invention are illustrated, by way of example, in the o accompanying drawings, wherein: S accompanying drawings, wherein: 5 Fig. 1 is a view of one preferred form window opening/closing device of the invention which is operated by a small winding handle, Fig. 2 is a view of the device of Fig. 1 also showing its internal components, Fig. 2A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a S part of the flexible arm of the preferred form device, Fig. 3 is a view of a second preferred form window opening/closing device of the invention adapted to be remotely operated by a chain instead of a winding handle, Fig. 4 shows the pillar, drum, and driving worm internal components of the device of Fig. 3 removed therefrom, Fig. 5 is a view of the device of Fig. 3 also showing its internal components, o, i Fig. 6 shows the drum component of the device of Figs 1 and 2, 0 Fig. 7 shows the pillar component and tensioning arm components of both preferred forms of the device, tensioning member components separate from the pillar, r f9° -6- 6 Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the outer end of the flexible arm and fittings thereon, and Fig. 10 is a view of a third preferred form window opening/closing device of the invention adapted to be operated by a remote winding handle and which would typically be ganged to a number of similar devices for simultaneously opening a series of windows.

Referring to Fig. 1, the first preferred form device has a body 1 and a winding arm 2 with a small handle 3. The flexible arm 4 extends from within a hollow int;-rior of the body and is in use attached to a window sash through a fitting 5. The body 1 is intended to be secured to the window frame at mounting points 6 including holes through the body by which the device may for example be screwed into position on a horizontal surface of the window frame.

The flexible arm 4 comprises a long coil like a closed coil spring, formed of stainless steel or a similar material.

,o When the window is closed the flexible coil arm 4 is almost fully contained within the interior of the body in a small coil as will be described. In Fig. 1 the device is shown nearly closed so S that only a small part of the flexible arm 4 extends from the body i. To open the window the winding arm 2 is rotated, as 0, indicated by arrow A. Through an internal mechanism as will be o* described, winding of the handle in one direction will cause the S flexible arm 4 to be unwound from within the interior of the body L 7 1 to open the window (the extended portion of the arm 4 between the body 1 and window sash is straight). Similarly, winding of the handle in the opposite direction to close the window will cause the flexible arm 4 to be retracted back into the interior of the body 1 where it is recoiled, to close the window.

The 'wire' forming the flexible coil arm is preferably of inwardly facing triangular form in cross-section as shown in Fig. 2A which shows a part of the flexible coil arm 4 in longitudinal cross-section. This enables the flexible arm 4 to be coiled up without the individual coils forming the arm binding together.

The mechanism within the interior of the body 1 of the device for winding in and winding out the flexible arm 4 under the control of the winding arm 2 is shown in Fig. 2 and also in Figs 6 to 8. The flexible arm 4 extending between the window frame and sash has strong compressive strength, against a force endeavouring to close the window when it is open, and to provide the flexible arm with increased tensile strength against a force o 0 S endeavouring to open the window when it is closed or less than o fully open i.e. extend, the spring, a tensioning wire (not shown 0 in the drawings except in Fig. 9) extends within the interior of 1, the flexible arm from one end to the other. At the far end of the flexible arm 4 the internal wire is fixed, for example, to 04' the fitting 5. At its near end within the body 1 it is connected to the winding mechanism within the casing. It is necessary to 04e4 0 maintain a tension on the wire within the flexible arm 4 at any .fl.o 0

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-cl I. C 1 8 position from the fully opened position to the fully closed position of the device. As the device is operated to move towards the closed position, as the bulk of the flexible arm is coiled into the interior of the body i it is necessary to take up some 'slack' in the tensioning wire extending with the flexible arm which would otherwise occur. As the device is operated to uncoil and extend the flexible arm to its open position it is also necessary to maintain tension on the tensioning wire with the flexible arm gradually as the arm is extended.

For fixed adjustment of the tension on the tensioning wire within the interior of the flexible arm relative to the flexible arm the outer terminating end of the wire may be provided with a threaded adjustment mechanism as shown in Fig.

9. In this figure the tensioning wire is indicated at 30 and the outer end of the flexible arm t 4a. The end of the tensioning wire is fixed to an eye 31 or like fitting (see also Figs 1 and 2) having a threaded shank. The eye screws into a collar 32 Ssuitably shaped as shown (shown in cross-section in Fig. 9) which fits into the outer end of the flexible arm. As will be appreciated the tension on the wire 30 may be adjusted by screwing the collar 32 in or out relative to the threaded eye.

The exterior of the collar may be shaped to fit an adjusting S spanner or other tool.

o a o00 00 0 Referring to Fig. 2 and Figs 6 to 8, within the interior of the casing 1 are mounted a drum 7 comprising side interior of the casing 1 are mounted a drum 7 comprising side 9 walls 7a and a base 7b, and a cylindrical pillar 8 (see Figs 2 and Within the cylindrical pillar 8 are contained the components shown in Fig. 8. The pillar 8 is fixed within the interior of the drum 7 about a common axis of rotation, as shown in Fig. 4. Within the pillar 8 are mounted a spring 9 and a central shaft 10. Arms 11 and 12 extend from the central shaft about which they are mounted for rotation at their inner ends.

To the outer ends 1la and 12a of the arms 11 and 12 are connected the inner end of the flexible arm 4 and the inner end of the tensioning wire extending within the flexible arm 4, respectively. The direction of the flexible an and tensioning wire are indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 7. Referring to Fig.

7, the arm 11 to which is attched the end of the flexible arm 4 extends through a vertical slot 13 formed in the side wall of the pillar 8 as shown. T-e end 12a of the arm 12 to which is attached the end of the internal tensioning wire of the flexible arm extends through a slot 14 similar to the slot 13, but which extends at an angle thereto a, shown.

In operation of the device the drum 7 and pillar 8 000" rotate as indicated by arrow B, whilst the central shaft 10 and spring 9 within the pillar 8 are fixed relative to the casing 1 of the device. The drum and pillar are caused to rotate by a worm 15 (see Fig. 2) which is rotated by a user through the winding handle 2 to operate the device. The worm 15 is contained o within a housing 16 forming part of the casing 1 so that into spiral tooth of the worm will engage the apertures 16 around the o sidewall 7a of the drum 7 as shown. The components are shown I0 assembled in Fig. 2, although the coils of the flexible arm 4 within the interior of the casing 1 are not shown, to avoid confusion in the illustration.

In Figs 2, 7 and 8 the parts of the mechanism are shown as they will be when the device is in its fully closed position.

The coils of the flexible arm 4 which are not shown within the device will be wound about the exterior of the pillar 8 from the bottom, to connect to the arm end lla at the top. As the winding handle 2 is rotated in one direction to unwind the coils about the pillar 8 and extend the flexible arm 4, and open a window, the drum 7 will be caused by the worm 15 in turn to rotate. As the drum 7 and pillar 8 rotate, the coils of the flexible arm 4 are unwound from the pillar 7 and extend through the body 1 from the device. As coils are unwound from the bottom, the rotation of the pillar 8 relative to the spring 9, which is fixed to the body and does not rotate, causes the arms 11 and 12 to rotate with the pillar 7. As the arms 11 and 12 rotat: they also move downwardly between the coils of the spring 9 in the direction of arrows C. The arm 11 to which is attached the end of the flexible coil 4 moves vertically downwardly whilst the arm 12 to which is attached the end of the internal tensioning wire moves at an angle along the slot 14 so that, in effect, the relative positions of the flexible arm 4 and its internal tensioning wire are adjusted to always maintain a tensioning force on t' e wire S to maintain the flexible coil 4 closed. The other end llb of the ,rm 11 which extends through a similar slot in the pillar 8 on 2 the other side pushes against the coils around the pillar as the I L- I ri 11 arm 11 moves, to maintain the unwound coils in the correct position. When the winding arm 2 is wound in the opposite direction to close the window, the drum 7 and pillar 8 will rotAte in the opposite direction as will the arms 11 and 12, which will as they rotate also move upwardly within their respective slots 13 and 14, so that as the flexible arm 4 is wound in about the pillar 8 from bottom to top, the end of the arm 12a will move away relatively from the end of the arm 13 to take up slack in the internal tensioning wire, and again maintain a tension thereon whatever the position of the device.

The operation of the second preferred form of the device shown in Figs 3 to 5 is the same as that of the first form of the device of Figs 1 and 2 described, except that the device is remotely operated from below by a chain 20 instead of the winding arm 2. Referring to Fig. 5, the chain 20 drives a wheel 21 connected to one end of a similar worm 28, which in turn causes the equivalent drum 7 and pillar 8 to rotate as in the device of Figs 1 and 2. The internal components of the second form of device are identical except that the worm 22 is positioned on the other side of the body 1 and the body 1 itself is slightly differently shaped as shown, as it is intended to be mounted to a vertical face of the frame of a window instead of a horizontal face ior which the first preferred form device is intended. The slots 23 in the periphery of the drum are slightly differently angled, to engage the tooth on the worm 22. Pulling one side of the chain 20 will cause the mechanism to open whilst pulling on tha other will cause it to close.

Uoo 00Cr *o CO

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CC. 0 *0 C Or C 900 00 o a o 0 o C CCCiQ o 00 12 The operation of the third pref erred f orm of the device shown in Fig. 10 is again the same as that of the first form of the device of Figs 1 and 2 described, .xcept that the device is adapted to be operated by a remote winding handle and typically to be ganged to a numnber of similar devices for simultaneously opening a series of windows. Typically in a f actory or warehouse a number of high up or fan light windows would have one of the opening/closing devices of the invention as shown in Fig. provided one to each window. Instead of the worm arrangement of the form of the device of Figs 1 and 2, or the wheel and chain arrangement of the device of Figs 3 and 5, a gear 30 is fixedly connected to the base of the drum 7/pillar 8. The gear through suitable aperture in the base of the body of the device. A rack 31 extei,ds past the device and is directly or indirectly connected to a remote operating handle (not shown in the drawings), positioned at a lower level where the winding handle may easily be accessed by a user. The rack 31 is suitably conne-:ted to the winding handle such that as the handle is operate(! the rack is moved longitudinally relati-ve to the device to cause thie drum to rotate through the gear 30. The rack may 00 suitably be slidably mounted in an enclosing conduit (not shown 00 in the drawings) A long rack may extend along a window ledge oo to simultaneously operate a number of devices or alternatively an individual short rack may be provided in a transfer box 00 adjacent each device and the short racks between each device 0 connected to each other by a cable which may also connect to the 00winding handle. The internal components of the third form of

M

13 device are otherwise identical except that the body 1 may be slightly differently shaped.

It can be seen that the invention provides a window opening/closing device which is compact and unobtrusive compared to many existing forms of window winding devices. The body casing (and many of the internal components of the device) may be formed of plastic so that the body may be available in a variety of colours so that a purch.ser may select the colour which will co-ordinate with the decor of their room. One device may be provided individually to each window or alternatively a number of the devices may be ganged together by a system of connecting shafts or other suitable mechanisms so that by operation of a single chain or winding handle a number of windows may be opened and/or closed simultaneously. A7nother advantage of the device of the invention is that where a flyscreen covers the window aperture, it enables the window sash to be opened from inside without removing the flyscreen.

The foregoing describes the invention including preferred forms thereof. Alterations and modifications as will be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated within the scope hereof as defined in the following claims.

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Claims

2. An opening/closing device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a hollow drum and central pillar rotatably mounted within the hollow interior of the body for coiling about the o 00 pillar and within the drum the part of the flexible coil arm within the body. aoo o0
3. An opening/closing device as claimed in claim 2 wherein Ssaid means for maintaining tension comprises a first member oC extending from within the pillar and fixed against rotation C o0 ,00 within the pillar and to the exposed end of which the near end ooo '00 of the flexible coil arm is attaced, and a second member o~0 f the flexible coil arm is attaciied, and a second member extending from within the pillar fixed against rotation within the pillar and to the exposed end of which the near end of the tensioning wire is attached, and means for causing said first and second members to move relative to one another as the flexible coil arm is coiled or uncoiled from about the pillar to maintain tension on t.he wire relative to the flexible coil arm.
4. A window opening/closing device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first and second members extending from within the pillar and attaching to the ends of the tensioning wire and the flexible coil arm extend from within the pillar through angled slots in the pillar so arranged as to cause the first and second meLLbers to move relative to one another to maintain tension on the flexible uoil arm as the pillar is rotated. An opening/closing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising a worm gear engaging the drum and connected to means enabling rotation of the worm gear by a user to open or close the window. aooo o o 0o0o 6. An opening/closing device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the means enabling rotation of the worm gear comprises a handle ooo o0 0 connectable to the worm gear. o 0 S 7. An opening/closing device as claimed in claim 5 wherein oao o° 0 the means enabling rotation of the worm gear comprises a wheel o S connected to the worm gear and a chain passing about the wheel F i ;t r.cLlarr-s-- 16 whereby by pulling on the chain the device may be operated from below.
8. An opening/closing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 comprising a gear connected to the pillar and drum and a rack longitudinally movable relative to the gear by remote operating means.
9. A flexible coil arm extension/retraction mechanism comprising a flexible coil arm, a tensioning wire extending within a hollow interior of the flexible coil arm for maintaining closed against tensile force an extended part of the flexible coil arm, a rotatably mounted drum and central pillar for coiling about the pillar and within the drum the unextended part of the flexible coil arm and means for maintaining tension on the wire as the flexible coil arm is extended and retracted. A flexible coil arm extrusion/retraction mechanism as claimed in claim 9 wherein said means for maintaining tension comprises a first member extending from an axis within the pillar j and fixed against rotation within the pillar and to the exposed I end of which the near end of the flexible coil arm is attached, and a second member extending from within the pillar and fixed against rotation within the pillar and to the exposed end of which the near end of the tensioning wire is attached, and means for causing said first and second members to move relative to one another as the flexible coil arm is coiled or uncoiled from about 0 i~Nr Oy 17 the pillar to maintain tension on the wire relative to the flexible coil arm.
11. A flexible coil arm extrusion/retraction mechanism as claimed in claim 10 wherein the first and second members extending from within the pillar and attaching to the ends of the tensioning wire and the flexible coil arm are caused to extend from within the pillar through angled slots in the pillar so arranged as to cause the first and second members to move relative to one another to maintain tension on the flexible coil arm as the pillar is rotated.
12. An opening/closing device for a window, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 9th day of August 1993. RONALD PERCIVAL DAVIS 'By His Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE o4 M I I I Ii ~I I I, S I. ABSTRACT The invention is an opening/closing device comprising a body adapted to be mounted to the window sill or adjacent some other part of the window frame, a flexible coil arm (4) extending from within the body to be connected to the window sash, and a winding mechanism (7,8,9,10,11,12,15,22) within a hollow interior of the body for coiling the flexible coil arm within the body as the window is closed and uncoiling the flexible coil arm from within the hollow interior of the body to extend the flexible coil arm as the window is opened. 0515k/SC