WO2007128956A1

WO2007128956A1 - A window opening and closing device

Info

Publication number: WO2007128956A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/001156
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael John Young
Original assignee: Michael John Young
Priority date: 2006-05-02
Filing date: 2007-03-29
Publication date: 2007-11-15

Abstract

The invention relates to a window opener (10) for securely and easily opening and closing windows which comprise a button-operated lock or latch. The window opener (10), which includes a grip (17), for example formed from an extruded aluminium tube or shaft. The grip (17) supports an entrapment means (14) which, is in the form of a tube of substantially circular cross section and in use entraps a handle (16) of a window (shown diagrammatically in Figure 5). In use a user engages entrapment means (14) so as to depress a button operated lock or latch (30) so as to unlock a window handle (25) and allow it to turn and a locator (10) is adapted to prevent lateral dislocation of the actuator (18) from the button during operation.

Description

A Window Opening and Closing Device

Background

The present invention relates to a device for opening and closing a window.

Existing window openers which allow locks, latches or catches to be manipulated, and a window to be opened by a user at a distance from the window, are known. One primitive example is a long cane or pole with a hook at one end.

Devices are also known which allow the user remotely to open a window which contains a latch mechanism. Modern casement windows often comprise a movable frame which is attached to a fixed frame by way of a hinge mechanism. A handle is present to allow the opening and closing of the movable frame. A latph or lock mechanism is often incorporated into the handle.

Prior Art

One existing type of window opener is described in UK Patent Application GB-A-2 256 392 (HOLT). The window opener comprises a shaft with handle means at one end and a collar at the other. The collar is pivotably attached to the shaft and can be passed over a free end of the window handle gripping it by way friction between an inner surface of the collar and the outer surface handle. Such cooperation between the window handle and collar allows the window handle to be rotated and the window to be opened or closed.

A disadvantage is that the aforementioned window opener was ineffective in the event that the window was locked.

Another example of a window opener is disclosed in UK Patent Application GB-A-2 412 346 (BANNISTER). This describes a device comprising a shaft with handle means at one end and both means for gripping the window handle and means for engaging an integrated barrel lock at the other.

A disadvantage with the aforementioned device is that the there was a risk that the means for engaging an integrated barrel slipped from the lock or latch button resulting in damage to the lock or latch, the window frame or even the glass window pane. A second disadvantage is that the bulbous grip makes rotation of the device difficult.

Another example of a window opener is disclosed in UK Patent Application GB-A-2 379 473 (MILES). This describes a device which comprises handle means to which is connected oval shaped means for gripping the window handle as well as two prongs for engaging an integrated barrel lock. A disadvantage with the aforementioned device is that the prong may slip from the lock or latch button resulting in damage to the lock or latch or the window.

Another example of a window opener is disclosed in Canadian Patent Application CA 2485883 (BUTKEVICH). This discloses a device comprising a hollow shaft with a pair of claws arranged at one end and a second shaft mounted within the first with handle means at one end and a single claw at the other. If the outer tube is gripped firmly, rotating the handle will move the single claw relative to the pair of claws. A disadvantage is that the aforementioned window opener was ineffective when the window was locked.

Another example of a window opener is described in German Offenlegungschrift DE- A1-39 39 693 (MONSTADT), which discloses a shaft with a handle means at one end and a lever pivotably attached to the other. A collar is attached to the lever and may engage a window handle. The lever contains an oblique joint face, which facilitates the turning of the handle.

A disadvantage with the aforementioned window opener was that it was not very effective if the window was fitted with a lock or latch which needed to be depressed.

The present invention arose in order to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and seeks to provide means for gripping the handle and operating a locking mechanism securely and easily as well as to provide means to turn the handle and to open and close the window.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for opening and closing a window comprising: a grip supporting an entrapment means which, in use, entraps a handle of a window thereby enabling a user to rotate the handle; an actuator to depress a button operated lock or latch and a locator to prevent lateral dislocation of the actuator from the button during operation.

Preferably the actuator and the locator are spaced from the grip by way of an elongate connector, which may be a solid shaft or handle; or may be hollow in nature or in a yet further embodiment wherein the handle is telescopic or able to have its length altered by a modular extension, for example for opening windows located too high for most people to reach. Alteration of the length of the connector may be achieved with the use of one or more supplementary connectors using a push fit connection.

An advantage with this is that the window opener allows the user to open windows, which would ordinarily be out of reach. This may be because the window handle is too high for the user or there are obstacles in the way. The window opener may also allow the user to open a window in accordance with local health and safety regulations or equivalent by avoiding the need to climb to reach a window or reach over an obstacle, thereby avoiding the need to reach too high or bend. Such an arrangement may be especially beneficial to older people or people who are disabled or with limited mobility.

The entrapment means may include a gripping means, such as a sprung device or other resiliently deformable means arranged to entrap the window handle. Ideally however the entrapment means is in the form of a tube, which may be part truncated or cut away along a plane which is at an angle to the axis of the tube. This has the advantage in that it enables a user to approach the window handle at a variety of angles so that the window handle is received by the entrapment means in an asymmetrical fashion. Another advantage of the cut away on the entrapment means is that the window opener can be used to approach the window from a wide range of angles.

Preferably the locator comprises two prongs one positioned either side of the actuator in which the locator prongs are dimensioned to retain the actuator in place during operation.

An advantage with the pair of locator prongs is that they prevent lateral dislocation of the actuator from the lock or latch button. Previous systems, which did not include the locator, had no means to assist the user in retaining the actuator in place during rotation of the handle. As a result, there was a risk of slippage of the actuator from the lock or latch during use and this may have damaged the window or frame. This was particularly so, given the large forces required to depress the lock or latch button; and the fact that the turning force which must be applied in order to turn the handle could act to dislocate the actuator from the lock or latch button. Such slippage from the lock or latch button may result in damage to the lock or latch or the glass. This in turn may result in injury to the user.

In the preferred embodiment the locator is dimensioned to allow the actuator to actuate the lock or latch button.

This has the advantage that the locator may prevent lateral dislocation of the actuator from the lock or latch button but will not prevent the actuator from fully engaging the lock or latch button.

In the preferred embodiment the actuator comprises a single prong and the locator comprises two prongs which lie in substantially the same plane as the actuεltor.

Ideally the locator may comprise two prongs, one located on each side of the actuator. An advantage of this is that the actuating member is guided into position by the outer members and held in place even when a twisting force is applied to the device. Preferably the separation of the locator prongs is sufficiently large to allow the prongs to be positioned astride the window handle, but not so large that the central member is allowed to move out of position from the lock or latch button.

In the preferred embodiment the elongate connector is a straight connector, which may be extendable. The connector may also be telescopic. This has the advantage of allowing the window to be opened from a greater distance than would otherwise be possible.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the connector and grip are constructed from hollow extruded aluminium and injection moulded synthetic plastics material respectively, thereby making the window opener lighter and cheaper to manufacture than if it comprised a solid connector/grip.

Ideally, in use, the grip presents a substantially T-shaped handle protruding in opposite directions from the connector. This allows the user to apply a twisting movement or turning moment to the device.

An alternative embodiment of the invention includes the supply of the invention in a kit form. An advantage of this is that the grip, actuator and connector may be supplied in a self assembly form, whereby the user fits each piece together prior to use. Individual parts or pieces may be fitted with a catch (sprung ball) mechanism to ensure that parts snap together or they may simply be push fit. A particularly advantageous feature of this is that the window opening and closing device can be packed into a small container or box for storage or transportation.

Brief Description of the Figures

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples only, and with reference to the Figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the window opener in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a front end view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 from above;

Figure 4 is an overall, partial view of the window opener; and

Figures 5 to 7 show in diagrammatic form stages of opening a window using the embodiment of the window opener shown in Figures 1 to 4.

Detailed description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4 the window opener 8 comprises a connector 16 with a grip 17 at one end. The grip 17 comprises a T- shaped member, which protrudes from the connector substantially at right angles to the axis of the connector 16. The grip 17 is typically formed form an injection moulded synthetic plastics material and the connector 16 from extruded aluminium.

A support member 12 is provided at the end of the connector 16 which is remote from the grip 17. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, an entrapment means 14 is formed on or located at one end of the support member 12. At an opposite end of the support member 12 are mounted a locator 10a and 10b and an actuator 18.

In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4 the entrapment means 14 is of generally circular cross section into which a window handle 25, to be rotated, passes. An insert (not shown) may be provided which is shaped to fit into the entrapment means 14, for example of a specific size and cross-section of a particular window handle so as to ensure a good fit between the window handle 25 and entrapment means 14. The insert is typically of a material of high friction characteristics eg rubber to ensure that, in use, a purchase can be made with the window handle 23 and prevents inadvertent sliding of the locator 14 from the handle.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the entrapment means 14 may have a portion cut away at an angle to its axis so as to define a larger aperture for receiving the window handle 25 and facilitate insertion of the handle through the entrapment means 14.

In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the locator 10 is formed integrally with or mounted at, or near, the end of the support member 12, which is remote from the entrapment means 14. As shown in Figure 4 the locator 10 takes the form of two prongs 10a and 10b located either side of an actuator 18. Both locator prongs 10a and 10b are of substantially the same length and are both ideally longer than the actuator prong 18.

In the preferred embodiment actuator 18 is positioned between the prongs 10a and 10b of the locator such that all three prongs lie substantially in the same plane. However, in an alternative embodiment the actuator prong 18 can be arranged to be in a different plane than the locator prongs 10. In this alternative embodiment (not shown) there may be more than two locator prongs or other guides, plates or locators. In a yet further alternative embodiment the locator prongs 10 may be offset one from another and/or of differing lengths. In a still further embodiment the locator prongs 10 may not lie in the same plane as one another.

In use a window 100 is opened by passing the entrapment means 14 over one end 25 of a window handle and then placing the actuator 18 against the lock or latch button 30. Referring generally to Figures 5 to 7, in which like parts bear the same reference numerals, there is shown in diagrammatical form one embodiment of a window opener 8, which includes a grip 17, for example formed from an extruded aluminium tube or shaft, but is preferably formed form a synthetic plastics materials such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) or Nylon. The grip 17, together with connector 16, supports an entrapment means 14 which, is in the form of a tube of substantially circular cross section, and in use entraps the handle 25 of a window (shown diagrammatically in Figure 5).

In use, a user 200 engages entrapment means 14 so as to depress the button operated lock or latch 30 by way of actuator 18 so as to unlock the lock or latch and allow rotation of the handle 25 handle, thereby allowing it to turn and open the window. Locators 10a and 10b prevent lateral dislocation of the actuator 18 from the button 30 during operation. Figures 5 to 7 inclusive, show in diagrammatic form how the window opening and closing device is used in operation.

Referring briefly to Figure 5 entrapment means 14 is hooked or looped over a window handle 25 by swinging the opener 8 in the general direction of arrow A. The locator prongs 10 straddle the handle 25 simultaneously thereby assisting to locate actuator prong 18 above window lock or latch 30.

Application of a generally axial force to the grip 17, by way of a general tilting motion, as shown by arrow B in Figure 6, causes the actuator prong 18 to depress the button operated window lock or latch 30. With the button 30 depressed, a user applies a torque or twisting force, shown by arrow C in Figure 7, to the grip 16, which causes the entrapment means 14 to rotate the window handle, about a pivot defined by the actuator 18. In some windows the twisting force (arrow C) needs to be applied whilst maintaining the button of lock or latch 30 in a depressed state (arrow B).

As the window is opened the locator prongs 10 and the entrapment means act to prevent the actuator prong 18 from inadvertently slipping from the lock or latch button 30.

It will be understood that window 100 is closed and locked in a similar way.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. For example the invention may be made, sold or otherwise available in kit form.

It will also be appreciated that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practised and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limitihg.

The above description is not intended to be limiting in that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, may include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use; and all are deemed readily apparent to one skilled in the art. Likewise all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A window opener comprising: a grip supporting an entrapment means which, in use, entraps a handle of a window thereby enabling a user to rotate the handle; an actuator to depress a button operated lock or latch and a locator to prevent lateral dislocation of the actuator from the button during operation.

2. A window opener according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the entrapment means, the actuator and the locator are spaced from the grip by way of an elongate connector.

3. A window opener according to any preceding claim where the entrapment means comprises a tube.

4. A window opener according to any preceding claim where the entrapment means includes a grip whose profile is similar to the cross section of a window handle.

5. A window opener according to ahy preceding claim wherein the locator comprises two prongs one positioned either side of the actuator.

6. A window opener according to claim 5 where the locator prongs are longer than the actuator.

7. A window opener according to claim 6 where the actuator is a prong.

8. A window opener according to any preceding claim where the actuator and the locator lie in substantially the same plane.

9. A window opener according to any preceding claim where the grip is formed from a synthetic plastics material.

10. A window opener according to any preceding claim where the connector is a straight connector.

11. A window opener according to any preceding claim where the connector is extendable.

12. A window opener according to claim 11 wherein the connector is telescopic.

13. A window opener according to any preceding claim includes a connector, for example formed from an extruded aluminium tube or shaft.

14. A window opener according to any preceding claim which is in a kit and is assembled for use.

5. A window opener according to any preceding claim and substantially as herein described with reference to the Figures.