GB2159600A

GB2159600A - A chain for a winder mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2159600A
Application number: GB8513653A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian James Luke
Original assignee: CRAFTBILT DEV
Current assignee: CRAFTBILT DEV
Priority date: 1984-05-30
Filing date: 1985-05-30
Publication date: 1985-12-04
Also published as: GB2159600B; AU578472B2; GB8513653D0; AU4305585A; NZ208320A

Abstract

A chain for a winder mechanism particularly for use as a window winder is formed from a plurality of interconnected chain links (16). Each chain link (16) has a pair of side portions (17) connected along part of their length by an interconnecting web (19). The web (19) provides at each end thereof a transverse edge (20). Each of the side portions (17) have aligned apertures at their ends to enable a plurality of links (16) to be connected together to form a chain. The links (16) are provided of a zig- zag shape so that adjoining links (16) can have the respective ends of their side portions (17) overlapping respectively externally and internally so that the resultant chain is directed in a straight line. Moreover, when in a straight line adjacent transverse edges (20) abut one another so as to maintain the chain in a straight line against forces in one direction but still enabling the chain to flex in the opposite direction. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A chain for a winder mechanism The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to chains.

More particularly but not exclusively the present invention relates to a chain which is particularly suited for use in a window winder.

Such window winders incorporate a chain which is connected at its outer end with a window and which is able, as it is fed out of or retracted into the winder, to open and close the window and also support the window.

To achieve this the chain needs to be both flexible so as to enable it to be wound into and from the winder and also to be rigid so as to enable it to support the window and also to transmit the opening and closing forces to the window.

Various solutions to the problem of providing a chain having both rigidity and flexibility have been proposed in the past. These have generally required the chain links to have one end which is narrower than the other end so that the narrower end of one link can fit into the wider end of an adjacent link and when the links are aligned in a straight line adjacent two portions of respective links will abut with one another so as to keep the chain rigid.

The manufacture of such relatively complex chain links of course increases the cost of the chain. This is of course also the case where in other previous proposals two entirely different types of chain links were required in the chain.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an improved chain which is able to be both flexible and rigid and which overcomes or at least obviates the disadvantages of previous proposals for such chains.

As mentioned previously the chain of the present invention is particularly suited for use in a window winder or other winder mechanisms.

Various proposals have been put forward for such winders. All of these proposals have been generally similar in requiring a housing in which the chain is accommodated, a chain outlet through which the chain can be fed and a sprocket connected with a winder to achieve the feeding out and retraction of the chain.

A disadvantage of previous proposals has been the relative bulk of the chain housing due to the way in which a full chain loop is accommodated within the housing.

It is thus an object of another embodiment of the invention to provide a window winder which can accommodate a chain within its housing in such a way that the housing can be less bulky than previous window winder housings so that the window winder can be of a more streamlined and attractive appearance.

Further objects of this invention according to all its various embodiments will become apparent from the following description.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a chain link having a pair of side portions and an interconnecting web portion extending between the side portions and providing a transverse edge at each end of the web extending between the side portions adjacent to but spaced apart from the respective ends of the side portions, each of the side portions being twisted about the longitudinal axis thereof whereby a plurality of the links can be interconnected together with the ends of the side portions of one link respectively internally and externally overlapping the ends of the side portions of an adjacent link and respective adjacent transverse edges being capable of abuttment.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a flexible chain which is able to be rigid when extending in a substantially straight direction, said chain be-ing formed from a plurality of links as above defined.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a window winder including a flexible chain which can be rigid when extending in a substantially straight direction, a housing to accommodate said chain, means for feeding the chain into and from the housing, said means including a groove and a chain end locating means, said chain end having a groove following means adapted to slide within the groove and to stop against said chain end locating means so that the following length of the chain as it is fed into the housing moves past the groove with the groove following means retaining the chain end within the groove.

Further aspects of this invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description given by way of example of possible embodiments of the invention and in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein; FIGURE 1: shows diagramatically a plan view from one side of a window winder according to one embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2: shows an end view of the window winder of Figure 1; FIGURE 3: shows a part exploded plan view from the other side of the window winder of Figure 1; FIGURE 4: shows a plan view, very diagramatically, of a length of chain according to another embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 5: shows a plan view of a chain link according to another embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 6: shows a side view of the chain link of Figure 5; FIGURE 7: shows a view along arrows A-A of Figure 6.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a window winder according to one possible embodiment thereof.

The window winder referenced generally by arrow 1 has a substantially hollow body 2 with apertures 3 to accommodate bolts or the like to engage with and retain a closure plate 4. The body 2 forms a housing 5 for a chain 6. The chain 6 extends around a sprocket 7 rotatably mounted on boss 8 within the housing 5. The sprocket 7 can be rotated by operation of a handle 9. This has a shaft 10 extending into a hollow bush 11. An "O" ring 1 2 provides a snug fit of the shaft 10 within the bush 11. The end of the shaft 10 suitably has a groove therein which can engage with a pin or bar extending across the bottom end of the bush 11.

Thus, as the handle 9 is rotated the shaft 10 correspondingly rotates as does the bar engaged by the shaft 10. A suitable gear or other mechanism may then be used to translate the rotation of the bar or pin into a corresponding rotation of the sprocket 7.

However, when it is wished to ensure, perhaps for safety or security purposes, that the window remains closed or open only to a preset extent, the shaft 10 can be withdrawn from the bush 11 and the handle 9 removed completely from the window winder 1. A pin may if required be provided to extend through the shaft 10 and the body 2 to normally hold the handle 9 in position.

In Figure 1 the outer end of the chain 6 is shown provided with a plate 13, suitably apertured, for securement with the window.

The other end of the chain 6 is shown in Figure 3 adjacent a groove 14 provided about a boss 1 5 at the opposite end of the housing 2 from the sprocket 7.

In window winders of this type to the present time as the chain is fed into the window winder housing it forms a complete loop extending from one end of the housing to the other. This means that the window winder housing must be fairly large so as to accommodate this full loop. The groove 14 shown in Figure 3, however, preferably arcuate, receives and traps a groove following means such as a stud, roller or the like, 22 located at the end of the chain 6 so that as more chain is fed in it moves behind the end of the chain which effectively acts as a pivot point for the rest of the chain. By stopping the chain end from travelling right around the housing to form a full loop a reduction in the size of the sides required for the housing 5 can be achieved. The chain 6 instead loops itself about the boss 1 5 as it pivots about the chain end.The stud or other groove follower in the end of the chain also serves to stop the chain at the other end of the groove when the chain is at its maximum extension. The length and disposition of the groove thus controls the movement of the chain 6 into and out of the housing 2. Only the inner end portion of the groove 14 is shown in Figure 3, the remaining outer end portion being obscured by the chain 6.

Turning now to Figures 4 to 7 of the accompanying drawings a chain link 1 6 has a pair of side portions 1 7 with a substantially central bend 1 8 so that the side portions or plates 1 7 form a zig-zag shape.

The side portions 1 7 are joined along part of their length by an interconnecting web 1 9 which provides at each end thereof a transverse edge 20. The outer ends of the side portions 1 7 are shown provided with apertures 21 through which pins or rivets can pass to interconnect adjoining links 1 6 to form a chain. As is seen particularly in Figure 4, by providing the side portion 1 7 of a zigzag shape, adjoining links 1 6 can have the respective ends of their side portions 1 7 overlapping respectively externally and internally so that although the links 1 6 are of a zig-zag shape the overall length of the chain 6, is a straight line.It will also be appreciated that the chain links 1 6 can flex in one direction but when in a substantially straight line are unable to flex in an opposite direction due to the abuttment of the transverse edges 20 of adjacent links 1 6. Thus, the chain 6 is flexible but rigid when in a substantially straight line and in achieving this each of the links 1 6 are of the same design. In particular the links are not required to have any reduction in width between the chain link ends as in previous designs.

Also, and importantly, as the chain links of the present invention are symmetrical about their longitudinal and transverse axes, when a chain is being assembled it makes no difference which end of the chaink link is connected first thus making assembly much simpler.

Where in the aforegoing description reference has been made to specific components or integers having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A chain link having a pair of side portions and an interconnecting web portion extending between the side portions and providing a transverse edge at each end of the web extending between the side portions adjacent to but spaced apart from the respective ends of the side portions, each of the side portions being twisted about the longitudinal axis thereof whereby a plurality of the links can be interconnected together with the ends of the side portions of one link respectively internally and externally overlapping the ends of the side portions of an adjacent link and respective adjacent transverse edges being capable of abuttment.

2. A chain link as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said side portions is of a substantially equal length and said intercon necting web extends only partially along the respective lengths of said side portions.

3. A chain link as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said twisting of said side portion results in each side portion being of a substantially zig-zag shape.

4. A chain link as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the spacing apart of said transverse edges from the respective ends of the side portions is such that said plurality of said links can extend in a substantially straight direction with said adjacent transverse edges abutting so as to maintain said plurality of links substantially rigid.

5. A chain link as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein each of said respective ends of said side portions has an aperture therein to accommodate means to interconnect said link with an adjoining link.

6. A chain link substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 4 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

7. A flexible chain which is able to be substantially rigid when extending in a substantially straight direction and including a plurality of chain links as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

8. A window winder including a flexible chain as claimed in claim 7.

9. A window winder including a flexible chain which can be rigid when extending in a substantially straight direction, a housing to accommodate said chain, means for feeding the chain into and from the housing, said means including a groove and a chain end locating means, said chain end having a groove following means adapted to slide within the groove and to stop against said chain end locating means so that the following length of the chain as it is fed into the housing moves past the groove with the groove following means retaining the chain end within the groove.

10. A window winder as claimed in claim 9 wherein said means for feeding the chain into and from the housing comprises a chain engaging sprocket at an opposite end of said housing to an end of said housing including said groove and chain end locating means.

11. A window winder as claimed in claim 10 wherein said sprocket is provided on and rotatable with a boss.

1 2. A window winder as claimed in claim 11 wherein said boss is releasably engageable with to be rotated by a projecting portion of an external handle means.

1 3. A window winder as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 1 2 wherein said groove following means of said chain end comprises a pin or roller engageable within said groove, said chain end locating means comprising an inner end of said groove.

14. A window winder as claimed in claim 1 3 wherein said groove extends about a boss member in a substantially arcuate arc, an opposite end of said groove providing a rear chain end locating means against which said groove following means will abut in defining the end travel of said chain from said housing.

1 5. A window winder substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.