Window, escape hatch or a door comprising a chain support mechanism

Abstract

A chain support mechanism for use with an openable frame component and a method of using such a chain support is provided, where a chain actuator is provided in a housing, the chain actuator including a push-pull chain which chain can bend in one direction only, the housing mounted with its longitudinal extent along one frame component with the chain attached to the openable frame component where the chain actuator may be manipulated to extend or withdraw the chain from the housing, thereby moving the openable frame component, and where the chain support mechanism includes a first arm pivotably fastened to the housing and a second arm pivotably fastened to the openable frame component, where the distal end of the first arm and the distal end of the second arm are pivotably connected by a sliding member, against which sliding member the chain may slide.

Claims

1. A window, escape hatch or a door which each comprises a frame and an openable frame pivotably connected by a hinge, where a chain support mechanism for use with the openable frame is provided and where a chain actuator is provided in a housing, the chain actuator comprising a push-pull chain where the chain can bend in one direction only, the housing is mounted with its longitudinal extent along one frame component of the frame with the chain attached to the openable frame where the chain actuator may be manipulated to extend or withdraw the chain from the housing, thereby moving the openable frame, wherein the chain support mechanism comprises a first arm pivotably fastened to the housing and a second arm pivotably fastened to the openable frame, where the distal end of the first arm and the distal end of the second arm are pivotably connected by a sliding member, against which the chain may slide.

2. The window, escape hatch or a door according to claim 1, wherein the sliding member comprises a first roller arranged on a non-bendable side of the chain.

3. The window, escape hatch or a door according to claim 2, wherein a second roller is provided either on the first arm or the second arm, the second roller is arranged at a distance from the first roller towards the pivoting fastening points of either the first arm or the second arm, such that the chain may slide between the first and second rollers.

4. The window, escape hatch or a door according to claim 1, wherein a third arm is provided, the third arm having a first end and a second end, where the first end is provided with a third roller in the form of a chain guide member arranged to be able to slide or roll along the first arm, and where the second end is pivotably connected to a movable chain guide member arranged in the opening in the housing wherefrom the chain extends, the chain guide member is in constant contact with a non-bending side of the chain during the extension or retraction of the chain from the housing.

5. The window, escape hatch or a door according to claim 1, wherein a chain guide member is provided, the chain guide member being biased against a non-bending side of the chain, such that as a direction of the chain relative to the housing changes due to the pivoting movement of the openable frame, the chain guide member will remain in biased contact with the chain.

6. The window, escape hatch or a door according to claim 1, wherein the chain is constructed by having two parallel sides separated by a gap, where each side consists of overlapping plate links, mutually connected by pins, the pins also connects the mutually overlapping plate links on the other side of the chain, and where the sliding member comprises a first roller, the first roller has a guide part which in use extends into the gap between the two parallel sides of the push-pull chain.

7. The window, escape hatch or a door according to claim 1, wherein the chain is constructed by having two parallel sides separated by a gap, where each side consists of overlapping plate links, mutually connected by pins, the pins also connect the mutually overlapping plate links on the other side of the chain, where the sliding member is a bushing surrounding the chain, where the bushing is shaped to have a section slidably engaging the gap between adjacent sides of the chain.

8. The window, escape hatch or a door according to claim 1, wherein the first arm and the openable frame are arranged within an angle of +/10 degrees relative to being parallel and where the second arm and the longitudinal extent of the housing are arranged within an angle of +/10 degrees relative to being parallel.

9. The window, escape hatch or a door according to claim 1, wherein the chain support mechanism may be retrofitted to already installed openable sash and frame constructions.

10. The window, escape hatch or a door according to claim 1, wherein the openable frame is pivotably one-sided hinged off-set from the chain such that the chain in use leaves the housing at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal extent of the housing.

11. The window, escape hatch or a door according to claim 1, wherein when an opening angle between the openable frame and the longitudinal extent of the housing is close to or exceeds 90 degrees, the sliding member urges the chain out of a linear configuration by bending the chain in the chain's bending direction at a point of contact of the sliding member with the chain.

12. A method of opening a window, escape hatch or a door where a hinge pivotably connects an openable frame to a fixed frame according to claim 1 comprising: installing the chain support mechanism between the openable frame and the fixed frame; extending the chain from the housing when a push-pull chain actuator is activated; rotating the openable frame away from the fixed frame; and urging the chain with the sliding member out of a straight line between an exit aperture in the housing for the chain and the attachment point of the chain to the openable frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

(1) Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with references to the following Figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates the principle of the chain support mechanism, mounted in an openable frame construction;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a detail of the guiding member interacting with the chain;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a detail of the guiding member interacting with the chain; and

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a situation where an opening angle is approx. 120 degrees.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) The chain support mechanism 10 is arranged between a frame member 12 and an openable frame component 14. In this embodiment the chain actuator mechanism 16 is integrated in the stationary frame 12 which acts as the chain actuator's housing. The chain actuator mechanism 16 may also be provided with its own housing being fastened to the frame, as a separate componentnot illustrated. In FIG. 1 the housing 18 is integrated in the frame.

(7) The mechanism in this embodiment comprises a first arm 20 pivotably fastened to the stationary frame 12/housing 18. A second arm 22 is pivotably fastened to the openable frame component 14. The distal ends 20, 22 are fastened adjacent the push-pull chain 24. The lengths of the arms 20, 22 and the relative fastening points of the arms on the respective frame parts is determined/selected in order for the arms and frame components to form almost a parallelogram. Tests during development has indicated that a substantially flawless operation of the mechanism 10 may be achieved when the arms and frame components are arranged substantially as a parallelogram.

(8) However, other relationships between arms and frame components will also work. The mechanism 10 functions in the following manner: as the openable frame member 14 is being pivoted around a hinge 26 the chain 24 extends from the housing 18, pushing the movement of the frame component 14. At the same time due to the pivotable fastening 28 of the second arm 22 to the frame component 14, the second arm is pulled relative to the housing 18. As the second arm 22 is connected to the first arm 20 in their respective distal ends 20,22, the first arm will also be movedpivoted around the fastening point 30. Due to the relative lengths between the first and second arms 20, 22 and the sliding engagement with the chain 24 of their distal ends united in a sliding member 32, the sliding member will slide along the chain 24 and support the chain somewhere between the housing 18 and the chain's fastening point 34 on the openable frame component 14. As the openable frame component 14 is pivoted further away due to being pushed by the chain 24, the sliding member 32 will likewise be slid further along the chain.

(9) At the same time a third arm 36, see FIG. 4, which is pivotably fastened in a pivot point 38 to the first arm 20, will also move. The third arm 36 being pivotably connected to a chain guide member will cause the chain guide member 40 to be rotated, such that a section 42 of the guide member remains in contact with the chain 24, urging the chain in the non-bendable direction. The section 42 extends a short distance out of the housing 18 and thereby supports the chain as the chain 24 exits the housing 18.

(10) In FIG. 2 is illustrated an example (cross-section) of a sliding member 32. In this embodiment the sliding member is a short bushing 40, surrounding the chain 24. The chain 24 is conventionally constructed by two parallel rows 42, 42 of overlapping link plates, which are interconnected by pins or axles 44. Between the two parallel rows of chain link plates 42, 42 is defined a gap 46. The bushing 40 is designed to have one or two sections 48, 48 bend, fitting inside the gap 46. In this manner the bushing 40 is slidingly held by the chain.

(11) Alternatively, when the sliding member is in the shape of rollers, see FIG. 3, the rollers 52, 52, may have a section 54 with enlarged diameter fitting inside the gap 46. In this manner the rollers 52, 52 may slidingly guide the chain 24.

(12) Turning to FIG. 4 an open position is illustrated where the opening angle is approx. 120 degrees. In this embodiment the mechanism is provided with a third arm 36 as already discussed above. As may be seen, the arms 20, 22 have in this position lifted the chain 24 out of a straight line, by forcing the chain to bend at the sliding member's 32 position. Hereby is achieved that the chain 24 is effectively divided in two sections 24, 24. As these sections 24, 24 are shorter than the overall extended chain length and they are held by the guiding member 32 in a position where the bendable direction of the chain 24 is fixed, the risk of collapse is greatly minimized. The illustrated situation with the wide opening may occur in a number of circumstances, and embodiments of the invention by its construction presents a safer opening mechanism than what can be achieved with traditional push-pull actuators.

(13) A further advantage of lifting the chain out of a straight line between the exit from the housing and the attachment point to the openable frame member, is the fact that less force is needed in order to close the openable frame member again.

(14) FIG. 4 also illustrates a situation where the openable frame is opened approx. 120 degrees with respect to the surface (not illustrated but parallel to the longitudinal extent of the housing) into which the frame and openable frame is arranged. If the chain had not been lifted out of the straight line, a substantial force will be needed in order to close the openable frame component. This is due to the relative angles between the pulling direction and the chain's angle of attack. The resulting force component perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the openable frame component needed for pulling the openable frame component, making it pivot around the hinge is very small. However, by lifting the chain out of a straight line between the chain's exit aperture in the housing and the attachment point to the openable frame, the force component perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the openable frame component increases drastically. This in turn provides the advantage that a smaller motor may be used.

(15) The above situation becomes even worse if the openable frame is opened close to 180 degrees (the openable frame component being substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the housing). In this position it will be impossibleregardless of the force of the motor to pivot the openable frame component, as there is no force component perpendicular to the openable frame component. By lifting the chain as discussed above, there will be created a force component, and the openable frame component may be closed again.

(16) Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

(17) For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of a or an throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and comprising does not exclude other steps or elements. The mention of a unit or a module does not preclude the use of more than one unit or module.