The present invention relates to limiter assemblies for windows, such as casement windows, which limit the extent to which the window may be opened. The invention relates, in particular, to limiter assemblies comprising flexible cords.

Conventional casement windows generally comprise hinges or pivots located along one edge of a window such that the window can be moved about the hinge or pivot relative to a surrounding frame. This pivoting or rotational movement allows the window to be moved between a closed position and an open position.

The ability to fully open a window can, however, be hazardous and dangerous, particularly if the window is located at a height for example on a second floor of a building. The ability to fully open a window may pose a significant risk, in particular, to children who are inquisitive and may fall out of the open window. There is also the risk that a person other than a child may accidentally fall out of an open window. Accordingly, numerous limiting devices are available which restrict or limit the opening of a window to a certain extent. Many of these devices may, however, be easily operated by children which does not solve the potential problem. Alternatively, the limiting devices may require specific implements, for example a key, which disengages a lock to enable the window to be fully opened. Such limiters may also provide their own dangers since the window opening may provide an emergency access route, for example in the event of a fire. There is, therefore, the temptation to either keep the key in the lock which defeats the object of such a device or the key may be lost which thereby blocks the escape route.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with prior art window limiting devices, whether referred to herein or otherwise. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a limiter assembly for limiting the extent of opening of a closure member, the closure member being movable with respect to a frame between an open position and a closed position, and the limiter assembly comprising:

a housing assembly comprising a first elongate limiting member and a second elongate limiting member, each of the first and second limiting members having an anchor end and a latch end;

a pair of latch assemblies, each latch assembly comprising a latch mechanism for releasably engaging the latch end of one of the first and second limiting members, in use the latch assemblies being secured to the closure member or the frame and the housing assembly being secured to the other of the closure member or the frame,

wherein the extent of opening of the closure member is limited by a length of the limiting members when the latch ends are engaged with the latch mechanisms, each of the latch mechanisms are operable to disengage a respective one of the limiting members to allow the closure member to be fully opened, and the limiting members are retractable into a casing of the housing assembly and are biased towards a retracted position.

Typically the closure member will be a casement window. Furthermore, the limiter assembly is preferably designed such that the housing assembly is arranged, in use, to be mounted to the closure member and the latch assemblies are arranged, in use, to be mounted to the frame.

The limiting members are preferably elongate flexible members, and most preferably the first elongate flexible member comprises a first elongate cord and the second elongate flexible member comprises a second elongate cord. In other embodiments the limiting members may comprise a segmented member such as a chain or a telescopic member. Preferably the anchor end of each of the first and second limiting members is attached to retracting means for retracting the limiting members into the casing. The retracting means preferably comprises a constant force spring. In these embodiments the retracting means will typically be wound around a rotatable hub within the casing of the housing assembly.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the limiting members remain substantially elongate during use of the limiter assembly. That is to say, the limiting members are not coiled or otherwise collapsed within the casing of the housing assembly Accordingly, in preferred embodiments the casing includes elongate channels for receiving the limiting members. The elongate channels are preferably straight and extend parallel to an axis of the casing. The housing assembly preferably comprises an elongate casing and the casing preferably includes a first opening at a first end and a second opening at the second end. In these embodiments the first limiting member preferably extends through the first opening and the second limiting member preferably extends through the second opening.

During operation of the limiter assembly the direction of movement of the limiting members within the casing of the housing assembly is typically different to a direction of movement of the limiting members outside the casing. In particular, a direction in which each of the limiting members extends from the casing of the housing assembly may be substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the limiting member within the casing. In some embodiments, therefore, the housing assembly includes guide wheels, each of the first and second limiting members passing around a respective one of the guide wheels. The guide wheels are arranged so as to change a direction of movement of the limiting members upon retraction of the limiting members into the casing.

Preferably a locking head is attached to the latch end of each of the limiting members, the locking head being configured for engagement with one of the latch assemblies. The locking head preferably comprises a recess for engagement with the latch mechanism to retain the locking head in engagement with the latch assembly. Alternatively or additionally the locking head may comprise a projection for engagement with the latch mechanism to retain the locking head in engagement with the latch assembly.

The locking head preferably protrudes from the casing of the housing assembly when the limiting member is in the retracted position. In preferred embodiments the housing assembly includes a pair of stop surfaces, each stop surface arranged to limit the retraction of one of the limiting members into the casing. A part of the locking head preferably contacts the stop surface when the limiting member is in the retracted position. Preferably each of the latch assemblies comprises a socket for receiving the latch end or the locking head of one of the limiting members.

The latch mechanism of the latch assembly preferably comprises a release member movable between a first, engaged position and a second, disengaged position. Furthermore, the release member preferably comprises a catch configured to engage with the latch end or the locking head of the limiting member when the release member is in the first position. The release member is preferably biased towards the first position. In these embodiments each latch assembly may include a spring arranged to bias the release member towards the first position.

In some embodiments the release member comprises a button and the latch assembly includes a casing having an opening through which the button may be accessed to move the release member from the first position to the second position.

Preferably each latch mechanism requires a single action to disengage the respective latch end of the limiting member from the latch assembly.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a closure assembly comprising:

- a closure member and a frame, the closure member being movable with respect to the frame between an open position and a closed position; and

a limiter assembly for limiting the extent of opening of the closure member, the limiter assembly comprising a housing assembly comprising a first elongate limiting member and a second elongate limiting member, each of the first and second limiting members having an anchor end and a latch end, and a pair of latch assemblies, each latch assembly comprising a latch mechanism for releasably engaging the latch end of one of the first and second limiting members, the latch assemblies being secured to one of the closure member or the frame and the housing assembly being secured to the other of the closure member or the frame, wherein the extent of opening of the closure member is limited by a length of the limiting members when the latch ends are engaged with the latch mechanisms, each of the latch mechanisms are operable to disengage a respective one of the limiting members to allow the closure member to be fully opened, and the limiting members are retractable into a casing of the housing assembly and are biased towards a retracted position.

In preferred embodiments the limiting members are elongate flexible members.

Typically the closure member will be hingedly connected to the frame, and in some embodiments the closure member is a casement window. The closure member may, however, be slidingly connected to the frame.

Preferably the latch assemblies are secured to the frame and the housing assembly is secured to the closure member.

In preferred embodiments the latch assemblies are spaced apart and the housing assembly is located between the latch assemblies when the closure member is in the closed position.

Preferably a locking head is attached to the latch end of each of the limiting members. The locking head is configured for engagement with one of the latch assemblies and each locking head automatically engages with a respective one of the latch assemblies when the closure member is moved into the closed position.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of limiting the extent of opening of a closure member, the closure member being movable with respect to the frame between an open position and a closed position, and the method comprising:

releasably engaging a latch end of a first elongate limiting member with a latch mechanism of a first latch assembly mounted on one of the closure member or the frame, an anchor end of the first limiting member being attached to a housing assembly mounted on the other of the closure member or the frame; and releasably engaging a latch end of a second elongate limiting member with a latch mechanism of a second latch assembly mounted on the same one of the closure member or the frame as the first latch assembly, an anchor end of the second limiting member being attached to the housing assembly,

wherein the extent of opening of the closure member is limited by a length of the limiting members when the latch ends are engaged with the latch mechanisms, each of the latch mechanisms are operable to disengage a respective one of the limiting members to allow the closure member to be fully opened, and the limiting members are retractable into a casing of the housing assembly and are biased towards a retracted position.

The method preferably further comprises moving the latch mechanism of the first latch assembly from an engaged position to a disengaged position using a single action to release the latch end of the first limiting member, and moving the latch mechanism of the second latch assembly from an engaged position to a disengaged position using a single action to release the latch end of the second limiting member. After release, the first and second limiting members automatically retract into a casing of the housing assem

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows part of a casement window with a limiter assembly according to the present invention attached and in an engaged configuration in which the limiter limits the extent to which the window can be opened;

Figure 2 shows the part of the casement window of Figure 1 with the limiter assembly in a disengaged configuration in which the limiter does not restrict the extent to which the window can be opened;

Figure 3 is a view of the window assembly of Figure 1 showing the means by which the limiter assembly is attached to the casement window, the limiter assembly comprising a housing assembly and two latch assemblies;

Figure 4 is a view of the limiter assembly of Figure 3 showing the relative location of the housing assembly and the latch assemblies when the window is in a closed position; Figure 5 is an exploded view of the housing assembly of Figures 3 and 4;

Figure 6 is a view of the housing assembly of Figure 3 and 4 with a cover part removed to show the configuration of two flexible limiting members within a base part of a casing;

Figure 7 is an exploded view of one of the latch assemblies of Figure 3; Figure 8 is a view of part of the housing assembly and one of the latch assemblies of Figure 3, the housing assembly being disengaged from the latch assembly, and the latch assembly being in a first configuration; Figure 9 is a view of part of the housing assembly and one of the latch assemblies of Figure 3, the housing assembly being engaged with the latch assembly; and

Figure 10 is a view of part of the housing assembly and one of the latch assemblies of Figure 3, the housing assembly being disengaged from the latch assembly, and the latch assembly being in a second configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a limiter assembly 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention secured to a casement window 2. The limiter assembly 10 comprises a housing assembly 12 and two latch assemblies 14. The housing assembly 12 is secured to a part of the casement 4 of the casement window 2 and the latch assemblies 14 are secured to a part of a frame 6 surrounding the casement 4.

The casement 4 is hingedly connected to the frame 6 along a first edge of the casement 4. The casement 4 is movable with respect to the frame 8 between a fully open position and a fully closed position. In this example the housing assembly 12 is secured to a second edge of the casement 4 opposite the first edge and the latch assemblies 14 are secured to a member or part of the frame 6 adjacent the second edge of the casement 4. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the housing assembly 12 may be secured to a different part of the casement 4 and the latch assemblies 14 may be secured to a different part of the frame 6; however, the latch assemblies 14 should be secured to a part of the frame 6 adjacent the part of the casement 4 to which the housing assembly 12 is secured. In yet further embodiments the housing assembly 12 may be secured to the frame 6 and the latch assemblies 14 may be secured to the casement 4.

The housing assembly 12 comprises a casing 16 housing a first elongate limiting member or tether 18 and a second elongate limiting member or tether 20. In this embodiment the limiting members 18, 20 are elongate, flexible members 18, 20. Each of the first and second flexible members 18, 20 has an anchor end 22 and a latch end 24. Each of the latch assemblies 14 comprises a latch mechanism including a release member 26. In use, the latch end 24 of each of the flexible members 18, 20 engages with the latch mechanism of a respective one of the latch assemblies 14. When a user opens the window 2, the housing assembly 12 is moved in a direction away from the latch assemblies 14, and the first and second flexible members 18, 20 are withdrawn from the casing 16 of the housing assembly 12 to an extended position, shown in Figure 1 . A length of each of the flexible members 18, 20, therefore, limits the extent to which the window 2 may be opened, to a partially open position. To permit the window 2 to be opened further, the latch ends 24 of both of the flexible members 18, 20 must be disengaged from the latch assemblies 14. To disengage the latch ends 24, the release member 26 is moved from a first position to a second position. Once the latch ends 24 have been released, the flexible members 18, 20 are configured to automatically retract into the casing 16 of the housing assembly 12 to a retracted position. With the flexible members 18, 20 disengaged from the latch assemblies 14, the window 2 can then be fully opened if desired.

Because the limiter assembly 10 includes two latch assemblies 14, each having a separate release member 24, two independent actions are required to disengage the two flexible members 18, 20. This means that it is more difficult for the latch mechanism to be accidentally released, and less likely that a child will be able to operate the latch assemblies 14 to release the flexible members 18, 20. Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, in this embodiment the casing 16 of the housing assembly 12 is elongate and a longitudinal axis 28 of the housing assembly 12 extends in a direction between first and second ends 30, 32 of the casing 16. The casing 16 further comprises opposite rear and front faces 34, 36 and opposite first and second side edges 38, 40. End edges 42, 44 of the casing 16, at the first and second ends 30, 32, are at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis 28 such that the first side edge 38 is shorter than the second side edge 40 and each of the rear and front faces 34, 36 has a substantially trapezoidal shape.

Each of the latch assemblies 14 comprises a casing 46 having opposite front and rear faces 48, 50, opposite first and second side edges 52, 54, and first and second end edges 56, 58. The second end edge 58 is substantially perpendicular to each of the first and second side edges 52, 54. The first end edge 56 is angled with respect to the first and second side edges 52, 54 such that the first side edge 52 is shorter than the second side edge 54.

The housing assembly 12 is secured to the casement 4 by a mounting bracket 60. The mounting bracket 60 has an L-shaped cross-section and includes a planar attachment plate 62 and a planar mounting plate 64 that extend substantially perpendicularly from each other. The attachment plate 62 includes apertures 66 for receiving fasteners 68 such as screws 68. The fasteners 68 secure the mounting bracket 60 to a part of the casement 4. Tubular mounting posts 70 extend from a surface of the mounting plate 64. An internal surface of each of the posts 70 is preferably threaded.

To secure the housing assembly 12 to the mounting bracket 60, each of the tubular posts 70 is located through a respective hole 72 in the casing 16 such that the rear face 34 of the casing 16 is in contact with the mounting plate 64 and the second side edge 40 is in contact with or adjacent the attachment plate 62. Mechanical fasteners 74 such as screws 74 extend through the casing 16 from the front face 36 and are engaged with the tubular posts 70. Typically the screws 74 will be engaged with the screw thread of the tubular post 70.

The use of such a mounting bracket 60 allows the fastening of the bracket 60 to the casement 4 to be perpendicular to the fastening of the housing assembly 12 to the bracket 60. In particular, this allows the housing assembly 12 to be secured to the casement 4 such that the housing assembly 12 extends from the casement 4 with the second side edge 40 nearest the casement 4 and the first side edge 38 furthest from the casement 4.

Each of the latch assemblies 14 is secured to the frame 6 of the window 2 using suitable mechanical fasteners 76, such as screws 76. A spacer plate 78 is positioned between the latch assembly 14 and a surface of the window frame 6 to align the latch assembly 14 with the housing assembly 12 when the window 2 is closed. The latch assemblies 14 are secured to the window frame 6 spaced apart along a member of the frame 6.

With the latch assemblies 14 secured to the window frame 6 and the housing assembly 12 secured to the casement 4, when the window 2 is closed the housing assembly 12 locates between the spaced apart latch assemblies 14, as shown in Figure 4. In particular, the first side edges 52 of the latch assemblies 14 are substantially aligned with the second side edge 40 of the housing assembly 12, and the second side edges 54 of the latch assemblies 14 are substantially aligned with the first side edge 38 of the housing assembly 12. Furthermore, the front face 36 of the casing 16 of the housing assembly 12 lies in substantially the same plane as the front faces 48 of the casings 46 of the latch assemblies 14.

Importantly, the first end edge 42 of the housing assembly 12 locates opposite the first end edge 56 of a first one of the latch assemblies 14 and the second end edge 44 of the housing assembly 12 locates opposite the first end edge 56 of a second one of the latch assemblies 14. The angled end edges 42, 44, 56 means that, in this closed configuration, the first end edge 42 of the housing assembly 12 extends substantially parallel to the first end edge 56 of the first latch assembly 14 and the second end edge 44 of the housing assembly 12 extends substantially parallel to the first end edge 56 of the second latch assembly 14. In this embodiment, there is a gap 80 between each of the first and second end edges 42, 44 of the housing assembly 12 and the first end edge 56 of a respective one of the latch assemblies 14.

Referring now to Figure 5, the casing 16 of the housing assembly 12 comprises a base part 82 and a cover part 84. Both of the base part 82 and the cover part 84 include side walls 86 that together define the side edges 38, 40 and end edges 42, 44 of the casing 16 when the cover part 84 is connected to the base part 82. The side walls 86 are continuous along each of the respective side edges 38, 40. A gap is defined in the side walls 86 at each of the end edges 42, 44. The gaps create a first opening 88 in the casing 16 at the first end edge 42 and a second opening 90 in the casing 16 at the second end edge 44. The base part 82 of the casing 16 also includes guide walls 92 spaced apart from the side walls 86. The guide walls 92 define elongate channels 94 in the casing 16 for receiving the flexible members 18, 20. In this embodiment each of the flexible members 18, 20 is an elongate flexible cord 18, 20. It will be appreciated, however, that in other embodiments the flexible members may be in the form of a flexible strip, a cable or a chain. A locking head 96 is disposed at the latch end 24 of each of the cords 18, 20. The locking head 96 includes a pair of retaining projections 98 configured to engage with the latch mechanism of one of the latching assemblies 14. In this embodiment the locking head 96 includes a tapered front end portion 100 including a pair of ramp surfaces 102, and a pair of recesses 104 behind the front end portion 100. The projections 98 are, therefore, formed by the transition between the front end portion 100 and the recesses 104.

The anchor end 22 of each cord 18, 20 is connected to retracting means 106. The retracting means 106 are configured to bias the cord 18, 20 towards the retracted position. In this embodiment the retracting means 106 comprises a spiral spring 106, which is preferably a constant force spring. The spiral spring 106 is wound around a rotatable hub 108 connected to the casing 16.

As shown most clearly in Figure 6, a first rotatable hub 108a is located proximate the second end 32 of the casing 16 and a second rotatable hub 108b is located proximate the first end 30 of the casing 16. A first spiral spring 106a is connected to the anchor end 22 of a first cord 18 and a first locking head 96 is disposed at the latch end 24 of the first cord 18. The first spiral spring 106a locates around the first rotatable hub 108a and the cord 18 extends along the length of the casing 16 such that the locking head 96 extends through the first opening 88 at the first end 30 of the casing 16. Similarly, a second spiral spring 106b is connected to the anchor end 22 of a second cord 20 and a second locking head 96 is disposed at the latch end 24 of the second cord 20. The second spiral spring 106b locates around the second rotatable hub 108b and the cord 20 extends along the length of the casing 16 such that the locking head 96 extends through the second opening 90 at the second end 32 of the casing 16.

Accordingly, with the cords 18, 20 in the retracted position, shown in Figure 6, both the first and second cords 18, 20 extend, for a majority of their length, parallel to the longitudinal axis 28 of the housing assembly 12. Furthermore, the first and second cords 18, 20 extend, for a significant portion of their length through adjacent channels 94 in the casing 16 defined by the guide walls 92. At least one guide wheel or guide post 1 10 is disposed proximate each of the openings 88, 90 and each of the first and second cords 18, 20 passes around a respective one of the guide wheels 1 10. The guide wheels 1 10 act to change the direction of movement of the cord 18, 20 during extension and retraction of the cord 18, 20. The guide wheels 1 10 are located with respect to the openings 88, 90 such that the cord 18, 20 may be withdrawn from and extend from the casing 16 in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 28 of the housing assembly 12.

The housing assembly 12 includes a pair of stop surfaces or seats 1 12; each stop surface 1 12 limiting the retraction of the respective flexible member 18, 20 into the casing 16 of the housing assembly 12. In this embodiment each of the stop surfaces 1 12 is provided in part by a section of the casing 16 around the respective opening 88, 90 and in part by a part of the guide wheel 1 10. Contact between a rear portion of the locking head 96 and the stop surface 1 12 prevents the locking head 96 being drawn fully into the casing 16 by the force of the retracting means 106. Accordingly, when the cord 18, 20 is in the fully retracted position, at least a part of the locking head 96 protrudes from the opening 88, 90 at the end 30, 32 of the casing 16. In particular, the retaining projections 98 of the locking head 96 are disposed outside of the casing 16 ready for engagement with the latch assembly 14. Referring now to Figures 7 to 10, the casing 46 of each of the latch assemblies 14 comprises a base part 1 14 and a cover part 1 16. Both of the base part 1 14 and the cover part 1 16 include side walls 1 18 that together define the side edges 52, 54 and end edges 56, 58 of the casing 46 when the cover part 1 16 is connected to the base part 1 14. A first gap is defined in the side walls 1 18 at the first end edge 56 and a second gap is defined in the side walls 1 18 along the first side edge 52. The first gap creates a first opening or socket 120 in the casing 46 at the first end edge 56 for receiving, in use, the locking head 96 of the flexible cord 18, 20 and the second gap creates a second opening 122 in the casing 46 in the first side edge 52 for receiving a part of the release member 26.

The release member 26 comprises a carriage part 124, a catch 126 and a button 128. The release member 26 is disposed in the casing 46 and positioned such that the button 128 locates in the second opening 122 in the casing 46. The carriage part 124 is mounted for sliding movement within the casing 46 between a first position and a second position. In the first position the carriage part 124 is disposed nearer the first end edge 56 of the casing 46 and in the second position the carriage part 124 is disposed nearer the second end edge 58 of the casing 46.

A length of the button 128 is less than a length of the second opening 122. When the carriage part 124 is in the first position the button 128 is positioned at a first end 130 of the opening 122 and when the carriage part 124 is in the second position the button 128 is positioned at a second end 132 of the opening 122. The release member 26 may, therefore, be moved between the first and second positions by a user moving or sliding the button 128 between the first and second ends 130, 132 of the opening 122. The catch 126 is disposed at a first end 125 of the carriage part 124 and comprises a substantially triangular projection including a ramp face 134 and a lock face 136. In the first position the catch 126 extends partially across the first opening 120 of the latch assembly 14. In the second position the catch 126 is withdrawn from the opening 120.

The release member 26 is biased towards the first position. In this embodiment biasing means 138 in the form of a compression spring 138 is disposed between a second end 140 of the carriage part 124 and the side wall 1 18 of the casing 46 at the second end. The biasing means 138 urges the carriage part 124 into the first position.

Operation of the limiter assembly 10 will now be described with particular reference to Figures 8 to 10. When the window is in a closed position, the limiter assembly 10 is in its engaged configuration and each locking head 96 is engaged in the socket 120 of a respective one of the latch assemblies 14. The release member 26 is in the first position and the catch 126 is located in the recess 104 of the locking head 96 to retain the locking head 96 in the latch assembly 14.

When a user opens the window, the locking head 96 remains engaged, with the lock face 136 of the catch 126 in contact with a part of the retaining projection 98 of the locking head 96. Movement of the casement 4 in a direction away from the frame 6 causes the flexible cords 18, 20 to be withdrawn from the housing assembly 12, as shown in Figure 9. The length of the flexible cords 18, 20, therefore, limits the extent of opening of the window 2. If a user wishes to open the window 2 further, beyond the length of the flexible cords 18, 20, the limiter assembly 10 must be disengaged. In particular, the button 128 of each of the two latch assemblies 14 must be moved from the first position to the second position against the biasing force of the spring 138. This causes the catch 126 to be withdrawn from the recess 104 of the locking head 96 and allows the locking head 96 to disengage from the socket 120 of the latch assembly 14, as shown in Figure 10.

The retracting means 106 automatically retracts the flexible cord 18, 20 into the housing assembly 12 until the locking head 96 is seated in the opening 88, 90 at the end 30, 32 of the casing 16. The tension and retraction force provided by the constant force spring 106 is sufficient to cause the flexible cord 18, 20 to be retracted when the locking head 96 is disengaged. However, the tension and retraction force is not great enough to cause the window 2 to close if left in a partially open position with the locking head 96 engaged in the latch assembly 14.

Once the locking head 96 has been disengaged from the latch assembly 14, the spring 138 applies a force to the carriage part 124 to automatically return the release member 26 to the first position. In this way, both the flexible cords 18, 20 and the latch mechanisms are automatically reset to an initial configuration when the locking heads 96 are disengaged from the latch assemblies 14.

Upon closing the window 2, a ramp surface 102 of the locking head 96 contacts the ramp face 134 of the catch 126 of the release member 26, as shown in Figure 8. As the window 2 is closed further and the housing assembly 12 is moved closer to the latch assembly 14, the ramp surface 102 applies sufficient force to the ramp face 134 to move the release member 26 to the second position against the force of the spring 138. The release member 26 is moved sufficiently to permit the retaining projection 98 to pass the catch 126. The biasing force of the spring 138 then urges the carriage part 124 back into the first position such that the catch 126 locates in the recess 104 in the locking head 96 and the retaining projections 98 are located behind the catch 126 within the socket 120. The locking head 96, therefore, automatically engages with the latch assembly 14 when the window 2 is closed.

When a user next opens the window 2, the extent of opening of the window 2 will again be limited by the flexible cords 18, 20, as the limiter assembly 10 is automatically reset to the engaged configuration.

It will be appreciated that the limiter assembly 10 of the present invention may be secured to other closure members, such as doors, lids, awnings, skylights or hatches, to limit the extent of opening of the closure member. Furthermore, the use of the limiter assembly 10 is not restricted to closure members that are hingedly connected to a frame, but may also be used to limit opening of a sliding closure member. In this regard, the limiter assembly may be secured to a sash window or a sliding door.

Although in the above embodiment the limiting members or tethers have been in the form of elongate flexible members, such as cords, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the tethers may be in the form of telescopic or collapsible members comprising two or more segments movable with respect to each other. Retraction of the limiting members into the casing of the housing assembly may take the form of collapsing the telescopic or otherwise segmented member such that the member attains a shorter length.

The limiter assembly of the present invention overcomes at least one problem associated with prior art window limiting devices, whether referred to herein or otherwise.