US2755519A - Mechanism for locking windows in partially open positions - Google Patents

Description

July 24, 1956 w. R. XANDER MECHANISM FOR LOCKING WINDOWS, IN PARTIALLY OPEN POSITIONS Filed May 4, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. MImer/iXander HTTOB Y W. R. X-AN DER July 24, 1956 MECHANISM FOR LOCKING WINDOWS, IN PARTIALLY OPEN POSITIONS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 4. 1953 I N V EN TOR. h ZZmer/E/Yander ky/KM ATTOIQA/EY ME'CHANlSM FOR LOCKING WINDOWS IN PARTIALLY OPEN PGSITIONS Wilmer Raymond Xander, Denver, Colo.

Application May 4, 1953, Serial No. 352,859

3 Claims. (Cl. 20-52) This invention relates to window latching means, and especially to positive lock mechanism for rendering a sash type window safe and burglar-proof.

More particularly, the present invention is concerned with mechanism, so located that .it cannot be reached from outdoors, for locking a sliding window in partially open position. In any season, it is usually desirable at night to raise a window for ventilation. In the summer season it is desirable to leave one or more windows partially open while the occupants are away from the house during the day. My invention permits a window to be locked in open position in such fashion that a burglar cannot gain entrance without breaking the glass. Also, it prevents small children from escaping through or falling from the window structure.

It is the primary object of the present invention to devise a window locking mechanism of the above character that is simple but sturdy and effective in design, and that is relatively inexpensive to construct and install.

Another major object resides in the provision of such a locking mechanism, embodying easily operable means for putting the mechanism completely out of locking condition.

It is a further important object to provide, in a double hung sash structure, an interlocking mechanism that positively limits each sash to a preselected maximum opening. Also, in this connection, to so design the mechanism that if the closed sash is pulled open it will close and lock the open sash and then lock itself in a corresponding partially open position; thus affording an indication that burglarization has been attempted. Still further, a pair of complemental sashes can be mounted in a casing with a rack bar secured to one of them so that it normally abuts a stationary section of the casing to prevent forcing of a sash.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention should become clear from a study of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a front elevational view of any conventional dual-sash window with my invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 represents a section taken on the plane of line 22, Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section along the vertical line 3-3, Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlargement, with additional sectioning, of the unlocking device seen near the bottom of Figure 3;

Figure 5 represents an enlarged fragmentary section of the push-button mechanism (locked) taken along line 5-5, Figure 1; and

Figure 6 corresponds to Figure 5, except that the mechanism is unlocked.

To avoid confusion, it should be stated that when the push-button device is locked the window holding ratchet mechanism is unlocked; and vice versa.

With continued reference to the drawings, wherein only atent .a single preferred form of invention is shown for .convenience of understanding, the'numeral 8 designates in general a complete window casing, of any construction but designed to receive a pair of sash frames 9, 10, in conventional manner. Each frame can slide up and down, when permitted. The entire assembly might be redesigned, of course, to operate horizontally instead of vertically.

Securely fastened to a side element, as by screws 12 (and preferably to both sides) of the upper sash frame there is a rack bar 13. This bar preferably extends from top to bottom for a purpose presently seen. The bar may be fitted into the sash to be flush therewith, as shown; and it carries a series of integral rack teeth 14, the whole facing inwardly to the room of the house. The number of teeth may vary, of course, but it is desirable that they (occupy nornore than 440 inches in total length, to limit .the extent of window opening when the window is locked in a selected position. Otherwise, the upper sash is conventional.

The lower sash also is of standard design except for its upper cross member, 15. The latter has an elongated cavity 16 cut into or shaped therein, from the top downwardly, to receive a mechanism now to be described. After application of the latter, the cavity is closed by a thin plate 17 A pair of light levers 18, in the form of flat rods, are pivotally secured to the sash member 15 by pins 19; and have their inner ends overlap at the center of member 15 so that they can be actuated simultaneously. The outer end of each lever is slotted at 20 to receive an offset end 22 of a link 23 that extends perpendicularly through the outer wall of sash member 15 into threaded connection with a short, vertical, toothed element 24. The latter, for lack of a better definition, may be called a pawl. Its teeth are complemental to those of the rack bar 13, and it is actuated into and out of engagement with the bar 13 by oscillation of the levers 18, centrally controlled as follows:

At its center, the sash member 15 carries a push-button 25, capable of sliding within a cylindrical sleeve 26. The latter is held against axial movement by a special washer 27, but can be oscillated by a pair of integral wings 28, for the purpose of so setting the mechanism that the window sashes can be raised and lowered to full extent. In other selected settings within the length of the ratchet, the sashes are positively locked to a predetermined degree of opening.

The button 25 is urged towards the operator by a coil spring 30, which seats between the button and a recess 32 in the outer section of sash member 15. The button, which really is a plunger, carries a rigidly inset and laterally offset stem 33, which rides in a longitudinal slot in the sleeve 26. By pressing the button inwardly, the sash may be moved to any desired position of window opening-for example, 6-8 inches to prevent burglars entrance, or accidental fall of infant. When the button is released to permit spring action each sash is positively locked to the other sash; and one, through abutment of bar 13 with the top of the window casing, affords an impregnable barrier to a forced opening. Should the intruder try to open the closed sash, he can do so only to the length of the opening of the other sash, which then will become closed. No one can get in.

Next, as a convenience to the family or occupant, the entire locking mechanism can be unlocked. By pushing the button 25 to full extent so as to place the stem 33 slightly outwardly of the slot 34, the sleeve 26 can be oscillated through manipulation of the elements 28 to cause the stem to ride onto the end surface of the cylinder and thus hold the locking mechanism disengaged,

thus permitting the windows to be used as without any attached mechanism.

But, when the shift is made to locking action, the window is fool-proof. By permitting the device to go into positive action (Figs. 3-5) the window sashes are impregnable, except by shattering of the glass.

It is believed that the foregoing running description of the invention is adequate without a summary of operation. Also, it is submitted that the appended claims, properly considered with reasonably liberal interpretation, define the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a window construction comprising a pair of ve rtically slidable sashes that when closed within a casing form a complete window structure, and that in such position have their conterminous cross members substantially in surface contact: a mechanism comprising a toothed vertical rack bar secured to the upper sash; a toothed pawl secured to the lower sash at the level of its top cross member, and having teeth complemental to those of the rack bar; said teeth being so designed that the lower sash can always be slid downwardly but that disengagement must be effected to permit its upward movement; and means mounted on said top cross member at its inner side to effect said disengagement, said upper sash having a vertical groove, and said rack bar being mounted within said groove, flush with the inside surface of said sash.

2. In combination, a pair of window sashes slidable relative to each other with parts of each substantially in contact with parts of the other, one of said sashes having a side member provided with a longitudinal groove, a rack bar fitted into said groove and secured to said member with the plane of the forward edges of its teeth substantially flush with the plane of a contiguous inner side surface of the other sash, said other sash having a cross member provided with a recess that is opposite said bar when the window is closed, and a pawl device mounted in said recess and complemental to said rack bar.

3. In the combination defined in claim 2, said cross member having a cavity behind said pawl, mechanism in said cavity for retracting the pawl, and means for closing said recess and said cavity.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 418,323 Shatsick Dec. 31, 1889 768,177 Hettinger Aug. 23, 1904 946,305 Abbott Ian. 11, 1910 1,169,113 Barringer Jan. 25, 1916 FOREIGN PATENTS 25,989 Great Britain Nov. 26, 1902

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