US3622190A - Blocking device for locking horizontally sliding doors and windows - Google Patents

Abstract

Blocking device for locking sliding doors, windows, and other closures, wherein a removable blocking element having a locking pin therewith is adapted to be mounted with the locking pin in an opening in the lower portion of a frame for a horizontally sliding door or window so that the element blocks the movement of the door or window in the closed position but is completely removable when it is desired to open the door or window, and wherein the removable element and locking pin therewith may be stored inconspicuously on the main closure frame, whereby no obstruction to passage through the open door or window is provided by the blocking device and storage of the blocking device for ready availability for subsequent use is accomplished.

Description

Unite tates Patent [72] Inven or J h L- MOhlm 2,792,246 /1957 Sisson .I 292/l0l 6215 F n R p 2 3 t n, 3,055,064 9/1962 Riegelman 49/451 P81977036 3,103,713 9/1963 Ahlgren.... 49/413 PP 46,103 3,428,349 2/1969 Shelton. 292/288 [22] Filed June 15, 1970 3,490,802 l/l970 Zeit 292/145 Patented Nov. 23, 1971 Primary ExammerGeorge F. Mautz Assistant Examiner-Edward J. McCarthy 4 BLQCKING DEVICE FOR LOCKING Attorney-Pravel, Wilson & Matthews HORIZONTALLY SLIDING DOORS AND WINDOWS 9 i 9 Drawing Figs ABSTRACT: Blockmg devlce for lockmg shclmg doors, wmdows, and other closures, wherein a removable blocklng ele- [52] US. Cl 292/288, ent having a locking pin therewith is adapted to be mounted /4 2 2/DiG- 46 with the locking pin in an opening in the lower portion of a [5 1] Int. CL ..E05c 19/18, frame for a horizontally sliding door or window so that the ele- 505d 13/06 ment blocks the movement of the door or window in the [50] Field of Search 292/288, l d o ition but is completely removable when it is desired 1 339, 175, to open the door or window, and wherein the removable ele- 9/449, 450; 52/207 ment and locking pin therewith may be stored inconspicuously on the main closure frame, whereb no obstruction to assa e [56] Referem Cited through the open door or window provided by the bl ockir 1g UNITED STATES PATENTS device and storage of the blocking device for ready availability 979,251 12/1910 Berry 49/449 x for subsequent use is accomplishedl fig 1 1 /0-- l k\ 1 2AA? 9 3 /7 l f khf BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of this invention is blocking apparatus for locking sliding doors and/or windows.

Doors, windows and other closures which have a fixed panel and a horizontally sliding panel have been in use for a number of years. Since the locks which are normally provided with such sliding closures are susceptible to opening by prying and other manipulations from the outside. various efforts have been made to block the sliding panel in such closures, examples of which are shown in US. Pat. Nos. 3,328,920 and 3,378,293. Additionally, rods or bars of approximately the length of the fixed panel have often been inserted in the track for the sliding panel to block its movement. The locking bar of U.S. Pat. No. 3,328,920 is essentially just such a rod or bar which is pivotally mounted on the closure frame. Both of such types of bars or rods suffer from the disadvantage of being unsightly. The loose bar or rod is especially a problem since it must be stored in a closet to get it out of sight, in which case it is usually far from the door. lost or broken when needed again. The pivoted bar of U.S. Pat. No. 3,328,920 is also relatively expensive.

The blocking element of US. Pat. No. 3,378,293 is fixed to the floor so that it cannot be removed when the sliding panel is opened, thereby causing an obstruction to passage. It is also subject to a torque force if an attempt is made to move the sliding panel when the blocking element is in the blocking position. Furthermore, the blocking element of said patent is limited to use on sliding panels which slide on the inside of the fixed panel, and since many sliding panels slide on the outside of the fixed panels, the blocking element of said patent is of limited value.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a blocking device for locking a sliding door, window or other closure, wherein a fixed panel and a horizontally sliding panel are mounted in a main closure frame. The blocking device is suitable for blocking either an inside sliding panel or an outside sliding panel from the inside; it is easily removable and is small and light in weight so that it can be easily handled; and it is readily and conveniently stored on the closure frame itself in an inconspicuous location whn not in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is an isometric view illustrating a conventional sliding closure, with one form of the apparatus of this invention in locking position;

FIG. 2 is a view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 to illustrate further details of the blocking device of this invention in position for locking the sliding door or closure;

FIG. 2A is a view taken on line 2A2A ofFlG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, ofa portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2, taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3 to further illustrate on form of the blocking device of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating a modified form ofthe blocking device ofthis invention in use with a sliding door or closure which is disposed on" the outside of the fixed panel;

FIG. 6 is a partial view of the form of the invention illustratcd in FIG. 5, taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view, further illustrating the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6; and

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the blocking device in the form ofthe invention shown in FIGS. 5-7.

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawings, the letter A designates generally a conventional sliding door or closure, which includes a closure frame F which is nonnally made of aluminum and to which is fixed or secured a fixed panel FF, and which has mounted therewith a sliding panel SP (FIGS. 1 and 2). The letter B designates generally the blocking device of this invention (FIGS. 1-4) which is utilized when the sliding panel SP is disposed on the inside of the fixed panel FP. In this connection, it is to be noted that FIG. 1 portrays the sliding closure A from the inside of a room. As will be explained more in detail, the blocking device B is adapted to be disposed in the lower portion of the closure frame F for abutting engagement with one vertical edge of the sliding panel SP (FIG. 2) to prevent sliding movement of the panel SP until the blocking device B is removed from the closure frame F.

Although the particular construction of the sliding closure A forms no part of the present invention, a brief reference to the illustrated parts of the sliding closure A is made for the purposes of providing a sufficient reference to explain the use and cooperation of the blocking device B with the sliding closure A. Thus, the fixed panel FP includes a rectangular frame 10 which may be fonned of aluminum or other metal and which is constructed so as to ing panel SP has a rectangular frame 12 which is also of metal such as aluminum and it also has therewith a pane 14 of glass or other similar material. The lower portion of the frame 12 preferably has mounted thereon a plurality of rollers 15 (FIG. 2A) which are preferably rolled on a track ridge 16 formed in the lower part of the closure frame F.

The frame F preferably has its inner edge raised as indicated at 17 so that a recess 18 is formed between the ridge l7 and the track ridge 16 which is utilized for receiving the blocking device B, as will be more fully explained.

The blocking device B illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 includes a blocking element or bar 20 which is adapted to be disposed in the recess 18 in the lower portion of the frame F. The blocking element or bar 20 is of a length which is less than the width of the fixed panel FP, and it preferably is of a length of approximately 2 inches, although it should be understood that such length is given by way of example only to illustrate the relatively small length ofthe blocking element or bar 20.

The blocking element 20 is preferably a solid metal bar formed of aluminum or other similar metal and is preferably square in cross section and it is of a width small enough to be received within the recess 18 in the lower portion of the closure frame F. The blocking element 20 has a vertical opening 200 formed therein, through which extends a locking pin 25 which has a lower locking portion 25a extending below the lower surface 20b of the blocking element 20 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The locking pin 25 also extends upwardly so as to have an upper grasping portion 25b which extends above the upper surface 20c of the blocking element 20. In the preferred fonn of the invention, threads or other undulations are formed on the lower portion 25a of the locking pin 25.

The lower portion 250 of the locking pin 25 is adapted to extend through a hole 26 formed in the lower portion of the closure frame F with a drill or other suitable tool. The hole 26 is located from the vertical edge 12a of the frame 12 a sufficient distance so that an electric drill may be readily positioned adjacent the vertical edge 12a in the drilling of the hole 26. The location of the hole 26 also locates the distance of the locking pin 25 from the vertical edge 12a of the sliding panel SP. Preferably, the distance of the hole 26 from the vertical edge 12a of the sliding panel SP is W4 to 1% inches, although it will be understood that such distance may be varied within the limits explained heretofore. For example, the hole 26 could be positioned further from the vertical edge 12a, but this would merely serve to increase the length of the blocking element or bar 20 so that would be an unnecessary modification. The hole 26 could be moved in more closely to the vertireceive a glass pane II. The slid-- ca] edge 12a, providing a special tool is developed, but for normal installation using conventional equipment such as a conventional drill for the drilling of the hole 26, the dimensions given above as examples are important.

The locking pin 25 is secured to the blocking bar by any suitable means such as a retaining pin 28 which extends through an opening 250 in the pin and also through an opening 20d in the bar 20. The threads or undulations on the lower portion 25a of the locking pin 25 do not thread into the opening 26, but they will engage the sides or wall of the hole 26 in the event an efiort is made to remove the pin 25 at an angle other than vertically. Thus, such threads or undulations on the portion 25a make it necessary to vertically lift the locking pin 25 and the element 20 therewith in order to free the device B from its blocking position. Since it would be virtually impossible to cause such vertical movement of the blocking device B byjiggling the door SP or by manipulations from the outside of the building in which the sliding door or closure A is located, the blocking device B thus is prevented from being removed by someone trying to break into the building through the sliding door or closure A. However, a person may readily grasp the upward extension 25b of the locking pin 25 with two fingers and pull same up substantially vertically when on the inside of the house, and when it is desired to open the door SP from the inside.

For the purposes of storage of the blocking device B when it is removed from its blocking position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. a hole 30 (FIG. 1) may be drilled in the frame F or at any other suitable location adjacent to the closure A for receiving the lower portion 250 of the pin 25 to thereby hold the blocking device B in an inconspicuous place, but readily available to a user for subsequent repositioning in the blocking position.

In the operation or use of the blocking device B illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, it is initially positioned with the pointed lower end 25a of the blocking device B in position on the lower part of the frame F, where it ultimately is positioned for blocking the sliding movement of the sliding panel SP. The lower end of the pin 25 is pointed so as to form a marking punch, and therefore, the installer may hit the upper end 25b of the pin 25 to mark the point on the frame F at which the hole 26 is to be drilled. With the blocking device B removed from the blocking position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hole 26 is drilled at the point of the punch mark formed by the pointed lower end of the pin 25, and such hole 26 is preferably just slightly larger than the external diameter of the lower portion 25a of the pin 25 so that there is substantially no travel of the blocking device B when the lower end 250 of the pin 25 is in the hole 26. Also, the closer the fit between the lower end 250 of the pin 25 and the hole 26, the more effective are the threads or undulations on such lower portion 25a in preventing a removal of the blocking device B except by substantially vertical lifting as previously explained.

After the hole 26 has thus been drilled or otherwise formed in the lower portion of the frame F, the blocking device B is ready for use and may be positioned as illustrated in the drawings for blocking the sliding movement of the sliding panel SP so that it is virtually impossible to pry or otherwise force the sliding panel SP to an open position. However, the occupant of the house or building may readily lift the blocking device B upwardly by grasping the pin 25 at its upper portion 25b and lifting it substantially vertically upwardly and then it may be placed in the hole 30 as previously explained, or it may be placed in any other suitable location for subsequent use when it is desired to relock the sliding door SP.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein a different type of sliding door or closure A4 is illustrated, which includes a sliding pane] SP4 and a fixed panel FP-l. A closure A-l differs principally from the closure A in that the sliding panel SP-I is disposed outside of the fixed panel FPI. In other words, the fixed panel FPI is on the room side of the building, whereas the sliding panel SP-l is on the outside portion of the housing or building. The

frame F-l illustrated in FIG. 5 is similar to the frame F, except that the track ridge 117 is disposed on the outer portion of the frame F-l for receiving the rollers on the sliding panel SP-l (FIGS. 5 an 6). Thus, except for being reversed in positions, the panels SP-l and FP-l are normally the same as the panels SP and FE, respectively and therefore they bear the same numerals and/or letters in both forms of the closure.

Since the sliding panel SP-l is outside of the fixed panel FP-l, the arrangement for the blocking device B of FIGS. 1-4 cannot be used with the sliding door or closure A-l. A modified blocking device Bl is provided for maintaining the sliding door or panel SP-l in the closed position, even though it is disposed outside of the fixed panel FP-l.

The blocking device B-l includes a blocking element or bar which corresponds with the blocking element or bar 20 of the blocking device B. A locking pin is provided in the bar 120 and it is held against rotation by a retaining pin 128 which corresponds with the pin 25 and the retaining pin 28 of FIGS. 3 and 4.

An attachment means C is secured to the frame 12 of the sliding panel SP-l, so as to extend inside thereof for engagement of the blocking element or bar 120 (FIG. 5) so as to thereby prevent the sliding of the panel SP-l to an open position. A suitable hole 126 is provided in the frame F-l for receiving the lower end 1250 of the pin 125 in the same manner as heretofore described in connection with the blocking device B.

The attachment means C is thus located with an attachment block 50 forming a part thereof in engagement with the latching element 120. The attachment block 50 is secured to a connecting plate 51 by bolts 52 having nuts 52a therewith, or any other suitable securing means. The connecting plate 51 is secured to the frame 12 of the sliding panel SP-l at a location below its edge 12b, which is normally below the handle used for opening and closing the sliding panel SP-l (see handle 32 in FIG. 1 for a typical location of a handle). Although the connecting plate 51 may be secured to such frame 12 by any suitable means, preferably two screws 55 which thread from the inside of the sliding panel SP-l fit into elongated sleeves 56, of conventional construction and having internal threads 5611 for receiving in threaded engagement therewith the bolts 55. The heads 56b of the sleeves 56 are smooth so that no screwdriver or other tool can engage them for turning purposes. It will be appreciated that suitable openings 57 are drilled or are otherwise formed in the frame 12 for receiving the sleeves 56. The holes 57 should be drilled at a location so that the lower surface 50a of the attachment block 50 is disposed above the surface 60 of the frame F-l.

A stabilizing plate 65 is preferably secured outwardly of the attachment block 50 by the same bolts 52 and the nuts 52a therewith (FIG. 7). Such stabilizing plate 65 extends longitudinally beyond the ends 5012 and 50c of the attachment block 50 so as to form a recess at each end of the stabilizing plate 65 for receiving the blocking element or bar 120, depending upon which side the bar 120 is located relative to the attachment block 50. Thus, in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, the bar 120 is on the right-hand side of the attachment block 50 and fits into the recess as illustrated in FIG. 7. However, should the sliding panel SP-l be located on the right-hand side of the closure A-l, and the fixed panel FP-l at the same time be located on the left-hand side thereof, then the opposite recess on the left-hand side of the plate 65 would serve to receive the blocking element or bar 120.

In the operation or use of the blocking device 8-1, the attachment means C is first installed by drilling appropriate holes 57 through the frame 12 of the sliding panel SP-l. As noted above, the holes 57 are drilled at a sufficiently high elevation to locate the lower surface 500 of the connecting block 50 above the surface 60 of the lower portion of the closure frame F-l so that the block 50 and the stabilizing plates 65 do not drag or engage the surface 60 of the frame F] when the sliding panel SP-l is moved relative thereto. After the attachment means C is thus positioned on the sliding panel SP-l with the bolts 55 and the internally threaded sleeves 56, the blocking element or bar 120 is disposed in the position shown in H0. 5, and the pointed lower end of the pin 125 is utilized to make a mark on the surface 60 of the frame F-l. A hammer may be used to strike the upper part of the pin 125 to make such mark with the lower pointed end of the pin 125 if necessary. Thereafter, the door SP-l may be opened to get the attachment means C out of the way for the drilling of the hole 126 in the frame F-l. Since the sliding panel or door SPl may thus be moved, the precise location of the pin 125 with respect to the end 50b of the attachment block 50 is not as critical as heretofore described in connection with the location ofthe pin 25 relative to the vertical surface 120 in FIG. 3.

After the hole 126 has been drilled, the blocking device 8-1 is ready for use, so that when the pin 125 is positioned in the hole 126, the engagement of the bar 120 with the attachment block 50 prevents any opening movement of the sliding panel SP-l. The stabilizing plate 65 prevents a twisting or turning movement of the bar 120 should someone attempt to jiggle or turn the element 120 byjiggling or otherwise manipulating the door SPl from the outside thereof.

However, the bar 120 may be readily removed from ,its blocking position by lifting upwardly on the upper portion of the pin 125. The bar 120 with its pin 125 may then be stored in a convenient location such as the hole 30 illustrated in FIG. 1. With the bar 120 and the pin 125 removed from their blocking position shown in H6. 5, the sliding panel SP-l may be opened in the normal manner, carrying with it the attachment means C. When it is desired to again lock the sliding panel SP1, the bar 120 with the pin 125 are repositioned as illustrated in FIG. 5 to again lock the panel SP-l to prevent unauthorized entry into the building or housing having the closure A-l therein.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape, and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

lclaim:

l. A blocking device for locking a sliding closure having a sliding panel and a fixed panel in a closure frame wherein the sliding panel slides in a trackway in the closure frame, comprising:

a blocking element having a length less than the width ofthe fixed panel and having sides adjacent walls of the trackway to prevent any substantial pivotal movement thereof in the trackway;

a locking pin secured to said blocking element only and hav ing a locking portion extending inwardly therefrom for removably positioning in a hole in the closure frame in close proximity to the sliding panel, whereby said blocking element serves to prevent an opening of the sliding panel from its closed position until said locking pin is removed from said hole in said closure frame; and

said locking portion having a diameter less than the size of said hole in the closure frame to enable said pin and block therewith to be removed from the frame by a straight outward movement.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said locking pin also has a grasping portion which extends in a direction away from the outer surface of said blocking element for a sufiicient distance to enable a person to grasp the grasping portion of said locking pin with his fingers for removing said locking pin from the hole in the closure frame.

3. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said locking pin has an undulating external surface on the portion thereof extending below said locking pin for engaging the side of the hole in the closure frame unless the locking pin is moved outwardly in a predetermined direction.

4. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said blocking element is disposed on the inside of the fixed panel and in engagement with one vertical edge of the sliding panel.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4, wherein:

said locking pin is spaced from said vertical edge of the sliding panel a distance great enough to permit the drilling of said hole in the closure frame for receiving said locking pin.

6. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said blocking element is a solid bar of substantially square cross section which is of a width to substantially fill the distance between said walls of said trackway and which is small enough to be inconspicuously positioned elsewhere on said closure frame when not in use.

7. The structure set forth in claim 1, including:

an attachment means for the sliding panel having an attachment block extending inwardly from the sliding panel for engagement with said blocking element when said locking pin is in said hole in said closure frame.

8. The structure set forth in claim 7, wherein said attachment means also includes:

a connecting plate having connection with said attachment block and adapted to be connected to said sliding panel.

9. The structure set forth in claim 8, wherein said attachment means further includes:

a stabilizing plate mounted on said attachment block and spaced from said connecting plate a distance slightly greater than the width of said blocking element for confining same when said element is in engagement with said attachment block.

Claims (9)

1. A blocking device for locking a sliding closure having a sliding panel and a fixed panel in a closure frame wherein the sliding panel slides in a trackway in the closure frame, comprising: a blocking element having a length less than the width of the fixed panel and having sides adjacent walls of the trackway to prevent any substantial pivotal movement thereof in the trackway; a locking pin secured to said blocking element only and having a locking portion extending inwardly therefrom for removably positioning in a hole in the closure frame in close proximity to the sliding panel, whereby said blocking element serves to prevent an opening of the sliding panel from its closed position until said locking pin is removed from said hole in said closure frame; and said locking portion having a diameter less than the size of said hole in the closure frame to enable said pin and block therewith to be removed from the frame by a straight outward movement.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: said locking pin also has a grasping portion which extends in a direction away from the outer surface of said blocking element for a sufficient distance to enable a person to grasp the grasping portion of said locking pin with his fingers for removing said locking pin from the hole in the closure frame.

3. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: said locking pin has an undulating external surface on the portion thereof extending below said locking pin for engaging the side of the hole in the closure frame unless the locking pin is moved outwardly in a predetermined direction.

4. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: said blocking element is disposed on the inside of the fixed panel and in engagement with one vertical edge of the sliding panel.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4, wherein: said locking pin is spaced from said vertical edge of the sliding panel a distance great enough to permit the drilling of said hole in the closure frame for receiving said locking pin.

6. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: said blocking element is a solid bar of substantially square cross section which is of a width to substantially fill the distance between said walls of said trackway and which is small enough to be inconspicuously positioned elsewhere on said closure frame when not in use.

7. The structure set forth in claim 1, including: an attachment means for the sliding panel having an attachment block extending inwardly from the sliding panel for engagement with said blocking element when said locking pin is in said hole in said closure frame.

8. The structure set forth in claim 7, wherein said attachment means also includes: a connecting plate having connection with said attachment block and adapted to be connected to said sliding panel.

9. The structure set forth in claim 8, wherein said attachment means further includes: a stabilizing plate mounted on said attachment block and spaced from said connecting plate a distance slightly greater than the width of said blocking element for confining same when said element is in engagement with said attachment block.

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